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NEW. NOW. NEXT. M E E T T H E FA S H I O N & B E AU T Y I N D U ST RY P I O N E E RS— LI K E B R I DA L D ES I G N E R N I T S A N G R E I F — T R A N S F O R M I N G W EST P O RT I N O U R A N N UA L ST Y LE I S S U E

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Style and Stories

September 2026 PUBLISHER

Marisa MacLean | marisa.maclean@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Sara Gaynes Levy | sara.gayneslevy@citylifestyle.com

Style has a way of telling a story. Sometimes it's what we wear. Sometimes it's the homes we create, the art that inspires us, or the people who have the confidence to do something different. It's often less about following trends and more about expressing who we are. In this month's Style Issue, we're introducing you to several local rising stars in the fashion industry who are making a name for themselves. We also celebrate The Exchange Project as it marks five years of bringing together fashion, sustainability, and community. Style doesn't stop there. LJI Designs shares ideas for preparing your home before it goes on the market, while The Norwalk Art Space's annual Arts Bash celebrates creativity and honors Bill Taibe for his support of the arts. We also visit The Hunt Club to learn more about its newly revamped polo program, where tradition, sport, and timeless style have long gone hand in hand. We wrap up the issue with this month's Editor's Pick featuring West, another reminder that some of the best discoveries are right here in our own community. One of my favorite parts of publishing this magazine is having the opportunity to tell stories that might otherwise go untold. Every issue introduces me to people whose passion, creativity, and commitment make our community a better place. I hope this issue inspires you to see style not just in what we wear, but in the people, places, and ideas that shape our community every day.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kali Kasprzyk, Stacy Leach C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Emmalee Rathsam, John Videler, Janie Jones

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman

M A R I SA M AC L E A N , P U B L I S H E R @WESTPORTLIFESTYLE

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Westport Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Westport area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions.

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Westport Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue SE PTE M B E R 2 02 6 | STYL E

Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

32 66

Featured

32 66

Departments

New. Now. Next.

The fashion and beauty world innovators transforming Westport.

A Designer’s Guide To...

Tips on prepping your house for sale from interior design pros LJI Design.

Polo, Anyone?

The sport is open to anyone who wants to learn at The Hunt Club.

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Trend Setter STYLE + BEAUTY

Local’s Choice STYLE + BEAUTY

Fashion Forward STYLE + BEAUTY

Artist’s Palette FOOD + BEVERAGE

Inspired By STYLE + BEAUTY

How To HOME + DESIGN

Home Update HOME + DESIGN

Get Active LIFE + CULTURE

Our Town LIFE + CULTURE

Events

Local Limelight STYLE + BEAUTY

On the Cover Westport-based designer Nitsan Greif, founder of LivKhai Atelier, in her studio. Photography: Allison Ginzburg.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

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1: Dan Reardon, of DRs. Orders Baking Co., and Massimo Tulli hosted a collaboration dinner at The Whelk. 2: The Westport Farmer's Market provided produce for the evening (pictured, left, director Lori Cochran-Dougall). 3: Stephanie Webster of CT Bites. 4: Westport Lifestyle's editor Sara Gaynes Levy with Kate Kelley. 5: Stephen Kempson of Stephen Kempson London grabs an oyster. 6: Dan Reardon, Sara Gaynes Levy, and Zach Hinman, executive chef at Massi Co. and The Whelk. 7: Megan Schinella with Dan Reardon. Photography by Alex Torres CONTINUED >

C I T Y SC E N E

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8: The set tables at Gather Round the Table, the annual fundraiser for Homes With Hope. 9: Helen McAlinden, center, with guests at the annual Gather Round the Table luncheon. 12: Ashley Langer and Hannah Spencer with Westport Lifestyle's editor Sara Gaynes Levy and publisher Marisa MacLean. 13: Cindy Rainey, center, and Westport Lifestyle's publisher Marisa MacLean, second from right. 14: Liz Busch, second from left and a luncheon sponsor, with Zac Mathais. Photography by John Videler CONTINUED >

C I T Y SC E N E

city scene CONTINUED

15: StartUp Westport's 2026 Innovator of the Year Award went to Marc Lasry, here with Craig Melvin. 16: Marc Lasry and Craig Melvin in conversation. 17: Bill Harmer, director of The Westport Library, introducing the event. 18: Andrea Pecoriello, past Community Impact Award recipient, with Stacie Curran, Sharuna Mahesh, and Kathryn Turley-Sonne. 19: Innovator of the Year recipients Jimmy Pitaro (2024), Marc Lasry (2026), and Mark Shapiro (2025). 20: Club203 (Community Impact Award Winner)—Stacie Curran, Sharuna Mahesh, and Kathryn Turley-Sonne—with Cliff Sirlin. 21: The StartUp Westport Board of Directors with Marc Lasry. Photography by Jerri Graham CONTINUED >

C I T Y SC E N E

city scene CONTINUED

22: Kira and Mark Greenfield, founders of the Hearts in Harmony foundation. 23: The annual Shake It For Shea event, which raises funds for the Hearts in Harmony Foundation. 24: Kira and Mark Greenfield address the crowd, raising money to support research into Long QT Syndrome. 25: Carly Ridloff and Megan Schinella at Shake It For Shea. 26: Mark Greenfield. Photography by Fred Marcus Studio CONTINUED >

C I T Y SC E N E

city scene CONTINUED

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29: Lauren Braunstein and Rachel Winter. 30: The 2026 Day of Champions, benefitting Experience Camps. 31: Yoni Ginor. 32: Members of Team North Star. 33: Heather and Jesse Rosenbaum. 34: Jay Williams, Nico Lechuga, Eric Johnson, and Nikki Bonacorsi Williams. 35: Sara Deren, center, co-founder of Experience Camps, which runs summer camps for grieving kids. Photography by Erin Belles

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SEPTEMBER 2026

Energy Starts at the Cellular Level.

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

Sarah Sadie Newett Launches an App SSN—the movement helping you feel powerful, free, and alive in Fairfield County and beyond—launched its own branded app, offering easy booking for classes, memberships, and the community, charitable, and luxury brand partnerships SSN is known for. Founded by Sarah Sadie Newett, a dancer and aerialist whose classes integrate Pilates, yoga, and dance, SSN offers Reformer, Aerial, Sculpt, and Length — building the belief that you can do more than you know. Photography by Jonce

WHEN IT’S TIME TO MAKE A MOVE

Westport turns to Michelle & Team. Since 1984.

Melissa & Doug Collabs With Van Leeuwen Two brands with Westport ties—the Westport-founded Melissa & Doug Toys and Van Leeuwen ice cream, which has a scoop shop on Church Lane—have teamed up for a collaboration on one of Melissa & Doug's most iconic toys. The new Melissa & Doug x Van Leeuwen Wooden Ice Cream Counter, $64.99, comes with a scooper, eight pretend Van Leeuwen flavors, toppings, menu, play money, and coins for two free, real (!) kids scoops at the shop. Photography Courtesy Melissa & Doug

SCAN TO EXPLORE n Coming Soon! n Exclusive Listings n Weekly Market Updates n Westport Lifestyle Guide n 5-Star reviews

CONTINUED >

your life. your home. your realtor. S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

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business monthly CONTINUED

Lucky Brand Opens on Main Street Lucky Brand, known for their denim, is back on Main Street (after a brief hiatus). The new location is at 125 Main Street, and is Lucky Brand's fourth Connecticut store. For more information, visit luckybrand.com

Jazz’n Downtown Arrives on Saturday, October 3rd Presented by Milford Arts Council with Coastal Bridge Advisors, Jazz'n Downtown is a one-day jazz and cultural festival in downtown Milford. Come by water, rail, road, or foot to stroll and dine amongst boutique shops, artisan displays, and historic neighborhoods alongside our harbor, ponds, and waterfalls. You’ll be enveloped by award-winning jazz at three outdoor stages, while the closing evening concert pays tribute to the music of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

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u o Y k y n l u a r t h r Women of Westport T e h t o n For a endous WOW treemvening! 2026

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NEW. NOW. NEXT

Meet Thomas- the creative force shaping Westport’s beauty scene. V gregtony_ouidad

NEW. Now. NEXT. Meet the up-and-comers who are transforming Westport’s fashion and beauty scene with their innovative visions, ideas, and techniques. ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY

T R E N D SE T T E R | STYL E + BE AU T Y

Chloe ZALE

founder, Chloe Zale Collective S P E C I A LT Y: Sourcing vintage jewelry, designing custom jewelry pieces, styling/stacking collections, and bringing emerging jewelry brands to her clients H O W S H E G O T H E R E : Chloe’s path has been unconventional, to say the least: she studied opera and cognitive science in undergrad at Yale, did a stint in strategy consulting, moved to Australia, went to culinary school, spent years as a recipe developer for brands like HelloFresh and the Food Network, and served as Martha Stewart’s culinary director. But earlier this year, she was called back to her family’s legacy. “I grew up around a lot of jewelry,” she explains—her great-grandfather founded Zales Jewelers, and, though the company sold before she was born, many of her relatives continued to work in the jewelry business, including her father and uncle. “The jewelry idea has been percolating for a really long time,” she says. “I feel like it’s a return to my roots. Working in jewelry, and having my two boys see that, makes me feel like they will have a tangible connection to their Zale side, even though that’s not their last name.” W H AT I N S P I R E S H E R : “I want to help people make more meaningful and smarter jewelry purchases,” she says. She’s an obsessive sourcer, constantly looking at inspiration accounts and vintage jewelry sites for ideas (“it calms me!” she says). And she’s dedicated to both quality (she runs her finds through a third-party that verifies gold percentages, stone authenticity, and more) and value (“I want to help people build their collections at a price that is amenable to them,” she says). “I love that jewelry has stories,” says Chloe. “It marks milestones. It’s the best way to encapsulate a memory.” She’s also invested in lifting the veil on the jewelry industry as a whole. “The reason I call it the Chloe Zale Collective is that I want to be able to shed light on all the people I work with–my gemstone dealer, my diamond dealer,” she says. “I actually take inspiration from farmto-table eating, and my background in hospitality,” she says. “My clients aren’t just supporting me; it’s a whole collective of small businesses. And there are people at every step of the way.” K E E P A N E Y E O U T F O R : “I want to launch my own collection down the line,” she says. Her vision is for wearers to get the most mileage possible out of a piece—think two-toned mixed metals so you can wear the jewelry with anything, and multi-functional pieces like a ring that turns into a pendant. “Jewelry is expensive! It should work for you, and you should be able to use it in different ways,” she says. She also loves a bit of whimsy—she’s currently working on subtly pasta-inspired designs (read: not

Photo by Meredith Wing.

One of Chloe's designs.

macaroni-art!) like a bucatini bangle and rigatoni hoops. R E A C H O U T I F : You want help building a jewelry wardrobe, to learn how to style pieces together, to create meaningful heirlooms, or to reset pieces that are collecting dust in a drawer. “This is where jewelry lovers come together.” F I N D H E R AT : Chloe and her family spend the school year in Dorado, Puerto Rico, but you can find her in Westport during the summer, and all the time at chloezale.com or @chloezalecollective. CONTINUED >

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Photo by Katie Tuzmen with Brook Road Photography.

W H AT I N S P I R E S H E R : “Style should evolve as your life evolves,” says Maria. “Over the years, I noticed women were struggling because they were dressing for a version of themselves that no longer existed. I don’t believe women need to chase trends or dress younger. I believe we should dress intentionally for the life we have today. When your wardrobe reflects who you are, getting dressed becomes easier, and confidence naturally follows. The goal isn't to impress other people. It's to feel completely like yourself.” At 55, Maria fully embodies her style philosophy—for both her clients and herself. “At this point in my life, I care far more about feeling authentic than fashionable. Ironically, that’s often what makes someone look the most stylish.” KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR: Her borderline-therapeutic approach to shopping and dressing. “It’s never about the clothes. It’s the moment a client looks in the mirror and says, ‘This is so me.’ Helping someone reconnect with themselves is why I love what I do.” REACH OUT IF: You’re juggling your career, family, travel, social calendar, kids’ schedules, aging parents, or are going through a major life transition, and you just “want your wardrobe to keep up with the life you’ve built.” FIND HER AT: styledbymaria.com or on Instagram at @styledbymaria.stylist

Maria CASABIANCA personal stylist at Styled by Maria SPECIALTY: Personal stylist helping accomplished women 35–65 build wardrobes that reflect the life they've created H O W S H E G O T H E R E : Maria has always worked in fashion, from her first boutique job at 16, she went on to the Fashion Institute of Technology and spent 30 years in marketing leadership for brands like Saint Laurent, Michael Kors, and René Caovilla. In 2012, she opened a boutique, Bianca, in Westport. When she closed the store in 2017, “I realized what I loved most wasn’t selling clothes, it was helping people discover the confidence that comes from wearing the right clothes. That became the foundation of my styling business.” She launched Styled by Maria in 2022. Photo by Katie Tuzmen with Brook Road Photography.

T R E N D SE T T E R | STYL E + BE AU T Y

Justine TRUDEAU Photo by Beller-Jones Photography.

founder, Justine Alexandra Studio SPECIALTY: Expertly curated pre-loved (and new!) pieces from contemporary and ready-to-wear designers and one-on-one styling for your personal style edit HOW SHE GOT HERE: “I don’t think I ever officially ‘chose’ fashion or to enter the industry,” Justine tells Westport Lifestyle. “It just kept finding me!” Her fashion-world destiny dates back to shopping with her mom at a local boutique in Napa Valley, where she grew up. The owner was impressed with her eye, and hired Justine before she was even legally allowed to work, merchandising windows and displays and acting as a personal shopper. She moved to N.Y.C. to pursue musical theater and dance, but kept a day job at a men’s atelier selling made-to-measure suiting and was constantly styling her friends. She launched Justine Alexandra Studio in 2025 as a way to finally make it official. “What started as something I naturally did for friends eventually became a real job!” WHAT INSPIRES HER: Pre-loved fashion injected a much-needed dose of creativity back into Justine’s life, a welcome insert for a lifelong performer. “Social media has made fashion so accessible, which is awesome, but also incredibly uniform,” she says. “I started to feel like I was losing my creativity and looking like everyone else. Pre-loved fashion changed that. It encouraged me to build a wardrobe that feels personal, rather than algorithm-driven. The best wardrobes tell a story, and pre-loved pieces bring character and personality that you can’t find when everyone is shopping from the same pool.” KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR: Her preternatural ability to quickly zero in on your personal style and make unexpected combinations that feel true to you, even if she’s only known you for a few minutes. “I find it so empowering to help women feel confident, put together, and strong,” she says. “I love breaking down people’s ideas about what colors or prints they can wear, and seeing them feel proud of what they’re wearing.” She thinks of each client like an interior design process: rather than prescribe a set outfit formula, she considers whether the home is modern or historic. “It’s my job to find the best pieces for many different aesthetics.” REACH OUT IF: You need a unique outfit for an event or a fresh set of eyes to inject some color (pun intended) into your style. “I love a challenge. I’ll have a customer who needs an outfit for a weekend in Palm Beach or a disco-themed 40th birthday. You name it, I’ll find it!” FIND HER AT: Message @justine_alexandra_studio for trunk show information and one-on-one styling appointments. (Fun fact: she also teaches Pilates in the same space as her showroom!) CONTINUED >

Photo by Beller-Jones Photography. S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

Thomas WARDEN Oribe Signature Stylist, Greg & Tony Salon SPECIALTY: Expert hair color, specifically all things blonding, from blonde to bronde (brunettes looking for light-reflecting highlights and inflections) HOW HE GOT HERE: “I was definitely meant to be a hairstylist, that was evident since childhood,” Thomas says. “As a child my mom enjoyed making arts and crafts for local craft fairs. My family always says that with four kids, she had own assembly line. One kid stenciling, my mom on the jigsaw, another kid sanding, the other painting, and the last laying everything out to dry. So with this hands-on, creative upbringing, it was only a matter of time till I picked up scissors and starting cutting my siblings hair. My sister is my forever muse!” He arrived at Westport-based Greg & Tony Salon three years ago, where he was soon selected as an Oribe signature stylist by the top-tier haircare brand. “It’s an honor reserved for a very small group of stylists across the country,” explains September Sirico, Greg & Tony’s salon director. “Thomas was selected and recognized by the luxury brand for mastering expert product layering, precision cutting, and editorial styling techniques.”

WHAT INSPIRES HIM: Getting to know his clients on a personal level, which allows him to give them their “best hair ever.” “When I come up with a vision for a clients hair, it really comes from the more I get to know you, the better hair you’re going to have,” Thomas says. “I get to know if you’re someone who is bold and takes risks and will try edgier looks, or if you’re the CEO of a company and you want a subdued, soft power look, or if you’re someone who enjoys change and switches things up seasonally.” Thomas embodies the idea that great hairstylists are also great listeners. “My favorite moment is when someone turns around when we’re finished and says ‘this is the best hair I’ve ever had.’” KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR: His beautiful blonde work, of course, but Thomas can make any cut or color dreams a reality. “When I moved to Connecticut just a few years ago, I came without a clientele. At Greg & Tony, I built a clientele basically overnight, with a wonderful team, and made amazing relationships. I love being creative and working with my hands. There are times when I’m completely in the zone being creative, and my soul is thriving,” he says. “It’s a very fulfilling experience.” FIND HIM AT: Greg & Tony Ouidad Salon, where he takes appointments Tuesdays through Fridays (231 Post Road W., gregandtonysalon.com) or follow him at @t.isforthomas

T R E N D SE T T E R | STYL E + BE AU T Y

Photo by Allison Ginzburg.

Nitsan GREIF Founder & Designer, LivKhai Atelier SPECIALTY: Made-to-order bridalwear, celebration dressing, and flower girl dresses HOW SHE GOT HERE: “As long as I can remember, I’ve been sketching. Even as a child, every drawing I made was of women wearing dresses or outfits I had imagined,” Nitsan tells Westport Lifestyle. “I was fascinated by the way fabrics moved, the textures, the silhouettes, the craftsmanship, and the endless possibilities. I was constantly imagining how I could reinterpret what I was seeing through my own designs.” After attending Istituto Marangoni in London, where she got her BA in fashion design (with a focus on the technical aspects of patternmaking, tailoring, draping, and textile development), she started working for design teams. She interned with Mary Katrantzou and worked as a pattern maker in a sampling studio in London before moving to New York and joining Zac Posen, then Rosie Assoulin. Most recently, she worked as a consultant for brands including Ulla Johnson, Fleur du Mal, and Gabriela Hearst. But when she moved to Westport in 2023, LivKhai was born. “For the first time, I realized I couldn't pursue motherhood and my career in exactly the same way I had before,” she says. (The name of her atelier is a combination of her children’s middle names—Liv represents protection and resilience, and Khai comes from a Hebrew word meaning life.) “I decided to build something that allowed both parts of my life to exist together—where my experiences as a designer and as a mother could continually inspire one another.”

A LivKhai design. Photo by Carole Cohen.

WHAT INSPIRES HER: “My favorite part of the design process is always the beginning,” she says. “I love starting with a blank inspiration board and filling it with fabrics, materials, images, colors, and references that spark something.” That said, there’s nothing like watching one of her finalized, hand-crafted designs walk down the aisle. “I know that each piece will become part of someone's wedding day, wedding weekend, or another unforgettable celebration. In many ways, every dress carries a little piece of me with it, and I never take that responsibility lightly. Watching an idea slowly transform into something tangible—and eventually into a garment that becomes part of someone’s most meaningful memories—never stops feeling magical.” KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR: Her people-first approach to designing celebration wear. “One of my favorite parts of the process is helping [brides] slow down, listen to what they're really looking for, and guide them toward something that feels authentically like them—not simply what's trending,” says Nitsan. “Bridal is one of the most relationship-driven areas of fashion, and that's what I love. Meeting my brides, getting to know their families, and becoming part of such an important chapter of their lives is incredibly meaningful to me.”

REACH OUT IF: You want a timeless, unique, handcrafted piece for your most important lifecycle moments. “Bridal combines everything I enjoy about design: craftsmanship, artistry, a lot of technical knowledge, and a personal and emotional touch.” FIND HER AT: You can shop or make appointments for her Westport studio at livkhai.com, or follow @livkhai.atelier for more. CONTINUED >

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KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR: Her custom-blended formulas, tailored to each skin tone and type. “No two clients or skin tones are alike, so no two tans should be either,” she says. “I'm always testing new colors and formulas to make sure I'm offering the best possible product. My studio is designed to feel calm and personal, like a little pause in your day rather than a quick in-and-out appointment. That's the difference between a spray tan and your spray tan.” FIND HER AT: See her work and book appointments on Instagram @summerfeelstans or at summerfeels.com

Photo by Katie Tuzman/ Brook Road Photography

Christine GLAZER founder, Summer Feels Spray Tans SPECIALTY: Natural-looking, custom spray tans HOW SHE GOT HERE: Christine's background is in hospitality, where she learned that people remember how a moment made them feel long after they've forgotten the details. Spray tanning gave her a way to create that same feeling in a single appointment. "Spray tanning changed how I felt about myself," she says. "I loved the healthy glow, but even more, the confidence that came with it." She started spraying her friends, and seeing them feel that same carefree confidence inspired her to launch Summer Feels in 2026. "Summer isn't just a season," Christine says of the name. "It's a feeling." WHAT INSPIRES HER: True to the reason she started her business, she’s driven by helping people feel good in their own skin. “A spray tan is a simple luxury with a positive impact on someone’s mood,” she says. “And best of all, without any sun damage!”

T R E N D SE T T E R | STYL E + BE AU T Y

Photo by Katie Tuzman/ Brook Road Photography.

Photo by Monika Satur.

Kataryna PARCIAK Founder of Skin by Kataryna at Heal Spa SPECIALTY: Luxury skincare, longevity, and holistic skin wellness HOW SHE GOT HERE: Kataryna is originally from Poland, a culture that puts a huge emphasis on skin care starting at a young age. When she moved to the U.S., she started her career as an aesthetician, and opened her business seven years ago. It’s been expanding ever since, combining her deep bench of skincare knowledge and her medical background (she’s also a registered nurse) into a unique, transformative skincare spa. “I love combining resultsdriven treatments with a holistic, nurturing approach,” she says. “True beauty begins with overall well-being.”

WHAT INSPIRES HER: “Curation is at the heart of everything I do,” she says. “ I choose luxury skincare lines that are internationally respected for their science, innovation, and clinical results, including MBR, Valmont, Biologique Recherche, and Forlle’d from Japan. I personally work with every line before bringing it into the spa to ensure it reflects both the quality and philosophy of Heal Spa.” She applies that curatorial philosophy to her clients, too: “Every recommendation is tailored to the individual. I look beyond the skin itself and consider lifestyle, stress, environmental factors, and overall well-being. My goal is always to create a thoughtful, personalized plan that evolves with each client’s needs.” KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR: Her newest offering, the Danish hair regrowth system Harklinikken. “Harklinikken aligns beautifully with my philosophy, because it’s highly personalized and focused on long-term scalp and hair health,” Kataryna says. “A customized botanical extract is formulated specifically for each client. It’s not about a quick fix—it’s about restoring balance to the scalp and creating the ideal environment for healthy hair growth over time. I appreciate that the approach is both science-driven and gentle, which reflects the way I approach skincare and overall wellness.” REACH OUT IF: You want healthier, younger-looking skin and hair, tailored exactly to your lifestyle. F I N D H E R AT: Make appointments by visiting heal-spa.com, or follow @skinbykataryna to learn more. CONTINUED >

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The team at Old Stud Handmade: Josh, Jason, Karen, and Gene.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR: No exaggeration, the most unique belts and leather cuffs you’ve ever seen. There’s a reason these belts have been spotted on stars like Mick Jagger, Anne Hathaway, and Madonna. There are thousands of options, and something for everyone. “They’re all made by hand, and in a wide array of styles,” says Gene. There isn’t an element that you can’t customize, whether that’s swapping out a buckle, adding studding, re-sizing, or creating something from scratch. “No two belts we make are exactly alike,” says Gene. REACH OUT IF: You love vintage, the one-of-a-kind experience of customizing an item, or unique personalized gifts. (Gene says a popular move is getting custom belts with a through-line for groups like family reunions.)

Old Stud HANDMADE BELTS AND CUFFS SPECIALTY: Vintage-inspired, true vintage, and fully custom leather belts and cuffs made by hand on-site in their Norwalk studio.

FIND THEM AT: The Studio Shop is open Wednesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5 Silver St. in Norwalk. You can also shop online at oldstudhandmade.com. Their leather products are also currently available at 15 specialty boutiques around the U.S., including Bodega Nantucket on Nantucket, Henry Lehr in the Hamptons, and Free Agency New York in N.Y.C.

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Jeff Fuller originally founded his Los Angeles-based brand, Old Stud Handmade, in the late 1980s to sell his vintage-inspired designs, items from his extensive genuine vintage collection, and customized leather belts and cuffs. Jeff was also an avid collector of vintage Levi’s jeans, and after he sold his treasure trove of denim – more than 50,000 pairs – to Levi Strauss & Co for its archive (at a very significant sum) in 2018, he stopped working on Old Stud Handmade. As for how the brand ended up in Connecticut? It’s one of those all-roads-lead-to Westport stories: Alex Lehr, owner of American Colors by Henry Lehr on the Post Road, was visiting Jeff Fuller in California two years ago when Jeff mentioned that Old Stud Handmade was for sale. (Alex carries a selection of vintage Levi’s in his shop.) Alex brought the opportunity to his landlord, Westporter Jim Randel, who liked the idea and bought the business. He brought it – and every last one of Jeff’s belts and leather hides—back to the East Coast. Jim then partnered with Gene Manheim, and they brought on experienced craftspeople to work in their newly established Norwalk studio space. “We are picking up where Jeff left off and doing it on a bigger scale by launching the company’s first-ever website, and broadening the wholesale footprint,” says Gene. The company also opened a special Studio Shop at the factory, where locals can browse the enormous selection of belts. A small selection of belts at Old Stud Handmade's studio in Norwalk.

T R E N D SE T T E R | STYL E + BE AU T Y

Photo by Gately Williams.

Alexandra WILLINGER COHEN founder, The Curation by Alex SPECIALTY: Tailored style advice and inspiration from a former buying director HOW SHE GOT HERE: Alex credits her mom for nurturing her creativity: “My free-spirited mom always allowed me to dress myself, which often meant backwards t-shirts, florals with stripes, and mismatched socks,” she says. “Looking back, it taught me that getting dressed is a form of self-expression and that style has the power to make you feel more confident.” So it was no surprise that she found a career in the fashion industry, working with brands like Bergdorf Goodman and Intermix across a range of roles including buying, merchandising, brand partnerships, marketing, and retail strategy. She and her family—her husband, two sons, and twin daughters—moved to Westport from Brooklyn Heights on "something of a whim,” she says: she remembered being charmed by the town when she had visited years earlier to open the Intermix that used to sit on Main Street. Since relocating, she launched The Curation by Alex, where she shares “thoughtfully edited finds, to make great style feel approachable through Instagram, Substack, curated shopping events, and personal styling.”

One of Alex’s styled looks.

WHAT INSPIRES HER: “My goal has never been to encourage people to buy more—it's to help them buy better,” Alex says. “I love introducing people to beautiful, well-made pieces they'll reach for again and again, whether they're investment staples or more affordable finds.” That ethos is grounded by her life as an on-the-go mom of four: “I'm always thinking about what actually works,” she says. “Pieces that are versatile, comfortable, polished, and worth the investment. I also love discovering emerging brands and sharing hidden gems that people may not know about yet. Very few things get me more excited than finding a dress or sweater that I instantly know I have to have. Fashion should be fun. My philosophy is that getting dressed should feel easy, and when your closet is thoughtfully curated, it usually does.” KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR: Her commitment to cohesion in a wardrobe, which helps make getting dressed effortless while still maintaining an elevated point-of-view. “Like most moms, my days are busy and unpredictable. What helps is having a closet filled with pieces that work together,” she says. "I don't spend much time deciding what to wear because I've built a wardrobe around things I love that mix and match. Getting dressed is something I genuinely enjoy, and even on hectic days, putting on an outfit I feel good in gives me a little boost of confidence and energy. Sometimes that's all you need.” FIND HER AT: “I always joke that I wasn’t born for the Instagram/selfie era, but you can usually find me on Instagram at @thecurationbyalex or on Substack, where I share style inspiration, shopping edits, beauty favorites, home finds, and the occasional glimpse into family life,” she says. Additionally, she has hosted in-person curated shopping events bringing new brands to Fairfield County, and plans to continue these pop-ups. She also has personal styling services available. Follow or reach out for more information. S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

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5 YEARS OF The Exchange Project

THE WESTPORT-BASED SUSTAINABLE FASHION PLATFORM CELEBRATES ITS FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF HELPING SHOPPERS HELP THE PLANET. ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY RACKEAR

LOCA L’S C H OICE | STYL E + BE AU T Y

When Westporter Carly Ridloff launched The Exchange Project five years ago, “it was a small event with 20 women,” she tells Westport Lifestyle. The concept, back then, was that women would bring clothes that they no longer wore to “swaps,” exchanging them with other stylish attendees to refresh their wardrobes sustainably. Carly, whose background is as a learning specialist in special education, has always loved fashion and style. She had a lightbulb moment when she got a $4 check from The RealReal after selling some of her items. “I was like ‘I can do better than this,’” she says. “That was really what created this. The Exchange Project is highly curated fashion, while also making an impact on keeping clothes in circulation and diverting from landfills.” Those early swap events, held in backyards in Westport during the shadow of the pandemic, have grown into something more than Carly could ever have imagined. “Everything we have done has been in response to what people need,” she explains. “We started off doing the swap events, and then people wanted to know if we could sell things for them. So we built a consignment platform. And they wanted to drop things off before the events. So we added ongoing drops, which led to all of our distribution channels.” These days, The Exchange Project (aka TEP) is three-pronged: there is luxury consignment, which can be shopped online (theexchangeproject. com) or by appointment at their showroom; retail events, now called ReTEP events, centered around stylish clothes that may not have a luxury resale value, which function similarly to the OG swap events—drop off your unwanted items, the TEP team will edit the pieces, and for every one they take, you get a credit to bring something new home; and CONTINUED >

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donation. “We work with the women at the Malta House [a facility in Norwalk that provides housing and support to pregnant and parenting mothers] to make sure they not only have clothes, but items to give as gifts,” explains Carly. “So we are never giving you a bag back. We have distribution channels for everything you give us.” Above all, Carly’s goal is to keep clothes that still have life in them living— and out of landfills. “We've changed the relationship people have with their closets. Now instead of seeing clutter they can see value." The team has grown to five, and there are TEP events all up and down the East Coast. “The biggest thing I’ve learned is that the clothes are the conduit, and the connections and community are really what’s happening,” says Carly. That’s probably because TEP events are fun. “Our collaborations right now are more robust than ever, and often have nothing to do with clothes. It’s like-minded people who want to bring people together.” The data backs it up: Carly says 90 percent of their sales happen at in-person events. “People want to try things on. They want to be styled. They want that connection,” she says. The showroom appointments, too, have that shoppingwith-your-girlfriends feeling: the intake form where shoppers give their sizing also asks about upcoming events and vacations to help the TEP team style complete looks that really suit each customer’s life. "In a world of endless inventory and algorithm-driven shopping, we've become trusted editors,” Carly says. “My favorite thing, still, is going through bags of

clothes. It’s like: what treasures did we get today?” What has set The Exchange Project apart is that level of curation that can only come from human taste, not an algorithm trying to emulate style. “We are actually the look for less, because we’re not compromising quality,” says Carly. If the last five years have been explosive, there’s more to come. “There’s so much room for growth,” Carly says. “We’ve built the infrastructure, and now we want to be able to serve more people.” (They already ship nationwide.) As for what’s next, “we want people to be able to track everything that’s happening in our movement,” Carly says. “To see how many donations they’ve made. To see how many items you diverted from a landfill.” It’s all part of the greater TEP mission to make style more sustainable. “There are so many items of clothing on this planet,” says Carly. “We are just working on keeping them in circulation and getting them to where they need to go. The bigger vision is creating an ecosystem where every item has a next chapter, and where shopping becomes more intentional, more curated, and ultimately more joyful.”

“The Exchange Project is highly curated fashion, keeping clothes in circulation and diverting from landfills.”

LOCA L’S CH OICE | STYL E + BE AU T Y

Want to join the movement? The next reTEP event, celebrating their 5 year anniversary, will be held at The Content Studio of Westport on September 17th. Tickets, $200. at theexchangeproject.com/ collections/events . To shop or consign with The Exchange Project, visit theexchangeproject.com

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MORE THAN

a Bag

A BLEND OF FASHION AND FUNCTION 50

FASH ION F OR WA R D | STYLE + BE AU T Y

A purse does more than hold your phone, keys, and wallet. It quietly pulls an outfit together while also handling the practical side of everyday life. That balance between fashion and function is what makes a great purse feel less like an accessory and more like part of a personal style. Some bags are designed to stand out. A bold color, metallic detail, or structured shape can instantly become the statement piece of an outfit. Even with simple jeans and a white T-shirt, the right purse adds personality and intention. Other times, a purse works best when it blends in. Neutral tones, soft leather, or minimalist designs create a polished look without stealing attention from the rest of the outfit. These subtle bags are often the ones people reach for every day because they work with almost everything. CONTINUED >

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Of course, style only goes so far if a purse is impractical. The best bags are the ones that fit real life. A roomy tote helps someone move from work meetings to errands without missing a beat. Even a small clutch has a purpose for evenings out when only the essentials matter. Fashion trends may change every season, but the role of a purse stays the same. It adapts while still serving a purpose. That’s why people often invest in bags they truly love. A good purse is dependable, but it also can make a fashion statement. In many ways, a purse is one of the few accessories that people use every single day. It carries necessities, reflects personal style, and can completely change the tone of an outfit. Whether bold and eye-catching or simple and understated, a purse proves that fashion and function can exist beautifully together.

FASH ION F OR WA R D | STYLE + BE AU T Y

FASHION TRENDS MAY CHANGE EVERY SEASON, BUT THE ROLE OF A PURSE STAYS THE SAME. S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

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Bill Taibe.

Th e annual f undraiser for Th e Nor walk Ar t Sp a ce c elebrates ever y th ing that m akes it gr e at.

THREE CHEERS FOR ARTS BASH ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY

2026 is a big year for The Norwalk Art Space. The nonprofit, which provides underrepresented artists with free mentorship, studios and exhibition space in exchange for teaching students receiving no-cost arts education, turned five in June, and they are hosting their third annual Arts Bash fundraiser on September 24. This year, which they’ve titled “5 Years of Feeding Passions,” they’ll be honoring Bill Taibe, the visionary restaurateur behind Kawa Ni, and, not coincidentally, The Norwalk Art Space Café. “It’s a tremendous honor,” Bill tells Westport Lifestyle.

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | FO OD + BE VE RAGE

Bill got involved with The Norwalk Art Space almost immediately from its inception. “We were just coming out of COVID, and I got a random email from the daughters of Alexandra D. Korry [the late visionary who founded The Norwalk Art Space],” says Bill. “Now, I get a lot of random emails. But this one told the story of what their mother had wanted to create, and that they were looking for a culinary leader to help them with the café element. It piqued my interest.” He agreed to meet, and as soon as he saw the space, he was on board. “It was immediately something I wanted to be a part of. I felt like it was going to give me as much as I could give them.” Bill tapped two proven alumnae from his team— Caitlin McGowan, who had worked at many of Bill’s restaurants, including Jesup Hall and Don Memo, and Kelly Clement, who was the manager of Kawa Ni at the time— to helm the project as the executive chef and general manager, respectively. “It was just this perfect combination of good people coming together,” he says. “Everybody understood the mission, and everybody was happy to do it.” From the get-go, Bill says, Caitlin and Kelly became “the heartbeat of the café,” pouring blood, sweat, and tears into making the operation successful (other than donations, the café is the Art Space’s main source of funds, and all proceeds after paying the staff go back into the organization). And while, yes, the creative, delectable sandwiches, salads, and baked goods bearing the food-world pedigree of Bill Taibe and his team might get people in the door, the ever-humble Bill says that “pales in comparison to what is really happening in this building.” “Maybe people are here because of the café,” admits Bill. “But honestly, the reason we are all here is because of the mission, and what Alexandra wanted to do. We are so fortunate in this community. If we don’t use all our resources to help the folks— especially the children—around us, then what are we really doing?”

Bill Taibe with The Norwalk Art Space Café team: Caitlin McGowan, Andrea Dinan, and Kelly Clement.

“The Norwalk Art Space was immediately something I wanted to be a part of,” says this year's Arts Bash honoree Bill Taibe. Arts Bash 2025.

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Zoonotic Tonic by Mia Brownwell.

“We are so fortunate in this community. If we don’t use all our resources to help the folks around us, then what are we doing?” 58

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | FO OD + BE VE RAGE

Arts Bash 2025.

“We want to make sure the kids are fed, and not only with art,” says Bill. Even as Bill began spending less time in Connecticut—he opened an outpost of Kawa Ni in Denver in 2023, and left Don Memo and The Whelk last year—his commitment to The Norwalk Art Space Café never wavered. “There’s something so special about it,” he says. “It anchors everybody that gets involved with it.” In fact, Bill’s connection to the Art Space is a key component of one of their newest initiatives: he is also the president of the board of the Westport Farmer’s Market, and, in collaboration with director Lori Cochran-Dougall and the WFM, they launched “Fueling Creativity.” The new program will offer after-school meals once a week for students taking classes at the Art Space, with the ingredients donated by the WFM and prepared by Caitlin, Kelly, and their team. “We want to make sure the kids are fed, and not only with art,” says Bill. “These kids will go home with a full stomach and feeling good about themselves.” Honoring Bill this year was a no-brainer for the Art Space, but as he puts it, this recognition is really about all the people who have helped the café, and therefore the Space itself, thrive. “At this point in my life, I’m trying to create opportunities for great people who work hard to flourish,” Bill says. “Watching [Caitlin and Kelly] navigate this, and make it work, is remarkable—and inspiring.” To purchase tickets to the 2026 Arts Bash on September 24th at 6:00 p.m., visit thenorwalkartspace.org/arts-bash The Norwalk Art Space relies on donations from readers like you: 40 percent of the children who attend their classes live at or below the poverty line. To learn more or make a donation, visit thenorwalkartspace.org.

Mariner by Wende Caporale-Greene.

THE NORWALK ART SPACE SEPTEMBER EXHIBITION PREVIEW: ABUNDANCE

In tandem with honoring Bill, the Art Space will be showcasing work that explores the intersection of food, art, community, and culture in a free exhibition titled ABUNDANCE. The exhibition runs September 3 through November 5, and features work from artists including Mia Bronwell, a New York/ Connecticut based painter known for her sci-fi still lifes depicting classic food tableaus with a contemporary lens, and Wende Caporale-Greene, a Connecticut-based, nationally-recongnized Master Pastelist whose works, The Art of Feeding Community, showcase the people who grow and prepare the fresh food close to home. S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

The Power of Discovery At King School, students ask big questions, explore ideas, and take ownership of their learning. That’s how engagement grows. That’s how students fall in love with learning. And those skills go far beyond the classroom. They shape how children solve problems, adapt to change, and take on any challenge with confidence and purpose.

LEARN HOW YOUR CHILD CAN THRIVE AT KING.

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King School is a PreK-12 independent, co-ed day school located in northern Stamford that educates students of Fairfield and Westchester counties.

DISCOVERY IN ACTION: Snacks became scientific models as Chemistry students explored isotopes and atomic mass through hands-on learning.

ARTICLE BY STACY LEACH PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Wear Colors That Truly

LOVE YOU A quick guide to finding flattering shades for life. KNOW YOUR UNDERTONE Your undertone doesn’t change with the seasons. Check your wrist veins: blue means cool, green means warm, and unclear may be neutral. Cool tones love jewel colors; warm tones glow in earthy, rich shades.

CONSIDER CONTRAST Do you have high contrast between your hair, skin, and eyes (like dark hair and light skin)? High contrast looks great in bold, clear colors. Low contrast (like blonde hair and fair skin)? Softer, blended tones often suit you best.

THE WHITE VS. CREAM TEST Hold a white and ivory shirt near your face. If white flatters, you're likely cool-toned. If ivory glows against your skin, you're likely warm-toned. This quick test reveals your undertone with ease.

BUILD AROUND YOUR “WOW” COLORS Once you identify a few colors that make you look and feel amazing, use those as the base of your palette. These are your power colors—build your wardrobe and makeup around them!

PRO TIP You don’t have to follow rules perfectly. Your color palette is a guide, not a limit. Mix, match, and most importantly— wear what makes you feel beautiful.

I NSP IR E D BY | STYL E + B E AU T Y

S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

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A DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO PREPPING YOUR HOUSE FOR SALE ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENN CYPRESS FROM DWELLING PHOTOGRAPHY

HOW TO CREATE A HOME THAT LOOKS BOTH LIVED-IN AND READY FOR NEW OWNERS. Even though this room is mostly neutrals, the colored and textured accents make it feel vibrant.

H OW TO | HO ME + DES I GN

“There’s a balance between wanting the house not to feel blank, and for it not to feel too personal,” says Lindsay. This is our annual Style issue, and style, of course, isn’t just about clothes: it can translate into the kind of car you drive, the way you wear your hair, and how you choose to decorate your home. Personal style in interior design is a crucial way of making a space feel like yours. But what about when you’re ready for the house to belong to someone else? What kind of style should a house getting ready to hit the market have? Jodi Rae Ryan and Lindsay Kate Bilchik of LJI Design.

A new light fixture makes a room feel modern.

To answer this question, Westport Lifestyle turned to Jodi Rae Ryan and Lindsay Kate Bilchik, the sisters behind LJI Design, a boutique interior design firm partially based in Westport (Lindsay lives here; Jodi is based in Needham, Mass.). “There’s a balance between wanting the house not to feel blank, and for it not to feel too personal,” says Lindsay. “I find that people who walk into homes that have been staged by builders often get a sense that it feels cold, and they can’t picture themselves living there.” Here, Lindsay and Jodi gave us tips on how to achieve that delicate balance, and get your house aesthetically ready for sale.

BRACE THAT YOU’LL SPEND A LITTLE First, a disclaimer: getting your house ready can be done simply and for very little money, but it does still require some spend. “If you want to make as much as you can on the house, you do need to invest a little bit,” says Lindsay. Talk to your real estate agent to figure out what the right amount to spend is: “They’re really good at guiding you about what [improvements are] worth it, and what it will do to the value of your home,” says Lindsay. If you know your budget is limited, focus on the highest-value areas: the kitchen, the family room, and the primary bedroom. There should also be sufficient time in your budget: Lindsay and Jodi recommend six to eight weeks of prep to get your house ready for showings, including not just redecorating touches but thorough cleaning, removing unwanted items, and reducing clutter. (“Make sure your closets don’t look completely full—you don’t want your buyer thinking there’s not enough storage!” Lindsay says.) CONTINUED >

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LOOK AT YOUR HOUSE OBJECTIVELY This can be hard, but trying to take inventory of pieces that you may have that are out of date, or don’t quite work in a room, can be a really useful exercise to know where to direct your staging efforts, so to speak. Don’t be afraid to bring in a professional to help: “Sometimes you may want to ask someone who doesn’t have an emotional connection to your house and ask their opinion,” says Jodi. Once you identify the spots you want to improve, “you can take an eyesore in your house, and instead of trashing or demoing it, a coat of paint and new hardware can give it new life,” says Lindsay. (See right for an example of a heavy bar that Lindsay and Jodi redid.) “That can really transform a room.” Another example: an easy, inexpensive way to update a space is by changing basic "builder-grade" light fixtures to something with more style, Linsday and Jodi explain, to add personality to the home.

H OW TO | HO ME + DES I GN

Vases, flowers, and books give a room a lived-in energy without being too personal.

The bar, before.

The bar, after.

The office, before.

The office, after.

USE ACCESSORIES TO CREATE A LIVED-IN FEELING “Buyers don’t want to walk into a big white box. They want to see that life happens there,” says Jodi. Things like artwork, pottery, candles, pillows, and throws can add texture, color, and visual interest. “The accents bring the color and the life without being too personal,” says Lindsay.

WHEN IN DOUBT, PAINT Lindsay and Jodi point to a project where an office with custom, handcrafted built-ins was left in a raw oak, giving the whole room a cabin-like feeling that wasn’t necessarily universally appealing. “All we did was paint it, change the hardware, and put some wallpaper in the cabinets,” Lindsay says. “It was nothing special, but it completely transformed the room.”

IMAGINE YOUR FUTURE BUYER “We try and think about who is going to be moving into the house: a young family? An older couple who is downsizing?” explains Lindsay. If you can imagine the kind of buyer that makes the most sense for your space, it can inform whether you put a few colorful toys or a yoga mat in a bonus room. “Thinking about what they would be looking for or feeding off of [and incorporating those elements] makes someone pay attention to the space a little more,” says Jodi. LJI Design is a sister-run boutique interior design firm. They focus on trends in material and design, taking inspiration from the fashion and interiors world in new and unexpected ways—prior to joining Lindsay in the interior design world, Jodi worked in fashion and product design. The two teamed up in 2020. Lindsay lives with her husband, two sons, and her dog in Westport, Connecticut. Jodi lives in Needham, Massachusetts, with her husband and two daughters. For more information about LJI Design or to book a consult, visit ljidesign.com.

Talk to your real estate agent to figure out what the right amount to spend is: “They’re really good at guiding you about what [improvements are] worth it, and what it will do to the value of your home,” says Lindsay.

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CULINARY• EVENTS • LIFESTYLE

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES | ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK HOME OF RYAN AND HILLARY BADER For years, the rule was simple. Pick a palette, pick an aesthetic, and let it carry through every room. The allwhite kitchen led to the all-white living room led to the all-white everything. That era is over. The most interesting homes right now are doing something braver. They’re letting each room hold its own mood. What ties them together isn’t a single look. It’s the materials they keep coming back to: warm brass, sculptural lighting, marble, stained wood, and quiet neutrals holding it all together. We toured one home that gets it exactly right, and pulled out ideas worth borrowing.

H OM E U P DAT E | HO M E + D E SIGN

2. SCULPTUR AL CALM One bold gesture in a quiet room. Everything in this great room is whispering, from the cream walls to the linen sectional to the chandelier’s delicate brass rings. And then a tree, reaching toward the coffered ceiling like it grew there on purpose. When the rest of the room is quiet, the boldest thing you can put in it is something alive.

1. RESORT ENERGY Outdoor rooms designed with the rigor of interiors. This isn’t a backyard. It’s a destination. From the lined-up lounge chairs to the scalloped umbrellas to the greenstriped pillows repeating across the deck. The lesson here is to stop treating outdoor furniture as an afterthought. Pick a palette and commit.

3. MOODY MODERN Dark dining rooms are back, and better than ever. Bold taupe walls, an oval black table, sleek chairs, and an oversized round mirror standing in for art. The bright, airy dining room had its decade. Now bring on the supper club.

CONTINUED >

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4. WAR M MODER N The all-white kitchen meets warm wood. Cream cabinetry stays, because the light it gives you is hard to beat. But the island gets a stained wood treatment that grounds the whole space. Brass pendants and hardware add glow. Velvet stools soften the lines. This is the kitchen the next decade is building toward.

H OM E U P DAT E | HO M E + D E SIGN

6. BUILT FOR PLAY Rooms that don’t apologize for being fun. A game table under a crystal chandelier. A leather club chair next to a telescope. A theater tucked in around the corner. The best entertaining spaces are the ones built for actual use, not just for looking at.

5. THE JEWEL BOX Small spaces, big swing. Antiqued mercury glass, a brass faucet, fluted glass cabinets, golden pulls on crisp white shakers. The idea is to treat your tucked-away corners (bars, powder rooms, butler’s pantries) as the place to take your most theatrical swing. The smaller the room, the bolder you can be.

7. COLOR COCOON Saturated color in rooms meant for rest. Deep sage-spruce walls, ivory bedding, an antiqued mirror catching the shutter light. Proof that calm doesn’t have to mean beige. Color, used right, is the most restful thing you can put in a room. Find your shade and let it hold you.

Different rooms, different moods, one home. The new rule, it turns out, is that there doesn’t have to be one. S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

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ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROXANNE MCHATTEN

The sport is open to anyone who wants to learn at The Hunt Club— and it’s not as intimidating as you might think.

Polo, Anyone? When you think of polo, you might conjure an image of upper-crust equestrians on thoroughbreds, galloping along the grounds at the tony Greenwich Polo Club. But slightly closer to home, at The Hunt Club, polo is open to anyone who wants to play it. “If you’ve ever had an interest in trying it, you can come to The Hunt Club,” Erin Ade Real, a volunteer and member at The Hunt Club, tells Westport Lifestyle. While yes, The Hunt Club is a private club, Erin explains that even non-members can take up to six lessons, and there are junior riding and riding-only memberships available for those who’d like to continue. All of this is done under the guidance of Senter Johnson, a star collegiate polo player and Westport dad who recently became the head of the club’s polo program. Westport Lifestyle spoke to Senter about why he believes polo is for everyone—and his case for why you should give it a try.

G E T ACT IV E | L I FE + C ULT U RE

WL: PEOPLE SOMETIMES HAVE AN IMPRESSION OF POLO AS STUFFY. HAS THAT BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE?

SJ: There are the Sunday games with the tailgates and the competitive matches and the fun parties. But there are also the games where you play, and you hang out afterwards and have a mate [a traditional tea from Argentina, where the sport is most popular] and talk about horses. And it’s quiet and calm—kind of the opposite of the champagne and sundresses. That’s the vibe we want to create at The Hunt Club: low-key, casual, jeans-and-a-t-shirt kind of polo. CONTINUED >

Senter playing polo.

WESTPORT LIFESTYLE: TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND—HOW DID YOU FIRST START PLAYING POLO?

Senter Johnson: My whole family is British, and we would go to England every summer. When I was about 10, I started playing in what’s called the Pony Club, their youth polo program. [Senter’s father, Charles Senter Johnson Sr., was also on a team.] It was just so much fun to me. When a horse is running fast, it’s exhilarating. It made me fall in love [with the sport]. But polo wasn’t something I did in the U.S. until I found out you could play in college, and I got recruited to play at Cornell. I was a twotime All-American, and we won the national championship. That was when I got really serious about it.

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“THERE ARE THE SUNDAY GAMES WITH THE TAILGATES AND THE COMPETITIVE MATCHES AND THE FUN PARTIES. BUT THERE ARE ALSO GAMES WHERE IT’S QUIET AND CALM—KIND OF THE OPPOSITE OF THE CHAMPAGNE AND SUNDRESSES. THAT’S THE VIBE WE WANT TO CREATE AT THE HUNT CLUB: LOW-KEY, CASUAL, JEANSAND-A-T-SHIRT KIND OF POLO.”

G E T ACT IV E | L I FE + C ULT U RE

WL: THAT’S A GREAT SEGUE—TELL ME ABOUT YOUR NEW ROLE AS HEAD OF POLO THERE.

SJ: I moved to Westport in 2017, after founding and running the polo program at the University of Miami. When I got here, I connected with Erin and her husband, who were running the program at the time, but it really had been more or less dormant for almost the last 30 years. So they asked me to come in and spread the word.

WL: WHAT SHOULD BEGINNERS KNOW IF THEY’RE INTERESTED IN TRYING THE SPORT?

SJ: There is no easier horse to ride on than a polo pony. [Editor’s note: “Polo pony” is the traditional term, but the horses are full-size/grown.] They’re extremely calm, and the horse is like a helicopter joystick: if you want to go left, move your hand to the left. If you want to go right, move your hand to the right. And then just try to hit the ball! It’s also extremely casual, which no one would assume. It’s open to all ages and skill levels, and all generations can play together. We’re building a youth program, and last year we had our first official Staples High School polo player, as one of our riders got a P.E. credit for one semester. So show up in your jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt, and we’ll take care of the rest.

WL: I KNOW YOUR HOPE IS THAT MORE PEOPLE TRY POLO FOR THE FIRST TIME. WHAT’S THE MOST GRATIFYING PART ABOUT HELPING A BEGINNER LEARN THE SPORT?

SJ: I love when someone gets comfortable on a horse. When they stop being nervous and realize: this is fun. I like seeing that switch flip from nervous learning to this is what I do to relax now. When I see someone come in stressed from work and the day, and they get on the horse, and it all fades away? That’s what it’s all about. The Hunt Club’s 2026 polo season runs through October. To sign up for lessons or learn more, visit fairfieldhuntclub.com

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Lev Herskovitz Registered Client Service Associate

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HOW Westport IS HONORING 9/11 It’s hard to believe that this year marks 25 years since the September 11th, 2001 attacks. Many Westporters lost or know someone who lost someone on that tragic day, and four Westporters were killed in the attacks: Jonathan Uman, Keith Coleman, Scott Coleman, and Bradley Vadas. With this milestone anniversary, the town honors their legacy, the legacy of the service men and women who stepped up in the aftermath, and the promise we all made a quarter of a century ago to never forget. Catch A Lift Fund The Catch A Lift Fund, an organization that supports combat-injured veterans through fitness, emotional wellness, nutrition, and community, is hosting their 12th annual Connecticut fundraiser on September 9th. “2026 is a particularly meaningful year as we mark the 25th remembrance of September 11th and celebrate America's 250th birthday. Here in Connecticut, and especially in Fairfield County, the impact of 9/11 remains deeply personal. This event is an opportunity to reflect, remember, and honor the men and women who stepped forward to serve in the years that followed. We felt it was appropriate to bring it back as a gala, which is how we started,” explains Westporter Adam Vengrow, vice president of Catch A Lift's board of directors. Catch A Lift, Adam explains, was founded in honor of Army Corporal Chris Coffland, who was killed in action in Afghanistan. Today, the organization supports more than 15,000 post-9/11 combat-injured veterans and caregivers nationwide through fitness, wellness, and community programs. The gala will bring combat wounded veterans of Catch A Lift to share their stories and words, gathering guests and supporters at the newly-reopened Inn at Longshore for cocktails and a convivial atmosphere. “For more than a decade, the Fairfield County community has played a special role in supporting this mission and welcoming veterans from across the country,” Adam says. “We have an expression: from pain to purpose. A lot of great people go and serve, and they get wounded. It’s on us to take care of them and honor them.” For tickets and more information, visit catchaliftfund.org

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A previous Catch A Lift event. Photo courtesy Catch A Lift/Adam Vengrow.

Paulie passing the Levitt Pavilion. Photo courtesy Paulie’s Push.

A previous Catch A Lift event. Photo courtesy Catch A Lift/Adam Vengrow.

The Westport Library Also on September 9th, The Westport Library welcomes memoirist Adam Axler, a former firefighter, Ground Zero paramedic, and physician’s assistant. Adam’s book, American Triage: From 9/11 to Fahrenheit 451, includes a harrowing, real-time account of September 11th itself, and how the day changed his future. Adam will appear in the Trefz Forum to discuss his book. Tickets are free, to register visit westportlibrary.org CONTINUED >

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Paulie at Ground Zero. Photo courtesy Paulie’s Push.

Sherwood Island State Park Connecticut’s living 9/11 Memorial is located in Westport’s Sherwood Island State Park (the Twin Towers were, on a clear day, visible from the spot where it now sits). The memorial bears the names of 150+ people who perished that day, all either from Connecticut or with close ties to the state. The annual statewide ceremony is held at the memorial and takes place on the Thursday before 9/11—this year’s is September 10th—so that families who’d like to attend the event at Ground Zero may also do so. Traditionally, parking fees at Sherwood Island are also waived on September 11th itself. For more information, visit ctparks.com The Westport Fire Department “Each year, our dispatchers broadcast a narrative of that morning’s events over our radio system for all on‑duty personnel to hear,” explains Fire Chief Nicholas Marsan. “We've continued that tradition since the first anniversary.” While the broadcast is only for on-duty members of the WFD, the tradition speaks to the strong ties this community has to the 9/11 First Responders, and the way Westport has honored their legacy and memory. Paulie’s Push This year marks the final trip for retired United Airlines flight attendant Paul Veneto, who has, for the last four years, pushed an airline service cart on foot “more than 750 miles along routes symbolizing the flight paths of the four aircraft hijacked on September 11th, 2001.” The push honors the "first, first responders:" the flight attendants and crew members aboard the hijacked planes. Paulie’s journey began at the 9/11 Memorial in the Public Garden in Boston on August 15th, and he is expected to pass through Westport on September 4th, including a stop at the Westport Fire Department. (His journey travels along the Post Road if you’d like to catch a

O UR TOWN | L I FE + C ULT U RE

glimpse.) When he arrives at Ground Zero on September 11th, he will have completed more than 1,000 miles in total. This year, for the first time, there are opportunities to get involved and push alongside Paulie as he completes his heroic journey, as four additional beverage carts have been donated to represent each of the four planes. “While Paulie will continue to push to honor the flight crews of 9/11, this year he’ll strive to honor all those who died that day, as well as featuring the spirit and tenacity of those who survived, those who continue to grieve, and those who continue to honor all who were lost,” his press team said in a statement. You can view his up-to-date itinerary at pauliespush.com/25years, and see Paulie’s location along the route each day at pauliespush. com/map. To get involved or learn more, visit pauliespush.com

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SEPTEMBER 2026

events A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LO C A L E V E N T S

SEPTEMBER 2ND

Saugatuck Scribes: “My Lethal Obesession” Book Launch with Carl Wistriech The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Rd. 7:00 PM Local author Carl Wistriech debuts his new twisty thriller, My Lethal Obsession, as part of the Library's Saugatuck Scribes series. Free, register at westportlibrary.org SEPTEMBER 4 TH

The Magic of Michael Grandinetti: Master Illusionist

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EVE N TS

Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Ct. | 8:00 PM Master Illusionist Michael Grandinetti, star of NBC’s The World’s Greatest Magic, The CW’s Masters of Illusion, and POP’s Don’t Blink, will bring his illusions to the WCP stage, including levitation, teleportation, mind reading, and more. Tickets, from $55, at westportplayhouse.org

S E P T E M BE R 9 T H

12th Annual Connecticut Catch A Lift Benefit The Inn at Longshore, 260 Compo Rd. S. | 6:30 PM Supporting combat-injured veterans, the 12th annual Catch A Lift Fund's Connecticut benefit will honor service members in light of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. For more information on the event, see page 84. Tickets, $250, at catchaliftfund.org S E P T E M BE R 9 T H

“American Triage” with Adam Axler The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Rd. 7:00 PM Former Ground Zero paramedic and physician assistant turned bookseller, Adam Axler, chronicles his own experiences on 9/11 and the ways Western medicine has changed in the decades since, in his hybrid memoir American Triage: From 9/11 to Fahrenheit 451. He'll visit The Westport Library to discuss the book. Free, register at westportlibrary.org

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events

CONTINUED

SEPTEMBER 11TH

Harmony Music Theatre of Connecticut, 509 Westport Ave., Norwalk | 8:00 PM Harmony is a powerful, sweeping musical that tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, a groundbreaking six-man vocal group who rose from obscurity in 1920s Berlin to become one of the world’s most celebrated musical acts. Music by Barry Manilow; book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman. Through September 27. Tickets, from $51, at musictheatreofct.com SEPTEMBER 14 TH

Script In Hand Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Ct. | 7:00 PM The Playhouse's Script In Hand readings bring actors together for one day to rehearse and perform a play on a bare stage, with simple lighting, for a special, one-night-only experience. Tickets, $35, at westportplayhouse.org

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S E P T E M BE R 1 5T H

Author Talk: “The Rolling Stones: The Biography” by Bob Spitz The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Rd. 7:00 PM Embark on a rock 'n' roll journey with award-winning author Bob Spitz as he presents The Rolling Stones: The Biography, deep-diving into one of the most influential bands in music history. Joined by former Rolling Stone writer Alec Foege, the two will explore music, fame, and more. Free, register at westportlibrary.org S E P T E M BE R 1 9 T H

Music in the Meadow: Stella Blue's Band Lachat Town Farm, 106 Godfrey Rd. West, Weston | 6:00 PM The final Music in the Meadow of 2026 features Stella Blue's Band, Lachat favorites and Grateful Dead torchbearers who have brought the experience of a Grateful Dead live show to Lachat for the last seven summers. Tickets, from $38, at lachattownfarm.org S E P T E M BE R 2 4 T H

Arts Bash The Norwalk Art Space, 455 West Ave., Norwalk | 6:00 PM The nonprofit hosts their third annual Arts Bash fundraiser on September 24. This year, which they’ve titled “5 Years of Feeding Passions,” they’ll be honoring Bill Taibe, the visionary restaurateur behind Kawa Ni and The Norwalk Art Space Café. To purchase tickets, visit thenorwalkartspace.org/arts-bash

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events

CONTINUED

SEPTEMBER 24 TH

Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Ct. | 7:00 PM For over 50 years, Ailey II – The Next Generation of Dance – has merged the spirit and energy of the country’s finest early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers. See the company live on the Westport Country Playhouse stage in this special performance. Tickets, from $75, at westportplayhouse.org SEPTEMBER 27TH

Cirque Alfonse: La Noce d'Alfonse Quick Center for the Arts, 1073 N. Benson Rd., Fairfield | 4:00 PM Québécois artists Cirque Alfonse presents "Alfonse's Wedding:" a circus/cabaret hybrid featuring live music, acrobatics, kitchy storytelling, and a special ceremony for one lucky couple in the audience. Tickets, $35, at quickcenter.fairfield.edu SEPTEMBER 28TH

Why Not Theater: What You Won't Do For Love Quick Center for the Arts, 1073 N. Benson Rd., Fairfield | 7:00 PM Why Not Theatre, a Toronto-based company with "an international reputation for creating cutting-edge, cross-cultural theatre," brings their work What You Won't Do For Love, featuring environmentalists David Suzuki and Tara Cullis in an inspiring work about activism and commitment. Tickets, $30, at quickcenter.fairfield.edu

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EVE N TS

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E DITOR’S PIC K: THE WEST LOOK

ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY

EST’s owner Kitt Shapiro is a style icon to many Westporters (myself included): her looks are always a perfect mix of artfully curated and effortlessly cool. One (of the many) secrets to her success, she tells me, is what she calls the “WEST look:” a pair of R13 jeans, a graphic tee, and a structured blazer, accessorized with a bandana scarf and her signature dog-tag necklace. It’s the perfect early-fall outfit—the jeans have just the right amount of lived-in-ness; and the high-powered, impeccably constructed blazer gives some gravitas to the vintage-y tee (I’m partial to this one, which features an iconic line from the magazine-industry classic The Devil Wears Prada, but WEST always carries a rotating roster of chic tees. In fact, you can put together various versions of this outfit at WEST year-round). Finish the outfit off with a pair of kitten heels and you’ll be channeling “The WEST Look” in no time. R13 Boyfriend jeans, $495, Smythe Duchess blazer, $695, The Devil Wears Prada x Re/Done tee, $160, Maison Lecomte Flament bandana scarf $180, WEST Here’s To Life dogtag necklace, $68, all from WEST, 117 Post Road E., west2westport.com

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | STYLE + BE AU T Y