Culture | Oct. 2023
THE BUZZ: OCTOBER 2023
By Dustin O’Regan
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF HERMÈS
TRÈS CHIC
Hermés hosts HERMÉS IN THE MAKING at Chicago’s Union Station from October 27 through November 1, ahead of the opening of its newly remodeled Chicago location. Guests will enjoy a variety of live demonstrations, workshops, interactive activities, and films for an intimately bespoke experience with one of the most cherished and celebrated brands in fashion. Bringing together craftspeople from many of the house’s métiers, this exclusive event offers a sneak peek into time honored techniques honed on a quest for unrivaled quality, durability, and innovation. For more information, visit hermes.com.
ARTISTE
The trailblazing French sculptor CAMILLE CLAUDEL (1864–1943) defied the social expectations of her time to pursue original and powerful explorations of the human form. Her sculptures depict the universal themes of love, loss, passion, and the intimacy of daily experience, embodying the artist’s uncompromising pursuit of stylistic and professional independence. While she was among the most daring and visionary French artists of the late nineteenth century, Claudel’s work has largely been characterized by her tumultuous life—her relationship with sculptor Auguste Rodin and the disruption of her career as she spent the last 30 years of her life in a psychiatric facility. The Art Institute of Chicago hosts an exhibition of her work, Camille Claudel, from October 7 through February 19. This is the first comprehensive North American show focused solely on Claudel’s work in 35 years. It will include nearly 60 sculptures that demonstrate the broad range of genres, formats, and materials in which she conceived her work and executed with brilliant technique. For more information, visit artic.edu.
DESIGN TOME
Rizzoli is debuting a new book about in-demand London-based interiors and furniture designer ROSE UNIACKE. The designer beautifully showcases the homes she has designed, boasting clean lines and calm, light-filled spaces, and showrooms defined by an effortless blend of traditional details within contemporary spaces. Whether the project is an urban townhouse, a seaside retreat, or a London villa, Uniacke’s approach is always the same—a collaboration with clients to make understated, refined sanctuaries that offer the perfect settings for everyday life. The book is sumptuously illustrated with 200 color photographs taken by industry masters François Halard and Simon Upton that truly capture the serenity and timelessness of Uniacke’s hand-hewn, cultivated style. The pages exude the same warmth of a Uniacke interior, heightened by the author’s own words as she describes in detail the specifics of each of the 13 projects explored. The result is akin to an informal conversation, with the designer revisiting her journey to share instincts and inspirations. For more information, visit rizzoliusa.com. © Rose Uniacke at Work by Rose Uniacke, Rizzoli, 2023.
KIDDIE CATS
These animal print Christian Louboutin Mini Shark lace-up sneakers for girls are more than just a statement in children’s haute couture. The printed lemur on the insole of the crêpe satin, Pony Leo brown tennis shoes helps kids tell left from right. A creative rework of Maison Louboutin’s iconic Loubishark with its signature blend of textures, the junior version features the Loubi red anti-slip sole with sporty spikes on the heel, rounded at the edges for maximum safety. Priced at $545. Order from christianlouboutin.com and get an exclusive comic book with every kid’s and baby order.
READY FOR TAKE-OFF
Confident luxury. That’s how BRABUS, makers of the “ultimate go-anywhere pickup,” are describing the next 900 XLP Superblack “One of Ten.” Untamed and unstoppable, this bespoke supercar is the third addition to the brand’s monochrome design series. Based on the Mercedes-AMG G 63, this next-level Geländewagen represents the very heart of the BRABUS roots—designed to push the limits with its unmistakable black and bold design, breathtaking performance, and masterpiece luxury. It is the definitive BRABUS machine, an unstoppable night rocket, and an homage to more than four decades of passion, luxury, and heritage. Available now for a starting price of more than $400,000. Visit brabus.com.
PRETTY IN PICKLEBALL
What do Emma Watson, Drew Barrymore, George Clooney, and Leonardo DiCaprio have in common? These A-list celebrities all love pickleball, the hottest sport du jour. If you count yourself among them, you’ll want to know about Mark and Graham, a luxury purveyor of accessories and match day gear. The best part is, many of them can be personalized (who doesn’t love a good monogram?) From racket covers to pickleball bags to totes and duffel bags, you’ll be hitting the court in style. Pickleball accessories like Mark and Graham’s travel jewelry cases and leather tassel zipper pouches (available in fun hues of yellow, pink, orange, and green) are convenient to have on hand on match day and every day. Visit markandgraham.com to peruse the entire collection.
ART ON THE MART
ART on THE MART, an innovative digital art project that transforms a Chicago architectural landmark into a larger-than-life canvas, spans more than 2.5 acres of THE MART along the city’s Riverwalk. Founded in 2018, ART on THE MART celebrates its 5th anniversary this fall and is a platform for cutting-edge moving image work by renowned local, national, and international interdisciplinary artists. Projections will be on view nightly at 7:30 p.m. now until November 15, 2023. For more information on the 2023 season, please visit artonthemart.com.
GODDESS OF GLAM
Fashion and philanthropy merge as the Barrington Ju- nior Women’s Club (BJWC) celebrates its annual Fall Fashion Show, Goddess of Glam—Embrace the Power of Inner Beauty. Cutting-edge fashion is presented in a fast-paced, live runway show. Aside from the fashions, guests enjoy a sit-down dinner, cocktail hour, silent auction, and dancing. The event will be held on Saturday, November 4th at 5 p.m. at Avante Banquets. Funds raised will benefit the mission of BJWC to en- hance the lives of women, children, and seniors in the Northwest community area. This event attracts more than 300 prominent women, business leaders, and philanthropists, dedicated to empowering the lives of others, produced by the city’s top runway production group. This show highlights the latest collections from the city’s most iconic and luxurious retailers. To learn more visit, bjwc.org/fall-fashion-show.
ARCH APOTHECARY
Arch apothecary products are all about nurturing, hydrating, and healing the skin naturally. From the luxurious botanical face and body oils to the hydrating mist, lip balm, and salve, Arch can help simplify your skin care routine with beautiful results. archglow.com
LE PONANT BECOMES THE WORLD’S FIRST SAILING YACHT TO JOIN THE PRESTIGIOUS RELAI & CHÂTEAUX PORTFOLIO
PONANT and Relais & Châteaux are strengthening their ties. The three-masted Le Ponant sailing yacht—the most emblematic vessel in the PONANT fleet, with a history dating back to 1991—becomes the first sailing yacht in history to join the esteemed Relais & Châteaux portfolio. The first branded voyage set sail to the islands of Cape Verde this past August. Le Ponant boasts just 16 staterooms and suites and a 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio. The wellness space offers Biologique Recherche treatments and daily yoga sessions on the deck. Cuisine is made using organic and local products and wines from French artisan wine producers are served. For more information, visit us.ponant.com.
COUNTRY LIFE: 125 YEARS OF COUNTRYSIDE LIVING IN GREAT BRITAIN
For 125 years, Country Life has presented its readers with the finest insider’s tour of everything quintessentially British. Coming this October, one volume will feature a spectacular collection of images offering the best of life in the British countryside—from charming Cotswolds villages to panoramic views across the Yorkshire dales and Glastonbury—offering readers a rich tour of the seasons, landscapes, gardens, and great houses that epitomize British country life as seen through the eyes of the magazine. rizzoli.com
FRANKENSTEIN AT THE JOFFREY
For those who like their spooky season to be a little more refined, this critically acclaimed ad- aptation of Mary Shelly’s gothic masterpiece is a moving tale of life, death, love, and identity. Set to Lowell Liebermann’s original score and brought to life with vivid makeup artistry and stunning stage design, this must-see Chicago premiere is one of the most innovative works of ballet today. Frankenstein takes the audience on a captivating journey through a series of unfortunate events. Liam Scarlett’s choreography and production bring Shelly’s novel to life, revealing the beautiful allegory of the human condition. October 12 – 22, joffrey.org
READ IT
For many locals, no morning is complete without a stop at Café La Fortuna. The chic spot on the alley offers much more than cups of coffee. Now Angela Lavelli and Alejandra L. Franco have written a book, The Inspiring Story of Café La Fortuna, which will be released this month and celebrated at the Hinsdale Public Library on October 16. This is the first book in a three-book series, written to express the ideas of family, memories, and finding comfort over delicious cups of coffee. lafortunahinsdale.com
SPRITZ IT
As the leaves fall, cashmere comes out of the closet, and backyard fire tables blaze, it’s time to switch to a lush fall fragrance. An exquisite choice from Cartier’s high perfumery is OUD VANILLÉ LES HEURES VOYAGEUSES FRAGRANCE. The combination of two key ingredients, two accords that echo one another, united by some of their facets: oud wood, with its woody, animal notes and its evocative power, and vanillin, with its powdery, sweet, olfactory, and highly addictive notes. It’s perfect for every power woman. cartier.com
SUPPORT IT
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, when many beauty companies release special products and kits to benefit research and development to stop this disease, which affects so many people. It is a time to focus on our own health by scheduling annual exams and to snap up special editions of favorite products, knowing that some of our spend will benefit others. The Elemis Limited Edition Hero Collection is a must-buy. elemis.com
