Johnson County, KS September 2023

The Fashion and Style Issue

Letter from the Editor

Our September issue is always a favorite of mine to plan. The theme is dedicated to fashion and style, and for someone who likes to be creative, self-expression using style choices through genres such as fashion or interior design is something I enjoy. In my opinion, choosing your style should be a reflection of what makes you feel comfortable and reflects your personality. If it makes you feel happy, wear it regardless of what the current trend says. I love dresses. I have always worn them almost on a daily basis. Perhaps the choice stems from the fact that I attended a catholic school for 12 years, and so I grew accustomed to wearing a uniform skirt every day. However, I think for me it just makes me feel comfortable and reflects my feminine, free-spirited personality. I think it is important to wear what you love and not what experts say you should wear. I love the color yellow, but old fashion rules of the past have suggested that blondes shouldn’t wear yellow. I don’t really care because the color makes me feel happy. And as some of those old rules are a thing of the past such as what colors should be worn with different skin tones and hair colors or the inability to wear white after labor day, fashion now tends to be more reflective of what makes you feel like you are showing your true self.

For our fashion issue, I enlisted the help of local stylist, Amani Skalacki. I have worked with her for many years, and she not only is a genius with her shoot concepts and fashion sense, but she is a huge advocate for wearing what makes you feel comfortable in your own skin. She knows the newest trends, is a true professional in every sense of the word, knows high fashion and what to pair with what, but she also appreciates a great Target or Amazon find. For those of you who are older than 40, you will understand this reference, but I call her MacGyver. She can literally create absolutely anything out of what seems like nothing and does it so effortlessly. (I have seen her create a one of a kind stunning centerpiece for a table out of what looked like scraps.) But my favorite thing about watching her work is how much passion and heart she puts into everything she does. She styled and created the concept for both our styled fashion shoots this month titled, The Little Black Dress and Fall Fashion. She found some great local fall pieces that not only boast the latest fashion trends, but that supports small local businesses in our city. I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we did putting it together for you. Happy fall!

September 2023

PUBLISHER

Cristine Lindholm | cristine.lindholm@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Angela Broockerd | angela.broockerd@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Angela Broockerd, Allison Swan, Lisa Moyer

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Janie Jones

ANGELA BROOCKERD, EDITOR @JOHNSONCOUNTYCITYLIFESTYLE

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster

FROM FAIR TO fabulous!

SELLING YOUR HOME FOR TOP DOLLAR

BEFORE AFTER

This beautiful Mills Farm home was listed for $1.45M. After numerous showings and no contracts, the home was removed from the market. Haley brought in her long-time design partner, Christina Ryan of Yours Truly Interior Design, who spent $80K updating the home – warm white paint, all new high end fixtures, gorgeous kitchen countertop and backsplash, and an amazing LED backlit vanity countertop. The home was then beautifully staged, relisted at $1.6M, and sold in only four days — with a backup offer. $80K in improvements = $145K increase in the final sales price!

Let’s

HALEY EPPS

REALTOR®

M: 913.558.5958

O: 913.382.6711

haley.epps@compass.com

haleyeppsteam.com

WHAT’S YOUR HOME WORTH?

Feel Beautiful.

IMAGE Studios NOW OPEN in Overland Park is conveniently located on Switzer off 69HWY and College Boulevard. Services Offered Hair | Lashes | Skin | Botox | Massage IMAGE Studios is a community of beauty professionals who are independent, mini-salon owners. Together, we all work to provide high-end, luxury beauty services to our clients. 10

Clothology:135 brings fall fashion back to the runway again

This show is becoming the most anticipated style event held twice a year.  Clothology:135 carefully selects looks that appeal to many ages and body types.  Our mission is to present fashion that encourages you to find your own personal style. It is held at The Venue in Leawood. More information about this event can be found in store, facebook, and instagram.

Leasing Luxury Private Suites Now!

A SEPTEMBER 2023 business monthly Clairvaux Celebrates 3 Years Clairvaux, the women-owned luxury boutique is celebrating 3 years 11228 Switzer Road | Near College Blvd & HWY69 (913) 444-2201 |imagestudios360.com/overlandpark

in business. “I feel incredibly grateful to have been able to open in the midst of a pandemic and to now celebrate two locations and three years in business. We have such incredible clients and community.” said owner, Joni Johnson. To celebrate they are hosting a weekend of trunk shows, mystery gift cards and special events starting September 7-10th at both their Fairway and Leawood locations.

Botanical Brewfest at the Overland Park Arboretum Returns This Fall

Enjoy fall brewfest fun at the Arboretum with samplings from dozens of local and regional breweries and restaurants. Celebrate the season with live music, dancing, games and activities, and access to the beautiful gardens and nature trails the entire day of the event. For more information or to reserve your tickets visit  opkansas.org/events/ botanical-brewfest/

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/JohnsonCounty

Call today for a consultation!

Refresh Medical Spa is one of the top medical spas in Overland Park! Serving our community since 2012, it has been our mission to provide natural results in a positive environment while building trust and educating our clients to feel confident in their aesthetic journey!

At Refresh, our approach to selecting service and product offerings involves keeping our clients' preferences and desires in mind as well as our providers' goal to offer a variety of well known brands and innovative treatments.

Our curated selection include:

Fillers

Body Contouring

IPL Laser

CoolSculpting

Morpheus8

Hydrafacial

Laser Hair Removal

Botox/Dysport

Sculptra

Vitamin Shots

Skin Tightening

Kybella

A REFRESH FAN FAVORITE:

Chemical Peels

Brows & Lashes

ZO Skin Health

Skinceuticals

One of the few to offer this highly sought after treatment, Morpheus8 delivers targeted thermal energy deep into the skin's layers, stimulating collagen production and promoting tissue remodeling. This non-invasive procedure effectively addresses a wide range of concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, acne scars, and uneven texture with minimal downtime!

ASK US ABOUT THIS ALL AROUND TRANSFORMATIVE TREATMENT!

Fall Fashion

The best in fashion for the fall 2023 season includes all things comfortable, classic and sleek with a feminine twist. We are no longer bound by shapes that constrict the body but instead will see oversized suits, wide leg pants, longer roomier jackets and coats paired with feminine details. It’s all about fabrics that feel good and move with you.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

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Alysa Rene- Blouse with embroidered floral details, wide leg pant, pendant necklace, hoop earrings

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Alysa Rene- Jacket with fringe, matte sequin top, patchwork denim jeans, earrings and necklace

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Gown Gallery- Sequin evening gown, floral chandelier earrings

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Clairvaux- Pleated dress

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Clairvaux- Dress, long plaid jacket

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LadyCo- Oversized denim jacket, tie dye print maxi dress, pendant necklace

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Alysa Rene- Floral maxi dress, kimono with embroidered details

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Alysa Rene- Jacket with fringe, matte sequin top, patchwork denim jeans, earrings and necklace

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Clairvaux- Blouse, pant |

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LadyCo- Oversized denim jacket, tie dye print maxi dress, pendant necklace |

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Gown Gallery- Tulle evening gown, rhinestone choker, headpiece |

IMAGE 12

Clairvaux- Jacket, dress, earrings

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LadyCo- Button down silk blouse, black denim jeans, jewelry

Alysa Rene- Jacket with fringe, matte sequin top, patchwork denim jeans, earrings and necklace

Clairvaux- Suit, chain metal blouse, necklace

Alysa Rene- Floral maxi dress, kimono with embroidered details

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Clairvaux-

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IMAGE 18

Clairvaux- Pleated dress

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SHOOT CREDITS:

Stylist: Amani Skalaki

Hair: Maddie

Makeup: Caro Benetiz

Location: Blackfeather Farmhouse

IMAGE 17

Dress, long plaid jacket

Saturdays - 7:30 am - 1 pm Open through December 2

THE CAMPBELL DOME HOUSE

ARTICLE BY ALLISON SWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

The Campbell Dome House in downtown Overland Park stands as a truly exceptional mid-century modern masterpiece. Boasting a distinct and captivating aesthetic, the interior space features an open layout highlighted by a spacious living room, galley kitchen, sitting room and dining area. With its picturesque setting, the Campbell Dome House is the perfect location for any event seeking an unforgettable backdrop.

Mark and Sandy Campbell are the homeowners, and Mark’s daughter Keli Campbell and Jeffery Rhodes are the current occupants helping to renovate and care for the home.

“The house was designed and built by my grandfather, Bob D. Campbell in 1967,” says Keli. “He was a structural engineer in Kansas City and started the engineering firm Bob D. Campbell & Co., which still operates on the Plaza as BDC & Co. He worked on many of the notable structures around the city, including Arrowhead Stadium and frequently worked with several of the modern architects in the area, including an architect out of Salina named John Shaver. He and John Shaver worked on schools across the country, and many of them included domed gymnasiums. My grandfather liked the dome shape because it covered the most amount of space using the least amount of material, and you could have a large open area without any pillars or supports. While working on these schools with John Shaver, Bob decided to build his own dome as the family home.

“I wish I could ask my grandfather what inspired him to build this unique house as his home. He always said that welding the steel frame of our dome helped him problem-solve the domes he was building for schools. I believe he was also inspired by the other professionals he was working with and the modernist movement, to just try something new. It was an exciting time for

bold visions. We submitted the house as a nominee to the Kansas and National Historical Register and we were accepted under the notable architecture category. As far as we know, it is the only Schwedler Dome structure used as a residence in the United States, possibly the world. The house is also the youngest structure on the Kansas state historical register.”

One of the house’s most striking features is the mechanical wall, which gracefully lowers into the basement, creating a seamless connection between the living room and the lush tropical courtyard.

“There are several unique things we love about the house beyond the roof. Half of the space under the dome is a courtyard with a pool, tropical plants, and several garden beds. My grandparents loved plants and always kept the courtyard lush with greenery—we are trying to continue that tradition and design feature. The wall connecting the interior living space is mostly glass so you can always see out to the greenery—it recesses into the basement to open the interior space to the courtyard. We also love the simple, natural materials, wood details, and mid-century modern style. The ceiling in the formal sitting room has the same design of the dome roof, but is made out of wood instead of steel. It’s a great feature and an excellent bit of craftsmanship.”

Bathed in year-round sunlight, the south-facing courtyard makes it an inviting retreat throughout the seasons.

“We submitted the house as a nominee to the Kansas and National Historical Register and we were accepted under the notable architecture category.”

“The house is designed with a passive solar orientation—the quarter of the roof that is glass paneled, like a greenhouse, faces south to make the best use of the winter sun. On cold winter days, if the sun is out, the courtyard can be a comfortable 60+ degrees, even when it is below freezing outside. During the summer months, the angle of the solid roof overhang shades most of the courtyard, helping to keep it cooler.”

To truly appreciate its charm and beauty, one must experience this hidden gem in person.

“We use a similar platform to Airbnb called Peerspace to rent the house for daytime use. It has been an interesting mix of uses! We get a little bit of everything from baby showers, movie shoots, styled fashion shoots, small weddings, and memorial services. Our first rental was an NFL Films production, taping an interview with Travis Kelce.”

The Campbell Dome House is located on Hamilton Drive in Overland Park. To rent this historic, mid-century modern home, visit peerspace.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

My Home Contemporary Furniture is dedicated to bringing you the best in modern design.

“We are proud to be the largest contemporary store in the area,” says Owner Henrik Svendsen. “We are rooted in Scandinavian design and stock pieces from Italy, Denmark, Norway, Thailand, Mexico and, of course, right here in the U.S.”

Henrik has more than 20 years of experience in the retail space and is focused on serving customers far beyond the metro area.

“We’re proud to have the opportunity to fill a large gap in the contemporary home furnishings market. Not only in the Kansas City metro, but in the entire Midwest,” Henrik says. “We’re dedicated to serving residents from all neighboring states and beyond.”

Located off I-35 in Merriam, My Home boasts a 35,000-sq.ft. showroom, providing beautiful, quality contemporary furniture from their large in-stock selections along with special-order custom pieces.

“We have everything from $100 dining chairs to a $30,000 reclining leather

sectional,” Henrik says. “Our large selection of furniture can be delivered within 24 hours in many cases.”

Along with in-store shopping, self pickup and delivery, My Contemporary Home also offers interior design services.

“We have an experienced, attentive, friendly, non-pressure sales staff,” Henrik says. “Our interior designers can provide you digital 3-D renderings to help with furniture selection during pre-construction or  remodel. We partner with you through all stages of the decision-making process to ensure a seamless buying experience.”

The sleek, mid-century store offers sofas, sectionals, chairs, swivel recliners, tables, desks, accessories, artwork and much more from brands including Alf, American Leather, Fjords and Stressless.

“Our best-sellers are our leather recliners from Norway by the brand Stressless by Ekrones. We have the largest selection of these sought-after recliners, which are endorsed by the American Chiropractors Association,” he says.

With 5-star online reviews for service, selection, and customer satisfaction, My Contemporary Home is establishing its name in the marketplace. The store offers convenient hours for dropping by to shop at the one-of-a-kind showroom.

“We scour the globe for the exceptional and the innovative, to handpick the very best in modern and contemporary design, from leading design houses to emerging designers alike.” — My Contemporary Home

FOR MORE INFO VISIT: myhomecontemporaryfurniture.com info@myhomecontemporaryfurniture.com 913.912.1026

VISIT THE SHOWROOM AT:  5400 Antioch Drive, Merriam KS 66202

SHOWROOM HOURS:

Open weekdays noon - 7 p.m.

Saturdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sundays noon - 5 p.m.

THE little BLACK DRESS

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES STYLIST: AMANI SKALACKI

Most of us can say we have that one staple black dress that can be worn at any occasion, and the classic look is not only popular but is elegant and timeless. It is the dress in our closet that can be accessorized to fit the event and often is the dress we go back to time and again. It is one of the most versatile items we own, never goes out of style and looks good on anyone. But how did this classic look originate?

Prior to the 1920s, black was reserved for funeral wear, but when Coco Channel made the bold move to print a short, black dress on the cover of Vogue in 1926, all of that changed. The popularity of the black dress skyrocketed, and it became one of the most influential pieces of clothing. Chanel transported fashion from tight corsets and bustles to straightlined silhouettes. Because of its affordability, black remained a popular choice during The Great Depression. The black dress had another boom in popularity when “Breakfast at Tiffany’s’’ debuted, and Audrey Hepburn showcased her iconic black dress with long, black gloves. Today, people accessorize the black dress to fit any occasion.

We enlisted the help of stylist, Amani Skalacki, to show us how versatile the little black dress can be.

THE POPULARITY OF THE BLACK DRESS SKYROCKETED and IT BECAME ONE

OF THE MOST influential PIECES OF CLOTHING.

COCO CHANNEL MADE THE BOLD MOVE TO PRINT A SHORT, BLACK DRESS ON THE COVER OF VOGUE IN 1926

“We usually think of the little black dress as a piece you wear to an event. However, because black is so flattering on all body types and skin tones, women have multiple black dresses from casual to evening,” Amani says. “I selected this collection of dresses to show the versatility of the black dress and to give women some new ideas of how to wear the evening gown with a train on a night out with her girlfriends or the traditional summer strappy maxi dress while running errands in cooler temperatures.”

Although black is a timeless, classic look, that doesn’t mean it goes without personality. You can make it your own style by accessorizing to infuse new life into a dress that you already own.

“A sequin dress can be dressed up with heels, or that same dress can be transformed into a casual outfit with the addition of tennis shoes and an oversized blazer or a denim jacket. Transform that strappy dress you have been wearing all summer into an outfit that is perfect for chilly fall temperatures. Add a narrow scarf, a leather jacket and sandals or a tall pointy boot, and you have a whole new look for an evening out,” Amani adds.

If you have a dress in the back of your closet that you haven’t worn in years, don’t be afraid to dust it off and give it new life. “Take that evening gown you wore years ago to a tailor for a little transformation. Turn it into a high low dress-top that can be worn out with girlfriends or on a date night. Pair the top with leather leggings, ankle boots, a chunky belt and some statement jewelry, and now you have a piece that pushes the boundaries of the little black dress.”

Are you looking for the best cut or style of dress that works best for your body type? Amani provided this simple guide:

HOURGLASS FIGURE:

• V-necklines

• Cinched-in waistlines

• Tailored/fitted dresses

PEAR OR TRIANGLE

FIGURE:

• Tailored dresses

• Off the shoulder

ATHLETIC FIGURE:

• Embellished

• Ruffles

• Empire waist

• Volume is your friend

APPLE FIGURE:

• Drop waist

• A-line

The dress that all body types can’t go wrong with is a wrap dress of any length.

ARTICLE BY ALLISON SWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Kansas Prairie-Inspired ARTWORK

With a passion for curating a collection of beautiful artwork in their Downtown Overland Park gallery, Prairiebrooke has built the reputation as a go-to source for art and custom framing for residential and corporate clients. The gallery represents a variety of artwork, from abstract, representational, photography and landscape. They exclusively represent all of their artists in the Kansas City area.

“It’s always a special thing to see how our clients emotionally connect to Kansas Prairie-inspired artwork,” says owner Megan Hoban. “People love the Flint Hills, and collecting art that captures its essence creates a window into our treasured landscape. Every artist interprets the majestic skies and landscape from a different lens. The varied perspective changes with the light, angle, weather and mood. Our clients enjoy those unique perspectives and stunning colors our artists create in their works.”

Enjoy a glimpse into the “Window into the Flint Hills”  through the eyes and brushstrokes of five Prairiebrooke artists.

Kim Casebeer was born and raised in Kansas on a family farm. As part of a fourth-generation farm family, she has been connected to the land for a long time. Kim lives in Kansas and draws her inspiration from the Flint Hills.

“It’s a simple landscape,” says Casebeer. “You have to spend some time and let it speak to you. I think the simplicity of the Kansas landscape has helped me find the essence of other places. I’m able to focus on what’s important in a composition.”

Cristine Sundquist is originally from St. Louis and has studied drawing, painting, and photography since the age of 12. Her appreciation for the uniqueness of people, as well as landscapes, is conveyed in each portrait or landscape painting. She has a constant fascination with solving the problems of light, composition and color in each painting and drawing endeavor. Each year she has participated in invitational shows, including 30 Women Artists Paint Kansas at the Coutts Museum and often has worked in the auction at Symphony in the Flint Hills.

Nathan Novack is a native to the extreme corner of the Midwest where he grew up with his parents and 13 siblings. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Science in Education from Fort Hays State University, Nathan entered the art education world. He has taught at the high school and middle school levels for 16 years. Intrigued by the untapped talent of students, Nathan believes that there is art for everyone.

Artist, Cris Sundquist

Artist, Cris Sundquist

Artist, Allan Chow

Artist, Allan Chow

Artist, Nathan Novak

Artist, Kim Casebeer

Artist, Kim Casebeer

“Within the location, I can confidently say that I’m truly compelled by the array of variously composed visions,” says Novack. “The borders of the states seem to not be enough to justify the lines of differences among us, nor our lifestyles. Instead, the terrain with all its variables helps dignify my creative endeavors. Through these observations, there is an artistic compassion, an inspiration within that revolves into a conceptual display resolved onto the surface. These include the agricultural structures of the Midwest—they all share a relevance that magnifies from my perspective, embedded as a oneness to their surroundings. With encounters, I want to articulate the majestic beauty that is naturally integrated.”

Kelly Yarbrough is an artist based in Manhattan, Kansas. Her practice is rooted in an ecosystem that includes mixed media drawing, arts administration and creating meaningful opportunities for humans to engage with their environment. She enjoys unexpected collaborations, transdisciplinary conversations and continual learning.

“My work is rooted in the prairie ecosystem and presents views of place through an ever-expanding library of my lived experiences,” says Yarbrough. “The tallgrass prairie is called the most altered landscape on the planet, yet grasslands tell incredible stories of human history and their re-establishment can offer hope for the future of life in the Great Plains. I want to contribute to the growing body of knowledge and research seeking hopeful solutions to issues of the climate crisis and rural depopulation in the places I call home.”

Allan Chow has built a daring body of work for nearly two decades. Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Chow’s creative journey began when he moved to the States as a teenager. Inspired by his Malaysian and American culture, Chow’s natural instincts as a painter are manifested through his exuberant colors, bold paint strokes and irresistible textures that set him apart from his peers and made his paintings one of the most preferred and collected in the country today. Chow paints with a palette knife, applying thick impasto in brilliant colors found only in dreams. His emotions and passions pour through his spontaneous yet controlled brushstrokes, creating a three dimensional experience for his audiences. His sophisticated style and obvious passion for painting have helped him establish a global following. Chow’s original paintings belong to prestigious Kansas City-area collections such as H&R Block, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, BKD, Lewis, Rice and Fingersh Law Firm, Overland Park Convention Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Russell Stover Candies and the Kauffman Foundation.

Prairiebrooke is located at 7900 Santa Fe Drive in Overland Park. Stop by the gallery to see more of their work in person, or visit pbarts.com .

Artist, Kelly Yarbrough

Owner, Megan Hoban

Custom Homes

Barnhouse is a family-owned design + build company focused on new construction- from traditional stick-built or modified timber frame homes to pre-engineered steel or pole barn structures. Specializing in modern farm homes, Barnhouse harvests old barns to utilize reclaimed timbers and barn board to provide an enriching contemporary country feel. After building a foundation on open communication and honesty, Barnhouse helps bring visions to life.