November | December 2009
Table of Contents 3 6 7
Hidden Gems Accessories Digital Takeover
8 A Window Wonderland 10 New York Street Style 12 A Holiday Staycation 16 Travel: Costa Rica 18 The Reality of Reality Television 19 How the Business Kills the Art 20 Restaurant Review: Savoy 21 Greenmarket Meals 22 Once Upon a Modern Time 30 Contemporary Cottage 32 A Newly Democratic Art World one
Stephanie Deutsch
Nina Swiderski Katie Schloss
Katie Suarez
Esther Hammerman
Carrie
Goldber
g
Meet T Editors he
Dear reader, After much hard work, we hope you enjoy our pilot publication, designed to bring you articulate and thoughtful interpretations of your interests. Our goal was to create a fashion focused publication for style-centric women seeking a luxurious lifestyle, at times on a budget, by relying on the hidden gems of everyday, urban life. Through articles and editorials that profile undiscovered, young fashion designers, the avant-garde, unusual restaurants and unique travel destinations, GEM hopes to provide you, our readers, with rare, distinct, and inspirational artifacts, transforming you into a tastemaker and opinion leader amongst your social
circle. Through GEM, we hope to deliver new and innovative angles on classic fashion journalism and photography. This innovation was aided by our contributors, Lauren Dunitz, Tal Sharon and Amaya Maurie to whom we owe many thanks. From students to young professionals, we hope that all GEM readers think of themselves as intelligent, fashion savvy seekers of the latest undiscovered gems and trends and GEM should serve as your portal to that exclusive world.
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Yours, Carrie, Nina, Katie, Esther, Stephanie, & Katie
HIDDEN ACCESSORIES
native jewelry by Katie Schloss It’s 7:00 AM on a Friday morning when Stephanie Marie Alexandris of NATIVE by Stephanie Marie wakes up to go to the Henri Bendel’s OpenSee, a biannual event in which thriving designers from across the country come to show their unseen collections to the Bendel’s buyers. Outside the store sporting her black patent YSL Tribute booties, leather jacket and Prada tote, Stephanie Marie explains that her handmade, beaded collection was devised whilst summering with her family on the coast of Colombia. “The jewelry line started when my aunt, who went to a technical school for beading, asked me to design some pieces I’d like [for myself], and so I did…When I traveled back to Colombia, [the jewelry] had been made and looked truly exquisite! The concept of an actual business didn’t occur until I saw how much interest they were getting.” Since those summer days, Stephanie Marie has been selling her jewelry up north in New York City. “I can’t complain—I have pieces in three boutiques and have a growing clientele. As of now, the collar, which I named Eros, is a favorite… The cuffs are also doing really well; they are so easy to wear.” It was not until Stephanie Marie came back to the States that she settled on the company name NATIVE. “My line
is produced in Colombia by Colombians. The workmanship is native to the region and the fact that the line is manufactured in a small Colombian village enables those working on NATIVE to send their children to school and provide for their families—opportunities they did not previously have. When I think about the community created by my pieces, it gives me a reason to continue designing and producing the collection there.” Given that NATIVE by Stephanie Marie is doing so much good for the community that aids in its production, it does not come as a shock that no matter where the designer travels, her intricate necklaces and bracelets instantly bring her back to the natives of her country and the Colombian landscape. The designer states that the pieces evoke, “Colombian passion, colors, spice, joy, pride, bohemia, comfort, elegance, love and peace... [the jewelry] reminds me of my people—we are all proud, native Columbians.” Despite Stephanie Marie’s proud heritage, she plans to keep her business in the New York area. “Ideally, I want to be selling to shops like Bendel’s,” she says with a laugh looking towards the elegant department store in front of her. Thinking for a moment she continues, “Well, I would want to open up my own boutique, so that’s really the big picture.”
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HIDDEN CULTURE prodigy produc
er
by Katie Schloss While most 15-year-olds are taking their first AP level classes, learning how to drive and perhaps even dabbling in the college admissions process, Miguel “Migs” Baeza has already landed a career as a music producer. Baeza, who started producing music when he was only 13-years-old, has already worked with leading artists such as Ashanti and Flo-Rida. In 2000, “Migs’” father, Mario Baeza, founded AJM Records which successfully launched Ashanti’s career with the help of Def Jam/Murder Inc. Records. Following in his father’s footsteps, Miguel has embraced the music industry and seems to be taking it by storm. Mario Baeza comments that this is “...every father’s dream...to really pick up the baton and run with it, he has done that beautifully.” While balancing rigorous academics, soccer and Eagle Scouts, Miguel has also taken on new projects such as producing tracks for Erika de Luna’s new album. The up-and-coming singer describes Miguel as “extremely talented… So in a few years, I’m really excited to see what he could be. It’s going to be good.” In the future, Miguel hopes to attend his mother’s alma mater, Princeton, and work with the likes of Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne, whose music he has listened to “from the beginning.” “I like to create songs that combine both the artist’s sound and my own,” says Miguel “Migs” Baeza. “I want the music to be an honest collaboration between the artist and me.”
s d r i b g n i m hum in private schools by Carrie Goldberg
Think Gossip Girl meets Muriel Spark’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, add a dash of Virgin Suicides and you have got this holiday season’s must-read. Joshua Gaylord’s first work of fiction, Hummingbirds, is a witty tale of how two male English teachers, Leo Binhammer and Ted Hughes, navigate their way through The Carmine-Casey School for Girls, an Upper East Side private school. The book simultaneously chronicles a year in the life of the institution’s students, who are lead by their queen-bee, Dixie Doyle, a frivolous pseudo-princess who goes nowhere without her entourage and utters French phrases while lacking the ability to speak the language. Doyle’s arch nemesis is the eye-rolling Liz Warren, the intelligent playwright at Carmine-Casey. Gaylord flexes his metaphorical muscle beautifully using the dichotomy between Liz and Dixie to parallel that of Binhammer and Hughes. This work of fiction is aided by the author’s real-life experience; Joshua, or Dr. Gaylord as his students refer to him, is a teacher at an elite Upper East Side private school. Gaylord guides his readers through a romanticized version of his own world with ample poetic license and yet an observant lens. His unique insight opens the door to an exclusive world—a true treat for Gossip Girl fans and literature lovers alike. four
HIDDEN FOOD
cupcake creations by Carrie Goldberg
Sitting on the kitchen countertop while her grandfather, a former naval chef, cooked for her family, Erin Phraner developed a love for food. Her love for femininity came soon after. The last lady in a long line of food-adoring matriarchs, Erin fell right into the habit of making her gastronomical talents undoubtedly graceful, without a hint of domesticity. Born in the small yachting town of Northport, New York, Erin moved to New York City with an open mind and an empty stomach to attend New York University. While majoring in Educational Theater, Erin had a harder, secret and self-inflicted double major as a foodie and food blogger. Studying abroad in Paris her junior year inspired her blog, Food & Femininity, that she describes as the tale of “a young Francophile pursuing her exploration of the world through the sights, smells, and tastes of the places she visits.” Although the website was born in Paris, Erin has guided her readers through the fresh markets, fine restaurants, and the DoIt-Yourself culinary adventures of Nice, Chantilly, Monaco, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Dublin, London, Berlin, Houston, Burilngton, Tampa, Athens and her beloved New York. She has introduced readers to her friends, family and deepest love – pastries, particularly cupcakes. From birthdays to late night bakes, “just-because,” Erin shares her successes and failures in the kitchen with her devoted followers, along with her coveted recipes. But one recipe is staying safe in the Phraner vault: Erin’s recipe for red-velvet, one that took three years to perfect, is a well kept secret not to be taken as lightly as its whipped frosting. When I asked Erin for some hints to the moist, five
cherry-red cake batter, she finally conceded and gave me two measurements for the recipe’s foundation and holy grail: flour and sugar. Once I heard that each of these measurements broke down the basic ingredients into fractions unheard of in the common kitchen, I knew I was better off appreciating the taste of the treats rather than attempting them myself. Who but Ms. Phraner would know how to remember to include 3/8’s of anything? After experimenting with cupcakes in flavors as elaborate as Thai Iced Tea, Chocolate Balsamic and Stone Fruit Pierogi, downtown New York was a buzz with Erin’s gastronomical talents. She began to take work as a private caterer, and her work both savory and sweet has lead to hundreds of sugar-high and satisfied customers. Upon graduation, Erin found work at a food publication where, lucky for her blog readers, she can now experience food on new levels and on a daily basis. When asked about her culinary hidden gem, Erin gushed about the sweet n’ salty cake at Baked, a bakery in Red Hook, Brooklyn. “The owner and baker, Matt, created the boys’ club of bakeries – nothing pink or frilly, perfect for any girly foodie’s first date!” While balancing quite the work schedule, rest assured that Erin has plans for Food & Femininity. Her next stop? Thanksgiving in Prague! Not to worry, Erin won’t be suffering through those god-awful airplane dinners. She has recently created airplane friendly stuffing muffins and apple-raspberry bars that she plans to take as her carryon for her Czech-Thanksgiving. Read up on this trip as well as Erin’s future foodventures on foodnfemininity.blogspot.com.
‘Tis the Season to be Giving by Katie Schloss This holiday season, finding gifts that keep on giving could not be easier. From TOMS shoes to Joan Hornig jewelry, designers left and right are finding ways to give back to their respective communities. Indulge and feel good about your purchases this holiday season by opting for a pair of TOMS canvas shoes or a Rachel Leigh lucky turtle necklace. After all, for every pair of TOMS shoes purchased, one pair is given to a child in need. With a purchase of select Rachel Leigh necklaces, one can support great charities such as the Turtle Ridge Foundation, Make the Difference Network and Comfort Zone Camp. Not sure where your money is going? Not a problem. With Joan Hornig jewelry, you decide to what charity the donation will go. Joan Hornig donates 100% of her profits to registered non-profits around the world; personalize your gifts this holiday season by picking a meaningful charity that you can share with your loved ones. ‘Tis the season after all!
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Digital Takeover As the age of the print publication begins to wane, and the rising popularity of online magazines and blogging take place, GEM has decided to further investigate this seductively new medium. With the recent deaths of Condé Nast publications, Gourmet, Modern Bride, Elegant Bride and Cookie along with the Federal Trade Commission’s new rule for bloggers, the magazine industry is re-evaluating its future and realizing the power of blogs and online publications. The FTC’s latest regulation states that bloggers are now required to declare when an item is gifted to them, rather than referring to it as a self-discovery. Although this rule is more of an annoyance than an end-all to bloggers, it goes to show how popular and powerful the art of blogging has become. No longer just a simple means of self-expression, blogs, particularly fashion blogs, are supplementing a fashionista’s print reading. In our information-overload and news-obsessed culture it is no surprise that blogs are gaining popularity. As most fashion magazines come out on a monthly basis at best, certain blogs are updated frequently throughout the day. It is not easy for print to compete with this type of frequency and availability. Even fashion designers are recognizing the power that bloggers hold, inviting people of all ages and experiences (including a certain 13-year-old superstar named Tavi) to their exclusive shows. Readers view a blog as a writer’s personal statement, naïve to the fact that bloggers are being wined and dined by many major brands. Many see blogs as a helpful, inside tip and view the subconscious advertising less cynically than they would in a print publication. The fact that a reader/viewer can communicate directly with a blogger thanks to comment sections and emails creates an even deeper sense of intimacy and assumed honesty. The popularity of blogs has inspired fashion publications to take a more serious look at their online counterparts. GQ has recently up-ed the ante on their website, creating a male version of style.com tht gives its readers access to reviews, detailed photographs of men’s fashion shows, styling tips and other interesting articles not featured in the magazine. Condé Nast, the powerful publishing house, is trying to remedy its recent cuts and closures by creating online homes for the majority of its magazines as well as a recent iPhone application. GEM isn’t far behind, we’ll be launching our online home in months to come. Stay tuned for a constant exposure of hidden gems at the click of a finger!
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A Window Wonderland: the untold tale of the bergdorf goodman holiday windows, featuring window designer max avi kaplan by Katie Schloss GEM: What has it been like doing the Christmas windows at Bergdorf Goodman? MAX: It’s been very exciting and challenging. My biggest battle has been working in very small and cramped spaces because there are a lot of ornaments that have to work aesthetically within that space. GEM: So, what has been your biggest challenge on the job? MAX: My biggest challenge has been putting up a very, very heavy mannequin with an even heavier Alexander McQueen gown. The window is Alice in Wonderland inspired and the dress in that window has a Vortex design, like a pinwheel. The dress has three to four layers of tulle and many layers of silk-satin. Not only was this the heaviest dress we worked with, but we had to hang the mannequin vertically, so it looked like it was looking down on a game of chess. It was definitely challenging getting it up there! GEM: Do you have any funny experiences you’d like to share? MAX: Well, a mannequin once fell from the ceiling, shattering into pieces. A designer who has been there forever said, “That bitch almost killed me!” It doesn’t exactly sound funny now that I’m saying it out loud, but just the image of this mannequin breaking into pieces and this wonderfully flamboyant, older gentleman saying that was just priceless. It was really one of those moments where you just couldn’t help but want to embrace the fashion industry, and for me, it was one of those moments where I really felt a part of it. GEM: What’s your favorite window display? MAX: My favorite window display is completely made out of paper. One of the designers, his name is Jay, made it and it’s beautiful. They got all of these paper artists to come in and make birds, typewriters and desks, and it’s paired with this amazing Marc Jacobs dress. I think it’s the most operatic window display I have ever seen. GEM: What are the other window display designers like? What kinds of projects are they working on? MAX: The other artists are very creative and self-motivated. Many have projects outside of Bergdorf Goodman. To work there, you have to be very artistic in your approach to projects. As for their other projects, they vary. Some do their
own paintings, some are in art school, others are freelancers for windows. I think there are even a few people that make candlesticks! Basically, creative people just make everything. They do things that you would never think possible and they have made me realize that anything is possible. GEM: What have you been working on lately? MAX: I’ve been working on a dress for an up-and-coming opera singer and a sculptural piece of installation for an NYU showing. The dress for the opera singer is a nude gown with a Chanel inspired silhouette. I have paired it with French ribbons, which have been inspired by Toulouse Lautrec’s impressionist paintings. It’s kind of like Hérve Léger, just because of the pops of color. It’s not tight like that though. It’s more of an evening gown. It’s also my first wearable piece. I’ve been putting all of my income from Bergdorf Goodman into it in order to purchase the ribbon and fabric, especially the tulle. It will be finished at the end of December. As for the work that will be shown at the Gallatin Galleries at NYU, I will be showing my dress next to these two Yves Saint Laurent dresses that a fellow alum has donated. I just feel really lucky, so I’m going to take these opportunities and really run with them. GEM: What other Christmas windows do you admire most? MAX: I admire Tiffany’s jewel box windows a lot. They have gotten a new designer recently, and he is doing a great job. I also really admire the Ralph Lauren mansion on the Upper East Side. They always do a stellar job as well. GEM: What are your plans for the future? MAX: I’d like to continue making pieces of fashion sculpture, and as I get older I’d like to work in ceramics or some type of sustainable and accessible product like scarves or place settings. One of the things I’m most looking forward to is meeting people that have very different ideas. I tend to like people who initially seem almost awkward in their approach to creative projects because those are the dreamers who make the most creative works. I really love their ideas, and that type of creativity is what I want to foster in my own work and what I want to keep showing.
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SStreet S tyle treet Style by Katie Schloss and Katie Suarez
By: Katie Schloss and Katie Suarez
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A Holiday Staycation
Drastic economic times call for desperate measures. Once our wallets are empty from impulse purchases and decadent meals out, we must seek something more modest when our open minds dream of lavish getaways. In lieu of travel, choose fantasy. Transport yourself to Santorini, Paris, Gstaad and London through the wardrobe your wallet has been emptied on. When mentally traveling, keep resort trends in mind —your fantasies should take you abroad with luggage contents that are both simple and up to date.
LONDON | SANTORINI Opposite page: Joining the Royal Navy; J.Crew blazer, Gryphon top, Anlo jeans, Nechemia Azaz ring, Christian Louboutin shoes. This page: Sailing with a Stavros; Rebecca Taylor dress, Alexis Bittar and Gorjana necklaces, on floor: Miu Miu shoes.
PARIS | Smooth satins; Vintage Yves Saint Laurent top, Objets Trouves skirt, Chanel shoes, Forever 21, Chanel and Darien Sport Shop necklaces, Chanel bag.
GSTAAD | Lush leather and velvets; Cynthia Steffe dress, Christian Louboutin shoes, Forever 21 bangle, Spanx hosiery, Rachel Leigh ring.
Costa Rica :
the rich coast on a budget by Stephanie Deutsch
stay Situated on the northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica, The Tamarindo Diria Beach and Golf Resort is a fourstar luxury retreat that won’t break the bank. With the white sands and clear water of the Tamarindo beach at your feet, this is one lavish lodging you will never want to leave. Prepare for some serious R&R.
eat While it may have a kitschy rainforest theme, La Casa de Doña is one of the most famous restaurant chains in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Prices range from five to eight dollars a plate, and the portions of rice, chicken and beans do not run small. Come hungry—there is no shortage of food at this authentic eatery. sixteen
party Don’t be fooled by this bar’s location. While The Monkey Bar is located in Tamarindo’s Best Western Hotel, this hotspot plays live music at night and serves affordable drinks with a tropical twist. Whether you are looking for a club vibe or a relaxed scene, the multilevel Monkey Bar offers something for everyone.
All photos on this page courtesy of www.sxc.hu. Top photo, opposite page: courtesy of wikipedro. Outline of Costa Rica map courtesy of worldatlas.com.
shop The main street that runs along the beach in Tamarindo is lined with a multitude of shopping options. Large souvenir and artisan craft shops share the light with local vendors who lay out their affordable and authentic jewelry alongside the road. Feel free to haggle over the price; it’s expected!
see Costa Rica may have lush tropics, warm weather and clear beaches like many resort spots around the globe, but its animal habitats are a unique sight to see. Playa Grande is a nesting area for giant leatherback turtles, and tours are led to see this incredible spectacle from October to March. seventeen
do It is one thing to walk inside a rainforest, but it is quite another to fly inside of one. While zip-lining in the lush Monteverde Cloud Forest, it is common to see monkeys in the trees and animals roaming the forest floor below. Before leaving Costa Rica, one must try this activity, also known as tree-hopping.
Left: Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port at TeenVogue and at the Crillon Ball in Paris on The Hills. Below: Previous TeenVogue interns, Port and Conrad, pose for the August 2007 cover. Screenshots courtesy of MTV Networks.
The Reality of Reality Television how MTV’s the hills has altered the world of fashion and the role of the fashion intern
by Katie Suarez Recent reality television show, MTV’s
The Hills, has created an interesting
effect on the public’s perception of the fashion magazine industry and the role of the intern. The catty battles between cast members have portrayed the industry as a cesspool of ditzy, superficial women. Although the show has exposed the public to the hard work entailed in creating a magazine and increased professional interest in the industry as a whole, it has similarly undercut the talent of the editors creating these publications. These programs put a general bad taste in the mouths of many fashion editors, a distaste which lead to the eventual dismissal of Conrad from TeenVogue. A plethora of young women were inspired by the shimmering surroundings and fabulous perks of the girls’ supposed internships at TeenVogue, leading to an exponential increase in intern applications to fashion magazines. Although an internship on The Hills seems to be an ideal entrance into the glamorous world of fashion, their internships were anything
“As a veteran intern, I can tell you the job is often not as glamorous as it appears.” but ordinary. While it’s practically impossible to find an internship in the fashion or journalism industry that is paid, these girls were making about $20,000 per episode, a little fact that would severely change the experience and life of any fashion intern. As a veteran intern, I can tell you the job is often not as glamorous as it appears. Packing boxes, getting coffee, sorting mail, making copies and returning heavy garment bags full of samples are among an intern’s daily duties. That is not to say that there aren’t some serious perks; free designer goods, dressing half-naked male models and working the doors of exclusive parties are only a few of a fashion intern’s responsibilities. No matter how many times I have burnt my hand on a steamer, I cannot complain about assisting on photo shoots in large New York studios. But college students and fresh-from-the-oven graduates must eighteen
realize that these perks are earned only after one has proved his or herself worthy and the dirty daily duties have been accomplished. MTV’s The Hills has helped and hurt the fashion magazine industry. The industry has been helped by the exposure and popularity it has gained, which lead to more applications and many more young, helpful interns. One must keep in mind that this business is not just a place of catty women deciding which boot is the “it” boot of the season but of hard working, intelligent individuals. If interns aim to one day achieve the same status as the ladies seated in those pristine glass offices, they have got to get their hands dirty first!
How the Business Kills the Art by Katie Suarez
Fashion week. Those glittering weeks in September and February of every year that fashionistas around the globe anticipate. Those weeks which feature the future of fashion while shouting out beautiful ideals and dreams from every conceivable designer. It’s a fantastical time when every editor, journalist, blogger and photographer breathlessly awaits fashion’s next big thing. After each show we shamelessly log on to style websites to examine the review, pictured full collection and detailed shots of each line. We make our own mental lookbooks and fall in love with the various musthave obscurities of the upcoming season. Little does one know that half of our absolute, can’t-livewithout, necessities will be cancelled from the line to never see the production light of day. “How could this happen?,” one asks oneself. It is pure and simple economics; and economics in terms of fashion week
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translates to that little thing called coterie. Coterie takes place the week after fashion week, when buyers from all of the major department stores and boutiques make their way over to another set of tents. As buyers view each collection and select the pieces they presume will sell most effectively, those obscure, out-there must haves are thrown from the spotlight and cancelled from the line. A perfect example of this type of fashion travesty is Alexander McQueen’s “alien” shoes from his Spring 2010 collection. These ten-inch, jewel encrusted ankle booties and pumps are enough to make Anna Wintour shed some tears for the pure genius of their concepts. Unfortunately, it is exactly these examples of dreamlike madness that stay dreams and never make it to the street. Not to worry ladies, we can still admire them in the fierce-as-ever, Lady Gaga “Bad Romance” music video. Once coterie makes its wishes heard, the fashion houses’ design teams begin to produce similar bestselling styles that are produced year after year. This is not necessarily a bad thing; we need those trench coats and LBD’s. But how much more inspiring would it be if the boutiques and department stores were full of wonderful oddities and dreams come to life, rather than the everyday staples?
Seasonal Eats: Savoy by Esther Hammerman
In an urban environment, cuisine featuring locally grown ingredients is a delicacy not experienced by many. Savoy, a quaint spot in New York City’s SoHo, complete with hearty eats and a cozy fireplace, is serving up dishes straight from the market. The eatery has remained true to its claim of using local products to create healthy yet delectable meals. The restaurant successfully designs perfectly portioned meals that leave each diner satisfied without being overstuffed. Each dish is presented beautifully and is a meal for those looking to stay healthy without having to sacrifice taste. The Half Maine Lobster is tender, buttery and cooked to perfection, with just the right amount of zest. Served on top of a portion of homemade spaghetti squash, the entrée was a flawless concoction of flavors. With a choice of three out of nine small plates, you can’t go wrong. The Braised Greens, Broccoli & Cauliflower Gratin and Winter Squash Dip delivered multiple aromas, textures and spices, which played off one another magnificently. Most importantly, do not leave without having dessert. The Bittersweet Chocolate Mouse Cake topped with caramel oranges and espresso meringue is the ultimate finish to a delicious meal. Featuring a silky whipped mouse placed on a crunchy chocolate bottom, this dessert is pure chocolatey bliss. Savoy’s intricate food presentation compliments the restaurant’s ambiance and décor. The downstairs has a fresh, upbeat look and unlike many locally grown locales, features a full bar. For a more formal dining experience, eat upstairs in their dining area. Ryan Tate, Savoy’s current chef, describes the restaurant as “Comfortable, cozy…really a hidden gem of SoHo.” Unbeknownst to passersby, Savoy has a lot to offer those who venture in. Created nineteen years ago by Peter Hoffman, the pioneering chef of the green market who has been credited as “the Alice Waters of the East Coast,” Savoy is accustomed to getting
an array of customers from tourists to regulars. Savoy’s seasonal menu is updated on an average of eight times a year, due to their ingredients being purchased solely from local farmers whose stocks change in quality and quantity from season to season. After speaking to Ryan, who has been the chef at Savoy for the past three years, GEM got the inside scoop of the challenges and obstacles of cooking green. With a locally inspired restaurant, there is less planning lavish, ingredientspecific menus. Instead, more time is spent thinking about what is presently available in the market and the ways in which it can be used to create a cohesive meal. Ryan finds this process makes it “easier to be inspired by the ingredients.” He mentioned his love for the continual challenge of local cooking and shared stories of how the ingredients dictate his service. Just that day he found himself in quite a debacle. With adequate ingredients for Squash Rings nowhere to be found, Ryan was left to create an entirely new dish to be incorporated into the lunch menu only hours in advance. With its constantly changing menu, Savoy has left one dish untouched: its house staple, the Salt Crusted Baked Duck. Though this could be seen as a rather boring dish to a chef like Ryan, it has proved to be the most challenging. He is always testing out new side dishes that compliment the distinct flavors of the duck. Laughing, Ryan comments that he tweaks this dish about thirty times a year. When asked what his favorite time of day is, he said, “making the last plate of the day.” One might assume this is due to exhaustion after a long day’s work, but like a truly dedicated chef, it lies instead in his aspiration to make his last dish every bit as good as his first. Savoy is located at 70 Prince Street, New York City.
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Greenmarket Meals Why wait on long grocery lines when you can support your local farmers? Inspired by Savoy’s seasonal choices, this holiday, opt for something fresh with unique market ingredients.
cinnamon goat cheese and roasted vegetable salad 1/4 cup mixed greens 1 butternut squash 3 beets Dried-cranberry cinnamon goat cheese* GLAZED PECANS 1 cup pecans 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar DRESSING 1 tablespoon oil 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon mustard 1/2 teaspoon mayonnaise 1 teaspoon sugar Pinch dried basil Pinch pepper
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Peel butternut squash and beets. Cut into small pieces and place evenly on a baking pan. Sprinkle with olive oil and salt. Roast for 45 minutes, or until cooked. 3. For candied pecans: stir sugar, oil and vinegar in a large skillet over medium heat for about three minutes, or until sugar melts and syrup boils. Add pecans and stir until completely coated. Spread pecans evenly on to parchment paper or foil and cool completely. 4. Plate greens, squash, beets, pecans and cheese. Add desired amount of dressing and enjoy!
namon erry Cin b n a r C nd Dried nnhaven *Can’t fi e? Visit www.ly king your s ee r try ma Goat Ch /cheese o cheese and roll m o .c s n goat nubia . Press a log of e k a T enerously s ! g n o own m a nd cinn ranberrie r it in grou f freshly dried c to o refrigera l a handfu ese and let sit in g plain che ddin into the hours. A ks just fine w fe a t s r for at lea to the salad wo se e e h c t a go too!
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Once Upon a Modern Time... ...and once upon a dream, on the distant isle of Manhattan, there lived seven beautiful, yet familiar faces. Alice angelically found her way out of the rabbit hole her curiosity had lead her to fall into head first. Ariel basked in the glory and femininity of her newfound legs, while her arch nemesis Ursula lurked in the shadows to assure she not receive a kiss from her Prince Charming. Cinderella waited hopefully alongside her kingdom’s castle, sure that someday her prince would come. Snow White’s naiveté lead her helplessly to the Apple Store, bound to make a poisonous purchase in a wretched recession. Sleeping Beauty’s fairy godmothers, after much dispute, dressed her in pink and found her a prince so charming he lent her his jacket to keep her warm on her way home. And, a strong-willed yet stunning Pocahontas helped reign over her father’s tribe on their new campgrounds in Central Park. All of a sudden, a dream is not simply a wish your heart makes when you’re fast asleep– in fact, it’s quite the contrary. In this present-day fantasy, dreams and hopes come to life all across a city that never seems to sleep.
FULL EDITORIAL
Curiouser and Curiouser‌ TopShop London top, H&M wool skirt.
A mermaid’s tale; On this page: Shoshanna dress, Prada shoes, Amanda Pearl clutch. On opposite page: Catherine Malandrino dress, Christian Louboutin boots, Kenneth Jay Lane bangles, Shell necklace by Lisa K. On both pages: BCBG Max Azria tulle skirts, Henri Bendel Necklaces.
On opposite page: Bippity, Boppity, Boo!; Erin Fetherston dress, Rachel Leigh necklace, J.Crew bracelet. On this page: The fairest of them all; J.Crew trench coat, Alice & Olivia dress, Vera Wang necklace, ChippElane headpiece, Chanel bag.
Dream girl; Yves Saint Laurent dress, Vintage Brooks Brothers blazer, Christian Louboutin shoes, Vintage necklaces, Katie Schloss bracelets.
All the colors of the wind; BCBG Runway top, Forever 21 fur vest, Anik New York leggings, Marni shoes.
Contemporary Cottage after growing up on the west coast, this attorney brought her small town roots to new york city to design a home her entire family could enjoy by Carrie Goldberg Most perfectly decorated and designed spaces are home to those in creative industries—architects, artists, designers and the like. These artistic professionals channel what they do best into their natural habitats, allowing for more creative fluidity and risk-taking in their designs. When looking outside the box for perfectly designed spaces, we found this contemporary cottage on the Upper West Side of Manhattan built from start to finish by one incredibly talented attorney, with help from her husband, who works in financial services. Although they may not design for a living, their rustic yet modern space is truly something to envy not only for its fantastic style, but for all its architectural aspects. Rhona Kisch and Daniel Stamler bought this space with the goal of a complete and utter revamp and renovation. They knocked down almost every wall in the apartment, keeping very small aspects of the prior owner’s layout, namely two brick columns which were only pieces of walls from the previous space. What they got was a perfect home for their twins, Sam and Natasha, and a zen, sophisticated space for the whole family to inhabit. When asked about the inspiration behind her home’s design, Rhona said her children without hesitation. She explained that they always hoped for a large communal interior the whole family could share and enjoy but that also had the ability to give each of them their own personal space. She told me about how she and Daniel had spent weeks living in their children’s rooms when their master bedroom was under construction, an experience which she explained gave them true insight on how their home would be experienced by their children. “I lay in Natasha’s bed and thought, ‘how could you be a kid and wake up here and not have it make you so happy?!’” Her children, she mentioned, were also the reason behind the home’s minimalist furnishings. Originally, she planned on furnishing her entire open living room to include a seating area and a more formal dining area. “Then Daniel and I started doing yoga, and we had our yoga teacher coming each week to do yoga with us in the living room. Soon, the kids wanted to join in. Now we do yoga once a week as a family in the open living room space.” It seems the couple managed to achieve the shared, family space they had conceived when mocking up blueprints with their architect. Rhona and Daniel’s unique and custom pieces lead to a deep discussion of her favorite household items. I immediately
noticed the flowers and complimented her on the stunning arrangements. Rhona blushed, “They’re fake—it’s so tacky and embarrassing!” It was quite the contrary; in fact, the florals were fabulously faux. In order to compensate for her hectic lifestyle and to add a bit of recession chic to the space, Rhona headed to the plant district in Manhattan’s midtown and found herself some good fakes. The curtains, unlike the flowers, are seemingly one of a kind—slit and made of linen, cut-outs in the window treatments evoke the design of a print rather than being made of a two dimensional textile. Rhona’s mother, Gloria Kisch, created all the artwork in their living room, i.e. the painting above the fireplace and the metal columns. The ability Rhona has to incorporate personal touches into her home with amazing artwork and personalized pieces is truly quite special. Her mother’s art adds sentimental value, uniqueness and creativity to the space. When I asked Rhona where one should hit in hopes of finding furnishings like hers, she replied, “Seriously? Wow, I never thought of it as something anyone would want!” She smiled, “I never grew up buying furniture, I grew up with the attitude of ‘you want a table? Make a table!’” The great modern coffee table in her living room is a product of her hard work—she ordered the glass, and put the rest together by hand. Clearly if Rhona wasn’t already such a high-powered lawyer, she’d have a successful career in interior design.
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Top Right: Indian inspired pillows are both stylish and functional the family uses them for their weekly yoga session.
Middle: Adding international touches from childhood to her adult home, Rhona borrowed this piece from her mother, who purchased it from an African tribe.
Bottom Right: Daniel’s birthday gift from Rhona was this vintage wine decanter which she bought from Alice Kwalter Antiques on Park Avenue.
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A Newly Democratic Art World by Katie Suarez
In this digital age, art has become all the more accessible. No longer is art sequestered to the elite, artistic and ultra-posh. Today, anyone can view a work of art by simply logging on to the Internet. Web and graphic design are impossible to miss and becoming more advanced and unique by the day. Concert halls and museums are not the only places where one can experience art; artists are now becoming established with the push of a button on blogs and other art sites. Whether this owes thanks to web design, the creation of various types of video-art on YouTube or posting one’s music on MySpace, there is a definite democratic revolution taking place in the art world. Art critics are similarly being created not only on blogs and on Twitter, but in the comment section included on practically every website. Online publications and blogs help to shed light on fantastic and unknown photographers, artists, designers and stylists. Blogger, Scott Schumann, also known as The Sartorialist, brings daring street style and high fashion photography to the public on his website. Design blog, dezeen.com, features avant-garde international art, interior design, product design and architecture. However, one does not have to visit a specific art-inspired blog or website to view exceptional web and graphic design. Practically any website is stylized thanks to typography, background design and side advertisements working as a constant, although subconscious, exposure to the art world. Through this constant stream of inspiration, people are not only becoming more informed, but more creative and artistic. In this newly democratic art world, the question of what can be considered art evaporates; artists who utilize conventional media have found the web to be a prime location for showcasing their work, while other artists have emerged, using digital tools as their medium. thirty-two