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THE STYLE ISSUE WHERE FASHON MEETS THE FIELD S E P TE M B E R 2 02 6

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

The Influence of Style Style has quietly shaped every chapter of my career. Long before publishing a magazine, my introduction to the world of fashion began with my first job at the Village of Rochester Hills. It was there that I discovered style was never simply about what people wore — it was about confidence, presentation and the stories we tell before saying a word. My love for fashion led me to Chicago to study Fashion Marketing and Merchandising, followed by a career as a stylist at Nordstrom. Looking back, those experiences laid the foundation for how I see business, creativity, branding and relationships. Today, I believe style is one of the most valuable assets a person or a business can possess. It is found in thoughtful design, exceptional service, attention to detail and the confidence to remain authentic. True style isn‘t dictated by trends; it is cultivated over time and reflected in every decision. With style as this month's theme, we are spotlighting a collection of businesses that embody this philosophy. Each has established a distinct identity through craftsmanship, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Their success is a reminder that luxury is not defined by excess, but by intention. This issue is a celebration of the entrepreneurs, designers and visionaries who understand that style extends far beyond fashion. It influences the spaces we create, the brands we build, and the impressions we leave behind. A celebration of style begins here.

September 2026 PUBLISHER

Jordan Sakalian | jordan.sakalian@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Lynne Konstantin | lynne.konstantin@citylifestyle.com STAF F P H OTO G R AP H E R

Jessica Snow | hello@jessica-snow.com M AR K E T S U P P O RT M AN AGE R

Kyrstyn Dean | KyrstynDeanMBA@KyrstynDean.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kiki Pape, Susan Thwing C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Shelby Dubin, Kelly Summer

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

J O R DA N SA K A L I A N , P U B L I S H E R @ROCHESTERCITYLIFESTYLE

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Rochester City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Rochester area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Rochester City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue SE PTE M B E R 2 02 6 | STYL E

8 Featured

Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT?

Departments

In the Studio

Lifestyle Letter

with Ashley Harris, the designer behind the jackets everybody wants.

Artist’s Palette STYLE + BEAUTY

Healthy Lifestyle HEALTH + WELLNESS

Must See HOME + DESIGN

Juicy

Inspired By STYLE + BEAUTY

Open House TRAVEL

Culinary Creations FOOD + BEVERAGE

Building With Intention

The fruition of a local mom’s dreams is delicious — in flavor and design.

Stonecrest II Building brings a practical, personal approach to Rochester Hills.

On the Cover Bespoke Detroit-centric jackets by Ashley Harris Designs. For more, see “In the Studio” in this issue. Photography: Jessica Snow

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IN THE STUDIO

ARTICLE BY KIKI PAPE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA SNOW

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | STYLE + BE AU T Y

with Ashley Harris, the designer behind the jackets everybody wants.

“Can you make 18 more pieces by Friday?” “For the playoffs?” “Yes!” “Done.” It’s the kind of exchange Ashley Harris gets more and more often these days — and always delivers on. A team of wives and girlfriends asking her to make a statement before a playoff game, a hometown actor from a trending TV series or a season-ticket holder who “just wants one jacket made for one specific seat in one specific section.” And she treats every task the same way. The stitching doesn’t change because the deadline did. Every jacket, whether it’s one of 18 or the only one she’ll make that month, gets the same attention at the seam and the same care in how it’s made. A season lasts a few months. A jacket, if she’s built it right, lasts a lifetime. It is why clients keep coming back, and why more people find her style one-of-a-kind. Harris’ love of sewing began in childhood, making outfits for her Barbie and American Girl dolls, with her great-grandmother’s guidance. She loved styling herself — flipping through catalogs and taking-fashion design classes before she even CONTINUED > S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/RO C HE ST E R M I

had a portfolio. She went from Western Michigan University to New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology, earning a degree in Fashion Design and Couture. She landed a coveted internship at the Vera Wang atelier in New York City. Back in Michigan, Harris went to work in luxury retail management at Coach before transitioning to trim engineering in the auto industry, where she learned to think about constructing pieces the way an engineer does — not just how a design looks, but how it’s built to last. Between her 9-to-5, Harris worked on custom evening gowns and couture dresses, which kept her coming back to her “why?” “I love creating beautiful art,” she says. “Nothing compares to seeing people feel their best in something I’ve made.” She launched Ashley Harris Designs in 2012. With her growing success came a new arm of her interests: In addition to designing couture gowns, Harris watched a rise in upcycled fashion. “Clients would mail me clothing they already owned,” Harris says. “I’d combine it with other thrifted finds to create one-of-a-kind patchwork pieces.” In her hands, well-worn tees, denim jackets and even stadium memorabilia were given new life as hand-stitched one-of-a-kind pieces. Through this process, Harris found herself drawn to yet another niche: sportswear. She was pulled into a world of custom pieces built for the people who live and breathe a sports team. And not just the players on the field. She began creating for the wives and girlfriends of professional athletes, season-ticket holders — and anyone who wanted to wear their love of the game literally on their sleeve. “No two clients are the same,” Harris says, “and neither are their pieces.” The one-off pieces kept growing. Last year, Harris added a new collection under the Ashley Harris brand. Rooted in sustainability and innovation, Drafted in Detroit is the sportswear line built to take what she’d been doing one piece at a time and make it accessible to everyone. She had a clear idea of what she wanted it to stand for — a brand rooted in Detroit, built for anyone who loved a team that much. The requests keep coming in — from fans currently rooting for the Detroit Tigers to those looking forward to football season, including high-profile names like Coaches Izzo and Fralick, National Anthem-singer Monica Notaro, influencer Kait Keith and NFL wives Callahan LaPorta and Carly Wright. Another highlight: designing a custom jacket for Michigannative Antonio Cipriano that he wore to Obsessed Fest. “Clients want pieces built around a specific game, a specific moment — something that captures exactly what each season or event meant to them,” Harris says. “I work closely with every client, from start to finish. Meaningful pieces are at the core of each design.” Harris is preparing for what’s next: a launch already in motion, a spot lined up at See You Sunday sports-themed pop-up market and more fashion shows of her own with a team behind the brand. Every piece she makes is engineered to outlast the moment it’s made for.

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ARTICLE BY LYNNE KONSTANTIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHELBY DUBIN

JUICY

The fruition of a local mom’s dreams is delicious — in flavor and design. When Melissa Opatik opened Lé Juice on May 28, she wasn’t just launching a juice bar. She was following a lifelong path of healthy, organic eating while fulfilling a decadelong dream tied to a vacant building she’d admired for years in Downtown Rochester. The fruition of her dreams is scrumptious — in flavor and design. A stay-at-home mom of five (ranging in age from four to 24) with husband, Mike, for 25 years and longtime homeschooling parent, Opatik’s passion for clean eating grew from decades of paying close attention to what nourishes her family. A pescatarian since age six, she later worked at Whole Foods Market's juice bar and, years afterward, in the store's Whole Body department, immersing herself in homeopathy and natural wellness education. That knowledge became the foundation for Lé Juice (lejuicerochester.com), where organic (foods grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers) and non-GMO (foods that haven’t been genetically engineered) ingredients define the menu, reflecting her goal of serving food as close to its natural state as possible. “I really love taking care of people, and entertaining. I wanted to build a place where people could trust that what they were putting into their bodies was made

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | H E ALT H + WE LLN E SS

with intention,” Opatik says, noting she prioritizes the ”dirty dozen” — porous produce like berries that easily absorb pesticides. Sweetness comes only from honey, agave and dates. “I believe our bodies are remarkably designed to thrive when we consistently fuel them with wholesome, minimally processed foods,” Opatik says. “Every healthy choice matters, and can have a profound impact on our long-term health.” Opatik works with a chef to fine-tune her recipes. The menu features daily coldpressed juices, fresh wheatgrass shots, and smoothies — including ”Clarity,” a carrot-ginger blend with lion’s mane mushroom, known for supporting cognitive function. An energy shot combining espresso, coconut water and cayenne pepper has become a pre-workout favorite among gym-goers. Lé Juice also serves up a grilled Caprese sandwich, avocado toast and yogurt bowls, with an elevated food menu currently in development. Shortly after opening, Lé Juice unexpectedly went viral on TikTok when customers began comparing Opatik’s smoothies with dairy-free whipped-topping to a famous celebrity smoothie from an upscale California grocery chain. Lines formed out the door, and Opatik found

“ I wanted to build a place where people could trus t that what they were put ting into their bodies was made with intention.” — Melissa Opatik

herself working 120-hour weeks. While the social media wave has since leveled off, it left her with a loyal, diverse customer base — including regulars now catered to with highly specific dietary needs, from ketogenic diets to gluten sensitivities. Opatik envisions Lé Juice evolving into a community education hub, with plans for guest speakers — including chiropractors and individuals who’ve reversed chronic health conditions through diet — to host talks later this year.

The charm of Lé Juice’s space is very intentional. Opatik was drawn to the work and philosophy of Lyzz Hope, owner of Moz Interiors in Rochester, whose focus is on translating a client’s personal story into space. “Melissa and I hit it off immediately,” Hope says. “I didn’t have much space in my schedule, but when she told me about her concept, and what she wanted the brand to be, I wanted to be a part of it.” CONTINUED >

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To start, Hope translated Opatik’s favorite memories of travel — lush gardens in Thailand, layered greens of Ireland — into the design: a custom green tile inspired by the Irish countryside, a canopy over the countertop, a mural of a lemon tree by artist Anthony Brass. “The important thing from day one was the love of nature, and bringing the outdoors in,” Hope says.

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | H E ALT H + WE LLN E SS

The result is a space that plays on the building’s former life as a pharmacy, with apothecary-inspired details like a ”juice booth” and decorative touches recalling old-world remedies — a nod to Opatik’s philosophy that food is medicine. Salvaged corbels rescued from an old French building in New Orleans meet materials chosen to age gracefully, like cream limestone and crushed-limestone walls. “When you see the attention to detail, it’s just phenomenal,” Opatik says.

Photo by Kelly Summer

Designer Lyzz Hope and Lé Juice Owner Melissa Opatik

Together, Opatik and Hope built more than a juice bar — they created a space where design and nourishment work in tandem, inviting guests to slow down and connect. “It’s exactly what I wanted my guests to feel — this experience of not just having a good juice, but to be able to sit and feel at home,” Opatik says. “My hope is that Lé Juice makes healthy eating approachable,” she says. “I want people to walk through our doors and realize that eating well doesn’t have to be complicated or restrictive — it can be beautiful, delicious and something they genuinely look forward to.”

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Building With Intention

After nearly four decades in home construction, Sam Leone brings a practical, personal approach to a Rochester Hills project.

ARTICLE BY SUSAN THWING

M UST SE E | HO M E + DESIGN

For nearly four decades, Sam Leone has built homes across Southeast Michigan. But these days, he’s building something different. After years of large-scale production homebuilding — more than 400 homes in Macomb and Oakland counties — Leone has shifted his focus to a more personal approach through Stonecrest II Building (stonecrest2building.com). His newest project, the Avon Collection in Rochester Hills, reflects that evolution: five thoughtfully designed homesites, including two completed custom homes and three available lots where buyers can choose from Stonecrest plans or bring their own vision. “I wanted to get back to building homes that have meaning,” Leone says. “Every home is different, every family is different, and that’s what makes this exciting.” Leone’s career began in 1986, inspired by family friends in the construction business. Over the years, he built hundreds of homes, but he found himself wanting to spend more time on craftsmanship, relationships and the details that make a house feel like home. That philosophy is evident throughout the Avon Collection, where Stonecrest’s slogan — ”Luxury Comes Standard” — is especially fitting. Quartzite countertops, custom cabinetry, detailed woodworking and spacious, open-concept interiors give the homes an elevated look. Prep kitchens provide additional room for cooking and entertaining, while generous bedrooms and closets address the practical needs of everyday living.

Sam Leone

“Every home is different, every family is different, and that’s what makes this exciting.” — Sam Leone

CONTINUED >

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Situated on spacious three-quarter-acre lots just east of John R Road, the development offers something increasingly rare in today’s new-home market: space, flexibility and individuality. There is no homeowners’ association, allowing homeowners the freedom to install a pool, build a privacy fence, store a boat or simply enjoy their property without restrictive neighborhood rules. The collection also reflects the ways homeowners’ expectations have changed over the years. Open floor plans remain in demand, Leone says, while buyers are also looking for larger closets, spacious bedrooms, upgraded cabinetry and room for entertaining. Associate Broker Nicole Ulewicz, vice president of builder sales for Vanguard Realty Group, says what impressed her immediately was the level of care that went into the homes.

”What makes these so special is that they’re not production specs,” she says. ”They’re custom homes that just happen to be available for purchase.” Professional designers selected every finish — from cabinetry and color palettes to exterior details — creating homes that feel carefully curated rather than assembled from a standard package.

M UST SE E | HO M E + DESIGN

Another advantage is timing. While many custom homes require 15 to 18 months to build, these two residences are move-in ready, replete with landscaping, sprinklers and premium appliances. ”It’s incredibly rare to find a home of this caliber that’s finished and turnkey,” Ulewicz says. ”Someone could move in almost immediately.” For buyers interested in one of the remaining homesites, Stonecrest offers flexibility. Homeowners can select from proposed floor plans or work directly with Leone through an architectural design consultation to create something uniquely their own. Ulewicz says the Avon Collection also reflects a new chapter for Leone personally. After years of high-volume construction, he now has the opportunity to build exactly the way he wants. ”Now he’s doing it his way,” she says. ”There’s much more intention behind every decision, and buyers get to know the person building their home. It’s a much more personal experience.” For Leone, that’s exactly the point. ”I look at the house like I’m going to live in it,” says Leone. ”Quality and doing it the right way are what’s important.”

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I NSP IR E D BY | STYL E + B E AU T Y

THE CREATIVE MIND BEHIND RAGING THUNDER APPAREL ARTICLE BY KIKI PAPE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA SNOW

Patrick Christopher Andrews

Quality isn’t made by accident. It’s a hundred small decisions made before a single stitch is sewn — and that belief is the entire foundation of Raging Thunder Apparel (ragingthunderapparel.com). Founder and designer Patrick Christopher Andrews built the business on a lifelong appreciation for appliqué. In 2025, that passion became reality in the form of a custom embroidery and apparel business rooted in quality, creativity and an eye on the lookout for the unexpected. Operating out of Rochester’s 429 Main, Andrews runs Raging Thunder Apparel as a side business alongside his primary work as a tech recruiter for Symbotic. CONTINUED >

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From custom apparel and business-to-business orders to one-off personal requests, each project reflects the same commitment to craftsmanship — one that has already earned confidence from companies like Lululemon, Rochester’s Silver Shamrocks and Detroit Promotions. What sets Raging Thunder Apparel apart isn’t just the designs — it’s everything that happens before the needle ever touches the fabric. Many companies rely on inexpensive blank garments and stop thinking about the quality once the design is chosen. Andrews sees it differently. Digitization, thread selection, needle choice and backing material are all deliberate decisions that shape the final product, and he treats each one with the same care. Andrews’s design style leans whimsical and distinct, favoring pieces with personality over predictable cookie-cutter looks. “If you try to play me, you’re playing yourself,” he says, borrowing a line from Prince — it’s a philosophy that shows up in his refusal to cut corners or imitate what’s already out there. While services remain local for now, Raging Thunder Apparel ships online to customers worldwide. Andrews describes the vision simply: to become the modern-day Urban Outfitters — a place where creativity collides with quality, multiplied by the moment.

I NSP IR E D BY | STYL E + B E AU T Y

Right now, Andrews is bringing that philosophy to life through his newest concept, the Cozy Castle Collection. Inspired by nostalgia, comfort and the idea that clothing should feel as meaningful as it does wearable, the collection reflects the direction he sees Raging Thunder Apparel heading. It’s the sweatshirt you reach for on slow Sunday mornings, the keepsake you never throw away and the story you wear long after the stitches are sewn. Andrews is proving that the best apparel isn’t just made to wear. It’s made to be remembered.

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INSIDE THE DEXTER Northern Michigan’s most design-forward new getaway.

ARTICLE BY LYNNE KONSTANTIN

O PE N H OU SE | TRAVEL

Elk Rapids has always had the raw materials of a great Northern Michigan getaway — a quiet marina, a stretch of luscious Grand Traverse Bay shoreline and a village pace that slows you down within minutes of arrival. What it hasn’t had, until now, is a hotel built to match that setting — one that achieves its mighty design ambition. The Dexter Hotel — a 29-room boutique property that just opened in May — is a work of art. Both warm and modern, the Dexter Hotel offers a luxurious take on Michigan’s rich legacy of design and manufacturing. Conceived by Kinship Hospitality’s Kamron Bijeh-Apple and Daniel Caudill — the founding creative director of Shinola, and the mind behind the Shinola Hotel — in partnership with Shore North Development, the Dexter offers eager hospitality in a polished destination. Caudill — who also did the interior design for the hotel — has built a celebration of Michigan craft and mid-century design heritage that is deeply connected to its surroundings. Nearly every piece in the hotel, from the bespoke white oak furniture to the ceramics on your nightstand, was designed in-house and fabricated by regional makers. Wolf Studio in Grand Rapids built the furniture and lighting. Traverse City ceramicist Clay Maas threw the lamps, bowls and soap dishes. A local seamstress sewed the drapery. Bear Sign Company handled the signage. Rather than hotel “boxes,” guest quarters are designed to feel like well-appointed apartments, some with kitchenettes — muted tones, woven textiles, gallery walls mixing original art with vintage pieces

sourced from Northport’s Pernette’s. Modular stacked-box construction means no room shares a wall, ceiling or floor with another, so the quiet is real — savor tucking in to handcrafted Serta mattresses, down bedding and Frette linens. Billed as “Elk Rapids’ living room,“ Noble Lounge is a destination itself. Beverage Director Anthony DiMaria, formerly of Sugar House Detroit, has crafted a bar program of clarified juices, fat-washed spirits, house-made syrups. Try the Rapid Snapper, a feta-washed gin cocktail with olive brine and celery salt, or gather a few friends for the Mini Tiki Flight — three cocktails of your choosing, served together on an actual surfboard. Executive Chef John Korycki, a three-decade veteran of Italian and Mediterranean kitchens, keeps the food list tight and shareable: Think Lemon Mascarpone Tortelli with rock shrimp, or Lobster Roll Sliders done Maine- or Connecticut-style so the table doesn’t have to pick a side. Everything on tap and on the plate leans on regional partners — Arbor Brewing Company beer brewed specifically for the hotel, cheese from Suttons Bay and Northport, produce from area farms. The Dexter sits with direct patio access down to the public waterfront on Grand Traverse Bay, minutes from the Elk Rapids Marina and a short drive from Flintfields Horse Park, home of the Traverse City Horse Shows. Proximity to 40-plus wineries across the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas, Sleeping Bear Dunes and an airport (Cherry Capital, just 15 minutes away) in the middle of a $120 million expansion means Northern Michigan is becoming easier to reach — and even more worth reaching.

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In Good TASTE Introducing our newest column — a monthly recipe from the kitchens of the Silver Shamrocks and Forks & Fetes in Rochester. Chef and Owner Deb Silver, known for her seasonal from-scratch cooking and warm hospitality, is a lifelong creative and community builder — her talent and celebration of people and places help make Rochester the special place it is. Bon appetit!

DIRECTIONS:

CHEF DEB’ S ROA STED TOM ATO V INA IGR ET TE

When tomatoes are at their mid- and late-summer best, I make a batch of this vinaigrette almost every week. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness, and the fresh herbs make it taste like summer in a jar. It’s one of those recipes you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again.

INGREDIENTS: • 1 to 1½ pounds Cherry, Roma or your favorite garden tomato • 2 garlic cloves • 1 shallot, minced • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard • ½ cup good-quality extra-virgin olive oil • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

I n t r o d u c i n g o u r n e we s t c o l u m n , fe a t u r i n g a r e c i p e f r o m C h e f D e b S i l ve r. T h i s m o n t h : Ro a s t e d To m a t o V i n a i g r e t t e .

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Arrange the tomatoes, garlic and shallot on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3. Roast for 25–35 minutes, until softened and lightly caramelized. 4. Cool slightly. 5. ransfer everything to a blender with the herbs, vinegar, Dijon and olive oil. 6. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning or vinegar to your liking. 7. Refrigerate in a sealed Mason jar for up to one week.

CHEF DEB’S FAVORITE WAYS TO USE IT • • • • • • •

Drizzle over grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp. Spoon over burrata and peaches. Top grilled steak, zucchini, asparagus. Toss with warm roasted potatoes. Use as a marinade for chicken or vegetables. Spread on sandwiches or wraps. Stir into pasta salad for an instant burst of summer flavor.

CHEF DEB’S TIP Don’t be afraid to play with the recipe — I rarely make this vinaigrette the same way twice. Change the variety of vinegar, use whatever fresh herbs are thriving in your garden and taste as you go. That’s the fun of cooking with seasonal produce. Once you know the method, you can make it your own all season long.

JESSICA SNOW

Photography

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