Bal Harbour Magazine Spring / Summer 2023 issue

BY AUDEMARS PIGUET STARWHEEL

CODE 11.59

Haute Joaillerie, place Vendôme since 1906

Lucky Spring collection Between the Finger™ ring and pendant, rose gold, carnelian, onyx and white mother-of-pearl.

CONTENTS

SPRING/SUMMER 2023

66 BEHIND THE COVER

Model Kristina Romanova talks fashion, motherhood, and her entrepreneurial spirit.

69 MATTER OF STYLE

News from Bal Harbour Shops and beyond.

80 RISKY BUSINESS

While many of us have ditched the office space, we still like a little structure in our style

84 LET THE SUN SHINE

Bright new finds from Bally trousers to Alexandre Birman sandals and a few lemony bags, too.

86 SILVER LININGS

Take a shine to Spring’s most lustrous bags, boots, and slingbacks

88 HEAT WAVE

From scarlets to tangerines, this power palette is on fire.

90 ALL THAT GLITTERS

Macro-baubles, embellished bags, and sequin-spangled sneakers are cause for celebration

94 THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN A MOMCATION

Swapping the strollers and tantrums for some solitude and zen will make you an even better, more balanced mom. Here’s how to slip away in style.

98 STYLE SETTERS

Jessica Schuster, Sofia Tcherassi, Zoë de Givenchy, and Sarah Arison share what’s on their spring agenda .

108 BOHEMIAN ROYALTY

French author Anne Berest uncovers a lineage she never knew existed in her new book, “The Postcard.”

114 AN ATYPICAL ATELIER

Fashion illustrator Dani Wilde infuses his work with a playful sense of surrealism and the colors of the warm Spanish sun

118 ASK THE EXPERT

Invest in the classics, and other sage advice from celebrity stylist Jamie Mizrahi

SAINT LAURENT sheer tank dress and gold cuff 305.868.4424.

PHOTO BY STEWART SHINING

9700 COLLINS AVENUE, SHOP 250, BAL HARBOUR SHOPS P. 3053978231

CONTENTS

122 ENGINEERING A CLASSIC

Though his shoes can be described as fanciful, sexy and joyous, for designer Gianvito Rossi, every sketch is informed by functionality.

126 TIMELESS

There’s a depth to watch collecting that is both cerebral and emotional, and a community that’s bound by a shared dedication to the artistry that lives within each timepiece

128 GREEK REVIVAL

The Spring 2023 runways offered an update on draping worthy of a modern-day Greek goddess

132 ONE EASY PIECE

Launched with a single look, Veronica Beard’s founders have set out to make getting dressed a joy.

134 15 QUESTIONS FOR PILAR GUZMÁN

Author, editor, and unofficial decorator, the former editor in chief of Condé Nast Traveler is a gold mine of advice, from office politics to home renovations.

142 BURIED TREASURE

How does a chance encounter in a Roman bookstore evolve into a critically acclaimed film? Bruce Weber shares the story behind The Treasure of His Youth

148 PERIPATETIC PALATE

Chef CJ Jacobson brings the culmination of his travels into the kitchen at Aba

150 COUTURE CONFECTIONS

There’s a new demand for a time-honored technique in the pastry world. Vintage cake making is having a comeback. We visit one dessert atelier to get a taste for the craft

158 A CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVE

At just 22 years old, Sophia Wilson is already commanding an audience for her tender images that capture the spirit of her generation. She can now count a few more amongst her fans as this year’s recipient of the Bal Harbour Shops Emerging Fashion Photography Award.

Ibiza beckons with new and storied properties and crystalline waters.

PHOTO BY JINXO FILMS, COURTESY OF SIX SENSES

CONTENTS

162 PRIVATE EYES

Want to get back to mingling with people, but without all those… people? A wave of new private clubs and membership programs might be your answer.

164 FASHION FOR GOOD

Within luxury fashion, the storied French label proves that small can indeed be mighty when it comes to purpose-driven, socially responsible, and environmentally conscious work.

178 HOME BODY

Model Kristina Romanova slips into the season’s best looks from Chloé, Chanel, Saint Laurent, and Prada.

192 SWISS WONDER

In marketing its centennial, Akris is looking forward and back. Adrienne Gaffney catches up with Creative Director Albert Kriemler just as the party is getting started

198 THE BIG SHORT

Minis, micros, and slits up to there. Hemlines are heading skyward; are you ready to rise to the occasion?

210 RED HOT

Daniella Vitale helps usher in a new era at Ferragamo—with a little help from one of fashion’s most in demand designers of the moment .

214 THE CHANGEOVER

Rhuigi Villaseñor, a luxury streetwear designer from LA, ascends the throne at a centuries-old Swiss fashion house: welcome to the new Bally.

218 BALEARIC BLISS

Ibiza’s siren song has been enchanting revelers for the better part of a century. Writer Olivia Lopez explores some of the island’s new offerings, and revisits a few of its iconic properties.

Pappagalli, Viareggio 1959 by Paolo di Paolo

CONTRIBUTORS

TRACY TALOR

DAVE HOLMES

In his Bal Harbour debut, Dave Holmes takes a look into the new wave of private clubs in Miami and around the country. Dave is an editor-at-large for Esquire, and a contributor to outlets including Runner’s World and Good Beer Hunting (It’s called balance.) He hosts the LGBTQ-themed podcast Homophilia, and the 10-episode investigation into the disappearance of a ‘90s boy band, Waiting For Impact: A Dave Holmes Passion Project. His memoir “Party of One” was named one of NPR’s Best Books of the Year, and if you buy him a drink, he will tell you the stories the Random House legal department suggested he keep to himself.

TIANA RANDALL

Tiana Randall is an American writer and creative producer based in New York who has dedicated their work to uncovering fashion, culture, music, and beauty through an unorthodox lens. For their first Bal Harbour contribution, Randall interviewed photographer Sophia Wilson, who is this year’s Bal Harbour Shops Emerging Fashion Photography Award winner. Before writing for publications like Vogue, The New York Times, i-D, and more they held a position at Office Magazine as the digital editor.

Tracy Taylor is a fashion stylist with a prolific body of work. Formerly the style director of Net-a-Porter and Porter magazine as well as fashion director of Marie Claire, Taylor has styled more than 100 celebrity covers, and is now enjoying a bi-coastal freelance career. She collaborated with Stewart Shining on this issue’s cover story. “Stewart has a special way of connecting with his subjects, which makes them shine in front of his lens. We all had a great time on set!”

STEWART SHINING

LA-based photographer Stewart Shining captured this issue’s cover model, Kristina Romanova, at her Miami Beach home. “I’ve known Kristina since she was 18, so it was a blast to reconnect and spend the day making pictures together again!” Shining’s portraits and fashion photography have appeared on scores of covers, including Rolling Stone, Vogue, Vanity Fair and W—as well as this publication. Shining released his first book, “Alessandra by Stewart Shining,” last year. Since 2001, he has served on the board of directors of the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, Inc.

JAY CHESHES

Jay Cheshes, a contributing editor at the Wall Street Journal Magazine, writes about art, culture, food, and travel from his homebase in New York. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Smithsonian, the New Yorker, the Financial Times, and Town & Country Last fall he attended Ferragamo’s Fashion Week show in Milan, unveiling the debut collection of new designer Maximilian Davis. For this issue he discussed the big changes underway at Ferragamo, with CEO for the Americas Daniella Vitale. “It will be exciting to see where the new creative leadership team takes such a storied fashion house.”

KATE DWYER

ALYSSA SHELASKY

Alyssa Shelasky is the editor of New York Magazine ’s Sex Diaries and the author of “This Might Be Too Personal” and “Apron Anxiety,” as well as the star and producer of the Sex Diaries docuseries, streaming now, on HBO. This issue, Shelasky explores some of the best new destinations for a “momcation.” She has written for the New York Times, Self, People, Town & Country, and Glamour. She lives with her family between Brooklyn Heights and Upstate New York, and dreams of momcations on the West Coast all day long.

Kate Dwyer’s work has appeared in the New York Times, The Cut, W Magazine, and many other outlets. For this issue, she interviewed Gianvito Rossi about his design process, along with cake designer Angelica M. Lenox about the comeback of vintage wedding cakes.

NAOMI ROUGEAU

Naomi Rougeau is a writer, editor, and creative consultant, who, despite being based in New York for a decade, keeps one foot firmly planted in her native Texas. For her first contribution to Bal Harbour, Rougeau reports on one of Spring’s dominant trends, draping. “I so enjoyed chatting with SCAD’s brilliant Rafael Gomes about the school’s monumental exhibit of Madame Gres’s work. The timing was perfect and offers a richer perspective on this season’s prevalence of draping.”

PHOTO BY KATY SHAYNE (ROUGEAU); MARIO NICHOLAS TORRESS (SHELASKY)

OLIVIA LOPEZ

Olivia Lopez is a creative strategist and writer based in LA. She is the founder of Bon Weekender, a story and studio space focused on travel through the lens of art and design, and the host of The Art of Travel podcast. This issue, Lopez shared a personal account of her frequent travels to Ibiza and what’s new on the island. “Ibiza is often seen only as a party destination, but to me, it’s what you can experience during the day that makes this island so special. Summer in Ibiza is deliciously drawn-out lunches, full-bellied afternoons, sea swims, and sunbathing. This ease of life is what holiday dreams are made of.”

ADRIENNE GAFFNEY

Adrienne Gaffney is a writer and editor who writes for Elle, The Wall Street Journal, and Billboard. She lives in New York City and is a native of Massachusetts. For her first assignment for Bal Harbour, Gaffney interviewed Akris’s creative director, Albert Kriemler. “It was such a joy to look at 100 years of Akris and to learn about the family spirit that’s been quietly powering the brand for generations.”

RACHEL MARLOWE

Originally from London, Rachel Marlowe is a writer and editor currently based in LA who has contributed to Vogue, W, and The London Times, covering food, fashion, beauty, and travel. She interviewed cover model Kristina Romanova, founder of Aman Essentials. “Amangiri has been on my must-visit list for several years, so it was great to chat with Kristina about the brand at large. While I can’t yet claim to be an Aman junkie, I am a skincare junkie and I’m seriously impressed with their new skincare line.”

Bal Harbour Shops – 9700 Collins Avenue #111 www.gianvitorossi.com

WELCOME NOTE

Welcome to the issue!

Before we start considering stories, we step back and ask ourselves: which creatives, thinkers, destinations, hemlines, and silhouettes are inspiring us in this moment? We began storyboarding back in July with some key themes in mind—strong silhouettes, confidence, and independent thinking! Our cover story, set in Miami Beach, features the incredible model and entrepreneur Kristina Romanova captured by longtime contributor and friend Stewart Shining. The cover image embodies all of our themes—and we fell in love with this particular oversized blazer from Prada.

Speaking of finding just the right thing… We know how hard that can be, so our pages are designed to inspire. See what some of our most stylish friends are coveting this season, in our Style Setters package featuring strong women with vision and style. Inspiring women will always have a platform and a voice within these pages, and this issue we share the stories of a number of such figures. From Ferragamo CEO of Americas Daniella Vitale to Sophia Wilson, the 22-year-old recipient of this year’s Bal Harbour Shops Young Fashion Photography award, their stories are thoughtfully told by two new contributors, Jay Cheshes and Tiana Randall.

And in the realm of thoughtful storytelling, I was very excited to sit down with my dear friend Bruce Weber to talk about his latest film, The Treasure of His Youth The images of Italian photographer Paolo di Paolo that Bruce has given a second life to through his film are positively transportive. It’s not every day you can feature someone who truly defines their industry; thank you Bruce for making time to talk with me.

This is a particularly exciting time to be editorial director of Bal Harbour

This year we are introducing two new issues in May and December in a brand new format that I can’t wait to reveal. I am extremely honored to have been leading the magazine’s editorial for the last 13 years, and grateful for my teammates Tali Minor and Cheryl Stephenson—after working together for well over a decade, we finish each other’s sentences. It is in no small part these relationships that make working on these pages so rewarding.

Sarah G. Harrelson EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Publisher, Carolyn Travis

Creative Director, Cheryl Stephenson

Editorial Director, Sarah G. Harrelson

Executive Editor, Tali Jaffe Minor

Art Director, Alexander Wolfe

Contributing Writers

Jay Cheshes, Kate Dwyer, Adrienne Gaffney, Dave Holmes, Amanda Eberstein, Olivia Lopez, Rachel Marlowe, Danielle Naer, Tiana Randall, Nick Remsen, Naomi Rougeau, Alyssa Shelasky

Contributing Photographers

Darren Gwynn, Gesi Schilling, Stewart Shining

Editorial Assistant, Chloe Lewis

Copy Editor, Sara Roffino

Pre-Press/Print Production, Pete Jacaty

Senior Photo Retoucher, Matt Stevens

Director of Marketing & Events, Gotmar Giron

Marketing Manager, Ana Negri

Director of Brand Media & Content, Shana Kaufman

Social Media Editor, Samantha Brooks

Social Media & Marketing Manager, Nikki Recuset

Representative in Brazil, Flavia Pacheco

Accounts Receivable Manager, Johnny Aguilar

Whitman Family Development/Bal Harbour Shops Operating Committee

President & Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Whitman Lazenby

Chief Operating Officer, Benjamin Elias

Marketer General, Carolyn Travis

Collaborative Innovator General, Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard

Lessor General, Courtney Lord

Developer General, Nik Massey

General Manager & Operator General, Gary Karlson

Construction General, Mark Bedell

General Partner of Whitman Family Development, Randall Whitman

Bal Harbour Shops 9700 Collins Avenue

Bal Harbour, FL 33154

305.866.0311

balharbourshops.com

Model Kristina Romanova photographed by Stewart Shining and styled by Tracy Taylor exclusively for Bal Harbour magazine wearing a Prada jacket and Marysia Lehi bottoms.

Bal Harbour Shops

Once-in-a-Lifetime Oceanfront Paradise

Perfectly poised on the most beautiful stretch of beach in the country, Rivage Bal Harbour rises from the lush tropical landscape, a beacon of modern living. This very limited collection of bespoke residences offers a luxurious life immersed in nature, mere steps from the ocean on what is the last beachfront property to be developed in Bal Harbour.

Designed SOM and Ro et Studio, these light-filled villas in the offer an elegant aesthetic, superb amenities and service on par with the world’s finest hotels. To live at Rivage Bal Harbour is to inhabit a private beachfront with exclusive access to the best of everything.

SUNRISE SUNSET POOLS • OCEANFRONT RESTAURANT • INDOOR-OUTDOOR SPA WITH HAMMAM AQUA THERAPY • COCKTAIL LOUNGE • FITNESS CENTER WITH OCEAN VIEWS • PRIVATE SALON • INTIMATE GARDEN MEDITATION LOUNGE • PICKLEBALL PADDLE TENNIS COURTS • DEDICATED BEACH

BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE.

RIVAGE BAL HARBOUR CONDOMINIUM (the “Condominium”) is developed by Carlton Terrace Owner LLC (“Developer”) and this offering is made only by the Developer’s Prospectus for the Condominium. Consult the Developer’s Prospectus for the proposed budget, terms, conditions, specifications, fees, and Unit dimensions. Sketches, renderings, or photographs depicting lifestyle, amenities, food services, hosting services, finishes, designs, materials, furnishings, fixtures, appliances, cabinetry, soffits, lighting, countertops, floor plans, specifications, design, or art are proposed only, and the Developer reserves the right to modify, revise, or withdraw any or all of the same in its sole discretion. No specific view is guaranteed. Pursuant to license agreements, Developer also has a right to use the trade names, marks,

which is a

Developer

Bal

33154

REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

IN

BETWEEN FITTINGS, WRITER RACHEL MARLOWE CAUGHT UP WITH KRISTINA ROMANOVA ABOUT FASHION, MOTHERHOOD, AND HER ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT.

PHOTO BY STEWART SHINING STYLING BY TRACY TAYLOR

Fresh o a flight from Tokyo for the launch of Aman Essential Skin, Kristina Romanova is a walking advertisement for her latest venture. Makeup free, yet sporting a preternatural glow, the former model is CEO of Aman Essentials, a lifestyle brand inspired by the chain of luxury resorts.

Born in Volgograd, Russia, Romanova had a typical middle-class childhood. “Both of my parents were entrepreneurs, so I guess I got the desire to be independent and build a business from them,” she says. “My parents would always tell me, no matter what happens in your life you should always have a passion and personal goals.” At the age of 15, Romanova was scouted by a local modeling agency, and just one year later, having never before traveled, she arrived in New York City. Her career took o at lightning speed, and during her first fashion season she walked the runway for Ralph Lauren, Jil Sander, Dries Van Noten, Alexander McQueen, and Marc Jacobs. “That experience really gave me a chance to see how they worked on the collections from conception to bringing them to life,” she says. Similarly, her time in the makeup chair granted her access to some of the best artists and skincare experts in the world, while her jet-setting schedule schooled her on the art of travel. “I experienced Aman as a client first,” she says. “I could see that there was a missed opportunity there and I had a whole vision of what it should be and how I could bring it to life.”

Launched in 2018, Aman Essentials is the result of this vision: a separate business entity with a 360-lifestyle o ering, distributed outside of the Aman properties at retailers including Neiman Marcus and The Webster. The latest o ering, Aman Essential Skin, was developed over the course of two years with the Japanese luxury skincare company KOSÉ, with packaging designed by longtime Aman collaborator, architect Kengo Kuma. Built around two hero ingredients, Japanese rice bran extract and Japanese indigo leaf extract, the range includes five key products with more in the works. “I have been a longtime fan of the Japanese approach to skincare, especially how much attention they pay to environmental protection. They’re the perfect partners.”

Now a mother of two and running a business with a team of 14, Romanova splits her time between Miami and Ibiza. “I came to Miami for the first time while modeling,” she says. “I immediately liked the city. It was just so sunny and happy. It also seemed like a perfect place to raise children because of the incredible lifestyle, and the proximity to New York, London and other international locations. It ticked all the boxes for me.”

As for the future, she has several new launches on the horizon. “It’s been incredible to look back at where we started and where we are now,” she says. “But sometimes it’s hard for me to acknowledge what I have achieved, so I’m learning how to give myself a pat on the back.”

GUCCI dress, 305.868.6504; BALENCIAGA pumps, 305.864.4932.

BY LIZA MULLETT

KARL, CURATED

The first Monday in May gathers the brightest stars of fashion and culture in the halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and this year, the Costume Institute shines a light on the late couturier Karl Lagerfeld.

A look from Chanel Fall/Winter

MATT ER OF STYLE

“Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” on view from May 5 through July 16, will examine Lagerfeld’s illustrious career and expansive portfolio of garments and illustrations. The 150 garments on display will survey his tenures at Chanel, Fendi, Chloé, Patou, Balmain, and his eponymous label, a true testament of “Lagerfeld’s complex working methodology,” according to curator Andrew Bolton. The curation finds its center in painter William Hogarth’s theory of the “line of beauty”—dividing the collection into the “straight line,” the “serpentine line,” and the “satirical line.” Each “line” reflects an element of Lagerfeld’s iconoclastic taste and artistic voice: his interest in modernism, admiration of 18th-century aesthetics, and playful, “razor-sharp” wit.

Let It Rain

At Burberry, the “first creative expression” of Creative Director Daniel Lee signaled a new era honoring both its heritage and its future. With a hand from filmmaker Tyrone Lebon—who previously collaborated with Lee during his tenure at Bottega Veneta—the creative director featured a class of British superstars like Skepta and Raheem Sterling alongside Burberry’s new logo. The design is a nod to the Burberry emblem inaugurated in 1901, the “Equestrian Knight” brandishing a banner that reads “Prorsum,” or “forwards” in Latin—a fitting motif for Lee’s much anticipated directorship at Burberry.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

In Coco Chanel’s preserved apartment at 31 rue Cambon in Paris, there’s a bonafide animal kingdom of priceless objets. Grazing by an inlaid-brick fireplace, a stag and doe stand discreetly. Guarding a sofa, a camel figurine looks stoically across the room. Garnishing panels and screens, birds dart and dash, forever in relief. It’s to this realm of historic fauna that Chanel’s creative director Virginie Viard and her runway staging collaborator, the multimedia artist Xavier Veilhan, looked for the house’s Spring 2023 Couture presentation. Viard’s reverie, as a result, found life as embroideries of kittens, corgis, rabbits, deer, and iconic camellias, which can be seen on elegant tops, short tweed suits, or coat dresses. Veilhan’s vision came to fruition as oversized mammalian sculptures on the catwalk. Chanel Couture collections traditionally close with a bride —and this time, waist to veil, she was wrapped in a cloud of swallows. Throughout, a lighthearted verve inspired by majorette dancers added pep. Of Spring, Viard said: “I like when the marvelous bursts forth.” It was marvelous, indeed. —NICK REMSEN

Chanel’s Spring Couture presentation featured sculptures by artist Xavier Veilhan.

A look from the Spring/Summer

2009 Karl Lagerfeld show.

Creative Director Daniel Lee’s first “creative expression” for Burberry, photographed by Tyrone Lebon.

BLOOM

Landscape artist and Bal Harbour alum (Moongates, 2019)

Lily Kwong has brought her magic to the New York Botanical Garden for its 20th annual Orchid Show, on view through April 23.

Titled Natural Heritage, the project finds inspiration in Kwong’s familial Shanghai roots and honors the sublime beauty and harmony found in nature.

A BIGGER BLUE BOX

Tiffany & Co. has teamed up with Nike on a brand new collaboration: an Air Force 1 1837 sneaker, along with a line of complementary sterling silver accessories. The shoe itself is built largely of premium matte-black suede, save for Nike’s iconic swoosh dyed in Tiffany’s equally iconic blue. The link-up marks another smart cross-category collaboration from Tiffany, with prior partnerships ranging from the skatewear company Supreme to the luxury watchmaker Patek Philippe. —N.R.

Magic in Molecules

Le Labo lights the way with its latest classic candle scent, Ambroxyde 17. The debut is a rarity, as Le Labo does not release new scents on a cyclical basis—a practice reminiscent of luxury houses like Alaïa and Gucci that eschew the traditional fashion calendar. Crafted from the synthetic molecule ambroxide, musks, woods, jasmine petals, and moss, Ambroxyde 17 is a cousin to the intoxicating fragrance Another 13.

Lily Kwong at Bal Harbour Shops for her 2019 Moongates installation.

Moon Underwater, 2020, by Jason Seife.

FACE VALUE

A portrait captures the “thrill of an unguarded moment,” according to curator Helen Molesworth, whose latest project is on view at New York’s International Center of Photography through May 1. “Face to Face: Portraits of Artists by Tacita Dean, Brigitte Lacombe and Catherine Opie” examines the work of the three luminaries. The exhibition is French photographer Lacombe’s first major presentation at a New York institution, bringing her eye for intimate details to the Lower East Side.

THEY SAID What?

Fashion journalist Marylou Luther has heard it all over the course of her 70-year career, and in the new book, “Be-Spoke,” she has compiled the wisest and wittiest morsels from every style star she interviewed, from Christian Dior to Virgil Abloh. Quotes dance alongside lively illustrations by Luther’s friend—and longtime Bal Harbour contributor—Ruben Toledo. 74

On May 19, painter Jason Seife debuts his first solo exhibition in the US at the Pérez Art Museum Miami: “Coming to Fruition.” Through his practice of hand-painting ornate and intricate carpet-inspired patterns, Seife transposes the art of weaving onto concrete and canvas. Drawing inspiration from his Cuban and Syrian heritage, the exhibition echoes the destruction and stripping of painted buildings through the violence of war and neglect—all the while constructing a “secular sanctuary” ripe for meditation and reflection.

Isabel Toledo,

Toledo, from “Be-Spoke,” published by Rizzoli, available at Books & Books.

Ces volorum conseq ua et m fuga. Rm et exerrm hachil

Patti Smith, New York, NY, 2014 by Brigitte Lacombe.

illustrated by Ruben

COLLINS AVENUE BAL HARBOUR FLBAL HARBOUR SHOPS

JOAN DIDION’S TIME CAPSULE

Capturing the breadth of Joan Didion’s impact on journalism, literature, and the zeitgeist is no easy feat—some may deem it impossible. Yet the New York Public Library is trying its hand at the task with their recent acquisition of the archive of the late author and her husband, John Gregory Dunne. Processing and cataloging of the extensive archive has begun, and will become available to library patrons, scholars, and Didion/ Dunne fanatics in 2025. “Deeply intimate and professionally significant,” the collection is comprised of both personal and professional papers of Didion and Dunne—including screenplay drafts, dinner party recipes and guest lists, interview transcripts, letters, and candid photographs. The couple famously called both California and New York City home, and their legacies will be cemented and celebrated in the latter for to come.

years come.

Spring Awakening

Travel has reentered the cultural lexicon, and several of the most stylish hotels and spas are ready to welcome you with open arms this spring. To unwind, visit the latest outpost of The Well, the New York-based wellness brand redefining health and healing. At the serene Chileno Bay Resort & Residences in Cabo San Lucas, The Well provides guests with sound bowl attunements and personalized reset programs. Or rejuvenate in Melides, Portugal at Hotel Vermelho, the 13-room hotel conceived by Christian Louboutin, coming this spring. The designer will harmonize the village’s heritage with his own aesthetic, cultivating a spirit of intimacy and creativity. Louboutin isn’t the only fashion force making waves in hospitality. Legendary jewelry house Bulgari has expanded its hotel roster with the Bulgari Hotel Roma, opening early summer. Steps from Bulgari’s flagship, the hotel will grant guests access to the heart of the Eternal City.

A private beachfron villa at Chileno Bay Resort in Cabo San Lucas, where The Well, at right, recently opened a new outpost.

by Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne; above, Didion circa 1960.

The Bulgari Hotel in Rome

Risky BUSINESS

WHILE MANY OF US HAVE DITCHED THE OFFICE SPACE, WE STILL LIKE A LITTLE STRUCTURE IN OUR STYLE. WE’RE IN THE MOOD FOR OVERSIZE BLAZERS, FRAME BAGS, ARTFULLY ALTERED HEELS, AND SUITS THAT ARE AS PLAYFUL AS THEY ARE POWERFUL.

1 Burberry suit and lace blouse; 305.702.5615 2 Saint Laurent Mini Manhattan crossbody bag; 305.868.4424 3 Bottega Veneta Sardine bag and pumps; 786.437.9020 4 Bottega Veneta leather skirt and blouse; 786.437.9020 5 Veronica Beard suit and sandals; 305.504.8574 6 Chanel jumpsuit; 305.868.0550 7 Zimmermann suit; 305.397.8231 8 Chanel mary janes; 305.868.0550

the SUN SHINE

BY DANIELLE NAER

Bottega Veneta Sardine bag, 786.437.9020

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Zimmermann Wonderland Shell shift dress, 305.397.8231

Chanel hobo bag, 305.868.0550

Alexandre

Santa Maria Novella Caprifoglio eau de cologne, 305.865.3334

Roger Vivier jewel heel rhinestone pumps, 305.868.4344

Stella McCartney crystal lace mini dress, 305.864.2218

Silvia Tcherassi leather sandal, balharbourshops.com /shop

Valentino dress and bag, 305.867.1215

SILVER Lining

TAKE A SHINE TO SPRING’S MOST LUSTROUS BAGS, BOOTS, AND SLINGBACKS.

BY DANIELLE NAER

305.763.8189

Christofle sterling silver Idole de Christofle cuff, 305.864.0330

slingbacks, 305.868.0550

786.706.0955

Alexander McQueen jewelled hobo mini, 305.866.2839

Missoni dress,

Bottega Veneta Intrecciato boots, 786.437.9020

David Yurman Sculpted Cable hoop earrings, 305.867.1772

Rimowa Original 305.861.9011

Chloé Oli mules, 305.861.1909

A look from Isabel Marant S/S 23,

Relativity bag, 786.785.7667

Cabin,

Marni

MUST-HAVES

Maria Tash 8mm ruby coronet in yellow gold, 305.938.0949

Ferragamo heat-reactive pants and shirt, 305.866.8166

Prada Re-Edition 1995 medium handbag, 305.864.9111

Van Cleef & Arpels Duo Mystérieux between-thefinger ring, 305.866.0899

Zimmermann Wonderland Picnic dress, 305.397.8231

Balmain fire-printed dress, 305.397.8152

Heat WAVE

BY DANIELLE NAER

Diptyque Ambre candle, 305.865.8225

Akris Ai top-handle handbag, 305.866.2299

Davidor L’Arc de Davidor pendant earrings, 305.397.8481

Ferragamo Gancini heel, 305.866.8166

Saint Laurent square scarf, 305.868.4424

Roger Vivier Virgule Bow Bling slingbacks, 305.868.4344

MUST-HAVES

Dolce and Gabbana crystal-embellished Sicily bag, 305.866.0503

All That GLITTERS

Chopard Haute Joaillerie earrings, 305.868.8626

MACRO-BAUBLES, EMBELLISHED BAGS, AND SEQUIN-SPANGLED SNEAKERS ARE CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION.

BY DANIELLE NAER

Golden Goose Golden Goose x Swarovski sneakers, 786.502.8985

Gianvito Rossi Crystal Crash sandals, 305.865.8330

305.867.1215

Chanel evening bag, 305.868.0550

Aquazzura Disco Dancer sandal, 305.330.6860

Bottega Veneta mini Jodie bag, 786.437.9020

Bulgari Serpenti necklace, 305.861.8898

Chanel pearl necklaces, as seen on the S/S 23 runway, 305.868.0550

Aquazzura Kiss Me minaudière, 305.330.6860

A detail from the S/S 23 Valentino runway, 305.867.1215

Saint Laurent clutch with chain, 305.868.4424

Valentino S/S23,

Fondé à St-Tropez en 1971*

There is Nothing Better Than a MOMCATION

BY ALYSSA SHELASKY

I’m half alive when the email comes in.

It says something like: Good Morning, Ms. Shelasky! Upon your arrival to the Hamptons this afternoon, a Tesla will be waiting to bring you to the Shou Sugi Ban House, where you may slip into a bathrobe, enjoy a warm rice bowl in front of a private fireplace, and slowly be escorted to your sound bath and spa treatments.

I nearly burst into tears.

Readers, I needed it. I am an overworked mom who hasn’t slept in seven years. My son is a toddler (need I say more?), my daughter is seven going on 17, and my partner is always away. We’ve never had a nanny and every day I have a deadline. The only reason I’m still standing is because—thanks to my job as a freelance writer who occasionally writes about travel—every few months, I get a staycation. Or more specifically, a Momcation.

Some mothers dream about wilding-out with girlfriends. Others, a few hours on the couch streaming Netflix. Me? Nothing compares to a luxurious hotel suite—don’t even think about putting me in a “yurt”— complete with room service, massages, Champagne on demand, a

Taylor Jenkins Reid book, and a day or two of rest and relaxation.

I discovered the joy and necessity of the Momcation a few years ago, when I felt so burnt out that I left the house to get milk, passed The William Vale in Williamsburg, Brooklyn along the way, and subconsciously floated straight to the front desk. I asked for a room without knowing what I was saying. And before I even realized what I’d done, I was soaking in a bubble bath, in pure bliss, texting my family that I’d be home tomorrow. Ciao ciao.

Since then, I’ve treasured my Momcations. I’ve taken them on a whim to local gems, and booked them in advance when more travel and planning is involved. Because the thing is, I’m a great mom; my family is my life; and I’m totally comfortable leaving them when it’s appropriate. All to say, I refuse to pack any guilt.

As one of my mom friends, Mary Giuliani, author of “How to Lose Friends and Influence No One,” puts it: “It’s a must. You go to regain your sanity, your sense of self, and to remind yourself that you belong to you, without anyone asking for mac and cheese for at least 24 hours.”

SWAPPING THE STROLLERS AND TANTRUMS FOR SOME SOLITUDE AND ZEN WILL MAKE YOU AN EVEN BETTER, MORE-BALANCED MOM. HERE’S HOW TO SLIP AWAY IN STYLE.

Sensei Porcupine Creek, a tranquil hideaway in Rancho Mirage, California

THE RANCH HUDSON VALLEY (Hudson Valley, New York)

If you’ve ever dabbled in wellness travel, you already know about The Ranch Malibu (if not, don’t ask questions and fly to LAX right away… they’ll pick you up and you’ll never look back!). This year, the Ranch is expanding with The Ranch Hudson Valley, and it’s easily going to be the top Momcation destination of 2023. Nestled amidst 200 acres, in an historic lakefront estate, The Ranch Hudson Valley is 45 minutes from NYC and like Malibu, this one will immerse guests in exercise, emotional and physical health, and boundless nature. This is where you UNPLUG. Famous for their deep tissue massages and a plant-based diet that’s inspired several incredible cookbooks, Upstate New York will soon have everything we need.

SHOU SUGI BAN HOUSE (Watermill, New York)

This haven in Watermill checks all the boxes. The food is healthy and phenomenal—they literally have world’s cleanest and umami-rich rice bowls. There’s yoga and exercise if you’re so inclined. The spa is one of the best in the country. The sta is ultra-accommodating— nothing is a problem. And you’re in the Hamptons, which means there are excellent options for shopping and socializing if the mood strikes.

THE WELL AT MAYFLOWER INN (Washington, Connecticut)

Moms with great taste and healthy budgets have long flocked to this countryside paradise by Auberge Resorts Collection, but things have gotten even dreamier for us sleep-deprived parents with new sleep and nap programs instituted by The Well. The complimentary turndown includes salted caramel chocolates infused with soothing CBD and CBN, accompanied by a bedtime story. Um, yes.

MONTAGE HEALDSBURG (Healdsburg, California)

Ask any food and travel snob and they’ll swoon for a Montage hotel. But this Montage hotel is where wine country meets spa fantasy. Think: a Sonoma Blend massage, which uses locally sourced, cold-decanted olive oilfrom Comstock Wine’s olives. Add some nature plus stress-release with e-bikes, archery, hiking; and all the indulgence of delicious Frenchinfluenced California cuisine at Hazel Hill. And obbbbbviously there’s an endless stream of fine wine waiting just for you. There’s also a house car (and driver) to take you to any of Healdsburg’s famous restaurants, or tasting rooms, all within a 10-minute drive.

BLACKBERRY MOUNTAIN (Walland, Tennessee)

Blackberry Mountain is a much-desired oasis in the Great Smoky Mountains where the outdoorsy mom can escape in every sense. This place is pure utopia and luxury and continues to win all the awards. Lose yourself on hikes, biking, and arbor adventures—there are 5,200 acres to explore. Restorative wellness services include forest bathing, sunrise vinyasa, and crystal reiki. You’ll forget all about chicken nuggets and chocolate milk with Blackberry’s cherished culinary program: think lemon oats and chia with coconut milk for breakfast, and tagliatelle with Burgundy tru es over sunset.

THE NEWBURY BOSTON (Boston, Massachusetts)

Here’s what’s perfect about this new-ish hotel (besides having a Leading Hotels of the World distinction): it’s extremely sophisticated and very adult. Kids are allowed to stay there, but you won’t see or hear many and there’s definitely not a kids’ club or anything of the like. You get a handsome room, and a fireplace butler, and, on the roof, the restaur ant Contessa is the sexiest restaurant I’ve ever eaten at. When you go there solo, you feel like the star of the next season of White Lotus, and there’s nothing childish about that.

SENSEI PORCUPINE CREEK (Rancho Mirage, California)

This newly opened retreat nestled against the Santa Rosa mountains is truly a paradisiacal addition to the prime Momcation wish list. The exclusive hideaway is tranquil and intimate, with only a small number of hotel rooms inside a former estate house, and private villas clustered throughout the grand, luscious property. There’s golf, tennis, yoga, spa, and dining by Sensei by Nobu. Most notably, this is an adults-only property. No kids allowed!

Here are a few of my favorite destinations around the country. See you there, mama.

I’M A GREAT MOM; MY FAMILY IS MY LIFE; AND I’M TOTALLY COMFORTABLE LEAVING THEM WHEN IT’S APPROPRIATE. ALL TO SAY, I REFUSE TO PACK ANY GUILT.

Sky blue ceramic case with integrated bracelet. In-house UNICO chronograph movement. Limited to 250 pieces.

STYLE SETTERS

Paco Rabane hat, available at The Webster

Jessica Schuster

INTERIOR DESIGNER

“From a young age, I was inspired by my parents’ and grandmother’s sense of style and interest in art and design,” says Jessica Schuster.

“While other girls were getting their Vogue subscriptions, I was reading Architectural Digest and World of Interiors.” The Boston native founded her namesake interior design studio 11 years ago, after studying at NYU and Parson’s School of Design, and working for Kelly Wearstler and Tui Pranich. “Our work is traditionally grounded, painted with unexpected touches, and inspired by vintage form and design,” says the New York-based designer, whose projects span the Hamptons, Palm Beach, and LA. Recently, Schuster unveiled her first-ever hotel design, Esmé and Casa Matanza, a pair of neighboring boutique properties located in Miami Beach’s historic Española Way.

—AMANDA EBERSTEIN

What beauty items do you swear by?

I love the foam cleanser from MBR, which I use day and night, and Isdinceutics Melatonik oil, which I layer with the crème masque vernix from Biologique Recherche. For makeup, I wear Chantecaille’s Future Skin Cushion foundation—the formula is light and not fussy. I also love Christian Dior’s Diorshow mascara in brown.

What is your favorite beach ensemble?

What is your go-to outfit for work?

When on the clock, my standard uniform is a cashmere sweater, Khaite jeans, and my Chanel loafers or The Row zipper boots. My mornings are always about business (that’s when I’m most creative), so I don’t have a ton of time to think about my outfit. Having a uniform is the easiest way to get out the door and to the office!

How would you describe your Miami style?

would you describe

I like to mix vintage pieces with designers and in Miami, I love to shop for more playful and fun pieces with a little more pattern and color than normal. Some of my go-to spots are Etro, Bottega Veneta, Prada, Saint Laurent, Chanel and the Webster.

A fabulous pareo, coupled with a great bikini, hat, and Saint Laurent Tribute mules in ostrich-embossed leather.

What jewelry do you never take off?

The go-to watch I never leave home without is a gold Bulgari Serpenti watch. I also wear thin gold hoops most days because they are sleek and effortless.

What Spring trends are you most excited about?

I love denim, so I am excited to see all of the fabulous new creations from lace-up to patchwork to fabulous ruched-denim jackets. Etro and Chloé have some great looks.

What are your go-to shoes for day?

For day, I wear Chanel slingbacks—I have them in many colors. They’re easy and dress up even the most casual look.

What is your favorite Bal Harbour restaurant?

Makoto. I like the entire menu and could eat there every day!

Go-to luggage?

I have long used Rimowa and have always loved it. My carry-on is a traveling scrapbook of sorts—I like to apply bumper stickers from each trip I take.

PORTRAIT BY CHRISTIAN HARDER

Chanel glitter and grossgrain slingback

Saint Laurent Tribute mules

Rimowa Essential Cabin

Khaite jeans, available at The Webster

Makoto's sashimi omakase

A look from Chanel's Spring/ Summer collection

A look from Etro's Spring/ Summer collection

Bottega Veneta Sardine bag

El Salón restaurant at the Esmé hotel in Miami Beach

PHOTO BY JASON VARNEY (MAKOTO); CHANEL, THE WEBSTER, RIMOWA, ESME, ETRO, BULGARI, BOTTEGA VENETA

BAL HARBOUR SHOPS | 9700 COLLINS AVE, #207 BAL HARBOUR, FL | 305.861.1523

STYLE SETTERS

What type of jewelry do you love?

Anything green! My favorite stone is emerald.

Sofia Tcherassi

DIRECTOR OF READY-TO-WEAR, SILVIA TCHERASSI

As the daughter of Colombian designer Silvia Tcherassi, fashion is very much a part of Sofia Tcherassi’s DNA. “I grew up looking up to my mother, who brought me with her to the atelier since I was just a few months old,” says Sofia, who was born and raised in Miami, where the brand is based. “From a young age, I was able to see her impeccable attention to detail, which has definitely influenced my work ethic and style.” And although she always dreamed of joining the family business, Sofia still had to cut her teeth. “My mother is all about discipline,” she says. “She has always said that’s the most important factor in building a strong business.” After graduating from Parson’s School of Design and stints at The Row, Oscar de la Renta, and Gabriela Hearst, Sofia became Silvia Tcherassi’s director of ready-to-wear in 2020. “I am involved in every single stage of the creative evolution of a collection,” says the designer, adding that there are plans for a new Bal Harbour Shops boutique in the future. —A.E.

You grew up in Miami. How does the city influence the way you dress?

Miami has made me have a great affinity for color. The vibe is relaxed, yet cosmopolitan and therefore the perfect setting for our clothes. This city is where we opened our first boutique outside of Colombia over 25 years ago, so the brand and Miami are completely intertwined.

What are some of your favorite shops at Bal Harbour?

There are so many remarkable and iconic boutiques—it is my go-to when I want to buy something special. I always visit Saks and Neiman Marcus; I really like their overall curation and selection. I also like to visit all of the European stores, like Etro, Frette, Brunello Cucinelli, and Santa Maria Novella. The Shops has a European feel that is very special.

A look from Etro's Spring/ Summer collection

Favorite luggage brand?

I love the Rimowa Cabin S in green—the color is unique yet versatile.

What are some of the fashion pieces that you are coveting right now?

Bottega Veneta’s laminated minaudiere in gold. I have the small pouch in gold and wear it so much that I’m confident I’ll wear this one too. I love when brands are able to successfully reinvent their classics. Etro denim—I love the fit and their unique prints. And René Caovilla’s Cleo flat sandal.

René Caovilla Cleo sandal

What are your spring travel plans?

For work, I will be going to Como, Italy, where we design our fabrics during the month of March. I definitely want to stop at the Passalacqua for an aperitivo!

Tell us about Silvia Tcherassi's Spring/Summer collection.

It’s a bold showing of color. The overall aesthetic draws from the works of artists like Mark Rothko and Cy Twombly and their use of lighting and different tonalities. We introduced a new textured silk which has been treated to have a canvas-like quality, further binding the assortment to the world of art. I particularly love the coordinating sets in this collection!

What is your go-to outfit for work?

On more casual days I opt for jeans, a t-shirt, and one of our knits or blazers. Something I have implemented since I started working at the company is everyday workwear in more elevated fabrics and prints. I appreciate a utilitarian piece, like a suit, with a feminine twist.

Silvia

Tcherassi

Constanzo one-piece

What is your ideal outfit for an evening out?

A Silvia Tcherassi midi dress, comfortable sandals, and either a statement clutch or something fun, like a light blue Gucci Jackie 1961 bag.

A look from Silvia Tcherassi's Spring/ Summer collection

Hotel

Ara Vartanian emerald and diamond necklace

Hotel Passalacqua in Como, Italy

Bottega Veneta minaudiere

Gucci Jackie 1961 bag

PORTRAIT BY JEFF THIBODEAU

Zoë de Givenchy

FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Z.D.G. BY ZOE DE

GIVENCHY

“I created Z.d.G. in the spirit of family—sharing some of our best kept secrets from among Europe’s finest artisans,” says Zoë de Givenchy, who launched her home and tabletop line three years ago. "The designs we make are pieces I wanted for my own homes.” Although born in Australia, the taste-making entrepreneur got a deep dive into French style and refinement when she married the nephew of the late, great courtier Hubert de Givenchy, who she remained close with until his death in 2018 at the age of 91. “All of the artisans with whom we work I know personally,” she says of the collection, which ranges from traditional French faïence and Italian ceramics to cutlery. “They are all family businesses, with generations of skill and passion for their craft.” The jet-setting mother of two splits her time between Paris, LA, and the Bahamas, often popping over to Miami for dinner and a little shopping when on the island. “I adore the color and Latin joie de vivre in Miami. That tropical evening heat is so alluring.” —A.E.

How would you describe your personal style and aesthetic?

Classic, with a twist. I am a traditionalist at heart. I adore beautiful fabrics and refined tailoring, but I love to have fun with fashion and color for evenings and resort dressing.

Spring travel plans?

I will be visiting Miami and Palm

Beach, then Harbour Island for Easter, and Argentina to play some polo with my children!

What is your favorite Bal Harbour restaurant, and what are your go-to dishes?

Linguine Vongole, Palmito and Parmigiano and Scallopini Piccanti at Carpaccio.

What are some of the fashion pieces you are coveting for spring?

Spring has me hankering for bangles from Buccellati, kaftans from newly discovered Turkish brand Haremlique, and candy-colored satin mules from Roger Vivier. For evenings, sequins and drama, and I love the Olympia Sandal by Aquazzura—designed by my friend Olympia of Greece.

What is your go-to outfit for day?

Currently, flared jeans, Chanel flats, and a perfect white tee with a short blazer.

What shops do you love to visit in Bal Harbour?

Bal Harbour has long been one of my favorite places to shop in the world. I love to stop by Santa Maria Novella, Diptyque, 100% Capri, Assouline, Aquazzura, and Buccellati. And I always visit The Webster—its founder, Laure Hériard Dubreuil, is one of my best friends. I think every brightly colored piece in my wardrobe is from there.

How does your style differ between Los Angeles, Paris, and Miami?

In LA, I tend to be more relaxed and pair most things with denim or flats. But always with a European twist—jeans with Venetian slippers or a Chloe maxi dress with clogs and beautiful accessories. We head to Malibu on the weekends, and there is a different mood. I wear denim shirts and oversized cashmere from Loro Piana with Birkenstocks or cowboy boots. In Paris, I wear loafers and a classic Burberry trench with most things as I am walking everywhere. I can be more glamourous at night. And I wear a lot more color and a lot less in Miami!

What is your ideal outfit for an evening out?

A gorgeous dress from a brand like Givenchy or Galvan with delicate strappy heels or flats, always.

Roger Vivier mule

Aquazzura Galactic Crystal mini tote

Givenchy dress, available at Neiman Marcus

Chanel sandals

Buccellati bangles

Assouline's "Punta del Este"

Chloé jeans

The Webster, Bal Harbour Shops

A look from Chloé Spring/ Summer

VIVIER, THE WEBSTER, GAQUAZZURA, CHLOE, CHANEL, BUCCELLATI, HAREMLIQUE

Haremlique kaftan

Bulgari Serpenti rose gold and diamond bracelet

What do you gravitate towards when shopping for your two young girls?

Stella McCartney Kids is the cutest. And Bonpoint, too—they make the most darling separates.

What type of jewelry do you never take off?

I wear mostly vintage jewelry pieces from my grandmother that are not only very unique, but have great sentimental qualities. A classic Bulgari bracelet is an amazing staple that can be passed down for generations.

Sarah Arison

PHILANTHROPIST

For as long as she can remember, Sarah Arison has been immersed in the art world. As the granddaughter of Ted and Lin Arison—the legendary philanthropists behind the Arison Arts Foundation, a private grant-making organization that supports emerging artists and institutions, as well as YoungArts and the New World Symphony—the Miami native grew up witnessing the tremendous impact of these programs firsthand. “I realized their importance in the support of artists and changing the perception of the value of artists in our society,” says Arison. “I decided this was something that I wanted to dedicate my life to, as well.” These days, the busy mother of two serves as the president of Arison Arts Foundation and the Chair of the board of YoungArts and MoMA PS1, amongst other charitable and cultural endeavors. —A.E.

Which boutiques do you frequent at Bal Harbour Shops?

I love to shop for special events here as I always feel like there are fun, unique pieces. Prada is definitely a go-to. I bought an amazing pair of silver platforms there that were my Art Basel staples. Same with Bottega Veneta—I found a metallic Mini-Jodie bag that I’m

going to use with both jeans and black tie. And The Webster is one of the best curated boutiques in the country.

Favorite restaurant at the Shops?

I am very excited by the new addition, Aba. Mediterranean food is my favorite and their smoky garlic hummus and house-made Stracciatella is so good!

What are the fashion pieces and trends that you are excited about this season?

I would love a really great structured blazer—Gucci has some great ones. And I saw a lot of texture, which is so fun. Fringe, feathers, sequins—bring it on!

What is your ideal outfit for an evening gala?

I’m definitely less of a traditional ball-gown girl and gravitate more towards cocktail length, or even an amazing jumpsuit. Prada is always perfect.

What are your spring travel plans?

We have a house in Aspen and my older daughter is obsessed with skiing, so we’ll be spending her spring break there. Moncler is a must for the mountains,

mountains, and Gucci also has some really fun cold weather gear!

A look from Chloé's Spring/ Summer collection

What is your favorite Miami art gallery or museum?

I love PAMM and Nina Johnson Gallery.

You are based in New York, but have an apartment in Bal Harbour. How does your personal style differ here?

While it’s cliché, I definitely wear brighter colors in Miami. I’m loving how much pink there is again this season. I’m also a sucker for a sundress—it’s so simple to throw on a great one and look totally put together. In New York, I’m walking a lot, so I lean towards more sensible shoes, like Chanel slingbacks. In Miami, I can break out the fun heels;

Aquazzura and Gianvito Rossi are my faves.

What is your favorite beach ensemble? You can’t go wrong with a caftan from Missoni.

Moncler jacket

Valentino sequined shoulder bag

Stella McCartney Kids dress

Nina Johnson Gallery

Gianvito Rossi Elle sandal

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VALENTINO, MISSONI, CHLOE, NINA JOHNSON, MONCLER, STELLA MCCARTNEY, GIANVITO ROSSI, BULGARI

Bal Harbour Shops · 9700 Collins Ave #135, Miami Beach · 305-602-9663 · @lezoobalharbour

Bohemian ROYALTY

FRENCH AUTHOR

ANNE

BY ISABEL B. SLONE PORTRAIT BY LAURA FRIEDLI

ver since I was a kid, I have been attracted to the past,” says French author and actress Anne Berest. As the great-granddaughter of famed avant-garde painter Francis Picabia and his first wife, the esteemed art critic and WWII resistance organizer Gabriélle Buffet-Picabia, it’s no wonder why. Berest’s family lineage—not to mention her style and talent—imbues her with an aura of ine able cool. The kind of cool that found her the recipient of a 10-page fan letter from Karl Lagerfeld, who was so enamored with her 2014 biography of legendary French playwright and novelist Françoise Sagan, that he was compelled to o er his praise. Following the exchange, she became a Chanel ambassador, and remains a friend of the house.

Growing up in Sceaux, a small suburb of Paris, in a house full of books, Berest listened to the strains of Leonard Cohen and The Doors wafting in the background from her parents’ stereo. Her mother, Lélia, was a university professor of linguistics, while her father, Pierre, was a scientist studying the relationship between the moon and Earth’s tide. Both were students during the May 1968 revolution, passing on their counterculture ideals to their children.

But one thing that wasn’t so easily shared in her home were the stories of her famous lineage. When Berest was in her early twenties, while reading a biography of Duchamp, she was shocked to find references to her great-grandmother on nearly every page. While it’s been well documented that Duchamp and the Picabias were very close (and not always platonically), so much else was oft overlooked. “She was the first young girl to be admitted to a very famous music school in Paris, La Schola Cantorum, as a composer when she was only 17,” says Berest. “She was a witness at the wedding of Pablo Picasso. I thought, ‘What a woman!’” Inspired, she and her sister Claire set out

to write “Gabriële,” the untold story of their great-grandmother. “I am convinced that all family lineages are fascinating if you take the time to observe them.”

From an early age Berest was drawn to writing, which to her represented “the image of freedom.” After glimpsing a photo of famed author and filmmaker Marguerite Duras in a magazine when she was young, she never considered any other career path. Her love of history was early formed as well. “When I was a k id I always asked old people to tell me about their memories,” recalling what may have led to her founding, in 2008, a small publishing house, Port-Plume, where she documented the stories of basically anyone who cared to share them.

Most recently, Berest returned to mining her own family’s history in what might be her most revealing book yet, “The Postcard,” winner of the 2022 Goncourt Prize, one of the most high-profile literary prizes in France. The book took form back in 2003, when Berest’s mother received an anonymous postcard with the names of four Jewish relatives who perished in the Holocaust. The mysterious mail compelled the author to take a circuitous journey to find the sender of the postcard, using autofiction to recreate the lives of her ancestors. In the process, she also found herself grappling with her own experiences as a Jewish woman in modern day France. “By working on my family tree, I found coincidences between the life of my relatives and my life today, which I call invisible transmissions,” she says. “Even when we don’t know anything about them, our ancestors exist inside us.”

She continues, “I might have one Spanish grandfather and one Breton one; a great-grandfather who was a painter and another who’d captained an ice-breaking ship, but nothing—absolutely nothing— matters as much to me as being descended from a line of Jewish women.” Perhaps the self is the most fascinating subject of all.

BEREST UNCOVERS A LINEAGE SHE NEVER KNEW EXISTED IN HER NEW BOOK, “THE POSTCARD.”

Lalique Bal Harbour | 9700 Collins Ave Suite 354, Bal Harbour, FL 33154 lalique.com

An ATYPICAL Atelier

FASHION ILLUSTRATOR

DANI WILDE INFUSES HIS WORK WITH A PLAYFUL SENSE OF SURREALISM AND THE COLORS OF THE WARM SPANISH SUN.

BY KATHERINE MCGRATH

Scroll through artist Dani Wilde’s Instagram and it’s impossible not to feel a surge of joy. The French-born, Spain-based artist’s universe is populated by a fashionable crowd of characters who all wear one thing in common—a content smile. “My greatest dream is exactly what I’m trying to do now,” says Wilde, who seems to share his subjects’ sense of ease. Best known for vibrant fashion illustrations that capture the clothes in as much detail as those who wear them, one might be surprised to learn that just a decade ago Wilde hadn’t so much as picked up a pencil. Yet, these days, he’s regularly illustrating a front row fashion show on commission for brands like Kenzo and Calvin Klein or dreaming up an opulent fur coat or a frilly frock from his atelier in the Rioja Valley in the Spanish countryside.

Wilde, who estimates he’s created around 2,000 illustrations, sketches largely on his iPad. He also turns to other materials like watercolor and gouache for their fluidity, which he finds more relaxing than their digital counterparts. His work is perhaps a bit surreal in nature, and joyful above all. “I like to make people smile with my illustrations,” says the 40-something illustrator in his native French tongue, whose accent is now tinted with hints of the fiery Spanish of his chosen country. The Spanish influence is also infused in his work, visible in the vibrant hue of the ocean and the generous doses of color throughout.

While Wilde has always had a passion for contemporary art—he counts Joana Vasconcelos, Francis Bacon, and Elizabeth Peyton as

inspirations, and Julian Schnabel as his idol (“I love his charisma”)—it was Sir David Hockney’s embrace of the tablet that led Wilde to his new professional life. “I’m a bit atypical, in that I only began drawing eight years ago,” explains the artist, who previously worked in marketing. But while visiting the British Pop artist’s 2012 exhibition “A Bigger Picture” at the Guggenheim Bilbao, Wilde was taken by the artist’s astonishingly large portrayal of the British countryside, but even more so that it was executed not in paint, pastels, or ink, but rather in digital pixels. “The fact that an artist of his caliber turned to the iPad… it’s accessible for so many people, and inspiring, too. For those just starting out it has many advantages: you can ‘undo’ easily, and if you make a mistake, it’s less dramatic.”

While his eye for fashion gravitates towards more established designers, models, and icons like Miuccia Prada, Tom Ford, Kate Moss, and Victoria Beckham, Wilde finds great joy in illustrating his private commissions. “In order to make my illustrations my clients will send me photos,” says Wilde. “Sometimes there are so many images shared I feel as though I truly know the family by the time I’m done.”

Wilde’s enthusiasm for his craft is palpable. “I’m proud of what I’ve done. To begin as an illustrator so late, and to achieve what I’ve achieved, is not a given,” says Wilde. “It’s surreal that eight years ago I hadn’t touched a pencil… I see everything through the eyes of a child in that all of this brings me so much pleasure.”

BONPOINT. BAL HARBOUR SHOPS. 9700 COLLINS AVENUE. SUITE #385 BAL HARBOUR, FL 33154. T. 786-359-4511

Invest in the classics. And other sage advice from celebrity stylist JAMIE MIZRAHI.

BY INGRID SCHMIDT

Busy is baseline for LA-based fashion stylist Jamie Mizrahi. And lately, she’s been very busy outfitting Adele in a series of showstopping custom gowns for her Weekends with Adele residency in Las Vegas. So, when it comes to dressing herself, Mizrahi tends to keep it simple. “I live in a uniform,” says Mizrahi, “because I don’t have the time to think about pushing my style to another place.” She does, however, develop killer looks for Ariana Grande, Riley Keough, Leslie Mann, and The Bear ’s award-winning rising star Jeremy Allen White, among others. At home with her two children, doorbell buzzing as looks are delivered for clients, Mizrahi took time to speak to us about what’s on her spring fashion radar, what’s in her carry-on, and a few of the challenges that come along with being one of the industry’s most in-demand stylists.

What is inspiring you most right now? Travel. I was recently in Tokyo for a research trip and it was amazing to see what everyone on

the street was wearing, what they were sewing there, what that culture is like. I went to New York this week, too. I really just love to look around and see what people around me are wearing.

Can you speak to your personal style aesthetic? I’m pretty classic. I live in a uniform, because I don’t have the time to think about pushing my style to another p lace. I also think I’ve understood, at this point, what works for my body and what I feel comfortable wearing.

Of course, I experiment more and step outside the box when it’s a special occasion. But day to day I wear The Row or Louis Vuitton jeans, sweaters, a white t-shirt, or sometimes a button-down, Adidas Gazelles or Asics or some sort of sneaker, and a jacket—a long peacoat or a trench, all in neutral colors. I wear a lot of black and white. On a night out, I love a suit.

You travel so much. What is perennially in your suitcase? Jeans, a black long-sleeve shirt, a white long-sleeve shirt, a white t-shirt, a black t-shirt, underwear, socks, a black sweater, and my skincare—Biologique Recherche and Ilia.

What are you most excited about in terms of spring fashion? I’m typically not looking to trends, but I’m wearing way baggier jeans than I’ve ever worn, oversized blazers, sheer tops, some other sheer things, and crisp tailoring— but that’s always something I’m into. For accessories, oversized clutches. With shoes, personally, I always like a classic Manolo Blahnik slingback pump. But what we’ve seen on the runways are more dimensional shapes in heels from Schiaparelli and Dries Van Noten.

How do you tend to work with clients? The one thing that all my clients have in common is that they’re true to themselves and wear what they’re comfortable in. No one’s chasing trends. The first thing we do is look through the runways at every fashion show and what brands are doing and then send pictures back and forth. We work a lot in pictures and screenshots. Then the fittings I do are concise and to the point. I don’t come in with 15 racks of clothes. I come in with four outfits that we’ve already discussed and know we like or even one dress that we’ve agreed on and, knowing my client’s body, that I know will work.

Is there one underrated wardrobe item that every woman should own in multiples?

Yes, a seamless brief. I don’t love wearing thongs, for me it’s about comfort without being able to see your underwear line.

Any sage advice for building a wardrobe?

I think it’s really good to invest in classic staples: the perfect black blazer, the perfect pump, the perfect trench coat—timeless, iconic pieces that will stay in your closet forever. Then I like doing more trendy shopping with accessories and smaller things that aren’t high-ticket items.

What is the hardest part of your job that no one would ever guess? Managing everything. Hiring people. Dealing with fine jewelry— being responsible for things that are of such a high value. And making sure that things show up on time.

‘‘T

here’s this incredible variety of color, shapes,” says Gianvito Rossi, who’s speaking to me from his brand’s factory in Rimini, Italy.

“They have a constant movement.” The luxury footwear designer is referring to works of Italian Futurist art, but one might describe his line of jewel-tone heels, mules, and flats the same way. One of Rossi’s favorite sculptures is Umberto Boccioni’s Unique Forms of Continuity in Space , because the dreamlike cast captures the subject’s stride with “incredible attention,” he says. “You really see the hand of the artist.”

At Rossi’s factory, many hands touch each shoe. While his father, Sergio Rossi, made his name with stilettos that require 120 steps and 14 hours to produce, a Gianvito heel clocks in at roughly 60 steps from start to finish. “There are so many single activities” in the production process “that you really need to be very specialized,” he says. His 150-person operation is sta ed with artisans who trained through years of practice.

The elder Rossi “was a real master” at engineering shoes for comfort and stability, his son says, and imparted an appreciation for the mechanics of design. “When you design a shoe, when you design something, you need to know how things are working.” Otherwise, “it’s just a sketch.” Understanding the relationship between form and function is key: “if you know how things are made, the result of your design will match the expectation.” For example, closed-toe heeled mules should be cut slightly higher on the sides to contain the foot and avoid slippage. Soles are curved for optimal balance. “We want to keep the fit,” he says, regardless of how the shoe looks on a superficial level.

Engineering. aaaa CLASSIC

From an aesthetic perspective, Rossi says, his designs must be “simple, original, elegant, and feminine,” but the ultimate objective “is to create something that might become a classic.” His initial brainstorming stages combine two approaches: an “evolutive” approach, wherein he elaborates upon previous collections, shapes, and materials, and an “innovative” approach, where he toys with entirely new concepts. Last fall, Rossi unveiled the Jaipur collection, which features enormous gemstones on the toes of his signature heels. The shoes look like they’ve always existed, but in fact, Rossi designed the stones from scratch.

Rossi’s father taught him to “never be satisfied by what you do,” he says, “because there’s always a way to do the same thing in a better way. It’s a continuous evolution, and you’re always pursuing a better result.” That’s a lesson he plans to pass down to his 25-year-old daughter, Sofia, who now creates social media content for the brand.

Before his daughter joined the digital team, she spent time stitching in the factory, as did Rossi in his younger days. “She knows everything about the shoes,” he says. Interestingly, the designer sees a renewed interest in high-end artisanal work among his daughter’s age group. “When you really build something and are part of it, you’re making something real,” he says. “It’s quite engaging.”

Attitudes towards high heels have changed since 2020, when the heel-buying crowd locked down and switched to sneakers. “There was absolutely no reason to buy high-heeled shoes,” Rossi says, and sales reflected as much. But when restrictions loosened, he adds, “we immediately saw a comeback of the heels.”

BY KATE DWYER PORTRAIT BY GIANLUCA FONTANA

Openness is a theme of the Spring/Summer 23 collection, which features shoes inspired by nightlife across the globe. Satin platforms represent Paris, while natural stones and gladiator flats evoke Coachella. It’s an exercise in vicarious revelry. “I love imagining living in a di erent place, living what the spirit is,” says Rossi. “We are one, but we can be multiple. I don’t want to be exactly the same me everywhere.” Because, after all, “a shoe is made to move.”

THOUGH HIS SHOES CAN BE DESCRIBED AS FANCIFUL, SEXY, AND JOYOUS, FOR DESIGNER GIANVITO ROSSI, EVERY SKETCH IS INFORMED BY FUNCTIONALITY.

Gianvito Rossi in his Rimini, Italy workshop.

Timeless

THERE’S A DEPTH TO WATCH COLLECTING THAT IS BOTH CEREBRAL AND EMOTIONAL, AND A COMMUNITY THAT’S BOUND BY A SHARED DEDICATION TO THE ARTISTRY THAT LIVES WITHIN EACH TIMEPIECE. WRITER SASHA FRERE-JONES TUNES IN WITH TWO COLLECTORS TO SEE WHAT MAKES THEM TICK.

ou can read Hodinkee if you want to know what’s going on in the commercial world of watches, or check Dimepiece if you’re young and have an idea of cool that isn’t borrowed from a movie, but if you want to go to the mountain top of watch collecting, you must go with a guide—or two. Kevin Wilson and Armando Gonzalez are both avid collectors who have a real appreciation for the art and engineering that goes into a watch. Both men were first introduced to this universe in their formative years and have since made it a full-time concern in Miami.

Kevin Wilson, a fintech executive who spent a number of years living in Geneva, was exposed to the machines that drive the watchmaking capital of the world. He was drawn to the unique combination of art and mechanical engineering that goes into a watch. “Since I was a teenager I aspired to one day become a collector,” Wilson says. “I purchased my first Rolex in Geneva from a local dealer called Bucherer when I was 17 years old. It was a GMT Master II Coke which cost about 3,500 Swiss francs.” (That’s roughly $3,745). “That was a time when a consumer could actually walk into a Rolex Authorized Dealer and choose freely from a wide selection of pieces for sale, but that’s not possible today. Demand far outweighs supply. It’s become very difficult for new customers of the brand to obtain the more popular references without a pre-existing relationship with the dealer.”

You may not ever need a watch, really, if it’s time you’re keeping track of. Your phone and computer and half-dozen billboards will tell you where you are in the day. That’s not what watches are about now, if they ever were.

“Fine watchmaking is a skill that is often passed down from generation to generation,” Wilson says. “A single watch may be touched and worked on by a hundred people before being released for sale. Designing a new watch can take years and the mechanical know-how needed to realize that vision is rare.”

Wilson knows that watches have become an asset class, but he stresses that collecting should be done for the love of the pieces. “When you’re spending a significant amount of money on a timepiece, it is only reasonable to consider the future potential value of your investment and it’s important to buy carefully,” he says. “I’ve made some expensive mistakes and learned a great deal along the way. That said, collect what you love, wear it, and enjoy it. I don’t believe watches should sit in a safe, they are made to be worn.”

Armando Gonzalez, a Miami-based private wealth advisor, has a similar approach to collecting. “It all started with the emotional connection I made with my first nice watch as a teenager,” Gonzalez told me. “I might have been 13 or so. I was lucky enough to use good grades as a bargaining chip to convince my parents to buy me a Swiss Army steel watch. There also might have been some begging involved. There was also a connection to my father’s watch as well. He had a Rolex Oyster my grandmother gave him for his 15th birthday. I remember playing with it and pretending I was a big shot.”

The days of make-believe are long gone, though. “The actual collecting of watches went from a sporadic a air to a full-time concern when I started in my professional career and had disposable income,” Gonzalez said. “I was lucky to live in Geneva after graduating college and spent almost eight years walking through the most impressive watch stores on a daily basis. At some point, an Audemars Piguet boutique opened just below my o ce. Looking at watches was basically a part of my commute.”

Gonzalez’s story reminded me that I wore my father’s watch for years. It seems like time to ease myself back into the game and meet other members of the collecting community. The problem is, I don’t know where to look. Wilson does.

“The biggest concentration of the community actually lives online,” Wilson says. “There aren’t conventions or anything like that. There are big watch events each year like Watches and Wonders and Basel World where the brands often announce new releases. The big auctions can draw a crowd. Watchbox has also created lounges all over the world where collectors can gather and discuss their passion. The Miami Beach Antique show is happening now and it is filled with dealers, buyers, and sellers. I’m not much of a seller, but that said, any day is a good day to talk and buy watches.”

Big collections like Wilson’s take a lot of attention, and sometimes, pruning.

“I’ve recently gone through a process of rationalizing what I own and paring down to fewer timepieces that are significant to me,” Wilson says. “I moved full time with my wife and children from New York City to our home in Key Biscayne in June of 2020. I tend to favor sportier models which are suitable for a warm and humid climate. That said, I’m increasingly attracted to classic and complicated watches that are, in fact, timeless.”

Geneva, London, and New York all play a part in the serious watch game but, right now, Miami may be the real safe harbor for serious collectors.

Audemars Piguet

Royal Oak Offshore selfwinding chronograph

FACE TO FACE

Armando Gonzalez and Kevin Wilson share the first, last, and the one that’s just out of reach (for now).

ARMANDO GONZALEZ

GRAIL WATCH:

The Patek Philippe 2499 perpetual calendar chronograph double-signed by Serpico y Laino

FIRST WATCH:

The Victorinox Swiss Army officers steel watch from the 1990s

MOST RECENT PURCHASE: The 5270/1R Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph black dial

FAVORITE BRANDS: Patek Philippe and Rolex have a great standard of care. Audemars Piguet, A. Lange, Vacheron Constantin are also superb brands.

KEVIN WILSON

GRAIL WATCH:

Patek Philippe 5711/ 111P-001 with sapphire bezel

FIRST WATCH:

Rolex GMT Master II Coke

MOST RECENT PURCHASE :

Patek Philippe 5170P

FAVORITE BRANDS:

Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Sohne, Rolex

Greek REVIVAL

THE SPRING 2023 RUNWAYS OFFERED AN UPDATE ON DRAPING WORTHY OF A MODERN-DAY GREEK GODDESS. PERFECTLY TIMED, SCAD’S FASH MUSEUM PRESENTS A MASTERCLASS ON THE TECHNIQUE WITH AN EXHIBIT DEDICATED TO THE WORK OF MADAME GRÈS.

BY NAOMI ROUGEAU

Things had been percolating since 2022, when Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri presented an ode to antiquity with the house’s Cruise collection at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. Shortly after came Schiaparelli with toga-like evening ensembles and models, seemingly deified, with gold-dipped digits. Even Thom Browne shirked his usual schoolboy suiting and emblazoned forgiving tunics with trompe l’oeil statuary o ering instant chiseled abs. Fortunately, the timeless silhouettes continue this season, albeit with a looser, more modern feel.

“Draping has an incredibly long history that references itself over and over, whether in terms of antiquity or closer decades,” explains Rafael Gomes, creative director of Atlanta’s SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion and Film, host to “Madame Grès: The Art of Draping,” which runs through June 30. Curated by Olivier Saillard, the exhibit is a partnership with the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa and features nearly 80 garments from the late designer’s personal Grès collection. “It’s like an ouroboros trend, a cyclical reinvention. Madame Grès was incredible at adapting her draping skills to fit the zeitgeist and that legacy is seen in designers at work today.”

This season, Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent provided the most compelling case studies, with hooded jersey maxi dresses that couldn’t help but conjure up images of Grace Jones’s most iconic looks. In Paris, Jonathan Anderson pushed the boundaries of the medium at Loewe with a more architectural approach (and shorter hemlines), creating peak-like wire framing to provide a foundation from which fabric was suspended. In Milan, Maximilian Davis, newly installed at Ferragamo, embraced transparency with more diaphanous designs. The throughline: a celebration of the female form and an appreciation of the past with an eye toward the future.

“It’s important to remember that Madame Grès was a couturier,” says Gomes, noting the countless hours and yards of fabric required to create Grès’s tightly torqued and gathered gowns, something simply not seen in today’s read-to-wear garments. “She was able to implement the time and dedication to her own designs at a pace she set and while she preferred to focus on the draping and pleating her Hellenic dresses required, she was also an exceptional pattern cutter.” Grès’s devotion to precision found a kindred spirit in Alaïa, who, unbeknownst to many before his death in 2017, had amassed hundreds of her designs. Though the latter is known primarily for his body-hugging garments, Grès’s work often played with revealing cutouts and form-fitting bodices, albeit without the stretch for which the “King of Cling” was known.

In an era when anything goes—which can make getting dressed a challenge—why not seek solace in a time-tested silhouette?

A Grace Jones-worthy look from Anthony Vaccarello's Spring 2023 collection.

ONE Easy Piece

LAUNCHED WITH A SINGLE LOOK, VERONICA BEARD ’S FOUNDERS HAVE SET OUT TO MAKE GETTING DRESSED A JOY. THE BRAND’S NEW BAL HARBOUR SHOPS BOUTIQUE SUGGESTS THEIR MISSION HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

BY AMANDA EBERSTEIN

When sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard left their respective careers in finance and fashion to raise their growing families, they quickly began bonding over more than just a shared first and last name. “We found ourselves at family gatherings talking about our new favorite designers, must-have pieces, and styling hacks,” says Miele Beard. “We realized that there was a void in the market for clothing that you could live in—the wardrobe MVPs that make it easy for women to get out the door looking and feeling good.” The discussions turned into something more concrete, and in 2010, the New York-based duo launched their contemporary fashion brand, aptly named Veronica Beard, with one simple item: the Dickey jacket. “It’s our take on a men’s suit jacket,” says Miele Beard of their now-signature blazer, which can be paired with removable or interchangeable dickies that can be styled in an endless variety of ways. “Men have it easy. They throw on a suit and tie and they look polished. We wanted to create something similar. Something that can be layered over everything from jeans to dresses.”

The Veronicas were clearly onto something—the company took o , debuting at New York Fashion Week in 2012, and opening more than 20 stores over the years. Today, the Dickey jacket is available in multiple silhouettes and a menagerie of fabrics and patterns, with dickies that range from French terry hoodie to cashmere sweater to leather moto style. What’s more, Veronica Beard has developed into a full lifestyle brand encompassing ready-to-wear, denim, swim, shoes, accessories and even home (they launched a tabletop collaboration with Juliska last summer). “We are obsessed with fit and construction, and we design for reality,” says Swanson Beard of the key to their success. “Our pieces have been painstakingly tailored to fit the modern woman’s body and lifestyle.” And, as busy working mothers themselves with eight children between them, they know firsthand what multi-tasking women want.

Now, following the success of a temporary store that opened in 2019, Veronica Beard has debuted a permanent boutique at the Bal Harbour Shops. “There’s no other city quite like Miami,” says Miele Beard of the location. “It’s vibrant in every way. Urban chic meets the beach—and party. We want to o er the Miami woman a wardrobe for all aspects of her busy life, encompassing color, texture, versatility, and glamour.” The pair partnered with their longtime interior designer, Carolina de Neufville, on the 1,800-square-foot space, which features rattan-covered walls and terrazzo stone floors flecked in pinks, mauves, and maroons. “Our Bal Harbour store has an inviting, homey feel,” says Swanson Beard. “It’s an eclectic mix of antiques and modern pieces. There’s a Tommaso Barbi table from the seventies in one room, and a 2020 Marco Walker photograph in the next. It all comes together somehow.” The store carries Veronica Beard’s full product o erings, including its latest Spring 2023 collection. “Spring is all about the confidence of color, the polished versatility of monochromatic dressing and the power play of sets and suits,” says Miele Beard. And, of course, the brand’s signature ease and functionality, coupled with an unmistakable feminine touch.

Sisters-in-law Veronica Swanson Beard (left) and Veronica Miele Beard.

WE ARE OBSESSED WITH FIT AND CONSTRUCTION, AND WE DESIGN FOR REALITY.

—VERONICA SWANSON BEARD

Pilar GUZMÁN

AUTHOR, EDITOR, AND UNOFFICIAL DECORATOR, THE FORMER EDITOR IN CHIEF OF CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER IS A GOLD MINE OF ADVICE, FROM OFFICE POLITICS TO HOME RENOVATIONS.

BY TALI JAFFE MINOR

What is the hardest part of your job that nobody would guess?

Saying no to the dozens of pitches and meeting requests.

One personal object that’s always on your desk?

My Rhodia orange spiral notebook.

The most important part of team leadership? Good systems/processes and communication. There is never a shortage of good ideas, only the workflows to get them done.

Most memorable trip during your tenure at CNT?

My trip along the Nile aboard the Nour el Nil from Luxor to Aswan with my family.

The Seven Rooms courtyard in Noto, Italy.

Pilar Guzmán.

Inside the Nour el Nil Roman boat.

The destination that ranks high on your must-visit list?

Petra. Cradle of civilization. It’s top of my bucket list.

Favorite hotel stay?

Seven Rooms in Noto, Italy.

The best gift you received lately?

A coupon book of outings, meals, and time together created by my 16-year-old.

Advice you hold dear?

Always assume you have something to learn from every person you meet.

An app or online tool you’d recommend?

BeReal. My son who just started college asked me to download the app and I’m loving it.

An early career lesson you learned?

Don’t hold creative ideas back. If you give them away, they will surely replenish.

Advice on surviving a renovation? Don’t skimp on hardware.

City you find most visually inspiring? Oaxaca.

Something you collect?

Antique sterling napkin rings.

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, you’d be…

Writing a novel.

Your personal style is best described as? French schoolboy.

The living room of Guzmán's home.

Petra, Jordan, is top of Guzmán's bucket list.

BELOW: Guzmán and her husband, Chris Mitchell.

LEFT: The cover of "Patina Modern," the book couple co-wrote.

CLOCKWISE, FROM RIGHT: Afternoon on the Tiber, Rome ‘60s; Sophia Loren, Pozzuoli 1955; Aristotle Onassis with daughter Cristina at Marina Cicogna’s party, Venice 1967

BURIED Treasure

HOW DOES A CHANCE ENCOUNTER IN A ROMAN BOOKSTORE EVOLVE INTO A CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FILM? BRUCE WEBER SHARES THE STORY BEHIND THE TREASURE OF HIS YOUTH

BY SARAH HARRELSON

There’s a Yiddish saying, bashert, meaning “meant to be.” I couldn’t conjure a better way of describing the cosmic alignment that led to one of the most heartfelt films I’ve seen in years. It was a true joy to sit down with my friend to learn more about how this meet-cute with a twist came to be.

Can you tell us how your new film came into fruition?

It was almost 10 years ago now when this journey began. I was on Via della Reginella, in the heart of the Jewish ghetto in Rome, photographing the Italian painter Giosetta Fioroni. It was a bustling day on the streets as usual, with all the artists and chefs from the area popping by to say hi to her, getting

involved in that typically charming Roman way. All of a sudden, my wife, Nan, stepped out of a bookstore where she had stopped called Il museo del louvre and said, “You have got to see the photographs in here.” I joined her during a break and couldn’t believe my eyes: the walls were covered with images of my heroes of Italian cinema and culture: Anna Magnani, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Federico Fellini, Alberto Moravia—and on and on. Each one bore the signature of a name that itself sounded like someone from a classic film: Paolo di Paolo. The images were extraordinary—intimate, casual, each one intriguing and beautiful in its own way. I had a feeling like I had dreamed these photographs but didn’t know they actually existed on this earth. When I learned that Paolo was still alive and living in Rome, I knew I had to meet him and hear his stories. Our film began there.

What was it about Paolo’s story that drew you in?

Although his career was relatively short, I was inspired by the scope of Paolo’s archive—his reportage photographs and portraits of Italian cultural leaders of his time, people who have long inspired my own photography and filmmaking. Then there was the mystery of why this work languished and remained unseen for years, discovered by chance decades later by his daughter, Silvia. She was instrumental in helping us to earn his trust and unlock his story.

Wa s there a particular moment during filming that you knew you had something really special?

There is a moment in his studio when Paolo holds a photograph of a young, impoverished child he encountered on the street. First he expresses astonishment at seeing it again,

THE IMAGES WERE EXTRAORDINARY—INTIMATE, CASUAL, EACH ONE INTRIGUING AND BEAUTIFUL IN ITS OWN WAY.

—BRUCE WEBER

Paolo di Paolo and Bruce Weber

ABOVE: Pappagalli, Viareggio 1959;

LEFT: Diva at the Venice Film Festival, Lido di Venezia 1959

and then he starts describing the circumstances of how it was taken, the anguish he felt as a photographer trying to decide whether or not to take the picture. It’s 60 or 70 years at least after that day, but the emotion he expresses makes it clear that the moment has stayed with him ever since. It’s a struggle that so many photographers face when witnessing something painful or difficult. Each one of us must decide in an instant, should I take this picture? Each experiences this in their own way—but this was the only time I’ve ever heard a photographer express it so clearly and honestly. He took the photograph of course, and it’s both beautiful and tragic. It’s one of the many moments in the making of the film where I found Paolo’s honesty so striking—I’m forever grateful to him for that openness.

TRY NOT TO WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT GETTING THE SHOT OR SETTING THINGS UP SO PERFECTLY.

You have directed six feature films—what was different about this one?

I have always been fond of reading about the pioneering documentarian Robert Flaherty, who worked closely with his wife, Frances, and his children on making films like Nanook

of the North and Louisiana Story. After talking about their films all through dinner, they would jump back into editing them right afterward. They lived those films and it was always a family affair. Making The Treasure of his Youth felt like that: born out of discovery and trust with the help of many good friends.

But this film began the same way each of my features has—by taking photographs. In this case, Paolo with his camera, together with his daughter Silvia, out on the street.

The film has debuted at several festivals and the reviews have been very positive. What has that experience been like for you? It has been amazing. I have so much gratitude and thanks to my whole crew and all the people who spent many difficult hours working on this film.

What have you been working on lately? I’m been working on a special exhibition that’s opening at Isetan The Space in Tokyo at the end of February. And I’ve started working on a short film about a poet from Detroit and a young woman from Biarritz. We have no idea where it’s going, and that’s the fun of filmmaking.

Your photography has helped to define an era and uplift an entire industry. What are some stand-out moments? When I photographed my mom and dad on the last vacation we took together. Meeting and photographing Nelson Mandela. And there’s been a joyful moment every day for the past 50 years, photographing each of the wonderful dogs that Nan and I have had.

What advice would you give your younger self, or photographers trying to get a start? Photography can be a somewhat technical pursuit, so people often ask me, “Should I get this fancy camera, or that fancy gadget?” I laugh and think, just be yourself. Try not to worry so much about getting the shot or setting things up so perfectly. Because then you’ll have some peace of mind that will allow you to see new things coming your way and leave you open to interpreting them.

Can you share anything about your daily routine and rituals?

I usually jump out of bed no later than 7 to get our new puppies outside. They’re named Lucky and Gordie (after Canadian ice hockey player Gordie Howe). Then I make breakfast for the whole pack. I’m the worst cook, but my dogs seem to like what I make for them. Then I’ll sit with a cup of coffee and read about something that in no way relates to what I’m thinking about creatively. Sometimes I’ll listen to music that’s caught my ear—recently it’s Gil Scott-Heron—and then it’s time for me to start working again, which is always a thrill.

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor at Marina Cicogna’s party, Venice 1967

—BRUCE WEBER

Di Paolo, 94, with his Leica camera, photographed by Weber

Peripatetic PALATE

CHEF CJ JACOBSON BRINGS A CULMINATION OF HIS TRAVELS INTO THE KITCHEN AT ABA

BY BILL KEARNEY PORTRAIT BY GESI SCHILLING

You can take the boy out of California, but you can’t take the California out of the boy. That’s a good thing if you consider the cuisine at Aba.

The restaurant, which opened last November, transforming the space formerly belonging to Makoto, comes from the mind and travels of chef CJ Jacobson, who plates what he calls Mediterranean fare with California notes. That means inspiration from Lebanon, Israel, Turkey, and Greece, but with enough latitude to let Jacobson, who grew up in Orange County and played professional volleyball in Europe and the Middle East, “take advantage of his roots and California’s natural resources.” The space, with its lanterns and olive trees, and color palette of white and weathered stone, evokes a bit of endless summer along a far-o coast.

Though Jacobson describes the culinary landscape of his youth as “pretty boring” (he couldn’t take spice), that all changed when he traveled for volleyball. “There are all these food moments when I was like, this is really gnarly, this is really, really good!” Case in point: The shawarma drowned in molten gouda in Antwerp and the meat skewers at the Tel Aviv bazaar, where he first tasted foie gras. “It was foie gras over coals, the whole thing kind of caramelized into a little nugget that just melted everywhere—fat, salt, sizzle. I was like whoa, these are new flavors!”

Those flavors propelled him, upon his return to the States, to knock on the back door of two-Michelin-star Mélisse in Santa Monica and ask for a job. It was love at first adrenaline rush. “It was competitive and you had to be good—let’s go let’s go! And there’s a guy calling stu out and people had to respond to him and it was very much like a team. So that was it.”

From there he worked with Mark Peel and Nancy Silverton at Campanile in Los Angeles, was a private chef for celebs, staged with René Redzepi at Noma, appeared on Top Chef twice, and opened both Aba and Ēma in Chicago, as well as an Austin outpost of the former.

At Bal Harbour’s Aba, Jacobson is most interested in exploring the parallels between Mediterranean and Californian climate and produce. “I like to be inspired by those parallels and see what else I can do. I like going further east to the Arabian Peninsula and into Asia Minor and India.”

A prime example is the avocado hummus with Maine lobster—a dish served only in Miami. “That sort of lobster salad is very, very typical of California,” he says. The chilies, cucumbers, and the pickling liquid from the chilies as a vinaigrette are countered with a luxe hummus made mostly of avocado and topped with Thai basil.

A winner for me was the charred eggplant spread. It’s surprisingly light with a haunting smokiness. A fresh mint garnish adds something windy and cool.

Another favorite from the mezze section of the menu is the whipped feta with an assortment of olives: buttery sweet Castelvetranos; big, meaty red Cerignolas; smokey Kalamatas; and crisp lemony Picholines. They’re all bathed in an herb and spice oil that adds little punches of heat to set o the cheese.

And be sure to try the Stracciatella with marinated tomatoes and challah croutons. Jacobson’s iteration emphasizes both the cheese’s creaminess and its elasticity, “I love string cheese and cream, so this is the perfect union,” he says. The cheese’s nooks hold lemon juice and a whisper of pesto. “It’s really a caprese salad in disguise,” he says with a playful smile.

Another fascinating dish is the raw hamachi with charred avocado, ginger, scallion, and sweet chunks of kiwi sitting in a pool of hibiscus tea, Fresno chilis, fish sauce, and lemon juice. Jacobson douses the top of the fish with a spiced oil that hits the vinaigrette once you take your first bite. The collision, all occurring around the hamachi, will make you happy the California boy found his way to the Mediterranean.

PHOTO BY RUBEN CABRERA

Chef CJ Jacobson at Aba, Bal Harbour Shops, the third location for the wildly popular Mediterranean restaurant.

The first request arrived two years ago. A birthday girl wanted a classic cake with a Marie Antoinette vibe. Upon reviewing the reference images, Angélica M. Lenox, the founder of Sweet Guilt dessert atelier, did a double take. She hadn’t seen one of those cakes in real life since the 1970s. Since then, orders for “vintage” cakes with intricate hand piping have only gotten more popular. Now, Lenox and her team make three of these cakes per week. One couple—planning a big-budget wedding—asked for an exact replica of Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s five-tier cake supported by plastic columns. “This fad is coming, and I think it’s going to stay for a little bit,” Lenox says.

But vintage cake lovers, take note: the decoration technique requires a specialist.

Producing a vintage-style cake is a multi-step process: once the cake is baked and filled, it is covered with icing and left to set. Then, a skilled decorator pipes the entire cake by hand. Over the last 20 years, many bakers have turned to silicone molds to expedite the decorating process for fondant cakes, but vintage cakes require “tremendous skill with buttercream,” Lenox explains. “You have to have the dexterity to be able to pipe very intricate flowers, petals, movement, curtains, connections, little stars, that go far and beyond the basics of piping buttercream.”

In order to learn Italian or Swiss piping, one must attend culinary school and specialize in pastry. “Within pastry, there’s something called piping techniques,” Lenox says, which “can take over a year to learn.” Now, with YouTube and TikTok, home decorators are learning tricks, but an online tutorial can’t replace hundreds of hours practicing with a

COUTURE Confections

THERE’S A NEW DEMAND FOR A TIME-HONORED TECHNIQUE IN THE PASTRY WORLD. VINTAGE CAKE MAKING IS HAVING A COMEBACK. WE VISIT ONE DESSERT ATELIER TO GET A TASTE FOR THE CRAFT.

BY KATE DWYER

seasoned artisan in the room. For example, the Lambeth Piping Style—a popular British cake style from the 1930s—creates depth by “over-piping” several layers of royal icing. “Finding capable bakers and decorators is extremely hard,” says Lenox, who learned this firsthand while expanding her team between November 2020 and March 2021. “Finding talented decorators and skillful bakers was one of the hardest parts of growing,” she explains. It took several interviews before she found someone who knew how to do Italian or Swiss piping or macrame, which is doing macrame with sugar—skills bakers in their 20s and 30s rarely learn anymore.

Today, eight years into her dessert atelier, Lenox has one team that fills the cakes and another that decorates. She designs mock-ups herself after interviewing couples, spending time with their wedding mood board, and checking out their floral plans. Her approach to custom cakes goes back to her own wedding, when she and her now-husband couldn’t find a bakery to design a cake with their recipe. Her family is Puerto Rican and European, while her husband’s family is American, and the families had di erent preferences on sweetness and cake texture. “I couldn’t find a place when I got married that was able to customize the cake for us. It was their recipe, take it or leave it.”

Though today’s couples are embracing the vintage aesthetic, they’re filling the cakes with modern flavors. The last time these cakes were au courant, flavors were often limited to vanilla, almond, or, say, coconut. Today, couples are filling the cakes with modern flavors like vanilla honey salt, which, as Lenox describes, is “a Madagascar vanilla base cake filled with honey, and honey butter cream, and sprinkled with sea salt.”

Even as our culture becomes more deeply reliant on automated technology, there is no replacing the artistry that goes into Italian or Swiss piping. “I don’t think there’s a machine that does this,” says Lenox. “This is old school.”

A cascade of cherry blossom-inspired sugar flowers adorn this buttercream cake by Sweet Guilt dessert atelier.

BAL HARBOUR - 3rd floor | (305) 397-8694 | @ara_vartanian | aravartanian.com

A Change in Perspective

AT JUST 22 YEARS OLD, SOPHIA WILSON IS ALREADY COMMANDING AN AUDIENCE FOR HER TENDER IMAGES THAT CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OF HER GENERATION. SHE CAN NOW COUNT A FEW MORE AMONGST HER FANS AS THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENT OF THE BAL HARBOUR SHOPS EMERGING FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD.

BY TIANA RANDALL

It all began with an iPhone. The ubiquitous piece of technology served an outsize purpose to a 13-year-old Sophia Wilson, who used it to capture intimate portraits of friends, neighbors, and classmates—over time building a narrative that was not otherwise being told. As she began to dig deeper into her medium and evolve past the limits of her phone, she simultaneously cultivated a community around her and her own artistic prowess. Today, at 22 years old, Wilson is this year’s recipient of the Bal Harbour Shops Emerging Fashion Photography Award.

“Sophia Wilson is a very talented young woman,” says Alessia Glaviano, head of Global PhotoVogue and one of the award’s judges. “It is amazing how at such a young age her aesthetic already has a direction. She has vision and her work is an important statement to overcome issues of representation in a vibrant, joyful, and powerful way.”

The award, which celebrates American fashion photographers under 30, acknowledges Wilson’s relentless pursuit of her art. It was the combination of her acute vision and gentle approach to portraiture that impressed the jury, which includes Isolde Brielmaier, Deputy Director of the New Museum and Guest Curator at the International Center for Photography (ICP), and Sarah Harrelson, Editorial Director of Bal Harbour magazine and Founder of Cultured magazine.

Wilson’s determination and vision have landed her work in Vogue and attracted a diverse range of clients including the New York Times, Nike, Google Pixel, and Instagram. These achievements can be traced to her teenage self who confidently approached the editors of Paper magazine

Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird for Nike, 2021

Model Salem Mitchell

An image from a 2022 Google Pixel campaign

TO OVERCOME ISSUES

and Vice to pitch her vision of Gen-Z youth culture and her ongoing fascination with Black femme life. She’s come a long way from those cold pitches, having since lensed the likes of Megan Rapinoe, Flo Milli, Evan Mock, Jaden and Willow Smith, and Black Panther ’s Danai Gurira.

Growing up in New York’s East Village, Wilson often felt like an artistic outcast among her academic family. She found solace and acceptance on the internet where she shared her art on Flickr and Tumblr. “With the internet, I realized no one would judge me for my race, gender, or age,” says Wilson.

For the young artist, fashion is a space where change can happen. “I have the rare power to choose what goes on billboards around the world,” she says. “There are so many kids that look like me who grew up not seeing themselves in a positive spotlight,” she says. This weight is what inspires her to make works that uplift people who look like her. “You never know,” she ponders. “It might make a little girl’s day when they pass it on the street.”

Wilson was initially struck by the pervasive mood of “somberness” in the fashion world: the cold look of the models, the sterile set, and the one-dimensional expressions plastered in magazines. She instinctively envisioned a world filled with heartening images. “I became deeply drawn to color and that was my first step towards creating a positive direction in my art,” Wilson explains. Wilson’s photographs are frequently bathed in a warm and radiant light, imbued with hues so vivid and joyful that they brush up against the dream-like structure of a painting. Although posed, this gutsy approach to positive expressions of human embrace is a testament to her tireless technical process in the darkroom and her deeply emotional approach toward populating fashion photography with positive imagery.

“Most of my best ideas come from my dreams,” she says. These hazy, soft-focused, and glimmering images are brought to life in works like Losing My Mind, the first NFT to premiere on Instagram, and a series that explores her journey to overcome mental health struggles. In her pursuit of inner peace and enlightenment, she shines a soft and tender light on Black women, offering a unique and multi-dimensional perspective on the Black feminine form. In addition to its representative forces, photography can also function as a creative outlet for healing. “Creating this uplifting work helps me. I want to create something so good that it takes me out of my depression,” she says.

Back in the quiet stillness of the darkroom, Wilson carefully selects colors from scratch. Each step towards her final print is a reflection of her unwavering commitment to her practice and her passion for crafting a unique vision in the world of photography.

SHE HAS VISION AND HER WORK IS AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT

OF REPRESENTATION IN A VIBRANT, JOYFUL, AND POWERFUL WAY.

—ALESSIA GLAVIANO

An image from Black Lovers, a project for Parade magazine, February 2022

Kaia Gerber and Imaan Hammam, 2020

Private EYES

WANT TO GET BACK TO MINGLING WITH PEOPLE, BUT WITHOUT ALL THOSE… PEOPLE? A WAVE OF NEW PRIVATE CLUBS AND MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS MIGHT BE YOUR ANSWER.

BY DAVE HOLMES

ILLUSTRATION BY DANI WILDE

During that long, lonely lockdown of 2020 and early ‘ 21, you may have had the same thought once or 500 times a day: I can ’t wait to be around people again. That feeling of gathering tightly around a table, of rubbing actual shoulders, of extending a hand and learning a stranger ’ s name. It was like food, and we were famished.

Then it happened, a little and then all at once. Pubs and clubs and concerts returned to recognizable forms, and once again, our inner voices said the same thing in unison: Maybe…. not so many people? As doors swung back open, we began to see the utility of a door that closes. Locks, even. Friends are fine, but, you know, in moderation .

We want to be around people again, but just the right amount, and just the right people. We want to be in a crew that ’ s as carefully curated as a good wine list. It ’ s that primal need to socialize, balanced by a new appreciation for our own personal space, that ’ s driving a worldwide boom of private social clubs. Exclusive socializing is the moment.

As our culture undergoes a Soho Housification, Soho House itself is exploding in size. What began as a single London venue in 1995 has grown to over 40 locations in 14 countries, including one of this year ’ s newcomers, Edgewater ’ s Soho Pool House. Like most other Houses, this one will feature a restaurant, a healthy tonic bar, and an open workspace that transforms into a bar in the evenings. But as befits its neighborhood, Soho Pool House centers its impressive art collection on works created within Miami, with a particular focus on Latinx and Afro-Caribbean artists. As always, members can bring a guest or two; decide for yourself whether yours will be someone you met on Raya.

What if you want your social milieu to be less about connections and wealth, and more about a shared interest (and wealth)? For the exclusivity-minded audiophile, Wynwood vinyl bar Dante’ s Hi-Fi has a smartly curated record collection and a top-notch sound system, inspired by the vinyl club scene of Tokyo. “I’d spent some time in Japan bouncing around these hi-fi bars,” says co-founder Sven Vogtland, “and I love spinning records in a room that’ s age-appropriate, where you can listen and learn and hear the DJ tell their stories.” Vogtland isn’t alone in his enthusiasm; the line for Dante’ s regularly stretches down the block. So now they too provide a membership plan, which o ers a private concierge and guaranteed seat to a lucky few. And I do mean few ; out of what “ feels like thousands” of applicants, Dante’ s has accepted around 30 members. The Stereo Membership plan is “ a program for true music lovers,” Vogtland

says. “ We send a questionnaire out to people who apply, with questions like: why you? How can you make Dante’ s better?” A vinyl bar where a potential VIP can be denied for bad taste in music? There’ s an idea whose time has come. More spots will open up sometime in 2023, and you best believe I will be working on my essay every day between now and then.

Given its level of cultural heat, it is inevitable that entrepreneur, bon vivant, and internet loud person Gary Vaynerchuk would get into the private club business. His Flyfish Club has no brick-and-mortar space just yet, its first proper location in New York having only just been secured. But they ’ ve been throwing private pop-up events here, like last February ’ s Bubble Boat, where members in the Miami area sipped Champagne on the very symbol of wealth and exclusivity: a yacht. Unique among private clubs, Flyfish sells memberships on the blockchain as an NFT, or at least they will if “ the blockchain” and “ NFTs” still exist when I finish typing this sentence. See for yourself later this year when Flyfish opens on the Lower East Side.

If wellness is what motivates you, a new Los Angeles private club concept from gym conglomerate the RSG Group wants to serve it up with a side of the good life. “ You’ re social at the gym,” says RSG president Sebastian Schoepe, “ but only for the duration of your workout. We thought: how can we extend that social environment so that you hang around for longer, around people who have the same interests as you, all under one roof?” Their new club Heimat combines the best elements of a gym, a restaurant, and a remote working space in one 75,000-square-foot, five-level private club. High-end fitness classes feature the city ’ s most in-demand trainers like pilates guru Abe Ahern, Michael Mina’ s rooftop restaurant Mother Tongue serves up craveable food that suits even the cleanest LA diet, and now that we’ re post-o ce, comfortable co-working areas allow members to at least pretend to be productive before ditching it all for a cocktail by the pool. It ’ s like Equinox, Soho House, and WeWork all had a baby, and that baby immediately got too cool for its parents. “ We toured all the luxury concepts around the world, and nothing like this existed,” Schoepe tells me, “ but the world deserves it.” San Francisco and Dallas are next for Heimat, and Miami can’t be far behind.

“ Everybody wants to feel special,” says Vogtland, “ to be able to say: you can ’t get into Dante ’s? I ’ll call and get us a table .” The new crop of private clubs have something for everyone: customers get a top-notch, highly-specialized social experience, and the undeniable pleasure that comes from being in a room not everyone can get into.

Everybody wins. It ’s good to be almost all the way back.

EXCLUSIVE SOCIALIZING IS THE MOMENT.

FASHION for GOOD

CHLOÉ PROVES THAT SMALL CAN INDEED BE MIGHTY WHEN IT COMES TO PURPOSEDRIVEN, SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS WORK.

BY NICK REMSEN

A model backstage at the Spring/Summer show, clutching the new Penelope bag.

In the 2020’s, one luxury maison has emerged as fashion’s leading climate crusader: Parisbased Chloé.

This may come as a surprise. As far as topflight labels go, Chloé is relatively small, notably understated, and, perhaps as a result of this, infrequently on trial in the court of public opinion. Yet quietly, under the direction of Uruguay-born Gabriela Hearst, Chloé has quantifiably established itself as the industry’s frontrunner when it comes to ethical and responsible thinking.

In 2021, the same year Hearst joined the company, the brand became the first luxury maison to be awarded B Corp status. That certification, designating that a business is meeting high standards of accountability, transparency, and sustainability, is one of the most rigorous to achieve and set the house on a course toward a purpose-driven model.

The mission at Chloé is clear: Everything they do–creatively to administratively–is decided upon through a conduit of responsibility. In February, just as this issue was going to press, the company announced its latest initiative, Chloé Vertical, which is a digital ID detailing the materials used to create its bags, shoes and ready-to-wear. It also allows for a longer lifespan for its products, in partnership with the resale platform Vestiaire Collective.

When Hearst arrived, she instituted the removal of cotton t-shirts from shelves. The fiber is not particularly sustainable, given the amount of herbicides and pesticide s it takes to grow. Hearst has instead implemented a broad application of linens, which require far less chemicals to produce. She and her team also spent months working on what is now a house icon: The Nama sneaker, the production of which emits 35 percent less greenhouse gasses

and uses 80 percent less water than Chloé’s previous signature sneaker. Denim–all of it–is made from 87 percent recycled cotton (no original production needed, in this case) and 13 percent hemp. And their Penelope bag range, another keystone in the burgeoning greenness of Chloé’s pseudo-utopian vision, is mostly made of skins procured in partnership with Leather Working Group, an association that tackles chemical management, traceability, and social responsibility in the leather trade.

How does this drive manifest visually? For Spring/Summer 2023, Hearst quoted Stephen Hawking, who has famously spoken about his wish to see nuclear fusion as a source of–yes, infinite and clean–energy. She also visited ITER, the planet’s biggest nuclear fusion research project, in France. The reflection and trip proved fruitful: Architecture at ITER informed Spring’s round-yet-structured silhouet tes. A pink suit is Hearst’s subliminal way of nodding to the fuchsia-colored plasma produced by fusion reactions. For Pre-Fall 2023, Hearst found that, according to the United Nations Development Programme, four out of five people displaced by climate change are women. This inspired her to research the Italian Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi, who depicted, against convention at the time, women as protagonists and agents of their own destinies.

This is esoteric stu , but Hearst’s hard line is working at Chloé: Sales have gone up 60 percent, and more and more people are paying attention–if not seeking out–the push for a more aware and action-oriented luxury fashion brand.

If Chloé becomes the little engine that could, imagine what change the biggest players might bring about?

CHLOÉ HAS QUANTIFIABLY ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS THE INDUSTRY’S FRONTRUNNER WHEN IT COMES TO ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE THINKING.

Looks from the Spring/ Summer collection

Bal Harbour

We’re coming to Asheville in August 2023.

SPRING/SUMMER

HOME

HARBOUR

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEWART SHINING

STYLING BY TRACY TAYLOR

CHLOÉ silver metallic dress and platform sandals, 305.861.1909; MARYSIA

LEHI bottoms in black, available at SAKS FIFTH AVENUE , 305.865.1100 and NEIMAN MARCUS, 305.865.6161.

GUCCI dress, 305.868.6504.

182 BAL HARBOUR

CHANEL blazer and sequin gym shorts, 305.868.0550; SAINT LAURENT sunglasses, 305.868.4424.

CHLOÉ pants, top, and platform sandals, 305.861.1909.

SAINT LAURENT sheer tank dress and underwear, 305.868.4424.

OF MY PARENTS WERE ENTREPRENEURS, SO I

I GOT THE DESIRE TO BE INDEPENDENT FROM THEM. MY PARENTS WOULD ALWAYS TELL ME, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR LIFE YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE A PASSION AND PERSONAL GOALS .”

“BOTH

GUESS

MIU MIU leather coat, skirt, bra, under shorts, and belt, 305.993.2300.

TALENT: Kristina Romanova

PHOTOGRAPHER: Stewart Shining

STYLIST: Tracy Taylor

HAIR AND MAKEUP: Barbara Moura

PHOTO CONSULTANT: Justin Marquis

VIDEOGRAPHER: Jerome Duran

STYLIST ASSISTANT: Kendall Meleski

BAL HARBOUR 191

Models in a rainbow of looks, backstage at the Spring/ Summer 2023 runway show.

192 BAL HARBOUR

SWISS WONDER

IN MARKING ITS CENTENNIAL, AKRIS IS LOOKING FORWARD AND BACK. WRITER ADRIENNE GAFFNEY CATCHES UP WITH CREATIVE DIRECTOR ALBERT KRIEMLER JUST AS THE PARTY IS GETTING STARTED.

or us, this centennial is an incentive to pause, a point in which everything can renew itself,” says Albert Kriemler, the creative director of Akris. “Let’s call it a rebeginning.” One hundred years (and some change) after Alice KriemlerSchoch of St. Gallen, Switzerland, began selling polka-dot aprons under the name Akris, the business has become one of the most celebrated Swiss luxury brands. It’s a powerhouse line known for its expert approach to dressing professional women, and its popularity among the most stylish, including Cate Blanchett, Amal Clooney, and Charlene, Princess of Monaco, a longtime Akris loyal. The brand’s fabrics are famous—St. Gallen has long been a textile hub—and, despite its size, it uses no social media. Akris’s history and its Swiss roots shape the work that Kriemler, Alice’s grandson, does and the company is marking this year’s anniversary with exuberance throughout the year, a notable departure for a typically subtle brand.

Akris’s tradition as a family business is one that distinguishes it from its peers. Kriemler works alongside his brother Peter Kriemler, the company’s president. While a handful of companies remain under their original ownership, few have family members in key management roles. Working with relatives isn’t for everyone and can often lead to strife, but Kriemler only sees an ability to communicate with ease and a shared understanding. He can’t conceive of doing things any di erently. “I think a family is a very good prerequisite for a company,” o ers the designer. “After working closely together for so many years, my brother Peter and I can sense each other’s reactions and understand one another almost without words. Since our first day together at the fashion house, we have met every morning to catch up.”

Kriemler credits his brand’s cult status among high-powered women to the philosophy on which Akris was founded. “A hundred years ago, my grandmother Alice set out to define a woman’s presence and enhance her charisma and that very much remains my mission today,” he says. “I design for a woman with purpose—women who are committed to make a di erence and create change, that have an authentic voice. Our mission is to enhance a woman’s confidence through the way she dresses, to make a woman feel her best self through what she wears—determined and free, so she can express her own personality.” He celebrates Miami style. “There is something free about Miami. Colorful, relaxed always, yet still dressed in its way,” he describes.

“WITHOUT MY PATTERNMAKERS , TAILORS , CUTTERS , KNITTERS , OR BAGMAKERS —OUR MASTERS AS I LIKE TO CALL THEM—A COLLECTION WOULD REMAIN THEORETICAL, WISHFUL THINKING ONLY.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Akris’s fabric library; Creative Director Albert Kriemler; looks from Spring/ Summer 2023.

Iwan Baan captured models in archival Akris looks from the 1980s at the University of St. Gallen. BAL

in Paris, its for Akris is from and

In October, Akris, the only Swiss brand to show in Spring 2023 collection in a location imbued with special Kriemler. This show was a chance to celebrate where where it is going. “We waited six months for a confirmation of that venue, the yard between the Palais de Tokyo and the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris overlooking the Ei el Tower,” he explains. The show, a testament to the brand’s love of art, was staged alongside a vivid rainbow-colored 2011 sculpture by Ugo Rondinone. The show closed with a series of silk beige georgette gowns with streaming ribbons in colors echoing the sculpture. Kriemler is an avid collector of contemporary art and, since 2008, has regularly used the work of artists like painter Carmen Herrera, filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard, and the Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron as inspiration for collections.

The collection also included nine archival pieces from Kriemler’s first years at the house. Uncovered by Kriemler and his team while preparing for the centennial, the discovery transformed his conception of the show. “We knew right away we had to work with them, because they looked even more modern today than back then,” he says of the 1978 cashmere wrap coat, the 1983 pants, and a lace blouse from 1989. “They just defied time and we wanted to reveal this timelessness that is so essential to Akris. So, we decided to show these original archive pieces even on the runway,” he explains. “Further looks in the collection were inspired by old paper patterns we found and refashioned. I liked the idea that with this fresh perspective, the past becomes the future.”

“FOR US, THIS CENTENNIAL IS AN INCENTIVE TO PAUSE , A POINT IN WHICH EVERYTHING CAN RENEW ITSELF. LET’S CALL IT A REBEGINNING

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Backstage at Spring/Summer 2023; Kriemler designed costumes for the Hamburg State Opera’s staging of Beethoven Project II, choreographed by John Neumeier; models in archival looks; a look from Spring/Summer 2023.

AT RIGHT: Looks from Spring/Summer 2015;

BELOW: The view from above at the Spring/Summer 2022 ruwnay presentation.

This year, Akris put out “Akris—A Century in Fashion Selbstverständlich,” a 162-page book that looks at the brand’s values and the critical moments in its history. It was edited by Albert and Peter Kriemler and includes contributions from fashion journalists like Nicole Phelps and Jessica Iredale. Kriemler sees it as a way to articulate the brand’s history and evolution and celebrate its Swiss heritage. At its core, Akris is a team e ort and Kriemler celebrates everyone that brings it to life. “Fashion is never a solo love a air. A collection is always a collective achievement,” he says. “Without my patternmakers, tailors, cutters, knitters, or bagmakers—our masters as I like to call them—a collection would remain theoretical, wishful thinking only.”

PHOTO (OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP LEFT) BY IWAN BAAN; IMAGES COURTESY OF AKRIS

MIU MIU bloomers and nylon cargo mini skirt worn as a top, 305.993.2300.

OPPOSITE PAGE: TOD’S leather tank top, 305.867.9399; DOLCE AND GABBANA sunglasses, 305.866.0503.

The BIG SHORT

MINIS, MICROS, AND SLITS UP TO THERE.

HEMLINES ARE HEADING SKYWARD; ARE YOU READY TO RISE TO THE OCCASION? PHOTOGRAPHY BY DARREN GWYNN STYLING BY A. CRONAN

200 BAL HARBOUR

PRADA jacket and pencil skirt, 305.864.9111.

DOLCE AND GABBANA knit ribbed crop top, 305.866.0503; MIU MIU nylon cargo mini skirt, 305.993.2300.

DOLCE AND GABBANA satin pencil skirt, 305.866.0503; WOLFORD silk stockings, 305.868.4044; BOTTEGA VENETA heels, 786.437.9020; T-Shirts, stylist’s own.

204 BAL HARBOUR

FERRAGAMO satin jacket and skirt, 305.866.8166; PRADA Supernova handbag, 305.864.9111.

BOTTEGA VENETA layered shirts, leather wrap skirt and heels, 786.437.9020.

WOLFORD silk stockings, 305.868.4044; BOTTEGA VENETA leather heels, 786.437.9020.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Darren Gwynn

FASHION EDITOR: A. Cronan

ASSOCIATE STYLIST: Tom Grimsdell

PHOTO ASSISTANT: Lewis Robinson

HAIR STYLIST: Elliot McQueen

MAKEUP ARTIST: Celia Burton

MAKEUP ASSISTANT: Emily Engleman

CASTING

MODEL: Amber Whitcomb

DIRECTOR: Simone Schofer

CASTING ASSISTANT: Tommaso Giglia

PRODUCER: Jesse Pilkington

red

Spring/Summer

2023,

210 BAL HARBOUR

Maximilian Davis’s debut collection for Ferragamo, was nothing short of sizzling.

HOT

BY JAY CHESHES

Last September, Maximilian Davis, the 27-year-old British designer recruited to shake up the Ferragamo fashion house, sent shimmery red ensembles down a matching red gravel runway in central Milan. Models in tight bodysuits with fetish-wear detailing gave way to billowy dresses in flowing chi on. The updated glamour of his debut collection paid tribute to the label’s Hollywood heyday, when Marilyn Monroe strode the red carpet in Salvatore Ferragamo’s custom-made red crystal pumps, while signaling a bold new direction for a 95-year-old brand best known for its women’s shoes and leather accessories.

In the courtyard of the 17th-century seminary building chosen as the backdrop for Davis’s first Ferragamo fashion show, Daniella Vitale sat on a stone bench, surrounded by Salvatore’s heirs, taking it all in. “It was such a moving moment,” she says, “to see the Ferragamo family so excited about this new chapter.”

Vitale, appointed North American CEO for the family-run business in late 2021, has been on the front lines of fashion for nearly 30 years—with stints at Armani, Gucci, Barney’s, and Ti any. She’s rarely been as energized by the prospect of big change at a brand. “It’s such a huge opportunity to really take this company to a completely di erent level,” she says, “not diluting anything that had been done before, of course.”

For Vitale, the C-suite appointment was a homecoming of sorts. She began her fashion career at Ferragamo, after responding cold to a job posting fresh out of college. She started in merchandising, originally working under Salvatore’s son Massimo in the New York office. His mother Wanda, widowed at 39 in 1960, was still a steady hand behind the scenes, assisting her eldest son Ferruccio, then chairman of the company, at the headquarters in Florence. Ferruccio’s son James, now director of the leather goods division, was Vitale’s intern back then. “It was very family oriented,” she says, of Ferragamo in the early ’90s. “It

DANIELLA VITALE HELPS USHER IN A NEW ERA AT FERRAGAMO—WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM ONE OF FASHION’S MOST IN DEMAND DESIGNERS OF THE MOMENT.

feels very different now—we’re over a billion-dollar company, and very global.”

Vitale’s return to Ferragamo followed executive stints at Gucci and Barney’s—she oversaw the shutdown of Barney’s, in 2019, as the retailer’s first female CEO. After the upheavals of the pandemic, she was looking for a new business challenge when Domenico De Sole, her old boss at Gucci—now chairman of Tom Ford—called in to lobby on Ferragamo’s behalf. “He said, ‘they’re really looking to transform the company, to grow much more exponentially, they’re ready to scale,’” she says. “It was a sort of no-brainer. It really made sense to be part of that.”

A few months after she started back at the company, Marco Gobbetti joinedfrom Burberry, as Ferragamo’s new global CEO. He fast-tracked Davis’s hire as new creative director. The designer, born into a TrinidadianJamaican family in Manchester, had built a cult following with his own label, Maximilian, launched in 2020—and embraced by Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Kim Kardashian, among others.

Though Davis arrived at Ferragamo last spring with a strong point of view—and a mandate to reach a much younger audience— he began his new job with humble respect for the brand. “He had done his homework, had done an incredible amount of research on the company and its legacy,” says Vitale. “He knew that it was an opportunity to help modernize this, to speak to a new audience, but he also did an incredible job of protecting the codes of the house… most designers want to come in and blow the whole thing up.”

Though Florence, where Salvatore launched his label in 1927, is still the spiritual home of the company, Ferragamo’s creative center has shifted north to Milan. The corporate offices, and Davis’s atelier, are a short stroll from the seminary building where his first collection debuted. Long abandoned by the Catholic church, the building emerged in December—after a four-year renovation—as the Ferragamo family’s new 73-room flagship Portrait hotel, with new shops and restaurants around its stone courtyard.

Along with Davis’s first collection, a new brand identity debuted there on the runway last fall—with a new name and updated logo (founder Salvatore will no longer be listed on labels), and a new signature shade of Pantone red. “The palette is much more modern,” says

Vitale. “In terms of packaging, everything is going to change. That’s not an easy decision after almost 100 years.”

The new Ferragamo that began rolling out last fall will continue its global push into next year, as the entire company undergoes a Davisled transformation. “He has complete creative control over everything,” says Vitale. Updates on some of the most iconic Ferragamo designs, like the Vara shoe, with its signature bow on top—first introduced in 1978—will begin

hitting store shelves this year. “It’s done in a way that has a really modern sensibility,” says Vitale, of Davis’s new take on the shoe style, “but it won’t take anything away from that classic consumer who is still wearing it today.”

Renovated boutiques, reflecting the new era at Ferragamo, will begin opening soon. “We have such a unique opportunity,” says Vitale, “to reach a completely new audience. Maybe Ferragamo has never even been on their radar before.”

The Spring/Summer show was set against Ferragamo’s new signature Pantone shade of red.

“

MAXIMILIAN KNEW THAT THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP MODERNIZE , TO SPEAK TO A NEW AUDIENCE, BUT HE ALSO DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB OF PROTECTING THE CODES OF THE HOUSE.”

RHUIGI VILLASEÑOR, A LUXURY STREETWEAR DESIGNER FROM LA, ASCENDS THE THRONE AT A CENTURIES-OLD SWISS FASHION HOUSE: WELCOME TO THE NEW BALLY.

BY NICK REMSEN

Changeover THE

THE ENERGY IS PALPABLE AT BALLY,

the nearly 175-year-old Swiss luxury house that, for decades, has mostly stuck to an understated status quo. Those windowsills are now dusted— no more of that. Enter the newly appointed creative director Rhuigi Villaseñor, the 30-year-old Los Angeleno juggernaut who has risen through fashion’s ranks on account of his luxe-street and sportswear brand Rhude (which Villaseñor founded in the mid-2010’s). This quick descriptor might seem at odds with the quietude and traditionalism we’ve come to expect from Bally—geographically, conceptually, and visually. Yet it just as quickly points to what makes Villaseñor’s hiring seem rather brilliant: He, like so many in his generation, does not view his profession as motoring down one lane towards one goal. He sees his path as wide as the 405 (or, for Miamians, I-95 on a traffic-free day). With this openness, he has no problem bridging disparate contexts. In fact, in doing so, he has already added a jolt of horsepower to Bally’s oeuvre and reputation.

With his debut collection at Bally, Rhuigi Villaseñor brings modern energy to the house’s traditional codes and craftsmanship.

Where Rhude has made its name in logo-heavy baggy shorts and graphic tees, Villaseñor’s Bally is “sensual, sophisticated, and luxurious,” says the designer over a discussion from Milan, where he lives in addition to LA. He titled his debut collection (Spring/Summer 2023) with the word “Ecdysis,” which means “to shed in order to renew.” But it didn’t mean that Villaseñor abandoned Bally’s established pillars of high-end craft, leatherwork, and legacy. Rather, he found a fusion.

“My goal is to find out why people loved the brand in the past,” he says. “And then, update that for the kids who are inspired by its heritage and looking to mix their wardrobes.”

The balance in Ecdysis was seen on the former side with, say, an allblack wide-lapel suit for men and laser-cut supple brown leather trousers for women. These looks felt more customary, fulfilling Bally’s established vernacular. Fresher—and more in line with youthful wants—were justthis-side of high-waisted jeans with subtle ankle flairs, or a denim-ondenim fit styled with chunky jewelry (Bally’s first jewelry o ering, another of Villaseñor’s early ideas). In the fulcrum, a knockout high-slit skirt and a button-down shirt in navy blue suede, paired with fishnet kneehigh stockings. If the collection felt, at times, to be too much of a proverbial mixed bag, it’s all good: Villaseñor is not trying to define his look right away. Smartly, he’s testing it. And teasing it out.

Basically, he says, he wants to “revive this sleeping beauty.”

Villaseñor moved from The Philippines’ Manila to Los Angeles during his early adolescence. The transition occurred during formative years—and it opened up his mind to adaptive thinking, perhaps earlier than other kids. Since launching Rhude some 12 years later with a single t-shirt—rendered with a black and white paisley bandana motif, which

garnered the attention of Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar—he has been named to Forbes’ lists and featured in Vogue. His designs at Rhude are worn by the likes of LeBron James and Justin Bieber and, through the venture, he has enacted some interesting cross-industry collaborations, such as with Lamborghini most recently. He is also the creative lead for the Arizona Coyotes, the NHL team. (See, wide lanes!) But don’t call it applied magpie-ism. Think of it all as something of a mass curation, and a new kind of interconnected global feeling—from LA’s sunbleached glamor to a centuries-old bastion of European luxury.

“I’ve always been inspired by the little details. The bag of a businessman in the airport. The way kids in LA are wearing their denim at any given time. Observation is everything,” Villaseñor says when asked about how he—Rhuigi, not Rhude, not Bally—defines his approach and aesthetic.

This kind of attentiveness will serve Villaseñor well with his future plans at his new job. He sees his task as not only reinvigorating Bally’s ready-to-wear and established accessories channels, but also, building upon them.

“I intend to open other categories for Bally, that we can then leverage to paint the Bally lifestyle,” he says. “These include home goods, travel accessories and luggage.”

How does he see the “Bally lifestyle” applying to Miami? Where, perhaps, heritage—while appreciated—might be less of a selling point, and where, more likely, fresh energy and visibility are more in demand? “I design for the sophisticated, sensual, and the celebrated,” Villaseñor says. “Which could also perfectly describe Miami. I like to think my clothes come with some heat and hedonism.”

I’VE ALWAYS BEEN INSPIRED BY THE LITTLE DETAILS . THE BAG OF A BUSINESSMAN IN THE AIRPORT. THE WAY KIDS IN LA ARE WEARING THEIR DENIM AT ANY GIVEN TIME. OBSERVATION IS EVERYTHING .

—RHUIGI VILLASEÑOR

Rhuigi Villaseñor.

Behind-the-scenes moments and runway shots at Bally Spring/ Summer 2023, presented last year in Milan. The impression? Heritage, hype and a touch of hedonism, all of it glossed in luxury.

BLI SS

IBIZA’S SIREN SONG HAS BEEN ENCHANTING REVELERS FOR THE BETTER PART OF A CENTURY. WRITER OLIVIA LOPEZ EXPLORES SOME OF THE ISLAND’S NEWER OFFERINGS, AND REVISITS A FEW OF ITS ICONIC PROPERTIES.

ItTOOK ME FIVE TRIPS TO IBIZA

before visiting my first nightclub there. It’s a fact that surprises those who consider the Balearic Island a stopover for nightlife and hedonism rather than a destination for world-class gastronomy and paradisal chill.

I first arrived in Ibiza to explore the slower side of the island. In the midland towns surrounding Santa Gertrudis, a growing agriturismo industry has ushered in a farm-to-table movement built upon locally-sourced ingredients and seasonal harvests. Cas Gasi, a farmstead finca -turned-boutique hotel, has become synonymous with the haute-hippie lifestyle of the island, combining a love for the pastoral with the picturesque. “There is this incredible creative energy exchange you experience straight away,” says owner Margaret von Kor . “Those who come, attracted by it, bring renewed lateral thinking and ideas that continue to nurture the creative foundation of this island.”

Cas Gasi is a hideaway in the heartland and home to a biodynamic restaurant highlighting the region’s best flavors: salt-cured anchovies soaked in homemade olive oil, brined manzanilla olives, and plates of freshly foraged garden greens. There, melodic birdsong replaces the persistent hum of EDM, and the air wafts with hints of almond and fig growing in nearby plots.

Further north up the road is Ca Na Xica, a sprawling luxury resort blending old world charm with contemporary comforts. Ca Na Xica’s minimal, modern suites overlook the verdant fields of the Ibizan countryside—a restful retreat nestled between centuries-old olive trees. The main attraction is the saltwater swimming pool, a turquoise blue expanse designed to accentuate the property’s palatial architecture. Spacious day beds situated alongside the pool nod to vast stretches of the day spent soaking in the Spanish sun, chilled sangria in hand.

Ca Na Xica’s saltwater pool serves as the property’s centerpiece.

ABOVE: Cas Gasi has been welcoming guests for decades. Here, one of its new villas sits poised for the return of summer tourists.

RIGHT: Ca Na Xica blends old world charm with contemporary comforts.

“THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE CREATIVE ENERGY EXCHANGE YOU EXPERIENCE HERE STRAIGHT AWAY.”

—MARGARET VON KORFF

ABOVE: Six Senses is perched on the north end of the island, overlooking Cala Xaraca Bay; here, the hotel’s recently opened Ha Salon restaurant.

WALK, SWIM, OR SAIL TO CASA JONDAL

Mealtime is always a high point of the day. On an island where simple and savory foods reign supreme, the best meals are found by the beach. Since opening in 2020, Casa Jondal remains the island’s runaway hit, racking up a devoted list of diners securing reservations far before the spring and summer seasons start. Jondal’s space is elegant but understated, situated on a stretch of pristine beachfront; many guests dine barefoot and take in a few laps in the sea between courses. The menu, envisioned

Casa Jondal is the definition of barefoot luxury, offering unparalleled beachfront dining in a laid-back setting.

by Spanish chef and owner Rafa Zafra, embraces a fresh approach over a fussy one, serving seafood hits like charred pulpo a la plancha, herbed mussels in a marinara bath, and caviar-capped boquerones paired to perfection with crisp white wines from France’s most lauded cellars.

As Ibiza’s tourism evolves, a wave of socially conscious, luxury hotels have opened their doors, catering to a well-heeled, wellness-focused traveler. Six Senses, located on the northern tip of the island, has become the destination for the jet-set, o ering an amenity list to meet the demands of the most discerning traveler: sophisticated spaces for socializing or seclusion, a state-of-the-art spa, and, as of last summer, a robust nightlife venue focused on art, music, and live performances. Recognizing a gap in bridging culture and programming, Six Senses tapped hospitality maverick Ben Pundole to envision Beach Caves, a “hotel within a hotel” concept spanning six expansive

oceanfront suites, a restaurant, bar, dining room, nightlife venue, and recording studio.

The Beach Caves is the first concept hotel of its kind, creating a dialogue between the local community and its international guests. “The objective was to create something that resonated as much with the local community as it did with visitors,” says Pundole, who has been visiting the island for decades on his own, after being exposed to its siren call as a youth on trips with his family. “I knew exactly who I wanted to work with on this project,” says Pundole, “My friends Diego Alonso and Alexeja Pozzoni, at locally-based AD Studio, brought pure magic to the project. Working with local artisans, artists, galleries, and designers, they brought the spirit of Ibiza into the hotel. Together, we created a narrative that celebrates Ibiza’s community and culture.”

This reverence for community and culture is what Ibiza’s magic is all about. It’s easy to see how summer love can turn into a permanent move, swayed by a simple lifestyle scored by beauty, light, and the rhythmic sounds of Ibiza’s seasons.

The pool at Six Senses, designed for both socializing and seclusion.

PHOTO BY JOHN ATHIMARITIS, COURTESY OF SIX SENSES; CASA JONDAL; OLIVIA LOPEZ

ROMA