ELYSIAN Summer 2025 Anniversary Issue

ELYSIAN Women Inspiring Women

DISPLAY UNTIL AUG. 25, 2025

elysian /el-ee-sian/

{adj.} Greek

1. Beautiful or creative; divinely inspired; peaceful and perfect.

2. Relating to or characteristics of heaven or paradise.

“Elysian visions”

danahareldesign.com

ABSTRACT BRICK COLLECTION

ABSTRACT TWEED COLLECTION

WWW.CLAIREFLORENCE.COM

124 Our Most Iconic Women

146

OUR FAVORITE BIOGRAPHIES.

an

Elysian 10 Year Anniversary Art Gallery

190 Land of Enchantment A GALLERY OF THE MOST MAGNIFICENT WORKS OF ART TO HAVE GRACED OUR PAGES.

FROM ELYSIAN SUMMER 2024 (THE WELLNESS ISSUE).

BY KATE McMULLEN

ELYSIAN VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 2 THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE / L’ÉDIITION DU DIXIÈME ANNIVERSAIRE ÉTÉ 2025

222 some enchanted

evening

238 252 WOMEN FROM ELYSIAN SUMMER 2021 BY SIMONE BAUDELAIRE-FARROW

windows to the SOUL

THE UNSETTLING MASKS OF THE ARTIST KNOWN AS DAMSELFRAU FROM ELYSIAN SUMMER 2020. BY DEBRA SPARK

The

Who Inspire Us TEN YEARS OF INSPIRING WOMAN INTERVIEWS

Entitled: I Am by Isabelle Van Zeijl, featuring herself, as model and artist. “The Passion Of Isabelle Van Zeijl” from Spring 2022 (The ART Issue).

COURTESY OF THE ARTIST & RACHEL UFFNER GALLERY

20 anniversary feature

3858

Women Inspiring Women. - BY ASTRID WOLFE

fashion&culture Ten Years of “Fashion & Culture.”

art&history

72 architecture&interiors MUSE from ELYSIAN Spring 2022 (The Art Issue). - BY VERITY GALSWORTHY

92

112

Ten Years of Magnificent Design.

food&dining Ten Years of First Class Reservations.

travel&adventure Written in the Stars. - BY CORDELIA LEAR

258 beauty&style

WAR PAINT from Spring 2024 (The Women & War Issue). - BY PEARL LUSTRE

health&wellness 266

Health First, Everything Else Will Follow: Revisiting A Decade of Wellness.

294 aspiring&connecting ELYSIAN’s Next Chapter - BY SINDIE FITZGERALD-RANKIN

308back story

From our first magazine launch outside the Elysian offices in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to issue release events in Napa Valley, California; Basel, Switzerland; Palm Beach, Florida; New York, New York; Nashville, Tennessee; and the Vatican City in Rome, Italy, to name a few.

on the cover

Ten Year Art by Christina Kesten. Christina’s studio, ‘Graceful Madness,’ created on the approach that artistic technique embodies the spirit of metamodernism, seamlessly blending the organic and digital, the traditional and contemporary.

From “A Ground-breaking Fashion Experience To Benefit Our Furry Friends,” ELYSAIN Spring 2023 (The Art & Prose Issue). PHOTOGRAPH BY CONRADO / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

ELYSIAN Impact: A Decade of Caring. BY CYNTHIA SIMMONS

philanthropy

282

c r e at o r - i n - c h i e f

publisher

Karen Floyd digital marketing & newsletter

comptroller

Amber Edwards

Anna Christian

d i g i ta l i n n o vat i o r

philanthropy

& i m pa c t

Ryan Stalvey film

& video

production

Garrick Lane & development

writer

legal

Elliot Derhay

Jason Spencer

Eric Nodine

d i g i ta l s t r at e g y

events

o u t r e a c h c o o r d i n at o r

c o m m u n i t y a f fa i r s

Don Bailey

Carolyn Schoepf

Mary Helen Wade

Ann Bible

Joey Iannetta

Kimberli Scott Still

p u b l i c a f fa i r s

Boone Peeler

web design

Nicola Doring

lead photographer

e d i t o r i a l a s s i s ta n t

photographer

d i g i ta l s t r at e g y

social media

Michael Paniccia

Marcy Dubroff

Joy Smallwood

Christiana Purves

Michelle Young

audio production

office manager

liaison

p r o d u c t i o n a s s i s ta n t

Ark Tofan

Becky Kerr

Rita Allison

Aidan Stanton

contributing writers

Marcy Dubroff, Verity Galsworthy, Suzanne Johnson, Cordelia Lear, Kate McMullen, Christy Nielson, Samantha Paige, Sindie Fitzgerald-Rankin, Cynthia Simmons, Debra Spark, Astrid Wolfe copy editors

Nancy Brady, Monya Havekost, Diane High p u b l i c r e l at i o n s

printer

c i r c u l at i o n s p e c i a l i s t

c o n s u lta n t

Norah Lawlor

Joe Giuffrida/Mega Mailers

Greg Wolfe

Carmel Fauci

w w w . r e a d e ly s i a n . c o m ELYSIAN Magazine is published four times per year by Palladian Publications LLC., 113 W. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29306.

For subscription information, call 864-342-6500.

All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

elysian is proud to feature our updated ios app, redesigned from the ground up to maximize your experience — download now in the app store to read and view exclusive elysian content, watch livestreams and participate in our special events.

www.mercidupreclothiers.com

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YOU CAN’T REALLY KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING UNTIL YOU KNOW WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN.” —MAYA ANGELOU

EN YEARS AGO, I wrote . . . ELYSIAN, our premise

Greek in origin, the word Elysian means beautiful, creative, divinely inspired, peaceful, and perfect. It is with this idea in mind that our magazine ELYSIAN is launched. ELYSIAN strives to serve the reader with both beautiful visuals and alluring content.

I am forever grateful to the team of professionals that has come together in South Carolina to tackle such an endeavor.

As a woman left motherless by breast cancer, much of my life has been spent searching for exceptional women to emulate . . . women personifying grace, intelligence, kindness, sophistication, inner peace, and beauty. As a young lawyer entering the workforce in the mid-1980s, it was challenging for me to find relatable female role models. So, too, were my findings in later years when I was recruited into the business arena.

In light of these experiences, each edition of ELYSIAN will explore the private lives of four extraordinary women. Intimate interviews will delve into the intricacies and nuances of how these women came to achieve notable uniqueness. Excerpts from candid interviews will be published in the printed edition, while our digital presence will air the actual interviews.

Most importantly, ELYSIAN is for the curious individual. While ELYSIAN is woman-centric, it also serves as a regional resource, spotlighting the arts, culture, beauty, style, dining, drinks, philanthropy, health, fitness, home, travel, and exploration. These extrinsic experiences build a breadth of knowledge that encompasses the authentic ELYSIAN reader.

TOMORROW, with focus . . . ELYSIAN, the future

As we celebrate the achievements of the past decade, we look to the future. Our ELYSIAN Circle of Women will expand as we grow our platform and its foundational components: exceptional content, connecting women, and creating change.

CONTENT: The sheer volume of articles and interviews in print paved the way for our organic digital presence (with a weekly eNewsletter boasting a pool of 10MM and 30% open rate from our house file of 35,000). But this is just the beginning. We believe that the innovation, creativity, and inspiration that fueled ELYSIAN will explode with new collaborations and strategic partners. As we work toward our 20th anniversary, ELYSIAN will also continue to produce unique and inimitable films, all crafted from a woman’s perspective.

CONNECT: Building the ELYSIAN Circle of Women is an intrinsic part of our mission. We have traditionally focused on Inspiring Women—

those among us who have achieved great things throughout the world in art, business, entrepreneurship, professions, public service, technology, philanthropy, and more. However, in the future, the enigmatic and accomplished Dr. Christina Rahm will help us to grow our footprint to also include Aspiring Women, the next generation of female thought leaders. Our ELYSIAN Circle of Women will expand by embracing all Aspiring Women who can learn firsthand…from the trials, tribulations, and successes of prospective role models. It is our hope that through ELYSIAN mentorship, Aspiring Women will be empowered to unleash their creativity, innovate, and build in ways that surpass us.

CHANGE: Women are multi-dimensional and have complexity in their philanthropic breadth of interest. For that reason, ELYSIAN Impact will expand the perspective on fundraising goals from dependency to self-reliance. The concept “teach a person how to fish . . . and you feed her for a lifetime” is the core of ELYSIAN’s future philanthropic endeavors. The ELYSIAN Circle of Women will define its legacy by using resources to amplify individual and collective purpose.

Finally, as we celebrate ten amazing years, the wise and eloquent words from author Maya Angelou resonate. I hope that by sharing the history of ELYSIAN, you will not only understand our vision but also join our movement.

Thank you for making this journey possible. May we continue the walk together, “Women inspiring women.”

With much love,

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Karen Floyd Publisher

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PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL PANICCIA

TODAY, with gratitude . . . ELYSIAN, the journey Throughout the years, we continued to carry forward a simple mission, “Women inspiring women.” We believe in the transformative power of curated content to connect women and stimulate positive change. Our purpose has always been to embolden, encourage, and provoke authentic communication . . . that builds and not divides. What began as a women-centric regional magazine ten years ago has today grown into a global, multidimensional ecosystem.

Yet, the path was not always easy. Covid devastated the magazine businesses with the price of paper skyrocketing and the trepidation of touching any substance (paper) that could potentially spread the virus. Additionally, our sources for distributing the magazine were all closed, having been declared “non-essential” businesses. However, ELYSIAN quickly adapted, meeting the audience where they were in the digital realm, and simultaneously began integrating eight verticals into one cohesive platform spanning print, digital, film, television, e-commerce, apps, international events, and philanthropy. Today, our philanthropic arm, ELYSIAN Impact, focuses on charities across five key areas: women, children, service, pets, and the environment, and has disbursed over $16 million to organizations within these vectors.

ELYSIAN’s focus continues to be its stellar quality and robust curation of content, as recognized in the award-winning global publication. ELYSIAN, too, solidified its place in the world of film with the launch of multiple international award-winning documentaries—covering such varied topics as philanthropy to the horrors of war.

I am again overwhelmed with gratitude for our small team of professionals, headquartered on Main Street in Spartanburg, South Carolina, who have weathered unimaginable storms and built a deep trust and impenetrable loyalty to the vision and one another.

METAMODERNIST MIXED MEDIA gracefulmadnessstudio.com

anniversary special

WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN: A LOOK BACK AT OUR FIRST TEN YEARS

BY ASTRID WOLFE

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“I was raised to think that anything and everything was possible—there were no limits to anything you could do as long as you worked hard . . . Even if you weren’t particularly talented, if you work hard, you can accomplish anything.” - ELYSIAN Publisher Karen Floyd PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL PANICCIA

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22 • été 2025 • l’édition du dixième anniversaire • readelysian.com aren Floyd just got back in town.

At her desk in her running clothes, she hopes to take a break midmorning to go home, shower, and get ready for meetings staggered throughout the day. She has been working since pre-dawn.

Floyd is double-booked at 3 p.m., but that will work itself out. She is working on the Publisher’s Letter for the next issue of ELYSIAN and hopes to finish it before heading out of town for business again this weekend. Oh, and another distribution company is interested in the latest ELYSIAN documentary. Who has time for lunch?

Things move fast at 113 West Main Street in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina. The quiet mid-morning stillness of Morgan Square, just outside, starkly contrasts the controlled chaos inside—a cauldron of creativity and innovation that has seen a quarterly magazine grow into a global brand that curates content, connects women, and creates change.

At any given time, the ELYSIAN team—led by Floyd, our founder and publisher, and Creator-in-Chief Ryan Stalvey, who oversees the design and production of each issue—is working four or five issues ahead on the quarterly magazine’s publishing schedule. Things change fast on that schedule, too, as Floyd’s long-term vision collides with the hectic day-to-day of the publishing world.

“The dichotomy is what makes this so challenging,” she said between planning meetings for ELYSIAN’s 10th Anniversary celebration. “It is messy – not just the publishing component

“At only 15, I had the incredible honor of being featured on ELYSIAN’s first cover—it sparked my love for design and trends. Since then, I’ve earned degrees in mathematics and data science. My passion is using data-driven analytics to forecast what’s next and help brands stay ahead.” - Sarah Hunt

PHOTOGRAPHY BY U + A / UNGANO-AGRIODIMAS.COM

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but building a media ecosystem. You have to constantly produce. No disrespect to manufacturing, but there, they take the same widget and repeat it over and over and over again. If we do not have original, interesting content, people will not read us. So, you must be innovative and constantly learning—and, of course, making mistakes.”

NO LIMITS

A light rain fell on Spartanburg one evening in February 2015 when Floyd’s team, along with family, friends, and supporters gathered on the square outside The Palladian Building.

Black-and-white umbrellas were handed out for the crowd to witness the unfurling of a 20-foot banner from the building’s roof, marking ELYISAN’s debut, which was celebrated with a toast. At the time, it was more common for new online startups to launch rather than a folio-sized luxury print publication.

Ten years later, many of those startups have come and gone, while ELYSIAN is toasting once again—this time to the brand’s 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, long-form interviews with more than 100 Inspiring Women have been featured on our pages. One issue was even digitized and sent to the moon in the Lunaprise time capsule.

“I was raised to think that anything and everything was possible—there were no limits to anything you could do as long as you worked hard,” Floyd said. “Even if you weren’t particularly talented, if you work hard, you can accomplish anything.”

It’s hard to say the exact moment it all started. Floyd had been

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thinking about ELYSIAN for years; she began searching for a name in 2011 as her 50th birthday began to loom on the horizon. She was determined to be very focused in the second half of her life.

“The birth of it? ELYSIAN did not just happen,” she said. “I remember we were doing a staff retreat at my house one day. And I walked in and said, ‘We’re going to do a magazine.’”

There would be many more retreats at Floyd’s home, a toney estate in Spartanburg’s Andrews Farm neighborhood. And for the first several years, those retreats were all about building a foundation—and honing Floyd’s vision, like a blacksmith hammering metal in a forge.

Along the way, Floyd decided to name the brand ELYSIAN, a word with Greek origins that evokes beauty, creativity, and something bigger than oneself.

Floyd remembers people telling her ELYSIAN needed to be caustic—that conflict sells. But she would have none of that. She was adamant that ELYSIAN would be uplifting and galvanize around beauty. She would not compromise on the aesthetic, to the point of forgoing traditional advertising so as not to detract from the pages of ELYSIAN. This is where the idea of Signature Partners was formed—building a small cadre of advertisers to support the magazine rather than just accepting ads from anyone.

“I was so deep in the weeds. We were literally learning a trade,” Floyd said. “I had no publishing experience. But I had a vision, and I had to learn everything from scratch. This ecosystem was built one stick at a time. There were never any leaps. You would make

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Elysian Publisher Karen Floyd and team board a private plane enroute to aywhere, and everywhere around the world, as the ELYSIAN journey has known no boundaries and endless miles. Above: Ryan Stalvey, ELYSIAN Creator-in-Chief, a hybrid title that combines both Art Director and Editor, is responsible for the redesign from ELYSIAN’s original concept. Since joining ELYSIAN in 2018, he has earned the publication five national awards for design and layout, including Best Art Direction, Best Overall Design, and in 2022 he was awarded Folio’s prestigious Magazine Designer of the Year.

OUR “ASPIRING” COVER MODELS

a mistake, fix it, and then make another mistake. We started locally, then we went regional, then national, and then we went global. So, the organizational buildout was truly a stairstep.”

INFINITE POSSIBILITIES

The first several issues of ELYSIAN featured younger women on the cover—women who were taking their first steps toward success.

The idea began germinating to pair these Aspiring Women with accomplished mentors, guides, and confidants.

It’s an idea ELYSIAN will fully embrace as it begins its second decade of publication. It is rooted in Floyd’s experiences as a young woman entering the worlds of law, politics, and business.

After passing the bar at age 23, Floyd began practicing law in Spartanburg as a prosecutor for the 7th Judicial Circuit. As a woman, that was something of an anomaly. She remembers going into courtrooms where the only other women were court reporters. She felt naïve, having been raised that anyone who worked hard could achieve their dreams. It was a rude awakening.

“I just was so unaware of everything,” she said. “And so, I had to learn everything myself because there were not a lot of women role models in the courtroom. And the ones that were there . . . they were pushing so hard; they became part of the men’s circle. In business, there were one or two exceptions, like Edna Morris, who recruited me from a judgeship to a restaurant conglomerate and who now serves as chairman of Tractor Supply. But overall, there were not women with a genteel/traditional/

Brandi Sherbert - Cover Model Fall 2018 “When I was younger, I really wanted to get into modeling. It kind of opened my eyes to the world of creativity and expressing yourself. And I think it kind of led me into what I’m doing today.”

Rachel Castellani - Cover Model Winter 2019 / 2020 “I had never done anything like it. But I love trying new things! I’m in my third year of law school. The key that law school unlocks for you . . . you can do anything you want. I can make a difference.”

Lilly Webster - Cover Model Winter 2018/19 “Being in New York, everything’s moving so quickly, and you really have to keep up with the pace or you’ll get left behind. I sat for the ELYSIAN cover, and now it’s kind of crazy to be behind the scenes of a fashion show, where there’s 30 girls in hair and makeup, and it’s a lot of hard work from so many people.”

Cassi Sherbert - Cover Model Fall 2019 Being on the cover was a great experience. There’s so much I’ve been able to carry forward to today . . . just from all the amazing people I met. Just being around women who had made it so far in different industries really taught me how to interact with society on that level.”

Caroline Comer - Cover Model Spring 2020 “It was such an honor being on the cover. It was my dream for so long. I remember being at ELYSIAN’s first launch party, and I watched this young girl on the cover. I admired her so much. I started out on the cover, and now I’m the one behind-the-scenes planning the launch parties and selling ads. I started off forward-facing, and now being behind the scenes . . . I love seeing all the parts.”

Haley Hudson - Cover Model Winter 2020/21 “I was the very last “Aspiring Woman.” It was really exciting, and I was honored for the opportunity.

Karen was such a mentor to me, and she still is to this day. I went to lunch with her, and she encouraged me in my career and to pursue going out on my own for the time being. Karen and the vision of ELYSIAN in general have had a huge influence on me.”

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Q: How do you know when you are driving the wrong road, metaphorically speaking?

A: Many times, I don’t drive there because He’s gifted me with many things.

I write music, so I gravitate to Christian-based music. I remember several times saying to myself, “Oh, God, you’ve given me this talent! What am I going to do with it?” Do you know what’s happened?

Award-winning actress, producer, singer-songwriter, motivational speaker and philanthropist, Karen Abercrombie with ELYSIAN publisher Karen Floyd. “Inspiring Women,” from ELYSIAN Winter 2018.

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balanced approach; there were not many feminine women. Just a certain type of women had broken through at that time. I did not know how to dress. I did not know what was appropriate. I knew what I thought was pretty, but there were few examples of professional women to emulate.”

She added: “Literally, I had no tribe. I was very, very isolated.”

Back in her office, Floyd is muting a Zoom call to take one on her cell. People are in and out, looking to get things approved.

Eventually, there’s a lull—a full five minutes before the next meeting.

She picks up a copy of Jackie O and says, “The reason I picked (author) Dawn Trip as the keynote for our 10th-anniversary celebration is because of the quote on the inside of the book.”

She reads: “The world has divided my life into three: Life with Jack; Life with Onassis; Life as a woman who goes to work because she wants to. My life is all these things, and it is none of these things. They continue to miss what’s right in front of them. I love books. I love the sea. I love horses. Children. Art. Ideas. History. Beauty. Because beauty blows us open to wonder. Even the beauty that breaks your heart.”

It is an idea that finally describes how she felt as that young woman at the start of her law career—the hidden complexity of women, to which ELYSIAN is a tribute.

It is diminutive to put women into specific categories, ignoring the myriad potentialities that lay within them. Floyd sees part of her mission as inspiring women by showing them “their infinite possibilities” through interviews, beauty, and connection.

“I hope I am not defined by one thing,” she said. “I wish I had resources when I was a younger woman that showed me the infinite possibilities.”

EXPANDING THE BRAND

ELYSIAN’s foundation was in place, and growth soon followed.

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Creator-in-Chief Ryan Stalvey joined the publication in June 2018, an intentional move to finally realizing the brand’s aesthetic as it was always meant to be. From sweeping beautiful photographs to the bold typography of the page numbers, Stalvey has nurtured the evolution of ELYSIAN’s design.

“I redesigned the magazine cover-to-cover my first issue,” Stalvey said. “And then I redesigned that award-winning design in the summer of 2020, and we won more awards. It’s the design we have now. To my knowledge, I’m one of the few, if not the only, magazine designers who treat the folio/page numbers as design elements rather than static automation.”

In the summer of 2019, ELYSIAN began pushing the boundaries of digital publishing by launching what would become our email newsletter. At first, this served primarily as a collection of links to articles on our website. But it evolved—at times, by necessity, as the COVID pandemic struck in early 2020—and the first incarnation of what would become the robust, thought-provoking newsletter our readers enjoy today launched on July 27, 2021.

During that same summer of 2019, ELYSIAN hosted its first international event in Switzerland, bringing together female leaders from diverse industries for a week of recognition and collaboration.

The journey began with a Women Entrepreneur Cross-Cultural Roundtable at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Bern, co-hosted by Ambassador Ed McMullen, where Swiss and U.S. women in business, law, diplomacy, and other sectors engaged in meaningful dialogue. The event fostered potential partnerships and set the foundation for a network focused on mentoring and collaboration. The week culminated with a VIP tour of Art Basel 2019, showcasing female artists and galleries featured in ELYSIAN’s Summer 2019 issue, including works by Turner

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Prize-winner Lubaina Himid and others.

It was a busy summer, as this was also when ELYSIAN launched its philanthropic arm, ELYSIAN Impact, focusing on supporting women and children. The initiative began with a partnership with Silent Tears, a nonprofit addressing the complex issues of violence and sexual abuse against women and children in South Carolina. ELYSIAN Impact committed $5 million to fund capital needs for statewide organizations, including 17 children’s advocacy and domestic violence centers, made possible by the Castellani family’s generosity.

This effort was part of a broader plan to create ELYSIAN Impact partner initiatives, setting a model that could be replicated across the United States. The program aims to develop best practices in South Carolina that can be shared nationally.

The formation of ELYSIAN Impact reflects the values of ELYSIAN, emphasizing impact giving and philanthropy as central to the mission.

Today, giving focuses on five impact areas: women, children, animals, service, and the environment. The expanded focus is the direct result of the philanthropic priorities among women in the ELYSIAN Circle.

Chief Media Director Rob Springer captures the essence of the moment as Karen Floyd interviews Carla Groh. CHRIS JORIANN {FINE ART} PHOTOGRAPHY From ELYSIAN Autumn 2022 (The ART Issue).

Below: ELYSIAN Publisher, Karen Floyd, with Jiha Moon at MINT Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia, where they recorded Jiha’s Inspiring Woman interview. Both kept an appropriate distance from one another as recommended by COVID-19 safety guidelines. From ELYSIAN Summer 2020.

“Oftentimes, women are so disconnected they can lose sight of the dream,” Floyd said. “It is like a knife that keeps cutting and cutting and cutting and eventually becomes dull. There has to be a way of building strength by connecting with women and seeing that what you are experiencing is not unique—that every other woman has in some form or fashion dealt with these kinds of things.”

By now, ELYSIAN was in full growth mode, and the industry was starting to notice. Stalvey was named Magazine Designer of the Year at the 2022 Folio: Eddie & Ozzie Awards. The competition included entries from some of the world’s largest publishing houses, including Meredith and Hearst.

In his acceptance speech, Stalvey said, “There’s an Edward G. Robinson flick where he is a publisher of a newspaper, he makes the comment, ‘I’m a blue blood, not by wealth, or merit, but rather by from printer’s ink coursing through my veins.’ I think all of us here tonight can relate to that. Here’s to doing what we love.”

LIGHTS! CAMERA! FASHION!

ELYSIAN has become known for its exclusive events, which are held quarterly to launch each new issue of the magazine. From New York to Palm Beach, Napa Valley to Bozeman, Montana— these events bring together all facets of the ELYSIAN ecosystem and provide venues for women to connect and inspire.

For much of 2022, the ELYSIAN team worked hard on its biggest event yet: CatWalk FurBaby, a fashion show that teams models, designers, and animal rescues that has become a one-of-akind staple of New York Fashion Week.

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During this time, ELYSIAN developed a friendship with Dr. Christina Rahm and a partnership with The Root Brands and DRC Ventures—a true game-changer. The Root Brands and DRC Ventures became the title sponsors for the inaugural CatWalk FurBaby, and the partnership has burgeoned into a strategic alliance that changed the face of ELYSIAN forever. Beyond fashion, there has been a committed friendship between two women with diverse backgrounds but similar ethos.

Rahm—a scientist, philanthropist, and humanitarian—brought ELYSIAN’s global outreach to new heights, having worked in 90 countries and with strong connections everywhere. Floyd says she credits ELYSIAN’s global scaling largely to Rham and her husband Clayton Thomas’ international bandwidth and footprint.

The inaugural CatWalk FurBaby kicked off New York Fashion Week at the storied Sony Hall on a surprisingly warm day in February 2023, right in the heart of Broadway and Times Square.

While the usual crowd of commuters and tourists hustled by, a few four-legged stars were making their way through the city, getting ready for their big moment on the runway. People couldn’t help but stop and stare as they saw a Great Pyrenees and a little dog in a back-leg wheelchair strut around before the show.

Inside, the vibe was electric as a mix of celebrities, animal lovers, and advocates gathered to support animal welfare. The fashion show itself was a total standout. Designer Marc Bouwer stole the spotlight with his bold “Adopt Don’t Shop” message, walking down the runway with a Yorkie and showing off his animal-friendly designs. Rahm also wowed the crowd with the Merci Dupre Clothiers couture pet and human fashion line, which is designed to reduce harmful toxins.

One of the most touching moments of the day was when two

puppies, Hannah and Hugo, found their forever homes right there at the show. This wasn’t just a fashion show but a heartfelt celebration of animals, love, and philanthropy.

Fast forward to the second CatWalk FurBaby, which again kicked off New York Fashion Week—this time in September 2024—and it was clear that this would be even bigger and better.

The runway was packed with 21 models, each paired with a dog in stunning outfits from designers like Tommy Hilfiger and Nicole Miller. The event was all about blending high fashion with meaningful causes, with each team representing a different charity focusing on one of the ELYSIAN Impact areas of giving.

Things got off to an energetic start with a live performance by Chloe Jane, setting the tone for the day. Floyd welcomed attendees with a powerful speech about how “ripples create waves, and waves create change,” perfectly capturing the event’s spirit. The fashion itself was jaw-dropping, with each dog and model duo walking the runway to raise awareness for their respective causes.

The show was a perfect example of how fashion can drive change and raise awareness for important causes, and it was another huge win for ELYSIAN Impact.

These moments were captured in ELYSIAN magazine, in our newsletter, in two beautiful, oversized coffee table books, and in documentaries—the brand’s latest frontier.

The original CatWalk FurBaby documentary was ELYSIAN’s first foray into filmmaking. It was immediately recognized by being named Best Documentary at the New York City International Fashion Film Festival in September 2023. The film premiered at the top-of-the-line Dolby Screening Room in Manhattan in the hours leading up to the

In each issue of ELYSIAN, we try to incorporate creative themes. One of our most wellreceived was “The WHITE Issue,” from Spring 2023 • Opposite: A breath-taking design by award-winning master designer and artist Ferris Rafauli. Rafauli conceives, designs, and creates ultra-luxury dwellings and lifestyle creations for an elite clientele worldwide. From “White Done Right,” ELYSIAN Spring 2023 (The WHITE Issue).

PHOTOGRAPH ©YVAN GRUBSKI • OPPOSITE PAGE: © FERRISRAFAULI.COM/

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The inaugural CatWalk FurBaby kicked off New York Fashion Week at the storied Sony Hall in February 2023 on a surprisingly warm day, right in the heart of Broadway and Times Square. While the usual crowd of commuters and tourists hustled by, a few four-legged stars were making their way through the city, getting ready for their big moment on the runway.

IF THERE WAS ONE RUNWAY SHOW THAT FELT WARM, INCLUSIVE—AND DARE I SAY IT, FUN—IT WAS ELYSIAN’S CATWALK FURBABY.” —NADJA SAYEJ, FORBES

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PHOTOGRAPH BY NATALLIA YAUMENENKA / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

I WAS RAISED TO THINK THAT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING WAS POSSIBLE—THERE WERE NO LIMITS TO ANYTHING YOU COULD DO AS LONG AS YOU WORKED HARD . . . EVEN IF YOU WEREN’T PARTICULARLY TALENTED, IF YOU WORK HARD, YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING.” —ELYSIAN PUBLISHER KAREN FLOYD

awards ceremony. At the time, South Carolina Film Commissioner Matt Storm said projects like CatWalk FurBaby were “critical” to driving the film industry’s momentum forward in our home state.

A portion of CatWalk FurBaby 2, ELYSIAN’s latest documentary, is being screened during our 10th-anniversary celebration at a private hanger at Spartanburg’s municipal airport—From the New York Runway to the Spartanburg Runway.

A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

ELYSIAN has also tackled more challenging subjects, this time on the world stage. Floyd journeyed to Ukraine with a small team of videographers and soldiers to film footage for a hard-hitting documentary about that country’s ongoing war with Russia. She announced she was going during a small staff meeting at ELYSIAN’s office. It was a little shocking, but not really, considering Floyd’s determination to see something through once she decides.

Fight for Ukraine: 12 Women’s War premiered as the opening night screening at the 14th annual Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles in October 2023, where it garnered praise for its powerful portrayal of Ukrainian women enduring the horrors of war.

Directed and produced by Floyd, this 81-minute documentary highlights 12 women from diverse walks of life, all exhibiting profound resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. From civilians living in safehouses near the frontlines to legal professionals working in the country’s Supreme Court, these women embody the unyielding spirit of Ukraine. The film won 10 awards at various international film festivals.

Following the success of Fight for Ukraine: 12 Women’s War, Floyd returned to Ukraine to direct and produce the sequel, Ukraine: For the Children. Released in 2024, this documentary shifts focus to the children of Ukraine—those most vulnerable in the ongoing conflict. Inspired by a powerful mural in Kiev depicting three pairs of hands—symbolizing the protection of children—the film underscores the importance of Ukraine’s future, which Floyd believes rests with the nation’s children. The documentary explores the profound psychological and emotional toll of war on young people, from the trauma of bombings to the disruption of their education and sense of safety. Yet amidst the devastation, the film also highlights the incredible resilience of children and families who continue to hope for a peaceful future.

Ukraine: For the Children—which so far has garnered an impressive 25 international film festival awards—held its European premiere in Rome in conjunction with the World Changers Ethical & Innovation Summit at the Vatican in November 2024, where it

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was used to spark critical discussions about the role of women in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

Thanks to the relationship with Rahm and Sir Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli with the World Changers, ELYSIAN was able to lead a session on world peace at the summit, using the Ukraine film as a catalyst for discussion.

It was a powerful way to close out a decade of innovation, creativity, and connection. The foundation has been built.

At the ELYSIAN office, the team has been busy preparing for the upcoming anniversary—The Sky’s the Limit: Celebrating a Decade of ELYSIAN.. Floyd’s calendar, of course, is still bursting at the seams. At least she got in a run early this morning before coming into the office.

Running, it turns out, helped shape her worldview, whether through high school cross country state championship, winning the female South Carolina marathon and Grand Father Mountain marathon, or claiming the top South Carolinian female spot at the Boston Marathon.

“I gravitated to distance running because I could outwork most people,” she said. “And so, I never knew limits. I never thought there would be any difference between anyone as long as you worked hard and took care of yourself and others. You could accomplish anything.”

For its next decade, ELYSIAN is shifting from building to scaling—taking advantage of technological advances, expanding our footprint with the formal introduction of Aspiring Women, and even more exclusive events and speaker series.

Producing a magazine is still chaotic. Publishing always will be.

But as we have seen, great things can come out of that chaos.

“It’s messy. It’s chaotic. It’s exhilarating and exhausting,” Floyd said.

“I can’t imagine anything greater than creating. It’s why I become so frustrated with what media spotlights, the division. If you took all that energy and focused on building and creating and yielding and defining and innovating . . . Can you imagine how great this world would be?” ■

Ukraine: For the Children. Released in 2024, this documentary shifts focus to the children of Ukraine—those most vulnerable in the ongoing conflict. Inspired by a powerful mural in Kiev depicting three pairs of hands—symbolizing the protection of children—the film underscores the importance of Ukraine’s future, which Floyd believes rests with the nation’s children Ukraine: For the Children – which so far has garnered an impressive 25 international film festival awards – held its European premiere in Rome in conjunction with the World Changers Ethical & Innovation Summit at the Vatican in November 2024, where it was used to spark critical discussions about the role of women in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

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The WHISPER Collection from Daalarna Couture is filled with light and soft silhouettes accented by exciting patterns and 3-dimensional embroidered lace floral motifs. With an unparalleled eye for detail, brand designer Anita Benes combines timelessly elegant gowns using the finest fabrics, sourced from France, Italy and England.

Daalarna gowns are made by highly qualified seamstresses, paying careful attention to every little detail, with gripping figures, alluring fabrics and passionate tones of colour characterize the collections. From“Rhapsody In Green,” ELYSIAN Summer 2022 (The GREEN Issue).

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fashion&culture

10YEARS of FASHION & CULTURE 38

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“Schiaparelli: High Fashion Under The Influence Of Art,” from ELYSAIN Spring 2022 (The ART Issue).

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Fitted jacket is contrasted with exaggerated sleeves made from vintage denim that is embroidered with gold strass and thread and embellished with rhinestones. Anatomical elements cast in resin, three-dimensional applique flowers, and spiral “breasts” demonstrate Surrealist art as inspiration for haute couture. A “lip” clutch with removable gilded brass chain is lined in Elsa Schiaparelli’s trademark color, Shocking Pink. From “Schiaparelli: High Fashion Under The Influence Of Art,” from ELYSIAN Autumn 2022 (The ART Issue).

• Below: “the Future of Beauty,” from ELYSIAN Autumn 2022 (The Travel & Technologies Issue).

the world of fashion, icons are influential figures who introduce and popularize new styles, becoming trendsetters and shaping culture by embodying unique and recognizable personal styles. They often deviate from the status quo, taking risks to establish their own visual identities. The trends they initiate become mainstream, creating a style that often reflects and influences cultural and societal values.

They are more than just trendsetters; they are storytellers and visionaries who shape fashion and identity, using their style to express themselves and communicate messages of empowerment and identity. Here’s a short lookbook of Fashion & Culture from ELYSIAN’s first 10 years. ■

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A sombrero-inspired hat of black Duchesse silk is embroidered with pearls, black Swarovski crystals, and trimmed with pompoms. The white denim fitted Basque jacket is heavily embroidered, embellished, and fringed.

Oppoiste: Embellishments such as volute in gold strass, gold lurex thread, rhinestones and pearls are applied with the same vision and manner of perfection as the great Elsa utilized in her own artinspired haute couture creation from her beginning as a designer almost a century ago.

From ELYSIAN Autumn 2022 (The Art Issue).

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“Eyeglasses: The Better To See You With My Dear,” from ELYSIAN Autumn 2021.

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“A Well-Traveled Closet,” from ELYSIAN Summer 2020.

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Yves Saint Laurent for Christian Dior, Bal Masqué. Haute Couture Spring-Summer 1958, Trapèze line. Short evening dress in point d’esprit tulle embroidered with jet beads and embellished with satin bows.

DIOR HÉRITAGE COLLECTION, PARIS; INV. 1987.101 ©LAZIZ HAMANI

BLACK IS THE MOST SLIMMING OF ALL COLORS. IT IS THE MOST FLATTERING. YOU CAN WEAR BLACK AT ANY TIME. YOU CAN WEAR IT AT ANY AGE. YOU CAN WEAR IT FOR ALMOST ANY OCCASION. I COULD WRITE A BOOK ABOUT BLACK. — CHRISTIAN DIOR

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“DIOR,” from ELYSIAN Winter 2018.

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Prancing and posing for studio portraits in 1969, young rocker Tina Turner is resplendent in a crocheted mini dress, but her home life with band leader Ike Turner was turbulent.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JACK ROBINSON/HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

“A Master Class On Manifesting Happiness With Tina Turner,” from ELYSIAN Spring 2021 (The Wellness Issue).

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Tina Turner takes the stage with her husband Ike in Las Vegas, 1970.

PHOTOGRAPH BY GJON MILI/THE LIFE PICTURE COLLECTION VIA GETTY IMAGES

From “A Master Class On Manifesting Happiness With Tina Turner,” ELYSIAN Spring 2021 (The Wellness Issue).

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Cyber Girl by innovative artist and jewelry designer Claire Florence.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CLAIRE FLORENCE / CLAIREFLORENCE.COM

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“Claire Florence: AI-Driven Fine Art Jewelry,” from ELYSIAN Winter 2024 (The Peace On Earth Issue).

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I BELIEVE ART IS A WAY TO GET CLOSE TO THE TRUTH. THEREFORE, I BELIEVE CREATIVITY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFTS TO OUR PLANET, AND WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BE HONEST AND CREATIVE—THAT IS WHAT WILL DRIVE EVOLUTION ON OUR PLANET. —CLAIRE FLORENCE

Cyber Girl 2 by innovative artist and jewelry designer Claire Florence.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CLAIRE FLORENCE / CLAIREFLORENCE.COM

From “Claire Florence: AI-Driven Fine Art Jewelry,” ELYSIAN Winter 2024 (The Peace On Earth Issue).

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The Grande Odalisque by French Neoclassical painter J.A.D. Ingres. A defender of academic convention who opposed the prevailing Romantic style, his expressive distortions of human anatomy, form, and space influenced Picasso, Chagall, and Matisse, as an important pioneer of modernism.

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art&history

muse /myoooz/

beauty in iconic art

BY VERITY GALSWORTHY

{noun}

1. A person or personified force who is the source of inspirationBY CHRISTY NIELSON for a creative artist.

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she Called “the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world” by John Litchfield, Paris correspondent of the London newspaper, The Independent, Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, Mona Lisa, is indeed the most iconic painting in all of art history. It is believed the subject in the half-length portrait is Italian noblewoman Lisa Gherardini of Florence. Whether her thoughts are sad, bittersweet, content, or amused is purely conjecture. Distinctive time eroded her eyebrows.

It is with great scrutiny that we have selected this Art & History piece for our 10th Anniversary Issue, as we have presented so many wonderful art reviews and artist profiles. However, we feel this feature identifies the concept of “woman,” herself, as the embodiment of art. It is a showcase of works inspired by women, some very ordinary, others exceptional, all influential in evoking masterworks or instigating new movements of artistic discipline.

It is an homage to the model, the muse, the gesture that captured an audience, the face that launched a thousand ships—the muse of the artist. From ELYSIAN Spring 2022 (The Art Issue).

encourages, inspires, engages, influences, or otherwise enthralls, captivates, and captures an artist on an intellectual, emotional, sensual, and almost always, sexual level, transcending her admirer onto a higher plane than he otherwise may ever have experienced. The word is derived from the Greek noun, mousa, which literally means “art” or “poetry” or “to excel in the arts” and to comprehend the power of a muse, we must hearken back to Greek mythology, for there you will find the “original inspiring women”—the Nine Muses, the nine lovely, alluring daughters of Mnemosyne and the great Zeus, each gifted with a unique artistic talent, conceived when their parents lay together in connubial bliss for nine consecutive nights. For this reason, a muse can be nothing more or less than a goddess to the artist she inspires.

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Venus de Milo

Perhaps the earliest example of the muse in iconic art was created by Ancient Greek sculptor Alexandros of Antioch. His Venus (sometimes known as the Ancient Roman counterpart, Aphrodite de Milos), was sculpted from Parian marble sometime between 150 and 125 B.C., during the Hellenistic period. Who his model was we do not know but her perfection deems her a goddess, and even without her arms, she is stunningly, realistically exquisite—the perfect interpretation by Alexandros of pure beauty. She was lost for centuries until a peasant named Yorgos Kentrotas unearthed her in 1820, on the island of Milos, and she became the most iconic of muses.

Grande Odalisque

One of the most noted muses in the history of art is the Grande Odalisque (concubine) by French artist J.A.D. Ingres. A great admirer of the 16th century Italian High Renaissance painters Raphael and Titian, and the Baroque classicist Nicholas Poussin, Ingres, in essence, exploits beauty. From an academic standpoint, his explicit nude reclining in an Orientalist setting was a giant leap by the artist from the Neoclassic style of the day to the burgeoning Romantic period. The thing is, such a woman could never exist.

Odalisque is a fantasy woman. Her pronounced curvature of the spine, distorted pelvis, five extra lumbar vertebra, and a significantly shorter left arm than her right does not indicate that Ingres, one of the greatest drafters in the history of art and a master of anatomy, was ignorant of the proper proportions of the female figure. It is quite the contrary. He purposefully painted the concubine suggestively lying on a divan for stylistic

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The Birth of Venus, by Sandro Botticelli, is one of the world’s most famous works of art. An Italian painter of the Early Renaissance period, Botticelli based his masterwork on a theme from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, in which he depicts Venus, the Ancient Roman goddess of beauty, love, desire, sex, and fertility, as she is born from the sea and blown by the West Wind, Zephr, and nymph, Chloris, toward one of the Twelve Horai, who prepares to dress her with a flowered mantle.

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effect, her long, sinuous lines and skin bathed in diffused light is his depiction of a ‘reclining Venus,’ as is The Sleeping Venus (1518) by Giorgione, The Venus of Urbino (1538)

by Titian, Madonna of the Long Neck (1535) by Parmigianino, and another reclining woman who looks over her shoulder at the viewer, Portrait of Madame Récamier (1800),

by Ingres’s contemporary, Jacques-Louis David. But it is her gaze, her invitation to a sultan to take part in carnal pleasure with her, that conveys, through her alluring albeit distorted beauty, one of art’s greatest works.

Mona Lisa

She is the most famous woman in all the world of art—La Gioconda, wife of Francesco del Giocondo, better known as Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa . Her faint enigmatic expression and haunting eyes make her thoughts impossible to read. The great master’s use of chiaroscuro and his signature sfumato technique of soft, heavily shaded modeling add to her mystery, and the blurred, imaginary landscape of rocks and water that stretch to the horizon adds even more mystique to Mona Lisa’s graceful figure. So captivating is the portrait, which has hung in the Louvre since 1815, that Mona Lisa has, ever since, received love letters and flowers from her admirers. She even has her own mailbox.

The Mona Lisa is an exception rather than the rule. It is doubtful that La Gioconda was Da Vinci’s muse and assuredly not his lover. “He had an almost clinical perception of heterosexual intercourse,” according to historian Elizabeth Abbott. Da Vinci himself wrote, “ . . . the sexual act of coitus and the body parts employed for it are so repulsive, that were it not for the beauty of the faces and the adornment of the actors and the pent-up impulse, nature would lose the human species.”

The Birth of Venus

Early Italian Renaissance painter, Sandro Botticelli, was inspired by the 15-book continuous mythological narrative, Metamorphoses, by ancient Roman poet, Ovid (43 B.C. to 18 A.D.), to create his Neoplatonic-themed masterpiece, The Birth of Venus. The shy nude covers her private parts as a symbol of the birth of love and the driving force of beauty in spiritual life. Commissioned by the wealthy Florentine Medici family, the model is believed to be Simonetta Cattaneo de Vespucci, a great beauty and favorite of the Medici court. Apart from being Botticelli’s muse, it is believed she was also his lover.

The Madonna of Macerata

Carlo Crivelli’s muse for the tempera and gold Madonna of Macerata is not known. On display at the Macerata Musei in Minzoni, Italy, it measures a mere 24- by 16-inches, and yet the power of sideways, pensive glance speaks volumes.

Commissioned by the Franciscans and Dominicans of Ascoli, his work was so realistic at the time as to be considered disturbing.

Ophelia

Portrayed as the drowning Ophelia in Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, the muse of John Everett Millais is Elizabeth Siddal (1829-1862), herself an influential artist, poet, renowned beauty. Among others she was muse of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, which included painters William Holm Hunt, Walter Deverell, and her husband, Dante Gabriel Rosetti.

Tragically, she suffered from tuberculosis and died from an overdose of laudanum, at the age of 33. “She suffered much from neuralgia, and the laudanum taken to relieve the pain had grown into a necessity,” wrote American philosopher and writer Elbert Hubbard. Though ruled accidental, it is believed “Lizzie,” as she was called—like Ophelia—took her own life.

Madame X

John Singer Sargent caused a scandal when his portrait of the young socialite, Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau, known as Madame X, was first exhibited at the 1884 Paris Salon. In countless ways, this painting over all Sargent’s others represents beauty in art in the eyes of the artist more poignantly than any he executed. As Sargent was one of the most sought-after and prolific artists of his day, (he painted 900 portraits in oil and 2,000 watercolors) he was commissioned to paint the portraits of some of the most illustrious men and women of the time, including U.S. presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, writer Robert Louis Stevenson, and a bevy of British aristocrats, such as Lady Agnew of Lochnaw. Madame X was the one exception. Sargent chose to paint Virginie, to satisfy his own artistic appetite for beauty. The life-size portrait, which measures 82 by 43.25-inches, consumed two years to complete.

“I have a great desire to paint her portrait and have reason to think she would allow it and is waiting for someone to propose this homage to her beauty . . . you

American artist John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) was the most successful Gilded Age portrait painter of his time. His most famous, Madame X, took two years to complete before it was first presented at the Paris Salon of 1884—where, amazingly, it received more ridicule than praise.

Originally Sargent painted the right strap of the figure’s gown slipping from her shoulder, horrified Victorians thought it too risqué. He repainted the strap more demurely on her shoulder and kept the work for himself for over 30 years. When he eventually agreed to sell it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, it was with the stipulation the name of the model, Madame Pierre Gautreau, would not be publicly revealed— hence, Madame X. Opposite: The Madonna of Macerata was painted by Carlo Crivelli (ca. 1430-1494), an Italian Renaissance painter of the conservative Late Gothic sensibility, who is less known today than his contemporaries, Giovanni Bellini and Andrea Mantegna but, to an art scholar, immediately identifiable by his signature style.

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Ophelia by John Everett Millais was inspired by Act IV, Scene vii of the Shakespearean tragedy, Hamlet, in which Ophelia falls into a stream after she is driven out of her mind when she learns her lover (Hamlet) has murdered her father. Completed in 1852, the painting hangs at London’s Tate Gallery.

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Girl with A Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer. Only measuring 17-1/2-inches high and 15-inches wide, Johannes Vermeer’s sublime, sensual 17th century portrait of a girl in an oriental turban with a large, pear-shaped earring inspired the 2003 motion picture of the same name, starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson, and the 1999 novel by American author Tracy Chevalier, among other cinematic and literary treatments.

Opposite: Pablo Picasso depicted one of his many works of one of his many lovers, Dora Maar, in gouache, ink, and colored chalk on paper in Seated Woman (Dora).

She was a milkmaid swathed in an exotic turban and remains one of the most iconic beauties in art to this day. Her identity remains unknown though some believe Johannes Vermeer’s muse was Mary Beghtol, the daughter of Dutch painter Pieter de Hooch. Others believe she was Maria Thinshull, the wife of a merchant, and others say she may have been Vermeer’s daughter. Using a technique similar to Da Vinci and other Northern Renaissance painters, this candid, introspective, emotionless portrait has become known as “The Mona Lisa of the North.”

Khoklholva, a Ukrainian-Russian Ballets Russes dancer whom he married and who bore him his son, Paulo. When she refused to model for him when his work emerged into the Cubist style (she felt it was unflattering to her), he started seeing 17-year-old MarieThérèse Walter who got pregnant by Picasso, then 45. The birth of their daughter, Maya, led to his separation from Olga. Picasso and Olga never divorced but after her death, in 1955, Picasso proposed to Marie—and she declined, perhaps because she could not tolerate his frequent philandering. She seemingly couldn’t live without him because four years after his death, she hung herself.

Dora Maar was a tall beauty who became Picasso’s ultimate muse.

Very much involved in Left-Wing politics, she herself was a talented painter, poet, and photographer who, it is believed, assisted Picasso in painting his masterwork, Guernica. After Picasso left her, she suffered a mental breakdown and was forced to undergo psychiatric treatment until her death in 1997, of natural causes. However, Françoise Gilot was Picasso’s most famous muse, and lover from 1944 until 1953, but Picasso’s habitual unfaithfulness ended that relationship, even though they had two children together, Claude and Paloma. Jacqueline Roque was working at Madoura Pottery in France, where Picasso created his ceramics, when they met. She was his lover, muse, loyal assistant, and, in a secret wedding ceremony in 1961, his wife. They remained together until his death.

Distraught, she slept outside in the snow, lying on his grave, the night he was buried. She committed suicide by shooting herself in 1986—proving that art—and being an artist’s muse—comes at a price.

Seated Woman (Dora)

The Portrait of Wally Neuzil

might tell her that I am a man of prodigious talent,” he wrote her family when he determined she would be his muse.

French poet and historical novelist Judith Gautier chronicled the reaction of those who attended the Salon at its opening. “Is it a woman? A chimera, the figure of a unicorn rearing as on a heraldic coat of arms or perhaps the work of some oriental decorative artist to whom the human form is forbidden and who, wishing to be reminded of woman, has drawn the delicious arabesque? No, it is none of these things, but rather the precise image of a modern woman scrupulously drawn by a painter who is a master of his art.”

Perhaps that defines a muse. Is she a unicorn? Forbidden fruit? An ornament? Then again, perhaps it is something much deeper . . . for a muse has an exceptional, spiritual power that can illuminate an artist’s soul—and arouse him to produce his greatest work.

Girl with a Pearl Earring

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was an art movement unto himself and one of the most recognized artists in history. He learned about women at an early age when his father took him to brothels as a means of giving him a solid sex education. In consequence, he was never without a woman, and each was his muse and lover. There were six, all-in-all, who were the most influential: green-eyed, auburnhaired, curvaceous Fernande Oliver, his first great love and muse, who enjoyed making love with him, smoking Opium with him, and being unfaithful to him. His second great muse was Olga Stepanova

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Wally Neuzil was born in 1894 into a lower-middle class family.

She was a paid model to numerous artists, including Gustav Klimt, but when she began modeling for Schiele, Egon fell under her spell, and they became lovers. “She’s not just a model,” observed Diethard Leopold, a major collector of fin de siècle paintings. “She motivated his self-reflection and was a catalyst for his work.” Whatever time they spent together was cut short. Wally died of scarlet fever in 1917, age 23, and Egon failed to reach his full promise as an important artist when he succumbed to the Spanish Flu the following year, age 28. ■

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Austrian Expressionist painter Egon Schiele’s 1912 Portrait of Wally Neuzil. “Art cannot be modern. Art is primordially eternal,” said the artist whose life, and enormous talent, was cut too short. Born in 1890, he died young, age 28, in 1918.

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Anna Hayman worked with Fenwick and Tilbrook to create the neo mint shade that envelops this room. The carefully balanced hue changes dramatically with the light.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF GREG PENN

Opposite: Green works particularly well for soft furnishings, according to our experts. Nothing is more elegant than a dark green velvet couch, especially set against this deep teal wall.

NELIA L / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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architecture&interiors

10 Years of Magnificent Design

“Green Is The New Grey,” from ELYSIAN Summer 2022 (The GREEN Issue).

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say we’ve had an open door to the world’s most breathtaking architecture and interiors would be putting it mildly. Outstanding interior design transforms spaces into functional and aesthetically pleasing environments, often blending creativity with practicality to create unique and inspiring homes or businesses. Interior design can transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary ones, creating a sense of comfort, beauty, and functionality. A well-designed space can have a positive impact on our well-being, creating a sense of calm, inspiration, and productivity. The following is a presentation of some of the most extraordinary and remarkable Architecture & Interiors to be featured in ELYSIAN over the past 10 years. ■

“Art Matters,” from ELYSIAN Autumn 2023 (The Art & Prose Issue).

Opposite: As part of her craft, Victoria Maria also recommends art pieces and original artworks to her clients to complement and elevate a room’s overall design. COURTESY VICTORIA-MARIA.COM

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Inspiration for the design of the Igniv restaurant in Saint Moritz is the concept of nest–its name in the local Raetho-Romanic language. The nest, and more precisely the feeling of conviviality it immediately evokes. From ELYSIAN Autumn 2022 (The Art Issue).

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Passeig de Gràcia is an iconic street in the heart of Barcelona, home to some of the world’s most vibrant examples of modernist architecture. The Mandarin Oriental hotel is housed in the former Banco Hispano-Americano, an elegant mid20th century building. The 2010 project entailed the renewal of the interiors, by creating a surprising space on different levels. A bright, hanging access ramp crosses a courtyard, leading to the hotel entrance. Separated by metal grids, it still allows a glimpse into the hall and lobby. 3D textured walls confer the space a sense of depth. Most of the furniture is custom designed for the hotel, produced by leading Italian and Spanish manufacturers.

From ELYSIAN Autumn 2022 (The Art Issue).

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“Fusing Architecture & Interior Design,” from ELYSIAN Autumn 2021.

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LUXXU Empire Chandelier - ($18,500) luxxu.com / covethouse.com; KOKET, the Camilia Cabinet - ($2,5301) valdoluxury.com / covethouse.com; BRABBU canyon screen ($15,527) brabbu.com / designsandinspirations.com / covethouse.com. From “Essentials” ELYSIAN Autumn 2024 (The Business & CEO Issue).

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This light-filled room by Shazalynn Cavin Winfrey overlooks a garden, making the use of green a natural fit to connect to the outdoors.

PHOTOGRAPH BY LESLEY UNRUH

“Green Is The New Grey,” from ELYSIAN Summer 2022 (The GREEN Issue).

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With

Translucence House

, “glass and natural light both diffuse and hold together the composition, defining scenes throughout the house that explore perceptions of inside/outside, private/public and light/dark as well as materiality.

Situated on a doublewide lot, the house sits atop a bluff and next to a community garden, making for a rare condition in the heart of San Francisco: a large, secluded site overlooking the city and the bay.”

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOE FLETCHER

From “Anne Fougeron: reDesigning Society,” ELYSIAN Autumn 2020.

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PHYSICAL CLUTTER CAN BE A WAY TO HIDE WHAT YOU DON’T WANT TO FACE—UNFULFILLED DREAMS, BROKEN PROMISES, OR PAINFUL EXPERIENCES FROM THE PAST. BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF WHEN YOU DE-CLUTTER. AS YOU HANDLE EACH ITEM, QUIETLY SAY A PRAYER, LET IT GO, THEN MOVE ON. TRUST THAT IF YOU NEED THE ITEM, IT WILL COME BACK TO YOU IN ANOTHER FORM AT THE PROPER TIME.” —ELEANOR BROWNN

AUTHOR OF THE OTHER SERENITY PRAYER: MEDITATIONS ON SELF-KINDNESS

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Kelly Hoppen, of Kelly Hoppen Interiors, feels that “art and interior design are inextricably linked. Each one can greatly enhance the other. When choosing artwork for a space, it’s important to consider the overall design scheme and how well the piece fits into it. A wellplaced piece of art can really bring a room to life and make it feel complete.”

COURTESY KELLYHOPPENINTERIORS.COM

From “Minimal Design, Major Impact,” ELYSIAN Summer 2024.

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For the St. Vincent Place Residence basement pool in Melbourne, Australia, B.E Architecture built a pool nearly 17 feet below an extension to the terrace. The pool is cohesively constructed of the same basalt cladding and granite tiles as the rest of the building, including the adjoining gym, onsen, steam room, and powder room, creating a cohesive style.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DEREK SWALWELL

“Aquatic Artistry,” from ELYSIAN Summer 2021.

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Talented and world-renowned interior designer, Breegan Jane, on the pool deck at one of her recently completed and massive design projects.

PHOTOGRAPH BY RYAN GARVIN

From “Inspiring Woman Interview-Breegan Jane,” ELYSIAN Summer 2022 (The Art Issue).

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food&dining

10 Years of First Class Reservatio

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MASSON / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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t ons

“The High Art Of Afternoon Tea,” from ELYSIAN Winter 2022 (Thought Leaders & Holiday Issue).

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we celebrate ELYSIAN’s 10th anniversary, we look back to the incredible restaurants we’ve had the honor of showcasing. Fine dining would generally involve an upscale, sophisticated atmosphere with elegant decor, soft lighting, and a quiet ambiance. However, within our pages, we’ve had a table at the world’s most exotic locations, sampled Michelin 5 Star menus, and partaken in mind-blowing experiences of consumption that push the barriers of sustenance and fascination. You might say ELYSIAN has had standing reservations to the cutting edge of culinary creativity and imaginative cuisine. We pay homage to the “rooms with a view” and decadent gastronomy, with a taste if you will, of our favorite settings, entrees and deserts. Bon Appétit! ■

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“The Healing Arts At Peaceful Mountain,” from ELYSIAN Autumn 2019.

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Earth art by Ulrike Arnold adorns the hotel dining room, where the cuisine is inspired by the American Southwest and made primarily from locally sourced ingredients, with dishes served on traditional hot stones. The dining room features an open kitchen and tables that look out through floor-to-ceiling windows over the ever-changing colors of the Utah desert.

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Pixie Tangerine on the rocks, anyone? Demonstrations from expert mixologists and chefs at the Farmhouse give spa goers the opportunity to learn something new. The venue maintains an active calendar of artisans in residence throughout the year, featuring the most acclaimed culinary talent from California and beyond. From “Spa Food Elevated To An Art,” from ELYSIAN Spring 2021 (Women And Wellness Issue).

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“Lunar Mushroom,” one of the desserts in Ultraviolet menu. Ultraviolet by French Chef Paul Pairet, is a single-table restaurant in Shanghai, China.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SCOTT WRIGHT OF LIMELIGHT STUDIO

From “The Psycho-Gustative Odyssey Of Chef Paul Pairet,” ELYSIAN Spring 2022 (The Art & Design Issue).

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”The Perfect Setting,” from ELYSIAN Winter 2021 (The Holiday Issue).

PHOTOGRAPH BY CLAES BECH-POULSEN

One does not create a masterpiece without an extreme level of thoughtfulness; an artistic trait apparent in Geranium’s belugasevruga caviar, water & pumpkin seeds, a dish that looks as though it would’ve taken days, even months to cook and construct.

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“Micro Fish No Chips” is an Ultraviolet take on classic English fish & chips. A caperberry is stuffed withisanchovy tartar, take coated beer batter,fish and& deeptill crispy.

“Micro Fish No Chips” an Ultraviolet on with classic English chips.fried A caperberry PHOTOGRAPH BY SCOTT WRIGHT OF LIMELIGHT STUDIO is stuffed with anchovy tartar, coated with beer batter, and deep- fried till crispy.

From “The Psycho-Gustative OdysseyPHOTOGRAPH Of Chef Paul Pairet,” ELYSIAN Spring 2022

BY SCOTT WRIGHT OF LIMELIGHT STUDIO (The Art & Design Issue).

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IMAGES COURTESY OF ‘21’ CLUB

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”NYC Nostalgia,” from ELYSIAN Winter 2019, by Suzanne Johnson, would unfortunately be the final article to be written on the iconic New York restaurant. From ELYSIAN Winter 2019.

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Manhattan’s legendary speakeasy, the 21 Club, has served world-famous artists, actors, athletes and almost every U.S. president since the bar and restaurant opened in 1930.

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The sights and sounds of Cheval Blanc are only harbingers of what is to come, however, as the senses of smell and taste are where Cheval Blanc truly excels. © GRAND HOTEL LES TROIS ROIS

From ”Cheval Blanc,” ELYSIAN Summer 2023 (The White Issue).

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The Budapest Café menu is a quirky assortment of pastries, signature sodas and hot cocoa—the brainchild of a close-knit partnership between owner Homdy Zhong and his kitchen team.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY BIASOL: DESIGN STUDIO / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES MORGAN

From “The Grand Budapest Café,” ELYSIAN Summer 2019.

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Located on the 35th floor, TĪNG is The Shard’s highest dining experience, designed with glass walls and an understated decor that allows magnificent views of London to pour in. Opposite: Incredible creations by executive chef Paolo Belloni make dining at TĪNG a gastronomic experience. From ”Dinner With A View,” ELYSIAN Fall 2022 (The Travel & Technology Issue).

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travel&adventure

written in the

stars

BY CORDELIA LEAR

An ancient Bristlecone pine tree in California against a background of swirling stars is captured using a long-exposure, star trail camera technique.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE VER SPRILL / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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The Fortune Teller, produced by Westwood, Fiel, Colemann in 1904, describes the temperament and fortunes of each zodiac sign and the birthstones for every month.

The universe holds many mysteries, including the nature of dark energy and dark matter, the existence of other life, and the possibility of additional dimensions. One can hardly gaze into the night sky without wondering how, why, and what’s beyond. From Autumn 2022 (The Travel & Technology Issue), one of our most unique Travel & Adventure articles takes a gander at the stars. Not only is it one of our most striking presentations, but it is also interesting and informative, while capturing a daring sense of adventure, in the spirit of ELYSIAN’s 10th Anniversary theme, “The Sky’s The Limit.”

stronomy. The study of the universe. A perpetual phenomenon. A spectacle of stars.

An endless enigma. Since the first dawn, mankind has looked up to the night sky and marveled at the cosmic creation conceived by an Almighty hand. Astronomers, astrologers, mystics, cosmologists, astrophysicists, opacarophiles, sailors and navigators down through the ages have looked to the heavens for guidance and understanding.

While early civilizations had a galactic vocabulary, many of the names we use to identify the constellations today were contrived by the Roman Empire. For example, the constellation Scorpius comes from the Latin word for scorpion, and yet Ancient Egyptians, seeing the same stellar form of that predatory arachnid, called the constellation Ip, after the scorpion king. Then there’s Orion, the hunter-hero figure of Ancient Babylon: that constellation takes its name from the Greek.

Indeed, celestial charts have been mapped since the Phoenicians, the first Western civilization to observe the sun and stars to determine direction. But it was not until 1930, when the International Astronomical Union was formed, that scientific order was established by redrawing maps and defining boundaries among 88 constellations. Of all the constellations, only 12 represent the signs of the zodiac. This is no random thing: the sun, moon, and planets appear to wander along a narrow path that runs directly between these groupings and hence, these zodiacal constellations are referred to as “wandering stars.”

Modern astrology begins with Nicolaus Copernicus. Born in 1473 in the region then known

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The Boreal and Austral hemispheres are identified with the zodiac signs of the constellations by Dutch cartographer and artist Frederick De Wit (1629-1706), in 1680.

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as Prussia, he was a Renaissance polymath, polyglot, lawyer, physician, classics scholar, translator, governor, economist, mathematician, astronomer—yes, all that and perhaps out of necessity, a politician— he formulated a model of the universe that first placed the sun, not the earth, in its center. However, it was Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer Galileo Galilei of Pisa (1564-1642) who is called the “father of modern astronomy.” At the cost of heresy decried by Pope Urban VIII and the Jesuit Order, Galileo supported Copernicus’s theory of heliocentrism, which correctly maintains that the Earth rotates daily as it revolves around the sun—hence dawn, dusk, day, night, and the passing of the months and seasons. He disproved the immutability of the heavens, invented the first 30X magnification terrestrial telescope, or spyglass, that made visible the night sky for observation, then manufactured and sold them to seamen as a highly profitable sideline to his experiments and studies. Through his spyglass in 1609 he was the first to see the moon’s lunar mountains and craters and devised topographical charts that accurately estimated their height and size. The following year, he discovered three of Jupiter’s four largest moons, naming them the Medicean stars in honor of his patron, the infamous Cosimo II de’ Medici and his three brothers; but Galileo’s discovery of these satellites and pronouncement that

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their orbits were contrary to Aristotle’s cosmology that all heavenly bodies circle the Earth, caused a revolution among the astronomers of the day. His observations of the Phases of Venus, Saturn’s rings, and Neptune, and his studies of sunspots located many stars too distant to be visible to the naked eye including the double star Mizar in Ursa Major, and resulted in his pronouncement that the Milky Way, long believed to be a vast formation of nebulous clouds, was a multitude of densely packed stars.

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hat there were women astronomers can be of no doubt, however as too often happens, their names and discoveries were undocumented. Until, that is, such female luminaries as Sophie Brahe (1556-1643), a trained horticulturist and chemist who was dissuaded from making astronomical observations as women were deemed unable to achieve the level of understanding necessary to work in the field—but she did. Her work led to the discovery of the supernova (SN 1572), and with her animus invictus (“determined mind”) she refuted the geocentric model of the universe previously held and conducted measurements alongside her brother, astronomer Tycho Brahe, through telescopes and other astronomical

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Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza under a star-studded night sky. Royal tombs for three different pharaohs, researchers believe the Pyramid of Menkaure, the Pyramid of Kafre, and the Great Pyramid of Giza, along with the Great Sphinx, were engineered in celestial alignment to chart the heavens and earth.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STOCKBYM / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

devices, of the planets’ orbits. Annie Jump Cannon (1863-1941), who catalogued stellar spectra; and in our own day, the much-maligned C. Marcella Carollo, whose findings of 25 years on galaxy formation and evolution, and extragalactic astronomy, were all but dismissed a mere three years ago when her reputation was heedlessly corrupted when caught up in an insupportable politico-academic controversy.

Navigating the night sky with the North Star as their guide have led peoples from every corner of the earth to course and explore lands and seas, near and far, to find their way.

Knowledge of the heavens was the GPS of ancient days, and it is a pity that modern technology has made ancient technology obsolete because if Wi-Fi was down, if telescopes failed, if we were meant to look up at the stars to find our way, how many of us would see the constellations for the stellar map that guided mankind far, far beyond the span of our present time?

Now, do not confuse the technology of astronomy with the pseudoscience of astrology. Apart from the 12 zodiac signs identified among the 88 constellations, there is nothing in common—and indeed, nothing scientific or factual about astrology. But down through the ages, people have believed in it. They are determined that their fate lies in the stars, their future is predetermined, and

their movements, thoughts, emotions, indeed their every step along the road of life is taken in sync with the movements and positions of celestial objects. To support or defy this would mean going back to the second millennium BC, when astrology is known to have been established as the interpretation of divine communication through the shifting celestial cycles. What makes astrology a human phenomenon is the fact that it was developed all over, and in isolated parts of, the world—by the Hindus, the Chinese and the Ancient Mayans of South America, in Mesopotamia, where its roots took hold in the 19th century BC, spreading to Ancient Greece and Rome, throughout the Arab world and lastly, throughout Europe.

Astrology is more closely aligned with alchemy and widely referred to as occultism, as pronounced in the works of Dante, Geoffrey Chaucer, and the great bard himself, William Shakespeare, in King Lear, Antony and Cleopatra, and Richard II—indeed, in nearly every play he wrote. Will’s contemporary, Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe, makes reference to astrology in Doctor Faustus. Geoffrey Chaucer refers to it in The Canterbury Tales. It bears no scientific validity, no power, no real benefit except that somehow, some way, some people believe that astrologists not only can guide their lives effectively, but prepare them for things that may happen, before they

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Starry, starry night . . . the Greek village of Oia on the island of Santorini, known as Thira, is the largest island of a small archipelago, 120 miles southeast from the mainland in the Aegean Sea. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ICEMANPHOTOS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

happen—and, indeed, if they happen. Astrology is an answer derived from no question. Incredibly, at a time when people are desperately looking for answers, more and more people have looked to astrology for guidance and insurance. Indeed, even as early as Cicero, skeptics objected to astrology and over time, more and more people doubted it altogether—until 1960, when a renewed interest fueled by magazine and newspaper, astrologists began running daily columns that curious and many weak-minded people began to believe in—even to the extent of supplanting their God. According to sociologist Theodor W. Adorno in 1953, “astrology is a large-scale manifestation of systematic irrationalism, where individuals are subtly led—through flattery and vague generalizations—to believe that the author of the column is addressing them directly,” going so far to say that “occultism is the metaphysic of the dopes.” One true believer who kept his own private team of astrologers close by at all times was Adolf Hitler.

Far better to embrace Galileo and learn that it was he, more than six centuries ago, whose findings first mapped the mountains and craters that led the way for Apollo 11. Appreciate the man’s

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sacrifice, and how he was ultimately forced to forsake his studies when the Catholic Church, threatened by his findings, imprisoned him in Rome for the final years of his life during the Catholic Inquisition, and how for centuries, his 16 books were banned by the Vatican. When Galileo died, completely blind, at the age of 78, his last words were, “And yet it still moves,” reveling in the solar system he no longer could see. So formidable was his contribution to mankind that in his honor, NASA’s Jupiter exploration craft and European satellite navigation systems are called Galileo. ■

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herefore, open your own horizon to the night sky by visiting an observatory. Among the most popular are:

GORNERGRAT OBSERVATORY, SWITZERLAND, high in the Alps at an altitude of almost two-miles above sea level, Gornergrat Observatory’s breathtaking views of the Matterhorn

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and popular Dining With the Stars and Moonlight Fascination packages are, quite literally, a highpoint for holiday skiers. Only accessible by foot or special train from Zermatt, TV viewers may recognize this as a location for the BBC series, The Night Manager. gornergrat-kulm.ch SIDING SPRING OBSERVATORY outside the town of Coonabarabran and about a five-hour drive northwest of Sydney, Australia’s famous Anglo Australian Telescope, with its 3.9-metre mirror, is the largest in the country. The Visitors Viewing Gallery and Exploratory offer hands-on activities and reality presentations. sidingspringobservatory.com.au ST-MICHEL-l’OBSERVATOIRE is located northwest of Saint-Tropez.

Built in 1937, the observatory hosts its popular program, “The Summer of Astronomy,” which runs from July to mid-September.

Local accommodations and Kir Provencal, a local cocktail made with an almond and vanilla liqueur, make this a sought-out destination for amateur astronomers. saintmichellobservatoire.com

MAUNA KEA OBSERVATORY, located atop Hawaii’s highest point, at 4205-meters above sea-level on the crown of the dormant volcano Mauna Kea, is the joint project of 11 countries. To get to the observatory, you will need a four-wheel vehicle and you can only go during the daytime, not past sunset. If you go, be sure you have not gone scuba diving beforehand, or go after. ifa.hawaii.edu or maunakeaobservatories.org ROYAL OBSERVATORY, EDINBURGH is in the Blackford Hill section of the city. Take part in a “Public Astronomy Evening” (held Fridays from October through April and monthly in the summer) for a tour of the Victorian telescope dome and lecture. roe.ac.uk/vc LOWELL OBSERVATORY, built in 1894 in Flagstaff, Arizona, is where a number of major astronomical breakthroughs were made, such as the discovery of Pluto and the rings of Saturn. Multiple programs are offered. lowell.edu.

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For the ultimate and authentic stargazing experience, go among the stars in a nighttime hot air balloon excursion, where the Milky Way seems to be within arms-reach.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY THONGSUK7824 / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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ver the past seven years, ELYSIAN has showcased biographies of many of the most iconic women in Hollywood, entertainment, and fashion.

The following is a lovely sampling of our favorites. ■

Our Most Iconic Women MOVIESTORE COLLECTION LTD / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

“A Beautiful Mind—Hedy Lamar,” from ELYSIAN Autumn 2022 (The Travel & Technology Issue).

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Bette Davis in a studio still from Fashions of 1934, starring William Powell, Bette Davis, Frank McHugh, Hugh Herbert, Verree Teasdale, and Reginald Owen.

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“All About Bette—Bette Davis,” from ELYSIAN Winter 2023 (The Fashion & Holiday Issue).

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SHE PUT A SUIT ON ME, TOLD ME WHICH MAKEUP TO USE—BUT VERY LITTLE. ‘BETTY, I DON’T WANT TO CHANGE YOUR LOOK.’ WHEN ALL WAS DONE, SHE PUT A SCARF AROUND MY NECK—KNEW JUST HOW TO TIE IT, A LITTLE OFF-CENTER— AND I WAS READY FOR MY FIRST SITTING WITH HARPER’S BAZAAR.”

“An Independent Woman—Lauren Bacall,” from ELYSIAN Winter 2018.

130 “The Unlikely Life Of Audrey Hepburn,” from ELYSIAN Spring 2019.

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Audrey Hepburn as photographed by Dennis Stock while filming Sabrina, in 1954.

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“Poetic Grace With Quiet Realism—Ingrid Bergman,” from ELYSIAN W

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Winter 2021 (The Holiday Issue).

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Jane Birkin, English model and actress.

PHOTOGRAPH BY TRINITY MIRROR / MIRRORPIX / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

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“La Noyee—Jane Birkin,” from ELYSIAN Spring 2025 (The Pet & Philanthropy Issue).

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“Beautiful Beyond The Dreams Of Pornography—Elizabeth Taylor,” from ELYSIAN Autumn 2021 (The Leadership Issue).

PHOTOGRAPH BY DOUGLAS KIRKLAND / CORBIS VIA GETTY IMAGES

“La Bella Vita—Sophia Loren,” from ELYSIAN Spring 2021 (The Women & Wellness Issue).

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“The Love Goddess—Rita Hayworth,” from ELYSIAN Summer 2022 (The Green Issue).

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Studio portrait of Rita Hayworth taken by legendary Hollywood photographer George Hurrell for Columbia Pictures in 1941.

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Suzanne Somers on-set of the film, Nothing Personal, by American International Pictures, 1980.

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“The Blonde Who Pioneered The Path To Biodentical Hormones—Suzanne Sommers,” from ELYSIAN Summer 2024 (The Wellness Issue).

FRENCHMAN PHILIPPE CHARRIOL, FOUNDER OF THE LUXURY WATCH AND JEWELRY BRAND THAT BEARS HIS NAME

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145 “How Princess Grace Of Monaco Ruled The World—Grace Kelly,” from ELYSIAN Summer 2019.

Portrait of Grace Kelly taken by Howell Conant circa. 1950s.

COURTESY HERITAGE AUCTIONS/HA.COM

The Elysian 10 Year Anniversary Art Gallery

Art

masterpieces are works of art that transcend time, garnering universal appreciation and enduring recognition for their exceptional skill, artistic merit, and cultural significance. They often embody a unique blend of creativity, technical prowess, and emotional impact, leaving a lasting impression on viewers and influencing subsequent artistic movements. We present a gallery of the most magnificent works of art to have graced our pages. ■

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147 Green Stockings by 20th century Expressionist artist Egon Schiele depicts a half-naked reclining nude whose raw sexuality branded his work.

COLLECTION POD / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

From “La Verde Vita,” ELYSIAN Summer 2021 (The GREEN Issue).

In“Ballet Rehearsal,” 1873, Degas contrasts the linear architecture of the grand windows in the back with the dancers in the room who are organic, dancing, stretching, and moving. From “The Rehearsal,” ELYSIAN Summer 2021.

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Mimi as a Brunette—drypoint by Mary Cassatt, 1889.

ARTOKOLORO / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

From “The Original Feminist,” ELYSIAN Autumn 2023 (The Art & Prose Issue).

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1 Woman with a Parasol-Madame Monet and Her Son by French Impressionist Claude Monet; oil on canvas, 1875. From the National Gallery, Washington DC. PHOTOGRAPH BY GRAPHICAARTIS/GETTY IMAGES

From “Claude Monet,” ELYSIAN Summer 2024 (The Wellness Issue).

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15 Marie-Antoinette Last queen consort of France prior to the French Revolution. She married Louis the 16th, heir apparent to the French throne, in May 1770 at age 14.

PAINTED BY ÉLISABETH VIGÉE LE BRUN, 1783

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55 From “Portrait Of A Lady,” ELYSIAN Autumn 2024 (The Leadership Issue).

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Elizabeth 1st

Queen of England and Ireland PAINTED BY MARCUS GHEERAERTS THE YOUNGER, CIRCA 1595

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Brown and White Norfolk or Water Spaniel by George Stubbs, painted in 1778. All spaniels were originally regional breeds that, until the formation of the AKC and UKC and the establishment of breed standards, continued to evolve as breeders strove to achieve a dog that excelled in the job they were bred to do. These “lines” developed as breeds were intercrossed to bring out the best and strongest attributes of both. As a result of this progression, certain breeds depicted in art are now considered extinct, though in point of fact, they are forebears of a modern breed. Such is the case with the Norfolk, or Shropshire, Spaniel. Deemed extinct since 1903, the breed was a cross of the Sussex Spaniel and a line of curly coated water spaniels.

PHOTOGRAPH BY HERITAGE ART/HERITAGE IMAGES VIA GETTY IMAGES

From “The Dog In Art,” ELYSIAN Winter 2021 (The Pet & Holiday Issue).

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Opposite: The artist brushstrokes of Young Woman with a Red Necklace, ca.1645, in the Dutch style of Rembrandt, can be seen in the original oil on wood painting. • That classic work is modernized on the image here

by Artotop into an NFT. This technique is explained as emotions through freedom of artworks in a contemporary way—a timeless message pursuing a wildly creative new direction.

GIBON ART / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

From “NFTs & The Transformation Of Art,” ELYSIAN Autumn 2022 (The Travel & Technology Issue).

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160 From “The Artistic Splendor Of Austria,” ELYSIAN Autumn 2023 (The Art & Prose) Issue).

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Entitled: Supermodel III by Isabelle Van Zeijl, featuring herself, as model and artist.

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163 “The Passion Of Isabelle Van Zeijl” from ELYSIAN Spring 2022 (The ART Issue).

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Entitled: Her and Opposite I Love Her by Isabelle Van Zeijl, featuring herself, as model and artist. “The Passion Of Isabelle Van Zeijl” from ELYSIAN Spring 2022 (The ART Issue).

COURTESY OF THE ARTIST & RACHEL UFFNER GALLERY

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Wedding Flowers by Jocelyn Lee. “Authentic States: The Art of Jocelyn Lee,” from ELYSIAN Spring 2021 (The Wellness Issue).

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The Bath and opposite: Raising the Cherry Tree by Jocelyn Lee. “Authentic States: The Art of Jocelyn Lee,” from ELYSIAN Spring 2021 (The Wellness Issue).

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From Above, acrylic and genuine gold leaf by AmyHutto. From “NAWA: The Original Art Influencers,” ELYSIAN Autumn 2021 (The Art Issue).

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172 Untitled from 2018. Opposite: This Untitled piece from 2015, with its elements of squiggly lines, oil and acrylic washes, and topographic map, is indicative of Greenbaum’s signature.

COURTESY OF THE ARTIST & RACHEL UFFNER GALLERY

From “Joanne Greenbaum: The Integrity Of The Intimate,” ELYSIAN Spring 2021.

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Installation view of Waking Dream, featuring Robyn O’Neil, Staring into the blankness, they fell in order to begin, 2008. © ROBYN O’NEIL, COURTESY TALLEY DUNN GALLERY, DALLAS

Cornelia Parker, Heart of Darkness, 2004.

© CORNELIA PARKER, COURTESY FRITH STREET GALLERY, LONDON

Kim Jones, Untitled, 1974 – 2013. © KIM JONES, COURTESY ZENO X GALLERY, ANTWERP, BELGIUM

Per Kirkeby, Rückblick I, 1986. © Estate of Per Kirkeby, courtesy Michael Werner Gallery, New York. © ESTATE OF PER KIRKEBY, COURTESY MICHAEL WERNER GALLERY, NEW YORK.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK MENJIVAR, COURTESY OF RUBY CITY, LINDA PACE FOUNDATION

From “Ruby City: The Jewel Of Her Dreams,” ELYSIAN Spring 2020.

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Portrait in Forest, 2016.

From “Amanda Boulus - Narratives: Under (re)Construction,” ELYSIAN Winter 2018.

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Hilma af Klint, Tree of Knowledge, No. 5 (Kunskapens träd, nr 5), 1915 from The W Series (Serie W).

Watercolor, gouache, graphite and metallic paint on paper 18 1/16 x 11 5/8 inches (45.8 x 29.5 cm).

THE HILMA AF KLINT FOUNDATION, STOCKHOLM. PHOTO: ALBIN DAHLSTRÖM, THE MODERNA MUSEET, STOCKHOLM / COURTESY: THE SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM AND FOUNDATION

From “Investing In Female Artists,” ELYSIAN Summer 2019.

Yellowave, 2019, ink, acrylic, nail decals on Hanji, 36” x 41.5”.

Currently on display at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, AR. From The “Inspiring Woman” inetrview: Jiha Moon ELYSIAN Summer 2020 (The Art & Culture Issue).

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From “La Verde Vita,” ELYSIAN Summer 2022 (The GREEN Issue).

PICTORIAL PRESS LTD / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Hope, by one of the most prominent members of the Vienna Secession movement, Gustav Klimt, was painted by the Austrian symbolist painter in 1903. NOTE: This vertical painting has been rotated horizontally for scale to fit this magazine.

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From “The Two Fridas,” ELYSIAN Spring 2023 (The Fashion & Pet Issue).

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The Allegory of Spring by Giuseppe Arcimboldo.

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From “La Verde Vita,” ELYSIAN Summer 2022 (The GREEN Issue).

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Art conservationist Rossella Lari restoring The Last Supper by Plautilla Nelli.

PHOTOGRAPH BY FRANCESCO CACCHIANI

From “Restoring The Heart Of Female Painters: Advancing Women Artists Gives Forgotten Women Painters Their Identities Back,” from ELYSIAN Summer 2020 (The Art & Culture Issue).

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The Fall Of Man, by Dutch painter, Hendrick Goltzius, 1616. Goltzius presents the seduction based on mutual romantic attraction. Eve, with her back to the viewer, has already taken the first bite of the apple. She turns with a knowing gaze. The cat, representing the unjust judge, solemnly reminds viewers not to enjoy what they should condemn, lest they too cause more harm than good.

EVERETT COLLECTION INC / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

From “The Cat In Art,” ELYSIAN Spring 2023 (The Fashion & Pet Issue).

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As part of her craft, Victoria Maria also recommends art pieces and original artworks to her clients to complement and elevate a room’s overall design.

COURTESY VICTORIA-MARIA.COM

From “In The Footsteps Of Marie Antoinette,” ELYSIAN Summer 2020 (The Art & Culture Issue).

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nside the pages of ELYSIAN, we have transported the reader around the globe. We have walked the colorful streets of Thailand, climbed the scenic Swiss Alps, caravanned through the desert sands of the East, and sailed along the coast of Greece. However, of all the miles and wandering, if we had but one destination, it would be India. It is a land of mesmerizing contrasts, vibrant culture, scenic beauty, and ancient traditions.

There is simply nowhere on Earth like India. For centuries it has captured the imagination and intrigue of writer and traveler alike. With this in mind, we return you to India, “Land of Enchantment,” from ELYSIAN Summer 2024 (The Wellness Issue).

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PHOTOGRAPH BY KK-FOTO / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Land of Enchantment

by Kate McMullen

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Two women dressed in the traditional Indian Saree are walking through the narrow streets of the blue city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. A saree (sometimes also sari or shari) is a women’s garment from India that consists of an unstitched stretch of woven fabric arranged over the body as a robe, with one end attached to the waist, while the other end rests over one shoulder as a stole (shawl), sometimes baring a part of the midriff.

PHOTOGRAPH BY TRAVELWILD / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM OPPOSITE: PHOTOGRAPH BY SEREE TANSRISAWAT / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

estled within the vibrant tapestry of India is a rich and multifaceted landscape of art and history, each thread intricately woven into the fabric of India’s cultural identity. From the majestic temples adorned with intricate carvings to the vibrant hues of Bollywood films that captivate audiences worldwide, Indian culture and art transcends time, offering a glimpse into the soul of a nation steeped in tradition and innovation. Tales of dynasties over centuries have left an indelible mark on the subcontinent, shaping its diverse heritage and its collective consciousness. Amidst this weave of artistic expression and historical legacy, India’s wellness practices, rooted in ancient wisdom and holistic philosophies, offer a pathway to harmony and balance for the mind, body, and spirit. Embark on a journey through the corridors of time to explore the interplay between art, history, and wellness in India, unraveling the intricate threads that bind them together and discovering the timeless treasures they hold.

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rt in India has been a reflection of its rich cultural heritage, evolving through the ages alongside seismic societal shifts. From the ancient civilizations of the Indus Valley to the vibrant contemporary art scene, Indian artists have played integral roles in shaping and contributing to the country’s artistic legacy.

The Vedic period (1500-500 BCE) marked the emergence of religious and philosophical ideologies that profoundly influenced Indian art. Vedic hymns, rituals, and the worship of gods and goddesses found expression in early artistic endeavors. The sacred texts, such as the Vedas and Upanishads, inspired symbolic representations in the form of sculptures, paintings, and temple architecture. The development of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions further enriched the artistic landscape of ancient India.

In ancient India, women were celebrated as embodiments of beauty, grace, and divinity. Artifacts from the Indus Valley Civilization reveal the presence of feminine figures in various forms of artistic expression, suggesting the reverence for femininity prevalent in early Indian society. The worship of goddesses such as Shakti, Saraswati, and Lakshmi underscored the importance of feminine energy and empowerment in religious and artistic contexts. Medieval India saw a fusion of indigenous artistic traditions with Islamic influences following the arrival of Muslim rulers. The Delhi Sultanate and Mughal

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PHOTOGRAPH BY DMITRY RUKHLENKO / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Aerial view of Jodhpur (aka “Blue City” due to the vivid blue-painted Brahmin houses) around Mehrangarh Fort in the evening twilight.

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The legendary Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna River in the Indian city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

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The Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Tamil Nadu, South India, is of typical Dravidian architectural style, with the gopuram overpowering the street on which the temple sits.

This temple is also a testimonial for the Vishwakarma sthapathis. There are two entrances to the temple marked by the gopuram (monumental entrance tower) on either side.

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A rickshaw wallah waiting for a passenger on the street of Puri, Odisha, India. The widespread use of rickshaws in India is largely due to their affordability and convenience. PHOTOGRAPH BY IMAGESOFINDIA / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Opposite: The Green Gate, one of the four gates at Pitam Niwas Chowk of City Palace, Jaipur. The four gates in this courtyard represent four seasons. This gate (Green Gate) represents Spring. PHOTOGRAPH BY SWAPNEEL SAHA / UNSPLASH.COM

Empire introduced Persian and Central Asian artistic styles, producing an era of Indo-Islamic art. Notable examples of majestic Mughal architecture are epitomized by structures like the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. Miniature paintings flourished during this period, illustrating courtly life, historical events, and religious themes with exquisite detail and vibrant colors.

During the classical period, women in India continued to inspire and influence art through their patronage and creative contributions. The Gupta Empire, often hailed as the Golden Age of Indian art, witnessed the emergence of female protagonists in literature, poetry, and performing arts. Women like Amrapali, a sixth century courtesan and patron of the arts, symbolized the intersection of beauty, talent, and intellect, inspiring artists and poets alike. According to legend, Amrapali was born as a princess but was abandoned at birth and raised by a gardener. As she grew older, her exceptional beauty and charm captured the attention of King Bimbisara of Magadha on a visit to Vaishali. Bimbisara sought to marry Amrapali, but she declined, choosing to maintain her independence and pursue her own path. Amrapali was deeply moved by Buddha’s teachings and became a disciple, ultimately renouncing her courtesan life to embrace a spiritual path.

Medieval India saw a complex interplay of patriarchal norms and artistic expression. While women from royal and noble families enjoyed patronage and opportunities for artistic pursuits, the majority faced societal restrictions that limited their involvement in public spheres. However, female artisans and performers contributed to various art forms, including folk music, dance, and crafts, enriching the cultural tapestry of the subcontinent.

Colonial rule in India, particularly under the British Raj, had a significant impact on the trajectory of Indian culture. The colonial presence of the British Empire brought Western art forms and techniques to India for the first time, leading to the establishment of art schools and academies. Indian artists, exposed to European art movements such as Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, began to experiment with new styles and themes while retaining elements of indigenous traditions.

The colonial era brought new challenges and opportunities for women in the realm of art. Western influences permeated Indian society, impacting artistic conventions and gender dynamics. Despite the imposition of Victorian ideals of womanhood, Indian women artists began to assert their presence in the art world. Figures like Amrita Sher-Gil, often hailed as India’s Frida Kahlo, defied societal norms and stereotypes, pioneering a new wave of modernist art that challenged traditional boundaries.

In 1947, amidst mounting pressure and growing unrest, the British government announced its decision to grant independence to India, leading to the partition of the subcontinent into the independent nations of India and Pakistan. On August 15, 1947, India finally gained its long-awaited freedom, marking the end of nearly two centuries of British colonial rule and the dawn of a new era in Indian history. The post-independence period witnessed a renaissance in Indian art as artists grappled with questions of identity, nationhood, and modernity. The Progressive Artists’ Group, formed in the 1940’s, spearheaded a movement towards

Ladakh, in Indian Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh, India, is the highest state in India. Until relatively recently it was closed off every winter due to snowfall blocking off the mountain passes. It is a place of Buddhist monasteries, phenomenal desertscapes, mountain views, as well as having an extraordinary wildlife including the endangered snow leopards and Himalayan bears.

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The Indian elephant is one of three extant recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, native to mainland Asia. For centuries, India has regarded this majestic royal beast, the elephant, as its cultural symbol. The highly revered Hindu God, Lord Ganesha, is said to be a remover of obstacles and a provider of fortune and good luck.

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Nestled amidst the misty Western Ghats of Kerala, India, the tea plantations and landscapes in Munnar are adorned with emerald green hills, enchanting vistas, and vibrant meadows.

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Indian cuisine consists of a variety of regional and traditional cuisines native to the Indian subcontinent.

Given the diversity in soil, climate, culture, ethnic groups, and occupations, these dishes vary substantially and use locally available spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits.

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abstraction and experimentation, challenging conventional norms and embracing diversity. Figures like M.F. Husain, Tyeb Mehta, and F.N. Souza gained international recognition for their bold and innovative works.

With the release of India’s first silent feature film, Raja Harishchandra, directed by Dadasaheb Phalke in 1913, India launched itself into the growing world cinema industry. In 1931, the first sound film, Alam Ara, became a roaring success, and through the 1940’s and 1950’s, the film industry now known as Bollywood began.

Bollywood films are known for their extravagant song-and-dance sequences, melodramatic plots, and larger-than-life storytelling. They often explore a wide range of themes, including romance, family dynamics, social issues, and historical events, catering to diverse audiences both within India and abroad.

The name likely was coined in the 1970’s, a mash up of “Bombay” (now Mumbai) where most of these films were produced, and “Hollywood.” The exuberant costumes, intricate set designs, and picturesque locations further elevate the visual spectacle, transporting audiences to a world of fantasy and escapism.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Bollywood reflects the aspirations, values, and ethos of Indian society.

Films often grapple with pressing social issues, historical events, and cultural dilemmas, offering audiences a mirror to reflect upon their own lives and experiences. Whether addressing themes of love and family, identity and belonging, or justice and equality, Bollywood has the power to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and inspire change. Through its storytelling prowess and universal themes, Bollywood fosters connections and fosters understanding among diverse cultures and communities.

Like the evolution of art and film, the evolution of India’s health and wellness practices and their integration into Western societies is a journey that spans centuries, characterized by cultural exchange, globalization, and a growing appreciation for holistic well-being.

Ancient India was a cradle of holistic healing systems, with Ayurveda emerging as one of the world’s oldest systems of medicine. Rooted in ancient texts such as the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, Ayurveda emphasizes the balance of mind, body, and spirit through diet, herbal remedies, yoga, and meditation. These practices were deeply ingrained in Indian society, shaping health care and lifestyle choices for millennia.

During the colonial period, India’s traditional healing systems encountered Western medicine through British colonial influence. While Western medicine gained prominence in urban centers and among the elite, Ayurveda and other indigenous practices persisted in rural communities and among traditional healers.

Colonial encounters also led to the exchange of knowledge and practices between Indian and Western medical practitioners, contributing to a cross-pollination of ideas and techniques.

The 20th century witnessed a renewed interest in Indian health and wellness practices in the West, fueled by globalization, cultural exchange, and a growing dissatisfaction with conventional Western medicine. Yoga, which has its roots in ancient Indian philosophy and spirituality, gained popularity in Western countries as a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being. Pioneers like Swami Vivekananda and Paramahansa Yogananda introduced yoga to the West in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, laying the foundation for its widespread adoption in subsequent decades.

Young indian women in national costumes dance at the open festival of traditional Rajasthan culture in Udaipur, India.

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The chital or cheetal, also known as the spotted deer, is a deer species native to the Indian subcontinent.

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The counterculture movements of the 1960’s and 1970’s further propelled the popularity of Indian wellness practices in the West. Influential figures like Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation, and Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, later known as Osho, introduced Eastern spirituality and meditation techniques to Western audiences, attracting followers seeking alternative paths to health and enlightenment.

In recent decades, India’s traditional healing systems have experienced a resurgence in the West, driven by growing interest in holistic health, alternative medicine, and mindfulness practices. Ayurveda, in particular, has gained recognition for its emphasis on personalized health care, natural remedies, and preventive medicine. Ayurvedic herbs, supplements, and beauty products have found their way into Western markets, catering to consumers seeking natural and sustainable alternatives to conventional medicine and beauty products.

Modern yoga has evolved significantly from its ancient origins, adapting to contemporary lifestyles and global trends while retaining elements of its traditional roots. While traditional yoga was primarily a spiritual and philosophical practice aimed at attaining self-realization and enlightenment, modern yoga encompasses a broader spectrum of goals, including physical fitness, stress relief, and overall well-being.

In its original form, yoga encompassed a comprehensive system of philosophy, meditation, and physical postures (asanas) designed to harmonize the mind, body, and spirit. Practices such as pranayama (breath control) and meditation were central to achieving spiritual growth and enlightenment. While some purists may lament the shift towards a more fitness-oriented approach, modern yoga has democratized the practice, making it accessible to a broader audience around the world.

Whether practiced for physical health, stress relief, or spiritual growth, modern yoga continues to evolve and adapt, reflecting the changing needs and aspirations of contemporary society while honoring its ancient roots.

These connections to Indian culture have spurred an interest in tourism to the nation, especially for those interested in connecting to the original spiritual source of practices like yoga. Indian temples are not just architectural marvels; they are sacred spaces that embody the beauty, spirituality, and holistic principles of Indian culture. Each temple is a testament to the profound relationship between architecture, beliefs, and the pursuit of health and wellness.

From the intricately carved facades to the towering spires, Indian temples captivate with their exquisite craftsmanship and attention to

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The Pushkar Fair, also called the Pushkar Camel Fair or locally as Kartik Mela or Pushkar ka Mela, is an annual multi-day livestock fair and cultural fête held in the town of Pushkar near Ajmer city in Ajmer district in (Rajasthan, India).

PHOTOGRAPH BY IMAGESOFINDIA / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

detail. Every aspect of temple design, from the layout to the ornamentation, is meticulously planned to create an atmosphere conducive to prayer, meditation, and inner reflection. Indian temples serve as focal points for religious rituals, festivals, and community gatherings, fostering a sense of unity and collective devotion. The sacred rituals performed within temple precincts are believed to purify the mind, body, and soul, promoting holistic well-being and spiritual growth. Devotees seek blessings from deities and participate in acts of devotion such as chanting, offerings, and circumambulation, finding solace and rejuvenation in the sanctity of the temple space.

In addition to their spiritual significance, Indian temples are intricately linked to health and wellness practices. Many temples are situated in idyllic natural settings, surrounded by lush greenery, serene rivers, or majestic mountains. These tranquil environments provide a conducive backdrop for meditation, yoga, and contemplation, offering respite from the stresses of modern life and promoting mental and emotional well-being.

Temples often house traditional healing centers and ayurvedic dispensaries, where ancient remedies and therapeutic treatments are offered to pilgrims and visitors. Ayurveda, India’s ancient system of medicine, emphasizes the importance of harmony between mind, body, and spirit, with treatments tailored to individual constitutions and health conditions. Temples serve as hubs for holistic healing, where ancient wisdom and modern practices converge to promote physical, mental, and spiritual wellness.

While there is overlap between religious beliefs and health practices in India, they serve distinct purposes and operate within different frameworks. Religious beliefs provide spiritual guidance, moral values, and a sense of purpose, while health practices focus on physical well-being, disease prevention, and holistic healing. However, for many individuals in India, religious and health practices are deeply interconnected, with rituals, prayers, and spiritual practices serving as integral components of their overall approach to health and wellness.

Visiting these temples, and remembering that the practice of faith takes place in them, helps Western tourists connect to the origins of many health and wellness trends we see today. We have the romance and deep connection of India to thank for so many of them. ■

The City Palace, Jaipur is a royal residence and former administrative headquarters of the rulers of the Jaipur State in Jaipur, Rajasthan. A beautiful fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture, the palace is still home to the last ruling royal family which lives in a private section of the palace.

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Elephants were once a common mode of transportation in India. Here, elephants walk along the road at Amber Fort, Rajasthan, India. Amber Fort known for its artistic style elements, is located eleven kilometres from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan.

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222 other fashion designer has captured the essence of the ELYSIAN aesthetic like Giambattista Valli. His sumptuous designs are as dashing as they are graceful. They are a mix of avant-garde bohemian saturated with romance. Valli is the epitome of high fashion without excuses or explanation, vibrant and alluring. Let us revisit the evening wear opulence of Giambattista Valli, “Some Enchanted Evening,” from ELYSIAN Summer 2021.

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Some enchanted evening From Valli’s Porcelain Flower Ramage Collection, this embroidered silk satin tulle ballgown envelopes the figure with tiers of ruffles, revealing a glimpse of a figure-hugging, wrist-length dress that is barely there.

Opposite: A bustier cocktail dress in silk duchesse is delicately embroidered and offset with “statement” draped taffeta bows at either side of the waist.

22 Valli’s dahlia petals embroidered ballgown in soft peach is cinched at the waist and tiered from the front to the floorkissing train. The delicate neckline and sleeves are like a short cape. Opposite: Cascading white ruffles with a wide sweeping ballgown skirt and capped sleeves fall in gentle, waterfall-like ribbons to the floor.

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26 For the free-spirited woman . . . from the Porcelain Flower Ramage, an embroidered pink tulle, formless cocktail dress. Opposite: Valli’s draped and ruffled skirt taffeta ballgown features a skirt cut high in front and trails to a train. The neckline is a wreath of ruffles that sits high on the shoulder.

Red is a signature color for Valli. This multi-frilled pleated tulle ballgown with roses d’organza embroidery is reminiscent of the Folies Bergere and the floating tulle defies gravity! Opposite: His haute couture evening cape of multi-tiered, frilled silk taffeta was a Paris runway show-stopper.

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231 The sweeping train of Valli’s confettis d’or tulle ball ensemble is embellished with embroidery and silk duchesse bows. Opposite: Brocade embroidered lame vest in black and white over a white silky georgette bell-sleeve evening blouse is the ultimate contrast in texture, as well, when paired with Valli’s multi-pleated black tulle skirt. Yet again, create a complete ensemble with Valli’s red evening cape to complete this dramatic nighttime fashion statement.

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2 Detail of the soft, sweeping neckline of Valli’s draped silk crepe evening gown. This is romance at its most romantic, all in white and pure as the driven snow. Opposite: Frilled taffeta over a high-neck and deep-cut sleeveless bodice is finished to perfection with a floor-length, taffeta-trimmed veil.

As fancy as polka-dot has ever gotten: Valli’s gold-glittered polka dot tulle ball ensemble features a silk velvet jacquard top with embroidered lame brocade vest.

The sweeping petticoat skirt is ruffled at the bottom. Opposite: Full view of his draped silk crepe evening gown is trimmed with ostrich feathers accentuated with coquetips plumes at the wrist— and beyond. This is romance at its most romantic, all in white and pure as the driven snow.

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36 Ostrich feathers and coquetips plumes combine to create a fantasy in white, pinks, and greens like a flower garden about to bloom in spring. The unstructured, free-flowing line of the skirt and bodice is evocative of Monet’s garden in Giverny. Opposite: A robe bustier in coral is form-fitted before releasing at the waist to a ruffled silk taffeta skirt that falls high above knee before cascading to a short train.

Damselfrau found her source of inspiration on the seductive dance floors of London nightclubs and in vintage designer stores. Miir, 2017.

Opposite page: Niitinn, 2019.

COURTESY OF THE DAMSELFRAU

windows to the soul Damselfrau The unsettling masks of the artist known as

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agnhild Kennedy’s elaborate masks are deeply unsettling yet exhilarating: wholly unusual, wildly imaginative, and vividly colored. They seem to combine elements of high fashion (with its joyous embrace of extremes), burka- or veil-like head coverings (with their power to efface women), or tribal masks (with their spiritual force). And, yet, Kennedy says, “I’m not particularly inspired by burkas or anything like that. Not inspired by masks, either. I just work on a piece of cloth that has an identity you can choose to put on your face.”

Unintentionality was there from the start. Which is only to say the Norwegian Kennedy didn’t plan to make masks-as-art objects.

Instead, the idea developed after she moved from Oslo to London and started clubbing. She had wanted to leave Norway since her teens.

Back then, images in a 1994 issue of the British cultural monthly The Face Magazine made her choose London as her eventual destination.

Clearly, great things were happening in the city, and she wanted to be a part of it. Thirteen years later, she made the move.

In her early London days, Kennedy made outfits for clubbing. While out, she observed other do-it-yourself efforts: “What someone could whip up from some egg cartons, tape, and paint was impressive, making something out of material that you wouldn’t expect in the context of the fashion clubbing experience.”

Though nights found her at places like BoomBox or Ponystep, she worked days at a small vintage designer shop in Islington, learning about the collection and sewing during slow hours. Back home, she’d watch YouTube videos to learn stitching techniques.

Self-training was in her DNA, in a sense. Though she never attended art school, Kennedy’s father is a sculptor, and her mother is a painter. Her family was always making art. “We looked a lot. They taught me how to tune my eye,” she says.

Kennedy’s medium solidified in 2007 after she made some masks for a New Year’s Eve party. She remembers those first efforts as “classical lace, ‘sexy time’ types. Far removed from what I do now.”

At present, she considers the mask as a “space” for working with materials that interest her, especially items with a history. “I’ve used everything from old dish rags and plastic bags to 100-year-old Geisha hairpieces and antique Victorian bodices that a friend of mine used to wear to raves in the ’90s,” she says.

Friends bring her treasures like “doilies, old twine they found on the road, necklaces from street vendors, dry twigs. A lady up in the North of Norway was reminded of some local fish by one of my masks, so she tanned fish skin in her kitchen and sent it to me in the post. I try not to use materials from animals, but this was the most beautiful and considerate gift.”

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été 2025 • l’édition du dixième anniversaire • readelysian.com •

maginative fashion design involves pushing boundaries and creating unique, often unconventional, clothing and accessories by drawing inspiration from various sources, including art, nature, and culture, to express creativity and innovation. When fashion transcends the boundaries of creativity to capture one’s imagination, it is worthy of a second look. From ELYSIAN Summer 2020, we present “Windows to the Soul: The Unsettling Masks of the Artist Known as Damselfrau.”

ennedy’s professional name is Damselfrau, a word that was originally her Skype handle but came to be aligned with the mask project.

“The name has a duality in the same way the masks do,” she explains. “The name that masks itself. Unmarried and married woman. To me, it has come to mean something like married to oneself.”

Damselfrau often begins her projects by searching through her rummage boxes, which are full of tactile, brightly hued materials like pom-poms, tassels, fringe, sequins, broken jewelry, and ribbons. Then, she says, “I make a sketch with materials on a mannequin head and start sewing from there. Easy.”

The results are lavishly decorated. In one green mask, a feminized face is covered with what appear to be red beads, gold leaves, and old jewelry, and then the face is augmented with multi-colored strings that hang down from the cheeks in the manner of a curious beard or scarf fringe. Another piece uses tribal forms for a textured sable surface, ornamented with bells, beads, tufts of hair, and a stripe of

Pha, 2018. COURTESY OF THE DAMSELFRAU

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The masks of Damselfrau as works of high art on display in the Damselfrau lll exhibition held at Dalston Pier in London, 2017. Presented in a vacuumed gallery space, Damselfrau’s masks take on an added dimension without their human wearers.

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The name has a duality in the same way the masks do,” she explains.

“The name that masks itself. Unmarried and married woman.

To me, it has come to mean something like married to one self.”

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A parade of black masks in the Damselfrau lll exhibition accentuate the diversity in shape, texture, and material used. She has worked with everything from fish skins to hair to glass beads.

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fabric with hearts over the nose. Still another has strings of pearls looping down in front of a semi-translucent white veil that is topped by something like bunny ears or butterfly wings, themselves covered with more pearl-like beads and tufts of red and pink material.

Though Damselfrau is not particularly interested in masks per se, she is very interested in her materials. “They evoke strong emotions in me,” she says. And, then, “The materials come together in this space between wearer and viewer. Everyone projects their experience on it, and that is the space where the mask lives.”

To keep that relationship pure, Damselfrau doesn’t particularly like to say who wears her masks, though some very famous people (Beyoncé, Mø) have worn her masks in their music videos. That’s public knowledge. But, otherwise, Damselfrau purposefully doesn’t name customers, as she doesn’t want the work overly connected with a particular individual. Nor does she want to label the masks or explain them for others, beyond saying that “the surface is my work environment and where I play best. I decorate a surface. It’s really very easy and uncomplicated for me, and it’s important for me to keep it that way to maintain interest in the work.”

That said, she allows, “People often make better sense of what I do than I can. People see with the information that they have, and what they choose to see is none of my business.”

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hough Damselfrau exhibits her work, and people buy or commission her masks, her end goal is not simply the mask, but an image of the mask. When she is through with a piece, she shoots an iPhone image of herself wearing the item. This photo includes the mask and some piece of cloth—an antique sari, old French tablecloth, or bed linen—that drapes and hides her body. Once she has posted the photo online—the general public can see the results on Instagram—she has finished her piece. Or as she says, “From there, the masks make their own way and do their own communication. They don’t need me anymore then, and that’s a relief.” ■

Editor’s Note: Readers can find Damselfrau’s work on Facebook, and at Instagram @damselfrau, damselfraublogspot.co.uk, and damselfrau.com. She also shares her inspiration at Instagram @puttingcase.

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Viir, 2018.

Opposite page: Stikker, 2012.

COURTESY OF THE DAMSELFRAU

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Women Inspiring Women . . .

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LYSIAN was the result of Karen Floyd’s personal quest to tell and listen to stories about exceptional women. From her early twenties as a young prosecutor . . . to the women she has interviewed over the past eight years as ELYSIAN’s publisher and editor, Floyd shares insights that are intended to encourage and move our readers.

On the surface, Floyd’s interviews are about women succeeding, overcoming, persevering, and enduring.

As the number of years and interviews have grown, Floyd no longer asks, “Is it timing, virtue, luck, funding, perseverance, faith, endurance or passion?”

Over the last decade Karen Floyd has interviewed over a hundred “Inspiring Women.” We honor these outstanding women who have graced the pages of ELYSIAN in interviews documenting their insight and remarkable stories. They are are our “Inspiring Women,”

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1. Phyllis Newhouse 2. Lola Debney 3. Tabasum Mir 4. Jiha Moon 5. Kim Phuck 6. Amy Green 7. Pam Prior 8. Dr. Christina Rahm 9. Kristin Harmel 10. Daphna Smolka 11. Prema Samhat 12. Raegan Moya-Jones 13. Chitra Narayanan 14. Laura Turner Seydel 15. Carla Groh 16.

Diane Warren 17. Kelly Bensimon 18. Darci Patrick 19. Hannah Horne 20.

Kathleen Parker 21. Jane Jenkins Herlong 22. Martynka Wawrzyniak 23. Jessica Word 24. Alexandra Kauka 25. Misdee Wriggley-Miller 26. Nancy O’Dell 27. Gloria Taggart 28. Jill Littlejohn 29. Tammy Kovar 30. Barbara Martinuzzi 31. Lisa Lourie 32. Jennifer Justice 33. Carol Alt 34. Karen Abbott 35. Breegan Jane 36. Donna Rice Hughes 37. Jeanne Milliken Bonds 38. Kimberly Word

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WHO HAVE 39.

39. Karen Abercrombie 40. Grace Bender 41. Tanya Trotter 42. Phyllis DeLapp 43. Gilda CobbHunter 44. Jody Thomas 45. Annabel Monaghan 46. Melanie Sabelhaus 47. Patricia Moore-Pastides 48. Ebony Williams 49. Jennie Johnson 50. Lori R. Taylorn 51. Vikki Scott 52. Rhonda Wilkins 53. Marie Benedict 54. Trude Heller 55. Carolyn Vanagel 56. Karen O’Connor 57. Fern Mallis 58. Angela Blank 59. Patty Cepeda 60. Tara Sherbert 61. Kristi Noem 62. Beth Daniel 63. Jane Holderness-Roddam 64. Marva Smalls 65. Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin 66. Donna Cheek 67. Danielle Rollins 68. Michelle MCGann 69. Amel Derragui 70. Alveda King 71. Susan L. Taylor 72. Anita Zucker 73. Edwina Sandys 74. Bonnie McElveen-Hunter 75. Debra Austin

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N SPIRED US

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76. Sheri Howell 77. Elizabeth Weed 78. Martha Wiedemann 79. Kelly Castellani 80. Tuliza Fleming 81. Trish Carroll 82. Judyth Nsababera 83. Kristy Woodson Harvey 84. Nikki Haley 85 Barbara Melvin 86. Katrina Shealy 87. Beth Clements 88. Lou Kennedy 89. Carey Parker 90. Fabiana Martinez 91. Deborah Goodrich Royce 92. Mary Alice Monroe 93. Sheri Biggs 94. Betsy Robinson 95. Pam Evette 96. Faith Hope Consolo 97. Daja Dial 98. Siri Garber 99. Pam Lackey 100. Edna Morris 101. Kim Powell 102. Mary Ourisman 103. Gila Guttmann 104. Deborah Calmeyer 105. Dara Torres 106. Cathy Bissell 107. Bea Sibblies 108. Jean Shafiroff 109. Jaaime Wall 110. Janice Zakin 111. Betsy King

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beauty&style

paint

BY PEARL LUSTRE

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ar paint, or face paint, was an important ritual among certain peoples that prepared warriors for battle. In North America, for instance, for centuries, Native Indians used various colors of face paint and applied very specific symbols to communicate messages. For example, the Beothuk tribe used red to cover their face, hair, and even clothing, though rather than for war, it has been speculated the color served as protection from biting insects.

Some historians maintain red paint is the reason Indians were nicknamed “red skins” in those early days of yore.

On the other hand, Blackfoot tribal warriors of the American Plains painted their faces black. The Teton Sioux used black war paint to proclaim victory and white paint at times of mourning. The Catawbas of the Southeast painted a white circle around one eye and a black circle around another to frighten their enemies. The Seminole tribes of Florida had purposes for certain colors.

Namely, red paint signified blood; green paint near the eyes gave a person better night vision, and yellow paint, the color of death, “means a man has lived his life and will fight to the finish,” according to National Geographic contributor Louis Capron. This said, war paint was only for use by warriors; Seminole women were forbidden to paint their faces or bodies, ever.

In Montana, the warriors of the Assiniboine tribe

UFABIZPHOTOS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Beauty and style are multifaceted and personal expressions, encompassing clothing, makeup, and overall presentation, ultimately reflecting individuality and self-confidence. Fashion allows us to communicate who we are without words, representing our inner selves and claiming our identity. We delve into just that—unveiling our inner warrior —with this “Beauty & Style” feature entitled “War Paint,” from Spring 2024 (The Women & War Issue).

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WOMEN HAVE USED WAR PAINT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME, WHICH BEGS THE QUESTION, WAS EVE WEARING SOME WHEN SHE LURED ADAM WITH THAT APPLE?” painted their faces red and black but the chief, and only the chief, painted his face yellow.

War paint was randomly applied. It was almost sacred. The symbols meant something, and the paint was very carefully applied. According to historian Karl Gröning, “The combination of color and motif was very important to the individual, who saw it as his ‘medicine,’ his personal tutelary spirit.” Certain symbols related thoughts or spiritual ideas. Geometric symbols represented celestial bodies; there were symbols for birds and other animals, lightning and thunder, etc. The composition of war paint, of course, came from natural ingredients such as bird excrement, animal fat, and more pleasantly, dyes from herbs, flowers, leaves, and fruit. War paint was generally two major colors—red ochre, taken from red clay, and charcoal.

War paint is referred to in classic literature and art. For example, American author James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851), who first popularized the term “war paint,” refers to it throughout his Leatherstocking novels. American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), in his epic poem, The Song of Hiawatha, writes of the Great Spirit Gitche Manito, who commands the Indian warriors to “Bathe now in the stream before you, Wash the war paint from your faces.” Artist George Catlin (1796-1872), who is credited as the first American portrait painter to document the West, painted 500 hundred portraits of Native Americans from 48 different tribes.

So, when you stop to think about it, not much is different from the war paint of long ago and the war paint used today. Black and shades thereof, for example, is the preferred color for eyeliner, mascara, and eyebrows. Red, from Barbi pink to burgundy, is for lips and blush. Women have used war paint since the beginning of time, which begs the question, was Eve wearing some when she lured Adam with that apple?

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here was a time not all that long ago when a woman caught wearing makeup was no lady at all; and conversely, ladies wearing makeup in the saloons of the Old West were “soiled doves.” This said, before this period of Westward expansion and Baptist constraints, makeup in America prior to the onset of the American Revolutionary War was worn by women and by men. Lead was used in white makeup, which was worn by both sexes (and, in fact, has been determined as the cause of death of Queen Elizabeth I of England, who wore layers of zinc foundation to cover her smallpox scars.) Both sexes wore powdered wigs (often powdered with flour and worn for months on end, inviting fleas and mites.) And, both sexes used lip stains from berries to rosy their lips. Our American forefathers dispensed with all this because, in point of fact, wigs and makeup on men were “fashion statements” imported by the French and the occasional Englishman who was a little light in the loafers. The fashion in men ended abruptly with the first shot of the Revolution, fired on April 19, 1775, at the Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts— the famous “shot heard around the world.”

Women, too, stopped wearing makeup. After all, it’s not like it was available at the local drugstore. Secretly, however, women

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circulated recipes between women friends and family members and cooked up their own lotions to lighten their complexions, lip stains from berries and petals to plump up their lips and cheeks, and ashes to darken their eyebrows and eyelashes. Needless to say, they achieved a “natural” look . . .

That is, until the late 19th century. Some very astute women realized they could cash in on every woman’s dream to look beautiful. And so, in the 1880s, women-owned small businesses started making products for complexion, eyes, brows, lips, and lashes called cosmetics. These homemade products were sold through a distribution system called the California Perfume Company, which later was renamed Avon.

And the rest, as they say, is history. One woman, the daughter of a tenant farmer by the name of Florence Nightingale Graham (no relation to the famous nurse) opened an exclusive beauty shop to sell her line of cosmetics. She reinvented herself, dressing beautifully, beautifully made-up, and beautifully poised, and changed her name to Elizabeth Arden. Born in 1881, she died in 1966. By 1929 she personally owned over 150 salons in Europe and the United States and today, her company manufactures over 1,000 different products sold in 22 countries around the world.

Indeed, the girl raised on a farm in Ontario, Canada, became, at the height of her career, the richest woman in the world. This is not only a testimony to her as an inventor and a businesswoman, but the vastness of the cosmetics market--$300 billion worldwide, projected to catapult to $417 billion by 2030. At the same time, Madam C. J. Walker (born Sarah Breedlove, 1867-1919) created her line of African-American beauty products, taking her on a fast train from poverty to success as the first female self-made millionaire in America.

By the Roaring Twenties makeup on women was not only fashionable, but an absolute requirement among young women in their late teens, twenties, and thirties. A woman who left the house without her makeup was considered not properly dressed, and though most women were homemakers, wives, and mothers, more and more women had joined the workforce. When they dressed in their best and went to the local movie house on Saturdays for a double feature, they went home and mimicked the makeup worn by their favorite Hollywood stars.

Whichever of the numerous beauty products available today that you’ve got in your medicine cabinet or makeup bag, let’s face it—literally—there’s a reason why you wear it. And that reason isn’t that much different from the Native Americans applying their War Paint. Modern cosmetics are our form of war paint. We wear it when we go out, and in different ways. There’s the way we apply makeup to reflect our professional self. There’s the heavier way, perhaps, that we apply it when we want to show a brave face. And sometimes, we apply makeup like a mask we can hide behind—not really a mask, of course, but false eyelashes do wonders.

At night you take off your makeup and look in the mirror and see the real “you.” That’s good. That keeps us grounded. That reminds us that, at the end of the day, no makeup can hide your true beauty, which comes from a kind heart and a loving spirit. ■

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health&wellness

health first, evrything else will follow: EFETOVA ANNA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

“The Season Of Renewal,” from ELYSIAN Spring 2020.

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“Enter Into Exfoliation: The Luxury Of Turkish Baths,” from ELYSIAN Spring 2019.

ealizing that wellness encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being is crucial for a fulfilling life, promoting better health, increased energy, and improved existence. It is a proactive process of making critical choices toward a more successful life, not just the absence of illness or building a bikini body. Wellness can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance emotional resilience, leading to better mental health and a greater sense of wellbeing. A healthy lifestyle is linked to a longer life, so by focusing on all aspects of wellness, we can experience a greater sense of fulfillment. Wellness has been a tenet of ELYSIAN philosophy since our first issue ten years ago. The following is a reflection of wellness features from past pages of ELYSIAN. ■

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VISITING A HAMMAM ?

JUST SIT BACK & ENJOY. Relax and Prepare

When you enter the camekan, or entrance room, there are changing rooms as well as a lounge to enjoy a cold drink or a cup of tea before or after the bath.

Adjust to the Warmth

Before stepping into the water, the tellak (staff member) will bring you to the iliklik, or intermediate room, where you can adjust to the heat and receive your towels.

Full Body Scrub and Soaking

Next, you enter the hararet, or hot room. Here, you will see the large marble belly or navel stone. Bathers lounge on marble slabs around the fountain, taking turns basking in the high humidity. If you want an exfoliating scrub, most spas offer private rooms.

Rinse and Massage

After the bath, a full-body massage will end your treatment. Now we’re talking Turkish Heaven! Be sure to hydrate and drink plenty of water after your treatment.

Even though visiting a hammam is a wonderful experience, you don’t need to travel to Turkey to start your exfoliation journey. Here is a simple body scrub recipe to use at home:

Simple Body Scrub Recipe

1 cup sugar (brown or white) ¼ cup olive or sweet almond oil 1 tsp. Vitamin E 8-10 drops of essential oil of choice or zest of a lemon • After combining all the ingredients, store it in a pretty container to use in your shower daily.

07AHMET/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM printemps 2025 • l’édition sur les animaux de compagnie et la philanthropie • readelysian.com •

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health&fitness THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN’T CONTROL. TAKE A DEEP BREATH, AND LET IT GO

FOR BETTER HEALTH

Hit the Slopes

“Post Workout Recovery,” from ELYSIAN Fall 2019.

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mind & body

“Unlocking Your Inner Beauty,” from ELYSIAN Summer 2021.

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DMITRY LAUDIN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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LILAWA.COM / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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“Mental Wellbeing Equals Total Well being,” from ELYSIAN Autumn 2020 (The Creator Issue).

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“Se Baigner De Blanc,” from ELYSIAN Summer 2023 (The White Issue).

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“How Passionate Philanthropists Are Bringing Modern Medicine Closer And Closer To Finding The Cure,” from ELYSIAN Summer 2024 (The Wellness Issue).

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“From Philosophy To Thought,” from ELYSIAN Winter 2022 (The Holiday & Thought Leader Issue Issue).

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FREEDOM IS ALWAYS AND EXCLUSIVELY FREEDOM FOR THE ONE WHO THINKS DIFFERENTLY.” —ROSA LUXEMBURG

POLISH & NATURALISED-GERMAN REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALIST, MARXIST PHILOSOPHER & ANTI-WAR ACTIVIST

ILLUSTRATION BY CRISTINA CONTI / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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philanthropy

ELYSIAN Impact:

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“Helping Victims Reclaim Safety: ELYSIAN Impact & Silent Tears,” from ELYSIAN Autumn 2020.

philanthropy

A decade of caring

BY CYNTHIA SIMMONS

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Confined to h with an abuse mean life or d

The very measures put in place to reduce the spread outlets survivors of abuse have for respite. Additionally, their annual fundraisers, adding tens of thousands more pivot to provide their services via telehealth, adding unp like laptops. And with fewer people donating due to ec storm. Please consider supporting your local center dur

Silent Tears advocates on behalf of women and children the complex issues associated with child sexual abu provides resources that help frontline organizations as

To learn more about Silent Tears, please visit SILENTT

ELYSIAN’s philanthropic arm, ELYSIAN Impact, engages our network of accomplished female thought leaders with national and international influence, amplifying their self-identified philanthropic causes. ELYSIAN’s priority areas for giving are those charities that benefit women, children, pets, services, and the environment.

ELYSIAN Impact has disbursed over $16 million in the past decade to charities in these sectors.

Impact giving and philanthropy are foundational concepts of ELYSIAN and core to our ELYSIAN Circle of Women. Time and again, we have discovered that the tireless sense of purpose, passion, and determination underpinning the career achievements of the Inspiring Women featured in our magazine also drive a heartfelt commitment to giving back.

Our desire to build a legacy and our shared responsibility to the next generation underscores women-driven philanthropy.

It is with this in mind that we formed ELYSIAN Impact, a series of initiatives that work with philanthropies to enhance their connection with our ELYSIAN Circle of Women.

SILENT TEARS

ELYSIAN Impact’s first effort was in conjunction with Silent Tears, a South Carolinabased philanthropy that addresses the complex issues associated with child sexual abuse and violence against women. Through this partnership, Silent Tears donated millions to fund the capital needs of frontline shelter organizations across the state.

ELYSIAN Impact is dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of women. One of the most powerful ways we do this is through our partnership with Silent Tears, a South Carolina-based initiative that addresses domestic violence and supports survivors. Silent Tears advocates for women & children by systematically addressing issues associated with child sexual abuse and violence against women.

“Confined to a home with an abuser could mean life or death,” and “It shouldn’t be scary to stay home during a pandemic.,” ongoing ELYSIAN ad campaigns promoting Silent Tears.

home er could death.

of the coronavirus take away some of the few many crisis centers have canceled or postponed e in lost revenue. Crisis centers have also had to planned expenses. Some need basic equipment, conomic uncertainty, we have a horrible, perfect ring this global pandemic.

n by taking a systematic approach to addressing use and violence against women. Silent Tears they support victims of these pervasive crimes.

TEARSSC.ORG

It shouldn’t be scary to stay home during a pandemic.

Launched in 2013, Silent Tears, supports the capital needs of organizations that assist victims (women and children) of domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse across the state of South Carolina. Silent Tears is proud to partner with ELYSIAN Impact, the philanthropic arm of ELYSIAN. The Silent Tears grant awards dispersed throughout South Carolina are the first in a program of ELYSIAN Impact Partner Initiatives, creating a template that will be replicated and rolled out across mission-driven and charitable organizations nationwide.

Silent Tears advocates on behalf of women and children by taking a systematic approach to addressing the complex issues associated with child sexual abuse and violence against women. Silent Tears provides resources that help frontline organizations as they support victims of these pervasive crimes.

To learn more about Silent Tears, please visit SILENTTEARSSC.ORG

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“An Unfurgettable Affair,” from ELYSIAN Spring 2023 (The Pet & Fashion Issue).

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CATWALK FURBABY

In the years since, ELYSIAN has been proud to help raise money for a variety of causes – in so many unique, bold, and, dare we say, fun ways.

ELYSIAN has twice produced CatWalk FurBaby, an innovative fashion show that benefits charities across the country, to kick off New York Fashion Week.

While most runway shows highlight a single designer, CatWalk FurBaby brings together 20 fashion houses from across the world and pairs them with charities in the five ELYSIAN Impact sectors.

Both times, we captured CatWalk FurBaby on film and produced a documentary on the affair. CatWalk FurBaby 2 is being made available to all of our participating charities to use in their local fundraising endeavors. As ELSYIAN Founder and Publisher Karen Floyd said, welcoming attendees to the most recent CatWalk FurBaby, “Ripples create waves, and waves create change.”

A FIGHT FOR UKRAINE

ELYSIAN, too, has produced two documentaries on the ongoing war in Ukraine – Fight for Ukraine: 12 Women’s War, and Ukraine: For the Children. Private screenings for each of these have been used to raise funds for organizations that support veterans and even to cover the costs of prosthetic limbs for one of the young soldiers featured in the films.

Not all of our ELYSIAN Impact projects have been of such a large scale; we recognize that sometimes the biggest impact can happen right in our backyards.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY PMC / JARED SISKIN

Below: “An Unforgettable Occasion,” from ELYSIAN Spring 2025 (The Pet & Philanthropy Issue). Opposite: “. . .

ELYSIAN Impact’s Inaugural CatWalk FurBaby fashion show … brought together designers, models, and rescue animals for a day of fashion and fundraising for animal welfare organizations.” – REUTERS. From “A Ground-breaking Fashion Experience To Benefit our Furry Friends,” ELYSIAN Autumn 2023 (The Art & Prose Issue).

Chloe Jane and her dog CJ represented Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation on the runway. Chloe donned an electrifying ensemble by Tommy Hilfiger titled “Angels Among Us.” This bold and angelic look captured the essence of a superstar ready to ascend, reflecting the foundation’s mission to inspire and uplift through innovation and care.

More importantly, this effort created a template that will be replicated across mission-driven and charitable organizations nationwide.

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“When Life Sucks,” from ELYSIAN Spring 2024 The Women & War Issue).

PHOTOGRAPH BY MASTER1305 / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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“The Women Of War,” from ELYSIAN Spring 2024 (The Women & War Issue), featured twelve women from behind the Ukraine war lines, interviewed by ELYSIAN Publisher Karen Floyd (pictured below). Right: Fight for Ukraine: 12 Women’s War premiered as the opening night screening at the 14th annual Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles in October 2023, where it garnered praise for its powerful portrayal of Ukrainian women enduring the horrors of war. Directed and produced

by Floyd, this 81-minute documentary highlights 12 women from diverse walks of life, all exhibiting profound resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. From civilians living in safehouses near the frontlines to legal professionals working in the country’s Supreme Court, these women embody the unyielding spirit of Ukraine. The film won 10 awards at various international film festivals.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF TIMES I LOOK BACK ON MY LIFE AND ASK MYSELF WHY. AS A GIRL, I WANTED TO BE A MATH TEACHER, HAVE PLENTY OF KIDS, A CAR, AND A DRIVER’S LICENSE. [SHE LAUGHS.] I NEVER KNEW I WOULD BE LIVING MY LIFE LIKE THIS. NADIA BOGOVICH— Deep Reconnaissance Tactical Team Leader /

One of the Most Hunted Ukrainian Women by the Russians

To this end, during our “Night in White” event in May 2023, we held a fundraiser for the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, which offers individual, family, and group counseling services to help people cope with mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. It brings focus to substance abuse treatment, child and family services, domestic violence services, and homeless services, all critical areas of need in any community.

These are just a few examples of the levels of impact ELYSIAN and our Circle of Women have in the local, state, and national arenas.

ELYSIAN Impact is led by Director Kimberli Scott Still. Kimberli’s true passion is to provide care for abandoned and abused cats and dogs and to place these animals in stable, loving homes. This love for animals is evident in her care for her own 11 rescued dogs and three rescued cats, which she lovingly regards as her children.

Professionally, Kimberli worked in the custom home building industry in Tampa before returning to Allendale, South Carolina, where she is one of three fourth-generation owners of a family lumber business. Her leadership roles span the manufacturing, humanitarian, and commerce sectors. She serves on a number of boards that champion education and economic development, particularly in rural areas. In 2014, she was named South Carolina Ambassador for Economic Development for Allendale County by former Gov. Nikki Haley. ■

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SPECIAL JURY AWARD: DIRECTING

OFFICIAL SELECTION

INTERNATIONAL NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL

OFFICIAL SELECTION

ETHOS Film Awards

Awareness Festival

2023

2023

2023 OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE

Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival 2023

HONORABLE MENTION

Heart of Europe International Season Film Festival (HEI) 2023

Fight For

Ukrai n e: Women’s War 12 EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

KAREN FLOYD

PRODUCER & EDITOR

BOBBY NICHOLSON

DIRECTOR

KAREN FLOYD

WRITER LAURIE BOGART WILES FIELD PRODUCER ROB SPRINGER ASSOCIATE WRITER JASON SPENCER ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CELIA COOKSEY CONTRIBUTORS THE ELYSIAN TEAM ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE ANTON PTUSHKIN

READELYSIAN.COM

CO-PRODUCERS

DR. CHRISTINA RAHM & CLAYTON THOMAS DR. SHERI BIGGS BILL BIGGS

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aspiring&connecting

’ ELYSIAN s Next Chapter

BY SINDIE FITZGERALD-RANKIN

Dr. Christina Rahm, founder of DRC Ventures and The Root Brands.

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or the first few issues of ELYSIAN, one guiding principle was to take a young woman who was aspiring to greatness, showcase her on our cover, and pair her with an Inspiring Woman.

The COVID pandemic shifted ELYSIAN’s focus. From this burgeoning mentorship program in its early years, ELYSIAN pivoted to a singular focus on women over 38. Dr. Christina Rahm’s passion for mentorship and unique vision has sparked a renewed commitment to pairing younger women with seasoned leaders who can guide them through the challenges and triumphs of their personal and professional journeys.

ELYSIAN’s new chapter will celebrate and nurture the next generation of women—Aspiring Women. This footprint expansion aims to empower young women striving to carve their own paths toward success, and it’s a shift that Dr. Rahm, founder of DRC Ventures and The Root Brands, is leading with enthusiasm and vision.

Dr. Rahm, a seasoned entrepreneur and scientist, will oversee ELYSIAN’s focus on Aspiring Women. With her wealth of experience, Dr. Rahm brings a unique perspective on how mentorship and community support can transform the lives of younger women who are just beginning their professional journeys. Her mission is to cultivate an environment where these Aspiring Women have access to accomplished mentors who can guide them toward their goals, whatever those may be.

A Mentorship Movement

Throughout her career, Dr. Rahm has recognized the importance of mentorship, especially for women who often lack access to the support systems that many men take for granted. Reflecting on her own career in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, Dr. Rahm recalls how, early in her career, it was rare for women to help each other professionally. “I didn’t have many women mentors,” she said. “Men helped me more than women. Women were just trying to get ahead on their own.”

This lack of support is something that ELYSIAN and Dr. Rahm are determined to change for future generations of women. By establishing mentorship programs that connect successful women with Aspiring Women, we believe that many of the barriers that young women face—whether it’s juggling a career with family responsibilities or dealing with professional insecurities—can be overcome with guidance and understanding. “Women need to mentor women,” Dr. Rahm said.

“It’s a missing art, and we need to foster that connection.”

For Dr. Rahm, mentorship isn’t just about offering career advice; it’s about providing the emotional, mental, spiritual and sometimes financial support that women need to thrive in their chosen fields. “Mentorship isn’t about money,” she notes. “It’s about really being there for someone, helping them grow, and ensuring that they don’t quit when the going gets tough.”

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BREAKING BARRIERS

One of the key challenges that Aspiring Women face today is overcoming the obstacles that come with being a woman in the workforce, especially in the realms of science, business and academia. Female CEOs often face an uphill battle, with many of them stepping down after just a few years due to the pressure of balancing legal battles and the demands of their roles. “It’s a struggle for women to hit those high levels,” Dr. Rahm said.

“They quit or step back, but if they had the right mentorship, they wouldn’t give up.”

ELYSIAN aims to break down these barriers by connecting Aspiring Women with seasoned professionals who can offer both practical advice and emotional support. This approach goes beyond just helping women land jobs or start businesses—it’s about equipping them with the tools to succeed long-term and providing them with a network of support that spans both generations.

At DRC Ventures, Dr. Rahm’s approach to mentoring young women has had a remarkable impact. She recounted an unconventional, yet effective, team-building exercise for her interns, which included a Pitch Perfect-inspired dance-off and sing-off between two teams. The fun competition, which included cash rewards for the winning team, was a way for Dr. Rahm to bring her team together, break the ice, and foster creativity. The interns were then tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for the company’s 27 products, with Dr. Rahm mentoring them through the process. In the end, their ideas outperformed the original campaign, leading to a significant boost in the company’s social media presence and overall engagement. This experience underscored the value of hands-on mentorship that encourages creativity and leadership from young women – and it also showed that the older generation had just as much fun participating in the exercise as the interns did.

SHAPING THE FUTURE TOGETHER

As part of ELYSIAN’s new focus on Aspiring Women, we envision a world where women of all ages—whether they are just starting out or already established in their careers—can learn from one another and

help each other succeed. Dr. Rahm envisions a mentorship program where women who have already made their mark in industries like healthcare, business, and politics can pass on their knowledge to the next generation of women who will one day lead these fields.

“We need to empower younger women to take the lead in areas like politics, business, and healthcare,” Dr. Rahm explains. “It’s about creating a culture of mentorship, one where we actively support women from all walks of life and all career stages.”

By fostering this culture, ELYSIAN hopes to create a sustainable, long-term network that will continue to grow and evolve over the next decade. The goal isn’t just to inspire women— it’s to build a community where women of all backgrounds can collaborate, share experiences, and offer advice, ensuring that no woman feels alone on her journey.

THE ROLE OF ELYSIAN MAGAZINE

With its powerful brand and extensive reach, ELYSIAN is uniquely positioned to make this vision a reality. As the magazine expands its focus to include Aspiring Women, it will serve as a platform for these women to share their stories, struggles, and successes. In addition to traditional mentorship, ELYSIAN will leverage its extensive network of influential women to provide tangible support, including offering opportunities for internships, potential funding for startups, and exposure through various media channels.

This approach is personal to Dr. Rahm, who believes that the key to success for women lies in a holistic approach to personal and professional growth. She highlights the importance of supporting women not just in their careers but also in their emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. “Women are complex,” she said. “We need to support each other holistically— not just in business, but in every aspect of life.”

As ELYSIAN steps into its second decade, it is clear that the future for Aspiring Women is bright. With Dr. Rahm, the brand is not only expanding its reach to younger women but also fostering a culture of mentorship, support, and empowerment that will shape the next generation of female leaders. ■

ELYSIAN’s new chapter will celebrate and nurture the next generation of women—Aspiring Women. This footprint expansion aims to empower young women striving to carve their own paths toward success. Dr. Christina Rahm, a seasoned entrepreneur and scientist, will oversee ELYSIAN’s focus on Aspiring Women. With her wealth of experience, Dr. Rahm brings a unique perspective on how mentorship and community support can transform the lives of younger women who are just beginning their professional journeys.

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SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL

LESLIE ROHLAND

From Our Front Porch To Yours

LIBERTY HALL BED AND BREAKFAST

SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL

SARAH SPRUILL

T

he Palmetto State is home to a treasure trove of stories waiting to be told—tales of resilience, creativity, and unyielding spirit.

The Palmetto Porch Podcast, now in its third season, illuminates these narratives and invites listeners to embark on an intimate journey through South Carolina’s bestkept secrets. Hosted by Devyn Whitmire, a South Carolina native with an innate passion for storytelling, the podcast dives into the state’s diverse regions, uncovering hidden gems and unique experiences that enrich its identity.

The Palmetto Porch Podcast offers more than just stories; it provides an immersive experience that transports listeners to the heart of South Carolina. Season 3 shines a spotlight on extraordinary women whose contributions have profoundly impacted their communities.

Their stories, rich with passion and perseverance, offer inspiration and insight into the fabric of South Carolina’s society.

SARAH SPRUILL: Cheraw’s Guardian of Heritage In the Season 3 opener, “Cheraw, Birthplace Of A Jazz Legend,” local historian Sarah Spruill invites listeners to explore the quaint town of Cheraw, the birthplace of jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie. Spruill’s dedication to historic preservation ensures that Cheraw’s architectural treasures and cultural heritage remain vibrant for future generations.

Through her efforts, the town’s unique identity is remembered and celebrated, offering visitors a tangible connection to its storied past.

Dizzy lived in Cheraw until he was 14 and would come back often to visit family and friends. “You would just see Dizzy sitting on the town green or on the porch of Market Hall,” Spruill said. “He never forgot Cheraw. And when he introduced himself, he said, ‘I’m Dizzy Gillespie from Chee-raw, South Carolina.”

Day-trippers and weekend visitors will find Dizzy’s influence everywhere, from a statue downtown to the Sanctified Church, whose rhythmic music inspired him at an early age.

GLENIS REDMOND

Spruill uses people, places, and events to reconstruct history, including historical pictures, estate records, and surviving newspaper articles.

“There are a lot of stories out there, and I believe this one, actually,” she said before explaining the large presence of trees downtown. If you were caught drunk and disorderly in 1830, the story goes, your penance would be to go into the swamps, dig up a hardwood tree, and plant it on the streets of Cheraw.

GLENIS REDMOND: Weaving Poetry and Nature “Paris Mountain’s Poetic Stillness” features Glenis Redmond, Greenville’s esteemed poet laureate. Redmond shares her profound connection to Paris Mountain State Park, a sanctuary that has influenced her artistry and personal growth. Her reflections intertwine the serenity of nature with the power of poetic expression, illustrating how the natural world can inspire and heal.

“Every day, poetry is swirling around, and all we have to do is take note,” she said. “Just to take note and reflect doesn’t fix everything, but it allows us to take a deep breath and sink deeper into our lives.”

Redmond, who wrote her first poem in the eighth grade, is Greenville’s first poet laureate, which she saw as a position she could use to open doors for people and spend more time working in her community. That and a special bond with her 9-year-old grandson, Julian, led to an almost accidental journey of writing about state parks, many of which can be found in her book, The Song of Everything.

ERICA MCCIER: Culinary Dreams from Adversity In “An ‘Underground’ Dining Experience In Abbeville,” listeners meet Chef Erica McCier, affectionately known as Trudy. After a lifealtering health diagnosis in 2008, McCier found solace in culinary arts, transforming her passion into a unique dining venture in

SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL

PALMETTO PORCH HOST DEVYN WHITMIRE

DR. KATHERINE SEEBER: Unearthing Mitchelville’s Legacy “Mitchelville’s History Unearthed” introduces Dr. Katherine “Katie” Seeber, an archaeologist and historian whose career trajectory was forever changed by her discovery of Mitchelville on Hilton Head Island—the first town built for freed Black people in the American South, predating the Emancipation Proclamation.

Seeber’s dedication to uncovering and sharing the stories of Mitchelville’s past and present residents highlights the importance of preserving and understanding African American heritage.

Seeber’s love of her craft, which started when she was just a little girl in West Virginia, is evident throughout her journey. She talks about discovering pieces of colonoware at Mitchelville, dating back about a century after that type of pottery was no longer common.

She hypothesizes that since people came to Mitchelville as refugees, they brought things that held sentimental value – in this case, pottery made by their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. She sees her work as vital to better understanding the rich culture of the Gullah Geechee people in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

ERICA MCCIER

Abbeville. Her journey from middle school teacher to celebrated chef and 2023 South Carolina Chef Ambassador exemplifies resilience and the transformative power of following one’s passion.

Cooking, it turns out, was supposed to be a hobby. She was on dialysis, coping with kidney failure, and needed something to occupy herself with while she waited for a transplant.

“After being sick and getting out of the hospital, I went through this era of depression,” McCier said. “I had to find myself again.

And I found myself through food. I always tell people that food saved my life.”

McCier’s journey to launching Indigenous Underground and becoming a chef ambassador is nothing short of remarkable. The daughter of a farmer, she grew up living off the land, and today, her restaurant’s menu features her spin on the food she grew up with – gator and grits, black-eyed pea gumbo, and soul rolls.

DR. KATHERINE SEEBER

MICHELLE CUNNINGHAM

“Anthropology and archeology have the opportunity to seriously address current social issues because they were born in the past,” Seeber said inside the Cherry Hill School, the first school for African Americans built on Hilton Head Island. “We don’t wake up with a clean slate as human beings. We wake up with all the things that happened before us. So, when we have issues with class and race and gender and money and things that are very human . . . The only way to really deal with it is for us to understand how it happened. And history books don’t do that. It’s not possible. Because they’re compiled from the things people wrote or pictures they took. And that’s from someone’s point of view. And it’s usually one. Archeology is the tool we can use to eliminate that one point of view, because it takes us to the place where we have the opportunity to learn about many people’s points of view at that specific moment in time. By doing archeology at Mitchelville, I realized I could contribute something positive to the world around me that would make an impact on living people.”

MICHELLE CUNNINGHAM: From Wanderlust to Stewardship “Adventure Ends, And Begins, In Little Pee Dee” chronicles Michelle Cunningham’s transformative journey. After traversing the country in search of purpose, Cunningham discovered a profound appreciation for state parks. Her newfound passion led her to become the park manager for Little Pee Dee State Park, where she now fosters community and belonging, inspiring others to find their place in nature.

Taking her place among the park’s chuck-will’s-widows, resident herons, egrets, osprey, and other wildlife, Cunningham has found solace in the vastness and stillness of South Carolina’s state parks.

She tells the story of two little girls, one fairly young and one in her teens, who recently visited Little Pee Dee State Park and, after chatting a bit, she overheard them saying as she walked away, “That’s what I want to do when I grow up.”

“Even when we’re busy, we’re jam-packed . . . it’s still quiet,”

Cunningham said. “We have a beautiful 54-acre lake. We have kayaks you can rent. We are going to bring peddle boats back . . .

We have bicycles to rent. There’s trails. There’s a lot of things to do here. And camping, of course. There’s a lot of things to do here.

For me, as a park manager, this is why I do what I do.”

An Award-Winning Odyssey “Palmetto Porch” reflects South Carolina’s warm, inviting porch culture. Drawing inspiration from the state’s iconic wraparound porches and beloved palmetto trees, the podcast celebrates the traditions of storytelling, community, and genuine hospitality that make the state so unique. By connecting with locals, the podcast delivers insights into South Carolina’s diverse regions, revealing destinations beyond the well-trodden paths of its famous beaches, golf courses, and historic landmarks.

The podcast’s commitment to excellence has not gone unnoticed.

In 2024, The Palmetto Porch Podcast was honored with the eTSY Award for Best Content Marketing Program, a testament to its engaging and authentic storytelling. The previous year, it garnered the HSMAI Adrian Award (Bronze, President’s Award) in the Digital—Audio category, and it was a finalist for the ESTO Mercury Award in the Video, Film, or Podcast Series for its inaugural season.

Join the Conversation The Palmetto Porch Podcast serves as a gateway to exploration and discovery. Each episode is a testament to South Carolinians’ strength, creativity, and resilience, offering inspiration and insight into the diverse experiences that shape the state’s identity.

Embark on this auditory journey and uncover the stories that make South Carolina a mosaic of culture, history, and innovation. Subscribe to The Palmetto Porch Podcast today and let the tales of the Palmetto State enrich your understanding and appreciation of this remarkable region.

DiscoverSouthCarolina.com

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back story

Oh

the places you’ll go . . . looking back to when we first begin this adventure, it’s humbling to think just how far we have come. From our first magazine launch outside the Elysian offices in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to issue release events in Napa Valley, California; Basel, Switzerland; Palm Beach, Florida; New York, New York; Nashville, Tennessee; and the Vatican City in Rome, Italy, to name a few. Where will our next ten years take us? Join our ELYSIAN Circle of Women, subscribe, or follow us on social media to find out, and be a part of this amazing jorney. ■

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A beautiful view of Vatican City, Rome, Italy, the site of ELYSIAN’s Winter 2024/25 “Peace On Earth” issue launch. PHOTOGRAPH BY ACKAB PHOTOGRAPHY /S HUTTERSTOCK.COM • View of the vineyard, from the “Inspiring Woman,” and Fall 2022 cover model, Jan Zakins’ home in Napa Valley, California. • 2nd Row (left to right): Kimmy Powell and her mother see ELYSIAN’s Summer 2024 cover for the first time; Sarah Smith, ELYSIAN’s Special Events Director, with the Winter 2022 cover reveal; Karen Floyd debuts the Winter 2024 issue of ELYSIAN; Elysian’s Summer 2022 Issue, featuring South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is revealed. • 3rd Row (left to right); Publisher Karen Floyd reveals the cover of ELYSIAN’S Spring 2022 issue while “cover girl,” Breegan Jane looks on; Rhonda Wilkins Fischer, ELYSIAN’s Summer 2023 covermodel with cover while celebrating ELYSIAN’s “A Magical Night In White; Sarah Smith reveals the cover of the Spring 2024 issue featuring, “Inspiring Woman,” Lt. Col. Sheri Biggs; Karen Floyd and Sarah Smith reveal the cover of the Autumn 2023 issue featuring Dr. Christina Rahm.

• The Caprice; Yachts in the harbor for ELYSIAN’s “A Magical Night In White.” • Scenic Aspen Colorado, site of ELYSIAN Winter 2023 issue release event.

• été 2025 • l’édition du dixième anniversaire • readelysian.com

UNITING LEADERS, IGNITING GLOBAL CHANGE. wcsiasc.org

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