VOLUME V / ISSUE IX / SEPTEMBER 2021
S A N TA B A R B A R A' S F M B S I LV E R C U P DEAUVILLE SAISON D'ÉTÉ SENTEBALE POLO FOR GOOD NEW BRIDGE POLO CLUB
BEYONCÉ
HOW A GIRL FROM TEXAS BECAME
QUEEN
THE FERTILITY FALLACY
OF AN ENTERTAINMENT EMPIRE
NAVIGATING THE GREAT GLOBAL CAR SHORTAGE
WHAT REALLY HAPPENS TO MEN AFTER 30 PRINCE HARRY BACK ON THE POLO FIELD STAYING TRUE TO HIS HEART'S MISSION: SENTEBALE
RUINING THE FITNESS INDUSTRY ONE INSTAGRAM POST AT A TIME
THE $60 MILLION PODCAST DEAL THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
@ U S P O L O A S S N | U S P O L OA S S N G L O B A L . C O M
VOLUME V / ISSUE IX / SEPTEMBER 2021
Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand Publisher
Joshua Jakobitz Editor-in-Chief
William Smith
Aubrey Chandler
Copy Editor & Philanthropy Contributor
Contributing Photographer
Claire Barrett
Lifestyles Contributor
Eva Espresso
Wellness Columnist
Cezar Kusik
Trends Contributor
Raphael K. Dapaah
Wellness Contributor
Jyoti Paintel
Polo Lifestyles is a publication of HT Polo Publishing Co. 995 Detroit Avenue, Suite A Concord, CA 94518
Head of Photography
Contributing Photographer
Wine Contributor
Art Contributor
Spiritual Contributor
Stanley Pierre-Etienne Style Contributor
Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre Style Contributor
Brand Representatives Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre - Dubai Michael J. Snell - The Hamptons Stanley Pierre-Etienne Caribbean Jessica Foret Wax - Santa Fe K & Co. Media - Los Angeles Contributing Photographers Candace Ferreira Agus Fonda
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Katerina Morgan
Contributing Photographer
Michael J. Snell Joey Velez
Brett Chody
Panthil Dwivedi
Content Copyright © Polo Lifestyles 2020 All Rights Reserved. For information or to advertise Contact editor@htpolo.com Read online at www.pololifestyles.com Cover Photo of Beyonce Knowles-Carter Shot by Campbell Addy The photo on this page was shot at Deauville International Polo Club
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COWDRAY PARK POLO CLUB The Gold Cup British Ladies Open Championships GREENWICH POLO CLUB East Coast Open INANDA CLUB The Africa Polo Open SANTA BARBARA POLO & RACQUET CLUB FMB Silver Cup USPA America Cup Pacific Coast Open DOMAINE DE CHANTILLY Coupe PGH Trophee de Bourbon Open de France JACKSON HOLE POLO CLUB Back in the Saddle (Virtual) MYOPIA POLO CLUB Chairman's Cup ARGENTINE SEASON Tortugas Country Club Open Hurlingham Club Open Argentine Polo Open Championship Women Argentine Polo Open The Triple Crown of Polo
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SCOREBOARDS & COCKTAILS
2021 SENTEBALE POLO CUP EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS FROM ASPEN VALLEY Page 42 POLO LIFESTYLES EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS
Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand Publisher Polo Lifestyles @haiti_polo_captain
Josh Jakobitz
Editor-in-Chief Polo Lifestyles @joshuajakobitz
Panthil Dwivedi
Wellness Contributor PanthilWrites.com @panthildwivedi
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Claire Barrett
Head of Photography
Claire Barrett Photography
@clairebarrettphoto
Eva Espresso Photographer
Eva Espresso Photography
@eva.espresso
Raphael K. Dapaah Art Contributor Dapaah Gallery @dapaahgallery
Michael J. Snell
Lifestyles Contributor MJS Groupe @agnello_1
Jyoti Paintel
Spiritual Contributor Polo Lifestyles @jyotipaintel
Aubrey Chandler Photographer Polo Lifestyles @aubreychandler
Cezar Kusik
Wine Contributor Polo Lifestyles @cezartastesearth
Joey Velez
Brett Chody
Trends Contributor Polo Lifestyles @brettchody
William Smith
Wellness Columnist
Philanthropy Contributor
@velezmentalhealth
@willismith_2000
Velez Mental Performance May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust
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Is there such a thing as a hassle-free pool? page 70
Navigating the global car shortage, page 103
NYFW to enforce a vaccine mandate, page 111
Unique and limited, sculptures of fantasy, page 124
BEYONCE MAGIC
The iconic Beyonce reflects on her first three decades and her 40th birthday page 17
GREENWICH POLO CLUB
W
E STARTED DIGGING A POOL A YEAR AGO AND BETWEEN THE HOA AND THE OVER-EXTENDED CONTRACTOR, IT’S BEEN AN EXERCISE IN PATIENCE AND RESTRAINT. BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS, I MAY BE FINALLY SITTING POOLSIDE WITH MY TOES IN THE WATER, JUST IN TIME FOR AUTUMN IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, WITH ITS COOL NIGHTS AND WARM, IF NOT SMOKY, DAYS. That’s probably why the story about ModPools jumped out at me this month. ModPools Co. uses an upcycled product, scoured and sealed, as the principal component to the ultimate backyard bliss: a swimming pool. The founder even assured me that you can fill up the pool on the day it arrives and swim it in before the day’s over. The anticipation I have of our finished product is actually physical. The swimming shorts I plan to wear for my first dip are already laid out and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Our spiritual contributor, Jyoti Paintel, penned the first of a two-part series about creating sanctuaries within our home settings, and I can’t help but be thankful for the sanctuary we’ve designed at home. It’s been so important for our mental health over the last 18 months as we dealt with, and continue to deal with, the ongoing pandemic and its fallout. Part of its unexpected fallout is causing a worldwide car shortage. From Ferrari to Ford, automobile makers are clamoring for limited-availability electronic parts to keep up with the demand for both new and used car sales. This month, we take you inside the chaos of the American automakers and examine what led us to this point. And in case you didn’t notice, Beyoncé is on the cover! Yes, that’s Bey with a beautiful horse, dressed in IVY PARK and looking not-a-day-older than she did 20 years ago. What’s her secret? She spills some of her self-care secrets and while talking frankly about the transition from a daughter of Texan stylist to a visionary global empire magnate. Who runs the world? (Beyoncé!) One last note, an article that I think everyone should take 10 minutes to digest this month is, The Myth of the Eternal Male Fertility. Both provocative and informative, we shed light on the misconceptions and best practices for traversing the tricky waters of achieving fatherhood at any age. Spoiler: toss out the skinny jeans, guys. 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.
CHOOSE YOUR X. THE BMW X RANGE.
NOW WITH 0% FINANCING.
MBUSA.COM
VOLUME V / ISSUE IX / SEPTEMBER 2021
adi_livyatan True luxury living in Los Angeles in five bedrooms / 5.5 baths and 6,110 square feet
eqluxe Silhouettes and lines, plus grandeur and coutures come together in one magnificent shot
sothebys_paris_luxury_realty
Featuring the top properties for discerning buyers in Paris, we just love the vibes this room offers page 22
agusfondapl The Santa Barbara high-goal season is in full swing with the Pacific Coast Open title up for grabs
ferrarioflongisland Global car shortage? Says who... you just have to know whom to talk to at Ferrari of Long Island
poloclubmiddeneder The summer polo season at Polo Club Midden Nederland is a relaxed and fun experience for all
amresidencesmiami Aston Martin keeps sweetening the deal with this incredible automobile as part of the penthouse package
fsgeorgesvparis All smiles for breakfast at the Four Seasons Georges V in Paris
soulofsailing Whether you're cruising the Mediterranean or the Adriatic, this is the kind of yacht you want
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Click and comment on our choices... Tag @pololifestyles. We will share noteworthy comments with you next month.
bensoleimani When designing your bedroom sanctuary, think clean lines, modern #bensoleimani
jetalbert Luxury curator and reviewer Jet Albert in a first-class suite aboard an Emirates flight
the_nz_polo_association Quarantine and lockdown friends in New Zealand where outdoor activities give polo players some relief
tiffanyandco @beyonce and @jayz as Jean-Michel Basquiat; Queen B in wears Balmain and 128-carat Tiffany & Co.
joeyvelez88 Is a pet part of your home sanctuary? Joey Velez celebrates #gotchaday with his four-legged buddy
louisvuitton Who wouldn't want to be seen riding this custom Louis Vuitton bike around the city?
jeffpolicard The Haitian diaspora went to work in the early hours after an earthquake shook Haiti again on August 14
polo_looks
Looking regal and in-charge, he chases the ball toward the goal for the win
ecuriedemarcelo The fantastical and limited-edition pony sculptures that are making collectors new "parents" page 23
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G R E E N WI C H S U M M E R P OLO G R E E NWI C H P O LO C LU B
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY GREENWICH POLO CLUB
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GREENWICH SUMMER POLO
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY GREENWICH POLO CLUB
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GREENWICH SUMMER POLO
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY GREENWICH POLO CLUB
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F MB SI LV E R C UP
SA NTA BA R BA R A P O LO & RAC Q U ET C LU B
FAR MER S & MER CH AN T S BA N K S I LVER CUP CH AMPI O N S HI P S UNDAY, AUG US T 8 FI N AL:
K L E N T N E R R A N C H 13 / 1 1 F M B
MVP: J ES S E BR AY BES T PLAYI N G PO N Y: J ES S E BR AY’ S CELL TOWER page 34
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY @AGUSFONDAPL
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FMB S I LV E R C U P
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY @AGUSFONDAPL
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FMB S I LV E R C U P
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY @AGUSFONDAPL
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S E NTEB AL E POLO C U P
PRIN CE HARRY AT P O LO F O R H I S H EA RT' S M I S S IO N
A
SPEN VALLEY POLO CLUB HOSTED THE BIGGEST EVENT IN CLUB HISTORY THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, WHEN THE SENTEBALE ISPS HANDA POLO CUP MADE ITS DEBUT. The Sentebale team of Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex, Nacho Figueras and siblings Riley and Grant Ganzi, won the special charity round robin event, 3-0, with Prince Harry scoring two goals. page 42
The Duke of Sussex made his first public appearance since the birth of his daughter, Lilibet Diana in June. The event raised $3.5 million in funding to help vulnerable children in southern Africa affected by extreme poverty, inequality and the HIV/Aids epidemic. The polo game, which was kept under wraps and not publicized for security reasons, featured three teams: Sentebale, Royal Salute and U.S. Polo Assn. U.S. Polo Assn., led by 8-goaler Alejandro Novillo Astrada, was run-
ner-up and Royal Salute, led by 10-goaler Gonzalito Pieres was third. The team rosters were: Sentebale: Prince Harry, Riley Ganzi, Nacho Figueras, Grant Ganzi. Royal Salute: Kevin Schmeits, Waqaas Al-Saddiq, Brian Boyd, Gonzalito Pieres. U.S. Polo Assn: Sarah Siegel-Magness, Cable Magness, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Stewart Armstrong.
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY SENTEBALE
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Figueras, the Sentebale Ambassador and friend of Prince Harry, said, “How lucky I am to be able to ride along with you in your mission of making the world a better place for people not as fortunate as us. It is your commitment and passion to give back that is my inspiration.” Prince Harry also pledged $1.5 million from the proceeds of his upcoming book to Sentebale. The tell-all memoir is set to be released by Penguin Random House in 2022. Prince Harry said in a statement that his donation was one of several he planned to make to charitable organizations. “Our refocused mission at Sentebale is about addressing the most-immediate needs of vulnerable children in southern Africa,” he said. “Helping them access vital health services, receive necessary care, and build skills to be more resilient and self-sufficient in the future.” The Duke continued, “The Sentebale Polo Cup is critical to securing the funds needed to advance this important mission, and I’m thrilled to be able to support Sentebale, both in person and financially through a separate charitable donation to meet this immediate need,” he told spectators. “I’m grateful to be able to give back in this way for the children and communities who gravely need it.” Prince Harry co-founded Sentebale in Lesotho in 2006 in memory of his late mother Princess Diana.
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SENTEBALE POLO CUP
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY SENTEBALE
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A IKEN S. C . P O LO S E AS ON NE W B R I D G E P O LO C LU B
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY NEW BRIDGE POLO CLUB
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AIKEN, S.C., POLO SEASON
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY NEW BRIDGE POLO CLUB
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DEAUVILLE INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB SA I S O N D' É T É 2 02 1
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DEAUVILLE INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB SAISON D'ÉTÉ 2021
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P H O T O G R A P H S C O U R T E S Y D E A U V I L L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L P O LO C L U B
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DEAUVILLE INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB
P H O T O G R A P H S C O U R T E S Y D E A U V I L L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L P O LO C L U B
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GLO BAL P O LO T V
S IGNS EXC LU S I VE B ROA D CAST D E A L W IT H T H E A A P
G
LOBAL POLO TV, THE ONLINE POLO STREAMING CHANNEL AND APP THAT BROUGHT US, AMONG MANY OTHER TOURNAMENTS, THE U.S. OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS AND MORE RECENTLY THE FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK SILVER CUP, HAS ANNOUNCED A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ASOCIACIÓN ARGENTINA DE POLO (AAP) THAT GIVES GLOBAL POLO TV THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO OFFER THE 2021 TRIPLE CROWN TO VIEWERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.
Global Polo TV will also promote the 2021 Triple Crown to its 11,000+ viewers around the world.
and this is the beginning of a new era for great content, cutting-edge technology and new ways for fan engagement.”
Fans of polo can gain access to exclusive live Spanish and English language coverage as well as hundreds of hours of historical content from the Triple Crown offered by Global Polo TV. This includes The World of Polo, Inside the Boards and Best of the Week content series as well as extensive program archives in The Vault all offered for free on globalpolo.com.
Global Polo TV users and subscribers can buy their season passes with a 10 percent discount for the following Triple Crown tournaments:
Lucas Adur, the CEO of AAP, said, “We know just how passionate the polo audience is and we’re looking forward to bringing this great event to our viewers in North America and around the world. We believe in long term relationships,
•
Tortugas Country Club Open $45, September 26 to October 10
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Hurlingham Club Open $45, October 27 to November 13
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Argentine Polo Championship $135, November 14 to December 11
Additionally, Global Polo TV users and subscribers can purchase the Triple Crown Pass for $180, which comes with access to all three of the above tourna-
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY GLOBAL POLO MEDIA
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ments that complete the Triple Crown. The Polo Expert Pass, $225, is the all-access pass for the Triple Crown coverage and additionally a Polo University subscription. J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing said, “We
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are thrilled to collaborate with the Argentine Polo Association to expand the coverage of these prestigious events to our Global Polo TV subscribers and to other global markets through the World of Polo series.” “This initiative is the foundation of a
long-term partnership between the leading polo markets in the world.” More information is available at https:// www.globalpolo.tv/aap-promo/ JOSH JAKOBITZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY GLOBAL POLO MEDIA
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MOD-POOLS
A N E W E R A F OR THE U LTIMATE B ACKYARD LU XU RY
LIFESTYLE
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UPCYCLED MODPOOLS
M
ODPOOLS CO. UPCYCLES SHIPPING CONTAINERS THAT ARE OTHERWISE DESTINED TO RUST BY CREATING PREFAB POOLS FOR YOUR BACKYARD.
Stacked high on massive cargo vessels, shipping containers make lengthy journeys across the world’s oceans to deliver the goods. Many of those containers make a single trip only to be discarded upon arrival, while others get second chances as restaurants, office spaces, or homes. More recently, one American company has found yet another way to keep them from becoming waste—by turning them into backyard swimming pools. Since being founded by Paul Rathnam in 2017, Modpools has created some seriously unusual pool designs that begin with discarded shipping containers—think pools on rooftops, pools with windows into living rooms, and pools integrated into decking. “We’re dispage 72
rupting an industry and innovating an untapped space in the market between old-school traditional pools and ’70s hot tubs,” said Rathnam. The idea for Modpools came to Rathnam about six years ago on a trip to Palm Springs, where he has vacationed regularly with his family over the past several years. After becoming accustomed to the pool lifestyle, he started exploring new ways to install one conveniently at his own home. “We’d always tick the box of having a pool (on vacation),” he said. “I thought, Here we are going on vacation to experience something we could probably have at home.” Rathnam had already been converting shipping containers into office spaces, so he thought, why not a pool? “Containers already have a complementary shape and robust engineering, making them a natural fit,” he explains. Rathnam is also quick to point out the ease of installation and boasts their
sleek design when compared with other above-ground pool options. Rathnam even offers options with a window (pictured above) or a divider for a pool-spa combination. To date, the company has shipped over 850 pools to clients in North America. “The reaction to Modpools has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Rathnam. “Most people love the idea of upcycling a shipping container into a swimming pool.” Though the pandemic has affected shipping container supply, it’s helped Rathnam’s business have its biggest growth year yet. There are about 150 in the works in his factory, which has recently increased its capacity. Because of reduced travel and socializing in public, people are spending more time at home—and, like Rathnam, may want their own backyard to feel like a Palm Springs getaway. “I think people are appreciating more what they have,” he said.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY DWELL
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BEYONCE
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BEYONCE AT 40
W
OMEN BORN AT THE DAWN OF THE 1980S WERE AMONG THE LAST GENERATION TO LIVE AN ANALOG LIFE AND THE FIRST TO SEE THEMSELVES RE-IMAGINED IN DIGITAL. BEYONCÉ’S CHILDHOOD COINCIDED WITH THE RISE OF HOME-RECORDING EQUIPMENT—VIDEO CAMERAS, STEREO SYSTEMS THAT LET YOU RECORD YOUR OWN VOICE, KEYBOARDS THAT LET YOU FIND WHATEVER SOUND YOU WANTED, PERSONAL COMPUTERS TO SYNTHESIZE IT ALL. THE GIRLS BEFORE HER HAD MIRRORS AND THE ECHOES OF THE TREES AND MAGAZINES WITH CARTOON APPROXIMATIONS TO REFLECT THEMSELVES. HER GENERATION WAS THE FIRST TO REGULARLY EXPERIENCE THE DIZZYING ACCURACY OF PLAYBACK. IT COULD BE A DESTABILIZING FORCE; THERE’S YOUR VOICE AS YOU THINK IT SOUNDS, AND THEN YOUR VOICE WHEN IT COMES BACK TO YOU, AFTER YOU’VE JAY-Z. The iconic couple has just been named the new faces of Tiffany & Co., HIT RECORD.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter came of age during that digital revolution, and knowing how to navigate that dissonance is part of her artistic superpower. She has built her company, Parkwood Entertainment, into a media conglomerate that includes a fashion line, IVY PARK. She is now a mother of three, to nine-year-old Blue Ivy and four-yearold twins Rumi and Sir, with husband
which was acquired earlier this year by LVMH and is relaunching under its auspices. And she is working on new music along with an array of other projects that promise to obliterate old boundaries and vault her further into uncharted territory. Is that what I sound like? Is that what I want to send into the world? These are questions she answers anew, each
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decade of her life. Now, at 40, Beyoncé listens to her voice alone. You turn 40 on September 4. Reflecting on your life so far, what has each decade taught you? The first decade of my life was dedicated to dreaming. Because I was an introvert, I didn’t speak very much as a child. I spent a lot of time in my head building my imagination. I am now grateful for those shy years of silence. Being shy
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musicians. If something wasn’t helping me reach my goal, I decided to invest no time in it. I didn’t feel like I had time to “kiki” or hang out. I sacrificed a lot of things and ran from any possible distraction. I felt as a young Black woman that I couldn’t mess up. I felt the pressure from the outside and their eyes watching for me to trip or fail. I couldn’t let my family down after all the sacrifices they made for me and the girls. That meant I was the most careful, professional teenager and I grew up fast. I wanted to break all of the stereotypes of the Black superstar, whether falling victim to drugs or alcohol or the absurd misconception that Black women were angry. I knew I was given this amazing opportunity and felt like I had one shot. I refused to mess it up, but I had to give up a lot.
taught me empathy and gave me the ability to connect and relate to people. I’m no longer shy, but I’m not sure I would dream as big as I dream today if it were not for those awkward years in my head. I was competing in dance and singing competitions at age seven. When I was on the stage, I felt safe. I was often the only Black girl, and it was then that I started to realize I had to dance and sing twice as hard. I had to have stage presence, wit, and charm if I wanted to win. I started taking voice lessons from an opera singer at nine. By 10 I had already recorded at least 50 or 60 songs in the recording studio. This was before Pro Tools, when you recorded to tape. page 78
My 20s were about building a strong foundation for my career and establishing my legacy. I was focused on commercial success and number ones and being a visionary no matter how many barriers I had to break through. I was pushed to my limits. I learned the power of saying no. I took control of my independence at 27 and started Parkwood Entertainment. At the time, there wasn’t a company that did what I needed it to do or ran the way I wanted it run. So, I created this multipurpose badass conglomerate that was a creative agency, record label, production company, and management company to I had my first vocal injury at 13 from produce and work on projects that meant singing in the studio for too many hours. the most to me. I wanted to manage myWe had just gotten our first record deal, self and have a company that put art and and I was afraid I had developed nodules creativity first. and destroyed my voice and that my career could be over. The doctors put me I pulled together these young visionaries on vocal rest all summer and I was silent and independent thinkers to collaborate with. I wanted strong women to be in once again. key roles throughout my company, when My teenage years were about the grind. most of the industry was still male domI grew up hearing this particular scripinated. I wanted collaborators who had ture from James 2:17, “Faith without not been jaded by the corporate world work is dead.” Vision and intention and wouldn’t be afraid to rock with me weren’t enough; I had to put in the work. when I came up with unconventional I committed to always being a student ideas, a team that would challenge me and always being open to growth. No but wouldn’t be conditioned to say you’re one in my school knew that I could sing not supposed to do something. because I barely spoke. My energy went I remember being in a meeting discussinto Destiny’s Child and the dream of ing analytics, and I was told the research us getting a record deal and becoming
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discovered that my fans did not like when my photography was black and white. They told me I wouldn’t sell if it wasn’t in color. That was ridiculous. It pissed me off that an agency could dictate what my fans wanted based on a survey. Who did they ask? How is it possible to generalize people this much? Are these studies accurate? Are they fair? Are all the people I’m trying to uplift and shine a light on included? They’re not. It triggered me when I was told, “These studies show…” I was so exhausted and annoyed with these formulaic corporate companies that I based my whole next project off of black and white photography, including the videos for “Single Ladies” and “If I Were a Boy” and all of the artwork by Peter Lindbergh for I Am…Sasha Fierce, which ended up being my biggest commercial success to date. I try to keep the human feeling and spirit and emotion in my decision-making.
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I was very interested in filmmaking, and my first project was directing my concert film I Am…World Tour. I learned how to edit the cut myself in Final Cut Pro, and it was the beginning of a newfound love and creative expression, which led to creating the visual album with my self-titled album, Beyoncé, then Lemonade, Homecoming, and Black Is King. My 30s were about starting my family and my life becoming more than my career. I worked to heal generational trauma and turned my broken heart into art that would help move culture forward and hopefully live far beyond me. My 30s were about digging deeper. In 2013, I started BeyGOOD to share the mentality that we could all do something to help others, something my parents instilled in me from a young age—to inspire others to be kind, to be charitable, and to be good. We focused on many areas of need, including hurricane relief, education with scholarships to colleges and universities in the U.S., a fellowship program in South Africa, women’s rights, support of minority businesses, assisting families with housing needs, water crises, pediatric health care, and pandemic
relief. BeyGOOD has become a worldwide initiative for providing support domestically and internationally. It has always been important to me to help others and to make a positive impact on the world. I have worked to lift my people up, to change perceptions so my kids could live in a world where they are seen, celebrated, and valued. I’ve spent so many years trying to better myself and improve whatever I’ve done that I’m at a point where I no longer need to compete with myself. I have no interest in searching backwards. The past is the past. I feel many aspects of that younger, less evolved Beyoncé could never f*** with the woman I am today. Haaa!
Tell us about your community. How have the women in your life influenced you? My closest friends are brilliant women who run companies, are entrepreneurs, mothers, wives, and close family. Kelly [Rowland] and Michelle [Williams] are still my best friends. I gravitate toward strong, grounded women like my incredible sister, Solange. She is full of wisdom, and she is the dopest person I know. There is power in community, and I saw that growing up the daughter of a salon owner. My first introduction to beautiful women was curvy, Texas-bred, bean-and-cornbread-fed goddesses. I was exposed to so many entrepreneurpage 79
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COVER
ial women that I admired. Doctors, business owners, artists, teachers, mothers—they all came through my mom’s salon. I saw firsthand how a salon can be a sanctuary for women. I vividly remember one client who was an opera singer. She was this regal Black woman who had traveled all around the world and would tell these incredible stories. I’d love to hear about her travels and
decided one day I would travel around the world too. I watched my mother nurture and heal those women in her salon, not just by making them look and feel beautiful but by talking with them, listening to them, and connecting with them. I’ve seen how much Black women’s emotions are attached to our hair and beauty. The
beauty industry does not always understand these emotions and what we need. I want to build a community where women of all races can communicate and share some of those secrets, so we can continue to support and take care of each other. I want to give women a space to feel their own strength and tell their stories. That is power. Reprinted with permission from Harper's Bazaar page 81
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COVER
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P U T T I N G TO DAY ' S TO P LU X U R Y L I S T I N G S AT T H E F I N G E R T I P S O F H N W B U Y E R S
Change your listing from For Sale to Sold
by telling the story of your uniquely valuable estate within each Mansions Of The Month feature, be it situated in the greater Miami, Malibu, Montecito, Monaco, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Wellington or Palm Beach - or any other magnificent destination.
Reserve your Mansions of the Month space in upcoming issues of Polo Lifestyles. Contact your dedicated team: marketing@pololifestyles.com Click here to read the Rancho San Carlos case study - After languishing on the real estate market for years, it was a featured property in Polo Lifestyles - and closed less than 60 days later for $63 million dollars. page 84
C HÂT E AU D E V E R S A I L L E S Le Grand Contrôle
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PHILANTHROPIST IN FOCUS BEYONCE KNOWLES-CARTER
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BY WILLIAM SMITH / PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY TIFFANY & CO.
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PHILANTHROPIST IN FOCUS BE YON C É ’ S B OU NTIF U L B E NEF IC ENCE
WILLIAM SMITH Philanthropy contributor @willismith_2000
M
ANY CELEBRITIES ARE
LAUDED FOR THEIR CHARITY WORK AND THIS MONTH’S COVER OF POLO LIFESTYLES IS GRACED BY AN EXEMPLARY CELEBRITY PHILANTHROPIST, BEYONCÉ. THE EVER-TALENTED, SINGER, DANCER, PRODUCER, AND ENTREPRENEUR EXTRAORDINAIRE CAN ALSO ADD IMPACTFUL PHILANTHROPIST TO HER LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS. Among the earliest and most notable of Beyoncé’s efforts was in teaming up with her Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland in responding to the page 88
massive destruction wrought by 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. The duo, along with Beyoncé’s mother, founded the Survivor Foundation that supported those affected by the storm with housing and other basic needs. Beyoncé also supported similar efforts when 2017’s Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic flooding across parts of Texas, including in her hometown of Houston. In 2008, Beyoncé took a turn – hailed by many as her best role ever – as the legendary Etta James in the film Cadillac Records. James had a very public and debilitating battle with heroin addiction for decades, prompting Beyoncé, in preparation for the role, to undertake a deeper understanding of addiction by spending two weeks at a drug rehabilitation center, Phoenix House. The impact was deep – Beyoncé donated her entire $4 million USD salary from the film to Phoenix House and she and her mother also went on to create a cosmetology school that offers the center’s residents a career path. Beauty indeed. In 2013, Beyoncé and fellow celeb Selma
Hayek worked with iconic brand Gucci to launch Chime for Change, a global effort to advance gender equality and to fight for the rights of women and girls. Since its founding, Chime for Change has raised $17.5 million USD for over 400 projects in 89 countries directly benefiting 570,000 women and girls. More recently, Beyoncé has continued to bring her heart and philanthropy to the forefront of the twin pandemics of racial injustice and COVID-19. Through her own foundation, BeyGOOD, COVID-19 testing, basic household needs and mental health services for those impacted by the pandemic were supported. They then launched the BeyGOOD Impact Fund with partner the NAACP to support small back-owned businesses. The Impact Fund was later extended to support those experiencing housing insecurity as a result of the pandemic. Make no mistake…the superstar’s supercharged philanthropy is a hallmark of who she is and the causes she cares about in the world.
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FAC T O R F IC TIO N ?
THE GREAT MYTH
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O F ETERN AL MALE FERTILITY
ONTRARY TO THE POPULAR BELIEF FUELED BY A STRING OF FAMOUS OLDER FATHERS, RESEARCH SHOWS THAT MEN DO HAVE A BIOLOGICAL CLOCK AFTER ALL.. Like so many harmful things – the persistence of the mullet, the Dancing in the Street video, Jerry Hall’s availability to make Rupert Murdoch happy – it’s partly Mick Jagger’s fault. But also Bernie Ecclestone’s. And Rod Stewart’s. And David Jason’s. And, in fact, Rupert Murdoch’s. All those famous, wealthy men became fathers again well past 60 (in Ecclestone’s case, one year off 90) and in doing so helped perpetuate one of the great myths of male health: that, unlike women, the chances of men being able to conceive is the same regardless of age. This week came the latest study to kibosh that idea, finding that there really is a male biological clock – and it starts ticking early. Analyzing data from 4,300 couples undergoing fertility treatment, the study by the Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health (CRGH) in London found that the probability of a live birth drops by a third if the father is over 50. “There may well be a public perception that male fertility is independent of age,” Dr Guy Morris, from the CRGH, said when he presented the results at a reproductive conference last year. “Stories of celebrity men fathering children into their 60s may give a skewed perspective on the potential risks.” The short conclusion to Morris
and his team’s study, published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica this week, put it in the plainest terms possible: “There should be a public health message for men not to delay fatherhood.” It is well-established that men, in general, spend very little time pondering their own health. Aches and pains go ignored, twinges dismissed, check-ups avoided. Statistics bear this out. Yet even with that taken, the level of head-in-the-sand about basic fertility issues – such as how likely it is that problems conceiving might be to do with them – is alarming. A central myth holds that there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to conceive well into your 70s, like Jagger. “You produce sperm your whole life, as a guy, so in theory you could father a child in your 90s, but the problem is we know that sperm quality starts to go down from your 20s,” says Dr Jeff Foster, a GP in Warwickshire whose recent book, Man Alive, sought to encourage men to understand their bodies better and see health issues as less taboo. “From the age of 30, your testosterone naturally starts to reduce as well, and then other lifestyle factors start to impact. So actually, while the potential is still there, in reality men become less fertile simply as they age. So it’s a really, really bad idea, if you have a known medical problem, to think you can put it off until you’re 40.” Women over the age of 25 can often be heard discussing their “body clock” with friends. Men are much less likely to worry or talk about the best time to start a family, yet they are just as likely to play a role in fertility problems, says Foster.
“What we say is there’s a rule of three [when it comes to reasons why a couple is having problems conceiving]: one third are men, one third are women, one third we don’t know. It’s almost exactly equal, but it’s the women who always get focused on and tested.” To change that, men could do with understanding that both their sperm health and production is just as vulnerable to aging and a poor lifestyle as the rest of the body. Just because Mick Jagger or Bernie Ecclestone can have a healthy child at an advanced age, doesn’t mean anyone can. “They’re rare cases, and extremely unhelpful,” Foster says. “By highlighting a 70-something celebrity saying ‘Look! I’ve had my 17th kid with my wife, who’s 25,’ is not going to apply to 90 per cent of the population, because most people’s fertility will go down.”
LIFESTYLE
Professor Charles Kingsland, Group Clinical Director at the CARE fertility group, says we should think of men as sperm factories. It takes somewhere between 60 and 80 days to make a sperm, and then when it’s ejaculated, the body makes more. “As we get older, the sperm factory isn’t as efficient as it was. It slows down. And there is an increased risk of defective sperm,” he says – increasing the chance a child will be born with a disability. “Women, on the other hand, are egg warehouses. They can’t make more, and she absolutely cannot make them better quality. But she can help to defer their deterioration – by stopping smoking, page 93
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losing weight, cutting down drinking and things like that. A woman’s fertility drops like a stone after 35, but men’s viability deteriorates later, at 45 or 50. After 50, it drops off a lot.”
don’t, because it requires changing their life. Another thing is that they think they have healthy sperm because they can ejaculate. But that’s your semen you can see, not your sperm.”
Foster argues it’s even younger – “a smooth but progressive downhill from 30”, especially since making significant lifestyle changes is far harder in your fifth decade than in your third. Considering the average age of fathers to babies born in the UK in 2019 was 33.6, a figure that has increased for 10 consecutive years, that means the average father is past his reproductive peak.
Improving sperm health looks much like any healthy lifestyle: “obesity is public enemy number one when it comes to fertility,” Kingsland says, but after that it’s important to “keep your testicles cool, eat well, don’t smoke, be fit but not too fit [anabolic steroids are about the worst thing for sperm], and get your babies out of the way early.”
“Women will often plan for it, they’ll think, ‘I’ll have my job, then I’ll do this or that and get healthy, then get ready to have some kids…’ Guys don’t think like that. They think they can have their kid any time, and drink and get fat in their 30s and think about having kids in their 40s,” he says, the dismay obvious in his voice. “When women come into the clinic having fertility issues, they’ll have already reduced drinking, smoking, changed their lifestyles. Whereas guys will have done absolutely nothing. And they often
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Foster also recommends a couple of vitamins, selenium and zinc, both of which have been found to improve sperm quality. “And there’s some good evidence around shorts and pants, too. So, while it may be aesthetic to have tight-fitting pants, it’s not particularly good for your sperm count.” Headlines were made a few years ago when Dr Shanna Swan, a U.S. environmental and reproductive epidemiologist and author of the book Countdown, found that the total sperm count of men in Western countries dropped by 59 per cent between 1973 and 2011. So too
had the quality, including the amount of damaged DNA they carried. The reasons for that decrease could be many – from environmental factors to man-made chemicals – and Swan believes we’re in a perilous place as a species if we continue to ignore sperm health. “In some ways, the sperm-count decline is akin to where global warming was forty years ago – reported upon but denied or ignored,” she said recently. Reports like this week’s, then, should nudge a few men into considering how healthy their sperm are, and what time it is on the body clock. Foster welcomes it. Almost eight decades of hard-living and skinny jeans wearing might have worked for Sir Mick, but he’s a lucky one. “There are so many things around men’s health that are social or cultural misconceptions, and fertility is an excellent example of one,” he says. “There’s always exceptions to the rule, and there’s no reason why you can’t have a child at 70, but it’s going to be difficult and not the norm. As with everything else, men shouldn’t just assume they’re OK.” By Guy Kelly Special to Polo Lifestyles
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A D E E P D I V E I N TO C OV ID - ERA TRAV EL
DON'T WRITE THIS ON YOUR LUGGAGE TAGS
MAS T E R TH E U NSPOKEN RULES OF TRAVE L
W
ITH THOUGHTS DRIFTING TO THAT TOO-LONG-DELAYED VACATION OR THE RETURN TO BUSINESS TRAVEL FOR MANY, THERE IS PERHAPS NO BETTER TIME TO REVISIT BEST PRACTICES FOR TRAVEL.
The minutes spent waiting at the baggage carousel can be among the most gut-wrenching, palm-sweating, and butterfly-in-stomach-inducing of the entire travel experience. The terror of not seeing your bag ride down the conveyor belt keeps even the most well-seasoned traveler awake at night. page 98
But luckily, airlines are better than ever at reuniting lost bags with their owners. About 97 percent of all lost bags are found and returned within two days, according to the Los Angeles Times. And there are a few steps you can take to ensure that your lost luggage is among that statistic. As with most aspects of travel, the best plan is foresight. A secure luggage tag with legible information can help bring lost bags back home. All luggage tags should list the owner’s name, email address, and a phone number. Whether or not to include an address, however, is contentious, and you might want to refrain from putting your home
address on your luggage. “If you can avoid listing your home address, you will be less likely to be targeted for a robbery while you are away,” according to USA Today. However, the address of where you’ll be traveling is a good point of contact for luggage lost on the outbound flight (just include it on a small slip of paper in addition to the permanent card in your luggage tag). If you’re worried about luggage being lost on the return flight, consider listing a work address instead of home. When traveling abroad, avoid a luggage tag with a flag or anything that could identify your nationality. Also, get a luggage tag with a cover so your information can’t be scanned and lifted by someone near you.
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Finally, as a backup, draft an email that includes a photo of your luggage, its dimensions and your contact information (phone number and work address) that you can forward to the airline in the event your luggage does go missing. Soon, confusion around what to put on your luggage tag may not even be an issue. Digital luggage tags already provide a secure way to track your bags and allow airport workers to scan for private information. Rimowa’s electronic tag (built into the suitcase) or bagID baggage
tags can display travel information and allow airport workers to track luggage. Welcome back to travel… By Cailey Rizzo Special to Polo Lifestyles
Right: British Airways is testing electronic luggage tags on select flights and Rimowa offers an electronic luggage tag for sale in its collaboration with Chaos. page 99
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T H E G R E AT W O R L D W I D E
C A R S H O R TA G E WON'T BE OVER FOR MONTHS
N
EW CAR INVENTORIES, STRAINED FOR MONTHS BY A GLOBAL SEMICONDUCTOR SHORTAGE AND SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS, AREN’T EXPECTED TO BEGIN RECOVERING UNTIL SEPTEMBER -— AND WILL REMAIN WELL BELOW THEIR PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS THROUGH NEXT YEAR, ACCORDING TO GOLDMAN SACHS.
Automakers in recent weeks have sharply revised down their production schedules as they struggle to work around the shortage of computer chips, which control dozens of functions in all modern vehicles. In a report in August, Goldman Sachs said it expects new car inventories to fall further in August, to around 1 million, before beginning to steadily rebuild in September. Inventories will remain well below their pre-pandemic levels through 2022.
Earlier this month, General Motors said it would stop making most of its full-size pickup trucks for a week due to semiconductor supply constraints. Other automakers have had similar setbacks. Both Honda and Toyota shut down production at plants in Asia because of chip shortages. Ford announced in June 2021 that it is idling production at eight plants, including six in the U.S., through early August. Tightening supply and surging demand have pushed car prices, new and used,
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through the roof. Prices rose 5.3 percent over the last year, hitting record levels. According to Edmunds, a go-to resource for car information, the average price for a new car is now $41,000. The Goldman Sachs report says new car prices will likely continue to rise over the next few months, peaking around 6% above their pre-pandemic level toward the end of the year. However, prices are expected to retrace about 30% of their pandemic-era increase by the end of 2022. A shortage of new cars has pushed consumers toward used cars over the past page 104
few months, creating a scorching hot used car market. Used car prices were up 10.5 percent in June 2021, the largest one-month jump on record, and 45.2 percent over the last 12 months. The average price for a used car hit $26,500 in June, according to Edmunds. The demand for used cars was so strong that some people were selling used cars for more than they bought them for, and cars with more than 100,000 miles were gaining value. But there are signs the used car rush is slowing. Used car inventories seem to have bottomed in April and prices
probably peaked in June 2021, according to the Goldman Sachs report. Prices will likely retract about 35 percent of their growth since the start of the pandemic by the end of this year and over 70 percent by the end of 2022. Other reports have shown similar trends in the used car market. Wholesale used car prices, the price dealers pay for the cars they sell to customers, fell in the first two weeks of July while inventories increased, according to Cox Automotive. A separate Cox Automotive report showed that the retail price of used cars, the price customers pay, has increased, but at a slower pace over the past month. By Moira Ritter Special to Polo Lifestyles
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FASHION & STYLE
NEW YORK FASHION WEEK'S VACCINE MANDATE SAINT LAURENT PRESENTS BASQUIAT CAPSULE
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SAVING FASHION
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C ON T E N T C O URT ESY T HE I M PR ES S I O N
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NYFW:
NO ENTRY WITHOUT PROOF OF VACCINE IMG AND THE CFDA WILL JOINTLY ENFORCE NEW YORK FASHION WEEK'S VACCINE MANDATE
T
HE CFDA AND IMG ANNOUNCE A DIRECTIVE REQUIRING PROOF OF VACCINATION FOR ALL NYFW SHOW PARTICIPANTS As if fashion needed another good reason to fully vaccinate, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, who in their partnership with IMG oversee New York Fashion Week, have announced that all individuals entering show spaces during the event will need to be vaccinated. Everyone involved in the events, including guests, staff members, models, and more will need to show proof of vaccination. IMG had previously announced that it would require all individuals entering Spring Studios, the central hub of New York Fashion Week: The Shows, to show proof of vaccination. The announcement from the CFDA expands these requirements to include all show locations across the city.
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In a joint statement, IMG and the CFDA said, “Following IMG’s announcement and in accordance with the City of New York’s Covid-19 vaccination mandate, the CFDA and IMG have aligned on a directive that all New York Fashion Week events require proof of vaccination for any guest, staff member or individual attending or working on site. Together, we encourage the broader industry to follow suit and protect the wellbeing of our fashion community this September. We will closely follow updates and recommendations from the CDC, New York State and City, releasing comprehensive health and safety guidelines in mid-August.” IMG informed designers of the decision earlier this week. Designers and labels showing at this year’s highly anticipated event include Tom Ford, Moschino, Telfar, Ulla Johnson, and many more. The announcement follows quickly on the news that New York City will require residents to show proof of vaccination to attend most indoor spaces, including restaurants, gyms, and performance spaces, beginning on August 16th. The CFDA’s directive is strictly aligned with these requirements. With Covid-19 cases – and especially the more contagious and deadly delta variant – once again on the rise across the Tri-State region, it’s a crucial moment to take these precautionary steps in order to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy.
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SAINT LAURENT LAUNCHES BASQUIAT CAPSULE
C
REATIVE DIRECTOR OF SAINT LAURENT, ANTHONY VACCARELLO, WILL CURATE AN EXHIBITION OF ORIGINAL WORKS BY JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ESTATE OF JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT AND THE GALERIE ENRICO NAVARRA. The exhibition contains a silkscreen, 18 original lithographs, several drawings, and ceramic plates which belonged to
Andy Warhol. There is also a spoon, and a denim jacket from one of the first AIDS auctions ever. As a tribute to the artist’s work, and to support the exhibition, Vaccarello has also designed a unique lifestyle collection, in collaboration with the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat and creative consultancy agency Artestar New York. At press time, details on the collection and its launch date have yet to be released. Vaccarello chose Basquiat, due to his meteoric rise in the early 80s, which has only continued to grow. Vaccarello featured the artist once before in one of
his 2020 collections – a capsule collaboration with Everlast. Vacarrello was inspired by an iconic series of black and white portraits of Andy Warhol and Basquiat in boxing shorts shot by Michael Halsband in 1985. The collection was sold exclusively in the Saint Laurent Rive Droite store in Paris. Saint Laurent Rive Droite Paris and Los Angeles will exclusively host several works by Jean-Michel Basquiat until September.
P HOTO G R A PHS C O URT ESY T HE I M PR ES S I O N
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY THE IMPRESSION
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AVA I L A B L E AT
{PRIVATE VIEWING}
L'ECURIE DE MARCELO
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A S E R I E S B Y R A P H A E L K . D A PA A H I N T R O D U C I N G T H E - N E X T- B I G A R T I S T S T O T H E W O R L D O F A R T C O L L E C T O R S A N D C U R AT O R S
VERNISSAGE
OLD-WORLD CRAFTSMANSHIP M E E T S F A N TA S T I C A L P R O P O R T I O N S
A
N ORIGINAL TAKE ON A CLASSIC FORM – WHETHER YOU’RE VYING FOR A TOP SPOT ON “MAKING THE CUT” ON AMAZON PRIME OR IN SOMEWHERE IN YOUR FINAL YEAR OF ART SCHOOL, IT’S THE ASSIGNMENT THAT MAKES DESIGNERS EITHER CRINGE OR BEAM FROM EAR TO EAR. page 124
In the case of this month’s Vernissage feature, Stefan Jacobs and L’Ecurie de Marcelo, this designer is a solid beam-er, as demonstrated by his very unique and imperfect pony sculptures taking the collectors’ world by storm. L’Ecurie de Marcelo is a collaborative art project based in Sotogrande, Spain, from Belgian artist Jacobs and Argentines Osvaldo Lobalzo and the ubiquitous Marcelo. We connected with Jacobs recently to discuss his design her-
itage, his current work and art process and how in the world we can get our hands on one of his very round horse sculptures. Cast from stone and finished by hand, not only are the round pony sculptures extremely limited edition, but they’re uniquely and individually named by bloodline, five to 14 sculptures at a time. They are individually and purposely created: there are mares and stallions and foals, all part of a family. Jacobs
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LIMITED EDITION
BELGIAN ARTIST STEF JACOBS' COLLABORATIVE STUDIO IN SOTOGRANDE PRODUCES ONLY FIVE TO 14 HORSES PER CASTING
Scapa Polo Heritage
named his first casting with his ancestral family names: d’Anvers and Nieustadt. As collectors pick them up (grab them, actually, before they’re gone), they become the adoptive parents of the foals so to speak. “At a recent art gathering, several of the round pony sculpture collectors ended up discussing their unique purchases with each other. One said, ‘I’m the father to Johannes (a foal),’ while the other, retorted, ‘Leon is my son.’ The sculptures page 126
lend themselves to an incredible familial sentiment – they are immediately members of the collectors’ families,” said Jacobs. While each piece is unique and impossible to copy, foals of the same bloodline carry the characteristics of the ancestors. Jacobs also accepts some commissions to create specific bloodlines with distinct characteristics. His hardest was a request for a black series.
for me,” he said. “It ended up being beautiful, black with gold.”
“As an artist, I don’t really work with black. I love colors, so it was a challenge
Jacobs was drawn to the round horse shape for its sharp rejection of the classic
Jacobs’ family in Antwerp, Belgium, has been in the printing and design business for over 100 years, so he picked up his first lessons in color mixing with CMYK from his father and grandfather. He studied and worked as a graphic designer before pursuing fine art.
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A L ES SA N DR O T EO L DI
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horse form. “Everything we create is a fantasy, not a normal form whatsoever,” he said. “I know that for myself, personally, if I were to enter a shop with different kinds of sculptures of ponies – from classic to the fantastical – I’d be drawn to the round form, imperfect in its presence and standing out from the rest.” Collectors best be on a firstname basis with Jacobs, as the ponies are in both high demand and low production. In November, L’Ecurie de Marcelo will host a pop-up shop in Paris. Will you be on the invite list? JOSH JAKOBITZ EDITOR-INCHIEF POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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THE RISE OF
PODCASTING
BRETT CHODY Trends contributor @brettchody
P
ODCASTS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR OVER TWO DECADES, BUT IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, THEIR POPULARITY AND PROMINENCE IN SOCIETY HAS GROWN EXPONENTIALLY. THREE YEARS AGO, THERE WERE JUST ABOUT 500,000 PODCASTS AVAILABLE TO LISTENERS. TODAY, THERE ARE OVER TWO MILLION PODCASTS AND 48 MILLION PODCAST EPISODES, ACCORDING TO PODCAST INSIGHTS’ 2021 REPORT. The growth of the podcast industry page 132
comes at a time when human innovation is arguably at an all-time high. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the world were forced to stay home and had to find new creative outlets and entertainment. In the first six months of 2020, 13.2 million podcasts episodes were published, compared to 16.6 million in all of 2019. Moreover, modern technology has made it not only possible, but extremely easy, to create a podcast and publish it. An episode can be recorded and edited from the comfort of home and registered with a podcast outlet in a matter of hours. This low barrier of entry makes podcasting an extremely unique art that has attracted millions of creatives. Olivia Abrams, a student at the University of Southern California, started a podcast last year while living in Los Angeles and attending online classes. It’s called “people doing things” [sic] and highlights the stories of Gen Z entrepreneurs and the businesses they created.
“I decided to start my podcast because I felt that there was little spotlight around young entrepreneurship,” Abrams said. “I created ‘people doing things ‘to tell the stories of young creative minds alike. We are the next generation, and our innovation is what will determine the future.” Millennials and members of Generation Z make up a large portion of podcast listeners. According to an entertainment survey from YPulse, 62 percent of young consumers between the ages of 13 and 39 listen to podcasts, with 26 percent saying they listen to a podcast every week. For Carolyn Robbins, a 21-year-old college student, podcasts are a part of her day-to-day life, especially when walking or driving alone. “I love podcasts because they feel like I’m involved in a conversation,” Robbins said. “While I listen to them, I respond to what the host is saying in my own head and relate the topic to things that are happening in my own life, which
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helps me better myself as a human being. I couldn’t imagine by daily routine without them.” Another interesting aspect of podcasts is that the subject matter possibilities are endless. Anyone can find a podcast that covers something they’re interested in because topics range from true crime to fitness to diet culture to politics. An episode can be as serious as “The Interpreters the U.S. Left Behind in Afghanistan,” which was recently published by New York Times’ podcast “The Daily,” or as trivial as “How To Trick Him into Proposing,” which was published by the raunchy sex and dating podcast, “Call Her Daddy.”
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In fact, “Call Her Daddy” is an incredible example of just how powerful and impacting a podcast can be. At just 26 years old, host Alexandra Cooper recently signed a $60 million threeyear deal with Spotify and was called “arguably the most successful woman in podcasting” by TIME Magazine. Cooper started “Call Her Daddy” in 2018 with a co-host, but now hosts it on her own, with an occasional guest. On her podcast, she reflects on her own dating and sex experiences, both past and present, in an uncensored manner with a carefree tone. College student Jacob Roshkow is an avid” Call Her Daddy” listener and
appreciates the podcast because of Cooper’s authenticity. “I really appreciate how candid [Call Her Daddy] feels in a world where a lot of rhetoric has been carefully combed over. It is really refreshing,” he said. There are thousands of podcasts like “Call Her Daddy” that have cult listener bases and are expanding their reaches by the episode. As the podcast boom continues worldwide, one can only imagine the profound effects it will have on society in 2021 and beyond. BRETT CHODY TRENDS CONTRIBUTOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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MANSION OF THE MONTH
RANCHO SANTA FE CALIFORNIA
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ENJOY THE SANTA BARBARA EQUESTRIAN LIFESTYLE 16401 CALLE FELIZ
RANCHO SANTA FE, CALIFORNIA, 92067 PRICE $98,500,000 | BEDROOMS 6 | BATHROOMS 6 FULL & 1 PARTIAL LOCATED ON 77 ACRES HTTPS://WWW.WILLOWCREEKESTANCIA.COM
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HIS REMARKABLE 77ACRE COVENANT ESTATE COMPRISED OF SEVEN PARCELS WILL TRANSCEND YOUR EXPECTATIONS WITH MULTIPLE RESIDENCES, TWO STATEOF-THE-ART BARNS, RIDING ARENAS, SEVERAL PASTURES, TREE-LINED TRAILS, 15-ACRE BASS-FILLED LAKE, TENNIS COURT, AND THE ULTIMATE IN PRIVACY, SECURITY, AND SECLUSION. page 140
The 15,000 square foot main home is a classic Santa Barbara style with an understated elegance and a two-bedroom guest house adjoins the fully equipped game room with bowling alley, bar, & gym. Imagine the possibilities. Perfect for enjoying all your favorite activities, sports, and hobbies, this remarkable property is also set up to accommodate a variety of equestrian disciplines. There are multiple residences for welcoming family and friends and to have on-site staff, trainers, and
managers. Strategically developed to achieve the ultimate in privacy yet conveniently located just minutes to downtown, airports, shopping, beaches, and showgrounds, this special haven is unlike any other in the area. Possible development opportunities include a private shared ownership – multi-family estate, premier destination equestrian retreat, exclusive horse breeding and training facility, all-inclusive Olympic Training Center, health and wellness spa resort, or a corporate and/or adventure retreat.
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MANSION OF THE MONTH
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93 EATON SQUARE BELGRAVIA LONDON, U.K.
A Grade II-listed home in London’s Belgravia neighborhood that was once home to Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin as well as American businessman Henry Ford II, has come onto the market for £23 million (USD $31.45 million). The property consists of a main residence at 93 Eaton Square and an interconnecting two-bedroom mews house, according to the listing posted last week by Beauchamp Estates. The main residence was given an official Blue page 146
Plaque in 1969 for its historic significance as the former home of Baldwin (1867-1947).
post for two more stretches, from 192429 and 1935-37.
In total, the property includes 7,489 square feet of living space with three reception rooms, six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and two kitchens, the listing said.
In the grand main reception room and the adjoining dining room, Baldwin had entertained politicians such as Winston Churchill, Neville Chamberlain, and the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, according to Beauchamp Estates.
Baldwin and his wife, Lucy, bought the house in 1908 before he became prime minister in 1923. He would hold the
Baldwin sold the house upon his retirement in 1937. In the early 1980s, Henry Ford II (1917-87), the eldest grandson
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of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford and former CEO of the automaker, and his wife, model and photographer Kathleen DuRoss, purchased the house, the listing agents said. They commissioned architect Jeffrey Smith and design house Colefax & Fowler to refurbish and decorate the interiors of the house in English country style. When Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher left office in 1990, Mrs. Ford lent the house to Thatcher and her husband Denis until they purchased a
home of their own in 1991 in nearby Chester Square, according to the listing. Mrs. Ford died in 2020 at the age of 80. Important collections held in this residence, as well as her Palm Beach, Florida, home and her English country home, Turville Grange in Buckinghamshire, had been auctioned via Christie’s earlier this year. The property has a patio garden and a garage, and the mews house has potential for extension, according to
Beauchamp Estates. “This blue plaque residence at 93 Eaton Square has been the Belgravia home of two legendary prime ministers… and been the London home of one of America’s most celebrated dynasties,” Gary Hersham, founding director of Beauchamp Estates, said in a statement. “If extended and remodeled, a new super prime residence could be created that could significantly uplift the current value of the property.” page 147
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62 WEST 62ND STREET PHAB, UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN
PRICE $9,995,000 BEDROOMS 6 / BATHROOMS 7 FULL / 2 PARTIAL INTERIOR 5,622 SQ FT. / EXTERIOR 4 TERRACES THE DETAILS Although geographically it sits between Central Park and the Hudson River, the Upper West Side is arguably an attitude as much as it is a place. Many of its residents have a passion for embracing all the cultural riches that New York page 148
offers, and it’s been a favorite neighborhood of people who produce much of that culture — actors, writers, professors, musicians, and others. Much of the bookish quality of the Upper West Side is due to some of the institutions that call it home (or sit on its edges) — Columbia
and Barnard (just north, in Morningside Heights), Fordham Law School, Julliard, and other smaller schools. Welcome to 62 West 62nd Street-Phab, a magnificent condo duplex penthouse with 14.5 rooms, six bedrooms, seven baths and much more.
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PHILANTHROPY IN FOCUS
HELP AND HOPE FOR HAITI WILLIAM SMITH Philanthropy Contributor @willismith_2000
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OYAL POLO
LIFESTYLES READERS KNOW OUR DEEP CONNECTIONS TO HAITI. OUR PUBLISHER HAILS FROM THE COUNTRY AND THIS PUBLICATION BEGAN AS AN AVENUE TO SHINE A BRIGHT AND POSITIVE LIGHT ON HAITI, ITS PEOPLE, AND YES, ITS NATIONAL POLO TEAM. THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS HAVE BEEN TOUGH TO WITNESS. page 152
The 7.2 magnitude quake that struck the southern peninsula of the country on August 14 was like a gut punch, or more accurately, like an illegal gut punch after having already been knocked down and flaying on the mat. The government was already in crisis following the assassination of the nation’s president, Jovenel Moise, on July 7. Then the quake hit. At press time, more than 2,200 people have been killed, 12,000 injured, and another 300 plus are still missing. Haitian officials from its Office of Civil Protection have said 600,000 people are in need of emergency assistance and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates 500,000 children have limited or no access to shelter, clean water and food. Then there are the recent reports of armed gangs attacking convoys deployed to hard-hit and hard-to-access areas. And fears loom
of a similar cholera outbreak that killed more than 9,000 Haitians after the 2010 quake. It’s enough to bring a people to their knees, both literally and mentally. While the recent earthquake was less destructive than its 2010 predecessor, the country is still recovering from that previous disaster. In fact, the narrative of the two quakes and the country’s political crisis uniquely converged at the ad-hoc National Palace (Moise’ private residence) above the hills of Port-au-Prince. Moise did not and could not inhabit the official presidential residence in the government district; it was irreparably damaged in the 2010 quake and has yet to be rebuilt. The impacts of the 2010 quake reverberate to this day – and that includes in the recovery of the recent earthquake.
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in strategic grantmaking to local groups in affected areas. https://espwa-haiti.org/ the-haiti-community-foundation-initiative-hcfi/
After the 2010 quake, aid poured into Haiti with such generosity and rapidity that questions surfaced about whether it all indeed went for the intended purposes. The American Red Cross made headlines when NPR and the organization ProPublica released a damning report five years after the quake, asking where the nearly $500 million raised by the charity for relief efforts went. The Red Cross made efforts to account for each project supported and dollar spent, but the damage was done, especially for donors whose heartfelt charity felt betrayed.
tions reach the ground where people’s lives have been impacted and communities upended.
HAITI EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY FUND AT THE CENTER FOR DISASTER PHILANTHROPY. The well respected and nimble U.S.-based organization has created this fund to provide grants to families and communities in support of rebuilding and recovery efforts. www.disasterphilanthropy.org
Many lessons were learned from that experience and since the August earthquake, the focus has not just been on raising dollars for relief efforts, but on doing so in a way that ensures contribu-
THE AYITI COMMUNITY TRUST. An outgrowth of The Miami Foundation and leaders of the Haitian diaspora in Miami, the Ayiti Community Trust is a U.S.-based charity and they have established the Earthquake Relief Fund. With staff on the ground in the affected areas and in concert with in-country partners, contributions will be channeled to local Haitian-led organizations in the country. www.ayiticommunitytrust.org
THE HAITI COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INITIATIVE. A registered charity in both the U.S. and Haiti, the Haitian-led organization will engage
ZANMI LASANTE/PARTNERS IN HEALTH. The largest healthcare provider in Haiti and a partner of the internationally renowned Partners in Health,
In that spirit, here are a few informed and tested options for helping Haiti at this critical time.
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the organization is raising funds for emergency relief. www.zanmilasante.org HAITI DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE. Based in both Haiti and the U.S. and a project of The Boston Foundation, HDI is working to direct funds to local Haitian organizations for both emergency response and rebuilding. HDI is a leader in building a more resilient and thriving Haiti for the future. Contributions can be made at www.hdihaiti.org/ earthquake-response FOKAL. Based in Haiti and founded in 1995, FOKAL is a well-respected national foundation and through it’s U.S.-based charity, Ayiti Demen, is accepting donations to support on-the-ground organizations responding to the quake. www.fokal.org or text SOUTHHaiti to 44321 TEAM RUBICON. I would be remiss in not including Team Rubicon on this list, not just because the foundation I run supports the organization financially, but because the organization’s roots were in response to the 2010 earthquake and it has since become a premier organization in disaster response. Eleven years later, Team Rubicon has volunteers on the ground in southern Haiti to assist in emergency response. www.teamrubiconusa.org/haiti-earthquake PROJECT ST. ANNE. Active in Camp-Perrin, one of the hardest-hit areas of the 2021 earthquake, this diaspora-led, U.S.-based charity quickly organized a dual in-person and virtual concert benefit to raise funds and awareness one week after the earthquake. www.psahaiti.org PRODEV FOUNDATION. Pivoting from its emphasis on youth and education equity, PRODEV has a national network of schools through which aid and resources are distributed during times of national crisis. www.prodevhaiti.org COMMUNITY ORGANIZED RELIEF EFFORT (CORE). Deeply involved in the humanitarian response following the 2010 earthquake, this organization headed by Sean Penn is collecting funds once again to support their rapid-response team that’s been on the ground since the early hours following the August 14 disaster. www.coreresponse.org As with all philanthropy and all philanthropists, where to give is about what sparks your interests, passions and desires for a better world. To that end, this is a partial list that, if it comes up short, may instead inspire additional research that leads to an opportunity to support Haiti, its communities, and its people. page 154
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BY CEZAR KUSIK
SOMMELIER & WINE WRITER
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DON'T F*$% UP THE
WINE
OR WORSE, EMBARRASS YOURSELF page 159
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In Search The Ultimate of Solace Wine Experience
FIVE WAYS WE MESS UP WINE W I N E , I T S P OT E N T I A L F L AW S , A N D AVO I D I N G T H E M T O E N S U R E T H E U LT I M AT E W I N E E X P E R I E N C E .
CEZAR KUSIK Wine Contributor @cezartastesearth
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N A NUTSHELL, WINE IS A RESULT OF A MAGICALLY SIMPLE, YET WONDROUS, NATURAL PROCESS: THE JUICE OF RIPE GRAPES, ABUNDANT IN NATURAL SUGARS, ATTRACT MICRO-ORGANISMS OF YEAST, WHICH THEMSELVES CANNOT HELP BUT FEAST ON ALL THAT SWEETNESS AND page 160
CONVERT IT INTO ALCOHOL WHILE EXPORTING COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF CO2. How much simpler and more straight forward can it get, right? Why then, one can ask, in our modern social culture of wine making that wine itself has become such an involved and nuanced subject with multiple factors, from human to natural, determining the quality and ultimately the praise or the criticism of the final product. From the geographic origins of the vineyards with their micro-climates, through the multi-faceted farming practices, to complex wine making techniques, and eventually to storage of the already bottled wines, all these factors contribute to or detract
from the wine’s quality and its value. Wine’s most basic and primal purpose in our lives is its sustenance, its social function of jollifying our lives, bringing us together by transcending our differences, and mitigating the pain of our existential anxieties by subtle inebriation. Yet somehow, in the process of social evolution, armed with superficiality and vanity, we have elevated wine to the status of art form, and this joyous libation has fallen a victim of snobbery, pretense and contrived validation of social status. Good on us! Let’s distance ourselves even further from the animals we once were. But outside this human inflicted pom-
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posity, wine’s true, unadulterated sensual and aesthetic appeal should not be slighted or understated. At its best (and that “best” lies in the palate of the beholder) wine can offer a gratifying and inspiring experience to our eyes, our smell and our taste buds, enriching our body and soul. There are circumstances, though, when these sensations of senses can be compromised, and it is then when we talk about “flawed” wines.
our atmosphere and molecular structure of our planet, and without it, life on earth could not be. But just like with many other things in life, sometimes too much of a good thing is a bad thing; and it could even be lethal. Oxidation is aging, and it eventually leads to decomposition. Our body cells oxidize and that’s why we grow old and eventually… Hold up! Let’s not get morose here…we're still talking about wine here after all.
Here are five most pertinent examples wine flaws.
In scientific terms, wine oxidizes due to chemical reactions that convert ethanol (alcohol) into acetaldehyde. When that happens, wine develops undesirable aromas of vinegar and caramelized apple, it loses its vigor in color, flattens in flavor, and eventually it turns, literally, into vinegar.
Oxidation Benefits of oxygen in our lives and its existence on our planet cannot be overstated. Oxygen is an indispensable chemical element in the composition of
Obviously, oxygen is present throughout the entire process of wine making and often an additional exposure to it is encouraged. Here are a few techniques: -Open-tank top fermentation (self-explanatory) -Pumping over, a.k.a. remontage, is a process of pumping red wine from the bottom of the fermenting tank and splashing it over the top of the fermenting must to achieve a better extraction of color, flavor, tannin. -Racking. This is a general term for moving wine from one vessel to another: tank to barrel, barrel to barrel, barrel to tank… and so on. The purpose is mainly to separate sediment from wine for clarification purposes. page 161
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The Ultimate Wine Experience
Oxygen also plays a vital role in wine’s life after bottling. And that’s where cork comes in. There is a magical duality to cork in its function. On one side it prevents the air from entering the bottle and spoiling the wine, which it eventually will. On the other hand, cork’s finely grained structure offers a unique permeability which allows the wine to slowly “breath” and evolve while cellared. In that fashion, as wine continually oxidizes to the point of it being faulty is subjective; what one person considers spoiled by oxidation, another may consider elegantly aged. There is though, a threshold beyond which a wine becomes unpalatable, and no respected wine drinker should touch it. I like to say: wine is a like human being who offers different traits and characteristics at different stages of its life until it is dead.
TCA aka Cork taint “Corked wine” is sometimes an abused term to signify someone’s general dissatisfaction with a bottle of wine. As a sommelier, I have found myself in numerous situations in my career when a guest challenged the quality of wine by calling it “corked,” when in actuality, the wine was perfectly sound. Not an easy predicament to get out of without coming across as condescending and offending or embarrassing the patron. But the flaw of “corkiness” is very specific. It is caused by a chemical contaminant 2,4,6-Trichloroanisole and manifests itself by the odor of wet cardboard or wet dog. The taint occurs when certain fungi come in contact with chlorine, a common sterilizer, during the cork production or other wine making practices. The flaw is usually transferred from the affected cork stoppers in contact with wine, but it can also originate in oak barrels or the processing lines at the winery. The estimates vary, but it is believed that about three percent of page 162
all wine bottled under natural cork is compromised by this affliction.
Reduction Reduction is kind of the opposite of oxidation in that it is caused by shortage of oxygen. It mainly occurs during the wine making process, when the limited oxygen exposure leads to the volatile sulfur compounds. Wine requires a certain amount of oxygen to polymerize, otherwise, reduced flavors will most likely appear. This fine balance of too little versus too much of oxygen in wine making is a great example of the delicate and intricate nature of the process. A reduced wine gives off unpleasant whiffs of rotten eggs, sulfur or rubber. At small levels, reduction can be eliminated by extensive aeration in a decanter or a wine glass.
Brettanomyces or Brett in short. Brett is an unwanted strain of naturally occurring yeast that is usually interrelated to red wines. White wines are much less vulnerable to it because of their lower pH and much smaller phenolic content. The presence of Brett in wine is a rather controversial issue since some wine professionals consider it, in small amounts, a part of aromatic makeup of a wine adding to wine’s complexity. In large quantities, Brettanomyces will cause an overwhelming, unwanted sensory characteristics of barnyard and sweaty leather. Some grapes tend to be more susceptible to Brett; Syrah is one of those. Historically, Brett is associated with the red wines of the Rhone Valley in France.
Tartrate crystals a.k.a. wine diamonds This isn’t a flaw, but rather a misconception of one that needs to be addressed to save the wine aficionado of every ilk from embarrassment. Wine diamonds can occur in both white and red wines and can deposit on the underside of
the cork or the bottom of the bottle. Tartaric acid along with citric, malic and lactic acids is one of prime acids in wine grapes. The crystals are a result of tartaric acids binding with potassium and their formation is linked to the exposure of wine to cold temperatures (below 40 degrees). It can happen at the winery, during transport, or in your fridge. Cold stabilization is a process employed by some wineries to get rid of tartrate deposits. Before bottling, the wine in bulk is cooled off to temperatures below 40 degrees, the crystals form and are filtered off. Cold stabilization’s drawback is its negative effects on wine’s flavor complexity and aging potential. That’s why most reputable wineries avoid it. Wine diamonds are completely harmless and if found in a bottle can be easily separated by filtration or decanting. These five ailments are not the only ones afflicting wines but, in my view, those most worth addressing and most prevalent. Keep in mind that these “defects” come in different levels of flaw intensity leading to much subjectivity. The presence of a flaw can be and is often debated especially since there is no scientific method to determination or measurement. It also depends on a palate’s sensitivity to be able to detect a flaw, especially in marginal amounts. All in all, for my own purposes, I define a flaw in wine as a clearly detectable aroma or flavor which, one way or another, permeated the wine without the winemaker’s intent and negatively impacts the sensory enjoyment of the consumer. Remember though that none of these so-called flaws are harmful to our health. Ultimately, if desperate, stuck on a deserted island with only one bottle of wine saved that happens to be corked, stink of barnyard or rotten eggs, don’t panic, you’ll still experience its magic as an elixir to ease your pain, solitude, and to see the brighter side of things. CEZAR KUSIK WINE CONTRIBUTOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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ALIGN WITH YO SPIRITUALITY · FAITH · QUESTIONS · GROWTH · FOCUS
THE HOLY IMPORTANCE OF YOUR SANCTUARY A TWO-PART SERIES ON CREATING SPACE FOR YOUR SOUL “A home is a kingdom of its own in the midst of the world, a stronghold amid life’s storms and stresses, a refuge, even a sanctuary.” - DIETRICH BONHOEFFER - GERMAN THEOLOGIAN Jyoti Paintel Spiritual contributor @pololifestyles
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HE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN UNLIKE ANY OTHERS IN OUR LIFETIMES, AND TRUTH BE TOLD, THEY HAVE CHANGED MOST OF OUR LIVES IN BIG WAYS. Life events caused by the pandemic have altered our professional and personal situations dramatically, and the most challenging part about it is that we have little or no control over the situation. page 166
As we go through this epoch of uncertainty, one thing is for sure: as we exercise caution, we are increasingly forced to isolate and spend more time inside our homes, meanwhile our social circles have also been cut drastically. It’s too early just yet to go back to the way things were, if that is even a possibility. What we need are ways to create sanctuaries that give a much-needed healthy escape from the real world and allow us to re-center. In this two-part series, I discuss the ways we can use sanctuaries to create a home for troubled souls to rest and recharge. The only requirement for sanctuary space is that we select a place where we have felt our highest level of joy and feeling of being content with only what is right in front of us. When we are in gratitude of something that has
an eternal quality, it keeps us grounded in the present, and thus we can handle whatever life brings us when we know we always have this sanctuary. The main ingredient is the great inner warmth, security, and peace that we feel in this place. The more often we revisit our soul sanctuary, whether it is a physical space or a metaphysical one, the more peaceful we will be. A PLACE FOR OUR SOUL “Finding a sanctuary, a place apart from time, is not so different from finding a faith.” - Pico Iyer, British Author Home has taken on a new appearance in 2021 since we are spending more time than ever sheltering indoors. It is our ad-hoc workplace; for others, our chil-
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OUR PURPOSE IN SY N C W IT H YO UR V IB E
R E N E WA L · C O M M U N I T Y · S U P P O RT · E X P LO R AT I O N · E N E R G Y
dren’s part-time or full-time classroom. It might have once been a place where we found reprieve and peace from the chaos of the world, but today it might actually be the epicenter of stress and pressure. Even if we don’t work from home, having to be inside for longer periods of time can be hard on our souls.
As we begin to comprehend the realities of a more confined life, the one thing we must not take for granted is creating a place for our soul, and not just our physical body, to live. A Sanctuary should also be a safe haven that we go to when we feel overwhelmed by pressures of our worldly existence, it
can be a delight-filled hobby that brings us pleasure and a sense of calm, it can also be a special person or community that we can call upon when we need to just be ourselves - people we can laugh and cry with, too. Here are some examples to help you create your private and special place to sojourn during trying page 167
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times. A PHYSICAL SANCTUARY: A PLACE FOR HEALING AND LAUGHTER In spirituality, there are two types of sanctuary: the inner and the outer. The journey to our inner sanctuary is usually a process that is faith- or meditation-based and is a path inward to a place of quiet contemplation. Yoga, meditation, prayer and chanting are some very common methods to access our soul’s inner sanctuary. The outer sanctuary, however, is something else, something more tangible - a real place to go and enjoy the simple thrill and pleasure of just being alive. Finding space for a physical sanctuary takes some out-of-the-box thinking and inventiveness, but that is part of the magic. The adventure involved to find and create the right place is a huge part of the satisfying experience. Your backyard may be the key to developing your sanctuary. Is there room to build page 168
a treehouse or a greenhouse? Can you plant a vegetable garden? This type of a sanctuary can be very purposeful if you have a family, and the whole process of building it can be a family bonding experience. Do you remember – long before computers, video games and the Internet, building a treehouse was actually a real past-time for kids. In my childhood, we didn’t have much in the way of materials - just our imagination, curiosity and resourcefulness. If you don’t have your backyard, is it possible to create space somewhere in a public place near you? I once lived near a hiking trail that had an outdoor stone shrine and bench where people lit tea candles, or left flowers and small sentimental talismans. Whenever I went hiking there, I made it a point to visit and to tidy the area. I took fresh flowers and a candle, and in this way it became my own special sanctuary. Creating a soul sanctuary, aside from
having great healing properties of its own, can become a jumping-off place for many other rituals. Almost all rituals are initiated in personal sanctuary space. My favorite ritual is preparing a small picnic – everything about it is special: the little lunch box that holds my goodies, the napkins inside, and teacup and thermos holding my special tea. I light a little candle, say thanks and enjoy the little special treats I’ve also brought along to eat - indulgent imported biscuits I buy especially for the occasion. Creating a sanctuary for the soul is a simple task, filled with delight. Sanctuaries can be actual places or places that are real only in the imagination, but perhaps we need to have both kinds. The important aspect is that we each select our own special place, whether it be the seaside, a forest, a mountaintop, a view of running water or a waterfall, a special garden or a sacred power spot. JYOTI PAINTEL SPIRITUALITY CONTRIBUTOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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MOLD YOUR MIND WELCOME TO THE TEAM
THE DEVELOPMENTAL CYCLE OF A NEW TEAM JOEY VELEZ MA, MBA @velezmentalperformance Healthy Lifestyles Contributor
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T SOME POINT, WE’VE ALL BEEN “THE NEW GUY” OR “THE NEW GIRL.” EQUALLY AS LIKELY, YOU’VE BEEN ON THE OTHER SIDE, DEALING WITH NEW LEADERSHIP OR MEMBERS JOINING YOUR TEAM. THIS CAN BE AN AWKWARD AND UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION. New ideas and procedures, new perspectives and personalities – fitting into a new environment can be a difficult process. Change is unsettling, but oftentimes, change is necessary to obtain long-term success and team development is a vital part of the process. Research shows us that there are various stages of team development. Being able to work through these stages, and page 170
getting everyone on the same page, will help your team reach new heights.
FORMING, STORMING, NORMING & PERFORMING Bruce Tuckman, an educational psychologist, created the model of group development in 1965, which identified four stages that teams go through: forming, storming, norming and performing. In the forming stage, teams come together for the first time and begin to familiarize themselves with each other. Individuals assess one another by asking themselves, “How will my strengths and weaknesses fit into this team?” or “How will I (him, her, they) fit in with this team?” Introverted individuals will engage more timidly, while extroverted individuals may take a more proactive role. This is also when expectations for the group begin to develop. Teams typically perform well in this stage due to initial excitement and eagerness to prove their worth to the group. The next stage of development is the storming stage. During this stage, personalities emerge, resistance to peers or leaders can be sensed, cliques begin to form and lack of clarity on what one’s role is within the team can arise. These challenges can lead individuals to feel
annoyed, to question each other and to experience overall frustration, which can have a negative impact on overall team performance. There are times when teams fail to move past this stage: when individuals cannot set aside their egos, cannot come to a mutual understanding and are constantly dealing with conflict without being able to effectively come to a resolution. However, those teams that make it out of the storming stage move on to the norming stage. During norming, individuals put the team goals ahead of their personal agendas, are more open to differing perspectives and can better work through conflict. Also during norming, individuals have settled into their roles due to a better understanding of how they fit into the bigger picture. Expectations are revised due to learned experiences, or there is clearer understanding of what those expectations look like and how to achieve them. Now is when you see an uptick in overall team performance. You have worked through your differences, you have figured each other out and now you start to develop a rhythm. It is important to note that even though you reached the norming stage, you can still fall back into the storming stage when new challenges arise or new conflicts present themselves. However, teams are more
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equipped to handle these conflicts due to previous experience, which is helpful in getting back to the norming stage. Finally, there is the performing stage: the team is well organized, committed and a finely tuned machine. Expectations are clear, the structure is stable and problems are dealt with constructively. Nothing matters more than accomplishing the team’s mission and everyone is in line with that motto.
WHEN I WAS THE NEW GUY During my first year as head coach of the Junior Varsity basketball team at my high school, I experienced these stages with my coaching staff, in particular, my assistant coach. It was my first year being a head coach after spending four years as an assistant. My assistant coach; however, had spent the previous four years as the head coach of the freshman team. We knew each other, we got along, but this was the first time we had truly worked together, and it was an interesting dynamic to say the least. He knew from his coaching experience what worked, what did not work, but what he struggled with was not being the voice of reason. It was not his show anymore, it was mine. With that being said, we struggled to get on the same page early on in the season. The expectations were set, there was pushback on some of those expectations, there were times where his actions tended toward the head coach role, so early on we faced a lot of conflict between each other. However, we both understood that we had the same goal in mind: we wanted to win. We came to the understanding that I was the head coach and had the final say, but that I valued his opinion because he had more experience than I did. Once we had this conversation, trust was built and an open line of com-
munication was established. While our overall team record did not improve, we were more effective in getting our message across to the rest of the team. Practices were more efficient, executing our game plan was more efficient, and it ought to be mentioned, we were having more fun coaching. We worked through the stages of team development using effective communication strategies.
WHAT CAN YOU DO? Being able to communicate effectively with your team helps you work through the various stages of team development. First, remember to keep an open mind. There are a lot of different perspectives out there, and there are many potential solutions to solve a problem. Understanding that your way of doing things may not be the only way can lead you to new, more effective ideas. This is not to say that you have to agree with different perspectives, but allowing yourself to learn and understand other points of view can be a highly effective strategy. Second, having the ability to compromise can be beneficial. Compromise can come in various forms: maybe it is as simple as, “You take the lead on this project, then I will take the lead on the next project,” or it can be asking for a reasonable change, such as, “If you agree to come in on Saturday, then I can stay late the next two days.” It is important to make sure that what you are asking is something you would be willing to do as well. Finally, controlling your emotions can help the communication process. Whether you are sending or receiving a message, keep your emotions in check. For example, if someone says something that you disagree with, rather than your emotions leading you to push back in an
aggressive manner, take a step back and try to understand where that individual is coming from. I am not saying that you should not challenge other people’s ideas but do so in a more effective manner by taking emotions out of the equation. Same goes for the other side of the conversation. If you send a message and your emotions are too high, your message may get lost because individuals focus on the tone you use rather than on what your message actually is. It is alright, even advisable, to pause and take a deep breath, take a step back and put yourself in the right state to communicate your message. Being able to communicate effectively you can help at each stage. Effective communication can help you establish those expectations during the forming stage: what those behaviors, procedures, and tactics look like to help us remain accountable for those expectations. Effective communication can help you in the storming stage to understand each other and come to a common agreement. Effective communication can help you in the norming and performing stages so that you can ensure that conflict is resolved in a timely manner in that you keep moving in the right direction.
FINAL THOUGHTS Teams will always go through their ups and downs. You are going to have disagreements, you are going to have setbacks, and it is going to take time to develop group chemistry. However, the ones who are able to communicate effectively and work through the various challenges that new teams face are the ones who are going to experience long-term success and maximize their production. page 171
VOLUME V / ISSUE IX / SEPTEMBER 2021
HEALTH IS WEALTH INFLUENCERS WHO PROMOTE ONE
IDEAL BODY TYPE
ARE RUINING THE FITNESS INDUSTRY ONE INSTAGRAM POST A TIME “ALL THAT GLISTERS IS NOT GOLD” WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE PANTHIL DWIVEDI Wellness contributor @panthildwivedi
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HE HEALTH AND FITNESS INDUSTRY HAS EXPLODED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS AND SOCIAL MEDIA HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN CHANGING THE COLLECTIVE PSYCHE OF GLOBAL SOCIETY AND HOW WE PERCEIVE FITNESS. page 174
As Instagram exploded with images of fit people, and those fit people learned they can make careers out of posting pictures working out and flexing in the locker room mirrors, it suddenly became a trend for millennials and Gen Z to go to the gym, iPhone and selfie stick in hand. Forget leaving your phone locked in your locker, these days if you don’t post your workout, it’s like it didn’t even happen. Fitness models’ and influencers’ motivation is predominantly to garner social media fame, likes, follows, deals, make money and receive validation. But remember just a few years ago, before social media, the gym was predominantly a place (unless you were
into bodybuilding) to sweat before or after work: exercising to avoid common pitfalls of health like cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, and cholesterol. There were very few people who fooled with their phones by the bench presses and squat racks in the gym. Body image is the common denominator in this fairly sudden change in how we perceive fitness. Just 10 years, gymfit, ripped bodies were the prized possession of models, actors, bodybuilders, athletes, and a few random nobodies with an annoyingly perfect genetic composition and metabolism. As a society, we commonly understood to look like that required full-time professional
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help. Remember 24 Hour Fitness’ first free hour of a training session with a certified trainer? After that, the sessions were only $59 each, depending on how often you scheduled them. Thanks to social media, we started understanding there is no one secret formula that a trainer can share with you to achieve that gym-fit model of perfection. Anyone following a fitness influencer or two has heard about the simple rules of fitness, food and workouts that will bring you the results you desire. Regardless of effectiveness, interested exploded in favor of the health and fitness industry. Don’t misunderstand me: the upward trends toward fitness and health is a very good thing, and it’s good to see the discourse of fitness and nutrition going mainstream and into our day-to-day lives. But, with this discourse, we are unable to see the negative trend that’s simultaneously exploding: the mass circulation of one type of body image, a body image that is very gender specific, silently standardized by the fitness industry as the only and ultimate symbol of fitness. We all see that body image every day on social media, on fitness magazine covers, in music videos, in movies, on posters and in the gym. This standard pops up everywhere we go, hauntingly reminding us that no matter how fit or active we are, you still do not look like that. It screams at you, sort of mocking at you, pinpointing the various ways showing, in fact, that you are not fit at all. When we look at the fitness industry as a giant corporate entity, it makes me wonder how they are not paying attention to this toxic trend. Every corporate entity that functions on standards of physicality and beauty has been doing this a long time, playing with insecurities and subconscious sexual cues by setting up unrealistic, Photoshopped versions of beauty and the body. But this is 2021, and the fitness industry has a huge role to play in changing the narrative toward the standards of body, body
size, and body image. But are they doing enough? I vote no. How can I say that? Open any famous fitness, nutrition, gym, fitness apparel, fashion fitness company page or website and you will witness what I am talking about. My outcry is very simple, “Why can’t the fitness industry be more inclusive when it comes to celebrating all kinds of bodies?” Glorifying only one kind of body and exemplifying it as the only definition of being fit creates a perfectly toxic environment for all kinds of body shaming and body-related discrimination. Health and fitness companies have huge ethical responsibilities on their shoulders as they represent everyone, and I mean each one of us and our fitness and health aspirations. When health and fitness corporate torch bearers do not understand the science behind health and fitness, it puts us all in a very negative situation. The science behind health and fitness is more internal than physicality and aesthetics. To prove my point, let us go back in history. Fitness and health have been around since ancient cultures when at least some form of health, exercise and fitness incorporated in day-to-day lives, but people concentrated more on internal health and holistic health rather than physical beauty. Coming back to 2021, let us ask one question: “What is the goal of health and fitness?” My answer is that it is to live a healthy, long, holistic life, avoiding chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular failure and ultimately enjoying your best health. Understand this clearly: health never has been associated with aesthetics, because no matter how ripped you are, if you are unhealthy inside, you are more susceptible to cancer and heart attacks. This trend of representing only one type of body is so pervasive that some health supplements, gyms, and fitness apparel companies do not even have any models who represents other healthy body shapes and sizes. All their models and branding campaigns are done by models who all look alike as if only they
represent fitness. Even their brand ambassadors, and influencers they engage with, all look similar. The bigger question here is: Are the health and fitness industries ready to represent everyone who aspires to be fit and healthy or they are okay by marketing only one type of body and aesthetics? The fitness and health industries would have us believe that true fitness isn’t achieved until you can wash clothes on your six-pack, playing into our insecurities about what fit looks like. But fitness and health are incredibly multi-dimensional, going far beyond the walls of the gym, body building, and toned abdomens. Yoga, sports, biking, games, martial arts and swimming - there are so many different forms of exercises and work outs that attain the ultimate beasty fitness, resulting in a super healthy inside; without looking like a ripped poster boy. Are these people not fit, don’t they represent the fitness and health industry, shouldn’t their perspectives be included when it comes to fitness? Look at athletes who play tennis, cricket, hockey, soccer – they don’t all look like muscle gods, but they can kick some serious butt in terms of health, stamina, and fitness. This is just a snapshot of what is happening in the fitness world in terms of representation and glamorization of only one type of body. Their branding, models and influencers (even the size of the apparel) are exclusive, only designed for a certain type of body. I’m pleading with you to stop falling for toxic branding strategies popularly adopted by fitness corporations. The fitness industry needs to change the conversation around how society perceives fitness and health. Rather than only focusing on physicality and aesthetics as a primary tool for marketing and branding, they should focus more on holistic health and inner health as primary marketing language. After all anybody, regardless of their body size and shape, can aspire to be healthy, aspire to be fit, and can be extremely healthy and fit without being ripped. page 175