Matt Bliss

MI’m a third generation Colorado native. I live in Denver, Colorado and run Modern Christmas Trees out of my home. The tree was originally designed by my Grandpa Lawrence “Bud” Stoecker in 1966. He was an engineer who did projects for NASA before he started his own A-frame Cabin business building hundreds of cabins throughout the Rocky Mountains. He made several trees for the family from the 1960’s-70’s. He was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2010. In 2011, I decided to update his tree as a tribute to him and show the world his contribution to modern design. D What made you realize there’s

MI didn’t realize that the tree would resonate with people until I unveiled them at the Denver Modernism Show in 2011. It was then that I discovered that the trees resonated with modern design enthusiasts. A part of the marketplace was looking for an alternative to the traditional artificial Christmas tree. “Finally a tree that reflected their modern design sense.”.

DTell us about your newest tree

MThe tree is illuminated by a single LED spotlight that sits on the floor pointing up at the tree rings. The result is magical. Shadows and reflections dance onto the walls and ceiling throughout the room. This year we have released the new Modus LED spotlight that will allow the customer to select any color or the rainbow spectrum by phone app and remote. The LED allows you to set the mood you want and change it as your mood changes. In addition there are a dozen color cycles to choose from and the new LED will even dance to music!

DTell us about a story from a

MOne of the most rewarding parts of sharing the trees are the stories I receive from customers all over the world. Their experience of owning a tree and how it impacted their holiday. One story came from a man who had purchased the tree for his wife. He sent me an email with a photo of his tree in their home. The message said “Thank you for continuing your Grandpa’s legacy and sharing the trees”. He went on to say that his wife has adored the trees for years. He purchased the tree for her and stated he wanted to provide her a special Christmas knowing this in all likelihood would be her last. What product creates a response like this? Makes me proud!

DTell us what type of person

MWe have learned exactly who our customers are by talking with them and asking questions. They have a sophisticated design sense and a desire to make the holidays special and memorable for their family and friends. They often live in major cities across the US. In many cases they live in codos. The tree solves their problem of space and storage as the tree collapses flat. The other major market is commercial applications including luxury hotels and business lobbies. We have tree installations at The Disneyland Hotel, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, and the Fairmount Hotel in Dubai.

DWhat are your goals for Mod-

MOver the next 5 years we will continue to focus on our “true fans” creating products that resonate with them and continue you to try and improve on the trees. Continue to grow the business and open up international markets. Triumph against all odds. D Tell us about your experience

MShark Tank has a wonderful experience! It forced me to learn every aspect of my business. I watched every episode of the show and wrote down every question that sharks asked and studied the “right” answers. I then made life sized cardboard cutouts and placed them in the appropriate seats in my basement and practiced my pitch hundreds of times. It worked! After spending over an hour pitching and negotiating with the sharks I landed on a deal with Barbara Corcoran. She has been a great partner!

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credit: Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo

credit: PictureLux / The Hollywood Archive / Alamy Stock Photo

A character of epic proportions

The treachery, scheming and conspiracy within the House of Gucci is wholly exposed via the irrational actions of madness, finery, clandestine affairs, and voracity depicted in the House of Gucci film, a movie that is far beyond a melodramatic stage play or soap opera. The leading figures in absorbing world of fashion, as well as all of Italy, were astounded, shocked, and surprised, when on the morning of March 27, 1995, Maurizio Gucci, 46, grandson of Guccio Gucci, the creator of the Gucci fashion realm, was shot dead on the footsteps of his office in Milan, Italy’s most stylish city. After two disarrayed years of court drama, Milanese socialite Patrizia Reggiani, Maurizio’s former wife, was convicted of murdering Maurizio Gucci and rewarding the hit man with a hefty sum of $365,000. She was sentenced to 29 years in prison but was released in 2014 after serving 16 years. Later, she was observed on the streets of Milan with a parrot on her shoulder, seemingly unfazed, and throughout the following years has spoken openly about the murder.

Tabbed the “Black Widow” by the Italian media, Reggiani was approached by a writer from the Guardian asking, “Why didn’t you shoot him yourself?” She replied, “My eyesight is not so good. I didn’t want to miss.” Reggiani’s tangled and complex motivation is the core of the biographical film, House of Gucci, directed by Ridley Scott, with Emmy and Oscar winner Lady Gaga undertaking the demanding role of Patrizia Reggiani. Surrounded by a cast of superlative actors—Adam Driver as Maurizio Gucci, Jeremy Irons, Salma Hayek, Al Pacino, Jack Huston, Reeve Carney, Carnille Cottin, and Sophia Loren—Lady Gaga altered her personality, undertaking a severe transformation to become Patrizia Reggiani. Both of Lady Gaga’s parents being of Italian ancestry, she was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta in 1986 in Manhattan. In various interviews however, she has made clear that her performance in the film was not meant to speak from the perspective of an Italian-American woman, but to portray the perspective of an Italian woman. Realizing that portraying a living person on film greatly increases the difficulty, she spent three years working on her character, changing her hair from blonde to brunette, researching and studying Gucci documents, listening to Reggiani’s tapes and recordings, and devouring newspaper accounts.

In order to perfect Reggiani’s accent, Lady Gaga, a superbly trained contralto with a wide vocal range and near perfect pitch, visited Vignola, a small Northern Italian city noted for fruit farming which was Patrizia Reggiani’s hometown. Lady Gaga spoke solely in the thick Italian accent she heard there, not only on set but also to friends and family making certain variations depending upon the person with whom she was speaking, and with her sensitive ear achieved the task on

screen.

Lady Gaga mentioned in several interviews that she stayed in character as Patrizia Reggiani for more than a year and near the conclusion of filming experienced episodes of misplacing reality and disconnecting from family that were initiated by her intense onscreen transformation. The filming of House of Gucci was set in various parts of Italy including Milan, Lake Como, the Italian Alps, and Florence, wrapping in May 2021. The factual story, covering three decades of love, infidelity, and revenge, is a memorable slice of life to ponder.

photographer: Chad Chisholm @luxemodelsglobal hair: Charlie Price @charliepricehair MUA & grooming: Tiaja Pierre @tiajamaisondebeaute fashion styling: Hailee Lucchesi @hailee.lucchesi models: Susan Zager@silvermodelsusan RJ Rivera @what_about_rj Salvador Cruz @salvador77co coat/cape: Qinti skirt: Anthropologie men’s longsleeve: Mountain Khaki jewelry: vintage hats: Olive and Pique

Editor in Chief, Trisha’s gown: R& M Richards Embellished Cape Dress Fasion Director, Charlie’s suit: INC Tiaja Pierre’s Dress: vintage Photographer: Chad Chisholm @luxemodelsglobal hair and styling: Charlie Price @charliepricehair MUA & grooming: Tiaja Pierre @tiajamaisondebeaute Christmas Tree: Matt Bliss, Modern Christmas Trees