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Opulence Winter 2017/18
Winter 2017/18 Opulence
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WINTER 2017/18
T O P F E AT U R E S 44
o a modern nce.
BRILLIANT FATHER TIME
nt to be playful. Experience with a new iconic timepiece
Eleven James.
This is permission to play.
Celebrating New Year’s Eve extravaganzas worldwide
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FOR REAL? The captivating hyper-realism of Australia-born sculptor Ron Mueck is so lifelike it genuinely may make your hair stand on end.
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ONCE IN A LIFETIME
over more at elevenjames.com or call 855-ELEVEN-J
70
HYPERCAR AUCTION MANIA
Factors fueling auction mania on 5 high-profile hypercars
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Opulence Winter 2017/18
Four generations of Louis XIII cellar masters, united for the first time in history, share personal experiences as guardians of the cherished 100-year-aged cognac.
94
TOY TOWN
A quaint look into the German Toy Museum in Sonneberg, once the toy capital of the world
YOU DREAM IT, WE FIND IT, YOU CHARTER IT
52 FEATURES CONTINUED 28 NORMAN VAN AKEN’S 1921 CULINARY MASTERPIECE
James Beard Awarded Chef Norman Van Aken merges fine art with his renowned cuisine in his latest endeavor.
32 TOPOLOBAMPO
Chicago’s humanitarian chef Ricky Bayless has achieved what only one other chef has done before.
55 DINE LIKE A TUSCAN UPPERCLASSMAN
Forte dei Marmi, helmed by Two-Michelin Star Chef Antonio Mellino, brings authentic Italian fare to the United States.
56 GOING BIG
Meet a dynamic duo with a passion for food.
34 SPARKLING ROSÉ: THE NEW TREND
International Opulence’s newest master sommelier columnist Diego Meraviglia discusses the creation of rosé.
37 QUINTESSENTIAL HOME COOKING IN PROVENCE
66 A VALIANT VERISMO’S IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
A Haiti earthquake survivor is discovered in Miami as the next rising-star opera singer.
74 LIVING ON CLOUD 9
AT THE MONACO YACHT SHOW
50 SU FILINDEU
Threads of God – World’s rarest pasta from Nuoro, Sardinia
Custom-built superyacht CLOUD 9 steals the show during the fall Monaco Yacht Show.
76 ARTFUL ILLUMINATION
aster Interior Designer Perla Lichi M shares her art of light.
52 ‘ LEGACY OF THE SPIDER AMONG THE BARRELS’
Giovanni Allegrini’s influential art of winemaking in the Fumane region of Italy
80 RED HOT RED BULL RUSH SHOTS 2017
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Opulence Winter 2017/18
RED HOT RED BULL RUSH SHOTS 2017
Personalized advice The resources of a global leader focused on you Tiano, Armour & Smyth Wealth Managers J.P. Morgan Securities Salvatore A. Tiano
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“J.P. Morgan Securities” is a brand name for a wealth management business that offers brokerage and advisory products and services through its affiliate, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, member of FINRA and SIPC. Awards or rankings are not indicative of future success or results. Published information is generally based exclusively on material prepared and/or submitted by the recognized recipient. To learn about selection criteria, contact the issuing third-party, non-affiliated organization(s). © 2017 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved.
112 features (continued) 90 OIL PAINTS, FAST CARS & A CELLO
115
IRISH GETAWAY BEYOND COMPARE
118 LOVING LESVOS
Sharing my family journey to my father’s homeland on this charming Greek isle
Classically trained Duaiv paints his world-renown masterpieces.
100 HOUDINI SÉANCE
ASHFORD CASTLE: THE
122
JFK & CIA SPYMASTER JAMES JESUS ANGLETON With JFK expert Jefferson Morley
124 ROSE HILL PLANTATION
A look at the remarkable post Civil War restoration of this architectural masterpiece in Bluffton, South Carolina.
101 THE MECCA FOR MAGICIANS
The mystical and tantalizing history of the Academy of Magical Arts and its Victorian mansion venue in Hollywood, California.
103 EXCLUSIVE BESPOKE SOUTH
AFRICA KALAHARI ADVENTURES
Discover the once-in-a-lifetime custom luxury safari at Tswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve.
108 TRAVELING IN THE PURSUIT
129 CIVIL WAR TOKENS
Simple tokens that provided stability during unstable times
132 THE AVIATOR LIVES ON
Howard Hughes’ famous “Spruce Goose” is alive and kicking 70 years after its inaugural (and only) flight.
134 YACHTS, JEWELS, STOCKS, TRADE Buying real estate with tangibles
OF WELLNESS
111 WHEN YOU WISH UPON A LANTERN Sky lantern festivals around the world
112
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LAPA’ LUXURY Marvel in a visit to Lisbon’s Lapa Palace.
Opulence Winter 2017/18
departments Editor’s Letter Gadgets National Event Guide Entertainment Broadway Across America Dining guide Dishing With The James Beard Foundation President Social Living Fashion What Women Want Medical News Gentlemen’s Corner Art Worth Repeating Antiquities Conservation Business Profile Real Estate Condo Law
14 16-17 18,20 21,23 22,24 25 26 58 59-62 63-64 65 68-69 93 97 98 134-144 136
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editor’s letter
A HEARTFELT FAREWELL TO A PIONEER
H
e was known as a modern-day Renaissance man. In 2010, Geoff Hammond (a Citadel scholar, engineer, songwriter, Air Force Top
Gun pilot, author and businessman) listened intently as we presented the idea of launching South Florida Opulence magazine. To many, the idea of starting a print magazine – one published on custom-milled stock with unprecedented cover embellishments and intensely researched content – would have sounded preposterous in an era in which paperless and postage-free digital media gained market share at lightning speed. But not to Geoff. At the end of the presentation, the Chair-
man and Co-Founder of CSI International (a firm providing facilities services to Fortune 500 headquarters, buildings, universities and at that time property management to luxury condominiums), stood, raised his eyebrow and paused. The silence was deafening. But then, the tall, shrewd and dashing Hammond stood and said, ‘Yes! Let’s do this. Let’s publish a magazine so thoughtful in design and rich in content that readers will savor and collect it.’ Music to my ears. Nearly eight years later, the publication has not only persevered, it has grown beyond the borders of South Florida, becoming International Opulence magazine, with direct-mail distribution to high-net-worth homes in multi-markets across the country. Then, this past summer the unthinkable happened. The call came in from Mr. Hammond’s wife Jayne, President of CSI, that Geoff had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. No words can adequately express our sadness and dismay. Geoff was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, colleague and mentor. He made a lasting impression on all who met him. I am personally grateful for the trusted opportunity he graciously gave to me and my staff to build this magazine from the ground up – and we
HORIZON PUBLISHING EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER & OWNER David Hammond, CEO Jayne Hammond, President EDITOR IN CHIEF Robin Jay editor@internationalopulence.com SENIOR CREATIVE ART DIRECTOR Adriana Naylor artdirector@internationalopulence.com 954-331-3912 MARKETING MANAGER Melissa Bryant Melissa@internationalopulence.com 954-331-3390 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE Kim Golightly kim@internationalopulence.com 954-999-9087 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT Michael Jay michaeljay@internationalopulence.com 954-593-5060 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT Karen Talbot Evans 954-663-1786 karen@internationalopulence.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John D. Adams Stephanie Bowman Jose Boza Melissa Bryant Shannon Casey Ana Colmenares Jana Soeldner Danger Karen Evans Hope Gainer Steven Joseph Dale King & Julia Hebert Nicole Kurtz Marla Horn Lazarus Gordon A. Lewis Jr. PHOTOGRAPHERS Josee Lubin Myrtho Jean Baptiste PROOFREADER Suzanne Shaw
Alona Abbady Martinez Diego Meraviglia Jill Patterson Ava Roosevelt Todd R. Sciore Alex Starace Elliott Stares Susan Ungaro Carleton Varney Kelly Villasuso Jenifer Mangione Vogt Alexandra Wensley Mary & Hugh Williamson FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGNER Terry Hertzfeld GENERAL COUNSEL Barry Weiss bweiss@csiinternational.com
proudly look forward to carrying on his legacy of publishing the finest lifestyle magazine we know how. Robin Jay Editor in Chief
Geoff Hammond 14 Opulence
Winter 2017/18
International Opulence Magazine is published quarterly by Horizon Publishing LLC. Copyright © 2017. All rights reserved. Horizon Publishing LLC, 6700 North Andrews Avenue, Suite 400, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 – Vol. 7, No. 4 Winter 2017/18 (ISSN # 2157-5274) Subscription Rates: $40 per year, $10 per issue. For subscription inquiries or change of address, contact the subscription department, (954) 308-4300 Ext. 4312, Fax: (954) 331-6028. Horizon Publishing, LLC, its affiliates and contributing writers have exercised due care in compiling the information contained herein, but with the possibility of human or mechanical error, cannot assume liability for the accuracy of this data. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in part or in full in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording and any information storage and retrieval system without first obtaining permission from the publisher.
JD MILLER
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TIWAL INFLATABLE SAILBOAT
LUCID Cloud, a new type of glass mirror, functions as an ambient light source, mirror and unique decor image simultaneously by using a luminous 3D image behind the surface of its glass mirror. Portrait size (15” x 13”). www.adamfrank.com $880
Packed in 2 bags, the inflatable sailing dinghy TIWAL can be assembled in less than 20 minutes and transported in a small car. www.tiwal.com $5,200
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DALI CUCKOO CLOCK
This MoMA Exclusive product, a quirky wooden clock with Salvador Dalí-inspired mustache motif, tolls each hour with a cuckoo on one side, and echoed chirping and a flowing river sound emanating from a horn on the other. www.store. moma.org $240
▼ SMEG DOLCE GABBANA X SMEG TARATATÀ REFRIGERATOR
This stainless steel 1950s style single-door refrigerator is handpainted with “Sicilian Spectacle,” by Gianfranco Fiorein, in cooperation with Dolce & Gabbana. www. neimanmarcus.com $50,000
AIBO ENTERTAINMENT ROBOT (ERS-1000)
CUSTOM PREMIUM PLUSH ANIMALS
Looks like your pet, www.cuddleclones.com 16 Opulence
Winter 2017/18
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The aibo robotic dog is intended to bring fun and joy to the entire family through its rich expressiveness and dynamic range of movements. aibo’s AI technology learns from interactions with its owners, slowly changing its personality over time to adapt to its unique environment. Release date: January 11, 2018. www. aibo.com/en $1,734.95
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CORAVIN MODEL TWO ELITE WINE SYSTEM
Coravin’s Model Two Elite Wine System features chrome accents, a wine needle specially designed to pour wine both quickly and smoothly, and a capsule-loading chamber that creates an airtight seal. www.neimanmarcus.com $400
XOOPAR BOY MINI SPEAKERS
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A Bluetooth rechargeable speaker with selfie remote function and colorful LED light face. www.neimanmarcus.com $35
▼ THE FRAME FROM SAMSUNG Samsung’s 55” Class The Frame 4K UHD TV transforms into a piece of art when the 4K UHD TV is not being viewed. www.samsung.com $1,999.99
▼ THE CLASSIC ITALIAN ESPRESSO GRINDER
Unlike contemporary electric units, this manual mill designed in Italy produces minimal heat and helps preserve the beans’ original aroma and flavor. www.hammacher.com $299.95
Featured in the 2017 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book Winter 2017/18
Opulence
17
2017/18 National Calendar
NYC
CHICAGO
January 10-23
January 26-February 8
The Film Society of Lincoln Center 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, 4th Fl. Manhattan, NY • nyjff.org
Various Venues • choosechicago.com
NEW YORK JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL CHICAGO RESTAURANT WEEK
CHICAGO ART DESIGN CHICAGO
Programs Throughout 2018 Various Locations • artdesignchicago.org
BEVERLY HILLS, CA
NYC RESTAURANT WEEK WINTER 2018
CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT MONTH
January 22-February 9 Various Venues • nycgo.com
Through January 31
NEW MUSEUM TRIENNIAL 2018
Statewide visitcalifornia.com/california-restaurant-month
New Museum 235 Bowery, Manhattan, NY • newmuseum.org
NBA ALL-STAR GAME
February 13-May 27
February 13
NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
STAPLES Center • 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA • staplescenter.com
Various Venues • nyfw.com
THE FLYING LOVERS OF VITEBSK
February 8-16
February 23-March 11 The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts 9390 North Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA • thewallis.org
BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
March 8-11
Madison Square Garden 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY • msg.com
NAEEM MOHAIEMEN: THERE IS NO LAST MAN
Through March 11
Museum of Modern Art 11 W 53rd St., New York, NY • moma.org
RODIN: SCULPTOR AND STORYTELLER
Through March 4
The Art Institute of Chicago 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL • artic.edu
SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS
March 21-25
Rosemont Theatre 5400 N River Rd., Rosemont, IL • rosemont.com/theatre
WHISKYFEST CHICAGO
March 23
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL • chicago.regency.hyatt.com
THE CHICAGO RITA HAYWORTH GALA
May 12
The Hilton Chicago 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL • alz.org
18 Opulence
Winter 2017/18
JAY LENO
March 16
Fred Kavli Theatre-Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA civicartsplaza.com
BEVERLY HILLS FILM FESTIVAL
April 4-8
Venues to Be Announced • beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com
TOYOTA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH
April 13-15
The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center 300 East Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA gplb.com
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FEB 21-25, 2018
SOBEWFF.ORG
Preferred Card FEATURING Alton Brown Anne Burrell
TITLE
Giada De Laurentiis Guy Fieri
HOSTED BY & BENEFITING
Bobby Flay Alex Guarnaschelli
HOST HOTEL
Robert Irvine Trisha Yearwood
PREMIER
Geoffrey Zakarian Andrew Zimmern
OFFICIAL AIRLINE
PLATINUM
DIAMOND
SPECIAL THANKS
ConямБrmed sponsors as of October 2017
2017/18 National Calendar
DALLAS/HOUST0N
ATLANTA
MIAMI
KATY PERRY WITNESS TOUR
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
VILLAGE PEOPLE FEATURING VICTOR WILLIS
January 14, 2018 American Airlines Center 2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX
2CELLOS
January 16
Jones Hall 615 Louisiana St., Houston, TX • joneshall.org
January 8
Mercedes-Benz Stadium 1 AMB Drive, Atlanta, GA collegefootballplayoff.com
ATLANTA WINE FESTIVALS
January 20
City Winery Atlanta 650 North Avenue, NE Ste 201, Atlanta, GA atlantawinefestivals.com
THE ATLANTA OPERA BALL
February 10
The St. Regis Atlanta 88 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA atlantaopera.org
December 31
Seminole Casino Coconut Creek 5550 NW 40th St, Coconut Creek, FL seminolecoconutcreekcasino.com
LANA DEL REY
February 1
BB&T Center 1 Panther Pkwy, Sunrise, FL • thebbtcenter.com
TREVOR NOAH
January 26
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood 1 Seminole Way, Fort Lauderdale, FL seminolehardrockhollywood.com
ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER
February 14-18 CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE: CIRQUE GOES TO THE CINEMA
The Fox Theatre 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA • foxtheatre.org
January 26-28
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center 2301 Flora St, Dallas, TX mydso.com
HOUSTON BALLET PRESENTS STANTON WELCH’S SWAN LAKE
February 22-March 4 Wortham Theater Center 501 Texas Ave., Houston, TX
FABERGÉ: ROYAL GIFTS FEATURING THE TRELLIS EGG SURPRISE
April 10-18
Houston Museum of Natural Science 5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX hmns.org
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Opulence Winter 2017/18
DANCING WITH THE STARS: LIVE! – LIGHT UP THE NIGHT TOUR
February 15
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood 1 Seminole Way, Fort Lauderdale, FL seminolehardrockhollywood.com
THE MIAMI OPEN
March 19-April 1 Crandon Park 6747 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL miamiopen.com
Entertainment
VOLTA!
Cirque du Soleil’s High-Speed Thriller BY JOSE BOZA
The show weaves the adrenaline rush of acrobatics into a visually striking world driven by a melodic score.
true potential, and the power of the group to make that possible. It celebrates freedom as a movement.
THEMES AND INSPIRATIONS
C
irque du Soleil’s 41st original production since 1984, and its 18th show presented under the Big Top, Volta tells a spellbinding story about the freedom to choose and the thrill of blazing your own trail. Inspired by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of action sports – whether they are on a bike, hopping from rooftop to rooftop, or barreling down a mountain, the enthusiastic characters constantly challenge themselves and defy convention. The show weaves acrobatics in a visually striking world driven by a stirring melodic score. Volta is a story of transformation. It is about being true to oneself, fulfilling one’s
Waz, a popular gameshow host, has lost touch with his inner self in the pursuit of fame. But as doubt sets in, Waz is enlightened by childhood memories as he encounters free spirits who open doors to his inner soul he has long kept shut. Authenticity as an antidote to superficiality – Volta explores the themes of self-realization and alienation in a world where technology often isolates people from one another rather than freeing them. Using the rise of the celebrity culture and reality TV as a subtext, Volta is an allegory on the flip side of fame and the search for authenticity.
QUID PRO QUO Waz is the host of Quid Pro Quo (QPQ), the most popular gameshow on TV in the world of Volta. Every week, everyone tunes in to
watch contestants scramble for a chance to become instant celebrities. In order to be transformed into “Elites”, contestants must first compete against one another in a trial of skill. When the 1,000th episode of QPQ begins, Waz’s life is about to take a sharp turn. On his high-voltage search for meaning, will Waz find the courage to relinquish his fame, reconnect with his true self, and shine bright? To see Volta in a city listed below, visit www. cirquedusoleil.com for tickets. Miami, FL: Under the Big Top, next to Hard Rock Stadium, Dec. 3, 2017 - January 14, 2018 Tampa, FL: Under the Big Top, Tampa Greyhound Track, February 14 - March 4, 2018 East Rutherford, NJ: Under the Big Top, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, March 29, 2018 - April 22, 2018 Uniondale, NY: Under the Big Top, Nassau Coliseum, May 17 - June 10, 2018
Winter 2017/18 Opulence
21
Broadway 2017-18 Season
Thousand Oaks, CA Mar. 22 - 25, 2018 Fred Kavli Theatre
West Palm Beach, FL Feb. 6-11, 2018 Kravis Center
New York City Thru Jan. 14, 2018 Broadway Theatre
Naples, FL Feb. 7-11, 2018 Hayes Hall
22
Opulence Winter 2017/18
Beverly Hills, CA Feb. 17, 2018 Saban Theater
West Palm Beach, FL Jan. 2-7, 2018 Kravis Center
Thousand Oaks, CA Jan. 11 - 14, 2018 Fred Kavli Theatre
New York City Ongoing Lyceum Theatre
Chicago, IL Mar. 20 – Apr. 29, 2018 Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place
Naples, FL Jan 16-21, 2018 Hayes Hall
New York City Thru April 1, 2018 Stephen Sondheim Theatre
New York City Ongoing Shubert
Ft. Lauderdale, FL May 8-20, 2018 Broward Center
Chicago, IL Feb. 14, 2018 – Mar. 4, 2018 Cadillac Palace Theatre
Chicago, IL Mar. 13- April 15, 2018 Oriental Theatre
New York City Thru May 27, 2018 Palace Theatre
West Palm Beach, FL Mar. 6-11, 2018 Kravis Center
Los Angeles, CA Jan. 10 – Mar. 31, 2018 Pantages Theater ◆ New York City Ongoing New Amsterdam Theatre
West Palm Beach, FL Jan. 19-21, 2018 Kravis Center ◆ New York City Ongoing Ambassador Theatre
Thousand Oaks, CA Feb. 22 - 25, 2018 Fred Kavli Theatre ◆ New York City Thru August 26, 2018 Al Hirschfeld Theatre
Entertainment
A Gentlemen’s Guide To Love And Murder
T
ony-Award®-Winning Best Musical, Broadway’s A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder tells the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, a distant heir to a family fortune, who sets out to jump the line of succession by any means necessary. He’s got to juggle his mistress (she’s after more than just love), his fiancée (she’s his cousin but who’s keeping track?), and the constant threat of landing behind bars! Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance…and be done in time for tea. James Taylor Odom (who plays multiple characters with more than a dozen lightning-fast costume quick-changes) and the cast of the Gentleman’s Guide tour “make this musical about murder look merry not monstrous,” according to experts at Broadway.com.
ACT I As the show opens, a group dressed in mourning enter and advise “those of you of weaker constitution” to leave the theatre, as the show may prove disturbing. In 1909, Lord Montague “Monty” D’Ysquith Navarro, Ninth Earl of Highhurst, is in jail. He says that he is writing his memoirs on the eve of his possible execution, and that his story could be called A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. And then the story takes the audience back in time to the beginning of the sordid story…
ACT II The curtain rises on Lord Asquith, Sr.’s funeral. Monty delivers a stirring eulogy, but the assembled mourners are irritated at the endless string of D’Ysquith memorials they are compelled to attend.
The show unfolds into a compelling and slapstick series of murders, suspicions, investigations, rumors, arrests, scandals, trial, more shenanigans – and a surprise ending. Don’t miss it! For tickets in first quarter 2018, review the city performance dates below and visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com or GentlemansGuideTour.com. Fort Lauderdale, FL: January 9-21, 2018 Tulsa, OK: January 2-3 Sioux Falls, SD: January 30-February 3 College Station, TX: February 3-7 Portland, OR: Feb. 13-18 Huntsville, AL: March 2-4 Springfield, IL: March 7 St. Louis, MO: March 9 Atlanta, GA: March 13-18 Austin, TX: March 20-25
Winter 2017/18 Opulence
23
Broadway 2017-18 Season
Dallas, TX Feb. 27–Mar. 11, 2018 Music Hall at Fair Park ◆ Chicago, IL Mar. 21, 2018 – Apr. 8, 2018 Cadillac Palace Theatre
Anaheim, CA Jan. 20 - 21, 2018 Grove of Anaheim ◆ Atlanta, GA Feb. 20–28, 2018 The Fox Theatre
Atlanta, GA Jan. 10–28, 2018 The Fox Theatre ◆ New York City Ongoing Minskoff Theatre
Fort Lauderdale, FL Jan. 9–21, 2018 Broward Center ◆ Atlanta, GA Mar. 13–18, 2018 The Fox Theatre
Dallas, TX Mar. 28–Apr. 8, 2018 Music Hall at Fair Park ◆ New York City Ongoing Brooks Atkinson Theatre
Ft. Lauderdale, FL Jan. 5–7, 2018 Broward Center ◆ Houston, TX Mar 9–11, 2018 Sarofim Hall The Hobby Center
Houston, TX Jan. 9–14, 2018 Sarofim Hall The Hobby Center ◆ Dallas, TX Jan. 23–Feb. 4, 2018 Music Hall at Fair Park ◆ Miami, FL Feb. 27–Mar. 4, 2018 Adrienne Arsht Center
Houston, TX Jan. 30–Feb. 4, 2018 Sarofim Hall The Hobby Center ◆ New York City Ongoing Winter Garden Theatre
Chicago, IL Dec. 6, 2017 – Jan. 21, 2018 Oriental Theatre ◆ Ft. Lauderdale, FL Feb. 14–Mar. 4, 2018 Broward Center for the Performing Arts ◆ New York City Through June 10, 2018 Gershwin Theatre
Broadway just announced that in New York,
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is closing Jan. 14, 2018 but it will now tour nationally. Watch for the Spring Opulence e-letter about when the tour will come to your state.
For tickets in Atlanta, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and New York City, go to www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com; for shows in Chicago, go to www.BroadwayinChicago.com; to see what is playing in the Naples, Beverly Hills/Los Angeles area, go to Broadway.org; and in West Palm Beach, go to www.Kravis.org. 24 Opulence
Winter 2017/18
National Dining Guide
DINE WITH A JAMES BEARD CELEBRITY CHEF The James Beard Foundation’s Celebrity Chef Tour dinner series brings a taste of what happens at the James Beard House in New York City to more than 20 cities across the country each year. For ticket information, visit www.JamesBeard.org.
Jimmy Bannos Jr.
Maneet Chauhan
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC February 22, 2018 Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort 23 Ocean Lane, Hilton Head, South Carolina Host Chef Hayden Haddox JBF Award Winner Jimmy Bannos Jr. Purple Pig, Chicago Brandon Carter FARM, Bluffton, SC JBF Award Winner Maneet Chauhan Chauhan Ale &
Thomas Lents
Masala House, Nashville Martín Rios Restaurant Martín, Santa Fe Clayton Rollison Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar, Hilton Head Island, SC
Jimmy Schmidt
DETROIT, MI February 28, 2018 Detroit Foundation Hotel 250 W Larned Street, Detroit, Michigan Host Chef Thomas Lents Nick Dostal Sixteen, Chicago Doug Hewitt Chartreuse, Detroit Andy Hollyday Selden Standard, Detroit Anthony Lombardo SheWolf Pastificio & Bar, Detroit
Ryan McCaskey Acadia, Chicago James Rigato Mabel Gray, Detroit Noah Sandoval Oriole, Chicago JBF Award Winner Jimmy Schmidt Foodshed, Detroit
Alex Becker
Stephanie Izard
Ted Allen
HOLLYWOOD, FL March 2, 2018 Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood 1 Seminole Way, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314 Host Chef Alex Becker, Executive Chef, Kuro Emcee JBF Award Winner Ted Allen Emmy Award–Winning Host of Chopped and Chopped Junior JBF Award Winner Stephanie Izard The Girl and The Goat, Chicago
Heather Terhune
Justin Aprahamian
Tory Miller
MILWAUKEE, WI March 7, 2018 Kimpton Journeyman Hotel 310 E Chicago Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202 Host Chef Heather Terhune JBF Award Winner Justin Aprahamian Sanford, Milwaukee Karen Bell Bavette La Boucherie, Milwaukee Justin Carlisle Ardent and Red Light Ramen, Milwaukee
Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite Dandan, Milwaukee Greg León Amilinda, Milwaukee JBF Award Winner Tory Miller Deja Food Restaurant Group, Madison, WI
Winter 2017/18 Opulence
25
dishing with the James Beard Foundation President
BY SUSAN UNGARO
GIVE A LITTLE SOMETHING HOMEMADE THIS GIFTING SEASON ment to stop and consider the many things for which I’m grateful. It’s a long list, as you can imagine, at the top of which is a career spent in service of promoting education and celebrating all the great thought-leaders of our food world. Susan Ungaro
Susan Ungaro This time of year always makes me reflective, as I’m sure it does for so many of you as well. In this holiday season, amidst the hectic and happy pace of daily life at the James Beard Foundation, I try to take a mo-
Julia Child once said, “People who love to eat are always the best people.” I’ve certainly found that to be true in so many ways. From the chefs and restaurateurs who contribute thousands of dinners at the Beard House and JBF events around the country to the food lovers who join us at the table to the kitchen and waitstaff who make a restaurant a home, there’s no doubt that sharing good food and drink makes for great conversation and friendship.
James Beard once wrote, “We could recapture some of the happiness of Christmas past if we just took the trouble to make, rather than to buy, a few of the presents we give each year. My mother believed in making all of her Christmas foods.” I always enjoy receiving homemade jams, cookies or breads any time of year, especially around the holidays and I like it even more when the gift giver shares a copy of their “favorite” recipe with the gift. Here’s a great recipe from James Beard that I’m thinking of making for hostess gifts and family this year. May your new year be filled with good times and good food!
RECIPE: JAMES BEARD’S CRANBERRY QUICK BREAD I love simple and versatile recipes like quick breads at this time of year. James Beard’s updated version of this classic American favorite is the perfect treat to gift to friends and colleagues, break out when unexpected guests arrive, and it also adds a wonderfully festive touch to your holiday table.
Ingredients 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) melted butter 1 1/4 cups whole milk mixed with 1 teaspoon rosewater 1 1/4 cups cranberries, coarsely chopped 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans Method Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan. Sift the flour with the soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, by hand, or in an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until well blended. Stir in the melted butter and the milk mixed with the rosewater. Stir in the flour until just moistened, and then fold in the cranberries and nuts. Do not overwork the dough.
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Spread the dough in the prepared loaf pan and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the center of the bread springs back when touched lightly or a cake tester comes out clean. (The top will often crack, which is typical of soda and baking powder breads.) Cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before removing from the pan. When thoroughly cooled, wrap in plastic or foil and let sit overnight or at least a day before cutting. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 1 loaf
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BY ALONA ABBADY MARTINEZ
NORMAN VAN AKEN’S
1921 CULINARY MASTERPIECE
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j
ames Beard Awarded Chef Norman Van Aken, widely regarded as the founding father of New World Cuisine, has merged fine art with his renowned cuisine in his latest endeavor, 1921 by Norman Van Aken. Located inside a quaint house built in 1921, in the heart of Florida’s diverse agriculture region, the restaurant in Mount Dora is the latest culinary canvas for the chef credited by Smithsonian Magazine as having revolutionized the American restaurant scene.
AT HOME WITH VAN AKEN
yourself. The point is to put yourself in another geography or another century or another way of looking at food. I wanted to see how I could interpret a modern Florida cuisine and not repeat myself by utilizing so much of the Latin and Caribbean basis of the cuisine I first experienceed in Key West.” Guests will not be disappointed, indulging in appetizers like Cape Canaveral White Shrimp with Jacksonville
1921 by Norman Van Aken opened in September 2016 and features what Chef Van Aken calls Modern Florida Cuisine. “I feel like a film director in some ways, where I purposefully try to push myself into a new arena and do something that I haven’t really done before. I think it’s impossible to completely remake
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“I’ve always felt it was my duty to interpret Florida, ever since I broke away from the model of European gastronomy and began distinguishing myself as a chef.” – Norman Van Aken Purple Rice Grits, ‘Nduja Vinaigrette and Ramp Butter ($14) and Roasted Romanesco Salad with Pistachio and Caper Pesto, Soft Farm Egg, Roasted Garlic Purée and Ash Oil ($12) and entrees like Yellow Edge Grouper with Crispy Tofu, Herb Salad, Kaffir Lime & Garlic Chips ($36) and Smoked Beef Shoulder with Sunchoke Purée, Pickled Ramps, Summer Truffles and Black Truffle Jus ($38)- you can supplement with Australian Winter Black Truffle for an additional $13.
AN ARTFUL DINING EXPERIENCE Chef Van Aken has partnered with the Modernism Museum next door to the restaurant and incorporates many elements from the museum’s art collection as part of the eatery’s design. “Ever since I was young, I was fascinated with art and felt like the highest notion of living is about being artistic. I’ve been mightily inspired by all kinds of artists.” The unprecedented museum collection contains works by Wendell Castle, George Nakashima, Paul Evans and Dale Chihuly in various mediums, with a recent purchase of David Bowie’s collection of Memphis art to appear on display soon. With so many fine works of art, it’s hard for Chef Van Aken to pinpoint a favorite. 30
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“I love the philosophy of the artists, such as Nakashima. He really wasn’t about making a table or a bench as he was about repurposing the life of a tree. Something about that aesthetic really hit me,” he said. Van Aken speaks of one of his first mentors, a Japanese chef, who worked with him when he was first starting out in Illinois, when the connection between fine art and culinary arts was vividly clear. “The Japanese chef would go out to the yard of the inn and collect dandelion leaves to make a salad at a time when foraging wasn’t even thought of in the culinary mainstream. He was looking at nature and what can be created with it. Similarly, Nakashima’s art philosophy was also about that.” 1921 combines both of these themes, as well. Why not venture to Mount Dora for a curated culinary tour you won’t soon forget. This long-awaited cookbook embraces the history, the character, and the flavors of the state of Florida that have inspired Van Aken’s famous fusion style for over 40 years. www.amazon.com
TOPOLOBAMPO V Chicago’s humanitarian chef Ricky Bayless has achieved what only one other chef has done before: earning the coveted “Outstanding Restaurant” award by the James Beard Foundation for his side-by-side restaurants
isiting Mexico for the first time at 14 years old, Rick Bayless fell in love and said, “I got there and felt like I was home. Mexico became part of my life.” Fast-forward 30-plus years and you might know Bayless from winning the title of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters or his highly rated 12th season Public Television series, Mexico–One Plate at a Time.
BY MARLA HORN LAZARUS
AN UNDENIABLE FEAT Side by side, you will find Rick’s awardwinning restaurants in Chicago. The casual Frontera Grill, founded in 1987 received the James Beard Foundation‘s Outstanding Restaurant award in 2007. Topolobampo, his fine dining restaurant, served its first meals in 1991, recently earned the James Beard Foundation’s award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2017. This unique accomplishment of award-winning, sideby-side restaurants has only been done by one other chef. From the first award to the most recent, Bayless said, “This is not common and well worth the 10 years of hard work. Different in spirit, but very similar in flavor, as their inspiration comes from the cuisines of central and southern Mexico. Being recognized by the Beard Foundation as standard bearers, we pride ourselves and are constantly reinventing, even though we have been around for 28 years.”
GIVING FROM THE HEART Bayless has earned 7 James Beard Awards in various categories, as well as prestigious accolades, including Mexico’s official Order of the Aztec Eagle for his contributions to Mexican cuisine through his Chicago restaurants. In 1998, he won Humanitarian of the Year by the James 32
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Chef Ricky Bayless
Beard Foundation, 2007 the Humanitarian of the Year by the International Association of Culinary Professionals and in 2016, the Julia Child Foundation Award, a prestigious honor to an individual who has made a profound and significant impact on the way America cooks, eats and drinks. “Humanitarian of the year awards mean everything because our restaurants are focused on trying to create communities,” Bayless said. “As a mission-driven restaurant, we want to do several different things, not the least of which to make our community a better place to live.” Creating a legacy and
living it each day, he said, “I tell my staff that no one comes here because they’re hungry. They come to be transported to open their eyes and palates.” The Frontera Farmer Foundation, established in 2003, has awarded nearly 200 grants totaling nearly $2 million. “Without small sustainable farmers, great local cuisine is unreachable,” as told to International Opulence.
FACE VALUE Being a very transparent person, Bayless said, “I post all my passions on social media. I love to cook and entertain all the time. I’m a passionate yogi! I love to
travel and I’m huge into theater. I basically document my life on social media.” Without realizing it, doing what he believes in, with his wife Deann by his side. Inspiration comes from the world. “The world’s such an amazing place,” he said. “I work mostly in the food side of things, but in my mind, I explore lots of different things.” A powerful quote has become Bayless’ motto as he approaches life miraculously living it to the fullest. “There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle and the other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein
“There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle and the other is as though everything is a miracle.” –Albert Einstein
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SPARKLING ROSÉ THE NEW TREND BY DIEGO MERAVIGLIA
R
osé wine, never to be called “pink”, has been traditionally produced for centuries in specific regions of the old world (Europe). Various regions in the continent boast an antiquity with this style of wine, amongst which the Italian regions of Puglia in the South, Lombardia in the North, Abruzzo with the traditional “cerasuolo” and the French powerhouse regions of Provence and Rhone as the main rosé colored wine producers.
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The French say rosé, the Italians say rosato, the Spanish say rosado, and the Germans call it weissherbst. Historically, the creation of rosé can most likely be attributed to the poor and rustic winemaking techniques that resulted in little extraction from red grape skins, hence providing little coloration to the wines. Originally, these wines were never produced sparkling and were simply very light body and low color red wines that were generally far darker than purposely made rosé today.
THE HISTORY OF ROSÉ Although this category of wine possesses a long history in some cases, it has only been in the last decade that we have seen an explosion in rosé-producing regions around the globe, as well as a massive interest and market trend pushing on the “rosé all day” motto. Why has this been the case? When American consumers think of rosé, they tend to think of the ubiquitous and dubious quality, sweet White Zinfandel, but in fact most of the world’s rosés are bone dry. It is fundamental to analyze the intrinsic characteristics of rosé. As technology in the cellars improved with temperature controlled fermentation tanks, improved know-how in maceration, selected yeasts and a growing marketplace for these types of wines, rosé is being developed better than ever, lighter than ever and more versatile than ever. Rosé is indeed a hybrid between a white wine and a red. it is the most technical of all wines made, meaning that the process is highly determined by man’s techniques in the cellar. It possesses the drinkable, thirst quenching and approachable character of a white wine with the added structure, food pairing versatility and red fruit aromatics of a red wine. Rosé is normally categorized by its structure, which is correlated to the darkness of its color. In most cases, the darker a rosé, the bolder and more structured the wine will be. This is a direct result of ex-
tended maceration or winemaking techniques that produce a denser wine, closer to a proper red, or closer to a white wine in the case of very subtle, light-colored rosé wines the likes that are produced in Provence, France. There are fundamentally 3 main techniques for the production of rosé wine:
METHOD #1: ROSÉ DE SAIGNEE – LIKE A RED WINE WITH LESS SKIN CONTACT
the French verb saigner, “to bleed”). This is the most popular method (especially in Southern France) and these wines are meant to be consumed within 2-4 years.
METHOD #2: ROSÉ DE PRESSE LIKE A WHITE WINE BUT WITH RED GRAPES METHOD #2 WHITE WINE
ROSÉ DE PRESSE
WHITE GRAPES
RED OR BLACK GRAPES
CRUSHING /DESTEMMING
CRUSHING /DESTEMMING (optional)
GENTLE PRESSING
INTENSE PRESSING (1-4 hrs. skin contact)
FERMENTATION • Juice only • Cooler and slower • Takes 2-6 weeks
FERMENTATION • Juice only • Cooler and slower • Takes 2-6 weeks
METHOD #1 RED WINE
ROSÉ DE SAIGNÉE
RED OR BLACK GRAPES
CRUSHING DESTEMMING
FERMENTATION • Juice & Skins • Warmer & Faster • Takes 1-3 weeks
After 12 hours of maceration, the free run juice is “bled off.”
FERMENTATION • Juice only • Cooler and slower • Takes 2-3 weeks
(no need to press)
AGING/MATURATION • In barrel or tank • – 6 months - 2 years
AGING/MATURATION • In tank • – 4 - 5 months
BOTTLING
BOTTLING
A rosé de saignee can be the by-product of making red wine, or an end product in itself. Red wines are made by crushing grapes and fermenting their juice in contact with their skins in order to extract color, flavor and tannin. Sometime between 12 and 24 hours of skin contact, a winemaker may “bleed off” some of the juice that becomes a rosé de saignee (from
AGING/MATURATION • Usually in a tank • Sometimes in a barrel • -1-5 months
BOTTLING
AGING/MATURATION • In tank (not barrel) • – 3 months
BOTTLING
White wines are made by crushing and gently pressing white grapes. The juice is quickly separated from the skins and fermented by itself. Making a rosé involves a few changes to this process. Red or black grapes are used instead of white, and to extract color, flavor and tannin. The pressing is more intense and the juice may be allowed to sit in contact with the skins for 1-4 hours, so it has a shorter lifespan and should be consumed within 1-3 years. Continued on next page
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The French region of Provence is famous for making rosé wines using this method.
decades and provide us with amazing taste-olfactory sensorial experiences.
“pink Champagne on ice” and the product soon became a smash hit.
METHOD #3: BLENDING RED WINE WITH WHITE WINE – WITH BUBBLES
It was never the historical intention of wine regions to produce rosé with bubbles, until in the 1950s, the French region of Champagne had the brilliant idea to begin production of lightly colored Champagne wines. The motivation behind this was the lack of red wines in the region. Indeed, the AOC Champagne (Champagne denomination) does not account for red wines and no wine produced with the word “Champagne” on the label can be a red. The pioneering maisons in Champagne resorted to blending red wines from Pinot Noir grapes with white wines
BUBBLES AND MORE BUBBLES
White wine and red wine can be mixed to create a rosé wine. Most winemaking regions do not use this method, but Champagne is a famous exception. Classical method sparklers like Champagne are made by fermenting still (non-sparkling) wines from different grapes (the “base” wines), then blending these base wines, then fermenting a second time in the bottle to create the bubbles (the Methode Champenoise, pinpointed and devised by Dom Pérignon, Dom Ruinart and Madame Clicquot centuries ago).
Bubbles not only reinforce the acidity of the wine, providing for an extra layer of freshness, drinkability and food pairing capabilities, but also act as catalysts for the lift of aromatics and smells in a wine’s complexity. It is a winning combination and for the vast majority of experts, properly produced and quality driven rosé sparkling wines are at the top of the rosé wine category, some bottles selling for hundreds of dollars. The percentage of rosé wine consumed in the United States has grown by double digits every year for the past nine years. Time, technology and knowhow have brought us the best quality rosé humanity has ever seen. With a variety of styles, dry and sweet, fuller and lighter, rosés can please nearly any palate...add bubbles into the mix and you’ve got yourself an incredible experience that no respectable cellar or wine list should lack.
Mid-century songs, the like of “Hotel California” by the Eagles, mention “pink Champagne on ice” and the product soon became a smash hit.
In most cases, rosé is not a wine intended for cellaring or aging, as approachability, freshness and fragrance are the prime intentions of these wines. With blended rosé, the likes of Champagne, this proves not the case. Indeed, many great rosé sparkling wines (only if produced with the traditional classical method of refermentation in the bottle) can age for
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made with Chardonnay, to create a hybrid capable to present itself and qualifiable by law, as a Champagne. Pop culture gobbled it up. Songs the like of “Hotel California” by the Eagles even mention
International Opulence welcomes Diego Meraviglia, President & Director Of Education, North American Sommelier Association, as our newest master sommelier columnist
PHOTO: SIMONA MAFFEI
Rosé Champagne is usually dry. The concept of blending a white and a red wine creates the result of a ‘perfect hybrid’. Indeed, rosé wines produced in this method tend to be the most structured and have aromatics, characteristics and even tannins that resemble a red wine, with the capability of pairing even with steak, duck or dishes that are normally served with full blown reds.
QUINTESSENTIAL Home Cooking in Provence BY JANA SOELDNER DANGER
T
he salty smell of seawater mingling with scents of freshly caught fish and boat motor oil waft across shallow blue tubs of still-flapping sea creatures on tables lining the dock at the Old Port of Marseille. Family fishermen and women who launched their small boats at dawn offer catches they brought to shore a few hours later
as browsing customers surround their stalls. Mullet, grouper, octopus, tuna, eel and other species may be offered, and it is here at the Old Port that restaurateurs often come in search of ingredients for bouillabaisse, the city’s signature dish, and locals hunt for their evening dinners.
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The bustling market is the first stop on our Provence Gourmet adventure, a cooking class that includes a walking tour of the city and stops at different local markets where we will meet farmers, producers and shopkeepers. The tasty ingredients we gather will later become a delicious lunch, and as we walk, our host Gilles Conchy shares stories about the history and culture of Marseille, the city where he grew up.
DIFFERENT SETTINGS In addition to Marseille, Gilles offers the classes in Aix en Provence and the Alpilles, and each one culminates in a cooking session at the home of a different family member. Participants are greeted warmly and the experience offers an opportunity to get to interact with local residents in their personal environments, surely one of the best parts of travel. We will end our own day at the tastefully decorated apartment of Gilles’ mother. Cooking students in Aix en Provence will visit the local goat cheese farm and an area winery before arriving at Gilles’ own home, a contemporary, ochre-colored house designed with the help of an architect friend to take advantage of summer shade and winter sun. Part of the 12-acre property is devoted to Gilles’ organic vegetable garden. In the Alpilles, the culinary journey ends near St. Remy de Provence in a beautifully renovated old barn set on 20 picturesque acres of French countryside, the home of Gilles’ aunt. Classes are small—from two to eight students—and are conducted in English, French or both.
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THE JOURNEY CONTINUES After leaving the port, our next stop is a small farmers’ market where stalls burst with fresh produce like bright peppers, plump, firm tomatoes, purple eggplants, crisp greens, and tender young artichokes. “I like to visit markets where my favorite producers lay out their produce,” Gilles said. “When you visit a farmers’ market on a regular basis, you start talking with the people there. Some even become friends.” Next, we stop at a small family butcher shop that Gilles has been frequenting for years. Cuts of beef, pork and lamb glisten in glass cases, and when Gilles points to what he wants, the friendly butcher weighs and cuts the selection by hand. It’s a far cry from the plasticwrapped meats and poultry at self-serve American supermarkets. Unlike the Alpilles and Aix en Provence, there is no winery in Marseille, so we visit a local wine shop where bottles from Provence and other parts of France neatly line the shelves. After Gilles describes the recipes, the proprietor chooses three different vintages for us. It’s Gilles’ favorite wine shop: “I always go there, because I know I will find the perfect wines to pair with that day’s meal,” he said.
A LOVE AFFAIR WITH COOKING “As a kid, I was always hanging out in the kitchen baking cakes, pastries and crepes with my mother, and she’d also ask me to help with dinners,” Gilles said. “Both my grandmothers were good cooks, too, and I was always impressed with how they prepared large meals for family reunions. Food and cooking were definitely a big deal in my family.” His recipes now focus on local Provencal cuisine with added Mediterranean and Italian influences. “Most of all, I like to pre-
pare and eat fresh local produce from the farmers’ market or the fishermen’s boats that are just reaching the shore,” he said.
A CITY GUIDE Before starting his cooking classes, Gilles worked in the garment industry. Later he became a city tour guide, which provided an easy segue into his cooking school. His love for good food and cooking, his background in the States and the opportunity to host in beautiful homes made the new venture seem possible. His favorite part? “I love meeting the people,” he said. “Last year I met over 500 different ‘students’ from very different backgrounds and cultures. There’s lots of curiosity and sharing during the Provence Gourmet sessions.” He usually chooses the day’s recipes at the last minute. “I like to make up my mind on the menu the very morning of the class, depending on what is fresh and seasonal and available,” he said.
A TASTY FINALE When we have finished gathering our ingredients and learned a bit more about Provence and the Marseille, we climb the stairs to his mother’s apartment with a décor she designed herself to recall mid-20th-century France. Then we begin cutting produce and meat, rolling pastry dough and preparing our creative menu of green olive tapenade, eggplant caviar, pissaldiere tart, grilled red peppers, artichokes barigoule and lemon meringue tartlets. At last we gather at a table on the sunny patio bordered by potted green plants and flowers, uncork the wine and enjoy what we’ve cooked, what we’ve learned and the new friends we’ve made. Bon appétit. Winter 2017/18 Opulence
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ONCE IN A
LIFETIME
Four generations of Louis XIII cellar masters, united for the first time in history, share personal experiences as guardians of the cherished 100-year-aged cognac WRITTEN BY STEVEN JOSEPH; INTERVIEW OF BAPTISTE LOISEAU BY MICHAEL JAY 40
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H
istory has always proven intrinsic in the world-renowned Louis XIII cognac house because each decanter is the life achievement of generations of cellar masters. You see, every vintage ages no less than 100 years and so, quite literally, no cellar master ever gets to taste the final product of Louis XIII cognac that he or she started blending. Impressively, this historic House of Remy Martin has achieved yet another momentous feat– with the 2017 announcement of their Louis XIII Legacy Edition. Restricted to only 500 bottles, every crystal magnum decanter of Legacy Edition has been autographed by the four living cellar masters (there have only been five in all of history), including the current and youngest cellar master, Baptiste Loiseau. Loiseau inherited the mission from Pierrette Trichet in 2014. “She taught me everything,” said Loiseau. “From the beginning, Ms. Trichet told me that I can’t always be in control. I have to trust my intuition. In the end, my decision will be the right one.” Trichet was passed the baton in 2003 from Georges Clot, who himself was hand-picked by Andre Giraud (now 93) in 1990. Giraud held the vaunted position for 30 years before retiring, but has returned to the cellars for this incredible limited release event. The autographed bottles are housed in an Italian calfskin leather case and bear a numbered plaque. No two bottles are alike, making them works of art in themselves. “Each Baccarat Crystal decanter requires perfect synchronization of 11 craftsmen who first blow the crystal, hand-place characteristic ornaments and then decorate the neck with 20-carat gold in a balletic performance that is timed to complete each operation while the glass remains at perfect temperature,” Loiseau said.
Originally, he wanted to be a winemaker, and traveled the world trekking as far away as New Zealand before returning home. “I was always told the finest cognac house in the world is Remy Martin. And so I knew to reach the highest quality in the Cognac region, I had to be a part of them. But it’s not just what goes in the bottle that makes Louis XIII so special,” Loiseau said. “It is also the relationships. They are a family run business. They have been working with the same grape growers for generations.”
THE HERITAGE Baptiste inherited a legacy of greatness that started in 1874. Louis XIII Grande Champagne Cognac is a blend of more than 1,200 eaux-di-vies (brandies), aged 100 years in large grain white oak barrels. The wood is felled from the Limousin forest 150 miles east of Cognac and undergoes a medium toasting before the barrels are made. The barrels themselves are aged 100 years before they can store a drop of Louis XIII cognac. When the cellar master makes his or her final blend – which was started decades earlier by a past cellar master, it is then finished for a final rest of four more years. “I have been trained in balance,” said Loiseau. “When I find that all of the aromas follow one after another, without one overtaking the next, then I know it is ready.”
MORE ABOUT THE YOUNGEST CELLAR MASTER Baptiste is a native of the Grande Champagne cru of the Cognac region in France.
(L-r): Louis Xlll cellar masters Georges Clot, Baptiste Loiseau, Pierrette Trichet and Andre Giraud have all contributed to the history of Louis XIII. Winter 2017/18 Opulence
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set aside now won’t be tasted until well-beyond their lifetimes. “The youngest eaux-divie in my blending arsenal is still older than me,” explained Baptiste. “I am working with spirits that have been set aside by previous cellar masters. I have 150 cellars with 29,000 casks,” he said. Former Cellar Master Georges Clot elaborated, “We’ve selected the best for the next generation.”
THE NOSE One of Louis XIII’s most famous attributes is the aroma of myrrh, traditionally found in medicines and perfumes, and present in the story of the first Christmas. “Myrrh is
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the aroma that stays in the glass when it is empty. It is the fragrance of time,” Baptiste gushes. Time is an appropriate theme for Louis XIII cognac, since the spirits the cellar masters
The individual eaux-di-vie are created from white grapes sourced exclusively from the region. Only 3 percent of the spirits come from the Remy Martin-held farms, the rest come from other local growers. “What makes the Cognac so special is the terroir (French for soil). It is a combination of the land, the climate, and the people,” said
Loiseau. The grapes are traditionally harvested the first Monday in October before being distilled 4-5 months in the winter. Blind tastings are then held for over 1,000 eaux-di-vie. “Only 10-25 will make it through the entire aging process to become part of Louis XIII cognac. For the farmers, it is a great honor to have a spirit selected,” said Baptiste.
THE LEGACY Each of the previous cellar masters have strived to preserve the legacy set before them by their predecessors. “They tasted it again and again until they said, ‘It could not be better. Better does not exist,’” said oldest living Cellar Master Andre Giraud.
“At the tasting of my first Final Blend, they (the tasters) turned to me and said, ‘No, you have not changed anything,’ and that was the finest compliment I could have received,” added Pierrette Trichet. Loiseau concurs, “My mission is to maintain the style.” For Baptiste, being a part of The Legacy Edition is a tribute to his fellow cellar masters as well as the growers who contribute to his craft. “Yes I am a storyteller. But without them, there is no story to tell.” Louis XIII The Legacy will only be sold on demand. For availability, please contact concierge@Louis-XIII.com.
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BRILLIANT FATHER TIME Celebrating New Year’s Eve extravaganzas worldwide
WINTER 2017/18
BY ROBIN JAY
You’re invited to a modern uxury experience. Luxury was always meant to be playful. Experience it free from restriction with a new iconic timepiece every three months. This is Eleven James. This is permission to play.
Discover more at elevenjames.com or call 855-ELEVEN-J
The exquisite gear complications and gleaming diamonds inlaid in the Swiss watch face featured on this issue’s cover of International Opulence represents the brilliance and priceless value of time. It’s a one-of-a-kind Corum timepiece gifted to a talented musician in France and has no monetary price tag. It serves as a reminder this holiday season to do good unto others and that the best things in life are free. As Father Time prepares to ring in yet another New Year, take a moment to reflect on the history of the festivities and discover places around the world that provide grand celebration destinations…
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I
n 1612, engraving artist Jan Collaert II created a masterpiece he titled Veritas Temporis Filia – which means ‘truth is the daughter of time.’ Today, it hangs in London’s British Museum, perhaps reminding all who see it about the origins of Father Time. The grand print depicts Cronos, an elderly winged man – Father Time – who is holding up and unveiling his daughter Veritas. In modern times, around the eve of the new year, we symbolize Father Time as the bearded man who sports a dated sash and an hourglass as he hands over Baby New Year. In London, the first official New Year’s Eve fireworks presentation didn’t take place until 2000. The BBC reported that 3 million Londoners gathered around the Thames River to watch the celebration in the sky which, no doubt, reflected beautifully on Big Ben, as shown below. To find out about this year’s New Year’s Eve plans in London, visit www.london.gov.
Veritas Temporis Filia, engraving print by Jan Collaert II. © The Trustees of the British Museum
In Rome, the Roman dictator Julius Caesar may have envisioned that he himself was Father Time. Why? For the first time in Caesar’s reign, according to the Julian calendar (and History.com), the Romans celebrated New Year’s Day on January 1 in 45 B.C. Caesar concluded he needed to reform the Roman calendar, and so in the year 46, he added 90 more days to the annum in effort to synchronize the sun with his calendar. In the modern world, it is the Gregorian calendar that feels most familiar to the way we celebrate New Year’s Eve. Some know it as Saint Sylvester’s Day or Old Year’s Day, always commemorated on the 7th day of the Christmas season, on December 31, with song, food, dance, drink – and, of course, fireworks to ring in the new year of renewed hope.
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Auckland, New Zealand, is an intriguing destination to celebrate New Year’s because it’s one of the first cities in the world to ring in the New Year. When the clock strikes 12:01 a.m. in Auckland on New Year’s Day on Monday, January 1, 2018, it will only be 4 p.m. Sunday in Miami and New York City and 1 p.m. in Los Angeles. What’s even more captivating is that Auckland is only a four-hour flight to Aitutaki, one of the Cook Islands, (see next page) and one of the last cities to reach New Year’s Day. So, thanks to the international dateline, it’s strangely possible to celebrate midnight on New Year’s in Auckland and then fly to Aututaki to ring in the New Year again a few hours later. SKYCITY Auckland, Sky Tower, is the perfect destination for New Year’s Eve with two hotels (4.5 and 5 star), a host of award winning celebrity chef restaurants, live entertainment, casino, a free concert on Federal Street, and New Zealand’s most iconic fireworks display from the Sky Tower at midnight, preceded by a three-hour laser animation show at 9 p.m.
Auckland, New Zealand
Taj Mahal
In Singapore, a spectacular showplace to ring
For New Year’s Eve event information, go to
ory of his second wife Mumtaz Mahal, whose
in the New Year is at Gardens by the Bay, a 250-
www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en.
death in childbirth in 1631 left the Emperor so
In India, celebrate New Year’s like an emperor
gray overnight. The luxurious Oberoi Hotel
For details vist www.skycityauckland.co.nz/ whats-on/events/new-years-eve-at-skycity
Singapore
acre nature park of reclaimed land adjacent to the Marina Reservoir. Park designers created it to transform Singapore from a “Garden City” into a “City in a Garden.” The initiative’s goal is to enhance the quality of life with vibrant flowers and greenscapes.
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near the Taj Mahal in Agra. Described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, this stunning mausoleum has become the de facto tourist emblem of India. It was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in mem-
heartbroken that his hair is said to have turned in Agra offers exemplary resort accommodations and complimentary transportation to the nearby Taj Mahal.
For details, visit www.oberoihotels.com/hotels-in-agra-amarvilas-resort.
Aitutaki
Aitutaki, a Cook Island in the South Pacific nes-
sis surrounded by white-sand beaches, a crystal
To arrange to celebrate New Year’s in Aitutaki, visit
tled on the opposite side of the International
azure lagoon and a barrier reef teeming with
www.aitutakilagoonresort.com. Visitors must fly
Date Line, is one of the (inhabited) places in
rays, bonefish and turtles. Quite the ideal restful
into Rarotonga Island and boat over to Aitutaki.
the world where guests can hear the last clock
destination for adventurers who wish to time-
strikes to hit 12 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. Celebra-
zone hop to ring in 2018.
Happy New Year!
tors in Aitutaki can enjoy a serene, secluded oa-
TRAVEL TO THE CARIBBEAN FOR NEW YEAR’S & SUPPORT RECOVERY EFFORTS Or, donate your Marriott points to make a difference With the heartbreaking consequences of the most recent natural disasters, many travelers continue to wonder how they can help the ongoing recovery efforts and make an impactful difference. The Caribbean has something to offer for all types of vacationers: white sandy beaches, exotic wildlife, romantic sunsets, a plethora of delectable cuisine, vibrant-rich heritage and family-friendly activities. One example is the luxurious Santo Domingo JW Marriott Hotel shown here – the glorious rooftop view is a stunning location to celebrate and watch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Marriott Rewards members can donate their Rewards points to help communities affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria. They can give to one of Marriott’s featured organizations and support a variety of emergency services to help families recover and rebuild. Such services include: cash contributions, in-kind donations, and employee volunteerism.
Another way travelers can help is through the
disasters that have struck the Caribbean and
MI Disaster Relief Fund established to sup-
Latin American regions.
port Marriott’s efforts to assist communities, especially affected associates during times of disasters. Currently the fund is focused on helping communities impacted by the natural
To find out more information about donating Marriott Rewards points, visit www.mrgivingus. com.
Winter 2017/18 Opulence
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ANNUAL COCKTAIL PARTY HONORING Contessa Maria Vittoria Colonna Rimbotti, President of the Friends of the Uffizi Gallery JANUARY 29, 2018 Private Palm Beach Home: Raffaello Members: $1,000+ For event times and membership details, visit www.friendsoftheuffizigallery.org
Threads of God – World’s Rarest Pasta From Nuoro, Sardinia BY MARLA HORN LAZARUS
P
eople are coming from all over Europe just to taste it. For the past 300 years, Santuario di San Francesco attracts hundreds of devout pilgrims each spring. The sacred dish of Su Filindeu, known as the rarest pasta on earth, is only served to the loyal trekkers who complete a 20-mile pilgrimage. This nighttime adventure takes you through Sardinia, on foot or horseback, from the city of Nuoro to the village of Lula for the biannual Feast of San Francesco. Su Filindeu, made specifically for the festival, is so specialized and mind-boggling intricate that only a few make it and only those who reach Lula will ever try it.
I don’t want to reveal,” Paola said. “But the secret is right in front of you. It’s in my hands and plenty of elbow grease.”
FAMILY TRADITION OR SECRET?
Then comes the hardest part, a process she calls, “understanding the dough with your hands.” When she feels it needs to be more elastic, she dips her fingers into a bowl of salt water. If it needs more moisture, she dips them into a separate bowl of regular water. “It can take years to understand,” Paola said.
Su Filindeu, also known as “threads of God,” is pasta made of hundreds of tiny strands in a hillside town in Sardinia. It was nearly half a century ago that a 62-year-old woman, Paola Abraini, learned the technique from her mother-in-law, who had learned it from previous generations of mothers. As it’s so difficult and time-consuming to prepare, that for centuries, no one can remember how or why these women started preparing Su Filindeu. The recipe has remained in Nuoro, located on the slopes of the Monte Ortobene, where only the women of a single Sardinian family know this special technique, having only been passed down through the women in Paola’s family, each of who has guarded it tightly. Her niece and sister-in-law are the only two other women on the planet who still know how to make it. “Many people say that I have a secret 50
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This time of year, Paola wakes up at 7 a.m. to begin five-hour workdays for a month to make 110 pounds of pasta, and for the larger nine-day feast in May, she’ll prepare four times as much.
DELICATE AND IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLICATE Beginning with ordinary dough of semolina wheat, water and salt, Paola kneads and moistens it until it reaches a consistency reminiscent of modeling clay and working it into a rolled-cylindrical shape.
A similar instinct guides her hands as they pull the dough into increasingly thin strands without ever breaking them. When the semolina reaches just the right consistency, she picks up the cylindrical strand to stretch and fold the dough, doubling it as she pressed the heads of the Su Filindeu into her palms. This sequence is repeated in a fluid motion eight times. With each sweeping pull, the dough becomes thinner and thinner. When complete, she’s left with 256 even strands, about half as wide as angel-hair pasta. Carefully laying the strands on a circular base, one on top of an-
PHOTO: M.ANTONIETTA MARRAS
SU FILINDEU
“It’s like a game with your hands. But once you achieve it, then the magic happens.” – Paola Abraini other, to form a cross, she trims any excess from the ends before repeating the process. After three thin layers are formed, alternating layers like latticework, it’s dried in the Sardinian sun for several hours, until the layers are hardened into delicate sheets of tiny threads resembling stitched lace. Traditionally, the pasta is the heart of the biannual festival, served at the San Francesco feast, enjoyed in an amazing thick soup of boiling sheep’s broth with grated sheep’s milk pecorino, similar to a creamy feta.
THE LEGACY CONTINUES After hundreds of years in the same matrilineal family tree, these threads of God may need a miracle to survive for future generations. Only one of Paola’s two daughters knows the basic technique, and lacks the passion and patience of her mother while her other two relatives who still carry on the tradition have yet to find willing successors among their own children. It’s obvious that this culinary art form is one of the most at-risk foods of becoming extinct. Paola recognizes this and has done something previously unheard of with her family’s tightly guarded dish: She attempted to teach local girls how to make it. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well as she approached the local government to see if she could open up a small school, but they told her there was no funding. Then, she agreed to invite students into her home. She states, “The problem was that once they saw how I actually do it, they’d say, ‘It’s just too much work’, and wouldn’t come back.”
Refusing to let the tradition fade away, Paola made it her mission to share Su Filindeu with the world. In the last few years, Italy’s premier food and wine magazine/ guide, Gambero Rosso, invited her to Rome to film her preparing the dish. Recently, for the first time, she’s begun making Su Filindeu for three local restaurants, offering non-pilgrims a chance to taste the labor of love from these three women. At the end of the pilgrimage, the weary are rewarded with two things: a footbath and a bowl of steaming noodles. The footbath is just a footbath, but the noodles are extraordinary and worth every luscious morsel. Paola said, “It’s a blessing just to be able to make Su Filindeu. I’ve been in love with it since the first time I ever saw it, and I love it more each day. I hope to continue to make if for many years ahead…but if one day I have to stop, at least I’ll have a video.” View the video online: www.internationalopulence.com
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LEGACY OF
‘THE SPIDER AMONG THE BARRELS’ BY HOPE GAINER
Giovanni Allegrini’s influential art of winemaking in the Fumane region of Italy
Photo above: Giovanni Allegrini, wine brand founder and “The Spider Among The Barrels” 52
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In the ‘valley of many cellars’, the Valpolicella is nestled in the Fumane region of Italy, known locally for its winemaking since the 16th century. Generations later, in the 20th century, Giovanni Allegrini elevated the region’s esoteric winemaking legacy to what would become a global entity thanks in part to his innovative agricultural instincts. Allegrini’s novelties included using barrique sized oak barrels besides the customary Slavonian oak barrels; he lessened the aging duration of his wine productions to retain the fruity aromatic flavor of his very favorite grape – the Corovina; and he developed new drying methods that conceptualized what he called the ‘Terre di Fumane.’ An unusual and enthusiastic wine innovator, Giovanni Allegrini earned the nickname, “The Spider Among the Barrels,” because he’d jump from barrel to barrel in enthusiasm when presenting wine tastings to guests.
THE ALLEGRINI DYNASTY Building the Allegrini wine dynasty did not happen overnight. In 1983, when Giovanni passed away unexpectedly at the age of 63, sixth-generation siblings Marilisa Allegrini and her brothers Franco and Walter (now deceased), spearheaded the family wine brand’s expansion efforts. At that time, they were a modest producer of about 8,500 cases per year, consisting of lighter Valpolicella Classico and the stronger Amarone made from raisined grapes from the Veneto region. Today, the Allegrini family produces 350,000 cases annually (worth $36 million) of a more diversified mix of wines. 20 percent of their sales occur in the United States. “Reaching the U.S. market was our biggest dream, but we also expanded to Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom – and now Asia,” explained Marilisa, who serves as CEO. “We practice sustainable viticulture and have organic certification. We want to minimize impact on the environment, both physically and aesthetically. Our land is our greatest asset. What we do today impacts what we leave for our children tomorrow.” The Allegrini’s are preparing to pass
[l-r]: Caterina, Francesco, Franco, Silvia and Marilisa Allegrini the torch to the seventh generation: Marilisa’s daughter Caterina, Walter’s daughter Silvia and Franco’s son Francesco.
ATTENTION TO EXCELLENCE The Allegrini focus has been on quality. Between their three estates (one in Veneto and two in Tuscany), they have released more than 60 wines rated 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator. They started in Veneto and expanded to Tuscany, adding Poggio al Tesoro in Bolgheri and Poggio San Polo in Montalcino, thus opening new doors for their children to make their mark. Marilisa has personally made it her mission to take their superior Amarone wine on the road and also enhance the image of then Valpolicella wine. Last year she was the only vintner appointed to the board of SACE, the export bank, showing the importance of wine to Italy’s economic recovery.
ACQUIRING THE RENAISSANCE MASTERPIECE: VILLA DELLA TORRE Always up for the next challenge, Marilisa and Franco bought Villa della Torre, a 16th century estate surrounded by the Palazzo della
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Villa della Torre
Torre estate vineyard, which their father had managed near the family’s Fumane hometown. Nobleman Giulio della Torre commissioned the Italian Renaissance villa to be built by architects Giulio Romano and Michele Sanmicheli, with works by artist Giovanni Battista Scultori. “I used to play in the villa and dreamed that one day it would belong to my family,” said Marilisa. “Now our dream has come true. I am passionate about art, creative expression and beauty. I think these things are essential in the world of wine; wine and art are natural partners.” Since the Italian government cannot take care of restoring all derelict properties in the country, Marilisa feels it’s the responsibility of entrepreneurs to play their part in preserving Italy’s artistic legacy. Renovating Villa della Torre into Allegrini’s hospitality headquarters became her pet project. She personally directed the interior design and furnishings, as well as the seamless and thoughtful integration of new technology to preserve the villa’s ancient history.
In 2016, Villa della Torre opened as a five-star boutique hotel, with 10 luxury guest rooms available. The Allegrini family celebrated with a series of special guest dinners, including one to host Italy’s Prime Minister, the U.S. Ambassador, Alibaba Founder Jack Ma and superstar singer Sting. Vinitaly, the largest wine exhibition in the world, each April brings over 20,000 people to the region and VIP events are often held at Villa della Torre. Wine tastings and cooking classes are offered at the villa, as well as weddings, honeymoons and special events like hot air ballooning and art exhibitions. What does the famiily hope will motivate the next generation of Allegrinis? “Love and a strong sense of duty,” Marilisa said proudly. To learn more about Allegrini wines and Villa della Torre, visit website.allegrini.it/en.
LA GROLA 2010 LIMITED EDITION
Dawn at Allegrini
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Celebrating 30 years of production, La Grola wine by Allegrini was released in 1983 and marked the cultural and oenological revival of the Valpolicella. On the occasion of this anniversary, the Company decided to commission Milo Manara, one of Italy’s best-loved Comic-Strip artists, to interpret La Grola and the local legends that surround it. According to the ancient legend, it was on this amazing hill that Corvina Grapes borned, thanks to the miraculous intervention of a crow (“Grola” in Veronese dialect) that made the fortune of that vineyard.
DINE LIKE A
TUSCAN UPPERCLASSMAN Forte dei Marmi, helmed by Two-Michelin Star Chef Antonio Mellino, brings authentic Italian fare to the United States
S
BY ROBIN JAY
ince the 18th century in northern Tuscany, tourists from the Italian upper class have flocked to the Forte dei Marmi sea town ‘to breathe healthy air and to sandbathe.’ Meaning Fort of the Marbles (referring to the Carrara stone quarried from the Alpi Apuane mountains), a touch of Forte dei Marmi has come to Miami Beach, with international foodies flocking to taste the simple sensorial epicurean cuisine of Two-Michelin Star Chef Antonio Mellino.
THE NORTHERN TUSCANY DINING EXPERIENCE All guests here are treated with white-glove service, as if they might be the next undercover critics on assignment from the coveted Michelin Guide, which rates the globe’s finest restaurants. A lucky few may earn one star. Chef Antonio Mellino has earned two stars. Shortly after the start of sunset, when the maître d’ seated us at a quaint porch-front table, the silver-flocked Chef Antonio – just having landed in Miami from London and still clad in his crisp white Oxford and stylish denim – sat down to join us for a flute of bubbling prosecco.
“Welcome to Forte dei Marmi,” he greeted in his charming Italian dialect. “I’m pleased to share with you tonight some of my favorite dishes I have created along with my son Raffaele. We prepare our pasta from scratch from the finest imported Italian ingredients, our fish is fresh and wild caught – may I suggest the branzino – and we prepare our desserts from the heart.”
LET THE FEAST BEGIN Soon from the kitchen arrived a parade of authentic Italian dishes. We started with calamari ‘tagliatelle’ with petrossian caviar and lemon zest, followed by tuna tartare with ‘tonno pinna gialla’, avocado, baby capers and citrus gel, and then vitello tonnato with hazelnut mayo, arugula, parmesan, corn ‘taco’. Next arrived tagliolini with Alaskan crab, cherry tomatoes and chili oil, shadowed soon by Mediterranean Branzino Zucchini filet with artichoke puree, spring onion and new potato chips. For dessert, we delighted in the home-churned pistachio gelato, served in a natural-cut travertine bowl from San Pietro marble quarry in Italy. Need I say more? Certainly, there’s no wonder why the Italian Republic awarded Chef Antonio as Ambassador of the Best Mediterranean Cuisine in the world. Forte dei Marmi is located at 150 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, in the intimate 1938 Mediterranean revival building meticulously restored by acclaimed architect Chad Oppenheim in collaboration with Milan-based fabricator Henry Timi. For reservations, call (786) 276-3095 or visit OpenTable.com.
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Culinary Business Profile
BY ALONA ABBADY MARTINEZ
Going Big
R
osana Calambichis’ voice is soothing and lyrical, a natural accompaniment to her friendly disposition. A lawyer by profession, she came to the United States in 1991 where she honed her business expertise with several successful endeavors before purchasing BigChef with her husband, restaurateur Mano Calambichis, in 2003. Together, they form a dynamic duo powered by creativity, passion, and business savvy, a combination that has garnered them multiple awards and certifications. WE Magazine for Women named Rosana among the “Top 100 Woman in Ecommerce” and she was recently awarded the noble title of “Commander” by the Sublime PUMART Order Merit of Honor in Rio de Janeiro-Brazil. 56 Opulence Opulence Winter Winter 2017/18 2017/18
PHOTO: JOSEE LUBIN
Meet A Dynamic Duo with A Passion for Food
Together, the Calambichis have earned such honors as “Minority Manufacturer of the Year” by the U.S Department of Commerce and acknowledgment from the Top Platinum Green Business Bureau for their commitment to sustainable business practices.
THE HOSPITALITY GURUS
CULTURAL DIVERSITY
customers span from Key West up to Wel-
Mano owned two Greek restaurants before purchasing BigChef with Rosana. “He’s known as ‘The Miracle Man’ in this industry: Last minute things, ‘can you do this?’ and he will make it happen!” said Rosana. “If everything’s under control, you’re going too slow,” said Mano, who noted he shares this mantra with a well-known racecar driver. Born in the Belgian Congo and raised in his family’s native country of Greece, Mano grew up around restaurants and clubs. In 1971, he moved to New York and in 1974, became involved in his first supper club venture with his family. By 1976, he obtained his degree in Computer Science and Hotel & Restaurant Management at New York University and was on his way to continuing the family tradition.
“When we acquired BigChef, it was a company doing hors d’oeuvres and canapés for the tri-county area – Miami, Broward and Palm Beach counties in South Florida,” Rosana said. “Since then, we have expanded and diversified.” As Rosana explained this, she pulled out multiple glossy brochures of BigChef’s menu offerings. “I love pictures!” she exclaimed, and, as I get lost in images of baby lobster ravioli, guava mint crowns, and Parisian macarons the colors of the rainbow, I can see why.
lington and across the state to Naples and Marco Island. They also ship orders overnight throughout the continental United States, cater South Florida inflight and yacht companies, as well as cater to businesses and residences. And then there’s the café, where guests have lunch or pick up orders.
SERVICE BAR NONE The duo not only oversee every facet of the operation, they are the face of the business, meeting with each customer personally.
“FOOD IS A CELEBRATION. I LIKE BEING A PART OF THAT.” – ROSANA CALAMBICHIS
Rosana’s curriculum vitae is equally as impressive. “My drive to become a successful entrepreneur began as a young girl,” continued Rosana, who was inspired by her mother’s achievements as an award-wining chef and cookbook author and her father’s leadership practices. Raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Rosana earned her degree in Family Law at PUC-SP. Believing in education beyond the classroom, she traveled, residing in Cali, Colombia and Angola, Africa and, ultimately, South Florida. “My understanding of different cultures enhances my knowledge of international business and my appreciation of world cuisine.” She’s also gifted with a extraordinary business acumen. In 2004, she earned an MBA in Global Business Management.
Diversification seems an understatement when looking at all BigChef offers. They have multiple lines of products, such as fresh canapés, puff pastry, dim sum, and dessert, each with a long list of combinations from which to choose. Their Karnis line provides Kosher, items like hummus, shakshukah, and a Spanish eggplant salad. Next on Rosana’s to-do list is a Vegan line, although they do offer vegan products, just not a full line yet. The wide representation of culinary cultures is intentional. “It is international food because South Florida is an international market,” Rosana said. “We just try to provide authentic flavors. I have about 16 represented nationalities working with us. This diversity becomes a strength.” Tucked away in a quiet strip mall next to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, BigChef’s local
They also launched an App for customers to place their orders. “The priority is the client. We want them to feel comfortable.” It goes without saying
they value the importance of their staff, a critical component in BigChef’s success. “I call them ‘the key ingredient’, ” Rosana said, beaming like a proud parent. At that moment, Enrique, one of the “brigadeiro specialists,” enters her office to discuss additions to their already 23 flavors of the favorite Brazilian bonbon. “I want hazelnut for the holidays, okay?” she told him with a smile. How does BigChef run by a husband-andwife team with only 38 employees provide services for so many venues with so many options and do it with such success?Rosana’s explanation is surprisingly simple: “Food is a celebration. I like being a part of that.”
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CARLETON VARNEY NEWBRIDGE SILVERWARE COLLECTION LAUNCH AT THE MARY MAHONEY STORE LOUIS XIII COGNAC CELLAR MASTER BAPTISTE LOUISEAU ON HIS FIRST VISIT TO MIAMI/UNITED STATES IN OCTOBER
FALL 2017 ISSUE LAUNCH & NEW SEASON CELEBRATION WITH DAS MODEL MANAGEMENT
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The Kahlo Dress is pure floral poetry in motion. In a sweeping length, this halter dress is floaty and elegant in tiers of ruffled stretch silk. $598 FASHIONS BY TRINA TURK PHOTO: HAMID KOOTVAL DAS Model Management
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The Capote Jumpsuit is poetry in motion. In a luxe black crepe, this sleek, chic one piece features a soft, floaty silk georgette overlay that’s ankle length at the back and it flows across the bodice to reveal the crop length pant. It’s a unique and eye-catching way to dress for evening soirees and festive fetes. $398 FASHIONS BY TRINA TURK PHOTO: HAMID KOOTVAL DAS Model Management
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With a sexy keyhole cut-out and halter neckline, the slinky Pam Dress is sure to turn heads this holiday season. With a sleek and figure flattering silhouette, this little black dress steals the scene in simple, chic style. $258 FASHIONS BY TRINA TURK PHOTO: HAMID KOOTVAL DAS Model Management
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A floor length frock with floral appeal has arrived in time for your evening soirees and upcoming fetes. In a sumptuous silk bouquet print, with metallic detailing, the Betton Dress delivers a luxurious look with a lace and see-thru net bodice. $398 FASHIONS BY TRINA TURK PHOTO: HAMID KOOTVAL DAS Model Management
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What Women Want
A B C
E D
F
A: Russian Imperial Bee Earrings • store.metmuseum.org B: Mantero Archivio N.12 Square Silk Scarf - mantero.com/us, Nordstrom C: Mirenesse products • mirenesse.com D: Instantly Ageless eye firming cream • www.jeunesseglobal.com/en-US/instantly-ageless/m E: One-of-a-kind Susan Tancer bags - art that gives back to MD Anderson Cancer Center, www.susantancerstudios.com F: CREED White Amber • www.creedboutique.com Winter 2017/18
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What Women Want G
H
I
J
G:
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer in Fuchsia – neimanmarcus.com
H:
Edie Parker Jean Ripple Clutch – neimanmarcus.com
I: Hugo & Victor Autumn/Winter Dessert Collection • hugovictor.com J: ICON Au Gold Infuser with Black Tea Tray – teaforte.com
Featured in the 2017 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book
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Winter 2017/18
BY ROBIN JAY
Medical Innovation News
Revolutionizing Surgeon Powered Robotics FlexDex Co-founders (l-r) Shorya Awtar, Sc.D. and James Geiger, M.D.
I
A new intuitive robotic wrist-mounted needle driver – which costs hundreds, not millions – makes minimally invasive robotic surgery available to all
t seemed like futuristic science-fiction-come-to-life in 2000 when the FDA announced approval of the robotic da Vinci Surgical System. Surgeons could control the intuitive device from a console to facilitate complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach. Problem was, the system cost millions, only one surgeon at a time could use it (log-jamming operating rooms), and the prohibitive expense made it available only to a select few patients. However, a Michigan-based company called FlexDex is about to revolutionize the robotic surgery industry with a new intuitive mechanical wrist-mounted needle driver.
sign architecture, which leads to the sub-optimal performance. Our goal was to reduce this burden for the surgeon so more can adopt minimally invasive (or laparoscopic) surgery and those who already perform such surgery can do so more comfortably.
Initial surgical robotic systems cost millions of dollars. FlexDex costs less than a thousand dollars.
INTUITIVE MEDICINE “For all surgeons who perform minimally invasive surgery (MIS), we have only had the use of basic functioning instruments called ‘straight sticks.’ These instruments allow you to enter the body through small incisions, but have limited functionality,” said Dr. Geiger, M.D., FlexDex Co-founder and CEO. “FlexDex provides intuitive control and articulation of the instrument tip within the patient. This level of functionality is currently only found on expensive surgical robotic systems, which cost millions of dollars. FlexDex costs less than a thousand dollars. “Shorya Awtar, Sc.D. and I began a collaboration in 2007 initially somewhat by chance (along with our business Co-founder Greg Bowles), but ultimately by a common goal to bring the benefits of MIS to patients anywhere in the world. I am one of the inventors, but Shorya is a brilliant mechanical engineer who solved a problem that many others had tried but were never successful.” Chief Technology Officer Awtar explained, “The existing laparoscopic instruments for MIS required a complicated and awkward movement by the surgeon. These instruments are counter-intuitive and result in poor ergonomics for the surgeon. For decades, traditional laparoscopic instruments have followed a certain de-
“We had to completely reimagine the interface between the surgeon and the instrument. We recognized the need to mount the needle driver instrument on the forearm and create a virtual center of rotation for the instrument handle that coincides with the surgeon’s wrist,” Awtar continued. “FlexDex not only provides enhanced dexterity (or wristed articulation) at the instrument tip, its unique design allows the surgeon to control the instrument via natural and comfortable hand movements.
“The instrument becomes an extension of the surgeon’s hand inside the patient’s body. This helps the surgeon perform complex laparoscopic procedures with less physical and cognitive strain. Key surgical procedures that can benefit from this functionality include hernia repair, bariatic surgery, partial nephrectomy, hysterectomy, prostatectomy, to name a few.” Response from the surgeon community proves exciting. When asked about his experience with FlexDex, Dr. Kent Bowden, a general surgeon in Cadillac, Michigan, and one of the first surgeons to transform his practice using the device, replied, “I think FlexDex will do for laparoscopy what laparoscopy did for general surgery.” About FlexDex: FlexDex Surgical http://www.flexdex.com FlexDex Co-Founder Greg Bowles
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A VALIANT VERISMO’S IMPOSSIBLE DREAM Haiti earthquake survivor is discovered in Miami as the next rising-star opera singer BY ELLIOTT STARES
A
28-year-old Haitian earthquake survivor has defied all odds, after starting a new life in South Florida and revealing his remarkable talent as an aspiring opera singer to an inconspicuous Uber passenger who is now helping him fulfill his dream.
CHANCE ENCOUNTER
It was an ordinary summer evening in Miami, when long-time Miami resident, Rich Santelises, was journeying home via his normal method of Uber transportation. His driver – 28 yearold Jean Vaillant, an earthquake survivor from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, who relocated to South Florida with his family shortly after the disaster in 2010. A friendly conversation ensued between the two, and Jean revealed his love for opera singing from childhood. A curious Santelises couldn’t let the journey end without hearing a rendition from the young islander. Jean took a deep breath and began singing lines from the Italian classic “‘O sole mio.” Santelises recounts the car vibrating with the bellowing base from the Haitian’s voice, resulting in a breathtaking interpretation of the chorus – perfect in both tone and pitch – as if it were from Pavarotti himself. 66
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The speechless passenger fortunately recorded the moment on his cell phone and proceeded to take down Jean’s phone number, after informing him of his decades-long profession in business development and brand management within the entertainment industry.
A JOURNEY BEGINS The two gentlemen agreed to remain in contact. In subsequent months, a performance protégé was born. With video evidence of his newfound talent, Santelises made calls to his personal network of contacts in the music business, including Gloria and Emilio Estefan, who Jean was lucky enough to meet. Over the summer of 2017, Jean sang for guests within the duo’s new restaurant, Estefan Kitchen. “Jean has a genuinely natural forte for singing opera – a diamond in the rough – and has waited too long for the break he deserves. Not only does he have a tremendous gift, but his story of displacement from his home country is a heartbreaking one that many Haitians in South Florida can relate to. Jean has the potential and personality to become the next multi platinum artist,” Santelises said.
THE OVATION Two months after their fateful initial Uber encounter, Jean was introduced to a wider audience during Miami Fashion Week at Ice Palace Studios. Jean took to the stage to sing a full rendition of “‘O sole mio” in front of astonished attendees that included Miami Fashion Week’s honorary ambassador Antonio Banderas. The front row leapt to their feet with applause upon hearing Jean’s vocal splendor. “To have the privilege and honor of meeting Gloria and Emilio Estefan was a dream come true,” said Jean. “To then become a featured artist at Miami Fashion Week and perform in front of Hollywood royalty was an equally unforgettable experience. My friendship with Rich has not only demonstrated the kindness and generosity the people of Miami are willing to extend, but has opened my eyes toward understanding how professional guidance can unleash one’s true potential. I aim to inspire and encourage other Haitians who may also have an undiscovered talent to be patient and work hard toward living their dream.”
JEAN’S EARLY LIFE Jean was born in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, with a younger sister. His father was a diplomat for Haiti, and his mother was an architect by trade, who raised the family at home. At 9 years old, Jean realized he had a voice that was unlike anyone else his age. He became increasingly mesmerized watching concerts by his favorite performers in America, while dreaming of becoming a professional singer one day. By age 12, the operatic classic, La Donna è Mobile, became Jean’s favorite song to practice. In high school, his voice matured and he distinguished himself as a talented tenor.
WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES Jean remembers rehearsing for a school performance in the family’s wooden house in Port-au-Prince, when an earthquake pummeled the country in 2010. He felt traumatized at the suffering of his family’s hometown and deaths of his fellow residents in the capital.
Two days after the earthquake shook the city to its core, Jean managed to drive with his sister from Port-au-Prince to the Dominican Republic, where they would fly to Miami for safety. Like many Haitians following the earthquake, Jean’s family gained temporary protective asylum status in the U.S., while his mom worked as a nursing assistant to generate a minimal income.In the summer of 2012, Jean moved to Sunrise and attended Broward College. His self-taught vocal instruction continued at home and Jean remained optimistic about his future performance aspirations.
THE SILVER LINING After his talent was discovered at college, Jean was referred to a voice teacher. He enrolled in the music program, becoming an avid member of the college choir. In doing so, Jean had the opportunity to sing for all of his teachers, after which his fellow students and professors compared him to members of the group Il Divo. He began using his talents for the greater good by singing in fundraisers for Haiti, which he continues today, together with his love for bartending at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Vaillant, along with Santelises (now his personal manager), is taking strides to gain additional exposure, with the next project being sessions in the recording studio and additional introductions to influential names within the music business for a potential label contract. An approach was made to the management team of the renowned tenor, Andrea Bocelli, who launched “Voices of Haiti” through the Andrea Bocelli Foundation – providing music education to children in Catholic schools throughout Haiti. The approach was well received by Bocelli’s management team with a view to a meeting being arranged between the opera legend and the aspiring Haitian artist.
To see Jean Vaillant’s performance at Miami Fashion Week 2017, go to youtu. be/3ZZHFoHQ1Sw.
Jean remembers rehearsing opera for a school performance in the family’s wooden house in Port-au-Prince, when an earthquake pummeled the country in 2010.
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A: Atomic Backland Skis • atomic.com/en B: Corum Golden Bridge Rectangular watch • www.carrazzajewelers.com C: Bottega Veneta Steel Suede Voortrekking Boot • bottegaveneta.com D:
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Featured in the 2017 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book Winter 2017/18
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HYPERCAR AUCTION MANIA Factors Fueling Auction Mania On 5 High-Profile Hypercars
PHOTO: RM SOTHEBY’S
BY ROBIN JAY
Steve Jobs’ BMW Z8 was estimated to bring $300,000 - $400,000 and was offered without reserve. To see the final selling price, visit www.InternationalOpulence.com. 70
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Second is the desire to sit in a seat once owned by someone of historic greatness – as if, somehow, the provenance might project similar qualities onto the new owners. A third influence, extreme speed and an engine-revving purr of power can spur one’s quest to splurge on a rare sports car. After all, supercars can exceed thousands of horsepower and hundreds of miles per hour, sparking an adrenaline rush at just the idea of owning and mastering a vehicle so potentially dangerous and life-threatening. A fourth scenario comes from behavioral scientists who say .there’s another factor that plays a significant role in a person’s supercar attraction: primal instinct.
WHAT SPARKS THE BIDDING FRENZY?
“Using evolutionary psychology as a theoretical framework…conspicuous consumption serves as a means by which men communicate their social status to prospective mates,” wrote scientists Gad Saad and John G. Vongas in a 2009 issue of the
If you’re wondering what motivates bidding wars that bring a king’s ransom at high-profile hypercar auctions, we’ve uncovered four key influences: First, there’s the basic economic principle of supply and demand. These high-tech mega-machines are typically handmade and produced in very small quantities, rendering them rare mechanical works of art and tangible portfolio assets.
empirical research journal Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Process. “… [Our] Study 1 reports that men’s testosterone levels increased and decreased…after driving an expensive sports car and an old family sedan, respectively.”
5 SUPERCAR AUCTIONS MAKING HEADLINES Whether you have the purse to purchase a collectible supercar or simply appreciate the fine artistry, engineering and performance, you’ll enjoy this look at a few select highprofile hypercars that have been, or soon will be, up for sale to the highest bidder. 1. The Last LaFerrari Aperta Fetches Record Price For Children’s Charity On September 9, 2017, Ferrari set a record when the very last (210th unit) LaFerrari Aperta sold for a staggering $7.9 million at auction during the Prancing Horse’s 70th Anniversary celebrations at the Fiorano
PHOTO: RM SOTHEBY’S
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hat do His Holiness Pope Francis, Apple Icon Steve Jobs, Grand Prix winner Michael Schumacher, Italian legend Enzo Ferrari, American muscle-car designer Carroll Shelby, and former frozen chicken business tycoon Christian von Koenigsegg have in common? Collectors are grappling to get into their cars – and willing to pay handsomely for the privilege. Automobiles owned by these icons of faith, technology and speed have, or will soon hit, auction blocks (some to benefit charities), with bidders registering in droves. Quick – get your bidding paddles!
This LaFerrari presents a unique metallic Rosso Fuoco livery, with double metallic Biano Italia racing stripe on its bonnet and tail. The final bid is a new record for a 21st century car. Winter 2017/18 Opulence
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This historic $22.55 million 1956 Aston Martin DBR1/1 is now the most valuable British car sold at auction
circuit. Proceeds benefited ‘Save the Children’, an organization that helps disadvantaged children in more than 120 countries worldwide. According to RM Sotheby’s, the hybrid LaFerrari Aperta is ‘the result of seven decades of ingenuity…that embodies every aspect of the company and its founder, the late Enzo Ferrari.’ 2. The Most Valuable British Car Ever Sold At Auction: A 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 At its flagship Monterey sale on August 18–19, 2017, the RM Sotheby’s highlight was the sale of this legendary 1956 Aston Martin DBR1, chassis no. 1, which achieved $22,550,000. The sum set a world record not only for an Aston Martin, but also for any British automobile at auction. Arguably the most important Aston Martin ever produced, DBR1/1 carries a racing history that includes overall victory at the 1959 Nürburgring 1000 KM, as well as the greatest names in motorsport, from Carroll Shelby to Jack Brabham, Roy Salvadori, and Sir Stirling Moss. 3. Steve Jobs’ BMW Z8 Sold At New York ‘Icons’ Sale December 6, 2017 BMW’s most iconic car of the 21st century, this Z8 went to RM Sotheby’s ICONS sale in exemplary condition, having just 15,200 miles. It was offered with its proper hardtop and hardtop stand, car cover, owner’s and service manuals, two keys, navigation CDs and, ironically, its BMW-branded Motorola cell phone, used by Jobs. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he was known to have hated that phone. 1966 Mustang Shelby 72
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“Not only was the Z8 the halo car for an iconic brand and the Bond car for a generation, but it caught the eye of the most iconic and influential entrepreneur of our time,” said Don Rose, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s. “Jobs’ legacy is all around us, with over one billion iPhones sold to date. However, he only owned one Z8, and this is that car. The BMW is a perfect fit within our ICONS event, while making it difficult to determine whether the icon in this case is the car or the man… I say both!” 4. Lamborghini Huracán Built For His Holiness Pope Francis To Be Auctioned For Charity In May 2018 Donated to Pope Francis by Automobili Lamborghini, this 2018 Huracán was custom built in homage to the Vatican. The special edition model pays tribute to the Vatican City flag colors, painted in Bianco Monocerus with Giallo Tiberino details. RM Sotheby’s will offer this one-of-a-kind supercar at its biennial Monaco sale, May 12, 2018, without reserve, with all proceeds to be donated to the Holy Father, who will allocate them accordingly to the Vatican’s preferred charitable organizations. For further information on the Lamborghini, please visit www.rmsothebys.com. 5. The Customer-Build Koenigsegg Regera – The First Fully Robotized Supercar – Now Sold Out Any megacar enthusiast worth his salt knows Koenigsegg Automotive in Ängelholm, Sweden, has traditionally built the world’s fast-
But before you ring your investment banker and suit up in your racing gear, know this: Koenigsegg has recently announced the factory’s full allocation of custom-build Regera models has sold out! There’s no known auction date for one of these rare megacars to hit the secondary marketplace, but keep your eyes peeled and your fingers crossed if you dream of owning one, as a future auctionhouse sale is likely the only way you’ll ever get your hands on one. “The Regera is a new high watermark for Koenigsegg Automotive,” said company founder and CEO, Christian von Koenigsegg (yes, he’s also the frozen chicken business tycoon we mentioned at the beginning of this story). “It has been our greatest technical challenge and, as such, it is also our greatest technical triumph.”
COURTESY OF LAMBORGHINI MEDIA
est production cars since the brand’s inception. The Koenigsegg Regera continues the tradition, but with technology that produces outrageous speed, impeccable comfort, and a unique Direct Drive powertrain. The unrivaled system produces 670 horsepower and a breathtaking acceleration rate of zero to over 400 km/h in just 20 seconds. This power-to-weight ratio has never been seen in a roadlegal electric drive system prior to the Regera.
His Holiness Pope Francis signed this Lamborghini Huracán at its unveiling on November 15, 2017, in the Vatican.
Koenigsegg Regera
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Living On Cloud 9 AT THE MONACO YACHT SHOW
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BY HOPE GAINER
uring the fall Monaco Yacht Show, the world’s greatest superyacht event on the quays of Port Hercules, CLOUD 9 debuted – it took my breath away when I set foot on board. The show curates extraordinary never-to-be-repeated superyachts built by the world’s most respected shipyards and CLOUD 9 made the cut to appear at this special show supported by his Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. There is nothing better to whet one’s appetite for a lavish vacation aboard a superyacht than seeing her, meeting her crew and having a toast on deck. CLOUD 9 is like experiencing a slice of ‘heaven at sea.’
HER SPECIFICATIONS CLOUD 9, a custom-built 243-foot superyacht delivered in May 2017, comfortably and luxuriously accommodates up to 16 guests (12 when chartering) across eight cabins, arranged as an owner’s suite, one VIP cabin and six doubles. In addition, space is provided for 22 crew members, plus an additional two cabins for four staff members. Across all five decks are understated color schemes with a wide diversity of oak juxtaposed with mother-of-pearl
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elements, marine-inspired artwork and unique bas-relief décor. An unusual feature of the vessel is the forward-living area located at the bow, which allows guests to enjoy outdoor living in total privacy and includes a unique party space ideal for karaoke evenings. The Main Deck includes a swimming pool on the aft deck. Indoors, the main saloon can be transformed into a full-fledged cinema with a large screen and projector descending from the ceiling. There is also a spacious spa area, equipped with a massage table, hair salon and private bathroom. Picturesque views of the ocean can be enjoyed from the folddown balcony. Immediately forward are the six guest cabins with more variations of the oak wood.
AH, THE OWNER’S QUARTERS The Owner’s Deck has private access to 4,305 square feet of sumptuous living space with a king-size bed facing the sea, his-and-her bathrooms and spacious walk-in closets. There is a media room with a sliding glass door opening onto the aft deck, which transforms into a private outdoor cinema. CLOUD 9 is a powerful collaboration between CRN (a division of Ferretti Group), Zuccon International Project (Rome based architecture and industrial design studio), Winch Design (Exterior & Interior Yacht Design Company) and Burgess (Global superyacht company that guides clients through every aspect of the yachting experience including new construction supervision). It has over 10,764 square feet of design elements across all five decks and sub deck resulting in a world-class caliber superyacht. CLOUD 9 is lauded as one of the most impressive new superyachts to hit the water this year. Chartering CLOUD 9 is offered this winter in the Caribbean with weekly rates from $875,000 through Burgess as Worldwide Central Agents. www.burgessyachts.com
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Artful Master Interior Designer Perla Lichi shares her art of light BY JOHN D. ADAMS
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hat do your favorite movies, photographs, and paintings all have in common? Likely one strong element is that all draw the viewer in through artful use of light and shadow. And just like with any optical art piece, the deft development of a lighting story will bring the viewer subliminally into the environment. It’s the same with interior design. To cast some light onto this most elemental design feature, we turn, once again, to Master Interior Designer, Perla Lichi. Ebullient as ever, Perla guides us through three projects, sharing her thoughts and intentions regarding her deployment of illumination.
SOLID AND SUBLIMINAL First, the basics: “When designing with lighting, it’s important to keep in mind that lighting works with all the materials around it,” she begins. “Is that something which absorbs light or reflects light?” Just as important as solid materials, Perla emphasizes deliberate consideration of existing light sources, such as doors or windows, illumination from other rooms, and permanent fixtures.
LIGHT AND EMPHASIS Perla is known for her boundless imagination. Incredibly, she seems to become even more inspired when working with the “constraints” of an existing space. Consider her transcendent dining space (seen Right). Perla delivers a master class on the distribution of multiple light sources. “The client wanted us to create a formal, classic dining room ambiance, while keeping the wall unit, fireplace and their existing counter-high dining table,” she says. “There were also existing doors and windows, so it was very important for us to study the natural sunlight that comes into the room… Natural and
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artificial lighting combined affect the way color and texture is seen in a room.” Perla chose to emphasize features that other designers might consider hindrances. A relatively low ceiling can constrict a room. But here, Perla employs silver leaf and an oversized, grand chandelier, to turn the ceiling into an essential deliverer of light and ambiance. “It’s such a jewel for the room,” she says. “And the silver leaf interacts with the chandelier and the natural light, bringing a gentle glow above the table… “We changed the lights to mini high hats to go all around the perimeter and changed the placement of the lights based on the new ceiling design and the Venetian trim. We added a dimmer to the electrical fireplace and to the lighting within the built-in cabinet.” Perla’s color choices also reflect the bluish and greenish natural light. “We also deliberately chose simple yet elegant window treatments so that the outside light could filter in and interact with the room.”
LIGHT AND SIGHT A common mistake is only to light rooms downward, which leaves the entire ceiling in shadow. “Lose that single overhead fixture and go for a balance of lamps combined with recessed lighting,” says Perla. When light is directed upward, it bounces off the ceiling. This brightens the room and creates the sensation that the ceiling is higher and the room larger than it really is. Perla delights in showing us her next image. Without the right use of light, this impressive hall/gallery could easily have become dark and confusing. For Perla, lighting allowed her the opportunity to orchestrate and direct the viewer’s sightlines. “We created coves and niches to bring more dimension and interest to the spaces. We can now tell a story.
A relatively low ceiling delivers light and ambiance to this formal dining room under the masterful design direction of Perla Lichi. The silver leafed ceiling reflects light from the grand chandelier.
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Perla Lichi created coves and niches that add dimension and interest in the transformation of an upstairs hallway into an impressive gallery of fine art. Accent lighting softly bathes the owner’s art collection.
“The overhead, curved niches mimic the inlaid floor design. They are silver leafed and softly lit behind the mouldings to bring the eyes gently upward and down the hallways. We punched in circular niches and dropped in chandeliers to add an elegant way for the eyes to pause. Then we bring the view back down by using accent lighting to softly bathe the owners’ wonderful art collection.”
A LIGHT FOR EVERY TASK Some rooms simply require even more direct attention to the use of light. And the kitchen is king. Understanding first how you use this room can direct your choices. For the kitchen seen here, Perla again emphasized a variety of lights for each job.
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“Are you a cook or foodie?” asks Perla. “If so, we want to make sure we offer strong, directed light for prep areas while still preserving a pleasing ambient to the rest of the room… “So we have the direct task lighting, then we included accent lights under the cabinetry to really show off the custom tilework. Next, we illuminated the inside of the etched glass cabinets to really enhance those beautiful details. And of course, you have to add the jewelry! The clients really love eating at the marble counter. I chose this chandelier because of the way the crystals bathe that part of the room in a more interesting, softer light. You feel transported to an elegant restaurant, watching the master chefs at work. And for me, that is the most important part of creating the right lighting plan. You want to create that fantasy.”
Task and under-cabinet lighting are appreciated by the cook and also serve to enhance the gorgeous tilework in this luxurious eat-in kitchen. Illumination inside etched glass cabinets plus a chandelier that bathes the room in a more interesting, softer light combine to create the illusion of dining in a fine restaurant.
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RED HOT RED BULL RUSH SHOTS 2017 COMPILED BY ROBIN JAY
For more than three decades, the caffeine, taurine, B vitamins and carbs in the Red Bull energy drink have fueled the wings of seriously skilled athletes. For this editor, the adrenaline rush comes from the killer action photography that stealth Red Bull photographers capture in the wink of a shutter. Enjoy the selection of 2017 thrill shots we’ve scrapbooked for you here…
LUKASZ CZEPIELA AND DARIO COSTA PERFORM ABOVE PIOTRKOW TRYBUNALSKI, POLAND.
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JESSICA MACAULAY OF THE UK DIVES 18 METRES AT THE SNAKEHEAD ON ISLET FRANCA DO CAMPO DURING THE RED BULL CLIFF DIVING WORLD SERIES. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROMINA AMATO.
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RED BULL ILLUME ATHLETE PETE TAKEDA IN HILLDALE, UT. RED BULL ILLUME IMAGE QUEST 2016, CATEGORY FINALIST: SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHER GREG MIONSKE
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FEMALE CLIFF DIVING AZORES, PORTUGAL, July 7, 2017: Jessica Macaulay of the UK dives 18 metres at the Snakehead on Islet Franca do Campo during the first training session of the second stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. Photography by Romina Amato.
VALERY ROZOV PERFORMS AT THE 7 BASE SUMMITS HUASCARAN IN HUAREZ PERU.
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Redbull Illume Athlete Pete Takeda in Hilldale, UT. Red Bull Illume IMAGE QUEST 2016, CATEGORY FINALIST: SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHER GREG MIONSKE
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FOR REAL?
The captivating hyper-realism of Australia-born sculptor Ron Mueck is so lifelike it genuinely may make your hair stand on end
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COMPILED BY ROBIN JAY
ustralia-born artist Ron Mueck relishes breaking museum attendance records with his astonishing hyper-realistic sculpture exhibits. The artist’s figures – extraordinarily lifelike, except in scale, and always
depicted much smaller or larger than life – drew such magnificent crowds at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth a decade ago that curators have invited him back for an encore showcase in 2018.
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THE GENIUS PROCESS Mueck often takes more than a year to develop his creations, first modeling his visions in clay with meticulous attention to detail. He casts the clay carvings in silicone, fiberglass, and/or resin and spends months refining and refining. The somewhat reclusive Mueck rarely allows onlookers to watch him at work. In a rare interview, he told experts at the Brooklyn Museum, “I change the scale intuitively, really avoiding life-size be86
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cause it’s ordinary. There’s no math involved; I usually do a sketch on paper and if it looks good to me, then I use that scale for the actual piece. The shift in scale draws you in and in some ways engages you at a different level. “I spend quite a while making paper mock-ups and sketches of varying sizes before I commit myself to sculpting the clay. I can still change it all right up to the molding stage, by which time I know if the size is working for me or not.”
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A CURATOR’S PERSPECTIVE “Drawing upon memory and reality, Mueck’s lifelike sculptures are instantly relatable on a human level,” said Andrea Karnes, senior curator at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. “Because he often portrays easily identifiable human experiences, as in Woman with Shopping, 2013, which depicts a woman carrying grocery bags, with her baby nestled in a sling at her chest, we immediately understand the situation through compassion. Yet Mueck’s calculated shifts in scale throw us off by adding an element of ambiguity between reality and artifice. For example, the woman in this piece is less than 4 feet tall, perhaps suggesting that she feels overwhelmed.”
A LOOK AT THE ARTIST’S LIFE Mueck, 59, currently lives in the UK. Before shifting his focus to art in the mid 1990s, he worked on children’s television shows – including Sesame Street and The Muppet Show – as a puppeteer and puppet maker until 1983. Afterward, the creative soul transitioned into designing special effects models for television and film in the United States and London and then, eventually, evolved into a career as a fine artist. 88
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“Untitled (Seated Woman), 1999, based on his wife’s grandmother, is one of the most popular works in the Modern’s permanent collection and represents the early mature phase of his transition to sculpture,” Karnes said. “Comfort and discomfort are pretty broad terms. Each viewer will arrive with their own comfort/discomfort levels,” Mueck once said. “The space has a huge effect on the works. With sculpture, the space creates a tangible context. You can’t really predict it; you have to work with it. There are always surprises.”
SEE MUECK’S WORKS IN PERSON ‘New Works by Ron Mueck’ will be on view to the public at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth from February 16 through May 6, 2018. For ticket information, visit www.themodern.org. Editor’s note: Some selections of Ron Mueck’s work shown in this layout aren’t necessarily included in the Fort Worth exhibit.
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&
Classically trained Duaiv paints his world-renown
masterpieces – sometimes on his cherished supercars – as he sways to the beat of his own music BY JOHN D. ADAMS
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ielding a palette knife loaded with vibrant oil paint, American-French artist Duaiv streaks the blade across a white canvas. It is a dramatic moment where reality collides with inspiration. And it is set to music. In front of a rapt audience.
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Fifteen minutes later, a tremendous seascape or raceway or expressionistic flowers have come to life. “Playing” in this type of venue is just one of the multitudes of inspirational vehicles which drive Duaiv. His destination? Always, perhaps, a desire to share his perspectives on the world and the delight he produces by sharing his energy with others. When working from his prismatic studio reflecting the waters of South Florida, Duaiv begins a new piece by placing his left hand on the pristine canvas. “I decide in my head, this will be an energy I will give to somebody who I don’t know yet,” said Duaiv. “I want to channel that energy, to express it through paint. I don’t think it is an accident that when people enter a gallery they are immediately pulled toward one piece or another. They are drawn to more than the image. There is something more ephemeral calling to them, too. And I believe that has been part of my success. Do you know, in 40 years, I have never had more than 10 paintings left in my studio each month?”
purest form of expression. I grew up near Bordeaux in France, so I was always around the water and boats. That’s why I love to paint sailboats. I always have. I studied cello at the Paris Conservatory of Music and even became a professional symphony musician.” Aside from his artist endeavors, Duaiv nurtures a lifelong passion for racing, cars, and motorcycles. It seems the speed at which he can work, the movement reflected through color and form in every one of his paintings, is again, a fortuitous intermingling with his other passions. Several years ago, the artist began a successful side project, painting luxury race cars, like Viper and Spider.
INSPIRATION AND INTUITION Duaiv embodies a variety of artistic passions. A classically trained cellist, music came second to painting, but has never taken a back seat. It is not uncommon to find Duaiv busily painting, moving the oils in time to his own musical recordings. For those delicious moments, he is enveloped by both artistic expressions, creating something greater than the sum of its parts. “I speak best through my art,” he said in heavily French-accented English. “It is perhaps the Winter 2017/18 Opulence
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COLOR STORY “When you live a long time, you have many things to do,” remarked Duaiv. “If you are gifted like I was with music and art, you have to do this because it is part of your life.” It is this sense of urgency, of mission, that has opened many literal and figural doors for Duaiv. Many years ago, motorcycling through Spain with his newlywed, Duaiv decided to drive to artist Salvador Dalí’s home. With a courage born from youth and passion, Duaiv walked straight up to the front door and knocked.
moment ignited a passion in me. We moved to Cannes and I began painting in the streets. Six months later, we were offered a spot in a gallery for one month. We sold out all of the work. And 15 years later, we are with galleries all over Cannes and Europe. We moved to the United States in 2003, and have been so fortunate to be represented by Park West.” Today, Duaiv continues to share his kaleidoscope eye. “Now we travel all over the world, meeting collectors and holding live painting events…
“When you live a long time, you
“Every performance is a challenge. You don’t know what you’re going to do. So people can see your mistakes and how you handle those mistakes. They are seeing the reality of the art process. You aren’t hiding anything. And I love that freedom, that openness to the world.”
have many things to do.”
“He opened the door himself,” Duaiv recounted. “I couldn’t believe it. It was one of the most important moments in my life. Dalí said to me: ‘If you trust yourself, if you believe in yourself, you will succeed if you want to succeed.’ That
– Duaiv
See Duaiv’s art and live events on YouTube and by visiting the artist’s website at: www.duaiv.us John D. Adams is an award winning writer and photographer.
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Worth Repeating
BY JENIFER MANGIONE VOGT
NEWS UPDATE: OPULENCE ORIGINALLY PRINTED THE STORY BELOW IN SPRING 2014. ON 11/15/17, THE SALVATOR MUNDI PAINTING, THE ONLY LEONARDO DA VINCI PAINTING PRIVATELY HELD, SOLD AT AUCTION FOR A RECORD $450 MILLION!
LEONARDO LOST & FOUND Rediscovering the Salvator Mundi
Yet, the pair moved slowly, aware of the criticism that would come with error. Simon went to Europe to conduct academic research. He visited the Royal Library at Windsor Castle, which houses da Vinci’s only two preparatory drawings for the painting, along with an etching of it made by artist Wenceslas Hollar, who worked for King Charles I.
UNCOVERING CLUES
Leonardo da Vinci (Italian, 1452-1519) Salvator Mundi, Oil on panel, 25.8125" x 17 .875" (65.6 x 45.4 cm), Private Collection. © 2011 Salvator Mundi LLC Photo: Tim Nighswander/Imaging4Art
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The story of a lost Leonardo da Vinci painting sounds like the plot of a suspense novel or cinematic thriller. But it’s a true tale that has art connoisseurs in awe. “The painting was located in a family’s collection in the U.S. for 50 years,” said Robert B. Simon, PhD, an art historian who specializes in Italian Renaissance art. He was referring to Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, the Salvator Mundi. The owners didn’t know they had an original work by the old master. “It was there as a nice bit of religious wall decoration,” Simon said.
The restoration revealed a pentimento, or “change of heart,” which showed the artists had moved the original placement of Christ’s thumb. Infra-red reflectography conducted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art revealed further changes made by the artist before the painting was completed. Still, more authentication was required. Simon called on Nicholas Penny, director of the National Gallery in London. He suggested the work be presented to an international team of Leonardo experts, including Oxford Renaissance scholar Martin Kemp, who said he knew immediately it was a Leonardo. “It had that kind of presence that Leonardos have,” Kemp said. His colleagues concurred and resoundingly authenticated it as a work done by the great master. In November of 2011, the work was revealed in an exhibit at the National Gallery, Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan. There are only some 15 paintings by Leonardo that survive today, making the discovery even more significant. Where is the Salvator Mundi now? The painting resides with an owner who wishes to remain anonymous. “All I can say is that the painting is not available,” Simon explained. “But, it’s been requested for a 2015 show in Milan and I’m expecting it will be lent.”
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News outlets in 2011 speculated about the re-emergence of the painting, which depicts Christ making the sign of the blessing, and was first recorded in the collection of King Charles I in 1649. It vanished after being sold by British collector, Sir Frederick Cook, in 1958. Finally, after six years of research and restoration, its authenticity would be confirmed.
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THE AUTHENTICATION PROCESS A photograph of the Salvator Mundi was shown to Simon in 2005. “I immediately recognized it as related to a lost Leonardo, but it was covered with overpaint that disfigured it,” he said. “The hope was that it was by one of Leonardo’s assistants.” Simon took the painting to a renowned conservator, Mario Modestini, then 98, who had worked on Leonardo’s Ginevra de’Benci, now in Washington. “It was frightening, but I wrapped the painting in a black garbage bag and hopped in a taxi,” Simon said. Mario knew it as a piece of importance and his wife, Dianne, a professor of conservation at New York University, began to clean the work. She discovered passages of extraordinary quality suggestive of Leonardo. It looked like they might have an original.
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Key signs of authenticity to Leonardo experts: (1) The alteration of the thumb; (2) The hair ringlets nearly identical to the curls in Leonardo’s St. John the Baptist painting; (3) The extreme similarities of the mouth compared to the Mona Lisa; (4) The detail in the crystal globe that showed inclusions and refractions of light. Winter 2017/18 Opulence
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ToyTown A quaint look into the German Toy Museum in Sonneberg, once the toy capital of the world BY MELISSA BRYANT
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ne can almost hear Julie Andrews humming ‘My Favorite Things’: Model steam engines and papier-mâché figures…bright-colored peep shows and dolls made of biscuit… miniature soldiers ready for battle – these are a few of the 5,000 most precious things… on display at the Deutsche Spielzeugmuseum (German Toy Museum) in Sonneberg. Much simpler, materialistically speaking, than the high-tech gadgets likely awaiting children in your family this holiday season, Germany’s oldest specialized toy collection is a tangible reminder of man’s ingenuity and a living legacy of a town once considered the toy capital of the world. “The importance of toys is far more than just a commodity,” said Dr. Reinhild Schneider, the museum’s curator/director. “They hold an imprint of their respective times and cultural areas.”
THE TOY STORY BEGINS Historical accounts place the origins of Sonneberg’s toy-making industry in the late Middle Ages. Merchants from Nuremberg, a city in northern Bavaria, traveled a route near Sonneberg, over the crest of the Thuringian Forest, transporting “Nuremberg goods” (including toys), to fellow trade city Leipzig. Before making their trek over the mountain range, the merchants would change escorts and rest. Through this interchange, similar products began being produced in Sonneberg.
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By 1735, for the first time, a description of the city noted “all kinds of children’s goods”— swords, pistols, shotguns, pipes, violins, bowling games, nutcrackers, rattles, cuckoos “and the like more”—next to commodities of wood. Around 1740, toymakers developed a more attractive material for their merchandise using black flour and glue water. This doughy substance allowed craftsmen to freely form figures or mold parts. Though this new method of toy production allowed for greater diversity, the delicate material had a limited shelf life and was often ingested by mice and mites during shipments overseas.
A SOLUTION The remedy to this sticky situation arrived at the beginning of the 19th century, when brothers Johann Friedrich and Nicol Gottlieb Müller found papier-mâché to be an ideal alternative. Lightweight, cheap and flexible, this medium’s favorable properties made it easy to duplicate, ushering in a new era for the Sonneberg toy industry. “In the second half of the 19th century, dolls took the first position among the Sonneberg products,” said Dr. Schneider. “With increasing export product requirements, the number of occupations involved in the production of toys increased: modelers designed models, papier-mâché workers made doll heads, painters
designed doll faces, cutters and seamstresses sewed doll bodies made of leather or fabric [and so on].” The Sonneberg toy industry experienced many highs and lows throughout history, from Heinrich Stier’s founding of the first doll factory in 1852 to its slow decline following the outbreak of WWI when toy-producing industries were established abroad. Eventually, the aftermath of German reunification in 1990 proved insurmountable for Sonneberg’s toy industry. Yet a new beginning was waiting just around the proverbial corner.
NEW LIFE FOR OLD TOYS “Today, the German Toy Museum, founded in 1901, is the visible document for what was probably the largest toy metropolis ever,” said Dr. Schneider, who returned to her hometown of Sonneberg to teach at a specialized school for toy making during the last years of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). She later established a gallery for contemporary art before taking the helm at the museum. Each exhibit hall in the two-level museum follows a chronological order and boasts rare curiosities from nearly every part of the globe. The second floor is home to a menagerie of dolls, including the museum’s oldest exhibit—a terracotta doll’s head dating back to the 14th century BC—and what Dr. Schneider deems as “particularly impressive” dolls and cult objects from ancient Greece mostly made of clay or wood.
(L) Ladies making dolls in a Sonneberg toy factory; (R) The “Gulliver in Lilliput” ensemble is based on Jonathan Swift’s famous novel “Gulliver’s Travels” and features miniature Lilliputians made of dough. Winter 2017/18 Opulence
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“For girls in ancient times,” she said, “the doll was both a playmate and a protective amulet. At marriage, the young woman sacrificed her dolls to the goddesses as a sign that adulthood is now beginning.”
and to use these pictures to promote the Sonneberg industry,” said Dr. Schneider. “Möller managed to give each industry of the Sonneberg toy industry its own scene in the overall picture.”
THE REAL SHOWSTOPPER
The preserved fairground ensemble features essentially all of the components of papier-mâché, wood and textile from the original piece, which received the coveted “Grand Prix” (Grand Prize) at the international showcase. According to a visitor’s report, the Queen of Belgium said the “Thuringian Fairground was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life.” More than 100 years later, the scene promises to elicit such awestruck reactions for many decades to come.
The central exhibit of the museum’s new extension is the “Thüringer Kirmes,” or Thuringian Fairground, which debuted at the 1910 Brussels World’s Fair. For this special exhibit, guests are seated in a dark room as a bellowing German voice sets the stage for this lively depiction of a typical regional rural festival around 1900. As the lights flicker on, the sights and sounds of the festivities come alive. Some 67 almost life-size figures complete the scene (see photo above), everything from dressed dolls and painted papier-mâché clowns, vendors and townspeople, to a working carousel with wooden mounts. “The exhibit’s designer Reinhard Möller chose the fairground theme to capture the products of the Sonneberg toy industry in pictures,
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By year’s end, the German Toy Museum plans to introduce audio guides in English with versions for both adults and children. www.deutschesspielzeugmuseum.de/expose_engl.html
Antiquities Conservation
IT CAME AS A SHOCK
BY GORDON A. LEWIS, JR., VICE PRESIDENT, FINE ARTS CONSERVANCY IN PALM BEACH
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or many years, one of my best clients was a major private dealer in Asian antiquities. One day he handed me a badly corroded spear blade (ostensibly Chinese) to remove the corrosion. As I was working on the piece, I was shocked to discover a magnificent inlaid Bronze Age Mycenaean dagger blade emerge. The basic dagger is black patinated bronze (not Niello), with inlays of silver and gold on both sides. We do not know how they were used, but because of their design, we suspect they were ceremonial. What we do know is that the known ones were in circular burial graves with other ceremonial objects.
You can imagine what a shock it was to discover something so rare. Today, this dagger remains in a private collection.
THE UNEXPECTED REVELATION The inlays, as can be seen, were a series of figures on both sides; I realized that we had one of the rarest blades in existence, so I consulted with the owner, and we made the decision to leave some of the corrosion as evidence of its antiquity. We were certain that there would be many skeptics who would disbelieve its authenticity without remaining encrustation as proof, and indeed there were many who were initially skeptical. These are so rare that both the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art only have electrotype copies of similar blades; photos of them can be seen on line, as well as pictures of the other few original ones.
FROM AN ANCIENT GREEK CIVILIZATION The Mycenaean civilization was the last phase of the Bronze Age in ancient Greece (c. 1100 – 900 BC), and archaeologically known as the “Helladic period.” It represents the first advanced civilization in mainland Greece with palatial states, urban organization, works of art and a writing system. The Mycenaeans themselves are thought to have immigrated from Indo – Europe, and were the first advanced civilization in mainland Greece; they are known from excavations at Mycenae and other sites. After the Mycenaeans defeated and displaced the Achaeans, they quickly extended their influence to Crete and established colonies in Italy, Sicily, and Asia Minor. Heinrich Schleimann was the first archaeologist to discover their existence in Sparta and Crete; other archaeologists followed after 1876. Mycenae’s chronology roughly parallels that of the contemporaneous Minoan civilization. The reasons for its disappearance are unknown, but speculation ranges from the “sea people”, to the Dorian invasion, natural disasters, and climatic changes, among others. The Dorian invasion begins the beginning of the Greek “Dark Ages”. Today, remnants of Mycenaean stone architecture are common throughout the Peloponnese.
As I was working on the piece, I was shocked to discover a magnificent inlaid Bronze Age Mycenaean dagger blade emerge. – Gordon Lewis Winter 2017/18
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Business Profile
BY ALEX STARACE
Animation Creation: Octopie Network Spreads its Tentacles
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f you still think of animation as cartoons that air on Saturday mornings, you have a lot of catching up to do. As now-classics like The Simpsons, South Park and Aqua Teen Hunger Force can attest, the form is no longer targeted at just kids. These days, animation appeals to a broader audience and often airs on prime time or late night. But the media landscape is changing. Increasingly viewers expect ondemand content streamed through a variety of devices. What does that mean for animation? And where can fans catch the next big thing?
MEET THE MASTERMIND Micah Brooke, the Chief Content Officer of the Octopie Network, hopes to provide the answer. “We think that there is a huge opportunity right now,” said Brooke. “We look at something like Adult Swim [the Cartoon Network’s nightly 10-hour block of animation-based shows], which is killing it in broadcast … and there’s just a huge gap, where nobody really controls that space online.” Octopie Network is looking to change that.
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Micah Brooke
Another of Octopie Network’s successful projects is bringing the first animation to Animal Planet, in the form of Celebrity Animal Encounters, which will air on the network in 2018. Very simple in concept, celebrities like Kristen Bell, Al Roker and Fabio narrate some of their more unusual animal experiences, while having the scene re-enacted via animation provided by Octopie Network. In one story, actor Danny Trejo (from Machete, among many other action films) narrates how he stopped traffic to rescue an ungroomed dog that had just plopped down in the middle of a busy road. Trejo eventually adopted it. “You really get some insight into who he is as a person,” said Brooke. “He’s a big teddy bear.” Brooke got his start managing user-uploaded animated content at the videogame themed website Machinima, where he eventually becoming the Director of Programming. “That just sort of opened my eyes and I saw that there’s so much talent out there and there’s so much passion for content creation,” he said. Previous to these digital platforms, there was very little opportunity for budding animators to get their work seen, since their options were limited to major networks.
“What’s been interesting to me is seeing that because we get such immediate feedback in the online space, we see how many views a video is getting, we see how many likes versus dislikes it’s getting, we see the comments. We’re starting to see it’s not about producing the most expensive, glossy, beautiful content. It’s really about the voice.” Despite being less than two years old, Octopie Network has already seen success finding the right spots for its creators.
“We were seeing the emergence of these fledgling creatives really starting to find their voice, really starting to develop. Through that we feel like there is really an opportunity to start to identify who’s going to be the next Trey Parker [co-creator of South Park], who’s going to be the next Seth MacFarlane [creator of Family Guy].” It’s with this spirit that Brooke started Octopie Network with two partners, Lon Strickland and Isaac Krauss, intending to connect to viewers via online media.
The company helped LowBrow Studios develop Explosion Jones, which is the first animated series on the network El Rey. Starring Michael Madsen (of Reservoir Dogs fame), it’s an inside joke-laden send-up of 1980s and 1990s action flicks. “We were able to take these creators we’ve been working with for seven years, pair them with Robert Rodriquez, a prominent filmmaker who’s working on the show as a producer,” said Brooke. The online influencers whom Brooke had identified as possible stars are now putting their work in front of a much larger (and still appreciative) audience. “For us, that’s a great story because it shows this formula works,” said Brooke.
BEHIND THE SCENES As the Chief Content Officer, it’s Brooke’s job to figure out which shows will succeed with proper backing and how to connect them with the right projects. “For us it’s about the voice, even if the animation isn’t top quality. Do you have something to say? Do you have a perspective that’s interesting? That’s what we’re looking for.
THE SUCCESS STORIES
With Octopie Network looking to launch its own network soon, this likely won’t be the last you hear from the company. “We’ve seen that there’s a model there to both scale and grow an audience, but also a business model,” said Brooke. The goal of the Octopie Network is to become the number one online animation brand in the world. A heady ambition, but they’re certainly off to a good start. Editor’s note: YouTube animation fans, be sure to watch for an exciting new original content launch in 2018 from the Octopie Network.
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The Houdini Séance BY DALE KING & JULIA HEBERT
Sadly, her efforts went unanswered. But her decade of trying sparked a global tradition of holding séances annually on Halloween to determine if Houdini’s spirit had outsmarted the Grim Reaper. Ceremonies known as Houdini Séances have kept the famed escapist’s name and fame alive for nearly a century. The Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, conducts several such séances each night, in a room appropriately called the Houdini Séance Chamber. Three mediums stand ready to take 10 to 12 visitors per show on a spiritual expedition.
Perhaps more than any human being, master magician and escape artist extraordinaire Harry Houdini wanted to communicate with the dead. He even struck a pact with wife Beatrice “Bess” Houdini that whoever passed away first would desperately try to contact the other from the Great Beyond. Harry died of peritonitis from a ruptured appendix on Halloween 1926. For 10 years, on the anniversary of his death, Bess conducted a séance on the roof of the Hollywood Knickerbocker Hotel, hoping to reach her late husband across the spiritual divide.
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Misty Lee, a medium, illusionist and voice actor, shares séance work with Leo Kostka, a Magic Castle stalwart for some 30 years, and magician/medium Rob Zabrecky. Misty says Leo is “very informative, a proper historian” while Rob is “kind of funny.” Lee describes herself as “a little more intense.” Mystical ceremonies unfold in a room decorated in Victorian style that was once the bedroom of the home’s original owner. “He died here,” says Misty, amping up the chamber’s goosebump factor. The space that strikingly resembles Sherlock Holmes’ drawing room is also a repository of much Houdini memorabilia.
“My séance,” she says, “is not about creeping people out as much as it is to give them an experience and making them wonder, ‘Wait a minute. How could she have done that?’” No proof exists, she says, that Harry Houdini ever contacted anyone from beyond the grave. But there also exists no proof that he DIDN’T. And thereby hangs the mysterious conundrum that bedevils Houdini-philes even today.
THE MECCA FOR MAGICIANS The mystical and tantalizing history of the Academy of Magical Arts and its Victorian mansion venue in Hollywood, California: The Magic Castle BY DALE KING, JULIA HEBERT AND ROBIN JAY
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as it an uncanny coincidence – or something more? At half past noon on Halloween 2011, some 120 firefighters descended upon the 103-year-old Victorian mansion at 7001 Franklin Avenue in Hollywood, California. The attic blaze was extinguished within an hour, no one was harmed, and investigators deemed it accidental. Nothing more to see here, right? Maybe not, but ponder these facts that didn’t make it into the police incident report: The date of the fire was the 85th anniversary of Harry Houdini’s death. It was also the 75th anniversary of the last annual séance Houdini’s wife Bess held on the roof of the Knickerbocker Hotel Hollywood in an attempt to reach her beloved late husband. And – ready for this? The mansion where the fire took place (located just a mile from The Knickerbocker) is known as ‘The Magic Castle,’ home to the Academy of Magical Arts, the only private club in the United States devoted to the advancement of magicians. Inside is tucked a room called the “Houdini Séance Chamber.” The walls of this storied space display artifacts once owned by the legendary magician, including his famous straightjacket and the only pair of handcuffs from which he was never able to escape. Fittingly, the Houdini Chamber is used nightly for séance performances open to AMA members and their guests. On the very evening
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of that notorious 2011 Halloween fire, the venue’s annual gala – eerily entitled “Inferno At The Castle” – had to be canceled. Could this coincidental and intricate chain of events have been Houdini’s long-anticipated communication from the Great Beyond?
MORE INTRIGUING ANTIQUITY OF THE MAGIC CASTLE Certainly there is no scientific proof of Houdini communicating from the dead at The Magic Castle, but regardless, there’s no question the mansion has a compelling history. The home was built in the early 1900s as residence to Rollin B. Lane, a banker, real estate developer and philanthropist, and his wife, Katherine. They called it “Holly Chateau.” The couple died in the 1940s, and the home remained in the family until the 1950s when it was sold to land developer Tom Glover.
Guests must have an invitation from a member to get in. When visitors utter the words, “Open Sesame,” a bookcase moves aside, exposing a portal to the restored home’s Victorian-style interior and vast expanses of historic posters, memorabilia and posh presentments. TV host Johnny Carson, who dabbled in magic and created comic spiritualist ‘Carnac,’ was a frequenter who donated some of his trickster trinkets. “One of our founding board members was Cary Grant, who agreed to participate with two conditions. No one would ask for an autograph and no one would ask for a photo. Those regulations still apply today, known as the Cary Grant rules,” Furlow said.
In the meantime, the idea of an Academy of Magical Arts was announced by William Larsen Sr. in the April 1952 issue of “Genii,” an independent magazine of magic, which he edited. “Larsen felt there should be an association for magicians to swap secrets and network,” said Joe Furlow, General Manager of The Magic Castle.
Actor Neil Patrick Harris served six years on the board of directors, three as president. He loved a drink called the Old Fashioned, and the club honored him by offering the beverage and naming it the NPH. Other A-lister guests have included Johnny Depp (who entered through the kitchen), Steve Martin, Arsenio Hall and, recently, singer Adele, whose presence caused a ruckus, despite an advance security sweep.
When the elder Larsen died a year later, his wife, Irene and son, Bill Jr., continued publishing the magazine. But the Academy didn’t solidify until Larsen’s younger son, Milt – a writer for Bob Barker’s ‘Truth or Consequences’ TV show – leased and restored the Holly Chateau, which had fallen into ruin and was about to be torn down by Glover for a parking garage.
Who knows? If you choose to become a member of the Academy of Magical Arts or convince a member to invite you to The Magic Castle for dinner and a show, don’t be surprised if a sleight-ofhand celebrity magician drops by your table and says: “Pick a card, any card.”
The refurbished turn-of-the-century structure reopened as The Magic Castle on January 2, 1963. From an initial membership of 50, the Academy has grown to a worldwide roster of 5,300 today. Over the years, several additions have been added to the original edifice for theaters, bars, a library and meeting spaces. Local celebrities have also found the Castle a draw. Past AMA members include Cary Grant, Tony Curtis and Johnny Carson.
WHAT TO EXPECT An evening at The Magic Castle can feel entertaining, mystical, supernatural and, of course, magical. “For professional prestidigitators, magicians-in-training and conjuror aficionados, The Magic Castle is their Ground Zero,” said Furlow. “We encourage public interest in magic, with particular emphasis on preserving its history as an art form, entertainment medium and hobby.” The current president of the Academy of Magical Arts is Randy Sinnott, a former Marine and owner of an L.A. law firm. He has an MBA and is a magician to boot. “This is what the founders wanted — a place where hobbyists can sit down with professionals and have a conversation about magic,” Furlow continued. Counting dining areas, performance spots and the Houdini Séance Chamber, the elegant structure with semi-circular parapets and plenty of hidden secret passages, holds 540 living people – and perhaps a few spirits – on any given night.
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DARING ENOUGH TO JOIN?
The Academy of Magical Arts is currently keeping a waiting list for anyone interested in joining the club as an Associate Member. The wait on the list is currently about four months. To be added to the wait list, contact the AMA’s Membership Department at memberservices@magiccastle.com. Please provide your name, email address and phone number when inquiring.
KALAHARI EXCLUSIVE BESPOKE SOUTH AFRICA
ADVENTURES
Discover the once-in-a-lifetime custom luxury safari at Tswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve BY KELLY VILLASUSO
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ow-lying, uninterrupted bush — rhythmic, swaying grasses dotted with brilliant yellow flowers and earth-toned fauna for as far as the eye can see, interposed solely by the scurrying of meerkats, porcupines or pangolins. Dunes undulate across the semi-arid landscape, like ocean waves gently flowing into the majestic Korannaberg mountains — cresting frequently against a brilliant red sky to provide unparalleled views of winged and four-limbed inhabitants, such as lions, antelopes, giraffes, and zebras. It is the promise of scenes such as these that has propelled South Africa to the top of the bucket lists of affluent travelers — individuals, couples, and families, alike; travelers seeking full immersion into the timeless, natural beauty of the motherland of civilization and into luxurious environs. There is a plethora of safari lodges on the subcontinent ready to help travelers escape
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into its storybook marvels through pre-set safari itineraries and fully customizable adventures. “For affluent travelers, though,” shares Deborah Brye with Unique Travel of Palm Beach, Inc., “booking a tailor-made safari is really the best way to be fully enveloped in luxury, gain extraordinary access to South African wildlife, and be fully immersed in all the wonders on display there.” According to Travel & Leisure’s 2017 World’s Best Safari Lodges, Tswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve is one such place at which to embark on a highly personalized — and often life-changing — interlude with South Africa. The breathtaking, ever-changing South African terrain of the Kalahari savanna at Tswalu Kalahari, the Oppenheimer family’s 272,000-acre private game reserve, peacefully invites you to bear witness to its natural wonders — great and small, and envelopes you in awestruck serenity and subtle elegance. Brooke Berlin, North
American representative for Tswalu Kalahari, shared with International Opulence, “No matter time nor place in the Kalahari, the treasures of the wild and rugged savanna are spectacular to behold — an experience enhanced exponentially by the fully bespoke safari experience and the astoundingly luxurious environs at Tswalu Kalahari.”
VICARIOUS VIEWS OF A TAILOR-MADE TSWALU KALAHARI SAFARI “Tswalu means ‘a new beginning’,” Berlin said, “and every moment of every day at the reserve is custom-designed to help each guest achieve that.” Every five-day, four-night itinerary is designed to fit the desires of each Tswalu Kalahari guest — as opposed to fitting the guest into a preset itinerary. The highlights below depict astounding moments from an actual interlude at
Tswalu Kalahari from which you can live vicariously or from which you can draw inspiration for your own bespoke adventure into the birthplace of humanity.
MEMOIRS OF OUR TIME AT TSWALU KALAHARI Highlights of Day One: En route from the private airstrip to our accommodations, breathtaking scenery reenergized us after our lengthy journey and the diversity of game around every turn — from oryx, roan, and elands, to buffalo and giraffes — kept us on the edge of our seats.
experienced a traditional fire-lit Boma feast high up on the dunes. Highlights of Day Two: We set out on a sunrise horseback ride into the Kalahari with our personal guide and tracker to get unbelievably close to giraffes, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebras, porcupines, and the eland — Africa’s largest antelope. A full breakfast was served to us — tablecloth and all — out in the bush.
After a few laps in our pool and a massage in our private Tarkuni spa, we had a leisurely lunch overlooking the watering hole near the house. We went on an afternoon safari during which we saw a male Kalahari BlackManed Lion fight his brother over dominance of a female just beyond our vehicle. Once in a lifetime! Continued on next page
Tarkuni, the Oppenheimer family’s home and our glorious accommodations, took what was left of our breath away. We were met by our personal staff who quickly reaffirmed that nothing at Tswalu has a time frame to it — whatever we want to do is exactly what will happen. Here’s to new beginnings! We tracked rhinoceroses on foot through the bush, enjoyed traditional sundowners as the sun set out over the Kalahari, and
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After dinner on our patio, we took a walk in the bush under the Big Sky with the lead researcher (and flashlights in tow) to track the endangered, nocturnal pangolin as it foraged for its food before balling up and rolling back into its den. Incredible! Highlights of Day Three: We arranged a private, pre-dawn trek with reserve habituators to observe the sunrise rituals of the meerkat and delighted in their antics as they popped out to greet the day. On safari today, we saw a momma cheetah teaching her cubs how to hunt and enjoyed a little leopard tortoise sighting! Instead of returning to Tarkuni for dinner and bed, we spent the night glamping at the Malori in the middle of the Kalahari under the diamond sky — 10 miles from the watch — atop an elevated platform. After dinner, our team left us nestled in a gorgeous bed sipping champagne as the cool, crisp wind whispered good night in passing. Highlights of Day Four: For our last full day at Tswalu, we took a private helicopter tour over the vast expanse of the reserve, touching down occasionally to talk to wild life managers in the bush. We also chose to sponsor a rhino notching to try to play a more instrumental role in the conservation activities of the Tswalu Foundation and to help protect these animals from poaching. We got up close with the Tswalu research team and learned so much about these spectacular animals! We spent the late afternoon relaxing alone in our pool and sipping gin and tonics (the traditional sundowner) as we watched the sun slip below the Kalahari horizon for the last time. Our chef served us the most spectacular gourmet dinner tonight. The only thing that topped the food and the night stars was the delicious South African wine that just kept flowing! Highlights of Day Five: We set out on our last game drive at Tswalu Kalahari, capturing in our minds’ eye as much of this glorious land as possible before heading off to the airstrip for our flight home, our hearts full of new beginnings.
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TRAVELING IN PURSUIT OF WELLNESS BY KELLY VILLASUSO
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My experience is that by following [the wellness program] of a healing hotel, your body feels light and invigorated … but also your soul is flying.” — Elisabeth Ixmeier, Co-Founder and CCO, Healing Hotels of the World
More and more travelers are veering away from traditional vacation escapades, such as unhealthy eating, excessive drinking, poor sleeping, and disruption of fitness routines. Instead, they are consciously designing trips that promote or enhance healthy, clean living; provide for rejuvenation and rebalance; and often move them to find inner peace and purpose in life again. Whether dealing with concerns resulting from the pressures of a modern lifestyle, including lack of movement, stress, and poor nutrition, or with other chronic issues, such as diabetes and obesity, today’s vacationers are actively engaging in wellness travel — travel for promoting health and well-being through physical, psychological, or spiritual activities — and are looking for their invigorated souls to fly.
KAMALAYA KOH SAMUI– Located in Koh Samui, Thailand, Kamalaya is centered around a cave that once served as a place of meditation and spiritual retreat for Buddhist monks. Kamalaya, which translates to lotus realm, symbolizes the growth and unfolding of the human spirit — the underlying goal of most wellness travelers.
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THE QUEST FOR WELLNESS: IT’S ONLY HUMAN According to the Global Wellness Institute’s 2017 Global Wellness Economy Monitor, the wellness tourism segment of the global wellness industry has developed into a $563 billion industry. However, the quest for transformative experiences to rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit is nothing new. The practice of wellness travel has been documented since ancient times — such as the earliest walks to the Dead Sea to bask in its therapeutic properties, journeys by the Japanese to hot springs for healing and a sense of community, and jaunts by the Romans to baths for purification and spiritual rituals. Clearly, the need for antidotes to the stresses of daily life — regardless of time or place — is very human.
WELLNESS WITHOUT BOUNDARIES Through the advent of modern-day people movers (planes, trains, boats and automobiles) as well as the computer, wellness travel today truly has no boundaries. From Bali, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Japan, to Ecuador, India, Germany, Maldives, Thailand, and every country in between, wellness-seekers like you can find a myriad of locales offering regionally rooted, transformative experiences that resonate profoundly with body and soul. Elisabeth Ixmeier, Co-Founder of Healing Hotels of the World, shared that the best wellness program must “consider each person as a whole — physically, emotionally, and spiritually — and address his or her special needs and preferences through such things as alternative medicine treatments, healthy nutrition, and movement.” Winter 2017/18 Opulence
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Whether looking to improve your physical health through Ayurvedic medicine or therapies such as yoga or tai chi, or wanting to connect with your spiritual self through meditation, there are a plethora of wellness programs at your fingertips. With a clear understanding of your goals and innermost motivations, you will find a transformative experience that speaks both to who you are and one that helps you move toward who you wish to become. Healing Hotels of the World’s vision is to help guests find a wellness program that helps them “become whole again in body, mind and soul, freeing them to enjoy the sacredness and abundance of life.” To learn more about the carefully curated wellness and healing programs promoted through the Healing Hotels of the World, visit www.healinghotelsoftheworld.com.
Kamalaya’s Naturopaths customize health programs for each guest from their extensive range of holistic medicine, and spa and healing therapies to deliver a personally fulfilling experience. www.kamalaya.com.
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WHEN YOU
WISH LANTERN UPON A
BY STEPHANIE BOWMAN
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magine looking up in wonder as you see thousands of wishes floating up toward the night sky, each one wrapped up in a ball of amber light. They eventually create a radiant blanket, overpowering the night’s darkness until finally becoming distant pinpoints concealed in the night’s dusk. This magical scene is experienced at sky lantern festivals around the world. For years, people have lit and released paper lanterns in hopes of sending their wishes up to the heavens, or for some, warding off bad spirits. The most popular festivals occur in Asia, causing thousands of tourists to flock to the continent each year. After gaining a bad reputation due to the fire hazards they pose, many states in the U.S. have banned their use altogether. Since it’s likely that you won’t be seeing any sky lanterns in the US of A, you can always travel to the following festivals to experience one for yourself:
CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL Falling on the 15th day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival marks the end of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. Though there are many different tales about the origins of this festival, they all involve the desire of good fortune and health. Lanterns of various shapes and sizes are hung outside of homes and paraded down the streets. Riddles, which have become an essential part of the festival, are included in some lanterns, luring riddle-loving visitors to the lantern owner’s doorstep. Should the speculator solve the riddle correctly, they are rewarded with a small gift. Traditional dishes, customary lantern dances and magnificent fireworks are also important elements of this festival.
CHIANG MAI YI (YEE) PENG FESTIVAL
This festival of lights takes place in Northern Thailand and typically occurs in early winter—though the exact dates are released just a few weeks before the event. The local celebration of Yi Peng is a religious ceremony that pays homage to the late Buddha. During the festival, onlookers are entertained by traditional Thai dances, beauty pageants and firework shows. But the final spectacle, the release of the lanterns, is the most mesmerizing facet of the entire event. While making a wish, people release thousands of paper lanterns into the sky, transforming it into a sea of lanterns. From local monks to tourists traversing from all over the world to experience it, everyone leaves taking the extraordinary moment when the lanterns turn into bright orange stars with them.
PINGXI SKY LANTERN FESTIVAL In an effort to bring their country’s traditions onto an international stage, The Tourism Bureau began scheduling numerous festival-related events all over Taiwan, making this jamboree the country’s major tourist attraction. Rated one of the best festivals in the world by The Discovery Channel, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in Taiwan is one you won’t want to miss. From folk performances, lantern riddle contests and street carnivals, it’s not surprising that this festival appears on every “must see” travel list. During the event, thousands of lanterns are released simultaneously, taking people’s wishes along with them. It is believed that by making a wish during the launch, the wish will rise up into the heavens, resulting in a priority delivery to God. Skeptic or not, one thing that can’t be denied is the beauty created by thousands of lanterns covering up the night’s sky. All of these festivals have one similarity: Their magic is undeniable. If it’s impossible for you to experience all three, make sure you promise yourself you’ll witness at least one in your lifetime. Winter 2017/18 Opulence
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LAPA’ I
n the Lapa’ luxury. I don’t really like to play on words, but I just can’t help it this time around. The Lapa Palace in Lisbon, Portugal, once the residence of the Portuguese Court, is one of the most perfect places to stay in the world - and I mean that. The palace, located in the hills overlooking the beautiful city of
MARVEL IN A VISIT TO LISBON’S LAPA PALACE
Lisbon, offers just about every amenity one could wish and the décor accents the charms of yesterday. Color-wise and furnishing-wise, all who know and love the time of black and white movies will appreciate this hotel.
LUXURY BY CARLETON VARNEY
Lapa Palace dining room
Lapa Palace dining room Rui Palma, the hotel concierge, is in attendance to care for your every need — including mailing packages home that you do not want to carry on a long airplane ride back to America. Concierge Rui can also tell you what and where to go in the city of the seven hills.
ARTISAN TILE GALORE If one were to ask what one must see in Lisbon, you can begin knowing that Portugal is all about tile work, and the imagery in tiles will fascinate you. Even the walls above your bathtub at Lapa Palace are decorated with
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blue and white tiles, featuring the scenes of Lisbon landscapes or edifices. Portugal is about fine wines and fine vineyards, and about olive groves and about handmade rugs. Special rug designs can take three to four weeks, but are worth the wait. Portugal is about ceramics, bed linens, and lace. The shops catering to the tourists are also filled with cork: cork bowls, cork picture frames, cork boots, and cork-finished wallets. Don’t ask me how a wallet can be covered in cork. I don’t know how they do it, but they do.
BASK IN YESTERYEAR ELEGANCE Portugal is about sunshine and about music and dining in the manner of yesterday. I love the Lapa Palace dining room with its trellis-covered walls, its chandeliers from Murano, its ceiling – all hand-painted with puffy white clouds. The waiters are gentile, immaculately dressed, and the Maître d’hôtel Chainho de Oliveira knows exactly how to treat a guest. Lapa Palace has a swimming pool, set among the trees and bougainvilleas. All rooms have terraces with sliding doors that open to an outdoor pleasure spot where room service will bring you afternoon tea, breakfast, or a cocktail before dinner – why not? The terrace is a romantic place to view the sparkling city below.
TO START YOUR DAY Breakfast at the Lapa is perfection — a breakfast room with outside garden and with handsome flower-decorated china is the total atmosphere. Not since Lady Bird Johnson created her flower china have I seen one pattern as pretty. On pink linen cloths, you’ll find a buffet of mangos and all colorful fruits, and all bounty of Portugal — caviar, smoked salmon, breads, croissants, yogurts. When in Lisbon, you must see the Elevator of Santa Justa. The city abounds with lifts and elevators to carry you up its seven hills. The
Lapa Palace’s swimming pool, set among the trees and bougainvilleas.
Portugal is about sunshine and about music and dining in the manner of yesterday. Santa Justa elevator was fabricated of cast iron in 1902, designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard. From the top of the elevator you will see an unforgettable view of the city. The Panteão Nacional (The National Pantheon) is an impressive monument to Portugal’s past. Illustrious figures from the past are laid to rest here. From the pantheon, you can view the Tagus River flowing into the Atlantic Sea.
Elevator of Santa Justa
All of Lisbon is a tile museum and the exteriors of many buildings are decorated with panels and logos in a multitude of colors. A visit to the Museu do Azulejo is a must. If you are in Lisbon on a weekend, visit the craft market on the waterside. There you’ll find designs in tiles, wooden puzzles,
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The PanteĂŁo Nacional
jewelry, linens, ceramics, glassware, and all the art from photographs to cork accessories. While there, I made some small purchases of glass soap dishes in a fish-like form, as well as a wooden cow puzzle for my grandson Bowie.
TAPAS, TAPAS, TAPAS There are so many tapas restaurants in Lisbon that I suggest you find nearby recommendations from Rui Palma, that wonderful concierge at Lapa Palace. I shall leave you with one dining recommendation: For a treat of the best freshly baked croissants I have ever had, visit La Boulangerie close by the Lapa Palace. Lapa Palace, Lisbon
Museu do Azulejo
Carleton Varney, President of Dorothy Draper & Co. Inc., is an American decorator, designer, lecturer and author.
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ASHFORD CASTLE The Irish Getaway Beyond Compare
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BY ALEX STARACE
tunning cliffs, verdant hills and bucolic cottages punctuate a journey along the weathered west coast of Ireland. In County Mayo, a little off the coast, sits one of the region’s crown jewels: Ashford Castle. Named the top resort hotel in all of Ireland by Travel and Leisure, Ashford combines the charm of a medieval structure on the water of Lough Corrib with the modern amenities of the twenty-first century resort. “The castle has welcomed royalty, politicians, movie stars and travelers,” said general manager Niall Rochford, “And all of them have marveled at the natural beauty of the location.” Originally built in 1228 as a stronghold against the O’Connors of Connaught, it was controlled for over 300 years by the De Burgo family, Anglo-Normans who became the House of Burke. The castle was eventually confiscated by Sir Richard Bingham, Lord President of Connaught, in 1589, as punishment for a tax rebellion led by the Burkes. Ownership changed hands two more times as the centuries rolled by, and the estate began to take on a more genteel aspect. The Guinness family, of brewery fame, expanded its acreage to 26,000, developing the woodlands and gardens for typical Irish country pursuits during the mid-1800s. And then, Winter 2017/18 Opulence
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in 1905, the Prince of Wales planned a visit. To honor him, a special dining room with paneled walls and Waterford Crystal chandeliers was built. Upon his arrival, he had a drink at the castle’s bar, before dining in the room custom-made for the event. To this day, both the bar and dining room bear the prince’s name: The Prince of Wales Bar and the George V Dining Room, for the prince was destined to become King. The castle barely made it much longer. “It was almost burnt down in the 1920s, during the Irish War of Independence,” explained Rochford. At the time, the Irish Republic Army (IRA) had a tactic of burning down large estates across the country. When the local IRA received orders to set Ashford ablaze, they refused. The Guinness family, who were still owners of the property, had been too good to the community. The arson was never committed, and the castle was saved from ruin. Long-time stewards of the property, the Guinness family finally sold in 1939, and the estate was converted into a first-class hotel known for its picturesque scenery. In fact, the grounds and the nearby town of Cong formed the backdrop for the Oscar Award-winning 1952 film The Quiet Man, directed by John Ford. Starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, the tale of tempestuous lovers courting was nominated for seven Academy Awards, and won Best Director (Ford’s fourth and final Oscar) and Best Cinematography. It was one of the few Hollywood films to ever include Gaelic and it made Cong the tourist attraction that it is today. The castle continued evolving, adding a golf course and doubling the size of its grounds in the 1970s. While it remained stately during this period, by 2013 it needed some attention. The Red Carnation Hotels Collection purchased it and undertook a massive restoration. “The goal of the restoration was to bring the property back to the former glory days of the Guinness era,” said Rochford. The 789-year-old stonework was tuckpointed, 800 original windows were replaced with modern glass and over 30 tonnes of lead were used to reinforce the castle’s roof. Thirty guest rooms from the Guinness-era were restored, as were a number of authentic Victorian-era paintings in various guest rooms. The Prince of Wales Bar was meticulously maintained. “Not since the Guinness family originally purchased and transformed the estate had so much love, care and money been lavished on the property,” said Rochford. In addition to restoration, expansion was also on the menu: A glass conservatory was constructed to house a world-class spa. A cinema, billiards room and cigar terrace were added. And the piecede-resistance? “The transformation of the former servants entrance and coal bunkers into a wine cellar and tasting room. It illustrates the creativity and vision the designers had when planning the restoration.” Now truly an elite getaway, the Ashford Castle hosted the wedding of four-time major-champion golfer Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll this past summer. It recently won the Irish Cocktail Festival’s best cocktail award with a concoction featuring Connemara 12-year peated whiskey and Atlantic sea salt. Regularly listed as one of the best places to stay in the world, Ashford Castle’s evolution continues to fascinate.
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Loving BY ALEXANDRA WENSLEY
How grateful am I? One of the best aspects of having a father who lives in Greece is planning our family vacation to visit him every other summer. My father and his 90-year-old sister Maria live on the Greek island of Lesvos in a small farming town. Although Lesvos, Greece’s third-largest island, is not on the radar of many Americans, it is full of historic villages with gorgeous beaches, medieval castles, delicious food and an abundance of natural beauty. The Greek tradition of hospitality is prevalent throughout the island, making Lesvos a great place for families and couples who want a quiet, fun vacation destination. It’s a charming gem in the northern Aegean.
MYTILENE We arrived in Lesvos mid-July via a short 45-minute flight from Athens to Mytilene, the capital of Lesvos and a lively port city. We rented a car and made our way through the maze of crowded streets. Our first stop was the medieval castle, one of the largest castles in the Mediterranean. Mytilene Castle, built in the 6th century AD, is perched atop a hill on the edge of the city. We spent several hours touring the ancient ruins, tunnels and towers. It was grand and picturesque with incredible water views from every corner.
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Sharing my family journey to my father’s homeland on this charming Greek isle
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A short drive from Mytilene is the famous Monastery of Agios Raphael (St. Raphael) in Thermi. It’s dedicated to one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Lesvos. We wandered around this sacred and impressive house of worship filled with inspiring stories of miracles and visionaries. It’s also worth a visit to another prominent monastery, Moni Taxiarchon, located on the north side of the island in the town of Mantamados. While the monastery was fascinating, we went to taste the famous loukoumades, the Greek version of a fried doughnut sprinkled with sweet honey and cinnamon served at the cafe on the monastery’s compound.
THE OUZO CAPITAL OF THE WORLD Plomari on the southern coast of Lesvos is known for some of the island’s best beaches, olive oil and the local ouzo. On the winding road leading into town there are many ouzo factories and the ouzo museum. One learns how ouzo is made and what distinguishes one brand from
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another. On many evenings, we visited the island’s seaside taverns with my father and his friend where they shared a bottle of ouzo. Drop one or two ice cubes in a small glass with a little ice water, pour a small amount of ouzo on top and watch as the ouzo turns from crystal clear to a smooth white chalk. Now ready to drink, “only sip it and slowly,” my father instructs my husband, and enjoy it with small plates of mezze: feta cheese and olives (there are 11 million olive trees on Lesvos), fresh sardines, fava beans drenched in olive oil, and fried eggplant. Drinking ouzo is a Greek tradition and a ritual meant to be savored with the traditional cuisine.
MOLYVOS On one morning, a herd of sheep with bells clanking around their necks blocked traffic as we made our way to Molyvos, an incredibly picturesque town of stone homes that cascade down a hill under a Byzantine castle. Molyvos has some of Greece’s main attractions – crystal
blue water, excellent seafood and grand architecture all in one place. We walked along the cobblestone streets to a small harbor where octopus tentacles are hung to dry before grilling. We chose one of the casual seaside spots for lunch, and enjoyed an excellent meal of Greek salad, souvlaki and, of course, grilled octopus. We spent the evening watching the sunset – it was dreamy, making for the perfect photo op. Just outside of Molyvos, it’s worth a visit to the coastal villages of Petra and Anaxos, each offering resort-style beaches with sun beds, umbrellas and spectacular views. In Petra, we arrived at Mojo Bar, a recommendation from a friend, and loved the lively music and the comfortable beach loungers. I enjoyed a Frappe while my husband and boys indulged on honeydew and watermelon handpicked that morning from my father’s farm.
We spent many leisurely days on the island’s beautiful beaches. The kids played paddle tennis on the sand and burned more energy on the cool inflatable trampolines and slides floating in the sea. We discovered new places, ate delicious gyros on-the-go and were spoiled with gourmet meals prepared by Aunt Maria. We feasted on homemade dishes of okra cooked with fresh tomatoes and olive oil, lamb stew with peas from the garden and pastitsio, a traditional pasta dish made with ground beef topped with béchamel sauce. This is the Greek island living that I most cherish providing an enchanting getaway for all Molyvos, historic town on island of Lesvos, Greece that are blessed to discover it.
—INTRODUCING—
THE NEW
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An All Exclusive journey with Crystal is more than just a luxurious way to explore the world. It is an adventure of a lifetime, opening up the globe and unlocking discoveries at every turn – just for you. Whether by sea, land or air, we are taking luxury travel higher than ever before. Welcome to the new Crystal. Where all inclusive is All Exclusive.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS CONTACT UNIQUE TRAVEL 561-495-5775 | www.uniquetrav.com *All offers and promotions are capacity-controlled, subject to availability and may be withdrawn or changed at any time. Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST-26377. Aircraft is operated by Comlux Aruba, NV. Crystal AirCruises, LLC is not an air Winter 2017/18 121 carrier and does not possess D.O.T. or F.A.A. authority. Crystal AirCruises, LLC is a marketing agent for P4-XTL. © CrystalAirCruises, LLC. ©2017 Crystal Cruises, LLC. Ships’ registry: The Bahamas and Malta.Opulence AD17852_C
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JFK & CIA Spymaster James Jesus Angleton WITH JFK EXPERT JEFFERSON MORLEY BY AVA ROOSEVELT
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ince the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, 10 presidents, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barrack Obama and Donald J. Trump, all with a vast array of intelligence resources available to them, have not succeeded in resolving the most scrutinized and investigated cold case in American history: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy. “I am ordering today that the veil finally be lifted,” said President Trump while commissioning the release of the JFK files on the 54th anniversary of the assassination on November 22, 2017. Under a 1992 law, the National Archives was supposed to have released all of the remaining records by midnight — unless the President objected on national security grounds. In the end, the release of 2,891 of at least 3,140 documents was allowed, with the remainder subject to a 180-day review for redactions from objecting agencies. The White House said later that the remaining records would be released “on a rolling basis in the coming weeks.” I sat down for a follow-up interview with Jefferson Morley, a journalist and former Washington Post reporter, who specializes in ‘stories of untold American history’ and has intensely researched the JFK controversy. Morley also tells us about his latest book, The Ghost: The Secret Life of CIA Spymaster James Jesus Angleton. Ava: What is the legal basis for thwarting the deadline set by Congress to release the JFK assassination documents?
A 1961 pastel portrait of John F. Kennedy by Shirley Seltzer Cooper, on display at the National Portrait Gallery. 122 Opulence
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Jefferson Morley: The 1992 JFK Records Act mandated that all assassination-related records in possession of U.S. government agencies had to be made public 25 years from the date of enactment. This did not happen. About 90 percent of the records that were supposed to become open to the people remain secret.
Jefferson Morley: Trump acceded to the CIA’s request to keep 18,000 records secret. He could have looked at any document he wanted. I doubt he read many of them. Ava: What do you suspect are the real reasons the agencies want the JFK assassination documents withheld? Jefferson Morley: What remains hidden in the JFK files are probably the details of the CIA’s pre-assassination surveillance and manipulation of Oswald before JFK was killed. These officers, all of them now deceased, included James Angleton, William Harvey, David Phillips, George Joannides, and Howard Hunt. These men had some significant role in the JFK story. All of their files are still secret. Ava: What do you think will happen in 180 days when President Trump makes his final decision about releasing the remaining documents that the agencies want withheld? Will we see yet another President kick-the-can down the road? Jefferson Morley: It depends on how much public, political and social media attention is paid to the story for the JFK files and to the story of the CIA men who knew the most about Oswald while JFK was still alive. Ava: Have you spoken with any of the Kennedys to get their input?
There is a clause in the National Archives Act that says if there are current or future national security concerns, the documents don’t have to be released. The theory, as Morley pointed out two years ago in Opulence, is that the records will show mishandling of the Oswald surveillance and the records are being held back to avoid embarrassment. Ava: Does this still hold true? What have we learned so far? What are they hiding, if anything? Jefferson Morley: The JFK Records Act gives agencies the right to postpone release of specific documents after 10/2017, if the agency can show “identifiable harm” that would be done by release and that the harm is greater than the public interest in disclosure. The most important record in the new files was a memo from FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, dated November 24, 1963, two days after JFK was killed. In the memo, Hoover tells subordinates that the government had to convince the public that Oswald was “the real assassin.” Portions of this memo had been made public before but we had never seen the whole thing. The investigation of the murder of the president had just begun, Oswald had denied he shot Kennedy, and the nation’s top law enforcement officer had already decided Oswald had acted alone. And the FBI and Warren Commission obeyed Hoover’s command. The fix was in. Ava: In your opinion, who made the decision to release only 10 percent of the JFK assassination documents? Jefferson Morley: Only President Trump had the power to make that decision. Ava: Do you believe President Trump was privy to the entire set of documents or was he merely told why only 10 percent could be released?
Jefferson Morley: No. The Kennedy family doesn’t want to be involved in the disposition of these files. I respect that. Ava: What are the key highlights of your new book The Ghost? Who was James Angleton and why do you say he was the keeper of more national security secrets than Herbert Hoover? Jefferson Morley: One of the most important features in The Ghost is the story of how Angleton targeted Oswald for counterintelligence attention in November 1959 and used him for intelligence purposes over the next four years. If Oswald was a “lone nut” as cliché holds, he was an isolated sociopath whose movements were carefully monitored by a top CIA official right up until JFK went to Dallas. That said, The Ghost is not a JFK book nor does it have any conspiracy theory. It’s the biography of a brilliant but dangerous spymaster who used secrecy and secret intelligence to build an intelligence empire. Angleton collaborated with J. Edgar Hoover in spying on Americans and infiltrating the civil rights and antiwar movements. He was a ghost of American power.
Ava Roosevelt is the author of The Racing Heart. She is also a Palm Beach philanthropist and wife of the late William Donner Roosevelt, grandson of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
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TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME ON
ROSE HILL PLANTATION
A look at the remarkable post Civil War restoration of this architectural masterpiece in Bluffton, South Carolina BY MARY AND HUGH WILLIAMSON
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he actions and investments of generations of residents have made Bluffton, South Carolina, a model for respecting the past, adding greatly to the present and guiding the future. What is required for the inspiration to do just that is provided in this southern community of architectural value; significant historic structures in all levels of repair. Factor in individuals who have the interest, the tenacity and the resources to make an impact
and who are true visionaries, and wonderful things can happen. These Blufftonians have led the efforts to make the opportunity for historic preservation, restoration and renovation a reality. The town has also invested in the ongoing effort, and real estate developers have warmed to the theme. The town has continued the spirit, charm and character established in the mid-nineteenth century, as plantation owners sought reprieve from the summer heat and mosquitos of nearby Hilton Head Island to the breezy bluffs above the May River. 124
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A LITTLE HISTORY
AND LIFE GOES ON
Bluffton’s antebellum history lives on in the downtown area overlooking the May River, where Union forces launched the fateful Civil War “burning of Bluffton” on June 4, 1863. Most, but not quite all, homes were decimated. Of the surviving structures, several remain private residences, one a museum, and one until 1999 operated as a bed and breakfast. Two serve as headquarters for ministries of the Church of the Cross. Thought to be spared because of its beauty, the ca.1857 church itself is an important architectural treasure in the Carpenter Gothic style, designed by acclaimed South Carolinaborn architect Edward Brickell (EB) White (b. 1806). His book of work includes Market Hall and the Huguenot Church in Charleston, South Carolina, as well as landmarks in Savannah, Georgia. However, most of the surviving Bluffton buildings are less elaborate in design, being of the simpler farmhouse or summer cottage styles. These antebellum structures are more than enough to set the tone for the low-country South Carolina town where this burgeoning, charming community continues to give a nod to nineteenth century local vernacular with the town’s recent, thoughtful development and restoration. Happily, it is sometimes difficult to tell the new from the old pre-Civil War edifices.
Following the Civil War and beyond, some of these remaining summer retreat homes were painstakingly restored to period accuracy. Others evolved to meet the changing needs of the modern family. One home connected the detached “summer kitchen”, originally meant to sequester the heat and cooking smells from the main house. Now, with modern technology it is integrated into the living space. There are other examples of alterations that some preservation purists would perhaps dismiss as illadvised. However, those types of changes, as American lifestyles evolve, mean that historic and maybe simply “vintage” structures can realize reinvention and a new life that is feasible in the American community, while ensuring their longevity and relevance in our modern world. So – a careful balance of restoration and renovation can yield interesting, sustainable outcomes.
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A FASCINATING EXAMPLE A stellar model of adaptive reuse, restoration and renovation is found in the Rose Hill Plantation House, some 12 miles from historic downtown Bluffton, though a part of the same 1718 Devil’s Elbow Barony, or the tongue of land extending from the May River to the Colleton River. Built along the banks of said Colleton River, the plantation house (ca.
1858) is an amazingly beautiful example of the Carpenter Gothic style, sharing many characteristics with the Church of the Cross. Likely also designed by Edward Brickell White, the mansion has a very compelling story. Originally occupied by planter John Kirk and his wife Carolina, the stunning and then nearly complete plantation house was abandoned by the family in 1862 as the rumblings of war threatened the state. The Civil War is also called the War Between the States, or in the deep south “that recent unpleasantness”. And unpleasant it was. Current Rose Hill Plantation House owners Robin and Robert “Rusty” White have uncovered many relics on the property surrounding the mansion, including belt buckles and Union force buttons from many states. These finds seem to support the theory that the mansion was occupied by Union officers, as the troops camped on the grounds. It also explains why the home escaped the fiery fate of so many structures in the Bluffton area. And why not? The beautiful newly-built but abandoned abode offered
ABOUT AMERICAN GOTHIC STYLE Less elaborate and less elegant versions of Gothic revival architecture emerged, thanks to the introduction of the scroll saw (or fretsaw). Intricate scrollwork then became commercially feasible. A pedaloperated invention, this tool aided in the popularity of the eclectic Carpenter Gothic style of the midnineteenth century found often in the heartland. It is recognizable from the 1980 Grant Wood painting, “American Gothic”, depicting midwestern farm architecture.
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comforts, and the Colleton River afforded easy transportation to other battlefields in Beaufort County, a hub of the war. Following the war, the house remained vacant for decades, seeing squatters and more. It was then purchased in 1946 by John Sturgeon and wife Betsy, and was lovingly restored. After the death of Sturgeon in 1979, and a subsequent re-imagining by the Rose Hill Development Company, the property was met with another calamity as a long restoration project ended; faulty wiring caused a consuming fire in 1987. Fast-forward to 1996, when Robin and Robert “Rusty” White, having seen an ad listing the Rose Hill home for sale in Historic Preservation Magazine fell in love with the grand but distressed, burned out landmark. After purchasing the mansion, the couple began an astounding 17-year restoration that has resulted in a sought-after romantic wedding venue, tour destination, and a local organization event location. As the White’s now embrace the value of sharing, it is greatly appreciated by local residents as well as architecture students from around the world. The White’s courage, vision and passion have served the community well. The Rose Hill Plantation House is not a museum. It is a vital and lovely private home, whose owners have afforded an opportunity for locals and tourists to experience a glimpse into the gracious South Carolina way of life in the mid-nineteenth century. The interior is punctuated by Gothic revival furniture and accessories, but it is not a total immersion into the style. It is a wonderful example of how an historic property can retain the magic of the era, while evolving to provide a comfortable environment for a family, and a valuable resource for the community.
Mary and Hugh Williamson are Bluffton, SC residents, and celebrate the beautiful area and the special resources that are a part of Bluffton, where opportunities to bring history to life still remain.
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TIMELINE 1718
Earliest known date of existence. Granted to Sir John Colleton. It was then a part of the Devil’s Elbow Barony
1790
The plantation came under the ownership of John Rose
1799
Upon Rose’s death, the plantation was inherited by his stepson, James Kirk
1830s The plantation was given to Dr. John and Caroline Kirk as a wedding present from James Kirk 1858
House began construction (completed in 1860) by Dr. John Kirk and wife Caroline
1862
Plantation House was vacated due to Civil War activity
1863
Bluffton area was targeted by Union forces
1865
Civil War ends
1946
John and Betsy (Gould) Sturgeon purchased the house and completed it
1979
John Sturgeon passed away
1981
Rose Hill Plantation Development Company, a David and John Welton pursuit, purchased the land for development of a planned residential community. Their rehabilitation team then spent nine months repairing and rehabilitating the house
1982
The house was opened to the public for tours
1987
A fire severely damaged the house, and it would sit empty for nearly a decade
1996
Rose Hill Plantation House was purchased by the Middleton-White Foundation and restoration as a private home began
2009
Rose Hill Plantation House achieved substantial completion by Rusty and Robin White of the Middleton-White Foundation
2017
The Plantation House continues to welcome the public and groups for tours and events
For more information, please reference: Jeff Fulghum’s book, The Bluffton Expedition (Bluffton, S.C., 2012) The Town of Bluffton’s website, www.townofbluffton.sc.gov The Rose Hill website, www.rosehillmansion.com
Stability During Unstable Times BY TODD R. SCIORE
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W
hen it became clear after the Battle of Manassas that the Union would not win a quick and easy war, Federal currency was hoarded and virtually disappeared from commerce, states John Ostendorf, a numismatic author and Secretary of the Civil War Token Society, an educational, non-profit collector organization. “The Federal Government’s (mintage) output was insufficient and so quickly hoarded that most Americans probably did not see a federal coin between 1862 and 1864.” A shortlived attempt at using postage stamps as money was tried, but they were too delicate for the demands of every day commerce. As such, these simple tokens became our nation’s workhorse small change currency during the Civil War. While various fields of study are dedicated to the research and preservation of Civil War artifacts such as battle used weapons or original documents, collecting Cvil War tokens offers one of the more readily accessible ways to build a personal connection to that period in American history. Civil War tokens are generally divided into three categories - Patriotics, Store Cards and Sutlers, with each serving a generally similar yet specifically different function.
PATRIOTIC TOKENS Patriotic tokens were used as a replacement for the Federal one cent coin. The obverse on some carried a design similar to the Indian head pennies of the day, while others featured coronet or French liberty head devices. George Washington, Andrew Jackson and the USS Monitor were also popular obverse designs. The reverse often contained generic legends, such as “Good For One Cent,” the contradictory “Not One Cent,” or the indeterminate “Value Me As You Please,” among others. Many issues also contained patriotic slogans, such as “Union Forever” or “The Federal Union It Must And Shall Be Preserved.” There are numerous obverse/reverse combinations with rare examples commanding thousands of dollars, if and when they come to market.
STORE CARDS Store cards had the same basic function as a patriotic token (replacing the one cent coin for making change in daily commerce) but were essentially advertising pieces issued
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COIN IMAGES COURTESY OF JOHN OSTENDORF
Sutler tent – a civilian provisioner to an army post often with a shop on the post.
by various merchants. The merchant name and line of business usually appeared on the obverse, while the reverse generally contained “a patriotic theme or design similar to an Indian cent.” This type of token is highly collected by state, town, merchant, industry, theme, etc…, with rare pieces, even in lower states of preservation, easily selling for several thousand dollars. With that said, more prolific issues in high grades can be acquired for very reasonable prices. With a note on rarity, Ostendorf advises that “pricing is strong for rare pieces, yet extremely cheap compared to federal coinage, but a collector has to be patient as they aren’t for sale very often. A Civil War token with less than 20 known may sell for less than $200 in collectable grades. No way that happens for a federal coin.” The rarity scale ranges from R-1 (very common with greater than 5,000 extant examples) to R-10 (unique with only one example known). In comparison to regular U.S. Mint issues, even a moderately priced, mid-range R-5 token has a paltry 76 to 200 known examples. Store Cards from rural areas, such as Tennessee or West Virginia, are tougher to find than those from a major
metropolitan area, and female or AfricanAmerican merchants are also small in number and highly sought after.
SUTLER TOKENS Sutler tokens are the rarest of the three types and as John notes, “were issued by sutlers who followed various military units in the field and provided goods to the soldiers, often at highly inflated prices.” These tokens are prized by collectors in that not only do they contain the name of the sutler, but often identify the military unit they were associated with. If you knew what battles a particular unit participated in, you would have an idea where the subject token may have been when it traded hands. While Federal coins capture the headlines for record auction prices, Civil War tokens offer a snapshot into the past with the potential for historical research on a particular issuer and a rarity factor often exceeding that of their more popular cousins. This has made them a favorite of luminary numismatic collectors and scholars like Q. David Bowers. Anyone who would like to learn more about this interesting branch of numismatics is encouraged to visit www.CWTSociety.com.
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GIFTS FOR MEN WHO LOVE TO TRAVEL BY ANA COLMENARES, LUXURY SPECIALIST
WANDERLUST:
That urge to leave the comfort of your surroundings and venture out into the world — or maybe it is business that pulls you to travel. Regardless of the reason, there are definitely products that can make your travels easier and more pleasurable. This holiday season we have identified the top four gifts for the man who is constantly on the go.
CARRY-ON LUGGAGE: RADEN 22 This ultralight carry-on suitcase makes the perfect travel companion. The Raden 22 has a sleek design, yet it is durable and flexible enough to resist impact. The best part: Its ergonomic carry handle doubles as a scale to determine its weight. Additionally, its built-in charger will make sure your phone — or phones, thanks to its two USB ports that enable dual device charging — never runs out of battery. Raden 22’s proximity sensors leverage Bluetooth technology, so it can help you locate your bag. $295 • www.raden.com
CIGARS: GURKHA TUBOS Gurkha’s Tubos are the perfect gift for the traveler who likes to enjoy a great cigar. The luxury cigar company has introduced Tubos for some of their signature cigars, including the Cellar Reserve (12-year-old aged tobacco), the Cellar Reserve (15-year-old aged tobacco) and the Royal Challenge. The three-cigar tubos are perfect for a quick business trip. The cylinder-tube packaging is easy to carry with you and helps keep cigars fresh, ensuring a wonderful consistent smoke wherever your travels may take you. To purchase, check with your cigar retailer. www.gurkha.com
OVER THE EAR HEADPHONES: SENNHEISER MOMENTUM WIRELESS These well-designed headphones make for an ideal gift because, let’s be honest, there comes a moment in everybody’s life when you simply want to tune out the world. With these headphones, you can. The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless not only features great stereo sound to enjoy your favorite music, but it is also equipped with an active noise-cancellation for optimum isolation from background noise and better audio performance. Also, the headphones fold up for more compact storage so that you can just stick it in your carry-on bag. It also has dual microphones for use as a cell phone headset for those quick calls before boarding your flight. $499.95 • www.en-us.sennheiser.com
CIGAR TRAVEL CASE: GURKHA’S SNIPER CASE Gurkha’s Sniper is the must-have gift for that person in your life who loves to travel to rough terrain, but still enjoys the luxury of a fine cigar. The pelican case protects up to 30 cigars. It is waterproof and keeps your cigars safe from the elements, making it essential for camping and fishing trips. The case is easy to carry on aircraft and you can transport more than enough cigars to enjoy with the boys. To purchase, check with your cigar retailer. www.gurkha.com
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The Spruce Goose
The Aviator Lives On Howard Hughes’ famous “Spruce Goose” is alive and kicking seventy years after its inaugural (and only) flight BY ALEX STARACE
H
oward Hughes’ life swung wildly between genius and madness, so it’s only fitting that the story of the “Spruce Goose” feels more like a madcap caper than fact. A large flying boat made entirely of wood? Check. A project that was finished years too late? Indeed. A triumph that was preserved at great expense for decades? Yes. This is the story of the Spruce Goose, one of America’s oddest flying machines.
Howard Hughes at the cockpit of the Spruce Goose 132
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AERONAUTIC GENIUS The biopic of Howard Hughes’ life, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is entitled The Aviator for good reason. His aeronautical derringdo included surviving four airplane crashes, setting the landplane airspeed record and flying around the world in 3 days, 9 hours, 17 minutes – four days fewer than the previous record. To honor the latter, he was given a 1938 ticker-tape parade in New York’s Canyon of Heroes.
“New York hails Hughes and companions, New York City — In the greatest reception since Lindbergh’s, Howard Hughes and his four gallant companions paraded up Broadway July 15 almost smothered beneath Manhattan’s ticker-tape accolade recognizing their recordsmashing Round-The-World flight. This picture shows Hughes, center, waving to the cheering thousands. On the left is Grover Whalen, commissioner of the New York 1939 World’s Fair and on the right is Al Lodwick, Hughes’ flight manager. 7-15-38. Credit Line (ACME).” So, in the midst of World War II, when the United States needed to get supplies across the Atlantic without risk of being sunk by Uboats, Hughes was asked to develop a massive flying transit ship on behalf of the U.S. War Department. There was just one catch: The project couldn’t use any metal, as that was already dedicated to current war efforts. In 1942, in collaboration with steel magnet Henry Kaiser, Hughes decided upon an eight-engine colossus six times larger than any plane yet constructed. It would be made almost entirely out of birch. (The derisive appellative “Spruce Goose” stuck despite very little use of spruce.) As with any unprecedented undertaking, there were delays. Kaiser dropped out and it wasn’t until 1947 that a prototype was completed, using $18 million in federal dollars and $7 million of Hughes’ money.
Hughes H-4 Hercules Spruce Goose in flight
plane, officially known as the H-4 Hercules, flew about a mile, at 70 feet above the water, reaching a speed of 135 mph. After proving the Spruce Goose could fly, Hughes built a custom hangar and hired a staff of 300 to maintain it indefinitely, at a rumored cost of $1 million a year. The staff was reduced to 50 in 1962, and all were let go upon Hughes’ death in 1976. No one knew what to do with the Spruce Goose; it was almost chopped up and distributed to museums. Instead, it was saved as a tourist attraction in Long Beach, next to a docked Queen Mary (also a tourist attraction), but that proved to be a money-loser.
SAVING THE BEHEMOTH PLANE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING In danger of being junked a second time in the early 1990s, the Evergreen Aviation
& Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon, proposed to keep the marvel in perpetuity, putting it back on display in 2001 after an eight-year restoration. “It’s an amazing thing to see in-person,” said private pilot and International Opulence EVP Dan Brooke. “You’re wondering, ‘Is this real’? You’re knocking on the spars and the walls and reminded that it is actually wood.” On the VIP tour, you can sit in the cockpit, stand on the wing and walk through the fuselage. The level of restoration and the knowledge of the staff make for a truly remarkable experience, said Brooke, who recommends a pilgrimage to aviation enthusiasts of all stripes. Now that the Spruce Goose is 70 years old, and still in mint condition, it may be time to make the journey.
THE SPRUCE GOOSE TAKEOFF The result: a wingspan exceeding the length of a football field, an aircraft roughly five stories high, with its tail reaching eight stories. It had yet to leave the ground. As part of a media push, Hughes and crew took the press aboard and taxied on the water off Long Beach, California. The craft had not yet flown, nor was that part of the plan. However, Hughes had other ideas. On the third taxi along the channel, he unexpectedly took off with 32 people on board. The
Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator” (2004) Winter 2017/18 Opulence
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Yachts, Jewels, Stocks, Trade – Buying Real Estate With Tangibles BY KAREN EVANS
W
e all know the traditional methods of purchasing real estate, but you may not realize real estate can also be purchased for tangibles – such as boats, jewelry, trades of other real estate, and foreign and domestic stock portfolios. Here are just a few options for acquiring REAL property in this manner.
TRADING REAL ESTATE A few years ago, I had buyers wishing to purchase an oceanfront town home in Highland Beach, Florida, for $2.5 million, but they needed to sell their home on the Jersey Shore prior to executing an offer. Fortunately, their property was also valued at a similar price. I discussed my buyers’ dilemma with the listing agent for the Highland Beach property and, much to my surprise, he said his sellers may be interested in an exchange. I quickly drafted a proposal for both sellers and within 24 hours, we were moving forward on an even exchange of the two properties. All I had to do was to locate an attorney well versed in this process and sort out how the respective realtors would be compensated and we had a deal that made everyone happy.
A YACHT-SIZE EXCHANGE I once had a buyer who was living on his yacht. Cupid paid him a visit, he fell in love with the woman of his dreams and, you guessed it, she wanted a home. She didn’t mind living on the water, but the venue had to change. I found them a lovely waterfront home where the owner would accept the exchange of the yacht and a bit of cash.
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Voila…we had a deal! Wedding bells were ringing and the original homeowner began enjoying that yacht he always wanted.
JEWELS In my research, I found another very interesting scenario in which a multimillion-dollar home was exchanged for both cash and diamonds. The sellers were happy because they were able to sell a home they were no longer using in exchange for tangibles that they would use and enjoy more than the home. The buyer, a prominent jeweler, was happy because he could provide a larger and more luxurious home for his family and all he had to give up was some of his diamond inventory to make up for the difference in cash in order to close. This became a win-win.
FOREIGN NATIONALS & STOCKS I reached out to Alan Krinzman, a prominent Miami real estate attorney with Assouline & Berlowe. Alan has had a number of dealings with foreign nationals. He shared some very interesting experiences with me relative to foreign nationals buying real estate in the United States. “Foreign buyers of real estate in the U.S. sometimes choose to buy the shares of a U.S. company that is the registered owner of the real estate, rather than directly taking title to this real estate in their own name,” said Krinzman. “This is done for many reasons. Here are three: mnimization of estate tax, a way to assure transfer of ownership of the property to other family members, and reducing liability to third parties.
“A popular variation on the first scenario is for the stock of the U.S. company owning the U.S. real estate to in turn be owned by a company registered in a foreign country,” Alan continued. “This is done when that foreign country more strongly protects the identities of the shareholders who own stock in companies registered in that country or does not require any information at all about the shareholders of companies that are registered there. This second option is especially popular with foreign buyers of U.S. real estate who are concerned about the threat of kidnapping if it becomes known through U.S. records that the foreign buyer has assets in the U.S. And this second scenario (if executed properly) also greatly reduces the tax rate that is applied to income produced by the real estate while it is owned and when it is sold.” These are just a few examples of utilizing your tangibles in exchange for real estate. The possibilities are almost endless if you hire a great attorney and a clever realtor. Of course, you should always check with your financial advisers before attempting these and other methods for buying and selling real estate. Happy hunting!
Karen Evans is a Broker Associate for Signature International Premier Properties in Palm Beach County
Bespoke Properties, Signature Service
Providing 16 years of award-winning Realtor services in Southeast Florida; Palm Beach, Broward & Miami-Dade Counties. Karen Evans, PA Broker Associate, CDPE, TRC, CIPS Signature International Premier Properties, LLC 6699 North Federal Highway, Suite 103, Boca Raton, FL. 33487
Cell / Text : 305.810.9415 karen@estatesbysignature.com www.KarenEvansPA.com
Condo Law
BY NICOLE KURTZ
TACKLING THE NEW WEBSITE REQUIREMENT FOR FLORIDA CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS
F
Nicole Kurtz
lorida condominium associations with 150 or more units, which do not manage timeshare units, must have an independent website or web portal by July 1, 2018, according to Section 718.111, Florida Statutes. These websites or web portals can either be wholly owned and operated by the association, or operated by a third-party provider. It is important that associations that meet the 150+ unit prerequisite begin to take the necessary steps to ensure that they are in compliance with the new law by the July 1st deadline.
If your association utilizes a management company, the board of directors may wish to first reach out to the management company to determine if such company will be offering independent website or web portal services that comply with Section 718.111, Florida Statutes. However, even if your association’s management company will be providing such services, it is important that your community association’s counsel reviews your management contract to determine who owns the website. If it is established that the management company reserves ownership of the site, your asso-
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ciation’s counsel should then assess whether or not the agreement details the terms of transitioning the association’s website content. Ownership of the website will come into play if, and when, your association decides to terminate the management agreement, as the association may be accused of violating the law if such termination causes the website to be shut down for any period of time. In light of the foregoing, associations may wish to consider hosting their own independent website. If creating an in-house website proves to be too burdensome, we encourage associations to contract third-party providers who can assist in developing a statutory-compliant website or web portal. If you or your association’s representatives have any questions regarding this new legislation, feel free to email us at info@srhl-law.com. Attorney Nicole Kurtz with the South Florida law firm of Siegfried, Rivera, Hyman, Lerner, De La Torre, Mars & Sobel focuses exclusively on community association law. www.srhl-law.com, www.FloridaHOALawyerBlog.com, 305-442-3334.
Title Here
Liking your lawyer is great. Trusting your lawyer is priceless. Legal Counsel to Community Associations Since 1977
Offices in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Main Office: Suntrust Plaza, 201 Alhambra Circle, Suite 1100, Coral Gables, FL 33134 800-737-1390 | www.srhl-law.com Winter 2017/18
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Real Estate News
New York’s Quintessential Real Estate Brokerage Expands Its Miami Footprint BY SHANNON CASEY
Phil Gutman
B
rown Harris Stevens, New York’s quintessential real estate brokerage, continues to demonstrate its commitment and prowess in the South Florida market. The impeccably reputed firm originally entered the South Florida market with the much-buzzed-about acquisition of Zilbert International Realty in 2015, followed with the acquisitions of Ocean Club Realty in 2016 and Avatar Real Estate Services in 2017. Continuing strategic acquisitions of offices throughout Miami and Key Biscayne, Brown Harris Stevens sought Phil Gutman as its new Executive Vice President for Brown Harris Stevens Miami.
THE BHS PEDIGREE Gutman, who had previously led New Development Sales for Douglas Elliman, joined Brown Harris Stevens Miami in the summer of 2017 to continue the firm’s ongoing successful expansion throughout South Florida. Under his leadership, Brown Harris Stevens added over $160 million in new luxury listings and has grown its South Florida footprint to consist of 300 agents and 10
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offices throughout Miami and Palm Beach. Brown Harris Stevens Miami continued to demonstrate its dominance in South Florida with the acquisition of Opulence International Realty in October. “Bringing members of the Opulence team over to Brown Harris Stevens Miami was a natural fit,” said Gutman. “Having been focused on new development for most of my career, I was well aware of their leadership in pre-development sales. As we grow Brown Harris Stevens Miami, we look for individuals who possess the qualities of professionalism, knowledge and discretion for which Brown Harris Stevens has been known since 1873.”
TECHNOLOGY With a growing, dynamic team, technology is key to the level of service Brown Harris Stevens Miami delivers for buyers, sellers and agents. In 2017, Brown Harris Stevens launched a new website, BHSMiami.com. The site is regarded as one of the firm’s most valuable assets. Powered by the exclusive technology developed by real estate technology pioneer Mark Zilbert, Brown Harris
Stevens Miami’s websites attract more than 70,000 visitors worldwide every month. Among those users are buyers, sellers, investors and even agents from other brokerages who favor the functionality and design of the sites over using the MLS. Looking toward the future, Brown Harris Stevens Miami unveiled a new, comprehensive multi-media branding campaign and will close out 2017 having achieved a number of record-breaking deals and landing as a top five market share firm making it one of South Florida’s fastest growing real estate brokerages. “We are proud of how so many powerful individuals and companies have unified to become the Brown Harris Stevens Miami we operate as today,” said Gutman. “Our new branding campaign highlights the core values of the Brown Harris Stevens brand, as well as the talent and discretion that sets us apart. My inspiration for breaking into the real estate industry almost 20 years ago was people and relationships. Brown Harris Stevens Miami is emblematic of what can be achieved when you love what you do and work hard while putting others top of mind.”
Real Estate Isn’t About Who You Know. It’s Who We Know.
There is a reason Brown Harris Stevens has had a reputation as the preferred luxury real estate brokerage for 144 years. We know our clientele. And they know us as the brokerage with the most distinguished properties and the most accomplished agents in New York City, the Hamptons, Palm Beach and now, Miami. How do we continue to raise the bar after over a century at the top? By focusing our formidable talent, experience and innovative technology, on fulfilling the particular needs of our clientele, and by always putting them first. Luxury has been our neighborhood since 1873. Let us show you around.
N E W YOR K
THE HAMPTONS
CONNECT WITH THE WELL CONNECTED BHSMiami.com/Connect
PA L M B E A C H
833.BHS.MIAMI
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Marianna Dubinsky:
Concierge for Building Your Custom Home BY JILL PATTERSON
With a law degree and expertise in new-home construction, Marianna Dubinsky holds the record for selling the highest priced home ($7.4 million) in the esteemed Pinecrest, Florida. Miami HEAT player Dion Waiters purchased the stunning new-construction residence, built by full-service luxury home builder Pioneer Inter-Development. Marianna sold the property while still at Opulence International Realty, which was recently acquired by Brown Harris Stevens. Marianna has remained part of the Opulence Group inside Brown Harris. She sat down with Jill
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Patterson, former Broker of Opulence and the team’s leader, to chat about what’s happening in the luxury home building world. JP: Congratulations on your recordbreaking sale, which sold for almost $2M more than the past record in Pinecrest. What’s your secret? MD: I think the new construction product we sell is far superior to what other people are offering, so it makes it easier. In addition, Pinecrest hasn’t really felt the slowdown in the market other areas have felt.
JP: This was a spec home, but I know you specialize in custom-built homes. Why would someone come to you to build custom? MD: Sometimes they don’t start that way. Sometimes we meet clients in a model home that we’ve built, but when we show the cost savings and other advantages, often they decide to build custom. It really comes down to educating the customer and demonstrating that the process is not as daunting and time-consuming as they might
This custom built home is run entirely on a self contained geo-thermal energy system. The lawn requires no maintenance and is made of high tech astroturf. The home’s water, including the pool, is alkaline.
think. I hold their hand through the entire process. The house is built at cost plus, which means the value is already built into the home. With resale homes, there is already a markup. Every single one of our clients has made money on their resale. They pick the architectural style and every single finish. It usually takes 12 months to build. Once you educate people on the process, they are likely to pursue the designbuild option. JP: What is the process? MD: First, we figure out their needs. Some men might want a “man cave.” Some women might want a special “china” room. That is all part of the architectural program. In the end, there is a number assigned in terms of square footage. Then, we factor in architectural style. For example, do they prefer Mediterranean, transitional, colonial or modern? We factor in the lot size needed, the cost associated, and reach a final bottom line figure. We give them a package with a preliminary budget proposal, and once they agree, we go about finding the lot and creating architecture plans. There may not be an available vacant lot on the market, so we look to find off-market properties that suit the client’s needs, which may involve knocking on doors. We negotiate the right property at the right price. Then, we take them shopping for
finishes. There is this constant involvement; we hold our client’s hand through the entire process. We can even furnish their homes, down to the blinds. We want the process to be hassle free and turnkey. JP: You take the client shopping? MD: Yes, we try to get a feel for the client’s palate. They will also get our negotiating power, so you won’t get the vendor’s price, you will get our negotiated price. For instance, one of our customers wanted a very special kitchen. The kitchen architect is flying in from Paris to sit down with the client to design the kitchen together. JP: You attend trade shows and industry conferences. What trends and cuttingedge products are you seeing? MD: Home automation, better health and clean energy efficiency. Soon, every home will have some sort of automation. Lutron is one of the leaders in home automation and they are coming up with an eco-automation system for a more green, clean way of living. It saves on your electric bill since it regulates your lighting and energy expenditure by programming. Once Italians figured out LED lighting, they are killing it. They are integrating light, sound, and A/C systems into a single product. They also can replicate the Winter 2017/18 Opulence
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various quality of light that the sun creates throughout the day. One German sound system for the showerhas no electrical wires. It uses the actual shower as a subwoofer. There are voice-command plumbing fixtures. There are shades integrated in the window glass and shower doors that can turn opaque for privacy at the touch of a button. There are holistic shower heads and steam showers that integrate aroma therapy, chromo-therapy – light therapy. It’s a great sell to clients because after a busy day, everyone wants to come home to a private oasis. JP: Any client requests that you couldn’t execute? MD: Not so far. We have one client who wanted a geo-thermal home. We drilled over 300 feet into the aquifer. The entire home is powered with geo-thermal energy and is completely self-sustaining. The home and pool have a built-in alkalizing system. They also have a tennis court that calls the shots as they land in or out, and keeps track of ground strokes. JP: That’s crazy. Finally, any advice for new home buyers? MD: Educate yourselves on building custom versus buying a resale home. The process is not as overwhelming, time-consuming or expensive as you might think, and you can be king of your custom domain, while saving money. To speak with Marianna to learn more about building custom, call (305) 4327555 or go through the Opulence Group at Brown Harris Stevens (305) 203-9985. Jill Patterson is the former Broker of Opulence International Realty and now the head of the Opulence Group at Brown Harris Stevens brokering residential and commercial transactions. jpatterson@bhsusa.com
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With better technology than the US Open, this custom built home came equipped with a smart tennis court developed by Playsight Smartcourt. The court calls the shots “in” or “out” and counts your strokes, as well as where you place them.
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SUNRISE TO SUNSET VIEWS ICON SOUTH BEACH 450 Alton Road, Unit 2807 Miami Beach, FL 33139 2 BD / 2 BA / 1 HB 1,815 SF $2,399,999 JILL PATTERSON (305) 203-9985
BOATER’S PARADISE DEEP WATER DOCKAGE 6110 Bahama Shores Drive South St. Petersburg, FL 33705 4 BD / 3 BA / 2 HB 3,484 SF $1,249,000 JILL PATTERSON (305) 203-9985
CUSTOM BUILD RECORD SETTER NEW CONSTRUCTION 9400 SW 60th Court Pinecrest, FL 33156 7 BD / 8 BA / 1 HB 10,000 SF $5,684,800
MARIANNA DUBINSKY (305) 432-7555
BRICKELL OASIS DIRECT WATER TOWER SUITE AT THE EMERALD 218 SE 14th Street, TS103 Miami, FL 33131 2 BD / 2 BA / 1 HB 1,298 SF $795,000 JILL PATTERSON (305) 203-9985
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