Malouf's

Malouf’s Forum/The Substance of Style/SS 2016

PALM SPRINGS

HOW TO DRESS NOW

DESERT DELIGHT

SPECIAL GOLF SECTION

FEATURING BRANDT SNEDEKER AND DAVID FEHERTY

LORO PIANA “EXTREME” PERFORMANCE FABRIC

Malouf’s Kingsgate Center 8201 Quaker Avenue #106 Lubbock, TX 79424 806-794-9500 Southlake Town Square 190 State Street Southlake, TX 76092 817-416-7100 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Karen Alberg Grossman DESIGN DIRECTOR

Hans Gschliesser MANAGING EDITOR

Jillian LaRochelle PROJECT MANAGER

Lisa Montemorra DESIGNER

Jean-Nicole Venditti

FEATURES 6 8 14 16 60

A Fond Farewell to John B. Malouf The Social Scene 5 Questions for Michael J. Malouf Profile: Samuelsohn Resorts: The Avalon Palm Springs

CONCEPT DIRECTORS

Andrew Mitchell, Russ Mitchell MERCHANDISING DIRECTOR

Bob Mitchell DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION

Peg Eadie DIRECTOR OF PREPRESS

John Frascone

BUSINESS JOURNALS FASHION GROUP PUBLISHER

FASHION

Stuart Nifoussi PRESIDENT AND CEO

22 Dressing for a Good Time 30 Upgrade Now! 40 Style: Normal to the Core

Britton Jones

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APPAREL FORUM

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Garys NEWPORT BEACH, CA

Welcome Letter Ask Forum for Him Ask Forum for Her The Fashion Forum Designers: Work It Travel: Brijuni Wheels: A Horse With No Mane At Your Service

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Andrisen Morton DENVER, CO Hubert White MINNEAPOLIS, MN Kilgore Trout CLEVELAND, OH Larrimor’s PITTSBURGH, PA Malouf’s LUBBOCK/SOUTHLAKE, TX Marios PORTLAND, OR / SEATTLE, WA Mitchells WESTPORT, CT / HUNTINGTON, NY Mitchells/Richards GREENWICH, CT Oak Hall MEMPHIS, TN Rodes LOUISVILLE, KY Rubensteins NEW ORLEANS, LA

SPECIAL SECTION:

GOLF

44 Players: Brandt Snedeker 48 Resorts: Sea Island Dreaming 52 Interview: David Feherty

Stanley Korshak DALLAS, TX Wilkes Bashford SAN FRAN/PALO ALTO, CA FASHION FORUM MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED IN 11 REGIONAL EDITIONS FOR MEMBER STORES OF THE APPAREL FORUM © 2016. PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS JOURNALS, INC, P.O. BOX 5550, NORWALK, CT 06856, 203-853-6015 • FAX: 203-852-8175; ADVERTISING OFFICE: 1384 BROADWAY, NY, NY 10018-6108, 212-686-4412 • FAX: 212-686-6821; ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE PUBLISHERS ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ADVERTISERS CLAIMS, UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS OR OTHER MATERIALS. NO PART OF THIS MAGAZINE MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHERS. VOLUME 19, ISSUE 1. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

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THE

SOCIAL SCENE

Š2015 A Genesco Company

ask

SPRING 2016 FASHION TIPS FOR HIM

I see a lot of my favorite suit brands offering made-to-measure suits and sportcoats. Is it worth the extra time and money?

Q:

Yes! You get to pick the fabrics, the model and the details (linings, buttons, monograms), and the fit is sure to flatter. Depending on the maker, delivery is usually within four to six weeks of getting measured, and we guarantee that this will become your go-to favorite suit! Our suggestion: select a pattern (subtle or bold) rather than a solid, or perhaps a seasonal fabric. If you’re going for special, why not make it really special?

plan on taking several long weekends this Any packing tips for a carry-on bag?

Q: Isummer.

Q:

When is, and isn’t it, appropriate to wear sneakers?

Except for formal occasions and business meetings with conservative clients, it’s almost always okay to wear sneakers, especially contemporary leather or suede styles that look nothing like gym shoes.

Modern sneakers might have contrast soles or colorful laces; they can cost as much as leather shoes and serve as a sort of hybrid between work and play.

They’re certainly comfortable, and add a touch of personality to pants and a sportcoat. That said, while some guys can pull it off, wearing sneakers with a suit takes a certain panache. If you’ve got it, go for it! But if you’re at all uncertain, stick to the updated leather shoes currently on our selling floor.

Modern footwear will elevate your entire wardrobe.

Light and casual are the buzzwords for weekends away. For travel, wear the pieces that take up the most room: long pants (lightweight five-pocket styles are perfect for most occasions), a long-sleeve woven shirt in cotton or linen and either a soft sportcoat or cardigan, depending on your weekend agenda. Then throw the rest into your carry-on—a short-sleeve woven shirt, two short-sleeve polos, two T-shirts, shorts, a swimsuit, underwear—and you’re good to go. If there’s room in your bag for sandals and grooming products, toss them in too. If not, hotels (and considerate hosts) can generally supply shampoo, moisturizer and flip-flops. If you’re a guest in someone’s home, don’t forget to bring a bottle of good wine. (But never pack sparkling wine in your checked bag, as it’s likely to explode. We know from experience!)

If you’re struggling to zip your overstuffed carryon, you need a new travel bag! Come in and let us show you our favorite designs.

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profile Samuelsohn:

The Big Reveal

Tailored clothing’s best-kept secret comes out of the closet!

BY KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN

These days, as business dress codes remain relaxed, men are choosing to wear fine tailored clothing because they want to, not because they have to. And men in the know are choosing Samuelsohn, an exceptional but low-profile clothing company that’s been crafting beautiful suits in Montreal since 1923.

But low profile no more, new ownership at this Canadian company relaunched the brand in 2011 and business has more than doubled. Much of the credit goes to the company’s new president and chief creative officer, Arnold Brant Silverstone, a talented designer and visionary executive who lives and breathes the clothing business. Upon taking over, he quickly recognized a “diamond in the rough” and immediately updated the label, the logo, the fabrics, the fits, the colors, the buttons, the linings, the marketing and

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more. What remains constant: Samuelsohn’s commitment to exceptional quality, and the “expression” of its full-canvas handtailored suits that both fit and flatter the wearer.

“I feel like I’ve come full circle,” says Silverstone, a third-generation clothing guy who grew up in his father’s suit factory in Montreal. “I’d always known and respected the Samuelsohn brand, Canada’s quintessential quality suit maker. (My father wore Samuelsohn suits!) As my career moved forward—from my father’s company to launching my own clothing label (that I ultimately sold to Oxford) to becoming design director at Nordstrom—I always dreamed of returning to manufacturing.

When Samuelsohn was bought by Stephen Granovsky in 2010, I was recommended for the job of president, and felt it was exactly where I belonged.” hat makes Samuelsohn clothing so special? Silverstone could go on for hours. “First of all, the suits are a rare combination of modern styling and classic tailoring, featuring fully basted canvas construction and hand-tailored details. Since all garments are produced in our own factory, we control every step of the process. Second, we are known for innovation, e.g., we were the first to come out with luxury performance fabrics that are cool, comfortable and wrinkle resistant; we’ve even developed clothing with carbon fiber! Third, we have the cleanest distribution in the industry: we don’t sell to outlets, only the best specialty stores in North America. Fourth of, course is our tremendous intrinsic value: there’s more craftsmanship in a Samuelsohn garment than in most Italian brands that are double the price. (Canada’s duty advantages and exchange rates offer additional value for American customers.) Fifth, our made-tomeasure programs are the best in the industry. Sixth is our company culture: although we’re privately owned, we’re run more like a family business than a large corporation, with emphasis on customer service, personal relationships and employee appreciation.

“I know it sounds counterintuitive, but making money is not our number-one priority; we’re more concerned with providing the best goods at the best value and satisfying our customers so they’ll keep coming back.”

And come back they do! For spring ’16, check out the beautifully tailored Samuelsohn clothing arriving on our selling floor now. For practical types, we love the performance suit in a Loro Piana Storm System fabric with stretch. (It’s waterproof, wrinkle resistant and amazingly comfortable!) Or try the updated luxury travel blazer with 12 pockets and extra zippers. For nights and weekends, there’s an amazing washed cashmere sportcoat. And to make a bold fashion statement, why not a beautifully tailored striped DB suit in a hot shade of blue?

Which is his favorite? “It’s like asking a parent to choose his favorite child,” Silverstone responds. So we’ll let you, our customers, be the judge…

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the FASHION forum

NEVER TOO LATE FOR A CHANGE We’ve seen a complete changing of the guard in the late-night talk show world, with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, James Corden, Seth Myers, Jimmy Kimmel and Trevor Noah among the funnymen now sitting in the interviewers’ chairs. But if the faces have changed, the uniform has remained mostly the same: dark suit, white or blue shirt, boring tie.

While these guys certainly look dapper, one can’t help but feel they could push the sartorial envelope a bit more. Corden is one of the faces of Burberry, so where are the cutting-edge designs and pops of plaid? Fallon recently signed a deal with G-III for licensed athletic wear, so perhaps he’s saving all his creative juices for that collaboration. And would it kill Myers to borrow something more casual and creative from Stefon, his former flame from Saturday Night Live? The time is ripe to start a trend. —BSL

L

ooking at the current high-fashion uses for denim, from threepiece suits to stylish coats, it can be hard to imagine just how utilitarian the cotton fabric was in its earlier days, when it was worn during the California Gold Rush and used to make early 20th-century prison uniforms. That latter usage surprised even fashion historian Emma McClendon, author of the new book Denim: Fashion’s Frontier and curator of the exhibition of the same name at New York City’s Museum at FIT. Still, McClendon admits that denim’s constant permutations really shouldn’t be shocking. “It’s the rare fabric that’s relatively inexpensive to produce, extremely durable, and easy to care for,” she says. —BSL

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TOP: GETTY IMAGES. BOTTOM: COURTESY OF MUSEUM AT FIT

DURABLE DENIM

S S 16 . B E A N E W G E N T L E M A N .

The Fashion Forum

THE MAN, THE MYTH Italians are known to be superstitious, none more so than the Neapolitans.

In addition to the distinctive touch Isaia’s red coral pin adds to the brand’s garments, they believe it also brings luck to the wearer. "We still keep the original piece of Isaia red coral, given to me by a friend, in our Milan flagship store,” says Gianluca Isaia. “And every jacket we make comes with a red coral lapel pin to bring good luck to he who wears it.”

The coral motif can also be spotted elsewhere throughout the collection, on buttons, under collars and in stitching.

As Isaia recounts from ancient mythology, Perseus slayed Medusa and delivered her head as a gift to the king of Seriphos, who was to wed his mother. During his travels home, Perseus fell in love with Andromeda, whom he found chained to a rock about to be eaten by the evil sea-monster Cetus. To prove his love and save her life, Perseus killed the terrible beast. As he sat to wash his hands in the sea, Perseus laid down the sack that contained Medusa's head. Her blood dripped into the water and instantly hardened into the form we recognize today as red coral.

Just as the head of Medusa brought luck to Perseus in his battle with Cetus, red coral brings luck to the distinguished man who chooses an Isaia garment. —JL

FASHIONABLE FRIDA Is there anything more to know about Frida Kahlo? The great Mexican artist has been given the filmic treatment by Julie Taymor (and played

by Salma Hayek), and her work has been displayed everywhere from LACMA to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the New York Botanical Garden. But another side of this groundbreaking woman is explored in Frida Kahlo: Fashion as the Art of Being (Assouline, $195), a new book by journalist Susana Martinez Vidal that was inspired by an exhibition of Kahlo’s own clothing at her home, La Casa Azul.

As Vidal deftly illustrates, Kahlo’s fashion aesthetic is something neither time nor death can diminish. —BSL

STREET SMART

Amsterdam’s Tassenmuseum gives the term “bag lady” a whole new (chic) meaning.

Inside a beautiful canal-side building, you can view hundreds of purses in various shapes, sizes and designs, spanning from the 1500s to the modern-day. This spring, the museum’s Street Couture exhibition (through June 5) offers an enlightening perspective on these accessories as it showcases colorful, playful and inventive bags by such top fashion names as Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Dior, sometimes pairing them with international fashion ranging from Japanese “Lolita” clothing to American hip-hop outfits to illustrate how one influences the other. It’s definitely worth crossing the Atlantic to witness these crossovers! —BSL

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DRESSing FOR A

GOODTIME

Bring on the season of fun!

Add style and charisma to spring and summer with bright colors, breathable linens, light sportcoats, fun prints and great shades.

SCENE WITH STYLE

MAKING a

Lightweight shirts with colorful shorts and great accessories bring life to the party.

LOSE THESE OUTDATED LOOKS AND UPGRADE NOW!

WHAT TO WEAR NOW

THE NEW BLUE SUIT Black and charcoal feel too heavy for the warmer months, and the fit of your older suits is likely doing you a disservice.

To show you mean business, choose a blue slim-fit suit that follows the natural slope of your shoulder, nips in at the waist and breaks just slightly at the shoe. This color is less inky than traditional navy but is just as easy to wear. Pair with brown monkstraps and furnishings in seasonal hues.

BIG MEETING

WHAT TO WEAR NOW

THE KNIT BLAZER Some guys have taken the “casual� part too far. Stay professional in a linencotton blend sportcoat that keeps you cool under pressure. This versatile knit blazer is unlike anything else in your wardrobe: polished and sophisticated without sacrificing an ounce of comfort. Tailored fivepocket pants are just formal enough, and a dress shirt and knit tie complete the look.

BUSINESS CASUAL

WHAT TO WEAR NOW

THE LUXE POLO

P R O D U C E R / S T Y L I S T: M I C H A E L F U S C O . P H O T O G R A P H E R : E VA N TAY L O R G U N V I L L E . G R O O M E R : A M Y Z D U N O W S K I - R O E D E R . M O D E L : J U S T I N M C M A N U S @ F O R D .

Don’t give your style the day off just because it’s the weekend. Stick with wellfitting jeans or khakis and a trim polo, and don’t forget to accessorize! Wear with a sleeker sneaker or chukka boot—save your running shoes for the gym and flipflops for the beach.

WEEKEND COOL

designers

WORK IT OUR FAVORITE MEN IN FASHION TALK FIRST JOBS AND SURPRISING JOURNEYS TO THE TOP.

BY JILLIAN LAROCHELLE

GIANLUCA ISAIA, ISAIA SEBASTIAN DOLLINGER, ETON My first real job was actually unpaid since I dropped out of school (truth be told I was kicked out). My father helped me get a trainee job at a local hotel where I cleaned rooms, worked with the maintenance team and helped out in the conference center.

I think my father thought that because I was doing this rather boring job at 16, I would reconsider my decision to drop out and return to school. I can’t say I enjoyed working at the hotel but at least I learned I never want to work at hotels. I enlisted in the army at 17 against my will and I was out of the hotel world after six months.

After 10 months in the army service and another less successful career at a reception job, I moved back to my old hometown and applied for a position in the warehouse at Eton. That was my first job in the business. I was about to turn 19 and through Eton I heard about a sales rep position at Harrods in London. I got the job and that became the starting point to my career in fashion.

I love working at Eton because of my colleagues. I get to travel to so many interesting places, I find time to play with my band, Highly Sedated, and I have a genuine passion for what I do. I have found a profession that I enjoy doing so much so it rarely feels like I'm working. That has got to be the ultimate feeling. I guess it's a matter of finding what you love and then going out of your way to do it. I have worked hard to get where I am today, but the rewarding everyday feeling makes it all worth it.

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My first job was in London, folding shirts in a shop for £25 a week. This position eventually led me to my current role because I was (and still am) the best folding man around! The best part about my job as CEO of Isaia is that I wake up in the morning happy to go to work…

SJ K .C OM

GIOVANNI BIANCHI, L.B.M. 1911

ADAM DERRICK, TO BOOT NEW YORK When I was 15 I got my first summer job at Macy's Herald Square. The position I ended up with was working the switchboard taking complaints! I don't remember how much it paid, but it wasn't much and definitely not enough!

Even though I went from the employee entrance directly up to my job, I always spent some time before or after my shift in the store. I loved the constantly changing displays and the energy and interaction on the sales floor.

Since founding To Boot New York, I get to do a lot of different things and exercise a lot of different muscles, creative as well as business. I work with great people, and enjoy my interactions with my colleagues and customers. I am a lucky man!

My very first job was here at Lubiam, the company that manufactures L.B.M. 1911 and that has been owned by my family for over 100 years. After getting a high school diploma in scientific studies I studied economics in college for one year, but soon realized design was my passion. I enrolled in the faculty of Industrial Design at the Politecnico di Milano. Before my graduation I started training at Lubiam, and in 2002 I became product manager.

Although my siblings and I are the fourth generation of the family, my parents never pushed me to join the company. I decided to enter it on my own, to give my personal contribution to its growth the same way my father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Luigi Bianchi, did before me. I was hired for an entry-level position and used my first salary to buy the engagement ring for Ilaria, my wife of 12 years and partner for 22. My best investment indeed. We have four wonderful children together.

Fashion has been in my family's DNA for over 100 years. Joining the company was a spontaneous call that fulfilled my natural passion for creativity and design.

The possibility to create, dare and express myself with a language, the menswear language, was part of my history before I was born. As L.B.M. 1911's style director, nothing fulfills me more than creating a product with my own hands and intellect, and realizing season after season that I was able to conceive something new and original, while remaining loyal to my company's values.

L.B.M. 1911 is a perfect example of that. The line is completely focused on product innovation. The garment-dyed techniques and the finishes and washes our clothes undergo require constant experimentation and ongoing research.

Another important aspect of my job is the unexpected power of inspiration. It can come to you by doing the simplest thing, like walking. All I need to do is be open to my environment and draw from it inspirations that can potentially translate into stylish and revolutionary ideas.

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BRUNELLO CUCINELLI, BRUNELLO CUCINELLI From 15 to 25 I went to school and received my diploma in surveying. I must confess that I never studied much; I lacked sufficient motivation and drew little satisfaction from poring over books.

Nevertheless, I passed the final examination and enrolled in the faculty of engineering. I attended for roughly three years, but during this period I sat only one examination. The most important event of that period, and indeed of the subsequent periods, was my meeting the woman who was to become my wife: we were both around 17 years old; she had just finished her studies in accounting and had decided to open a small clothes shop.

It was through participating with her in this activity that I rediscovered a feeling for beauty and began to appreciate fashion. A very important aspect of that period was the culture of “bars”: the Italian café. It became my social outlet on a daily basis; that was where we met in the evening, seven or eight people (in those days only men), from all social classes, in a friendly atmosphere of mutual respect. There were industrialists and blue-collar workers, as well as layabouts (I confess I was one of them). It was much more than just a place to pass the time; we spent hours discussing a wide range of issues, engaged in uninterrupted debate. These are my memories of what was both entertainment and learning, lessons of life, different from schooling, vivid, cherished and authentic. The years rolled on and I began to wonder what I would do with my life.

Thanks to my fiancée and her shop, I was developing a keen interest in knitwear; then, like now, it was a distinctive tradition in Umbria. Therefore, I came to the idea of producing pullovers in colored cashmere, and it should be said that this product was something of an innovation.

I wanted to create a company that stood behind living a high quality of life. I watched my father be humiliated as a farmer and treated poorly at work, so it inspired me to make a change.

I chose cashmere because of its ability to be passed down for generations. It is something you can cherish and enjoy for many years. The best part of my success is the ability to give back and continue the message of living in a humanistic way. I have also been able to meet fascinating, like-minded people who share the same passions.

SAM KU, AG I worked summer retail at a Champs Sports in the local mall. I was not a very good sales person, and this still holds true today! My first job out of college was a position in AG’s R&D facility, the department responsible for developing washes. I knew nothing about denim manufacturing at the time, so it was a very eye-opening learning process for me.

Prior to this job I had worked a few internships in a couple different fields. One job was in finance, and another in an advertising firm. Neither really excited me all that much, so I told my father I would go work for him. My salary at the time was $30K. I think young people starting in fashion have to understand that starting salaries are what they are, and it takes time and experience to add value to a company.

From this position, I moved to different parts of the company. I spent some time in the sample sewing room and learned how our product was constructed. I eventually moved into a design position, and I’m still involved in the design process today.

The best part of working in fashion is seeing a project through from start to finish. The process of seeing something go from concept to development to sales and hitting the retail floor is a satisfying one.

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to the CORE

Why your wardrobe needs quality basics.

For centuries, luxury fashion pushed the limits of wearability.

Fussy styles and decadent details by famous designers were said to reflect wealth, extravagance and certainly status.

Fast-forward to 2016. Those almighty fashion houses still stand, but the look of luxury has taken a different course. The most notable influencers of the past two years? Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. Yes, these two have put simple sneakers, tapered denim, casual sportcoats and a function-over-fashion lifestyle on the luxury map. It is, without a doubt, their version of wealth, success and status that has altered what we are seeing today on runways and sidewalks alike.

Normcore is the name. Hardcore normal is the game. The term was first coined by K-Hole, a New York-based cultural reporting agency that suggested Millennials wanted to seek out individual identities by blending in versus undertaking the exhausting effort to stand out. Thus the “more-going-on-inside-than-meets-the-eye” look has become wildly popular.

And big luxury brands are picking up what Larry and Jerry have (unwittingly) put down. Fendi released its spring/summer 2016 collection in Milan, showcasing its take on this trend with an array of minimalist shapes, colors and comfortable silhouettes. Other industry pioneers of normcore include Prada, Celine, Vince and Chanel, so be prepared for others (including the fast-fashion copycats that clothe the masses) to follow suit. The desire for high-end basics is definitely happening and it will likely continue for some time.

Recently, Harvard researchers conducted an interesting study revealing customer behavior in luxury retail stores. They concluded that people shopping in tracksuits are actually perceived as more confident and likely to splurge than those waltzing through the doors in fancy clothes or otherwise contrived outfits. While we’re not advocating that the trend be taken to the tracksuit extreme, we must admit that unpretentious people dressed in simple, well-made attire seem to be the epitome of cool these days.

For surely, looking confident and appropriate while staying comfortable is a luxury in itself—and in a society that has become less formal, it makes perfect sense. Now that upscale brands are presenting more relaxed, well-styled basics in luxury fabrics, it’s easier than ever to look great without trying too hard. In fact, you don’t

BY NATALIE GALAS

need to flaunt a lot of details or patterns or status labels these days.

Consider instead a soft white cotton T-shirt under a washed linen sportcoat, worn with a light denim pant and a plain white sneaker (sans logo). The air already feels lighter. The quality of these simple pieces is what stands out, and the less “branded” the look, the better.

So who’s the new hero of high-fashion normcore? Might it not be the shleppy-looking fashion designer taking a bow at the end of his runway show?

Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld have put a function-over-fashion lifestyle on the luxury map.

GETTY1

style

NORMal

40

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GOLF

A Forum Magazine Special Section

Sea Island Spotlight David Feherty Keeps it Real

Brandt Snedeker

Talks Pop-Style Putting

GETTY 1

Teaching With Robots Golfwear: Then and Now

players

A HIGHLY RANKED PRO GOLFER WITH A UNIQUE PUTTING STROKE, BRANDT SNEDEKER SHARES SOME SECRETS.

BY TERRY C. GROSSMAN

a passion for it so I played all the time and practiced all the time.

Distinctive

Style

You’ve had enormous success with your pop-style putting stroke: why do few other pros use it?

That’s a very good question, and I haven’t the faintest idea. I guess because it’s difficult. It’s something I’ve always done but I suppose it’s hard for others to teach themselves to do it because the way I hit the ball is so counterintuitive. But it’s something I’ve always done so it feels natural to me.

Did others try to dissuade you from putting that way?

Yes, when I was younger they did. As I got better and better, I refined it over the years and made it a little simpler and easier to repeat.

Which course has the toughest greens?

is nickname is Sneds, the Nashvillebased pro golfer with the unusual putting style, and at age 35 he’s one of the best there is. A candid and down-to-earth family man who’s as fun to interview as he is to watch on the course, he and his wife Mandy started a foundation in 2013 that helps underprivileged kids who need a break in life. He’s also known for his charity work to benefit victims of natural disasters, and for his memorable MasterCard commercials in which Tom Watson mispronounces his name. Here, we chat with Sneds about his passion.

What first piqued your interest in golf?

I started playing when I was about six years old and just kind of fell in love with it. My brother and I played a lot growing up; I had

Augusta National. They are so severe and so fast and the margin of error is so small that it’s extremely difficult to be aggressive: because they’re so fast, you have to be defensive.

Some friends from Nashville want to know how you rate the greens at the Hillwood Golf Club, which you play when you’re home.

They re-did them with Bermuda a couple of years ago and they’re extremely fast. They’re difficult to read and they have a bunch of small slopes that are tough to understand. Playing there has definitely contributed to my green reading skills.

Regarding green reading skills, is this something you’re born with or can it be learned?

It’s a bit of both. I think that I was definitely born with an innate ability. But as I played more and more, I refined my green reading over the years by learning to hit the ball consistently at a desired speed. The trick is learning how hard to hit the ball so as to produce the desired speed and to be able to do that consistently until it becomes automatic. If you can’t hit the putt the same way every time, it’s not going to matter how well you read the greens.

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Can you give us any tricks of the trade? Do you take notes and reference them during the round?

You won $10 million at that FedEx Cup in 2012; would you change that playoff system if you could?

One of the things I love to do before the tournament starts is play in the pro ams and try to read other people’s putts, so I can tell if I’m misreading or if they’re hitting them poorly. This gives me a general idea of what’s going on around the greens. I take notes when there are certain undulations that are tricky or counter to what you’d think. At times, some putts are faster while others are slower than they look. It just comes with experience.

No. Maybe I’d tweak it a little by giving out the points a bit differently, but the tour has done a great job by giving everybody a chance to win. I wouldn’t change much.

Your biggest regret as a touring pro?

I actually changed putters for about two months last year but I’m now back with my old one.

Not having the experience as a 26-year-old to know what’s important and what’s not, what to worry about and what not to… That’s just part of the stuff you learn out here on the tour. This being my ninth year, I’ve kind of figured out what’s important and what’s not. As a 26-year-old, you really have no idea; you’re just trying to figure it out. I wish I could have kicked my younger self in the butt to have figured it out a little sooner.

I used that model for 20 years but now use it to move logs in the fireplace…

How are you feeling these days and what’s your fitness regimen?

Ha! Not what it was designed for, but I use some shafts at home to do different things with so I get what you’re saying...

I had some injuries for a few years but that’s in the past and my body is now feeling great. I have a pretty stringent workout routine, a clearly defined program including an hour and a half a day of stretching and working out… soft tissue stuff to keep my body pliable. Off weeks I do more weight lifting and during the week more stretching and core stuff. Then there’s paying attention to diet, keeping myself hydrated, and I’m good to go.

I read that you changed putters. Think you’ll ever return to your old Odyssey Rossie II?

Who do you consider the best putters of all time?

That’s a tough one. I think Jack Nicklaus was probably one of the best putters of all time just because of the amount of putts he made to win tournaments. And Tiger’s up there too due to the amount of putts he had to make under severe pressure and his ability to make them. Billy Casper and Jackie Burke were also among the best. Out here on the tour right now, I love watching Steve Stricker, or Brad Faxon when he gets out.

How about Crenshaw, who you didn’t mention?

Yes, Ben. We play a practice round together at Augusta every year because I love watching him putt on those greens. I love seeing how he reads them, how he hits them, his stroke… it’s a thing of beauty. It’s so natural and free flowing, which I’d love to be…

Describe your fashion style on and off the course.

“I SUPPOSE IT’S HARD FOR OTHERS TO TEACH THEMSELVES [MY PUTTING STYLE] BECAUSE THE WAY I HIT THE BALL IS SO COUNTERINTUITIVE.”

Who do you consider the greatest golfer of all time?

Jack Nicklaus, although I think Tiger has a chance to be right up there with him. Tiger had the most impressive run in golf: he led for seven years. I’m not sure he’ll end up winning as many as Jack did since he’s been so injured and his body has broken down. I really hope he gets healthy and comes back in his 40s: it would be great for him and great for the game of golf. So I hope to see him challenge Jack’s record but right now, I’d have to go with Jack.

Well I’ve been partnering with Peter Millar for four years now and I’ve got to say they make it easy to look good. They’re a quality brand with an unbelievable array of great clothes. So whether I’m wearing them on the golf course or for my off-the-course casual lifestyle, their stuff looks great: golf shirts, button-down shirts, sweaters, sports blazers. When I’m home with the kids on weekends, I’m most often in a T-shirt and jeans.

Any other interests?

What do you think about the impact of modern equipment on classic courses now that you pros can hit much further?

Being with my kids, who are right now at fun ages: five and three.

I like getting outdoors. I love fishing and hunting.

You know, it’s just like anything else in life: technology enhances but also makes some things obsolete. We redo buildings, we redo cars to accommodate technology, so why not golf courses? We modify everything else! People get so hung up on traditional golf courses, but they just need to be tweaked a bit by adding some yardage. I think golf has been given an unfair rap: technological advances aren’t such a bad thing.

Are you introducing your kids to golf?

They’re already both into it and they love it. My little man especially, who is only three years old, wants to play every day. I love that they’re liking it!

Do you dream of them becoming pro golfers?

No, I wouldn’t push them. It’s ironic that a lot of guys on the tour push their kids away from golf rather than towards it because we realize that it takes lots of hard work, lots of luck and the chances of turning pro are so slim. But if my kids end up being passionate about golf and that’s the goal they want to pursue, then I’ll do everything in my power to help them.

What was your single best moment on the golf course?

Winning the FedEx Cup. That was obviously a huge day for me, for my career, and most importantly for my confidence. Beating the best players in the world at their best—wow!

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resorts

Sea Island Dreaming

The history and tradition of this spectacular resort fulfill a golf-lover’s fantasy. BY KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN

’m sitting on the waterfront veranda of The Lodge, one of two luxury hotels at Sea Island Golf Resort. (The Lodge, adjacent to three golf courses on St. Simons Island, feels like an old English manor; The Cloisters, built on Sea Island in 1928 but reintroduced in 2006 after a three-year renovation, blends the history and aesthetics of Mediterranean revival style.) I’m sipping a Jack Daniels, taking in a brilliant sunset, and listening to the soulful sounds of a solitary bagpiper who’s been strolling the shoreline for the past hour. Enchanted by the music, the scenery, the wildlife, the canopy of oak trees and the genteel and gracious hospitality throughout the resort, I’m more relaxed than I’ve been in ages. (I had intended to go for a massage at Sea Island’s famous spa, but after only a few hours at the resort I no longer need one…)

Truth be told: I’m not a golfer but since I’m married to one, I looked forward to a mini-vacation at this renowned Forbes Five-Star resort, home to one of the top-rated golf schools in the country. Little did I know how much the property has to offer above and beyond golf! James Gibson, Sea Island’s VP of operations, lists a hunting lodge, a shooting school, a yacht club featuring fishing, sailing and kayaking, a pristine beach, numerous swimming pools, an award-winning 65,000-square-foot spa, an indoor atrium, many fabulous restaurants (including the five-star Georgian room and my favorite, Colt & Alison) and numerous bars (I loved the Oak Room!) among the resort’s amenities. “Our demographic is multi-generational,” he explains as we sip tea in the historic Trophy Room. “Guests come with their children and grandchildren, couples come for romantic getaways, groups come for golf outings, and of course many PGA golf pros have chosen to make this their home.” Asked to articulate the essence of Sea Island, what makes it truly special, Gibson talks about the employees. “At least 80 of our people have worked here more than 25 years, which is unheard

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of in our business,” he explains.

“Robert, who works in our men’s locker room, has been with us 50 years.

Ask him how he’s doing and he’ll always respond ‘Mighty Fine’ which is what we now call him. Our repeat customers always make it a point to visit with Mighty Fine…”

Brannen Veal, Sea Island’s director of golf, grew up playing golf in Macon, Georgia but turned to baseball at Auburn University (his dad had been a professional ball player with the Detroit Tigers). “After college, I went back to golf, starting out as a golf cart attendant as many of us do. I’m a good golfer (Editor’s Note: He’s being modest; he’s actually a scratch golfer.) and I’ve taught in Golf Digest top schools, but my passion is the service aspect: I love helping people enjoy the game.”

Discussing Sea Island’s celebrated state-ofthe-art Golf Performance Center (featuring 3D capture, 13 top-rated instructors, three fitters, two fitness experts and its own psychologist), Veal talks about an individualized approach tailored to personal goals and skill levels. Focusing on five core competencies (long game, short game, fitness, club fitting and mental game), Veal notes that each competency has its own instructors. “Our goal at this Performance Center was to create the ultimate golf experience: the best courses, luxury accommodations, fine dining, top fitness programs, exceptional instructors (who currently work with Davis Love, Matt Kuchar, Harris English, Zach Johnson and other pros) and our own sports psychologist, Dr. Morris “Mo” Pickens.

Veal points out that while many professionals frequent the Performance Center, it’s not just for five-handicappers. “I’d say the average handicap is mid-teens, and of course we also welcome beginners. And that’s one of the paradoxes we struggle with: because we have so many pros and so many top-50 teachers, people sometimes assume they’re not good enough to be here. So we’re trying to make the experience less intimidating. It’s essential for us to

grow the game and not be so focused on professionals and top amateur players. Sure they’re great, sure we want them here, but it’s just as important to get those beginner golfers who’ve never held a club, to make them feel comfortable so they want to be part of the game.”

Delving a bit further into the mental game, Veal jokes that “it’s the one place where I could destroy Dr. Mo: if he knew what was really going on in my head, he might never recover…” More seriously, he explains the process: usually a 30-minute initial assessment followed by Dr. Mo accompanying the golfer on nine holes and then coming up with suggestions. “It’s not earth-shattering stuff: it’s generally about how you compartmentalize, prioritize, focus and then let go. I know that’s oversimplified, but it works. And it’s as applicable to business, and to life, as it is to golf…”

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interview

KNOWN FOR HIS WIT, WISDOM, CANDOR AND CRAZINESS, BROADCASTER DAVID FEHERTY ADDS SOME MUCH-NEEDED PERSONALITY TO THE GAME OF GOLF.

BY TERRY C. GROSSMAN that Tiger Woods was starting out when he broadcast his first Masters and Jordan Spieth appeared on the scene for his last. Upon leaving CBS, Feherty signed contracts with NBC Sports and the Golf Channel, where he still does his highly rated interview series, launched in 2011.

Here, we talk to him about the state of professional golf and the turns his own career has taken.

Changing the Game uch has been written about David Feherty’s demons: a past tinged by drinking, drugs, insomnia, instability and other evidence of a dark side. Not enough has been written about his brilliance: an extreme work ethic, tremendous generosity (his Troops First foundation has raised millions, providing assistance, counsel and training to wounded soldiers), incredible charm, self-deprecating humor and a unique ability to get inside the heads and hearts of his interview subjects to showcase a little-known side of even the best-known celebrities. His is a talent that is very rare indeed.

Growing up in war-torn Northern Ireland, Feherty turned pro at 17 (with a five handicap) and played in the ’91 Ryder Cup and the ’92 Masters. He finished top 10 in three majors but retired from his professional career in ’97, just when CBS was looking for an on-course analyst. He attributes his 19-year tenure at CBS to good luck, noting

What is it about golf that attracts so many different personality types? Can you articulate the appeal of this game?

It’s like no other sport in that it has an addictive quality. Not everyone can throw a 60-yard touchdown pass but everyone can hit a ball in the middle of the clubface down the center of the fairway. There’s an indescribable feeling the first time it happens: you feel like the master of the universe because you’ve influenced a small object to go a long way, exactly where you want it to. There’s a sweetness to it. And once you’ve done it once, you want to do it again. Kind of like heroin.

Do you feel you lived up to your potential on the course?

Oh I think I went way past it. Not that I was ever one of the top players in the world, but I got close at times and I have no idea why.

Who do you consider the greatest golfer of all time?

Tiger Woods. And it was harder to win in his era than it is today.

Do you think there will ever be another player who will dominate the tour for as long a stretch as Tiger did?

Not in my grandchildren’s lifetimes. It was an extraordinary spell.

Who has the sweetest swing in golf today?

Boo Weekley. There are players who line up behind him just to watch him hit on the range. It’s just gorgeous! He’s not a clothes horse; he’s not in great shape (he’s got issues with his back). In fact, he’s got a body like a ruptured sofa. But what a swing!

Well I kind of resemble him: the body, not the swing...

I’ve been there as well. When I quit drinking, I lost 75 pounds. I

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modern courses. I find it a shame that for the pros, the new equipment has taken the teeth out of these classic courses.

had been close to 250. I was six inches taller if I’d lie on my back…

You’re famous for your very insightful interviews. Which are your favorites?

But all they’d have to do to make those courses relevant again is make the surface of the ball a little bigger. We did it once before when the diameter went from 1.62 to 1.68 inches. It makes the ball sit up around the greens a little better so it becomes easier for the amateurs to chip. But for the pros, it’s harder to hit it in a straight line. It spins more and won’t go as far. But that’s way too simple a solution for the ruling bodies, who just want to be members of each other’s golf clubs and don’t care about much else.

Well, I’ve interviewed a couple of presidents, most recently George W. I’ve also interviewed Bill Clinton and I love the fact that these two are polar opposites but great friends. Then there was Bill Russell, the greatest winner in the history of American sports. I’ve also interviewed Nicklaus, Watson, Samuel L. Jackson, Larry David… a tremendous cross section of people. But if I had to pick a favorite, I guess it would be Lee Trevino, my first interview, and my hero growing up. I remember watching him win the 1968 U.S. Open: there was just something special about Lee Trevino… I was only 10 years old at the time but I loved his style, his attitude. Then when I got a little older, I learned his story. He came from nothing: that’s my kind of people.

What took them so long to bring the British Open back to Ireland, where Royal Portrush will host it in 2019?

You’re right: it’s not been there since 1951. Of course we had The Troubles in Northern Ireland and it has to be in Northern Ireland: It would break tradition if it were in the South.

There are only a couple of viable venues in Northern Ireland, Royal County Down Golf Club being one of them. But it doesn’t have the infrastructure: you couldn’t get the crowd in and out. I think it’s taken them this long to get back to Royal Portrush because they were unwilling to spend what it would take to make it more accessible. The golf course is spectacular, but they still have a lot more work to do around it.

Which golfer, living or dead, would you most like to have interviewed?

I would love to have interviewed Seve (Ballesteros). We lost him, but he would definitely have been on my list. He was a magician, a warlock. He could change the weather with his face.

Here’s a tough one: Spieth, McIlroy or Day? That is a tough one! I mean it’s so hard to pick between Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy. Rory has more majors and he’s a little older but Jordan…the last time we had a child this special, there were three wise men and a donkey involved. So I can’t really choose. By the way, you should know that I’m not really an expert on golf; I just play one on television.

If you were stuck playing on one course over and over, which would you pick?

St. Andrews. Hitting to the 18th green, you feel like you’re playing into the soul of golf.

What do you think of McIlroy’s decision to play for the Republic of Ireland in the 2016 Olympics?

Whether you’re British or Irish, if you come from Northern

“THE LAST TIME WE HAD A CHILD AS SPECIAL AS JORDAN SPIETH, THERE WERE THREE WISE MEN AND A DONKEY INVOLVED.”

Do you think technology has ruined or enhanced the game?

Ireland, you have to make a decision. I had two passports for a long time and exchanged them both for an American one. I’m very happy with that decision. It’s not political and it’s not geographic: who you are is mostly an emotional issue. I didn’t know who I was until, at age 32, I captained the Irish side at the Dunhill Cup; when they raised the flag after we won, I got this huge lump in my throat. I remember thinking, “Sh*t, I’m Irish!” I hadn’t thought much about it until that point but it’s definitely an emotional thing.

It’s definitely enhanced the game. For anyone who thinks it’s made the game too easy, just take a look at your score card. The amateurs are the important people in the game. Professional golfers are in the stratosphere where it really doesn’t matter. It’s the people who watch the game and pay for the 30-second commercials who drive the industry. They’re the important ones.

Is there any room in golf for tournaments played with older clubs and balls, like those used 25 years ago?

What’s the toughest part of your job?

I think it’s a great idea; there’s room for a tournament like that for sure. I know they have this Hickory event that brings guys to their knees. Something between present day and Hickory would be interesting as well. I was using a wooden driver at the end of my career…

The constant travel. I get worn out with it: airports, hotels, being away from home…

And what, in your career, has been your biggest regret?

I don’t have regrets. I was a 17 year old with a five handicap and I decided in a geography class to drop out of school and become a professional golfer. When I look back, it was a miracle. Then, after I left professional golf, I was the right drunk in the right bar at the right time when CBS wanted to hire a course reporter. So I’ve been astonishingly lucky throughout my career.

Today, the pros are carrying the ball over 240-yard fairway traps.

With a five iron!

Correct. I recently played the gorgeous Sea Island golf course where the pros play the RSM Classic and which is, like older classic courses, relatively short compared to the

They say it’s better to be lucky than good…

No sh*t!

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travel

Brijuni

The elusive islands of Croatia.

BY STAN WILLIAMS

ne of the first decisions you’ll have to make when planning a trip to the secluded archipelago of Brijuni off the Istrian coast of Croatia is whether to book a Socialist-era room or an updated one in the only hotel on the main island of Veli Brijun. (Anyone who knows of my love of history and vintage style can guess what my Croatian-born partner and I chose for our late-summer stay.)

Part of Italy until after World War II, it was originally called Brioni, the name inspiration for the chic Italian men’s line that was founded in 1945. Previously the private getaway of the late Yugoslavian president Josip Broz Tito, the islands, designated a national park and opened to the public in 1983, now go by their Croatian name, Brijuni.

Over the years, friends who have visited this oasis urged us to prioritize it as a destination, as rumors have circulated about a large hotel chain or moneyed developer eyeing it as a prime location for an exclusive resort. So far, the chatter has been just that, and a stay today continues to recall the mid-1950s, accented with a splash of modern luxury.

But the allure of a bygone era remains, from the original

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Above: An aerial view of the Brijuni islands.

Left: A column from the remains of a 1st-century Roman villa.

while vacationing in a lush national park? Days are better spent swimming, both on a nearby beach and in the many hidden nooks around Veli Brijun. There’s also a safari park that prides itself on protecting endangered species, world-class golfing and tennis, and romantic pathways among ancient Roman ruins.

The sole way to get around the island, other than on foot, is by bicycle or golf cart. There are few restrictions on where visitors are allowed to venture, but private residences reserved for Croatia’s political elites and areas used by the military are off limits. Since the island can accommodate only those who arrive via ferry, overcrowding is never a problem. While riding over the paths that loop through the island, it felt as if we were the only ones there.

A rainy day is a good excuse to walk through the Tito Museum, where photographs of high-profile visitors are on view; Liz Taylor, Richard Burton, Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida were among the president’s many guests. Museum-goers can even take a spin in Tito’s restored 1952 Cadillac Eldorado, which he endeared with the name “Victoria,” or just take a photo with her for a couple of dollars.

Dining options are limited, so reserving an outdoor table for the Hotel Neptun-Istra’s evening meal is strongly suggested. While not extravagant, service is excellent and meals run about $35 per person, including a delicious glass of Istrian white Malvazia.

But then who’s thinking about food when a spectacular view of the sea beckons attention? At 11 p.m., a sudden stillness settles in as the last ferry makes its way back to the mainland, leaving us to ponder the mysteries of this magical island.

IMAGES COURTESY OF BRIJUNI NATIONAL PARK

light fixtures in the bar to the Mid-century headboard in our pleasant, semi-Socialist-era room in the Neptun-Istra building. It was a step up from rooms in the Karmen, where bare-boned but comfortable rooms start at €33 (about $38) a night. But even in the Istra wing, which has undergone a thorough renovation, the most expensive rooms cost €292 (about $330), a bargain for many U.S. travelers. Lodging includes a generous breakfast buffet. (Pay an extra dollar and order coffee from a waiter; it’s worth it.)

Transfers to and from Veli Brijun, the main island among 14 smaller islands, are also included. It’s reachable only by ferry from the town of Fažana, where those arriving by car must leave their vehicles in a private parking lot reserved for Brijuni guests.

What our room lacked in updates—no air conditioning (didn’t need it!), thin mattresses, uncoordinated furniture—it made up for in pure charm. Ceilings soared; the space was more than 450 square feet including a gigantic bathroom; and our spacious private terrace offered a to-die-for view of the entire harbor spotted with yachts bobbing dreamily in the Adriatic Sea. Besides, why spend any more time than necessary in a hotel room

The island, part of Italy until after World War II, was originally called Brioni, the name inspiration for the chic Italian men’s line that was founded in 1945.”

Clockwise from top left: An updated room in the Istra hotel; an ancient olive tree dating back to the 4th century; guests at the entrance to Brijuni’s Safari Park.

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resorts

Desert Delight

The Avalon Palm Springs is a California Dream come true.

BY BRIAN SCOTT LIPTON

You may not be able to put your camel to bed at the Avalon Hotel Palm Springs, but this stunning desert resort, nestled between Downtown’s main drag and the foot of the rugged San Jacinto Mountains, is definitely an oasis from morning until after midnight.

Famed interior designer Kelly Wearstler has refurbished this 1930s hotel, which boasts 67 luxuriously appointed guest rooms as well as 13 deluxe villas complete with furnished private patios and fully stocked wet bars, with a nod to Hollywood Regency style.

And even with all that Palm Springs has to offer—from world-class golf clubs to the wonderful McCallum Theater—you may never want to leave the Avalon, thanks to its three pools, top-notch spa and superb restaurant, all set amongst four acres of fragrant, beautifully manicured gardens.

The Estrella Spa (which takes its name from the original moniker of the hotel) is the ideal health and wellness experience, whether you’re looking for a massage, scrub, facial, or all of the above, thanks to its well-curated selection of thoughtfully assembled options. In addition to such traditional pampering, the Estrella offers alternative treatments that stem from the time-honored traditions of alchemy, holistic health and global herbal medicine—all of which use only handmade herb-infused oils and butters combined with custom-blended essential oils provided by American Medicinal Arts.

At the hotel’s much-loved Chi Chi restaurant, chef Tara Lazar’s menu evokes her childhood summers spent south of the border. She creates soulful Latin standards with a dash of cheeky California wellness, using the freshest local ingredients. There are whimsical if potent cocktails such as the “Ango Mango Ango” and “Desert Jewel”; tempting brunch options ranging from cheeky chilaquiles with chorizo to avocado toast to yam and pork belly hash; and such delectable lunch and dinner specialties as beef picadillo empanadas (perfect for sharing), a fermented yerbe mata salad, coconut oil fried chicken, and scallops al pastor served with Lazar’s “miracle rice.”

Believe me, this is one hotel you’ll want to spring for, again and again!

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ST I L L R E D E F INING YOU R WA R DR O BE S PR I N G 2 01 6

IVANA MEPHISTO sandals with SOFT-AIR TECHNOLOGY: For a comfortable and effortless walk.

SAFO MEPHISTO offers you comfort with modern design.

The SOFT-AIR Technology, very soft and flexible, minimizes the shock that results from walking. It protects your feet, relieves your back and joints and promotes a healthy environment inside your sandals.

wheels

A Horse

With No Mane

If driving is your passion and performance is your goal, the Shelby Mustang GT350 is sure to please.

BY DAVID A. ROSE The 1960s saw automobile manufacturers pushing the limits when producing performance cars. The public loved these machines: the more power under the hood, the more love. In 1965 one of the most desired performance cars was introduced: the Shelby GT350 Mustang. With a modified 289-cubic-inch V8, this car produced 306 horsepower. To enhance the hype, 34 of these cars were built specifically for racing in the Sports Car Club of America’s B Production class, where they won the national championships in 1965, ’66 and ’67. In 2015 the Shelby GT350 Mustang celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, where dozens of these magnificent vehicles were on display and on the track at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

For sports car enthusiasts who reminisce about the glory days of the 1960s, there’s good news: Ford Motor Company has resurrected the iconic marque with an all-new Shelby GT350 Mustang.

Carroll Shelby’s original concept of transforming an excellent road car into an extraordinary road racing car is apparent in this sixthgeneration Mustang, the most nimble, best-balanced and most powerful Mustang to date. Ford offers two engine options: the 2.3liter EcoBoost with twin-scroll turbochargers (310 horsepower and 320 ft. lbs. of torque) and the 5.2-liter V8 (producing over 500 horsepower with more than 400 ft. lbs. of torque) matched to a lightweight six-speed manual gearbox. Like the models built in 1965, there’s one color only: Wimbledon white with Guardsman blue rocker stripes.

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I recently drove the Shelby GT350 Mustang with 2.3-liter EcoBoost at Lime Rock Park, and although this is the milder version, it felt like a race car as it traversed the 1.5-mile course. The vehicle scored high marks for handling, braking and acceleration.

Performance is crucial to a car lover, but so is styling. “Everything we changed on the GT350 is purely function-driven design,” says Ford design director Chris Svensson. “We optimized the aerodynamic shape of the car and then fine-tuned what was left to increase down-force and cooling airflow. All bodywork from the windshield forward is unique to this high-performance model, and up to two inches lower than the Mustang GT.” More than 9.2 million Mustangs have been sold since being introduced in 1964. The new Shelby GT350, true to its heritage, might be the greatest of them all.

MALOUF’S FORUM SS 2016