Is luxury dead?

 

Nope, but I think the model that we’ve been using for decades is gone, and we’re working toward redefining it. While the disastrous news appears, thankfully, to be flatlining—we’re hearing tales from our advertisers of economic life sprouting from the rubble; they’re no longer so discouraged—no one is predicting a rapid return to sky-high prosperity. What we are seeing, from all of you fabulous folks, is some adaptation. Financial downturn, we’re learning, doesn’t have to spell shabby, or even dated. Gala gowns are being swapped between friends (and resized to fit, of course), and we’re getting a bit more creative to stay current. The debonair Wilkes Bashford points this and other insightful observations out as he expounds on the issue in the pages to come. 

 

A roundtable of knowledgeable and talented people take note of our changing paradigm in their discussion of the newest trends in interior design and give us some fabulous ideas on how to make our homes special, and up to date. Gladys Perint Palmer educates us—with both words and her gorgeous original illustrations—about what went on in Paris during fashion week. 

 

Speaking of new, read all about the city’s newest world-class museum opening; yea! Hint: em... eye... see..., cay... eee... why..., em... oh... you… ess... eee!

 

There’s more. Though our “Gala ’Bout Town” columnist, Jennifer Raiser, takes a month off from the social scene (to get her beauty rest before the gorgeous galas taking place this month), she couldn’t resist a wonderful chat with the SF Opera’s new conductor, Nicola Luisotti, which appears as this month’s “Profile.” And our trusty cast of columnists keeps you informed and entertained, as always, about topics ranging from wine to city trivia. You’ll also find a few new excloos on the Website. And we thank you so much for your positive comments about our new site; we’re so pleased you’re enjoying it! 

 

So, I offer this: our September issue. It’s raring to go to start the fall season with wit, charm, and some great feature stories. As always, we’ve got some pretty good pictures of some pretty good (and perfectly pretty) folk.

 

Go out and make yourself feel good.