Lee MIchaels Fine Jewelry

A C C E N T / T H E M A G A Z I N E O F L I F E ’ S C E L E B R A T I O N S ♦ S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 1

LEE_C1.ps - 3/20/2011 13:03 PM

LEE_Omega:Layout 1 3/7/11 2:12 PM Page 1

LEE_Omega:Layout 1 3/7/11 2:13 PM Page 2

Local.indd 2Local.indd 2 3/21/11 10:15 AM3/21/11 10:15 AM

20

11 J

OH

N H

AR

DY

LIM

ITE

D

NA

GA

CO

LL

EC

TIO

N

JohnHardy:Layout 1 2/24/11 8:55 AM Page 1

4

Contents spring/summer 2011

34

B AT O N R O U G E7560 Corporate Boulevard

225.926.4644Mall of Louisiana, 225.766.6000

N E W O R L E A N SLakeside Shopping Center

504.832.0000

S H R E V E P O R T6605 Youree Drive, 318.222.2929

L A FAY E T T EAcadiana Mall, 337.981.8071

J A C K S O N , M S .Northpark Mall, 601.957.6100

S A N A N T O N I O , T X .Northstar Mall, 210.541.9575

The Shops at La Cantera,210.699.9494

P R E S I D E N T & C E OLee Michael Berg

C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E RKenneth S. Gikas

V I C E P R E S I D E N TGreg Johnson

V I C E P R E S I D E N T & G E N E R A L M A N A G E RM A L L O F L O U I S I A N A

Johnny Tate

C H I E F F I N A N C I A L O F F I C E RJane Harrington

A D V E R T I S I N G M A N A G E R Amy Graham

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R SBrenda BergChad BergRyan BergScott Berg

P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E B U S I N E S SJ O U R N A L S FA S H I O N G R O U P

P U B L I S H E RStu Nifoussi

E D I T O R - I N - C H I E F Karen Alberg Grossman

C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O RHans Gschliesser

M A N A G I N G E D I T O RJillian Sprague

P R O J E C T M A N A G E R Lisa Montemorra

C O N T R I B U T I N G E D I T O RBeth Bernstein

P R O D U C T I O N M A N A G E RPeg Eadie

D I R E C T O R O F P R E P R E S SHugh K. Stanton

P R E S I D E N T A N D C E OBritton Jones

C H A I R M A N A N D C O OMac Brighton

Copyright 2011. Published by Business Journals, Inc, P.O. Box 5550, Norwalk,CT 06856, 203-853-6015 • Fax: 203-852-8175; Advertising Office: 1384Broadway, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10018, 212-686-4412 • Fax: 212-686-6821;ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The publishers accept no responsibilities for advertisersclaims, unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. No part ofthis magazine may be reproduced without written permission of thepublishers. Volume 9, Issue 1. Printed In The U.S.A.

FEATURES2 Welcome Letter

6 Events at Lee Michaels

10 Spring Trends at Lee Michaels

18 Corporate Gifts: Bringing Joy

22 Trumped

24 Love Stories

26 Accent Advisor

28 Fashion: From the Runways

34 Trends: The Joy of Jewelry

38 Essay: The Family Pearls

54 Speed: Grand Sport

58 Travel: Into Africa

60 Fitness: Healthy Hedonism

62 Art: Man’s Best Friend in theSpotlight

64 His Side: Romancing the Stone

WATCH SECTION42 Watch Advisor

46 Watches at Lee Michaels

48 First Person: Hand-Me-DownsWelcome

50 Interview: Larry Pettinelli ofPatek Philippe

52 Celebrity Ambassadors:Beautiful Women, BeautifulWatches

LEE_P004.ps - 3/20/2011 13:05 PM

MO

DER

N R

OC

K C

AN

DY

® IN

18K

GO

LD W

ITH

GEM

STO

NES

. ©

2011

IPPO

LITA

®.

ALL

RIG

HT

S R

ESER

VED

.

Ippolita_Gold.ps - 2/23/2011 11:57 AM

Local.indd 6Local.indd 6 3/20/11 1:26 PM3/20/11 1:26 PM





RCoin:Layout 1 2/24/11 9:45 AM Page 1




Invented in 1887 by Edouard Heuer and reengineered

for our new in-house Calibre 1887 movement, the

oscillating pinion enables our CARRERA chronograph

to start in less than 2/1000th of a second. 1.866.675.2080 www.tagheuer.com

FIND YOUR TAG HEUER

SCAN. EXPLORE.

TagHeuer:Layout 1 2/24/11 11:07 AM Page 1






LEE_Gucci:Layout 1 3/4/11 10:59 AM Page 1


Ivanka Trump is proud to be a founding partner of Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation’s campaign.

Rock Tradition.

LEE_Ivanka:Layout 1 3/2/11 10:09 AM Page 1



I’VE BEEN SEEING A LOTOF BLACK USED IN FINE

JEWELRY. WHAT ARE THE KEYSTONES AND METALS, AND HOW

CAN I WEAR THEM?

The trend started with designers adding a black rhodium

finish to white gold and mixing it with high karat yellow gold

for a richer look. As the darker metal began to sell and the

prices for gold went up, the next step was to use blackened or

highly oxidized silver. (Some designers still use black rhodium

plated 18K white gold, which can mean a slightly higher price

tag.) These metals look great with the of-the-moment

diamonds—also black—which are spectacular in rose, brilliant

and polished rough cuts. Black can be done in styles from

gothic to feminine, such as pavé leaves and flowers with a

black diamond center. If you want to add color to your black

jewelry look, try a hint of rough cut fancy sapphires, the pretty

watercolor shades of moonstones and aquamarines, or the

more saturated orange hues of citrines.

ACCENTADVISOR

26

IMA

GE

S C

OU

RTE

SY

OF

JOH

N H

AR

DY

HOW DO IMIX FINEANDFASHIONJEWELRY?Use a pretty black dress or asimple top as the backdrop formixing pieces. Wear a gold medallionpendant along with multiple chains inblackened and tonal antiqued base metal. Oryou can mix in real baroque pearls with alarge colored pendant in crystal rather than aprecious gem. A low-risk way to mix real andfaux is on the wrist; you have more room tobe playful as it’s further from your face. Here,mix leather or suede wrap styles with pavécharms, or Bakelite and wood with preciousstones. Throw in some high karat gold thinbangles to create a truly eclectic look. Thisseason, designers are even mixing thesematerials into one piece to offer a statementat an affordable price. But if you prefersimplicity, stick to a pair of cuffs in wood withcenter gemstones, and a mesh necklace withchains of matte gold. The combination will bedifferent and dramatic, and take you throughthe season in style.

LEE_Accent Advisor.qxp:LEE 3/19/11 11:06 AM Page 26


FASHION

SUBSTANTIAL PENDANTSPROVIDE PERFECT CONTRAST

TO PRETTY PRINTS

IMA

GE

S C

OU

RTE

SY

OF

AC

CE

SS

OR

IES

DIR

EC

TIO

NS

.CO

M

LEE_Fashion _From the Runways Q6.qxp:FashionRunway 3/10/11 1:08 PM Page 28

From

the

Ru

nw

ays

NOTICE-MENEUTRALS

TEMPERED AKALEIDOSCOPE

OF COLORS ON SPRING 2011

RUNWAYS ACROSSTHE GLOBE.

BY JILLIAN SPRAGUE

LEE_Fashion _From the Runways Q6.qxp:FashionRunway 3/10/11 1:08 PM Page 29

From

the

Ru

nw

ays

NOTICE-MENEUTRALS

LEE_Fashion _From the Runways Q6.qxp:LEE 3/20/11 1:34 PM Page 30

LEE_P031_Emsaru.ps - 3/21/2011 10:10 AM

FASHION

LAYER HEARTSOVER LACE FORAN ON-TRENDVINTAGE LOOK

MOONSTONE MANIA!THESE COOL STONESARE HOT FOR SPRING

A LITTLESHINEGOES ALONGWAY…

LEE_Fashion _From the Runways Q6.qxp:LEE 3/20/11 1:34 PM Page 32

MANSHIP THEATRE | DOWNTOWN BATON ROUGE | 225.344.0334 | MANSHIPTHEATRE.ORG

Special thanks to the River City Jazz Masters Series sponsors:

The River City Jazz Coalition thanks: Verge and Cheri Ausberry, C.J. Blache and Sherri McConnell, Gary and Joyce Dennis, Maria and Brian Despinasse II, Leo and Gwendolyn Hamilton, Tim and Stacia Hardy, Cornelius and Karen Lewis, The John and Virginia Noland Fund, Albert and Roberta Sam and The Josef Sternberg Memorial Fund.

www.artsbr.org225.344.8558

proudly supporting the series and its educational initiatives.

Manship TheatreThursday, May 57 & 9 pm

Pianist, singer and songwriter Eliane Elias is known for her distinctive and immediately recognizable musical style which blends her Brazilian roots and her sensuous voice with her impressive instrumental jazz, classical and composition skills.

ELIANE ELIAS

MANSHIP THEATRE | DOWNTOWN BATON ROUGE | 225.344.0334 | MANSHIPTHEATRE.ORG

LEE_Arts:Layout 1 2/24/11 11:04 AM Page 1

This season, there’s one simple rule on the road to great jewelrystyle: Don’t get stuck in neutral! Get into gear and follow thedirection of spring 2011 fashion, which is all about color.

Does this mean that neutrals like black—so strong these past fewyears—are no longer fashionable? Is it time to abandon your Little BlackDress? “Absolutely not,” says Meredith Smith, designer and cultural trendanalyst at The Doneger Group in New York City. “Even though fashion’sbiggest names flooded the spring runways with bright-colored clothes, youcan still wear your classic LBD. However, the perennial cocktail classic andother neutral-toned attire needs to be popped with colorful jewelry andaccessories. Right now, our culture is all about finding joy; adorningourselves in happy, escapist colors (like bright blues and greens) is one wayto do that.”

THE GEMSAdam Graham, marketing director of The American Gem Trade Association(AGTA), agrees that bright blues and greens, as well as shades of purple,are leading trends in colored gemstone jewelry this year. Among the azures,he points to traditional blue sapphire, aquamarine and blue topaz, butemphasizes that lesser-known stones like labradorite, turquoise, bluemoonstone, chalcedony, tanzanite and blue shaded black onyx areextremely significant as well. With dramatically-sized jewelry in vogue, ithelps that many of the latter gemstones can be purchased in high qualityat affordable prices. IM

AG

ES

CO

UR

TE

SY

OF

DA

VID

YU

RM

AN

, S

TE

PH

EN

WE

BS

TE

R,

RO

BE

RT

O C

OIN

34

The Joyof Jewelry

COLORFUL GEMS FITFASHION’S BRIGHT OUTLOOK

BY LORRAINE DEPASQUE

TRENDS

LEE_Trends_The Joy of Jewelry.qxp:LEE 3/20/11 2:06 PM Page 34

PennyPreville:Layout 1 3/8/11 10:22 AM Page 4

“This year, you’re also going to see moreengagement ring center stones in blues andgreens,” notes Graham. “Kate Middleton’s bluesapphire from Prince William has re-ignited thetrend that his mother, Princess Diana, started backin 1981, when she received the engagement ringfrom Prince Charles. Blue sapphire is a greatoption for women who don’t want to be too‘bling,’ and at the same time, it’s a high-end gemof great color.”

At the AGTA’s annual Spectrum jewelry designawards for 2011, Graham tells us, “One of thewinning pieces was a platinum ring with a neon-green tsavorite center stone. Our panel of judges,all in the fashion or jewelry industries, said itrepresents a definite style direction.”

In fact, many of the best jewelry designers arealso premiering dazzling fashion collections withgreat green gems, especially green tourmalines,peridots, green diamonds, emeralds, green agates,green sapphires and tsavorites. “And for the pastyear,” says Graham, “celebrity stylists have beenrequesting to borrow green gemstone jewelry fortheir A-list clients to wear to awards shows.”

The green jewelry they’ve been borrowing willcoordinate with many red carpet fashion stylesaccording to Leatrice Eiseman, executive directorof The Pantone Color Institute, which named‘Peapod’ green as one of its top fashion colors forspring/summer. “We’ve learned that green reallyworks well as a neutral and we see people moreinclined to wear it on a regular basis,” she says.

This past fall, Pantone chose ‘Purple Orchid’ asits number-one fashion color and, forspring/summer, the passion for purple continues,with ‘Lavender’ in its top ten selection. Jewelrydesigners are showing violet gem creations ineverything from deep amethysts and fancy purplesapphires to pastel pinky-purple sugilites andquartzes.

FIVE TO BUYNow that you know what these post-winter pick-me-up colors and coordinating gemstones are,which jewelry pieces in particular should you beconsidering? Ultimately that depends on yourindividual style as well as what jewelry you alreadyown, but here are the five jewelry must-haves wehighly recommend:BIG BANGLES The number-one jewelry itemadorning spring runway models was the bigbangle, and they usually wore two or three perarm. The uber bangles—not slim stackables andnot ultra-wide cuffs—almost always featuredstones, beads, or some sort of brightembellishment.

LAYERING NECKLACES While models strutted downthe runways wearing mega-necklaces, in this case youhave another option. Instead of investing in onemassive neck piece, a more practical purchase might beto buy several long chains and links that can each bedoubled or tripled. With layering necklaces, you canexperiment and create many different looks, for bothdaywear and evening. Play with the necklaces,graduating the lengths differently to accommodate theneckline of whatever you’re wearing. To complete thelook, add a 16-inch chain with a pendant or enhancer. Inthis season of bold color, choose one with a brightgemstone center.EPIC RINGS Typically, you ladies buy these super-sized and super stylish rings for yourself. (Well, whynot—you deserve it!) They’re statement pieces thatreflect your personality and personal style, so be sure toselect gemstones you really like—plus, since it’s on yourhand, you’ll be looking at it all day. Should you invest alot of money in this epic ring? That depends, to somedegree, on whether you’ll be wearing it every day or ifyou’ll want to buy several and switch—much like somepeople do with watches. Unlike the big cocktail rings oferas past, the epic ring is no longer a dress-up-onlyaccessory. GUMDROP EARRINGS And you thought gumdropswere just those chewy sugar-coated candies youshouldn’t be eating! Think again: It’s the season’sstrongest earring silhouette. More medium-large thanultra-large in size, this drop-style earring focuses on oneprominent colored gem that hangs to about mid-neck.It’s classic, yet, at the same time, fashion. Ask yourjeweler about the earrings’ stone shape and cut. Somegumdrops have slices of color with a flat bottom,allowing light to pass through the gemstone, much inthe way natural light shines through a stained glasswindow.MORE THAN ONE METAL COLOR No, you can’tbe a yellow-only or white-only jewelry loveranymore. It just isn’t fashionable. If most—or all—ofyour jewelry is still the same metal color that you’vebeen wearing forever, this is the season to startcollecting pieces made in different surface colors. Ifyou want to stick to karat gold for your preciousmetal, that’s okay, but there are many different goldcolors to choose from: rose, blackened andsometimes peach. Even the texture on a pieceslightly changes the look of the color. (For example,a high-polished blackened gold bracelet will appearto have a different hue than a satin-finished or matteblackened gold piece.) Once you begin to adddifferent colored pieces to your jewelry wardrobe,you’ll see how all the shades really do work together.And no need to worry if you don’t have “enough” ofa certain color when you start. Part of the fun ofjewelry is collecting it over time.

36

LEE_Trends_The Joy of Jewelry.qxp:Trends 3/10/11 1:09 PM Page 36


As the cathedral bells pealed, the “new” bride and her groom turnedto walk down the aisle. My mother and I were in Manila to celebrateher sister’s golden wedding anniversary. The assembled crowd of

stylish men and women had spent months consulting their embroiderers,modistes and tailors—all to design traditional butterfly-sleeved ternos andbarongs tagalog that would comply with the “Native Dress” request engravedin gold on the invitation.

While the keen-eyed could distinguish between piña that had beenembroidered and tatted at one pet convent versus another, what really set thewomen apart were their pearls. My mother wore her prized princess length strandof golden 10 mm baroque natural (not cultured) pearls and her younger sisterwore her stunning choker length strand of blue 8 mm natural pearls. But the realshowstopper glowed on the bride—a perfectly matched 10 foot strand of creamypink 6 mm natural pearls. As my aunt glided gracefully past us, she resembled mygrandmother in the formal wedding portrait that hangs in the gallery of our familyhome in Manila.

A few days earlier, upon arriving at the traditional Spanish-stylehacienda, my mother and her younger sister chatted about fittings withtheir modistes and donations to the convents while I lingered in the gallerystudying the family portraits. At the very end stood the “lifesize” (at 5’10” Istand taller than the frame) oil painting of my maternal grandparents ontheir wedding day almost 75 years ago. The diminutive figures in thepainting were resplendent in their native Filipino dress. I was struck by howrealistically and beautifully the artist had rendered each pearl in my

grandmother’s necklace, which dramatically looped her tiny neck andgrazed the hem of her dress.

Upon my grandmother’s death, she left each of her daughters the parure inher birthstone—emeralds for my mother, rubies for her elder sister and sapphiresfor her younger sister—but she left the “family pearls” to all three of them. Afterconsulting our family jeweler, who had brokered the original acquisition of thisextraordinary single strand that had taken over 50 years to match, the sistersdecided to separate the necklace into three equal strands, each finished with anew platinum clasp adorned with a ruby, an emerald and a sapphire to representthe three sisters.

Over the years, as they dutifully had their pearls restrung annually, each onedivided her strand and had the clasp reproduced to create a single strand withjeweled stations that could also be worn as nested strands, a shorter strand anda bracelet, or a choker with several bracelets. The “family pearls” (as my motherand her sisters always called them) had made many appearances over the yearsat various family events including weddings, christenings, anniversaries and evenfunerals. Once, as mother of the bride, my elder aunt had even worn her setcombined with my younger aunt’s. But the entire original strand had never beenreunited until that golden wedding anniversary. Almost another decade will passbefore my own parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary—an event asrare and special as the pearls that will be worn to commemorate it.

While high-definition video has long replaced oil portraits, the idea of severalgenerations and one very beautiful necklace reuniting to celebrate a milestonewill never become outdated.

THE FAMILY PEARLSREUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD BY JOSEPH UNGOCO

ESSAY

38

IMA

GE

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F M

IKIM

OTO

LEE_Essay_The Family Pearls.qxp:Essay 3/10/11 1:11 PM Page 38

LEE_RuthsChris.ps - 3/3/2010 13:56 PM

Konstantino:Layout 1 3/2/11 10:05 AM Page 1

WATCHESACCENT MAGAZINE SPECIAL SECTION SPRING/SUMMER 2011

W

A T C H

I T ’ SA B O U TT I M E

getty 1

/ P

ete

r D

azele

y

LEE_W_Cover.qxp:Watch_Cover 3/10/11 1:17 PM Page 41

42

WATCH ADVISORWHAT TO KNOW WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR TIMEPIECES

I HAVE MY GRANDFATHER’S TIMEPIECE FROM THE 1950S;IS IT WORTH THE INVESTMENT TO RESTORE IT?

T H E D E C I S I O N T O R E S T O R E A V I N TA G E T I M E P I E C E is part rational (Will the restored timepiece be worth more?) and part emotional (This is mygrandfather’s watch!). Bottom line: the joy of wearing an heirloom, especially one with family history, is unique and priceless.

That said, only you can decide if it’s worth the investment. Once you’vemade the decision to restore your vintage timepiece, entrust it only to aqualified technician with proper training in assessing and working on oldertimepiece movements. Improper repair of an older watch can damage themovement irreparably. Incorrect replacement parts, finishing techniquesand lubrication are just some of the issues we’ve seen.

In general, older timepieces cannot be expected to function with thesame level of accuracy as new models. However, if properly restored, thewatch should be suitable for daily wear. One must allow ample time for thework to be completed, as parts might not be readily available, and thetechnician might have to search the marketplace for the proper part, or insome cases, make the part by hand.

Once the work is done, consider enhancing your newly restoredvintage watch with an interesting strap—perhaps one in a bold color orwith contrast stitching—to make a unique statement.

IS IT OKAYTO WEAR A SPORTS WATCHAS AN EVERYDAY WATCH?

If you love it , why not? Unless you’re talking about a tackyplastic watch, most of today’s bettersports watches are thin enough towear as an everyday watch, and offerfeatures that most of us appreciateeven at home or in the office. Thesecan include water resistance, built-inchronographs, readable dials andvarious subdials, calendars and othercomplications.

That said, there’s nothing classierthan a beautiful dress watch and forspring 2011, classical elegance is allthe rage. Our suggestion: build awatch wardrobe that includes bothsports and dress watches andalternate according to the occasion,and your mood.

WA T C H


WHAT AREMECHANICAL

WATCHES AND WHYARE THEY SOEXPENSIVE?

As opposed to quartz watches that functionelectronically, a mechanical watch is driven by aspring which must be periodically wound. A series ofgears power the balance wheel, which oscillates backand forth at a constant rate. A device called anescapement releases the wheels with each swing ofthe balance wheel, moving the hands forward at aconstant rate and creating a ticking sound. It’stechnology dating back to 17th century Europe, and theexpense is the design, the old world craftsmanship, themaintenance and replacement parts, and of course theintrinsic value of precious metals and other finematerials.

But for those whose hearts beat to the pulse of amechanical timepiece, there’s nothing else quite like it!

GE

TTY

1/

RTI

IMA

GE

S

IMA

GE

CO

UR

TE

SY

OF

TW

ST

EE

L

LEE_W_Watch Advisor.qxp:Watch_Advisor 3/10/11 1:18 PM Page 42

©20

11 E

be

l -

ww

w.e

be

l.co

m

- R

ef

1215

855-

1215

924

EBEL BELUGA

Ebel:Layout 1 2/24/11 8:41 AM Page 1

44

WATCH ADVISORI'M ABOUT TO INVEST IN A WATCH AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW

MORE ABOUT ITS COMPLICATIONS. CAN YOU HELP?

WHAT TO KNOW WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR TIMEPIECES

ILLU

STR

ATIO

N B

Y H

AR

RY

BAT

ES

; IN

FOR

MAT

ION

PR

OV

IDE

D B

Y J

OH

N H

OR

NE

Lug

Start/Stop for Chronograph

Hour Marker or Index

Crown

Minute Hand

Date Indicator

Reset for Chronograph

Crystal (Above the Hands)

Dial (Below the Hands)

Bezel

12-Hour Registerfor Chronograph

Day of Week Indicator

Year Indicator

Second Hand

Hour Hand

Repeating Slide (Chimes Time Aloud

When Activated)

Second Counterfor Chronograph

30-Minute Registerfor Chronograph

Moon Phase Subdial

Month Indicator

Strap

Understanding the parts and functions of a timepiece can help you select thestyle that’s right for you. It’s also helpful later, when your watch requires

service or repair. This particular model has both time-telling and time-keepingcapabilities. The chronograph, for time-keeping, is essentially an advanced stopwatch.

LEE_W_Watch Advisor_Watch diagram.qxp:LEE 3/22/11 1:32 PM Page 44

With its soft lines and subtle alternating fi nishes, the Linea is a timeless icon of femininity that naturally becomes associa-ted with life’s most beautiful highlights. Each Linea is fi tted with an interchangeable strap.www.baume-et-mercier.com

BaumeMercier.ps - 2/23/2011 11:49 AM



FOCUS: FIRST PERSON by Joseph Ungoco

As my plane touched down at LAX, thepilot cheerily reminded us to set ourwatches back three hours to the local

time. I glanced at my hand-me-down Rolex, myfather’s stainless steel Air-King OysterPerpetual, bought for his swearing in as a U.S.citizen on July 4, 1965. This watch had kept himon time for more than a decade. I honestlycouldn’t recall the last time I had worn thiswatch on a plane, but this would be its lasttranscontinental crossing on my wrist.

My father gave me “The Air-King”, his veryfirst Rolex, on my 11th birthday. Two monthsprior, to commemorate his own birthday, he had“invested in” an 18 karat yellow gold andstainless steel Datejust with Jubilee bracelet,pulling ahead of his stainless steel-clad siblingsin our family version of the Rolex Stakes. (TheBond films of the ’60s and ’70s introduced myfather and his three brothers to the Rolex brand,but the ’80s brought my family’s obsession to awhole new level.)

Later that year, my father took me withhim to the watchmaker’s shop, where we hadthe Air-King cleaned, the crystal polished, andthe luminous hour markers and hands repainted—an annual tradition.

Just as I thought we were ready to leave, the watchmaker came forwardwith a green leather box stamped with a gold coronet. Inside was the

matching women’s version of my father’s newwatch. That summer, my mother handed herstainless steel Rolex with the Oyster bracelet—anengagement present from my father—down toher younger sister for her birthday.

Years later, before my 30th birthday, I calledmy watch dealer about buying myself a specialwatch—perhaps a brand new Submariner. Butwhen I arrived at his shop, he had found theperfect tribute to my milestone birthday: a watchexactly as old as me. It was a mint condition 196918 karat yellow gold Rolex Date with graduatedOyster bracelet. Its South American seller sworeit had sat untouched in his father’s safety depositbox for at least 25 years! I was assured that aftera quick swipe of my credit card, a slightly longerFBI check (for the watch, not me) and a thoroughinspection (again for the watch), this gorgeoustimepiece would be mine. My “new” Rolexarrived just in time to accompany me to mybirthday party.

I lived happily with my Rolexes for severalyears, until the event that prompted this story: mygodson’s birthday. The fourth of six boys, he waswell acquainted with the phrase “hand-me-down”,

but I think that my present to him that day—a green leather box with a goldcoronet, the Air-King safely tucked inside—may have changed his opinion of thatphrase forever. At least I hope so…

48

WA T C H


HAND-ME-DOWNS WELCOMEA MILESTONE WATCH PASSED AMONG FAMILY

GIVES THE PHRASE NEW MEANING.

The Bond films of the ’60s and ’70s

introduced my fatherand his three brothers

to the Rolex brand.

LEE_W_First Person_Milestone Watch.qxp:LEE 3/19/11 11:32 AM Page 48

DECO DIAMOND TRI TONE

MicheleDeco:Layout 1 2/24/11 9:22 AM Page 1

FOCUS: INTERVIEW by Roberta Naas

Patek Philippe has long been regarded as the epitome of watchmaking.This legendary family-owned, Geneva-based brand has been craftingsome of the finest watches in the world since 1839. Indeed, it has an

impressive 70 patents to its credit and has won anamazing number of awards throughout itsexistence. Still, the brand continues to push thetechnological envelope, always on the cuttingedge of research and development in an effort tobring the best horological masterpieces to theforefront. This manufacture produces everythingin house according to the strictest standards ofexcellence.

For this and other reasons, the brand caneasily stand by its tagline: “You never really owna Patek Philippe; you merely look after it for thenext generation.” Indeed, perhaps more so than any other watch brand, PatekPhilippe timepieces hold their value from decade to decade, century tocentury. In fact, Patek Philippe holds a record for achieving 15 of the 16 highest

prices ever paid for a timepiece at auction. What’s more, at a Christie’s auctionthis past spring, a one-of-a-kind 1944 Ref. 1527 chronograph garnered $5.7million, breaking a record for any yellow gold watch ever sold at auction.

Naturally, the value of these watches lies intheir incredible workmanship and esteemedcomplexity. Patek Philippe makes about 42,000watches per year for worldwide consumption—and of the more complicated pieces, a verylimited number are built. Only the finest, hand-picked jewelers around the globe are selected tocarry this brand.

Here, in an exclusive interview, LarryPettinelli, president of Patek Philippe, USA,discusses the steadfast commitment of the brandto excellence and its belief that even the younger

generation—one that flicks open its iPhones to check the time—can still

50

The value of thesewatches lies in the

incredible workmanshipand esteemed

complexity.

WA T C H


PATEK PHILIPPE IS ALWAYS LOOKING AHEAD.

THE NEXT GENERATION

Above: Men’s Annual Calendar, Ladies’ Nautilus

LEE_W_Interview_Larry Pettinelli.qxp:Watch_Interview 3/10/11 1:24 PM Page 50

FOCUS: INTERVIEW

understand the affinity for a timepiecethat will long outlast them.

Pettinelli has been at the helm ofPatek Philippe in the U.S. for four yearsnow, but he has been with the companysince 1988, when he started as a traineecarrying watches for the son of thedistributor. It was two years beforePettinelli was even allowed to write anorder, and four years before he starteddiscussing actual sales with retailers.

“‘There’s no reason to rush,’ Iremember the owners telling me,” saysPettinelli, “’Because when we hiresomeone, we hire them to stay for a longtime.’”

And stay a longtime, he did.Today, 22 yearslater, Pettinellih e a d s t h ec o m p a n y in

America and admits that the time hasgone by in a heartbeat. As theawareness of Swiss watches rose,Patek Philippe reached iconic status.As vintage watch collecting grew andglobal auctions became more andmore prevalent, the value of PatekPhilippe timepieces became worldrenowned. The brand blossomed andthe challenges were met in the U.S. asthey were around the world: with a creed of exclusivity,perfection and innovation.

In the four years Pettinelli has been in charge in America,he has taken a tighter reign over the brand’s distribution:closing about 40 retail doors and making the product evenmore exclusive. Just about 100 retailers across America are nowauthorized to carry Patek Philippe timepieces. Those that doare superbly trained, and most travel to Switzerland to visit theworkshops and witness the revered watches being built. Intypical Patek Philippe style, the brand has also reorganized theway it services watches under warranty in America, and nowoffers faster turnaround by servicing most of their models in

New York (instead of Switzerland). “We also work more closely than ever

with our retail jewelers to give them andtheir customers access to what they needin terms of fine products,” says Pettinelli.“We know that people have milestones intheir lives to celebrate, and that they wantto pick things with value, especially todaywhen they are scrutinizing every dollarthey spend. A Patek Philippe will haveinherent value from the minute theypurchase it to 20 years down the road, and100 years down the road.”

According to Pettinelli, he has built ayounger, higher-energy-level team atPatek Philippe that understands today’sgeneration. “We don’t rest on our laurels,or take for granted that we are Patek andthat’s it,” says Pettinelli. “We keepdeveloping new products, strategies andrelationships. Our retailers are ourpartners, and we try to give them greattools for their customers—for generationsto come.”

Among the most recent “great tools”are Annual Calendar watches, especiallyRefs. 5205 and 5207, the Nautilustimepieces for women and men, and theexciting steel Twenty-4 for women.Additionally, Patek Philippe takes itsGenerations ad campaign to a differentlevel, based on the concept of “Begin Your

Own Tradition.” It is centered on the emotions inherent inrelationships (fathers and sons, mothers and daughters) andconveys the enduring value and beauty of something precious.The new campaign introduces the line “Something trulyprecious holds its beauty forever.”

“It’s important to emphasize that we are building watchesfor the next generation, not just for now,” says Pettinelli. “We arenot an old, stodgy, conservative company. We offer newness,innovation and excitement.”

WA T C H


51

“It’s important toemphasize

that we are buildingwatches for the next

generation, not just for now,”says Pettinelli.

Larry Pettinelli, president, Patek Philippe, USA

Left: Ladies’ Twenty-4

LEE_W_Interview_Larry Pettinelli.qxp:LEE 3/21/11 4:59 PM Page 51

FOCUS: CELEBRITY AMBASSADORS by Jillian Sprague

52

DIANE KRUGER FOR JAEGER-LECOULTREKruger fell in love with Jaeger-LeCoultre when

she received a Reverso timepiece on her 18th

birthday. Little did she know that over a decade

later, the watch manufacturer would ask her to

represent their prestigious brand on red carpets

around the globe. Her elegant beauty, strong

personality and incredible talent made Kruger

the perfect muse for Jaeger-LeCoultre’s

designers, who strive to encompass a balance

between charm and strength of character in each

of their timepiece collections.

BEAUTIFUL WOMEN, BEAUTIFUL WATCHES

THE WORLD’S FINEST TIMEPIECES MAKE THESE

SUPERSTARS SHINE (AND OF COURSE, VICE VERSA).

W

A T C H


GWYNETH PALTROW FOR BAUME & MERCIERWhen opportunity arose for Paltrow to partner with the

famed Swiss Maison d’Horlogerie, she felt an instant

connection to the brand’s motto: Life is about moments.

“That very much represents my personal philosophy on

life,” she explains. For the actress and singer who

recently got her star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, quiet

moments with her family are rare and precious. At a

seaside party in the Hamptons, she shared that many of

these moments have taken place at her home there,

where she enjoys relaxing, playing with her children and

grilling seafood in the garden. “I feel at home in the place

between land and sea,” she says.

MARIA SHARAPOVA FOR TAG HEUER TAG Heuer believes that women experience time

differently than men. Men cut it up into fractions in order

to visualize it, while women see it as a a poetic flow. For

men, time is linear. For women, it is cyclical.

The brand recently asked tennis superstar Maria

Sharapova to help design its new Formula 1 ceramic

watches because “she is a woman endowed with the

systematic approach that comes with the territory.” The

ceramic bracelet with butterfly clasp is ideal for delicate

wrists. The black edition is perfect for night on the town;

the white, for anytime and anyplace.

LEE_W_Celebrity Ambassadors[ Jillian ].qxp:LEE 3/19/11 12:33 PM Page 52

KATE WINSLET FOR LONGINESWhat does time mean to you?In my 20s it meant doing as much as I could very quickly, and in my 30s I’m

discovering that this needs to change.

What has been the highlight of your time as an actress? Whatfurther aspirations do you have?The highlight of my career was being cast in my very first film, Heavenly

Creatures, at 17. And the only aspiration I have is to remain as passionate

about my job as I always have been.

What do you consider your greatest strength?You should probably ask my friends and family, but I would say that loyalty

is up there on my list of moral priorities.

W

A T C H


NICOLE KIDMANFOR OMEGASince 2004, this Academy Award-

winning actress has been a champion of

Omega’s graceful and timeless designs.

This year, she’s wearing the Ladymatic,

a design first launched in 1955.

Who better than a strong woman

like Kidman to represent this product,

which Omega’s president describes as a

tribute to “how important our women

customers have been to us over the

years, and our idea of what a

mechanical watch for women should

be in the 21st century.”

Says Kidman, “These days, interest

in the quality of a watch movement

isn’t gender specific; women have the

same interest in its performance as men

do. The Ladymatic addresses that

perfectly.”

DANICA PATRICK FOR TISSOT What has been the most memorable time in your life?

I would have to say competing at the Indianapolis 500. Growing up, it was always a

goal of mine to one day race at the Brickyard, and to have gotten to that level in my

career is something that I hold very dear.

What would you do with more time?

I think I’d spend it with my family and friends. As you can imagine, my life can be

hectic at times and it would be nice to be able to slow down and enjoy the company of

my loved ones more often.

What would you do differently if you could turn back time?

I wouldn’t change a single thing in my life. I’m very proud of my accomplishments on

the track and of where I’m at in my career.

FOCUS: CELEBRITY AMBASSADORS

53

LEE_W_Celebrity Ambassadors[ Jillian ].qxp:LEE 3/19/11 12:33 PM Page 53

FOCUS: SPEED by David A. Rose

It was a late afternoon in September when two young men were driving toSalinas, Calif., in a brand new 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder. The owner of the carplanned to compete in the Salinas Sports Car Race that weekend, but rather

than transport the car by trailerfrom Los Angeles as intended, hefelt he needed seat time in the newcar before he raced it. As theyapproached an intersection nearCholame, a 1950 Ford coming fromthe opposite direction suddenlycrossed lanes and the two carscollided head-on. The driver, JamesDean, was Hollywood’s newestheartthrob. He died withinminutes of the crash, and a legendwas born.

Although only 90 Porsche 550 Spyders were made between 1953 and1956, many have survived. At the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion heldat Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in 2010, one of the 600 cars entered was aPorsche 550 Spyder identical to the one James Dean was to race 55 years ago.

Vintage racing has grown to become one of the most exciting forms ofmotorsports. It brings to life what most people will only see on the pages of

coffee table books, in museums or in movies.Rolex has sponsored motorsports since the 1930s. As the leading name in

luxury timepieces, it’s fitting that they are title sponsor for one of the world’smost significant vintage race events.“Motor racing has an enormousfollowing around the world. It appealsto those who appreciate the ultimate intechnology as well as extremecompetition,” said Peter Nicholson, vicepresident and director ofcommunications, Rolex Watch U.S.A.“Since split-second timing is so criticalfor drivers and crews, it is fitting thatRolex adds its reputation for precisiontimekeeping to these magnificentevents.”

Participants at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion hail from 13countries and bring with them the most exotic cars on the planet to race at

54

WA T C H


THE INTERSECTION OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY

GRAND SPORT

TOP: A full field of three-liter Formula 1 racecars, considered the pinnacle ofmotor racing from 1966 to ’83. BOTTOM: A Rolex Oyster PerpetualCosmograph Daytona was presented to Graham Wallis.

16__WATCHES_Speed[1].qxp:LEE 3/20/11 1:39 PM Page 54

Shape & Cutting Style:

Round Brilliant

Natural Diamond:

Not Synthetic

Carat Weight:

1.53

Color Grade:

E

Clarity Grade:

VS1

Cut Grade:

Excellent

Laser Inscription

Registry Number:

G IA 16354621

Beauty is one thing, but certainty is everything. A GIA report is the most technologically advanced diamond evaluation possible.

It gives you a unique blueprint of your diamond’s attributes and an indisputable record of its quality.

As creators of the 4Cs and the International Diamond Grading System,™ GIA is known for the kind of unbiased

scientific information that has guided diamond buyers for generations.

To learn more about this unique resource, please visit W W W. G I A 4 C S . G I A . E D U

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WONDERING AND KNOWING.

THE BEST WAY TO BUY A DIAMOND IS CONFIDENTLY.

GIA.ps - 2/23/2011 11:54 AM

FOCUS: SPEED

Laguna Seca’s challenging 11-turn circuit. Not long ago, one would have beenable to see a Type 35 Bugatti Grand Prix car only in a museum. Last year 90Bugattis were in Monterey, 35 of them racing in the Bugatti Grand Prix as partof the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. (They later toured the Californiacoastline as part of the Bugatti Rally 2010.)

At vintage races, the cars are not necessarily the only stars. PatrickDempsey, a passionate driver best known for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherdon TV’s Grey’s Anatomy, raced a Mazda GTP Prototype at the event. Alwaysa crowd favorite, he was visibly thrilled with his racecar—and his results. JayLeno and other celebrities are perennial attendees, but this year it was a trueAmerican legend who garnered the most attention. Dan Gurney, who washonored at the event, is widely considered to be the greatest American racecardriver of all time. As adriver he has won racesin Indy cars, Formula 1,NASCAR stock cars andthe 24 Hours of Le Mans.He was the onlyAmerican to win aFormula 1 Grand Prix ina car of his own designwhen, in 1967, he wonthe Belgian Grand Prix atCircuit Spa

Francorchamps in the beautiful Gurney Weslake Eagle F1. Despite all hiswins, Gurney is most well-known for his sportsmanship, which has won himthe respect and admiration of peers and race fans around the world.

As he was honored, Gurney reflected back on his prime, when cars werefast, drivers colorful and tragedy seemed always to be lurking around thenext corner. “We were certainly driven by enormous passion for the sport, andwe had great respect for those who came before us...we weren’t thinkingabout future history at the time,” said Gurney. He thanked his role model PhilWalters (better known as Ted Tappet), who “could move through trafficgracefully without knocking anybody off the road.”

Gurney is thrilled about the growth and popularity of vintage racing andenjoys seeing enthusiastic gentlemen drivers behind the wheel of the cars thathe and his peers made famous. “I’m sure these guys are as crazy as we were,”

said Gurney. “I don’t know what it is about human beings...we all have anaffinity for the internal combustion engine and its sounds and smells, as wellas all the history. It’s great to see decades touching each other and newgenerations appreciating similar things.”

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is part of Monterey AutoWeek, when sophisticated people, exotic cars, fine food and superb winescombine for a celebration that has become internationally recognized as ashowcase for luxury and glamour.

Automobile enthusiasts and connoisseurs of culture enjoy the

atmosphere of elegance while attending auto-related shows, auctions, cocktailparties and elaborate dinners. At the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, grandtouring cars drive some of the most scenic portions of Monterey’s 17-MileDrive and then parade down Carmel’s Ocean Avenue for bystanders to enjoy.The festival of automobile culture culminates with the internationallyacclaimed Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where the world’s mostextraordinary cars are judged for authenticity, function, history and style.

As the trailers and auto-transporters are reloaded with their valuablecargo and the participants catch their flights home, the quiet and lovelyMonterey peninsula returns to its normal tranquility. But plans are alreadyunderway for making the next event, from August 19th to the 21st, 2011, evenmore unforgettable.

56

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Patrick Dempsey and Jay Leno; GrahamWallis in his 1929 Lagonda, for which he won The Spirit of MontereyTrophy for overall excellence.; some of the many cars raced or built by DanGurney.; Patrick Dempsey races the Jeremy Barnes Mazda RX-92 GTP.

16__WATCHES_Speed[1].qxp:LEE 3/20/11 1:39 PM Page 56

LEE_ADS_LEE_Ads 9/14/10 3:59 PM Page 49

As we glided silently on the Zambezi River, we soaked in thestillness of the moment. To our right was Zimbabwe; to our left,Zambia. Above, the vast African sky enveloped us in its limitless

supply of blue.Then we saw the hippos.Our reverie was broken by the creatures, who bobbed slowly up and

down and grunted their displeasure at our having trespassed in their cornerof the Zambezi. Our path ahead—and behind—was blocked by two pods ofthe roly poly beasts, among the deadliest in Africa. The promise of gettingclose to wildlife on a canoe trip was part of what had drawn us to Zambia’sLower Zambezi National Park. But this was, perhaps, a bit too close.

We gave them as wide a berth as possible. After several minutes, ourguide, who was well versed in hippopotamus habits, dipped his oar into thewater. “Let’s go. Quickly now,” he said, calmly but firmly.

It was one of the many reminders we had while on safari that despitethe gourmet food, plush beds and clawfoot bathtubs, we were very muchin the wild, in the home of often unpredictable animals engaged in a dailylife-and-death struggle. It’s easy to forget while sipping afternoon tea andwatching the river float lazily by, until an elephant lumbers into campsearching for a snack.

Being able to get deep into the bush was part of the allure of Lower

Into AfricaIN ZAMBIA, SPOTTING WILDLIFE IS A WALK IN THE PARK.

BY CAROLINA BOLADO HALE

TRAVEL

PH

OTO

S N

ATH

AN

HA

LE

58

LEE_Travel_Into Africa.qxp:Travel 3/10/11 1:14 PM Page 58

Zambezi National Park, a 4,000-square kilometer piece ofriverfront land about a half-hour’s flight south of Lusaka.Though Zambia isn’t at the top of most people’s safari lists, itshould be. Zambia’s guides are renowned beyond the country’sborders, and better park management and increased tourismrevenue have helped to greatly reduce poaching.

No roads lead to the park, so visitors must come viaboat or prop plane; the latter lands on one of threered-dirt airstrips inside the park that often have to be

cleared of zebras and warthogs. Formerly a private gamereserve for Zambian ex-President Kenneth Kaunda, the park isnow home to just six small camps, which means visitors aremore likely to see resident wildlife as opposed to safari truckconvoys.

And there’s plenty of wildlife to see. Despite the park’ssmall size, it boasts most of the big game that bring people toAfrica, plus more than 300 different bird species. After therainy season has passed and the watering holes have dried up,the animals all come to drink at the river, which means thosesix riverfront camps are perfectly positioned for wildlifeviewing.

My husband and I split our visit there between ChiawaCamp, the first one established after the national park’screation in 1983, and Old Mondoro, a more rustic and intimatecamp a 45-minute boat ride downstream. The park has distinctregions, and the two camps are situated in completely differentterrain. Dense shrubs, behind which lions hide while eyeingtheir prey, characterize the area around Chiawa, while largeacacia trees with low-hanging, thick branches—perfect leopardperches—dominate the terrain downstream.

We were up before the sun each day (the animals don’tsleep in, so we couldn’t either) to explore the area by safaritruck, boat, canoe or even on foot. Zambia is, after all, the

birthplace of the walking safari.Listening to bird calls andexamining termite mounds, wesaw the bush in a way that wenever could have in a noisysafari vehicle.

Every day brought a newadventure, whether it washooking tigerfish in the river orfinding lion cubs playing in thetall grass. And each evening, wepaused to engage in anothersafari ritual: the sundowner. Nomatter what we were doing atthe time, as soon as the sunbegan to sink below the horizon,we would stop, prepare drinksand watch the sky turn variousshades of orange, pink andpurple as we discussed thelasting memories we’d justmade.

Lower Zambezi NationalPark is open from mid-Apriluntil mid-November. Prices forChiawa Camp range from $595to $895 per person per day,depending on the time of year.Old Mondoro’s rates begin atapproximately $600 per personper day. Rates includetransportation within the park,all activities, food and drinks.

Dr. Livingstone, I PresumeNo visit to Zambia is completewithout a stop in Livingstone, nextdoor to Victoria Falls. The localname for the falls, Mosi oa Tunya,means “the smoke that thunders.”When water levels are high, thetowering clouds of mist can beseen clearly from downtownLivingstone, six miles away. Thefalls are at their mightiest in Mayand June, making the viewingexperience a very wet one. Theflow slows to a comparative trickleby the end of the year, whichmeans each individual waterfall isclearly visible, and activities likewhitewater rafting or taking a dipin the Devil’s Swimming Pool(literally inches from where thewater plummets 360 feet down)are available. The Royal LivingstoneHotel, situated on the banks of theZambezi River just upstream fromthe falls, offers luxurious rooms,and wildlife viewing right from yourwindow—giraffes and zebras freelyroam the grounds of the hotel.Rates start at $653 for doubleoccupancy, including breakfast andnational park fees.

Inside the canvas tent at Chiawa Camp

59

LEE_Travel_Into Africa.qxp:Travel 3/10/11 1:14 PM Page 59

T he thumping beats are so infectious that it’s impossible not toreact with a swish of the hips. Zumba, the fitnessdance craze everyone seems to be shaking their moneymaker

to these days, elicits a whole lot more than a toe tap. And after an hourof sweaty dance party fun, you’ll find you’ve melted away up to1,000 calories, says Irena Meletiou (pictured at right), achoreographer and New York-based Zumba instructor.Imagine, turning exercise into a party—minus the cocktails andstilettos, of course!

So what is Zumba? Think 60 percent Latin dance using thebasic steps of samba, salsa, cumbia, mambo and cha-cha.Add 40 percent hip-hop, reggaeton, West Africanand belly dancing-inspired moves. Pump up theenergy with a fast pop music tempo and you’vegot aerobic cardio that works just about everymuscle in your body. Classes are taught ingroups where everyone works itcollectively (not competitively). Noworrying about counting steps,judging technique, orscrutinizing yourself for formand precision. Zumba isabout freestyling at yourown pace and level.

In fairness, the first classyou take may not be yourFootloose moment. Unlessyou’re an experienceddancer, it may take a fewtries to let go completely andfeel your sexiest. Zumba issomething “everyone cando,” says Meletiou. “Only ifyou can’t bend your knees… thengive up because dancing is not for you.”

“You get quick, easy, effective results for all body types,” shesays. “It’s about partying and one goal: having fun. The fitness andstrength are just a bonus.”

Zumba instructors all add their own flavor to the universalformat. Meletiou teaches a master class with a half hour of

technical instruction followed by an hour of class, sopeople can really connect with the fun and sexychoreography.

The whole Zumba phenom started back in2001, thanks to the marketing magic and savvydance skills of two Albertos. Alberto “Beto”

Perez, a Colombian dancer and choreographer,accidentally started the craze when he forgothis aerobics tapes for a class. Instead he played

some salsa and meringue music. The class was ahit and he soon brought popular music fromaround the world to soundtrack his globalfootwork. Alberto #1 then met Alberto #2(Perlman), the CEO of Zumba Fitness. The twohave turned an impromptu exercising dance party

into a well-marketed global brand replete withclothing and retail products. (Zumba is a

Colombian word used to describe the buzz ofa bee.) Under the Zumba brand more

than 20,000 instructors have been trained across 35countries, and over 3 million DVDs have been purchased.

“I was in Berlin and took a Zumba class. EvenGermans can dance like they are in Puerto Rico!” saysAshlynn Vanessa Manning, a licensed Zumba instructor,who first learned of the program through her mother.“It brings this exciting part of Latin American culture

to the rest of the world. It’s moving with the musicand feeling the music, with a whole community of

people doing it right there beside you.”For many trying to lose weight or get

toned, it’s a godsend to be so busy workin’it that you forget you’re actually working

out! Let loose with wild abandon; in thishealthy hedonism the only protection

you’ll need is a bottle of water tokeep you hydrated.

Healthy HedonismALLOW YOUR INNER ZUMBA STAR TO BREAK FREE. BY SHIRA LEVINE

FITNESS

60

LEE_Fitness_Zumba.qxp:Fitness 3/10/11 1:16 PM Page 60

LEE_TownCountry:Layout 1 2/24/11 11:06 AM Page 1

Animated Dogs Come to LifePaul Fierlinger’s parents were caught up in an international life of Czechpolitics, diplomacy and intrigue. They had little time for or interest in theiryoung child. When they were called back to Czechoslovakia from theStates, they left Paul with an American foster family they’d found througha newspaper ad. To cope with this benign neglect, Paul found solace in thecompany of loveable dogs.

At the tender age of 10, due to a regime change in Czechoslovakia, Paulwas abruptly yanked from the American home he’d come to call his own andsent off to an elite boarding school in Prague (future playwright andpresident Vacel Havel and film director Milos Forman were his schoolmates).

Miserable, homesick for America, and unable to speak the language,Paul expressed himself through drawing. It turned out he had quite a talent.Art school followed, coupled with an intense desire to return to the U.S. (nomean feat during the Communist era).

Eventually, using his artistic talent to forge documents, Fierlingerescaped to America. Over time, as his acclaim as an animator grew, Paul andhis wife Sandra, a fine arts painter, began to create animated films together.Shown on PBS and at prestigious film festivals such as Sundance and theToronto Film Festival, their work received numerous Peabody Awards, anOscar nomination for Best Animated Short, and several other major filmfestival awards. Paul’s lifelong love of dogs informed many of these projects.

Some favorites include the award-winning films Still Life with AnimatedDogs, starring dogs Paul had come to love over his lifetime, and DrawnFrom Memory, an autobiographical film featuring the canine companionsthat helped him survive those unhappy years in Czechoslovakia.

In their latest feature from New Yorker Films, My Dog Tulip (based on

© J

UA

N T

OR

CO

LETT

I/B

OLT

AX

.GA

LLE

RY

Man’s Best FriendIn The Spotlight

FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, FROM THE EARLIEST CAVE PAINTINGS TO CONTEMPORARYCANVASES, ARTISTS HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY DOGS. TODAY, THESE ARTISTS BRING A

UNIQUE VISION TO THEIR WORK. BY JACQUELIN CARNEGIE

ART

62

Above: Painter Juan Torcoletti used his love of dogs to turn hislife around by painting their portraits.

LEE_Art_Man's Best Friend.qxp:LEE 3/19/11 12:51 PM Page 62

British author J.R. Ackerley’s book), an animated German Shepherd getstop billing alongside the voices of Christopher Plummer, Lynn Redgrave andIsabella Rossellini.

Through a Photographer’s LensAward-wining photographer Rosanne Olson is mostly known for herstunning portraits of people. But as she photographed her KnowingPortraits clients, she noticed that their pets were intrigued by the process,often hovering at the edge of the proceedings.

Olson became intrigued with them in return and came up with theconcept of photographing dogs in the painterly style of the Old Masters.Her regal dog portraits à la Thomas Gainsborough and John Singer Sargentlook as if lit by the natural light of a window.

“When photographing dogs—and children—I am very patient,” explainsOlson. “Sometimes it works quickly and sometimes it takes a while—there’sno forcing anything. Animals (and kids) are so honest. They don’t know howto ‘fake it;’ that’s something we learn as we grow up.

“I simply try to make photographing them an enjoyable experience sothat the expressions I get reflect the genuine feelings of the subject.”

Yes, you can almost see the dogs smiling.

Canine Creatures on CanvasArgentine painter Juan Torcoletti’s inspiration for painting dogs is best toldin his own words:

“My history painting dogs was born in the streets of New York. I had justmoved to the city in 1993 and found a place in Soho. One morning, like anyother, I went for coffee at Dean & Deluca on Prince Street. I passed a lady

dressed in black leather with two black dogs, a Rottweiler and a GermanShepherd. In a stroke of bad luck, the Rottweiler bit me so badly that I hadto go to the hospital for stitches.

“I wanted to sue the lady, but felt sorry for the dogs. Also, because I washere illegally, I feared being sent back to South America. I was happy and inlove with New York City, fully determined to fulfill my American dream.

“At first, to ‘heal’ myself from the frightening experience with thatRottweiler, I painted dogs with ferocious teeth, wild dogs and all black ones.I started selling my paintings on the street, at the corner of Prince andGreene. Luckily, many sales followed.

“I had famous clients such as Giorgio Armani and many artists. Also,neighborhood residents and tourists bought my work. But, finally, I wasarrested for selling on the street and was almost deported. However,fortune smiled and I got my paintings back—and my freedom—as well asmy papers and a green card. So, I decided to change my life and stop sellingmy work on the street. I started doing dog portraits on request.

“First, I’d meet the dogs and their owners (the clients), do sketches,

make drawings and take photos. Afterwards, I’d work on the paintings in mystudio (by then, I’d moved to an old storage building in Tribeca with ahotplate and a bathroom down the hall). That’s where I lived until I becamedisillusioned with my beloved America. And, when I started paintingferocious dogs again, I knew it was time to move back to Buenos Aires.”

Since 2004, Juan Torcoletti and his amazing dog portraits have beenrepresented by boltax.gallery on Shelter Island, New York.

These very different portraits by this group of talented artists paytribute to the long relationship people have had with dogs—not only ashunters, guardians and guides, but as loving companions.

© P

AU

L &

SA

ND

RA

FIE

RLI

NG

ER

/A

R&

T A

SS

OC

IATE

S,

INC

.

© R

OS

AN

NE

OLS

ON

/G

ETT

Y I

MA

GE

S

HAVEA HEART

Animator Paul Fierlingerand Mutts cartoonist Patrick

McDonnell teamed up to createcommercials for

The Shelter Pet Project(www.theshelterpetproject.org)

to encourage people to adopt a pet.

Other ways to help: Visit 4pawsforability.org, which

provides service dogs to people with disabilities;

www.humanesociety.org, thenation’s largest animal protectionorganization; or www.aspca.org,

which rescues and sheltersabused and neglected animals.

6363

Left: Esther the Great Dane, as photographed by Rosanne Olson, has the regal look of Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy. Top Right: Artimitates life. In the award-winning Still Life with Animated Dogs, Paul Fierlinger gets his dog Spinnaker to do a barking “voice over.”Bottom Right: In the film, Paul Fierlinger also goes sailing with Spinnaker.

LEE_Art_Man's Best Friend.qxp:LEE 3/21/11 11:26 AM Page 63

Iwas 10 and at an Italian ski resort the first time I gave jewelry to a female.She was 18, beautiful, and to prove my love, I left a gift of shiny darkpurple beads by her door, a bold move I was sure would make up for our

eight-year age difference. She sweetly accepted the gift but turned down myproposal of undying devotion. Heartbroken, I was not yet aware that thiswould be the last time I’d give a gift of jewelry without trepidation.

While dating Jen, a professional dancer, I considered buying her a ringbut quickly decided it would represent a commitment I wasn’t ready tomake. Instead, I chose an ornate crystal choker that ended up being so tightthat it cut off her air supply. Although she had left magazines open to pagesfeaturing her favorite jewelry designer, I’d been oblivious to these not-so-subtle hints. We broke up six months later.

I soon met Arianna. For her birthday, I purchased a Turkishhandcrafted sterling silver necklace with a carved pendant. Upon carefulexamination, the carving revealed a well-endowed naked man with openarms. Aware of possible misinterpretations, I worried: Was I showingsexual insecurity? Was it in really bad taste? But when I gave it to Arianna,she was delighted and wore the piece close to her heart. Ultimately theguy in the carving would remain in her life a lot longer than I would.

Moving to New York from my native Milan, I started dating Bettina, a stylewriter who dragged me to esoteric jewelry exhibits at various museums. “Idon’t want to see a bunch of jewelry,” I protested in response to a Castellaniexhibit. “But it’s as much your heritage as the Vatican and its frescoes,”Bettina replied as I marveled at the intricate pieces behind the glass cases.

The word for ‘jewel’ in Italian isrelated to ‘joy’ and I wanted to giveBettina a sense of gioia di vivere.She loves rose cut diamonds, so Ipicked out a pair of stones andhad them made into dropearrings, one-of-a-kind, justlike her. It’s the closest I’vecome to truly committing to awoman with a gift of jewelry.

And while I’m now moreadept at taking hints, I’m still hoping torecapture the courageous young boy who declared his feelings withunabashed audacity and an open heart.

GE

TT

Y 1

64

Romancing the StoneMY ROCKY EXPERIENCES BUYINGJEWELRY FOR GIRLFRIENDS BY MICHAEL GIULIETTI

HIS SIDE

LEE_His Side_Romancing the Stone.qxp:HisSide 3/10/11 1:15 PM Page 64

LEE_Rolex:Layout 1 3/4/11 11:28 AM Page 1

© D

.YU

RM

AN

20

11

Yurman:Layout 1 2/24/11 9:29 AM Page 1

LE

E M

ICH

AE

LS

FIN

E JE

WE

LR

Y

AC

CE

NT

THE

MA

GA

ZIN

E O

F LIFE’S C

ELE

BR

ATIO

NS

SP

RIN

G/S

UM

ME

R 2

011

SPINE.ps - 3/

Lee MIchaels Fine Jewelry

Documents

n e o f

i f e s c e

n t o n

n e w o r

stantonp r e s i d e

c c e n t t h e

t i o n s s p r i n

o u i s