Style & Living

Image by Phillips Some watches tell time. This one makes a point —literally.  The idea began, as many great ones do, over wine. During a dinner at his Napa estate, Francis Ford Coppola  posed a mischievous challenge to independent watchmaking legend François-Paul Journe : could a watch tell time using an actual hand? Not a symbolic hand, not a stylized pointer—but a miniature, articulated mechanical hand with fingers that indicate the hour. Journe, known for both his technica

By Colleen Guilfoile Richmond Founder & Editor-in-Chief, VIVANT There are designers who define a moment.And then there are designers who define a standard. Valentino Garavani belonged to the latter—quietly, unapologetically, and always impeccably dressed. His passing marks the end of a chapter in fashion history, but not the end of his influence. Valentino didn’t chase relevance. He built permanence. Born in Voghera, Italy, and trained in Paris at the École des Beaux-Arts and

Consuelo Headshot American Dynasty Seventh-Generation Heir Launches House of Vanderbilt The Vanderbilt name built America’s railroads, helped define its art and philanthropy—and now, seventh-generation descendant Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin is carrying that legacy into a new era. Entrepreneur, recording artist, and philanthropist, Costin is redefining what heritage looks like in the digital age with the launch of The House of Vanderbilt , a modern family office built at the i

Global Glory for East Hampton Gem Photo Credit : mixmediaplus The Baker House 1650, one of East Hampton’s most celebrated luxury inns, has been named “Best House, Villa or Serviced Apartment in North America” by Condé Nast Johansens at the 2026 Awards for Excellence, held at London’s Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel. Recognized for its timeless charm, exquisite hospitality, and design that seamlessly blends 17th-century heritage with modern elegance, The Baker House 1650 has become syno

Dr Elena Alvarez Westwood, Thomas J Henry Thomas J. Henry Celebrated his engagement to Dr. Elena Alvarez-Westwood with an epic celebration at the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel . Hundreds of guests traveled to San Juan, PR for an evening of live music and late-night dancing at the Isla Verde resort. Guests arriving at the historic oceanfront property were greeted by an outdoor performance by the Earth Harp – a string instrument suspended across the entrance to the hotel with ima

Image courtesy of The Ballantyne Hotel In the sun-drenched pockets of Charlotte, there is a place where the frantic pace of the week simply fails to gain entry. At The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel, afternoon tea isn't just a mid-day break; it’s a high-production ritual. Think of it as a beautifully choreographed performance where the cast is impeccable, the set is stunning, and you have the best seat in the house. For the vivant  set—those who appreciate the finer th

Images courtesy of Mary Lou's Mary Lou’s - Palm beach’s hottest new club and lounge. The compelling inspiration behind Mary Lou's and the grandmother of co-founder Alex Melillo, Mary Lou Curtis, is an unrepentant force in the West Palm Beach fashion scene. Situated on the corner of Southern Boulevard and South Olive Avenue, one could never suspect that behind this well-known façade is a deeply complex, opulent world. Celebrating Mary Lou Curtis' lasting impact, the club and

Images from Kips Bay Decorator Show House For the discerning design enthusiast, the Kips Bay Decorator Show House serves as the seasonal North Star, and the 2026 Palm Beach edition is set to be the most ambitious in the event’s history. This year, the showcase breaks tradition by expanding into a two-property experience along North Flagler Drive, offering twice the inspiration for its month-long run. The event is anchored by "The Intracoastal House," a sprawling 4,500-square-

There's something inherently ritualistic about the Friday martini. It’s a sophisticated punctuation mark at the end of a busy week, a signal that leisure and luxury are officially on the agenda. But what if we told you that punctuation could be gilded, literally? Enter the "Crown Jewel Martini"—a drink that takes the classic dirty martini and elevates it with a garnish as opulent as it is unexpected: caviar-stuffed olives . This isn't just a drink; it's a statement. It’s for

Image from Michelin In the constellation of luxury accolades, the Michelin Star has long been the North Star for gastronomy, and the more recent Michelin Key has unlocked the world’s most soulful hotels. Now, the Guide is turning its clinical, three-tiered gaze toward the vine. Enter the Michelin Grape : a new distinction set to debut in 2026 that promises to do for winemakers what the Star did for chefs—codify excellence and, inevitably, ignite a new level of obsession among

Rebecca Seawright, Jean Shafiroff, Silvia Freiser | Photo Credits: BFA / Kevin Czopek Philanthropist, TV host, author and longtime supporter and chairwoman of the Viennese Opera Ball Jean Shafiroff hosted and underwrote a reception with over 100 guests at her New York residence to officially kick off the 70th Annual Viennese Opera Ball , one of New York’s oldest and most prestigious white-tie galas celebrating Austrian culture, diplomacy, and the enduring friendship betwee

Photo from : Alex Cason Photography While Charlotteans often look to the suburbs for holiday magic, the most electric winter experience of the season is found right in the heart of the city. The Light the Knights Festival, hosted at Truist Field, has officially returned for its sixth year. For those who want more than just a passive light show, this event transforms the home of the Charlotte Knights into a high-octane winter park. Imagine swapping out baseball diamonds for ic

Photo Credit : Kelsey Cherry At the corner of Christopher and Bleecker, a new sanctuary of style has arrived. Dandelion, the latest project from Eytan Sugarman and Will Makris, brings a cinematic, "mood-first" energy to the West Village—proving that the best nights are often found in the most intimate spaces. Named for the French dents-de-lion , the lounge balances grit with grace. The interior is a masterclass in texture: deep green marble, fluted wood paneling, and an amber

Image Copyright : Saint Laurent On a quiet winter morning high in the Engadine Valley, the air was as sharp and focused as the silhouettes emerging from the mist. Against the backdrop of the snow-dusted Alps, Saint Laurent Rive Droite unveiled its 2025 "Snow Edition"—a collection that proves Anthony Vaccarello’s vision of Parisian elegance is not confined to the city’s limestone boulevards, but is equally at home on the world’s most formidable peaks. The reveal signaled an am

Images from BRUTØ Denver In Denver’s Dairy Block, BRUTØ is redefining luxury through the lens of "Brutalist" simplicity. Centered around an 18-seat chef’s counter and a massive wood-fired hearth, this Michelin-starred destination strips away the pretense of fine dining to focus on the elemental power of fire and grain. WHITE ASPARAGUS ICE CREAM, SORREL, MØRINGA GANACHE, CRISPY RICE Under Chef Byron Gomez, the experience is an 11-course narrative that merges Colorado’s terroir

Ana Oliveira, Rebecca Seawright, Jean Shafiroff, Mary Baglivo | Photo Credits: PMC / Paul Bruinooge Jean Shafiroff , philanthropist, TV host, author and longtime board member and supporter of The New York Women’s Foundation (NYWF) hosted and underwrote an elegant 75 guest holiday reception at her New York residence in celebration of The New York Women's Foundation’s mission to advance gender, economic, and racial equity across the city. The gathering, held in the festive spi

Wyoming Whiskey’s Daring Duos Photos courtesy of Wyoming Whiskey From the windswept rickhouses of Kirby, Wyoming, comes a whiskey steeped in grit, grain, and the true spirit of the West. Every drop of Wyoming Whiskey is “Made of Wyoming”—crafted grain-to-glass, distilled and aged in the state’s distinct climate for bold, unforgettable character. Now, two cocktails bring that frontier flavor into sleek, modern form: THE WYOMING REVOLVER — THE COFFEE-FUELED COWBOY A daring twis

Photography credit to BFA Worth Avenue just got a major dose of luxury! Louis Vuitton celebrated the grand unveiling of its glittering new Maison in Palm Beach, and trust us, this isn't just any store opening—it's the event of the season. The luxury House rolled out the red carpet on December 12, 2025, throwing an exclusive bash that started with chic cocktails inside the stunning new two-story flagship and ended with an electric after-party that kept the champagne flowing! A

The world of ultra-luxury motoring has always been a bellwether of society's highest aspirations, a showcase where engineering prowess converges with bespoke artistry. For 2026, the automotive runway is less a collection of new models and more a profound paradigm shift. This is not just about faster engines; it is about defining the next chapter of exclusivity, where the most coveted machines are as much a tangible asset as they are a vehicle for transport. From the silent, s

Photos via SYN Charlotte’s South End is constantly evolving, a vibrant nexus of high-end dining, art, and cutting-edge design. Yet, even amidst the electric energy of this urban district, true luxury often prefers the shadows. For those in the know, the city’s newest and most intriguing destination isn't found behind glittering glass facades, but tucked away in a place only the truly discerning can discover: SYN Cocktail Bar . More than just a bar, SYN is Charlotte’s latest "