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Marc Cain presents ‘Equestrian Grace’ Laika’s New ‘Wildwood’ StopMotion Film Salvage City Supper Club Avulux
RAMY BROOK SHARP THE CREATIVE FORCE IN FASHION
Extraordinary by nature
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BEHIND THE SCENES
mann about town
President & CEO Jeff Mann Editor Penelope Herrera Editorial Consultant Debra Hazel Associate Editor Rose Leveen Communications Director Penelope Herrera Graphic Designer Sophia Nath Cover Image Credit Photo courtesy of Jason McDonald Digital & Social Media Sophia Nath Kristen Pooran Penelope Herrera Director of Newswire Division Kristen Pooran
Ramy Brook Sharp As seen on page 62-67 Photo courtesy of Jason McDonald
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Ramy Brook Sharp: The Creative Force in Fashion
Art Consultant Avalon Ashley Bellos
Aspen Durée Ross International Fashion Editor at Large London, NYC, Paris
Sofie Mählkvist
Technology Consultant Eric Loh
contributors
Contributing Travel Editor Merilee Kern
Distribution Mitchell’s Delivery Service West Coast Consultant Daniella Platt Event Producer Arthur Mandel, Nolcha
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Merging the worlds of fashion, art, real estate and philanthropy, Mann About Town delivers cutting-edge lifestyle content to New York and beyond.
Victor de Souza As seen on pages 26-27 Photo courtesy of Hideki Aono
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one mann’s opinion Hello everyone, I've known Ramy—our cover star—for about 20 years. From the beginning, when I saw her work, I recognized that she was a rising star from a new generation. As we got to know one another, I had her on our cover years ago. When I started seeing her name, brand, and ultimately, her store on Madison Avenue, her growth showed me I was right when I met her. And what I have found most interesting about her was that she was the first designer I knew who was bringing up her kids, being a great wife and having a wonderful family all at once. Her reputation became impeccable. I am totally impressed by what she has achieved and not surprised to see where she is now. I also want to let you all know that we here at Mann Publications have recently pulled off one of the most amazing feats in regard to The Mann Charitable Foundation annual golf outing. We had it scheduled for Sept. 28, 2026, which turned out to be right when the nor'easter storm would hit New York. We knew we had to pivot in a matter of three days. We contacted everyone and told them we were still going to have a lavish event at the freshly renovated Fresh Meadow Country Club with the cocktail hour, dinner, raffles, gift bags and our new musical addition of Rebel Strings. This was all able to be done due to the extremely hard work of the Mann Publications team. No matter the circumstances, even dating back to COVID-19, we never quit. We face the circumstances and get the job done. We have another wondeful issue for you packed with amazing content. I believe you will enjoy our curated selections for you. We strive to bring you excitement and content of benefit. We welcome the season with joy and we’ll see you next month.
“On the other side of a storm is the strength that comes from having navigated through it. Raise your sail and begin.” ― Gregory S. Williams
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 11
BEHIND THE SCENES Auberge Collection Photo courtesy of Auberge Collection
what’s inside
departments 18 Out on the Town
62 On the Cover
30 En Vogue
76 On the Table
34 Fashion Spotlight
80 Window Shopping
38 Mann Overboard
82 Health & Wellness
40 Rev the Engine
84 Behind the Camera
44, 90 On the Upswing
86 Couture Culture
48 Arts & Affairs
72, 92 Mann of the Hour
56 Photography
Elvis: The Fashion Icon Photo courtesy of Elvis Presley’s Graceland
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BEHIND THE SCENES Laika’s New ‘Wildwood’ Stop-Motion Film Photo courtesy of Laika
features 34 ‘Elvis: The Fashion Icon’
New Graceland Exhibit Showcases Over 150 Pieces From Elvis' Personal Wardrobe
38 South Bank
New Era of Waterfront Luxury Travel in Turks and Caicos
40 Buying Used Luxury Cars
The Hiddem Costs
44 The Adventure Park at Long Island
The Area’s Largest Zipline and Climbing Adventure Experience
62
On the Cover: Ramy Brook Sharp: The Creative Force in Fashion
48 Upper House
78 Auberge Collection
Return of Bi-Annual Art Program Partnership With Chef Daniel With Immersive Performance Boulud at Mayflower Inn & Spa Experience
50 Picasso’s 347 Suite
The Indecency of Late Style
52 ‘Wildwood’
Stop-Motion Film to Open at the Design Museum
72 ‘I’m Right Here’
82 Avulux
Creating the First Lens Classification for MigraineAssociated Light Sensitivity
90 Our House NYC
A Place Where Grieving New Yorkers Find Support and Hope
92 Bringing Back Childhood Wonder Dr. Luis Macias 76 Salvage City Supper Club
Embracing the Era of Style and Tailored Surgery
Brings Immersive Dining Theater to the Heart of Manhattan
The Upper House Photo courtesy of The Upper House Hong Kong
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EDITOR’S LETTER Hello everyone! I hope everyone is acclimating to our transitioned season. For this October issue, we shine the spotlight to some fashion as we have just finished with Fashion Week. We also have Ramy Brook Sharp on our cover—the fashion designer making her mark deeper by the day. Per usual, we have such a variety in content where even if you think you know what you’ll read about, when you truly read, you're left intrigued, content and wanting to read more. Not surprisingly though, we know I usually begin by highlighting our photo events. There was the Malan Breton Spring/Summer 2027 fashion collection “Le Jardin des Mille Demains,” or “Garden of a Thousand Tomorrows,” at Sony Hall during New York Fashion Week; Marc Cain celebrated its current collection theme, “Equestrian Grace,” staging it in an elegant setting inspired by equestrian sport; NYC Second Chance Rescue hosted its fifth Annual Concert for a Cause at a private estate in Bridgehampton, New York; You Feel Good hosted The Feel Good Open, an invitation-only padel and wellness experience during New York Fashion Week at Reserve NYC Hudson Yards; and Victor dE Souza unveiled his Spring/Summer 2027 collection as a collision of eras: Victorian and Edwardian romance, Tartarian-inspired grandeur and the restless visual language of contemporary New York.
Now with our unique finds, we have some fun adventure. A local good time on Long Island, there is The Adventure Park at Long Island, the area’s largest zipline and climbing adventure experience. Something interesting to consider is the buying of used luxury cars and the hidden costs that come with it. For dining, the Salvage City Supper Club brings immersive dining theater to the heart of Manhattan. Avulux has created the first lens classification for migraine-associated light sensitivity. I know you have likely seen our table of contents with these descriptors, but I want to emphasize them because these are highly recommended options to look into. Now it’s time for the extra-fun part—reading the magazine. Fall in love with the issue!
Photo courtesy of Adobe/ InfiniteStudio
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 15
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OUT ON THE TOWN
MALAN BRETON PRESENTS
‘Garden of a Thousand Tomorrows’ at N e w Y o r k Fa s h i o n W e e k
The “Garden of a Thousand Tomorrows” Spring/Summer 2027 collection debut marked a New York finale before the fashion designer begins his next chapter in Rome.
Malan Breton
Malan Breton presented his Spring/Summer 2027 fashion collection “Le Jardin des Mille Demains,” or “Garden of a Thousand Tomorrows,” at Sony Hall during New York Fashion Week. Breton’s Spring/Summer 2027 women’s and men’s collection is both a celebration and a goodbye. Following the show, the designer’s journey is to continue in Rome, closing one chapter in a career that has encompassed fashion, film, television, theater, music and performance while opening another. Malan Breton is an internationally recognized luxury fashion house celebrated for timeless craftsmanship, couture artistry and refined elegance. Over three decades, the brand has received more than 100 international awards and honors, earning recognition from leading fashion publications, including British Vogue, which described it as “The Most Influential Designer You've Never Heard Of.”
The runway show itself paid homage to the fashion designer’s creative inspirations while featuring several celebrities and models who have closed past shows: Carmit Bachar, Jessica Sutta of The Pussycat Dolls, Peppermint of Netflix’s “Survival of the Thickest” and actress Mimi Tao. A special music performance by iconic house music legend Crystal Waters closed the show and brought down the house. The event organizers expressed special thanks to Leviev Diamonds, House of Monroe millinery, Odilis Trinidad of Odilis Lashes for beauty, and lead hairstylist Joseph DiMaggio for Pomo and Rica Haircare. The runway show was directed by Andrew Winans and styled by M Frazier.
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Photos courtesy of Omega Studios / Danny Chin
The evening began cinematically with a short film directed by Breton, nominated for two awards from the London Fashion Film Festival and shot in London, where he learned tailoring, and introduces a world inspired by Le Jardin des Mille Demains. King Seiko provides the timepiece at the center of the film’s meditation on a simple idea: Every second offers another opportunity to begin again.
OUT ON THE TOWN
Crystal Waters
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MARC CAIN PRESENTS
‘Equestrian Grace’
in the heart of the British Countryside On September 2, Marc Cain invited selected guests to an exclusive event at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire. Among the prominent guests were Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer, Renee Stewart as well as influencers Lydia Millen and Kate Hutchins. Amid the idyllic Hampshire countryside, the brand celebrated its current collection theme, “Equestrian Grace,” staging it in an elegant setting inspired by equestrian sport. The hotel’s picturesque Walled Garden provided the perfect backdrop for the special event. The guests wore selected looks from the collection and enjoyed an afternoon and evening that brought together fashion, British country traditions and exclusive experiences. A ride through the English countryside and an impressive falconry display provided unique moments. The event concluded with an atmospheric dinner experience, perfectly rounding off the British Countryside Experience. Equestrian Grace combines the graceful aesthetics of equestrian sport with modern, feminine elegance. Deep earthy tones meet rich autumnal accents, creating an atmosphere between heritage and rural sophistication. Elegant silhouettes, refined draping and golden details lend the looks a feminine touch.
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Photos courtesy of Marc Cain
OUT ON THE TOWN
Renee Stewart
Lydia Millen
Isabella Duder
Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer
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Photos courtesy of BFA / David Benthal
OUT ON THE TOWN
BRIDGEHAMPTON BENEFIT SUPPORTING NYC SECOND CHANCE RESCUE CELEBRATED THE WORLD INTRODUCTION OF PAWPOINT
NYC Second Chance Rescue hosted its fifth Annual Concert for a Cause at a private estate in Bridgehampton, New York, where the charity honored legendary entrepreneur, philanthropist and longtime animal advocate John Paul DeJoria while celebrating the world introduction of Pawpoint. The evening’s musical performances were headlined by Grammy Award-winning artist Ashanti and platinum-selling artist Fabolous. A live auction, with items including a yacht charter donated by Lauren and Eddie Shapiro of NestSeekers, plus a paddle raise, brought in valuable funds to aid the organizations’ work on behalf of animals.
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“It is an honor to be recognized by NYC Second Chance Rescue. Their compassion, dedication and commitment to animals are truly inspiring, and I am grateful to be part of an evening that will help so many animals in need,” said John Paul DeJoria. Notable attendees included: Jennifer Brooks, Lisa Blanco, Lisa Rose, Katie McEntee, John Paul DeJoria, Ashanti, Fabolous, Beth Stern, Daisy Toye, Carole Radizwil, Peter Cook, Kenneth Fishel, Maria Fishel, Blair Brandt, Margit Brandt, Eric Muschinski, Tina Guidipipietro and Rocco Guidipipietro.
OUT ON THE TOWN
Jennifer Brooks, Lisa Blanco, John Paul DeJoria, Katie McEntee and Lisa Rose
Ashanti
John Paul DeJoria
Fabolous
Carole Radziwill
Blair Brandt and Margit Brandt
Bradley Fishel, Alexandra Fishel, Maria Fishel and Kenneth Fishel
Daisy Toye
Tina and Rocco Guidipipietro
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OUT ON THE TOWN
The Feel Good Open Hosted by You Feel Good You Feel Good hosted The Feel Good Open, an invitation-only padel and wellness experience during New York Fashion Week at Reserve NYC Hudson Yards. Bringing together leaders across fashion, sports, music, beauty and entertainment, the event reimagined the traditional Fashion Week gathering through movement, competition and community. Guests including Alton Mason, Leomie Anderson, Patrick Ta, Achraf, Yvesmark Chery, Rebecca Donaldson, Alaire Thomas, Tedua, Elias Becker, Eleanora Srugo and more joined You Feel Good for an evening of social padel, wellness activations, recovery experiences, curated food and beverages, live music and connection. The Feel Good Open reflects You Feel Good’s mission to support how people feel, move and connect through intentional wellness. The event brought together a curated community of athletes, creatives, founders and cultural tastemakers for an experience centered around movement, meaningful relationships and feeling good. Throughout the evening, guests competed in an intimate padel tournament before unwinding in the Recovery Lounge, exploring wellness experiences, enjoying courtside hospitality and discovering You Feel Good’s functional wellness products featuring lion’s mane, cordyceps, L-theanine, green tea and essential vitamins. Timed during one of fashion’s biggest weeks, The Feel Good Open offered a fresh take on luxury hospitality—where wellness, sport and culture came together on and off the court.
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Photos courtesy of Quadir Moore/BFA.com
OUT ON THE TOWN
Elias Becker
Shu Singh, Stephanie Sherry and Alton Mason
Patrick Ta
Leomie Anderson
Shu Singh
Achraf
Stephanie Sherry and Yvesmark Chery
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 25
OUT ON THE TOWN
The Victor dE Souza 2027 Spring Summer Collection:
Meets
Victorian Romance
New York’s Future
At the Arlo Midtown in New York City, Victor dE Souza unveiled his Spring/Summer (S/S) 2027 collection as a collision of eras: Victorian and Edwardian romance, Tartarian-inspired grandeur and the restless visual language of contemporary New York. Rather than looking backward with nostalgia, the collection used the past as a foundation for imagining what fashion and society could become next. The runway featured a cast including Nicole Ari Parker, Veronica Webb, Tracy Norman and Maya Valasquez, whose presence reinforced one of the collection’s central ideas: Individuality has no expiration date. Each model embodied a distinct character, helping turn the presentation into something closer to a procession of personalities than a conventional fashion show. Notable attendees at the presentation included Jean Shafiroff, Michael Musto, Lion Babe, Lucas Goodman, Jillian Hervey, Laurel Marcus, Joy McElveen, Colleen Darnell, Ava Raiin and Dustin Lujan bringing together personalities from fashion, culture, music, media and New York society. The historical references were unmistakable, but they were deliberately disrupted. Victorian and Edwardian silhouettes were reworked through exaggerated proportions, unexpected construction and unconventional materials, while Tartarian architectural references suggested a fantastical past being reconstructed for an entirely new age. Romantic detailing was stripped of its museumlike quality and transformed into something confident, contemporary and distinctly New York. At the heart of the collection was a philosophy that garments should express personality rather than simply fulfill a merchandising category. Every look was conceived as an individual statement. The clothes were not designed merely to complete a wardrobe; they were designed to reveal something about the person wearing them. Traditional techniques played an important role but with modern execution.
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Brocade, hand embroidery, corset flossing, structured tailoring and ornamental detailing appeared throughout the collection, yet these elements were integrated into garments in unexpected ways. The familiar became unfamiliar with traditional craftsmanship being pushed forward rather than being preserved. New York’s own visual culture became another source of inspiration. The collection drew from the city’s layered pop-culture vocabulary, its theatre, nightlife, street style, old-world glamour, contemporary celebrity culture and the cinematic energy of Manhattan. The result was a wardrobe that could feel equally at home beneath the lights of Broadway, on a downtown sidewalk, at an afterdark gathering or inside the grand architecture of another century. There was also an unmistakable optimism behind the collection. Victor dE Souza approached fashion as a tool for imagining a more expressive and open future. The unconventional materials and hybrid historical references suggested a society willing to move beyond rigid definitions of identity, beauty and dress. Instead of recreating history, the designer asked what might happen when history is liberated from its original rules? With its emphasis on craftsmanship, personality, individuality and optimism, Victor dE Souza S/S 2027 proposes a compelling idea: The future of fashion does not require abandoning the past. It requires having the imagination to transform it. Show production credits included: hair, Aubrey Loots for Wella Hair; makeup, Alex Yarberr for New York Makeup Academy; lead stylist, Lisa Smith Graig; fashion production, Essenze Carson; casting, Bobby Gutierrez; nails, Yuliia Kovalchuk; music, Devin DiBianco; runway photography, Hideki Aono; runway videography, Robert Roman and Johnathan Gonzalez; and venue, Areis Evans for Arlo Hotel. The Victor De Souza Collection is exclusively available at Emanuel New York & Emanuelnewyork.com.
OUT ON THE TOWN
Photos courtesy of Hideki Aono
Victor dE Souza Photo co urtesy of PMC P
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EN VOGUE
Leather Weather
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Frame: The Gray in Tolerate |$228 |frame-store.com
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Maniere De Voir: Tie-Waist Barrel Leg Tailored Jumpsuit in Beige | $275 | us.manieredevoir.com
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Cider: Collar Texture Button Long Sleeve Shirt in Brown | $34.90 | shopcider.com
4.
Suit Supply: Tailored Fit Shirt in Navy | $139 | suitssupply.com
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Tommy Hilfiger: Regular Fit Brushed Dress Pant in Charcoal Grey | $119 | usa.tommy.com
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Zara: Slim Fit Suit Jacket in Sand/Marl | $129 | zara.com
Photo courtesy of Beek
And complimentary pieces to go with
After Years of Making Boots Her Signature, Leanne Ford Returns to Fashion with Debut Boot Collection Made by Beek Luxury leather footwear brand, Beek, announced its first private label boot collection with renowned interior designer and fashion enthusiast Leanne Ford. Having launched exclusively on beekshop.com this September, the collection forges Ford’s creative vision with Beek’s expertise in making beautiful leather footwear that never compromises comfort. With a shared appreciation for craftsmanship and philosophy for intentional design, Ford worked with long-time friends and Beek founders, Birgit Klett and Kenna Florie, to design each boot in the collection. The result seamlessly blends Ford’s earthy, modern, minimalist aesthetic with Beek’s premium materials and comfort. True to all Beek footwear, each pair is handcrafted from the highest quality, butterysoft leather, and constructed with a focus on thoughtful details, longevity and wearability. “I've always been a boots girl—I wear them every day, all day. Designing my own boot collection has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I’ve known Beek founders Birgit and Kenna since my 20s, back when I was working as a fashion stylist and creative director, so partnering with them felt both incredibly natural and truly full circle. When it comes to clothing and footwear, comfort is non-negotiable. Beek makes the most comfortable shoes I own, and that foundation allowed us to create something that feels as good as it looks. Every detail in this collection was designed with intention, from the silhouette and feel underfoot to the earthy, lived-in color palette I'm always drawn to,” said Ford. “We've known Leanne for over 20 years, so helping her design this boot collection was such a fun full-circle moment. Her style is amazing, her attitude is contagious and her laugh keeps us rolling. She’s just as fun and energetic as she was back in our fashion days, and we couldn't be happier, or more flattered, that she came to us to create her very first footwear collection,” said Klett and Florie. The collection, retailing from $395 - $450, is available in on beekshop.com.
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EN VOGUE
Shapeshifting
Photo courtesy of Vlair Shapewear
Multi-Platinum Recording Artist to Fashion Entrepreneur: Nailah Thorbourne Creates Vlair Shapewear for the Modern Woman For women who love cut-out dresses, asymmetrical silhouettes, one-shoulder styles, sheer panels and other fashion-forward looks, finding the right shapewear can sometimes create a problem of its own. For Nailah Thorbourne, the multiplatinum recording artist, songwriter and entrepreneur known professionally as Nyla and as one-half of the internationally recognized music duo Brick & Lace, that challenge became the inspiration for a new fashion venture. That solution is Vlair Shapewear, an online fashion brand created to provide women with shapewear designed to complement, rather than interfere with, today’s bold clothing styles.
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“I created Vlair because I saw a problem that needed to be solved, not just for myself, but for women who want to wear the clothes they love without having their shapewear work against the design,” said Nailah Thorbourne, founder and CEO of Vlair Shapewear. MADE FOR THE CUT-OUTS The brand’s current collection includes shaper panties, shaper skirts, shaping bodysuits, shaper shorts and loungewear, with designs intended to work with a range of contemporary looks. The brand’s signature positioning—“Made For the Cut Outs”—speaks directly to the fashion problem Vlair was created to address.
Looks that you can transform
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The Frankie Shop: Maxen Mock Neck Bodysuit in Beige | $210 | thefrankieshop.com
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Saks Fifth Avenue: Favorite Daughter in Dark Sea | $288 | saksfifthavenue.com
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Mint Velvet: Check Hanky Hem Midi Skirt in Khaki | $210 | mintvelvet.com
DESIGNED FOR THE VLAIR WOMAN Vlair describes its customer as “The Vlair Woman”—a woman who wears what she wants, how she wants and approaches her style with intention.
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Intimissimi: Long-sleeve High-Neck Merino-Wool Top in Black | $75 | intimissimi.com
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Paul Smith: Relaxed-Fit Cotton Jeans in Brown | $195 | paulsmith.com
Rather than asking women to change their fashion choices to accommodate traditional shapewear, Vlair takes the opposite approach: design shapewear to accommodate the fashion.
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Ralph Lauren: RL Racer Vector Suede Sneaker in Dark Chocolate | $168 | ralphlauren.com
Among the collection is the Vlair Eclipse Bodysuit, which the company describes as being designed to disappear beneath one-shoulder dresses and sheer panels while helping provide shaping and support.
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Helping Our Clients Build And Sustain Generational Wealth For over 25 years, Metropolitan Commercial Bank has been dedicated to helping clients grow their business and build generational wealth through our solutions-oriented, relationship-focused approach to banking.
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OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 33
FASHION SPOTLIGHT
New Graceland Exhibit
Showcases Over 150 Pieces From Elvis' Personal Wardrobe Elvis Presley’s Graceland unveiled a brand-new exhibit in August—“Elvis: The Fashion Icon,” highlighting more than 150 carefully curated pieces across nine wardrobe categories. Highlights of the collection include 23 scarves, 10 hats, nine pairs of shoes, 14 jackets, four karate gis and three caftans, along with numerous additional shirts, suits and complete outfits. The exhibit also includes fedoras, sailor hats, boots, sneakers, custom jackets and leisure wear, showcasing the variety that existed within Elvis’ closet, giving visitors a first-hand look at how rock ‘n’ roll royalty
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dressed. Whether it was casual clothes or stage flair, the king of Rock ‘n’ Roll had a distinct eye for fashion. This new exhibit invites visitors to follow the evolution of Elvis’ personal style throughout three defining decades of his life and career. “Elvis: The Fashion Icon” offers fans a rare opportunity to step inside Elvis Presley’s personal wardrobe and get a closer look at the individual taste behind one of the world’s most recognizable trendsetters and style icons.
Photos courtesy of Elvis Presley’s Graceland
FASHION SPOTLIGHT Some iconic highlights include: Aloha from Hawaii Arrival Shirt: shirt worn during his famous helicopter arrival in Honolulu, Hawaii Elvis & Rising Sun Outfit: fedora, leather jacket and chaps Elvis wore in the iconic photo of him riding his favorite horse, Rising Sun, while signing autographs for fans at Graceland’s front gate
Aloha Helicopter Arrival Shirt
Jungle Room Sessions
Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation Outfit: brown faux fur suit Elvis wore to the award’s National Prayer Breakfast on January 16, 1971 “We wanted to show how cool Elvis’ closet is and illustrate the everyday side of his style,” said Angie Marchese, vice president of Graceland Archives and Exhibits. “Elvis had a remarkable talent for accessorizing that set him apart. From the 1950s to the 1970s, he embraced scarves, hats, jewelry, sunglasses and much more. These items were essential not only to his stage performances but also to his personal style, showcasing his individuality.” Elvis’ closet was legendary, and his wardrobe showcased creativity and versatility, featuring stunning pieces designed by celebrated designers, alongside fantastic finds he picked up “off the rack.”
Rising Sun Outfit
Suzy Creamcheese Shirt
Some of the brands in Elvis’ closet include Adonis, Bally, Beau Gentry, Bill Blass, Buco, Christian Dior, Claremont, Dunlee, Fred Segal, HarleyDavidson, International Costume Co., Lansky Brothers, Levi’s, Mike Howard, Morrie Geyer, North Beach Leather, Nudie’s of Hollywood, Oleg Cassini, Resistol, Sam Remo, Stetson, Suzy Cream Cheese, Sy Devore, Van Heusen and Yves Saint Laurent. The Fashion exhibit is the third new exhibit opened at Graceland this year: EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert Exhibit, inspired by Baz Luhrmann’s film showcases stagewear, jewelry, guitars, movie posters and rare performance memorabilia. Elvis 1956 Exhibit explores the landmark year that took Elvis Presley from hometown sensation to a global superstar. Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis is open daily. Tickets and tour information available at graceland.com.
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MANN OVERBOARD
An exclusive conversation with Nikheel Advani of Grace Bay Resorts on new additions, residential-style stays and the evolving luxury experience at South Bank BY MERILEE KERN, MBA
Turks and Caicos has no shortage of beautiful places to stay. The more interesting question is what a resort does with that beauty once you arrive. At South Bank, Grace Bay Resorts has built its answer around the water itself. The 31-acre residential resort and marina on the southern shoreline of Providenciales spans four waterfront neighborhoods, trading the conventional hotel rhythm for a more private, spacious and self-directed experience. Accommodations range from the Boathouses, Lagoon Villas and Ocean Estates to the forthcoming Arc, complemented by a full-service marina, white sand beach, swimming lagoon, wellness and fitness facilities, racquet sports, water activities and on-site dining. That concept is now expanding with Arc, a new beachfront neighborhood created in collaboration with architect Piero Lissoni, and the recently launched Family Club, which adds complimentary and concierge-curated programming for travelers with children. Both build on what already distinguishes South Bank: a resort designed less around a central lobby or pool and more around the freedom to experience the property on your own terms. To look beyond the physical product and explore where South Bank is headed next, I spoke exclusively with Nikheel Advani, chief operating officer and co-founder of Grace Bay Resorts. MK: South Bank is entering a new chapter. What about the property are you especially excited to spotlight now, including additions travelers may not yet know about? NA: We are especially excited about the debut of Arc, our newest beachfront neighborhood designed in collaboration with renowned architect Piero Lissoni. Arc represents a new chapter for South Bank, blending striking architecture, elevated design and luxury amenities in a way that further enhances the guest experience. We're also proud of the recent launch of our Family Club, which offers complimentary and concierge-curated experiences designed specifically for families traveling with children. MK: What inspired South Bank’s residential resort and marina concept? NA: Our vision was to create a vibrant waterfront resort where guests experience the Caribbean as more than just a 38 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
destination and instead experience it as a way of life. South Bank was designed around biophilic living, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces while embracing the natural beauty of the island. From the world-class amenities, one-of-a-kind manmade lagoon, picturesque beachfront and marina to the waterfront residences, every element encourages guests to slow down, connect with the water and enjoy a coastal lifestyle. MK: How do guests choose the South Bank neighborhood that best suits their stay? NA: Each neighborhood offers a unique experience tailored to different travel styles. The Ocean Estates are ideal for larger families and groups seeking expansive oceanfront residences with sweeping Caribbean views. The Lagoon Villas overlook our one-of-a-kind swimmable lagoon, making them especially appealing for families with young children looking for calm, protected waters as well as offering private pools and complimentary butler service. The Boat Houses offer spacious townhouse-style accommodations that are perfect for mid-sized groups who appreciate direct marina access. Completing the collection is Arc, featuring private pools or jacuzzis for many residences, seamless indoor-outdoor living, dedicated amenities for Arc guests, a fully serviced beach and two distinctive dining concepts. MK: How does South Bank define luxury for today’s traveler? NA: Today’s luxury traveler is seeking more than just beautiful accommodations. They’re looking for meaningful, personalized experiences that create lasting memories. Luxury is no longer defined solely by where you stay, it’s about how a destination makes you feel. At South Bank, we focus on delivering exceptional service, thoughtfully curated experiences, bespoke culinary concepts and authentic connections that guests can’t replicate elsewhere. MK: How does the Lagoon Villa combine residential living with five-star resort service? NA: From the early design stages, the vision for the Lagoon Villas, as well as all the villa-style accommodations at South Bank, was to create a true luxury waterfront home rather than simply a larger hotel suite. The three-bedroom villa spans two
Photos courtesy of South Bank
Inside South Bank’s New Era of Waterfront Luxury Travel in Turks and Caicos
MANN OVERBOARD stories and was thoughtfully designed with expansive indooroutdoor living areas, a full residential-style kitchen, private ensuite bedrooms, and its own pool, giving guests the space and comfort of a private residence. At the same time, guests enjoy all the benefits of a luxury resort experience, including dedicated butler service, daily housekeeping and access to South Bank’s amenities including dining experiences, the Spa at South Bank, family club, the South Bank Marina and more. It is the combination of privacy, independence and personalized service that really defines the South Bank experience. MK: How do guests use the Lagoon Villas differently than a traditional luxury hotel? NA: The Lagoon Villas’ biophilic design and positioning alongside the lagoon encourages guests to enjoy a slower, more personalized vacation itinerary. Rather than planning each day around a hotel schedule, guests staying at one of these villas are able to create experiences, with the help of your own butler, that truly feel their own. South Bank features Turks and Caicos’ first ever man-made lagoon, bringing a unique twist to luxury waterfront vacationing. Guests can step outside and immediately enjoy the calm waters with complimentary nonmotorized water sports. The spacious layout gives all guests room to spend time together without ever feeling crowded. For an even more private outdoor experience, the private pool, fully equipped kitchen and outdoor living space, with optional private chef services, make it easy to never leave the villa. For those who’d like to dine solo, Lua Beach House is conveniently steps away from the villa’s doorstep. MK: How does dedicated butler service elevate the Lagoon Villa experience? NA: At South Bank, butler services are highly personal and intuitive. While a traditional concierge typically helps guests plan activities or make reservations, the butler becomes an extension of the villa experience, helping ensure every stay unfolds seamlessly from arrival through departure. Whether coordinating dining reservations, arranging invilla experiences, assisting with booking excursions or simply helping to steam a wrinkly pair of trousers, the butlers at
South Bank allow guests to focus entirely on enjoying their time together. Plus, the butlers strive to include small surprises to make a stay feel special. With many guests traveling as larger family or group units, having a dedicated point of contact creates an effortless experience where every detail feels thoughtfully handled while still preserving the privacy and comfort of a private residence. MK: Who typically chooses the villa, and why is it so popular? NA: One of the greatest strengths of the Lagoon Villa accommodations is its versatility. We see multigenerational families celebrating milestone vacations, couples traveling together who want shared gathering spaces without sacrificing privacy, and groups of friends looking for a luxury escape that’s both social and relaxing. Each bedroom features its own ensuite bathroom, while the generous common areas allow everyone to come together comfortably. Parents appreciate the calm swimming lagoon and spacious layout for younger children, while adults enjoy the privacy, outdoor entertaining areas and easy access to the water. For even more versatility, South Bank also offers Ocean Estate Villas that can accommodate up to 14 guests for those looking to travel with larger groups or multiple families and couples, as well as the Boathouses which can accommodate between 2-6 people depending on the number of bedrooms. Amid its December 2026 open, South Bank’s Arc features studio suites through five-bedroom penthouses, perfect for couples looking for the full suite of amenities and privacy without the unnecessary space. There is a perfect villa style for every type of group at South Bank. Taken together, South Bank’s additions expand on what already distinguishes the resort: choice. Arc brings a new accommodation style, while the Family Club adds support for parents without changing the broader character of the property. Guests can fill their days with dining, wellness and excursions or simply settle into a villa where the pool, lagoon and butler service make leaving optional. As South Bank evolves, its appeal remains straightforward: more ways to stay and experience the resort, with the water always close and the freedom to enjoy it on your own terms.
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 39
REV THE ENGINE
The Hidden Costs of
Buying Used Luxury Cars (From an Industry Insider) Used luxury cars come with a big discount on the price and none at all on the upkeep. A five-year-old Range Rover lists for about 38 cents on the dollar. In a March 2026 study of more than 950,000 five-year-old cars, iSeeCars found the Range Rover had lost 61.7% of its value, or $69,856 on average. The BMW 7 Series lost 61.6%. Luxury models filled 18 of the top 25 spots on the study’s list of cars that lost the most. Across all cars, the drop was 41.8%. That fall is why so many smart buyers shop used, and I think they’re right to. Someone else has already paid for the steepest part of it. But the discount ends with the car itself. A Range Rover’s parts and labor cost the same whether the car is new or five years old, and lately those costs have been rising. The price on the windshield is where your spending starts. REPAIRS COME AT FULL PRICE Luxury cars carry more hardware than ordinary ones, and each piece costs more to replace. Many big luxury sedans and SUVs ride on air springs instead of steel coils, and the rubber wears out with age. RepairPal’s estimate for an air spring replacement on a 2019 to 2023 Porsche Panamera is $4,110 to $4,293. Carbon-ceramic brakes are another. Many Porsches have them, and Autotrader warned in February that replacing them can run deep into five figures. The small stuff adds up too. A windshield on a car with a head-up display can cost $800 to $2,000 or more, according to Cascade Auto Glass. The safety cameras behind it need to be recalibrated afterward, which Car Talk puts at $200 to $700. One BMW owner was quoted $856 by a dealer for a single replacement key fob, Autoblog reported. Labor isn’t cheap either. In 2023, The Drive found a Manhattan Porsche dealer charging $349 an hour for service and a Brooklyn Land Rover dealer charging $499.99. Over time, the gap gets wide. CarEdge puts 10 years of maintenance and repairs at $36,400 for a Bentley and $16,021 for a BMW. For a Toyota, it's about $5,470. Those bills are growing, too. The Bureau of Labor 40 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
Statistics says the cost of car maintenance and repair rose 5.2% in the year to August 2026, while prices overall rose 3.4%. Tariffs haven’t helped. Car parts made in the European Union now carry a 15% U.S. tariff. THE BILL THE LAST OWNER SKIPPED Every used car comes with a to-do list. What matters is how much of it the last owner left for you. Ask for the service records and read them. Look for gaps, and look ahead. Find out when the next big service is due, how worn the brakes are and when the tires were made. A seller who is facing a large service bill has every reason to pass it on to you. Low miles don’t always help. Rubber and seals age whether a car moves or not, so a car that sat in a garage for years can need tires, fluids and a battery on day one. Federal safety regulators note that some carmakers and tire makers advise replacing tires at six to 10 years old, no matter how much tread is left. On a car with 22-inch wheels, that’s real money. Tire Rack lists a 22-inch Pirelli P Zero approved for Mercedes-Benz at about $634 a tire, or more than $2,500 for a set before anyone mounts them.
Photo courtesy of Joe on Unsplash
INSURANCE AND A MANHATTAN PARKING SPOT Insurance is the next line on the bill. Insure.com found the Maserati Quattroporte was the most costly car to insure in 2026, costing an average of $7,090 a year. Its national average for full coverage is $2,513. Then there’s the question of where the car sleeps. Monthly garage spots in Midtown Manhattan run between $900 to $1,200 or more, according to the parking site Spacer. The city adds an 18.375% parking tax on top. Manhattan residents who qualify can cut that to 10.375%, but they have to apply. THE PAPERWORK ADDS UP Sales tax grows with the price, and in New York City it’s 8.875%. On a $90,000 car, that’s almost $8,000. You can’t dodge it by buying out of state. Photo courtesy of Ivan Chumak on Pexels
REV THE ENGINE New York collects its tax when you register the car here, though you may get credit for tax you paid in another state. Ask about the paperwork fee, too. New York caps dealer documentation fees at $175. Most states have no cap. In September, CarEdge put the Florida average at $962. If the car is in Florida, an enclosed truck to bring it north costs about $1,900 to $2,300, by AmeriFreight’s estimate. A loan costs more on a used car, too. Experian put the average used-car loan rate at 11.19% in the second quarter of 2026. For new cars, it was 6.35%. Before you agree to anything, ask for the out-thedoor price in writing. WATER YOU CAN’T SEE Some costs are hidden on purpose. As of August 2025, as many as 530,000 flood-damaged vehicles were on U.S. roads, according to Carfax figures cited by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Florida and Texas top Carfax’s list, but the cars often turn up far from the storm, in states like Pennsylvania and Illinois. Some are title washed, which means they’re moved to another state and retitled so the flood warning is weaker or gone. Water and wiring don’t mix, and a modern luxury car is full of wiring. A history report is a start. A good inspector will also look for silt under the carpets, rust where it shouldn't be and fog inside the lights. READ THE WARRANTY’S FINE PRINT A factory-backed certified pre-owned warranty is
Photo courtesy of Artem Podrez on Pexels
the best safety net in this market. Porsche’s covers two years with unlimited miles, starting when the new-car warranty ends or from the day you buy if that warranty has already run out. It’s open to cars up to 13 model years old with fewer than 124,000 miles. BMW and Mercedes-Benz each add one year with unlimited miles after their four-year, 50,000-mile coverage. If the car is electric, check how much battery coverage is left. Porsche and Audi cover their batteries for eight years or 100,000 miles. Third-party service contracts need a closer read. ConsumerAffairs puts an extended warranty for a BMW at $3,800 to $7,500. Routine maintenance and wear and tear are common exclusions, so the brakes and tires are still on you. HOW TO BUY ONE WITHOUT REGRET Pay a specialist in that brand to inspect the car. For a Porsche, LN Engineering, a maker of Porsche engine parts, says to expect at least $500 for a basic inspection. Ask for the engine computer’s over-rev report too. It shows whether the engine was ever pushed past its limit. The Porsche Club of America says a bad one can keep a car out of Porsche’s certified program. A paint gauge on every panel can find bodywork that never made it into a history report. If a seller won’t allow an inspection, walk away. Then set money aside for tires, brakes and whatever the inspection turned up. The first owner already paid for the steepest part of the price drop. Before you sign, make sure you aren’t also paying for the service they skipped.
Photo courtesy of Chris Gallagher on Unsplash
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 41
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ON THE UPSWING
THE ADVENTURE PARK at Long Island Opens Its
2026 Fall Calendar
The Adventure Park at Long Island, the area’s largest zipline and climbing adventure experience, announced its 2026 autumn events and a calendar that runs from the Iron Squirrel competition to Halloween-themed events.
44 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
Photos courtesy of The Adventure Park at Long Island
ON THE UPSWING
THE 2026 AUTUMN CALENDAR The Iron Squirrel Challenge was held on September 20. People completed all 14 courses in one day and were able to earn the Iron Squirrel title. Glow in the Park are on Saturday nights through October 24. The forest fills with color and the climbing is set to themed playlists that shift from 70s Disco to sing-along nights and more.
HALLOWEEN-SPECIFIC EVENTS Halloween Glow in the Park lands on October 3, 10, 17 and 24 for familyfriendly spooky season fun. The “Eyeball” Scavenger Hunt runs October 2 through November 1. One must spot the hidden eyeballs staring back from the branches and earn a treat from the Park Store. “The season keeps changing on you,” said park manager Phil Insalaco. “Late October is peak color and Halloween Glow nights. November is bare trees, crisp air and the longest sight lines of the year.” Tickets, package pricingand the full event schedule are at myadventurepark. com/liap.
ABOUT THE ADVENTURE PARK AT LONG ISLAND The 14 trails at The Adventure Park consist of various challenges in the trees, including bridges, tightropes, ladders and 49 ziplines. Participants wear harnesses with clips that connect to the trail’s safety system, ensuring that they are always locked on to the course until they reach the end. The main trails are designed for ages 7 to adult, and an Adventure Playground provides a low-to-the-ground adventure experience for little climbers ages 3 to 6. Non-climbing participants are admitted free of charge to share the experience on the ground and can enjoy the property’s nature trails and picnic tables. The Adventure Park at Long Island is open to the general public and is located on the Henry Kaufmann Campground on Long Island. The address is 75 Colonial Springs Road, East Gate in Wheatley Heights NY. Guests are encouraged to book ahead on the Park's website or by calling 631-983-3844. The Adventure Park at Long Island is designed, built and operated by Outdoor Venture Group.
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 45
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Photo courtesy of Upper House Shanghai
Upper House
Returns Their Innovative Bi-Annual Art Program This October With ‘Within’—An Immersive Performance Experience Upper House has always believed art belongs inside daily life; not behind a ticket barrier, not cordoned off but woven into the moments you already inhabit. This month, that belief takes its most ambitious form yet, putting guests inside an immersive, multisensory installation not because they sought it out, but because they checked in. The brand transforms three of Asia’s most celebrated houses into cultural stages for “Within,” an immersive performance experience. The program was created in collaboration with One Hundred, an international studio whose team has spent 17 years shaping immersive theatre. The group is part of the creative force behind “Arcane: Immersive” and Punchdrunk’s “Sleep No More,” and has collaborated with Gucci, Valentino and Stella McCartney. Their work brings together sound artists, spatial designers, lighting specialists, choreographers and costume makers to build a sensorial world where the audience is placed in the center of the show, creating an immersive and emotional experience.
Photo courtesy of Upper House Hong Kong
Each house holds a different world, rooted in the city around it. Hong Kong is "The Dreamer," drawing on the house's upward journey through
48 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
sky and cloud. Chengdu is "The Phoenix," where myth and garden come to life. Shanghai is "The Collector," built around the city's love of artifacts and ritual.Across three consecutive weekends— Upper House Hong Kong (9 – 11 Oct), Chengdu (16 – 18 Oct), Shanghai (23 – 25 Oct)—guests select a time that fits the shape of their day. Then the house takes over. A porter appears. The world shifts. Every corridor, every room becomes part of the narrative. A 30-minute immersive journey begins in the lobby and guests are guided through four distinct areas of the house, ending at the bar with a bespoke cocktail. They don’t watch the performance—they enter it. Most art hotels hang work on walls. Upper House has done the opposite—the space you’re staying in and the work itself are the same thing. For one weekend per city, there’s no separation between guest and audience. The hotel isn’t hosting art—it is the art. THE DETAILS: Live performance dates are Hong Kong (October 9 –11), Chengdu (October 16 – 18) and Shanghai (October 23 – 25). Tickets are complimentary with exclusive early access for members. Limited spaces available. upperhouse.com/en/art-encounters/
Photo courtesy of Upper House Chengdu
ARTS & AFFAIRS
Photo courtesy of Upper House Chengdu Photo courtesy of Upper House Shanghai
Photo courtesy of Upper House Hong Kong
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 49
ARTS & AFFAIRS
NO LAST WORD:
Picasso’s 347 Suite and the Indecency of Late Style By Avalon Ashley Bellos The polite mythology surrounding an aging master usually promises serenity: a final distillation, perhaps, followed by one tasteful bow toward eternity. Pablo Picasso, at 86, rejected the entire arrangement. His late style arrived crowded with brothels, bullrings, painters, Popes, television wrestlers, naked bodies and jokes far too improper for a dignified farewell. Between March 16 and October 5, 1968, Picasso created 347 etchings, engravings, drypoints and aquatints—an almost preposterous undertaking completed in fewer than seven months. Park West Gallery has brought the entire sequence into view, making it possible to experience not simply its individual images but the cumulative force of a mind unwilling to reach a conclusion. Seen separately, the prints can appear episodic: an erotic encounter here, a musketeer there, perhaps an artist peering at his model with suspicious enthusiasm. Together, however, they become something far more psychologically revealing. The suite is part confession, part masquerade and part unruly theater, with Picasso assuming the roles of spectator, seducer, comedian, historian and increasingly mortal man. The year itself lends the project additional urgency. In 1968, barricades rose across Paris, workers walked out by the millions and the Vietnam War entered homes through nightly television. Art, too, was moving toward dematerialization as younger radicals challenged painting, authorship and the precious object. Picasso answered from Mougins with copper, acid and an astonishing torrent of images. Rather than abandon the handmade mark, he intensified it. That same year also brought the loss of Jaume Sabartés, Picasso’s close friend and longtime secretary. Although the suite should never be reduced to disguised mourning, its pace carries the unmistakable pressure of time suddenly made personal. Sorrow does not behave solemnly here. It becomes prolific, libidinous, learned and occasionally hilarious. Quite naturally, Picasso populated this private commotion with the masters who had followed him throughout his career. Rembrandt, Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Ingres, Delacroix and Manet reappear as accomplices rather than untouchable ancestors. Raphael tumbles into bed with La Fornarina while Pope Julius II observes from nearby; Michelangelo occasionally materializes beneath the mattress, proving that even Renaissance genius could be demoted to comic furniture. Elsewhere, the repertory expands into musketeers, matadors, acrobats, dwarfs, owls, prostitutes and majas. Celestina—the shrewd procuress drawn from Fernando de Rojas’s 15th-century tragicomedy—presides with the seasoned gaze of a woman who 50 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
understands desire better than the men performing it. Figures slip between centuries, costumes and identities until chronology itself begins to feel rather provincial. Beneath the carnival, meanwhile, lies formidable technical command. Working with master printers Aldo and Piero Crommelynck, whose workshop stood near his home, Picasso moved fluently among engraving, drypoint, etching, aquatint and sugar lift. Every line required negotiation with reversal, pressure, ink and chemistry. Copper does not indulge hesitation, yet the resulting images often feel astonishingly immediate—as though thought had reached the plate before decorum could intervene. That immediacy produces remarkable shifts in register. A filament of line can describe an entire body; velvety passages of ink turn darkness almost tactile; untouched paper becomes skin, glare or theatrical pause. Scholarship collides with slapstick, while extraordinary refinement sits beside deliberate vulgarity. Picasso’s visual intelligence remains unmistakable, although it is rarely well behaved. The erotic content, of course, demands more than indulgent laughter. Women frequently appear as models, courtesans and vessels for male fantasy, while the aging artist repeatedly positions himself as voyeur, participant or grotesque impresario. These works can be tender, ravenous, witty and deeply disquieting, sometimes within the same plate. Their brilliance does not absolve their unease; rather, the discomfort forms part of their continuing charge. Perhaps this is why experiencing the full sequence matters so profoundly. A handful of examples may suggest Picasso’s late eroticism, but all of the “347 Series” expose the structure beneath it: repetition becoming obsession, quotation turning into confrontation and comedy steadily darkening into an argument with extinction. The complete installation allows accumulation to perform its meaning. Eventually, the viewer no longer feels invited to inspect a print series; one has entered the artist’s crowded mental weather. Park West Gallery’s presentation therefore offers something exceedingly rare—the opportunity to encounter this vast undertaking as a single, sustained act. Picasso does not emerge as a tranquil patriarch polishing his legacy. He appears voracious, contradictory and intellectually feral, testing whether invention might still keep mortality waiting outside the studio. For 347 plates, remarkably, it did. The old man kept working, the centuries lost their manners and art history began to blush. Experience the complete series at parkwestgallery.com.
Photos courtesy of Park West Gallery
ARTS & AFFAIRS
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 51
ARTS & AFFAIRS
Photos courtesy of Laika
Exhibition Exploring the Design and Production of
Laika’s New ‘Wildwood’ Stop-Motion Film to Open at the Design Museum
The Design Museum announced “Laika presents ‘Wildwood’: The Exhibition,” a new exhibition made in collaboration with Portland-based stop-motion animation studio Laika, exploring the design and making of their forthcoming film “Wildwood.” Opening on October 15 2026, the exhibition will coincide with the international release of Laikas latest stop motion adventure, “Wildwood,” directed by Travis Knight, offering visitors a rare opportunity to discover the film’s creative journey as it arrive’s on screen. After 20 years of masterminding animated cinematic classics, including the likes of “Coraline” (2009), and “Kubo and the Two Strings” (2016), the film encompasses two decades of the studio’s ground-breaking approach to stop-motion filmmaking. The exhibition will offer visitors a behind-the-scenes look 52 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
at the creative and technical processes involved in building a stop-motion world. It brings together original creative material, production objects, costumes, film-making tools, audiovisual content and interactive installations, and will reveal the work of the visual development artists, model makers, scenic painters and more. Focusing on “Wildwood,” the exhibition will trace the development of the film from early ideas and visual research through to character and environmental design, costume, puppet fabrication, rapid prototyping, miniature set construction, animation and cinematography. Laika’s films are created by stop motion, the cinematic practice of photographing real, three-dimensional objects in constructed environments, with puppets moved incrementally between frames. The exhibition will examine
ARTS & AFFAIRS
how handcraft and technology work together across this process, from intricate costumes and mechanical armatures to miniature sets, animation rigs, lighting and camera techniques. It will also present stop-motion as a multidisciplinary design practice, demonstrating how storytelling emerges through collaboration across design, engineering, making and technology. By revealing the breadth of careers involved in bringing a stop-motion feature to life, the exhibition also aims to inspire future generations to see animation not only as an artform but as a viable and rewarding creative career path. “Wildwood” will be released by Black Bear in the United Kingdom and Irish cinemas on October 23. Laika’s exhibition will start with a free to visit introduction on the museum’s mezzanine, situating “Wildwood” within Laika’s wider history, exploring the relationship between handcraft and technological innovation across two decades of filmmaking. This display will include objects from Laika’s earlier BAFTA and Academy Award nominated films, behind-the-scenes photography and early concept art. On entering the main exhibition space, visitors can experience a captivating large-scale installation inspired by the Impassable Wilderness of “Wildwood” as seen in the film, creating a transition from the museum into the “Wildwood” cinematic universe. The exhibition will take visitors behind-the-scenes of each stage of production revealing the creative journey from early ideas and experimentation through to finished puppets, environments and sets as they appear on-screen. Visitors will explore techniques, materials and processes from Laika's dedicated teams, including puppet fabrication, animation, stop-motion rigging, lighting, camera and visual effects. Early visual development sketches, concept paintings and development material will reveal how the visual world of “Wildwood” took shape, drawing on the landscapes surrounding Portland, Oregon. Further displays will explore how characters, animals, costumes, architecture and environments were developed as parts of a coherent fictional ecosystem. The exhibition will then move into the processes of physical production and present examples of the techniques and materials used to transform designs into objects capable of frame-by-frame performance. Visitors will encounter elements including puppet armatures, costumes, sets and production tools before exploring how animation, lighting and cinematography bring these components together on screen. Integrated audiovisual installations will feature artist interviews and behind-the-scenes studio material, while cinematic elements will give visitors further insight into the precision and decision-making involved in stop-motion production.
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 53
“Clothes are not going to change the world. The women who wear them will.” - Grace Kelly
H.O.W. – Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper, a Palm Beach–based nonprofit dedicated to ovarian cancer awareness, early detection, and patient support, invites you to make an impact. We are seeking donations of new or gently worn designer dresses and outfits to support women facing ovarian cancer. Your donated pieces will be thoughtfully curated and offered at a special price during:
Second Life – Couture for a Cause Thursday, October 15 | 6 – 9 PM The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach
An evening where luxury fashion is reimagined.
Special Guest
Internationally recognized designer
Ramy Brook
whose collection will be featured during the evening’s runway show. Proceeds benefit H.O.W.’s Glenda M. Wright Angel Fund, providing critical financial assistance to local women bravely battling ovarian cancer. All donations are tax-deductible, and areceipt will be provided.
To donate, purchase tickets, or learn more, please contact: Jennifer McGrath 54 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
Jennifer@howflorida.org | 561-262-634
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 55
PHOTOGRAPHY
jillphotography “Stop right there! Before we go any further, do you love me? Will you love me forever?” said Meatloaf. YES! I loved capturing the raw energy and sweat from Meatloaf—he was all in. I loved seeing Whitney Houston’s glistening beads of sweat matching her outfit’s glistening paillettes while her vocal power brought down the house. I loved that Tom Petty was legit and lit; as was Busta Rhymes with Leaders of The New School frontin’ with Naughty By Nature. I loved when U2’s frontman Bono tried to pull me up on stage, and The Edge’s sound scapes filled the stadium. I loved watching Tina Turner come to life in front of my lens. “What’s love got to do with it?” Everything. I love capturing moments that speak to our hearts and souls. Feel the love and book a Jillphotography session into your archives. @jillphotography.com
Tom Petty Photos courtesy of Jill Lotenberg/Jillphotography
56 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
Meatloaf
U2
Billy Idol
Meatloaf
Tina Turner
Leaders Of The New School
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 57
PHOTOGRAPHY
MICHAEL LIMAN
MICHAEL LIMAN is a New York–based street photographer and visual storyteller whose work captures the layered, ever-evolving spirit of urban life. A multiple Honorable Mention recipient at the Paris International Street Photo Awards (2025) for “Girl on Orchard,” “The Band”and “Space Man,” and Honorable Mention recipient at the
The atmosphere is, as the song goes, “Easy Like Sunday Morning,” outside Sunday on Orchard Street, where conversation spills onto the sidewalk beneath hand-painted windows. At Hudson Yards, the Vessel rises above the crowds, while the Shed’s geometric exterior glows at night. Downtown, One World Trade Center stands between traffic and clouds, its spire reaching into a dark thunderhead. Nearby, a mural of masked, feathered faces covers the WTC Beer Garden. In Central Park, model sailboats drift across the calm surface of Conservatory Water. Rendered in monochrome, the images capture New York’s mix of old and new architecture, busy streets and peaceful public spaces, a city beating at its own pace. @michael_liman_photography | Michael.liman.photo@gmail.com
B&W International Photography Awards (2026) for “Space Man” and “Girl on Orchard,” Liman explores what he calls “settings within settings,” moments where people, architecture and time converge to reveal the quiet rhythms and hidden narratives of the city. Born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island, he works in both film and digital, in color and black-and-white, with a focus on place, memory and the passage of time. His first project, “The Sands of Summer,” documents the vibrant yet fleeting life of Atlantic Beach, New York, capturing the warmth, nostalgia and human rituals of the summer season. This early work laid the foundation for Liman’s enduring interest in place, memory and the passage of time. His acclaimed book, “NYC Streets,” is a portrait of Manhattan as a living, breathing organism always changing yet timeless, filled with countless untold stories. From crowded intersections to forgotten corners, Liman’s photographs highlight the interplay between presence and memory, documenting how the smallest gestures and
58 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
interactions shape the city’s collective identity. Liman contributes monthly to Mann About Town, a leading lifestyle magazine where he presents ongoing visual narratives of New York City. He is also developing additional long-term projects: one centered on Coney Island, exploring themes of transformation and continuity within Brooklyn’s iconic seaside landscape; another set in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, where Liman turns his lens toward the vast American landscape, examining the relationship between natural beauty, solitude and the human impulse to explore and preserve. With more than 45 years in the television and motion picture industry, Liman brings a cinematic sensibility to his still photography, combining narrative insight with technical precision. Beyond his work behind the camera, he is an avid collector of Leica cameras and lenses, as well as Hasselblad and Rolleiflex systems, drawing inspiration from the enduring craftsmanship and history of photographic design.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photos courtesy of Michael Liman
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 59
60 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
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COVER FEATURE
RAMY BROOK SHARP The Creative Force in Fashion
BY PENELOPE HERRERA
Ramy Brook Sharp Photo courtesy of Kimmy Green
62 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
COVER FEATURE
Photo courtesy of Claire Kenny
A
sartorial innovator whose seams were stitched from the inside of her own apartment in 2010, Ramy Brook Sharp—founder, CEO and creative director of Ramy Brook—cut her own path in the fashion world. Driven by a void in her own wardrobe, Ramy Brook Sharp set out to design and create her own garment that met the desired look she sought out and could not find elsewhere. Filling a void in her own wardrobe became a style reformation—and the ultimate catalyst for the initial showroom of what would become the contemporary women’s designer wear brand that it is today.
“I was constantly searching for a beautiful silk top I could wear with denim— something that felt sexy and sophisticated, worked with great jewelry and wasn’t the same price as a high-end designer,” said Ramy Brook Sharp. “I wanted something beautifully made that I could buy in multiple colors and wear again and again, and I just couldn’t find it. I remember thinking, ‘Why can’t I make this myself ?’” And so she did. Inspired by the designers that she had always admired—Lanvin, Gucci, Tom Ford, Prada—Ramy Brook Sharp wanted to take those influences and make them feel right for her own lifestyle. The first silk tops she had created were designed around versatility. “I wanted them to feel sexy and elevated but still easy to wear. They were also almost like a canvas for jewelry—you could wear the same top in completely different ways depending on how you styled it,” she said. That mix of simplicity, femininity and versatility became part of the Ramy Brook DNA from the beginning. Now, Ramy Brook Sharp did not study fashion design. This was not a career she had mapped out for herself. In fact, this was more so a pivotal career shift entirely. Ramy Brook Sharp had started her career in Grey Advertising. That experience had a big influence on how she eventually built her namesake brand. “It taught me how to understand the customer, communicate a clear point of view, work with different personalities and think about a brand from both the creative and business sides. I also had the opportunity to work on the Burberry account, which gave me an early window into the fashion industry and really shaped the way I thought about branding, image and the consumer,” she said. “Advertising was also such a relationship-driven business, and I learned early on how important those connections are.” Having taken the experience from her advertising days, Ramy Brook Sharp started having trunk shows in her apartment. She was selling six tops and one dress. Among her buyers were friends of hers—friends who shopped at Bergdorf Goodman.These friends would go to their appointments at the department store in their Ramy Brook tops, garnering the attention of a personal shopper who eventually started asking, “Where are those from?” and began sending her clients to Ramy Brook Sharp’s apartment to shop. One thing led to another—all organic growth. The personal shopper then connected Ramy Brook Sharp with the legendary Betty Halbreich, who headed personal shopping at Bergdorf Goodman. Around that same time, Chelsea Handler’s stylist was also meeting with Halbreich to pull looks, and she came across a few Ramy Brook pieces. Handler ended up wearing a light blue Ramy Brook top which gave the brand incredible exposure and created even more momentum. The stylist was picking out pieces that felt fresh, flattering and easy to wear. That was Ramy Brook. OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 63
COVER FEATURE “The goal was that women could dress them up or down, and they filled a gap in their wardrobes. It grew from women seeing the clothes, loving them and telling someone else about them, which led to Bergdorf placing our first major order,” said Ramy Brook Sharp.
Success does not come to fruition—and stay—without hard work, dedication and research. When reflecting on how she got to be sold in these department stores and having her own store now, Ramy Brook Sharp detailed, “I’ve always looked at the clothing from a customer point of view. I think about the wardrobe she needs in her busy multitasking life. A big part of our growth has also been knowing our customer wants. We’ve stayed true to who we are as a brand, at the same time evolving. Our retail partners have been an important part of that as well. I look at those relationships as true partnerships and something we’re building together. Having our own store felt like a natural next step. It gives us the chance to connect directly with the customer and really bring the full Ramy Brook world to life.” For Ramy Brook Sharp, her inspiration is drawn from the women she is surrounded by or has met along the way—whether it’s friends sitting outside at a café, her own daughter or women she sees while traveling. She is also inspired by the places she visits, the colors and details she notices, and what she feels is missing from her own closet. All of these factors help shape each collection she creates. With her inspiration, Ramy Brook Sharp gets more inclined to diversify what she adds to each collection—especially with her own customers wanting more. One client loved the full head-to-toe look ensemble she would see with the Ramy Brook pieces and wanted to shop it all from the brand—from the jewelry to the shoes. Regarding her other customers, Ramy Brook Sharp said, “We were constantly getting customer service calls asking about pieces we didn’t even sell yet, so expanding into more categories felt like a natural next step. Over time, we expanded into dresses, denim, knits, swim, outerwear, accessories, shoes and other categories so we could dress her for more parts of her life.” The goal became giving customers the full Ramy Brook look, not just one piece. When it comes to the future of the brand, Ramy Brook Sharp sees it becoming a true lifestyle brand—expanding into more categories, growing its retail presence and continuing to build the business internationally. At the same time, she wants to make sure that Ramy Brook stays connected to their customer. She said, “The goal is to keep evolving with her and creating pieces that make her feel confident, feminine and excited to get dressed. Growth is exciting, and staying true to what made women connect with Ramy Brook in the first place is just as important.” Now, we’ve seen Ramy Brook Sharp, the entrepreneurial designer, the career woman. Now, let’s look at who she is outside of her career, and how that identity actually fuels her success. 64 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
“
— RAMY BROOK SHARP
Photo courtesy of Claire Kenny
Success was manifesting. “Getting picked up by Bergdorf Goodman was definitely one of those moments where I thought, okay, this is really happening. Being able to say Ramy Brook was sold at Bergdorf gave the brand an incredible sense of credibility and opened many doors for us…There have been so many milestones along the way. Seeing Taylor Swift organically wear Ramy Brook was certainly one of them.” said Ramy Brook Sharp. In the beginning, she was usually one connection away from anyone wearing Ramy Brook. She knew the stylist, the friend or the person making the introduction. Now, people discover and wear the brand completely independently of her, which she finds incredibly rewarding. When Ramy Brook Sharp looks back at where she started—with just a handful of silk tops and one dress in her apartment—to where the brand is today, with a full lifestyle collection, major retail partners, hundreds of domestic and international boutiques, and her own Madison Avenue flagship, she says “that evolution is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
The goal is to keep evolving with her and creating pieces that make her feel confident, feminine and excited to get dressed. Growth is exciting, and staying true to what made women connect with Ramy Brook in the first place is just as important.
”
Photo courtesy of Claire Kenny
Photo courtesy of Getty Images - Jennifer Graylock
COVER FEATURE
Photo courtesy of Rowell Perez
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 65
Lori Rosenbaum, Ramy Brook Sharp and Dr. Robi Ludwig
66 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
Photo courtesy of Laurel Creative / Lauren Listor
COVER FEATURE
COVER FEATURE Photo courtesy of Claire Kenny
And it begins with family. Family is everything to Ramy Brook Sharp. She grew up in Chatham, New Jersey with her two sisters. Her father was a chemist and her mother a teacher, it only makes sense that their daughter knows how to synthesize her world just like her parents. In addition, Ramy Brook Sharp said “My mom loved fashion and used to make matching dresses for me and my sisters. As we grew up, going to the mall was basically our sport, so I think that love of clothes and shopping was always there from a young age.” Fashion preceded her but it became part of her future. Today, Ramy Brook Sharp lives with her husband in New York , where they also raised their three children. When she started her business, the children were 5, 7 and 10, so in a lot of ways they grew up alongside the expanding brand. She said, “The first three years I worked out of my apartments so they saw all the comings and goings. Starting a company while raising a family taught me a lot about prioritizing and being efficient with my time. It’s also been special to see that entrepreneurial spirit carry into the next generation—two of my children are entrepreneurs themselves. My family has been incredibly supportive throughout the whole journey, and they’re a huge part of my life.” Witnessing that drive in the next generation has only deepened Ramy Brook Sharp’s desire to pay it forward. Today, philanthropy is woven directly into the fabric of both her personal life and the Ramy Brook company. She said, “Over the years, I’ve been involved with organizations and initiatives including UJA, Project Prom, Project ALS, RENS Basketball, The Bowery Mission, and breast cancer awareness efforts (Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation). I also sit on the Innovation and Entrepreneurship board at Duke, which is another meaningful way I stay involved and meet with students who are pursuing their entrepreneurial journey.” When Ramy Brook Sharp finally steps away from her fast-paced business, connecting with her inner circle becomes her top priority. She’s learned how to play Mahjong and canasta—finding a lot of social events around both those games—and loves playing tennis and golf. She said, “Hosting my friends and family has always been a big part of my life. I love traveling. Many of those trips end up inspiring me creatively. I’m always paying attention to what people are wearing, where they’re going and how they’re living.” Ramy Brook Sharp’s boundless curiosity and social energy define who she is at her core. She loves being around people and bringing them together. She’s very hands-on, eager to learn at every turn. She said, “I think a lot of my success has come from being willing to take chances and go after things, even if I didn’t have every step figured out from the beginning. I come from a family of really curious, driven people. My mom, Helene Shalotsky, is 85 and still writes a blog, which I love. She’s always learning, creating and staying engaged. My sister, Dr. Robi Ludwig, is a psychologist and has written two books. There’s always something interesting going on in my family, and I definitely think that their curiosity, creativity and work ethic rubbed off on me.” She’s a fashion designer who elevates with every step she takes. She’s Ramy Brook Sharp.
Photo courtesy of Claire Kenny
“
...My family has been incredibly supportive throughout the whole journey, and they’re a huge part of my life. — RAMY BROOK SHARP
”
OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 67
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MANN OF THE HOUR
‘I’m Right Here’ Is Bringing Back Childhood Wonder BY SOFIA MARRETTA
Photos courtesy of Theresa Balderas
72 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
MANN OF THE HOUR ON THE UPSWING When Michelle Grace became a mother, everything shifted. She met not only the little girl who became her world but also a new version of herself. “I feel like I had been blinded before her,” Michelle Grace said. “And now I’m so alive.” The New York City native had found herself in a creative field young, writing No. 1 Billboard dance hits at age 20. As she continued to carve her path, however, her light started to dim. Almost without her noticing, Michelle Grace had become someone else. Along came Mira. Appropriately named “my reflection,” she reintroduced her mother to the joys of imagination. She connected her to the energy of mothers past and present. Michelle Grace, reinvigorated by her daughter’s spark, found her creative instincts once more, and now they are more vibrant than ever before. This renewed ingenuity pushed her to write her debut children’s book, “I’m Right Here,” which arrives on bookshelves this month. A love letter to Mira, the story explores the cosmic connection between mother and child. Just as the two stars always find each other in the vast galaxy, a mother’s love will travel the universe to remind even the youngest readers that they are safe and sound. WRITING FROM HER HEART
“I wrote the book when I was completely in my feelings,” Michelle Grace said. “It was an outlet for me to just be creative and express how I’m feeling and freeze a moment in time.” Michelle Grace’s greatest aspiration had always been motherhood. The decision to have Mira via surrogacy was a challenging one. She likened the experience to adoption, as she struggled to connect in the natural way she expected, and felt that they had both been robbed of something. Leading with patience and trust, Michelle Grace threw herself into early childhood development, where she discovered the power of play. When telling Mira stories, Michelle Grace felt their bond deepen. She saw how children’s brains are wired for wonder. Imagination is how they make sense of the world,
learning to problem-solve and interact with others. Once she found what worked for them, she ran with it. “Everything we do is a story,” she said. “Everywhere we go, I try to make it play. That's how we're getting through life. With story and play.” This practice guides her book’s message. Michelle Grace wants her work to serve as a tool for parents because what they pour into the early years matters profoundly. Endorsed by Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, her mission is to remind parents that creativity isn’t something we outgrow. It’s something that lives inside all of us, waiting to be brought out.
The visuals of these stories play a vital role in developing their individual worlds. The illustrations in “I’m Right Here” came about through fate. After rounds of illustration drafts that missed the mark, Michelle Grace felt discouraged. It ended up being the artist behind the work hanging in her personal office who was able to capture the essence needed. “My Wild Imagination” brings in a different illustrator, as does a third book, “Welcome Home Little Fairy,” which is planned for the spring. This was intentional. Michelle Grace wanted to honor each expansive, creative world differently.
HER NEXT ADVENTURES
APPROACHING EACH DAY WITH WONDER
While “I’m Right Here” is a “thank you” to Mira and her “hello” to the world as an author, Michelle Grace’s second work, “My Wild Imagination,” dives into a brand new universe. Scheduled to release in February, the story follows Anna, a little girl with a big, bright mind. Her “Wild Imagination,” a red furry friend, takes her on bold adventures, splashing through puddles a s wide as the sea, sliding down rainbows into magical gardens, and learning to speak butterfly.
Michelle’s days are now full of creation. If she isn’t writing or selecting illustrations, she is concocting new characters and making up voices with her daughter. “You sit on the floor with your kid, and you play with them and you say nothing is more important than this right now,” she said. None of these stories would be possible without Mira. She is the inspiration behind all of her mother’s work, shining her light in every corner. Michelle Grace credits her daughter with making her dreams come true. “My daughter reminds me every day to be a kid and follow my heart,” she said. “To have a voice, be expressive and not hold back.” Through every page she writes, Michelle Grace hopes families will discover the playful spark that Mira helped her find. Whether it’s the loving reassurance of “I’m Right Here,” the fearless adventures of “My Wild Imagination” or the magic still to come, Michelle Grace is creating more than children’s books. She’s inviting readers to play, connect and imagine together, one story at a time, with her daughter leading the way. michellegraceofficial.com
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ABOVE IT ALL
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ON THE TABLE
Photos courtesy of Emma Brawley Photography/Salvage City Supper Club
Salvage City SUPPER CLUB
Brings Immersive Dining Theater to the Heart of Manhattan By Merilee Kern, MBA
At a time when travelers increasingly measure a destination by the experiences they can collect rather than the landmarks they can check off, New York City has gained an intriguing new addition to its nightlife landscape. Housed inside Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition, Salvage City Supper Club arrives from its original home at Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas with a proposition that feels surprisingly ambitious even by Manhattan standards. It is dinner. It is theater. It is nightlife. It is performance art. Most importantly, it is designed to dissolve the lines separating all of them. As a travel journalist who has experienced countless tasting menus, Broadway productions, immersive attractions and nightlife concepts 76 MANN MANNABOUT ABOUTTOWN TOWN •• OCTOBER OCTOBER2026 2026
across the globe, I approached Salvage City with understandable skepticism. New York is hardly lacking in spectacle. Yet within minutes of entering the venue, it became apparent that the creative team was pursuing something different. Rather than asking guests to sit quietly and consume entertainment from a distance, the experience places them inside the environment itself. Jono Mason, director of Paradise Club, describes the concept this way: “Rather than asking guests to follow a prescribed storyline, Salvage City places them at the center of the world itself. The experience unfolds around you through live performance, character encounters, music and ritualized moments that enrich the dining journey. It's orchestrated to feel a little chaotic
and foreign, and intentionally designed to be social and participatory, creating space for conversation, celebration and discovery. Whether guests arrive for a date night, a group celebration or simply a fun night out, they become part of the atmosphere rather than merely observing it.” That philosophy reveals itself quickly. Dancers, acrobats, musicians, servers and performers circulate through the room as a narrative slowly unfolds. Unlike conventional dinner theater, there is no obvious separation between audience and cast. The evening feels less like attending a show and more like entering an alternate universe where dinner happens to be one part of a much larger story.
ON THE TABLE The Manhattan residency also represents a milestone for Executive Producer Paul Seigenthaler and Five Senses Holdings. Salvage City spent years searching for a permanent home beyond its festival roots. According to Seigenthaler, numerous opportunities came and went before Paradise Club emerged as the right fit. “Salvage City has been looking for a brick-andmortar location since its inception six years ago,” Seigenthaler explained. “We've literally been under contract at 11 different locations, and none of them ever felt right. I decided not to pursue them.” His admiration for Paradise Club, The Times Square Edition, and the property’s global positioning ultimately helped shape the decision. The location itself makes strategic sense. Times Square attracts a constant flow of international visitors throughout the year, creating a uniquely diverse audience that mirrors the communal spirit at the center of the production. That spirit surfaces repeatedly throughout Seigenthaler’s comments. While many immersive experiences focus on technology or visual effects, he continually returns to a simpler idea: connection. “Food brings people together when we break bread together,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where we’re from, how old we are, our political views, or our religion. Breaking bread offers that bond and brings unity to people from all different walks of life.” The emotional foundation of Salvage City stems from family gatherings. Seigenthaler speaks passionately about arriving at relatives’ homes, accepting whatever food appears on the table, helping in the kitchen, sharing stories and surrendering control to trusted hosts. That sentiment translates directly into the guest experience. “What Salvage City is to me is the ability to shut off your mind and come with us on a journey,” he said. “Meet others that you may know and meet new people that you can build bonds with for the rest of your life.” Visually, the production is striking. The world of Salvage City exists somewhere between post-apocalyptic fantasy, avant-garde cabaret and futuristic circus. Interestingly, the concept originated from practical limitations during the pandemic rather than an elaborate artistic manifesto. “I think a creative director or producer in my shoes might lie to you or fluff the origin story of this concept,” Seigenthaler says.“I, on the other hand, will tell you that it came out of necessity.” The earliest version required guests to remain socially distanced in parked cars while watching
performances. Seeking an environment where automobiles felt natural, the team landed on the concept of a junkyard. That setting evolved into Salvage City. “We decided that we wanted to build a junkyard," he explains. "Junkyards can often feel nostalgic, rustic, and in many ways post apocalyptic.” From there, contrast became the creative engine. Rustic surroundings were paired with futuristic wardrobes. Multiple performance stages were placed throughout the footprint so every guest would enjoy changing perspectives throughout the evening. Lasers, haze effects, circus artistry, dance and illusion combined to create a sensory environment that feels intentionally unconventional without becoming overwhelming. The culinary component proves equally important. Michelin-starred Chef John Fraser developed a multi-course family-style menu that includes dishes such as Roots Pulled from Edible Soil, Hay-Smoked Black Cod, and Bush Berry and Juniper-Braised Short Rib. These are not menu items added for novelty. They function as narrative devices. Mason emphasizes the deliberate integration between food and storytelling. “It’s very intentional. The menu, as well as the service team are extensions of the world we’re creating. It's important to have fun with it. There’s a good amount of personal joy, heartache, imagination and dreams embedded in all of it.” He addsed, “We always knew the dinner was fully integrated with the show. Its theme has elements of post civilization collapse, indulgence, theatricality that we explore throughout the meal. If you didn't have a functional kitchen, what would this celebration and meal look like?” Executive Chef Warren Baird of JF Restaurants echoes that perspective. “It’ s easy to serve people crabcakes and salmon at a jazz club, but when your performers become servers mid-show, it is an opportunity to connect the two components in a unique way,” Baird said. “Salvage City is a highly sensory experience with elements of dance, magic, acrobatics, etc. The food in this type of show needs to have the same goals, or it takes away from the guest experience.” One memorable example involves edible soil, interactive presentations and a signature tin-can course that intentionally plays with expectations. “The tin can is a unique moment,” Baird noted. “Guests are not sure what to expect, it syncs well with the chaotic nature & spirit of the evening.” What ultimately separates Salvage City from competing entertainment options is its refusal to fit neatly into a category. Broadway offers theatrical excellence. Fine dining delivers culinary precision. Rooftop lounges provide atmosphere. Nightclubs
deliver energy. Salvage City attempts to borrow from all of them while avoiding their limitations. Mason describes the experience as “more like an extraordinary dinner party rather than a traditional show.” He believes participation matters more than observation, creating opportunities for guests to become contributors to the evening’s energy rather than passive spectators. Seigenthaler offers perhaps the most revealing assessment. “Our purpose with Salvage City is to bring all of these things together. To bring the beauty of dance and Broadway, tasting menus and culinary experiences, a cocktail on a rooftop lounge, and the energy of nightlife back together as one.” The concept also reflects broader shifts occurring throughout luxury travel and hospitality. Travelers increasingly prioritize experiences that create lasting memories. They want stories worth telling after they return home. They want interaction rather than observation. “The era of velvet ropes and bottle service has steadily given way to something more dynamic,” Mason said. “Guests are seeking unique, meaningful experiences that spark curiosity and bring performance, art and community together in unexpected ways.” That observation feels accurate. Around the world, hospitality brands are investing heavily in immersive dining, experiential entertainment and hybrid concepts that blur traditional categories. Salvage City represents one of the more ambitious examples currently operating in New York. Perhaps the most telling comment emerged when Seigenthaler discussed celebrity guests. Rather than naming names, he declined, citing trust. Then he offered a simple philosophy: “Everyone who walks to our door is a celebrity and will be treated exactly as that.” In an industry increasingly focused on exclusivity, that approach feels refreshing. For visitors planning a New York itinerary, the city’s legendary attractions remain essential. See the Statue of Liberty. Visit world-class museums. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Explore the neighborhoods that give New York its character. Then reserve an evening for something less predictable. Salvage City is not attempting to replace traditional sightseeing. It complements it. The production recognizes that destinations are remembered not only through monuments and landmarks but through shared experiences, unexpected conversations, sensory surprises and nights that refuse to fit neatly into memory. In a city built on reinvention, that may be exactly why this particular experience feels at home. OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 77
ON THE TABLE
Auberge Collection Announces Culinary Partnership With Chef Daniel Boulud at Mayflower Inn & Spa
MANNABOUT ABOUTTOWN TOWN •• OCTOBER OCTOBER2026 2026 78 MANN
Photos courtesy of Auberge Collection
As of late July 2026, Auberge Collection, the award-winning portfolio of one-of-a-kind luxury hotels, resorts and residences, has unveiled an exclusive culinary partnership and residency with renowned chef and restaurateur, Daniel Boulud, at Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Collection. The globally recognized Café Boulud restaurant concept has been brought to Mayflower Inn–reimagining the property’s culinary program and offering guests a refined dining experience with delicious French fare in an idyllic country retreat setting. The Garden Room at Mayflower Inn houses Café Boulud and has debuted an entirely new menu, curated by Boulud. Highlights of this culinary journey include Chilled Corn Velouté with Maine lobster and Open Faced Ravioli with eggplant to start, Wild Mushroom Risotto with summer truffle and Tournedos Rossini entrees, and Île Flottante with peach and verbena for dessert. “Having always been a fan of the Mayflower Inn, I’ve admired it as a destination just outside New York that authentically reflects American values, the beauty of New England and a spirit of European hospitality,” said Boulud. “Bringing Café Boulud here this summer is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with the team and create a seasonal dining experience that celebrates the region’s ingredients. We share the same commitment to hospitality and service, and I look forward to welcoming guests to enjoy the simple pleasure of gathering around delicious food in this special setting.”
Chef Daniel Boulud
Additional elements of this partnership include a selection of menu additions in the Tap Room at Mayflower Inn, consisting of Café Boulud and Boulud’s favorites, as well as an exclusive, ticketed launch event in collaboration with Boulud himself—establishing a refreshed culinary program across the entirety of the property. Exclusive Culinary Residency Café Boulud at Mayflower Inn began this July and the residency will continue through the remainder of 2026. Café Boulud at the Mayflower is open 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays in the Garden Room with two-course ($95 per person), three-course ($125 per person) and six-course ($170 per person options, and open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Café Boulud favorites will be available in the Tap Room daily from 5:30 to 9 p.m. “Building on Mayflower Inn & Spa’s longstanding reputation for exceptional cuisine, we are honored to welcome Chef Daniel Boulud and Café Boulud to the property,” said Marco Bustamante, vice president of food and beverage at Auberge Collection. “This partnership reflects our commitment to creating extraordinary dining experiences that celebrate both world-class talent and the unique character of each Auberge Collection destination.” Boulud is widely celebrated as one of America’s leading culinary authorities and restaurateurs, and founder of The Dinex Group, a collection of internationally acclaimed restaurants with an emphasis on hospitality, from fine dining to casual cuisine, served at the highest level. Inspired by the rhythm of the seasons and menus driven by fine ingredients, Boulud has become renowned for the contemporary appeal he adds to soulful cooking rooted in French tradition. Since arriving in the U.S. in 1982, he has continually evolved his cuisine and expanded his reach from one location (Daniel in 1993) to multiple properties in New York City and across the U.S. as well as Toronto, Montreal, Singapore, Dubai, The Bahamas, Riyadh and Hong Kong. His Michelin-starred restaurants include Restaurant Daniel, Le Pavillon, Jōji and Café Boulud at Maison Barnes. Follow Boulud on Instagram @danielboulud About Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Collection Only a two-hour drive from New York City, Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Collection is a luxury country retreat located in the idyllic town of Washington, Connecticut. Set on 58-acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodlands, the property defines New England elegance and is renowned as one of the northeast’s most lauded luxury hideaways. OCTOBER 2026 • MANN ABOUT TOWN 79
WINDOW SHOPPING
Autumn’s Finest Sprinkle in some of the fall magic
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
AVULUX
Granted FDA De Novo Authorization, Creating the First Lens Classification for Migraine-Associated Light Sensitivity
Avulux, the maker of clinically-proven precision light-filtering lenses for people living with migraine and light sensitivity, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the company De Novo marketing authorization. The authorization establishes a defined FDA-recognized classification for Avulux, designed to help manage light sensitivity associated with migraine. The FDA De Novo pathway is used for new types of medical devices that are first of their kind, with no comparable medical device previously authorized by the FDA in the U.S. The decision defines how Avulux may be used and creates a new FDA-recognized classification of precision optical filter, giving patients, eye care providers, healthcare providers and commercial partners a clear way to understand what Avulux is and who it can help. 82 MANN ABOUT TOWN • OCTOBER 2026
HEALTH & WELLNESS Avulux is a precision optical filter designed to decrease light sensitivity in episodic migraine patients 12 and older. The lens blocks light at 480 nanometers in the high blue range and 590 nanometers in the red and amber range while allowing the remaining visible color spectrum to pass through. The use of Avulux should not alter the usual care therapy of patients diagnosed with episodic migraine, including medication usage. It is worn like ordinary eyeglasses and can be made with or without a wearer’s vision prescription. “For a long time, light sensitivity was seen as just a symptom of migraine. That thinking has changed,” said Dr. Charles Posternack, co-founder and chief executive officer of Avulux. “There is growing recognition that light sensitivity is a serious medical concern in its own right. This authorization gives patients and providers a clear, FDA-recognized option designed specifically to manage the impact of light in those with migraine, one we hope will soon become the standard of medical care in this population.”
Why light matters in migraine For millions of people living with migraine, light is a trigger and a source of pain that can send them into a dark room and away from work, family and daily life. Light sensitivity is one of the most common and disruptive parts of the disease, yet until now, there has been no FDA-authorized option designed to manage it. Migraine is a neurological disease that affects nearly 15% of the world’s population—more than 1 billion people worldwide—and over 45 million people in the United States alone. As many as 90% of people living with migraine experience light sensitivity as a symptom, and up to 60% of migraine attacks are triggered by light or glare. Migraine also affects an estimated 11% of children and adolescents, with prevalence rising through the teen years, particularly among girls. Specific wavelengths of light have been shown to trigger or worsen migraine attacks. By blocking those wavelengths before they reach the eyes while letting the remaining visible color spectrum through, Avulux decreases the impact of light sensitivity in episodic migraine patients 12 and older.
Avulux is intended to complement, not replace, usual migraine care. Patients should continue their prescribed treatment, including medication. “Migraines in children are often underdiagnosed and undertreated, despite their profound impact on development, education and overall wellbeing,” said Juan Espinoza, MD, director and principal investigator of the Consortium for Technology & Innovation in Pediatrics (CTIP), a prominent FDA-funded pediatric medical device accelerator dedicated to improving health outcomes for infants, children and adolescents. “At CTIP, we are committed to supporting innovations like Avulux that offer non-invasive and effective solutions to improve the lives of pediatric patients.” The authorization follows FDA review of clinical evidence supporting Avulux, including randomized controlled trials and years of real-world experience. Avulux has been dispensed to more than 50,000 wearers and trusted by a network of over 1,400 eye care providers across the United States and Canada.
What this means for patients, providers and partners Healthcare providers and eye care providers both play an important role in connecting patients to Avulux. For the primary care physicians, pediatricians and neurologists who manage migraine most often, Avulux addresses light sensitivity, a symptom that migraine medications are not designed to treat. Referring a patient 12 or older with episodic migraine who experiences light sensitivity takes only moments and does not change the patient’s existing treatment. For optometrists and optical practices, Avulux is the first and only FDAauthorized option to fit and dispense, giving migraine patients a reason to ask for it by name. And for the millions of people, now including adolescents 12 and older, who structure their days around avoiding light, there is now an authorized option designed specifically for them. Patients can now access Avulux through participating eye care providers, optical practices and authorized partners. Learn more at ecp.avulux.com/ hcp.
Photos courtesy of Avulux
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BEHIND THE CAMERA
BEHIND THE LENS By R. Couri Hay
New York Model Management
Rejuvenation Nation
New York Fashion Week kicked off with a party hosted by Heinz Holba and Karine Roman for the 30th Anniversary of their New York Model Management at SoHo hot spot Ketchy Shuby for 200 models, agents and fashionistas, powered by the sparkling rosé Aphrodise. Jen Rubinetti, who heads the Women’s Division, and the agency’s Chris Marino, greeted Ava Vondavi—who just graced the pages of Elle Mexico—Isabelle Schilling, Neil Varel, Ash Foo, Cole Velasquez, Nils and Francisco Henriques. Founder Holba, who said things have changed since the days when supermodels like Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell ruled the 90s, explained, “People have more of an open mind, and as a result, diversity has become the norm.” As to what makes a good model today, he explained, “A personality that connects with people. Even charming people can get shy, but confidence is key. Models have to learn how to interact in person. Eye contact is important.” The agency has booked models for campaigns for Versace, Gucci, Prada and Calvin Klein, and glossies including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, WWD, Elle, L’Officiel, and WSJ. newyorkmodels.com
Carl Boyanton, founder of Farmer Fresh Produce, who is running as an Independent representing Mississippi’s 4th Congressional District, has a leading role in the new documentary, “Rejuvenation Nation.” A featured expert in the film, Boyanton explains how regenerative agriculture and rebuilding the food system support Americans’ long-term health. His stance expands past organics. Boyanton is vocal about corruption on the Hill. “How did we get to the point where they don’t actually have to go out and talk to their constituents?” He told me, “I’ve told everybody that not only will I debate and participate in all forums, I pledge to do a town hall in every county in my district every year.” The documentary launched with a kickoff dinner in Southampton at a private home hosted by the film’s executive producer Carole Crist, the former First Lady of Florida, who produced and narrated the film. Boyanton explained to the crowd how regenerative agriculture, soil restoration and nutrient-dense farming can combat chronic disease. carl4congress.com
Kylie Jenner Gets Bigger Billionaire beauty mogul Kylie Jenner, who infamously shared her breast augmentation measurements with TikTok in 2025, is now revealing that she wants to go back under the knife. During a recent podcast appearance, Timothee Chalamet’s girlfriend talked about her breasts and confessed, “I do want them bigger,” stating, “I say it every day. I’m like, ‘They need to be bigger and more out there. I want them to walk in before I do.’” When Kylie, who just turned 29 in August, was asked if she would do the new procedure before 30, she said, “Probably not.” Her last operation was done by Beverly Hills’ Dr. Garth Fisher. Dr. Luis Macias, who also practices in Los Angeles, weighed in, saying, “The pendulum has swung back to breasts again. I’m seeing a renewed interest in breast augmentation and a slightly breast-forward, feminine silhouette. Celebrity pronouncements like Kylie’s can amplify a trend that’s already happening. Natural isn’t disappearing, it’s just getting a little more voluptuous.” aestheticmdr.com Not everyone agrees bigger is always better. Dr. Lyle Leipziger, chief of plastic surgery at North Shore University Hospital, sees a different trend in New York, saying, “I see more women desiring a breast size that better fits their bodies. This has translated into smaller rather than larger breast augmentations.” drleipziger.com Top dermatologist Ken Mark told me, “Kylie’s entitled to go bigger, as she’s gotten used to her prior surgery and she has the frame and stature to support a bigger is better look.” kennethmarkmd.com
Chris Marino, Jen
Rubinetti, Karine Roman and Heinz Holba
Photo courtesy of Garrett Sweeten
Carole Crist, Carl Boyanton and Jackie Siegel
Photo courtesy of Dream Team Creatives
Aleksandra and
Dr. Kenneth Mark Photo courtesy of Rob Rich
Dr. Lyle Leipziger Photo courtesy of Ashley Fairchild
Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner Photo courtesy of PMC
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BEHIND THE CAMERA
S O C IA L SA FA R I
Isabelle Bscher Photo courtesy of Michael Ostuni
Isabelle Bscher Hosts Film Premier Storied Swiss and New York auctioneer, Simon de Pury, is the subject of a new critically acclaimed documentary titled “The Hammer” by Simon Wallen. Isabelle Bscher of 57th Street’s Galerie Gmurzynska hosted the premier’s after party at the Zurich Film Festival with film critic Christian Jungen and Artist International Group’s David Unger. The film offers a glimpse into the glamorous world of art auctions as it explores the career of the charming auctioneer who has hammered down hundreds of millions of dollars of bluechip art. The cast includes iconic artists like Marina Abramović, Jeff Koons, Ai Weiwei, and Chloe Wise, whose work can all be seen at The Met and the Modern Museum of Art. The film will also be shown in New York City this fall. gmurzynska.com
Yoshiki and Josh Groban Global music icons Josh Groban and Yoshiki united for a powerful new recording of “Forever Love,” which just arrived on digital platforms in the US. One of Japan’s most enduring ballads, “Forever Love,” has resonated with generations of listeners in Japan and throughout Asia. In this new recording, recently captured live at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Yoshiki reimagines his celebrated composition for piano, orchestra and voice. Groban performs a new English opening written by Yoshiki before singing the song’s original Japanese and English lyrics. yoshiki.net
Chaz Dean and Mario Lopez Yoshiki and Annette Bening Photo courtesy of Natalie Powers
Access Daily host, Mario Lopez, picked out dog beds for his beloved French Bulldogs: Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya and Juanita Manuela Marquez, by Chaz Dean's Wen Pets Ultra Plush Faux Fur Bed collection. Dean dazzled Lopez with a demonstration showcasing the bed’s versatility using two of his labrador retriever angels, Rayne and Ryver, as the models. Lopez, who confessed, “I love pampering my dogs,” chose the latte and olivecolored beds, and took home a personalized doggie bag with the celebrity stylist’s fur cleansing conditioner and treatment mist to leave his four-legged friends silky soft and smelling fresh. chazdean.com Chaz Dean and his angels Photo courtesy of Wen/Chaz Dean
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Photos courtesy of Annie Watt Photography
COUTURE CULTURE
Annie Watt Celebrates the
School of Visual Arts BY MICHÈLE GERBER KLEIN More than 140 guests gathered at The Consulate restaurant for the Annie Watt Agency’s 20th anniversary and fundraising photography exhibition. Proceeds benefited the School of Visual Arts. The photography exhibition featured 300 photographs from A-list events in New York, Palm Beach, Los Angeles, London, Paris and Rome. Guests were invited to find their photographs among the displays and take them home as cherished mementos. Attendees included Geoffrey Bradfield and William Featherby; Lee and CeCe Black; Anki Leeds; Sharon Bush; Karen Klopp; Eileen Judell; Sharon King Hoge; Angela Cason; Michelle Larsen; Cece Cord; Charles Holmes; Christopher Walling; Michel Witmer; Anne Akers; Sharon Marantz Walsh; Jane Pontarelli; Lillian Heidenberg; Mar Morosse; Vicky McLoughlin; Susan Gutfreund; Judy Gilbert; Olga D’Alto; David Hochberg; Patricia and Thomas Shiah; Shannon Donnelly; Guy Clark; Diana Davis and Lawrence Mitchell; Tom Villanti and his niece, Melissa Garafola; Mary Bryant McCourt; and Alex Anndra Ontra.
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COUTURE CULTURE
Stephen Smith and Sara Wiedt
Michèle Gerber Klein
Lee Black, CeCe Black, Cece Cord and Charles Holmes
Geoffrey Bradfield and William Featherby
Lillian Heidenberg
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ON THE UPSWING
Our House NYC
A Place Where Grieving New Yorkers Find Support and Hope Our House NYC is New York City’s only grief support center, and in less than a year since opening, demand has already outpaced its expectations. easily accessible from all boroughs and the greater New York City area. It is modeled after Our House Grief Support Center in Los Angeles, which has provided grief support, education and resources for thousands of community members for 30 years. The model is simple: While grief may be universal, everyone’s experience is deeply personal. Losing a spouse while raising children is different from losing a parent, sibling or a young child. That understanding is at the heart of Our House NYC.
Tami Schneider
When Tami Schneider lost her husband to brain cancer at 44 while raising her 11- and 14-yearold children, she discovered something surprising: Despite living in the greatest city in the world with endless possibilities and opportunities, there was almost nowhere for grieving people to find ongoing, in-person community support. After leaving the hospital, she joined several grief support meetings but couldn’t really find a connection. Many participants were in their 80s and lost their spouse of 50 years, but no one was in her situation. Though surrounded by caring friends and family, she struggled to find others who truly understood the challenges of grieving a spouse while raising two young children.
At Our House NYC, children, teens and adults are placed in groups based on factors including age and relationship to the person who died. The goal is to connect people who can relate not only to one another’s loss but also to the changing relationships and everyday experiences that follow it. Groups are co-led by two trained volunteers and provide a judgement-free, supportive place to talk openly about grief with people who understand. Participants remain with the same group over the course of the program, giving everyone time to build trust and lasting relationships. There is no expectation that someone should simply “move on.” The interior setup of the center itself creates a sense of comfort: Group rooms resemble living rooms, and a child-friendly room is equipped with “feeling” balls to help children express their emotions. A communal kitchen provides space for participants to get to know each other.
Our House NYC also brings grief support into She described it as “feeling lonely in a crowded New York City schools, working with educators and school communities. “Grief is a big unaddressed room.” public health issue,” said Sarah McCollum Williams, Over the next decade, Schneider privately brought the executive director of Our House NYC. “One in together widowers and families facing similar losses 13 children in New York will lose a parent or sibling to build a support system for each other. Those by age 18. Studies show that unaddressed grief in gatherings ultimately inspired Our House NYC, a children can lead to higher rates of school dropout, dedicated grief support center for children, adults substance use, depression and suicide attempts, making grief support essential in our schools.” and families. The center opened in Manhattan in October 2025 Additionally, Our House NYC provides grief across from Bryant Park, a central location that’s support to companies and their employees.
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ON THE UPSWING Demand for its services has already exceeded broader philanthropic support and partnerships to expectations, creating a growing waiting list of sustain and expand its work. New Yorkers seeking support. The challenge now is expanding quickly enough to reach them. For Schneider, the goal extends beyond helping people cope with loss. It is about creating the That requires more volunteers. Volunteers don’t community she struggled to find when her own need any previous professional experience in grief family needed it. counseling, as the center provides training and curriculum, preparing them to co-lead groups. “You Schneider’s most memorable moment, which still just have to have a big heart,” Schneider said. brings tears to her eyes today, happened when the very first participant came to Our House NYC and Financial support is equally important. While told her that for the first time, they felt hope. participants contribute to the cost of group sessions on a sliding scale, no one is turned away if they are “There’s nothing more beautiful than providing unable to pay. The organization therefore relies on hope to a person,” Schneider said.
Photos courtesy of Our House NYC
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MANN OF THE HOUR
Dr. Luis Macias THE SURGEON REDEFINING MODERN AESTHETICS BY JEREMY MURPHY
Dr. Luis Macias Photos courtesy of MrktMade
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MANN OF THE HOUR In today’s fast-moving world of aesthetic medicine, where procedures trend overnight and patients arrive more informed than ever, Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Luis Macias stands out for his blend of technical mastery, artistic precision and forward-thinking innovation.
you can get a little bit more of a chiseled jawline by doing that,” he explained.
Though his days are packed with surgeries, consultations, teaching and research, he described his schedule with a calm, matter-of-fact ease. “Mondays and Wednesdays are operative for me,” he explained. “Tuesdays and Thursdays I am seeing patients in the office. And then on Fridays I’m with my kids.” It’s a rhythm that keeps him grounded as his reputation continues to soar on an international scale.
Macias is also part of a new wave of surgeons embracing submandibular gland reduction, an approach that has existed for decades but only recently gained widespread acceptance due to advances in tools and safety. He lectures on this work nationally, helping peers incorporate the technique more confidently into their own practices.
SHAPED BY HIS SERVICE Macias was born in Chicago, raised in Los Angeles and shaped profoundly by his early service in the United States Marine Corps. As an avionics technician working on the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet, he reached the rank of sergeant before using the G.I. Bill to pursue his undergraduate and medical degrees at UCLA. That rare combination of discipline, mechanical expertise and intellectual rigor became the backbone of his surgical career. “What drew me to plastic surgery,” he recalled, “was that we basically learned how to operate in the body from head to toe and we had to be masters of anatomy. There was fine technical skill, and that’s what drew me to plastic surgery.” His training took him to some of the most prestigious institutions in the country: the Mayo Clinic for residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery, the University of Pennsylvania for a fellowship in microvascular reconstruction, and later, USC-Marina for advanced aesthetic training under renowned surgeon Dr. Grant Stevens. Today, Macias gives back to the next generation as the aesthetic program director at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, teaching residents and fellows the art and discipline of aesthetic surgery.
NEW WAVE OF SURGEONS
Cultural attitudes toward cosmetic surgery have evolved dramatically over his career, something he attributes partly to media and partly to shifting generational attitudes. “Now everyone just kind of talks about it. It’s nothing. And it’s super accepted,” he said. From reality shows to social platforms, transparency has become the new norm, and patients are seeking procedures at younger ages than ever before. One notable shift has been among male patients. “It used to be 98–2,” Macias said of the ratio of women to men in aesthetic surgery. “Now it’s 80–20. Men are accepting surgery at a much higher rate.”
COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO BODY-SCULPTING In addition to facial surgery, Macias is known for his extensive work in breast and body procedures, including his pioneering 360 Mommy Makeover, a comprehensive approach that combines breast augmentation, no-drain tummy tuck and fat transfer to sculpt the body in a single operation. He also emphasizes the crucial role of skin preparation and postoperative care, noting that he often combines surgery with lasers and medical-grade skincare. “You don’t want a nice new couch and then have old, torn-up leather on it,” he said. “You want that surface to look youthful as well.” Looking ahead, he believes the future lies in regenerative medicine. “Stem cells, peptides… regenerative medicine is where it’s at,” Macias said.
MEANINGFUL, NATURAL AND LASTING RESULTS
FROM PROCEDURE TO CRAFT
But it’s his innovative approach to facial procedures, especially the facelift, that has become his signature.
Despite the complexity of his work, the heart of Macias’ philosophy remains simple: The blend of art and science must be seamless. “Five different surgeons can do surgery on the same person and get five different results,” he explained. “You have to know what to look for.”
At a time when social media popularizes buzzwords like “ponytail lift” or “swift lift,” Macias is focused on techniques that deliver meaningful, natural and lasting results. He often performs a deep-plane facelift combined with advanced deep-neck work, a technique increasingly recognized for its ability to refine the jawline and rejuvenate the entire lower face. “Going underneath the platysma and getting rid of some of the fullness…
For Macias, that combination, deep knowledge, precise technique and artistic vision is what transforms surgery from procedure to craft. And it’s what continues to make his work stand out in an industry where excellence is measured in millimeters, but impact lasts a lifetime. aestheticmdr.com
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