Andrea Barbier, Mariella Brochard, Courtney Odenheimer, Emma Peneguy
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Rita Guarna
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Stephen Vitarbo
SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Darius Amos
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Kirsten Meehan
CONTRIBUTING
EDITORS
Christen Fisher, Leslie Garisto Pfaff, Everett Potter, Donna Rolando
PUBLISHER
Lizette Chin
ADVERTISING/PRODUCTION SERVICES
Griff Dowden, Chris Ferrante, Jacquelynn Fischer, Maria Martucci, Catherine Rosario
ACCOUNTING
Kasie Carleton, Urszula Janeczko, Steven Resnick
PUBLISHED BY Wainscot Media
CHAIRMAN
Carroll V. Dowden
PRESIDENT & CEO
Mark Dowden
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS
Edward R. Burns, Lizette Chin, Thomas Flannery, Rita Guarna
VICE PRESIDENTS
Nigel Edelshain, Noelle Heffernan, Maria Regan, Steven Resnick
Dear Valued Customers,
As we reflect on the past few months and look ahead to the rest of the year, we are reminded of what truly sets Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry apart—our passion for bringing you the finest jewelry from around the world while delivering an extraordinary shopping experience.
Each year begins with a whirlwind of travel, and January took us from coast to coast across the U.S., sourcing exquisite pieces to bring back to our stores. At nearly the same time, our team was also traveling internationally. Scott journeyed to India in search of exceptional diamonds, ensuring only the most brilliant stones make their way into our showcases. Meanwhile, Chad and Lee traveled to Hong Kong, sourcing rare colored gemstones and one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces that blend quality with value.
In Geneva, Ryan, Scott, and Chad attended Watches & Wonders, witnessing the latest releases from the world’s most prestigious watchmakers. Ryan was also invited for an exclusive Rolex factory tour, a rare and highly coveted experience reserved for only a select few accounts in the country.
With so many exciting trips happening almost simultaneously, we are grateful to have a big family—both in business and at home—to make it all possible. These journeys allow us to personally select the very best for you, reinforcing our dedication to craftsmanship, quality and excellence.
Beyond the beauty of our jewelry, it is the relationships we build and the experiences we create that define Lee Michaels. From the moment you walk through our doors to the moment you open one of our signature boxes, we strive to make every visit extraordinary. Because at Lee Michaels, Every Box Has a Story™—a milestone, a celebration, a cherished memory.
As you explore this magazine, we hope you find inspiration in the artistry, elegance and timeless beauty of fine jewelry. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your most treasured moments. We look forward to continuing to serve you with the exceptional quality, service and selection you deserve.
With gratitude,
ICONIC STYLES TO WEAR. TREASURE S FOR GENERA TIONS.
RESERVE COLLECTION
at Lee Michaels
Store Happenings
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Signed, Sealed, Delivered.
Guests in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and San Antonio connected with Italian designer Marco Bicego as he shared his latest designs and hand-signed their works of wearable art.
Capturing the Moment
From mingling with renowned jewelry designer Konstantino to experiencing the finest in luxury at our exclusive holiday soirées, clients know that every event hosted by Lee Michaels is a truly unforgettable celebration of style, sophistication and exceptional craftsmanship.
IWC Ingenieur. Form und Technik.
Ingenieur Automatic 40, Ref. 3289
You don’t have to be an engineer to appreciate the virtues of this watch. The Ingenieur Automatic 40 with a blue grid-patterned dial revisits the bold aesthetic codes of Gérald Genta’s Ingenieur SL from the 1970s, pairing them with outstanding ergonomics and a finishing that is perfected down to the tiniest detail. In the best tradition of engineering, a soft-iron inner case protects the IWC-manufactured 32111 calibre with five-day power reserve from the effects of magnetic fi elds.
IWC. Engineered.
Evenings of Elegance
Guests enjoyed a night of fine dining, entertainment and festivities as we celebrated the latest collections from David Yurman in Ridgeland and Roberto Coin in Lafayette.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
The epitome of specialist precision, the essence of timepiece resilience. FROM THE MAKERS OF THE ORIGINAL SWISS ARMY KNIFE ™
Quiet Luxury, Everyday Glamour
Turquoise Treasures
Top to bottom: Roberto Coin Venetian Princess Diamond and Turquoise Earrings, $10,550; Turquoise and Diamond Ring, $5,200; Turquoise Bead Necklace, $3,400; 36” Turquoise Bead and Diamond Necklace, $11,500; Roberto Coin Diamond Mosaic Bangle Bracelets, $9,130-$9,510.
Golden Essentials
Top to bottom: 14K Yellow Gold Polished Oval Link Necklace, $8,375; 14K Yellow Gold Triple Curb Link Bracelet, $1,950; 14K Yellow Gold Twisted Tube Hoop Earrings, $450; 14K Yellow Gold Polished Hoop Earrings, $375.
Everyday Sparkle
Top to bottom: 14K Diamond Lariat, 9.17ctw, $23,400; 14K 26mm 4ctw In/ Out Diamond Hoop Earrings, $7,400; Emerald-Cut Diamond Eternity Band, $18,300; Oval Shape Diamond Eternity Band, $29,500; Emerald-Cut Diamond Eternity Band, $38,925; 14K 10.00ctw Diamond Line Bracelet, $25,500.
FLAGSHIP HERITAGE
HENRY CAVILL
Giving you an Extraordinary Experience
We invite you to visit any one of our 10 locations to experience an extraordinary selection of beautiful jewelry and timepieces.
Spring Fever
It’s the season to throw open windows and let the sun in. And it’s the perfect time to show off these latest baubles.
David Yurman
Spring is in the air and in the wear. Discover David Yurman’s latest pieces—designed to be worn effortlessly. New York City is at the heart of the David Yurman story—it’s the brand’s hometown and enduring source of inspiration. This season, the city’s vibrant energy is captured in a stunning mix of designs. Try the DY Mercer™ collection, with vibrant mixed metals, colorful gems and stacked silhouettes, or the DY Madison® collection, which combines sculptural chain links, elements of the house’s iconic Cable, and bold toggle closures. With these luxe, statement-making styles, you’ll turn heads wherever you go.
Clockwise from top left: Mercer Petite Toggle Necklace in silver and 18K gold, $1,995; Madison Bracelet with Toggle in 18K gold, $3,800; Madison Smooth Hoop Earrings in 18K gold, $2,995; Madison Smooth Hoop Earrings in silver, $495; Mercer Two-Row Bracelet in silver, $1,200; Mercer Three-Row Ring with Diamonds in silver and 18K gold, $1,350; Mercer Four-Row Stone Ring with Amethyst and Diamond set in silver and 18K gold, $2,900.
Marco Bicego
Since its founding in 2000, Marco Bicego has defined itself with a passion for refined elegance and luxury. This season, the brand brings that passion to exciting, eye-catching new heights— without ever losing sight of its core ethos. The Lunaria Color collection takes the silky golden leaves of Marco Bicego’s Lunaria collection and adds head-turning pops of colorful, delicate gemstones. Each piece is the perfect balance of subtle and playful, youthful and experienced, bold and understated, with the occasional touch of sparkling diamonds. Delicate necklaces and bracelets, bold statement rings and dangling drop earrings are all set in Marco Bicego’s signature glowing 18K gold for a timeless, wearable look that will carry you from daytime lunch date evening soirée.
Clockwise from top left: 18K Yellow Gold Lariat Tourmaline Necklace, $5,250; 18K Yellow Gold Chandelier Tourmaline Earrings with Diamonds, $3,300; 18K Long Yellow Gold Petal Necklace, $9,500; 18K Yellow Gold Collar Necklace with Mixed Gemstones, $4,950; 18K Yellow Gold Bracelet with Thulite, Turquoise and Charoite, $2,800; 18K Yellow Gold Ring with Turquoise, $1,790; 18K Yellow Gold Drop Earrings with Thulite and Diamond Accent, $1,590.
Roberto Coin
Just like any true piece of art, Roberto Coin’s jewelry takes you on a journey through culture, history and nature. All three blend seamlessly and joyfully together in the brand’s collections this season, and the results are truly transportive. The Jasmine collection is as floral as the name implies, and the play between geometric lines and fluid curves makes these pieces glow all the brighter in 18K gold. For more power, look to the Obelisco collection, which invokes the striking image of an obelisk with the perfect touch of colorful gems for an elegant, confident look. And, of course, you can never go wrong with a classic: The Venetian Princess Pirouette collection takes Roberto Coin’s most iconic flower motif and adds an extra touch of color and sparkle, bringing magic to your fingertips each time it’s worn.
Clockwise from top left: Princess 18K Diamond Mop Butterfly Necklace, $1,970; Venetian Princess 18K Gold Mother of Pearl Diamond Necklace, $19,700; 18K Diamond Mop Butterfly Ring, $2,350; Obelisco 18K Yellow Gold Diamond and Ruby Bangle, $16,950; Obelisco 18K Gold Diamond Multi-Color Earrings, $17,000; Obelisco 18K Gold, Diamond and Ruby Ring, $7,350; 18K Diamond Mop Butterfly Earrings, $1,990; Obelisco 18K Gold, Diamond and Emerald Ring, $16,950.
LAVALIER: PASPALEY ICON
Paspaley is a family-owned business spanning three generations and celebrating a 90-year pearling heritage. Their jewelry designs are inspired by the rich narrative of the Paspaley South Sea Pearl - its natural habitat, pearling culture, and the operational intricacies that sustain it. Their pieces offer versatility, wearability, and innovation, celebrating their Australian pearling heritage and a dedication to showcasing Paspaley Pearls in designs worthy of their natural beauty.
The Paspaley Lavalier collection has long centred around the Lavalier pendant, modelled on the antique glass buoys, encased in a rope net, that were once used to mark pearl oyster beds. At the heart of each creation lies a Paspaley Pearl delicately cradled in fine gold mesh net. This innovative design allows the pearl to remain untouched by drills, preserving its natural beauty as if it just emerged from an oyster.
The new Tassel Anchored Lavalier Pearl Necklace now enters this collection, adding the pendants to jewelencrusted chains inspired by the nautical chains found on Paspaley’s pearling vessels. Details of the Tassel Anchored Lavalier are tied to elements of the Paspaley story, with tassels that are reminiscent of the frayed ropes from historic wooden pearling ships, often found on beaches in remote regions of northwestern Australia, and gradations in color that reflect the weathering and patina that happens to ropes and chains when exposed to the elements, underwater or under the sun.
Lavalier necklaces and earrings are designed to hold Paspaley’s most significant and special pearls, held in their natural state in jewel-covered nets. Pearls of this calibre and lustre have been collected and treasured by the Paspaley family over many years and are a testament to the history and status of Paspaley as Master Pearlers.
Lavalier Collection, starts from $6,000
Lee’s Picks
Discover the latest must-have pieces handpicked by our beloved founder.
Yellow gold and diamond jewelry are defining spring 2025—bold, radiant and effortlessly timeless. This classic combination brings warmth and brilliance, making it the perfect statement for the season ahead.
POPS OF COLOR
POLISHED GOLD
Roberto Coin Venetian Princess Collection. Blue Topaz and Diamond Ring, $3,450; Mixed Stones and Diamond Necklace, 17”, $35,500; Large Mixed Stones Flower Necklace, $15,500.
From top to bottom: All in 14K Yellow Gold. Cuff Style Bracelet with Two Round Bezel Set Diamond End Caps, $1,225; Cuff Style Bracelet with a Cluster of Round Bezel Set Diamonds on Each End, $4,250; Bypass Style Bracelet with Two Round Bezel Set Diamond End Caps, $1,225.
LOVELY LARIATS
From left to right: FOPE Aria 14K Yellow Gold Lariat Necklace with Diamonds, $4,180; Marco Bicego Africa 14K Yellow Gold Lariat Necklace with Diamond Clasp, $8,450; Roberto Coin 18K Yellow Gold Verona in Love Diamond Zipper Necklace, $11,300.
TOI ET MOI RINGS
BEADED JEWELRY
French for “You and Me,” Rings Featuring Two Stones of White and Brown Diamonds. Oval-Shaped Brown Diamond with Round White Diamond in Rose Gold, $2,700; Cushion-Cut Brown Diamond with Oval White Diamond in 14K Yellow Gold, $3,300; 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Earrings Featuring One Pear-Shaped Brown Diamond, One Marquee White Diamond and One Round Champagne Diamond, $2,925.
Step into the world of Victorian elegance with our exquisite collection of estate jewelry, where history and beauty converge. Each piece, featuring vibrant turquoise accents, showcases the craftsmanship and artistry of a bygone era. From intricate designs to rare stones, these timeless treasures capture the essence of sophistication and charm, perfect for collectors and connoisseurs alike. Discover a piece of history that will be cherished for generations to come.
Not Included)
15K Yellow Gold and Turquoise Jewelry from the Victorian Era.
Top Bracelet, $4,400; Bottom Bracelet, $3,300; Pendant, $4,300. (Chain
Herbert Schilling
Giving ’til It Feels Good
By Karen B. Gibbs
“When you give and you remember it the rest of your life, you’ve done something good.”
That’s how Herbert “Herbie” Schilling measures his giving—and how outstandingly generous his giving is. The Lafayette native and chairman of the board of Schilling Distributing Company has a long history of philanthropy, although you won’t see many headlines touting his largesse.
“Mr Schilling genuinely wants to help people and the Acadiana community but he likes to work behind the scenes,” says Noreen Arcides, Schilling’s executive assistant for almost 30 years. “Besides giving financially to area non-profits, he offers advice and forms organizations that will help the community. A good example is the Upper Lafayette Economic Foundation, which helps businesses work together—with schools, beautification projects, etc.—to make the area more attractive for new businesses.
What’s behind Schilling’s remarkable success and benevolence? Let’s go back to the Sixties and see how it started.
Herbie Schilling worked in his father’s company, Schilling Distributing, throughout high school and college. One of his most vivid memories was the three-month Teamsters strike in 1969 that closed the Anheuser-Busch brewery and nearly destroyed the family business. “We had no product to sell,” says Schilling. “I never wanted to be in that fix again.”
In 1973, he graduated from USL and completed active duty for the Army Reserves. Ignoring his father’s recommendations that he could be something more, like a doctor, he returned to the distributorship. “Schlitz beer was kicking our rear and I was such a competitor, I couldn’t take that.”
Schilling started as sales manager, then advanced to general manager. Remembering the Teamsters strike, he diversified his product lines—and later diversified into other businesses. Then, quite unexpectedly, his father was diagnosed with cancer. Schilling rose to the challenge and at age 29 was running the company.
Schilling’s father lived to see him earn the Anheuser-Busch Ambassador of Excellence Award for his company—a distinction given to only 6
of 1,470 distributorships in the USA. Two years later, Anheuser-Busch appointed Schilling to their Wholesale Advisory Panel. In 1985, he was elected chairman. Only 35, he was the youngest person ever to hold that position.
In giving, as in business, Schilling sees a need and does what he can to fix it. From individual to community causes, he is passionate about giving back to those who have given so much to him. In the following pages, Herbie Schilling describes some of his favorite charities. Prepare to be inspired.
PELICAN PARK
“Pelican Park was probably my first philanthropic donation,” says Schilling. “Three young men approached me to build a softball facility in Acadiana and sell it to them. So, in 1985, I built the finest softball facility in America (at a cost of $3.5 million) in nearby Carencro. People were flying there in private jets to play in tournaments.” What made it unique was the artificial turf in the infield and the three-story building in the middle with elevated views of all four fields.
“Then jealousy reared its ugly head and the partnership dissolved.” With no time to run the facility, Schilling sold the park to the city of Carencro for pennies on the dollar. For the next 31 years, the city ran the facility and raised money for the community until a fire destroyed the Pelican Park structure.
LA OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT
An avid golfer, Schilling, who attended college on a golf scholarship, resurrected the LA Open Golf Tournament in 1980, along with Jay and Lionel Hebert. In 1985, in response to the many charities seeking his assistance, Schilling formed LA Open Inc., a non-profit fundraising vehicle for local charities.
For seven years, money from LA Open Inc.’s tournaments flowed steadily into the community. Then, in October 1991, the PGA invited LA Open Inc. to host its new Developmental Tour, the Ben Hogan tour. Over the next 30 years, that tour earned $4 million for local charities. “To go from a small, local event to a PGA event that raised millions of dollars for the community— that was one of my proudest accomplishments,” says Schilling.
Unfortunately, the Developmental Tour (aka Korn Ferry Tour) ended in Lafayette due to the advent of PGA’s competitor, LIV. This Saudi Arabian worldwide golf association offered extremely high purses, making it impossible for local sponsors to donate to charities and still pay players at the level the PGA needed to compete.
HERBERT E. SCHILLING III, “TREY,” MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
To honor the memory of his son, Herbert Schilling III (“Trey”), who passed away in a tragic accident at 17, Schilling set up a memorial scholarship fund. Originally the scholarship was awarded to students who played golf in a Louisiana college. As interest in golf waned, Schilling redirected the scholarship to employees’ children who attended college in Louisiana.
Angela Power speaks firsthand about the scholarship. “I interviewed for a job at Schilling Distributing on the first birthday of my son,
Logan. I’d read about the scholarship and hoped I’d still be there when Logan went to college,” she says. In 2022, that hope was realized when Logan and Gary Le Blanc’s daugher were the only two in the drawing for the scholarship.
Schilling called Angie and Gary into his office, explaining that the scholarship would go to the one who picked the hand that held a special coin. “Gary went first because I was too nervous,” recounts Angie. “The hand he picked held the coin. Then Mr. Schilling opened his other hand. It also held a coin. He wanted both of us to have the scholarship.”
MILES PERRET CENTER
Schilling’s friend Hank Perret was there to comfort him after Trey’s death. Years later, Schilling returned the blessing when Perret’s eight-year-old son, Miles, succumbed to brain cancer. He was also there when Perret opened the Miles Perret Center in memory of his son. Founded in 2002 to serve the needs of Acadiana’s cancer patients, it has helped over 26,000 people thus far.
Herb again stepped up and gave a generous contribution when Perret moved to a new facility. “Herb has been supportive since day one and continues with annual contributions, including in-kind donations for the annual Miles Perret 5K run,” says Perret. “Most recently, he gave a donation for a room to be named in memory of Missy and Kenny Hix [Schilling’s business partner/attorney/president], who died in a plane crash.”
CHURCH-RELATED CHARITIES
“My wife, Renee, and I have generously supported our parish, St. John Cathedral, over the years, especially the various restoration projects, the building of Cathedral Hall and the preservation of the cathedral’s 500-year-old oak.”
They also donated to the building of Our Lady of Wisdom’s new church on the university campus, Stillwater Catholic Retreat Center in Abbeville and Our Lady of Lake Tahoe church’s grounds beautification.
Schilling loves kids and believes they need to learn how to be productive members of society. To that end, he contributes to Holy Family School to educate the African American population in the Catholic faith and responsibility. Schilling also gives to Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, which, in partnership with Holy Family School, provides educational and spiritual support to children from generationally deprived families. “The more responsible the person growing up, the better our community will be.”
He also underwrites Sts. Leo-Seton’s Junior Achievement program, which works with children starting in kindergarten, teaching them
how to handle finances and be responsible. “Our community is grateful to have Renee and Herb Schilling,” says Junior Achievement’s Lauren Fitts. “Acadiana is a better place because of their generosity.”
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE
“Herbie’s literally been involved in UL-Lafayette since he was a child growing up in the shadows of the campus,” says university president Dr. Joseph Savoie. “It’s where his mother taught, he attended lab school and he earned a degree in business management.”
Financially, Schilling supports the university’s academics, athletics, art museum and alumni association. In addition, he created an endowed scholarship for baseball and two endowed professorships—one in business administration to honor his mother and another in management to honor his father. He also regularly sponsors tailgating parties and social gatherings with in-kind donations. “When you consider all the events we have, it’s a pretty serious amount,” says Savoie.
“Herbie’s one of those key people you talk to first about a big idea or initiative. He’s a creative thinker, and I value his reactions, advice and support.” One of Schilling’s great ideas was the Master
Plan for Athletics, which renovated the soccer, track, baseball, basketball and football facilities. He’s been part of that ongoing effort for over 12 years.
The honoree of the Alumni Association’s Spring Gala in 2022, Schilling brought new energy to the event. “Herbie being Herbie, he set the bar high by convincing a lot of his friends, family, neighbors, even people he didn’t know to donate and buy tickets, all of which benefitted the Alumni Association,” remembers Liz Landry, secretary to the president of UL-Lafayette. “He broke the attendance record”—which will remain unbroken unless the event moves to a larger venue.
Behind every man is a great woman and for Herb Schilling it’s his wife, Renee. Widowed for 10 years, she met Herbie while her youngest was in high school. Seventeen months later, they married and now have a blended family of 8 children and 21 grandchildren. “Several years ago, my son, Scott, told Renee, ‘Thank God you came into our lives.’ Renee’s like a mother hen with the children,” says Herbie.
“I’m very, very proud of Herbie,” says Renee. “He has a beautiful heart and loves the children and grandchildren. He’s so generous and wonderful. I kind of have him on a pedestal. We’re so happy together.”
HARMONY COLLECTION
at Lee Michaels
Petite Diamond Crosses Set in 14K Yellow or White Gold, $550 each.
Polished 14K Yellow Gold Hoop Earrings from 15mm to 48mm, $150-250.
Diamond Oval Drop Earrings in 14K Yellow Gold, $675; Rectangle Drop Earrings with Diamonds in 14K Yellow and White Gold, $875.
Elegant gold and diamond jewelry for every occasion
Diamond Layering Necklaces in 14K White Gold. Top to bottom: Prong Set Graduated Diamond Necklace, 1ctw, $3,450; Diamond Solitaire Necklace, $475; Diamond Graduated Smile Necklace, $695; 1ctw Straight Line Diamond Necklace, $4,995; Diamond by the Yard Necklace, $725; Diamond Halo Pendant, .50ctw, $1,950.
Moon and Star Pavé Diamond Necklace in 14K Yellow Gold, $650; Double Butterfly Pavé Diamond Necklace in 14K Yellow Gold, $750.
Leslie’s Jewelry Box
As the old adage goes, “You can tell a lot about a lady from the contents of her purse.” But, what about her jewelry box?
Today, we’re taking a peek into the elegant jewelry collection of Leslie Berg, wife of Lee Michaels’s owner and co-president, Scott Berg. A busy mother of three, Leslie is an active member of the Baton Rouge community in which she resides, serving as board member for several community service organizations while also juggling the daily activities of being a wife and a mother. This former Junior League president finds time to celebrate herself with her jewelry choices, which range from every-
day staples to elegant statement pieces.
Leslie’s style exudes a sense of effortless chic. “I love having jewelry that I don’t have to think about,” she shares. “My go-to staples include simple diamond studs, a Patek Philippe watch and my wedding ring, which I never take off.” Built on the foundation of a few staple pieces, her jewelry collection accentuates her classic, modern style. When she’s looking for an elevated look, she likes to add a little drama. “For more formal occasions, I love a bold statement piece—a diamond necklace or a pair of larger earrings. It’s my chance to feel a little extra glamorous,” she says. One
of her favorite evening pieces is a striking pair of diamond drop earrings, a gift from her husband, Scott.
Leslie’s jewelry box, intentionally curated with a seamless blend of practicality and style, is a reflection of the strong value she places on both family and community. Whether she’s juggling school pickups, attending a gala or spending time with loved ones, her jewelry empowers her to feel both grounded and glamorous at the same time. With every piece in her collection, Leslie is reminded that style, much like life, is all about balance.
Leslie’s love for blue shines through in her most-worn Patek Philippe timepieces—the elegant Twenty~4 7300/1200A and the sporty yet sophisticated Aquanaut 5067A025. Complementing her signature style, she gravitates toward timeless diamond essentials—classic studs, a round diamond pendant layered with a Diamonds by the Yard necklace and, of course, her cherished wedding ring. Effortless elegance, every day.
Below: Leslie’s jewelry collection wouldn’t be complete without the artistry of Marco
She loves the distinctive handengraved yellow gold, a signature of his Italian craftsmanship— effortlessly elegant and timelessly chic. Right: Diamond drop earrings, all gifted from her husband,
add just the right amount of sparkle and glamour for evenings out.
A timeless symbol of love and commitment, this yellow gold Rolex Datejust was a cherished gift for Leslie’s 10th wedding anniversary. Engraved with a heartfelt message, it serves as a daily reminder of a decade of memories, three beautiful children and moments worth celebrating.
Above right: A symbol of leadership and service—every Junior League of Baton Rouge president receives a beautiful gold lapel pin to wear during their tenure. As a heartfelt surprise, Scott had Leslie’s custom-designed with a halo of diamonds, adding a personal and elegant touch to honor her dedication.
Bicego.
Scott,
The Right Ring . The Right Plan
.
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Timeless Stories, Timeless Jewels
David and Sybil Yurman’s story is one of beautiful art, love and jewelry, and their new book offers a deeper look into all three.
History offers endless examples of artistic pairs whose love stories deepened both their mythos and their art: Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe, Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Within that pantheon, David and Sybil Yurman slot neatly. Parts of their story seem plucked from a script. They were born only two months and a few miles apart in New York City and independently came into their own as artists (he as a sculptor, she as a painter and ceramicist). When they met by chance in 1969, a creative and personal partnership to last a lifetime was sparked. Together, guided by the goal of making “beautifully designed objects to wear,” they created the David Yurman brand, and over 50 years later that brand is one of the foremost in American luxury jewelry and one of the largest privately owned jewelers in the world.
Now, the duo—with the help of editor Thierry-Maxime Loriot— is showcasing their work as artists in Sybil and David Yurman: Artists and Jewelers (Phaidon, $69.95). This intimate biography examines the work and life of both Sybil and David through original artworks, family photographs, personal texts and archival materials, many of which have never been published.
The text takes you deep into the brand’s story, offering striking jewelry portraits, original design sketches, behind-the-scenes images of global campaigns (featuring the likes Kate Moss, Amber Valletta, Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bündchen), Sybil’s and David’s own art and personal musings on their frequent partnerships with other artists.
Both a celebration of the brand’s past, from its earliest days in the underground art worlds of New York and California and through its emergence on the global stage, and a triumphant look to the future, with a conclusion section by the Yurmans’ son Evan, Sybil and David Yurman offers exclusive insight into one of the leading fine jewelry brands in the world. David Yurman himself says, “We’ve always chosen to bring the expression of our creations through the lens of art,” and the book certainly lives up to that promise. The cover design showcases one of Sybil’s paintings, while the title type is designed to resemble David’s welding in embossed gold foil. A luxury edition of the book is also available and comes tucked within a clamshell box, which is embossed with gold designs. Turn the pages and let yourself fall into a world of beauty, love—and the power of art itself.
Every child deserves access to a quality education, regardless of their financial circumstances. ACE Scholarships bridges the gap for low-income families by providing the financial support needed to enroll their children in private schools, opening doors to brighter futures and greater opportunities.
ACE Scholarships is a non-profit organization committed to helping children from low-income families access quality private education through financial assistance. Founded in 2000 by a group of education advocates, ACE works to advance K-12 educational freedom by enabling families to choose the best school for their children. Through scholarships and advocacy for school choice, ACE addresses educational disparities and empowers students to thrive in environments that suit their unique needs.
Operating in 12 states, including Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana and Texas, ACE Scholarships provides partial tuition assistance to families. Scholarship awards average $4,200 for grades K-8 and $4,500 for high school, covering a portion of tuition and fees. Families are responsible for any remaining
balance, arranging payment plans directly with schools. This support ensures that financial barriers do not prevent children from accessing quality education.
The impact of ACE Scholarships is remarkable. Over 90% of ACE Scholars graduate from high school annually, with many pursuing higher education at rates comparable to students from high-income schools. This success highlights the transformative power of school choice and financial aid in creating opportunities for underserved students.
Funding for ACE Scholarships relies entirely on private donations, with 95% of contributions going directly to scholarships. In Louisiana, donors can take advantage of the Tuition Donation Credit (TDC) program, which provides a 95%
state income tax credit and a federal tax deduction on the noncredit portion of donations. This efficient funding model maximizes the impact of every gift while incentivizing community support.
By empowering families with the resources to choose the best educational setting for their children, ACE Scholarships plays a vital role in promoting educational equity and transforming lives.
Boysie Bollinger and Lynn Friess (pictured above) serve as the Co-Chairs of the ACE Scholarships National Advisory Board.
A VOYAGE INTO THE WORLD OF ROLEX
Hans Wilsdorf was firmly convinced of a person’s ability to innovate and strive for excellence. More than 100 years after the creation of the brand, the founder’s philosophy is more present than ever, from the manufacturing of the company’s watches to its commitments worldwide.
Commitment to excellence
Since the beginning, the story of Rolex has been characterized by the quest for perfection and the ambition to push the boundaries of achievement.
At the turn of the 20th century, a visionary entrepreneur based in London was on the verge of success. His aim? To introduce the watchmaking world of the day to an as-yet-unknown dial signature: Rolex. A new name, invented in 1908, it would become one of the world’s most respected brands in the space of a few decades. As Hans Wilsdorf recounted in his memoirs of the early days of his company, the opposition he faced seemed insurmountable at first.
The entrepreneur started out with very little, but he did possess invaluable qualities: vision, perseverance and an extraordinary ability to work. An orphan at the age of 12, with nothing other than his determination to help him overcome challenges, Hans Wilsdorf went on to invent the world’s first waterproof self-winding wristwatch with a Perpetual rotor – a watch that has become a benchmark in terms of quality and prestige.
“Too complicated, too fragile, ill-adapted” – the wristwatch was met with scepticism. Yet, relying on his firmly held beliefs, Hans Wilsdorf managed to achieve his bold objective of establishing the Rolex watch – the Oyster Perpetual – as the archetype of the waterproof timepiece: precise, robust and able to withstand all conditions. But he was not simply a visionary who endowed Rolex watches with their fundamental technical and aesthetic characteristics. His constant quest for perfection was accompanied by a profound generosity and unshakeable faith in human potential.
Uniting expertise
An integrated and independent company, Rolex has manufacturing resources that encompass a wide range of skills and knowledge. Watchmakers, engineers, designers and other specialists work closely together from the design to the manufacturing of the watches. Rolex’s company culture is based above all on human values, which place both expertise and soft skills at the heart of the brand’s different activities. Rolex is host to a variety of professions,
“The opposition I encountered seemed insuperable.”
brought to life by employees who are experts in their fields. The company has complete control over its essential components, from the casting of gold alloys to machining, finishing and assembly of the movement, case, dial and bracelet elements, as well as gem-setting. Its know-how is also made available right across the world thanks to an exceptional after-sales service network.
To ensure the brand’s expertise exists into the future, Rolex has its own unique Training Centre. Dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and the development of its employees, the centre, located in Geneva, provides training to employees and instructs apprentices. The company aims to pass on to younger generations its pride in its skills and mastery of its knowledge.
A watch unlike the rest
The Oyster Perpetual collection was built on the success of the original Oyster model, patented and launched in 1926. As the world’s first waterproof wristwatch, it
played a pioneering role in the development of the modern timepiece. Over the years, the Oyster became the proud bearer of many other innovations – such as self-winding by means of the Perpetual rotor (1931) – that defined the identity of the models in the collection and forged Rolex’s reputation for excellence, of which chronometric precision and reliability are among the cornerstones.
The Oyster gradually evolved into a collection of watches that integrated new functions and innovative technol ogies. All the models share fundamental features and a strong visual identity. Today the collection consists of 12 ranges, split into two categories: Classic watches such as the Datejust and the Day-Date, and Professional watches, including the Explorer and the GMT-Master II.
As the pioneer of the wristwatch, the company is at the origin of numerous major innovations in the watchmaking industry and has filed over 600 patents in the course of its history.
Hans Wilsdorf, 1945
Time Flies
Make it count with watches that celebrate every minute.
Tudor Pelagos with ceramic matte blue dial and titanium bracelet, $5,200.
Rolex Explorer II, Oyster, 42mm, Oystersteel Reference 226570, $9,750.
LEE MICHAELS
Elegance with a Kick
For a moment when the boundaries of sportiness and refinement have blurred, Patek’s new Cubitus collection is right on time. By: Christen Fisher
As we become more mobile, intermingling our family, sporting and business lives more and more, we need our clothes and accessories to flow easily. When it comes to wristwatches, we need the functionality, reliability and wearability of a sport watch but with the elegance and refinement of a dress watch. From the iconic Nautilus to the storied Aquanaut, Patek Philippe has always excelled at making spectacularly beautiful luxury sport watches.
To that end, Patek is proud to announce its first new collection in 25 years, the Cubitus (registered design). At 45 millimeters and boasting a square bezel with rounded corners and attachments, one on either side of the case, the Cubitus has a strong visual presence on the wrist but is surprisingly lithe due to a height of only 8.3 millimeters. Its bold geometry is further accented by contrasting finishes: the flat of the bezel and front of the case are vertically satin-brushed, while the bezel’s chamfer and case flanks are polished. Its dial features the horizontal embossing so beloved in the Nautilus collection. As a feature of this new collection, this decoration is also found on the rotors and mini-rotors in the movement, which can be viewed through a sapphire-crystal caseback. Each watch also comes with a set of matching cuff links.
The Cubitus debuts in three versions: the Cubitus Instantaneous Grand Date, Day and Moon Phases, Reference 5822P in platinum with a sunburst blue dial; the vintage style two-tone, Reference 5821/1AR in steel and rose
gold, also with a blue sunburst dial; and the sportiest of the three, Reference 5821/1A in steel with an olive-green sunburst dial.
The Cubitus Instantaneous Grand Date, Day and Moon Phases in platinum is a completely new model with original displays featuring a large-format date, moon phase and day of the week, which all change instantaneously. For this purpose, the manufacturer
developed a new caliber 240 PS CI J LU selfwinding movement, for which Patek filed six patent applications relating to technology for the distribution of the energy required for the different displays and their simultaneous jump in 18 milliseconds. A stunning achievement, these innovations guarantee perfect alignment of the large-date digits and the ability to correct all the indications at any time of day.
The grand date is displayed in a double aperture at 12 o’clock, while the coaxial day and moon-phase indications are positioned at 7
o’clock. The small, asymmetric subsidiary seconds counter is at 4:30. The blue sunburst dial features applied baton-style hour markers and rounded baton-style hour and minute hands, all in white gold with a white luminescent coating.
Like all Patek Philippe models in platinum, the 5822P has a diamond—here for the first time in a baguette cut—set into the bezel at 6 o’clock. It is presented on a navy-blue strap with cream contrasting stitching made of a composite material and embossed with a fabric motif and closes with a platinum fold-over clasp.
The two-tone Cubitus Reference 5821/1AR in steel and rose gold has a distinctly vintage feel. The watch’s bezel and central bracelet links are rose gold, while its case band and lateral links are steel. The contrasting metals are further highlighted by alternating pol-
ished and vertical satin-brushed finishes.
Like the Instantaneous, the two-tone Cubitus features a sunburst blue dial with horizontal relief embossing with applied baton-style hour markers and rounded baton-style hour and minute hands, all in rose gold with a white luminescent coating. An inlaid frame in rose gold decorates the date aperture at 3 o’clock.
Powered by the caliber 26-330 S C self-winding movement, a derivative of the base caliber 26-330 introduced in 2019, it features a stopseconds mechanism allowing the watch to be synchronized with a time signal to an accuracy of one second. The two-tone bracelet has a lockable size-adjustment system and fold-over clasp.
The final offering of this new collection is the Cubitus Reference 5821/1A. With its steel case and sunburst olive-green dial with signature horizontal relief, this piece is the epitome of sporty elegance. Featuring applied, baton-style hour markers and rounded, baton-style hour and minute hands, all in white gold with a white lu-
minescent coating, the all-steel version of the Cubitus boasts excellent legibility. An inlaid frame in white gold decorates the date aperture at 3 o’clock. Powered by the same movement as the two-tone version, this watch is presented on a steel bracelet, also with a lockable size-adjustment system and fold-over clasp.
Decidedly forward-looking yet firmly rooted in the history of Patek Philippe, the bold, new Cubitus collection is designed for the complexities of modern life.
From steel to platinum to rose gold, the various materials used in Patek Philippe’s Cubitus Collection presents a reinterpretation of “casual chic” style. From left: Reference 5821/1A-001, Reference 5822P-001, Reference 5821/1AR-001.
The Ultimate Reward
Cam Jordan’s watch collection and his unwavering love for New Orleans and football.
By Rien Fertel
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan. A man of precision on and off the field.
Over the past 14 seasons, Cameron Jordan has arguably become the most popular player on the New Orleans Saints football team and, by extension, one of the most beloved individuals who call this city home. Joining the team in 2011 as a rookie defensive end, Jordan—known to Saints fans as Cam—has amassed a standout career: an eight-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro selection, member of the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team and the Saints’ all-time sack leader.
He’s also charismatic and charming, and cares deeply for his adopted city, which loves him right back for his humor, big-heartedness and his frequent—and often funny—experiments with the grooming of facial hair. For Super Bowl LIX, Jordan acted as an official ambassador to New Orleans. He worked the red carpet as an interview correspondent for Tubi’s televised pregame show, before delivering a moving game-opening tribute to the victims of the recent Bourbon Street New Year’s tragedy. The day before the big game, the NFL honored him with the Bart Starr Award, annually given to a single player who “best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community.”
Discerning viewers of the Super Bowl telecast might have noticed the distinct timepiece on the hometown hero’s left wrist: a Patek Philippe Cubitus, in stainless steel, with a sunburst olive green dial. Maybe his couldn’t compete with the game’s most discussed watch, Tom Brady’s Jacob & Co. Caviar Tourbillon, but Jordan isn’t swayed. “Luckily I didn’t see it in person,” he jokes. “I probably would have tried to sack him again.”
Jordan, for the record, racked up his 99th and 100th sacks against the superstar quarterback. With 121.5 sacks and counting, there’s always room for more.
Jordan credits his father, Steve, a star tight end for the Minnesota Vikings who appeared in six consecutive Pro Bowls, with starting what he calls his “watch journey.” Growing up, he long admired his dad’s first major timepiece, a Hublot Big Bang. While attending the University of California, Berkeley, he borrowed one of his dad’s suits to wear to a party and slyly added the watch to his ensemble. Today, he acknowledges
the boundary he might have overstepped. “He assumed I knew better than to grab the best,” Jordan says. But the watch sparked an itch. That night he made himself a promise: “I’m gonna get me a Hublot one day.”
He eventually got that Hublot. But first came the Rolex Sky-Dweller, in his words, “my first big-dog precious metal watch.” Fittingly, he gifted himself this ultimate travel watch after earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl in 2014. “The minute I got out of the Pro Bowl,” he says, “I ran to the store.” It took half-dozen tries, but he finally found his Sky-Dweller, then the second Rolex in his flourishing collection.
Gif ting himself with special pieces became a theme to building his collection. After one especially strong season, Jordan bought his first Patek Philippe, an iconic Nautilus 5980/1AR model in rose gold and steel with an exquisite blue dial. He feels fortunate that he obtained the watch when he did. “I didn’t have to wait for it,” he says with a smile, recalling his trip to the store. “Walked right in and said, ‘Oh, it’s so beautiful.’” That decisive purchase is tougher with today’s market demand.
How many pieces does he have in his collection today? Jordan is unsure. “I’m a big fan of watches,” he says. “So I don’t limit myself to bigger brands. I love Grand Seikos, Tudors, Tag Heuers.” He even for a period rocked a pocket watch, back when he sported a twirled-up mustache—“this is the only time I’m ever gonna feel like the Monopoly guy,” he laughs. Though he’s only been acquiring what he calls “big boy watches” for just over a
decade, his life can be measured in timepieces: “I’ve got G-Shocks from high school that I still have.” It’s understandably difficult to let go of the timepieces that brought you from there to here.
As for the future of his collection, he has a definitive answer. “I’m only going after pieces that I already want,” he admits. “I’ve got a nice collection. But if I don’t see myself wearI’m gonna pass on it. No matter how cool, rare, whatever it don’t want to add it to add it.” One watch he couldn’t pass on Patek Cubitus he suited up with at the Super Bowl. After watch’s announcement on Instagram in late 2024, he rushed to his favorite store to buy one.
Another recent must-add was Jordan’s Yacht-Master white gold offcatalog Rolex, a tremendous piece that he wore for the first time recently, at the first annual Cam Jordan Foundation Celebrity Dinner, a fundraiser to reward four exceptional local high school seniors with four-year college scholarships. “It’s my dream come true,” he admits. “They don’t have to worry about how they can pay for things. Focus on school. Focus on your future. Hopefully exceed all expectations and learn to give back.”
And then there’s the dream watch, the ultimate reward, the one he’ll buy himself when he wins the big game. “When I win the Super Bowl,” Jordan says, his celebratory watch will have a ruby-encrusted bezel, for his July birthstone. Maybe a Patek Philippe, or an off-catalog Rolex Daytona. One can dream. And New Orleans will dream right along.
Which Hue Are You?
Tudor’s selection of fine watches offers an array of expressive color options.
By: Christen Fisher
“The best color in the whole world,” said fashion designer and entrepreneur Coco Chanel, “is the one that looks good on you.” Whether bold or subtle, classic or avant-garde, the color you choose to wear is a very public, yet highly personal endeavor. It is a statement you make to the world about yourself. In this spirit of self-expression, Tudor has injected bold color into its collection with the release of the Black Bay Chrono in pink in addition to three watches in the brand’s iconic “Tudor Blue”: the Black Bay Chrono, the Black Bay Ceramic and the Clair de Rose.
Pink is a celebration of audacity and fearlessness. Whether it’s the pink jersey in the Giro d’Italia, the uniforms of David Beckham’s Inter Miami CF or actormusician Jay Chou’s signature color, Tudor’s limitededition Black Bay Chrono “Pink” is the embodiment of that daring spirit. Housed in a satin-brushed and polished 41-millimeter, 316L-grade, stainless-steel case with a fixed bezel featuring a black anodized aluminum insert, the Black Bay Chrono “Pink” boasts a pink domed dial with contrasting black sub-dials, a date aperture at 6 o’clock and Tudor’s signature snowflake hands filled with Grade A, Swiss Super-LumiNova® luminescent material. Powered by the self-winding, automatic-caliber MT5813, the watch is accurate to a –2/+4-second variation and has a weekend-proof power reserve of 70 hours, meaning that the wearer can take the watch off Friday evening and put it back on Monday morning without having to wind it. Only a small number of these bold statement pieces will be produced; they will be presented on a five-link, stainlesssteel bracelet.
If pink is not your color, Tudor has also released several pieces in “Tudor Blue.” That is not a single shade, but an expression of the brand’s commitment to blue as a permanent feature of its core aesthetic. With technical specifications identical to the Black Bay Chrono “Pink,” Tudor offers the boutique-exclusive Black Bay Chrono “Blue,” which features a bezel with a deep blue anodized aluminum insert and a matching dial with contrasting silver subdials. A highly legible and accurate sports chronograph, the 41-millimeter Black Bay Chrono “Blue” is designed for
those who prefer a striking, yet more classic, palette.
Another “Tudor Blue” option is the Black Bay Ceramic “Blue.” With a dial in a shade of blue that matches the livery of the AA Visa Cash App RB Formula One team, this watch is a celebration of the brand’s return to motorsport. The Black Bay Ceramic “Blue” features a blue domed dial with applied hour markers and Tudor’s signature snowflake hands, both filled with Grade X1 Swiss, SuperLumiNova® luminescent material. The 41-millimeter case is matte black ceramic with a micro-blasted finish and monobloc middle case and features a unidirectional rotating bezel in black, PVD-treated, 316L steel with a sunray satin finish and engraved markings and numerals. It also boasts an open caseback revealing the self-winding automatic caliber MT5602-1U. With a 70-hour power reserve and waterproof to 200 meters (about 660 feet), there isn’t much this watch can’t stand up to. Presented on a hybrid leather and rubber strap with blue contrast stitching and black folding clasp, it also comes with an additional black fabric strap with a blue band.
For ladies seeking a burst of color in the form of an elegant dress watch, Tudor presents the Clair de Rose in yet another rich shade of “Tudor Blue.” Offered in three sizes—26-millimeter, 30-millimeter and 34-millimeter— the Clair de Rose features a brushed and polished steel case with screw-down winding crown adorned with a beautiful blue spinel cabochon. The finely wrought case houses either the caliber T601 (34 millimeters) or the T201 (26 or 30 millimeters) self-winding mechanical movement, each with a 38-hour power reserve. The Clair de Rose’s blue dial features delicate decorations in relief and is punctuated with a choice of Roman numerals or diamonds. Steel hour, minute and seconds hands and a date window at 3 o’clock complete the look. Offered on a five-link, stainlesssteel bracelet with folding clasp and safety catch, the Clair de Rose in “Tudor Blue” is waterproof to 100 meters.
Tudor’s fine timepieces stand ready to help you follow Chanel’s advice and choose the color that looks best on you. Another gem from Coco? “Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside.” That one fits too.
From top left: Tudor’s Black Bay Chrono “Pink” stands out with a pink domed dial and contrasting black sub-dials. The Black Bay Chrono “Blue” has a striking yet classic color palette. The timepiece is an expression of the brand’s commitment to the hue as an aesthetic feature. Men can wear pink too: Soccer star David Beckham shows off his Black Bay Chrono “Pink.”
The Look, the Feel— and the Roar
Mercedes-Benz’s SL class gets the inimitable Maybach touch in a two-seat convertible with a ride that’s heavenly smooth.
In an auto industry trending toward electric vehicles, hybrids and sport utilities, Mercedes-Benz’s uber-luxury division is going in a different direction—and it has our undivided attention. Mercedes Maybach, known for transforming “everyday” (using this word loosely) Mercedes models into chauffeur-worthy designs, has unveiled the breathtaking SL680 Monogram Series, and it’s a sports car that owners will want to drive themselves.
In essence, the new Maybach is a beefed-up version of the already iconic Mercedes-AMG SL63 roadster. Beneath the hood is a twinturbo V-8 that generates 577 horsepower and a 0-to-60 time of four seconds. Both are average numbers when compared with the top-tier, battery-charged EVs, but it’s muscle and power that still energize enthusiasts and the crowd that appreciates a roaring engine.
Though the engine is the same, the drive is different. The SL680 is a premium grand tourer. It’s Maybach’s first two-seater and its only
convertible to date, and improvements to the SL63’s silhouette, such as a restyled front and rear, as well as a recalibrated suspension make the new model’s ride quieter and smoother, engineers say. Of course, the SL680 receives Maybach’s royal cosmetic treatment: There is a new front grille and 21-inch wheels, for starters, but the most notable change is the exclusive, two-tone paint scheme (either Red Ambience and black or White Ambience and black) and soft top. Both can be decked out with the unmistakable Maybach logo.
The Maybach touch continues inside the SL680. Extra padding and Maybach badging are installed on the white, plush leather seats, and (if you’re looking for more) the luxury logo also appears on the gas and brake pedals. An industry-leading infotainment system is loaded with premium driver assistance, safety and convenience packages.
The Mercedes-Maybach SL680 starts around $250,000.
Elise + Connor
A Lee Michaels Love Story
Elise and Connor were acquaintances for ages. “There’s even a picture of us on spring break with mutual friends in high school,” quipped the now-Mrs. Fields, “but I didn’t really know him at the time.” Connor decided to shoot his shot, inviting her to a Mardi Gras Ball. Although she had prior plans, she gladly agreed to a dinner date. A week after their first date, the nation went on lockdown, potentially closing the doors on a relationship. However, the two made the best of a bad situation, taking frequent walks and spending time getting to know one another, and eventually falling in love. After a romantic proposal in New Orleans’ City Park, the couple celebrated their vows at the historic Hotel St. Vincent.
MR. AND MRS. CONNOR FIELDS
McCanless)
Photos by Catherine Guidry Photography
THE DETAILS: After a ceremonial exchanging of vows at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, the party proceeded to the historic St. Vincent Hotel in New Orleans. The team at August Events, with help from Elise’s mother and sister, took care of every detail.
THE DETAILS: The day before the wedding, Elise’s mother and sister secretly coordinated a surprise streamer drop, an added touch to the couple’s happy day.
THE DETAILS: Inspired by the hand-painted wallpaper in the hotel’s Paradise Lounge, coral and mint accents colored every element of the celebration, from cake and invitations to the custom-designed pillows and floral rattan chandeliers.
Forever starts with a
MR. AND MRS. JOSH RODRIGUEZ (Amanda Galindo)
Lee Michaels has been helping couples say “I Do” since 1978.
MR. AND MRS. TYLER MCCULLOUGH (Grace Foil)
May 18, 2024 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana
HANNAH GROS
November 9, 2024 | San Antonio, Texas
MY EMMA PHOTOGRAPHY
MR. AND MRS. RIDGE ORY (Alexa Bennett)
August 17, 2024 | Two Harbors, Minnesota
FOREVER & EVERGREENS PHOTOGRAPHY
MR. AND MRS. LANDON MORGAN (Jenna Anzalone)
October 25, 2024 | Independence, Louisiana
JESSICA BROOM
MR. AND MRS. CHRISTIAN FREY (Lexi)
January 6, 2024 | Amite, Louisiana
JACELYN RASTI PHOTOGRAPHY
MR. AND MRS. RAYMOND POST (Gabriela Fuentes)
December 7, 2024 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana
EYEWANDER PHOTOGRAPHY
MR. AND MRS. KYLE METZ (Caroline Sparks)
October 26, 2024 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana
BREANNE FRY PHOTOGRAPHY
A Smarter Workout?
Artificial intelligence hasn’t yet replaced personal training, but it can make keeping fit easier.
“Drop and give me 20.” If you heard that order in the past, you’d get down on the floor and do push-ups as best you could. The personal trainer who barked the command would be nearby, assessing your form and directing you to repeat any motion that missed the mark. The trainer was tough, but you knew that he or she would help along the way and correct wrong movements for optimal gains.
With the rise of at-home gyms and the recent success of virtual programs, fitness workouts these days look a little different. Technology has permeated the space, with Apple Watches and Fitbits telling their wearers to keep moving and virtual instructors leading prerecorded workouts from a screen. Now the industry—like so many—is making room for artificial intelligence (AI).
AI, in short, is the technology that enables computers to simulate human learning, problem solving, decision making and creativity. You’ve likely seen it in action: Google searches use AI, so does Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri. But how does it work in a weight room or a yoga studio?
Like other health wearables (e.g., workout trackers, heartrate monitors, pedometers), AI is meant to be a tool in one’s overall fitness effort. To put it simply, anyone can log into a computer or smartphone applications and use its AI to generate a personalized workout. The workouts are specific: AI algorithms analyze the user’s data—vast amounts of it— to develop a training program. Want to lose love handles, strengthen core muscles or regain mobility after a leg injury? Only have time for a 10-minute sweat session? AI will spew out a routine to fit all your needs.
“These workouts are tailored to individual goals, preferences and fitness levels,” Marty Miller, master instructor at the National Academy of Sports Medicine, a wellness education center for fitness professionals in Gilbert, Arizona, has said. “It knows progress, and when you achieve a certain level it suggests that you move forward with more intense workouts.”
The computer-generated workouts also come out quickly. Apps such as the sleek-interfaced FitnessAI as well as JuggernautAI and GymBuddy can take just a few minutes to respond, whereas human trainers can spend hours or even days formulating an ideal exercise routine for a client.
On top of AI’s personalization and convenience, it also makes fitness highly accessible. ChatGPT bots, for instance, are available 24/7 and can be used anywhere and at any time to give general advice and explain fundamental concepts.
An AI workout should be approached with a bit of caution, however. Many programs lack adaptability and rely solely on data. A client may have a special circumstance, a recent injury for example, that would prevent him or her from progressing or completing an exercise. The programs also lack human connection and personalized guidance. An app could tell you, “Drop and give me 20,” but it won’t hold you accountable if you break form, and it won’t cheer you on as you push through your last set.
Miller notes that AI in the fitness world is still in its infancy, and it’s not meant to replace trainers and coaches. “It’s here to stay, and the cool thing is it’s going to help us get to higher levels of fitness,” he says. “The main purpose of AI integration is to enhance the overall experience, personalization and effectiveness of fitness routines and health management.”
Thinking about trying AI fitness? Here are some of the most popular apps:
• Fitbod. This resistance-training app builds custom workouts, tracks progress and shares thousands of guides and videos. Annual membership: $79.
• JuggernautAI. If you’re into strength training, this app is suitable for all skill levels. It offers access to hundreds of technique videos, a supportive community with more than 40,000 members and coaches, adjustable programs and more. Annual membership: $279.
• FitnessAI. This app has an easy-to-use interface and an algorithm powered by more than 5.9 million workouts and 40,000 fitness enthusiasts. It includes personalized workouts, AI coaching and progress tracking. Annual membership: Between $59 and $89.
So choose what you’ll use. And those muscles you’ll build, or that trim physique you’ll carve? Nothing “artificial” there.
Time Warp to a Latin Beat
Visit yesteryear in Cuba, where the colonial buildings are faded but grand, the 1950s Fords and Chevys somehow still run and pulsating rhythms pour from open windows.
By: Everett Potter
Is there anywhere more magical, tempting and mysterious than Cuba, the largest island in the Caribbean? Lying a mere 90 miles south of Key West, this tropical nation blends Afro and Latin cultures against a stage set of magnificent but fading colonial architecture as waves crash over the boardwalk called the Malecón in Havana, a gathering place for locals and visiting fashionistas caught in a pose. Cuba is where every visitor wants to ride in one of the estimated 60,000 pre-1959 cars, those restored, candy-colored, shiny steel Chevys and Fords that have become the symbol of an island with one foot still firmly lodged in the past. Leave Havana’s bustle, chaos and vibrancy, and you can encounter extraordinary nature preserves and hundreds of miles of beaches that are among the finest in the Caribbean.
My time spent in Havana left memories of shiny red Cadillacs, the pulsating rhythms of Cuban music coming from open windows and down alleyways, the smell of those fabled Cuban cigars—and nightlife that seemed to have an energy of its own, still redolent of some undetermined moment in the past.
It can be the sounds of the Buena Vista Social Club and its offspring, or salsa dancers in the Casa de la Música Centro Habana. Havana has spacious plazas, Baroque churches and colonial houses adorned with elaborate period ironwork. Soak up the Latin and Caribbean cultures before staking a beach chair on
one of the hundreds of miles of pristine beaches. Going to Cuba is a little like visiting another world, one without the sleek resort hotels and perfected tourist havens on virtually every other island in the Caribbean. This is a country where wealth was once based on tobacco and sugar plantations, and the monied class transformed the place into a destination for wealthy folks and partygoers who headed to Havana’s legendary casinos and nightlife in the 1950s. Those wild times ended with the takeover led by Fidel Castro’s revolutionaries in 1959. More than 60 years later, this Communist-run country is still economically battered and beleaguered. Yet Cuba has survived and even thrived in some ways, thanks to the innate charm and warmth of its people, its deep cultural roots expressed in music and dance and the archaic vestiges that make it one enticing time warp of a country.
While there are multiple daily flights to Havana from Miami and other cities such as Houston and Newark, decades of strife and disagreement between the United States and Cuba means that visiting as an American requires an application. You must qualify as a visitor by fulfilling one of a dozen authorized travel categories established by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. They include “support of the Cuban people,” the easiest one to prove. You can travel as an individual or with a group, the latter a popular choice among those who want to leave the paperwork, planning and potential hassles to professionals. Be warned, however: U.S. credit and debit cards are not valid in Cuba. American travelers can only spend dollars supporting private businesses in Cuba, not with companies that are government-owned or -operated. The latter rule eliminates staying at many of the large beachfront hotels that have arisen in the past few decades in Cuba, as they tend to be state-owned.
If you’re an independent traveler, you can stay with Cubans in their homes, known as casas particulares, which are like small bed-and-breakfast establishments. You can eat in private restaurants called paladares I can testify that the food, never a strong suit in Cuba, is markedly better in these small eateries than in state-owned restaurants, even though you may be eating in someone’s living room. These small establishments also offer one-to-one
Visitors staying in one of the luxury suites at the Cayo Guillermo Resort enjoy five-star accommodations, including the beachfront hotel’s access to the crystal-clear water. Wherever one stays in Havana, feasting on ropa vieja, a traditional shredded beef dish, is a must.
situations with Cubans, something no state-run hotel or restaurant can provide.
Yet over the past few years, privately owned, design-forward boutique hotels have begun to offer a higher level of accommodation. They include places in Havana such as Estancia Bohemia, nine luxury suites in a former 18thcentury plaza. Tribe Caribe is in the Cayo Hueso district of central Havana, and it is an 11-room boutique hotel.
Where to go? Start in energetic Havana, and the two square miles that make up Old Havana, a pastiche of restoration and ruin in the Spanish colonial heart designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I love to wander here and marvel at the colonial architecture that’s adjacent to classic art deco buildings, reminders of when Havana gave Miami a run for its money in the 1930s and 1940s. Stroll along the famous Malecón from La Habana Vieja and head toward the legendary Hotel Nacional in Vedado.
Visit the Baroque Catedral de San Cristóbal, one of the city’s most striking sites, and then move on to the Museo de la Ciudad, housed in the former Palacio de los Capitanes Generales and filled with colonial-era artifacts. To get a more contemporary taste of the country, I recommend spending an hour in the Museum of the Revolution, which explains the Cuban slant on the revolution. In tandem with that visit, check out the Monumento Ernesto Che Guevara, which has a sculpture of this hero of the revolution and exhibits on his life.
My favorite activity in Havana is retracing the steps of Ernest Hemingway, who lived, wrote and drank here for his final 20 years. Finca Vigía, his home, is preserved as a museum with furnishings, books, artwork and trophies. And since we’re speaking of Hemingway, we’re speaking of bars as well. Floridita, with its fantastic vintage neon sign, was Hemingway’s preferred spot to sip a daiquiri, while La Bodeguita del Medio, the alleged birthplace of the mojito, was also on his schedule.
There’s no shortage of entertainment throughout Cuba. Musicians and performers, such as professional conga drum players, showcase their talents day and night for both locals and visitors. Pristine Playa Varadero is a popular Cuban resort and hangout, and it’s one of the most famous beaches in the Caribbean.
To get a taste of pre-Castro Cuba, I strongly recommend an evening at the Tropicana, which opened in 1939, at the height of Havana’s decadent decades. It’s Cuba’s original cabaret show, a time-warp entertainment with barely costumed dancers and a kitschy, Vegas-style feel to the show, where mambo and the rumba à la Desi Arnaz are still the musical styles. For a higher level of culture, book a performance of the famed Cuban National Ballet at Gran Teatro de la Habana as a counterpoint.
If you’ve got beaches in mind, head outside Havana to Varadero, Cuba’s most famous beachfront resort area, where a daiquiri and the sparkling Caribbean seem to cure all ills. Playa Pilar is further afield—there you’ll find the Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski. The first non-all-inclusive resort on the island, it’s worth the seven-plus-hour drive from Havana if you want to experience Cuba’s most luxurious privately owned hotel.
Beyond the sands, I’d recommend visiting Trinidad, one of the most striking colonial towns in all the Americas. A compact array of pastel-colored palaces and homes dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, it’s an enchanting place where horse-drawn carts vie for space with vintage Buicks. And it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1980s.
My other favorite excursion from Havana is to the historic city of Camagüey, with narrow colonial streets lined with 16th-, 17th- and 18th-century churches and houses. Known as the City of the Baroque, it was also given the nod by UNESCO in 2008 as a World Heritage Site. In the opposite direction from Havana lies Viñales National Park, filled with limestone mounds rising like islands from the bottom of the valley. They’re called mogotes, and they’re a mecca for the adventure travel crowd who are now coming to the country on organized tours for biking, hiking and rock climbing
If all of this planning strikes you as just too much, major organized tour companies such as Abercombie & Kent and Tauck Tours offer a variety of wellplanned, week-long trips to the island, with all the details taken care of. So do adventure travel companies like Classic Journeys and Backroads, with the added perks of seeing the wilder side of this extraordinarily beautiful country.
At a time when slow travel is considered the most desirable way to see the world, there is no country better suited for it than Cuba, where the past is present, and the future is arriving at a snail’s pace.
This page: Bicycle taxis are a convenient way to get around Havana. The taxi pictured here makes its way along El Paseo del Prado near the Grand Theater of Havana.Opposite page: When visiting Havana, it’s not unusual to partake in two of Cuba’s pastimes: playing dominoes and rolling cigars. Even if one isn’t participating, watching other do these activities is just as exciting.
The Magic of Light
LED light therapy sounds like a sci-fi marvel, but it promises real benefits for the skin.
Light is the fastest thing in the universe. It’s the reason humans can see anything at all. It covers a full spectrum of things we can’t see (including x-rays) and its presence and absence define our daily lives. It’s also one of the most common causes of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of skin aging—the sun’s ultraviolet rays pierce the skin’s outer barrier and damage skin cells.
Would you believe that light may also be the key to banishing that same damage?
LED light therapy is the cutting edge of skin care, and the reason that your friends may be picking up masks that make them look like robots. These therapies take the same characteristic that makes the sun so damaging to the skin—its ability to pierce that all-important skin barrier and reach skin cells—and put it to a positive use.
The buzziest of these LED treatments is redlight therapy, which is becoming known for its anti-aging benefit. “LED red-light therapy is at a wavelength of 620 to 750 nanometers,” explains Debra Jaliman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist with a private practice in Manhattan. (A nanometer is a billionth of a meter.) At that wavelength, the light penetrates the skin barrier and stimulates the mitochondria of your skin cells.
(Mitochondria are tiny “organelles”—that is, structures within individual cells—that provide chemical energy.) “It boosts mitochondrial activity, and the mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell,” explains Dr. Jaliman.
That stimulation encourages your skin cells to work faster, boosting new cell growth. The most important part? “It stimulates collagen production, so it can improve fine lines and wrinkles,” says the doctor. “It really does work.” Collagen, of course, gives skin its elasticity and structure—wrinkles are caused by a lack of it.
There are also other kinds of LED light treatment, allowing you to harness the rainbow for the betterment of your skin. Explains Dr. Jaliman: “Within LED therapy, there are different wavelengths. There’s blue-light therapy, at a wavelength of 400 to 495 nanometers. That’s used primarily for acne treatment, as it kills bacteria and reduces oil production. There’s also green-light at a wavelength of 495 to 570 nanometers. That’s used for pigmentary problems. Yellow light, at a wavelength of 570 to 620 nanometers, helps decrease inflammation in the skin.”
For all these benefits, studies suggest that the risks
of these treatments are low—only mild redness, itchy skin and some blistering, which almost always occur when the therapy is being used incorrectly. Our doctor says: “Protective eye goggles need to be worn at all times [when using this treatment]. It is considered a safe and effective treatment when used as directed. You need to follow the manufacturers’ guidelines when using it at home—or, of course, have it applied in a dermatologist’s office under the care of a dermatologist.”
The difference between at-home treatments and the ones a doctor can give you is one of strength. “Professional devices emit stronger wavelengths that penetrate deeper, so the results are faster,” says Dr. Jaliman. “They are often combined with other treatment modalities.” Using red light in conjunction with a dermatologistapplied chemical peel or medicated cream can create a more effective overall treatment.
If you’re looking for an at-home option for red-light treatment, Dr. Jaliman calls the Omnilux Contour Face (which retails at $395) the best option for stimulating collagen.
When you think about it, doesn’t it stand to reason that a powerful thing like light would have a few tricks up its sleeve?
Four Play
Artisanal whiskeys aren’t enjoying a moment—they’re unique spirits that never go out of style.
The COVID era did wonders for the whiskey industry, which enjoyed a sales boom when droves of consumers sheltered at home, building and stocking back bars. But overall, the beverage industry has been up and down since. Craft-spirit sales have dipped post pandemic, the American Craft Spirits
Association reported last fall, as trendier sips—canned cocktails, THC drinks and the like—have grabbed the attention of the new generation of connoisseurs. That’s not a surprise, experts say, as everything ebbs and flows. But one sector of spirits has defied the industry’s overall decline: artisanal whiskies.
These small-batch creations are experiencing a resurgence, as there’s a durable demand for quality combined with distinctiveness— a chance, perhaps, to experience something unique. These four bottles aren’t the only ones that provide that sense of discovery, but they’re a rewarding start:
Woodford Reserve
Baccarat Edition
The famed Woodford Reserve Distillery in Kentucky combines heritage and innovation to produce this special edition. It’s made by finishing premium Kentucky bourbon in select XO Cognac barrels, each of which had three previous seasons of Cognac before being filled with Woodford Reserve. The sip has an aroma of toasted oak with cocoa notes and a hint of clove and cinnamon. Taste buds will detect vanilla, dark chocolate and dried fruit before settling on a long, velvety finish.
Old Rip Van Winkle
Handmade Bourbon
Barrell Craft Spirits Gray Label Dovetail
The four-generation-old Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery suggests this sip is as something as close to barrel-proof as possible. After the bourbon whiskey ages in barrels for a decade, a simple splash of the Bluegrass State’s finest limestone well water is added before it’s bottled, giving the spirit its rich and balanced body. On the nose, Old Rip has a caramel and nutty aroma, while the intense fruit and toasted nut notes will please the palate. Its finish is long with floral honey and charred barrel notes.
What makes Barrell Craft Spirits’ Gray Label exclusive is the unique finishing method: BCS’s whiskey is finished in rare and aged rum, port and Dunn Vineyards Cabernet barrels. The result is a flavor profile with elegant depth. It has aromas of green grape, tart apple and cranberry with maple walnut and leather undertones. Robust flavors are balanced on the palate: Tastes range from strawberry rhubarb and fennel to coconut oil and cola. Finally, a licorice-and-molasses finish will leave anyone who sips truly satisfied.
Macklowe Kentucky American Single-Malt Whiskey
Master blenders at Macklowe Spirits in Kentucky hand-select casks to age this small-batch whiskey for 44 months. It’s coveted by collectors around the globe and is often referred to as “the Ferrari of single-malts.” On the nose, it teases with aromas of flowers and honey, while the flavors of cereal, vanilla and ginger emerge on the palate. A strong spicy taste lingers before gradually softening, creating a memorable finish.
Paint the Town Pink
From picturesque pendants to edgy geometric earrings, each of these bold pink sapphire looks is a wearable masterpiece.
