Town & Country articles from April 2008

Town & Country archives from April 2008

Urban renewal.(EDITOR'S LETTER)
April 1, 2008... LAST JULY I was in Paris--cold, rainy Paris--for the couture-collection shows. Although it's one of the most beautiful cities in all the world (maybe the most beautiful), Paris when in drizzles is downright dreary. Frankly, I couldn't wait to...

In your own words ...(READER MAIL)
April 1, 2008... In our January issue, "Luxury Redefined," we asked what luxury means to you. The many responses were so thoughtful that we're devoting this month's column to sharing a few of them. What should one's goal in life be? To accumulate pricey...

Correction.(READER MAIL)(Correction notice)
April 1, 2008... The Las Patronas party that we featured on page 37 of our February issue took place at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, not at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina; the photos of Tanya Brandes and Maree Mossmer were taken by Margo Schwab, not...

Parties.
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CITY LIGHTS Just as there are certain people who know how to throw a party, certain places are known for hosting some of the most magnificent events of the year. New York is one of them, but Chicago and Paris also...

Living the green dream: city dwellers looking for eco-friendly homes have more choices today than ever before.(ON THE TOWN)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CHICAGO The Windy City's greenest new apartment building is also among its most stylish and luxurious. The sustainable components of 340 on the Park--its green roof, rainwater-collection system, insulated glass with...

San Francisco Ballet at 75: the New Works Festival Dinner.(scene & be seen: A calendar of events, trunk shows and benefits taking place at a store or location near you.)
April 1, 2008... San Francisco Ballet, America's oldest professional ballet company, celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year, with an unprecedented New Works Festival. Ten renowned choreographers, invited by the Company's Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson,...

Laura Munder.(scene & be seen: A calendar of events, trunk shows and benefits taking place at a store or location near you.)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Stacking wood and diamond bangles. For a retailer near you please call 877.MUNDER2 or visit lauramunder.com.

Martin Katz.(scene & be seen: A calendar of events, trunk shows and benefits taking place at a store or location near you.)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This one-of-a-kind 40-carat moonstone ring by Martin Katz, artistically mounted with 480 micro-set diamonds, is just one example of his use of large stones set in unexpected ways. For more information, please contact...

San Francisco Opera.(scene & be seen: A calendar of events, trunk shows and benefits taking place at a store or location near you.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] San Francisco Opera Guild will present The Designer Fete on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at the Westin St. Francis Hotel on Union Square. Nordstrom and San Francisco Opera Guild will be celebrating their 16 year...

Auction action.(IN THE COUNTRY)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHEN IT COMES TO attracting world-class material and an international clientele, some off-the-beaten-path auction houses are right on the money. The Rago Arts and Auction Center (609-397-9374), in Lambertville. New...

Seed for thought.(IN THE COUNTRY)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Love sending handwritten notes but not the thought of adding more trash to the environment? Make a green choice with PLANTABLE PAPERS BY BLOOM (left). Each handmade sheet or card is embedded with wildflower seeds....

Dressed to go out.(IN THE COUNTRY)(Perennials Outdoor Fabrics; Beyond the Bend)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As president of Dallas-based Perennials Outdoor Fabrics, Ann Sutherland (left) oversees the creation of elegant textiles whose resistance to soil, mildew and ultraviolet rays makes them ideal choices for porches,...

Here's to heirlooms.(IN THE COUNTRY)(Tomatomania)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Time was when tomato growers were happy with any tomato that looked round, red and uniform. Today everyone is clamoring for heirlooms, those old-fashioned varieties, passed down through generations of families or...

Steep lively.(IN THE COUNTRY)(RariTeas)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bored with your typical cup of tea? Developed in China, "blooming teas" are aromatic, herb-infused white or green tea leaves that have been handsewn together into tiny balls. When hot water is poured onto these...

Garden of earthly delights.(IN THE COUNTRY)(Fairchild's Art and Flowers program)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Something else has taken root amid the rainbow eucalyptus trees and Caribbean mangoes at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, in Coral Gables, Florida. Sprouting in the world's largest such garden are a red-shuttered house, an airplane midflight,...

Laura Vinroot Poole.(FASHION & STYLE)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] OCCUPATION: Owner of Capitol and the Poole Shop, two women's-clothing boutiques in Charlotte, North Carolina, her hometown. UPCOMING VENTURE: A new, 6,000-square-foot space for Capitol, designed by her husband,...

Tutti-frutti.(FASHION & STYLE: Trends)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Slice into spring with an infusion of fruit-colored clothing and accessories. The juicy shades of orange and raspberry shown here work well on their own or together. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CINTA BY JOHN HARDY pink-gold, spessartite and...

A milestone for Ferragamo.(FASHION & STYLE)(Salvatore Ferragamo)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Just as it is about to celebrate its eightieth anniversary, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO is bringing its Creations collection--the most memorable shoe and handbag styles from the company's archives--to the U.S. Each of the designs, originally made for...

Well-suited.(FASHION & STYLE: Men)(Ermenegildo Zegna of Zegna Company)(Interview)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA, CEO and namesake of his family's menswear brand, describes the company as "a private family business run like a public one." His sister Anna is director of global image and communication, his...

Swept away.(JEWELRY)(Wakaya from Mish New York)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new Wakaya collection from MISH NEW YORK, designed bY Mish TworkoWski, will take your breath away--the same feeling Tworkowski himself had in 2005 when he visited Fiji's Wakaya Club & Spa. A self-proclaimed...

Introducing ...(JEWELRY News)(M.C.L. Design)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When Matthew C. Laurenza made a piece of jewelry for his mother at age seventeen, little did he know that thirteen years later, the U.S. debut of his line, M.C.L. Design, would be a huge hit at New York's Bergdorf...

Spring cleaning.(JEWELRY News)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Time to upgrade your engagement ring? Have a necklace you never wear? Visit Circa, the largest national jewelry-buying house, where trained gemologists will assess your diamonds and fine jewelry and make you an offer...

Favorite find.(JEWELRY News)
April 1, 2008... Frenchwomen certainly know how to get noticed, and Parisian jeweler Aude Lechere is no exception. One of her bold and fanciful rings--like the amethyst and tourmaline shown above--makes such a definitive statement that it's the only piece of...

Wild things.(JEWELRY News)
April 1, 2008... In the tradition of its famous Panthere theme, Cartier leaps again into the animal world with its latest fine-jewelry watch collection, Le Cirque Animalier. Bearing one of three designs--a tiger, a panda or an elephant--each diamond-encrusted...

Silver streak.(JEWELRY News)
April 1, 2008... Look for Ippolita's shining new collection of sterling-silver jewels. Known for her handcrafted, sculptural designs in yellow gold, New York-based designer Ippolita Rostagno has garnered a bevy of red-carpet fans, including Kate Hudson, Debra...

Sunny times.(WATCHES)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... The outlook is bright for watches accented with yellow stones or wristbands. From left: DAVID YURMAN silver and stainless-steel Thoroughbred with yellow sapphires on alligator strap ($5,750), 212-752-4255. HARRY WINSTON 18k-gold watch with...

Cherry blossom time.(BEAUTY & HEALTH)
April 1, 2008... The flowering of cherry trees is a springtime event (notably in Washington, D.C.) that lasts no longer than fourteen days, but these fragrant products evoke the lovely pink-and-white blossoms all year long. Clockwise from top left: KENZO...

Green bounty: fill your cabinet with the best new coo-friendly cosmetics.(BEAUTY & HEALTH)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Laura Mercier's mineral powders contain light-reflecting pigments that blur imperfections ($20-$30; lauramercier.com). Nude skin care delivers high-performing ingredients like hyaluronic acid but leaves out...

Shed your year.(BEAUTY & HEALTH)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... With options like hair coloring, facial fillers, tooth veneers and Spanx, "growing old gracefully" has never been so doable. To help you look fresh, Today show style expert Charla Krupp has compiled the sassy manual How Not to Look Old ($25.99;...

Nautical notes.(BEAUTY & HEALTH)(Bulgari's Marine)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Having plunged into the deep sea with the original Aqua Pour Homme, a spicy rendition of the ocean plant posidonia, BULGARI takes to the surf again with a lighter version, Marine (3.4 oz, $72). Splashes of sweet...

Cell intervention.(BEAUTY & HEALTH)
April 1, 2008... The body has a remarkable ability to protect itself: when exposed to a stressful environment, it triggers a family of genes, aptly called longevity genes, that respond by strengthening cell repair and defense functions. For its Re-Nutriv...

The gentle touch.(BEAUTY & HEALTH)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After his wife's battle with cancer, hair and scalp specialist PHILIP KINGSLEY set out to formulate products gentle enough for her posttreatment skin. "It wasn't only sensitive scalps I wanted to address but the...

Corrective color.(BEAUTY & HEALTH)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We beauty enthusiasts love our cosmetics for the immediate gratification they offer. Apply a bit of concealer and blemishes, brown spots and dark circles instantly disappear--at least until you wash your face....

1. Go sheer.(BEAUTY & HEALTH: Must-Dos for April)
April 1, 2008... 1. GO SHEER When you tuck away your winter sweaters, be sure to give your foundation a rest, too. Use a lighter version instead, like SHISEIDO Tinted Moisture Protection SPF 20 ($36). In warm weather, less is more. sca.shiseido.com. ...

2. Bid parched lips goodbye.(BEAUTY & HEALTH: Must-Dos for April)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2. BID PARCHED LIPS GOODBYE Other long-lasting lipsticks are typically short on shine, but BOBBI BROWN's new Creamy Lip Colors (fourteen shades; $22 each) glisten with a dose of hydrating shea butter, bobbibrown...

3. Try a trio.(BEAUTY & HEALTH: Must-Dos for April)
April 1, 2008... 3. TRY A TRIO DIOR's head designer, John Galliano, pours his talent for couture into three limited-edition scents that make up La Collection Particuliere ($295 each). From left: Passage No. 4 spotlights sweet rose. Passage No. 8 (our favorite)...

4. Mend your mane.(BEAUTY & HEALTH: Must-Dos for April)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 4. MEND YOUR MANE CARITA weds skin care with hair care, and the offspring, Le Cheveu Nutri-Repairing Radiance Shampoo ($30) and Nutri-Repairing Radiance Mask ($52), will infuse every strand of your tresses with...

5. Light a candle for clean water.(BEAUTY & HEALTH: Must-Dos for April)
April 1, 2008... 5. LIGHT A CANDLE FOR CLEAN WATER AVEDA's limited-edition Light the Way candle ($10) fuels a giant green goal of raising $700,000 during the month of April to develop clean water sources in communities around the globe, aveda.com. ...

6. Pump up the volume.(BEAUTY & HEALTH: Must-Dos for April)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 6. PUMP UP THE VOLUME When gravity begins to take its toll on your cheeks and jawline, rev up collagen production with L'OREAL Collagen Remodeler Contouring Moisturizer for Face and Neck SPF 15 Lotion ($19.99). Its...

Look books: the wonder of what lies between the covers is often visual, as these inventive publishers know so well.(ARTS & CULTURE)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BEYOND WORDS ELENA FOSTER A book made of bronze, brass, steel or heavy paper; a book sculpted with a laser beam; a book so large you can step inside it. Whatever the impetus behind a volume published by Elena...

The portable library.(ARTS & CULTURE: Look Books)
April 1, 2008... Avid readers, rejoice (and toss your sagging shoulder bags): Amazon.com's Kindle is here. The size of a paperback, this new electronic reading device can store roughly 200 books at a time. Its typefaces are adjustable and easy on the eyes, and...

Some enchanted evening.(ARTS & CULTURE)(South Pacific's Kelli O'Hara)(Interview)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Broadway audiences are always happy to see Kelli O'Hara (below) onstage--as Clara in The Light in the Piazza (2005), as Babe in The Pajama Game (2006). This month she steps into the role of Nellie Forbush, the Arkansas-born naval nurse in...

April must-sees.(ARTS & CULTURE)(Calendar)
April 1, 2008... * Beginning on the 2nd, the Studio Museum in Harlem puts on "Flow," in which twenty young visual artists from Africa wield their cameras, brushes and camcorders to explore the complicated issues facing their homeland in the 21st century....

Piano forte.(ARTS & CULTURE)(Renzo Piano)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 2001, when the L.A. County Museum of Art (LACMA) first invited Renzo Piano to reorganize its messy campus, the architect declined, explaining, "It's very frustrating to play a good piece by a string quartet in the...

Caution: curves ahead.(ARTS & CULTURE)(Rococo: The Continuing Curve, 1730-2008)(Brief article)(Book review)
April 1, 2008... Design lovers have craved Rococo--the French style known for its undulating curves, asymmetries, lifelike depictions of flora and fauna, and improbable cantilevers--every few decades since its introduction in the early 1700s. "This kind of...

Dublin ramps up: bono, billionaires and a booming economy are making the Irish capital one of Europe's hottest cities. Native son Trevor White finds the best of what's new.(TRAVELER'S NOTEBOOK)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DUBLIN WAS A BLEAK PLACE in 1987. She was grand, yes--there was all that Georgian architecture--but she was also poor. One in every five locals was unemployed, and the most popular form of entertainment was the pub,...

New on Bali.(TRAVELLER'S NOTEBOOK)(Directory)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The hottest couple on the Indonesian island of Bali right now is a pair of Alila Resorts. The sixty-four-room ALILA UBUD (rooms from $780; 077-62-367-975-963) was designed by Australia's Kerry Hill Architects to be...

Can you feel it?(TRAVELLER'S NOTEBOOK)(Texture Restaurant)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... When was the last time you thought about the texture of your food, from the bubbles in the Champagne to the chunky density of that chorizo? TEXTURE, a new restaurant in London's Mayfair neighborhood, celebrates that element in all its forms--in...

Fontaine of youth.(TRAVELLER'S NOTEBOOK)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The queen of the perfect white shirt now offers devotees the opportunity to walk out of her Rue St.-Honore Paris flagship with perfect skin. In Franco-Brazilian designer Anne Fontaine's new Spa Anne Fontaine, created...

Rare finds: it's elemental mineral colors surface on a cache of seriously chic accessories.(DESIGN TRENDS)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An Elegant Eye "I design for emotional impact," says LORI WEITZNER, whose painterly fabrics, wall coverings and trims are gaining an audience among trend-watchers sated with razor-sharp geometric prints. ...

Into Africa.(DESIGN TRENDS)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Safari looks are back this spring, inspired by--but not limited to--the khaki-colored classics. ROBERTA ROLLER RABBIT hand-printed cotton soft goods, from bottom: Elsa quilt, Dorothea pareo, Elsa and Big Cata pillows ($40-$175 per piece),...

Bile in the blogosphere: as we spend increasingly more time online, some of us are letting our manners get out of line.(SOCIAL GRACES)
April 1, 2008... UNBRIDLED. UNCENSORED. UNFILTERED. And at times, unpleasant. I know it's very "old media" of me to admit this, but I am often unnerved by the lack of civility on the Web. You'll have to forgive the old-media mind-set. Before I became a...

There's no place like Rome: the Eternal City is in the midst of a modern-day Renaissance. American transplant Mimi Murphy takes a look at its unexpected new energy.(City overview)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rome has plenty of marvelous views, but the most encompassing of all is the newest. That would be from the previously inaccessible Quadriga terrace on top of the huge white Vittorio Emanuele II monument in Piazza...

L.A. my hometown: if you had been born and raised in the most vibrant city in the world, says Anne Taylor Fleming, you wouldn't want to move, either.(City overview)
April 1, 2008... THE WORD ITSELF--hometown--probably strikes many as inappropriate when used to describe Los Angeles. There is something cozy and sentimental about the term and the kind of place it conjures. I am the first to admit that L.A. is neither cozy nor...

Village life: New York's West Village is redefining the big-city experience for the 21st century.(City overview)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] I WAS NOT ALIVE in 1953, when, according to lore, Dylan Thomas drank eighteen whiskeys and died quietly on the stoop of the White Horse Tavern. By 1970, when the Weather Underground blew up a stately town house on...

Downtown girl: actress Mary-Louise Parker has dug deep roots in a New York neighborhood that's just like her: full of surprises.(Cover story)
April 1, 2008... AT FIRST IT'S DIFFICULT to get Mary-Louise Parker to talk about her latest tread across the boards in the quirky stage comedy Dead Man's Cell Phone or her recent film, the family fantasy The Spiderwick Chronicles, much less her life in New...

New York vs. Los Angeles: a tale of two cities as told by two famous stylists.(BEAUTY REPORT)
April 1, 2008... IF ANYONE CAN describe the look of New York City's most gorgeous women, it's hairstylist John Barrett, whose John Barrett Salon, in the penthouse of Bergdorf Goodman, is a nexus of sophistication and glamour. Here's how Barrett, a former Los...

Weddings.
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mr. and Mrs, Ray Hamilton Morrison III (Mary Lynn van Wyck) Johns Island, South Carolina [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ms. Kimberly Beatriz Reyes and Mr, Kenneth Allen Turchin Amagansett, New York ...

Horoscopes.
April 1, 2008... April [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Aries March 21-April 20 Check that impulse to force controversial issues and pound your point home as April begins. You're feeling touchy and defensive, but you'll soon see that no one's out to get...