Polo Lifestyles August 2023: Beat the Summer Heat

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

COWDRAY PARK POLO C LU B GOLD C U P · OU TS OUR C I N G I N C . R OYA L C HA R I T Y PO LO C UP · WI M B L EDO N C HA MPION S HIPS

BEAT THE HEAT PROTECTING OUR PONIES AT ANY PRICE

THE FAA APPROVES FLYING CARS BIRKIN BAGS THE BEST INVESTMENT FOR YOUR MONEY

HOW YOUR PILLOWCASE CAN SLOW DOWN AGING LV'S 1921 HOTEL MAKES A SPLASH IN ST-TROPEZ

EXPERIENCING SUISUN VALLEY WINES

EMOTIONAL SCARS

A JOURNEY FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING

APPRECIATION: AN ESSENTIAL HABIT OF SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE

?

COULD AGE JUST REALLY BECOME A NUMBER

$32.95 USD

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

2

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 3

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

6

Sporty & Rich

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

Sporty & Rich

page 7

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand Publisher

Michael J. Snell

Joshua Jakobitz

Lifestyles & Luxury Automobile Contributor

Editor-in-Chief

William Smith

Joey Velez

Copy Editor & Philanthropy Contributor

Wellness Contributor

Claire Barrett

Justin "Goliath" Johnson

Dana Romita

Raphael K. Dapaah

Head of Photography

Luxury Real Estate Contributor

Wellness Contributor

Art Contributor

Brand Representatives

Amritlal Singh

Spirituality Contributor

Cezar Kusik

Michael J. Snell - NYC Stanley Pierre-Etienne - West Indies Justin Johnson - Atlanta

Wine Contributor Polo Photographers

Katerina Morgan Justine Jacquemot Irina Kazaridi Helen Cruden Dillon Driscoll Nick Tininenko Mark Beaumont

Contributing Photographers

Xavier Merchet-Thau Aubrey Chandler Eric Carré Eva Espresso Tony Ramirez Rob Miskowitch Margarita Crotto

Polo Lifestyles is a publication of HT Polo Publishing Co. 995 Detroit Avenue, Suite A Concord, CA 94518 Cover photo by Mohammed Habib Taken in Kuwait Content Copyright © Polo Lifestyles 2023 All Rights Reserved.

For information or to advertise Contact marketing@pololifestyles.com Read online at www.pololifestyles.com On Instagram & Facebook @pololifestyles A proud partner of Issuu & The Impression

8

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

SANTA BARBARA POLO & RACQUET CLUB Farmers & Merchants Bank Silver Cup LA HERRADURA POLO CLUB Carlos Gracida International HAWAII POLO CLUB Hawaiian Islands Circuit Masters FARMINGTON POLO CLUB Northeastern Circuit Masters LAS BRISAS POLO CLUB Central Circuit General George S. Patton, Jr. MARYLAND POLO CLUB Eastern Circuit Women's Challenge ROLAND GARROS Paris BARRIERE DEAUVILLE POLO Open de France Open de France Feminine

page99 page

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

SCOREBOARDS & COCKTAILS

OUTSOURCING INC. ROYAL CHARITY POLO CUP

PHOTOS FROM WINDSOR Page 22

POLO LIFESTYLES EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS

Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand

Josh Jakobitz

Publisher Polo Lifestyles @haiti_polo_captain

Editor-in-Chief Polo Lifestyles @joshuajakobitz

Eric Carré

Eva Espresso

Photographer EC Photography @ti_carre

page 12

Photographer

Eva Espresso Photography

@Eva.espresso

Claire Barrett

Head of Photography

Claire Barrett Photography

@clairebarrettphoto

Michael J. Snell

Lifestyles & Automobiles Contributor @agnello_1

Raphael K. Dapaah Art Contributor Dapaah Gallery @dapaahgallery

Amritlal Singh

Spirituality Contributor Monarch Visionary @monarch_visionary

Katerina Morgan

Polo Photographer Horse Polo Art Gallery @horsepoloartgallery

Joey Velez

Cezar Kusik

Wine Contributor Polo Lifestyles @cezartastesearth

William Smith

Dana Romita

Real Estate Contributor Douglas Elliman @danaromita

Justin Johnson

Wellness Columnist

Philanthropy Contributor

Wellness Contributor

@velezmentalhealth

@willismith_2000

@goliathcoaches

Velez Mental Performance May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust

Goliath Coaches

WWW. PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

The FAA approves Flying Cars, page 60

Which Birkin bag is your best investment, page 68

The Lebron Jameses at home, page 82

Paris Haute Couture for serious fashionistas, page 118

BEAT THE HEAT PROTECTING OUR PONIES AGAINST HEAT STROKE...

AT ANY COST PAGE 96

page 13

COWDRAY PARK POLO CLUB THE GOLD CUP

R

ECORD-BREAKING TEMPERATURES AROUND THE GLOBE HAVE US ASKING, HOW DO WE KEEP COOL? HOW DO WE PROTECT OUR LOVED ONES? HOW CAN WE ALTER THE COURSE OF A RAPIDLY WARMING CLIMATE? EXTREME HEAT PUTS EVERYONE – AND EVERYTHING – AT RISK. Here in our office at Polo Lifestyles, I’m known as the last person to turn on the AC, no matter how warm the office is. In my first, full-time job after university, I worked in an office complex of three buildings on a busy street corner of an old neighborhood of Kansas City, Mo. Several of my university friends – Daniel, Emily and Bryan – also worked at the same company and we’d meet up for lunch several times a month. In the summer months, when the outside temperatures soared well into the 90s and office managers cranked the climate settings to 65 degrees, often Emily and I would meet in the parking lot between our buildings to warm up in one of our sunbaked cars before even heading to lunch. Defrosting our fingers on the burning hot car dashboard while we caught up on all the news and gossip was a summertime rite of passage in those years.

Later, my years in the Caribbean further expanded my dislike for extreme, year-round climate control as my body adjusted to the humid conditions and heat fluctuations of the island. I actively sought out restaurants that were open-air seating or had patio options, even at the finest (coldest) hotels.

In 2015, my employer sent me to live in Washington, D.C., for 18 months, where I just about died of AC shock in every store, office and indoor restaurant. Yoga studios and roof-top restaurants seemed to be my only safe spaces. I watched in despair as sweaty pedestrians luxuriously inhaled freezing cold air from a ceiling vent as soon as they entered a climate-controlled space. While I asked for a table next to a window (and sunshine), most patrons gathered as close to an AC vent as possible.

Well, to each their own! Here in northern California, we at least profit from cooler evening temperatures that can naturally lower indoor temperatures from dusk to dawn. And while I’ll be curled up under an umbrella poolside with my August issue, if you prefer a chillier space, that’s just fine with me. I’ll send a copy of Polo Lifestyles over your way regardless!

Best, Josh Jakobitz Editor-in-Chief josh@pololifestyles.com

Beyond first class is a class of one.

INNOVATION EXISTS PURELY TO SERVE YOUR COMFORT, SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE VIA MULTIPLE SENSES. A VIRTUAL VOICE ASSISTANT LISTENS TO SERVE YOU. LIGHTING AND FRAGRANCE SUBTLY SOOTHE YOU.

CHOOSE YOUR X. THE BMW X RANGE.

NOW WITH 0% FINANCING.

MBUSA.COM

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

acquadiparma The newest must-have accessory for our luxury automobiles from Acqua di Parma

horsepoloartgallery

Always at the forefront of unique and special equestrian art

prada

Slick pieces for your fall wardrobe from perennial House of Prada were shown on the runway 18

armanddebrignac Celebrating the Renaissance Tour with Queen Bey and Armand de Brignac

hotelletoinystbarth No matter the season, Hotel Le Toiny just breathes fresh summer air

sevenyachts.ae Spending a summer on a yacht is the ultimate You've Made It Moment

dolcegabbana Outfitted to the 9s for every show, Beyonce is pictured here in custom D&G

hublot A deconstructed Hublot timepiece in wild purple is a fun summer accessory

the_polo_classic She can't help it that she's thirsty and those bottles just look too good to pass up

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

Click and comment on our choices... Tag @pololifestyles.

We will share noteworthy comments with you next month.

giveon Wearing custom Prada for men, artist Giveon is giving it all

lvmh Launching into dining and beach essentials this summer, Louis Vuitton couldn't be more chic

uspoloassociation Proud sponsors of the summer's hottest tournaments and cups in the United Kingdom

globalpolo

The UK Gold Cup Championships victory goes to Team UAE

luxury_listings This bespoke home in The Hamptons rents for a cool $1,000,000 per day

wajeryachts_official Let's go, our ride is here and waiting to take us out to the yacht!

harrywinston A winning combo delights in this oneof-a-kind piece from the renowned jeweller

mega_mansions

The newest fad in custom bathtubs is here to stay and we don't want to get out

agnello_1 A well-stocked Rolls-Royce if we do say so ourselves! page 19

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

OUTSOURCING ING. ROYAL CHARITY POLO CUP WINDSOR PARK

22

P H OTO G RA PHS C O URTE SY US PO LO ASSN

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

OUTSOURCING ING. ROYAL CHARITY POLO CUP WINDSOR PARK

page 23

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

OUTSOURCING ING. ROYAL CHARITY POLO CUP

24

P H OTO G RA PHS C O URTE SY US PO LO ASSN

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

WINDSOR, U.K. - U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA) served as the Official Apparel and Team Sponsor for the 2023 Outsourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup. Held at the extraordinary Windsor Great Park, Flemish Farms’ Guards Polo Club hosted the event on July 6.

The U.S. Polo Assn. Polo Team was captained by His Royal Highness, Prince William of Wales, who competed in several games throughout the day against BP Polo Team and Standing Rock Polo Team. Through athleticism and teamwork on the field, The Prince of Wales and his team played extremely well in the annual high-profile philanthropic event at Guards Polo Club.

“It is an honor for us to have the Prince of Wales as the captain once again for the U.S. Polo Assn. Team and for us to support the 11 beneficiaries through the sport of polo,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the global,

multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand.

“As the Official Apparel and Team Sponsor for the Outsourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup, we continue to build the connection between the U.S. Polo Assn. brand, the sport of polo, and consumers in the United Kingdom.”

U.S. Polo Assn. designed custom performance jerseys for all participating polo players, umpires, and flaggers. Attendees of the event received handcrafted silk U.S. Polo Assn. scarves, pocket squares, and special event caps. The annual event raised funds of over 1million pounds and global awareness for 11 charities that are supported by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

“Being part of the prestigious Outsourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup is an amazing opportunity to connect the United Kingdom and the sport of polo with U.S. Polo Assn.,” said Boo Jalil, CEO of Brand Machine Group, the U.K. part-

ner for the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “We are incredibly proud to sponsor events with the Royal Family and raise awareness and funds for charitable causes around the globe through the sport of kings.”

Guards Polo Club is considered one of the largest and most important clubs in Europe in terms of membership and the number of grounds and is one of only four polo clubs in the United Kingdom that stage elite tournaments, such as the Royal Charity Polo Cup. With a spectacular backdrop of Windsor Castle, the Guards Polo Club at Flemish Farms has 120 stables and two additional polo fields within Great Park.

Founded in 1955 as the Household Brigade Polo Club, with His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh as President, the name was changed to the Guards Polo Club in 1969 and celebrates over six decades of premier polo. page 25

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

OUTSOURCING ING. ROYAL CHARITY POLO CUP

26

P H OTO G RA PHS C O URTE SY US PO LO ASSN

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 27

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

OUTSOURCING ING. ROYAL CHARITY POLO CUP

28

P H OTO G RA PHS C O URTE SY US PO LO ASSN

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 29

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

OUTSOURCING ING. ROYAL CHARITY POLO CUP

30

P H OTO G RA PHS C O URTE SY US PO LO ASSN

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 31

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

32

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 33

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

THE GOLD CUP

UAE POLO TEAM 12 / 11 DUBAI POLO TEAM 34

PH OTO G RA P H Y BY M A RK B E AU MO N T, MA RGA RITA C ROTTO A N D HE L E N C RUDE N

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 35

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

COWDRAY PARK POLO CLUB

36

PH OTO G RA P H Y BY M A RK B E AU MO N T, MA RGA RITA C ROTTO A N D HE L E N C RUDE N

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

U.S. Polo Assn. served as the Official Apparel Partner of the 2023 Cowdray Gold Cup for the third consecutive year.

This world-renowned polo tournament was hosted at the iconic Cowdray Park Polo Club from June 27 to July 23, where high-goal players included some of the top names in the sport of polo, such as Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso, Facundo Pieres and Hilario Ulloa, to name a few U.S. Polo Assn. also served as the Official Apparel Partner for the British Ladies Championship, which took place from July 10 to July 22 at Cowdray Park Polo Club. The classic, sport-inspired brand provided apparel for all on-site staff of both events and promoted both tournaments globally.

In collaboration with Brand Machine Group (BMG), U.S. Polo Assn.'s brand partner in the U.K., the event hosted social media contests, divot stomp prizes, cap giveaways, and also offered exclusive products sold on-site in a merchandise tent.

The riveting Cowdray Gold Cup was an unforgettable, sold-out competition in front of over 10,000 energized fans, filled with action-packed chukkers that unfolded under the English afternoon sun.

Fifteen teams competed for the illustrious title, but ultimately, UAE Polo Team prevailed in the closing minutes of the final against Dubai Polo Team with a score of 12-11. U.S. Polo Assn. also presented Barto Castagnola from the UAE Polo

Team as the MVP of the tournament.

Fans enjoyed watching the top tournament in the United Kingdom, with plenty of on-site musical entertainment, a luxury retail village, artisan food outlets, and well-stocked bars.

"U.S. Polo Assn. is proud to once again support the historic Cowdray Gold Cup as the Official Apparel Sponsor in one of the great venues of British polo," said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. "As our global footprint expands, we are honored to continue this partnership and highlight the sport of polo in the United Kingdom, which is one of U.S. Polo Assn.'s fastest-growing markets." page 37

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

COWDRAY PARK POLO CLUB

38

PH OTO G RA P H Y BY M A RK B E AU MO N T, MA RGA RITA C ROTTO A N D HE L E N C RUDE N

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

Event attendees caught the action as VIPs or spectators and enjoyed watching one of the highest levels of competition in the sport of polo while experiencing the English charm of Cowdray Park.

The Cowdray Gold Cup is regarded as one of the top pinnacle tournaments of polo, alongside the U.S. Open Polo Championship® and the Argentine Open Polo Championship.

page 39

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

COWDRAY PARK POLO CLUB

40

P H OTO G RA P H S C O U RTE SY GLO B A L PO LO & HE L E N C RUDE N

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 41

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

COWDRAY PARK POLO CLUB

42

PH OTO G RA P H Y BY M A RK B E AU MO N T, MA RGA RITA C ROTTO A N D HE L E N C RUDE N

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 43

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

COWDRAY PARK POLO CLUB

44

P H OTO G RA P H S C O U RTE SY GLO B A L PO LO & HE L E N C RUDE N

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 45

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

COWDRAY PARK POLO CLUB

46

P H OTO G RA P H S C O U RTE SY GLO B A L PO LO & HE L E N C RUDE N

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 47

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023 CARLOS ALCARAZ DEFEATS NOVAK DJOKOVIC Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic to win the Wimbledon men’s final, denying the Serbian a fifth consecutive title, in a five-set epic and one of the greatest matches ever played at the All England Club.

Alcaraz fought from a set down in an instant classic to end Djokovic’s winning run in SW19, with the match played across almost five hours of breathtaking drama. Before the final, Djokovic had won 34 consecutive matches at Wimbledon and had not lost on Centre Court since 2013, but Alcaraz overturned history to win his second Grand Slam title. Djokovic had also won his previous 104 Grand Slam matches after winning the opening set.

In doing so, the 20-year-old Spaniard brings one of the most dominant eras of tennis history to an end. Alcaraz is the first player outside of the sport’s ‘Big Four’ of Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray to win the Wimbledon men’s singles title since 2002. Djokovic had been bidding to join Federer by equaling his men’s record of eight singles titles, but was denied by an inspired Alcaraz.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” an emotional Alcaraz said after receiving the trophy from Catherine, The Princess of Wales. “Making history in this beautiful tournament, playing a final against a legend of our sport – for me it’s incredible. It’s amazing, for a boy like me, 20 years old, to reach this kind of situation.”

50

P H OTO G RA P H Y C OU RT E SY W I MB LE D ON

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 51

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

WIMBLEDON 2023

52

P H OTO G RA P H Y C OU RT E SY W I MB LE D ON

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 53

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

WIMBLEDON 2023

54

P H OTO G RA P H Y C OU RT E SY W I MB LE D ON

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 55

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

WIMBLEDON 2023

56

P H OTO G RA P H Y C OU RT E SY W I MB LE D ON

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 57

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

THE USA'S FAA

APPROVES

FLYING

CARS

60

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

ROADWAY TO AIRBORNE CARS COULD BE AVAILABLE BY 2035

A

LEF AERONAUTICS WON REGULATORY APPROVAL TO BEGIN TESTING ITS FULLY ELECTRIC FLYING CAR. THE US FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) CONFIRMED THAT IT HAS ISSUED A SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE FOR ALEF’S “MODEL A” VEHICLE, MEANING THAT IT NOW HAS LEGAL CLEARANCE TO FLY. Pre-orders have already opened for the $300,000 car that can take off and land vertically, and drive on the road as a low-speed vehicle. The California-based startup aims to begin deliveries to customers by the end of 2025, according to CNBC. “We’re excited to receive this certification from the FAA. It allows us to move closer to bringing people an environmentally friendly and faster commute,” said Alef CEO Jim Dukhovny in a press release. “This is one small step for planes, one giant step for cars.”

page 61

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

Alef began developing its flying cars in 2015. It started test driving and flying its prototype in 2019, and emerged from stealth mode in 2022. Venture capitalist Tim Draper, who has previously invested in Tesla and SpaceX, is one of the company’s backers.

The “Model A” has a driving range of 200 miles (321 km) and flight range of 110 miles. As a low-speed vehicle, by regulation, it weighs less than 3,000 pounds and can drive no faster than 25 mph (40 kmh). The vehicle can seat two people.

Alef has another electric flying vehicle en route, which is slated for release in 2035. The “Model Z,” a four-person sedan, will be priced at $350,000 and is slated to have a 300+ mile flying range and 200+ mile driving range.

It is unclear what’s the maximum altitude Alef ’s cars can reach. Competitors aim to go as high as 10,000 feet (the altitude helicopters typically fly), in Terrafugia’s case, or 8,000 feet, like Klein Vision’s AirCar.

62

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 63

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

64

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 65

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

66

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

Change your Pillowcase TO SLOW DOWN AGING

Celebrities use them. Instagrammers love them. Hair stylists recommend them. Silk pillowcases are not new, but over the past couple of years, they seem to have exploded in popularity, embraced by the beauty and wellness

industries and credited with delivering smooth, shiny hair and wrinkle-free, supple skin.

That doesn’t mean you have to rush out to buy one. Although acknowledging

that silk pillowcases may provide some benefits for hair and skin, doctors say the products are best seen as a supplement to existing routines or as a selfcare indulgence.

HELEN CAREFOOT/SPECIAL TO POLO LIFESTYLES

page 67

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

Amy Fox, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor specializing in hair loss at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine, says that because so little research has been done on silk pillowcases, much of the information about them is anecdotal.

your hair stays moisturized and your hair isn’t as prone to breakage.”

But there’s also no danger in trying one, says Pooja Sodha, a board-certified dermatologist and director of the George Washington Center for Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology in Washington — other than the hit to your pocketbook, because some brands can be pricey. “There’s no harm in silk pillowcases, and there may be a benefit, but it’s not the first step that we’d take for treatment,” she says.

Carmen Powers, a color specialist at Spoke & Weal’s Flatiron location in New York, recommends silk pillowcases to her clients who color their hair, regardless of texture. Heat styling, chemical treatments, color and rough handling can also weaken strands and create split ends and dryness, which could lead to breakage. To avoid breakage, she recommends gentle handling and styling, regular trims to prevent split ends and products such as heat protectors.

SILK’S PROPERTIES Silk has been used for thousands of years in a variety of applications. It’s the only naturally occurring filament fiber, which means its threads are continuous and don’t need to be stitched together.

Fibers that have to be spun together to form threads, such as cotton or linen, have rougher textures, because they contain more “corners,” but they can be blended and treated to be softer.

Silk also regulates temperature well and doesn’t absorb much moisture, Gopinath says; these properties are the main reasons for its supposed beauty benefits.

WHAT SILK DOES — AND DOESN’T DO — FOR HAIR The benefits of a silk pillowcase are most pronounced for hair, experts say, because the silk can help hair retain moisture from products and natural oils and reduce friction that could cause tangles and breakage. It’s especially beneficial for curly or natural hair, which doesn’t retain as much moisture as straight hair and is more prone to breakage, says Misty Eleryan, a micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology fellow at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

“It’s all a domino effect: If the silk or satin doesn’t absorb that moisture, then 68

Eleryan says people with straighter or smoother textures could still benefit from reduced friction, but silk scarves or pillowcases aren’t essential for their hair care.

But although a silk pillowcase may prevent breakage, it won’t prevent hair loss.

We all shed hair throughout the day.

More significant hair loss can be caused by a number of factors — alopecia, chemotherapy, hereditary baldness, childbirth, stress — but your pillowcase doesn’t have anything to do with it.

“Whether it’s cotton or silk, the pillowcase you sleep on at night doesn’t influence your hair loss in any way,” Fox says. Outside of medical or hereditary causes, “The things we do that create hair loss are the things we do mechanically to our hair,” including heat styling and rough handling. A pillowcase won’t prevent that.

WHAT SILK DOES — AND DOESN’T DO — FOR SKIN Silk pillowcases’ benefits for skin are murky, experts say. Advertisements say silk’s smooth surface won’t wrinkle or crease the skin, which causes fine lines to form. They say that’s especially beneficial for side and stomach sleepers, whose faces make constant contact with the pillow throughout the night.

But while a smooth sleeping surface could be helpful to prevent sleep creases from becoming deeper, experts say, it isn’t a factor in age-related wrinkles.

Some products claim that because silk contains amino acids, sleeping on a silk pillowcase will transfer them into the skin and hair; doctors say this isn’t true.

Some products created to reduce fine lines, heal wounds or coat split ends to protect from further damage contain silk derivatives, but they’re topically applied or injected.

“That’s really pushing it. Think about how protective your skin is,” says Jenny Kim, a board-certified dermatologist, professor at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and director of UCLA’s cosmetic dermatology division.

“How can [lying] on a pillow jump the amino acid from the pillow into your skin? It just doesn’t make sense.”

Some user reviews have said that silk pillowcases helped reduce lesions and lessen inflammations such as acne and dermatitis, and many advertisements tout silk’s antimicrobial and hypoallergenic properties. Mary Stevenson, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, says that although this idea is intriguing, it hasn’t been widely studied, and there is very little data to support any benefits.

People concerned with acne, dermatitis and aging are better served looking at other aspects of their routine first before rushing to buy a silk pillowcase, experts say. A lifestyle that includes a healthful diet, exercise, quality sleep and wearing sunscreen of at least 30 SPF daily will also benefit skin and hair. “It’s not a panacea, and it’s not a clear-cut yes or no answer, but it’s something else to add to your toolbox,” Stevenson says. “I would say it’s a very nice indulgence.”

HOW TO BUY ONE There are numerous pillowcase options available in stores and online at prices ranging from $10 to more than $100. If you want to try one, look for a product made from 100% mulberry silk, says Preeti Arya, a textiles professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Less expensive options might be silk

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

blended with a synthetic fiber; silk is commonly blended with polyester and rayon. Satin-weave fabrics will also create a smooth surface. Ngina Thomas, owner and master stylist at the Studio Chique salon in the District, prefers satin to silk and says brand names don’t matter as much as the texture.

Many products provide the momme count, a number up to 30 that

indicates silk’s weight and density, but Gopinath and Arya say it’s not the best unit for quality, because metals or fillers can be added to artificially increase the number. Look for certification from the Global Organic Textile Standard, which means a product is made of at least 70 percent natural fibers, and OEKO-TEX, which means the product doesn’t contain chemicals or additives.

“You don’t want something that feels like tissue paper,” Arya says. “If it’s not less than 12 [momme] or more than 24, we’re good, but I would not pay $110 for 22 or 30 momme,” she says.

Silk is also graded from A to C based on its luster and thread uniformity; most mulberry silk is grade A and will look significantly smoother than B- or C-grade silk. And those varied prices? For one pillowcase, Arya says she wouldn’t spend more than $40. page 69

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

70

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 71

HIGH SOCIETY

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

THE MOST-COVETED BAG IN THE WORLD

72

THE BEST INVESTMENT YOU CAN MAKE

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

AVAILABLE BY INVITATION ONLY GROWING ANNUALLY IN VALUE BY 14%

H

ERMÈS CONTINUES TO REIGN AS THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER LUXURY HANDBAG PURVEYOR, ACCORDING TO DATA FROM GOOGLE SEARCH VOLUME AND INSTAGRAM SOURCED

BY SLINGO.

The French label’s Birkin takes the top seat as the most-coveted designer bag across the globe, having raked in average monthly searches of 159,208 between 2020 and 2023.

Even with a Birkin’s astronomical price tag, the bag’s popularity has not seen a decline; in fact, searches for the bag have only increased over the last three years. In 2020, the famous handbag saw average monthly searches of 149,000; in 2023, that figure has climbed 19 percent to 159,208.

The exclusive bag’s pricing ranges across five to six figures, with the most affordable iterations donning price tags of at least $10,000 USD. On the more expensive side, the diamond Himalayan Birkin 30, which is made from crocodile

skin and diamonds, was purchased for $450,000 USD last year.

The price point has added to the bag’s exclusivity, which has, it turn, increased its desirability. Like certain luxury watches, the bag isn’t easy to get your hands on—even if you want to pony up the cash. They can’t be bought off of the shelves from an Hermès boutique. A sales associate has to offer a client the opportunity to acquire the bag, and that comes usually after said client has built up a purchasing reputation with the company. Additionally, individual bou-

LIN D SAY WYN N / SPE C IA L TO PO LO L IFE STYL E S

page 73

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

THE MOST-COVETED BAG IN THE WORLD tiques can only order a certain number of bags twice per year. All of the above are reasons could be why a Birkin may be a better investment than a Banksy.

The Birkin is among the popular bags among female rappers. The bag makes an appearance in Nicki Minaj’s song “Wamables.”

Cardi B has amassed a large collection of the bags. She even gave her “WAP” 74

collaborator Megan Thee Stallion a custom Birkin when the song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Latto claimed in a song that her Birkin led to the “Put It On Da Floor” hitmaker being detained at LAX because it carried a firearm.

This month, searches for the bag skyrocketed further, following the death of Jane Birkin, the French actress and

singer who the high-end accessory is named after.

Following the Birkin, Slingo’s report found that the Louis Vuitton Neverfull ranks second, with average monthly searches of 126,629, and Gucci’s Marmont bag takes third place, with 82,375 average monthly searches.

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 75

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

LOUIS VUITTON'S 1921 HOTEL WELCOMES MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF ARNAUD DONCKELE TO ST-TROPEZ

L

OUIS VUITTON HAS TURNED OVER THE HELM OF ITS SAINT-TROPEZ RESTAURANT AT THE WHITE 1921 HOTEL TO MICHELINSTARRED CHEF ARNAUD DONCKELE AND PASTRY CHEF MAXIME FRÉDÉRIC. WITH A STREAMLINED MENU, THE DUO EXPLORES THE FLAVORS AND SUMMER LIFESTYLE OF THE RIVIERA WITH A RELAXED, WELCOMING AND ELEGANT SPIRIT. 76

At the same time close professional colleagues and good friends, the two culinary talents share not only their Normandy roots, but also a vision of gastronomy centered on flavors, simplicity and authenticity. They are committed to sourcing high-quality seasonal ingredients from local producers and value artisanal excellence and exceptional raw materials, both of which figure at the heart of Louis Vuitton’s DNA. This delectable summer offering from the two chefs is a true gourmet journey that springs from the local terroir. The menu of Mediterranean flavors is pre-

sented with a relaxed, welcoming and elegant spirit in a décor inspired by the world of Louis Vuitton – including the blue-and-white tile pattern featured in the Maison’s new “By The Pool” resort collection. Starting at 3 p.m., guests can enjoy a sweet snack ranging from chocolate bars to a tarte Tropézienne, refreshing sorbets or the Dolce Vita ice cream selection.

The culinary journey continues at dinner with an exploration of pure tastes and sun-drenched textures from the Mediterranean basin, including truffle-stuffed Italian pasta, shrimp

C AT H E RIN E P E A RS O N / SPE C IA L TO PO LO L IFE STYL E S

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 77

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

tartar and Moroccan-spiced lamb chops.

The streamlined menu celebrates the finest products from the entire region

78

(Camargue rice, fish from small, local and eco-friendly fishing and vegetables grown by Provençal market gardeners).

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 79

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

80

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 81

HIGH SOCIETY

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

82

THE JAMESES AT HOME

BY DA N A DL E R / P H OTO G RA P H Y BY G I LLI AN LAU B / ST Y LE D BY MAT T H E W H E N SON

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 83

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

THE JAMESES AT HOME

L

EBRON JAMES AND SAVANNAH BRINSON MET IN 2002, WHEN THEY WERE STUDENTS AT NEARBY HIGH SCHOOLS IN OHIO AND JUST AS LEBRON BECAME A NATIONAL PHENOMENON. THE PROMISE OF HIS EARLY EXPECTATIONS WAS STAGGERING, BUT HE WENT ON TO OUTSTRIP IT. At 37, he’s not so much an elder statesman of the NBA as he is the engine of its contemporary business, politics, and presentation. He’s also vocal about being a family man. He and Savannah married in 2013, and they have three children, Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri.

As LeBron prepares to enter his 20th season as a standard-bearer for the NBA and its ever-growing cultural footprint, his family has assumed increasingly prominent roles in the landscape he has reshaped. We joined them as they gathered at their Los Angeles home to commemorate, in their first photo shoot as a family (including Savannah’s 84

parents, Jennifer and J.K., and LeBron’s mother, Gloria), what Savannah described to me as a transitional moment for her children. For Bronny, who turns 18 in October, a guard for the high school powerhouse basketball team at Sierra Canyon, it’s about “getting to a place to start to make decisions about his career and where he wants to go in his life.” Zhuri, a precocious seven, has her own successful YouTube lifestyle show, All Things Zhuri (highlights have included segments on baking, yoga, and painting). Bryce, 15, Savannah lovingly calls “the mystery of the family,” insofar as he could go in any direction, though he’s also a much-hyped basketball prospect himself.

At Sierra Canyon games, the celebrities are both on the court and in the crowd, and Savannah has observed her children growing into the dynamic.

“With LeBron being their dad, it’s just automatic,” she said. “It’s not something we’ve pushed or told them that they had to do, or anything like that. It just happened.”

LeBron signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, and his arrival in the

city marked a culmination of how both he and the broader world of professional sports had grown entangled with the entertainment business. Some of the most resonant phrases of his career have to do with the place of an athlete, particularly a Black athlete, in society: “more than an athlete,” or his refutations of Fox News host Laura Ingraham’s insistence that he “shut up and dribble.”

“They look like the 2023 Rockefellers,” Gloria said as she surveyed the dinner table. She has a point. While the James family has not pursued anything like Kardashian levels of on-screen confessional, Zhuri’s comfort with an audience and the breathless anticipation around her brothers’ careers have meant that the family has similarly established itself as a public institution. In their Los Angeles garage, a photoshopped image of Bronny guarding a high-school-aged LeBron hangs on the wall—LeBron has said he intends for the two of them to play together in the NBA—and the basketball-Internet ecosystem has recently turned its lens on a photo of LeBron and Bryce that seemed to show their heights converging.

EDI TOR'S NOTE: AT THE TI M E OF PUBLICATION, BRONNY JAMES HAD BEEN HOS PITALIZED F OR CARDI AC ARREST. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAY ERS ARE WITH HIM AND HIS FAMILY.

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 85

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

THE JAMESES AT HOME “Watch your head, Mama,” LeBron said earlier as he tossed a basketball over his shoulder and toward the hoop. In between photographs, he and his sons had been holding a semi-competitive dunk contest on a shortened hoop in the driveway while Zhuri chased a lizard.

During LeBron’s second season with the Miami Heat that began in 2011, he pro86

posed to Savannah on New Year’s Eve and her parents moved into their house.

Their relationship has lasted 20 years and endured no small amount of scrutiny, but at the bottom of their driveway, it looked easy and spontaneous. As they posed in front of a Porsche, LeBron whispered into Savannah’s ear and she doubled over laughing: “I cannot repeat that.”

Today, Savannah hopes to communicate an image of the family’s quiet dynamic at home. “Everything isn’t for everybody,” she said, but she wanted this photo session to recognize and reflect the bonds underlying the family’s influence, to show the world their center of gravity.

“Excuse my language,” she said, “but we a dope family.”

BY DA N A DL E R / P H OTO G RA P H Y BY G I LLI AN LAU B / ST Y LE D BY MAT T H E W H E N SON

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 87

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

88

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 89

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

F

YSL'S LONGINES CAPSULE

OR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR, SAINT LAURENT PARTNERED WITH LONGINES PARIS EIFFEL JUMPING. SAINT LAURENT PRESENTED DURING THE EVENT WITH AN EXCLUSIVE POP-UP AND EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO THE EQUESTRIAN UNIVERSE. 90

In addition, Saint Laurent sponsored the three most important riding challenges of Sunday, June 25.

On this occasion, Anthony Vaccarello chose to create an exclusive capsule developed in collaboration with the most prestigious equestrian brands: Butet, De Niro, Charles Owen and Cavalleria Toscana. Products included a complete assortment of equestrian equipment for

jumping and dressage stretching from saddle, bridle, riding crop to boots and magnetic stirrups, to apparel and accessories offer for riders and their horses.

A selection of Rive Droite lifestyle products and café experience were also available within the pop-up.

SA RA H RE G A N / SPE C IA L TO PO LO L IFE STYL E S

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 91

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

92

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

YSL'S LONGINES CAPSULE

page 93

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

POLO LIFESTYLES PROTECTING OUR PONIES FROM HEAT STROKE AT ANY COST PHOTOS BY MOHAMMED HABIB

96

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

H

EATSTROKE IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY CONDITION THAT CAN COME ON SUDDENLY WITH LITTLE WARNING. HEATSTROKE OCCURS WHEN HEAT PRODUCTION OUTPACES HEAT LOSS.

A horse’s normal temperature is 100 to 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures beyond 103.5 challenge their metabolic processes. Beyond 105 degrees, horses may show signs of subtle in-coordination or lack precision and regularity in their paces. The horse may be fretful and

irritable, less attentive and sluggish in its work.

If its temperature stays over 105 for longer than a few minutes, the horse’s sweating mechanism starts to shut down, and it loses interest in eating and drinking. All that internal heat dulls its brain’s cognitive functions, leading to disorientation. If the temperature is not brought down within five to 10 minutes, or if it rises to 108 or beyond, the horse likely will collapse, suffer convulsions and die. At temperatures over 111.2 degrees, tissues can literally break down.

Heat production even during gentle exercise can increase by 10 to 20 times over resting values. Sprinting results in an increase of 40 to 50 times over resting values. At work levels of 150 heartbeats per minute, a horse’s temperature will go up 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit every three minutes.

Working your horses in a steamy climate significantly increases their susceptibility to heatstroke. High humidity compromises the evaporative process because up to two-thirds of the heat-releasing sweat will roll off of the horse’s body before it can evaporate and cool the horse.

BY J O SH UA H AL L / C O URTE SY US PO LO ASSO C IATIO N

page 97

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

This means efficient sweating is not always synonymous with efficient cooling.

The following rule of thumb has been devised as a guide. If the sum of the temperature and humidity is: · Less than 130 - no problem; · Greater than 150 use caution, especially if the humidity is greater than half of the total; · Greater than 180 use extreme caution, since normal cooling is almost ineffectual and horses may resort to panting.

98

PROTECTING OUR PONIES FROM HEAT STROKE AT ANY COST PHOTO BY HELEN CRUDEN

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 99

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

100

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

FASHION & STYLE

PARIS HAUTE COUTURE: FOR SERIOUS FASHIONISTAS ALEXANDRE VAULTIER, CHANEL, DIOR, FENDI JEAN-PAUL GAUTHIER, SCHIAPARELLI & VALENTINO page 101

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

PARIS HAUTE COUTURE WEEK

ALEXANDRE VAULTIER

102

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

STYLE

CONTENT & PHOTOS COURTESY THE IMPRESSION

page 103

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

PARIS HAUTE COUTURE

CHANEL

104

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

STYLE

CONTENT & PHOTOS COURTESY THE IMPRESSION

page 105

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

CHANEL S TAGED ALONG THE BANKS OF THE SEINE, WITH SOME OF ITS WALKWAY’S BRICKS QUAINTLY PAINTED PINK, AND THE EIFFEL TOWER PEEKING UP FROM THE BACKGROUND, CHANEL’S FALL 2023 COUTURE SHOW WAS A SIMPLE AND BRIGHT CELEBRATION OF THE BRAND’S CORE FOUNDATION.

life by the house’s stable of ateliers. But the collection itself, especially as bolstered by its staging and styling – models carry baskets of flowers as if they’ve picked them up from a local vendor, and one walks a dog – feels created with real life in mind. Since the beginning, Chanel’s couture practice has always been about making wearable clothing for women, and (though today it still fulfills couture’s main function of being an ad for the brands’ more accessible products) Virginie Viard is faithfully, quietly continuing this approach.

Referencing the classic motifs of still-life painting, flowers and fruits blossom and grow across the collection, brought to

In a way one could justifiably complain that the collection looks too much like

106

ready-to-wear (or perhaps the house’s yearly, craft-focused métier d’art show): these are the same silhouettes we’ve seen time and time again on Virginie Viard’s runways, just with more intricate artisanal surface details.

But then the Chanel couture customer – shadowy, wealthy, and powerful as she may be – is in touch with the house’s elegant design-for-life approach, of getting dressed up to walk along the Seine.

Sensitive and sophisticated, the couture collection is another unmistakable iteration of Chanel’s signature vision for bold and elegant Parisian dressing.

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

STYLE

CONTENT & PHOTOS COURTESY THE IMPRESSION

page 107

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

PARIS HAUTE COUTURE

DIOR

110

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

STYLE

CONTENT & PHOTOS COURTESY THE IMPRESSION

page 111

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

PARIS HAUTE COUTURE

FENDI

Taking the precision and luxury of a debut high jewelry collection as its formal basis, creative director Kim Jones’ Fall 2023 haute couture collection for Fendi is a fluid and sparkling exploration of the relationship between the body and its adornment.

While the final two completely gem-encrusted looks might take this assignment a little too literally, the rest of the collection executes this vision with a soft and precise focus. The drape and shape of garments creates an architectural fluidity that reinforces the structure of the body while freeing its movements.

This balance is especially present in the 112

soft external corsetry, which reclaims the garment’s restrictive origins and instead imbues it with an almost athletic sense of freedom and power. Other looks include a second-skin silk bodysuit worn under a dress, offering up another spin on the play between body and adornment.

The haute couture runway show also formed a natural debut for Delfina Delettrez Fendi’s first high jewelry collection for the house, which deploys fluid and precise forms to form a natural extension of the clothing. Fendi is of course first and foremost an accessories house, and this practice came together

with those of couture and jewelry design in the jewel box minaudières that most of the models clutched preciously to their chest.

While much of the Fendi identity is perceived in more overt graphic staples like the double Fs, the baguette bag, and distinct hardware, Kim Jones and Delfina Delettrez Fendi have made a strong case that it contains a deeper sensibility as well. Re-imagining core brand values and updating couture practices for a contemporary woman, the gorgeous collection offers a fluid and focused vision of the most refined side of Fendi.

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

STYLE

CONTENT & PHOTOS COURTESY THE IMPRESSION

page 113

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

114

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 115

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

JEAN-PAUL GAUTHIER PARIS HAUTE COUTURE

As he’s proven during the course of his ten-year tenure as creative director of Paco Rabanne, Julien Dossena has a keen understanding of how to work with an archive without simply copy pasting, but understands the subtleties of a great designers work that allows him to build exciting new directions out of these foundations.

The most obvious references to the Gaultier legacy come as luxuriously layered and ornamented riffs on brand staples: cone bras, the pinstripe suit, which is made powerful and peplum-ified, the blue and white marinière stripes as a fuzzy sweater, and the naked dress, now reconfigured as a sheer slip worn over a second-skin bodysuit complete 116

with sailor tattoos and sequined pubic hair – very smart.

fully chosen layering of fabrics creating lush textural interplays.

Deeper cuts include references to Gaultier’s costume design for The Fifth Element and the dragon corset from Gaultier’s very first haute couture collection in 1997.

Aside from giving us some truly exciting fashion among the somewhat stuffy nature of couture week, what has been so exciting about JPG’s guest couture designer program is the way in which each collection feels totally different despite working with the same source material.

It’s a testament to both Gaultier’s enduring impact and the strength of these well-chosen individual designers that they can have such dramatically different yet powerful takes. (As a side note, these collections also almsot serve as personal ads and resume builders – heritage houses, take note of how well these designers work from an archival brand identity.)

While the categories and names of pieces may be JPG’s, the collection has Dossena’s handwriting all over it – influenced of course by his many years as a student of Paco Rabanne. Liquid metallics and chainmail make a number of appearances. The elaborate ornamentation, often making use of silver and gold, feels both historic and futuristic. Each look explodes with detail, with a care-

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

STYLE

CONTENT & PHOTOS COURTESY THE IMPRESSION

page 117

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

PARIS HAUTE COUTURE

SCHIAPARELLI 118

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

STYLE

Having staged perhaps the most anticipated shows from couture week over the past few years – and with good reason – Daniel Roseberry’s Schiaparelli continues to be one of the most magnetic embodiments of the tired but true dictum that fashion and art ought to go hand in hand. While last season made a stir with its hyper-realistic animal heads, Fall 2023 sees the designer return to his (and his forebear’s) concern with the anatomically human while diving into artistic legacies both ancient and avant-garde.

From tight-fitting to boldly structured to outrageously voluminous, the silhouettes encompass a broad spectrum, trading consistency for eclecticism in order to create an unfettered and wide space in which the house’s artisans can play. The corsetry revival rears its head

as gowns that sculpturally elongate the silhouette of their wearer like Roman caryatids, sometimes combined with fluid gatherings of sheer or opaque fabric that creates a play of swirling and compact volumes. On the opposite side of the spectrum, cascading cashmere creates an expansive coat that, with a surreal sculpted and beaded wood necklace forming its hands, suggests the stature of a woodland spirit right out of a Miyazaki film.

Other artistic references feel more direct, like the liberal use of Yves Klein’s unmistakable International Klein Blue, which lends its azure presence to the lining and details of garments, but also is applied straight to the torso as body paint – a new development of one of Roseberry’s recurring themes that sees dressing the body as more than just

making clothes. Metallic and multicolored tiles recall the details of Gaudí’s playfully surrealist architecture. Liberal use of beading and necklaces looks farther back to folk traditions, while anchoring it all are looks that feel one-hundred percent Elsa Schiaparelli.

Perhaps the references could have been tightened up a bit? It’s difficult to see why French modernism, ancient Roman and modern Spanish architecture, and vague summaries of global folkloric traditions belong together in a contemporary fashion collection.

But then again, maybe that’s just the point: rather than asking why, we can embrace the surrealism of how these disparate elements are united into one artistic experience via a stunning mastery of craft, and simply let it wash over our senses.

CONTENT & PHOTOS COURTESY THE IMPRESSION

page 119

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

SCHIAPARELLI 120

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

STYLE

CONTENT & PHOTOS COURTESY THE IMPRESSION

page 121

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

PARIS HAUTE COUTURE

VALENTINO

Staged among the prim courtyard of the historic Château de Chantilly just north of Paris, Valentino’s Fall 2023 haute couture runway show served up a spectacle worthy of its setting.

Though the atelier’s talents are on full display (especially when it comes to the jewelry), looks fuss less with intricate

122

craft details than in previous seasons and instead tend to make their impact through volume and color.

While Pierpaolo Piccioli has a very recognizable design language, Valentino’s identity as a brand feels less strong and distinct. Especially at a time when couture collections don’t make

money and instead function more like advertisements, drawing viewers into the world of the brand and directing them to bags, shoes, and fragrance, through which the brand makes money, maybe couture shows should make more of a statement than, “These clothes are beautiful”.

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

STYLE

CONTENT & PHOTOS COURTESY THE IMPRESSION

page 123

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

VALENTINO 124

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

STYLE

CONTENT & PHOTOS COURTESY THE IMPRESSION

page 125

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

126

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 127

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

THE LUXURY REAL ESTATE REPORT

MANHATTAN PERFORMS AT THE TOP OF LUXURY MARKET WHILE OTHER MAJOR MARKETS SLIP

DANA ROMITA

I

REAL ESTATE CONTRIBUTOR @danaromita

NTERNATIONALLY, THERE HAS BEEN AN OVERALL SLOWDOWN IN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS, BUT THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND HIGHER INTEREST RATES HAVE NOT BEEN -- AND ARE NOT BEING -- FELT AS DRAMATICALLY IN THE LUXURY MARKET. 128

In most European, Asian and Middle Eastern countries the luxury real estate market is alive and cash buyers continue to make their mark.

estate prices will rise by 4 percent in 2023, double the average of the 25 cities followed by Knight Frank in their luxury market reporting.

Paris, for example, has proved unusually hardy. According to Knight Frank’s 2023 Wealth Report, the French capital ranked as the sole non-U.S. destination in the top 10 cities attracting capital investments from private buyers in 2022. The return of international luxury buyers to the Parisian market represents a sharp contrast to the overall downturn of the French real estate market. Experts anticipate that higher-end luxury real

Additional robust international markets include London, Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney, and Geneva, to name the top few. However, cities such as Stockholm, Vancouver, Seoul and Auckland are not following this positive trend.

The top-performing luxury real estate market once again remains our beloved Manhattan. In 2022, 43 transactions at $25 million and more helped Manhattan

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

maintain its supremacy worldwide. The luxury market has slowed deal-wise, for sure, but NYC is still the favorite destination for ultra-luxury transactions.

Why? And how has this all played out?

Luxury transactions are fueled by cash buyers undaunted by interest rates, but such buyers have become even fiercer negotiators.

My recent personal experiences as a Manhattan luxury broker have been defined by longer negotiation periods as buyers seek additional concessions and discounts. Their efforts are often for naught, as the sellers who know they are offering top-quality inventory hold a little firmer, confident that another qualified cash buyer will come around the corner.

Renovations have become extremely costly as money has gotten more expensive. A result of this confluence of events is that move-in-ready properties stand at

a premium in an already low-inventory market.

If you are looking for negotiability/more attractive pricing, then co-ops in need of some “freshening up” are the way to go.

Often in prime locations, you will find large floor plans, high ceilings, oversized windows, and eat-in kitchens. Apply a bit of vision, patience, and resources to these grand dames of the Manhattan real estate landscape, and you could secure your dream home – perhaps even one with enough closet space to not have to run to the other side of town to get your winter clothes out of a storage bin come October. And you can attain all of this at a very comfortable price relative to a new development condo.

Though the impressive, striking, well-appointed and spectacularly amenitized new development projects are understandably the objects of desire, a few of these tall, shiny behemoths don’t have a PHOTOS COURTESY DOUGLAS ELLIMAN

seat at the cool kids’ lunch table.

At its inception, I had my doubts about Hudson Yards. That’s not to say that I am more perspicacious about the real estate market, commercial or residential, than anyone else, but my gut instinct was that this project made little sense. I didn’t understand how that location would draw the demographic the developers sought to attract, and I never thought it felt like Manhattan.

The two ultra-luxury residential towers, according to the Wall Street Journal, “Were designed to lure moneyed buyers farther west than ever before and set a new benchmark for pricing outside of high-end enclaves.” We all knew that was the intent, but how, I wondered, did the Hudson Yards visionaries plan to do that?

I happily made the trek to Neiman Marcus in the early days. I could park all day for free as a Neiman’s client, and the page 129

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

customer service at the Hudson Yards Neiman Marcus lived up to the brand’s lofty history of excellence. The restaurant offerings surrounding this luxury anchor store emerged as a dining destination.

Yet, this retail and culinary Camelot proved to be as ephemeral as the one of lore, and soon became simply a tourist attraction.

This would compound the struggles facing the two pricey luxury towers flanking this gleaming Manhattan mall, as it were. Related Companies had lofty goals for 15 and 35 Hudson Yards, which features residences appointed with the finest finishes and designs, and offering services akin to those of the best fivestar hotels. But four years into their sales efforts at 35 Hudson Yards, roughly half the units are unsold, prompting the sponsors to offer substantial discounts.

15 Hudson is faring a bit better with almost 90 percent of units sold, but all resales are realizing losses.

Our focus thus far has been the relative strength of the Manhattan luxury market as it compares to those of other major global cities, and it is edifying and relevant to reflect upon the NYC market 130

in its entirety.

Though the number of transactions has slowed lately, pricing remains strong, which speaks to consumer confidence and the possibility that buyers have tired of waiting for a recession that has yet to rear its disagreeable head.

According to StreetEasy.com, the citywide median asking price continued its record-breaking trend for the third month in a row. It rose above $1M in April for the first time since 2018 and is now at$1.088M. List prices are only truly indicative of a market’s health when they are considered relative to sale prices. To this point, in June sales typically closed at an average of 96.5 percent of the original asking price, less than a 4 percent listing discount.

Overall, according to Mansion Global, Manhattan luxury pricing has decreased by 0.7 percent and luxury transactions declined 12 percent in 2023 from feverish 2022 levels, yet they’re outperforming 2019 sales by 27 percent, which signals a return to pre-pandemic sales levels.

And big deals still pepper the news. For

example, The Real Deal announced that philanthropist Julia Koch sold her townhouse at 110 East 76th Street for $41 million roughly three years after she and late husband David Koch bought it from developer Joseph Chetrit for $40.25 million. The eight-bedroom, 15,000-squarefoot home was renovated by architect Peter Marino, and features include a separate service entry, first-floor garden, roof terrace, media room, spa, sports court, and a grand staircase and elevator connecting all six levels. The sale came about a year after Ms. Koch’s record-breaking purchase of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s penthouses at 4 East 66th Street for $101 million.

Manhattan’s luxury market still reigns supreme worldwide, bolstered by a healthy if slightly leisurely paced market as a whole. This portends well for the future, despite the anticipated and typical election-year slowdown. My advice?

Buy and hold real estate in Manhattan, strengthen your portfolio, preserve wealth, and enjoy all that life has to offer in what is still the most vibrant, stimulating, and inspiring city – and luxury real estate market -- in the world.

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

PHOTOS COURTESY DOUGLAS ELLIMAN

page 131

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

132

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 133

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

COULD AGE JUST REALLY BECOME A NUMBER? SOME SCIENTISTS THINK SO

134

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

appearance-altering makeup tricks presented through their channels.

Interestingly, it’s this massive emphasis placed on a youthful aesthetic which has pushed the academic study of anti-aging to new heights, taking it from laboratory science to consumer-facing solutions, creating a perfect entry point for Tally Health.

But can Tally Health’s biotechnology make people look younger?

“While we need in-house longitudinal data to fully answer this question, it is known that if you are biologically younger than your age, you tend to look younger, too because, when it comes to biology, beauty is not skin deep,” explains Sinclair in an interview. “The science says that if you remain biologically young, then you will probably also have better looking skin, hair, and nails.”

D

R. DAVID SINCLAIR IS A SEASONED HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL PROFESSOR IN THE GENETICS DEPARTMENT WHERE HE IS ALSO CO-DIRECTOR OF THE PAUL F. GLENN CENTER FOR BIOLOGY OF AGING RESEARCH. HE IS ALSO CO-FOUNDER OF TALLY HEALTH, A BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANY HE RECENTLY LAUNCHED WHOSE MISSION IS TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND EXTEND LIFESPAN AT THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL BUILDING BLOCK OF THE BODY–THE CELL.

Sinclair’s entire life’s work has centered around understanding aging and how to slow, and even reverse, its effects. Now, he’s used his expertise to launch Tally Health, its proprietary DNA analysis system and once-a-day supplement, Vitality, as the cornerstones of Tally Health’s anti-aging system.

The desire to look younger may be familiar and established, consumer demand regarding the desire to live longer is something that has yet to grip society as a whole. Old age is the time of life which is considered to be the most difficult, and the immediate instinct is that it’s antithetical to wish to prolong living at its most challenging stage. However, Sinclair is quick to clarify what it really means to prolong life.

“What we mean by the term longevity is the ability to stay young and healthy for longer, not to stay older for longer.

The good news is if you stay young and healthy, by doing the things that we Sinclair’s launch of Tally Health comes at know can slow or reverse aging, you a time when society’s interest in reversing get longevity as a side-effect,” Sinclair the signs of aging seems to be never-end- explains. ing. From the public’s obsession with skincare products, to the latest methods “We all want to live healthier for longer, for wrinkle removal, to lasers which and to be productive members of society reveal a younger neck, and even 24rather than a burden on our families,” hour fitness, people seem to be working he continues. “We want to play with the around the clock just to stop the clock. If grandkids and not worry about getting these examples aren’t proof enough, con- diseases in our 50s or 60s.” sider the ubiquitous presence of beauty The Tally Health system starts with a influencer s on Instagram and Tik-Tok small swipe of the cheek with a swab. who garner millions of followers for the

BY WALTER ROBINSON / SPECIAL TO POLO LIFESTYLES

page 135

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

This swab is then sent back to the company who determines the client’s biological age through a proprietary DNA analysis procedure which decodes genetic modifications affected by aging.

This test is also able to read the client’s lifestyle habits.

Based on the results, Tally Health takes the insights and applies them to a personalized strategy designed for the client which includes implementable lifestyle recommendations supported through an interactive digital platform.

These recommendations, along with the Vitality supplement, are the components designed to help people lower their biological age. Vitality (a combination of globally-sourced ingredients including calcium alpha-ketoglutarate, resveratrol, quercetin, fisetin, spermidine) is a comprehensive supplement designed to slow the effects of aging through the enhance136

ment of cellular defense mechanisms.

“There is experimental evidence in cell culture and animal models that each of these ingredients can target established hallmarks of aging, such as cellular senescence, chronic inflammation, or mitochondrial dysfunction,” he explains. “The dose of each ingredient was dictated by double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled human clinical trials.

Specifically, we only included ingredients that were supported by safety data from multiple clinical studies” It’s taken Sinclair 13 years of research to get to this point to prove DNA is not the only indicator of aging and longevity; that environmental factors and lifestyle play a more important role in health and lifespan. In a scientific paper published by Tally Health in the journal Aging Cell, the company shared its

findings about various inputs, factors, and interventions linked to biological age in humans. Through his research, the research of his colleagues in his field, and published clinical studies, Sinclair answers, “That biological age can be significantly lowered in just a few months,” when asked how quickly clients would experience results from the Tally Health system.

Tally Health works on a membership basis and includes actionable strategies to improve health span, interventions, recommendations, longevity coaching, as well as quarterly biological age tests.

Given Tally Health’s intense scientific background, the eminence of Sinclair himself, and the ease of the at-home, cheek swab analysis, the membership waitlist has far surpassed a quarter of a million people to date.

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 137

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

MANSION OF THE MONTH

MANRESA ROAD PH LUXURY LIVING IN LONDON

£38,000,0000

IN THE HE ART OF CHELSE A

140

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 141

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

MANSION OF THE MONTH

MANRESA RD PENTHOUSE LONDON'S PREMIER ADDRESS

UK Sotheby’s International Realty proudly presents this outstanding turnkey penthouse set in a Grade II listed building on the highly sought-after and prestigious Manresa Road in the heart of Chelsea.

As one steps into this stunning third floor penthouse, one is impressed by the 142

luxurious interior design and the great attention to detail, while maintaining a soft personal touch throughout. This impressive property offers an amazing and rare to find 7,000 sq. ft. of lateral living space on one level in Prime Central London.

The private lift opens into an impressive and welcoming

entrance which leads into an expansive living, dining, kitchen and family area spread over nearly 2,500 sq. ft. The area is divided into a formal living/dining area overlooking the London Eye and the Shard. A standout feature is a beautiful glass cabinet which can store up to 700 bottles of wine. On the other side is the more relaxed

family area and a stylish and well-planned kitchen with bespoke joinery. The kitchen and family area open out to a large South/West facing terrace which runs laterally across the length of the apartment. The terrace is set up with an outdoor kitchen, an electronically controlled canopy and outdoor electric heaters.

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

PRICE £38,000,000 GBP | BEDROOMS 6 | BATHROOMS 4 FULL | INTERIOR 7,000 SQUARE FEET

The entire penthouse is equipped with a state of art high specification air conditioning system, the service control for which is through an electronically controlled access panel in the center of the recessed ceiling in the living area.

The living area leads through a hall to the guest bathroom

and three big rooms currently being used respectively as an office, a billiards room, and a gym. These three rooms have plumbing under the floors giving the option to be converted into bedrooms if required. There is a utility room off this area housing professional grade appliances.

A corridor leads to the three bedrooms. All three bedrooms have en suite facilities.

The bedrooms are very well lit and have ample storage.

The principal bedroom suite offers stunning sweeping views.

This penthouse is offered with 2 self-contained and air-conditioned studio apart-

ments located in the lower ground level. In the basement are 2 underground lock up garages and a further car parking space large enough to park two small cars. 2 RBKC resident permits for on-street parking can also be procured. Access to the underground car park is via a ramp which is equipped with Automatic Number page 143

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

MANSION OF THE MONTH MANRESA ROAD PENTHOUSE

144

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

Plate Recognition.

This unique property also benefits from the use of a mature and award-winning landscaped private garden at the rear of the building for the exclusive use of the residents of the building.

Manresa Road is regarded as the most private/ discreet and prestigious residential building in prime Chelsea, with 15 apartments accessed over two main entrances.

The building is managed by a dedicated building manager and there is also a full-time gardener to maintain and look after the extensive mature

private garden. There is a 24-hour concierge plus 24-hour security with 52 cameras across the building. Owners are eligible for RBKC parking permits.

page 145

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

MANSION OF THE MONTH MANRESA ROAD PENTHOUSE

146

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 147

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

NANTES PAYS DE LA LOIRE 44000 FRANCE

PRICE $29,967,206 USD BEDROOMS 8 / BATHROOMS 2 FULL INTERIOR 10,7639 SQ FT. / EXTERIOR 317.29 ACRES NANTES, PAYS DE LA LOIRE, 44000 FRANCE HUS STUD FARM This exceptional estate comprises not only a historic chateau but also one of France’s biggest equestrian facilities with 150

the capacity to house approximately 400 horses. The castle has been restored and offers 1000 sq. meters of perfectly renovated living space including an indoor pool, a steam room and a gym. The spacious grounds comprise 128 hectares including private access to the River

Erdre, a 30-meter mooring, extensive equestrian training facilities including show jumping and dressage with 200 hectares extra rental. Restored outbuildings, helicopter pad and only 35 kilometers from the international airport. The sale includes 300 horses.

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 151

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

CASTILLO CARIBE CARIBBEAN LUXURY IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS PRICE UPON REQUEST

152

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

N

OW YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL: LIFESTYLE, LUXURY, LOCATION AND LIMITED TAX LIABILITY. WITHOUT DOUBT CASTILLO CARIBE IS ONE OF THE FINEST BEACH-FRONT ESTATE HOMES IN THE WORLD OFFERING EVERY LUXURY FOR MODERN DAY LIFE WITH ALL THE LIFESTYLE OPTIONS ONE WOULD EXPECT FROM THE CAYMAN ISLANDS AND THE CARIBBEAN.

Although the Cayman Islands enjoy year-round sunshine and a temperate climate, this benefit is eclipsed in most people’s eyes by the Islands’ offshore status. The Cayman Islands are well known as a financial center on the world’s stage and provide the highest quality of lifestyle available in a tax

neutral environment, making it very appealing to people of high net worth to seek residency here - a position that is actively encouraged by the local government and, as a British Overseas Territory, is a very stable option.

There are a number of destinations in the world that are able to offer offshore status to a greater or lesser degree, but the Cayman Islands have no local taxes whatsoever: no property tax, no income tax, no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax. Castillo Caribe offers a rare opportunity to combine this with privacy, security, luxury and lifestyle all on a pristine white sandy beach overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. The space afforded here is too limited to provide adequate description of all the properties features and amenities, please request a detailed package by emailing: heather.carrigan@sothebysrealty.com.

page 153

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

In Searchs Hidden California' of SolaceGem

SPENDING A DAY IN THE SUISUN VALLEY

WILLIAM SMITH @willismith_2000 COPY EDITOR & CONTRIBUTOR

O

NE OF THE GREAT JOYS IN WRITING ABOUT WINE AND WINE MAKING IS THE JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET YOUR BOOTS ON THE GROUND, SO TO SPEAK, AND SEE THE VINES, BREATHE THE AIR AND TASTE THE BOUNTY OF WHAT COMES FROM THE 156

CO-MINGLING OF NATURE AND MAN. IT’S EVEN MORE EXCITING WHEN THOSE BOOTS LAND IN LESS-TRAVERSED GEOGRAPHIES. With that quest in mind, and as a sidetrip prior to a long weekend in Napa (ahhhh… Auberge), I recently journeyed to the Suisun Valley of northern California. There was much hullabaloo last year when the family behind Caymus opened operations in bucolic Suisun in Solano County. While wine making in the Suisun Valley goes back to at least the middle of the 19th century, the arrival of the Wagner family and the magic they have achieved with labels

like Caymus and Emmolo in Napa and Mer Soleil in the Santa Lucia Highlands seems to have ushered in a new era with the opening of Caymus-Suisun.

Suisun Valley was designated an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1982, just one year after neighboring Napa received its designation. Yet, Suisun has remained largely unknown, except perhaps to those California winemakers who eagerly bought fruit from the Valley over the past several decades to bottle a plethora of “North Coast” AVA labeled wines.

Many people have described Suisun as feeling like Napa did 50 years ago.

Driving through Suisun, the compari-

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

C AY M U S - S U I S U N

son seems a bit of a stretch to me. The quaint, historic towns that dot the Napa Valley, with their picture-perfect street fronts and architectural gems both large and small, are not to be found on that same scale in Suisun. But perhaps what the comparison is most aimed at is the pace of life, the scale of the wine industry, and the pastoral, rural life ways that now differentiate these two areas.

There is no doubt that Suisun feels like a throwback in time, in the most pleasant of ways. Wonderfully perfect, ramshackle farm stands pop up with great regularity, offering up vast amounts and varieties of produce grown alongside grape vines, and portending the burgeoning competition for acreage that is nearly certain to play out in Suisun’s future. At present, about 3,000 of the Suisun AVA’s 15,000 acres are planted with wine grapes. Fruit trees, vegetables and walnuts remain the focus, for now, of Suisun agriculture.

Another differentiation is traffic – in Suisun there is none. Two-lane roads

meander through the eight- by threemile area of vineyards with cars moving at a Sunday-drive kind of pace. Even on an idyllic summer weekend, Suisun and its dozen or so tasting rooms felt energetic, but not like a scene.

Most wineries in Suisun are small, family-run affairs, with several tracing their roots back to post-Prohibition investments in wine making. You can find grand estates – the Bally Keal property, for example, is an impressive Mediterranean-inspired mansion and event center set on 80 acres. Conversely, Vezér Family Vineyard’s Blue Victorian tasting room is just that, a small, sky blue-painted Victorian home with stained-glass windows and a side porch with a few tables to take in a tasting.

Sitting outside on the porch with a dry rosé, the afternoon sun was a perfect way to laze away an hour.

I tasted a few dozen wines on two different trips to Suisun. And while Suisun is a prolific supplier of fruit for the whopping 80 percent of U.S. domestic

wine production that emanates from California, wine making remains smallscale and uneven. Still, the quality of what can occur in Suisun is coming into view and the arrival of Caymus-Suisun, as one local vintner shared with me, is “Evidence that the big boys see great potential in what Suisun can do in the future.” All the evidence I needed was to taste the wines being produced by many of the wineries who pre-date Caymus’ arrival.

Benefiting from a maritime climate similar to Napa, Suisun is bordered on the west by the famed Howell Mountains.

Caymus-Suisun’s Web site explains the proximity of Suisun to Napa as “separated…by just an invisible county line.”

Caymus-Suisan is engaged in significant experimental planting in Suisun, testing out what will grow well and create great wines. Their tasting room stands in stark, opulent contrast to everything else in Suisun. Glass and wood elements dominate the edifice and create a modern and organic feel. Outdoor areas are page 157

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

V E Z É R FA M I LY V I N E YA R D ’ S B L U E V I C T O R I A N

impeccably furnished and landscaped.

As Caymus-Suisun is still a relatively new venture (thus the experimental planting) only three of the wines available in the tasting room are from the Suisun Valley, with the others being offered coming from the Wagner family’s other labelings.

Of the three offerings from Suisun, two of those are well-regarded, commercially available reds, The Walking Fool red blend and their Grand Durif. Durif is synonymous with Petite Sirah, and you’ll hear time and again that Suisun is known for their Petite Sirah. Both offerings further bolster that assertion, with The Walking Fool incorporating a delicious expression of Suisun-grown Zinfandel. The third offering was a rosé available only at the tasting room, the Bay Rosé. A deep and bright pink, the Grenache-based wine was perfect on a hot summer day, full of bursting ripe strawberries, raspberries and a crisp salinity on the finish.

I spent most of my time, however, with the smaller wineries, attempting to grasp 158

what exists at present should the predictions of Suisun becoming the next Napa come true.

The standout for me was Wooden Valley Winery & Vineyards, a family operation in business for nearly a century. Its roadside tasting room is the oldest in Suisun and several renovations over the years have expanded and enhanced the space. I relished sitting outside on their patio, gazing out at grapevines to one side and a corn field on the other, the corn silk tassels atop each stalk glistening in harmony with the golden hills in the background.

With some 300 planted acres, Wooden Valley has been stewarded by the Lanza family since 1955 when Mario Lanza became the sole owner and bought out two other partners. Mario’s oldest grandson, Rick Lanza, is now the winemaker and the available evidence suggests he excels in the role. The eight different brands of Wooden Valley run the gamut of varietals and styles with a few being truly exceptional.

In case it is not evident by the last name, the Lanza family are of Italian heritage

and it carries through in their wines.

The 2021 Primitivo, or Zinfandel as it is more popularly known in northern California, is yet another example that this grape excels in Suisun, especially when crafted by the right winemaker.

This is a light bodied red, silky with notes of black currants and juicy blueberries. The deftest use of oak aging adds a subtle and entirely delicious hint of woodiness. Entirely unique, this wine expresses the terroir of Suisun in spades.

Leaning into Suisun’s signature grape, Wooden Valley’s 2020 Exit Forty One is an 80 percent Petite Sirah and 20 percent Cabernet Sauvignon blend and from what I can tell from multiple visits, the pride of the line up. Named after the exit from Interstate 80 that takes you into the Suisun Valley, the medium-bodied wine has aromas of smoke and cola on the nose. Harmonious tannins complement a flavor profile of dark fruits, spice, and cocoa. I yearned for a well-executed charcuterie plate of unctuous and aged meats to enjoy alongside this signature bottling.

Backing up my desire to learn and un-

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

W O O D E N VA L L E Y TA S T I N G R O O M

dertake journeys such as this, I was lucky to sample both a red and a white cuvée available only to wine club members of Wooden Valley. Each year, the winery hosts a competition with their wine club members to develop the perfect blends and the wine maker chooses the winner. These were among my favorites I tasted in all of Suisun. In particular, the white, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Riesling, and Chardonnay was telltale grassy and herbaceous on the nose thanks to the Sauvignon Blanc, but so much more complex in the glass. Rich, even with subtle notes of oak, citrus, and

melon. This is a food-wine and oysters, fire-roasted over an aromatic wood, came immediately to mind.

Whether Suisun is the “next Napa” or not is an uninteresting speculation to me. And its clear that local wine makers are equally struggling with the proposition. One commented to me that they hope, “To ride the coattails of Caymus in putting Suisun on the map,” but also commented that they wanted to keep the small, farm feel that exists. The desire to thrive like their neighbors in Napa and Sonoma sits alongside the desire not to be overrun by tourists and mega-pro-

ducers. Whether that needle can be threaded remains to be seen.

For now, when undertaking your own journey to Napa or Sonoma, consider a day trip to Suisun and take it in a simpler, quieter, and different, but nonetheless extraordinary wine experience. You can easily do Suisun in a day and frankly, quality accommodations and dining options are still scarce in the area. Finally, also be sure to also plan ahead given that many tasting rooms have limited hours.

As always, salud!

page 159

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

160

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 161

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

ALIGN WITH YO SPIRITUALITY · FAITH · QUESTIONS · GROWTH · FOCUS

EMOTIONAL & SPIRITUAL SCARS

A JOURNEY FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING “The ultimate nature of the mind is pure, clear and unobstructed like the sky. It is not something that can be grasped or obtained, but rather it is the very essence of one’s being. Recognizing this essence and remaining in this natural state is the ultimate goal of Dzogchen practice.”

– Patrul Rinpoche, “Words of My Perfect Teacher” AMRITLAL SINGH SPIRITUALITY CONTRIBUTOR @monarch_visionary

I

support us in empowering our societies, as we remember our cosmic prophecy written in our sacred immortal flesh.

N THE ANCIENT WORLD, THERE WERE TWO TYPES OF SOCIETIES, THOSE WHO SACRIFICED THE INNOCENT AND HELPLESS TO PLEASE FALSE DEITIES, WHILE USING TACTICS OF FEAR TO PARALYZE THE PEOPLE FROM STANDING TRUE TO THEIR INNATE HEART’S WISDOM.

There is only one true value, one cosmic currency within the Universe, and that is divine life force, the fire that fuels our hearts to experience life to its fullest.

As we awaken to who we truly are, and the purpose of our existence within this magical reality, it will be through the alchemy of our pain that we are united upon our path of cosmic rebirthing, for as the unified heart awakens, humanity remembers our calling.

Then there are those who were inspired to unite in mind, body and soul to realize their divinity through an open-system heart grid of collective peace, leaving artifacts upon Mother Earth to

At the age of two, I was ripped from my mother’s arms. Social services, along with armed police officers, stormed into our home without notice, demanding to take me into protective care. My mother

162

REALIZATION OF THE COSMIC HEART PROPHECY

undressed and locked herself with me in the shower, as an attempt to shield us from the intruders, from those who seek power to cause pain. We are all beasts upon this Earth; how we feed determines how we evolve.

Nonetheless, in what was the beginning of a terrifyingly confusing, and emotionally scaring, year-long period of my life. A toddler, I was shuffled home-tohome, in a system of false care, abused by strangers, while a costly custody battle ensued that further divided my family, creating a rift within our hearts that still calls to be healed. This was not be the last time the doors were kicked down by false authorities, and the pain continued on, creating a foundation upon which our lives were framed, until it all came crashing down for the truth to rise from within. Without proper insights into the beauty of our pain, the

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

OUR PURPOSE IN SY N C W IT H YO UR V IB E

R E N E WA L · C O M M U N I T Y · S U P P O RT · E X P LO R AT I O N · E N E R G Y holy power of forgiveness and compassion, and the truth of our unified potential, a sense of unworthiness, unwantedness, and desolation encapsulated my heart and tainted my emotional biological lens of reality, causing severe anxiety, loneliness, depression and disconnectedness from the very nourishing essence of life.

We all have a heart-destiny to realize that becomes activated by the universal cycles of the cosmos. Within us all lies a powerful mission to rectify the past and uphold the honor of life that is realized from within the core of our DNA, as the resonance of our embodied truth decodes the secrets within our flesh, so that we may finally witness the truth in her almighty beauty.

As one approaches the realization of their dharma, the spiritual heart initiates its process of purification and liberation.

After four years of studying and training as an esoteric and quantum healer, working with Shamans from around the world, I have finally released the rage from my body, the paranoia that has derailed my pursuit of happiness, and found forgiveness for all those who have intentionally taken a part in my pain. I no longer ask, “Why me?”

The teachings of Dzogchen, the Great Perfection, is to attain and perfect the realization of the true nature of the mind. According to the practice, the fundamental nature of the cosmos is realized through our pristine awareness, and ability to fully flow in harmony with the natural order of the divine universal

harmonic symphony, without effort or distraction, through which we realize our natural state whereby we experience our natural essence.

Tibetan Buddhist teachings describe this self-attained inner ascension to higher dimensional realities as the Rainbow Body, while the Hindu Vedas honor the divine source magnetism that purifies the flesh to crystallize the realized god-state, as the Kundalini Shakti – the ever-expanding cosmic life force, the Divine Feminine.

This self-realization process inspires a natural psychological, physical and spiritual transformation that energetically ripples through the collective consciousness of a species – a shift from within that can potentially evolve a civilization into one emotionally linked, energetic ecosystem of ascending golden intelligence. As the Rainbow Warriors rise from generations of pain, rebirthed like the undying Phoenix, risen as was Lazarus, how will our awareness of our spiritual path inspire communities to unite in alignment with a core, common mission to awaken our resonant cosmic heart force?

HARNESSING ANCIENT TECHNOLOGIES TO SERVE PEACE Our indigenous ancestors realized the harmonic resonant power of unification within communities to serve a higher, spiritual heart-based function. When spiritual ascension and the collective quality of life drives our unified intention, our evolving consciousness

naturally unfolds to the power of our awakened heart. Known, in Sanskrit, as the bodhicitta, meaning the “mind of enlightenment,” it is through the purification of the stored emotional trauma within our bodies that the heart grows in power, and the truth within blossoms through our ascending intelligence.

Heralded by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Lake Titicaca, is a millionyear-old lake, one of less than 20 ancient lakes on the planet, and is also one of the highest, resting 3,810 meters above sea level within the Andean mountains between Peru and Bolivia.

Reveled as Mother Earth’s sacral chakra, a fertile womb of cosmic planetary energies, this ancient goddess served as a birthing channel for powerful living cosmic energies that cultivated ancient Andean civilizations. A highly charged living body of water, at the base of this multi-dimensional crystalline basin course two of the Earth’s life force ley lines that cross her surface like the two harmonizing serpent currents of the caduceus, representing the feminine (dragon serpent) and masculine (rainbow serpent) energies. These cosmic healing energies, also present in our bodies, run across the Earth’s kundalini, connecting ancient and sacred sites and inter-dimensional portals across the planet.

Mythicized by the Incas as the womb of Mother Earth, in those revelatory times, these divinely charged waters were marveled as a cosmic portal through which the god Viracocha emerged to create the page 163

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

THE QUEST TO AWAKEN

HUMANITY'S UNIVERSAL COSMIC HEART

Universe, inspiring highly spiritually attuned civilizations whose ruins now gift us clues to realizing our highest spiritual resonance and genetic activation.

Just southeast of this sacred lake stand the ruins of, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Puma Punku, meaning Gate of the Puma. Just as the purr of felines is known to heal bones, by unlocking the cellular potential to heal, this ancient Atlantean psycho-acoustic megalithic temple, estimated to have been built nearly 14,000 years ago, mastered resonant frequencies to serve as a portal to ascended states of collective existence, and potentially a star gate.

According to a 2020 report by Alexandar Putney at HumanResonance.org, “Conclusive findings reveal monumental buildings that once stood at the site were designed and built to effectively synchronize the brainwaves and biorhythms of all practitioners simultaneously, by focusing intense electro-acoustic vibrations into the body and the head of each participant.

Psycho-acoustic resonance was achieved by focusing standing waves in a series of special resonator cavities inset into thick temple walls, constructed from Atlantean firestone; called ‘analopala’ in the Paleo-Sanskrit language.”

Putney continues, “An advanced natural state of hyper-consciousness, exposure to deep, rumbling infrasound waves induces genetic purification by acousto-electric induction within the resonating temple walls. Called Samadhi, a word formed by a pair of Paleo-Sanskrit hieroglyphs meaning ‘Universal delivering,’ this state was the goal of all adepts 164

and all practitioners of ancient temple traditions worldwide, for achieving all other aims in life.”

REALIZING THE COSMIC HEART MISSION All life is a seed of potential, designed to bridge a universal intention to realize higher dimensional order of existence through which a higher potential for energy is created. In realization of this potential state of collective harmonic fluidity, nirvana, the creative fire of consciousness flows through the cerebral spinal cord to transform the genetic expression of life – spiritual evolution through resonant DNA activation.

Through the purification of the organ system, in realizing the natural order and essence of life, the mind is dissolved from the snares of judgment, greed, fear, grief and worry through unity with the light of consciousness, allowing for mental emancipation and access to higher mental faculties. Our innate superpowers are activated as we pierce through the illusion of limitation and dis-empowerment.

In the book, “The Body Doesn’t Lie, Unlock the Power of Your Natural Energy,” Dr. John Diamond, M.D., describes the direct relationship between the Heart Chakra, known as ‘anahata’ in Sanskrit meaning ‘sound produced without touching two parts’, similarly ‘anahata nad’ refers to the Hindu Vedic concept of the unstruck sound – the cord of the celestial realms, the cosmic AUM. Located near the heart organ, the thymus gland produces thymosin to mature and produce T cells, immune cells, that ward off infections, prevent

autoimmune disorders and fight cancer.

Furthermore, Dr. Diamond illustrates the thymus gland as an energetic fire of devotion, a transducer of the Chi in the atmosphere into electromagnetic energy which is the Chi that then flows through the body’s bio-electrical energetic nadi, or meriden, system. Related directly to our individual spiritual mission, and the heart’s electrical vibratory field, the thymus gland ensures strength, health and vitality of the body system.

The transformative power of the heart is witnessed through the unconditional love of a mother. During the birthing and breastfeeding of her divine progeny, human mothers generate the neuropeptide hormone, oxytocin, a mediator of anti-stress, well-being, growth, healing, social cognition and behavior, including key stabilizing feelings of trust, safety and faith. Secreted into the bloodstream by the posterior pineal gland through a self-stimulating, positive-feedback system, oxytocin is also known as the “love drug,” as it allows us to create powerful heart coherent bonds that deliver us beyond our perceived limitations.

In the paper, titled “Resonant Heart,” Heart Math Institute executive, Rollin McCraty shares in-depth research illustrating that the heart is a sensory organ with an operating brain capable of learning, remembering and making functional decisions independently of the brain’s cerebral cortex. Additionally, the nervous center attunes and responds to the electromagnetic heart resonance of others, establishing a capacity for exchange of spiritual, emotional information that heightens awareness, increases empathy and sensitivity to others. It is also possible to intentionally

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

With more than 100 research scientists investigating the nature of the Universe and 500 students embarking upon their passion to serve a global community connected to SETI’s research by exercising innate curiosity, SETI holds a vision to inform, educate and inspire humanity through the exploration and discovery of the Universe, uniting humanity in realization of our absolute beauty.

enhance this energetic flow of pure heart consciousness, as witnessed by ancient Andean cultures, to support a catalyst for evolution that cascades across the collective DNA of a species.

The HeartMath Institute’s Global Coherence Monitoring System conducts research on how the mechanisms of the Earth’s various fields affect human physiological, mental and emotional processes, health and collective behavior. When the Earth’s magnetic field environment is disturbed, it can cause sleep disturbance, mental confusion, unusual lack of energy or a feeling of being on edge or overwhelmed for no apparent reason.

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE TO PEACE ON EARTH In support of the collective purification and unification

of humanity’s awakened heart field, or crystalline KrsnaChrist consciousness grid, how can science support our realization of the underlying essence of life and leverage this wisdom for improvements across communities, economies, medical and educational systems as well as social reform, protection and education of our precious children, our Rainbow Warriors?

The SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute in Silicon Valley is a non-profit research organization that serves a mission to lead humanity’s quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the Universe. SETI’s research further seeks to determine the underlying interconnectedness of all-natural phenomenon, understanding that real insights occur at the intersection of disciplines.

By understanding the underlying golden harmonics and pristine mechanisms that serve as the fundamental premise of life on our own majestic Mother Earth, as well the outer expanse of the Universe, our growing universal self-awareness allows us to surrender our inner resistance and pain, as well as limiting belief systems. By embodying our highest genetic expression, as our thoughts transform our actions and behaviors to evolve our perceptions, we ascend the Earth’s planetary field, as a beacon of hope to the Universe that we have awakened.

Our genetic expression determines more than just physical features. Genes also influence the development and functions of the brain, and ultimately control how we move, think, feel, behave and, potentially, abilities currently beyond our conscious comprehension. Activating genetic expression, illuminating the mind to its fullest potential, has been humanity’s pursuit since the beginning of time.

The ancient practice of Samadhi, which entails uniting the mind fully with

its object of perception so that the mind disappears and merges into pure consciousness and bliss, is the highest aspect of Vedic yogic practice as complete meditative absorption that takes us beyond body and mind.

To become one with the Universe is to know it completely, from within oneself, through attunement with the divine.

This collective endeavor - to realize the creator-blueprint within - has inspired and empowered ancient civilizations to construct complexly intelligent megalithic structures that intentionally leveraged natural, spiritual energies and stellar vortices to expand consciousness and liberate the evolutionary expansion process.

Will our pursuit of peace reveal the mystery of activating the remaining 98.5 percent of human genetic expression? With organizations such as SETI and HeartMath determined to reveal the magnificence of the Universal Natural Kingdoms, how can we begin to implement research and insights into our innate natural essence to enhance the collective quality of life?

As we prepare energetically for the revelation within that is causing immense emotional and mental global strife, estimated by Reuters to cost the world $16 trillion by 2030, it will be the biomagnetism of truth, and Universal Law of One, that unites our collective heart force as we are activated by the cosmic waves of our ascending Father Sun. page 165

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

MOLD YOUR MIND T H E

P O W E R

O F

U N L O C K I N G

Y O U R

M I N D

APPRECIATION

AN ESSENTIAL HABIT OF SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE COACH JOEY VELEZ

MENTAL WELLNESS CONTRIBUTOR @velezmentalperformance

I

N THE ENGLISH DICTIONARY, FOR EVERY WORD THAT HAS A POSITIVE CONNOTATION, THERE ARE ABOUT FOUR NEGATIVE WORDS. In a recent survey, when participants were asked, “Are you more likely to focus on your strengths or your weaknesses?”, 70 percent said they were more likely to focus on their weaknesses.

There is a lot of “bad” in this world and it seems all too easy to allow our attentions to drift and dwell on these things.

However, there are many good aspects in our lives, but focusing instead on these requires a more deliberate and reflective approach.

While focusing on our failures, mistakes, and weaknesses can lead to growth, so can looking at the other side of the coin.

The side where goodness and successes shine.

168

One way to focus on more of the good things is your life is through the development of a gratitude practice.

THE GOOD LIFE If I asked you to recall your day, what would it sound like? Would you share with me all the hindrances? The good things? Or would you give the neutral response of, “Eh. It was okay.” How and what you recall has direct implications on your overall well-being and life satisfaction.

Over the last decade, there has been a lot of research conducted on the positive emotion of gratitude. The one that sticks out is when three groups each recalled their days, but all three were given different prompts: Group 1 was told to write about three good things from their day, Group 2 was told to write about three hindrances from their day, and Group 3, which was the control group, was told to write about their day. What they found was that Group 1, the group prompted to write about three good things from their day, showed an increase in overall happiness with less anxiety and depression, and even showed greater life satisfaction and better sleep quality at a six-month follow up, all by deliberately focusing on and acknowledging the good things that happened in their day.

So, whether you want to write about the good parts of your day, what or who you are grateful for in your life, or what you are looking forward to every day, taking the time to look at the good things in your life can have both short- and longterm benefits to your physical, cognitive, and emotional health.

MY APPRECIATION There are several people that I am grateful to have in my life. First and foremost, I am grateful for my family. Over the last six years, my mother, father, and sister have done nothing but support me in multiple aspects of my life. I have been through financial difficulties, relationship breakups and a major life change when I moved across the country for work. Whenever I needed something, they never asked why, they just did it. Their support lifted a tremendous amount of stress off my shoulders because I knew there was nothing I had to worry about. Whenever I faced a challenge, they would be there.

I am also grateful for one of my coworkers. When I started working for the military in Georgia, I felt I knew what hard work was, but I soon realized that I had been doing “just enough” to be successful. This individual took me under their wing and did not allow me to settle for

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

THOUGHTS MATTER

anything less than excellence. Because of this person, I learned how to challenge myself, how to push myself to new limits, how to be confident in myself, that it is okay to fail because it allows you to learn about yourself. Not only did this person help me grow as a professional, but they also helped me grow as a person and reach my true potential. I do not know what I would do without this person in my life.

Lastly, I am grateful for the individuals who allowed me the opportunity to write for this magazine six years ago. I was just a freshly graduated graduate student who had no real direction in

life, nor did I picture myself as a writer.

But these two individuals gave me a platform to write about something that I am passionate about, and here I am six years later still writing. There was a point when I wanted to stop. I was feeling overwhelmed and wanted to take something off my plate in hopes of finding a better balance in life, but one phone call changed everything.

The amount of care, support and love I felt from this one phone call made me realize how special these people are in my life. I am grateful to know them and have their support and am extremely glad that I am associated with them.

FINAL THOUGHTS Here is my challenge for you, dear reader. I challenge you to write down or think about those people who are in your life and for whom you are deeply grateful. Why are they in your life? Why are you grateful for them? What do they mean to you?

Take several minutes and jot down some notes. Then, call them. Call these people and tell them how much they mean to you. Not only will this help them experience positive and affirming emotions, but it will help enhance the connections you have. page 169

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

170

WWW.PO LO L IFES T YLES .COM

page 171

VOLUME VII / ISSUE VIII / AUGUST 2023

172