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.
Plans of a new and greatly improved science museum in Miami have just been unveiled. It is going to be the new downtown home to the city’s incredibly green science museum/planetarium/aquarium. This new building is destined to be four times larger than the existing facility and jam-filled with digital technology. And for $275 million I should hope that it is an incredible organic demonstration of green-building principles, and will work perfectly with with our steamy climate and unique ecology.
The building with have solar energy collected in photovoltaic cells, and rainwater recycled for use in the museum. The rain will flow through the building, triggering turbines and other gadgets and mechanisms. A scientist-in-training’s fantasy come true!
“The building, with its focus on sustainability, will be an exhibit in its own right,” said museum director Gillian Thomas in an interview with the Miami Herald. “We wanted this very strong sunshine, wind and water experience… Indoor galleries will house, among other features, the hands-on kids’ exhibits for which the museum is known, traveling science shows and a satellite of the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.”
The aquarium will boast a dazzling cone-shaped tank that will measure 100 feet across at the top. Designed by Thinc of New York, you will be able to fully take advantage of the beautiful Miami landscape and climate while viewing through the tank from the bottom up to the skies above.
Around the tank you will follow a spiral ramp that leads indoors, then out, then in, then out… You will travel from the stars of the Cosmos, through the humid Florida wetlands to the chilly bottom of the Gulf Stream.
Unfortunately we all have to wait till at least 2014 (and that is not in Miami time) to view this incredible attraction.
Via Miami Herald
Chefs, food critics, and connoisseurs around the world know about S. Pellegrino’s carefully crafted guide to the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. To be mentioned in this list is truly an honor akin to the Michelin Guide. Per Se, Daniel, the French Laundry, and Jean Georges are amongst the stateside representatives on this elite list. Likewise, for a chef under 30, it is the ultimate honor to be named S. Pellegrino’s “Young Chef of the Year.” And it is no easy feat—this chef must prepare a meal under a time limit and serious constraints. His team’s sailing capabilities also must be competition-grade.
Each year, on a cloudless Venetian summer day, the Lagoon of Venice helps S. Pellegrino celebrate two of its greatest passions—fine dining and sailing. The S. Pellegrino Cooking Cup is one of the foremost events on the world’s culinary calendar; think of it as a combination of Bocuse D’Or and The America’s Cup.
This ninth installment of the event was judged by Europe’s finest chefs, a veritable galaxy of Michelin stars. Best Sommelier in the World Andreas Larsson joined the likes of Massimo Bottura, Giovanni D’Amato, and honorary judge Vittorio Missoni of the famed fashion dynasty. Contestants from as far and wide as the U.K., South Africa, Switzerland, U.A.E., Singapore, Russia, Germany, Belgium, and Australia (and of course Italy) were judged on both culinary wit and sailing prowess. And so, with the challenges of cooking on the Adriatic Sea under the space constraints of a yacht galley and a strict time limit, the contestants set out from the famed Compagnia della Vela yacht club on a quest for this ultimate honor.
The winner was emerging young chef Henrico Grobbelaar of South Africa. At the tender age of 27, he is already executive chef of the prestigious Lady Phillips restaurant outside of Cape Town. “Just being here is an incredible honor that I just can’t believe is happening,” said Grobbelaar, who accepted the coveted silver trophy with the earnest determination of a future S. Pellegrino restaurant owner.
What is it that makes Saint-Tropez one of the most coveted places to visit in the South of France? Close your eyes and allow yourself to become whisked away in the fantasy of standing on an exotic white sandy beach as radiant, electric blue waves splash against your ankles. Glancing around, you spy tan oiled bodies sprawling across luxurious megayachts in the distance, while on land every passerby is donning daring couture as they head to their favorite restaurants. You think about the evening to come and try to decide which of the world-renowned nightclubs or lounges will make the cut and appear on your entertainment agenda. While Saint-Tropez as a whole is renowned the world over for being one of the most exclusive and opulent vacation destinations, Haute Living readers demand the best of the best. So we are here to help you plan your itinerary. Whether you prefer to spend your days basking in the glow of the sun’s glorious rays, hitting the famed fairways, or cruising on a multimillion-dollar yacht, Saint-Tropez is the perfect place to kick back and stay a while.
Step inside the mythical and romantic Hotel Byblos and you will never want to leave. The grand, fortress-like hotel situated in the serene fishing village is the definitive must-see place in Saint-Tropez. Icons such as Mick Jagger, Jack Nicholson, Cher, and Elton John have made Byblos their sought-out destination stay thanks to the charming staff that is dedicated to making every visitor feel at home. Twenty-first century renovations to 32 rooms and suites inside the oldest part of this boutique hotel mean that state-of-the-art luxury décor in bright hues welcomes guests to the French Riviera, inviting everyone who enters to bid adieu to gloomy weather and daily stresses.
After unpacking your suitcase, venture to Spoon at Byblos, a Mediterranean restaurant located directly on the upscale Place des Lices that boasts an exceptional garden terrace surrounded by foliage lit with romantic mini-chandeliers. Featuring 300 wine references from regions all over the world, the culinary delights include inspirations from Italy, Greece, Lebanon, and the south of Spain. Once your appetite has been properly satiated, escape to the private nooks inside Les Caves Du Roy, the dolce vita-style interior lounge that has rolled out the red carpet for an eclectic assortment of the world’s most famous night owls. When you awake the next day, continue the glitz and glam at Spa Byblos by Sisley with everyday treatments, a Jacuzzi bath, steam room, and Moroccan “decompression” chamber. The first and only Sisley spa in the world offers exclusive treatments and products, including the aromatherapy shower with changing colored lights that blend with different aromas and soothing sounds to provide the ultimate pampering.
Should you decide to venture off of the property, two dining establishments must show up at the top of your vacation agenda; Café de Paris, the ritzy al fresco dining restaurant, with lush red sofas and gold trimmed mirrors, is perfect for people-watching and is one of the most famous cafes in Saint-Tropez. Villa Romana, an old-school Italian restaurant, will satisfy even the most indulgent culinary cravings, with appetizers like foie gras with figs and homemade gingerbread, entrées such as the veal with small violet artichokes, and, of course, homemade pasta.
If you didn’t arrive by superyacht yet still desire to cruise the deep blue waters of the Golfe de Saint-Tropez, a visit to L’Echo Nautique for yacht charters, sailboats, and high-powered motorboats is in order. After your long day at sea, anchor your watercraft and take a dinghy to La Plage de Tahiti Beach, arguably the most glamorous stretch of sand in the world and home to Le Club 55. Celebrities and Forbes 400ers alike frequent the world-renowned beach club, so making reservations is essential. Sip on a bottle of Chateau de Pampelonne Rosé while observing the breathtaking sea- and landscapes at this exclusive Mediterranean restaurant located inside a petite wooden hut along the beach. If you’re not up for the legendary Saint-Tropez party scene of the hot beach clubs, complete with Champagne-spraying showers, a trip to Les Palmiers is a must. It is a local hot spot, meaning that it is little known by the Hollywood glam squads. Boasting a more refined and sophisticated scene, the food at the daytime social club is touted as the best on this strip of sand that is known as Pampelonne Beach.
As the day transitions to dusk and the night begins to fall, make your way to L’Escale Joseph, one of the most luscious restaurants on the gleaming Saint-Tropez port, known for its flavorful shellfish and carpaccio dishes. Once the sun dips below the horizon, the establishment transforms into a lounge where stars, yachters, visitors, and the local elite gather in the vivacious coral colored interiors as well as on the plush terrace, which are both decorated with pictures of Hollywood icons. Keeping it in the family, the sleek and upscale ambiance at sister restaurant Le Quai Joseph provides the perfect locale to kick off your heels and dance, or to sit back and relax while holding court at your favorite table. The all-night club and piano bar features distinctive details like a posh waterfront marble bar and floors that are famously covered in black sand.
For the ultimate Saint-Tropez experience, saunter to the famed and futuristic two-story Le Papagayo club that illuminates the harbor with a neon light display at the entrance. Be sure to call ahead to book one of the most sought-after tables in the South of France on the breathtaking, pine tree-shaded terrace, where you will have views of the impressive yachts in the harbor. If dance music (and we don’t mean Top 40) is more your vice, unwind at VIP Room, where the deep purple and green décor is just as seductive as the music. If dancing isn’t your forte but Champagne is, venture to Champagne Bar at Hotel La Maison Blanche, an elegant, stylish, and sophisticated candle-lit garden where only the finest bubbly is served by the glass or bottle.
Besides fabulous food and nightlife, one thing is certain in Saint-Tropez: there is an excess of small boutiques where you can find all the latest fashions and couture essentials. Castañer has transformed the popular espadrille into a chic, sophisticated, and comfortable design. The natural materials, handcraftsmanship, and impeccable finish are just a few reasons to bring a pair of the authentic kicks home to your closet. Ever wonder how sandals are really made? Stroll over to Sandales Tropeziennes and see the workshop where Saint-Tropez’s signature leather sandal has been crafted for the past 70 years. Armed with the perfect shoes, there is still some time to shop as the boys finish on the fairways at the Gassin Golf Country Club, featuring nine- and 18-hole courses. For those in search of unique and stunning undergarments, make a stop at Nana Bis Lingerie to find the perfect delicate French pieces. Then head straight to Place des Lices, an upscale market that is home to the likes of Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Escada, and Roberto Cavalli.
After a long day of cruising the boutiques, it’s time to relax. Enjoy a personalized, regenerative Himalayan rose facial or the Mediterranean body care beauty treatment at Spa Pure Altitude at Villa Marie, which uses the finest products from Pure Altitude and can be booked through Small Luxury Hotels of the World. If your objective is fitness, slimming, beauty, and reducing stress, La Réserve Ramutuelle Hotel-Spa has more than 10 treatment cabins, a pool, fitness studio, and doctor on site to help you detoxify, re-energize, and combat the signs of aging. Even if you are not staying at Chateau Hotel de la Messardiere, you do not want to miss the 1,525-square-foot natural light facility. The spa is a partnership between La Prairie and Cinq Mondes, with products made exclusively for the hotel including Soin Radiance Or Pur du Chateau, formulated using pure drops of gold. Treatments include ayurveda, hammam, reflexology, shiatsu, scrubs, and wraps, and day packages are available for those in need of extra pampering.
From perfectly bronzed bodies to savory restaurants, there is a reason that Saint-Tropez is one of the most frequented haute destinations in France. There is an exotic and daring elegance that goes back to the days of the iconic French actress and supermodel Brigitte Bardot, who put Saint-Tropez on the map. The storied past makes it easier to understand why celebrities and socialites alike continue to escape to this mystical place. Saint-Tropez is truly the culmination of Los Angeles celebrities, New York culture, Miami vivacious sun-kissed bodies, Paris couture, and Middle Eastern royalty, making it every luxury lover’s fantasy.
The thrill of driving a luxury car is hard to beat, and therefore the thrill of shopping for and purchasing a luxury car should be equally special. This was the philosophy that inspired Gene Morales to establish Euro Motorsport, the premier luxury automobile showroom in Ft. Lauderdale. The first and only Pininfarina-designed automobile showroom in the world, Euro Motorsport embodies the sleek lines, unmistakable attention to detail, and forward thinking aesthetic of the legendary Italian car design house.
With only a select number of supercars on display at a time, Euro Motorsport is a sophisticated gallery of the world’s finest luxury and performance autos. A full Snaidero kitchen and B&B Italia interactive car lounge make a visit to Euro Motorsport quite an experience. “My approach is to befriend a client and make them part of a network. It is not just about selling them a car today, its about looking out for them,” explains Morales, who had all design elements, from flooring to the sleek, undulating metallic ceiling, sourced from Italy. “I believe that great design should be more and more available to the public,” says Paolo Pininfarina, the third generation scion of the Pininfarina empire, who now heads up the Italian design powerhouse.
What’s more, the showroom of Euro Motorsport is green and sustainable. “The respect of the environment is becoming the top issue in the new century,” says Pininfarina. “I want to be part of this movement and I want to give my contribution to make the future world a better place to live.” This design attribute combined with a truly experiential approach to the traditional car showroom puts Euro Motorsport on par with the finest in its class.
925 W Broward Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
954.522.2422
www.euromotorsport.net
The great Bobby Jones, one of the golfing world’s all-time legends, best summed up the omnipresent challenge of golf with one succinct statement:
“Golf is assuredly a mystifying game. It would seem that if a person has hit a golf ball correctly a thousand times, he should be able to duplicate the performance at will. But this is certainly not the case.”
A simple truth, yes, but it matters more when Bobby Jones says it.
Jones, the founding father of the Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament and the U.S course with arguably the greatest sense of history and tradition, didn’t limit himself to only becoming the greatest player of his generation. After his retirement, Jones was one of the first golfers to transition from his career on the greens to a career in designing them. He was instrumental in attracting Dr. Alister Mackenzie, a Scotsman who is one of the world’s most influential course architects, to serve as the head designer of Augusta National.
While Jones’ oft-repeated pronouncement about the difficulty of golf deals directly with the golfer’s ability to “correctly” connect the club head with that maddeningly small white ball, he could have talked about the other major factor: the shape and overall environment of the golf course itself. This, in reality, might be the ultimate obstacle in golf. Not the striking of the ball, but the movement of the ball across a particular space. With the bunkers and fairways, greens, and trees, it is the spectacle of this human-crafted nature that fills the eye and delights—or, when things are going poorly, haunts—the golfer’s imagination.
The creation of the golf course, the transformation of “unused” space into an area for the activity that Winston Churchill, borrowing liberally from Mark Twain, said was “the best way to ruin a good walk,” is a combination of heavy-duty landscaping, an ability to work in the subtleties that make a course unique, and, maybe more than anything else, a deep love for, and knowledge of, the game of golf.
In an attempt to unravel some of the mysteries of golf course design, Haute Living had the opportunity to speak with Perry O’Neal Dye, one of America’s top course architects, about the process of creating a golf course. Dye’s experience as a course designer is unique in the sense that it is truly a family business, stretching back almost 100 years. Today, the Dye family name is attached to the design of more than 200 golf courses around the world.
In 1922, Perry Dye’s grandfather started the family tradition by designing and constructing a nine-hole course in Urbana, Ohio. However, it was Perry’s father, Paul “Pete” Dye, who would later go on to design courses around the country, including courses at TPC Sawgrass, and Cypress Course at Palm Beach Polo and Country Club. He pursued a successful playing career (he finished ahead of both Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer in the 1957 U.S. Open and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2008) and gave his son a start in the business when Perry was only 12 years old.
This tutelage continued through Dye’s college years, where he was involved in the development of The Country Club of Colorado in Colorado Springs and the Oak Tree Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma. From there, Dye and his father have designed numerous courses together, including the Firethorn Golf Club in Lincoln, Nebraska, the Red Mountain Ranch Club in Mesa, Arizona, and the Fuego Maya at La Reunion outside of Antigua, Guatemala. (The last is the course that Dye is most proud of, for a number of reasons including the fact “the property is in the midst of four volcanoes, two of which are active.”)
Dye credits his family and their shared love of golf as two of the primary guiding principles in his career. “My design philosophy is a direct result of my experience,” Dye says. “A major part of that comes from my mother, who taught me about designing golf courses that are playable for women.” This education continues today, due to his family’s continuing love affair with the game. “With a wife and two daughters who are players, I see how important making golf accessible and fun for women has been to our industry.”
Aside from his design philosophy, Dye prides himself on a direct involvement with the growth of a course from an idea on paper to playable holes on grass. When asked what is the first step in designing a golf course, Dye attests that the only way to start is literally from the ground up.
“For me, I need to really get in touch with the ground I am building on. I never want golf holes to seem contrived. I use the natural elements of the land to create the ebb and flow of a golf course,” Dye says. “After I see how the holes will fit into the landscape, I go back and create a preliminary design base map.”
Although the base map is the basic vision for the overarching course design, this does not mean that it is a static plan. This, Dye argues, is what makes it necessary to possess a different mindset for golf course architecture than any other kind of landscape or building design. “My maps are more guides than they are exact maps,” says Dye. “This is a major difference between course design and other forms of architecture. We can dictate where the holes go, but as things start to take shape, they often change.”
Dye works from the position of a golfer and refutes the idea that golf course design is a largely theoretical proposition, despite the philosophy that underlines all of his designs. “Great inspiration always comes in the field,” he says. “Not in front of a computer.”
The other element of course architecture that Dye stresses is the individual touch. Like when one enters a building designed by Zaha Hadid or Frank Gehry, Dye has a desire to spread the Dye course style. “I want every golfer who steps on one of my courses to instantly know who designed it, and to have a memorable experience,” Dye says. “Whether you play well or terribly, you always remember a Dye design.”
As the president of The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, I have had the good fortune to gain vast experiential knowledge of the delicate intricacies that constitute true luxury hospitality in the world of global travel. In the early part of this decade, prosperity abounded and many newcomers jumped onto the bandwagon of the luxury lifestyle. However, in 2009, many have had reasons to reassess their commitment to the good life, and so it is with great pride that I present these destinations that have demonstrated their continued pledge to the white-glove service standards that we have come to expect. Whether receiving our prestigious International Star Diamond Award for the first time this year, or upholding the expectations of excellence for which they originally earned the award, these are six outstanding choices that I recommend when considering your next travel itinerary.
The creative genius of the Michael Schumacher World Champion Tower in Abu Dhabi—a curvy building that reflects “the geometrical order of a snowflake and the aerodynamics of a Formula 1”—inspired our International Board of Trustees to create a whole new category of Star Diamond Awards, honoring innovative and unique projects. We presented PNYG CEO Joachim Swensson with the Five Star Diamond Award in January of this year after the initial project launch in Abu Dhabi. This, the first of seven Michael Schumacher towers that will appear around the world, features 250 luxury residences, with the top 10 floors of the 787-foot skyscraper offering multilevel sky villas, and of course, Five Star Diamond levels of service and craftsmanship.
Tunisia may not be one of the first destinations that pops up on radar screens for many luxury travelers, but the development of Kelibia la blanche is giving us all a reason to recognize this Mediterranean land as a locale of choice. Billed as the haute couture of real estate, this property encompasses more than 100 acres along the coast of El Mansourah and is the ideal investment for international lifestyle property purchasers. The development has demonstrated their dedication to world class standards to such a degree that The Academy has recognized Kelibia la blanche as one of the finest environmentally friendly developments worldwide.
4, rue Achtart Nord Hilton
1002 Tunis, Tunisia
www.kelibialablanche.com.tn
Described as the quintessential embodiment of elegance, the reason that One & Only Palmilla can boast the Five Star Diamond Award is a mystery to no one that understands the true essence of a luxury hotel. This venue, located at the southernmost point of Baja in the Los Cabos corridor, has played host to countless celebrities and international dignitaries who have a reputation for demanding nothing less than the absolute best. Don Abelardo Rodriguez, son of the Mexican president, originally built the resort in the 1950s. Today, the pampering continues with 24-hour butler service, aromatherapy turndown menus, flat-screen satellite TV with DVD/CD players, Bose surround-sound audio systems, and terrace daybeds and telescopes.
San Jose Del Cabo
866.829.2977
www.oneandonlyresorts.com
A mention of The Plaza Hotel would not be complete without a nod towards the home city that houses the legendary venue. It is a rare and fortunate occasion when a property or destination comes along that goes above and beyond even our Five Star Diamond Award, but such was the case with the City of New York, and in 2009 the Big Apple was the first recipient of the Six Star Diamond Award.
The history of The Plaza Hotel New York is almost as famed as its luxe Fifth Avenue locale. From the Oak Room and Oak Bar, the Champagne Room, and the Rose Club, to the Warren Tricomi Salon, the Shops at The Plaza, a Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa, and Fitness Center by Radu, this Five Star Diamond winner needs little prologue. The venue’s reputation for extravagance has been heralded in more than a dozen movies, and after last year’s completion of the $400 million, lobby-to-roof renovations, opulent fixtures like 24-karat gold faucets are just one of the features that adorn the hotel rooms. The 2,100-square-foot, two-bedroom Royal Terrace suite is one of our top picks within the property.
Fifth Avenue at Central Park South
New York, NY
888.850.0909
www.fairmont.com/theplaza
Claiming to be the star of New England, our International Board of Trustees agreed with Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri and recognized the state as the first in the U.S. to be awarded the Five Star Diamond Award. The biggest little state in America is deserving of its accolades as a world-class destination due to cities like Newport, its most luxurious tourist magnet, the award-winning WaterFire by Barnaby Evans in downtown Providence, and a plethora of activities for yachting enthusiasts. Rhode Island’s Five Star Diamond Award is a testament to the caliber of offerings from the Ocean State.
As we wade through the vale of tears, with diminished trust funds and threatened bonuses, our standards certainly call for flexibility. “I’ll go through life either first class or third, but never second,” declared the urbane Noël Coward when the box office receipts were not up to snuff…and adjust we will.
But then, there is always “ultra” class. Let’s reflect with awe on the custom flying palace of Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. The Airbus A380, which usually seats 600, will have its interior converted by British firm Design Q. There is the de rigueur onboard garage so that the prince can be driven right up to the threshold of the plane’s three-floor elevator. Also included in the $485 million price tag: a concert hall with a baby grand piano, five bedroom suites, a boardroom with a holograph projector and a full-size steam room…one can but dream.
Although London’s gloss shows a slight tarnish, I enjoyed a very full dance card. Ascot week rallied under radiant blue skies. Significantly fewer American faces in evidence in the Mayfair nightspots. A civilized dinner with Countess Bathurst at Mark’s Club, a riotous evening at Annabel’s with Baroness van Zuylen, a lunch at the celeb-filled Wolseley with Barry Humphries’ (aka Dame Edna) son, Oscar, cocktails at Sketch with Nathalie Hambro, a private drinks party at Partridge of Bond Street for Jasmine Horowitz and two days of Ascot racing from the royal enclosure with the ever-charming Egyptian oil player, Aziz Radwan.
After 75 illustrious years, the Grosvenor House Art & Antiques fair sadly bit the dust…declining profits, increasing costs and having been somewhat eclipsed by burgeoning Olympia all forcing its demise. A new event is planned for next June, called Masterpiece 2010, according to chairman Simon Phillips, though a venue has yet to be established. With yet another end to an era of royal patronage, it was no wrench for the British Heritage Group to accept the resignation of Prince Charles. Long overdue, in the opinion of contemporary English architects whom he has held in chains for years. The last straw was HRH meddling with the Qatari royal family, which put the kibosh on Richard Rogers’s Chelsea Barracks project.
How can we ignore the Pandora’s Box created by the Jackson Family following the King of Pop’s untimely demise? The inevitability of his doom continues to play out like a macabre Baptist revival. In death, he retains his title of King of the Billboard, with his iconic songs taking all top ten spots on the sales charts in the week following the wake.
Although indubitably a Stars & Stripes adoptee, I always spend my Fourth of July playing host to a group of chums abroad. This year I sprung for a Victorian castle in County Limerick, Ireland. Our well-fed butler, Mr. Butterworth, played along with the mad American posse as we hoisted Old Glory above the crenellated turrets for the seven days in residence. There were no extravagant New York fireworks, but the barbeque grills worked perfectly as the fog rolled in on the forbidding battlements.
Back stateside with our equally chilly and soggy start to summer, bucolic Whimsy Farm in Sagaponack was host to the God’s Love We Deliver Ninth Annual Midsummer Night’s Drinks. A few nights earlier, I had motored out to Fairfield, the 63-acre oceanfront estate of Ira & Ingeborg Rennert. They had graciously opened their 110,000-square-foot home to benefit Southampton Hospital. One hundred guests sat down to dinner in the palatial dining room. I enjoyed chatting with macho former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who recently impressed the Watermill locals by telling a man harassing him in the street to “Get away from me, or I’ll kick your a**.” We do need our fearless leaders.
Diane von Furstenberg opened the doors of her chic Meatpacking District boutique to toast fellow perennial Gloria Vanderbilt’s current roman a clef. The slim volume of sexploits attracted a swank crowd, including a scantily clad Barbara Walters, Salman Rushdie, Fran Liebowitz, Barry Diller, Liz Smith, and a host of Hearst scribes. Let me not forget a hilarious evening at the Café Carlyle with unsinkable trouper Debbie Reynolds, and after her show with her close friend Liza Minnelli. What a treat…
Forgive this self-promotion, but our editors were kind enough to encourage a brief indulgence. Every now and again, I find myself overwhelmed by the generosity of friends. In the past few weeks, my client Don Ramon Emilio Jimenez hosted the launch of my new book, Ex Arte. The backdrop put at my disposal for this event was the breathtakingly glamorous digs of antique dealer extraordinaire Carlton Hobbs. Four hundred of my nearest and dearest rallied around.
One hopes the sentiments of these “true blue” in attendance will be echoed by a wider audience. As caustic Coward was quoted as saying, “I love criticism just so long as it’s unqualified praise.”
Enjoy what remains of our summer season…
Business takes you around the globe, and it is a requirement that you arrive at your destination looking like the powerful man you are. Hèrmes makes this a bit easier. The Object Voyageur Nocturne Indispensible, which roughly translates to “indispensible object for the night traveler” and is typically referred to as the OVNI, is an attaché case designed to hold all of the necessities for overnight travel in a classic carry-on. The left side holds a pressed button-down shirt, while the right is sized for a tie, grooming kit, cufflinks, and whatever else may be deemed necessary for a quick jaunt to close the deal. The OVNI slips easily into Hèrmes’ Sac à dépêches 38, a perfect briefcase for important business meetings. Available in three color schemes in box or Trekking cowhide, the OVNI is priced at $4,425, while the Sac à dépêches 38 runs for $6,600.
Worn by the likes of Madonna, Oprah, Angelina Jolie, and Naomi Campbell, Eric Javits’ hats have long been a summer mainstay on every social scene, from Saint-Tropez to the Hamptons. Javits patented the iconic Squishee packable hat; perfect for the jetsetting elite, the Squishee maintains its shape after being squished into the smallest of bags. Javits hats have been an essential accessory at every major equestrian event, from Cartier polo to the Dubai World Cup and Royal Ascot, because Javits’ passion for design is apparent in each of his creations. “I regard hats as functional sculpture for the head,” he says. “As an artist-turned-designer, I think of the face as a three-dimensional volume. With the juxtaposition of the 3D volume of a hat, there can be a harmonious interplay whereby the overall appearance of the face can be more balanced and more attractive.”
But as every well-dressed woman knows, the ideal companion for the perfect hat is the perfect bag. For his Autumn 2009 collection, Javits has unveiled the wildly popular Calder bag in various suede colors as well as brown and black leather. “Several months ago I saw an Alexander Calder exhibit at the Whitney Museum in New York and was inspired by his simple linear forms that created motion,” Javits explains. “This handbag’s hardware doesn’t specifically look like Calder’s forms, but I tried to duplicate the boldness of his geometry as well as the fluidity in the bag’s overall shape.” Found in leading fine retailers such as Neiman Marcus in New York and Harvey Nichols in London, the Calder bag and accompanying hats are set to be the “it” accessory for autumn.
20 comment(s) 
8 comment(s) 
4 comment(s)
San Francisco
Jan/Feb 2012
