Sophisticated Living St. Louis March/April 2023

DAVID SALLE

OVERUNDER (RED), 2021 – Archival pigment ink print, hand varnished, 315 gsm, 42 x 42 inches, edition of 20

Photo by Spencer Pernikoff

In celebration of Kit Heffern’s 50th anniversary at Elleard Heffern, the local Saint Louis fine jewelry company is honoring some of the city’s most dynamic women.

SHIVANI TRIPATHI MD

Board-certified dermatologist

In private practice at Missouri Dermatology Laser and Vein Center

Married to Kiran Chunduri MD, an Interventional Radiologist with West County Radiology Group

Engaged after 6 months feeling “love, friendship and a sense of home in each other”

Now mother of two Patient advocate to improve access to care, tanning bed legislation, skin cancer awareness and education.

Styles with Elleard Heffern

48 Arm Candy

Kid Kudi wearing pieces from Louis Vuitton’s new unisex LV Volt collection (us.louisvuitton.com). Image courtesy of Louis Vuitton.

IF YOU HAVE PAID TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR DREAM CAR, MAKE SURE YOU GET TOP DOLLAR WHEN YOU SELL IT.

Our

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and consistently win customer service awards in the process. We take the hassle out of selling privately and get you more money in your pocket than anywhere else. Come and see what the fuss is about, and why our trusted PROsignment process is garnering nationwide attention from leading collectors and enthusiasts.

Perhaps it’s the troubled times in which we live or simply my advancing age, but I am continually interested in reliving my childhood. Whether it’s the cars that I watched driving by when I was a school crossing guard at PS 95 in the Bronx, the furniture I remember in 70’s mid-century modern homes, the modern master artists I studied as they came of age as I did, or the fashion I loved and purchased in Italy in the early 80s, but to me, the singular hottest trend is retro itself.

For years I fancied myself as a car enthusiast and always had the best cars I could afford. I collected classic MGs as my kids were growing up, and drove the newest BMWs, Mercedes, Audis and Volvos. Now I spend countless hours looking for 20-40 year old cars in mint condition to drive on weekends, bring to car shows, and reflect on the days when I couldn’t afford most of them, but now can because fewer people want them. I just recently bought an older Mercedes for $12,000 which sold for $110,000 new. Driving it is a blast, and finding it like a needle in a haystack was just as much fun.

I reluctantly call myself a coin collector, but over the years I helped my boys collect the same coins I did growing up. Morgan and Liberty silver dollars, Franklin half dollars, Mercury dimes, silver war nickels and wheat pennies. It was the perfect way to spend a Saturday or rainy day visiting grandparents in Florida. Now the coins are all boxed up in storage, collecting dust but the memories of the hunt for the missing coin are as vivid as the day we were obsessive collectors.

Since I first studied art history in high school, I always imagined myself as an art collector. In the 70s, the contemporary art scene was just getting started and I remember visiting the legendary galleries like Leo Castelli for school projects and being exposed to Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Barnett Newman, Robert Rauschenberg, Sol LeWitt and Donald Judd at a time when art was just starting to be expensive, but many great works were still available for four, five, and low six figures. Now I crave seeing these works, wander through museums, and wonder how I could have passed up these treasures. I passed on a series of Warhol prints in the West Village one Friday night for under $2,000 a print. The answer is simple, I didn’t have the money then, and because of the skyrocketing prices, I still don’t.

Over the past few years we have seen a major resurgence of the late 1900s fashion styles and, now in 2023 “retro” fashion is modern fashion. It’s no longer that vintage items are incorporated in modern fashion with a ‘70s style here and a ‘90s style there. The singular hottest fashion trend for 2023 is retro fashion itself. Pairing a ‘70s jean silhouette with a ‘90s crop top and ‘20s accessories is a 2023 look in and of itself. Some people have made retro into their entire business selling vintage purses, Gucci and Prada everything, and even sewing vintage Hermes scarves into ripped jeans and jean jackets.

Where does this push towards retro and vintage-inspired looks come from, and why is it becoming even more prevalent in the 2020s era?

“Vintage” for younger generations is the same as childhood or teen-hood for others. Gen Xers miss the late ‘80s and ‘90s fashion that defined their formative teen years. Millennials are loving that the baguette bag from the early 2000s is back. That’s because we have a nostalgia for those fashion styles that we used to wear during our carefree days. Fashion holds a lot of sentimental significance, particularly as a form of self-expression, so bringing back styles from our younger days feels like a return to a simpler time.

But it’s not just personal nostalgia, either. A lot of people have a nostalgia for times they never lived in. We watch old movies and listen to music that was cool even before we were born, and we’re thrown back to that historical period to imagine what it was like. Putting on vintage clothing from a specific period can time-travel us to the feelings of a different era. For example, ‘70s designs and styles are super popular right now because it’s reminiscent of the Woodstock-era of rebellion, freedom, music, and love, which a lot of young people are clinging to in today’s climate as well. Vintage clothing lets us live in a time we never lived in and experience a piece of history.

We are becoming more and more aware of the impact that our consumer choices have on the environment. We’re collectively realizing that fast fashion is wasteful and damaging to the environment. From enormous amounts of textile waste to harmful chemicals used during production, the quick churning out of new fashion trends is notso-slowly killing our planet.

The classics are always in style. The “latest” trends may be cool, but they’re not for everyone (not everyone wants to rock platform thigh-high boots in their everyday life). But those “classic” looks are made for everyone.

So as you explore your retro, let us know about it. If it’s a car, send us a picture. If it’s a mid-century modern couch, make sure we know about it. If it’s a work of art you have always loved – even if you just inherited it – share it with us. Maybe we can help each other rediscover our youth, our freedom, and our earlier selves.

Craig M. Kaminer, Publisher craig@slmag.net

PUBLISHER

Craig Kaminer craig@slmag.net

PRINT & DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR

Courtney Scott courtney@slmag.net

ADVERTISING

Cortney Vaughn cortney@slmag.net

Rachel Sokolich rachel@slmag.net

Karen Palmer Bland karen.palmer.bland@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTORS Writers

J. O’Brien

Design

Stephanie Grateke

Photography

Alise O’Brien SOPHISTICATED

Bridget Williams

Greg Butrum

Jason Yann

LONDON CALLING

Working with Castle Design, the homeowner set out to turn two condos into a single unit while injecting the space with a London calling. Classic styling, a crisp black, white and blue scheme and detailed casework create a sophisticated and polished feel. In this guest room, black-lacquer French doors open up to reveal the custom blue velvet Precedent bed and striking Philip Jeffries wallcovering, a mosaic of gray grasscloth pieces with metallic detailing. The designer brought new life to the homeowner’s antique side tables by painting them a lacquered gray and using them as nightstands. The pillows are a mixture of Cowtan & Tout’s Miro and Serengeti prints, while the bedding calls back to the family’s blue-and-white pottery collection. The end result is an elegant mix of antiques and new pieces to create a sense of the furnishings being collected over time.

THE DESIGN FOR THIS NEWLY RENOVATED CLAYTON CONDO WAS INSPIRED BY THE HOMEOWNER’S TIME LIVING IN LONDON.

to fulfill environments for today’s lifestyles.

SMALL TOWNS BECOME BIG BUSINESS

Treating everyone like family.

By Craig Kaminer

Having done work with big retail chains in my career, I was always intrigued by the Glik Family and their calculated growth in small towns in the upper midwest. Starting small with just one store in St. Louis, MO in 1897, today the family owns a chain of fashion forward, on-trend retail stores and boutiques in 71 small towns run much the way they were in 1897 by a team who have been with the company for decades.

Perhaps what stands out the most is the humility of the 4th and 5th generation owners, who rather than boast about their success, their ancestors’ vision, smart strategy, or size, downplay the fact they are one of the few families left in the small town retail business – and while they readily admit that there is nothing about running a retail business in 2023 that is easy – they have remained profitable and growing all except for three years during the Great Depression.

On the surface, the two brothers, Jeff and Jim Glik, and their two sons, Jeremy and Elliot, are hands on, day in and day out, still leading the bulk of the buying for women’s and men’s soft goods, taking turns visiting the stores on a weekly basis, and looking for the next three-four stores they plan to open each year for the foreseeable future. Glik’s is the highlight of many small towns and main streets that today are often seasonal businesses that struggle to stay relevant in the shadow of e-commerce which can deliver virtually anything to anyone’s doorstep in just a day or two.

But something about the Glik’s retail DNA, treating everyone like family and frequently replenishing stores, makes

them a heartbeat of the communities which they have been a part of and know on a first name basis for generations.

The history of Glik’s reads like a script of Fableman’s. Following a stint as a merchant first on a horse drawn wagon and then a retail store in Nebraska, Joseph Glik, the great great grandfather of the current generation of Glik’s, opened his first haberdashery on Broadway in downtown St. Louis. His son, Morris, who wanted to be in the business too, opened a store called The Boston Store in Madison, IL, funded by Joseph but with a different name so as to not compete. Divided by the Mississippi, they had their own clientele and the stores were named differently so each could run their own business independently. But when Joseph died in 1905, both stores were merged and re-named Glik’s and run by Morris.

Morris fancied himself as an astute investor and had the foresight to sell all of his stock holdings which he had accumulated and moved them to cash one year before The Great Depression. As luck would have it, that cash came in very handy when the Glik’s store lost money for three years in a row, but Morris was able to keep the store and his loyal employees, and survived the downturn. In fact, Glik’s was one of the few retailers to offer credit terms to its hard-pressed but loyal customers. Since then, Glik’s has been profitable every year since 1933.

In 1945, Morris passed away from heart failure while his son Joe was in World War II, so Morris’ widow Elsie Glik ran the business until her son Joe returned home from the Navy. Before jumping into the family business, Joe went to Washington

Jeremy, Jeff, Jim and Elliot Glik in front of new Glik’s corporate offices and distribution center.

University and didn’t take the reins of Glik’s until he graduated in 1951. This became a family tradition.

By 1954, Joe Glik anticipated the changing lifestyle of his customers and opened a Glik’s store in one of the first strip centers near Granite City, IL. This enabled Joe to leverage the business and serve more customers, ushering in a new trajectory for the flourishing family business.

This new store was successful and started to rival the original store in Madison, IL. On the heels of strip center developer Al Wolf, Joe opened stores in Godfrey, Alton, and Cahokia. In fact, he put Glik’s stores in all of Wolf’s strip centers. The concept then was new, having a grocery store anchor the center and local merchants to fill the other stores. It worked. By 1980, Joe had grown the business to 11 stores all by staying true to his small town strategy – and away from the bigger metro markets – which remains the cornerstone to Glik’s success today. Joe’s commitment to the east side is notable, and that he felt this is where he could make the most impact specifically, donating two parks - one in Highland (Glik Park) and one in Edwardsville (Joe Glik Park).

“Our secret sauce is we proudly serve small town America,” says Jeff Glik, Joe’s son and president of the business.

As the mall business grew, Glik’s had stores in malls including Northwest Plaza, Crestwood Mall, Westport Plaza, St. Claire Square, Jamestown Mall, and of course Saint Louis Galleria. By 2000, Glik’s got out of big malls and focused instead exclusively on smaller towns and “B, C and D sized malls.” During this time period, many family businesses failed, and Glik’s was quick to buy

up store locations and leases of the likes of Lipson Stores, Sycamore, Stage and Dancer Stores. This led to the growth of Glik’s western Michigan shoreline expansion which continues today. It seems like Glik’s and Killwins are mainstays of Michigan beach towns like Saugatuck, Traverse City, Charlevoix and Petoskey.

This strategy meant that as the small town business slowed during the summer months, the shoreline business picked up, balancing the sales throughout the growing Glik’s chain. Said Jeff Glik, “Resort sales are strong in Q2-Q3 when other markets are soft. This gives us more stability – and relevant merchandise –than many of our competitors.”

The stories of family retailers in small towns looking for someone to take over were as common in the 2000’s as there were success stories. And the Gliks had their pick of the best in places like Eagle River, Minocqua, Hayward, Frankfort, and most recently St. Joseph.

For anyone who knows anything about family business you know it is extremely rare for a business to make it to the 4th or 5th generation. Most sell out or fail by then. So I asked a lot of questions about how the business not only succeeded but thrives today.

More than a marketing slogan, Glik’s treats all of its employees and customers like family. Taking a tour of the corporate headquarters, the Gliks know most of their 720 employees by name and can tell you how long they have been with the company. Many have worked at Glik’s for more than 25 years and some as long as 40 or 50, often longer than the Glik’s themselves. It’s a business school case study of how to run a company and what motivates people.

Joe Glik manning the sporting goods counter.

Holiday fun in Madison, IL Joe Glik at a promotional event.

Jim Glik minds the store like his ancestors did.

If you know any of the Gliks, you know that they are engaging, kind, passionate, and love what they do. At a time when many in retail seem to dread going to work or dealing with the customers, the Gliks love it. It is in their blood for 130+ years, and they attract people who feel the same way.

Joe Glik, who I had the pleasure to know, had a magnanimous smile, a solid handshake, and always a twinkle in his eye. I remember vividly the time he brought a whole tuna to a kids fishing tournament, secretly planted it in the lake, and then had one of the small kids reel it in. For the adults it was an unforgettable gag, but for the kids that day, it was a memory to last a lifetime. But clearly Joe was not all fun and games.

Joe’s philosophy about running a family business was to make sure any family member who wanted to join Glik’s had to work at another retailer for at least two years before they applied to Glik’s. If they lost their job, the two year training period started again. After two years, you could apply for a job, but the interview process was grueling. It wasn’t a given.

For Jeff Glik, who is now president, he worked for Foley’s in Houston as a buyer of women’s fashion. Jim Glik, who is vice president and buyer of men’s fashion, cut his teeth at May Company. Their kids, Jeremy and Elliot, worked for Shinesty in Boulder, along with Tumi and eBags. It is clear that every Glik knows that being an owner comes with an obligation. Nothing is forever, and some family members have left the family business. Only people who work in the business full time can own a stake or stock.

The business strategy is as wise as it is simple. Glik’s opens stores in towns with 10-30,000 populations, they hire the

fashionistas who everyone knows to run the store, gives them the latitude to run it the way they see it, and treat them like family. Not only is employee retention high, but shrinkage (stolen merchandise) is less than .5% – an industry low.

The Glik’s are shrewd merchants and merchandisers. They are quick to spot trends, add merchandise that people want, and are nimble to replace brands and items that aren’t selling. Speed is one of their core strengths and this translates to loyalty as residents and visitors to small towns find a wealth of on-trend items that they can’t even find online. In recent years, Glik’s has invested in their e-commerce business and the newest generation of family members has the experience and interest in building this for the future. But the truth is, Glik’s will always excel in the brick and mortar retail business because of its people, the hand picked assortment, and relationship with the community.

Jeff and Jim think of themselves as trend catchers, and when compared to their competition, they over index in all the markets they serve. For years, they have featured Patagonia, The North Face, Levis, Billabong, Quiksilver, O’Neill, and Dr. Martens. They have recently added hot brands including Carhartt, Kuhl, Free People, Thread & Supply, 7 Diamonds, Vuori, Fair Harbor, Roxy, Hey Dude, Birkenstock, and Kendra Scott.

“Mainstreet is what our retail business is all about,” said Jim Glik. Each store’s merchandise is impacted by the input of the local store manager who typically has been living in their town their whole life. “Each associate is encouraged to send the buying team feedback with their local knowledge.” Each store even runs their own social media, allowing for youthful associates to gain experience far beyond just selling fashion. Jeff and Jim insist that

Joe Glik at 90.

this approach helps Glik’s keep its finger on the pulse of small town America and gives it a big advantage over the independents. Each store is unique and different from the other.

While so much of the Glik’s story is about success, Jeff admits that “1986 was a rough year and we’ve been rebuilding ever since. And of course COVID was a big challenge. We ended up having to furlough our associates after 35 days, but never stopped paying our managers. Because of that, as soon as the governors said we could re-open, we did within hours of getting word. And we killed it. We were up 30% over the previous year. With a smaller but loyal staff, we qualified for PPP stimulus in 2021 and ended the year with record sales. With no debt for 130+ years, we’re in a position most retailers aren’t.”

Until the start of COVID, Glik’s headquarters and distribution center remained in the back of the Granite City, IL location in just 19,000 sq ft. After 61 years in that location, the 4th generation Glik’s planned a new headquarters costing some $5.3 million to build but would give its 60 headquarters employees the room to grow and manage their warehouse and e-commerce operations in a state-of-the art facility. The project moved forward and opened on March 15th, 2021 after the pandemic slowed.

In 2022, sales were up 6% overall and 2.2% store for store. Ecommerce is just 7.2% of its sales, and even the 5th generation knows that Glik’s brick and mortar sales are its competitive advantage.

I asked if Glik’s would ever be interested in selling the business? Jeff and Jim remembered that their father Joe always said “Why would we sell? Everyone who has, is out playing golf and our business is a lot more fun than playing golf.” Not

surprisingly, Joe came to work every day up to 10 days before he died. The Saturday before he passed away, Joe signed 100 thank you notes to the top 100 customers thanking them for shopping at Glik’s.

While some family businesses live with competitive tension and bad feelings, the four Gliks eat lunch together everyday at 12:30, sometimes talking business and other times talking about the St. Louis restaurant scene, reviewing where they went the weekend before. They love their deep relationships with their vendors and speak proudly of having the institutional memory of their companies. It’s an enormous sense of pride.

Jeff ended our conversation by saying, “As retail gets worse and worse, we look better and better. Customers are just not getting basic customer service in many other places, and we greet everyone and thank them for shopping with us.”

When I asked what advice the family has for other family businesses, they all chimed in.

“You have to work for another business first, and there are no guarantees.”

“Each new family member is only paid 20% more than their last job and each of the family members reviews each other.”

“We may have multiple owners (actually only 4) we only have one president and one leader. That makes things crystal clear.”

“There is no pressure to join, it’s all about following your passion,” said Jeff and Jim in unison.

Jeremy and Elliot smiled with pride when they talked about going on trips with their grandpa Joe to check on the stores as they were growing up. It all kinda made me wish I grew up in a family business. sl

New corporate offices with the original Glik’s sign. Women’s department of the new Edwardsville store.

Men’s department of the Highland store expansion.

EAT | SHOP | EXPERIENCE

Make a break for spring at Colonial Marketplace! With more than 20 unique boutiques, great eats, and best-in-class services, you can eat, shop, and experience—all in one place.

YLANG YLANG

The Woman’s Exchange

Spring Cherry Dresses are available for special order. Pricing begins at $150

Ivy Hill

Celsius

Cryotherapy

2022 Special 3 Sessions. $59

Arcadia Bracelet by London designer Robinson Pelham. Rainbow glass beads on a 9-carat yellow gold bright cut spiga chain with Arcadia hinged link. $730

Splash

Lspace Ishka $69

Lpsace Rebel Stripe Top $99

LSpace Portia Stripe Bottom $110

Dominic Michael Salon

Vitamino Color Trio (16 oz. shampoo and conditioner plus 10-in-1 spray) $100 ($25 savings)

The Pasta House Co.

Salad Dressing $3.50

The Dutch baby filled with fresh strawberries and bananas. $15

Marmi

Step into spring with the Cattee cork platform sandal, which pair perfectly with dresses and skirts. $165

Clarkson Eyecare

Oakley Sun in black. Prices vary

The Normal Brand

Apollo Trunks for spring break and summer swimming $68. Comfort Terry Trucker Jacket for chillier days. $162

An Olive Ovation

Artichoke 5-section serving tray to serve crudités, tapas or antipasto. Center glass holder for picks or a tealight candle. $165

IV Nutrition

Premium injection

$25

City Sprouts

Nila swimsuit

summer rainbow. $90

Blown Away Blow Dry Bar

New Amika

Overnight Hydration Treatment. $32

Cassie’s Fragrance Boutique and Scent Bar

Support Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières when you purchase this lamp (includes Pure White Tea fragrance). $50

Byrd Designer Consignment

Christian Louboutin Movida

Athina Platform Sandals. $595

NEUAGE Health + Wellness

B12 Injections - Increase energy levels, combat fatigue, speed up metabolism and help improve sleep patterns.

$10 each

RENOVATIONS BEGIN AT THE OLD COURTHOUSE

Written By Courtney Scott

On January 31, 2023, over 100 community members and civic leaders attended a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate plans to renovate The Old Courthouse at Gateway Arch National Park. These plans mark the final stage of the CityArchRiver project.

In attendance was Ms. Lynne Jackson, President & Founder of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation and great-greatgranddaughter of Harriet and Dred Scott. Perhaps the most exciting update to the grounds will be the all-new exhibit galleries, which will focus on the Scott family’s fight for freedom and the relevancy of their case today. The galleries will also feature the post-Civil War era of civil rights and the exploration of African American life in St. Louis, the architectural features of the Old Courthouse, and the importance of courts in our society.

Jackson talked about how the new plans will bring the historical legacy of Dred and Harriet Scott to the foreground for visitors.

“Today we celebrate the fact that we are remembering them in a big way, in a significant way, in a way that when people walk into this Courthouse – like I did as a teenager – they won’t just see their small picture somewhere on a wall upstairs. Over the years, their story has come to light in a much more significant way, and I appreciate that.”

“When many Americans think of the National Park Service, they often think of large natural parks, such as Yellowstone,

Great Smoky Mountains, or the Grand Canyon,” stated Jeremy Sweat, Superintendent of Gateway Arch National Park, while speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony. “But the majority of the 424 units of the National Park System are historic sites, many of which tell some of our nation’s most important and complicated histories. That is why we are here today, at the Old Courthouse, to celebrate a major step forward for this building, which is a tangible reminder of the mistakes of our past, and of the progress that has been made in the fight for equality, freedom and justice for all Americans.”

Renovations also include accessibility improvements, which, according to Gateway Arch Park Foundation Executive Director Ryan McClure, will mean that “for the first time in its history, the Old Courthouse will be accessible to visitors of all abilities, with the transformation of a former conference room into an elevator.” Renovations are expected to be completed by early 2025.

Partners in this endeavor include two St. Louis-based companies – the construction company Tarlton Corporation and the architectural firm Trivers – as well as the exhibit design company, Haley Sharpe Designs, based in the U.K., who also designed the beautiful exhibits of the new Museum at the Gateway Arch, which opened in 2018. sl Renderings courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation

Photo by Lulu Nix

Tony Montano

The living room serves as the home’s front entrance and sets the tone for its inviting color story.

THE SHADES OF HOME

Written by J. O’Brien / Photographed by Alise O’Brien

When these homeowners first made the move from Oklahoma to St. Louis, they had a big job ahead of them: “We came without any furniture because the buyers who purchased our home wanted basically everything,” says the homeowner.

She knew she’d need the help of a professional to start over from scratch. Luckily, she soon met – and instantly clicked – with Kelly Johnson of Kelly Johnson Design. “I fell in love with her style. Kelly did the whole home: the master bedroom, three kids’ bedrooms, the living room, and entertaining space. I trust her completely, so when we bought our new home, I knew she’d be able to coordinate our existing pieces with the new ones we’d need for this space.”

“We were looking for a house that fit our lifestyle better –something more open-concept that would allow us to entertain larger groups and had a better flow,” says the homeowner. “And it just so happened that this house popped up just two miles down the road from where we were staying. We love the area, so it was perfect.”

Built in 1914, their new house boasts all of the architectural details that make so many fall for century homes: generous millwork and molding, tall ceilings, clean lines, and large, original windows, now painted an eye-catching shade of black. And thanks to a welldone addition, the home was already fit for modern living. The icing on the cake? Beautiful grounds that could function as a gathering spot for their friends and family.

In fact, as soon as she saw them, Kelly knew that the grounds would be one of her biggest challenges as a designer. Her goal was to create an interior that fit the setting while being bold enough to balance out the home’s strong architectural details.

Another major challenge was the project’s timing. “We had only about 60 days from the time the home was purchased until closing and only one opportunity to walk through the home during the building inspection,” recalls Kelly. “It is challenging to move very quickly, in some cases, without the opportunity to field verify dimensions and details prior to executing a complete design.”

The hearth room’s neutral shades allow the view of the lawn, pool, and bocce court to shine.

While the homeowners were eager to begin sourcing and ordering furnishings, the project fell right at the heart of the industry’s pandemic-induced supply chain issues when lead times could easily exceed a year. Before she could even place those orders, Kelly would need to help the homeowners determine how best to use the space itself. “My process generally begins by really listening to the client to truly understand their priorities: What is their lifestyle, how do they live, and how will they want to use the different spaces in their home?” says Kelly. “The next step is to assess the space and determine where there is untapped potential in different areas.”

In this case, the home had an unconventional floor plan, with extra rooms they weren’t sure what to do with – these would become the sunand media rooms – and a long living room bisected by the front door.

“I had many discussions with the client determining how each room would be used before we ever discussed the furnishings,” says Kelly. “I’ve found that creative space planning can solve a lot of functional problems. We do our due diligence in exploring optimal room layouts before any consideration is given to the aesthetics of the room.”

Take the long living room. Kelly worked with the homeowners to create two conversational areas using a mix of

existing upholstery and new additions, such as a daybed and a pair of pink chairs. Long gauzy curtains from Holly Hunt lighten the room, while artwork by New Orleans-based painter Mallory Page and Neo-Expressionist Donald Baechler add visual interest. “We kept most of the furniture neutral, but Kelly added in touches of color – pinks and lavender tones that give it a fun, youthful flare while softening the space,” says the homeowner.

The color story becomes bolder as you move through the house. “I discovered rather quickly that this home really came to life with the introduction of color. We began with a few pastel pillows on a cream sofa. From there, we just kept adding color,” says Kelly. “The more color we added, the more the house came to life. After we finished with the walls and fabrics, we brought more color in with a number of amazing paintings.”

In the dining room, an exuberant yet delicate lavender Gracie wallpaper has enough color and glimmer to stand next to the elaborate millwork on the ceiling. “I don’t know how Kelly came up with that wallpaper,” says the homeowner. “It’s not something I normally would have ever chosen. Once it was up on the wall, I absolutely fell in love with it. Everyone who walks into the room says, ‘Wow.’”

In the breezeway, a formerly country-style banquette was given a modern makeover with fabric wall panels and gold sconces.

In the dining room, a joyful,

hand-painted Gracie wallpaper is as much of a star as the intricate millwork.

Dark colors make this cozy media room the perfect spot to curl up with a good movie.

Similarly, Kelly suggested a plan for the sunroom that the homeowner couldn’t have imagined. “That space is one of my favorite rooms because of the architecture and the views of our backyard; in the springtime, you can look out on the most beautiful cherry blossoms,” says the homeowner. “When Kelly came to me with the idea, she said, ‘Trust me, I think you’ll love it.’ And, of course, it turned out amazing.”

Kelly painted the formerly white room all the way through the ceiling in a warm peachy tone, giving it a sun-drenched feel. She found a cut velvet fabric in coral for the chairs, which she circled around a print ottoman that pulled in the color of the dining room chairs.

“This home is an example of how amazing it is to work with a repeat client because there’s no selling involved,” says Kelly. “The client’s trust in their designer is essential to the overall success of every project, and earning that trust early on in each project is always my priority. Working with the homeowners was wonderful because they’re such genuinely nice people and because they began the project with complete trust in their designer.”

While most of the home is rendered in light shades, the media room is deliberately dark and moody, with charcoal walls, gray plaid seating, and herringbone carpet. A graphic Ted Collier painting and mustard cushions add an element of fun and play off of the nearby hearth room. Here, the color scheme is inverted: neutral furnishings and walls highlight the black casing. More mustard cushions and another graphic black-and-white painting –this one by artist Valerie Jaudon, round out the look.

“I feel like Kelly really knows me and what I love but is able to take it and make it even better,” says the homeowner. “Working with her has really taken the stress off of the project. On my own, I would have made mistakes I would have had to return or live with for a couple of years before replacing. I’ve never felt that way about anything I’ve done with Kelly. It’s been six years now, and I still absolutely love everything we’ve worked on.”

Looking back on the project, Johnson reflects that “when this project began, the breathtaking grounds of the home stole the show. After we added layers of color to the interior, I now feel that the home itself is worthy of its exquisite surroundings.” sl

Originally, the homeowners weren’t sure what to do with the sunroom, but after enveloping it with warm colors and patterns, it became one of their favorite spots in the house.

FOR A FAMILY RETREAT OR PRIVATE CORPORATE NEEDS, OVERLOOK FARM IS A SURPRISING AND INSPIRING OASIS OFFERING ITS FIVE INNS AVAILABLE FOR LEASE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS STORIED HISTORY.

RELAX. PLAY. LIVE.

Just 75 minutes north of St. Louis!

overlookfarmmo.com

CEDARCREST MANOR Nestled among a cluster of towering cedars and tucked away just up the hill from the city of Clarksville. Built in 1842 by Captain Benjamin Clifford, a prominent riverboat captain, Cedarcrest began its life as a plantation home and quickly became the archetype for a number of houses built in the Mississippi River Valley. Romanesque pool which creates a quiet, and restful place to relax and recharge. Rich with amenities, this enchanting Missouri inn is adorned with antiques and features a fireplace in every room.

RACKHEATH HOUSE Perched atop the hills of the Mississippi River Valley, and situated just a short walk from the Overlook—one of the highest spots along the river. Built in 1860 and restored in 2006 by Nathalie Pettus, this Greek revival-style manor features sprawling grounds, a spacious veranda, and a romantic, flourishing garden filled with gorgeous walking paths. Its accessible, state-of-the art kitchen and elegant dining room provide guests with the ideal place to uncork a bottle of wine or sip a cup of coffee.

GREGG WILLIAMSON

(cell) 314-359-9210

(office) 314-677-6254

GreggWilliamson.com

BY

BRIDAL COTTAGE An intimate space for couples to get away. Perched above the meadow, surrounded by rolling hills, it provides beautiful views of the sunrise and sunsets. A guest will find a full kitchen and beautifully decorated bedroom creating a weekend you’ll never forget!

AVALON HOUSE By far one of the most breath-taking views on the property overlooking the Mississippi River. This home is perfect for retreats of any occasion. Avalon House is fully furnished with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a kitchen, and a wrap-around deck.

THE LODGE Overlook Farm’s newest accommodation is located in a private area of the farm, away from heavy traffic. It’s

perfect for a group that wants to stay in conditions

that are rustic luxury. The Lodge can accommodate up to 12 guests. It’s unique location ensures for a private and scenic stay. POWERED

FRENCH DRESSING

Written by Bridget Williams

St. Barths…St. Bart…St. Barts... However you choose to spell it, the tiny volcanic island, encircled by shallow reefs, is endowed with an embarrassment of riches, from its abundant natural beauty to the bounty of billionaire's bodacious yachts docked in and around Gustavia's harbor during the winter months. With no shortage of sprawling villas and upscale resorts catering to the glitterati, luxury is a given. Seeking to differentiate itself, Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa and its sister brand, Le Barth Villa Rentals, sets a high bar for an island idyll that pairs sumptuousness with sustainability. Going green, they say, is the new gold standard. "The hospitality industry is normalizing 'green' so that it's no longer a trend but necessary and logical," remarked Michael Martinez, Le Barthélemy's Director of Food and Beverage, during a sustainable cooking class conducted around the island of the kitchen at Le Barthélemy's oceanfront Villa Aqua.

The dramatic air arrival is part of the St. Barths' experience, highly recommended over the ferry from nearby St. Maarten, a voyage known to make even a seasoned seafarer queasy. Traveling aboard Tradewind Aviation's Pilatus PC-12 aircraft for the 45-minute flight from San Juan to one of the smallest airports in the world includes a steep descent between hills before stopping on a 2,100-foot

runway with a 2-degree downslope that terminates in the Caribbean. As many as 100 private jets a day arrive during peak season. From there, it's a short chauffeured ride to Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, opened in 2016 and nestled in the arc of St. Barths' Grand Cul-de-Sac beach, a pretty lagoon with white sand beaches and calm, shallow water courtesy of an offshore coral reef that keeps roiling waves at bay. It's a setting that Sebastian Maingourd, Regional General Manager of Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, says "creates a secluded privacy that encapsulates our ethos of using nature as our muse to cultivate the deepest sense of relaxation. The island's buzz in Gustavia and St. Jean is set apart, yet easily accessible so guests can enjoy the best of both worlds."

Apropos for an island full of beautiful people, an army of impeccably attired attendants were waiting as our car arrived, making the check-in process seamless and quick and immediately exemplifying what the property calls their "human-centered, couture hospitality." Not wanting to miss our first sunset, we sent our bags to our rooms and headed for the Amis St. Barth bar, where we had difficulty selecting a celebratory cocktail from an innovative lineup that included ingredients such as bergamot, gingerbread syrup, and lemon foam.

Sipping and surveying the alfresco environment of the common areas, I noted that the familiar motifs of island décor are both understated and deliberate and accentuated by whimsical touches, such as birdcage chairs in the reception area. Vibrant pops of color that call to mind the sea, sun, and blue skies contrast with natural textures of rattan, terracotta, wood, and stone.

Forty-four rooms and suites populate two-story buildings whose steeply pitched rooflines mirror the contours of the surrounding landscape. Guests can opt for ocean, garden, or lake views, with many first-floor ocean-view rooms boasting heated private plunge pools. Those needing more elbow room can book a three-bedroom suite or one of two on-site oceanfront six-bedroom villas, each with a 55-foot swimming pool.

Le Barthélemy's villa rental company has access to 250 of the most luxurious properties on the island combined with 24/7 concierge services, and all the amenities of being a guest at a hotel voted the #1 Resort in St Barths, the #1 Best Resort in the Caribbean and among the Best Resorts in the World by Condé Nast Reader's Choice Awards 2022. Your budget is the only limit on their a la carte menu of experiences.

"Our portfolio of villas spans every nook and cranny across the island so guests can choose the qualities that matter most to

them – whether it's beachfront access or a panoramic birds-eye view, the layouts and amenities are virtually infinite," said Guillaume Bichot, General Manager of Le Barth Villa Rentals. "Beyond having their own private space, Le Barth Villa Rentals go above and beyond to allow guests the same exclusive access to Le Barthélemy's luxury resort amenities— including a guaranteed lounge chair on the resort's spectacular beach – at no additional cost."

My second-floor Le Barth Ocean room boasted a soaring vaulted ceiling and a large terrace with a retractable screen that invited the sound of the waves in and kept pesky bugs out. As part of the brand's commitment to sustainability, supreme cotton sheets in guest rooms are made of traceable organically grown cotton, and sixty percent of all in-room amenities come from ethical and environmentally friendly labels.

Familiarizing myself with the graciously proportioned room and admiring the bulbous blown glass pendant lighting on one side of the bed, I was thrilled to find a box of truffles and a bottle of the house champagne - Leclerc Briant – a pioneer in biodynamic bubbly, on ice in a custom branded box. There's also a "champagne please" button on the in-room phone should you find your well has run dry. Le Barthélemy's owners purchased Leclerc Briant, founded in 1872 on a single plot in Epernay, France, in 2012.

Living room in the Jocapana villa

Primary bedroom in Blanc Bleu Living room in the Ixfalia villa

At evening view at Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, looking across the extended pyramid skylight of the subterranean La Spa to the oceanfront inifinity pool.

Reflective of UNESCO's 2010 declaration of the "The Gastronomic Meal of the French" as a World Intangible Heritage of Humanity, the hotel's recently revamped Amis St. Barth restaurant is now a dining destination in its own right. Here, executive chef Vincent Gomis' dishes, such as black truffle lobster piemontaise, stuffed squid, and chicken breast with a flavorful olive crust, are infused with the flavors of the South of France and the Mediterranean basin. In addition, Le Barthélemy's affable advanced sommelier, hailing from a two Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris, offers expert pairing advice and is available to lead guests through an hour-long immersion covering a trio of different wines. Impress your friends by polishing your bartending skills during cocktail master class led Amis St Barths' mixology bartender Thursday through Monday.

Chef Gomis, who grew up among a family of chefs in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, followed his passions to the hilltop French culinary town of Carcassonne at the young age of 15. He went on to work at one of Paris' most revered restaurants, Epicure at Le Bristol, alongside triple Michelin-starred French Chef Eric Fréchon. The kitchen at Amis is a family affair, as Gomis' wife Marie Cécile, whom he met at Le Bristol, is the sous-chef.

Gomis is committed to getting the kitchen close to zero waste and sourcing seasonal ingredients, citing sustainably harvested local mahi-mahi and spices from neighboring Guadeloupe as examples. "As a chef, I want to be able to make every product special," he said during our intimate cooking class, where he shared that overlooked vegetable peels are part of his unique sauces and dressings and that the kitchen composts non-edible food waste.

As if one was remiss in noticing the scores of pretty people partaking of the toes-in-the-sand lunch at Amis St. Barth, the owner of the on-site boutique regularly uses the boardwalk lining the al fresco dining area as a runway for long-legged models to showcase her collection of unique clothing, swimsuits, and accessories.

Innovative and upscale dining isn't limited to the confines of the restaurant. As part of their bespoke guest experiences, we booked a day aboard Le Barthélemy's 35-foot Boston Whaler. Departing directly from the hotel, we explored quiet coves, admired dramatic cliffside villas, and indulged in a picnic lunch of grilled octopus and Niçoise salad (and bubbly, of course), among other delicacies. The sky is the limit regarding Amis St. Barths' range of customized dining experiences; we enjoyed a multi-course bohemian beachfront feast illuminated with candlelight and laughter.

Interior of Amis St. Barth restaurant

A picnic lunch on board the hotel's 35-foot Boston Whaler. Chef Vincent Gomis

Alfresco lunch at Amis St. Barth restaurant

One of Le Barthélemy's most unique aspects is the comprehensive offerings at its subterranean Le Spa, whose common area sits beneath a skylight reminiscent of the Louvre's famous pyramid. Notably, Le Spa has the distinction of being the only Caribbean hotel utilizing La Mer products. A nod to Sweden's control of St. Barths from 1784-1878, the spa's Nordic baths comprise a trio of Red Cedar plunge pools ranging from horribly cold to hot. The self-guided journey is invigorating and endorphin-boosting. Treatment rooms feature ceilings animated with a cosmography of fiber optic lighting that induces a dreamlike state even before the treatment commences. An indulgent facial incorporating La Mer's Miracle Broth, derived from highly regenerating Giant Sea Kelp, left my skin noticeably glowy for days.

Le Spa's newest offerings— Janzu and Aquatic Tibetan Sound Healing—are unique-to-the-island offerings aimed at holistic well-being. During Janzu, a trained expert utilizes the weightlessness of water and the deep state of relaxation it encourages to guide guests through a series of rhythmic movements inspired by ancient Shamanic regression techniques. Paired with Janzu or a stand-alone experience, singing bowls are

placed on top of the water during Aquatic Tibetan Sound Healing, allowing the sound to transmit deep vibrational frequencies 4x faster than through air, creating a profound vibrational effect on the internal organs and energy system. Guests can experience these treatments in the Nature's Reserve in front of the hotel when the ocean is calm, in private plunge pools, the hotel's oceanfront infinity pool, or villa pools.

An all-encompassing destination, the on-site watersports program means that days are amply occupied by snorkeling or paddling in the lagoon, where you're nearly guaranteed to spot a sea turtle. In addition, the surrounding reefs are undergoing active restoration partly due to the hotel's partnership with Coral Restoration St. Barth.

After dinner, Le Barthélemy's rooftop bar, Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot, cheekily named after the manager's reaction following the 2017 hurricane when he surveyed the space and found it nearly unscathed among the wreckage, is the place for inventive cocktails, live music, and buzzy DJ sets. "We've created a vacation experience that nurtures and reinvigorates the mind, body, and soul," said Maingourd. sl

For more information, visit www.lebarthelemyhotel.com or connect with them on social media @lebarthelemy, @amis_stbarth, and @lebarth_villas.

Entryway at Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa Couple's treament room at Le Spa

Nordic baths at Le Spa

F1 RETURNS TO LAS VEGAS

Written by Bridget Williams

If you’ve ever been in the back seat of an Uber as it inched its way through the seemingly ceaseless traffic on the Las Vegas strip, it would seem hard to believe that in November of this year, a select few drivers will have the privilege of racing down the garishly grand boulevard in excess of 200 MPH as part of the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix and related events on November 16-19. The event marks the first time the unmistakable shrill whine of an F1 engine operating at max capacity will quicken pulses in Sin City in nearly four decades.

In 1981 and 1982, the F1 world championship was decided by the Caesar’s Palace Grand Prix and staged on a temporary anticlockwise street circuit curiously squeezed between concrete barriers in a coiled snake configuration within the Caesar’s Palace parking lot. Australian driver Alan Jones, driving for Williams-Ford won the 75-lap race in 1981, with Michele Alboreto taking the checkered flag the following year in a Terrell-Ford. The 1982 race marked the end of famed driver Mario Andretti’s F1 career. However, he would return to the site to race after F1 dropped Vegas from

its calendar and the circuit was reconfigured into a modified oval for Indy Car. In 1984, the last year of parking lot racing in Vegas, Andretti was crowned the Indy Car series champion.

The 2023 track design is 3.8 miles long from start to finish, with top speeds estimated to be over 212mph. Held on the evening of November 19 under lights in the heart of Las Vegas, the typical strip energy will be amplified with additional off-track entertainment before the drivers take on 50 race laps designed with three main straights and 17 corners. Drivers will zoom past iconic locations including Caesar’s Palace, the Bellagio, and the Venetian.

If attendance at kickoff events this past November is any indication, demand for tickets will far exceed the 100,000+ official spectator capacity. “Taking over the sports and entertainment capital of the world for almost an entire week is going to be a game changer for Formula 1 and has the potential to set the benchmark for all global sports and entertainment events in the future,” said Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.

The Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix will take over the strip with racing and scores of off-track entertainment from November 16-18

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes driving on track during the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023 launch party on November 05, 2022 on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada.

(Photo by Dan Istitene - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Ticket prices will start at $500. Premium seating experiences include:

• Paddock Club

Enjoy the epitome of Las Vegas hospitality from the best seats in the house. The Paddock Club sits on a newly- purchased 39-acre parcel of land adjacent to Las Vegas Boulevard, serving as the central point of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

• Wynn Grid Club

Located inside the Paddock Club with a theme heartening back to the 1920s, the Gatsby-esque setting will offer the most indulgent and glamorous vantage point to watch the race.

• Skyboxes

Situated above the premium start/finish grandstand featuring excellent views of the start/finish and the pre- and post-race festivities.

• Suites

These private suites feature elevated views of the race action as the cars head into the Koval straightaway.

Through an initiative with the Las Vegas Grand Prix Foundation, in just 24 hours this past August, F1 fans interested in securing a spot in line for tickets donated enough funds to provide one million free meals to the local Las Vegas community. “While we are confident in the positive economic impact the Grand Prix will bring to the greater Las Vegas area, we are focused on making a difference for those most in need,” said Grand Prix’s CEO Renee Wilm." We are in Las Vegas for the long term and look forward to contributing to the community in many ways over the coming years. One million free meals is just the beginning.”

Charitable contributions will also benefit Green Our Planet, which assists “farmpreneur” and school garden programs at Clark County Schools and the Just One project to grow its no-cost Community Markets.

“A ticket to the Las Vegas Grand Prix will be the hottest ticket in global sport,” said Domenicali. For more information, visit formula1.com/en/racing/2023/Las_Vegas.html. sl

Greg Maffei, Liberty Media President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, Steven Sisolak, Governor of Nevada, Jim Gibson, Clark County Commission Chair and pose for a photograph after painting the start line during the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023 launch party on November 05, 2022 on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Clive Mason - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

PAVÉ THE WAY

Meaning “pavement” in French, stones in a pavé setting create an unbroken line of continuous sparkle.

Compiled by Bridget Williams

Louis Vuitton LV Volt One Pendant necklace ($6,000; uslouisvuitton.com) | Loree Rodkin Love pendant with black and gray pavé-set diamonds ($15,000; loreerodkin.com) | Ritique Orchid pendant necklace ($3,290; ritique.com) | Halo bangle from Georg Jensen x Sophie Bille Brahe ($11,000; georgjensen.com) | Misahara Icy chain bracelet ($12,100; misahara.com) | Walters Faith Lytton rose gold and pavé diamond bombe bracelet ($49,500; waltersfaith.com) | Rush Jewelry Design signature cleaved diamond ring ($4,600; rushjewelrydesign.com) | Lydia Courteille Paris bespoke diamond ring (lydiacourteille.com/en) | ITA Jewelry Acu pavé pinky ring ($3,200; itajewelry.com) | Pavé diamond ring with fancy pink diamonds set in rose gold from Albarre Jewelry in St. Louis (price upon request; albarre.com) | Rainbow K Handcuff ring ($4,000; rainbowkjewelry.com) | Brent Neale initial diamond pavé signet ring ($14,500; brentneale.com) | Ali Weiss square pavé diamond signet ring ($1,450; aliweissjewelry.com) | Ginette NY black diamond disc ring ($3,360; ginette-ny.com) Harvey Owen Hex necklace ($44,265; harveyowen.com) | Rae locket with pavé diamonds on 30" chain from Monica Rich Kosann ($5,230). Available through Richter & Phillips Jewelers in Cincinnati, Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, and monicarichkosann.com. | Medium Infinity necklace from Phillips House ($1,999). Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, phillipshouse.com. | Kwiat Swirl drop earrings ($7,300). Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus, Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, King Jewelers in Nashville, Elleard Heffern Fine Jewelers in St. Louis and kwiat.com. | Vhernier Aladino full pavé earclips (vhernier.com) | Azlee pavé and baguette diamond hoops ($7,290; azleejewelry.com) | Pomellato 18K rose gold Fantina earrings with pavé diamond accents ($13,500). Available through Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Diamond

WILD AND WONDERFUL

at Mahali Mzuri.

"Hello lady...Are you awake?"

Written by Bridget Williams

Under any other circumstances, hearing an unfamiliar man's voice call out in the pre-dawn darkness to rouse me from sleep would have sounded an immediate alarm. But here, following my first night at Mahali Mzuri, during which I listened intently to an intermittent cacophony of animal noises so close I was certain that the Great Migration was taking place outside my tent, the endearingly low-tech wake-up call put a smile on my face as my brain navigated the fuzzy boundary delineating dreamland and reality.

Opened in 2013 and part of Sir Richard Branson's portfolio of luxury properties operating under the Virgin Limited Edition umbrella, Mahali Mzuri is one of just five safari camps in Kenya's Olare Motorogi Conservancy, part of the larger Maasai Mara ecosystem. The result of a comprehensive and collaborative effort to provide a mutually beneficial arrangement for wildlife and the Maasai pastoralist community, there are only 94 beds allowed within its 33,000 protected acres, meaning that visitors get incomparable and uncrowded wildlife viewing experiences.

The five camps located in the conservancy make monthly rental payments to local tribes and donate $5 per night per guest to The Maa Trust (themaatrust.org), a research-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the empowerment of Maasai women,

youth, and children for the long-term sustainable conservation of the Maasai Mara ecosystem. Mahali Mzuri takes its philanthropy a step further by supporting a local primary school. A visit here is a humbling experience, particularly when considering what conditions were like before the recent renovations. Resort guests can have a donation to the school added to their folio at checkout or request the school's wish list before their stay as part of their "Pack for a Purpose" program. Visits can also be arranged to the Maa Trust's beading shop and a local village, where 100% of the tour costs are donated back to the community.

At Mahali Mzuri, which means 'beautiful place' in Swahili, accommodations encompass 12 tented suites that cantilever over a valley bisected by something more precious than gold in this parched region: the Olkuroto River. Technically glamping, the spacious tented suites are far from roughing it. Outside, the colors of the canvas blend with the local stone and indigenous red oat grass. Inside, interior designer Yvonne Golds of Real Studio worked closely with Kenyan designers and artisans to source local fabrics, furniture, and artwork. A generous overhanging roof creates an oasis of shade on the tent's large terrace and makes an ideal spot for afternoon yoga during the time in-between game drives. It was surreal to come up from a downward dog to see a giraffe nibbling the treetops below my tent.

Culture, philanthropy, and camaraderie enhance the safari experience

Dinner under the starts at Mahali Mzuri

Mahali Mzuri's inifinity pool is nestled beneath the camp into a natural alcove of boulders.

Interior of a guest tent.

With only 94 beds in the 33,000-acre Olare Motorogi Conservancy, vistors get incomporable and uncrowded wildlife viewing experiences.

A lionness en route to chasing down her breakfast

When it's dark, guests must have a Maasai tribe member escort them from their tent to and from the common areas. One evening I asked my guide if he ever spots animals close to the walkway; a quick flick of his flashlight to the right illuminated a massive water buffalo chomping on grass. Smiling from ear to ear after seeing my surprise, he said, "No fences here."

Splitting the camp in two is a common area comprised of tents for dining and lounging and a large deck with ample seating for savoring the view. This centralized setup brings guests together at various points throughout the day to swap stories of what they'd seen and experienced, creating charming camp camaraderie. Of course, it also doesn't hurt that the food is outstanding. I particularly enjoyed the soup of the day – cold at lunch and hot at dinner. In-camp meals are complemented by experiences like campfire cocktails and a lavish buffet BBQ dinner in the bush. At the lounge tent, bartender Raymond serves up craft cocktails with Swahili names inspired by the animals and the landscape. My favorite was the "Dawa," an easily replicable chilled version of the hot toddy made with vodka, lime, and honey.

There are two game drives each day. The first departs just as the colors of the sky turn from bruised to blush. When asked what was on the itinerary, Jackson, our guide, responded, "a game drive

is like fishing…let us see what nature will provide us." Nature felt particularly peacocky on our inaugural morning drive, with the opening hours unfolding like the acts of a dramatic stage play. Fifteen minutes after leaving camp, we spotted a trio of impossibly cute lion cubs from the Iseketa pride languidly sunbathing atop a rock when the lionesses suddenly sprang into action. Jackson told us to hold on and gave chase in our 4x4 vehicle. Soon we were witnessing the lionesses taking down a trio of wildebeests a few hundred feet from our vehicle—close enough to hear flesh tearing and the lionesses' guttural grumbles of satisfaction.

Initially unsure of how we'd feel about a front-row seat to such a "circle of life" moment, in short order, our group acted like Romans watching a battle in the Coliseum and calling for more. Jackson soothed our sad feelings for the doomed quadrupeds after telling us that the Swahili term for the wildebeest is sifuri ubongo, translated as "zero brains." However, our bloodthirst was tested on a subsequent outing when a tiny leopard cub came dangerously close to being a hyena's lunch. Moments like this, and seeing a doe-eyed Jackal, who could have been ripped from the pages of a Disney storybook, carrying the head of a baby gazelle in its mouth, gave me a whole new perspective on life and the fact that my worries seem trivial when compared with constantly worrying about being eaten!

Maasai guide Jackson provding a warm welcome before a sunrise game drive.

Adumu, the Maasai jumping dance

A mother elephant and her offspring, the littlest just weeks old.

Picnic lunch in the bush.

A tense moment as a young lion eyes a water buffalo grazing beneath the pride in close proximity to our 4x4.

Raymond serves craft cocktails with Swahili names inspired by the landscape.

It was candy that drew Jackson, who grew up on the main road leading into the conservancy, to become a guide. Noticing that "little white jeeps" always had an ample supply of candy, he and his friends would run alongside, yelling, "give me sweets" (something we also heard at the primary school). "I told my friends I wanted to be a driver because I was sure I'd get lots of candy," he laughed. With fifteen years of experience, Jackson explained that becoming a guide is more than just learning to drive; he holds a specialty certification from the Koiyaki Guiding School. Book smarts and natural curiosity combine to make Jackson a wealth of knowledge about wildlife and the region's 43 distinct tribes. I quickly filled a notebook with his anecdotes, from Maasai burial practices to how fences and elephants have accelerated deforestation.

During our conversations with Jackson, it was interesting to learn how the culture of the Maasai continues to evolve as tourism improves their quality of life. Programs like Lighting Up Africa, which brings renewable, off-grid energy to remote communities, allow for access to the internet and the outside world, but traditions persist. For example, while the iPhone in his pocket signals success, Jackson said the measure of his personal wealth remains based on the number of cows in his herd.

Constantly scanning the horizon, eagle-eyed Jackson always spotted the next frame of our highlight reel from far away and jokingly referred to our many erroneous sightings as "ATLs," or

"animal-looking things." Unlike the Maasai Mara, where vehicles are limited to designated roadways, guides in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy are free to go off-road in a respectful pursuit of wildlife, who generally seemed unbothered by our presence, as long as we kept all of our extremities in the vehicle. Jackson said that while it would be common to have 20 vehicles crowded around a sighting in the Maasai Mara, in Olare, only five can congregate.

Like the wildlife who seek shade to sleep away the heat of the day, the afternoons at Mahali Mzuri are all about relaxation. Some guests retreat to the infinity pool, nestled into a natural alcove of grey boulders, or to the spa, located in a secluded spot close to the valley floor.

Making an appointment at the latter was a no-brainer following a blissful neck and shoulder massage offered during check-in, an amenity I'd choose over a welcome cocktail any day.

After dinner each evening, I'd settle into bed, grateful for the thoughtful addition of a hot water bottle under the sheets to avert the evening chill (along with one waiting in my seat in the 4x4 each morning). I was excited to drift off to sleep, not only because I was physically spent following the fullness of the day's itinerary but also because I knew my dreams would be splendidly saturated with the colors and culture of Kenya. sl

Rates at Mahali Mzuri start from $1,700 per person/night. For more information and reservations, visit virginlimitededition.com/en/mahali-mzuri.

Picnic lunch in the bush.

ARM CANDY

Daniel Craig wearing the 42MM Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition during a November 2022 black tie gala in London marking sixty years of James Bond ($9,200). Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Richter & Phillips Jewelers in Cincinnati and omegawatches.com. | Bell & Ross Cyber Skull Bronze with BR-CAL.210 calibre, By turning the crown, the jaw of the skull comes alive. Limited edition of 500 pieces ($11,400). Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus, Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Kings Jewelers in Nashville and bellross.com. | Longines Dolcevita L5.512.4.92.2 with orange lacquered dial ($1,350). Available through Davis Jewelers in in Louisville, Kings Jewelers in Nashville and longines.com. | Anya Taylor-Joy wearing Jaeger-LeCouture’s Rendez-Vous Dazzling Shooting Star. The blue aventurine dial is surrounded by a ring of claw-set diamonds ($84,500). Available through Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Kings Jewelers in Nashville and jaeger-lecoultre.com/us-en. | Nouvel Heritage Sunday in Miami limited edition mood bangle ($2,000). Available through Reis-Nichols Jewelers in This page, clockwise from top left: Picchiotti reversible Xpandable diamond, coral and white ceramic bracelet ($36,700). Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Elleard Heffern Fine Jewelers in St. Louis and picchiotti.it. | John Hardy Classic Chain pull through bracelet in a variety of birthstones (from $895). Available through Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Davis Jewelers in Louisville, and johnhardy.com. | Nouvel Heritage Sunday in Miami limited edition mood bangle ($2,000). Available through Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis and nouvelheritage.com. | Arnold & Son drew on the year of the Water Rabbit to inspire the latest version of its Perpetual Moon ($61,800; arnoldandson.com) | Extensible 5ct rainbow sapphire stretch bracelet in 18k yellow gold ($9,400). Available through Richter & Phillips Jewelers in Cincinnati, Elleard B. Heffern Fine Jewelers in St. Louis and extendluxury.com. | L’Atelier Nawbar Pillar diamond bangle ($4,500; lateliernawbar.com) | Sloane Street turquoise and diamond bracelet ($4,215). Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus and Nashville; Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, and sloanest.com. | Gemstone bangles from Albarré Jewelry in St. Louis (from $1,600; albarre.com) | Marco Bicego 18K yellow gold Paradise mixed gemstone three strand bracelet ($3,630). Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus and Nashville, Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Davis Jewelers in Louisville, King Jewelers in Nashville, Simons Jewelers in St Louis and at us.marcobicego.com. | Bea

Bongiasca x ANANYA Fine Jewelry Rainbow Chakra bracelet ($6,380; ananyaxbea.com) | Valery Brenda Shea heart charm bracelet ($5,950; valerybrinda.com)

OLD WORLD, NEW TRICKS

Germany's Oberhofer winery works with some of the oldest vines in the world using the newest know-how.

Written by Claire Williams / Images courtesy of Oberhofer Winery

Looking out over the 62 acres of vines on the Oberhofer winery, you can see the terracotta-tiled roofs of the village of Edesheim and the local church's steeple. Piercing the horizon are the Haardt mountains, which protect the town from the frigid and wet weather blowing in from the Atlantic, giving this region the aptly named title "The Tuscany of Germany." Edesheim sits in the Pfalz region of Germany, also known as "the Palatinate," in southwest Germany just north of France's Alsace region and only an hour south of Frankfurt.

The Haardt mountains make it one of the warmer and drier areas in Germany, allowing almonds, figs, and lemons to grow here alongside wine grapes in villages whose home call to mind the structure of a cuckoo clock. With a favorable microclimate and extra sunny days compared to the rest of the country, the only thing brighter than the sun is the contagious smiles of the Oberhofer family.

The Oberhofer family first started making wine in 1754 in Alto Adige, Italy. Some 250 years later, after emigrating to Germany, Stefan and Heidi Oberhofer built the foundation for their own winery by merging their parents' vineyards on the Southern Wine Route to establish the Oberhofer winery in Edesheim. One could say the Oberhofers are one of the original "nepo babies" of the wine world. Now their children have a hand in the business (literally),

with their son Pascal as the resident winemaker at just 29 years old and their two other children helping out as well.

Contrary to most well-established and revered family wineries in the Old World, the Oberhofers don't believe in old practices and outdated traditions but instead evolving their winery for the modern age. Stefan and Heidi give their son creative freedom to try new techniques and styles of wine. Just 15 years ago, the Oberhofers switched to strictly organic winegrowing, way before "organic" became the buzzword it is today, and were leading the charge on organic viticulture in Germany.

One of the easiest ways to understand their approach is through one of the winemakers' favorite quotes from an unknown source: "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." At its roots, organic winegrowing is about preserving biodiversity in vineyards and maintaining soil life so that the terroir of winegrowing areas doesn't deteriorate to a point where the cultivation of vines will no longer be possible.

The youngest of the Oberhofer children, Marlene, explains her family’s philosophy by saying, "The more you take care of your soil, you have more healthy vines and powerful grapes, and the less you have to 'add' anything during the winemaking process to compensate mistakes and illness from the grapes." Therefore, they don't use chemicals or pesticides and co-cultivate

Winemaker Pascal Oberhofer

various other plants within the vineyard's rows, which naturally adds nutrients to the soil and strengthens the vines.

The Oberhofer's production is primarily white grapes: Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer Just under forty percent of their grapes are red: Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The climate, reminiscent of Northern Italy, makes their wines fresh and balanced, perfect for those who enjoy nice acidity and fruit components in their wine. Their Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of exotic fruits balanced with vegetal aromas. Their Riesling, susceptible to the soil and climate, thrives in this region with cool nights and warm days, resulting in notes of crisp apple, citrus fruit, honey, and minerality, all balanced by fresh acidity.

While the Oberhofers fully embrace modern methods, they're also proud to have the oldest vine in the world, known as "The Eldest ."Church documents record an unknown winegrower planted vines during the Thirty Years' War in the early-to mid17th century in "Rhodter Rosengarten ."Despite being one the most destructive and protracted conflicts in European history, four hundred of those ancient vines still exist today, growing in the rich limestone marl soil and producing a small yield of Gewürztraminer grapes. The grapes are hand-harvested, and after fermentation, wine from "The Eldest" is aged in oak barrels,

followed by a gentle filtration and another three months of aging in complete darkness. Due to the fragility and small yield of the vine, the only way to taste this vieille vigne is to get your hands on one of the 300 bottles produced in those years when yields allow cultivation.

The Oberhofer's have taken place in national and international competitions, such as AWC Vienna and the Meininger's International Spirits Award, where they have won both silver and gold, along with three different design awards for the packaging of their Eldest wine. Looking to the future, the Oberhofers want to continue their objective of growing their vines harmoniously with nature rather than fighting against it. Reminiscent of looking out across the Oberhofer vineyards, their bottles have a design that is a kaleidoscope of colors, different for each vintage. Marlene says, "The design of the labels reminds us of the many elements that make this genuine natural product possible: The family farm. The ecological care of soil and vines. The care of the harvest. The artisanal winemaking in the cellar. The patience during storage. The joy of the product. The harmony between the generations and how every single point works together,". The Oberhofers have found a balance between their vines and nature, work and family, the past and the future, to create a truly exceptional wine domain. sl

Marlene Oberhofer with her father Stefan

BOTTLED IN BOND

Written by Bridget Williams

January 15th marked 110 years since Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford officially formed a partnership leading to the creation of the first Aston Martin car, rising from humble beginnings in a small workshop in Henniker Mews, London, and becoming one of the world's most renowned automotive marques. To commemorate the milestone, Aston Martin commissioned a series of photographs bringing together two of its iconic models—the record-breaking 1923 racer Razor Blade alongside the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar—highlighting the brand's commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and applying engineering from Grand Prix racing to the road.

One of the earliest cars to be designed explicitly with aerodynamics in mind and propelled by an Aston Martin Grand Prix specification engine, the trailblazing Razor Blade took numerous class records at Brooklands in 1923, a year on from Aston Martin's Grand Prix debut with TT1 – the car nicknamed 'Green Pea'. A century later, the era-defining Valkyrie embodies Aston Martin's role as an innovator with its high-performance models that modern Formula One engineering to the road.

2023 is already turning out to be a monumental year for the brand, which recently sent out a sweet swan song for its DBS with the unleashing of the DBS 770 Ultimate. Long associated with cars of exquisite style and intoxicating performance, since 2018, the DBS nameplate has stood at the pinnacle of Aston Martin's series production range: a Twin-Turbo V12 powerhouse endowed with ferocious power and unmatched style.

The DB moniker, named for English industrialist David Brown, came about after he acquired the company in 1947. While not an official DB model, the 2-Liter Sport, Based on Aston Martin's Atom concept car, is the first model to be produced under Brown's leadership and became known as the DB1. It secured a spot in the annals of racing with a decisive victory in its debut outing, the 1948 Spa 24 Hours.

A highly-collectible variant of Aston Martin's flagship Super GT, extensive design and engineering enhancements combine to make the DBS 770 Ultimate the fastest and most powerful production model in Aston Martin's history. Available in both Coupe and Volante variants, the DBS770 Ultimate is limited to 300 Coupes and 199 Volantes, all of which are spoken for.

Aston Martin, the marque of choice for James Bond, opens up a year-long celebration of its 110th anniversary.

DBS 770 Ultimate features a ferocious iteration of Aston Martin's quad-cam 60-deg 5.2-litre V12 engine. Developing 770PS at 6500rpm and a colossal 900Nm of torque from just 1800rpm to 5000rpm, it propels the hypercar to a top speed of 211mph. The engine benefits from both modified air and ignition pathways that provide a seven-percent increase in maximum turbo boost pressure. Precise tuning of power and torque curves gives the driver a sense of boundless performance, with an intoxicating blend of exceptional response, outstanding in-gear acceleration, and the authentic V12 soundtrack.

Aston Martin Chief Technology Officer, Roberto Fedeli, said of the DSB 770 Ultimate: "When an iconic model generation reaches the end of production, it is important to mark the occasion with something special. In the case of the DBS 770 Ultimate, we have spared nothing in ensuring the final version of our current series production flagship is the best ever in every respect. Not only is it the fastest and most powerful DBS in our history, thanks to a comprehensive suite of improvements to the transmission, steering, suspension, and underbody structure; it is also the best to drive."

Later this year, Aston Martin will unveil the first of its highly anticipated next generation of sports cars, teased via prototype as a more aggressive successor of the DB11, which will further enhance Aston Martin's focus on ultra-luxury, high-performance, and driving intensity. The milestone will also take center stage of this year's British Grand Prix at Silverstone (July 7-9), Goodwood Festival of Speed (April 15-16), Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance (August 20th), and other significant events as part of a global marketing campaign entitled 'Intensity: 110 Years in the Making'. Amedeo Felisa, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: "In 1913, Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford came together with a shared vision of racing cars and using learnings from the racetrack to push the boundaries of automotive innovation. One hundred ten years and little over 110,000 cars later, that spirit continues. Our 110th year promises to be just as exciting as our first, as we turn a new chapter in Aston Martin history with the launch of our next generation of sports cars and the reveal of an extraordinary special model later this year that will celebrate this unique milestone." sl

Bibliotaph...

Compiled by Victoria Chase

The story of bestselling food writer Nigel Slater’s life via 150 easy recipes based on his childhood food memories and culinary inspirations, interspersed with reflective personal essays. Nigel Slater—A Cook’s Book—hardcover, 512 pages, Ten Speed Press

In her first book, interior designer Betsy Wentz shares 12 fabulous family homes filled with exciting mixes of color and pattern. Betsy Wentz—Design Happy: Colorful Homes for the Modern Family— hardcover, 224 pages; gibbs-smith.com

Just in time for March madness, David Hollander, JD, an ssistant dean and clinical professor with the Tisch Institute for Global Sport at New York University, provides a thought-provoking exploration of how basketball—and the values rooted in the game— can solve today’s most pressing issues. David Hollander—How Basketball Can Save the World: 13 Guiding Principles for Reimagining What’s Possible—hardcover, 320 pages, Harmony Press

Alex Prud’homme, coauthor of Julia Child’s memoir, My Life in France, invites readers into the White House kitchen to reveal the sometimes curious tastes of twenty-six of America’s most influential presidents, how their meals were prepared and by whom, and the ways their choices affected food policy around the world. Alex Prud’homme— Dinner With the President: Food, Politics, and a History of Breaking Bread at the White House— Hardcover, 512 pages, Knopf Publishing

From Jeff Benedict, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tiger Woods and The Dynasty, this is the definitive biography of basketball legend LeBron James. Jeff Benedict—LeBron— hardcover, 576 pages, Avid Reader Press

or hoards books

Until recently, the “Big Five” referred to the five big-game animals that were most difficult for colonial hunters to shoot and kill. For this book, wildlife photographer Graeme Green received feedback from 50,000 participants around the world who voted for the five animals they most wanted to photograph: the elephant, polar bear, tiger, lion, and gorilla. The resulting book brings together the world’s greatest wildlife photographers, conservationists, and advocates in a mission to not only celebrate the natural beauty of the animal world, but to raise awareness of the crucial issues facing these magnificent creatures. Available April 4. Graeme Green—The New Big 5: A Global Photography Project for Endangered Species—hardcover, 272 pages, Earth Aware Editions.

Using the science of neuroaesthetics, authors Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross offer compelling research that shows how engaging in an art project for as little as forty-five minutes reduces the stress hormone cortisol, no matter your skill level, and just one art experience per month can extend your life by ten years. Available March 21. Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross—Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us—hardcover, 304 pages, Random House Publishing

John Whelan and Oskar Proctor traveled throughout Europe visiting ateliers, some established during the Renaissance, where European artists work and teach their crafts. The profiles of these decorative arts workshops detail how artisans continue to maintain the highest centuries-old standards of workmanship and creativity. John Whelan (writer), Oskar Proctor (photographer)—Ateliers of Europe— hardcover, 288 pages, Prestel

'li' o 'taph, [bib-lee-uhtaf, -tahf]: a person who caches

Aerial photography of quintessentially Californian homes by renowned architects that emphasize the indoor-outdoor relationship and an intensive attention of landscaping. Available in May. Eva Hagberg—A View from the Top: The Viewpoint Collection—hardcover, ORO Editions; oroeditions.com.

THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL

What’s new and notable for the home inside and out.

Tradeshows and markets have come roaring back across the globe in 2023, with companies using events such as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), and Maison & Objet/Paris Design Week to launch products aimed at both the trade and consumers. We’ve run the gamut of exhibitors, sorting through offerings ranging from wacky to wonderful, to share a few of our new favorite things.

Compiled by Bridget Williams

Opposite page: Recently launched products from Castro Interiors include the Harp chair, Elea dining table and Teardrop suspension lamp (castrointeriors.com) This page, clockwise from top left: Jomo Tariku Ashanti stool/end table (jomofurniture.com) | Extruded Ribbon Console (2022) by Marc Newson and presented by Gagosian as part of Paris Design Week, is a work carved from a single piece of Azul Macaubas marble (marc-newson.com).| Designed by art director Antonio Citterio, and presented at Maison&Objet in Paris, Maxalto’s Lilum is designed specifically for convivial and intimate interactions (maxalto.com).| Tokasu is L’Objet’s newest collection, handmade and inspired by the Japanese technique of indigo dyeing ($325-$475; l-objet.com) | ISLABLANCA outdoor chair from GANDIABLASCO | Spinni is Division Twelve’s first product launch of 2023 and the brand’s first design collaboration with Canadian designer Thom Fougere. Available in 20+ powder-coated colors (division12.com) | The new Nooch modular outdoor seating system by Piero Lissoni for B& B Italia (bebitalia.com)

This page, clockwise from top left: A first for the brand, True Residential recently launched a 36” refrigerator with bottom freezer, available in both sold and glass door options and in several colors, including the company’s newest hue, Bluestone (true-residential.com) | Perlick debuted their brand-new Tobin Ellis Signature Series limited edition mobile bar, designed for homeowners to take entertaining to the next level. The ultimate bartending cockpit on wheels, it features luxury finishes such as eco-friendly “Toffee Crocodile” recycled leather on the exterior of the unit and a chic offwhite “Vanilla Sugar” solid surface bar top, and storage for everything from liquor bottles and garnishes to glassware and ice (perlick.com) | Forza’s 48-inch professional range top features eight full brass burners and is equipped with Forza’s continuous Infinito Grate System, the industry’s largest continuous usable cooking surface. Its fastback porcelain trim provides a seamless integration into a kitchen island while increasing the usable cooking surface even further for maximum efficiency ($4,199; forzacucina.com). | Fulgor Milano’s 48” Sofia professional induction range is now available for purchase in North America. Handcrafted in Italy and available with or without a griddle, the range’s premium technology delivers precise and responsive induction power using professional-style control knobs one might expect on a gas range. Available in six matte and glossy colors (fuller-milano.com). Opposite page: Häcker Kitchens, a leading German manufacturer of modern kitchen cabinetry recently introduced AV 6023 GL, an elaborately manufactured grooved front system available in oak, walnut and black oak. The intensity of the production process requires 129 square feet of veneer to create about 10 square feet of grooved front (hackerkitchens.us). | At KBIS Perlick launched their brand new Marine and Coastal Grade Undercounter Refrigeration with Perlick Armor, the first and only all-stainless marine-grade undercounted refrigeration line available today (perlick.com). | L’Atelier Paris has the ability to make an entire range that is electric or induction, without losing the perks of gas stoves. The double induction burner set consists of two 3.5 KW induction burners that excel in speed, control, safety, and energy efficiency. Other than the fun factor of cooking on an open flame, everything else is there for induction stoves (leatelierparis.com) | Skynest is Flos’ newest pendant made in collaboration with Marcel Wanders Studio. LED strips pass through recycled (and recyclable!) woven polyester fabric tubes creating a basket-like pattern. Micro-connectors keep each piece in place and make it possible for the pendant to easily be fully disassembled for repairs, replacements, and proper recycling. Available in four colors ($4,345; flos.com). | Users of the Miele CM6 MilkPerfection Coffee System can customize everything from the quantities of water, milk and even froth to suit their preferences. Further settings, such as the quantity of ground coffee or water, water temperature and pre-brewing option, can be stored (subject to the model) in four or eight custom user profiles ($2,799; mieleusa.com) | Top Knobs newly expanded range of more than 30 finish options aim to transform cabinetry and furniture into conversation pieces (priced from $9.90-$189.20; topknobs. com) | Kohler started its 150th year by showcasing its lineup of smart products at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Among these was their Anthem Smart Showering Valves and Controls that can simultaneously deliver different temperatures, pressures, and spray settings for each water outlet with the touch of a button. Anthem digital smart showering systems control up to six water outlets and display how much water was used after each shower to help inform people about their consumption. Starting at $560 for valves and controls. Shown with Statement Showing Collection (kohler.com). | Robam R-Max-A678S range hood ($1,549; robamliving.com)

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Native Trail’s 48” Topanga Series vanity ($4,950) is crafted of solid walnut and offers full-extension drawers and soft-close doors. (nativetrailshome.com)

| FORIÙ matte ceramic rectangular basin and top with freestanding frame from Simas (simas.it/en) | Graham and Brown’s new Grizedale Dawn mural is inspired by Lakeland woodland often found in the UK ($7.50/foot; grahambrown.com) | Wabi bed by Alain Gilles for SABA ITALIA (sabaitalia.com). | Available in three widths, Primo II from Heat & Glo can seamlessly integrate into nearly any interior, with finishing materials able to be placed right up to the fireplace opening (starting at $10,912; heatnglo.com)This page, clockwise from top left: Pieces from Houston designer Benjamin Johnston’s debut furniture line for Chaddock, include the Titus cocktail table, Rocco stools, Ugo accent table, Terzo end table, Giacomo sofa, Dario dining chair and Benito drink table (chaddockhome.com). | The recipient of CES 2023 Innovation Awards in two categories, LG Electronics 97-inch LG SIGNATURE OLED M (model M3), is the world's first consumer TV with Zero Connect1 technology, a wireless solution capable of real-time video and audio transmission at up to 4K 120Hz. The M3 and its integrated bracket sit flush against the wall with no visible gap, presenting a chic, art gallery aesthetic that augments the TV's self-lit picture quality (lg.com).| Untethered is a new print from Phillip Jeffries, inspired by abstract expressionism (phillipjeffries.com).

CONFESSIONS OF A FINE ART PUBLISHER

Written by Robert Lococo / Photography of artworks by Paul Takeuchi courtesy of Lococo Fine Art Publisher

As auctions in the worlds of contemporary art and modern masters reach new heights of popularity and prices, it's starting to become hard for people - even those of means - to get into that market. However, I would argue that the most exciting part of the art world is one that has been around for centuries—prints—or more accurately described as the multiples market, as each image is typically printed in an edition of six to 100, giving more than one buyer a chance to own a piece of history.

For someone interested in owning an original Andy Warhol, prices run in the millions, with the most recent selling for $195 million in 2022. Even Warhol prints that sold for a few thousand dollars 20 years ago are fetching hundreds of thousands. For example, an edition print of Queen Elizabeth II fetched $855,600 at an auction this past November. But fear not, as there are still many opportunities to buy exceptional works that will appreciate over time as you appreciate them today on your wall.

The print market has been growing forever. Pieter Bruegel was making multiples during the Dutch and Flemish Renaissance. Rembrandt didn't carve the copper used to make his prints. Instead, there were master printers that worked with him under his supervision. As time passed, the print process changed from woodcut to lithography to silkscreen and digital printing. Many artists can work in any of these mediums and prefer to switch around from time to time.

Suppose you're a new collector. Where you start all depends on your financial ability. The fact is that most people buy art to decorate their homes. They want a picture that's 36 by 72 inches over the sofa. So when they're coming in, they're just thinking about what will look best. While this is a perfectly fine approach, considering that you can still buy a print in the $5,000 range from blue-chip artists like Andy Warhol, Alex Katz, Jim Dine, Robert Rauschenberg, or Jasper Johns, my decision would be based on more than just what matches the sofa.

For example, when we publish a print with Ugo Rondinone or Alex Katz, those prints go up in value as they sell out. And many of those prints are auctioned at Sotheby's and Christie's. So, that print in your living room has the potential to sell for more than you paid for it. In the meantime, even if you made your money back, you got to live with something beautiful for five years. Meanwhile, that sofa you were hoping to match likely didn't appreciate over the same period.

As a fine art publisher, I represent a group of 30 or so artists, and that artwork works together. Because of my design background, I have an innate sense of what will sell, and then I'll put the money into it. We finance our projects up front, and the artist is paid in full rather than as it sells, which is unique in the industry. If I believe in a project, I will go for it.

Some prints can take a year or longer from the artist's preliminary work to screen printing, proofing, and the final product. We don't do huge editions. It could be as small as six for

Donald Sultan, 2020. Poppies series. Large prints on 4-ply museum board.

a sculpture or as big as 100 to 150 for a print. If it's a real piece of 'candy,' meaning it's easy for people to digest, we'll print up to 150.

We recently did a portfolio by Alex Katz called Ada. It has ten prints in the portfolio. Eight of the prints are terrific. Two of the prints are tough, meaning that in my opinion, they might not be suitable for everyone. However, people who really know and follow Katz's work are the ones that will like them.

We like to publish a group of prints because often, like with the Ada prints, it's a canned exhibition for dealers worldwide. We're doing shows with this group of prints right now at galleries in Fort Lauderdale, Cologne, and Frankfurt, and because this is a brand-new release, we're just getting started. They'll be fighting for those prints before all those shows are over. In between these major projects, we'll maybe do a pair of prints, some woodcuts, linocuts, and a few digital prints, and then we'll go back to a silkscreen.

Sometimes an artist will give you a print that is a tough sell, but I never say no. That's the nature of the business. You take it, do it, and make the artist happy, then you're on to the next thing. If you're demanding and are slow at paying, artists can be hard to get on the phone. But, if you pay them fast to make a friend, have a good personal relationship, and don't complain, then you're okay.

Sometimes the prints are numbered, and sometimes it says AP for artist proof, which is exactly like the edition. In my opinion, having an artist proof instead of the main edition isn't a greater value because when these prints are made, you can't tell the first from the last.

Etchings can be a different story because they ink a plate each pass in an etching. So what happens with the etching at the beginning is that the plates are often darker. Then, as you go through the edition, the prints get lighter. A real pro etching collector who collects Picasso etchings from an edition of 50 usually wants to buy 24, 25, or 26 in that edition because they feel like that's its heart.

There are also monoprints, meaning an edition of one. For example, we did a woodcut project called Grace with Alex Katz of 50 prints. Katz added more cuts as the edition was printed, so each edition of 50 was slightly different. While these are not considered monoprints, if Katz were to take just one of these and add a colored background, then it would become a monoprint, and its uniqueness would make it more valuable.

When we had them, the Reigning Queen prints from Andy Warhol sold for $5,000 a piece and were tough to sell. The last one most recently sold for $450,000. Why? When it comes to buying prints from younger or older artists, it depends on how the artist has set up their estate. In the case of Andy Warhol, when he died, his career wasn't at the top but fluttering in the middle. So, for the first year after his death, his estate didn't sell anything, opting to figure out what they had in inventory, and then decide to whom they would sell. There were 4,000 prints in the estate, and they released them gradually. The Warhol Foundation spent 25 years selling prints, raising prices until they sold out, and never selling any themselves at auction.

Kenny Scharf, Paradis Perdu, 2022, Archival pigment inks with high gloss varnish and diamond , 42x54”. Photo by Paul Takeuchi

Most museums aren't focused on editions; they want originals. One exception is the Albertina Museum in Vienna, primarily a print museum. Next month the entire museum will be given over to Alex Katz prints with the publication of a new catalog raisonné. Based on the requests we're getting, European dealers are capitalizing on this spotlight by showing Katz's work over the next 90 days. So, for Katz, who was often underrated, the value of his work continues to rise.

Some of the new hot artists are doing prints and objects, but it's not the easiest thing to get a publisher. They may self-publish, but the headache of logistics and red tape often leads them to give up some money to have somebody with a good reputation take care of it. Unfortunately, many dealers and publishers like to short-change artists, which is a bad idea because you're not going to be rich on two extra prints. So when we're splitting prints with artists, the artist always gets the extra if it's an odd number.

Only a few artists make sculptures in editions. Some, like Donald Sultan, have a terrific print and multiples market. Many people aren't familiar with his work but fall in love with it when they see it. It works in both traditional and contemporary interiors. You look at it and smile, and you don't have to think any further.

David Salle is one of the 80's boys becoming very popular again, along with Kenny Scharf, Keith Haring’s roommate. While everyone doesn't like contemporary art, that market is becoming more significant daily. Check out one of the big art shows in Venice, New York, Miami, or even Chicago for proof. If you don't get tickets early, you may not get in.

While our business primarily sells to dealers, please call us if you have any questions. Check out our website (lococofineart. com), and if you are interested in one of our new editions, put your name on the waiting list before it sells out. But most of all, enjoy the process of collecting. sl

Alex Katz, Straw Hat Vivien, 2021, silkscreen print, 79 x 44”

Photo by Paul Takeuchi

David Salle, Over Under (Red), 2021, Archival pigment inks with hand-varnish.

Photo by Paul Takeuchi

Ugo Rondinone, Sun 6, 2019, silkscreen print on museum board

Photo by Paul Takeuchi

DON’T CONSIGN, PROSIGN WITH RP EXOTICS

Parker Gelber is in the Driver’s Seat of the Luxury Car Market.

By Courtney Scott / Photos Courtesy of RP Exotics

“No one in my family was into cars.” When it came time to save for his own car and gas money at the age of 15, Parker Gelber tried to get a job first at Waterway without hearing back. Then he set his eyes on working for Exotic Motors. When Gelber didn’t hear back initially from applying with them, he started having his dad take him to their showroom weekly to look at cars and talk to the sales team. He reached out to the owner, Danny Baker, via email again to let him know his interest. After meeting for lunch with Baker, Gelber was offered a role in cleaning cars and helping with marketing.

Gelber would rush to work after school and stay there until the last employee left, filling in wherever help was needed, from social media posting to selling parts on eBay. “I was just in heaven,” reminisced Gelber. “I was never good at sports, I was okay at school, but I found my passion hanging around the other sales guys and befriended all of the customers.” He worked his way up and helped Baker with purchasing vehicles at the young age of 16, eventually buying up to four cars a week by the age of 17. “I was like a kid in a candy store working there,” Gelber gushed.

Gelber is a walking car encyclopedia for newer luxury model cars. He read everything he could get his hands on and watched endless Youtube videos to educate himself. When his parents moved to a home on Litzsinger and Warson Roads, he would listen to the cars riff down the road from his bedroom window and be able to discern the type of cars and engines from their sounds. “I used to know who all of these guys were, and Facebook stalk them and their car collections,” described Gelber. “I always loved the Lambos, the Ferraris, the exotics, and the new modern stuff, and I knew everyone in St. Louis who owned one of those cars.”

Gelber described how his goal was to befriend the car owners and find out how they made their money so he could do the same. He always was told, “there is no money in the car business,” and he saw how stressed out the other dealers were, so it was never his original goal to become a dealership owner.

Lamborghinis are Gelber’s personal favorite, and he grew up with a picture of a bright Aventador on his wall. RP Exotics tends to carry more of this model over others.

Gelber’s father would take him to classic car shows growing up, but classic cars have never piqued his interest. “Anything pre the year I was born, I really don’t mess with,” said Gelber. “I don’t know anything about them, they leak, and they break all the time.”

Gelber partnered with Alex Long, Owner and Principal of RP Exotics, who fills that knowledge gap of older car models, including the 80s and 90s. They have since hired Masen Motsinger, who specializes in American classic cars, specifically from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. John was hired for his knowledge of Japanese classic cars and anything early 2000s. “I never want anyone who works here to have the same kind of knowledge about a car - I want everyone to kind of to have their own division,” stated Gelber. He thinks his next hire will be a motorcycle expert, and eventually, they will branch out into the “truck game.”

The typical RP customer remains very interested in buying and selling cars. RP tells clients they can be as involved or handsoff as they wish. Some drop off the vehicle and do not want to be bothered until it is sold and a check is cut. Others want to be a part of every step, from writing the listing to weekly updates.

2019 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale

When Gelber first started consigning cars, he didn’t even realize that was what he was doing. He was in college at SLU and had stopped working for Danny Baker at that point. He started selling cars for individuals and listing them for a $200$500 commission. When he started his dealership, he was under the impression they should take out a loan to purchase inventory. Pride was also a factor, along with wanting to be able to own and drive the cars, which is not something they do with consignment cars, having a strict rule that those are not taken off the lot. But, customers disagreed with that goal and advised him to stay with consigning which was also a low-risk business model.

When he looked to see how competitors were marketing consignment, he could not find anything to go off of since no one was pursuing the practice or at least advertising that they did. When he brainstormed with his father and his business partner how to effectively message their model, they knew consignment could have a negative

connotation, and they didn’t even like the prefix “con” in the word, so they decided to change that to “pro” making it “prosignment.” They trademarked the term, and it is what RP Exotics has fully embraced.

Gelber looked back on a pinnacle moment when a car collector in Kansas City (Gelber had been aware of) called him up out of the blue and asked him to consign his $900,000 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster. Gelber thought, “this is the coolest thing that has ever happened to me, and it came in bright green, shooting flames out of it. I called the seller, and he told me he trusted me and that I could take it for a spin.” This same seller continues to work with Gelber, providing him with around ten cars a year to sell, and they have only met in person once.

You can compare Gelber to a real estate agent but for luxury cars. An excellent real estate agent is worth their weight in gold. You won’t get taken for a ride with RP Exotics, except maybe in the car of your dreams. sl

2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale

THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS

By Alvin Wolff

I belong to a Bordeaux group that is part of an international organization. The Commanderie de Bordeaux aux États-Unis d’Amérique has 36 chapters across the United States. The St. Louis Chapter of the Commanderie has 60-65 members who are dedicated to the appreciation of fine wines from Bordeaux. About 12 years ago, our member in charge of our monthly events asked me to take over running our ample wine cellar; four years later, I became the person in charge of organizing and running our events. I’ve been to Bordeaux eight times over the years, leading groups of members who are taking their first Bordeaux visit. I also belong to an international Burgundy group that has over 100 members in St. Louis.

Wine and I became acquainted in college. There was Annie Green Springs, Bali Hi, and Blue Nun. It was a cheap buzz. When my children were born, 905 went out of business, and I took a splurge on wines I knew nothing about from the 1978 and 1979 Bordeaux vintage. Names like Chateau Lafleur and Chateau Margaux cost between $35 and $50 dollars a bottle. They were delicious, and I was hooked.

Wines began being delivered to my house from Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Tuscany, The Barossa Valley, The Rhone Valley, Burgundy, and other exotic faraway places.

Over the years, my travels have taken me to, besides Bordeaux, Burgundy, Australia, Argentina, Israel, California, Tuscany, and yes, Augusta, Missouri. Most of the wines I own have been purchased on release and stored at 55 degrees and 70 percent humidity. Storage under these conditions is important because it prevents the wine from premature deterioration, and aging lets wine develop its full potential. I’ve participated in many wine tastings over the years knowing what the wines are or where the wines were consumed blind.

The lesson learned from over 40 years of consumption is the only thing that matters is if you like it: period, end of story.

When I hear someone say that the wine tastes of chalk, I wonder when that person last ate chalk. There are positive adjectives that can be used: flowers, citrus, tree fruit, tropical fruit, red fruit, black fruit, dried fruit, vegetables, earth, oak, minerality, and negative adjectives: corked, Brettanomyces, cooked, volatile acidity, flabby and so on and so forth.

Nobody can tell you if you should like a wine or not. What I see most of all in novice tasters is that they lack confidence in

knowing if they should like it or not. Ask yourself: Does it smell good? Does it taste good? Is the finish long? Do you like it? You can read all the wine books, magazines, emails, and puffery that you like. Reading about wine is like reading about sex. Nothing beats the real thing, and you can’t know what it’s like until you have experienced it.

Blind tastings are a great way to honestly assess a wine. There have been countless times when the wine is tasted with its label obscured, nobody likes the wine, and then when the wine is revealed, somebody or anybody will say: “ If I knew what it was I would have liked it better.” I don’t care if it’s a Lafite Rothschild or a two-buck chuck. There are good bottles and bad bottles. The best way to assess a wine is by drinking it without any bias, either blatant bias or confirmation bias.

Conversely, I was recently at an event where some very expensive wines were poured. Everybody knew what we were drinking. Some of the wines were way too young and very alcoholic. They were going to be great …but not yet. Since everybody knew what they were, everybody who spoke about the wines was effusive and pandering. It reminded me of a dog licking someone’s shoes. Not to be a buzzkill, I remained silent. The next day I spoke to a few friends who agreed that the wines were consumed way too young and really weren’t that enjoyable.

If you’re going to buy wines for cellaring, look at CellarTracker.com. Cellar tracker is an app that has community comments about the wine, and these notes will give you a good window of when to open up a bottle. Cellar Tracker also has a lot of valuable comments from people like you and me who score the wine, and the comments are very consistent from tasting note to tasting note.

If you’re new to wine, the wine pricing has gotten stupid. Ask your friends who good producers are. Start with the winemaker’s, chateau’s, or domaine’s entry-level wines, which can be anywhere from $20-$75 and up. There are tremendous values out there. You don’t need to spend a fortune to drink great wines. You do have to spend a fortune to be a label drinker. Ask yourself what you want to be. Someone who really likes and appreciates wine or a showoff.

Bottom line: THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS IF YOU LIKE IT. sl

You can contact Alvin Wolff at alvinwolff@gmail.com

Wolff at Château Haut-Brion

YOU CAN’T GO WRONG AT WRIGHT’S

By Craig Kaminer

Matt McGuire is not only one of the best restaurateurs in St. Louis, he has a cult following among anyone who has ever eaten at his restaurants. Try getting into Louie’s and his new Wright’s Tavern without a month’s notice. But those of us who crave his food, make reservations far in advance, and find friends who are dying to try his places, but never can get in.

Wright’s Tavern is in the revered iFratellini space on Wydown, it’s quite intimate (only 36 seats), is masterfully waited on by the best career wait staff who have been with McGuire for years, and who know their clients well. There are a lot of hugs, showing of recent kid pictures, and sampling some of the newest items on the carefully curated menu adding to the family feel of this new Clayton hotspot.

McGuire named the restaurant for Henry Wright, the architect responsible for designing many of Clayton’s neighborhoods, and describes Wright’s Tavern as a “small neighborhood steakhouse which leans heavily into seafood.”

Long-time friend Cary McDowell who worked with McGuire at King Louie’s years ago heads up the kitchen with a straightforward approach to the “best renditions of the originals” ranging from filet au poivre, steak frites, shrimp scampi, a no-filler crab cake, an 18-ounce ribeye and a daily selection of perfectly prepared fish. Much like a Danny Meyer restaurant in NYC, the food is consistently great, and the hospitality even better. You will be treated like you have been coming here for your entire life.

McDowell worked for chef Daniel Boulud in New York, the Crossing in Clayton with Jimmy Fiala, and even helped Pi expand to include other properties like Gringo and Pi-Rico. He is highly regarded among the chef community and even more so by anyone who has eaten his food.

Though McGuire and McDowell describe Wright’s Tavern as a neighborhood steakhouse, they are less hung up on a concept and more focused on creating a place that embodies what they want to experience when they go out

Cary McDowell custom crafts one of the best burgers in town.

to eat. A restaurant is a feeling, McGuire insists, and he and McDowell hope to create a special kind of alchemy based on the fundamentals: outstanding, well-executed classics; consistency; and the kind of hospitality and overall experience that just makes people happy.

“Good is good,” McGuire says. “You don’t need to be told why. People get so caught up in the provenance of things, but you don’t need to be told why something is good. You just experience it and you know.”

And of course, that is what this clientele loves and expects. More than half the restaurant is filled with McGuire regulars, and all, including me, have waited 6 weeks or longer to get in. We started with beautifully crafted cocktails and then a fabulous bottle of wine with dinner. We shared a no-filler crab cake, wedge salad, a New York strip, onion rings and spinach, but failed to order the ice cream sundae which sounded amazing (by the moans at the next table).

Next time I go, I will start with the oysters, then split shrimp scampi and the filet au poivre, a side of french fries, and the ice cream sundae. I heard the scallops, Dover sole and halibut are also outrageous, so perhaps I will try these on my third visit.

While you can’t go wrong at any of the new hot spots on Wydown, I would say that Wright’s will quickly become your go-to steak and seafood place despite two or three highly regarded restaurants just a few blocks away. Bar Moro will be your go to for a dinner with adventurous friends who appreciate Spanish and Portuguese delights and a sherry menu like no other, and Bistro La Floraison will be your favorite French wine bar to meet a friend for a drink, and then stay for dinner.

Aside from great eats on Wydown, the neighborhoods are beautiful and worth a stroll before or after your meal. But don’t get carried away and get the urge to buy one of the homes for sale as you burn off dinner. Wydown is in one of the nicest and most expensive neighborhoods in St. Louis. sl

Meet the best burger you will crave for weeks to come.

Just looking at the shrimp scampi will make your mouth water.

The no-fill lump crab cake is better than anything in Maryland.

Steak frites is even better than it looks.

With over 10 jets in our fleet, we have numerous options to accommodate your travel needs, competitive charter rates and one of the top Charter Shares membership programs in the industry.

SOPHISTICATED CELEBRATIONS

St. Louis is springing into action with a full calendar of galas and events. Share your celebrations with us, or let us know what events you want to see featured on our pages by emailing courtney@slmag.net. - SL

March

10 Autism Speaks St. Louis Chef Gala, autismspeaks.org/stlchefgala

11 14th Annual Heartworks St. Louis Gala, marfan.org/calendar/14th-annual-heartworks-st-louis-gala

25 Sheldon Gala: Pink Martini, thesheldon.org/events/2023gala

April

19 Tabletop Spring Event, stlouischildrens.org/giving/events

22 Washington University Fashion Show, samfoxschool.wustl.edu

22 John Burroughs School Potpurri Sale jburroughs.org/our-community/parents-council/potpourri

24 The 2023 Saint Louis Visionary Awards Ceremony, vizawards.org

27 The Collective Thread Event at The Sheldon, thecollectivethread.org

27 SLSO Celebrates, slso.org

28 COCAcabana, cocastl.org/cocacabana-event

28-30 Saint Louis Ballet Presents Swan Lake, stlouisballet.org/swanlake

30 Lift for Life Event at Ritz Carlton, one.bidpal.net/lfla2023/welcome

Courtesy of Saint Louis Ballet, photo by Kelly Pratt

FLEUR DE LIS BALL

The 64th Annual Fleur de Lis Ball took place Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the Hyatt Regency Saint Louis at the Arch. Twenty-four young women were presented to His Excellency, Most Reverend Mark S. Rivituso, Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis. Traditionally, the Fleur de Lis board members have donated the proceeds from the Ball to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. To date, the contributions of the Fleur de Lis to Cardinal Glennon exceed three million, twenty-seven thousand.

Photography by Robert George

1) Fleur de Lis President Mrs. Peter Fonseca, Most Reverend Mark Rivituso, 2022 Ball Chairman Mrs. Jay Mantych-Marshall 2) Honorees: 1st Row: Kathryn Nicole Fesler, Kathryn Patterson Dolan, Laura Diane Finnie, Ingrid Azrak, Grace Catherine O’Grady, Alexandra Marie Claude Pelikan 2nd Row: Claire Catherine McDaniel, Mary Kathleen Stephens, Mary Elizabeth Carani, Meredith Claire Douglass, Margaret Kathryn Mooney, Ava Maree Gueck, Catherine Patricia Busch, Gabriela Mauriece Milne 3rd Row: Miah Eslanda Lindo, Caroline Genevieve Elsner, Isabella Marie Sansone, Maeve Maureen Fogarty, Lauren Nicole Vitale, Julia Hagan Schmidt, Josephine Elaine Strauss, Margaret Mary Malecek, Margaret Anderson Beimdiek, Caroline Margaret Busch (10) 3) The evening’s escorts 4) Mr. Paul Rohde, Mr. Michael Weisbrod, Front row from left: Mr. Thomas Blazevic, Mr. Anthony Bommarito 5) Honorees and fathers dancing.

1ST PHORM BANQUET

On January 21, 2023, employees were recognized for their achievements during a night of fun and elegance at the 1st Phorm and Supplement Superstores annual awards banquet held at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis.

Photos by David Mullis, Shelby Foley, and Madison

1) Sal Frisella, President of 1st Phorm, awards staff with custom bespoke cowboy boots for reaching a five-year milestone with the company.

2) Darryl Moore Jr., Sal Frisella, Will Grumke 3) Employees of 1st Phorm 4) Kate Brennan, Jordan Hudson, Taylor Summers, and Bri Boyko 5) Ty Russ, Stacey Ervin Jr. 6) Sal Frisella, Andy Frisella, Chris Klein, Jason Caine 7) Wes Osburn, Caleb Brooks

THE SPIRIT OF PROVIDENT GALA

of

annual

Photography by Benjamin Drollinger

1) Tom Ackerman, Shirley Woodcox, Kim Roy 2) Jonah Houts 3) Khorassan Ballroom 4) Lisa Thorp, Diane Drollinger, Andy Thorp 5) Advisory Council Member, Thomas Ray 6) Keynote and Board Member, Jill Schupp 7) Board Chair, Marianne Fournie 8) Emcee Tom Ackerman and Board member Denise Bentele 9) Marcelle Pires, Karen Pires

The Spirit

Provident Gala hosted nearly 500 guests at the Chase Royal Sonesta on Saturday, February 4, 2023. This

event supports mental health counseling, psychiatric services, 24/7 crisis services, and the Mary Ryder Home.

COCACABANA KICKOFF PARTY

On February 8, 2023, COCA hosted their kickoff party at Truffles for their annual COCAcabana gala. Guests enjoyed a wine tasting from Robust, watched a tap dance performance by a COCA student, purchased VIP tickets to the gala, and discussed the upcoming event’s theme, which is Electric Oasis.

1) Richard Nix Jr., Antonio Douthit-Boyd, Indigo K. Sams, Elizabeth Nix 2) Elizabeth Caine, Lael Bagnell 3) Stanley Browne, Lydia Bledsoe, Arlene Browne, Josh Bledsoe 4) Mary Slay, Laurie Lock 5) Kathy Lisenbardt, Melissa Miller, Heidi Gorham, Betsy Toney 6) Virginia Howell, Karen Kalinowski, Pam Mandelker 7) Bill Carson, Abby Frohne

ST. JUDE MIRACLE UNDER THE STARS GALA

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital(r) hosted its 2nd annual St. Louis Gala on February 11, 2023 at CITYPARK – home of the St. Louis CITY SC. The event raised more than $2 million for the lifesaving mission of St. Jude. More than 400 guests were welcomed by Jesse Williams and Total Praise Gospel Choir and enjoyed immersive experiences from St. Jude such as a replica of the ABCs of Cancer Wall and a festive St. Jude red wagon display. Rick Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude, shared remarks as the keynote speaker for the evening, and was joined by St. Jude patient Maelin-Kate and her mother, Megan. Yolonda Lankford emceed the event which concluded with a lively after party in the Pitch Club.

1) Madyson Tracy, Tayla Dragicevic, Marissa Kinsey, and Anna Godfrey 2) Bob and Ayumi Cullen 3) Charlie Vitale 4) Emcee Yolonda Lankford 5) Darryl and Villajean Jones 6) Wes and Erin Mellow, Katie (Event Chair) and Chris Marischen 7) Ozzie Smith 8) St Jude Patient Maelin-Kate and mom Megan 9) Nishant and Shilpa Nadella and Tayla and Andy Dragicevic 10) St. Jude Board Member Joyce Aboussie and ALSAC CEO Rick Shaydac 11) Gala Impact Chair Greg Keller