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Sept/Oct 2026

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3946 Napanee Road 4 bd | 2.5 ba | 3,086 sf | $800,000 Mary Nancy Chatel, 502.457.4884

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7642 Deer Meadow Drive

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7701 Woodbridge Hill Lane

3 bd | 3.5 ba | 3,880 sf | $3,995,000 Kitty Cogan Pfeiffer, 502.419.9052

7 bd | 7 ba | 2 ba | 14,709 sf | 2+ acres | $2,895,000 Claire Alagia, 502.592.3459

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1274 Markwell Lane

5 bd | 6 f ba | 2 h ba | 11,262 sf | 1+ acre | $2,700,000 Dee Amber Anderson, 502.608.4434

3 bd | 2.5 ba | 4,786 sf | 56 acres | $2,399,900 Laura Rice & Associates, 502.595.8450

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5215 Eastwind Road

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{Louisville’s Finest}

Sept/Oct 2026

slmag.net

Sept/Oct 2026

five dollars

82 A Cut Above on the cover:

Image courtesy of Hotel Bourré Bonne

18 20 28 33 38 40 44 47 48 50 52 56 58 63 64 66 72 76 80 82 87 88 89 90 92 96 97

56 Haute Denim Ascends to Couture 8

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Sophisticated Stars Nurtured by Nature Sophisticated Wedding: Lucy & Barron Hoffman 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 Art of Details Sophisticated Wedding: Lilly & Sam Weining Turning Healthy Habits into a Lifestyle Fine-Tuning a Symphony of Excellence A Cut Above Sophisticated Society Calendar Afrobeats in the Garden Virgil Christian Tribute Polo Match Silver Jubilee Cheers to 20 Years Red Tulip Gala USA Cares We Salute You Gala VIPS Gala A Taste of Independents Tuxes & Tails Last Call: LouAnn Atlas

EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Bridget Cottrell ______________________________________________ ASSOCIATE EDITOR EMERITUS Kay Matton ART DIRECTOR Jason Yann CONTRIBUTORS Writers Matthew Cottrell Tracy Cottrell Vicki Denig Elliott Greene Claire Williams Photographers Tony Bailey Chad Henle Daniel Roberts Ashley Stinson ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE 502.582.6563 ______________________________________________ CEO/PUBLISHER Eric Williams

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Sophisticated Living is published by Sophisticated Living, LLC, P.O. BOX 1229, Prospect, Kentucky 40059 USA. All Rights Reserved. Sophisticated Living is published six times a year. All images and editorial are the property of Sophisticated Living, LLC and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. Annual subscription fees are $25.00; please add $5 for subscriptions outside the US. Single copies may be purchased for $5 at select fine retail outlets. Address all subscription inquiries to: Sophisticated Living, PO Box 1229, Prospect, KY 40059. To order back issues or reprints of 100 or more, call 502.582.6563.

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From the Editor-In-Chief

Enjoying a tequila shot toast from Nelson at Alchemy Restaurant shortly after getting married in 2024.

“The Minivan Mafia” was going to be the name of the book I used to joke about writing based on the decade I spent living in the suburbs. While there were certainly good times and nice people, there was also a fair share of nastiness, nosiness, and oneupmanship that pushed me closer to where I started in Louisville when I relocated here from Northern Kentucky thirty years ago. Back then, before the area was fully built out as it is today, we frequently ventured into the city for lunch or dinner, and one of our favorite spots was August Moon. It was there that I first met the affable Sebastian Moh. As regulars, we had the good fortune of getting to know one another beyond standard restaurant pleasantries. I learned of his great interest and skill as a potter—a talent with roots stretching back to his childhood in Malaysia—and one of his whimsically delicate creations currently holds pride of place on a bookshelf in my office. A true multihyphenate, Sebastian’s gifts extend well beyond the pottery wheel to both the kitchen and the camera, with the latter documenting his prowess in the former. When I first heard he was opening a restaurant in my neighborhood, I was absolutely over the moon for him and have loved watching Serai come to life on Frankfort Avenue. Since it’s on the route of my morning walk with my dog, I frequently encounter Sebastian, and we’ll chat for a few minutes while he tends the pollinator garden he planted in front of Serai. Even under the best circumstances, opening a restaurant is not for the faint of heart. Despite the countless unexpected “surprises” that have accompanied the renovation, Sebastian’s enthusiasm and unwavering optimism are truly inspiring. While Serai wasn’t open in time for this issue’s deadline, we look forward to sharing more of his story in a future issue. I have no doubt it will quickly become one of our favorite neighborhood haunts. In an interesting twist, one of my husband’s and my go-to dinner spots is Alchemy Restaurant in Norton Commons, just a stone’s throw from my former suburban abode. The restaurant initially popped up on my radar via Instagram through a series of reels in which owner Nelson Michelangeli greeted viewers with an exuberant “Hello, family!” before showing off a mouthwatering picanha. Sitting at the bar on our inaugural visit, I told Nelson what had brought us in, which led to us starring in our own “Hello, family!” video with him. In the ensuing years, we’ve enjoyed getting to know Nelson and Nahyla, who relocated to Louisville from Venezuela in 2016. Now, when my husband suggests going to Alchemy, he doesn’t even need to mention it by name. Instead, he asks, “How about dinner tonight with our Venezuelan friends?” Those amigos also include Rachel, who, in addition to making a mean skinny spicy margarita, has inspired us with her story and work ethic. Those friendships are a reminder of what can happen when we take the time—and a genuine interest—to move beyond polite chit-chat and get to know the people in our neighborhood. Restaurants may draw us in with great food, but for us, it’s the people behind them who keep us coming back—and who quietly become part of the fabric of our lives.

Bridget Cottrell, Editor-In-Chief

bridget@slmag.net @SOPHISTICATED_BRIDGET 14 slmag.net

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At Mariner, the people behind the people make all the difference. That’s why our advisors have access to even more advisors for a wealth of support for their clients – for tax strategy, insurance, estate planning and more. All working together to solve your complex wealth management challenges and everyday needs. Access our team at mariner.com Louisville: 502-233-1970 | New Albany: 812-542-1018 | Lexington: 859-205-6154 Mariner is the marketing name for the financial services businesses of Mariner Wealth Advisors, LLC and its subsidiaries. Investment advisory services are provided through the brands Mariner Wealth, Mariner Independent, Mariner Institutional, Mariner Ultra, and Mariner Workplace, each of which is a business name of the registered investment advisory entities of Mariner. For additional information about each of the registered investment advisory entities of Mariner, including fees and services, please contact Mariner or refer to each entity’s Form ADV Part 2A, which is available on the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

NURTURED BY NATURE Written by Bridget Cottrell / Photos by Andy Llanes Bultó

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A century-old Louisville home honors its historic architecture and Olmsted influence while embracing a fresh, casually elegant vision for modern living.

Opposite page: A harmonious blend of classic architecture, tailored furnishings, and layered textures transforms the family room into a bright, inviting space designed for both everyday comfort and gracious entertaining. This page clockwise from top left Designed by Tim Winters, a secondary foyer crowned with a closed oculus marks the home’s transition from original to new. The wife’s office celebrates the seamless connection between indoors and out. Thibaut’s Peacock Garden drapery and Ferrick Mason’s Zen Garden on the smaller accent pillow. Navy grasscloth, a marble-top antique chest procured from Bittners, and gilded accents combine to create a striking vignette.

While the 1920s Greek Revival-style home, enviably sandwiched between Seneca and Cherokee Parks, was unmistakably lovely, it was the towering sentinels surrounding it— purposefully planted by the Olmsted firm in 1900 when it prepared a subdivision plan for what was then John McFerran's trotting

farm above Beargrass Creek, just a stone's throw from Frederick Law Olmsted Sr.'s Cherokee Park—that convinced the wife it was meant to be theirs. The home had been lovingly cared for by its previous owners, but, as the wife recalled, she most definitely did not share their affinity for the buttery yellow hue that seemed to permeate all four levels. An earlier addition by Tim Winters had nearly doubled the home's square footage, with the transition between old and new marked by a dramatic circular secondary foyer crowned with a closed oculus. Over the past decade, the homeowners have methodically worked through a punch list of projects, beginning with essential

mechanical upgrades before turning their attention to the home's appearance. For the façade, they enlisted Winters once again to design a more substantial covered front porch befitting the home's grand scale. Built by Wilkinson Builders, the addition integrates so seamlessly with the original architecture that few would suspect it is a contemporary intervention. During excavation, workers unearthed a small cylinder containing a 1920s bill of sale from Embry Lumber Company. Today, the foxed, amber-colored artifact is preserved in a floating frame alongside a Louisville Times article about the home from the 1920s that has remained with the property through successive owners. slmag.net

When the home’s original dining room wasn’t large enough to accomodate the homeowner’s table, the adjacent sunporch was renovated to fit the bill.

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Thibaut's Katsura wallpaper infuses the primary bath with a fresh botanical elegance, complemented by custom blue vanities, gleaming brass accents, and a dramatic marble shower that elevates the room into a true spa-like retreat. Aerin Claret Tail scones on either side of the mirror; custom runner from Anabel’s Oriental Rugs. Below left to right: A mahogany secretary from the Bittners showroom takes center stage between tailored draperies. During COVID, the homeowners renovated a first-floor guest bedroom and en suite. Cole & Son Vermicelli wallpaper and AERIN Bonnington sconces and Hampton chandelier from Visual Comfort.

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Crisp Matouk Astor Braid bedding trimmed in soft blue and classic ticking stripe on the bench at the foot of the bed lends a polished, tailored finish to the tranquil primary bedroom.

Just six months after moving in, a plumbing failure flooded the basement with three feet of water. The unexpected setback became an opportunity to transform the former exercise room into a wine cellar, complete with beams salvaged from a Shelby County barn and reclaimed stone from Woodford County. The husband's nephew, a West Coast-based Master Sommelier and restaurateur, helped stock the collection. Inside, the wife partnered with Douglas Riddle and Chad Cobb of Bittners, working within the home's existing footprint to create casually elegant interiors equally suited to entertaining a crowd or enjoying a quiet evening for two. She speaks enthusiastically about the experience, 24 slmag.net

praising both designers and the trust she placed in their expertise. "It's a comforting feeling to know that you can just turn your house over to a team that is always looking out for your best interest," she said. Reflecting the wife's love of the natural world, the home's palette leans heavily toward shades of blue accented with touches of green. Soft blues lend an airy, lightfilled quality to the bedrooms, bathrooms, and formal living room, while deeper navy and indigo tones bring drama and architectural presence to the family room. To the left of the foyer, the original dining room could not accommodate the homeowners' table for 14, so an adjacent rectangular sun porch overlooking the garden was repurposed as the primary

dining space. Across the foyer, a similarly sized room with its original Rookwood tile floor now serves as the wife's office, anchored by a circa-1700s Italian desk sourced through Bittners. When Riddle presented a sample of the blue botanical drapery he envisioned for the room, she exclaimed, "I always dreamed of something this over the top!" The renovation of a first-floor guest suite overlooking a courtyard cutting garden became the couple's COVID-era project. Nearby, in the spacious family room, the homeowners removed a fireplace and built-in homework stations to make way for a sophisticated bar showcasing the husband's tequila collection. A whimsical watercolor wallpaper in the adjacent

Texas-based ASLA landscape architect Sarah Lake helped reimagine the grounds, using native plants and local materials to create a landscape deeply rooted in its surroundings.

powder room pays homage to the wife's lifelong love of horses. Upstairs, the primary bath underwent a comprehensive renovation, including relocating the plumbing to an interior wall to eliminate the pipes' tendency to freeze each winter. As is often the case with historic homes, the project brought unexpected discoveries, including black mold in the ceiling. The reconfigured bath now features twin vanities flanking a generous walk-in shower, while a sauna occupies the opposite wall—a welcome retreat for the accomplished equestrienne after long hours in the saddle. "It feels like a luxury hotel suite," remarked Cobb, who admitted he initially

pushed back on the wife's request for a highly polished stone floor. A custom runner from Anabel's ultimately provided a stylish, slip-resistant solution. Fittingly for a dedicated clotheshorse, the wife's impeccably organized custom closet includes a lighted display tower showcasing a collection of notable handbags. Outside, the wife—a passionate gardener who also played an integral role in spearheading early fundraising efforts for Beargrass Preserve, the first major expansion of Cherokee Park in more than a century—retained Texas-based ASLA landscape architect Sarah Lake to reimagine the grounds. She was drawn to Lake's thoughtful use of native plants and local materials to create a landscape deeply

rooted in its surroundings. "Sarah's design considered the wind flow to help reduce pests and disease and created little rooms that offer nonstop color throughout the growing season," said the wife, who spends at least three evenings each week tending the gardens. "At night it's so quiet that I feel like I'm in the countryside." "It's been a journey," the wife reflected when considering the home's transformation over the past decade. Both she and Riddle agree that assembling the right team made all the difference. Like the century-old trees that first drew her to the property, the house has only grown more beautiful with time—its roots firmly planted in history while continuing to flourish for generations to come. sl slmag.net

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SOPHISTICATED WEDDING

LUCY & BARRON HOFFMAN Photos by Wholehearted Photo

For Lucy and Barron Hoffman, forever wasn't sparked by a chance encounter, rather, it quietly took root years before either of them realized it. The two first met in high school, where they shared the same circle of friends. Barron was the group's resident class clown, while Lucy remembers that, although he may not readily admit it today, he always had a bit of a crush on her. Their friendship evolved into romance shortly after graduating from college in 2017, and what began as years of easy companionship naturally grew into a relationship built on unwavering confidence, shared values, and an unmistakable sense of home. Barron's proposal reflected that same understated sincerity. After spending a week vacationing in Italy with Lucy's family—a trip during which she was convinced a proposal was imminent— they returned to Louisville with no engagement ring in sight. A week later, Barron completely surprised her, proposing on the front porch of the home they had recently purchased together. Looking on was Teddy, their beloved golden retriever and, fittingly, the couple's favorite witness."He got me exactly when I least expected it," Lucy recalls. When planning their wedding, Lucy had long envisioned an elegant black-tie celebration bathed in candlelight. But beyond the timeless aesthetic, there was a deeply personal reason the couple chose The Brown Hotel for their reception. Thirty years 28 slmag.net

earlier, Lucy's parents, Donna and Don Wolz, celebrated their own wedding there, and she had spent years admiring the photographs from that unforgettable day. Returning to the same ballroom to begin her own marriage created a beautiful sense of continuity, allowing one generation's love story to inspire the next. That emphasis on family shaped nearly every aspect of the celebration. Before the ceremony, Lucy and Barron shared one of the day's most meaningful moments privately, exchanging personal vows with Teddy before going their separate ways to prepare. The intimate pause offered a quiet opportunity to reflect before the joyful whirlwind of the day began. Their beloved golden retriever also made his presence felt during the reception, inspiring custom tennis ball favors labeled "With Love, Teddy" for guests to take home to their own fourlegged family members. The playful detail perfectly reflected the couple's affection for their dogs while adding an unexpected touch of personality to the elegant affair. Perhaps the most memorable detail, however, was one guests discovered at their seats. Rather than offering a generic welcome, Lucy and Barron handwrote personal notes to each of the 270 people attending their wedding. The undertaking required countless hours, but for the couple, expressing their gratitude individually was worth every minute."We wanted everyone to know how thankful we were that they were there to celebrate with us," Lucy says.

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Their Catholic faith was equally woven throughout the ceremony. During the singing of Ave Maria, Lucy dedicated her bouquet to the Virgin Mary, a cherished Catholic tradition symbolizing prayer and the couple's commitment to building their marriage upon faith. Family remained front and center throughout the evening. Reception displays featured photographs of both sets of parents and grandparents on their wedding days, accompanied by the number of years each couple had been married. It served as a heartfelt tribute to the marriages that shaped their understanding of enduring love and commitment. One of the reception's biggest surprises came after Lucy shared the traditional father-daughter dance. Without warning, the music continued, and she invited her mother onto the dance floor for a second dance. Set to Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide," the emotional tribute celebrated the extraordinary bond the two women share. "My mom is my best friend," Lucy says. "I wanted to have a special moment with her, too." Lucy's search for the perfect gown was remarkably straightforward. Knowing the ceremony would take place in a Catholic church, she envisioned a timeless silhouette with delicate lace and an elegant bolero. Although the bridal boutique didn't initially have Monique Lhuillier's Alexandra gown in stock, they arranged to have it shipped in. The first time Lucy tried it on was also the day she purchased it. Barron embraced classic formalwear with a black Todd Snyder tuxedo for the ceremony before changing into a white dinner jacket for the reception, lending an old-world sophistication to the evening celebration. Music also played an important role in telling their story. Lucy entered the church to a violin arrangement of "The Goodness of 30 slmag.net

God," performed by the Highland Chambers Players String Quartet, a piece she says moved her to tears the first time she heard it. For their first dance, the couple chose "A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman, whose lyrics about building a future together perfectly reflected the life they hope to create. Despite choosing not to see one another before the ceremony, Lucy never questioned the decision. The instant she reached the aisle and saw Barron waiting for her, every trace of nervousness disappeared. "It felt like we were the only two people in the room," she says. She also treasures the quiet moments shared with her father immediately beforehand, reflecting that he had always been the example of the kind of husband she hoped to marry. Not everything unfolded flawlessly. En route to the ceremony, the wedding trolley unexpectedly broke down, forcing the bride and her voluminous ballgown into an Uber. Looking back, the mishap has become one of the couple's favorite stories—a reminder that perfection isn't what makes a wedding unforgettable. What surprised Lucy most wasn't the transportation hiccup but the profound sense of calm she experienced throughout nearly the entire day. "I tell Barron all the time," she says, "marrying him is the most confident decision I've ever made. He is my home." Following the celebration, the newlyweds traveled to Saint Lucia, splitting their honeymoon between the dramatic mountain vistas surrounding Ladera Resort and the pristine shoreline of Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort. It was the perfect beginning to a marriage rooted not only in romance, but in family traditions, enduring faith, and the quiet confidence that they had found exactly where they belonged. sl Vendor Spotlight: Coordinator - Oh My Wedding Co.; Photography - Wholehearted Photo; Videography - In Time Photos; Ceremony - Ursuline Motherhouse; Reception - The Brown Hotel; Florals - Meadow Florals; Hair & Makeup - The Fenley Studio; Wedding Cake - Plehn's Bakery; Entertainment - BKS Live Band; String Quartet - Highland Chambers Players; Rentals Millennium Events; Bride's Gown - Monique Lhuillier; Groom's Attire - Todd Snyder

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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

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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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6 5 8

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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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The Hidden Market Not every real estate opportunity begins with a listing. At Bass + Bringardner, our longstanding relationships throughout Louisville often allow us to connect buyers and sellers in ways that extend beyond the traditional market. Sometimes, those conversations begin before a home is broadly marketed for sale. We don’t simply wait for the right opportunity to appear. We use our experience, relationships, and deep knowledge of the Louisville market to uncover possibilities and bring the right people together. Whether you’re considering a sale and value discretion, or searching for a home that may not yet be on your radar, let’s start a conversation.

Bass + Bringardner

Representation that reflects the way you think. Terri Bass + Shelly & Bradley Bringardner T. 502.424.8463 | S. 502.551.4552 | B. 502.548.0132 tbass@lsir.com, sbringardner@lsir.com, bbringardner@lsir.com bassbringardner.com bassbringardner © 2026 Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. An Equal Opportunity Company, Equal Housing Opportunity.

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of DETAILS We talk with Lesa Buckler, founder of Details Interiors, which is celebrating 25 Years of bold design, family, and the enduring beauty of home. Written by Bridget Cottrell

Lesa Buckler and Jacqueline Gilmore in the Details Showroom

Twenty-five years ago, Lesa Buckler opened the doors to Details Interiors with a modest 1,000-square-foot space, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the belief that good design should be anything but forgettable. Today, Details Interiors occupies a 6,000-squarefoot showroom on Brownsboro Road in Louisville and has completed projects from Kentucky horse farms to Manhattan penthouses, Miami residences, Nantucket retreats, and Florida vacation homes. Along the way, the firm has developed a distinctive aesthetic rooted in color, pattern, history, and personality—a style the Details team describes as “Sophisticated Maximalism.” But square footage, showrooms, and impressive projects tell only part of the story. At its heart, the success of Details Interiors is about family, relationships, and

a deeply held conviction that a memorable home should represent the people who live there. Her philosophy has guided the firm for a quarter century: timeless design always outlasts trends. Long before she became an interior designer, Buckler had already built a remarkably varied career. She studied business and the arts, became a Mary Kay director and earned the company’s iconic pink car, received a master’s degree, ran a high school business department while coaching the girls’ tennis team, and developed a five-county work program with the Commonwealth of Kentucky during the Clinton administration. Throughout those experiences—and several moves prompted by her husband Richard’s career— one passion remained constant: design. slmag.net

Buckler loved building and designing homes with Richard and helping friends create spaces of their own. She knew that eventually she wanted to build a business around that passion. The timing, however, had to be right. Raising the couple’s daughters, Julia and Jacqueline, remained Buckler’s priority. She envisioned setting her plan in motion once the family settled in one city, one that would allow her daughters to learn about entrepreneurship while surrounded by creativity and beautiful things. “I wanted to start a design business where we could work with inspiring surroundings, and I could help them learn how to operate in that world,” she recalls. Her initial vision for the company was refreshingly simple. “The girls and I would 68 slmag.net

enjoy ourselves, learn, travel, and make a little money,” Buckler says with a laugh. She also believed they could be extraordinarily successful. She was right as Details Interiors quickly outgrew its original footprint. During its first five years, the company moved three times to accommodate its rapid expansion. Two additional moves followed in subsequent years before the firm settled into its current 6,000-squarefoot showroom. The pace of growth created a crash course in virtually every aspect of entrepreneurship. Buckler had to learn how much inventory to purchase, which products to stock, how to relocate entire showrooms, how to develop a marketing plan, manage finances, navigate changing economic conditions, develop a loyal client base, participate in home shows, and still find time to design interiors. “It was intense,” she says. “I reflect on it now, and it seems crazy but glorious.” This trial by fire helped shape Details into something increasingly rare in the design industry: a full-scale interior design firm anchored by an expansive brick-and-mortar showroom. For Buckler, the showroom, which allows clients to rendezvous with thoughtfully designed kitchens, baths, bars, and built-in cabinetry produced through the company’s cabinetry division, along with an

ever-changing collection of furniture, fabrics, accessories, and decorative objects, remains an essential part of the Details experience. While many designers have moved away from maintaining retail spaces due to the significant overhead, Buckler believes there is something irreplaceable about experiencing design in person. “Clients love to see and feel things,” she says. “They want to have their senses and spirits lifted, and I know Details does this for people.” From the beginning, Details has resisted the temptation to chase every passing trend. Instead, the firm has cultivated interiors defined by rich color, layered patterns, meaningful objects, fine furnishings, and an appreciation for the traditions of Southern design. Buckler believes homes should evolve over time, incorporating treasured possessions and family heirlooms alongside contemporary pieces. The result is an aesthetic that feels collected rather than decorated. It is also decidedly colorful. Buckler readily admits she was happy to see the industry move beyond what she calls the “gray period” of interior design. “I’m proud Details didn’t dip our toe in that bland arena,” she says. “We stayed upbeat and colorful.” That commitment to individuality has become increasingly

relevant as social media, television, and online shopping have transformed the way consumers approach their homes. While design has become more accessible, Buckler believes the proliferation of do-it-yourself programming and online inspiration has also created misconceptions about the profession. “People have been led to think designing is easy and can be done cheaply,” she says. “Neither of which is true.” As a result, she finds that many clients have a greater appreciation for the expertise professional designers bring to a project. “They understand the design process, understand it costs money to hire a great designer, and realize they can waste both time and money trying to do everything themselves,” she explained. The next chapter of Details Interiors is already being written. Buckler’s daughter, Jacqueline Gilmore, now serves as vice president of the firm, bringing an art history background and her own distinctive point of view to the family business. Gilmore has helped expand the Details aesthetic by combining the foundations of Southern traditional design with influences from Hollywood Regency, Art Deco, and Palm Beach style. Together, mother and daughter have designed residences throughout Kentucky and across the country.

Among Buckler’s most memorable early projects was the opportunity to design both an 11,000-square-foot mansion on a horse farm and its historic guest house. The client became a lifelong friend. Other projects have taken Buckler and Gilmore from penthouses in Manhattan and Miami to residences in Nantucket and Florida, as well as countless homes for longtime clients throughout Louisville and Kentucky. Some clients have returned to Details repeatedly, entrusting the firm with multiple homes over the decades. Those relationships are among the accomplishments Buckler values most. For a firm built around creating homes, longevity has ultimately been built through relationships. Working alongside family has been one of the defining experiences of Buckler’s career. “I wouldn’t want it any other way,” she says. “The love, trust, and honesty are just the best.” Her husband, Richard, and daughter Jacqueline have played integral roles in building the company. Now, the next generation of the family enterprise continues to grow as Jacqueline’s husband, Brandon Gilmore, joins Details as director of operations. “I never have to wonder if someone sees my vision, understands what we need as a company, or has my back,” Buckler says. slmag.net

For an entrepreneur accustomed to managing the endless details of a growing company, that trust has proven invaluable. “It has been a pleasure building this business with Richard and Jacqueline, and now we are simply thrilled to have Brandon joining us.” After 25 years, Buckler remains an enthusiastic student of design. She regularly travels to showhouses, design events, and destinations around the country in search of inspiration. This year, her travels include Nantucket Design Week and the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in New York. She also draws inspiration from art, travel, other designers, and the continuous study of the design business itself. The willingness to remain curious has allowed Details Interiors to evolve without abandoning its identity. Buckler can appreciate the elaborate window treatments, heavy fabrics, fringe, swags, and jabots that once defined fashionable interiors just as easily as she can embrace the next generation of design. “Design always changes,” she says. “But good design is good design no matter the era.” Looking toward the future, Buckler believes the role of the home will become even more important. Technology is advancing rapidly. Social media has accelerated the pace of everyday life. 70 slmag.net

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way people work, communicate, and navigate the world. Against that backdrop, home offers something increasingly valuable: refuge. “Our homes are the place we exhale,” Buckler says. For her, the most successful interiors are not simply visually pleasing. They provide comfort, completion, and a sense of belonging. “When a home is well designed, thought through, and complete, it becomes a true place of refuge,” she says. “We can relax, sit down, look around, and be happy it is finished.” After 25 years, countless projects, five showroom moves, generations of clients, and the growth of a family business, that belief remains at the center of Details Interiors. Asked what advice she would give her younger self—the entrepreneur preparing to open that first 1,000-squarefoot space—Buckler doesn’t hesitate. “Be prepared to work harder than you ever have, but know it’s worth everything to build, be your own boss, make your own way, and make your own decisions.” She pauses before summing up the journey in three words. “The American dream.” For Details Interiors, the past 25 years have been precisely that: a dream built one room, one relationship, and one carefully considered detail at a time. sl

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SOPHISTICATED WEDDING

LILLY & SAM WEINING Photos by Wholehearted Photo

Some love stories begin with a chance encounter. For Lilly and Sam, the foundation was laid years before they ever spoke. Growing up just minutes apart, both attended Catholic schools in Louisville's St. Matthews neighborhood, with Lilly at Our Lady of Lourdes and Sam at Holy Trinity. They shared mutual friends throughout their childhoods, yet somehow never met. It wasn't until after college that fate finally intervened. Their first date at Drake's St. Matthews was meant to be casual, but four effortless hours later, both knew there was something different about the rapport they had found. Lilly was immediately drawn to Sam's intelligence, impeccable manners, and undisputed charm. Sam admired Lilly's quick wit, beauty, and work ethic. What originated as a simple dinner quickly became the start of a lifelong partnership. That journey reached a new milestone in February 2025 during the couple's first international trip together. While vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Sam surprised Lilly with a proposal overlooking the gorgeous coastline. Although she discerned something special was on the horizon (after all, she knew him almost as well as he knew himself), the moment itself was an unforgettable surprise. When it came time to plan their wedding, the couple never questioned the vision they wanted to create. Rather than chasing 72 slmag.net

trends, they focused on enduring elegance, hoping to create a celebration they would love just as much decades from now as they did on their special day. That vision led them to Whitehall, a Louisville landmark whose classic architecture perfectly embodied the refined spring wedding they had imagined. In fact, the couple had fallen in love with the venue long before they were engaged, after attending other weddings there. They knew instantly it felt like "them." The celebration began with one of the day's most meaningful moments at the Cathedral of the Assumption, where Lilly and Sam exchanged vows in a place already rich with family history. Sam's parents had also been married in the cathedral, making it especially meaningful. Guided by Father Shane, the ceremony became the emotional centerpiece of the day, and one both bride and groom agree was their favorite memory. Every design detail reflected the couple's sophisticated yet romantic aesthetic. Lush floral installations by Rose and Honey infused the venue with soft spring beauty, while a tan checkered dance floor gave an unexpected dash of classic style to the reception. Together, the elegant setting and thoughtful details created an atmosphere that was effortlessly refined.

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Lilly's bridal look was just as serendipitous as the couple's love story. The very first gown she tried on became the one, chosen with the encouragement of her mother during a Mother's Day shopping trip. Although she sampled a handful of other dresses, nothing compared to the first. Meanwhile, Sam embraced classic style with confidence, wearing a striking white dinner jacket; it was a look he had jokingly wondered if he could pull off. The wedding photographs offered no doubt: he absolutely could. Music also became one of the day's most personal elements. Sam selected the processional himself after hearing a piece that instantly moved him to tears as he imagined Lilly walking toward him. Their first dance, set to Zac Bryan's "Free," perfectly reflected their relationship: romantic, joyful, playful, and brimming with moments worth singing along to. That joyful spirit carried over into one of the evening's most memorable surprises when the couple spontaneously incorporated a dramatic lift during their first dance, to everyone's delight. As every newlywed discovers, the celebration seemed to pass in an instant. One moment they were declaring vows; the next, the evening was drawing to a close. Looking back, neither would change a single detail. Following the festivities, Lilly and Sam escaped to the Four Seasons Anguilla for a honeymoon filled with Caribbean sunshine, turquoise waters, and the opportunity to begin married life together at a slower pace. For a couple whose relationship has always felt destined—even if it arrived a few years later than expected—their wedding was a beautiful reflection of who they are: timeless, joyful, rooted in family, and filled with effortless elegance. sl Vendor Team: Ceremony - Cathedral of the Assumption; Reception Venue - Whitehall; Planner Courtney Samuels; Photography - Whole Hearted Photo; Content Creator - Love Notes by Allie; Florals - Rose and Honey; Cake - Taylor Baked Goods; Bridal Gown - Rebecca's Wedding Boutique; Catering - Ladyfingers Catering; Entertainment - Emerald Empire Band

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3938 Dutchmans Lane (502) 897 5369 josephssalon.com

TURNING HEALTHY HABITS INTO A LIFESTYLE A Look inside the first six months at HealthSpan Center

By Terri Paige, CEO of Medical Transformation Center and HealthSpan Center Earlier this year, Medical Transformation Center expanded its vision for helping individuals understand and embrace a cellular approach to health by opening HealthSpan Center, an innovative lifestyle and performance facility designed to bridge the gap between knowing what to do and actually living it. While many people leave a doctor's office with good intentions, lasting change often requires something more: individualized guidance, practical strategies, and ongoing support woven into everyday life. From nutrition and sleep to resilience, movement, and mindset, HealthSpan Center was created to help people transform healthy recommendations into sustainable habits. Helping with that effort is Brett Greenwell, HealthSpan Center's Head Resilience Coach. Since the center opened, he has worked alongside clients to help them build stronger bodies, calmer minds, and healthier lives through personalized coaching rooted in long-term well-being. Te r r i Pa i g e , C E O o f Me d i c a l Transformation Center and HealthSpan Center, sat down with Greenwell to reflect on the center's first six months and the vision that continues to inspire what comes next. Terri Paige: Let’s start with the most basic question: How do we help clients when they come to HealthSpan Center? What are we doing day-to-day with someone? Brett Greenwell: I think of the role as playercoach. My goal is to build a foundation of understanding. I can certainly design plans and workouts and challenge people, but that's not my primary focus. 76 slmag.net

I want clients to understand. They need to grasp how their bodies respond to their environment, what changes will help them reach their goals, and why those changes matter. Then I teach them the structure and concepts they need so they can continue making progress on their own. At best, someone may spend a few hours a week with me. That leaves the rest of the week in their hands. If I haven't taught them how to succeed during that time, then I haven't really done my job. The goal is to help people become confident and capable of managing their own health and fitness over the long term. Terri Paige: As you've worked with people in these first few months, what has surprised clients the most? What do they think they're signing up for, and what ends up being the biggest takeaway? Brett Greenwell: The biggest surprise for people, I think, has been learning the underlying concepts - or maybe I should say “re-learning.” A lot of folks have exercised for years or tried to eat well, but they've never really understood things like nutrient timing or how to structure their meals to support the results they want. It's common for people to get stuck in a cycle where they're unintentionally losing muscle while holding onto body fat - even though they feel like they're doing everything right. Sometimes the breakthrough isn't a dramatic overhaul. It can be as simple as adjusting meal timing or making small changes to what they eat. Those relatively

minor changes often produce results they haven't been able to achieve before. Terri Paige: How do you actually measure whether someone is making progress? Brett Greenwell: We use several indicators to measure things like resting metabolic rate and the body's oxygen consumption. But keeping track of actual body composition is probably the most important. It gives us objective data and shows us how someone's body is responding to their workouts and their nutrition - even down to the cellular level. Terri Paige: Tell me a little more about what you mean by body composition. Brett Greenwell: We use electrical impedance through our InBody scanner. A client stands on the machine barefoot and holds the hand sensors while a very small electrical current travels through the body. That allows us to measure the different types of tissue and their composition. As long as we test under consistent conditions, we can accurately track changes over time. We can see whether muscle mass or lean mass is increasing and whether body fat is decreasing.

One of my favorite moments is when someone comes in frustrated because their bathroom scale hasn't changed. We'll do an InBody assessment, and I can tell them, "You've actually lost body fat and gained muscle."Body composition tells a much more meaningful story than weight alone. Terri Paige: I asked you what has surprised clients. But has anything surprised you? Brett Greenwell: Even after years of doing this type of work, I continue to be surprised by what people are capable of when they're motivated. I've worked with someone who had polio and is now focused on building strength beyond what anyone would have expected. I've worked with people in their 80s who are planning African safaris, taking dance classes every week, and actively preparing for the experiences they want to have. There used to be this assumption that, after a certain age, you're simply on a steady decline. I'm seeing the opposite. Terri Paige: Let's talk more about that. Why would someone in their late 60s, 70s, or even 80s want to participate in this kind of program? Brett Greenwell: Most people retire hoping they'll finally have time to enjoy life. They

want to travel. They want to spend time with grandchildren. They want to explore hobbies they never had time for while they were working. Strength and resilience training helps make those things possible. It helps reduce the likelihood of illness and injury while preserving strength, balance, and everyday function. Everything we do here is based on functional movement. I'm not training bodybuilders. I'm asking a much simpler question: "Can I help you do the things you want to do every day?" Whether that's carrying luggage through an airport, hiking on vacation, getting up off the floor with your grandchildren, or simply feeling confident moving through daily life that's the goal. Terri Paige: What's the biggest misconception people have about strength, resilience, or simply being "in shape?" Brett Greenwell: I think people overestimate the importance of the workout itself. The workout is only a relatively small percentage of the overall picture. The majority of long-term success comes from everything outside the gym sleep, hydration, nutrition, cardiovascular health, recovery, and consistency.

A lot of people believe they need to work out four or five days a week to make progress. In reality, someone can continue improving with two or three quality workouts each week if the rest of those wellness habits are in place. Those habits don't provide the same immediate sense of accomplishment as a hard workout, so people often overlook them. But that's where lasting change really happens. Terri Paige: If someone is reading this and needs to take a baby step, what is the first thing you’d encourage them to do? Brett Greenwell: Nutritional coaching. The Transform Lifestyle classes you teach here do a great job of laying out the foundational principles of wellness. Still, once someone has completed a nutritional assessment and understands their body's needs, those conversations become even more valuable. Knowing your macronutrient needs, understanding how nutrition supports your workouts, and having someone help you create a plan that's realistic, enjoyable, and sustainable makes a tremendous difference. sl HealthSpan Center, located at 13109 Eastpoint Park Blvd. in Anchorage, is a non-medical facility focused on building Cellular resilience. Learn more and get started on your own journey when you visit HealthSpanLouisville.com or call 502.300.5030.

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FINE-TUNING A SYMPHONY Meet Louisville Orchestra’s OF EXCELLENCE New CEO, Jude Vaclavik

By Tracy Cottrell

The Louisville Orchestra (LO) recently announced the appointment of Jude Vaclavik as the organization’s new CEO. Vaclavik brings a multifaceted combination of talent, education, and experience in the music world to his new role. Most recently, he served as Vice President of U.S. Classical Publishing and Promotion for Universal Music Publishing Group. Before that, he worked with Houston Grand Opera and began his publishing career at Boosey & Hawkes, recognized as one of the world’s leading specialist publishers of classical music. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Vaclavik earned Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in music composition. Beyond his deep reservoir of knowledge and experience, he is also a sought-after composer whose work has been commissioned by renowned organizations including the New York Philharmonic, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, New York Youth Symphony, and New Juilliard Ensemble. Vaclavik joins the LO at an auspicious time. During the 2025–26 season, the orchestra achieved the highest number of sold-out performances in its history, as well as the highest single-ticket revenue for its Classics Series under the tenure of Music Director Teddy Abrams. These milestones followed the LO’s first Grammy Award, for Best Classical Instrumental Solo, for the 2024 album The American Project, a collaboration between pianist Yuja Wang and

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Abrams. The recording was released on First Edition Records, the LO’s own label. The LO heads into the 2026–27 season with a wealth of talent, commitment, and achievement, poised to continue its trajectory of creative growth. Sophisticated Living recently sat down with Vaclavik to find out what comes next. His excitement about leading the vibrant organization was evident, and his answer was straightforward and immediate: “Do more, keep growing the many thriving initiatives that the Louisville Orchestra has already developed and implemented. Vaclavik singled out the Creators Corps as one such initiative. The Creators Corps invites composers to Louisville, where the orchestra provides them with income, housing, a place to create, and direct access to the LO and its musicians. As an accomplished composer himself, Vaclavik understands the needs of those beginning their careers. “When composing music on an orchestral scale, the composer needs to be able to hear it,” he explained. The Creators Corps provides that invaluable opportunity while also giving participants access to the orchestra’s musicians. In turn, the program builds a reservoir of emerging talent for the LO, establishing unique connections with new composers and their work. When our conversation turned to Vaclavik’s own path to becoming a composer, he offered an unexpected and delightful insight. At age five, he attended an orchestra performance on a school field trip. Due to his propensity for exploration, he was strategically seated next to his teacher. Afterward, the teacher suggested to his mother that she consider music lessons for young Jude: The normally curious and active little boy had been completely transfixed by the music, barely moving throughout the entire concert. Recalling the experience, Vaclavik said he could visualize the music, seeing the

notes and wondering how they were put together while somehow understanding that each was the result of a choice. Given that early fascination, it is perhaps unsurprising that Vaclavik eventually chose The Juilliard School to continue his studies following high school. During the application process, however, he grappled with the requirement to submit a piece of music. His teacher suggested he compose his own. Suddenly, the notes he had visualized as a five-year-old—and his curiosity about how music was made— took on new meaning, helping set him on the path toward composition. Vaclavik also spoke at length about his appreciation for LO initiatives including Music Without Borders and In Harmony, both created to bring music directly to people throughout Louisville and the Commonwealth. Through performances in parks, community centers, and other accessible venues, Music Without Borders extends the orchestra’s reach beyond the traditional concert hall. Its broader community engagement throughout Kentucky reinforces the LO’s role as an orchestra not only for Louisville, but for the entire Commonwealth. As he considers opportunities for continued growth, Vaclavik also has his eye on revitalizing First Edition Records and expanding the orchestra’s recording and publishing efforts. Given the LO’s recent Grammy-winning success, the timing seems particularly fitting. As I finalize this article, I am listening to Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major, “Titan,” available on the Louisville Orchestra’s website. With a little more insight into the people, programs, and purpose behind the Louisville Orchestra, I find myself hearing it differently—with a deeper appreciation for both the music and the remarkable organization bringing it to life. sl

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A CUT ABOVE Chef Jason McCollum, the newly appointed Executive Chef at Hotel Bourré Bonne, is redefining what an American steakhouse can be. Written by Bridget Cottrell / Images courtesy of Hotel Bourré Bonne

Louisville has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to its dining scene, as evidenced by Travel + Leisure magazine's 2023 ranking of the city among the top 10 foodie destinations in the United States and the James Beard Foundation's recognition of several local chefs. Moving well beyond the Hot Brown and traditional Southern staples, the culinary landscape has become as diverse as the people shaping it, some having relocated from larger metropolitan areas, drawn by lower overhead, creative freedom, and an eager audience of locals and visitors alike. One of those transplants is Jason McCollum, who moved to Louisville with his wife, Aenith, a Bowling Green native, in 2017 with the goal of opening his own chef-driven restaurant. He arrived in the Derby City with five-star credentials. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, he honed his craft in Manhattan under acclaimed chefs David Chang and Paul Carmichael at Momofuku 82 slmag.net

Má Pêche. He later expanded his culinary perspective in California's luxury hospitality scene before serving as executive chef at Seattle's Eve Fremont. For nine years, his venture, Chik'n & Mi, was a beloved Clifton institution, celebrated for marrying Kentucky comfort food with the spicy, sour, savory, and soul-satisfying hallmarks of Laotian cuisine. My husband and I, regular patrons, echoed the chorus of "Oh no!" that followed the announcement of the restaurant's closure earlier this year. To be honest, when I learned McCollum had been named executive chef at Hotel Bourré Bonne, I was skeptical. I wondered whether the purview of a traditional upscale steakhouse would tether his creativity. There was only one way to find out. Arriving on a recent Sunday evening, we were pleasantly surprised to find the dining room buzzing with activity on what we'd expected to be a quiet late-summer night. Seated near the theater-style open

kitchen, we watched the culinary team work with quiet precision while taking note of what appeared to be the evening's most popular dishes. The contemporary interior— layered in deep jewel tones, rich textures, and dramatic lighting—hinted at a restaurant willing to color well outside the lines of the traditional American steakhouse. We began with a theatrical round of cocktails: a table-smoked Old Fashioned, built around the restaurant's eye-popping 125-proof house bourbon, for my husband, and for me, a color-changing butterfly pea flower cocktail accompanied by a lemon shooter that transformed the drink from

Clockwise below: Soluptiberum eosam derchit iorporemolo quis dolorec esciatia a quam cum ulluptatet dolorer ibuscitatur aut mintur aci cum et venimodiasim fugitat porporro iliciet abore ventend itibea cus re el ipiendebiste ipic te eaquam faci venim aut qui blacculles eliquisimus, escia pratem volende bitatist ipsum lam et maionse quiantio. Opposite page: nis mo ommolore nimporere, volupta tibus, asperi sitatur? Ed quaspe lam rest facessed ut quam erorent voloreniende ne veres

brilliant sapphire blue to lavender when poured into the coupe. We were off to a promising start. Mc Collum's creativit y radiated throughout the first two courses, where it was the limits of our appetites—not the menu's offering s—that dictated our selections. Our wonderful ser ver enthusiastically recommended the "viral" croissant loaf, served piping hot beneath a savory blanket of herbed butter, but we knew we'd be powerless to stop ourselves from devouring the entire thing. Instead, in a battle between the lamb tartare and tuna carpaccio, the promise of truffled Meyer

lemon aioli tipped the scales in favor of the tuna. Beautifully plated, it arrived with a petite bowl of house-made potato chips that provided a welcome crunch. As we continued studying the small plates, we resolved to return for a tapas-style dinner to sample those that didn't make the cut, including chicken-fried sweetbreads with tobacco glaze and white barbecue sauce, crispy eggplant with guajillo hummus

and pomegranate sorghum, and several other enticing options. Had the weather been a bit less steamy, we would have opted for either the French onion soup or the tableside lobster bisque. Instead, we chose the Beets Dijon. Roasted golden beets huddled together atop peppery greens at the bottom of the bowl, framed by a painterly C-shaped swoosh of vibrant fuchsia fromage around the rim. slmag.net

Top to bottom: Soluptiberum eosam derchit iorporemolo quis dolorec esciatia a quam cum ulluptatet dolorer ibuscitatur aut mintur aci cum et venimodiasim fugitat porporro iliciet abore ventend itibea cus re el ipiendebiste ipic te eaquam faci venim aut qui blacculles eliquisimus, escia pratem volende bitatist ipsum lam et maionse quiantio.

Once again following our server's recommendation, we split the 22-ounce cowboy-cut premium dry-aged ribeye from Creekstone Farms in Kansas, allowing room to sample several sides. Served presliced, as suggested, the steak arrived perfectly rosy inside with a beautifully caramelized salt-and-peppercorn crust. Our mouths watered as the server used a chef 's torch tableside to melt a pat of black garlic and charred leek butter over the meat. For another layer of indulgence, we added a side of truffle au poivre sauce to ladle over each melt-in-your-mouth bite. Fans of Chik'n & Mi will experience a welcome sense of culinary déjà vu with the crispy Brussels sprouts, glazed in a honeyhot mustard. Equally memorable is the fried cauliflower, brightened by a Meyer lemon and Calabrese vinaigrette. I never imagined describing a plate of foraged mushrooms as complex, but pairing them with roasted fennel's delicate anise notes and the bright acidity of balsamic elevated their earthy richness into something unexpectedly elegant. The dessert menu offers something for every palate, from a light coconut panna cotta to an indulgent chocolate cake, each beautifully presented. After sampling nearly every offering, my favorite proved to be the warm, subtly sweet cornbread cookie. Thoughtfully balanced and refreshingly free of pretense, it was the perfect finale to an exceptional meal that broadened our understanding of what an American steakhouse can be. sl 84 slmag.net

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SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY

September 10 12 12 12 12 12 18 19 19 24 25

Give for Good Louisville; giveforgoodlouisville.org 2026 Ohio Valley Biennial Opening Reception, 4-7pm, Louisville Visual Art; louisvillevisualart.org/lvacalendar/2026-ohio-valley-biennial-opening-reception 10th annual Sista Strut at Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center; raceroster.com/events/2026/112469/sista-strut-louisville Field & Fork, 6pm,Turkey Run Park; theparklands.org/fieldandfork Louisville Visual Art Ohio Valley Biennial Opening Reception, 4pm, 1538 Lytle St.; louisvillevisualart.org Bike to Beat Cancer; nortonchildrens.com An Evening with mentalist Josh Fletcher presented by the Woman’s Club of Louisville; 6:30pm, 1320 S. 4th St.; wclouisville.org Denim & Diamonds Gala at E&H Anderson Farms; nortonhealthcare.com/ways-to-help/norton-healthcare-foundation Norton Children’s Sawyer’s Warriors Golf Outing; nortonchildrens.com/foundation/ways-to-help/community-fundraising-events/ Cabbage Patch Champions Event, 6pm,The Olmsted; cabbagepatch.org/events/champions/ Butterflies & Bowties Gala at The Olmsted; featoflouisville.org/event/2026-butterflies-bowties-gala/

October 2 2-4 3 5 15 16 16 18 18 23 23 24 25 25 31

Best Buddies Champion of the Year Gala; bestbuddies.org/kentucky/events/ Artists & Afros, Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center; nortonslc.com/events/detail/artists-afros-2026 Ghost Light Gala After(life) 8pm, Party, Actors Theatre; actorstheatre.org/instances/after-life-party-8-pm Raise a Racquet Golf Scramble, Lake Forest Country Club; rarfoundation.com/news Metro United Way United Spirits, Progress Park; e.givesmart.com/events/MUO/ The Bee’s Knees, 6pm, Patrick O’Shea’s; apisrescue.org/events Olmsted Parks Beer Garden, 5pm, Shelby Park; olmstedparks.org Louisville Kidney Walk, 9am, Big Four Lawn; Louisville Kidney Walk Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 3pm, Churchill Downs River Fields Annual Gala at Savor at River House; riverfields.org Butterflies in Motion for Heuser Hearing & Language Academy, 6pm, Brown Hotel; thehearinginstitute.org Metro United Way The Greatest Give Back; metrounitedway.org Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, 12pm, Louisville Slugger Field Olmsted Park’s Hayride in the Park, 2pm, Shawnee Park; olmstedparks.org Halloween for Huntington’s Disease, 8pm, Mercury Ballroom; halloweenforhuntingtons.com

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Photos by Chad Henle

Afrobeats in the Garden Historic Locust Grove provided a picturesque backdrop for the third annual Afrobeats in the Garden, an immersive celebration of the music, cuisine, art, and culture of the African diaspora. The summer garden social brought guests together for an evening of Afrofusion fare paired with wines from around the world, live music, dancing, art activities, and interactive experiences. Highlights included an Afrobeats and Amapiano tribute performance created in collaboration with the Louisville Academy of Music, a “Somm Village” pairing guest sommeliers with participating chefs and restaurants, and the expanded “Griot Garden,” featuring local artists, live painting, and lawn games. Dressed in all white—a tradition intended to foster unity—guests mingled, dined, and danced amid the historic grounds for a spirited celebration of culture and community. 1.

Elizabeth Colon Nelson, Gabe McKinney

Jessica Dawkins, Chenelle McGee, Kimberly Clay, Debra Locker Griffin

Keeisha Willams, Linda Harris, Sharon Thomas, Pam Coleman

Andrea Meriwether, Donald Luchi

Erin Runner, Chris Watkins

Virgil Christian Tribute Polo Match The 25th Annual Virgil Christian Tribute Polo Match brought a spirited mix of sport, style and philanthropy to Louisville’s historic Oxmoor Farm. Named in honor of Hall of Fame polo player Virgil Christian, the beloved summer tradition celebrates Louisville’s longstanding connection to the sport while benefiting Maryhurst, Kentucky’s oldest child welfare nonprofit. 6.

Madelyn & Alex Taylor with Polo Player

Matha & Steve Gray, Rosmond & Brent Dolen

Mimi & Jerry Sims

Colleen Hester, Michelle Krebs, Sarah Usandizaga

10. Chad & Lee Middendorf

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Photos by Ashley Stinson

Silver Jubilee 1

Details Interiors marked two milestone occasions with a celebration of its 25th anniversary and the opening of its new Brownsboro Road showroom. Founded by Lesa Buckler in 2001, the Louisville design firm has earned a reputation for its signature "Sophisticated Maximalism" aesthetic and creating distinctive interiors both locally and nationwide. 1.

Gwen Rodgers, Ruth Sandbach, Charlotte Smith

Jennifer Cook, Julia Lewis

Mark Coley, Logan Ormerod

Kelli Baird, Jacqueline Gilmore, Lisa Walker

Annette Grisanti, Lisa Walker, Jennifer Cook, Matthew Cook

Lance Limanti, Hannah Wilder, Jacqueline Gilmore, Anna Limanti

Lesa Buckler

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Photos by Hailey Bollinger

Cheers to 20 Years

Red Tulip Gala The National Parkinson's Institute 5th Annual Red Tulip Gala transformed the Louisville Mega Cavern into a dazzling underground world, uniting hundreds of supporters, community leaders, and healthcare professionals for an unforgettable evening filled with compassion, gourmet dining, and generosity. Guests explored the artfully illuminated cavern while sampling expertly crafted dishes, sipping creative cocktails, and soaking in vibrant live performances. Between spirited auctions and dancing, the night shone as a symbol of hope, fueling vital research and support for those affected by Parkinson's disease. 1.

Sheridan Darnell, Grace Wayland, Karen Fredberg, Aubery Eades, Isabella Dixon

Lucas Vansickle, Luca Stein

David & Cindy Danhouer, Mary & Sam Corbett

Kelly & Shaun Logsdon

Debbie & Rusty Napier

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Photos by Chad Henle

Charismatic restaurateur Jeff Ruby opened his first restaurant, The Precinct, in 1981 within a historic 1901 Romanesque patrol house in Cincinnati. Twenty-five years later, after being courted by leadership at the Galt House, Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment chose Louisville for its first restaurant outside of the Queen City, setting in motion a wildly successful expansion that prompted the group to surpass $100 million in annual revenue in 2023. Today, the family business is led by Jeff Ruby’s children: CEO Britney Ruby Miller and Executive Vice Presidents Brandon Ruby and Dillon Ruby. “Every restaurant tells a story. In this case, the story was shaped by Louisville, and I designed the space to match,” Jeff Ruby said during a cocktail reception celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Louisville location. He explained that picking Louisville was an easy choice. “I love horse racing, bourbon and Southern hospitality.” He added that the menu was devised to incorporate aspects of Southern cuisine so they could “put some South in the mouth of everyone who comes in. 1

Artwork by Aaron Raymer

OHIO VALLEY BIENNIAL EXHIBITION OPENING RECEPTION September 12, 2026. 4pm - 7pm LVA Gallery, 1538 Lytle St. Louisville, KY. 40203 A juried exhibition showcasing a snapshot of artistic talent from across the Ohio Valley region. EXHIBIT ON DISPLAY SEPTEMBER 12 - NOVEMBER 15 www.louisvillevisualart.org

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Photos by Chad Henle

USA Cares We Salute You Gala Supporters of America’s military heroes gathered at The Galt House Hotel for the 2026 USA Cares We Salute You Gala, an evening celebrating service, sacrifice and the enduring strength of military families. Proceeds from the gala benefited USA Cares and its mission to provide post-9/11 veterans, service members and their families with critical financial assistance and resources designed to foster long-term stability. Since its beginnings in Louisville in 2003, the organization has grown from a grassroots initiative into a national nonprofit helping military families navigate financial hardship, housing instability and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. 1.

MSG Tia Wilson, MSG Alonzo Cook

Chelsa Zaboroski, Alina Meitner

Amy & David Grim

Darrel Corbett, Tim Metheny, Laura & Billy Otter

Kadey Zehnder, Phylise Long

VIPS Gala Progress Park set the stage for the VIPS Gala, a record-breaking night pulsing with energy and outdoor flair. Guests soaked up the lively, open-air vibe, swaying to Kimmet Cantwell’s music and bidding on one-of-a-kind auction experiences. The evening’s heartfelt program gave way to a spirited after-party, where bourbon tastings, yard games, and fireside s’mores kept the celebration glowing late into the night. 6.

John Franklin, Jeremy Clark

Damaris Phillips, Derek Wood

Jill & John Talbot, Justine Aycock

Laura & Mark Weiss

10. Rishi & Sunday Kumar

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Photos by Chad Henle

A Taste of Independents Louisville’s culinary community gathered at The Olmsted for APRON Inc.’s ninth annual A Taste of Independents. More than 40 tasting stations showcased the talents of local independent restaurants, chefs, distilleries, breweries, and beverage partners. The lively afternoon celebrated the creativity and camaraderie of Louisville’s hospitality scene while raising funds for APRON Inc., which provides financial assistance to local food-and-beverage workers facing illness, injury, or other unexpected hardships. 1.

Members of Apron’s Board of Directors

Paula Barmore, Michelle Kruger

Karen Amundson, Janelle Jones

Teresa Star, Chris Willams, Tiny Gundolf

Tuxes & Tails The Kentucky Humane Society went back to the Roaring ’20s for its 33rd annual Tuxes & Tails Gala at the Louisville Marriott Downtown. The sold-out “PAWhibition: A Night at the Speakeasy” transported guests to a glamorous 1920s-inspired soirée complete with cocktails, dinner, games, entertainment, live and silent auctions, and appearances by some irresistible four-legged VIPs. Proceeds from the evening support KHS and its lifesaving work providing medical treatment, behavioral support, foster care, adoption services, and second chances for Kentucky’s companion animals. 5.

Charlotte Hafferman, Jennifer Jennings & Chris, Bob Hafferman

Katiie Newman, Derrick Hughes

Jamie & Fabiola Lewis

Janice Melendez, Morgan McDowell, Sanam Magan

Laurie Gillespie, Kevin Harned, Kylie Menish

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Last Call LouAnn Atlas LouAnn Atlas has spent a career helping others achieve their goals, but beyond the boardroom she finds her greatest fulfillment in family, friendship, laughter, and giving back to the community she calls home. In this edition of Last Call, the respected Louisville banking executive reflects on the simple pleasures that define a life well lived—from ice water with a twist of lemon and a stash of Hershey's Kisses to treasured family photographs, heartfelt philanthropy, and the enduring belief that integrity, gratitude, and a good sense of humor are life's greatest rewards. What secret second life-what career would you choose if your current one hadn't found you first? A: It is no secret; I admired my grandfather’s banking career, and so that is the career I pursued. I believe it is the perfect career; you get to help others achieve their goals and aspirations. It has given me great perspective and fulfills my sense of stewardship. What is your idea of perfect happiness? A: For me, perfect happiness is defined by simplicity. When I think about what truly makes me happy, I think about quality time spent with my family and friends and never taking anything for granted. I think about family gettogethers, with everyone so excited to be together that they start talking over one another, reminiscing on past stories, and the sounds of laughter. I think about my friendships as well; laughing together is the best prescription for happiness, in my opinion. Laughing, sharing life, and being gratefulthat is perfection to me!What is your greatest fear or the thing you'd never admit to fearing-but do?A: I am quick to admit; without any hesitation, I fear heights. Many years ago, on a visit to the Grand Canyon with my husband, this fear was reaffirmed. I watched my husband, from a comfortable distance, near the edge of a canyon rim. He told me the view was spectacular and urged me to see for myself, but just watching him get that close was enough for me. I am truly terrified, no joke! What traits/characteristics do you most value in others?A: I have three characteristics that I value more than any others. They are being honest, having integrity, and possessing a great sense of humor. I believe in doing the right thing and having a little fun along the way.What is your greatest regret or the road not taken that still lingers?A: I don't have any real strong regrets. I believe that life is about choices, a series of personal decisions that lead you on your path. Reflecting on the choices I made in my career, it was perfect; as it provided me with great opportunities to give back to our community. Giving back is a large part of my purpose, one I enjoy each and every day!Which living person do you most admire and why?A: The person I admire most is my husband, Ryan. Ryan is very outgoing and kind. He doesn't know a stranger; he loves his family, and he loves to laugh. When he isn't laughing, he is telling stories to make people laugh; his own laughter

soon follows. He is an amazing storyteller; his stories have a way of making you feel like you have known him forever, like two old friends catching up. I admire the way he makes everyone who knows him feel like family. What is your most unrepentant indulgence?A: Chocolate - especially in the form of Hershey's kisses, which are the perfect size! Which talent would you most like to have? A: Playing the piano like my mother did. Mom loved to play the piano! One of my most cherished memories as a child was the sound of her playing.. Even with lessons, I was never able to play like my mom!What do you consider the achievement you're proudest of ?A: I am most proud of the opportunity I have been g iven to ser ve many of Louisville's finest organizations. Whether it's with our beloved parks, including The Parklands of Floyds Fork and the Olmsted Parks, or with health care organizations, like Uof L Health and Jewish Hospital, or education and philanthropy through the University of Louisville. I have been grateful for the roles they allow me to serve with them and all the achievements we have accomplished together.If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would it be? A: If I could come back as one thing, it would be a cat or a dog. If you were a pet of my parents, then you were living your best life!What i s y o ur m ost t rea s ured possession, and why?A: I treasure photographs above all else! Memories made with my family and friends are what I truly value, and photos capture those moments so they can last a lifetime.What is your signature pour?A: My signature pour is super easy to whip up; it's water over ice!! It is my true go-to drink, and sometimes I will even add a slice of lemon for some extra indulgence! slmag.net