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{Chicagoâ€™s Finest}

Sept/Oct 2018

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{Chicago’s Finest}

Sept/Oct 2018

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on the cover: Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar in Humboldt Park makes caviar service cool (“Their Kind of Town”). Shown here: Siberian Baerii Imperial caviar on house potato crisp Photo by Anthony Tahlier

Agnes gathered lounge chair from Chicago interior designer Donna Mondi’s new EnVie collection of fine furnishings (“Interior Desire”).

PURE IMAGINATION Wndr Museum brings 20 engaging experiences to the West Loop, including an infinity mirrored room by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama

OUT OF THIS WORLD French fashion designer Roland Mouret chats with SL about life, travel and transformative design

IN THE ARMI Armarium, the fashion-lending library for top labels, makes us rethink how we invest in statement looks

INTERIOR DESIRE Award-winning interior designer Donna Mondi unveils her premiere furnishings collection—and looks back while planning for the future of her business

POLE POSITION Volvo Car Group’s electric performance hybrid, the Polestar 1, exceeds expectations

RUB A DUB DUB Designer bathtubs that stun—and outperform the competition

BIBLIOTAPH From the Great Smoky Mountains to Provence, our list of tomes for globe-trotting adventures big and small

ELEVATING THE ALL-INCLUSIVE The Marquis Los Cabos All Inclusive Resort & Spa marries first-class accommodations with the convenience of an all-inclusive stay

OFF THE GRID SL takes a deep dive into the season’s toniest tile collections

CHILD’S PLAY The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina caters to big-time family fun

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Sept/Oct 2018

BLACK MAGIC Black rhodium, diamonds, Tahitian pearls and volcanic beads star on some of the season’s moodiest jewelry collections

A WINEMAKER’S SPIRITUAL JOURNEY Jeff Morgan makes kosher wines with faith, chutzpah and an entrepreneurial spirit

BULL MARKET Urus, the first Super SUV from Lamborghini, dominates with design, performance and driving dynamics

LEADERS OF THE PACK Covetable backpacks, carryalls, weekenders and suitcases for crushing the commute and traveling in high style

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED Grape-to-glass goodness at Dundee Hills AVA in Oregon’s famed Willamette Valley winemaking region

Adjustable ruched maxi dress, $1,070, by Y/Project at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com. For more of the season’s hottest fashion, art and interior design finds, turn to “Sophisticated Source.”

SOPHISTICATED SOURCE Eight pages of fall’s trend-forward fashion, art and interior design looks you can’t live without

ALL THE RIGHT MOVES Interior designer Susan Brunstrum rebrands as Studio Brunstrum—and takes us on a global hunt for inspiration

THEIR KIND OF TOWN Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar in Humboldt Park gives caviar service a second coming

HIGH SPIRITS Almighty Spirits’ continues its rise with Alcohol Inside, the brand’s line of high-quality vodka, gin, rum, bourbon and whiskey

TRANSFORMATIVE ART Chicago nonprofit Snow City Arts brings a fresh perspective to children and youth in hospitals through the arts

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CALENDAR SL’s not-to-miss list of fall events for giving back and good times

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SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY Chicago’s chicest parties, from philanthropy to fashion

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SOPHISTICATED WOMAN Meet integrative psychotherapist Susan A. Lipshutz, whose workshops and meditation sessions are putting Chicagoans on a path of self-love

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PUBLISHER Alison Victoria CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bridget Daley EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Elise Hofer Shaw DIRECTOR OF LUXURY BRANDS Mandy Laneve ——————————————— ART DIRECTOR Jason Yann CONTRIBUTORS Writers Sarah Aiken Marissa Conrad Ruth Crnkovich Colin Dennis Chloe Geller Anita Heriot Andre James Amelia Jeffers Tina Kourasis Megan Kulick Matt Lee Caylee Matthews Sally Meyer Taylor Morgan Marissa Nelson Sarah Ryan Lisa Shames Bridget Williams Photographers Dennis Elliott James Gustin for Fig Media Zoe Law Maria Ponce Anthony Tahlier Karlie Thornton Y.O! Photography Photo Editing Stephen Luxem ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE 937.672.6448 ——————————————— SOPHISTICATED LIVING MEDIA Eric Williams - CEO Bridget Williams - President Sophisticated Living® is published by AVMM Media Group, LLC and is independently owned and operated. Sophisticated Living® is a registered trademark of Williams Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sophisticated Living® is published six times a year. All images and editorial are the property of AVMM Media Group, LLC and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. Annual subscription fees are $25.00; please add $5 for subscriptions outside the US. Address all subscription inquiries to the website slmag.net. Telephone 937.672.6448.

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From the Publisher

Portrait by Maria Ponce

Every summer I make a pilgrimage to Greece to get back to my roots and disconnect. This year I spent time on the island of Mykonos at one of my favorite hotels, the Santa Marina Resort & Villas on Ornos Bay. Our days were spent under the sun, in the sea and at the spa. At night, we’d roam the charming (and maddening) maze of streets, ducking into distinctive shops and seductive restaurants for cocktails or innovative fare. One night we dined at the newest restaurant on the scene, Casa Tu; another night we returned to a favorite spot, Sea Satin Market, for fresh Aegean fish and dancing on the tables with unbridled abandon. We also hit SantAnna, the new Mykonos beach club owned by Chicago entrepreneur John Roa (boasting the largest pool in Europe), and Principote, another newcomer to the beach club circuit with boho-chic ambience that extends to the water’s edge. All in all, it was a delightfully relaxing time that did my mind and body good. Between running a magazine and managing a real estate development company, Alovan, not to mention juggling an intense shooting schedule for my new HGTV show, Windy City Rehab (premiering in January 2019), it’s important—scratch that, necessary—for me to escape and recharge my batteries. But now that I’m back, I’m ready to roll full speed into fall. I’m excited to announce that Windy City Rehab just got picked up for two more episodes! I’ve had an absolute blast renovating some of Chicago’s coolest century-old homes, and now we’re ramping up to put them all on the market. It’s wonderful seeing my awesome team’s hard work come to fruition and watching my hometown’s neighborhoods transform. And I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the HGTV family. Attracting more than 41.3 million primetime viewers each month is no small feat. My passion for life-changing design is why I have much love and respect for Chicago interior designer Donna Mondi, the subject of this issue’s piece “Interior Desire.” This year, Mondi launched EnVie, her premiere collection of luxury furnishings under the Donna Mondi Interior Design brand. From the wood, brass and leather Diane bench to the curved Lucite Charlotte coffee table, her mixed use of materials makes a bold statement. I so appreciate a woman who isn’t afraid to take the bull by the horns and create what has yet to be created, and I’m definitely cheering Mondi on during this new chapter. At Sophisticated Living Chicago, in addition to making beautiful magazines, we’ve also been busy party planning. Last month we hosted our fourth Sophisticated Soirée at Tied House, the hottest new restaurant in Lakeview. With libations courtesy of Almighty Spirits, brews by Solemn Oath Brewery, and wines from Diamond Importers, a live DJ set by Fig Media, killer sound by Sound Investment, garden-party decor by HMR Designs and sweet ShutterBooth pics, it was a gorgeous night for good times and networking with our amazing advertisers and creative partners. We look forward to celebrating our latest issue with you soon at the next Sophisticated Soirée. Until then, relax, recharge, read on and enjoy! Alison Victoria Owner & Publisher alison@slmag.net

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From the Editor-In-Chief

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Talk about a whirlwind of a summer. Highlights? Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend spent on the beach with family and friends in Lakeside, Mich. A long weekend in Miami for my husband’s birthday. Taking a gaggle of kiddos to Wicker Park Fest for live music and tasty street eats. Seeing Journey and Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field, Erasure at the Chicago Theatre and Jack White at Lollapalooza. Grilling out on our roof deck in the West Loop with the skyline as our backdrop. Watching my daughter kill it at hip-hop dance camp at Hubbard Street Dance. Redesigning my master bathroom with help from Siren Betty, Chicago’s rising-star interior design firm. And interviewing the cast of HBO’s Sharp Objects, including actors Chris Messina and Patricia Clarkson, at the Chicago History Museum during the show’s Chicago premiere. Yes, this summer has been one for the books. But amid all of the good times, the Sophisticated Living Chicago magazine tribe was hard at work on the fall issue, bringing you the coolest content meant to awaken your senses and send you out into our metropolis excited about trying new things. In April, I headed to the Waldorf Astoria Chicago to check out an Armarium pop-up shop for the first time. It was interesting to learn how Armarium—a fashion lending library that carries only top designer labels like Christopher Kane, Johanna Ortiz, Missoni and Jason Wu—works, and to think about the perks of renting and returning dresses and gowns that you’ll probably only wear once (all topics that contributing writer Marissa Conrad delves into with her piece, “Into the Armi”). And because Armarium takes all of its dresses out of rotation long before they get raggedy, members of the “Armi” get first dibs on retired looks. I left with a lovely khaki and electric pink sundress with ruffle details in pristine condition by Ukraine-born designer Julie Paskal—at a fraction of what it would have originally cost off the rack. I’m a sucker for a sweet deal. Also in this issue is a feature on my friend Susan Brunstrum, the talented Chicago interior designer behind the firm Studio Brunstrum (“All the Right Moves”). There are a million reasons why I adore and admire Brunstrum, but at the top of the list is the fact that she sucks the marrow out of life, so to speak. Despite how busy she is beautifying bachelor pads in the Gold Coast and sprawling family homes in the burbs, she always makes time to travel in search of new inspiration. Be it mimicking the color of the Pacific Ocean off of Playa La Ropa in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, for a rug collection or visiting artist communes in New Orleans in search of new works for home installations, Brunstrum approaches life and work with her eyes, heart and mind wide open. Bonus: She also gives really good hugs and has one of those smiles that puts a cherry on top of your day. With summer’s chapter closed and fall at our feet, I’m excited to transition into a new season full of possibilities, new relationships and engaging collaborations. Speaking of which, stay tuned for details on our new website, SLMAGCHICAGO.COM, that’s launching later this fall. If you like our printed magazine, you’re going to love our revamped digital platform boasting articles and interviews on everything from beauty tips, travel and fashion trends to recipes and dining news—and, because I’m always on the caffeine hunt, where to grab a really good cup of coffee. Have a great fall, and enjoy the latest issue of Sophisticated Living.

Elise Hofer Shaw Editor-In-Chief elise@slmag.net

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“I love the clean lines of Roland Mouret’s designs,” says contributing writer Sarah Aiken, who penned this issue’s interview with the French fashion designer, adding that the new Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is also a fan (“Out of This World”). “He can make a woman feel confident, sexy and powerful all with one outfit. From Mouret’s fall 2018 collection, my favorite piece is the black vinyl trench coat. I couldn’t be more obsessed with it!” Aiken is the director of stores and public relations for VMR, the luxury women’s boutique on Oak Street. Journalist Marissa Conrad hit it off right away with Susan Brunstrum when interviewing the interior designer about her expanded studio and new ready-to-buy collections (“All the Right Moves”). “I could spend a week straight with Susan and not get bored,” Conrad says. “She has so many stories from traveling all over the world.” The designer’s travels inspire much of her work at Studio Brunstrum, her recently renamed biz. “I also love how excited she is to be working with her daughter, who just moved back to Chicago,” adds Conrad. “Talent must run in the family!” “I started seeing Susan A. Lipshutz about two years ago and she has literally saved my mind, body and soul,” says Sophisticated Living Chicago magazine Creative Director Bridget Daley, who interviewed the integrative psychotherapist for this issue’s Sophisticated Woman column. “I met Susan during a tough time in my life. Our first year together was one of healing, and this second year is all about manifesting a new life. She is my moral compass and makes me believe that I’m a queen. She is my spiritual guide and I am forever grateful to have her in my life.” “I loved learning about the person behind the objects,” says contributing writer Megan Kulick, who interviewed Chicago interior designer Donna Mondi about her first capsule collection of furniture, EnVie, for our fall issue (“Interior Desire”). “Knowing who Donna is makes the EnVie pieces even more alluring. We discussed each piece’s name and its origin—and how Mondi came up with the names—and it was fascinating. Plus, I’m a sucker for Lucite, hide and all of the soft fabrics she uses.” Kulick’s work has appeared in Modern Luxury magazines, Subaru’s Drive magazine and more. Writer Matt Lee got to know the founders of Almighty Spirits, Chris Peckat and Jason Patrinos, over—what else?—a drink, not too far away from the pair’s Northbrook distillery (“High Spirits”). “Unfortunately, the spot where we all could meet didn’t yet serve Almighty Spirits,” says Lee. “But once the restaurant employees saw the bottle design and met Chris and Jason, they started asking how they could serve it. It was really cool to see that interaction.” Lee was impressed by the DIY business spirit of the longtime friends. “They have a good idea and are doing things the right way,” he says. “They’re definitely the kind of people you cheer for.” “It was great to take the cover concept and run with it,” says photographer Anthony Tahlier, who shot this issue’s sexy cover, as well as our feature on Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar (“Their Kind of Town”). “I never got into caviar because it was hard to understand why people would pay so much money for salty fish eggs on a cracker, but spending time with chef Guy Meikle—and getting a better understanding of the history, process and differences between the eggs—I now have a grander appreciation for roe and the ceremony of it all.”

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PURE IMAGINATION By Elise Hofer Shaw / Photography by Dennis Elliott and Karlie Thornton

The Yayoi Kusama infinity mirror room at Wndr Museum Chicago

Even though his background is in science, Dr. Irwin Adam Eydelnant, co-founder of the pop-up Wndr Museum, feels a kinship to artists like Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese artist behind one of the art and science museum’s biggest draws: the Infinity Mirrored Room entitled “Let’s Survive Forever.” “For me, science has always been an incredibly creative medium,” says Eydelnant, who is also a founding partner of the uber-popular Museum of Ice Cream. “I believe that art creates visceral connections. And at Wndr Museum, we’re using the gesture of immersive art to explore science.” Open through February 2019 in the West Loop, the Wndr Museum is intent on inspiring visitor’s curiosity in the natural world through a total of 20 engaging experiences,

including 10 never-before-seen rooms exclusively commissioned for the museum. There are also “edible experiences” courtesy of Future Food Studio out of Toronto and chef Richard Farina, former executive chef of Chicago’s Moto restaurant (an edible cloud, anyone?). Bonus: The experiences are as educational as they are Instagrammable. “There’s an ongoing misperception of science as technical and inaccessible,” says Eydelnant. “We want our guests to view science differently after this experience and have a deeper understanding of the world around them—and then share that beyond these four walls.” sl Wndr Museum, 1130 W. Monroe St. Hours are noon-8PM daily (closed Tuesdays) and tickets are $32. wndrmuseum.com

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All floorplans shown are for illustrative purposes only. Floorplans may not depict final design of units as constructed and may not be drawn to scale. All sketches, renderings, materials, plans, specifications, terms, prices, conditions and statements, including estimated timeframes and dates, contained herein are proposed only, and developer reserves the right to make modifications in its sole discretion and without prior notice. All photographs and renderings are merely intended as illustrations of the activities and concepts depicted therein as interpreted by the artists. Developer makes no representations regarding any view and/or exposure to light at any time including any existing or future construction by either owner or a third party. Square footage is approximate and may be based on various measurement methodologies, subject to construction variances and tolerances, as well as redesign, and may vary from floor to floor. Obtain the property report or its equivalent by federal, state or local law and read it before signing anything. No federal, state or local agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. Where used, developer shall mean 1550 North Clark (Chicago) Owner LLC and its affiliated entities and their respective managers, members, directors, shareholders, partners, agents, affiliates and employees. Developer # 2551714.

OUT OF THIS WORLD

By Sarah Aiken / Portrait by Zoe Law

The road to Roland Mouret’s career as an internationally celebrated fashion designer was anything but traditional. With no technical design training—unless you count precision-cutting meats at his father’s butcher shop in Lourdes, France—and after a short stint spent modeling, Mouret launched his namesake clothing line on a wing and a prayer in 1998 at the age of 36. Trusting his instincts and an intuitive understanding of the female silhouette, Mouret found stratospheric success in 2005 when he unveiled the Galaxy

dress, a perfectly proportioned dress with iterations worn on the red carpet by celebs like Blake Lively, Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Aniston. Awards followed, including British Designer of the Year at the Elle Style Awards and a record three nominations at the Lycra British Fashion Awards. Today the Roland Mouret brand includes shoe, bag, sunglasses, fragrance and bridal collections as well. Here, Mouret answers our rapid-fire questions about life, love and the pursuit of happiness. sl

What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Have a cup of tea with my husband.

What is your favorite cocktail? Gin and tonic is my new discovery. I love the flavor, especially in the summertime.

Name one thing that you can’t live without? My iPad. It’s my new religion. What is your favorite piece in your closet? My collection of Greek shirts. The moment the weather is nice they are my link to holiday. What is the most elegant gift to give or to receive? I love to give my perfume, Une Amourette. It was such an incredible journey to create, and I know straight away that it will create a moment of uniqueness. Who or what inspires you? People who work with me, people I live with, my friends, people I interact with… I think it’s really important to not put just one person on a pedestal. Who is your muse? I don’t work by muse. I work by friendship. I have a lot of women in my life who do things, who have opinions about the world, and who try and change the world. Proudest career moment? The success of the Galaxy dress was one of the big moments. Launching my perfume was a big one, too. I’m celebrating my brand’s 20-year anniversary this year, which is huge. Who is your dream client? Someone who comes to the store that enjoys being a woman and tries clothes on just for the pleasure of trying. Someone who says, ‘Why not, let’s try, let’s have fun!’ The worst thing that can happen is that it doesn’t fit. What are you reading right now? Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari is on my table and I plan to start it soon. What’s your favorite country to visit? Every country has something to give you, but I am a big fan of Greece. There is an island I go to quite often called Kefalonia. It should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit. Guilty pleasure? Sleeping. I love to sleep. 22 slmag.net

Coffee or tea? Tea. But coffee sometimes, too. I am the only French guy who doesn’t love coffee, but I love affogato, which is a bowl of ice cream with espresso on top. Most sophisticated city? I should say Chicago. The place you go for utter peace… My country home in Suffolk, an hour and a half from London. We live in the middle of a field near the sea. Name your top-three vacation must-haves. Something locally made from the place that you are visiting, Factor 50 Sun Cream and someone to share the experience with. Most sophisticated structure or building? The National Theatre in London where I show my collection. I am a big fan of brutalism. Where is your favorite place to go when you come to Chicago? Soho House Chicago on Green Street. Everyone should own… A Galaxy dress. Most universally flattering color? All shades of blue. From navy to pale blue to sky blue. I am a blue guy. Current must-have from your collection? From Pre-Fall, the Eugene top in the bouclé texture. Describe your line in three words. The title of my book that is coming out in October says it all: Provoke, Attract, Seduce. How do you define ‘sophistication’? By not being perfect. Sophistication is not about clothes and jewelry. It is about the way you capture the attention. It is about movement. There are a lot of women who are sophisticated around me because they are so unique. Roland Mouret is available at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, 737 N. Michigan Ave., 312.642.5900. rolandmouret.com

ROLAND MOURET

Looks from Roland Mouretâ€™s Autumn/Winter 2018 ready-to-wear collection

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Leasing Now

IN THE ARMI

Armarium, a fashion lending library that carries the designer labels of your dreams, sets itself apart as a go-to for gala season and beyond. By Marissa Conrad In April, Armarium, the wardrobe-for-rent service that carries only designers at the tip-top of the fashion pyramid, opened the doors to its first pop-up shop in Chicago. At the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, leaders of the “Armi,” as it’s called, converted the space that used to house Bernard’s Bar into the most desirable boutique in the city, filled with racks of dresses, gowns, skirts, shirts, pants, jackets, shrugs and stoles by the likes of Jason Wu, Emilio Pucci, Christopher Kane, Johanna Ortiz and Missoni. Armarium co-founders Trisha Gregory (CEO) and Alexandra Lind Rose (creative director at large) flew in from New York, Armarium’s home base, for the event, smiling in photos alongside Chicago co-hosts Amelia Eaton, creator of site The CHICago Life; Meredith Wood-Prince, former editor of The Scout Guide; and Coco Meers, who runs Rebelle Collective, a growth lab for startups. Together, they welcomed Chicago’s fashion elite, such as Barneys personal shopper Mara Maddocks, public relations duo Whitley Bouma Herbert and Susu Block, and destination wedding planner Jen Kasten. A team of Armarium’s top stylists was there, too, hosting one-on-one appointments with shoppers preparing for a special occasion, or looking to upgrade their usual weekend look. The Armarium model—borrow something you love for roughly 10 to 20 percent of the retail price (average $450 per piece), return it within four days—is becoming de rigueur in today’s rental economy, but the service, which launched in 2016, is alone in offering this caliber of designer apparel. The sales pitch makes sense. Armarium has a direct line to designers, snagging pieces from the runway that may not be available otherwise. Plus, if a statement dress by, say, Mary Katrantzou or Sally LaPointe does its job, it’s tough to wear again, especially in the Instagram era. Why buy? The business was born after Gregory, who led public relations for Salvatore Ferragamo for nearly 10 years, and Lind Rose, a former fashion designer, spotted “the discrepancy between oldworld values and new-world needs” in the industry, says Gregory. “The customer is changing.” Modern clients like the sustainability of outfits on loan; it feels wasteful to hoard something in the closet when it could be getting more use. Also, collecting clothing leads to a cluttered closet, which shoppers today find particularly sinful. Call it the Marie Kondo effect. Celebrities are getting on board, too. Susan Sarandon, Nina Agdal, Adriana Lima and Busy Philipps have all rented dresses from Armarium. After three days in Chicago, the pop-up had to pack up and head to its next destination: Browns, a chic boutique in London.

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The most fashionable among us said their mournful goodbyes to the brick-and-mortar, but the beauty of Armarium is that, via the app or website, it’s a breeze to rent from anywhere in the country. And, with a recent site relaunch that introduced several upgrades to the experience, it’s easier than ever to find and get the perfect look delivered to your door. Now, a digital chat feature called the Armibot connects you to an automated assistant who is cheerfully encouraging (“Our favorite!” “Flawless!”) as you answer 18 questions, about everything from the scope of the event you’re attending—dinner party? gala?—to your celebrity style icon. The idea is to gather enough information to create for you a lookbook of potential outfits, delivered to your inbox for free within 24 hours (or add $85-$110 if you want to choose a specific Armarium stylist to create it within 72 hours). Pieces are typically current season—older looks are removed from the showroom and sold to Armi members at a heavy discount—but stylists also have a selection of vintage apparel. Another recently added tool, called retail integration, tacks on suggestions of accessories that would match your rented look, available to purchase full-price from area boutiques or department stores. Armarium’s team of 30-plus stylists, called the Style Brigade, hail from varied backgrounds—the former fashion editor of Town & Country magazine, a former trend forecaster for Peclers Paris, a red-carpet stylist who splits his time between New York and L.A. Earlier this year, Gregory and Lind Rose appointed Armarium’s first fashion director: Micaela Erlanger, celebrity stylist to Lupita Nyong’o, Meryl Streep and Hilary Swank, among others. Erlanger’s mission, beyond building on Armarium’s styling services, is to bring new designers on board. She’s not slacking off. Among new adds to the Armarium closet: Brock Collection, a whimsical line out of L.A. spotted on Miranda Kerr and Priyanka Chopra; and Preen, the storied British brand known for marrying vintage and modern. With the Gold Coast Fashion Awards, Gateway Gala and Green Tie Ball approaching, Chicago style icons will appreciate one more snazzy attribute of Armarium. The company takes note of who’s renting what pieces on what night in what city, to ensure that if you snagged a Lee Savage bubble clutch for the Storybook Gala, it’s off-limits to other Chicago members of the Armi. Now that’s service. sl Become a member of the Armi at armarium.com.

Velvet top and skirt by Prabal Gurung

Unbridled chevron silk dress by Zimmermann

One-shoulder dress with ruffle by Marc Jacobs

Carino dress by Roksanda

Sleeveless lacetrim velvet dress by Bottega Veneta

Marni is a new designer for Armarium.

This look by Peter Pilotto was recently worn by BeyoncĂŠ.

Diamond drip dress by Christopher Kane

Oskar dress by Mary Katrantzou

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Parker Chair in Slate Heavy Cloth | Gray Sofa in Storm Pebble Weave

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Agnes gathered chair from the new EnVie collection by Donna Mondi

INTERIOR DESIRE

Chicago interior designer Donna Mondi launches EnVie, her first capsule collection of limitededition fine furnishings—and shares her trade secrets for timeless design. By Megan Kulick / Photography by Max Wilson Donna Mondi has one rule when it comes to interior design: the client always comes first. Early on in her career, while juggling motherhood, night school and a low-on-the-totem-pole position at a subpar design firm, she realized that one day she would have to start her own company. “My eyes were open to what can happen when clients aren’t the priority,” says Mondi. “I wanted to control the experience and make only good decisions.” And that she did. Eighteen years later, Chicago’s Donna Mondi Interior Design (DMID) is thriving. With Mondi at the helm, the firm has received a variety of industry awards, including being voted one of Chicago’s “coolest office spaces” by Crain’s Chicago Business after a rebrand three years ago moved DMID’s digs to an 1890s manufacturing plant in West Town. “It’s a big, bright and beautiful space. I love blending old and new in everything that I do, and our office represents that,” says Mondi. Known for her ability to merge classicism with modernity, Mondi oftentimes uses the element of surprise, materialized in the form of unexpected textures or patterns, as her hallmark.“Our projects don’t look alike. I don’t want everyone’s home to look

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like mine. We execute differently based on architecture, and if it’s a space without a clear architectural style, then we create one,” Mondi explains, admitting that she’s not afraid to mix European architectural elements with midcentury American furnishings or global goods to find a timeless look. A range of high-end spaces from the city to the suburbs punctuates her resume, including high-rise condos and piedsà-terre in the Gold Coast to transitional reconstruction on the North Shore, not to mention the occasional vacation home. “My style has definitely evolved over the years,” admits Mondi. “Initially, I was trying to be all things to all people, trying to fit into their style. Now, I filter projects through my design lens— homes that look very different will have a common thread of quality design running through them. I love the challenge of facing something new and finding outside-the-box design solutions.” One such challenge was the recent gut renovation of the Prairie-style Albert True House (c. 1908) in Hinsdale. “The idea was to blend styles in a way that made sense,” says Mondi of her approach. “We weren’t trying to create a period piece. We

Odette mirror, Diane bench and Lola rug

Diane bench

honored the history of the home while considering the choices that we imagined the original architect might make today.” In June, Mondi launched EnVie (meaning “desire” in French), her first capsule collection of limited-edition fine furnishings. “It’s furniture without boundaries,” says Mondi. “Each piece is meant to be desired for its form, materials and function.” The full collection, comprised of seven total pieces, pairs European sophistication with Mondi’s inclination for the unexpected (think sensual curved lines and mixed-use materials like leather, velvet, wood and various metals). However, it comes as no surprise that Mondi put more than a little thought into naming each piece after the mistresses of famous European rulers. For example, the Lucite coffee table, Charlotte, was named after the mistress of King Henry IV of France, Charlotte de Beaune Semblancay. “She was part of the ‘Flying Squadron,’ an underground group of beautiful female spies known for seducing influential men,” says Mondi. “This table was the first piece that I designed for the EnVie collection and was originally inspired by a Lucite bracelet that I saw at Michael Kors.”

Carolina vanity chair

Lola rug

With the exception of the Lola rug, a spider-patterned hide rug that’s stitched in North Carolina, each piece in the EnVie collection is made locally. Supporting Chicago artisans is important to Mondi, and working with nearby craftsmen allows her to manage the process with regular check-ins. “The creative process for EnVie was slow and meticulous,” says Mondi. “Like getting the fabric to pleat just right for the Agnes chair. This collection is jewelry for your home.” While referencing her gold-flanked Diane bench—named after the mistress of King Henry II who slowly killed herself by drinking elixirs of gold that she believed would preserve her beauty—Mondi noticeably begins to ponder life and her legacy. “I can’t wait to see where EnVie goes,” she says, revealing that she already has plans for a second furniture collection, an extension of EnVie. “It would be great if EnVie opens doors to national exposure and brand partnerships—and I’m starting to explore that. But at the end of the day, I just want to be remembered for creating interiors that enhance the lives of my clients.” sl Donna Mondi Interior Design, 1517 W. Carroll Ave., 312.291.8431, dmondiinteriordesign.com

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POLE POSITION

Volvo Car Group’s electric performance brand Polestar is looking to set industry benchmarks with their all-inclusive subscription model Written by Andre James After debuting at the major global motor shows from late 2017 through early 2018, demand for Volvo’s Polestar 1 has exceed the company’s initial projections since pre-orders commenced in March. “To date, we have received interest from over 6,000 potential customers wanting the Polestar 1. With our current plans to produce 500 cars per year, it’s possible that we have exceeded our production potential in these early stages,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar. In the United States alone, nearly 200 customers have placed a deposit, the largest number of any country. Production of the Electric Performance Hybrid, which can travel up to 90 miles on pure electric power alone (the longest full electric range of any hybrid car on the market), will begin in mid-2019. In combination with its two-liter, four-cylinder Volvo Drive-E engine, in Power mode, the Polestar 1 delivers 600hp and 1,000Nm of torque, placing the car firmly within the performance car segment. “All future cars from Polestar will be Electric Performance Vehicles but the Polestar 1 bridges today’s technology with the future, offering the perfect drivetrain for a Grand Touring Coupé that's likely to be used over longer distances as well as shorter, faster, enjoyable journeys,” said Ingenlath.

Showcasing Polestar’s technology spearhead role, the Polestar 1 is based upon Volvo’s Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA) but approximately 50% is new and bespoke, created by Polestar’s engineers. Polestar 1 measures 4.5m in length compared with the 5.15m of the Volvo S90. This involved removing 320mm from the wheelbase and another 200mm in the rear to create the car’s powerful, sporty proportions. Polestar 1 is fitted with a state-of-the-art chassis, including the all-new Öhlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CESi) - the world’s first car to be fitted with this advanced chassis technology. Each Öhlins shock absorber is fitted with a new electronic valve that constantly monitors driver inputs and road surface conditions, reacting in two milliseconds, to immediately change the ride characteristics to the prevailing demands. Another first on an Öhlins suspension, the driver can also make changes to the suspension settings within the car, constantly able to tailor the chassis damping and ride quality to their own requirements. Complementing the suspension technology is a powerful braking system manufactured by Akebono. The 6-piston brake calipers and 400mm discs provide maximum stopping capability.

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The carbon fiber body of the Polestar 1 represents the first time that the Volvo Car Group has explored carbon fiber construction. This lightweight material, common to supercars, gives the car three significant advantages: a substantial body weight reduction, an increase in torsional stiffness of 45%, and a lower center of gravity. “When you combine this strengthened framework with the super-strong body and roof structure, you get a stiff and communicative chassis which translates driver input into superb driving characteristics,” said Christian Samson, Head of Product Creation. The use of carbon fiber also contributes to the optics of the car, allowing for a lower roofline, which results in a sleek and slender profile. The Polestar consumer experience revolves around a unique subscription model, where customers will be able to subscribe to their Polestar car for two or three years. Linked to a host of connected and on-demand benefits like pick-up and delivery servicing, the no-deposit, all-inclusive subscription model has been designed to take the traditional hassle out of vehicle ownership with one monthly fee that includes insurance and maintenance. Purchasing the car outright will also be an option. Polestar on-demand services can be easily ordered online or through the Polestar app and added to the one monthly invoice. As an example, the company cited a customer needing the short-

term use of a roof box for a ski trip. At a time and location specified by the owner, Polestar will supply, fit and subsequently remove the roof box, adding a small incremental usage charge to their monthly invoice. At the end of the contract, the customer simply returns the car, or Polestar collects it and delivers their next Polestar experience. Polestar will then refurbish the vehicle and prepare it for a secondary subscription as a high-quality pre-owned Polestar car. “Our vision is that the Polestar subscription model and services that we will offer will define the Polestar brand as much as our cars will. Services that exceed the needs, desires and expectations of the premium performance car customer are at the heart of Polestar, removing the inconvenience of ownership and allowing customers to purely concentrate on the pleasure of driving a Polestar car,” said Jonathan Goodman, Chief Operating Officer of Polestar. All future Polestar cars will feature a fully electric powertrain. Currently in the engineering phase, Polestar 2 will start production later in 2019 and will be the first battery electric vehicle (BEV) from the Volvo Car Group, delivering higher volumes than Polestar 1. Polestar 3 is in the finishing stages of design and will be a larger SUV-style BEV, sitting between Polestar 1 and Polestar 2 in terms of volume and pricing. sl For more information about Polestar, visit polestar.com.

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Of Note... Rub a Dub Dub

Compiled by Colin Dennis

This page top to bottom: The Calma bathtub from Stone Forest is hand-carved from a monumental block of Marquina taupe marble ($24,750; stoneforest.com). The Petra bathtub from Maison Valentina combines Ibiza marble and lacquered wood (price upon request; maisonvalentina.net). Opposite page, clockwise from top left: WETSTYLEâ€™s Cube Collection bathtub (from $5,995; wetstyle.ca). The exterior of the cast iron Wandle skirted bathtub from Drummonds can be painted, primed or polished to order (from $7,555; drummonds-uk. com). 71â€? Anastasia mosaic nickel-plated copper double-slipper tub from Signature Hardware (from $2,999; signaturehardware.com). The Draycott cast iron bathtub from Devon & Devon can be finished in any of the 500 colors from the company's water soluble enamel collection (price upon request; devon-devon.com). The Chelsea Small Silk tub from Hastings Tile and Bath is made of "Silk", a stone composite material available in a matte or glossy finish (from $4,100; hastingstilebath.com). The Waldorf freestanding tub from Crosswater London ($7,999; crosswaterlondon.com). NEOREST flotation tub by TOTO is the world's first zero-gravity bathtub, which mimics the position of astronauts sleeping in zero gravity. Massage jets are placed strategically along the supine body, and an ergonomic, adjustable pillow increases stability and boosts the body's relaxation by releasing a gentle flow of warm water over the bather's neck and shoulders (from $19,000; totousa.com).

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Bibliotaph... Wanderlust

Compiled by Victoria Chase

The diversity of voices represented in the 30 essays compiled in this book bring to life the spirit of the Himalaya in an unparalleled panorama. Ruskin Bond and Namita Gokhale (editors)—Himalaya: A Literary Homage to Adventure, Meditation, and Life on the Rood of the World—paperback, 320 pages, Shambhala Publications (shambhala.com) The most visited national park in the United States, in 2016, more than 11 million people visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, whose 522,427-acres are almost evenly divided between Tennessee and North Carolina. Internationally published photographer and author Carl Heilman II has explored the region for four decades; this book showcases the myriad wonders of the region as seen through his lens. Carl Hellman II—The Great Smoky Mountains: Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park—hardcover, 192 pages, Welcome Books (rizzoliusa.com)

One-third of the earth's surface is classified as desert. Author William Atkins traveled throughout eight of the world's hottest deserts, creating travel narratives that reveal the human appeal of these often inhospitable landscapes. William Atkins— The Immeasurable World: Journeys in Desert Places—hardcover, 368 pages, Knopf Doubleday Publishing (knopfdoubleday.com)

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Combining an adroit journalist’s eye with extensive research, author Dianne Hales Artist and writer David Coggins uses lyrical presents a "pop historical" look into how Italy writing and vivid watercolor and ink drawings has shaped the Western world’s most vibrant to provide a poetic account of his family's passions, from literature to love, music to art, annual visits to St. Barthélemy in the French food to wine. Available in April 2019. Dianne West Indies. David Coggins—Blue: A St. Barts Hales—La Passione: How Italy Seduced the Memoir—hardcover, 264 pages, powerHouse World—hardcover, 320 pages, Crown Archetype Books (powerhousebooks.com) (crownpublishing.com)

bib 'li' o 'taph, [bib-lee-uhtaf, -tahf ]: a person who caches or hoards books After visiting Paris, Istanbul, Florence and New York in different seasons over the course of a single year, author Stephanie Rosenbloom puts forth a thoughtful and passionate account of the pleasures of traveling solo. Her observations are coupled with insights from psychologists and sociologists who have studied solitude and happiness. Stephanie Rosenbloom—Alone Time: Four Seasons, Four Cities, and the Pleasures of Solitude— hardcover, 288 pages, Viking Press (penguin.com)

Using photos and personal experiences, this book presents eight stories that highlight different ways to explore the world. Included are essential packing tips, recipes for car snacks, and ideas for creative collecting, journaling and photographing. Jen CK Jacobs—Road Trips: A Guide to Travel, Adventure, and Choosing Your Own Path—paperback, 208 pages, Roost Books (roostbooks.com)

Peter Mayle is the author of fifteen books, nine of them novels, including the bestseller A Year in Provence. In his latest work, he reflects on 25 years since he and his wife uprooted their lives in England to settle in Provence. Peter Mayle—My Twent-Five Years in Provence: Reflections on Then and Now— hardcover, 192 pages, Knopf Doubleday Publishing (knopfdoubleday.com)

Internationally recognized as a leading writer on beer, Stephen Beamont presents the definitive guide to the world's best beer destinations, both familiar and foreign. Stephen Beaumont—Will Travel for Beer: 101 Remarkable Journeys Every Beer Lover Should Experience—hardcover, 224 pages, Octopus Books (octopusbooks.co.uk) This guide features an eclectic range of ideas for trips across the globe that vary in scope from self-improvement to natural wonders. Included are standard travel to-dos alongside localized one-of-a-kind experiences. Kath Stathers (editor)—The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small— hardcover 496 pages, Universe (rizzoliusa.com)

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ELEVATING THE ALL-INCLUSIVE The Marquis Hotel in Los Cabos smashes stereotypes Written by Bridget Williams “There aren’t any ‘sneaky views’ here,” said Alan Del Blanco, general manager of Marquis Hotel Spa and Resort in Los Cabos, of the property’s 235 full oceanfront rooms. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the independently owned, all-inclusive, adultsonly property reopened in 2015 following a $10 million refresh. Unobstructed views of the Sea of Cortés from every room are just one of myriad ways the resort differentiates itself from its neighbors in this de rigueur destination. One of the most striking distinctions is the architecture: as viewed from the beach or Highway 1, the unique open-air lobby in the whitewashed exterior calls to mind a partially agape mouth of the majestic whale sharks who can be spotted in the area’s waters from winter to early spring each year. Standing in the space while sipping your freshly squeezed watermelon welcome cocktail, your gaze cannot help being drawn to the lobby’s central reflecting pool, whose waters seems to meld with sea and sky before falling off a cantilevered edge and into another pool some 40 feet below. Adding to the whimsy are a pair of lifesized mythical sculptures by Mexican artist Jorge Marin on either side of the installation. Like many of the artworks on property, they 40 slmag.net

were culled from the owners’ private collection. These pieces, when combined with the ample application of native natural materials and regionally influenced textiles, impart a definitive sense of place to the physical spaces, both public and private. Guest accommodations, which range from a 650-squarefoot Deluxe Suite to the 2,600-square-foot Presidential Suite, are outfitted in a fashion best described as a contemporary take on traditional Mexican motifs, utilizing custom-made case goods from Guatemala and original paintings by Mexico’s own Agustin Castro. Luxurious marble bathrooms boast hydromassage tubs, double-basin sinks and L’Occitane toiletries. An amply stocked minibar and 24-hour room service means that you’ll never go hungry or thirsty. Each morning your foodie fiesta commences with the Marquis Wake Up, which includes a basket of fresh sweet rolls and piping hot coffee, waiting to be discovered in a secret pantry next to your room’s front door. The 26 one-bedroom casitas and five Master Suites have private plunge pools and kitchens, while the Presidential Suite sports a terrace that spans the width of the lobby arch and includes private butler service.

Junior suite

Casita living room

Spa treatment room

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Heirloom tomato salad at Los Tamarindos

Ubaldo Martinez, general manager of Los Tamarindos

When it comes to on-site culinary experiences, Marquis Los Cabos obliterates the sub-par stigma frequently associated with all-inclusive properties. Frenchman and Executive Chef Thierry Dufour oversees the menus at the resortâ€™s signature Canto Del Mar restaurant and its other specialty dining options: Vista Ballenas, Dos Mares, Pergola and Sakke restaurants and the Suspiro Bar. The buffet-style Vista Ballenas serves traditional breakfast offerings, regionally inspired Mexican cuisine for lunch and Italian-themed dinners, with seating inside the colorful dining room or oceanfront on an elevated terrace (their made-to-order omelets at breakfast are a thing of beauty). As much as I wanted to eat my way through the entirety of the lunch offerings, including stone-oven pizzas served up at Pergola, I found that the craveability quotient of the ceviche and guacamole at Dos Mares lured me back each day. Sushi and teppanyaki table service in a contemporary setting are found at Sakke, along with a lineup of craft cocktails exclusive to this outlet. 42 slmag.net

For the ultimate dining experience, opt for the upcharge for Canto Del Mar. Chef Thierry has carefully orchestrated every act of this prix-fixe dinner theatre, from the ProvenĂ§al blue walls and terracotta tile floors in the intimate dining room to the artfully composed plates. Adept and attentive service mirrors the elevated cuisine. A published daily calendar of events aims to offer something for everyone, and includes active pursuits such as oceanfront yoga, water aerobics, air rifle shooting, beach and pool volleyball, and free throw competitions, to culinaryfocused diversions such as tequila and wine tastings and cooking demonstrations. It was interesting to watch how group activities made quick friends of strangers, who ran the gamut from honeymooners to parents with their adult children. A quick glance around the grounds evidenced that the most popular activity was congregating around a trio of pools: a large central one flanked by two with an infinity-edge. Because the surf is too tumultuous for swimming but quite spectacular for wave-

Gallery District in San José del Cabo

La Revolución

watching, it is easy to take advantage of an abundance of loungers and attentive pool staff and while away an afternoon being lulled into a dreamlike state by the rhythmic pounding of the surf. If swimming in the sea is a must, a calm cove can be accessed a short beach stroll away. Activities extend into the evening hours, although I found stargazing on my balcony with a nightcap to be the optimal way to ease into a restful night’s sleep. Equally relaxing is the 13,000-square-foot Spa Marquis. Indigenous ingredients including cactus oils, agave, sea salt and seaweed factor heavily into the lineup of facial and body treatment options. Following your service, you can retreat to a trio of oceanfront whirlpools reserved for spa guests. Tempting as it is to remain in a state of supreme satiation without ever leaving the property, there are a few places within easy reach that are worth a visit. Numerous tour companies nearby provide paddleboard and sailing options to the famous arch of Cabo San Lucas, which marks the sport where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. The quaint and quiet

Grilled octopus at Los Tamarindos

Themed dinner at Marquis Los Cabos

Gallery District in San José del Cabo includes a mélange of art purveyors, ranging from listed artists to indigenous artisans. There are also excellent bars and restaurants in the area—La Revolución, Baja Brewing Company and Paleteria Tropical were among our favorites. Travel a little further afield along a dirt road to reach Los Tamarindos, an organic farm and restaurant that dates back to the 19th century. Seated at a rough-hewn table in the shadow of a late 1800s stone brick farmhouse, we feasted on delicacies including their signature dish—octopus on a bed of arugula with house made habanero sauce—as well as a salad made of heirloom tomatoes so naturally sweet they could have sufficed as dessert. Our farm-to-table feast was complemented by wines from Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe. From foodies to fitness enthusiasts, Marquis Los Cabos Hotel and Spa makes it easy to go all-in for their all-inclusive experience. Rates from $435 to $2,308 double per night all-inclusive with taxes. For more information or reservations visit marquisloscabos.com. sl

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Of Note... Off the Grid

Compiled by Colin Dennis

Left to right, top to bottom: Elite 11 is a white Carrara and black Marquinha tile from Devon & Devon (price upon request; devon-devon.com). Eve tiles from Hastings Tile & Bath are double-fired and available in five colorways (price upon request; hastingstileandbath.com). From Exquisite Surfaces La Terre collection, FAN is highly customizable Moorish-inspired, hand-stenciled terra cotta tile (price upon request; xsurfaces.com). Attempting to capture the extravagance of the Roaring Twenties, Grand Gatsby from Artistic Tile is comprised of polished Thassos marble inset with brushed brass lines and triangular Nero Marquina polished dots ($156 per s/f; artistictile.com). Designed by Michael Aram and winner of Interior Design magazine's 2017 Best of Year Award, Orchid Dimensional tile from Artistic Tile features crystalline white Thassos flowers juxtaposed on honed black marble ($175 per s/f; artistictile.com). Mezzo porcelain tiles from Original Style have a matte cement-effect finish that imparts a time-worn patina (price upon request; originalstyle.com). Tiles from the TANGRAM collection, designed by Atelier, are meant to be mixed and matched in random configurations to create a kaleidoscope effect (price upon request; archello.com). Seed dimensional cement tiles from Walker Zanger's KAZA collection are available in six colors. Shown is Rewarding Peace Gloss (price upon request; walkerzanger.com). Pattern PM 17 is a hand-stenciled terra cotta tile from Exquisite Surfaces' La Terre Deco collection (price upon request; xsurfaces.com). Daisy ceramic mosaic tile from Walker Zanger's TILT collection (price upon request; walkerzanger.com).

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Machine Volanti is part of Hastings Tile & Bath's Fornasetti line of tiles from Bardelli (price upon request; hastingstilebath.com)

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CHILD’S PLAY Written by Caylee Matthews

The historic, culinary and cultural charms of Charleston are wellknown among more mature travelers, but in many instances, making these same specialties salable to the younger set involves some creative cajoling. Fortunately, the Beach Club at Charleston Harbor ensures the trip is an easy sale. Opened in 2016 and located on a peninsula adjacent to the Charleston Harbor Marina, the largest in all of the Carolinas, the 92-room boutique hotel is one of only two hotels in South Carolina to be part of Leading Hotels of the World. Easy access to the city center and a host of family-friendly on-site activities all but guarantee that guests of all ages will be amply occupied. I have been vacationing in Charleston for years, and as its reputation as an “it” destination continues to grow, so do

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the crowds. During my most recent visit, I genuinely looked forward to returning to the serenity of the Beach Club—just a 15-minute commute from Charleston’s city center across the Ravenel Bridge to Mount Pleasant—after a day amidst the hustle and bustle. Parents appreciate the resort’s family parlor rooms, which feature a separate closed-door bedroom for the kids with two twin beds – ensuring that grownups get time to themselves after the little ones go to sleep. Our spacious room was outfitted in the clean, casual, coastal chic style one looks to experience when in Lowcountry. We noted the unique artwork, custom furnishings, and a smattering of contemporary design flourishes that kept the décor from looking

The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor makes it easy for guests of all ages to enjoy recreation, relaxation and even a little education while on vacation.

cliché. I made a point to bookend each day on the balcony of my room, enjoying the tranquility of the water views, and greeting the sun at daybreak and bidding it adieu at day’s end. The lobby and common areas at the Beach Club are outfitted in the same comfortable and elegant fashion as the guest rooms, with the addition of original art by Charleston artist John Carroll Doyle. Interspersed with classic British Colonial-style furnishings and lively upholstered pieces are large white Murano glass chandeliers and tall Venetian mirrors. There is an intense attention to even the most minute details,evidenced by porthole-shaped sconces, whimsical oar finials on curtain rods, and colorful banding on the linen drapery.

Property amenities include two marina-front heated pools with ample lounge chairs and full-service private cabanas, fire pits, Jacuzzi, a 30-seat movie theatre, a fitness center, full service marina with water taxi service to Charleston, and a complimentary resort trolley to area attractions. Charleston Harbor Fish House, an award-winning restaurant overlooking Charleston Harbor, is among a trio of on-site dining options, in addition to 24-hour room service. If you are a seafood lover, don’t miss the spectacle that is their chilled seafood castle and tower. The Beach Club’s Estuary Spa is a simple sanctuary focused on expert face and body treatments utilizing high quality products.

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USS Laffey

North Charleston Fire Museum

Kids ages 5-12 can enjoy the Mini-Mariners Kids’ Camp ($25 per child/day including lunch), which encourages them to step away from technology and engage in the environment around them by making weather instruments, interacting with ocean life, hunting for shark teeth, painting, fossil digging and piñata making with items from the earth. A daily dock walk in the summer months allows children (and parents) to learn about sea life above and below the water. Each evening, a “Sunset Celebration” at the beachfront fire pit involves roasting marshmallows followed by making a wish upon a shell and tossing it into the ocean, a ritual that studies show is calming to children, and teaches them to live in the moment. “Our location on Charleston Harbor and close proximity to downtown gives us the best of both worlds – exploring this amazing city through weekly field trips and getting the kids out into nature. Being near the water has a very calming effect on children and teens; and science shows it can make people happier and healthier,” said Amy Smith, Recreation Manager and Captain of the Mini Mariner program. A very short walk along the marina’s edge brings you to the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, where you can

easily spend the majority of an afternoon exploring the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, the USS Laffey Destroyer and the USS Clamagore submarine, among other attractions. Hop on a complimentary Schwinn bicycle for the flat ride to Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park, where there’s a great playground and you can rent poles for fishing off of the pier. If you are feeling extra adventurous, continue up and across the three-mile span of the Ravenel Bridge, where kid favorite attractions include the South Carolina Aquarium, the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, the North Charleston Fire Museum, carriage tours, and Charleston Pirate Tours. The beaches of Sullivan’s Island are just 6 miles away. “When is the last time you drove a single speed cruiser to the beach? We’re about showing our guests another side of Charleston–one that is unexpected and unique to our waterfront location and close proximity to the beach,” said Oliver Rooskens, the property’s Managing Director. The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina is located 7 miles from downtown Charleston at 20 Patriots Point Road in Mount Pleasant. Rates start at $249 per night. For more information visit charlestonharborresort.com/the-beach-club.htm. sl slmag.net

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magic

Left to right, top to bottom: Black rhodium and diamond bracelet from Noudar (price upon request; noudar.com). Novel Heritage Monday Morning Mood bangle with black diamonds ($2,950; nouvelheritage.com). John Hardy men's Legends Collection Naga black volcanic bead bracelet ($595; johnhardy.com). VTSE 18K white gold bracelet with black diamond beads and pavĂŠ diamonds ($150,000; vtsejewelry.com). Opposite page, left to right, top to bottom: From Tamara Comolli, INDIA ebony necklace in 18K white gold ($2.200) and carved onyx INDIA Leaf pendant ($1,156; tamaracomoli.com). Colette Malouf Anemone earrings ($198; colettemalouf.com). Medusa bracelet from Aida Bergsen in 22K gold and oxidized silver with diamonds (price upon request; aidabergsen.com). One-of-a-kind NeyĂźn pendant of 18K yellow gold and rutilated quartz from Millapani ($1,680; millapani.com). One-ofa-kind Bracelet from Annie Hammer Jewelry (price upon request; 520.742.5476).

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Left to right, top to bottom: Marrow Under the Perfect Moon pendant ($1,650; marrowfine.com). Anthony Lent Bosch Pearl French wire earrings with black Tahitian pearls ($7,890; anthonylent.com). Song of the Blue Bird lapis lazuli and black jadeite earrings from Chopard (price upon request; chopard.com). Pyrrha triple black diamond 14K gold stud earrings ($1,329; pyrrha.com). Tahitian baroque pearl rope necklace from Assael (price upon request; assael.com). Alessa men's tie bar in 18K black gold with black diamonds ($295; alessa. jewelry.com). Sydney Evan black rhodium and diamond safety pin earrings ($660; sydneyevan.com) Opposite page, left to right, top to bottom: Antoanetta Fine Jewelry 14K rose gold claw ring with black diamonds ($675; antoanetta.com). Anne Sisteron 14K yellow gold and black diamond Zig Zag stacking ring ($430; annesisteron.com). Adam Foster Fine Jewelry 18K Constellation lava rock ring with black diamonds ($8,700; fosterjewelry.com). Jared Lehr 18K blackened gold with indicolite tourmaline and damonds ($19,000; jaredlehr.com). Moonlight Enchanted Lotus black ceramic band with white gold and diamonds from De Beers ($4,150; debeers.com). An 18K gold ring from Lydia Courteille's Procreation collection with diamonds, tsavorites, brown diamonds and a 25.68ct black star sapphire (price upon request; lydiacourteille.com).

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A WINEMAKER’S SPIRITUAL JOURNEY Jeff Morgan’s quest to produce the best kosher wine in the world Written by Vicki Garfinkel / Photos courtesy of Covenant When wine writer Gabriel Geller heard about the man behind Covenant winery, he knew it was an inspiring story, one worth telling. “It’s a story of faith, entrepreneurship, and chutzpah,” said Geller, who also serves as VP of Public Relations for Royal Wine Corp., distributor of Covenant wines in the United States. In 2002, Jeff Morgan was at a winemaking conference in Napa Valley when an intriguing topic came up: why aren’t there more good kosher wines? The question led the journalist-turnedwinemaker on a quest to produce not just a great kosher wine, but the best kosher wine in the world. It was a risk. As a long-time writer for Wine Spectator, Morgan knew that kosher wines had come a long way over the past few decades. But he had never made kosher wine before. In fact, his upbringing was so secular that his family had Christmas trees and he had never attended synagogue. Morgan teamed up with food and wine entrepreneur Leslie Rudd, a fellow non-observant Jew and owner of some of Napa’s most 54 slmag.net

prized vineyards. They enlisted the help of Herzog Wine Cellars, secured OU certification, and the Covenant label was born. The first vintage was a cabernet sauvignon made from Napa grapes, released in 2003, that earned high praises from Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate. Two years later, Robert Parker declared Covenant “one of the finest kosher wines on Planet Earth.” As the raves kept coming, Covenant became a boutique brand with a cult-like following. Meanwhile, Morgan realized how little he knew about Judaism. So, he decided to reconnect with his Jewish roots – teaching himself Hebrew, reading Torah, laying tefillin – with his wife and business partner Jodie along for the spiritual ride. In 2007 he became a bar mitzvah. The couple became active in an Orthodox congregation in California. It was during a visit to Israel some 15 years ago when Morgan sampled an impressive Domaine du Castel Grand Vin, produced in the Judean Hills, and had an epiphany: If he could make kosher wine

in California, why not also make it in the homeland of the Jewish people, the place where Jewish winemaking began? “Israel reminded us of what Napa Valley was like 30 years ago,” Morgan wrote in J: The Jewish News of Northern California last May. “We were inspired to found Covenant Israel, a wine project aimed at investing in Israel and showing support for what we believe is one of the world’s most up-and-coming wine regions.” That was when Covenant became the first-ever kosher wine to be produced both in the United States and Israel. The first bottle of Covenant Israel, a syrah blend sourced from the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights, was released in 2015. In 2018, Covenant ISRAEL Blue C viognier and Adom became available in the United States. Today, Covenant’s portfolio includes six California wines and three Israeli wines available in the USA. In Geller’s view, “Jeff makes a wine in the Holy Land that’s as unique and superb as the wine he makes in California. Covenant Israel was the talk of the Kosher Food & Wine Experience NYC!”

The label’s syrahs, Blue C viogniers, and Blue C Adom red blend are made in limited batches and consistently earn rave reviews. “Lovers of premium wines would do well to grab them when they can,” Geller advises. “Those who do will see for themselves what Robert Parker means when he talks about ‘the finest kosher wine on Planet Earth.’” On a poignant note, the Morgan’s friend, mentor, and Covenant co-founder Leslie Rudd passed away in May. But Covenant is very much a family affair. Jeff and Jodie’s daughter Zoe made Aliyah four years ago and head up hospitality, sales, marketing, and more in Israel. And Covenant Israel is rapidly becoming one of the most highly regarded brands not just in Israel but in the world. “As impressive as these bottlings are,” added Geller, “nothing impresses me more than the notion that a glass of kosher wine could inspire one family’s spiritual and life journey…and transform the entire wine industry. It’s a story of beshert (destined to be) in the very best sense of the word.” sl slmag.net

BULL MARKET

Lamborghini looks to dominate the luxury SUV segment with the launch of Urus Written by Andre James / Photos courtesy of Lamborghini After making its global debut in December 2017 at the Lamborghini factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, the storied Italian automaker took Urus, its first Super Sport Utility Vehicle, on a whirlwind tour, charging into 114 cities in just four months. From the snowcovered streets of Moscow to the sands of Australia’s Bondi Beach, the roadshow was designed to demonstrate the luxury SUV’s versatility: easy driving in the city, maximum comfort during long journeys, thrilling super sports car dynamics on the road and track, and versatile off-road abilities in a range of environments. "The Lamborghini Urus is a visionary approach based on the infusion of Lamborghini DNA into the most versatile vehicle, the SUV. The Urus elevates the SUV to a level not previously possible, the Super SUV. It is a true Lamborghini in terms of design, performance, driving dynamics and emotion as well as drivable every day in a range of environments," said Stefano Domenicali, Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 56 slmag.net

In keeping with tradition at Lamborghini, the name Urus is derived from the world of bulls. The Urus, also known as Aurochs, is one of the large, wild ancestors of domestic cattle. The Spanish fighting bull, as bred for the past 500 years, is still very close to the Urus in its appearance. Lamborghini’s Urus features a compact front-mounted 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo aluminum engine that optimizes the car’s center of gravity. The powerplant strikes an ideal balance between vehicle performance and efficient engine function to deliver one of the highest specific power outputs in its class, and the best weight-to-power ratio. With 650hp at 6,000 rpm, the Urus rockets from 0-62 mph in 3.6-seconds, 0-100 mph in 8.6-seconds, and boasts a top speed of 190 mph. Standard carbon ceramic breaks (the largest ever fitted to a production car) make stop times equally impressive, with deceleration from 60 mph to a standstill in a little more than 110 feet.

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The Tamburo driving mode selector on the center console controls all dynamic vehicle systems, and active torque vectoring via a rear differential enables propulsive power to be instantly distributed to each individual wheel for enhanced traction, depending on the driving mode, driving style and the road grip. In the driving modes STRADA, TERRA (off-road) and NEVE (snow) torque vectoring reduces understeer for safe and simple driving. In SPORT and CORSA torque vectoring allows the Urus to become more agile with a greater oversteer character: interaction between the four-wheel drive system and ESC manages oversteer to enable a precise and fun drive. In SABBIA (sand) mode, the system is calibrated to guarantee agility and precision on terrains with reduced grip, making it the ideal mode for off-road fun. Additionally, depending on the driving mode selected, the V8 engine has been calibrated to vary the sound and feel of the Urus, from the quietest and most comfortable low-frequency sounds in STRADA mode, to a sportier and more exciting Lamborghini sound and feedback in CORSA. Design cues inside and out define the Urus as a member of the Lamborghini family. The exterior adopts the two-thirds body, onethird window ratio of Lamborghini super sports cars. The peaked

mound of the hood recalls both the Miura and Aventador. LED headlights are designed in the familiar Lamborghini Y shape. The Y-shaped front air intakes, also a feature of the LM002, are detailed with the Italian flag. The rear diffuser is inspired by Lamborghini race cars, with integrated double round exhaust pipes. Inside, the Urus amply accommodates five occupants in a low but comfortable super sports car seat position. Oriented around the driver, the slim Y design of the dashboard is inspired by the LM002 as well as by current Lamborghini super sports cars. The Lamborghini hexagonal theme echoes throughout the interior, in elements such as air vents and door handles, and even in items such as the cup holders and air bag modules. Myriad customization options are available, from 21” to 23” tires especially developed by Pirelli for the Urus, to 18-way fullyelectric front seats with ventilation and massage. “The Urus fits perfectly within the Lamborghini family as a high-performance car. It is the culmination of intensive development and passionate skill to create a new breed of bull: a Super SUV that transcends the boundaries of expectations and opens the door to new possibilities for both our brand and our customers,” said Domenicali. Suggested retail price for the 2019 Lamborghini Urus is $200,000. sl

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LEADERS OF THE PACK

Clockwise from top left: Frank Clegg American alligator hold-all ($16,000; frankcleggleatherworks.com.) My Montblanc Nightlight backpack ($675; montblanc.com). Signature 2.0 luggage from Vessel Bags with 360-degree wheels and front zip organization pocket with padded laptop sleeve ($295; vesselbags.com). The Heritage Race leather backpack from Bentley features the brand's iconic Le Mans No. 9 diamond quilting ($625; shopbentleymotors.com). Personalized leather and sterling silver luggage tag from Babatude Boutique ($45; babatude.com). The Large: Aluminum Edition from Away boasts a shell of anodized aluminum with a softly brushed finish ($595; awaytravel.com). Globe-Trotter Deco 30" Extra Deep Suitcase with wheels( $2,230; globe-trotter.com). From Annabel James, this weekender bag is crafted of Italian embossed leather and lined with satin ($365; annabeljames. co.uk). The blue Capri Pilot case from Bric's is constructed of ultralight polycarbonate with a lined interior and organizational compartments ($325; bricstore.com). Escape suitcase from ROLLOGO with patented electric generating spinner wheels, a detachable power bank equipped with Bluetooth and two standard USB ports, and a unique top compartment. The nanofiber fabric is both water and stain resistant ($800; rollogo.com).

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The Backpack XV in carbon fiber with mobile charging capability ($399) and Check-In carbon fiber luggage with GravityRoll wheel technology ($749) from G-RO (g-ro.com).

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Scott Flora with a Babydoll Southdown lamb

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED Native Flora embraces a “renegade” approach to winemaking in Oregon’s Dundee Hills AVA Written by Bridget Williams / Photography courtesy of Native Flora Describing an experience as “authentic” is currently buzzy in both culinary and travel industries. It is a somewhat malleable descriptor, as what is deemed genuine or original by one person can seem contrived to someone else. For better or worse, authentic is the word that bubbles to the top every time I try to convey my experiences traveling through Oregon’s famed Willamette Valley winemaking region, where, with surprising frequency, my tasting glasses are filled by the winemakers themselves, who share their unique story as they pour. While there are certainly commonalities from one to the next—the notion of following a dream, taking a big leap of faith and moving to Oregon to build a winery from scratch—I never tire of hearing their tales of trials and triumphs as they learned the winemaking process from grape-to-glass. During my most recent visit, which was solely focused on the 6,490-acres that comprise the Dundee Hills AVA, I once again drank up the collective stories of those who have chosen to 62 slmag.net

pursue their passion in winemaking, farming, hospitality, and art. There is a strong sense of community among the more than 50 vineyards and wineries in the Dundee Hills, and this conviviality carries over to all aspects of the visitor experience. Over the next few issues we’ll be sharing highlights of the trip, including discussions with winemaking pioneers who put Oregon’s pinot noir on the map, to the new kids on the block who are looking to carve out their own unique niche. For our first installment, we’ve chosen to focus on Native Flora, which was among the first wineries I visited on my maiden voyage to Oregon’s wine country several years ago. Founders/ owners Scott and Denise Flora arrived in Oregon from Hong Kong in 2000, and from the get-go they have made a point to challenge convention. Their vanguard approach to winemaking, as well as their highly personal tasting experience certainly left an impression on me.

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Scott and Denise Flora in the tasting room

As Scott will quickly tell you, Native Flora is not your typical Oregon winery. “We are likely the most rebel, renegade establishment in wine country, and possibly the most fun,” he said. Taking a heterodox approach, in 2005 they planted their first vines on a steep north-facing slope on which no one else dared to plant. Upping the ante on alternative approaches, the vines are supported by a unique trellis system that allows a herd of Babydoll Southdown sheep to work as groundskeepers, mowing and fertilizing the grounds year-round. The lowest fruiting wire is set just above the reach of the tallest sheep, which has the added benefit of making the harvest a little less backbreaking. Sitting at 800’ feet of elevation, the vineyards in the valley below Native Flora mimic squares of a patchwork quilt. This rarified air imparts Native Flora with its own microclimate, which allows Scott, a Yale grad and self-professed “wine geek,” to relish in experimentation. “Sometimes we crash and burn; most of the time we succeed,” he conveyed with bravado. Comprising 16,000-square-feet in total, the winery, tasting area, and the Flora’s personal home are artfully and thoughtfully melded into the hilltop site. Sustainable innovations include geo-thermal heating and cooling, an extensive rainwater capture system that leaves groundwater untouched, and a waste treatment system suitable for a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. Unless you have a tasting appointment, coming across a bottle of Native Flora is like catching a unicorn, and that is by design. Scott explained, “We greatly value experimentation, 64 slmag.net

privacy, our place, the guests who come to visit, and our friendships with them when they depart. We produce worldclass wines sought by serious collectors, as well as novel, fun, and technically sound wines meant to stretch the boundaries of wine tradition. Our goal is to be a limited producer, sought out for quality of product and experience.” Reflective of the Asian accents found throughout their airy residence, Scott and Denise have a yin-and-yang relationship that serves their business interests well. With Scott as the booming mouthpiece of the brand, Denise, a retired COO, has a quieter confidence and eye for detail that keeps the business side running smoothly. Native Flora’s current portfolio includes an ageable dry rosé, a “riesling for riesling haters”, pinot noir, pinot blanc, a “PMS” blend (estate-grown pinot, malbec and syrah), and méthode champenoise sparkling wine. Most of their wines are available to order through Native Flora’s website (nativeflora.com), or by joining their wine club. A benefit of an in-person tasting is gaining access to a handful of limited-production or library wines only available through the tasting room. While Scott and Denise make seriously good wines, they believe wine and fun go hand-in-hand, as evidenced by the wonderfully witty stories found on many of their bottle labels (we won’t spoil the surprise here so you’ll have to seek out a bottle to see for yourself ). “It’s a kick running a small vineyard,” said Scott. sl For more information on the Dundee Hills AVA, visit dundeehills.org.

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photo production: Schawk Studios Account Director: Tearle Calinog Photographer: BETHANY PUTERBAUGH Styling: Aimee Ventura / Maggie Jarecki Art Director: Tomoko Nagle Model: Colleen Kloster -- Factor Chosen

SOPHISTICATED SOURCE Fallâ€™s chicest fashion and interior design trends boast big-time sex appeal. by Elise Hofer Shaw

Metal spike slingback pump, $2,050, by Balenciaga at Nordstrom stores.

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Pop Pendant in Satin Red, $495, by Vermont Modern at Lightology, 312.944.1000.

Trova cap-toe pump, $815, by Manolo Blahnik at Nordstrom stores.

Swirl lamé Miranda dress in Merlot, $3,360, and alpaca wool and double wool crepe Moreno cape in crimson/ black, $3,615, both by Roland Mouret at rolandmouret.com.

Theme & Variations plate No. 22, $215, by Fornasetti at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Small Vicky patent leather crossbody bag, $1,990, by Saint Laurent at Nordstrom stores.

Super Lunar 53mm round sunglasses, $270, by Karen Walker at Nordstrom stores.

Chinese oval chest made with reclaimed elm wood (circa 1900), $4,200, at The Golden Triangle, 312.755.1266.

UP6_6 armchair in Soara Red, $5,511, from the Up Serie 2000 collection by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia at WPA Chicago, 312.335.3855.

Rouge Embers wool and silk rug from Pakistan (8’10” x 11’11”), $11,875, at Organic Looms, 312.832.0900.

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Veiled Beauty of the Mystic mixed media painting (40â€? x 30â€?), $5,500, by Chicago artist Sarah Raskey, sarahraskey.com.

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Ula geometric pendant in Brass, $400-$600, by Dounia Home at Lightology, 312.944.1000. Small Kan I metallic leather shoulder bag, $2,350, by Fendi at Nordstrom stores.

Double pear crystal earrings, $48, by Givenchy at Nordstrom stores.

One-shoulder textured matelasse cocktail dress, $2,995, by Rubin Singer at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, 312.642.5900.

Bespoke parquet floor composed of rift and quartered bleached white oak and solid brass inserts, $95 per sq. ft., at Divine Flooring in LuxeHome at theMART, 844.634.8463.

Cosmic handmade mosaic tile shown in 24K gold glass, price upon request, at The Fine Line, 312.670.0300.

Acetate and metal mirrored shield sunglasses, $245, by Rag & Bone at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, 312.642.5900.

LouLou booties, $1,095, by Saint Laurent at Nordstrom stores.

Wood chair with GG jacquard, $2,600, by Gucci DĂŠcor at gucci.com.

Nadole decorative pillow hand-screen-printed in metallic gold, $165, by John Robshaw Textiles at Bedside Manor, 773.404.2020.

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FRAME7 technical series of stone cabinetry with Carbono Waterjet quartzite, barrel oak and metal decor lacquer finishes and a 15 Square custom modular organizational system, price upon request, at Eggersmann Kitchens | Home Living, 312.222.8700.

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2Jours petite calf dolce tote bag with ribbon whipstitching, $2,750, by Fendi at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, 312.642.5900.

Monarch Chantilly leather XL choker necklace with crystals, $650, by Fallon at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, 312.642.5900.

Unbridled Bauble sweater, $850, and chevron panel skirt, $1,995, both by Zimmermann at VMR, 312.330.3778.

Life pendants with Victorian-inspired silhouette with a scalloped edge and distressed patterned denim fabric shade, $1,783-$2,130, by Karman at Lightology, 312.944.1000.

Delphine metallic gladiator sandals in rose gold, $650, by Sophia Webster at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, 312.642.5900.

Olivia curtain (49â€? x 94â€?), $436, by Bella Notte Linens at Bedside Manor, 773.404.2020.

Diamond tile in silver glass, $45 per sq. ft., at The Fine Line, 312.670.0300.

Open gusset panties, $36, by Hanky Panky at Nordstrom stores.

Silk underwire bra, $39, by & Other Stories at stories.com.

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Untitled 2018 giclée print (40.5” x 27”), price upon request, by photo artist Meg Cowell at Daniel Kinkade Fine Art, danielkinkade.com.

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Puma sculpted pendant with black onyx, diamonds and sapphires, price upon request, by Magerit at Razny Jewelers, 312.663.8500.

Leopard voile cape, $1,990, by Saint Laurent at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Sitting tiger grand sculpture in black enameled clear crystal, $6,300, by Lalique at lalique.com.

Flat Top 59mm sunglasses, $380, by Saint Laurent at Nordstrom stores. Black jaguar gloss Elina clutch, $1,550, by Jeffrey Levinson and available by special order at Barneys New York stores.

Tiger lower body rug pillow, $465, by Dolma at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Mark Segal: Cheetah book (D.A.P.), $120, at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Cheetah sateen bedding (400 thread count), $50-$480, by Pine Cone Hill, an Annie Selke Company, at Bedside Manor, 773.404.2020.

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ALL THE RIGHT MOVES

A longtime Libertyville design studio gets a Chicago address— and launches a line of swoon-worthy home accessories. By Marissa Conrad / Portrait by Maria Ponce / Interiors photography by Werner Straube Seven years ago, a colleague asked Susan Brunstrum, then an interior designer in Libertyville, Ill., a question: “Put your business aside for a second. What do you want for the next chapter of your life?’ Without hesitating, Brunstrum blurted out, “I want to live in Chicago!”—surprising even herself. Brunstrum’s self-made business, Sweet Peas Design, was thriving. She thought carefully about what a move would look like, both for her—a single mom of two almost-grown kids—and her company. And when the time was right—kids almost out of college, business not just thriving, but ready to expand—she took the leap. In 2015, Brunstrum moved into a Gold Coast condo. And last year, her firm left its Lake County address for one in Chicago’s bustling Old Town neighborhood. “I’ve always scaled organically, and as needed,” she says. “Quite frankly, I’m proud of it. I’ve never had any investors. When I’m ready to make a change, I just do it. There’s no looking back. What’s next is always forward.” This quiet determination has served the designer well. Over the last 15 years, Brunstrum has carefully built one of the most respected interior design firms in the Chicago area, championing an integrated team whose recognitions include three ASID Design Excellence Awards, two Chrysalis Awards and several prestigious show houses. Now, as she continues to grow her client roster, Brunstrum is moving forward with a few more big decisions. First up: a name change. In June, Sweet Peas became Studio Brunstrum, a name that celebrates not only its owner, but all seven employees who report to her studio. “I didn’t want the firm named just after me,” Brunstrum says. “We’re very collaborative.” (On ditching Sweet Peas: It was her college nickname, so she’ll always feel attached, but it was giving the wrong impression. “Our work is not ‘cute,’” she says. “It’s not kids’ bedrooms.”) Along with the new name, Brunstrum is beginning to take on commercial clients, such as restaurants and boutiques. She’s also launching her own product line, Elements by Studio Brunstrum, featuring a mix of solo designs and collaborations with local craftspeople. A capsule collection of rugs, made from wool, silk and cactus, is a partnership with Julie Dasher Rugs, a textile designer Brunstrum has worked with on one-off custom rugs for nearly a decade. The four rugs, available in a variety of custom colorways, are softly colored and beautifully patterned, inspired by tide pools, catamaran sails and other natural objects from the outdoors.

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Chicago interior designer Susan Brunstrum looking through art at Gruen Galleries.

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For the Gracious House Show Home, the use of deconstructed wallpaper by Harlequin was inspired by the peeling paint at Camp Abundance in New Orleans. Chairs via Andrew Martin, cocktail table via Bradley, Edelman hair-on-hide rug, artwork from Gruen Galleries, glass sculptures by artist Pearl Dick, floor lamp by Barbara Cosgrove

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The inspiration board for a Chicago high-rise pied-à-terre renovation project by Studio Brunstrum. Photo by Aimee Mazzenga

Brunstrum lets out a happy chuckle when she shares news she’s particularly excited about, which happens when she talks about the immediate success of the rug line: “I already sold my first two! Two weeks after we launched.” She’s also designing a collection of home accessories, which will feature, among other pieces, bowls and other functional display items that team metal and acrylic. The contrast of the two materials is a style that Brunstrum loves, but rarely sees. “So I’ll just design them myself,” she says. If you hire Brunstrum to design your home, she’ll ask you to fill out a 10-page “discovery journal” that includes not only questions about your design sensibilities and how you live in your home, but also about things that seem unrelated, such as what you’ve Googled recently, the title of an unread book on your nightstand and your favorite guilty pleasure. “I always think the better that I get to know you, the better the end result,” she says. “It’s the personal journey we take together that is of the utmost importance. It is all about my understanding of your story.” When a client mentioned how much his dad loved the home’s original wood parquet floor, Brunstrum restored a portion of the parquet and incorporated it as an accent in the entry of every room. Between jobs, she travels. In the last year alone, the designer has visited Mexico, Denmark, Sweden, New York, L.A. and New Orleans, touring private art collections, meeting master glassblowers and exploring nature. (Next up: Italy this fall, and an African safari in 2019.) These trips heavily influence her work. “It’s not as though I’m thinking, ‘Oh, I saw this rock pattern and it’s going to become this rug,’” she says. “It’s not that literal. Forms, shapes, how colors meld or don’t… It all just percolates in my mind until a glimmer of inspiration emerges that I can use.”

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Studio Brunstrum incorporated artwork by Sally Ko and a lacquered yellow vintage Asian administratorâ€™s chair into the Lake Forest Show Houseâ€™s master bedroom.

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The lounge in a Chicago bachelorâ€™s three-story home designed by Studio Brunstrum. Rug via Stark, swivel chairs by Wesley Hall, cocktail table by Vanguard, Chicago skyline artwork by Gail Mancuso, chandelier from Schwung Home, columns painted by Minnihan

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Spanish moss overhanging the Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District of New Orleans, La. The moss inspired the color palette and textural accessories for a Chicago condo designed by Studio Brunstrum.

A stone pathway at Villa del Sol Hotel in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, provided the inspiration for the flooring in a Chicago bachelor’s three-story home designed by Studio Brunstrum.

A detail shot of The Octopus’s Veil by artist Michael Armitage. The color palette inspired the colors for Studio Brunstrum’s new website and branding.

A detail shot of Wildflowers by artist Maria Berrio. “Berrio creates colorful collages using a variety of handmade papers sourced from all over the world,” says Brunstrum. “This work inspired the color palette for an entire home.”

The Pacific Ocean off of Playa La Ropa in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The ocean inspired the design for Studio Brunstrum’s Eddies and Tidepools rug, part of a collection made in collaboration with Julie Dasher Rugs.

Layers of paint on a wall at Camp Abundance—a residency and special event compound for artists, writers and filmmakers in New Orleans—served as inspiration for Studio Brunstrum’s Elements line of rugs.

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Brunstrum and I meet for coffee in Old Town. Halfway through our conversation, she interrupts herself. “You have goosebumps!” The breeze at the sidewalk cafe has picked up, and the sun has disappeared. Brunstrum points to another cafe, where the patio tables are bathed in sun, and ushers us there. On the way, she stops to compliment a stranger’s shoes. The baristas at both shops know her by name. This is all, of course, extremely nice. It’s also something else: perceptive. Brunstrum notices every detail, which is what makes her an exceptional designer. Her daughter recently teased her that she takes almost all of her photos zoomed-in—say, a close-up of sand instead of a shot that shows the whole beach. In Mexico, on a scenic boat ride, she took photos of the water, wildlife and rock formations. These are the textures, patterns and colors that collect in her head, ultimately inspiring both her commissioned work and her Elements pieces. Lately, she says, some of her clients with busy lives want to unplug. They want her to design a room sans technology, to hang as a family without phones or laptops or tablets. This resonates with Brunstrum, who treasures time with her kids. Their dad, her husband, passed away unexpectedly of colon cancer before she launched her business, and they’ve been a tight-knit family of three since. Her son came with her to Sweden and Denmark—their first solo trip—and, as of June, she has some exciting news about her daughter: They’re coworkers. Kelsey left her job at Abercrombie & Fitch’s corporate office in Columbus, Ohio, to join the Studio Brunstrum crew. “She wants to be an entrepreneur,” Brunstrum says. “And she said to me, ‘Mom you’ve been in business 15 years. You’re doing something right. I know I can learn from you, and I’d like to learn how a business is run.’” And the business may be expanding again soon. If Elements does well here, Brunstrum wants to develop it into a national lifestyle/design brand. But first, she needs a new studio. Wait… isn’t this her new studio? Eighteen months in, her team is already outgrowing the Old Town space. She’s scouting locations. “I don’t know where we’re going to land, but I know we need more room,” she says. “It’s a wonderful problem to have!” sl Studio Brunstrum, 1242 N. Wells St., 847.816.1296. studiobrunstrum.com

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Tobiko caviar, part of the Grand Caviar Polanco presentation

THEIR KIND OF TOWN Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar in Humboldt Park pushes the boundaries (quite literally) on creative dining and caviar service. By Lisa Shames / Photography by Anthony Tahlier The stretch of Chicago Avenue where Ukrainian Village morphs into Humboldt Park, where medical clinics and auto body shops by far outnumber the hip restaurants and bars that pick up farther east, isn’t where you’d expect to find the city’s first—and, really, only—caviar bar. But Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar is there all the same, full of wonderful and delicious surprises beyond the dozen or so varieties of the delicacy it specializes in— and proudly displays on a bed of ice in a glass-enclosed case on its marble-topped bar. “It’s a love note to Chicago,” says Executive Chef/Partner Guy Meikle of the inspiration behind the year-old restaurant. “As the name says, it’s an homage to our diverse heritages. The menu is made up of dishes that the folks that work here are passionate about.” That goes a long way in explaining the eclectic mix of Czech-, Polish- and Korean-leaning dishes you’ll find on the restaurant’s main menu, such as creative riffs on pierogi, ramen and bratwurst. But what gives with the caviar? 86 slmag.net

The answer to that begins with Meikle’s South Side childhood growing up in a family that loved oysters, sardines, herring and other funky-flavored fish and seafood. His passion for caviar specifically came later when he worked at Tru. There at the finedining restaurant, he often found himself assembling fancy-pants caviar flights served on a towering glass staircase. It’s a rebellion of sorts against that experience that helped drive the caviar program at Heritage. “I always saw caviar service as being so unapproachable and not a lot of fun,” he says. “We wanted to bring it down to earth and take that stuffiness out of it.” And, boy, have they ever. While you could spend $205 for 30 grams of Royal Belgian Gold Osetra or $130 for the same amount of Imperial White sturgeon from the U.S., you don’t have to. On the same menu, you’ll also find bowfin “choupique” from Louisiana at $10 for 15 grams. And no matter what you order or how much you spend, your overall experience will be the same (albeit with the Grand Caviar Platters you’ll also get some tobiko and golden whitefish roe thrown in for good measure).

The Slony Makarons cocktail— Heritage’s version of a Salty Dog—is a mix of Finn’s Gin, Crème de Mûre, grapefruit, cilantro, jalapeño and salt.

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House beet-cured gravlax (a Nordic dish consisting of raw salmon) served with sea beans, kohlrabi and pickled green peaches

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The Grand Caviar Polanco presentation. “We work with Antonio Salto and Fine Taste Club to bring Polanco to the Chicago dining scene,” says Meikle. “This is the best Siberian caviar out there. They grow their own food, harvest the eggs in the most sustainable way imaginable, all while creating revenue for the Rio Negro in Uruguay.”

“I love telling adults to play with their food,” says Jess Kupka, general manager and beverage director, as guidance when the rainbow trout roe ($20 for 15 grams) arrives in front of me. It’s served with a platter of house-made accompaniments—freshfrom-the-fryer Kennebec potato chips, brown bread, and pickled onions, cucumbers and carrots—as well as the more traditional garnishes of finely chopped scallion, red onion, sour cream and egg (white and yolk plated separately). The object, she says, is to try and get the perfect bite over and over again until there’s nothing left. After first pressing the bright orange eggs to the roof of my mouth, as a way to “get to know them,” says Kupka, I dive in. A bit of initial intimidation quickly disappears as I gleefully pile on some of the pleasantly salty roe on top of one of the chips and garnish with green onion or egg, or both. Reset with a nibble on a pickled carrot followed by a bite of brown bread, a bit smoky from a quick visit to the wood-burning grill, lavishly schmeared with some lovely crème fraiche butter. Take a sip of wine, perhaps the elegant Szigeti Gruner Veltliner Brut, or a cocktail—the Ava Gardner is an intriguing mix of Union Horse bourbon, crème de violette and prosecco—before repeating the process. The only rule

to follow is to lean over your plate when eating to avoid dropping any of the chip’s precious cargo onto the floor below. While you might be tempted to stop there, don’t. With a diverse staff of seasoned culinary experts on hand, including Chef de Cuisine Alec Sherman, pastry chef/baker Alan Krueger and Director of R&D Shane Zimmerman, the latter of whom is to thank for the abundance of pickled and fermented items that find their way into many of the restaurant’s dishes, Heritage’s menu is one worth exploring. Continue on the seafaring voyage and order oysters from the rotating selection of East and West Coast varieties. Or opt for beet-cured gravlax paired with seasonal garnishes, which might include crunchy sea beans and preserved green peaches. There’s a wonderfully smoky ocean trout dip, too. Banchan, those terrific side dishes found in Korean restaurants, are represented here as a mix of house-made pickles and kimchi. They provide a nice acidic palate cleanser between dishes. And that’s especially true if you order the grilled sweet corn from the vegetables section of the menu. Cut into three pieces, the cob sits in a rich puddle of miso aioli spiked with cotija cheese and dotted with bits of fried shallot.

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The bar at Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar in Ukrainian Village

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A beautiful Baked Alaska courtesy of Pastry Chef and Baker Alan Krueger

Dumplings and noodles make regular appearances alongside plate co-stars that come and go with the change of the seasons. Currently, vegetable ramen is made with summer squash and hen of the woods mushrooms. At Heritage, Eastern European pierogi find inspiration closer to its adopted home of Chicago. Filled with crab, pickled ramps and lavender lardo and paired with cucumber chunks and tomato water, it pays homage to a Chicago-style hot dog down to the poppy seeds sprinkled on top. Come winter, the soulful pelmeni dumplings filled with ground duck will— fingers crossed—return. A handful of entrees round out the menu, including a crowd-pleasing burger and wood-grilled hanger steak. With an in-house pastry chef, skipping dessert isn’t an option. While it’s hard to resist the not-often-seen soufflé and baked Alaska, I opted for the daily pie, buttermilk custard on my visit, served with raspberries and house-made vanilla ice cream. I was very glad I did.

The comfort-inducing nature of Heritage’s food is a perfect match to its charming interior design, which includes black-andwhite photos of Meikle’s family in the 46-seat space on the first floor and those of his wife’s in the dining room downstairs, which, with its royal blue walls, wood-slat ceiling and cozy brown leather banquettes, has date night written all over it. There’s patio seating, too, with planters overflowing with fragrant herbs that you might recognize from ones on your plate or in your cocktail. But, really, no matter where you sit it’s hard not to get caught up in the feel-good vibes going on at Heritage, which can be attributed to the fact that some of the staff are part owners and have worked together for many years at other restaurants. “We have our moments and sometimes have disagreements,” says Meikle of his fellow partners, “but we all know there is a lot of love and passion here too.” We can tell. sl Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar, 2700 W. Chicago Ave., 773.661.9577, heritage-chicago.com

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Almighty Spirits founders Chris Peckat (left) and Jason Patrinos

SMALL AND POWERFUL

Accessible and high quality, Almighty Spirits Distiller is having an outsized impact on Chicago’s libations scene. By Matt Lee / Photography by Anthony Tahlier From Discovery Channel’s Shark Week to Southwest Airlines, there’s no shortage of great ideas that were born in bars. And while the jump from a couple of beers in a Bucktown watering hole to launching a craft distillery may not be as dramatic as, say, the cocktail-fueled creation of the Pet Rock (seriously), there was definitely a lightningbolt moment for Almighty Spirits Distiller founders Chris Peckat and Jason Patrinos. “We were hanging out, drinking a couple of beers,” says Peckat, sitting with Patrinos on the porch of a North Shore family restaurant, sipping a decidedly non-craft domestic beer on a hot summer day. “I’m from the restaurant and bar industry, I used to own a few bars, and it was something I’d wanted to do for a while. I kind of had to sell it to Jason. When it started we were gonna focus on vodka, selling mainly to bars. We wanted to make something affordable and high quality, and it evolved from there.” His buddy, similarly, had hospitality in his blood. “I grew up around restaurants; my grandparents both worked at banquet halls,” says Patrinos, who met Peckat in college. “I remember being in these giant industrial stainless-steel kitchens; my family would be working, and I’d kinda be enamored of it. Later, I ended up working in the spirits industry for a while. But anyway, yeah, we were thinking of craft spirits relative to the craft brew trend at that point, and we

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thought, ‘This looks like the next thing. Wouldn’t it be cool to have our own brand? We can do it; let’s give it a try.’” After all of the hefty legwork, red tape and back-end research one can imagine goes into such an effort, the Chicagoland natives officially launched Almighty Spirits in 2014. With a distillery located in Northbrook, the company offers a line of spirits that focuses on the winning combination of accessible pricing and distinctively high quality. Its Alcohol Inside line of vodka, gin, rum, bourbon and whiskey, for example, is characterized by a local approach—as well as a powerful 88 proof that ensures a kick even when the ice cubes melt. No stone is left unturned when it comes to process and ingredients: Alcohol Inside Vodka, for example, is made with Great Lakes water purified to the parts per million and Midwest corn that gives it a notable, sweet aftertaste. The straightforward tack is reflected not only in the highly literal name, but also the label and marketing—or, in the case of the latter, lack thereof. “There’s no marketing fluff on these bottles,” says Patrinos. “It’s really a workhorse, in a way, for the restaurant and bar industry, because it’s 88 proof. We’re not pitching some legacy story and naming it after ourselves.” The last comment gets a loud laugh from the wine-sipping writer, as I was, I admit, holding my breath waiting for the legacy story—not having one these days is pretty much unheard of. That’s

Almighty Spirits’ Alcohol Inside line of vodka, gin, rum, bourbon and whiskey

not the way for these two hardworking Chicago gents, however. For them, it’s all about the product, and they prefer mostly to let it speak for itself. In addition to the Alcohol Inside brand, they also produce Whippoorwill Western-Style Gin and, coming soon, Stray Rye Whiskey. “Stray is all single-barrel,” says Peckat. “Every single bottle will have a barrel number associated with it. I just like that. I think it’s fun, to be able to say, ‘I really love this barrel.’” A robust aged rye with notes of spice and oak, the spirit was, like all of Almighty’s offerings, concocted by Peckat and Patrinos via trial and error, sipping and aging and adjusting, with the help of a friend here and there. The grassroots approach is resonating. Almighty Spirits are currently available at dozens of Chicago’s top restaurants as well as retail outlets like Whole Foods, Standard Market and Pete’s Fresh Market. “The whiskey seems to be doing the best off-premise,” says Peckat, meaning outside of restaurants and bars. “And the vodka is probably performing the best on-premise.” While the pair might expand out of state at some point, for now they’re concentrating on Chicago and, to a degree, greater Illinois. That doesn’t necessarily mean, though, staying small: They’ve recently run out of space at their facility and are looking for new digs. “It would be cool to find an old farm with a barn so that we could offer tours,” says Patrinos.

Part of being a local brand is integrating into the community. With their deep Chicago and hospitality roots, the pair was already wired in—it was none other than an old friend, Francesca’s impresario Scott Harris, who was excited to step up as their first client. But Patrinos and Peckat want their company to be about more than selling liquor, so Almighty Spirits has been working with a wide array of charities to support causes they believe in, stocking bars at events of all stripes. “We’ve worked with PAWS, Search for Vision, a Veteran’s Day event at the Medinah Country Club,” says Patrinos. “We’ve recently started working with a group of young artists called Canvas Chicago. And we do the Michigan Avenue Fashion Show for Lurie’s Children’s Service Board. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s a great cause.” For this pair, the journey is just as important as the destination. “We took the other route,” says Patrinos, mulling the difference between the duo’s approach and large distilleries that seem to pop up out of nowhere—and be everywhere—overnight. “Slower, low overhead, grow organically, grassroots efforts. It’s working so far.” The other route? What was it that somebody once said about that? Oh, yeah: For Almighty Spirits, it could make all the difference. sl almightyspirits.com

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PAWS CHICAGO

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FIGGY.NET

TRANSFORMATIVE ART Snow City Arts inspires, educates and brings smiles to the faces of children and youth in Chicago hospitals. By Marissa Nelson On the whole, hospitals are not enjoyable places to be, especially for children—too many loud machines, people who are sick, and doctors who want to poke them with needles and ask a lot questions. But for a child with a chronic illness, it’s exactly where they need to be to get the care their illness demands, no matter how scary it might seem. Enter Near West Side-based Snow City Arts (snowcityarts. org), the Chicago nonprofit on a mission to inspire and educate children and youth in hospitals through the arts, transforming the hospital experience into one of self-expression and smiles. Partnering with four Chicago hospitals—Rush University Children’s Hospital, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Children’s Hospital University of Illinois and Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital—Snow City Arts works closely with the Child Life Departments at hospitals to bring its art workshops into patient rooms. According to The New York Times, art programs can have significant impact on children in the hospital, decreasing stress and improving their quality of life. “We provide them with a moment of creativity, a moment of escape,” says Jonathan Heuring, the development and communications director at Snow City Arts. “In the best of all worlds, we provide them with a moment where they can forget that they are in the hospital.” Paul Sznewajs, founder of Snow City Arts, first witnessed the positive power that creative arts can have on sick kids when he was teaching poetry in a hospital in Washington, D.C. When he moved to Chicago in 1998, Sznewajs knew he wanted to continue to be a conduit for bringing creativity to children in hospitals, but he also wanted to take it a step further by offering educational support for school missed due to an illness. So, that same year, he launched Snow City Arts and first began working with Rush University Children’s Hospital. Fast-forward 20 years and Snow City Arts’ reach and programming have grown exponentially. So far the nonprofit has worked with nearly 20,000 students and currently employs 11 professional artists as part-time “teaching artists.” Their talents range from painting and poetry to filmmaking and music. All art projects align with state and federal learning standards, allowing the students to receive credit for their work. Snow City Arts also has an agreement in place with Chicago Public Schools

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that allows high school students to receive half a credit toward their fine arts requirement for every five hours they spend working on a standards-based art project in the hospital. Here’s how it works: Every Snow City Arts’ workshop begins with a teaching artist asking a child one simple question, “Would you like to make art with me?” From that moment on, the child is given the decision-making power (something they have very little of in a hospital), including the choice to move forward with the art workshop or not. “We continue throughout our workshops to put choice and options in their hands,” says Carrie Spitler, executive director at Snow City Arts. “It really transforms that space from a clinical setting to a place for creativity and experimentation, inviting the children to unleash their imagination and explore their creativity—and giving them a break from blood tests and CAT scans.” All workshops are free to kids, and the majority of them are held bedside to accommodate students who aren’t able to leave their rooms. The teaching artists tailor the projects to the wants, interests and needs of each student. Before entering the room, they take the time to learn about each student’s abilities from the hospital’s Child Life Department—maybe their dominant hand is weak because of a disease, or their medication makes it difficult for them to pay attention—and projects are adapted accordingly. “We’re focused on meeting every student where they are and ensuring that no matter what their circumstances are, that we’re able to provide high-quality engagement and interaction,” says Spitler. When students are feeling strong enough, they can also work in Snow City Arts’ Idea Labs at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and Rush University Children’s Hospital, along with a shared art space at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. The spaces exist on the pediatric floor of each hospital and are medical-free zones—no nurses or doctors are allowed. Here, the children can work on collaborative art projects like large mosaics, and play instruments together such as drums, guitar and keyboard. Because healthcare is unpredictable and visits are usually periodic, Snow City Arts doesn’t have the luxury of knowing when they will see a student again—or if they will. In fact, the majority of the time a teaching artist only works with a child

“Wave of Rhoads” digital collage by a Snow City Arts student named Eli (age 18)

once. As a result, each art project must be possible to finish in one session. Even so, students and their families feel a profound impact from the workshop because it creates a space for a child to be a child, rather than a hospital patient. “One of the biggest ways that it impacted me was to have some agency and choice in that environment,” says Maya L. Chandran, a former Snow City Arts student who participated in workshops in 2006 and 2007 while in the hospital for a chronic illness. “As a child in the hospital, you really don’t have a lot of control over your situation. But when he or she is creating the art, the student is almost always in control of the art project.” In 2015, Chandran became the program coordinator for Snow City Arts, but has since had to step down due to the demands of her illness. But that didn’t keep her from being involved. These days Chandran is an auxiliary board member and her mother, Usha, sits on the board of directors. “Art is one thing that I could always still do when I was sick,” says

Chandran. “It was something that I could still participate in. It’s an accessible form of expression with healing powers that are good for the body and the soul.” This year, Snow City Arts is celebrating its 20th year of meeting children where they are and providing them with transformative artistic experiences. In commemoration of the milestone, the nonprofit is hosting a series of events this fall, including a film festival at Gene Siskel Film Center in October and a music exhibition at Schuba’s in December, that will display both its students’ work alongside professional Chicagoland artists, paying homage to the past two decades while raising awareness to support the org’s future. “We’re always looking to expand to new hospitals,” says Heuring. “We’re also looking to incorporate dance or movement into our programs. That’s the next big step.” sl For more information on Snow City Arts initiatives and upcoming events, or to volunteer, visit snowcityarts.org.

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SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY Presented by

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The River North Design District hosts the 4th Annual Fall Gallery Walk, rivernorthdesigndistrict.com The Woman’s Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital presents A Night Under the Big Top benefitting the hospital’s Evergreen Invitational Grants Initiative, wbnorthwestern.org Fall Fun-Raiser for Little Heroes League at Soldier Field’s Midway Club, littleheroesleague.org Wings of Hope gala benefitting Imerman Angels, imermanangels.org Creative Youth Festival, part of Chicago’s Year of Creative Youth, cityofchicago.org/yocy Expo Chicago 2018, The International Exposition of Contemporary and Modern Art at Navy Pier, expochicago.com 11th Annual Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet in Millennium Park, chicagogourmet.org The 14th annual A Sterling Event gala benefitting A Silver Lining Foundation, asilverliningfoundation.org Randolph Street Market, randolphstreetmarket.com

The 63rd Annual Gold Coast Fashion Award Show Sept. 27 at Revel Fulton Market The Children’s Service Board (CSB), an affiliated organization of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, hosts the 63rd Annual Gold Coast Fashion Award Show, (GCFAS), taking place at Revel Fulton Market in the West Loop. This year, GCFAS will benefit and honor Lurie Children’s Department of Family Services with the Children’s Service Board Award of Excellence. The evening will kick off with a lively cocktail reception featuring hors d’oeuvres from Chicago hot spots including Le Colonial and Aba, along with beverages provided by Almighty Spirits and more. The cocktail reception will be followed by a fashion presentation from the GCFAS’ longtime partner and sole retail sponsor, Neiman Marcus. gcfas.com Photo by Sebastian Biedron

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Gary Comer Youth Center 2018 Luncheon, garycomeryouthcenter.org/benefit Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation 20th Annual Dinner, eisenbergfoundation.org The Joffrey Ballet presents Christopher Wheeldon’s Swan Lake, joffrey.org The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center’s An Evening of Whimsy fall benefit, thewomansboard.org Randolph Street Market, randolphstreetmarket.com

Photos by John Reilly Photography and Robert Carl Photography

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ZOO BALL 2018: ZOOBILEE

The Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo hosted its annual Zoo Ball: Zoobilee, a celebration of the zoo’s 150-yearlong commitment to connecting people with nature. More than 800 guests turned out to fete the zoo’s incredible milestone with an enchanting night of dinner, drinks and dancing. After a cocktail reception featuring decor by Jewell Events Catering and Erin McDonald Design, guests enjoyed delicious seasonal fare and dancing under the stars to the Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra. This year’s gala raised more than $1.2 million to benefit the beloved institution, and to help fund the soon-to-be-unveiled Searle Visitor Center. –Taylor Morgan

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1) Eric and Colleen Mansell 2) Elizabeth Pilgard, Trisha Vanhorn, Haley Rafferty and Erin Ward 3) Aaron Sceva and Chancé Cooper 4) Greg and Mary Pearlman 5) Matthew and Janet Halpin 6) Krista Coan (Zoo Ball 2018 co-chair), Caroline Huebner (Women’s Board President) and Allyson Pooley (Zoo Ball 2018 co-chair) 7) Molly Carroll and Laura Malec

Photos by Widia Viti

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DRINKS & DRESSAGE

Allendale Shelter Club hosted its second Drinks & Dressage, Supper at the Stables fundraiser at Tempel Farms in Old Mill Creek. The evening began with cocktails by the stables and a Lipizzan performance. Later, more than 175 guests gathered for a seated dinner, during which keynote speaker Steve Pemberton, the author of best-selling memoir A Chance in the World, addressed the crowd. Following dinner, guests adjourned to the outdoor lounge for cocktails provided by BACARDĺ Limited. More than $150K was raised to support the Allendale Association’s mission of providing excellence and innovation in the care, treatment, education and advocacy of children and youth with serious emotional, mental health and behavioral challenges. –Sally Meyer

1) Ester Viti, Keri Falls and Whitley Bouma Herbert 2) Tara DeMarco, Pamela Sage and Lisa Zenni 3) Katie Donovan, Lisa Florjancic, Meg Lynch and Karen Conley 4) Greg and Anne Jones 5) Linda Leffingwell 6) Steve and Tonya Pemberton with Laura and Jeff Torosian

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Photos by Francis Son

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Z BAR OPENING

Z Bar at The Peninsula Chicago hosted three nights of festive parties in celebration of the opening of the chic, rooftop terrace lounge. The guest list included media, influencers, local movers and shakers, and celebrities including actors Adrian Grenier and LaRoyce Hawkins of Chicago P.D., all of whom enjoyed an elaborate red-carpet welcome in the Peninsula lobby before entering the events. Live entertainment courtesy of Jul&Co, a duo who flew in from Paris for the parties, as well as DJ sets by Alyson Calagna, fueled the fetes while family and friends of The Peninsula sampled the Z Bar menu and sipped Summer Spritzes and Old Fashioneds. â€“Elise Hofer Shaw

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1) Christina Totton and Kelly Rizzo 2) Andrea Schwartz, Tom Kehoe, Laura Schwartz and Dan Gibbons 3) Richard Daley with Maria and Bob Zec 4) Desiree Rogers, Marko Igledza, Maria Zec, Linda Johnson Rice and Neal Zucker 5) Servers circulating Z Barâ€™s craft cocktails 6) The Peninsula Packard parked in front of the hotel 7) French duet Jul&Co provided the entertainment

Photos by Ian Ace Photography

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SOPHISTICATED SOIRÉE: MASQUERADE

Alison Victoria, owner and publisher of Sophisticated Living Chicago magazine, welcomed more than 200 guests to the Zhou B Art Center in Bridgeport for the magazine’s third Sophisticated Soirée, entitled Masquerade. Partygoers donned elaborate masks for the festivities honoring cover star Jeff Mauro, which kicked off with a reception featuring creative cocktails courtesy of Almighty Spirits, wines from Diamond Importers and beers from Solemn Oath Brewery. Later, guests gathered in the first-floor gallery (adorned in gold and black decor by HMR Designs) for bites by LM Catering and Events, parlor tricks by magician Nick Roy, a live DJ set by Fig Media and Shutter Booth photo ops—on a giant gold throne! –TM

1) Emily Santos, David Sanchez and Jon Cotay 2) Sophisticated Living magazine Publisher and Owner Alison Victoria, celebrity chef Jeff Mauro and Sophisticated Living magazine Creative Director Bridget Daley 3) Callie Morgan, Travis Paul Martin, Rea Nicolaou and Christopher Kent 4) Marshall Erb and Mia Gargiulo 5) Rakesh Patel, Michael Hallman, Utpal Dhruve and Michael Zhou 6) Annie Schweitzer and Heather Seidelman 7) DaHuang Zhoushi and Ling Zhoushi 8) Chicago magician Nick Roy entertaining guests

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Photos by Patrick Gipson/Ravinia Festival

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RAVINIA WOMEN’S BOARD GALA

More than 600 guests attended the 52nd annual Ravinia Women’s Board Gala held on the music festival grounds in Highland Park. The black-tie evening featured singer/actress Audra McDonald and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra presenting vocal classics by Gershwin, Sondheim, Loesser and more, and was conducted by Andy Einhorn in his debuts with both the CSO and Ravinia. Nearly $1 million was raised for the nonprofit Ravinia and its REACH*TEACH*PLAY education programs, ensuring area schools and communities receive equitable access to music. –SM

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1) Deanna Willerman and Danielle Robay 2) Jennifer and James McNitt 3) David and Christine Taylor Conda 4) Judy Castellini and Marie Roth 5) Beth Lambert and Alyssa Quinlan 6) Michele Ihlanfeldt and Judy Konen 7) Dietrich Klavern 8) Gwen Gatz and Jenny Li

Photos by Barry Brecheisen/The Frye Company

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FRYE CHICAGO X BROTHERS OSBORNE Hours before headlining Windy City Smokeout, the Grammy-nominated American country music duo Brothers Osborne stopped by Frye Chicago to sign copies of their highly acclaimed new album, Port Saint Joe. Frye honored its 155th year as the original craftsmen of American footwear with the release of its spring campaign, which featured T.J. Osborne and John Osborne. The campaign highlights local talent and underscores Frye’s deep music roots, an integral part of the brand’s DNA. In-store activations include a monthly music series FRYEDAYS, which will be coming to Chicago later in 2018. –TM

1) David Sanchez 2) Jaci Spellman and Erica Spellman 3) John Osborne, Ceta Walters and T.J. Osborne 4) Leah Staenberg and Chelsea Real 5) Tracie Hepper 6) T.J. Osborne and John Osborne at Frye Chicago

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SOPHISTICATED WOMAN By Bridget Daley / Portrait by James Gustin for Fig Media

SUSAN A. LIPSHUTZ

Integrative Psychotherapist Founder, everydaymedicinewoman.com

What does a day in the life of Susan Lipshutz look like? In addition to my private practice [Susan A. Lipshutz, LCSW], I am an advisor and meditation instructor at CHILL Meditation + Massage on Kinzie Street, where I offer occasional workshops and a monthly meditation circle for cancer thrivers and caregivers. I’ve also been partnering with Evolve Her in River North offering Full Moon women’s events, and I’m currently planning my annual goddess gathering/women’s retreat for 2019—it’s in its 19th year! And I co-host a monthly New Moon podcast called Moonwise via moontentco.com. Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of? I am very proud to be a small part of the deep, rich, beautiful healing that I have witnessed in my one-on-one work and truly humbled by the power and courage women discover—and mirror for one another— in circles, awakening their wisdom, intuition and self-love. There is a great deal of compassion and forgiveness that happens as a result. What is your favorite quote or motto? ‘The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion’—Paulo Coelho Who is your muse? I am deeply inspired by Mother Nature, the captivating dance of the moon and her cycles; by the relationship between the natural and human realms. We are all connected by our breath and the invisible threads of the cosmos. On a lighter note, my musical muse is Joni Mitchell.

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Name your No. 1 life-changing, aha moment… My personal life cycle as a woman has taught me that love heals everything. Unexpectedly falling so deeply in love and breaking open my heart via giving birth to my children—and all the awakenings that followed—is the greatest example. At the same time I was moving through the painfully sacred portal of my mother’s death. This intense series of events cracked open the façade of the life I had created to reveal my true calling and lifted the veil into the beauty of the invisible mystery that is the richest part of life. What is your biggest regret? I have come to accept that being human means we are imperfect and mistakes are inevitable, especially when we take risks in the spirit of greater growth. In other words, I make mistakes on a daily basis and am grateful that I can find humor in so much of this life. What is your biggest challenge—professional or personal—that you work on every day? To live every day with a clear mind; a warm, open, grateful heart; and to devote ample time to self-care. And to love more. Give us one word that best describes how you aspire to live your life? Several words come to mind: authenticity, intuition, trust, resiliency, humor and love. sl

A W A I T S . . .