Vivant Fall:winter 2025

VIVANT

Congratulations to Delamar Greenwich Harbor, Delamar West Hartford, and Delamar Southport for being named among the Top 25 Hotels in New England in Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2024! We are proud to be the only hotels in Connecticut honored with this prestigious recognition in this category.

Photography by Richard Powers

URSULA VON RYDINGSVARD: STATES OF BECOMING

December 4, 2025–May 10, 2026

Ursula von Rydingsvard (American, b. Germany, 1942), Heart in Hand (wood model), 2014. Cedar and graphite, 126 x 81 x 46 1/2 in. Courtesy the artist, Galerie Lelong, and Talley Dunn Gallery. © Ursula von Rydingsvard, courtesy Galerie Lelong and Talley Dunn Gallery. Photo by Michael Bodycomb.

EAST HAMPTON’S MOST BEAUTIFUL BED & BREAKFAST

WHERE HISTORY MEETS INDULGENCE

Step beyond the ivy-covered walls and discover a retreat like no other. From sunlit breakfasts beneath a wisteria canopy to languid afternoons by the sparkling pool, The Baker House 1650 is a celebration of timeless elegance and modern comfort. Nestled in the heart of East Hampton Village, this award-winning English manor invites you to unwind in beautifully appointed rooms, rejuvenate in the tranquil spa, and savor every moment of your escape. Come experience why The Baker House 1650 is consistently named one of the East End’s most enchanting destinations. Reserve your stay today. www.bakerhouse1650.com

VIVANT

Curated Luxury Reimagined

EDITOR IN CHIEF, FOUNDER

Colleen Guilfoile Richmond

EDITOR AT LARGE

Margaret Bastick Luce

ART DIRECTOR

Kim Hall

VP, SALES & MARKETING

Wendy R. Packer

DIRECTOR OF BRAND PARTNERSHIPS

Susan Berry

CULINARY EDITOR

Marci Moreau

BOOK EDITOR

Jane Ubell

CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITOR

Margot Richmond

COPY EDITOR

Katelyn Rutt

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Morgan Richmond

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Marci Moreau

Taylor Freeze

Vivian Ashcroft

Nathalie Dassa

Norah Lawlor

Cover image Rex Yu Photography

We love to hear from our readers, send press releases, inquiries, or comments to Colleen@VIVANT.media. Also, give our Instagram page a follow at @VIVANTpublications

For advertising information, contact VIVANT Media Group at colleen@VIVANT.media

VIVANT Magazine is published quarterly by VIVANT Media Group LLC. Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the express written consent of VIVANT Magazine. Material contained herein does not reflect the opinion of the publisher or its staff. VIVANT Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertisements or editorial. VIVANT Magazine reserves the right to edit all materials for space and clarity and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors, or omissions. Articles and photographs are welcome and may be submitted to our offices for review.

Send all submissions to:

Send all submissions to Colleen@VIVANT.media

@VIVANTpublications

VIVANT | 13777 Ballantyne Corporate Park | Charlotte, NC 28277

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EDITOR’S LETTER

There’s a certain alchemy to this season — when fall’s golden light deepens into the shimmer of the holidays, and the days feel touched by meaning. It’s the moment we begin to gather — around tables, in homes, in spirit — reconnecting with the beauty of belonging. After the untamed energy of summer, fall invites us to return to ritual, to gratitude, and to the simple joy of being together.

This issue of VIVANT celebrates the art of coming together. From Angie Harmon’s effortless charm to Pamela Anderson’s art of being real, we explore what it means to live authentically and beautifully — in fashion, in food, and in spirit. These women remind us that elegance isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence, confidence, and grace — qualities that define this season and the women who inspire it.

Across these pages, you’ll find stories that capture the rhythm of fall and the anticipation of what’s to come. In Style, we embrace layers of texture and tone — from Themis Z’s Grecian ease to Cinabre’s Parisian flair — a reminder that fashion, at its best, is self-expression elevated through detail. In Home, designer Lisa Sherry shows us how warmth and minimalism can coexist beautifully, while Wellness reminds us that true beauty radiates from within — in nourishment, ritual, and care.

And then there are the small moments that make the season — The Book, The Champagne, The Scent. The quiet morning light. The first toast of the evening. The fragrance that lingers long after the guests have gone. These are the details that transform the ordinary into the extraordinary — that make life not just beautiful, but meaningful.

As we move from fall into the festive season, may your days be filled with warmth, your gatherings with meaning, and your heart with that unmistakable sense of celebration that makes life, in all its imperfection, so perfectly alive.

With gratitude and joy,

Colleen Richmond Founder & Editor-in-Chief

VIVANT

I'M COVETING:

Scan to shop everything. I’m loving this season!

BOTTEGA VENETA Long Andiamo Intrecciato Leather Clutch

JACQUIE AICHE Sun Moon and Star 14K Yellow Gold Diamond, Opal, Onyx Necklace

STELLA MCCARTNEY Ruched stretch recycled-lace maxi

VIVANT Éternel Candle

The VIVANT List: Icons of Luxury, Influence & Impact

On a golden summer evening in East Hampton, Vivant Magazine welcomed an inspiring circle of tastemakers, creatives, and brand partners for The VIVANT Summer List: Icons of Luxury, Influence & Impact — an elegant summer celebration hosted by VIVANT at the historic Baker House 1650. The evening captured Vivant’s spirit of elevated living, genuine connection, and a life curated with beauty and purpose.

V Scenes & Society

Guests gathered in the gardens as Mojo the Band set the mood with a soulful live performance. The lush Hamptons backdrop came alive with whimsical floral creations by Island Time Farm, signature cocktails from Via Carota Craft Cocktails and Chrome Horse Society Tequila, and wine provided by Wainscott Main Wine & Spirits.

An exquisite showcase by 11 Juillet highlighted Italian-crafted handbags and fine jewelry, while acclaimed chef Francis Derby delighted guests with a beautifully composed summer menu. FreshDirect brought a playful farm stand experience to life, while a curated gifting suite offered wellness-forward favorites from Sarah Wragge Wellness, Scott’s Protein Balls, Repechage, Arrae, and Tea Forte.

Rooted in the French word for alive, Vivant embodies energy, elegance, and the art of living — and that’s the spirit we hoped everyone felt and will carry with them long after tonight,” shared Colleen Richmond, Founder of Vivant Media Group. Photography by Cameron Burton and Fabio Garcia captured the luminous energy of the evening, hosted at the beautiful property owned by Antonella Bertello, bringing together a community of those who shape, inspire, and live Vivant.

The Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Showroom will help you bring your creative vision to life. It’s an inviting, collaborative space built to inspire you throughout your kitchen project – from planning with our product experts and your designers to making delicious memories in your home.

The Gatsby Century Still Chasing the Green Light

A century on, The Great Gatsby has traded bargain bins for Broadway spotlights and half-million-dollar auction blocks. Once scorned as a flop, it’s now the ultimate Jazz Age comeback— proof that even the green light gets brighter with time.

By Colleen Guilfoile Richmond

On April 10, 1925, Scribner’s released a slim novel by a 28-year-old writer with champagne tastes and a mounting pile of bills. The title? The Great Gatsby. The reception? Tepid at best—just 20,000 copies sold in its first year, hardly the stuff of legend. Fitzgerald himself would die fifteen years later, in 1940, thinking the book was a failure. He never lived to see it reborn as the American classic it is today, taught in schools, staged on Broadway, and fetching small fortunes at auction.

Flash forward to June 2024: a first edition, signed and inscribed by Fitzgerald, smashed records at Heritage Auctions, selling for $425,000. A month earlier, Sotheby’s fetched $377,000 for a pristine copy wearing its original, unrestored dust jacket—the one with Francis Cugat’s eerie disembodied eyes that collectors treat like fine jewelry. Even association copies, such as one inscribed to Zelda Fitzgerald’s sister, carried six-figure estimates in 2025. And for those without a quarter million handy? Even jacketless first printings are now a cool $3,000–$4,000—proof that the American Dream is alive and well, at least for booksellers.

The fine print matters: a misprint here (“sick in tired” on page 119), a quirky comma there, and suddenly you’re holding a fortune. As one rare-book dealer put it, Gatsby is the Birkin bag of modern first editions—coveted, rare, and endlessly Instagrammable.

Not that Gatsby has stayed on the shelf. Broadway’s musical adaptation is still pouring the champagne nightly, while Florence Welch’s GATSBY: An American Myth at the American Repertory Theater refracts the novel through a moody, dream-pop score. Together, they prove that the story’s mix of longing, wealth, and heartbreak is as theatrical as it gets.

So why, a century later, does this once-overlooked book still sparkle? Because Gatsby is forever about the chase: the green light across the bay, the party that never quite ends, the dream just out of reach. In 1925, Fitzgerald wrote about a society intoxicated by excess. In 2025, we scroll, swipe, and stage-manage our own digital versions of West Egg soirées. The champagne towers, chandeliers, and Art Deco fonts have become a lifestyle mood board.

And yet, beneath the sequins, the story still cuts deep. Gatsby’s tragedy is our own: the belief that reinvention will save us, the heartbreak that beauty and desire can’t quite deliver.

One hundred years on, Gatsby remains the most stylish crash course in hope, hubris, and heartbreak you’ll ever read. Fitzgerald may have died believing he had failed, but history proved him wrong. The novel he thought forgotten became the one that defined a century. As he might say, can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can—just bring a better jacket.

“The novel he thought forgotten became the one that defined a century.”

Fitzgerald, F. Scott | The Great Gatsby; first edition, inscribed to Zelda’s sister and her husband, photo -–Sotheby’s

02

THE CHAMPAGNE

Pinot Noir, Pure and Poured

Every so often, a release arrives that feels destined to define a season. This year, it comes from the vaulted cellars of Champagne in the form of Armand de Brignac Blanc de Noirs Assemblage No. 5 — a cuvée that balances rarity, craftsmanship, and spectacle in equal measure.

Assemblage No. 5 is the fifth edition in the house’s coveted Blanc de Noirs series, each treated like a numbered chapter in a collector’s library. Only 8,165 bottles exist worldwide, and each carries its disgorgement date — August 21, 2024 — engraved right onto the label. For those who follow Champagne closely, this detail is no small thing: it signals both transparency and a level of precision usually reserved for oenophiles and insiders. Presented in Armand de Brignac’s signature metallic pewter bottle, finished by hand with polished French pewter labels, and delivered in a glossy black lacquered case, it arrives as much an objet d’art as it does a Champagne.

and Chigny-les-Roses. Where most Champagnes rely on blends of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir, this cuvée leans entirely on the grape that lends Champagne its backbone, its spice, and its sultry depth. The result is a wine of striking intensity: notes of dark cherry, dried fig, and hints of truffle layered with brioche and spice, all lifted by a fresh herbal edge.

The blend is 100% Pinot Noir, drawn exclusively from some of Champagne’s most prized terroirs, including villages in the Montagne de Reims like Verzenay, Verzy,

The house of Armand de Brignac, launched in 2006 and propelled to global fame when acquired by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter in 2014 (and later partnered with LVMH’s Moët Hennessy), has always thrived on rarity and glamour. Its first Blanc de Noirs release, Assemblage No. 1, debuted in 2015, and each successive bottling has disappeared quickly into private cellars and high-end wine lists.

Of course, such scarcity comes at a price: $1,000+ per 750ml bottle, with magnums and larger formats even rarer. But this is not Champagne for excess; it is Champagne for ceremony. Poured into tall crystal flutes alongside oysters, caviar, or a decadent truffle risotto, Assemblage No. 5 transforms from a drink into an experience, one that lingers long after the final toast.

The Perfume Charleston Never Knew

Luxury always finds a way to leave its trace—even when history tries to bury it. One of the most fascinating examples surfaced not in the gilded salons of Europe but from the depths of the Atlantic, tied to Charleston’s Civil War past.

The story begins in 1864, when the Mary Celestia prepared to slip out with contraband cargo bound for Charleston. She was a blockade runner—sleek, fast, and designed to outwit Union ships patrolling the harbor. On board were the usual necessities of war, but also luxuries Charleston society still craved: fine wines, provisions, and, most mysteriously, perfume.

The fragrance came from Piesse & Lubin of London, one of the most fashionable perfume houses of the Victorian age. Their bottles would have been the ultimate indulgence—a whisper of sophistication in a city under siege. But Charleston never received them. Within sight of her departure, the Mary Celestia struck a reef and sank, her precious cargo slipping silently to the ocean floor.

liquid still shimmering inside. Perfume that should have disappeared into history had survived its exile.

The tale might have ended there, but fate had other plans. In the quiet town of St. George’s, Bermuda, the island perfumery Lili Bermuda became custodian of one of the original bottles, safeguarding it like a jewel from another century. With the blessing of Bermuda’s government, the bottle was displayed in their museum and entrusted to their team of artisans. Master perfumer Jean-Claude Delville unraveled its secrets, using modern analysis and instinct to translate the 19th-century formula into a fragrance for today.

The result was Mary Celestia, a scent that straddles centuries. It opens with sparkling grapefruit and bergamot, unfurls into neroli, orange blossom, and rosewood, and settles into the sensuality of white musk and ambergris. Bright yet mysterious, refined yet touched with salt air—it is an olfactory bridge between the Charleston that might have been and the Bermuda that is.

Few perfumes in the world can claim such a lineage.

For nearly 150 years, the wreck slumbered, a ghost in the deep. Then in 2011, divers working after a violent storm uncovered something astonishing: glass perfume bottles, sealed tight, their labels intact, their

To wear Mary Celestia is to carry a story on: a tale of Civil War daring, Victorian indulgence, and the quiet persistence of beauty even in the face of ruin. It is at once artifact and adornment, a reminder that true luxury doesn’t just decorate life—it survives it.

THE EDIT

SIMKHAI – Carrington Bustier

Lambskin Gown

Rosé has a curfew, but this gown doesn’t—it’s built for midnight entrances and scandalous exits. simkhai.com

LAMARQUE –

Deora Feather Jacket

Feathers that say, “I might leave early, or I might not leave at all.”

Best accessorized with a bold Bordeaux lip. lamarque.com

STUDIO AMELIA – Helix Leather Mailbox Clutch

Proof that letters aren’t dead—they’ve just gone out dancing in Bordeaux leather.studioamelia.co

BORDEAUX AFFAIR REDEFINING ROSÉ ALL DAY— THIS IS BORDEAUX ALL NIGHT.

By Colleen Guilfoile Richmond

PARIS GEORGIA – Otto Cross

Detailed Bodysuit

Like Bordeaux itself: structured, smooth, and ready to unravel you by the second pour.parisgeorgia.store

HERMÈS BEAUTY –

Trait d’Hermès Revitalizing Care Mascara

The secret to “I only had one glass” eyes—smudge-proof even when your stories aren’t. hermes.com

L’OBJET – Lito Bookend (Bordeaux

THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION –The Impossible Collection of Wine. www.lorenhope.com

Who knew keeping your books upright could look this seductive? These eyes aren’t just watching—they’re judging your taste, and it’s divine. lobjet.com

FRANÇOISE –Zaoua Silk-Crepe Trousers

Tailored, slinky, and just dangerous enough—these trousers whisper “one more glass won’t hurt.” francoise.nyc

RABANNE – Floral Lace Midi Skirt

A flirtation in fabric form—lace, wine, and a hemline that knows exactly what it’s doing. rabanne.com

GITTI –Nail Polish

A Bordeaux shade so glossy, it makes stemware jealous. Non-toxic, but totally intoxicating. gitti.de

THE EDIT

DE LA VALI – Nephele Lace Gown

Drama in every thread—this is the dress that refuses to fade quietly into the night. delavali.com

DALMAZIO DESIGN –Waterford Irish Lace Crystal so fine, it makes champagne taste like a confession. waterford.com

LELE SADOUGHI – Lace Metal Paper Lily Earrings

Light as gossip, bold as the punchline. lelesadoughi.com

LACED & LOADED

BRANDON

Because sometimes sheer power needs no lining.

By Colleen Guilfoile Richmond

A.L.C. –Gemma StraightLeg Lace Pants alcltd.com

MAXWELL –The Eloise Chantilly Lace Top Sharp tailoring meets sheer intentions—

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN –KM Lace Red-Sole

Knee-High Boots

Stilettos that write love letters in every click of the heel. christianlouboutin.com

THE VIVANT –Éternel

Signature Candle

More than a fragrance, it’s a ritual of elegance, designed to linger in memory long after the flame is gone. vivantmagazine.com

MERLETTO Antique Dinner Plate –ArtItalica.com

BALMAIN –Single-Breasted Fitted Lace Jacket Sharp tailoring meets sheer intentions— boardroom meets boudoir. balmain.com

SCENTS, SECRETS & SCANDALS WITH KRIGLER

By Morgan Richmond

For nearly a century and a half, Krigler has been the secret weapon of the world’s most captivating figures—Audrey in her ingénue years, Grace before the crown, Hemingway with a tumbler nearby. These are not just perfumes, they’re love affairs in glass bottles that hold history, scandal, and the kind of glamour that refuses to fade.

Images from Getty Images

Grace Kelly for Life magazine, wearing the gown designed by Edith Head that she wore to the 1955 Academy Awards. © PHILIPPE HALSMAN/MAGNUM PHOTOS

If the walls of The Plaza Hotel could talk, they’d probably gossip in perfume. And if the bottles lining Krigler’s gilded counters could whisper, oh, the stories they’d spill. Founded in 1879 with the swoon-worthy gesture of Albert Krigler gifting a fragrance to his fiancée (take notes, gentlemen), this heritage house has since perfumed some of the world’s most legendary icons—Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel, F. Scott Fitzgerald. Each numbered flacon is less “just a scent” and more “passport stamp + love letter + stolen diary entry.” Krigler is, in short, a living archive that still smells ridiculously chic.

Take Audrey Hepburn. Picture it: Nice, France, 1950. She’s nineteen, filming her very first movie, Monte Carlo Baby, and somehow finds herself wearing English Promenade 19—a flirtation of mandarin, jasmine, and Riviera breezes, inspired by the Promenade des Anglais. Was it fate? Was it proximity to a Krigler atelier near her lunch spot? Either way, the scent clung to her with the same elegance as her Givenchy gowns. Sometimes icons don’t choose fragrances— fragrances choose them. Grace Kelly, on the other hand, discovered her signature not on a film set but at The Plaza in New York, where she often came for tea and meetings before she was royalty. She purchased Chateau Krigler 12 for herself in the 1950s, a perfume first created in 1912 and one of the earliest light, floral-sweet blends—a fragrance so effortless it practically wore pearls on its own.

And then there was Hemingway, who received America One 31 as a personal gift, one of the rare cases of Krigler creating something specifically for someone. Imagine him scribbling away, glass in hand, pausing only to dab on a spritz. Machismo, it turns out, isn’t incompatible with a fine fragrance.

Fast forward to today, and the allure hasn’t faded. If anything, in a world craving romance, permanence, and connection, these scents feel more relevant than ever. Nostalgia sells, but Krigler bottles it—

with higher concentrations, natural ingredients, and a savoir faire that simply can’t be rushed. Bespoke commissions are in high demand among clients who want a scent as unique as their private islands, while treasures from the archives are reimagined for modern wearers, like Octave Aurum 25, revived in Paris for its centennial.

Perfume, after all, isn’t just about smelling pretty. It’s about history, glamour, and the delicious idea that you’re sharing a bottle with Audrey, Grace, or Hemingway. In uncertain times, legacy perfumes remind us that elegance is eternal, memory is portable, and one spritz can carry you straight into another life.

Vivant Verdict: Legacy is the new luxury. And nothing lingers like Krigler. krigler.com

VICTORIA BECKHAM

FUTURE LASH MASCARA

A quiet departure from classic black, burgundy eyes are in. The deep wine-toned hue subtly enhances the eyes, adding depth without overpowering—perfect for those who prefer their beauty with a touch of intrigue. victoriabeckhambeauty.com

JO MALONE LONDON

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT

Ready to turn any holiday moment into a signature-scented affair? Inside this set is the perfectly paired English Pear & Freesia cologne and Lime Basil & Mandarin Body Wash duo. Who needs tinsel when your tree is trimmed with Jo Malone? jomalone.com

DND GEL NAIL POLISH CHERRY MOCHA

This season, designers are embracing a warm, earthy palette that effortlessly captures the essence of fall. DND’s polish in Cherry Mocha is the perfect bold, yet sophisticated color for your next manicure. dndgel.com

APRÈS BEAUTY HOLIDAY HUSTLE KIT

Give the gift of glow this season with Après Beauty’s curated collection designed for the beauty lover who’s always on the move. It’s the perfect companion to keep her feeling fresh, energized, and radiant through every festive moment. apresbeauty.co

THE BEAUTY SPELL

Beauty casts its quiet magic, from mysterious eyes to oxblood lips-these are the enchantments that linger..

By Margot Richmond

AERIN ROSE

COCOA PARFUM

A decadent rose gourmand fragrance that captures the elegance of florals and the indulgent sweetness of holiday confections. A joyful ode to celebration, wrapped in warmth and wonder. esteelauder.com

CLARINS ALL ABOUT EYES COLLECTION

Not only do you get three eye-enhancing essentials—mascara, makeup remover, and eye cream—but they come tucked inside a festive red velvet makeup bag so good, you’ll be finding excuses to show it off long after the tinsel’s packed away. clarinsusa.com

TOM FORD GLOSS LUXE

Tom Ford’s glossy oxblood lip is basically the “LBD” of the beauty world. Timeless, sexy, and always ready to turn heads. tomfordbeauty.com

RARE BEAUTY POSITIVE LIGHT SILKY TOUCH HIGHLIGHTER

Pink-toned highlighter is all the rage this fall and winter. Rare Beauty’s highlight in the shade mesmerizes and delivers a rosy, lit-from-within flush that breathes life into even the dullest skin. rarebeauty.com

WELLNESS

“

Neuromodulators and fillers are what you can see—the flowers and trees. Bioregenerative medicine is the soil, the roots, the fertilizer. You need both for the landscape to thrive.

– Lindsey Plair, DNP

THE FUTURE IS REGENERATIVE

In aesthetics, the focus is shifting from quick fixes to lasting skin health. At Ovme Waverly in Charlotte, Lindsey Plair, DNP, champions bio-regenerative treatments that help the body heal and renew itself —delivering subtle, natural results that inspire confidence and endure.

By Colleen Guilfoile Richmond

What if your skin could act younger, naturally? At the cutting edge of regenerative aesthetics, practitioners like Lindsey Plair, DNP, at Ovme Waverly in Charlotte, are moving beyond traditional injectables to embrace a new generation of treatments that tap into the body’s own healing potential. From exosomes and PRF to collagen-stimulating sculptural techniques like Sculptra and PDGF, this emerging field promises results that are organic, long-lasting, and biologically aligned.

For Lindsey, the goal is simple: help patients feel like themselves—only more youthful and refreshed.

“Aging gracefully doesn’t mean surrendering to fine lines and volume loss,” she says. “It’s about working with your body to slow the process and remind your skin how to act young again.”

Exosomes, PRF, PDGF—if the terminology feels overwhelming, Lindsey has a knack for simplifying it. “All of these treatments stimulate collagen, but they do it in different ways and at different speeds,” she explains. Collagen stimulators like Sculptra and Radiesse spark fibroblasts to create fresh collagen and elastin. PRP and PRF are drawn from the patient’s own blood, packed with growth factors to repair and rejuvenate.

PDGF targets collagen regeneration directly, while exosomes act like tiny messengers, telling cells to regenerate and repair.

“Bio-regenerative medicine is just your body doing what it’s designed to do—repair, rejuvenate, and regenerate. We’re simply giving it the nudge it needs.”

At Ovme, every plan is customized. Lindsey sits down with each client to talk through how aging actually happens, what options are available, and what feels right for their comfort level, lifestyle, and budget. Her favorite results often come from

combinations: pairing microneedling or laser with exosomes, then layering in Sculptra or PDGF beneath the skin. By mixing fast-acting treatments with long-lasting ones, patients get an immediate glow and future-proofed results.

The beauty of regenerative aesthetics is often in its subtlety. “Friends and family don’t always notice right away,” Lindsey says with a smile. “But when patients compare photos from a year or two ago, the difference is amazing. That’s when they’re hooked.” She recalls one patient who couldn’t use Botox or fillers due to autoimmune conditions. “We focused on her own growth factors and collagen stimulation. Watching her confidence grow as her skin transformed—it was incredible.” Another patient saw her laser healing time cut in half after adding PRF to the mix. “That’s the power of regeneration.”

The future of aesthetics, she believes, is about addressing the cause of aging, not just its effects. “Fillers and Botox are the flowers and fresh grass in a beautiful yard. But regenerative medicine is the soil, the roots, the fertilizer. You need both for the landscape to thrive.”

“The most exciting part of this field is that we’re no longer just masking signs of aging,” she says. “We’re learning how to slow, and in some ways reverse, the process. That’s real empowerment.”

Your skin already knows how to heal. It just needs the right nudge. Experience the next generation of aesthetic medicine with Lindsey Plair, DNP, at Ovme Waverly.

Schedule your consultation today and begin your regenerative skin journey. ovme.com

704-709-6863

KINDER IN THE KEYS

Healing, Renewal, and the Ocean’s Embrace

In the Florida Keys, where turquoise waters meet endless skies, wellness takes on a different meaning. Kinder in the Keys is more than a treatment center—it is a sanctuary for women seeking restoration of mind, body, and spirit. Here, science and compassion blend with salt air and sunshine, creating an environment where healing feels not only possible but natural.

By Margaret Bastick Luce

Kinder in the Keys was born in 2018, when a beautiful home at 6 Ocean View Blvd in Key Largo became its flagship. At the heart of this vision were Dr. Laura, a Doctor of Public Health and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Debbie, a former golf professional with a passion for helping others heal.

In the beginning, they did it all themselves—owners, operators, therapist, cook, and even repair crew. It was a true labor of love, and from those first determined steps, something magical began to grow.

Seven years later, Kinder in the Keys has helped thousands of women heal from trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and narcissistic abuse. They now operate four homes in the Keys with 12 residential beds and employ more than 30 people. Kinder continues to expand with plans for a men’s-only program in Key Largo in the near future.

Their approach—“Healing one heart at a time”—is what makes Kinder unique. They are a non-chemical approach center (no substance abuse treatment), focusing solely on mental health conditions. Kinder is one of the only residential treatment centers in the U.S. offering: - Holistic healing - Chef-prepared non-GMO organic meals - Medication management - 6–8 hours of therapy daily, 7 days a week - Specialized therapeutic approaches and experiential outings

Clients also participate in therapeutic outings such as kayaking through the mangroves, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and aerial yoga by the ocean, just to name a few. These experiences, combined with the natural serenity of the Keys, help restore balance and joy in ways traditional therapy alone cannot.

DOLPHIN THERAPY

One of the most powerful experiences at Kinder in the Keys is our therapeutic dolphin swim. Unlike a tourist encounter, this guided experience creates a sense of calm, connection, and joy.

Research shows that interacting with dolphins can lower stress and improve mood. More importantly, the experience is woven into each client’s therapeutic plan—helping them process the emotions that surface during and after the swim.

For many, it becomes a turning point. The dolphins’ natural playfulness and empathy mirror the qualities we help women rediscover within themselves, and the ocean becomes both a sanctuary and a symbol of new beginnings.

A PERSONAL STORY

ACCESS AND ADVOCACY

Seeking help can be overwhelming, especially when you are already carrying the burden of trauma or depression. That’s why Kinder is committed to making treatment approachable and accessible. They accept insurance and work as advocates for those who are afraid of the process or the cost.

In addition, a 501(c)(3) foundation was created by a Kinder alumna who wanted to give back to the place that gave her her life back. Through this nonprofit, additional support and resources are available for those in need of help.

Kinder also offers free consultations—a safe and pressure-free way to learn about options and discover what kind of care might be right for you. From the very first call, you speak directly with a member of the intake team, who will guide you through the process seamlessly, step by step.

I came to Kinder in the Keys after a failed neck surgery, when long-buried childhood wounds rose to the surface. I carried the weight of fear and uncertainty, and traditional medicine had reached its limits.

At Kinder, I found more than treatment—I found a sanctuary. Through therapy, community, and unique experiences like swimming with dolphins, I rediscovered a freedom in myself I thought was gone. I laughed, I cried, and I remembered what it felt like to be alive.

When I left, I carried not only relief, but strength, hope, and tools to move forward. Kinder gave me back to myself, and for that, I will always believe in the healing found here.

A PERSONAL NOTE

Even in the brief time I spent at Kinder, the impact was undeniable. After just one hour in group therapy, I was blown away by the immense relief I felt. It wasn’t only the support of the group, but the gentle space created where emotions could rise and finally be released.

And there is something about being in Key Largo itself. Surrounded by water, with only one way in and one way out, you feel safely held by nature. That setting invites you to face yourself fully—to deal with what you’ve come here to work on, and to discover the healing that waits when you do.

The Power of Food: REWRITING OUR GENETIC STORY

Written by Marci Moreau

Quinoa Plantation

When we think about genetics, we often imagine a blueprint carved in stone, or a map of what’s to come, whether we like it or not. For decades, carrying two copies of the APOE4 gene, known as the “Alzheimer’s gene,” was seen as one of those unshakable fates. The risk was clear, higher chances of memory decline, confusion, and the heartbreaking toll of Alzheimer’s disease. But recent research is rewriting that story in a way that is nothing short of extraordinary, and not surprising, at least to me, is that food plays a big part in our genetic story.

A landmark study from Mass General Brigham, published in Nature, followed more than 5,700 people for 34 years. The findings? Even among those carrying two copies of the APOE4 gene, those who followed a Mediterranean-style diet reduced their risk of dementia by as much as 35 percent. As lead author Yuxi Liu explained: “We found those who followed a baseline Mediterranean diet with little alcohol, red and processed meat but full of vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, legumes, fish and olive oil all reduced the risk of dementia.”

Wow! Thirty-four years of life tracked. Thousands of people studied. And the result is clear: food is not just fuel, it’s a form of prevention, and definitely very, very powerful.

The diet in question wasn’t built on obscure ingredients or expensive supplements. It was rooted in what many of us know but don’t always practice~whole, plant-rich foods, colorful fruits and vegetables, omega3-rich fish, nuts, olive oil, legumes, and whole grains.

This pattern, often described as the Mediterranean diet, nourishes not just the body, but the brain. Antioxidants calm inflammation, healthy fats support cell communication, and vitamins and minerals strengthen resilience where genes leave us vulnerable.

What this means is profound~food can do more than nourish us, it can override destiny. Our forks, knives, and spoons are tools of prevention, medicine, and hope . Even in the face of the most daunting genetic risks, we are not powerless.

I’ve always believed in the power of food. For me, it began in my own kitchen, searching for answers when there were none. My journey taught me that food is more than nutrition, it’s possibility, it’s healing, and it’s life changing. And now, research like this confirms what many of us have been saying for centuries, food truly does have the power to change the story, even the story written in our genes.

This isn’t just science; it’s true empowerment. It tells us that we have choices, even when it feels like biology has stripped them away. And those choices can echo for decades, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of our children and grandchildren, who learn from what we put on our plates.

So tonight, when you sit down to dinner, remember every bite carries with it the power of food. Because our genes may whisper, but the food we eat has the power to answer back.

Liu, Y., Gu, X., Li, Y. et al. Interplay of genetic predisposition, plasma metabolome and Mediterranean diet in dementia risk and cognitive function. Nat Med (2025). https://doi.org/ 10.1038/s41591-025-03891-5

MARCI’S MEDITERRANEAN SALMON WITH POWERHOUSE TAPENADE AND HERB QUINOA

A brain, heart, life healthy dish rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, and Mediterranean flavors with an anti-inflammatory power boost.

INGREDIENTS (serves 4)

For the salmon

• 4 salmon fillets (about 5–6 oz each)

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• Juice of 1 lemon (save rind to zest later)

• 1 TBS fresh oregano

• 1/2 tsp sea salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

For the quinoa

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed

• 2 cups veggie broth or water

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• Juice of ½ lemon

• Sea salt and pepper, to taste

For the powerhouse tapenade

• 1 cup Kalamata or assorted olives, pitted

• 2 tbsp capers, rinsed

• 1 whole shallot

• 2 garlic cloves

• 1-inch piece fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped

• 1-inch piece fresh turmeric root, peeled and chopped

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

• a few fresh basil leaves and handful of fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS:

Marinate the salmon ~ whisk olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Brush over salmon fillets and let sit for 15 minutes

Cook the quinoa ~ simmer quinoa in broth for 15 minutes. Fluff, then stir in tomatoes, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Make the tapenade ~ in a food processor, pulse olives, capers, shallots, garlic, ginger, turmeric, olive oil, and lemon juice until finely chopped but still textured. Pulse in herbs quickly

Cook the salmon: ~ grill, roast, or pan-sear salmon, 4–5 minutes skin side down, then 3–4 minutes more until just cooked through.

To serve ~ place salmon over quinoa, top with olive-ginger-turmeric tapenade, and garnish with extra parsley and lemon zest.

WHERE’S THE POWER?

• Salmon – Packed with omega-3 fatty acids that support memory, cognition, and overall brain health.

• Olive Tapenade – A source of healthy fats and polyphenols that help fight inflammation and protect brain cells.

• Ginger Root – Supports circulation and digestion, with studies suggesting it may also enhance brain function.

• Turmeric Root – Contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound shown to support memory and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

• Quinoa – A nutrient-dense whole grain that delivers steady energy, protein, and fiber for sustained brain fuel.

• Tomatoes & Fresh Herbs – Rich in antioxidants, particularly lycopene, which help defend brain cells against damage.

A HOUSE THAT WHISPERS BACK

Inside Designer Lisa Sherry’s Charlotte Home

By Colleen Guilfoile Richmond

by Stacey Van Berkel

Iwasn’t really looking,” admits interior designer Lisa Sherry. “Scrolling real estate listings in Charlotte is just sport for me—my partner Jonathan is a willing accomplice.” Then one day, a house appeared that did more than catch her eye. It spoke. The bones, by Grandfather Homes, were strong and soulful, and Lisa knew she had found a space worthy of both a move and a creative leap. Within weeks, the couple closed, settled in, and began what has become an ongoing love story between house and homeowner.

As a designer, Lisa has always had a natural aversion to rules. “Design isn’t about do’s and don’ts—it’s about curiosity, invention, and finding what feels true,” she explains. Her Charlotte home became the ultimate playground for that philosophy, a place to experiment and layer, to subtract but also to add. This is maximalism her way: graceful, intentional, deeply personal, and always curated. Known professionally for her neutral palettes, organic shapes, and light-filled restraint, Lisa turned up the dial at home. The spaces are warmer, more layered, more collected. A vintage French farm table became her evolving

“Table of Curiosities,” set with artifacts old and new, each chosen with intention—even if only to make her and Jonathan smile. Outdoors, the design story continues. Once-neglected gardens now blossom, furniture blurs the line between indoors and out, and an all-season room with a fireplace creates a seamless flow between gathering spaces. Beauty, for Lisa, has to serve life. “This house makes room for morning tête-à-têtes over coffee, Jonathan’s marathon calls, communal cooking, big games, and small moments,” she says. It’s evident in details like the custom twelve-foot dining bench that extends seating for lively dinner parties, or the moody grey-blue of the bedroom, a retreat designed for quiet reflection.

“ Texture is the new color. ”

Images

“

For me, minimalism and maximalism aren’t opposites— they’re points along a

”

continuum

Texture plays the starring role throughout—smooth set against rough, matte against sheen. The effect is rooms that feel alive in every season, shifting from daylight to lamplight with ease. Balance is everything.

Her advice to readers is simple: “Trust your instincts. And consider partnering with a designer who can help you see beyond your own sightlines.” As for her own next

chapter, she smiles at the uncertainty. “My style is modern and timeless, not timestamped, so the house will stay fresh year after year. At least until the urge to move taps us on the shoulder.”

Until then, the Charlotte home remains a testament to her philosophy: design not as a set of rules, but as a way of life—alive, radiant, and beautifully lived.

STYLE

PATTERNS OF CONNECTION:

Themis Z and the Art of Gathering

There’s a rhythm to the world of Themis Z, one that mirrors Athens itself — light spilling over marble, shadows brushing neoclassical façades, and bursts of color that echo from antiquity into modern life. For founder and designer Themis Zouganeli, patterns are more than decoration. They’re stories.

By Colleen Guilfoile Richmond

Idesign patterns inspired by my everyday life in Athens,” she says. “Walking through the city, you’re constantly in the midst of history, art, sunlight, and color. Each pattern I create is a manifestation of all of these elements.”

Her collections capture that essence without leaning into clichés. “It’s not ethnic or folklore,” she explains, “but international — rich in history, sophisticated, elegant, and relaxed. THEMIS Z is a Greek lifestyle.” The clarity of the Greek light, the warmth of its heritage, and the effortless elegance of its culture run through everything she touches, whether a porcelain plate, a silk caftan, or a patterned cushion. Each piece seems to hold the echo of the sun on whitewashed stone or the shimmer of the Aegean sky.

Balance is her design language. “I adore symmetry, it relaxes me. In my homes and my table settings you will always find it. I don’t believe in imperfections. Each brushstroke has its own tones, its own variations — but to me, that’s perfect. That’s the beauty of art.”

Themis Z began at the table. Hosting was her first canvas, and it remains at the heart of the brand. “‘Filoxenia,’ a Greek word meaning love of hosting, is our core. A table dressed with plates, glasses, linens, flowers, and candles sets the

mood for connection.” That same sense of gathering infuses her approach to fashion and lifestyle, where sophistication is inseparable from warmth.

When she defines luxury today, it’s not about excess, it’s about intimacy. “Luxury is about human connections. It’s being surrounded with good friends or interesting people around a beautiful table. Luxury is quality. I prefer less, but better — whether in clothing, homeware, or relationships.”

Her vision is ambitious but deeply rooted: to bring Greece its light, heritage, and contemporary elegance — into homes and wardrobes everywhere. “My goal is to promote Greece in a way that hasn’t been done before: patterns that are inherently Greek but modern, aesthetics that embody joy, warmth, authenticity.”

If her designs could whisper, she believes they’d say:

“Thank you for bringing Greek sophistication to the world.” And she still dreams of one collaboration in particular. “Ralph Lauren personifies the elegant American lifestyle as THEMIS Z personifies the Greek. Together it would be fabulous.”

Fifty years from now, she hopes her work will be remembered not only for its beauty, but for its vision: Greece, not as a postcard, but as a living, breathing heritage woven into the art of everyday life.

CINABRE, the French-style dandyism

The luxury men's fashion house, founded by Alexandre Chapellier, is tucked away on a private street in Paris. Inside, Necchi Architecture has created a stunning hybrid space, combining aristocratic extravagance with retro-futurism. Let's take a look.

by Nathalie Dassa

Exit Avenue Montaigne and Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré. Make way for the discreet Cité Bergère in Paris's 9th arrondissement! This small private street, whose architecture has remained intact since 1800, is listed as a historic monument. It was at number 14 that Alexandre Chapellier set up Cinabre when he bought the four-story building. This establishment, dedicated to modern aesthetes and gentlemen, quickly won over its customers, with Karl Lagerfeld, Pharrell Williams, and Kamala Harris leading the way. French excellence is thus re-vealed in this iconoclastic venue, whose interiors were designed by Charlotte Albert and Alexis Lamesta of Necchi Architecture. Here too, the brand innovates. This hybrid space, available for visits and rentals, combines a flagship boutique, two XXL private suites, and an office-workshop. “This address was a deliberate choice for him,” explains the designer Alexis Lamesta. “This street starts at the Bus Palladium, a true Parisian nightlife institution, now closed. It recalls the time when Yves Saint Laurent used to frequent the red-light districts. Cinabre has a discreet luxury that appeals.”

FESTIVE COUTURE

Alexandre Chapellier, great-grandson of a tailor, is a dandy from the very beginning. A lover of fashion, cinema, music, art, and culture in general, he reinvents the traditional processes of an accessories and clothing brand, combining ‘French handmade savoir-faire’ with a ‘vision of Parisian art de vivre’. “His initial idea was to create a private space, like a gentlemen's club,” explains Alexis Lamesta."This was also the principle behind the great old-fashioned tailors who welcomed visitors to their houses, with the shop on the ground floor, a tour of the work-shops, and a smoking room for customers”. Ties, bow ties, scarves, silk squares, caps, belts, buttonholes, dressing gowns, blazers, shirts, scented candles, home linen... The collections offer a wide range of choices. “Wearing bow ties is no longer fashionable; it's outdated. Alexandre is breathing new life into these French coquetries. His approach is relaxed and uninhibited.”

A TIMELESS PLACE

It is in this approach to a certain idea of elegance that Necchi boldly mixes past and present. The duo often draws inspiration from cinema and advocates sustainability. “This project is a six-handed effort,” the designer reaffirms. "With Charlotte, we try to create interiors that go against the grain of current trends. We always have movie scenes in mind. This allows us to tell a story to our clients and immerse them in the atmosphere." Cinabre is thus an explosive fusion of Stanley Kubrick, Loulou de La Falaise, Hélène Rochas, Madeleine Castaing, and Napoleon. The influence of 2001: A Space Odyssey gives the boutique a retro-futuristic feel. The duo draws on the aesthetics of the spaceship and the bedroom, with backlit floors and classic furniture. "It's a break between codes. We combined the whole thing with the wild creativity of Loulou de La Falaise and her floral tapestries.“ The idea for the Napoleonic marquee came from the founder. The style is inspired by the tents that the emperor set up during his military campaigns. ”We reinterpreted it decoratively in the store's entrance. Maison Pierre Frey recreated the pattern here, which adorns the walls of the Château de Malmaison."

COCKTAILS AND MUSIC ON EVERY FLOOR

Cinabre is reinventing the way to stay in the French capital. The suites feature a vinyl listening lounge, a kitchen, a cocktail bar, and an atrium. The first is furnished like an offbeat bourgeois family house. The second is dedicated to the traveling aesthete. “The space is more cozy, designed for a single person returning from an evening at a palace club.” The bath lounge adds a unique touch, flirting with the Streamline style. The bathtub is designed like a sofa, facing the living areas. All the furniture has been sourced from auction sites and flea markets around the world. Similarly, the hi-fi system is integrated and not hidden away. The turntable is built into the bench seat, very trendy in the 70s and 80s. “If we had to define a soundtrack for the brand, it would be intellectual disco,” enthuses Alexis Lamesta. The drinks corners complete the art of hosting. The champagne bar in suite 2, decorated with suede wall hangings, is a mirrored shelf that opens with a James Bond-style button. Comfort, warmth, elegance, and eccentricity are the keywords at Cinabre, which skillfully blends the chic of a tuxedo with the casualness of pop culture.

Photo credits © Ludovic Balay

CULTURE

An engraved portrait of Jane Austen (1873), published in “Portrait Gallery of Eminent Men and Women With Biographies.” © Georgios Kollidas | Dreamstime.com.

JANE AUSTEN’S FEAST OF WORDS

By Georgette Gouveia

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a writer must be in want of solitude to practice her craft.” So Jane Austen might’ve penned were she writing this piece. Yet solitude was never the whole story. Without elegant balls, assemblies, and the daily rituals of family meals — most especially tea — there would have been little material for a writer whose wit and humanity still captivate us today.

Jane Austen (Dec. 16, 1775 – July 18, 1817), whose 250th birthday is being celebrated this year with new books, retrospectives, adaptations, and tours, was born the seventh of eight children in a genteel but modest household. She knew how much the rhythms of food and gathering shaped life. Breakfast tea was her daily domain. Rising early to write or play the pianoforte, she then prepared a light spread — tea, toast, and rolls, toasted over an open fire with a long iron fork. Served with fresh butter, honey from her sister Cassandra’s hives, or raspberry jam, it was a

ritual of simplicity layered with elegance. The tea itself was luxury — imported, expensive, and kept under lock and key. Austen alone held the caddy keys, carefully portioning out the precious leaves to be brewed with cream and sugar, themselves rare indulgences.

“Tea was an expensive import in her day, not one to be left to the servants, who might pilfer it.”

Tea wasn’t merely sustenance; it was a stage. Days unfolded around it — with dinner in the afternoon, a lighter tea-supper afterward, then cards, music, or dancing. For women like Austen, who could provide accompaniment at the pianoforte, tea became part of performance and connection. At assemblies and balls, the protocols were strict — introductions required, refusals binding.

From these rituals came some of literature’s most enduring moments: Elizabeth and Darcy’s verbal sparring at a dance, Knightley’s gallant rescue of Harriet with a hand extended, and Marianne and Elinor feeling out of place at a glittering London ball. Austen captured these customs because she lived them. As a single woman in a world that prized marriage, she saw the quiet cruelties and kindnesses of the dance floor — and of the drawing room. She chose her path deliberately: independence over convenience, writing over wealth, love over arrangement.

Tea was key to Jane Austen’s life and novels, setting the rhythm for many high points – and character revelations. © Katerina Solovyeva | Dreamstime.com.

The Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England, seen here on Sept. 9, 2023, celebrates a complex period in the author’s life in a place that would figure in her novels. © Jeremy Richards | Dreamstime.com.

Her years in Bath, that fashionable spa city of amusements and promenades, gave her both inspiration and disenchantment. What delights as a visitor can chafe as a resident. Bath, with its glittering façades, became in her fiction a backdrop for both satire (Northanger Abbey) and poignancy (Persuasion). Behind the sparkle lay decline, limitations, and longing — themes she transformed into prose that was both stylish and searing.

Later, at Chawton Cottage, Austen found the stillness to complete the masterpieces we treasure: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Persuasion. Though her novels were published modestly and often anonymously, they endure as some of the most beloved in the English language. Austen understood that gatherings — however fleeting — reveal character. A dance, a walk, a pot of tea: each was a mirror of manners, affections, and ambitions. In her hands, they became timeless studies of the human condition.

And so, as the world marks her 250th year with celebrations of her life and legacy, we too raise a glass — or a cup of tea — to the rituals of gathering that continue to inspire, delight, and endure.

“ Greatness finds its moment, for today she is Jane Austen, bringer of a feast of words.”

Jane Austen’s House museum in Chawton, Hampshire, England. It was at Chawton Cottage on her brother Edward’s estate that she spent the last poignant but literarily fruitful years of her life. © Dmitry Naumov| Dreamstime.com.

The brass plaque dedicated to Jane Austen in Winchester Cathedral, England, where she is buried. The plaque, detailing her accomplishments, was added later.

Your Love Story is Now

No two love stories are ever the same. This one is yours and it's perfect. Our Charleston charm, bespoke spaces, and impeccable service set the stage with every detail addressed and every desire fulfilled. This is where your forever begins.

BARNEYS: Where FASHION Became CULTURE

Written by Colleen Guilfoile Richmond

During the most thrilling decades in New York City, Barneys wasn’t simply a department store—it was a stage for the most influential moments in fashion, a place where creativity collided with commerce, and where style became a cultural language.

In They All Came to Barneys, published in September 2025, Gene Pressman tells the story only he can: from the inside. As the grandson of founder Barney Pressman and co-CEO of Barneys New York during its most innovative era, Gene offers a rare and stylishly candid glimpse into the multigenerational rise—and dramatic fall—of one of the most iconic fashion empires in retail history.

Barneys began humbly in 1923 as a discount men’s clothier on Seventh Avenue. But over three generations—Barney, his son Fred, and Gene—it evolved into a global phenomenon that would redefine luxury retail. Under Gene’s creative direction, Barneys became a launching pad for now-legendary designers such as Giorgio Armani and Azzedine Alaïa, introduced

avant-garde European fashion to American audiences, and turned shopping into a curated, cultural experience. It was a place where Anna Wintour, Steven Meisel, and entire movements in fashion and art converged.

Told with razor-sharp wit and inimitable style, Gene’s memoir spans the birth of ready-to-wear in the 1960s, the glittering disco years of the 1970s, the devastation of AIDS in the 1980s, and the sweeping globalization of the 1990s. It’s an insider’s tour of high fashion’s backstage—from Savile Row and Paris bistros to club nights in downtown Manhattan. Through it all, Barneys became synonymous with daring, sophistication, and that elusive thing: cool.

But the story also traces the risks behind the glamour. As the company expanded into a billion-dollar retail empire, it faced mounting financial pressures, ambitious overreach, and shifting market tides. The result was one of the most storied—and sobering—downfalls in fashion retail. They All Came to Barneys is both a celebration of brilliance and a cautionary tale about legacy and reinvention.

Though Barneys’ flagship on Madison Avenue was its crown jewel, one of its most beloved outposts was right here in Westport. For years, Barneys anchored Main Street with effortless style, bringing cutting-edge fashion to the heart of coastal Connecticut. Locals fondly remember it not just as a store, but as a statement—of taste, of modernity, and of Westport’s place on the cultural map.

While the storefront is no longer open, its spirit still lingers—in the town’s elevated

sensibility and in the memories of those who walked through its sleek, minimalist doors.

Whether you're a fashion aficionado or simply drawn to great storytelling, They All Came to Barneys is a page-turner. Rich in style, layered with legacy, and written with both flair and heart, it captures an unforgettable era—and one family's stylish mark on it.

Barneys may be gone, but its influence endures. And now, so does its story.

"One book changed my life and my business. Which book will do that for you?"

--Jane Ubell-Meyer, Founder

IT HAPPENED ON THE LAKE BY LISA JACKSON

In this intense, twist-filled standalone from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson, Harper Reed Prescott returns to her family’s eerie Victorian mansion on Lake Twilight—site of her grandmother’s suspicious death, her boyfriend’s unsolved disappearance, and a string of dark tragedies that still haunt her twenty years later.

This season’s collection is packed with discoveries waiting for you—thrilling suspense, rich history, and inspiring journeys of self-discovery. These handpicked reads will sweep you into gripping stories, spark reflection on the past, and offer fresh ways to thrive in today’s unpredictable world. Get ready to curl up with books that captivate, challenge, and inspire all season long.

IF THESE WALLS COULD SPEAK BY JEAN PRICE

Trauma can feel like shoving everything into a closet and praying the door won’t burst—spoiler: it does—yet with real strategies to process your past, permission to move at your own pace, and encouragement for the hardest days, you can still claim a worthy and meaningful life.

BedsideReadingAudiobooks.com

Here’s what they’re reading at Andaz Miami Beach by Hyatt, FL

Here’s what they’re reading at Marram Montauk, East Hampton, NY ...

Here’s what they’re reading at The Marker Union Square, San Francisco, CA...

CAPITALIZING

ON CHAOS: THE EXECUTIVE’S GUIDE TO SUCCEED IN DISRUPTION

BY ROB KALWAROWSKY

Amid business pressures, competitive threats, AI shifts, and political upheavals, Capitalizing on Chaos—a powerful self-leadership strategy developed by MIT alum, former NCAA athlete, and TEDx speaker Rob Kalwarowsky—offers people and organizations a guide to finding order and clarity in the future of work.

Here’s what they’re reading at Kimpton Palomar, Philadelphia, PA…

THE CONSTITUTION KIDS

BY GARY GABEL

Fifteen-year-old friends, each with unique strengths, are swept into a summer adventure when a protest over banned books at their small-town library sparks their search for answers, leading them to a magical book that reveals the true meaning of the Constitution. .

Here’s what they’re reading at The Maidstone, East Hampton, NY …

THE NIGHT WE MET: A FLIGHT RISK SPY ROMANCE: BOOK ONE (THE FLIGHT RISK SPY SERIES) BY LISA

JACKSON

From chance encounters to near-deadly escapes, this high-stakes series takes Amanda across continents, through smoky backrooms, and in a race against time. Each book peels back a layer of deception as Amanda learns that flying under the radar might just be the hardest thing of all.

Here’s what they’re reading at Conrad New York Downtown, NY …

Here’s what they’re reading at Acqualina Resort & Spa, Sunny Isles Beach, FL… THE LIES THEY TOLD BY ELLEN MARIE WISEMAN

Set in 1930s Virginia, this moving novel follows a young immigrant mother fighting to protect her dignity and loved ones amid America’s eugenics movement, where prejudice drove forced sterilizations, offering a powerful story of injustice, resilience, and hope for fans of historical fiction.

Here’s what they’re reading at The Pierre A Taj Hotel, New York…

CINEMATIC DESTINIES: A NOVEL (A RED CARPET ROMANCE)

BY PATRICIA LEAVY

For fans of Tessa Bailey and Hannah Grace, Cinematic Destinies is a feel-good, contemporary romance about a trio of adult children searching for love and beauty in the shadow of their parents’ legendary Hollywood fairy-tale romance.

NEURODESIGN: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF HARMONIOUS LIVING

BY DR. RACHEL LYNN MELVALD

Discover the Psychology of Design for a Healthier Home. In Neurodesign: The Art and Science of Harmonious Living, Dr. Rachel Lynn Melvald reveals Psychitecture—the blend of psychology and design— showing how intentional spaces can inspire healing, connection, and growth, making this book your blueprint for transformation..

Here’s what they’re reading at Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island, SC …

THE NEST (FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS)

BY HAL GLATZER

The Nest is a fresh take on the adventure cozy mystery. Herman and Teddie are a playful, affectionate couple in their sixties. One morning, they discover the body of the landlord under their apartment’s balcony. Everyone says it was an accident, but the homicide detective believes it was murder and starts building a case against Herman and Teddie.

Here’s what they’re reading at Beachcomber Resort & Spa, Montauk, NY …

KYD’S GAME

BY MARC ROSENBERG

Accused of assassinating a Russian presidential candidate and hunted by Special Forces, Neil Kyd agrees to a dangerous mission in Moscow in exchange for a chance to save his terminally ill daughter, launching a tense, twist-filled thriller reminiscent of John le Carré and Patricia Highsmith.

BEDSIDE READING’S BOOKS TO ESCAPE IN

Here’s what they’re reading at The Benjamin Royal Sonesta, NYC … THE SOULFUL ABUNDANCE SYSTEM

BY CHRISTINE WILLIAMS

A 6-Step Guide to Creating a 6-Figure Holistic Business with Purpose. Discover the Soulful Abundance System®—a framework to align energy, attract soulmate clients, and scale without burnout. Build consistent income, master heart-led sales, and grow a values-driven business that sustains your mission, financial freedom, and soul-aligned success.

Here’s what they’re reading at Mill House Inn, East Hampton, NY … THE QUEST FOR HAPPINESS: TO BE HAPPY, OR NOT TO BE HAPPY. THE CHOICE IS YOURS. BY

PAULA PRICE

This book offers a compassionate roadmap to lasting happiness through healing, gratitude, self-love, and purposeful choices. Blending practical practices—journaling, nature, meditation—with reflective poetry, it invites readers to nurture resilience, spark creativity, and embrace daily joy, creating a lifelong plan for fulfillment and meaning.

Here’s what they’re reading at Journey East Hampton, NY …

SHE WHO RIDES HORSES: A SAGA OF THE ANCIENT STEPPE, BOOK ONE BY

SARAH V. BARNES

Set more than 6,000 years ago, the saga follows Naya, a daring young outcast who discovers a rare filly and, in forging a bond with it, unwittingly alters the destiny of both humans and horses.

Here’s what they’re reading at Baker House 1650, East Hampton NY … PROOF OF HEAVEN BY MARY

CURRAN HACKETT

Proof of Heaven by Mary Curran Hackett is a moving debut novel about a mother’s faith, a child’s courage, and a doctor’s devotion that explores family, love, and the mysteries of life and the afterlife—perfect for fans of Alice McDermott, Ann Lamott, Jodi Picoult, and The Shack

Here’s what they’re reading at 1708 House, Southampton Inn, NY …

I PERSIST BY

PAULA PRICE

I Persist traces Dr. Patricia V. Smith’s extraordinary rise from a childhood of hardship in Spanish Town, Jamaica, to entrepreneurial success, embodying the Finnish concept of sisu—grit, courage, and unyielding willpower in the face of adversity..

Here’s what they’re reading at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, Dana Point, CA … HER FINAL GAMBLE BY MARY

Here’s what they’re reading at Bardessono Hotel & Spa, Yountville, CA … THE VITALITY JOURNAL: 9 KEYS TO RECLAIM YOUR HEALTH, INCREASE RESILIENCE, AND CULTIVATE JOYFUL SELF-CARE BY

DEBORAH ZUCKER

The Vitality Journal, a companion to The Vitality Map, provides a self-guided space of prompts and practices that foster reflection, creativity, and personal growth in health and self-care.

V. SLINKARD

After losing her family and career in a tragic accident, once-celebrated defense attorney Jacqueline Stone takes on the case of an accused murderer, a gamble that could redeem her reputation—and save a young boy’s life.

ANGIE HARMON:

Grace, Grit & Gathering at Home

When Angie Harmon opens the door, it isn’t Hollywood fanfare that greets you—it’s a warm exhale. Candlelight flickers, a dog winds between chairs, and the air carries that sense of home where laughter and love live. The woman who once lived by call sheets and cameras is most at ease without scripts: at home, surrounded by her daughters.

By Colleen Guilfoile Richmond

Motherhood was never the role she expected to define her, but it’s the one she treasures most. “Being a mom was something I never really expected,” she says. “It’s been my greatest adventure and achievement.” When her girls were little, Harmon commuted between Charlotte and Los Angeles, balancing the demands of a hit series with bedtime stories. “I’d be in the chair at 5:30 a.m. and sometimes home after midnight,” she recalls. “On Sundays I’d take the redeye back from Charlotte to L.A.—a zombie with lipstick.”

“Being a mom was something I never really expected. It’s been my greatest adventure and achievement.”

“Whether you’re having a good day or a bad one, walking into something pretty lifts your spirits.”

It was never easy, but her daughters grew up with both worlds stitched into their childhood. Summers were spent biking the Paramount lot while their mother filmed Rizzoli & Isles. “There were so many people on set who helped raise them,” Harmon remembers. “Lorraine had already raised her own girls, and she was playing mom to me too. We all just banded together.”

Still, Charlotte was the anchor. Moving there when her children were small gave them something Los Angeles couldn’t: permanence. “Charlotte reminded me of Dallas, where I grew up,” she says. “Beautiful, clean, with that same warmth of community.” Over time, the city became home—familiar restaurants, schools, and neighbors. When her daughters return from college, their first stop is always the places they loved as little girls.

Harmon sets her table like a love letter to the season. She layers heirloom china, silver flatware, feathers from her peacock, and plenty of candlelight. “Whether you’re having a good day or a bad one, walking into something pretty lifts your spirits,” she says. For her, entertaining is about intimacy—charity dinners on the porch, potlucks with polish, magnolia leaves painted gold at Christmas. “It doesn’t matter if it’s simple,” she insists. “It’s the love you bring to the table that makes it sacred.”

Her inspirations are easy to spot. Martha Stewart remains a guiding star. “She’s the original,” Harmon says warmly. “An icon. I want to be her when I grow up.” That admiration blends with Southern charm, whimsy, and a heart that can’t resist adopting creatures in need—even the squirrel who now visits daily.

Success, too, has taken on a new shape. Awards and red carpets once marked the dream, but today fulfillment is found in balance. “I used to punish myself for downtime,” she admits. “If I wasn’t filming, I’d think, ‘I’m failing.’ Now I see it differently. A day in pajamas, cooking something delicious, a glass of wine with a friend—that’s not failure. That’s recharging.” Faith, she says, steadies her in those moments. “Even when I’ve worried most, God shows up. Always.”

And yet, the dreamer hasn’t dimmed. Harmon lights up when she talks about the Western she’s developing—a single mother raising three strong-willed daughters on the frontier. “Basically, my life,” she laughs, “just without the washing machine.”

She doesn’t sugarcoat how hard those years of flying back and forth were, but neither does she minimize the village that helped raise her daughters, or the joy of seeing them become women she admires. “They’re morally and ethically sound, responsible, kind members of society,” she says with pride. In a world that feels uncertain, it is her truest achievement.

The season of glow and gathering feels like Angie’s element. On the back porch in Charlotte, silver catches the candlelight on a table of heirlooms and greenery. There’s laughter down the hall, the hum of a house that holds both chaos and comfort. “Candlelight makes everything more intimate,” she says, smiling. “Everybody looks pretty in that glow.”

“On Sundays, I’d take the red-eye back from Charlotte to L.A.—a zombie with lipstick.”

PA ME LA THE ART OF BEING REAL ANDERSON

It’s not often that a star redefines herself in the middle of her life.

Reinvention in Hollywood tends to mean disappearing, resurfacing, or playing a self-parody. But Pamela Anderson — forever etched in cultural memory as the blonde bombshell who sprinted across our television screens in slow motion — is scripting something different.

At fifty-seven, she has embarked on what can only be described as a renaissance: raw, real, and radiant in ways that feel both unexpected and inevitable.

By Colleen Guilfoile Richmond

The images accompanying this story — never before published — capture Pamela in a vision of elegance she dreamt up on a whim, proving what many who know her best already understand: she is at once spontaneous and deeply intentional. Her latest chapter is a reminder that beauty, success, and relevance don’t fade with age; they evolve.

When Pamela stepped onto the Broadway stage in 2022 as Roxie Hart in Chicago, the world didn’t quite know what to expect. But what unfolded was nothing short of electric. Critics praised her vulnerability, audiences adored her, and Pamela proved that she was more than capable of commanding a stage with wit, timing, and gravitas. What was meant to be a curiosity quickly became a revelation: Pamela wasn’t borrowing someone else’s spotlight. She had reignited her own.

That spark carried into her work in film. Her performance in The Next Showgirl earned her a Golden Globe nomination, a recognition that underscored her range and resilience. Other accolades followed, cementing her status not as a pop-culture nostalgia act but as a performer with depth and staying power. In an industry that too often discards women after a certain age, Pamela has become a powerful counter-narrative: not only is she still working, she’s working better than ever.

“I feel more like myself now than ever.”

Perhaps the most radical choice Pamela has made is one that seems deceptively simple: taking it all off. In 2023, she began showing up at events, premieres, and even Paris Fashion Week without a trace of makeup. The reaction was explosive. What could have been dismissed as a passing statement became a movement. Pamela’s “no-makeup era” captured global attention — a direct challenge to the culture of filters, cosmetic procedures, and impossible beauty standards. For a woman once synonymous with high-gloss sex appeal, the decision to strip back and present herself as she is felt daring, vulnerable, and ultimately freeing. “Why should I hide?” she has said in interviews. “I feel more like myself now than ever.” It was a revelation for fans and critics alike: Pamela Anderson had nothing left to prove, and by removing the armor, she became even more magnetic.

That philosophy translated seamlessly into her entrepreneurial ventures. This year, Pamela launched Sonsieskin, her own skincare line that embodies her stripped-down approach to beauty. The products emphasize nourishment, honesty, and natural radiance — a reflection of her personal journey away from heavy artifice and toward authenticity. In a market crowded with celebrity beauty brands, Sonsieskin stands out not just because of the name attached to it, but because it feels like a natural extension of Pamela herself. She isn’t selling an image; she’s sharing a ritual.

Hollywood hasn’t let go of Pamela either. She recently appeared in the Naked Gun reboot, stepping into a franchise known for its comedic absurdity. It’s a reminder of Pamela’s humor — the often-overlooked quality that fueled her earliest rise and has quietly run through her entire career. The casting makes perfect sense: who better than Pamela Anderson to parody the

idea of Pamela Anderson? Only this time, the joke isn’t on her. It’s with her.

Fashion, too, has embraced Pamela anew. Designers have flocked to her, seeing in her not only a muse but a symbol of a cultural shift. She has appeared on runways and in the pages of the world’s most prestigious magazines, often photographed bare-faced and smiling. In 2023, she graced the cover of Vogue France, a stunning full-circle moment that cemented her as a fashion icon — not in spite of her past, but because of the way she has embraced every part of it.

Those who know Pamela personally describe a woman who is both playful and profound. These small glimpses are what make her Renaissance so compelling: it isn’t a strategy, it’s simply who she is.

Pamela Anderson’s latest chapter isn’t a comeback. That word implies a return to something that was lost. What Pamela has done is different: she has reframed her legacy entirely. She has taken control of her narrative, chosen what to reveal and what to shed, and emerged as one of the most fascinating women of her generation. The girl from British Columbia who became a global symbol of beauty is now something even more powerful: a woman at ease in her own skin, a performer still daring to surprise, and a cultural figure redefining what it means to live authentically in the spotlight. And perhaps that’s the most radical thing of all.

As these portraits grace our pages, they remind us of a truth Pamela has lived into: beauty is not about perfection or preservation, but about presence. Her greatest performance may be happening now — not in a role she’s been given, but in the life she’s chosen to live.

Pamela Anderson, it turns out, has always known how to capture the world’s attention. The difference today is that she’s doing it entirely on her own terms.

Photographer: Liz Rosa @lizrosa

Wardrobe: Janet Ross @janetadrienne

Pamela assistant: Georgia Hassler @realtorgeorgiaprimar

Hair by: Stacy Minkova @hair_issues

Make up: Nadia Hoecklin @nadiahoecklin

Wedgewood Hotel, Vancouver, Canada

Executive Producer: Vernard Goud -LuvnGrace Productions @vernardluvngrace

Co-Producers: Steven Robertson @stevenrobertsonart , Dave Burkhart @david.burkhart

The perfect island escape awaits.

Bermuda may feel like another world, but this idyllic getaway is just a two-hour flight from the East Coast. With wide-open spaces, pink-sand beaches and turquoise waters, Bermuda is ready to safely welcome you to her shores.

ESCAPE

EASE, ELEVATED: Finding Stillness at Azura, Bermuda

WHERE OCEANFRONT

LUXURY MEETS EFFORTLESS ISLAND RHYTHM, AND EVERY VIEW FEELS LIKE YOUR OWN PRIVATE WORLD.

By Colleen Guilfoile Richmond

By Colleen Guilfoile Richmond

Bermuda has a way of catching you off guard, not because of its beauty (that’s a given), but because of its ease. You can leave the East Coast after breakfast and be swimming in turquoise water by lunch. With direct flights from Charlotte and Westchester, this Atlantic gem is one of the most effortless escapes from the U.S., and yet, when your driver winds along the coastal road to Azura, it feels a world away.

Perched high above the South Shore cliffs, Azura doesn’t shout its presence, it whispers it. White terraces spill toward the sea, palms sway lazily in the breeze, and the Atlantic unfurls endlessly below. It’s quiet, modern, and transportive, the kind of place that makes you exhale before you realize you were holding your breath.

Days at Azura follow a rhythm that feels like instinct. Mornings begin with coffee on your private terrace as the ocean shifts through shades of impossible blue. A dip in the saltwater ocean pool leads naturally to a long, lazy lunch by the Terrace Pool and Bar. Time moves differently here, slower, softer, sweeter.

The one-bedroom ocean-view suite we stayed in captures that same balance of ease and refinement. Airy and sun-washed, it feels like your own private villa, complete with a full kitchen, living room, and a terrace that seems to hover above the sea. Slip into the crisp

linens after a swim, and you’ll understand why guests always add “just one more night.”

Thoughtful touches, Malin + Goetz bath amenities, Nespresso coffee, and the resort’s fill-the-fridge service make it feel like home, only better.

As the sun sets, all paths lead to SURF, the resort’s restaurant led by Chef Douglas Sisk, former personal chef to five U.S. presidents. After decades of cooking for the White House and abroad, he brings a globally refined touch to the island. His menu, Mediterranean meets

island soul, is both elegant and generous. The four-course chef’s table dinner is a must: tuna ceviche, osso buco, perfect wine pairings, and a finale of decadent desserts that remind you what pleasure tastes like. With a little notice, this can be booked year-round.

Step beyond the resort and Bermuda deepens its spell. The island’s nine parishes unfold like watercolor postcards, pastel cottages, winding lanes, and more than 150 churches, some older than the nation itself. Bermuda’s story began with pure chance: the Sea Venture, an English ship bound for Virginia, wrecked on the reefs in 1609. Its crew became the island’s first settlers, writing home about a paradise worth keeping. The island’s name was inherited from the Spanish explorer Juan de Bermúdez, who first charted it but never came ashore. In St. George’s, St. Peter’s Church, the oldest continuously used Anglican church in the Western Hemisphere, still holds that history in its cedar beams.

What makes Bermuda so special isn’t just its beauty, it’s the way it suspends you between worlds. Close enough to be spontaneous, yet far

enough to quiet everything that came before you landed. The people are gracious without pretense, the pace, unhurried but polished. Golf courses roll toward the sea, trails dip to hidden coves, and the light, that crystalline Atlantic light, softens everything it touches.

Back at Azura, the design mirrors the island’s mood, modern lines, open air, and views that seem to follow you everywhere. For families, couples, or solo travelers, it’s both a sanctuary and a springboard, a place to rest between swims, stories, and sunsets. Accommodations range from one to three bedrooms, and the staff feel like old friends.

Leaving feels like waking from a beautiful dream. You promise yourself you’ll return, not just for the views or the food, but for that rare feeling Bermuda gives so easily, of being exactly where you’re meant to be.

CLASSIC, meet CONTEMPORARY; TRADITIONAL, say “hey there” to SOUTHERN CHIC.

Whether traveling on business or for pure indulgent R&R, Zero George delivers Charleston’s premier boutique hotel experience.

When guests at our award-winning Zero George Hotel kept telling us they wish they could stay longer—much longer—we listened. Now, in addition to our hotel, we proudly offer the Residences at Zero George—luxury that entices you to linger. Five exquisitely designed private residences available for up-to-twelve month extended stays, with all the indulgence and amenities of a boutique hotel at your fingertips. Live like a local, luxuriate like a guest.

JANUARY 15 - 18, 2026

Raise A Glass

To All That’s Good

Join us for a celebration of world-class wines and acclaimed chefs at South Florida’s iconic The Boca Raton—in support of a meaningful cause. In partnership with Napa Valley Vintners.

100+ Winemakers | 20+ Michelin-Starred & Celebrated Chefs

30+ Curated Experiences | Vintner-Hosted Dinners

Gala and Charity Auction

TASTE

THE CHEF’S TABLE: DONNA LENNARD OF IL BUCO

A Legacy of Intention, Integrity, and Inspired Hospitality

By Marci Moreau

In a dynamic and ever-evolving restaurant world, where creativity, innovation, and global influences continually reshape the way we eat and gather, Donna Lennard remains one of the culinary world’s rare steady forces. An artist at heart, filmmaker by training, and self-taught hospitality visionary, she is a woman whose career is defined by a profound soul, an unwavering passion for food, and a quiet, commanding power that nourishes both heart and palate.

Lennard is the founder and creative mind behind the beloved Il Buco family of restaurants and lifestyle brands. For over three decades, Donna Lennard has cultivated more than a culinary identity, building a philosophy, and a way of life rooted in intention, tradition, and deep human connection.

Raised with a profound appreciation for craftsmanship, authenticity, and the power of gathering, Donna arrived in New York with a deep love for Italian culture, art, and cuisine. In 1994, what began as a modest antiques shop

on Bond Street soon evolved, almost organically, into a pioneering restaurant shaped by rustic Mediterranean cooking. With food, not tied to any one region, but grounded in timeless hospitality and a commitment to real, whole ingredients made with intention and heart, long before “farm-to-table” became part of the culinary lexicon.

At the heart of Il Buco’s enduring spirit is Donna’s unwavering commitment to authenticity. “We always stay grounded in the ethos with which we began,” she says. “Sourcing the best ingredients and preparing them respectfully, with love. We work hard to keep the team collaborating around the values we hold dear~ passion, authenticity, and community.”

That quiet clarity has allowed Il Buco to grow without losing its center. Today, the family of businesses includes Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria, Il Buco Vita, and several regional expansions that continue to carry forward the brand’s ethos of simple beauty, craft, and meaningful connection.

Yet amid the fast-evolving restaurant industry, Donna has never been one to chase the moment. Instead, she leads with curiosity and care. “We don’t chase trends,” she explains. “We stay grounded by listening, staying curious, and trusting that integrity and intention will always be relevant.”

At the core of that philosophy is an expansive view of family, one that now includes longtime team members, loyal guests, farmers, artisans, and partners on both sides of the Atlantic. “Our ‘family’ has simply grown larger over time,” Lennard reflects. “It includes our regulars, farmers, producers both locally and in Italy, and our team, some of whom have been with us for more than 25 years. As the business has expanded, we work to bring all voices into the creative process. The goal is always to create a warm, inviting environment where people can share meals, ideas, and feel connected to community and to the planet.”

Sustainability, both environmental and human, is also central to Lennard’s vision. It’s not just a slogan or marketing hook, but a real responsibility. “The restaurant industry is working hard to become a sustainable and there is still a long way to go,” she acknowledges. “Since food waste is one of the largest contributors to global warming, we can simply begin there. There’s huge room for improvement in supporting sustainable practices in farming and feeding the world. We start by sourcing responsibly and educating

ourselves, our teams, and our guests about what we can do better. We honor those who’ve contributed to building better food systems, and we nurture our relationships to create a community dedicated to healing the planet.”

But perhaps what elevates Il Buco spaces most of all is the care for detail, the kind of invisible magic that turns a meal into a memory. “I truly believe there’s magic in the details,” Donna says. “The atmosphere, the table setting, the lighting, the ingredients, the people you surround yourself with, it all shapes the experience. Connections with others through food, creative conversation, and an open mind are the ingredients that feed us, connecting us to the world in ways that matter.”

And it’s true. To step inside an Il Buco space is to enter a timeless world, where beauty lives in imperfection and where every detail, from the food that nourishes the body and soul, to the furniture that tells a story, to the relationships that sustain us, comes together as a powerful meditation on intention and meaning.

In a fast-moving industry, Donna Lennard remains a undeniable force, reminding us that true power lies in staying rooted in purpose, craft, and connection, and of course, food. Il Buco has always been more than a restaurant. It is a way of life, and a very powerful celebration of how we gather, nourish, and live with intention.

THE IL BUCO FAMILY OF BUSINESSES:

• Il Buco — 47 Bond Street, NYC

The original that started it all — a rustic Mediterranean restaurant inspired by oldworld cooking and communal gathering.

• Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria — 53 Great Jones Street, NYC

A housemade celebration of artisanal food, with a market, bakery, and dining space rooted in craft and community.

• Il Buco Vita — Bond Street — 51 Bond Street, NYC

A lifestyle shop showcasing handcrafted home goods, antiques, and curated pieces inspired by Donna’s travels and philosophy of intentional living.

• Il Buco Vita — Amagansett — 108 Main Street, Amagansett, NY

A coastal expression of the Vita ethos, offering timeless Mediterranean design and artisan homewares in the heart of the Hamptons.

• Il Buco Vita Showroom & Warehouse — Kingston, NY

A larger showroom and creative hub in the Hudson Valley, featuring bespoke furniture, ceramics, events, and special collections.

• Il Buco al Mare — 231 Main Street, Amagansett, NY

A Hamptons restaurant inspired by the sea, blending Il Buco’s signature warmth with seasonal seafood and fresh coastal flavors.

LAILA GOHAR,

Food in Wonderland

www.gohar.world

The Egyptian-born artist and designer, based in New York, puts food at the center of her playgrounds in installations, pop-ups, and interior decorations, blending storytelling and emotion, between fashion, art, and design.

by Nathalie Dassa

Crédit photo © Darian Dicianno

Roses crystallized in sugar for a Simone Rocha fashion show, cake chairs for Sotheby’s, a five-meter raspberry tart for Hermès, a four-meter mortadella for the inauguration of Galeries Lafayette on the Champs-Élysées in France... Laila Gohar captivates with her sense of excess and pleasure, conviviality and hospitality. Born in Cairo, Egypt, and now based in New York, she has established her own style between artistic performance and catering, pushing the boundaries of gastronomy. In ten years, she has become a leading figure in the world of fashion, design, and art. Other major fashion houses, such as Gucci, Prada, and Comme des Garçons, call upon her fertile imagination, where glitz and extravagance blend into inventive settings.

Photo credit © Francesco Nazardo / CLM, Courtesy of Marimekko

Photo credit © Francesco Nazardo / CLM, Courtesy of Marimekko

FROM THE MARVELOUS TO THE SURREAL

Today, culinary aesthetics are constantly reinventing itself through bold concepts, innovative creations, and immersive experiences, blurring the boundaries between sectors. Artistic expression thus finds its way onto every table. Laila Gohar’s works evoke enchantment and eccentricity. Her repertoire is open to everything, everywhere. She also draws on her roots, heritage, and education to weave stories.

In 2020, she opened up new possibilities in interior design and tableware through her brand, Gohar World, which she created with her sister Nadia. Together, they playfully reinterpret the functionality of everyday objects. Their inaugural collection was designed for hosting in the modern world, where satin and lace interact with playful accessories.

Laila Gohar brings chic back to oven mitts and dishwashing gloves, transforms radishes into flowers, imagines heirloom tomatoes as large ice cubes, sublimates a swan into an artichoke, re-enchants tablecloths with cakes resembling shirts adorned with orange blossoms and almonds, and designs a chandelier with hard-boiled eggs... The inventiveness is limitless!

A WHIMSICAL UNIVERSE

After Salvador Dalí’s gala dinners, it’s time for Laila Gohar’s culinary explorations. This young mother of a two-and-a-half-yearold son, Paz, with her partner Ignacio Mattos, chef at the helm of

avant-garde New York restaurants such as Estela and Altro Paradiso, continues to further her expertise. She also writes monthly columns for the Financial Times in her “How to host it” section, where she tells stories about receptions and the art of hosting.

Since 2024, Laila Gohar has been based in the Tribeca neighborhood, with the Gohar World label nearby, leaving Chinatown where she had lived and worked for seven years. She continues to combine the personal and the professional, inviting her guests to large, increasingly inventive dinner parties.

In September 2025, she collaborated with Marimekko, a Finnish lifestyle design brand, on a capsule collection dedicated to the bedroom, paying tribute to the legendary prints of textile designer Maija Isola. The same month, at Paris Design Week, she designed a range of home linens for the Vis-à-Vis Paris brand, accompanied by a scenography in the form of an enchanted vegetable garden with snacks sprouting from the ground.

For Gohar World’s end-of-year collection, “The Table VIII FW Holiday 2025/2026,” she drew inspiration from the dreamlike beauty of the Nile, with refined materials, original accessories, and simple gestures, welcoming more and more “those who sit at our table.”

@lailacooks | gohar.world | @gohar.world

Photo credits

Gifts Kits and Products Flats

© Rhea Karam / The Table VIII FW Holiday 2025/2026Gohar World

Crédit photo © Darian Dicianno

VWELCOME TO V-CITIES, WHERE WE SPOTLIGHT THE VIBRANT REGIONS THAT CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF VIVANT MAGAZINE. FROM CHARMING COASTAL ENCLAVES TO DYNAMIC URBAN HUBS, DISCOVER THE NEIGHBORHOODS, HIDDEN TREASURES, AND DISTINCTIVE PERSONALITIES THAT DEFINE THE LOCALS WE CELEBRATE —WHETHER IT’S A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED OPENING, OR AN UNDISCOVERED GEM WAITING TO BE EXPLORED.

CHARLOTTE & THE CAROLINAS

CHARLESTON & THE LOW COUNTRY

CT. GOLD COAST

THE PALM BEACHES

NEW YORK

A DIVINE DINING EXPERIENCE: LELUIA HALL BLENDS HISTORIC CHARM WITH “STEAK &

SURF”

In Charlotte’s historic Dilworth neighborhood, a culinary sanctuary has emerged within the walls of a beautifully repurposed 1915 church: Leluia Hall. This unique venue offers a divine dining experience, seamlessly blending its rich historical charm with a modern, sophisticated “steak & surf” concept.

More than just a restaurant, Leluia Hall is an experience. The venue’s menu is a celebration of prime cuts of steak and fresh seafood, complemented by a full raw bar and mini tacos crafted with house-made tortillas. The flavors are described as fresh, bright, and tropical, drawing inspiration from the coastal Americas to create a truly vibrant culinary journey.

The ambiance is a unique fusion of the sacred and the sensational. The historic architecture provides a backdrop of timeless elegance, while the thoughtfully curated menu and intimate setting create an atmosphere of refined indulgence. Whether you’re seeking an intimate dinner or a memorable event, Leluia Hall offers a setting that is both grand and welcoming.

Leluia Hall is open Tuesday through Sunday, providing ample opportunity to experience its distinct charm. It’s not merely a meal; it’s an invitation to savor a piece of history and a taste of the extraordinary.

DUNBAR SOCIAL: CLASSIC DESIGN MEETS PLAYFUL ELEGANCE

Opening in Fall 2025 at The Ballantyne, Dunbar Social by Topgolf Swing Suite is poised to become the city’s premier destination for corporate gatherings and social events. It’s a space where a vibrant atmosphere effortlessly blends with classic modern design.

Spanning 9,200 square feet, Dunbar Social offers a refined playground for all. The heart of the experience lies within its five high-tech Swing Suite bays, which offer a wide range of interactive games, from zombie dodge to golf.

Beyond the bays, a chic lounge and bar area provides a perfect spot to unwind, while the expansive outdoor terrace with its own bar top is ideal for cocktails under the stars. Guests can indulge in a chef-driven menu featuring local flavors and a selection of signature craft cocktails.

With its blend of refined design, cutting-edge technology, and a fun, energetic spirit, Dunbar Social is set to redefine what it means to gather, connect, and celebrate in Charlotte.

CHARLOTTE’S NEWEST GEM: MARKET ON MOREHEAD BLENDS FARM-TO-TABLE DINING WITH HIGH-END ENTERTAINMENT

Charlotte’s vibrant culinary scene is set to welcome a new beacon of elegance: Market on Morehead. This eagerly anticipated destination promises an elevated experience where refined dining meets dynamic entertainment, all set against the picturesque Charlotte Rail Trail.

Market on Morehead is more than just a restaurant; it’s a lifestyle destination. Here, the philosophy of farm-to-table dining truly comes alive, with a menu crafted from the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. Complementing this exquisite fare is a thoughtfully curated selection of craft beverages, from local brews and fine wines to expertly mixed cocktails.

The ambiance is as captivating as the cuisine. Designed as a chic community hub, the space blends modern elegance with inviting warmth. The crown jewel is an expansive outdoor patio offering stunning views of the Charlotte skyline.

Beyond the plate, Market on Morehead redefines entertainment. Live music will fill the air, and for major events, a massive 25-ft Jumbotron will provide a spectacle. It’s an intelligent fusion of high-end dining and immersive entertainment, set to become the city’s premier gathering place.

As Charlotte looks to Winter 2025, Market on Morehead prepares to open its doors at 1001 Morehead Square Dr. This is not merely a new restaurant; it’s an invitation to experience the future of refined Southern living.

NAVY YARD CHARLESTON

Where Heritage Meets Design

A century ago, the Navy Yard was a world of iron and industry — shipbuilders, rivets, and the hum of the Cooper River. Today, that same stretch of shoreline is being reimagined as Charleston’s most exciting new design destination. Opening this fall, the Charleston Design District will anchor the 85-acre redevelopment, transforming the storied Storehouses Eight and Nine into a curated collective of showrooms, studios, and creative spaces.

Led by Jamestown, in collaboration with Weaver Capital Partners and WECCO Development, the revival blends history with vision: weathered brick, steel beams, and arched windows now frame light-filled interiors that will soon house design powerhouses like Kravet, Schumacher, and Textures. A rooftop restaurant from Indigo Road Hospitality will crown the space, overlooking the river and a new courtyard where creativity and conversation will flow as easily as the tide.

Beyond the showrooms, Navy Yard Charleston is shaping into a full neighborhood of craft and culture, complete with creative offices, residences, and riverside greenways that invite a slower, more intentional way of living. It’s industrial heritage with soul, transformed into a new kind of Lowcountry landmark, one that celebrates design, preservation, and the beauty of reinvention.

Navy Yard Charleston

North Charleston, South Carolina

www.navyyardcharleston.com

Images courtesy of Navy Yard Charleston

ALLORA CHARLESTON

Where Coastal Italy Meets the Lowcountry

Charleston has a new crush. Opening October 1, 2025, Allora brings the effortless elegance of the Amalfi Coast to Spring Street. Created by Free Reign Restaurants, it’s more than a dining destination — it’s a whole mood: part trattoria, part rooftop escape, part neighborhood haunt.

Inside, hand-troweled plaster walls, lemon trees, and Campari-red accents set the scene for long lunches and golden-hour spritzes. The main dining room hums with energy, while the rooftop terrazza glows under string lights and classic Italian films flicker above. Even the streetside window has its own charm, serving espresso, gelato, and boozy pops to passersby.

The menu is bright and coastal — handmade pastas, vibrant crudi, and simple, beautiful dishes that taste like summer in Positano. A sip of limoncello, a plate of clam linguine, and suddenly Charleston feels a little more Italian.

Allora Charleston

114 Spring Street, Charleston, SC www.allorachs.com

Images courtesy of Allora Charleston

THE NICKEL, CHARLESTON

Charleston has a new darling — The Nickel, a five-story boutique hotel on Upper King Street. Designed by Morris Adjmi Architects with interiors by Method Studios, it reimagines Southern charm with a modern edge. Arched windows, wrought-iron balconies, checkerboard marble floors, and an interior courtyard create a sense of quiet elegance, complete with a two-tier fountain and café-style tables perfect for a morning espresso or an evening glass of wine.

Each of the 50 rooms and suites feels more like an elegant pied-à-terre than a traditional hotel stay. Sleek Bosch kitchens, marble counters, rain showers, and, in some rooms, private balconies overlook the city. The penthouses add wraparound terraces and skyline views that stretch from the church spires to the harbor.

The social scene here is equally refined. Guests start their mornings with coffee at Bar Daniel, then migrate to Rosemary Rose,

the rooftop bar where Mediterranean small plates meet sunset cocktails (and mocktails). Downstairs, The Parlour doubles as a listening room and cozy lounge — the kind of place you could lose track of time in.

Stylish, serene, and a little bit secret, The Nickel feels like Charleston’s next great hideaway — perfectly polished, but never trying too hard.

TANYA TAYLOR, GREENWICH

Color, confidence, and craftsmanship take center stage at Tanya Taylor’s new boutique on Greenwich Avenue, which opened in October 2025 — the designer’s second U.S. location after her SoHo flagship. Known for her joyful use of color and painterly prints, Taylor brings her signature mix of art and optimism to Connecticut with a 1,700-square-foot space that feels more like a home atelier than a retail store. Designed with the same thoughtful flair that defines her collections, the boutique features curated vignettes of readyto-wear, resort pieces, and accessories displayed amid soft lighting, sculptural furniture, and pops of saturated color. For Taylor, who has dressed everyone from Michelle Obama to Tracee Ellis Ross, the new Greenwich outpost is more than an expansion — it’s an invitation to experience her world up close, where fashion feels warm, expressive, and effortlessly modern.

A NEW BLOOM AT THE DELAMAR: DANDELION OPENS

Westport’s culinary scene is set to blossom again with the arrival of Dandelion, the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant debuting this fall inside the Delamar Westport. The concept promises a fresh, elegant take on coastal dining — light, layered flavors drawn from the shores of the Aegean and Amalfi, paired with the quiet sophistication Delamar hotels are known for.

With its serene riverside setting and understated interiors, Dandelion will bring a taste of the Mediterranean to Fairfield County — a place where guests can linger over grilled branzino, a chilled glass of rosé, and the golden hour glow filtering through linen-draped windows.

A welcome addition to the Delamar family, Dandelion captures exactly what we love about Westport: refined, sunkissed, and effortlessly chic.

DELAMAR WESTPORT: WHERE COASTAL EASE MEETS COUTURE DESIGN

There’s a new reason to linger on Connecticut’s Gold Coast — and it’s spelled Delamar Westport. The long-awaited boutique hotel has officially opened at 1595 Post Road East, transforming the site of the former Westport Inn into a destination that feels at once local and luminous, chic yet unmistakably relaxed. With 86 rooms and suites, the property blends modern coastal design with a distinctly cosmopolitan sensibility — the kind of place where a martini tastes better under soft light and every corner seems designed for conversation.

Inside, Christian Siriano, the New York–based designer and longtime Connecticut resident, has brought his couture touch to the interiors, infusing each space with sculptural furniture, saturated color, and a quietly confident sense of glamour. His three custom Siriano Suites are the crown jewels: part fashion atelier, part art installation, part sanctuary. The lobby itself feels like a stylish gathering of ideas — equal parts hotel, gallery, and daydream.

The hotel’s restaurant, Dandelion, extends that same creative spirit to the table. Mediterranean-inspired and sunlit by day, it shifts into something intimate and glowing by night — serving fresh seafood, house-made pastas, and cocktails that taste like an endless summer. Outside, terraces spill into gardens, and guests drift between the bar, lounge, and outdoor seating as if at a private estate party. Together, it’s everything you expect from a Delamar — warmth, polish, and effortless sophistication, but with a little more imagination. Westport finally has a hotel that doesn’t just welcome you in; it makes you want to stay awhile. delamar.com/westport

THE VINETA HOTEL, PALM BEACH

A whisper of old-world glamour meets fresh modern elegance in Palm Beach’s most anticipated hotel rebirth: The Vineta Hotel. Slated to open in 2025 under the prestigious Oetker Collection, this marks the brand’s first U.S. “Masterpiece Hotel,” and it’s already turning heads.

Located just two blocks off Worth Avenue, Vineta will reintroduce itself with only 41 rooms (down from 57), ensuring each space feels intimate and impeccably designed. The restoration is led by Paris-based AD100 designer Tino Zervudachi, who’s blending airy Mediterranean Revival architecture with Palm Beach’s breezy sophistication. Think soft pastels, luminous courtyards, and the kind of discreet luxury that defines the island’s allure.

Highlights include Coco’s, the hotel’s signature Mediterranean inspired restaurant, a chic cocktail bar, a tranquil pool house, and lush outdoor lounges perfect for long lunches or late night whispers. With The Vineta, Palm Beach gains not just a hotel, but a sanctuary — a boutique jewel that captures the timeless charm of old Palm Beach while ushering in a new era of refined hospitality.

NORA DISTRICT, WEST PALM

BEACH

West Palm Beach is getting a new heartbeat, and it’s called Nora District. Set to open its first phase in late 2025, this $1 billion mixed-use neighborhood reimagines 40 acres north of downtown into a walkable enclave of design, dining, and discovery. Named for “North Railroad Avenue,” Nora is where old industrial bones meet new creative energy, a place that feels more SoHo-meets-South Florida than suburban sprawl.

Developed by NDT Development, Place Projects, and Wheelock Street Capital, the project’s first wave will debut a curated mix of restaurants, boutiques, wellness studios, and social spaces, all within palm-shaded streets and art-filled courtyards.

Confirmed openings include Del Mar Mediterranean, Juliana’s, Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar, Indaco, Sana Skin Studio, Warby Parker, and IGK Salon — a lineup that reads like a who’s-who of modern lifestyle brands.

Beyond retail, Nora is positioning itself as a cultural hub — a place where design galleries, rooftop lounges, and live music spill into the open air. Expect to see chefs, creatives, and stylish locals treating it as their daily playground. With Nora, West Palm is finally getting what Palm Beach never needed: a downtown scene that’s cool, curated, and just a little bit rebellious.

Visit www.norawpb.com for more information.

Photo courtesy of The Nora District / norawpb.com

BIBA SOCIAL / CLUB BIBA, WEST PALM BEACH

If exclusivity had an address, it would be 320 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach — soon to be home to Biba Social, a refined members-only club reimagining the art of gathering. The project aims for a late 2025 opening, transforming the historic Hotel Biba property into a destination where community and curation meet in one elegant envelope.

Behind its palm-lined façade, Biba members will find intimate lounges, cocktail bars, artfully designed interiors, and event spaces crafted for everything from curated dinners and music nights to fireside talks and private celebrations. This isn’t just about being seen — it’s about being part of something distinct, a place where West Palm’s creative and connected crowd mingle over martinis, inspiration, and impeccable taste.

Designed by Major Studio, Biba’s aesthetic merges European club sophistication with tropical ease. Think velvet textures, vintage lighting, and a sense of understated indulgence that honors the building’s past while firmly anchoring it in the present. It’s a revival of the social club tradition — seductive, selective, and utterly of the moment. Expect Biba to become the new password on everyone’s lips.

Visit hotelbiba.com to explore membership, design visuals, and the unfolding vision.

Photo credits: courtesy of Palm Beach Post / Biba Social / historic Hotel Biba renderings

PALETTE, PANACHE, AND PHILANTHROPY: INSIDE THE WORLD OF KATHY PROUNIS A Force in

by Norah Lawlor

In a world where interiors too often echo trends rather than individual stories, Kathy Prounis stands apart. A visionary interior designer whose work spans from Manhattan penthouses to seaside retreats in the Hamptons, Kathy brings decades of expertise and a singular sense of style to every project she touches. Her philosophy is simple but profound: design as it should be; thoughtful, timeless, and authentic.

With over thirty years of experience and a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Design, Kathy’s journey into the world of interiors began on the West Coast, where she worked on a wide range of commercial projects, from university dining halls to boutique hotels and even a bowling alley. But it was her move to New York that solidified her place in the upper echelons of design, taking on over one million square feet of commercial space for some of the world’s most respected companies.

Prounis brings a rare balance of creative vision and strategic insight to her work. In addition to large-scale commercial and residential design, she has a sharp eye for real estate and has successfully renovated and flipped multiple properties, merging aesthetics with investment-savvy decision-making.

However, to see Kathy only as a designer would be to miss the fuller picture.

Interiors, A Heart in Philanthropy

She is equally passionate about giving back. As an alumin member of the Executive Board of the Museum of the City of New York, Kathy founded I Spy NY, a groundbreaking photography program for children, designed to nurture creative expression and build visual literacy at a young age. Her commitment to the next generation extends to her board work with the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, a legendary organization known for its annual Decorator Show House, and the Couture Council of the Museum at FIT, where she celebrates the intersection of fashion and design. She is also an active supporter of the Learning Through Art initiative at the Guggenheim Museum

Kathy’s own design sensibility mirrors her philanthropic heart— refined yet playful, rooted in tradition but open to reinvention. She is a connoisseur of the classics but never afraid of a bold gesture, drawing upon her lifelong love of fashion, photography, architecture, and the arts.

Whether designing a serene Hamptons beach house or reimagining a historic Manhattan apartment, Kathy Prounis approaches each project with the same goal: Everyone should live beautifully and meaningfully in every space they inhabit.

Her reputation for excellence and discretion has been earned through her acquiring and renovating her own homes and establishing a distinguished place in the world of East Coast design. Kathy has been described as a style maven, a tastemaker, and a true style influencer. What she wears and how she lives reflects the same thoughtful vision she brings to her design work. Her influence extends far beyond the spaces she creates. Her impact is felt in the lives she touches and the connections she fosters.

RAND LUXURY

Bradford Rand and his team at RAND Luxury hosted their invitation-only Annual Hamptons Concours bringing together $100m of classic and contemporary cars with a special emphasis on the Ferrari and Porsche marques in Bridgehampton, Benefitting the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation.

ARF HAMPTONS BOWWOW MEOW BALL

The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF) is celebrating fifty incredible years of saving lives. The summer’s centerpiece, the Bow Wow Meow Ball was an unforgettable evening dedicated to helping animals find their forever homes. Next, leash up for the beloved Stroll to the Sea Dog Walk on October 11th.

PCF

Michael Milken’s Prostate Cancer Foundation hosted their annual Hamptons Gala as the social centerpiece of their PCF Pro-Am Tennis Tournament which was held over the weekend at private estates in the Hamptons. The gala included a special performance by comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

NORTHWELL SHE

(Summer

Hamptons Evening)

Northwell Health’s Katz Institute for Women’s Health hosted its Summer Hamptons Evening in Water Mill, NY. The event included presenting sponsors Victoria Moran-Furman, Eric Moran, Iris and Saul Katz, and Larry Scott, with Good Day New York’s Rosanna Scotto serving as emcee. Funds raised will support the Institute. The evening celebration included dinner under the tent by Lawrence Scott Events, an impactful program and a special musical performance.

SILVERSTEIN DREAM FOUNDATION

The Silverstein Dream Foundation annual Hamptons Garden Gala to benefit the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation took place at the beautiful home of Co-Hosts Patricia & Roger Silverstein. Patricia is a Life and Business Coach and Founder of Coaching X Humanity and the President of the Silverstein Dream Foundation, an organization with a unique mission to support diabetes research and address chronic conditions associated with diabetes and its inflammatory effects.