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Lou Ferrigno Jr. "Let Your Inner Superhero Inspire You"

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Ferrigno Jr. LET YOUR INNER SUPERHERO INSPIRE YOU
Lou
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“LOSE YOURSELF IN LOVE”
www.jbclotheirs.com
Publisher Big Cities Media, LLC editor in Chief Otis W. Jones Managing editor Mark Spivak CoP y editor Thomas Mirkin Creative direCtor Mark Rosas senior graPhiC designer Rachel Joyosa Contributing Writers Mark sPivak Caroline day david stuChbury JaMes riven ilan herMan gloria bass INQUIRIES: ADVERTISING | advertising@hillsviewsandvalleys.com STORY SUBMISSIONS | submissions@hillsviewsandvalleys.com SUBSCRIPTIONS | subscritptions@hillsviewsandvalleys.com HillsViews&Valleys is published quarterly by Big Cities Media, L.L.C. and distributed on newsstands in reader friendly areas such as businesses and boutiques, hotel rooms, and restaurants. The opinions expressed in our published works are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions of Big Cities Media, LLC or its Editors. Big Cities Media, LLC 311 N Robertson Blvd. Suite 696 Beverly Hills, CA. 90211 All rights reserved. © 2022 Big Cities Media, LLC No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.r.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 102
BENTAYGA HYBRID FAMILY EXTENDS WITH NEW S AND AZURE

EDITOR’S LETTER

INSIGHT, MOTIVATION, AND VISION!

What—and more importantly, who—inspires us? It’s a vital question, one that connects to our deepest hopes and dreams.

For our winter Inspiration Issue, HVV explored this question in the lives of a very diverse group of individuals. We began with a quartet of celebrities: Gal Gadot, Zoe Kravitz, Lou Ferrigno, Jr., and Beyoncé. While Ferrigno may have been inspired by his father’s superhero roles, and while physical fitness is undeniably important to him, he reveals surprising sides of himself with his devotion to painting and cooking. For Beyoncé, it’s all about self-empowerment and defying boundaries, as she echoes the “individuality, love and universal connection” of her new Tiffany & Co. campaign. We discovered some amazing examples of inspiration in people who may not be famous, but who set a tone for the American spirit of entrepreneurship. By reviving the legendary Packard brand, Scott Andrews wants to do nothing less than save the country. He views the culture and craftsmanship of the iconic car company, which ceased production over six decades ago, as emblematic of America at its best. He owns the legal rights to the Packard brand; he’s actively involved in resurrecting the manufacture of Packard motorcars and anticipates releasing his first car in 2023.

Another example of inspirational entrepreneurship is Gavin Keilly, the “Godfather of the gifting lounges,” who uses luxury lounges and gift bags to bring about societal change. In 20 years as an industry leader, Keilly has taken part in high-profile events such as the Academy Awards, Emmys, Golden Globes, Grammys, MTV Movie Awards, BET Awards, the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals, and Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. His company, GBK (which many refer to as Giving Back Kindly) has helped over 50 nonprofits raise more than $10 million to date. His inspiration? Simply put, to help others. Speaking of women’s empowerment, we had the chance to visit with Iris Van Herpen, the Dutch fashion designer known for fusing technology with haute couture. She’s famous for collaborations with inspirational women such as Cate Blanchett, Scarlett Johannsen, Naomi Campbell, Lady Gaga, and of course Beyoncé, amplifying the efforts of innovative females to push intellectual and creative boundaries.

Enough spoiler alerts: We hope you’ll find this issue to be as inspirational to read, as it was to put together.

Gratefully yours, Otis W. Jones

Founder / Editor in Chief

Follow us @hillsviewsandvalleys

12 | HILLS VIEWS & VALLEYS
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DIAMONDS ARE STILL A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND Beyoncé and Ti any & Co. collaborate on “Lose Yourself In Love” campaign LET YOUR INNER SUPERHERO INSPIRE YOU Lou Ferrigno Jr. radiates inspiration from his artistic side. TWA HOTEL An Iconic ight through time. Editor’s Letter 20 | 12 | 26 | 36 | 30 | MAISON PSYCHE’ 32 | SAINT LOUIS 46 | COVER FEATURE
Revolutionary cooking is a family a air.
ROLLS-ROYCE SPECTRE UNVEILED e marque’s rst fully-electric motor car. PACKARD Motor Cars is poised for a comeback. TIMELESS GLAMOUR Gal Gadot models Ti any & Co. L.A. Proper + JB Clothiers + e Best Bourbons Outside Of Kentucky + e Macallan Horizon and more! 72 | 56 | 76 | | 78 CONTENTS Top Drawer
e house of IRIS VAN HERPEN 84 | 90 | 100 | 106 | ZOE KRAVITZ Becomes the face of Omega DESTINATIONS THAT INSPIRE Seven travel experience gi s that will leave you breathless 365 SOLAR Creating a future free of fossil fuels 102 | BENTLEY Bentayga S and Azure Hybrid Models
124 | MUANA LANI e Hawaiian beachfront resort places emphasis on wellness. DEPARTMENTS Haute Cuisine People & Places Top Drawer Fashion Forward Timeless Glamour About Town Five Star Lifestyle & Culture CONTENTS Destination Luxe Health Wealth & Wellness Cover Feature

AT ARZAK

Revolutionary Cooking is a Family Affair

| HAUTE CUISINE
HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 20

Juan Mari and Elena Arzak Exemplify New Basque Cuisine

Can dining out be food-spirational?

Certainly—provided you choose one of the few restaurants capable of providing a transcendent experience. Most of the time, the accolade of three Michelin stars is a guarantee of a meal that will leave you breathless.

First published in 1900 by the Michelin tire company, the Red Guide initially o ered advice to French motorists on hotels, restaurants, and other travel-related services. e tiered star system was introduced in 1931, with simple criteria: one star (“a very good restaurant in its category”), two (“excellent

cooking, worth a detour”), and three (“exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”). While coverage has expanded from France to countries around the world, only 143 restaurants are currently honored with a three-star ranking.

For the Arzak family, the road to three stars was a long one. Juan Mari Arzak was born in 1942 in San Sebastián, Spain, in the heart of the Basque region. He has said that his interest in cooking began at birth, and he spent much of his childhood in the family restaurant, located in a house built by his grandparents in 1897. He took over the family business in 1966 and earned his rst Michelin star at the age of 32. Restaurante Arzak was awarded its third star in 1989. Shortly a erward, he began training his daughter Elena as a chef.

HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 21

Although Juan Mari had learned traditional Basque cooking from his mother, it wasn’t long before his imagination began to take over. From the late 1970s onward, he was one of the chefs who pioneered Nueva Cocina Vasca, or New Basque Cuisine. Using the traditional seafood and cured ham of the region, they employed innovative (and sometimes radical) techniques that eventually evolved into the molecular cuisine of Martin Berasategui and Ferran Adria. eir experimentation revolutionized the world of gastronomy and made the Basque region the epicenter of avant-garde cooking.

Today, Elena runs the Arzak kitchen alongside her father, employing what critics have called her “cocktail of ideas” and her doctrine of “fewer elements, stronger avors.” Father and daughter have a symbiotic, creative and a ectionate relationship. While the structure of the building itself is similar to 1897, it does have a wine cellar above the restaurant that holds 100,000 bottles; there’s also a small kitchen upstairs that serves as a research lab, where the Arzaks develop new ideas and inspirations.

Haute Cuisine HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 22

RON ABUELO TWO OAKS

Two majestic oaks. One sublimely smooth avour.

Abuelo Two Oaks is a sublimely smooth 12 year old rum double-matured in two distinctive oak barrels. First, it is matured in selected oak bourbon casks, then it is finished in extra-charred virgin American oak.

Two Oaks can be enjoyed straight up or on the rocks.

Alcohol content: 40% Alc/Vol.

Classification: Selección Especial.

Color: Dark mahogany.

Aroma: Light smoke with an intense oakiness. Followed by elegant notes of vanilla and coffee with hints of toasted almond.

Taste: Intense, woody notes with a unique smoky sweetness. Spices, caramel and roasted coffee beans with light hints of cola nuts.

Texture: Robust and structured roundness. Velvety texture and long finish.

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| People & Places

DIAMONDS

ARE STILL A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND

BEYONCÉ AND TIFFANY & CO. COLLABORATE ON "LOSE YOURSELF IN LOVE"

Beyoncé has an established relationship with the jewelry retailer, wearing the 128-carat Ti any & Co. diamond (the rst Black woman to wear the jewel) for the brand’s “About Love” campaign in 2021 which also featured her husband, Jay-Z.

e latest campaign is attuned to themes of self-empowerment and defying boundaries, which have also proved unshakable aspects of Beyoncé’s unprecedented career.

Mainstream musical success and a move into acting enhanced the level of worldwide fame Beyoncé enjoyed in the 2000s. However, her evolution through recent musical endeavors has enabled her to scale heights insurmountable by her contemporaries. Her e orts reached a commercial and critical zenith with 2016’s Lemonade album and subsequent music and visual projects.

At the heart of this success are the unifying themes that Ti any & Co. possesses as central to its campaign, “Individuality, love, and universal connection.”

“An exploration of fearless creativity, ‘Lose Yourself in Love’ embodies the beauty of self-love and empowered elegance. Beyoncé is an inspiration to many because she embodies these qualities,” said Alexandre Arnault, Executive Vice President of Product & Communications.

Beyoncé wears items from across Ti any & Co.’s range that enhances themes of female-centric strength and creativity, including the Ti any T line of slim bracelets marked by a sleek T emblem, Ti any HardWear (a bolder collection of gauge links inspired by the energy and architecture of New York City, which Beyoncé models in gold necklace and bracelets), Ti any Knot jewelry with bowed accentuation, and exquisite diamond pieces.

HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 27

If individuality and connectedness symbolize the campaign’s key motifs, then they also prove a source of versatility for the star, who so ably encapsulates aspects of Ti any & Co.'s appeal with classical, modern, conservative, and more creative looks.

“I am honored to continue the partnership with Ti any and Co. and to explore even deeper how beautiful our connections are when we truly celebrate the relationship and importance of love that we have for ourselves as individuals,” said Beyoncé.

at connectedness extends into the past to include items from the Ti any & Co. signature collection of house icons, including pieces from designers Jean Schlumberger and Elsa Peretti, and into the world of couture with a custom Ti any HardWear necklace, created (and assembled over forty hours) speci cally for the campaign.

e photo shoot was carried out at Hangar Studios in Los Angeles by Mason Poole, who has worked extensively with Beyoncé, and who has a special appreciation for the star’s a nity for the jewelry brand.

e video was completed by Dikayl Rimmasch, notable in his respective roles as cinematographer and director of the Beyoncé video projects Homecoming and Black is King.

With Beyoncé and Ti any & Co., unbridled creativity certainly rules in the ‘Lose Yourself in Love” campaign. Even so, nothing is le to chance in the pursuit of something close to perfection—whatever its source and however it’s worn.

“INDIVIDUALITY, LOVE, AND UNIVERSAL CONNECTION.” HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 28

Rémy Cointreau & Firmenich Collaborate on Maison Psyché

| People & Places
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The Intersection of Great Cognac and Fine Perfume

What do you get when you combine a legendary spirits company with the world’s largest and most successful creators of fragrances?

e result is Maison Psyché, a collaboration between the Remy Cointreau Group and the Geneva-based Firmenich company. Maison Psyché is enshrined in the belief that the most remarkable creations are born when exceptional terroirs and the alchemy of masters’ and artisans’ savoir-faire come together. Baptiste Loiseau, Cellar Master of the Maison Rémy Martin, and Sophie Labbé, Principal Perfumer at Firmenich, share the same passion and desire to elevate the very nest raw materials. In their own words: “Maison Psyché was born from our shared love for the terroirs and age-old expertise, both in Cognac and further a eld where perfumery’s nest raw materials blossom.

ese carefully selected raw materials form the foundations of ve exceptional olfactory creations making up the rst Maison Psyché collection. We le them to age in the Maison Rémy Martin cellars in Cognac to allow them to expand their range of expression in our tonnelets (small oak casks). Time has done its work and the result is striking, just like our eaux de vie.”

Using oak aging and the mastery of time to reveal the essence of Cognac is an art practiced for centuries by the house of Rémy Martin. However, using it to produce luxury perfume is a ground-breaking

innovation. e Maison Psyché fragrances are shaped by the time spent in casks specially designed by Seguin Moreau, recognized for expertise in cooperage for almost 200 years. is process contributes to creating new scents whose olfactory richness and longevity on the skin are not equal.

e presentation is just as exceptional as the production. e Maison Psyché perfume bottles are genuine collection pieces made in Baccarat crystal and adorned in gold—some with diamonds, numbered and available in very limited quantities. ey will be an incredible experience reserved for an exclusive clientele on a con dential basis.

“ e creation of Maison Psyché is the ful llment of a wonderful dream,” said Francesco Riosa, CEO of Maison Psyché. “ at dream is reinventing La Grande Parfumerie in the 21st century and restoring its prestige by connecting it to the traditional and time-honored expertise of exceptional spirits.”

Eric Vallat, CEO of Rémy Cointreau Group, agrees: “ e Maison Psyché range is a natural extension of our activities. It is based on the special blending and aging expertise speci c to the world of spirits to elevate the nest raw materials from perfumery and create innovative fragrances. Maison Psyché is a bridge between two worlds, that of luxury fragrance and that of spirits, and a bold venture with terroirs, people, and time at its very heart.”

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SAINT LOUIS

The Oldest Crystal Company In The World

Since 1837, Hermès has been famous for handbags, fashion, jewelry, perfume and ready-to-wear, becoming one of the world’s best-known luxury brands. Lower in pro le—but just as exalted in quality—is the crystal design company of Saint-Louis, part of the Hermes group.

Founded in 1856 in Lorraine, Saint-Louis is the oldest crystal company in the world. It has drawn design inspiration from the decorative periods of the 19th and 20th centuries, from the Restoration to Modern styles, including Napoléon III, Art Nouveau and Art Déco. eir 430 years of mouth-blown and hand-made creations range from tableware to decoration to lighting and beyond. Unrivalled and luminous, born of a ball of re and the breath of man, Saint-Louis crystal vibrates with all the talent inherited from history and extraordinary creative fantasy inspired by current trends. ey continue to nurture their most iconic creations while inspiring daring collaborations and dramatic masterpieces..

Most recently, they have debuted a new collection in collaboration with French visual artist Pierre Charpin called Cadence. e Cadence Collection encompasses wine glasses and decanters, Champagne cups and utes, ice buckets, highball glasses and tumblers, and tea and co ee accessories. Each item re ects the creativity and meticulous cra smanship the house is known for.

HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 33

A visit to the Saint-Louis factory nestled in the forests of Moselle, the Saint-Louis, where some cra smen are seventh generation, o ers a glimpse into the masterful cra smanship of the brand’s stunning pieces. It is in the great hall, the hot-glass workshop, where the process begins. e glassmakers move through the workshop with con dent and well-rehearsed movements that have been passed down through the ages, each time making progress in the creation of a piece. It is a erce battle between heavy matter and time, which is short because crystal hardens at room temperature.

As a rst step, the most powerful of the glassblowers plunges a heavy iron rod into the incandescent mass, gathers the glowing molten substance into the ball, and then carries it to the master glassmaker. Standing, he shapes it with a wooden board and sparks begin to y. Nearby, another glassmaker holds the blowpipe, turns it, and twists, hollows out and stretches the thick mass into a ne coil. Together the workmen slide the red-hot crystal into a mold, where it hardens instantaneously. e piece of crystal is then ready to enter the cold workshop. Here, the cra sman can proceed with cutting and decorating the crystal. Under their expert ngers, the rough outline of the pattern to be cut takes shape. A steady hand and a perfect eye are required before the nal masterpiece is

PHOTOS: MAXIM TÉTARD

An Iconic Flight Through Time

Can dining out be inspirational? Art usually imitates life, but sometimes it’s the other way around. Case in point: the 2002 movie Catch Me If You Can, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. DiCaprio portrays the legendary con man Frank Abagnale Jr., who successfully impersonated a Pan American World Airways pilot along with many other identities. Pivotal scenes in the movie were shot inside the TWA Flight Center at New York’s JFK Airport, which had actively functioned as an airport terminal until 2001. e Flight Center was where Abagnale scams a seat on his rst deadhead ight (he later logged over two million air miles this way). It’s also the site of his confrontation with FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), who eventually brings him to justice.

Designed by architect Eero Saarinen and originally opened in 1962, the building has been characterized as “a bird made of concrete,” featuring a wing-shaped shell roof and containing tall windows for views of arriving and departing jets. Aviation geeks were delighted when the lm actually led to the revival of the Flight Center, although in a di erent form. Today, it’s the focal point for the TWA Hotel, a “love letter to the 1960s” and a throwback to the golden age of air travel.

In preparation for lming, director Steven Spielberg removed modern equipment such as X-ray security machines and restored much of the damage that had occurred to the terminal over four decades.

is made it much easier for the architectural team when they began to repurpose the Flight Center into a hotel.

e structure now serves as JFK’s Terminal 5 and the headquarters for JetBlue. Two hotel towers are located behind the Flight Center, housing 512 hotel rooms designed by Stonehill Taylor. ose rooms echo the 60s-era vibe with midcentury modern Knoll furnishings and vintage rotary phones, coupled with up-to-date touches such as blackout curtains, smartphone chargers, and fast Wi-Fi.

Guests can relax in the roo op in nity pool with runway views, or sip cocktails in a repurposed Lockheed Constellation. At 10,000 square feet, the world’s largest hotel gym o ers personal training, a yoga studio, and 14 Peloton bikes in addition to treadmills and ellipticals. Museum exhibits curated by the New York Historical Society explore the dawning of the jet age and the midcentury modern design movement, and 50,000 square feet of meeting and event space can host up to 1600 people. At e Paris Café, a menu designed by celebrated chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten serves specialty dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Photo Credit: TWA Hotel Photo Credit TWA Hotel/David Mitchell
| People & Places
Photo Credit: © Christopher Payne/Esto

In addition to the hotel’s historic signi cance, the location in the terminal is unbeatable: there’s no need for shuttles to experience the glorious legacy of aviation. e building was designated a New York City landmark in 1994 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

And if you close your eyes, you can almost see Frank Abagnale Jr. con dently striding through the building, arm-in-arm with the eight would-be Pan Am stewardesses he escorted on a worldwide promotional tour!

PHOTOS: TWA HOTEL/DAVID MITCHELL HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 39

COME FLY WITH ME

Modern Timepieces Evoke the Glory Days of Aviation

Whether you’re surveying your morning correspondence from your home or tenth- oor o ce, or poised over the intricate controls of a streamlined two-seater cockpit, today’s ight watches are equipped to take you—the modern explorer—to your destination in style.

ese timepieces take inspiration from aviation’s pioneering days – when a good watch was as vital as goggles and a pair of gloves – and from more contemporary sources. Whatever your preference for looks and functionality, we’re certain you’ll agree, getting up and away has never proved so enjoyable.

ese intricate aviator watches provide proof that analog functionality can meet design elegance without compromising on either. Your choice of exploration and adventure may not align precisely with those of earlier or modern-day aviators—even so, we’re certain that the right watch provides the perfect level of practicality and style to get you exactly where you need to be, with as little as little concern as possible. Mission accomplished!

| People & Places
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CIR.
MILES DAVIS WEARING THE BREITLING NAVITIMER
1965

The Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special pays homage to the brand’s close links to aviation’s early innovators. Louis Blériot made the rst ight across the English Channel in 1909 with little more than a crude plane powered by a 25hp engine and a Zenith watch strapped to his wrist. is eye-catching timepiece has a striking bronze casing, paired with a matte black dial, and luminous Arabic numerals.

Breitling’s Navitimer Automatic is version is sleeker than previous incarnations of what is arguably the hallmark of luxury aviation watches. e timepiece is available in a variety of materials and nishes, although the one with stainless steel casing and strap with a blue dial is the prototypical

At an admiring rst glance, piece o ers all the re ned touches of a classic aviator watch. But this piece also includes a digital navigator, NEXRAD weather, and ight logging features. With 11 hours of battery in GPS mode and storage for 500 songs and Bluetooth connectivity, the Delta S provides adventure on your terms. Plus, Garmin Pay™ contactless payment makes last-minute purchases even easier yet..

Montblanc’s 1858 Automatic 24H takes inspiration from the Minerva watches of the 1920s and 1930s that were created for military and exploratory use. e Automatic 24H is remarkable in its design, with a Boy’s Own style map-face design, single hand, and 24-digit display that enhances the

The Alt 1-P2-Jet from Bremont is an aviator watch for a new era. e British inventor Richard Browning has come closer than most to consolidating the man-meets-plane ideal of Iron Man lore with his invention of the Gravity Jet Suit. e boldly designed ALT1-P2 is a nod to this aerial pioneer.

combines the functionality of an aviator timepiece with the best design Switzerland has to o er. e chronograph is a nod to the watch’s aerial heritage, alluding to the dials in a working cockpit while keeping

HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 43
Lou Ferrigno Jr. Radiates Inspiration From His Artistic Side
Lou Ferrigno Jr. LET YOUR INNER SUPERHERO INSPIRE YOU HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 46
| Cover Feature

e qualities of a superhero run deep and true. While the name Lou Ferrigno is near-legendary in lm and television circles and in the world of bodybuilding—thanks in no small part to that de nitive role as the rst and arguably best screen Hulk—there’s a new talent, with the same name, creating his own unique body of work on the course for inevitable big and small screen headlines.

Lou Ferrigno Jr. encapsulates many of the traits that characterize a range of famed DC and Marvel superheroes, which he also likes to paint. For Lou Ferrigno Jr., lm and TV appearances include standout roles in S.W.A.T. and Stargirl, with turns in Net ix feature Blackout, and Season 3 of Outer Banks to come in 2023.

And growing up in Hollywood (alas, not on a Kansas homestead) with famous parents, it seems only natural now that Ferrigno’s star should rise rapidly: e fates have aligned to sculpt a strikingly talented and caring man who is all about creating and giving back.

Even so, he had a little reluctance to blend into his father’s Herculean image. Looking back on his childhood, Ferrigno’s move onto the screen was never an obvious choice, “I was so shy growing up, and there are home videos where I would look away from the camera,” Lou says.

ankfully, an early career as a tness model led to a string of acting roles. Ferrigno states that the most rewarding aspect of these has been the opportunity to experience a multitude of careers through parts as diverse as a professional athlete and re ghter, the latter being a way to ful ll a childhood dream— the wish ful llment of a life more ordinary, perhaps.

Clearly physical tness (if not quite superhuman strength) has been key to carving his niche, and it has also helped him to set his goals. “Li ing weights gives me a purpose, it really does make me a better person. And building muscle and increasing mass does not just happen in the gym: a large part of a healthy lifestyle comes from what one puts into their body.”

As a result, the rst of Ferrigno’s truly secret powers comes to the fore: cooking. He is dedicated to creating ninety percent of his own food, and true to his Northern Italian heritage, he maximizes avor with minimal ingredients. Fish and spices are go-to choices. He is also keen, like every fabled servant of the greater good, to share the results with others. “It’s a beautiful thing to come together with friends to laugh and connect over good food. It’s the essence of life.”

HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 22 | Cover Feature
| Cover Feature
I don’t always reflect on how awesome my life really is; everything is truly a blessing.”

Lou Ferrigno

Jr.

He is also keen, like every fabled servant of the greater good, to share the results with others. “It’s a beautiful thing to come together with friends to laugh and connect over good food. It’s the essence of life.”

Ferrigno’s philanthropic activity includes working with Paradigm Malibu, where he helps to inspire adolescents recovering from addiction and mental health issues as they redirect their lives through the incorporation of exercise and self-care.

However, his second (and perhaps most potent) secret talent is arguably the most surprising of them all—he’s a keen and talented ne art painter, a skill he nurtured while recovering from knee surgery during his college football career at USC.

Pieces include bold reworkings of DC and Marvel comic book characters, such as a formidable Wonder Woman and musically inclined Hulk, that suggest playing lawyers and remen is not really his inner calling.

Whether he is persevering through emotionally and physically grueling hours on lm and TV sets, creating art, or encouraging others to discover their own joy in tness, good food, and balanced living, Ferrigno is comfortable switching between alter egos to meet the call of duty.

He humbly notes, “I don’t always re ect on how awesome my life really is; everything is truly a blessing.” And then he’s o , a glint in his eye, sirens wailing in the distance.

Styling:

Hair and Makeup: Mandy Mossman

Private Label: JB Clothiers

Shoot Location: Mr. Brothers Cut Club / L.A.

| Cover Feature
L ou Ferrigno Jr. encapsulates many of the traits that characterize a range of famed DC and Marvel superheroes, which he also likes to paint... ”
HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 52
E X P E R I E N C E E L I T E .
"
T h e f u t u r e o f e n t e r t a i n m e n t i s s h a r e d i m m e r s i o n . "
w w w k o - k a s t c o m

An Urban Oasis in A Reclaimed Downtown L.A.

The Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel Sets a New Standard for Comfort and Elegance

With urban lights illuminating vintage brick, a Broadway Corridor landmark has come back to life in downtown Los Angeles as the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel. is destination boutique hotel has seamlessly combined past and present: decorated with the best of neighborhood art, it contains an intimate library lounge, a city-view roo op pool, and a lounge-bar-restaurant, along with 147 of the most creative rooms and suites to be found anywhere.

e Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel was brought to life by Kelly Wearstler, the award-winning interior

designer who has had a signi cant impact on American hotel design. It has received countless accolades including “Most Stylish New Hotels and Spas for 2022” (CNN Travel), “Great Design Awards Hotels 2022” (Architectural Digest), “Hot List: e Best New Hotels in the World 2022” (Conde Nast Traveler), and perhaps most importantly, an almost unheard-of ve out of ve rating on Trip Advisor, based on actual traveler reviews.

One of the most distinctive accommodations is the Proper Basketball Court Suite, which reimagines

| Five Star
HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 56

the building’s original sports club vintage court into a luxurious, magni cent and fantastical open-plan residence—embodying the history of the room while elevating it with Spanish-in uenced interior design and one-of-a-kind details. e 1,430-square-foot suite seems even larger with double-height ceilings.

Top-of-the-line beds are dressed with crisp Fili D’Oro sheets, hypo-allergenic pillows and duvets, and custom-designed throws. Living areas feature French-inspired glass, overhead lighting, rattan sconces, European-inspired settees and armchairs,

marble tables, and abstract paintings by Los Angeles artist Jason Trotter. Handsome baths, in uenced by Moroccan interiors and clad with over a hundred hand-glazed artisanal tiles, are appointed with stonework vanities, walk-in showers, custom robes, and Aesop amenities. No matter how well-traveled you are, a stay in the Proper Basketball Court Suite is something you’re not likely to forget.

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e hotel’s legacy as a 1930s private sports club lingers in the new and well-appointed gym. e modern tness center boasts state-of-the-art equipment geared to mind and body, available 24/7 with a separate bathroom and changing areas. Workout aids include Peloton bikes, Woodway treadmills, tonal strength and tness trainers, barbell racks and adjustable benches, ybells, dumbbells, and medicine balls.

e Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel continues the tradition of grand hotel dining with a new and exciting twist. e James Beard Award-winning team of chef Suzanne Goin and Restaurateur Caroline Styne have come together to create Caldo Verde, the hotel’s principal restaurant, along with Cara Cara, the irresistible roo op lounge. At Caldo Verde, Portuguese avors meet California sensibilities. L.A.-based artistry runs throughout, from Morgan Peck ceramics and lighting to a pair of monolithic stained glassworks by Judson Studios.

Caldo Verde’s menu begins with a variation on the classic Portuguese soup, composed of local rock crab, grilled sausage, kale, mussels, and potatoes. Entrees range from fresh prawns and spiny lobster to braised beef cheeks and chorizo-stu ed squid. e mixologist’s art is on full display at Cara Cara, where original cocktails, cra beers, and carefully selected wines are paired with inventive roo op fares such as Za’atar Lamb Chops, focaccia with white trumpet mushrooms, or Crudo of Hokkaido scallop. With intuitive, caring service and every possible amenity, the pet-friendly Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel sets a new standard in urban accommodation: Come and see for yourself!

https://www.properhotel.com/downtown-la/

| Five Star
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“Our Proper Hospitality team is deeply inspired by the pulse of this distinct and historic pocket of Downtown L.A. that speaks to our hometown’s past and future,”
-Brian De Lowe, Co-Founder & President of Proper Hospitality.

DRESS YOUR MORNINGS IN BLOSSOM COUTURE

A Hästens bed is the epitome of timeless quality. Haute couture is the forefront of fashion. Here’s the exciting combination: Iris Collection – our collaboration with haute couture master designer Lars Nilsson. He has created outstanding patterns for our bed linen: Daisy Iris and Lutyens Iris. Light and deliciously airy, this cotton satin fills your bedroom with colors of joy. Available in selected stores.

HÄSTENS STORE BEVERLY HILLS ❘ 8827 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

The Man Who Dresses the Stars

If clothes truly make the man, then the tailor must be his secret weapon. For Lou Ferrigno, Jr., featured on the cover of this issue, that weapon is Jerry Bakhchyan of JB Clothiers—the leading custom tailor in Los Angeles, an award-winning specialty men’s clothing designer known for creating high-quality bespoke suits, tuxedos, jackets, blazers, sport coats,

A bespoke garment is created from scratch according to the client’s exact measurements, with the customer retaining full control over design, fabric, and detailing. Once you’ve experienced a custom- t suit, it’s impossible to consider returning to an o -the-rack garment that is seldom just right.

Jerry o ers his clients a choice of over 3,000 distinctive fabrics imported from the world’s nest mills in Italy, England, Scotland, and France. ey can choose between a peak or notch lapel, a side or center vent (or no vent at all), single or double-vested, or an extra pair of trousers. For someone

Using 32 di erent measurements of the client’s exact shape and size, a custom-tailored garment becomes as personal as a signature. Alterations and repairs are complimentary for the life of the garment: whether someone gains or loses weight, or is missing a button, Jerry takes care of it free of charge.

For these reasons and many others, JB Clothiers has been voted the #1 suit maker in L.A. since 2015 and has a #1 rating on both Yelp and Google. Whether you’re getting ready for the red carpet or preparing for a wedding, Jerry will make sure you look your best. And while he has dressed many of the city’s most prominent stars, Jerry maintains perfect tailor-client con dentiality—your style secrets and whims are safe with him.

Jerry has been passionate about men’s fashion since he was a teenager and was fortunate enough to be introduced to the bespoke business in 1997. Since then, he’s had the honor of creating custom-tailored garments for men of all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. Being taught and mentored by one of the best custom clothiers in the industry has given him the support and direction to grow into the only ve-star-rated men’s clothing business in California.

Of course, bespoke tailoring is not always an option due to turnaround time. JB Clothiers also o ers high-quality private label garments, which o er an alternative choice while still maintaining personalized custom t. Clients in a rush can choose from a wide array of shirts, shirts, tuxedoes, trousers, blazers, and sports coats, whether the occasion calls for formal or casual wear. Jerry’s insistence on high quality continues in his line of accessories accenting a client’s wardrobe and highlighting his personal image and style.

“What helps me succeed is knowing that I am providing a great service,” says Jerry. “Because I am passionate about what I do, I’m able to help a lot of gentlemen gain the con dence they need to kill it at a meeting or look amazing at their wedding. My dedication and commitment to my clients are what have given me the strength and determination I need. Life is not easy and neither is business, but if deep down you believe in yourself and love what you do, you just keep going.”

| Top Drawer
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Lexington is one of the prerequisites for great bourbon.

Water aside, the legal requirements for bourbon are simple. e whiskey must be made in the United States from at least 51% corn, aged in new, charred oak barrels, be free of any avorings or colorings, and be distilled and bottled according to speci c alcohol limits. Beyond that, bourbon can be made anywhere in the country.

Down in Hye, Texas, Garrison Brothers (the rst legal bourbon distillery outside Kentucky) has electri ed the whiskey world. ey produce Small Batch ($85) and Single Barrel ($115) bourbon, in addition to a range of expressions with exotic barrel nishes. eir agship Cowboy Bourbon ($375), bottled at a whopping 131.3 proof, or 65.65% alcohol, has become a coveted cult item (garrisonbros.com).

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In 2001, New York got its rst legal distillery since Prohibition when Ralph Erenzo and Brian Lee purchased the historic Tuthilltown Gristmill and began making Hudson Whiskey. ey’re best known for Bright Lights, Big Bourbon ($45, formerly labeled as Baby Bourbon), and Four Part Harmony ($80), a seven-year-old blend of corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley (hudsonwhiskey.com).

Dr. Robert Birnecker drew on his Austrian distilling heritage when he opened Koval, Chicago’s rst distillery since the mid-1800s, with his wife, Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart. Koval follows a grain-to-bottle philosophy and uses only the prime, “heart cut” distillate to make an award-winning array of gin and liqueurs. eir Single Barrel Bourbon ($50) is organic, kosher, and consistently among the most highly rated whiskies in Illinois (koval-distillery.com).

A er starting Watershed Distillery in Columbus, Ohio in 2010, Greg Lehman sold gin to keep the lights on while his whiskey matured in barrel. His Single Barrel Straight Bourbon ($80) was worth the wait. Watershed’s limited-edition Barrel Strength Bourbon ($90) is nished in apple brandy casks and bottled at 119.3 proof (nearly 60% alcohol). Rich and voluptuous, sweet and spicy all at once, it’s a thing of beauty and worth a search (watersheddistillery.com).

Founded by Orlin Sorensen and Brett Carlile

common: they are made in small batches, according to scrupulous standards, with care and love.

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SPECTRE UNVEILED: THE MARQUE’S FIRST FULLY-ELECTRIC MOTOR CAR CONTINUED ON PAGE 78
ROLLS-ROYCE
| Top Drawer HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 68

PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BENTLEY MOTORS AND THE MACALLAN FORGES A NEW PATH

Luxurious elegance, sustainability, and striking design come together in e Macallan Horizon, the rst limited edition single malt whisky created by the collaboration between Bentley Motors and Macallan. “Our prototype for e Macallan Horizon is truly pioneering in both its design and use of materials,” explains Chris Cooke, Bentley’s Product, and Lifestyle Design Manager. “It’s a fusion of the sharply de ned yet curvaceous Bentley design DNA, e Macallan’s innovation, and recycled materials from both iconic British brands.”

Connoisseurs of Scotch whisky will immediately notice that the decanter is placed on its side in an unconventional, 180-degree twist. Sitting in a purpose-built cradle, the stunning, hand-made glass bottle has no standing base and re ects the horizontal design of a car.

“Working with Bentley Motors has inspired us to see things di erently,” explains James Ferras, Global Creative Director for e Macallan. “In the whisky world, everything is upright, such as our stills and our bottles. When we looked at the horizontal direction pursued by Bentley Motors as part of the automotive industry, it made us consider is and how we could adapt this format for whiskey, which ultimately requires to be poured.”

e project pays homage to e Macallan’s Six Pillars, the foundation stones that account for the singular character and quality of their whisky. Despite the decanter’s non-traditional design, the materials re ect a deep commitment to environmental responsibility, including:

Recycled copper from small spirits stills located in e Macallan’s former distillery

Aluminum recovered from three legendary models constructed at the Bentley home in Crewe, England: the Continental GT, Bentayga, and Flying Spur

Recycled wood from both brands

e world’s lowest CO2 leather, sourced in Scotland and used in the recently unveiled Bentley Mulliner Batur Grand Tourer

“I am incredibly proud of the revolutionary design we have created for e Macallan Horizon and the unique sustainable materials we are incorporating as part of our commitment to a better world,” said Ferras. “It simply would not be possible without the incomparable cra smanship and creativity for which Bentley Motors and e Macallan are renowned, and is the embodiment of the uncompromised excellence pursued by e Macallan since 1824.”

Chris Cooke agrees, observing that the construction of the decanter employs natural beauty as well as recycled materials:

“ e form of the design has allowed us to treat light as a material in itself, and the interplay between light and repurposed wood, aluminum, and copper is extraordinary. In being both an object of beauty in itself and having such strong sustainability elements, it’s a representation of what’s coming next from our partnership.”

e Macallan Horizon will debut in the summer of 2023 and will contain a very special single malt developed by e Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell, who paid a visit to Bentley Motors in Crewe and was inspired by their passion for creativity and cra smanship. Bentley Motors and e Macallan launched their global brand partnership in July 2021, and e Macallan Horizon celebrates both their union and their pursuit of a better future.

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P R I VATE A P P OI N T ME N T S + 1 ( 31 2) 2 6 5 13 81 | ww w. D a n i e l G e o rg e .c o m CH I C AGO | S AN F R A N CI S C O DANIEL GEORGE

The Rebirth of an American Icon

| Timeless Glamour
Packard Motor Cars is Poised for a Comeback
HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 73

During the 1950s, however, they struggled to keep up with the mass production of Ford, GM, and Chrysler and produced their last car in 1958.

house. As he toured the facility, he remembers being amazed at the innovations they brought to the market. “Packard de ned the automobile that we have today,” he says. “ ey invented the steering wheel—up until that time, cars were steered with a oor-mounted stick. ey were the rst to use front and rear bumpers and four-wheel brakes. In 1940, they pioneered air-conditioning in an automobile, and they developed the V-12 engine that later inspired Enzo Ferrari.”

“I was amazed that so few people knew about them. Packard was the Apple of the automotive world, responsible for groundbreaking patents that drove the market. I realized they were a sleeping giant waiting to be awakened.”

Packard was founded in 1899 in Warren, Ohio by two brothers, William and James Ward. Along with Pierce Arrow, Cord and Peerless, the brand came to symbolize the golden age of American automobile manufacturing. Selling for ve or six times the price of their contemporaries, the hand-made vehicles were exported in record numbers to Europe and competed successfully with Rolls Royce and Mercedes Benz. Along with their sister company, Packard Electrical, they ourished throughout the Depression and World War II, when they manufactured aircra engines.

Andrews’ approach to reviving the Packard brand is multi-dimensional. As a self-taught watchmaker who had pursued the endeavor as a hobby, he realized there was a link between the cra smanship of a vintage Packard and the ne details of a luxury watch. He partnered with the National Packard Museum to produce the 1899 Model A, a limited-edition timepiece that re ects the same iconic design and elegant style as the original Packard motorcar.

e 1899 Model A has been produced in an edition of 50, in homage to the states of the union; each unique watch has the name of a state engraved on the back of the dial. In bringing the cra smanship standards of Packard to a luxury timepiece, he’s helping to celebrate the automaker’s legacy; by pricing it at $1899, which is extremely low for a watch of that quality, he feels that he’s giving everyone a chance to participate in the luxury market.

Along the way, he’s received support and inspiration from experts such as Annaliese Nefos of the Medina Gem Co. in Medina, Ohio. A certi ed gemologist and former chief of sta to Winston Churchill, Nefos personi es the entrepreneurial spirit that fascinates Andrews. “Annaliese is the product of a

“So much of the American heritage is embodied in a brand like Packard... It’s time to bring it back and show the new generation what America really is. At the same time, we can remind the older generation what America once was and what it should be again.”
HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 74

produced during the automaker’s partnership with

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PHOTOS: HENRY BERNSTEIN / THREE DRIVEWAY MEDIA

Timeless Glamour, From Films to Gems

Timeless Glamour
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Gal Gadot Models Tiffany & Co.’s Botanica Blue Book Collection

Superstar lm actress and model Gal Gadot has become the face of Ti any & Co.'s BOTANICA: Blue Book 2022, the jewelry retailer's collection of transformable designs.

Gadot, who personalizes the sense of timeless glamour that Ti any & Co. also exempli es, augments a prominent lm career with modeling work for Gucci perfumes and Jaguar motor cars.

Her acting portfolio is notable for appearances in the popular Fast & Furious franchise, but it was her starring role in the critically and commercially successful Wonder Woman that brought her global stardom.

With a oral-focused theme, the BOTANICA: Blue Book 2022 collection o ers a continuation of Ti any & Co.'s ongoing commitment to exemplary cra smanship and innovation—values that have distinguished the brand since its founding in New York City in 1837 by Charles Lewis Ti any.

e centerpiece of the collection is undoubtedly the exquisite Dandelion necklace that can be worn, via the adjustment and replacement of certain parts, in ve di erent ways.

A round, brilliant diamond of over 12 carats sits at the center of this dandelion-shaped piece, with a translucent halo of kite-shaped diamonds representing the heads of the dandelion seed.

Transformation comes via the replacement of the dandelion centerpiece with an emerald-cut aquamarine of over 31 carats, supported by a diamond and platinum neckpiece.

Other pieces in the BOTANICA: Blue Book 2022 collection include the Dandelion bracelet (a companion to the Dandelion necklace), the Fleurage bracelet with an aquamarine of over 47 carats, and the Orchid brooch.

e oral theme alludes to the complex beauty and ever-evolving faculties of the natural world, as recreated in Ti any & Co.’s collection, and that is central to the brand’s vision and implicit in Gadot’s own statement on being House ambassador for Ti any & Co: “I am incredibly honored to be a part of the new Blue Book high jewelry campaign and feel very fortunate to be able to represent the brand’s most esteemed jewelry collection during this exciting and transformative time.”

It is these properties that radiate throughout Gadot’s performance in the 2022 Kenneth Branagh-directed lm Death on the Nile, an adaptation of the 1937 Agatha Christie murder mystery novel. e lm, part homage to the golden age of Hollywood lmmaking, also features Gadot in Ti any & Co.'s jewelry. e canary-yellow diamond necklace she wears in the lm is a replica of the 128.54-carat Ti any Yellow Diamond, one of the largest ever discovered.

Gadot also wore a Ti any & Co. Blue Book necklace as presenter of the 2021 Golden Globe Awards and is in many ways—as the brand itself attests—a natural choice for Ti any & Co. “Gal Gadot is more than a House ambassador. She epitomizes the e ortless glamour, sheer sophistication and sense of modernity that Blue Book represents,” said Alexandre Arnault, Executive Vice President, Product, and Communication, Ti any & Co.

High praise indeed for both collection and star, although the results from the BOTANICA: Blue Book 2022 collection, as discerning Ti any & Co.’s customers will undoubtedly attest, is beyond what mere words can say.

The All-New

SPECTRE

Ushers in the Electric Age

e concept of an electric Rolls-Royce goes back to the very beginnings of the company. In 1900, co-founder Charles Rolls predicted that an electri ed car would provide an environmentally superior alternative to the internal combustion engine –providing there was su cient infrastructure to support it. “ e electric car is perfectly noiseless and clean,” said Rolls. “ ere is no smell or vibration. ey should become very useful when xed charging stations can be arranged.”

More than 120 years later, the time has come for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to ful l the prophecy of its founding father with the rst fully electric Rolls-Royce. Spectre marks the start of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' complete electri cation. Technology has reached a standard that can deliver the iconic Rolls-Royce experience, and the company has con rmed that by 2030 its entire product portfolio will be fully electric.

Most importantly, the all-electric Spectre sacri ces none of Rolls-Royce’s legendary performance, luxury, and stylish design. e car delivers 577 horsepower with 664 foot-pounds of torque; it jumps from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. e EPA estimates it can drive 260 miles per charge. Powerful yet quiet, Spectre retains the brand’s near-silent ride and e ortless handling.

HILLS VIEWS & VALLEYS | 78 | Timeless Glamour
FOR ROLLS-ROYCE, THE FUTURE IS NOW.

When it comes to design, inspiration was drawn from worlds far beyond automotive: haute couture, modernist sculpture, nautical design, tailoring and contemporary art. In conceiving the principal sketches for Spectre, designers were drawn to modern yacht concepts, speci cally the clarity and precision of line. From the front, Spectre’s split headlight treatment is intersected by the widest grille ever bestowed on a Rolls-Royce, delivering Rolls-Royce’s most aerodynamic motor car ever.

Inside, Spectre contains the most technologically advanced and customized features. For the rst time on a series production Rolls-Royce, Spectre is available with Starlight Doors, which incorporate 4.796 so ly illuminated “stars” in the interior. As with all Rolls-Royce motorcars, the interior suite o ers clients near-in nite bespoke possibilities.

e all-new front seat design has been inspired by British tailoring, with lapel sections that can be rendered in contrasting or matching colours to the main base.

Spectre is the most connected Rolls-Royce in history, harnessing the power of the motor car’s remarkable decentralised Intelligence processing. Engineers working on the project describe the experience o ered by Spectre as akin to “Rolls-Royce in high de nition,” on account of the speed and accuracy of the car’s response to a worldwide spread of road and weather conditions.

Among the many technological marvels, it comes equipped with Planar suspension, which enables precisely de ned responses to driver inputs and road conditions. Using new hardware components and leveraging Spectre’s high-speed processing capabilities, the Planar system can decouple the car’s anti-roll bars and allow each wheel to act independently, preventing the rocking motion that occurs when one side of a vehicle hits an undulation in the road. Steering, braking, and power delivery are adjusted automatically to result in e ortless control.

“ is is the start of a bold new chapter for our marque, our extraordinary clients and the luxury industry,” observed Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive O cer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “For this reason, I believe Spectre is the most perfect product that Rolls-Royce has ever produced.”

| Timeless Glamour HILLS VIEWS & VALLE YS | 80

While the references might be intellectual and the themes lo y (such as nature, transformation, and symbiosis), she communicates her vision with awe and humility. “Fashion is an instrument for change, to shi

The House of IRIS VAN HERPEN

For those attuned to the brand-led advancements of premium and luxury clothing (whether streetwear, sports, formal, or a combination of the three), and in an age when the demarcations between high and low culture have gradually been erased, the world of couture fashion still radiates an aura of stringent quality and unparalleled, singular beauty.

Iris van Herpen’s creations embody all of the couture’s indisputable qualities and yet reach further still. e hallmarks of her work are artistic experimentations with silhouettes and materials, technical mastery, and an eye rmly on philosophical and scienti c advancement.

e Dutch designer graduated from the ArtEZ University of Arts in 2006 and interned at Alexander McQueen before starting her own label in 2007. Her earlier ready-to-wear collections partly proposed a revolution in the McQueen mould, with sharp representations of the female form and symmetrical or striking elements that are a feature of her later couture lines.

In 2011 Iris van Herpen became a member of the Parisian Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, an honour a orded only to those designated as Haute Couture houses by the French Ministry of Industry.

Van Herpen has also evolved to increase complexity at virtually every level of the design process. From the utilization of 3D and laser cut printing to the implementation of materials as bewildering as they are breath-taking—silicone, Swarovski crystals, banana leaf, organza, and injection-moulded polyurethane—her clothing that intrigues and excites, enfolds yet enhances the wearer with theatricality and gravitas, without ever appearing burdensome.

e designer favours collaboration with artisans and artists who complement and stretch her adherence to holism, the integration of parts into a singular whole.

us emotionally,” says van Herpen. “ rough biomimicry, I look at the forces behind the forms in nature, these patterns and natural cycles are my guides to exploring new forms of femininity for a more conscious and sustainable fashion for the future.” e results have increasingly become more intricate in their execution, yet so er and more organic in tone. e Fall 2022 Couture Collection is a cogent formation of the journey so far and looks further forward. Models are a quasi-natural extension of the items they adorn, with nods to the metaverse and a future that unites biological and digital forms. Her creations also reference Ovid’s Metamorphosis and the continual act of romantic and creative change.

Winnie Harlow, in a draping cream gown, evoked orchid ower and queen: a cojoining of superior representational ideals, while elsewhere models appeared bird or spirit-like, in various evolving states.

Female empowerment is clearly at the heart of van Herpen’s approach. Collaborations with inspirational women and extraordinary muses such as Cate Blanchett, Scarlett Johansson, Naomi Campbell and Beyoncé (who wore van Herpen in the conceptual video for the song Mine, which initiated the singer’s own daring evolution from pop star to the experimental artist), Lady Gaga and Bjork, strengthen the notion that the designer is attuned, not simply to movements in popular culture, but to the way innovative females are pushing intellectual and creative boundaries in the public eye.

In an age when many designers seek to revolutionize through a reimagining of their own label’s popular motifs and materials, Iris van Herpen creates by engaging a wider sphere of in uence from artistic and scienti c disciplines. Her clothes move toward a deeper exploration of themes that question the accepted parameters of the human, natural and arti cial worlds. e answers continually unfold through the relationship between her clothes and the wearer and inspire further exploration and discovery, in beauty and in wonder.

| Fashion Forward
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PHOTOS: GIO STAIANO
| Fashion Forward
GIO
PHOTOS:
STAIANO

Provident Jewelry has been family owned and operated since opening the door of our original location in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1993. Over the past 27 years, we have expanded to seven locations in Florida becoming one of the most respected and trusted buyers and sellers of fine estate jewelry, rare gems and luxury timepieces in the country. Discover the perfection and professionalism offered by Provident Jewelry by visiting one of our exquisite showrooms in West Palm Beach, Naples, Jupiter, Fort Myers, Palm Beach, and Wellington.

FORT MYERS 239.274.7777 WEST PALM 561.833.7755 JUPITER 561.747.4449

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PROVIDENTJEWELRY.COM FLAWLESS LIKE HER

Seven Travel Experience Gifts That Will

Leave You Breathless

Looking for the ultimate gift for the traveler in your life? Wow your globetrotting friends and loved ones with a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. With a lineup of unique travel experiences on the horizon for 2023, why not splurge on sailing to the North Pole, a foraging excursion through the Brazilian rainforest, a Greenland heliskiing expedition led by one of the world’s most decorated skiers, or a genealogical research trip to Ireland? Here are our top picks for the ultimate HVV gift-givers.

HILLS VIEWS & VALLEYS | 90 | Destination Luxe

For the Family Historian: A Genealogical Deep Dive in Ireland

We all have that one relative who is devoted to tracing the family lineage. If your family has Irish roots, consider gifting a trip to Ireland complete with a stay at a centuries-old castle and a session with a genealogist. Dromoland Castle’s in-house genealogist, Lorna Moloney, will uncover birth records, land deeds, baptisms, marriages, ship logs, and other information that will shed light on your family’s history and expose little-known details. One client discovered they were related to the famous female pirate Grace O’Malley, and another discovered her great-great-grandfather had a tattoo of Queen Victoria on his bicep!

Rates: Sessions with Lorna start at $216, and Nightly Rates at The Castle Start at $402 Per Night

HILLS VIEWS & VALLEYS | 91

If you’re going all out on the gifts this year, you can’t do better than a cruise to the geographic North Pole aboard Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s only luxury icebreaker and the only passenger ship to take travelers to the mythical and remote region. With eight departures for the Arctic season in the summer of 2023, Ponant’s North Pole sailings will take tourists to the farthest corners of the Northern Hemisphere, where floating pack ice, polar bear sightings, naturalist-led excursions, and scientific collaboration are part of the itinerary. The 16-day exploration begins in Longyearbyen, the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, then travels along the icy coast of Spitsbergen, the last stretch of land before the Arctic ice floe, and finally arrives at the geographic North Pole.

Off-ship excursions range from outings in Zodiacs to ice fishing, along with chances to participate in citizen science experiments like setting up a research station on an ice floe. While the landscapes in the geographic North Pole may be frostbitten and extreme, the accommodations aboard Le Commandant Charcot are inviting and luxurious. The ship is designed to feel more like a yacht versus a traditional cruise ship, with 123 staterooms and suites, chef-crafted meals designed by Alain Ducasse, a wellness area in partnership with Biologique Recherche, and extras like Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Bordier butter, and Kristal caviar.

Rates: $35,960 per person

For the Aspiring Arctic Explorer: A Sailing to the Geographic North Pole HILLS VIEWS & VALLEYS | 92 | Destination Luxe

For the Underwater Enthusiast: An Ocean Expedition Off Cape Town’s Coast

Buying for the friend or family member who just completed their diving certification or the person who’s always watching BBC Earth? Gift them the experience of discovering the extraordinary aquatic world just off Cape Town’s coast, with renowned shark scientist Justin Blake as their guide. The ocean expedition will take travelers through the Cape Kelp Forests, where they’ll explore the same octopus gardens made famous in the 2020 Oscar-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher—plus, snorkel with friendly sharks, explore fascinating sea caves, and discover spectacular views of Cape Town both above and below the water’s surface.

For sustenance, explorers will feast on a sustainably sourced seafood picnic created by chef Rudi Liebenberg of the iconic Belmond Mount Nelson hotel. Expect delicacies sourced by ABALOBI, a South African-based social enterprise that supports smallscale fishing communities.

Marine Biology option --- Ages: 8 years and over (younger children considered individually upon request)

Max 8 guests for a half-day tour. If cancellations are made less than 48 hours prior to the date of the experience, the full booking fee will be forfeited.

Rates: Starting at $978.00

Helicopter Option – H stands for helicopter models.

• H120, 1 person: $4,695.00. Add 1,500.00 per additional person, up to 4 people.

• H125, 5 people: $5,762.00.

• H115, 6 people: $13,032.00. Add 1,500.00 per additional person, up to 12 people

For more information and to book directly please contact the concierge team.

reservations.mnh@belmond.com

HILLS VIEWS & VALLEYS | 93

For the Extremely Hard-to-Buy-For Teenager: An Eco-Challenge in Chile

Teens are notoriously difficult to buy for. Instead of splurging on a skateboard or the latest piece of technology, why not invest in an immersive and educational eco-adventure in Chile? And Beyond’s new WILDchild Eco-Guide Challenge in Chile invites one adult and one teen for a four-night, conservationfocused itinerary, with thrilling excursions—horseback riding, catch-and-release fishing, rock-climbing, and

much more—and the possibility to win certificates and prizes at a festive ceremony dinner. Teens will also work on a sustainability audit of the lodge and visit the local Mapuche people and a traditional Ruka (Mapuche house).

Rates: $3,465 per person - April 3rd -7th, 2023

HILLS VIEWS & VALLEYS | 94 | Destination Luxe

For the Adrenaline Junkie: A Heli-Skiing Adventure in Greenland

While heli-skiing is a favorite pastime of the world’s most fearless adventurers, the sport is becoming more popular among a wider set of outdoor enthusiasts than ever before, opening up access to some of the world’s most pristine skiable terrain. In Greenland, the world’s largest island, 80% of the glaciated landscape has never been skied before—which means wide, treeless powdery expanses, snowfields flanking glacier-carved peaks, and conditions ranging from powder to corn.

On April 23-30, 2023, US Olympic alpine ski racer Bode Miller—the most decorated male alpine skier in U.S. history— will join EYOS Expeditions on a slopeto-sea heli-skiing adventure in Greenland aboard the Nansen Explorer. Solo travelers can book single cabins on the yacht, making the exclusive voyage more accessible than ever before. Miller will be joined by ski guide and two-time World Extreme Skiing Champion Chris Davenport and polar pioneer Doug Stoup.

The expedition will take adventure lovers to the island of Maniitsoq on the western coast of Greenland, widely considered one of the most remote places in the

world to heli-ski, where it’s possible to ski from slope to sea. The ship will cover 150 miles beyond the Arctic Circle to Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to some of the largest icebergs in the world. Days will be filled with deep powder runs—some stretching more than a mile—on the narrow fjords down to the water’s edge. Bode Miller, Chris Davenport, Doug Stoup, and EYOS’s expert team of internationally certified mountain guides will supervise guests as they navigate crevasses and knife-edge ridge tops, helping them find the best runs for their ski levels. Originally designed as an Arctic research vessel, the 12-guest Nansen Explorer is specifically equipped for polar waters, with an ice-strengthened hull and a commercially certified heli deck that makes for the ideal launch pad for heli-skiing adventures. Because of the vessel’s ice-crushing power, it’s possible to reach Greenland in time for early spring.

Rates: $115,889, based on double occupancy

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At UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa in Trancoso, Brazil, inhouse doctor Julian Hamamoto leads custom foraging expeditions through the area’s four different biomes (including the nearby Itapororoca beach and the 50-acre UXUA ROÇA farm) in search of rare and exotic fruits, roots, and herbs, many of which are sacred to Brazil’s Indigenous Pataxó people. Post-excursion, Hamamoto

For the Wellness Seeker: A Foraging Excursion in the Brazilian Rainforest will take guests to Vida Lab, the on-site nutritional laboratory and medical kitchen, to demonstrate how to transform these ingredients into nutritious juices, essential oils, and even ice cream.
Starting at
per night. Foraging price available upon request. HILLS VIEWS & VALLEYS | 96 | Destination Luxe
Rates:
around $430

For the Time Traveler: A Journey Aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

A 1920s Art Deco icon, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express evokes the golden age of travel with its restored vintage carriages, each of which formed part of the famous, historic trains of the 1920s and 1930s, including Le Train Bleu and the Rome Express. Crisscrossing through Europe, the journeys whisk travelers to some of Europe’s most beautiful and historic cities including London, Paris, Venice, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. The classic journey is the overnight route to and from London and Venice via Paris, through the Alps, and across the Venetian lagoon. A particularly excellent itinerary is the five-night journey between Paris and Istanbul, which is offered just once a year and includes overnight stops in Budapest and Bucharest and daytime halts in Sinaia and Varna for excursions.

The next trip will take place on September 1st, 2023. Also coming up for 2023 is the unveiling of eight new suites. Two original 1920s and 30s carriages, accommodating just four suites on each car, will be carefully restored, their design inspired by European pastoral landscapes and featuring plush fabrics and furnishings from renowned brands and makers like Majorelle, Dufrene, Leleu, Rousseau, and Lalique. The suites are portals to the golden day of train travel, with luxuries like private marble ensuite bathrooms and lounging areas that transform into either double or twin beds by night. Additional amenities might include personal 24-hour cabin stewards, complimentary kimonos and slippers, and free-flowing Champagne.

Rates: $17,186 per person

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| Lifestyle & Culture
“I love the adventurous spirit of OMEGA. That willingness to take risks and try something new, without sacrificing the integrity of the brand. It’s rare and I’m happy and proud to be part of the family”.

Becomes the Face of Omega

Actress, model, lm director, and producer Zoe Kravitz joins an illustrious line of female stars as ambassador to Swiss luxury watch brand Omega. Kravitz—the daughter of rock star Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet—has become one of the most recognized and sought-a er screen talents in recent years.

Major television roles (Big Little Lies and High Fidelity, an adaptation of the Tim Robbins and John Cusack movie based on the novel by Nick Hornby) and big screen appearances (Mad Max, Fantastic Beasts) paved the way to a standout performance in e Batman, playing Catwoman opposite Robert Pattinson’s caped crusader.

Kravitz's relationship with Omega is an astute move for the luxury watchmaker, founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in 1848. Omega’s longstanding focus on precision and technological advancement has set standards that are still a benchmark in the sector.

Its recognizable forays into sports timekeeping (it has been the o cial timekeeper of the Olympics since 1932), enduring relationships with NASA and the 007 movie series, and its iconic Seamaster and Speedmaster models mark Omega amongst the elite of luxury watchmaking rms.

Current ambassadors include Cindy Crawford, her model daughter Kaia Gerber and British actress Naomi Harris of Moonlight fame.

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Precision Timekeeping Meets Beauty
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and Poise: KravitzZoe

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

The Introduction of the Bentayga S and Azure Hybrid Models by Bentley

e luxurious range of Bentley Motor Cars simultaneously became more exotic and more practical with the introduction of two new models in the Bentayga Hybrid family, the S and the Azure. With these two additions, 50% of Bentley’s portfolio (seven out of 14 vehicles) is now available with a hybrid powertrain.

Driving enthusiasts can indulge their passion for sporting performance and dramatic design while still enjoying the many advantages of an electri ed powertrain. e new models feature more torque, more power, instant response, and increased range and

battery life. ey are capable of traveling more than 27 miles on a single charge and can complete the 0-100 kph sprint (0-62mph) in 5.3 seconds, with a top speed of 254kph (158mph). Both the S and the Azure have the same exceptional attention to detail that has always characterized Bentley, with a focus on wellness, maximum comfort, and technology to ease every journey.

e performance-oriented character of the Bentayga S Hybrid is obvious at rst glance. Design elements such as 22-inch wheels, a rear tailgate spoiler, and black split-oval tailpipes attract the eye, along with the dramatic Blackline speci cation (which substitutes black for polished metal on all exterior accents such as door mirrors, headlight borders, and radiator grill). e bold and unique contemporary interior combines Bentley’s awlessly cra ed leather with performance dials and digital instrumentation.

e Bentayga Azure Hybrid, while capable of

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journey a relaxing one regardless of distance. Both drivers and passengers can enjoy the acoustically isolated serenity of the cabin to deliver a quiet and re ned ride. Extensive research has shown that tra c noise and lack of ride comfort are two factors that contribute to depression among motorists; to develop the Bentayga Azure, Bentley engaged the creative neuroscientist Katherine Templar-Lewis, who considered factors such as light, thermal comfort, and in-car posture to design a peaceful driving experience. Features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Tra c Assist, and Bentley Safeguard combine to ensure a smooth and safe ride.

e two new Bentayga Hybrid models represent the next step in Bentley’s Beyond100 strategy, developed to take the automaker into its second century following its founding in 1919. By 2025, the full

Bentley line-up will be o ered with hybrid powertrains, coinciding with the launch of the Bentley Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). Bentley’s research into ownership habits for the rst-generation Bentayga Hybrid showed that over 90% of customers use their vehicle on a daily basis or at least several times each week, with nearly 100% of customers employing EV mode. With half of the owners consistently undertaking journeys of less than 30 miles, a hybrid powertrain o ers a genuine alternative in the transition to an all-electric vehicle, providing drivers with familiar charge points and routines without any risk of interrupting their journey.

e Bentayga S and Azure Hybrids are available to order in most markets but are currently unavailable in the U.K., Switzerland, Israel, Ukraine, Turkey, Vietnam, and the EU countries. bentleymotors.com

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‘THE SURGEON’ UNVEILS BESPOKE

LIMITED EDITION BENTLEY SNEAKERS

Bentley Motors is today announcing its collaboration with leading force of the customized shoe industry Dominic Ciambrone, known as e Surgeon, to create a limited-edition line of Bentley-inspired sneakers, reserved by Mulliner clients and collectors.

CREATING A FUTURE FREE OF FOSSIL FUELS

365 Solar Energy Pr oves You Can be Bot h Profitable a nd E nvi ron me ntally Conscious

When George Harrison sang “Here Comes the Sun,” he was referring to the large star as a metaphor for spiritual freedom—the awakening of the individual from a dreary slump to face a new day filled with hope. In the exciting and rapidly evolving solar energy industry, the sun is less of a metaphor. Its mission is to harness the infinite energy available from the sun and power humanity into a clean energy future.

The massive undertaking of transferring humanity from fossil fuels to renewable and clean

energy has never been more urgent, and just as the government has learned to rely on private companies like Space X to spearhead space exploration, so too is the government leaning on private enterprise to push the clean energy agenda forward.

Two of the nation’s frontrunners in that endeavor are clean energy pioneers Matthew Stiner and William Clementi. They are the owners of 365 Solar Energy, a national solar company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. These two young entrepreneurs have

WILLIAM CLEMENTI CO-FOUNDER
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carved out a sizeable portion of the clean energy space, becoming a dynamic duo who has single-handedly transformed the solar industry. These innovators are a proud example of private and public funds working together to change the energy grid as we know it.

Spurred by incentives like the Federal tax credit that covered 22% of the cost of a solar array for 2021 and the recently instituted 30% for 2022, North Carolina alone currently has over 5600 Megawatts of solar panels installed, with a sizeable portion being credited to 365 Solar Energy.

While their company is only four years old, Matthew Stiner and William Clementi have grown 365 Solar Energy from a humble startup to a national company. They’ve been named one of the fastest-growing solar companies in the US, with a reputation for expert craftsmanship and community activism. Stiner and Clementi credit their success to using all American-made components and placing craftsmanship above everything else.

It was a pleasure for us at Hills Views & Valleys to sit down with these two young and inspiring entrepreneurs and get the latest trends on the shift away from fossil fuels. 365 Solar Energy is taking a fresh approach to the problem, one project and one

solar panel at a time. Matthew Stiner and William Clementi are a source of optimism for the future, proving it’s possible to make a profit while helping to improve the planet from climate change --an approach HVV wholeheartedly endorses.

HVV: How do you see solar energy further integrated into the grid in 10 years?

Matthew Stiner: “I see solar in its infancy currently. I believe that in the future, legislation and general acceptance will make it as mainstream as cell phones were once fully adopted.”

William Clementi: “I see it becoming mainstream. We will in the next decade get to the point that it will be odd if your home does not have solar on it. You’ll be just like that person that doesn’t belong to Facebook. Just as everyone is switching to electric vehicles and that has already been adopted into the mainstream, most people that have these vehicles will need solar power.”

HVV: Can you gauge public awareness of solar energy and its positive impact? Is it improving?

Stiner: “Solar has come a long way in recent years. While some companies have left a negative mark in the

MATTHEW STINER | CO-FOUNDER

industry, many are doing the right thing helping the industry to continue advancing.”

Clementi: “I would say that most of our customers understand that solar power can benefit them in a positive way and that it’s our job to show and customize each individual home proposal to ensure they will see a positive impact on their property.”

HVV: When do you see solar energy commercially competing with fossil fuels on a global level?

Stiner: “I think we’re currently there with competing. However, in the future renewables will dominate, leaving fossil fuels a thing of the past.”

Clementi: “It already is. There are tons of utility-scale solar projects, and many people don’t realize that a decent portion of their power is already made by solar production.”

HVV: When will fossil fuels go the way of the dinosaurs?

Stiner: “They will disappear as soon as commercially capable batteries become available. This is probably the biggest difficulty facing the industry at the moment.”

Clementi: “Fossil fuels will be more and more phased out. It is exciting to see most vehicle manufacturers are completely getting rid of their combustion engine production in the coming years.”

HVV: Are you more optimistic about solar energy’s future than you were ten years ago?

Stiner: “Absolutely, having been in the industry for five years, I can see we are at the tipping point where momentum starts to carry us to the finish line of fully renewable energy independence.”

Clementi: “Significantly more optimistic. Solar has gotten to the point where it’s actually more cost- effective to produce power with solar than with fossil fuels. This will have a major impact. Ten years ago, production of solar panels was very costly but because of new innovations it’s much easier to manufacture the panels, and the panels are much more durable and efficient.”

HVV: Are you more optimistic about solar energy’s future than you were ten years ago?

Stiner: “Absolutely, having been in the industry for five years, I can see we are at the tipping point where momentum starts to carry us to the finish line of full renewable energy independence.”

Clementi: “Significantly more optimistic. Solar has gotten to the point where it’s actually more cost effective to produce power with solar than with fossil fuels. This will have a major impact. Ten years ago, production of solar panels was very costly but because of new

innovations it’s much easier to manufacture the panels, and the panels are much more durable and efficient.”

HVV: What’s the biggest technological obstacle to increasing the efficiency of solar panels?

Stiner: “The panels are very close to being at their optimal capacity. From a physics standpoint, they cannot be much more than 25-26% efficient. Currently we are seeing modules capable of 21%. While higher output wattage equipment continues to develop, inverting

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panels that strong is where we will see the most growth in future years.”

Clementi: “Panels are very efficient, and the technology continues to surprise me with the new innovations.”

HVV: As an innovator and entrepreneur, what gets you out of bed in the morning?

Stiner: “I love chasing the next level. I learned at a young age to compete against myself and focus solely on that. I believe that is what has allowed our company

to grow hundreds of times over, year after year.”

Clementi: “There is an incredible amount of excitement that I have in making a positive impact in our employees’ lives and our customers’ lives.”

As climate change continues to threaten the planet, HVV is pleased to discover young entrepreneurs such as Matthew Stiner and William Clementi—solar pioneers who are committed to finding solutions and making a difference.

MALCOLM BEAMON / PHOTOGRAPHER
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BRANDON HOSLEY / LOOK SHARP HABERDASHERY
6207 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90038 romanekdesignstudio.com 310.600.7133
INTERIOR DESIGN INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Giving Your Customers What ReallyTheyWant

Rory

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MALCOLM BEAMON / PHOTOGRAPHER BRANDON HOSLEY / LOOK SHARP HABERDASHERY ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH / FOREIGN CARS CHARLOTTE,NC

In the world of high-level marketing, few names have become so synonymous with brand success as Rory Lovern. Rory has been called Marketing’s Leading Man and is widely considered to be one of marketing’s greatest minds.

Rory Lovern was born into a middle-class family, but he has always had a taste for the ner things in life. From an early age, luxury cars, beautiful suits, and expensive watches fascinated him. Early on, Rory's wanderlust led him to entrepreneurship. He founded his rst business at an early age and quickly made a name for himself as a savvy businessman with an eye for detail. His companies thrived, and soon Rory expanded his portfolio to help other companies achieve their own successes.

HVV: People have called you a marketing genius, how does that make you feel?

I’m glad people perceive me that way, but I’m not a genius. I’m persistent. I’ve always wanted to understand how things work. When I was a kid, I used to take apart all my electronics to gure out how they functioned. I think my mother is still a bit sore about nding her VCR in a dozen pieces {Rory laughs}. Marketing is no di erent. When I began my journey as an entrepreneur, I wanted to fully understand the soul of business: What pieces played the largest part in the company’s success, and why do some companies thrive while others fall? Why do customers choose X when they could have chosen Y?

HVV: Why marketing?

Marketing is the rst touchpoint most customers will ever have with your business. I don’t even consider it marketing so much as I consider it “pre-selling.” Let’s say you have a perfect product that solves a ton of issues. Let’s then assume you have a sales team and management that know exactly how to deliver exceptional service to your customers. Everything is right, but there are no sales. ere are no sales because no one has heard of you, or possibly because your advertising doesn’t convey the right message to the right audience. On the ip side, let’s say you have a mediocre product and an average sales team, but your marketing is so on-point that your product appears to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Regardless of your mediocrity, you are going to make sales.

HVV: Do you nd that there is a major di erence in the way marketing is done today over 15 years ago? One hundred percent. e biggest di erence is the depth of data at our disposal. Fi een years ago, you would throw up an ad on a billboard, physical mailer,

television, or radio, and you would measure the response rate through questionnaires or customer acquisitions—but there was no real way to measure who saw your ad, how long they viewed it, what their background was, what their buying behavior was, etc. It was very much a “throw it against the wall and see what sticks” kind of industry. Now, however, advertising has gone digital, and this gives us incredible insight into our target audience. We now have a complete snapshot of our customers. We can see who saw the ad, how long they saw it, what websites they’ve frequented, what interests they have, their annual income, and even their propensity toward cat pictures {Rory laughs}.

HVV: You’ve worked with a number of high-pro le businesses; what separates successful companies from the pack?

e ones who tend to succeed are the ones who prioritize truly understanding their audience. ey take the time to understand exactly who their customer is, what drives them, and what pushes them to make a purchase. ey create a customer pro le snapshot based on data, not conjecture. ey use advertising creative that appeals to the emotional centers of their customers; a er all, customers will always use logic to justify emotional decisions.

HVV: What do you feel separates you from others in your eld?

I have a keen sense of self-awareness and a tremendous competitive nature. I’ve always known and believed my biggest competition will forever be myself. I refuse to rest on my laurels. Someone must take a pole position in any industry, and I set out to be the best in mine. Marketing allows me to measure my success by the success of my clients. If they win, I win—and I like winning.

HVV: Where do you see marketing moving in the next 15 years?

I believe advertising is going to be more intimately woven into augmented reality. Augmented reality is the marriage of the physical world and virtual reality. I believe smart glasses are going to be as widely used as smartphones. is will allow companies to create virtual billboards that appear as translucent models in the real world. e technology is already here. Companies like Google, Apple, and Meta are working towards this as we speak—and my company, Meta Viral, is staying heavily in the know as we move closer to that reality.

anks to marketing guru Rory Lovern, who reminds us that old-fashioned elbow grease is still a vital component in the augmented reality of the future.

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Giving Back KINDLY

Gavin Keilly Uses Gift Lounges And Giving Celebrities to Create Change

In the world of celebrity gifting, GBK Brand Bar is the premiere service dedicated to creating unique, memorable experiences for its clients and their brandbuilding efforts. CEO Gavin Keilly is a well-established name in luxury celebrity lounges, with over 20 years of experience as an industry leader, he’s considered by many as the “Godfather of Gifting Lounges”.

His experiential lounges are legendary in Hollywood and beyond. Not only do they have the

best gifts (usually totaling over $70K per guest), but they always attract the hottest celebrities who come back year after year. Philanthropy is important to GBK Brand Bar, as each luxury lounge partners with a different charity to help raise awareness, create celebrity endorsements, and give back to the community.

“I initially started working with different charities, helping to produce their galas and raise a great deal of funding,” says Keilly. “My first big event

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was helping Sharon Osbourne start her Colon Cancer Foundation. We had Baume and Mercier give watches to the top celebrities in attendance, who included Justin Timberlake, Elizabeth Taylor, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Bennett, and others. Ozzy put the watch in his mouth, and we got the photo placed in magazines such as People and US Weekly.”

“A light bulb went off. I realized I could help brands grow by getting them exposure with celebrities, and I could showcase different nonprofits and help them garner attention and media.”

That experience was the beginning of a remarkable philanthropic odyssey that has helped over 50 nonprofits raise more than $10 million to date. GBK has produced high-profile events prior the Academy Awards, Emmys, Golden Globes, Grammys, MTV

Movie Awards, BET Awards, the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals, and just recently backstage at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. After participating in a few GBK events, brands have been featured in Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Sephora, and have received over two billion media impressions.

Anointed by the Los Angeles Times as “the gift bag king,” Keilly started GBK with the desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Many have referred to GBK as Giving Back Kindly: at every luxury gift lounge, non-profit organizations can be a part of the event and ffer celebrities the chance to become familiar with their organization. The charities also get the opportunity to meet celebrities and the press and educate them about the work they do. GBK is a globally known brand recognized for the caliber of sponsors and celebrities

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they have at each gifting suite, and their mission to always give back.

On September 9th, Keilly received the Be Great! Humanitarian Award. Be Great! and Create Impact™ teamed up to produce a magical one-day event dedicated to honoring individuals and organizations who are advancing humanity and empowering the planet. Carefully selected from over 200 nominations, Keilly was one of a handful of individuals to be recognized for creating a positive impact and fostering solutions for social issues.

As Keilly was receiving his award, he called his long-time girl friend Tara-Jane Flynn to the stage and proposed in front of 400 people. The audience was full of excitement when she said YES!

Keilly is constantly searching for new ways to expand his charitable involvement. He recently opened the GBK Brand Bar, an exclusive lifestyle boutique at the Kimpton La Peer Hotel in the heart of West Hollywood. The Brand Bar is a curated gift and general store concept that supports artisanal brands, designers, and small business owners in fashion,

jewelry, cosmetics, hair care, pets, health, and wellness, as well as gourmet snacks and beverages.

The 850-square-foot industrial space is a unique backdrop for pop-ups, tastings, trunk shows, and photo shoots to build buzz and brand awareness. In addition to continuing to produce gift lounges prior to major award shows, he plans to open more storefronts next year giving brands the opportunity to sell even more of their product.

Since this is our Inspiration Issue, we asked Gavin Keilly if he could pinpoint the sources of his inspiration.

“The main thing that inspires me is helping others,” he said. “It truly makes me feel good to watch businesses and nonprofits grow from participating in our events. Personally, I just love helping as many organizations as I can.”

For more information on Gavin Keilly and GBK Brand Bar, visit https://www.gbkbrandbar.com/

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PHOTOS © GBK BRAND BAR
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WarriorSage

e exception is the husband-and-wife team of Satyen and Suzanne Raja, proprietors of WarriorSage. For over 35 years, the couple has served as masterful guides for rapid and powerful transformation, spiritual evolution, and ecstatic living. ey work with accomplished leaders who yearn for an existence beyond the goals of wealth, status, and success: CEOs, physicians, Olympic athletes, and best-selling authors. Using a remarkable synthesis of Eastern wisdom and Western practicality, they enable seekers to live their best lives.

Each has their area of specialization. Satyen has impacted over 100,000 students from more than 50 countries around the world. He leads private, one-on-one retreats for high impact individuals and executive teams, and is a corporate cultural advisor and trainer for elite companies. Satyen’s fearless and heartfelt style transforms limitations into strengths and enables his students to live what he calls their “Peak Existence.” He has written or co-authored seven books.

Suzanne has been called “one of the foremost leaders and pioneers of the women’s transformational movement.” She is lovingly recognized as a unique mentor, a wise woman and a bold spirit; as she guides clients into their highest vibrational frequency, their femininity becomes the essence of their expression and the unshakeable source of their peace and success.

Suzanne has cra ed a unique process and path for outstanding women leaders to channel their brilliance, e ectiveness, and heart through their unique feminine intuitive qualities, helping them reach a state of “Peak Radiance.”

Seekers can participate in seminars such as Transcendent CEO Retreats (an experiential journey into Warrior-ship, Tanta, Shamanism, Self-Realization and Manifestation led by Satyen), Transcendent Culture (bespoke seminars, coaching, mentoring and retreats for companies with world-class teams), and Transcendent Legacy (Satyen and Suzanne’s most exclusive private mentorship for those who have achieved great success and are being called to the legacy phase of their life). Women who want to experience Suzanne’s “spa for the soul” can book Secrets of the Well-Loved Woman, a powerful, one-hour private coaching session.

“What a tantalizing transcendent blend of entrepreneurship meets sage wisdom! is re-inspired my ever-restless pursuit to live in the moment – which in the end, is all that we really have. Let us savor every word.”

- Freddie Ravel, Founder of Life in e Tune™, Grammy Artist and Keynote Maestro

| Health Wealth & Wellness
Self-realization is like the weather: everyone talks about it, but few of us are doing anything about it.
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At the Intersection of

&WarriorSage Taps into the Inner Soul of CEO’s, Olympic Athletes, Music Artists, Best-Selling Authors and Many Others

If you’re thinking you’ve heard all this before, think again: Satyen is quick to point out that his sessions are “not the common rah-rah motivational seminar,” but a business solution with solid, practical results. In his Transcendent Business Culture Training, he promises to “transform people and whole teams from the inside out,” and “excavate hidden fears and hesitancies and root them out from the bottom up.” e process begins with a con dential consultation with the CEO to understand the biggest challenges facing the company, followed by a complimentary two-hour coaching session for team members. Participants are debriefed, and if the results are positive, a road map is drawn up for the future.

If you’re thinking you’ve heard all this before, think again: Satyen is quick to point out that his sessions are “not the common rah-rah motivational seminar,” but a business solution with solid, practical results. In his Transcendent Business Culture Training, he promises to “transform people and whole teams from the inside out,” and “excavate hidden fears and hesitancies and root them out from the bottom up.” e process begins with a con dential consultation with the CEO to understand the biggest challenges facing the company, followed by a complimentary two-hour coaching session for team members. Participants are debriefed, and if the results are positive, a road map is drawn up for the future.

In their decades of mentorship with WarriorSage, Satyen and Suzanne Raja have realized something essential: that even those regarded as high achievers have the same insecurities and blockages as everyone else—but that they are more likely to seek out and nd a meaningful solution to achieve happiness and results.

In their decades of mentorship with WarriorSage, Satyen and Suzanne Raja have realized something essential: that even those regarded as high achievers have the same insecurities and blockages as everyone else—but that they are more likely to seek out and nd a meaningful solution to achieve happiness and results.

Want more information?

Visit https://warriorsage.com, or contact Satyen and Suzanne at: Satyen@warriorsage.com

Want more information? Visit https://warriorsage.com, or contact Satyen and Suzanne at: Satyen@warriorsage.com

| Health Wealth & Wellness HILLS VIEWS & VALLEYS | 124 RECHARGE and REGENERATE at MAUNA
The Hawaiian Beachfront Resort Places
LANI
Emphasis on Wellness

Situated on 32 acres along Hawaii’s Kona-Kohala coast, Mauna Lani brings a sense of spiritual satisfaction and inner peace to the vacation experience. Part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, the Meyer Davisdesigned Mauna Lani—meaning “mountain reaching heaven”— reopened in January 2020 after a $200 million renovation. On lands, once reserved for Hawaiian royalty, guests may rediscover themselves on The Great Lawn, a grassy playground dotted with palm-fringed swimming pools, or recharge on the white sand beach.

Wellness takes center stage at Mauna Lani, in a true farm-to-spa experience. Hawaii’s natural bounty of oils, herbs, honey, and flowers are used in a program that is both regenerative and holistic. Authentic

ingredients sourced from local farms form the basis of traditional treatments such as the Lomi Lomi massage, an ancient Hawaiian method passed from generation to generation. An exclusive herbal oil blend utilizes Hawaiian ti leaves and rhythmic forearm strokes, allowing you to experience the expansive feeling of Mohala (a heart-opening experience).

The Goop boutique is also a resource for accessories such as caftans, straw hats, and designer swimwear. Guests may schedule a private shopping session to browse clean beauty must-haves and vibrant resort wear collections infused with the eternal spirit of Hawaii. Forgot to pack your sunscreen? Investigate the “Goops, I forgot” section, which showcases a curated selection of getaway necessities.

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The resort’s culinary program reflects the same scrupulous attention to the details of wellness. Begin your day at HāLani with stacks of ube pancakes, refreshing fruit plates, and freshly brewed Kona coffee. At lunchtime, the alfresco Hā Bar and Grill serves house-made ceviche, acai bowls, and light snacks such as ahi crudo. Inevitably, the day culminates at CanoeHouse, a spectacular dining experience paired with the golden glow of a Pacific sunset. The Chef and General Manager team of Matt and Yuka Raso offer an assortment of farm-fresh dishes sourced within minutes of Mauna Lani. Sample the personal classics of Chef Matt, formerly of Nobu, such as Grilled Kona Kampachi,

Kekela Farms mixed greens, and smoked pork jowl— or try the specialty ‘MY’ Menu, a six-course tasting menu devised by Chef Matt and Yuka Raso.

As you might expect, water plays a major role in Mauna Lani’s activities. Head for The Surf Shack, inspired by Hawaii’s iconic surf dens, which connects the beach to The Great Lawn. Once there, you can indulge in snorkeling, diving, canoeing, and a host of paddle sports. Under the guidance of the worldclass watermen and women of Kainalu Ocean Sports, you’ll carry on the ancient expertise of their Hawaiian elders and honor the eternal relationship between the mountain (“mauka”) and the sea (“makai”).

IMAGE CREDIT: NICOLE FRANZEN
| Health Wealth & Wellness HILLS VIEWS & VALLEYS | 126
HILLS VIEWS & VALLEYS | 127

Given the focus on spirituality and celebration, it’s no wonder that Mauna Lani is a favored destination for weddings. Newlyweds can take their vows on The Great Lawn, or at the ocean for a special “toes in the sand” ceremony. The resort offers a variety of one-of-a-kind indoor and outdoor reception venues accommodating between 50 and 800 guests, along with chef-drive, fully customized menus.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom can relax in one of the 333 guest rooms or pamper themselves in one of 36 suites with sweeping views of the ocean and mountains. For those who never want to leave, Mauna Lani Estates provides amenities

such as roundtrip airport transfers, free golf cart use, resort and dining credits, and complimentary cabana rentals. Above all, Mauna Lani is not just a resort vacation: It is a destination with a strong tradition and sense of place. During a visit to the Hale ‘T’ike (a cultural center and museum in the heart of the lobby) and some time with Danny Akaka, the resident historian, that heritage begins to shine through. By joining him at the Eva Parker Woods Cottage on the Saturday closest to the full moon for local performances, music, and tales, guests will come away with a sense of the everlasting beauty of Hawaii through its symbols and stories.

HILLS VIEWS & VALLEYS | 128 | Health Wealth & Wellness
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