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Nothing at Mark Pomerantz is accidental. We are not simply cutting fabric to t your body. We are shaping an idea of how clothing should be conceived, built, and worn. How it should move with you. How it should feel against you. True luxury lies not in measurements alone, but in design. And great design changes everything. Every element of our chassis is designed to sculpt the male form with purpose and precision—creating a silhouette that feels architectural, chiseled from a block of marble.
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Discover a Rare Private Community in Carmel, California Just 300 owners on 20,000 protected acres Cruise into the sunny foothills above Carmel-by-the-Sea and you find The Santa Lucia Preserve, a vibrant private community and club offering timeless ranch living, modern lifestyle amenities, and elevated events backdropped by vast, protected natural landscapes.
santaluciapreserve.com | info@santaluciapreserve.com | 833-620-6768
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The Preserve offers a year-round outdoor lifestyle above the coastal fog, minutes from the renowned Monterey Peninsula. Private club membership affords access to a nationally ranked Tom Fazio golf course, along with a multi-discipline equestrian center, three
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dining venues, nearly 100 miles of trails, Sports Center, and a rich slate of treasured annual events. The real estate options are just as varied. With no two homesites alike, buyers looking to build their dream home can choose between redwood groves, oak savannas, and chaparral. Customdesigned homes available for resale showcase unique and often award-winning architecture, with on-site Resident Services ready to cater to a homeowner’s every need. Whether you seek an active, adventurous lifestyle or a serene retreat, The Santa Lucia Preserve provides the rare opportunity to have both. Visit santaluciapreserve.com The Santa Lucia Preserve (“SLP”) is not a licensed real estate broker, mortgage broker, or mortgage lender, and SLP does not aid or assist buyers, sellers, or borrowers in obtaining real property, solicit borrowers or lenders for, negotiate, or make loans secured by liens on real property. All content provided by SLP regarding real property listings are from separate and independent licensed brokers as provided in each listing therein. Such content is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation by SLP. SLP’s recreational amenities, activities, and experiences are available through club membership. Membership is subject to approval by application and is not included with the purchase of real estate.
FROM T HE
Red Carpet to
Napa Valley From Hollywood to Napa Valley, Frank Family Vineyards began with a love worth following. After his career as President of Disney Studios, Rich Frank found inspiration in weekend escapes to wine country and founded the winery on Larkmead Lane in 1993. Today, more than three decades later, that journey lives on in wines shaped by place, a devotion to hospitality, and a family legacy that continues to unfold.
1091 Larkmead Lane - Calistoga, CA 94515 707-942-0859 www.fr ankfamilyvineyards.com Enjoy Responsibly. ©2026 Frank Family Vineyards, Calistoga, CA
T
here’s something about the final few months of the year that I’ve always loved. The pace picks up, calendars fill with celebrations, and somehow we find ourselves trying to squeeze twelve months of living into the final few weeks. But it’s also my favorite time to reflect on where we’ve been, what we’ve accomplished, and, most importantly, the people who made it all worthwhile.
For those who love horsepower, we've assembled our picks for the 12 most spectacular cars unveiled at this year's Monterey Car Week. Trust me, it's an epic lineup. Our fashion pages are equally impressive, with fall collections that remind us why this is arguably the best season to get dressed. Beautiful tailoring, rich textures, and some seriously good-looking clothes. Gentlemen, consider this your excuse to upgrade the wardrobe.
And speaking of accomplishments, welcome to Issue 35 of NOBLEMAN! Thirty-five issues. I still remember the excitement, nerves, and sheer determination that went into creating our very first edition. What started as a vision has grown into something Lydia and I are incredibly proud of. Every issue represents countless hours, remarkable people, extraordinary partnerships, and a team that continues to raise the bar. To everyone who has been part of this journey, thank you. We certainly couldn't do it without you.
Of course, it wouldn't be NOBLEMAN without a little adventure. This issue takes us to Italy's spectacular Amalfi Coast, where we discovered Villa Treville, the former private retreat of legendary film director Franco Zeffirelli. Perched above Positano, it's a place where Hollywood history, Italian hospitality, and breathtaking beauty come together. We also traveled to Scotland, where we checked into Fenton Tower, a beautifully restored 16th-century castle with a royal past. Seven bedrooms, centuries of history, and the rare pleasure of having an entire five-star castle to yourself. Some hotel stays are simply unforgettable.
Speaking of remarkable people, I'm thrilled to introduce our NOBLEMAN Entrepreneur of the Year, Jacob Arabo, the visionary behind Jacob & Co. His journey from a teenage immigrant discovering New York's Diamond District to building one of the most daring names in luxury is the kind of American success story I love. Jacob has never been interested in following the rules of traditional watchmaking. Instead, he's rewritten a few of them, creating extraordinary pieces that blur the lines between engineering, jewelry, and art. His imagination is matched only by his ambition, and I think you'll find his story as inspiring as I did.
As we close out another year, I find myself especially grateful. For my family, our incredible team, our partners, and all of you who continue to support NOBLEMAN. Building something meaningful takes time, passion, and a lot of faith. Thirty-five issues later, I'm just as excited about what we're creating as I was on day one.
We're also welcoming back a familiar face to our cover, Justin Hartley. It's been five years since we last photographed Justin, and catching up with him felt like reconnecting with an old friend. He's looking better than ever, genuinely happy, and enjoying an incredible chapter in his career. Between his success in front of the camera and his expanding role as a producer, Justin is clearly having a moment. And judging by our time together, he's enjoying every minute of it.
And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that the best chapters are often the ones you haven't written yet. We have some pretty incredible things planned for 2027, and I can't wait to share them with you. Until then, enjoy the holidays, make time for the people you love, and never lose your appetite for what's next.
Cheers!
Doug McLaughlins DOUG McLAUGHLIN
LYDIA McLAUGHLIN
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@OCDOUG
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CONTRIBUTORS
RANDALL SLAVIN Born in Hollywood, California, Randall made his photography debut in the prestigious New York Times Magazine. His work has appeared in Vanity Fair, GQ, Esquire, and Rolling Stone, among many others. Slavin had his first exhibit in Paris in 2008, a solo show at The Annenberg Space for Photography in 2011, and received the 2011 Hollywood Style Award for Photographer of the Year. He currently splits his time between Los Angeles and New York City. @randallslavin
ANDRE NIESING Andre is a Level 3 Sommelier (WSET,) photographer and film maker based in Southern California. Shooting stills and videos for nearly 25 years, what makes him unique is his ability to evoke so many different emotions and reactions through his storytelling. @andreniesing
MADISON TABER Madison is a personal stylist based in San Clemente. An Orange County stylist with over a decade of experience, she focuses on pieces that earn their place in a wardrobe. Rooted in capsule dressing, she helps clients discover what they’ll reach for again and again. @madisonlunataber
FRANK SALAS Frank Salas is a Southern California– based Master Photographer with a reputation for capturing high-profile events with elegance and precision. Widely respected in the industry, he is also a sought-after speaker and judge at national and international photography conferences. @franksalasphotography
JONAH BONNER Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Jonah has built a multidisciplinary career around videography, photography, and marketing - most notably revolving around high-end automotive, luxury, and sports. Although usually found behind the camera, he has spent time in front of it as well, making appearances as a threetime competitor on American Ninja Warrior. Outside of work he is an avid rock climber, mountain biker, and surfer. @jonahbonner
MICHELE HARRINGTON The CEO of First Team Real Estate, Southern California's #1 Independent Brokerage. One of the most successful and ambitious women in her field, Michele is not only a Marine Corp veteran, she has also authored a book, started and owned multiple companies, is an investor in multiple real estate units and serves on various real estate councils. After a lifetime of achievements, Michele still loves tackling the real estate world and now helps others build sustainable careers and wealth in real estate. @michelewilliamsharrington
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Welcome To Your Desert Oasis Take a dip. Nourish your soul. Indulge in culinary delights. Toast to making life one long weekend. Your everyday escape awaits.
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John Russo >> Eric Michael Roy >> Trevor Thompson >> Gabo Garcia >> Jonah Bonner >> Rod Foster Jesse Rusen >> Corbin Ballard >> Randall Slavin >> Andre Niesing >> Christina Wolf >> Evan Buzzell >> Frank Salas ADVERTISING : advertise@noblemanmagazine.com EDITORIAL : editorial@noblemanmagazine.com JOB INQUIRIES: jobs@noblemanmagazine.com SUBSCRIPTIONS: subscriptions@noblemanmagazine.com 28241 Crown Valley Pkwy F, #444 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 www.NoblemanMagazine.com | @Nobleman
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LOUIS VUITTON & SINGER REDESIGNED THE 911 FROM THE INSIDE OUT Most Porsche collaborations begin with a mood board. This one started with a clock. Singer approached La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton with a simple request: creating a dashboard timepiece for a reimagined 911. Jean Arnault and his team took the project up a notch. That clock, with a Tambour-inspired cobalt face and orange accents, became the starting point for two cabriolets filled with watchmaking-level details. Rhodium-plated switches, hand-finished vents and even considered the fuel cap to carry the vision. Nicolas Ghesquiere oversaw the car’s aesthetic, opting for an open-top build and what he described as “direct contact with the sun.” In true Louis Vuitton fashion, the cars needed accessories. Each comes with matching luggage, helmets, a monogrammed surfboard and a price tag rumoured near $2.5 million. Both debuted at Monterey Car Week. porsche.com
COGNAC WOOD, TEXAS BOURBON Texas bourbon has never had much trouble making itself known. Garrison Brothers’ Laguna Madre takes a more unusual route. The eight-year-old bourbon spends part of its maturation in French Limousin oak, the same wood traditionally associated with high-end Cognac rather than Kentucky whiskey. The result is a rich, layered bourbon where dark fruit and warm baking spices complement the bold character of Texas whiskey. The numbers stay serious. Laguna Madre is bottled at 101 proof, and only 3,000 bottles of the 2026 release will make it into circulation. Getting one may be the harder part. The surest route is a trip to Garrison Brothers in Hye, Texas, where bottles sell for $350. Otherwise, you are waiting on one of the select retailers lucky enough to receive some bottles. $350 | garrisonbros.com
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THE LAST WORD Thirty-seven years is a long time to know how a man should dress. Fall 2026 marked Véronique Nichanian’s final menswear collection for Hermès, closing one of fashion’s longest creative tenures. She didn’t spend the occasion rewriting the house she helped define. Leather remained central, appearing alongside precise coats, tailoring, boots and pieces Nichanian has humbly refined for decades. Then came the final look, featuring mirrored crocodile before the designer took her last runway bow to the audience. Nichanian described the Hermès man backstage using simple terms: a clean line, straight to the point. Consistency may be the backbone of her tenure. She built a man rather than chasing moments, giving him a wardrobe that evolved without compromising its character. After 37 years, Nichanian had nothing left to prove. hermes.com
FIVE HUNDRED BULLS, ONE FOUNDING YEAR Lamborghini doesn't put Super Veloce on just anything. Since the Miura SV, it's only gone to four other cars. The Revuelto SV makes five. Revealed at the Qual during Monterey Car Week, the Revuelto SV pairs a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 with three electric motors for 1,065 PS, making it the most powerful production Lamborghini yet. Zero to 100 km/h takes 2.4 seconds, and a top speed clears 345 km/hr. There is plenty happening beyond the engine bay. A new front splitter, underbody work, rear wing and revised cooling channels increase the aero, while a lighter chassis and sharper suspension move the Revuelto closer to the track. Production is limited to 1,963 cars. Ferruccio Lamborghini founded Automobili Lamborghini in 1963. Buy one and you're not just getting the fastest car the company has ever made, you're getting a piece of its own timeline. lamborghini.com
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YOUR EXIT FROM THE GROUP CHAT October is when we start dreaming of warm-weather vacations to break up the incoming winter. .Here (yes, with the period) Baa Atoll makes a case for skipping the usual overwater. There are just nine residences spread across two private islands in Baa Atoll. Nowhere has a five-bedroom residence and a single three-bedroom ocean residence, while Somewhere is a home to twostory residences with infinity pools stretching up to 47 meters along the deck. Both islands sit inside a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, placing guests within one of the world’s richest marine environments without another resort crowding the view. Book far enough ahead and you can buy out one island, or both. Service is handled through a single dedicated point of contact known as Roohu. By the time everyone else agrees on dates, you could lock in an island. here-maldives.com
GOLF CART WORTH VALETING No one has handed the valet keys to their golf cart with much pride and Amble One is here to change that. The $25,000 electric golf cart was the brainchild of a team of Apple and Audi alumni who took inspiration from NASA’s lunar rover. Designed in Lisbon for the estates, resorts and coastal roads, the One keeps things simple. Aluminum, leather, cotton and cork meet a flat windscreen and intentionally exposed electric platform. There is substance beneath the good looks. The street-legal One travels more than 60 miles per charge, reaches 40 mph and plugs into a standard household outlet. Rear seats fold flat for surfboards, luggage or whatever the weekend requires. Amangiri and Mustique are already among the properties placing orders, with hospitality deliveries beginning in 2027 and consumer deliveries following in 2028. Consider the golf cart officially overdue for an upgrade. $25,000 | driveamble.com
A MATTER OF MINUTES Piaget just gave Polo something it has never had before; a minute repeater. The new Polo Minute Repeater brings one of traditional watchmaking’s most difficult complications into the house’s sports collection. Inside the 48mm white gold case is Piaget’s ultra-thin calibre 1290P, made from 430 components and measuring 4.8mm thick. Slide the trigger at nine o’clock and it chimes the hours, quarter-hours and minutes on demand. The dial has a lot more going on beneath the surface. Blue guilloché and sapphire reveal parts of the movement underneath, yet the entire watch is just 9.3mm thick. Only five numbered pieces will be made in 2026, alongside a High Jewelry version set with blue sapphires and diamonds. Price upon request | piaget.com
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MADE IN AMERICA, ACTUALLY American watchmaking used to mean something. 1776 Atelier wants to build some of it back. Founders Jason Lu, a self-taught watchmaker who began by restoring pocket watches, and WOSTEP trained machinist Zach Smith created the Liberty 250 to mark America’s 250th anniversary. More than 90 percent of its movement starts as raw American material, including the plates, bridge, wheels and screws, before being machined and finished here. That makes producing one considerably harder than dropping a Swiss movement into an American case. There is no established domestic supply chain to call. Lu and Smith are building around that problem, one component at a time. Only 25 will be made, each in 18-karat gold. $44,000 | 1776atelier.com
L.A. - AFTER DARK Perfumehead named its newest scent after a house in Los Angeles. Thankfully, it doesn't smell like one. 1360 takes its name from Atelier at 1360, the brand’s creative home and a French Revival house where Marilyn Monroe once stayed. Perfumer Constance Georges-Picot built the fragrance around grapefruit and Timur pepper before moving into Moroccan rose, leather, Haitian vetiver, moss and amber. It’s smoky, woody and a little mysterious. More Los Angeles after midnight than Malibu at noon. At $325 for 50ml, 1360 is considerably easier to acquire than the house that inspired it. $325 | perfumehead.com
A New ROI Luxury can be loud, but ROI Water has a different idea. Drawn from a single spring in Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia, ROI is naturally rich in magnesium, calcium, potassium and bicarbonate. Its carbonation is a natural result of pressure and considerable time underground rather than an additive in the bottling line. ROI has a weight to it, with crisp mineral carbonation and an almost stony finish that makes the average bottle of water seem a little boring. This is not the type of water you absentmindedly finish in a hurry. Supply is intentionally limited with annual production capped at 24 million bottles. It was only a matter of time before water joined the luxury market. roiwater.com
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OLD SCHOOL ON PURPOSE The star of Skorpios 1618’s latest bottle weighs a few thousand pounds. The Heritage Collection Reposado uses a traditional tahona stone to crush its cooked agave before fermentation. Those Blue Weber agaves spend six to eight years growing on a single estate in Amatitán Jalisco, before heading into brick ovens. From there, the tequila is open-air fermented, double-distilled in copper pot stills and aged for five to seven months in barrel. It’s a traditional process, but the finished tequila does not feel stuck in the past. Agave remains front and center with orange peel, clove and a touch of sherry coming through alongside the oak. It’s additive free and quite a bottle. The decanter is topped with an eagle finished in vintage gold, a nod to Mexico that gives it a presence you will want to live on the bar long after the first pour.
$89.99 - skorpiostequila.com
UTILITY LOOKS GOOD ON HIM Kiké Hernández knows a thing or two about being a utility player. BUGATCHI is putting that versatility to work off the field. The Dodgers star fronts the brand’s Fall/Winter 2026 MOMENTUM campaign, photographed by Jake Rosenberg. The timing comes with some serious history. As BUGATCHI celebrates its 45th anniversary, the campaign pays tribute to its Michael Jordan by Bugatchi Uomo collection, which ran from 1991 to 1993. More than three decades later, the brand is once again turning to a star athlete to bring its menswear to life. Hernández appreciates the balance of comfort and elegance, something that suits a man who makes a living staying on his toes. bugatchi.com
THE JOHN LOBB EDIT Before John Lobb landed in luxury retailers, they were on the feet of gold miners. That tells you quite a bit about the brand. Every pair passes through roughly 190 production steps in the company's Northampton workshop. Calfskin comes from a short list of European tanneries, toe caps are double stitched and leather soles are welted. These are shoes built with the expectation that you will resole them rather than replace them. This season reaches beyond the expected oxfords and brogues, pulling shapes from the house archive while introducing lighter soles and technical fabrics that make more sense for the way men dress now. Nearly two centuries after John Lobb started making boots for men chasing gold, the premise still holds up: make a very good shoe, then make sure a man can walk in it. Prices from $1,100-$2,950 | johnlobb.com
OLD SOUL, NEW SAIL SIMENA looks like she belongs to another era, but her performance is undeniably ahead. The 203-foot sailing yacht merges classic lines with a modern propulsion system, giving owners the romance of sailing minus having to rough it. During trials, SIMENA hit 16 knots under sail, while electric power allows for close to silent cruising at eight knots. She earned a four-star “superior” SEA Index rating. Inside, six cabins sleep up to 12 guests, including an Owner’s Suite, and much more room than your average weekend at sea accommodations. But outside is where SIMENA earns her keep. The cockpit is designed for long lunches and cocktail hours, the flybridge opens up the panoramic view and the fold-out swim platform puts the sea just a few steps away.
Price starting at $53 million | aresyachts.com
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NO BACK SEAT, NO APOLOGIES 666 horsepower. Two seats. Zero back seat. Bentley made its point. The Supersports drops nearly 400kg from a standard Continental GT, including the rear bench, which has been replaced by a carbon fiber tub. The whole car comes in under 2,000kg. Light for a Bentley and enough of a difference to change how the care behaves. A reworked twin-turbo V8 sending 666PS and 800Nm through the rear wheels alone, enough for 0-60 in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 199mph. There is no hybrid assistance here. Instead, you get carbon ceramic brakes, a fixed rear wing, serious aero work and a titanium Akrapovic exhaust that makes sure none of it happens quietly. Only 500 will be built, each individually numbered. bentleymotors.com
GOING OFF-GRID Moser has gone digital. Sort of. The new Streamliner Off-Grid pairs one of the brand's signature fumé dials with a digital display at six o’clock. The result looks part Swiss watch, part very good piece of 1980s tech. Developed with SEQUENT, the calibre D10 handles GMT, a split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, moonphase, alarm, timer and sunrise and sunset times. There’s even an Off-Grid travel mode. Battery life stretches up to 12 months if you stick to telling time. Two versions are available: blue with a white rubber strap or black with a red fumé dial. Each is limited to 1,000 pieces. At $4,900, it is an approachable way into Moser. Just don’t call it a smart watch. $4,900 | h-moser.com
NOBLE ACE LAGUNA BEACH Laguna Beach’s newest steakhouse comes with some serious pedigree. Noble Ace is the creation of restaurateur Elizabeth Schreiber and Chef Magellan Moore, longtime friends who first worked together at Mastro’s Ocean Club. Set along Coast Highway with a touch of old Hollywood glamour, the restaurant brings a fresh perspective to upscale dining. Everything is made from scratch, without seed oils, and the menu ventures well beyond the traditional steakhouse playbook. Caviar and crispy tuna rice share the spotlight with bolognese rigatoni, spiced branzino and fried chicken, while the applewoodsmoked ribeye, served with bone marrow and chimichurri, makes a convincing case for sticking with the classics. Behind the bar, freshly pressed juices elevate a creative cocktail program that receives just as much attention as the kitchen. The result feels perfectly suited to Laguna: sophisticated without being stuffy, a little playful, and very serious about a great steak. thenobleace.com 44
BESPOKE · AMERICAN-MADE
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Bespoke, handcrafted chef knives — cutting-edge steel, precious gemstone handles, and sculptural design. We make extraordinary knives because our love language is food.
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READY FOR DEPARTURE Skyborne named its B-2 Carbon Trunk after the stealth bomber, and the reference tracks. The Full Mission Set pairs the Cabin and Grand trunks, both made from aerospace-grade carbon fiber. That gives them the technical look of serious equipment without saddling you with the weight of a traditional hard case. The exposed carbon weave does most of the visual work. The set includes two sizes for opposite ends of the trip: the Cabin for what stays with you and the Grand for the things that don’t. Both roll on Skyborne’s wheel system and are covered by a lifetime guarantee. At $2,895 for the pair, the B-2 is made for the guy who takes traveling seriously.
$2,895 | Skyborne.co
GOLF AFTER HOURS Los Angeles isn’t short on private clubs, but Stableford is betting there’s room for a different kind. Opening in West LA, the members-only golf and lifestyle club takes the best parts of a country club and brings them indoors. No tee time, dress code or 18-hole commitment required. The 13,000-square- foot space combines Trackman golf simulators and a PuttView putting green with private wellness suites, an espresso and smoothie bar, and a cocktail lounge. Membership will be capped and invitation-only, with leagues, tournaments, member events and destination golf trips filling out the calendar. Come for an hour at the simulator, stay for a drink and stay for as long as you’d like.
stableford.com
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TIFFANY BLUE, CALIFORNIA GOLD Breakfast at Tiffany’s finally has a California address, but at the new Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud at South Coast Plaza, breakfast is only the beginning. The first West Coast outpost of Tiffany & Co.’s celebrated dining concept pairs Boulud’s polished French sensibility with the lighter, produce-driven spirit of Southern California. The setting is unmistakably Tiffany, from the blue upholstered seating and Art Deco details to an installation of the house’s iconic boxes suspended overhead. Come hungry. Golden Ossetra caviar arrives with potato blinis, while the heirloom tomato and watermelon salad with burrata is pure California. The Black Angus cheeseburger on a brioche potato bun proves the kitchen is not taking itself too seriously, but the order not to miss is the Spaghettini au Caviar, a deceptively simple tangle of lemon-glazed pasta finished with Ossetra caviar. Even Boulud points to it as the dish that best captures the spirit of this new California location.
The cocktail program deserves equal attention. Our move is the Vieux Carré, a beautifully executed classic and, on our last visit, quite possibly the best version we’ve had in Orange County. Then there is Tea at Tiffany’s, because some traditions should never be modernized out of existence. The service brings together lobster rolls, smoked salmon, scones, chocolate caramel tart, blackberry cheesecake and a full Bellocq tea selection, with Champagne available should the afternoon require a little extra sparkle. Better still, afternoon tea is served all day. Stop in for lunch, stay for tea, order another cocktail, then wander next door and leave with a Blue Box that doesn’t require a fork. blueboxcafescp.com 47
THE FRYING PAN RETURNS Rolex brought back the frying pan. Watch guys know why that matters. The new Perpetual Padellone revisits the legendary Red 8171 Triple Calendar Moonphase from 1949, nicknamed “Padellone,” Italian for large frying pan, for its broad case. The modern version measures 39mm and pairs an annual calendar with a moonphase display featuring meteorite at six o’clock. Inside is the new calibre 7190, beating at 5Hz with Rolex’s Dynapulse escapement and Syloxi silicon hairspring. A transparent caseback lets you actually see it at work. Three versions join the permanent collection in Everose gold and platinum, including an ice-blue dial reserved for the platinum model. Rolex revivals don’t happen often. This one was worth digging through the archives for. rolex.com
SIXTY YEARS LATER, JENSEN STARTS OVER Jensen hasn't built anything genuinely new in decades. That ends with the Interceptor GTX. Sixty years after the original debuted, Jensen International is reviving the name without trying to recreate the old car. There is no shared chassis, no reused bodywork and very little interest in nostalgia beyond the badge.
LEISURE BY LOUIS VUITTON
The GTX is a clean-sheet design hand-built in aluminum with a bespoke V8 producing 960 horsepower, a six-speed sequential gearbox and carbon fiber aero components. The first version is track-only, with road-going variants expected to follow. Behind the revival is Jeff Qvale, whose father once owned Jensen Motors, making this more personal than the average attempt to dust off a great British badge. The original Interceptor was a grand tourer for its time. Sixty years later, Jensen isn’t rebuilding it. It is picking up the name and seeing how far it can take it. Price estimated around $1.3 million | jensen-sales.com
There comes a point where the slippers beside the bed become too luxurious to leave at home and Louis Vuitton has planned accordingly. The new LV Horizon Slipper is made in Italy from Naapa Lambskin using traditional sachetto construction, keeping the flexible feel of a house slipper with the polish of a proper slide. Details are subtle: LV initials on the side, a Louis Vuitton Paris signature at the heel and a rubber outsole finished in the House’s Damier pattern. Four colorways give you options and a convincing case to give the most comfortable shoes in your closet an upgrade. $1,020 | louisvuitton.com 48
Cars, Coffee & a Key to the Club Orange County’s car culture is getting its own clubhouse. Set inside a historic packing house in Old Towne Orange, Car-nnoisseur combines a restaurant, cafe and bakery with a members club built around collectible cars and good food. Three founding tiers unlock amenities beyond a dinner reservation with perks such as early cafe access, personal wine storage, concierge service, and private dinners. The $100-month-Driver tier has already sold out. The $250 Collector and $750 Curator tiers remain open. It is part restaurant, part garage and part private club without asking members to choose a favorite. carnnoisseur.com
I TA L I ANS H AVE A PO I N T Eleventy knows men like to keep it simple; there is no time to rethink how they dress every six months. For Fall/Winter 2026 that means jackets with softer structure, trousers with room and cashmere, suede and knitwear options. Tailoring is still very much at the center, but in an informal way. A double-breasted jacket works over a T-shirt and even a white trouser makes it through fall. The colors are equally easy to live with. Camel, cream, brown, grey and navy do most of the work, while flashes of red keep things fresh. That seems to be one of Eleventy’s specialties; the clothes are luxurious but made for real life. eleventymilano.com
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SANCTUARY OUTDOOR 5
INFRARED SAUNA BY CLEARLIGHT
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best. University research supports the broader case. A Loras College study found significantly improved recovery after maximal aerobic exercise, and a Binghamton University study reported an average of 4 percent less body fat over four months among participants who used the saunas three times a week for 30 minutes.
ost high performers are excellent at work and mediocre at recovery. Sleep runs short, stress runs long, and the body gets whatever is left over. The sauna is one of the few tools that asks for nothing but time. You sit in the heat, you sweat, and the nervous system finally stands down. People turn to it for relaxation, muscle recovery, and deeper sleep, which is why it has moved from the locker room into the home. The payoff compounds the longer you keep showing up.
Here is the catch. The best sauna is the one you actually use, and most fall short because they are cramped, inconvenient, or an eyesore. Clearlight, founded in 1997 by chiropractic physician Dr. Raleigh Duncan, has spent nearly three decades solving that problem. The Sanctuary Outdoor 5 is the clearest answer yet, and it earns the title of best of the best.
Infrared takes the idea further. Rather than heating the air to punishing temperatures, it warms the body directly, so sessions stay comfortable at lower ambient heat. Clearlight's patented True Wave heaters pair carbon and ceramic to reach the wavelength the company says the body absorbs
Start with the space. The interior runs nearly 78 inches wide and seats five adults, so it works as a solo reset or a gathering with friends.
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The weather-resistant DriftwoodTec exterior is made for the yard, while the mahogany interior keeps the feel of a proper sauna. Four 500-watt full spectrum heaters face you, with far infrared heaters behind, beside, and beneath you, so the warmth surrounds rather than blasts. A chiropractor-designed backrest, twelve-color chromotherapy, Bluetooth audio, and a simple digital keypad remove every excuse to skip a session. The heaters are engineered for some of the lowest EMF and ELF levels available, and the unit plugs into a 240-volt outlet. The residential warranty is for life. Heat is half the equation. Light is the other. Vitamin D is produced when skin is exposed to UVB, and sunlight remains the most efficient source. Citing National Institutes of Health data, Clearlight notes that about 42 percent of U.S. adults are clinically deficient, a number that tracks for anyone who works indoors.
SUN ONE is built for that gap. This compact, rechargeable lamp uses narrow-band LEDs peaking at 295 nanometers, a wavelength studied for its role in supporting the body's natural vitamin D production. Because UVB demands respect, the design is cautious. A distance sensor flags when you are too close or too far, voice prompts tailor each session to your Fitzpatrick skin type, a spoken reminder calls for the included protective eyewear, and the lamp allows one session per day. It sits on a tabletop or rides into the sauna on its articulating arm. Clearlight is clear that SUN ONE is not a medical device and makes no medical claims. Together, the two reflect what Clearlight calls therapy stacking: layering heat, light, color, and aroma into time you have already set aside. The company was first to bring red light therapy into the sauna, and a red light upgrade is available for the Outdoor 5. SUN ONE carries a five-year warranty. Make the practice beautiful, make it simple, and it becomes a habit. That is what the best of the best looks like. Learn more, infraredsauna.com
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AMERICAN THROUGH & THROUGH Ralph Lauren didn’t come to Milan to introduce himself. For his third menswear runway show this century, Lauren put Polo and Purple Label side by side. The runway moved between the two sides of the Ralph Lauren man with worn-in jeans, big knits, baseball caps and western references that were followed by tailoring and proper eveningwear. The mix seemed to be his point. A man doesn’t have to abandon denim to love a suit. An overcoat can pair back to something casual. He taught us clothes look best when collected, not forced. There is a renewed interest in Ralph Lauren right now, especially with younger men. Fall 2026 showed us that there’s no reinvention required to pique interest. The codes loved today are the codes that have always been there: Americana, sport, tailoring, the west, old-world polish and having the confidence to put them together. ralphlauren.com
DOUBLE TAKE Two sides of the same BOSS signature. Bottled Beyond Eau de Toilette Intense blends luminous orange blossom with rich leather for a fresher, sharper take, while the Eau de Parfum leans warmer with stimulating ginger, sensual leather and a deeper woody finish. One bright and distinctive, the other smooth and spicy. Consider it a scent pairing with range, each built for a different mood but unmistakably cut from the same cloth. BOSS Bottled Beyond Eau de Toilette Intense | $182 BOSS Bottled Beyond Eau de Parfum | $192
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THE OTHER UNIFORM Shohei Ohtani already looks pretty good in a uniform. BOSS has given him another one. The Dodgers star continues his partnership with the German house for 2026, personally curating pieces that mix his baseball world with a sharp offfield wardrobe. Varsity jackets sit alongside polos, washable wool, tailoring, and suede loafers. It’s sportswear without looking like you are headed to batting practice, and tailoring without requiring much ceremony. For a man who spends most of the year in Dodger blue, Ohtani’s other uniform is shaping up nicely. hugoboss.com
THE GREAT WIDE OPEN Bluegame’s new launch is built for the part of yachting that matters most: actually being on the water. The BG64 sits between the BG54 and BG74, bringing open-air to a 65-foot frame. The saloon connects seamlessly to the cockpit, a side terrace folds out over the water, and an expansive swim platform makes jumping in feel less like an excursion and more like part of the day. Up front, there’s room for lounging in the sun, too. Below deck, owners can opt for two or three cabins. Twin Volvo Penta engines put cruising speed at 25 knots and top speed at 28. Just fast enough to make lunch in Saint-Tropez! Price starting at $3.2 million | bluegame.it
SHAPESHIFTER Roger Dubuis is closing its Merlin trilogy with a watch that leaves no stone unturned. The new Excalibur Metamorph Merlin takes its cues from the wizard’s shapeshifting powers, with a deep green dial built from 57 individual blocks of glass, pink gold and Crystalium. Twelve tiny pink-gold knights stand around it. For the first time in the collection, the 45mm pink-gold case is a part of the story too. Hand engraved scenes show Merlin both as a man and as a mythical white stag, a symbol of transformation. Only 28 will be made. 53
$439,000 | rogerdubuis.com
THE LAST SHOEMAKER STANDING Vogel has been making shoes in New York since 1879. Not “designed in New York.” Made there. Inside a small Manhattan workshop, a team of roughly five craftsmen build each pair to the measurements of its owner. There is no overseas factory and no generic last pulled from a shelf. A wooden form is created for each client and kept on file for whatever pair comes next. The customer list over the years has been appropriately eclectic: Paul Newman, Henry Kissinger, James Gandolfini and the U.S. Olympic Equestrian Team. Daniel DayLewis wore Vogel boots as Abraham Lincoln, and the house has even been credited with helping popularize the modern wingtip. Ownership has changed, but the method has not. Hand-lasted soles, individual measurements and a process that takes “made to order” literally. We caught up with them at the NYMD event and if you want shoes with your name quite literally built into them, this is where you go for a pair that will last. Bespoke prices start at $1,080 | vogelnyc.com
NEW YORK, THIS FALL
BOMBER
Loro Piana Leather Bomber Jacket $8,750
If you're heading into the city this season, dress like you paid attention during fashion week. The best menswear we saw in September was surprisingly wearable. Start with the jacket. Skip the heavy overcoat and go for a structured bomber or oversized blazer with a soft shoulder, preferably over a simple T-shirt. For the bag, leave the briefcase at home. A structured crossbody or canvas-and-leather duffel handles the day without looking like you came from a conference room. Shoes are equally straightforward; clean leather sneakers or a derby shoe will do. Then book accordingly. The Carlyle remains one of the Upper East Side’s great addresses, with the Bemelmans Bar waiting downstairs. For dinner, Monkey Bar still delivers red leather booths, a Jazz Age Mural and the very useful ability to take a burger and a steak seriously.Pack light because New York will give you a reason to bring something home.
DUFFLE
T-SHIRT
Toteme Palmellato Large Textured-Leather Weekend Bag
Zegna Oasi Knitted Linen T-Shirt $990
$2,490
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SNEAKERS
Dries Van Noten Glossed Leather Sneakers $955
CRAFTED FROM T HE E X TRAORDINARY Wines from Napa Valley’s most coveted vineyards, guided by acclaimed 100-point wine maker, Mike Smith.
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INSIDE THE
WORLD OF VLAD BYKOV There are more similarities between philosophy and couture than most realize. In conversation with Vlad Bykov, founder of VLAD BYKOV Couturier House, I got an unfiltered read on how one of menswear's most distinctive minds thinks: deliberately, with total command of inherited traditions, and zero interest in repeating them exactly. Ask Bykov the biggest misconception in men's fashion, and he goes straight for the assumption that dressing well means following a script: the right suit, the right shoe, the pre-approved combination. "The deeper a man understands style, the less he needs rules," he tells us. That idea powers the House's guiding philosophy, Modern Sprezzatura, a marriage of old-world craftsmanship and new-world freedom. Yet he draws a line between rulebreaking for its own sake and something earned: "It is not about breaking rules simply to attract attention. It is about understanding the rules so well that you earn the freedom to create your own." If one object captures the House's identity, it's the mule. For most designers it's just another shoe; for Bykov it became a personal signature, prized for an elegance unburdened by formality. The latest evolution, the VLAD BYKOV orange outsole, is already recognizable on its own. Bykov says it represents energy, character, and emotion, proof that contemporary elegance doesn't have to hide. His bespoke approach reveals the real engine. He's blunt about the one mistake he refuses to make: turning a client into a smaller version of himself. Instead, the process starts with the person: how he lives, where he travels, what makes him feel most like himself. That thinking produced the Jet Travel Bag, a solution to the realities of private jet travel. It illustrates Bykov's definition of bespoke: "It is not simply something made to your measurements. It is something that could have been created for you, and no one else." Founded in 2017, VLAD BYKOV has changed almost beyond recognition, now headquartered in Dubai with clients across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The deepest shift happened inside Bykov: what once felt like a business became, in his words, his purpose. One principle has never moved. The House creates for the individual, never for the market. Asked how any man could dress better starting tomorrow, Bykov didn't hesitate: stop trying to look like someone else and let your style tell your own story. Understand your proportions, since a few centimeters in trouser length or shoulder line can transform a silhouette. Choose materials over logos, because fine fabric sits against your body for hours and should be felt, not just seen. And stop cutting corners on comfort. A man has enough to deal with in a day; his clothes shouldn't be one more obstacle. The client roster is among its strongest endorsements. Photographed in VLAD BYKOV pieces: Conor McGregor, UFC fighter Arman Tsarukyan, and Jacob Arabo of Jacob & Co., people with wildly different lives, dressed for who they already are. 2026 marks a new chapter, with Modern Sprezzatura evolving from a menswear approach into a full-scale philosophy that won't stay confined to men's fashion forever. As Bykov put it: "We do not want to tell people who they should be. We want to help them express who they already are." vladbykov.ae
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The Sharpest Thing at Dinner The pairing knife rarely gets special treatment. Aura California thought it deserved some. The Southern California studio introduced the Catalina at the Noble Wine & Dine, giving guests the first look at the newest blade. At first glance, it's on brand for Aura: polished steel, a handle cut from gemstone or rare wood, and the kind of craftsmanship that makes leaving it in a drawer very hard. The Catalina is built from CPM MagnaCut, the powdermetallurgy stainless steel Aura uses throughout its collection. Known for holding an edge while preventing corrosion with daily use, it gives a four inch kitchen essential serious street creds. Each handle is cut from natural material, meaning no two knives are the same. Unlike some beautiful kitchen accessories this one does the work. A pairing knife handles the jobs that happen inches from your fingertips: peeling fruit, trimming vegetables, coring and making the small cuts where a chef ’s knife isn’t as helpful. Aura has decided that everyday utility deserves the same attention as the centerpiece of your knife block. The name continues the brand’s California thread, joining the Calafia chef knife, Alta utility knife and Aurochs steak set. Starting at $490; it is a good entry point into the Aura collection.
From $490 | auracalifornia.com
BETTER WITH MILES Sterling Pacific builds luggage with the kind of hardware you’d expect to find on something much larger than a carry-on. The 40L Cabin Travel Case is formed from reinforced 5000-series aluminum, with thicker 5052 aluminum protecting the corners and more than 100 stainlesssteel rivets holding it together. Even the trolley housing is die-cast aluminum rather than plastic. There’s an intentional permanence to it all. Full-grain Italian leather from Veneto wraps the handles, adding some warmth to all that metal. With time, the leather develops a patina and the aluminum picks up character from where you’ve taken it. This is luggage that gets more personal the farther it travels. At 40 liters, it fits within the maximum carry-on dimensions for major U.S. airlines. Four 360-degree wheels keep it moving while TSA combination latches do away with the usual zipper. It looks good on its first trip, but may look even better by its fiftieth. $2,150 | sterlingpacific.com 57
K A
L F I S GH E
T
T
C O I N N A
FALCON JACKET
INSIDE ZEGNA'S
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here is a particular confidence that comes from knowing exactly where you’re from, the confidence of a house that has spent more than a century building a distinct point of view. With the introduction of the Falcon jacket for Fall/Winter 2026, ZEGNA proves once again that its most compelling ideas are not invented in a boardroom. They are found in the mountains.
the human gaze stops, a way of looking at the world shaped by strength and possibility. It is a fitting emblem for a house that has always lived between two worlds, the rugged and the refined, and it is now the namesake for ZEGNA’s newest icon. The Falcon jacket brings together function and refinement in equal measure, designed to move naturally across different settings and rhythms of life, from the city to the open air. Details such as bellows pockets, a back gusset, a leather undercollar, and shirtstyle cuffs give the jacket both utility and character, while preserving the easy elegance that defines the ZEGNA wardrobe.
The story begins, as so many of ZEGNA’s stories do, in Oasi Zegna, the brand’s 100-square-kilometre natural territory in the Italian Alps and home of ZEGNA’s values. Ermenegildo Zegna would climb every Saturday to a lookout called San Bernardo. From San Bernardo, he could see the Lanificio, Bielmonte, Bocchetto Sessera and the wider horizon of Oasi Zegna. Above him, cutting a clean line through the sky, a falcon.
We can easily imagine the Falcon becoming part of the modern leadership wardrobe in environments such as Davos, where business, travel and personal style increasingly converge.
What stayed with the Founder was not only the beauty of the falcon’s flight, but what it seemed to hold: the ability to see beyond where
Every Falcon jacket also carries the 232 Road brand mark, a reference to the road the Founder built through the mountains of northern Italy. 58
More than a signature, it is a trace of origin — a reminder that each jacket is tied to a place, a path and a way of seeing. That sense of belonging is central to where the Falcon jacket lives within ZEGNA’s world. Through Su Misura, ZEGNA’s world of made-to-measure, the Falcon becomes part of a wardrobe shaped over time, where garments carry memory, identity and emotion from one generation to the next. Guests can select from a range of fine textiles chosen for their outdoor character, balancing warmth and lightness. The idea is that something made for today becomes part of tomorrow — a living legacy. Beginning in October, the Falcon jacket can also be discovered at the ZEGNA store at South Coast Plaza, including through Su Misura. The philosophy of legacy finds its clearest expression in the campaign’s chosen face. ZEGNA has tapped Mads Mikkelsen, the brand’s Global Ambassador, to front the Falcon story, and the casting feels less like a marketing decision than an inevitability. Mikkelsen has built a career, on screen and off, on a kind of unbothered gravity, the sense of a man entirely comfortable in his own skin and in no hurry to prove anything to anyone. That is precisely the energy ZEGNA wants attached to this piece: not flash, but permanence.
The narrative continues beyond the campaign itself. Select ZEGNA stores will host a dedicated Falcon experience during Su Misura appointments, giving clients the chance to engage with the story and the textiles in person as they create their own piece. In the end, what ZEGNA has built with the Falcon jacket is a thesis statement threaded into a timeless garment. It argues that a man’s wardrobe should function the way the best parts of his life do: rooted in something real, built to withstand use, and capable of carrying meaning forward rather than simply marking a season. The falcon crossed the sky above San Bernardo silent, free, and slightly beyond reach — a fleeting silhouette, a perfect trajectory. The Falcon jacket carries that same spirit forward: legacy in motion.
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THE NEW NEW YORK UNIFORM Most runway clothes ask you to imagine where you might wear them. Public School's "Living Proof" collection came with answers. Shown at the Scarlett Leigh building, Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne’s second collection since reviving the label returned to an idea that has always sat inside the Public School name: the uniform. Knee-length shorts met long socks and sleeveless jackets, borrowing from school dress codes without looking nostalgic. Exaggerated shoulders gave jackets enough structure to handle a New York forecast. Belts without hardware doubled as crossbody straps, while waterproof galoshes slipped directly over shoes. Every detail seemed designed for a man with somewhere to go. The palette stayed in navy, black, gray and stone, which made the proportions and utility details more noticeable. Public School knows New York like the back of their hand. This time, they gave the city something they could actually wear.
Photo credit: Gerardo Somoza
publicschoolnyc.com
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Fine wines and hospitality experiences designed to share our worldly perspective. explore + reserve darioush.com
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HOW AARON PIERRE AND BOSS ARE REDEFINING WHAT THE PERFECT SUIT MEANS THIS SEASON
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OSS is making one thing clear for Fall/Winter 2026: tailoring isn't a trend, it's the DNA. The brand's new global campaign puts perfectly cut suiting at the center of its identity, fronted by British actor and BOSS ambassador Aaron Pierre, together with American model Grace Elizabeth. The campaign captures a new generation of BOSS individuals in moments of focus, movement, and authority. For Pierre and Elizabeth, that means embodying a philosophy where perfectly cut tailoring is more than a style choice; it's a state of mind.
Pierre brings a grounded, commanding presence, Elizabeth brings effortless elegance, and together they channel the brand's core message: ambition, confidence, and the conviction to Be Your Own BOSS. Shot by photographer Matthew Brooks, the campaign film and imagery follow the pair through London, moving with purpose in strong, impeccably tailored looks fit for the modern world. The visuals trace a day's arc, from getting ready to going out, proving BOSS tailoring works everywhere a modern man does. Nothing here is overdone. Whether it's an office morning or a laid-back night, the suit shows up as a confident companion to it all. Pierre put it best himself; "A BOSS suit feels like an instant upgrade in confidence. I’m excited to be part of a campaign that proves that tailoring doesn’t have to be reserved for milestone moments – it can give you that final touch of style and strength whenever you need it to. Above all, it’s about an attitude. Nobody does this quite like BOSS." The BOSS Fall/Winter 2026 collection lands at BOSS stores worldwide, online, and through select wholesale partners.
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AYR The Baby Grand $1,200 | ayr.com
keep the bottle.
A leather jacket should age well. AYR’s Baby Grand comes in goat leather or coarse-nap suede designed to develop a patina the more you wear it.
DOM PÉRIGNON X DAMIEN HIRST Limited Edition Satarting at $300 | domperigon.com
Dom Pérignon joins Damien Hirst for two limited-edition bottles that bring contemporary art to one of Champagne's most recognizable labels. Drink the Champagne and keep the bottle.
MONTBLANC Meisterstück Romeo & Juliet Classique Ballpoint $800 | montblanc.com
THE GOOD LIST
Every gentleman needs a good reason to start signing things by hand again. Montblanc nods to Shakespeare with its ivory resin, gold-coated Meisterstück.
A curated gift guide for the man with good taste.
LEISURE SOCIETY Oxford Glasses $1,110 | leisuresociety.com
Handmade in Japan from silver-plated titanium and cotton-base acetate, the Oxford has earned its stripes as a Leisure Society signature since 2011. Each pair is individually numbered. THE MAVEN Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey TBD | themavenwhiskey.com
Six Kentucky bourbons, each aged at least seven years meet five different oak types. One for the bourbon drinker who already has the usual suspects.
GARAGE ITALIA Fiat 500 Jolly Spiaggina $13,000-$90,000 | garage-italia.com
A beach car built when you arrive by yacht. Garage Italia and Hot Lab reworked the electric Fiat 500 Jolly with a wood center console, Nardi steering wheel and yachtinspired upholstery.
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN Portugieser Tourbillon Retrograde Chronograph Available at The 1916 Company | the1916company.com
LE LABO City Exclusives Size Collection $575 | lelabofragrances.com
There is a lot going on behind that black dial: a flying tourbillon, retrograde date and flyback chronograph. IWC finishes it in 18-karat Armor Gold and stops at 100 pieces.
Tokyo, Berlin, Paris and more, with no passport required. Ten of Le Labo’s City Exclusives come together in 7ml bottles for a sensory trip around the world.
DOLCE & GABANNA My Sicily Calfskin Bag $5,395 | dolcegabbana.com
The briefcase has some competition. Calfskin, silver hardware and timeless structure make the My Sicily far too good to just carry to work.
BOWERS & WILKINS X MCLAREN Px8 McLaren Edition $899 | bowerswilkins.com
Bowers & Wilkins decks its flagship headphones in McLaren’s Anthracite Grey and Papaya with hi-fi sound and noise cancellation. Much easier to park than the car.
RALPH LAUREN Sutton 5-in-1 Game Set $6,995 | ralphlauren.com
Game night has officially cleaned up nicely. Whether you are in the mood for chess, checkers, backgammon, tic-tactoe or cards, Ralph Lauren has it packed up into one handsome set.
HAPPY JEWELERS Watch Travel Case $125 | happyjewelers.com
A good watch deserves better than a sock in your carry-on. Happy Jewelers’ travel case holds three with individual cushions, microsuede lining and a pebbled exteriors to keep your collection safe between destinations.
BANG & OLUFSEN Beosound A5 $1,650 | bang-olufsen.com
Oak, aluminum and room-filling sound make the Beosound A5 one portable speaker you won’t want to hide when you have company. It even charges your phone.
UNDER THE SURFACE
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very great performance is built long before the curtain rises. Ethan Hawke, newly named Global Brand Ambassador for Canali, has spent four decades proving it, and the house's Fall Winter 2026 campaign shows him in the hours no audience sees: revisiting scripts, rehearsing lines, refining movement. Canali's new global project, Under the Surface, makes the same claim about a jacket. What you see is the form. What lies beneath is what makes it possible.
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Beneath every Canali jacket sits a hidden architecture of more than 200 sartorial steps. Like an actor's preparation, it begins with study. Fabrics from Italy's most respected mills are examined by eye, steamed to stabilize them, then photographed and digitally mapped so every stripe and check aligns. Some judgments, such as reading a shade or sensing a flaw, still cannot be handed to a machine. Then comes the rehearsal. Canali is among the few houses that still assemble their canvas in-house, combining horsehair, webbing and natural reinforcements, then shaping it on concave forms called donkey-back. The shoulder, among the most complex stages, takes up to six months of training to learn.
The lapel receives more than 1,400 pad stitches in the canvas alone, a number many productions quietly trim to save time. Hawke calls the principle practice. Canali calls it craftsmanship. Both mean returning to the work, day after day. Even rest has its place. After pressing, each garment is left alone so the steam dissipates and the fibers settle. Time, the house insists, is the true luxury. The result is what Canali calls the garment's memory. Fold the jacket, pack it, wear it through a long week, and it finds its balance again. "Who we become is shaped by what we practice every day," Hawke says. Canali has been practicing for ninety years, and the jacket is the proof.
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, U N LE AS Y E R E T N HE O
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CARS THAT STOLE MONTEREY CAR WEEK 2026
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very late summer, the automotive world’s attention quietly drifts towards a historic stretch of California coastline. The Monterey Car Week is a legendary event, celebrated more like a holiday than a day on the calendar. The spectacles to behold at this over a week-long celebration are vast: The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering; the Concorso Italiano; auctions moving millions of dollars in classic metal; and, increasingly, the place where the world's most ambitious manufacturers choose to unveil the cars they've been building in secret for years.
they bring the cars that justify the existence of an entire specialized division, from Rolls-Royce to Ferrari. These are the vehicles built when a client's imagination and a coachbuilder's capability are given genuine room to run, unconstrained by production timelines or mass-market appeal. Every year, Monterey becomes a referendum on how far that kind of ambition can actually travel. This year's crop didn't disappoint. From a graffiti-painted RollsRoyce SUV and a gold-stitched tribute to a century of V12 engines, to a manual six-speed supercar built by the man behind the McLaren F1. 2026's Monterey Car Week produced one of the most genuinely eclectic lineups in recent memory. Here are the cars that stood out most, and the stories behind why each one mattered.
That last part is what makes the week essential viewing, even if you'll never sit behind the wheel of anything discussed here. Manufacturers don't bring their bread-and-butter models to Monterey, rather
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ROLLS-ROYCE TWO COMMISSIONS, ONE STATEMENT Rolls-Royce didn't bring one spectacle to Monterey this year. It brought two. And the contrast between them says everything about what the brand's Bespoke program is actually capable of. The first was the Black Badge Cullinan Series II by Cyril Kongo, a one-of-one commission that stopped people in their tracks before they even registered what they were looking at. Known for his graffiti-inspired artwork, French artist Cyril Kongo covered the Cullinan in a mix of bold colors and expressive hand-painted
The second reveal took the opposite approach entirely. The Black Badge Ghost "Golden Era" pays tribute to more than a century of Rolls-Royce V12 engines, using gold as its unifying thread. Finished in Gold Crystal over Black, the exterior carries a subtle sparkle in natural light, accented by a hand-painted "V12" coachline, gold wakelines, and gold-painted bumper inserts. Inside, embroidered illustrations of the V12 run throughout the cabin, including a first-
details, giving the SUV a personality entirely its own. The same artistic treatment carries through into the cabin, where bespoke colors, materials, and handcrafted finishes continue the theme from door to door. As with so many Rolls-Royce commissions, the appeal here comes from the collaboration itself. Kongo's freehand artwork meets the technical precision of the Bespoke Collective in Goodwood to create something that genuinely belongs in an art collection as much as a garage.
of-its-kind rear interior panel depicting the engine's internal architecture in stitched thread. Microscopic gold flakes are suspended within the lacquer of the Technical Fiber veneer, gold brightwork and engraved vents continue the motif, the "Golden Era" Illuminated Fascia glows exactly as dramatically as its name suggests, and even the ashtray gets a gold inlay. A fitting finish for a car built to celebrate a century of engineering without ever losing its understated character. 69
ACURA NEXERA CONCEPT Acura hasn't always made loud exclamations at The Quail. But this year, they did. The Nexera Concept is exactly the kind of swing that earns a second look from people who wouldn't normally stop at the Acura tent. Visually, it's a departure in every sense. Dramatic bodywork, butterfly doors, hidden lighting built around Acura's A-Mark logo. There's a small but telling engineering footnote buried in the spec sheet, too: the Nexera is the first Acura ever built with centerlocking wheels, a detail motorsport enthusiasts will clock immediately. Here's the thing about concept cars, though, the good ones aren't really about the car in front of you. They're about the car three years down the road that borrows its DNA.
The Nexera itself isn't headed for production, and Acura isn't pretending otherwise. But the design language debuting here is explicitly earmarked to shape the nextgeneration RDX Hybrid, with the new lighting signature in particular set to carry over more or less directly into the production crossover. That's a smart way to use a concept, and it's worth appreciating even if the Nexera itself never turns a wheel outside a showroom. Rather than building a pure fantasy object with zero connection to anything buyers will ever see, Acura used Monterey to preview a design philosophy that's actually coming, attached to a vehicle actual customers will actually buy. A preview of your next RDX, dressed up for the red carpet.
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The Nexera is a legitimately exciting signal that Acura's design team has been given real latitude to push somewhere bolder than the brand's recent lineup has dared to go. Concept cars live and die on one question: does this make you want to see what comes next? For the Nexera, the answer is a loud and resounding, yes! Not because of what it is, but because of what it's clearly setting up.
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GORDON MURRAY SPECIAL VEHICLES S1 Gordon Murray built the McLaren F1. That sentence alone should be enough to get your attention every time his name shows up on a new project, and the S1 more than earns the attention it's getting. Some background: last year, GMSV brought the S1 LM to Monterey. A five-unit tribute to the McLaren F1 GTR, Murray's most mythologized creation. It was gorgeous, uncompromising, and essentially unobtainable. This year, after what the company describes as a year of customer demand, GMSV returns with the S1: a more road-focused evolution of the same platform, positioned as a tribute not to the GTR race car but to the roadgoing F1 itself. The bodywork is entirely bespoke, only the roofline carries over from the LM. With styling cues pulled from the original 1995 McLaren F1 Monaco show car, most visibly in the front bumper lamps and wheel design. The aggressive aero addenda that defined the track-focused LM have been swapped for more discreet active elements, softening the car's visual intensity without softening its intent. Engineers also raised the ride height by 10mm and recalibrated the suspension to prioritize mechanical grip over outright downforce.
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Small numbers on paper, but the kind of changes that determine whether a car is tolerable on an actual road trip or purely a trailer queen. The engine is where things get genuinely thrilling. Cosworth built a bespoke 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V-12 sharing lineage with the S1 LM's unit, producing 680 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. But the headline number isn't the power, it's the 12,100-rpm redline. Made possible by genuinely competition-grade internals. And in a move that feels almost defiant given where the rest of the industry has gone, GMSV mates that engine exclusively
to a six-speed manual gearbox. No paddleshift fakery, no dual-clutch compromise dressed up with a gear lever for show. Just a proper manual, with straighter cable routing engineered specifically to sharpen shift feel over previous GMSV builds. Murray himself put the mission plainly at the reveal, explaining that Special Vehicles exists precisely because the core GMA lineup follows a rigid formula that doesn't leave room for the "slightly wacky" ideas customers sometimes bring to the table. The S1 is what happens when that formula gets set aside entirely. For the handful of owners who get one, this is about as pure an expression of analog supercar engineering as anyone is currently building. A manual, naturally aspirated, 12,000-rpm tribute to a car that changed the category three decades ago.
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LAND ROVER DEFENDER DAKAR If you had the thought that the Defender has hit its ceiling, Land Rover’s debut at Monterey will have you reconsider. The Defender Dakar commemorates Land Rover's class win at the 2026 Dakar Rally with the D7X-R race truck. This isn't a cosmetic tribute wearing a rally-inspired graphics package. The Stock-class truck that actually competed in Dakar was remarkably close in spec to a road-going Defender Octa, sharing its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and eight-speed transmission. That proximity meant Land Rover's engineers could translate genuine motorsport hardware into a road-legal production model without reinventing the wheel. They just had to turn the volume back up. And turn it up they did. The Dakar produces 626 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. This is considerably more than the race truck itself. The chassis rides on 35inch all-terrain tires wrapped around new forged 20-inch wheels, with a suspension reworked around coil springs and motorsport-grade Bilstein dampers. Two new drive modes, Dunes and Gravel, join a feature Land Rover is calling Flight Mode. It was developed for the actual race truck to help smooth out landings after jumps, and now, apparently, available to civilians. 74
Visually, the Dakar doesn't hide what it's for. Roof-mounted light pods, a carbon-fiber hood, and raised air intakes announce serious off-road intent before you even notice the huge wheel arch flares with their exposed rivets. Practical touches follow the theme through: the spare tire moves from its usual rearmounted position into the cargo area, freeing up space for an onboard air compressor, while upgraded underbody protection and signature mud flaps round out the package. Inside, buyers get 2+2 seating built around genuine race-style bucket seats up front, with optional four-point harnesses for anyone planning to actually use this thing the way its name suggests. What makes the Dakar compelling isn't just the spec sheet. It's the honesty of the translation. Plenty of manufacturers build "rally edition" trims that amount to a graphics package and a slightly stiffer suspension tune. Land Rover instead took a genuine class-winning race truck, kept the hardware that made it competitive, and adapted it just enough to make it street legal. That's a much harder thing to pull off, and it's exactly why the Dakar stood out among Monterey's off-road offerings this year.
SPYKER C8 PRELIATOR XXV COUPÉ
Spyker's return to Monterey is a genuine comeback story, and the C8 Preliator XXV Coupé is the car chosen to carry it.
banner, and neither made it to production. This year's XXV Coupé revives that design and, by every account, executes it considerably better than the original concept ever did.
Some history is worth knowing here. Spyker has weathered bankruptcies, stalled launches, and multiple changes of ownership over the years. The kind of turbulent past that would sink most lowvolume automakers permanently. The Preliator name itself isn't new, either: Spyker first revealed a coupe and spyder version back in 2016 and 2017 under the "thirdgeneration C8"
The engineering underneath is entirely new. Spyker built the spaceframe platform in-house from scratch, and stayed true to its longstanding tradition of hand-building the body from aluminum. But the biggest news is what sits behind the passengers: an Audi-sourced 4.0-liter twinturbo V-8, tuned to 800
horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential sending power to the rear wheels only. Spyker claims a 0-62 mph sprint of 2.9 seconds and a 217 mph top speed. The chassis details reinforce the seriousness of the engineering: a hydraulic steering rack for genuine feel, fully independent doublewishbone suspension with dynamic damping adjustment, four-piston Brembo brakes front and rear, and a staggered wheel setup. At 3,417 pounds, it's usefully light, especially given that Spyker sticks with aluminum construction rather than chasing carbon fiber for its own sake. CEO Victor Muller made the company's philosophy explicit, framing aluminum as
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a living material shaped by craftsmen's hands rather than a purely technical choice. A deliberate rejection of the carbon-fiber arms race most bespoke automakers have joined. It's a stance that only makes sense once you learn how each car is actually built. Every chassis number is handstamped into the aluminum frame. The example shown at Monterey was chassis 270. Only 25 examples of the Preliator XXV Coupé will be built, each a personal commission developed through a new partnership with European fintech firm W Group. The company is explicit that its vehicles "will remain analog." After two decades of false starts, that kind of clarity of purpose is exactly what a comeback needs.
PORSCHE FLACHBAU RS The Flachbau RS is a one-off, road-legal factory special built through Porsche's Sonderwunsch ("special wish") program in collaboration with Manthey, and it exists to pay tribute to one of the most legendary race cars ever to wear the crest: the Porsche 935 "Moby Dick" of the late 1970s. Built on a 911 GT2 RS (991.2 generation) equipped with the Weissach Package, the project reinterprets the 935's famous slant-nose "Flachbau" silhouette for a modern audience. A design language that helped define an entire era of Porsche racing and has rarely been revisited with this level of factory commitment since. Finished in Grand Prix White, the car wears newly developed front fenders, a striking three-tier headlight arrangement, and a dramatic rear wing borrowed in spirit from the 911 GT3 R Rennsport. It's a genuinely rare thing: a car that manages to look both unmistakably vintage and completely current at the same time, blending 1970s racing silhouette with 2020s aerodynamic thinking rather than picking one era and committing to it. Porsche shaved roughly 70 pounds off the car through extensive lightweighting, then backed that up with genuine engineering validation. The full project took nearly three years and pulled in specialists from across Porsche's internal ecosystem: the Sonderwunsch
personalization team, Style Porsche's design studio, Porsche Motorsport's engineering group, the Weissach development center, and outside partner Manthey, whose motorsport pedigree made it the natural collaborator for a build this serious about performance. What makes the Flachbau RS stand out at a show absolutely packed with 911-based specials (and there were several this year) is the depth of the homage. This isn't a slant-nose kit bolted onto a stock GT2 RS for Instagram appeal. It's a nearly three-year, multidepartment engineering exercise built to honor one specific, beloved race car with the seriousness that car actually deserves. Porsche builds a lot of special editions. Very few of them get 50-plus laps of the Nordschleife as part of the validation process, and that detail alone tells you how seriously this one was taken internally. For anyone who grew up with a poster of the 935 "Moby Dick" on their wall, seeing its slant-nose silhouette reborn on a modern GT2 RS platform is exactly the kind of moment Monterey Car Week exists to deliver. 76
BRABUS BODO CABRIOLET Nearly two decades ago, BRABUS founder Bodo Buschmann and his son Constantin shared a vision: an unmistakable, attitude-forward Gran Turismo built entirely in the BRABUS spirit, with no outside compromises. The BODO Cabriolet is that vision finally realized. BRABUS's own framing says it plainly: one dream, one legacy, one car. The engineering matches the emotional weight of the story. Like its coupe sibling, the Cabriolet's entire body is built from lightweight carbon fiber using the pre-preg manufacturing process, finished in a bespoke shade BRABUS calls "Silk Stone." The soft top is where things get genuinely inventive: a two-tone black and gray Jacquard fabric top featuring an inverted BRABUS "77" motif woven directly into the structural fabric itself, rather than printed or applied as a coating afterward. A woven pattern creates a subtle textural relief across the entire roof surface while standing up far better to UV exposure, abrasion, and the repeated folding cycles a convertible top endures over its lifetime. It's a small manufacturing choice that says a lot about how seriously BRABUS approached the entire project.
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The exterior design carries plenty of presence on its own: LED matrix headlights, a distinctive BRABUS grille built around 13 vertical slats, and a multi-stage deployable rear spoiler that keeps the design language aggressive at every angle. Below the rear window, a "77" badge. Referencing the year Bodo Buschmann founded the company. Under that long carbon-fiber hood sits a handcrafted 5.2-liter V-12 biturbo engine, producing 735 kW (1,000 PS) and a genuinely absurd 1,200 Nm of torque. With a 0-100 km/h sprint of just 3.0 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 8.5 seconds, and an electronically limited top speed of 360 km/h. What elevates the BODO Cabriolet beyond just another ultra-limited convertible is the sense of closure baked into every detail. From the woven "77" in the roof fabric to the badge referencing the company's founding year. This isn't BRABUS chasing a new market segment. It's a father-andson vision, conceived nearly 20 years ago, finally given the carbonfiber body and 1,000-PS V-12 it always deserved.
GUNTHER WERKS GXR-EVO Let's start with the numbers, because they're deceptively modest at first glance: a 4.0-liter flat-six making 455 horsepower, revving to 9,000 rpm, in a car that weighs just 2,386 pounds. On paper, that's not a monster by 2026 hypercar standards. In practice, that power-to-weight ratio, combined with obsessive aerodynamic refinement, is exactly the point. Gunther Werks' founder has described the GXR-Evo as the "purest interpretation" of what the company stands for. After nine years of development, that framing checks out. The build starts with a 993-generation Porsche 911 chassis. The final aircooled 911 generation, and a deliberate, meaningful choice for a company whose entire identity is built around keeping the air-cooled ethos alive. The factory steel body is replaced entirely with
carbon fiber, cutting 210 pounds in the process, while new aerodynamic elements help plant the car at speed in ways the original 993 platform was never designed to handle. Step inside and the racing intent becomes impossible to miss. The cabin is stripped down to essentials: a racing seat, a roll cage, and a Motec digital display standing in for anything resembling factory luxury. Even the rear window is gone, replaced by a carbon-fiber panel with an integrated center fin. Pneumatic air jacks built into the car speed up pit stops, and a quick-release steering wheel makes driver swaps faster. These are details that only make sense if you're planning to actually track this car regularly, which is clearly the intent.
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Developed in partnership with Rothsport Racing, the engine uses slide valves rather than conventional throttle butterflies, minimizing any restriction to intake airflow and helping the flat-six spin freely to its 9,000-rpm ceiling. A reworked six-speed Getrag gearbox rounds out the drivetrain, tuned specifically to match what Gunther Werks wanted from the chassis. Stopping duties fall to Brembo Pista racing brakes, while a bespoke double-wishbone front suspension (designed in-house to replace the factory MacPherson struts) pairs with JRZ three-way adjustable shocks front and rear. The most novel touch, though, might be what comes with the car rather than what's bolted to it. All 15 GXREvo customers receive a matching racing simulator built by Mysim. Aluminum-and-carbon-fiber rigs designed to mirror the actual car's dynamics, right down to a matching steering wheel. It's a genuinely clever answer to a real problem: what if you can't always get track time? Gunther Werks has essentially built each customer a digital twin of their own car for the days the real thing has to stay in the garage.
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FERRARI CZ26 The CZ26 was commissioned by a US-based customer and based on the SF90 Stradale. Unveiled as part of Ferrari's Monterey showcase, it joins the HC25, revealed back in May, as one of just two Special Projects cars the marque has released this year. A genuinely exclusive club even by Ferrari's standards. The design story is the most interesting part of this one. Ferrari's first electric vehicle, the Luce, was always going to arrive as a four-door grand tourer rather than a supercar, given the current limits of battery technology. The CZ26 essentially answers a different question: what would it look like if that same "technological design language" had been applied to a supercar instead? The resemblance is genuinely striking. With a broad, squared-off front end, rectangular lower intakes, hidden headlights, and daytime running lights rendered as a single clean line all echo the Luce's visual identity, reimagined at supercar proportions. Ferrari's stated goal was to bring precision and purity (the hallmarks of the Luce's design) into a shape that still reads as unmistakably Ferrari, and the CZ26 largely pulls that balancing act off.
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Elsewhere, the design borrows more directly from Ferrari's current supercar playbook. The greenhouse and overall proportions trace back to the donor SF90 Stradale, while the rear end follows the brand's current design language, complete with a small ducktail spoiler and taillights. Inside, the technical-fabric theme continues in place of traditional leather, with custom 3D-printed seat inserts and a mix of matte technical fabric, satin, and carbon-fiber accents. The incorporation of metallic filaments are incorporated for extra visual depth. Body-colored elements on the doors and upper dashboard tie the cabin back to the exterior, reinforcing the sense that this is one cohesive design exercise rather than a styling theme applied inconsistently across interior and exterior. Exterior details reward close inspection: the exclusive Argento Veloce paint delivers a liquidlike silver effect across the body's surfaces, contrasted by red Rosso Lampante accents and pigmented carbon fiber, while custom wheels combine gloss-black paint with a distinctive textured finish and natural-titanium exhaust tips finish the look. As for the name, Ferrari hasn't officially confirmed what "CZ26" stands for, though speculation ranges from the release year to the possibility that it's simply the 26th Special Project commissioned. The "CZ" portion may reference the client's initials, following a precedent set by Eric Clapton's SP12 EC.
Mechanically, Special Projects cars leave the donor's powertrain untouched, and the CZ26 is no exception: a mid-mounted twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 producing 786 horsepower on its own, working alongside three electric motors (two front, one rear) for a combined system output of 986 hp, paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. That same core powertrain has since been tuned to 1,036 hp. A useful reminder that even Ferrari's most bespoke one-offs are quietly connected to where the production lineup is headed next.
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MCLAREN MCL 6GT The story starts with Bruce McLaren himself, whose original M6GT road car project was never fully realized. The McL 6GT is McLaren's attempt to complete that vision. Not as a literal recreation, but filtered through six additional decades of engineering knowledge and design thinking. Chief executive Nick Collins put it plainly at the reveal: this is McLaren imagining what its founder wished to finish, built as a symbol of where the brand intends to go next. Mechanically, it marks a genuine milestone: the first McLaren since the legendary F1 to combine lightweight carbon-fiber construction with V8 internal combustion power in this particular configuration, according to the automaker. For a brand that has spent the last decade-plus leaning
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heavily into turbocharged V8 hybrid systems across its production lineup, framing this concept explicitly against the F1 signals just how seriously McLaren wants this car to be seen as not another supercar variant, but as a spiritual continuation of the company's most mythologized model. The cabin experience leans hard into analog tactility, a clear response to a broader industry trend toward digital, filtered driving experiences. Hydraulic steering, physical switchgear, and deliberately exposed engineering details are all designed to sharpen the connection between driver and machine rather than smooth it over. Even the gearstick got special attention: its design was tuned specifically for feel and throw, and incorporates a threedimensional "Speedy Kiwi". A nod to McLaren's New Zealand-born founder that is set directly into the shifter's upright.
Presented at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, the McL 6GT sits low and wide, with a nose that deliberately echoes the stance of the M6A Can-Am racer that originally inspired the M6GT road car project. The surfacing is clean and continuous, with uninterrupted volumes carrying the eye from the low nose all the way back to a distinctive kammback tail. No single design element feels bolted on or separately considered. The roofline flows directly into the rear deck and engine cover, and the cabin looks genuinely embedded within the body rather than perched on top of it, giving the whole car a one-piece sculptural quality that's rare even among concept vehicles.
That carbon-fiber construction isn't just a styling choice. It's positioned as central to McLaren's identity going forward. The McL 6GT rides on the brand's latest super-lightweight carbon-fiber monocoque technology, paired with equally lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork, reinforcing the idea that this concept isn't a one-off flight of fancy but a genuine preview of engineering direction. A production version is reportedly planned for 2028, which changes the calculus considerably. This isn't a show car or a new museum piece. The McL 6GT is the opening statement for a real, forthcoming McLaren, one explicitly positioned as the brand's most direct spiritual link to the F1 in years. For a marque whose entire modern identity still orbits that one legendary car, that's about as high a bar as McLaren could set for itself.
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CZINGER 21C SPYDER The Southern California outfit's latest creation takes the 21C HDF's silhouette and removes its fixed roof, but the headline achievement is what that change doesn't cost the car aerodynamically. Despite going topless, the Spyder's ultra-aerodynamic carbonfiber body still generates 3,267 pounds of downforce at 150 mph. A figure Czinger claims outperforms every open-top road car that came before it. With the roof reinstalled, that number climbs to 3,307 pounds, matching the closed HDF exactly. The new roof mechanism and the extra A-pillar structure it required add just 22 pounds to the car's dry weight, which Czinger lists at 3,571 pounds. A remarkably small penalty for going convertible. Inside, the Spyder keeps the 21C's signature inline two-seat layout, with the driver positioned ahead of the passenger rather than side by side. It’s still one of the more distinctive
cabin architectures in the hypercar space. The biggest change is a new "NeuralNode" dashboard, developed in collaboration with generative-AI firm Divergent Technologies. The 3D-printed cockpit structure consolidates the digital instrument cluster, steering wheel, and other physical controls into a single cohesive unit, with the driver's display doing double duty as an infotainment system tied to a bespoke eight-speaker Morel audio setup. The powertrain, though, remains the real headline. The Spyder carries over the HDF's setup in full: a 2.88-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 paired with a hybrid system built around two electric motors (one on the front axle, one on the rear) all routed through a seven-speed transaxle gearbox.
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Combined output lands at 1,250 horsepower and 692 lb-ft of torque, enough to send the Spyder from zero to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, through a quarter-mile in 8.7 seconds, and on to a 205 mph top speed. Stopping power gets its own piece of new engineering: a system Czinger calls "BrakeNode," which integrates the suspension upright, brake caliper, and hydraulic fluid pathway into a single component. The consolidation reduces unsprung mass and shortens stopping distances by up to 15 percent. This is a meaningful gain for a car already operating at this level of performance. It comes standard on the Spyder and can reportedly be retrofitted onto both the HDF and the 21C Vmax, extending the benefit across Czinger's existing lineup rather than locking it to the newest model alone. For a company still relatively new to the hypercar conversation, that combination of genuine engineering advancement rather than a simple roof-off variant, backed by numbers that actually outperform the closed car in some respects, is exactly the kind of statement that keeps Czinger in the conversation with far more established names.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY RANDALL SLAVIN
INTERVIEW BY DOUG MCLAUGHLIN STYLING BY CHRISTOPHER KIM GROOMING BY ANDREA PEZZILLO VIDEO BY JONAH BONNER STYLE ASSISTANTS: JENN PARK & DREW RUBEN SHOT ON LOCATION AT 2130 MANDEVILLE CANYON RD, CURRENTLY FOR SALE FOR $19,952,000 REPRESENTED BY CINDY AMBUEHL AND AARON KIRMAN TIMEPIECES AVAILABLE AT THE 1916 COMPANY
FULL LOOK - BOSS
JUSTIN HARTLEY ON TIME, PATIENCE, & THE THINGS WORTH COLLECTING
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he gate opens onto a brand new twenty million dollar estate tucked into Mandeville Canyon, all clean lines and California light, and for a Saturday afternoon it feels less like a photo shoot and more like a backyard hang between old friends. Justin Hartley arrives with a smile for everyone on set, dressed like he walked straight out of the pages of this magazine: black jeans, a plain tee, Chelsea boots, and a suede Isaia jacket that looks effortless in the way only the genuinely well dressed can pull off. It has been five years since his last NOBLEMAN cover, and the first thing everyone notices is that he somehow looks younger now than he did then, leaner, more energized, carrying himself with an ease that reads as genuine rather than performed. Whatever he is doing, it is working. For readers meeting him here for the first time: Justin Hartley has spent a quarter century building one of the more quietly remarkable careers in American television, moving through nearly every register the medium has to offer without ever losing his footing. One of his first roles was Oliver Queen, on The CW's Smallville, but it was NBC's This Is Us that made him a household name. His performance as Kevin Pearson earned him four consecutive Critics Choice nominations and a pair of SAG Awards alongside an ensemble that became something like a cultural phenomenon. He even stepped behind the camera during that run, directing one of the series' most emotional episodes himself.
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FULL LOOK - BOSS
On his wrist is a watch that clearly means something to him, and it turns out to be just one piece of a collection he has built over the years. This is a man who knows his craftsmanship, who can speak to the history and the detail behind each piece with real fluency. Good taste, it turns out, extends well past the wardrobe.
The last time he graced this cover, he was still living inside the Pearson family, a man who had spent nearly a decade learning what it means to hold other people's grief with care. Today he is somewhere else entirely, chasing fugitives across the American wilderness as Colter Shaw, the reward seeking survivalist at the center of CBS's Tracker, a show he created alongside his longtime friend and collaborator Ken Olin. Through his production company, Change Up Productions, Hartley also serves as an executive producer, giving him a hand in nearly every piece of the show. Since its post Super Bowl premiere, Tracker has become one of the most watched dramas on network television, and Hartley now finds himself not just acting but shaping the show from casting to camera, a producer as much as a performer.
Behind the camera is Randall Slavin, a longtime collaborator and friend, and the familiarity shows. The two move through the shoot easily, trading jokes between setups, the kind of rhythm that only comes from having done this together before. There is no tension on set, just two professionals who like each other's company, getting the work done with a little bit of fun built into every frame. Sit across from Hartley and the first thing you notice off camera is how little performance is left in him once the shoot wraps. There is no posture, no rehearsed charm. He listens before he answers. He credits before he claims. Twenty five years into a career that has taken him from daytime soap to network television's biggest current hit, he still talks about the work like a man who cannot quite believe his luck, and about the people around him like a man who knows exactly whose shoulders he is standing on.
He is deep into his filming schedule for Tracker, so a Saturday is the only window that works, and he shows up hungry. Someone orders from a nearby Italian spot, a margherita pizza and a plate of meatballs, and Hartley digs in without hesitation. The man eats well and clearly enjoys his life. Balance, he says, that is the whole secret. For someone who trains as seriously as he does, there is nothing precious about him at the table.
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SUIT - ZEGNA HENLEY - MR. P WATCH - ROLEX, AVAILABLE AT THE1916COMPANY.COM
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“FOR ME, ACTING HAS BEEN A LABOR OF LOVE.” 90
We sat down with Justin to talk about the show, the years, and what it means to still be a gentleman in an industry that rarely rewards patience. IT'S BEEN FIVE YEARS SINCE YOU WERE LAST ON THE COVER OF NOBLEMAN. WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR LIFE SINCE THE LAST TIME? Quite a bit has changed in the last five years. Five years ago, I was still shooting This Is Us. Now I'm working on a newer show called Tracker. They are completely different shows. I went from holding babies to now holding guns. A lot more running as well. WALK US THROUGH HOW TRACKER CAME TO BE. As This Is Us was coming to a close, I was feeling so fortunate for that time I had with that amazing cast and crew. One of the producers on the show, Ken Olin, approached me and told me he wanted to still work with me. We found a book called The Never Game and shopped it to networks. CBS ended up liking it, so we started building the show I felt like I would want to watch. And we've been fortunate to find an audience that really enjoys watching it too. Four seasons and over sixty episodes deep, and we're still having fun with it.
OVERSHIRT - TOD’S SWEATER - NN. 07 TROUSERS - SANDRO BOOTS - MANOLO BLAHNIK WATCH - OMEGA, AVAILABLE AT THE1916COMPANY.COM
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OVERCOAT - LOUIS VUITTON SWEATER - TOD’S TROUSERS - DOLCE & GABBANA BOOTS - GRENSON WATCH - ROLEX DAYTONA LE MANS, AVAILABLE AT THE1916COMPANY.COM
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“THERE'S NOT ONE THING WORTH ACCOMPLISHING THAT YOU ACCOMPLISH ALONE. LIFE IS A TEAM SPORT.”
ASIDE FROM STARRING IN TRACKER, YOU'RE ALSO PRODUCING IT. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN, AND WHAT IS THAT LIKE? It's been great. I have a production company called ChangeUp Productions that produces Tracker. It's been an amazing experience being in front of the camera and developing the character, as well as having my hand in every other aspect of the show. It can feel quite daunting at first, but luckily I surrounded myself with amazing people to help me. So I went to school on it. I put my head down and made sure to pay attention to every little detail I could. I love having my hand in all of the creative aspects of the show, from casting to shot selection. TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER. WE WORKED WITH YOU FIVE YEARS AGO, BUT NOW YOU'VE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR TWENTY FIVE YEARS. Wow, has it been that long? For me, acting has been a labor of love. The hours it takes developing a character, memorizing lines, being on set. You spend so much of your life, so much time, in those moments of development. Then you blink and it's been twenty five years, and you come to this moment of, I know I worked hard, but where did all the time go?
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LOOKING BACK AT YOUR CAREER, IS THERE A PIECE OF ADVICE THAT STANDS OUT TO YOU? EITHER FROM A FELLOW ACTOR OR SOMEONE YOU'VE MET ALONG THE WAY? There are two, and I actually think about them a lot. The first being, if you put your mind to something and really knuckle down, you will accomplish it. That has actually not been true. You can work very hard at something you really want and never get it. That is the truth. I understand both sides. The first thought is being ready and prepared for when those opportunities come your way. The second is understanding that things can change as the years go by, and not being so rigid about it. There's not one thing worth accomplishing that you accomplish alone. Life is a team sport. TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FITNESS? Staying fit is definitely a habitual choice. It's much like a long drive, something that can clear your head and give you space to work through things on your own. It's always about choosing the right stuff, but if you put in the work, it's totally fine to live a little. HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE? Comfortable, but always ready for anything. I always dress with the thought of, what if I run into my mother? What if I run into my boss? What if I have to speak in front of a room full of people? I want to be comfortable but also versatile in any situation I might find myself in.
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FULL LOOK - BOSS WATCH - IWC
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SHIRT, TROUSERS AND HENLEY - TOD SNYDER BELT - ANDERSON WATCH - TIFFANY & CO
HOW DID YOU GET INTO WATCHES? WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT COLLECTING THEM? I love collecting watches because they don't take up as much room as cars do, and the maintenance is far easier. I got into it close to fifteen years ago. I love gifting people watches too. There's always a stunned reaction when someone sees one. Someone gave me a piece once that meant a lot, tied to the year I was born, and it's such a cool feeling knowing we've been around the same amount of time. I've got a few others in the collection I'm proud of as well. Honestly, I could stare at some of these things for hours. IN YOUR OWN DEFINITION OF A GENTLEMAN, HAS THERE BEEN ANYONE IN YOUR LIFE WHO HAS REPRESENTED THOSE VALUES TO YOU? I have a lot, actually. I'm very lucky to have so many amazing figures in my life. I remember, as a young man, watching my father work hard and never complain about it. I've been blessed by the men in my life, seeing them not speak ill of the people around them. When they ask how I'm doing, they actually care about the answer. Men that you know exactly what you're going to get when you're around them. WHAT MAKES A GENTLEMAN IN TODAY'S SOCIETY? Listening. You can learn so much by just listening. But also knowing when to talk. LOOKING BACK AT WHO YOU WERE TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO, STARTING OUT IN THE BUSINESS, WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR LIFE NOW THAT JUSTIN TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO WOULD THINK IS REALLY COOL? I think simply that I'm still doing what we set out to do twenty five years ago.
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE AMALFI COAST'S MOST LEGENDARY HOTEL, TIRAMISU INCLUDED.
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here is a particular kind of silence that exists only above the sea, not an absence of sound, but a fullness of it: gulls, distant boat engines, the faint clink of glasses somewhere you cannot see. You hear it first at Villa Treville, before you see anything at all. The road to Positano twists like a rumor, and then the gate opens, and the silence changes key.
own life, one he populated, over the decades, with the kind of guests who don't so much visit a place as haunt it afterward. Maria Callas took the air here. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton quarreled and reconciled somewhere among these gardens, presumably. Coco Chanel, Leonard Bernstein, Rudolf Nureyev, Liza Minnelli, they came for the
Franco Zeffirelli found this cliff before you did. In the 1960s, the director who gave the world Romeo and Juliet and La Traviata fell for this tangle of terraces above the Tyrrhenian and turned it into a stage set for his
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same reason you will: because some views are so complete they make you feel briefly, gloriously unnecessary. The sea doesn't need your opinion of it. It simply continues, magnificently, whether you're watching or not. That's the trick of Treville. It isn't trying to impress you. It's four villas scattered across a hillside like something half-remembered from a dream about Italy (the good kind of dream, the kind you wake from reluctant and slightly sunburned) connected by paths that seem to have grown there rather than been built.
Ancient tropical plants lean into your walkway. Hidden terraces appear exactly when you need somewhere to sit down and reconsider your life choices, in the best possible way. Evenings gather at Maestro's, on a terrace that tips its chin toward Positano's stacked pastel houses and lets the whole town glitter at you while the sky does its slow, theatrical fade. And it is here, somewhere near the end of the evening, that the thing everyone has secretly been waiting for arrives: the tiramisu. Not the tidy, dish-cut square you know from elsewhere, but a presentation built for exactly this view, espresso-soaked sponge layered loose in a glass, buried under a cloud of mascarpone so light it seems to have opinions about gravity, a final dark hush of cocoa dusted over the top right there at
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the table, right by the sea. People photograph it before they touch it, then forget to keep photographing anything else for the rest of the night. It has, quite honestly, ruined tiramisu everywhere else for us. Every other version now feels like a rehearsal for this one. Later, there's Salone Bianca, Zeffirelli's fever dream of a bar, Arabian in its whispers, operatic in its confidence, where the cocktails are built from herbs grown feet away in the estate's own gardens and taste like someone took the hillside and distilled it. You drink something you can't
name and don't especially want to. Naming things is for people who haven't yet learned to simply feel them. If you need convincing that your body deserves tenderness too, La Traviata waits in its greenhouse hush, a spa that treats sunlight itself as an ingredient, where the hands doing the work seem to understand that relaxation is a discipline, not an accident. But amenities are the wrong word for any of it, really. What Treville actually offers is harder to itemize: the sensation of stepping, briefly, into someone else's more beautiful timeline. Of understanding, cliffside, spoon in hand, exactly
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why Callas kept coming back to sing into rooms that already knew the words. You don't remember the thread count. You remember the particular blue the water turned at six in the evening, and the fact that for three or four days, you were someone who belonged to a place like this, someone the light seemed to have been waiting for. Then you leave, of course. Everyone leaves Positano eventually. But something about the silence follows you home, that specific fullness, gulls and glasses and distant engines, and for a while after, ordinary rooms feel a little too quiet, a little too finished, missing whatever it was that made this one feel alive.
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ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
JACOB ARABO HAS BUILT ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST DISTINCTIVE LUXURY BRANDS BY TRUSTING HIS INSTINCTS AND REFUSING TO FOLLOW THE CROWD WORDS BY TOM BURLESON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SELWYN TUNGOL
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here are names you hear every day, and then there are names you recognize by the places they appear. Jacob Arabo may not be a household name in the traditional sense, but look closely at the world of modern luxury and his name is everywhere. On the wrists of cultural icons. In the collections of serious watch enthusiasts. Inside some of the most ambitious timepieces ever created. And at the helm of Jacob & Co., a brand that has spent decades challenging the conventions of what a watch, a jewel, or a luxury experience can be. Arabo’s story is one of instinct, imagination, and an unwavering belief in creating what does not yet exist. His journey began with a watch his father gave him at 13, a dual-time-zone timepiece that opened his mind to a world beyond his own. Years later, after immigrating to the United States as a teenager, he found himself drawn to the craftsmanship and creativity of New York’s Diamond District. What began as curiosity became a career, and that career became a legacy. From the bold, colorful Five Time Zone to the extraordinary engineering of the Astronomia, Arabo built a name by refusing to follow the path already laid out before him. His work has attracted some of the biggest names in sports, music, and entertainment, but his influence extends well beyond celebrity. He has helped reshape the language of contemporary watchmaking, proving that technical mastery and unapologetic creativity are not separate hands on the dial but complementary forces that together point toward a larger vision of luxury. There is a certain confidence that comes with having spent decades trusting your instincts. It is present in Arabo’s work, but it is also present in the man himself. He speaks with the calm assurance of someone who has already proven the point, yet there is no sense that he believes the story is finished. If anything, his perspective is shaped by the wisdom of experience and the curiosity of someone still looking toward the horizon. For NOBLEMAN, it was an honor to sit down with a figure whose influence reaches far beyond the name on the dial. To speak with Jacob Arabo is to speak with a man who has built a legacy by refusing to simply inherit one. His philosophy is remarkably straightforward: trust your instincts, create something of your own, and never stop pushing toward what comes next. As Jacob & Co. continues to evolve, Arabo remains deeply involved in the creative process, now alongside the next generation of his family. His vision has expanded, but the philosophy at its center remains unchanged. The goal is not simply to make something luxurious. It is to make something that has never existed before. This is Jacob Arabo, in his own words.
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JACOB & CO. LAUNCHED AT A TIME WHEN TRADITIONAL WATCHMAKING WAS DOMINATED BY SWISS HOUSES WITH CENTURIES OF HERITAGE. WHAT MADE YOU BELIEVE YOU COULD COMPETE, AND WHAT WAS YOUR STRATEGY FOR STANDING OUT?
GROWING UP, WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST INTRODUCTION TO JEWELRY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP, AND HOW DID YOUR CHILDHOOD SHAPE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF LUXURY? When I was 13, my father gave me my first watch. It was a dual time zone watch, and I immediately fell in love with it. Beyond the craftsmanship, I was fascinated by the idea that a watch could connect you to different parts of the world. It expanded my horizons and sparked a curiosity that has stayed with me throughout my life. That watch ultimately inspired The World Is Yours, one of my most personal creations and a reminder that a timepiece can do more than tell time. It can inspire you to think bigger and dream further.
I never viewed it as competing with the traditional Swiss houses. I had tremendous respect for their history and craftsmanship. For me, it was about bringing my own creativity and vision to life. I wasn’t interested in creating another version of what already existed. I wanted to create something new. From the Five Time Zone to the Astronomia, our goal has always been to challenge conventions and offer people something they had never seen before. I believed that if we stayed true to that vision, we would find our place in the industry. And that’s exactly what happened.
WHEN YOU ARRIVED IN THE UNITED STATES, WHAT WAS THE MOMENT YOU FIRST REALIZED YOU WANTED TO BUILD SOMETHING IN JEWELRY RATHER THAN PURSUE A DIFFERENT PATH?
YOUR EARLY DESIGNS WERE IMMEDIATELY BOLD. WHERE DID THAT AESTHETIC CONFIDENCE COME FROM? WERE YOU EVER TOLD YOUR VISION WAS TOO RISKY?
When I immigrated to the United States as a teenager, I was inspired by the sense of opportunity that seemed to exist everywhere. I took on different jobs, but everything changed when I started spending time in New York’s Diamond District. I was fascinated by the craftsmanship and creativity that surrounded me. The more I learned about jewelry making, the more I realized that I didn’t just want to sell products. I wanted to create them. That experience showed me that it was possible to build something from nothing through hard work, skill, and imagination. Looking back, that was the moment I knew I wanted to build my future in this industry.
My confidence came from creating what I genuinely loved. I never asked myself whether a design was too bold or too risky. I wasn’t trying to please everyone. I was focused on creating something that excited me and reflected my vision. Of course, some people thought my designs were unconventional, but I never paid much attention to that. If you spend your time listening to the noise, you’ll never create anything original. I’ve always trusted my instincts and followed my own path.
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“I WASN’T INTERESTED IN CREATING ANOTHER VERSION OF WHAT ALREADY EXISTED. I WANTED TO CREATE SOMETHING NEW.” 105
“I’VE ALWAYS TRUSTED MY INSTINCTS & FOLLOWED MY OWN PATH.” 106
YOU’VE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH MAJOR CELEBRITIES AND ATHLETES. IS THAT ORGANIC CELEBRITY ADOPTION SOMETHING YOU ACTIVELY PURSUE, OR DOES IT HAPPEN NATURALLY WHEN THE PRODUCT IS RIGHT? For me, the relationships always came first. The visibility followed naturally. Long before celebrity partnerships became common in the industry, I was building genuine relationships with artists, athletes, and cultural icons. I never pursued those relationships as a marketing strategy. They began as friendships built on mutual respect and a shared appreciation for creativity, ambition, and craftsmanship. Over the years, many of those friends chose to wear Jacob & Co. because they genuinely connected with what we were creating. That kind of support cannot be bought or manufactured. It comes from genuine relationships, and I believe people recognize the difference. YOUR BUSINESS MODEL INCLUDES EVERYTHING FROM INTRICATE WATCHMAKING TO JEWELRY TO FINE ART COLLABORATIONS. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A COHESIVE BRAND IDENTITY WHILE EXPANDING SO BROADLY, AND DOES EACH CATEGORY SERVE A STRATEGIC PURPOSE? We’ve always stayed true to one idea: push boundaries, no matter the category. Whether it’s timepieces, jewelry, or any other creative project, everything comes from the same DNA: innovation, craftsmanship, and emotion. At the same time, our expansion has always been intentional. We don’t enter new categories simply to grow. Each one is a natural extension of the brand. Our focus on luxury experiences led us into real estate. Real estate introduced opportunities in furniture and interior design. Each step builds on the one before it. The categories may differ, but they are all expressions of the same vision: being inspired by what feels impossible and finding a way to make it possible.
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WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU RECEIVED EARLY IN YOUR CAREER THAT YOU STILL CARRY WITH YOU TODAY?
OVER THE YEARS, YOU’VE HAD TO BALANCE BEING THE VISIONARY CREATIVE FOUNDER WITH THE OPERATIONAL DEMANDS OF RUNNING A LUXURY CONGLOMERATE. HOW HAS YOUR ROLE EVOLVED, AND WHAT HAVE BEEN THE HARDEST THINGS TO DELEGATE?
Don’t try to become someone. Focus on doing what you do best. When you’re young, it’s easy to look at successful people and think you need to follow their path. But real success comes from developing your own strengths, not copying someone else. I built my career by focusing on what I loved and constantly pushing myself to improve. Every step forward came from challenging myself to be better than I was yesterday, not from trying to become someone else. The goal isn’t to become the next somebody. The goal is to become the first you.
As the company has grown, my role has evolved, but creativity remains at the center of everything I do. One of the greatest privileges has been watching my sons become deeply involved in the business and bring their own perspectives to the brand. They have helped introduce new ideas, reach new audiences, and shed new light on what Jacob & Co. can become. That has allowed the company to continue evolving while staying true to the values that built it. The hardest thing to delegate has always been the creative process because that is what I love most. I still enjoy being closely involved in product development and the ideas that shape the future of the brand. At the same time, I have learned that building a lasting company means trusting talented people and allowing the next generation to contribute their own vision.
CAN YOU ARTICULATE WHAT YOU BELIEVE A LUXURY WATCH SHOULD COMMUNICATE TO THE WORLD ABOUT THE PERSON WEARING IT? The most meaningful timepieces reflect individuality, taste, and personality. I’ve always believed that a watch is one of the most personal objects someone can own. The pieces we choose often tell a story about what inspires us, what we value, and how we see the world. Some people are drawn to technical innovation, while others appreciate craftsmanship, artistry, or bold design. Whatever the reason, the best watches create an emotional connection and reveal something about the person wearing them. That’s what luxury should communicate. Not status, but identity.
YOU’VE WORKED WITH SOME OF THE WORLD’S FINEST CRAFTSPEOPLE AND ARTISANS. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN THE PEOPLE YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH, AND WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY IN SOMEONE JOINING THE JACOB & CO. FAMILY?
WHAT DRIVES THAT CONSTANT PUSH FOR INNOVATION? IS IT FOR INNOVATION’S SAKE, OR IS THERE SOMETHING DEEPER?
I have always believed that great creations come from great people. The individuals I enjoy working with most are those who are passionate, driven, and genuinely excited by what they do. Technical skill can be taught and refined, but curiosity, ambition, and a desire to constantly improve come from within. Those qualities are what I value most. We are always pushing boundaries, so the people who thrive here are the ones who embrace challenges and believe there is always a way to achieve something extraordinary.
Innovation has never been the goal in itself. What drives me is curiosity and the desire to create something that doesn’t already exist. Throughout my career, I’ve been motivated by the challenge of turning ideas into reality, especially when people say they can’t be done. Whether it’s a watch, a piece of jewelry, or an entirely new concept, I
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enjoy pushing beyond what is expected and exploring what is possible. At Jacob & Co., innovation is not about being different for the sake of being different. It is about creating something meaningful, something that inspires emotion, starts conversations, and gives people an experience they have never had before. That pursuit is what continues to drive me every day.
The Five Time Zone was a turning point for the brand. At a time when most watches followed traditional design codes, I created something bold, colorful, and completely different. It resonated with a new generation of clients and helped establish Jacob & Co. as a brand unafraid to challenge conventions. The Astronomia was another defining moment. It helped us break into the highest levels of watchmaking and demonstrated that imagination and engineering could exist in the same creation. Together, these two timepieces tell the story of my journey. The Five Time Zone introduced a new way of thinking about watches. The Astronomia proved that ideas once considered impossible could become reality. More than anything, they reflect the philosophy that has guided me throughout my career: never be afraid to create something that doesn’t already exist.
WALK US THROUGH A SPECIFIC MOMENT, EITHER A CREATION PROCESS, A CLIENT INTERACTION, OR A BUSINESS CHALLENGE, THAT ENCAPSULATES WHAT JACOB & CO. IS REALLY ABOUT. WHAT STORY BEST REPRESENTS YOUR LEGACY? I would point to two creations: the Five Time Zone and the Astronomia.
“THAT’S WHAT LUXURY SHOULD COMMUNICATE. NOT STATUS, BUT IDENTITY.” 109
WHERE DO YOU SEE JACOB & CO. IN TEN YEARS? WHAT’S THE NEXT FRONTIER FOR YOUR BRAND, AND ARE THERE NEW TERRITORIES, LITERALLY OR CREATIVELY, YOU WANT TO EXPLORE? We are still at the beginning of what Jacob & Co. can become. Over the next ten years, we will keep pushing the boundaries of watchmaking, jewelry, and luxury experiences. We will expand into new markets, but growth has never been about opening doors. It is about creating products and ideas that have never existed before. Every time people think we have reached a limit, I want us to prove there is another frontier. I keep one line close to me, the words attributed to John Paul Jones: “I have not yet begun to fight.” For me, it has nothing to do with conflict. It is a reminder that no matter how much we have achieved, there is always more to create, more to discover, and more to accomplish. In many ways, I feel like I am only getting started. FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS READING THIS WHO WANT TO BUILD A LUXURY BRAND OR ANY BRAND FROM THE GROUND UP, WHAT’S THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE THEM? Focus on creating something that is truly your own. Too many entrepreneurs spend their time following trends or copying what is already successful. If you want to build a lasting brand, you need to have a clear vision and the courage to do things differently. There will always be people who tell you something can’t be done or that your idea is too ambitious. Don’t let that discourage you. The most successful brands are built by people who stay committed to their vision, continue learning, and never stop improving. If you’re passionate about what you do and willing to put in the work, opportunities will follow.
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THE CASTLE THAT REMEMBERS
INSIDE FENTON TOWER, WHERE SCOTLAND’S STORIED PAST MEETS THE PLEASURES OF A PRIVATE CASTLE RETREAT.
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here is a particular kind of quiet that only very old stone can hold. You feel it before you see it, driving the last mile toward Kingston Hill, past hedgerows and the flash of the Firth of Forth, until the tower rises out of the East Lothian countryside like something that was always going to be there. Because, in a sense, it was. A fortified watch-point has stood on this ground since the 11th century, long before anyone thought to call it luxury.
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The tower you'd stay in today, seven bedrooms, a great hall, a dining room built for long nights and longer stories, dates to around 1550, raised by Patrick Whytelaw, son of Lord Ruthven. But Fenton Tower's real gift isn't its architecture. It's its guest list. Not the kind with checkout times. In 1591, a king came running. James VI of Scotland, son of Mary Queen of Scots, heir to a country that had never quite stopped plotting against itself, found himself cornered by a rebel army in Fife. The
townspeople rallied, got him across the Firth of Forth by ferry, and delivered him into the care of the Carmichaels at Fenton Tower, who by then owned the place as a reward for loyal service abroad. Imagine it: a king, breathless, ushered up that same stair, under that same roof, waiting to learn whether his kingdom still belonged to him. It did. He went on to become James I of England and Scotland, uniting two crowns, and Fenton Tower, briefly, held the whole hinge of that history inside its walls. It didn't stay safe forever. In 1650, Oliver Cromwell's army swept through Scotland and left Fenton Tower a ruin, its roofline open to the sky for the better part of three centuries. The land changed hands quietly after that, the Nisbets, then the Simpsons, until 1998, when Ian Simpson and his lifelong friend John Macaskill looked at the ruin and decided it was worth bringing back. Historic
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Scotland, protective of a Category A-listed monument, watched over every stone. The tower opened its doors again in 2002, not as a museum, but as a home, and quietly became one of the first properties in the area to offer true five-star accommodation, a crown it still wears comfortably. That five-star claim isn't decoration. There's a butler, a private chef, and a quiet rotation of staff who seem to know what you need before you do, handling every detail
of a stay so completely that you forget, for a few days, how to want for anything. Mornings begin with a classic Scottish breakfast laid out in the dining room, the kind guests mention long after they've gone home, before the day opens into whatever this corner of Scotland happens to be offering: a round at Muirfield, North Berwick, or Gullane, some of the finest links golf anywhere in the world; a morning on horseback through the surrounding estate; a driven shoot arranged for up to eight guns; an afternoon of fly fishing on the nearby rivers. The John Muir Way threads along the coast for anyone who'd rather walk than ride, and the skies above East Lothian still draw birdwatchers the way they always have. That's the thing Fenton Tower insists on, gently, the whole time you're there: it wants to be lived in, not just admired.
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The bedrooms, Seton, Sydserff, Ruthven, Carmichael, Stewart, Erskine, and a garret tucked under the eaves, each carry a name lifted from the families who once claimed this place as theirs, so that sleeping in one feels less like checking into a room and more like being handed a small piece of someone else's story. The Great Hall still gathers people the way it must have gathered them four hundred years ago, for long dinners, for celebrations, for the kind of conversation that stretches past midnight because no one wants to be the first to leave. The BBC once used the tower as a filming location for Balamory, a strange, small footnote for a building that once sheltered a fugitive king, but a reminder that Fenton Tower has always known how to hold more than one story at once. Stay long enough, and you start to understand what Ian Simpson and John Macaskill must have felt standing in the ruin in 1998: that some buildings don't need saving so much as remembering. Fenton Tower remembers. And for a few nights, with a chef in the kitchen and a butler at the door, so will you. 115
TEXAS BY ROLLS ROYCE
A TEXAS ROAD TRIP PUTS ROLLS-ROYCE TO THE TEST, FROM RANCH TRAILS & OPEN HIGHWAYS TO WILD GAME & BULL RIDING.
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’ve been fortunate to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars all over the world. Through the mountains of Montana and Wyoming, along the winding roads of the South of France, and across enough spectacular stretches of pavement to understand that the best way to experience a Rolls-Royce is rarely sitting still. This time, the destination was Texas. Waiting for me in Austin was a 2027 Black Badge Cullinan, finished in Black over a Black and Grace White interior. It was an appropriately serious specification: 23-inch Black Badge wheels, dark chrome Spirit of Ecstasy, Shooting Star Headliner, Bespoke Audio and Black Badge Technical Carbon. Underneath it all is Rolls-Royce’s 6.75-liter twinturbocharged V12, all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering and independent air suspension. Total price as equipped: $582,450. My first assignment was simple: point it toward Columbus, Texas, and drive 90 minutes to Vara Ranch.
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Pulling through Vara’s gates felt a little like entering Jurassic Park, albeit with better accommodations. Whitetail and axis deer gave way to impala, zebra, elk and other exotic animals roaming across the property. Vara was established in 2017 and today offers more than 40 species representing four continents, including kudu, oryx and nyala from Africa, axis and nilgai from Asia, red stag and fallow deer from Europe, and American whitetail, elk and bison. Vara is a hunting ranch, but calling it a hunting lodge undersells the experience. Nine private bedrooms are spread across two lodges, with accommodations for up to 16 guests and the ability to take over the entire property. There’s a resort-style pool, spa, golf simulator, putting green, full bar and chef-driven dining. My African Suite was appropriately decorated with safari trophies and leather, giving the room plenty of personality without losing the luxury.
t than deer to a five-star resor Arrival felt closer l appeared tai ck co ul g Clase Az camp. A refreshin tizers from , followed by appe almost immediately g around, in Texas heat still hang the chef. With the g up with in tch ca ur by the pool I spent the next ho ar. ye a n in nearly friends I hadn’t see e Cullinans headed back into th At golden hour we I chose a e tim is the ranch. Th ss ro ac ari saf a r fo and headed k Badge Cullinan Tempest Grey Blac , the Cullinan . For the next hour onto the dirt trails ce created tly why Rolls-Roy demonstrated exac remained e rid e first place. Th e th in V SU an through the sed as we moved remarkably compo nearly every d by wildlife at property, surrounde ppers. elk were the showsto turn. The massive
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After sunset, the fleet gathered around an outdoor bar hidden among the trees. Think Texas speakeasy meets safari camp: lounge furniture scattered through the woods, cocktails flowing, and the chef sending out another round of food before dinner. Dinner somehow raised the bar again. A long table outdoors hosted a five-course wild-game menu that would not have felt out of place in a serious fine-dining restaurant. The highlights came fast: smoked venison rack, axis tenderloin with curried carrots, Texas beef short rib with sweet corn, then bone marrow beignets with bourbon caramel and espresso ganache. Wow. We weren’t hunting on this trip, but Vara’s actual hunting program is extensive. Trophy pricing varies by animal, with hunts available for species ranging from elk and axis to kudu, zebra and impala, and the ranch offers both meat processing and taxidermy options.
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The following morning, after a light breakfast, it was time for the three-hour run to Fort Worth. I chose wisely: a Ghost Series II in Salamanca Blue, with a Black interior accented by Radiant Blue stitching, perforations and piping. The $462,150 specification also featured Black Stained Ash and 22-inch partially polished wheels. Like the Cullinan, the Ghost uses Rolls-Royce’s 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 along with allwheel drive, all-wheel steering and air suspension. Three hours behind the wheel sounds like work. In a Ghost, it isn’t. With long stretches of Texas highway and 75-mph speed limits, it became one of those drives where arriving almost feels premature. Our destination was Hotel Drover, set inside the Fort Worth Stockyards. Opened in 2021, the hotel takes the heritage of the American West and translates it into polished, contemporary luxury. The location makes it even better. More than four million cattle passed through Fort Worth between 1866 and 1890, helping earn the city its “Cowtown” nickname, and today the Stockyards remain one of the best preserved and most entertaining pieces of Texas history.
That evening brought one final dose of Texas: a VIP experience at Professional Bull Riders. Seeing the bulls up close gives you a completely different appreciation for what these athletes are facing. Eight seconds suddenly feels like an eternity. The power of the animals, and the courage and athleticism required to ride them, is extraordinary. The next morning it was back to Orange County. In less than 48 hours, Rolls-Royce had taken us from Austin pavement to ranch trails, from a wildlife safari to wide-open highways, and finally into the heart of Fort Worth. I’ve driven Rolls-Royces in some remarkable places. Texas proved once again that these cars don’t simply transport you somewhere special. They have a habit of becoming part of the story.
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SNOW WHITE LAUNDRY
ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND
KEN PITTMAN IS SETTING A NEW STANDARD FOR DINING IN ATLANTIC CANADA, ONE UNFORGETTABLE PLATE AT A TIME
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Our NOBLEMAN team was there for opening night, July 10th, tucked into the restaurant's four-person chef's table overlooking the open kitchen. It's an intimate setup, in every sense. The dining room itself seats only a handful of tables, and from the chef's table, there's nowhere to look but straight into the controlled chaos of service: the searing, the plating, the quiet choreography of a kitchen finding its rhythm on night one. Watching Pittman and his team work that close, that early in the restaurant's life, was its own kind of proof that something special was happening on Water Street.
very so often, a restaurant surfaces that makes you reconsider what a region is capable of. In Newfoundland, that restaurant is Snōw White Laundry, and after one visit, NOBLEMAN has no hesitation naming it the best restaurant in Atlantic Canada. It's a bold claim for a restaurant that's barely old enough to have a wine list memorized, having opened its doors this past summer. But greatness doesn't always announce itself loudly, and Snōw White Laundry hasn't needed to. It has simply, quietly, been doing the best cooking in the region, letting the people who find it carry the word forward.
And Water Street is no accident. Set in the heart of downtown, Snōw White Laundry occupies one of the city's most storied stretches of real estate, a location with history baked into its cobblestones, now home to a kitchen writing something entirely new.
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Even the name is a small act of defiance against easy categorization. "The name comes from my grandfather's old laundromat," says chef Ken Pittman. "It was the last Chinese laundry in Newfoundland." For Pittman, the name isn't a gimmick, it's a lineage. "It brings a lot of nostalgia and is a way to carry on something that's very important to me." That sense of inheritance is the key to understanding why this restaurant, out of every kitchen in Atlantic Canada, deserves the title. Pittman grew up in a Chinese household in Newfoundland, an upbringing he describes as fundamentally different from the one most Newfoundlanders know. His cooking, heavily Asian-influenced in both flavour and technique, is his way of finally putting that experience on a plate. But ask him to call it "fusion," and you'll hit a wall. "We hate the word 'fusion' here," he says flatly. "We try not to use it at all." It's a small distinction with a big meaning: fusion implies two things bolted together for effect. What Pittman is doing feels more like translation, telling a story in a language that was always his, using ingredients that were always around him. That story is inseparable from geography. Newfoundland's seasons aren't a backdrop here, they're a collaborator, and sometimes an obstacle. "Long, brutal winters and things like that drastically change our menus and the way we look at local ingredients," Pittman explains. The province hands its chefs a strange gift: abundance with limits. "We're very fortunate to have so many beautiful things available to us," he says, "but we try never to sacrifice quality for locality." It's a discipline, not a slogan, and it shows in every plate that leaves the kitchen. 121
Split pea and salt beef are pulled straight from the province's Sunday dinner tradition, the kind of meal that's practically written into the local DNA. But Pittman doesn't just plate nostalgia; he transforms it, folding those familiar flavours into a dumpling that reads as something entirely new. "It shows what we do best at SWL," he says, "taking something familiar and making it uniquely our own." The Denver steak, by contrast, is simpler in its ambition and no less loved. Beef, rice, egg, a trio that needs no elaborate explanation, only excellent execution. Pittman lets one detail from home speak for the dish: "mouth-watering," he says, quoting someone close to him. It's a small, warm aside, and it fits the restaurant's whole ethos: food that's technically ambitious but never cold or clinical.
That discipline was on full display the night we sat at the chef's table. The bao bread arrived first: pillowy and warm, finished with garlic confit scallion butter and a dusting of everything bagel spice, the kind of dish that makes a familiar bite feel freshly invented. The tuna crudo followed, a study in balance: house ponzu, miso caramel, and citrus aioli layered over delicate raw tuna, topped with puffed rice for a crackle of texture. Then came the halibut, easily one of the standouts of the night: bok choy, seasonal vegetables, and pea tendril arranged over a sour fish broth touched with charcoal, a dish as visually striking as it was precise. Then there were the two dishes Pittman himself is proudest of: the split pea dumplings with salt beef XO, and the marinated Denver steak. The dumplings are, in his words, the dish that represents Newfoundland, and Snōw White Laundry, best.
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That warmth is, ultimately, why Snōw White Laundry earns this distinction over restaurants with bigger budgets, louder reputations, and years of runway it simply hasn't had yet. When asked what he wants people to feel when they leave, Pittman doesn't reach for the language of fine dining. He reaches for something closer to hospitality itself. "I want Snow White Laundry to feel warm, generous and exciting," he says. The goal is more than a good meal, but also an emotional landing. "If someone leaves feeling like they experienced something special, felt genuinely cared for, and maybe tasted something that reminded them of something familiar in a completely new way, then we've done what we set out to do." Snōw White Laundry is still, for now, a quiet name on a historic street, the kind diners trade in hushed recommendations rather than headlines. But make no mistake: barely a season into its existence, this is the best restaurant in Atlantic Canada, hiding in plain sight on Water Street. Between the bao, the crudo, the halibut, the dumplings, and the steak, all seen firsthand from four seats overlooking the kitchen, it's laundering the past into something entirely its own, one plate, one memory, one dumpling at a time.
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THE NOBLEMAN GUIDE TO TOMMY BAHAMA MIRAMONTE RESORT & SPA
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CBD Massage, a deeply restorative experience using CBD-infused oils and targeted techniques to ease tension, calm the nervous system and support relaxation while helping to reduce inflammation. Allow time afterward to unwind in the spa courtyard, soak in the saltwater pool or relax in the eucalyptus steam room.
or travelers who appreciate the intersection of effortless style and elevated comfort, Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa offers a distinctive expression of desert luxury. Set across 11 landscaped acres in Indian Wells, the resort pairs Spanishinspired architecture with citrus and olive trees, tranquil pools and views of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
As golden hour settles across the mountains, stroll through the Olive Grove and citrus gardens before dinner at Grapefruit Basil. The restaurant’s indooroutdoor setting reflects the understated elegance of the resort, while the menu draws inspiration from seasonal California ingredients and the spirited flavors associated with Tommy Bahama.
As the inaugural resort in the Tommy Bahama portfolio, the property brings the brand’s signature lifestyle into an immersive hospitality experience. Artistry is woven throughout, from expressive color, distinctive patterns and thoughtful design to creative culinary, wellness and cultural experiences inspired by the destination.
Begin with the Hamachi Crudo, followed by a chef-driven selection such as the Lobster Capellini. Pair dinner with the resort’s signature Grapefruit Basil cocktail, crafted with citrus and basil grown on the property.
If you find yourself with 72 hours in Greater Palm Springs, this is how to make the most of them.
End the evening outdoors beside one of the resort’s communal fire pits. During the cooler season, live music drifts through the Olive Grove, creating an inviting setting for a final cocktail beneath the desert sky.
DAY ONE: ARRIVE AND SETTLE INTO THE DESERT RHYTHM Check in at Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa, where arched passageways, terracotta details and garden-lined paths immediately establish a sense of place. Guest rooms and suites feel relaxed and residential, with private patios or balconies that invite you to slow down and take in the surrounding landscape.
DAY TWO: CREATE, CONNECT AND UNWIND Begin the morning among the resort’s citrus trees with Morning Citrus Press, a seasonal experience that transforms one of the property’s defining features into a memorable morning ritual. Select oranges, grapefruit, lemons or Meyer lemons from more than 100 trees across the resort, then press a custom juice blend at the U Bar in the Olive Grove. Herbs from the chef’s garden provide the finishing touch.
Once settled, make your way to Spa Rosa, a serene retreat rooted in the restorative character of the desert. Begin with Paradise in Bloom Facial, a botanically rich treatment inspired by the tropics and designed to restore radiance and vitality through potent plant actives. Or choose the Botanical
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Afterward, linger over breakfast at Grapefruit Basil before choosing your preferred pace for the day. Reserve a cabana beside Chiki Palm Pool and settle in with chilled drinks and lunch, or retreat to the quieter Hideaway Pool for a more secluded afternoon. The resort’s signature experiences extend the artistry of the Tommy Bahama brand beyond design and into moments guests can experience firsthand. Distinctive color, natural materials, craftsmanship and a relaxed approach to entertaining come together through programming inspired by the desert setting. Guests can plan their stay around Cork & Canvas: Painted in Paradise, an intimate open-air painting experience presented in partnership with the Desert Plein Air Association. With the mountains and gardens as inspiration, guests receive guided instruction, painting materials, a glass of wine and a canvas to take home. That same appreciation for artistry and tradition continues with Lei & Aloha, presented in partnership with Sunset Leis. Guests learn the meaning and technique behind creating a fresh floral lei, transforming vivid color and natural materials into a personal expression of aloha. Later, return to the Olive Grove for Pizza, Pints & Pinot, a relaxed Thursday evening gathering featuring wood-fired pizzas, cold pints and wine beneath the palms. Seating is first come, first served, contributing to the easygoing and convivial atmosphere. If your visit falls on another evening, enjoy Island Hour at the Grapefruit Basil Bar before dinner. The setting is equally suited to sharing small plates, discovering a new cocktail or simply watching the light change over the Santa Rosa Mountains.
DAY THREE: DISCOVER GREATER PALM SPRINGS Start the final morning slowly with coffee on your private patio, followed by breakfast at Grapefruit Basil. The Brioche Bananas Foster French Toast offers an indulgent beginning, while lighter selections provide fuel for a more active morning. From the resort, the best of Greater Palm Springs is close at hand. Play a round at Indian Wells Golf Resort, explore the trails of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains, or head to El Paseo for an afternoon of shopping and dining. Those drawn to architecture and design can spend the morning discovering the region’s iconic midcentury-modern homes and neighborhoods. Return to the resort for a late lunch beside the pool or one final restorative treatment at Spa Rosa. Before departing, stop at Rosa Boutique for a curated selection of Tommy Bahama apparel, resort accessories and gifts that carry the spirit of the experience home. In just 72 hours, Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa reveals a side of Greater Palm Springs that feels both polished and deeply personal. From citrus gathered in the morning to painting, floral artistry, fireside evenings and restorative time at Spa Rosa, each experience reflects the creativity, craftsmanship and relaxed sophistication associated with the Tommy Bahama lifestyle. It is more than a place to stay. It is the inaugural expression of Tommy Bahama hospitality, shaped by the desert and defined by a relaxed sense of luxury. 125
MIELE AND SINGLETHREAD FARMS ON THE SHARED PURSUIT OF CRAFTSMANSHIP, LONGEVITY, AND UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY.
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n what world can these two paradigms collide in beautiful harmony? One where Miele Appliances partners with SingleThread Farms. Chef Kyle Connaughton and his wife Katina, the head farmer, align with Miele well beyond what you might expect. When the common goal is precision, dedication to craft, and delivering a product and an experience that leave you in awe, it is a match made in heaven. Miele graciously invited me to an unbelievable experience at SingleThread Farms, one of 16 Michelin three-star restaurants in the country. It started on the 24-acre farm in Dry Creek Valley in Healdsburg, California, and naturally concluded with a ten-course, wine-paired dinner. No single word can describe it. It teeters between indulgence and responsibility, organic and engineered, heirloom and contemporary. Some moments left me speechless, while others had me yearning to ask about the ingenious processes behind them. It wasn't just a farm tour. It was an immersive look at two seemingly different worlds, fine dining and precision engineering, connected by a remarkably similar pursuit of craftsmanship, longevity, and uncompromising quality.
The juxtaposition was remarkable. The structures throughout the property, including Kyle and Katina Connaughton's home, strike a compelling balance between rustic agricultural character and clean, contemporary design. Natural wood, simple forms, and materials that feel connected to the land give the buildings warmth and authenticity appropriate to a working farm, while modern lines, expansive glass, and understated architectural details lend an unmistakable sophistication. Nothing feels overly manicured or ostentatious. Instead, the architecture seems to belong to the landscape, quietly blurring the boundaries between indoors and out. Miele's presence within the property felt almost effortless. The brand's sleek, minimalist aesthetic integrated seamlessly into SingleThread's architecture, complementing rather than competing with the natural materials and understated character of the spaces. Clean lines, refined finishes, and thoughtfully integrated appliances provided a distinctly modern counterpoint to the warmth of wood, stone, and the surrounding agricultural landscape. There was a quiet sophistication to the pairing: the technology was clearly advanced, yet never visually intrusive. Walking through the property offered a glimpse into the agricultural philosophy that forms the foundation of the restaurant. Here, farming
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is not simply about supplying the kitchen. It is part of a larger conversation about seasonality, sustainability, and respect for the land. Organic and regenerative practices inform what is grown, while the rhythms of Northern California help dictate what eventually appears on the menu.
isn't simply about adding technology. It is about using engineering to make something more precise, intuitive, and enduring. There was an obvious parallel between the two hosts. At SingleThread, extraordinary cuisine begins long before an ingredient reaches the kitchen. At Miele, performance begins long before an appliance reaches the home. In both cases, excellence is the cumulative result of countless decisions, many of which the person enjoying the finished product may never see.
That relationship between land and table is central to SingleThread. Ingredients aren't merely sourced; they are considered within the context of place and season. There is an intentionality to it all that becomes even more apparent once dinner begins.
Then came dinner.
The same sense of purpose runs through Chef Kyle Connaughton's appreciation for Japanese cuisine. SingleThread doesn't attempt to replicate Japan in Sonoma County. Instead, Japanese culinary philosophies of precision, restraint, seasonality, and reverence for ingredients are interpreted through the agricultural abundance of Northern California. It is an intriguing marriage of cultures and place, and an appropriate setting for Miele.
The evening culminated in a ten-course tasting menu with wine pairings, and as a wine editor, I found this where the experience became particularly compelling. Dom Pérignon to start. Local expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Obscure bottles from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Chenin Blanc. Dense, savory sake layered with flavors of toffee, custard, and truffle. And, of course, Royal Tokaji.
Throughout the evening, we learned more about a company whose history spans more than 125 years. Miele's reputation has been built on German engineering, manufacturing quality, and a philosophy of continually refining the way its appliances perform. Innovation here
Throughout the progression, the wines served as an extension of SingleThread's culinary philosophy. Rather than overpowering the delicacy and precision of the cooking, the pairings complemented
it, adding layers of aroma, texture and complexity while allowing the ingredients to remain the focus. Across ten courses, the experience unfolded almost like a narrative. The dishes reflected the farm and the season, Japanese influences provided a framework of elegance and restraint, and the wines created another lens through which to experience each plate. It was technically impressive, certainly, but more importantly, it felt cohesive. By the end of the evening, the connection between Miele and SingleThread seemed less surprising than it had at the beginning. A farmer nurturing the soil, a chef refining a dish, a winemaker shepherding fruit from vineyard to bottle, and an engineer perfecting a piece of equipment may practice very different crafts. Yet each ultimately relies on the same principles: patience, precision, respect for materials, and an obsession with detail. Luxury, at its most meaningful, isn't simply about expense or exclusivity. It is about intention. After an evening at SingleThread, walking the farm, experiencing Miele's commitment to engineering and innovation, and finishing with an extraordinary wine-paired dinner, that idea felt particularly clear. The finest things are rarely defined only by how they look or taste. They are defined by how thoughtfully they are made.
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IL GIRASOLE BRINGS ITALIAN SOUL, CALIFORNIA INGREDIENTS & A MODERN EDGE TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
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l Girasole isn’t trying to recreate Italy in Costa Mesa. It takes the foundation of Italian cooking, adds California ingredients, serious technique and a little attitude, then lets the experience unfold from there.
Orange County has no shortage of Italian restaurants. Il Girasole, inside SOCO & The OC Mix in Costa Mesa, feels immediately different. The room is modern, polished and energetic, with great art, moody lighting and music that gives the place some pulse. It feels elevated, but never stiff. You can come for a serious dinner without feeling like you need to whisper through it. 128
That personality starts with chef and owner Antonio Bevacqua. Born in Florence and raised in Montecatini Terme, Bevacqua trained in Italy, worked in Paris and spent time at Michelinstarred Il Gallopapa in Tuscany before eventually making his way to Southern California. He opened Il Girasole in December 2024 after years in Orange County hospitality, with a simple philosophy: “to innovate with integrity, to share the essence of Italian culture, and to make Italy proud of what we are creating here.” The food reflects that point of view. This is Italian at its core, but not locked into tradition. California produce, carefully sourced seafood and exceptional meats give the menu a broader perspective. As Bevacqua has put it, “If you’re asking someone to spend significant money on dinner, shouldn’t you start with great ingredients?” Our dinner made the point quickly. The duck pappardelle was one of the standouts, rich and deeply satisfying without feeling heavy. The elk loin was another, unexpected enough to catch your attention but executed with enough restraint to keep it elegant. Beautifully prepared fish followed, along with Tajima Wagyu from Australia, intensely flavorful and handled in a way that let the quality of the beef do the talking. That restraint is part of Antonio’s philosophy. “Sometimes the hardest decision is knowing what not to put on the plate,” he has said. It’s a good description of the kitchen as a whole. The food is refined and often ambitious, but never feels overloaded.
The wine program keeps pace. Italian bottles naturally play a major role, and the one we had with dinner only made the experience better. The list feels built for people who genuinely enjoy wine, not simply for people who want to order something expensive. What makes Il Girasole work is that the food is only part of the equation. The room, music, service and crowd all matter. It understands that fine dining can still feel current, social and fun. Less than two years in, Il Girasole already feels confident in its identity. Modern Italian, yes. But more importantly, it feels like a restaurant with its own point of view.
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THE
NEW CLUB STANDARD AT BIGHORN, CANYONS STEAK HOUSE IS REDEFINING WHAT PRIVATE CLUB FINE DINING CAN BE
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igh above the desert floor in Palm Desert, BIGHORN Golf Club has long operated in a category of its own. Known for its dramatic setting, two championship golf courses, striking architecture and exceptionally private membership, the Club is largely hidden from view below. That sense of exclusivity extends to its dining, where Members have access to several distinct venues across the property. Yet even within that world, Canyons Steak House stands apart. The fact that a club this private has created a standalone fine dining restaurant of this caliber says plenty about the importance BIGHORN places on the experience beyond the golf course.
Part of the appeal is the setting. From inside the dining room, sweeping down-valley views stretch across the desert. Outside, the setting is equally dramatic, with infinity pools framing the view and the lights of the valley below. By night, the lights of the valley create an entirely different backdrop. From below, you would hardly know the restaurant exists. From a table at Canyons, the perspective is spectacular. The interiors match the view. Richly toned woods, custom booths, a glowing onyx host stand and a dramatic fireplace installation by London artist Sharon Marston give the room a sense of occasion without becoming overly precious. The redesigned bar is one of the restaurant’s strongest additions, creating a lively destination of its own for cocktails, a casual bite or the beginning of a longer evening. Service follows the same philosophy. Preferences are remembered, favorite drinks have a habit of appearing at just the right moment, and the staff operates with the kind of anticipation that comes from truly knowing its Members.
There was a time when dining at a private club came with a fairly predictable formula: a handsome room, a familiar menu, polished service and, if all went according to plan, a very good steak. At Canyons, that formula has been thoroughly reconsidered. The recently remastered restaurant is sophisticated without feeling formal, deeply personal and ambitious enough to stand alongside the best restaurants in the Coachella Valley.
In the kitchen, Chef de Cuisine Nick Stendebach faces a different kind of challenge. BIGHORN Members are seasoned diners, many familiar with Michelin-starred restaurants and world-class hospitality,
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but they do not necessarily want elaborate fine dining every night. They want exceptional ingredients, consistency and a restaurant they are proud to share with friends. “The Steak House is a place where they want to bring their friends,” Stendebach says. “It’s something they’re proud of.” He adds, “You have to keep it fresh. You have to keep it current. Product always has to be at the top.” Prime steaks anchor the menu, including filet mignon, bone-in ribeye, New York strip, cap steak and a Wagyu trio, with beef sourced from Creekstone Farms. But Canyons reaches well beyond the traditional steakhouse playbook. Orange miso-marinated Chilean sea bass, roasted branzino, hand rolls, crudo and crispy rice share the menu with the classics, while the bar leans more playful with smash gyoza dumplings, lobster al pastor street tacos and a lobster trio featuring American, Japanese and Australian lobster.
Behind the scenes, the kitchen has also been upgraded with a dedicated sushi station, wood-assist grill and steam-injection ovens, giving the culinary team greater range and precision. It is a menu designed for Members who may dine at the Club several nights a week, offering enough familiarity to feel comfortable and enough variety to keep the experience interesting. That same level of intention extends to the wine program, overseen by Clubhouse Manager and Sommelier Ruan Krugel. Canyons recently received a Three-Star Award from The World of Fine Wine in the Private Club category, reinforcing the depth of a program built around both consistency and discovery. It also fits within a larger culinary culture at BIGHORN, where Executive Chef Greg Proper, formerly of The Ritz Carlton, oversees dining across the Club, which includes the casual Golf House, The Pour House and The Marketplace. “Five-star service begins with the team,” Proper says. Canyons Steak House may be the clearest expression of that philosophy. It has the design, food, wine , service and setting expected of a serious fine dining restaurant, but also something far more difficult to manufacture: a sense of belonging. As Stendebach puts it, “The vibe is upscale but inviting. High-end, but not stuffy.” In a desert celebrated for its restaurant scene, Canyons Steak House deserves to be mentioned among the very best. The difference is that reservations are not simply difficult to get. Unless you are a BIGHORN Member or fortunate enough to be invited by one, this remarkable restaurant overlooking the valley remains one of Palm Desert’s best-kept secrets. 131
THE NOBLE CAVIAR CORRESPONDENT ON WHY THE FINEST THINGS CAN'T BE RUSHED
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s a professional and enthusiast, I have had the privilege of spending considerable time in the world of caviar. In one way or another, all roads have led me here, as your Noble Caviar Correspondent. It truly is an honor to share the knowledge, experiences, and finer secrets I have gathered along the way.
My mission is simple: to cultivate a deeper understanding, and greater appreciation for caviar, and to bring back the romance of a time when it was not simply expensive, but genuinely special. Each entry will explore subjects every caviar enthusiast should know, followed by a chef or restaurant worthy of your attention. After all, the finest way to understand caviar is to experience it. So, shall we begin?
During those years, the fish must be carefully raised and maintained. A producer may spend years caring for a fish before knowing exactly what its eventual harvest will yield. Years of Investment for One Harvest Timing is critical. The roe must be harvested at the proper stage of maturity. Too early or too late, and the size, texture, appearance, and flavor can be affected. From Fish to Fine Caviar Once harvested, the work is far from over. The eggs must be carefully handled, cleaned, inspected, graded, salted, matured, packaged, refrigerated, and transported. Every step matters. Caviar is extraordinarily delicate, and handling variations can affect texture and flavor. Fine caviar is not simply salted fish eggs. The quantity of salt can dramatically influence the finished product. This is why you will often encounter the term malossol, a Russian word meaning essentially “little salt.” The philosophy is simple: use enough salt to preserve the roe while allowing its natural character to remain at the forefront.
How Can Something So Small Be So Expensive? Look at a tin of caviar and you see thousands of tiny pearls. Each one represents years of patience, expertise, care, and investment. It Starts With the Fish Sturgeon take years to mature. Female sturgeon can require years, and in some cases well over a decade, to reach maturity and produce roe suitable for caviar.
From Wild Sturgeon to Sustainable Aquaculture For centuries, the great sturgeon fisheries of the Caspian and Black Seas supplied much of the world's finest caviar. As wild populations declined, conservation measures and international trade restrictions became increasingly important. 132
Today, much of the world's premium caviar comes from carefully managed aquaculture. Producers can spend years raising sturgeon in controlled environments while monitoring their health, diet, water quality, and development.
Brian expanded by adding, “Clean flavor, balanced salinity, and good texture.” The caviar we selected is intended to create harmony between the ingredients, so that one does not overpower another.” That philosophy is beautifully demonstrated in Kaiya's Flame Kissed Kinki with Antonius Oscietra caviar and gold flakes. “This nigiri is inspired by the RARE Champagne, both visually and in flavor. It's stunning,” Riley said. The nigiri features dry-aged Kinki, a rare Japanese fish, with its skin lightly seared and finished with house nikiri and caviar. “I like the contrast between the warm, fatty Kinki and the cold caviar, which provides the perfect salinity and a clean finish that balances the richness of the fish,” Brian explained.
Not Every Pearl Is Created Equal Caviar is evaluated for size, color, firmness, uniformity, aroma, flavor, finish, and maturation. These qualities contribute to the final grade and value. You are not merely buying a tin of eggs. You are buying years of patience, husbandry, craftsmanship, and expertise, culminating in a single, carefully executed harvest. With sturgeon, a producer can spend over a decade raising a fish before the moment finally arrives. All of that time and investment yields a few thousand beautiful, delicate pearls.
We found enough time to get a couple of personal questions in. Such as what their favorite species is and the best way to enjoy caviar at home. “Beluga for its buttery notes and Siberian for its umami and long, clean finish,” Riley said. At home, he enjoys olive-oilfired potato chips with caviar, crème fraîche and chives. Brian's favorite is “Oscietra, for its complexity, depth and nuttiness.” At home, he prefers it with well-seasoned rice and goodquality nori.
Something so small can indeed be quite expensive. But perhaps the better question is: How could something that requires so much time, care, and expertise ever be ordinary? That question provides the perfect segue into our first restaurant highlight. Much like the caviar we have been discussing, Kaiya Omakase Sushi + Bar was years in the making.
In a restaurant, chefs can surround caviar with elaborate preparations. At home, however, the best chefs often simplify things to honor and appreciate this very special ingredient: a crisp potato chip, warm rice, good nori, and a few precious pearls.
The story began when Chef Partner Riley Huddleston experienced a 16-course omakase created by Head Chef Brian Kim. “I immediately started texting my friend about how amazing everything was, and we were only three courses in,” Riley recalls.
As I left Kaiya, I couldn't help but think about the symmetry between their story and the question I asked earlier.
Over the following years, the two chefs stayed in touch, developing a mutual respect for one another's talent and approach to food. “We had even fantasized about how crazy it would be to do something together someday,” Brian remembers. “The dream became a reality, and here we are.”
How could something that requires so much time, care, and expertise ever be ordinary? It couldn't. And perhaps that is precisely what makes both so captivating.
Their story feels fitting. Great food, much like great caviar, rarely happens by accident. It is the result of relationships, patience, shared standards, and attention to detail.
Both caviar and Kaiya Omakase Sushi + Bar are exquisite and anything but ordinary.
I asked both chefs about their approach to selecting caviar. “The selection process starts at the source,” Riley explained. “How is it cared for and processed? Then it's all about flavor. Visuals play a part in seeing the quality of the eggs.”
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Noah Von Blom
THE MAN WHO KEEPS EVERY PLATE IN THE AIR 134
Restaurateur, city councilman and Newport Beach native Noah Von Blom is opening a new restaurant on Balboa Island. The secret to carrying so much, he says, is knowing which plates are allowed to break.
Noah Von Blom swore he would never open another restaurant. He has said it often and sincerely, and he has been wrong every time. Today he runs a growing restaurant group, serves his sixth year on the Newport Beach City Council, and is days from opening a new place on Balboa Island. By his own account, he is having a wonderful time. It shows. Von Blom talks the way he cooks: fast, generous and with a pinch of salt. He grew up in Newport Beach and left at 17, certain it was too pretentious for a person of his ambitions. San Francisco, New York and a nine-month wander through Europe followed. Then came a hill above Monaco, where friends gestured at the legendary harbor and asked if that was really all there was. Von Blom, who had been ready to move there, took one look and thought of home. Drive down Marguerite on a clear day, he says, and tell him Newport's harbor isn't bigger. Yes, Monaco has the larger yachts. Newport has everything else: surfers and skaters, dive bars that have outlasted every trend, and an industrial creativity that gave the world brands like Vans. It is a city of villages, like New York, and it holds its own against anywhere on earth. He speaks about the place and its people with real tenderness. With two ARC restaurants and a third about to join them. ARC, in Costa Mesa's South Coast Collection, is where Von Blom cooks over live fire and sends dishes out still steaming in their skillets. It won a Golden Foodie Award for Best New Restaurant in its first year. ARC Butcher & Baker, opened in Newport's Cannery Village in 2019, adds a full bakery and family-style dinners. The third, ARC Balboa Island, is a ground-up rebuild on a lot that hadn't seen one since 1960. It is in final inspections and aiming to open this month. Keeping that many plates aloft starts with knowing when to let one drop. His first restaurant, a Vermont taco shop, failed. He calls it graduate school: a first-rate education that cost him a fortune. The lesson was recognizing when something isn't working. Years later, he pulled out of a 13,000-square-foot project backed by a $21 million raise when the terms shifted. It meant a seven-figure loss, and it meant he and the landlord are still friends. "Unless it's your ego that's
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bruised, you don't really lose anything." Some plates will break, he says, and that's fine. Ask how many you started with and how many you meant to end with. Sometimes the survivor is worth more than all of them. The second rule is to cook for them, not for you. Every decade or so, he admits, he opens something for himself, and it never lasts. "You're not here for yourself, you're here for the people." The fix is to make what people love, then put your own stamp on it. His stamp is fanatical: nothing gets bought that can be made, so mustard seeds pickle for six weeks and the butter is churned inhouse. If you want guests to feel good when they leave, he says, you have to believe in what you serve. Third, remember that the team is the business. The owner takes the blame and the praise, but a restaurant has very little to do with the person at the top. A title doesn't confer authority, and a staff that stops trusting you can sink you fast. His own generosity proved the point. When the pandemic hit, he told any employee who needed a paycheck to come work at the little Cannery Village commissary. It became a neighborhood gem. Finally, solve, don't lament. Nobody calls the owner to the table to say everything is perfect, so hospitality is a daily course in problem-solving. Walk in lamenting last night's failures, he says, and you'll fail again tonight. If a guest yells at you, don't let it sink the evening. Find the solution and keep going. He brings the same discipline to City Hall, where he has run the finance department through years of surpluses. His patio, he jokes, is the best polling station ever built. And because "the product of government is a process," he fixes the process. If you want something done, he likes to say, give it to a busy person. His wife designs and builds the restaurants, down to staining brick and threatening to bring out the welding mask. "Very smart, very crazy and very beautiful," he says. His fantasy escape is a castle in Scotland that needs fixing. Of course it is.
By Michelle Harrington 136
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What happens when we point our lives outward instead? When we stop asking, What am I getting? and start asking, What am I giving? Who needs me? What can I contribute?
ast month we remembered 9/11, and there is so much emotion that surrounds that day: anger, sadness, disbelief. I hope we keep those emotions alive so the next generation never forgets the horror of what happened.
And I think we have to be careful not to confuse talking about doing good with actually doing good.
But today I want to talk about something else from that terrible day that should never be forgotten: the incredible selflessness and heroism we witnessed.
Virtue signaling isn't selflessness. Posting something on social media telling everyone else how they should behave isn't sacrifice. Preaching about being a good person isn't the same thing as actually being one.
People literally ran into burning buildings while everyone else was running out. Firefighters and police officers climbed the stairs of the World Trade Center, knowing there was a very real possibility they wouldn't come back down. The passengers of Flight 93 learned what was happening, understood what was probably going to happen to them, and decided to fight back anyway, knowing their actions could save the lives of strangers.
In the end, talk is just talk. Real service usually costs you something. Maybe it's your money. Maybe it's your time. Maybe it's your comfort Maybe it's your pride. On 9/11, for some people, it cost them everything. George Bernard Shaw wrote something I've always loved:
I've always been fascinated by that. What makes a human being override one of our strongest instincts, selfpreservation, and put someone else's life ahead of their own?
“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one... instead of a feverish, selfish little clot of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”
I think part of the answer is that, in that moment, they had a purpose bigger than themselves.
Maybe that's the irony.
And maybe there's something we can learn from that without ever having to face anything remotely as horrific as 9/11.
Maybe the secret to a happier life isn't spending so much time trying to make ourselves happy.
Today I feel like our culture constantly pushes us inward. We evaluate our own happiness, our own fulfillment, our own comfort, our own brand. We're constantly checking in with ourselves: Am I happy? Am I fulfilled? Am I getting what I deserve? Are my needs being met?
Maybe it's having a purpose outside ourselves. Being useful. Serving somebody. Building something. Helping somebody. Taking responsibility for something bigger than our own comfort.
And I wonder if all this focus on being happy is actually making us less happy.
Hopefully none of us will ever be asked to run into a burning building or make the decision those passengers made on Flight 93.
Because when you're constantly looking inward, you also become constantly aware of everything wrong. Every inconvenience. Every grievance. Every unmet expectation. Every person who isn't treating you exactly the way you think they should.
But every single day, we get opportunities to choose between inward and outward. And I think a bigger, happier, more meaningful life starts when we spend a little less time asking, “What about me?” And a little more time asking, “Who needs me?”
You can follow all of Michele’s articles on substack @MicheleHarrington
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848 Hillcrest Drive L AGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA
4 BEDS
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3 . 5 B AT H
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3,312 SF
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$ 7, 9 9 8 , 0 0 0
Stunning 180-degree ocean views, prime location, pristine condition and more. Meticulously designed with exceptional attention to detail, this remarkable North Laguna residence was completely rebuilt and reimagined in 2021. The home offers 4 bedrooms, a dedicated office, 3.5 bathrooms, a 2-car garage, and an expansive 5-car driveway. Upon entry, abundant natural light, elegant, honed limestone flooring, and breathtaking ocean vistas set the tone. The chef’s kitchen features premium Wolf® appliances, a Sub-Zero® refrigerator, sunken 5-burner range, warming oven, wine refrigerator, honed marble countertops, quartz backsplash, custom cabinetry, and a walk-in pantry. The kitchen opens to a stunning great room with soaring ceilings, expansive coastline and Catalina views, a dramatic slab basalt fireplace, and automatic shades. Designed for seamless indoor-outdoor living, the home includes over 1,000 sq ft of outdoor entertainment space. Expansive La Cantina doors frame the Pacific Ocean, while the adjacent 388 square feet covered outdoor pavilion creates a natural extension of the home, complete with a fireplace, recessed TV, dining area, BBQ, and hot tub flowing directly to the backyard lawn. The primary suite offers dedicated climate control, a walk-in closet, and a spa-inspired bath with heated floors, a soaking tub and oversized walk-in shower. The lower level includes three additional bedrooms and two bathrooms, including a private ocean-view suite with its own en-suite bath. Two secondary bedrooms enjoy ocean views, while the hall bath showcases beautiful travertine slab finishes. Rich Australian eucalyptus flooring and a separate laundry room with sink complete the lower level. A rare coastal luxury, the property also includes approximately 490 square feet of dedicated storage for recreational gear and seasonal items. Offering extraordinary privacy and craftsmanship, this exceptional residence captures panoramic ocean, coastline, Catalina, and sunset views from nearly every vantage point. Location, location, location. Perched above the coastline and only one block from iconic beaches including Crescent Bay and Shaw’s Cove, this home delivers an unparalleled lifestyle with walkable access to renowned restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and convenient proximity to Laguna Beach’s premier hiking and mountain biking trails. Welcome Home!
Amy B a lsz • Lic # 01945597 • amybalsz .f i rstteam.com • amy.balsz@g mai l .com • 94 9 . 2 4 6.5 22 2 Megan Ma lstrom • Lic # 02078092 • megan malst rom.f i rstteam.com • megan .malst rom@g mai l .com • 94 9 . 303 . 6784
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Lic# 01008773
2398 Redlands Drive NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA
5 BEDS
|
6 B AT H
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4,288 SF
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$5,850,000
Upper Back Bay meets luxury. This stunning newly built, smart home was thoughtfully designed to bring the elements of the Back Bay indoors while offering modern amenities. Every aspect of its construction and superb design embraces the natural beauty of the Back Bay and honors Native American history. This care is represented in the use of natural materials like wood and stone, earth tones, and shades of green. Each thoughtfully curated detail embraces the beauty of the Back Bay. As you enter the home you are greeted by soaring ceilings, a large open space filled with natural light and serenity. Each detail is intentional, from the custom natural wood beams shaped like an arrow pointing to where the sun sets in the home; to the Terrazzo flooring with seashell specs. The open concept design allows for effortless indoor/outdoor living. The gourmet kitchen, a central part of the home boasts custom walnut cabinetry, a beautiful, oversized island with a bespoke Italian marble countertop in perfect shades of green, and Hestan appliances. The spacious dining area has a built in Miele coffee station and a built-in wine cooler for added convenience. The grand room features a bespoke fireplace with automated sliding door for seamless indoor-outdoor living. The main level includes 3 bedrooms with en-suites plus a guest bathroom, all finished with custom cabinetry, lighting, and Italian marble/ tile. A beautiful oak wood staircase with custom, handrails hand wrapped in luxurious, tan leather leads to the second level. Upstairs offers two spacious primary suites, walk in closets with one fit for a true fashionista, equipped with a laundry chute; expansive en-suites with luxury details including brass fixtures, handmade Italian tile/marble, soaking tub, steam shower. The outdoor spaces can be accessed effortlessly. The focal point is the pool with a Zen waterfall. Adjacent to the pool you will find a built-in seating area with an outdoor fireplace & shower, and an entertainer’s dream outdoor kitchen. The home embraces all Feng-Shui elements. Additional design features include a sound system, a three-car garage with epoxy flooring, a security system, and all windows and sliding doors are prewired for retractable shades. Situated on an oversized corner lot is a short walk to the Upper Back Bay where you can enjoy hike/walk trails, cycling and a short distance to world renowned shopping and dining. This is not just a home but a sanctuary where nature is reveled and embraced.
Adela Tavi ra • Lic # 02094391 • ad e latav i ra.f i rstteam.com • ade latav i ra@f i rstteam.com • 323.8 2 1 . 0806
© FirstTeam® Real Estate. All rights reserved.
Lic# 01008773
245 West 99 Street TH
PENTHOUSE
U P P E R W E S T S I D E , M A N H AT TA N , N E W Y O R K 10 ROOMS
|
6 BEDS
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6 . 5 B AT H
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4,568 SF
|
$9,150,000
Lis a K. Li ppma n • Lic # 30 L I08699 1 9 • lli ppman @bhs us a.com • 21 2.5 88 .5 606 Gera rd “Scott” Moore • L i c# 4 0 M OO 84 8968 • s moore @bhs us a.com • 9 1 7.5 1 3.74 9 2
Perched atop the coveted Ariel West, this extraordinary approximately 5,000-square-foot, 5 bedroom plus a den, 6.5 bathroom, PENTHOUSE offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Hudson River, Central Park, and the Manhattan skyline from every direction, along with an exceptional south-facing and primary suite terrace. A private elevator landing opens into a dramatic curved living and dining room which spans nearly 50 feet and has views in nearly every direction. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame dazzling light and iconic views stretching from the Hudson River and Central Park to Billionaires’ Row. Seamlessly extending the entertaining space is an expansive covered southern terrace, thoughtfully designed with skylights to create a protected outdoor living and dining experience that can be enjoyed throughout the seasons. Positioned along the western side of the residence, the sprawling eat-in chef’s kitchen enjoys direct Hudson River views and is beautifully appointed with top-of-the-line appliances, abundant custom wood cabinetry, and a large island with a farmhouse sink and casual seating. The scale of the kitchen easily accommodates an additional dining area. Completing the entertaining wing is a beautifully designed powder room and a flexible den/home office or sixth bedroom with a full en-suite bathroom. Located on the opposite side of the apartment is the gracious bedroom wing secluded for privacy. The expansive primary suite spans the northwest corner of the residence. This luxurious retreat features a private terrace overlooking the River, an enormous dressing room, and a spa-like windowed marble bathroom complete with double vanities, a separate water closet, and a glass-enclosed shower. The bathroom has a built-in banquette to relax and take in the mesmerizing River and skyline views and a large tub could be reinstalled here. Four additional bedrooms are privately situated throughout the home, each showcasing its own uniquely positioned views and featuring en-suite bathrooms. Additional highlights of this remarkable home include central air conditioning, an in-unit washer/dryer, and exceptional light and scale throughout. The Ariel is a white glove service condominium with both a doorman and concierge. It features a fully equipped, attended fitness center, and yoga/Pilates studio with multiple free of charge fitness classes per week, a 51-foot indoor swimming pool, men’s and women’s locker rooms with steam, indoor and outdoor play area, and a basketball court. Across the street at the sister Ariel East building, residents can use the large party room which has a grand piano, screening room and full catering kitchen.
© FirstTeam® Real Estate. All rights reserved.
Lic# 01008773
EVENTS
TASTE OF NOBU NOBU NEWPORT BEACH On September 9, NOBU Newport Beach welcomed guests for Taste of NOBU, an intimate evening celebrating the cuisine, energy and signature style that have made the restaurant an international icon. Hosted by legendary chef Nobu Matsuhisa, the event brought together a stylish crowd overlooking Newport Harbor for a dynamic tasting experience featuring chef stations, signature dishes, handcrafted cocktails and live entertainment. Chef Nobu was on hand throughout the evening, greeting guests alongside NOBU Newport Beach General Manager John Greer and his team. The strolling format allowed guests to move through the waterfront setting at their own pace, sampling fresh seafood, Japanese-inspired specialties and creative bites throughout the night. With its harborfront location, vibrant atmosphere and culinary talent on full display, Taste of NOBU captured exactly why the Newport Beach location remains one of Orange County’s most sought-after dining destinations.
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EVENTS
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40L Aluminum 40L Aluminum
5000 Series 5000 Series Aluminum Body -Aluminum Body 1.5mm 5052 1.5mm 5052 Aluminum Corners -Aluminum Corners Extruded 6063 Extruded 6063 Aluminum Frame -Aluminum Frame TSA Double Combination TSA Double Latch Locks Combination Latch Locks
Scan for the Scan for the full build spec. full build spec.
Full Metal. No Compromises. Sterling Pacific builds full metal travel cases for people who pay attention to the details. The 40L Aluminum is crafted from 5000 series aluminum with A380 reinforced corners. The Titanium flagship is reinforced with 1.0mm Grade 4 titanium at every impact corner. Both are finished with Italian full-grain leather handles from a small tannery in Chiampo, Italy. Engineered to the exacting standards of pilots and the most frequent flyers.
TITANIUM FLAGSHIP
Exceptional strength with a lightweight Grade 4 titanium body
Aluminum Trolley Housing
1.0mm Grade 4 Titanium Corners
SAE 304 Stainless Steel Rivets
Italian Full-Grain Leather Handles
360° Wheels with Metal Caps
TSA Double Combination Latch Locks
Retracts into a die-cast A383 aluminum housing for superior durability.
Reinforced at every impact corner for maximum protection.
Individually riveted to hold together the corners, body, and frame.
Premium leather from a small tannery in Chiampo, Italy.
Built to withstand excessive wear and tear.
TSA-approved security for your case and its contents.
3515 Airway Drive, Reno NV 89511