Loren Ridinger has been on the move in 2010. Not quite four months into the year, she has already racked up several accomplishments under her designer belt, including an honor by the Fashion International Group (alongside Eva Hughes) at the recent Silvia Tcherassi fashion show in Miami.

Loren has been a long-time friend and supporter of Haute Living, even serving as our ongoing Haute Ambassador of Fashion. But that’s not all that she’s been up to. She has also been hard at work promoting her new cosmetics line, Motives by Loren Ridinger.

Today, we got word that Loren is lending her Midas touch to yet another beauty-serving endeavor. During the first week of April, a select few of the Magic City’s fashionistas have been invited to a jaw-dropping Miami Beach estate for the pre-launch of the Loren Jewels Collection. Since it is invite-only, we can’t share all of the deets just yet, but rest assured that we will be there taking notes and photos and reporting back to you with all of the juicy goings-on. The collection is said to be inspired by vintage glam, so we are expecting nothing short of an homage to Old Hollywood. How haute!

If you have been paying the least bit of attention to your favorite luxury lifestyle resource, you will know that we have been experiencing quite a bit of expansion in 2010. When other publications are closing their doors left and right (a sad farewell to Home Miami), we are relishing in the glory of our growth.

One of the newer features of our site this year is our Haute Secrets, “Insiders’ Guides to the City.” These questionnaires have been answered by some of the most influential individuals in each of our markets, including Clive Davis, the CEO of Audemars Piguet, the U.S. director of Bulgari, Rande Gerber, Catherine Malandrino, Melissa Rivers, Candy Spelling, Jorge Perez, Helio Castroneves, Seth Gordon, Michelle Bernstein, and Lisa and Donald Pliner.

The VIPs in America’s hautest cities are revealing to Haute Living where we may find them for a power lunch, where they go to satisfy a sweet tooth or late-night craving, their favorite jewelry boutiques, best massages, best places for romantic dates, and a myriad of other insightful answers. Sign up for Haute Secrets to review them all.

From time to time, we work with luxury connoisseurs who don’t actually reside in one of our founding markets. Such is the case with Tom Smyth of St. Barth Properties Sothebys International Realty. If you ever go looking for paradise in this tropical oasis, here are his recs for places not to miss:

Tom Smyth’s Insider’s Guide to St. Barth

• Where were you born:  Massachusetts
• How long in St Barth: 19 years
• Favorite restaurant:  Bonito
• Best sushi: Le Bete a Z’aille
• Best ethnic restaurant: The Vietnam
• Best Italian: Pacri
• Best pizza: Andy’s Hideaway
• Best lunch: Nikki Beach
• Best place for late night dining: Bonito
• Best place for a romantic date:  Les Gaiacs
• Best Sunday brunch: Les Gaiacs
• Hautest club and/or lounge:  Le Ti St Barth
• Best place for a power business meeting:  Carl Gustaf Hotel
• If you have out of town guests, which hotel would you recommend? Isle de France
• Favorite shopping venue/boutique:  For my wife, Calypso
• Best place to buy jewelry/watches:  Caret
• Best spa: Ligne St Barth
• Best gym/athletic facility: Form Fitness
• Favorite charity event: St Barth Bucket
• Best museum/exhibit: Wall House Museum
• Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore: Colombier Beach
• All-around favorite locale in St Barth, whether a neighborhood, restaurant, venue, or other:  Gouverneur Beach
• Best aspect of St Barth:  A European flair in the middle of the Caribbean

If you have yet to hear of Andrew Levitas, we’re here to instruct you to crawl out from under the rock which you’ve been hiding and join the land of luxe living. On your trek back to where the tastemakers live and breathe, we must also insist that you do not pass go without penciling in a trip to Bridgehampton on America’s birthday to celebrate Levitas’ next show at Mark Borghi Fine Art.

Levitas became a well-known name in the art world back in 2007 when he revealed to the aficionados his mixings of paint, canvas, and organic materials. At the time, he was inspired to reflect on the L.A. way of life and use his art to comment on the emotions that rule our mind and souls, and the role of truth in all of it.

His project, “Photo on Metal Experiment” stirred up the conversation once again, and is said to have transformed the way that photography is presented indoors and out, changing the way art will be looked at for all of humanity.

Along with his talent for the arts, Levitas is very lucid in his thoughts and is like speaking to a poet when asked about his masterpieces. “I feel incredibly fortunate. My experience is entirely about exploration. The more one feels, sees, and lives, the deeper and more informed their work becomes,” says the artist who was one of the first in the U.S. to earn inclusion in the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts

In a commitment to give back, Levitas is also active with charitable organizations, such as the recent auction at Sothebys to help rebuild Haiti. He donates his time to making a difference with the gift that he shares.

Your next chance to check out one of the gifted artists of our times will be at the Mark Borghi Fine Art in Bridgehampton opening July 4th Weekend. Until then, be inspired online at AndrewLevitas.com

With an empire that already includes ready-to-wear, shoes, and swimwear it was only a matter of time before Diane von Furstenberg delved into the world of sunglasses and eyewear. In what von Furstenberg called a “labor of love,” the Wonder Woman of fashion teamed with luxury eyewear company Marchon to create a line of shades showcasing trademark DVF designs.

There are lips, love knots, and even prints taken from her famed wrap dresses on more than 20 styles of sunglasses and a dozen prescription styles. Von Furstenberg, who has never been one to shy away from bold prints and color, created spectacles in a range of oranges, teals, pinks, yellows, and accented with her iconic prints on the inside of the arms and frames. Some styles are even bedazzled with crystals and stones. The designer prefers the wrap style, but for those of you looking for something a little different, she included aviator, square, round, wire, and plastic options in the collection. With summer just around the corner, sunglasses are the perfect accessory for accenting your lighter wardrobe.

The collection of eyewear retails between $125 and $250. For more information visit marchon.com

Via Style List

It’s one thing to possess enough talent in your pinky finger to earn the RSA Young Designer of the Year award, but it is quite a bolder statement about your arsenal of skill to do so two years in a row.

Such is the life and career of Lukasz Opalinski. In 2005, his avant-garde armchair, “The Purple Chill,” turned the heads of judges and collectors at the Design Exhibition in Islington, London. Refusing to sit back and rest on his laurels, he stunned design connoisseurs once again in 2006 with “Indulgence.”

Fast forward four years, and the Polish-born Opalinski is indulging the Magic City with the innovative chaise lounge that started the craze. As a writer, the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words,” can be somewhat irritating and disheartening. However, when reviewing the images of this stunning piece, I found myself somewhat speechless, grasping for adjectives that would help convey its magnificence. Art critic Robin Dutt helped me along, describing “Indulgence” as “a futuristic throne for a space queen.”

Opalinski has set up shop here in Miami, and is exhibiting at Avant Gallery in the burgeoning Design District. The trendsetting gallery has not only earned local mentions from media sources like the Miami Herald, but also from national publications like The New York Times.

You can check out this inspiring collaboration at Avant Gallery at 3850 N. Miami Ave.

In a personal tribute to pop-artist extraordinaire Andy Warhol, Italian fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo is reintroducing the only pair of men’s shoes ever designed by Monsieur Ferragamo himself. These fanciful brogues, however, are an amusing update on the original.

Warhol, known for his quirky canvases—and even quirkier social circle—owned the original lace-up Ferragamo shoe, called the Salvatore, in the 80s. Apparently Mr. Warhol didn’t sacrifice his sense of style in the studio, and often wore the Salvatores while painting his masterpieces. After Warhol’s death, the Ferragamo family purchased a pair of the paint-speckled shoes at auction.

Now, as part of a limited edition range of “Ferragamo’s Creations,” the company is producing replicas of the Warhol shoe. Each shoe is a handcrafted revival of the designer’s original, and will only be carried by a handful of Ferragamo flagship boutiques. Made from soft, full grain, dark brown calfskin aged in barrels, each shoe will sell for $990. These show steppers are sure to be a hit among the über hip fashion crowd, so get yourself on a wait list now.

Via WWD

Calling all Miami design lovers: this is an event you do not want to miss. On Thursday night, luxury Italian furniture retailer Poltrona Frau presents Design Matters, a part of its Showroom Event Series. The theme of this meeting of the minds is “Curves and Complexity,” so architectural curator Brooke Hodge will host an informal talk looking at Pritzker-Prize winning architect Frank Gehry’s projects throughout the years.

Why? Because Poltrona Frau’s contract division happens to be designing the theater seating for Gehry’s ground-breaking New World Symphony project, which is set to open on Miami Beach in January 2011. (I profiled the project two years ago in an article titled “The New New World Symphony.”) This isn’t the first time Poltrona Frau has had a hand in a Gehry project; the Italian brand also provided the seating in the Walt Disney Concert Hall, amongst near countless other public and cultural projects (including the private lounges in Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center as well). Poltrona Frau Miami CEO Giampiero Di Persia discussed these projects with me during an interview for a piece in Haute Living Miami’s upcoming April/May edition, which will go to print next week; the article will be online shortly thereafter, so be sure to check back for more details. In the meantime, head to the Design District flagship Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and get a sneak preview of the New World Symphony’s new home. RSVP to rsvp@forbespr.com or 305.531.8241.

Poltrona Frau is located at 10 NE 39th St. in Miami’s Design District

One of the last great Tahoe estates. 4.97AC +/-, 4 parcels, 490FT pristine shore line surrounded on 2 sides by Sugarpine State Park. One of the last great Tahoe estates. 4.97AC +/-, 4 parcels, 490FT pristine shore line surrounded on 2 sides by Sugarpine State Park. Elegant parcel has turquoise waters Mark Twain wrote about, majestic trees, privacy & the ambiance of Lake Tahoe s gilded age. Included: 4 residences, tennis court, & rare 100FT two-story boat house w/ rail system. Property also features pier, buoys, incredible views & southern exposure. Buy all of this unique estate or part subject to final map approval.

Offered @ $16,600,000

Contact Michael Oliver @ 530.525.5100 or Michael@OliverLux.com. Or visit www.OliverLux.com

If one were to picture an estate fit for angels, then likely they would conjure up images of a lavish Italian palazzo on lush grounds filled to the brim with fantastic works of art and finished with the utmost attention to detail. There is no room for doubt that it would take an artist’s eye for beauty and the dedication of someone who can tame the wildest stallion to create such a masterpiece. And in Studio City, California, that is just what Italian artist Giorgio Tuscani and noted horse trainer Danny Gerardi created—an estate that is fit for angels, inspired by angels themselves.

But don’t think that creating this celebrated villa was an easy process. Gerardi and Tuscani spent more than a year searching for the perfect home between Beverly Hills and Studio City. It was a long and arduous task, but the partners wanted something that spoke to them. And then, with the help of realtor to the stars Moe Abourched, founder of MSM Luxury Estates and a star in his own right, they found it in the Fryman Estates neighborhood of Studio City.

The estate, which was under construction and awaiting a buyer, called to Gerardi and Tuscani from the road. “It has amazing street presence,” explains Gerardi. “I loved the exterior design, and how it sat up on a hill. When we went inside, we loved the floor plan. I knew the minute I saw it that I wanted to buy it.” They contacted Abourched and put in an offer the following morning.

Being that the home was under construction, Gerardi and Tuscani had the opportunity to do more than simply pick out some decorations to adorn a finished product; they had a hand in the creation of their dream home. “The house had been drywalled, some of it had been painted,” explains Gerardi. “We redid everything. We knocked the ceilings out, changed hallways and closets, created big niches for artwork, and went from there.”

The result is an artistic rendition of a palace for angels, which is why the estate is called The Angel Estate, Palazzo Di Sogni, meaning “The Palace of Dreams.” Not only is it the home to Tuscani’s art studio, where he creates his stunning drawings, paintings, and mixed media works that often depict angels, he and Gerardi took the time to make the home itself a work of Italian art in the most literal sense.

The inspiration for the design was the 14th-century Medici Castle in Florence. “When we were in Italy, I fell in love with that home,” explains Gerardi. “So we had ceilings made inspired by the designs in the castle, which you will see in the dining room, kitchen, media room, billiard room, and living room.” To do so, they brought in an expert Italian designer, who, with his team, spent an entire two weeks installing the intricate ceiling, which Tuscani then hand-painted, sometimes incorporating angels into the design. The attention to detail does not stop there; throughout the home, one will find hand-painted frescoes and ceilings with glorious traits. In total, Tuscani spent more than a year lovingly creating this masterpiece, applying plaster by hand—sometimes up to five coats then sanding each layer and burnishing it—to the various rooms.

The pair then outfitted the home with art-inspired imported elements found during excursions across the country and around the globe, including stunning chandeliers (with one coming from a Paris opera house), 16th-century sconces, and an original fireplace from Notre Dame Cathedral. The drapes and bedding materials are the only aspect that their dear friend Lauren Elia of Elia Design Group helped them perfect. “Everything else we did ourselves,” explains Gerardi. “Most of the materials are from Italy, as is the furniture. Even the newer handmade furniture came from Italy.”

The result is a home that goes beyond your traditional trophy property; it is a stunning manifestation of the duo’s love of art and Italian design, and the art community and art lovers alike took notice. In 2008, the estate served as a home for showcasing of Elizabeth Shatner and Giorgio Tuscani’s art called Heart and Soul. (Elizabeth is the wife of actor William Shatner.) Mr. Shatner and Gerardi have been friends for more than 22 years, and Gerardi has trained all of the. Shatners’ horses here in southern California. Prior to this showcase, Tuscani had focused on privately commissioned works, and this event was one of his largest and most successful art shows. “We had more than 350 people attend, and 100 percent of the paintings sold,” he says. “The house was the perfect backdrop for my artwork, because everything was in place. For example, the artwork I created was over the fireplace, or in the bedroom or living room, so the buyer didn’t have to envision how the painting would look in his or her own home. I had deleted that process for them.”

With such a passion for the estate that they so diligently crafted, it seems surprising that they would be willing to part with it, but Tuscani equates it to selling one of his paintings. “We love this house. It’s a gift, and it’s time to let somebody else share in this dream that we have created….I have a hard time letting go of my artwork, but I know someone who does buy it will love it as much if not more than we do. That’s how we let go of our prized possession. It’s never really ours to have, it’s ours to share.”

For most Americans, a lack of time is a leading reason for not getting regular exercise. Even in Hollywood, home to some of the most enviable bodies on the planet, hectic schedules often prevent one from dedicating the proper amount of time to achieving fitness.

Luckily, there is an option, even for those with the most intense schedules: TurboSonic, the only sonic vibration system on the market today. Users simply stand on the TurboSonic platform for 10 minutes a day and enjoy results equivalent to a 60-minute workout.

While it may sound like a gimmick, the proof is the quantifiable results. Users enjoy reduced weight, cellulite, cortisol, excess fluid, and stress, and increased physical strength, tone, endurance, energy, flexibility, and balance. TurboSonic’s vibrations stimulate bones, muscles, blood vessels, and cells in a way that promotes rapid development and circulation, regardless of the user’s age or health. It can be used to enhance all-around physical performance as well as for physical therapy.

It has caught the attention of celebrities, health clubs, weight-loss centers, spas, and professional athletes alike, including gymnast Stephan Choiniere, who is a former Cirque du Soleil acrobatic dancer. “As an athletic performer with an uncommonly long career, I’m always looking to keep my youthful edge with sustained energy and physical virtuosity,” Choiniere explains. “The best way for me to assess the benefits of any health claim is through personal, irrefutable evidence.” This was how he came to make TurboSonic a vital part of his physical maintenance program, as did Oscar-nominated actress Mariel Hemingway, who is also an author and health advocate. “The TurboSonic has become part of my daily exercise routine… I find it very healing and energizing,” she says.

TurboSonic is part of the family of wellness companies that includes Maxam Nutraceutics, a leading global provider of natural health supplements and medical device technologies. The machine uses what is touted as the “Science of Sound,” a patented sonic-vibration technology based on decades of research and development.

Quite literally, when users stand on the machine, their whole body vibrates. This stimulates the muscles with three times the strength of normal gravity, meaning that the muscles contract and relax at a high speed. This translates to fast results, which athletic trainers and physical therapists particularly love. The vibration technology serves to expedite the recovery of damaged muscles and tendons, something that Dr. Dustin Glass, the team chiropractor for the Los Angeles Avengers, relies on. “In dealing with professional and elite athletes, recovery time between events is a critical component in their training,” he says. “The TurboSonic Vibration Plate allows my patients the opportunity to recover quicker and more effectively… [which] allows for more productivity and better results.”

While the idea of using vibration for physical endurance has been around for decades, TurboSonic uses a speaker system with a new magnetic circuit instead of spinning, mechanical motors that are common in other whole-body vibration machines. The TurboSonic method creates “prevision vertical vibrations,” which are the most natural for the human body because that is the same direction experienced in “real” exercise. NFL player Mark Simoneau of the New Orleans Saints is an avid believer in the new technology. “How natural this feels to my body,” he says. “It’s so much better than the Power Plate, which always hurt my neck.”

So it’s not surprising that TurboSonic is the only whole body vibration device registered with the Food and Drug Administration. There are a number of different models available at locations throughout the U.S. Step up to the plate and get that elusive Hollywood body in no time.

www.turbosonicusa.com