HL We are, of course, familiar with MiaCucina, but please explain who Record Cucine is.
Mark Murphy, CEO of MiaCucina Record is a family-owned Italian manufacturer of quality kitchens and is part of a larger group that also produces closets and children’s furniture. Record Cucine has been producing quality kitchens for more than 30 years in Northern Italy, and we feel their energetic management style and leading design team enables MiaCucina to continue with its longstanding tradition of exceeding its customers’ expectations.

HL MiaCucina has been in the cabinetry business for many years. What is it about Record Cucine that made it interesting for MiaCucina to bring them into their line of products?
MM Our customers are a very discerning and demanding group, and we needed a company that could exceed their expectations as well as fit into our corporate mind set. Throughout the years, we have developed very good relationships throughout Italy. Recently, we have been using our contacts in the region to find a company that offers the leading designs that we are looking for and has the capability and enthusiasm to work within our markets. With Record Cucine, we feel we have succeeded in finding a perfect match for our customers and for us. Record brings quality, leading design, and production flexibility to the table.

HL Wow, that really is an impressive statement considering the reputation MiaCucina has in our community. What does this mean for your customers?
MM Nothing is more important and more valuable to us than our client base. More than 75 percent of our business comes from the referrals of past customers, and we feel this is because we take care of them. As part of our research, we thoroughly investigated Record’s reputation and quality controls, and we feel we have made a substantial improvement in terms of quality and design by bringing in Record. With Record, we will be able to provide a wider variety of materials, a greater variety of options, and still maintain a cost-effective pricing structure that our customers appreciate.

HL You mention a wide variety of materials and options. What are some of these options and materials that you think people will find appealing?
MM In terms of materials, we are seeing a lot of interest in the glossy lacquered woods—wood veneers with a clear coat of lacquer on them. The clear lacquer brings a depth and beauty to the material that you need to see to truly appreciate. What is fantastic about this is we can use sustainable woods and produce a product that looks both elegant and exotic.

Lately, we see our customers requesting more interesting lighting options and the elimination of handles. Some of the exciting new standard features include several types of fully integrated under-cabinet and IN-cabinet lighting systems, including LED lighting, no handle door opening systems, Complanar door opening systems, and numerous types of door-opening hinges. With Record, we can easily accommodate these requests.

HL We see that MiaCucina continues to be involved within the community by promoting various charities and hosting dinner events at your showrooms. What else is on the horizon for MiaCucina?
MM Thanks to our customers, we have been able to help various charities and organizations in our community, and in the end it benefits everyone. Our next venture involves taking our business model and relationships to both a national and international level through our sister company, Mia. We are looking for entrepreneurs with a similar mindset towards delivering quality products and providing exceptional customer service. We have already established arrangements in Mexico and Panama, and several more locations are in the works. It is all very exciting but our core strategy remains the same: Do what you say you are going to do and do it in the time frame you say you are going to do it.

Mia Cucina
Coral Gables Showroom
105 Miracle Mile
305.444.7383

Aventura Showroom
20385 Biscayne Blvd. Ste J
305.792.9494

Twitter, it appears, is the new black. The international phenomenon of “tweeting”, which has engaged text-happy fingers across the globe and provided a public forum for everyone from your neighbor to Oprah Winfrey to Iranian national leaders, allows users to transmit their thoughts, daily activities, and multimedia content across web lines to “followers” in 140 characters or less. To date, Twitter attracts 54 million visitors a month, and apparently all those tweets are adding up to a whole lot of money.

The free social networking and micro-blogging start-up service, which was created in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, is set to raise about $100 million of new funding that would value the company at around $1 billion. Despite previous claims that they would remain independent, Twitter is said to be nearing a deal with up to seven different investors, including Insight Venture Partners, T. Rowe Price, and current Twitter backers Spark Capital and Institutional Venture Partners.

The company still isn’t generating any real revenue, though various options have been discussed including advertising and premium services for businesses, but after their last round of fund-raising, which left them with a reported $25 million still in the bank, they surely aren’t hurting like some less recession-proof companies. So what’s the deal, so to speak?

All signs seem to point to some good old competition. Facebook, a global social networking website that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc., recently reached 300 million members and Twitter is trying to catch up. Chamath Palihapitiya, a Facebook Vice President, told the technology blog VentureBeat that Twitter was now in “the rearview mirror”, a statement that apparently didn’t sit too well with Twitter executives. Both companies are focused on eventually reaching a billion users around the world, which is nearly the entire population of the Internet.

This may seem like an ambitious goal, but despite the fact that the company has never actually brought in any significant revenue of its own, Twitter still manages to raise an exorbitant amount of money and score an impressive valuation, having quadrupled in value in less than a year. I may not be a business expert, but how often do you hear of a company that is capable of that?

Via NY Times, Bits NY Times, WSJ Blogs

Haute Living first launched as a small local publication dedicated to the happenings of Miami’s real estate industry. The first issue was less than 80 pages pages and featured one of the area’s most impressive properties on the cover. It only took a few months before the publication progressed from a trade magazine to a trusted source about the region’s luxury lifestyle, and the content progressed as well. By our fifth issue, Summer 2005, we had landed one of the biggest names in the entire luxury world—Donald Trump—and ever since then, the publication has been on fire.

We have expanded into four markets—first New York in 2007, followed by Los Angeles in 2008, and San Francisco earlier this year. Our welcoming in each of those regions has been overwhelming, but we never forgot our roots. So we would like to take this special opportunity to reflect not only on our past, but on those who made the magazine stand out amongst the other local publications that have risen and fallen during our tenure as Miami’s premier luxury lifestyle magazine. It is our way of saying thanks to those who made Haute Living what it is today. Here is an update on a select number of our cover features who continue to make an impact on our region today.Cover: Donald Trump
Issue: Summer 2005

When Haute Living had the opportunity to feature Donald Trump, it allowed us to break our mold of featuring the most impressive properties on the cover to featuring the most impressive man behind such properties. It was before Trump launched The Apprentice, so we beat the media blitz that followed his first utterance of “You’re fired.” At the time, Trump was making a mark on South Florida with his condo projects in Sunny Isles and his real estate holdings in Palm Beach, which included the impressive Mar-a-Lago estate. Since 2005, his impact on the region has done nothing but grow exponentially. The Trump name is ubiquitous throughout South Florida, from the Trump Grande and Trump Towers in Sunny Isles to Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, with the Trump International Hotel & Tower coming soon to Ft. Lauderdale. It actually was Michael and Gil Dezer, Trump’s partners on a number of development projects, who introduced him to the idea of branding the towers with the Trump name, and Trump Towers now exist in cities around the globe.Cover: Philippe Starck
Issue: September/October 2005

Philippe Starck can be credited with creating a particular code for Miami cool. As the designer of Ian Schrager’s Delano property, he kicked off the movement that led away from large hotel designs to boutique dreamscapes, one that has been copied the world over. He has been hailed (even by Haute Living) as the world’s leading designer of luxury restaurant, hotel, and real estate properties. Luckily for Miamians, we have an abundance of his great works dotting our shorelines. He is responsible for the designs of the Delano, Icon South Beach, and the new Icon Brickell, which opened this year. The property is being heralded as his greatest work yet, as it creates another worldly experience from the moment one enters the property by passing through the enormous sculpture garden of 100 twenty-two-foot-high columns inspired by the Maoi structures of Easter Island.

His tour in Miami will not end there. He has signed on as the exclusive design partner for SBE, entrepreneur Sam Nazarian’s entertainment and hospitality group. SBE is in the midst of transforming the former Ritz Plaza on South Beach into an SLS, using the highly successful Hollywood locale as a model.Cover: Giuseppi Cipriani
Issue: November/December 2005 and March/April 2007

From Italy to New York, the Cipriani name has long been synonymous with the good life. Since Haute Living strives to bring our readers information about the good life, we first featured Giuseppe Cipriani in 2005, when he announced the Cipriani Residences at 55 Wall Street. Two years later, he decided to bring his unique brand of hospitality south by launching the Cipriani Ocean Resort and Club Residences, a joint venture with developer Ugo Colombo’s CMC Group. The photo shoot of these two moguls took place at the Saxony hotel on Miami Beach, the future home of the resort/condominium condo. Spending a day with the two friends was an uplifting experience, as they were so inspired by the project at hand, ready to bring a taste of old-world glamour and charm back to the city. The project received its final financing in September of 2008, and CMC Group was ready to get started on construction. The company had just finished putting the final touches on the EPIC Hotel & Residences in Brickell, which opened at the end of last year to rave reviews. As for Cipriani Ocean Resort and Club Residences, interior demolition on the Saxony is underway, and the new tower is expected to break ground shortly. The current projections have the property opening summer 2010, bringing a taste of la dolce vita to the sands of South Beach.Cover: Ian Schrager
Issue: May/June 2006

Just like Philippe Starck, Schrager can be credited with helping to kick off South Beach’s heyday as a luxury destination, a trend that is still running strong. His Delano Hotel has long been the go-to destination for the haute jet set, and in New York, he is known for his luxury properties such as 40 Bond and 50 Gramercy Park. But here in Miami, he is working on a new breed of luxury: affordable. While details on his new hotel project (designed by John Pawson) are scarce, we do know that it is slated to be on Miami Beach. In addition, he has partnered with the JW Marriott to create a new type of hotel that will combine the service that JW Marriott is known for with the boutique feel that Schrager has made his trademark. With as many as 100 properties in the works, Miami is likely going to be home to one of these unique hospitality havens.Cover: Mohamed Ali Alabbar
Issue: July/August 2006

Haute Living Miami has dedicated two issues in the past five years to the burgeoning city-state of Dubai. A paradoxical world of wonder, Dubai captured our imagination from the get-go. From the man-made islands in the shape of the world to the incredible Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest structure, we were just in awe with every piece of news that came out of the desert. And to have the chairman of Emaar Properties, Mohamed Ali Alabbar, on the cover of one of our issues was such an honor. Emaar Properties is responsible for some of the region’s greatest residential developments, including Emirates Hills, Dubai Marina, The Meadows, The Greens, The Views, The Springs, Arabian Ranches, The Lakes, Emaar Towers, and the aforementioned Burj Dubai, an engineering feat that developers around the world will be scrambling to beat for decades. Beyond the development range, Alabbar is active in the betterment of Dubai as a whole through his plans to revolutionize and deliver much-needed health and education products worldwide. He puts these ideas to use through Emaar Healthcare Group and Emaar Education, which, when combined with the hospitality, hotels and resorts, malls, and commercial leasing divisions, will help the company reach Vision 2010, as Emaar strives to become one of the most valuable companies in the world by next year.Cover: Jade Jagger
Issue: September/October 2006

When we featured Jade Jagger, the beautiful daughter of crooner Mick, she was just cutting her teeth in the design world. Along with partner Tom Bartlett, a London-based architect, she had just launched “Jade Jagger for YOO,” the design division of the international über-development firm founded by Philippe Starck and real estate magnet John Hitchcox. At the time of the feature, Jagger’s first major YOO project, Jade, a 57-unit building in New York City, had just opened for sales. Mere weeks after the launch of Jade NYC, the project had created press coverage worth $2.3 million. The $90 million Manhattan condo tower features the famous daughter’s interior designs. Shortly after the sales office opened in New York, she headed south to Miami for the groundbreaking of the now-complete Icon Brickell, with designs courtesy of YOO by Philippe Starck. Jade Jagger for YOO is currently working on projects in Turkey, Morocco, and England. Last year, she partnered with Belvedere on the $250,000 Jagger Ice Dagger, which took a common ice pick and turned it into something truly beautiful and desirable. She also promotes Jezebel (her middle name and alter ego), a lifestyle venture that fuses music, fashion, and clothing through unique recordings and art. During Winter Music Conference 2009 in Miami, Jezebel hosted one of the most exclusive soirees in the city at the Mondrian South Beach. The gathering was modeled after Jagger’s legendary parties in Ibiza.Cover: Aby Rosen
Issue: November/December 2006

In “The Art of the Deal,” Haute Living’s cover feature on real estate tycoon and noted art collector Aby Rosen, we detailed how a close business relationship with Ian Schrager first brought Rosen to our fair city when the duo partnered on the Delano. We mentioned barely in passing his work on the development of the W South Beach, where he partnered with developer David Edelstein. At the time, the property was nothing more than a hole in the ground where a Holiday Inn had stood only a year prior. In an era of stalled projects and building delays, the W South Beach and The Residences at W South Beach recently opened as one of Miami Beach’s great success stories. Built from the ground up in a few short years, the W South Beach quietly opened its doors in June, yet quickly attracted a regular crowd of Miami A-listers and international jetsetters. The strikingly serene and modern property proudly displays pieces from Rosen’s personal art collection, including works by Andy Warhol, Kenny Scharf, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and George Condo.Cover: Shaquille O’Neal
Issue: January/February 2007

Since appearing in Haute Living, the Heat’s biggest star turned in his Miami jersey to play for the Phoenix Suns followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers. When the basketball superstar left Miami, the city mourned; not only was he an inspiration to watch in the American Airlines Arena, he was incredibly involved in the community, even being named an honorary reserve police officer in Miami, a duty he took seriously. He memorably placed some misbehaving thugs under arrest one night on South Beach. His larger-than-life personality was a welcome addition to South Florida, and he didn’t shy away from the cameras and local establishments, as many celebrities in our midst so often do.

During his tenure in Miami, Shaq launched The O’Neal Group, which formalized the athlete’s long-standing love of real estate. The company partnered with MDM Development Group on Metropolitan Miami, a $1 billion mixed-use project on 9.3-acres of land in downtown Miami. The economic downturn has affected the development; originally scheduled to be complete in 2009, only Met One is up and running, while Met Two is currently under construction and Met Three has yet to break ground. Since Shaq left the Magic City, he has continued with his real estate acquisitions. The O’Neal Group has partnered with Boraie Development to form The Boraie O’Neal Urban Development Partnership, with a project underway in Newark.

Just this June, the last piece of Shaq’s Miami hold was sold. Even before being traded, Shaq put his Star Island mansion on the market, with an asking price of $35 million. The waterfront stunner features eight bedrooms, an indoor basketball court, gym, steam room, and sauna. The 2.5-acre grounds include a tennis court, six-car garage, dock, two-bedroom guesthouse, and pool displaying Shaq’s favorite Superman logo. Miami’s housing slump certainly had an affect on this trophy spread; four years after first going on the market, it reportedly sold for $16 million, which is $2.8 million less than Shaq paid for the property in 2004.Cover: Andrew Farkas
Issue: May/June 2007

The title of the cover article on the founder of Island Global Yachting says it all: Global Domination. At the time of the feature, IGY had just opened the world’s first five-star megayacht marina experience at Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas, USVI. The property combines white-glove service with state-of-the-art docking and a plethora of shore-side amenities, so that it more resembles a hospitality destination than a typical marina. In the two short years since the feature story, IGY has taken the successful formula it established at Yacht Haven Grande and applied it to 15 marinas from Montauk and New York, to Dubai and Croatia, with 10 locations in the Caribbean alone.Cover: Don & Jeff Soffer
Issue: May/June 2007

The Soffers are an American real estate dynasty, with the holdings to prove it. At the time of our feature, the Soffers’ Turnberry Associates had a $5 billion portfolio that was expected to increase thanks to ventures in Las Vegas. Since taking control of the company’s residential sector, Turnberry has built more than 3,100 condo units in Sin City, the majority of which sold out before the market downturn.

Then, of course, there is the crowning achievement: Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Following a $500 million renovation, Jeff and his father unveiled the property in November to a crowd that included everyone who was anyone from Miami, Hollywood, and beyond. The Victoria Secret Fashion Show, filmed on property the night following the opening, introduced the hotel’s glossy new updates to a global audience when it aired less than a month later.

However, Jeff was unsuccessful in translating the Fontainebleau brand to the Vegas market. In June, he was forced to seek bankruptcy protection on the stalled $3 billion development on the Strip. Official reports say that the blunder will not have a negative affect on the family’s other holdings, and that the Miami Beach property is safe. Nakheel, a subsidiary of Dubai World, recently bought a 50 percent interest in the Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort for $375 million.Cover: Brett Ratner
Issue: July/August 2007

For our three-year anniversary, we were honored to feature “Billion Dollar Director” Brett Ratner on the cover. The article detailed the Miami Beach native’s rise from a quasi-promoter at the Forge making $500 per week to one of the biggest box office draws in Hollywood. Ratner is behind films such as Rush Hour, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Red Dragon. When we profiled the director, his eight feature films had grossed more than a billion dollars worldwide. Since that time, he has released Rush Hour 3, which increased his billion-dollar ranking exponentially, and he is currently working on Playboy: The Life of Hugh Hefner. He also launched Rat Press, which is billed as “everything that film is not.” The works published by Rat Press go behind the scenes of the movie business, with interviews with actors and producers, as well as novels, photos, and artworks from the most prolific individuals in the industry. The latest publication is Scott Caan Photographs Vol. 1, featuring the photojournalism of the actor/writer/director. Between films, Ratner also keeps himself busy by directing commercials, such as the Risky Business play for Guitar Hero.

While now a Hollywood resident, Ratner’s impact on Miami Beach is still felt today. He played an active roll in the city’s transformation from geriatric haven to international haute spot, and the hometown boy is often back in the city hanging with his childhood friends Jeff Soffer and Shareef Malnik, who have also graced the cover of the magazine.Cover: Sheldon Aldelson
Issue: September/October 2007

At the time of his cover feature in our Las Vegas-themed edition, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson was listed as No. 3 on Forbes’ list of the wealthiest Americans. What a difference two years and a global recession can make. Adelson’s fortune took some big hits in 2008, dwindling by $13 billion as shares in his Las Vegas Sands dropped 65 percent due to a lack of gamblers in Sin City and Macau. The son of a taxi driver was No. 15 on Forbes’ 2008 list, but in 2009 he took an even bigger hit. He lost a whopping $22 billion in 12 months, and shares dropped by 95 percent. His personal net worth is now estimated at $2 billion, not a bad figure for the 75-year-old college dropout. He remains positive that the market will turn around soon, and his empire will once again reign over the Strip. He has reason to be optimistic: his stalled casino project in Macau may soon be resuming construction.Cover: Samuel Keller
Issue: November/December 2007

Often regarded as one of the most influential people in the art world, Sam Keller is responsible for bringing Art Basel to the shores of Miami Beach. The Basel, Switzerland, native launched America’s most important art event in 2002, which brought a new level of sophistication to a city that previously was regarded as a tourist haven. Each December since, international art cognoscenti descend upon the city for a weekend full of glamour, panache, and sophistication. While 2007 was Keller’s last year as the director of Art Basel Miami Beach, the 2008 show did not lose any of its allure without him at the helm. While the economic climate may have impacted sales, the show was still an overwhelming success, and 2009 is expected to be as well. Art Basel Miami Beach allowed the city to grow up in the eyes of the cultured world, and other institutions have taken notice. Frank Gehry and Herzog & de Meuron are both involved in projects on the Beach that will further cement the city’s rightful place as a cultural haven rather than a Spring Break destination.Cover: Al & Shareef Malnik
Issue: January/February 2008

When Brett Ratner offered to take the cover photos of “Living Legend” Al Malnik and his son Shareef, we couldn’t have been more honored. A long-time family friend, Al often refers to Ratner as his 11th son, and he even helped get the billion-dollar director his start in his film career. Ratner, an accomplished photographer, headed to the Malnik estate in Palm Beach for a photo shoot that captured the compelling father-son dynamic of Al and Shareef. A legendary lawyer, entrepreneur, and restaurateur, Al is the mastermind behind culinary institution The Forge, which dominated the haute dining scene for decades as the place on Miami Beach. Shareef took over the restaurant in 1991, and the establishment continued its reign. Now, Shareef is taking this proven formula and expanding on a global scale. While the Miami location is closed in July for multimillion-dollar renovations, hungry patrons looking for The Forge’s inimitable steaks can satisfy their cravings at The Forge Dubai, located in the Ottoman Palace Hotel, and there are also talks about a Forge Las Vegas. The Malniks are also actively involved in the betterment of the community, working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Al recently made headlines when false rumors about the paternity of Michael Jackson’s youngest son Blanket started flying. Al is the boy’s godfather, and some were questioning if he was the actual father. Al went to two media sources to refute these claims: The Today Show and Haute Living. He opened up to our publication for the cover story of the Los Angeles edition (the article also appears in this issue), sharing personal family photos and details about intimate moments with the star, and we were happy to be able to provide a worthy outlet for his memories.Cover: Issy Sharp
Issue: March/April 2008

Isadore “Issy” Sharp began building a name for himself and a brand for luxury lovers in the early 1960s. Today he is the CEO and founder of more than 80 international locations of Four Seasons hotels, an accomplishment that earned him a spot on one of our early covers in 2008. For several consecutive years, the Four Seasons was voted the best company to work for, and customers can’t seem to get enough of the bespoke service and luxury offerings that the five-star hotel brand brings. Since the recent change in global economic conditions, Sharp has stated that his bottom line is suffering just like everyone else’s in 2009. And though his locations in the Middle East are faring better than the North American and European branches, he is still making current business decisions based on a conservative approach. But a modest strategic plan doesn’t mean that the brand is cutting back on the white-glove, world-class standards upon which it has built its unblemished reputation. As Sharp recently explained, right now is a time when the management skills of his staff will be tested. It is a time to determine how to survive without compromising the guest experience. And that, in a nutshell, is the winning philosophy that has earned him an unprecedented number of accolades and a RevPAR (revenue per available room) rate that traditionally has been approximately 25 percent higher than his competitors. He credits such an impressive statistic to the value that the Four Seasons brand offers, and his formula for achievement has proven so successful that he recently authored a book about it, Four Seasons, The Story of a Business Philosophy.Cover: Sultan bin Sulayem
Issue: August/September 2008

Named a “Global Leader of Tomorrow” by the World Economic Forum and one of the top five most influential Arabs in the world, Sultan bin Sulayem proved the ideal cover personality for our Fall issue in 2008. He is the chairman of Dubai World, the parent company of some of the fastest growing global businesses, including Nakheel, the real estate powerhouse behind the Palm Islands. The development project was born in 1997 because of the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the greater United Arab Emirates, who wanted to increase Dubai’s tourism industry. Under bin Sulayem’s leadership, Dubai World oversees interests in more than 80 companies, and has recently staked quite a few claims on the African continent. It is reported that he applied for permits to dock the floating luxury hotel, Queen Elizabeth 2, in Cape Town, while he has also supposedly inked deals for two luxury hotels in Ethiopia. But his American interests are prevalent as well. Stating the need to see opportunity in times of financial turmoil, Nakheel bought 50 percent of the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach for $375 million.Cover: Helio castroneves
Issue: June/July 2009

When Roy and Lea Black approached Haute Living about Helio Castroneves appearing on the cover of our June/July 2009 edition, we jumped at the opportunity. A Miami local, Helio is a fixture throughout the city when he is not off taking flags in the biggest racing events around the globe. The Formula 1 racer had just had two amazing victories: first, in his tax evasion trial, during which he was represented by Roy Black and team, followed by win at the Indy 500 just a few weeks later. The Blacks and Helio bonded over the course of his trial, and the personal relationship allowed Helio to open up to Lea about his roller coaster ride of emotion following the trial.

While we haven’t heard anyone singing “Happy Days Are Here Again,” just yet, signs of economic recovery are slowly surfacing in luxury markets.

British architect and Pritzker Prize winner, Lord Norman Foster, spent his summer closing on a few luxury properties on Fifth Avenue in New York City. On June 29, Foster, along with his wife, Lady Elena Foster, sealed the deal on unit 8B in a lavish prewar building between 72nd and 73rd streets. The deal answered the question that many were asking with Foster’s earlier purchase of the next-door unit at 8A, which at the time had many curious as to why such a revered architect would settle for one narrow unit with limited access to the spectacular views that Central Park has to offer. The answer soon became obvious with the purchase of the second unit located directly next door, as plans for expansion are certainly in the works.

Though neither of the Manhattan properties were officially listed for sale, records show that the Fosters secured the first luxury property for $6.7 million and the second Fifth Avenue abode for $7.2 million.

Lord Foster has had quite the busy year in 2009, apparently opting out of the recession scares that many fed into. In addition to his luxury real estate purchases in New York, the famed architect who has been a longtime pilot also launched the designs for the new fleet of Dassault Falcon 7X jets for the private aviation company, NetJets Europe.

Via The Real Deal

If you haven’t noticed that ’80s fashion trends are on their way back in, albeit with 21st century revisions, then it’s time to perk up and pay attention. Glam rockers, adorned with a dizzying array of embellishments, shoulder pads, and punkish silhouettes with sharp, defined edges, were spotted all over the Fall/Winter runways.

Recently I had the opportunity to view Julien Macdonald’s seasonal collection. Known for his habitual adoration of everything sensual and over-the-top, the designer to the stars is making a comeback in 2009, claiming to have reformed his wild ways and rededicating himself to the cause of making women look and feel über sexy. Macdonald did not buck the trends this season and filled his line with oversized shoulders and gowns engulfed in Swarovski crystals and tiny mirrors.

Another tastemaker that has been spotted on all of the best bodies both here in the States as well as abroad is the Emilio Pucci label. With Peter Dundas now at the helm, having replaced Matthew Williamson as creative director, fashionistas will find a fresh take on the famous Pucci prints. Military-inspired colors and cuts were a prevalent theme for Fall/Winter, along with some resurrected prints from the 1957 archives.

So whether you choose Chanel jellies or Louis Vuitton bejeweled satin leggings, the time has come to take your wardrobe retro. Here are a few looks to inspire your next session of retail therapy.

Loren Ridinger

As I mentioned in my first column, Jared M. was initially created to fill a void in the custom clothing industry for the man with an athletic build. I believe in the saying that “once an athlete, always an athlete,” whether you are a frequent gym user, an NBA point guard, or played offensive tackle in high school. I noticed there was no company offering high quality custom clothing for physically fit men with muscular shapes. Jared M. quickly became the preferred source for athletes around the country, and businessmen followed in droves.

We specialize in dressing gentlemen who have a unique fit. We recently outfitted NBA guard Cuttino Mobley and middleweight world champion Bernard Hopkins in some of hautest looks for the 2009 fall season. While their body types are extremely different, they both were pleased with the fit and styles chosen for them, a testament to the versatility of the Jared M. brand.

Many things are taken into consideration when we are dressing a man, beyond just his body type. We also focus on his personality, interests, and passions, because the true definition of a perfect fit is making sure that not only are your clothes tailored to your exact body measurements but that they also reflect your entire lifestyle. While some bodies are more challenging than others, we have the custom clothing process mastered to a simple four-part system:

1 Set up a private appointment to view the new lines and luxurious fabrics.
2 Meet your personal stylist and get measured for your selections.
3 Make arrangements for final fittings.
4 Receive your custom-crafted garments and feel the difference that they will make in your life.

We firmly believe that when you are investing in something as important as your image, you should never compromise.

Cheers,
Jared Margolis
Jared M.
900 S Miami Ave.
Miami
305.374.0800
www.jaredm.com

275 Clear Ridge in Healdsburg is your Wine Country Dream. Minutes from Healdburg’s Trendy Town Plaza, World Famous Wineries in Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, Five Star Restaurants including Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen…your new lifestyle awaits! Tour the Wine Country in style with your 1973 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow which is included in the purchase of this gorgeous estate! 275 Clear Ridge is a gated, architectural gem professionally designed both inside and out and is being offered completely and beautifully furnished. This home offers a fully equipped theatre that seats nine. With five bedrooms including a sumptuous and huge master suite, four full bathrooms, custom Italian tile and hardwoods, and a gourmet kitchen, this home simply awaits your arrival. Lush landscaping with mature trees and mountain and distant vineyard views during the day and city light views in the evening assure your constant pleasure. The privately situated saltwater pool and patio complete the perfection. 275 Clear Ridge has a wonderful flow for entertaining as well as family life. It is open and airy, sunny and bright. No expense has been spared in the design, building as well as the decor of this tasteful home. With the Sonoma County Airport just fifteen minutes away, getting to Healdsburg has never been easier! Come visit and fall in love!

Offered @ $2,595,000

Contact Dianne Vernon @ 1.877.630.7732 or diannevernon@sbcglobal.net. Or visit www.diannevernon.com

Built in 2000, the Villa Tra Le Querce, or the “Villa Among the Oaks” is quintessentially evocative of Tuscany and all of its old-world charm. As you enter through finely-wrought iron gates and approach the main courtyard, an exquisite Italian estate comes into view. Two acres of walled and landscaped gardens with pathways that meander to undulating views of ocean through sweeping oaks, are a transport to Italy. This secluded and yet centrally-located Giffin and Crane estate is enhanced with painstaking detail. A waterfall beside a bridge and creek leading to Koi a pond with a second waterfall, a romantic archway amid rich plantings, a gazebo built with stone from Italy, three fountains, richly manicured, grassy expanses, an outdoor dining terrace with a Santa Maria barbecue, and a charming fruit orchard, work to create a seamless and magical state of permanent vacation.

The Tuscan villa includes four splendid bedrooms, six bathrooms, four fireplaces, and a three car garage. Inside the villa’s crafted, glass and iron doors lies the main level with a foyer and great room, which open to a garden loggia with treetop views of the ocean. The master suite is on this main level and is completed by a fireplace, his and hers walk-in closets, and a master bath with a steam shower as well as a jacuzzi. The estate’s Italian country kitchen has a picturesque fireplace, granite countertops, a center island, a butler’s pantry with a wine cooler, and a balcony for sea gazing with that cup of morning espresso and biscotti. There are also three more bedroom suites, each with its own bathroom. In the villa, the textures of wood, glass, granite, and wrought iron make for an authentic Tuscan feel. The custom iron work of the banister on the staircase in pewter and gold tones is just one of the many distinct features that make the home unique. The villa also is enhanced by a wonderful media/family room with a full bath, which leads out to the garden patio where there is a wine tasting area. Upstairs, there is a secluded office and upper deck. For more than a slice of “la dulce vita” right here in Santa Barbara, amid august oaks and azure views of the ocean, please be sure to inquire about Villa Tra Le Querce.

Offered @ $7,375,000

Contact Julie Greener @ 805.895.4616 @ Julie@GreenerEstates.com. Or visit www.GreenerEstates.com.

Magnificent new construction…this spectacular new classic contemporary is being built on one of the last estate size waterfront lots on miami beach. A true estate can only be created on a property like this w/38,314 sf of land & over 112 ft of tranquilwaterfront. No detail has been overlooked & no expense has been spared for the approx. 14,000 sf wonder, complete w/80 ft pool, gazebo/spa & gym. graced w/14 ft true ’smart’ house w/state-of-the-art systems. 12 ft ceilings, 4-car gar, guard house & more.

Offered @ $10,495,000

Contact Jeri Jenkins @ 305.534.4949 or jeri@jerijenkins.com. Or visit www.jerijenkins.com.