{Lexington’s Finest}
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Lundy’s. Rising to the occasion.
For no additional charge, you can say you did it yourself. The soul of entertaining guests is the desire to please. The desire to hear the ripple of their conversation, their laughter. To scoop up and cherish each “ooh” and “ahh,” each satisfied smile. As your event design firm, Lundy’s stands ready with cuisine that delights the palate as well as the eye, scene-setting décor and venues, and note-perfect entertainment options. What’s more, Lundy’s brings an unmatched attention to detail to the party. Because as much as we live to see smiles on the faces of your guests, yours is the smile we most want to see at the center of it all. boutique catering | event design | couture linens and rental | 859.255.0717 | lundyscatering.com
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Lexington Antiques Shelley’s Limited Antiques
765 East 7th St. 3 blocks off Winchester Rd. | 859.225.7426 English leather suitcases, imported furniture, and English SHELLEY china, miniature furniture, as well as early Kentucky and American. Custom trunk restoration a specialty. Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5.
Scout Antiques
935 Liberty Rd. | 859.288.5200 | www.scoutlex.com blog us at www.scoutlex.wordpress.com Eclectic beyond the ordinary, Scout offers a fast-changing selection of antiques, mid-century modern, industrial and repurposed furnishings in an upbeat atmosphere. We have many Ky related items along with original art, Sterling silver and unique garden accessories all at affordable prices. Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5.
Heritage Antiques
238 East Main St. | 859.253.1035, (cell 859.321.1749) www.heritageantiqueslex.com Established for forty years, we carry an amazing selection of 18-19th century period antique furniture, paintings, sporting art, garden furnishings and fountains. Now located in the Kentucky Theatre block in a restored horse livery. Parking in back. Mon-Sat 11-5 or by appt.
St. John & Myers
4379 Old Harrodsburg Rd. Lexington | 859.559.4242 From around the world, Louis and Olivia Scholz bring antique, vintage and period jewelry to the Bluegrass. Victorian Jewelry to the late 1950’s, come see one of a kind pieces. Repair and design services also available. www.StJohnandMyers.com. Wed-Sat 12-5 or by appt.
Dealers Association Belle Maison Antiques
525 West Short St. | 859.252.9030 | www.bellemaisonantiques.com Features antique and classic vintage furniture, accessories and chandeliers from France. Custom couture lamps and shades. Exceptional collection of original shell art. Tue-Sat 10-5 or by appt.
Greentree Antiques
521 West Short St. | 859.455. 9660 | Greentree@qx.net Classic and fine period furnishings and accessories with appeal for today. Specializing in 18th c. and neoclassical English and American. Visit our KLISMOS showroom. Lunch in adjoining tearoom by reservation. Tue-Sat 10-4 or by appt.
Thoroughbred Antique Gallery
859.233.9375 | www.thoroughbredgallery.com Lexington’s newest destination for antiques, interiors, garden accessories, fine art and gifts. The Gallery offers a great mix of styles and periods, from 18th century antiques to mid century modern pieces and contemporary art. From period English and American furniture, silver and Staffordshire, to contemporary lamps and lighting, custom upholstery, pillows, mirrors, statuary, and even a Persian rug gallery -- Thoroughbred Antique Gallery truly offers something for everyone. Friend us on Facebook! Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 1-6.
Dana Kelly Oriental Rugs
829 Chevy Chase Place (in the heart of Chevy Chase) | 859.266.7802 Exceptional collection of antique and semi-antique oriental carpets. Over 30 years of outstanding service in cleaning, restoration/repair, certified appraisals, in-home consultations. Mon-Sat 10-5 or by appt.
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Mar/Apr 2011 May/June 2011
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May/June 2011
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46
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Checks & Balances
on the cover:
A Georgian in Kentucky
33
Terra Cotta
34
What a Duesy!
40
Charleston Fashion Week
44
Bibliotaph
46
Checks & Balances
52
Wines of Argentina
54
The Swag
60
Supermodels
68
A Georgian in Kentucky
80
Portofino
88
Modern History
94
No Bull – The Very Serious
Market in Chinese
May/June 2011
60 Supermodel Pagani Hyuara
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99
Society Calendar
100
Bids for Kids
102
BGT Preview
103
Printing Party
104
Heart Ball
106
Foxy Hat Ball
108
Retirement Party
110
Rite of Spring
112
Haute off the Press
EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Bridget Williams ______________________________________________ ASSOCIATE EDITORS Kay Matton Jen Dotson ART DIRECTOR Jason Yann
The spring issue available now on the iPad or your mobile device.
CONTRIBUTORS Writers Patti Bailey Dr. Matthew Bessen Ellana Bessen Bob Beggs Kirby Camm Matthew Boone Gardiner Scott Harper Rex Lyons Alice Gray Stites Steve Wilson Photographers Tony Bailey Chad Henle Nick Key Andrew Kung Brian Spurlock COPY EDITOR Jennifer Newton Allison O’Daniel Director of Photography Eric Williams Advertising Sales Office 502.582.6563 ______________________________________________ Publisher Eric Williams Sophisticated Living is published by Sophisticated Living, LLC, P.O. BOX 1229, Prospect, Kentucky 40059 USA. All Rights Reserved. Sophisticated Living is published six times a year. All images and editorial are the property of Sophisticated Living, LLC and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. Annual subscription fees are $25.00; please add $5 for subscriptions outside the US. Single copies may be purchased for $5 at select fine retail outlets. Address all subscription inquiries to: Sophisticated Living, PO Box 1229, Prospect, KY 40059. To order back issues or reprints of 100 or more, call 502.582.6563.
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{Lexington’s Finest}
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May/June 2011 five dollars
Bonus features include
Exclusive video from Burberry, The Swag, Charleston Fashion Week, the Geneva Auto Show and more.
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From the Editor-In-Chief
Bridget Williams with Angela Ahrendts, CEO of Burberry
It seems as though lately I’ve had fashion on the brain. It started with a flurry of press materials from fall/ winter fashion weeks across the globe (always interesting as most women are still pondering the start of swimsuit season). Shortly thereafter I found myself at the finale of Charleston Fashion Week (see page 40) seated front row center (thanks Vail!) across from an esteemed panel of judges, including the founders of both Fashion Week in New York and Gilt Groupe, the latter of which has become a daily lunch hour sport of sorts as I race to their website precisely at noon to scan that day’s lineup of luxury sales. Less than a week later after Charleston we headed to Europe, where it was quite a thrill to peruse myriad boutiques and see firsthand the covetable ensembles that I’d seen splashed across the pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar only hours before on the plane. While I wish I could report that my suitcase came back stuffed with some of these treasures, it wasn’t the unfavorable euro-to-dollar difference that dissuaded me, but rather my husband’s honest assessment that many of the pieces to which I was drawn were best reserved for the lithe models on which they were photographed (I thanked him for squashing my Balmain dream with a swift elbow to the ribcage). I think that it was my recent interview with Angela Ahrendts, a native of New Palestine, Indiana, a Ball State alum and current CEO of Burberry, that was the icing on my fashion cake (see article on page 46). Never before had I been so nervous before an interview, but within 30 seconds of our meeting I was completely at ease, as she was as eager to talk about global supply chains as the age-old conundrum of balancing work and family. Having been photographed by media outlets the world over and always managing to look runway ready, she graciously shared some tips on taking a good photograph just prior to having ours taken (it’s clear I still have a thing or two to learn). Our fashion viewfinders are now pointed closer to home for the third annual Future of Fashion Show on May 28, sponsored by the Lexington Fashion Collaborative. Sophisticated Living is happy to be a sponsor of this event, as our editorial board has made a commitment to help develop and recognize up-and-coming fashion designers in all of our markets, helping to give you a leg up on what’s next in the ever changing world of fashion. Far from the world of runway, our travel feature this month is The Swag (page 54). My stay there last fall was one of the more memorable trips I’d taken in awhile. At first glance, the rustic environs may seem atypical for the pages of Sophisticated Living, and that’s just what my husband thought. You see, he’s been camping just twice. Both times were at my behest and both ended in disaster. So when I discovered the property, which is billed as a “luxury hiking retreat” on a mountaintop in Waynesville, North Carolina, and bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I knew it would be a tough sell. Wrapped into the memories of our camping catastrophes was hiking, and the two of us have vastly different approaches. He prefers a meandering stroll approach, while I relish in the chance to raise my heart rate and charge full bore down the trail. He saw my description of a “luxury hiking retreat” as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I had to resist the urge to say “I told you so” after we’d settled into our well-appointed three room cabin, so far from roughing it that a copper soaking tub and sauna were found among the amenities in the spa-like bathroom. When it came to hiking, I agreed beforehand to meet in the middle: I’d slow down a lot if he’d just speed up a little. Before we left, we picked up a gourmet lunch (including the renowned Swag Bar) that had been loaded into backpacks for our journey. I inquired about the likelihood of encountering a black bear and was told that a sighting was not entirely rare but probably not likely. We sat down for lunch at the halfway point, and after a few bites of the bar, we joked that if we did encounter a hungry bear it might be hard to choose whether to outrun the other or sacrifice the remainder of our Swag Bar! The recipe is so wonderfully simple that I have to resist the urge to whip up a batch whenever a craving strikes. If you're interested in testing your own willpower, I've taken the liberty of sharing it as an extra for our iPad readers (available at slmag.net). Alternately, you can email me at bridget@slmag.net for the recipe. I do think it tastes better with a little mountain air mixed in, but you’ll have to go to Waynesville for that.
Bridget Williams, Editor-in-Chief bridget@slmag.net 24 slmag.net
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From the Associate Editor What inspires you? Think about it. A good book? Staring at your children? Success stories? Positive feedback? New clothes? I think you get the point that we are all inspired in different ways. My way is certainly not your way and vice versa. Now think about how many inspiring moments create memories that go habitually unnoticed. My life is very busy with a two-year-old in my shadow most days – along with meetings, phone calls, writing, networking, t-ball and school events – I try to make a conscious effort to stop and smell the dirt, the freshly picked hand-squashed dandelions and t-ball sweat, because everything we do creates an inspiring memory, in either a small way or in a more grandiose manner. Kentucky native and author Barbara Kingsolver once wrote, and summarized it best, “It’s surprising how much of memory is built around things unnoticed at the time.” This quote has stuck with me like the perfect comfort food. Spring is the quintessential time to reflect on moments of inspiration. Cliché as it may be, spring does inspire us to begin something new, start over [or pick up where you left off], reflect and clear out all the cobwebs. Our everyday interactions are moments of inspiration; we just have to take notice. I love writing for Sophisticated Living as it offers me the opportunity to willingly create these ‘moments of inspiration’ by interviewing successful business owners, chefs, models, photographers, homeowners, artists and many others. For example, while interviewing Chef Noel at Portofino for this issue, it made me realize how inspiring a successful day in the kitchen is to him. His whole day is focused on pleasing a myriad of unknown palette preferences. Reflecting on this, in a metaphor type fashion, hints at how all of us interact with unknown palettes everyday, generating moments of both inspiration and success. As we head into summer, try to collect your memories. Get focused and think about what inspires you most in life. We only have this one chance to remember lasting impressions as well as leave them. Don’t tarry too long with uninspiring moments, though easily done; devote your time and attention to achieving your goal of balancing a meaningful life with a positive focus. Now, take a deep breath, walk outside, smell the hint of a new season, purchase that new outfit for Derby and have a cocktail…. and all the while…. remember you’re creating your own moments of inspiration! Cheers! …And Go Baby Go!
Jennifer Mueller Dotson, Associate Editor jen@slmag.net
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Terra cotta Antiques ceramic objects with wonderful natural color Written by Kirby Camm, Bittners Terra cotta essentially refers to a hard, semi-fired, unglazed, claybased ceramic object. Literally meaning “baked earth” in Italian, terra cotta is easily recognizable because of its marvelous and very distinctive orange-brownish color. Prior to the Middle Ages (an historic period in Europe referred to as antiquity), every country produced terra cotta items in all shapes and forms imaginable. Although associated with antiquity, terra cotta items have remained in continual production since their inception. Terra cotta objects produced during ancient times included utilitarian items, as well as artwork. Roof tiles, storage vessels and building bricks are a few of the utilitarian examples, while artwork covers a multitude of subjects, figures and forms. Perhaps the greatest of all terra cotta artworks from antiquity is Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s terra cotta army, built in 210 B.C. China and discovered in 1974. Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s terra cotta army consists of 8,000 lifelike and life-size soldiers, 130 life-size chariots, 520 life-size horses and 150 life-size cavalry horses. The majority of the emperor’s terra cotta army is still not excavated. Not a rare material by anybody’s standards, terra cotta items are somewhat hard to find in today’s antique marketplace. Part of this can be explained by the fragileness of terra cotta. But, I believe the real reasons are that the utilitarian objects are simply not in demand and artworks produced in terra cotta were of limited quantities. Although not a relic from antiquity, the illustrated bust of a man’s head, circa 1880 in Italy, is a wonderful example of terra cotta art and utility. Rarely do you see any terra cotta objects displaying both attributes. The original use of this Italian terra cotta man’s head is a total mystery to me. Perhaps it could be the original Chia Pet? I can just envision some dense green plant growing out from this man’s head. Conceivably, and probably closer to the truth, this bust of an Italian gentleman was possibly made to display a man’s hat in a haberdasher’s shop window. Whatever the use, this terra cotta sculpture is artwork with a utilitarian application. The piece’s whimsical and zany look is partially due to it being handmade and Italian in origin. Terra cotta items are usually handmade and not from the potter’s wheel, which is part of their charm and appeal. I would love to know the history concerning this Italian terra cotta bust … if only this distinguished gentleman could talk! sl
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What a Duesy!
Photography by Neil Rashba
A pair of Duesenbergs take Best of Show honors at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance In 1995, the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Michael Carsch, was faced with a challenge. At the time many people were not familiar with Amelia Island, so although he had a beautiful oceanfront Ritz-Carlton that was only a few years old, each year he struggled to fill rooms when warm spring weather first arrived on the island. Seeking to create a signature event that would attract a well-heeled clientele, Carsch approached Bill Warner, a local car collector, businessman, and photographer and writer for Road & Track, who was consequently being urged by other auto enthusiasts to create a classic car show in Florida. With backing from
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The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, and Mercedes-Benz as inaugural sponsors, Warner launched the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. The first car show featured 125 cars, world-famous Grand Prix driver Sir Stirling Moss as honorary chairman, and drew about 2,000 car enthusiasts. It also sold out The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Fast forward to 2011 and the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance recorded its 16th year as the most prestigious automobile show on the East Coast, on par with such renowned shows as Pebble Beach in California, Meadow Brook in Michigan and the Louis Vuitton Classic in midtown Manhattan. Since its
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What a Duesy!
Other local and regional award winners of note included: Best in Class-American Classic Open (1937 - 1948) 1937 Packard 1508 Convertible Sedan Perin Family - Cincinnati, OH Best in Class- Sports and GT Cars (1964 – 1974) 1966 Lamborghini 350 GT Kevin Cogan - Louisville, KY The Mercedes-Benz Star of Excellence Award for the Most Elegant Mercedes-Benz 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300D Cabriolet Tom and Lynn Isgrig - Cincinnati, OH
Harry Yeaggy of Cincinnati (far right), celebrates his Concours de Sport award with fellow participants.
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The Jaguar of North America Award for the Most Historically Significant Jaguar 1955 Jaguar D-Type Gary W. Bartlett - Muncie, IN
inception, the show’s foundation has donated nearly $1.7 million to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Inc. and other deserving charities on Florida’s First Coast. Two very deserving Duesenbergs took both Best in Show awards this year and, according to show Chairman Bill Warner, it was one of the hardest choices to make that he can remember. The Concours d’Elegance award went to the 1933 Duesenberg SJN Arlington Torpedo Sedan from The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, California. Dubbed the “Twenty Grand” for its unheard of price tag in the 1930s – $20,000 – the car was originally built for the Century of Progress Exposition, also known as the 1933-34 Chicago World’s Fair. Gordon Buehring, Duesenberg’s legendary stylist, was consulted on the car’s restoration when the Nethercutts purchased it back in 1978, and the car is exactly as it was when it left the factory for its World’s Fair appearance. It was the Nethercutt’s third time winning Best in Show at Amelia. The famed “Mormon Meteor,” the Concours de Sport winner, is a vehicle that requires no introduction. Now owned by Harry Yeaggy of Cincinnati, the car was making its third visit to Amelia and was restored back to its original speed record trim. Once dubbed the “fastest, most powerful car in the
world,” the 1935 Duesenberg SJ Special/Mormon Meteor is the definitive pre-war racecar, and it is still considered the ultimate Duesenberg by collectors worldwide. Yeaggy also exhibited the car at Pebble Beach in 2007 and was rewarded for his efforts with the coveted Best of Show title. “I don’t recall a tougher decision among the judging committee for Best in Show awards than this year,” Warner said. “We simply had the best of the best on the field, and I am glad the decision wasn’t mine. Both winners were stunning and very deserving. I take my hat off to the committee and congratulate them on their choices.” Nearly 20,000 hobbyists descended on Concours Sunday to look at the show’s sweeping automotive display, which included Pope Paul VI's 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet, a significant vehicle that made its way to the U.S. for the very first time in honor of the event and Mercedes-Benz’ celebration of 125 years of the automobile. Other Mercedes on display were the 1972 600 Pullman SWB limousine, which was owned by Luciano Pavarotti and was used to chauffeur him while on his many tours in the United States, and a 1972 600 Pullman first owned by Hugh Hefner as his personal daily driver when his Playboy headquarters was still in Chicago. sl
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Charleston Fashion Week
Not even a cool rain shower could quell the seriously hot crowd standing stoically in their stilettos outside the tents in Marion Square waiting for the doors to open for the finale of Charleston Fashion Week. Already an established foodie destination, a quick glance at the fashion panel seated front row center - Alexis Maybank, co-founder of Gilt Groupe; Fern Mallis, creator of Fashion Week in New York City; fashion designer Michael Knight, instantly recognizable to legions of Project Runway fans; and Janie Bryant, costume designer for Mad Men, to name a few - evidenced that the historic city also boasts some serious fashion chops. Now in its fifth year, the Tuesday through Saturday schedule of events showcased local style through runway shows produced by local boutiques, 16 emerging designers (four each night) and a finale presentation by a national-caliber
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Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Eric Williams
designer. Members of the fashion panel selected one emergent designer each night to move on to the Saturday finale where they had the opportunity to show their complete collection. Complementing the first-rate fashion was an adjacent tentedstyle lounge complete with local vendors, guest DJ’s and a cocktail lounge, and a slew of after parties all over town. Whittled down from a pool of 1,000 applicants from around the globe, a group of 10 male and female models took to the runway attired in fitted black CFW t-shirts during the finale hoping to win a $1,000 grand prize for having the best package of walk, appearance and personality as judged by the featured designers, boutique owners and fashion panel. Tears streamed down the face of African native Ajang Majok when she was announced as the female winner. Her prize package and that of Ceasar Hingleton, the male model winner, was sweetened by
Opposite page: The collection of Emerging Designer winner Charlotte Hess This page: Top model winner Ajang Majok in the Michael Wiermicki show
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Opposite page L-R: Look from the Charlotte Hess collection. Look from emerging designer Michael Wiermicki. Above L-R: Look from emerging designer Veritee Hill. Look from featured designer Hunter Dixon.
a spur-of-the-moment announcement by Alexis Maybank, who offered a modeling gig for an upcoming Gilt Groupe sale. Beginning with 130 applicants from 21 states, by the Saturday evening finale, five emerging designers remained to vie for a prize package valued at over $35k. Each had vastly different styles and inspirations. Helena Bonham Carter seemed the ideal muse for the dark drama presented by Stephanie Mejia, while it was easy to picture Lady Gaga donning Michael Wiermicki’s sculpted-shoulder jacket and dresses rendered in prints inspired by crop circles and cave paintings. New York native Cody Sai’s ready-to-wear looks were clearly influenced by uptown girls in his hometown. Veritee Hill, a Varga-esque looking costume designer from Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, sent out an avant-garde collection of dresses that make women long to be brave enough to steal the show in one of her floral-embellished, corseted looks.
In the end it was Philadelphia native Charlotte Hess, a graduate of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and The Glasgow School of Art, who won over the judges and the crowd, taking the Emerging Designer title and the People’s Choice Award for her bespoke hand-knitted garments of silk, wool, mohair and cotton. Inspired by Hopi and Sioux Native Americans, her collection, including Native American-inspired warrior breastplates imagined in yarn, represented a very innovative take on an age-old technique. At her Friday night debut, Charlotte's collection elicited a raucous standing ovation. At the Saturday finale, she once again led with an ethereal crocheted bodysuit topped with a chunky cardigan and followed with a slew of pieces that invited onlookers to rethink their ideas of knitwear. Rendered speechless when announced as the winner, it is almost a given that, with her success at CFW, the fashion world will be hearing from her again in the not so distant future. sl
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Bibliotaph Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Nevada Museum of Art, The Altered Landscape exhibition celebrates the institution’s signature photography collection that examines human interaction and intervention with the environment. This 288-page deluxe publication examines the collection’s roots in the 1970s New Topographics movement and highlights recent photographic acquisitions in this rapidly changing field. Lucy Lippard, Geoff Manaugh, W.J.T. Mitchell, Ann N. Wolfe and The Nevada Museum of Art, Reno The Altered Landscape: Photographs of a Changing Environment - hardcover, 288 pages. Rizzoli (available in September 2011).
This sobering pictoral essay by Pieter Hugo offers a brutally honest documentary of the devastating consequences of toxic waste on one community in Africa, where in spite of overwhelming poverty, human strength and resilience shine through. Pieter Hugo Permanent Error - hardcover, 128 pages, Prestel Publishing.
An important book for anyone interested in global issues, this book features 12 essays that take the reader to countries in crisis. Award-winning writer Martin Amis experienced firsthand the problems of gang violence in Colombia, South America; New York Times bestselling author Tracy Chevalier focuses on the abuse of women in Burundi, East Africa; Oscarwinning actor Daniel Day-Lewis writes of meeting children raised in war-torn Palestine; Booker Prize–winning author DBC Pierre addresses the unusually high incidence of mental health issues in Armenia. Awardwinning photographer Tom Craig was commissioned by the humanitarian charity Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders to document the writers in these places in trouble. Dan Crowe (Editor), Tom Craig (Photographer) - Writing on the Edge: Great Contemporary Writers on the Front Line of Crisis - hardcover, 276 pages, Rizzoli.
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bib 'li' o 'taph, [bib-lee-uhtaf, -tahf ]: a person who caches or hoards books This richly illustrated and valuable resource reaches back five centuries to document the evolution and ingenuity of house design in the British Isles. Brimming with 600 fullcolor photographs, House annotates hundreds of examples from every conceivable angle: from gables and pediments to chimneys and roofs; from bow windows and casements to fanlights and door furniture. Armed with a career’s worth of experience and research, Philippa Lewis takes readers up and down the country to feature examples of typically British building, including cottages, manor houses, castles, bungalows, and flats. She also looks at houses built from a wide variety of materials, including stone, glass, wood, brick, and even corrugated iron, in different settings such as rural, suburban, seaside, and urban. Philippa Lewis - House: Brisith Domestic Architecture - hardcover, 192 pages, Prestel Publishing.
Hamptons Gardens is an invitation into the private world that lies behind privet hedges and wrought iron gates in one of the world’s most exclusive residential areas. From the sustainable and native to the over-the-top and avant garde, the selection of gardens hand-picked for this luxury volume astound in every regard. 100% of author’s proceeds from the book are graciously provided to God’s Love We Deliver. Jack Delashmet (author), Mary Ellen Bartley and Doug Young (photographers) - Hamptons Gardens - hardcover, 268 pages, Assouline.
You won’t find the town of Elgin Park on a map, but you will find it all over the web and in the media. Called an “Internet phenomenon” by the New York Times, Michael Paul Smith’s Flickr site has received over 20 million hits since he first posted his convincing yet dreamlike photographs of an imaginary town, inspired by the small Pennsylvania one he grew up in. Viewers of all ages from across the world will respond to the memories and feelings evoked by his perfectly executed miniature street scenes with model vintage cars, which are photographed outdoors against actual backgrounds. Without digital manipulation, Smith creates wondrously realistic scenes, which are beautifully reproduced in this exquisite volume. Gail Ellison, a longtime colleague of the artist, explains Smith’s ingenious methods and also uncovers the themes of his art. Michael Paul Smith - Elgin Park: An Ideal American Town - hardcover, 144 pages, Prestel Publishing
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Checks & Balances Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts’ journey from New Palestine to London is guided by her Midwest family values. Written by Bridget Williams
Burberry Prorsum autumn/ winter 2011 womenswear show finale
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Angela Ahrendts, CEO of Burberry, in the Indianapolis store. Photo by Brian Spurlock.
The story reads like a movie script depicting the realization of the American Dream: A pretty, driven Midwestern girl from a small town pours over glossy magazines and dreams of a life in the glamorous world of fashion. She moves to New York (complete with a tear-jerking airport scene), strikes it big and becomes CEO of a world famous fashion house. And, of course, no movie would be complete if along the way she didn’t marry the man of her dreams. Only in this case, the dream is a reality for Angela Ahrendts - a native of New Palestine, Indiana, a Ball State alumna and current CEO of London-based luxury brand Burberry - whose multitude of personal and professional successes were earned the old fashion way: through hard work combined with passion, perseverance and a strong Midwestern foundation of faith and family. “As far back as I can remember, I was mesmerized by fashion,” said Ahrendts during a recent interview. While her fresh-faced yet fierce runway-worthy appearance fit the bill of a fashion executive and then some – outfitted in a form-fitting pencil skirt and covetable knee-high stiletto boots that added to her stature – her natural Midwestern friendliness sprung forth the minute she began to speak. While she credits her closely bonded family with equipping her with the “core values” that provided the building blocks of her future success, she is quick to cite her undergrad years at Ball State for allowing her to come into her own. Majoring in merchandising and marketing, a school-sponsored trip to New York City was her self-described “turning point,” where she realized her true calling. 48 slmag.net
She boarded a plane bound for New York City just one day after graduating from Ball State in 1981 and immediately set about her deliberate climb up the corporate ladder. “Accountable” and “results driven” pop up frequently when asked to describe her work ethic. “I was fortunate that my jobs were always right for my personality and skill set,” she added. Her positions of note prior to her joining Burberry Group in 2006 include president of Donna Karan International from 1989 to 1996, executive vice president of Henri Bendel from 1996 to 1998, and Liz Claiborne Inc., where she began in 1998 as vice president of corporate merchandising and design to 2005 as executive vice president responsible for both women’s and men’s wear. It would not be a stretch of the imagination to think that when the CEO of Burberry comes calling to court you as her handpicked successor, one would jump on the chance, but that was not so for Ahrendts, who initially refused Rose Marie Bravo’s request for a meeting. “Part of my core values is loyalty. I couldn’t imagine how life could be better; I had a dream job at Liz Claiborne and the perfect work/life balance,” she said. It was not until Bravo continued to press her that Ahrendts relented and agreed to have a cup of coffee. “She told me ‘You don’t understand how few women CEOs there are in the world’, and that really got my attention,” she added. The third meeting proved to be the charm. Ahrendts visited the Burberry outpost in New York City several times,
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Members of the public watch the Burberry fashion show for the autumn/winter 2011 collection as it is screened live on Piccadilly Circus in central London.
and her finely honed business sense realized the tremendous opportunity. Exploratory meetings with Christopher Bailey, Chief Creative Officer or “brand tsar” as Ahrendts has dubbed him, also helped to seal the deal. Sharing similar strong family ties and values (as well as mutual admiration for their counterpart’s achievements and skill sets), they laid out a mission to create the company of their dreams. Taking the helm at a tumultuous time, business journals around the globe laude the team of Ahrendts and Bailey for wading through the mire of the global financial crisis to emerge as one of the world’s strongest luxury brands. Bailey is credited with rejuvenating the brand’s image, while Ahrendts has streamlined the company’s supply chain to make it one of the most responsive in the industry. Her efforts have landed her on the Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women list in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. In 2009, Financial Times ranked her 15th on its list of the Top 50 Women in World Business (she moved up to the 13th spot in 2010). 2010 proved to be a banner year as she was also named among Fortune magazine's Businesspeople of the Year and was honored as the
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European Business Leader of the Future at the CNBC European Business Leaders Awards. Burberry has also been at the forefront in the use of technology and emerging media, most notably live-streaming its spring/summer 2011 runway show online through hundreds of partner sites and to large screens in 25 of its flagship stores around the world, as well as making select pieces available for purchase immediately afterward (an innovation begun with its fall 2010 show). The fall/winter 2011 show made an even bigger splash as it was streamed live on a giant screen at London’s iconic Piccadilly Circus and to 40 other live event sites, meaning that you did not need to be a fashion insider or VIP to experience the feeling of front-row access. In fact, more than one million people watched it live online. Burberry is also the leading luxury brand on Facebook, with more than 5.5 million fans. “Digital media is all about capturing mind share, helping consumers understand the full 360 of the brand, its culture, commerce and content. The more we can connect with consumers, the more they engage with our brand and become advocates,” Ahrendts explained.
When asked what brings her the greatest feeling of professional success on a day-to-day basis, she is quick to reply: “Being able to connect, inspire and lead. Listening is a big part of that. I want to inspire young talent. The bigger we get, the closer we need to be as a team.” Anchoring her family life is Ahrendts’ husband Gregg, who she met in high school, a classic cheerleader/star basketball player matchup. She grins widely recalling their first date: a New Year’s Eve party in 1978 at a friend’s home located midway between their respective houses. After she left for New York, the couple maintained a long-distance dating relationship for 17 years before marrying. If the decision to take the job in London was difficult for Ahrendts, the decision was easier for her family, which also includes a 16-year-old son, and two daughters, ages 14 and 10. She gushes with parental pride talking about her son’s talent as a musician, greatly furthered by the “amazing” music scene in London, her middle daughter’s budding interest in public relations and her youngest, described as “full of energy.” A dilemma for working mothers worldwide, Ahrendts admits that maintaining a work/family balance is “the hardest thing in the world.” “Lots of parents are there 24/7, but not really ‘present,’” she added. “When I’m there with my children they have my full attention, and they can get in touch with me anytime.” The importance of family and core values are a motivating source of her desire to give back, not only to her hometown and alma mater, but on a global scale through the Burberry Foundation, which she and Bailey founded in 2008. Concerned with reaching young adults during their impressionable “youth space,” which Ahrendts defined as “a time in young life when insecurities set in,” the Foundation seeks to be a foundation in a literal sense by providing mentoring, job training and self-esteem building programs in 14 global communities where Burberry has a significant presence. At Ball State, Ahrendts was a leading force in helping to create a $1 million emerging media scholarship fund “to cultivate the next generation of talent in disciplines that are at the heart of digital media, marketing and merchandising." The fund is part of the Bold Celebration Scholars and Burberry Emerging Media Scholars programs, and four of the annual scholarship awards are designated as Burberry Bold Celebration scholarships. She was recently in Indianapolis to deliver an address as part of Ball State's David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series. Her 2010 commencement address at Ball State coincided with her 50th birthday year and provided an occasion to pause and reflect on her accomplishments and what remains important to her. At the time she was asked to deliver the address, she said she was “living life at 80 miles an hour” and that it took her a full six months of reflection to prepare her remarks. Adding additional gravity to the situation was her understanding of the digital era and that her words would live
on indefinitely in cyberspace. After two months of writer’s block and 92 outlines, she stopped and realized that her words had to come from the heart to resonate. “It was like an epiphany,” she said. The central theme of her remarks - core values - became crystal clear. “Growing up in the Midwest, most of the students do not yet know what a great foundation they have. Family values are different here and it gives them an upper hand because of that foundation. I wanted them to understand the tools they already have at their discretion.” After a jet-setting career, would she ever consider a return to life in Indiana? “Absolutely!” she replied without hesitation, adding that family is her rock of life, and her sisters are her best friends. “I have a very blessed life.” sl
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WINES OF ARGENTINA
Written by Scott Harper, MS / Photo by Garcia Betancourt
Argentina is on fire. It is currently fifth in world wine production and eighth in world wine consumption, and its imports are increasing by quantum leaps, all this from the second largest South American country after Brazil. With Chile just over the massive Andes Mountains to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, as well as Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil to the north, it is in an excellent area in the southern part of South America for grape growing. The conditions are warm and sunny, with very few pests, and the Mediterranean-like climate is enhanced with the Andes snow, which melts for irrigation. For without the Andes, Argentina would be desert-like. Argentina also has the highest vineyards in the world; most vineyards are planted at 1,000 to 5,200 feet to mitigate the intense summer heat. Grapes were planted in the 16th century by conquistadores and missionaries. The grapes they planted were fruitful but not high quality grapes, such as Criolla. It was not until the 1980s that we saw premium wine emerging. Then in the 1990s, the end of political instability, economic depression and military governments, as well as French and US investments in Argentina, helps to bring about positive quality change in the
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wine industry. The 1990s saw the introduction of temperaturecontrolled stainless steel tanks and new oak barrels, brought about in part by Nicolas Catena, Argentina’s wine visionary, and French and American consultants. As implied, France and Italy, not Spain, has more viticulture influence in Argentina, hence Argentina is noted for Malbec. The highest quality, most popular wine of Argentina is more popular than in its ancestral home of France. Malbec is best known from its largest region Mendoza. The wine comes in all price ranges, but even inexpensive Malbec is a pretty good drink. Every time I think of the savory flavor of the dark, purple Malbec with the flavors of lavender, spice and black fruits, it brings to mind the quintessential pairing of grilled Argentine steak with chimichurri. Argentina makes more red wine than white, and of that, Malbec makes up 26 percent. The next two important grapes are Bonarda and Cabernet Sauvignon, which make up about 18 percent each, and Syrah comes in fourth with about 13 percent. Bonarda originally hails from Italy’s northern wine region of Piedmont, where it is typically blended with Piedmont’s number one grape Nebbiolo in the wines of Gattinara and Ghemme. It is now considered a separate
SUGGESTED WINES Torrontes DONA PAULA TORRONTES 2009, Cafayate Valley (Salta) ALAMOS TORRONTES 2009, Salta DISENO TORRONTES 2010, Salta Bonarada ZOLO BONARDA 2009, Mendoza COLONIA LAS LIEBRES BONARDA 2009, Mendoza Malbec DISENO MALBEC “OLD VINE” 2009, Mendoza ENRIQUE FOSTER MALBEC “IQUE” 2008, Mendoza BODEGA TAMARI MALBEC “RESERVE” 2009, Mendoza Malbec Blends AMALAYA 2009 Calchaqui Valley (Salta) - Malbec with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Tannat BODEGA ELENA DE MENDOZA 2010 Mendoza Malbec with Syrah and Bonarda grape, although, it is rarely seen labeled as a varietal, except in Argentina. And of course, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah originally hail from France but are now planted ubiquitously through out the world. Two white grapes stand out, Torrontes, representing about 18 percent, and the international varietal Chardonnay, making up around 14 percent. Torrontes is Argentina’s number one planted white grape and is a crossing of the Muscat family. The only place where you see this grape produced, it is a true Argentinean specialty. Originally believed to be from northwest Spain, it produces a fresh, crisp and very aromatic wine. Try Torrontes as an excellent aperitif or with seafood. Lastly much experimentation has been taking place with barrel fermentation and oak ageing of Chardonnay, and excellent wines are being produced. The number one wine region to look for is Mendoza, and the number one grape of Mendoza is Malbec. It is west of the Atlantic and east of Buenos Aires and has over 70 percent of the country’s wineries and 70 percent of Argentinean vineyards located within its boundaries. This astonishingly large wine region with most of its vineyards planted between 2,500 to 5,000 feet above sea level is obviously the center of the Argentinean wine industry. Arguably the most important
sub-region of Mendoza is Lujan De Cuyo, which is even more noted for Malbec. Other important regions outside the powerful Mendoza are Salta, La Rioja and San Juan. Salta is the most northern area and it makes two-thirds white wine and specializes in Torrontes. Salta means very beautiful and is home to Bodega Colome, owned by Hess, which are the world’s highest vineyards at 8,300 feet. San Juan is the second largest area with 23 percent of vineyards. It enjoys one of the sunniest conditions in the world with no more than 30 cloudy days a year. Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Chardonnay and Torrontes are planted there. La Rioja, one of the oldest wine regions, is planted with Bonarda, Malbec, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, but with 40 percent of its vineyards planted to Torrontes, that remains its specialty. sl
Scott is General Manager of the Bristol Bar & GrilleJeffersonville and is Wine Director/Sommelier for the 5 Bristol Bar & Grille’s in Louisville and Indiana. He teaches wine through Bellarmine University. Scott is a Master Sommelier and a Certified Wine Educator.
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The Swag Written by Bridget Williams
It was after 10 p.m., and my eyelids were heavy after a day on the trails. Despite being one of the younger guests at The Swag, a delightful country inn in Waynesville, North Carolina, my energy seemed to pale in comparison to that of our welltraveled cohorts. Surveying the lively scene, I turned to Deener, the proprietress, and said, “You must tell me where you hide your fountain of youth.” She smiled coyly, looking some two decades younger than her stated age, and asked why. “Well, there’s a woman here celebrating her 70th birthday who hiked nine miles, another marking her 50th wedding anniversary who is presently accompanying the after dinner piano music by doing soft shoe and high kicks to rival a Rockette, and you seem to have channeled the power of the Energizer Bunny,” I replied. Her answer was something about the purity of the mountain air and the fellowship of friends and loved ones, but I know that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to recanting all that is special about The Swag.
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The Swag Deener and Dan Matthews had not intended to become innkeepers in 1969 when they purchased 250 acres of meadows and forest adjoining the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the Cataloochee Divide fence. The name “The Swag” refers to the dip between mountain peaks and a moniker given to the place where the inn now sits by the residents of the area long ago. In 1970, a summer of blasting and bulldozing resulted in a marvel of excellent grade road construction, with the 2.5 mile road at the base of the mountain gaining more than 1000 feet of elevation until it culminates at the original homesite, remnants of which date to 1795. Careful stewards of the land, the couple avoided felling trees for utility right-of-way by having the foresight to dig a four-foot deep trench a mile long for the power and phone lines. Before long, Dan, a former rector of the historic Trinity Episcopal Church on Wall Street in New York City, began using the family’s second home as a church retreat. Understandably,
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word of this mountaintop oasis spread quickly and requests to visit grew in spades, leading them to officially open as an inn in 1982. In what seemed like the blink of an eye to the Matthews, in 1995 Andrew Harper selected The Swag as “Hideaway of the Year.” The inn persists in its pursuit of excellence, an effort rewarded again in 2010 when readers of Condé Nast Traveler voted The Swag to the magazine’s Gold List. Open from late April until mid-November (heavy winter snows make the property accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicles), The Swag is located approximately 50 minutes west of Asheville. The 14 guest accommodations are varied and include private cabins and spacious suites, all individually outfitted with handmade quilts, woven rugs, early American rustic antiques and original artwork, befitting its rural environs. The flexibility of room configurations makes The Swag ideal for group or extended family travel, as evidenced by the several generations of more than one
family present during our stay. Children under the age of seven are welcome in the three cabins. After checking in at the main house, we were instructed to select a walking stick and mark it as our own by tying a wood disc with our name inscribed on it to the top. The handsome stick, decorated with a medallion bearing the logo of the inn, was ours to use on subsequent hikes and to take home as a souvenir. We were delighted to stay in the Woodshed Suite, located across from the main house and sited directly on the fence line that marked the park boundary. The original one-room cabin has been tripled in size to create one of the property’s most desirable suites. The space was expectedly rustic, but with luxurious amenities, such as Wi-Fi; a wet bar outfitted with a copper sink, stoneware mugs, and a selection of coffee, teas, soft drinks and fresh trail mix; a walk-in closet with a safe; XM-equipped radios in each room; a spa-like bathroom suite with L‘Occitane toiletries, a deep hammered copper soaking tub, steam shower, dry sauna and double basin vanity; and a rear deck overlooking the park with an open-air shower, a towel
warmer and comfortable lounge chairs complete with cozy blankets to ward off the evening or early morning chill. I loved the combination of natural materials and richly hued fabrics throughout, such as the headboard, whose frame was fashioned from logs with a padded toile fabric center, or the window box cornices made of tree bark with paisley drapery beneath. I could not wait to select a book from the many scattered throughout shelving in the room, light a fire in the sitting room and settle into the inviting wing back chair. One notable absence in the room was a television, but believe me, after a day on the trails and a full stomach from the bounteous meals (more on that later), television will be the furthest thing on your mind. For those who cannot go without, there is a television room in the main house. After taking a moment to settle in, we were off to “high” tea, a reference made not to the formality of the occasion but the altitude at which the tea and pastries were being served. Guests who had already been there a few days warned me not to overindulge, as dinner was an experience I would want to come hungry for.
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The Swag
At 6 p.m. guests gather at the “Dogtrot,” a covered breezeway outside the entrance to the dining room and the inn’s living room. The spread could have been a meal in itself. There was a selection of gourmet cheeses, veal wontons, mushroom cheesecakes, fresh hummus and olive tapenade, and feta and watermelon stacks to name a few. The Swag is located in a dry county, but guests are free to bring their own wine and liqueurs, making for interesting pairings when oenophiles start conversing. The chiming of the dinner bell at 7 p.m. summons guests inside, where place cards mark each person’s spot, personally selected by Deener, who spends a good portion of each day organizing the seating arrangement based on guests' interests and personalities.To be honest, my husband was not too keen on sitting with strangers, but by the end of the meal, we were convinced by Deener’s keen intuition and lingered well after the last bite of dessert to converse with our tablemates, who included a Methodist minister and his wife (a widely published author of racy romance novels) and a prominent divorce attorney from New York City, whose passion was his renowned rose gardens. Prior to the meal being served, Deener greeted everyone gathered and said a little something about each group or couple. There were birthdays and anniversaries, and one couple even
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announced they were to be parents for the first time, eliciting shrieks of joy from the grandmother-to-be. The four-course meal was nothing short of divine, with the ingredients sourced locally from places like Sunburst Trout Farms in Pisgah Valley, heirloom tomatoes from a grower down the street, and asparagus and greens from The Swag’s own farm. Meals for vegetarians and those with restricted diets can be made upon special request. After dinner the group retired to the living room, where Dan led a sing-along to the tinkling ivories of the player piano. Each season, Deener and Dan host storytellers, naturalists, photographers and the like to entertain guests. During our stay we were treated to the storytelling of naturalist Charles Maynard, a true bastion of the art who had our sides hurting with laughter with tales of encounters with black bears and country life in the valley. Before heading off to bed we were given a form to fill out to select how we wanted our lunch prepared the next day (a not so easy task on an incredibly full stomach). We could choose to have it packed in a wooden picnic basket to take to nearby Gooseberry Knob or in a backpack if we were planning to hit the trails. We chose the latter as well as the time we would be picking it up and then headed off to bed, excited about exploring the trails the next morning. Guests staying on
Wednesdays are treated to a gourmet meal served picnic-style atop Gooseberry Knob. Those unable to make the 15-minute hike can be transported to the site via Land Rover shuttle. One thing is for certain: you will not go hungry while at The Swag. I love breakfast food, and while I wanted to try everything laid out before me, from the cider-simmer oatmeal, bacon, waffles, fresh fruit, made-to-order omelets and the like spread out as part of the country breakfast buffet, I had learned from dinner to pace myself. My husband is not too keen on hiking, so while my overindulgence at breakfast made me wish we were going double the distance, I chose one of the shortest trails for our day's adventure: a three-mile roundtrip route with a 600-foot gain in elevation. After hearing Charles the night before say that it is pretty likely there are always black bears watching, I was hoping to get a glimpse (albeit a far away one), since my last sighting in the wild came as a young child. No bears were to be found, but the views afforded at the crest of the mountain at the turnaround point were enough to take our breath away. A fenced area with picnic tables and a map of the surrounding peaks provided the perfect spot to break for a gourmet lunch, topped off with a Swag Bar. We returned from our hike and explored the grounds, taking time to make ourselves feel like kids again by trying out the rope swing over the pond and the nearby swinging bridge
and capping off the afternoon by playing (rather badly) a round of badminton on a grassy court surrounded by a thicket of rhododendron. Those seeking active recreation during inclement weather can take advantage of the underground racquetball court, while more passive activities can be pursued via the books, games and videos in the well-stocked library. There is also a small but well curated gift shop with books of local interest, jewelry and crafts by local artisans and clothing. Returning to our cabin to dress for dinner, we saw the kitchen staff rolling out large grills in preparation for an overthe-top barbeque that takes place every Thursday. The selection of meats and fish were savory; the salads and side dishes were as colorful as they were tasty; and the desserts were to die for. It was easy to see why so many of our fellow guests were repeat visitors and why, while packing to leave the next morning, I was already making plans to return. sl Details: The closest commercial airport is in Asheville. Room rates range from $490-$785 (for the Two-Story Cabin) per day and include three meals for two people. A 15 percent service charge and taxes are additional. A few outside dinner guests can be accommodated by reservation only. For more information or to make a reservation, visit theswag.com or call 800.789.7672..
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Supermodels
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Highlights from the Geneva Motor Show Written by Kirby Camm, Bittners The 81st Geneva International Motor Show, held in March, presented an extensive overview of automotive technology and design. All the major manufacturers, renowned bodywork designers, and top preparation specialists dazzled visitors with nearly 170 World and European Premieres. The trend toward "green" was evident, as 40 premieres utilized alternative and ecological technologies.
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Alfa Romeo To entice buyers in advance of the brand’s 2012 re-launch in the US, Alfa Romeo unveiled its 4C Concept: a 200HP, 1.75-liter turbo four-cylinder two-seater coupe. Born from the experience acquired through the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and 8C Spider models, the new concept car shares its rear-wheel drive with the exclusive supercars as well as its philosophy based on achieving maximum driving pleasure and the proverbial Alfa Romeo road handling. The powerful 1750 Turbo petrol engine allows the 4C Concept to reach a top speed of over 150 mph and to accelerate from 0 to 60 in under five seconds. Aston Martin Aston Martin celebrated the 50th anniversary of the iconic DB4GT Zagato by displaying one of the original cars alongside the company’s world-renowned line-up of sports cars. In his remarks made during the show, Dr. Ulrich Bez, the company’s chief executive, alluded to the company’s lack of an alternative fuel model by stating “Our innovations have more substance in the car business than lots of the short term fireworks.” He referenced a paradigm change with the new Cygnet luxury city car from ‘Small is Cheap’ to ‘Small is precious’. “Cygnet is exclusive and perfectly complements our other models. It is our hybrid concept,” he added.
Audi (above) Audi unveiled the A3, a four-seater notchback sedan, the design of which represents the typical Audi language of sporty elegance. The four-seat notchback sedan integrates the full breadth of the brand’s technological expertise – from the improved MMI operating system, to the high-tech infotainment system, to the drivetrain. A fivecylinder turbo developing 408 hp, a seven-speed S tronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive ensure thrilling dynamics along with high fuel efficiency. At 8.63 ft, the long wheelbase is a best-in-class figure in the premium compact segment. Bentley The company celebrated its early 2011 attainment of the world ice speed record in a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible driven by Finland’s four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen. Driving the all-wheel drive, biofuel-powered 6-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible on the perilous frozen Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland, Kankkunen achieved a speed of 205.48 mph eclipsing his own ice speed record of 199.83 62 slmag.net
mph set in 2007 in the Continental GT. Just 100 examples of this dramatically styled new model will be built at Bentley’s Crewe factory. The Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ is distinguished by its vibrant and muscular styling cues that reinforce the uncompromising performance credentials of this extreme Bentley convertible. Wolfgang Duerheimer, Bentley’s new Chairman and Chief Executive, said: “Juha Kankkunen’s drive was a remarkable achievement and worthy of a very special car. The Continental Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ is a true driver’s car that captures that unique Bentley spirit. It offers extreme performance, agility and an extrovert personality, while retaining the refinement, handcrafted luxury and comfort our customers expect.”
BMW (above) BMW debuted its Vision ConnectedDrive concept car. The concept embodies the dynamic BMW design language with its long wheelbase, set back seating position and long bonnet but combines it with taut surfaces and distinctive flowing lines. The sliding doors, inspired by those on the BMW Z1, disappear into the body of the car. This allows the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive to be driven with the doors open, emphasizing the link between the vehicle and its environment. Advanced Head-Up Display takes the technology currently available in production BMWs even further, placing a three-dimensional display of key information in the direct sight line of the driver, eliminating the need for the driver’s eyes to refocus. The three-dimensional display allows the real view to be overlaid with virtual information, highlighting hazards allowing the driver to assimilate all of the information quickly and take appropriate action. For the first time passengers get their own information display, out of the driver’s field of vision, allowing them to evaluate information, music or navigation details and pass them onto the driver with a simple touch of a finger. DeTomaso Returning to the show after a nine-year absence, DeTomaso showed its all-new four-door, five-passenger model, the Deauville, a name resurrected from their 1970s lineup. The sedan features a 300hp, 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 engine with a top speed of 155MPH. Although weighing in at a portly the Deauville can accelerate from 0-60MPH in 6.7 seconds.
Ferrari Already sold out for the next year’s worth of production (800 units) the reveal of Ferrari FF indicated that the Italian automaker is forging ahead in a new direction. The replacement for the 612 Scaglietti, the FF takes design cues from the 458 Italia and is the first Ferrari to have power channeled to each wheel. Under the hood is a 6.25-litre V12 engine capable of 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 208mph. Gumpert The German supercar company Gumpert unveiled their second model, the Tornante, characterized by gullwing doors and a 4.2-litre, biturbo V8 engine cradled within a lightweight spaceframe chassis constructed from chromemolybdenum steel, promising 700HP in its standard form, with a further, ‘alternative-powered’ Tornante planned for 2012. Jaguar Jaguar’s new Jaguar XKR-S expresses the company's long held duality of purpose: GT luxury with incredible performance via a higher output supercharged V8 engine, revised suspension, and a new aerodynamically-driven design. The Jaguar XKR-S produces 550 hp with 502 lb/ft of torque, offers a top speed of 186mph, and can accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds. In addition to this debut, Jaguar marked the 50th anniversar y of the E-Type with a celebration at the
Restaurant Hotel du Parc des Eaux-Vives in Geneva, where the original car was introduced by the marque’s founder Sir William Lyons half a century ago. Koenigsegg “Quicker than lighting” is how Koenigsegg described their brand new Agera R. It was shown at Geneva with a Lightning Roof Box System, their first lifestyle package that enables the driver to use the Agera for longer trips with massive luggage. Made completely from carbon fiber, it has been through several iterations of CFD simulation to ensure it is safe up to 186mph, making it the fastest roof box in the world. Lamborghini According to its tradition, Lamborghini’s new flagship bears the name of a bull – naturally, a particularly courageous specimen from the world of the Spanish Corrida. Aventador was the name of a bull that entered into battle in October 1993 at the Saragossa Arena, earning the “Trofeo de la Peña La Madroñera” for its outstanding courage. The fantastic 0-62 mph acceleration figure of just 2.9 seconds and the top speed of 217 mph do not fully describe the Aventador’s extreme performance. Lamborghini has already sold more than 12 months production of its new V12 model, deliveries of which will start in the second half of 2011
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Pagani Huayra
Land Rover Land Rover's stand at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show served as a hybrid technology showcase with the exhibition of the new Range Rover Evoque in both coupe and 5-door derivatives, and exciting Discovery 4 and Range Rover Limited Editions. Making its motor show debut was the 'Range_e': Land Rover's diesel hybrid plug-in prototype. 'Range_e' is based on a Range Rover Sport and features a 3.0-litre TDV6 diesel with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. Matched with a plug-in parallel diesel hybrid system it offers a premium SUV that can run as a pure electric vehicle. The 'Range_e' is the first capable 4WD model from Land Rover to achieve 89g of CO2. It has an EV range of 20 miles, a top speed of around 120mph and a range of 690 miles. Maserati (preceding page) After stunning the world with the GranCabrio at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Maserati used the 2011 Geneva Motor Show to take its grand-touring convertible to a new level of performance and handling with the introduction of the GranCabrio Sport. Conceived to give the GranCabrio a harder-edged model to sit alongside the GranTurismo S and the Quattroporte Sport GT S, the GranCabrio Sport uses a more powerful and fuel-efficient version of Maserati's all-alloy 4.7-litre V8. Pagani (top) Fans of unbridled horsepower breathlessly awaited the reveal of the Pagani Huayra, whose aggressive and futuristic exterior carbon-titanium styling seemed to create a “love it” or “hate it” division among onlookers. The vehicle can modify the properties of this wing by varying the front ride height, which 64 slmag.net
can be adjusted dynamically, and by adjusting the 4 control flaps on each of the four corners of the car. Those on the fence were convinced by the sumptuous interior and the 700hp twinturbocharged 6.-liter V-12 Mercedes-AMG engine.
Porsche (above) Porsche will unveil its second production hybrid model, the Panamera S Hybrid, adding another chapter to its Porsche Intelligent Performance development philosophy. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds and has a top track speed of 167 mph. Its range in purely electric mode is approximately one mile, with electric-only acceleration possible up to just over 50 mph. Rolls Royce Living up to its ghostly moniker, the all-electric Rolls-Royce Phantom 102EX quietly appeared on the stage in front of attendees. The company plans to test it on public roads in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America during the year, in order to gather a bank of research data that will be crucial in informing future decisions on alternative drivetrains for the storied luxury automaker. sl
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A Georgian in Kent u cky
The exacting renovation of a noted Lex ing ton estate Written by Bridget Williams Photography by Walt Roycroft
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It has been said many times that looks can be deceiving, and such is the case with this gracious Georgian-style home in McMeekin Place, one of Lexington’s most desired enclaves. Formerly owned by Rick Pitino, the current owners have made substantial renovations and upgrades that are not immediately discernable from first glance. Chicago natives with a storied involvement in thoroughbred racing and breeding, the couple already owned a 296-acre farm near Versailles when they began looking for a residence in town closer to their son’s school. With a design style that leans toward the traditional, they were drawn to the potential offered by the spacious home on a nearly one-acre lot. “Although it’s in town, the home looks like the kind one would find on a farm,” said the wife. A self-described perfectionist who “sweats every detail until it’s just right,” the wife assembled a crackerjack team of professionals, including Rugo/Raff Architects and interior designer Tony Nie of the Susan Fredman Design Group, both from Chicago. Shielded from the street view by a canopy of mature trees, the home now boasts a larger master suite with separate his and her baths and closets on one end and a connected garage, which was previously detached, on the other. Unused square footage on the third floor was converted into an airy loft-style space. A wine cellar and exercise room were added to the lower level, and an existing pool storage structure was expanded to create a formal pool house. So extensive were the changes that it took two full years to meet the homeowners exacting standards. The wife, who had been serving as overseer of the finished design, stepped in as general contractor midway through the process.
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Detail in the fit and finish of a cozy study is indicative of the quality inherent throughout the home
French doors in the renovated master suite lead to a private brick patio.
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Each piece of the Amish rift sawn white oak laid in a herringbone pattern in the entry hall was chosen individually.
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Illuminating the gently curved, floating staircase is an 18th century brass chandelier. Opposite page top: A fireplace flanked by built-in cabinetry by David McIntosh is the focal point of the family room. Opposite page bottom: 600-year-old English brown oak used for the butcher-block top on the kitchen island was originally laid under a castle moat. Top-drawer appliances from Sub-Zero, Viking, Bosch and Wolf are complemented by custom cabinetry by Leininger.
Illuminating the curved, floating staircase – rebuilt during the renovation– that leads to the second floor is an 18th century brass chandelier. Six feet in diameter, it took the effort of five men to install. The couple purchased the piece, which was converted from gas to electric, from a local doctor whose hobby is restoring antique lighting fixtures. Amish rift sawn white oak laid in a herringbone pattern in the entry hall adds instant antiquity. Each piece was hand-selected; the couple has the “rejects” in storage. The craftsmanship throughout is impeccable and not surprising when one learns that artisans were brought in from Chicago and Europe. “We had blocks of rooms at local hotels booked for months,” said the wife. Such attention to detail is evident in the kitchen, where the 600-yearold English brown oak found on the butcher-block island was originally laid under a castle moat. Top-drawer appliances from Sub-Zero, Viking, Bosch and Wolf are complemented by custom cabinetry by Leininger. The wife had drywall removed on one wall to expose the brick beneath. “It really adds warmth and pizzazz,” she remarked. A fireplace flanked by built-in cabinetry by David McIntosh is the focal point of the family room. Ideal for casual entertaining, the room includes a wet bar with hammered nickel sink and a black Cambrium granite countertop. Atrium doors lead to the brick patio and pool area. Adjacent to both the kitchen and family room, the sunroom is outfitted with furnishings from Maguire and offers an ideal spot for enjoying the well-manicured grounds. 74 slmag.net
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Opposite page top: Adjacent to both the kitchen and family room, the sunroom is outfitted with furnishings from Maguire and offers an ideal spot for enjoying the well-manicured grounds. Opposite page bottom:The formal living room. The homeowner worked with interior designer Tony Nie of the Susan Fredman Design Group in Chicago to achieve her concise vision for the interiors.
Amenities in the expanded master suite include a designated HVAC, state-of-the-art media system installed by Crawford Entertainment, a Kohler heated spa bath in her bathroom, marble mosaic tiles and polished nickel fixtures. French doors lead to a private brick patio. The second level boasts four bedrooms, each with an attached bath, custom cabinetry by Leininger and marble flooring. Also on this level is a walnut-paneled study. An entertainment mecca, the lower level includes a large recreation room with billiard area bookended by fireplaces. A backlit stained glass horse scene is a distinguishing feature of the bar area. Crawford Entertainment outfitted the theatre room with a projection screen and cinema-style seating. Rounding out this level is an exercise room with full bath, a laundry with marble floors and dual washers and dryers, a thermostatically controlled wine room and an additional full bath with sauna. Designed for crafting or messy activities with children, the light and airy third floor studio includes a chemistry lab countertop and sink to withstand rigorous use. Honey onyx and brown oak cabinetry distinguish the full bath on this floor. From the front carriage lights, culled from a bank in New York City, to the solid walnut doors throughout, this home represents a floor-to-ceiling customization to the highest caliber. “I’m persnickety and pulled in a lot of favors to get things done right,” said the wife. sl
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Portofino
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Arbiters of Taste Written by Jen Dotson Photography by Andrew Kung
Consistency is the main ingredient Portofino is committed to offering its clientele. Nestled in an unassuming and elegantly renovated building on Main Street in downtown Lexington, Portofino lures the art lover and wine connoisseur in addition to the avid foodie. The interior provides an inviting, sophisticated atmosphere dusted with a prompt yet inconspicuous staff. It comes as no surprise that the owner is established Lexington restaurateur Wayne Masterman, whose other area establishments include Summit and Serafini. With eight consecutive Wine Spectator Awards, it’s without question that wine lovers will find Portofino’s wine list - as well as its cuisine - nothing short of excellent.
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Exposed brick walls offer a unique and fitting background for the many one-of-a-kind contemporary art pieces that adorn the interior. Masterman has many of his personal pieces on display offering the art enthusiast an added bonus. During the day, sunlight peeks through the surrounding buildings providing the perfect amount of natural light, while loft-style track lighting takes over in the evenings to create a soft, elegant and slightly romantic glow. Chef Jordan Noel began our culinary feast with a quick discussion specific to the atmosphere of the kitchen. “Making miracles happen one day at a time,� Chef Noel casually stated as he segued to his focus of always taking time to take a step back and observe as well as teach, when necessary. Offering what is defined as Italian and American cuisine, most will applaud the ingenious and yet subtle Italian-Southern hybrid touches such as crispy polenta cakes, fried leeks and mashed potatoes.
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First, we were greeted with two antipasti favorites: the Semolina-dusted, lightly fried squid and rock shrimp served with herb aioli and marinara sauces and the bruschetta. Neither dish disappointed. The calamari and rock shrimp were piled high and exceeded my standards because lightly fried actually meant lightly fried. The bruschetta, another tried-and-true favorite, presented perfectly toasted baguette slices and a fresh Roma wafting from tomato basil relish; it is a light meal in itself. The pasta course followed. All of Portofino’s pastas are made offsite at Lexington Pasta off North Limestone and almost all of their cheeses come from Sapori d’Italia located on Romany Road. Chef Noel also emphasized their Kentucky Proud affiliation, “If you start with a good quality product, then the job is to bring the flavor to the foreground, not cover it.” The chicken portabella lasagna made its way to our table in a large dish filled with pasta and bubbling sauce. The layers of grilled chicken coupled with the rich flavor of ricotta cheese, caramelized mushrooms and fennel with aurora sauce is comfort food at its best: big, satisfying flavors defining calculated cuisine. It was time to sample the last of the main entrée dishes. For those that don’t understand cuts of meat, Chef Noel explained that the ‘off cuts’ have more flavor. Enter the slow roasted pork belly. This dish, Chef Noel’s favorite on the menu, was perfectly perched upon fluffy house-made ricotta gnocchi and drizzled to perfection with orange glaze. After one bite I believe every word regarding the ‘off cuts.’ However delectable the aforementioned menu items are, the best was definitely saved for last: four thick and juicy perfectly pan seared Diver’s sea scallops, in just the right amount of sauce, were flavorful and paired with a mouthwatering crispy polenta cake. There are seven other entrée choices including the Alltech Angus natural center cut filet mignon, Atlantic salmon, tuna and an oven-roasted chicken. Not that I needed to try dessert, but I found that both the Tiramisu, a popular Italian staple as well as menu favorite, and a crème brûlée with fresh blueberries were each perfectly portioned and oozing succulent flavor. As great arbiters of taste, Chef Noel and Masterman have crafted an atmosphere worthy of your palette sl
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Walter Knabe in his studio. Photo by Brian Spurlock
Modern Histor y Artist Walter Knabe Written by Bridget Williams At the tender age of 14 – when boys of similar age are typically consumed with attending to the minutiae of adolescence – Walter Knabe had an epiphany. “I realized what I wanted to be and it made things really simple for me,” he said. Drawn in part to abstraction, but more so to the use of strong, contemporary colors, his current repertoire under the umbrella of Walter Knabe Studios includes fine artwork, fabrics and wallpaper. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1979 with an MFA, Knabe set out for New York City, where various apprenticeships - including acclaimed silkscreen printer and designer Rupert Jason Smith - taught him how to silkscreen on a professional level. Extremely personable and modest, Knabe isn’t one who will readily spout off his list of accomplishments, but when pressed, he 88 slmag.net
cites a 1997 exhibition at the Felissimo Design House in New York City as one of his professional high water marks. “The exhibition was spread out over several floors and it was notable because I was able to do everything, from dinnerware to scarves and notebooks. Capping it off was a show of my paintings on the top floor of the brownstone,” he recalled. Knabe’s list of select private projects and collections of note includes Michael Jordan, Caroline Kennedy, Mr. & Mrs. George Bush, Andre Agassi, Richard Gere, Bill Cosby, Madonna, Neil Simon, Spike Lee and Dyan Cannon. Among the public spaces exhibiting his work are Harrods, Bloomingdales, Chanel and Trump Plaza in New York City, Tangs in Singapore, Walt Disney World, the Indianapolis ArtsGarden and The White House.
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Above left; Spiritual Awakening - Morgan, Acrylic on Canvas, 72” x 64”, Year: 2010 Above right; Spirituel De’claration, Acrylic on Canvas, 64” x 52”, Year: 2009 Opposite page: Girls to Women, Screenprint on Paper
In recognition of his many achievements, including his selection in 2010 as the Official Artist for the Indy 500 (the first Indiana-based artist to be given such a commendation), the Indiana Interior Design Coalition, a non-profit organization founded in 2003 to serve as a unified voice for qualified interior designers and associated design principles throughout the state of Indiana, recently presented Knabe with its Legends IN Design award during a presentation at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. An intricate layering of jaunty colors infuses Knabe’s pieces with palpable energy. Also common among his diverse offerings in fine art, fabric and wallpaper is a hearkening from antiquity. Historical icons and classic patterns reinterpreted with whimsy are, in his words, “an important component of nurturing mankind”. A diversion from his incorporation of classic motifs that have included the likeness of Aphrodite, Buddha and Queen Elizabeth, is a series of portraits of young people meant to capture the essence of how they view themselves via their postings on social networking sites. Using submitted or loosely composed photographs he’s taken of his subject, Knabe employs techniques common with his other fine art pieces: an initial hand painting or staining a raw canvas on the floor, followed by working in the silkscreened image, and then
adding additional paint and silkscreen elements until the work conveys its desired message. The finished pieces represent his examination of current events facing society. “These pieces give gravity to current events,” he added. Having recently moved into a new studio in the Indiana Design Center, Knabe is enjoying the benefits of working within a larger design community, which has already resulted in a partnership with neighboring tenant Outré, a family-owned and Indiana-based furniture manufacturer. The two have married Knabe’s one-of-a-kind fabrics designed by Knabe with classic Outré furniture personalities. Knabe is excited about the simple, streamlined designs with minimal hardware that showcase his lively use of pattern and color. sl Those interested in seeing Knabe’s pieces in person or learning more about his screen-printing techniques should plan to attend one of his upcoming in-studio demos and exhibitions: May 26, exhibit 6-8pm, demo 7-7:30pm / May 27, exhibit 5-8pm, demo 6:30-7pm / May 28, exhibit 10am-4pm, demo 2-2:30pm. RSVP for demos should be directed to Rachel Coy, rachel@ modernmastersfab.com. Walter Knabe Studios is located at 200 S. Rangeline Road, Suite 217 in Carmel, IN. For more information, call 317.574.9800 or email info@walterknabe.com.
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Cucina Immaculata
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No Bull - The very serious market in Chinese
Written by Diane C. Wachs
Group of 18th-century Chinese Export tablewares, from the Collection of Elizabeth and Arlyn Wagner, Lexington, Kentucky
We shoulda seen it coming, this crazy boom in the Chinese market. Signs and records starting to occur in 2007, but like other boom markets, some that don’t get mention without eliciting pain (real estate, oil, tech stocks…) we tend to ignore it until it has becomes white hot, and then we (WHAT?) want to jump in and buy. WHOA - if anything, it is time to take deeps breaths, ask important questions, and perhaps sit on the sidelines. If we own any white hot material, the hour has come to sell, but buy? This bull market is not for the faint of pocket. A strong Chinese economy has allowed a huge Chinese middle class to acquire all the attributes of success. After the companies, the huge houses, the limo-like autos and the ivyleague schools, the Chinese, like the rest of the world, see art as status and investment. In the last five or six years, art has become both an attribute and investment. It is a smart choice. The Chinese are investing in their future, as well as in their past, repatriating the things of their heritage. The boom in Chinese buying is for things Chinese, and not for items made for the “China Trade” - those of European tastes and markets of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The Chinese are buying things made for the Chinese people, both humble and imperial, items of their past and Chinese contemporary art. Authenticity/Originality is the most important value feature. However, as far as the Chinese are concerned, sometimes the value of a fine reproduction of an original work, by a good old hand, may far exceed the value of an original new work by a less talented soul. Authenticity is also paramount - auction houses and dealers who sell to the Chinese have to be absolutely rock steady in their
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pronouncements. If it isn’t what they say it is, a reputable house has to/will take it back. Nevertheless, there is still a minefield of fakes to toe through, and no one can fake better than the Chinese. For this reason, most Chinese buyers of important pieces are having their prospective treasurers found and vetted by knowledgeable dealers. Did I say there’s a boom in Chinese art consulting as well? The press has a profusion of stories of every major, secondand third-tier auction house, selling small porcelains, rhino cups or jadeite pieces for millions, when they were only estimated in the hundreds or thousands. No one feels shame here, as this is an unpredictable market. No one really knows where this market can go, or for how long, and whether this buying rampage is real or, like the all-too-brief surge in things Russian, just an attractive blip on auction sales screen. The Chinese government has a stake in its continuance, as a ‘buying’ Chinese public is a stable public and this is good. The moral of this tale is to sell, even if you have no idea what you have. Go and find out; it is that important. If the allure and charm of this frenzy in things Chinese has put visions of Peking glass on the mind, then it is time to learn a thing or two. It should be said that all the books on Amazon’s Kindle, or for us retarditaires, all the books in the library, will not help. Works need to be seen and handled. As the Chinese Marcie Simms says, “a smart consumer is our best customer”. Go where fine things are - a must see is the Chinese collection at the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada. They have a collection second to none outside of China and are undergoing a millions-ofCanadian-dollars renovation. If one intends to buy, it is critical to start with seeing the best and then the next tier down. Find good
Late 19th-century Chinese Gilt-decorated Armchair
dealers. Handle what you can afford to buy - or break. One needs to feels the lightness of Chinese potted ceramics over that of heavier Japanese pieces. Please avoid the Look - you are not fooling anyone with those blue and white ginger jars with Chinese character, “Happiness,” ornamentation. They are so Pier One, and cliché. Buyers should also avoid less than perfect items, but I digress…why even discuss buying great Chinese things when most buyers will be competing with the Chinese new money - let them have it! They are going to outspend you! If the urge persists, you can have your Chinese and eat off of it too. Fabulous Chinese export pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries abound, and table wares can be purchased inexpensively and in abundance, and the learning curve for them is minute. Look for the blue and White Canton wares stoneware and porcelain shipped to the West from China from the 17th through the 19th centuries. It is charming, it can be formal or casual and it is comparatively cheap. Another available Chinese export is Rose Medallion ware. A profusion of Rose Medallion has been for sale in the last five years, perhaps because the generations that collected it are dying out. It is rather ‘fancy’ and not to everyone’s taste, but it is available en mass. Exquisite armorial porcelain, made for the Western market, primarily the English market, is sincerely inexpensive (cheap), compared to what collectors paid in the 1970s through 1990s. Most of it is timeless design, hand-painted by the Chinese in the European taste. Vestiges of Meissen and Sevres design can be found on some Chinese export, as the Chinese were
Chinese Qianlong Period Enameled Vase
emulating the high end tastes of Europe, hungry for the status of porcelains in the 18th century. Still slightly undervalued are Chinese women artists. Buying Chinese Paintings by female artists has potential and can be an attractive market for new collectors and collectors with a smaller budget. Chinese paintings by Chinese woman artists of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) were first auctioned as a group in Beijing, 2006. Works were by female artists Li Ying, Ma Quan, Qian Yuling, and Liao Jiahui, Subject matter matters - for female artists, focus on flowers, bird, and female figures. In 2004, a Chinese flower painting by Yan Yan of the Song dynasty (918-960) sold for $34,375 in Shanghai. The painting of “Five Hundred Arhats” by Liao Jiahui reached $8,250 in 2006 in Beijing. Another painting by the same artist was sold for $4,600 in Hong Kong in 2005. Rising statistics suggest that the value of Classical Chinese paintings by female Chinese artists has room for improvement in coming years. Regretably, falling hammers and price tags gets the attention of the public far more quickly than anything else. Maybe it is time to ‘own’ an appreciation of things Chinese - we can all afford to do that! sl
Diane C. Wachs is Director of Fine and Decorative Art at Cowan’s Auctions in Cincinnati, OH. A former museum director and professor hailing from Lexington, KY, Diane holds a Masters in the History of Decorative Art from the Cooper-Hewitt Museum/ Parsons School of Design, New York, NY. Diane has led the Fine and Decorative Art Department at Cowan’s for over four years, overseeing auctions of over $8 million in fine art and antiques.
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Properties for Rent Greenbriar Sporting Club
• Architectural design features an open floor plan with classic oak hardwoods and beautiful tile flooring throughout. • An absolutely stunning kitchen features a convenient center island, Kohler fixtures, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, “Under Cabinet Lighting” and of course, granite countertops. • Take in year-round views of the Alleghny Mountains and Howard’s Creek from the rocking-chair front porch or the peaceful, screened-inback porch.
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• Sturdy construction is highlighted by Western Red Cedar siding complimented by a classic shake roof.
reath taking mountain and water views only steps away from fishing and the Greenbrier resort. An adorable 3 Bedroom, 3.5 Bathroom Howard’s Creek hideaway with plenty of room and convenient access to all the services and amenities offered by the Greenbrier Resort, The Greenbrier Sporting Club is a private, residential sporting community and club on the 6,500-acre grounds of the legendary Greenbrier.
• Enjoy fishing mere steps away from your new home in Howard’s Creek or take a short walk to the Greenbrier resort for a full range of activities and amenities at America’s oldest private club. • Spacious home featuring 3,165 square feet built on a large lot, 0.578 acres.
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nything but ordinary, it’s spectacular! Enjoy entertaining family and friends in this custom 5BR/5.5BA, with granite countertops, custom cabinetry, vaulted ceilings, open floor plan, spacious rooms, tiled baths, 2 covered decks, exterior stone fireplace, 2 full kitchens, 2 living areas, 2 master suites, single car garage, view of Trillium’s 7th fairway, and much more. Membership is an appurtenance to the property.
Design Elements Stacked Stone Fireplaces Hardwood Flooring Stainless Steel Appliances Granite Countertops & Custom Cabinetry Large Covered Decks Exterior Fireplace Large Master Suite Trillium Links & Lake Club Amenities Direct Lake Access/Boats/Boat Docks Landings Restaurant and Pavilion & The Clubhouse 18-Hole Championship Golf Course Tennis, Fitness Center, & Spa at Apple Orchard Park Outdoor Pool/Hot Tub Hiking/Mountain Biking/Horseback Riding Camp Trillium & Adventure Club
Trillium, Cashiers, North Carolina For more Information Contact Jgarlington@mac.com
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Presented by
May 4 5 6-7 8 11-15 14 20 21 22 27-29 29
Society
3rd Annual Wheelchair Basketball Exhibition, 7pm, Transylvania’s Beck Center, cardinalhill.org KY Bluegrass Wine Auction and Derby Gala, 6:30pm, Donamire Farm, lexingtonfoundation.org Bluegrass Youth Ballet presents Rapunzel, Lexington Opera House, bluegrassyouthballet.com Homecoming Event at Old Friends, 4pm, 1841 Paynes Depot Road in Georgetown, oldfriendsequine.org KY Spring Premiere Hunter Jumper Show, KY Horse Park, kentuckyhorseshows.com Dancing with the Lexington Stars, 6:30pm, Hilton Lexington Downtown, rotarylexky.org Woodford County Spring Garden Tour, 10am, woodfordcountywomansclub.org KY Wine & Vine Fest, 10am, Nicholasville, kywineandvine.com Taste of the Bluegrass, 7pm, Keene Barn, godspantry.org Prelude to a Grand Night, 6pm, Singletary Center for the Arts, kyopera.org High Hope Steeplechase, 11am, KY Horse Park, highhopesteeplechase.com Mayfest at the Park Horse Trials, KY Horse Park, champagnerun.com Chamber Music Festival of the Bluegrass, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, shakervillageky.org
June 3 4 8-12 10 12 13 18
Making Memories Event, 7pm, KY Horse Park, alz.org/kyin Salato Sampler, 6pm, Salato Wildlife Center (Frankfort), 502.564.7863 The Festival of the Bluegrass, KY Horse Park, festivalofthebluegrass.com KET Summer Celebration, 7pm, Donamire Farm, ket.org Open Gates to Bluegrass Garden Tour, 1pm. Lex.gardentour@gmail.com St. Joseph Foundation Golf Tournament, 11am, University Club of KY, sjhlex.org Shaker Village Antiques Show, 10am, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, shakervillageky.org
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Bids for Kids
The Lexington Woman’s Club hosted a “Bids for Kids Spring Fantasy” fashion show at the Embassy Suites. Proceeds from the event benefit the club’s clothing center for needs-based elementary school-aged children, scholarship programs and other charitable endeavors.
Photography by Nick Key
Cyndy Powell, Sue Gill
Jean Ann Tackett, Carole Stup, Helen Brown
Margaret Oliver, Barbara Rudd, Lynn Garrod, Donna Wooten, Gayle Hutcherson
Joyce Witt, Helen McQuinn, Rebecca Lakes, Trig Bowman
Betty Irvin, Loraine Cox, Joyce Strauss
Marty English, Beverly Roberts
Joyce Strauss, Helen Evans
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Nancy Juliano, Dorothy Cassada Find more photos at slmag.net.
Arline Florence, Marina Garrett
Lexington's Largest Local Designer Showcase May 28th, 2011, 7p.m. at Buster’s in Lexington, KY Ticket prices: $30 in advance at Lexingtonfashion.org or $40 at the door Sponsor by: Sophisticated Living Magazine, Planet Salon, Coffee Times Coffee House, Street Scene, OVET, Andrew Kung Photography, Magee's Bakery, Bath Fitter, Nick's Gourmet Beer Cheese, Russell Capital Management & University of Kentucky Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Center for Visualization and Virtual Environments
BGT Antiques & Garden Show
Once again the gala preview party for the Blue Grass Trust Antiques and Garden Show was a sold out affair. The 14th annual event featured landscape architect Ben Page and renowned interior designer Carleton Varney as keynote speakers. The event raises funds that help the Blue Grass Trust carry out its mission to protect, revitalize and promote the special historic places in our community and enhance the quality of life for future generations.
Anne Sabatino Hardy, Rue Wesley
Shannon Hillenmeyer, John & Kate Turner
Mitchell Cotthoff, Suzanna Cotthoff
Charlotte Ward, Griffin Van Meter, Dorothy Van Meter
Michelle Johnson, Amanda Adams
Jim Dickinson, John Morgan, Louis Scholz
Catherine & John Nardolillo, Fran Taylor
Barbara & Rob Hinkle
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Photography by Nick Key
Douglas Riddle, Jeffrey Livesay
Find more photos at slmag.net.
Vance Evans, Dale Fisher, Phillip Hodges, Jon Carloftis
Printing Party
L.V. Harkness & Co. hosted a cocktail reception to herald the launch of their signature Crane & Co. line, including stationery, invitations, notes and fine engraving services. Following in the footsteps of the illustrious Paperweight, L.V. Harkness now offers in-house printing services.
Kathleen Eastland, Mollie Heron
Debby & Tim Coleman, Betsy Bulleit
Photography by Nick Key
Mary Cynthia Knowles, Rob Hampton
Sue Ann Truitt, Mary Wis Haggin
Meg Jewett, Alan Leavitt, Penny McMarthy, Janice MacNeil
Rick & Jane Leare
Adalin Wichman, Holly Wiedemann
Neil Sulier, Dan Stewert
Patricia Baugh, Lisa Carson
Find more photos at slmag.net.
Molly & Barney Hunter
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Heart Ball
James “Ted” Bassett, III served as chair of the 2011 Central Kentucky Heart & Stroke Ball, held in the Bluegrass Ballroom at the Lexington Center. Highlights of the event included recognition of special honoree Ralph Hacker, beloved former “voice of the Wildcats”, and a special tribute to the late Sam Barnes, which poignantly illustrated how one person can “make a difference” in the community. Proceeds from the event benefit the American Heart Association, which funds advocacy, education, and research in the battle against heart disease and stroke—including nearly $3 million in active awards at The Saha Cardiovascular Research Center in Lexington.
Photography by Nick Key
Scott Merkley, Elizabeth Salt
Dermot Halpin, Tommy Kessinger
Nancy Potter, Felicia Branham, Geneva Donaldson
Patrick & Brittany Durtschi, Danielle & Chris Straton
Brian & Ali Lee Poe
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Sugar Slabaugh Jery Suhl, Susie Slabaugh
Sugar & Susie Slabaugh Find more photos at slmag.net.
Lonnie, Regan & Sherri Judd
Artists works represented
walter Knabe
BANKSY
Roy lichtenstein
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Joan Miro
Alexander Calder
Henry Moore
Marc Chagall
Robert Motherwell
Salvador Dali
Marcel Mouly
Constance Edwards Scopelitis
pablo picasso
Helen Frankenthaler
Robert Rauschenberg
Keith Haring
James Rosenquist
Damien Hirst
Andy warhol
Robert Indiana
tom wesselmann
Jasper Johns
Russell Young
INFo@MoDERNMAStERSFAB.CoM www.MoDERNMAStERSFAB.CoM www.INDYCoNtEMpoRARY.CoM 866-370-1601 (toll FREE)
Foxy Hat Ball
“Foxy Hats” were de rigueur at the annual Hunt Ball, sponsored by the members of the Woodford Hounds. Held at the Embassy Suites, the evening featured cocktails, dinner, ‘Gone to the Dogs’ live and silent auctions and dancing to the music of Superfecta.
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Photography by Nick Key
Mark Zoller, Virginia Kerr
Tracye Carrigan, Riesa DeBeer
Sarah Bailey, Leigh Delair, Laura Koester
Melissa & Bill Brown, Mary Ann Basehart
Holly Gallion, Julie Goodman
Tom Biederman, Mike Owens
Natalie Moore, Chacet Malhouitre, Sheri Adkins
Sheri Wood, Susan Lupidi, Taylor Wood
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Exceptional Outdoor Furnishings
Retirement Party
Seemed as though all of Lexington came out to the giant tent set up at the corner of Broadway and West Maxwell to toast Maker’s Mark president Bill Samuels, Jr. and wish him well in his retirement. Certainly not the retiring kind, Samuels arrived attired in a fluorescent pink wig, a tuxedo à la Elton John 1982 and red wingtips. The 4,000 guests who attended helped to raise more than $40,000 for the Center for Women & Families.
Photography by Tony Bailey
Joyce and Terry Kramen
Bill Samuels, Jr.
Jeffery Glass, Michael Blinn
Stacey and Tony Cain
Kim and Michael Invergo
Amanda & Jeremy Hester
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Jane and Jimmy Higgon Find more photos at slmag.net.
Shaen and Jennifer Shelton
Karen and Pierce DeVan
Look. Sharp. limited edition knives by William Henry Studios starting at $250-
150 South Elkhorn Village 4379 Harrodsburg Road Lexington,KY 859.559.4242 www.StJohnandMyers.com Open 12-5p.m. Wednesday - Saturday or anytime by appointment. www.facebook.com/AwesomeAntiques
Tom and Kathy Lehmann
Debra and Earl Crouch
Leila Davis, Chad Applegate, Richard Sauer
Christy and Mike Spence
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Pierce & Karen DeVan, Bill Samuels
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Rite of Spring
Be MediSpa hosted their annual “Rite of Spring� open house at their East High Street office. Attendees enjoyed delicious food and drinks, discounts on products and services and the chance to win one of many valuable prizes available.
Crissi Kestel, Rhonda Vice, Laura Cox
Ashley Gabbard, Misty Cope, Matt Fresca
Casey Hagedorn, Angela Mahoney
Brennan Savard, Jill Stapleton, Amy Burke
Shauna Vanhoose, Beth Hammond
Kellie Kern, Angela Mahoney
Andrew Kung, Catherine Jones
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Photography by Nick Key
Ashley Gabbard, Lee Hester Find more photos at slmag.net.
Chasity & Dr. Paul Hester
Financing solutions for higher-value homes When you need a mortgage that is more than $417,000, consult a jumbo loan expert from the Angie Nunnelley team at Bank of America. We offer a wide array of loan solutions, with one-on-one support and a straightforward loan process. Rely on us for: • Jumbo loan amounts up to $5 million, available for owner-occupied homes, second homes and investment properties1 • Competitive rates for both fixed and adjustable-rate jumbo loans • Personal service from an expert mortgage loan officer For more information about jumbo loans, contact:
Angie Nunnelley Retail Sales Manager Top Producer 2003 - 2010 Platinum Club 859.333.4422 angie.nunnelley@bankofamerica.com
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For loan amounts greater than $3 million: prior to closing, borrower must provide documentation of reserves held in a Bank of America and/or Merrill Lynch account totaling a minimum of 24 months of principal, interest, taxes, insurance (homeowners, hazard, mortgage insurance, etc.) and assessments (homeowners association fees/dues/special assessments) related to subject loan/property. Two separate full appraisals are required. Good or excellent credit required, including proof of recent consistent mortgage payment history. Loan to value, cash out limits, and property type restrictions apply, ask for details. Not available on all loan programs. Other restrictions apply. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. © 2010 Bank of America Corporation. ARY4H1M3 00-62-2216D 04-2010
Love. Bug. Tiffany & Co. Coral and Onyx brooch, c. 1950
150 South Elkhorn Village 4379 Harrodsburg Road Lexington,KY 859.559.4242 www.StJohnandMyers.com Open 12-5p.m. Wednesday - Saturday or anytime by appointment. www.facebook.com/AwesomeAntiques
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Haute off the Press
Wine +Market graciously hosted Sophisticated Living’s Haute Off the Press cocktail reception.
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Photography by Nick Key
Lissa Sims, Stephanine Poole
Natalie Norris, Keisha Lansaw, Maui Crane
Krim Boughalem & Andrea Sims
Jere Sullivan, Denise Needham, Jon Dotson
Alina Alekesandrova, Liam Spradlin
Drew Neiman, Phillip Marcum, Tim Burcham, Tim Stratman
Ashley & Chris Lilly
Delia Crumbaker, Drew Neiman, Holly Bellomy
Find more photos at slmag.net.
your source for the hautest fashion and beauty reviews hautemommastuff.com
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