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The Season of Style

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Celebrating The Beauty of Your Personal Style

September 2026 PUBLISHER

Todd Haight | todd.haight@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R I AL C O O R D I N ATO R

Margaret Haight | margaret.haight@citylifestyle.com AC C O U N T M AN AG E R S

There's something magical about September in Michigan. Almost overnight, the landscape begins its annual transformation. Every tree becomes an artist, every neighborhood a gallery. Nature unveils what I always think of as her finest work. Perhaps that's why our annual Style edition arrives this time of year. There's no better season than autumn to celebrate beauty and creativity, and the extraordinary ways thoughtful design can enrich our lives. Just like the changing colors surrounding us, our West Bloomfield community is wonderfully diverse, filled with unique perspectives and remarkable talent. Not to mention amazing examples of personal style. In these pages, you'll step inside the beautiful work of Interiors by Impact and Impact Home Staging Experts, where inspired interior design and thoughtful staging prove that a home can be both breathtaking and deeply comforting. Their work reminds us that great design isn't simply about how a room looks, it's about how it makes us feel. We'll also travel thousands of miles with Sabrina Raso Vaughan of SR Design, whose life stretches between luxury design in West Bloomfield and a breathtaking family honeybee farm in Brazil. And because no Style issue would be complete without a little wardrobe inspiration, I had the pleasure of spending time with luxury personal stylist Maria Alkhalil. Our conversation wasn't simply about fashion trends or designer labels. It was about discovering your style, one that reflects who you truly are. I think you'll find her perspective as inspiring as I did. I hope this issue encourages you to pause and notice the beauty all around you. In your home, in your wardrobe, in nature and in the extraordinary people who make West Bloomfield such a vibrant place to live. Stay Fabulous, West Bloomfield.

Allison Sommerville allison.sommerville@citylifestyle.com Jessica Parsons | jessica.parsons@citylifestyle.com C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Simran Bajwa, Liliya Tsytser

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

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Proverbs 3:5-6 West Bloomfield City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the West Bloomfield area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for

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

Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT?

Featured

Departments

16 28

Legacy By Design

Lifestyle Letter

Thoughtful interior design, lasting relationships and a legacy that continues to shape beautiful homes

City Scene

Local Limelight HOME + DESIGN

Inspired By LIFE + CULTURE

Beauty and the Bees

Must See STYLE + BEAUTY

Happy Hour FOOD + BEVERAGE

How To BEAUTY

Fashion Forward BEAUTY

Events

The sweetest inspiration arrives on tiny buzzing wings

Dressed for Life

The art of personal styling begins with confidence, self-discovery and dressing for the life you live today

On the Cover Alexa Michalec of Interiors by Impact and Impact Home Staging Experts. Alexa and the entire Impact team bring fashion and inspired design to our annual Style edition. Photography: Simran Bajwa

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SEPTEMBER 2026

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1: Sydney Lawson of the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC) with Words of Hope 4 Life Executive Director Adam Stern at the Detroit Zoo ViewFest 2: Sydney Lawson (center) and West Bloomfield Parks facilitate community training for their employees 3: Sydney Lawson and volunteers at the Detroit Zoo ViewFest Photography by Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

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LEGACY BY DESIGN ARTICLE BY R. TODD HAIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY SIMRAN BAJWA

THOUGHTFUL INTERIOR DESIGN, L A S T I N G R E L AT I O N S H I P S A N D A L E G A C Y T H AT C O N T I N U E S T O S H A P E BEAUTIFUL HOMES. For nearly three decades, Michael Rowley watched his wife do what seemed impossible. Darla Rowley could walk into an empty space, study it for a few moments and envision a room that didn’t exist yet. She didn’t need sketches. She didn’t need computer renderings. She could simply picture it – the furniture, the colors, the flow of the space – and then make it real. It was a gift that created Interiors by Impact, one of southeast Michigan’s most respected interior design firms, along with its sister company, Impact Home Staging Experts. Then, last year, Darla passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Along with losing his wife of nearly 30 years, Michael suddenly found himself standing at One Vision. One Team. One Impact

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | HO ME + D E SIGN

CONTINUED >

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a crossroads. Interiors by Impact had always been her passion. It was, in many ways, an extension of who she was. Without her, the future of both businesses suddenly felt uncertain. He could walk away. Or he could carry her vision forward. He chose the latter. “I’m carrying on her legacy every single day,” Michael says. Today, Darla’s creation lives on in every room Interiors by Impact designs. Long before home staging became mainstream – and years before television made interior designers celebrities – Darla believed thoughtfully designed spaces could change the way people lived.

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | HO ME + D E SIGN

After a successful corporate career in merchandising, she founded Interiors by Impact and Impact Home Staging Experts in 2004 with a simple philosophy: great design begins by listening. That philosophy continues to guide every project. Whether redesigning a kitchen, transforming a primary suite, creating a functional home office or furnishing an entire custom home, the process always begins with understanding how clients truly live. “We want to understand how you use your home,” says Senior Lead Designer Angela Rice. “How you spend time together. What makes you comfortable. The design has to fit your life, not just what’s popular.”

GN HA S

FIT YOU

R LI FE, NOT JUST WHAT'S POPUL AR. Michael Rowley, President

That distinction matters. While today’s trends include rich jewel tones, color-drenched walls, warm woods and organic textures, Interiors by Impact isn’t interested in creating rooms that simply look fashionable. The team creates homes that feel timeless and deeply personal. “If it doesn’t fit you, we’re not going to recommend it,” Angela says. “The goal is to create a home you’ll love for years.” A home doesn’t have to be new to feel new. Rather than searching for a new address, many homeowners are investing in the one they already have. By improving the function, flow and feel of existing spaces, the team is creating homes that better

support the way you live today, not the way you lived five or ten years ago. This approach has resonated. “Our business has more than doubled this year,” Michael says. “We’re in demand and on track for a record year.” The team recognizes that every client is unique. “Some arrive with a clear vision. Others simply know their home no longer works for them,” he says. “We serve as trusted advisors, guiding you toward spaces that are not only beautiful but also functional for years to come.” That trust extends well beyond interior design. Impact Home Staging Experts is southeast Michigan’s premier staging CONTINUED > S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/WE STB LO O M F I E L D

Angela Rice, Senior Lead Designer

WHAT'S IN. W H AT 'S NE X T. What are today’s design trends? We asked Senior Lead Designer Angela Rice of Interiors by Impact. “The most important trend isn’t a trend at all,” she says. “Great design is about discovering what feels authentic to the way you live, then creating a home you’ll love long after today’s trends have passed.” That said, here’s Angela’s take on what’s “in” and what you may want to move past. IN • Rich, saturated color replacing endless gray • Statement wallpaper that adds personality • Natural woods, stone and organic textures • Biophilic design that brings nature indoors • Layered rooms with warmth, character and collected pieces OUT • Cold, all-gray interiors • Cookie-cutter spaces that feel like showrooms • Decorating strictly by trends • Minimalism without comfort or personality

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | HO ME + D E SIGN

company, preparing hundreds of homes for quick, profitable sale each year. Realtors, homeowners and many of the region’s leading builders rely on the team to stage family homes and luxury listings, furnish model homes and create spaces that help buyers find an emotional connection with a property. The connection between home staging and interior design is one the team understands well. Staging helps buyers envision themselves living in a home. Interior design creates a home that reflects the people who already do. After staging thousands of homes over more than two decades, the design team has developed an uncommon understanding of how people experience a space – insight that informs every interior design project. “Good design isn’t about how much you spend. It’s about making thoughtful decisions that reflect the way you live,” Michael says. Whether it’s one room or an entire home, everyone deserves a space they love. That commitment to collaboration and client service has earned the company hundreds of five-star reviews from homeowners, Realtors, builders and investors. Perhaps the strongest reflection of the company’s culture is the people who have chosen to build their careers there. Many have been with the company for more than a decade. Meanwhile, Michael never stops thinking about the woman who started it all. The designer who could see possibilities where others saw empty walls. The entrepreneur who built a company on relationships instead of transactions. She may no longer greet clients every day, but Michael ensures her vision remains at the heart of the company. Every thoughtfully designed room is, in many ways, still hers. DESIGN TEAM STYLE CREDITS Styled by Margaret Meyer Haight & Location PA / Style Assistant Becca Haight @hair.by_bech Alexa’s outfit by Vines Boutique/ Troy @vinestheboutique Christy’s Chocolate Diamond Necklace by Skyline Diamond Setters/Troy @skylinediamond_jewelers Beauty by Tricho Salon & Spa/Somerset @trichosomerset: Hair & Makeup Sydney Wilson, Hair Nina Selman

Staging Steals the Scene

Captivating Design

Darla Rowley, Founder

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B E AU T Y A N D THE BEES The sweetest inspiration arrives on tiny buzzing wings

When I first met West Bloomfield interior designer Sabrina Raso Vaughan, I was immediately struck by her natural beauty and style. Then came this unexpected twist: She is also an exotic honeybee farmer in Brazil, focused on ecosystem preservation and native bee pollination. Called Mel Santa Cecília, her family’s artisanal Brazilian native stingless bee farm features distinct honey varieties produced by species like Uruçu-Amarela and Jataí.

And so I wondered, how does she balance this international lifestyle so divided between two worlds, designing luxury interiors in Michigan and exotic honeybees in Brazil? “I don’t see them as separate worlds; they both feel deeply like home,” she says simply. “Design has taught me to notice proportion, materiality and emotion. The bees teach me patience, rhythm and the intelligence of nature. Both are my passion.”

ARTICLE BY MARGARET MEYER HAIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SABRINA RASO VAUGHAN

I NSP IR E D BY | L I FE + C ULT U RE

Sabrina Raso Vaughan, Founder & Chief Creative Officer SR Design LLC

She stays grounded, closely connected to clients, family and her design teams. Whether walking through a home under construction or standing quietly near the hives, she is reminded that meaningful work is built through being present in the moment. Mel Santa Cecília was born from her family’s love of Brazil and nature. “It was the desire to create something that carries genuine meaning. What began as curiosity and admiration for bees became a desire to help preserve them and to become responsible stewards. We also enjoy sharing the beauty of their work with others.” The name Santa Cecília is deeply personal, as Cecilia is her mother’s name. Choosing it for the farm creates a lasting sense of legacy. Over time, though, the farm has become much more than a honey project. “It’s a place of learning,” says Sabrina. “It’s a continual reminder that even the smallest creatures, even honeybees, can sustain an entire ecosystem and inspire a more thoughtful way of living.”

APIs-Mellifera Bees

Farm life in Brazil

Uruçu-Amarela Bee

At Mel Santa Cecília, she and her family care for five varieties of native Brazilian stingless bees, the Mandaçaia being her favorite. “Each variety has its own character, behavior and relationship with the surrounding landscape,” she adds, “which makes observing and caring for them endlessly fascinating.” These essential pollinators’ work supports native plants, food systems, biodiversity CONTINUED >

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and the health of entire ecosystems. Protecting bees means protecting the delicate web of life that sustains all of us. Sabrina speaks with an almost maternal love for the bees. I wondered what about them captured her heart, and what she has learned from them. “It is their grace, intelligence and quiet sense of purpose that really drew me in,” Sabrina says thoughtfully. “There is no excess in the hive. Every movement has meaning, every role supports the whole. And the result is something remarkably beautiful.” “They’ve also reinforced something I believe deeply as a designer: leadership is not always loud. It can be steady, collaborative and rooted in service. Beauty is not superficial. True beauty comes from caring about what is created, and that requires what I see in these bees: harmony, function and balance. A hive is, in its own way, is one of nature’s most exquisite works of design.”

“Each variety has its own character, behavior and relationship with the surrounding landscape. Which makes observing and caring for them endlessly fascinating.” Through her passion for design and commitment to Brazilian honeybees, Sabrina has intentionally created a remarkable life between two worlds. I asked what she hoped we’ll remember about this balance she’s created. “Remember that a beautiful life is not created by choosing between passion and purpose, or luxury and nature. It is finding a way to honor both. It’s seems unexpected to pair design and beekeeping, but both ask us to pay attention to detail, to harmony, to stewardship and to the environments we create,” she answers. “My hope is that people see beauty in the spaces around them and also in the natural world that makes all life possible.”

I NSP IR E D BY | L I FE + C ULT U RE

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Fall With Impact: Ladies Style Edit

Alexa Michalec, Marketing Manager

Beyond beautiful interiors, discover the fall favorites of these stylish women ARTICLE BY MARGARET MEYER HAIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SIMRAN BAJWA

M UST SE E | STYL E + BEAU T Y

Design Team

Angela Rice, Senior Lead Designer

I think we can all agree that Michigan summers are pretty spectacular. Sunshine, dinners on the patio, weekends at the lake. But to be honest, somewhere around the end of August, I’m looking forward to fall. The colors always remind me that fashion is art. I’m loving unexpected pairings like army green with dusty pink and espresso with smoke blue. Fresh without trying too hard. But I’ll always have a soft spot for amber and olive. Everyone has their thing. (The piece you pull out of the closet the minute you smell pumpkin spice.) Talking with the talented women of Interiors by Impact and Interiors Home Staging Experts, I asked what signals the start of the season for them, and found myself nodding along to every one. Alexa: I’m definitely a tall boots person once fall arrives, with jeans or a skirt and oversized sweater. If I’m heading out, I’ll throw on a long coat and belt for an extra polished look. Comfortable, classic and it always feels like the start of the season. Angela: The same design principles of color, texture and balance that shape beautiful interiors also influence what we wear. That’s why I love fall. Richer palettes, layered textures and cozy pieces have a way of making us feel grounded, comfortable and confident. Almost like wrapping yourself in your favorite room. Sara: I am loving that kitten heels seem to still be going strong, even as it gets cold. T-strap heels as well, both feminine and polished. For a casual look, tailored pointed loafer is a go-to, and lots of suede.

CONTINUED >

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Sara Pomish, Director of Marketing & Business Development

Christy Michalec, Director of Design

Christy: My favorite fall pieces to wear are the amazing jackets. My butter-soft, full-length raincoat I love to layer with jeans and a sweater. Vests and long sweater jackets that pull outfits together and keep me warm. Deeper colors, fur trim and leather give them that finishing touch to elevate an outfit. Marie: Fall is my favorite time of year and I always look forward to breaking out the heavyweight flannel overshirt. It signals there’s a shift in the air: cool mornings and warm coffee.It’s practical enough to throw over a T-shirt but cozy enough that you don’t need a full jacket.

Marie Lawless, Director of Operations

M UST SE E | STYL E + BEAU T Y

STYLE CREDITS Alexa’s outfit by Vines Boutique/Troy @vinestheboutique Chanel Pearl Necklace and Christy’s Louboutin Heels by Christina’s Consignments/West Bloomfield @christinasconsignments Christy’s Chocolate Diamond Necklace by Skyline Diamond Setters/Troy @skylinediamond_jewelers Beauty by Tricho Salon & Spa/Somerset @trichosomerset: Hair & Makeup Sydney Wilson, Hair Nina Selman

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DRESS UP YOUR DRINK THESE BEAUTIFUL BEVERAGES ARE SURE TO TURN HEADS

BLU E M A RTI N I

W ITH FLOR A L ICE CUBES

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BOLD COLORS. Fresh florals. An eye-catching shimmer. The perfect embellishment. We’re talking cocktails, not the catwalk. But like fashion, the art of mixology is full of ways to push the limits with creative twists on classic recipes, and unique adornments guaranteed to turn heads. There’s no reason your personal style can’t extend to the drink in your hand, and this botanical beverage is bound to taste as delicious as it looks.

INGR EDIENTS: • • • • •

2 ounces Absolut Citron 1/2 ounce Blue Curaçao 1/2 ounce lemonade 1 ounce Sprite Edible flowers such as rose, lavender, hibiscus and nasturtiums

DIR ECTIONS: Pour Sprite into ice cube trays and add edible flower combinations. Let freeze overnight. Combine Absolut Citron, Blue Curaçao, lemonade and ice cubes in martini shaker. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Allow ice cubes to melt, gradually filling the glass with Sprite and garnishing the drink with beautiful botanicals.

ARTICLE BY CATE MARIAN

FIG + THYME S PA R K L I N G L E M O N A D E INGR EDIENTS:

DIR ECTIONS:

• thyme simple syrup • 1/2 cup sugar • 1/2 cup water • 1 bunch thyme • 2 fresh figs • 3/4 ounce lemon juice • 3/4 ounce thyme syrup • 3/4 ounce Sprite

In a small saucepan, simmer sugar, water and thyme leaves over low heat for 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let the thyme infuse into the syrup for at least 10 minutes. For the cocktail, muddle figs and lemon juice in the bottom of a glass. Add ice, 3/4 of the thyme syrup and Sprite. Stir and garnish with fig and a sprig of thyme. S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/WE STB LO O M F I E L D

ARTICLE BY BAILEY MORRIS

Lavender Vanilla Sugar Scrub This homemade sugar scrub is easy to make and leaves you with silk y soft skin INGREDIENTS: • 1 cup of granulated sugar • ½ cup of oil (almond oil or olive oil works best) • ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil • ½ teaspoon real vanilla extract • 15 drops lavender essential oil DIRECTIONS: Sugar scrubs are amazing for getting rid of dead skin and exfoliating to reveal soft skin. To make this Lavender Vanilla Sugar Scrub, mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight jar.

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DRESSED

for Life

FASH ION F OR WA R D | BE AU T Y

THE ART OF PERSONAL STYLING BEGINS WITH CONFIDENCE, SELF-DISCOVERY AND DRESSING FOR THE LIFE YOU LIVE TODAY.

ARTICLE BY MARGARET MEYER HAIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY LILIYA TSYTSER PHOTOGRAPHY

Most women have experienced it. Standing in front of a closet full of clothes with that discouraging feeling that there’s nothing to wear. Not for lack of choices, but because somewhere along the way, life changed and the woman in the mirror changed with it. Maybe it was motherhood, a changing body or an empty nest. The clothes that once fit your life no longer fit the woman you’ve become. Getting dressed feels frustrating because much of what’s hanging there belongs to a chapter of your life you don’t live in anymore. That realization is at the heart of Maria Alkhalil’s work. When I sat down with luxury personal stylist Maria Alkhalil, I expected to discuss designers, trends and what’s new for fall fashion. Instead, we talked about confidence, authenticity and why many women spend years trying to become someone they’re not. For Maria, fashion has never really been about clothes. “It’s about helping women see themselves again,” she told me. That philosophy has been shaping her life for decades. Long before she became founder of The Style Project by Maria Alkhalil, she instinctively understood clothing is deeply personal. Even as a child, she remembers becoming upset when asked to wear something that didn’t feel like her. Later, she became the friend everyone wanted to shop with, discovering a new brand and acquiring beautiful pieces, especially at a great price. She hadn’t yet realized personal styling was a profession. She jokingly recalled saying, “I wish I could choose clothes for women and get paid for it.” But her commitment to education, earning a master’s degree in biology and economics, was taking her in a different direction. She later owned a boutique, moved to the United States and embraced marriage and motherhood. But it was during those transitions that she experienced the same frustration many women know all too well. Her wardrobe no longer reflected her life. She remembers buying beautiful high heels while pregnant, only to later realize she owned very little she could actually wear. That experience led her to explore capsule wardrobes and traditional wardrobe basics. However the more she learned about them, the more she CONTINUED > S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/WE STB LO O M F I E L D

Showing looks to client, Victoria Yaklitch, Social Media Marketing Specialist @victoria_yaklitch

began to question the idea that every woman needed the same essential pieces. “A wardrobe cannot be universal when women have completely different personalities, lifestyles, bodies and goals,” she emphasized. That realization pushed her to start studying styling professionally, revealing the true heart of her work saying, “Today, the most meaningful moment is not simply seeing a client in a beautiful outfit. It is seeing her look in the mirror and begin to recognize herself again.” I have to admit I was getting a little choked up at this point. She was talking about her philosophy on fashion while continuing to say very little about clothes. Before recommending a single outfit, she wants to know the woman who will wear it. What does this woman want people to understand about her? Clothing can make someone appear approachable, authoritative, creative and polished. Contrarily, it can also reveal a woman that is completely disconnected from who she actually is. If that is the case, Maria’s thoughtful and gracious approach helps them discover what style is really about, staying true to yourself. The strongest style appears when the woman and the image she presents are telling the same story. Sometimes women spend many years showing only the parts of themselves that feel safe or socially acceptable while hiding the qualities that make them extraordinary. Real style begins, Maria explained, when a woman stops asking, What am I supposed to wear? and starts asking, What actually feels like me? Once that

shift happens, getting dressed becomes less about impressing other people and more about expressing the person she already is. And that’s where confidence begins. Her typical client is a woman who has spent years building a career, raising children or simply evolving into someone very different than she was a decade ago. “The clothes aren’t wrong,” Maria explained. “They’re just no longer telling the right story.” Her role isn’t to convince women they need an entirely new wardrobe. Instead, she helps them edit what no longer serves them, rediscover what still feels authentic and thoughtfully introduce pieces that reflect where they’re headed rather than where they’ve been. One of Maria’s favorite tools is the SOLD OUT® Fashion Board Game, a styling experience she facilitates as a certified ambassador. Participants build their dream wardrobes without worrying about price tags, trends, age or whether something is appropriate or “allowed”. Freed from those limitations, answers become more honest. Maria’s role in the game allows her to answer practical questions about color, proportion, body shape and styling, and to notice patterns behind their choices. Some women discover they dress for other’s approval or choose clothes that help them blend into the background. Others realize they avoid colors or styles they love because someone told them they weren’t right. Through guided exploration, old rules begin to disappear. The result isn’t simply building a better wardrobe. CONTINUED >

FASH ION F OR WA R D | BE AU T Y

Maria Alkhalil, Personal Stylist

S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/WE STB LO O M F I E L D

“Today, the most meaningful moment is not simply It’s a revealing of deeper insights into the woman doing the building. That same philosophy shapes Maria’s view of luxury fashion. While designer labels continue to inspire the industry, she believes true luxury has less to do with logos than with exceptional craftsmanship, fabrics and timeless construction. While luxury houses still play an important role as they invest heavily in research, development and forecasting, the smartest wardrobe is not built by following them blindly. Wearing one designer from head to toe is no longer the only definition of sophistication. Clients are encouraged to mix investment pieces with contemporary brands, vintage finds and affordable staples, creating wardrobes that feel personal rather than predictable. Looking ahead, she plans to continue her work with clients at Somerset Collection in Troy and online, while expanding beyond one-on-one styling. This fall, The Style Project by Maria Alkhalil will introduce educational masterclasses and SOLD OUT® experiences through the Amour Women Work Community in Troy. Amour’s women-focused community offers a welcoming place to explore personal style without intimidation. She’s also developing digital outfit catalogs and educational content that make thoughtful styling more accessible, encouraging women to understand not only what they wear, but why they wear it. As our conversation came to a close, I realized I never made it to my notes regarding my fascination with Demna’s debut for Gucci Fall/Winter 2026 and his delightful use of pink with green. Nothing about the giant dropped waist furs shown by Saint Laurent.

seeing a client in a beautiful outfit. It is seeing her look in the mirror and begin to recognize herself again.” Instead, we’d wandered beyond the ever-changing art of fashion and into something far more enduring: the universal desire to be truly seen. Not through judgmental lenses of appearances or trends, but through understanding, compassion and the courage to give ourselves permission to simply be. Realizing the most beautiful women aren’t the ones wearing the most expensive labels, they’re the ones who’ve learned their life doesn’t have to be a performance or a competition. Perhaps that’s why Maria measures success differently than most stylists. It’s not the perfect blazer or handbag that tells her she’s made a difference. It’s the quiet smile that appears when a woman catches her reflection and realizes she’s worthy of loving herself … and her look.

THE CREATIVE COLLECTIVE

Maria Alkhalil | mariaalkhalil.com Photography by Liliya Tsytser Photography @liliya_tsytser_photography Makeup Artist Margo Ushina. | @m_art_make_up

MARIA’S FALL EDIT: I'm loving Fall 2026's return to intentional dressing. Tailoring is becoming more important again, with rich textures and sophisticated palettes of chocolate brown, deep olive, burgundy and soft neutrals. Affordable level: Zara, Mango and COS = clean wardrobe essentials. Mid-range: Maje, Sandro and Helmut Lang = strong tailoring and design details. Luxury level: Max Mara, Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent = craftsmanship justifying the investment. A perfectly cut coat, an exquisite handbag or classic leather accessories remain relevant for years. Luxury redefined is about quality, fit, construction and longevity.

FASH ION F OR WA R D | BE AU T Y

S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/WE STB LO O M F I E L D

SEPTEMBER 2026

events A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LO C A L E V E N T S

SEPTEMBER 14 TH & 28TH

Monday Micro Nature Moments Marshbank Park, 2805 Hiller Road, West Bloomfield | 11:30 AM This self-guided program welcomes children and families for hands-on exploration of the tiny details that make our natural world so incredible, such as mosses, fungi, leaf patterns, insects, pond critters, animal tracks and flowers. Nature Staff will be present to answer questions. Free for all ages. At Marshbank Park’s Lodge building next to the large play structure. Details: (248) 451-1900. SEPTEMBER 26TH

Fall Fetch Festival Marshbank Park, 2805 Hiller Road, West Bloomfield | 11:00 AM Bring your four-legged friends for this tail-wagging fun. Stroll through the park, shop from pet vendors, make a stuffed animal with The Friendship Factory and dress up to enter the costume contest. Don’t miss the K9 Star Productions Stunt Shows at noon and 2 p.m. Food trucks available for purchase. Event is free but pre-registration is requested at WBParks.org or (248) 451-1900. SEPTEMBER 29 TH

Carrabba’s Connections: Dad & Daughter Date Night 6:00 PM Join this special night created especially for dads and daughters. with a 3-course culinary experience crafted to delight the senses. Choose from Lasagne, Mezzaluna, Spaghetti, Chicken Marsala, Tuscan-Grilled Sirloin or, for the younger ones, Chicken Fingers. Includes soup or salad plus a dessert to share. $45 for two; $22.50 each additional guest. Call (248) 735-0400.

EVE N TS

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