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{Cincinnati’s Finest}

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Sept/Oct 2026

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K.– BACK JulieJULIE K. Back The Luxury Leader THE MARKET LEADER FOR LUXURY HOME SALES THE LUXURY LEADER

INDIAN HILL TRANSACTION LEADER

YEARS IN A ROW

PENDING

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PENDING

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PENDING

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14 YEARS

#1 AGENT SIBCY CLINE

OHIO'S #1 RESIDENTIAL SALES AGENT 9 YEARS IN A ROW

11 YEARS CINCY’S #1 AGENT

MLS Greater Cincy compilation of broker members (1/1/15–12/31/24). RAGC® Circle of Excellence 2015–25. Ohio Realtors® President’s Sales Club 2015-2025.

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{Cincinnati’s Finest}

September/October 2026

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Sept/Oct 2026

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on the cover: Creative By Nature

For 50 years, interior designer David Millett has turned an instinct for artistry into a thriving family business— and a legacy of inspired interiors.

Renuvion Brings Surgical Skin Tightening to Kuy Plastic Surgery A Decade of Betting on Downtown The Relais & Châteaux Side of French Polynesia Of Note... Carpool Cool Where the Land Speaks Bibliotaph Vintage Point Pinky Promise Saint John’s Resort Denim Ascends to Haute Couture The Excelsior Experience A Venetian Reverie Hook’em The Secrets to a Better Family Vacation Chez Renee Boutique’s Fall Style Creative by Nature Roger & Michelle Krummen Real Money, Real Choices: 30 Years of StEP

24 A Restaurant with Roots Court Street Kitchen solidifies its vision Photos by Hailey Bollinger

56 Haute Denim Ascends to Couture 12 slmag.net

Cincinnati,

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September/October 2026

56 The Relais & Châteaux Side of French Polynesia

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Sophisticated Calendar

Zoo La La!

The Cure Start Now Hyde Park Blast

St.Vincent de Paul Prescription Fore Fun Golf Outing

Shoes 4 The Shoeless Celebration Luncheon

100

Ken Anderson Alliance’s Ken & Friends Dinner

102

HER Scholarship Graduation

103

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative’s United “FORE” Youth Golf Outing

104

Adopt A Class Celebration Breakfast

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EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Matthew Millett ______________________________________________ ASSOCIATE EDITORS Bridget Cottrell CONTRIBUTORS Writers Patti Bailey Jennifer Brian Vicki Denig Matthew Millet Photographers DeShon Von Able Tony Bailey Hailey Bollinger Mark Byron Tyrone Daniels Andrew Kung Ryan Kurtz David Long Mary Strubbe Michael Wilson ADVERTISING Advertizing Inquiries contact Matthew Millett, 513.205.3300 matthew@slmag.net ______________________________________________

Are you a tastemaker? Surround Yourself with Cincinnati’s Finest Ad reservations call 513.205.3300

SOPHISTICATED LIVING MEDIA Eric Williams - CEO Bridget Cottrell - President Greg Butrum - General Counsel Jason Yann - Art Director Sophisticated Living is published bimonthly by Millett Media, LLC, and is independently owned and operated. Sophisticated Living is a registered trademark of Williams Media, Inc. All rights reserved. All images and editorial are the property of Sophisticated Living, LLC, and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission. Annual subscriptions are $60 in the U.S., $30 outside. Single copies are $5 at select fine retailers. Address all subscription inquiries to: Sophisticated Living Cincinnati, 1301 Edwards Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45208, or call 513.205.3300.

SLMAG.NET

Personal. Personal. Elevated. Elevated. Uniquely UniquelyYours. Yours.

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From the Editor-In-Chief

Milestones have a way of making us look both backward and forward—at where we started, what has changed along the way, and what might still lie ahead. In this issue, we have the opportunity to celebrate two very different Cincinnati-area businesses reaching significant anniversaries. For me, one of those is particularly personal. This year marks the 50th anniversary of David A. Millett, Inc., the interior design business my father started in 1976 with little more than a creative vision and an entrepreneurial spirit. What began at the family dining room table eventually grew into the business it is today, and having had the opportunity to work alongside my father for nearly two decades, I have seen firsthand that his enthusiasm for the next project remains every bit as strong as it was at the beginning. Our feature, Creative by Nature, looks back at that journey—and at the family, clients, friendships and creativity that have shaped it over five decades. Across the river, Hotel Covington is celebrating a milestone of its own. Ten years after opening in the former Coppin’s Department Store, the hotel has become much more than a place for visitors to stay. It has embraced the history of its buildings while becoming a gathering place for the community and playing a meaningful role in the continued evolution of downtown Covington. In A Decade of Betting on Downtown, we look at its first ten years and how that original vision continues to grow with North by Hotel Covington. What I enjoy about both stories is that neither anniversary feels like an ending. Fifty years and ten years are certainly occasions worth celebrating, but both are ultimately stories about continuing to evolve while holding onto what made each special in the first place. I hope you enjoy their stories, along with everything else we have gathered for you in this issue.

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Dr. Gina Maccarone

WRITTEN BY MATTHEW MILLETT

RENUVION BRINGS SURGICAL SKIN TIGHTENING TO KUY PLASTIC SURGERY Dr. Gina Maccarone, Board Certified Surgeon, brings fifteen years of surgery experience to Kuy Plastic Surgery, and with her comes a procedure gaining attention among aesthetic practitioners across the country: Renuvion. This advanced skin-tightening treatment represents a meaningful clinical addition to the practice's offerings, expanding what patients can accomplish through physician-directed intervention. For those seeking to address sagging skin, loss of elasticity, or the cumulative effects of weight loss, Renuvion introduces a specialized option that distinguishes itself through its precision and durability. Renuvion is a surgical treatment offered by Dr. Maccarone, utilizing a handheld plasma device to tighten and contour skin at a deeper structural level. It can be used as an adjunct to liposuction, or if no volume removal is indicated, can be performed alone. The treatment begins under local anesthesia or sedation administration, and injection of numbing fluid into targeted tissue areas. The procedure is performed through small two-millimeter incisions in multiple strategic locations around the treatment area. The sterile Renuvion handpiece is passed through these incisions, delivering controlled plasma energy to the deeper skin layers responsible for structural support and elasticity. The tissues in the treated area then contract while the

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treatment also stimulates increased collagen production in each region over the next several months. Post-procedure recovery requires compression garments for approximately two weeks to manage swelling and optimize tissue contouring. Most patients resume normal activities within a few days, though mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort should be expected during the initial healing phase. Results emerge gradually over 4 to 6 months as the body's natural collagen reorganization and new tissue development occur. Renuvion proves particularly valuable for patients who have experienced significant volume loss—those who have lost fifty pounds or less respond exceptionally well to the procedure's structural tightening effects. What distinguishes Renuvion is its physician-directed precision and depth of delivery. Unlike surface-level treatments, this procedure works at the tissue depth where structural changes have occurred, creating results that address the fundamental cause of skin laxity rather than

merely treating symptoms topically. Dr. Maccarone's ﬁfteen years of experience inform her understanding of how individual skin responds to plasma treatment, allowing customization that generic protocols cannot achieve.

Complete Comprehensive Aesthetic Support: While Renuvion addresses structural skin tightening through physician-directed intervention, The Swiss Medi-Spa oﬀers complementary treatments for broader aesthetic goals. The practice's skilled nurse practitioners perform microneedling with radiofrequency technology, creating controlled micro-injuries that trigger collagen synthesis and improve skin texture and tone. Dermal ﬁllers address volume loss in the cheeks, temples, and jawline—particularly valuable for patients contending with the hollowing that accompanies rapid weight loss. Advanced Estheticians provide custom facials, tailored to individual skin conditions, serve as both standalone treatments and

supportive care before and after more intensive procedures. For patients considering Renuvion, consultation with Dr. Maccarone clariﬁes realistic expectations and appropriate treatment timing. This is skin rejuvenation informed by clinical expertise, precise technique, and genuine patient goals.

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A Decade of Betting on Downtown Ten years after opening its doors, Hotel Covington celebrates a decade of honoring the past while helping define the future of downtown Covington. Written by Matthew Millett

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More than a century ago, a Covington businessman named John Coppin put money on a horse he had no business believing in. The horse, a longshot named Knowledge, won. Coppin took his winnings and built Kentucky’s first modern skyscraper, a department store that anchored downtown Covington for generations. When Hotel Covington opened inside that same building in 2016, the story didn’t disappear into a lobby plaque. It became the framework for everything the hotel would become, right down to the names above the door. That framework is worth understanding as Hotel Covington marks its tenth anniversary this fall, because the milestone isn’t really about ten years of occupancy. It’s about what happens when a hotel decides its job is bigger than housing guests.

The building itself does a lot of the storytelling. Completed in 1910, the former Coppin’s Department Store retained its architectural bones, including soaring ceilings and the scale of a building constructed to impress, while the hotel’s designers layered in contemporary comfort without erasing what came before. Guests notice it in details: original materials left exposed, room and venue names pulled directly from the property’s retail-era history. Coppin’s Restaurant & Bar and Knowledge Bar & Social Room aren’t marketing inventions. They’re the names of the store’s founder and the horse that made it possible. The result is a property that reads as welcoming rather than formal, sophisticated without tipping into pretension, a balance harder to strike than most boutique hotels manage. slmag.net

What distinguishes Hotel Covington from a typical historic conversion is how deliberately it built a role for itself beyond the guest room. Coppin’s Restaurant & Bar functions as the property’s social center, serving seasonal American food and cocktails in a space that treats neighborhood diners the same as hotel guests staying upstairs. The menu leans on precision over spectacle: burrata with heirloom tomato and grilled sourdough, gnocchi fonduta finished with truffle oil, a half roast chicken paired with beef fat fries and chicken jus. Cocktails like the Coppin’s Old Fashioned, built on Buffalo Trace and vanilla demerara, and Liquid Knowledge, a nod to the racehorse itself with Four Roses single barrel, reinforce the same instinct. Everything on the menu ties back to place. Down the hall, Knowledge Bar & Social Room operates on different rhythms entirely. Cocktail classes, live music, and a lounge built for lingering rather than passing through define the 26 slmag.net

space. It’s designed to pull locals in on a Wednesday night, not just fill rooms on a Saturday. That instinct, building spaces the community actually uses, extends into the hotel’s event business. Hotel Covington and its sister property now offer more than a dozen flexible venues capable of hosting up to 500 guests, everything from rehearsal dinners to corporate conferences to celebrations that have nothing to do with travel at all. Weddings happen here. So do fundraisers. The hotel’s calendar reads less like a hospitality business and more like a community events board. Ten years in, that approach could have been enough. Instead, Hotel Covington expanded. In 2023, North by Hotel Covington opened inside another piece of Covington history: the former YMCA. Rather than replicate what already worked next door, North was built as its own answer to a different question. What does an extended, residential kind of hospitality look like in this city?

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The building’s past shows up everywhere, translated rather than hidden. Design choices lean into the YMCA’s masculine, athletic character rather than softening it. Some of North’s most distinctive rooms are two-story lofted suites built into what was once the building’s gymnasium, retaining the height and light that made the space feel expansive in the first place. Presidential suites come with wraparound terraces and fireside seating. A mural from local artist David Buetsche runs through Knowledge Bar, and in the property hangs a portrait nodding to the building’s boxing history, a detail that rewards guests who go looking for it rather than announcing itself. Together, Hotel Covington and North now offer 167 rooms across two buildings that once served entirely different purposes and now share a single philosophy: preserve what made the structure matter in the first place, then build hospitality around it rather than over it. None of it happens in isolation. Hotel Covington partners regularly with local artists, nonprofits, and festivals, treating community involvement as identity rather than strategy, and the 30 slmag.net

recognition has followed: Best of Cincinnati named Hotel Covington and Coppin’s Restaurant & Bar the region’s top hotel and top hotel restaurant in 2025, while national outlets from Condé Nast Traveler to U.S. News & World Report have singled the property out over the past decade. Awards aside, the more telling measure is who keeps showing up. A hotel bar that fills with neighborhood regulars on a weeknight is doing something a typical hospitality brand rarely manages. That philosophy is the real anniversary story. Hotel Covington’s first decade wasn’t spent perfecting a formula and repeating it. It was spent proving that a boutique hotel could become genuinely loadbearing for a neighborhood, a place where a department store’s history stays legible, where a former YMCA gymnasium becomes someone’s hotel room, and where locals show up as often as travelers do. Ten years after opening, downtown Covington looks different than it did in 2016, and Hotel Covington had something to do with that. The next decade, if North is any indication, won’t look like standing still. sl

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View from the Uaina Bar at Le Bora Bora. Photo by Bridget Cottrell

THE RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX SIDE OF FRENCH POLYNESIA Pearl Resorts creates luxury anchored in tradition. Written by Bridget Cottrell Taking a deep breath before releasing my death grip on the deck ladder of my overwater bungalow at Le Tikehau (letikehau.com) and sliding into the pellucid waters of the South Pacific, I recalled resort manager Stéphane Pons’ words a few hours earlier after I’d mentioned spying a shiver of blacktip reef sharks swimming among the support posts: “Don’t worry, they’re the puppies of the sea.” Though I didn’t venture more than an arm’s length from the ladder, as a lifelong galeophobe, it was a transformative moment that capped off an extraordinary visit to three of four Pearl Resorts’ Relais & Châteaux (relaischateaux. com) properties in French Polynesia. From my Midwestern home base, it took roughly 18 hours to reach Tahiti. Air Tahiti Nui (us.airtahitinui.com) made the long journey feel surprisingly effortless, flying nonstop from Los Angeles to Papeete, Tahiti's capital. Onward travel among the 38 inhabited islands spread across French Polynesia's five archipelagos is managed by Air Tahiti, whose codeshare partnership with Air Tahiti Nui allows travelers to seamlessly book key bucket-list routes like Bora Bora and Rarotonga on a single ticket.

On the final stretch of the journey to our first stop, a 30-minute boat transfer to Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts (letahaa.com), the anticipation built with the force of a champagne cork that’s ready to pop. The resort’s 59 suites and villas are situated on a secluded coral islet off the coast of Taha'a, a fertile, flowershaped, volcanic island that produces eighty percent of the region’s vanilla and whose pristine lagoon is used to cultivate Tahitian black pearls. The heavily tattooed Tavita, Le Taha’a’s cultural ambassador, wearing a traditional lavalava (sarong) and playing a ukarere (a Tahitian version of a ukulele), and the

affable general manager, Laurent Le Seac'h, greeted us at the pier, where we were quick to note a plethora of original art and sculpture paying homage to Polynesian culture. As a 100% Polynesian-owned hotel collection, Pearl Resorts takes a deliberate and reverential approach to illuminating local culture through art, food, music, and by lightly treading on the environment. Crafting a unique sense of place and minding the minutiae is uniquely aligned with Relais & Château’s championing of exceptional fine dining, rich local heritage, and deeply personalized hospitality in unique, intimate settings across its 580 member properties. slmag.net

This page clockwise from top left: Aerial view of Le Taha’a. Photo courtesy of Pearl Resorts. Marine life milling about below the deck of the End of Pontoon Overwater Bungalow at Le Tikehau. Tavita, Le Taha’a’s cultural ambassador. Photos by Bridget Cottrell

Opposite page clockwise from top left: Overwater bungalows at Le Tikehau, located on Motu Tianoa, a private coral islet in the Tuamotu Archipelago. Entrance to the Royal Suite at Le Tikehau. Photos by Bridget Cottrell. A “Tahitian TV” in the floor of a Pilotis Premium Overwater Bungalow at Le Tikehau ensures that you are always connected to what’s going on in the water. Royal Beach Villa at Le Bora Bora. Photos courtesy of Pearl Resorts

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Le Seac’h escorted our group to a central reception and restaurant building designed to meld with the towering trees. “We want to be discreet in nature, allowing its embrace to help guests disconnect and rendezvous with Polynesian culture,” he explained. Extremely passionate about his work and the first person I’ve met who is fully adept at waxing poetic, Le Seac’h added: “If you have a sensitive soul and are a feeling hunter, you will take something with you when you leave.” That spirit extends to guest relationships, which go far beyond loyalty discounts. Longtime guests have had trees planted in their honor or initials etched into the coral garden so they can track growth with each visit. One repeat guest, Hermès’ in-house perfumer, was inspired to create Un Jardin sous la Mer, a floral-musky eau de toilette. That sense of delight is matched by Pearl Resorts’ gastronomy program, where even a simple pleasure like ice cream is elevated. “It’s not just eating, it’s poetry,” said Le Seac’h of indulging in a sweet treat made with vanilla grown on nearby Taha’a. At the fine dining Tipairua Restaurant, Le Seac’h likens the blind tasting menu to attending a couture fashion presentation. “It’s a show of artistic creation.” At the remote Le Tikehau, dining is an extension of the atoll itself—unhurried, deeply connected to the sea, and rooted in

the flavors of French Polynesia and shaped by French culinary techniques. At Le Bora Bora (leborabora.com), each meal is accompanied by sweeping views of Mount Otemanu and Bora Bora's legendary turquoise lagoon. One of several bespoke dining options, Pearl Resort’s signature breakfast service is delivered to overwater bungalows via a traditional Polynesian outrigger canoe. Accommodations at Pearl Resorts, representing an interpretation of the traditional fare, the vernacular homes that have sheltered Polynesian families for centuries, are chock-full of Polynesian motifs, tapa-inspired patterns, and handcrafted decorative elements. While the overwater bungalows with their expansive terraces and “Tahitian TVs,” glass panels in the floor at Tikehau and in the coffee table at Le Bora Bora and Le Taha’a, designed to incorporate a peek-a-boo view of the cerulean water from the inside, are rightfully the stars of the show, beach bungalows are equally luxurious with powder-sand beaches and outdoor showers. At each property, the entrance to Royal Villas, luxurious and sprawling multi-building compounds (the largest of which, at Le Bora Bora, is nearly 5,000 square feet with an ocean-front pool) are marked by a bright red Tiki sculpture, created by Tahiti-based artist HTJ, one of the island’s early graffiti pioneers.

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Opposite page clockwise from top left: A sculpture garden at Le Taha’a. Opening the towering tiki gate at Le Bora Bora leads to a lush sanctuary where walking paths meander throuhgh dense tropical vegatation dotted with sculptures. Photos by Bridget Cottrell. Dinner at Tipairua. Photo by Ilya Kagan. Te Reka Ika Restaurant at Le Tikehau features a daily-changing menu based on the day's catch. Photo courtesy of Pearl Resorts. At Le Tikehau, an amphitheatre located on a secluded pink-sand beach under the stars is designed to gather guests around local storytellers who share Polynesian legends and the ancient art of celestial navigation. Photos by Bridget Cottrell.

Water activities formed the backbone of our stay, with the simplest pleasure coming from jumping directly from our bungalow into tepid lagoons. We also snorkeled on-property coral gardens where tropical fish nibbled on coconut flesh right from our hand, and charted a boat at Le Tikehau to snorkel amid majestic manta rays, listen to the deafening calls of thousands of avians who nest at Motu Puarua, and enjoy a beach barbecue lunch where the leftover fish was fed to sharks who seemed to proliferate in the blink of an eye as soon as the first piece of flesh broke the water’s surface. As golden hour approached one evening at Le Bora Bora, we boarded the Okeanos Pearl, French Polynesia's first solar-electric luxury catamaran, and set out on a two-hour cruise to watch the day fade

into a spectacular South Pacific sunset. On dry land there are workshops on Polynesian dance, storytelling and basketweaving, and excursions to nearby islands to learn about the area’s most famous exports: vanilla, pearls and coconut. Quite simply, you could make a day out of appreciating the light. From the cotton candy clouds that glow at dawn's first light to looking up, gobsmacked, from atop the observation tower at Le Tikehau, where the brightness of the Milky Way is a timeless spectacle that has guided Polynesian navigators across these waters for centuries and is a reminder of the scale of the universe. The area’s absolute quiet turns up the volume on a hidden acoustic landscape. On one early morning, I could discern the distant creaking of a sailboat's mast as

Sunset from Le Taha'a's helicopter pad, with the island of Bora Bora in the distance. Photo by Bridget Cottrell

From the observation tower at Le Tikehau, the atoll unfolds in every direction, offering a spectacular panorama of powdery islets and turquoise lagoons by day and a vast starry sky at night. Photo courtesy of Pearl Resorts.

it bobbed to and fro. On my last evening, wanting to soak in every moment, I sat with my feet suspended just over the water, reveling in the ripple of shark fins as they deftly darted in and out of the light beneath my bungalow. While I’ve long championed another French collectivity, St. Barth, as my favorite tropical destination, French Polynesia has since stolen the crown, having all the bougee but with more bounteous beauty. At these resorts, you don’t come for the scene but rather to see and appreciate the land and a culture whose identity traces back to 200 BC, when the Mā'ohi people migrated from Southeast Asia to the South Pacific. Le Seac’h summed it up best one evening, champagne in hand, as we watched the sun fade behind the shadowy peak of Bora Bora’s Mount Otemanu. “It doesn't matter what you've done with your life, but in this moment, you pause to consider what got you here and think ‘kid, you did good’.” sl

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Of note...

Taking Care of Business Compiled by Bridget Cottrell As summer gives way to school schedules and fresh routines, these beautifully designed furnishings and accessories create inspiring spaces for productive workdays and successful study sessions.

LAGO Air 1912 Bookshelf and Desk ($16,185; lagodesign.com)

Four Hands Weston Rotating Desk ($3,099; fourhands.com)

BDI Linea multifunction storage cabinet ($2,399; bdiusa.com)

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Madheke Calen Desk (from $14,479; madheke.in) Carl Hansen and Son CH621 Swivel Chair ($3,590; carlhansen.com) Carl Hansen and Son CH110 Desk (from $26,410; carlhansen.com) Sarreid Ltd. Gabriella Shagreen Desk ($2,235; sarreid.com) Baccarat Louxor Pencil Holder ($420; baccarat.com) Taamaa Tino Charging Station ($250; taamaa.us) Aerin Charlton Table Lamp ($749; aerin.com) L’Objet Crocodile Letter Opener ($195; l-objet.com)

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 2

3 9.

Circu Merida Corner Bed, Kings & Queens Desk, Baloo Chair, Toy Box and Storage Stairs (circu.net) 10. David Michael Furniture Makassar Desk (davidmichaelfurniture.com) 11. AM Living Keen Desk and Still Chair (amliving.com) 12. Ethnicraft Boomerang Desk ($1,929), Bok Dining Chair ($959) and Roller Max Side Table ($589; ethnicraft.com)

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CARPOOL COOL Edited by Matthew Cottrell

Gone are the days when the family car was just a way to get from point A to point B. Today's luxury SUVs turn the daily drive into a first-class experience. With flexible seating, cargo space for backpacks and sports gear, and technology to keep even the pickiest passengers entertained, these vehicles make family life feel stylish. Throw in sumptuous interiors, whisper-quiet cabins, and performance that makes every errand more enjoyable, and volunteering to drive carpool doesn't sound like such a chore after all.

Aston Martin DBX S

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Aston Martin DBX S The Aston Martin DBX S elevates the marque's award-winning luxury SUV with an even sharper focus on performance, craftsmanship, and distinction. Powered by an enhanced twin-turbocharged V8 delivering increased horsepower and quicker acceleration, the DBX S pairs exhilarating speed with the poised handling expected from one of Britain's most celebrated sports car manufacturers. Lightweight materials, refined suspension tuning, and aerodynamic adjustments further sharpen its dynamic character, while the handcrafted interior surrounds occupants in supple leather, carbon-fiber accents, and bespoke detailing.

BMW iX3 The all-new BMW iX3 is the first production model built on BMW's groundbreaking Neue Klasse platform. Designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, the luxury SUV fuses sleek, minimalist styling with a thoroughly modern cabin centered around BMW's next-generation Panoramic iDrive display and intelligent digital technologies. Under its sculpted exterior, an advanced 800-volt electrical architecture delivers faster charging, greater efficiency, and significantly improved driving range, while BMW's signature focus on balanced handling and responsive performance keeps the iX3 distinctly driver-oriented.

BMW iX3

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Cadillac Escalade IQL Built on General Motors' advanced Ultium platform, the extended-wheelbase IQL offers expansive three-row seating, increased cargo capacity, and an impressively quiet ride powered by an all-electric drivetrain. Inside, a sweeping pillar-to-pillar LED display, premium materials, and an available AKG Studio Reference audio system create a first-class environment for every passenger, while Super Cruise handsfree driving technology adds a new level of convenience on long highway journeys. Land Rover Defender Vertex Positioned near the top of the Defender lineup, the new Vertex features distinctive

exterior enhancements, including redesigned bumpers, a more sculpted profile, exclusive finishes, and available 22-inch wheels, giving the iconic SUV an even more commanding presence. Inside, premium Windsor leather, sustainable textile options, state-of-the-art climate control, and the latest "Hey Land Rover" AI voice assistant boost everyday comfort while preserving the Defender's adventure-ready spirit. Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 The latest Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 blends the commanding presence of a flagship utility vehicle with the handcrafted refinement expected of the Maybach name. Powered by a 603-horsepower electrified

Cadillac Escalade IQL

Land Rover Defender Vertex

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Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680

V8, it delivers effortless performance while cocooning passengers in superb craftsmanship, from hand-finished leather upholstery and open-pore wood veneers to precisely tailored rear executive seating. Enhanced personalization through Mercedes-Maybach's MANUFAKTUR program allows owners to specify bespoke paint finishes, interior materials, and design details, making each vehicle uniquely their own. Equally at home maneuvering city streets or arriving at a private estate, the GLS 680 embodies the modern definition of luxury—where advanced technology, exceptional comfort, and understated elegance converge in one remarkably sophisticated SUV.

For When You’re Running Late: Ferrari Amalfi Replacing the acclaimed Roma, the new Ferrari Amalfi represents the next evolution of the marque's front-engine grand touring tradition. Powered by a 640-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8, the Amalfi delivers invigorating acceleration while remaining remarkably composed for everyday driving. Its sculpted exterior refines Ferrari's contemporary design language with cleaner, more muscular lines, while the completely reimagined interior places a renewed emphasis on craftsmanship, intuitive technology, and driver connection—including the welcome return of physical controls for key functions. More than simply a successor, the Amalfi is designed to reflect the spirit of la dolce vita, delivering a distinctive balance of supercar performance, long-distance comfort, and unmistakable Italian style for a whole new generation of Ferrari enthusiasts.

Porsche Cayenne Electric With the introduction of the all-electric Cayenne lineup, Porsche is proving that electrification can increase—rather than compromise—the attributes that have made its luxury SUV a global success. Spanning a range of models from refined everyday variants to high-performance S and Turbo derivatives, the Cayenne Electric family is designed to satisfy drivers desiring both utility and pulse-quickening performance. Built on an advanced 800-volt architecture, the lineup delivers rapid charging, extended driving range, and the instant acceleration only electric power can provide, while Porsche's legendary chassis tuning ensures every model retains the finesse and responsiveness synonymous with the crest on its hood. Inside, each Cayenne Electric combines premium craftsmanship with next-generation digital technology, offering spacious accommodations for families without sacrificing the driver-focused experience that defines the brand. sl

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WHERE THE LAND SPEAKS Inside Santa Barbara Wine Country Written and photographed by Jay Gulick When our small group arrived on a sunbaked hill in the sweeping Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County, rancher and winemaker James Ontiveros greeted us with a smile and a refreshing midmorning glass of his Native9 Pinot Noir. Wearing rumpled Wranglers, a gleaming, oversized belt buckle and a broad-brimmed cowboy hat, Ontiveros looked every bit the guy who attended Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo thirty years ago on a rodeo scholarship. The Ontiveros family arrived in California from Sinaloa, Mexico during the American Revolution in 1781, making James the ninth generation to farm this fertile valley. In addition to Native9, Ranchos de Ontiveros produces crisp, neutral oak chardonnays under the Rancho Viñedo label. After 30 years in the wine business, Ontiveros is certain that the vintages produced in Santa Barbara occupy a unique and distinguished place in the industry. “There is an energy and freshness in these wines, from A to Zed, that you don’t get anywhere else.” 44 slmag.net

Over three cloudless June days in Santa Barbara, I learned the only thing as vibrant and interesting as the impressive selection of California wines being produced in the region is the passionate and accomplished community of winemakers crafting them—although most of them prefer the focus remains squarely on the wine. “The wine is not about me,” insists Jessica Gasca, founder and winemaker at artisanal winery Story of Soil in Los Olivos. “It’s about the place.” In Gasca’s case, making the wine about the place centers on her conviction that the soil and favorable microclimate in which her grapes are grown allow the land to speak through the elegant, balanced grenache, pinot noir, syrah and sauvignon blanc varietals she produces in small lots sourced from carefully farmed vineyards. Unlike the renowned Napa Valley 350 miles to the north, which produces more than 9 million cases of wine annually, Santa Barbara County produces just 2 to 3 million, depending on the year. Whereas Napa is home to several large corporate owners like Duckhorn and

E.&J. Gallo, Santa Barbara is home to mostly small, independent producers like Gasca, for whom making wine is as much a calling as an occupation. “I really believe wine is more than just wine,” she told me. “Wine is art, science, geology, geography, and philosophy. It’s history but it doesn’t stop there. It’s a glimpse of the past, the present, and the future. It’s cross-cultural. Wine is a connector—connecting us to the land and connecting us as humans when we open and share a bottle.” Known as the “American Riviera” for its stunning south-facing coastline that produces year-round sunshine, its temperate Mediterranean climate, and laid-back lifestyle, Santa Barbara is the epitome of California cool, and its wine community reflects this vibe. Home to seven distinctive American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and more than 300 wineries and tasting rooms, the region benefits from a unique confluence of topographical and climatic factors. This exceptional environment facilitates the cultivation of more than 75 grape varieties, ranging from Albariño to zinfandel. As

Presqu’ile winery. Image courtesy of Pressq’ile.

Phil Carpenter, general manager of the Santa Barbara Vintners’ Association puts it when elaborating on the diversity of the area, “We’ve got like eight world-class winemaking regions in our county.” The Transverse Ranges in Santa Barbara County (Santa Ynez, San Rafael and Sierra Madre) are among the only mountains in the continental United States that run east-to-west instead of north-to-south. This east-west orientation acts as a funnel, allowing cold winds, fog, and the marine layer—a mass of cool, humid air that develops over a large body of water and acts as a container for fog— to flow freely in from the Pacific Ocean. Located 12 miles from the coast, the Santa Rita Hills AVA, with its cool breezes, warm afternoon sun and preponderance of sandy, loamy soil, is particularly hospitable to growing pinot noir and chardonnay. To the north and a little further inland than the Santa Rita Hills, the Santa Maria Valley AVA features one of the longest grapegrowing seasons in the world owing to chilly Pacific winds and fog that settle in the lowlying river valleys. This extended “hang

time” influences the sugar-acid balance of the grapes and helps produce complex pinot noir, chardonnay, cool-climate syrahs, and cabernet sauvignons. Ontiveros explained the interdependent importance of timing and taste to our group by saying, “I want to make wines from physiologically mature fruit, before it gets sugar ripe.” There’s an oft repeated saying in Santa Barbara that for each mile you travel east, away from the ocean, the temperature rises one degree Fahrenheit. Happy Canyon (a nickname earned during Prohibition owing to several remote and joy-inspiring moonshine operations in the area) is the furthest AVA inland and, as a result, the warmest, making it an exceptional place to grow bold Bordeaux varietals like cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc. All the winemakers I met in Santa Barbara, regardless of their place in the enormous 3,800-square-mile county, exp ressed a deeply res pectfu l and symbiotic relationship with the land. None more so than Chad Melville, with whom we met at his family’s eponymous winery in the town of Lompoc. The origin story of Melville Winery begins with Chad’s father, Ron. Following a career in the military, Ron fell in love with wine in the late 1960s, attended viticulture classes at the University of

California, Davis, and bought a vineyard. Melville Winery, under Ron and Chad’s leadership, has been in its current location since 1996 and features 130 acres of organically grown grapes. After touring the vineyard, we sampled a sublime array of Melville’s Santa Rita Hills pinot noir, syrah and chardonnay. During the tasting, Chad told us a story, which quickly took on the quality of a parable. One day, during a bad storm, the Santa Ynez River breached its banks and flooded a large section of the vineyard. Chad was rushing around frantically, trying to stem the rushing water and protect the vines. Ron said to him, “What are you doing?” Chad responded, “Trying to save this fucking place. What are you doing?” “No, you have to let it go,” said Ron. “You have to let it run its course. Then we come in and rebuild.” This exchange between father and son illustrated the greatest lesson Chad told us he had learned in 30 years in the wine business: giving up some measure of control over the process in order to work in harmony with the natural world. “Our business plan, the foundation of everything we do, is tied to Mother Nature. So we need to be able to look her in the eye.”

The author (front right) with winemakers and journalists at Bell’s Bistro in Los Alamos.

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Clockwise from top left: Angela Osborne from A Tribute to Grace Wine Co. Rancher and winemaker James Ontiveros of Native9 Pinot Noir. Winemaker Chad Melville of Melville Winery. Jessica Gasca, founder and winemaker at artisanal winery Story of Soil in Los Olivos.

If Bacchus, the ancient Roman god of wine, were looking for a worthy place to hang his ivy crown in 2026, he wouldn’t find a more enchanting or visually striking venue than Presqu’ile Winery in the Santa Maria Valley. Situated high on a hill, with extensive views of the vineyard and ocean in the distance, the modern facility features an energy-saving, gravity-flow design, a butterfly roofline, and an indoor-outdoor orientation that integrates it into the natural landscape. Over a colorful Mezze lunch of gazpacho, stuffed piquillo peppers, salad, chorizo skewers, paella rice, and fresh farmer’s cheese, we sampled aligoté, chardonnay, and gamay varietals and chatted with Presqu’ile’s founding winemaker, Dieter Cronje, and its co-founder and owner, Madison Murphy. Murphy explained that Presqu’ile is a French word for “almost an island” or “peninsula” and was originally a name 46 slmag.net

bestowed on a beloved piece of property the family had owned on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since the 1950s. Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Louisiana compound in 2005, but the family took the name as inspiration for the winery, which they started on the site of a former Gladiola farm in 2007. Presqu’ile has since been named “One of the ten most beautiful wineries in California” by Condè Nast Traveler. We gathered on our last evening around a meal of sea urchin, wild Gulf shrimp with apricots, steak au poivre, and a sinfully rich dark chocolate mousse with toasted rosemary, at the French-inspired, Michelin-starred bistro Bell’s in Los Alamos. Our dinner companions were winemakers Will Henry from Lumen Wines and Angela Osborne from A Tribute to Grace Wine Company, as well as A.J. Fairbanks, estate director at Crown Point Vineyards in Santa Ynez. While the server poured Osborne’s 2023 Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard

Grenache, someone across the table asked her how she described this particular wine (the way it was asked made me think the questioner already knew the answer and just wanted the rest of the table to hear it). Osborne answered in her melodious New Zealand accent, “It’s like a woman riding bareback without shoes on, carrying an incense stick.” It was difficult for me to imagine one of the corporate types up in Napa casually dropping that description on one of their $200-a-bottle Cabernets. When I later spoke to Osborne about the challenging conditions in which the Highlands Grenache is grown, her enthusiasm for the site in the Cayuma Valley was clear. “It’s incredible. The vineyard is a mile high. There’s tumbleweed and coyotes and a shock of green. And there’s a 50-degree daily diurnal shift.” The diurnal shift is the temperature differential between the hottest part of the day and the coldest part of the night, and it is highly prized by those seeking to make bold, complex red wines like Grace’s Grenache. Osborne and Gasca, in particular, made a point of talking about the camaraderie and character of the winemaking community in Santa Barbara. In fact, everyone I met on my visit spoke warmly of their colleagues (and ostensible competitors) and stressed what a supportive place it was to work and live. It seemed the years they had collectively spent at the mercy of Mother Nature had engendered a common sense of humility as well as a deep-seated pride of place. The winemakers of Santa Barbara County are a cheerfully irreverent bunch who venerate the sea, sun, and soil that govern the annual fruit of their labors. This fosters an exceptional spirit of community—one that is even greater than the sum of the impressive, delicious wines they each produce. sl

Bibliotaph

Compiled by Victoria Chase Opens the door to twelve extraordinary residences tucked within the American Riviera’s most coveted neighborhoods. From grand estates and meticulously restored historic homes to contemporary retreats and secluded mountain sanctuaries, the beautifully photographed volume showcases the region’s distinctive architectural character and sophisticated interiors. Featuring insights from the architects, interior designers, landscape designers, and builders behind each project, along with behind-the-scenes stories from photographer Margie Grace Lepere, the book offers a rare look at the creative collaborations that shape these exceptional homes. A stunning companion to Private Gardens of Santa Barbara, it is an inspiring celebration of timeless design, craftsmanship, and the effortless elegance of Santa Barbara living. Holly Lepere - Private Homes of Santa Barbara: The Visionaries & Creators - Hardcover, 256 pages, Gibbs Smith This book uncorks the timeless lessons of the vineyard, showing how the art of winemaking mirrors the journey of personal growth, resilience, and transformation. Blending her passion for wine with candid stories of reinventing herself in midlife, Lauren Brynjelsen explores how every stage of the winemaking process— from cultivating the soil to harvesting the grapes—offers wisdom for living with greater purpose and intention. Complete with curated wine recommendations and vineyard destinations in every chapter, this inspiring guide is a perfect companion for wine lovers, book clubs, and anyone looking to embrace change and savor a more meaningful life. Lauren Brynjelsen - I Learned It Through The Grapevine: Wine, Wisdom, and the Art of a WellLived Life - Hardcover, 224 pages, Resolve Editions.

This richly illustrated biography follows Robert Lee Eskridge's extraordinary journey from the studios of Paris to the shores of Tahiti, Hawai'i, Brazil, and beyond, where he chronicled disappearing cultures through luminous paintings, evocative writing, and fearless exploration. Featuring hundreds of rare images, artworks, and archival discoveries, the book celebrates an artist whose curiosity knew no borders and whose legacy offers a captivating window into a world on the cusp of change. C.J. Cook - Robert Lee Eskridge: Affable Artist, Author, and Adventurer in Tahiti, Hawaii, Brazil, and Beyond Hardcover, 344 pages, South Pacific Dreams Publishing Paul Gauguin’s years in Tahiti (1891–1893, 1895–1901) left an indelible mark on modern art, while his bold, luminous paintings conjured the enduring fantasy of Tahiti as a distant, unspoiled Eden in the Western mind. This lavishly illustrated book invites readers into Gauguin’s world, following his passionate quest for paradise through vivid journeys, artistic breakthroughs, and a life as colorful as his canvases. With celebrated works, thoughtful analysis, timelines, and rich historical background, the volume paints a layered portrait of the artist whose imagination forever changed both modern art and the world’s vision of the South Pacific. Caroline Bugler - Art Masters: Paul Gauguin - Hardcover, 96 pages, Sirius Books slmag.net

VINTAGE POINT Five wines to fall for

Written and photographed by Vicki Denig

Hi there, Sophisticated Living! My name is Vicki Denig, and I’m a wine and travel journalist (and Certified Specialist of Wine) based between New York and Paris. Within each issue, you’ll find five recent wine discoveries that have left me craving more—and if you also have a passion for delicious wines from around the globe, I think they’ll have the same effect on you, too! Feel free to follow along with my travel and tasting journeys on Instagram at @vickidenig or at vickidenig.com. Without further ado, check out this month’s five bottle selections.

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Filipa Pato ‘3B’ Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs NV (Bairrada, Portugal — SRP: $28.00) I genuinely believe there’s never a bad time for bubbles, especially if you happen to be on vacation. Over the summer, my family and I headed to Portugal for a family wedding. As someone who always tries to drink locally while abroad, I was thrilled to find this budget-friendly bottle from Filipa Pato on a restaurant list in Cascais. Produced from a biodynamically farmed blend of local grape varieties (70% Bical, 23% Maria Gomes, and 7% Cercial), the wine undergoes primary fermentation with native yeasts in tank prior to aging for 9 months on the lees in bottle. Crisp, refreshing, and slightly creamy, the wine’s notes of green apple, citrus zest, wild thyme, and sea salt paired perfectly with our bowls of linguine with fresh mussels. Punta Crena Vigneto Ca’ da Rena Pigato 2024 (Liguria, Italy — SRP: $30.00) If you find yourself regularly dreaming of Liguria’s colorful coastline, you’re definitely not alone—and this bottle from Punta Crena offers the perfect mental escape. Crafted from the local Pigato variety, fruit for this wine hails from a 2-hectare parcel of terraced vineyards planted between 300 and 900 feet above sea level, where bright red clay soils and salty sea air create a solid backbone of acidity in the grapes. Although lesser known, the Pigato variety is absolutely worth seeking out. Beloved for its signature flavors of grapefruit, dried sage, and Mediterranean scrub-like undertones, the grape offers a savory, equally satisfying alternative to Pinot Grigio and other Italian varieties. I recently enjoyed it with baked clams at my go-to Italian restaurant in New York. Give it a whirl and let me know what you think! Evening Land Vineyards 'Seven Springs Vineyard' Chenin Blanc 2023 (Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA — SRP: $35.00) Although most famously associated with France’s Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc can certainly shine outside of France; enter this zippy, fruit-forward expression from Evening Land Vineyards. Fruit for this wine comes from Seven Springs Vineyard, one of the most iconic—if not the most iconic—sites in all of Oregon. Fleshy and round, the wine’s fuller body is balanced by ample amounts of lip-smacking acidity, resulting in a satisfying, invigorating finish. Notes of crisp pear, yellow apple, beeswax, and chamomile are layered with honey-driven undertones, which bring an innate warmth to the palate—one that screams early fall. Pair this with roasted root vegetables or pork chops for a seasonally delicious pairing. Fun fact: Only 48 cases of this wine were made, though it looks like you can still snag a few directly from the winery’s website. Le Grappin Hautes-Côtes de Beaune ‘Aux Grandes Raies’ 2023 (Burgundy, France — SRP: $45.00) Le Grappin is making waves across Burgundy thanks to their vivacious, fruit-forward wines made with minimal intervention. Overseen by Emma and Andrew Nielsen, two expats from England and Australia respectively, the pair centers their efforts on well-farmed, lesser-known vineyards across the region, including sites in the Mâconnais and Hautes-Côtes de Beaune. ‘Aux Grandes Raies’ is made entirely from Pinot Noir fermented with partial whole clusters and native yeasts, then aged in used, large-format oak barrels before bottling without fining or filtration. The result is a juicy, vibrantly hued wine with high-toned flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and floral undertones. Drink this one slightly chilled for maximum enjoyment—even better if you’ve got an early fall bonfire on deck. Luigi Ferrando ‘Etichetta Bianca’ Carema 2021 (Piedmont, Italy — SRP: $90.00) Followers of this column know that Nebbiolo is a regular fixture in my glass, so this recommendation should come as no surprise. However, contrary to the majority of Piedmontese Nebbiolos that come from Italy’s Langhe area (the overarching region that encompasses both Barolo and Barbaresco), this high-toned, wildly aromatic wine comes from the little-known appellation of Carema, which sits almost directly on the border with the Valle d’Aosta. Fruit for this wine comes from southernfacing, pergola-trained vines planted at the foot of Mont Blanc and is aged for an extensive 30 to 36 months before bottling. Medium-bodied and delicate, the wine offers generous notes of red cherry, violet, dried rose petal, and a touch of tar, with firm tannins and bright acidity leading to a long, persistent finish. Only 4,800 bottles of this precious wine make it to the States annually, so if you see one, be sure to grab it! sl

Vicki Denig is a wine / travel journalist based between New York and Paris. Her work regularly appears in various industry publications, including Decanter, Food & Wine, and WineSearcher. In addition to journalism, Vicki also works with a handful of wine-focused clients, including Paris Wine Company, High Road Wine & Spirits, and more. When not writing, she enjoys running, indoor cycling classes, petting dogs, and popping bottles on her rooftop with friends.

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pinky

Promise

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Small in scale but big on personality, these statement-making pinky rings pledge to deliver outsized style

Compiled by Bridget Cottrell

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Dating back more than 4,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, signet rings were used to press a unique seal into wax or clay to authenticate official documents. They went on to be adopted by the Greeks and Romans and later by European nobility, who used them to express hereditary emblems often passed down through generations. Today, signet rings continue to evolve as a bold expression of personal style.

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1. Michael M Orb Stripe Signet Ring. Available through Richter & Phillips Jewelers in Cincinnati, Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Genesis Diamonds in Nashville, and michaelm.com 2. Ashaha Candy Ring (ashaha.com) 3. Alder Fine Jewellery Initial Ring (alderfinejewellery.com) 4. Lagos Pearl Statement Ring. Available through Richter & Phillips Jewelers in Cincinnati, Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Schiffman’s Jewelers in Lexington, Diamond Cellar in Nashville and lagos.com. 5. Chris Ploof (chrisploof.com) 6. Marco Bicego Siviglia Ring. Available through Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Schiffman’s Jewelers in Lexington, Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Diamond Cellar in Nashville, and Clarkson Jewelers and Simons Jewelers in St. Louis and marcobicego.com. 7. State Property Alara Tigerlilly Signet (thisisstateproperty.com) 8. Miraki Pavé Heart Signet Ring (mirakijewels.com) 9. Picchiotti RK57 Xpandable Ring (Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Clarkson Jewelers in St. Louis and (picchiotti.it)) 10. Ray Griffiths Crownwork Coin Signet (raygriffiths.com) 11. Statement My Way Ring (statement.paris/en) 12. Seal & Scribe Seal Ring (sealandscribe.com) 13. Nicole Couronne Equinox Ring (nicolecouronne.com) 14. MACADAM Quadra Open Enamel Ring (macadamjewelry.com)15. Ophelia Eve Starburst Ring (opheliaevejewelry.com)

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SAINT JOHN’S RESORT An unexpected partnership of a luxury hotel and life-changing humanitarianism Written by Tracy Cottrell. Photos courtesy of Saint John’s Resort One of my many pleasures when planning a trip is the delightful anticipation and preparation for all aspects of my getaway. Most travelers start by exploring the chosen accommodations and amenities, recommended or planned activities, unexpected options, and overall ambiance. Sophisticated adventurers are also looking for hospitable gourmet dining options, memorable cuisine accompanied by 52 slmag.net

unique cocktails, all supported by the epitome of excellent service. Preparations for my trip to Saint John’s Resort allowed me to easily check off all the above, enhancing my anticipation and growing curiosity about this unusual resort with the storied history and present-day humanitarian ambitions. The gated entrance and the resort’s internal roadway usher guests in,

showcasing the gently rolling hills and immaculately manicured grounds. I was immediately struck by the sheer size of Saint John’s Resort campus. Originally built as a seminary in the late 1940’s, the resort features a low-rise Romanesque style with a vibrant red brick facade and Mission-style terra cotta tile roofing. It is not a tall building, but broad, claiming the landscape and highlighting the

contrasting red brick against the vibrant green of the manicured grounds. The historic elegance of the resort and the 200-acre campus welcome guests with open arms, offering the best of the past and all the amenities of the present. My itinerary included enticing activities, but first on my own list was exploration of this unique resort. I was curious to understand how the resort

achieved its humanitarian ambitions. The answer is multifaceted. Ensuring e xc e l l e n c e i n a l l a s p e c t s o f g u e s t experience has been central to the success of Saint John’s Resort. Beyond the robust assortment of amenities, guest satisfaction starts with the resort itself and is achieved by operational focus and excellence. Equally important is successful, happy staff. These are not unique strategies in the hospitality industry. However, directing all net profits to worldwide humanitarian initiatives is exceptional. Saint John’s Resort is owned by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation and is par t of its Humanitarian Hotels collection, which also includes The Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island, Michigan, and Hilton Garden Inn Laramie in Wyoming. Through this philanthropic hospitality model, 100% of the hotels’ net profits support charitable causes worldwide. The foundation has invested more than $100 million across the three properties to create luxury hotels where hospitality serves as a force for good. In 2025, it awarded $10.1 million in grants to 221

nonprofit organizations serving nearly 10 million people across 33 countries. Ever yone connected with this outstanding hotel is delighted and eager to share their firm commitment to making the world a better place. The depth of their success across a range of humanitarian efforts is matched by their commitment to every aspect of the guest experience. This is just the beginning of the many qualities that make Saint John’s Resort truly unique. As I continued to investigate the dignified edifice of Saint John’s, I walked through the lushly carpeted corridors and open spaces; the intimacy of each area was unexpected and luxurious. The omnipresence of an eclectic collection of original artwork on permanent display contributes to the resort's pervasive beauty and reflective ambiance. There is no fanfare about any of the artists, allowing the artwork to speak for itself. Perusal of the collection could last for days but is perhaps more enjoyable in brief visits as guests travel from one part of the resort to the other. My attention was caught by multiple pieces, and I succumbed to the urge to stop and enjoy each one. slmag.net

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Clockwise from top left: Doyles Irish Pub. A carefully curated art collection is a focal point of the property’s massive, multimillion-dollar renovation. The Wine Grotto

Excellent gourmet options are around every corner. Five Steakhouse is directly across from reception and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu is sophisticated and the food superb. I particularly enjoyed the Good Morning Smoothies and the Mediterranean Seared Halibut. Doyles offers traditional Irish Pub food and leads enthusiastic games that turn guests into competitive teams, laser-

focused on the win. The Wine Grotto is famous for its wines, of course, but equally renowned for having been the resting place of a deceased Cardinal (religious, not aviary) during the seminary days. The body has since been relocated with all appropriate permissions, but the story makes for excellent cocktail fodder! The undeniable stars of the resort’s campus are the award-winning golf

courses, designed by renowned architect Raymond Hearn. I had the opportunity for a golf lesson while at Saint John’s and will admit I was not enthusiastic. My past attempts to develop any golf skills had been lackluster. The opportunity to try again at Saint John’s won me over. My lesson was a revelation, and I finally understood how enjoyable golf could be. My transformation was attributable solely to my excellent, supportive instructor. I enjoyed the experience immensely. On a tour led by a member of the hotel’s executive staff, details about Saint John’s history, renovations, and operations were shared with great enthusiasm, equaled by a clear dedication to the nonprofit mission. After experiencing the multifaceted Saint John’s Resort and the staff's profound dedication to the mission, the continued success of this unique resort seems inevitable. sl slmag.net

DENIM ASCENDS TO HAUTE COUTURE

Christelle Kocher and Levi's® prove that America's iconic fabric belongs on Paris' most exclusive runway. Edited by Elliott Greene / Photos by Kayla Connors For more than 170 years, Levi's® has defined the language of American style. From miners and movie stars to musicians and modern tastemakers, the brand's denim has become one of fashion's most recognizable cultural symbols. This July, however, the legendary label took an unprecedented step, making its debut during Paris Haute Couture Week through a striking collaboration with French designer Christelle Kocher. The Christelle Kocher for Levi's® capsule marks a compelling intersection of two seemingly disparate worlds: the rugged authenticity of American denim and the meticulous artistry of French haute couture. The 10-look collection demonstrates that the world's most democratic fabric can also become one of its most luxurious. Kocher, celebrated for her signature Couture-à-Porter philosophy and her role as Artistic Director of Maison Lemarié— one of France's storied couture ateliers—approached the project not as a reinvention of denim, but as an exploration of its untapped potential. Working alongside Levi's® designers and textile innovators, she transformed familiar icons, including the legendary 501® jeans and the classic Type II Jacket, into coutureworthy statements through extraordinary handcraftsmanship. The collection is a masterclass in textile manipulation. Featherwork, hand embroidery, sculptural draping, intricate plissé techniques, floral fabric constructions, leather embroidery, lace applications, and resin-coated denim combine to create garments that blur the line between ready-to-wear and wearable art. Rather than concealing denim's inherent character, these techniques celebrate its texture while revealing new dimensions of softness, movement, and refinement. Among the collection's standout pieces are dramatic black denim gowns that flow with unexpected elegance, sculptural feather capes that create ethereal movement, and layered plissé bustiers resembling abstract floral arrangements. One particularly arresting

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ensemble—a full feather gown paired with a coordinating cape—combines denim, lace, resin, and featherwork into shimmering surfaces reminiscent of fish scales, illustrating just how far the humble textile can be pushed without losing its identity. Accessories continue the narrative, with the Levi's® Baby Brooklyn Bag reimagined as a couture accessory and dramatic feather headpieces adding theatricality to the collection's silhouettes. Together, they reinforce Kocher's vision that craftsmanship extends beyond garments to every element of a complete look. For Kocher, the collaboration is deeply personal. "It was a privilege to bring these two teams together and see this collection come to life," she says. "This capsule reflects my life between the United States and France, two countries that fuel my creative energy." That transatlantic dialogue lies at the heart of the project. American denim serves as the foundation, while generations of French artisanal expertise elevate the material through painstaking handwork. The result is neither American sportswear nor traditional couture, but an entirely new conversation between the two.

Levi's® sees the partnership as a milestone in the brand's ongoing evolution. "Bringing Levi's to Paris Haute Couture for the first time is a major moment for us," says Mathilde Vaucheret, Vice President of Europe Marketing & Brand Experience. "With over a century of history behind the brand, partnering with Christelle Kocher felt like a natural fit. She brings a distinctly Parisian perspective with a modern edge that complements our denim heritage. Her Couture-à-Porter vision is the perfect way to elevate the craftsmanship of denim." Presented during Haute Couture Week, the capsule represents far more than a fashion collaboration. It challenges long-held assumptions about denim's place within luxury fashion, proving that craftsmanship—not material alone—defines couture. The collection also signals Levi's® expanding role beyond everyday apparel, positioning the brand within the worlds of performance, red carpet dressing, and cultural expression. At a moment when luxury i n c re a s i n g l y va l u e s a u t h e n t i c i t y alongside artistry, Christelle Kocher and Levi's® have created a collection that honors both. By allowing American denim to speak fluently i n t h e l a n g u a g e o f Pa r i s i a n couture, they demonstrate that innovation often comes not from abandoning tradition, but from viewing it through an entirely new lens. sl Designer Christelle Kocher

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Opposite page: Hotel Excelsior boasts 139 rooms and 19 luxury suites divided between Villa Odak, the original sand-colored villa, and a mid-century modern tower. Adriatic Luxury Hotels’ five-star properties design modern, seasonal menus that feature dedicated vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes across their fine-dining and beachfront restaurants. Vegan dessert from Sensus at Hotel Excelsior. Bathed in golden light, Dubrovnik’s historic rooftops frame the elegant bell tower of the Dominican Monastery, with the formidable walls of Fort Revelin rising above the Adriatic—a timeless portrait of the city’s layered architectural legacy. Photo by Marko Todorovic. This page, bottom: Starting at sunrise, a steady procession of kayakers glides out from the Old Town port, weaving their way between Hotel Excelsior and Lokrum Island.

THE EXCELSIOR EXPERIENCE

At Dubrovnik’s iconic Hotel Excelsior, restorative rituals, Adriatic flavors, and timeless design redefine the luxury of checking in. Written by Bridget Cottrell

In all my years of traveling, it never occurred to me to book a spa appointment on the day of my arrival when it falls well before standard check-in time. That was until it was recommended to me during my visit to Hotel Excelsior in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Although I was still bleary-eyed from an early morning touchdown, stepping into the glass-walled lobby, outfitted with iconic midcentury modern furnishings, and taking in the elevated view of the Adriatic and the Old Town of Dubrovnik had the same effect on me as a double shot of espresso. I left my luggage with the valet and headed straight to the hotel’s 9,000-squarefoot spa and wellness area. There, I slipped into a plush robe and settled into a heated deck chair amid this piscine palace, complete with a 65-foot-long pool, Jacuzzis, a Roman bath, and a Finnish sauna. The soothing sound of bubbling fountains shepherded my speedy slide into a restful catnap before a delightfully restorative massage, instantly establishing a new favorite travel hack for eradicating jet lag and getting in sync with the local time zone. Built in 1913 on a promontory that endows it with beguiling views of the medieval walls surrounding Dubrovnik’s Old Town—instantly recognizable to Game of Thrones fans as King’s Landing—the five-star Hotel Excelsior, part of the Adriatic Luxury Hotels group (ALH), boasts 139 rooms and 19 luxury suites divided between Villa Odak, the original sand-colored villa, and a midcentury modern tower. Rooms in Villa Odak deftly toe the line between traditional and modern, with box-trimmed walls and marble bathrooms, while the tower rooms, like the public areas, embrace Bauhaus design with clean lines, warm wood tones, and a neutral color palette. Most accommodations offer sea and city views from a balcony or terrace. slmag.net

Any time I stood on the balcony of my spacious tower room, I found myself transfixed by the scene. Below, a linear arrangement of striped umbrellas at the water’s edge sported a shade of teal discernible among the mosaic colors of the Adriatic. Children splashed in the hotel’s natural seawater outdoor rock pool, carved directly into the limestone cliff and replenished by the sea. Starting at sunrise, a steady stream of kayakers set out from the Old Town port at sunrise and travel between the hotel and Lokrum Island (lokrum.hr/en). The lush, carfree nature reserve and botanical garden is home to the ruins of an 11th-century monastery, an ostentation of roaming peacocks, and an official naturist beach on its southeastern edge. Every summer, all-electric hydrofoil RaceBirds go headto-head along this same stretch of water as part of the E1 Dubrovnik GP (e1series. com/Dubrovnik), the world’s first allelectric raceboat championship. Just steps from the water, Prora Restaurant occupies an intimate alfresco terrace, where tables are nestled beneath towering limestone arches that frame the view. Overhead, unique chandeliers made from r uste d mariners’ cha ins allude to a menu highlighting the best of Mediterranean cuisine, with seafoodfor ward offering s created under the direction of Executive Chef Peter Obad, a native of nearby Konavle. Common across ALH’s collection of Croatian hotels and villas is a strong

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commitment to showcasing local cuisine, olive oil—consistently ranked among the best in the world—and wine. Oenophiles will enjoy discovering new varietals, including the comic-sounding Grk, an extremely rare indigenous white grape that yields dry, robust wines with notes of melon, herbs, and white pepper. During dinner at Hotel Excelsior’s sleek Sensus fine-dining restaurant, I paired Dalmatian pašticada, Croatia’s famous slow-cooked beef stew, with a glass of Plavac Mali, the undisputed king of Dalmatian red wines. At Hotel Kompas’ Suton restaurant (adriaticluxuryhotels. com/hotel-kompa s- dubrovnik), we shared small plates of Dalmatian spe cialties while our ser ver poure d Malvazija Istarska, the flagship white grape of the Istrian peninsula. “It’s like tasting Dubrovnik,” she remarked. One of Hotel Excelsior’s greatest advantages is its location: a five-minute downhill stroll to the Ploče Gate of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Anyone who has spent time traveling through Europe

is familiar with the prevalence of graffiti. Dubrovnik, by contrast, is notable for being exceptionally clean—so much so that exploring the Old Town, whose origins date to the seventh century and whose defensive walls were largely constructed between the 13th and 17th centuries, feels like stepping onto a film set. In addition to Game of Thrones, Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) and Robin Hood (2018) used the historic city as a backdrop. Sadly, the city’s pristine appearance is partly attributable to tragedy. The brutal seven-month siege by the Yugoslav People’s Army in 1991 left more than 60 percent of the buildings within the UNESCO World Heritage Site damaged. To get a bird’s-eye view of the area, you can either take the easy way—the Dubrovnik Cable Car (dubrovnikcablecar.com), located just outside the Old Town, makes for a quick ascent to the summit of Mount Srđ and its 19th-century imperial fortress—or, as I did, hike a zigzagging 3.4-mile out-and-back trail. While the route gains nearly 1,000 feet in elevation, the most challenging part was the

Opposite page: The beachfront at Hotel Excelsior. The indoor pool at Hotel Excelsior. Photos by Bridget Cottrell. Clockwise from top left: The Piano Bar at Hotel Excelsior. Photo by Marko Todorovic. Common across the Adriatic Luxury Hotel porfolio is a commitment to highlighting Croatian cuisine and wine. With more than 5,400 stone steps, stairs are ubiquitous in Dubrovnik, and any street branching off the main thoroughfare quickly turns into a steep climb. Known as Dubrovnik’s "oldest citizens", stray cats are legendary residents within the ancient walls. Brought in the 13th century to combat plague-carrying rats, they now roam the alleys and sunbathe on stone steps as iconic, unbothered felines. Photos by Bridget Cottrell.

seemingly endless series of stairs required to exit Old Town and reach the trailhead. With more than 5,400 stone steps, stairs are ubiquitous in Dubrovnik, and any street branching off the main thoroughfare quickly turns into a steep climb. Similarly, walking the entire 1.2mile loop atop the Old Town’s walls (citywallsdubrovnik.hr) entails plenty of steep, narrow steps but rewards the effort with picturesque vistas and several bars worthy of a pit stop. Don’t miss popping into a bakery for a burek, a flaky pastry made with crisp layers of phyllo dough

stuffed with savory fillings such as minced meat, cheese, or potatoes. For those who count shopping as their cardio, leave the central boulevard and wander through the narrow lanes to discover boutiques offering handmade filigree jewelry, hand-braided Adriatic coral jewelr y, and intricate Konavle embroider y. The latter, traditionally stitched onto women’s folk costumes, is celebrated in the nearby village of Čilipi, which hosts a traditional folk-dance experience every Sunday morning from Easter through the end of October in the

square in front of St. Nicholas Church (visit.cavtat-konavle.com/en). While Dubrovnik’s coastal location made it the premier maritime power of the eastern Adriatic for centuries, today it provides leisure travelers with ample opportunities for aquatic exploration. The concierge at Hotel Excelsior can arrange a yacht charter to explore the nearby Elafiti Islands, where you can bob in the Blue Cave on Koločep Island, relax in the sandy bay of Lopud, and enjoy a seafood lunch on Šipan, one of just three inhabited islands in the 13-island archipelago. slmag.net

Clockwise from top left: Each room at Hotel Supetar Cavtat is unique in its design. Photo by Marko Todorovic The Wine Bar at Hotel Supetar Cavtat. Photo by Bridget Cottrell. Supetar Cavtat is located on the waterfront in the charming village of Cavtat, just over 13 miles from Dubrovnik. Photo by Marko Todorovic. Vapor Restaurant terrace at Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik. Photo by Marko Todorovic

You can also travel by boat to Hotel Supetar Cavtat (adriaticluxuryhotels.com/ hotel-supetar-dubrovnik-cavtat), ALH’s 16-room “boutique villa,” housed in a threestory former private mansion 13 miles from Dubrovnik in the charming seaside town of Cavtat. The nondescript stone façade, built atop the remnants of the ancient city of Epidaurum, belies the playful, art-infused interiors, where each room is unique. The property was awarded one MICHELIN Key in 2025. Scuba divers should note that the surrounding waters are home to one of Croatia’s most notable underwater archaeolog ical areas, with numerous shipwrecks to explore. Another ALH property, the fourbedroom Villa Agave (adriaticluxuryhotels. com/villa-agave), is situated between Hotel Excelsior and Villas Orsula and Argentina. The 96-room Villa Argentina (adriaticluxuryhotels.com/villa-argentinadubrovnik), one of Dubrovnik’s original f i ve - sta r l a n d ma rk h o te l s , re c entl y reopened after a multiyear renovation. Around 14,000 plants, predominantly Mediterranean species, create a verdant oasis on the Garden Terrace, uniting the communal spaces from Villa Argentina’s pool deck to the boutique 13-room Villa Orsula (adriaticluxuryhotels.com/villaorsula), originally built in the 1930s. Like its neighbor Hotel Excelsior, Villa Argentina’s spa is designed as a wellness sanctuar y, with indoor and outdoor pools, comprehensive thermal therapies, a 62 slmag.net

state-of-the-art fitness center, and highly personalized treatments. Dramatically carved into a rugged 100-foot cliff above Miramare Bay, less than a mile from the Old Town, ALH’s Hotel Bellevue (adriaticluxuryhotels.com/hotelbellevue-dubrovnik) is home to Vapor restaurant, consistently ranked among the best restaurants in Croatia. The terrace, which overlooks a pebbled beach, lends the feeling of dining aboard a luxury yacht, while the tasting menu, under the direction of Chef Mate Matić, layers fine-dining techniques and global influences onto classic regional ingredients and dishes.

One evening , I gazed out from my balcony as the Old Town basked in the golden glow of sunset, the limestone walls glowing with the energy of centuries past. My thoughts wandered to the medieval builders, imagining their astonishment at the sight of mega yachts moored like modern-day invaders outside the ramparts the y once built to defend. Now, the drawbridges are lowered, and the imposing gates are beacons of welcome, inviting a lively tide of tourists, each one irresistibly drawn like bees to honey. Staying at Hotel Excelsior made this visit to the “Pearl of the Adriatic” even sweeter. sl

A VENETIAN REVERIE Artemest brings Italian craftsmanship to life during Homo Faber in Città 2026 Edited by Elliott Greene Photos courtesy of Artemest

Few cities embody craf tsmanship as completely as Venice. Its canals, palazzi, and handblown Murano glass all reflect a culture where artistry has long been a way of life. This September, that legacy finds a striking new expression with Ca' Riflesso, Artemest's immersive installation transforming a historic Venetian residence into an exquisitely imagined collector's home as part of Homo Faber in Città 2026 (homofaber.com/en), the internationally acclaimed celebration of contemporary craftsmanship organized by the Michelangelo Foundation. Ca' Riflesso embraces this year's emphasis on light, materials, and the human hand. Visitors exploring Venice during the month-long festival will discover exhibitions and artisan experiences throughout the city, with Artemest's installation among the most immersive destinations. Under the creative direction of Artemest co-founder Ippolita Rostagno, the installation inside Casa Sanlorenzo in Venice's Dorsoduro district embraces the quiet poetry of everyday living. Rather than presenting objects in the familiar format of a gallery exhibition, Artemest invites visitors into an experience that feels intimate and deeply personal. The

exhibition unfolds room by room, where crafted furnishings, lighting, decorative objects, textiles, and works of art appear as though they have been thoughtfully acquired over a lifetime. The effect of this living narrative is cinematic, allowing guests to imagine inhabiting these extraordinary design vignettes. The exhibition’s name reflects the spirit of the project. Derived from the Venetian word Ca', meaning "home," and the Italian Riflesso, meaning "reflection," Ca' Riflesso explores the dialogue between memory and modernity, craftsmanship and innovation. In each room of the restored late-1940s residence, reimagined by architect Piero Lissoni, Venice's ever-changing light illuminates handcrafted surfaces, reinforcing the central theme that exceptional craftsmanship is meant to be lived with rather than merely admired. More than fifty Italian artisans and celebrated brands are contributors to the installation, representing disciplines ranging from Murano glass and sculptural lighting to bespoke furniture, ceramics, textiles, and decorative arts. Together, their body of work forms a layered portrait of Venice's creative heritage while showing how traditional techniques continue to evolve through

Clockwise from top left: Contemporary glass artisan Simone Crestani of Atelier Crestani. Micheluzzi Glass is designed by Elena & Margherita Micheluzzi and handcrafted in Murano. Founded in 1957 near Venice, Argenteria Schiavon produces works where classic motifs and modern designs are created by master silversmiths using age-old artistic techniques. Photo by Andrea Piovesan.

contemporary design. Historic Rubelli fabrics, long synonymous with Venetian luxury textiles, provide the exhibition's drapery. Open to the public from September 1–30, 2026, Ca' Riflesso promises to be one of the standout design experiences of Venice's cultural calendar, offering visitors an opportunity to step inside a world where the artistry of Italy is beautifully lived. sl slmag.net

Hook

Bold curves, natural beauty, and sculptural style converge in jewelry that's impossible to resist.

Compiled by Bridget Cottrell 1. 2.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Carolina Bucci Florentine Finish Corno Pendant (carolinabucci.com) David Yurman Cornicello Amulet. Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers and Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Schiffman’s Jewelers in Lexington, Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Diamond Cellar in Nashville, Clarkson Jewelers in St. Louis, and davidyurman.com. Hermes Maillon Necklace in Metal and Horn (hermes.com) Jacquie Aiche Pave Horn Tusk Charm (jacquieaiche.com) Zadeh Buffalo Horn Rio Bracelet (zadehny.com) Chan Luu Oasis Horn Ring (chanluu.com) Lizzie Fortunato Milano Horn Necklace (lizziefortunato.com) Harwell Godfrey Unicorn Drop Huggie Earrings (harwellgodfrey.com)

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CONTACT YOUR PROVIDENT TRAVEL ADVISOR CALL 513-247-1100 OR VISIT PROVIDENTTRAVEL.COM

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THE SECRETS TO A BETTER FAMILY VACATION Whether it’s your immediate family or the whole multigenerational crew, a family trip goes smoother when planned by a travel advisor.

Written by Erin Gifford Last year, Yonit Lax traveled with extended family to a tiny Caribbean island. Including grandparents, Lax and her husband, siblings, spouses and children, there were 12 of them booked into a boutique hotel she admits they never would have discovered on their own. Getting there required flights, boat transfers between islands and a trip through customs, but every detail had been arranged by Provident Travel advisor Michelle Ellis. Everything went to plan, and the trip became one of Lax’s most memorable family vacations. Lax has worked with Ellis since her youngest child was born; now her children are ages 8 and 6. Some vacations include only the immediate family, while others bring together relatives from both sides. “[Ellis] understands the types of hotels we enjoyed, and the ones we didn’t like as much,” says Lax. “Now she can say, ‘I reallythink you would like this place.’ We’ve taken trips to destinations we wouldn’t have even thought about.”

Family vacations like Lax’s rarely come together effortlessly. The magical moments may be what families remember, but creating them can involve airfare alerts, spreadsheets, dozens of open browser tabs and competing ideas about what makes a great trip and what will work for everyone. With guidebooks, reviews, social media, travel forums, blogs and AIgenerated itineraries all offering possibilities, families are not short on options. The harder task is figuring out which trips will work in real life and which are worthy of a family’s limited vacation time. A resort may be beautiful but a twohour drive from the airport. A popular excursion may begin long before sunrise. A room that looks spacious online may not comfortably sleep a family of five. Those details matter when someone is hungry, uncomfortable or exhausted, but they’re not always readily apparent to a nonprofessional. slmag.net

When a travel advisor meets with a client, they begin with questions and listen closely. Ellis recalls one pair of clients, grandparents who were planning a multigenerational trip. The initial conversations revealed important clues about their grandchildren. “They would tell me things like ‘this grandkid gets carsick’ or ‘this grandkid is a super picky eater,” she says. “It’s important to talk about all those layers involved with a trip.” Provident Travel advisor Janet McLaughlin makes it a practice to ask what matters most to each traveler. “That way, I can take one or two things from each person’s wish list and make that happen so everybody’s happy,” she said. The goal is to make sure everyone feels considered and to create a trip that suits the family as a whole. Sometimes a family may already have a destination in mind, but an advisor may recognize that it is not quite the right match. 68 slmag.net

When Lax, who had previously visited Joshua Tree and Palm Springs, considered returning with her children, she looked to Ellis. “She did some research for us, and given the ages of the kids, she felt like there was a better location for us,” Lax recalls. The new location turned out to be Tucson, Arizona, where a mix of onsite family activities, a kids’ club and nearby hiking offered a better fit for her extended family, including four children ages 4 to 12.

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An advisor also considers details travelers may not think about: Is the hotel truly familyfriendly or does it simply have a pool? Will three hotels in one week be too much for the group? Does the family prefer to have a full day of activities or plenty of unstructured time to relax? One surefire way to make a multigenerational vacation miserable is to go in with the expectation that everyone will do everything together. “With big groups, a cruise might be the way to go,” says McLaughlin. “There’s something for everyone. You don’t have to pack and unpack, which some people don’t like doing, especially when they’re also packing their children’s suitcases.” Cruises offer activities, dining and amenities for different ages without hotel changes or complicated transportation. Resorts with several restaurants and a slate

of onsite programming can provide similar flexibility for families. Even a carefully planned vacation can unravel. Flights are delayed. Bad weather hits. Lax recalls one trip that required a lastminute pivot after a resort in Jamaica closed following a hurricane. “We had already found the perfect hotel. We had our flights,” she says. “I didn’t want to deal with having to change everything. [Ellis] was able to find us a place, get our money back and rebook our flights. She basically dealt with everything. We didn’t feel any of the stress.” It’s during these times that the value of using a travel advisor becomes most clear. “Having that peace of mind and knowing that you have that support, it makes travel less stressful than when you’re doing iton your own,” says Lax. “It really allows you to just relax on the trip.” sl slmag.net

Fall fashion takes shape with rich color, layered textures and relaxed silhouettes that make getting dressed for the season feel both effortless and distinctive. At Chez Renee Boutique, vests and denim emerge as key layering pieces, bringing versatility to everything from casual separates to more artful, statement-making looks. Animal prints and plaids are also having a major moment this fall, adding pattern and personality to the season’s wardrobe. Earthy shades of forest green, camel, chocolate and black create a sophisticated autumn palette, while unexpected proportions and textural combinations give familiar fall favorites a fresh point of view. The featured looks capture that balance beautifully—from rich green tonal dressing finished with a lightweight puffer layer to warm camel separates paired in an easy, relaxed silhouette. Together, they reflect a fall wardrobe that is comfortable, expressive and designed for layering — hallmarks of Chez Renee’s individual approach to style.

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CREATIVE BY For 50 years, interior designer David Millett has turned an instinct for artistry into a thriving family business—and a legacy of inspired interiors. Written by Bridget Cottrell

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NATURE For interior designer and entrepreneur David Millett, an innate urge to create is as vital as breathing. For the past five decades, he has inhaled inspiration from day-to-day moments, both marvelous and

mundane, and exhaled a steady stream of pulchritudinous projects that have graced homes, businesses and the pages of this magazine throughout Greater Cincinnati and beyond.

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A native of Massachusetts, David made his way to Cincinnati after graduating from art school, taking a design job at the nowdefunct United States Shoe Corporation. With a diverse portfolio encompassing everything from furniture to fashion, he interviewed for creative positions across multiple industries, noting that a common thread among them was the desire for someone with a “creative mind”—something he says he possesses in spades. After a few years, he moved back East to work in the leather industry before returning to the Queen City to contribute his talents to high-end interior design firms. A difference of opinion with his boss over salary ultimately prompted him to hang out his own shingle. He borrowed the $350 it cost to incorporate the business and leaned on a car-dealer friend for a short-term lease on a station wagon he used to haul samples. By this time, David and Martha had been married for five years, following an on-again, off-again courtship that, while in retrospect always seeming meant to be, took several years to get the timing just right. Then, as now, Martha was his biggest fan and champion, recalling how, in the early days of David A. Millett Inc, their dining room did double duty as David’s office and conference room. “It became so crowded with UPS deliveries that we moved the operation to an upstairs bedroom, where a door placed on top of two filing cabinets became his desk,” she recalled. In those early years, Martha and David agree they never second-guessed David’s entrepreneurial spirit, even if their two sons occasionally did. Martha recalls one evening when their youngest, 78 slmag.net

Matthew, inquired why they didn’t have family dinner at a set time each night. “I simply said that we aren’t like other families,” she recalled, adding that the business has always been treated as if it were another member of the family. As the years went by, David’s client base continued to grow, and they opened their first showroom on East Kemper Rd. in Symmes Township, firmly establishing the firm as a hybrid interior design studio and furniture dealership. “It’s always been important to me that our clients have firsthand experience with pieces we are proposing, and the showroom does that while often expediting installation, as we can pull directly from the floor rather than experience extended wait times such as those during COVID,” he explained. Martha playfully adds that the showroom has always fulfilled another need: “David loves to shop and enjoys the hunt.” She recalls quickly realizing they’d have no trouble filling the vignettes in their current 48,000-square-foot showroom on Dana Avenue when they consolidated their Oakley location and Blue Ash warehouse. David’s long-standing ties to contemporary interiors stem from a mid-1970s article in The Enquirer highlighting his first project in that realm, which, as we wrote in a 2017 article, led to “a reputation as the ‘go-to guy’ for those whose tastes lie outside the traditional.” While his personal tastes lean more toward heritage style, befitting his copious collection of antiques, marble statuary and cut glass, he is equally accommodating of a host of styles, so long as, he is fond of saying, “they are good and balanced.”

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Among the thousands of projects he’s completed over the years, David cites a 22,000-square-foot Indian Hill home as one of his most memorable, not only because of its scale but also because the client trusted him enough to give him carte blanche. He recalled traveling by private plane with the client, a longtime friend, to high-end antiques dealer M.S. Rau in New Orleans, which remained open late just for them. By the time the shopping spree was over, they nearly had to climb over furniture placed in the aisles to reach their seats for the return trip. Martha is quick to point out an early Junior League showhouse in which David showcased both his prowess as a painter—creating a custom piece of art—and his DIY skills, refinishing a vintage dining room set to realize his vision for the space. The Milletts are proud not only of the fact that they built the business from scratch, but also that many of their closest friends started out as clients. Among them is one of David’s earliest clients, with whom he recently met to discuss a new home she’s building. David and Martha’s son Matthew joined the family firm in 2009, right after graduating from college. David, who has always viewed the business side as necessary but a distraction from his creative endeavors, remains enormously grateful for Matthew’s expertise in stepping into that role. “He has learned the business through osmosis,” said David, highlighting his son’s in-depth knowledge of products and ability to interpret what clients are asking for. While initially focused on the

business side, Matthew’s design workload has steadily increased, with father and son now collaborating on most projects. “He’s like a sponge when we do a site visit,” Matthew said of his father, adding, “He is more of an artist and is just able to visualize things on another level.” Matthew remarked that while his father has a reputation for working on high-end projects, clients are often “stunned” by the pricing in their showroom. “While we can certainly sell you a $20,000 sectional, we are more price-conscious than a lot of other designers because of our stocking-dealer status with major furniture companies.” In celebration of the firm’s 50th anniversary, they are planning a rare showroom sale. When asked how he has kept the creative spark alive for 50 years, David said it isn’t that difficult because creating is simply part of his DNA. “Each time a new project comes along, I am reinvigorated; there’s pleasure in the process,” he explained. After five decades, thousands of rooms and a family business that has grown from a dining-room table to a 48,000-square-foot showroom, David shows little interest in slowing down. With Martha still his steadfast champion and Matthew helping carry the firm into its next generation, the business they built from scratch is as much a testament to family as it is to good design. And for David, there will always be another room to reimagine, another object to hunt down and another idea waiting to take shape. After all, when creativity comes as naturally as breathing, there’s always inspiration to inhale—and something beautiful to exhale. sl slmag.net

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Zoo La La! More than 2,500 people and over 50 restaurants and community partners gathered at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden for their wildest party for a purpose, Zoo La La! Zoo La La, presented by Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., supports the Zoo’s education efforts, including programs like Zoo Troop, Zoo Field Trips, ZooTeens and Zoo Camps. The event, hosted by the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Ambassador Council, raised over $630,000 for the Zoo’s Education Programs! sl 1.

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Jeff Sperry, Lilly Maynard & Reba Dysart

Ashley Thompson, Dave Jenike & Marcus Thompson

Beecher & Margan Eberhard, Elaine Choker, Michael Garcia, Joe Varchetto, Natalie & Zack Dech

JJ & Brittany Walker, Ryan Ramsey, Ryan Johnson, Shane Johnson, Erin & Nick Haskamp, Sam & Kevin Gade

Laura Benson & Tiffany Heck

Robyn Coleman & Will Leet

Jake & Jessica Donelan with Kristen & Kris Kellinghaus

Kristen Odenbach, Aryn Colvin & Danielle Daveson

10. Elsie Urdanapa, Bill Burkingham, Emm and Lex McDonalds

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312 Walnut Street, Suite 1610 • Cincinnati, OH 45202 • 513.421.7300 • www.barbarajhoward.com

P L E A S E J O I N U S F O R C A N C E R F A M I LY C A R E ’ S 4 7 T H A N N U A L

Wine Tasting & Auction Eat Drink Give Repeat

W E A R E O N T H I S J O U R N E Y TO G E T H E R .

Saturday, November 7, 2026 • 6:00 -10:00 p.m. Manor House • 7440 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040

ROGER & MICHELLE KRUMMEN

A true example of how the head, and the heart, come together to conquer anything. Roger and Michelle Krummen are a true example of how the head, and the heart, come together to conquer anything. In 2018, Michelle, a healthy 55-yearold executive, wife, and mother of two, was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after joining the board of Cancer Family Care (CFC), a Cincinnati nonprofit that provides counseling and other support services for cancer patients and their families. “Jill was one of my first calls,” Michelle said, referring to Jill Settlemyre, Executive Director of CFC. “Jill and the Cancer Family Care team offered both kindness and expertise, a true source of strength and reassurance during a very uncertain time.” She then called her husband, Roger, who had been by her side since a routine mammogram revealed a suspicious lump. Michelle and Jill often laugh now about the fact that Michelle called Jill with the official diagnosis before she called Roger. As a principal researcher at P&G, Roger is analytical, driven by facts and data. Michelle, on the other hand, had a career in talent management and human resources. Hearing the words “You have cancer” brought a wave of emotion that Michelle knew she needed to work through before tackling the science and medicine side of the disease. Although Michelle’s cancer was Stage 1, it was aggressive. Together, she and Roger prepared for a year of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hair loss, and countless challenges. Supported by a positive outlook and a strong network, they faced the journey head-on.

Michelle took full advantage of the services CFC had to offer, including the free Wig Program. She knew what was coming and decided not to fight the inevitable. Surrounded by friends, family, and of course Michelle’s hairstylist, she and Roger hosted a head shaving party! “I thought I was going to be a ‘bald is beautiful’ kind of gal and use hats and scarfs as needed, but decided I better look into wigs just in case,” Michelle shared. Shortly after her party, Michelle scheduled an appointment at CFC to peruse the wide array of wigs, hats, and scarves. “Jill helped me find the right kind of wig and joined in the fun. No color or style was off-limits.” Michelle also explored Healing Touch and therapeutic massage through CFC’s Waddell Family Healing Hands Program to help her recover from surgery and handle the stress of what’s to come. Healing Touch and therapeutic massage help cancer patients regain a sense of physical and emotional well-being, which can help soothe and uplift the body and mind. Roger always noticed a positive difference for Michelle after her sessions. “Cancer Family Care believes in treating the whole person. Our counselors specialize in addressing the unique challenges faced by cancer patients and their families, including the importance of feeling like yourself whether it’s by finding a wig that suits your style or self-care program that meets your needs,” Settlemyre explains. “True to our mission, we always ensure cost is never a barrier to quality care.” Throughout treatment, Roger was a constant source of support. Michelle

also credits her broader community for helping her through. “It’s important to lean on your village,” she said. “Your medical team, your chemo buddies, your meal train, your family, and even your 65-pound ‘lap dog’ all play a role.” As her treatment ended, Michelle reflected in her journal: “With my health on the upswing, I am ready to begin my next chapter in life. I did what I set out to do: conquer cancer and embrace what comes next.” She also came away with a lasting lesson: “You never know what is behind someone’s smile. I think this is a powerful statement because some of us tend to smile to the outside world when deep inside we would rather not. We tell ourselves that pain and suffering are meant to be avoided, not embraced for what they are.” sl Cancer Family Care is proud to honor Roger and Michelle Krummen at the CFC Wine Tasting, Dinner & Auction on November 7 at the Manor House. Visit www.cancerfamilycare.org for more information.

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The Cure Start Now Hyde Park Blast The 2026 Hyde Park Blast had it all…. Runners, walkers, cyclists, kids, families, neighbors, local shops, mascots, music, cheering, and a full-on block party with live music from Max Geers and DV8. Hundreds of participants enjoyed the kids and adult runs in the morning while the bikers took over the afternoon racing around the legendary Hyde Park Square. One of the best summer traditions ended the day with its legendary block party with food trucks, vendors and live music. The Hyde Park Blast benefits The #1 Childrens Cancer Foundation in the Tri-State – The Cure Starts Now. The event has funded over $625,000 since its inception leading to more kids cancer research. sl 1.

Bike Racing on the Square

Molly from TCSN and Nick from 96 Rock

Women’s Top 3 Finishers

Block Party on the Square

Mr. Red at the Finish Line

LJ showing off his aware medal

Mascots Show up for Hyde Park Blast

Special thanks to Toyota and Blast Vehicle

Start of the kids race

10. Sponsor Fleet Feet

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Cincinnati’s Premier European Destination Bold | Modern | Urban

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REAL MONEY, REAL CHOICES: 30Celebrating YEARS OF STEP three decades of the Susan Sargen Student Enterprise Program

Picture a nine-year-old standing in front of a table piled with school supplies, stuffed animals, and other toys. In her hand: a red workbook with a careful tally of her earnings for good behavior, classroom achievement, and attendance. The decision she must now make: spend it, save it, or give it away, is one most of us don’t make confidently until much later. Multiply that moment by thousands of students across dozens of Greater Cincinnati K-8 schools, and you understand why the Susan Sargen Student Enterprise Program (StEP) has become a standout at UC’s Alpaugh Family Economics Center, and why, as the Center marks its 50th anniversary this year, StEP’s 30th deserves a celebration, too. StEP didn’t start as the year-long journey it is today. Three decades ago, it centered on a single, electric day: Market Madness. Classrooms became businesses. Students dreamed up products, set prices, built marketing plans, then descended on Fifth Third Arena at UC to sell their goods, shop from classmates, and get their first look at a college campus. It remains a highlight of StEP today. But over the years, StEP has grown into something much bigger: a program that lives inside classrooms all year long. Students earn StEP bucks for good behavior, academics, and attendance, tracking their balances with help from their teachers. Several times a year, our team travels to their schools and sets up a full StEP store with a small army of volunteers: tables loaded with school supplies, toys, gift cards, and more. Kids walk through and decide how to use what they’ve earned; the same choices present in every household budget, made real for kids for the first time. The “donate” component is a favorite part of StEP. Each school selects a cause that matters to its students, and kids can send some, or all, of their earnings to it. At year’s end, the StEP team converts those bucks into dollars and makes the donation in the school’s name; for many children, their first experience giving something of their own to help someone else. That lesson isn’t lost on the volunteers who watch it unfold, table by table. “The StEP students are so generous!” said one longtime volunteer. “I never would have saved as much money as they do and certainly would have never donated as much as they do. I’ve had countless experiences where a student donated for such a great reason that it restored my faith in humanity.” StEP teaches the fundamentals: spending, saving, and budgeting, but its deepest lesson is the discipline of weighing options and making a considered choice rather than an impulsive one. Some students save all year for something special; others use their December store visit to buy gifts for a sibling or a parent. None of this happens without the volunteers who staff our checkout tables year after year — professionals who chat with students and guide them through their first financial decisions. We’re deeply grateful to our 2026–2027 partners: Bartlett Wealth Management, Clark Schaefer Hackett, Danis, Dean Dorton, Deer Park High, Deloitte, Dinsmore, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Fidelity Investments, Fifth Third Bank, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Foster & Motley, FBT Gibbons, Home City Ice, Johnson Investment Counsel, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, LOTH, Inc., Merus, Messer, 1919 Investment Counsel, North Side Bank, RSM, Springmyer PTA, Truepoint Wealth Counsel, Truist, and UDF. Their presence at the table turns those StEP decisions into lasting lessons. sl

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St. Vincent de Paul Prescription Fore Fun Golf Outing St. Vincent de Paul - Cincinnati (SVDP) is grateful to everyone who came out to swing their clubs on the course at Western Hills Country Club for this year’s Prescription Fore Fun Golf Outing. Proceeds benefit the SVDP Charitable Pharmacy, which helps neighbors access compassionate care and the life-saving medications they need. The event raised over $150,000, which translates into over $1,350,000 in essential medications. Thank you to presenting sponsors, Protective and PhRMA. sl 1.

Chad Wehrman, Deborah Ault, Jim Earl & Pam Rincones

Chris Forg & Matt Budke

Justin Rhoe, Amber Wells, Joey Miller & Luke Ireton

Gazing at the green

Michelle Jones, Jane Liesch, Kaytlynd Lainhart & Heather Paparella

John Lame, Mark Exler, Scott Clark & David Hammerstrom

All focus on the putt

Putting for prizes

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Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s 2026 Rockin’ at Riverfest! Your support made this one of the tri-state’s largest fundraising events.

THANK YOU TO OUR CO-CHAIRS

Tammy & Lars Andersson Nicole & Melvyn Heard Jill & Rick Warman

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

HATTON FOUNDATION

WEALTH

M & M FAMILY FUND

Schroeder Family Foundation The Barrett & Rebecca Albrecht Family GE Aerospace Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) US Bank

Bahl & Gaynor USI Champlin Studios Gorilla Glue United Healthcare Encore Talent Chemed Foundation

HEIDT FAMILY FOUNDATION THE OLIVER FAMILY FOUNDATION KMK Law Sharon J. & Graham Mitchell Betty & Bill Tonne Williams Family Foundation Rex & Anne Wetherill Tammy & Lars Andersson Delta Dental

bestpoint.org 513.272.2800

Perkinson Legal The Russert Family Tim Kerdolff Nicole & Melvyn Heard Ellie & Jeff Ouellette Kroger Prescription Plans LOTH

Shoes 4 The Shoeless Celebration Luncheon Shoes 4 The Shoeless (S4TS) celebrated its expansion into Cincinnati at the Reds Youth Academy, where they thanked the people, corporations, and organizations who have supported their mission to provide new, properly fitting shoes and socks to children in need. During the event, S4TS recognized these award winners for their commitment to seeing our mission realized: C12 (Reliable Electric, Millennium Metals Inc, & M&S Flooring Inc), The Farmer Family Foundation, The Ohio Department of Youth Services, The Valley Church, The Oaks Church, Deer Park High School, Aiken High School, Robert A. Taft High School. sl 1.

John Forde, Kris Horlacher, Egide Bahati, Candide Agonize & Giselle Kasera

Michelle Bennett & Robin Josefcyk

Cyric Martin & Chuck Breen

Shari Collins & Mark McDaniel

Willy Hanlon & Kris Horlacher

Students from Deer Park High School

Kristi Chapman, Bryan Kamp & Tim Ghysels

Hannah Reisen & Tanya Smith

Chuck Smith, Hannah Reisen & Shalena Forde

10. Erik Stephens, Lauren Grace, Lauren Stone & Willy Hanton 11. Myla Perry, Emily Morgan, Keileigh Bennett & Madison Adapt

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ook Your Holiday Gathering Today!

Jockey Bar/Derby Room - Cocktail Hour/Light fare - Up to 90 occupants

Steve Cauthen Room - Dinner - Up to 8 occupants

Owner’s Box o - Dinner - Up to 10 occupants

Derby Room - Cocktails/Light fare/Dinner - Up to 100 occupants

Ken Anderson Alliance’s Ken & Friends Dinner Pre s e n t e d b y TQ L , K e n A n d e r s o n Alliance’s 2026 Ken & Friends dinner raised nearly $240,000 to empower adults with disabilities to thrive in the Greater Cincinnati community. Over 250 guests supported Ken Anderson, CEO Patrick Ober and emcee Lindsay Stone as they honored Thrive Award winners and shared the great impact KAA has made on the disability community. The evening culminated with Dave Lapham and Dan Hoard moderating a Bengals 2026 outlook panel that included Zac Taylor, Dan Pitcher and rookies Brian Parker and Jack Endries. sl 1.

Karen Troup, Kem Scheper, Alyson & Steve Ober, Dave Troup & Jerre Scheper

Dan Pitcher, Ken Anderson & Zac Taylor

Mathew & Kayla Quitter

Billy & Val Thomason with Renee & John Williams

Terry Tomlinson, Peter and Kassey Hiltz & Val Tomlinson

Carne Brooks, Anthony Brooks, Jimmy Folger, Dave Folger, Trish Foster, Mark & Sandy Thomas

Skip Markley, Terry Tomlinson & Tony Schweier

Patrick Ober & Zac Taylor

Tom & Karen Griffin

10. Peter Hiltz with Carey & Zac Kuznar 11. Tony Schweier, Christy Anderson, Ken Anderson & Dan Pitcher 12. Mike & Vick Klien with Kathy & Chris Collier

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HER Scholarship Graduation On June 17, families, friends, volunteers, staff and community leaders gathered to celebrate more than 21 women at the first annual Cincinnati Scholar House Graduation. Cincinnati Scholar Ho u s e , t h e e d u c a t i o n a l b r a n c h o f HER Cincinnati, provides affordable housing and support for single parents pursuing college degrees, helping them build stable futures for themselves and their children. The ceremony featured a mayoral proclamation declaring June 17 as Cincinnati Scholar House Day, a keynote address from Cincinnati State President Dr. Monica J. Posey, and recognition of both dedicated volunteers and graduates with commemorative honors. The evening concluded with graduates celebrating alongside their children, underscoring the program’s mission of breaking cycles of poverty two generations at a time. sl 1.

Beth Schwartz, President and CEO of HER Cincinnati, and Mayor Aftab Pureval posing with the Mayoral Proclamation

Rainie Moody (left) Managing Director of Educational Services and Viann Barnett, Managing Director of Recovery Services at HER Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Scholar House Graduates and Families after the ceremony

Dr. Monica J. Posey giving her keynote address to the graduates

Rainie Moody and Felicia Sullivan, Director of Family Support Services, present one of the CSH graduates with her cord.

An image of the exterior of the Cincinnati Scholar House

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Cincinnati Youth Collaborative’s United “FORE” Youth Golf Outing

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative’s annual United “FORE” Youth Golf Outing at Vineyard Golf Course was a tremendous success, bringing together supporters, students, mentors, and community partners for a day of connection and impact. The event kicked off with a special student golf clinic, honored long-time board member and mentor Jesse Turner as the inaugural recipient of the “FORE” Youth Award, and celebrated Aiyanna Phillips as our 2026 Outstanding Student. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, golfers, volunteers, and donors, we raised more than $63,000 to support mentorship, college and career readiness, and life-changing opportunities for the young people we serve. sl 1.

Mentor Kiersten Hagenbarth & Mentee London Issac

Mentor William Lathon & Mentee Nehamiah Freeman

Tom Marth & Jesse Turner

Keith Cron, Tom Marth, Jim Gulick

The Foxx Construction golf trio

Ashleigh DuBois, Josh Jackson & Logan Russell)

Outstanding student Aiyanna Phillips with CEO Amy Thompson

Half of the event winning foursome, Anthony Munoz & Jon Sanchez

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Adopt A Class Celebration Breakfast Adopt A Class welcomed more than 600 mentors, educators, and community partners representing over 80 organizations to its annual Celebration Breakfast, presented by Citi. The event recognized 100+ outstanding partners whose dedication to mentoring, career-connected learning, and consistent support has made a lasting impact on students across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The morning also celebrated another successful school year, highlighting the collective efforts of volunteers, educators, and business partners who continue to help students discover new possibilities through mentorship. sl 1.

Amazon Air Mentors

Cincinnati Parks receives the Best Civil Service Team Award

Cincinnati Public Schools Early Childhood Education, Best New Team Finalist

Findlay Market mentors celebrate another year of impact

Givaudan mentor team members

Greater Cincinnati Water Works mentor team with Best Team Lead Finalist Vicky Minnich

Jancoa Janitorial Services, Best New Overall Partner

AAC CEO Sonya Fultz with Deborah Houser, Middletown City Schools, and Middletown Police representatives

AAC CEO Sonya Fultz kicking off the annual Celebration Breakfast by sharing the power of mentorship and impact

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Celebrating 50 Years of

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