Polo Lifestyles-Haiti Jan-Feb 2022: The New Year with Michael B. Jordan!

Joey

Raphael

MICHAEL B. JORDAN |ON

TOP OF THE WORLD

Scientists have discovered what causes aging, page 68

A $5 million F1 package for elite fans, page 80

Rolex outperforms gold, real estate and stocks, page 63

The best, new hotels opening in 2023 page 72

HAPPY NEW YEAR! THIS NEW MONTH IN THIS NEW YEAR MARKS VOLUME SEVEN OF POLO LIFESTYLES, BUT I CAN STILL VIVIDLY REMEMBER PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON VOLUME ONE, ISSUE ONE BACK IN 2017. IN 2022, WE ADDED NEW CONTRIBUTORS, EXPLORED THE ISLAND OF ST-BARTHÉLEMY, TALKED TO TONS OF CELEBRITIES AND INFLUENCERS, PUBLISHED OUR BIGGEST ISSUE EVER (OCTOBER’S FASHION ISSUE) AND EXPANDED OUR BASE OF PARTNERS AND READERS IN DROVES.

This month, with Michael B. Jordan and Liya Kebede on the cover, we wanted to encourage you to ring in the new year like two young people on top of the world. Michael is currently directing and starring in Creed 3 and Liya is the face of Louis Vuitton’s winter campaign. Far beyond “new year, new me” mantras, we’re diving deep into subjects like emotional intelligence, coming back from the brink of suicide and addiction and navigating feelings and relationships.

The December holiday season marks the opening of snow polo and we bring coverage from Aspen’s glittering event a few weeks ago, while looking forward to perennial events in Kitzbuhel and St-Moritz, alongside the debut of Colorado Springs’ snow polo event scheduled for late February. There’s no better excuse for breaking out the furs than a day or two in the snow inside a VIP tent in the mountains.

As we look forward to seeing what 2023 brings us, we wish you all a safe, happy and joyful New Year.

Best,

Josh Jakobitz josh@pololifestyles.com

Beyond first class is a class of one.

INNOVATION EXISTS PURELY TO SERVE YOUR COMFORT, SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE VIA MULTIPLE SENSES.

A VIRTUAL VOICE ASSISTANT LISTENS TO SERVE YOU.

LIGHTING AND FRAGRANCE SUBTLY SOOTHE YOU.

Taking some time between the holidays to refocus, relax and recenter is key to a fresh New Year

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Bringing the next big thing in art to Polo Lifestyles, DG founder Raphael Dapaah travels the world

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Luxe, luxe, luxe finishes from Degournay add a touch of refinement to any room

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When it's time to set the table for sushi, we can't imagine any other chopsticks than these from @eatingtools

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The artisans behind the incredible jewels and designs from Graff

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Exquisite and refined properties from luxury realtor Francis York year after year

Looking forward to the winter season at the National Polo CenterWellington with @USPoloAssn

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The Indian royal and polo icon models for Ralph Lauren alongside a favorite pony

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Tired of the holiday mess at home? Check into the Ritz Paris where all your dreams can come true

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Time to move out! Next stop: StBarths in the Caribbean

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Kendall Jenner is the epitome of winter chic in all black from head to toe

Hand-made creations from Jennifer Behr are the perfect accessory for winter

A Moroccan inspired room exudes warmth, luxury and other-worldliness from designer Teo Honga

Hit the beaches of Rio before or after drinks and bites on the rooftop bar here

Aspen Snow Polo is the first stop on the annual snow polo tour for enthusiasts and elite players

ASPEN WORLD SNOW POLO CHAMPIONSHIP

ASPEN WORLD SNOW POLO CHAMPIONSHIP

HOSTED AT THE ST. REGIS ASPEN

Every year, the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship is held in Aspen over two sunny days. The event not only kicks off Aspen’s holiday season, but it has evolved into a global draw for both Aspen and St. Regis Aspen, whose iconic property near Ajax Mountain

attracts fashionable skiers and non-skiers looking for a luxe mountain getaway. St. Regis Aspen is ground zero for the Aspen experience and embodies everything guests love about snow polo itself, whether sipping champagne in the Mountain Social lounge, soaking

at Remède spa, or shopping in luxury boutiques just blocks away.

The Ganzi family, led by patriarch Marc Ganzi, is the driving force behind the Aspen Valley Polo Club and Aspen’s rendition of snow polo, the only loca-

ASPEN WORLD SNOW POLO CHAMPIONSHIP

tion in North America to host the unique take on the “sport of kings.” This year marked the tenth anniversary of snow polo in Aspen, where it has become a popular holiday tradition for both locals and visitors.

St. Regis team polo captain and proud Argentine Nacho Figueras said in a statement, “The St. Regis World Snow Polo Championships are always a celebratory way to end the year – all the more so on the heels of Argentina’s World Cup victory this year.” He added, “My family loves coming to Aspen, especially in December, and to be able to play polo here, surrounded by so many friends and family, is incredibly special.”

The final match pitted whisky company Blade and Bow against St. Regis, which is also the event’s title sponsor. Blade and Bow won the 10th anniversary of the championship this year. Tommy Biddle, one of the all-time great American polo players, joined the winning threesome along with Grant Ganzi and Hilario Figueras. Nacho Figueras, Melissa Ganzi, and Alejandro Novillo Astrada, another highly ranked player from Argentina, were on the opposing team with St. Regis.

Grant Ganzi said after the match, “We were clawing back the whole game. They got a cushion on us and then they

ASPEN WORLD

SNOW POLO CHAMPIONSHIP

PHOTOGRAPHS BY NICK TININENKO & DILLON DRISCOLL

scored a quick one — my mom scored an amazing goal. And they scored another goal.”

Grant further added, “It was a lot of goals we had to make up. And I missed a couple of penalties. So, honestly, I was proud of my teammates. They fought really hard, and I was happy I was able to knock the penalties down the second half when they were really important.”

ASPEN WORLD SNOW POLO CHAMPIONSHIP

PHOTOGRAPHS BY NICK TININENKO & DILLON DRISCOLL

ASPEN WORLD

SNOW POLO CHAMPIONSHIP

ASPEN WORLD SNOW POLO CHAMPIONSHIP

OPEN DE ARGENTINA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATERINA MORGAN

OPEN DE ARGENTINA

MORGAN

OPEN DE ARGENTINA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATERINA MORGAN

OPEN DE ARGENTINA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATERINA MORGAN

OPEN DE ARGENTINA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATERINA MORGAN

OPEN DE ARGENTINA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATERINA MORGAN

OPEN DE ARGENTINA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATERINA MORGAN

ROLEX TIMEPIECE$ A BETTER INVE$TMENT THAN GOLD, REAL E$TATE OR $TOCK

ROLEX WATCHES HAVE OUTPERFORMED GOLD, REAL ESTATE, AND STOCKS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, AND SELLERS BELIEVE THEIR FUTURE VALUE WILL CONTINUE TO DELIVER

In March, the price of a second-hand Rolex Daytona watch peaked at a whopping $48,500. It’s come a little closer to Earth since, and is now around $30,000 on the secondary market, according to WatchCharts.

Prices of Rolex watches on the secondary market skyrocketed during the first several months of 2022, before dipping

a bit as the year ended. But the Rolex’s value as an investment has outperformed other assets like gold and the stock market for the past decade.

On Chrono24, a popular luxury watch marketplace that claims investors like French billionaire Bernard Arnault — who just toppled Elon Musk as the richest man in the world this year — approximately 25 percent of site searches are Rolex-related.

Around 14 percent of the platform’s sales come from Rolex watches, and 80 percent of those are pre-owned.

“We’re still seeing, for most of the watches, prices above January this

year,” said Tim Stracke, the founder of Chrono24, “but not as crazy as they were in March and April.”

According to Chrono24’s data, the dramatic increase in prices has mainly affected what Stracke calls the “glorious three” brands: Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet.

Other watch brands, however, have only seen what Stracke calls a “very, very stable, slow but steady increase over time.”

Back in February, Paul Altieri, the CEO of online watch resale marketplace Bob’s Watches, told Insider, “Rolexes have been a good investment over the years, but not like the last five.”

For the past decade, Bob’s has been buying and selling thousands of watches using a consistent pricing strategy that has given the company unique insights into the real market value of every Rolex model.

One of the reasons for Rolex’s swift rise in prices amidst recent years comes down to supply. Rolex reportedly makes about 800,000 watches each year, but the popularity of the brand means demand vastly exceeds the supply of new timepieces, leading to a robust secondary market for pre-owned watches.

Indeed, the sales numbers for Rolex on average shows

an uptick beginning in 2017, followed by an even sharper bump up in 2020. As of February 2022, the average Rolex price is more than $13,000 — nearly three times the 2011 average of $5,000.

“Before you leave the store it’s worth double or triple what you paid,” Altieri said.

And that’s if you can even find an authorized dealer to sell it to you.

“People have waited a year or two for their name to come up on the buyers list — they’re not going to flip it,” Altieri said.

The limited supply is likely one the reasons that Rolex

launched its own certified pre-owned program in December.

“The new program makes it possible to purchase preowned watches that the brand itself has certified and guaranteed. Its aim is to bring added value to the existing supply of pre-owned Rolex watches. Because when these watches change hands, their authenticity must be attestable at the time of resale by the Official Retailers,” Rolex noted in the press release announcing the program.

The current total value of the pre-owned luxury watch market is estimated to be worth $20 billion, according

to a report from McKinsey, and is expected to top $29 billion by 2025.

Stracke expects that inflation will continue to drive up demand and prices for the glorious three in the coming year.

“A lot of users buy a watch to not only enjoy the perfect craftsmanship, and the beauty of the watch, and the status of the brand, but also the stability of value,” he said. “We have to call it not only a piece of jewelry, and a luxury category, but also the real asset class.

SCIENTISTS DISCOVER

WHAT REALLY CAUSES AGING

SCIENTISTS HAVE JUST UNEARTHED A VITAL CLUE ABOUT WHAT REALLY CAUSES AGING, DISCOVERING AN IMBALANCE THAT MAKES AGING CELLS PROGRESSIVELY LESS FUNCTIONAL AS TIME PASSES.

The new study found that an imbalance of long and short genes developed in every cell in the body as it aged and that it could be one of the prime reasons for aging.

THE SCIENCE

The findings were revealed in a study conducted by researchers from

Northwestern University, who studied animals like mice, rats, killifish, and even humans to show a gradual imbalance of long and short genes. The researchers analyzed transcriptomic data from multiple studies.

Nature.com defines a transcriptome as the full range of messenger RNA, or mRNA, molecules expressed by an organism. The term “transcriptome” can also be used to describe the array of mRNA transcripts produced in a particular cell or tissue type.

The scientist said their study showed how transcript length alone explained most transcriptional changes observed with aging in mice and humans.

They added that the research revealed there weren’t specific genes that controlled aging. “Instead, old age seems to be governed by systems-level changes with complex effects. And this can impact thousands of different genes and their respective proteins,” Science Alert reported.

“We have been primarily focusing on a small number of genes, thinking that a few genes would explain disease,” Northwestern University data scientist Luís Amaral told Science Alert.

“So, maybe we were not focused on the right thing before. Now that we have this new understanding, it’s like having a new instrument. It’s like Galileo with a telescope, looking at space. Looking

at gene activity through this new lens will enable us to see biological phenomena differently,” he added.

In younger animals, the long and short genes are generally in balance, but as the body grows older, short genes become more dominant.

The authors concluded that aging could not be boiled down to a single origin of transcriptome imbalance, but was a result of “multiple environmental and internal conditions” that probably

led to short genes becoming more active in the body.

SO WHAT?

Human beings have always been fixated on staying young and beautiful, physically at least, and this eternal pursuit of juvenility has given rise to multi-billion-dollar industries that market anti-aging products and medicines to consumers. Yet all of these solutions do nothing to stop or even slow down a process that is all but natural.

Studies like these are, therefore, groundbreaking in the sense that they help understand the cellular changes that lead to aging and maybe help scientists improve existing medication and treatments to help people stay younger, and more importantly, healthier, for longer.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The researchers believe that understanding the “direction of causality between other age-dependent cellular and transcriptomic changes and

length-associated transcriptome imbalance could open novel research directions for anti-aging interventions”.

More research and greater insights are expected to follow the Northwestern University study as scientists delve deeper into the science behind aging. If progress in the field continues, science may soon be able to develop cellular responses to not only aging but also several other diseases. And that is why this research makes so much sense.

15 NEW LUXURY HOTELS DEBUTING IN 2023

MUST-VISIT PROPERTIES FROM THE BEACH TO THE WOODS

THE RESULTS ARE IN: 2022 HAS BEEN A BANNER YEAR FOR LUXURY TRAVEL. FIVE-STAR HOTELS AROUND THE WORLD HIT RECORD RATES, WITH CARIBBEAN LUXURY CLASS PROPERTIES HITTING AN AVERAGE OF $507.94 THIS SUMMER VERSUS $238.65 IN 2019, PER GLOBAL HOSPITALITY DATA TRACKING FIRM STR.

The demand for plush crash pads like these is propelling the pipeline for 2023; we’ve roamed the world looking for the best new properties on the horizon, culling down the list until we

arrived at our top, must-see spots. We’ve unearthed a raft of exciting new hotels, from two contrasting hideaways on the Med’s buzziest island to Africa’s newest buyout-primed lodge– we’ve even sneaked in a few cruise ships that might lure you to ditch a charter in favor of a voyage onboard.

MAISON DELANO PARIS Paris, France

Expected launch: February 2023

Rates: Doubles from $500

You won’t have to tote your purchases far after a day of retail therapy on the exclusive Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the 8th arrondissement in Paris: Book a room or a suite at this 56-key hotel,

housed in an 18th-century courtyard building. It’s the first urban property for Delano under the auspices of Accor, the giant hotel group which snapped up the Ian Schrager–originated name (along with sister spots like the Mondrian) and has teed up aggressive expansion plans; city center sites like this will operate under the new Maison Delano name.

THE FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL New York, NY

Expected launch: March 2023

Rates Doubles from $900

We think it will be worth the wait. This ambitious new hotel in New York’s NoMad, originally slated for a debut last spring, is now penciled in to welcome

BY MARK ELLWOOD & SARAH KHAN FOR POLO LIFESTYLES

guests in March.

When they finally arrive, they’ll see rooms split between two buildings: There are 129 of them in a soaring new 24-story skyscraper, but the real lure is sure to be the 24 suites inside the former Second National Bank Building, a McKim Mead & White original design which the Gilded Age’s favorite architects completed in 1907. It’s undergone a painstaking reboot that should see it reborn in typically glamorous but understated style from Martin Brudnizki, who earned his reputation designing exclusive bars and restaurants like the Ivy in London. Operated by Flâneur Hospitality, the property will be helmed by experts who’ve previously worked at luxury hotels like the Ritz Paris and the Lanesborough in London.

ATLANTIS THE ROYAL DUBAI Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Expected opening: March 2023

Rates: Doubles from $850

Get ready for the party of the century when Dubai’s long-awaited Atlantis The Royal finally debuts in March—given

that Atlantis the Palm launched with a high-octane $30 million opening fête in 2008, the celebrations to welcome its neighboring 795-room behemoth will be sure to dazzle even more.

The numbers at play here are staggering: 43 stories, 94 swimming pools, 4,000 jellyfish, 17 restaurants and eight bars,

for starters. And it’s those dining destinations that are generating some of the most pre-opening buzz—celebrity chefs Gastón Acurio, Heston Blumenthal and José Andrés are all opening glitzy new outposts across the resort, while Nobu’s first Nobu by the Beach will preside over the resort’s 1.2 mile stretch of sand.

THE INN AT MATTEI’S TAVERN, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION

Los Olivos, California

Expected launch: February 2023

Rates: Doubles from $750

A holdover from last year, when it was initially expected to open in spring, this 67-room resort is now finally slated for Q1. The property itself has a deliciously only-in-California history: It started out as a stagecoach stop during the Gold Rush, then was owned by a namesake Swiss hotelier before morphing into a Volstead-era speakeasy and finally rebooting as a luxury hotel under the Auberge auspices.

Just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from LA in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, the getaway will emphasize the out-

doors, with a coffee bar porch and an open-air restaurant.

CAP KAROSO

Sumba, Indonesia

Expected launch: January 2023

Rates: Doubles from $250

Yes, at 67 rooms, this resort in Indonesia’s Sumba, Cap Karoso, is much larger than most high-end properties. Don’t fret, though: its location quietens any doubts as to its appeal, one of the country’s most pristine strips of sand.

“If you want to dive or snorkel, Maldives-style, you can do it right off your room at the beach – it’s one of the most beautiful reefs in the world,” adds Embark Beyond’s Jack Ezon. Fabrice and Evguenia Ivara, French globetrotters who founded the property, have equipped it with its own organic farm as well as incorporating impact-minimizing details like solar panels to supply at least 50 percent of its power.

BANYAN TREE HIGASHIYAMA

KYOTO

Kyoto, Japan

Expected launch: Q4 2023

Rates: Doubles from $1,000

The latest addition to Kyoto’s hospitality

landscape is this 52-room urban resort from the Singaporean hotelier. Its points of difference will include the private onsen spring that’s reserved solely for the hotel’s own use, a feature element for the on-site spa, as well as a restaurant which overlooks a Noh stage, where the classical Japanese dance-drama playlets can be performed. It’s right in the heart of Kyoto, and close to Gion, the historic district that more resembles a movie set than a neighborhood and where geishas continue to work even today.

VICEROY OMBRIA Algarve, Portugal

Expected launch: Q3 2023

Rates: Doubles from $550

The Algarve is one of Portugal’s prime tourist spots thanks to a killer combo of great beaches (the surf’s good enough for boarding, too), pretty cities and impressive natural features, like the Benagil Caves—all that, plus worldclass golf to boot. Another reason to finally visit in 2023 is the arrival of the 76-room outpost of the LA-based hotel

group Viceroy. It doubles down on all of the Algarve’s key appeals, with its own 18-hole golf course and impressive F&B; try some lulas com ferrado, a moreish garlicky mashup of squid and potato that’s a classic dish from this region.

THE AMAN MU NEI Mui Ne, Vietnam

Expected launch: Q1 2023

Rates: Doubles from $200

The seaside town of Mui Ne on Vietnam’s southeast coast is a popular weekend hideaway, around four hours drive away from Ho Chi Minh City— not only a draw for its superb beaches, but also the reliable winds that have made it a sailing and watersports mecca. Weekending here, though, will undergo a major upgrade in early 2023, when the 127-room property from the Anam group opens here right on the water. Even if you don’t travel with private security (and so don’t need the adjoining bodyguard’s bedroom), book out the 1,300-square-foot Presidential Suite as the ultimate luxury.

VOLCANOES KIBALE

Kibale, Uganda

Expected launch: Q4 2023

Rates: Doubles from around $1,000 per person

Volcanoes Safaris founder Praveen Moman pioneered eco-tourism in Uganda and Rwanda 25 years ago, introducing community-oriented travel experiences across Africa’s Great Lakes region.

Now, his team is at work on unveiling a fifth lodge, set on a rocky outcrop in Uganda’s Kibale National Park that overlooks the Queen Elizabeth plains, Rwenzori Mountains and Kazinga channel.

While gorillas have long been Uganda and Rwanda’s safari calling card, the focus at this plush camp will be chimpanzee trekking—the Kibale Forest counts more than 1,500, making it home to one of the largest chimp populations in Africa.

SIX SENSES SOUTHERN DUNES

Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

Expected launch: Early 2023 Rates: From $999

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Project is one of the most anticipated developments in the Middle East, with a who’s-who of resorts in the pipeline from the likes Ritz-Carlton, Miraval, Raffles, Fairmont Edition and others.

But it looks like the first to the finish line will be the Six Senses Southern Dunes, a desert oasis of 79 rooms and villas that appear to meld seamlessly into the sand. The brand’s approach to wellness promises to be front and center, with a spa that encompasses a holistic anti-aging center, a sensory suite and alfresco treatment rooms.

PENINSULA ISTANBUL Istanbul, Turkey

Expected launch: February 2023 Rates: Doubles from $1,012

With the long-awaited opening of Istanbul’s gleaming new Galataport cruise terminal last year, the historic Karakoy district has been in the throes of a revival as a host of destination restaurants, museums and boutiques are arriving on its heels. Now, on the banks of the Bosphorus comes the ancient city’s most anticipated new hotel. The 177-room Peninsula Istanbul stands within striking distance of the best attractions, both old and new, while the property itself promises to marry Istanbul’s storied history with cutting-edge conveniences: spanning four waterfront buildings (including three century-old protected landmark structures), the Peninsula’s multilingual touchscreens and kilim-clad Marmara marble expanses coexist effortlessly.

While the pool running alongside the Bosphorus is a standout, the real star is the 5,500-square-foot Peninsula Suite, with its own hammam, gym and rooftop pool.

SHINTA MANI MUSTANG - A BENSLEY COLLECTION| Jomsom, Nepal

Expected launch: May 2023

Rates: From $1,700 per night

Design icon Bill Bensley has masterminded some of the world’s most majestic resorts, paving the way for conservation-focused hospitality everywhere from the jungle-clad mountains of Cambodia to the beaches of Bali.

Now he has his sights set on the Himalayas, in Nepal’s Lower Mustang Valley, where the 29-suite Shinta Mani Mustang immerses itself in its dramatic natural environs. It’s a sumptuous gateway to the Forbidden Kingdom, which was off-limits to foreign travelers until 1992. The airy, open-plan rooms take design notes from traditional Tibetan homes, but the focal point is the floorto-ceiling glass that centers the gaze on the dramatic snowcapped peak of Mount Nilgiri.

Activities from rock-climbing to archery to horseback riding abound, but save some time for the spa—the Tibetan wellness program has been developed by an 11th-generation amchi doctor.

NORTH ISLAND

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Expected launch: June 2023 Rates: Doubles from $1,190 per person

This new property in Botswana, already arguably the epicenter of ultra-luxury safari in sub-Saharan Africa, will likely outstrip even rivals like Xigera.

It will consist of just three luxe tented rooms, hovering on platforms above the namesake Delta, which will be teeming with dry season wildlife when it debuts in June.

“I’d be surprised if it’s easy to book on a single room basis – the vast majority of bookings will be buyouts,” cautions Cazenove & Loyd’s Jonathan Goldsmith. Explore the area in multiple ways, not only on game drives but also by water on mokoro canoes and from high above in a hot air balloon.

Bonus points to the Natural Selection team—which also runs the beloved Jack’s Camp—for opting to decorate with a contemporary flair instead of the cod-colonial vibe that still persists in most camps even today.

HOTEL LA PALMA Capri, Italy

Expected launch: Q2 2023 Rates: Doubles from $1,603

If its spiffy new beach club, Da Gioia, is any indication of the soon-to-open Oetker Collection’s debut in Italy, La Palma, then sign us up now. That glammy hideaway in often overrun Capri is a dolce vita–era throwback that teased this summer’s opening of the re-imagined hotel, the island’s oldest which just celebrated 200 years in operation. The multi-million-dollar reno was overseen by designer Francis Sultana; the key count has been reduced to ramp up the room size to comfier quarters—now there are just 50, versus the 80 of the old layout. The best perch, though, is the flexible two-to-five bedroom suite with room for up to 10 adults with its own loggia and private dining room.

SIX SENSES ROME Rome, Italy

Expected launch: March 2023

Rates: Doubles from $844

A soothing sanctuary in the heart of the Eternal City? When the Six Senses arrives in Italy this spring, it brings its

signature approach to serenity to a storied address steps away from the hubbub of the Via del Corso. Ninety-six tranquil rooms have been etched into the Baroque 15th-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, each with Travertine limestone and distinctive Cocciopesto plasterwork, and the spa re-creates ancient Roman baths with a journey through three plunge pools with a bas-relief inspired by the myth of Daphne and Apollo presiding overhead.

But it’s the rooftop garden oasis that promises to be the destination of choice for both savvy locals and travelers alike this summer—for yoga in the morning

to late-night drinks with 360-degree views over the city.

CAPELLA SYDNEY Sydney, Australia

Expected launch: March 2023 Rates: Doubles from $650

After blazing a trail across Asia with resorts in Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam, Capella heads Down Under with its Sydney debut. Set in a landmark sandstone building spanning a city block in the heart of the Central Business District, Capella Sydney opens this March with 192 rooms and 32 suites.

The foyer of century-old Edwardian Baroque building has been revived for this new chapter with a soaring glass ceiling, contemporary art and a 21-foot green wall woven with more than 70 species of local flora; steps away are the McRae Bar, a Victorian-inspired drinking den, and Brasserie 1930, a temple to fresh Australian fare.

BY JOSH JAKOBITZ

THE FACES OF LOUIS VUITTON AND COACH, LIYA KEBEDE AND MICHAEL B. JORDAN, RESPECTIVELY, MAY BE TWO OF THE MOST RECOGNIZED IN THE WORLD. FOR LOUIS VUITTON, KEBEDE HIT THE RUES OF PARIS WITH HER DAUGHTER AND THE FALL WINTER 2022 CAPUCINES HANDBAG COLLECTION, WHILE JORDAN, ALONGSIDE THE LIKES OF JENNIFER LOPEZ, PLAYED IN THE SNOW FOR COACH’S WINTER ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN.

The two stars first met back in 2015 during a shoot for Vogue, which was Jordan’s debut in the world of luxe brands and fashion. The Black Panther star was admittedly, back then, more of a jeans and tee-shirt guy. Since 2015, we’ve watched Jordan experiment with an appropriate level of attire for a star at his level.

Beyond acting, modeling and directing, Jordan is now part owner of the English soccer team AFC Bournemouth.

A statement from the Premier League club announced that a deal had closed, finalizing its sale to a partnership led by American businessman Bill Foley and a minority ownership group

led by Jordan. Foley is best known as the owner of the NHL franchise Vegas Golden Knights. However, this is Jordan’s first foray into professional sports ownership.

AFC Bournemouth has said Foley will assume the role of club Chairman with immediate effect, and he will work closely with Jordan and his business partner Nullah Sarker in areas including “global marketing and internationalization of the club.”

Jordan has also made his intentions to carve out a fresh path for the Creed franchise clear, and it looks like the upcoming third installment is set to take that to another level in 2023. The boxing saga is a spin-off of Sylvester

Stallone’s globally hailed Rocky franchise and follows the story of Adonis “Donnie” Creed, the son of Rocky’s best friend Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), who dies in a heartbreaking match during Rocky IV. The first two Creed films were a formal passing of the baton from Stallone to Jordan as Rocky tutors Donnie on his journey of exploration as he steps into his father’s legacy. In a new featurette for Creed III, Jordan hinted at a new chapter for his titular hero.

The behind-the-scenes video gave audiences a stunning insight into the makings of the upcoming film, which is set to be released in IMAX. “Creed

3 is not just your typical boxing movie,” Jordan explained. “We really wanted to take advantage of the emotional journey of the characters and put that into the ring and have it pay off in a physical way.” The Hollywood actor’s vision for bringing the pain outside of the ring into the forefront is very much reflected in the plot line for the movie.

As per the recent trailer, Donnie is at the top of his game as both a boxer and family man when his peace is disrupted by an appearance from his childhood friend Damian Andersen (Jonathan Majors). In a brief shot both men are shown as young children surrendering to the police whilst present-day Damian

explains that he’s back after spending 18 years in prison. In a clear sense of obligation - or perhaps guilt - Donnie welcomes Damian into his gym only to find out he harbors a deep-rooted bitterness that his childhood “brother” was growing whilst he was behind bars.

Damian’s anger sparks fury in Donnie which bleeds into an enmity that brings them face-to-face in the ring.

The upcoming boxing epic sees Jordan taking the directorial reigns from Creed II’s Steven Caple Jr. The featurette reveals a taste of the actor’s experience stepping behind the camera. This is highlighted during several shots that see Jordan going from shooting a fighting

scene with his bloody eye to jumping behind the camera and critically reviewing footage. “I’ve been living with this character for eight years,” he explained. “We laughed, cheered, cried together. A core pillar of this franchise is figuring out you really are

and what’s worth fighting for. In Creed 3, I wanted to know what Adonis’ limits were.

So, to be able to finally step behind the camera and continue to elevate and evolve this story, is something I’m eternally grateful for.” Jordan went on to explain that as a

storyteller he really pulled from his own “personal desires and goals to shortcomings, failures, mistakes” as part of the process.

In a powerful closing statement, Jordan revealed what he is optimistic audiences

will be able to take away from the movie. “I hope audiences walk away feeling inspired and have the courage to do something that you normally wouldn’t do,” he said.

POOL FLOATS FOR FUN PEOPLE

A SERIES BY RAPHAEL K. DAPAAH INTRODUCING THE-NEXT-BIG ARTISTS TO THE WORLD OF ART COLLECTORS AND CURATORS

KALOKI NYAMAI BREAKOUT ARTIST OF 2022

FROM VENICE TO BASEL

RAPHAEL DAPAAH @dapaahgallery ART CONTRIBUTOR

HE START OF A NEW YEAR SEEMS TO ALWAYS EVOKE A NEED FOR RETROSPECTION; TO TAKE STOCK, REFLECT AND EVALUATE THE PAST 12 MONTHS AND HOW IT HAS

SHAPED AND IMPACTED US.

TAs it pertains to contemporary art, in the aftermath of the worse of Covid-19, 2022 offered not only a return to some sense of normality, e.g. the return of physical art shows and fairs, but also a palpable optimism and buoyancy, as a sweeping demand and appetite for emerging artists from previously overlooked markets took the art industry by storm.

Of course, it is no secret that contemporary African art is one such market that has reaped the benefit of 2022’s

resurgence. Mainstay artists and masters in their field such as Amoako Boafo, Aboudia, and Oluwole Omofemi, continued to dominate at the auction houses, and their respective gallery and institutional shows. However, amidst the list of stars that we have come to know and celebrate, is one that has been shining just as bright, albeit at a distance and only recognized by the most discerning and experienced of eyes.

Kaloki Nyamai’s rise to contemporary art royalty, and as a formidable challenger to the throne, has been a few years in the making. From international art

residencies, acclaimed solo exhibitions, to triennales and biennales, Kaloki’s decorated CV reads like a Hemmingway epic, littered with travel and adventure only few artists could possibly dream of, let alone live out.

Despite this, 2022 was the year that the unassuming yet charming artist truly broke out and forced the art world to look up and pay close attention – from his critically acclaimed debut at the 59th Venice Biennale to ending the year on a dizzy high at Miami Art Basel.

I had the pleasure of briefly catching up with one of Kenya’s, and indeed the African continent’s, leading artists, whilst he was in Nairobi overseeing the construction of his new artist studio and residency.

RD: Kaloki, it is fair to say you have had nothing short of a stellar year. It seems that absolutely everything that could have gone right did for you, and the stars aligned perfectly in your favor.

Before entering 2022, could you have imagined the year you were about to have?

KN: I had an idea but it was beyond what I expected.

RD: That’s impressive that you anticipated, or rather manifested your recent accomplishments. With 2022 now out of the way and key milestones achieved, what can we expect from you this year, and what is your next major goal?

KN: Expect a huge show in America and Europe. Hopefully more placements in museum collections too.

RD: I’d like to talk about your work a bit, as it has achieved such strong resonance and universal appeal despite it being rooted in your own personal experience. Your work appears to speak to and explore themes of kinship, intimacy and companionship.

Why did you choose to unpack these narratives, and what contribution as

an international artist would you most want to be recognized and remembered for?

KN: These narratives are a burden and responsibility, as I have to explore more about our culture and lineage, as well as the responsibilities that we have as brothers, sisters and parents in our community. I would like to be remembered for being an artist (who) empowered his community through the art he created.

RD: That’s brilliant. Beyond your own creative output, as we speak you are overseeing a new yet different sort of project, and I recently discovered you have a fondness of working with children and supporting fellow artists; can you share what you are working on at the moment to this end?

KN: I am building an art residency that will bring cultural exchange and dialogue from artists of different spaces to artists in Kenya through sharing. More so, I am including and high-

lighting young artists in this. I am also building a library dedicated to art. This will help children, young people, artists, and institutions have access to art books for research and learning and a creative space for expression.

RD: That sounds incredibly encouraging and fulfilling. Kudos and best of luck with it all! In recent years you have become somewhat of a darling of

European collectors, however your star is beginning to rise and shine bright across the pond in the states also. You have shown to rave reviews in New York, Dallas, LA and in Miami; if you had to choose, where would you love to show again?

KN: I would love to show again in L.A and at the moment I am working towards having a solo there in 2023.

RD: Well, LA is definitely famous for being the home of the stars, and if 2022 is anything to go by, you’d certainly be welcomed with open arms there! Thank you so much for your time, I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the year unfolds for you. Well played.

GABRIELA HEARST TAKES ON GLOBAL HUNGER

FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW, GABRIELA HEARST PARTNERED WITH THE GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION SAVE THE CHILDREN.

From December 1-25, 100 percent of net proceeds across all ready to wear, handbags, and accessories from Gabriela Hearst Flagship stores and its website were donated to Save The Children’s Global Hunger Crisis Response.

Gabriela Hearst is also making all her handbags, which are usually only available by wait list, available in a click-tobuy format on its e-commerce platform with complimentary monogram and free U.S. And international shipping.

Save the Children is providing critical support around the world in communities where extreme hunger threatens to claim thousands of children’s lives and futures. The organization’s work aims to save lives and prevent widespread hunger in the short-term, whilst also

implementing long-term solutions and more resilient systems that better manage the risk of future crises.

Children can’t be children if they are hungry. The worst global food crisis in decades is putting millions of children’s lives on the line. Rising conflict, displacement, climate shocks, and food prices, coupled with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, are driving a massive food crisis across multiple countries around the globe, threatening millions of children’s lives.

MARK

THE DESIGNER TEAMS WITH THE HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION TO SUPPORT ITS GLOBAL HUNGER CRISIS RESPONSE

THE IMPRESSION YEAR IN REVIEW POLO LIFESTYLES &

RICK OWENS

IMPRESSION STYLE

DOUBLED DOWN ON

On reflection, 2022 turned out to be an accurate depiction of the uncertainty that brands will now have to factor into their business plans, but far from being a reason to shy away, a new generation of creatives, K-pop stars, and over-the-top productions, taught us that there is much to cheer going into 2023.

Throughout the year - which started off with much talk of optimism and promise - there was a genuine desire to get back to business and double down on what makes the industry both influential and inspiring. Designers went viral with mini versions of wardrobe staples, technology was harnessed to create dresses from thin air, campaigns tapped into the world of Kubrick, we all embraced our inner Barbie by thinking in pink, and a plastic pigeon became part of a surreal narrative which couldn’t be more fitting for the times we are living through.

We can safely say that by year end nothing was the same, and despite being braced for change through the resiliency that had been built up post-pandemic, the departure of some key names from their posts leading the creative direction of luxury fashions major brands still felt like a fash-quake, in which the dust has still not settled.

Ultimately in 2022 change, alongside experimentation, was good for an industry in flux, because, in the end, it’s creativity that will save us all.

THE VIRAL MOMENTS THAT WENT MAINSTREAM

MAINSTREAM

In 2022 it was tiny tops (and bottoms), twins, and technology for the win. As many a viral moment, which captured hearts and minds were about living life on the extreme end of the spectrum. Baring it all whatever the weather in mini lengths and low cuts, or creating a spectacle through the use of not one but two identical twins to make a statement in a show. These moments employed daring, wonder, and a dose of nostalgia as a way to cross-over into - not just social, butmainstream media and make the grade for most-talked about moments of the year.

BELLA HADID SPRAY-ON DRESS AT COPERNI

Not since Alexander McQueen’s robotic arms gracefully spray-painted model Shalom Harlow during his spring 1999 show, has the concept of letting the viewer in on the creative process been executed so expertly. The closing look of Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant’s Coperni show, had the duo spray-painting a liquid to fabric ‘dress’ on model Bella Hadid and creating the viral moment of the season, which has racked up over 700,000 combined likes on their Instagram.

IT TAKES TWOGUCCI TWINSBURG AND SUNNEI TWINS

Twinning in fashion is not a new phenomenon, because why settle for one, when a double dose of a look creates more impact. During the spring summer 2023 runway season designers including Gucci and Sunnei had their audiences partaking in a playful illusion, as twins became the must-have accessory. Models walking simultaneously between what was later revealed to be a screen, caused a genuine moment of surprise and delight at Gucci, that was too unknowingly be Alessandro Michele’s swan-song for the brand.

CHER AT THE BALMAIN FESTIVAL

As far as celebrity coups go, Olivier Rousteing securing the legendary Cher to walk the finale of the immersive experience that was the Balmain Festival 03, was hard to top. Following a parade of over 100 men’s, women's, and couture looks, the link-up with the 73-year old music icon was later revealed as a precursor to her becoming the face of the house’s Blaze handbag.

VIRGIL ABLOH’S FINAL COLLECTION FOR LOUIS VUITTON

COLLECTION

Autumn Winter 2023 marked the final collection produced by the late Virgil Abloh, from his brief but unmeasurably seminal tenure. A fitting tribute to the designer’s legacy, the show was as varied and theatrical a performance as his previous outings, featuring a set titled the ‘Louis Dreamhouse’, which contemporary dancers-cum-models freestyled around. Tapping into Abloh’s love of the surreal, a giant bed, smoking chimney, stopped clock, and staircase to nowhere were all present and correct. His gift of seamlessly merging cross-cultural design references saw a collection of sport, street, sartorially sharp tailoring, and a play on traditional masculine tropes cement his time at Louis Vuitton as one of the most progressive and inclusive in the luxury houses’ history.

LOUIS VUITTON

CRUISE 2023 SAN DIEGO, CA

The brooding brutalist architecture of Louis Vuitton’s Resort 2023 San Diego location juxtaposed perfectly with the collection’s futuristic overtones. Delivered at dusk, and with views out to the Pacific coast, the Louis Kahn designed Salk Institute was an apt choice, as it remains a place for scientific research, which chimed with Nicolas Ghesquière’s themes which explored the idea of a utopian future inhabited by breast-plated and robed and wrapped goddesses, whose broad shoulders that were as sharp as the buildings edges, could take on anything the world threw at them.

GUCCI ‘COSMOGONIE’ CRUISE 2023 CASTEL DE MONTE, APULIA, ITALY

Ever one to celebrate his Italian heritage, Alessandro Michele flew guests and friends of the house out to Castel del Monte, in Apulia, for a Resort collection that was an exploration of the origins of the universe. Set in the open air and with constellations projected all around, Michele created his own intimate Gucci galaxy to showcase his continued study on hybridised maximalism and historical layering. Set in a fortress, built by an emperor who also dabbled in the art of magic, Michele sought to translate a sort of alchemy into his collection of diaphanous dresses, shaggy furs, sparkling sequins, and graphic patterns.

FASHION’S MUSICAL CHAIRS

BOTTEGA VENETA

CHAIRS

The game of fashion musical chairs has become increasingly ruthless over the years, as customers' attention spans grow ever shorter with the number of brands, trends, and influences they are exposed to, one day you can be in, and the next you’re out. And at a time when the bottom line has never mattered more, designers are having to balance the need for creative freedom and meeting financial targets, which in 2022 meant many walking away from brands and opportunities they loved in order to maintain their integrity.

CHANGE-UPS

Those who thought 2022 would be the year of a return to stability, didn’t reckon on see the likes of Maximilian Davis at Ferragamo, Daniel Lee at Burberry, and the recently But for all the investment and confident backing in this new (and some not-so-new) creatively direct the reins of these storied luxury houses.

Granted there are a few top positions yet to be announced – namely at Louis Vuitt sends when men are the only ones who are ever in the running. There are a number Bonner, Bianca Saunders, Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini of The Attico, and Catherine large. Brands need to relook at their support and nurturing of a wider breadth of talent

MATTHIEU BLAZY BOTTEGA VENETA

MARCO DE VINCENZO ETRO

GRAZIOLI MISSONI

RHUIGI VILLASEÑOR BALLY

FILIPPO

THE IMPRESSION IS RAISING OUR HANDS HERE . . . WHERE ARE THE WOMEN!!!! WE HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS BELOW FOR THE NEXT ROUND.

the fash-quake which shook up the industry. As over the coming year we are set to recently announced Ludovic de Saint Sernin at Ann Demeulemeester, make their mark. not-so-new) wave of talent, there is one glaring omission – a lack of women being trusted to tton Men’s and now Gucci – but senior executives need to consider the message it number of female designers and design teams (Emily Bode, Nensi Djoka, Grace Wales Catherine Holstein of Khaite) who can and are making an impact on the industry-attalent when it comes to fashion’s top jobs.

LEE BURBERRY

DANIEL

LUDOVIC DE SAINT SERNIN ANN DEMEULEMEESTER

YOU’RE INVITED

While there’s certainly much to be said about the hype-generating power of digital platforms, there’s still nothing that sets the mood for a fashion show’s actual physical presence like a physical invitation. Whether it’s giving a hint of what’s to come or choosing to remain mysterious, receiving an invitation is the first moment in which the show feels like a real, upcoming event that will take place. This year’s best invitations took a varied yet consistently clever and artful approach to capturing this moment of first contact.

BETTER TOGETHER

Building authentic relationships within the industry has never been an easy task, but there have been a number of notable collaborations that have proved the exception, as Jean Paul Gaultier and his guest designer program continues to surprise and delight, and the right pairing across categories – such as footwear – can mean an instant sell-out that can increase a brands bottom line.

BARBIECORE

Expect all things Barbie pink to ramp-up in 2023 as the liveaction film is released in the summer, but what started the year and the industry's obsession was an unexpected fullon saturation on-and-off the runways, led by Valentinos autumn winter show in February, which came complete with its own customized colour.

And as #barbiecore racked up more than 180 million views on TikTok, as well as Pantone’s Colour of the Year being announced as Magenta, all things pink – whether seen as purely girly and feminine, or powerfully proud – was the hue and trend that defined the year.

MAKE A 2023 PLAN FOR GIVING

Your Plan to Establish a Legacy of Charitable Giving for Generations to Come

WILLIAM SMITH  PHILANTHROPY CONTRIBUTOR  @willismith2000

NO DOUBT MANY OF YOU SPENT SOME TIME OVER THE FINAL DAYS OF DECEMBER DECIDING WHERE TO DO SOME YEAR-END GIVING.

The needs are great, always, but with globally rising inflation, the increasing wealth chasm, the impact of climate change on costly and severe weather incidents, and the affordability of housing, it seems the needs are growing. Everywhere and with everything.

Year-end giving is wonderfully good. In fact, non-profits rely heavily upon it which is why your physical mailbox and email in-boxes are chock full of appeals. But when the everyday needs of those inneed in our communities is persistent and growing, supplementing year-end giving with a giving plan throughout

the year will have an even greater impact.

Inflation hits everyone, but it doesn’t hit everyone equally. Food prices, for example, have exploded under the recent tidal wave of global inflation. Yet, allocating an additional $50 for food this week is a much tougher prospect for those already living paycheck to paycheck.

When the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, and as someone working in philanthropy and providing grants to nonprofits working to feed people, I saw firsthand how very precarious the line is for so many families when it comes to being able to afford food. The queues at food pantries in my own community and in communities across the US became the subject of news headlines, underscoring a deep yet frequently hidden reality.

Just as COVID drove food insecurity, so too is inflation. As a result, many local food banks find their annual bud-

gets for food purchasing completely exhausted within just a few months of their new fiscal year’s starting.

Here is one example of what is happening. I learned once during a visit with one of our grantees that the highest quality and least expensive protein was the simple egg. I further learned on that same visit that the size large egg had the highest amount of protein for the price and so, that grantee ensured that every family or individual who received weekly staples from that food pantry received a dozen size large eggs.

The price of eggs has exploded in recent months due to both the overall impact of inflation coupled with avian flu outbreaks. CNN Business reports that at the end of December, the benchmark

price for a dozen large eggs was $5.46 compared to just $1.70 this same time last year. When many food pantries rely on eggs to be a staple of healthy proteins for their clients, that price jump is catastrophic.

A great plan for 2023 is to consider making a monthly gift to your local food pantry. While year-end gifts can and do help fill gaping holes in a budget, monthly donations can create a steadier flow of cash for nonprofit food pantries to ensure our neighbors do not go hungry.

2022 also brought into focus the issue of home afford-ability. The COVID pandemic shifted housing patterns in dramatic ways and these shifts

are still figuring themselves out. What we know is that the dynamics let to a strong housing market with higher prices and limited inventory. As inflation crept in, interest rate hikes increased the costs of borrowing putting that dream home even further out of reach for many. Limited inventories also drove rental prices into the stratosphere.

Underneath all of this, is an expanding class of people finding themselves priced out and unstably housed. There will always be need for those organizations that provide shelter and supporting them is vitally needed. But I

would argue is that charitable investments in 2023 for those organizations seeking a systemic change to housing policy at the local levels is needed more than ever.

The housing crises has many dimensions, but at the core, is a lack of political will to identify and invest in permanent solutions. Yet, in nearly every community, there are organizations working on housing issues at the policy level and from a rights-based approach. Unfortunately, these same organizations are not frequently at the top of the list of giving for those who care about the unhoused.

They should be. These organizations tend to be what I call “scrappy.” That is, they are frequently bare bones, especially when it comes to the financial resources to do the work that creates inclusive and thriving communities. As a result, their efforts are often held back by a lack of money. Finding these groups is as easy is reading about housing issues in local newspapers or checking out local list servs.

These are but two areas where philanthropy can and should make grand investments in 2023 and beyond.

When our neighbors are hungry and without a roof over their heads, entire communities themselves suffer. Making investments on a regular basis in the organizations that seek to alleviate and solve these calamities is among the wisest of investments.

Whatever issues or needs appeal to your heart, sense of justice, or desire for a world of greater beauty, consider making a plan that creates opportunities to financially support them throughout the year. Now that’s a Happy New Year in the making.

MANSION OF THE MONTH A HEAVENLY HAWAIIAN HOME

360 PUUIKENA DRIVE OAHU ISLAND, HONOLULU 96821

High-fashion meets picturesque views in this rare modern home in Honolulu, Hawaii, listed for $23 million.

The owner, a socialite and designer, and her husband, a scion to a prominent Japanese family, have lived in Hawaii for decades. Honolulu served as the perfect home base for the couple, who used to spend half the year in Japan. When they first found this specific property in a private, gated community, the owner says it was “destiny.”

“We first walked through the home with architect Jeff Long when it was being built and thought it was the most fabulous place,” she says. “The lot was incredible and the views were insane. We bought it within a few days. After Covid-19, we gutted the house and redid everything. It was well-built and had great bones. Now, it’s totally up to date and beautiful.”

From the outside, the home looks very private and minimalist—and that was by design. Inside, the home is bright

and filled with natural light, featuring the highest-quality European finishes, classic furniture from world-renowned designers and notable art. Situated on a half-acre lot, the home has five bedrooms and six bathrooms with grand entertaining areas, a pristine kitchen and a pneumatic elevator to get you to each level in style.

The owner had a specific vision for the design, which was an East meets West feel. Unlike the traditional Hawaiiana and Bali-style design that Hawaii’s

architecture is so synonymous with, this home stands out for its modern, high-fashion flair. For the last decade, the owner and her husband have spent half the year in Paris—they are moving back to the East Coast to reduce travel time for their European jaunts—and have become regulars at the fashion shows and part of the fashion world.

“Fashion is a big part of my life, so I wanted to incorporate fun pieces that are part of the fashion world and make it playful,” she says. “But the underlying decor of the house is classic and timeless. I didn’t want the interiors to overpower the view.”

At first glance, you might notice overt fashion influences, like Louis Vuitton trunks and wall installations, but for the owner, it is all in the details.

“I have collected bits and parts of bou-

tiques and incorporated them into the house, whether it be upholstering a wall with Chanel Lesage fabric or a Louis Vuitton canvas, I wanted it to seamlessly be part of the house in a tasteful way,” she says. “Even with the furniture, I wanted to incorporate fashion by making a chair out of a Chanel jacket with an Hermès Petit H handle.”

Above all, she wanted a home that blends Japanese and American culture— something that Honolulu is known for.

“‘Japonisme’ is a French term for the influence of Japanese art and architecture on western artists in the late-19th century. From Monet, Vincent Van Gogh to Degas, they were greatly inspired by Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints,” she says. “Modernism as we know has roots from Japanese minimalism and various parts of Japanese modern architecture

was greatly influenced by western architects like Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright.”

The art she has is predominantly from Japanese artists and designers with a western touch, like Noguchi, Maasami Teraoka, Takashi Murakami and Hiroyuki Matsuura. She also sourced furniture from classic luxury brands, like Mies van der Rohe, Molteni, B&B, Eames, and Cassina, among others. Even her outdoor furniture features custom cushions from Hermès and her guest bedroom has a custom Bottega Veneta daybed and a Fendi desk. All closets are by Molteni & Dada with artisanal designer touches.

No room was an afterthought. The Snaidero kitchen was designed by Pininnfarina, Ferrari’s design company, and overlooks the ocean and Diamond

MANSION OF THE MONTH ON

OAHU ISLAND, HONOLULU

Head. The movie theater has leather and French linen walls. The bedroom and bathroom cabinets are by Snaidero. Some other elements include the limestone staircase, limestone walls and leather walls in some rooms. The home is being sold fully furnished.

As this is Hawaii, no home is complete without an outdoor oasis. The backyard includes a saltwater infinity pool and expansive pool deck is ideal for soaking up the Hawaiian sun. The neighborhood offers 24-hour security, and the home also has automated metal shutters from

a company in Germany that offers a lock-and-go lifestyle.

“It’s been beautiful living here. It’s very secure and very private,” she says. “I like that you can’t tell much about the house from the outside. It’s like living in a penthouse.”

NANTES, PAYS DE LA LOIRE, 44000 FRANCE

HUS STUD FARM

This exceptional estate comprises not only a historic chateau but also one of France’s biggest equestrian facilities with

the capacity to house approximately 400 horses. The castle has been restored and offers 1000 sq. meters of perfectly renovated living space including an indoor pool, a steam room and a gym. The spacious grounds comprise 128 hectares including private access to the River

Erdre, a 30-meter mooring, extensive equestrian training facilities including show jumping and dressage with 200 hectares extra rental. Restored outbuildings, helicopter pad and only 35 kilometers from the international airport. The sale includes 300 horses.

NOW YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL: LIFESTYLE, LUXURY, LOCATION AND LIMITED TAX LIABILITY. WITHOUT DOUBT CASTILLO CARIBE IS ONE OF THE FINEST BEACH-FRONT ESTATE HOMES IN THE WORLD OFFERING EVERY LUXURY FOR MODERN DAY LIFE WITH ALL THE LIFESTYLE OPTIONS ONE WOULD EXPECT FROM THE CAYMAN ISLANDS AND THE CARIBBEAN.

Although the Cayman Islands enjoy year-round sunshine and a temperate climate, this benefit is eclipsed in most people’s eyes by the Islands’ offshore status. The Cayman Islands are well known as a financial center on the world’s stage and provide the highest quality of lifestyle available in a tax

neutral environment, making it very appealing to people of high net worth to seek residency here - a position that is actively encouraged by the local government and, as a British Overseas Territory, is a very stable option.

There are a number of destinations in the world that are able to offer offshore status to a greater or lesser degree, but the Cayman Islands have no local taxes whatsoever: no property tax, no income tax, no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax. Castillo Caribe offers a rare opportunity to combine this with privacy, security, luxury and lifestyle all on a pristine white sandy beach overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea.

The space afforded here is too limited to provide adequate description of all the properties features and amenities, please request a detailed package by emailing: heather.carrigan@sothebysrealty.com.

In Search of Solace Happy New Year DESSERT IN A GLASS

WILLIAM SMITH @willismith_2000 COPY EDITOR & CONTRIBUTOR

NOT ALL DESSERTS

REQUIRE A FORK OR A SPOON. IN FACT, SOME OF MY FAVORITE DESSERTS REQUIRE ONLY A NICE PIECE OF CRYSTAL STEMWARE AND A DESIRE TO INDULGE IN SOME LIQUID DECADENCE.

This month we delve into dessert wines and the varied ways that wine makers coax that delicious and complex sweetness out of the humble grape.

Sweet wines get a bad rap. Often that is because inferior fruit is loaded up with

refined sugar to create a cloyingly sweet concoction that is both inexpensive to produce and to purchase. Blackberry Merlot. Peach Moscato. “Fruitscato Strawberry” – whatever that might be. These wines have a following, but they have little in common with more artful sweet dessert wines.

Two types of phenomenal dessert wines, tokaji (toe-kay) and ice wine, uniquely utilize nature herself as the primary helper in concentrating sugars in the grapes.

It wasn’t until the collapse of the Soviet Union that wine making in Hungary again became known beyond the Iron Curtain. During the communist period, wine production at state-run wineries throughout the USSR focused on quantity, not quality. It wasn’t until privatization returned to the region that the noble tradition of grand wine making returned. However, wine making in the

region dates back to the second century of the common era and the expanse of the Roman Empire.

The Tokaj-Hegyalja, or Tokaji Foothills, is an area in northeastern Hungary and one of the country’s seven wine regions. A small part of the region also lies in modern-day Slovakia, a byproduct of Hungary’s role, and subsequent loss, in the First World War. The wines of tokaji were so highly prized prior to this period, that a certain allotment of what were called Imperial Tokay were not sold but specifically reserved for the Habsburgs.

Going further back, legend has it that Hungary’s legendary tokaji wines resulted from a happenstance of war. In the early 17th century, the Turks invaded the area, forcing a late grape harvest. By that point, the grapes had ripened and been exposed to sufficient moisture from the nearby Bodrog and Tisza rivers that noble rot, the Botrytis cinerea

mold, had set upon the skins.

While “rot” of any sort might spark nightmares of losing the harvest, instead noble rot serves to dry out the grapes while they were still on the vine and thereby concentrating the sugars. There are several types of tokaji wines, even some dry ones, but it is the presence of noble rot and the concentration of sugars in aszù, or dried, grapes that puts tokaji on the wine map.

Six varieties of grapes are officially approved for wine production in the Tokaji wine region: Furmint, Hárslevelu, Yellow Muscat, Zéta, Kovérszolo, and Kabar. Most of the production of the sweet wines comes from the Furmint grape followed by Hárslevelu. Shielded by the Carpathian Mountains, the soil in the region is primarily

volcanic.

I first encountered tokaji as a wine pairing during one of the many fabulous dinners I had at eight-time James Beard Award-nominated chef Cathal Armstrong’s now-closed Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, Va. The wine, like everything that happened at Restaurant Eve, was perfection and I was hooked.

Recently, I had the opportunity to enjoy a 2018 Late Harvest from highly regarded producer Royal Tokaji. Their Late Harvest brings together both overripe and aszù grapes, hand-harvested and after pneumatic pressing, are then fermented in either stainless steel or Hungarian oak barrels for anywhere between three to five weeks. They then spend another four to six months maturing in

Here are a few additional dessert wines that I have come to appreciate and are commercially available in the US:

LINDEN VINEYARDS LATE HARVEST

Ensconced in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Linden Vineyards creates some incredible wines, including their Late Harvest 2015. Made in the ice wine tradition, tropical fruit notes of pineapple and guava dominate this pale straw colored Petit Manseng and Vidal Blanc blend. Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

MARENCO PINETO BRACHETTO D’ACQUI

I love most versions of this fun wine. Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate wrote “Brachetto d’Acqui is a bit retro and old-fashioned as far as wine styles go. However, this deeply loved sweet sparkling red wine taps right into some of the most heartfelt traditions and cultures of Piedmont. The Marenco 2020 Brachetto d’Acqui Pineto opens to a very light ruby color, with simple aromas of wild raspberry, cassis and bitter almond. The acidity and fresh beading would make a great partner to a raspberry and cream custard tart.” I also love a glass on its own!

DOLCE BY FAR NIENTE

Founded in 1985, Dolce calls 20 acres on the south end of Napa Valley home and it’s where they create a late harvest splendor of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Noble rot and nearly three years in French Oak barrels assist in the creation of a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity with a depth of ripened stone fruits and scorched caramel. Dolce calls it “liquid gold from Napa Valley.” Hear, Hear! Perfect alongside spiced fruit pies or cakes of the winter and fall.

In Search of Solace Happy New Year

new or used barrels.

A rich gold in the glass, its slight viscosity clinging to the crystal, it produces distinctive and pristine aromas of citrus and baking spices. On the palate, it exudes tell-tale honey notes of tokaji, ripe nectarines and apricots, and even hints of nutmeg. Served chilled, it was a perfect representation of the region’s pedigree and a perfect end to a meal.

Wines from Tokaji typically arrive at their sweetness through a drying out of the fruit; in ice wine, grapes are left on the vines to ripen and eventually freeze when the weather turns. The process of freezing concentrates the juice of the grape and their fully ripened sweetness.

Given the role of nature in creating ice wine and the need for a season with freezing temperatures, its production is confined to those areas with an appropriate climate. In fact, the grapes must reach -8 C (20 degrees F) or below when the grapes are picked – by hand. An arduous task in such bitter cold temperatures and one that must be done at the exact right time. Too severe a freeze and all is lost. An hour or two late into a thaw and again, all is lost. It’s a precious and hard-earned commodity.

Canada is the leading producer of ice wines followed by Germany (Eiswein in German). Many other regions also produce ice wine in much smaller quantities including parts of the United States and Europe. Ice wines can be made from many varietals including Riesling, Vidal, Cabernet Franc and even Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese.

While there are indications that wine made from frozen grapes may date to Roman times, the lineage of ice wines is not nearly as clear as other wines. Yet, we know that the Romans enjoyed sweet wines, so it is not far outside the realm of possibility that one way they arrived

at these wines was through allowing the grapes to ripen and freeze.

Ice wine production was not really “a thing” until near the end of the 20th century when pioneering Canadian wineries in the Niagara region sought to take advantage of the region’s climate to produce something altogether different.

One of those pioneers is Inniskillin, founded in 1974 with the first vines planted that year – Riesling, Chardonnay and Gamay. Initially producing table wines, in 1983, Inniskillin and three other wineries in the region opted to leave all their grapes on the vines and create ice wine. It was a disaster. Inniskillin and another winery lost all their fruit to birds. The two other wineries fared little better, with only minute harvests.

A year later and undeterred, Inniskillin saved the following year’s harvest with protective nets and produced its first ice wine from Vidal grapes. By 1991, Inniskillin was able to boast of having been awarded the Grand Prix d’Honneur at Vinexpo for its 1989 Vidal ice wine.

Eventually, Inniskillin came under the umbrella of several conglomerates, including Constellation Brands in 2006.

The heft of parent companies allowed for a robust marketing and exportation plan to make Inniskillin “the” ice wine in markets across the globe. It worked but it also came with a proven background of creating a stellar product.

The 2015 Inniskillin Ice Wine Cabernet Franc is a stellar example of what the winemaker can produce. Gorgeously light garnet in color, ripe raspberry and strawberry aromas emerge, followed by equally pleasing flavors of both, and a bit of acidity. This is a sweet wine that needs to be served well-chilled.

The 2017 Inniskillin Vidal Ice Wine was an entirely different yet equally enjoyable experience, showcasing just how diverse the style can be with different varietals. Caramel, maple, butterscotch and honey dominate the palate and it can be served as a perfect ending to a heavy, savory meal.

One of my great wonderments in wine is how nature and human can come together to create something so truly memorable and profoundly delicious. And while all wine making of note represents that union to some extent, ice wine and tokaji are truly special, undoubtedly unique, and when done well, profoundly transformative. Salud!

ALIGN WITH YOUR SELF-COMPASSION SELF-ACTUALIZATION THROUGH

In my times of darkness

I let them take my hand Unaware of the potential to be realized

As I choose to take a stand

Sealing the portals

Through which the Dark Lords feed I illuminate a path For those who are ready to be seen

In awe of the Truth That lies before our eyes Released from the chains Of self-inflicted shame We rise in the glory Of our most holy name

- AMRITLAL SINGH

A SURVIVOR’S INSIGHTS ON ADDICTION & SUICIDE

AMRITLAL SINGH SPIRITUALITY CONTRIBUTOR @monarch_visionary

IN A WORLD WHERE FEW HAVE

THE CONFIDENCE TO BE TRUE, OUT OF FEAR OF WHAT THEY STAND TO LOSE, I RISE, IN DEFIANCE OF COMMONLY ACCEPTED VIEWS, FOR THE ASCENSION OF MY SOUL AND THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE FEW.

As my senses evolve through embodiment of life’s most sacred truths, the

abundance of existence is realized in deliverance of my soul’s pursuit. Sensing the guidance embedded within life’s most subtle clues, my expression flows along a tone of ever deepening peace, rhythming my soul’s intention into the sweetest of life’s beats. Lifted in service to my soaring heart, I shine throughout the depths of the infinite universe.

“Amrit, I just want to let you know, I love you so much. I’m sorry I’m not there for you as much as I should be, but I just love you so much. You are not alone; you are not crazy. I do not know what I would do without you. I love you. I love you. I need you more than you need yourself. I love you”

The frantic voice recording left by my child sister, after receiving notice from

UC San Francisco of my suicide attempt, remains on my phone as a reminder of the depths I would plunge before fully embarking upon my path of light that would allow me to face my demons.

Following my first spiritual awakening, my addiction to psychedelics, to reach heightened states of altered consciousness, led me to a forced ego-dissolution where I nearly lost the battle for my soul. Eager to force my way into a powerful realization, I was unaware of the power the Dark Lords hold over an untrained mind. Ashamed to seek help, my desolate sense of isolation closed my heart and left me vulnerable to the forces that prey upon the darkened minds of lost souls.

I did not want to die. The intention for

YOUR PURPOSE

IN SYNC WITH YOUR VIBE

RENEWAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT EXPLORATION · ENERGY

a self-inflected knife to my chest was not outlined on the kitchen chalkboard for the afternoon of September 5, 2019. Following hours of psychic mental attacks, overpowering dark energies moving my body and revealing in form around me, I finally lost control of my mind and my sense of reality.

Convinced that releasing my heart’s wisdom upon the Earth was the only way to save my family, with one quick plunge, it was all over. The pain had seized, the shadows dissolved and my mind quieted. As I pulled the knife out from the center of my chest, finally in peace, I was in disbelief for my actions. Until this very day I study and train to heal the traumatic shock and memory from my body. Healing myself has catapulted me upon the most miraculous, compassionate journey.

According to the World Health Organization, one person every 40 seconds, close to 800,000 people a year, take their own lives through suicide. Furthermore, just as this figure is likely underestimated, there is no comprehensive measure for those who die

a little every day, through addictions, unhealthy habits, or merely from regret.

How many of us are led to feel so empty; so powerless and disconnected in a universe that designed us to create and experience an abundance of love? What unconscious messages are we transmitting in our daily lives that inform such a bleak sense of reality that so many give up?

SURRENDERING TO INFINITE POSSIBILITIES THROUGH SELF-FORGIVENESS

Four years ago, on December 19, 2018, I began to realize my ability to pierce beyond the common realm of perception, where my lessons initiated with the activation of my spiritual gifts. Despite the miraculous blessing of I shifting spontaneously into a higher dimensional reality, unable to express myself authentically, I was trapped between two worlds. I struggled to set myself free.

Facing death was a necessary aspect of my story, allowing me the experiential wisdom of what a true recovery entails to compassionately

guide those as I trained to healed myself.

Every man is born into his own inner war. When you surrender to the power that grows from within you, you become dissolved in the sacredness of life that reveals herself to you. Blossoming from the radiance of your heart, as the elemental forces of the Earth beckon you forward into the garden that awaits your return, you remember why you chose to incarnate. To experience the magnificence of the natural order amongst the chaos, we train in the rhythm of the heart, our love song, to welcome others into the field of our radiant truth.

The craft that you master to transmute your pain becomes a blessing that you are able to deliver others into. Selfforgiveness is the first step in allowing your Soul to guide you through the re-birthing process. In the process of becoming your greatest self, you serve as a dimensional bridge through which others may forgive and release themselves.

Born into such limited beliefs of unworthiness, lack and dis-empowerment, by forgiving and accepting yourself

you can finally embark upon a life of honesty, authenticity, integrity, and accountability. As your soul’s brilliance dissolves the layers of your chrysalis, allowing your soul to emerge, your path serves to guide others to experience the infinite beauties and mysteries of the great Mother Earth.

As we forgive ourselves and others, it is the love yielded from our healed hearts that serves as a foundation for our new lives as bearers of the light that flows from the higher astral planes. As elemental beings, first and foremost, the unrealized potential of our soul’s energy is birthed as our spirit’s take form.

In a recent plant ceremony, directed by the blessed presence of a powerful Amazonian Shaman, my intention was soul integration; to release the resistance from embodying my soul fully as I enact my mission for Planetary Liberation and the resurrection of the Earth’s Cosmic Kundalini. The Native American medicine, Yahweh, coursed through my veins, raising my Qi and heightening my senses to feel the immense pain that stored

SELF-COMPASSION SELF-ACTUALIZATION THROUGH

in my body. Guided by the brilliance of my soul, I was able to trace the remnants of the parasitic infection through my heart back to its demonic source. Enveloped in a radiant light of love, with deep paced breathes, I circulated the prana throughout my body igniting neural pathways that carried me through the galaxy of my mind, restoring parts of my brain that had died, as I began to expel the darkness that had consumed my life.

Terrified and in awe, as I pushed to reclaim my soul, my narrative evolved as I realized the heights of spiritual attainment this inner victory has gifted me, and the doors that shall open before me. From my realized compassion, pure love flowed for my demon. As the most beautiful face illuminated before me, I realized that my demon was now one with me. Another lost child, together we begged at the gates of Heaven for forgiveness. I was reprimanded for allowing this dark force to wreak havoc upon my life, and this now celestial being was granted forgiveness through the compassion I had developed. Now, a spiritual ally, my demon is more than a foe but an aspect of my soul, whose mess I shall now help clean upon the Earth, healing the planetary karma by activating the Vedic wisdom of my ancestral line with Lord Shiva as my guide.

SERVING THE MEDICINE OF ONE’S SOUL

French anthropologist, Dr. Jeremy Norby, author of “The Cosmic serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge”,

compares our genetic DNA code to books, which can be read, written and rewritten. All life exists to create itself from within, to experience the ever-heightening joys of self-realization. The code of our existence lies within each of us, and our pursuit to embody this eternal truth is what drives us into higher states of existence. Blossoming in beauty, nourishing our unified heart, Children of the Earth, we are cosmically designed to capture the rays of the Sun as we birth our higher selves through the realized embodiment of the ancient wisdom of the stars.

Once you know, you must act, and by serving the Planetary Logos, my teachers are the Ascended Masters. During my recent journey, as I finally released the anger from the attack on my soul, my crown chakra was connected to the Earth and the mission to reintegrate humanity with the planetary magnetic field began to integrate into my bones. Through the power of my mind, I am now able to learn from the stars themselves who shine with wisdom for all to realize. Once awakened, an abundance of truth flows from your eyes as the light within activates all those in your presence.

We never know the outcome of the work we do, until we begin to see it in full view. The joys of life come from the flow of light that pours through our hearts. The universe shall always provide for those who choose to rise, as our soul’s infinite realization is the pursuit of every child. By finally seeking help and stepping in to serve others, I received all that

I needed to actualize my light mission.

There is an eternal fire that burns within each of us, how we churn our soul’s gold determines our life’s true worth. Leaning into our path, the steps appear as we find peace within our hearts, unlocking the star force of our souls to naturally reform the structures of the world into an order of cosmic harmonies.

If I can rise my soul from the depths of the lower astral after an attempt at suicide, I have faith in the power of every man compelled to rise by the magic that grows in their eyes.

DEFINITIONS:

Chrysalis – Symbolized as the energetic spiritual cocoon of the Self, known as the Atman according to Hindu Vedic philosophy. The chrysalis represents the physical, mental and emotional energetic sheaths, known as Koshas. Through the spiritual evolution process of attaining blissful realization of the eternal Self, the sheaths are alchemized into the Rainbow Light Body.

Planetary Logos – The Spirit of the Earth, is the original blueprint and law governing the Earth’s planetary body and is the main control mechanism and circuit board that governs the planet in every inconceivable way, connecting to a vast circulatory system that make up the collective human crown chakra and the individual realized human brain.

MOLD YOUR MIND

THE POWER OF UNLOCKING YOUR MIND

PART

1:

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

LEARNING ABOUT YOURSELF

JOEY VELEZ HEALTHY LIFESTYLES CONTRIBUTOR @joeyavelez88

AVE YOUR EMOTIONS EVER GOTTEN THE BEST OF YOU? CHANCES ARE THAT THE ANSWER IS YES. EMOTIONS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN OUR LIVES, AS THEY ARE A NATURAL SURVIVAL INSTINCT THAT LETS YOU KNOW SOMETHING MIGHT BE WRONG, BUT CAN IMPACT YOUR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY, TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, AND TO RESPOND IN A PRODUCTIVE MANNER.

Experiencing emotions are inevitable, we all have them as humans, but the key to allowing your emotions to help you is by first learning to control them. However, controlling your emotions is easier said than done. In order to control your emotions, you must first learn to understand them.

BRAIN SCIENCE

HYour brain is hardwired to give emotions the other hand. When you experience an event, whether something happens to you, you do something, you see something, or you hear something, your brain sends electrical signals from the brain stem, located at the base of your head, to the cerebral cortex, which is in charge of logic and reasoning. Along the way, those signals pass through your limbic system, which is where emotions are produced. So if you experience a situation that produces an intense emotion, those emotions impact your ability to critically think about the situation itself.

We also know from research that your thoughts trigger an emotional and physiological response, which is going to impact your behaviors. For example, let’s say you were giving a presentation and your computer dies. Electrical signals are now being sent through your brain, and once they get to the emotion-center part of your brain, if you are like me, you may experience a heightened level of fear or anxiety. The thoughts you might have in that moment may include “Oh shit, what just happened?” or “Oh no, my presentation is going to fail”. These thoughts are going to further the anxiety you are experiencing, in which

your body may experience elevated heart rate and an inability to focus, which may lead you to freeze in the moment.

You cannot stop emotions from happening in a situation like this, but learning why you experienced the emotions you did could help you become better prepared the next time you experience similar emotions.

BUILDING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Emotional Intelligence is broken down into two components: Personal and Social competence. Building personal competence focuses more on you individually rather than your interactions with other people. Learning how to build personal competence allows you to stay aware of your emotions and the ability to manage your behaviors and tendencies. The two components to build personal competence are self-awareness and self-management skills.

The first way to build personal competence is by developing self-awareness, which we will define as the ability to accurately perceive your own emotions in the moment and to understand your tendencies across situations. Building self-awareness is not easy, as it consists

of a willingness to tolerate the discomfort of focusing on negative emotions and prolonged periods of self-reflection, but the more self-aware you are the more satisfied with life you will be and your productivity will skyrocket. To build self-awareness, stop labeling your feelings as good or bad. Labels make life simpler, but keeps you from truly understanding your emotions. Being able to suspend judgment allows the emotions to run their course so you can truly understand the impact they have on you and others, while passing judgment may lead to more intense emotions. Instead of labeling, try naming. For example, instead of saying “I should not be experiencing these bad emotions”, try saying “I am experiencing the emotion of”. This leads to acknowledgment of your experience rather than judging yourself for experiencing those emotions.

The second way to build personal competence is through self-management, which we will define as the ability to use your awareness of your emotions to stay flexible and direct your behavior productively. Once you are able to understand your feelings and work through the potential discomfort, you will be better able to see things through without cracking by managing your emotions. There are two ways to build self-management: counting to 10. Being able to count to 10 and focus on your breathing will keep you from acting irrationally long enough to where your anxiety can lower to a point where you can a more rational perspective. Breathing helps lower the physiological impact that intense emotions have, and focusing on your breathing guides your attention away from your counterproductive thoughts and emotions. Having a clear mind and a calmer physiological state

will allow you to control your self-talk and you interpret the situation.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Emotions are inevitable. The last thing you want to do is suppress your emotions because not only does that not help you understand your experience, but those emotions will also present themselves at some point, and you do not want that to be at the wrong time. Start by keeping a journal where you note and reflect on the emotions you experience. Writing down your emotions allow you to process your experiences from a more objective lens, which can help you learn and understand why you experienced the emotions you did, but also allows you to see the potential ripple effects of your emotions. Emotions are a natural part of life, and the ability to understand them can help you live a more fulfilling life.

COACHING

AND EXPERT WELLNESS EXERCISES

2023 & THE NEW ME

THREE WAYS TO ACHIEVE GROWTH

JUSTIN "GOLIATH" JOHNSON WELLNESS CONTRIBUTOR @goliathcoaches

OW MANY TIMES HAVE WE PROFESSED THE IDEA THAT WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THIS NEW YEAR TO TRULY BECOME A NEW VERSION OF OURSELVES. WHETHER IT BE WORKING OUT, BEING HEALTHIER, STRIVING FOR THAT NEW JOB OR FEEDING THAT PASSION THAT HAS BEEN LONG FORGOTTEN.

I believe we genuinely have good intentions on trying to become a better version of ourselves, but we lack the necessary tools to execute these changes. Often we look up and its July and those weights have layers of dust on them. It’s April and we are back

Hsitting in the drive-through line getting another super-sized burger meal. It can be very frustrated and deflating to think you are wasting time or not putting effort towards the actions that you have intended for yourself. My goal in this month’s article is to give you some tools to use to help with focus and discipline, all so you can become the version of yourself you have been desiring. Pull out your notepad, or your phone, and let’s create the best version of you, one day, one week, and one month at a time!

THE MACRO, MICRO IDEOLOGY

One of my favorite tools to use when talking with my clients is the Macro/ Micro ideology. With commitment you can allow yourself the room for this mindset change and it will prove to be the first line of offense in your becoming the next iteration of you. This concept begins with understanding that you have to be both the owner (Macro) and the employee (Micro) of your life. As the owner, you have to be able to see big ideas and long-term

goals, not getting caught up in the minutiae of day-to-day life operations, but being focused on the grand prize. It’s being cognizant of the day-to-day but not affected by it, that is the job of the owner. On the other end, you have to also be the employee (Micro) of your life. This is the ideology that compartmentalizes the owner’s strategy into day-by-day incremental goals in order to keep growing and staying on track. When you put this hat on, you cannot be focused on big picture ideas, you have to do the hard, often tedious work. If you need to name these two different “positions” in your life different names or give yourself official titles to stay on track, I recommend doing so. We love stories, movies, dramas, so the more you live into the understanding of the fantasy of these positions, the more you can treat them as a game and accomplish what is needed.

GOAL AFFIRMATIONS

We truly do not understand how imperative our self-talk is, not only to our goals but to our psyche. In previous

articles, I’ve written about our ability to be bad communicators due to our emotions controlling our words. The communication we engage in with ourselves is usually much more negative than the way we communicate with others. This is where affirmations, especially goal driven affirmations, come in handy. What is an affirmation?

An affirmation is asserting intentional words to help you believe you can achieve the goals you are aiming for. For example, if I am interested in being more confident about how I pursue intimacy, I may have an affirmation that validates the part of myself that is self-conscious about intimacy.

Affirmations do not fix the issue in and of themselves, however their purpose is to support you in finding the fix. Affirmations are you

being your own cheerleader. Have you ever gotten ready to do something that may have been something you were afraid of, then stopped and said: I can do this! That was an affirmation. They can be that simple or they can be very specific. I use affirmations so often, I don’t even realize I’m doing them, they have just become such an integral part of my self-talk. Create a list of affirmations to support your goals. Say them every morning when you wake up and every night before bed. Any time you are struggling with motivation, or believing in yourself, recite your affirmations.

THE PLAN

The most important tool I want to impart on you is creating and executing a plan. You can create a vision board, a goal list, an accountability

partner, but if you don’t have a plan and ways to help you execute that plan, you may start drowning before you even dip a toe in the water. You have to create your plan with the understanding of ways to also execute it. When you go into the kitchen, to cook dinner, you have a plan. It may be a loose plan, but it is a plan. You have to first know what you want to eat, then find the ingredients, follow the directions on how to prepare the dish, how long it sits in the oven and then you can eat. You don’t just walk in the kitchen take an onion and raw chicken out of the refrigerator put them on a plate and start eating.

The same is true for creating a plan. We don’t just hastily put goals down on paper or a vision board and think they are going to magically manifest. The plan is the

work and being intentional and disciplined will help this become a reality in your life. You need to create the structure, the schedule, and do the research on what it’s going to take to achieve said goal and then start working towards making it happen. That’s your plan!

Creating a new version of yourself can be overwhelming and like I always say, perhaps the most formidable fight you will ever be in, is the fight with yourself. In order to be different, you have to have intention on being different. In order to change your life, you have to change your mind.

The new year will bring a new you if you create the right intention! Looking forward to seeing the new version of you and if no one has told you lately, I believe in you!