Photography by Laura Wagner

In the United States, liposuction is the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery. It is also one of the most commonly redone surgeries, with an approximate 25 percent revision rate. Amidst the glitz and glam of Beverly Hills, one dermatologic surgeon is cutting through the fat and providing solutions for patients who find themselves with less-than-desirable liposuction results.

As a liposculpture specialist, Dr. David M. Amron has perfected his unique technique over the past 14 years. He is sought out by patients across the globe, not only because of his artistic appreciation for his craft, but also for his thorough approach, perfectionistic eye for detail, and expertise in correcting the most challenging cases of revision liposuction surgery.

With a background in dermatology, Dr. Amron is armed with an in-depth understanding of the skin and how it best responds to this cosmetic procedure. He is a purist, forgoing trendy technologies of melting fat in favor of the tactile sensation of reducing the amount of fat using his own judgment and expertise. For these reasons he is extensively featured on television networks such as CNN, BBC America, and Discovery Health, and in print publications like The Wall Street Journal, People, and Comsopolitan. In this latest edition of Haute MD, the revered dermatologic surgeon, who Entertainment Tonight calls the “Guru of Liposuction,” offers his insights into America’s favorite cosmetic surgery.

HAUTE LIVING Tell us a little about your approach to liposuction surgery.
Dr. David Amron Liposuction surgery is the only major cosmetic surgery that I perform and I believe in getting it right the first time. I think this is an important factor to consider when choosing a cosmetic surgeon, because it is difficult to be a jack-of-all-trades. By limiting my menu of services, it allows me to hyper-focus on my specific liposuction technique. My whole philosophy is based on balancing and creating the proper proportion. Liposuction is a surgery that should be reserved only to target areas of genetic disproportion. Who is a good candidate has little to do with being overweight or out of shape. These are the patient’s responsibility. Mine is to balance and contour their body. The way that I do this is under a local anesthesia with a method I call “pure tumescent liposuction,” originally developed by dermatologic surgeons. I prefer to keep the patient awake during the surgery because it is crucial to have them in the most perfect position while I am contouring and sculpting. When the patient is awake, they are an active participant in their own results. Under general anesthesia the patient can only lie there, with loose muscle tone, and there’s no way to accurately contour the targeted areas. A conscious patient can adjust and shift their body, working with me as I precisely sculpt each area.

With regard to the contouring and sculpting, as far as my own personal technique, it isn’t something I visually see as much as something that I feel. It is a very tactile surgery. My approach, which I’ve refined over the years, starts deep in the fat layer with small, round instruments. I gradually move up in the fat layer creating thousands of tunnels. Then I finish off at the surface, just under the skin, with a flat tipped spatula cannula that allows me to ensure that the surface is completely smooth and there are no irregularities. I’m also careful as I’m doing the contouring to never poke, jab, or tent the skin from underneath, which I can only accomplish by optimal positioning of a conscious patient. In addition, I also control exactly the amount of skin retraction I want to get.

HL You are not a proponent of certain technological trends in the industry which
claim to melt away fat. Why?
DA One of the problems that I have with some of the newer technologies in the industry, such as lasers and ultrasounds that some doctors boast can melt fat away faster, is that people are putting a lot of trust in the machine and not necessarily in the person behind the machine. That is not what that is about for me. Well-done liposuction is about proper judgment and perfect technique. It is always about the surgeon’s hands, eyes, judgment, and artistry behind the tools. I find that liposculpture is such a tactile procedure that I don’t trust the aspect of just melting fat. I want to feel exactly how much I’m bringing the areas down.

HL Approximately 40 percent of the surgeries you perform are revision work, repairing or improving on the results done previously by other surgeons. What are some of the most common mistakes that you see?
DA Most often I see patients who have been thrown out of balance and proportion. Frequently patients undergo liposuction surgery for the wrong reasons, such as being overweight, but really, liposuction is a tool to target areas of genetic disproportion. It is a balancing procedure, so for most revision surgeries that I do, my role is to rebalance the body. Sometimes the first liposuction was not done aggressively enough. That is fairly easy to adjust by going back in and bringing the area down more. Sometimes the areas were not blended well with the surrounding areas so there can be drop offs or shelves, creating an unnatural look to the border of the liposuction. In those cases I will go in and blend the areas and smooth things out. I think that one of the biggest mistakes I encounter are surgeons that were too aggressive. Often they dive in and approach it from the standpoint of just sucking fat out. But there is so much more to it than just sucking fat out. It really is very artistic. And that is a big area of my revision work-treating areas of the skin that have a lot of unevenness. There can be ripples, dents, or pockets of fat remaining-basically just a lot of irregularities. It is one of the most challenging areas to approach with a liposuction surgery revision.

HL What advice do you have for prospective patients in order to ensure that surgery revision will not be needed?
DA Obviously checking board certification is essential, but another important thing is to pay close attention to the consultation itself. Choose several doctors to consult with and get different opinions. Take your time and see how complete and comprehensive the doctor is being. If you feel like you’re being rushed, it could be a red flag. If you feel like you’re being sold to as opposed to educated and guided, to me that is also a red flag. I really try to approach the patient with complete integrity and I think that makes all the difference in the world.

Much thought and inspiration goes into the creation of a restaurant. Themes, décor, menu, and location are just some of the components one must address in preparation for the various stages of development. Upon partnering with Sam Nazarian’s SBE and Phillipe Starck, our Katsuya Restaurants in Hollywood, Brentwood, Glendale, and downtown L.A. have taken on a life of their own. When I opened my third location, Izaka-Ya by Katsuya, in 2007, I was inspired by the concept for which it is named. Translated, Izakaya means “to remain” (i) and “sake shop” (sakaya); today it is commonly known as a Japanese pub. Izakayas began popping up throughout Japan in the Edo period (1603 to 1863), which is considered the start of the country’s early modern era. It was an age of relatively peaceful stability guided by Neo-Confucian principles of social order. During this time, the izakaya developed as a standing-bar-only sake shop. The evolution of the concept resulted in tapas being served to accompany the sake.

Today, the concept has become a popular international trend, and it is quite fashionable with the younger generation of diners. In addition to being on top of the trend, I created Izaka-Ya by Katsuya because I wanted to give customers incredible, quality food and sake at a reasonable price. We feature more sake selections and a wider array of menu items than what can typically be found in a traditional Japanese or sushi restaurant. Keeping in line with the tapas tradition, the menu is designed in a small-plates format so customers can enjoy many varieties of dishes. The menu items can be separated into four categories: traditional Japanese, typical Japanese izakaya, original, and Okinawan style. Gobo chips are a good example of the Japanese izakaya category, while tofu champuru (stir-fried vegetables with tofu) fits with the Okinawan flavor. I choose to include local Okinawan influences on this menu because it is a population known for exceptional life longevity-a characteristic attributed to diet.

The health benefits of the Japanese diet are quite plentiful, due to many of the natural ingredients. For example, I use a salt that can only be found in Okinawa called Aguni no Shio. It is all natural, sourced from the clear water surrounding the Aguni Island and produced the old-fashioned way without the use of chemicals. It is filled with beneficial minerals from the surrounding coral reefs and is full of flavor. Another favorite of mine is the Okinawan lime, also known as shekwasha. I use it when preparing the white fish carpaccio dressing and the romaine salad with sautéed mushrooms. It contains much-needed antioxidants and presents an incredible aroma that even rivals yuzu.

Because the traditional izakaya began as a sake shop, at Izaka-Ya by Katsuya, careful consideration of the sake selection is essential. My creation, Katsu-Ya original sake, can only be found on the menu here and at my other SBE/Katsuya restaurants. The medicinal benefits of consuming sake (in a moderate amount) are numerous, as it aids in the fight against, cancer, arteriosclerosis, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and can help decrease fatigue. Also making an appearance on the beverage menu is Awamori, another Okinawan specialty drink. It is made from rice, but instead of being brewed, it is distilled in a method similar to shochu. The earthy beverage is rich with nutritional benefits, boosting thrombolytic enzymes. A wide variety of shochu cocktails and specialty drinks appear on the menu as well. Some of my favorites are the citrine-flavored cocktails because of their light and refreshing nature. Of course, in addition to my signature Katsu-Ya sake, my previously mentioned SBE/ Katsuya locations offer a wide variety of exotic beverages created by our specialist in mixology.

Overall, I designed Izaka-Ya by Katsuya to be an inviting restaurant with a casual atmosphere suited for friends and family, just as the traditional izakayas were. Through the customers’ enjoyment and the success of the establishment, I pay homage to the ancient customs of my ancestors.

Itadakimasu,

Katsuya Uechi
Izaka-Ya by Katsuya
8420 W 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323.782.9536

Question: When did “Casual Friday” turn into Casual Monday through Friday? I have always been a proponent of men wearing “occasion appropriate” attire. A suit or some type of sport coat historically has been appropriate attire for business. Yet dressing for business today has reached a point where business casual is a widely accepted alternative to the classic business “suit and tie” look, at least for non-formal and less-serious power meetings. Over the last several years, appropriate casual dress has deteriorated. I want to know who gave the OK to break out a martini glass-patterned sport shirt with a pair of ill-fitting pleated khakis and a pair of beat-up running sneakers? Please, someone tackle that guy! Get him in a headlock, sedate him, and get him off the streets! If you are in a position of leadership or if you want to be, remember that a lot of the perception of power is carried in how you look. In fact, research shows that almost 90 percent of what people take away from a speaker in a business situation is how they look as opposed to what they say. Surprising but true.

When you’re getting dressed, the burning question should always be, “How can my clothing choices add positive value when the light shines on me in a business or social situation?” (Or at the very least not have everyone whispering about your martini glass shirt.) Short of having David August manage your wardrobe, there is a pretty simple formula you can implement on your own to get your business-casual wardrobe up to date and more appropriate.

My advice to clients is that it is better to be the most/best dressed person in the room, as opposed to the least/frumpiest dressed. Always err on the side of classic. Now, classic doesn’t necessarily mean traditional; classic lives in every category of dress. Think of classic as refined simplicity. It is always safer to keep things simple and current, so when picking out what you are going to wear, opt for something that has been added to your wardrobe in the last 18 months. Solids are safer than patterns, and earth-tone slacks in grays, tans, or khakis are great. If you insist on wearing jeans, make sure they are current and have little to no color fading and definitely no holes. Torn jeans are great for today’s youth or for lounging around the house but should not find their way into the business environment. For shirts, white, shades of light blues, pinks, and lavenders are ideal. For a change of pace, throw in a tight mini check or pinstripe. Make sure the collars and cuffs are pressed and crisp; they frame your face and hands, two major focal points that people do notice.

Another important component of Casual Power dressing is the blazer or sport coat. If used correctly, this can-and will-up your game tremendously. A well-fitting classic navy blazer can be coordinated with and complement many jean or slack combinations.

And finally, always remember to dress so that you will be prepared for a last minute meeting or surprise encounter with an important or prospective client.

At David August, our job is to help clients build their personal brands by making them feel like the most powerful person in the room, no matter what room they are in. With Power Casual, you can project confidence and control without feeling like a stuffed shirt.

Cheers,
David Heil
If you have questions you’d like to see addressed in future issues, e-mail me at
haute@davidaugustinc.com.
David August
3140 Airway Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
800.546.SUIT (7848)
www.davidaugustinc.com

At the end of May, world-renowned designers, showrooms, restaurateurs, and chefs will once again unite to raise funds for the betterment of the Los Angeles community. The 4th Annual Tables of Ten: Dining for a Cause will take place on May 29 at the Pacific Design Center’s plaza, which was designed by the unmatched talent Cesar Pelli. Proceeds from funds raised during the evening from ticket sales and sponsorships will support Inner-City Arts, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing artistic opportunities to children whose art instruction programs have been cut from Los Angeles public schools.

The cause is a fitting one; Inner-City Arts strives to teach children the universal language of art, and the Tables of Ten event combines the work of culinary and interior artists to create one memorable evening. The setting is apt as well. Pacific Design Center is the West Coast’s leading resource for interior design trades, with more than 130 showrooms and 2,200 interior design lines.

The event works like this: 15 of the area’s most talented chefs will prepare a unique meal for the guests, who will be delighted by the culinary prowess of the likes of Neal Fraser of Grace, Evan Kleiman of Café Angeli, David LeFevre of Water Grill, and Andy Cook of Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood. These delectable creations will be served to diners seated at unique tabletop exhibits created by leading designers and showrooms, including Warren Sheets, Peter Dunham, David Dalton, Elad Yifrach, and others. The lucky guests will be joined at the table by both the chef and the designer, who are on hand to enhance the evening’s unique appeal and encourage lively conversation. At press time individual tickets and tables are still available, but they aren’t expected to last long.

The special event will kick off the Avenues of Art & Design’s 12th annual Art & Design Walk, the adjacent Pacific Design Center’s festive district-wide open studio tour. The tables will be on display during the walk, much to the delight of those who were not able to participate in the exclusive Tables of Ten evening.

Who: 4th Annual Tables of Ten:
Dining for a Cause
When: May 29, 2009
Where: Pacific Design Center
8687 Melrose Ave. West Hollywood
For More Information:
www.avenuesartdesign.com; 310.289.2534

For many, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s the center for family gatherings, a workplace, and a place to relax. The room’s versatile dynamics not only make it the most important space in the home, but also a complicated room to get right. And with the healthy wave of green sweeping the planet, “right” is now synonymous with eco-friendly.

For more than 80 years, ALNO, one of the world’s largest and most respected designers and manufacturers of luxury kitchen environments, has been at the forefront of innovation and green manufacturing. Featuring only the finest FSC-certified materials and devoted entirely to environmentally responsible practices, ALNO’s reputation as experts in contemporary, high-end, green kitchens has made it the first choice of many developers for luxury projects.

ALNO’s Pasadena location is the company’s first “green” showroom, featuring a variety of environmentally friendly features and design elements that help to minimize energy usage. Housed on two floors of a spacious, airy loft-style unit, the showroom features 13-foot ceilings, open truss construction, steel balconies, hardwood floors, and large north-facing windows that look out over the San Gabriel Mountains.

“ALNO kitchens are known for their clean, elegant simplicity, and we wanted our showroom to reflect this design philosophy,” says Fred Crockett, president of ALNO Pasadena.

Green features of the showroom include passive solar energy to increase efficiency; adjustable sawtooth skylights to take advantage of mountain thermal airflows; and Icyne water-based foam to insulate the roof and walls.

“By using green manufacturing processes and creating products that have a very low environmental footprint, ALNO demonstrates its commitment to environmental responsibility every day. We wanted to accomplish the same goals with our showroom,” says Crockett.

With today’s consumers stressing the importance of high-end style with respect for the environment, it’s easy to see why luxury developers prefer ALNO. It comes as no surprise that Marco Astani, the developer of the new Concerto Residences and Loft in Los Angeles, selected ALNO kitchen cabinets for the prestigious project. The Concerto, which will consist of 271 residences and 77 lofts, is forecasted to epitomize high-rise luxury living in downtown L.A. ALNO was chosen as the Concerto’s kitchen cabinetry partner because of its experience working with the multi-housing industry and its progressive designs. With a comprehensive contract sales division, ALNO provides proprietary pricing, product quality assurance, on-time deliveries, and proactive customer service. ALNO’s contract division also provides unparalleled full-project management. The company specializes in design and installation while offering superior attention to detail. ALNO also extends the assistance of product specialists, beautifully designed presentations, and the latest appliances on the market.

“We work with numerous developers, designers and homeowners who are looking to incorporate eco-friendly luxury products into their projects,” said Crockett. “When I built the ALNO Pasadena showroom I knew that it would make for a beautiful and healthy space to work in, but I also knew that it would communicate to our clientele that being green is also at the heart of our products, manufacturing procedures and business.”

ALNO Pasadena
70 E Montecito Ave.
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
626.355.7500
www.alnopasadena.com

New York, circa 1908-America’s most promising city, in the midst of its great Gilded Age is bustling with vibrancy, panache and a keen sense of art-one could almost mistake the city for Renaissance Milan. In a charming nook on the Upper West Side, William Waldorf Astor, the world’s richest man, marvels at his latest creation, built as a tribute to the Pitti Palace. The largest apartment building for its time The Apthorp opens with much pomp and circumstance. Haute society from around the city converge as its intricate wrought iron gates open for the very first time…

The scene in present-day New York is quite different, as yellow cabs, clean air hybrid electric buses, and a bevy of pedestrians barrel down its streets. The city is now a vertical landscape of massive residential blocks and skyscrapers. But one thing remains the same: The Apthorp’s unmistakable splendor and sheer presence, stretching from West End Avenue to Broadway and 78th to 79th Streets, taking up a full city block. Through majestic vaulted arches those passing by still gaze into a massive 12,000-square-foot interior courtyard that is lushly planted with fountains and statues.

Now undergoing a stunning restoration, The Apthorp is setting out to reclaim its title as New York’s most prestigious address; modern amenities are seamlessly integrated into this turn-of-the-century architectural masterpiece. At the helm of the sales and marketing for these historic condominium homes is Prudential Douglas Elliman. Karen Mansour, Douglas Elliman’s director of sales and marketing, says, “The Apthorp is the preemi-nent building of the Upper West Side; this is a rare opportunity to own a pre-war, architectural gem of this caliber that’s also a condominium.” When asked to identify the key features that set this building apart from others, Mansour continued, “Noth-ing about this building is cookie-cutter. All of the units and floor plans are unique; the ceilings soar up to 11 feet, the windows are eight feet high. The volume of space simply stuns visitors. Formal living and dining rooms and grand entry galleries are unheard of in new developments, but come standard at The Apthorp. There are only a few buildings in New York that have an inner courtyard, and The Apthorp’s is the most memorable. It just takes your breath away-you feel like you’re in another world!”

To help restore and preserve this landmarked wonder, The Apthorp’s team of developers has enlisted the help of Fernando Papale and Ingrid Birkhofer of BP Architects. What cannot be restored to its original condition will be replicated, as is the case with plaster ornamentation and Herringbone floors where intricate design details are being painstakingly recreated. In addition, new homes will come equipped with central air conditioning, while powder rooms and bathrooms are enlarged to suit a modern lifestyle. “The fact that we are able to reinstate a magnificent architectural masterpiece of the ‘New York Golden Age’ and retrofit 21st century amenities to it without altering or disturbing the architectural language and its value is a true honor to us. There are very few examples, if any, in New York where this challenging approach has been taken,” says Papale.

When probing the existing structural elements Papale and Birkhofer discovered a beautiful 6-foot-wide by nine-foot, six-inch-tall by three-inch-thick chestnut hand-carved door that was buried in the thick terracotta walls dividing two great rooms in one of the larger unit apartments. They surmised that the original door was too big to be removed from the building (it does not fit in the elevators) so it was buried for at least 60 or 70 years and found in perfect condition. “The door will be reinstalled in the unit where it was found,” says Birkhofer, noting that every home is spectacular and singular, boasting intricate ceiling plasterwork, moldings, and hand-carved mantels not seen in any other residence.

One of the most “haute” homes is 6J-a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath apartment with northern and southern sun-filled exposures and a garden courtyard view. The home features a formal living room, grand dining room with seven-foot-high wainscoting, and a separate library. The residence also boasts three fireplaces (one in each social room), a 22.5-foot-long by 10.5-foot-wide foyer with hand-cut, fully restored mosaic tiles, and magnificent ornamental detailing throughout, such as carved-wood mantels with plaster details or appliqués. The near 3,100-square-foot residence is offered at $7.5 million.

In all, there are 32 homes available in the first offering, from one to five bedrooms. These range in price from $2 million to $15 million. They all feature grand foyers with original mosaic tile work combined with modern kitchens and bathrooms. Calacatta Gold marble, Nero Marquina and White Carrara marble finishes seem to effortlessly merge with the period detailing.  State-of-the-art kitchens come outfitted with Sub Zero, Wolf, and Miele appliances while master bedrooms now feature  large walk-in closets. All of these trappings come with the priceless perk of owning a piece of New York history perched atop West End Avenue-one of New York’s most prestigious locales.

The Apthorp
Historic Condominium Residences
390 West End Ave.
New York, NY 10024
212.799.2211
www.theapthorp.com

Code Restaurant Lounge
4221 Dolphin Striker Way
Newport Beach
949.861.4949

Restaurateur and entertainment entrepreneur Moe Ghazi knew what he was up to with the creation of Code. He envisioned the space of the über-sophisticated, Newport Beach restaurant and lounge in such a way that the dining room would be elevated around a center stage, making for the perfect venue for a chic suppertime show. Live entertainment includes everything from dance contests and DJs to themed entertainment from some of the most memorable eras of our time. Kenneth Ussenko designed Code according to three distinct design ideas. The “Champagne” space greets guests with a wall of Cristal; the “Wine” room features a 1,200-bottle glass display in the dining area; while “Ice” accents the dance floor with a glistening ice wall. Executive Chef Christopher Felippa has been pleasing the palates of the local foodies with an electric fusion of pan Asian, American, and creative small plates menus. The sushi roll list of options is endless and tempting, but halibut sashimi, seared Maine scallops, and filet mignon have been some of the standout entrées earning nods from the professional critics. If the nighttime club scene is not your thing, no need to fret, Code is also frequented during daytime hours by Orange County’s power lunchers.

Charlie Palmer
Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol St.
Costa Mesa
714.352.2525

When food and fashion meld together under one roof, the result is a dining establishment worthy of its luxury locale in one of the nation’s largest retail shopping malls, South Coast Plaza. Charlie Palmer’s has long been established as a go-to name in the world of fine dining, and since last May, it is the restaurant of choice for Orange County’s elite residents and visitors. The décor draws upon California’s legendary wine country for inspiration and employs reclaimed wine barrels in the flooring. Executive chef Amar Santana serves a menu with a progressive American flare with entrées like braised pork belly with persimmon, red wine poached tenderloin, kampachi sashimi with pickled celery salad, and black sea bass with melted vidalia onion and mushroom soy. Charlie Palmer’s Bloomingdale’s location serves as the perfect shopping break for those housewives  of Orange County who worked up an appetite during a heavy session of retail therapy.

Mastro’s Ocean Club
8112 E. Coast Hwy.
Newport Beach
949.376.6990

Receiving Zagat ratings, Michelin Guide mentions and best steakhouse awards from weekly and regional publications, the Mastro’s Restaurants group has mastered the art of grilling up a great steak. In Laguna Beach’s Crystal Cove Promenade, Mastro’s Ocean Club departs from the traditional meat menu of its sister corporate locales in Arizona, Beverly Hills, Thousand Oaks, and Costa Mesa, instead focusing on fish. While oversized portions are becoming a passé thing of the past, Mastro’s still serves up plates piled high with delectable treats. Oysters rockefeller, big-eye tuna and vanilla-battered sole and lobster tails are some of the favorite menu items. The interior décor is set for social hour, with three, 20-foot long counters forming an oversized horseshoe-shaped bar packed with the posh trendsetters in the O.C.’s 30- to 50-year-old demographic. Live entertainment and nightly dance parties have created buzz throughout the region for the dining establishment.

Serandi Salon
1833 South Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach
949.715.5115

As the former art director at the St. Regis Monarch Beach salon, Sergio Andrioli knows a thing or two about high-end styles. Now the owner and creative innovator of his own salon, Serandi, he is at the forefront of hair design in Laguna Beach. Andriloi has been making a name for himself with Orange County’s elite for constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional cutting and styling techniques. Armed with a high fashion background, he is well versed in runway trends, working photo shoots and fashion shows throughout his career. And while continuing education may conjure up nasty images of state licensing requirements, for Andrioli, timely training throughout the year on new products and creative precision skills is essential for the success of “Team Serandi.” In business for just over a year, Serandi Salon has proven successful in its efforts to transform the hair culture of Orange County.

The Spa at The Balboa Bay Club & Resort
1221 West Coast Hwy.
Newport Beach
949.630.4772

It is the ultimate way to spend the day, but not if you are a member of the general public. The Spa at The Balboa Bay Club & Resort is only available to members and guests of the luxury property, which is set on 15 acres of bayfront land. The Newport Beach spa claims to have unlocked the secrets to longevity, which includes honoring all aspects of the whole being. This could best be accomplished in the eucalyptus steam room or with luxury pampering treatments like the tri-crystal body glow or the best-selling ultimate caviar facial. A relaxation lounge with fireplaces invites clients to calm their mind and wrap up in the essence of tranquility. Therapies to cover all aspects of the physical body are on the service menu, including massages, skin treatments, and body therapies, as well as unique spa rituals which were designed to promote wellness and rejuvenation. Spa memberships are exclusively available for members of the resort.

On Que Style
2900 East Coast Hwy.
Corona Del Mar
949.877.7895

Orange County fashionistas can now breathe a sigh of relief thanks to On Que Style, the specialty boutique in Corona Del Mar. With striking designs, rare and beautiful collections, and couture fashion, stylist Kirsten Prosser opened this retail destination to bring sexy back to the O.C. Prosser is mixing things up by giving the ladies who lunch fashion forward and funky styles to update their wardrobes. This walk-in-closet-style studio is not only considered by Orange County’s shoppers-in-the-know to be the ultimate place for finding vintage treasures and unique pieces from luxury labels, it is also the haute venue for special events like Champagne trunk shows and fashion fundraisers. The boutique is fashionably quaint, allowing for easy access to the owner, where picking her brain for tips on trends is welcomed and recommended. She is stunning, so what woman wouldn’t want Prosser to serve as her personal fashion police?

St. Regis Monarch Beach
One Monarch Beach Resort
Dana Point
949.234.3200

The St. Regis brand is synonymous with luxury travel, so it comes as no surprise that St. Regis Monarch Beach is the only Mobil Five Star and AAA Five Diamond resort in the state of California. Situated on 172 acres of dramatic cliffs that loom above the coastline of the Pacific, the Tuscan-style property features 400 guest rooms and suites, including two 1,500-square-foot Monarch suites and two 3,100-square-foot presidential suites that are only accessible with a private elevator key. The enjoyment of the finer things is paramount here, and what better way to partake in life’s pleasures than with a game of golf or tennis? Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the 18-hole course, while the Tennis Club is equipped with eight lighted hard courts. After working up a sweat, take a plunge into one of the three on-site pools, and then head over to the 30,000-square-foot Spa Gaucin for a mint foot treatment, chardonnay sugar scrub, or scalp escape. Whatever way you choose to indulge, St. Regis Monarch Beach was designed with an appreciation for the good life.

Montage Laguna Beach
30801 South Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach
866.271.6953

When it comes to retreats for the Hollywood elite, Montage Laguna Beach is not quite what one would consider an under-the-radar resort. Encompassing 30 acres high atop a 50-foot coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Montage is as picturesque to look at as from a distance as are the panoramic vistas from within the opulent suites. In keeping with the artistic style of Laguna Beach, the craftsman-style architecture of the property serves as an ode to the quintessential image of the laid-back Southern California lifestyle. The awards from the travel glossies and top nods from tourism execs are endless, making Montage a preferred locale for those who know how to relax in style. The 250 rooms feature feather-top beds with 400-thread count linens and 100 percent goose down pillows. When a spa day is just what the doctor ordered, the oceanfront Spa Montage offers 20 different treatment rooms to enrich body, mind, and spirit. Appreciation of the arts is a key component of Montage Laguna Beach, therefore the resort showcases a museum quality collection of fine art with pieces from Alfred Mitchell, William Wendt, Edgar Payne, and Jean Mannheim.

The Resort at Pelican Hill
22701 Pelican Hill Rd. South
Newport Coast
949.467.6800

This luxury locale opened to rave reviews in late 2008 and has kept its name on the lips of elite travelers ever since. The architectural style of The Resort at Pelican Hill is based on the visions of Italy’s Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio, delivering an ambiance of Old World traditions mixed with modern day amenities. The timeless curves of the Roman coliseum inspired one of the swimming pools, which is adorned with 1.1 million hand-cut glass mosaic tiles. Two championship golf courses, designed by Tom Fazio, a 23,000-square-foot spa, and several Italian-inspired dining venues grace the property. Located between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, The Resort at Pelican Hill features 204 bungalows and bungalow suites, along with 128 villas. Executive chef Jean-Pierre Dubray from the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco is tending to the menus of all of the restaurants, to the delight of Orange County food connoisseurs.

Tom Purves has loved cars for as long as he can remember. “My father was involved in auto sales and growing up I read every issue of Autosport Magazine,” he explains from his Goodwood office, two hours southwest of London, where he currently heads up one of the world’s most prestigious auto companies: Rolls-Royce. The headquarters’ bucolic surroundings look more like an academic campus than an industrial one. Yet the unassuming buildings house a dynamic team of professionals who are innovating the auto world while paying the utmost respects to the brand’s revered history.

The team Purves leads has a median age of just 34, and is made up of representatives of some 20 different nationalities. These talented specialists are the modern day executors of Henry Royce’s vision of building the best, which attracted Purves to the car company from the very beginning. When he reached university age, his father encouraged him to go into the world of finance as a chartered accountant-the title given to business professionals in the U.K. who have undergone a set of rigorous exams and completed a number of years of work experience. But Purves would not be dissuaded from his passion. “I went and got an apprenticeship with the Rolls-Royce Company instead.”

The apprenticeship program proved to be a very good system of training. “It gave us a good perspective, because it was fully integrated,” he explains. He was technically an apprentice engineer, but explains, “I saw the whole process from start to finish.” As he became more familiar with the different sides of the operation, he realized that he found the business side a bit more compelling. “I would keep a change of business clothes with me,” he recalls, “so that I could go from the plant to meeting with customers.”

Since joining Rolls-Royce in 1967, Purves has held various roles, first as an apprentice then in various management positions. He joined BMW in 1985, and served as Chairman and CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corp., and President of BMW of North America, from 1999 to 2008. He rejoined Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited as CEO in July of last year. He is proud to note that, all these decades later, the company’s basic philosophy is still in tact. “Henry Royce’s motto was ‘Whatever is rightly done, no matter how humble, is noble.’ This principle is still evident in all of Rolls-Royce’s operations. The brand always aims to be the pinnacle of the automobile industry, whatever the era.”

In this era, it means an extended company. “We had a major increase in investment in 2003 that allowed us to open a new plant and debut new products,” he explains. “Being the pinnacle today means being at the forefront of technological innovation.”

The Phantom, which entered the market that year, is perhaps the best symbol for Rolls-Royce’s current era. It is incredibly stylish in a classical way, and the technological innovations that go into it ensure gliding, noiseless movement. While the four-door Phantom remains the automaker’s best-selling model, in the subsequent years, Rolls-Royce has followed up with variations on the original Phantom design: the Extended Wheelbase Phantom, in 2005; the Phantom Drophead Coupé, in 2007; and the Phantom Coupé, which debuted at the 2008 Geneva International Auto Show.

Not one to rest on its laurels, the luxury car company is constantly innovating and refining. In February, it unveiled the Rolls-Royce 200EX, the one-off, experimental forerunner to the Rolls-Royce Ghost production car.

“If the Phantom is a tux, then the Ghost is a well-cut business suit,” explains Purves. “It’s less of a ‘special-day’ car than the Phantom.” Certainly the Ghost is smaller, lower, and more agile, making it more city-friendly. The Ghost will have a 6.6-liter turbo-charged V12 engine, unique to Rolls-Royce. The engine will be combined with an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox, and this new drive-train will significantly improve fuel and CO2 efficiency over the already class-leading Phantom series of cars. Engine power will be upwards of 500bhp. When combined with the lower price point, the Ghost is attracting the interest of first-time buyers. “We have shown in New York, Singapore, Italy, and Shanghai, and 85 percent of the people who have shown interest are not current Rolls-Royce owners,” he explains.

With the new clients and new markets (the company has seen a substantial growth of sales in Eastern cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Beijing, and Moscow), the company is experiencing an upward trend, despite a downed global economy. However, he explains that there is more resilience in classic European and American markets. “We see more of a change in the countries where we had seen a lot of growth in recent years.”

That said, Rolls-Royce is not-and never has been-for everyone. “The nature of the Rolls-Royce is that it is and has always been a very aspirational car,” he says. “We have a very limited customer base, and this is by design. We have limitations based on the number of cars we can produce, and we cannot go beyond those, as they are imposed by our plant the number of cars we are capable of manufacturing.” To be sure, it is an exclusive product; only 1,212 models were sold worldwide in 2008, attesting to the brand’s self-selectivity.

With the long history, Purves often gets asked how relevant Rolls-Royce is today, and he is quick to emphasize that Rolls-Royce is not an antique brand; the technological advancements of the current models attest to that fact. However, the long background provides ample reason for the stellar reputation. “Ninety-six percent of the Rolls-Royce’s ever produced are still on the road. That’s tremendous!” With such rigorous standards of excellence, Rolls-Royce will continue to trump the competition, regardless of market, model, or recession.

The Legendary Estates of Beverly Hills takes readers inside the front gates and behind the hedges of 50 of America’s most coveted estates. More than 350 color photographs offer readers never-before-seen views of these mansions, their interiors, and their grounds and gardens today.

This 428-page, 12-inch by 16-inch book’s authoritative text reveals the fascinating histories of each estate, from the inspired vision of the original owners and their architects, to the often-surprising lives of the many famed residents, including their intrigues, tragedies, and romances. Historical photographs pay homage to a dozen “Gone But Not Forgotten” estates that have disappeared forever.

Never before has a book offered such an intimate, well-researched, and alluring look at these much-admired estates, which have been homes to countless celebrities and wealthy families for almost a century. www.thelegendaryestatesofbeverlyhills.com

Jeffrey Hyland is president of Hilton & Hyland, the preeminent real estate brokerage firm in Beverly Hills. www.hiltonhyland.com

Bellagio Road
Bel-Air

In August 1930, famed architect Wallace Neff received a telephone call that he would never forget. Powerful Hollywood mogul Sol Wurtzel wanted Neff to design his new mansion in Bel-Air.

Neff knew that the Wurtzels would be a “handful.” Sol Wurtzel, general superintendent of Fox Pictures, was a feared, take-no-prisoners studio mogul. Marian Wurtzel was temperamental and opinionated, and she would have plenty of time to meddle in the new home’s design and construction.

Neff took the job, because Southern California’s once-robust economy had contracted painfully after the 1929 stock market crash. Moreover, the mansion’s budget was $100,000, a huge sum in Depression-era dollars.

The Wurtzel commission proved to be the headache that Neff had anticipated, but Marian was more difficult than her feared husband. Their disagreements about the estate were never-ending. “It’s been a long, tough battle with your mother,” Sol wrote to his daughter at school in Paris, “but I finally won out.”

The Italian Renaissance mansion, true to Neff’s form, was a masterpiece. The front door led into a very large-and very grand-oval reception room with the curving grand staircase on one side. To the right was the huge living room with French doors leading to the arched loggia. To the left of the reception room was the dining room and breakfast room, both opening onto their loggia, and the kitchen and service wing. The second floor contained the library and four master bedrooms. (In 1939, Neff added a magnificent terrace, swimming pool, and loggia on flat land just west of the main house.)

Marian, who loved to spend money, furnished the mansion with reproduction antique furniture, purchased fine English silver for their dinner parties, and secured crystal chandeliers during one trip to Italy. She bought furs and jewels for herself. She imagined herself an artist-she loved to paint pictures while sitting on the loggias-and she hung some of her favorite works throughout the mansion.

Meanwhile, Sol earned the money to pay for the Bellagio Road establishment. He churned out an endless string of “B” movies, chiefly murder mysteries. One wag quipped that the output at the Fox studio was “going from bad to Wurtzel.”

When Marian learned that one of the Fox starlets was going to have Sol’s child, she stormed off to Europe. He begged her to return. She refused. Later, the contentious couple reconciled, and they were still married when he died in 1958.

By then, they had already sold their Bel-Air estate, which had a series of famous residents: eccentric aviation pioneer Howard Hughes; Prince Rainier of Monaco, who lived at the estate while he was courting Grace Kelly prior to their 1956 marriage; and Elvis Presley, who needed a home while he was making some of his popular films in the early 1960s.

Word of Elvis Presley living in Bel-Air quickly spread among his fans. In February 1961, two Bel-Air teenager girls snuck onto the estate and into the mansion while Presley was out of town, and they stole some of his sweaters, jackets, a black kimono, photographs, and records. Their parents discovered their daughters’ loot, and the “souvenirs” were returned to Presley.

The current owners of this estate have always admired its beauty, and their improvements have only enhanced its magnificence. Today, the estate is one of the prized properties of Old Bel-Air.

Foothill Road
Beverly Hills

In Beverly Hills, almost all the Legendary Estates are located in the hills above famed Sunset Boulevard…with one splendid exception: this 1920s estate on palm-lined Foothill Road in the Beverly Hills “flats.”

This mansion’s wrought-iron balconies, beautiful cast-stone embellishments, and a soaring trifoliate window give the residence the exotic air of a land-locked Venetian palazzo. Its interior is richly embellished with black and white marble floors, more elaborate wrought iron, colorful hand-painted tiles, and boldly stenciled beams.

This estate was the wedding gift of Beverly Hills Realtor James Cornelius to his wife, Ruth Clifford, following their 1924 marriage. While forgotten today, the petite attractive Ruth Clifford was one of the brightest stars in 1920s Hollywood.

If this were a movie, the couple would have lived happily ever after. But, alas, they didn’t. By 1926, the couple started nearly a decade of on-again/off-again separations and reconciliations.

Meanwhile, neighbors were gossiping about the underground tunnels connecting the estate to the adjacent properties to the north and south. Who built the tunnels-and why? Prohibition. The underground ballroom, speakeasy, and concealed bar allowed for quick exits to neighboring properties they owned when the cops were called. In fact, there was more square footage below ground, with the steam room, bathrooms, and hideaways, than were contained on the two levels above ground.

In 1934, Ruth filed for divorce because of her husband’s infidelities. When it was time to determine child support, Cornelius tearfully claimed that he was dependent on his mother for money. The judge believed him, and Ruth was awarded $75 a month.

Although Ruth left the Foothill Road estate in the early 1930s, she had the last laugh. She worked in films, TV, and theater into the 1960s and 1970s. She was even, upon occasion, the voice of Minnie Mouse in Walt Disney cartoons. Before her death in 1998 at age 98, she had become a revered living landmark of early Hollywood. Every year, journalists and historians made pilgrimages to her home to learn about the golden age of silent film.

Back on Foothill Road, Ruth’s home had various owners and tenants during the 1930s and 1940s. In the 1950s, new owners purchased the property, and it remains in their family today, a splendidly preserved reminder of 1920s Beverly Hills.

While Hollywood and Beverly Hills have long been known as California’s home for glitz and glam, Orange County’s emergence in recent years as a power player in the world of wealth has taken no one that lives there by surprise. With a foundation based in oil and agriculture until the 1950s, the region spent the latter half of the 20th century living in the shadows of the City of Angels as its all-American suburban sibling. (In the mid-1950s tract housing replaced Orange County farms faster than any other U.S. community.) But in the 21st century, Orange County has evolved into one of the wealthiest zip codes in the country.

In the 2008 TNS report, Orange County is listed fourth when it comes to the most millionaire households in the U.S., with more than 115,000 (defined as those with at least $1 million in net worth, in addition to their primary residence). And on the 2008 Forbes list of top 500 wealthiest American zip codes, Orange County claims five spots in the top 50, with Newport Coast’s 92657 reigning in at No. 4. Naturally several zips in Newport Beach made the cut, along with Corona del Mar, San Clemente, Trabuco Canyon, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Dana Point, and Santa Ana.

The O.C. (as it is referred to in modern pop culture) is the fifth largest county in the nation, with population estimates pinpointing more than three million residents within the 34 incorporated cities. As one of the wealthiest regions per capita in the country, Orange County’s opulence comes from more than just material wealth. Natural beauty abounds within the county’s borders, which cover 798 square miles, including 42 miles of some of the most visually arresting coastlines in the world.

Donald Bren: The O.C.’s Protector

While strategically planned commercial and residential development is essential for any community to thrive, in today’s eco-conscious society, a balance between growth and the preservation of Mother Nature’s gifts is just as genius of a strategy for success. Donald Bren, a Newport Beach resident and chairman of Irvine Company, is one of Orange County’s most notable leaders in this realm of thinking. He could be considered “The Protector” of all-things-Orange, as his real estate development company has managed to preserve more than 50,000 acres of land for environmental and natural recreational uses, all while constructing some of the most defining luxury properties in the county, including the famed Fashion Island.

The 93,000-acre master planned community, Irvine Ranch, is home not only to more than 230,000 residents, but also to various plant and animal species, who, thanks to Bren, will forever be safe in their natural habitat. The Ranch encompasses one-fifth of Orange County, and under Bren’s philosophy of purposeful and protective land stewardship only 43,000 acres will ever be available for development. The company prides itself on its legacy of conservation, and as such has worked with the U.S. Department of Interior and the State of California to have much of Irvine Ranch declared a National Natural Landmark and a California Natural Landmark. Bren’s dedication to protecting Orange County’s nonrenewable land resources is as commendable as his tenacious business ventures. His $50 million commitment to the Irvine Ranch Conservancy program will guarantee the company’s guiding principles of thoughtful development based on environmentally sound sustainability.

Bren is not only internationally renowned for his real estate portfolio, which includes Island Hotel Newport Beach, Hyatt Regency Irvine, and The Resort at Pelican Hill, he is also a revered philanthropist. In 2008, BusinessWeek magazine listed Bren as No. 9 in the nation of “The 50 Most Generous Philanthropists,” with lifetime giving estimates exceeding $1.3 billion. He is one of only 31 people to make the Forbes 400 list every year since its inception in 1982, leading one to believe that Bren is a man who knows a little something about protecting his wealth. Today he owns and/or manages 400 office buildings, 40 retail centers, and 90 apartment communities, hotels, marinas, and golf courses.

Hadi Makarechian: The Visionary

Iranian-born Hadi Makarechian also has his finger on the pulse of luxury growth in the region. When Ayatollah Khomeini returned to power in Iran in 1979 and the Makarechian family’s vast financial wealth was seized at gunpoint, Hadi fled his native land with wife and kids in tow. Though many would have been paralyzed by such a traumatic life change, leaving everything behind did not hinder Makarechian’s optimistic view of life’s endless possibilities. He instantly set about rebuilding his life and his wealth in the U.S., and less than two decades after arriving on the shores of freedom, his vision of constructing and selling more than 30,000 homes in California and the southwest had come to fruition.

He is the chairman, CEO, and president of Capital Pacific Holdings Inc., as well as the chairman of Makar Properties, where his sons Paul and Cyrus guide daily operations as CEO and executive vice president, respectively. In 2008, the Orange County Business Journal, estimated the family’s wealth at $600 million, thanks in part to their amenity-rich luxury resorts like the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point. In 2007, Makar Properties bought America’s largest hotel, the Hilton Anaheim, for an estimated $160 million and spent $50 million renovating it. In 2006 they added the Wyndham Orange County hotel to their list of investments, at a cost of $42 million.

With more than $10 billion currently invested in development projects, the Makarechians plan to be quite busy, despite economic forecasting. Their visions for future development include a 21,000-acre master planned community in Colorado Springs, and their largest Orange County development to date, Pacific City. Located on 31 acres in Huntington Beach, the property plans are set to include a 200-room W Hotel, and 191,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and offices and more than 500 condos. In Dana Point, Makar is building luxury coastal homes, including Pointe Monarch at St. Regis.

Henry Segerstrom: The Giver

When legends are told of the transformation of Orange County from a farming town to one that embraces the luxury lifestyle, Henry Segerstrom’s name will be on record as “The Giver.” Segerstrom and his late wife Renée pioneered the advancement of arts in Orange County in 1979 with a five-acre donation towards a central arts venue. In the subsequent decades, the Segerstroms would give six more acres and more than $60 million dollars to the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s expansion project, which includes the Concert Hall, designed by Segerstrom family friend, architect Cesar Pelli. After a $200 million fundraising campaign, today’s campus houses Segerstrom Hall, a 3,000-seat opera house, the 2,000-seat Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, the 500-seat multi-functional Samueli Theater, 250-seat Founders Hall, and 46,000-square-foot community plaza.

Henry Segerstrom is not only revered in Orange County for giving to the arts. As the managing partner of C. J. Segerstrom & Sons, a real estate development and management firm headquartered in Costa Mesa, he also gave America one of its largest shopping venues, South Coast Plaza. The 2.8 million-square-foot retail center opened in 1967 on the family’s former lima bean farm and today is home to everything high-end, leading Segerstrom to view Paris’ Champs Élysées and London’s Bond Street as some of his elite competitors. Nordstrom and Saks, Baccarat, Bulgari, Cartier, Tiffany, Burberry, and Chanel are some of the luxury brands that have attracted more than 24 million annual visitors to South Coast Plaza. With more than 280 stores, sales figures are in the $1.5 billion range, annually.

John McMonigle: The Seller

If Orange County developers can build it, then John McMonigle can certainly sell it.

In the past five years, his firm, the McMonigle Group, has sold more than $2.1 billion in real estate. With their new 20,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in Newport Beach (they just moved in this past January), McMonigle is expecting to break more records in 2009, just as they did in 2008. McMonigle is one of the elite sellers of mega mansions for Irvine Company, not to mention that through his partnership with development company, Monarch Estates, he is overseeing the construction of a $90 million spec home in one of Donald Bren’s luxury developments. He is often called upon by the media as the foremost expert in residential real estate and has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Access Hollywood, The Insider, and HGTV. In 2007, the McMonigle Group was named the best-selling real estate team in the nation by LORE Magazine and the Wall Street Journal.

Igor Olenicoff: The Risk Taker and George Argyros: The Ambassador

Naturally, exploring the growth of Orange County would not be complete without a mention of Igor Olenicoff and George Argyros, who rank at 522 and 559 on the 2009 Forbes list of world billionaires. Russian-born Olenicoff runs Olen Properties’ 6.4 million square feet of commercial space and 11,800 residential units. He risked the loss of his fortune when he paid $52 million in back taxes as part of a plea deal with the U.S. government in 2008.

Argyros, the former U.S. Ambassador to Spain, operates Orange County real estate ventures through the 40-year-old privately owned Arnel & Affiliates. He made his fortune by selling and leasing land to oil companies to set up gas stations, and is currently the chairman and CEO for the real estate investment firm that owns and manages 5,200 apartments and 2.5 million square feet of commercial space.

David Sun and John Tu: The Creators

While development is the first and most obvious category to consider when delving into Orange County’s growth, the power players are not limited to real estate corporations. Take, for example, David Sun and John Tu, creators of high-tech memory modules and co-owners of Kingston Technology Co., in Fountain Valley. In a year when most of the world’s wealthy are seeing their portfolios plummet, Sun and Tu’s estimated earnings jumped, placing them above Henry Samueli and Henry Nicholas of Broadcom Corp., according to the 2008 Orange County Business Journal report. The computer memory products creators posted record sales of more than $4.5 billion in 2007 and in September 2008, Forbes ranked the co-owners at $2.5 billion each.

Sun, born in Taiwan, and Tu, born in China came to the United States in the 1970s. They spent the following years creating Kingston, so they could sell it in 1996 to Softbank Corp. for $1.5 billion. The pair garnered national attention when they shared the wealth from that sale by giving company workers $100 million in bonuses. Perhaps this act of generosity contributed to their inclusion on Fortune magazine’s “Best Companies to Work for in America” list. Three years later they bought Kingston back at a discounted rate. Today the technology giant creates more than 2,000 memory products for various technological devices including computers, servers, printers, MP3 players, digital cameras, and cell phones.

Kobe Bryant: The Entertainer

While these corporate tycoons are leading their industries from behind the desks of their corporate offices, another Orange County resident makes his power plays on the hard court, entertaining not only Southern California residents, but basketball fans across the nation. NBA phenomenon Kobe Bryant owns a Mediterranean-style home in the Newport Coast gated community of Ocean Ridge, with his wife and Huntington Beach native, Vanessa. At the time of print, the L.A. Lakers guard is hoping to entertain hordes of Lakers fans in a victory against the Houston Rockets in the playoffs and once again go on to a national title. Bryant is considered to be such a pivotal personality in the world of entertainment that he attracted the attention of movie producer and director Spike Lee, who just premiered his documentary, Kobe Doin’ Work, at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. Lee employed the use of 30 different cameras to capture Bryant’s every move in an April 2008 game against the San Antonio Spurs. Bryant then recorded a commentary for the film, describing his thought process behind each shot, screen, and pass.

With these power players living in Orange County and masterfully leading its growth and development, it is clear that the success of their entrepreneurial efforts is a source of pride in the region. No longer living in the shadows of its Hollywood neighbor, there is no mistake that in the 21st century, Orange County has defined itself as a luxury destination, fully capable of supporting and catering to the whims of the wealthy.