Paradise Valley, AZ September 2023

The Style Issue

Here's to Style

There’s something about fall. Even though it’s still hot here in the Valley, the searing heat has broken (typically, anyway!) and there’s the promise of change in the air—cooler weather, the upcoming holiday season, and of course, new fashions.

In keeping with that, September is always our Style Issue.

Style is an interesting concept. Not only does it influence the fashions that we wear, but it influences every aspect of our lives. From the way we decorate our homes to the music we listen to and from the books we read to the way we carry ourselves in conversations, style permeates every facet of our existence. It is the thread that weaves together the tapestry of our lives.

Style is deeply personal. And it evolves as we celebrate our quirks, our passions, and our desires. Style is a form of self-expression that communicates who we are, how we perceive the world, and what we value. In this way, style becomes a powerful tool for connection because it enables us to find common ground with others who share our aesthetic sensibilities.

As individuals, we have the freedom to embrace established styles, blend them together, or forge entirely new paths, becoming trendsetters ourselves. We hope this issue inspires you to forge new paths or perhaps explore familiar ones. There is so much here in Paradise Valley to uplift your spirits, boost your productivity, and ignite your creativity.

In fact, in this issue, we showcase the little black dress, fall fashions, stylish drinks, and more.

What I’ve found is that the best style is an authentic expression of who you really are. And that’s something no one on Earth can duplicate.

Here’s to being uniquely—and stylishly—you!

Yours,

MICHELLE GLICKSMAN, EDITOR @PARADISEVALLEYCITYLIFESTYLE

September 2023

PUBLISHER

Tammy Fellows | tammy.fellows@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Michelle Glicksman | michelle.glicksman@citylifestyle.com

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

Faith Morello | faith.morello@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Alison Bailin Batz, Angela Broockerd, Susan Lanier-Graham

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 Whitney Lockhart

LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster

1: Catherine Ann Cowie and Caren Redivo at Desert Foundation Auxiliary’s 57th Annual New Member Cocktail Party. 2: HonorHealth held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its latest healthcare facility, Paradise Valley’s HonorHealth Complete Care. 3: Courtland and Meghan Fable and Jill and Brian Hegardt at Desert Foundation Auxiliary’s 57th Annual New Member Cocktail Party.

COLLEEN KATZ PICTURES IN PIXELS COLLEEN KATZ PICTURES IN PIXELS

Phoenix's Century Grand Named Best U.S. Cocktail Bar

Century Grand was recently named the Best U.S. Cocktail Bar at the acclaimed 2023 Tales Spirited Awards. The beverage team was up against fellow concepts on North America’s 50 Best Bars List. In addition to this win, the team previously made the award’s Top 10 Nominees List in multiple other categories, including Best U.S. Bar Mentor (Jason Asher), Best U.S. Bar Team (Century Grand), and Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar (UnderTow Gilbert). CenturyGrandPHX.com

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The Mexicano Named One of the Top 50 Independent Restaurants in the U.S.

FSR Magazine  named The Mexicano by Chef Joey Maggiore one of the top 50 independent restaurants of 2023. The editorial team selected The Mexicano in a nationwide search of the top independent full-service restaurants.  FSR highlighted The Mexicano’s out-of-the-box modern Mexican food and innovative margarita bar, which offers over 30 craft and unique toppings.  FSR Magazine is a national print publication that provides ideas and insights for chefs, owners, executives, and decision-makers in the full-service restaurant industry. TheMexicano.com

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Photography: The Maggiore Group

STYLISH SIPS

ARTICLE BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

EXPERIENCE

MODERN ART IN A GLASS WITH THESE LOCAL LIBATIONS

It is said that we eat with our eyes first. The same is true of cocktails, which we drink in long before the glass approaches our lips. Smart mixologists are raising the bar when it comes to local libations by transforming their drink recipes into modern art through the use of unique spirits, bold colors, and avant-garde garnish. Here are four that beg to be seen well before they are sipped.

100 Years, 100 More

Grey Hen Rx is an immersible adventure through the turn-of-the-century-inspired apothecary of Emilie Grey, the cocktail bar’s fictional owner made immortal by a secret elixir. Among its signature “cureall” offerings, 100 Years, 100 More is inspired by this immortality and made with Grand Marnier 100-year Cuvee, Lustau East India Sherry, John Taylor Falernum, Tempus Fugit Banana, lemongrass tincture, and more before being strained into an ostrich egg, secured in a bird cage, and served with a touch of smoke. $64 at GreyHenRX.com

Photo by Grace Stufkosky

Desiré Street Market

Like Grey Hen, Platform 18 is experiential in nature, housed in a 36-seat Presidential Pullmaninspired train car that uses special effects to transport guests through the bayous of Louisiana. Desiré Street Market is an homage to the famed fruit market in New Orleans. In it, lemon juice, blueberry syrup, cacao-washed apple brandy, and rye whiskey collide with Krogstadt Aquavit, sherry, and Crème de Noyaux, all in a tall glass topped with caraway powder, edible flowers, and thyme. $19 at CenturyGrandPHX.com

Photo by Grace Stufkosky

Fiore Di Vitae

The Fiore Di Vitae, which means flower of life in Italian, is meant to elicit visions of fields of lavender. Bar lead Holly Achs at The Americano got the idea to create a lavender-based recipe after experimenting with liqueur made from the flower and Ron Colón Salvadoreño Coffee Infused Rum. To make it, coffee rum and lavender liqueur are combined in a shaker with pomegranate liqueur, white rum, Maleza Flores Bitters, and Primitivo syrup (made by reducing the Italian Zinfandel with sugar). The contents are strained into a tall rocks glass that has been texturized with circles of sugar. $17 at TheAmericanoRestaurant.com

Heartbreak Prince

With celebrity chef Scott Conant in the kitchen, the drink menu at Mora Italian needs to always be ready for its close-up, as well. With attention-grabbing options like this, clearly the mixology team is up to the task. Named for Taylor Swift’s Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince by the Swifties on staff, this refreshing riff is a mix of Ketel One Grapefruit Botanical, grappa, Velvet Falernum, and lemon with ice, and it is topped with Prosecco, San Pellegrino Pompelmo, and copious floral garnishes. $15 at MoraItalian.com

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Fall in Love

Fashions of the Season

The weather may not be cooling down that much, but these stylish staples still offer a nod to the season, while staying true to our temps.

Dress For Success

Sunset Tapestry Belted Cotton Blend Minidress by Farm Rio, features a buckle accent, $225 at Nordstrom, Nordstrom.com

ARTICLE BY MICHELLE GLICKSMAN PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Stylish in Silk

Roma Culottes by House Twenty Two, made from silk, with hidden pockets, $350 at House Twenty Two, HouseTwentyTwo.com

Image courtesy of Nordstrom, Inc.

Sneaky Style

Overstone Derby handmade premium sneakers for men by Crown Northampton, $315 at Crown Northampton, CrownNorthampton.com

Be a Sport

Football necklace from the CC Sport Football Jewelry Collection by Chelsea Charles, available in silver or gold, $39 or $54 at Chelsea Charles, ChelseaCharles.com

Cool Canvas

Riders Wax Canvas by Freenote Cloth, classic ranch jacket combined with a riding jacket (the exact jacket Kayce Dutton wears on Yellowstone!), $450 at Cave + Post Trading Co., CaveAndPost.com

Power Bag

Mini Crossbody Tote by Lazarus Artisan Goods comes with a removable, adjustable strap and easy carry handle, $179 at Lazarus Artisan Goods, LazarusArtisanGoods.com

Short Story

Tulip Short by A. Putnam, stretch fabric and water- and stain-resistant, $139 at A. Putnam, APutnam.com

Fashion to the Max

Villa Views Sleeveless Maxi Dress in coconut by Tommy Bahama, $188 at Tommy Bahama, TommyBahama.com

Photo courtesy Tommy Bahama

2023 MERCEDES-AMG

EQE SEDAN

INNOVATION,

ARTICLE BY SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE Sedan is, above all, an AMG. The same luxury and performance you expect from every AMG is super charged with dual AMG electric motors generating 617 hp. RACE START mode delivers 677 hp and takes you from 0 to 60 in just 3.2 seconds.

SUPERIOR ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY

The AMG EQE Sedan features high-density battery technology with AMGspecific software providing more than 90 kWh of energy. You can charge quickly and easily at more than 60,000 charging points. Your purchase includes two years of 30-minute sessions at all Electrify America DC fast chargers.

POWER, AND PERFORMANCE IN A FULLY ELECTRIC LUXURY SEDAN

AMG PERFORMANCE

The 2023 AMG EQE Sedan features intelligent control that can steer the rear wheels up to 3.6 degrees, with or opposite the front wheels, based on your speed and driving dynamics, giving you unprecedented agility, stability and maneuverability.

The legendary AMG brakes pair perfectly with the electric powertrain to recover energy for the battery. Upgrade your ride with optional red calipers and carbon ceramic brakes.

Performance is at your fingertips with the AMG DRIVE UNIT on the steering wheel. With just a twist, you can select from one of five modes, from Comfort to Sport+.

AMG RIDE CONTROL+ features adaptive air suspension, ensuring the most refined ride. Your AMG EQE includes the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package that includes RACE START and sound and dash graphics that highlight driving performance.

DESIGNED FOR LUXURY

The efficiency of the AMG EQE doesn’t mean you lose the classic Mercedes-AMG luxury. The AMG SOUND EXPERIENCE includes soundscapes tuned to your driving mode.

The MBUX Multimedia System features a 12.8” OLED portrait display and 12.3” digital instrument cluster. You can sit back and enjoy the ride in comfort with the optional multi-contour front seats with massage.

The optional AIR BALANCE package gives you Head-Up Display and a four-zone climate to ensure everyone rides in style. The AMG Night Package adds jet-black elements to the front air dam, side mirrors, and window trim for a classic styling outside.

MSRP: $106,900

As Tested: $130,240

Electric Range: 225 miles

Stunning Closets

A Celebrity Closet Designer Shares a Peek at Some of Her Projects

ARTICLE BY MICHELLE GLICKSMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGHAN BEIERLE-O’BRIEN

With all of fall’s fabulous fashions, one needs the perfect closet in which to store them. Enter Lisa Adams, founder of the luxury closet design company LA Closet Design ( LAClosetDesign.com), who combines her passion for organization, design, and fashion to address an often overlooked room within a home—the closet.

Adams is the guru of closets, which is why clients, including several Kardashians, Christina Aguilera, Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Ray Romano, Fergie, Giuliana Rancic, Tyra Banks, and so many others, have called on her expertise.

Adams, who has worked on many homes here in the Valley, says that the space where many start and end their days often falls victim to several universal issues such as clutter and lack of organization. To address these challenges, she looks at both her client’s closet and lifestyle, and then creates a space of peace, beauty, and even glamour.

Her projects span from masculine, sophisticated, and streamlined to feminine and high fashion, and each closet she designs becomes a high-functioning, natural extension of the home and an enjoyable space for living. Here, she takes us on a tour of four of her designs.

MELISSA RIVERS’ CLOSET

“Melissa Rivers tasked us with the design of what she called her ‘grown-up’ closet! She recounted as a child watching her iconic mother get ready in her glamorous dressing room, and wanted a space that reflected these special memories. Since the closet is open to her bathroom, we covered all the clothes with mirrored doors for a tidy, traditional look! An heirloom chandelier, personal mementos, and a collection of her mother’s vintage handbags make this space all the more unique for her.”

Melissa Rivers’ closet

Olivia Culpo’s closet

CUSTOM CLOSET

“This colorful closet was part of a ground-up custom build, so the client really got to design her dream dressing room from scratch! The space has a transitional aesthetic, with many custom features throughout. She is a big collector of Hermès bags and wanted these to take center stage. We created a mirrored handbag display, flanked by suede-lined staging cabinets, for her to merchandise some of her favorite looks. The design incorporates touches of satin brass, smoked acrylic hardware, a marble waterfall island, and a striking Hermès wallpaper on the ceiling!”

OLIVIA CULPO’S CLOSET

“Model and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo approached us to transform a corner of her Hollywood loft into a much-needed dressing space! Here, the challenge was to create a closet that was functional for her, while flowing seamlessly with the rest of the loft, as there were no walls, and the closet would be visible from every space in the home. We opted to incorporate mirrored doors that draw light into the loft, while keeping her clothes hidden. Her favorite accessories are displayed on open shelves, styled as artwork for the space. A tufted ottoman, fur accents, and crystal hardware create a sense of Old Hollywood glamour in keeping with the historic building.”

BEAU DUNN’S CLOSET

“Artist Beau Dunn was in need of a proper dressing space in her Beverly Hills bungalow. Previously, the space was a spare bedroom, lined with rolling racks of clothing, where she struggled to find anything in her wardrobe! We worked together to design

a space around one of her iconic neon pieces—‘Need Money For Love.’ The space is whimsical, showcasing her colorful and glitzy personal style. Antique bronze hardware, a tufted ottoman, and a French crystal chandelier make this closet a dream come true for playing dress-up every day.”

LISA ADAMS’ TOP CLOSET TIPS

1. Purge regularly. You want to make sure that the items you bring into your dream dressing room are truly the pieces you love and will wear! If something doesn’t fit or isn’t being worn, take action. Tailor it, donate it, or consign it!

2. Invest in the right hangers! This is an easy way to instantly elevate the look of your closet, and using proper hangers for sweaters, suits, and outerwear will extend the life of your clothes.

3. Customize your drawers. Outfitting drawers with appropriate compartments makes your life so much easier. You can find smaller items like jewelry, wallets, clutches, and matching socks SO much faster. Partitioning deeper drawers for folded tees, sweaters, and sweats means never having to dig.

4. Have a system. I like to organize clients’ clothing by style and color, so finding the piece you’re looking for is always easy! Whatever your system is, stick to it.

5. Protect your investments . Often, accessories are the most valuable pieces in our closets, and they end up overlooked! Care for your designer bags with properly-sized purse pillows, and appropriate shelf heights, so nothing gets crushed or creased. Incorporate safes, watch winders, and suede jewelry inserts so all your valuables are taken care of.

Beau Dunn’s closet

THE little BLACK DRESS

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 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 1920’s, 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. 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.

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

“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.

Are you looking for the best cut or style of dress that works best for your body type?

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 ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

STYLIST: AMANI SKALACKI

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.

IF YOU ARE READING THIS...SO IS YOUR BEST CLIENT.

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events

SEPTEMBER 1ST-30TH

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

THE MADISON CENTER FOR THE ARTS

This show serves as the kickoff performance for the theater’s 20232024 Broadway season. Experience Eric Carle’s beautifully imagined stories come to life at this special event featuring a variety of enchanting puppets and special audience participation elements. All VIP attendees will have the opportunity to take a photo with The Very Hungry Caterpillar. TheMadison.org

SEPTEMBER 8TH-17TH

2023 Fall Arizona

Restaurant Week STATEWIDE

Arizona Restaurant Week (ARW) is 10 full days when diners can discover the breadth of food and beverage options available throughout Arizona—at just a fraction of the usual cost. Participating restaurants offer specific menus featuring hyper-seasonal or limited-availability ingredients and, oftentimes, dishes that are not generally on their regular menus. There are three-course prixfixe menus for just $33, $44, or $55 per person. ArizonaRestaurantWeek.com

SEPTEMBER 23RD

2nd Annual FashFilmFete™

PHOENIX ART MUSEUM | 11:00 AM Film festival FashFilmFete™ returns to Phoenix Art Museum, and two of the most distinguished costume designers in the nation, Ruth E. Carter (Black Panther) and Patricia Field (Sex and the City) will be honored at the event. The daylong festival celebrates fashion storytelling and features presentations and films where fashion plays a pivotal role in the film’s narrative. PhxArt.org

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

DESIGNING SMART SPACES

S i p i n Style