DuJour Winter 2012

THE TRIUMPHANT

NICOLE

KIDMAN

+50 LEGENDS:

HOFFMAN, WALKEN, CAINE, JAGGER, DYLAN & MORE

MILLION-DOLLAR MURDER MYSTERY

DIAMONDS , DIAMONDS AND MORE DIAMONDS

THE PARTY SCENE FROM ASPEN TO PALM BEACH RAHM

NEVER LATE.

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TO BREAK THE RULES,

YOU MUST FIRST MASTER THEM.

THE WATCH THAT BROKE ALL THE RULES, REBORN FOR 2012. IN 1972, THE ORIGINAL ROYAL OAK SHOCKED THE WATCHMAKING WORLD AS THE FIRST HAUTE HOROLOGY SPORTS WATCH TO TREAT STEEL AS A PRECIOUS METAL. TODAY THE NEW ROYAL OAK COLLECTION STAYS TRUE TO THE SAME PRINCIPLES SET OUT IN LE BRASSUS ALL THOSE YEARS AGO: “BODY OF STEEL, HEART OF GOLD”. OVER 130 YEARS OF HOROLOGICAL CRAFT, MASTERY AND EXQUISITE DETAILING LIE INSIDE THIS ICONIC MODERN EXTERIOR; THE ALWAYS PURPOSEFUL ROYAL OAK ARCHITECTURE NOW EXPRESSED IN 41MM DIAMETER. THE AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS.

NEW

BRAINPOWER.

BY EQUINOX.

Ready-to-wear for Spring 2013 was black and white and

Plaid isn’t just for lumberjacks this season. Case in point: Isaia’s cashmere-and-wool suit

Girard-Perregaux and Maîtres du Temps rein-

La

of a legendary lingerie

Pilot

This

Two young labels turn out old-soul styles. Dapper crooner Nick Waterhouse tries them on

Chef Blaine Wetzel is tantalizing the Pacific Northwest with his succulent foraged fare

GROWI

Peggy Drexler, Ph.D., on raising kids who have it all—good sense included

Battling it out for the most over-the-top proposal

THE

Forget the piña coladas: The islands now offer singular experiences to satisfy thrill-seekers

The harmonious world of Axel Vervoordt has kicked off a peaceful home-style revolution

AT

For the granddaughter of Estée Lauder, home décor is where the heart is

TV’s favorite talking head shares remembrances of his Atlanta upbringing

PAG

Sushi Samba is London’s new hotspot

WORK

POWER SEAT: CLIVE DAVIS

Sitting down with the man who’s discovered everyone from Janis Joplin to Alicia keys

LET’S BE BRIEF

126

Classic document holders in smooth leathers and handsome hues get a contemporary look

AMERICAN INVASION

High-rolling American brands are popping up all over the genteel streets of London

WEGMAN’S WORLD

An exclusive peek inside William Wegman’s studio, where his Weimaraners rule the roost

STANDARD THINKING

Inside the chic and cheeky world of André Balazs

Becoming Nicole

PAGE 150

(On cover) Cashmere striped shawl collar cardigan, MAX MARA , $995, 212-879-6100. kabuki Babydoll, LA PERLA , $405, laperla.com. kidman’s own CARTIER ring. Sensational Effects Lipcolor in S.O.S. Pink; Blush Highlighter in Moonlight Rose, $42, LANCÔME , $22, lancome-usa.com.

Hugo Weaving

PAGE 178

ROCK COVERS PAPER 164

Being bold takes stones—specifically, these stunning contemporary diamonds

A MURDER IN PALM SPRINGS 170

No one was ever arrested after the shocking deaths of three older people. Investigative reporter John Connolly follows the trail from a $1 million trust fund created by heiress Barbara Hutton through decades of family secrets to ballistic evidence that could finally crack the 34-year-old case

EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN 178

Alan Arkin, Michael Caine, Dustin Hoffman, Ray Liotta, Christopher Walken and Hugo Weaving discuss a lifetime on screen with Adam Rathe

CULTURE

TIME IS ON MY SIDE

Looking back on the auspicious year when the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Beatles and the Beach Boys all began, rocking our world forever

THE HIT MAN

Music mogul Tommy Mottola has a new memoir and lots of stories

WORTH HIS WEIGHT IN GOLD

143

What goes into winning an Oscar? More than just a great performance

THE GENIUS OF JEFFERSON

146

A new book on the founding father highlights the conflicts faced by all politicians

RAHM 2.0

188

The screaming Rahmbo of Washington days is gone, replaced by the smooth Chicago mayor. Nina Burleigh catches up with Rahm Emanuel

BECOMING NICOLE

Drawn to dark terrain in her work, Nicole kidman lives in the light every day with husband keith Urban and their two children. Patricia Bosworth charts the actress’s journey to joy and her bravest work yet

GEORGIA STATE OF MIND 158

Escaping the mad dash of New York and the runways of Paris, Robert Duffy, president of Marc Jacobs International, relishes the quiet charms and faded glamour of Savannah between seasons

N EW YORK

241

CONTENTS

C ITIES

ASP EN

196

The Hotel Jerome gets a facelift; Tom Sachs shows at Baldwin Gallery; decorating elements for your ski chalet

CHIC AGO

200

The DuJour launch party rocks Ian Schrager’s the Public Hotel; luxury sportswear at Haberdash Bespoke; Vernissage art benefit; Bavette’s Bar and Boeuf steakhouse

D ALLAS

207

Highland Park goes French; the best facials in town; new restaurants to try; the renovated Hotel Joule; why everyone’s wearing Nha k hanh

H OUSTON

211

Discover new gastronomic greats; where to buy jewelry; vintage shopping with the Vintage Contessa

LAS VEGAS

214

Shania Twain, Faith Hill and race cars bring thrills to Sin City; new eats from Eva Longoria, the Wynn, the Venetian and the Commonwealth

LOS ANGE LES

220

DuJour gets down with Nicole Richie; katy Perry hits the Hammer; John Varvatos turns 10; a debut from Benjamin Millepied; the reopening of Regen Projects; katharine Ross’ L.A.

MI A MI 231

A guide to Art Basel; Gucci parties in Bal Harbour; where to eat now—for dinner and dessert; rejuvenation at the James Royal Palm; a new menu at the Setai; haute shopping sprees; New Year’s Eve at Milos

The Plaza’s Christmas tree dazzles; falling for New York City Ballet; celebrating Studio in a School; Chanel lights up MoMA; new restaurants from Andrew Carmellini and Ed Schoenfeld; great new grub in the Tri-State area; Greenwich gives back

ORANGE C OUNTY

261

A star-studded fundraiser in Laguna Beach; the Harvesters luncheon does good; kacey SpiesBruno on the best of the O.C.

PAL M BE A CH

263

Leta Austin Foster talks style; the Breakers gets a new Florentine Room; Georgina Bloomberg, author; Pamela Fiore’s love letter to Palm Beach

SAN FRANCI SCO

266

Hot new shops pop up; Ralph Rucci on the walls; opening night at the symphony; where to eat now; Alexis Swanson Traina and Ann Getty open up

E ND NO TE

LAST W OR DS

Deepak Chopra’s handwriting tells all

272

PAG E 158

Robert Duffy’s Savannah getaway

PAG E 86

PAG E 45

PAG E 92

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WHO:

JASON BINN

WHAT: A LETTER FROM THE CEO

Heading into the holiday season, we’re all thinking about celebrating, whether it’s spending time with friends and family or planning a way to ring in the New Year with a bang. Around the DuJour offices, things are no different—and we’ve got plenty to celebrate.

Since our debut in September, DuJour has felt festive. From the amazing events we’ve hosted so far in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago—three of our top-tier “DuJour Cities”—to the response we’ve had from readers who’ve fallen in love with the magazine and advertisers that have believed in us since day one, it’s been an outpouring of goodwill.

On September 5, more than 500 people streamed into one of Manhattan’s chicest venues, Capitale, to fete our seamlessly integrated print and digital platforms. DJs Questlove, Sky Nellor, Donna D’Cruz and Chelsea Leyland provided the music that kept VIP guests—from the 4-foot-7 Dr. Ruth to the 6-foot-11 Amar’e Stoudemire—grooving.

DuJour’s first cover model, Christy Turlington Burns, was on hand—alongside Bruce Weber, who took the gorgeous photographs of her—to host the event and spread the word about Every Mother Counts, her charity devoted to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for all women. It was a great mix of people for a magazine with a great mix of content and marketing partners— many of which could be found in BinnShots and who work with the stellar team of Phil Witt, Ron Stern and Gayle Perry Sobel under the leadership of Alan Katz and Cindy Lewis.

A week later, we celebrated the release of our first digital issue with cover girl Nicole Richie at Skybar at

the Mondrian hotel in Los Angeles. DuJour ’s perfectly cohesive digital and print presence was mirrored by the crowd. And if you haven’t yet seen Nicole’s hilarious send-up of the classic comedy Private Benjamin on Dujour.com, you’ve got to check it out.

If that weren’t enough, on October 9, I joined my good friend Ian Schrager to toast the one-year anniversary of the opening of Public, his stunning new hotel in Chicago, with chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. It seems like everywhere I turn, the people and places we cover in DuJour are prospering. And that’s worth saluting.

The holiday spirit hasn’t been lost within the magazine, either. Inside this issue, we’ve got the latest on culture, nightlife, entertaining and society in hotspots from Aspen to Palm Beach. And DuJour’s website is brimming with the spirit thanks to a robust holiday gift guide featuring the best in luxury presents.

I’m so proud of the success the magazine has had so far and so grateful for the deluge of support we’ve received.

Here’s to more of the same in 2013.

Happy New Year!

Photo by Sante D’Orazio

My wife, Haley, and I in costume as Edie Sedgwick and Andy Warhol. Maybe Halloween parties should be in DuJour’s future!

BINN SHOTS

Behind the velvet rope with DuJour CEO Jason Binn

Follow on Twitter @JasonBinn

THANK YOU TO MY HANDPICKED “EXTENDED FAMILY”

Alan Grubman

Alan Patricof

Alexis Sarkissian

Alicia Washburn

Andrea Chao

Andy Dunn

Anne Hearst

Artie Rabin

Ava Schrager

Ben Lerer

Bianca Jagger

Bill O’Reilly

Bobby Flay

Brett Ratner

Brett Yormark

Brian Atwood

Dr. Brian Chadroff

Brian Shaw

Bronson Van Wyck

Brook Altman

Bruce Ratner

Carmen Tal

DJ Chelsea Leyland

Chris Burch

Christian Louboutin

Claire-Aude Staraci

Colin Cowie

Connie Dyer

Craig Rottenberg

Cristiano Quieti

Damian Mould

Dania Shiblaq

Daniel Alonso

David Blumenfeld

David Mitria

Denise Blasevick

Diana Koo

Dottie Mattison

Drew Grant

Ed Rosenfeld

QUESTLOVE “Spinning the night away for DuJour

MARTHA STEWART “A crowning moment” #dujourlaunch

JAMES COHEN AND KIM KARDASHIAN #dujourlaunch

TRENT FRASER “Très chic always”

NICOLE LEVINSON “It’s all about a solid foundation”

ELLE’S JOE ZEE

STEVE MILLINGTON, ROSANNA SCOTTO AND MICHAEL M C CARTY

”

DJ SKY NELLOR, DAN GALPERN AND CORI GALPERN “The best of the best”

KYLE M AC LACHLAN “A genuine friend”

CORNELIA GUEST “The queen herself”

DR. RUTH AND DJ DONNA D’CRUZ

JONATHAN CHEBAN AND ELLE EDITOR IN CHIEF ROBBIE MYERS

CRISSY AND NIGEL BARKER “Surprise! You’ve BinnShot!” #dujourlaunch

BRUCE WEBER AND HODA KOTB

Efraim Grimberg

Elliot Dornbusch

Emily Lohrman

Erin Smolinski

Farrell Crowley

Senator Frank Lautenberg

Gillian Beck

Gotham Chopra

Greg Furman

Happy Walters

Harry Slatnik

Harvey Weinstein

Ian Schrager

Jade Jagger

Jay Penske

Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Jeff Klein

Jen Gatien

Joe Meli

Jonnice Slaughter

Katja Douedari

Keach Hagey

Larry Goodrich

Laurent Claquin

Lee Brian Schrager

Lindsay Morris

Lisa Dallos

Livia Marotta

Luke Wilson

Marc Hruschka

Marc Lotenberg

Mark Ingall

Margaret Pane

Marissa Wilcox

Massimo Ferragamo

Dr. Michael Apa

Michael DeLellis

Michelle Fox

Michelle Gaillard

Mike Heller

Molly Howard

Nate Berkus

Nick Loeb

Nicole Kidman

Nile Rodgers

Parky Lee

Prerna Balani

Rachael Ray

Rachel Roy

Rebecca Minkoff

Richard Rubenstein

Rick Yorn

Robert Channick

Robert Futterman

Ross Klein

Russell Westbrook

Ryan Kavanaugh

Samantha Ronson

Sara Greenberg

Sari Tuschman

Scott Feldman

Scott Sartiano

Shawn Finnegan

Stefano Tonchi

Susan Haouck

Tanja Ruhnke

Todd Barrato

Tory Burch

Tracy Anderson

Wass Stevens

LANCE BASS

“Always ’N Sync” #dujourlaunch

CHRIS AND ADRIENNE BOSH “Hot shots”

GILT GROUP’S SUSAN LYNE, CHRISTY TURLINGTON, CAPITALE’S SETH GREENBEREG, JARED AND JESSE WEBER

DAISY FUENTES, RUSSELL SIMMONS AND NACHO FIGUERAS

DENISE RICH, CRISTIANO MANCINI AND MICHELLE RELLA “Just say Cavalli”

BARRY KAY AND RICHARD KAY “Band of brothers”

HENRI BARGUIRDJIAN “Always shines bright”

ALEXIS WELCH, AMAR’E STOUDEMIRE AND LAURENT CLAQUIN “Power forwards” #dujourlaunch

MATT NORMAN

ARI HOFFMAN “A personality full of color”

KIM KARDASHIAN AND KANYE WEST “Always up to support a good cause” #angelball

LISA COHEN “Belle of the ball”

PETER CINCOTTI “All the right notes”

RICKY SITOMER “Jet-setter”

FRED REID

ALAN FUERSTMAN “A glorious montage”

HALEY BINN AND INA GARTEN “My better half and the hard-to-find chef”

SEAN AVERY “One person who is tough to hold back—at my own launch”

BILL GOULD

DAVID ARCHIBALD “He knows how to roll”

ANDREW HEIBERGER

London, then back again—and that’s just one story. Meanwhile, staff writer Lindsay Silberman had your upcoming warm-weather getaways in mind when she reported “Uncommon Caribbean.”

NV: But we didn’t confine our big thinking to collecting stamps on our passports. Throughout this issue, we explored the heady concept of legends. We wondered: What makes someone a legend? Is it simply longevity or something more? The piece started with a conversation I had in September at the Toronto Film Festival. Studio executives, film critics—everyone was speculating that the upcoming Oscar race would feature a historically competitive roster of established male actors. Guys like Dustin Hoffman, who makes his directorial debut with the excellent Quartet, and Alan Arkin, who’s generating buzz for his role in Argo

KP: Our theme quickly and easily expanded to look at legends in other fields—some of them expected, some of them perhaps less so. In “Time Is on My Side,” music writer Anthony DeCurtis looks back on the work of the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones. We chatted with music-industry honchos and upcoming memoirists Tommy Mottola and Clive Davis. But the legends that fascinated us weren’t just people: We revisited a famously unsolved murder case from 1970s Palm Springs; a fabled home in Savannah, Georgia; and an iconic lingerie brand undergoing a transformation.

NICOLE VECCHIARELLI: It’s really easy when you’re putting together a magazine from downtown Manhattan to think you know everything that’s going on. After all, New Yorkers are at the center of the world, right? But for this, our second print issue, we aimed to go beyond our little island (as we promise to do every issue) to bring you a range of exciting new people, places and ideas—as well as some old favorites you might have forgotten about. In researching and producing the stories on the following pages, Keith and I logged significant air miles, working on projects that took us to Savannah and Toronto, the south of France and sub-Saharan Africa. We were quite literally editing on the fly.

NV: That’s because the concept of legends was also about reexamining people, work and ideas that too often get lost in the hype of the “new” and the “latest.” Like William Wegman’s dog photos, for example, or Andy Warhol’s influence on beauty. The actor Alan Arkin is someone whose face and work you know and trust but which you may take for granted. We wanted to encourage our readers to take a second look at some of our most important heroes, obvious or not.

KEITH POLLOCK: Our hardworking staff and contributors got around, too. On tiny Lummi Island, in the state of Washington, deputy editor Daryl Chen met Blaine Wetzel, one of the country’s most exciting new chefs. More than 5,000 miles away in Antwerp, Belgian interior designer and antiques dealer Axel Vervoordt was telling writer Stephen Milioti what inspires him; back in Chicago, writer Nina Burleigh got to know mayor Rahm Emanuel. For “A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” photographer Thomas Whiteside traveled from New York City to Connecticut, Los Angeles and

KP: Like… Ryan Seacrest. OK, maybe it’s arguable that Seacrest, who takes us around his hometown of Atlanta in “Southern Hospitality,” is a legend. But as a young media mogul who’s earned his success with a mix of determination and gentility, Seacrest, we’d argue, is most certainly a rare breed. As you read this issue of DuJour, we hope you’re inspired to go out and explore and reconsider and reevaluate. But we also hope you’ll take the time to appreciate what you have back home. As we put this issue to bed, New York City struggled to cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Despite the devastation, the city’s unbreakable spirit—as evidenced by the dedication of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Red Cross and all the volunteer relief workers—was awe inspiring. After a few crazy months circling the globe, we’ve never been happier to call New York our home.

Co-Editor in Chief KEITH POLLOCK

Co-Editor in Chief NICOLE VECCHIARELLI

Art Director

Stephanie JoneS

Executive Editor

nancy bilyeau

FEATURES

Deputy Editors

Daryl chen (Features), nataSha wolFF (cities)

Articles Editor

aDam rathe

Staff Writer

linDSay Silberman Research Editor

ivy paScual

Associate Editor

natalia De ory

ART + PHOTO

Photo Editor

etta meyer Designer

Gina naStaSi

Senior Market Editor

SyDney waSSerman

Assistant Fashion/Market Editor

paul FreDerick

Editorial Assistant brooke bobb

DUJOUR CITIES

Regional Editors

anna bleSSinG (aspen, chicago, las vegas, San Francisco), liza Ghorbani (Dallas, houston, miami), chaDner navarro ( new york, tri-State)

Correspondents

anDrea bennett (las vegas), holly crawFor D (houston), Genie FitzGeralD (los angeles), Sam GlaSer (las vegas), haDley henriette (miami), carloS lopez (los angeles), DaviD naSh (San Francisco), linDley pleSS ( new york, tri-State), nicki r icheSin (San Francisco), maxine trowbriDGe (Dallas)

Contributors

paul bieDrzycki (automotive), patricia boSworth, liSa cohen (home), Dori cooperman, DouGlaS FrieDman, caSSan Dra Grey, beth lan Dm an, alexan Dra peerS, JeFFrey poDolSky, mickey rapkin, r hon Da r iche, lee brian SchraGer, michael Solomon, lauren waterman, thomaS whiteSiDe

Contributing Editors

melanie carnSew (art), k ate crane (copy), aDrienne DiDik (copy), antoine DozoiS (copy), linDa olle (copy), ray roGerS (Features), kelly StaikopouloS (research), anne torpey (copy), katherine weSSlinG (research)

Interns

Samuel anacker, molly barker, Gwen belanD, meaGhan hartlanD

Design Consultant pcr&co

Director of Editorial Operations haley binn

Editor at Large alySSa Giacobbe

Web Design coDe anD theory

copyright 2012 by DuJour media Group, llc. all rights reserved.

For a subscription to DuJour magazine, please email your

Chief Revenue Officer alan k atz

S ALES

Executive Director

Gayle perry Sobel

Executive Director

phil witt

Executive Director

ron Stern

Project Manager

iSabelle mctwiGan

Executive Assistant to the CEO

k ate hazelbaker

Executive Assistant

caitlin hoSek

Sales Assistant

taryn Schweitzer

Chief Advisor

monty ShaDow

Executive Vice President cynthia lewiS

Vice President of Product Development max mcDonnell

PRODUC TION AND TECHNOLOGY

Vice President, Production

Shawn lowe

Digital Strategy Director linDSay k aplan

Prepress Managers

John FranceSconi, michael oh Coordinator robert cohen

Print and Paper Management calev print meDia

FINANCE

Assistant Financial Controller allie SchiFFmiller

Founder/CEO JASOn BInn

Chief Financial Officer CARyn WhItMAn

Co-Chairman JAMES COhEn

Co-Chairman K EVIn RyAn

General Counsel John a. Golieb

applied for october 2012.

CONTRIBUTORS

du jour [ doo zhoor ] adjective [from French: of the day] example: What is your soup du jour? Getting to know some of the talent behind this issue—lunch order and all!

GLENN O’BRIEN WRITER, “CHELSEA GIRLS,” PAGE 106

Soup DuJour: Italian Wedding

Glenn O’Brien started working for Andy Warhol in 1970 and over the years kept up a relationship with the artist. Asked whether he thought Warhol would appreciate the posthumous attention paid to him, O’Brien says, “He’d like it. He always wanted to be famous, and he’s even more famous now than when he was alive.” O’Brien has quite a following h imself; his style tome How to Be a Man is about to enter its fourth hardcover printing, and his writing has appeared in GQ, Interview, High Times and recent Chanel commercials starring Brad Pitt.

L’WREN SCOTT STYLIST, “BECOMING NICOLE,” PAGE 150

Soup DuJour: Soupe au Pistou

For December’s cover story, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier in Nice, France, designer L’Wren Scott returned to her roots as a stylist to create the looks worn by subject Nicole Kidman. “It was fun to change my hat for the day,” says Scott, who’s no stranger to working with Kidman. She dressed the Australian actress for years prior to launching her own eponymous line of clothing, and the two remain great friends. “Nicole is so much fun; that’s the one thing that is not widely publicized about her. We share a lot of things in common,” says the 6-foot-3 Scott. Such as? “I love to hang out with a friend who is nearly as tall as myself,” she says.

JOHN CONNOLLY WRITER, “A MURDER IN PALM SPRINGS,” PAGE 170

Soup DuJour: New England Clam Chowder

“We all have an expectation that if something horrible happens to us, law enforcement will bring us justice. That’s what intrigued me most about this story,” says writer John Connolly of his investigation into the unsolved murder of two wealthy socialites and their housekeeper. In reporting, however, the Vanity Fair contributing editor faced a major obstacle: finding people tied to the 34-year-old case who were still alive. After a year’s worth of digging, Connolly uncovered enough information about the mystery to “put it all together,” he says. “I’m a former detective. And I’m pretty good at sniffing things out.”

ANTHONY D E CURTIS WRITER, “ROCK LEGENDS,” PAGE 138, “POWER SEATS: CLIVE DAVIS,” PAGE 124

Soup DuJour: Mulligatawny

As a longtime music journalist, Anthony DeCurtis hasn’t just studied the icons he pays tribute to in “Rock Legends,” a fond, informed history of ’60s-era legends the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. He felt as if he matured alongside them.

“That was the music I heard growing up,” he says. “It completely determined who I became.” DeCurtis, a contributing editor at Rolling Stone, collaborated on the forthcoming memoir by 80-year-old recordindustry titan Clive Davis, whom he profiles in “Power Seats: Clive Davis.” As DeCurtis puts it, you’re never too old for rock ‘n’ roll.

“Clive and all these artists still deliver,” he says.

A TRIBUTE TO THE MAN WHO CHANGED WATCHMAKING FOREVER

In 1821, Nicolas Rieussec changed watchmaking forever with the invention of the first chronograph. Today, the Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph Automatic is a tribute to the chronograph’s technical evolution. 43 mm stainless steel case, skelleted horns and sapphire crystal back, black calfskin strap with white stitching. Crafted in the Montblanc Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland.

THOMAS WHITESIDE

PHOTOGRAPHER, “CONTINENTAL DRIFT,” PAGE 81

“A LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN,” PAGE 178

Soup DuJour: Corn, Bacon and Potato Chowder

Photographer Thomas Whiteside had two polar-opposite experiences when shooting for our December issue: For “Continental Drift,” he headed to sub-Saharan Africa, and for “A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” he shot legendary Hollywood personalities like Ray Liotta and Michael Caine. “Caine had me laughing the whole time,” says Whiteside of the iconic British actor, captured at home in the Chelsea Harbour section of London. “Those are the days when I have to stop and pinch myself. Each job is a different assignment, a different person, a different set of challenges. I love the adrenaline.” Whiteside’s work has appeared in Elle, Details and Interview Germany. He lives in New York.

LINDLEY PLESS CORRESPONDENT,

CITIES:

TRI-STATE, PAGE 241

Soup DuJour: Lentil

“It’s been fun for me to dive in head first and learn what’s going on and what people should know about,” says DuJour’s Tri-State correspondent, Lindley Pless. “I like making sure people are feeling the pulse of New York by way of our magazine.” For the December issue, Pless covered some of the most fabulous events in the city, but one stood out from the rest. “The New York City Ballet Gala was phenomenal,” she says. “To be face-to-face with Sarah Jessica Parker and hear her talk about one of her passions— the arts—was really incredible.” Pless is a former broadcast journalist based in Connecticut.

MAURA EGAN WRITER, “GEORGIA STATE OF MIND,” PAGE 158

Soup DuJour: Butternut Squash

This month, writer Maura Egan profiled Marc Jacobs International president Robert Duffy at his hideaway in Savannah, Georgia. “He’s a larger-than-life character in this small southern town,” she says of Duffy, who also keeps homes in Greenwich Village and Provincetown, Massachusetts. “In Savannah, he takes on a more mellow demeanor. Most New York-based fashion executives have a house in the Hamptons, but I like that Savannah is his little secret. You’d think he’d be a fish out of water there, but he’s really not.” Egan is the features director of W

ANNA BLESSING EDITOR, CITIES: ASPEN, CHICAGO, LAS VEGAS, SAN FRANCISCO, PAGE 195

Soup DuJour: Tom Yum

MIMI RITZEN CRAWFORD PHOTOGRAPHER, “AT HOME WITH AERIN,” PAGE 86

Soup DuJour: Tortilla

“She is the epitome of the modern New York woman: authoritative and powerful, yet classy and understated,” says photographer Mimi Ritzen Crawford of her subject, Aerin Lauder. When Lauder made an impromptu wardrobe change and ever so casually stepped onto the set wearing a gorgeous navy blue Erdem dress, Crawford immediately saw the photo come to life. After spending years in various roles at Estée Lauder, the beauty empire founded by her grandmother, Lauder is launching AERIN, a lifestyle brand that includes makeup, jewelry, and a collection of home accessories. “She has amazing taste,” says the New York City-based Crawford, whose work has also appeared in Vogue, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times “I would want any and all of her pieces in my own home.”

Anna Blessing has a lot on her plate as DuJour’s regional editor for San Francisco, Las Vegas, Aspen and Chicago—but that’s actually what she loves most about the job. “You really get a taste of what’s happening across the country, and it makes you want to get out there and explore,” she says. From covering the renovation of the Hotel Jerome in Aspen to her interview with an entrepreneur who’s transforming the luxury resale business in Chicago, Blessing says, “I get to learn about some pretty outstanding people and places.” Based in Chicago, Blessing is the author of Locally Grown, a book about sustainable farmers in the Midwest and the chefs who use their ingredients.

BEHIND THE SCENES

The Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat provides a lavish backdrop for our cover shoot

With its manicured gardens and sweeping ocean vistas, the newly renovated Grand-Hôtel du Cap Ferrat, a magnificent palace on the Côte d’Azur, was a no-brainer for this issue’s cover shoot with Nicole Kidman. It’s the sort of luxurious property befitting royalty, Hollywood or otherwise—and it perfectly suited the actress’s current frame of mind as she settled into life in the South of France while preparing for her next role, as Grace Kelly in Grace of Monaco In fact, Kidman is the one who requested the location— as she’d always wanted to visit it.

Throughout its 100-year history, the hotel has hosted artists and film stars seeking refuge and relaxation. Perched atop the peninsula of CapFerrat, the 17-acre property has 49 rooms and 24 suites that have been exquisitely remodeled by designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, using silks and pastels to maximize the effects of the surrounding gardens and spectacular natural sunlight, which figures prominently in our shoot. Kidman and the crew filmed at various spots throughout the hotel grounds, including near the Olympic-sized seawater infinity pool, where resident swimming instructor Pierre Gruneberg has been teaching guests since 1950. Kidman loved the pool so much, she made plans to come back with her kids.

After a hard day of work under the Mediterranean sun, some of the crew luxuriated at the hotel’s Le Spa, equipped with private steam rooms and offering massages and facials with Carita products. The perfect ending? A decadent meal at the Michelinstarred Restaurant Le Cap.

(Clockwise, from top) Kidman wears a L’Wren Scott wool gabardine vest, $1,590, and pants, $750, lwrenscott.com ; a view of the infinity pool and Mediterranean Sea from the Club Dauphin restaurant; Demarchelier admires Kidman as she strikes a pose on the rocks; outdoor treatment cabanas in the Spa Garden; the venerable hotel’s facade. KIdMAN: PATRICK deMARCHeLIeR; HOTeL exTeRIORS: jIMMY MeTTIeR (3)

Paul Weller and Miles Kane: New York, NY

Photographed by Danny Clinch, 2012

FOR ME.

X-1, new from EBEL. White ceramic with 18K rose gold bezel & diamonds. EBEL.COM

PARIS MATCH

Underwritten by a dose of healthy competition (and invariably daring), Ready-to-Wear for Spring 2013 was black-and-white and mod all over. Harriet Mays Powell places bets

Arriving in Paris in late September, the world’s fashion press was in a state of hyperexcitement—I’ve never experienced anything quite like it—due to the anticipated clash between titans Yves Saint Laurent and Dior. Each house now has a new designer at the helm, and each man was, apparently, determined to interpret its traditions in radical and imaginative ways.

We were not disappointed. Raf Simons’ first ready-to-wear collection was a masterful modernization of classic Dior and easily my favorite collection for spring. His tuxedos reworked the famous “Bar” jacket, with simple chiffon scarves tied loosely at the neck serving to relay a hint of femininity, while his reinvention of Dior’s classic gray skirt—the legendary designer’s favorite

color—was embellished with discreet pleated insets and touched by a sliver of iridescent trim. Dior’s passion for flowers, roses in particular, was reimagined in gigantic, stylized blooms on sheer and shimmery ball-gown skirts, topped with simple black cashmere sweaters for night.

At Saint Laurent, Hedi Slimane marked his inaugural collection with the controversial decision to remove the “Yves,” except on the brand’s perfume and cosmetics, and add “Paris” to labels for clothing. After living in L.A. for three years, Slimane recently returned to Paris, where he’d first attracted attention designing the now-ubiquitous skinny men’s suit for Dior Homme. For his first foray into women’s wear, he dipped into the house’s ’70s archives. The tux reappeared, but in slightly shorter and tighter versions; the safari look

was back in a midi-length suede dress; and Yves’ famous colorful silk mousseline frocks provided the show’s finale. Word is recent showroom sales have been strong, which means Rachel Zoe clones will be in complete hippie heaven when the first pieces arrive in stores.

While New York, London and Milan were all outstanding this season, Paris, as a whole, was head and shoulders above the rest. Collections were awash in ’60s classics, with miniskirts and A-line dresses in geometric prints recalling the icons of t he decade: Twiggy and Jane Birkin. In his eponymous and Louis Vuitton collections, Marc Jacobs showed stripes, dots and checks in both bold colors and black-and-white. Karl Lagerfeld’s collection for Chanel featured an A-line bustier minidress with oversized white “dots” made of

Hedi Slimane has dressed musicians ranging from David Bowie to Beck to Daft Punk to Jack White.

classic Chanel white pearl appliqué. And one model strutted the catwalk in a punchy black-and-white one-piece swimsuit, sporting a mod oversized circular bag.

Proenza Schouler’s powerful collection offered a crisp black-and-white topper, while Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein sparingly employed contrasting trim on the edges of his minimalist black-and-white silhouettes. Nicolas Ghesquière’s stellar showing for Balenciaga brought ruffles from the original designer’s native Spain—this time in undulating black curves cascading down the exposed leg of a slit long skirt—and married them with a white rectangular tabard cropped top.

For fashion designers, the play of masculine against feminine is a game that has no end. Recalling the often-androgynous works of famed photographer Helmut Newton, Alber Elbaz created a fresh version of the tuxedo for Lanvin. His sleeveless asymmetrical jacket, with an obi-like belt, had a dramatic shard of white on a single lapel. In fact, the wind from the East blew strongly this season. Not just obi belts but also deconstructed kimonos and hibiscus prints testified to the influence from Asia. Miuccia Prada used simple chalk-drawn flowers appliquéd on black and kimono folds in duchess satin for evening. (Gone were the cacophonous prints of recent collections.) These were supported by Japanese platform flat sandals and judo socks. And Haider Ackermann’s structured jackets with wide belts brought Asian martial arts clearly to mind.

Juxtaposing these forceful patterns and

Karl Lagerfeld shared his inspiration for the hyped Chanel hula-hoop bag by telling the Daily Telegraph, “It’s for the beach; you need space for the beach towel. And then you can put it into the sand and hang things on it.”

Christian Dior Marc Jacobs

Saint Laurent Paris

Dries Van Noten

Gucci

Chanel

Prada

sharp silhouettes were some softer alternatives, including sheer fabrics infused with shimmery metallics. Although aspects of Dries Van Noten’s collection channeled Kurt Cobain and the grunge era of the late ’80s, his feminine plaids came in chiffons and washed-out patterns, and were styled with long, embroidered skirts and metallic pumps. At Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci’s effortless take on spring included organza ruffl es rippling at the shoulder. Gucci used ruffles too, but designer Frida Giannini called on hot colors like turquoise and shocking pink to make them a little less sweet. For evening, Rick Owens’ beige, pearlized, off-the-shoulder gowns and Ann Demeulemeester’s voluminous black-chiffon dresses had an easy wearability for any summer occasion.

Camped out afterwards at the Café Flore on the Boulevard St. Germain, my fashionista friends and colleagues agreed to disagree on the YSL–Dior “showdown” but were otherwise, unusually, of a single opinion. The Spring 2013 collections were among the most exciting we’d ever seen. This time around, designers went for it, full-tilt; not a single one was afraid to make a (very) bold statement. “Take it, or leave it,” they seemed to say.

Trust me. We’ll take it.

Balenciaga

Proenza Schouler

Louis Vuitton

Alexander Wang

Ann Demeulemeester

Lanvin

Always one for a spectacle, Alexander Wang closed his Spring 2013 show with a black-lit runway showing off his glow-in-the-dark ensembles.

Looks like the ’90s rave movement is having a serious comeback.

WELL- SUITED

This winter, plaid isn’t just for lumberjacks. For a clean, modern take on the pattern, try this cashmere-and-wool suit from Italian menswear mainstay Isaia.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRAD BRIDGERS

Midcentury-modern Danish furniture designer Hans J. Wegner, who created the chair above, believed that his creations should be visually appealing from all vantage points. Wegner, whose work is shown at MoMA, said, “A chair is to have no back side. It should be beautiful from all sides and angles.”

Cashmere-and-wool plaid suit, $3,975; Shirt, $395; Wool regimental-striped tie, $225; Leather cap-toe oxford, $695, ISAIA , 212-245-3733. The Valet chair, $18,000, HANS J. WEGNER FOR JOHANNES HANSEN , WYETH, 212-243-3661.

GRAPHIC GOODIES

Black-and-white deco rings lend instant elegance to an evening out on the town

PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRISTINE BLACKBURNE

Case: (From left) Prism box, $695, FLAIR , flairhomecollection.com Fantasia Flex bracelet, $48,300; Fantasia Criss-Cross ring, $4,800, ROBERTO COIN, Neiman Marcus, 888-888-4757. Gessato ring, $13,460, DAMIANI, 212-760-2790. 18-karat yellow gold, diamond and enamel ring, $24,500, DAVID WEBB, davidwebb.com Top hand: Limited Edition Modern Art Deco watch, $51,000, RALPH LAUREN FINE WATCHMAKING , ralphlaurenwatches.com (Rings from left) 18-karat white gold and diamond knot ring, $11,400, ROBERTO COIN, Neiman Marcus, 888-888-4757. Sahara ring, price upon request, DI MODOLO, similar styles at dimodolo.com Lower hand: (From left) Piume ring, $16,190, DAMIANI, 212-760-2790. Celtic Noir Cable

riolusa.com Spicchi Luna

$1,975, CHARRIOL ,

$5,640, DAMIANI, 212-760-2790. Celtic Noir Cable

Celtic Noir Cable

: (From

)

CHARRIOL ,

DAVID

$1,395,

, da-

18-karat yellow gold, platinum, diamond and enamel ring, $28,000, DAVID WEBB, davidwebb.com Spicchi Luna ring, $7,490, DAMIANI, 212-760-2790. Stone Cable ring , $1,450, DAVID YURMAN, davidyurman.com

NAILING THE LOOK

Fall’s sexy, noir jewelry is complemented by the deep reds and rich burgundy colors that crowd the beauty counters right now. Keep your manicure classic with polishes from Dior, Ciaté and Tom Ford.

(From left) Smoky Plum nail

$23, DIOR VERNIS, dior.com Dangerous Affair paint pot, CIATÉ , $15, nordstrom.com Plum Noir nail lacquer, $30, TOM FORD, neimanmarcus.com

ring,

char-

ring,

ring,

CHARRIOL , charriolusa.com On table

left

Carved Cable ring, $1,450,

YURMAN

vidyurman.com

ring, $795,

charriolusa.com

lacquer,

IT’S COMPLICATED

Girard-Perregaux and Maîtres du Temps reinvent high-end watchmaking with exquisite craftsmanship and an influx of youth.

Rhonda Riche clocks in. PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRISTINE BLACKBURNE

In the world of haute horlogerie — the corner of the luxury watch world where supercomplicated movements matter more than gold and diamonds the artisans who create the mechanisms reaching celebrity status. Just as garde chefs Ferran Adrià and Heston menthal became stars by rethinking cepted kitchen techniques to reinvent dining, watch manufacturers Girard-Perreguax and Maîtres du Temps are both promoting watchmakers and tinkering with the traditions of timepieces.

are avant Bluacfine manufacturers

GP been three in

Yet new buzz about began year.

“With a mechanical says Holtzman. You it bring it to life.” On the other end of Holtzman draw watchmakers into the spotlight because the beat.

chronograph featuring a tourbillon retrograde GMT and two rolling bars indicating the day of the week and the moon phases, respectively. mechanical watch, you interact with it,” Holtzman. “You set it. You wind it it, you to life.” On the other end of that interaction is the artisan. Holtzman wanted to watchmakers into the spotlight bethey also make the heart of the watch eat. Working with other master watchmakers is a big draw for independent watchmakers such as Kari Voutilainen, Andreas Strehler and Christophe Claret, who collaborated with Maîtres Temps on other mechanisms. “We worked with the best in the business,” Holtzman, “and the watchmakers were improve each other’s game.”

GP, industry

GP has always been a home for inventors — its iconic Tourbillon with three gold bridges is one of the most celebrated watch movements horological history. Yet a new buzz about the company began when former Gucci chairman Michele Sofi sti took over as CEO last year. When he hired star watchmaker Dominique Loiseau to collaborate with it sent a clear message to the industry that the brand was passionate about the future of haute horlogerie.

a big independent Kari Claret, du says “and the watchmakers were able to As of few able to attract

“There is sometimes a veil of mystery when one speaks of haute horlogerie,” says Sofi sti. “It embraces a living history looking to the future, a rich culture ethic, exquisite expertise.” For example, the introduction of GP’s limited-edition Bi-Axial Tourbillon Watch in September left fans gasping at the understated beauty of its gold bridges, aligned barrel, wheel train and exposed tourbillon. The fact that there are only 33 of these handmade gems in existence make the watch even more desirable.

Steven Holtzman also came from traditional watchmaking — his family owned the Gruen brand — and has a passionate commitment to innovation. Holtzman started Maîtres du Temps by sembling the equivalent of a watchmaking supergroup, approaching famed masters Christophe Claret, Roger Dubuis and Peter Speake-Marin and asking them to collaborate on what was to become Chapter One: a hyper-complicated mono pusher

one of the few watch companies that manufactures its own movements, GP is also attract a watchmaker like Dominique Loiseau by giving him a playground where he could develop his own revolutionary watch movement, which will début in 2013. This grand complication will include a grande sonnerie and integrated chronoamong other surprises. According Sofisti, elements of this complication will become the centerpiece for a whole family of movements. “Essentially,” he says, “it’s a radical approach to watchmaking, which traditionally has always begun with a simple movement into which watchmakers have added complications.”

Sofi hisa and Steven watchmaking assonnerie graph, among surprises. According to movements. radical

have added complications.”

Girard-Perregaux is nurturing the next generation of watchmakers by takthem on the road. The Young Watchmakers Tour features up-and-coming ardemonstrating their chops outside of such iconic locations as Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. They have also visited New York and Beijing; Moscow, Australia and Tokyo are planned stops for 2013.

generation by ing Young Tour artisans chops such iconic locations Notre and the

Sofisti says the tour is an industry first. “It seeks to break away from the current image many people

have of the craft. It is not an antique art; it is young, revitalized and constantly evolving, much like the people behind it. We have deep respect for our heritage, but our duty is to renew and reinvent our art.” Adds Holtzman, “When you buy a watch like this, you want to know who created it and what makes it special.”

Top: GIRARD-PERREGAUX Tourbillon with three gold bridges, gira rd-perregaux.com. MAÎTRES DU TEMPS Chapter Two in 18K white gold with black dial, maitresdutemps.com.

LAVISH LAYERS

Instead of stocking up on the same old knits, splurge on wool straight from the runway

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFFREY WESTBROOK

(Clockwise from top left) On him: Chunky turtleneck sweater, $1,290, LOUIS VUITTON, louisvuitton.com Kane jeans, $187, J BRAND, jbrandjeans.com On her: Embroidered short knit sweater, $2,090, STELLA MCCARTNEY, stellamccartney.com Leather leggings, $895, J BRAND, jbrandjeans.com On him: Grid embroidered alpaca crewneck sweater, $3,995, CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION, 212-292-9000. Kane jeans, $154, J BRAND, jbrandjeans.com On her: Cable knit sweater, $1,250, DEREK LAM, dereklam.com 811 jeans, $169, J BRAND, jbrandjeans.com On her: Handknit Air-spun wool Aran turtleneck, $1,295, MICHAEL KORS, michaelkors.com Leather leggings, $895, J BRAND, jbrandjeans.com On him: Wool sweater, $1,600, TOM FORD, tomford. com Kane jeans, $187, J BRAND, jbrandjeans.com

Stella McCartney isn’t the only member of her famous family with experience in wool. On the cover of the 1971 album Ram, Paul is shown holding the record’s titular sheep in a now famous portrait by his late wife, Linda McCartney.

From top: Suama necklace, $699, HEAVEN TANUDIREDJA , Totem Paris, +33-1-49-23-79-79. Box clutches,$1,080-$1,295, TONYA HAWKES, kirnazabete.

com Freja shoe, $655, SOPHIA WEBSTER , Saks Fifth Avenue,

, 877-551-7257.

MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED

Three designers with sterling backgrounds rise to the top of fashion’s It list

Experience may be the best teacher, but it’s certainly not the only one. Take Sophia Webster, Heaven Tanudiredja and Tonya Hawkes, rising design stars with loads of talent, years of design work behind them—and, perhaps most critically, brilliant mentors. After spending two years working for footwear titan Nicholas Kirkwood—and with his help and support—Webster, a graduate of the prestigious Royal College of Art, debuted an ambitious line of playful, daring heels and flats for resort. Hawkes, meanwhile, steps out from under the elegant wing of Donna Karan with a collection of eye-catching, mod-inspired box clutches in boldly colored viper snakeskin and faux tortoise, with Lucite details. Tanudiredja, who makes colorful statement jewelry, has worked for both Dries Van Noten and Dior Couture. Of course, what’s truly fascinating about these up-and-comers isn’t where they came from (it never is) but, rather, where they’re going. Buyers from Kirna Zabête, Colette and Bergdorf Goodman have swooped up Hawkes’ and Webster’s collections, already tastemaker favorites. The lesson? It pays to do your homework.— BROOKE BOBB

PAINTED ON

Life imitates art as pretty resort collections pop up in time with Gagosian’s tribute to Cy Twombly

Art and fashion have a longstanding synergy, and so it goes this season as Christopher Kane’s Resort 2013 collection fi nds a kindred spirit in Larry Gagosian’s globetrotting exhibit of Cy Twombly’s last paintings. With a severe yet romantic sensibility—bold prints, splashes of blues and pinks—Kane’s subtly rebellious collection brings to mind the works of Twombly, on display through Dec. 22 at Madison Avenue’s Gagosian Gallery. Naturally, Kane isn’t the only designer taking resort cues from the art world; Alberta Ferretti, Preen’s Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi also opted for joyful, at times-Koonsian prints on looks for day and evening, a creative and cool departure from fall and winter’s heavier moods. These pieces may not be hanging on a wall, but they look like art to us.— B.B.

FIT FOR A QUEEN

A 200-year-old brand celebrates its claim to fame: the first wristwatch made for royalty

In this digital age, it’s difficult to imagine a time when a wristwatch was considered innovative. But so it was when Abraham-Louis Breguet set out to design “a watch for a bracelet” for Caroline Murat, sister of Napoleon who was then the Queen of Naples. The project was a race against time, so to speak: Though the monarch commissioned the piece in 1810, it wouldn’t be delivered until 1812.

Two hundred years later, Breguet’s namesake has commemorated the event with an anniversary model–the tenth in the brand’s “Reine de Naples” collection. More than 270 diamonds and 300 sapphires are nestled in 18-karat white gold and an alligator band. But it’s not just a pretty face, with horological advances often missing from women’s formal watches. Why should men have all the complications?— B.B.

SUCCEED: ACCESSORIES COURTESY OF THE DESIGNERS; PAINTED: DOUGLAS M. PARHER STUDIO/CY TWOMBLY FOUNDATION, COURTESY OF THE GAGOSIAN GALLERY; GIRL: COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER KANE. QUEEN: COURTESY OF BREGUET

UNDERCOVER AGENT

La Perla CEO Suzy Biszantz reveals a new side of a legendary lingerie brand

As the flawless Liu Wen marched down the runway during Jason Wu’s Spring 2013 show, onlookers immediately noticed there was something different—something more provocative— about the typically buttoned-up designer’s collection. Beneath a black lace top, Wen sported a delicate bralette from Italian lingerie brand La Perla. The bra was part of a collaboration between the two design houses, which came together for a one-off capsule collection of daring leather and lace accent pieces: corset-seamed dresses, racy bustiers, lingerie that was more headliner than understudy.

“It was something that happened really organically,” says La Perla CEO Suzy Biszantz. “Our creative director knew that Jason was thinking about this Helmut Newton/provocative lace-inspired ready-to-wear collection and she thought it would be interesting for us to meet. It turned into us making some special pieces for him.”

The storied history of La Perla lingerie spans 60 years, but the brand has been popping up in rather unexpected places lately—during Wu’s show, for instance. That’s because Biszantz and her team are actively

crafting ways to urge U.S.-based consumers to be more open-minded about luxury lingerie. “People often think of lingerie as utilitarian here, compared to in Europe,” says Biszantz, who, before joining La Perla, served as CEO of golf apparel brand Greg Norman (“I didn’t necessarily have tons of experience in lingerie… or a personal affinity for it,” she admits.) “Our culture is more about the exterior—spending money on that really beautiful dress or handbag.”

But Biszantz is hoping to change that. Aside from provocative collaborations, the company is emphasizing its lesser-known non-lingerie items—like lace frocks, blouses and hosiery—which Biszantz hopes will help “stretch the imagination” of the American consumer. “Something like a body suit or a chemise can bridge from innerwear to outerwear, and still incorporate the signature lace that is so woven into our DNA,” she says.

WEBER THRILL

Fashion photographer Bruce Weber releases a picture-perfect art periodical

FThat intricate lace—for which La Perla has become so well known—is celebrated in the new book La Perla: Lingerie & Desire , which chronicles the evolution of the brand from its humble origins as a small Italian atelier in Bologna. Indeed, La Perla’s r ich heritage is what Biszantz loves most about her job. “We were one of the first to use the same runway inspiration as ready-to-wear designers and the first to introduce color back in the ’60s,” she says. “Before that, lingerie was either black, nude or white. There are so many things La Perla has done to revolutionize the lingerie industry. It’s exciting to be a part of that.”—

LINDSAY SILBERMAN

ew modern day photographers can capture intimate life as well as Bruce Weber. His work is vast and yet, with a prolific career spanning 40 years, always familiar. But his aesthetic has perhaps never been more acutely on display as it is in the art journal he’s curated for the past 11 years with partner Nan Bush. In the most recent edition, All-American Twelve: A Book of Lessons, out this month, Weber and Bush present a careful collage of essays, illustrations, poems, and, of course, photographs—including some of their own. As with any Weber work, the book features plenty of iconic American subjects: bombshell Bo Derek, legendary fashion editor Polly Mellen (above left) and San Quentin inmate-turned-actor-and-activist Danny Trejo (above right). Twelve is a rich visual, but it’s also a thoughtful exploration of the idea of individual spirit; the “lessons” in the title refer to those the subjects discovered through their respective journeys. Trejo, who spent his youth mired in drugs before becoming one of Hollywood’s most notable character actors, exemplifies a rocky road to fame while Mellen speaks to her relationship with curiosity and imagination. Longtime Weber muse Derek is depicted sailing nude and riding bareback along the shores of Lake Powell, Utah, in never-before published photographs taken by her late husband, John Derek. There are also tributes—to historian Studs Turkel, to activist Mabel Dodge Luhan and to Detroit, Michigan—and works from friends like Poppy de Villeneuve and Carlos Charlie Perez. Weber’s habit of plucking out new talent continues here, with “Letter to Kanye,” a nonfiction piece by Danielle Faith Green, an 18-year-old writer from Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, striving for, as Weber might call it, her all-American dream.— B.B.

Bruce Weber muse Bo Derek isn’t just photogenic, she’s also quotable. The 10 star and political activist famously said, “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.”

(2); OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT TO RIGHT: CAROLYN FONG; BRUCE WEBER (4)

FLIGHT PLAN

With their clean, graphic black-and-white dials and sleek cases, pilot watches are a top-gun timepiece PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRISTINE BLACKBURNE

(Clockwise, from top) Tambour Volez watch, $8,700, LOUIS VUITTON, 866-884-8866. Navitimer Cosmonaute watch, $8,440, BREITLING, breitling.com Speedmaster Moonwatch Co-Axial Chronograph watch, $25,700, OMEGA, omegawatches.com Aviator watch, price upon request, INVICTA, invictawatch.com. TimeWalker TwinFly Chronograph watch, $9,210, MONTBLANC, montblanc.com.

PROP STYLIST: BILL LAUGHLIN

it may last forever have to but you don’t keep it that long

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jewelry, diamonds and watches you no longer wear to CIRCA. Whether selling a one-carat diamond or an entire estate, CIRCA provides trusted expertise, the best value and immediate payment for your items.

FUR STEPS

This season, whether they’re buckled, laced up or slipped on, these plushy high-heeled boots are sure to leave enviable paw prints behind

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRAD BRIDGERS

Two-buckle

“When

STYLIST: RICHIE

(Clockwise from top left) Flocon & Guetre alpaca fur boot, $4,675, HERMÈS, hermes.com Tiberia faux fur boot, $525, STUART WEITZMAN , 212-750-2555.

Crocodile and fox fur boot, $20,895, SERGIO ROSSI , 305-864-3643.

heeled boot with mink detailing, $1,895, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN , alexandermcqueen.com

it may last forever have to but you don’t keep it that long

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A NEW VINTAGE

Two young labels are turning out old-souled styles. Tyler Thoreson checks in and dapper crooner Nick Waterhouse tries them on.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ANNELISE HOWARD PHILLIPS

So much for the sturdy, workwear-influenced collections that solemnly marched down the runways the past several years. The new guard of menswear designers is going old school. Ian Velardi and Ariel and Shimon Ovadia of Ovadia & Sons are among the young guns creating refined and rakish looks, harkening back to an era when men dressed like gentlemen and the denim, chambray Cool Hand Luke look was strictly for guys working on actual chain gangs. (It’s no wonder, then, that the Ovadia brothers were tapped by preppy mainstay J. Press to work on the brand’s new line J. Press York Street.)

STYLED BY PAUL FREDERICK

The fitted suits, soft, chunky cardigans, and dashing fedoras in these designers’ lines are clearly crafted by and for guys who believe that dressing well should be fun. And somehow, their houndstooth- and herringbone-accented collections feel just as appropriate in our edgy, uncertain times as they would have during the heyday of Clark Gable and Cary Grant.

All of 30 years old, Velardi and the Ovadia twins— who recently created a capsule collection for Gap—are too young to remember that golden age of American men’s dressing, but they’ve defi nitely done their homework. Velardi got his start at the storied American suit brand Hickey Freeman and knows his way around a tailored garment, while the Ovadias, who grew up in Brooklyn, spent their early years trolling vintage shops when they weren’t unloading trucks for their father’s children’s clothing business.

The elegant Ovadia look is the result of “a lot of digging,” says Ariel. “Shimon and I have closets of all the clothing we’ve been collecting.” Even on family trips to Europe as teenagers, the brothers would plot out the right vintage spots they wanted to hit. “Friends would say, ‘Why are you taking me to a

used clothing store on vacation,’ ” he recalls.

Velardi, who grew up in New Jersey, got his first taste of fashion by hopping on a bus to Manhattan every chance he got during his teen years. “I would spend all my time in Soho, just wandering the streets,” he recalls. “Going to the Polo store, Stüssy, Phat Farm and Union… just getting immersed in this world of street culture.” That may sound like an unlikely breeding ground for a designer who has developed a cult following for his perfectly tailored double-breasted blazers and supple suede bombers—

all made by top factories in Italy—but Velardi’s street influence is “more about an attitude than an aesthetic,” he says. You can see it in, say, the way he pairs a wide-lapelled dinner jacket with a plaid flannel shirt in his fall look book.

It’s also there in Velardi’s no-nonsense perspective. “No one needs the stuff I’m making,” he says with a laugh. “You don’t need it—it’s a luxury. It’s a way for someone to express themselves. If you can come up with a better word, I’m all ears, but to me, that’s fashion.”

Stylish singer Waterhouse

If everything old is new again, Nick Waterhouse is in luck. The budding rocker, 26, often sports the slick fashions of the 1950s and ’60s—think fi tted suits and chunky glasses—and has an ear for the soul-soaked sound of the era. His own horn- and organ-heavy tracks bring to mind the raucous rock and roll of Little Richard or the Animals. For Waterhouse, his sound and look are inseparable.

“I first started getting interested in clothes at the same time as music,” says the nattily dressed California native. “I would try to find what I wanted but not be able to explain exactly what it was.” Unable to snag new clothes with the fitted, midcentury look he craved, he ended up buying vintage.

Lucky for Waterhouse, a return to classic styles has become prevalent in both fashion and music.

“I remember reading about the rebirth of American menswear and it really amped me up,” he says, “because all of a sudden I was living in a world where I was able to make the music I wanted to hear and to look the way I wanted to look. It wasn’t about a period—if something’s good, I’m not going to mess with that.”

That much is apparent on his debut album, Time’s All Gone , a collection of exactingly crafted songs that pays homage to vintage rock. But he’s no throwback. “I do what I do because I think it’s cool,” he says. “I don’t sit around all day wondering what the most Fifties thing I could do is.”

Buddy Holly-style glasses are a key element for retro style. And while modern-day hipster glasses emporium Warby Parker sells frames named after bespectacled notables like Aldous Huxley, Samuel Beckett and Waldo, the “Peggy Sue” singer doesn’t have a namesake pair.

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THE BEST CHEF IN AMERICA

LIVES...HERE?

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

A 26-year-old culinary sensation, Blaine Wetzel is tantalizing the Pacific Northwest with his succulent foraged fare. Daryl Chen digs in.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JIM HENKENS

Behind every great dish is a chattering of untold stories. Take the ripe blackberries with wild yarrow, carrot flowers, chickweed and sorrel, in a puddle of dill oil, that are served at the Willows Inn on Washington state’s Lummi Island. One tale would be of its ingredients: how the berries were foraged a few hours earlier from bushes plump with fruit, the yarrow and chickweed plucked from a field behind the restaurant. Or, you could talk about the person behind the creation: Blaine Wetzel, the inventive 26-year-old chef who, after answering a craigslist ad, took over the kitchen and transformed an unknown restaurant into a dining destination.

Still, you might just take a spoonful of the tart fruit and grassy greens and experience what life tastes like on this patch of an island in the Pacific Northwest on a sunny, mid-September day. That’s exactly the kind of storytelling that Wetzel is trying to inspire with his cooking. “I want each dish to reflect a moment in time and nature,” he says.

Wetzel seems to have succeeded in his mission. Food & Wine magazine named him one of its Best New Chefs this year, and The New York Times included the Willows Inn on its 10 Restaurants Worth a Plane Ride If only getting there were that simple—after flying to Seattle, it’s a two-hour drive, followed by a six-minute ferry ride. Lummi is just nine square miles, half of it a forested preserve, with a population of 964. Besides the Willows Inn, it has one café and one general store.

Why has a chef working in a relatively remote area gotten so much attention? One entry on Wetzel’s resume: For close to two years, he was a chef at Noma in Copenhagen, crowned the World’s Best Restaurant by sponsors San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna for two years. Noma executive chef, René Redzepi, has been hailed for reinventing Scandinavian cuisine by using local, often wild, products, many of which them foraged by Redzepi and his team from the shore and forests.

a result, i t’s probably only on Lummi Island that one can drive around and glimpse the odd sight of a professional chef, dressed in kitchen whites, scavenging by the side of the road. “Growing up in the Northwest, I’ve been mushroom hunting and collecting berries since I was young,” says the soft-spoken Olympia, WA, native. He forages nearly daily, as do his six chefs.

Wetzel also relies on a four-acre farm up the hill that’s leased by the Inn, and he has access to two fishing boats that employ a reef-net technique invented by native Americans to catch the succulent local salmon. He is adamant about using only ingredients from the area in his cooking—so that means no citrus and no olive oil.

But when you eat at the Willows, you won’t miss those flavors. At three hours, dinner—the sole meal Wetzel prepares—is a movie-length affair, complete with dramatic crescendos and surprise cameos, including a stunning Puget Sound sunset. The meal consists of 16 petite courses— some as light as a single pickled Shigoku oyster with tapioca pearls nestled underneath. The largest dishes are just five bites big, like a slice of dried smoked venison bedizened with chopped bits of foraged upland cress, chanterelles and dried berries. Everything tastes pure, clean and distinctive—a reflection of the island itself.

Those methods resonated with Wetzel, who has carried the unique practice to the Willows Inn. As

The managing partner of the Inn, John Gibb, believes Wetzel is on the verge of becoming a celebrity chef à la Redzepi or Ferran Adrià, figures that influence how we cook and what we consume on a global scale. Surprisingly, the low-key Wetzel welcomes success—not as a means to fame, but as a license for him to keep exploring in the kitchen and outdoors. “It won’t change what I do,” Wetzel says. “It just encourages me to do more, to follow my vision more thoroughly.” Wherever he goes, the journey is sure to be wild.

Wetzel has worked in the kitchens of Noma, in Copenhagen; the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, AZ; Citronelle in Carmel, CA, and Alex in Las Vegas.

(Clockwise) Wetzel at Willows Inn; Smoked local salmon; Foraging at the shore; Blackberries and local greens; Blueberries, malt “dirt” and ice cream

CULT OF THE CELEBRITY CHEF

Alexandra Peers charts four decades of highs and lows

In the beginning, or in the ’70s—which in American fine dining is sort of the same—the chef was invisible. The maître d’ ruled the culinary world, with power to grant access and assign status. A generation on, chefs are the rock stars, complete with TV shows, hard-partying lifestyles and brand-name goods. How did it happen—and are there signs it’s coming to an end? Here, a time line of the Celebrity Chef:

1970

■ Gael Greene writes a cover story on New York restaurants for New York magazine and it mentions only owners and maître d’s. Not a single chef.

1976

■ Pierre Franey, veteran chef of the legendary Le Pavillon, begins the “60-Minute Gourmet” column in The New York Times with cowriter Craig Claiborne, demystifying haute cuisine.

■ Charlie Trotter’s opens in Chicago. The 27-year-old chef becomes known for inventing the in-kitchen chef’s table and for being a tyrant, famously saying, “The customer is rarely right.”

■ Ferran Adrià takes over the kitchen at El Bulli.

■ David Bouley leaves Montrachet to open Bouley restaurant, a few blocks away in Tribeca.

■ Alice Waters, the Joan of Arc crusader for organic produce, opens Chez Panisse in Berkeley.

1982 -1986

■ Wolfgang Puck’s Spago opens in West Hollywood and hosts Swifty Lazar’s Oscar parties.

■ Larry Forgione’s An American Place opens, listing the names of farms, regions and producers on its menu. Jackie O and Warren Beatty take tables.

■ André Soltner, chefowner of Lutèce, wins Zagat’s No. 1 spot six years running.

■ Nobuyuki Matsuhisa launches fusion restaurant Matsuhisa in L.A. There will eventually be 25 Nobu restaurants around the world and black-cod-with-miso takeout on every corner.

■ Martha Stewart signs a deal with Kmart as spokesperson/consultant. Not a rock-star chef? Sales of Kmart Stewart merchandise already have reached $1 billion a year.

1992

■ Sirio Maccioni, owner of Le Cirque, announces that Chef Daniel Boulud is leaving to start his own restaurant “with my blessings.” Nobody believes it.

■ Jean-Georges Vongerichten opens French-Thai Vong, and a nightclublike frenzy for top tables and reservations ensues.

1993

■ The Food Network premieres. Bam! French Culinary Institute names Bobby Flay its Outstanding Graduate.

1998

■ In Las Vegas, the Bellagio opens with restaurants by JeanGeorges, Michael Mina and Todd English.

1994

■ Thomas Keller opens the French Laundry, about 50 miles north of San Francisco. Cue wine-soaked pilgrimages to Napa.

■ Mario Batali’s Babbo opens in New York; his Mint Love Letters pasta with lamb sausage spurs a cult and a critical backlash against “red-sauce Italian” restaurants.

■ Marco Pierre White sues The New York Times for libel for reporting he’d had bouts with drugs and alcohol.

2000

■ Wolfgang Puck branches into packaged foods. They do not, unfortunately, include his famous Chocolate Orgasm.

■ Anthony Bourdain calls Marco Pierre White the original rock-star chef; White wins three Michelin stars—at 33, youngest chef to do so.

■ Anthony Bourdain publishes tell-all Kitchen Confidential, dubbing his fellow chefs and restaurant staff “wackedout moral degenerates, dope fiends, refugees, a thuggish assortment of drunks, sneak thieves, sluts and psychopaths,” often under the influence of “pot, Quaaludes, cocaine, LSD and, increasingly, heroin.” Bourdain becomes hugely successful on TV.

Alice Waters

Gael Greene

Spago

Martha Stewart

Emeril Lagasse

Bobby Flay

Thomas Keller

Marco Pierre White

Bourdain

Wolfgang Puck’s soup

■ Grant Achatz, Mr. molecular gastronomy, opens Alinea in Chicago.

THE BACKLASH BEGINS!

■ Iron Chef USA premieres. The early winner in Japan, Masaharu Morimoto, opens Morimoto in Philadelphia the following year.

■ The Blackstone Group bankrolls Gordon Ramsay’s world expansion.

■ The South Beach Wine & Food Festival launches.

■ New York Times critic Frank Bruni strips two-star JeanGeorges eateries of a star.

■ The Waverly Inn & Garden opens, overseen by Chef John DeLucie, but its owners— including Graydon Carter—create more buzz than the food.

■ Wolfgang Puck appears on NBC series Las Vegas, cooking for star James Caan at

■ The New York Times writes, “Restaurants at

2007

■ Martha Stewart announces split with Kmart.

■ Vong closes.

■

■ A last hurrah? The James Beard Awards are followed by an after(David Burke bikini-clad and go-go after-afterDavid Chang’s Momofuku and an after-after-after party English and disco Olives).

Casino. with waitresses dancers), an (on chartered bus) at ■ Bourdain Pigs fly.

Anthony Bourdain quits smoking. Pigs fly.

2008

■ The recession hits, accelerating the farmto-table movement and creating a new vogue for smaller, more private eateries: speakeasy chic.

■ The Chew begins on ABC, but Chef Batali films his opening-day segment from charity event instead attending his own premiere.

2012

■ March: The New York Times runs “I Was a Cookbook Ghostwriter,” outing such chefs as Rachael Ray.

■ May: Chris Santos, hard-partying owner of Stanton Social and Beauty & Essex, begins a 50-day “clean living” regimen.

2011 but a of but a of bout the place. Beauty living” regimen. by Chef maitre d’.

■ April: Revel resort in Atlantic City opens, with eateries by Iron Chef Jose Garces and Michelin-starred Michel Richard— and the chefs are actually on-site, running their restaurants.

■ El Bulli’s closing ends the fuss about foam-topped dishes but leaves a cadre people who never stop talking about the place.

■ October: Sirio Maccione, head of Le Cirque, opens his latest eatery. It is named Sirio—after the legendary maitre

Mario Batali loves the questionably stylish Crocs so much that he’s collaborated with the brand on a special “Bistro Mario Batali” edition built for the kitchen. They come in gray and the chef’s favorite: bright orange.

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Todd English

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GROWING UP RICH

On raising kids who have it all—good sense included. By Peggy Drexler, Ph.D.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KIRK EDWARDS

When Alexa Dell, the 18-year-old daughter of tech tycoon Michael Dell, used her Twitter account last summer to post photos of her brother on the way to their family vacation in Fiji, it sparked a debate over how much privileged kids should share online. There was Zachary, chowing down on a lavish brunch aboard the Dells’ private jet, his noise-cancelling headphones wrapped neatly around his ears. Beyond the safety concern—Dell famously spends millions on security protection just so that people won’t know where his family is at any given moment—there was the moral issue of Alexa’s flaunting, unwitting or not, of her family’s wealth. At a time when much of the country is suffering through the downturn, was she aware how those photos might be received? What’s more, did she care?

As a culture, we’re obsessed with the lives, and the bank accounts, of others, a fascination fueled by shows like Gossip Girl and websites like Rich Kids of Instagram, which documents the lifestyles of the young and endowed. But despite the evidence of the $30,000 Givenchy shopping sprees, giant yellow diamonds, and private-jet trips to the South Pacific that these kids are attaching their names to online, we know that life for them isn’t always easier. Nor is it for those of us tasked with raising them.

In researching my next book about the impact of wealth on childrearing, and based on more than

30 years studying families as a research psychologist and raising two (now-adult) children, I’ve learned there are serious challenges to bringing up kids who have it all. Mine and others’ research shows that privileged kids are, as a group, more selfcentered, depressed and self-destructive. They’re more narcissistic, but they struggle to develop a sense of self. And yet they excel in academics, sports and other pursuits. So we have a generation of paradox: children who are bright and talented, but increasingly troubled.

As absurd as it might sound to many, it’s not easy being a rich kid. Their parents tend to have high expectations. There’s nothing wrong with wanting your daughter to go to the best school, but you also want he r to learn to be a good person, and encouraging achievement over character-building can mean kids never quite figure out who they are. They think their money is their most notable quality. And so they learn to use it—to buy affection, or friends.

Like in the case of Chrissie, a 19-year-old college sophomore who’d been looking forward to pledging a sorority—until the sister in charge told Chrissie that the girls couldn’t wait to take her family’s private plane to spring break. She’d hoped to enjoy college life as a “regular” kid, but would that really win her any friends? So she joined, and the girls took lavish trips. But Chrissie spent college doubting her friendships and far longer figuring out how to feel

SOME KIDS LEARN TO USE MONEY TO BUY FRIENDS.

good enough about herself to be in a relationship. She battled anorexia and drank too much. For years she was defined, and confined, by her money.

Another girl I met, Abby, got in with a group of well-heeled, hard-partying tweens (it’s Manhattan; it happens). She got a tattoo at 13; she started sleeping with boys at 14. The first time she was arrested for carrying cocaine, her parents called in some favors. After all, she was a “good girl”: an A student and a star lacrosse player. But instead of being grateful, Abby only grew more determined to excel at being bad. Her grades slipped. She was kicked off the team. When she was arrested for a third time, even her parents’ influence couldn’t help sway the judge. Kids screw up. That’s part of growing up. As parents, our job is to show them unconditional love—mostly. We also need to help them understand that while they are undeniably fortunate, money is just one aspect of who they are. Which means: Stop cutting them so much slack. Make them get a job. Resist the urge to bail them out, at least more than once, especially if you’re doing it to save face or so that people won’t talk (they’ll talk no matter what). And help them develop their own filter for what’s right for sharing and what’s not. Money is a personal family affair. Teach your children to k eep it that way.

“We don’t live in a day and age where your last name has that much to do with what people think of you. It’s really about what you have to say and if people find you interesting.” —Harry Brant (@HarryPeterBrant)

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TILL DEATH US DO PART

Grooms-to-be on bended knee battle it out for the most over-the-top proposals

Low-lit and immaculate, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the tony Back Bay neighborhood, and waiters semi-fluent in French (or at least the accent), upscale Boston restaurant L’Espalier is a special-occasion destination. Engagements are par for the multi-course, and longtime maître d’ Louis Risoli estimates he’s been witness to more than 1,000 during his 30-odd years at the front of the house. In recent years, though, they a decidedly dramatic turn.

“The engagement I remember was when the gentleman excused and left the restaurant for a says Risoli. “He returned in a as her knight in shining armor, the ring to his beloved.”

the years, have taken most himself fairly long time,” full suit of armor, as armor, and presented proposal went on his table, and handed Risoli getting down on one knee front of a room. “It embarrassing for him,” seemed

Another memorable proposal down as a guy placed an iPod ble, played their song, and handed a large video camera before down on one knee in front crowded dining room. “It was actually a bit embarrassing everyone except for him,” says Risoli. “His girlfriend seemed quite uncomfortable.”

com. “You can take more liberties with it.”

But everyone knows that men aren’t, very generally speaking—and Paget excepted—the more creative half of a twosome, a fact that has given rise to a new breed of expert specializing in crafting the perfect, and perfectly extreme, proposal: the proposal planner.

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“The majority of women aren’t satisfied with their marriage proposal,” says Michele Velazquez, a former event planner who launched her Los Angeles–based proposal planning business,

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“He actually had this list of many awful ideas, including hiring a clown,” she says of her fiancé. “I hate boats, but apparently that was his best choice.”

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It’s not enough anymore whisk a girl away for a quiet weekend to pop the question, or pull the old hide-the-ring-in-theparfait trick. These days, grooms are getting creative—in some es, ridiculous—in the name of pressing their would-be wives: posing atop an elephant in jungle, at mile 18 of the New Marathon, while faking their (true story) and, most crucially, lots and lots of people.

are some casthe of improelephant in the Thai of the New York City while faking own death most in front of

“I knew it had to be memorable, and that it had to be public,” says Dennis Gleason, a Portland, Oregon–based television host, of his proposal to M’chel Bauxal, a celebrity makeup artist. For one thing, he says, “a basic proposal would be considered insignificant to some of her elite clientele.” So he devised a ruse to have her appear as an emergency guest on his show, enlisted the help of the entire crew, and proposed on live TV.

“Unlike almost everything else related to weddings, the parameters aren’t already set for the proposal,” says Los Angeles publicist Matt Paget, who proposed to girlfriend Morgan O’Malley by planting an illustration drawn by her architect father on one of her favorite websites, Postsecret.

appointing “ask” aboard actually many including a boats, Velazquez first pro95 who don’t have time where to and how release one a a and two ed the tion. cost

While Velazquez and her team also plan other romantic occasions (anniversaries, first dates), proposals represent 95 percent of her business (September through January is the busiest season, she says). The team generally works with high-end clients who don’t have time to, say, hire a helicopter or figure out where to get and how to release doves, or who, like one groom, envision the perfect proposal as one that includes a flash mob and a skit from How I Met Your Mother For that client, Velazquez hired a professional choreographer professional dancers and scoutideal Manhattan rooftop locaA proposal package can cost anywhere from $3,000 to more than $10,000, including execution and, if necessary, props, because doves are not free.

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“Social media has a huge part in why proposals are getting so grand,” says Velazquez. “You put it on YouTube and 10 million other women see it, and they want their proposal to be as unique as that.”

Paget says that for him, it was more about creating something permanent, and personal. “What I do for a living definitely informed my approach,” says Paget. “I targeted my audience: Morgan. I figured out the tools I had to reach her with: the website. I did not sleep the night before. And it was probably the best thing I’ve ever done.” Naturally, she said yes. —ALYSSA GIACOBBE

THANKS, BUT NO THANKS

Of course, with a huge proposal, you run the risk of a huge rejection. Among major buyers of fi ne jewelry, watches and diamonds, Circa is the top buyer in bling you just don’t want to look at anymore. In-house experts will consider quality, cut, whether it’s inscribed, and where and when you bought it to give you a fair price. (Don’t worry: They won’t make you talk about what went wrong.) The best part is that in most cases, you’ll walk away with a check the same day. Says Angelina Chen, director of Circa’s New York office, “I imagine in a situation like that you’d welcome a swift resolution.” circajewels.com for locations

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BOLD BAGGAGE

Forget the matchy-matchy luggage aesthetic—traveling in style now means mixing it up PHOTOGRAPHED BY HENRY HARGREAVES

When the average joe packs for a trip, there’s usually a blind grab into the nether regions of a closet, and whatever comes tumbling out will do just fine. But for those who have the means and interest to invest in quality luggage, the suitcase ante jumps considerably. And while there is the Old World fantasy of traveling with a 20-piece matching set, in reality the concert of synchronized leather can look a little too Price Is Right “Showcase Showdown” (“You could win a brand-new set of luggage!”). Just as you need not wear a single designer head to toe for a chic look, why would your luggage be any different? Switch it up. Bravely mix your pieces for a modern spin on the jet-set sophisticate.

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THE UNCOMMON CARIBBEAN

Uninspired by the thought of fruity frozen drinks by the shore? The islands now offer singular experiences to satisfy thrill-seekers. Lindsay Silberman reports

Believe it or not, lounging on the pristine sands and lolling about in the clear azure waters of the Caribbean isn’t everyone ’s idea of a day at the beach. For all those Type-A adventure travelers who can’t sit still, or are just on the hunt for tucked-away treasures, you’re in luck: You can set sail for some uncharted waters and unexpected expeditions in the Caribbean.

Casa de Campo’s Shooting Club includes a 240acre facility located within the resort on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic. Animal lovers can take down clay targets, while those out for game are taken to a secluded spot among cliffs and a winding river—just 12 minutes away via helicopter—to hunt birds. The best part? You’re a short golf-cart ride from the beach—and the resort’s other luxe amenties, including its Beach Club by Le Cirque restaurant.

In a similarly adventurous vein, the St. Thomas–based Caribbean Buzz gives you the opportunity to fly a helicopter over the U.S. Virgin Islands. And it’s not just for licensed pilots: The controls are dual-operated with an instructor. “It’s like learning to fly in paradise,” says the company’s owner, Maria Rodriguez. “Going over the island chain, you might see whales, rays and dolphins.” If you’d rather take in the same view from sea level, look no further than Seabourn cruises. Calling it a “cruise ship” is a bit misleading; most of the boats carry only 208 guests, so they feel more like megayachts. And their ports of call—from Gustavia in St. Barts to Terre-de-Haut in Guadeloupe, are little-seen, unspoiled gems.

A different sort of adrenaline rush is in store for the true luxury-seeker at the Fleming Villa in Oracabessa Bay, Jamaica. Located in the Goldeneye Resort, the villa was owned by James Bond creator Ian Fleming (who penned all 14 Bond titles there). His two desks still stand just as he left them. “If these walls could talk, they’d tell tales of some of the greatest personalities of our time—artists, actors, royalty and political leaders all slept here ,” says Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, who purchased the estate in 1976. “Beyond its history, the villa has its own beach—it’s like an island unto itself.”

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CONTINENTAL DRIFT

There’s more to Africa than big game. Keith Pollock uncovers the quiet elegance of the sub-Sahara

PHOTOGRAPHED BY THOMAS WHITESIDE

In a shiny green Land Rover we drove across the flattest land imaginable as we searched for hyenas, yellow mongooses, meerkats, aardwolves and wildebeests. At the wheel was Rich Ball, the funny British zoologist who for the past few days had been teaching us the finer points of tracking animals through Africa’s Kalahari Desert: how to spot clues, how to listen and pay attention, how to determine the recent presence of a hyena or kudu from a single blade of grass.

Full disclosure: I came to Botswana a lazy safari type. The idea of tracking animals wasn’t all that appealing to me. We were in Africa, after all; shouldn’t they just be there? My friend and I joked that the only footprint I could spot was that of a Tod’s driving shoe and then we let Rich know we weren’t interested in birds or anything that resembled deer. I expected a steady stream of lions snacking on antelope. I wanted a show— and from the comfort and safety of a jeep.

We’d arrived at Jack’s Camp via a disturbingly small charter plane. Intimate and exclusive, with only 10 impeccably appointed tents, Jack’s, part of the Uncharted Africa Safari Company, was founded in 1993 by Ralph Bousfield, whose father, Jack, was an adventurer and hunter throughout the lesser-traveled country of Botswana. And by lesser traveled , I don’t mean just by tourists, though that’s true, too. Much of the country is undeveloped, desolate national reserve. In the dry season, huge swaths are completely flat, with a sporadic cluster of palm trees. When you’re here, you feel like you are on the moon.

The African safari has taken on a life of its own; trips to the Kenyan and South African bush have become nearly as common as the family trip to Disney World. In one sense, that’s a good thing: Tourism can help support preservation, and experiencing Africa is so life-altering that the more people who can do it, the better. This part of sub-Saharan Africa, on the other hand—Botswana, Zambia, Namibia—is a less obvious choice and, naturally, so are the adventures to be had, especially if you call on a well-experienced travel company to m anage all logistics and itineraries (we used the inimitable Piper & Heath and can safely say we could not have done it without them).

At Jack’s Camp, you won’t see hundreds of giraffe and

The

82 lions, though you will see plenty of wildlife, especially from November to April, when the Makgadikgadi salt pans on which the camp sits fill up, attracting flamingos and other water birds and thousands of zebra. You will also learn about the land’s traditions and history from local bushmen, spend time with shamans and access parts of the world too marginal for most.

special treatment.” It is this unequivocally careful treatment that Bousfield says makes these guests—who have included Barry Diller, the Clarins family, Anderson Cooper, Frances McDormand, Joel Coen and Google and Facebook executives as well as Peter Beard, who has used Jack’s as backdrop for the annual Pirelli calendar—feel like they are experiencing something truly authentic and special.

And without sacrificing comfort. Bousfield’s business partner, Catherine Raphaely, is a decorator whose family is in the magazine business in South Africa. The opulent tents are decked out in Fortiesstyle decor, a mix of colonial antiques and African artifacts, and meals like ostrich picatta with rosemary and potato galette are served at communal tented dinners. After my friend casually mentioned he was trying to watch his gluten intake, the chef prepared him special gluten-free breads and snacks. Camp guide Super Sande, who worked with the original Jack before the place was even a formal camp, told me many high-end vacation planners will call and say, “We have a V-V-V-I-P coming. Please give them extra-special attention.” And he’ll reply, “We won’t give them any more attention than we are giving other guests. Everyone gets the same

That and the camp’s penchant for surprises: A mystery drive through the Kalahari, for instance, might lead to a cocktail bar set up in the center of the salt pans. But perhaps the biggest thrill was my own change of heart: By the end of our stay, my friend and I would nearly leap out of the jeep, fighting over the binoculars to get a glance of a white-backed vulture that we’d tracked down ourselves.

After leaving Jack’s, we traveled to the Republic of Zambia, located in the south central region of the African continent but less traveled than its neighbors Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Namibia. On a piece of land surrounded by hippos and crocodiles in the middle of the Zambezi River, the Royal Chundu Luxury Zambezi Island Lodge is, like Jack’s, dedicated to supporting the local villages and preserving local culture, not to mention its native forests

of teak and strangler fig trees. During the building of the hotel, only one shrub was cut down—and 4,000 trees were transplanted. The oversize rooms feature chandeliers crafted by area tribes. The food, too, is locally sourced: meals like berry smoked quail and Zambezi bream, accompanied by a vast list of South African wines. A stay here is equal parts relaxing and breathtaking: A typical day might include a drive to see leopards and hyenas hunt impalas, followed by an evening of bird-watching from your private deck, with a bottle of South African sauvignon blanc. Other than a requisite day trip 37

Previous page: Tracking animals from atop a jeep in the Kalahari. This page, clockwise from left: Jack’s Camp in Botswana; the Makgadikgadi salt pans; cocktails on the pan; classic white tents on the salt-pan shore.

Next page, clockwise from left: the Zambezi River; a room at the Royal Chundu; Royal Chundu houses on the riverbank; the view from a riverboat deck; the Zambezi Queen.

miles downstream to Victoria Falls—the largest falls in the world and one of Africa’s most impressive landmarks—there’s little reason to leave the resort. Until, that is, you have to.

with private terraces overlooking the banks of the Chobe River—and its herds of elephants, hippos, zebra and giraffe.

Our last stop was aboard the Zambezi Queen, a luxury safari boat that travels the Chobe River bordering Namibia and Botswana and is a small, but worthwhile, headache to access (in the three days I was with the Zambezi Queen, I acquired more than seven passport stamps). Developed by South African plastics tycoon Tony Stern, the Queen was originally a casino boat. Later it carried backpackers up and down the Zambezi River. At some point, it made its way to the Chobe, and when the water levels receded, it got stuck. The boat rested, and rusted, there for 17 years until Stern revamped it in superluxury eco fashion as a water safari, complete with solar panels, custom-built furniture, environmentally efficient plumbing and filtration, and jet propulsion to reduce damage to the Chobe riverbeds. From the outside the boat resembles a ferry, but inside it’s warm and comfortable, with 14 cozy rooms, each

There are several activities to do from the Queen, including a jeep safari along the banks of the Chobe, fishing excursions and small-boat animal-watching trips through the park’s narrower channels. Still, the best part here—as it often was at Jack’s and the Royal Chundu— might occur at the end of the long day, as you stand on your terrace, watching the sun set and listening to the sounds of the water and animals, and remember, quite distinctly, how very far away you are from home.

In a typical meerkat family, all adults are responsible for babysitting except the dominant female.

PHOTOS: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF THE ROYAL CHUNDU (3); WHITESIDE (2).

NATURE’S CALLING

The harmonious world of Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt has kicked off a peaceful home-style revolution. Stephen Milioti takes refuge

PRODUCED BY LISA COHEN

When it comes to creating his world-renowned spaces, Belgium-based interior designer Axel Vervoordt has one guiding principle: “The only decoration is proportion,” he says flatly. No one does proportion like Mother Nature, and Vervoordt’s designs benefit from his daily observations of the outdoors. He begins his day riding his horse or walking in the sculpted gardens on the grounds of the castle outside Antwerp that houses his company.

The exacting attention to scale and the natural aesthetic of his 50-room Gravenwezel Castle have inspired a style revolution that’s taken root in sophisticated homes across the globe. More and

Vervoordt

more, interior designers are taking cues from Vervoordt and using nature-inspired materials, organic shapes and neutral tones, with the goal of creating spaces that foster peace and serenity. Think of it as urban Zen with a Belgian twist. The trend has reached critical mass with a new Belgium-inspired Restoration Hardware line.

Few do it as effortlessly as Vervoordt. A notable antiques dealer for more than four decades, he fashions interiors that are warm and welcoming, modern and harmonious—with an unfailing

focus on clean lines and nature-inspired forms. He also has an uncanny way of mixing old and new, and melding natural materials with outstanding craftsmanship.

Take the low, slate-topped coffee table in his own exquisite collection of home furnishings: It’s hand-polished and bestowed with engraved details that enhance rather than detract from the material’s inherent beauty.

“I didn’t tell the stone what to do; I asked it, ‘What would you do?’” says Vervoordt of the table. “After all, humans shouldn’t run nature. Nature should run us.”

Vervoordt is happy being a Renaissance man in the field of design. Spend just a little time talking with him and you can see he’d actually have it no other way. “I don’t want to limit my inspiration to old or new, Eastern or Western,” he notes. “I fi nd in antiques what looks contemporary. I fi nd in contemporary what is totally timeless.”

Nowhere is this more evident than in his ongoing redesign of the rooftop penthouse of Robert De Niro’s Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca, which he calls an “artistic installation” atop the hotel. A number of details are secretive, but he gives a clue. “We’re going to use as many recycled materials found in New York as possible.”

All told: “It will be a place of soul, peace and silence in the middle of Manhattan. It’ll feel like going to a monastery in Japan… but in a New York City way.” Well, New York City by way of Antwerp.

The 12th-century castle that Vervoordt and his wife purchased in 1984 is surrounded by a moat and situated on 62 acres of parkland not far from Antwerp. The castle and breathtaking gardens host Inspiratum concerts several months a year.

(seated, center) designs his home-furnishings line and creates interiors, such as the ones shown here, with an eye for the grace, grandeur and attention to scale that’s typically found only in nature.

“EMPTY SPACE IS ESSENTIAL TO ANY ROOM.” –AXEL VERVOORDT

(Products, clockwise from top left) Untitled Turning 3 maple vessel, $4,900, JOSH VOGEL, mattermatters.com . Circa 1810 Regency armchair, price upon request, axel-vervoordt.com . Stone garden balls, $30-$80, HORCHOW, horchow.com Slate Borneo ceremonial disk, $245, michaeltrapp.com Belgian wingback upholstered sofa, from $1,610, RESTORATION HARDWARE, rh.com Floating tree table in beech and oak, price upon request, AXEL VERVOORDT, axel-vervoordt.com .

AT HOME WITH AERIN

For the granddaughter of Estée Lauder, home décor is where the heart is. She talks to Lindsay Silberman.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MIMI RITZEN CRAWFORD

Nearly four decades have passed, but Aerin Lauder can still vividly remember the smell of her grandmother’s home. For some, the mention of a visit to Nana’s might conjure memories of mothballs and plastic-covered furniture—but not when your grandmother is beauty titan Estée Lauder.

“She would always have fresh tuberose in the hallway,” she says. “I just remember how luxurious they looked…and they smelled so delicious.”

Aerin, of course, has followed in her grandmother’s footsteps—she’s currently the style and image director for Estée Lauder and also heads her own subsidiary beauty line. Still, the 42-year-old explains that interior décor is actually her true calling. “I say that beauty and fragrance are my heritage but accessories and home are my passion. In college, I remember filling my room with all these fabric ads and images from magazines. I’ve always loved decorating and style and home. It’s a very big part of my life.”

This month, the New York-based Lauder launches a 35-piece home collection as part of her lifestyle brand AERIN. The items—many of which are goldtoned—range in price from $60 for a terra-cotta turtle dove to $1,350 for a handmade Italian crystal and 24-karat gold bowl.

Lauder, who describes her home style as “feminine, timeless and comfortable,” has spent years attending and throwing fabulous parties, and she’s always had difficulty finding the perfect hostess presents. Just like her savvy grandmother, who saw a need in the market for beautiful makeup that women could apply themselves, Lauder has identified her own niche. “I saw there was a real opportunity for products that have a special, luxurious feel at the right price,” she says. “The pieces are giftable, but they’re very desirable to get for yourself as well.”

Each piece is designed to be multifunctional. The gold bowls, for example, can be used as containers to hold flowers or candy, but they can

also stand empty as striking table centerpieces. “What’s so much fun about all the gold pieces is that it’s a great, modern neutral. It goes well with any color wall, furniture and flower, from rosepurple dahlias to red peonies.”

Besides her experiences as a party host and g uest, Lauder also drew inspiration for her collection from her travels, most specifically the “beautiful country styles of Austria,” where she lived for a few years while her father, Ronald S. Lauder, served as the U.S. ambassador. “The influences come from my life—from being exposed to different cultures and living in different cities, as well as Estée being an entertaining icon,” she says. “It’s a little bit from my heritage, and a little bit from what I’ve learned and discovered on my own.”

The usually unruffled Lauder admits that she feels “nervous and excited” about launching this new line. But if her own experience is any indication, the collection should be a design hit. “Living with the pieces in my home, every day I like them more and more.”

“BEAUTY IS MY HERITAGE, BUT DECOR IS MY PASSION.”

MTHE ART OF THE UNTUCK

Today’s luxurious lairs have a relaxed, lived-in quality. Tom Delavan embraces the unmade bed.

other’s make-your-bed edict might linger, but as soon as the bedroom became a place for our laptops, iPads, children and dogs, our beds lost a bit of their polish. Don’t worry, Mom: That’s a good thing. Obsessively pressed sheets and tortured hospital corners are a thing of the past. These days, high-end bedding is luxurious yet livable, rather than eerily untouched. What good’s an extravagant bed if you can’t enjoy a hearty glass of Brunello in it—or, for that matter, a little less sleep—on Friday night?

With its made-to-muss line of sheets, shams, duvets and more, L.A.-based bedding purveyor Matteo is a standard-bearer for the laid-back sack. Its “Nap” collection features neutral tones that are timelessly appealing, and the garment-dyed finish gives the feel of a favorite T-shirt. This is bedding that looks good wrinkled; in fact, it’s hard to imagine it any other way. Company president Mat-

thew Lenoci built Matteo’s reputation around the concept of low maintenance. “When you’re getting to the point where you have to press, dry clean and generally have a battalion of professionals working on your bedding to keep it looking good, there’s a problem,” he says. “We wanted to make a product that’s anything but fussy.”

The irony, of course, being that people are making a big fuss. Matteo is routinely sold out at New York City’s ABC Carpet & Home and earlier this year hosted a sellout sale on Gilt Home. Restoration Hardware, meanwhile, recently launched a bespoke Matteo bedding collection. And though the brand has gone beyond its initial neutrals-only palette of ink and greige, the unpretentious vibe

and muted tones remain in effect.

How can you get this look at home? It’s easy. First, don’t be afraid to pair complementary and contrasting colors; one of the hallmarks of the unfussy bed is a refusal to adhere to archaic principles of matchy-matchiness. Then, pile on a variety of pillows. Next, embrace the power of a throw—or two or three—and really “throw” it (rather than pull it taut like a bedspread). And lastly, don’t be afraid to get a little dirty. The interpretation of which is entirely up to you.

FRAME IT LIKE A PIECE OF ART

Make a statement with a one-ofa-kind bedframe and headboard, like the Dream For The Sky bed (pictured), a new collaboration between Knoll Luxe and Savoir Beds, the English custom bedmakers who’ve given the likes of Madonna and Oprah some serious beauty rest. ($42,500; savoirbeds.com)

THROW DOWN

Get graphic with luxe blankets, like textile artist Meg Callahan’s modern take on the handmade quilt (Harrah, pictured, $3,000; mattermatters. com) or Kevin O’Brien’s Shibori cashmere throw, which uses an ancient Japanese dying technique for a sophisticated twist on tie-dye in rich nut tones. You’ll be a grateful bedhead. ($993; abchome.com)

GO FOR OPULENCE, INSIDE AND OUT

Dress it up—and mess it up— all you like, but don’t skimp on the main component. Try The Masterpiece mattress from Vi-Spring. Shetland Isle wool, European or South American horsetail, cashmere and alpaca ensure supreme comfort. It’s luxury to the core. (from $12,495; abchome.com)

Textured linen bedding from the Bespoke Garment-Dyed Collection with Matthew Lenoci available at Restoration Hardware

WHO:

RYAN SEACREST

WHERE: HIS HOMETOWN: ATLANTA, GEORGIA

TV’s favorite talking head shares the scoop on his Southern upbringing with Lindsay Silberman

BSeacrest

etween hosting American Idol and his correspondent gig on the Today show (not to mention his production company and radio show), Ryan Seacrest might just be the busiest guy in Hollywood. But despite his hectic schedule, the 38-year-old still gets back to the place he calls home: Atlanta.

Seacrest describes his suburban upbringing as typical: Friday-night football games, hanging out at the local sports bar and shopping at the Gap “like everyone else coming of age in the 1990s,” he says.

Seacrest local coming age parents, live

The people to Healthcare his Selena Gomez the

Today, a trip back home for previously pudgy Seacrest isn’t complete without stops at his favorite restaurants—often with his parents, who still live in Atlanta. The other people he’s sure to check in on are the kids at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where his charitable foundation has hosted acts including Selena Gomez and Joe Jonas. Says Seacrest: “It’s fun to see the kids experience the live performances by the artists who visit.”

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

HOTEL, HERO AND OTHER LOCAL FAVES OF SEACREST’S

WHERE TO STAY THE ST. REGIS ATLANTA

“The hotel I always recommend to people who are visiting the area.”

Opened in 2009, the 26-story hotel features a 40,000-square-foot pool.

88 West Paces Ferry Road NW

Atlanta, GA 30305 (404) 563-7900

EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS STONE MOUNTAIN PARK

“If someone is coming to Atlanta for the first time, the one place they absolutely must go to is Stone Mountain Park.” The 3,200-acre park offers camping, golfing and a Lasershow Spectacular on a screen that’s taller than the Statue of Liberty.

1000 Robert E. Lee Boulevard Stone Mountain, GA 30083 (770) 498-5690

A NIGHT OUT

FOX THEATRE

“It’s the best concert venue in Atlanta. I recall going to an awesome Richard Marx show there.” The historic venue hosts about 300 performances a year.

660 Peachtree Street NE

Atlanta, GA 30308 (404) 881-2100

LIVING LEGEND

“My favorite Atlanta personality: Hank Aaron.” The Hall of Famer spent nine seasons with the Atlanta Braves, and following his retirement Aaron became the team’s director of player development.

LOCAL FLAVOR

LA PAZ

“The one place I must go to whenever I’m in Atlanta: La Paz.” An Atlanta staple since 1979, the Mexican restaurant’s menu features items like carne asada street tacos and nine different margaritas.

2950 New Paces Ferry Road SE Atlanta, GA 30339 (770) 801-0020

ALL DRESSED UP

PRICCI

“For special occasions, my family goes to this great restaurant called Pricci. The food and ambiance are consistently wonderful.” The restaurant’s menu blends modern and classic Italian cuisine.

500 Pharr Road NE Atlanta, GA 30305 (404) 237-2941

the Varsity. Sitting on more than two acres, the space can

notable metric: They make about 300 gallons of chili every day.

WHERE: LAP OF LUXURY WHY: EVERY CAT HAS ITS DAY

There’s a new lap pet in vogue, and no, it does not wear tiny sweaters. Alyssa Giacobbe is on the prowl.

When last year an exotic-looking Siamese named Choupette began parading around Paris unabashedly in a real fur coat, designer companion Karl Lagerfeld at her heels, the fashion world purred, and loudly: Who, they wanted to know, was the old guy with the hot pussy? With lake-blue eyes and highmaintenance hair, the French-born Choupette, who eats from Goyard dishes placed on the table, never the floor, was a natural-born star, swiftly booking spreads in Harper’s Bazaar and V Magazine , lunching with frenemy Blake Lively, and commanding nearly 22,000 followers on Twitter (@ChoupettesDiary). Two French maids are tasked with her twice-daily brushing. Choupette’s favorite plaything is an extra-large shopping bag from Colette.

Step aside, little lapdog: Le chat is the new high-fashion muse.

It’s a wonder it took so long. Cats, after all, are built for fashion: They’re picky eaters, obsessive groomers, and they look amazing in hats. They’re standoffish and snotty, until they want something from you. They love a good shoebox, though perhaps not for the shoes. Still, for years they’ve played the underdog to ankle-biters whose appeal was always a bit suspect (we’re talking about a species that will, on occasion, eat one another’s poo). But as overbred teacups like Tinkerbell Hilton came and went on reality TV and in the oversized totes of the famously in-and-out-of-rehab, cats were quietly building an underground empire, attaching themselves to Hollywood and fashionindustry heavies with decidedly longer shelf lives, like Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, Katy Perry, Evan Rachel Wood and Taylor Swift, whose Scottish Fold Meredith has ranked above Kate Middleton and superhero movies on an industry list of the best things happening in pop culture. Likewise, Mercy Kardashian, Kim’s new Persian, has

rocked the tabs with her perfect “Who, me?” pout and paparazzi-tailed outings to Miami groomers. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have Kanye West for a kitty-daddy.

THEY’RE PICKY EATERS AND ARE AMAZING IN HATS.

However, the well-bred puss doesn’t necessarily have the advantage, which has been a boon for the entire species. The fashion world is remarkably democratic in its embrace of all cats, regardless of bloodline or station in life. While Choupette may have paved the way for the kittens working Le Marais, the camera loves an understated tabby, like 90210 starlet AnnaLynne McCord’s Mouse and Kreayshawn’s Choppa, just as much. Last year, indie label United Bamboo hawked a $50 calendar featuring photos of cats— professional and “real”—posing in feline-sized versions of its Fall and Resort 2011 sequin dresses and blazers, while a New York City fashion show in February starred Matilda, the working cat from the Algonquin hotel. In recent seasons, cat prints have decorated dresses, scarves, sweaters and totes by designers both haute and affordable, including Tsumori Chisato, Jeffrey Campbell, and Jason Wu for Target, whose muse is a black French-cartoon feline named Milu.

Although cats aren’t the exclusive workhorses, so to speak, in the talent pool—Eva Longoria is so devoted to rescue cats she signed on to be the face of Sheba cat food, and Cee Lo Green shills for Meow Mix—they’ve proven they’re more than worth their weight in catnip. In August, Internet cat videos inspired an entire festival at Minnesota’s tony Walker Art Center, which oversold expectation by tens of thousands and included fi lm noir entries subtitled in French. Meanwhile, Silicon Valley’s Cheezburger network, which thrives on cats hamming it up for the camera, raised about $30 million in venture funding last year alone. The cat may be trendy, but she’s also a pretty solid investment piece. Take that, bag-sized bitches.

The Invicta Bolt Zeus Reserve

A NAUTICAL ENSEMBLE

Model 0823

Professional Swiss quartz chronograph

Ø53mm surgical grade solid stainless steel case

Screw-down crown

Screw-down case-back

Flame fusion crystal

Genuine mother of pearl dial

Tritnite® luminous hands and indexes

Date display

Water resistant to 300 meters

O#GUESSWHOISGETTINGBOTOX

Social media has many cosmetic docs and their patients on pins and needles. Alyssa Giacobbe shares PHOTOGRAPHED BY LEON STEELE

ur Internet-fueled exhibitionism knows no bounds, and its latest frontier? Cosmetic improvements. Two recent examples: The Los Angeles radio host who live-tweeted her peel, and the Boston hairstylist who filmed a video of himself getting collagen injections for YouTube. But one person’s PR can be another person’s Botox headache. Although most physicians credit social media with helping their businesses by giving them easy, free marketing and exposure, the technology has also led us to out—intentionally or not—our

friends, strangers and even billionaire teen idols and their procedures.

Boston cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Ruth Tedaldi remembers the day when a certain young heartthrob paid a visit to her practice. How could she forget? It didn’t take long, she says, for another patient’s reveal of the megastar’s presence in her office to reach the Twittersphere. “By the time he left, there was a line of young girls in our parking lot.” Rumors, of course, spread that he was getting Botox. but Tedaldi describes his skin concern on that occasion as a simple “teen issue.”

“With the prevalence of cell phones in our daily life, this issue is a 24/7/365 possibility, similar to people being caught on Google Earth walking out of an adult bookstore,” says Monique Ramsey, a San Diego marketer and social media consultant who work exclusively with cosmetic physicians. That’s why Tedaldi’s more private clients, including local TV anchors, often refuse to enter the waiting room until the minute she’s ready to see them.

Nichole Brennan, of Skin Deep Med Spa in Bos-

“People think that I do a lot of injections, but I don’t. I’m not saying that I haven’t tried it…But I see how it’s a slippery slope.” —Jennifer Aniston on Botox

DOCTORS’ OFFICES SCHEDULE TO AVOID AWKWARD RUN-INS

ton, had a male client— “very private, a real manly man”—who took every precaution to keep people from knowing that he was getting Botox. Even his wife, another regular of Brennan’s, didn’t know. Until, Brennan says, the social media–addicted hairstylist downstairs from her posted to Facebook: “Guess who I just saw walking into Skin Deep????” (Name redacted!!!!)

To counteract conflicts, most physicians have trained their front desk staff to schedule mindfully—which means no same-day appointments for known friends, neighbors, colleagues or, sometimes, husbands and wives. Brennan also has a rule against booking two male clients in a row. Both Tedaldi and Los Angeles cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu have gone so far as to set up private VIP waiting rooms and separate back entrances, which work most of the time. And even though the waiting area of Cambridge, Massachusetts, aesthetic dermatologist Dr. Ranella Hirsch seats only one or two people, decreasing the potential for unwanted run-ins, it d idn’t prevent one patient from recently outing another. “That’s why we refuse to utilize auto computer scheduling even though we have the software,” says Hirsch. “You need a live person who makes sure privacy is protected and that people who shouldn’t bump don’t.”

But honoring professional obligations to confidentiality is one thing; teaching patients to mind one another’s privacy and forgo mentions on the valuable outlet that is social media is another. As a result, many doctors have mixed feelings. Rhode Island cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Ellen Frankel posts signs in her lobby reminding patients to not use their cell phones but awards them with discounts if they post their appointment to Facebook when they show up.

“The way I feel about cosmetic dermatology is that everybody’s doing something,” says Tedaldi. “If you have incredible angst and insecurity or if you’re just an unbelievably private person, you have to adjust your life. Doctors are never going to tell anyone else what you’re there for. You could be there for a mole check. But how am I going to stop people from noticing someone, or control every person in my waiting room? That’s just ridiculous.”

BEAUTY DOCTORS: A USER’S GUIDE

DuJour’s roundup of some of the top aesthetic professionals in New York City, Beverly Hills, Dallas and Miami. Beth Landman reports

Forget everything you thought you knew about aesthetic enhancement—appearanceimproving options are being invented at a laser-quick pace. Troubled by wrinkles? A doctor can inject them with novel fillers derived from sugar or bone matrix, or eviscerate them with light. Want a little fat removed from your jawline? You can get it frozen or melted. Even the clas-

sic face-lift has evolved from a basic nip and tuck to a more customized blend of boosting, volumizing and refining. All this innovation has been driven by consumer demand: In 2011, more than nine million surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S.—almost a 200 percent increase since 1997. Still, the plethora of beauty-enhancing

options, while exciting, is also confusing and a bit overwhelming; we all know that bad procedures can happen to good people. Your safest strategy: Go with doctors at the top of their fields. Here is a select list of some of the country’s finest aesthetic physicians working today, as well as a brief overview of the state-of-the-art developments occurring in their offices.

PHOTO: ALEXANDER STRAULINO/TRUNK ARCHIVE

NEW YORK CITY

PLASTIC SURGERY

DR. SHERRELL ASTON

728 Park Avenue

212-249-6000

When France’s face of beauty, Catherine Deneuve, fi nally decided that even her flawless visage needed some refreshing, she reportedly turned to Aston for assistance. As a general rule, he says, “it’s difficult for me to evaluate a face and not see a place to augment with fat.” One area that he often focuses on: the eye. “If you look at a younger person’s face, the lower lid blends into the cheek,” he observes. “In older patients, I add fat to the tear trough, which helps re-create this effect.” Aston prides himself on performing work that is both skillful and subtle. “In earlier facelifts, you could see a scar and often a raised hairline, which I don’t fi nd very elegant,” he says. “My incision is totally within the hairline.”

DR. DAN BAKER

DR. SHARON GIESE

114 East 61st Street

212-421-3400

Giese is best known for her “natural lift,” a minimally invasive alternative to a face-lift that melts away neck and jowl fat. She says that the procedure can buy patients an extra five years before they might feel the need for traditional surgery. When women come to her and tell her

65 East 66th Street

212-734-9695

DR. ALAN MATARASSO

1009 Park Avenue

212-249-7500

Ready to soften furrows but anxious about the results? For a patient who feels uncertain about injectables, Matarasso will first use water to plump out her face so that she can see the effect. He’s also one cosmetic surgeon who is not hasty about wielding a scalpel. Matarasso

FACE-LIFTS USED TO LAST 8 TO 10 YEARS. NOW THEY CAN LAST 10 TO 15.

they want to look younger, one of Giese’s first recommendations is an upper-eyelid lift, which can be performed in less than half an hour and requires only local anesthesia. “Most people go back to work within four days,” she says.

cally and emotionally.” Besides removing bags and adding fat around the eyes, he usually tightens the muscle, too. “Doing that can also highlight the cheekbones,” he maintains.

DERMATOLOGY

DR. DAVID COLBERT

119 Fifth Avenue 212-533-8888

Laser PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is the latest innovation offered here. After Colbert preps a patient’s face with a light source, he injects her skin with her own blood platelets, which are rich in growth factor and can give the skin a more youthful texture. Two other new techniques employed by Colbert: administering micro-fat injections to fill hollows around the eyes and using the ultrasound-based Ulthera to tighten the skin.

Why do you think a wellknown New York designer has begun to look more like her own daughter? Baker may be the reason. Besides that fashion mogul, the surgeon is said to have perked up everyone from Madonna to a host of politicos. These days, when one of his patients is in for a lift, Baker makes a point of going above and beyond: He performs fat grafts to restore volume, inserts fillers for stubborn furrows, and resurfaces the skin to erase fi ne lines. And the results have staying power. “Face-lifts used to last 8 to 10 years. Now they can last 10 to 15,” he assures.

DR. ROBERT JETTER

737 Park Avenue

212-517-5200

Skin laxity or looseness is a common problem that can be caused by weight loss, pregnancy, aging or gravity. Jetter has perfected the art of tightening and contouring the flesh.

“The concept of body lifting has evolved, so there’s less scarring,” he says. One anti-scar tactic: He places some sutures undereath the skin’s surface. Jetter has also figured out how to correct the unevenness that may result from liposuction. “Lifting the skin is the only long-term way to get rid of dimpling,” he says.

recently turned to fillers in the nose as an easier way to correct imperfections like bumps and over-scooped profiles without resorting to an operation. “It’s a five-minute procedure!” he says. As for the body, “I combine liposuction with a tummy tuck,” and he’s using new silicone and saline breast implants that have a more natural appearance.

DR. DAVID ROSENBERG

115 East 61st Street

212-832-8595

DR. BRUCE KATZ

60 East 56th Street 212-688-5882

based Radiesse. And Sobel thinks that Botox isn’t just for frown lines—he uses it on the neck and the nose, too. “With liposuction, Sobel wants his patients to participate in the process. “I stand them up at the end of the procedure so that gravity can take effect, and we look in the mirror together to determine any final touch-ups.”

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

DR. LARRY ROSENTHAL

30 East 76th Street

212-794-9600

Rosenthal is an enthusiastic proponent of new, life-like crowns and veneers. “They are layered in colors, so they’re brighter yet more natural-looking,” he says. “They really end up enhancing the face.” Another innovation: Dental impressions will soon be taken digitally, so goodbye to mouthfuls of gook.

DR. LANA ROZENBERG

A strong believer in not waiting until things are desperate before taking action, Rosenberg likes to attack the areas that bother his patients as soon as they notice them. “If a patient comes in with a loose neck or a little jowling, we don’t have to wait for all the skin to descend and we can go ahead and target those spots,” he says. “Smaller surgical procedures are good because they’re less taxing for the patient, physi-

“It’s the holy grail,” declares Katz about the search for a procedure that will eliminate cellulite forever. While he and the rest of the world wait for a silver-bullet solution, he’s using Cellulaze, a treatment with a split beam that works in multiple directions. “You can aim it down to help melt fat, sideways to cut the fibrous bands that cause skin indentations and up to stimulate collagen under the surface,” he says.

DR. HOWARD SOBEL

960 Park Avenue 212-288-0060

“After you pass a certain age, freckles are no longer cute. They’re associated with looking older,” Sobel says. He favors a fractional laser to even out skin tone. His filler of choice for jaws and cheeks is calcium-

8 East 63rd Street

212-265-7724

Veneers that require little preparation are available at the office of Rozenberg (who has brightened the smiles of Scarlett Johansson and Kristin Davis). “You only have to roughen the teeth, not file them all the way down. They are thin, translucent and very pretty,” she raves. She’s also using fillings made of a resin composite (instead of porcelain) because they’re softer on a patient’s bite. As for whitening, she has the new Zoom 4<, a machine that can be adjusted depending on the sensitivity of a patient’s teeth. Finally, for gummy smiles, she has devised “gummouflage,” which entails her making a small suture inside the lip to minimize the gums without major surgery.

PLASTIC SURGERY

DR. LAWRENCE KOPLIN

465 North Roxbury Drive 310-277-3223

While most aesthetic surgeons choose to reserve fat injections for treating larger areas of the face and body, Koplin also uses it to address fi ne lines in shallower areas. “It’s a great alternative to peeling or burning the skin, which leaves the skin red and requires some recovery time,” he says. “Injecting fat is actually good for the skin, rejuvenating it by improving blood supply, thickness and oxygenation.” Out of all the body parts he sees, the one that he approaches most aggressively is the neck.

“I see a lot of people whose faces look really great, but their necks are a problem,” he reports. “To fi x them, I usually go past the traditional muscles that most surgeons address.”

DR. NORMAN LEAF

436 North Bedford Drive 310-274-8001

device in that category is the Venus Freeze machine, a noninvasive device that combines magnetic and radio waves to tighten the skin on the face and the body. “It melts fat, too, and there’s very little pain,” he maintains.

DERMATOLOGY

DR. HOWARD LANCER

440 North Rodeo Drive 310-278-8444

One of Hollywood’s bestknown beauty docs, Leaf has started deploying the tip of a laser to help melt fat and tighten skin under the chin. When performing most breast augmentations, particularly revisions, he now places a layer of Strattice (a matrix made from pig skin) between the implant and a patient’s skin, to achieve better results. “It supports the implant, and it reduces wrinkling,” he says.

DR. ANDREW ORDON

465 North Roxbury Drive 310-777-3438

Lancer likes to start his patients on a two-to-six-week home prep program to exfoliate their skin. “I always try to rehabilitate them this way first,” explains the cosmetic dermatologist who counts Oprah, Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian among his

DALLAS BEVERLY HILLS MIAMI

PLASTIC SURGERY

DR. JENNIFER CATHER

Ordon, a cohost on TV’s The Doctors, declares: “The new thing is magnetic fields!” And the most cutting-edge

clients. His specialties include scarless removal of skin-cancer growths, fixing scars and correcting discolorations. To rejuvenate the skin, he’s using a newly released version of Ulthera, which, he assures, is half as uncomfortable as the somewhat forbidding original.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

DR. BILL DORFMAN

2080 Century Park East 310-277-5678

The latest cosmetic dentistry trend seen by Dorfman, the practitioner responsible for the enviable grins of Usher and Jessica Simpson? A shift toward conservative approaches, like no-prep or minimal-prep

THE LATEST TREND IN COSMETIC DENTISTRY: BLEACHING INSTEAD OF TRADITIONAL VENEERS

porcelain veneers or bleaching, instead of traditional veneers. “Teeth were being made too white,” he says. And in case a fear of needles keeps you from more intensive procedures, Dorfman has the DentalVibe, a machine that delivers vibrations to an injection area, eliminating pain.

DR. JEFF KENKEL

1801 Inwood Road

214-645-2353

9101 North Central Expressway

214-265-1818

Cather prides herself on constantly coming up with new, less invasive strategies.

“You know how when you look at children, they have cute upturned noses?” she asks. “I can give you that with a little Botox.” She likes to deploy the filler Radiesse to smooth the cleavage and hyaluronic acid to rejuvenate hands.

Another Cather technique: “I put hyaluronic acid in the ear lobe to make it plumper and less saggy. That even makes diamond earrings look better!”

Leave it to a Dallas doctor to come up with that one.

“I use a lot of lasers and devices now,” says Kenkel, who is probably best known for his body lifts and tummy tucks. One of his current gizmos is the CoolSculpting machine, which helps destroy fat cells by freezing them.

DR. ROD ROHRICH

1801 Inwood Road

214-645-3119

PLASTIC SURGERY

JULIO GALLO

1441 Brickell Avenue 305-624-0009

The Miami Institute for Age Management and Intervention is a group of beauty pros headed by Gallo. One area he’s exploring: cellular therapies like Laviv. A patch of skin is taken, cultured and used as an injectible. “It’s natural and completely compatible with a patient,” Gallo says.

A former president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Rohrich is a big proponent of turning to fat to restore a youthful appearance in a patient. “We start losing fat in our faces at age 30,” he says, “so when it’s injected in the cheek area along with doing a lift, people look less ‘done.’”

DERMATOLOGY

DR. OSCAR HEVIA

550 Biltmore Way

305-443-9977

DR. ROBERT RIFKIN

414 North Camden Drive 310-205-0010

Rifkin takes his patients’ veneers very seriously: Beforehand, he does a facial analysis in order to figure the best length and shape for that person. “Proportion is extremely important,” he notes.

According to Hevia, non-surgical rejuvenation of the face is his forte. He has also pioneered a technique for freshening up the eye area. “It’s important to create a smooth transition from the eye to the cheekbone

without making the cheekbone stick out,” he says. He uses a small needle to fill hollows with Radiesse or hyaluronic acid. Hevia’s favorite new filler is Belotero. “You can really shape it,” he explains.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

DR. JOSE BLANCO

7700 South Red Road 305-670-0352

Besides wielding the usual tools of a dentist, Blanco is employing Botox to reduce clenching in the jaw muscles. “Relaxing them can help prevent the teeth from grinding. A side benefit is you see a tapering of the face afterward,” he says. As for the teeth, he actually adds slight imperfections to veneers to achieve a more natural look. “People want a better smile, but not everyone wants the bright white Hollywood smile.”

Dermatologists Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields recently launched a beauty app called PerSKINality that allows a user to upload a photo of her face sans makeup to receive an evaluation of her complexion, and then get a specially prescribed regimen to resolve any issues.

IN SEARCH OF PERFECT SKIN

GLOW GETTERS

WINTER’S BEST NEW SKINCARE PRODUCTS COMBINE LUXE INGREDIENTS AND THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY

Dermatologists are getting closer to cracking the anti-aging code.

Eva Chen goes more than skin deep

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman in possession of good skin is in want of better skin. Nowadays, in our instant gratification society—of one-hour teeth whitening and spray-on tans—we expect to get it post-haste. But a rapid plan of attack isn’t always practical or realistic. “You don’t suddenly age overnight,” says New York City dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross. “Radiation has a delayed effect on the skin. The sun that you got years ago is still with you, lurking beneath the surface, and will continue to manifest. As a result, skincare should be measured and ongoing.”

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Switching mind-sets to slow and steady is, of course, easier said than done. “When [facial injectible] Sculptra came out and three months were needed to see results, it was difficult for patients to understand,” says New York City psychiatrist and dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler. “They were used to the quick fi xes that Botox and fi llers presented.”

While those fast-acting products have revolutionized skincare and improved countless people’s appearances, their main drawback is that the effects are temporary. The next generation of treatment, though—with results that may last—is focused on

“THE KEY TO ANTI-AGING COULD LIE IN TARGETING COLLAGEN,” SAYS DR. DENNIS GROSS.

reinforcing and rebuilding collagen, a process that takes time to achieve. A naturally occurring protein in the body that connects and supports the tissues, collagen accounts for more than 70 percent of skin fibers. As we age, it slows down in production and declines in quality. “Anytime you use something that builds collagen, you’ll get a global improvement in skin—fi rmness and tightening,” says Gross. “I believe the key to true anti-aging could lie in targeting collagen: maintaining it, preventing its breakdown, or preventing the enzymes that trigger their degradation from working.”

average of three months]. After we get the new cells from the lab, we inject them into a person’s nasallabial folds, or smile lines.”

refi ning texture and boosting cell turnover.

“cell therapy” on far from a

(The consists of tal, spaced to six weeks

Fibrocell, a lab in Pennsylvania, claims to have found a collagen solution with its product Laviv. Approved by the FDA last year, Laviv is the fi rst available the market. It’s far get-young-quick remedy—it can take nine weeks or more to see effects from the injections. treatment three injections in tothree apart.) “We take skin

CHANEL TARGETED SPOT

Fibroblast cells produce collagen, and when we get older, the number of fibroblasts diminishes and collagen breaks down, resulting in wrinkling and a duller skin tone. “Laviv is an injection, but what’s important to note is this isn’t about getting that full, puffy look,” says Brandt. “Those come from putting something foreign into your face. This is different because you’re boosting collagen production by producing your own cells.” Two clinical studies conducted by Fibrocell confi rm its efficacy: By the third treatment, visible results were measured; six months later, significant improvement was observed in moderate-to-deep nasallabial folds. Brandt believes that dermatologists have just begun to see Laviv’s potential: “Acne scars, burns—anything can benefit from increased collagen.”

And if Laviv is the futuristic end of the skincare

“But using pure retinol isn’t the s tory any longer,” says Gross. “We think of it as a base ingredient and now we’re adding ingredients to boost or balance it.” New formulas—including those for sensitive skin and oil-based products like Ren’s Bio Retinoid Anti-Ageing Concentrate—and consumer awareness have also ensured that once-common side effects like full-face fl aking and redness are often things of the past. “Women know not to use it every night,” notes Brandt. “For those who don’t think they can tolerate it, I actually have them begin their regimen by applying a small amount, leaving it on a few minutes, and then washing it off.”

Really, say Brandt, Gross and Wechsler, the most modern skincare is a mix of old and cutting-edge— and a balance between common sense and experimentation. “There’s always something new,” notes Gross. But too often people bypass tried-and-true practices in order to use the latest hyped treatment. He says, “A

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cells a patient’s Miami Dr. Brandt, who with number of

from behind ear,” explains New York City and Miami dermatologist Dr. Fredric along Wechsler is one of a small dermatologists offering Laviv. “These skin cells are sent to a lab to be cultured and to create thousands of fibroblast cells [which takes an

Gruesomely

spectrum, at the other end a decidedly un-high-tech ingredient is having a renaissance. “It’s the return of the retinoid,” declares Brandt. A derivative of vitamin A, the compound has been a staple of dermatologists for decades due to its effectiveness in stimulating collagen production, evening skin tone,

like healthy oils grape3, 6,

rich in antioxidants lycopene, and vitamins C and E gives the body tools to build collagen. And you can’t underestimate the importance of preventing damage by using a daily sunscreen. Anti-aging starts with knowing where you stand and where you can go from there.”

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SHELF LIFE

The products in a man’s medicine cabinet are supposed to make him look good, but these grooming essentials are exceedingly handsome in their own right

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFFREY WESTBROOK

BEAUTY BEWARE

A team of cheeky experts weigh in on your every cosmetic concern

Tucked away in a discreet penthouse on Melrose Place is Violet Grey, a beauty studio and inspiration lab where insiders gather to exchange ideas and create and test products. Together with editors Robin Black and Jessica Joffe, cofounders Cassandra Grey and Dany Levy have teamed with experts—on everything from makeup to nutrition—to answer your most pressing inquiries. Here, the collective minds behind Team Violet exclusively offer solutions to DuJour readers’ beauty quandaries. Email your questions to Violet@dujour. com, and log on to Violetgrey.com for additional intel.

Dear Violet:

I haven’t worn a fragrance other than Irish Spring bar soap in 20 years. A brief contretemps with Drakkar Noir in the late ’80s left me scarred, but I am ready to approach the cologne counter with renewed vigor and élan. Show me the way.

Sincerely,

Johnny C. Lately

Dear Johnny,

Our favorite men’s grooming expert, Ian Jay Ginsberg of C.O. Bigelow, says unequivocally: “A fragrance is better than your body’s natural scent.” No matter which scent and strength you choose (in ascending order: eau de cologne, cologne or eau de toilette), use it sparingly. Spray—don’t rub—a dash on the back of your neck, on the inside of your wrist and on your chest. For your reentry, might we suggest Acqua di Parma?

Dear Violet:

I was born a towhead, and according to family lore, I’ll be as blonde as a bombshell long after I retire. At 70, my mother has only 12 gray hairs. But I’m ashamed of my golden mop; I want to be taken seriously. I want to have gravitas. My blonde hair is holding me back and I’m ready for a real life change now.

Gratefully, Manic Marilyn

Scent-sationally yours, Team Violet

The classic citrus and lavender notes work on nearly everyone. It’s a stepping stone to more-sophisticated scents by brands like Le Labo, Byredo and the Parisian perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, which makes a scented leather bracelet—an unusually practical alternative. Remember: Scents smell different on the skin than on a cologne-counter blotter, and their layered notes emerge over time. Walk around in a scent before you choose it. Fragrances trigger emotions, so you want to wear one that makes you (and people within sniffing distance) feel good.

Dear Marilyn,

Lana Del Rey and Lady Gaga led the brunette charge this fall, and they knew what they were up to long before the rest of us did. Are you ready to join their ranks? John Frieda colorist Alen Mehrabian suggests taking your color down two or three notches to start. If you insist on going darker still, do it slowly, and make sure your color has dimension; subtle highlights around the face can be helpful. The most important thing with brown hair is maintenance. “Use a moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoo,” says L.A.-based hair stylist Lea Journo. “It keeps the hair from fading and drying out.” As your namesake Ms. Monroe once said: “It takes a smart brunette to play a dumb blonde.”

XOX

Dear Violet:

I’m sick and tired of looking sick and tired. Ever since I was a child, I’ve woken up with the same purple half-moons under my eyes, and my eyelids look like they’ve been dipped in soy sauce!

Yours, Flustered

Team Violet

Flora

Dear Flora,

Relax. Your under-eye circles and dark eyelids are most likely due to heredity and genetic happenstance. The key is finding exactly the right concealer, matched perfectly to your skin and not a shade lighter. For a blue under-eye, use a concealer with peach undertones. For gray under-eye, makeup artist Robin Black suggests adding a smidge of orange-red lipstick, like Nars’ Heat Wave. First, apply a coat of foundation or tinted moisturizer below the eye, blending it well. Then use a concealer brush (try Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage Brush) to dab on a small amount of concealer over the darkest area. Use your f inger to gently press the product into the skin. No more vampire jokes, we promise.

Got you covered,

Team Violet

CHELSEA GIRLS

Nars’ new Andy Warhol palettes inspired us to re-create three icons: Edie, Nico and Candy Darling

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TONY KIM

Cosmetics throughout NARS. On Edie: Via Veneto Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner, $23; Edie eyeshadow; narscosmetics.com Baril calf-hair coat, $3,300, DIANE VON FURSTENBERG , 646-486-4800. Dress, $2,695, EMPORIO ARMANI , armani.com Earrings, stylist’s own. On Nico: Carpates Eyeliner Stylo, $27, narscosmetics.com International Velvet Larger Than Life Lip Gloss, $26, sephora.com Suit jacket, price upon request, TOM FORD, 212-359-0300. Cashmere sleeveless rib turtleneck, $895, MICHAEL KORS, michaelkors.com On Andy Warhol: Self Portrait Eyeshadow Palette 2, $55, From Silver Factory Gift Set, narscosmetics.com Stretch Perfect Shirt, $72; Tartan Oxford cloth tie, $59.50, J.CREW, jcrew.com Slim-fit jeans, $69.95; canvas belt, $24.95, GAP, gap.com On Candy: Trash Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, $24; Holly Woodlawn Larger Than Life Lip Gloss, $26; Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara, $25; Jolie Poupee Duo Eyeshadow, $34; Satellite of Love Highlighting Blush, $28; narscosmetics.com Hairy Bomber in goat fur, $4,200, MULBERRY, 212-835-4700. Pneu 18-karat yellow gold earrings with pavé diamonds, onyx and crystal, $13,500, MARINA B , Neiman Marcus, 888-888-4757. Elbow lambskin gloves, $99, CAROLINA AMATO, softsurroundings.com Makeup by James Boehmer for Nars Cosmetics. Hair by Kenshin Asano using Oribe at L’Atelier NYC. Manicure by Maki Sakamoto at Kate Ryan Inc. for Zoya.

“Edie”: American princess turned It girl, model and actress

Model Andrej Pejic conjures the superstars (and Andy, too!) for us, while Factory habitué Glenn O’Brien remembers

“I AM A DEEPLY SUPERFICIAL PERSON.” —ANDY

WARHOL

“Andy”: seminal artist, indie filmmaker and Factory maestro

Andy Warhol was infectious. Maybe contagious is a better word. If you worked for him or if you spent enough time around him, he had a tendency to rub off on you. I was young and impressionable, but I think it happened to lots of people. You’d start saying things like “Oh, gee, that’s really great? Don’t you think that’s great?” in a sort of lockjaw monotone. There was a Factory accent. But Andy got in your head, and not only did you pick up his inflection but a certain way of thinking, too. I felt like I could predict with a certain amount of accuracy what he would say. Anyway, my internal Andy voice is still functional, 25 years after his death. It’s a little weird.

simile. Edie wanted to be Andy’s twin, and Andy probably liked that idea for a while.

Andy would have been fascinated by Andrej. He liked pretty boys, and he liked boys who could impersonate girls. Andy thought boys made the best actresses because they could be more objective about femininity, and they didn’t have to worry so much about being politically correct in one’s femininity. That’s why he thought of m aking a movie about women’s lib with boys playing the radicalized girls: Women in Revolt. Andy would have taken one look at Andrej and said, “What a beauty? Isn’t he a real beauty. Gee, you should be on the cover of Interview. We should make a movie. Would you like to be in a movie? I think you’d be so great.”

But as for Andrej does Andy, I think the boss would have looked at Andrej and said, “Oh, gee, I wish I looked that good.”

So here’s Andrej Pejic as Andy and three of his superstars: Edie, Candy Darling and Nico. He does a good job of channeling them with expert assistance from hair and makeup. Andrej is as pretty as Candy, although I’m not sure who is the more feminine character. Being feminine was definitely harder for a boy in the old days. When I moved to New York City, a guy could get picked up by the cops for wearing a dress. There was a troupe of genderversatile boys around the Factory: Candy, Holly and Jackie. Candy was a great wit and an amazing comic actress who had been studying glamour girls her whole life. She was so good at it that, it was hard to believe sometimes she wasn’t the real thing. Nico had world-record cheekbones and may have actually had a little more manly a jaw than Andrej, even though she was all woman. This Edie is a pretty close fac-

NARS’ colors embodied by Warhol included a nail polish set: Back Room Black, Soup Can Perfect Red, Chelsea Girls Beige and Silver Factory Aluminum.

“Nico”: model and Velvet Underground singer

“Candy Darling”: actress and muse

GOLDENEYE

Lustrous metallic touches and a light finish give new meaning to the term “natural glow”

PHOTOGRAPHED BY HENRY HARGREAVES

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Pierre Laroche was the makeup artist behind David Bowie’s iconic metallic and glittery looks. He was responsible for the Ziggy Stardust lightning bolt and Kabuki influences seen on covers Aladdin Sane and Pin Ups In an exhibition opening March 28 at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, Bowie’s creativity will be the focus.

MANE EVENT

Bedazzled ‘dos accessorize the holiday-party ensemble

PHOTOGRAPHED BY HENRY HARGREAVES

THE 5-MINUTE UPDO Emergency date hair BOUFFANT Classy bump-it

THE MESSY FRENCH TWIST Careless twister

THE GROWN-UP HEADBAND Embellished schoolgirl

THE SLEEK, MODERN BUN Low hanging fruit

THE EVENING BRAID High-class Heidi

WALL STREET WORKOUT

Kayleen Schaefer drills down on CrossFit, the training trend that’s got traders by the horns

At 5-foot-6, with a lean, athletic build developed from years of working out regularly— picture Bruce Lee, not Arnold Schwarzenegger—Outlier Capital managing partner Joshua Newman thought he was fighting fit. He’d even competed in mixed martial arts.

That illusion shattered after just one CrossFit workout. The morning following his first session of the punishing physical regimen, where he was put through 400 meters of walking lunges, he was wrecked—so much so that he missed his subway stop because he was too sore to get out of his seat before the doors shut. “I had to wait for the woman next to me to get up, so I could slide over and hoist myself up by the side rails,” he says.

He was also hooked. In the months that followed, he recruited friends to do CrossFit with him in Central Park—workouts involving anything from medicine ball slams or kettlebell swings, to pull-ups on swing sets or box jumps onto benches. In 2008, three partners founded CrossFit NYC in the Flatiron District. Newman says it’s now the largest CrossFit location in the U.S., with 1,200 members.

Created by California-based trainer Greg Glassman in the ’80s, CrossFit went national in 2001, and has steadily become the workout of choice for high-stakes traders. “It makes sense that people who are a little bit Type A and overly driven tend to be excited about throwing down hard and pushing themselves in a workout,” Newman contends.

Recently, CrossFit in San Francisco even started a 3:30 p.m. class, for the traders and other finance professionals who want to hit the gym as soon as the markets close on the East Coast.

The goal is not to promote specialized fitness—like how a spinning class will make you a better biker—but to enhance your overall athleticism: cardiovascular endurance, strength, flexibility, power, speed, agility and balance. The result is a body that’s trim but not thin, muscular but not top-heavy.

Today CrossFit is available in more than 4,000 gyms, compared with only 13 in July 2005, ac-

cording to Dave Castro, CrossFit’s director of training. It centers around a staff-led workout of the day, which ranges from 100 pull-ups, pushups, sit-ups and squats performed as fast as possible to more technically challenging routines involving jumping up onto 30-inch boxes and scaling walls.

“There’s no doubt it gets results very quickly,” says T.J. Murphy, author of Inside The Box , a book about his experience with CrossFit. “When I started, friends of mine who I didn’t see on a daily basis could barely recognize me because I’d made such dramatic improvements fitness-wise.”

CrossFitters boast that they need only a few hours of gym time per week—and nothing more—as long as they keep pushing themselves to work hard during class. “People who have a sense of what it means to work hard are the ones who seem to thrive best,” Newman says. “At the end of a workout, everyone should by lying on the ground together.” But not everyone may be able to get up quickly.

CrossFit NYC charges people $200 a month or $20 to drop in for a single class, and “one thing that sets us apart from the standard gym is that we’re entirely month to month,” Newman says. “If you’re not in better shape now than you were a month ago, we don’t think you should have to come anymore.”

All too often the blank space that requires a garage door gets filled in as an afterthought. And that’s just a shame. Your garage makes a statement about you and your home and it deserves a door that also doubles as an exclamation mark. Visit Clopay.com and explore a world of stunning garage door options. Together, we can transform that blank space into a statement that can’t be ignored.

Canyon Ridge® Collection

CWHEELS UP!

Classic cars might be one of 2013’s most solid investment strategies—but collectors say money is beside the point. Paul Biedrzycki tinkers with the idea.

huck Spielman’s love affair with the automobile is rooted in a childhood spent wandering around his father’s 1950s Brooklyn Chevy dealership. Cars were, as he describes it, “in his DNA”; when most kids were learning their ABCs, Spielman’s father was teaching his protégé to identify a car’s make by sound alone. He always figured he’d one day join the family business, but while serving in the army in Vietnam, Spielman received word that the dealership was closing down, and he “should

fi nd something else to do.” (He chose real estate.) Until, that is, he returned to his fi rst love, opening Only Yesterday Classic Autos—a 30,000-squarefoot restoration facility in San Diego—where he also houses his own sizeable collection that ranges from pre-war roadsters to 70s muscle cars.

The classic-auto industry is on the upswing, driven, so to speak, by an economy hell-bent on putting its money in something other than stocks and real estate. Vintage cars have proven to be a solid investment: Values have soared an average

33 percent since 2009, according to the Hagerty Collector Car Blue Chip Index. Auction houses—like Santa Monica based Gooding & Co. and Mecum Auctions in Wisconsin—are seeing cars going for seven, even eight, figures. Gooding reports a 44 percent increase in sales from 2011, reaching more than $189 million across their 2012 Pebble Beach, Scottsdale and Amelia Island auctions. Mecum, which consigns cars at a variety of price points, is projecting $250 million in sales for 2012.

Beneath the investment potential, however, is the fact that the market is supported by factors that are both impossible to monetize and that never go out of style: passion and nostalgia. Car collecting frequently starts out as a compulsion to reconnect with the past—for example, owning the same car your father drove, or fi nally having the money to buy the car you dreamed about in high school. Collecting, most say, is addictive. It’s not unheard of for a man to amass dozens, even hundreds, of specimens from a variety of makes and eras that reflect his personality. What’s more, while standards like a ’57 T-bird or ’64 Corvette hold their value and may often be resold easily for a profit—Ferraris typically bring in top dollar as well— a car is worth what someone’s willing to pay for it, and a room full of motorheads trying to outbid each other can send prices soaring. In August, Gooding & Co. sold a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster for a record $11.77 million. It may seem like a lot for a vehicle that will most likely rarely leave the garage, but that hardly matters to a collector.

Which is one reason most collectors and dealers argue that acquiring solely for fi nancial reasons is beside the point. “A lot of people ask me, ‘What should I buy for investment?’” Spielman says. “I tell them, ‘Nothing. What you should buy is what you like. If you make a little money, great; if you don’t, you may lose a little but you’ve had the fun and pride of ownership.”

John Kraman, director of consignments at Mecum, agrees: Go with your gut. “When you go out to your garage and look at what you have, you want it to be something that stirs feelings,” he says. “It’s not just something mechanical that’s made of steel and rubber and happens to be an investment. You want something that really speaks to your soul.”

Like, say, the pristine one-owner, low mileage Lamborghini Diablo that’s an exact match for the poster that hung above your bed in junior high. Before you place a bid auction, though, you should know some crucial guidelines, especially if it’s your fi rst time out. Like any investment, there are risks. To avoid overpaying for a lemon (or two), familiarize yourself with the market and consult experts versed in the make/model/era that interests you. Auction houses will generally be happy to offer a referral to what’s known as a “specialist.” While major houses will vet seller claims regarding condition or provenance, the classic-car industry has no standardized authentication system. It’s ultimately up to the buyer to research and understand what he’s bidding on. “Nobody goes out without advice and builds a great collection,” says Gooding & Co. automotive specialist David Brynan. “It takes time, and there’s a learning curve. For each market, there are people to turn to.” Especially for the big names, like Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche, or prewar cars from makers like Bentley and Alfa Romeo.

Most appraisers will assess value based on two distinct attributes. First: context. The “aura,” or x-factor,

can make two identical cars differ vastly in price: Who owned the car before; what race did it win; is it a special edition or prototype? A 1940 Lincoln Continental that Spielman recently sold, for example, was made considerably more valuable because of its onetime owner: Babe Ruth. And second: condition. Stories abound of people unearthing a jewel in the rough that, after a quick spit and polish, fetches top dollar at auction. But the reality is that restoring—or even maintaining—a classic car requires patient, skilled hands or the deep pockets to pay for an experienced technician. Taking your investment down the block to the Jiffy Lube isn’t an option. Full restorations can take from one to three years and can easily surpass what you paid for the car, says noted restorer Chuck Miner of Twin Brooks Restoration in Suffield, CT, who maintains an 18-month-long waiting list. Paying more for a car that doesn’t require any restoration may end up being the more cost-effective route—and get you on the road much quicker.

Ultimately, most seasoned collectors know they’re

lucky to break even and that the returns come in a variety of other ways. Spielman makes the convincing argument that “you can’t drive your stock portfolio down the street on a nice day.” Nor can you use your portfolio to make friends. But whether you’re into Fords or Fiats, you’ll fi nd a community of passionate, dedicated collectors who gather at shows, cruises and swap meets across the country. During the filming of his documentary Black Air —a chronicle of the mythic Buick Grand National and its devoted following that hits theaters this month— director Andrew Filippone Jr. witnessed this fi rsthand. “I heard stories like ‘this car’s brought people into my life’ or ‘my best friends come from me having this car,’” he says. “You get the sense this is way more than a car we’re talking about.”

For Spielman, this aspect of collecting is indeed what keeps him hooked. “I’ve met the most wonderful people through my hobby,” he says. “Doctors, lawyers, plumbers, contractors, elevator operators—the common denominator is that we love cars. We’re motorheads.”

2003 Ferrari Enzo

1957 Maserati 150 GT Spyder

1995 Ferrari F50

1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante

A 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster sold for nearly $12 million.

These cars will all be up for sale at Gooding & Co.’s Scottsdale auction in January.

HAIL AND FAREWELL, 2012!

As the year comes to an end, we salute 12 unforgettable phenomena— and 12 whose time has come and gone

HOTELS

HAIL: NOBU HOTEL AT CAESARS PALACE Julius Caesar, meet Nobu Matsuhisa. While a Japanese-themed hotel doesn’t instinctively fit into the ancient Rome metaphor of Caesars Palace, the legendary Las Vegas hotel recently opened the first Nobu Hotel in partnership with the Emperor of Sushi and Robert De Niro. Designed by David Rockwell, the Nobu Hotel fuses Japanese elegance with Western comforts. And, yes, it has a Nobu restaurant— with 24-hour room service.

FAREWELL: RITZ PARIS It’s not goodbye, just au revoir, but in July the famed Ritz Paris closed its doors for the next two years to begin a massive renovation estimated to cost $250 million. The hotel that Coco Chanel once called “ma maison ” and where Princess Diana spent her fi nal night hasn’t revealed what the up-

grade will include, and the hotel’s many fans are worried that its haute essence will be lost. For as Ernest Hemingway once noted, “When I dream of afterlife in heaven, the action always takes place in the Paris Ritz.”

FASHION

HAIL: ELSA SCHIAPARELLI Following the blockbuster “Schiaparelli and Prada” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, fashion mogul Diego Della Valle announced that he was reviving the house of Schiaparelli, which closed its doors in 1954. While Della Valle purchased Schiaparelli’s original Paris atelier, no creative director has yet been announced, and the fi rst collection will be unveiled in June or July 2013.

FAREWELL: YSL Hedi Slimane’s first collection for Yves Saint Laurent received mixed reviews this year and caused a

contretemps between the designer and New York Times fashion critic Cathy Horyn. But the biggest YSL news in 2012 was that Slimane was rebranding the ready-to-wear label as Saint Laurent Paris. In other words, Slimane dropped the Y in YSL in favor of SLP. Why indeed.

CELEB COUPLES

HAIL: BRAD AND ANGELINA After years of living together and raising several children, Brad Pitt fi nally proposed to Angelina Jolie this year with a ring he designed with jeweler Roger Procop. Not to be outdone, the ex-Mrs. Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, also said “I do” to Justin Theroux’s proposal. Is a double wedding in 2013 too much to ask?

FAREWELL: TOM AND KATIE They said it wouldn’t last. And they were right. Five years after Katie Holmes won the part

of Tom Cruise’s wife, the actress fi led for divorce. Holmes’ settlement didn’t guarantee a big payday, but she did win custody of daughter Suri. And presumably her enormous shoe closet.

ROYALS

HAIL: THE QUEEN’S ANNUS MIRABILIS In 2011, London threw the wedding of the (young) century for Prince William and Kate Middleton. But this year, Queen Elizabeth hosted two less modest events: her Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics. How will Her Majesty top jumping out of a plane with James Bond in 2013? Take a starring role in the Real Housewives of Windsor?

FAREWELL: THE ROYAL FAMILY’S CLOTHING

It’s one thing to see Prince Harry partying naked in Las Vegas—you expect that kind of behavior from the wild Windsor. It was quite another when a French mag-

azine published topless photographs of Duchess Catherine on vacation in the South of France. But what really got the royal family’s (absent) knickers in a twist was a photograph of 91-year-old Prince Philip apparently not wearing underwear beneath his kilt. Fortunately, Prince William has shown the same discretion as his grandmother. For now.

TV

HAIL: GIRLS Television got a new auteur this year in 26-year-old Lena Dunham, thanks to her hit HBO series Girls Her hilariously honest and (very) naked storytelling perfectly captures the angst and neuroses of millennial women— and the men they think they love. Have a cosmo, girls. It gets better.

FAREWELL: 30 ROCK When life gives you Liz Lemon, make 30 Rock But after seven seasons, Tina Fey announced that her Emmy-winning sitcom would be ending. Wherever you head next, Tina—MILF Island?—we want to go there. And bring Alec Baldwin.

DRINKING

HAIL: MEGA-PROOF SPIRITS High-end cocktails went high octane this year, with the proliferation of “overproof” spirits that have greater alcohol content. Described in robust language such as “cask strength,” these new Scotches, bourbons and gins allow sophisticated drinkers to play distiller and dilute the taste to their liking. And what’s next for 2013? Higher-alcohol tequila.

Felix admitted to Time magazine, “I have a lot of fears that normal people have. I’m just not scared of heights.” You don’t say.

FAREWELL: LANCE ARMSTRONG For seven years, no one could catch Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France. But in 2012, the United States Anti-Doping Agency finally did. After an exhaustive investigation, USADA concluded that Armstrong was part of an elaborate doping program. Though he always denied the allegations and never tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug, Armstrong fi nally surrendered this year and was stripped of his titles—and banned from the sport. Here’s hoping Armstrong’s disgrace will not affect the work done by his cancer charity, Livestrong. But take off that yellow bracelet.

FAREWELL: GIANT SUGARY DRINKS IN NEW YORK First Mayor Michael Bloomberg took away New Yorkers’ cigarettes. Then he went after their fast food. But when Bloomberg announced that the city would ban the sale of supersized sugary drinks to combat obesity, the people revolted—and lost. Ciao, Venti Frappuccino…

SUPER HUMANS

POLITICS

HAIL: DEBATING The three presidential debates provided forensics ferocity worthy of Ali-Frazier. (And the vicepresidential undercard was pretty good too.) Who won, of course, generally depended on who you favored going into the debate. But one thing is certain for 2016: We need more moderators like Martha Raddatz.

FAREWELL: POLLING After months of asking undecided, left-handed, single soccer moms in Ohio who they prefer for president, there’s one thing that 100 percent of Americans can all agree on: We’re sick of polls.

REALITY STARS

SCIENCE

HAIL: THE GOD PARTICLE Decades after scientists predicted its existence, researchers at CERN announced that they had located the Higgs boson, the so-called “God particle” that provides the key to understanding how life is created in the universe. So what does it mean for everyday Einsteins? God only knows.

FAREWELL: JESUS’ WIFE In a serious case of life imitating The Da Vinci Code, Harvard Divinity School professor Karen King unveiled an ancient scroll asserting that Jesus may have been married. Days after the revelation, however, another scholar refuted the claim after fi nding a modern mistake in the text—a typo.

HAIL: FELIX BAUMGARTNER Anyone who’s willing to jump out of a plane—on purpose—clearly loves a thrill. But taking a giant leap for mankind from 24 miles above Earth? That takes a special kind of daredevil. In October, Felix Baumgartner set several world records with his supersonic free fall from space. And the 43-year-old’s success could have future implications for NASA. After touching down, Fearless

HAIL: HONEY BOO BOO Since Here Comes Honey Boo Boo premiered in August, audiences have had a serious love-hate relationship with the TLC reality series—millions love to watch, but they hate themselves for it. And in just a few months the adventures of mush-mouth 7-year-old beauty queen Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson and her Georgia family brought in ratings that rivaled the almighty Kardashians. Sure, some viewers are laughing at Honey Boo Boo Child and her backwoods family, but Mama June and the clan are the ones who seem to be having the last laugh— all the way to the bank.

GLASS ≤ ISING 101 DOM PÉRIGNON’S TRENT FRASER EXPLAINS HOW NOT TO GET BURNED BY YOUR NEW YEAR’S EVE TOAST

INTERWEBBING

HAIL: PINTEREST Math question: If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many users does that equal? Tens of millions. In 2012, the photo-sharing site Pinterest was reported to be the third-most popular social media network (behind Facebook and Twitter) and the world’s fourth-biggest traffic driver. And just imagine how big it could be if men start using it.

FAREWELL: KODAK Would there even be a Pinterest if Kodak had never existed? Earlier this year, the iconic film and camera company filed for bankruptcy and announced it was closing its film division. And that’s nothing to smile about.

DO THE PREP

Make sure there’s bubbly for everyone—a bottle holds six glasses; do the math—and that guests have been alerted a toast will be made. Also: Use immaculate glasses. “You want to save enough clean utes for the actual toast,” Fraser advises. “Don’t toast with a cup that’s been used already.”

PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

FAREWELL: SNOOKI America’s favorite Jersey Shore party girl had a lot to celebrate in 2012—she got engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Jionni LaValle, and this summer the couple welcomed their fi rst child, Lorenzo Dominic. But the arrival of Snooki’s little meatball means the end to her wild ways. Or at least until little Lorenzo learns how to fist-pump.

BOOKS

HAIL: FIFTY SHADES OF GREY Women around the world discovered a hardcore-Harry Potter in 2012 as E L James’ Fifty Shades of Grey (and its two sequels) became a most unlikely publishing phenomenon. The erotic trilogy dominated bestseller lists and started the entertaining parlor game of who should play Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele in the coming Hollywood version.

FAREWELL: FIFTY SHADES OF GREY Seriously, what’s the safe word again? Make it stop.

“Hopefully you haven’t had too much to drink; you should save that until a er midnight,” Fraser warns. “Be positive and upli ing,” he recommends to toast makers. “People want to celebrate the year that was and the unknown year ahead.” Need material? Work the crowd early on to collect charming anecdotes.

READ YOUR AUDIENCE

“Don’t make a long speech,” Fraser says. “Keep it short and punchy.” And if you’re not close with everyone in the crowd, avoid possibly o ensive jokes. “If you’re working with a lot of people you don’t know,” Fraser says, “you want to deliver a message that’s universally pleasing.”

DO IT MORE THAN ONCE A YEAR

“ ere’s so much focus on toasting on New Year’s Eve—why not toast life more frequently?” Fraser asks. Like the next morning—just don’t waste the good stu on Mimosas. “ ere are always reasons to celebrate,” Fraser says.

GOLD RUSH

Ultra private and uber-chic, Omar Hernandez ’s namesake hot spot has some lofty ambitions. Man-about-town Jeffrey Podolsky takes a peek at where the who’s who will be clubbing.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY GRANT CORNETT

It is weeks away from the opening of his new Greenwich Village private dining club, Omar, and despite the ruins that surround him—a construction site with dismantled floors and walls— Omar Hernandez is unflappable. A friend, model Trish Goff , dropped by to say hello, before bemoaning that she has to leave to slip into her J. Mendel gown for the glamorous New Yorkers for Children fete that night. Hernandez gives her a double air kiss and utters “Ciao,” while flipping through hundreds of swatches of leather and velvet, and simultaneously grilling, in rapid-fire Spanish,

Rosa Cantillo, his fabric expert, a former hidden asset in the fashion world, for just the right distressed vintage look.

“The idea is to create a tactile experience for the guest,” says Hernandez, whose shock of jetblack hair gives off a natural bedhead air that complements his Euro-casual ensemble of midnight blue Yves Saint Laurent slippers, Levi’s jeans, Rag & Bone striped shirt and casually draped Brooks Brothers crewneck sweater—along with a bevy of bracelets surrounding his Tag Heuer, all gifts from friends.

Hernandez says, “I work best under pressure. There are few things that take me over the edge.”

He certainly has his work cut out for him—his ambitious goal of creating an eponymous restaurant and adjoining private club is a lofty one, let alone in Manhattan, where hot boîtes come and go as quickly as Daphne Guinness changes outfits. There is little doubt he is as gifted as the accessories that adorn his wrist.

Still, this is the moment that Hernandez—the off-the-radar insider with a not-so-little black book—has been prepping for his entire life. And he is determined not to squander his opportunity.

well as New York’s the Lion. Omar will have a succession of private rooms, offering everything from a member’s private wine cellar to cuisine customized to a person’s every wish. “It all comes down to great food, particularly in New York,” rightly says Hernandez. He has hired Kenny Cuomo , former sous chef at Del Posto in New York and the famed Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Westchester, who also had a stint at Per Se. “We want to make this one of the top 100 restaurants in the world,” Cuomo says. “Four-star Michelin, no less.”

Not to mention a five-star roster of chic. Her-

The concept: to open a popular restaurant and ultra private dining club in the highly coveted Gold Coast on West Ninth Street, just off Fifth Avenue (a building that formerly housed the shortlived restaurant Hotel Griffou). It sits among other historic Greek Revival and Italianate townhouses, with notable neighbors including Nate Berkus , artist Ross Bleckner and Susan Sarandon Hernandez’s avatar is more akin to Mark Birley ’s groundbreaking Annabels in London during the Sixties. “Not just some party club like Amy Sacco’s 8,” he says, just a tad dismissively. Nor will it be at all similar to larger brand clubs like Soho House. Hernandez observes, “They have no personality. They’re all based on hype and not guided by a particular person’s vision.”

In the tradition of his role models Sirio Maccioni of Le Cirque and Giovanni Tognozzi of Bar Pitti, Hernandez will be the hands-on visionary: welcoming and hosting his members on a nightly basis. “You’re being invited into m y home—and thereby, become a part of my family. In this town, there isn’t one club today that has a truly personalized lifestyle to it and looks after every single person there.” During this preview for DuJour in advance of its scheduled December opening (at the time of going to press), Hernandez sums up the decor as “a Hôtel Costes feel with an air of elegance, yet with the idea of simplicity—Hermès is my palette.”

The old romanticism ambience of the club was conceived with the help of Dan Mazzarini , who designed the Lords South Beach Hotel in Miami as

and celebrities—though i f Hernandez pals Dree Hemingway or Marisa Berenson come knocking, he won’t turn them away.

Hernandez, who grew up in Venezuela, the son of a retired army general and an observant Jehovah’s Witness mother, is at first blush a surprising choice for the beau monde’s navigator of chic. After studying, of all things, electrical engineering in Caracas and in Canada at McGill, against his rather strict father’s wishes he entered the hotel and hospitality business under Miky Grendene , owner of Miami and Aspen’s beloved Casa Tua, and became André Balazs ’s longtime “director of ambience.” As a consultant the past four years, he helped open the Lion and the Hôtel Americano. Behind the scenes he put together dinner parties to honor Olivier Rousteing as the new head of Balmain (in attendance: models Arizona Muse and Karlie Kloss) and Charlotte Rampling , hosted by Mexican-born New York artist Alex Hank ( Lisa Immordino Vreeland and Elisabeth de Kergorlay, among others, were there), as well as an event for the Frieze Art Fair (designers Sarah Burton , Alexander Wang , Jason Wu).

nandez, who refuses to disclose the “nominal” membership fee, is intentionally courting the international jet-setters he knows best, particularly those from South America, Europe and Asia, whom he insists are in need of a Manhattan destination “where the host knows who they are, where they will be taken care of faithfully, and where they will feel like they belong amidst the inconstancy of New York.”

Founding members likely will include Rafael de Medina, the Duke of Feria (son of Valentino muse Nati Abascal); Sir Alex Ferguson, the iconic Manchester United footballer; socialite Andrea Dellal ; Delfi na Blaquier ( Nacho Figueras’s fashion maven wife); Michelle Violy Harper; art collectors Darlene and Jorge Perez; and such artists as Luca Pizzaroni

There will be no jineteras there to meet clients, nor a heavy quotient of movie moguls, fashionistas

Little wonder Hernandez’s black book has some 10,000 contacts, in addition to a winnowed elite coterie of a hundred high-flying intimates. Like the legendary restaurateur Sirio Maccioni , Hernandez always “defers to others and excuses myself from the guests. I leave myself to the end.” He unwinds on weekends at his homes in Greenwich Village and in Miami with his Argentine boyfriend of seven years, a reserved Miami financier who shuns nightlife.

“Omar is a people person, and I’m sure he will do a great job,” says Grendene. “He also has the

HERNANDEZ’S BLACK BOOK HAS 10,000 CONTACTS

character to succeed in this business.” He has the wherewithal to be unafraid of taking on Graydon Carter, whose Beatrice Inn is nearby. “He is Vanity Fair, but I have a crowd that he doesn’t have. I’m more guerilla style.” Or be just another culinary passing ship in the New York night. “A place can’t become too hot. Then there’s no gain,” Hernandez states. “You have to stick to your guns and keep the integrity of your vision. Trendy is tempting. But chicness is a state of mind.”

Andrew Carnegie’s saddle is part of the dining club’s decor

TWIST AND SHOUT

No longer relegated to the domain of grocery store shelves, screw-cap wines are mighty fine these days

Fusty wine traditionalists bemoaning the advent of the screw-cap era can stick a cork in it. While the debate over bottles being sealed with a cork or a screw cap continues among graying lovers of the grape, a 10-year case study, completed by the Australian Wine Research Institute, has already shown what many forward-thinking vintners have been saying for years: For protecting flavor in wines meant to be drunk while young, the screw cap is tops.

“Millennials couldn’t give a shit if it’s under a screw cap; it’s only the older generation of drinkers who care,” notes Michael Madrigale of Boulud Sud in New York, who was named one of Food & Wine’s sommeliers of the year for 2012.

Perhaps a new comparison study of some 600 botttles of Cade sauvignon blanc at the University of California at Davis, to be completed by summer 2013, will settle things once and for all for those

CLOUDY BAY

PINOT NOIR 2010 & SAUVIGNON BLANC 2012

MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND

Cloudy Bay helped put New Zealand on the map as a high-quality-producing wine region, and these are two favorites that pair well with any dish

DE MORGENZON SYRAH 2009

SOUTH AFRICA

Deep flavors and an exceptional value, certainly a standout red from South Africa

DOÑA PAULA LOS CARDOS MALBEC ARGENTINA

Rated best value by Wine Spectator, this estate-grown and -bottled wine has rich fruit flavors

committed to the romantic thwack of a cork being removed from their favorite vintage—admittedly, a sound that’s hard to resist, even for Madrigale, who relishes the aesthetic “ceremony of pulling a cork.”

But you don’t need a team of researchers to figure out that screw tops eliminate the risk of trichloroanisole (TCA) contamination, or “cork taint,” which produces skunky smells and tastes that render even the most delicious reserve undrinkable.

The screw cap does, however, come with its own Achilles’ heel: The tops can be damaged more easily in transit (or, ahem, if boozily knocked around), according to Madrigale. That’s why he recommends the lower-priced selections. “If a $19.99 bottle comes undone, it’s a lot easier pill to swallow than a $1,000 bottle,” notes Madrigale, who insists screw-cap wines are nothing to sniff at. He proudly pours and drinks them himself. —RAY ROGERS

SCHRAGER’S TOP 10 SCREW-CAP WINES

FERRARI CARANO FUMÉ BLANC 2011

SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

This crisp white melds hints of melon and citrus with a grassy aroma for a well-balanced wine that is especially great for outdoor entertaining

PLANETA LA SEGRETA ROSSO

SOUTHERN ITALY

This blend from Menfi uses a few grape varieties: nero d’Avola, Merlot, syrah and cabernet franc

ROSEMOUNT DIAMOND SHIRAZ

AUSTRALIA

With its bold taste, this deep Australian red stands up well next to a hearty steak din ner

RUFFINO FONTE AL SOLE 2010

TUSCANY, ITALY

Made of Sangiovese and cabernet grapes, this wine balances strong and soft flavors

SIMI

SAUVIGNON BLANC 2011

SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

LAYER CAKE SHIRAZ 2010

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

This big black fruit bowl brims with the tastes of plum, blackberry, black cherry, black

Light and airy, 100 percent of its fermentation process happens in stainless steel tanks for a smooth flavor more tropical than expected

Lee Brian Schrager, of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, shares his favorite twist-off bottles that are suitable for friends, family and, yes, even formal guests.

The first trialed screw-cap wines were bottled in the 1970s, with Stelvin-brand metal enclosures.

Chasselas, a Swiss wine that had been especially prone to cork taint, served as the case study.

DILEMMA DUJOUR

The high life comes with problems. We’re here to help.

CASHING OUT

WHENEVER WE’RE OUT, MY BOYFRIEND ONLY PAYS CASH, WHETHER IT’S FOR THE 1999 POL ROGER OR MY MONOGRAMMED HERMÈS TOOLBOX. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?

Unless he’s going through a major divorce (aren’t they all?), chances are that, yes, he’s hiding something from someone, whether that someone is the IRS, the FBI or y-o-u. If it’s divorce, rest easy: Of course he wants his transactions untraceable, especially if he’s wooing you with Hermès. But if he’s verifiably single, or has been telling you he is, you might raise an eyebrow if you still can (ahem). Best-case scenario: He’s got so much debt he’s been blacklisted by his Black Card. Worst: He’s either dealing forged prescriptions to real housewives, minting the green himself or working for the mafia. (Although, would landing a spot on Mob Wives really be so bad?) The key is whether or not he’ll tell you, when asked, why he’s doing it. Could it be that he’s— deep breath —just buying strictly within his means?

IT’S PLEDGE WEAK

WE PLEDGED $50,000 TO SAVE THE SEALS, BUT THEN REALIZED WE NEEDED THE MONEY TO GO ON SAFARI. WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO BACK OUT?

I totally get it: You wanted to see your name on the invitation under that flashy Platinum Sponsor flag, but now that the invites are printed, you’re not so sure. Crafty you!

Before you bail, though, how about seeing if you can work out a payment plan of sorts? This situation actually happens all the time. (You think everyone who pledges big bucks to charities actually has them? Get real!

It’s mostly a pissing match.) In fact, some charitable organizations say it’s not unheard-of for sponsors-in-straits to honor a single pledge over as many as 10 years. Just be sure to cite an “underperforming” stock, and understand that you’ve forfeited your holiday bragging rights. Don’t be daft enough to send your development officer a postcard from the bush.

MY FRIEND DENISE IS ENCOURAGING ME TO RENOUNCE MY U.S. CITIZENSHIP TO SAVE ON TAXES, LIKE SHE DID. WILL I HAVE TO PAY BACK TAXES WHEN I WANT TO GET IT BACK LATER?

Listen, I know things didn’t exactly work out as we wanted them to, but there’s no need to go AWOL entirely, “friend” of Denise. Because once you leave, you can’t come back—and if some lawmakers have their way, not even for a visit. That said, I consulted with prominent Washington, D.C. tax attorney Bradley S. Waterman, who pointed out certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that apply if you decide to renounce. If you’ve got a net worth of $2 million or more, better brace yourself for a large exit tax and your heirs for some potentially stiff gift taxes (up to 35 percent), but you probably won’t be able to avoid U.S. tax. And don’t even think of handing over Aunt Janie’s Matisse collection to your sister, unless you want the IRS after her, too. Although considering that bitch got all the skinny genes, maybe you do.

WHAT:

POWER SEATS

WHO:

CLIVE DAVIS

Music writer Anthony DeCurtis takes a meeting in the top-of-the-world office of the man who’s discovered everyone from Janis Joplin to Alicia Keys

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MIA BAXTER

“I’ve always admired executives who have a clean desk,” Clive Davis says wistfully.

“It’s a mission I fail miserably at.” Indeed, it’s nearly impossible to see Davis’ long, elegantly curved wooden desk. It’s both covered with and surrounded by stacks of CDs, books, memos, research packets, memorabilia, souvenir paperweights and manuscript pages for the autobiography he has just completed. Can he find anything amid the clutter? “It looks messy, but I know where everything is,” he says, smiling. “And I know if someone disturbs it overnight, which I beg not to happen. My desk reflects the number of projects I’m working on.”

There’s no shortage of those. At 80, “Clive” everyone calls him Clive; there is no other — is busier than most executives who are half his age. Most immediately, he’s producing albums by Aretha Franklin and Jennifer Hudson and actively promoting I Will Always Love You , the greatesthits collection by Whitney Houston, the pop diva whom Davis discovered when she was in her teens and worked with until her death last February. And if his desk reflects what he’s up to right now, his massive office, a floating Clive-box aerie in Manhattan atop the Sony Building at Madison Avenue and 55th Street, reflects, both literally and metaphorically, the heights to which his legendary career has raised him.

comforting to me, being surrounded by New York up in the sky. Not having grown up in this manner, I know the difference. And it’s a good feeling!”

On a counter behind Clive’s desk sits a lavender crystal geode mounted on glass, a holiday present from Whitney Houston. On the same counter is a

At his desk Davis can turn to his right and stare directly at the top floors of the Empire State Building a mile south. To the east he can see the Park Avenue tower that houses his penthouse duplex with 360-degree views of the city. Born into a workingclass Brooklyn family during the Depression, Davis says, “I’m a New Yorker through and through. It’s

bust of Robert F. Kennedy, an early hero. Behind it is a framed print of RFK s et against New York City’s Triborough Bridge, which was renamed in Kennedy’s honor in 2008. It was presented to Davis by Ethel Kennedy, and her inscription reads: “To Clive, who, like Bobby, dreams things that never were and asks, Why not?”

One wall of Davis’s office is devoted to framed photographs of artists with whom he has worked:

Patti Smith, Sly Stone, the Eurythmics and Bruce Springsteen, among them. “Most of those pictures have stood the test of time, like when I first signed Janis Joplin or Carlos Santana,” Clive says. “Not many current artists, because when they visit, you get into, ‘Why isn’t my picture on your wall?’ I don’t want that to be a question.”

To visitors, this room might look like a museum, but for Clive it remains a work space. He moved into it in 2008 when he became the chief creative officer of Sony Music Entertainment, and this is where he listens to music, most often alone. The first subject he raises when asked about the office are the large black speakers that hang from the ceiling on either side of his desk. Clive likes to play his music loud. And when an artist like Alicia Keys, another of his many discoveries, comes in to play a new song for him, he wants the sound to be impeccable.

A graduate of New York University and Harvard Law School, Davis is as sharp an executive as the music industry has ever seen. But throughout a career that has earned him induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he has primarily believed in just plain outworking the competition. His office is where that work gets done. “My office has been my second home,” he says, pausing to laugh as he reminisces. “For years I’d be waiting for Studio 54 to open or I’d be going to see bands perform at midnight at CBGB, so I’d stay at my office until it was time to leave.

“When things were going so well for us, I used to ask Whitney, ‘Are you pinching yourself?’” he recalls. “I feel that myself. I’m so fortunate that the office I s pend so many hours a day in is as inviting and comfortable as it is.”

Classic document holders in smooth leathers, rich skins and handsome hues take on a contemporary look befitting the most powerful suits in town

PHOTOGRAPHED

A WHOLE NEW BALL GAME

From smoothies to sandwiches, sports stars are scoring big in business

ETIME OUT FOR MOST NFL OFFICIALS, BEING A REFEREE IS ONLY A SIDE JOB

ight-time NBA all-star Steve Nash is known for spotting openings on the court that no other player can see, but his gaze is extending even further: to his post-retirement career. Even though the L.A. Lakers point guard is still very much in the game, he recently committed to opening at least 20 franchises of a Canada-based health bar, Liquid Nutrition. “Owning a franchise gives you the benefit of a proven system,” he says. “Too often entrepreneurs attempt to start their own panies and struggle or fail, because they don’t have the expertise.” Nash joins other enterprising jocks-turned-franchisees, like Venus Williams (Jamba Juice) and Drew Brees (Jimmy John’s). Here’s a quick rundown.—LINDSAY SILBERMAN

now his even further: to comexper-

FACT: A new Panera Bread location typically creates between 50 and 75 new jobs within the community it serves.

FACT: In July, after signing a five-year, $100 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, Brees headed to one of his Jimmy John’s franchises and invited fans to join him for free sandwiches via Twitter.

FACT: All owners must participate in Auntie Anne’s five-day “Pretzel Perfect Operations” training at the company’s headquarters in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, before opening a store.

When the highly debated National Football League referee strike ended in late September, the game officials returned to the field—and found fans regarding them with newfound curiosity. Who are these guys? As it turns out, 90 percent hold down full-time second jobs. Learn the real occupations of five NFL referees:

ED HOCHULI

FACT: Humphries co-owns the restaurants with his father, William, and all four are located in the Humphries’ home state of Minnesota.

NFL Official since 1990

FACT: The initial investment for building a traditional Jamba Juice unit ranges from $353,100 - $639,800. Williams is now in the process of opening two more in the Washington D.C./Maryland area.

FACT: To run three or more Wingstop franchises, a would-be owner must have liquid assets of at least $600,000 and a net worth of $1.2 million.

Primary Occupation: Civil litigator at a Phoenix law firm. He’s run 12 marathons and is known for having the build of a pro athlete himself— Hochuli is 6’1 and 215 pounds.

MIKE CAREY

NFL Official since 1990

Primary Occupation: San Diego entrepreneur, who has founded ski and snow equipment companies. In 2008, Carey became the first black referee to officiate a Super Bowl.

WALT COLEMAN

NFL Official since 1989

Primary Occupation: Dairy farmer, operator of Coleman Dairy in Little Rock. Coleman’s farm produces and distributes more than a million gallons of milk a week.

TONY CORRENTE

NFL Official since 1995

Primary Occupation:

High school social sciences teacher in La Miranda, California. During the 2011-12 football season, Corrente was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy, yet he worked for all but three weeks.

GENE STERATORE

NFL Official since 2003

Primary Occupation: Co-owner of a janitor supply company in Washington, Pennsylvania. Steratore also refs NCAA Big East and Big 10 basketball.

NFL safety Mike Stone—who had played for the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants— started the

Athlete Franchise Initiative (PAFI) in order to educate other athletes about franchise ownership.

AMERICAN INVASION

Some big, bright, high-rolling American brands are popping up all over the genteel streets of London. Lindsay Silberman reports.

Buttoned-up Brits are in for a shock of the new. A Rat Pack’s worth of bold American brands bring a blitz of Vegas-style glitz and glam to the refined London landscape this year.

The Morgans Hotel Group’s Mondrian, Keith McNally’s Balthazaar and a new hotel from André Balazs are just a few big-name domestic brands that have announced London expansions. Here’s the scoop on four other American favorites making British debuts.

EQUINOX, Since October

2012

Location: Kensington High Street

British twist: For Equinox’s London location, it has paired with a number of pugilist programs due to the increasing popularity of boxing among Brits. The gym has heated floors in the locker rooms to combat London’s notoriously dreary weather.

Why London? “In order to position

ourselves internationally, we wanted to do London first. Plus, there’s a large expat population in Kensington, so the brand recognition there is huge,” says Aaron Richter, Equinox’s VP of design.

TidBrit: Equinox occupies the former Rainbow Room restaurant, a ’70s mainstay of icons like Mick Jagger, Twiggy and David Bowie. The property is listed under English Heritage, so every aspect of the renovation—from light fixtures to fire alarms—had to be reviewed and approved.

STK, Since November 2012

Location: ME London Hotel

British twist: The menu features a Head to Toe grill with tobacco onions and Meatpacker sauce. Expect the music to favor U.K. rock bands like T. Rex, the Jam, the Clash and Oasis.

Why London? “Within the U.K., London really is its own economy with a

strong talent pool of chefs and mixologists,” says Celeste Fierro, senior vice president of The One Group.

TidBrit: The building where STK is located was home to the fi rst-ever daily radio broadcast in the U.K.

SUSHISAMBA,

Since July 2012

Location: Heron Tower

British twist: Patrons travel to the restaurant location on the 38th and 39th floors in a panoramic glass elevator that offers 360-degree views of the city.

Why London? “The city is the gateway to the world. If you want to be a player in this industry, this is where you need to be,” says Shimon Bokovza, founder of Samba Brands Management.

TidBrit: SushiSamba has quickly become a London hot spot—there’s already a two-month waiting list for a table, and the restaurant receives more than 2,000 calls per day.

BELGRAVES, A THOMPSON HOTEL

Since February 2012

Location: Belgravia

British twist: The staff interaction with guests will be a bit more formal than in the U.S. Also, the hotel’s art will primarily feature emerging young British artists.

Why London? “I took a lot of inspiration for our brand from the London hotels and restaurants, so going there was a way to bring everything full circle for Thompson,” says Jason Pomeranc, Thompson Hotel’s cofounder and owner. “We infuse our style of casual luxury into the very particular London sensibility.”

TidBrit: The art within the hotel represents local talent, but one piece behind the front desk—by British artist Ben Turnball—is a collage of superheroes that forms an American flag. It is called Patriots

WEGMAN’S WORLD

An exclusive look at William Wegman’s studio, where his Weimaraners rule the roost. Stephen Heyman sniffs around.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

You really should visit William Wegman’s sprawling Chelsea loft and art studio only when the master is at home. Otherwise his four silky gray dogs—the latest in a line of celebrity hounds that have popped up in calendars and books at the Smithsonian and the Museum of Modern Art and on Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live —will trample you. In a burst of excitement, they’ll bark thunderously, lick whatever skin you have exposed and nearly knock over Wegman’s elegant wife, art-book publisher Christine Burgin, when she tries to bear-hug them into submission.

“They’ll only calm down once Bill’s here,” she explains, opening the door to their roof deck and letting the dogs run outside.

Weimaraners are hunting dogs, built for the chase. In person they seem quite unlike the placid, curious creatures that poke their wet noses out of Wegman’s famous photographs. One wonders how he manages to get any of them to sit still, much less ride an exercise bike, lie languorously on a fallen tree trunk covered with moss or roller-skate.

Of course, he’s had more than 40 years of practice. He first photographed Man Ray, his most talented canine muse, when the dog was just a puppy, lying on a bed next to a sock. It was 1970. “Man Ray looked like the sock,” he recalls. “The sock looked like Man Ray. Man

Wegman and his muses

Ray looked like many things. This idea grew on me.”

This fall, Wegman, 69, gave DuJour a tour of his studio, where he has been painting a lot. “There’s an endless supply of postcards and crap,” he explains, “and books for ruminating.” He’s been spending less time behind the camera. “I don’t know why. I think my heart’s just not in it.”

Lying in the corner of the scruffy studio is a dog-free canvas in progress, one of his loopy elaborations on found postcards, where schlocky images are extended and linked together into a fabulously unlikely landscape. At the opposite end of the room are sketches for a children’s book starring one of his younger Weimaraners, the cheerful scamp Flo. By now, Wegman has published more than 20 photo books with his dogs variously cast as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Mother Goose.

Does he ever find the gimmick tiring? “How could I not? Every once in a while, I’ll go, OK, completely done—there’s nothing else I could possibly do with these beasts!”

He and Christine share a bed with the four Weimaraners and feed them homemade chicken soup. Wegman insists he still loves working with the dogs. “I’m so wrapped up in their looks. They’re gray and neutral, like a blackboard that you can write different equations on.”

But he admits that they’ve also at times threatened to eclipse everything else he’s done. “I was at a party the other night, and there was a really important collector there, sort of a big-shot New Yorker, and he’s introduced to me and goes, ‘WOOF!’” says Wegman. “It’s kind of deflating.”

(Top) Clothes and accessories that have adorned Wegman’s dogs; (bottom) Dressed to Mill , color Polaroid, 2006, courtesy Sperone Westwater, New York

Wegman’s work has always been about much more than the dogs. There are his oddball videos, like the one from 1972 in which he sprays an entire can of deodorant under his arm while deadpanning, “I don’t have to worry about it cutting out in clutch moments.” There are his hilariously captioned, punny line drawings, and landscapes that betray his naturalist streak, stoked by many summers spent at his second home, in western Maine.

His range was on full view in “William Wegman: Hello Nature,” a recent solo show that closed in October at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art in Brunswick, Maine. A version of the show will move to Artipelag Konsthall, a new exhibition space on a tiny Swedish peninsula reachable by ferry from Stockholm. Despite this busy exhibition schedule, Wegman says he’s become more withdrawn from the art world over the years. “When I fi rst moved to New York, I was friends with Sol LeWitt and Richard

“THE DOGS ARE GRAY AND NEUTRAL, LIKE A BLACKBOARD.”

Serra. I used to hang out a lot more,” he says. “Now I hardly even go to my own shows.”

Wegman gets a lot of fan mail. “What’s actually kind of fun is to get pictures from other people of their dressed-up dogs in homage to me,” he says. “I should probably do a book of that.”

Since he was a boy in Massachusetts, Wegman has explored his relationship to the environment, which informs “William Wegman: Hello Nature,” the 30-plus-year retrospective of his work. Back then, he painted images of American Indians, using pigments he made from crushed berries.

(From top) Archive area where Wegman catalogs his work; the artist’s painting table; detail of the artist’s palette; Location Vacation , 2011, oil and postcards on wood panel, courtesy Sperone Westwater, New York

Talk about making an entrance. When the Standard hotel opened back in 2009, all anyone could talk about were the exhibitionists getting freaky in the windows of the 18-story, glassfronted hotel that had just risen (ha) above the High Line park in Chelsea. This wasn’t the first time André Balazs, the man behind the Standard, had flaunted sex to create buzz. The West Hollywood outpost of the hotel opened in 2002 and featured a model in a bikini lounging in a fish tank behind the front desk. At the nearby Chateau Marmont, meanwhile, Balazs made headlines by stocking condoms in the hotel minibars. Part of the appeal of an André Balazs hotel, it seemed, was the feeling that somewhere in the building someone was getting it on.

In recent years, a series of upstart properties— the Ace Hotel chain in New York and Las Vegas, the Palihouse in Los Angeles—began encroaching on the Standard’s cool, debuting buzzy restaurants, luxurious gift shops and lobbies populated by beautiful laptop warriors. Mention these new competitors to Balazs and he’s quick to point out that “they all used to work for me or work with us.” But he certainly appears ready for a counterattack.

Perhaps borrowing from the world of fashion, where creative collaborations are all the rage, Balazs,

55, has aligned with a series of hip names to ensure there’s more to the Standard than, you know, waking the neighbors. Seamus Mullen, who redefined tapas at Tertulia in the West Village, was recently the chef-in-residence at the Standard Plaza in New York’s Meatpacking District, where a newly installed woodburning oven is as inviting as a campfire.

Balazs quietly acquired the Cooper Square Hotel on Manhattan’s east side in October 2011 and rebranded it the Standard, East Village. A spring 2013 relaunch is expected (look for a new entrance, among other improvements). He enlisted the eyeglass purveyors from Warby Parker to curate a hip Readery.

Most impressively, this fall Susan Sarandon installs the first permanent L.A. branch of her Ping-Pong club, SPiN, at the Standard, Downtown L.A. The Oscarwinning actress had been looking to expand to L.A. ever since the New York branch first opened in the Flatiron District—but couldn’t find the right location.

The Standard, Downtown L.A. not only fit the brand but also was accessible and offered an easy liquor license. “The only thing you can count on is that PingPong and drinking go well together,” Sarandon says

STANDARD THINKING

Inside the chic and cheeky world of André Balazs, whose Standard hotels have turned high-end hospitality upside down.

Mickey Rapkin checks in. PHOTOGRAPHED BY THEO

with a laugh, adding, “The Standard is witty. They know how to have fun. And André is the right combination of business and hip.” The cumulative effect of these big changes at the Standard, it seems, is to create a clubhouse feel. “You can call it a clubhouse,” Balazs says. “But I like to think of it as a culture. You keep layering things on. Otherwise you’re just a Sheraton. You’re just a bunch of rooms.” As for the table tennis, he smiles and says, “It’s the thinking man’s bowling.” If Balazs disdains the ordinary, he comes by that sentiment naturally. The son of Hungarian immigrants, he flirted with a career in journalism before starting a New Jersey-based biotech company with his father and then moving to SoHo when he was 27. At the time, the neighborhood was an industrial wasteland, and Balazs moved into a fifth-floor walk-up on Greene Street.

“Most of the time,” he says, “you’d throw your keys down to your friends in a pair of athletic socks. And they’d trudge up.” He palled around with Calvin Klein and Keith McNally; when Eric Goode, the founder of the seminal nightclub M.K., asked if he wanted to invest in the club, Balazs found his calling.

If the hotelier Ian Schrager is known for spectacle, Balazs was becoming a pioneer of a different kind, forging headfirst into industrial neighborhoods with no foot traffic and creating spaces worth walking to.

ANDRÉ THE GIANT THE PROPERTIES IN BALAZS’ SPRAWLING EMPIRE

After revitalizing the Chateau Marmont in 1990, he bought an old warehouse in SoHo; eight years later it opened as the Mercer hotel—a celebrity-magnet from the get-go, not to mention a stylish hangout, what with its white tile, soft lighting and industrial fixtures.

(Rupert and Wendi Murdoch lived there for months during their courtship; Wendi liked the décor so much that she hired the Mercer’s interior designer, Christian Liaigre, to do their SoHo apartment.) The Mercer was the first boutique hotel to open in SoHo. In 2002, Balazs would pull off the same trick in downtown Los Angeles with the Standard, Downtown L.A.

THE MERCER, NEW YORK

Housed in a six-story, 84,000-square-foot Romanesque revival building built in 1890 for John Jacob Astor II, the Mercer was Balazs’ first New York City property, opening in 1998. Decorated with minimalist Christian Liaigre furnishings, the hotel has 75 rooms and suites, some with fireplaces. Its most popular amenity? The spacious, lower-level, Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant, Mercer Kitchen.

CHATEAU MARMONT, HOLLYWOOD

“To call Downtown Los Angeles dead doesn’t begin to tell you what was going on there at the time,” Balazs says.

Like Ralph Lauren or Martha Stewart, Balazs is the embodiment of his brand and its best spokesperson. He dated Uma Thurman in the days after her split with Ethan Hawke, and in a rare impulsive moment during a weekend getaway upstate, he bought Bob Guccione’s 19th-century Hudson Valley estate out of foreclosure. Though he and Thurman later split, his love of his upstate farm only grew. Now he’s raising cows, pigs and rabbits there and even supplies the Standard Grill with farm-to-table organic eats. “The chickens are particularly delicious,” Balazs points out. “We call them model birds—because they have very long legs.” Naturally.

In a way, Balazs has become his own worst enemy, constantly one-upping himself only to see rivals bite his style within moments. And there have been hurdles along the way, to be sure; his Jean-Nouveldesigned property on Mercer was planned as a hotel but went condo during the recession as banks suddenly saw tourism as a bad investment. (Meg Ryan, Daniel Radcliffe and Marc Jacobs were early residents at 40 Mercer, a building the architecture critic Herbert Muschamp described as being all “about sex.”) When the historic Hotel Chelsea went up for sale in 2011, Balazs was in the mix—and seemed a natural fit for the property. Its rock-and-roll roots dovetailed nicely with the Chateau Marmont’s own celebrated history. Some say Balazs lost out on the deal in a fierce bidding war, a claim he denies, saying, “Honestly, I didn’t want to be the asshole who evicted everybody.”

This 63-room, 9-cottage, 4-bungalow hotel, Balazs’ first, was built in 1929 and modeled after the Château Royal d’Amboise in the Loire Valley. And while it was originally an apartment house, these days the celebrity haunt, which Balazs bought in 1990, is practically a Hollywood star itself. The restaurant remains one of L.A.’s best spots to see famous faces.

SUNSET BEACH, SHELTER ISLAND

A ferry ride away from the teeming Hamptons, Shelter Island offers a laid-back alternative for the summering set—and Balazs’ Sunset Beach, which opened in 1997, fits right in. The 20-suite, seasonally operated hotel boasts outdoor showers, bicycles for guests and beachside dining, all of which add to its subdued, sandy appeal.

THE STANDARD, HOLLYWOOD, WEST HOLLYWOOD

Balazs opened the first of his Standard hotels, this Sunset Strip property, just steps from West Hollywood’s shopping, dining and nightlife, in 1999. Thanks to its sceney lobby, featuring live DJs nightly, and in-room hipster touches like Warhol-print drapes, the hotel has since lived up to its name as the definitive contemporary boutique hotel.

THE STANDARD, DOWNTOWN L.A.

Expanding the Standard—as both a hotel and a lifestyle brand—seems to be his focus, with a London property likely. “We’d like to be overseas,” he says. As for the competitors nipping at his designer heels, Balazs exhales, exhibiting a Zen approach befitting a gentleman farmer: “Ian Schrager used to say there’s only one game in town. But I don’t subscribe to that mentality. It’s an egocentric perception of competition.” Since when was business about ego?

Located in Los Angeles’ emerging Downtown neighborhood, Balazs’ second Standard hotel made its name hosting weekend parties at its rooftop pool and offering upscale lodging to suits descending upon nearby business centers. With a 24-hour restaurant, poolside bar and over 16,000 square feet of meeting and event space, it accommodates whatever guests might be looking for.

THE STANDARD SPA, MIAMI BEACH

If its Belle Isle location wasn’t aquatic enough, the 105room Standard Spa offers a variety of water-based treatments, including a Finnish sauna, Roman waterfall and Turkish-style bath. The healing theme continues with nutritional counseling, acupuncture and waterfront yoga.

THE STANDARD, HIGH LINE, NEW YORK

An 18-floor, 338-room pleasure palace with two tabloidmainstay nightclubs, Balazs’ Meatpacking District hotel, which straddles Manhattan’s High Line park, was immediately infamous upon opening for its views from the promenade into often erotically occupied rooms. The hotel has proved so successful that in 2011, Balazs acquired an East Village building to expand his presence with a second Gotham Standard. —ADAM RATHE

ALL CASH, NO SPLASH

The glam may be gone for hedgies and their investors— but the money keeps rolling in. Nancy Miller investigates.

On an early September night at Lincoln Center, a veritable den of tiger cubs gathered to toast their papa. It was the 80th birthday of hedge-fund pioneer Julian Robertson, one of the richest men in America and angel to dozens of funds. Naturally, it was a star-studded affair: New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg hobnobbed with novelist Tom Wolfe; Mitt Romney sent greetings as part of a film tribute. Musical guests included the drum corps from Robertson’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina, imported specially for the evening. But the 200-person fete could actually be deemed modest compared to the sorts of parties these guys used to throw. Even the grand harvest moon was muted, covered by clouds on the unseasonably cool evening.

Robertson is a member of a rarified club: early hedgies who got super wealthy before others caught on. Back in 2005, “Get Richest Quickest” was how one magazine cast the world of hedge fund managers. Setting up a fund was as easy as plugging in a Bloomberg terminal and much more lucrative than investment banking, a career that smacked of drudgery. The only more surefire moneymaker was turning your house into a piggy bank. Perhaps most appealing, though, was hedge funding’s exclusivity factor; because they’re not sold to the public, a red rope separates serious money from everyone else’s. Hedge funding was for the 1 percent. It was a wonderful time.

Not so much anymore. Less than a decade after its heyday, hedge funding has become overcrowded, and underwhelming. Hedgies aren’t exactly going broke, but they aren’t producing the outsized returns of yesteryear, either, which means the outsized earnings are rarer as well. The days of globetrotting and Cristal-on-the-company are over; these

Hedge funder John Paulson and the Paulson Family Foundation recently gave what is believed to be the largest gift ever to a public park: $100 million to the Central Park Conservancy. Paulson’s net worth is estimated at $12.5 billion.

THE HEDGE FUND WORLD TAKES DOWN ITS “MEMBERS ONLY” SIGN AND HANGS OUT A NEW SHINGLE: “YOUR MONEY WELCOME HERE!”

days, managers are a lot less likely to be debating the merits of the Learjet 60 versus the Citation Excel than the cheapest way to fly commercial. “My trip to the Hamptons is on the way to see the lighthouse in Montauk,” jokes Eric Almeraz, partner at Apis Capital Advisors. Except he’s serious in one respect: no swank beachside estate for him. Investors are putting their Manolo Blahniks down on their managers getting rich while their nest eggs barely stay whole.

O ccupy Wall Street.

“Managers are working three times as hard and earning one-third as much,” says Carl Berg, founder of Catalyst Financial Partners, a matchmaker for investors and managers. Transparency is up; fees are slipping. (The classic hedge fund fee is called “2 and 20”—2 percent of assets managed plus 20 percent of any profits—and in their prime, some firms charged as much as “3 and 30.” Now, however, some are lowering one or both fees—or dropping the “20” entirely). Even hedge fund star Caxton Associates has reportedly trimmed its charges, although they remain among the highest. The red rope has fallen. And so, much of the fun is gone. Because the irony, of course, is that if you actually succeed at making big money, everyone may assume—or at least wonder—if you’re the latest Raj Rajaratnam (the billionaire former hedgie who is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for insider trading).

That’s not to say the pot is empty. In fact, one concern among hedge funders is that there’s too much money in the industry, says Simon Lack, author of The Hedge Fund Mirage: The Illusion of Big Money and Why It’s Too Good to Be True. After the market crash in 2008, investors briefly fled hedge funds. Then they began pouring money back into the sector, mostly seeking the true platinum names. But hedgies are struggling to find winning investment strategies of their own, the sorts of ideas that earned earlier managers their sevenfigure salaries. Those guys made it big by forging new strategies in ways that aren’t being matched today: When Ken Griffin began trading convertible arbitrage in his Harvard dorm room, he was a pioneer. Now everyone knows how to do that.

Blame—or credit—the feds, whose new regulations are making it more tedious, as well as far more costly, to set up a new hedge fund. (Consider the 42-page document to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the backoffice support to make sure all the dollar signs are real, which can cost up to $500,000, even before the first due diligence meeting.) Blame the market crisis or Bernie Madoff. Blame the press for showcasing hedgies hopscotching around the globe, tasing employees for their own amusement, and trading on insider information. Don’t forget to hold responsible the aspiring billionaires who piled into the industry only to show how good they were at losing other people’s money. While you’re at it, throw some credit in the direction of

What’s more, the competition has gotten stiffer. The hedge fund industry has expanded exponentially since 1990, when fewer than 700 managers toiled in obscurity, to almost 10,000 now. Hedgies are faltering as they try to finesse the European soap opera (Will Greece survive another day? Will the Spanish bond auctions fail?), negative-yielding bond rates, and the zigs and zags of the U.S. recovery. Even George Soros returned money to investors last year, preferring to open a family office for his $25 billion nest egg. Imagine: The man who nearly broke the Bank of England with his bet against the British pound in the early 1990s is saying ‘feh’ to the paperwork and transparency rules of the Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation.

Despite the fact that the new regulations aim to give investors access to more information on their investments, they’re still worried. In 2012, Barclay’s Hedge Fund Index was up only about 6 percent, almost two-thirds less than the S&P return of 16.4 percent. Some funds have reportedly shut down rather than face the scrutiny of Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who has won convictions on 69 of his 72 targets. And so, the ultra-wealthy, always meticulous stewards of their assets, have grown even more careful, hiring corporate investigations firm Kroll to check out the b ona fides of manag-

ers, or tapping intel around the globe to keep tabs on the guys who are keeping tabs on their money. Some investors won’t use a manager if he’s getting a divorce, says Brian Shapiro, president of Simplify LLC, a firm that offers advisory services for hedge fund and private equity investors. They worry that the financial pressure could cloud the manager’s judgment.

All of which is also making it harder for the new kids—the HBS and Wharton and Columbia grads—coming in. Big institutional investors can’t afford the due diligence to check out the new talent. If Ray Dalio loses money for a couple of years, your board won’t ask why you put money with the world’s largest hedge fund. But if a noname manager loses money, the board will probably go berserk.

That puts partners like Eric Almeraz of Apis in a tough spot. Apis rode the precipitous rise and fall of the hedge fund business. Founded in 2004, the fund peaked at $650 million in assets and was named a top 75 performer by Barron’s. Then came 2008. Apis’ biggest investors, funds comprised of hedge funds, pulled their money as investors panicked; Madoff, after all, had duped many funds of funds. Today, Apis boasts $50 million and a lifetime return of nearly 10 percent net of fees. His sweet spot, these days: The ultra-wealthy family who knows that a million-dollar investment in Apis will be a lot more meaningful to Almeraz than to the $130 billion Bridgewater Associates. But it can be a tough sell.

Of course, the news isn’t all dire. The financial gurus are saying that things are looking up, and hedge funds, along with private equity, real estate and alternative investments will continue to grow faster than any other asset class. The world of investors is broadening as the hedge fund world takes down its “Members Only” sign and hangs out a new shingle saying “Your money welcome here!” The new rules, meanwhile, include legislation that will enable hedge funds to advertise. The glam may be gone, but if you listen closely, you’ll hear the sound of the Wall Street m arketing machine getting primed.

1962-2012 TIME IS ON MY SIDE

The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Beatles and the Beach Boys changed the music industry forever. Anthony DeCurtis riffs on the year that ignited the revolution.

The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan. The names alone read like an incantation, a stirring evocation of the glory days of rock and roll, a litany of artists who inhabit the very soul of what we have come to think of as classic rock. They are immortalized in their music, of course, and in one form or another they are all still performing. Even the Beatles, whose hopes for a meaningful reunion died in 1980 with the murder of John Lennon, are routinely enshrined onstage by Paul McCartney, whose brilliant live shows in recent years have been moving tributes to his peerless former band.

Hard as it may be to believe, all of those ar-

tistic titans celebrated 50th anniversaries this year. How did that happen? Asked about the prospects of the Beatles’ longevity when the band started out, McCartney once replied that he and Lennon “couldn’t see playing rock and roll beyond 30.” He turned 70 this year. As for Ringo Starr, who is touring, he hoped to one day be running “a string of hairdressing salons.”

Keith Richards told me in an interview that “the chart I was number one on longest was the Next One to Kick the Bucket.” Now he’s 69 and

the Rolling Stones have scheduled dates for this year and seem likely to perform in 2013 as well.

The Beach Boys recently released a lovely new album and did a celebratory tour. And most extraordinary of all, Bob Dylan, who is 71, continues to perform year in and year out and remains as fascinatingly enigmatic as ever.

Why do audiences still care? The music itself is part of it. All those artists earned their stature the old-fashioned way: by the quality of their work. Not only do their early records more than hold up, they’ve grown in meaning and importance. They also have grown in infl uence. No doubt, electronic dance music may be the sound of this moment, Jay-Z towers as the latest in a long line of hip-hop poet/entrepreneurs, and shock-pop divas like Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj owe more to Madonna than to ’60s icons. But any artist in our fragmented musical world who is still working in the beleaguered genre of rock and roll—from U2 to Grizzly Bear to Grace Potter to Liz Phair to Bon Iver to Mumford & Sons—owes quite a sizable debt to at least one of these storied ancestors.

ribbons of highway, California is the place where the endless summer ended. Even in the Beach Boys’ frothiest hits you can hear t he nostalgic tug of an innocence that has been forever lost. Brian Wilson, following in the visionary footsteps of Phil Spector,

BOB DYLAN CONTINUES TO PERFORM AND REMAINS FASCINATINGLY ENIGMATIC.

Each of those pioneers is emblematic. The Beatles represent the possibility that what starts out as pop music can eventually become art. Describing the transformative impact of the Fab Four, Mick Jagger told me when I interviewed him for Rolling Stone , “Critics in broadsheet newspapers would try to explain why the Beatles were brilliant musicians and wonder—were they as good as Bach? Pop music had never attracted that kind of attention.”

Bob Dylan first made it possible to think of popular music as a means of changing the world and then created a whirling style of psychedelic poetry derived from the Symbolists and the Beats. Everyone felt his touch. As Jagger once put it, “He definitely influenced me as a writer. Everyone was influenced first by the protest writing and then by the surrealist writing. You realized you could do it because he showed the way.”

The Beach Boys, meanwhile, told a definitive American story: the westward movement to a land that was simultaneously a paradise and the sun-drenched finale to the dream of endless expansion. Despite the bikini-clad girls, the shiny cars and the

designed vocal harmonies and luscious pastel soundscapes that capture all of that beauty and heartbreak. Finally, the Stones, in their swagger and defiance, defined rebellion in a revolutionary age. Jagger’s sexual conquests are legion, and Richards still stands as the hedonist who has tried everything and survived it while remaining ever ready to get back on the road.

These artists finally remain alluring because no one has risen to replace them. That may sound crotchety, and it certainly doesn’t mean that younger artists aren’t making great music. But as the music world shrinks—in sales, in significance, in the ephemerality of digital downloads—flesh-and-blood legends just loom larger. How many times can a renaissance occur? And how long can even larger-than-life heroes live?

The Stones love to say that they were first asked if their tour would be “The Last Time,” punning on one of their early hits, in 1969. It hasn’t been so far, but one day, inevitably, it will be—for them, for the two surviving Beatles, for the Beach Boys and for Dylan as well. So that’s why these 50th anniversaries mean so much. Because of the music itself, absolutely, but also because these artists are still here to share it with us.

Earlier this year, four of the original members of the Rolling Stones returned to London’s Marquee Club, the site of their first gig, for a group photograph for Rolling Stones: 50, to be

New Girl actress Hannah Simone plays a model on the sitcom, but her expertise in international affairs and human rights is no joke. Here, she shares her serious side.

“In my family, we’ve always felt the world is our home. My mother is German, Italian and Greek; my father’s from India. I was born in London; a year later, we moved to Canada. We went on to live in Saudi Arabia, Holland, Canada and Cyprus.

I was always aware of human-rights issues. In college, I majored in international relations and assisted Lloyd Axworthy, the former Canadian foreign minister. He valued the input of young people. “Just because you’re young, it doesn’t mean your opinion isn’t valid,” he would say.

WTHE TELEVISION PERSONALITIES

Small screen sensations—she’s on a network hit and he’s a brainy cable darling—open up about life outside the box

hen HBO’s Enlightened returns on January 13 for its second season, fans of the show— which follows Laura Dern’s Amy, an executive on the mend from a nervous breakdown— are in for some surprises. In addition to episodes from directors Todd Haynes and David Michôd, Enlightened creator and star Mike White—the beloved screenwriter of movies like School of Rock promises a higher-octane season. “There’s more juice to the story,” White says. “Now it has higher stakes.” Here, White sits in the DuJour hot seat.

What was the best day of your life?

When I was on The Amazing Race and my dad got to paraglide over the Alps. Watching him do that was such an exciting moment.

The worst?

The day my cat died was very traumatic.

If you could spend a day in someone else’s shoes, who would it be?

Mick Jagger. It’d be cool to sing in front of 50,000 people going crazy.

What’s your favorite hour of the day?

Probably 3 p.m. I take naps around 3.

If you could relive any day in history, what would it be?

I’d pick an uneventful day. Crowds scare me.

Did you break a sweat today?

No, but I smell bad anyway. I’ve been traveling and have no fresh clothes.

What was the day’s best conversation?

I had a meeting with Scott Rudin. It’s hard to top that for dishy humor.

If you had to wear a uniform every day, what would it be?

If it looked good, I’d wear a lifeguard uniform. Isn’t that just a bathing suit?

Sometimes they wear those red hoodies. Like an Abercrombie & Fitch model.

ADAM RATHE

After graduation, I ran international Model U.N.s. We’d bring in students from Europe, Asia and Russia to debate issues. It was exciting, but I realized the young people weren’t interested in policy papers; they were learning from Stephen Colbert. If I wanted to advance the global conversation, I needed to make media. So I went back to school and got a degree in radio and television arts.

After that I worked at MuchMusic, Canada’s version of MTV, covering topics like AIDS and climate change. Today I’m costarring on New Girl, pursuing my other passion: acting. The great thing is it has amplified my voice about issues I care about. I’m hoping that as my career grows, my platform will too, and I can help others more.

–As told to

LINDSAY SILBERMAN

Boyfriend shirt, $225, MONIKA CHIANG , monikachiang.com

Simone is the celebrity ambassador for the Pink Daisy Project, a nonprofit organization that assists young women who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer.

THE HIT MAN

Music mogul Tommy Mottola has a new memoir and lots of stories. Lauren Waterman tunes in.

Your new autobiography, Hitmaker: The Man and His Music , due out in January, details your time as an influential talent manager and record company executive. Why did you decide to write this book?

I don’t really like to talk about the stuff that I did—I think the work speaks for itself. But I wanted to document the period. The years that I’m writing about were a golden age of pop music, from Elvis to the invention of the iPod; I tell my story at the center of that.

A lot of people might not realize that you got your start in the industry as a performer.

I wanted to be a singer and an actor, and I went at it as hard as I could. But after four or five years, I realized that it might be more productive to get into the business end of things. So I took a job [at MRC music, the publishing arm of Mercury Records], and shortly after that, I met these two guys, Daryl Hall and John Oates, who changed my life.

Nevertheless, there did seem to be a certain amount of romantic overlap between your first wife, whom you divorced in 1990, and your second, Mariah Carey. In the book, you say that at one point, while she was in the process of recording her debut, Mariah complimented your tan, saying, “You look great.” You write, “Those three words opened a door to a midlife crisis and I stepped right on through.”

Yes.

It seems as though a lot of the struggle between the two of you stemmed from her desire to be a different kind of artist than you, as the head of her label, wanted her to be. You say that she didn’t want to record “Hero,” and that she was embarrassed to be putting out a Christmas album.

Well, it wasn’t really a struggle. In the beginning, especially, it was a unified vision. But as things progressed, it got a little more cloudy, because I thought that she had the opportunity to continue to hit every demographic, as opposed to isolating herself by doing so much hip-hop and R & B. Of course, hip-hop has become a huge segment of the market . . . But why wouldn’t you want to have it all, if you could?

Right, when you signed them as clients. Before I read the book, I didn’t realize they wrote a song, 1975’s “Gino (The Manager)” about you. Another of your acts, Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, had a hit the following year with “Cherchez La Femme,” which begins with the line, “TM lives on the road.” How did it feel to hear your name on the radio five times a day?

It was pretty wild. The first time I heard it, they were rehearsing, and they started singing it just as I was walking in, so I thought they were playing a game on me. But no, that was actually the song! I didn’t find it that flattering, but it was funny and cool, so I didn’t care.

Yeah, it’s really not very flattering—the lyrics seem to imply that you spent your time getting loaded and having affairs. I couldn’t help but wonder what your then-wife, Lisa Clark, thought about it. Exactly.

Was that really their impression of who you were?

No. Not at all. They were pranksters! They were being wise guys, and who ever thought that it would be such a b ig hit?

Similarly, you were frustrated by George Michael’s refusal to promote his 1990 album, Listen Without Prejudice, in a way that might enable him to duplicate the success of his previous album, Faith . Yet you seem much more tolerant of the artistic “left turns” as you call them, that Hall and Oates made early in their career. Why?

When I started in this business, it was not uncommon for a group like them to have three or four albums before they were able to break through. You developed an artist over time. Now, an artist gets to release one single, maybe two, and if it doesn’t happen, goodbye. Consequently, there’s a lot more mediocrity; people are following, as opposed to leading. For the most part, the public thinks American Idol is the music business. Nowadays, if you ask a kid who sings his favorite song, he might not know. That’s scary.

You have two young ch ildren with your current wife, the Mexican singer and actress Thalia. What do they like to listen to?

They’re into the poppy stuff. My 5-year-old likes Miley Cyrus, and my 1-year-old loves to play the drums. I tell him, “Enjoy it, but remember, this is not what you’re going to do. You’re going to have a really brilliant career in something other than music.”

Tommy Mottola is credited for starting the Latin Explosion when he signed and promoted Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin and Marc Anthony, among others.

From left: Mottola signs Hall and Oates in 1974; with his second wife, Mariah Carey, in 1995; arm-in-arm with Billy Joel and Elton John; accompanying Jennifer Lopez in 1999.

YOU’RE FLYING PRIVATE

IF

CULTURAL CLIFFSNOTES

Your cheat sheet to this winter’s music, film, TV, books and theater—from highbrow to low

IF YOU’RE FLYING COMMERCIAL

THE PLAY: Tony-winning director Joe Mantello helms the Broadway debut of The Other Place, featuring Laurie Metcalf as a neurologist caught in a downward spiral.

YOUR TALKING POINT: Metcalf has won numerous Emmys for Roseanne and Golden Globe nominations for Desperate Housewives, but theater buffs know her as a Broadway actress and Tony nominee who won accolades for this role in the play’s off-Broadway run.

THE SERIES: Kevin Williamson, who created Dawson’s Creek and Scream, is back with The Following, a brainy detective show starring Kevin Bacon as a grizzled cop tangling with a well-read serial killer and the murderer’s bloodthirsty fan club.

YOUR TALKING POINT: For all the blood and guts in modern entertainment, few things are creepier than classic Edgar Allan Poe, especially The Black Cat, the story on which Williamson’s psycho is fixated.

THE SERIES: HBO’s Girls, which made creator Lena Dunham an omnipresent media darling, is coming back in January for a second season of dispatches from struggling, young creative types living in Brooklyn’s vinyl-sided bohemia.

YOUR TALKING POINT: Dunham has added a new gig to her résumé: author. In October she signed a $3.5 million–plus contract for her debut essay collection, tentatively titled Not That Kind of Girl.

THE BOOK: Vampires in the Lemon Grove is the second collection of short stories from Karen Russell, the 31-year-old author whose 2011 first novel, Swamplandia!, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

YOUR TALKING POINT: A new collection from the talented Russell is inarguably a literary event, but bookish types will remember the compilation’s title story from a 2007 edition of Francis Ford Coppola’s lit mag Zoetrope: All-Story

THE BOOK: Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, the architects behind the controversial new Philadelphia home for one of America’s most impressive art collections, share their stunning designs in The Architecture of the Barnes Foundation

YOUR TALKING POINT: Albert C. Barnes’ will stipulated that his priceless assembly not be moved. The years-long kerfuffle over its relocation was a hot topic, inspiring the 2009 documentary The Art of the Steal

THE MOVIE: Lord of the Shire Peter Jackson continues to bolster New Zealand tourism—using it as a lush setting for his films—with the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first in his new trilogy of films based on a beloved Tolkien novel.

YOUR TALKING POINT: Jackson has a home—and his collection of vintage airplanes—in New Zealand near Martinborough, where fellow fantasy virtuoso James Cameron has also set up camp.

THE ALBUM: A remixed, remastered version of Blue Lines, the genre-defining debut from trip-hop innovators Massive Attack, is being released as part of a new package, complete with DVDs, vinyl, posters and other treats.

YOUR TALKING POINT: One of Massive Attack’s early collaborators was pop star Neneh Cherry. This year she had her own comeback with the critically lauded record The Cherry Thing.

THE MOVIE: Despite the film-geek references he piles on, Quentin Tarantino is a box-office dynamo. His latest, Django Unchained, about a slave teamed up with a bounty hunter, stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx and promises to be the smart and popular choice upon its Christmas Day release.

YOUR TALKING POINT: Django Unchained is named for the 1966 western Django, and Tarantino gave that film’s star, Franco Nero, a small role.

THE ALBUM: Azealia Banks has been billed as hip-hop’s next big thing since her “212” racked up millions of YouTube views and rap royalty embraced her. Her hotly anticipated, long-delayed debut album, Broke With Expensive Taste, will test fans’ loyalty.

YOUR TALKING POINT: If music doesn’t work out, Banks could have a career in fashion. She’s played a private gig for Karl Lagerfeld and worked as a model for Alexander Wang.

starring in a slew of films based on books, Johnny Depp will now be publishing his own, with the January launch of his HarperCollins imprint, Infinitum Nihil. First up: a previously unpublished 1947 novel by Woody Guthrie.

WORTH HIS WEIGHT IN GOLD

What goes into winning an Oscar? More than just a great performance.

The number of tickets a nominated director received to the 2011 Oscars. “Getting into the Oscars is really hard,” the director told DuJour “Between me and my partner, we had six tickets. But our seats were on the floor way in the back.”

It’s not only movies that matter at the Academy Awards. They’re important enough, but considering that a win can make for untold millions of dollars in ticket sales, winning is really what’s important.

Enter the fabled Oscar race, complete with dark-arts strategists and covert campaigns some believe can cinch a win. But those don’t come cheap, and they’re not guaranteed. “There’s no swaying the votes when Academy members have a ballot in front of them,” one recent Oscar winner told us. “Nobody’s looking; they can vote for whatever they want.”

So, what are the numbers that go into making the Oscars? From the statue itself to the pricey attempts to snag it, we break down the numbers in preparation for the Feb. 24 show.

11 $25,000

It’s 24-karat gold that the Oscar statue is made of now, but for three years during World War II, plaster was used due to a metals shortage.

Nominations earned by Walt Disney, the most nods for any one person. The movie mastermind actually won only 26 times, however.

The rumored cost of a single “For Your Consideration” ad in a Hollywood trade publication. Hundreds of these ads are run each season.

45 $7,950

Total minutes for a teeth-bleaching session (three 15-minute stints in a row), a must before an awards show.

“Before the Emmys, I had three nominees in for the procedure,” says Los Angeles dentist Dr. Bill Dorfman. “On average, people get about eight shades whiter.”

Retail cost of Gwyneth Paltrow’s dress—Tom Ford’s Double Georgette Evening Gown with Detachable Cape— for the 2012 Academy Awards.

24 3 59 330

The average number of hours, at $60 to $120 per hour, an Oscar-night car is required for, considering security checkpoints and after-party traffic. And they’re not all stretch limos.

“The vehicles of choice nowadays are luxury sedans and hybrid cars,” says Bijan Zoughi, owner of Los Angeles’ Diva Limousine. “Stretch limousines have gone a bit out of style.”

270

263

The length in minutes of the longest Oscar telecast, in 2002. The shortest show, at 100 minutes, was in 1959.

The number of guests who attended the first Academy Awards banquet, on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Tickets cost $5.

Number of calories in an In-N-Out burger—served in movie-star-friendly “protein style,” with no bun—a beloved postOscars snack for talent.

$ 5,000,000

What Summit Entertainment is said to have laid out for the Oscar campaign for The Hurt Locker, which took home the Best Picture award in 2010 and went on to earn over $30 million in DVD sales. By comparison, the 2004 press for Million Dollar Baby is alleged to have run $15 million.

ESTATE OF THE ART

Til death do us part ... from our paintings. Alexandra Peers does a postmortem on seven sagas.

To paraphrase F. Scott Fitzgerald, the very rich are different from you and me: They have more to fight over at the funeral. And one of the things they fight about most fiercely and bitterly is art. As prices for paintings and sculptures have soared, battles among heirs for the treasures of their parents, spouses and lovers have become headlines, even ending up in court.

When Yves Saint Laurent died in 2008, his longtime partner handled matters, including the sale of his estate. The blowout reportedly topped $400 million. Now, scores of erotic sketches by Saint Laurent have surfaced, and the designer’s former driverslash-lover is said to have claimed they were personal gifts to him. The he-said, Jeeves-said matter has been marked by allegations of theft.

It happens often enough, and it can been avoided. Any personal property of value should be specifically flagged in a will to avoid confusion or disputes, estate attorneys caution. Either that, or don’t dally with the help.

Here, other lessons you can learn from celebrities and artists about how, and how not, to leave your art collection behind.

first

of Christie’s record-breaking auction of Saint Laurent’s and Bergé’s collection, a Matisse sold for $35.9

Above: Designer Yves Saint Laurent in 1957. Right: Saint Laurent with partner Pierre Bergé

DON’T DRINK AND TITHE

Hugely successful “painter of light” Thomas Kinkade was reportedly separated from his wife of 30 years at the time of his death in April of this year, and was living with another woman. He reportedly had a formal will, but the girlfriend produced two handwritten wills dated after it that left his house and some of his millions to her, plus the assignment of building a museum in his honor. One handwriting expert allegedly said they look as if they could be scribbled by a drunk person, but California law could uphold them unless it’s proven he was incompetent or under undue influence at the time of writing.

MARRY JUDICIOUSLY AND RARELY

Dennis Hopper, the legendary actor and photographer, filed for divorce months before his death in 2010. He passed away before the divorce was finalized, reportedly leaving the bulk of his assets to his children. His fifth wife, Victoria, was granted an injunction to halt the auction of some of his estate’s works of art, claiming they were hers, reports say. The lesson is two-fold: no serial weddings (celebrities with three or more wives, like Jerry Garcia, might end up in postmortem probate court). And marry someone who gets you: Duffy had complained in court papers that the famously hedonistic actor smoked marijuana in front of their daughter.

FORGET FIDO

If hotel queen Leona Helmsley had gotten her way, most of the proceeds from her estate’s sale (Edouard Vuillard paintings and French antiques) would have gone to dog charities and her own Maltese, Trouble, reports say. But since she left no money to two of her grandchildren, they filed a suit claiming that she was not mentally fit, and the judge—apparently a cat person—cut the dog’s inheritance from $12 million in the will to $2 million, according to the press.

DON’T LEAVE YOUR ART TO AN ART DEALER

Mark Rothko named friends as the three executors of his estate. Within a few weeks of his death in 1970, they had reportedly sold 100 artworks to Marlborough Gallery at allegedly below-market prices. Rothko’s daughter sued, successfully, and the court eventually ruled there had been a conflict of interest.

REWRITE HISTORY IF IT SUITS

Elizabeth Taylor’s estate sale, which she smartly helped structure prior to her death, allegedly omitted three husbands from the auction catalog for the blowout sale. The glamorous tale of Liz & Dick, and the art and jewelry the actor gave her, was welldocumented—but Larry Fortensky who?

ANTICIPATE TROUBLE

New York philanthropist and socialite Kitty Carlisle Hart added a codicil to her will less than three months prior to her death, according to estate attorney Herbert Nass (author of Wills of the Rich and Famous) It forgave any debts her children may owe her and ensured they would both inherit equally, Nass says.

IF YOU’RE FAMOUS , DON’T DIE IN N.Y.

New York doesn’t recognize postmortem publicity rights, so anyone who had rights to a celebrity image during the star’s lifetime can put it on a poster or T-shirt and sell it without paying licensing fees to the estate. This was bad news for heirs of Marilyn Monroe in one landmark case.

THE GENIUS OF JEFFERSON

A new book on the founding father highlights the conflicts faced by all politicians, says Nina Burleigh

Jon Meacham, former editor-in-chief of Newsweek , is no stranger to producing big biographies of monumental men: He’s written about Andrew Jackson (winning a Pulitzer Prize), FDR and Winston Churchill. But he’d long regarded one revered figure as his Mount Everest: Thomas Jefferson. He began his research in 2009, and this month, The Art of Power , Meacham’s examination of Jefferson’s political life, will be published. The author spoke to DuJour about what he learned about our third president.

I’ve heard that Barack Obama prompted you to write this Jefferson biography. Why?

I published my Andrew Jackson book right after the 2008 election, when suddenly we had this cool, cerebral president who affects to dislike politics but is pretty good at it. Obama’s rise made someone like Jefferson more interesting to look at. Jefferson was another conflicted figure who seemed to share our own era’s ambivalence of politics. I wanted to show folks that we can hate politics all we want, but attacking it and waving it away isn’t getting us anywhere. Our greatest presidents, if only right for 15 minutes, also had glaring failures. There is a utility to understanding that. We shouldn’t expect too much from our politicians nor think they are not capable of delivering anything.

What do you think that Jefferson would make of the Tea Party?

He would have understood the impulses behind it. And he would argue that his friend and neighbor James Madison was right. The republic is full of conflicting and contending interests. Jefferson very much wanted to be a small-government president,

like Ronald Reagan. But like Reagan, he had a different view after he got into office. Conservatives always become more liberal when they get the job and liberals become conservative, and Jefferson understood that fluidity. He was not sitting at a university thinking big thoughts but spending his days as an intensely practical politican.

and conservative, and Jefferson that was at a big his as intensely politican.

How do such ferson silent about Jefferson and is the fundamental life—and it’s the fundamental contra-

How do you reconcile the fact that such an enlightened person as Jefferson was silent about slavery?

Jefferson and slavery is the fundamental contradiction at the heart of his life—and it’s t he fundamental contradiction at the heart of the American nation. With that issue, Jefferson did something he almost never did: He gave up. One of the ironies was that a multiracial society already existed at Monticello, however he did not envision a multiracial society like the America of 2012.

Did you find any surprises in your research?

I really believe that Jefferson had more of a tragic sensibility than has been appreciated. He’s often portrayed as a hopeless optimist. But he was a student of stoicism, of The Iliad He understood we only do the best we can.

Thomas Jefferson’s tremendous legacy extends to comfort food: After visiting France, he introduced macaroni and cheese and French fries to the United States.

THE BEST BOOKS OF 2012

The new literary salons? The book blogs, making them the leading sources on what to read and what to skip. Three influential bloggers write about the titles that stood out for them this year.

Reviewed by JEN KARSBAEK , of Devourerofbooks.com

WHEN IT HAPPENS TO

YOU

by Molly Ringwald

This set of eight linked stories begins with the crumbling of the marriage of Phillip and Greta Parris, due to his infidelity. Each chapter showcases a different character—a family member, a friend, a neighbor—and reflects how the ripples of an affair go far beyond the husband and wife. In this strong debut, actress Ringwald writes so affectingly that you’ll be invested in the relationships to a degree few works of fiction achieve.

CITY OF SCOUNDRELS by

Gary Krist

With a style reminiscent of Devil in the White City, Krist writes of Chicago during a momentous two weeks in July 1919 when a child murder, a blimp crash, a transit strike and a race riot all occurred. This nonfiction book pulls off a triple feat: It explains how the Windy City came to be what it is today, serves up a case study in urban American politics, and delivers a flat-out great read.

ALL WOMAN AND SPRINGTIME by Brandon

Jones

Reviewed by MICHAEL BOURNE ,

editor at Themillions.com

THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE HER by

Junot Díaz

Nine stories follow the part-hilarious, part-painful exploits of Dominican-American Yunior, the author’s alter ego, and his relatives, friends and lovers. Here, Pulitzer winner Díaz retains his appealingly slang-flavored voice, but as Yunior slowly grows older and sadder, Díaz’s work grows wiser to the ways the heart can be broken.

This captivating novel forces readers to contemplate the lives of vulnerable women in the poor, isolated dictatorship that is North Korea. Beautiful Il-Sun wants more out of life than working at a factory. You’ll feel both hopeful and horrified as she and a friend escape to follow their dreams—and get forced into the dark world of sex trade.

Reviewed by MAUD NEWTON , of Maudnewton.com

GONE GIRL by Gillian

Flynn

This thriller is the rare bestseller that lives up to its hype. It centers on the disappearance of smart, pretty Amy Dunne. Her husband is the primary suspect, and through clever plotting, the author toys with whether he’s guilty. But the whodunit is merely a lure into the novel’s spiky heart: a sharp, take-no-prisoners study of marriage as well as a look inside the sociopathic mind.

THE PASSAGE OF POWER by

Robert Caro

The fourth volume in Lyndon Johnson’s biography spans his failed presidential bid in 1960 to the months after JFK’s assassination, including a riveting account of the day from LBJ’s perspective. Caro’s massive biography can be read as an epic poem of the American century, with LBJ as the flawed hero whose Texas-size ego will lead the U.S. into Vietnam but whose understanding of what it means to go without inspires his War on Poverty.

ESCAPE VELOCITY: A CHARLES PORTIS MISCELLANY

Edited by Jay Jennings

Portis, the author of True Grit, has published only five novels but gained a fervent following. For fans, this compilation of essays, memoir, reportage and more is a welcome addition; for newbies, it’s a smart, entertaining intro to his work. As in his novels, it’s the asides that get you. “Like hypochondriacs,” he writes of his travails in Mexico with a useless Studebaker, “we no longer expected results, we just wanted attention.”

BY BLOOD by Ellen Ullman

The disgraced-professor narrator of this brooding, suspenseful novel is distracted from plotting his return to academia by voices from the therapist’s office next door. As the therapist’s client struggles to track down her birth mother, the professor finds it difficult to resist meddling, and the reader can’t help but root for him.

THE SONG OF ACHILLES

by

Madeline Miller

In this lyrical debut, Achilles’ companion Patroclus recasts the warrior’s demise as a story of doomed love. Miller, a classics scholar, wears her learning lightly, but she’s mastered the momentum of the ancients. I began Song at midnight, expecting to doze off. Instead I wound up sobbing over the final pages as the sun came up.

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BECOMING NICOLE

DRAWN TO THE DARKEST OF TERRAIN IN HER WORK, N ICOLE KIDMAN LIVES IN THE LIGHT EVERY DAY WITH HUSBAND K EITH URBAN AND THEIR TWO CHILDREN. WRITER PATRICIA BOSWORTH, WHO BEFRIEN DED KIDMAN IN THE “RESTLESS” YEARS POST–TOM CRUISE, CHARTS THE ACTRESS’S JOURNEY TO JOY AN D HER BRAVEST WORK YET

PHOTOGRAPHE D BY PATRICK DEMARCHELIER STYLE D BY L’WREN SCOTT

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When the time came for Nicole Kidman to walk across the stage at New York City’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in October, she was luminous. We were packed tight in the auditorium, gathered to pay homage to the Academy Award–winning actress, and she delivered as few others could: wearing a shimmering red L’Wren Scott dress and very high heels. As the applause thundered, a critic sitting next to me murmured, “Kidman carries her own spotlight.”

I got to know Nicole Kidman six years ago, when she starred as the legendary photographer Diane Arbus in the movie Fur, which was inspired by my biography of Arbus. I was on the set a lot, watching her work; at breaks we spent time together. I was, of course, deeply impressed.

But that night at Lincoln Center, as the film clips rolled across the screen celebrating her career, I was struck by the variety and richness of her choices—her delight in disguises and in playing women who are not all that sympathetic, like her latest role as the white-trash beauty in The Paperboy. I realized there’s a common strand running through Kidman’s chameleon-like range: her determination to be a character actress rather than a star. More than most of her contemporaries—Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock—Kidman takes chances, whether she’s playing the town masochist in Lars von Trier’s Dogville or wearing a prosthetic nose as the melancholy Virginia Woolf.

It’s challenging enough to transform herself for every role. Add to that the ongoing struggle to hold on to her creativity in the midst of being a Hollywood icon, a regular on the red carpet, and a mother. Kidman, 45, can endure because of her control. She keeps her private life private. She reveals, but she conceals, too, which is the paradox of celebrity and great acting.

However, when she wants to be, she is available and open, and I saw this side of her when we talked between filming scenes for her new movie about Grace Kelly in France. Because she’d been working nonstop for months, I asked her if she wasn’t exhausted.

“No way!” Kidman said with a laugh. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. I’m living in a friend’s house in Nice. My two daughters are with me, Sunday Rose, who’s 4, and Faith Margaret, who’s 2. My mother is about to fly in from Australia to babysit. Then Keith will be arriving. … My family is with me. My family.”

Listening to her talk in that unmistakably Australian accent was like a continuation of the conversations we’d had during the making of Fur. But she has changed.

Back then, Kidman told me she was restless. She’d bought a condo on Perry Street in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village but then moved to an apartment in London Terrace because it had a huge indoor pool. For a while she would spend much of her free time in the evenings swimming. She had started to date Keith Urban, and on weekends they would zoom off on his motorcycle and end up in Woodstock. It was the beginning of their romance.

I was impressed by how genuine she was. She was no longer Mrs. Tom Cruise; she was on her own. She’d become a huge star, she was an Oscar winner for The Hours,

and she’d become an extremely rich woman. She was then the face of Chanel; she’d just finished doing a series of elegant ads for which she reportedly earned $12 million. But despite all the attention and hoopla, she hadn’t turned into a narcissistic bore, the way so many people do when they become famous.

And she refused to be pampered, even though on the set she was surrounded by assistants and makeup people whenever I saw her. She was kind and polite to everybody; occasionally she’d glide away and grab two bagels, one for herself, then give the other to her assistant “because you haven’t eaten all day.”

“Ms. Kidman is the nicest lady I ever had to watch,” her bodyguard told me. “I would kill for her.”

The bodyguard and I would often crowd around the monitor when Nicole was acting in a scene. She would go into a kind of trance, totally inhabiting the character of Arbus, a driven, trailblazing artist who photographed freaks and eccentrics and committed suicide when she was 48.

“I’m attracted to dark material,” Nicole explains. “Where the story is full of surprises and twists and turns and the characters get into extreme situations.”

That’s one of the reasons she agreed to star in The Paperboy, Lee Daniels’ outrageously pulpy melodrama, which The New York Times called “a hot mess.” In Paperboy Nicole plays mouthy white-trash Charlotte, who helps two brothers investigate the case of a convicted murderer on death row. Charlotte happens to be hung up on said murderer and has been corresponding with him. In one shocking scene when she visits him in prison, she masturbates; in others she simulates oral sex. And there is the infamous pee scene, in which she urinates on Zac Efron in an effort to treat a stingray wound.

At Cannes, where the movie first screened, the audience booed and hissed at points but at the end gave it a standing ovation. “Did you know one critic described The Paperboy as the most alienating movie of the year?” I ask.

“That’s because Paperboy makes audiences uncomfortable,” Nicole says evenly. “But art should be unsettling.” She goes on, “I am not interested in playing lovable characters. What I am interested in is playing women who are unconventional. Charlotte is complicated and mysterious and, finally, very tragic. All she wanted was love. She thinks she loves this guy; she has this huge fantasy about him—criminals can seem sexy ’cause they’re dangerous.”

To research the role, Daniels had Kidman talk to his sister, who also has corresponded with convicts. “She introduced me to a couple of her friends, one of whom had married a convict while he was still in jail. But as soon as he got out, she divorced him.”

Kidman enjoyed working with Daniels. “He helped me choose my tacky wardrobe. I did my own makeup. It’s moment to moment with him. High energy all the way. The picture was low-budget, so we shot everything very fast. No rehearsals.”

They shot the so-called pee scene on the third day (it is only on the screen for a nanosecond, and it’s actually quite funny). “Even Lee was a little worried about keeping it in the picture, [but] I told him, ‘You made me pee on Zac and if you don’t put it in the movie, you’re out

of your mind!’ During the whole shoot I never talked to the rest of the cast. I mean, I was always in character as Charlotte, never Nicole. It worked. We improvised, too—remember the scene where we were dancing? It just happened. We were sitting in the grass, it started to rain, we started to dance—it was the last scene we shot.”

Soon after The Paperboy, Kidman filmed a thriller called Stoker, about a mother and daughter obsessed with the same man. Kidman wanted to work with Park Chanwook, the top director in Korea (his film Oldboy won the Grand Prix at Cannes). “We didn’t communicate at all. Park doesn’t speak English, but he has a translator.” Nicole hasn’t seen Stoker yet, but I have. She excels in her portrayal of a jealous, grieving widow. Next up: a supporting role in a movie called The Railway Man with Colin Firth, which has just completed shooting in Thailand.

“And now you’re in Grace of Monaco?” I said, dizzied by this array of characters.

“Yes, I’ll be in France till the end of the year,” she replied. “It’s being directed by Olivier Dahan, who directed La Vie en Rose.”

“Grace Kelly was a fashion icon of the Fifties,” I noted. “She wore simple, classic clothes—shirtwaist dresses, flowing gowns—and now you’re playing Grace and you’re a fashion icon.”

“Oh, no I’m not!” Kidman protested. “I love fashion, but I don’t think I’m fashionable—I mean, not in my private life.” In her 20s, Kidman got to know Alexander McQueen and John Galliano and went to their showrooms to support their work. “That’s when I fell in love with couture.”

Nonetheless, she says, “at home I dress for comfort. After all, I am the mother of two small children.”

I asked her: “When you were growing up, did you ever dream you’d be playing one-of-a-kind women like Princess Grace Kelly and Virginia Woolf and Martha Gellhorn?”

“I have always been a very big dreamer,” Nicole laughs.

Nicole Kidman was born on June 20, 1967, to Australian parents living in Hawaii. Her mother, Janelle, is a nursing instructor; her father, Antony, is a biochemist. She has a younger sister, Antonia. Not long after Kidman was born, she and her family moved back to Australia and settled in a middle-class suburb of Sydney.

“We were a close-knit family—still are,” she says. She was raised Catholic and remains devout. Growing up, she was strongly influenced by the Ten Commandments, “which I still live by today,” she says.

“As kids we were treated like grownups. We discussed all sorts of things. Mother was a feminist—this was during the height of the women’s movement, and she was very passionate and very articulate about women not being equal members of society simply because we are women. That’s why I am working for the United Nations now as a spokesperson for Unifem. It’s in tribute to my mother.” Unifem is an organization fighting the prejudice and violence against women around the world.

By the time she was in her teens, Kidman was tall—5foot-10. She had wild, curly red hair and skin so white she was told not to go out in the sun. She stayed home a lot reading novels, “which were a huge escape for me.”

At 14, Kidman began to study acting at the Phillip Street Theatre in Sydney, and later she studied at Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, where she met Naomi Watts, who became one of her closest friends. Her parents would have preferred her to go into medicine or law. “ ‘Don’t think we’re going to drive you to class,’ they said. So I had to take two buses to get there. Which was good. I had to really show them this is what I wanted to do.”

She took on all sorts of roles, including Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire. By the time she graduated from high school, she was working in TV and low-budget movies. She took a summer off to tour in Paris and Amsterdam. That same year her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and Kidman stayed with her while she had chemotherapy. “My mother is the most powerful force in my life,” she says now. “She’s the most influential person. I think my biggest motivation is to make her proud of me.”

In 1987 Kidman’s career took off with an Australian miniseries called Vietnam. Two years later, she was cast in the film Dead Calm, which required her to outfox, outsail and outfight a psychotic interloper. She was nude in one sequence, and everyone noticed her—including Tom Cruise, who saw Dead Calm in Hollywood and arranged to meet her. At this point Cruise was one of the biggest stars in the world, and he had just divorced Mimi Rogers.

Coming off his blockbusters Top Gun and The Color of Money, he cast her in his movie Days of Thunder and swept her off her feet. “I was totally smitten—I fell madly, passionately in love,” she told me without hesitation. They were married in 1990. She was 23. “I was reeling with Tom. I would have gone to the ends of the earth for him.” But looking back on it now, she adds, “I was so impulsive and naïve.”

It’s hard to imagine how much her life changed after that. She went from being a giddy, free-spirited redhead to the sleek, well-groomed wife of a Hollywood superstar, tirelessly cultivating a celebrity lifestyle on a grand scale. They had houses in L.A.’s Pacific Palisades and Telluride, Colorado. There were private planes and limousines and bodyguards and hangers-on and yes-people.

Kidman insists she was happy during most of her marriage, but she was always aware of the glaring spotlight that came with his outsized fame. They were watched constantly. The paparazzi were always ready to pounce. The gossip columns were filled with speculation about them. They became known for their highly controlled public appearances. “We were in a bubble,” she tells me, “just the two of us. We became very dependent on one another.” Early on she suffered an ectopic pregnancy, and when she had trouble conceiving again, she and Cruise adopted a daughter, Isabella, in 1992 and a son, Connor, in 1995

Cruise continued to star in blockbusters like A Few Good Men. Nicole was in movies too, but she believed her real identity was as Mrs. Tom Cruise.

That changed with To Die For, a black comedy directed by Gus Van Sant. Kidman was funny, sexy and rather frightening. She followed it with an equally impressive performance as heiress Isabel Archer in The Portrait of a Lady, directed by Jane Campion.

Suddenly Kidman realized she was fulfilling herself

creatively. Finally. “I hadn’t before,” she tells me now.

From then on, she was determined to juggle many roles —wife, mother, artist. In 1996 she and Cruise picked up their entire household and moved to London to work with Stanley Kubrick on Eyes Wide Shut, about a married couple who go on a bizarre sexual journey to shake up their marriage. They were supposed to work on the movie for five months; they ended up being in England for close to two years. When they weren’t filming for long hours, Kidman and Cruise would hang out with Kubrick in his huge estate talking about everything under the sun. “Stanley got to know us very well,” Kidman says. “He had a way of challenging us, of breaking down our defenses.”

I remind her of a long scene midway through the picture where she and Cruise are accusing each other of infidelities. “You were half-naked and laughing hysterically,” I said. “You couldn’t stop; you practically fell on the floor laughing.”

“Oh, yes!” Kidman exclaims. ”I was hysterical. We filmed that particular scene for over three weeks. I think Stanley shot 300 takes! It was an exhausting project, but in the end everyone felt they accomplished something special. I know critics think the movie is dark, but I think there is hope. Stanley was emphasizing the importance of loyalty and commitment in a marriage, that marriage is a relationship that has to transcend sexuality.”

Months later the rough cut was screened for them when they were in New York. “It was fantastic, I thought,” Kidman says. “I wanted to tell Stanley, but it was late, so I decided I would call him later.” The next morning they received word that Kubrick had died in his sleep. “I was devastated.” she recalls, then says urgently: “We don’t talk enough about death and loss and grieving and how to survive. Death and loss reverberate so much in my work.”

The next two years were intense. Kidman had a triumphant run in a play by David Hare in London called The Blue Room, and she repeated that success when the show went to Broadway. Then she spent nine months in Australia with Baz Luhrmann for the musical Moulin Rouge, followed immediately by filming for The Others, a horror story in which she portrayed a terrorized mother trying to care for her two strange little children in a haunted house set on an island. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for each, and won for Moulin Rouge

In December 2000 Kidman and Cruise celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary with friends. “I thought our life together was perfect,” she says. But just two months later, Cruise abruptly announced he was leaving her. The marriage was over. No explanation except an enigmatic “Nic knows why.” She pleaded with him to stay, to no avail.

All hell broke loose when the media got wind of the breakup. The press wouldn’t leave her alone. She asked her sister to fly in from Australia. She felt she had lost her identity; she was afraid that no one would speak to her now that Tom was gone. For months the press clamored for an explanation. All they got from Kidman was a statement when she appeared on Good Morning America: “I’m a person who carries everything that happens to me in the past into the future. But I refuse to let it make me bitter. I still

completely believe in love, and I remain open to anything that will happen to me.” Now she admits, “It took me a very long time to heal. It was a shock to my system.”

She braved Cannes when Moulin Rouge opened there in May 2001, even appearing at a lavish party under a giant circus tent to celebrate the picture, which was receiving raves for its lush décor and Kidman’s volatile performance.

But she had a difficult time filming The Hours, her next movie. She was in agony during the entire shoot as she embodied the suicidal writer Virginia Woolf, who descends into perpetual melancholy. Her valiant work paid off. The film got impressive reviews, including one in The New York Times for Nicole, which read, “Kidman tunnels like a ferret into the soul of a woman besieged by excruciating bouts of mental illness. As you watch her wrestle with the demon of depression, it’s as if its torment has never been shown on the screen before.”

For that acclaimed protrayal, Kidman won her third Golden Globe and the Academy Award for best actress of 2002. She was the first Australian actress to win an Oscar, and her emotional acceptance speech emphasized the importance of art: “Why do you come to the Academy Awards when the world is in such turmoil? Because art is important, and because you believe in what you do, and you want to honor that. It’s a tradition that needs to be upheld.”

Now what she remembers most about that Oscar night is that she went with her parents. She left the ceremony feeling very sad and alone. Kidman admitted to me: “I realized I didn’t want to be alone. I wanted to fall in love again, but I wasn’t sure I could.”

For the next three years, she escaped into her work with movies like Dogville, directed by Lars von Trier on a bare soundstage. She starred in The Human Stain opposite Anthony Hopkins, playing a tough-talking janitor. She made The Stepford Wives, The Interpreter for Sydney Pollack, Bewitched for Nora Ephron.

When she met Keith Urban while filming Fur, she says, “My life changed. He is a wonderful, caring man and he makes me feel secure. We don’t ever like to be separated.” They were married on June 25, 2006, in Sydney, and they currently make their home in Nashville, Tennessee, in a big gray house with a pool and tennis court and movie theatre. The couple’s first daughter, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, was born July 7, 2008, in Nashville.

“Having my baby has been a healing experience,” she says. “It took me so long to have a child. I feel enormous gratitude. Sunday has healed an enormous amount in me. It’s a very private thing, but she just has.” Kidman and Urban had their second daughter two years later.

These days, when she’s not working and in Nashville, Kidman hosts a weekly baby group with her daughters and other mothers and their children. “We have a wonderful home life,” she says. “There’s always music. Keith plays the guitar and piano and drums. He’s always composing music. It’s lovely when you have a baby who picks up the drumsticks and plays–wearing angel wings.”

I can’t help but ask the question: “Your life seems to contain everything now, doesn’t it?”

“Oh, yes!” she answers. “And it’s my life. Before, I was running away from life. Now I embrace it. You never know how long you have. So I cherish every minute.”

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(This page) An English 18th-century Chippendale mahogany sofa is the living room centerpiece. (Right) Built in 1872, the house faces a Savannah square.

GEORGIA STATE OF MIND

ESCAPING THE MAD DASH OF NEW YORK AND THE RUNWAYS OF PARIS FOR THE PECULIAR, STORIED, FADED GLAMOUR OF SAVANNAH, ROBERT DUFF Y, PRESIDENT OF M ARC JACOBS INTERNATIONAL, R ELISHES THE QUIET CHARMS OF THIS SOUTHERN GOTHIC GEM FOR HIS BETWEEN-SE ASONS DOWNTIME.

WRITTEN BY MAURA E GAN PHOTOGRAPH ED BY DOUGLAS FRI E DMAN

When Robert Duffy first visited Savannah, Georgia, three decades ago, it reminded him of Paris, a city he had become well acquainted with as the president of Marc Jacobs International. “It was very grand,” says Duffy of the Southern town dotted with elegant squares, old churches and Spanish moss-draped trees. “But I also liked the smell and dampness of the place. It was very gothic and mysterious too.”

Savannah is probably best known for John Berendt’s 1994 bestseller, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil , which tells the true story of the late Jim Williams, an antiques dealer accused of murdering his assistant and lover, Danny Hansford, in 1981. Williams had decorated the 1872 Italianate William Hunter House, which Duffy purchased in 2010. “I wasn’t really looking,” says the fashion executive, who owned another property just across the way on Monterey Square the prior three years. “But then it came on the market, and it had more outdoor space so I could put in a lap pool.”

A pool was about as extreme as things would get when it came to renovations. Enlisting his longtime collaborator Richard McGeehan, a Manhattan-based interior designer, Duffy’s agenda consisted of minimal changes to the 8,500-square-foot mansion. “There had been a pretty good renovation in the ’90s, so it allowed us to keep a lot of the place intact,” explains McGeehan, who had worked on various spaces for Duffy in New York City and Provincetown, Massachusetts. “Robert wanted the place to feel lived in, already settled when he moved in. It was slightly confounding as a decorator because I had to pull back.”

Still, there was some substantial structural work to be done on the landmarked property: The grand staircase had to be rebuilt, the fireplaces relined, the skylight restored and various trees moved about. While Duffy put in a 45-foot-long saltwater pool and a state-of-the-art gym, he kept other things untouched—like the pine-plank floors and the original room colors. “He liked that the paint didn’t look brand new,” recalls McGeehan. “And when we were buying a lot of the antique pieces for the house, he insisted on keeping the original fabrics—he even liked the water s tains! He had a real sensitivity to the old bones.”

Duffy will casually toss off words like eclectic and decrepit to describe the style of his house, but McGeehan quickly insists that his client’s aesthetic is much more refined than that. “He knows his furniture,” says McGeehan. Duffy supplemented the trove of furnishings he shipped from up north with pieces from local shops like Peridot Antiques, Jere’s Antiques and Arthur Smith Antiques. His art collection is nothing to sniff at either—there are paintings by Robert Motherwell and abstract expressionist Hans Hofmann throughout the house.

This combination of relaxed attitude and respect for tradition seems to reflect Duffy’s general feeling toward his adopted city, which has become the winter home for him and his 14-month-old daughter, Victoria. When Duffy’s here, which is usually during the holidays and the stretches between the New York and Paris fashion collections, he slows down the pace. “I’m in the pool a lot with my daughter; I go on bike rides, maybe to the beach, but I like staying inside the house—just moving from room to room. On Cape Cod, I’m on the boat, and in New York, well, I’m out. When I’m here, I like being at home.” Whether it’s sketching in the library or watching the trolleys full of tourists from his porch, Duffy enjoys a quieter existence in Savannah.

No matter —you can take the fast-talking, hardworking man out of New York, but you can’t take the New York out of the man. In 2007,

(This page) A 1930s Roseville Futura vase brightens the master bedroom.

(Opposite) 19th-century English dining room chairs, 18 of them, line the table.

Duffy opened a Marc Jacobs store on West Broughton Street, which he staffs with students from nearby SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design. Duffy and Jacobs are heavily involved in the school, which has been instrumental in preserving this Southern town. “Every school year, I ask the faculty to give me their best and brightest. The kids love it because they can work part time and they get a discount on the clothes. I consider SCAD my human resources department—after four years, some of them come to New York to work with us.”

And when his friends from New York come down to visit, Duffy equips them with a map of the city and bikes to go check out the attractions— churches, monuments and gravesites of the many eccentric individuals who have called Savannah home over the years. It’s fitting that their sightseeing could lead them back to Duffy’s place. As McGeehan explains, “The city is full of characters, and Robert just might be one of them nowadays.”

(Clockwise from top left) A 19th-century brass hanging lantern is situated over the mid19th-century French upholstered armchair and 19th-century Moroccan ebonized settee in the Prayer Room; the 19th-century oak farm table in the kitchen wing, built in 1990, overlooks the house’s side garden; a photograph of an ’80s rocker perks up the guest bathroom; an early-20th-century Louis Vuitton trunk sits by the 19thcentury American mahogany four-poster bed of the master bedroom.

(From left) A pair of woodblock prints by Charles Hewitt, late-20th-century, hang in a guest bedroom. Duffy holds his daughter Victoria.

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from top left

A MURDER IN PALM SPRINGS

NO ONE WAS EVER ARRESTED AFTER THE SHOCKI NG KILLI NG OF A N OLDER COUPLE I N THEIR OW N HOME. I N VESTIGATIVE REPORTER JOHN CONNOLLY FOLLOWS THE TRAIL FROM A $1 MILLION TRUST FU ND CREATED BY HEIRESS BAR BARA HUTTON THROUGH DECADES OF DARK FAMILY SECRETS TO BALLISTIC EVIDENCE THAT COULD FI N ALLY CRACK THE 34-Y EAR-OLD CASE

When Sophia Friendly opened the door to her killer, she was dressed for dinner.

It was October 12, 1978. In Palm Springs, California, a resort-home destination for presidents and entertainers—where Elvis and Priscilla honeymooned, where everyone from Frank Sinatra to Liberace held court—dressing for dinner was the protocol observed in many of the houses nestled in the desert valley. Sophia, age 71, donned a floor-length dress and gold shoes. Her husband, Ed Friendly, 74, put on a jacket. The couple’s maid set the dining-room table with crystal and a six-piece silver service that included slender fish knives.

At about 7 p.m. the killer walked in the front door of the three-bedroom Mediterranean-style villa at 893 Camino Del Sur. Something happened—words were spoken, a weapon revealed—and Sophia Friendly turned to flee down the hallway. She was shot in the back of the head and died instantly.

Frances Williams, the Friendlys’ 67-year-old cook and housekeeper, had just slipped a fish dinner into the warming oven. When the killer bore down on her in the kitchen, she dropped to her knees. A bullet to the head, fired point blank, ensured she died just as swiftly as her employer.

Ed Friendly wore a hearing aid. It is thought possible that, sitting in the bedroom, watching television and sipping a drink, he was unaware of the shots. He’d turned in his chair but had not risen to his feet when the killer struck a third time. Ed

Friendly was shot twice—in the chest and in the head.

Photos and papers were tossed around, pants pockets turned inside out. Nothing was taken, including the $400 in cash in plain view in a wallet. But something was left behind: shell casings on the floor of the hallway, kitchen and den. Those casings would prove crucial but not for more than 30 years, after waves of police work drew tantalizingly close to an arrest time and again. The casings held the clues.

The killer did one thing more in the house on Camino Del Sur: A man’s fedora was tossed over the face of Sophia Friendly. It was as if to deliver the message that her death held the most meaning.

No neighbor observed anything out of the ordinary; no one heard gunshots. A car could have easily glided down the dim, quiet, palm-lined street unnoticed, the smell of dust and fig groves in the arid breeze.

It was the first triple homicide in the history of Palm Springs.

The next afternoon, Friday the 13th, Suzanne Friendly, a 36-year-old ABC network television producer in Houston, had just finished working on a commercial for Battle of the Network Stars when the phone rang in the editing room.

Suzanne remembers, “Both of the men that ran the company were there, and one man was going, Oh, no! He hung up and said to the other guy, who was the vice president, Do you want to take a walk with me?” Suzanne turned to her group of co-workers and said, “They probably have a problem with the

POLICE: “IT WAS A HORRIFIC MURDER SCENE.”

promo for Battle of the Network Stars.”

The executives spoke in the hallway and then returned to the editing room. One of them, Jay Michaels, said to Suzanne, “We need to talk to you.”

She thought she’d made a mistake on the commercial reel, so she said, “Whatever it is, Jay, I can fix it.” Her boss guided her out of the room, touching her elbow, and cautioned, “I have some bad news for you. Your father.”

Ed Friendly had been scheduled for prostate surgery that day; his daughter, Suzanne, called him at home the previous night at 5 p.m. Houston time, to wish him luck, but no one answered the phone. “Oh my God, my father’s had a heart attack,” she said. And then, in a rush: “Oh please, don’t make me go down there. Let me do the show. My stepmother is—my stepmother is, you know, not a nice person. I just can’t be around her. She’ll be hysterical.”

“It’s your stepmother,” Suzanne’s employer said.

“My stepmother had a heart attack?” she responded.

“Well,” he said, and hesitated. “And the maid.”

“What are you telling me?” she asked, bewildered.

“They were all murdered.”

Suzanne Friendly remembers every word and gesture of how she was told of the deaths, but the rest of the day is a blur. She knows that she immediately flew to Los Angeles and was driven to Palm Springs, which is about 125 miles east. When she arrived, yellow crime-scene tape sealed the house. It wasn’t until the next day that she was permitted to enter and had the first of many conversations with police.

Suzanne learned that at 7:30 that Friday morning, the regular pool maintenance worker was beginning to clean the Friendlys’ pool when he noticed something eerily wrong through the window. What appeared to be a dead body lay in a pool of blood in the kitchen.

“It was a horrific murder scene,” says retired Palm Springs detective Tom Barton today, one of the scores of police who responded to the pool worker’s call. The Desert Sun reported that the three bodies were found in “grisly disarray” and that the warming oven containing their fish dinner was still on.

“I see them come and go, but everyone in this neighborhood pretty much keeps to themselves,” a neighbor was quoted. Others said they’d had cordial conversations with Ed Friendly about such problems as raccoons in the garbage. The Friendlys moved to Palm Springs in the early ’70s and bought the house in Vista Las Palmas in 1976.

Other than the shell casings ejected from the weapon, there was little if any physical evidence. Barton remembers that members of the local police department performed a three-block grid search looking for a weapon. Nothing.

It is axiomatic that the initial stage of a criminal investigation is crucial to solving a murder. The Riverside County District Attorney’s office took jurisdiction of the Friendly case. Police ruled out robbery as the motive. At first detectives focused on the background of Ed Friendly. His business ventures hadn’t always gone well. Ed came from a well-to-do family back East; his brother Alfred was the managing editor of The Washington Post. Ed was a realtor and a stockbroker. In California he was an executive at various racetracks, including one that burned down after he negotiated its sale. Maybe someone from one of Ed’s failed deals had a motive to come after him.

But interviews with Suzanne Friendly led detectives to look more closely at her stepmother. Sophia Friendly, the former Sophia Brownell, belonged to San Francisco society and was on the city’s Social Register. Ed was her second husband. For 24 years she was married to Curtis Wood Hutton, a nephew of Edward and Franklyn Hutton—the founders of E.F. Hutton—and a first cousin to the famous Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton, known in the press as the “poor little rich girl.” Sophia and Curtis had a son and daughter, Edward and Sophia, before divorcing. Police were very interested to learn there was bad blood between Sophia and her children. The acrimony was about money. There were accusations. A lawsuit. Estrangement.

Further investigation revealed the existence of inherited money. According to conversations with family members, Sophia Friendly was the beneficiary of multigenerational trust funds. Sophia’s ex-husband, Curtis Hutton, was the

Left: A portrait of Curtis Hutton in his World War II naval uniform; the trust was changed as a condition of his enlisting. Right: Curtis’s uncle E.F. Hutton and his second wife, heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post.

AMID RUMORS OF ADULTERY, EDNA HUTTON WAS FOUND DEAD IN HER PLA ZA HOTEL SUITE .

beneficiary of a $1 million trust fund awarded to him years earlier by Barbara Hutton, who considered him a favorite cousin. But there was a twist to the trust: If Curtis preceded her in death, Sophia would receive the money, not the children. Curtis’s son and daughter would inherit only if their mother died before their father.

There was more. Curtis Hutton, it seems, was terminally ill, so the matter of who died first was critically important to the inheritance. About three weeks prior to the murder of the Friendlys and their maid, the weakened Curtis had visitors in his home in Santa Barbara, California: his 39-yearold son, Edward, and a friend of Edward’s named Andreas Christensen. It was well known that Edward Hutton was under severe financial strain: stalled career, a bad divorce, mounting debts.

And while Edward visited with his father, he talked about guns.

Fortunes carved out long ago quite possibly set the stage for the tragedy on Camino Del Sur. They were quintessentially American fortunes, forged by people of determination, on the West Coast and the East. Many uppercrust descendants contend with divorce, neglect, infidelity and failure—even suicide. But hundreds of hours of interviews with members of the Hutton and Friendly families, with their friends and employees, and with police officers and forensics experts in three countries, reveal a lethal level of dysfunction. Something upped the ante from grudges and tensions to a pistol fired into the brains of three helpless old people.

Sophia Friendly, most likely the key to the triple murders, was the daughter of a respected San Francisco doctor, Edward Earle Brownell. Her inherited wealth came through her mother’s family, the Talbots.

Sophia was a descendant of Frederic Talbot, a true pioneer. On December 1, 1849, he arrived in San Francisco with his partner, Andrew Jackson Pope, by sea. They’d left their homes in East Machias, Maine, 51 days earlier, taking the harrowing route around Cape Horn. They were immune to gold fever, at its height, but alert to other opportunities created by vast natural resources and an influx of people. Talbot and Pope started a barge company and then moved into lumber. The partners purchased land in Oregon and built a mill on Puget Sound. Business exploded, with the lumber shipped to Japan, Australia, South America, China, Korea and Africa. By 1881, Pope and Talbot owned four sawmills, 19 ships and thousands of forested acres in the Pacific Northwest and Maine.

Sophia’s mother was a wealthy and socially prominent San Francisco matron who made sure her daughter had a brilliant society debut in 1924. A dainty and pretty copperhaired girl, Sophia wanted to be an actress and moved to New York City in her early twenties. She didn’t find a theatrical career. But she did find Curtis Hutton, nephew of the founders of E.F. Hutton.

The Hutton siblings were Edward Francis (E.F.), Franklyn Laws and Grace. E.F. and Franklyn achieved a tremendous amount through sheer hard work on Wall

Street. But they were also catapulted to the American stratosphere of East Coast society by marrying heiresses.

E.F. Hutton, who dropped out of school and worked in the mailroom of a securities firm at age 17, married Marjorie Merriweather Post. She was the only child of C.W. Post, the Midwesterner with chronic stomach problems who turned his idea for a cold breakfast cereal into the behemoth named General Foods. E.F. Hutton and Marjorie entertained widely and built some of the most spectacular houses in America, including Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, which was declared a National Landmark before Donald Trump bought it in 1985.

This would appear a hard marriage to top, but Franklyn Hutton seemed to have done that when he wed 20-year-old Edna Woolworth, one of three daughters of Frank Winfield Woolworth. F.W., as he was known, started out with $300 and two five-cent stores: one in Utica, New York, and the other in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. By 1911, the F.W. Woolworth Company had 596 stores; its owner had transformed American retail. Woolworth is credited with being the first to buy merchandise direct from the manufacturers and then set the prices himself; he also created self-service display cases so shoppers could look at goods without needing a salesperson. In 1913 he built the neo-Gothic Woolworth Building in Manhattan for $13.5 million—in cash—and it remained the tallest skyscraper in the world until 1930, when it was topped by the Chrysler Building.

When Franklyn met Edna, she was 17, shy and lovely. Their wedding was at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest on Fifth Avenue and 90th Street. Edna and Franklyn Hutton later moved into a fifth-floor suite at the Plaza Hotel. Their only child, Barbara, was born on November 14, 1912. But the marriage foundered. Barbara wrote of her mother many years later: “Like several other frustrated wives of the Plaza, she became a sad regular at the hotel bar, draping herself over the railing and asking the bartender in too loud a voice to guess when her husband had last slept with her.” Amid rumors of Hutton’s adultery, Edna, 27, was found dead on the floor of her Plaza suite, wearing a white lace dress embroidered with gold irises and a double strand of pearls. Some say a maid found the body; others that it was 5-year-old Barbara.

The New York Times reported, “According to New York City Coroner David Feinberg, who later asserted that an autopsy was unnecessary, death was due to a chronic ear disease.” The truth, according to biographies of Barbara Hutton, was that Edna Woolworth Hutton took a fatal dose of strychnine and her father paid the coroner’s office to cover it up. When a reporter later asked to see the files of the case, the coroner’s office said they had been “misplaced.” Those files were never found.

But what to do with little Barbara Hutton? At first she was placed with her grandparents, who lived in a 62-room Italian Renaissance mansion in Glen Cove, Long Island, and employed an army of servants, including 70 full-time gardeners. But F.W. died, and his widow, Jennie, was in the throes of dementia. Barbara was shipped off to live with her aunt Grace Hutton Wood in Altadena, a suburb of Los

Angeles. Barbara’s father later had them moved to a large estate in Burlingame, on the San Francisco peninsula. He saw little of her, although he carefully guarded and invested her fortune. By the time she turned 21, her father had reportedly increased her fortune to $24 million ($754 million in today’s dollars).

Barbara Hutton would squander that fortune, marry seven times (including to Cary Grant) and struggle with both addiction and the strain of being followed everywhere by reporters. It is said that when she died she had just $3,500 left. Barbara was famously—almost pathologically—generous, showering acquaintances with gifts. There were few people she was close to, but one of them is said to have been her older cousin Curtis, son of Grace. He was kind to the withdrawn and lonely girl.

Curtis’s father, Benjamin Wood, did not stay married to Grace Hutton very long; years after the divorce, Curtis switched his middle and last names and became Curtis Wood Hutton. He was a sportsman, good at polo, and worked briefly as a stuntman in Hollywood. Later he moved to the East Coast, where he met Sophia Brownell.

After Curtis and Sophia were married, Barbara Hutton gave her cousin the $1 million trust. The trust income went to Curtis throughout his lifetime; when he died it would be liquidated and paid out to his children. Curtis bought a ranch near Santa Barbara and lived quietly with his family.

But in 1941, Curtis, then 41 years old, wanted to serve his country in World War II. Sophia would agree to his enlisting only if her husband signed an irrevocable agreement that, upon his death, the Barbara Hutton Trust income would go to her so she could support herself and their children. If she pre-deceased him, the original inheritance would stand and the children would inherit. Curtis agreed, and the clause was signed on January 9, 1942.

Despite Curtis’s coming back from the war alive, the agreement could not legally be changed. This might not have caused a problem except for the fact that in 1951, Curtis and Sophia Hutton divorced.

According to relatives, Sophia was a distant mother who relied on nannies to take care of the children. Nonetheless, after the divorce, the two youngsters moved with their mother to San Francisco, to live in a townhouse at 2507 Broadway purchased by Curtis. The townhouse was in the children’s names, but Sophia had the right to dwell there for the rest of her life. Also helping out the family was Sophia’s mother, who some believed had a reported $12 million inherited fortune. (In 1953, Sophia married Ed Friendly, himself divorced and the father of Suzanne and Tony.)

Sophia and Curti’s son, Edward Hutton, attended prep schools, followed by Columbia University. Numerous interviews paint a portrait of a bear-sized man (six-foot-five and more than 250 pounds) with a taste for luxury. He married Columbia classmate Caroline DuBois in 1963.

But he could not hold a job. Despite being the grandnephew of the Hutton brothers, he was hired and fired from 12 different brokerage firms between 1964 and 1977. In the early1970s, Edward and his young family moved to London, where he continued to struggle financially. At the

Clockwise, from top left) Edward Hutton in top hat, with his wife, Caroline, celebrate with friends; Sophia and Ed Friendly, on right, are greeted at a society function; Ed Friendly and his daughter, Suzanne; Sophia Friendly.

end of 1976, his marriage ended.

It has been widely reported that 1977 was a turning point in the tense and tangled lives of the Huttons, Friendlys and Brownells. Suzanne admits that her father was seen as the “scoundrel” of the extended Friendly family. This view was echoed by others. “The Friendlys ran out of money,” Sophia’s brother, William Brownell, later told the San Francisco Chronicle “They were more or less living off my mother while she was alive.” The San Francisco townhouse did not belong to Sophia; it was in her children’s names. In the early ’70s, she arranged for the children to sign over rights to the property so that she could sell it. She then used the proceeds to put a down payment on her first house in Palm Springs. Edward and his sister, Sophia Merrill, complained and pressed for some share of the sale of the house. Their mother refused. Ed Friendly warned his stepchildren that if they continued to protest, they would be disinherited. Instead of backing off, the younger Sophia sued her mother. In 1977, Sophia Friendly had a codicil added to her will disinheriting her two children. “My sister’s relationship with her children was never satisfactory,” William Brownell said in the same newspaper story. “She wasn’t the motherly type at all. And she was extremely selfish.”

Edward Hutton, who has declined interview requests in the past, confirmed to DuJour that there was animosity. In one of two e-mails to this writer, Hutton said, “My relationship with my mother at the time of her death was somewhat strained because she and my stepfather swindled my sister and I out of the proceeds from the sale of our San Francisco home…We subsequently found out that she used that money to pay off [gambling] debts of our stepfather.”

Edward Hutton also confirms he met a man named Andreas Christensen in London in the 1970s. Although it is difficult to piece together Christensen’s background, Caroline Hutton, Edward’s ex-wife, now says, “Andreas had met Ed in one of the pubs of London. They became thick as thieves. Andreas always had stories of his adventures either in one business or another or his time working as a mercenary. He would also have a number of passports. He was dating a lovely woman named Katja Nielsen and, as I would later learn, he took her for quite a bit of money. Katja worked while neither Ed nor Andreas had a steady job. Every morning the two of them would walk her dogs for her while she was at work.”

(Andreas Christensen did not respond to numerous attempts to interview him for this story.)

In 1978, Edward Hutton, heavily in debt, returned to the United States, leaving his children, Virginia and Teddy, behind in London with his ex-wife. Custody disputes raged. “He was broke and owed money to everyone,” Caroline said. Hutton ended up in Houston, vaguely connected to a new French restaurant called La Seule Etoile. In 1978, Texas Monthly magazine ran the following item:

“If you order quail or veal at Houston’s new Le Seule Etoile (the Lone Star) restaurant, chances are it will be prepared by E.F. Hutton. This is not the E.F. Hutton but the great-nephew of the millionaire stockbroker and a partowner of the restaurant, which he opened in July after ‘travelling all over the world as a professional eater and drinker.’ On the way, he picked up a few trade secrets from European chefs. When E.F. Hutton cooks, people eat.”

In September of 1978, Andreas Christensen arrived in Houston. Two weeks later, the two men flew to Los Angeles, rented a Ford sedan and drove to Santa Barbara.

Edward Hutton had gotten a call from his sister. Their father, Curtis Hutton, was dying.

In Palm Springs, in the weeks after the murders of Sophia and Ed Friendly and Frances Williams, the police detectives, learning of the various trust funds, were pushing forward on several fronts. Barton says, “We enlisted the help of one of the young detectives on the squad. He was a college grad and knew how to use computers. Within a day he had put together a six-foot-long flow chart of the Brownell and Hutton families and their family histories and trusts. We quickly dispatched detectives to San Francisco to interview members of the Brownell family and four detectives to Santa Barbara to interview Curtis Hutton and his daughter Sophia.” Edward Hutton was located in Houston, and Barton personally flew there to interview him.

Sophia Merrill says today: “I had called my brother Edward to let him know that our father was gravely ill and that I was helping take care of him and I thought that he should come and visit. A week or so later he arrives in Santa Barbara with this strange man he had not mentioned before. His name was Andreas Christensen, and he was in-

city, Johnny Donovan. They headed for Le Seule Etoile, which actually belonged to a man named Henry Kelsey. Hutton had functioned as a sommelier for his friend. But Kelsey was disenchanted—later it was alleged that Hutton sold bottles of wine at inflated prices to customers and pocketed the money. (According to Hutton, “Mr. Kelsey and I had a difference on opinion on running a restaurant.”)

Kelsey told detectives that a month earlier Hutton had introduced him to Christensen in the restaurant. He was astounded when the Danish man asked him to purchase a gun. Kelsey emphasized to police, “Needless to say, I refused.”

Kelsey suggested that police interview the maître d’, David St. John, and the head waiter, Antonio Garrido. Barton remembers the 21-year-old St. John as a courteous and good-looking former college soccer player. “The kid was a bit hesitant,” he remembers. Still, they formed a bond. St. John “was talking to me about what it was like to be a detective, and he’s thinking that he might want to one day be an FBI agent or detective. I gave him my card and

troduced to us as a good friend of Edward’s from his time in London. They had supposedly worked together, but at what was something of a mystery.”

Christensen made the family uneasy. He “was scary and cold as ice,” Sophia Merrill says. “The first day of their visit, Edward, with Christensen standing right there, asks my ill father if he can have his gun collection. Without saying it, he meant after my father dies. It was terrible. This did not please my father, and I thought it was insensitive and horrible. We had an uncomfortable fish dinner at the Biltmore, one of the more fashionable restaurants in Santa Barbara. During dinner I asked Christensen why he had dyed what looked like blond hair to a darker color. It was a steel color and looked all shiny. He gave me some excuse that he was going to a Halloween party or some such nonsense.”

(In the e-mail sent this year, Hutton says, “Andreas Christensen never communicated nor saw my father, never entered his home, nor did he or I ever discuss his gun collection.”)

To continue his murder investigation, Barton flew to Houston and was met by a young homicide detective of that

told him to call me if he wanted to talk about that or anything else. It turned out to be a good move.”

With St. John, the police struck pay dirt. The maître d’ said Hutton and Christensen told him they both belonged to a prestigious gun club in London and that Christensen wanted to purchase a .45-caliber handgun to add to his collection. The problem was that as a foreigner he could not legally purchase a weapon. Hutton explained that you needed a valid Texas driver’s license to purchase a gun but he had not been issued one yet. Garrido said they prevailed on him to buy the gun for them. Garrido went with Christensen to a pawnshop and confirmed that he bought one but was unsure of details.

Shortly after the triple homicide, detectives had put out a wanted-for-questioning alarm for Christensen, but he’d quietly left the country. The detectives contacted Interpol and put Christensen on their wanted list.

Edward Hutton, though, was interviewed twice by detectives in Houston. Hutton had proof that on September 25 he’d flown back to Texas and not left. He initially said he met Christensen at the Los Angeles International Airport

The Hutton family in happier times. (From left) Teddy, Caroline, Virginia and Edward.

“THE FAMILY DESERVES AN EXPLANATION TO WHY THIS CASE WAS DROPPED.”

when he was on his way to visit his father. “At first he also lied about taking Christensen to Santa Barbara to meet his father, but later admitted he did it,” Barton said. “The detective working with me quickly established that Hutton did indeed have a Texas driver’s license.”

Hutton agreed to a third interview with police, when he was supposed to voluntarily take a polygraph test. But Hutton did not show up at the appointed time.

Barton flew back to California. There the next breakthrough came: A woman forensics expert identified the murder weapon as a Spanish-made Star PD .45-caliber pistol. According to Barton’s former partner, detective Fred Donnell, “It surprised me that there was only one manufacturer at that time that manufactured the right-to-left or left-to-right twist. All the others were the other way, so that narrowed down to what brand or model the gun was.” (When a bullet is fired from a handgun it spins either right or left. The spin creates marks on the recovered bullet that establishes what spin is being used.) With the bullets and shell casings in hand, the expert was also able to establish that the bullets were .45-caliber hollow point CCI Speer ammunition.

On October 26, 1978, Curtis Hutton died in Santa Barbara at the age of 77. Within months, Edward Hutton and Sophia Merrill split the Barbara Hutton trust, which had grown to $1.3 million. They also inherited trust money from their mother’s side of the family that could not be altered by any will codicil. It was money from the same trust that was funded by the Pacific Northwest lumber empire of Frederic Talbot. A recent trust statement of Edward Hutton’s indicates that he still receives approximately $96,000 a year from his mother’s family’s trust.

Detective Barton also received an important phone call from David St. John, who admitted he had not been completely candid when they interviewed him in Houston. St. John now said he was absolutely sure the weapon that Garrido had purchased for Christensen was a .45-caliber handgun and the place he bought it was the Bellaire gun shop just outside of Houston.

The case was hurtling toward arrests, police believed. The Houston authorities spoke with the gun-shop owner and confirmed Garrido’s purchase. There was a receipt of sale. To complete the case in Palm Springs, the receipt would have to be obtained and the shop owner interviewed.

But in the first of several serious setbacks to the case, Barton’s superior officer said he had spent too much of the county’s money already and refused to allow him to return to Houston. He was told to ask one of his superior officer’s FBI golfing buddies to pick up the receipt. It took the FBI two months to get the document.

A couple of months later, there was another significant death.

A friend of Edward Hutton’s who lived on Manhattan’s Upper East Side named Enid Jones-McSherry remembers that in February 1979, she received a call from the Houston police asking to speak to Edward. He was indeed staying with Enid and her late husband, Jack, and she handed him the phone.

The police had news: David St. John had been found

dead in the bathtub of Edward Hutton’s Houston apartment. When told the news over the phone, Hutton “did not seem concerned,” said Enid Jones McSherry.

(In the second e-mail to the author, Hutton says that when David St. John died, “I was in London with my children,” and St. John was staying in the Houston apartment “so it couldn’t be robbed.”)

Barton said, “Houston detective Johnny Donovan calls me all heartbroken and apologetic. St. John had been found dead in Hutton’s apartment over the weekend and the uniforms treated it as just an overdose. They had not checked about his being a potential witness in a murder investigation. It was hard to believe that this strong, healthy kid would die from a combination of booze and cocaine in Hutton’s apartment.”

Incredibly, Garrido, the headwaiter, died not long after St. John. The young man who told police he purchased a .45 pistol for Christensen was gunned down by a hitchhiker he picked up on a drive to Arkansas. The murderer was caught and given a 50-year sentence.

And so, a year after the murders of Ed and Sophia Friendly and Frances Williams, when the family and press were impatiently awaiting arrests, there were none. Riverside County prosecutors did not lodge charges. The key witnesses to the gun purchase were both dead. There was no murder weapon in the possession of the police. Christensen had disappeared.

But on June 19, 1981, Detective Fred Donnell received a phone call that changed everything. It was from Interpol. Danish police just arrested an Alfred Borg in a bank robbery. But that wasn’t the man’s real name. It was Andreas Christensen.

Denmark is ahead of the curve in environmental protection. In 1981 it was a violation to leave a car motor on and let it idle for more than five minutes. And so a passerby called police to report a car sitting outside a bank in a Copenhagen suburb with its motor on, a woman standing next to it. The responding officer caught Christensen as he emerged from the bank. He and the woman, a native of Zimbabwe, were charged with robbery.

Detectives Barton and Donnell flew to Copenhagen to interview Christensen. He spoke freely for two days, appearing very relaxed and sure of himself. “He mouthed off to me a few times as though he were a tough guy, but I would not let him get away with that,” Barton said. Amazingly, Christensen admitted to having the gun in Houston and to visiting Curtis Hutton in Santa Barbara with his friend Edward. He said he no longer had the gun because he broke it down and threw the pieces from a moving train in Austria. Christensen also admitted to being in Los Angeles two days before the murders, ostensibly for some import-export business. He said it was possible that he was in Palm Springs on October 12, 1978, and that he had gone there to see a young woman—the daughter of actor Robert Stack. (Stack and his daughter denied meeting Christensen.)

But as with the interviews of Hutton, cooperation abruptly stopped. The next time detectives tried to speak

to Christensen, he refused. There was to be no jailhouse confession.

Independent investigation revealed hair-raising details about Christensen. He had spent the last few years in Zimbabwe as a mercenary. Barton flew back to the U.S., but Donnell pressed on to South Africa. According to reports in the San Francisco Chronicle, a former girlfriend led the police officer to a cave that Christensen used. There they found hand grenades, explosive mines, weapons and, most importantly, CCI Speer .45-caliber ammunition. The ex-girlfriend remembered Christensen writing letters to someone in Houston—she did not know the name—demanding payment of $150,000.

When detectives and prosecutors regrouped in Palm Springs, they decided to prosecute both Edward Hutton (remarried and still living in Texas) and Andreas Christensen. The Danish court went ahead and formally charged Christensen with the three murders in California. Christensen applied to become a Danish citizen again because the country would not allow the extradition of an accused person to a country that carried the death penalty.

But then there was a change of course. Despite nearly three years of work by the detectives as well as the help of the Danish, English and Zimbabwean authorities, the prosecutor’s office pulled the plug on the investigation. The suspected reason: money problems in Riverside County. Tiny Palm Springs is wealthy, but vast Riverside Country is not. The fourth most populous county in California, Riverside stretches from Orange County to the Arizona border. “It’s blue collar,” says a police officer. Budgets are strained. Sources say that the authorities feared a multiple-defendant first-degree murder trial involving extradition from a foreign country would bankrupt the county. In 1971 the Manson Family murder trial, which involved multiple homicides and multiple defendants, cost the state of California nearly $1 million. And it could not be denied that the Friendly murder case had weaknesses: no witnesses, no weapon, no confessions and circumstantial evidence.

Furious, the Danish dropped their murder charges and Andreas Christensen was prosecuted only for bank robbery.

The Palm Springs case lay dormant. Murders do not have a statute of limitation and remain categorized as open. After serving several years, Christensen was released and lived in Denmark, keeping a low profile. Edward Hutton left the United States in the mid-1980s and took up residence in Brazil. If the Palm Springs case ever progressed to arrests, there needed to be two extraditions from foreign countries.

The inability to make arrests in the Palm Springs murders haunt the police who spent years investigating it, including Fred Donnell. “I was working Monday through Friday, and then on Saturday and Sunday I was still working on it. I’d bring stuff home,” says Donnell. “I’ll take it to my grave.”

In 1986, Hutton’s teenage son, Teddy, committed suicide. Hutton did not help pay for the funeral, says Caroline Hutton, who has waged legal battles seeking child support for years. In 2006, Edward Hutton, as part of the disputes,

wrote a Connecticut judge a letter saying, “I am presently 67 years of age, retired and living in Mexico.” He is deeply estranged from Virginia, who sent him an anguished letter, “Do you recall the time that Teddy and I did not see you for four years? We called you and called you and said we wanted to see you; you made lame excuses… You know nothing about me. How tall am I now? Who are my friends?”

The Friendly family could not heal, either. Tony Friendly, the son of Ed Friendly, told the San Francisco Chronicle in 1995, “There’s not a day that I haven’t thought about this. My father and I were at odds when he died—we were on bad terms. So when he suddenly died it was an open-ended thing… I think that if he had lived, there would have been a reconciliation. We would have resolved our problems.”

The Palm Springs murders haunt not only family and police but also journalists. In 2006, former San Francisco Chronicle reporter Michael Taylor, who has written the most in-depth stories of the murders, contacted the newly elected district attorney of Riverside Country, Rod Pacheco. He suggested the DA’s office reopen the case. Pacheco, after getting up to speed, assigned it to assistant district attorney Bill Mitchell, considered one of the best homicide prosecutors in California. Mitchell says now, “Under California law, it is easy to file charges against someone in a case, but for old cases, unless the DA can produce new evidence that was not available years ago, the defense can have the case thrown out. We did not want that to happen here.”

Pacheco assigned the Friendly murders to veteran Riverside investigator Richard Twiss. Remarkably, Twiss was able to come up with a tantalizing potential new source of evidence linking the murderer to the 1978 crimes. Dr. John W. Bond, a British chemistry professor, created a procedure for lifting prints off metal objects. “When someone loads bullets into a gun, very often the sweat on the fingers is transferred to the bullet,” explains Dr. Bond. “When the gun is fired, the heat from the explosion etches the print

like a tattoo on the shell casing.”

Hoping that the shell casings found on the floor of the Palm Springs house could undergo these tests, police sent them to Dr. Bond. Success. “I was able to lift a number of good prints,” he confirms, “but they are believed to be primarily the sides of someone’s fingertips,” an area not usually captured. Authorities have Christensen’s prints, but they need to do a new and thorough, side-to-side inking to determine a match.

A critical piece of evidence on who murdered Sophia and Ed Friendly and Frances Williams—the sort of evidence that brings indictments—was literally at hand. Authorities had information that Christensen lived outside Copenhagen under an alias. Informal efforts were made to try to acquire new prints, but no formal request was ever made by the Riverside County authorities to the Danish government.

In 2010, Pacheco lost the election to become district attorney and the new DA, Paul Zellerbach, reportedly fired Mitchell and took Twiss off the case. Momentum has been lost again. Zellerbach’s spokesperson, John Hall, refuses to say whether the county’s fiscal problems were the reason for nothing being accomplished. In the latest phone call, Hall said, “At this time the case remains open. There is not enough evidence at this point to file any criminal charges. As with any open case, should further information or evidence develop, we would then review that evidence for a possible criminal filing decision.”

In the years since her boss led her out into a hallway to tell her that her father was murdered, Suzanne Friendly has had a full and successful career in television. She retired from Warner Brothers Television a decade ago and works part time. But she is still troubled by the lack of answers.

“I cannot believe that after all these years the two men suspected of murdering my father and stepmother have never been brought into a court to face the charges,” she says.

“Where is the justice?”

Caroline Hutton, who now lives in Connecticut, wrote a letter to California Governor Jerry Brown in the spring of this year: “Sophia Friendly was my mother-in-law, and I represent her granddaughter, Virginia Hutton, who wrote several letters in February to various agencies but has received no replies. I think the family deserves an explanation for why this case has been dropped—if it has. And if it has not, where it stands now.” California’s deputy attorney general, Sabrina Y. Lanerwin, replied in a letter that “California law gives discretionary authority to a locally elected prosecutor in filing criminal charges. The decision calls for consideration of the prospects of obtaining a conviction against a particular defendant.”

But perhaps the most haunting letter of all was sent in December of 1976, two years before the murders on Camino Del Sur in Palm Springs. It was written to Edward Hutton by his father, Curtis Hutton, the man whose longago kindness to a motherless little rich girl earned him a $1 million trust fund that, in the end, shattered the lives of so many people.

“Dear Edward:

This is probably one of the hardest letters I have ever had to write to you. You, as my son, I love very much but as a man I cannot say you have amounted to much. Nearly 38 years old and no steady job with certainly no future to look forward to…Take a look at your own life. What have you accomplished in these past years? You have squandered money trying to be and live like a big shot….You must change your ways and improve your standard of living if you expect any inheritance from me. You must demonstrate your ability to be a good father and one that can be relied upon to contribute to the financial welfare of your children.

With love and good luck my son. ”

Any reply that Edward Hutton may have made to his father is unknown.

1940: Barbara Hutton, the heiress to a fortune, watches a tennis match in Palm Beach, Florida. She married Cary Grant two years after this picture was taken.

A L E A G U E O F

EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN

SIX EXCEPTIONAL ACTOR S DISCUSS A LIFETIME ON SCREEN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY T HOMA S WHITE SIDE WRITTEN BY A DAM R ATHE

SIR MICHAEL C AINE

The Dark Knight Rises

OCT O BER 17, 2012

C AINE RESIDENCE, L O ND ON

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CHRISTOPHER WALKEN

A Late Quartet, Stand Up Guys

OCT O BER 28, 2012

WALKEN

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MICHAEL C AINE

Growing up in London, Michael Caine wasn’t set on acting. The now-iconic British star frequented a youth center to play basketball and, one day on his way to practice, he made an important discovery. “I passed the door to the dramatic society, which had a window in it,” Caine says. “I could see all the prettiest girls were there, so I joined.”

Although Caine, 79, went on to win Oscars and Golden Globes and even to become a knight, he’s still tickled by the initial impetus for what would become his life’s work. “I figured if I was in enough scenes, I would eventually kiss a girl,” Caine recalls with a laugh. “And I did. I kissed all of them.”

Outside of class, Caine worked in a butter factory and took small roles, often playing a servant—a skill that would come in handy later on. Caine’s role as Alfred in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy saw him take a butler character to the limits of his duty and gave the actor— who shot to fame as the titular playboy in the 1966 romp Alfie —a whole new generation of admirers.

“The other day I was walking along Piccadilly and a group of 12-year-old Japanese girls recognized me as Alfred,” he says. “I was standing there surrounded, having my picture taken, and people were wondering why all these children were interested in an old Englishman.”

RAY L IOTTA

Ray Liotta was glad to take a punch. In the bloody hit man dramedy Killing Them Softly, 57-year-old Liotta sees his fair share of fisticuffs, but not in the way moviegoers might expect from him. When his character is framed for a stickup, he ends up taking a prolonged pounding from a pair of toughs. “That was one of the things I liked about it,” Liotta says with a laugh. “Usually I’m the one who’s doing the beating.”

Liotta is best known for thuggish roles in films like Goodfellas and Cop Land, but he’s adamant that there’s more to him. “I’ve done so many movies now that it’s impossible for people to watch every one,” he says. “I’ve played a lot of other parts, but the bad guys really stand out.”

And they’ll continue to. In the upcoming The Place Beyond The Pines, Liotta plays a rotten cop who terrorizes Bradley Cooper and in The Iceman, he takes on the role of a mob boss opposite Chris Evans. “You might be established as a certain type, but every actor out there can do something different,” he says. “The ironic thing is I’ve never even been in a fight.”

A LAN AR KIN

Even as the funniest guy in one of the year’s most lauded films, Alan Arkin doesn’t think humor is a laughing matter. “If I had to pick a pocket of things I like to do, it would be comedy that’s about something and has an underlying statement,” he says. “Comedy tends to be overlooked as a serious form, but can have as much substance and traction as anything else.”

He singles out his classic, midcentury work like The In-Laws and The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming as prime examples. “I feel the same about Argo,” Arkin says. “People keep talking about what the film’s about, but to me what underlies it is a situation that could have been an international conflagration of enormous proportions, which was solved through ingenuity and imagination and without a shot being fired. That to me is the miracle of the film.”

Arkin’s hopes are similarly high for upcoming projects, including Stand Up Guys, a geriatric gangsters comedy costarring Al Pacino and Christopher Walken, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone with Steve Carrell and Jim Carrey, and a sequel to his 2011 book Alan Arkin: An Improvised Life

At 78, he’s working steadily and relishing it. “I used to think that acting was serious business and I had to be miserable, but then I started having a good time,” Arkin says. “That doesn’t mean I’m not doing the work, but it means I want the work to be enjoyable.”

CH RISTOP H ER WALKEN

Christopher Walken isn’t known for milquetoast roles. The 69-year-old actor, famed for oddball parts and an occasionally unnerving elocution, has played everything from a throat-slitting sadist in The Comfort of Strangers to a onehanded man bent on revenge in the 2010 Broadway play A Behanding in Spokane And while Walken’s also capable of wicked comedy, these days he’s playing slightly cuddlier characters.

“For a long time, I looked younger than I was,” Walken says. “And then I got to a certain age where I started to get parts for fathers and uncles and grandfathers. It’s opening a new path.”

So far, it’s serving him well. Walken’s recent A Late Quartet finds him playing an ailing cellist in a posh Manhattan string troupe alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener. Up next, Stand Up Guys features him as a grandfather—well, a hit-man grandfather—learning to make amends.

“Actors who get to work and make a living over a long stretch of time, they’re fortunate,” Walken says. “To be viable over a period of time, you have to be good at what you do, but you also have to be lucky.”

Whether the new spate of nice-guy parts will stick to Hollywood’s consummate creep is anyone’s guess.

“That’s been a quality of my career: I never know what I’m going to do next,” Walken says. “There are actors who know what they’re doing a year from now. I’ve never known.” Perhaps that’s what has kept his work fresh, funny and frightening for all these years.

DUSTIN HOFFMAN

If working in front of the camera for almost five decades seems preparation enough to take a turn behind the machine, it’s not. “What surprised me after doing this for 45 years is how much directors keep from an actor,” says Dustin Hoffman, whose first film as a director, Quartet, comes out in January. “It’s like war: you can prepare, but nothing goes according to plan.”

While Hoffman—who’s worked with greats like Mike Nichols, Barry Levinson and Hal Ashby—has directed theater and benefitted from a cast including Maggie Smith and Michael Gambon, helming this touching, slyly funny story set inside a home for retired musicians was still a challenge. “Suddenly you’re in the middle of a scene and don’t know why you thought it was so important,” says Hoffman, a young-looking 75. “Many directors don’t like to admit when they’ve been wrong, but actors welcome it. At one point, Maggie Smith said to me, ‘I don’t know what the fuck this scene is about,’ and I said, ‘You’re right, I don’t either.’”

Hoffman’s gimlet-eyed direction did the trick. Quartet garnered critical praise and standing ovations on the festival circuit and is a strong first step in a new direction. Not that Hoffman himself will concede that point. Asked if he was thrilled with the film’s success so far, he cracked, “Not really. I keep waiting for God’s other shoe to drop.”

HUGO WEAVING

There are two types of people who recognize Hugo Weaving. “If I was in Sydney and bumped into someone who goes to the theater a lot, they would know me from the opera house,” says the celebrated Australian actor, who seems to specialize in intellectual stage work and massive blockbusters. “But a majority of people would know me as Agent Smith.”

At the time of this interview, Weaving, 52, was indeed most recognizable for his role as the hard-to-kill G-man in The Matrix Trilogy But that was before Cloud Atlas In the film, directed by Matrix masterminds Lana and Andy Wachowski, Weaving plays six different characters—including one that isn’t male and one that isn’t even human. For Weaving, whose next big project is Peter Jackson’s new Hobbit trilogy, the challenge was thrilling. “Any character you do is complex,” he says. “It’s always a little scary, and if it’s not why would you want to do it.”

And as far as taking on roles that endear him to either Sydney’s theatergoers or multiplex hordes, Weaving is at peace with his fate. “I think everyone is pigeonholed and that’s fine,” he says. “As long as I can keep creating and being excited by the material I’m working on, I’ll be forever grateful.”

RAHM 2.0

THE SCREAMING R AHMBO OF WASHINGTON DAYS IS GONE, REPLACED BY T HE SMOO TH C HICAGO MAYOR. BUT HE HASN’ T LOS T ALL HIS COMBAT IVENESS—ASK T HE T EACHERS. ST ILL, T HE MAN W HO’S WORKED IN THE W HI T E HOUSE SAYS T HIS JOB IS T HE BES T HE’S EVER HAD. NI NA BURLEIGH CATCHES UP WIT H RAHM EMANU E L.

PHO T OGRAPHED BY J IM NEW BERRY

It’s 7 A.M. on Columbus Day, and the block-square gray mass of city hall on LaSalle Street is battened down for the holiday. “City Hall is Closed” reads a sign hanging on the main doors. Inside, deep in the marble gloaming, a pair of Chicago police officers is chatting and apparently ignoring this writer, the out-of-town visitor with an appointment at the mayor’s office trying all the locks. Finally, I find the single unlocked door and step inside.

Five floors up, light leaks into a dark hallway from the sage green lobby of the Chicago mayor’s office. One wall is covered with a perfect rectangle of 45 framed black-and-white portraits of all the men—and one woman—who’ve led Chicago. Well, almost all of them. Current mayor Rahm Emanuel isn’t there; neither is his immediate predecessor, Richie Daley, who held the job for 22 years. A police officer says it’s because no one has yet figured out how to rearrange that symmetrical grid and add them in.

There’s also been more pressing business in the mayor’s office lately. Like balancing a budget for a city that’s $750 million in the hole. Like hosting NATO in full security lockdown. Like wrangling with the striking teachers union, the third largest in the nation. And like creating partnerships with corporate America.

That’s what happening here this morning. A gaggle of corporate bigwigs is gathered around a TV—they’re the three CEOs from the major soft-drink companies, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Dr Pepper Snapple Group. Their eyes are all fixed on Morning Joe, in which Mayor Emanuel and Susan K. Neely, the CEO of the American Beverage Association, are being patched in from Chicago via studio remote to talk to Joe’s Mika Brzezinski and Mike Barnicle in New York City.

The mayor is on the air to announce that Chicago city employees (and their spouses) are in a health and weightloss competition with their counterparts in San Antonio, Texas. The contest is sponsored by the American Beverage Association, which will pony up $5 million to the winning city. Emanuel is crowing that 38,000 Chicago employees have already signed up, but the Morning Joe anchors aren’t so interested. They want Rahmbo, as practically everyone in politics still calls him, to comment on the disastrous showing by President Barack Obama in the recent first debate. Emanuel is, after all, Obama’s former chief of staff and former campaign cochair and is now actively involved in a super-PAC raising money for the president’s reelection.

“The 38,000 participants in Chicago’s wellness program, municipal employees, is it mandatory they join?” asks Barnicle. “The second part is the 38,000—is that number approximately close to the number [of calls] you received from horrified Democrats like me wondering what happened in the debate?”

Old Rahmbo might have snapped up that bait and seized a moment on national TV to yank and spin it hard.

But the new Rahm? Mayor Emanuel of Chicago? Not going there.

“Competition is our middle name,” he says with a smirk.

“Yeah, especially Rahm’s,” Brzezinski responds. “The companies that are on your board are very much part of the obesity crisis because people drink too much of them. That’s fair to put on the table, right?”

CEOs. The reporters listen as the execs and Emanuel speak about the competition. The first thing you notice about the mayor is that he likes to talk in numbered lists, even if the ideas he’s listing don’t always flow logically into one another.

“If you put aside personal responsibility, you are missing the core ingredient from improving health-care outcomes,” he says. “Since I believe in personal responsibility, and this is one of the key ingredients to improving outcomes and controlling health-care costs, then you have a campaign built on that premise. One, you get a cash bonus, and the cities get a cash bonus too. Two, we have 80 percent participation in our employee wellness program. Nobody else has that. And three, lastly, if you participate, all you have to do is try. Look, all you have to do is try! You don’t have to get a result. If you do that, you are financially held harmless.”

Now it’s question time. Veteran city hall correspondent Fran Spielman pipes up with the first one, which is rhetorical: “Obviously, what’s in it for the beverage industry is to avoid what New York did with the Big Gulp ban and the sugar tax here in Chicago.”

Rahm cedes that query to beverage association head Neely, in heels and a blazing orange ice-skater-ish dress, who stands at least a head taller than the mayor and who’s been chomping at the bit.

“This industry is about leadership!” she punts. “We believe that there is an obesity challenge in this country, and we have been on the record doing meaningful things for many years now.” She rattles off a round of statistics about how “study after study” has shown that “discriminatory taxes don’t change behavior.”

Rahmbo remains on message. He smiles, a rubbery grin that’s mostly Joker with a hint of teddy bear. He won’t get mad. But he just might get even.

Just outside the room where the CEOs are watching television, the city hall press corps is reporting for duty. Columbus Day is a reliably slow news day that once would have required them to do nothing more than follow the mayor and other city pols as they gladhanded parading Italian-Americans.

That’s not happening this morning. Reporters slide into their seats, grumbling. It’s a holiday, for chrissakes! “Not for this mayor,” one writer snaps. Jokes are made about how Emanuel may be “alienating Italians” by not marching in the parade.

Then movement. Nine TV cameras zoom in; newspaper and radio reporters simultaneously click on their digital recorders. A door behind the podium swings open, and out comes the 52-year-old Emanuel, all 5 feet 7 inches of him, in a navy suit, leading the soda

The mayor waits, then steps in. He oozes reason, while occasionally stumbling over his sentences—a tic he shares with almost every other Chicago mayor in recent memory.

“Fran, I would just say, look, the country as a whole, our city, we have, which is why Michelle Obama has focused appropriately on obesity, we have a problem, and kids are now developing type 2 diabetes. We have to come up with strategies to deal with it. I believe firmly in personal responsibility. I believe in competition, and I believe in cash rewards for people who make progress managing their health care. If they make progress, city taxpayers will also make progress.”

He takes a few more questions and uses the opportunity to extol his city employee wellness program, a voluntary program that requires people to lose weight and make preventive healthcare changes. They can fail, he insists, but they just have to try. And if they don’t try, well, their co-pays will go up.

“Why should anyone sign up if they risk their co-pay going up?” asks a reporter.

Rahm’s got an answer to that. Sort of.

“You should take note that they know that, and still we got 80 percent participation.”

Asking him about the issues of the day is the reporters’ job. But Emanuel seems to view answering them, though, as not necessarily being in his job description. Sometimes, when he bounds into a press conference, he’ll gleefully quote Henry Kissinger: “Anybody got questions for my answers?” The newshounds are, of course, wise to his wriggling. One city hall scribe says, “Daley used to use us more to get his message out, but this mayor thinks it’s his job to manipulate us.”

Outside, downtown Chicago’s skyline sparkles under a gorgeous autumn sky. This isn’t the Chicago of stockyards and corned beef and broad shoulders, and it hasn’t been for a while. It’s cutting-edge chef Grant Achatz’s Chicago, gleaming Millennium Park Chicago, a city of triathletes (the mayor is one) and lakefront cyclists. At least, that’s the view looking north. To the south, there are nearly 150 public schools without libraries and a recordhigh murder rate in the poor neighborhoods.

Politically, it’s a new era too. Before Emanuel was sworn in on May 16, 2011, the city had been run by a dynasty of Daleys for five decades, with an interregnum in the 1970s

In his brief time on the job, Emanuel has faced a city in debt and a teacher’s strike.

“HOW DO YOU GET PEOPLE TO MAKE CHANGE WHERE THEY DON’T THINK THEY’RE LOSING. THAT’S WHAT I LEARNED FROM PRESIDENTS CLINTON AND OBAMA.”

and 1980s. The city survived the epic decline of the urban Rust Belt due to its great economic diversity—no sector of employment is greater than 13 percent of the total. Along the way, the Windy City matured, entered the new century and left behind some treasured traditions. One change, initiated just before Emanuel arrived, is that there’s no downtown Columbus Day parade. All the floats and streamers, baton twirlers, marching bands, oldworld maids dancing the tarantella and elderly men with red-white-and-green Italian flag sashes are mustering on a street way out of sight of city hall.

New Chicago—yuppie, ethnic, prosperous but still no bullshit—is Emanuel’s town. He lived here until fourth grade, when his family moved north to the suburb of Wilmette. Born to an Israeli father and a mother whose parents escaped from Romania before World War II, he has three brothers and a sister. All three Emanuel boys grew up to be wildly successful. Younger brother Ari is a powerful Hollywood agent who inspired the crass, hyperactive dealmaker who was played by Jeremy Piven on HBO’s Entourage. Older brother Ezekiel is an oncologist and bioethicist at the National Institutes of Health.

And middle brother Rahm is mayor, of course. It’s a job he says he’s had his eye on for a long time, although he’s taken a circuitous road getting there. He studied ballet and performed with the dance troupe at Sarah Lawrence College, where he got a degree in liberal arts. During the Gulf War he spent two weeks in the Israeli army, repairing trucks. He returned to school to get a master’s in speech and communication at Northwestern and then became involved in Illinois politics, fundraising for local campaigns. He worked on Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign, which led to a position as a White House senior adviser. In 1998 he quit politics to join the private sector and work at investment banking firm Wasserstein Perella—where he made $18 million.

Still, he couldn’t stay away. In 2002 he ran for a Congressional seat and was elected, representing Illinois’ fifth district through 2008 and rising to the fourth-highest Democratic post in the House (as chair of the caucus). Although he initially supported Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid, he endorsed Barack Obama, then a senator from his home state, after the Democratic primaries were over. He was rewarded with the plum but stressful position of White House chief of staff, which he held from 2009 through most of 2010, when he resigned to move back to Chicago and run for mayor.

His early dance training has served him well in posture and politics. He’s a lithe, highenergy guy with a ramrod-straight back who bounds and prances more than he walks. In Washington he developed a reputation for his theatrical gestures: sending a rotten fish in the mail to an errant pollster, repeatedly stabbing a knife into a dinner table the night Clinton was elected in 1992 and declaring that his enemies were “dead!” and warning British prime minister Tony Blair, before an appearance with Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky affair, with the ominous words “Don’t f--k it up.” Then there are the countless episodes of him screaming obscenities at reporters and browbeating wayward congressional representatives and donors, which, depending on what side you’re on, have earned him love, respect or enmity.

No U.S. mayor today—or probably ever—can boast that he or she learned the art and craft of politics and governing at the side of two presidents. For Emanuel, it was an invaluable education. “Let me say, I don’t think I would even know how I would be mayor if I hadn’t had the opportunity to work with Presidents Clinton and Obama,” he says. “They gave me a depth of experience, an ability to think strategically about policy and politics around that. Two, it helps me think through little things.”

He said what he took away from Obama was how to present an argument like a lawyer; from Clinton he learned how to make it folksy. “President Obama is appropriately linear in his knowledge of presenting an argument, almost like you are going to court. And President Clinton has a way of posturing something that is complicated but accessible to people. And even as I draft this [budget] speech, it’s helping. I always say about politics, people hate the status quo. Well, they’re not too excited about change either. How do you get people to make change where they don’t think they’re losing? That’s something I learned from both President Clinton and President Obama.”

An hour after the press conference, two black Chevy Tahoes idle outside city hall. One is for the mayor, and the other is for the reporters going to the next event, a public unveiling of an overhauled mass transit station. Emanuel gets into one of the vehicles, a burly bodyguard with an earpiece climbs in, and we roll. We’re headed uptown to the refinished elevated (El) stop at Argyle Street, smack in the heart of a Vietnamese community.

In the chilly lakefront breeze, the mayor greets commuters and meets up with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. The two pose with a gaggle of Vietnamese business owners and yellow hard hats for a photo op. Then he heads downtown to a lunch with Italian-American business leaders—it is, after all, Columbus Day—at a baroque redsauce and chicken Vesuvio palace called Italian Village, complete with miniature bubbling Trevi fountains and dessert carts groaning beneath panna cotta and tiramisu.

Finally, at two in the afternoon, he’s able to stop and sit down with me for an interview. He’s been up since five, then exercised for two hours before the Morning Joe spot. The mayor tries to work out one to two hours a day.

He welcomes me into his spotless office (he is a notorious neat freak). The furniture—a gray couch and a pair of sleek wood, chrome and leather armchairs—is locally designed and manufactured. The only antique is his vast wooden desk, which was once used by Mayor Anton Cermak, who was assassinated in 1933. There was no special reason for selecting it out of the city warehouse, Emanuel says. He just liked the way it looked.

Two mementos on the walls are from his most prominent mentors: a handwritten to-do list by President Obama and a signed photo of President Clinton. Another wall is covered with a rotating display of work from students at the Art Institute of Chicago. He also has a few pieces borrowed from the Art Institute and the Museum of Contemporary Art, including Seymour Rosofsky’s late-1950s oil painting “Unemployment Agency” and Leon Golub’s “Head II” from 1959.

Up close, he’s shorter than you’d think and even more intense. Proudly, unrestrainedly nasal and pitched a bit high, he speed-talks in the clipped, sometimes garbled shorthand of a man used to sound bites and shouting orders.

“This is the best job I’ve ever had, public or private sector,” he says. “It’s my dream job, and I love it. You actually can do things.”

He starts ticking off those things: making the school day longer and affecting the lives and futures of 400,000 kids, working with big pharmacy chains to put fresh-food aisles in stores in so-called food deserts and building new boathouses and walkways along the historically industrial Chicago River. “You will be able to walk along the water like a boulevard. Where else can you change an entire landscape?”

He talks about spending Saturdays at Target, “just talking to people,” which he calls Target town halls, and taking the El to work at least once a week to rub shoulders with Chicagoans.

“It’s a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves, make-a-difference job. In addition, and I say this affirmatively now, if you like politics and you like policy and you like the intersection between those two, this is a government closest to what and how people live their lives.”

A journalist who recently profiled him described how J.Crew stores had replaced slag heaps, warehouses and taverns in the city. I ask him if he’s a new sort of J.Crew mayor for Chicago. He said he was happy to provide a fashion metaphor, but first he needed to get a few things off his chest.

“Let me take two steps back and talk about why I also want to do this job,” he says. “My view is when we grew up around politics, we grew up with the all-powerful nationstate. Now I don’t have an Iran [pronounced eye-ran] policy, and I don’t want one. But if you look around the world now, I actually think this is going to be the century of the city. There are about 100 cities in the world that are the economic, cultural and intellectual energy of the world today. Chicago is one of those cities. Look around the world and look at this time. The cities are Paris, Berlin, London, Chicago, Shanghai, Rio, New York. There’s no guarantee that 20 years from now Chicago’s here. Nothing is certain. So what you do today determines whether it’s a viable city. What I do today as mayor—attract talent, build industry, strengthen our schools, support our businesses, expand our broadband and the rail—determines whether the city of Chicago stays on the level of Shanghai and New York and London.”

Another pet project of his is creating what he’s calling a “digital alley” on a stretch along the river that once housed the great department stores and showrooms of the last century. Now Google has offices in the massive Merchandise Mart (one of the biggest commercial buildings in the United States), a behemoth that still houses thousands of furniture showrooms, and Groupon is in the old Montgomery Ward building. All told, there are 7,000 digital employees working at more than 200 companies. Motorola will soon be bringing 3,000 employees to the area as well.

“Rahm is strategic and innovative in his thinking—he is a great partner to work with,” says Brad Keywell, a Chicago entrepreneur who, among other ventures, is cofounder and director of Groupon. “His ability to collaborate with leaders from across all fields—technology, finance, health and education—make him an incredibly creative mayor and will ensure Chicago remains a world-class city where business and families can thrive.”

Emanuel is striving to transform a slice of old Chicago into something sleek and young, like a Midwestern Seattle. His office has been deeply involved in creating a tech incubator in 50,000 square feet in the Merchandise Mart, where entrepreneurs can work, get free advice and meet with accelerators and potential investors. The site is named 1871, after the year of the great Chicago fire, to commemorate the spirit embodied in Chi-Town’s rise from the ashes.

Emanuel claims he is the first Chicago mayor to go downstate to the engineering and computer-science schools at the University of Illinois at Champaign to keep young tech talent from departing. “All these kids getting paid by the state leave!” he says. “You give me three years, every graduate of the University of Illinois, and I will get you five new companies that will be on the stock exchange in four years. We will keep them.”

He ticks off yet another list of the incentives that will entice them. “One, great nightlife; two, bike lanes; three, a great mass-transit system; four, Lollapalooza. We are doing a whole recruitment around that. Tonight the Big Ten schools are all invited to Chicago Ideas Week. We pay for their stays, the private sector does.”

While Emanuel, like other mayors in the era of empty public tills, is a staunch proponent of private-public partnerships, his relations with the corporate class have become a rallying cry for progressives who oppose him. Two local reporters examined the mayor’s meeting schedule for the first year in office and concluded that Emanuel’s precious face time was doled out liberally to people with money and sparingly to community organizers and groups with little in campaign funds to offer.

Another major criticism of Emanuel has been of his bulldozer governing style. Less than f ive months after being sworn in, he fired the ethics board and replaced it with his own people. In May, he oversaw a city lockdown during NATO, with many protesters arrested in what activists charged were civil-rights infringements. Most recently, the day after we met, he presented his second budget without

any public comment hearings, which Daley, his predecessor, had always held. Emanuel’s move provoked some aldermen to offer their own public comment sessions.

“For an administration that has pledged transparency and an open process, they have shut out the public and the taxpayers and other shareholders,” progressive alderman Bob Fioretti said to radio station WBEZ. “The people deserve a voice, and we as aldermen will fill the void and the failure of the administration.”

Emanuel’s aversion to public hearings might have been cemented by a traumatic day during his mayoral run when he had to suffer a daylong public hearing on his residency in which he was excoriated by a theater full of cranks, ranters, anarchists, politicians, concerned parents and a random array of Chicagoans, all of whom had the right to stand and speak. (While Emanuel was in Washington, he rented out his Chicago home, and he claimed that his wife’s wedding dress and baby photos of his three kids in the basement were proof enough that he was a city resident.)

His apparent aversion to mixing with the masses—and the NATO arrests—prompted Rolling Stone writer Rick Perlstein to write that “Rahm is no friend to democracy.”

So I ask, “Are you the guy they call King Rahm?”

He gives a dry, slightly annoyed laugh, leans in and says, “I just gave you a description of why I like this job. I don’t have to walk around and do Target town halls. I have run for five elections, where you have to go out and meet people. I did 110 El stops, countless groceries. And I still take the El and still go to grocery stores. I don’t have to do it.”

Besides the King Rahm–ness, some Chicagoans I met (full disclosure: it’s my hometown, and I have many family members and friends there) complained that their mayor was a tad tense and humorless. For a politician, he’s definitely not one for small talk.

“Sometimes I jokingly I say I wish I was a mayor during the Nineties,” he says, with a braying hahahahahaha. His exclamation is not a laugh so much as an intake of breath to fuel what’s coming.

“That said, this year we will be able to balance the budget, not raise taxes or fees, invest in early childhood education classes for kids, summer jobs, doubling the size, pre-K to 5,000 more children, add to our police force, invest in basic services like rodent control and tree trimming and all that and do some stuff on small business. My view is, yes, these times can be challenging, but challenges are a time for creativity. To use a phrase I used to use with regularity:

Never allow a good crisis go to waste. It’s an opportunity to do things you never thought you could do. In my last budget, my first budget—not King Rahm, we passed it 50 to zero. We did close to 14 things that had been discussed. Simple things. Take garbage away from ward committeemen [oversight] and put it on a grid model, like FedEx and UPS, saving $20 million just doing a few less right turns by trucks. We debated that for 10 years. Done! Nonprofits like Northwestern University and Shedd Aquarium used to get free water. Not now. Done!”

He slows down to let his brain catch up with his words.

“Can you do everything? No. But Chicago is a city that dreams big, and to do those things you have to be creative. Nobody wants to make changes just so I can buy more gravel for the deficit hole!”

Emanuel may be staying on message these days, but he’s still known to let an F bomb fly. Old habits die hard. His greatest challenge so far—and maybe his worst moment— came in September, when 90 percent of the Chicago Teachers Union voted to strike, leaving parents and kids scrambling. The breakdown that led up to the eight-daylong strike was brutal, and the mayor emerged from those final talks literally shaking with rage. About those discussions, Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis later described him as “a dirty, low-down street fighter.”

Once he might have relished that epithet. Now Emanuel is more concerned with the politic side of politics.

“Well, I did fight for the kids of the city of Chicago,” he says. “They had been shortchanged with the short school day. This has been a decade-long discussion, why Chicago had the shortest school day in the nation of any big city. Nobody in those discussions had ever gone to school on that short day. And nobody can tell me that’s good for kids. I made a pledge when I ran to get done for the kids what had not been done for a decade. It was being negotiated between adults, not on behalf of kids, but for themselves! I am very proud that I have given principals, teachers, parents and kids the ability not to choose between math and music, but to do both; not to choose between algebra and arts, but to do both; not to choose between reading and recess, but to do both. So people can say whatever they want about me, but I know one thing: Every first-grader today that graduates high school gets two and a half years more in the classroom. And that’s a good thing. You can describe it any way you want, but I see it as one thing: keeping my word.”

The jury is still out on who won and who lost in the

(From left) Rahm Emanuel and wife Amy Rule with daughters Leah and Ilana in Chicago on election night in February 2011; senior presidential adviser Emanuel with presidential aide Stephen Goodin, White House chief of staff Erskine Bowles and President Bill Clinton in the Rose Garden in June 1997; White House chief of staff Emanuel with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office in January 2009; with kids in Chicago in October 2011; striking teachers on Michigan Avenue in Chicago in September 2012

WILL EMANUEL BE THE FIRST JEWISH PRESIDENT? “NOT HAPPENING,” HE SAYS. “THIS IS THE LAST JOB IN ELECTO≤L POLITICS, IN PUBLIC LIFE.”

strike. The teachers went back to work, and Emanuel got his longer days, but the teachers beat back his effort to make test scores the main factor in evaluating their performance. Emanuel’s handling won him kudos from one quarter: U.S. mayors. The night we met, Emanuel joined three other mayors and a moderator at the opening night of Chicago Ideas Week, a sort of Midwestern TED talk series. Much of the panel discussion focused on how to run cities in lean times and, especially, what to do about education.

Mayor Michael A. Nutter of Philadelphia praised his Chicago host’s handling of the schools crisis. “We’ve all learned a lot from Rahm, saying this is what I am trying to accomplish and this is what I am about. As adults, we sometimes forget what this system was created for. It was created for children, and we need to keep the focus on what’s best for children and not what’s best for adults.”

Some of Emanuel’s greatest fans are those who forged friendships with him during crises in Washington. Dee Dee Myers, the former White House press secretary for President Clinton, is one of them. She sees a man who’s matured along the way.

“When he came to Washington with President Clinton, he was already a star, a guy could get things done. He ran the finance operation during the campaign, and he ran the inaugural. Both were big successes. And once he got to the White House, if the president asked him to take the Hill, he’d take the Hill. But a lot of times he left a few bodies, or at least a few bruised egos, along the side of the road, and it didn’t always serve him or the president well. He got moved out of his job as political director after just a few months, when he offended one too many Democrats on the Hill. But he worked incredibly hard to make it up to both the president and the first lady in the months that followed, and the results speak for themselves.”

She continued, “In the past 20 years, as a member of Congress, as White House chief of staff and now as mayor, he’s learned to bring people along, to make allies on the road to making progress. That’s not to say he doesn’t

still ruffle feathers. He does. Just ask the leadership of the Chicago Teachers Union. But he also makes friends, builds coalitions, looks for consensus. He’s results-oriented and a better listener than people who don’t know him might think. He’s also incredibly loyal. In a country where there just aren’t that many big, compelling political personalities anymore, he’s one of them.”

Since he spent the morning talking about personal responsibility, I wanted to ask the mayor to share his own lessons in the area. Emanuel and his wife, Amy Rule, have three children: Zachariah, 15; Ilana, 13; and Leah, 12. As a father, how does he teach personal responsibility?

“I won’t discuss it as a parent,” he says flatly. “I do believe in personal responsibility. I don’t believe you can get health-care costs down, plus people improving their health, if somebody’s not taking care of themselves. I don’t think there should be—and this may be philosophical—a government program to absolve people of responsibility. Now certain people, you and me, might be in different positions than other people. They might need more support, but you can’t build a whole culture absolving them of it.”

He goes off the record to describe a public-private partnership he’s crafting that should prompt more parents to show up at schools and pick up their children’s report cards.

“I’ll get you a full school day, I’ll get you good teachers and principals, but you gotta pick up your report card.”

I ask if he learned any lessons from the Clinton debacle in terms of personal responsibility versus self-indulgence. For a moment there’s a flash of the old Rahmbo.

“You know, I don’t think Clinton was a debacle,” he says. “He was a president who did great things, and the American people agree with me. His presidency was a landmark presidency. Both he and Obama will be seen as essential figures in changing the post-Vietnam Lyndon B. Johnson party.”

Clinton was impeached, I remind him. That seems like a debacle, right? Emanuel springs off the chair.

“That was a political act! Nothing to do with anything

else. A political act by Tom DeLay and others to besmirch his character before the election, and they paid a price for it! Unlike any other president, his party won seats in the sixth year of his presidency, which broke a 100-year record, which says something about how the American people issued a verdict on the Republican strategy.”

Well, alrighty. I ask, “Clinton and Obama were mentors. Is either a political hero to you?”

“Look, I loved working with both presidents, who I consider friends of mine. Loved it. I am reading The Long Road to Antietam I have probably read 30-some-odd books on Lincoln, not enough on Teddy Roosevelt, probably five or six on Jefferson.”

“And what about prior mayors?” I inquire.

“No disrespect to your profession—” he starts.

“None taken.”

“You haven’t heard what I’m gonna say yet,” he continues. “No disrespect, but those in it, trying to write history contemporaneously, they don’t have perspective. I remember vicious fights Richard J. Daley had building the University of Illinois at Chicago. Now you can’t even think of that community without it now. At the moment, you would have thought Chicago had this horrible autocratic mayor. Today? It’s the economic engine of the city. My view is I am not trying to step into anybody’s shoes. I’m trying to learn from other people’s experience. I didn’t come here to run for reelection. I came to make the change I promised happen. One more question.”

For the moment, Emanuel’s talked out.

“First Jewish president?”

“Not happening,” he says. “This is the last job in electoral politics, in public life.”

He stands up and bounds off in the direction of a back door I hadn’t noticed before.

“Legacy in 20 years?” I shout. “Or will you be mayor for life?”

“No. Not happening. Or won’t be married if so.”

With that he’s gone, a small man in a suit, moving fast.

For the Love of Food. For the Love of Life.

Greece at its best

Where the story of Greek Yogurt began.

WHETHER YOU’RE SPENDING WINTER SLOPE-SIDE OR POOLSIDE, WE’VE GOT THE GOODS ON THE HOTTEST COLD-WEATHER CULTURAL HAPPENINGS, EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS, PARTY REPORTS AND SPECIAL SNEAK PEEKS

ASPEN

WHAT:

AN APRÈS-SKI FACE-LIFT

WHERE:

THE HOTEL JEROME

Aspen’s 123-year-old Hotel Jerome has never looked better. Mark Harmon, CEO of Auberge Resorts, which manages the property, brought in Las Vegas–based designer Todd-Avery Lenahan for the stunning transformation, being unveiled this month.

“Our challenge was to take a historic hotel and make it relevant to a discerning, well-traveled guest,” Lenahan says. The Main Street property underwent a heavy Victorian renovation in the 1980s, and Lenahan sought to strip the icon of its overly feminine decor, taking it from dowdy to dapper. “Aspen is very fashionable, and I

wanted to consider the sophisticated Aspenite,” he says. “A lot of what I did was actually inspired by the clothing I packed with me on trips to Aspen.” On frequent visits to the area, Lenahan had imagined the potential of the landmark hotel and its 93 rooms, and was thrilled at the opportunity to lead the redesign. Respecting the original architecture, Lenahan added context and broad historical references to his interiors. Navajo-print rugs and wallmounted antlers mix with 1920s-era light fixtures and white Le Corbusier leather chairs. The end result? An inviting, elegantly tailored space. “Our goal was to do something that felt uniquely Aspen: charming, cozy and organic ,” Lenahan says. “This hotel is just a bespoke little version of the entire community.”

(hoteljerome.aubergeresorts.com)

A new guest room at the Hotel Jerome

The

WHAT:

REMÈDE’S FARM-TO-MASSAGETABLE MENU

WHERE:

THE ST. REGIS RESORT

Visitors of the St. Regis can integrate all the senses with Remède Spa’s new Farm-to-Massage-Table menu, where pampering and savoring local ingredients go hand in hand. An amuse-bouche and freshly pressed juice begin the journey, followed by a savory salt glow scrub. Next, a cucumber consommé, a miniature oatmeal cake and Cabrales and bitter orange marmalade with a toast point satisfy your tastebuds. The main-course massage treatment fi nishes with a “palate cleansing” warm eucalyptus compress; dessert consists of champagne and a whipped body-butter application. This is truly a one-stop spa. (remede.com/spa.html )

WHAT: ELEMENT 47

WHERE: THE LITTLE NELL HOTEL

Named for the periodic-table element silver in a nod to Aspen’s mining past, Element 47—formerly Montagna—leaves prix fi xe behind in favor of a menu focusing on garden, sea, sky and field. “At Montagna, the prix fi xe menu allowed diners a leisurely pace for a decadent meal,” says executive chef Robert McCormick. “Now we want diners to be comfortable coming in for just a snack or for a multicourse meal.” The focus on sourcing locally—with ingredients like high-altitude honey from an area ski patroller and Wagyu beef from Emma Farms—extends to breweries. “If someone asks for a Corona, we have a great Mexican-style lager from Durango, Colorado, to introduce them to.” (thelittlenell.com)

WHAT:

TOM SACHS SHOW

WHERE: BALDWIN GALLERY

Process-oriented artist Tom Sachs presents a new body of work in his fourth solo show, Nuggets, at the Baldwin Gallery, opening December 26 Here, the New York–based Sachs talks life, art and longevity with DuJour

What inspired these new pieces?

It’s a group of smaller works I call nuggets— something small and of value. I’m looking to engage the side of my brain that is desirous for food, sex, affluence or ambition.

You just got married. How has that affected your work?

To be a successful artist, your life and your art have to be 100 percent integrated. To be successful in a family, your focus has to be on the family. I’m looking for the balance.

What are you looking forward to doing next in your work?

I want to make stuff that has history and the evidence of construction, but in the end, the thing must also look great. If it doesn’t, people are going to throw it away when I’m dead. (baldwingallery.com)

WHAT: THE RESIDENCES AT THE VICEROY

WHERE:

Ever wish you could have the service of a skiin/ski-out resort and the comfort of home? Now you can, with 128 furnished private residences— from studios to four-bedrooms— at the new Residences at Viceroy Snowmass, steps from Elk Camp Gondola. Residence has its perks: heated pool, concierge and ski-valet services among them. (855-923-4500 )

Tom Sachs

Stink Finger (2012)

Wild mushroom tortellini with Wagyu bresaola and pears

The exterior of the Viceroy Snowmass

Kelly (2012)

Cinderblock (2012)

WHAT:

ARTCRUSH

WHERE:

ASPEN ART MUSEUM

Guests at ArtCrush raised glasses filled with rare vintages of Dom Pérignon to honor the artist Tom Sachs, recipient of the Aspen Award for Art. His pieces were among the works sold in an auction run by Sotheby’s Oliver Barker, benefiting the Aspen Art Museum. Two spin-off events, WineCrush, hosted by John and Amy Phelan, and PreviewCrush at Baldwin Gallery, got revelers primed for the main event.

WHAT:

JAZZ ASPEN SNOWMASS

WHERE:

SNOWMASS TOWN PARK

The lineup for Jazz Aspen Snowmass, a Labor Day weekend of V.I.P. parties and outdoor concerts truly rocked: Mumford & Sons, Kid Rock and the Steve Miller Band performed for the likes of local luminaries Patty Findlay and David and Holly Dreman. This year’s Snowmass was supported in large part by philanthropist and style icon Nancy Rogers, who hosted a fundraiser for the festival at Prada earlier this year. —Anna Blessing

Michael and Meritxel Miracle

Paige Lane, Nancy Rogers and Jenny Kennedy

Mona Look-Mazza and Carolyn Powers

Larry and Lorrie Winnerman, Don and Sher Kasun, and David and Holly Dreman

Angela Hagenbach performs

Patty Findlay

Eleanor and Domenico De Sole Bob Gersh

Jamie Tisch and Caio Fonseca

Rob Pruitt and Jonathan Horowitz

Angel Otero

Dancers at the JAS Prohibition Party

The program for the ArtCrush Benefit

Oliver Barker presiding over the live auction

Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson, Lance Armstrong and Amy Phelan

Michael and Lisa Puder, Robin Levinson, Steve Miller, Mark Levinson and Ed Bass

CHICAGO

WHAT: A FIRST-ANNIVERSARY

BASH

WHERE:

THE PUBLIC HOTEL

Ian Schrager and a packed house celebrated the first anniversary of the Public hotel, as well as the Chicago launch of DuJour, with an exuberant Studio 54–themed party that spread across the lobby, the restaurant and both bars. VIPs including Desiree Rogers, Neal Zucker and M.K. Pritzker enjoyed cocktails and a dinner by Jean-Georges Vongerichten of lobster and lamb at a sparkling, candlelit table lined with Lucite chairs, in a private suite. “Schrager makes his hotels feel like home away from home,” said Zane. Rogers agreed: “The Public is true hospitality; it feels like my living room—with staff.”

Linda Heister and Stanley Paul

Partygoers at the Studio 54–themed bash

Billy Zane

Ashley and Jeff Quicksilver

Ian Schrager and B.J. Armstrong

Jean-Georges prepping dinner

Desiree Rogers

Jill Katz, Lara Shiffman and Dan Uslan

She was Obama’s White House social secretary.

He created Studio 54 in NYC in 1977.

The bar scene

Nina Mariano and Susanna Negovan

Jellybean Benitez

WHO: BRIAN SPALY

WHAT:

THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND TRUNK CLUB

Brian Spaly founded Bonobos when he couldn’t find a pair of pants that fit properly. Years later, the 35-yearold Stanford business school grad created Trunk Club out of frustration with the boutique shopping experience. With the help of a stylist, via phone or email consultations, Trunk Club FedExes clients eight to 10 items; after trying things on at home, they can ship back returns. What genius idea will Spaly come up with next?

Great style is relative. How do you know what’s right for Trunk Club?

We look for brands that focus on great-fitting,

WHAT: NEW RETAIL CONCEPTS

WHY: TO

SMELL FANCY AND LOOK GOOD

like John Varvatos, Jack Spade, Eton, Jeremy Argyle, Gant Rugger.

What’s your personal style?

It’s a combination of Ivy preppy/California skier/Northern Midwest lakehouse culture.

What’s next for Trunk Club?

We’ve started a pilot program of custom suits and shirts. We’re launching a designer trunk from Eton. And we’re contemplating a new office in another large city—perhaps Dallas, Atlanta or San Francisco. (trunkclub.com)

DIPTYQUE OPENS IN WICKER PARK

Diptyque candles are so intoxicating it’s hard even to part with the glass vessel of a spent one.

The legendary French perfumer and candle maker has finally landed in Chicago. Fig tree or tuberose, musk or sandalwood, there is an addictive scent for all at this beautiful new space. “Wicker Park captures the spirit of the first Paris boutique that opened in 1961 at 34 Boulevard Saint-Germain,” designer Christopher Jenner explains. “We have designed the Chicago store to include elements from the city’s history and culture, merging the brand and the city.” (diptyqueparis.com)

HABERDASH BESPOKE AND EDC

A favorite North State Street men’s store just got even better, thanks to a makeover and two segmented locations. Tailored and luxury sportswear is the focus at Haberdash Bespoke, with brands like L.B.M. 1911 and Southwick. Next door, at Haberdash EDC, casual, heritage-brand clothing from Gitman Bros. Vintage, Red Wing Shoes and Baldwin Denim mixes with accessories and apothecary goods from lines such as Filson and Rag & Bone—plus, there’s a barbershop that’s open five days a week. Prêt-à-porter or made to order, Haberdash has it. (haberdashmen.com)

Brian Spaly of Trunk Club

Haberdash Bespoke

The Diptyque store

THE LATEST FROM LOCAL STARS

WE LOVE THEIR FOOD

EMBEYA

Embeya means “little one” in Vietnamese, but we’re guessing this is going to be one of Randolph Street’s biggest draws. Chef Thai Dang honed his skills at Ria and L20, and his menu integrates French technique and Asian flavor in a stunning space designed by 555 International designer Karen Herold (Girl & the Goat, GT Fish & Oyster). Top menu obsessions: shrimp dumplings, sea snails, garlic chicken, and the gingery, gin-y Sato Zuke cocktail. (embeya.com)

The Sheerin brothers are responsible for some of the city’s top nosh (Mike at Blackbird, Pat most recently at the Signature Room at the 95th). With Trenchermen, they join forces to create a boozy, boisterous, farm-foodfocused, curio-filled space. Bacon-cured sweetbreads, hake swimming in piquillo pepper broth, and a corn donut with tomato molasses are all menu items sure to attract many a trencherman (aka, a hearty eater). (trenchermen.com) WHAT:

TRENCHERMEN

LITTLE GOAT

Across the street from Stephanie Izard’s perennially packed Girl & the Goat, her new eatery, Little Goat, is a take on retro diners. “We really want to serve people what they know and love,” says the Top Chef alum. “When you order a patty melt, that’s exactly what you’re going to get, but there will be some fun items, like quailegg chop suey.” Little Goat’s name is deceptive: The concept grew from a small diner to include a private event space, bar and coffee shop, with bread baked on site daily. “Bagels are going to be our morning thing,” Izard says. (littlegoatchicago.com)

THE BOARDING HOUSE

Alpana Singh has been busy. In 2003, she became the youngest woman ever to achieve the rank of master sommelier. At 23, she was sommelier at Everest. And nearly every food-obsessed Chicagoan knows her from Check, Please! Her latest impressive endeavor is the Boarding House: four stories of a River North eatery, offering small plates. Don’t know which wine to choose for your hazelnut-crusted short rib? Ask Singh. (boarding housechicago.com)

BAVETTE’S BAR AND BOEUF

Everything Brendan Sodikoff touches turns to gold. He started off with Gilt Bar and has been on a run ever since, from doughnuts at Donut Vault to burgers at Au Cheval. His new venture: the Europeaninspired steakhouse Bavette’s Bar and Boeuf in River North, offering prime, dry-aged bone-in ribeye, beef tongue, pommes frites and plenty of vin rouge to wash it all down. (312-624-8154 )—Anna Blessing

The first floor of the Boarding House

Pickle tots, chicken-breast bresaola, red-onion yogurt and scallions at Trenchermen

Stephanie Izard of Little Goat

The bar at Bavette’s Bar and Boeuf

Miso sea snails at Embeya

WHO:

AHMED BRAIMAH

WHY:

HE’S A CONSUMMATE GENTLEMAN

Years as VIP captain at the Underground—arguably the hottest club in town—connected Ahmed Braimah to the city’s top trendsetters, establishing him as one in the process. Now he’s branched off with a namesake creative brand and lifestyle consulting biz, with a street-style blog, The Well Suited, to boot.

How would you describe your style?

Eclectic and impulsive, tailored and trendy.

For you, what are the absolute must-hit shops in Chicago? RSVP, Barneys, Y-3, Suitsupply, Vintage Underground and Apartment Number 9.

Any personal style icons? Whose look has had an impact? Virgil Abloh, Cary Grant and well-traveled friends.

Which restaurants do you like most right now in the city?

Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab and Jellyfish.

What’s going on in the coming months that excites you?

My projects, The Well Suited and Don’t Mix the Two. Don’t Mix the Two is a blog dedicated to fashion and style interpretation. The Well Suited is a lifestyle blog that encompasses my eye for fashion, as well as pairing Chicago lifestyle and street fashion.

WHO: CORRI MCFADDEN

WHY: SHE MAKES YOU MONEY

You’ll trust her with your closet, your style and your designer goods. She doesn’t discriminate among Balenciaga, Hermès, Gucci or Prada: She can sell them all. Thick-skinned, sharp and hard-working, Corri McFadden single-handedly flipped the practice of buying and selling used designer goods overnight into a luxury service with eDrop-Off. The well-curated consignment company—with a beautiful bricks-and-mortar outpost in Lincoln Park for in-person dropoffs—gets 2,500 unique items a week from deep-closeted clients across the country, with a sell-through rate of 97 percent. The reason for her success? “I live and breathe this business,” McFadden says. “It’s about building trust and offering a streamlined, easy, efficient service. And the customer is always right, even when they’re not.” (shopedropoff.com)

CORRI’S CLOSET-CLEARING TIP:

The change of season is the best time to purge, says McFadden. “If you didn’t wear it this season, why do you think it’s going to be good enough next year? You won’t even remember it once it’s gone, and you’ve created a check to justify spring shopping.”

Corri McFadden

“THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT, EVEN WHEN THEY’RE NOT.”

–CORRI McFADDEN

WHAT: GREEN TIE BALL XXI

WHERE:

A. FINKL & SONS

eDrop-Off’s Corri McFadden co-chaired this year’s OfficeMax Green Tie Ball, whose boldfaced-name attendees included Pete Wentz and Richard Roeper. ABC7’s Valerie Warner and Ryan Chiaverini co-emceed the music-filled night, while revelers dined on food from 70 local restaurants and enjoyed casino games post-dinner. The Alice in Wonderland –themed ball (held at the A. Finkl & Sons steel-supply warehouse), one of Chicago’s most anticipated events of the year, benefited Chicago Gateway Green, which is dedicated to greening communities throughout the city.

WHAT: VERNISSAGE

WHERE: NAVY PIER

Prestigious art benefit Vernissage kicked off this year’s EXPO Chicago at Navy Pier, where more than 3,000 guests—including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, mega-collector Stefan Edlis, EXPO Chicago director Tony Karman, event co-chair Jennifer Aubrey and decorator Suzanne Lovell—gathered to sip wine, browse galleries, hit the MCA store pop-up shop, and sample bites from Vosges Haut-Chocolat, Longman & Eagle, Luxbar, MK and Paris Club. Partygoers got an exclusive first glimpse at celebrated galleries from EXPO Chicago, the annual international contemporary/modern art and design show at Navy Pier.

DJ Rock City and Pete Wentz

Andrew and Jon Landan

The Green Tie Ball tent

Guests enjoyed a game of craps. Candace and Chuck Jordan

Shaun Black and Kelli Zink

Richard Roeper and Sarah Cooley

Jennifer Aubrey, Madeleine Grynsztejn and Marilyn Fields

Jason Robinette, Megan Lovejoy-Deja, Lena Singer and Andy Barnes

Theaster Gates and Angel Otero

Samantha Snodgrass and Tom Harris

Myron and Carol Warshauer

Stefan Edlis

The atmosphere at Vernissage

GREEN TIE BALL: TIMOTHY HIATT; VERNISSAGE: JEREMY LAWSON

Corri McFadden and Spiro Tsaparas

Ingrid Olson and John Hunderson

Kristin Murphy and Suzanne Lovell

WHAT:

EVERGREEN INVITATIONAL

WHERE:

BRISTOL, WISCONSIN

More than 600 Chicagoans enjoyed clear skies and riveting races for a cause at the private Wisconsin farm of J.B. and M.K. Pritzker during an equestrian charity event. The $25,000 Junior/Amateur Owner Classic began the weekend, followed by the $75,000 Grand Prix. Crowds ogled the display of Graff jewelry and Ferraris—on site for test drives— before digging into a buffet lunch. The festivities raised $1.175 million to benefit women’s health programs at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

It was a perfect fall evening when supporters of the Chicago Botanic Garden flocked to the black-tie garden party to sip on Moët & Chandon champagne, bid in silent and live auctions (skybox tickets to a Bears game! trips to Europe!), and dine on a farm-fresh dinner.

Calihan Catering served grilled tenderloin, Capriole Farm goat-cheese tarts and a decadent fudge and caramel chocolate tart. The magical evening raised $400,000 for the Garden’s youth and teacher education programs.

EVERGREEN: MARIAH SMITH; HARVEST BALL: ROBERT KUSEL

Steve and Holly Cortes

Scott Brown and Thea Robinson

Curt Bailey, J.B. Pritzker and Dan Uslan

Sandy Collins and Barbara Wood-Prince

Meagan Nusz riding Vesuvius

Laura Linback riding Whittaker

Julie Latsko, Neal Zucker, M.K. Pritzker and Marko Inglendza

Gentlemen of Leisure performed.

Marty and Caroline Masterson

Alan and Jackie Kadin

Dinner was held in a tent on the Esplanade.

Drew and Alison McNally

Ziv Lalich, Matt Thornton, Annie Barlow and Brendan Carroll

DALLAS

WHAT: A TASTE OF PARIS COMES TO HIGHLAND PARK

WHY: THE FRENCH HAVE SO

MUCH TO OFFER

A RED-CARPET STIR

Nha Khanh dresses the chic Dallas set as well as stars like Brooklyn Decker, who says of her custom-made gowns, “I love the beautiful fit and elegance while still being fun.”

Khanh was recently named a Rising Star in Fashion Design by Fashion Group International of Dallas, and, for the first time, her fall collection will be available at Saks Fifth Avenue. “This season, I was inspired by the beautiful mountains, skies and vast landscape in [my homeland] Vietnam,” says the designer. (nhakhanh.com)

The heart of Highland Park will be pulsing with a stylish French sensibility when not one but two seasoned French fashion houses open next year—Christian Dior returns in February and Yves Saint Laurent debuts in the spring—along with the new organic lifestyle boutique Number One/Le Jus. Forty Five Ten cofounder Brian Bolke and Le Jus founder Dana Card come together to curate the best of the best for a life well lived, including cold-pressed and 100 percent organic juice and lines such as Urban Zen by Donna Karan, all under one roof. Soaring ceilings and exposedbrick walls are reminiscent of the original “soda fountain” location on the corner of Preston and Livingston. (numberonelejus.com, hpvillage.com)

WHAT: BEST FACIALS IN DALLAS

WHY: THEY’RE BEAUTIFYING

DALLASITES ONE VISAGE AT A TIME

JOANNA CZECH AT THE MICHAEL FLORES SALON WITH CERÓN

Polish-born esthetician Joanna Czech moved to New York more than 20 years ago and acquired an impressive client roster, including Christy Turlington and Penélope Cruz. Now in Dallas, Czech offers clients her revered “nose to toes” services such as European-style facials, eyebrow shaping, pedicures, and waxing. “My customized approach creates a comfortable relationship and ultimately great results that are the secret to my success,” says Czech. (joannaczech.com)

VITAMIN C-- CRYSTAL COLLAGEN FACIAL AT EQUINOX FITNESS

Goodbye, antioxidants, hello, collagen! Give your skincare routine a dose of Vitamin C with this invigorating new facial, which uses marine collagen and lemon extract, introduced by the Spa at Equinox. The 50-minute facial promises to eliminate dryness and target sun damage, while improving skin discoloration and fine lines. (At the Highland Park and Preston Hollow Equinox locations, $175, equinox.com)

Brooklyn Decker in December 2011

Nha Khanh

Highland Park Village

Majorelle mint and green tea from Number One/Le Jus

ASPEN HOUSTON CHICAGO

LAS VEGAS LOS ANGELES

MIAMI NEW YORK

PALM BEACH ORANGE COUNTY

DALLAS

WHAT:

RED

WHEN:

FEBRUARY 8

WHERE:

DEE & CHARLES WYLY THEATER

Venture back to 1958 New York via the Dallas Museum of Art’s collaboration with playwright John Logan and director Joel Ferrell for Red, a play about the life of renowned artist Mark Rothko. (dallastheatercenter.org)

WHAT: WYNTON MARSALIS JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA

WHEN: FEBRUARY 5

WHERE:

MARGOT & BILL WINSPEAR OPERA HOUSE

WHAT:

Come enjoy the talent of the Grammy Award–winning trumpeter, composer and all-around music marvel. “Jazz is part of the fabric of our country,” explains Marsalis. “The way we speak, the way we interact with each other—all of that is in jazz.” (attpac.org)

COURTNEY KERR

WHY: BECAUSE

SHE STILL LOVES DALLAS

The star of Bravo’s Most Eligible Dallas reality show gets her own show, Courtney Loves Dallas (airing in 2013). The Southern belle and her coterie of sassy scenesters are set to amp up the social drama in the big D.

What do you love most about Dallas?

This city has so much pride. Dallasites really, truly believe that we have the best restaurants, the best athletic teams, the most history, great culture, incredible art and beautiful people, which makes sharing the city with the rest of the country even more fun!

What is your idea of a perfect night out on the town?

For me, it would include my closest girlfriends, too much wine and a lot of laughs.

If you had $5,000 for a shopping spree in Dallas, where would you hightail it to?

I’m the girl who loves to mix high and low fashion, so I would probably splurge on a couple of nice investment items at Neiman Marcus, like a great year-round bag or a perfect pair of Christian Louboutin pumps! The rest I would save for a rainy day of online shopping.

The Wyly Theater The Winspear Opera House

Courtney Kerr

WHAT: NEW BOÎTES TO TRY

WHERE: ALL OVER TOWN FT33

OCHO KITCHEN + COCKTAILS

Combine the vibrant, earthy flavors of Santa Fe and classic Tex-Mex, and you have a perfect recipe for success in Park Cities—especially with chef Eric DiStefano at the helm. “The fish tacos go really well with a chilled blanco tequila,” says DiStefano, “because it brings out the Santa Fe chilies and spices, which differentiate Ocho’s cuisine.” (och8.com)

Chef Matt McCallister serves up a seasonally driven menu, featuring unorthodox pairings—such as uni and chive pancakes—and innovative, cuisine using fresh Texas ingredients at his Design District digs. “Nothing excites me more than working with local artisans and purveyors to create dishes for diners to enjoy,” says McCallister of his labor of love. (FT33Dallas.com)

WHAT: THE JOULE HOTEL

WHY: IT’S THE GEM OF DOWNTOWN DALLAS

This revitalized 1920s neo-Gothic landmark has come to define luxury for its downtown clientele. New renovations spearheaded by Adam Tihany, set to be complete in 2013, will make it even more of a destination.

The Main Street hotel’s expansion will feature a Taschen Library, a coffee shop and an ESPA spa, along with a dash of L.A. style, courtesy of retailers Traffic and TenOverSix. (thejouledallas.com)

THE FRONT ROOM AT THE LUMEN HOTEL

The hotel recently unveiled an extensive facelift, including a modern American diner in the heart of the Park Cities.

The midcentury-inspired eatery echoes the pristine modernity of a bygone era, while the menu offers up comfort food like meatloaf, cornbread and milkshakes.

“We’re taking classic diner staples using local products,” says executive chef Nick Amoriello. (hotellumen.com)

Cauliflower, braised grapes, piquillo and dill at FT33

The second-floor bar at Ocho Kitchen + Cocktails

The new Adam Tihany-designed penthouse at the Joule Hotel

The HP Basket (buttermilk fried chicken with slaw and fries) at the Front Room

ASPEN HOUSTON CHICAGO

LAS VEGAS

LOS ANGELES

MIAMI NEW YORK

PALM BEACH ORANGE COUNTY

WHAT: MTV RE:DEFINE BENEFIT

WHERE: THE GOSS-MICHAEL FOUNDATION

Kenny and Joyce Goss of the GossMichael Foundation presented this second annual event and art auction, which was co-chaired by Jessica Olsson Nowitzki and Anna-Sophia van Zweden and raised more than $1 million for the MTV Staying Alive Foundation. Auctioneer Simon de Pury tantalized guests with art from Marc Quinn, Michael Craig-Martin, Juergen Teller, Dave White and Lee Baker—all superbly curated by Ed Bartlett and Paul Missing from the Future Tense.

The opening season for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra kicked off with a lavish fundraising evening that netted more than $900,000. Joining gala chairs Jennifer and Coley Clark were Dan and Stacey Branch and Ross Perot Jr. Guests enjoyed dinner amid vibrant, yellow-themed décor and an exceptional performance by Jaap van Zweden and Yo-Yo Ma. The younger set arrived in time for the afterparty, which rocked late into the evening thanks to favorite DJ Lucy Wrubel. — Maxine Trowbridge

Simon de Pury officiating at the live auction Justin and Kim Whitman

Anna-Sophia van Zweden and Nha Khanh

Eduardo and Kary Brittingham

Rajan Patel and Christen Wilson

Joyce Goss, Josh Henderson and Tanner McElory

Gabriela Milmo and Georgia Arnold

Guests mingling at the party

Eric and Katherine Reeves

Ross Perot Jr. and

Bob and Myrna Schlegel

DJ Lucy Wrubel spinning at the afterparty

Jaap van Zweden conducting Yo-Yo Ma

ALMA CEBICHE & BAR

Ecuadorian chef David Guerrero didn’t miss a beat after his Samba Grille closed its downtown doors earlier this summer. He’s now at the helm of Alma Cebiche & Bar, the Peruvian ceviche bar and restaurant open for lunch and dinner in the Energy Corridor. The young chef is serving up his award-winning anticuchos (Peruvian beef hearts) and the ceviches he made famous at his old establishment. His pastry chef Alejandro Bremont has also come along for the ride. (almahouston.com)

HOUSTON

WHAT:

NEW EATS

WHY: FOR GASTRONOMY GREATS THE PASS AND PROVISIONS

The Provisions portion of the highly anticipated upscale-meets-casual dual restaurant concept from executive chefs Terrence Gallivan and Seth SiegelGardner opens its doors for dinner in the historic warehouse space where both Antone’s and Gravitas once lived. Menu highlights include a bone-marrow vinaigrette drizzled over 48-hour braised beef and, for dessert, panna cotta layered into a sealable jar with beet cake, yuzu sherbet, juniper, cilantro stem syrup and fresh cilantro leaves. Pass, which will have a different tasting menu every day, will open within Provisions by year’s end. (passandprovisions.com)

SPARROW BAR + COOKSHOP

Renowned chef Monica Pope’s new restaurant Sparrow Bar + Cookshop is a retooled iteration of her 10year success story t’afia. Housed in the same 1940s-era Midtown warehouse, Pope’s latest gets back to basics with an ever-changing local and seasonal menu that she says is “fresh, unpretentious and full of flavor.” Expect shiitake mushroom dumplings, gourmet mac ’n’ cheese, pomegranate-marinated tofu and venison noisettes alongside an impressive list of wines and artisan cocktails. “I’m going to be cooking the things I would make at home for family and friends,” says Pope. “I want people to stop by without a reason or a reservation.” (sparrowhouston.com)

Scallops with dried lavender and basil pesto at Sparrow Bar + Cookshop

Terrence Gallivan in the kitchen at Provisions

Whitefish ceviche, Peruvian Choclo and Peruvian roasted corn at Alma Cebiche & Bar

WHO: KAREE LAING, MODMADE GOODS

WHY:

SHE’S GOOD ON PAPER

A former corporate exec with a master’s degree in business and a law degree, the Jamaican-born stationery designer behind Houston’s Koby and Kylie Co. just unveiled her accessories and home décor line, ModMade Goods. Each product, from cuffs to clutches to candles, is handmade in America and feels current and fresh without trying too hard—just like the Renaissance woman creating them.

Houston is a long way from Michigan, your former base. How’d you get here?

I visited Houston for the first time on the suggestion of a friend a few years ago and loved it. Three weeks later, I packed the things that mattered—shoes, clothes and purses—and moved from Michigan on a gut feeling, on intuition that the life I wanted was here.

What gets you fired up creatively?

So many things: I’m inspired by my

mother, fashion, colors, objects, art and, quite honestly, a fear of failure. Life is too short to not love what you do and what you surround yourself with!

What drove you to branch out from designing stationery?

Accessories were such a natural extension for me. I can remember walking through my favorite stores, like Neiman Marcus or Saks, and getting an immediate high from the pieces. When I started ModMade, I wanted it to reflect the everyday girl who is also conscious of what she buys.

Any big holiday plans for ModMade?

We have a pop-up shop inside Coquette Boutique through January, where we’ll have an entire room filled with walls of paper and home goods. We want it to feel like a place where customers can stop by every day and find something new. (modmadegoods.com)

BRAD SKIN CARE EXCLUSIVELY AT TRE SPA

When Trey Gillen opened Tre Spa last year, the NYC-trained stylist (and Juilliard grad) wanted his salon “to be an escape into a lovely, beauty-inspired bungalow.” As his spa menu (think ridiculously thorough facials) and product offerings continue to grow with lines like Sachajuan and Jemma Kidd and vegan cosmetics by Ilia Beauty, Gillen is making good on his goal. He just inked the Texas exclusive on the sleekly packaged BRAD Biophotonic Skin Care—a science-savvy, 15-piece collection for men and women. (trespasalon.com)

REJUVENATE AT DEER LAKE LODGE

Set to open this winter, Deer Lake Lodge is an eco-friendly destination spa set on 50 acres in a Lake Conroe resort community, minutes from Houston. It specializes in detoxification through natural spa treatments, yoga, juice fasting and colonics, and is the fi rst wellness resort of its kind in the Southeast. “Our goal is for guests to return home not only feeling cleansed and relaxed,” says co-owner Tracy Boulware, “but also energized and educated about leading a healthier lifestyle.” It’s West Coast–style detox on the Gulf Coast. (deerlakelodge.com)

Karee Laing; leather envelope clutch, $65; the Double Cross Arrow brass necklace, $34, modmadegoods.com

The Deer Lake Lodge

Trey Gillen working with a client

ASPEN DALLAS CHICAGO

LAS

Yellow-gold and midnight oxidized sterling-silver necklaces (with diamonds, opals and sapphires) $1,325$2,360, judithannjewels.com

ARMENTA

On the heels of its 10th anniversary, Armenta jewelry has more than a milestone to celebrate, thanks to worldwide recognition that’s landed the Houstonbased collection on the wrists and necks of Faith Hill, Halle Berry and Queen Rania of Jordan. Company founder and designer Emily Armenta says she finds inspiration for her romantic yet edgy designs, often sprinkled with diamonds and colorful gemstones, in the verse of Spanish poets Federico García Lorca and Antonio Machado and in the journals of Christopher Columbus. “This season it’s all about individuality,” Armenta says. “The opals are one-of-a-kind, and the sugilite is known as a stone of dreams.” (armentacollection.com)

ILA&I

DEVILLE FINE JEWELRY

Armenta isn’t the only indie fi ne jeweler in Houston making a name for itself. Christina Aguilera wore a sapphire set from Liz Glanville’s Deville Fine Jewelry on a recent magazine cover. “This season, I’m noticing a lot of people requesting colored sapphires,” says Glanville. (devillefi nejewelry.com)

The brother-sister team behind ila&i, Ila Sodhani and Vikas Sodhani, continue to expand their handcrafted, East-meets-West collection of bridal and everyday jewels from coast to coast. (ilaandi.com)

SUTRA JEWELS

Arpita Navlakha of Sutra Jewels is using a number of new stones, including Paraiba tourmalines, Mozambique rubies and rose-cut emeralds, which were recently worn by Kate Beckinsale. The talented Gemological Institute of America grad’s line of stone-encrusted rings, bracelets and earrings inspired by the Edwardian era and art deco have been spotted on everyone from First Lady Michelle Obama to Kim Kardashian and Jessica Simpson. (sutrajewels.com)

THE VINTAGE CONTESSA

With hundreds of designer accessories in stock, the Vintage Contessa is Houston’s go-to for luxe retro pieces. When she’s not hitting Fashion Week in Milan or perusing Paris estates, the shop’s Donae Cangelosi Chramosta, whose husband’s business as an estate jeweler and dealer opens doors to worldwide sources, is outfitting the chicest women in town. (thevintagecontessa.com)

FUN HOUSE

Midtown’s new design shop is living up to its name with a mix of found objects for the home, restored vintage furniture and inspiring installations. Designers Gino Vian and Mark McDavitt (formerly of New Living) bring impeccable style and an eye for artful finds like antique chandeliers and grand mirrors to the raw, brick-walled space. (funhousefinds.com)

CHEEKY VINTAGE

Co-owners Tina Davis and Denise Hazen hand-select each piece they sell at Cheeky Vintage. “We only choose clothing that speaks to us,” Davis says of their stock, which includes Bill Blass and Carolina Herrera “It’s gratifying to know that we’re helping these exquisite pieces continue on their journey!” (cheekyvintage.com) —Holly Crawford

Opal, diamond and sapphire earrings, $7,500, zadok.com

Syma yellow gold, blackened silver and diamond ring, $2,875; abchome.com

Sterling silver, tsavorite, sapphire and peridot ring, $960, devillefinejewelry.com

Donae Cangelosi Chramosta of the Vintage Contessa

Vintage furniture at Fun House

The goods at Cheeky Vintage

WHAT: NEW ADVENTURES IN SIN CITY

WHY:

WE WANT YOU TO HAVE A GOOD TIME

LAS VEGAS

DREAM RACING AT THE LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

LAS VEGAS

Have fantasies of driving like Mario Andretti? You can make them a reality. The new, three-hour Dream Racing experience—created by former race car drivers Enrico Bertaggia and Adriano de Micheli—picks up aspiring racers at Crystals at CityCenter for classroom training and five highspeed laps around the track (think 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds in street-illegal cars, like the Ferrari F430 GT). Bertaggia and de Micheli are also offering Full Throttle instruction, plus 36 laps, helicopter transport and a Dream Racing Black Card with priority privileges. (Dream Racing, from $499; Full Throttle, $5,500; dreamracing.com) —Andrea Bennett

SHANIA TWAIN’S STILL THE ONE

ANYTHING GOES

The iconic nautical musical docks at the Smith Center from February 5 to February 10, kicking off a highly anticipated season that includes West Side Story and Catch Me If You Can View it from the lap of luxury: The $470 million Smith Center complex includes limestone, Italian marble and zebrawood, a 17-story campanile with 47 bronze bells, and a 2,050-seat concert hall with chocolate-colored mohair seats. (thesmithcenter.com) —Sam Glaser

The top-selling female country artist is preparing for the December 1 premiere of her new Las Vegas residency, “Shania—Still the One,” at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Twain, credited as show creator and executive producer, explains: “My vision is to bring the atmosphere of each song alive and share the journey of my life.” (caesarspalace.com) —S.G.

FAITH HILL AND TIM McGRAW

Relative to the country couple’s 16year marriage, their 10-weekend affair is brief. The pair will be playing a limited-run engagement from December to April at the 1,815-seat Venetian Theatre, an intimate experience compared with the stars’ usual stadium-size shows. Thousand-dollar VIP packages include seating in the first two rows and dinner at one of the Venetian’s restaurants. (venetian.com) —S.G.

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw

Shania Twain

Dream Racing

ASPEN HOUSTON DALLAS CHICAGO

LOS

WHAT: POSH BITES WHY: YOU HAVE TO FUEL UP

LAS VEGAS

BOUCHON BAKERY

What’s better than Bouchon Bakery? Two of them. A branch of Thomas Keller’s cult creation opened in 2006 in the Venetian, and now the hotel is home to a second outpost, with direct access to Las Vegas Boulevard. Try the croissants, pains au chocolat, muffins, cakes, tarts, cookies, savory sandwiches, and custom-blended brew from Chef Keller’s partner, Equator Coffee Roasters. (bouchonbakery.com)

Anna Blessing

COMMONWEALTH

Downtown Vegas’ revamp progresses with the pre-Prohibition-inspired Commonwealth. The 6,000-square-foot cocktail bar boasts a backroom speakeasy, a rooftop space and seasonal cocktails.

Though the 20-foot-long bar attracts crowds, booths allow for private conversation. Partner Ryan Doherty explains, “Not everyone wants to do the nightclub scene all the time—we are a welcome retreat.” A stuffed albino peacock and warm candlelight provide luminous accents to the décor of dark wood and exposed brick. (common wealthlv.com) —S.G.

ALLEGRO

The Wynn’s new Italian-American eatery, Allegro, dishes out rustic tradition in a lively setting befitting its musical name. Executive Chef Enzo Febbraro’s specialties include baked lasagna Napoletana, with Sunday meat ragu, meatballs and smoked mozzarella; osso buco d’agnello, with a bone-in lamb shank; and veal-chop parmigiano. (wynnlasvegas.com) —S.G.

Steakhouses: the domain of beefy, cigarsmoking men? Not if Eva Longoria has her way. SHe by Morton’s, her female-centric steakhouse at Crystals at City Center, opens New Year’s Eve. DuJour spoke with Longoria about her new venture.

Tell us about the inspiration behind SHe.

I wanted to go beyond the traditional fare and offer a modern approach to leather booths and cigar-fi lled rooms, with a more intimate boutique atmosphere.

What’s this about there being a catwalk?

Yes, we have catwalks, stages, rain curtains, LED walls, lifts, projection mapping surfaces and so much more.

The opening of SHe is on New Year’s Eve. What kind of celebration can we expect? Las Vegas is my favorite place to celebrate New Year’s. And SHe, with producer Jeff Kutash, has some surprises we will unveil upstairs in the nightclub.

(702-254-2376 ) —A.B.

LEFT, TOP TO BOTTOM: COURTESY OF BOUCHON BAKERY; ROBERT MILLER/COURTESY OF WYNN LAS VEGAS; ANTHONY MAIR; LONGORIA: JOHN RUSSO

The exterior of Commonwealth

Eva Longoria

T.K.O. cookies at Bouchon Bakery

The dining room at Allegro

ASPEN HOUSTON DALLAS CHICAGO LOS

PALM

WHAT:

NEW WAYS TO RELAX

WHY:

BECAUSE THE NIGHTS ARE LONG

QUA BATHS & SPA AT CAESARS PALACE

“Research has shown that color has profound effects on an individual’s mood,” says Qua spa manager Shannon Stringert. With that in mind, Qua’s new Aura-Soma Color Quest treatment may be just the ticket to brighten your day (from $210; caesars palace.com) —A.B.

STAY WELL ROOMS AT MGM GRAND

The extensive renovation at MGM Grand showcases 42 specialty rooms that were designed by Delos Living and are devoted to both purifying the air and eliminating sleep-disruptive electromagnetic fields. There’s even a Vitamin C–infused shower. ($30 supplement to room rate; mgmgrand.com) —A.B.

THE WYNN’S NEW SPA

“Las Vegas” and “wellness” aren’t an oxymoronic coupling. For each visitor determined to do damage, there seems to be a new spa treatment to undo it. After months of refurbishments, the Spa at Wynn has reopened with 45 updated rooms and a new roster of treatments that evoke far-off lands, such as the 80-minute Tropical Journey. Look for new Polynesian-inspired treatments at its sister spa, the Spa at Encore. (wynnlasvegas.com) —A.B.

WHAT: HAMMAMS

WHY:

FOR A LUXE DETOX

The Las Vegas landscape lends itself to Moorish and Moroccan influences in architecture. Now the city’s spas are turning to the East, to a centuries-old steaming and cleansing ritual called hammam the Turkish bath. Drift Spa and Hammam in the Palms ( palms.com) opened the first: a Tunisian-, Turkish- and Moroccan-inflected steam oasis for men and women, with a mosaic-heavy décor and more than 20 treatment rooms. The newest crop takes the trend to another level. Sahra Spa & Hammam in the Cosmopolitan (cosmopolitanlasvegas.com) offers its traditional space to individuals or small groups, eschewing Morocco’s customary exfoliating black soaps for Red Flower’s sensual Hammam line. But the most authentic and opulent of them all is the hammam and women’s rhassoul at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental (mandarinoriental.com/las vegas). A hammam chamber lit with blue stars contains a heated slab of marble—the motherstone—where you can enjoy a Turkish scrub. In the Rhassoul treatment, spa-goers are covered in mud and exposed to dry and wet heat, which not only releases toxins but also nourishes the skin. —A.B.

The lobby of the Sahra Spa & Hammam at the Cosmopolitan

The Mandarin Oriental Hammam

Room at the MGM Grand

A couples treatment room at Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace

Dress provided by Roberto Cavalli. Jewelry provided by de Grisogono LAS VEGAS

LOS ANGELES

WHAT: NEW L.A. CLASSES

WHY: IT’S SELF-IMPROVEMENT 101 CLASSROOM

The West Hollywood butcher shop whose fresh, organic cuts have become the protein of choice among the city’s locavore elite

Unrepentant carnivores, Whole Foods dissidents

Each three-hour workshop focuses on a different animal (Chicken 101, Lamb 101, Pork 101). Sausage-making demos are also available—just not for the faint of stomach.

“Going Whole Hog,” a five-week, step-by-step tutorial on breaking down an entire pig

$100–$750 per class

Raw food pioneer Matthew Kenney’s new culinary institute at Santa Monica Place, adjacent to his restaurant, M.A.K.E.

Health-conscious cooks, veg heads, fans of Kenney clients Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady

Students learn raw-cuisine fundamentals on futuristic equipment (dehydrators, thermal immersion circulators). Workshops include juice making, living Thai food, and a tutorial on kid-friendly plant-based dishes.

Serious students can enroll in a weekend crash course in kick-starting a raw lifestyle.

The main dining room at Petrossian, Robertson Boulevard’s storied eatery and Beluga bastion

Homesick Euro aristrocrats, eggheads, star alum like Drew Barrymore

Caviar 101 covers basics, such as history and flavor profiles. The 201 course delves into vodka pairings and highend varieties like Kaluga and Shassetra.

Industry hangout and celebrity haven Wolfgang Puck at the Hotel Bel-Air

Kitchen novices, ladies who (make) lunch

Executive chef Sonny Sweetman demonstrates the finer points of California cuisine, using farm-fresh ingredients to craft dishes like mushroom risotto and the omelet.

$575 per two-day class

In Caviar 301, students sample some of the world’s most expensive types during a caviar-laden, sevencourse dinner.

$35–$125 per class

For oenophiles, a mastersommelier class explores the nuanced world of California vineyards; a wine-pairing tutorial ensures you’ll never order pinot noir with halibut— gasp —again.

$55–$95 per class

Lindy & Grundy

Matthew Kenney Culinary School Petrossian

Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air

WHAT:

10TH ANNUAL GALA IN THE GARDEN

WHERE:

THE HAMMER MUSEUM

The annual Hammer Gala drew luminaries from the worlds of film (Tom Hanks, Will Ferrell), fashion (Monique Lhuillier, Tom Ford), and, of course, art: This year’s honorees were Barbara Kruger and Cindy Sherman. Held in the Westwood Museum’s courtyard, the affair, co-hosted by actor Armie Hammer, the great-grandson of museum founder Dr. Armand Hammer, featured a stunning acoustic performance by Katy Perry. “Katy sat next to me at dinner, and now we’re besties,” joked Hammer. “She was doing all of her warm-ups at the table. But she’s an artist, so I went with it.” —Genie Fitzgerald

WHAT:

JOHN VARVATOS’

10 TH ANNIVERSARY BASH

WHERE:

WEST HOLLYWOOD

Menswear designer John Varvatos invited an ultrastylish and rocker crowd to his Melrose Avenue boutique to fete his brand’s 10th anniversary. Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Gabriel Mann, Jakob Dylan and others sipped Patrón cocktails while taking in an inspiring, rousing performance by Paul Weller, the trailblazing Brit singer-songwriter and star of Varvatos’ current ad campaign. —G.F.

The atmosphere in the museum’s courtyard

Steve Martin

They used to date!

Cutter Dykstra and Jamie-Lynn Sigler The scene at

Jackson Rathbone

Anthony Anderson

Jakob Dylan John Varvatos

Paul Weller

Katy Perry performed.

Ann Philbin and Cindy Sherman

Armie Hammer

Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks

Will Ferrell

WHAT: L.A. DANCE PROJECT GALA

WHERE:

WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL

Benjamin Millepied’s new L.A. Dance Project made its debut performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall before an audience that included Jeffrey Deitch, Mindy Kaling and Robert Pattinson. “It was nerve-racking but so spectacular,” said Natalie Portman of watching her husband’s hard work finally come to fruition. “I’m so proud and inspired by him.” An intimate pre-performance dinner, sponsored by Van Cleef & Arpels in the Founders Room, was followed by a champagnefueled afterparty, where Pattinson was spotted puffing on an electric cigarette and fielding photo requests from female guests. —E.C.

WHAT: REGEN PROJECTS REOPENS

WHERE:

HOLLYWOOD

The art scene welcomed back one of its finest with Regen Projects’ inaugural exhibition at its new Hollywood gallery. Shaun Caley Regen played gracious host to an oft-bespectacled crowd that included Lisa Phillips, Kathryn Bigelow and Flea as they wandered the 20,000-square-foot space and took in works by over 30 different artists. After enjoying the vivid, salmon-colored sunset from the gallery rooftop, a select number of guests headed over to the Chateau Marmont for an intimate courtyard dinner. —Jessica Lawson

Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied

Larissa Sabadash and Nicolas Bos

Rashida Jones

Kent Kresa

Jaime King

The atmosphere at dinner in the Founder’s Room

Dita Von Teese and Robert Pattinson

Stephen Rountree, Glorya Kaufman and Nico Muhly

Michael Govan and Shaun Caley Regen

Bettina Korek and Rosette Delug

Doug Aitken, Dan Graham and Raymond Pettibon

The gallery space on opening night

Charlotte Ford, Lisa Phillips and Eileen Harris Norton

Mark Bradford hugs Lauri Firstenberg.

Raymond Pettibon’s drawing No Title (This left was), 2012

ASPEN

PRESERVES & PICKLES WHY:

IT’S OUR JAM

$12-$15; sqirlla.com

WHAT: HOT NEW BITES

WHY: IT’S DINNERTIME SOMEWHERE

GREENSPAN’S GRILLED CHEESE

Eric Greenspan’s taleggio and short rib sandwich (aka the Champ) won the 2008 Grilled Cheese Invitational, appeared on The Best Thing I Ever Ate, and has lured countless Angelenos off carb-free diets. Now it has its own restaurant. Located next to the Foundry on Melrose (Greenspan’s other eatery), the quick-serve concept spotlights the Champ and seven other sandwiches. Weight watchers can still taste the ooeygooey good stuff: Salads include addictive grilled-cheese croutons. (greenspansgrilledcheese.com)

HINOKI & THE BIRD

Opening in December, this Century City restaurant marks something of a homecoming for L.A.-based chef David Myers, who spent the past year in Asia establishing his SOLA pastry brand. Inspired by Myers’ travels, the new restaurant is a thoughtful approach to Japanese and Southeast Asian cuisine—as interpreted through his use of market-driven ingredients and bright flavors. Situated in Related’s new art-deco luxury condo building the Century, the elegant space promises to draw both power-lunchers and foodies. (davidmyersgroup.com) WHAT:

You can still enjoy summer’s bounty thanks to small-batch preservers like Sqirl’s Jessica Koslow, whose exotic flavors (wild blueberry and tarragon, kumquat marmalade) are available at FarmShop and Proof Bakery. On the savory side, there’s Brassica & Brine, Jordan “Uri” Laio’s line of lacto-fermented veggies and kraut. And DIY-ers can get canning tips and recipes from Kevin West’s blog, Saving the Season, or take his popular jam-making workshop at the Institute for Domestic Technology. (sqirlla.com, brassicaandbrine.com)

BAR AMÁ

For his sophomore effort, Bäco Mercat’s Josef Centeno turned to his San Antonio roots. “It’s an homage to the women of my family who raised me with their cooking,” says the chef. Opening downtown this winter, his anticipated Tex-Mex restaurant offers Centeno-family recipes like spicy menudo alongside innovative takes on classic standbys (enchiladas, fajitas) and a generous selection of tequilas. (bar-ama.com) — E.C.

WHAT:

A MUST-TRY BEAUTY BAR

WHERE:

THE MONTAGE BEVERLY HILLS

The hotel isn’t short on draws—plush suites, a glistening rooftop pool, Scarpetta’s perfect spaghetti. Now full-service Beauty Bar is in the mix at Montage Beverly Hills. The space features Young Blood mineral make-up applications, Priori facials and Kim Vo’s Braid Luxe. “The Beauty Bar will be the location to get ready for an event or night out,” says general manager Hermann Elger. (montagebeverlyhills.com)

The Montage Beverly Hills

The Century building

The taleggio and short rib sandwich from Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese

Bar Amá’s Josef Centeno

Sqirl jams, from

BEAUTY ROUTINE

I love the way Chris McMillan cuts my hair and we laugh a lot! Facialist Francesca Paige takes great care of my skin, and my regular appointments have kept me from having to do anything invasive. Lisa at Aida Thibiant gives a wonderful manicure (no polish for me).

SKIN CARE AND MAKEUP

I am addicted to Biologique Recherche’s moisturizer and eye cream. I wear Tom Ford’s foundation, Ravish cheek color and Cocoa Mirage eyeshadow quad. Make Up For Ever makes a great high-definition powder. I like a neutral shade of lipstick, but I change brands all the time. And I love Balenciaga’s Florabotanica fragrance. I also am a huge fan of L'Oeil du Vert’s natural scents.

FASHION

LOCAL HAUNTS

I adore my local beauty supply store on Larchmont. We order our linens online from Schweitzer Linens—some things are hard to give up from New York! I love all the new colorful pottery from Bauer based on their vintage American collection. I love going to Jenni Kayne’s store; she has the best taste.

CULTURE

I am very excited for the spring at LACMA [Ross’ husband, Michael Govan, is the museum’s director], when we will open a James Turrell retrospective. Currently we have shows featuring the works of Stanley Kubrick, Caravaggio, Robert Mapplethorpe and Stanley Kubrick.

“I DON’T WEAR HEELS AS MUCH AS I DID IN NEW YORK CITY!” –KATHARINE ROSS

I am close with many designers that live here, like Kate and Laura Mulleavy at Rodarte (I ordered dresses from them for fall), Juan Carlos Obando, Gregory Parkinson, George Esquivel and Kendall Conrad. I am currently wearing black and gray booties from Balenciaga and NewbarK’s black short boot. I love them! I also bought a great pair of earrings and a ring from jeweler Darlene de Sedle recently. I don’t wear high heels as much as I did when I lived in New York City—it’s difficult to drive in them!

DINING OUT

My husband and I like to sneak off for a quiet dinner at Tower Bar. The Ginger Rogers cocktail at Ray’s and Stark Bar is my favorite. For lunch, Ammo is my go-to place. Urth Caffe’s green tea latte with almond milk is the best breakfast.

The exterior of Ray’s and Stark Bar at LACMA

IN A WORLD FULL OF CHOICES, WE ALL TEND TO QUESTION WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE BELONG. ICONS, REBELS, AND CREATIVE SPIRITS PROVIDE OUR INSPIRATION. PHILOSOPHERSAND VISIONARIES - IN HEAT, MIND, AND ACTIONS - ICONOCLASTS WHO FOLLOW THEIR INSTINCTS,NOT THE FAD DU JOUR: THESE ARE OUR PEERS. MANY OF OUR INSPIRANTS ARE THOSE WE ONLY WISH WE HAD KNOWN, FROM JULIE CHRISTIE TO STEVE MCQUEEN, MICHAEL CAINE (IN “ALFIE” MODE) TO MARCELLO MASTROIANNI, GRACE KELLY TO ALFRED HITCHCOCK, EDIE SEDGWICK TO CHET BAKER. PABLO PICASSO AND JEAN-LUC GODDARD?

C’MON IN. IF THEY WERE REAL, WE’D WELCOME IN “THE ROYAL TANNENBAUMS” (GENE HACKMAN COULD WORK THE ELEVATORS) AND “THE BIG LEBOWSKI.” WE’D GO TO PARIS FOR ABSINTHE TO FUEL DOROTHY PARKER’S ROUND TABLE, OR TO THE DESERT FOR PEYOTE TO BE-DAZZLE BILL BURROUGHS’ BEATS. MICK JAGGER, CIRCA 1973? SURE, MATE. BOBBY KENNEDY? ENTER. MALCOLM MCLAREN, BRING VIVIENNE, PLEASE. AND THE SEX PISTOLS TOO. EQUAL PARTS PLACES TO PARTY, SLEEP IN PEACE, DINE LIKE EPICUREANS, OR JUST HAVE A LIBATION WITH A FRIEND OR INTIMATE, THOMPSON HOTELS ARE TIMELESS AND OF THE MOMENT,CONTEMPORARY AND ELEGANT, WITH CREATIVE TOUCHES YOU WON’T FIND ANYWHERE ELSE. THAT INCLUDES THE DISTINCT ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY THAT WE HAVE ORGANICALLY BLENDED INTO OUR ENVIRONS- FROM HALLWAYS TO LOUNGES, ROOMS TO LOOS - EACH CURATED TO FIT EACH HOTELS’ BONES, AS WELL AS THE CITIES THEY CALL HOME. OUR PERSONAL COLLECTION WOULD INCLUDE HIROSHI SUGIMOTO PHOTOGRAPHS, POLLACK MURALS, HOPPER CITYSCAPES, VINTAGE ZIPPO LIGHTERS, A GAGGLE OF MALLARD DUCK DOORSTOPS, A BURLAP BAG OF STEGOSAURUS BONES, 1930’S SNOW GLOBES, ONE TAMARA DE LEMPICKA, AND A SECRET STASH OF BASQUIATS. ECLECTIC, THE THOMPSON HOTELS ARE, BUT DISTINCT IN A WAY THAT OUR GUESTS “GET.”WE ARE ROAD-TRIPPERS ON SIMILAR JOURNEYS TO WHERE AND WHAT WE WANT OUT OF LIFE

MÈCHE

You may not know her name, but chances are you’ve seen Tracey Cunningham’s handiwork. She’s the woman behind Emma Stone’s trademark red, Natalie Portman’s honey blond, and Drew Barrymore’s trend-setting ombre. ese days, you’ll nd the A-list colorist at Mèche— French for “highlight”—the new Beverly Hills salon she just opened with top stylist Neil Weisberg (whom she worked with at Art Luna years ago). “We really want the salon to be a hothouse for new young talent,” Cunningham says of her new venture. e modern, 3,000-square-foot space houses a eet of expert stylists (there are 22 chairs) along with a make-up artist, brow esthetician, manicurist and foot masseuse. “Our mission is to make you feel con dent and beautiful from head to toe,” says Cunningham. (from $175; mechela.com)

With a nail-spa empire under her belt, Bellacures owner Samira Asemanfar has turned her attention to hair care. But don’t expect to nd the rote cut and color menu at her new Santa Monica salon, eBroot. Rather, the sole focus here is hair masks—of the old-fashioned (read: chemical-free) variety. Customers choose from an array of recipes, depending on the state of their locks. Need a hydration boost? Mayo, avocado and honey are in order. To add strength and shine, choose banana, eggs and oil. ($35 per treatment; thebroot.com)

FRANCESCA PAIGE’S WINTER FACIAL

Francesca “Frankie” Paige has become the facialist of choice for fashion insiders, who credit their awless visages to her no-pore-le -behind approach and arsenal of high-tech gadgets. For winter, Paige designed a special mini treatment that utilizes Biologique Recherche products to combat dryness while promoting cell turnover. e process begins with the application of Lotion P50 to remove impurities and regulate excessive oil secretion. is is followed by dollops of Sérum TEWL to lock in moisture, and Soin Restructurant et Lissant to smooth the appearance of ne lines. e entire treatment takes just 30 minutes—the perfect respite from holiday shopping. ($175; francescapaige.com) —E.C.

Tracey Cunningham

Facialist Francesca Paige

Fruits and vegetables will be used in TheBroot’s treatments.

Clockwise from top left: Tracey Cunningham made Emma Stone a redhead again in 2011, keeps Reese Witherspoon buttery blonde, took Drew Barrymore ombre in 2011, and nurtures Charlize Theron’s honey tresses.

ASPEN HOUSTON DALLAS CHICAGO LAS VEGAS MIAMI

LOS ANGELES

WHERE:

NARS STORE

Nars’

The second Nars store in the U.S., this 1,500-square-foot space boasts a high-gloss interior with red lacquer accents that match the brand’s Jungle Red lipstick. For VIPs, there’s a private room for consultations and makeup applications. (8412 Melrose Avenue; narscosmetics.com ) WHAT:

Rag & Bone

RAG & BONE Designers David Neville and Marcus Wainwright bring their brand of utilitarian urban cool to the West Coast with this new storefront, which carries the brand’s extensive men’s and women’s collections. (8533 Melrose Avenue; rag-bone.com )

Mix blend sweater, $208, joie.com

JOIE

Even

The first stand-alone residential property from Caruso Affiliated, the lifestyle developer behind the Grove and the Commons at Calabasas, the condominium has a striking oblong façade and houses eight floors of sumptuous apartment suites, a rooftop saltwater pool, on-site personal trainer and concierge services, and a penthouse designed by legendary decorator Waldo Fernandez. For couch-potato gourmands, there’s Suzanne Goin’s the Larder at 8500, a ground-floor eatery serving Goin’s famous farm-to-table fare. (8500Burton.com )

Between its new OC boutique and this Melrose outpost, the Parisian label is establishing its West Coast presence. Designed by Ryan Korban, the L.A. store is a showcase for the line’s easy collections of shoes, bags and clothing. (8414 Melrose Avenue; joie.com )

ISABEL MARANT

The much-anticipated boutique is expected to join fellow Parisian labels Vanessa Bruno and A.P.C. near the avenue’s La Cienega intersection in early 2013. The spacious shop will house the designer’s eponymous label and her diffusion line, Étoile Isabel Marant. Vive Melrose’s French revolution! (8454 Melrose Avenue; isabelmarant.tm.fr)

L.A. outpost

Isabel Marant

ASPEN HOUSTON DALLAS CHICAGO LAS VEGAS MIAMI

WHAT: PARTY TO CELEBRATE NICOLE RICHIE

WHERE: SKYBAR AT THE MONDRIAN

DuJour’s party to celebrate digital cover girl Nicole Richie and toast its West Coast launch brought out an eclectic group of partygoers— like Fonzworth Bentley, Erika Christensen and Taylor Dayne—to the Mondrian Hotel’s openair lounge. Richie was, of course, the party’s center of attention, catching up with old friends. “I haven’t seen some of these people in too long,” she said.

Jai Rodriguez

Emily and Jeff Vespa and Erika Christensen

Faune Chambers Watkins and Fonzworth Bentley

Daisy Fuentes

Jason Binn and Nicole Richie

Charles and Danica Perez

Skip Bronson, Ken Davitian and Edie Baskin

Michael Baum, Richie, Jill Littman, Kelly Sawyer and Katie Nehra

Andrea Chao and Bai Ling Shaun Robinson

Enrique Norten

Jorge Pérez

WHAT: ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH

WHEN: DECEMBER 6-9

HOW TO GET THERE

Can’t bear to fly commercial into Miami International Airport? Hop a Blue Star Jets flight from one of the New York City airports to Opa-locka Executive airport, located a mere 10 miles from downtown Miami. (bluestarjets.com)

WHAT TO SEE

Check out the pioneering video artist Bill Viola’s first Miami retrospective—11 works from 1977 to 2008, entitled Bill Viola: Liber Insularum at the Museum of Contemporary Art, opening December 5. (mocanomi.org)

WHAT TO DO

Snag an invite to Christie’s A-list private dinner at db Bistro Moderne at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 5, celebrating its “The Art of the Surreal” auction. (christies.com)

MIAMI

WHERE TO UNWIND

When you’re done browsing Basel, check in to the artfully appointed Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel. The Morris Lapidus–designed ocean-front resort in Miami Beach recently underwent a $200 million facelift. Book one of the elegant bi-level lofts at the 632-room art-deco property, then lounge by one of its infinity-edge pools, or dine at Paula DaSilva's modern American restaurant 1500 Degrees (think local wahoo ceviche and homemade gnudi with sausage). Later on, keep cozy by the fire in the spa lounge, The Sea Breeze Terrace, and get creative with the spa's signature DIY scrub bar. (edenrocmiami.com)

The iconic Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel

WHAT:

GREY GOOSE SUMMER PUNCH FILM SERIES

WHERE:

JUVIA

Part 5 of Grey Goose’s Summer Punch Film Series not only marked the end of summer but also was a chance for film buffs to take in the best views of Miami from Juvia’s rooftop venue. DJ A-Trak took to the decks to provide the soundtrack, while Grey Goose Brand Master Jason Druckenmiller mixed specialty vodka–infused cocktails.

WHAT:

GUCCI'S ARTISAN EVENT

WHERE:

BAL HARBOUR

Gucci hosted “Artisan Corner” in its Bal Harbour boutique, where guests witnessed a demonstration by Florentine craftsmen on the process of fabricating elements of the fashion house’s New Bamboo, New Jackie and Stirrup bags. Exotic skins and special colors were created exclusively for the occasion; there was also monogramming. The event, which drew notables such as Laura Buccellatti and Fabian Basabe, was a big success, with many bags sold and part of the proceeds going to Miami’s United Way.

Guests peruse artisan-made goods.

The New Bamboo bag in Las Vegas Python ($2,990) comprises 140 separate pieces, which are hand-assembled by an expert artisan in Gucci’s Florentine workshops.

Andi Defield

Maureen Manc and Santiago Roman

Dylan Terry

Alicia Francis and Chris Oh

Catherine Cuello, Marisol Pesquera and Dav Julca

Joey Barrios and Natalia Marrero

DJ A-Trak

Martina and Fabian Basabe

Trudy Courey and Jean Marie Kouri

Jennifer Halegua

Jayne Abess and Brian Ehrlich

Hassan Pierre and Laura de Gunzburg

WHAT:

EATERIES

TORO TORO

Renowned Colombian chef Richard Sandoval helms this Pan-Latin restaurant at the sparkling new InterContinental Miami, where small hot plates, such as arepas with shredded short rib and guacamole and wild mushroom cocoa flatbread, allow for many tastings in one visit. Grass-fed meat from boutique American producers, served rodizio -style, will satisfy larger appetites. Our prediction? Toro Toro will be the place for South American power diners—and those who wish they were. (torotoromiami.com)

MACCHIALINA

SUVICHE

SuViche’s South Beach outpost is about three times the size of its red-hot Brickell locale—and it’s still pretty small. But who says size matters? This little Peruvian powerhouse offers addictive sushi rolls with ingredients such as creamy avocado, crispy shrimp, silky mango and Sriracha sauce. Ceviches are made with the freshest fish in a variety of preparations, with Aji Amarillo or pickled ginger. Steaks are served as you would find them in Lima—with lomo sauce, green onions, rice and thick-cut French fries. (suviche.com)

Chef Michael Pirolo of Scarpetta fame has teamed up with the guys behind Miami’s best gastropub, Pubbelly, and made a little magic. Pastas are produced in-house; so is just about everything else at the cozy, candlelit Italian tavern. “Our mission is to put forth high-end food that does not betray the soulfulness and rusticity that made me fall in love with Italian cuisine,” says Pirolo. With authentic dishes like tagliolini ai funghi and insalata di mara, the experience comes about as close to eating in Italy as is possible in Miami. (macchialina.com)

HUAHUA’S TAQUERIA

A few doors down from his foodie favorite, Haven, chef Todd Erickson is opening a casual neighborhood taqueria that should turn the corner of Alton and Lincoln Road into a Mexican cuisine intersection (Rosa Mexicano is across the street). “Huahua’s Taqueria is focused on flavor, whimsy and fun. We want to be the neighborhood go-to for delicious tacos, enchiladas and cervezas,” says Erickson, who named the new eatery after his beloved pet Chihuahua. (305-987-8885 )

LEFT: ANDRES ARAVENA; RYAN EGOZI; JIPSY CASTILLO; JUAN CARLOS ARIANO

Chef Richard Sandoval of Toro Toro

The steak Saltado at SuViche

Chef Todd Erickson of Huahua’s

Spaghetti vongole at Macchialina

DINNER IN PARADISE

Dinner in Paradise, located at Paradise Farms in Redlands, began eight years ago to raise money for local farmers after Hurricane Katrina. Now the spotlight is on its parade of Miami’s best chefs, who serve up fivecourse organic meals under the farm’s flowering gazebo each month. December 9 kicks off the dinner series season, which runs through April and features culinary notables Sean Brasel and Julie Frans. ( paradisefarms.net)

WHAT: THREE NEW BAKERIES

WHY:

LET THEM EAT CAKE

ACME BAKERY

All-American midtown bakery Acme is poised to become the city’s superlative bread source. But you won’t fi nd any French names on the menu. “We don’t need another French bakery,” says co-owner Alejandro Ortiz. What you will fi nd are hearty BLT sandwiches served up on their Miami Country Bread with thick-cut heirloom bacon. (myacmebakery.com)

COOPER AVENUE

Miami Beach’s version of Chelsea Market, Cooper Avenue, seems poised to become the neighborhood canteen for the smart set thanks to its adjacency to the New World Center. In addition to a restaurant that serves gourmet American fare with a light touch, Cooper Avenue has an entire boulevard with a wine bar, sundry shop, homemade gelato bar and takeaway section that offers baked treats, juices and homey cooked savories. (cooperavenue.com)

ICE BOX CAFÉ

Ice Box leaves its Lincoln Road home for new digs in South Beach’s Sunset Harbour and still offers two of Oprah Winfrey’s favorite cakes: the Bomb (cheesecake and dark chocolate) and coconut butter cream. And its savory items—like the slow-braised beef short ribs and honey miso Pacific cod—give you options for everyday eating. (iceboxcafe.com)

LEE & MARIE’S CAKERY

To all those carb-starved denizens of South Beach: Good luck resisting the charms of Andy Travaglia’s new bakery, named for two of her pastry-savvy aunts. Breads, croissants, beautifully decorated cakes and pies all feature subtle twists—think maple-bacon corn muffins or Dutch-style salty caramel-apple pie. (leeandmaries.com)

An entree at Dinner in Paradise

Jumbo biscuits

Double chocolate-chip cookie with mint ice cream

Almond croissants

Meatballs with taleggio and fried shallots at Cooper Avenue

TOP TO BOTTOM, LEFT: SEAN DRAKE; BENJAMIN THACKER; RIGHT: ANIECE MEINHOLD FOR THE PIOUS PIG RESTAURANT GROUP; GREG CLARK PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY OF LEE & MARIE'S BAKERY

ASPEN HOUSTON DALLAS CHICAGO

LAS VEGAS LOS ANGELES NEW

WHAT: THE JAMES ROYAL PALM

WHY:

WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN

The city’s beloved beachfront deco charmer got an overhaul that preserves its history while playing up its soft, modern yet homey interiors. “We have kept intact a number of signature elements, including the porthole windows and the original art deco reception desk,” says general manager Patrick Hatton. “The overall design aesthetic is residentially inspired, with a focus on environmentally thoughtful touches, such as reclaimed materials and natural fibers.” The new and improved James houses two restaurants—Kris Wessel's Florida Cookery and an outpost of New York’s seafood hotspot Catch—as well as SL Miami, a branch of the Meatpacking District’s discothèque, and Renew: The Spa, with its renowned salt-infused treatments. Other amenities include the guestsonly rum and cocktail bar, organic bath products by Intelligent Nutrients, complimentary bikes and rotating artwork from emerging local artists. ( jameshotels.com)

WHAT: THE SETAI HOTEL

WHY:

BECAUSE GLAMOUR NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE

Located inside one of Miami Beach’s most stunning oceanfront resorts, the Restaurant at the Setai now features entirely new dishes, including frog legs, pan-seared tuna, grilled Wagyu beef and Chinese BBQ pork belly, as well as a fresh selection of cocktails. The hotel spa has a rebooted treatment menu, too, with new product lines ila, REN and VOYA. But the real draw is still the luxurious surroundings—from the magnificent architectural design to the tropical gardens, azure pools and white-sand beach. (thesetaihotel.com)

Miso black cod on the new menu at the Setai

NEW FASHION FIXES

NOTHING BEATS A SHOPPING SPREE

ALCHEMIST

Alchemist has a loyal clientele that's been keeping its two boutiques at either end of Lincoln Road busy. Now it's consolidating its two locations under one stylish roof in the 1111 Lindoln Building (home to its famous floating glass box). Locals can expect more of everything that has made Alchemist one of South Beach’s best shops, including hard-to-fi nd brands such as Rick Owens, Dries Van Noten, Alaïa and Givenchy, as well as other well-curated, cutting-edge merchandise. (shopalchemist.com)

Once an area solely dedicated to interior design, the district now boasts a bevy of top fashion design shops, too. Developer Craig Robins, who can take some credit for South Beach’s transformation in the 1990s, has pulled off his plan to transform the urban area into a tree-lined outdoor mall. Robins managed to lure many LVMH brands away from tony Bal Harbour, bringing Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Céline, Fendi and more to the area. Cartier is already open, and Hermès is in a temporary space showing its Hermès Editeur H3 collaboration with Hiroshi Sugimoto. There are also plenty of places to kick off your Louboutins and take a break from high-end shopping, including South Street, the buzzed-about new soul-food eatery from Amir Ben-Zion and Amaris Jones. (miamidesigndistrict.net) WHAT:

THE FRENCH ATMOSPHERE

A stylish new boutique brings a slice of Europe to Miami, with beautiful items that are deceptively practical. In addition to Royal Limoges china and Panier des Sens body products, you can fi nd cutting-edge, stain-resistant tablecloths from Garnier-Thiebaut and Eisch wine glasses that decant vino in five minutes flat. Co-owner Fabien Szal sums up the store’s mission as “bringing unique products for everyday use that feature the latest European technology.” (thefrenchatmosphere.com)

THE DESIGN DISTRICT IS THE NEW FASHION DESTINATION

Miami’s Design District is really living up to its name now.

Alchemist's Lincoln Road Carpark outpost

The Cartier boutique

The new Louis Vuitton store

Hermès Editeur “Couleurs de l’ombre” silk scarves by Hiroshi Sugimoto, price upon request, 305-868-0118

WHAT: LACOSTE STORE OPENING

WHERE: SOUTH BEACH

Miami is known for alligators, but now Lincoln Road is home to another breed altogether: the Lacoste flagship store on the pedestrian mall. Miami’s VIPs attended the big opening, which included fun swag in the form of shades and flip-flops. Afterward, the party moved on to W South Beach’s rooftop for breathtaking views and “croctails” by Bombay Sapphire.

WHAT: HUBLOT WATCH PARTY

WHERE: W SOUTH BEACH

The W South Beach Hotel & Residences played host to luxury Swiss watchmaker Hublot and the basketball stars who love the brand. Miami Heat stars past and present Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem and Alonzo Mourning were on hand to celebrate the launch of the brand's King Power “305” Timepiece. An over-the-top 30-foot video wall and bottomless glasses of Dom Pérignon made the event one to remember for all the 305-ers on hand.

Antonio Misuraca, Lisa and Lenny Hochstein and Kamal Hotchandani

Rico Love and Rick Ross

Alina

Otto Von Schirach and Tasha Lopez de Victoria

Josef Strauss and Claude Salle

Kevin Coster and Victoria Sampaio

Iran Issa-Khan and Tui Pranich

Daniela and Jeremy Shockey

Mikel Bowman and Trong Nguyen

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade

Melissa Katz and Jessica Marino Sivan Koster ASPEN

WHAT:

CELEBRATING NEW YEAR'S EVE

WHERE:

MILOS

MIAMI

Even if you don’t want to leave these shores for the holidays, you can still ring in the new year Mediterranean-style. Milos, the Greek eatery just off Ocean Drive, will be offering revelers its acclaimed edibles—including a raw bar, favorite fish dishes and dry-aged steaks—and an extensive wine and champagne list with special bottles. So why not start off the new year on the right note with a shot of Zorbalike exuberance and love of life, courtesy of Milos? Opa! (milos.ca) Hadley Henriette

The dining room at Milos

Sashimi-style raw fish

Loukoumades with honey and walnuts for dessert

NEW YORK

WHAT:

CATHERINE MARTIN’S HOLIDAY TREE CREATION

WHERE:

THE PLAZA HOTEL

Theatrical costume and set designer Catherine Martin is branching out with her first project at a hotel: this year’s Christmas tree at the Plaza. Having assumed creative duties on husband Baz Luhrmann’s highly anticipated The Great Gatsby (in theaters May 10, 2013), Martin is bringing the film’s visual splendor to life in NYC with a glass-enclosed, art deco tree that will transport you to the Jazz Age. “I hope the design for the tree celebrates the elegance, decadence and whimsy of the 1920s,” she says, “but it also honors the most classic and traditional of holiday decorations.” (theplaza.com) —Chadner Navarro

Catherine Martin

Catherine Martin’s Christmas tree design

WHAT: ARLINGTON CLUB

WHY: BECAUSE SUSHI AND STEAK ARE THE NEW SURF AND TURF

Tao Group and chef Laurent Tourondel are opening the Arlington Club on the UES. e 200-seat Lexington Avenue steakhouse’s menu will showcase prime cuts (like côte de boeuf) plus a solid sushi selection (highlights include uke with yuzu kosho, ai chile and black pepper). (212-249-5700) —C.N.

WHAT: MP TAVERNA

WHY: WE GREEK OUT FOR MICHAEL PSILAKIS

Celebrated chef Michael Psilakis of Anthos fame has added an Astoria location to his Greek-food empire MP Taverna. e two- oor industrial-chic eatery’s menu will be packed with the same standout dishes, like plates of seafood grilled to perfection, that made the rst two locations (Roslyn and Irvington, N.Y.) so popular. And why Astoria? “It’s the center of the Greek community,” Psilakis says. “Opening up a restaurant here, for people who really understand Greek food, is a dream come true.” (michaelpsilakis.com) —Joe Davidson

Grilled branzino (above) and scallops with cauliflower

WHAT:

ALAIN DUCASSE’S NEW BOOK: J’AIME NEW YORK

WHY:

BECAUSE WE TRUST HIS TASTE

Superstar chef Alain Ducasse has just published the third installment of his J’aime series, and this time he’s highlighting more than 150 of his mostloved culinary delights in the five boroughs of the Big Apple—from eat-and-run hot dog stands to fancy, hard-to-get-into restaurants. Here, Ducasse shares his top three spots that make winter in New York all the more enjoyable.

FOUR & TWENTY BLACKBIRDS

“This homey and inviting pie shop tucked away in Gowanus, Brooklyn, is perfect for slices of seasonal old-fashioned pies. My personal favorites during the fall and winter months include the bourbon pear, salty honey custard and salted caramel apple.” (birdsblack.com)

KITCHEN ARTS & LETTERS

“On a cold winter day, a trip here is a must. It’s a shop dedicated to the literature of food, and I can spend hours looking at their collection of domestic and international cookbooks and culinary references that serve anyone from the chef to the home cook.” (kitchenartsandletters.com)

MAREA

“Close to my bistro Benoit, chef Michael White’s Marea is where I go to eat a generous serving of pasta. The shapes and strands are all made in-house, and the fusilli with red-wine-braised octopus is exceptional.” (marea-nyc.com)

FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF ARLIGNTON CLUB; PIERRE MONETTA; DANIEL KRIEGER (2)

ASPEN HOUSTON DALLAS CHICAGO

LAS VEGAS LOS ANGELES

MIAMI

CAREER CHAUFFEURS t ONLINE RESERVATIONS t OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECOR %
t
IMMACULATE VEHICLES t

UNPARALLELED CUSTOMER SERVIC &
t
PHONE CALLS ANSWERED WITHIN 3 RINGS t AWARD-WINNING SERVICE

WHAT:

STUDIO IN A SCHOOL GALA

WHERE:

SEAGRAM BUILDING

The art world gathered on a rainy night to celebrate 35 years of the nonprofit Studio in a School, which brings artists into NYC public schools to work with students, and to toast its founder Agnes Gund and president and CEO Tom Cahill, as well as honoree Jeff Koons. Dorothy Lichtenstein and Martha Stewart joined the festivities under a tent, artfully decorated by Van Wyck & Van Wyck with works by SIAS students. “This program has nurtured the creativity of thousands of children and enriched their cultural growth,” said art dealer and event supporter Angela Westwater. Joel Grey officiated, opening with his Cabaret hit “Willkommen,” and during the meal of chicken pot pie and ice cream sundaes, speakers like Christine Quinn and Caroline Kennedy got up to talk about the importance of the organization.

Natasha Wolff

Wempe’s new Rolex boutique, located inside the Rolex building on 53rd and Fifth Avenue, is a watch enthusiast’s paradise. The display areas containing the brand’s signature pieces and latest models are beautifully complemented by the sumptuous brown and green interiors, which were designed by Geneva-based architects. “The boutique conveys a feeling of true luxury, and only the finest materials—including Italian leather, imported marble and bronze, European plane wood—were used,” says Ruediger Albers, Wempe’s president. It’s enough to make a watch lover want to come back time after time. (wempe.com) —N.W.

Vitrines

Aby Rosen and Samantha Boardman

Richard Roob, Tom Cahill, Agnes Gund and Vito Schnabel

Joel Grey

Larry Gagosian and Jeff Koons

Mary-Kate Olsen

Caroline Kennedy

GROUP FOUNDERS

THEY’RE UNVEILING A NEW VENUE AT 199 BOWERY

EUGENE REMM

Eugene Remm and his partners always planned to inch their way to the top of the hospitality scene not only in Manhattan but also across the entire country, and the past couple of years have seen EMM projects pop up in South Beach and the Hamptons. “We are constantly pushing and growing the business,” Remm says. To these guys, building such an impressive enterprise isn’t just about industry knowhow but also practical experience. “We are out six nights a week making sure guests are enjoying themselves,” Remm explains. But, he adds, even nightlife impresarios need a break. “Sunday is for family and football.”

MARK BIRNBAUM

As part of EMM Group, Mark Birnbaum has been instrumental in defining the thumping entertainment landscape of the Meatpacking District with glitzy all-purpose destinations—those dinner-to-dancing properties EMM popularized with the unveiling of Tenjune six years ago. “One of the reasons we are successful is that we haven’t lost sight of the EMM Group that started back in 2006,” he says. At 20,000 square feet, 199 Bowery is the group’s largest project to date. No surprise that it follows the winning one-stop-shop formula, with a Hung Huynh–helmed modern Asian eatery, The General, and a nightclub, Finale.

MICHAEL HIRTENSTEIN

With a background in finance and real estate, Michael Hirtenstein knows an unbeatable deal when he sees one. So when he was invited to join EMM Group, it was a no-brainer. “I came to know Mark and Eugene as they were first making names for themselves in hospitality,” he recalls. “I knew they were on their way to building an empire.” Though nightlife and hospitality ventures may not immediately telegraph visions of the New York Stock Exchange, Hirstenstein is very much in the thick of things. “We share the responsibility of overseeing every aspect, from operations to finances to the conceptualization of new properties,” he says. —C.N.

Eugene Remm, Mark Birnbaum and Michael Hirtenstein outside their soon-to-open space

PADS

UPPER EAST SIDE

The

THE MARK HOTEL’S LUXE RESIDENCES

The new private residences at the Mark hotel (developed by Izak Senbahar and Simon Elias of Alexico Group) on Madison Avenue boast amenities—an in-house Frédéric Fekkai salon and catering by Jean-Georges Vongerichten— that blow away other properties. A three-bedroom, $7.05 million stunner designed by Jacques Grange has coffered ceilings, a Boffi kitchen, marble bathrooms and oak floors. (themarkhotel.com/own) –J.D.

ALSO, CHECK OUT THESE HOT PROPERTIES...

135 EAST 79TH STREET

Classic yet contemporary residences, starting at $6.8 million, will fill a new 32-unit, 19-story tower from the Brodsky Organization. (135east79.com)

150 EAST 72ND STREET

From Macklowe Properties, the 1913 12story corner building will soon house threeto-five-bedroom condos. (150east72.com)

680 MADISON AVENUE

Extell’s latest project at the former Carlton House hotel a block up from Barneys boasts 68 luxury apartments and a townhouse. (680madison.com)

737 PARK AVENUE

This freshly reappointed building contains 103 two-to-five-bedroom units. Visitors will be impressed: The lobby is festooned with murals and art deco wall sconces and ceiling fixtures. (737parkavenuenyc.com)

141 EAST 88 STREET

Topped by a roof garden, this 79-unit building—known as The Philip House—boasts interiors designed by Victoria Hagan. (philiphousenyc.com)

530 PARK AVENUE

Residences in this building, which features a double-height rotunda, fitness center and private garden, begin at $1.6 million. (530parkcondo.com)

The entryway

ASPEN

THE VILLAGE

THE QUIN

THE BENTLEY SUITE AT THE ST. REGIS

The St. Regis is adding yet another branded suite to its already chic collection (Dior and Tiffany are two others) via a collaboration with English luxury carmaker Bentley. The 1,700-square-foot suite features opulent design flourishes like glittering crystal chandeliers and a tufted leather sofa; floor-to-ceiling herringbone drapery bookends the massive windows facing Central Park. Bonus: complimentary access to a Bentley Mulsanne for use within a 10-block radius. (stregisnewyork.com) —C.N.

After an extensive makeover, Midtown’s Buckingham Hotel gets rechristened as the Quin, a 200-room luxury hotel contrasted lacquered interiors balanced with eco-friendly, sustainable materials; king-size Duxiana beds; and bath and body items from Fresh. To truly absorb the building’s storied pedigree, spring for either the Georgia O’Keeffe or Ignacy Paderewski suites—both of which were outfitted to reflect the artist’s and composer’s respective backgrounds. O’Keeffe’s, for example, is rendered in a desert and earth-tone palette reminiscent of Santa Fe, a prominent source of inspiration for the artist. There’s also the Blackbird Suite, an homage to Irish painter Patrick Graham’s exhibit in the hotel’s permanent gallery. (thequinhotel.com) —C.N.

THE JADE HOTEL

Greenwich Village welcomed its newest home away from home with the November opening of the Jade, a whimsically appointed, 113-room hotel on 13th Street. The building’s throwback appeal (period architecture and cool art deco interiors) is meant to channel NYC’s speakeasy past, but the guest rooms’ amenities are oh-so modern: fiber-optic WiFi, flatscreen TVs and Tivoli audio systems. In December, Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort opens Grapevine, a bistro with a Mediterranean menu. (thejadenyc.com) —C.N.

RESERVE BAR AT MORGANS HOTEL

The stylish and happening crash pad that is the Morgans Hotel is opening the Reserve Bar this winter. Designer Robert S. Graves has delivered a dramatic new restaurant and lounge: a light, open and seductive space punctuated by Tony Duquette sunburst chandeliers and glass walls layered with mesh. The bar’s deep inventory of rare liquors is complemented by a quirky menu at the lounge—go for the indulgent duck-fat French fries or a brisket-and-egg sandwich.

(morganshotel.com) —J.D.

The lobby of the Quin hotel

A Chinoiserie bedroom at the Jade Hotel

The Reserve Bar at Morgans Hotel

The Bentley Suite bedroom at the St. Regis

ASPEN HOUSTON DALLAS CHICAGO

WHO:

WHO:

MONIKA CHIANG

WHY: WE LOVE HER

SENSIBILITY

Designer Monika Chiang’s aesthetic can be described as something of an oxymoron: “nonchalant sensuality.” It’s a combination that she can’t get enough of—and neither can famous fans like Sofia Vergara and Paula Patton. “When you start thinking outside of the box is when things get really interesting,” she says. In less than two years, Chiang has opened a pair of enormously successful stores in L.A. and New York filled with her figure-flattering draped dresses, leather skirts with gold-spike zipper pulls, edgy boots, sneakers with cleverly hidden wedges, and wear-them-forever satchels.

“I’m inspired to create things that I want to wear but that I haven’t been able to fi nd anywhere else,” she explains. This season, she amps up the glamour a few notches with some party-perfect pieces: metallic dresses, smart motorcycle jackets and colorful heels. Beyond that, Chiang is looking into opening more boutiques and developing swim- and athletic-wear lines, both areas that fit well with her style mission. She says, “As a woman designing for other women, I want my clothes to make them feel confident, powerful and beautiful.” (monikachiang.com) — C.N.

GARY WOLKOWITZ

WHY:

HE KNOCKS OUR SOCKS OFF

In 1971, Gary Wolkowitz and his wife Sarah launched Hot Sox with a collection of hosiery for leggy ladies. “My wife is almost six feet tall and, at the time, wore only hot pants with knee-high boots—she never had anything great as a leg covering,” Wolkowitz recalls. “So together we created an entire industry, taking hoisery into the apparel world.” Forty-two years later—with a lucrative partnership as the licensee for Ralph Lauren’s hosiery collection and a Coty American Fashion Critics’ Award to boot—their business has more than found its footing.

Gary is unveiling the Dream Collection: fishnets, textured opaque tights and printed leggings that are digitally rendered with the help of a designer who made prints for Alexander McQueen. The winter line is rich in color, with gold metallics, heavy embellishments, velvet textures, and patterns inspired by stained-glass windows and Roman maps evocative of old Europe. “Socks have become the new focal point of what you’re wearing,” says Wolkowitz. “They can even change your mood.” Now that’s a small investment with a big payoff. (hotsox.com) — C.N.

Monika Chiang

Gary Wolkowitz

Tights

Leather

THE PLAZA

The New York fashion world descended on the Plaza to celebrate Bergdorf Goodman’s 111th anniversary. The crowd mingled in the hotel’s second-floor atrium, where an all-female electric violin quartet played before guests were invited into the grand ballroom. Many designers brought their muses—including Jason Wu with Erin Heatherton, Peter Pilotto with Olivia Chantecaille and Emilo Pucci’s Peter Dundas with Rita Ora—who came clad in their dates’ most glamorous creations. Linda Fargo commissioned Akris to create a gown that served as the perfect party piece—the fabric featured a print of the store’s famous Fifth Avenue windows, which Fargo curates. —N.W.

WHAT: A DINNER PARTY FOR EVA

CAVALLI

WHERE: THE LION

The Stateside visits of Florence resident Eva Cavalli, wife of the designer, are always an event, and New Yorkers eagerly assembled for a 40-person private dinner at the Lion to welcome her on her most recent trip. Hosted by Inga and Keith Rubenstein, the evening started with cocktails and caviar in the library, where guests Karolina Kurkova, Denise Rich and other friends mingled. The crowd—which also included Colin Cowie, Jason Pomeranc, Brian Atwood and Jon Schuster—then moved into the private dining room. The meal of tuna tartare, kale salad, branzino and roast chicken was capped off with an assortment of cakes and sweets. Afterward, the attendees ventured back to the library for more drinks and chatter until the early hours.

Dori Cooperman

An installation of the store’s shopping bags

Linda Fargo and Jim Gold

Giovanna Battaglia, Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld, Carlos Mota and China Chow

Dan and Irina Rapoport

Eva Cavalli and Inga Rubenstein

Sante D’Orazio and Donna D’Cruz

Jason Pomeranc and Lisa Reuben

Karolina Kurkova and Mariano Vivanco

Pippa Cohen and Dori Cooperman

Michael Kors and Lance LePere

Coco Rocha and Zac Posen

She stepped out in Roberto Cavalli twice in three days!

Karolina Kurkova

Erin Heatherton and Jason Wu

Rubix Kube performed ’80s hits.

BERGDORF GOODMAN: BILLY FARRELL AGENCY; CAVALLI: SCOTT RUDD

Denise Rich

WHAT: CHANEL FINE JEWELRY PARTY

WHERE: MOMA

The stars shone brightly for the soirée to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Chanel’s Bijoux de Diamants fine jewelry collection. Diane Kruger, January Jones and Elle Fanning all donned baubles from the line. In a space adjacent to the MoMA, guests were led into an exhibition of the constellation-inspired jewelry. Shooting-star necklaces and moonstone cocktail rings were installed beneath a planetarium-style ceiling evocative of the night sky. Partygoers then sat for dinner, prepared by Michael White (caviar, a crudo trio and a banana caramel tatin) before a performance by English band the XX. Minnie Mortimer said, “This is the best New York night in a long time!” Blake Lively appeared fashionably late (with hubby Ryan Reynolds), in Chanel haute couture and fine jewelry, of course. —N.W.

Rinko Kikuchi and Diane Kruger

Rose Byrne

Ruban Couture white gold and diamond earrings, price upon request, 800-550-0005

Etoile Filante white gold and diamond bracelet, price upon request, 800-550-0005

Minnie Mortimer

January Jones

Blake Lively

Jessica Paré

Alexa Chung

Elle Fanning

The Chanel fine jewelry planetarium exhibit

Linda Evangelista

Jones wore Franges and Perles et Noeuds bracelets.

WHO: ANDREW CARMELLINI

WHY: HE’S TACKLING FRENCH CUISINE

Andrew Carmellini’s restaurants are already among the most buzzed-about in town. But for his next project, Lafayette—a French spot at Lafayette and Great Jones streets—Carmellini, of Locanda Verde and the Dutch, isn’t worried about staying on trend. “The cool kids aren’t opening French restaurants right now,” the veteran of Le Cirque and Café Boulud says. “And that’s why it’s the perfect time.” Set to launch before the end of the year, Carmellini’s new restaurant will offer breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night dining, as well a front-of-house bakery. “I want to have this culture of people stopping by for a bite—a place to go at 10:30 at night and sit at the bar,” says the chef. The new place will be in good company. Earlier this year, Carmellini took over the food and beverage programs at the Public Theater, just up the street. The 41-year-old chef is now responsible for everything from concessions to the fare at a new eatery called the Library. Still, it’s Lafayette that fulfills his dream. “When I moved to New York,” he says, “if you were serious about food, you worked at a French restaurant.” (andrewcarmellini.com)

Adam Rathe

WHO: ED SCHOENFELD

WHY: BECAUSE HE’S TAKING REDFARM UPTOWN

Ed Schoenfeld and Joe Ng (with partner Jeffrey Chodorow of China Grill Management) will soon be bringing their wildly popular West Village Chinese-food stalwart RedFarm to the Upper West Side (2170 Broadway). And while the successful formula of an evolved, rustic setting and an inventive approach to the kitchen will be the foundation of this offshoot, dining uptown will bring surprises, especially on the menu. “We want our regular guests to be able to go uptown and get that quality but also have a reason to go there and try something new,” Schoenfeld explains. “Joe can make a thousand different types of dumplings, so a lot haven’t been seen.” Schoenfeld has a long-standing love affair with Chinese cooking—first as a Chinatown habitué, then as a columnist for a Brooklyn newspaper covering exiled Chinese chefs, before finally running his own eateries. He clearly has the passion to turn a two-restaurant operation into a nationwide empire. “Running a restaurant is in my blood,” he says. “It’s fun for me. Even though RedFarm is packed right now, I’m there every night because I love it.” (redfarmnyc.com) —C.N.

Andrew Carmellini

Roast duck breast and sautéed rice-noodle rolls

Ed Schoenfeld

BRANDS

RODIN DEBUTS A CANDLE

This December, cult skincare brand Rodin is expanding its already adored product range with two holiday-perfect items: first, a mini kit of Rodin’s most popular beauty faves (hair, face and body oils) that will make packing for a flight an easy-breezy experience; and second, a chic pillar-shaped scented candle packed with the same jasmine- and neroli-rich notes that are hallmarks of the label. “I decided to make a candle because our scent is the cornerstone of our products,” says founder Linda Rodin. “It was an obvious and natural evolution.” (oliolusso.com) C.N.

CAUDALIE

Caudalie founders Bertrand and Mathilde Thomas’ vineyard-themed shop on Bleecker Street features a barrel-shaped beauty bar for the brand’s vine-and-grape-based items, including exclusives like the Vinopure Balancing Concentrate and the10 Minute Instant Beauty Pick Me Up. DIY-ers can whip up a Crushed Cabernet Scrub, infused with essential oil blends. “The store is focused on the experience,” Mathilde says. “But we will offer hard-to-find products like Fleur de Vigne Candles and the Mineral Bronzing Collection.” (caudalie.com)

ERNO LASZLO

MAC

The glamorous new MAC flagship on Fifth Avenue in midtown—rendered in shades of glossy pearl and metallic—is home to the beauty brand’s entire inventory of lip glosses, powder, cleansers and more. “We have created an environment about elegance and theater,” says James Gager, the brand’s senior vice president and creative director. “As such, everything is very diffused, pearlescent and sculpted in light.”

(maccosmetics.com) —J.D.

Erno Laszlo’s the Institute is making its NYC comeback with a skincare emporium in SoHo. The West Broadway space will sell the brand’s much-lauded products and also revive Laszlo’s long-term, biorestorative approach to skin treatments. Devotees of the brand once beloved by Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy must commit to a three-month membership program that tracks their skin’s development over three months to a year. “Dr. Laszlo had said, ‘Beautiful skin requires a commitment, not a miracle,’ and this adage holds true today,” says Charles Denton, the brand’s CEO. “We’re not in the business of selling miracles.” (ernolaszlo.com) —C.N.

Bertrand and Mathilde Thomas

Caudalie’s West Village store

Erno Laszlo’s new Institute

Rodin candle, $125, oliolusso.com

MAC Cosmetics Fabulousness in Neutral Eyes, $39.50

SARA STORY WALLPAPER

The new Asian-inspired wallpaper collection from local interior designer Sara Story (known for her work with the Pink Project and residential collaborations with Dirk Denison Architects) is as elegant as it is whimsical. Story infuses traditional motifs like bamboo and kimonos with a contemporary vibe and vivid hues that should work in any home. “My goal is to add energy to a space while maintaining a timeless style,” Story says. (sarastorydesign.com) —J.D.

WHAT:

ART WORLD GREATS

WHY: IT’S TIME TO GET SERIOUS

PETER & THE WOLF AT THE GUGGENHEIM

Starting December 8, Works & Process presents its annual production of Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter & the Wolf, narrated by Isaac Mizrahi and with a new set by New York-based artist Will Cotton (who’s worked with Katy Perry). (guggenheim.org)

PUIFORCAT TRUNK SHOW

Renowned French silversmith brand Puiforcat sets up shop at Hermès’ Madison Avenue boutique through December, displaying rare luxury products from the line’s nearly two-centuries-old archive. Feast your eyes on an art deco lamp ($55,000), which was originally crafted in 1925 and now features state-of-the-art LED lighting technology, or the sterlingsilver, ivory and Macassar-ebony chess set ($95,000), first designed in 1927. (puiforcat.com) —J.D.

“INVENTING ABSTRACTION” AT MOMA

The show chronicles the early goings-on of the Abstract art movement, with sculptures and paintings from the likes of Picasso and Mondrian, dating from 1910 to 1925. (moma.org)

HENRI MATISSE AT THE MET

Be a witness to Matisse’s steadfast persistence with “In Search of True Painting”—a showcase of the French painter’s renderings of the same images—through March 17. (metmuseum.org)

Sara

Isaac Mizrahi narrating

NEW YORK

SOUTERRAIN

TRI-STATE

WHAT: FOOD NEWS

WHY:

BECAUSE WINTER IS ABOUT GOOD GRUB

Twice a year, chef Bill Taibe, the mastermind behind popular Westport eateries LeFarm and e Whelk, hosts culinary showcase Souterrain, a secret six-course dinner with an ever-changing menu. e evening’s fare depends on what’s at the market; recent crowd-pleasers included country pork ribs with tomato jam, fried uke and a zucchini-walnut bread. e location also varies—the event has been held in an abandoned warehouse and in a eld. “With Souterrain, you let go of the barriers of traditional dining,” Taibe says. “A true dining experience is all about the food you’re eating and the people you’re eating with.” e only way to participate in Souterain is by subscribing to LeFarm’s mailing list and awaiting an email invite. Procrastinators beware: You’ll have only 10 minutes to accept. (lefarmwestport.com) —L.P.

AGRICOLA

Chef and New Jersey native Josh omsen gets back to his roots with this new Princeton eatery. Agricola’s rustic American cooking is based on ingredients from the restaurant’s own farm (located just 15 minutes away—talk about a small carbon footprint!) and from other area growers. e cozy interior, intended to make even rst-timers feel like regulars, features a 16-seat communal table where diners can dig into hearty creations like braised beef short ribs, served with parsnips, rutabagas and more. (agricolaeatery.com) —J.D.

WHAT: TRUTH + BEAUTY OPENS

WHERE: ROSLYN, LONG ISLAND

Self-professed beauty junkie Cori Goldfarb combines high-tech anti-aging rituals and coveted products in her new “playground.” Truth + Beauty’s spacious pampering section o ers a three-step customized skin-care program. e destination’s retail area is packed with a mix of classics and hard-to- nd goodies, such as Acqua Colonia perfumes, Skeem candles and organic Erbaviva products. Shoppers requiring extra guidance can meet with a beauty coach, who’ll recommend the best stu for their needs. (truthandbeautyspa.com) —C.N.

Champagne, $50-$55, henrisreserve.com

WHO: RUTH FRANTZ

WHY:

SHE KEEPS IT BUBBLY

A year ago, Southport resident Ruth Frantz launched Henri’s Reserve, an e-tailer for boutique champagne producers. Now she’s unveiling a private-label bubbly made with 100 percent chardonnay grapes. Created in partnership with Alice and Patrick Voirin, fourth-generation growers from the grand cru village of Cramant—located in the Champagne-Ardenne region of northern France— this crisp blanc de blanc with oral notes is the fruit of Frantz’s longtime love for champagne. “In the wine world, everyone’s dream is to have their own vineyard or create their own wine, so this is a fantasy come true,” she says. (henrisreserve.com)

A recent Souterrain dinner in Norwalk, Connecticut

Truth + Beauty’s retail area

WHAT: BOYS & GIRLS CLUB FUNDRAISER

WHERE:

GREENWICH

More than 500 guests received personalized event passports and were transported to a tropical oasis for this year’s Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich fundraiser, held at the group’s headquarters. Benefit co-chairs Beth Taylor and Chrissy Magliocco von Oiste presented a St. Bart’s-themed event that boasted a rosé champagne cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. One lucky guest left with a fabulous vacation package for a stay in a Wimco

WHAT: WALL STREET TENNIS CHALLENGE

WHERE:

GREENWICH FIELD CLUB

Racquet fans flocked to the Wall Street Tennis Challenge—hosted for the first time outside New York City—to watch former professional top-tenner (now Columbia Law School student) Mario Ancic take on local players at Greenwich Field Club. Later that evening, a vibrantly dressed crowd of 300 gathered at the Greenwich Country Club for more tennis and a bit of partying. The proceeds benefitted the National Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Program at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. —L.P.

Brandon Ogara Brian O’Connor

David Caldwell

Jason Pinsky

Villa in St. Bart’s. –L.P.

Scott and Lisa Stuart

Laurie and Peter Grauer

The St. Bart’s-themed décor

The atmosphere at the fundraiser

Beth Taylor, Lisa Stuart and Chrissy von Oiste

Meg and Friso van Reesema

Jill Olson and Tia Mahaffy

Liz and Mark Lazarus and Amy Dana

Lori Zych, Marjorie Pastel and Melissa Hawks

Jon Pastel

WHAT: FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS

WHERE: LAGUNA BEACH

The sun is always shining in the O.C., but the stars came out for the Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts’ Marcia Gay Harden–hosted Celebrity Event, which benefited the festival’s fine arts program. Another highlight of the festival was The Genius, the annual Pageant of the Masters production in which real people were tranformed into living recreations of iconic works of art.

The Harvesters annual luncheon was one meal that will multiply in impact far beyond its attendees: The event raised $540,000 for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Chaired by Jennifer Segerstrom and Susan Etchandy, the fundraiser was held at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and preceded by a Cartier champagne reception, a silent auction and a fashion show.

Ann

Fred Sattler, Marcia Gay Harden and Sharbie Higuchi

Al

Anita Mangels and Gloria Allred

SHE'S THE GATEKEEPER TO THE LUXE LIFE

FASHION

At work, I live in 3.1 Phillip Lim, Tory Burch dresses and Roland Mouret’s frocks, which easily transition me from day to night.

A few pieces I’m coveting are the Rag & Bone Harrow boots—but every store I’ve gone to is sold out in my size—and Jennifer Meyer diamond bar earrings. I’m

also obsessed with biker jackets from Ralph Lauren and Isabel Marant. Right now I am pregnant with my second child, so I am only shopping for shoes, bags, jewelry and jackets. At home with my son, I gravitate toward easy pieces by James Perse and Splendid, and during my pregnancy, I’ve been wearing a lot of Isabella Oliver’s fitted dresses.

“LUCKILY I HAVE FRIENDS IN FASHION AND HAVE CLOSETS TO BORROW FROM!" –KACEY SPIES-BRUNO

GREAT ESCAPES

My husband and I love heading out to La Quinta and Palm Springs for fun, easy weekend getaways. We enjoy hikes at Crystal Cove State Park and taking our son to Baby Beach in Dana Point—it’s a great spot for little ones!

FAVORITE SPOTS AROUND TOWN

For dinner, I hit Studio, Mozza, AnQi, Broadway and South of Nicks. I love True Food Kitchen in Newport Beach and, of course, the Loft at Montage Laguna Beach for lunch. The Laguna Beach Art Walk takes place the first Thursday of every month, and it’s a great way to visit galleries. And the massages at Spa Montage are a must.

SHOPPING

Some of my favorites places include South Coast Plaza, Aris and A'maree's. I love Macalistaire at 1850, a vintage shop in Laguna Beach, and I just picked up a gorgeous fur coat there. I am working with Plush Home by Nina Petronzio in L.A. to create furniture for my house. For children's furnishings, some of my favorite things come from Dwell Studio and Land of Nod. And I am thrilled that a Rolling Greens just opened in Costa Mesa. The shop has a bar where you can build your own personalized plant arrangements with the help of the store’s “baristas.”

BEAUTY

I use Arcona's White Tea Purifying Cleanser every day.

In the mornings, I put on La Mer's Moisturizing Gel Cream and in the evenings, the Crème and La Mer's Eye Concentrate. For makeup, I like Clé de Peau's concealer and Laura Mercier powders. For color and cuts, I go to Kim Vo in Laguna Beach, where I see Romina Costa.

Kacey Spies-Bruno is the PR director for Montage hotels in Laguna Beach and Beverly Hills

Rolling Greens in Costa Mesa

Spa Montage Laguna Beach

3.1 Phillip Lim

Isabel Marant

Concealer, $70, CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ, barneys.com; Eye Concentrate, $165, LA MER, lamer.com

(From left) Yellow-gold and diamond studs, $800, JENNIFER MEYER, ylang23.com. Harrow suede biker boot, $495, RAG & BONE, net-a-porter.com

Leta Austin Foster has been bringing upscale design to Palm Beach—and beyond—for more than 30 years. She got her start working for private clients, like the Kochs and the Basses, and in 1990 she opened an eponymous boutique off of Worth Avenue in part of a former men’s hotel designed by Addison Mizner. Foster discusses the secrets to her staying power.

You were a successful interior designer. Why did you open a shop?

I realized that as the world had changed, I could no longer get the things I loved—like beautiful bed linens, wastepaper baskets, trays, cocktail napkins and writing paper. To this day, I try to keep the store knee-deep in those things. Most items are custommade, so everything is of the best quality.

What keeps your boutique popular?

We’re the store where people go when they can’t fi nd something. If we don’t have it, we’ll make it if we can.

We once made dinnerware for a woman who lived on the ocean and wanted the sea life she saw—turtles, crabs, shells, fish and seaweed—on it. We had a set of Limoges china, painted and fi red to her specifications, for 36. That’s the kind of order we love.

Do you use items from your store when decorating people’s homes?

I love using the things we carry in the rooms I decorate. I prefer beds to have blanket covers rather than bedspreads. I like hand-painted toile and wooden accessories for the rooms; I love to have thermoses by the beds or in the library. That’s the way I think things should look. A

house needs fabulous bed linens, great glasses, soft, thick towels—the nicest things, down to the tissue boxes.

What local places do you like to browse?

I love Tomas Maier—he has beautiful cashmere shawls and Repetto ballet flats. And Pomponner, across the

WHAT:

THE NEW FLORENTINE ROOM

WHERE:

THE BREAKERS

The legendary hotel has revamped its Florentine Room, the former home of the award-winning L’Escalier restaurant, which earned its name from its hand-painted ceilings and décor, modeled after the 14th-century Palazzo Davanzati in Florence. Esteemed restaurant designer Adam Tihany consulted for Peacock + Lewis Architects on the renovation. “I didn’t think the room itself needed changing—changing the room’s usage was the challenge,” Tihany says. “What I tried to do is make this space less intimidating and more fun, friendly and engaging.” It now includes an open kitchen, modern furniture and lighting and food-service stations: At one, guests can nibble on cheese, meat, antipasti and salad; another offers fresh fruit, pastries, breads and a chocolate fountain. Tihany says his design is about “restoring the elegance and ease of the cocktail culture for which this sexy city was once known. It’s as if you’ve stepped into a cocktail party of the highest caliber—laidback, fun, surprising and, of course, luxurious.” ( thebreakers.com ) —A.R.

WHO: MARY BRITTAIN CUDLIP CHEATHAM

WHAT: CURBSIDE GOURMET FOOD TRUCK

Mary Brittain Cudlip Cheatham is known as an artist, but art isn’t her only talent. Cheatham has launched Curbside Gourmet, an epicurean food truck often found parked next to the Norton Museum of Art. The truck brings a funky and new—but still upscale—element to Palm Beach dining; it’s also available for private events. “I love the idea of mobile food, and there was nothing like it here,” says Cheatham. What are customers ordering? “Our pork and fresh fish tacos are popular and my personal favorite,” she says. “And our hand-cut truffled fries are to die for.” (curbsidegourmet.com) —A.R.

WHO: TAMMY FENDER

Rob Wynne’s Octopus, detail (2012)

WHAT:

TWO SHOWS

WHERE:

NORTON MUSEUM OF ART

WHY: THE FACIALIST IS TACKLING PROBLEM AREAS WITH A NEW TONING TREATMENT

Palm Beach facialist Tammy Fender has been bringing a holistic approach to skin care for years. Now, using natural ingredients like kelp and horse chestnut and essential oils like juniper and star anise, she’s addressing cellulite and stretch marks.

After the birth of her daughter, Fender developed her new Cellulite/Stretch Mark Skin Toning Support Treatment to support and strengthen the connective tissues, improve circulation and enhance the performance of the vascular, lymphatic and hormonal systems. The product targets the buildup of fat cells beneath the skin to repair the tissue—in an incredibly light formula. “You can use it with any kind of body oil or moisturizer, as it’s a weightless foam,” she says. ($95; tammyfender.com ) — Natasha Wolff

New York–based artist Rob Wynne, who does offbeat and eye-catching work with glass, has erected I Remember Ceramic Castles, Mermaids & Japanese Bridges, in the lobby of the Norton Museum. The installation, made of Wynne’s trademark glasswork and silk-screened wallpaper, has a unique focus. “I had an idea to mix the range of materials that I typically work with into a piece that not only referenced Palm Beach but also the Norton Museum,” says Wynne, whose work is collected by Peter Marino and featured in the interior designer’s Christian Dior stores worldwide.

The Norton Museum made another significant acquisition recently: a collection of 39 photographs by Annie Leibovitz, which goes on view on January 17, that is sure to impress even veteran fans. “The Norton has made a sophisticated selection,” Leibovitz says. “There are some surprises.” ( norton.org)

Tammy Fender

HMF, the former Florentine Room

WHO: GEORGINA BLOOMBERG

WHY:

SHE'S BACK IN THE SADDLE—LITERALLY

Despite her famous last name, Georgina Bloomberg has found reknown on her own terms. The 30-year-old daughter of New York’s mayor, an acclaimed equestrian and philanthropist who spends half the year in Wellington, has just released Off Course (Bloomsbury), the third book in her young-adult series “The A Circuit.” We spoke to Bloomberg about writing, riding and what it takes to win at both.

What do being an author and an equestrian have in common?

I work hard at riding and go into each competition knowing if I don’t have confidence, I should just go home. With writing, if you’re always secondguessing yourself, you’re wasting your time.

You’re competing again after back surgery. How does it feel?

I have never felt stronger or fitter. I was truly terrified to take a year off, but it was a great thing for me mentally and physically.

Who is your most favorite youngadult writer?

Roald Dahl. Nowadays I love Switch Bitch and his short stories.

WHO: PAMELA FIORI

WHAT: HER THIRD TRAVEL TOME

Parts of Palm Beach will forever be closed off to prying eyes. Thanks to Pamela Fiori’s new coffee table book, In the Spirit of Palm Beach (Assouline), however, the masses can glimpse what makes a 16-mile stretch of Florida such an exclusive enclave. But the book has something to offer even longtime denizens. “What I hope Palm Beach habitués will appreciate most about the book is how fortunate they are to be able to spend time in such a beautiful, untainted place,” says Fiori. Whether it’s the history of the town—settled in the late 1800s by Standard Oil bigwig Henry Morrison Flagler—or breathtaking photography by Slim Aarons and Lucien Capehart, the book shows what makes Palm Beach tick. And though the good old days have passed, many things endure. “From the beginning, Palm Beach has been regarded as a playground for America’s rich,” Fiori says. “While the definition of ‘the rich’ has evolved and broadened, Palm Beach is still considered America’s premier resort for the affluent.” —

Bloomberg riding at the Palm Beach Equestrian Center in Wellington

The Kennedy family outside their Palm Beach estate, 1963

Cars parked on Worth Avenue, circa 1970

Golfers at the Palm Beach Golf Club, 1962

Georgina Bloomberg with her five dogs

Wendy Vanderbilt and friend, 1962

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Loy Anderson, ready for a motorcycle ride, 1970

$45; assouline.com

IT’S TIME TO SPEND THAT YEAR-END BONUS

SAN F≤ NCISCO

MILL MERCANTILE

There’s no need to raid your man’s closet for boyfriend jackets anymore.

Noe Valley welcomes sleek new women’s shop Mill Mercantile—an offshoot of men’s store Unionmade—which stocks its blond-wood shelves with nautical stripes aplenty and tomboy labels such as Chance and Gitman Sisters, Il Bisonte accessories, minimalist home goods, and even stationery. It’s also the only independent retailer selling the Aesop apothecary line in the country. (millmercantile.com)

WINGTIP

Sophisticated gentlemen should apply to join Wingtip, the elegant, three-level private club and men’s shop in the historic Bank of Italy building. With exclusive labels like Antonio Valente and Alfred Sargent and luxurious personal services such as a tailor, milliner, concierge and barber at your beck and call, who could ask for anything more? (wingtip.onthefly.com)

THE NEW BLACK

A hip new design store, gallery and workshop all rolled into one. The New Black encompasses the offices of a dozen-plus architects and designers within its more than 9,000 square feet in the Old City Sign Shop. It’s a one-stop destination for contemporary furniture, lighting and accessories, in addition to work by Joe Doucet and Matthias Pliessnig designed exclusively for the store. (thenewblack.org)

ONASSIS

Men’s outfitter Onassis may have taken Manhattan, but it has chosen San Francisco’s Westfield Centre for its first West Coast outpost. The ultra-cool combination of casual American design and Japanese technique is a perfect fit for the City by the Bay. Choose from plaid oxford shirts, wool blazers and vests, and cardigans in a mammoth space paneled in warm vintage wood. (onassisclothing.com)

CLOCKWISE

FROM RIGHT: MICHAEL DAVID ROSE; URBANDADDY/MICHAEL DAVID ROSE; CERA HENSLEY; COURTESY OF THE NEW BLACK

AM and Neal Feay and Council Design tables on display at the New Black

Mill Mercantile

Belts in every color at Wingtip

Onassis

ASPEN HOUSTON DALLAS CHICAGO

WHAT:

RALPH RUCCI’S NEW ART EXHIBIT

WHERE:

SERGE SOROKKO GALLERY

WHAT:

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA GALA

WHERE:

WAR MEMORIAL OPERA HOUSE

Guests dressed to the nines for the 90th San Francisco Opera opening gala, where partygoers, dripping with diamonds and cloaked in couture, mingled with the likes of Mayor Ed Lee, Representative Nancy Pelosi, grand sponsor Dede Wilsey and Denise Hale. The Notte di Splendore–themed evening included a cocktail reception, a performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto and an Italian dinner of lasagna verde and vitello con funghi under a tented pavillion. Opera patrons left enchanted by the talents of soprano Aleksandra Kurzak.

Ralph Rucci is on a roll. Between collaborating on furniture with Holly Hunt and carpets with Rubelli, the New York City–based designer—best known for his luxurious clothing line Chado Ralph Rucci—found time to create pieces for “Ralph Rucci: New Paintings and Works on Paper,” opening December 15 at the Serge Sorroko Gallery. “There are works that touch upon all aspects of my self—my insecurities, fantasies, deep primal sense of being a man, and the act of allowing myself to be exposed without any consideration of judgment,” says Rucci. On whether there is crossover in his work: “There is often a period where the paintings inspire my clothes, but it’s rare when the clothes inspire the paintings.” (sorokko.com)

(3);

GALA:

From left: Reconciliation II, mixed media on canvas (2005); Sigmund Freud’s Friend, mixed media on paper (2005); Untitled, acrylic on canvas (2012).

The War Memorial Opera House

Sonya Molodetskaya

Stephanie Ejabat, James Krohn and Nancy Kukacka

Jeanne Lawrence and Wilkes Bashford

Sobia Shaikh, Cynthia Baroumand

Joachim Bechtle, Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Bechtle and Paul Pelosi

Denise Hale

Trevor and Alexis Swanson Traina, Dede Wilsey and Boaz Mazor

WHAT: SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY’S 101ST OPENING NIGHT GALA

WHERE: DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL

Clad in everything from kilts to saris, the glam audience at the Symphony’s fall gala was treated to a French program and Joshua Bell’s show-stealing, mesmerizing violin solo. Partygoers like Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer, power couple Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and author Amy Tan helped themselves to crepes, gourmet hot dogs and chocolate-dipped bananas.

WHAT: CLARINS’ SHAPING FACIAL LIFT COLLECTION LAUNCH

WHERE: ASIAN ART MUSEUM

Bay Area beauties got a boost when San Francisco–based fashion stylist Jane Black co-hosted a cocktail event with Clarins at downtown’s Asian Art Museum to celebrate the launch of the brand’s new Shaping Facial Lift Collection. Sharon Seto, Fati Farmanfarmaian and other guests came to sample the serum, eye lift and facial lift, all part of the new array of offerings. There’s nothing like a little perk-me-up to head into the holiday season.

Stephanie Southerland

Julie Ballard

Jane Black

Christina Greenberg, Chrissie Carney and Candice Macario

Adair Arnold

Sharon Seto, Ye-Hui Lu and Fati Farmanfarmaian

Susan Kirby and Ladan Mozafar

Han Wen, Brad Murray and Jenny Chu

Margot Buckspan and David Morin

Marissa Mayer and Zachary Bogue

Sloan Barnett and Christine Lamond

Rebecca Miller

Genelle Relfe and Charlotte Schulz Amy Tan

Marybeth La Motte and Catherine Kwong

MACHKA

For Turkish delights you’ll truly savor, head to the Financial District for a taste of Machka’s mezes (blue cheese and chorizo stuffed dates, octopus salad, fresh falafel), grilled kebabs and kunefe (a cheese-filled dessert served in orange-blossom water). Husband-and-wife team Farshad and Sibel Owji’s intimate restaurant features a communal dining table where you can watch old black-andwhite Turkish films. Şerefe! (machkasf.com)

RICH TABLE

Expectant diners were not disappointed when the greatly talked-about Rich Table, a casual new eatery opened by married couple Evan and Sarah Rich (Quince, Michael Mina), finally arrived in Hayes Valley. The simple space (wood-paneled walls, an open kitchen with white subway tile) puts the focus on the marketdriven menu, which spans land and sea: pork lasagna, king salmon and clams, lamb tartare and oysters on the half shell. (richtablesf.com)

THE ABBOT’S CELLAR

Not content to stop at gastropub fare, the beer geeks behind the Monk’s Kettle have unveiled a 3,000-square-foot craft beer temple in the Mission. The Abbot’s Cellar’s 24-foot ceilings and menu of sophisticated Californian cuisine (think blackberry-glazed quail and yellowfinn-potato gnocchi with braised short ribs) are impressive, but the setting is still unpretentious and approachable. All wine (California only) and beer (more than 100 varieties) are stored in a stone-clad, two-story cellar for optimal guzzling conditions. (abbotscellar.com)

TOUT SWEET PATISSERIE

A Turkish native who has likened baking to Buddhism, Top Chef: Just Desserts winner Yigit Pura is enlightening San Francisco with his new sweets shop in the Union Square Macy’s. Pura packs his bright patisserie with flavored marshmallows, sticky coconut-pineapple cake and Ladurée-inspired macarons—just a few of the reasons to get there, tout de suite And for a lastminute hostess gift, grab one of the dessert sauces, fruit curds or artisanal marmalades on your way out the door. (toutsweetsf.com)

Sardine chips with horseradish and ancho cress at Rich Table

The Abbot’s Cellar

“The 5th Element” vanilla and raspberry confection at Tout Sweet

The Lamb Durum at Machka CLOCKWISE, FROM RIGHT: COURTESY OF TOUT SWEET PATISSERIE; CHRISTIAN ALBERTSON; MICHAEL O’NEAL; JOYCE OUDKERK POOL

WHO:

ANN GETTY

WHY:

SHE’S A GRAND DAME OF DESIGN

WHO: ALEXIS SWANSON

TRAINA

WHY: BECAUSE SHE HAS GREAT TASTE

As creative director at the smart and style-centric Swanson Vineyards, the gorgeous yet grounded Alexis Swanson Traina loves sugary cereal as much as a sip of chardonnay. On her blog, alexisnapa.com, the self-proclaimed sensory addict, who splits her time between Pacific Heights and Oakville in Napa, details her endless adventures, reveals favorite fashion looks and chronicles memorable Instagram moments. The Florida-raised mother of two and wife of technology entrepreneur Trevor Traina shared a few of her favorite things with DuJour

Favorite cocktail: Basil gimlet Favorite aperitif: Dry rosé wine

Preferred midnight snack: Fruit Loops, Frosted Flakes and Oreos

Favorite wine to celebrate a special occasion: Swanson’s Alexis Cabernet

Sauvignon

Favorite Napa tradition: Going to Gott’s Roadside with my kids for burgers, shakes and corn dogs. Favorite entertaining tips for winter cocktail parties: I love serving pot pies, shepherd’s pie and BBQ ribs. I pour a lot of sweet wine and port in old-fashioned, colored cut-crystal cordial glasses. Winter is about sipping and lingering and storytelling.

Best advice: It is a good thing to be curious and eccentric.

Favorite time of day in Napa: I love the shimmering, hazy light of dusk, intertwined with the colors of sunset.

Philanthropist and designer Ann Getty is the undisputed queen of San Francisco society. Her new book, Ann Getty: Interior Style (Rizzoli), provides an intimate peek inside opulent locales and features pieces from her sophisticated furniture line, inspired by the Getty collection and her travels around the world. Getty spoke with us from her Pacific Heights mansion to offer her thoughts on style and entertaining.

Who have been your biggest style influences?

Elsie de Wolfe, for her lighthearted yet dramatic approach to design; Sister Parish, for her never overthought but always sophisticated and comfortable rooms; and Tony Duquette, for his lavish whimsy.

What is the most important secret a hostess should know about throwing a dinner party?

You should make your guests welcome and comfortable, and feed them well. I love to cook, but I also have a wonderful chef!

Of your many trips around the world, where have you discovered your most precious decorative treasures? I love shopping in China, India and Burma, and Venice is great for textiles. —Nicki Richesin

TRAINA: CLAIBORNE SWANSON FRANK; GETTY: LISA ROMEREIN/COURTESY OF RIZZOLI (3)

Alexis Swanson Traina

Clockwise from top left: Keith Tyson’s History Painting, Baden-Baden (1942), in the graphic entry of the Trainas’ apartment, which Getty designed, with a 17th-century Chinese altar and a series of 18th-century Venetian painted and gilded chairs with their original handwoven silk seat coverings; Ann Getty in the Syro-Turkish guest bedroom of her San Francisco residence; Badminton chairs from the Ann Getty House collection and Tiepolo-style Chinese murals transformed a dining room.

WHAT:

HOLIDAY GIFTING

WHAT:

TIS THE SEASON

Between November 23 and December 24, U.S. holiday sales are expected to reach $925 billion. Here’s where to go to do your part.

LORD & TAYLOR

CEO: Brendan Hoffman

BARNEYS NEW YORK

CEO: Mark Lee

SHOP CITIES

MACY’S

CEO: Terry Lundgren

Tagline: “Way to Shop!”

Tagline: “Taste, Luxury and Humor”

Santa’s helper: At-home design consultants will arrange your justpurchased decor.

Uniquely Tri-State: Avoid the Manhattan crowds and head to the mega-store’s Jersey City outpost for the same holiday spirit (and sales).

On your list: Jonathan Adler Candles, $28.

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Santa’s helper: On-site concierge to assist with everything from international tailoring restaurant reservations.

with everything international tailoring

Uniquely Beverly Hills: This will be the location’s fi nal holiday season before a major 2013 renovation.

On your list: Monique Pèan earrings, $1,560.

Tagline: “Unapologetically Classic and Forever Relevant”

Santa’s helper: The store’s LT Inside blog lists launches, trunk shows and trend reports. Uniquely New York: The store’s West 39th Street location means you can happily avoid the Black Friday gridlock happening uptown.

On your list: Loeffler Randall Boots, $695.

BLOOMINGDALE’S

CEO: Michael Gould

NEIMAN MARCUS

CEO: Karen Katz

Tagline: “Fashion’s Best Designers, Plus Beauty’s Best Brands”

Santa’s helper: The Neiman Marcus gift App, free at iTunes.

Uniquely Dallas: Everything’s bigger in Texas, especially at Neiman Marcus HQ, which famously fulfills fantasy holiday orders for items like a $100,000 hen house and a personal jet pack (learn to fly!).

On your list: Tom Ford Black Orchid Eau de Parfum, $150.

Tagline: “Like No Other Store in the World”

Santa’s helper: Use Bloomies online wish lists for perfect gifts for friends and family.

Uniquely Palm Beach: A Pinot Noir break at in-store restaurant, B’Café.

On your list: Deborah Lippmann Sugar Plum nail polish set, $42.

BERGDORF GOODMAN

CEO: Karen Katz

CEO: Stephen Sadove

Tagline: “Think About ...”

Santa’s helper: In-store WiFi lets you cross-check shopping lists—and email your own present requests.

Uniquely Chicago: Step out onto Michigan Avenue to check out the holiday lights festival, lasting through the holiday season.

On your list: Del Toro velvet slippers, $350.

Tagline: “One Store, One City, One Experience”

Santa’s helper: Personal stylists will shop for gifts or bring you

Uniquely New York: The world’s and only location has exclusive laborations with Christian Louboutin, Proenza Schouler and others.

On your list: Linda Fargo holiday ornament, $55.

CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: MICHAEL DAVID ROSE; URBANDADDY/MICHAEL DAVID ROSE; CERA HENSLEY; COURTESY OF THE NEW BLACK

FAMOUS LAST WORDS

WRITER AND PHYSICIAN DEEPAK CHOPRA LOOKS AT THE WORLD FROM AN EXPANDED POINT OF VIEW—BUT WHAT DOES HIS HANDWRITING SAY ABOUT HIM?

Emotional distance is connoted by the wide spaces between words: a self-protective need to maintain privacy and personal boundaries.

in thinking, feeling and doing.

When there is a fat loop where a line would be—like in his “d-stem”—it’s a sign of sensitivity. Loops are emotion; lines analysis.

Deepak Chopra has written dozens of books and most recently begun hosting 30 Days of Intent on YouTube, but before he was an author and public figure, he was hooked on literature. As a kid, at a reading in New Delhi, Chopra heard the work of Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi mystic, poet and philosopher.

“Since then, his poetry has been part of me,” Chopra

The note is clean, clear and well-margined, which reflects an organized mind and a disciplined person.

says. It’s “about going from constricted awareness to expanded awareness, because it’s just a shift in perspective. The drop is the ego and the ocean is the spirit.”

Toronto-based graphology expert Annette Poizner notes that Chopra’s signature swerves flexibly, with small-case letters that look like leaves on a vine. Chopra’s quote reflects the duality in his handwriting—the blend

Here is an example of “print script”: cursive writing with printing—the telltale sign of a writer, a person with a blend of logic skills (connections) and intuition (disconnections).

of connected, cursive writing and disconnected writing (print) shows an individual who combines logical thinking skills with intuition.

“We know that in his books Chopra bridges the physical world with the spiritual world,” Poizner says. “His handwriting tells the same story.”

LINDSAY SILBERMAN

Chopra shows his depth in all three zones. The upper zone extends high, the middle zone is also tall, and the lower zone drops down nice and low. This demonstrates mastery

TIME ON YOUR SIDE

Arceau Ecuyère watch in steel set with