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Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand Publisher
Joshua Jakobitz Editor-in-Chief
Ramesh Patel
Jyoti Paintel
Spiritual Guidance Contributor
Stanley Pierre-Etienne
Assistant Copy Intern
Kenneth Carrion de los Condes
Brand Representatives Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre - Dubai Rudy Volel - New York Michael J. Snell - The Hamptons Stanley Pierre-Etienne - Caribbean Sara Ali - London
Lifestyles Contributor
Michael J. Snell
Mark Wine
Lifestyles Contributor
Joey Velez
Style Contributor
Cezar Kusik
Travel Contributor
Raphael Dapaah
Head of Photography
Fitness Columnist
Wine Contributor
Art Contributor
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Gregory Bertrand
Style Contributor
Business Adviser
Wellness Columnist
William Smith Philanthropy Contributor
Kemissa Racine
Hans Ebenman Claire Barrett
Contributing Photographers Claire Barrett Eva Espresso
Katerina Morgen Paige E. Williams Candace Ferriera Sandrine Carole Justine Jacquemot
Polo Lifestyles is a publication of HT Polo Publishing Co. 995 Detroit Avenue, Suite A Concord, CA 94518 Copyright Š Polo Lifestyles 2019 All Rights Reserved. For information or to advertise Contact editor@pololifestyles.com Read online at www.pololifestyles.com Cover Photo Duckie Thot by Nick Knight Styled by Sam McKnight Duckie wears Bulgari, Belmacz, Pippa Small, Theo Fennell, Swarovski and Buccellati
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HIPICO Santa Fe Polo Lifestyles Santa Fe International Polo Open Guards Polo Club Autumn Nations Tournament Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open Polo de Paris Tournoi de la Ville de Paris 125th Open de Paris Santa Barbara Polo Club Pacific Coast Open Polo Club St-Tropez Gold Cup 2019 Sotogrande Santa Maria Polo Club Torneo de las Apuestas Ghantoot Polo & Racing Club British Polo Day Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly Open de France Castel Trophy Women's French Open Inanda Polo Club Inanda High Goal Rosefield Polo Club Africa Polo Open Thai Polo & Equestrian Club Argentine Embassy Cup Thailand Eq. Federation Cup Thai Polo Open Val de Vie Estate Pink for Polo Cuatro Vientos Polo Club XV Copa Tanoira Argentine Season 52o San Jorge Open 55o Abierto de Jockey Club Xtreme Polo League 79o Abierto de Tortugas 126o Abierto de Hurlingham 126o Abierto de Argentina page 9
2019
POLO LIFESTYLES
Santa Fe INTERNATIONAL AT IONAL POLO P OLO OPEN PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SANTA FE TOURISM FOUR SEASONS RANCHO ENCANTADO SANTA FE COUNTY HUTTON BROADCASTING MERCEDES-BENZ OF SANTA FE
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LOCAL WINE PAIRINGS & DELICIOUS FLAVORS OF SANTA FE / RED CARPET ENTRANCE FOR VIP TICKET HOLDERS
VOLUME III / ISSUE IX / SEPTEMBER 2019
SCOREBOARDS & COCKTAILS:
SOTOGRANDE'S COPA DE BRONZE page 34
POLO LIFESTYLES EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS
Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand
Publisher Polo Lifestyles @haiti_polo_captain
Cezar Kusik
Wine Contributor Polo Lifestyles @cezareatsdirt
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Josh Jakobitz
Editor-in-Chief Polo Lifestyles @joshuajakobitz
Kenneth Carrion
Kemissa Racine Style Contributor Polo Lifestyles @kemissa
Joey Velez
Lifestyles Contributor Mental Wellness Columnist De Los Condes Velez Mental Performance @deloscondes_inspired_living @velezmentalhealth
Mark Wine
Jyoti Paintel
Fitness Columnist Functional Muscle Fitness @functionalmuscle
Spiritual Contributor Polo Lifestyles @jyotipaintel
Michael J. Snell
Stanley Pierre-Etienne
Lifestyles Contributor MJS Groupe @agnello_1
Style Contributor Lanmou Pou Ranyon @stanleypierretienne
Raphael Dapaah Art Contributor Dapaah Gallery @dapaahgallery
William Smith
Philanthropy Contributor Santa Fe Comm. Foundation @willismith_2000
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Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance page 26
Investing in Art page 133
The Gourmand's Weekend Getaway page 82
Go Ahead, Be Selfish, It's OK page 176
BRAND ASSOCIATION
What's in a name? And, what's the worth of that name? In the world's most-expensive sport, luxury brands are clamoring for partnerships. page 96 page 15
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Our ninth issue of Polo Lifestyles in 2019 is also our anniversary issue. We've come a long way from the inaugural magazine we published in September 2017, but our roots and core purpose behind Polo Lifestyles remain the same: promote luxury in and around the polo lifestyle. Our partners and advertisers agree with the strategy. As we launch our premiere polo event, Polo Lifestyles Santa Fe International Polo Open, next month in Santa Fe, N.M., and expand the brand to include an experiential day of polo and luxury, we thought it apt to review just why polo is the ultimate brand association this month. Luxury brands clamor for position and titles at polo events around the world -- from Carter to Hublot and Veuve Clicquot to King Power. Within polo, there's room at the table for both heritage and boutique luxury brands. In the introduction to our cover story, I mention the three T's of polo sponsorship: teams, tents and trophies. These points of collaboration and target brand association have lasting ripple effects across the polo world as well as across brands' bottom lines and sales figures. The digital age has given polo a much broader platform than the days of Pretty Woman, when Julie Roberts' character is personally introduced to the Sport of Kings in person; the idea of streaming a match online or watch replays on YouTube or CBS coverage of the US Polo Open wasn't feasible. We see this clearly at Polo Lifestyles. As our digital audience far exceeds our physical audience, we are working with partners and brands to reach followers and readers on their phones, laptops and tablets. Our digital platform, Issuu, leads the way in digital media and recently pushed out updated technology that makes reading stories on your phone easier than ever. After two months of beta testing, much of Polo Lifestyles' Two-Year Anniversary issue will be available in this new mobile-compatible format, while remaining true to our core: luxury and polo association. Best, Josh Jakobitz josh@pololifestyles.com
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styleconnaisseur Angel Obasi, equally young and fabulous, rocks this all black look on the way to get ice cream
salpiazzolla Polo follows the summer season, so stay summer ready all year aroundstarting with protecting your skin
badgalriri On top of the music and fashion world, Rihanna's @fenty brand makes global history for black women
tostos_ The official sponsor of Africa Fashion Week London is @amarula an exotic cream liqueur #madefromafrica
hcruden Photo photographer Helen Cruden captures the #behindthescenes of Sotogrande season
hypebeast @nike unveils Naomi Osaka's exclusive @sacaiofficial look ahead of the US Open
pebblebeachconcours The annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance draws high-end auto buyers from around the world page 22
serenawilliams "My amazing sister @venuswilliams covers New York Times magazine," says Serena of her sister's issue
pabloramirez Santi Laborde at the 2019 Espana Copa Oro #federacionandaluzadepolo
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Click and comment on our choices... tag @pololifestyles. We will share noteworthy comments with you next month.
stylecollective @hm killing the collaboration designer game with South African designer Palesa Mokubung
livingcostiera Positano... who do YOU go to Positano with #crew #team #travel #positano
kennethcolereal @donnakaranthewoman is Kenneth Coles' passion and inspiration #Haiti #philanthropy #shoes
polo_club_gstaad The annual Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad is a don't-miss event, starting with the iconic parade of players
kofisiriboe Inside @voguemagazine this month, @anokyai @joansmalls photographed by @oliverhadleepearch
oficialcrisoliviera Look at those curls... brand ambassador Cris Oliviera takes care of her natural look with @pantene
bawatchesandjewelry The new MB&F Horological Machine No 7 Aquapod Platinum Red 165,000 Euros
luxurylivingcompany The 1600 hp Bugatti Centodieci... only 10 will be made at a price point of $8.9 million
thesussexes_ Elton John called out the press and came to the defense of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex page 23
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REDEFINING THE BENTLEY GRAND TOUR FOR 2035 Inspiring an extraordinary human experience through a perfect blend of technology and craftsmanship.
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INSIDE THE PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA
This year, the Monterey car week saw more of a mix between old and new than ever, with golf course lawns dotted with a gleaming candy-color assortment of Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches, and Bugattis of both the vintage and modern variety. The pinnacle of the week, Sunday’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, came the morning after a controversial, page 26
botched Sotheby’s auction in which a 1939 Type 64 silver coupe failed to sell at all. The no-sale auction proved to be by far the most dramatic event of the week. But that’s not to take away anything from the cars themselves. Bugatti, celebrating its 110-year anniversary, showed off the new Centodieci, a nearly $9 million vision in white inspired by
the Bugatti EB110s from the 1990s, four of which were on the lawn during the Quail Motorsports Gathering event Friday morning. Lotus, announcing its vision for the future under Chinese ownership, debuted the Evija, a $2.1 million electric hypercar said to achieve 1,972 horsepower and 200mph-plus top speeds. Meanwhile three examples of its ret-
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ro-look Evora GT hummed around Carmel and the surrounding hills. Aston Martin showed off its Valhalla, the latest of three new hypercars, while Sotheby’s devoted an entire night to the classic cars made by James Bond’s favorite British brand. Bentley celebrated 100 years of auto-making by bringing in dozens of its old racing blowers—and showcased a massive EXP 100 GT concept car with scissor doors and spiky headlights. And Lamborghini, amid dozens of Countachs and Miuras with the edgy looks of 1980s Miami, boasted a new art car and special edition Aventador models meant to commemorate historic wins at the Daytona and endurance races. In short, there was something for everyone—and drama in spades. Reporting by Hannah Elliott/Bloomberg
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Every year in a small California town called Monterey, thousands of car-obsessed individuals gather to celebrate the rarest automobiles in the world. It’s called Monterey Car Week, and since 1950, it's played host to the some of the most pristine new and vintage cars from around the world.
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It’s also a buyer's paradise (if you have the cash)—the most expensive car sold went for $48.4 million. Spread across five days, with events ranging from the legendary Pebble Beach competition to private home receptions, it's quickly become the must-attend event for car—and style—lovers.
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SOTOGRANDE The Bronze Cup
page 40Photos by Katerina Morgan for Polo Lifestyles
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SOTOGRANDE The Bronze Cup Dos Lunas 9 / 7 La Indiana
SOTOGRANDE, SPAIN - The first tournament of the 48º TIP came to an end at Santa Maria Polo Club with Dos Lunas winning the high goal Bronze Cup. The team, composed of Joaquín Pittaluga, Pascual Sáinz de Vicuña, Martín Iturraspe and Luis Domecq, defeated La Indiana by 9 goals to 7. This was the first big final of the summer season at Sotogrande, which is set to last until the end of August. page 42
In the medium goal Bronze Cup, Sainte Mesme and Ayala secured debut wins. DOS LUNAS: Pascual Sáinz de Vicuña 5, Luis Domecq 1, Joaquín Pittaluga 8, Martín Iturraspe 5. Total: 19. LA INDIANA: Michael Bickford 2, Bautista Ortiz de Urbina 6, Gonzalo Pieres 9, Rosendo Torreguitar 3. Total: 20. MVP: Joaquín Pittaluga.
Photos by Katerina Morgen
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SOTOGRANDE
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS, WIMBLEDON All England Club
Men's Singles: Novak Djokovic Women's Singles: Simona Halep
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SOTOGRANDE
U S POLO AS SN 9. 5 / 8 F L E X J E T
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OER T OQ G A'SNCUP DE CAS RTI UER EN
Top: Serena Williams teamed up with Andy Murray in doubles. Above: Roger Federer faced Novak Djokovic in the final page 48
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T H E C H A M PI O N S HIP S, W I M B L E D O N
Simona Halep won the women's singles. page 49
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DEAUVILLE INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB Final de la Coupe de Bronze - Roland Sadoun Las Hermanitas 7 / 6 La Concepcion
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HUBLOT POLO GOLD CUP GSTAAD CLINIQUE LA PRAIRIE 10 / 5 HUBLOT
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HUBLOT POLO GOLD CUP
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HUBLOT POLO GOLD CUP
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Proud Sponsor of Hublot Gold Cup, Gstaad 2019
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HUBLOT POLO GOLD CUP
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NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL POLO SERIES
Photos by Paige E. Williams
USA 11 / 9 SOUTH AFRICA
With spectacular Newport summer weather on tap, Saturday's exhilarating exhibition polo match finished with USA reigning victorious over South Africa with a final score of 11-9 on page 68
August 3rd. Globally, South African polo is among the most competitive, and the USA squad was well prepared to meet the challenge, as intense play unfolded in the close match. Never
more than a point separated the two teams, often tied scores and multiple lead changes played out all the way to the final period of regulation play in the Newport International Polo Series
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NEWPORT POLO CLUB
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NEWPORT POLO CLUB
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XXVIII, Presented by Brahmin. With the South Africa and US national flags rippling over the pitch, the national anthems of both countries
followed the introduction of players. In white jerseys for South Africa in the #1 position was Selby Williamson, Ali Kashef at #2, Harold Awuah-Darko Sr. at #3, and Harold Awuah-Darko Jr.
at #4. Representing USA in navy blue in the #1 position was Roger Souto, Annabelle Gundlach at #2, Rory Torey at #3, and Brandon Phillips at #4.
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USPA SILVER CUP
FINAL: TONKAWA 15 / 10 CASABLANCA ASPEN VALLEY POLO CLUB
ASPEN, Colo. - Tournament favorite Tonkawa won the prestigious 119th USPA Silver Cup in front of a sellout crowd Sunday at windswept McClure River Ranch. page 76
Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, A, Juan Martin Obregon, 5, Sapo Caset, 10, Mason Wroe, 4) led Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, 3, Juancito Bollini, 4, Lucas Lalor, 5, Nacho Novillo Astrada, 8)
from start-to-finish for an impressive 15-10 victory. Tonkawa finished the six-team tournament undefeated at 5-0. Casablanca
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ended the tournament at 3-2. Argentine 10-goaler Sapo Caset, who dominated the game, was unanimous choice for Most Valuable Player. Caset scored a gamehigh nine goals and was instrumental in his team's successful run throughout the tournament with his horsemanship, speed and agility. The United States Polo Association Best Playing Pony was Pulga, played by Caset. The Aspen Valley Polo Club Best Playing Pony of the Tournament was Lujan, played by Lalor.
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The American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony was Orangina, played by Astrada. In front of a lively local crowd and USPA Polo Network worldwide audience, Aspen Valley Polo Club hosted its biggest day of polo in the club's history. The full day of polo featured 18 chukkers of play and successful Chukkers, Champagne & Caviar fund raiser which raised more than $600,000. Tonkawa took charge early in the first half jumping out to a 5-1 lead in the opening chukker. Behind Caset's five goals, Tonkawa outscored Casablanca, 9-3, in the first half allowing Casablanca only one goal per chukker. Casablanca, known for its slow starts, came back in the second half. While Tonkawa maintained its lead, Casablanca outscored them in the second half, 7-6, but could never make up the deficit.
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Casablanca came within three when Astrada scored with two minutes left in the fifth chukker to trail by only, 12-9. But Wroe came right back with a great breakaway goal to put Tonkawa back up by four, 13-9.
The 19-goal team also picked up one goal on handicap.
Caset scored again early in the sixth chukker for a 14-9 advantage. The goal of the game came at the 4:04 mark when Grant Ganzi smacked the ball just inside the goal post which he took out neck-first to trail 14-10. Both teams had opportunities to score before Juan Martin Obregon converted a penalty-three to end that game at 15-10.
"This polo has been great here," said USPA CEO Bob Puetz. "I don't know how you can play much better than Sapo is playing right now. Today Tonkawa looks like they have stepped up one more level."
"It's been an incredible day of polo at the club," said tournament host Marc Ganzi. "Great game, great champions. Tonkawa was a very worthy champion. Hats off to them and great tournament." In addition to Caset's nine goals, Hildebrand and Obregon each had two goals and Wroe added one goal.
For Casablanca, Bollini led scoring with four goals. Ganzi, Lalor and Astrada each had two goals.
Pre-game ceremonies featured Denver singer and songwriter Jenny Shawhan singing the National Anthem as two members of the U.S. parachute team parachuted in with the U.S. and Colorado flags. Tonkawa advanced into the final with a 14-11 victory over Flexjet in the first semifinal that featured 10-goalers Caset and Hilario Ulloa. In the second semifinal, Casablanca rallied for an exciting 9-8 victory over Audi in sudden death overtime.
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ASPEN VALLEY
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TROPHY & TITLES ASPEN VALLEY POLO CLUB
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LAVISH LIFESTYLES A COLUMN BY KENNETH CARRION THAT YOUR CONCIERGE WILL LOVE TO HATE
THE GOURMAND'S
GETAWAY
(THE POLO LIFESTYLES WAY) by Kenneth Carrion de los Condes, lifestyles contributor, @deloscondes_inspired_living Photos by Claire Barrett/Claire Barrett Photo
A weekend getaway has many mental and physical benefits and has long been a popular choice for travelers, but in 2019, it is actually the number-one trend in travel. When deciding where to visit for the weekend, a couple of things might factor into your decision-making (as they did mine): proximity and a unique experience. Feeling refreshed, recharged and re-invigorated are often top of the list when deciding on how to spend that precious time. So, a spa visit or a brisk hike might be penciled into the agenda. For me, as a chef, there is nothing more fulfilling than the chance to explore a
terroir unhurried, to follow the journey of regional food from farm to table. The Point Reyes Seashore, just an hour north of San Francisco, though seemingly worlds away, is nothing short of spectacular. Waves crashing onto rugged beaches can be viewed from dramatic cliff-tops as the briny Pacific air rolls over pastoral hills in wisps of fog. The explorer Sir Francis Drake landed here in 1579 to make repairs to his ship, The Golden Hind, and the unspoiled beauty of the national park lets you imagine for a moment that you might be the very first to discover the land. Point Reyes’ breathtaking wilderness, with its farmlands and peninsula coastline, provides food in abundance.
Rural back roads curving through dense pine and cypress forests lead to beautiful, quaint, one-road villages where one can find an artisanal cheese shop or a cottage meadery, while several stops on the edge of Tomales Bay on Shoreline Highway (Highway 1) are home to rustic oyster farms. The Cowgirl Creamery
There is a great dairy agriculture community on Point Reyes peninsula, and an early morning drive and hike to these headland pastures and weathered farms is a reminder that this is truly the perfect place for locavores. Some of this milk ends up just a few miles away at the Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes Station, a must-see for cheese lovers.
A converted hay barn houses this cheese-making facility, cheese shop and cantina. Cowgirl Creamery could not be more local, since they make their product right there on the premises. Their award-winning cheeses are now sold in over 500 restaurants and stores around the U.S. We were given some generous tastings, and it was fascinating to see the cheese being made and set in racks to be ripened and brined. From the cantina, we picked up some fresh, local bread and their best-selling Mount Tam cheese. This phenomenal triple-cream organic cheese is earthy
"For me, as a chef, there is nothing more fulfilling than the chance to explore a terroir unhurried, to follow the journey of regional food from farm to table."
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and buttery with a bloomy rind. Since tasting it, I have begun to add it to my cheese and charcuterie boards, and it is always a hit. Guests continually ask about its origin or where they can buy it. Rather than sit in the shaded picnic area outside to enjoy these delights, we delayed gratification and took them with us to our next stop! Heidrun Meadery
Less than a 2-minute drive from Cowgirl is the Heidrun Meadery. A beautiful tree-lined drive leads to an archway of roses welcoming you to the light and airy tasting room, which was once a greenhouse. Cut flowers are everywhere, and you can create your own bouquet to take with you. Grab a seat at the bar and prepare to be surprised. Since it was my first time at a Meadery, I was expecting a sweet and earthy drink, but Heidrun uses page 90
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LAVISH LIFESTYLES the MĂŠthode Champenoise, so their varietal honey wines are light, refreshing and effervescent. It was interesting to learn that the different tastes are solely due to the honeybees feeding on nectar from various flowers.
trees on the back patio, with my favorite of the sparkly meads, the California Orange Blossom, and a small jar of honey, which was a perfect complement to drizzle on the cheese.
Wandering around the lush flower garden, with the hum of honeybees to and from the hives, I was impressed by the massive floral beds which reminded me of childhood summers spent in the Connecticut countryside.
The Hog Island Oyster Company
We picked a perfect spot for our Cowgirl picnic under the shade of
If you have ever sat at the marble counter of The Hog Island Oyster Co in San Francisco’s Ferry Building, marveling at the view of the bay as you savor the briny bounty on your icy plate, you almost owe it to your-
self to trace their journey back to the little town of Marshall on the edge of Tomales Bay. Two marine biologists started the oyster farm in 1983, planting their first oyster seed in this bay. Today, you can order from their openair Boat Oyster Bar, shuck your own oysters at the picnic tables (even roast them on a grill) or grab a bushel and take them home with you. If you opt for the picnic option, you will also get a complimentary shuck-
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LAVISH LIFESTYLES
ing lesson, along with a set of tools, lemons, hot sauce and their Hogwash mignonette.
They make the perfect hostess gifts when given in elegant French-made terrine pots.
As a mid-afternoon snack, we chose their raw oysters and the grilled BBQ Chipotle Bourbon Butter oysters; they are smoky, sweet and slightly spicy. A half-dozen is not enough! Even my road-trip companion, who is something of an oyster purist (raw only), overcame her hesitance and was completely converted. The oyster bar very generously shares this recipe on its Web site, so I have been able to recreate these grilled oysters at home, much to the delight of my husband and friends.
The bay-side location is incredible, you can watch the mollusk farmers heading out in their little boats to tend to their crops, and with advanced reservations, your experience can include an hour-long educational tour.
Another idea I took away from here— to recreate at home—were the House Olives: Castelvetrano, Cerignola, Cornichons, Caperberries, garlic, lemon zest, coriander, and Aleppo chili.
Nick’s Cove
Nothing seems as simple yet simultaneously decadent as sitting in the Boat Shack at the end of the long wooden pier, looking out at the sun beginning to set over the hills on the opposite side of the bay. As you sip your duck-fat-washed whiskey cocktail, which you ordered by picking up the old telephone in the shack and calling the bar at Nick’s
Cove, you glance behind you to the shoreline where the restaurant sits, nestled alongside the old fishermen’s cottages dwarfed by giant pine trees (these rustic-seeming yet luxurious little cottages can be rented for your weekend stay.) But back to that cocktail, the No Fowl Play: Redwood Empire Whiskey (distilled just 20 miles away), is made with burnt orange-peppercorn syrup and Dillon’s small-batch black currant bitters and the duck-fat wash gives the whiskey a surprisingly rich and silky texture while the burned fruit and spices act as the perfect balance. As you make your way along the 400foot wooden pier back to the restaurant for dinner, you can see The Croft on the hillside behind Nick’s Cove. The Croft is the lovely on-site farm and garden that supplies the restaupage 93
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rant their leafy greens, herbs and eggs. It is open to the public, and you can watch the bay from there or even work up more of an appetite on their bocce courts. The restaurant is like an upscale hunting lodge, with its wood-burning stone fireplace, a mahogany bar and hunting trophies hanging on the walls. It is cozy and comforting, and those words could just as readily describe their delicious Tomales Bay Clam Chowder with applewood smoked bacon, served piping hot. They are also known for their locally-caught seafood dishes, but the one I made a mental note of—so that I
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could recreate it at home—was the Roasted Cauliflower with Pancetta, Arugula and whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette.
the bay, to the call of loons echoing through the morning fog.
For dessert, the Rose Geranium Panna Cotta sounded divine, but when I saw that you could roast your own hand-crafted S’mores over their fireplace, that was it, decision made!
A one-horse town. Blink and you have practically driven through it. A crossroads, literally.
It is difficult to say goodnight to Nick’s Cove, the breathtaking view, and the unique dining experiences. Maybe next time a stay in one of the waterfront cottages will be on my menu. That way I can wake up to breakfast delivered to the door and drink coffee on the private deck overlooking
Sir and Star, The Olema
At the point where Sir Francis Drake Blvd and Route One meet, sits a historic inn, The Olema, now painted almost-black and, since 2012, the home of the restaurant Sir and Star. It is almost as if they do not want to be found. But when we stumbled upon it on our second afternoon (when it was officially closed) a lady in a beret, who stopped tending to florals to take our
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dinner reservation for that evening, was THE most gracious host.
Shaker simplicity mixed with luxurious elegance and a hearty dose of wit.
Non-plussed at our gasps of delight over the decor, she kindly showed us the amazing rooms available upstairs at the inn. I think she must have been a little enamored with our unbridled enthusiasm. She even took us across the road to the seemingly super-secret Druid’s Hall, leaving us to wander around the Victorian mansion at will. Unknowingly, we had been in the presence of Point Reyes royalty, for want of a better term. Our “host,” Margaret Gradé and her husband, chef Daniel DeLong, were the owners. They had previously presided over the legendary Manka’s Lodge, a pioneer in the farm-to-table movement, where Thomas Keller chose to celebrate his birthday and where Hollywood royalty and genuine royalty, Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall Camilla, came to stay and dine while enjoying this tranquil spot on the Northern California coast.
A crackling fireplace welcomes you as you enter. Taxidermized geese take flight above the mantle.
We arrived a little early for dinner that evening to fully experience the haunting beauty of Sir and Star. It is a unique and magical space,
Floor to ceiling linen curtains frame the doorways. Tree branches and seaweed bring the beauty of the outside in, and gothic candelabras cast a romantic glow over the entire theatrical scene, but do so effortlessly. Nothing seems rehearsed, the local ingredients are only known that morning, and the menu changes daily. Reading that menu is an experience in itself, it is whimsical and poetic:
memorable for me was A Neighbor’s Quail. Plumped with Sourdough stuffing scented with summer savory just in Thyme nestled in Grilled Bolinas Red Romaine. The food is sublime, and the whole experience is inspirational. Lucky is the diner who manages to make their way here. Setting off on the journey home is always a little bittersweet. The Point Reyes Peninsula is just remote enough for it to remain magical. Such breathtaking beauty allows for immediate immersion into tranquility. Becoming one with nature seems possible.
A particularly beautiful cut of dry aged beef Raised on coastal grasses and great views Now amidst a mash of Marin Potatoes Reunited with its short rib, its tail And marrow in the bone
Perhaps the feeling is best summed up by John Muir, when he speaks of Our National Parks, “Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
That evening, we had the Buns and Butter laced with honey, sea salt and sage, followed by a soup of Crimson Bolinas Beets crowned with Spiced Apple Cider Crème. But the most
I cannot wait to return, maybe longer than a weekend next time, perhaps to rent out the otherworldly Druids Hall. Stay tuned.
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THE ASTON MARTIN DB 11
UNLIKE ANY OTHER
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ASTON MARTIN
All images courtesy Veuve Clicquot
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Cover Story by Raphael Dapaah with Introduction by Josh Jakobitz / Photos by Eva Thompson
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POLO: THE ULTIMATE BRAND ASSOCIATION
EVERYTHING ABOUT A POLO TOURNAMENT CAN BE FOUND IN ITS TITLE WHAT'S IN A NAME?
A PREFACE TO THE COVER STORY ABOUT LUX AFRIQUE What’s in a name? And what is a name worth? While luxury brands clamor for partnerships in the Sport of Kings – titles and presenting sponsorship naming rights – some rising tournaments resist corporate takeover and the diluting potential for decision-making. Certainly, though, polo remains the ultimate brand association in the luxury industry. Many of the world’s best-known polo tournaments – Cartier Queen’s Cup, Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, King Power Gold Cup, Land Rover Polo Open – are solidly anchored by the title luxury brand. Often, the title sponsorship creates a draw to other brands considering, and ultimately sponsoring, the three T’s: teams, tents and trophies. In the digital age, branding in polo has proliferated beyond the on-site audience. Between live streaming on PoloLine.TV, Facebook Live and Instagram Stories, the traditional polo audience – high-net-worth, jet-setting – joins the growing, aspirational audience that isn’t traditionally interested in polo. It has been in the interest of the sport for years to reach, and convert,
non-polo fans, but options were previously limited – and expensive. Hashtags and handles have changed all of that. Luxury consumers search social media for products, events and influencers. Largely undeterred by data usage or international roaming charges, they watch social media stories and online TV at a much higher concentration than users dependent upon WiFi connections. A polo tournament can attract 1,000 to 10,000 guests and attendees; social media can increase viewership and virtual attendance to the nth degree, meaning the sky is the limit. What does this mean for sponsorship and presenting brands in the polo market? Curated ad spots and videos inserted into live streaming with links and handles engage luxury consumers and polo fans with handles and links to online shopping. All consumers love the gratification of the online shopping basket; this directed marketing, paired with a code for free shipping available to polo viewers, is now far beyond the scope of traditional sporting events.
Pairing and partnering polo events with luxury brands is mutually advantageous from both marketing aspects and return-on-investment – when executed correctly. There is what’s in a name and then there’s what is that name worth; the answer lies in the careful management and balance of the two. One of the rising polo tournaments that we have followed for two years is the Lux Afrique Polo Day in the UK. After a debut Polo Day in 2018, we sent our team in for the second edition at Ham Polo Club. I had to ask myself, what’s in a name for Lux Afrique? Having seen photos of sports cars and champagne brands in the promotion, I wondered, what is this event really promoting? The answer, simply, is Africa: African brands, African culture, African polo players and home-grown African luxury. The sports cars, while shiny and beautiful, are only nominally part of the day. The event remains true to its core value. We should be so lucky to say the same about all polo opens, events and tournaments. Josh Jakobitz, editor Polo Lifestyles
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LUX AFRIQUE POLO
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LUX AFRIQUE POLO: A DAY TO HONOR HERITAGE AND SUCCESS Written by Raphael Dapaah / Photos by Eva Thompson
In true ceremonial pomp and majesty befitting the Sport of Kings, Lux Afrique’s second annual Polo Day hosted at Ham Polo Club in the leafy London suburb of Surrey, was a rousing spectacle of splendor, glamour and grandeur.
The history of Polo on the African continent dates back to the 19th century, with some of the best polo teams hailing from Nigeria, Ghana and South African respectively. Perhaps not surprisingly, these nations are also home to Africa’s largest economies and most affluent and emerging middle-upper class populations. However, Lux Afrique’s
Polo Day is unique in that it is the first dedicated occasion that celebrates Africa’s passion for the sport outside of the continent and also spotlights the rapidly growing luxury market that Africa has become in the past decade. The growing confidence and wealth of the continent were on full display for all who might have suspected
or otherwise doubted the prevailing African Century narrative that has in recent years been spearheaded by the global recognition of African music, fashion and more. Magnificent kente and lace sequined gowns bursting with bold colors that shone like diamonds in the midday sun were the order of the day. Anything short of splendor was sim-
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ply unacceptable, and it appeared that every woman who swanned around the polo ground, head held high, heels higher, received the memo. From geles, to ankara and silk head scarves, Queen Nefertiti incarnates page 108
turned the heads of polo spectators, press and VIP guests alike, and by the second chukka, even the polo players seemed more interested in the fashion parade taking place than their own game which ended in an uninspiring draw.
Indeed, even the gentlemen, keen not to be outdone by the fairer sex, came dressed to the nines. It was hard to miss the sharp cut of a teal Ozwald Boateng suit that peacocked past, champagne flute in hand as the sounds of Burna Boy burst through the
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LUX AFRIQUE POLO
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LUX AFRIQUE POLO
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ground speakers resulting in a sudden eruption of jubilant approvals from all, transforming the fashion show to an Afro-Fusion rave in mere seconds. As the day wore on, drinks poured, cigars burned, music blasted, and it page 112
became impossible to distinguish between celebrity attendees, VIPs, press, sponsors and patrons alike. As soon as the DJ played the classic cook-out anthem “Candy� any separate factions and areas that existed before were soon replaced by a blur of vibrant
gowns, and suits swaying in seemingly choreographed unison. Alexander Amosu, the founder of Lux Afrique, curated an event that has not only modernized and jazzed up a traditionally exclusive social
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occasion as polo, but he has somehow also managed to successfully position Africa at the center of it in a move that signals a slow but steady change of the old guard to the new; that still feels inclusive to all who accept and embrace it. page 113
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LUX AFRIQUE POLO
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LUX AFRIQUE POLO
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LUX AFRIQUE POLO
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ASTON MARTIN AMERICAS PARTNERS WITH HAMPTONS ICON TO RALLY FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH AWARENESS HIGH SOCIETY
MICHAEL J. SNELL @agnello_1 Lifestyles Contributor
When Antonella Bertello received the call from Aston Martin to partner on a rally to benefit Women’s Health awareness, she didn’t think twice. Antonella is owner of The Baker House 1650 in East Hampton, New York – an ultra-luxe boutique Bed & Breakfast catering to some of the world’s most recognized celebrities including a recent stay from Princess Noor Pahlavi of Iran. Owner of her own beloved Aston Martin Rapide and self-proclaimed page 122
‘Girl Bond,’ Antonella was quick to jump at the chance to host other Aston Martin owners to raise fund and awareness for The Maurer Foundation, the Long Island-based non-profit whose mission is to save lives through breast health education, prevention and healthy lifestyle choices aiming at risk reduction. Co-hosted by Long Island Sports Cars, the rally received an exciting addition to its roster when Aston Martin Americas President, Lauren Schwab learned of the benefit and opted to join the team for the day’s activities. The participants enjoyed a social morning at the local Aston Martin dealership in Roslyn, N. Y., where they were greeted by Schwab
and able to finally ask those burning, automotive-related questions. From there, all owners and guests would drive and or be driven the roughly 90 miles to The Baker House 1650 where attendees enjoyed a private lunch. As the streets of East Hampton began to fill up with outpouring of Aston Martin owners, curiosity also grew as guests were delighted to learn of the opportunity to partake in a 1:1 driving lesson with certified Aston Martin Performance Drivers in two of the newly-released 2019 models: the DBS Superleggera and the Vanquish – both unveiled to the group. The event also pulled in key elements to maintain the luxury paring including personalized golf lessons with a
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golf pro-delivered on a 20x20 foot simulator and a hefty gift bag containing an Italian cashmere Pashmina, personalized boxes of Tate’s Cookies and invitations to The Maurer Foundation's Pink Diamond Gala in October.
Antonella and the
Aston Martin Americas Experiential Marketing Team were thrilled over the turnout of owners bringing over 20vehicles and helping to join together several Long Island-based businesses together to raise awareness and support such an important cause. page 123
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FASHION & STYLE
DIOR'S POP-UP SHOP AT HARROD'S Q&A WITH ISABEL MARANT page 125
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DIOR'S LONDON POP-UP
NESTLED IN HARRODS DEPARTMENT STORE HIGHLIGHTING FALL 2019'S COLLECTION
A
fter opening a temporary boutique on Champs-Elysées, Dior is back with another project that highlights Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Fall 2019 collection.
Dior travels across the channel into
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British territory to open a pop-up store with Harrods department store. The boutique is a celebration of Dior’s longstanding relationship with the U.K. From August 3rd to 31st, visitors will have access to a selection of ready-to-wear, footwear and bags, such as the Dior Book Tote. The décor of the pop-up is transfor-
Photos from The Impression
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mative. It reprises the colors and inspirations of the show, done in variations of black with green, Harrods’ signature color, and red or white checks. Dior has also dressed English taxis, telephone booths and double-decker buses with the same motifs. Dior is now the second major European luxury brand to collaborate with Harrods on a pop-up. Fendi’s Harrods popup with artist Joshua Vides is still active on their fifth floor. It looks like the French and the Italian have a British obsession.
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STYLE
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STYLE INSIDER: Q&A WITH
ISABEL MARANT
THE PATRON SAINT OF PARISIAN CHIC Since Creative Director/Designer Isabel Marant opened her house in 1994, she has steadily amassed a legion of devotees with her covetable must-haves. From an ugly duckling transforming her father’s old clothes, she has grown into the epitome of Parisian chic, making effortlessly cool clothes with a unique undercurrent of post-modern feminism. Chief Impressionist Kenneth Richard sat with the patron saint of Parisian chic to chat about her journey. KENNETH RICHARD: How did you become a designer?
KENNETH RICHARD: When did you start to do ready-to-wear?
ISABEL MARANT: It was never my dream. I was very tomboyish when I was a kid, but I had a very precise idea of what I wanted to wear, and I started to create my own look very young. My little brother was super pretty and myself, not so much, so I think that organically I had to impose myself, and I did it through my look. I played with old garments that my father was throwing away, making silly stuff out of it.
ISABEL MARANT: I started with my mother, who ran Elite Agency in Paris after being a model herself. She was knitting all the time, making sweaters for the models and they said she should make a business out of it. So, she started a knitwear business, and around 1989, a Japanese investor wanted to invest in a younger line of it. I had just graduated from Studio Berçot, and we created a small collection of sweaters together. Her business quickly folded while I kept the young line with the Japanese investment money.
KENNETH RICHARD: If you weren’t dreaming of being a designer, what did you think you were going to do? ISABEL MARANT: I started working out of my bedroom at my parents’, and then I moved when I was 20 into an apartment in Bastille, where I started my business. Actually, I started with jewelry because I couldn’t really afford to invest in a clothing collection. I saw this generation of young designers who spent all their money doing fashion shows when they had a very small collection. They went bankrupt producing images which pleased editors but were not very sellable. It was more based on the image than the clothes and the wearability. For me, that was not the right way to start. I wanted to establish a real collection, a strong clientele, and then start into the image.
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KENNETH RICHARD: That is a dream situation. ISABEL MARANT: Yeah, exactly! Then, step by step, I continued to invest and increase the number of pieces till 1994, when I felt ready to do a fashion show. It took about four years to work to it. I had a clientele; I had a real business with my jewelry and my knitwear and jersey collection. That is when Sophie joined us. KENNETH RICHARD: Sophie Duruflé, your CEO? How did you meet her? ISABEL MARANT: In school, we were 14 when we met. She was the girlfriend of my brother for 20 years. KENNETH RICHARD: First shows are
always a great story. What was it like? ISABEL MARANT: That was really something. Next to my apartment in the Bastille was a beautiful squat, an old building within a courtyard covered with an old glass roof, everything really broken with a super beautiful atmosphere. I asked the mayor if I could use the space for my fashion show and two days before the show, they said no, but I had sent my invitations, so I decided to do it anyway. It was only non-models from a savage casting that we did around Paris. I had a lot of joy. Maybe two editors came, because in ’94, there were not so many young designers like today, there was not the net, and it was very difficult to get noticed by editors. Which is still the case, but now you have more tools. KENNETH RICHARD: Was there a point when you felt like you could take a breather, that you’d made it? ISABEL MARANT: Not really. I mean, it’s a constant job. Even today I’m still choosing the color of the thread that stitches the garment. I have to be there all the time. KENNETH RICHARD: You’ve been working with Franck [Durand] since the beginning. How did you find him? ISABEL MARANT: Looking at the work of different art directors and
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thinking, ‘Okay, that’s the person I want to work with.’ With Franck, it’s very natural because we have the same point of view on things and we want to go in the same direction. So, there’s no fighting, and I love working with him because it’s easy and natural. It is also very good to have Emmanuelle [Alt] very close to me because we have the same culture, the
same kind of upbringing. KENNETH RICHARD: You started to work with Franck before Emmanuelle, how did you start working with her? ISABEL MARANT: Yes, I loved her work, but I was very shy to ask her to work with me. One day I told Franck, and he said, ‘Why don’t you just ask her?’ For me, she was like on top of the ivory tower, and I was still a young
designer. Emmanuelle is much more sophisticated than me and has this amazing talent to style the collection and make it pop in a way that I was not really able to do. For the first show, she said, ‘Okay, Isabel. We are going to do stretchy, thigh high boots up to here.’ I thought it was way too sexy, it’s not my girl, I cannot do that. Here I am wearing
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STYLE
wooden clogs, but we tried it, and she was right. It was the same clothes, but suddenly, it became super sexy, she brought the Saint Honoré attitude while I was Bastille. KENNETH RICHARD: Back to Franck, how did you know it was the right time to advertise? ISABEL MARANT: We had grown as far as we could with the press without advertising to get the editorial support we needed.
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KENNETH RICHARD: So, how has the business evolved? ISABEL MARANT: It’s a constant acceleration of everything. It’s a race against time, and I feel that it’s drowning creativity because you don’t have time anymore to let things calm down, to reflect on what you are doing. We’re always on the go. KENNETH RICHARD: So, where do you want to drive to next with the business? What are you looking forward to?
ISABEL MARANT: I’m very pleased with what we’ve been achieving altogether, so I look forward to it remaining like it is in spite of the growth of the company. KENNETH RICHARD: It’s in good hands. Thank you, Isabel, so much for your time. And say hello to your brother for me! ISABEL MARANT: That I will, Kenneth. Thank you very much.
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VERNISSAGE {PRIVATE VIEWING}
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VERNISSAGE { PRIVATE VIEWING }
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Expectant Child (2019) by Kwesi Botchway
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Investing in Contemporary Art F O R F I R S T-T I M E B U Y E R S
"There are so many artists out there," my friend said to me. "I don't know who to buy, who to avoid, and everything I like is six figures." I recently caught up with an old friend after several months of being unable to meet in person due to the banes of life. Chiefly, our professional careers and various business ventures making a social life near impossible. Like me, my friend meditates by indulging in a good, hour-long cigar. So, for once, we agreed to catch up at our usual drinking hole at the Mayfair Hotel cigar terrace and unwind. After cutting and lighting my private blend Madamfo Club cigar, we both felt the weight of the world lift from our shoulders as we eased into a conversation about everything from the plummeting pound sterling to potential investments in Africa. Our discussion soon broached on the topic of investing in art as my friend revealed his intention to purchase a second property in London, only this time to let. However, he felt that his own house did not feel like a home as it was bare of any artwork, and while he felt confident when buying property, he felt less so as far as investing in art was concerned. “It’s just foreign territory to me,” he expressed between thick puffs of smoke. “There are so many artists out there, but
I don’t know who to buy, and who to avoid, and the artists I do know about and like sell for six figures.” I laughed knowingly, as he vented about the precariousness of the art market. He isn’t the first person to raise the same topic with me, and I imagine that he will not be the last. As a collector and budding gallerist, the following are just a few tips for wouldbe, first-time collectors who do not want to break the bank buying art or are not sure who they should collect for that matter.
Art is personal. If you are buying art for your home, you should be able to live harmoniously with the piece, and it should bring you a sense of joy, stimulation and satisfaction. One of the first pieces of art I collected was by Kingsley Nebechi, a young, emerging artist of NigerianItalian heritage based in London. His work spoke to the subject of urban materialism, and the duality of happiness and misery that consumerism evokes. I found his art profound, yet relatable, and it was of great personal satisfaction that I could be an early collector and supporter of an artist who I had followed closely and watched rise. My advice in this respect, is to reflect on some issues and subject matters
that you are interested in and identify artists who express or are inspired by these topics in their work. Follow their journey and curate a collection around their pieces. You will find that you’ll enjoy their company in your home and that they make for fantastic conversational pieces when you have guests in your house intrigued by the art and the artists behind them.
Limited edition prints. Once upon a time, prints were regarded as lowbrow as far as investing in art was concerned. While it is great if you can buy an original painting; this is not always the most feasible option for a first-time buyer dipping their toes in the art market. Signed limited edition prints are not only more affordable but can also later be sold for a higher value on the secondary market depending on who the artist is. It is not unheard of for an Andy Warhol limited edition print, for example, to sell for six and seven figure sums. The key to buying limited edition prints is to ensure that you are given a certificate of authenticity, and when possible, has been signed by the artist. Finally, do not shy away from unknown or emerging artists, especially those who may not live in the same country as you. One of the greatest benefits of social media is its ability to bridge the gap page 141
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Even Jean Michel Basquiat came from humble beginnings as the unseen SAMO. between people, and in this instance, artists, and potential collectors. Some of the most gifted artists I’ve come across have been through social media and has resulted in me collecting or promoting their work despite the relative obscurity
of the artists. When you come across work that speaks to you, and shows strong potential, how well-known the artist is should not be an obstacle. After all, even Jean
Michel Basquiat came from humble beginnings as the unseen, and unheard-of street artist collective, SAMO.
VERNISSAGE { PRIVATE VIEWING }
Tara & Nicole (2016 by Kingsley Nebechi
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White Oath (2019) by Godwin Champs Namuyimba
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THE RETAIL GIANT, NIKE, ENTERS THE WORLD OF SUBSCRIPTION FULFILLMENT
Just in time for back-to-school fever, Nike enters the era of subscription fulfillment for kids. What does it means for the retail giant? And what's on the horizon?
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TECH
NIKE'S SNEAKER CLUB
RETAIL GIANT & SUBSCRIPTION BUSINESS Nike is stepping into the subscription business. The No. 1 sneaker retailer in the U.S. is launching a subscription service for kids called Nike Adventure Club. It will allow parents to order shoes for their kids ages 2 to 10 either on a quarterly, bimonthly or monthly basis, paying monthly fees of $20, $30 or $50, respectively. The last option shaves off $10 per pair of Nike shoes purchased, with the average kids sneaker retailing for $60. The launch comes just as the back-toschool season is in full force. There’s momentum in Nike’s kids business, which has grown revenue 11% over the past year on a currency-neutral basis, a spokeswoman said, not breaking out page 150
exact sales. She said kids is one of the fastest-growing categories on Nike. com. And more brands, like Urban Outfitters and American Eagle, are testing subscription models, seeing this as a new source of recurring revenue and a way to amass more loyal customers. “One of the things [Nike CFO] Andy Campion gets excited about, is we are now building relationships with kids from 2 years old,” said Dave Cobban, general manager of Nike Adventure Club. “Hopefully they will remember us and feel strongly toward the brand.” Signing up for Nike Adventure Club is ideal for parents constantly finding themselves in the aisles of DSW or Kids Foot Locker, with their child churning through sizes or roughing up their shoes on the playground. That adds up to a lot of shoes.
“You would be surprised at the amount of times I touch a child’s toe [in a shoe], and the child’s toe is curled up,” said Dr. Miguel Cunha, founder Gotham Footcare, a New York podiatry center. Cunha said he sees children under age 3 needing new shoes three to four times a year, with children ages 4 to 8 needing two to three new pairs a year, and children 8 to 12 needing about two pairs a year. “But if the child is playing a lot of sports, you don’t need to wait that amount of time,” he said. “If there’s wear and tear ... the point of the shoe is to protect the foot.” Cobban said Nike has been testing this subscription platform in stealth mode for the past two years, using Facebook ads to target parents for a business called “Easy Kicks.” It amassed about 10,000 members on Easy Kicks, he
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said. Nike has been working with this group to figure out what parents will want most out of Nike Adventure Club, which goes live on Monday. In the Nike Adventure Club boxes, the company is sending more than just shoes. Each box will have the child’s name on the outside and will include an activity guide, stickers and an additional gift like a drawstring backpack. Nike is also creating a website for Nike Adventure Club members to find activity prompts and, of course, pick their shoes. It will offer about 100 shoe varieties to choose from, including ones made by Converse. For parents worried about getting his or her child’s size right, each Adventure Club shipment comes with the option to initiate a return once a box arrives. Users have the ability to immediately select a new shoe without waiting for Nike to receive the merchandise that didn’t work the first time. “For us, the whole focus is how do we make sure the kid is in the right size shoe,” Cobban said. Nike’s first venture into subscription services also offers a glimpse to the future. The company hinted there could be more types of boxes to come, for example one for runners, with people training for marathons sometimes going through a pair of sneakers every three months. Nike certainly isn’t the first brand to launch its own subscription vertical, either, though there are few footwear
options out there today. Walmart has teamed with Kidbox to sell boxes of kids clothes. Amazon has its own box program called Prime Wardrobe. Ann Taylor has a rental option similar to Rent the Runway, where shoppers can purchase clothes at a discount or return looks when they’re finished. Urban Outfitters also follows this model with a subscription rental service called Nuuly.
Famous Footwear and Skechers, according to NPD Group’s Consumer Panel data. Within that, brands like Nike reign supreme, according to NPD Group’s retail and footwear analyst Matt Powell.
To be sure, the verdict is still out on whether or not consumers will pay for these types of boxes consistently.
“Nike is paying attention to kids shoes where some other brands are not as focused there,” Powell said. “Their sheer size allows them to have the resources to spend on kids shoes. ... It’s challenging for smaller brands to really play there. ... In many cases, you are developing a totally different shoe [for kids].”
McKinsey & Co. said in a 2018 study that the subscription e-commerce market had grown by more than 100% annually since 2013, with the largest retailers in the business generating more than $2.6 billion in sales in 2016 from subscription models, up from just $57 million in 2011.
Teens love Nike, too. According to an April Piper Jaffray survey, Nike remains teens’ favorite brands for shoes and apparel. And in many cases, that adoration for Nike gear comes from being introduced to the brand at a young age — many are seen sporting Nike shoes on the playground.
But in surveying 5,000 consumers in the U.S., McKinsey found nearly 40% of e-commerce subscribers have canceled their subscriptions. And only 55% of people who’ve consider a service ultimately subscribe.
“We acquire the parent, and solve the problem for them,” said Dominique Shortell, head of retention and member experience for Nike Adventure Club. “Once they are in the service, we work to support the whole family. Then we work to retain the kid. That is our member ... we aim to make them happy.”
‘We work to retain the kid’ When it comes to where parents shop for kids shoes today, the market remains pretty fragmented. But Nike does appear to have an edge as a brand. The top 10 destinations for parents buying kids sneakers in the U.S., by sales ranking, are Foot Locker, Walmart, Ross Stores, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Amazon, Kids Foot Locker, Nike Outlet, Kohl’s,
“We are working with that 2- to 10-year-old that is just getting into shoes for the first time,” she added. “We’re helping get them into sport and making that a daily habit.” Nike shares are up about 10% this year, bringing its market cap to about $128 billion.
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THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL HOW EVERYDAY ACTS AND CHARITABLE GIVING CREATE BETTER OUTCOMES FOR THE PLANET
WILLIAM SMITH @willismith_2000 Philanthropy Contributor
As someone who works day in and day out in the world of philanthropy, I can tell you it is an exciting time in the sector. The growth of global wealth has unleashed new and innovative thinking on not just how to support a safety net of charitable giving, but how to positively transform entire systems and achieve true progress on intractable and pressing issues. Critical to this “bigger picture” thinking is not abandoning a more local approach, but with intention, trying to connect the local giving in which many
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philanthropists engage to more global aspirations and frameworks. In other words, it is about combining the “act locally” to the “think globally.” This mode of thinking is advancing everywhere we look. One evening this week, I was making a quick meal that included “Annie’s Organic Mac and Cheese,” and in bold letters on the front of the box was “This mac helps protect our planet. Flip me over to learn how.” On the reverse, one discovers the consumer is supporting two farmers in the U.S. state of Montana who themselves are engaged in regenerative farming practices like crop rotations and supporting pollinator habitats. Delicious, organic and responsible. A venerable trifecta in a box.
This connection from an individual act to a larger impact or outcome is at the heart and spirit of philanthropy; the desire to promote the welfare of others. And so, in the age of globalization, it is perhaps no surprise that so too has individual and institutional charitable giving sought to find a connection to the larger, worldwide good. After all, global problems require global solutions, but in a world of individual acts, how does one tie them together and inform them in such a way that contributes to that solution? One significant milestone in advancing
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a global framework of action to which advanced a commitment to sustainThe COLOUR VERSION of charitable the Sustainablegiving Development Goals ability logo philanthropy and can connected to 10 of the 17 SDGs, is ONLY to be used on a white or light grey background. See colour tether with meaning is in and that has been incorporated into values to themselves the right. the Sustainable Development Goals the business operations of the eyewear (SDGs). group, from the supply chain for materials and products to its participation The SDGs are a set of 17 global goals in World Sight Day 2018. Where in established and adopted by all Member partnership with the civil society orgaStates of the United Nations (UN) in nization OneSight and local partners in 2015 and are meant to guide “bold and Milan provided over 800 free eye examtransformative steps which are urgently inations and 500 free glasses to those in needed to shift the world onto a susneed over a 10-day period. tainable and resilient path.” If I proceeded to list all 17 here, I’d lose you. Foundations large and small are also So, let’s not go that route. Let it suffice tying their philanthropic investments to say that the SDGs are aspirational and grants to the SDGs. The Bill and and as a whole, seek the preservation of Melinda Gates Foundation launched the planet and better outcomes for all the Goalkeepers campaign, a specific its species, including humans. initiative designed to accelerate the progress of the SDGs. Goalkeepers They are also sexy enough that an has enlisted the likes of former U.S. untold number of celebrities have lent President Barack Obama and French their voices to advancing the SDGs, President Emmanuel Macron in its including Forest Whitaker, Jennifer efforts. One report in 2018 cited the Lopez, Meryl Streep, John Legend, investment in SDG-related philanthroPink, Sir Richard Branson, Malala py by the Gates Foundation at nearly Yousafzai, Stephen Hawking and $20 billion. Charlize Theron, to name but a few. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Corporate commitments to the SDGs private family foundation of the man are also becoming common. Take who started Hilton Hotels, describes Luxottica, a leading manufacturer how they have given over $10 million in of eyewear that includes brands like grants to initiatives that align with the Ray-Ban and Oakley, but also high-end SDGs. And the U.S.-based Council on licensed brands like Giorgio Armani, Foundations issued a report earlier this Michael Kors, Burberry, Bulgari, year saying community foundations, Chanel, Coach, Ralph Lauren, Dolce like the one I run in Santa Fe, N.M., are & Gabbana and Prada. Luxottica has also essential to achieving the SDGs
and many are at work already to align LIGHT GREY their local, place-based investments. PMS: Cool Gray 1C
R 241 G 241 Individuals like you, of course, canB 241 also C4M3Y3K0 consider which SDG or SDGs you resonate with and direct charitable financial gifts to organizations that align to those goals. As a result, you can have confidence that others are doing the same, and in the process, these individual acts of philanthropy become part INFLUENTIAL of the larger PHILANTHROPY movement for positive change.
In late September, the UN will hold its annual SDG Summit to assess progress toward the goals. Perhaps for your part, you will reach for that product on the shelf that you know or that advertises its connection to a better planet, or swing by a local farmers market instead of a large chain grocery store to buy produce from a local farmer who observes sustainable practices, or write a check to that organization working on sustainable energy policy when you pay your power bill. When we move with intention, knowledge and conscientiousness through acts and charitable giving, we are creating a better tomorrow for ourselves, our progeny and our fellow species with whom we are along for the ride on this marvelous planet called Earth. Another trifecta to celebrate.
PHILANTHROPIST OF NOTE: THE WORLD’S RICHEST MAN
In a recent column in Polo Lifestyles, I highlighted the elite list of those who have signed the Giving Pledge, a commitment by the world wealthiest to donate most of their wealth to philanthropy. And while I
also disclosed that the world’s richest man, Jeff Bezos, did not sign the Pledge, it certainly does not mean he’s not engaged in a robust effort of charitable giving. In fact, in September of 2018, Bezos announced that
his philanthropy would focus on education and homelessness and he launched the Day One Fund with an initial investment of $2 billion. Late in 2018, almost $100 million in grants were announced for 24 orga-
nizations across 16 U.S. states and the District of Columbia to combat homelessness. Nine organizations received grants of $2.5 million each and the other 14 organizations each received $5 million grants. page 157
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SPIRITUALITY DEFINING THE DIVINE
SCARCITY TO ABUNDANCE
"MY CUP RUNNETH OVER" - HEBREW BIBLE (PSALMS 23:5)
JYOTI PAINTEL-BOWLES @jyotipaintel Spirituality Contributor
The above quote has been interpreted and translated many times and has even appeared in popular rap lyrics. The general meaning of this verse is, “I have more than enough for my needs.” This is not meant to be a literal or factual based quote, and in fact, it could have very little to do with material wealth at all. The quote implies that when we are satisfied with what life has presented us, if we get that “enough”, then we have abundance in all its glorious manifestations: love, health, wealth and a lust for life.
How the Universe Works: The Law of Attraction “If you want love and abundance in your life, give it away.” Mark Twain This spiritual concept of abundance seems paradoxical. How can we attain it all by having nothing? A common belief system that is widely practiced
throughout many religious doctrines is that once our cup is empty, it can be filled, and even overflowed beyond our expectations. Later, I will go over our “limiting beliefs”, or a “scarcity mentality.” They prevent the harmonious ebb and flow of our abundance in all worlds, most notably the perceived material world. But back to the idea of attracting abundance by purging, Mark Twain was not exactly famous for his spirituality, but he seemed to be onto something profound and simple. When we give something of ourselves that is non-material, such as volunteering, helping a family member or friend in need, or simply moving through the world with consideration for those who have less, then we increase our chances of abundance coming back to us exponentially. Doing things for others also builds tolerance and appreciation for their experiences. Yes, the universe rewards this mindset. I cannot give you verifiable proof, but this is one of those cases where “believing is seeing”, and not the other way around. Gratitude filled work fills us with a sense of being important, needed and valued. I have often heard that the universe responds when we align our behavior and karmic actions (the
things we do when we think no one is watching) with our intention. Nothing happens accidentally. We are the driving force of our life experience. If we establish a momentum of giving, then receiving is the natural outcome. Make sure you can receive as open-heartedly as you give; you deserve nothing less. How might this look in the real world? It begins with helping our family and friends. Try asking around to see who might need your time or expertise, whose load can you make easier, or who could use a favor without any expectation of reciprocation. Remember that “good deeds leave no footprints”. Sometimes what we do anonymously brings us the greatest pleasure and satisfaction.
Scarcity Mentality and Limiting Beliefs: Removing our Obstacles to Abundance “Do you steal from life? Then life will steal from you.” - Louise Hay, author and motivational speaker
Scarcity or Poverty Mentality Louise Hay was a hero to me in many ways, through her teachings, millions of people have learned about self-love, acceptance and more specifically, page 161
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SCARCITY TO ABUNDANCE
"MY CUP RUNNETH OVER" - HEBREW BIBLE (PSALMS 23:5)
learning how to feel worthy of unlimited abundance. One serious thing to avoid in life is taking what has not been given. This seems simple enough, but it appears that our karmic actions include even things we consider to be innocuous, such as taking extra sugars from the café for our home supply or stocking our home office with things from work. Unfortunately, while it may seem insignificant, the actual karmic message is, “I don’t have enough.” This is poverty mentality. You are telling the universe that you cannot afford to get these things for yourself. Thus, the universe will send you more of the same situation; even buying your own sugar and paper clips are out of your reach. Instead of cutting corners here and there and trying to save money, try providing everything for yourself in a manner that you can be proud of even if it means just a little less at first. Remember the empty cup? ‘Thoughts become words, and words become things, so think GOOD THOUGHTS!” - Dr. Seuss
Limiting Beliefs A belief is simply a thought we think
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over and over. If we believe we will only be happy when we have money in the bank, or our lover’s complete devotion, or career recognition and success, then we are setting up the limiting belief that if these are not present, they are the cause of our unhappiness. Sometimes when the specific abundance that we desire does not manifest for us immediately, or even within a reasonable time span, we draw so much attention to the lack of abundance that it becomes our “story”, or our “crying wall”. We then start thinking the inevitable; we do not deserve it, or we are not good enough. When this occurs, we are focusing our energy the wrong way. This is the main idea behind many self-help books discussing the nature of “The Law of the Attraction”, and also the main philosophy behind the teachings of Abraham –Hicks. What is her solution? Let it go. Try anything that feels better, and stay with that until it produces a better result. It sounds hard to stray from the constant wanting of what we do not have, but another piece of advice to prevent the tunnel-vision caused by limiting beliefs is to start taking pleasure in everything in your life, no matter how small: sharing a nice meal, a walk with
your dog, a good film, reading with your child. Only hover above thoughts that feel good, and you will know right away. Do not force yourself to hover over your life destruction. If it does not feel good, force yourself to maneuver your emotional helicopter to something that feels better. So you see, the art of manifesting abundance is really about learning to give and finding a way to be content with the state of things as they are. This is not to say that we cannot have dreams of great abundance, it is crucial to tell the universe what you want because it sets the wheels in motion. Trust the process. Know that you have asked, and the universe has heard your prayer. Instead of focusing on what you asked for, try pretending you already have it. It might take some real effort but vividly fantasize about the abundance coming your way. What will you do with all of it? Know in your heart that the seeds that you lovingly plant today will, in due time, manifest into your dreams of tomorrow. This is the Law of Attraction!
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COACH WINE: FUNCTIONAL TRAINING
COMMON MISTAKES FOR
FAT LOSS POST-WORKOUT
The entire balance of your bank account and all the tips on the Internet can't help if you don't follow some basic guidelines. MARK WINE CSCS, BA, USAW, PT, PES, CES @functionalmuscle Healthy Lifestyles Contributor
Why would you work your butt off for one hour only to counter-act your results within the hour following your workout? Well if you are ill-informed or unfamiliar with the truth, then you just might be doing that. Mistake 1: My Workout is Over Once I am Physically Done with my Work… This cannot be further from the truth. In fact, physical exertion and post-workout nutrition go hand-in-hand. The most common thing I hear as a Strength and Conditioning Coach and Personal Trainer is “I am working my butt off, but I am not losing weight.” The first thing I tell them is,
let’s look at what you are doing post-workout. If your post-workout nutrition is off, then your workout was only 50% of what it could have been. The second thing I tell them is, it’s not about your body weight but rather your composition.
Mistake 2: All Proteins
are Created Equal… Somewhere in this newly Organic and Vegan dominant world, Soy and other proteins have been suggested as quality proteins. I always ask my athletes and clients this, “would you put unleaded gas in a high-performance race car?” Of course not! So post-workout, you shouldn’t ingest anything other than at least 20 grams of pure Whey protein. You should also select to supplement with Essential Amino Acids (EAA) post-workout, at least 5-10 grams. Whey and EAA have shown to significantly increase muscle protein synthesis (muscle
growth) while promoting fat loss. Whey is the closest form of human milk protein; breast milk. Breast milk in nature is nearly fully comprised of Whey protein. Cow’s milk is mainly comprised of casein, a slow digesting protein. Whey protein also produces the hormone insulin, which is essential for muscle protein synthesis post-workout. If you are a vegan and do not want to ingest Whey protein, then at least supplement with 5-10 grams of Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA).
Mistake 3: Carbohydrates are necessary… If your goal is fat loss, avoid ingesting carbohydrates immediately post-workout. Research has shown that supplementing whey protein loaded with EAA has been significant in promoting muscle protein synthesis. Carbohydrates are often prescribed to increase the hormone insulin, which
aids in damaged muscles growth and recovery; however, whey has its own production of insulin. Whey’s insulin response is enough to get protein into the damaged muscles post-workout. Chances are that your muscle activity during the workout was not significant enough or long enough to require carbs to recover. However, if your workout is the duration of longer than one hour at near-maximal intensity, then supplementing with a few high-glycemic carbohydrates could be beneficial. I suggest ingesting 10-15 grams post-workout to continue fat loss while aiding in recovery.
Mistake 4: Drinking
Caffeine Helps Burn fat… Caffeine increases a stress hormone named “cortisol.” Cortisol does damage to muscle and can even cause more mental damage when levels are high. Cortisol can turn our body from an anapage 177
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bolic state (i.e. muscle growth) to a catabolic state (i.e. muscle destruction). To fight cortisol levels, try ingesting Vitamin C post-workout; select a few and even up to ten grams. I suggest a vitamin C supplement for ease of ingestion. Mistake 5: As long as I do it a Couple Times per Week I Will be OK‌ Wrong, being consistent is the only way to achieve true results. Most muscular hypertrophy adaptations require 6-8 weeks. This is the easiest and hardest thing to understand, believe it or not. So be disciplined because your results are depending on it.
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SELF
JOEY VELEZ, MA, MBA @velezmentalperformance Wellness Contributor
According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of selfishness is the act of seeking or concentrating on one’s advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others. Based on this definition, you could assume that being selfish is a negative quality. It is implied that in order to concentrate on one’s personal gain, then one must take something away from another individual. What if you do something for yourself that does not affect other people, is it still considered selfish? The answer is yes, but we need to be a little selfish to improve our mental well-being.
Three Types of Selfishness There are three types of selfishness: positive, negative, and neutral. According to Dr. John Johnson, positive selfishness is when something benefits both ourselves and other people. For example, purchasing an item from a friend would be considered positive. Both parties have a need, have something to offer, and both will be excited and satisfied after the transaction. You committed an act to better yourself, but also bettered the other person during the process. It is a win-win situation. page 182
CARE
WE ALL NEED TO BE SELFISH SOMETIMES Alternatively, negative selfishness is described as “[taking] from others to their detriment and [giving] nothing in return." Participating in a one-sided conversation would be a negative example; expressing your struggles and seeking support, but when they look for reciprocation, you display a lack of disinterest. Acts like these lead to unhealthy relationships and take an opportunity of much-needed expression away from an individual. Lastly, neutral selfishness is an act that benefits you but doesn’t directly involve other people. Self-care would fit into the neutral type. The definition of selfcare is the practice of taking action to improve one’s health. While caring for yourself, you are the only one benefiting from such an experience. Therefore, not all selfish acts are created equal. As long as we do not take away from others, then being selfish is not that bad.
Personal Experience I have always put the needs of others ahead of my own. The challenges I faced and the issues I struggled with were constantly put on the back burner. During graduate school, I had the opportunity to speak with a clinical psychology student as part of a project. She needed the hours as a clinician. I needed the hours as a patient; it worked out perfectly. The results of those sessions helped me understand how much extra weight I was carrying, and it was because I chose to put the needs of others ahead of mine. The sessions opened my eyes to the challenges I faced. From body image to
my parents divorcing at a young age, I had suppressed my feelings for so long because I felt it was selfish to talk about myself. Instead, I deflected conversations away from me and redirected them toward other people’s struggles. It did not take long for me to recognize and accept the importance of self-expression because without me choosing to be positively selfish, I would not have been able to understand the problems I was facing.
What can you do? You can practice being selfish through self-care. Ideally, you should set aside time to care for yourself every day, but for some, that may be unrealistic. While that may be unrealistic for some, it does not have to be long. Block off at least one hour so you can practice some form of self-care. Whether you read a book, sleep in, go on vacation to one of the beautiful Haitian islands, it is important for your mental health to relax your body and mind and unplug. You cannot truly take care of another individual if you cannot first take care of yourself. By getting yourself in a place where you are comfortable, relaxed, and in a strong mental state, then you can help others more effectively. Better yet, find someone to tag along with you. Grab a friend and take a trip to the beach and relax for the day. Plan a vacation with that special someone so you can escape reality together. Having a shared experience with another individual creates a long-lasting
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MOLD YOUR MIND bond and a moment that will be hard to forget.
Final Thoughts It is noble and respectable to put the needs of others first; however, this could be extremely damaging to your mental
state because you are not allowing yourself the opportunity to take care of the person that matters most: YOU. Michelle Obama once said, “We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own to-do list,” which is true because our society places such
an emphasis on “doing the right thing”, that we sometimes forget to do what is best for ourselves. Remember, as long as you are not taking away from others, it is okay to be a little selfish from time to time.
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