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Transcript of Fairweather Summer 2014
SUMMER 2014
Exploring the city of stars . . .
FAIRW_COV1.indd 1 6/20/14 3:46 PM
PRESENTED BY
GAGOSIAN GALLERY
®
JUNE 25–SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
ORGANIZED BY PUBLIC ART FUND AND TISHMAN SPEYER
Split-Rocker (2000) installed at Fondation Beyeler, Riehen/Basel, 2012, photo: Jean-Jacques Nobs
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FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 1
34Isabella Hufngtonmakes her mark—creating beautiful
images with SharpiesBY ALEXANDRA
FAIRWEATHER
60Please Pass the Skimm
The founders of the rising newsletter
know how to keep things short and sweet
BY ERIC GOODMAN
38Cook or Be Cooked
Laurie David is changing the way we
think about foodBY ALEXANDRA
FAIRWEATHER
62Ready for your
Closeup?TernPro is an exciting
new way to make your own videos
BY NANCY GUEVARA
66A Prized Point of
ViewBlake Farber is an imaginative new
presence in music videos and flmBY ALEXANDRA
FAIRWEATHER46Intimate Italy
Get ready for a sensory journey in Tuscany that is like no other on the planet
BY EVAN HUGHES
72Unforgettable
FixturesEvan Geofroy
proudly takes the legacy of Sherle Wagner into the
21st centuryBY KATHERINE VOGEL
74The Art of Living
We visit the incredible
Manhattan home of Kara Van Der Weg
and Brett Littman for a taste of exquisite
design—and an exceptional pottery
collecitonBY ALEXANDRA
FAIRWEATHER &
LISA GRAHAM
78Secrets of a Private
ConciergeA self-styled “go-to girl” spills the beans
on her greatest triumphs—and what
it’s like to be hard-wired to help other people all the time
BY KRISTINA BRIGLIO
SUMMER 2014
For advertising and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Fairweather at 646.582.6927 or [email protected].
Fairweather magazine, Summer 2014, copyright © 2014, Fairweather Magazine LLC. All Rights Reserved. See the magazine
online at www.fairweathermagazine.com. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
For customer service, please contact Fairweather at 646.582.6927 or [email protected].
Publishers
Alexandra Fairweather
Eric Goodman
Creative Director
Warren Christopher
Designers
Douglas+Voss
Editor
Evan Hughes
02On Our Radar
04Outlook
12Predictions
14Trade Winds
16Climate Change
18Jet Stream
22A Fairweather
Moment with . . .
80CAVU
COLUMNS
Cover, back cover, p. 1, pp. 44–45: Photography by Rick Day; Stylist: Mario Wilson; Prop Stylist: Scott Delacruz; Hair and Makeup: Aeriel Payne. Jewelry courtesy of Joan Hornig. Additonal art: Cover: Hollywood, 1963 (crayons on paper) by Peter Blake; Private Collection; Mayor Gallery, London/The Bridgeman Art Library; Artists Rights Society (ARS) New York. Shutterstock. Digital illustrations by Ken Bae.
SUMMER 2014
Exploring the city of stars . . .
54Inspiring SpacesThe visionaries
at workshop/apd reimagine the way New Yorkers liveBY EVAN HUGHES
FAIRW_1.indd 1 6/20/14 3:50 PM
It’s time to visit the City of Angels,
the place where dreams are made,
Hollywood! While there, we got whipped
into shape with Barry Jay of Barry’s
Bootcamp and stopped by Silicon
Valley to see what start-ups are blossoming,
including Jason Galloway’s latest tech venture.
We found out why celebrities are donning Joan
Hornig’s beautiful jewelry, chatted with Nina
Montée Karp at Barneys’ restaurant, overlooking
the gorgeous Hollywood hills, and met with
Laurie David to get the scoop on her latest
documentary, Fed Up, and her new cookbook,
The Family Cooks.
Then it was time to head to the Mediterranean
to relax. We found out why a sensory journey with
Italian concierge Su Misura is a way of getting
up close and personal with Florence and the
surrounding Tuscan landscape. It was magnifco!
Once in New York, we spoke with the
visionary architecture and design frm
workshop/apd; found out how Sherle Wagner’s
current president, Evan Geofroy, is continuing
the legacy of his grandfather with a modern
twist; and how former NBC producers Carly
Zakin and Danielle Weissberg founded one of
the coolest e-blast newsletters, also known as
theSkimm.
Next stop… outer space!
ON OUR RADAR
PH
OTO
GR
AP
HY: R
ICK
DAY; S
TY
LIS
T: M
AR
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ON
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AIR
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SC
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Follow us: www.fairweathermagazine.com Facebook.com/FairweatherMag @FairweatherMag @FairweatherMag
FAIRW_2.indd 2 6/20/14 10:01 AM
GGARREN
N E W YO R K
THE SHERRY-NETHERLAND HOTEL
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212-841-9400
PERFEC T
H A I R , C O L O R , N A I L S , M A K E - U P .
vis it our website for al l salon ser vices www.garrennewyork .com
© R
ob
ert
o L
igre
sti
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4 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
OUTLOOKFashion FavesCreativity is a kind of sensitivity to the world—
and that kind of sensitivity is what I have seen
on display at fashion shows this year. Mercedes
Benz Fashion Week New York held two special
fnds for me: Dennis Basso’s hand-painted gowns
(far left), which reminded me of a huge O’Keefe
canvas, and Son Jung Wan’s mixture of materials
and unfnished-edge techniques (left), which
echoed Rothko’s blurred color boundaries. At
LCM (London Collections Men), I discovered KTZ
and it was a quasi-mystical experience, with the
models resembling travelers journeying through
a monochrome post-apocalyptic world. This was
all edge-of-my-seat fashion that makes me look
forward to more from these great designers.
—Lupe Castro
Elegant ArrivalChester Barrie’s autumn/winter collection is
relaxed but sharp, appealing to young men who are
in love with British tailoring. And the company is
bringing its Savile Row elegance to New York—or
perhaps we should say back to New York—after
all, Chester Barrie was founded in the 1930s with
the intention of making English-quality ready-to-
wear suits available to the American man. With the
comeback of black-tie elegance, Chester Barrie will
be coming to Saks Fifth Avenue, featuring lighter
fabrics and innovative blends.
—Lupe Castro
Wearable ArtworksGoing well beyond the traditional gallery-artist
relationship, Grey Area (thegreyarea.com) has
been pushing the boundaries of collaboration
and programming. It not only sponsors major
programming events, such as Grey East at Glenn
Horowitz Booksellers in East Hampton this
summer, but also sells wearable art in the form
of playfully labeled socks and other items from
Baron Von Fancy, mood stones from Eric Cahan,
and “Versa Tables” by a variety of designers. We
especially love the provocative—and beautiful—
Robot Rings by Mia Fonssagrives-Solow (right).
—Paige Wright
FAIRW_4.indd 4 6/20/14 10:05 AM
Art Southampton is the premier International Contemporary + Modern Art Fair
and marketplace for acquiring the fi nest works of investment quality art available
in the Hamptons. The fair features a carefully selected group of 75 international
galleries exhibiting paintings, sculpture, works on paper, photography, video and
installation by modern and contemporary artists.
Platinum VIP Preview July 24th to benefi t the Parrish Art Museum.
APPLY FOR VIP STATUS: WWW.ART-SOUTHAMPTON.COM
SAUNDERSA HIGHER FORM OF REALTY
Vanessa von Zitzewitz, “Underwater”, 2009, Bernheimer Fine Art, Munich, © Vanessa von Zitzewitz
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TO
P:
RIC
K D
AY
(2
)
OUTLOOK
FORECAST:Summer Breezes
It’s summertime again, which means it is
time for regattas in Europe, late nights in the
Hamptons, and weekend trips to Aspen. In
other words, it’s time to mark those social
calendars…
✹After the adrenaline rush of Monaco’s Grand
Prix in May and Art Basel in June, it is always
wonderful to explore the Croatian archipelago,
Italy’s Amalf Coast, and Cyprus, followed by a
quick stop to the Champagne Houses in Reims.
But don’t get carried away in Europe, since the
Hamptons season will be shifting into high gear
and you will not want to miss it.
✹On July 12, you will be forced to make a
choice, whether you wish to sip cocktails on
the Wharf at Bay Street Theatre’s Rock the
Dock Beneft or attend the Parrish Midsummer
Gala to see their premiere collection of
contemporary art; you could always try to
party hop, but remember that Saturday night
Hamptons trafc.
✹Next, hop on over across the pond to the
Panerai British Classic Week (July 12–19); it is a
spectacular regatta bringing together dozens of
sailing yachts to race in the legendary waters of
the Solent around the Isle of Wight.
✹Retire your sailing booties temporarily,
and head to Art Southampton (July 24–28),
the premiere art fair in the Hamptons, to see
what fun activities they have coming up (last
year they had a beautiful showcase of Graf
diamonds).
✹July 26 The Watermill Center will be having
one of the Hamptons’ most talked-about
parties of the season. This year’s theme,
Arabian Nights.
✹If you can swing it, head to Sydney for the
Sydney International Boat Show (July 31–August
4). The show is Australia’s premiere boat show
and has taken place annually since its inception
in 1968. This year, it will gather momentum in
Darling Harbour and Glebe Island.
✹But don’t get carried away down under—in
August, you do not want to miss the Guild Hall
Gala (August 8) celebrating the legendary
Robert Motherwell exhibition.
✹If you can fnd a few days to sneak away to
Aspen, it’s always great to have some good old
summer fun, like hot air ballooning, fy fshing
and whitewater rafting.
FORECAST invites you to share your events with
Fairweather magazine at:
www.fairweathermagazine.com.
Shore ThingsWhen we stretch out on the beach this summer, we’ll be fnding inspiration from Arianna Hufngton. In
her latest book, Thrive (Harmony, 2014), she helps to redefne what success means, and urges readers
to take a step back from our 24/7 lives and embrace well-being and wonder. And when we open our
cooler for some refreshment, it’ll be for a good cause! Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Caring Cooler is
a distinctive, limited-edition cooler with 100 percent of proceeds going to Share Our Strength’s No Kid
Hungry campaign ($35, amazon.com).
—Evan Hughes
6 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
Hot Stuf!Who will be mixing the tastiest, most elegant cocktails
this summer? You! Introduce your friends to Hottie Tottie
(drinkhottietottie.com), the new organic beverage line that
is delicious by itself and doubles as a fantastic mixer with
Champagne, vodka, or whiskey. Want some mixological
inspiration? Start here:
HOTTIE TOTTIE’S FRENCH MARTINI
11 oz vodka
1 oz Hottie Tottie Raspberry Pineapple Cranberry
1 twist lemon peel
Pour the above into a tall bar glass. Shake with ice, pour into
martini glass, and serve.
SUMMER COSMO
2 oz vodka
3 oz triple sec
3 oz Hottie Tottie Raspberry Pineapple Cranberry
1 oz fresh lime juice
Orange peel for garnish
Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker flled halfway with ice cubes.
Shake well, strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with orange peel.
Serve.
RASPBERRY BELLINI
Equal parts Hottie Tottie Raspberry Pineapple Cranberry, chilled,
and your favorite prosecco, chilled
FAIRW_6.indd 6 6/20/14 10:09 AM
T H E H A M P T O N S • N O R T H F O R K • N E W Y O R K C I T Y • P A L M B E A C H
All information is from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, prior sale or withdrawal without notice. All rights to content, photographs and graphics reserved to broker. Equal Housing Opportunity Broker. Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons, LLC. 2408 Main Street • P.O. Box 683 • Bridgehampton, NY 11932 • 631.537.2727
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8 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
OUTLOOK
FR
OM
TO
P:
CO
UR
TE
SY
OF
RO
BY
N A
ND
RE
A B
UR
GE
SS
; C
OU
RT
ES
Y O
F C
RU
SH
WIN
ES
& S
PIR
ITS
How to Build a Wine Collection
We asked Robert Schagrin, founder and managing
partner of Crush Wine & Spirits (crushwineco.
com), to uncork the secret to getting started in
wine collecting.
VARIETALS Many collectors start with red
wines from Napa Valley—that’s a good start.
The essential elements of a European collection
are wines of France (Burgundy, Bordeaux, and
the Rhône) and Italy (Piedmont and Tuscany).
Buy some young wines, and while they are aging,
have some mature wines on hand to enjoy. And
remember that the great white wines—not just the
reds—can improve with a decade or more of age.
TASTE VS. VALUE Drink what makes you happy.
But be cognizant of how wines age. You don’t need
to buy 10 years’ worth of Sauvignon Blanc, for
instance, but having 10 years’ worth of Burgundy or
Bordeaux is totally appropriate. From an investment
point of view, some wine producers and regions
have a better track record for holding their value or
appreciating. Currently, red Burgundy is what’s hot.
STORAGE For long-term storage, white and red
wines are both ideally stored at 55˚F and 70
percent humidity—and for that you need a wine
refrigerator.
SERVING Have two sizes of glasses for reds—a
Bordeaux-shaped glass and one for Burgundy.
White wines and sparkling wines are best served
in the same glass. Look for Zalto stemware.
They’re not inexpensive, but they will enhance your
drinking experience.
Summer Salad!
When we want to know what’s for dinner, we visit
Runaway Apricot (runawayapricot.com), a blog
featuring local, seasonal recipes made from scratch
by Robyn Andrea Burgess. This time of year, we’re
hooked on Robyn’s Pickled Peach and Fennel Salad.
2 peaches, thinly sliced
1 cup white or rice wine vinegar
1 tsp sugar
Salt
Fresh ground black pepper
1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced
1 small red onion or fresh pearl onion, thinly sliced
1 pound of arugula or bitter greens
1 handful fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
4 oz goat cheese
2 Tbsp olive oil
Toss peaches with vinegar and sugar in a medium
bowl. Season with salt and pepper and let stand for
10–15 minutes. Add fennel, onions, arugula, and mint
to a large salad bowl. Break apart goat cheese and
sprinkle over greens. Just before you’re ready to serve,
add peaches, drizzle olive oil and toss to combine.
FAIRW_8.indd 8 6/20/14 10:30 AM
Untitled (Metallic Trees 1 and 2), Dash Snow, 2007
THE 21ST ANNUAL WATERMILL CENTER SUMMER BENEFIT AND AUCTION
THE WATERMILL CENTER, WATER MILL, NY
JULY 26, 2014
Benefit Tickets:www.watermillcenter.org/benefit
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12 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
Jay had never worked out before. “I went
around stalking people on the ftness
machines to see what they were doing,” he
recalls. “And I always steered clear of the
free weights room.”
But that $19 gym membership changed
not only Jay’s life, but ultimately the lives
of many of his future clients. Over the next
six years, Jay developed a tremendous
penchant for exercising—including the free
weights—while maintaining a job in public
relations. “But public relations is really a
lifestyle and skill set unto itself,” he explains.
Long story short? “I was not a good worker
and got fred.” That turned out to be a lucky
PREDICTIONS
PH
OT
OS
CO
UR
TE
SY
OF
BA
RR
Y J
AY
Barry Jay, founder of
Barry’s Bootcamp.
Fairweather publisher ERIC GOODMAN sits down with exercise guru BARRY JAY— founder of Barry’s Bootcamp— to discuss the future of ftness.
Barry On!
In 1988, Barry Jay may have seemed like an unlikely candidate to pioneer the future of body sculpting. As an aspiring Los Angeles songwriter weighing in at 120 pounds, he found himself nearly broke and unclear about his career goals when he signed up for a $19-per-month membership at Sports Connection, a precursor to today’s 24 Hour Fitness.
FAIRW_12-13.indd 12 6/20/14 10:20 AM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 13
break. His next job was as a receptionist at
City Hall, where he befriended Mayor John
Heilman, who ultimately guided him to an
$8-per-hour job answering phones at a near-
by gym. “I took a ton of free classes and just
loved the energy of the room,” Jay enthuses.
Barry’s 60 minutes of fame fnally arrived
one fateful day when the class instructor
missed attendance. “I leapt over the desk
before the manager could even fnish asking
me to fll in.” Radiating energy and excitement,
he assumed the helm and realized at that point
that “this is what I was meant to be to doing.”
He proudly marked his next two years as a
class instructor with perfect attendance.
One of Barry’s many
Bootcamp studios.
That local gym shut down just two short
years later in the fall of 1998 due to misman-
agement. “I was told the morning of, that
this would be my last class as an instruc-
tor,” Barry recalls. Fast on his feet—no pun
intended—and determined to keep pressing
on, “I took a legal pad and started writing
down the names of everyone who attended
my last class.” One of the class attendees,
John Mumford, cultivated a strong relation-
ship with Jay and would later become a busi-
ness partner in the famed Barry’s Bootcamp.
Twelve years later, Barry’s Bootcamp
has expanded briskly beyond its original
West Hollywood location. After spread-
ing throughout California and the East
Coast, Barry’s Bootcamp broadened its
international presence with locations in
London and Norway. In a period where time
management and utility maximization are
of primary importance in our daily lives,
Barry’s Bootcamp has solidifed its place as
one of the most efcient and efective hour-
long workout classes of its time.
THE FUTURE OF FITNESS
In developing Barry’s Bootcamp, Jay is
helping to change some antiquated notions
about body sculpting. His major innovations
include:
A broad range of free weights, includ-
ing not only conventional 5- and 10-pound
weights but also those up to 50 pounds or
more.
Dedicated classes for targeted body
parts, including arms, legs, chest, etc.
Red lights! “There’s something about red
lights in the class that just raises the energy
and intensity of the workout,” he says.
Customer service. As commonplace as
it may sound, this is a major change for a
ftness program. “It’s the human factor,”
explains Jay. “If you signed up for a class and
didn’t attend, we call and ask, ‘How come
you weren’t at class?’ That kind of interest
and dedication resonates with customers.”
With additional locations on the way,
come check out Barry’s Bootcamp at
www.barrysbootcamp.com.
FAIRW_12-13.indd 13 6/20/14 10:20 AM
14 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
Enter Jobspot, a new app that is destined
to rock the world of employment apps this
summer.
Jobspot employs GPS to fnd you oppor-
tunities in your area—and you can register
for as many types of employment as you’re
qualifed for. Got a little unwanted time on
your hands? Jobspot can have you walking
dogs in the morning, writing press releases
in the afternoon, and tending bar in the
evening if that’s what you’re into.
And with Jobspot there’s no downside to
TRADE WINDS
A new app will make it easier to fnd part-time work—and quickly build a resume that can take you to the next level. PAIGE WRIGHT spoke with Team Jobspot member JUSTIN GALLOWAY about this exciting new venture.
Let’s face it, most apps aren’t exactly game changers. Sure, they’ll hook you up with a good slice of pizza within a few blocks, get you a deal on an air conditioner, or tell you what song is playing in the elevator. But when it comes to shifting the ground under your feet, those hundreds of thousands of smartphone-ready smarties are getting a little overhyped.
Meet Jobspot!
The Jobspot team is
focused on creating the
job search of the future.
holding down a multitude of part-time gigs:
It’s just the opposite. Do your part-time jobs
well and you’ll earn a positive rating from
employers that will make it easier for you to
land future opportunities.
It’s no secret that it’s more difcult than
ever for college students and recent grad-
uates to fnd full- or part-time work these
days. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports
that unemployment for recent grads is in the
double digits. And some of the “unskilled”
opportunities at
supermarkets and
cofee houses that
used to serve as
entry-level for grads
are now swallowed
up by experienced
adults happy to fnd
work.
Jobspot—
launched by a team
of true believers
determined to do
right by their fellow
grads—is tailor-made
for the enthusiastic
college student or
recent grad who is willing to hustle for every
opportunity and build a solid reputation by
doing great work.
Jobspot’s closest competitor is TaskRab-
bit. But to date, other part-time job apps
have amassed a relatively small following
and have charged a fairly high commission
rate to employers. We’re looking forward
to seeing how job-seekers respond to the
potentially limitless opportunities and low
commission rates ofered by Jobspot.
Look for a launch near the end of July!
FAIRW_14.indd 14 6/20/14 10:27 AM
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Browse the tasteful, distinctive pieces—made
with 18k gold, sterling silver, and semipre-
cious stones—on the Joan Hornig Jewelry
website ( joanhornig.com) and you might
presume that Hornig is smiling all the way to
the bank. But the former Wall Streeter has a
much higher purpose.
After the tragic events of 9/11, Hornig was
inspired to transition away from high fnance
and put her budding passion—and exquisite
talent—for jewelry-making to work helping
others. But the Harvard Business School
graduate was determined not to follow the
conventional charity formula of throwing
expensive bashes for worthy causes (where,
unfortunately, the nonproft being supported
by the beneft is often an afterthought).
CLIMATE CHANGE
JOE
HE
NS
ON
From top: Mehla Cuf,
silver with foating
white topaz and gold
accent.
Gold Matisse Bracelet
with white topaz.
JOAN HORNIG designs stunning jewelry at price points for all budgets, but what she does with the profts is even more amazing, says EVAN HUGHES
Giving 100 Percent
Sure, you could call Joan Hornig a “jeweler to the stars.” After all, her gorgeous designs have adorned the bodies of such Hollywood A-listers as Zoë Saldana, Emma Roberts, Emma Stone, Amy Poehler, Naomi Watts, and Cameron Diaz. But you’d be only half-right. In fact, Joan Hornig’s real accomplishment is that she donates 100 percent of her profts to charity. No, that is not a misprint.
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FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 17
Instead, Hornig decided to focus on the
enthusiasm and passion that many potential
charitable donors bring to jewelry. “Jewelry
is portable sculpture that doesn’t fnd a home
till it’s worn by a woman,” Hornig says. “As
a fundraising tool, it’s easy to transport and
store, and because of the precious metals
used to craft it, jewelry only increases in value
over the years.”
Thus was born Hornig’s philanthropy
model: When you buy one of her pieces—
available at luxury retail outlets such as
Bergdorf Goodman and at joanhornig.com,
she donates all of her profts to the charity of
your choice.
“We make it easy: Just tell us the name
of the nonproft you want to donate to, and
we’ll track them down and take care of the
paperwork,” Hornig notes. “And once you’ve
made a donation, your charity will go on our
online list so others can consider donating to
your cause too.”
A quick look at her website will confrm
that this is a win-win: Not only are you
supporting the worthy cause of your own
choice, but you will take home a miniature
work of art—often inspired by tribal designs
and Hornig’s deep knowledge of art history.
And lest Hornig’s beautiful design eye makes
you fear sticker shock, know that she prides
herself on ofering price points from under
$50 to fve fgures. The name of her parent
company really says it all: Philanthropy Is
Beautiful.
From top: Georgie
Earrings in white gold.
Double Pinwheel
Earrings in gold.
Joshie Earrings in white
gold with white topaz.
Jungle Pearl Necklace
with 18k green gold
feather toggle.
FAIRW_16-17.indd 17 6/20/14 12:41 PM
18 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
We arrive in Bishop, California, and cellphone
service is history halfway up the mountain.
The lack of phone service and the dizzy heights
of the High Sierras—riding a horse past steep
inclines—have me arrested with fear.
It’s a challenge for me to be around
anybody for 20 minutes, let alone four days.
It’s 8 a.m. A cowboy is talking about scorpions
and making comments about New York
City. Wild mustangs are in a feld next to
the parking lot, unlike any horses I’ve ever
seen before. Absolutely aware of us, looking
directly at us, and keeping their distance. And
all I can think of is my lack of phone service. I
JET STREAM
JULIE KEYES experienced unforgettable mountain views and treacherous terrain on a horseback ride through the High Sierras. But what she learned about herself was even more stunning.
Signed up for a four-day horseback ride through the High Sierras (rockcreekpackstation.com) with college friends Lisa and Sue. A year in advance, the trip sounded romantic—four days following wild mustangs! But as our departure date approaches, the emails start to mention 30-degree nights, 90-degree days, rattlesnakes, and mountain lions.
Mustang Alley
must need this trip more than I thought.
Mount Whitney is the backdrop each day,
the tallest mountain in the continental U.S.,
capped with snow. We take of, mustangs on
our right, the mountains on our left.
The rangers talk about the horses as
if they were friends on a schoolyard. My
horse is Gallo, a white angel. We ride for six
hours, then stop for a snack among ancient
petroglyphs. Peanut butter never tasted so
good! Lying around for an hour, I kind of fall
in love with Lisa and Sue all over again on a
new level, saying nothing.
We ride on. When we dismount again,
my legs vaguely buckle. We walk like dirty,
dusty wooden soldiers to the solar shower.
Then we drink hot cofee and eat cheese
and crackers. Gene, the cook, is right out of
central casting—tall, skinny, weathered hat,
pipe, and drawl. He grills chicken, pork ribs,
and steaks in his makeshift kitchen. Nothing
feels more perfect. Nothing. He makes a huge
fre in the fre pit and we sit around and stare
at the fames with exhausted, empty minds
until the stars come out.
Sleeping in 30-degree cold at night is not
easy. But I fnd that if you put on every piece
of clothing that you have, plus gloves and
hats, zipping up the sleeping bag over your
head, you’re okay. And by the third night I am
sleeping alarmingly well.
We are about to go descend through…
Rattlesnake Pass! It’s the last pass and the
most notoriously steep. Prayers. Making deals
with God. And, poof, it’s over and we’re down
the hill and on the fat plains with mustangs
and antelope, and cars looming ominously
in the parking lot ahead. Civilization. After a
four-day sojourn across this wild, vanishing
world, I have rethought everything.
Selfe, with fellow riders
in the background.
Riding through 90˚F
days—and sleeping
through 30˚F nights!
Native American
petroglyphs dot the
High Sierra landscape.
FAIRW_18.indd 18 6/20/14 10:47 AM
Angelo Piccozzi
NYS Licensed
Associate Broker
The famed architect Norman Jaffe designed this sculptural beach house. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 2 fireplaces, gunite swimming pool, large decks, dock, and2 car garage. Majestic views of Gardiner’s Island, Long Beach Point & Plum Gut Lighthouses. A rare opportunity to own this architectural gem. This is the firstoffering of this property in 45 years. EXCLUSIVE: $3,950,000.
Newly renovated farmhouse facing West Neck Bayand Westmoreland Farms. Four bedrooms, fivebaths, Free-form swimming pool. Two Car garagewith unfinished loft space. Large Decks and porch-es, finished basement & boat dock complete thissummer paradise. Asking: $2,795,000.
Beautiful home on 30 acre fresh water pond and 1/2mile from Wades Beach. Three bedrooms, 2 baths,fireplace, deck and great sunsets. Asking: $999,000.
Wonderfully restored Shelter Island HeightsVictorian, with views of Chase Creek. Four bed-rooms, 3.5 bathrooms. Plus, separate adjacent build-ing lot. Both properties close proximity to NorthFerry, Heights tennis, shops & Dering HarborMarina. Asking: $1,100,000.
Fantastic location. Steps to Crescent Beach, PerlmanMusic Camp, Moussa Drame Tennis, CampQuinipet. Sunset Beach Motel/Restaurant, LaMasion Blanc Hotel, The Pridwin Hotel and a 17acre preserve. Walk to everything! Four bedrooms,two baths, fireplace, two car garage. All on 1.75acres. Asking: $850,000
Authentic Shelter Island Farm House with threebedrooms, two baths, one block from CrescentBeach and Shelter Island Country Club. Asking$649,000.
Newly renovated 1800’s farmhouse with barn. Thislovingly restored 4 bedroom, 3 bath farmhouse withits original maple floors has a beautiful chef’s kitchen,a woodburning fireplace and screened in porch. Thehome sits on approximately 1.6 acres with room forpool, tennis and/or accessory cottage. Close to town,shops, kayaking and beaches. Asking: $825,000.
HILO WATERFRONT HEIGHTS FRESH POND
CRECSENT BEACH WATER VIEW CENTER WEST NECK
Location, Location, Location. Well maintainedhome on .84 acres with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 cargarage, fireplace, sun room and full basement onquiet street. One block from The Island Boatyardand Salt Restaurant. Exclusive: $575,000.
Single-level traditional, situated on a beautiful andprivate half-acre. Living room, dining area, kitchen,two bedrooms, and two baths. Steps to shops,library, school, art galleries, restaurants and beach-es. Asking: $435,000.
Completely renovated beach house on quiet street.New: kitchen, baths, roof, windows, siding, heat/airconditioning, appliances. 2~3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths,living room with woodburning fireplace, Large fam-ily room, legal finished basement bedroom, largedeck for entertaining. Situated on approx 1/2 acre.Ready to move in. Exclusive: $525,000.
MENANTIC CENTER CENTER
GARDINER’S BAY WATERFRONT
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AlexAndrA FAirweAther
Lic. Real Estate Salesperson
212-612-9675
lisA GrAhAm
Lic. Assoc. Real Estate Broker
Lic. as Lisa Graham Wanzell
212-500-2103
The Art of Living
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104 Fifth Avenue · nY, nY 10011 · 212-609-9100 · corenyc.com
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22 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
A Fairweather Moment with . . .
By Alexandra Fairweather
Nina Montée Karp
and Harvey Karp,
in Los Angeles.
I caught up with the gorgeous environmental activist,
producer, and director Nina Montée Karp for lunch at
Barneys’ beautiful rooftop bar, overlooking the Los Angeles
hills, one Sunday afternoon. It was the perfect setting. “I fell in love
with California and everything it had to ofer: its beauty, people, pace
and nature,” explained the Belgrade native, who frst came to the U.S.
to visit her sister and uncle, a successful entrepreneur and former
Prime Minister of Yugoslavia, Milan Panić. She returned to Newport
Beach in 1981 and decided to stay and call California home.
Nina Montée Karp
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FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 23
Multitasking for Moms—and Dads
This modern-day wonder woman owns Nina Montée, a skincare line,
that was until recently only available at dermatologists’ ofces and
premiere spas, runs the Happiest Baby on the Block with her hus-
band (renowned pediatrician and author Dr. Harvey Karp), produces
and directs documentaries, and champions a host of social causes
that are dear to her heart.
“Few things are as fulflling as working on projects that have a pos-
itive impact. My husband and I get great joy in immersing ourselves
in these eforts. I could not imagine being on this incredibly powerful
and passionate journey without him,” explains Montée Karp.
In order to assist parents around the world, Montée Karp direct-
ed and produced the award-winning educational DVDs The Happiest
Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block.
“As my husband was writing his frst book, The Happiest Baby on
the Block, he realized two things: (1) new parents often don’t have
the time to read a whole book and (2) his techniques are best learned
by watching them done, step-by-step. To capture the best shots, he
had to make house calls whenever a parent called with a crying baby,
night or day. Fortunately, I had experience directing and producing
short flms, so I became his ‘24-hour, on-call’ crew.
“The DVD was so popular, we decided to do the same thing when
he wrote The Happiest Toddler on the Block. And today, 12 years later,
our short flms are arguably the most watched parenting DVDs in
history. It is very rewarding,” refected Montée Karp.
In addition to the Happiest Baby DVDs, Montée Karp also
co-produced Not Under My Roof, an award-winning educational
video that teaches parents about the efects of environmental haz-
ards. “It was so exciting making that documentary because it was the
very frst video to teach parents about preventing child exposure to
hazards such as pesticides, lead, solvents, air pollution. These expo-
sures can have a potentially serious impact on children's health. Our
DVD was the frst educational tool on how
to substitute common sense and natural al-
ternatives for harsh chemicals to protect our
children's well being.”
When asked what advice she has for
new or expecting parents, Montée Karp re-
marked, “Get help! You deserve it. Ask ques-
tions, shop around for the best pediatrician
and don’t be shy about quizzing new parents
you see at the park or in cafes. Finding voices
you trust is so important because it’s easy to
get information overload from the Internet
and become totally confused. Sleep and rest
as much as you can before the babies come…
and line up some friends and family to help
you cook and clean for a couple of months
after the baby comes.”
5 QuestionsQ: What’s the best advice you’ve ever
received?
A: Take the riskiest path, be your authentic self,
forgive.
Q: What is your biggest virtue?
A: Loyalty.
Q: What is your biggest vice?
A: Dark chocolate!
Q: What is your favorite place in Los Angeles?
A: Our home—our sanctuary—with our favorite
art and books, and the most beautiful view of
the Pacifc Ocean.
Q: What do you hope your legacy will be?
A: Making a meaningful, positive impact on
people’s lives.©T
RE
VO
R T
ON
DR
O/
GM
AIM
AG
ES
Healing Help
In addition to assisting parents, Montée Karp is a champion of breast
cancer awareness and produced and directed Breast Cancer: The
Path of Wellness and Healing.
“I have nine girlfriends with breast cancer and a sister-in-law who
succumbed to the disease at a very young age. The more my friends con-
fded in me about the very serious decisions that had been thrust upon
them, the more I recognized the dearth of information to help them.
“There is so much to learn when you get hit with the diagnosis of
cancer and there are so many misconceptions (even among doctors).
I wanted to help my friends and the one in eight of our mothers, sis-
ters and daughters with this terrible disease. Because of that experi-
ence, I joined the board of directors of Breastcancer.org, the world's
largest Internet support for women, and men, with the disease. And
over two years, I created a comprehensive visual guide on healing
from breast cancer: body, mind, and spirit.
“Rather than adding to the black-and-white sea of pamphlets and
books on the topic, I decided to create an intimate DVD weaving to-
gether the voices of America’s greatest doctors and wellness experts
with the inspiring stories of women surviving this great challenge.
It is a broad and detailed platform of essential information on every
stage of the breast cancer experience, assisting women and their
families from the very frst steps along their path of healing.
“This two-DVD set contains a two-hour disc that documents
inspiring—and even funny!—frst-hand accounts from breast cancer
survivors including celebrities like Sheryl Crow, Christina Apple-
gate, Melissa Etheridge, Olivia Newton-John, and Jaclyn Smith; and
powerful lessons from preeminent doctors and wellness experts
including Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Marisa Weiss, Dr. Susan Love, Dr.
Dean Ornish, and Marianne Williamson.
“In addition, there is a three-hour bonus disc of 16 discussions
on a wide range of issues, from reconstructive surgery, to the use
of hormones, to diet and meditation. The
overwhelmingly positive response we have
received—from the medical, wellness, and
breast cancer communities—has made every
moment of this efort incredibly satisfying
and worthwhile.”
Every Day Is a Winding Road
When asked what a typical day looks like for
Nina Montée Karp, she refected, “On a good
day—it starts with a joint meditation with my
husband, then a hike with girlfriends. The
rest of the day is flled with meetings for our
company, The Happiest Baby, and for various
non-proft organizations. There are always
events to go to and usually, after dinner, it’s
back to work!”
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34 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
Isabella Huffngton is making her markW
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FAIRW_34-37.indd 34 6/20/14 11:41 AM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 35
by Alexandra Fairweather
I wish we could make basic things more beautiful,Ó explains
Isabella Hufngton, the gorgeous, confdent 22-year-old whose art has already gar-
nered attention from the likes of André Leon Talley, André Balazs, Mika Brzezinski,
Randi Zuckerberg, and Fareed Zakaria, to name just a few. The California native, daughter of
media mogul Arianna Hufngton and former Republican congressman Michael Hufngton,
graduated this spring from Yale University and is ready to take on New York. As the two of us met
for lunch one weekend this spring at Bottega del Vino, we covered everything from the accessi-
bility of art in today’s society to the tyranny of social media to Hufngton’s philosophy on life.
“The frst piece of art I made was in 10th grade. It was a mess up; I made a bunch of mistakes.
Art is the one place where I allow myself to mess up. And when I do mess up, gorgeous things
happen,” explains Hufngton. The young artist is known for using Sharpies on museum board
to create her beautiful pieces. “I was in a bookmaking class, and I started using Sharpies and
thought, these are fantastic—because I love bright colors. It is a fun and accessible medium,”
the artist recalls.
The accessibility of Sharpies refects Hufngton’s core values. “My main thing with art is
making it accessible,” she explains. She even wrote her senior thesis at Yale about making art
Sharpie on museum
board, 32 in. x 40 in.,
2014.
LE
FT
: A
ND
RE
W G
OB
LE
FAIRW_34-37.indd 35 6/20/14 11:41 AM
36 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
accessible through museums. “It is important
to bring art to people that may not have had
access to it in the past.” Hufngton is seeking
to address that lack of access to art across the
world. “Art can be anything. It is up for the
person to defne what art is.”
Refecting on the meaning of her own art,
she refects, “I don’t even know necessarily
what it means until I’m done,” and for Huf-
ington, art is very much about the viewer’s
response rather than one set interpretation
provided by the artist. “We need things that
make people happy. If people can look at it
and meditate on it, that is the goal.”
Speaking of accessibility, Hufngton is
very interested in uniting her artistic vision
with everyday objects. “I want to put my art
Above: Sharpie on
museum board, 32 in. x
40 in., 2013.
Left: Hufngton’s
unique technique on
display in a recent
work.
FAIRW_34-37.indd 36 6/20/14 11:42 AM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 37
on objects, tablecloths, napkins, wrapping paper, and so on. There are so many things that
could be so much more beautiful!”
The two of us briefy discussed how we’ve noticed how artists often feel the need today to
create brands, and create social media accounts, but Hufngton has a refreshing perspective,
a wisdom that allows her to see above the fray: “I don’t want to do that. I’m not a brand. I don’t
want to waste my time doing that. I’m not into social media. I’m not into over sharing; my life is
my life, and a lot of people feel that way.”
Looking towards the future, Hufngton refects: “I didn’t dislike college, but college was in
no way the greatest years in my life. The ones who are most afraid to graduate are the ones that
think that learning ends when you graduate, when in reality, there is so much to learn after
graduation.” The young artist is eager to start her next chapter. “There’s a whimsy in life we
can’t fgure out; there’s so much in life that you don’t know and you can’t understand and you
can’t reason it. I very much feel what we do is intuition and when we try to overthink it, we end
up making bad choices. I’m very type A, so I used to overthink everything and I ended up mak-
ing bad choices.”
Now, Hufngton is following her intuition as she dedicates herself to her work and begins
the exciting journey that lies ahead of her.
Sharpie on museum
board, 32 in. x 40 in.,
2014.
FAIRW_34-37.indd 37 6/20/14 11:42 AM
38 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
This spring, flmmaker, author, and activist
LAURIE DAVID premiered her new flm, Fed Up,
and launched her latest cookbook,
The Family Cooks. She shares with publisher
Alexandra Fairweather her solutions to the
current childhood obesity epidemic.
Be CookedCook or
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FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 39
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40 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
K“Katie Couric emailed and asked me to join her and director Stephanie
Soechtig in executive producing what we all hoped would be the An
Inconvenient Truth of food. Needless to say, it took me three seconds to
reply “yes!’” exclaims Laurie David. “It was a natural ft because since
the release of my book The Family Dinner in 2010, I had been working on
food issues. In examining where we eat, why we eat, and what we eat, it’s
undeniable that food has the power to make us healthy or make us sick.
In Fed Up we demonstrate why what we are eating is making us so sick.”
Laurie and I frst met at a Larry Gagosian’s Art Basel party at Mr.
Chow’s in Miami about two and half years ago. My mother, Prudence
Fairweather, fashion designer Vera Wang, and I were all talking about how
gorgeous Vera’s outft was when Laurie David walked over and introduced
herself. As a documentary flmmaker who had just fnished a documen-
tary on my late-stepfather, John Chamberlain, I was glowing with excite-
ment to meet the renowned flmmaker and author, who I had admired for
so many years. We talked about Laurie’s home in Martha’s Vineyard, Art
Basel, her new documentary that she was already working on with Katie
Couric, and how I had never been to Los Angeles (and I was dying to go).
About a year later, I was fying to LA to see Larry’s Richard Avedon
show at Gagosian’s LA Gallery and attend a few business meetings. It
With a hot
documentary and a
start-today cookbook,
Laurie is inspiring home
cooks to do better.
FAIRW_38-43.indd 40 6/20/14 11:51 AM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 41
turned out Laurie was also planning on attending the Avedon show, so
Laurie, her amazing friend, Nina Montée Karp, my mother, and I all met
for a drink before the exhibition in the lounge of the L’Ermitage. We had
a great conversation about the importance of organics, taking care of
ourselves, and why LA living was spectacular. As we headed for the door,
Laurie, like a wise sage, said to me: “It is important in life to not just be
concerned with business, you must always consider the impact on soci-
ety.” I’ve held those words dear ever since. Following the incredible Ave-
don exhibition, we headed to Mr. Chow’s for a fantastic dinner. The next
day, I had to go back to NYC and I was so sad to go. Goodbye, LA!
Fortunately, a little bit of California—Laurie—came to New York in
April for the premiere of Fed Up and the release of her new cookbook,
The Family Cooks. Anna Carter & Anna Chapman hosted a lunch in
Laurie’s honor at the Monkey Bar (Katie Couric, Eleanor Acquavella,
ÒIt is important in life to not just be concerned with business but to always
consider the impact on society.Ó
Documentary
flmmaker Stephanie
Soechtig, director of
Fed Up.
Most of us are unaware
of the efects of sugar
on the brain, the
number of calories
packed into everyday
foods, and—most
importantly—what we
can do about them.
FAIRW_38-43.indd 41 6/20/14 11:52 AM
42 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
Laurie’s Start-Today TipsTake back the kitchen! When we don’t cook
our own food, we have no idea what is being
added to it. It’s not being made with love or
care with our family’s health in mind.
Keep it simple. Cooking real food and sitting
down to share it with your kids is one of the
most important activities you can do with
them. I know everyone is busy, but an easy
soup and salad is lovely and nourishing.
Bring back Sunday dinner. We hope that Home
Cooked Sundays will become a new movement
and TheFamilyCooksBook.com has recipes you
can make on Sunday and repurpose for meals
over the next three days.
“Here’s what is really shocking: The conventionalwisdom about diet and exercise isn’t true.”
and Nathalie Kaplan to name a few were in attendance). Laurie was so
excited as she spoke to everyone in the room; she explained how difcult
it is for families to eat healthy, how society has brainwashed us to think
that we cannot cook, and how her cookbook is a solution. “If I can do it,
anyone can,” she joked at the lunch, referring to her ability to cook the
healthy recipes in The Family Cooks. “After the release of The Family
Dinner, my co-author, Kirstin Uhrenholdt, really wanted to do a book to
teach children how to cook because it is a skill that will empower them
throughout their lives. But the more we spoke with our friends about
it, the more many of the adults we know said they wanted the book for
themselves! So The Family Cooks is a book for novice chefs of all ages
with simple recipes that have fve steps or fewer with real, whole foods,”
refected Laurie.
She was absolutely right. That night, I took home The Family Cooks,
went to Whole Foods, and cooked four recipes from the cookbook
(chicken adobo, tortilla chips, vegetarian tacos, and guacamole). I am
not exaggerating when I say every recipe I tried that night (and multiple
nights since then) was amazing! (The kale salad is incredible!) Laurie’s
favorite recipe is popcorn caulifower: “You simply can’t make enough
of it. It may not even make it to your table!” she enthuses. And I do not
consider myself a gourmet chef. These are easy, angst-free recipes.
When I asked Laurie what she found most surprising when work-
ing on Fed Up, she explained, “I thought I knew a lot about food when I
started working on this movie. We all did! I would eat low-fat yogurt or a
high-fber cereal for breakfast—but the more I learned about what is in
those “natural” products, well let’s just say I had to work through a lot of
guilt over what I fed my kids and my family all of those years.” She con-
tinued to explain, “But here’s what is really shocking: The conventional
wisdom about diet and exercise isn’t true, not all calories are equal and 80
percent of items in the supermarket have added sugar.” The news Laurie
David has to share isn’t always what you most want to hear—but it has
inspired me to think diferently about the choices I make every day.
Once you learn how
much exercise is
required to work of
the calories in a fast-
food meal, you think
diferently about what
you put in your body.
Right: Laurie with
Kirstin Uhrenholdt, one
of the co-authors of The
Famiy Cooks.
FAIRW_38-43.indd 42 6/20/14 11:52 AM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 43
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. . . it’s time for a little dolce vita
on the Amalf Coast . . .
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46 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
Intmate ItalySu Misura means “ tailor made” in Italian,
and t he unique sensory experience elivered by t he luxury travel company are truly one-of-a-kind.
By Evan Hughes
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FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 47
Clockwise: The
amazing view from JK
Place’s terrace. The
gardens of Il Salivatino,
a 15th-century palazzo
in the hills outside
Fiesole. Take a stroll
through picturesque
Montalcino.
FAIRW_46-51.indd 47 6/20/14 12:51 PM
48 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
W hen Gabriella Contestabile, co-founder of
luxury travel company Su Misura, watched
her guests—travelers who had booked a
“bespoke” vacation experience tailored to
their tastes and interests—savor the sights,
sounds, scents, and tastes of Florence at an artisans event at the
Four Seasons Firenze, she knew it was an early highpoint in her
fedgling company’s history. “I saw something more than cursory
interest,” she recalls, describing how Su Misura’s guests mingled
with the perfumers, jewelry designers, chocolatiers, and leather
craftsmen. “I saw a desire to get inside the story, to connect on a
human level with that artisan cutting stones using a 15th-century
instrument, or a young shoemaker molding leather, or a young
woman weav silk on an 18th-century loom.” She sensed a palpa-
ble and visceral energy in the room and knew that Su Misura as a
concept “had legs.”
Sensory JourneysIt’s totally appropriate that Contestabile’s fve senses were key in
determining the success of the artisans event. After all, Su Misura
was founded by two well-traveled NYC-based women with a deep
background in Italian crafts, art, and food. Contestabile’s mother
was a seamstress and her father an Italian consulate representa-
tive, and she regularly visited her Italian hometown each summer,
where the family’s clothing was made by hand. Norma Frassa-Mc-
Grody’s parents ran an upscale Greenwich Village eatery, where
she learned that food was an art. Su Misura represents its two
founders’ artisanal sensibility—the notion that well-made clothing,
visual art, perfume, wine, and food are all part of what they have
called an “experiential mosaic.”
Idylic ItnerariesA typical Su Misura travel experience—between fve and 14 days,
for groups of six to 12 women—includes lodgings at luxurious JK
Place Firenze (Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 7; jkplace.com) and
visits to artisanal perfume-makers, emerging Italian designers (in-
cluding consultations with stylists and tailors on fnding your own
personal style), the Oltrarno artisan district, Florence’s oldest silk
mill (where the craft of luxury silk-weaving is still practiced and
taught), the city’s oldest and most revered leather school, master
mosaicists as they create radiant images with colored stones, and
even a fashion-forward factory outlet store. Countryside excur-
sions include unforgettable landscapes, castles, the distinctive
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FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 49
Opposite page:
Su Misura puts you
in the elgant sensory
surroundings of JK
Place, where each room
is a work of art.
This page: Checking in
at JK Place is truly like
stepping back in time.
FAIRW_46-51.indd 49 6/20/14 12:52 PM
50 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
Tuscan light—chiaroscuro—that has drawn artists to the region for
centuries, and a private winery tour and tasting and seasonal olive
oil tasting. Museum visits include the legendary Alinari Museum of
Photography, the Gucci Museum’s iconic shoes and handbags, the
Ufzi’s “secret” collection of Medici art via private tour, the Masac-
cio, Lippi, and Masolino frescoes in the Brancacci Chapel; and Flo-
rentine must-sees such as the Palazzo Pitti, Boboli Gardens, with
your very own art historian accompanying you. Meals—at JK Place
and other fne dining locations—include tutorials on entertaining
Florentine style and conversation with local artisans, art histori-
ans, fashion consultants, and other sensory experts. The Su Misura
Daily Passport allows you to strike out on your own and explore a
variety of museums, restaurants, artisan studios, and boutiques.
Beyond HistorySu Misura’s “bespoke” itineraries are determined by each traveler’s
own wishes and priorities via online questions and customized ser-
vice (see “Bespoke Travel Made Easy,” opposite page). But the trips
are much more than a living history lesson. Contestabile is con-
sistently delighted by Florence’s fresh, contemporary vibe. “The
Florentines draw on their artisan heritage to craft brilliant and
innovative solutions and cutting-edge works of modern art,” she
notes, citing such examples as the new Antinary winery, the pho-
tography of Massimo Listri, the new opera house, and La Strozzina
Center for Contemporary Culture. “This is not so much a surprise
to me as an afrmation that art matters; it is the vital thread to our
collective consciousness. Art is more than a celebration of the past;
it’s a path to a more innovative future.”
Transformatve TravelIf the idea of putting together one-of-a-kind travel experiences
for clients who expect the very best seems challenging, you are
correct. But Contestabile is inspired rather than daunted. “The
biggest challenge is what makes this fun,” she enthuses. “Delving
into the desires and expectations of a truly passionate and curious
traveler while respecting privacy and spontaneity.” The passionate
co-founder of Su Misura must remain nimble and imaginative, and
on top of whatever is happening in Florence at any given time. “But
that’s why we travel, isn’t it?” she notes. “I once heard the director
of Palazzo Strozzi say, ‘One should never walk away from a work
of art unchanged.’ It’s the same with travel: We should never come
back the way we left.”
FAIRW_46-51.indd 50 6/20/14 12:52 PM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 51
Opposite and this page:
From traditional elixers
to cocktails on the
terrace and artisanal
perfume, a Su Misura
vacation delights the
senses.
Bespoke Travel Made EasyInterested in a “tailor-made” sensory
journey to Italy? Here’s how to get started:
Visit sumisurasensoryjourneys.com and
peruse the company’s “master itinerary,”
which is intended to give you a taste of what
you might experience.
Contact Su Misura at sumisurajourney
@gmail.com to ask for a short online
questionnaire.
Complete the questionnaire, supplying
such information as preferred travel dates,
group size, any changes you’d like to make
to the master itinerary, budget, and areas of
preference (such as fne art, wine, cooking
classes, fashion, artisan visits, etc.).
Su Misura will schedule a phone call to
discuss your requests in depth, then prepare
a proposed bespoke itinerary just for your
group along with estimated pricing.
FAIRW_46-51.indd 51 6/20/14 12:52 PM
2 0 E A S T 76 T H S T R E E T AT M A D I S O N AV E N U E R E S E RV E : 2 1 2 . 2 8 8 . 370 0 T H E S U R R E Y H OT E L .C O M
For extended stays at exclusive rates, please visit us online.
__AD_TEMPLATE.indd 2 6/16/14 6:35 PM
The Surrey is a discreet
escape on Manhattan’s
Upper East Side.
Steps from Central Park,
world-class museums,
and Madison Avenue
shopping, the hotel
features Cornelia Spa
and Daniel Boulud’s
Michelin-starred
Café Boulud. It is
New York City’s only
Relais & Chateaux hotel.
___________
TEA IN THE PRIVATE
ROOF GARDEN
__AD_TEMPLATE.indd 2 6/16/14 6:37 PM
By Evan Hughes
Inspiring Spaces
From left: City Beach
is a proposed foating
beach barge for NYC,
designed by workshop/
apd. Casa Moderne is
a luxury condominium
development on the
High Line.
FAIRW_54-59.indd 54 6/20/14 1:06 PM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 55
Andrew Kotchen (left)
and Matthew Berman
founded architecture
and design frm
workshop/apd in 1999.
From luxury home design
to high-end commercial
development, the award-
winning visionaries at
workshop/apd are remaking
the way New Yorkers think
about design.
WO
RK
SH
OP/A
PD
(3
)
FAIRW_54-59.indd 55 6/20/14 1:06 PM
56 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
NYC-based design frm workshop/apd
made a splash in 2006 when it won the Sustainable Design Competi-
tion for New Orleans, sponsored by Brad Pitt and Global Green USA.
The frm’s founders, Andrew Kotchen and Matthew Berman, not only
helped bring afordable, sustainable living options to the Crescent City
in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, but also caught the attention of all of
us who care about contemporary architecture and design. Their crafted
modern aesthetic continues to shape the way forward-thinking New
Yorkers choose to live, and the team has been named one of the Top
15 Architects to Watch by Residential Architect and one of the Top 50
Architectural Designers by New York Spaces.
The frm continues to break exciting new aesthetic ground: Its latest
venture into hospitality, L’Apicio Restaurant in Manhattan’s East FR
OM
TO
P:
DO
NN
A D
OT
AN
; T
.G. O
LCO
TT
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FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 57
Left: The warm,
welcoming interior
of NYCÕs LÕApicio
Restaurant.
“We believe in the power of good design, its ability to afect your mood, lift your spirits, improve your image, and create a memory.”
Left: A private
townhouse on the
Upper West Side,
completely renovated
by workshop/apd
with an air of intrigue
about it.
Below left: Understated
modern interior
design is also a
major component
of workshop/apdÕs
mission.
DO
NN
A D
OT
AN
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58 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
Above: Eclectic interior
design at The Printing
House, including a
table that’s a nod
to Mondrian, is an
example of the frm’s
playful style.
Above and left: The
Printing House, an
industrial space in
the West Village, was
reimagined by Kotchen
as a “rustic modern”
luxury residence.
In addition to luxury residences, workshop/apd brings a playfully crafted aesthetic to signature products, such as The Birdhouse.
DO
NN
A D
OT
AN
(3
)
FAIRW_54-59.indd 58 6/20/14 1:07 PM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 59
Above: A beautifully
shingled private
residence whose
exterior will fade into
its environment over
time.
Village, welcomes diners with a warm atmosphere; Casa Moderne is
an eye-popping 10-story ground-up luxury residential condominium
project on the High Line; and City Beach seeks to make a decidedly
more literal splash—conceived by Blayne Ross and designed by work-
shop/apd, it is a foating beach barge with a Kickstarter program in
place to bring the innovative project to the Hudson River. In addition to
luxury residences and commercial developments, workshop/apd also
brings a playfully crafted aesthetic to custom and signature products,
such as The Birdhouse, designed as part of a fundraiser for Madoo
Conservancy in Sagaponack.
With luxury residences representing a major portion of the company’s
many projects, I asked Kotchen how they get started “collaborating”
with apartment- and homeowners on a renovation. “We cultivate in-
formation from a visual process with each client, which ends up being
very revealing not only for us, but also for our clients,” he says. “We try
to understand both what they desire in a new space while also estab-
lishing what their needs are.”
To learn more, visit workshopapd.com.
Right: The Birdhouse
was modeled after a
drinking satchel.
FR
OM
TO
P: T
.G. O
LCO
TT
; WIL
L S
TY
ER
(2
)
FAIRW_54-59.indd 59 6/20/14 1:07 PM
60 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
DANIELLE WEISBERG and CARLY ZAKIN have cracked the code to
keeping the news short and sweet.
please pass
FAIRW_60-61.indd 60 6/20/14 1:12 PM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 61
U-LA-LA
Why did you decide to start theSkimm?
We both grew up news geeks. We really had a love of storytelling
from an early age. We pretty much always had our heads in books
or were asking way too many questions. We met studying abroad
in Rome, but didn’t put together our love of news and information
until later. We reconnected when we were both working for NBC
News, where we truly learned from the best in the business. But
the ideas behind theSkimm really came from our friends—super
smart, highly educated women leading busy social lives. They were
short on time and would ask us (who were paid to know what was
going on) to fll them in. We saw a void in the market place for news
delivered toward this valuable demographic in a way that they
respond to or that fts in with their routine.
Who is your primary audience and how are you growing it?
TheSkimm’s primary audience is women 22–34, educated, living in
big cities, with money to spend. The great thing about theSkimm,
though, is that it appeals to anyone short on time. We are popular
with all diferent age groups who respond to it for diferent
reasons—and 30 percent of our audience is men. We are doubling
down on growth by working with partners and continuing to put
down a great product each day.
Given the incessant fow of news today, how does theSkimm
prioritize news articles?
TheSkimm gives weight to what is the big news of the day and what
are the stories people are really talking about. We try for a good mix
of both. The idea behind the newsletter is that you should be able
to talk to someone no matter what industry they work in—so be it
fnance, education, politics, you have something to say.
What has been the biggest challenge in building theSkimm?
The hardest thing about starting theSkimm is that it’s our frst
business—so everything from quitting our jobs to launching to
fundraising to fnding an ofce to fnding a lawyer has been a frst
for us.
What advice would you give other start-ups?
Make time to sleep. We ran on adrenaline alone for the frst six
months and it really wasn’t healthy.
What is your favorite part of NYC? Hidden go-to spots?
We love our neighborhood, the West Village. It feels like a true
neighborhood in a city where that’s rare. Running along the West
Side Highway is one of our favorite things to do in the city. We also
love Tartine and Café Cluny.
What do you do in your spare time?
Sleep. And catch up with family and friends.
TheSkimm.com is your one-stop-shop news source
for all you really need to know before leaving the
house every morning. In an age of 24-hour news
coverage, the millennial generation now fnds
itself sufering from TMI (too much information),
a condition only aggravated by the multitude of
news sources, blogs, journals, podcasts, etc., vying
for a few free minutes of attention from our already
jam-packed days. TheSkimm has so far proven an
efective remedy to this rampant condition plaguing
our generation. Fairweather publisher Eric Goodman
interviewed the founders of theSkimm on the who,
what, when, where, why, and how of their explosive
new(s) start-up.
FAIRW_60-61.indd 61 6/20/14 1:12 PM
62 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
B
TernPro has worked
on video production
for sports enthusiasts
and others around the
world. Inset: Bosché
at work on a TernPro
video.
BRIAN BOSCHÉ is a recent Dartmouth College grad whose imag-
inative business model, TernPro (ternpro.com), is not only an easy,
afordable tool for young professionals to promote their message and
brand, but it’s also the embodiment of Ivy Untapped (untapped.me),
the invite-only social network for the Ivy League community. I spoke
with Bosché about his company, and what it can do for people who
want to reach a target audience in an innovative way.
What is TernPro?
TernPro is a video production company that helps people create con-
tent to attract, acquire, and engage a clearly defned and understood
target audience. We want to help people tell the stories they envision,
using our services. We help create content on a weekly or monthly
basis, such as travel videos and profles, all at an afordable cost. We
have worked with clients who are involved with travel, expeditions, ex-
cursions, Olympic athletes, sports events, Color Runs, outdoor events,
and real estate videos.
How is TernPro diferent from other video advertising companies?
We are based on a new model: Clients can upload an unlimited
amount of footage to our network, we edit it, and turn it into high
quality, genuinely engaged videos. We ofer guidance, we can provide
equipment, and help shoot footage as needed. Even though most of
the time we allow the clients to flm freely and submit the footage to
us, we’ve learned that not everyone has directing skills, so we provide
clients with a story outline of the video beforehand so that they know
what they are trying to shoot. We want the end result to be a profes-
sional video of our clients telling their stories from their point of view.
We think this is a huge improvement over the old industry model, in
which clients could fnd themselves with a video that did not represent
their company’s values and mission.
FAIRW_62-65.indd 62 6/20/14 1:25 PM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 63Ready f
or Your Closeup?
TernPro is a video production service that allows rising entrepreneurs to make high-quality promotional videos and ads. Ivy Untapped member Nancy Guevara speaks with TernPro founder, and fellow Ivy Untapped member, Brian Bosché.
FAIRW_62-65.indd 63 6/20/14 1:25 PM
64 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
What does TernPro do once the client’s raw
footage is uploaded?
The clients provide us with ideas and tem-
plates and we provide the equipment needed
and services to edit the videos to accomplish
those ideas. Based on the creative direction
of the clients, we have a storyboard for the
video that we use for review, and edit to see if
it matches the client’s vision. We give clients
a few revisions so that they may make some
corrections. We work closely with the clients
during the revision period to develop their
video concept that they’ve envisioned.
TernPro allows clients
to capture footage
themselves—such
as these beautiful
athletic scenes—or will
provide equipment and
guidance for shooting.
FAIRW_62-65.indd 64 6/20/14 1:25 PM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 65
How would I get started making a video with
TernPro?
Log on to ternpro.com and get in touch with
anyone on the team—it’s really that simple. The
website provides a project builder where clients
can customize their video package to make ev-
ery story unique. You can also choose the level
of support you’d like, all at an afordable cost.
What role has Ivy Untapped played in devel-
oping your career?
I just started using Ivy Untapped and I have
already been pleasantly surprised at how I’ve
been able to not only connect but collaborate with fellow Dartmouth
alumni I haven’t spoken with since graduation.
What advice do you give young professionals who have great ideas
for start-ups?
People are scared to talk about their ideas. Sure, they’re personal—it’s
like your baby that you don’t want to share. It’s the worst thing you can
do for a great idea! Ask people for feedback, don’t be afraid to tell peo-
ple about it, work with the industry, get feedback from professionals,
and make changes as needed. A lot of people get stuck with what they
want and never do anything to expand on it because they are afraid to
change. Don’t be afraid to share your great idea with the world!
How did you get started with your career?
Following graduation, I was given the opportunity to train with the Ven-
tures for America Program (VFA) for the summer. VFA provided crash
courses in business and investment. After the VFA training, I worked for
two years at Bizdom Start-Up Accelerator, which provided mentorship,
resources, and funding to help start-ups grow. I started TernPro because
I wanted to show companies how they could use video to engage and
captivate their audience. We wanted to help people tell their stories and
market their ideas by helping them capture live-action footage.
Where do you see TernPro in fve years?
I love this industry—it’s fun and creative. I’m defnitely looking to stay
with this company for as long as I can and expand the ways to capture
engaging stories and share them with the world.
LEARN MORE ABOUT IVY UNTAPPED: Visit untapped.me to fnd out how
you can tap into this exciting invite-only network for Ivy League students
and graduates—follow Ivy Untapped on Facebook.
FAIRW_62-65.indd 65 6/20/14 4:22 PM
66 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
BLAKE FARBER sees things his way— and that has made him a sought-after music video director and rising flmmaker.
BLAKE FARBER is already a rising international director, cin-
ematographer, and editor. But if he ever needs a little inspiration,
he can draw it from his collaborators. You may have heard of a few of them: Beyoncé,
Alicia Keys, Dropkick Murphys… In fact, when Farber was co-directing Beyoncé’s
“Countdown” video, he was blown away by the singer-songwriter-dancer’s ability to
work 14-hour days while six months pregnant. “She’s a great person to work with. She
is nonstop working—she was even moving the lights, because she knows how they
look best on her. It was great,” says Farber.
But despite the glitz and glam—the young director has also worked with such lumi-
naries as Sepultura, David Sanborn, Anitta, Dead Fish, Negra Li, Onree Gill, Joe Sample,
Branford Marsalis, Hank Jones, Jonatha Brooke, John Mayer, Nile Rogers, and Jordin
Sparks—the NYC native still considers himself “more of a downtown punk guy.” And
that’s actually how he described himself to me when we frst met at the Cavalier Gal-
lery, where his father, world-renowned photographer Robert Farber, was exhibiting his
gorgeous photographs to beneft the National Meningitis Association.
After hitting it of at the gallery, I suggested we meet again at a wine bar. But Farber
teased, “Wouldn’t you rather go to some cooler, hipper café?” (We ended up compro-
mising and met up at a Czech café in Chelsea, Café Prague.)
Yes,
A Prized Point of View
by Alexandra Fairweather
FAIRW_66-71.indd 66 6/20/14 4:23 PM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 67
Above: One of Farber’s
flm stills from working
with Rosie Varnier in
the U.K.
Left: Farber on set with
a unique set of stairs in
New York City.
FAIRW_66-71.indd 67 6/20/14 1:34 PM
68 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
As it turns out, growing up with photographer parents allowed Farber to see everything as
a potential photograph. “I see this table as a photograph,” he said of our café table. “I even see
that door as a photograph.” He’s seen things his way since he was 16, when he dropped out of
Santa Monica High School to pursue a career in flm. “I was already writing screenplays, draw-
ing storyboards during class, and the teacher would take them from me, so I thought, This isn’t
the place for me.”
The boy wonder landed a job at Fox Studios. “I learned flmmaking from watching. I helped
set up the lighting on sets and I learned by faking—I faked it completely and got yelled at a lot.
That was my Film School 101.”
‘I learned flmmaking by faking. I got yelled at a lot. That was my
Film School 101.’
Above: A flm still
from working with Um
Pörem Dois in Rio.
FAIRW_66-71.indd 68 6/20/14 1:38 PM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 69
From top: A still from
a music video starring
Gena Perala in Canada.
A still from a music
video for hip hop MC
Slaine.
Farber at work,
shooting a rock band in
New York City.
AL
L P
HO
TO
GR
AP
HS
CO
UR
TE
SY
OF
BL
AK
E F
AR
BE
R
FAIRW_66-71.indd 69 6/20/14 1:38 PM
70 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
FARBER started to get noticed as a director when he combined his developing flm
craft with his other passion: music. Having formed his own punk rock band, Olde York
(which has already toured Europe twice), he casually started shooting music videos for
his friends’ bands. The response was encouraging. “People loved it and said I should keep doing
this,” he recalls.
Since then, Farber’s career has skyrocketed—and taken him all around the world, includ-
ing shooting K-pop videos in South Korea, music sensations in Italy, and rap videos in Qatar.
Then there was that time in Brazil when his whole apartment building was held hostage by
machine-gun-toting thugs until every bit of cash had been stolen. But even in adversity, Farber
fnds a way to spin things his way: When the thieves set the hostages free but took Farber’s dog
with them, he steadfastly searched for his dog, which resulted in his search becoming a Brazil-
ian media sensation.
These days, in addition to his already successful music production career, Farber is working
on several feature flms that are in pre-production. To learn more, please visit blakefarber.com.
Above: Showing
the label and the
managers the dailies
in Las Vegas.
Above: A moody video
shoot with Anitta in
Rio.
FAIRW_66-71.indd 70 6/20/14 1:35 PM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 71
Left: Working on a
music video with Slaine
and his crew.
Above: A shadowy
music video starring
Anitta in Rio.MyNYC
‘I love vegetarian
cooking and
trying new
things. I like
to get out of
Manhattan and
head to the
ethnic markets
in Queens to
discover new
vegetables and
favors.’ —BF
FAIRW_66-71.indd 71 6/20/14 1:35 PM
72 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
Sherle Wagner
International is
known for its classic
mid-century look, but
Sherle Wagner himself
was very infuenced
by the innovative art
movements of the ’60s
and ’70s.
What are Sherle Wagner International’s
main infuences?
Architecture. The design, the shape, and the
history of architecture give us all an under-
standing of where we have come from, where
we are going, and where we should be headed.
Does a signature Sherle Wagner product
come to mind?
The dolphin basin set was the original Sherle
Wagner ftting—dating back to 1945. This
set embodies the history, elegance and hand
craftsmanship that defne the brand. But my
grandfather Sherle Wagner’s personal passion
was for the geometric, forward thinking de-
Unforgettable Fixtures
Continuing the tradition of beautiful design wedded to
everyday utility established by his legendary grandfather,
Sherle Wagner, EVAN GEOFFROY guides the family
company, Sherle Wagner International, into exciting new
aesthetic territory. Fairweather contributor Katherine Vogel
sat down with Geofroy for a peek behind the scenes at
the always surprising luxury fxtures company.
FAIRW_72-73.indd 72 6/20/14 1:49 PM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 73
signs of the 1960s and ’70s. The Arco basin set
was introduced to the line very recently, and as
a contemporary departure from the deco styles
my grandfather loved so much, I think this set
embodies both the legacy and the future.
What unique processes does Sherle Wagner
employ in the manufacturing stages?
Our pieces are made by hand from start to
fnish by a skilled team of artisans in Fall River,
Massachusetts. We use processes that most
manufacturing companies believe to be too
time-consuming. We embrace these processes
and cherish the outcome.
What trends are you noting lately?
I think there is a renewed appreciation for the
classical. We seem to have moved beyond the
minimalist trend. Our clients seem particu-
larly attuned to living with objects of interest,
not that everything need be over the top, but
certainly featured items should come with
intrigue.
Where do you see tastes headed?
I strongly feel that fashion and design repre-
sent a deference to originality that transcends
trend. Particularly in one’s own home, stylistic
decisions have to last the test of time and show
individuality and expression.
What advice can you give for someone un-
dertaking a renovation project?
I think that renovating is a journey, not a des-
tination. Of course we all want to see the fnal
product, but if you approach renovation from
the standpoint that your ideas will change and
evolve, the process itself becomes more enjoy-
able. I also recommend making a short list of
what you cannot live without and work around
that. You are better of knowing where you will
not compromise than ending up lukewarm on
everything.
How often do you think one should replace
fxtures or redecorate?
In practicality, most people renovate when they
must. But given a choice—wait until you are
inspired!
Do clients shop diferently for a vacation
home than for a full-time or primary resi-
dence?
I think for their full-time home, a client will
cater to their particular personal style but with
functionality in mind. A client shopping for fx-
tures for a vacation home tends to be looking
for a space designed for an escape from every-
day life, a more laid-back atmosphere with the
overall feel of the home while staying true to
their style.
How do you see your style? How would you
describe your own tastes?
I am inspired by architecture, the clean struc-
tural lines and the geometric shapes seen all
over the world, this molds my style to have an
elegance and simplicity.
How would you describe your home’s aes-
thetic?
I have just recently moved to Williamsburg,
Brooklyn, and as the old saying goes, “The son
of the shoemaker has no shoes.” I have not
yet begun renovations. With my Tribeca loft,
I kept with the mid-century modern aesthetic
based on my grandfather’s design from the
early 1960s. In the bathroom, I chose white
onyx slabs that have a translucent glow. I felt
as though they absorbed and refected the
fxtures. I designed the space with details that
I truly loved and I will do the same in my new
home.
What are some fond memories you have of
growing up around Sherle Wagner?
Growing up around Sherle Wagner, I learned
about passion. My grandfather was famous for
saying “That is the best, now how can we make
it better.” He instilled in me the philosophy that
passion is the key to success—both in business
and in life.
Sherle Wagner’s advertisements inspired
homeowners to think of fxtures as much more
than merely functional, but an expression of their
personalities and lifestyle as well.
FAIRW_72-73.indd 73 6/20/14 1:49 PM
74 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
AAs real estate experts, we regularly visit the
beautiful homes of tastemakers and movers and
shakers. We have learned that there is truly an
ÒArt of LivingÓ that should be explored, studied,
and ultimately mastered. Recently, we spoke
with Gagosian GalleryÕs power gallerist, Kara
Van Der Weg, and the executive director of The
Drawing Center, Brett Littman, at the coupleÕs
gorgeous NYC home to discuss how their
lifestyle is a direct expression of who they are.
By Alexandra Fairweather & Lisa Graham
Photographs by Carrie Buell
The Art of Living
HEAT INDEX:
Top left: Kara and
Brett in front of the
leaded glass windows
they love. Above:
The couple's living
room showcases their
collection of art and
pottery.
LE
FT
: R
OB
ER
T W
RIG
HT
Left: Lisa Graham, a
Manhattan real estate
specialist with CORE,
most recognizable from
HGTV's Selling New
York, and Alexandra
Fairweather, an Upper
East Side luxury real
estate expert with
CORE, are on the
lookout for "The Art of
Living."
FAIRW_74-77.indd 74 6/20/14 2:03 PM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 75
How do you defne “The Art of Living”
and how have you expressed it in your
home?
We’ve tried to create a living space that re-
fects who we are—our tastes, our friendships,
the fact that we are both creative people—and
feels special, so that it is a pleasure for us to
come home.
Do you have a favorite feature of your
apartment?
The leaded glass windows really convinced
both of us that it was the apartment for us.
How would you defne your style?
Eclectic and concise—living in New York, we
don’t have lots of things because there is nev-
er enough space, so what we do have around
us really matters.
As leading fgures in the art world, do
your passion and expertise infuence your
design at home?
Our friendships with artists really infuence
what we have in our apartment. That and our
travels—we love a good souvenir.
Do you have a favorite piece of art in your
apartment?
Everything has a meaningful story. But the
pieces with some personal history are espe-
cially important to us. We have Turkish tables
and shelving from Brett’s grandmother, who
sold antique replicas, and on the shelves are a
few pieces of my father’s pottery.
Do you have advice for people who are
interested in building an art collection in
their home?
Always be on the lookout for pieces that you
love. Also, you can build a great collection
with a very modest budget. Some of the art-
works we own have been acquired at charity
auctions and from memberships where you
pay a fee and get a new artwork once a year.
Brett used to be the director of Dieu Donne,
and they have a wonderful program that pro-
motes emerging artists.
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76 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
Above: Kara with the
Jim Dine painting that
the artist gave her
when she worked at the
Guggenheim.
Top: Brett enjoys
showing visitors the
couple's extensive
pottery collection.
Could you talk about your extensive
pottery collection?
That collection is always evolving, and grow-
ing. Building it is something that we really
enjoy doing when we are traveling and at
antique stores around the U.S., especially. It
started with Brett’s interest in mid-century
design, and now we have plates to feed at least
six dozen people. Russell Wright’s American
Modern series, Tamac, and Raymor are a few
of our favorites. We both enjoy cooking, and
when we have dinner parties we select the
plates to suit the food.
What year was your apartment built?
How did the year it was built infuence
your design choices?
1929 by Rosario Candela. Previously we lived
in a factory building that had been convert-
ed to condos in the 1980s, and our style was
much more modern. Here we felt that we had
to fit the era while not making it feel like we
were living in a time warp.
Do you have a favorite neighborhood in
New York City?
That is tough to answer! We are really en-
joying getting to know our neighborhood,
which is variously defined as Lincoln Square
and Upper West Side. Downtown, in Soho,
is where The Drawing Center is located, so
Brett spends a lot of time there. And we lived
in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, for 10 years—
that neighborhood evolved tremendously
during the time we were there. There are so
many small local restaurants and shops there
that are fun to explore.
Why did you decide to live on the Upper
West Side?
The Upper West Side found us. It just hap-
pened that this was where we found an apart-
FAIRW_74-77.indd 76 6/20/14 2:03 PM
FAIRWEATHER | SUMMER 2014 | 77
Kara and Brett's
pottery fnds a home in
their classic Manhattan
kitchen.
ment that felt right, but it seems that it is, in
fact, a perfect area for us. We are both within a
short distance of our jobs—I walk across Cen-
tral Park every morning to Gagosian Gallery
on the Upper East Side. It’s a pretty fabulous
commute. And we love being within walking
distance of half a dozen major museums.
What are your favorite spots on the
Upper West Side?
The Leopard, which is across the street from
us in the Hotel des Artistes, is a restaurant
with really delicious Italian food in a beauti-
ful, atmospheric setting. They have the orig-
inal Howard Chandler Christy murals that
he began painting for the Cafe des Artistes
in the 1930s—Marcel Duchamp and Isadora
Duncan used to eat there! Epicerie Boulud is
great for a quick co�ee or a glass of wine, and
the pastries are delicious. Having Lincoln
Center in our backyard is a huge luxury—we
can walk to world-class opera or symphony
performances in a matter of minutes. And I
could go on all day about all the things I love
about living near Central Park. It is one of my
favorite places in the city.
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78 | SUMMER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
One of the greatest luxuries in life is
time, and that’s where I come in. It’s my job at
The Concierge (theconciergenewyork.com) to
make my clients’ lives easier—whether that’s
picking up your dry cleaning, stocking your
fridge, planning your next vacation, or buying
your mom a gift for Mother’s Day.
My philosophy is “Always Yes, Never No.”
I start every meeting the same way, “Tell me
about your life…” I want to know the ins and
outs of their routines, where they like to eat,
what they prefer to do in their free time. Once
they start talking, it’s clear to me what areas in
their life they need help with.
KRISTINA BRIGLIO is hard-
wired to take care of other
people. Here, she shares the
unique business philosophy
that turns her clients’ personal
challenges into smiles of relief.
GO-TO GIRLThe seed of The Concierge was planted when I worked at Lee Equity
Partners. Every day I saw these young successful guys who were working
long hours and didn’t have the time, let alone the energy or knowledge
to navigate their daily lives. Since I’m hard-wired to take care of other
people (I’m Italian!), colleagues started coming to me for everything:
Where should I eat? What should I buy my girlfriend? Do you know who
can repair my watch? I became the “little black book” for them, their
“go-to girl.” It was only a matter of time before I decided to do this for a
living, fnd a domain name, and, voila, The Concierge was born!
SUCCESS STORIESI love seeing the smile on the face of a client whose life I’ve made
easier—it’s a natural high. I recently planned a client’s 10th anniversary
trip to Istanbul. It was his wife’s dream and he wanted to surprise her.
The trip was fawless and when they returned, she couldn’t wipe the
smile of her face. Another client called me recently, very upset because
his dog had jumped on him and ripped his favorite Brunello Cucinelli
leather jacket, which his father had given him. I calmed his nerves and
told him “don’t worry.” A week later, that jacket was back hanging in his
closet as if nothing had ever happened. And I scheduled a visit to the
dog groomer—women aren’t the only ones who need to tend to their
nails! Another client has an incredible modern space in NYC’s Meat-
packing District. He’s always traveling for business, but when he is due
home, his request is for me to stock his fridge with all fresh produce from
the farmers market. He loves cooking and it’s my pleasure to spend a
beautiful Saturday morning perusing all the local produce. And a stop at
the wine store never hurt anyone.
YOUR TABLE IS WAITINGOne of the areas that my clients really truly trust me with is dining. I
know my clients—I know what they like, I know their taste, their per-
sonalities. And I know restaurants—I’m a serious foodie. Because every
reservation is a diferent situation—it’s a business dinner, a date, it’s a
client trying to impress the new in-laws. You name it, I’ve seen it. Being
able to pair my client with the right restaurant—atmosphere, ambiance,
everything down to the lighting and noise level—can make or break a
dinner. And having a great chef manning the kitchen doesn’t hurt either!
Those kinds of details are my job—keeping my busy clients’ day-to-day
lives free from stress.
secrets of aPRIVATE CONCIERGE
AR
TW
OR
K: C
HR
ISS
PA
GA
NI
FAIRW_79.indd 78 6/20/14 2:08 PM
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CAVU*
*Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited
THEN Edward Villella captured
by Bill Eppridge in the dancer’s
breakout role in George
Balanchine’s Prodigal Son, with
New York City Ballet. The native
New Yorker, widely regarded as
the fnest American-born male
ballet dancer, went on to found
Miami City Ballet.
NOW On August 16, Mr. Villella
will participate in Guild Hall’s Live
and In Person program in East
Hampton, New York.
FAIRW_80.indd 80 6/20/14 2:11 PM
gallery valentine
33 Newtown Lane, East Hampton
631.329.3100 [email protected]
www.galleryvalentine.com
George Condo, Lost in Time, 1999
Oil on Canvas 65 x 72 in.
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. . . and now for some real stargazing . . .
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