CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Robert Beringela, Vivienne Forsyth
PUBLISHER Lizette Chin
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Catherine Rosario
ADVERTISING SERVICES DIRECTOR
Jacquelynn Fischer
CIRCULATION MANAGER Fern Meshulam
PRODUCTION ARTIST Christopher Ferrante
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
Nigel Edelshain, Noelle Heffernan, Maria Regan, Steven Resnick
ILLU MANN ATIONS
the season of renewal
Spring always brings a promise of new beginnings. Flowers bloom. Days get longer. Birds begin to chirp. Leaves turn green. The air smells a little sweeter. Layers peel away. Nature comes alive. Moms are cherished. Dads are honored. Graduates are celebrated. Love deepens. Brides toss bouquets. Moments become memories.
We have exciting news to share. As one of the brand’s original partners for over 40 years, we are undergoing a major transformation to enhance the David Yurman experience at Mann’s Jewelers. A world-class brand deserves a world-class setting, and we are thrilled to showcase expanded fine jewelry collections in an environment worthy of this venerable name. With additional square footage, the shop-in-shop will replicate the finest presentations found in the brand’s flagship locations, bringing that level of artistry and intention right here.
Our showcases are filling with remarkable new arrivals from our most recent market appointments. Vibrant colored gemstones make a statement in rings, necklaces, earrings and beads. We have also refreshed collections with crisp black and white ceramic pieces, striking either worn alone or stacked for high impact. Sculptural forms and bold gold take center stage. Color extends beyond jewelry. The focus on color carries into watches as well. Compelling dial and strap combinations guarantee a lasting impression. Our bridal selection is more robust than ever. Whether it’s time to get engaged, get married or celebrate an anniversary, we have the ring for you. There’s so much to love.
The warmer months bring gatherings and celebrations. If you are attending a wedding, we have thoughtful gifts any couple would treasure. If you are celebrating a graduate or welcoming a new baby, we can help you honor those milestones. Or perhaps you’re looking for something special for yourself. One can never have too many framed photographs of people you love.
Every season holds the chance to begin again. We are so excited to share what this one brings.
THE LUSTRE LIST
based on market fluctuations.
Clockwise from top left: Mikimoto South Sea Pearl necklace in 18k white gold
10.9mm x 8.1mm $10,800. Mikimoto V Code Akoya Cultured Pearl earrings in 18k yellow gold
$3,350. Roberto Coin Jasmine double flower ring with mother of pearl and diamonds in 18k yellow gold $3,470. Roberto Coin Tiaré convertible flower drop earrings with rubellite, diamonds and mother of pearl in 18k rose gold
$18,200. Prices are subject to change
Mann’s
A NEW CHAPTER IN AN ARTISTIC LEGACY AT MANN’S JEWELERS
Long before David Yurman became one of the most recognizable names in American luxury jewelry, it began as a creative partnership between two artists in New York City.
David and Sybil 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 a ceramist). 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.
In 1982, David introduced the Cable bracelet, twisting strands of metal into a form that felt both architectural and fluid. It became an icon, not only for its design but for what it represented: strength, connection, and artistry made wearable. That same balance of structure and softness continues to define the house today.
For over 40 years, Mann’s Jewelers has proudly partnered with David Yurman, stewarding the brand’s evolution while honoring its artistic roots. As the Yurmans built a global luxury house grounded in creativity, we have grown
alongside them, sharing a commitment to craftsmanship, storytelling and meaningful design.
This spring, we are honored to unveil a newly reimagined David Yurman space within Mann’s Jewelers. A world-class brand deserves a world-class setting, and we are thrilled to showcase expanded fine jewelry collections in an environment worthy of this venerable name. Expanded and thoughtfully redesigned, the shop-in-shop reflects the brand’s gallery-like sensibility and sculptural heritage. Clean architectural lines, elevated presentation and curated collections create an environment that mirrors the artistry behind each piece.
From its earliest days in an artist’s studio to its place on the global stage, David Yurman has remained rooted in the belief that jewelry is more than adornment. It is personal expression. It is art you live in.
This renovation marks not only a physical transformation, but a celebration of an enduring partnership, a legacy built on creativity, a future shaped by craftsmanship and a continued invitation to experience David Yurman at its finest, right here at Mann’s Jewelers.
Sybil and David Yurman: Artists and Jewelers Released in 2024, the book explores how Sybil’s painting and David’s sculpture influenced their iconic designs.
FABULOUS IN ROCHESTER
Courtney Cunningham, co-founder of Moon & Stone, shares her thoughts on authentic living and upcoming warm weather fashion trends.
When Courtney moved back to Rochester from sunny California, she had a young family, meaningful philanthropic responsibilities and an electric sense of style, which we immediately tapped into.
For 14 years, twice a year, we collaborated with photographer Ali Reed and a dynamic creative team to create the visual stories you have seen here. Throughout these many seasons, Courtney showcased her personal style and wrote with honesty about the evolving chapters of her life, from the early days of motherhood to personal reinvention, always with the belief that life continues to get richer with time.
Over time, Fabulous in Rochester became something more than a feature about style. Her voice brought warmth, humor and perspective to the magazine, offering readers an authentic glimpse into the rhythms of everyday life.
A confirmed “crystal junkie,” Courtney co-founded Moon & Stone, an energy and wellness brand centered around crystals, intention and mindfulness.
Now, Courtney is passing the torch on Fabulous in Rochester as she focuses on her family and her growing business. In closing this chapter, we are filled with deep gratitude for Courtney’s ongoing participation, joyful spirit and her enthusiasm for pairing fabulous fashion with fabulous jewels. Her perspective and presence remain part of the magazine’s story, and we have no doubt that when inspiration strikes, Courtney’s voice will find its way back to these pages.
Photography: Ali Reed Photography
Makeup: Jerica Santana
Location: Memorial Art Gallery
Jewelry: Mann’s Jewelers
Hair: Suzanna Amalfi, Sooz Salon
Mann’s
ROCHESTER
Oh, my most fabulous friends. The peace I felt walking into the Memorial Art Gallery was like when you get home from a long day, tear off your clothes, sink into a fluffy sweatsuit and plant yourself on the couch with a pint of gelato. I came in with dresses that just happened to match the wallpaper, jewelry worthy of its own exhibit, and I met an organ—yes, an organ—that made me feel like a royal.
Please find the time to be in this space and soak up its creative juju. Leave behind thoughts of your cluttered house and the to-do list, and simply sit. Dress up. Go to the MAG in your gems and fall in love with the moment, all that fabulousness crashing together. Drench yourself in the color and texture of the exhibits, then smile and think of me saying, “I told you so.” So, what to wear? I’ve got you. I’ve pulled together some of my favorite trends to help you make spring and summer as cool as a Picasso.
MAKE ME BLUSH
I thrive in pink. Always have. Even when it feels slightly embarrassing for a grown woman who proudly bucks gender conformity to admit that pink is, in fact, her favorite color. But there you have it. Me, Pinkalicious, and the little girl down the hall in a tutu. We all love pink. This season, it’s a pastel shade, giving soft energy rather than full Barbiecore. I’m loving the tone on the skin as we approach warmer weather, a little tan mixed with a blush cardigan. Yes, please. Pink jewels like rubies, sapphires and pink tourmaline, my absolute favorite, dazzle in the sunlight. Pink has a way of making everything around you just better. It signals warmth, safety connection. That part is science.
FRINGE FALLS ALL AROUND YOU
It’s honestly like having a built-in toy with your outfit. When you wear fringe, people are very aware that fun has just walked through the door. Warning: if you are not interested in swaying, dancing or having people stare at you, stay away from these dangling pieces of joy. We are embracing a new take on fringe, different from the boho days of the 2000s. These gals have grown up. The silhouettes are structured,
the fabrics luxe, the intention clear. She knows how to order a martini. Jewelry has followed suit. Gold fringe earrings are soft yet strong, feminine with a bad girl touch. They make a statement and are easy enough to throw on with something simple.
FEATHERS AREN’T JUST FOR CHICKENS
Whether they’re real ostrich feathers or delicate chiffon petals that look like they are about to take flight, it is all in the details, darling. These adornments are exactly what we want to be wearing when we are whisked away somewhere romantic. A kiss on a bridge in Italy. A breeze along the shores of Nantucket.
This is the Emily in Paris vibe you dream about, but you don’t have to be in Europe to enjoy this trend. It’s wearing your love on your sleeve, but make it couture.
MAXIMALIST MEANS MORE IS MORE
Do you know how much joy this brings me? About every four years the pendulum swings from low key to full main character energy. And this spring we are all about it.
We swing from demure, don’t-look-at-me energy to there is absolutely no way you can look away from this because it might just be the best thing that has ever happened to style. Saturated color. Sequins. Sculpted silhouettes.
It’s bold, it’s saturated, it’s delicious, like ladyfingers soaked in tiramisu. I love the idea that I can be daring and still sophisticated. Polished when I want to be, or a hot mess in denim and layers at a CMAC concert and not think twice. I wish you all that this summer!
LOVELY IN LACE
I am really loving that this Gen X trend is still hanging on. And I’ll take the privilege to add slip dresses to this category, because someone put me in charge here! There is a friendly dispute between Millennials and Gen Z. Gen Z leans all the way in. Boots, drama,
Sorellina Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds necklace with mother of pearl, multicolor sapphires, emerald, blue topaz, amethyst, garnet and diamonds in 18k yellow gold $75,000. Goshwara Double ball earrings with reverse set pink sapphires in 18k rose gold $23,000 Cicada Oneof-a-kind brooch with conch pearl, tsavorite garnets and diamonds in 18k yellow gold $21,950. Prices are subject to change based on market fluctuations.
festival season energy. She is getting backstage and having all the fun. Millennials take a slightly more self-aware approach. A hint of lace on a cami layered under a sharp blazer with bold gold accents. I have love for you both. Both get to exist. Just like chocolate and vanilla. Style is expression, not competition. OK?
PREP SCHOOL PERFECT
I am fully stepping modern preppy, bourgeois era this year. Satin scarves, tailored trenches, colorful accessories that feel like collectibles. I’m loving the return to quality, intention and that effortlessly polished (but never stiff) kind of style. It’s not my usual jam for spring.
This gives the heavy gold bangles, thick gold bands and classic diamond studs their moment. Finish it off with something undone. messy ponytail. Minimal makeup. Not country perfect. More art owner who grabbed and is late to something
Indeed life is wonderfully I feel so lucky to have had the past 14 years to share my love for fashion and everything else fabulous. Trends change and rotate.
Sometimes they bring new ideas, sometimes they return to the comfort of old ones. But I have always thought of these articles as a movement toward happiness, not just fashion.
With all my love, this will be my last article for a minute of being magazine, from getting to play years. It has and joyful ride. It is pass the torch.
always, my loves, you. Unabashedly, boldly, loudly you. Because “fashion” is just a construct. The real, true energetic shift that you feel when you see someone “fabulous” is most powerfully felt when that person is FEELING their best…on the inside.
They glow because their energetic field is vibrating high, their smile is genuine, warmth is kind. are the people emanate the most life. Grateful people, who find it fun to dress to match alive, powerful your life.
Cicada Lear earrings with plique-à-jour enamel, pearl, tourmaline and diamonds in 18k yellow gold $16,500. Cicada Floral necklace with cabochon aquamarine, tsavorite, diamonds and black rhodium in 18k white gold $95,700. Goshwara Gossip cocktail ring with cushion-cut prasiolite and diamonds in 18k yellow gold $6,500. Prices are subject to change based on market fluctuations.
XO, Mann’s
Cicada Flower ring with black Tahitian pearl and faceted rough diamond petals in platinum $16,050. Etho Maria Faceted black diamond bead necklaces in 18k rose gold from $3,200. Goshwara Oval garnet earrings with diamonds in 18k yellow gold $5,600. Cicada Cats eye cabochon tourmaline ring with diamonds in 18k yellow gold $66,500. Prices are subject to change based on market fluctuations.
JEWEL OF R CHES TER
For someone who hasn’t visited the Memorial Art Gallery in years or ever, what would you want them to know before they walk in?
I’d love for people to know just what a fabulous resource MAG is for the Rochester community and tourists to our region! We house over 5,000 years of art history and a collection of 13,000 objects right on the doorstep of the City of Rochester—truly a gem in our region. And not to mention our rotating exhibitions that bring works of art from around the world right here to Rochester!
What usually surprises visitors the most about MAG?
The scope of the collection! From ancient Egypt and Rome to several paintings by Monet to contemporary art created right here in Rochester, the collection at MAG encompasses it all.
How would you describe the experience of MAG in just a few words?
Illuminating, inspiring and rejuvenating.
With over 13,000 works in the permanent collection, is there something people shouldn’t miss?
We love to remind locals that you don’t have to leave Rochester to see a Monet. We have three in our permanent collection and always on view! Currently on view (looking at the spring and summer season at MAG), visitors can experience Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden, on view through Aug. 23, as well as Desire and Abundance: American Culture and the Still Life, on view through Jan 31, 2027.
What upcoming exhibitions are you most excited for visitors to experience?
We are really looking forward to bringing to Rochester Isamu Noguchi: “I am not a designer,” which opened Feb. 13, 2026. It is the artist’s first design retrospective exhibition in nearly 25 years and features all facets of his creative output, including many works that have never been exhibited or are rarely seen.
What do we have to look forward to in 2026 at the MAG?
Throughout 2026, in addition to fabulous rotating exhibitions, visitors can look forward to some of the tried-and-true MAG events that folks flock to from around the region, namely the M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival, coming up Aug. 29 and 30! The M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival has been MAG’s largest annual fundraiser and biggest celebration of the arts for almost 70 years. Over 300 artists from across the country offer their work for sale at this two-day festival, held on the beautiful grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery.
MAG has recently refreshed its contemporary galleries. What do you hope visitors notice when they see them?
With the help of Curator of Contemporary Art Tim Peterson, MAG has recently re-envisioned its Hawks and Wilson Galleries, which feature contemporary art. Visitors will see many new works recently acquired by MAG like a stunning work by contemporary artist Hugo McCloud, as well as works never before seen from the vaults and crowd favorites returning on view.
Q&A with Memorial Art Gallery’s Paige Engard
MAKING ART FEEL ACCESSIBLE
What does it mean to you for MAG to be a place that feels welcoming, not intimidating?
Art is a community resource that everyone deserves to enjoy. The Memorial Art Gallery strives to be a place where all feel welcome, celebrated and represented. The experience of enjoying art also doesn’t have to be intimidating with a collection as diverse as MAG’s, and with rotating major exhibitions, there’s always something on view to appeal to all tastes!
How does the Creative Workshop fit into MAG’s mission?
MAG’s Creative Workshop offers hands-on art classes for all ages, taught by artist-teachers, and frequently inspired by art on view in the museum. Since 1949, the Creative Workshop has been teaching, inspiring, challenging and encouraging.
Why is having a space where people can make art, not just look at it, so important?
The hands-on act of creating art is such an important one! In our creative workshop, guests can hone current skills, learn new ones, engage with community and take pride in their creations all within a space already as inspiring as MAG. More information about taking classes in the Creative Workshop can be found at mag.rochester.edu/ creativeworkshop/
COMMUNITY AND FREE ADMISSION
MAG is working toward free admission for everyone, forever. Why was this goal so important?
Permanent free admission is the capstone to a series of initiatives MAG is currently implementing to remove barriers to access, from free school tours to complimentary memberships for SNAP program recipients. How has the Rochester community helped make the Free for All, Forever campaign possible?
Civic leader Abby Bennett, MAG and University of Rochester Trustee Doug Bennett, and the Sands Family Foundation have committed $3 million toward an endowment to enable free admission for everyone, forever. The Bennetts and the Sands Family Foundation invite other arts patrons and generous members of the Rochester community and beyond to join them in meeting the challenge to fully fund MAG’s initiative to offer free admission to all visitors. Rochesterians can improve the lives of generations of children and adults and dramatically enhance the cultural landscape of Rochester by being a part of this transformational initiative. More information about joining this initiative can be found at mag.rochester.edu/free/
What do you think free admission will change about how people experience MAG?
MAG is a place of beauty, wonder and awe—where children and families see fine art from around the world and are exposed to new ideas. Removing the economic barrier of an admission fee ensures that generations of community members receive the profound benefits of MAG’s collection and educational programs.
What do you hope people feel when they leave MAG after a visit?
We hope that after a visit to MAG, our guests feel inspired, rejuvenated and enriched and of course, wanting to come back for another visit in the near future!
BEADS
Beaded jewelry continues to evolve beyond its seasonal reputation. Designers are refining the category with thoughtful color stories, making beads feel elevated rather than playful.
Alex Sepkus $5,820
CUFF BRACELETS
Cuffs are returning as power pieces. The shift is toward wider profiles, sculptural curves and diamond-heavy surfaces. The focus is on one strong statement at the wrist. Etho Maria price upon request.
TREND REPORT 2026 JEWELRY
SCULPTURAL SHAPES
Organic form is one of the strongest design directions for 2026. Intentional and art driven, we’re moving from minimalism to expressive, shape-led design. Maria
MAXIMALIST
The mood is confident and expressive. After years of quiet minimalism, clients are leaning into jewelry that feels visible and personal.
Maria $4,900
CHUNKY CHAINS
Chunky chains are evolving into sculptural statements. Designed to be worn solo, the metal takes center stage.
Roberto Coin $16,910
TASSELS
Tasseled jewelry is bringing softness, movement and drama to earrings and necklaces alike. Elegant yet expressive, tassels offer a refined way to add dimension to fine jewelry.
Goshwara $12,500
BEZEL EFFECT
Bezels continue to rise both bridal and everyday categories. Clients are gravitating toward settings that balance security with understated design.
Ondyn $10,000 are geometry step cut and that feel
MODERN PEARLS
Pearls are enjoying a renaissance, but not in their traditional sense. Baroque shapes and unexpected finishes are giving pearls a contemporary edge. John Hardy $1,050
VIBRANT GEMSTONES
Saturated color is gaining momentum. Electric blues, deep greens and rich pinks are being set cleanly to let hue take center stage.
Goshwara $4,900
BOLD GOLD
Bold gold pieces with sculptural heft and substantial profiles are everywhere. It’s a reflection a broader shift toward confident, visible design. Gabriel & Co. $4,800
Cicada $21,000
WHERE SURGICAL EXCELLENCE MEETS UPLIFTING EXPERIENCES
Creating transformative results that enhance appearances—and lives.
At the Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery, we believe every patient deserves more than exceptional results— you deserve an extraordinary journey. Our team of s pecialized surgeons combines world-class expertise with the warmth and attention you’d expect from the region’s most trusted aesthetic practice. Each of our surgeons focuses exclusively on either facial or bo dy procedures, because true expertise comes from dedicated specialization.
From our elegant historic setting to our state-of-the-art on-site surgery center, every detail is designed to create upliftin g experiences that change our patients’ lives. Whet her you’re considering a life-changing surgery or a minimally invasive treatment, you’ll discover why p atients travel from across the country to experience the Quatela difference.
Ready to discover your transformation? Schedule your consultation today. Quatela.com | (585) 244-1000
DR. ALEX MONTAGUE
DR. HEATHER LEE
DR. VITO QUATELA
DR. ASHLEY AMALFI
DR. PETER KRASNIAK
ASK THE DOCTOR
Q & A WITH PLASTIC SURGEON DR. ASHLEY AMALFI
The Psychology of Transformation in Plastic Surgery
We often see the before-and-after photos, but there’s so much more to plastic surgery than physical changes. What do you think people don’t understand about transformation?
What gets me most excited—and what I wish more people understood—is that the transformation isn’t really about looking prettier or younger. It’s about changing how people feel. When someone comes in talking about something that’s bothered them for years, and we address it, the psychological shift is often more impressive than the physical one. You show up so much better in your life when you’re not constantly thinking about your insecurity. You have clarity for yourself, your job, family, spouse. That’s what we get to see every day.
What typically brings someone to the point where they’re ready to make that call?
We often see people at major life milestones. I see a lot of moms who’ve had kids and are ending that chapter of sharing their body with their baby—they’re shifting that focus back to themselves. I also see this new generation of what I call “menopause makeovers”—women who’ve taken great care of themselves for years, then when hormones change, they lose a little bit of control. They’re vulnerable because they’ve been doing all the right things, and asking for help is the hardest part.
How do you know when someone isn’t quite ready yet?
Saying no is sometimes hard. I’m a surgeon – I love to operate, so it’s hard to say “no” or “not now” to a patient. Expectations are huge. I spend a lot of time asking, “What are you looking for? When you leave the operating room, what’s going to make you happy?” When someone brings in photos and says, “I want to look exactly like this person,”—when they’re a completely different person—I struggle with that. Is that realistic? I also look for extreme proportions or sizes that could cause complications. If what you’re asking for isn’t safe or reasonable, I’ll tell you I’m not the right surgeon for you.
What about the support system—how
important is that to someone’s readiness?
It’s critical. You’re investing in the surgery, but you need to invest in the recovery just as much. Everything doesn’t happen in those few hours in the operating room—it happens in the months you’re following the rules and taking care of yourself. I ask a lot of questions about the support structure, the team patients have around them. For my moms, they need people who can take care of their little ones, put them in the car seat, and handle all the household things. They need emotional and psychological support from a spouse, partner, sister, mom or girlfriend. If it’s not where it needs to be, I’ll give them advice about how to build that team because recovery is where the magic really happens.
Social media gets a lot of criticism, but do you see some positives?
Absolutely! Social media is delivering us more informed patients. People aren’t just looking at before-and-afters—they’re seeing the whole journey. Influencers and celebrities are filming themselves every day of recovery, good or bad. That’s more real than we’ve gotten before. I can tell a patient what recovery is like, but when somebody is living it in that moment and sharing it honestly—that’s different; it’s relatable. Social media gives patients a behindthe-scenes look at who we are before they come in, which removes fear and barriers. For some patients, they cross that line of relatability, their guard comes down, they feel comfortable, and then they make the call.
What’s the most fulfilling part of this work for you?
It’s when people show up at their last followup as completely different people than I met the first time. They walk in differently – with confidence. They’re so excited to show me their new clothes, tell me about their job, and tell me about the vacation where they actually took a picture in a bathing suit instead of hiding from the family photo. Or they show me pictures from their daughter’s wedding where they wore short sleeves and felt comfortable. The stories are endless. They come in so uncomfortable, struggling to even get the words out about what bothers them, and then to see them flourish – it’s the best part of our job. It fills us up every day.
That transformation sounds like it extends far beyond the physical results.
It really does. I always tell patients, “This will last maybe 10 years, but the transformative part—that’s what you keep the longest.” They embark on new chapters of their lives. They’re learning Italian, living in Italy at 60, doing incredible things. Doors open. Something that almost felt like it held them back is released, and they show up differently, whether it’s their job, new opportunities, new hobbies or, honestly, just their relationships. So many people tell me, “I’m so much more comfortable with my husband. Our relationship is better because I feel good about myself.” When you’re not devoting all this mental energy to obsessing about insecurities, that’s so much mental space to care for and love everyone around you. It’s self-love that you’re feeling, and you’re recasting it out into the world. That’s powerful. And it’s not just me seeing it—it’s everybody they’re interfacing with feeling that energy.
How can someone learn more about the psychological journey of transformation?
I recently sat down with my colleague, Dr. Heather Lee, on our Aesthetic Authority podcast to have this exact conversation about the psychology of transformation in plastic surgery. You can listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts or reach out to us at 585.244.1000 or quatela.com.
The Paris fashion museum La Galerie Dior lavishes the same loving attention on its design and exhibits as the House of Dior has always given each garment. By Vivienne
Forsyth
For those of us who love fashion and see it as an art form, no visit to the French capital is complete without soaking up some of the history of haute couture at the fashion museum La Galerie Dior. The museum opened its doors to the public in 2022 as “a testament to the visionary boldness of Christian Dior and his six successors.”
In a word, La Galerie Dior in Paris is “exquisite.” Housed in the building at 30 Avenue Montaigne where it all started in 1946 (not far from the Champs-Élysées and the Grand Palais), the Galerie is an art museum that celebrates the life’s work and genius of its founder, Christian Dior, and his creative successors: Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and, since 2016, Maria Grazia Chiuri. Open to the public, the Galerie Dior is as much a masterpiece of design, color, intrigue and allure as one of the maestro’s haute-couture creations. I was entranced, enchanted and mesmerized, and left feeling as if I were walking on air.
On entry, a spiral staircase surrounded by a rainbow of color greets the eye. Stretching up three floors, the rainbow is made up of thousands of tiny fashion must-haves—from garments to shoes, handbags, perfume bottles, hats, gloves—each miniature model exquisite in its detail and placement. You are tempted to take the stairs and immerse yourself in this amazing wall of wonder but instead, you are respectfully directed to take the lift to the third floor. At the top, you look down on the rainbow and then enter stage left to begin your journey of discovery. For me it was like going down the rabbit hole with Alice into a wonderland of unexpected surprises, visual feasts and sheer reverence for clothing the female form.
In its labyrinth of rooms, each one took my breath away. Some are dark caves accentuating the color and crusted embellishments of spectacular gowns; some are spring gardens where the dresses are the flowers—some mirrored, some simply dazzling on their own. Then suddenly, the pièce de résistance, the highlight of your journey through the annals of Paris haute couture, a true masterpiece: three tiers of gorgeous gowns set against a changing backdrop of light and special effects. You sit and are overwhelmed with awe and wonder at the beauty before your eyes. We sat and soaked up the magic and the artistry. Then it came time to walk down through the rainbow, a fitting farewell to the fabulous and fanciful world of fashion we’d just inhabited.
La Galerie Dior traces the history of the couture house and its creations from the iconic “New Look” of its first collection in spring-summer 1947 (bottom right). The “New Look” or “Bar Suit” took the fashion world by storm and won instant international recognition for Christian Dior and his new house of haute couture. The exhibits change and rotate periodically. Azzedine Alaïa’s Dior Collection is on display now through May 3, 2026. It highlights the figure of Azzedine Alaïa, a collector and admirer of Christian Dior.
In its many enchanting rooms, the museum showcases Dior’s multiple sources of inspiration from the gardens of his childhood home to a dark treasure trove of sparkling, jewel-encrusted dresses, to his signature H, A and Y lines and the sumptuous multi-layered ball room. “Fashion designers offer one of the last refuges of the marvellous. They are, in a way, the masters of dreams.…” —Christian Dior, Dior by Dior, 1958
MEET THE Mind
ALI REED
I’m a photojournalist specializing in wedding, engagement and lifestyle photography. I shoot both film and digital with a classic, organic aesthetic, using subtle shifts of light and natural settings to reveal the unique energy of each relationship and event. I believe in empathetic communication and honoring love in all its forms, and I take time to learn your story so I can tell it authentically.
IN HER CLOSET: My most cherished piece of jewelry is a melted gold pendant necklace with scattered diamonds and sapphires from my grandma’s collection.
FAVORITE CAMERA: Nikon Z 7II for digital. Pentax 645N or Contax 645 for film.
FAVORITE POSSESSION: Black and white photos. They are classic and timeless and take you back to the energy and emotion of that exact moment in time. They are a huge part of the photography style I’m known for.
GO-TO-
GADGET : My iPhone. I run a lot of my business from it, and I capture daily photos of my boys that are some of my most cherished memories. I am a photographer, but also a busy mom.
UPCOMING DESTINATIONS: Miami for the World Cup!
BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: My morning (and afternoon) coffee that my husband makes me.
MAKEUP MUST: YSL Skin Glow & Merit Flush Balm in Stockholm.
MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT: Capturing moments and preserving them for generations to come.
BIGGEST INDULGENCE: To The Core Lagree Pilates studio in Victor.
FAVORITE PLACE: Anywhere by the water, but specifically Chimney Bluffs, where I grew up.
CURRENTLY BINGE
WATCHING : Untamed on Netflix. I love a crime drama!
IDEAL DAY: Waking up on the bay and enjoying coffee with Zach as our boys play on the dock at our family’s cottage. Later, heading out on the boat for a day of swimming and tubing and lots of laughs, before coming home to have a fresh meal with local vegetables from my cousin’s farm with my extended family while all the cousins play together.
CURRENT STYLE: Wide leg jeans, a plain tee and a cashmere sweater around my shoulders. Or an oversized blazer. Finished with some loafers or Mary Janes and my layered jewelry.
VINTAGE OR CONTEMPORARY: Vintage. I am fueled by stories…where did something come from? Where will it go next?
ADVICE FROM A PHOTOGRAPHER: Capture and catalog your moments. Celebrate the big and the mundane, and capture it in a way that feels right to you. Stories, moments and emotions that stand the test of time are meant to be documented.
Ali’s favorite black & white photo
To The Core Lagree Pilates Studio
Chimney Bluffs
Mann’s
SIGNET(URE)
STYLE
All by David Yurman in 18k yellow gold and sterling silver. From top: Ladies’ Sculpted Cable Pinky Ring 13mm $375. Men’s Petrvs® Lion Pinky Ring $1,150. Ladies’ Sculpted Cable Pinky Ring
9.7mm $2,250. Ladies’ Petite Pavé Pinky Ring with Diamonds $3,200. Men’s Petrvs® Scarab Signet Ring $1,950. Prices are subject to change based on market fluctuations.
9WAYS TO WELCOME SPRING
Festivals around the world joyfully usher winter out the door and celebrate the warmer season everybody loves.
“Spring,” declared the late comedian Robin Williams, “is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” And nine places on this planet seem to agree. They have joyous annual festivals to mark this season of renewal and rebirth. Each one is worth putting on your bucket list.
HOLI, INDIA
One of the major festivals of Hinduism, Holi is also known as the Festival of Colors, Love and Spring. Not only does it usher in that season (usually falling in the middle of March), it also celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the eternal love of Hindu deities Radha and Krishna. Celebrations begin the evening before— called Holika Dahan—when people gather around bonfires for singing, dancing, storytelling and religious rites. When the next day, Rangwali Holi, dawns, the world becomes awash in beautiful jewel colors. People drench each other with water balloons and water guns filled with dye and smear each other with brightly colored powders, called gulal. Each color has a symbolic meaning: red for love, blue for the god Krishna and green for new beginnings. Groups and friends and family gather in the streets with drums and other instruments to share food and drink (sweet fried pastries such as gujhia are common) and ensure that everyone is happily covered in the hues of the new season.
LAS FALLAS, SPAIN
On Spain’s beautiful east coast, the city of Valencia comes alive for almost all of March with a festival to honor Saint Joseph that combines tradition, satire and art in a can’t-miss exhibition. Central to Las Fallas are the fallas themselves—spectacular sculptural monuments made of wood and papier-mâché that are placed in the city’s streets and squares for all to admire, portraying everything from fairy-tale characters to modern politicians. Some of these sculptures are towering, and all are created around an agreed-upon theme (which changes every year). They’re also filled with firecrackers. On the festival’s last day, called La Cremà, every falla is set ablaze in an eye-popping, full-city fireworks display. But you’ll have plenty of time to browse them before that happens while you take in parades, streets filled with people wearing traditional garb from different eras of Valencia’s history and playing folk music, vendors and craftsmen working in centuries-old traditions and some of the very best of Iberian cuisine.
FRÜHLINGSFEST, GERMANY
Munich’s celebration of spring occurs for two weeks in mid-April; locals affectionately call it “Oktoberfest’s little sister.” It even takes place in the Theresienwiese fair ground, the spot where that famous autumn celebration originated. Unlike Oktoberfest, which started in the 1800s to celebrate a royal wedding, Frühlingsfest was created in the 1960s to give local craftsmen a chance to show off after the long winter months—and they’re eager to do so. The festivities kick off with a parade of participating breweries and craftsmen, concluding in a ceremonial beer-barrel tapping. From there, you’ll enjoy days of classic and modern amusement-park rides, a sprawling market, a vintage car parade and traditional music and dancing. The beer is world class, the atmosphere is lively—and the crowds are thinner than those in October, allowing for a more authentic look at the countryside around you.
SECHSELÄUTEN, SWITZERLAND
Literally translated as “the six o’clock ringing of the bells,” this centuries-old tradition in Zürich is built on the idea of burning winter away literally, at least in effigy. Usually set for the third Monday in April, the holiday begins with locals dressed in traditional costumes and attire (including children, who march in a parade). They play music and show off stately horses, beautiful flowers and handmade flags, and enjoy full banquets for lunch and dinner—and it ends with the Böögg. The Böögg is a figure of a snowman settled on top of a great pyre. As soon as Zürich’s St. Peter church strikes six in the evening, the snowman is set alight. According to local legend, the faster the snowman’s head, which is filled with fireworks, explodes, the better weather there will be in the summer to come. As the fire slowly burns itself out, the party continues around it and spectators cook sausages on the embers long into the night.
INFIORATA, ITALY
Petals blanket the street of this Sicilian city on the third Sunday of May. Also called “Baroque Spring,” this cultural event brings together teams of young artists to arrange millions of flower petals on the cobblestones, creating elaborate designs and gorgeous art that is all the more beautiful for being ephemeral. The designs change every year, as does the festival’s theme, but are always inspired by the area’s rich religious, cultural or artistic history. Each one also represents a perfect marriage of artistic creativity and the beauty of nature. Wander Noto’s city center and take in the riot of colors and scents, and make sure to stop by the art exhibitions, concerts and tastings, all sure to keep you enthralled and chase away the last bit of winter in the air.
HANAMI FESTIVAL, JAPAN
In early spring, Japan’s sakura (cherry blossoms) and ume (plum) trees open their delicate blooms and paint the countryside and city parks in a dreamy shade of blush. The trees are the stars of this celebration, so the dates vary depending on when peak bloom hits every year. Once it does, outdoor parties start underneath the vibrantly pink trees. People gather together for food, drinks, good company and to celebrate spring’s beginning in earnest. Even a daytime gathering is jaw-dropping, with sunbeams streaming through the flowers, but those in the evening are something truly special. Called Yozakura, or “night sakura,” it features paper lanterns hung among the trees, bringing a soft illumination and new beauty to the blossoms. Sake and traditional tea flow freely, and sweet foods are passed around for guests to enjoy. This is also a celebration that spans the country—take in the flowers in Tokyo and Osaka alike.
QINGMING FESTIVAL, CHINA
Occurring yearly on either April 4, 5 or 6, this is one of China’s most important festivals. It’s known as “the tomb-sweeping festival,” and the heart of the celebration is just that: People show respect to their ancestors by cleaning tombs and placing offerings there. Traditional ones include food, tea or wine, in addition to burning incense or joss paper. (The order of events is important. One first cleans the tomb, then offers the sacrifices, then toasts the deceased and finally bows in worship.) Afterward, families head to public parks and other scenic places outdoors and fly kites in the shapes of animals or mythical creatures from traditional Chinese folk tales, thereby (it is said) bringing good luck and banishing any lingering misfortune. The traditional food to eat during Qingming is qingtuan, green dumplings made of rice and Chinese mugwort or barley grass.
LANTERN FESTIVAL, TAIWAN
This event marks the end of the celebration of Lunar New Year; it’s celebrated all over Asia and beyond, often in early March. However, Taiwan’s Lantern Festival has a a particular style. In the rural, northern Pingxi District, the sky fills with thousands of paper lanterns over the course of two days. This district is the only place in the country where it’s totally legal to release these lanterns; the tradition started in the 1800s as a way to signal that a town was safe from bandits. Today people write wishes to the gods on the lanterns—then they’re released at once. They rise into the air together, a glowing and almost living monument to the year ahead, as crowds of people watch and cheer them on from below.
SONGKRAN WATER FESTIVAL, THAILAND
This Thai New Year celebration is held on and around April 13, and it includes washing the old year away with water to welcome the new season with open arms, if rather damp ones. This celebration has deep roots in Buddhist tradition, and celebrating it often begins with visiting temples and offering food to the monks. Then people pour water on Buddha statues, the young and elderly in a traditional ritual, to bring purification and wash away both sins and bad luck. In recent years, this has evolved into what’s been called “a countrywide water fight,” with young and old alike taking to the streets with bowls and squirt guns to soak each other and chase away the old year. You’ll also find an abundance of cool, sweet foods to indulge in—mango sticky rice, the nation’s favorite dessert, chief among them.
moment to shine
These pieces elevate any look, making you feel polished and unmistakably stylish.
by philosophy effortlessly art, Yurman remains a powerhouse in American Founded by David, a sculptor, and his wife Sybil, painter, the iconic jewelry house blends sculptural with vibrant color. At the heart of the brand is its signature Cable—the twisted helix that has captivated collectors since its introduction in 1982. In Cable designs, the form evolves with state-of-the-art flexibility and iconic motifs, like Buckle and X. Embelwith subtle Cable accents, DY Mercer® designs inspired by the boundless creativity of New York David and Sybil’s hometown. Vibrant gemstones with unique facets and bezel-set in precious metals—a striking complement to the collection’s signature sculptural links.
Clockwise from top left: 8-12.5mm Mercer Convert necklace diamonds in sterling silver and 14k gold, $3,900. Mercer drop earrings with prasiolite, $1,600. 6mm Cablespira bracelet with diamonds in 18k gold, $6,500. 6mm Cable buckle bracelet with diamonds in sterling silver and 14k $2,500. Mercer multi-row 2-stone ring with topaz and diamonds, $2,800. 10mm Mercer stone ring with topaz in 18k $3,700. Prices are subject to change based on market fluctuations.
mikimoto
Every gem and jewel tells the story of its creation—often forged over millennia beneath the earth’s surface. Pearls, however, enchant in a different way: They carry the narrative of living creatures, of salt and freshwater, each one radiant with a soft, natural glow. Few capture this story as exquisitely as Mikimoto. Since its founding in 1893 by Kokichi Mikimoto, the visionary behind the world’s first cultured pearls, the brand has continued to write new chapters in pearl artistry. From the effortlessly elegant Everyday Essentials collection to the understated brilliance of the Station collection to the shimmering diamond accents and flower motifs of the Morning Dew collection, one thing is certain: Every Mikimoto pearl’s journey culminates in a flawless piece designed to adorn you and your loved ones.
Clockwise from top left: Akoya Station necklace in 18k yellow gold, $2,900. Akoya Everyday Essentials cultured and diamond earrings in 18k yellow gold, $3,350. Akoya Everyday Essentials cultured pearl and diamond earrings in 18k yellow gold, $2,250. Akoya Morning Dew cultured pearl and diamond pendant in 18k yellow gold, $3,800. Akoya Station bracelet in 18k yellow gold, $1,700. Akoya Everyday Essentials cultured pearl strand necklace in 18k yellow gold, $11,000. Prices are subject to change based on market fluctuations.
roberto coin
With every creation, Roberto Coin invites you into a world where history, culture and nature converge as transportive, wearable art. Wander next through the romantic streets of Verona with the Love In Verona collection, where sleek enamel surfaces beckon the touch and modern minimalism is infused with timeless heritage. For something softer, the Principessa collection unfolds with quiet romance— delicate petals rendered in glowing gold, capturing femininity at its most refined.
Clockwise from top right:18k yellow gold Venetian Medallions small diamond and black jade stud earrings, $4,680. 18k yellow gold Venetian Medallions small diamond and mother of pearl reversible ring, $4,040. 18k yellow gold Love In Verona diamond and black enamel bangle, $9,990. 18k yellow gold Love In Verona diamond and white enamel ring, $4,100. 18k yellow gold Love In Verona diamond black enamel ring, $4,100. 18k yellow gold Principessa diamond and flower link bracelet, $2,100. 18k yellow gold Venetian Medallions small diamond and mother of pearl necklace, $3,260. Prices are subject to change based on market fluctuations.
The sale or purchase of a remarkable home deserves nothing less than exceptional representation. Stacie is a leading luxury real estate professional known for her unparalleled ability to navigate high-value transactions while delivering white-glove service and record-setting results for her clients. From iconic lakefront estates to exclusive suburban properties, she is the trusted advisor who elevates your real estate experience.
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RING POPS
Counterclockwise from top right: Mann’s Jewelers buckle ring with round and baguette diamonds in 14k yellow gold $3,385. Dinh Van Pulse ring with diamonds in 18k white gold $5,420. Mann’s Jewelers crossover ring with diamonds in 14k yellow gold $3,995. Bellarri Eternal Love eternity band with ombre blue sapphires in 14k white gold $6,310. Etho Maria Reflexion wrap ring with diamonds in 18k yellow gold $8,400. Beverley K Confetti eternity band with multicolor sapphires, tsavorites, rubies and diamonds in 14k yellow gold $2,750. Roberto Coin San Marco ring with pavé set diamonds in 18k white gold $20,500. Prices are subject to change based on market fluctuations.
THE LOOK
Gossip cocktail ring with cushion-cut moon quartz and diamonds in 18k yellow gold $6,500
Roberto Coin Cobra white enamel cuff bracelet with diamonds in 18k yellow and white gold
$26,550
Roberto Coin Principessa flower dangle earrings with diamonds in 18k yellow gold $3,150 Eastman Garden Party
Jazz Fest
Gabriel & Co.
Bujukan diamond spike necklace in 14k white and yellow gold $7,900
Roberto Demeglio
Artiglio matte black ceramic bracelet in 18k yellow gold $834
Gabriel & Co.
Bujukan earrings with diamonds in 14k yellow and white gold $3,350
Antique Boat Show
Etho Maria Loop cuff bracelet with pavé brown diamonds in 18k yellow gold and black rhodium $11,000
Maria Teardrop earrings with brown diamonds in 18k yellow gold and black rhodium $4,200
Etho Maria One-of-a-kind ring with a green-brown pear shape diamond in 18k yellow gold $7,300
Tag Heuer 34mm Aquaracer
Professional 200 watch with a pink quartz dial and diamond markers in stainless steel $3,200
Dinh Van Le Cube small bracelet in 18k white gold with diamonds $3,150
MJ on Trend
Diamond hoop earrings in 14k white gold $2,325
Sand Bar at The Lake House
Where Canandaigua Lake Comes To Life
Make The Lake House your home base on Canandaigua Lake. Join us for elevated lakeside dining at Rose Tavern, handcrafted cocktails on the water at the Sand Bar, and restorative treatments at our full-service luxury spa with a serene sauna garden. From seasonal events and curated experiences, there is always a reason to visit.
Scan the QR code to explore everything The Lake House has to offer.
Experience the lake house
band in 14k yellow gold
$3,195 as shown.
Gabriel & Co. Mounting in 14k yellow and white gold Stone sold separately. $1,900
CMAC Concert
Roberto Coin Large
teardrop hoop earrings in 18k yellow gold
$4,120
Jade Trau Maverick bracelet with diamonds in 18k yellow gold $9,550
Shinola 34mm
Birdy watch with Petoskey stone dial in stainless steel and PVD gold $825
the pool’s cool
Throwing a party poolside can immerse your guests in a joyful mood of refreshment, elegance and ease—whether or not anyone actually gets wet.
In the annals of summertime entertaining, a gathering by the swimming pool is classic. It’s an event that conjures a feeling of bliss, and it has its own sensations: the rhythm of water catching the light, the hum of conversation drifting through warm air, the way time seems to loosen its grip as afternoon slips toward evening. The pool reflects sunlight by day, candlelight by night. It’s both inspiration and stage set for apparently effortless hospitality.
“On a hot day, just being by the pool under a tree’s shade feels cooler than other outdoor
alternatives, so it’s a lovely place to gather,” says entertaining expert Stephanie Nass. In her most recent book, Swing By! Entertaining Recipes & The New Art of Gathering, Nass showcases how to turn a pool terrace into an outdoor salon: tables topped with florals and pastels, seating that’s both abundant and cozy, an elevated menu for those who graze and want to stay cool, cocktails to please guests with impeccable tastes. Says Nass: “A pool is a venue that is conducive to many kinds of fun—from chatting to drinking frozen margaritas and swimming, if guests would like.”
When designing a thoughtful poolside table setting, consider the surroundings. Entertaining expert Stephanie Nass looks to a backyard garden for inspiration, matching a block-printed, mixed-poppy tablecloth with florals blooming on the opposite side of the pool.
WATERMELON MARGARITA
“For this cocktail a good blender makes all the difference,” says Nass. “What’s key here for any pool party cocktail is using a reusable vessel that is not glass, like melamine; nothing ruins a barefoot party like broken glass. You can garnish with watermelon cubes or mint leaves, or both.” Makes 8 drinks
I N G R E D I E N T S
½ large watermelon, seeded and flesh cut into chunks
1 cup ice
2 Tbs. freshly squeezed lime juice
8 oz. tequila
4 oz. triple sec
small watermelon cubes (optional garnish) mint leaves (optional garnish)
D I R E C T I O N S
Put the watermelon chunks in a blender with the ice, lime juice, tequila and triple sec. Blend on high speed until all of the ingredients are smooth and combined.
Divide among 8 cups and serve immediately with either or both optional garnishes.
EMERALD KALE SALAD
“Inspired by my favorite salad at the Palm Beach Grill, this recipe is adapted for a pool party anywhere you are,” Nass says. “The ingredient list for the dressing is a bit long, but the alchemy of all the flavors makes it totally worthwhile, plus you’ll likely have leftover dressing that can be enjoyed for several days.”
I N G R E D I E N T S
Dressing
¾ cup peanut oil
¼ cup rice vinegar
2 Tbs. soy sauce
1 Tbs. lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2 tsp. honey
1½ tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
1 garlic clove, minced
Salad
2 bunches lacinato kale, stemmed and thinly sliced
¾ cup unsalted roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
5 oz. Pecorino Romano, grated (about ¼ cup)
1 rotisserie chicken, skinned and shredded
D I R E C T I O N S
Make the dressing: In a large measuring cup, combine the peanut oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, sesame oil, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and garlic and whisk to thoroughly incorporate.
Make the salad:
In a large serving bowl and with clean hands, massage the kale for about 3 minutes until the leaves soften.
Add the peanuts, Pecorino Romano and chicken and toss together. Pour ¼ cup of the dressing on the salad and toss. If the salad seems too dry, add another ¼ cup. Leftover dressing can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Place the salad in a serving bowl, if passing at the table, or on individual salad plates. Serve immediately.
For a hot day by the pool, plan a menu with light, cool foods. Seasonal fruit skewers, easy to prepare, can be presented in creative and playful ways. Fresh fruit also can be placed in bowls for guests to serve themselves as they please, while salads should be made with hearty greens such as kale or spinach, both of which maintain their crunch longer than delicate lettuces. For drinks, Nass suggests always having plenty of water on hand as well as a frozen cocktail. “You can blend frozen fruits like mango, strawberries or watermelon with your favorite spirit,” she says.
Keep the palette warm and summery, from your wardrobe to the table setting to the food. Each colorful place setting should emphasize the season’s vibrancy. Refreshing key lime popsicles, a great treat to have on hand in the freezer, provide a pop of color when brought to the table.
KEY LIME PIE POPSICLES
“The tart sweetness of key lime pie is so refreshing on a hot day,” Nass says. “I adapted this flavor profile to a frozen treat to make it even better.”
Makes 10 popsicles
I N G R E D I E N T S
2 cups key lime juice (store bought is fine)
2 (14 oz.) cans sweetened condensed milk
8 graham crackers, crumbled
D I R E C T I O N S
Use a fork to mix the key lime juice and condensed milk in a large measuring cup.
Carefully pour the liquid mixture into popsicle molds, filling each cavity three quarters of the way. Place the molds in the freezer. After 1 hour, insert popsicle sticks. Freeze for at least 12 hours total or up to 1 month.
When ready to serve, unmold the popsicles and press each side into the graham cracker crumbles, coating all sides completely.
All images and recipes are reprinted with permission from Swing By! Entertaining Recipes & The New Art of Gathering (Rizzoli New York, 2024) by Stephanie Nass. Photography by Stockton Johnson.
SUMMERCELEBR
1. Michael Aram 4x6” Elephant frames in blue and pink enamel $105 each 2. Baccarat Tiara everyday tumblers. Boxed set of two $200
3. Michael Aram 16x16”
Orchid centerpiece bowl in brass and white enamel $375 4. L’Objet Braid cake & bread knife in 24k gold plating $225 5. L’Objet 5x7” Garland frame in platinum plating with Swarovski crystals $495
6. Baccarat Lucky Butterfly in Blue Scarabee $290, Iridescent Clear $290 & Turquoise $240
7. Baccarat Mille Nuits small pastry stand $1,400 8. Jay Strongwater Tara orchid clock with Swarovski crystals $475 9. Baccarat New Antique Clochette Nomadic wireless lamp $1,580 10. L’Objet Picanto salt and pepper mills. Boxed set of two $450. Prices are subject to change based on market fluctuations.
PRIME CUTS
mounting only, center stone not top: Precision Set Round with baguette diamonds in shown. Precision Set Half18k rose gold and platinum Gabriel & Co. Round with diamonds in 14k yellow shown. Precision Set Emerald hidden diamond halo in 18k
mounting based on market fluctuations.
MJ LOVE STORIES
Photography by Ali Reed Photography
SAGE & JORDAN
THE WEDDING JEWELRY
SAGE’S RING: Classic platinum engagement ring with an emerald-cut diamond and an emerald-cut eternity band. Complimenting her rings were a classic diamond tennis bracelet and front/back hoops with pear shaped diamonds.
JORDAN’S RING: Classic 14k yellow gold band.
CURRENTLY LIVING: Boston, Massachusetts
DATE OF ENGAGEMENT: Aug. 10, 2024
DATE OF WEDDING: Oct. 9, 2025
Mann’s
HOW THEY MET
Their story began over nine years ago in Rochester, New York. They were introduced through a mutual friend at a college party and from the moment they met, they were inseparable!
THE SONG THAT BEST DESCRIBES THEIR RELATIONSHIP
“Lifetime” by Justin Bieber. It was also their first dance song!
A TRADITION THEY’RE EXCITED TO CREATE TOGETHER
Traveling to one new destination a year together to explore the world!
THE PERFECT DAY TOGETHER
A beach day, sunset and a great meal.
THE WEDDING VENUE
Inns of Aurora Resort and Spa MEANINGFUL DETAILS OF THE DAY
Fall holds special significance for us. It is the season we fell in love nine years ago, so we envisioned a crisp autumn celebration infused with golden light, earthy tones, organic beauty and abundant texture. The true magic, however, came to life through my mom, and trusted vendors and dear friends, Ellie Clapp of Celebrated Events and Charles Arena of Arena’s Inc. We wanted our celebration to feel unlike anything we had ever seen before, entrusting our creative team with full artistic freedom so we could experience one unforgettable surprise on the day itself.
THE CEREMONY
Set along the edge of Cayuga Lake, the ceremony felt like a real life fairy tale. Their 16-year-old Yorkie, Winston, made an adorable ring bearer. To honor loved ones who had passed, Sage and Jordan released live butterflies into the air.
THE RECEPTION
Sage’s dream design came to life: a warm, immersive atmosphere filled with candlelight, romantic textures and the scent of autumn blooms. Tables overflowed with lush blooms, fall fruits, berries, leaves, moss and whimsical varieties of mushrooms, some tucked beneath glass cloches, bringing to life the earthy, ethereal vision Sage had always dreamed of. The night continued with an unforgettable surprise for Jordan: an epic fireworks show over the lake. Later, guests were treated to a one-of-a-kind “Bud Bar,” designed by Arena’s and Sage’s cousins from FLWR CITY and NABIS—complete with custom lighters, tinctures, and hand-rolled joints. As the band’s New Orleansstyle horns led guests out of the tent for a sparkler send-off through the Inns’s picturesque streets, Sage slipped into a striking red party dress—the perfect ending to the fairy tale that was their day.
Photography by Lana Shevorski
JP & ALEX
CURRENTLY LIVING: Natick, Massachusetts
DATE OF ENGAGEMENT: March 23, 2024
DATE OF WEDDING: Oct. 17, 2025
HOW THEY MET
We met at work. She claims she met and remembered me in the halls early in the morning when she thought no one else was at work. I recall it, but I think I opened the door for her and tried to forget it! (I couldn’t fall in love at the office, right?)
THE SONG THAT BEST DESCRIBES THEIR RELATIONSHIP
“Running Up That Hill” by Meg Myers. In a lot of ways, we have faced uphill battles together and have continually helped each other up when the other has struggled. I don’t always think life is like a hill, but when it is, I know I have her by my side to carry me forward.
A TRADITION THEY’RE EXCITED TO CREATE TOGETHER
We want to try to vacation somewhere fun in the world at least every two years. Since being together we’ve been to Iceland, Cancun, and Curacao–and soon hope to make it to Thailand and Japan!
THE PERFECT DAY TOGETHER
We love being tourists in Boston and discovering new places to go. We often find ourselves in some amazing restaurants and love a good cocktail.
HER FAVORITE MEMORY TOGETHER
We have so many wonderful memories together, it feels impossible to pick one. I think anytime we travel together we make unforgettable memories. Exploring the gorgeous environments of Iceland together. On the flight there, we passed through the Northern Lights. When we landed, we rented a car and drove the full “ring road” around the island. We explored black sand beaches, walked through glacial caverns, climbed up steep cliffside roads, and hiked mountains to see massive waterfalls; it was all truly an otherworldly experience.
THE PROPOSAL
She said “yes,” and the guys played their part perfectly, hooting and hyping us up. We continued our walk, and in front of the restaurant I’d taken her out to four years prior, we processed the moment together, waiting for the rain to let up and our beating hearts to rest.
We live near Boston, and we enjoy the city as often as we can. In 2024, we had friends visiting from out of town for a local convention, but I knew that day that I wanted to make my move—it was perfect, we would have friends to celebrate and share the moment with us. I told Alex to take the train in (I also encouraged her to wear her nicer coat…the only hint I gave up!).
In the rain, stressed for time and crossing the bridge that connects Fort Point and the Boston Harbor, I found my opportunity. I asked some guys who were walking the bridge with us if they would take our picture—yes, I stopped mid-traffic to ask for a photo-op in the rain, ans she was ready to kill me. I asked them if, instead of a photo, they would just leave the phone on record—shout out to my sister for that one! When I got on one knee she seemed stunned, not knowing exactly what was happening, she thought I fell—so she kneeled down next to me, both of our coats soaking up the rain.
THE RINGS
When I began the journey to find our engagement ring, I recall saying something along these lines to my brother-in-law: “I just want to be married to her already.” He was on the case and said, “OK! If you’re serious, then I’ve got the person just for you: Bonnie at Mann’s!” He texted her, and she got right back to him right away—the journey had begun!
When we sat down, we looked at a set of rings that Bonnie had previously vetted. Something kind of magical happened: Alex picked up the one ring that had caught my eye—and happened to also be Bonnie’s first pick too! When I saw it on her finger, I began to tear up; I knew that that was her ring.
When the day came to take the knee, I knew in my heart that I’d made the right call. Alex couldn’t stop admiring it. To this day, every now and then the light hits it just right and it looks like a star bursting from her hand. We cannot thank Bonnie, and Mann’s, enough for their part in our wedding!
THE WEDDING VENUE
The Fairmont Copley in Boston’s Copley Square
THE WEDDING VIBE
Romantic, Moody, Baroque
MEANINGFUL DETAILS OF THE DAY
My grandparents, who danced with the band until midnight, staying out longer than a couple of my friends! I will never forget how much fun they had, at 90 years young.
THEIR FUTURE DREAMS
We are right now in a bit of a crisis mode—it might not be appropriate for the story or magazine, but Alex had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Leiomyosarcoma a few months before the wedding. It was obviously a huge shock but we carried on with the wedding and enjoyed every moment of it. Just days after, Alex was getting her port placed, and then her first round of chemo. Our future is uncertain; we take each day, each moment at a time. We are living in the here and now, and while our short-term hopes are to keep a normalcy to life and get back to traveling, we really are just taking each life memory at a time. Oh, also a dog. We really want a dog!
GRACE & JACOB
CURRENTLY LIVING: Buffalo, New York
DATE OF ENGAGEMENT: Oct. 14, 2023
DATE OF WEDDING: May 12, 2025
HOW THEY MET
They met on Bumble, the dating app, during COVID.
THE SONG THAT BEST DESCRIBES THEIR RELATIONSHIP
“Kilby Girl” by The Backseat Lovers.
THE PROPOSAL
Fox Run Vineyards in the Finger Lakes. Jake surprised Grace on a rainy October day. They did a wine tour through the grape vines and at the end of the tour, there was a beautifully decorated table with prosecco. While their proposal was private, their families were in the tasting room and they all went to a memorable dinner afterward.
THE RINGS
Grace’s ring is a single set emerald-cut diamond on a yellow gold band. Grace’s band is an eternity diamond band. Jake’s wedding band is a zirconium band with gold inlay.
THE DRESS
Maggie Sottero’s Mitchell Marie Gown.
THEIR PERFECT DAY
Exploring a new city together, trying new restaurants and foods.
A TRADITION THEY’RE EXCITED TO CREATE TOGETHER
Lazy Sundays watching football all day.
HER FAVORITE MEMORY TOGETHER
Going to Vinalhaven, Maine, and eating lobster rolls.
HIS FAVORITE MEMORY TOGETHER
A trip to NYC to watch a Knicks game in Madison Square Garden and stumbling upon a ramen shop.
THE WEDDING VENUE Hedsor House, Taplow, England.
THE WEDDING VIBE Elegant. Classic. Black and white. English accents.
THEIR FUTURE DREAMS
To travel the world together and get to all seven continents.
MEANINGFUL DETAILS OF THE DAY
All of their family and friends were there with them. A few of their favorite moments included bringing guests to the venue on a red double-decker bus, the ceremony, their choreographed first dance and fireworks.
Photography by Katy Gray
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TIME HONORED
Clockwise from top: Shinola 42mm Runwell West Wind watch in titanium $1,495. Baume & Mercier 42mm Classima 10694 automatic watch in stainless steel with a blue canvas strap $2,200. Tag Heuer 41mm Carrera automatic watch in stainless steel $7,950. Tag Heuer 44mm Carrera automatic chronograph extreme sport watch with black rubber strap $9,200. Baume & Mercier 42mm Riviera 10618 automatic watch with a dodecagonal case and green rubber strap $2,800. Prices are subject to change based on market fluctuations.
C OLOR
WHEEL
Counterclockwise from top: Frederique Constant 34mm Highlife automatic watch with orange dial in stainless steel with diamonds $2,795. Frederique Constant 30mm Classics Slimline watch in stainless steel with diamonds $3,095. Shinola 30.5mm Derby watch with malachite dial in PVD gold $975. Frederique Constant Highlife automatic watch with lavender dial in stainless steel with diamonds $2,795. Tag Heuer 34mm Aquaracer Solargraph watch with turquoise sunray dial in stainless steel $2,550. Shinola 34mm Birdy watch with lapis lazuli dial in PVD gold $775. Frederique Constant 31mm Highlife automatic watch with blue dial and diamonds in stainless steel $1,695. Prices are subject to change based on market fluctuations.
BACK TO THE FUTURE
This pro believes in designing for what’s to come based on what’s gone before.
Maybe Shakespeare didn’t use the term “backstory,” but he grasped the concept well. “What’s past,” he wrote, “is prologue.” And Ray Booth gets it too. An interior designer and principal partner at the New York City-based architectural and design firm McAlpine, Booth often draws on clients’ pasts in shaping the homes they’ll reside in for years to come.
When a couple in Atlanta’s Morningside neighborhood decided to build a contemporary home, for example, they trusted Booth and his architect partner Bobby McAlpine to take cues from their existing home across the street. What they built was a contemporary mirror of that dwelling, a modern design in crisp, geometric form with a well-windowed ground floor and a band of windows that wraps the upper story.
“Much more goes into the tooling and fine-tuning of a home than meets the eye,” says Booth, “which is why a grasp of the backstory can be so illuminating.”
The designer shares more of his philosophy in his latest book, TheExpressive Home (Rizzoli New York, 2025). “Every successful project transcends the process of shaping and selecting individual pieces and parts to cohere into a warm, inviting, life-enhancing residence,” he says. “When this happens, each aspect of the design resonates with all the others, with the client and with the surroundings that have helped shape it.”
Sometimes one’s destiny lies just across the street.
72 Mann’s At the kitchen island of an Atlanta home, a mix of seating options invites both ease and engagement, accommodating a range of postures and moments. A WPA-inspired mural animates the upper cabinets with a vivid artistic narrative, while the subtle, reeded detailing on the lower storage echoes the home’s architectural rhythm in a quieter key.
This page: The home’s courtyard layout creates a distinctive sense of approach, moving from the front wall and gate through the courtyard and pool area to the loggia. Atlanta’s temperate weather makes this space ideal for outdoor living, comfortably outfitted for dining and lounging. As the main point of entry, the loggia seamlessly connects the home’s architecture with its landscape. Opposite: The den shifts to a deeper, more saturated palette, distinguishing it from the rest of the home’s lighter interiors. Used frequently for evening relaxation and television viewing, the space is enriched with layered textures and patterns that heighten its warmth. Artwork by Steve Penley provides a bold visual anchor.
This page: A sandblasted limestone fireplace adds quiet texture to the living room’s layered surfaces. The mottled carpet inspired a cohesive color palette carried through velvet accents, allowing artwork—such as the Roland Kulla above the sofa—to command attention. Vintage cast-iron finials, salvaged from an industrial-era structure, nod to the clients’ appreciation for mid-century design and craft. Opposite: The primary bedroom’s limewashed walls introduce texture and depth. Floor-to-ceiling drapery in a matching hue softens the architecture and frames the windows on three sides. A silk-and-wool rug grounds the space with luster and natural pattern, while a seating area at the foot of the bed offers an inviting spot for reading or quiet conversation.
A super-cool new skincare trend can sooth you it the short term— and it may have long-term boons as well.
Cold may already be your go-to for quick rejuvenation and recovery. Think about splashing cold water on your face to wake yourself up, for instance, or opting for a cold shower after a workout. A growing trend takes that a step further—it uses cryotherapy, or the controlled application of extremely cold temperatures (colder than the water of your shower), as a way to rejuvenate and improve overall skin health long term.
In medical dermatology, cryotherapy has already been a go-to for minimally invasive procedures for decades. If you’ve ever heard of someone “freezing off” a wart or skin tag, this is what it’s referring to. A doctor applies liquid nitrogen directly to the skin to destroy and remove abnormal tissue—no surgery necessary, minimal damage to surrounding skin and a quick recovery time. Cosmetic dermatology applies the same technology more gently—during a cryofacial, which is an in-office procedure, a dermatologist or aesthetician will pump either vaporized liquid nitrogen or super-cooled air over your face (rather than the harsher method of applying the liquid form directly to the skin) to stimulate blood flow. Explains Samujjala Deb, M.D., a board-certified clinical dermatologist and founder of Inskin Clinic in Kolkata, India, “Cold exposure constricts the blood vessels. When the temperature is raised again, they relax, increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery. This sort of ‘vascular gymnastics’ helps to refresh the skin and give it a glow by supporting nutrient exchange and waste removal.” That vascular constric-
tion also causes the temporarily firmer look, and the increased oxygen-rich blood is what makes experts say this treatment can help you in the long term—it can lead to increased collagen production, which is what keeps skin supple and bouncy.
One thing you can always count on cryotherapy to do is reduce any kind of puffiness in the short term, according to Dr. Deb. “The cold-triggered vasoconstriction reduces puffiness and redness,” she says, in addition to “slowing nerve conduction, which is why it soothes irritation.” For people struggling with rosacea or acne flares, at-home beauty tools such as ice rollers or chilled jade rollers can work magic.
Full-body cryotherapy chambers, originally marketed for muscle recovery and inflammation reduction, are also having their moment in beauty. Dr. Deb reports, “Claims about the chambers include improved circulation, tighter skin and enhanced collagen stimulation across the whole body.” The world’s top wellness retreats have adopted the tech, including Chenot Palace in Switzerland, recognized as one of the best of its kind by the World Spa Awards. Adds the doctor, “Evidence for long-term skin benefits is still limited, but
many users report a temporary glow and reduced puffiness.” A three-minute session in one of these chambers will run between $50 and $100 at most providers on average; a cryofacial costs about the same for the same amount of time.
That doesn’t mean you should simply put an ice cube on your face; in fact, Dr. Deb discourages it. “Athome users should avoid applying ice directly to skin without protection,” she says. Other risks also exist. She adds, “It can exacerbate certain conditions like Raynaud’s disease, cold urticaria or severe cardiovascular disease. Pregnant individuals and people with uncontrolled hypertension or neuropathy also should avoid whole-body cryotherapy chambers.” In addition, cold burns or frostbite can develop if skin is exposed to the cold for too long, though that risk goes down if done under the supervision of a trained dermatologist or aesthetician.
The other piece of praise this kind of cryotherapy gets most often? It feels good. It’s soothing and refreshing just like that cold shower after a hard workout. So exhale, lean back and let yourself chill out.
the ideal racket sport?
Loved by elite athletes, A-listers and high-profile clubs, padel is a global phenomenon that elevates a rally into a lifestyle statement—and makes fitness fun.
If tennis is the grande dame of racket sports and pickleball its frenzied American cousin, padel occupies a rarified middle ground—social yet sophisticated, accessible yet undeniably chic. Born on the sun-drenched coasts of Mexico in the late 1960s, padel has quietly evolved into one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet. Today it’s a global obsession: a vibrant blend of athleticism, strategy and social play now embraced by celebrities, luxury clubs and a new generation of wellness-driven travelers. Its only controversy: pronunciation. Our suggestion: Say “PAH-del” or “puh-DEL,” but resist calling it “paddle.”
Padel’s origin story begins in Acapulco, where Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera built the first court on his property in 1969. Short, glass-backed walls kept the ball in play, while a smaller enclosure added an element of tactical precision. The innovation caught the attention of his Spanish friends, who brought the game to Marbella, Spain, on the Costa del Sol, where it quickly became a staple of Europe’s resort culture.
Spain would go on to transform padel from a coastal curiosity into a national pastime. Today the country boasts thousands of courts and a professional league (Pro Padel League), with padel rivaling soccer in participation. Italy, Sweden and Middle East countries soon followed, building gleaming, club-like facilities and weaving padel into their luxury leisure lifestyles. Roughly 35 million people play the sport worldwide, according to the International Padel Federation.
America’s racket enthusiasts didn’t take up padel as quickly as their counterparts overseas, but they’re catching up. In the last five years, padel has moved from niche import to emerging trend in markets like Miami, Los Angeles, New York and Austin. High-end clubs such as Padel Haus in Brooklyn and Wynwood Padel Club in Miami are building dedicated courts; hotel groups like Marriott International are integrating padel into their amenity portfolios; and new luxury complexes—part wellness hub, part social club—are positioning padel as their marquee attraction.
What’s driving the surge? In part, it’s the sport’s irresistible accessibility. Padel is played on a court roughly one-third the
size of a tennis court. It’s surrounded by walls that allow for creative rebound shots reminiscent of squash. The underhand serve encourages longer rallies, while the compact layout rewards anticipation, teamwork and intelligent shot placement over raw power. The racket is solid (no strings to break), and scoring is nearly identical to tennis. It’s easy enough for beginners to pick up in minutes, yet the challenge of mastering it with strategic depth keeps seasoned athletes hooked. Games are usually doubles-only, which means the energy stays lively and communal—a perfect match for America’s growing appetite for social wellness.
Where tennis demands a wide range of strokes and often favors the strongest players, padel’s genius lies in its inclusivity. Anyone, regardless of age or athletic background, can enjoy a competitive match. That ease of entry, combined with the game’s high rally frequency, produces a startlingly quick sense of improvement, which many players, including several retired pro tennis stars, describe as “instantly addictive.”
“I think it’s going to keep getting bigger and bigger,” two-time Wimbledon winner Andy Murray of Great Britian told CNN Sports. “I think clubs will continue to want to build courts, and there’ll be more demand for it.”
Murray’s a staunch ambassador for the sport—he’s invested in Game4Padel, the largest provider of padel courts in the U.K. Spain’s Rafael Nadal, winner of 22 tennis Grand Slam titles, also has embraced padel, even adding it to the roster at his prestigious sports institution, Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain.
Padel’s glamorous appeal has reached beyond the pro tennis circuit. A-listers such as actors Eva Longoria and Antonio Banderas play, as do soccer royalty David Beckham and Lionel Messi. Their visibility has helped elevate padel from a resort pastime to a bona fide cultural moment, one that blends fitness, elegance and social connection.
Padel’s rise reflects a broader shift in how we think about fitness: It’s no longer just about performance, but also about community, experience and culture. With its sun-soaked origins, elegant sensibility and deeply social nature, padel feels tailor-made for the luxury lifestyle landscape. It’s effortless, stylish and—above all—fun.
BLUE WAVE
From top: William Henry Brainwave moneyclip in titanium hand-forged and heat-blued damascus $425. Lashbrook 8mm band with blue sapphires in 14k white gold. Price based on finger size. Baume & Mercier 42mm Riviera 10620 automatic watch with blue wave dial in stainless steel $2,990. John Hardy Heishi beaded bracelet with lapis lazuli in sterling silver $875. Mann’s Jewelers Cuff links with lapis lazuli and mother of pearl in base metal $120. William Henry Blue Spark damascus knife inlaid with fossil coral in stainless steel $1,975. Shinola 40mm Duck watch with a blue dial and
a scotsman’s touch
At Streamsong in Florida, a new course showcases the surface-sculpting genius of architect David McLay Kidd. By Robert Beringela
Eons ago, what we know today as Central Florida was underwater, and everywhere there were megalodons—shark-like predators so colossal they made great whites look like minnows. When the seas finally receded, the aquatic monsters vanished and terrestrial pursuits took over. By the 1900s, a broad swath of land near the small town of Bowling Green had become the site of a sprawling phosphate-mining operation. The digging and hauling carved up the landscape, leaving behind a heaving canvas of spoil piles and sand ridges that would one day find a more surprising purpose: the foundation for one of the country’s marquee golf destinations.
That destination, Streamsong, opened in 2013 with two courses— Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw’s Red and Tom Doak’s Blue—putting the resort on the map as the most un-Florida of golf resorts, its rumpled, sandy ground bringing a touch of Scotland to the Sunshine State. Among those on hand for the grand opening was Scottish-born golf course architect David McLay Kidd. He had no project there at the time. But as he wandered the property, he felt the familiar tug designers get when a piece of land sparks their imagination. He hoped that someday he might have a chance to work at Streamsong.
That feeling only sharpened in the years that followed, after Streamsong tapped Gil Hanse to build a third course, the Black, then brought Coore and Crenshaw back again to add the Chain, a 19-hole layout composed of par 3s and par 4s. Kidd watched as his fellow architects stamped their signatures across a unique landscape.
“I was itching for the chance to have my work showcased there,” he says. “Right alongside the architects I consider my peers.”
He now has that commission.
Next spring, Kidd will be back at Streamsong to cut the ribbon on the resort’s fifth course. His layout-in-the-making does not yet have a name, but its footprint is clear. It will sit beside the Black and share its clubhouse. The land was dramatic, but stitching it together coher-
ently proved tricky. The breakthrough came when Kidd reconsidered the three existing warm-up holes by the practice area, designed by Hanse when he built the Black. If you folded them into the routing, he realized, the sequence suddenly opened up.
The course echoes the Red and Blue in its use of the site’s miningsculpted landforms, but its greens are smaller and less severe than those of its counterparts. Kidd’s imprint is unmistakable. He has long championed the ground game—the option to bump shots low and use the wrinkles of the land to one’s advantage—and this design amplifies that philosophy, with wide avenues off the tee, short-grass surrounds, and green complexes that encourage an array of attack lines beyond the aerial route. The layout also features a handful of half-par holes, including reachable par 4s and 5s set in different directions. No matter which way the wind is blowing, Kidd says, “you’re going to get a few chances to try to be a hero.”
Though Kidd first made his name with Bandon Dunes, a light-onthe-land design on the Oregon Coast, he didn’t feel bound to minimalism here. The site, after all, had already been extensively manipulated. “We didn’t have to feel bad about messing with Mother Nature because there was nothing that hadn’t been touched already,” he says. He and his team could dig down where necessary, build up where they liked, and sculpt the surfaces without worrying about disturbing a more ancient order.
Ancient, though, is still part of the story. While Kidd and his team were building, they kept turning up evidence of the ocean that once covered the region: megalodon teeth. Scores of them.
One hole on the new course—the par-5 ninth—a sharply pointed dune rises in the fairway. Kidd referred to as a witch’s hat. But on closer inspection, it resembles something else.
“I think we’re going to have to start calling it a ‘shark’s tooth’ instead,” Kidd says.
CITADELS OF SPORT
It’s soccer to us, football to the world. Whatever you call it, the places where they’ll play the World Cup games have a drama all their own.
This summer the world’s most beloved sport will take center stage across North America. With matches hosted in iconic stadiums throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup will make the continent a vibrant mosaic of culture, competition and spectacle. For a fleeting moment, these architectural landmarks will become more than just venues. Soccer—known as football globally—brings a unique electricity: the tension before kickoff, the collective breath held before a decisive strike and the roar that follows a goal. It commands an emotional fluency that transcends language, uniting fans through ritual, rhythm and reverence for the game.
In his latest book, The World Atlas of Football Stadiums: 1,000 Iconic Grounds and Their Stories, British author John Gillard explores legendary arenas—from Estádio Urbano Caldeira in Santos to Olympiastadion in Berlin to MetLife
88 Mann’s Fans visiting BMO Field in Toronto typically fill about 31,000 seats; however, capacity will expand to more than 40,000 when 2026 World Cup play begins. The stadium’s opening match is June 12—it’s the first ever Cup game played in Canada and will feature the Canadian national team.
Stadium in New Jersey, where the World Cup Final takes place July 19. “Stadiums hold so many memories and emotions,” he says, reflecting on the passion found both in the stands and on the pitch. “They bring together communities, harbor rivalries and friendships, create magical moments and heartbreaking losses. No two are ever the same, and each offers something unique, something surprising.” Though scheduling conflicts may keep him from attending this year’s World Cup, 50-year-old Gillard, who’s watched games in dozens of stadiums, understands the tournament’s enduring power. It lies not only in the battle for a trophy, but also in the atmosphere these stadiums create. For a few extraordinary weeks, they become spaces where sport, culture and connection converge—reminding us that the most luxurious experience is being part of something truly universal.
Above: Vancouver’s BC Place features a retractable roof supported by cables and is home to the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer. It is slated to host seven World Cup matches, including five group stage games, a round-of-32 match and a round-of-16 contest. Left: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta opened in 2017, and is home to Atlanta United FC. Its retractable roof is modeled after the Pantheon dome in Rome and features a 360-degree LED screen at its base. A slate of eight World Cup matches is slated for this Peach State facility, including a semifinal game July 15.
Above: Though the mountain view from Estadio BBVA (nicknamed “El Gigante de Acero” or the “Steel Giant”) in Monterrey, Mexico, is stunning, fans always stay glued to the action on the pitch. Four 2026 World Cup matches will be played at this venue. Below: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., has hosted countless sports and entertaining events, but none match the grandeur of the World Cup. Eight tournament matches will be played on the pitch here, which will be outfitted with natural grass, including the prestigious World Cup Final July 19.
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