Fink's Jewelers

ACCEN T SP RIN G/SUMMER 2 013 THE MAGAZINE OF LI FE’S CELEB RATION S

RESTORE RENEW REFRESH SPRING

2013

FIND THE PERFECT GIFT INSPIRATION FROM THE FAR EAST SPECIAL WATCH FOCUS

DEAR CLIENTS AND FRIENDS,

As the owner of my family business, I have a hand in almost every day-today activity — from merchandising and advertising to store renovations and beyond. But my favorite part of the business is working with our customers. I recently had the privilege of selling an engagement ring to a sharp, young professional named Brandon LaCroix. When he first contacted me, he asked for help in selecting a Valentine’s Day gift. Once we spoke on the phone, I found out Brandon wanted to pop the question. I began working with Clif Burcham, our outstanding diamond buyer, in selecting several engagement ring options for Brandon to choose from. He ended up with a stunning Asscher cut diamond in a platinum micro-pavé setting.

Brandon and his now fiancée, Caroline Ellison, were on their way to Antigua for a winter getaway. Since they were flying out of Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina, Brandon (a Duke University graduate) planned a little pit stop along the way. He proposed to Caroline atop the Duke Chapel at sunset. As a former collegiate golfer, I have no doubt Brandon’s laser-like focus helped him climb those 239 steps to the top and then seal the deal… she said yes!

As a jeweler, nothing is more satisfying than being a part of a happy couple’s start in life together. It’s truly the best part of this business.

Marc Fink, President and CEO

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CONTENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2013

FINKS.COM

CHAIRMAN & CEO MARC FINK EVP & CFO WALT GAYNOR

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VP OPERATIONS MARK BAIR VP INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES TODD STAFFORD DIRECTOR OF MARKETING LINDSEY KIRBY

P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E B J I FA S H I O N G R O U P PUBLISHER STU NIFOUSSI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN

FEATURES 1 Welcome Letter

WATCH FEATURES 32 Advisor: Watch Wisdom

6 On the Move

34 Profile: TAG Heuer

8 Fink’s Family Profile: Lisa Wilson

36 Pop Culture: Watches in Film

DESIGN DIRECTOR HANS GSCHLIESSER MANAGING EDITOR JILLIAN LAROCHELLE PROJECT MANAGER LISA MONTEMORRA DESIGNERS

10 Fink’s Family Profile: Ellen Freeman Kraatz

CYNTHIA LUCERO JEAN-NICOLE VENDITTI

12 Spring Gift Guide

PRODUCTION MANAGER

18 Around Town

PEG EADIE DIRECTOR OF PREPRESS

20 Designers: David & Sybil Yurman

HUGH K. STANTON

22 Red Carpet: Rainbow Brights

PRESIDENT AND CEO

24 Anniversary: Mikimoto

BRITTON JONES CHAIRMAN AND COO

26 Reads: Living a Charmed Life

MAC BRIGHTON

28 Trends: Asian Fusion 30 Trends: Strong & Soft

Prices are subject to change without notice and may vary

38 Delicacies: Much Ado About Oysters

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2

EXPANSION

ON THE

MOVE

I

n the fall of 2012, we opened a new Fink’s Jewelers location at North Hills shopping center in Raleigh, North Carolina. After closing both the Cary Towne Center and Triangle Town Center locations, the new Fink’s Jewelers at North Hills completed the effort to reorganize and reinvigorate our presence in the Raleigh market. “Our growth in Raleigh prompted this move,” says Marc Fink, president and CEO of Fink’s Jewelers. “The new store gave us the opportunity to more than double the space at the previous two stores. Now the largest collection of fine jewelry, diamond and timepieces can be found under one roof.”

The beautifully remodeled store sits prominently on Main Street in the North Hills shopping center and showcases boutiques from the industry’s leading designers, including David Yurman, Rolex, Tag Heuer and Breitling.

In addition, the new store offers an expanded selection of the designer brands you love, such as John Hardy, Mikimoto, Roberto Coin and Stephen Webster.

One thing that remains the same in the beautiful new store is our dedication to unsurpassed customer service and selection. We look forward to serving you at the new Fink’s Jewelers in North Hills or at our Streets at Southpoint store in Durham.

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VIRGINIA (Toll Free 888.699.7464) Roanoke 419 at Colonial Avenue .................................................540.342.2991 Valley View Mall.............................................................. 540.362.3779 Lynchburg 16960 Forest Road ......................................................... 434.237.6301 Charlottesville Barracks Road Shopping Center ............................434.284.4060 Richmond Chesterfield Towne Center .......................................... 804.379.7171 Short Pump Town Center ........................................... 804.377.8589 Stony Point Fashion Park ............................................. 804.261.9371 Fredericksburg The Village at Spotsylvania Towne Centre ...........540.736.1290 Dulles Dulles Town Center ........................................................571.434.6540 McLean Tysons Corner Center ....................................................703.584.3101 Norfolk MacArthur Center ............................................................. 757.640.1132

NORTH CAROLINA (Toll Free 800.566.7464) Greensboro 1951 Battleground Avenue...........................................336.292.8355 Charlotte Northlake Mall ................................................................. 704.927.4888 SouthPark ..........................................................................704.366.3120 Raleigh North Hills........................................................................... 919.881.8247

Durham The Streets at Southpoint ................................... 919.281.8407

www.finks.com

FINK’S FAMILY PROFILE

F

or Lisa, it all started 21 years ago. A friend who owned a jewelry store at the time asked her to help out for the Christmas season. From that day on, she knew her passion was for the fine jewelry business. “I’ve had the privilege of experiencing several different avenues within the industry,” she says. Her career spanned from the Virgin Islands all the way to Alaska, where she worked at large jewelry corporations as well as smaller family-owned stores. In 2011, Lisa made her home at Fink’s Jewelers in Fredericksburg. “I’ve always enjoyed working for a familyowned company,” Lisa says. “Working at Fink’s, I truly feel like a member of the family.” Lisa’s love for the business was apparent, and she quickly moved up in the company, assuming the role of store manager in 2012.

Lisa’s vast experience in the jewelry industry has given her a great appreciation for Fink’s Jewelers. “I believe we offer the best customer service in the business,” she says. Having worked for companies that didn’t share the same vision, Lisa values the emphasis Fink’s puts on exceeding customers’ expectations with every sale. “Not only do we provide the highest quality jewelry and timepiece selection, but each sale is handled with integrity and professionalism. It’s a great thing to be a part of.”

When it comes to selling jewelry, Lisa gravitates towards the hottest fashion lines — David Yurman and John Hardy. “I love the look of large gemstones and David Yurman does them beautifully,” she says. In addition, Lisa appreciates the attention to detail in John Hardy’s handcrafted designs. She enjoys sharing the story behind each piece saying, “Every John Hardy design is like a work of art inspired by the exotic Indonesian culture.”

Lisa’s tenure in the jewelry business isn’t just luck; she attributes her success to hard work and staying educated about the industry. She explains: “The jewelry business goes through constant changes in fashions, materials and designs… it’s important to stay knowledgeable in order to provide the best customer service possible.” She also understands that the best way to succeed in any business is by gaining the customers’ trust. “I treat every client the way I would want to be treated,” she says.

When she’s not behind the sales counter, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and playing with her three dogs, Sunny, RJ and Bella. “They are my babies and I love to spoil them rotten,” she admits. Recently, she and her husband Ken have also acquired a taste for fine wines.

With several wineries in the Northern Virginia area, they enjoy taking day trips and snapping pictures along the scenic drives.

LISA WILSON Store Manager, The Village at Spotsylvania Towne Centre Fredericksburg, Virginia

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FINK’S FAMILY PROFILE

A

s a senior at Davidson College, located just north of Charlotte, North Carolina, Ellen started working in a small local jewelry shop. Little did she know, that parttime job would start her down the path to a successful career in the fine jewelry business. Following graduation, she decided to study gemology and eventually began working for Fink’s Jewelers at Northlake Mall as an office administrator. Her talent on the sales floor quickly shined through and in a few years, she was promoted to assistant store manager. Only a short time later, Ellen was given the opportunity to lead the Northlake store. Now, having just finished her 7th holiday season with Fink’s, she says joyfully, “I’m about to celebrate my one-year anniversary as Northlake’s store manager!”

Anyone who works with Ellen can’t help but absorb her lively spirit.

She does much more than simply sell jewelry; she forms relationships with her customers and enjoys helping them select the perfect piece for all life’s celebrations, like birthdays, anniversaries, engagements and promotions.

When asked what she loves most about working in the jewelry business she says, “Diamonds! They make customers happy and mark meaningful moments in their lives.” As a Graduate Gemologist, Ellen appreciates the quality selection at Fink’s, especially the attention that’s given to the cut of a stone. “A well-cut diamond can simultaneously hold and release light,” she explains. Out of all the bridal designers Fink’s offers, Norman Silverman is her favorite. “Their devotion to detail is inspiring,” she shares.

Having worked in the jewelry business for quite some time, Ellen attributes her success, in part, to the company she works for. Fink’s Jewelers “has the structure and purchasing power of a bigger company, with the personality and sincerity of a family-owned business. It’s a perfect balance.” In addition to loving the company she works for, she also loves the company she keeps. Ellen says, “My family, friends, and teammates are a blessing. I don’t think I would get very far without their support.”

When she’s not at the Northlake store, Ellen loves to travel with her husband and spend time with friends and family. She also dedicates a lot of her free time to the Carolina Poodle Rescue. After adopting her own poodle, Coco, she began volunteering with the organization as a way to thank them for matching her up with her “best friend and confidant.” As an animal lover, she enjoys being a part of something that provides comfort and happiness, saying, “I never expected to love her so much until she came into my life and showed me what my heart could do.”

ELLEN FREEMAN KRAATZ Store Manager, Northlake Mall Charlotte, North Carolina

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AROUND TOWN

The Fink’s team at the 2012 Big Bad Ball for Hospice of Wake County.

From left, Carlos and Lori Colmenero, Neil and Lori LaGarde, Claire Brown, and Debi and Todd Stafford.

Neil LaGarde discusses John Hardy with his customers at North Hills’ inaugural Holiday Open House.

The Fink’s and Roberto Coin gang enjoys the Holly Ball, a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, VA.

Our flagship store in Roanoke, VA prepares for their first Ippolita trunk show with a stunning collection of new spring pieces!

Greensboro store manager Ike Savvas (center) enjoys a round of golf with UNC Tar Heels football coach Larry Fedora (left) and basketball coach Roy Williams (right).

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John Hardy events at Fink’s invite you to enjoy all that Balinese culture offers. This Short Pump store customer got a henna tattoo while shopping!

Meredith Cale and Floy Pence from our Chesterfield store take time to get a picture with John Hardy’s head creative director, Guy Bedarida.

Fashion buyer Molly Corvin takes a breather at the Greensboro holiday party.

The advertising gals snag a picture with president and CEO Marc Fink at the North Hills holiday party.

Guy Bedarida, head creative director at John Hardy, talks to customers about his intricate designs while they shop special pieces and enjoy some wine.

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DESIGNERS Crossing Over “In the new Crossover collection [far left], we combine smooth and cable cords to create contrast, texture and a sense of movement. It’s really a symbol of the way Sybil and I work together: everything we do is intertwined.”

—David Yurman

WORKING

ARTISTS Sybil Yurman remains David’s muse.

And so much more.

‘‘W

e create art for people to wear.” With those words, David and Sybil Yurman articulated an enduring vision for their company, America’s foremost jewelry house for over 30 years. From the very beginning, their belief that art is personal — that the artist’s world is unique and the creative process is an expression of the artist’s aesthetic — made using the word ‘jewelry’ seem insufficient.

‘Jewelry’ doesn’t entirely encompass David Yurman’s vision of what he is creating, nor does it express his passion for the creative process, his love of design and his refusal to be led by conventional wisdom.

His interest in sculpting began early, at just 13 years old. During summers off from high school, David studied art, working as an apprentice to Cuban sculptor Ernesto Gonzales in Provincetown, Massachusetts. In his 20s, he hitchhiked to California, joining other artists in Big Sur, and immersing himself in the culture and lifestyle of the bohemian community. Moving back to his native New York City several years later to pursue his passion for sculpture and form, he served apprenticeships under master sculptors Jacques Lipschitz, Hans Van de Bovenkamp and Theodore Rozack — experiences he describes as life-altering. Then, another call from destiny: the chance meeting of his muse and future wife and partner, Sybil.

His romantic nature inspired, he sculpted a piece of jewelry as a gift for her. She wore it to an art gallery opening and the owner, taken with the design, asked if David had more to sell. He recalls, “I couldn’t imagine recreating something so personal that I had made for Sybil, so I said ‘no.’ But at the very same moment, Sybil said ‘yes’ — and, like that,

we found ourselves in the jewelry business.”

Though he never set out to be a jewelry designer, working closely with Sybil, a painter in her own right, led him to explore different avenues of artistic expression. For the two halves of the famed Yurman design team, their collaboration as artists epitomizes the very essence of yin and yang. “We complement each other,” says Sybil, “and that creates a dynamic unity.

Together, we create something bigger than us, sometimes larger than life itself.” While David sees the world through the lens of a sculptor, with a refined sense of proportion and a threedimensional perspective, his muse sees the world as a kaleidoscope of emotion, color, form and movement.

After years of designing sculptural jewelry that was sold at craft shows and galleries, it was David’s creation of the cable bracelet, a twisted helix of sterling silver wire composed of multiple strands, that put his name on the proverbial map. The piece became an instant icon, a contemporary classic that has served as the thread that runs through all of the collections.

Deemed a phenomenon in the jewelry world, David Yurman’s handcrafted creations — silver paired with gold, and diamonds and semi-precious stones set in silver — were revolutionary. The pieces, with ancient Gothic and Egyptian references, blended classic with contemporary styling. “We bridged the gap between fashion and fine jewelry, and we used art as the bridge,” says David.

For David and Sybil Yurman, beautiful jewelry is not the end result of a simple technique or a single element. Outstanding quality and extraordinary craftsmanship are achieved from a foundation of artistic excellence. Over 30 years later, what began as an artist’s passion for sculpture and a painter’s love for color has turned into a jewelry house that continues in the classic tradition of the guild, but pushes the boundaries of convention with imagination and innovation.

“We use art

to bridge the gap between fashion

and fine jewelry.”

David Yurman

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T H E O R I G I N ATO R O F C U LT U R E D P E A R L S . S I N C E 1 8 9 3 .

Red Carpet RASHIDA JONES

Pop of Pink

CHRISTOPHER POLK

ASTRID STAWIARZ

At the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Awards Ceremony honoring her father, Quincy Jones, the Parks and Recreation star’s fuchsia pout pumped up the pink pattern on her dress. Though she kept the rest of her accessories minimal, Jones’ choice of jewelry proves two rings are better than one.

IVANKA TRUMP

RAINBOW BRIGHTS

Red All Over

Stars shine in every color under the sun.

JILLIAN LAROCHELLE

The always-elegant jewelry designer let her dress speak for itself at the 9th Annual Style Awards. Statement earrings and a silver bag subtly accented the sparkly floral appliqué.

JESSICA LANGE

IAN GAVAN

Orange You Glad

KATE MARA

Perhaps Lange’s golden cuff was a prelude to the statue to come. This tangerine dream turned out to be a winning look for the actress, who took home the Best Supporting Actress Emmy for her role as Constance in American Horror Story while wearing the goddess-like gown.

Not So Mellow Yellow ASTRID STAWIARZ

Even through the London fog, this rising star shone as bright as the sun at the West End premiere of her new Netflix series House of Cards. Mara added even more bold color with a jeweled bib necklace and violet box clutch.

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VANESSA HUDGENS

VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO

Blue Beauty

MONICA BELLUCCI

The actress played up her exotic good looks in the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge during Fall 2013 Fashion Week at New York’s Lincoln Center. A satin sheath in a royal blue hue provided the perfect backdrop for intricate silver beadwork, while a cocktail ring helped Hudgens call attention to her avant-garde manicure.

MIKE COPPOLA

Green with Envy For a lesson in how to liven up basic black, look no further than this Italian bombshell, who paired a show-stopping statement necklace with a slinky black dress to cut the ribbon at the reopening of Cartier’s boutique in Milan last fall.

DOUTZEN KROES

White Hot

ASTRID STAWIARZ

Proof that a lack of color can sometimes be just as sexy! The Dutch model’s on-trend extras, including a studded bag and a stack of mixed bracelets, popped against the blank canvas at a party celebrating the inaugural issue of Generation W hosted by W Magazine and Jaeger-LeCoultre.

IMAN

BENJAMIN LOZOVSKY

Purple Passion Not many people can pull off head-to-toe plum velvet, but Iman manages to make it chic with the additon of a chunky gold tassel necklace. (Her glowing golden skin doesn’t hurt, either.) We bet Bowie would approve.

ANNIVERSARY

PEARLS

OF WISDOM After 120 years, Mikimoto knows a thing or two about these timeless treasures.

120 pearl anniversary strand of Akoya cultured pearls with 18K white gold clasp.

Kokichi Mikimoto measuring pearls, circa 1951.

Black South Sea cultured pearl necklace with signature ball clasp in 18K white gold.

M

ikimoto, founded by Kokichi Mikimoto in 1893 and known the world over as the leading maker of cultured pearl jewelry, marks its 120th anniversary this year.

Among other impressive achievements during the company’s long history, Kokichi was the first to develop a technique for the cultivation of pearls that is still in use to this day. A determined innovator, he succeeded in creating the world’s first perfectly spherical pearl, an object he regarded as nature’s most precious gift to be shared with women everywhere. The timeless elegance found in Mikimoto pearl jewelry has been celebrated and worn by icons of style in every era, from Coco Chanel and Marilyn Monroe to Elizabeth Taylor and Sarah Jessica Parker.

To commemorate more than a century-long commitment to product design, superior craftsmanship and strict quality control, Mikimoto has proudly revealed plans to release three specially designed 120 pearl strand necklaces that embody the company’s traditions.

The first design is comprised of 120 Akoya cultured pearls and represents the original pearl that Kokichi cultured in 1893 off the waters of Toba, Japan — a feat that brought him one step closer to fulfilling his dream of bringing the unsurpassed beauty of the pearl to all women. This unique Akoya strand will feature an 18K white gold clasp accented with beautiful royal blue enamel lacquer, crafted by skilled artisans in Japan.

The second design, made of multi-colored Black South Sea cultured pearls, celebrates the breathtakingly rare type of pearl that Kokichi first cultured in 1914, using a new technique that helped Mikimoto expand cultivation into the waters off Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Tahiti.

The rich, dark colors of the pearls range from slate gray, silver and pistachio to peacock green and midnight black, with overtones of green, rosé or blue.

The third strand consists of 120 multi-colored South Sea and Freshwater pearls and marks Mikimoto’s mid 20th-century expansion into the international market that helped shape the company’s enduring legacy. This necklace is comprised of Golden South Sea, White South Sea, and Pink and Peach Freshwater cultured pearls. Both of these exquisite strands will fasten with a paisley motif version of the iconic Mikimoto clasp, exaggerated in size to accentuate the necklace.

“These 120 pearl strands represent each milestone in our brand’s 120 year history” says Meyer Hoffman, COO of Mikimoto. “Each pearl symbolizes a moment in our past where we’ve taken our founder’s vision to the next level.

With this anniversary, we honor the rich legacy that Kokichi left us while looking forward to the future.”

These rare and breathtaking pieces will be available in early fall 2013.

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PEACE OF MIND STARTS WITH PROOF OF QUALITY. Carat Weight 1.53

Color Grade E

Clarity Grade VS1

Cut Grade Excellent

Laser Inscription Registry Number GIA 16354621

Natural Diamond Not Synthetic

A GIA report is certainty from the source.

As creator of the 4Cs and the International Diamond Grading System™, GIA sets the standards for diamond assessment, worldwide. Unbiased. Scientific.

A report from GIA gives you a clear understanding of your diamond’s quality.

Look for GIA Diamond Grading Reports and the jewelers who offer them. www.4cs.gia.edu

THE UNIVERSAL STANDARD BY WHICH GEMS ARE JUDGED.

READS

LIVING A CHARMED LIFE

Stylist, designer, writer and founding fashion director of this magazine, BETH BERNSTEIN talks to Accent about love, life and the profound power of fine jewelry. generations, taking on each of our personalities as it changed • My grandmother’s fantasy gems • A platinum eternity band I bought myself. It was my first self purchase and it meant that I was independent and didn’t need a man to buy me jewelry.

• A locket and baguette stick pin from my mom, pieces that always remind me of her • My dad’s Cartier Tank watch • The plastic bead necklace my niece made for me when she was three • A pendant my dad gave to my mom that I had revamped into a ring; it keeps them alive, and together, forever…

Family is obviously important to you. What’s the best advice you ever got from your loved ones?

From my grandmother: “Always wear a little lipstick. And earrings…”

“Superstitions are just that. Worrying doesn’t make something not happen…” And the zinger: “If he hasn’t married you by now, he’s not going to!”

From my father: “People can only hurt you if you let them.”

From my mother: “You can usually see the train coming from afar; get off the tracks before it hits you.” And (the words I heard most often) “He wasn’t worthy of you anyway…”

What’s your best advice to women about buying and wearing jewelry?

I very much believe in personal style and creating your own look. Buy for who you are, not who your friends are. Try on lots of different things: you’ll learn your style as you get more comfortable trying on. Leave hints for your husband or significant other about your dream gifts. But never feel like you have to stick with something: you can change your style as you grow. The most important rule: there are no rules. Wear what you love. Wear your jewelry; never let it wear you.

I understand you’re a bit superstitious about your jewelry…

Just a bit! I always wear some sort of talisman when I fly. (I truly believe it helps land the plane…) I never wear a ring on my left hand ring finger because some Russian woman told me when I was very young that I’d never get married if I did. I’m still not married, and still longing for that band of gold…

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“WEAR YOUR JEWELRY; NEVER LET IT WEAR YOU.”

NOLET’S GIN

You’ve been touring the country and the reviews have been sensational. Why did you write this book?

I felt there was something ultimately universal in the way women relate the most significant moments in their lives to jewelry. Open any woman’s jewelry box and there will be at least a few pieces that connect her to her past, that represent her present and that can be handed down in the future. As a writer and jewelry designer, I wanted to explore this theme, kind of what Ilene Beckerman did in Love, Loss, and What I Wore.

What did you learn about yourself from writing it?

More than I wanted to know; it was a painful process of self discovery. I learned that I hold on, am afraid of loss (thus I have every piece of jewelry every guy ever gave to me — even the ones I don’t want to remember). I learned that I have incredible connections that go deeper than I realized with the maternal side of my family. That I continually choose the wrong men and stay too long in bad relationships.

And that my mom and grandmother were the true gems in my life.

What have women told you about themselves upon reading your book?

I’ve had many women write me about their mothers: the shared emotions and shared jewelry boxes. Almost everyone who wrote mentioned the relevance certain pieces have to significant moments in their lives: the exciting time they got their ears pierced or the magical moment they were first given jewelry by a guy — even if it was from a vending machine!

Women have told me about the pain of selling their jewelry after a divorce, the joy of receiving their engagement ring, the bittersweet memories conjured up by their mom’s charm bracelet…

What are your most prized pieces and why?

• My mom’s baroque pearls handed to me in the hospital in a Ziplock bag when she died unexpectedly • My great-grandmother’s brooch, transformed four times for four

The story of life and love; create timeless memories with a charm bracelet.

Thousands of charms in gold and silver.

TRENDS

ASIAN

FUSION

Eastern elements inspire modern American style.

W

hile shopping for your wardrobe this season, have you noticed that many of the most fashion-forward styles contain elements of Eastern cultures? Influences from Japan are particularly prevalent, like pleated origami-inspired organdy cotton, wingshaped shoulders, and wide pants, among others. It’s a trend that will continue into fall and winter, with floral jacquards from Vera Wang, Eastern spiritual styling from Prada, and brushstrokes of color from Lela Rose.

And what jewelry do these Asian-infused fashions beg for? Pieces with a decidedly Eastern edge, of course. “These clothes are the perfect canvases, so to speak, for jewelry,” says David Wolfe, creative director of the Doneger Group in New York City. “Unlike what we saw before this year, the new fashions aren’t heavily embellished.” Wolfe, one of fashion’s leading international forecasters, adds that with these modern Eastern-inspired clothes, “The lines and the shades provide the color, if you will. And with this new sophisticated simplicity of extreme structures and curvilinear cuts, a strong jewelry statement becomes very important.”

GO EAST WITH YOUR JEWELRY Some of the best fine jewelry brands are making accessorizing à la the Asian aesthetic easy to do this year, by incorporating one or several of the following elements: Gems. Certain stones “say” Eastern, especially jade (in all colors), red coral, black onyx, pearls, mother-of-pearl, emerald and ruby.

Materials. Enamel and lacquer, materials used in original Far Eastern jewelry, are significant,

and today “new Eastern” collections sometimes rely on colored resins and ceramics to impart that same bold mien.

Techniques. Filigree and mokume-gane bring Eastern cultures to mind. The openwork of filigree can invoke the idea of Chinese calligraphy, while the ancient Japanese metalworking art of mokume-gane is a process used by specially trained artisans for one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Themes. Art Nouveau-like motifs are characteristic of Eastern jewelry, especially dragonflies and butterflies, plus flowers and plants like cherry blossoms, bamboo, lotus and peonies. Spiritual symbolism abounds: the Om, the Tree of Life and certain mythological creatures, such as dragons. And all 12 animal signs of the Chinese zodiac are definitely key. 2013 is The Year of the Snake on the Chinese calendar, so new jewelry focused on those writhing reptiles is everywhere. The ancient Chinese culture viewed snakes as a positive omen, symbolic of eternal love, wisdom, immortality and so on. Today, contemporary luxury brands are fashioning serpentine-style jewelry whichever way you want it: replete with demonic details like a long tongue and menacing eyes, or in more stylized versions merely hinting at a snake via their super-curvy shapes, often inlaid or prong-set with precious gems. Whether you choose a snake-y style this year, or pieces with a feminine Art Nouveau-like beauty, heading toward the exotic East will surely lead you in the right direction!

WITH FASHION’S NEW SOPHISTICATED SIMPLICITY OF EXTREME STRUCTURES AND CURVILINEAR CUTS, A STRONG JEWELRY STATEMENT BECOMES VERY IMPORTANT. 28

FROM TOP ROBERTO COIN, JOSEPH MURRAY, JUST JULES

LORRAINE DEPASQUE

TRENDS

STRONG & SOFT

F

rom gelato greens to sherbet purples, jewelry’s newest pastel gem palette looks simply delicious! And this spring and summer, the sweetest delicately hued designs are those that spotlight the stone as the star. As the precious metal plays more of a supporting role in many of the new pieces, four interesting stone cuts in particular are adding to the latest statement jewelry’s drama: cabochons, checkerboards, rose cuts and slices.

THE COLOR STORY Although bright Emerald is 2013’s Color of the Year, according to international color authority The Pantone Color Institute, most of the other leading hues of spring and summer are toned down, more muted. In a one-on-one interview, Pantone’s executive director, Leatrice Eiseman (often referred to as the “International Color Guru”) explains: “The first half of this year is more about less-bold shades that help us find harmony in the frantic pace of our everyday lives.

That said, however, today we have a lot of trans-seasonal colors.”

Exactly what colors are at the top of this proliferation of pastels?

For women, there are 10 key shades, but here Eiseman discusses four of those that are especially significant to new luxury jewelry collections this season: Dusk Blue, Grayed Jade, African Violet and Linen. “You need to try a touch of all these on-trend colors in some way. And buying a beautiful piece of colored stone jewelry is a great place to start — because it’s like dipping your toe into new color waters. But just be sure it’s good color, from a quality brand and a respected jeweler that you trust.”

For warm-weather style, giant gems in subtle shades are oh-so-cool!

LORRAINE DEPASQUE

On that note, here are some of the pretty-in-pastel gems that fine jewelry brands are focusing on this season. Because they’re fashion forward, you’ll often find them in pieces that are important to add to your jewelry wardrobe, like multi-strand bracelets and necklaces, power pendants, dramatic drop earrings and epically sized fashion rings.

Dreamy Greens. Prasiolite, opal, chalcedony, moonstone, agate, green amethyst, jade, peridot, tsavorite, chrysoprase, tourmaline, green sapphire, green diamonds. And emerald, of course, because Emerald is the Color of the Year!

Pretty Purples. Quartz, jade, moonstone, amethyst, mother-of-pearl, purple sapphire.

Be-in-Style Blues. Moonstone, blue topaz, labradorite, blue cat’s eye, blue agate, aquamarine, turquoise, chalcedony, blue quartz, iolite, lapis-lazuli, sapphire, tanzanite, zircon, blue diamonds.

The Right Whites. Rutilated quartz, agate, pearls, moonstone, motherof-pearl, white coral, champagne diamonds and linen-like shades of rough-cut diamonds.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: JANE BOHAN, STEPHEN WEBSTER, ERICA COURTNEY, ROBERTO COIN

SOME PERFECT PASTELS

CSX-33 DIAMOND, DIAMOND DIAL CSX-33 DIAMOND GOLD, DIAMOND DIAL

FOCUS: ADVISOR

WATCH WISDOM

TIME TO ANSWER YOUR PRESSING QUESTIONS.

IS IT NECESSARY TO SERVICE MY WATCH IF I’M NOT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT? All watches need maintenance. The extent of the service required depends on the particular timepiece, its movement and its age.

Generally, quartz watches need battery replacements every two to three years. Mechanical watches, much like automobiles, need regular servicing. The inner movements of the mechanical watch are lightly lubricated to reduce friction between the parts and ensure accuracy and reliability. Deterioration of the lubricants occurs over time and results in higher friction, increasing wear and tear and decreasing precision. A mechanical watch should be serviced every three to five years. Watches should always be taken to an authorized retailer to be properly serviced. If the wrong gaskets, batteries or parts are used, it can result in more expensive repairs down the line. Even quartz watches, after a simple battery change, have to be properly sealed and closed to ensure their water resistance.

IS A WATCH A GOOD INVESTMENT? Many people buy a watch because they love the individual statement the piece makes about them. However, in today’s economy, people also want to know that the watch they’re buying will hold its value over time, and maybe even go up in value. Most top-name watches will hold their value and some can even become heirloom pieces over the coming generations. If you’re looking to start building a watch collection, invest in different styles of watches appropriate for different situations, and do your homework regarding the most coveted brands.

Special or limited-edition watches are almost always a good investment in the long term. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; our knowledgeable watch experts are here to give you guidance.

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FOCUS: ADVISOR

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT WATCH TRENDS? One of the most important trends in the watch market today is definitely the proliferation of dual-, triple-, and multi-time zone watches. For today’s global business person, or any busy traveler, having alternate time zones readily available at the flick of the wrist is almost essential. These timepieces come in a wealth of styles and in an array of price ranges, offering design and technology options for men and women. Chronographs also steal the limelight with their form-meets-function attitude. A chronograph is a watch that times multiple events, and it can be a very useful tool. Another important trend today is the move toward new timepieces for women. These include mechanical and quartz watches that offer sophisticated features and functions, like elegant moonphase indications, chronograph counters and calendars.

I HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT “COMPLICATED” WATCHES; WHAT DOES THIS MEAN (AND ISN’T LIFE COMPLICATED ENOUGH)?

The term complicated refers to timepieces with certain functions or features that are considered top feats of watchmaking. The most coveted complications vary depending on personal taste and watchmaking progress. Among the top categories today are tourbillon watches (expensive, complex mechanical calibers that house an escapement, which compensates for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity), repeater watches that chime the time on demand via a series of gongs and hammers, and perpetual calendar watches that can track the day, date, month, year and leap year (and sometimes moonphases and more) for hundreds of years to come. Some of the world’s finest complicated watches can have waiting lists, but please stop in anyway — we’re happy to show you some fabulous timepieces whether or not you plan to buy.

WHAT NEW MATERIALS ARE BEING USED IN WATCHMAKING? As watchmakers progress in their quests for innovation, they naturally turn to other fields, such as the space and automotive industries, to see what these state-of-the-art worlds are utilizing.

This has led to a wealth of new lightweight, rugged, hypoallergenic materials being incorporated into wristwatch cases, dials and straps. Among the more interesting materials being used: high-tech ceramic, carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium and alloys of various elements. These are great new introductions that are well worth checking out the next time you visit the store.

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FOCUS: PROFILE

by Robert Haynes-Peterson

THE STRONGEST LINK

O

TAG HEUER DOES WELL BY DOING GOOD. Natural Resources Defense Council — was in town filming The Wolf of Wall Street. He bounded on stage to join Diaz and Babin, showering high praise on the brand. "It's incredible to work with a company that cares so much, and gives so much. That kind of dedication to service is important to me, and it's reflected in everything TAG Heuer does."

The Link Lady Trilogy Limited Edition set and Leonardo DiCaprio Link Automatic Chronograph Calibre 16 watch are in stores now.

TAG Heuer fans can also enjoy a technological breakthrough this year: the TAG Heuer Mikrogirder. The innovative regulator, which TAG Heuer claims challenges the 300-year heritage of hairspring/balance wheel mechanical regulation, allows the company to present a highly accurate chronograph, impervious to gravity, with minimal isochronous error.

Winner of the 2012 Aiguille d'Or — the top prize in all categories at the Geneva Watchmaking Gran Prix — the Mikrogirder Chronograph replaces the spiral hairspring and classic balance wheel with a coupling beam and excitatory beam system, paired with a linear oscillator. The technology allows the chronograph accuracy to 5/10,000 of a second, beating 7.2 million times each hour. The design features a anthracite dial and rubber strap, with assymetric case.

nly a couple of weeks after Hurricane Sandy, when much of lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey were still plunged in darkness, TAG Heuer went ahead with its plans for the Manhattan launch party of its latest Link collection, the Link Lady Trilogy Limited Edition. Created in conjunction with brand ambassador Cameron Diaz, who attended the event, the Trilogy collection (a limited-edition steel ring, bracelet and watch trio featuring the first automatic watch in the Link Lady line) was already slated to do good: Profits are dedicated to support UN Women, an organization that advocates for women's rights around the world. In the wake of Sandy's destructive force, however, the watch company knew it must do more.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of Hurricane Sandy," TAG Heuer president and CEO Jean-Christophe Babin told the crowd of 500 or so, many of whom had flown in from Europe for the event. "We decided it was important to help New York Cares with their relief efforts, and we are donating $100 for every guest who is here."

As it happened, actor Leonardo DiCaprio — another TAG Heuer brand ambassador, whose new Signature Link Calibre 16 Chronograph (with blue dial) will raise funds for Green Cross International and the

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VIRGINIA · NORTH CAROLINA www.finks.com

FOCUS: POP CULTURE

by Jillian LaRochelle

WATCHES IN FILM

AND THE NOMINEES FOR TIMEPIECE IN A STARRING ROLE ARE...

SKYFALL Daniel Craig as James Bond, wearing an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M SKYFALL

Liam Neeson as Brian Mills, wearing a Hamilton Jazzmaster Gent REF H32411555

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IMAGES COURTESY OMEGA, IWC, PIAGET, VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY

TA K E N 2

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

M A R V E L’ S THE AVENGERS

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake, wearing a Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Infantry

Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, wearing a Piaget Polo Chronograph

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DELICACIES

MUCH ADO ABOUT

OYSTERS You won’t get pearls from these babies, just an incredible eating experience!

KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN

T

he legend: Ned was an “old Native American dude” who lived alone on an island in the Long Island Sound. The waters surrounding his island were teeming with Bluepoint oysters (named for Blue Point, Long Island, where they were originally discovered) so he harvested them for sustenance. He wasn’t rich, but he sure was happy!

Following in his footsteps, Ren Brighton has been farming Bluepoints since college, a passion he picked up from his grandfather, who owned some property on the Sound.

His business — Ned’s Island Oysters: Fresh Bluepoints delivered to your door — is just over a year old, comprises two acres of beds in Darien, Conn. and is very labor-intensive. Beginning with local broodstock, the oysters start out in a hatchery. “It’s all about temperature manipulation,” Brighton explains. “Spawning usually takes place only in the hottest part of summer, but if we heat the water to 30 degrees C, the oysters are tricked…” They then grow in cages in the Sound until they meet Ned’s standard of three to four

inches; of course, the waters are carefully monitored by the State Bureau of Aquaculture. From spawning to market size takes 18 months to two years.

Caveat emptor: Since ‘Bluepoint’ is not trademarked, other regions have attempted to market their oysters under this name. Be warned: these imposters don’t even come close! Explains Brighton, “No rivers flow into the area where our beds are located, so the waters here are a little saltier, and rich with algae, plankton and various nutrients.”

In addition to a delicious and nutritious eating experience (Ned’s Island oysters were described by one taste tester as “sweet, perfectly briny, with a lingering tannic green pepper finish almost like a Chinon or other Cabernet Franc…”), oysters are reputed to be an aphrodisiac, and oyster farming (a sustainable activity that uses no pollutants) is known to replenish the seas. In fact, oysters eat by filtering out micronutrients from seawater at a rate of about a gallon an hour, thus keeping marine ecosystems healthy. So eat oysters, save the planet, and enjoy!

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PERFECTGEMS EXPLORE THE LITTLE LUXURIES THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER.

A STROLL THROUGH HOTEL LA MAMOUNIA

Marrakech has a fascinating history, exotic markets, exciting nightlife and a delightfully opulent hotel. La Mamounia, a former palace celebrated for its mixture of traditional Moroccan and modern French styles, offers intriguing experiences from great art to ice cream. Take a walk through the reception room, lobby and tearoom, where Moroccan paintings and statues inspire. Stop at the Italian Bar to view the latest photography exhibition while sipping a Le Grand Dame Champagne cocktail made with citrus essence. Next, wander outside into the serene 17-acre garden filled with olive and citrus trees, magnificent roses and an extensive kitchen garden (you might chat with the chef as he gathers vegetables for dinner). At the center of the garden is Le Menzeh, an ice cream pavilion that offers pastries and freshly made ice creams. Finally, to recover from your exertions, complete your tour with a Royal Hammam treatment at the lavish spa.

THE NIGHT SPOT

It’s no secret that Broadway singers and actors hate when the curtain comes down and they have to leave the stage.

So on Tuesday nights, after the shows are out, performers and the fans who love them gather for Backstage at 54 Below (located in the basement of legendary Studio 54) to keep the music and jokes going over drinks and supper. Led by musical director Brad Simmons and host Susie Mosher, gypsies, Broadway and cabaret stars (and occasionally an audience member) sing or do their routines in this intimate and fashionable 144-seat space created by Tony-winning set designers. The wine list and food are good, the service excellent, the crowd always fun. And you never know who might turn up to perform. End your evening on a high note.

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BOTTOM LEFT MARC BRYAN-BROWN

CHRIS LEE

DONALD CHARLES RICHARDSON

SPIRIT OF THE PAST

ALEX R. KIRZHNER

Built in 1228 by the Anglo-Norman de Burgos family, Ashford Castle is set on 350 acres with a spectacular backdrop of Irish woodlands, lake and mountains. Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness purchased the estate in 1855 as the family’s country residence. Since becoming a hotel in 1939, the castle has welcomed dignitaries and celebrities including Prince Edward, King George V, Ted Kennedy, Sharon Stone, Brad Pitt and Barbra Streisand. The castle offers contemporary comforts and conveniences, but naturally, oldworld traditions still thrive. There’s Ireland’s first school of falconry, a decanter of sherry in each room, and tea served in the drawing room. And in keeping with conventional castle ambiance, there’s also a ghost, reportedly from the 19th century when the Guinnesses were in residence.

Not to worry: guests who’ve seen the young female apparition say she’s friendly.

LIGHT FOOTED

This spring, let your feet shine with bright bejeweled footwear by Ivy Kirzhner, featuring cloisonné metal work and exotic leathers.

The 2013 collection includes the Ark, a dress wedge with crystals and snake leather inlays on an 18K gold-plated heel. The Taj Mahal gladiator sandal features gold silk metallic leather with crystals.

Nefertiti is an ornamental high wedge with 18K gold-plated hardware and hand-enameled cloisonné treatment. Pictured above are the Montezuma Deco-bejeweled slippers in royal blue and hot coral kid suede and gold silk metallic, and the Tresor, a Deco ballet flat in gold silk metallic and opal, both with crystals on an 18K goldplated hardware ornament. Step into a brilliant summer.

CONCERT GRAND

Steinway Lyngdorf is a collaboration between Steinway & Sons, makers of the world’s finest pianos, and audio innovator Peter Lyngdorf. Their speaker systems range from the invisible to the compact to the giant. Currently, the state-of-theart choice is the Model LS Concert. Combined with the SP-1 Stereo Processor or P-1 Surround Sound Processor and Steinway Lyngdorf’s fully digital amplifiers, it’s perfect for luxurious home theaters. The open-baffle design makes the speaker interact with the room much as a musical instrument would, resulting in extremely open and life-like musicality. There’s also a remarkable remote that weighs nearly 2.2 pounds, with a rotating wheel crafted from solid, gold-plated brass and mounted on precision-machined Swiss bearings, providing intuitive and total command of the system.

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SPIRITS

FINE

TEQUILA

Mexico’s national spirit looks toward luxury.

T

he Margarita continues to rank as one of the country’s most popular cocktails, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS), as well as a perennially popular resort option. Fortunately, today’s drinker has an unprecedented range of premium and superpremium tequila options from which to choose, whether sipped, shot or mixed into a drink. Casa Dragones is a super-premium, limited-production blend of blanco (aged two to six months) and extra añejo (aged five years) tequilas, designed for refined, smooth sipping. It’s made in small batches and bottled in individually engraved, signed and numbered crystal decanters. “For us, it’s one bottle at a time,” says co-founder and maestra tequilera Bertha Gonzalez Nieves, “and we never want to change that.” At about $300 a bottle, it’s not for shooting. Instead, it’s for sipping and is part of what could be called a Third Wave of Tequila in the U.S. (Jose Cuervo representing our introduction to the agave-based spirit in the 1960s and ’70s, Patron/Sauza/El Tesoro taking us further along the journey in the ’80s and ’90s, and today’s artisanal and luxury products expanding our horizons yet again).

Most of the flexibility in tequila production involves the fine points of harvesting agave hearts, or piñons, how and how long the piñons are cooked, and specific distillation techniques. Blending differently aged batches, as Casa Dragones does, is a relatively new twist, one which Maestro Dobel

42

Single Estate tequila ($45) claims to have mastered first. A clear, colorless blend of various aged tequilas, Dobel is unexpectedly earthy on the palate, in part due to the use of Balkan oak. Don Julio, meanwhile, launched its Añejo 70 Claro ($70) in late 2011. Not a blend of aged tequilas, rather a clarified and filtered añejo, the result is a clear, colorless juice like a blanco, with the toasted oak and dusty sugar notes of an aged spirit.

Perhaps the most interesting experimentation happening with tequila involves barrel choices. Most brands employ new oak or used bourbon barrels (the way most Scotch whisky does) during the aging process, but a few are exploring sherry casks, port barrels and more. DeLeon, a Guanajuato-based spirits brand, launched Leona on December 21 last year (the “end of the world” on the Mayan calendar). It was the first in a series of high-end, limited-edition “reserva” releases from the brand. Founder Brent Hocking says, “We were lucky to have purchased extra Sauternes barrels used in finishing our añejo expression. While going through the warehouse, we decided to experiment and see what would happen if we left some to sit.” Taking the tequila to the aging “edge” of the añejo classification (34 months), the resulting liquor is sweet, rich and complex and, quite simply, one of the most intriguing tequilas on the market. At $825, it had better be good of course, but Leona is no vanity project. It’s definitive proof that tequila has potential, as a fine spirit, far beyond body shots at spring break.

COURTESY DELEON TEQUILA

ROBERT HAYNES-PETERSON

TRAVEL

White Temple

THE GOLDEN

TRIANGLE

An Asian paradise awaits at the crossroads of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. SCOTT HASS

I

n the northeastern corner of Thailand, in what were once nearly inaccessible lands, you will find the tropical Asian destination known as The Golden Triangle. Decades ago, this region, which borders Laos and Myanmar, was filled with opiate traders and insurgents.

Nowadays, it is one of the most unspoiled parts of Southeast Asia with a sophisticated infrastructure of roads, markets, hotels and shops to attract visitors.

Physically, The Golden Triangle has magnificent hills, mountains, swaying bamboo forests, and the majestic Mekong river. Culturally, you’ll find Buddhist temples and first-rate artisans perfecting sculpture, woodwork and pottery. Socially, the famed generosity of spirit that characterizes the Thai people is in abundance; as yet, the region has not become overwhelmed by tourists.

When I came across photographs of a magnificent house, available for rent, on a former coffee plantation near Chiang Rai, a town within The

Golden Triangle, I booked flights immediately. Owned by an Australian interior designer currently based in Hong Kong, pictures of the property made it clear that this was an architectural gem.

It took about 90 minutes to get to Chiang Rai from Bangkok, and from the plane we were in awe of the verdant mountains to the north. We were picked up at the airport by Sakda, our driver and housekeeper for the next 10 days. During the ride from the airport, on a highway as sleek as what you’d find stateside, we passed by pristine villages, remarkable fruit and vegetable markets, and small local Buddhist temples. It was exotic but welcoming, and so clean and lush I felt as if we were in Hawaii rather than a remote Southeast Asian country. The air was redolent with the scents of onions, ginger and frying chilies, and even the colors of the fruits — pink, orange, red and purple — seemed so magical.

Doy Din Dang Pottery Chiang Rai has simple, wonderful, open-air restaurants. The cuisine of this region is based largely

44

largely on Chinese peasant cooking. This means placing fresh herbs in the bottom of a bowl, topping them with noodles, filling the bowl with broth, and putting grilled chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp over the noodles. Or, if you’re in the mood for a lighter snack, head to the markets to buy exotic, colorful fruits like durian, longan, rambutan and pitaya.

When not eating, you should visit the bizarre, fascinating Black House, a huge installation organized by the artist Thawan Duchanee. The vast temple grounds are perfectly landscaped on undulating rises, with fruit trees, narrow stone paths, small horses stationed near the buildings, and views of the hillsides that made me feel as if I was in a movie. The artist had utilized the landscapes as if they existed only to complement his own work: it was that audacious! Each building housed fake skeletons of imaginary creatures, pelts from beasts that had never existed, and an odd, evocative mix of old and new elements. Each building was unique and stunning, and each was an art gallery unto itself, displaying works of art in stone, fabric, clay and oil paint. It looked like something Salvador Dali might have done had he been born in Thailand. he best pottery in the region can be found at Doy Din Dang Pottery, where master potter Somluk Pantiboon produces museum-quality work. While the region has a long history of using clay to make household items, Pantiboon is creating art that is decorative rather than utilitarian. He is an independent thinker, international in outlook and experience in contrast to most who have spent their entire lives here as farmers.

Massages are the high point of a trip to The Golden Triangle. For about $50, you can have a one-hour treatment that will loosen you up, revive your senses and restore focus. The very best place for massages in Chiang Rai is Chivit Thamma Da. Located on a narrow street next to a river, this spa is housed in a wonderfully old-fashioned, two-story wooden building next to a coffee shop run by the same owners. I went there each day during my trip, and after a 90minute massage, all the stress that remained from my ordinary life was diminished. Massages are a fundamental part of daily life for many in Thailand: It’s their therapy. As a clinical psychologist it’s hard to admit, but I believe their practice trumps mine.

THE AIR WAS REDOLENT WITH THE SCENTS OF ONIONS, GINGER AND FRYING CHILIES, AND EVEN THE COLORS OF THE FRUITS — PINK, ORANGE, RED AND PURPLE — SEEMED SO MAGICAL.

T

Entrance to the White Temple

RAI RAKANG: Easily the most beautiful home I have ever rented. It had one enormous room, three stories high, modeled on a Buddhist temple, and a luxurious bedroom and attached bath with views of grounds that were once a coffee plantation. Called “Elephant House,” it ran about $275 a night, which included daily breakfast catered on the patio, daily housekeeping, and a driver and car (gasoline extra). Contact the owner, Andrew Bell, directly at rairakang@hotmail.com.

LE MERIDIEN: A brand-new riverside property in Chiang Rai, with beautiful rooms, great food, cooking classes and an incredibly friendly staff.

221 / 2 Moo 20 Kwaewai Road Tambon Robwieng, Amphur Muang Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand Phone: +66 (53) 603 333 Fax: +66 (53) 603 330 Email: lemeridien.chiangrai@lemeridien.com ANANTARA GOLDEN TRIANGLE: A stone’s throw from Myanmar and Laos, this is one of the top luxury hotels in Thailand. The property boasts a spa and an array of upscale restaurants, and they’ll even help you arrange a trip to an elephant camp, where the majestic creatures are protected from poachers and raised in the serenity and love characteristic of this Buddhist nation.

Golden Triangle, Thailand Phone: +66 (0) 5378 4084 Email: goldentriangle@anantara.com

WHERE TO EAT: Any number of holes in the wall in the dozens of Thai towns and villages that make up The Golden Triangle offer delicious fresh noodles, broth, fried pork and grilled chicken. The country is friendly, safe and clean.

WHAT TO DO: In Chiang Rai, you must go as often as possible to Chivit Thamma Da for massages, followed by cold draft beer or coffee and pastries in the adjoining café. Massages are by appointment. Call +66 (0) 81 984 2925 to schedule.

In addition to visiting temples and shrines, it is also great fun to have a portrait done while you’re there. Visit Bliss Studios, where ace photographer Chalit Chawalitangkun takes travel photos to a new level.

Email: gelatinsilver@hotmail.com.

For pottery, visit Doy Din Dang Pottery.

Website: dddpottery.com.

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TOP RIGHT SIMON NARRAMORE

Black House art installation

WHERE TO STAY:

EATS

1

JOYCE N. BOGHOSIAN

FOOD

FOR THOUGHT Reimagining the kitchen garden. JACQUELIN CARNEGIE

O

nce upon a time, everyone who could grew vegetables in their own “kitchen” garden, to have easy access to good, nutritious food and to supplement what they could purchase.

Unfortunately, as a civilization, we’ve moved far away from the land, and most people now get their fruits and vegetables from giant chain supermarkets. Most of these fruits and veggies come from industrial-sized farms, ripen in the transport truck — instead of in the sun — and have practically no taste and very little nutritional value by the time we purchase them in plastic-wrapped packages.

2

STARTING A DELICIOUS REVOLUTION The good news: a group of passionate and dedicated food “activists” has launched the

Good Food Movement. The overall goal is to get Americans to eat healthier by relying more on locally grown produce with higher nutritional value, all while reducing our global carbon footprint. In addition, there’s an emphasis on improving children’s diets, specifically in lowincome areas. Because while the number of supermarkets with organic produce sections, local farmers’ markets and locavore (organic food, locally grown) restaurants has increased dramatically, most inner-city children still live in neighborhoods served only by fast-food restaurants and convenience stores.

“Many in the movement credit famed chef 1 First Lady Michelle Obama plants a White House kitchen garden with help from horticulturist Dale Haney and Bancroft Elementary School students, March 20, 2009. 2 A public schoolyard is transformed by The Edible Schoolyard Project. 3 Tools at rest.

4 Harvest from Roger Doiron’s (Kitchen Gardeners International) own garden. 5 Famed chef Alice Waters started The Edible Schoolyard Project to teach kids how to grow and cook nutritious food.

4

ROGER DOIRON

3

5

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Alice Waters, of the renowned Berkeley, California restaurant Chez Panisse, with getting the ball rolling,” says Arnell Hinkle, executive director of CANFIT, an organization that helps communities implement healthy-food programs.

About 15 years ago, over concern for a local public school, Waters launched The Edible Schoolyard Project. Through kitchen gardens planted on their own public school grounds, students across the country learn how to plant and harvest organic produce. The kids are then taught how to make nutritious meals from what they’ve grown.

“We’re calling for a revolution in public education — the ‘Delicious Revolution,’” Waters explains. “When the hearts and minds of our children are captured by a school lunch curriculum enriched with experience in the garden, sustainability will become the lens through which they see the world.”

The Good Food Movement got another boost when First Lady Michelle Obama planted a kitchen garden at the White House in 2009. She was inspired to do so by a grassroots advocacy campaign led by Roger Doiron, director of Kitchen Gardeners International.

Doiron is a modern-day Pied Piper for the benefits of kitchen gardens. Knowing that when Eleanor Roosevelt planted a “victory” garden at the White House in the 1940s, it inspired 40 percent of the U.S. population to follow suit, he figured Mrs. Obama’s enthusiasm for the cause might have a similar effect.

“The commercially grown foods we’re eating today are significantly less nutritious than they were just 30 years ago,” Doiron points out. “What we need are millions of people joining the movement by planting four-season kitchen gardens right in their own back — or front — yards. This produce provides healthy meals for families and any excess can be donated to local food pantries.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF URBAN FARMING As the population explodes and urban areas continue to encroach on farmland, the ability to grow more nutritious food in less space becomes paramount.

Will Allen, CEO of Growing Power, is an urban-farming guru, admired and revered by everyone in the Good Food Movement. Allen’s mission is to get nutritious, organic food grown with the smallest environmental impact. Using his methods, Growing Power’s two-acre urban lot in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, produces enough healthy food to feed 10,000 people.

Some of these methods include: greenhouses

6 Roger Doiron, Kitchen Gardeners International. 7 On a two-acre lot in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Growing Power produces enough healthy food to feed 10,000 people. 8 No room for a kitchen garden? Set up Windowfarms. 9 vintage Victory Garden poster.

and “hoop” houses (made from plastic sheeting and plywood) that are composted with the richest fertilizer, verimcompost, made from worms (heat generated from the composting process also warms the greenhouses in winter); aquaponics, a symbiotic method of growing certain plants and fish together; and raising crops and animals (bees, chickens, ducks, goats) sustainably, without chemicals.

Growing Power not only raises healthy food in a compact urban space, they run extensive programs for inner-city and disadvantaged youths to get them interested in and involved with the process. They also hold workshops and travel around the country training others how to replicate their results.

Allen, winner of a Ford Foundation leadership grant, a MacArthur “genius” award, and a spot on Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move” team, states: “We have to change where and how food is grown right now, because we are malnourishing ourselves to death.

Today, most people live in urban areas, yet many have very limited access to healthy, nutritious food.

What’s needed is a Good Food Revolution.”

6

7

GET ON BOARD THE GOOD FOOD REVOLUTION All of these organizations offer advice, classes and workshops. Kitchen Gardeners International can help anyone plant a kitchen garden. If you don’t have the space, find a community garden with help from the American Community Gardening Association. Learn how to get a kitchen garden planted at your local public school through The Edible Schoolyard Project. And, if you want to start or join an urban farming project in your community, attend a Growing Power workshop. As Thomas Jefferson said: “Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens.”

8

Learn More: Good Food Movement Resources ACGA communitygarden.org CANFIT canfit.org Edible Schoolyard Project edibleschoolyard.org Growing Power growingpower.org Kitchen Gardeners International kgi.org Windowfarms windowfarms.com Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History, through August 2013

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9

FIRST PERSON

WHY I

DANCE

How I got my mojo back. LENORE RICH

F

or one hour a week, I am a princess. I am more beautiful than Sofia Vergara, more graceful than a swan. Although my upper back aches slightly, I am gloriously happy. Dormant muscles that I never knew existed are springing to life. And my brain (which can no longer remember what book I’m reading) is sending multiple messages: to my pinky finger to point upward, to my feet to glide back on the ball and forward with the heel, to my head to tilt and my torso to configure a perfect pose. (They tell me “muscle memory” will eventually kick in; I eagerly await the kick...) I silently thank Mom and Dad for those costly ballet lessons decades ago, and wonder why I ever stopped. I love to dance!

“Enough waltz!” insists my young and handsome Brazilian dance instructor. “We will learn the rumba. Forget those ballet arms and look at me with dagger eyes. This is a sensual dance! Run your fingers through your hair, sweep them across your upper body. Focus on the hips…” I look at him defiantly: this middle-aged suburban mom is not about to sway her hips or caress her upper body. He accepts no excuses: I am to practice in the privacy of home.

To prepare, I rummage through my closet and discover a slinky red dress and some gleaming South Sea pearls, perfect for a sensual rumba. Thankful that the back of my lakeside home is totally private (if I discount deer and chipmunks), I don the outfit and lose myself in the hypnotic rhythm blaring on my stereo in full surround sound. Completely immersed in the music and concentrating on my moves, I never heard the leaf blowers in my backyard. Suddenly, I’m returning the stares of several smiling and appreciative gardeners, their faces glued to my back window. Apparently, I’ve unleashed my inner beast and will soon be the talk of the town, at least among groundskeepers…

Undaunted, I count the hours until my next lesson, when I’ll once again transform to princess, or (in my dreams) to temptress. And as I glance at my reflection in the dance studio mirror, I see no wrinkles or extra pounds, but rather an ageless elegant woman with a newly awakened passion for life.

“I rummage through

my closet and discover a slinky red dress and

some gleaming South Sea pearls, perfect for a

48

TANGO ILLUSTRATION BY CAROLYN WELTMAN, AVAILABLE AT ETSY.COM/SHOP/NUDESANDSHOES

sensual rumba.”

© D.YURMAN 2013

FINK’S JEWELERS ACCENT THE MAGAZINE OF LIFE’S CELEBRATIONS

SPRING/SUMMER 2013