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A Magazine of Culture, Travel, Style, and Society
Style & Living


The Icon at 130: Louis Vuitton’s Monogram Enters Its “Main Character” Era
Images courtesy of Gnazzo Group If there is one thing that never goes out of style, it’s a legend. This year, the fashion world isn’t just celebrating a pattern; we’re celebrating a global heartbeat. Louis Vuitton’s iconic Monogram is officially turning 130, and darling, she’s never looked better. Born in 1896 from the visionary mind of Georges Vuitton as a love letter to his father, the Monogram has survived world shifts, trend cycles, and the transition from steamships to p


Between Seasons, Full Send
An East Coast road story Winter on the East Coast has a way of making you restless. By Spring, you’re already mentally shedding layers, craving light, space, and the promise of movement. Remembered now, out of season, this drive feels less like a summer memory and more like a reminder: fun doesn’t need a calendar. I picked up the GMC HUMMER EV in New York City, which is not exactly known for welcoming large personalities—vehicular or otherwise. Let’s be clear: this is a bi


Before the Sails Catch Wind
Orient Express hasn’t even set sail yet, but that hasn’t stopped it from thinking several voyages ahead. With a new slate of itineraries unveiled for 2027, the storied name—now under the Accor umbrella—is making it clear that the future of sea travel will be as much about imagination as it is about movement. At the center of this next chapter are two sailing yachts, Corinthian and Olympian , designed to reintroduce romance, restraint, and true craftsmanship to the open wate


Charlotte’s Michelin Moment: When a City Earns Its Seat at the Table
No city becomes a Michelin city by accident. That distinction is earned quietly, over time—through discipline rather than drama. When the Michelin Guide turned its attention toward Charlotte in late 2025, it wasn’t announcing a beginning. It was acknowledging a moment that had already arrived. Michelin has never been interested in hype. Its inspectors don’t follow buzz or social-media heat; they follow craft. They look for restaurants that demonstrate clarity of vision, tech


Nordmarka : Alpine Chic in Southern Vermont
Interior Design by Gingham & Gable — A mindful mountain retreat where heritage, sustainability, and family legacy converge Photography by David McCaughan Tucked quietly into the woods of southern Vermont, Nordmarka is not simply a vacation home, it is a deeply intentional retreat shaped around the art of easy living. Designed by Gingham & Gable for an outdoorsy, athletic, and multigenerational family, the reimagined 1980s mountain home balances performance and beauty with r


THE POETRY OF HOME
Design: Lisa Sherry Interieurs | Photography: Stacey Van Berkel For Charlotte-based interior designer Lisa Sherry, home is more than a physical space. It shapes how we feel, how we think, and how we connect with one another. This belief underpins her approach to design – a deliberate, joyful act of curation guided by intention. Natural materials, measured proportions, subtle palettes, and thoughtful edits create rooms that feel both grounded, expansive and timeless. Every cho


Gin, but Make It Royal
Cotswolds Highgrove Evergreen Just when you thought the English countryside couldn’t get any more cinematic, Highgrove—yes, that Highgrove—has gone and bottled it. In partnership with Cotswolds Distillery, the estate has unveiled Highgrove Evergreen , a small-batch gin inspired by the gardens surrounding King Charles III’s private residence. Think less nightclub lime, more mossy path after rain. This is a gin that wears tweed, knows its hedgerows, and absolutely does not sh


The Watch
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


Valentino, in Red. An Editor’s Reflection on Style, Power, and Permanence
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


From America’s Gilded Age to the Global Stage: Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin Reimagines an Iconic Legacy for the 21st Century
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


The Baker House 1650 crowned “Best House, Villa or Serviced Apartment” in North America by Condé Nast Johansens
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


Thomas J. Henry Celebrates Engagement to Dr. Elena Alvarez-Westwood with Epic Celebration
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


The Ballantyne: A Theatrical Afternoon
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


Mary Lou's
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


Double the Vision: The 9th Annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach
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-


The Crown Jewel Martini: A Nod to Elevated Fridays
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


Michelin Grapes: A New Wine Hierarchy
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


70th Viennese Opera Ball Kickoff and Pre-Holiday Celebration Hosted by Jean Shafiroff
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


Uptown's Winter Playground: Light the Knights
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


Inside Dandelion, the West Village’s Newest Cinematic Escape
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
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