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By Adam Kluger | Photography by Benno Klandt

The international channel i24NEWS broadcasts in English, Arabic and French around the world, with its biggest bureau in Jaffa Port, Israel. From he international channel i24NEWS broadcasts in English, Arabic and French around the world, with its biggest bureau in Jaffa Port, Israel. From the New York anchor desk in their Times Square studio, Michelle Makori gets ready to report the news… after a cup of coffee.

I’m a good multi-tasker…but I’m useless before my cup of coffee in the morning.

A typical workday for Makori is anything but typical– and usually lasts at least 12 hours!

“I start scouring various news sites from the minute I wake up, sending suggestions to my team as I run my morning errands, which on a good day includes the gym. At 12 o’clock we have an editorial meeting for my show where we lay out the rundown—choosing our top stories and guest segments. I really like to work closely with our guest bookers to get a good range of experts and analysts…full spectrum of voices. Then it is typically a number of meetings about what the reporters are being assigned to…suggesting assignments… planning for future shows, planning for my other show.

I like to immerse myself in the interview research. I really enjoy that. And much like other journalists and TV people, I kick into high gear as the deadline nears and its crunch time. It’s a non-stop day basically from 8:30am until 8:30pm of multi-tasking and juggling a number of things and then after I wrap up the show I try to have what we call, “a life.”(laugh)

Makori is the Anchor and Editor in Chief of i24’s US flagship show ‘Clearcut with Michelle Makori’ airing every week day at 7pm EST. She’s also the Producer, Anchor and Editor-in-Chief of ‘Beyond The Story with Michelle Makori’, which is going to be launching in late March.

i24NEWS itself launched in the U.S. last February 13th. Makori has been there from the very beginning to help shape the network’s U.S. channel.

“I was the first hire in the US by the CEO Frank Melloul. I met him in Israel when I was there for my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary a couple of years ago and was very impressed. He reached out when he was ready to launch i24News in the US. In less than 3 months we made it happen. There were five of us, the pioneers or P5 as we call ourselves and we launched the U.S channel from scratch…going from meetings in coffee shops to assembling a whole news team and crew to then putting four hours live on TV. That was a fantastic experience. It’s remarkable that we are having our one year anniversary soon.”

Makori says that American television news viewers are eager for a channel like i24 NEWS that offers objective, straight forward news reporting.

“We’re trying to capitalize on the fact that viewers are disillusioned with the media… particularly the news industry, it is generally just punditry –you watch American cable at night and for four hours straight the broadcast will go on about just one story–which is probably some negative Trump-linked story, and it will be back to back coverage of one issue with people opining or arguing. You watch MSNBC and it’s an echo chamber of the same sentiment usually over just one topic from show to show –you don’t get to see the news of the day –you don’t get to learn about what’s going on outside the U.S., you don’t get fact-based reporting just punditry…but on i24 news we give you fact-based reporting, insight and analysis. If you’re watching my show you are going to get a global picture, beyond just one or two U.S. stories. On my show the emphasis is on the U.S. and the Middle East, and more importantly how they intersect. We like to say ‘what happens in the middle East doesn’t stay in the Middle east’ like it or not it impacts the world. The world is so interlinked that its vital to include news from China, Europe, Africa – I want to give the global perspective. I also place a strong emphasis on the economy and I have a dedicated business news segment every show because it all goes back to money anyway, money makes the world go round.”

At I24 NEWS, Makori combines her business journalism experience with Wall Street credibility. Being a FINRA licensed financial adviser (Series 7) and having worked with the Beryl Consulting Group, GFI and now Context Summits.

Michelle joined i24NEWS from CGTN (China Global Television Network) where she was a key member of the team that launched the U.S. based global English Channel. Makori was the New York-based Anchor and Producer of “Global Business America”, CGTN’s flagship global economic and business news show.

“Turns out I like start up TV News, I was part of the team that launched what is now CGTN in the US . I was one of the first ten hires in America. I guess I am TV news channel pioneer.” ( laughs).

Before joining CCTV now CGTN in December of 2011, Michelle was an anchor and reporter for Bloomberg TV for five years as well as a reporter with CNN Money.

“Bloomberg TV was my break that got me from South Africa to the US. When I was 7 years old I decided I wanted to move to New York and become an international News Anchor and Bloomberg made that happen for me. They sponsored my work visa and later my green card and my five plus years at Bloomberg were incredible and so educational”

On her nightly show Clearcut with Michelle Makori, the telegenic dynamo is particularly adept at explaining how world events can significantly impact the economy.

“Drawing on my business background I always include an economic focus in my show.

I like to keep my finger on the pulse of the financial world through my work with Context Summits … yes, seeing as I have so much spare time ( laughs), I also host summits for Context which is the leader in Alternative Investment conferences. There I get to interview some of the leading portfolio managers and some of the brightest minds in finance so that gives me an inside perspective and insight that I can use on my show.

If you watch my show you’re going to get a range of headlines and stories from around the world from business to technology to politics …. fact-based analysis and multiple perspectives, I like to cut to the chase and extract what you need to know, straight forward, no BS, its ClearCut ”

Before joining Bloomberg TV and moving to New York in 2005, Michelle was one of the main anchors and producers for SABC Africa Television, based in Johannesburg South Africa and broadcasting throughout the African Continent. Makori’s accolades include winning the Harambee African Reporter of the Year Award in 2004 for her work on micro-lending enterprises. One of her biggest moments was interviewing South African President Nelson Mandela.

“I interviewed Nelson Mandela …it was an extraordinary experience … speaking to Nelson Mandela, the man just exuded energy that was sublime in a way, healing almost, there was just a calmness about him that radiated , now it sounds ridiculous but I was first taken aback by how tall he was and his stature. He had tremendous presence and just exuded a very positive energy.”

As a long-time South African resident Makori says she loves watching animal programs on TV to relax after her 12 hour work days. Like the recent broadcast of Planet Earth 2 on BBC world.

“I like everything from trashy reality TV to serious documentaries and other news shows but I always have the TV on in the background and I love shows about animals and nature, I have that on most weekends. I find it very relaxing. It’s my African connection. I used to go on safaris all the time in Africa. I’ve seen the ‘big five’, as we call them, up close: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo. I have seen hippos, wildebeest, kudus all kinds of bucks, crocodiles you name it, I have been on countless game drives it’s what we do in Africa …I had a situation once when I was on safari with my father and some elephants started charging the car and we had to get out of there in reverse… that was quite eventful…hey, you’re in their territory.”

While in South African territory, Michelle really made her mark, she was voted as one of the ‘Top 30 Women’ by Cosmopolitan magazine (SA edition) and one of the ‘Sexiest Women in the World’ by FHM magazine’s SA readers.

To stay in amazing shape and maintain balance in her life, Makori hits the gym and enjoys an active social life.

“I play squash. I’m learning ballroom dancing .. and in theory I go to the gym three times a week. I have an insatiable intellectual curiosity and love to read and attend TED talks. I’m a social creature. You might even see me at parties in the Hamptons or hosting a charity event. I love to travel. My family is scattered around the globe. I’m always on a plane somewhere – anytime I have some free time.”

Whatever she does, she does well. Michelle’s even a model daughter who always calls her mom in South Africa every day to check in!

“I’m a good Jewish daughter.” (laughs) and my mom is an even better Jewish mother , she watches the show every night.”

Michelle was born in Haifa and moved to Johannesburg, South Africa as a baby where she grew up until moving to New York in 2005.

“I am very proud to now be a US citizen. So I’m an African American Israeli as I like to say, I used to say I am an African American Israeli working for the Chinese. I have been lucky to have been exposed to various cultures and countries and I always maintain that global perspective when reporting the news or interviewing people.”

Michelle speaks 5 languages and holds a Post Graduate Honors Degree in Media Studies and Journalism (with distinction), and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Law and Psychology, both from South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand. She also graduated top of her class from South Africa’s Damelin Business School.

A native born Israeli, Makori sees a number of clear trends in the Middle East. “Probably the most significant thing that is happening right now is the shift in the Middle East in the sense of new alliances. Israel and the Saudis are developing a clandestine relationship. They are not public about the strengthening ties but all indications are there that they are cooperating on a number of fronts and I think that’s a huge game changer… The situation with Iran is one of the enemy of my enemy is my friend and that common threat of Iran has brought the Israelis and the Saudis together and that could be very significant in terms of checking Irani-an influence and potentially shaping how the Palestinian situation gets resolved… or doesn’t get resolved.”

“Also, the relationship between Israel and the U.S. has never been better… Netanyahu and Trump have a very close relationship. There is a clearly a chemistry between them….and shared interests.”

“Trump saying he will move the US embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, acknowledging that reality… has been very significant. He actually kept the same campaign promise made by Bush, Clinton and Obama. There is no doubt about it that’s it’s a far stronger relationship than under Obama. Some of the Obama administration’s positions could prove to be severely detrimental to Israeli safety and security – case in point the Iran Nuclear deal. That is a bad deal. Iran was in a compromised position, feeling the pinch of the sanctions and Obama had the leverage and made a deal which gave Iran billions of dollars up front , instead of ‘anytime/ anywhere’ inspections they got ‘sometimes / some places’ inspections , military sites aren’t accessible and of course the biggest issue is the sunset clause which allows Iran in 2025 to go ahead with its Uranium enrichment program ….I agree with Trump on that one – it’s a terrible deal.”

So, will President Trump become a huge Michelle Makori fan? “Well I think the President will find that I am certainly not the mainstream media. I am fair. Of course, he is welcome on the show. I am happy to give President Trump my opinions on a range of issues. I can even help him finesse his Twitter game (laughs)

Would President Trump like i24 NEWS? The attitudes and perspectives are very varied across our shows. He might or he might not. We are fact based and objective. We deliver both sides. We are not trying to create an echo chamber of similar opinions. We are aiming to give facts, analysis and perspective. Viewers are fed up with the bias on the news.”

i24NEWS is available on Altice ,Cablevision, Spectrum ,Optimum, Suddenlink, Charter, Mediacom and Roku and online at: https://www.i24news.tv/en/tv/live

Photos by Kristiina Wilson  |  Styling by Takayuki Sekiya

Produced by Christopher A. Pape

Hair by Kristian Kanika | Bumble & Bumble

Make-Up by Ashleigh Ciucci | Nars

Models June and Olesya | NY Models

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A decent steakhouse is relatively easy to find in any major city of the United States, but a visit to Carnevino at the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas will separate the decent from the outstanding. This Italian steakhouse, from the dynamic duo of Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich of the B&B Hospitality Group, takes its steaks very seriously, catering to the serious carnivore. Surpassing normal industry standards for aging meat, their porterhouse steaks and ribeyes are aged a minimum of 90 days to 120 days, and then are rubbed with sea salt, fresh pepper, and rosemary to achieve a tender cut and aromatic flavor. Antibiotic and hormone free, their certified Angus beef meats are from family-owned farms and ranches throughout the country, and the aging process is done by the restaurant itself, at an off-site location.

Every detail in this restaurant is on a grand scale, much like the city in which it resides. The space welcomes you with a life-size statue of “Bodacious,” the world’s most dangerous rodeo bull, perhaps as an indication of the fierce meal you are about to enjoy. The oversized windows, Italian marble, and antique furnishings are beautiful and dramatic, much like the presentation of the food itself. And, as the restaurant’s name implies, the multi-page wine list plays a dominating role in entire dining experience (as it should). Personally curated by Bastianich, the list will dazzle and overwhelm you; but don’t worry, the sommelier ensures your paring is as well thought-out as your meal.

At the helm is Nicole Brisson, the culinary director for B&B Hospitality Group’s Las Vegas operations. Brisson oversees the preparation of all dishes, including the aging process and rub for the steaks. One of just a few female chefs to grace the Vegas strip, she began her stint in Sin City with the opening of Wynn Las Vegas. Originally serving as Carnevino’s executive chef, she was appointed their culinary director in 2016. Born and raised in upstate New York, Brisson was introduced to the culinary industry early at her grandfather’s restaurant in Saratoga, New York. Inspired by her family’s dedication to creating meals from scratch with harvests from their garden, she continues to hold onto these practices in her career. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University, Brisson studied and learned with food writers Molly O’Neill and Faith Willinger, taking the knowledge and traditions she acquired from her grandfather’s restaurant and developing them into a love for locally sourced produce and meats.

Carnevino is a must visit during a trip to Las Vegas, ensuring a dining experience you’ll be hard pressed to duplicate.

For more information, visit Carnevino.com.

Attainable Paradise

By Marianne Belmonte & Nori Inoguchi

Have you ever had a dream about being on a deserted tropical island only to have awoken feeling sad that it was only a dream and you are a long way off from being in paradise? Well the good news is paradise does exist and it is not out of your reach.

Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas is that paradise. One of Thailand’s premier island destinations it offers unspoiled landscapes with luxurious accommodations. The resort’s main focus is on relaxation and privacy. In addition to the natural beauty that surrounds you, as it is located on a prime stretch of Mai Khao Beach and has the Sirinath National Park as its backyard, you won’t despair if you are looking for adventure; you have come to the right place.

Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas offers trips to suit your interests on land or sea. Ranging from jungle exploring to wildlife watching, there is no shortage of things to do and places to see. Try elephant trekking, sailing and sea cruises to the Similan Islands. There are rafting, diving and even private surfing lessons. A five-minute walk from the resort brings you to Mai Khao Beach where you can enjoy lounging, snorkeling, sea kayaking and windsurfing. Whatever you do, and especially if you have brought your children along and it is the right season, don’t miss watching baby turtles hatch on the beach. It’s a once-in-a- lifetime experience and the resort is a benefactor of these egg-laying sea turtles, donating one US dollar for every night a room is occupied. If activities are not your thing and you’ve come just to relax and be pampered then please indulge with a Thai massage, scrub, body wrap or a variety of Ayurvedic therapies.  Have you tried meditating? Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas is the ideal setting for this and if yoga is your thing classes are conducted on a regular basis.

The amenities at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas feature an infinity-edge beachside   swimming pool, architecturally designed gardens, 91 private pool villas, tennis courts, a cooking school and four restaurants. Take advantage of the guest bikes that are available on the premises and absorb the fresh air, sweet aromas and sounds and scents of the jungle. You haven’t lived until you’ve had this kind of experience as it is like no other.

If this is a family holiday have no worries.  Activities can be enjoyed with or without the children.  Babysitting is available for the very young and activities for the older children are available. These include batik classes, glass painting and candle-making sessions. Children from ages 4 to 12 can take their pick of computer games or sports, such as snorkeling, nature hikes in the Sirinath National Park and island excursions.

The restaurants at the resort offer a delightful range of cuisines.  The Tree House features Thai-style tapas and cocktails, best enjoyed at sunset.  The Tasting Room designs individual menus and serves fine wine.  Sea.Fire.Salt serves seafood barbecue on the veranda.  Of course you are also welcome to venture off the resort and try the local jaunts such as the jazzy nightclub Siam Supper Club whose menu includes pizzas, grilled fish and meat along with cocktails.  Want something more casual? Try Lotus with breathtaking views of the sunset. And then there is Silk, a sophisticated establishment serving contemporary Thai food.

Paradise truly is there for the taking.  Book a trip today and experience heaven on Earth. Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas is a destination of a lifetime and one that must be experienced.

phuket.anantara.com

Situated along the clear waters of Phuket’s western shore, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort is the closest you can get to heaven on earth. This dream-like sanctuary represents one of Thailand’s most prized possessions, boasting a luxurious variety of 30 hotel rooms and suites as well as 47 pool villas. Tucked away from Phuket’s busier shores, Layan Beach offers the perfect setting for Anantara’s lavish five-star accommodations. Whether you are looking for a romantic couple’s retreat or an action-packed getaway with friends and family, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort promises a travel experience rich in beauty, style and indulgence.

For those in search of something a bit more permanent, The Residences by Anantara provide the opportunity to privately own a slice of this tropical paradise. Each of the 15 extraordinary homes in this residential development features a stunning pool and open-air rooftop along with breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea. Discover pure elegance in the modern yet classically inspired Asian design of these two-story homes and immerse yourself in the tranquility of island living. Also available to the private residences are the amenities found at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, including an array of exquisite dining options.

Experience the freshness of local ingredients while taking in the beautiful island backdrop all without ever setting foot off the resort. Sala Layan, the resort’s Mediterranean restaurant, offers delectable breakfast, lunch and dinner menus set on exclusive beachfront property. For a taste of local cuisine, Dee Plee serves regional specialties showcasing the traditional Thai four-flavor balance of salty, sweet, spicy and pungent. On days when you would prefer the privacy of your room or villa, both Sala Layan and Dee Plee provide dine-in options to satisfy your tastebuds in the complete comfort of your own space. Even more personalized is the unique Dining by Design experience. Treat someone you love to a romantic evening of fine dining under the stars masterfully prepared by your personal chef and you are guaranteed a night you will never forget. Or if you are feeling inspired and care to broaden your culinary techniques, Spice Spoons – Anantara Cooking School will take you on a step-by-step journey through the ingredients, flavors and preparations of Thai cuisine.

At this Anantara resort you will also discover a plethora of both resort activities and area excursions. Take advantage of Anantara’s state-of-the-art gym to start your day or head right to the calm waters at Layan Beach for your ultimate refreshment. While you’re there, enjoy the ocean breeze as you join in the water sports adventures.  Choose to snorkel among vibrant schools of fish, kayak, windsurf or sail across gently rolling waves. Take a day trip to the Similan Islands and dive down to behold the underwater splendor of remarkable coral reefs teeming with sea life. Whether on a 90-foot chartered yacht, 36-foot speedboat or local long-tail boat, explore nearby islands and exotic beaches with dramatic sunsets on the horizon.

Spoil yourself a bit more and visit the luxurious Anantara Spa. Experience invigorating wellness and relaxation within this sanctuary that houses seven lavish private treatment rooms.  Surrender to the highest-trained therapists and allow them to fulfill your well-being and beauty desires.  Enjoy healing massages or treat yourself to one of the many rejuvenating services offered by the salon, including deluxe nail treatments, customized facials and revitalizing body scrubs.  Take things to the next level and indulge in one of Anantara’s Signature Spa Treatments where you can enjoy a private tea service as you soak in a signature Romance Milky Bath and inhale the exotic aromas that are sure balance your body, mind and spirit.

If you have somehow found yourself still wondering why here the answer is quite simple. The style and elegance in every detail of the Anantara Layan Phuket Resort coupled with the heavenly beauty of this island destination makes it an oasis fit for a king. So the real question is, why not?

phuket-layan.anantara.com

Blue Water Grill & metropolis

A Wave of Renovations Creates a Splash in New York’s Seafood Scene

Blue Water Grill has been serving Union Square fresh, modern American seafood for two decades. Always looking for ways to support local purveyors and self-sustainability, they actively support vendors from the Union Square Greenmarket. To keep up with the fast-paced city, they have recently updated the restaurant’s appearance in a series of renovations; the largest, a decadent oyster room and cocktail lounge,  called Metropolis.

Located in the heart of Union Square in what used to be the Metropolis Bank, hence the name of the new addition, the building’s rich history has not been left behind. The renovation of Blue Water Grill has placed the bar in the center of the room and separated tables to create an airy, open space. Calcutta marble brightens the top of the bar and you can take a seat on the new brass-and-leather bar stools. Dazzling, modern chandeliers covered in gold with pops of light highlight the historic architecture of the elegant coffer ceiling and wainscoted walls.

The appearance of the restaurant has not been the only change. New executive chef, Chris Meenan has 25 years of experience to bring to the new menu. Sharing the restaurant’s passion for locally sourced ingredients, the menu features entrees such as Blackened Swordfish, perfectly cooked swordfish with tangy barbecued shrimp, sweet potatoes and braised greens.

Look over the lights of Union Square while enjoying an autumnal cocktail, called the Jack’s Apple, with Baron Blanco tequila, fresh market cider and apple bitters. For dessert, try the indulgent Valrhona Chocolate Mousse garnished with Oreo crumbles.

For live jazz music infused with stunning architecture and sublime seafood and cocktails to share, their new lounge, Metropolis is the place to go. Located in what used to be the vault of the Metropolis Bank, the low-lit atmosphere creates an intimate environment for drinks and divine assortments of seafood for a romantic evening or a night out with friends. Velvet drapes line the walls and a gray marble bar creates the platform for heavenly cocktails. Red banquettes bloom like roses within the cozy ambiance of the room.

Chef Adam Raskin is the chef at Metropolis and has been working at restaurants since he was 14 years old. A variety of flavored oysters ensure everyone will be happy. Try the Baron Margarita Jalapeño oysters bursting with flavor and color. Indulge in the Ocean Water Ponzu shooter, each served in an individually garnished shot glass, invigorating your palate.

If you are not in the mood for seafood, Metropolis offers several other options, including the Metropolis Cheese Steak, tender steak atop a warm bun with creamy cheese. For poultry lovers, try a savory chicken dish, the succulent Sullivan Farmhouse Roasted Chicken Grandmere.

It is impossible to ignore Metropolis’s menu’s unique cocktails. The Spiced Girl consists of Grey Goose vodka, pomegranate juice, nutmeg and cardamom syrup for an enticing experience of spices. For six to eight friends or family, the Fruit Smash is a refreshing cocktail with Avion Balanco tequila, seasonal market fruits and garnished with fresh mint. For dessert, sip on a hot cappuccino paired with a warm apple crisp and magical Mexican cinnamon gelato. 

Serving some of the freshest seafood and decadent cocktails in New York City both Blue Water Grill and Metropolis are the spots to dine amidst beautiful architecture in Union Square. Step away from the commotion of daily city life and sink into Metropolis’s dreamy banquettes or Blue Water Grill’s enchanting interior for a night that will be remembered.

31 Union Square

NY, NY 10003

212.675.9500

bluewatergrillnyc.com

metropolisnewyork.com

Tamsen at her appartement in NYC

Change your hair color. Change your name. Invest in a new wardrobe. These were only some of the comments Tamsen Fadal endured when she began her career in broadcast journalism.

“When I was younger, a producer said I needed to look more like the girl next door,” she says. “I’m Lebanese with dark hair and dark eyes, and this was a time when the business was very cookie-cutter.”

There was a mold for what female news anchors were “supposed to” look like and at the time, Fadal did not fit the prototype. She struggled with the thought for years, sometimes conforming and uncomfortably adjusting, fearing failure if she did not make those changes for everybody else. Valid concerns, but as the industry and the world changed over the years, Fadal’s confidence grew, as did her level of success. And while she’s not exactly the “girl next door,” she is now the anchor of PIX11 News and an eight-time Emmy award-winner. For young women looking to enter the field, Fadal stresses the importance of staying true to who you are.

“I didn’t do that for a very long time and I regret it,” she says. “I probably spent ten years trying to be somebody else.”

Before that, though, Fadal was driven by a passion for storytelling beginning at a young age. She knew who and what she wanted to be. “When I was a little kid, I would sit my parents down in the garage and make them listen to my newscast,” she says. “I always loved telling stories.”

Tamsen at the PIX 11 News station

Over time and after studying broadcast journalism in college, Fadal realized that storytelling was the way she could give voice to the voiceless. And in 2002, working out of a local Philadelphia CBS affiliate, Fadal crossed the Atlantic to embed with Air Force troops in Afghanistan during the height of Operation Enduring Freedom. What marked only two weeks in her career turned out to be the most influential in dictating what types of stories she wanted to share with the world.  The experience left her with a different perspective on just about everything.

“We heard so many stories about how the Taliban had taken over [Kandahar] and was operating in the shadows, so we had a military escort with us the whole time,” says Fadal. “It was really a life-altering experience for me because I had never seen anything like that. I had obviously never seen war.”

Though her time in the Middle East was brief, Fadal points to the experiences that left a lasting impression on her: watching soldiers meet their newborns over video chat, discussions with women who had left children at home to go serve their country, and most notably, her trips in and around the streets of Kandahar and Kabul.

“I saw up close how the people of [Afghanistan] were living—could see how frightened the women were,” she says. “I wanted to empower those women and give a voice to the women who didn’t feel like they had one. It was just so hard to see: women who were afraid to live.”

Upon her return and a subsequent move to New York, women’s empowerment became a driving force behind her career. She wanted to see women standing up for what they believed in, especially in regards to education and major life decisions.

In the aftermath of an embarrassing and public divorce, Fadal became the same kind of woman she had long championed for. Blogging for the Huffington Post, she emerged from the heartbreak as a post-marriage icon for women struggling with similar and universally female experiences. She would later go on to publish her latest book, The New Single, a manifesto for all women going through a big life change.

“I didn’t intend to write another book, but I found out I had a lot to say,” say says. “I had a voice and I knew a lot of women who were going through the same thing.”

On air, her segment ChangeMakers highlights women in the community who are making a difference. “You don’t have to be famous to make a difference,” says Fadal. “What you need is a passion and the desire to stand up for what you believe in. That’s what I try to do, good or bad.”

One of those passions is advocating for breast cancer awareness. At the forefront of this advocacy is the memory of her mother, who passed away from breast cancer after a six-year battle when Fadal was twenty. It was a time when people did not publicly discuss women’s health care issues, and breast cancer awareness had nowhere near the support it has today.

“I was young and as soon as I realized I had a voice, [breast cancer awareness] became something I was very passionate about.”

Fadal spent years working with various organizations to help women gain access to affordable resources, mammograms, and check-ups. It was a passion with deep personal roots.

“My mother was my best friend and I watched her struggle through a horrifying disease,” she says. “While we wait for a cure, I feel like this is the one way I can make a difference.”

At the heart of journalism is the desire to tell the stories that matter—a desire to make a difference with words. Privileged with a platform and an audience, Fadal uses her public voice everyday to speak up for causes that are meaningful. Whether she is championing women’s rights, traipsing across Afghan deserts or New York concrete, or advocating for breast cancer awareness, one thing is certain: Tamsen Fadal is the definition of a warrior.

Tamsen at her appartement in NYC

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A Life of a Philanthropy and Glamour

Cover: Dress by Oscar de la Renta, Bracelet by Buccilatti Right: Gown and Earrings by Oscar de la Renta,

Glimpsing into Jean Shafiroff’s world, it may seem as though the philanthropist’s life revolves around the glimmer and glamour of society balls. But that’s the trouble with glimpses; they are too fleeting to give you the full story. A wider view would show you that the humanitarian and author devotes herself to causes, not parties. It is simply that the parties drum up others’ excitement for those causes.

Shafiroff is not merely prancing around in breathtaking designer gowns and cocktail dresses. She is setting fundraising goals and achieving them, leading conference calls, making site visits and doing everything necessary to ensure that she makes an impact on New York charities. Hence, the parties—which are fundraisers for the New York City Mission Society, the French Heritage Society and other nonprofits near to Shafiroff’s heart—must go on.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that we’re here for a reason. We’re not meant to just consume,” says Shafiroff in an exclusive interview. “We have to do what we can to improve the lives of future generations. We have to be socially aware and we have to do something to enact change.”

Gown by Oscar de al Renta, Bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels

Shafiroff’s career as a volunteer philanthropist is inspiring, if not a little intimidating. The multi-potentiate serves on several boards. These include the boards of the New York City Mission Society, New York Women’s Foundation, French Heritage Society, The Couture Council, Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, Southampton Animal Shelter Honorary Board and Southampton Bath & Tennis Club Charitable Foundation.

Yet it is not enough to just sit on those boards. One must do so adroitly in order to make a difference. In doing exactly that, Shafiroff has earned notice after notice and accolade after accolade. Her philanthropic efforts have been mentioned by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Gotham Magazine, New York Social Diary, Avenue Magazine, Hamptons Magazine, The Huffington Post and other outlets. Multiple organizations have honored her work, as well. The American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Youth Counseling League, Surgeons of Hope, The Ellen Hermanson Foundation, Pet Philanthropy Circle and Animal Zone International are among them.

It’s impossible to just sit back and not do anything.

Shafiroff’s fundraising prowess and leadership capabilities did not blossom overnight. Prior to becoming a philanthropist, she worked full time and raised a family. But first came her impressive education. Before she became wife to investment advisor Martin Shafiroff, she earned her B.S. in physical therapy from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and worked as a physical therapist. When she realized that was not her life goal, she applied to and was accepted by the Graduate Business School of Columbia University. After earning her M.B.A., Shafiroff worked on Wall Street, which sharpened the financial know-how she gained from business school. She also became the mother to two daughters, Jacqueline and Elizabeth, who share her dedication to charitable causes.
These experiences inform the fundraising and event planning she does today.

Gown by Carolina Herrera, Earrings by Oscar de la Renta, Flowers by Fellan

Causes Near and Dear

As much as she may wish to spread the wealth and joy, Shafiroff is selective about which organizations receive her time and attention. She has chosen to hone in on three causes in order to maximize her impact in particular fields: animal welfare, women’s rights and underserved populations.

“Very often, you’ll see people with extraordinary wealth—say, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett—doing targeted giving in an area where they feel they can make an impact,” says Shafiroff, explaining that she wants to employ the same strategy. Shafiroff has long cared about achieving equality for women and bettering the lives of homeless and low-income people.

“I don’t think women are treated equally around the world,” she says. “Pay parity is an issue that’s very appealing to me. In so many places around the world, women’s rights are being compromised in a big way.” She adds, “We need to have concern for future generations. If we don’t make a big effort in our lifetime to give back, then we’ve really wasted a lifetime.”

It was only later on that Shafiroff, who was recently appointed an ambassador for the American Humane Society, began to truly understand how interconnected humans and other animals are as earthly neighbors. In the United States, pets are particularly popular, though pets are not always treated with the respect they deserve. With this realization came the desire to add animal welfare to her carefully curated list of causes.

“65 percent of all American households have a pet,” says Shafiroff. “In this country, our pets are very important to us, which is why I’m focusing on animals more.” As a self-identified animal activist, she believes pet owner education is essential and wants to put it at the center of her fundraising efforts for adoption organizations. “We need to make low-cost or free spay and neuter programs available to people in underserved communities,” she says. She also opposes puppy mills and at-home breeding. “People end up with ten dogs and no one to buy them, so they end up in shelters. Overpopulation is the root of the problem. If we had an education program [in this and other countries], we’d be much further ahead,” she says.

Speaking of other countries, Shafiroff has been instrumental in mentoring her daughter Elizabeth and her friend Lindsey Spielfogel as they build their nonprofit Global Strays. This brand new 501(c)3 organization has rescued several dogs from developing nations. The dogs are then placed in foster homes until they can be adopted. The organization’s main thrust is to fund rescue groups in developing nations and to educate pet owners about proper animal care. Global Strays currently partners with animal rescue organizations in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic to help expand their spay and neutering programs.

It is worth mentioning that the organization only distributes grants to organizations it has visited. “Going and actually seeing the work that a charity does can really reinforce your passion,” says Shafiroff. “Seeing that the work is making a big difference has reinforced my passion for the work I do.”

Gown by Carolina Herrera

Brain Meets Heart

As emotionally invested as Shafiroff is in her causes, she takes a practical approach to fundraising. A party is never just a party. It is an opportunity to elevate a cause in the minds of New Yorkers and others.

“The primary purpose [of a charity event] is to bring funding to the charity,” says Shafiroff. “Then, bring visibility and then of course people, although yes, the event needs to be fun and exciting.”

One way she makes the events fun and exciting is by wearing larger-than-life gowns. “Fashion and philanthropy can often go hand in hand,” says Shafiroff, who sits on the board of the museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. “When people go to an event, they get dressed up and it raises the level of the occasion. That’s why we dress up for weddings, for instance.”

Though she has amassed quite a number of gowns, cocktail dresses and other enviable attire, she does not plan to keep them forever. “I hope to donate my gown collection to a museum one day,” she says of the garments from both established and up-and-coming designers. “I do love style and fashion and I will wear these interesting pieces for as long as I can.”

Though Shafiroff puts on memorable, often dramatic affairs, getting there is less than glamorous. Planning a successful gala requires true strategy, business acumen and an eye for detail. These are skills that Shafiroff developed while studying at Columbia Business School. She schedules planning meetings—usually conference calls—to discuss and finalize logistics well before the special occasion. Participants will go over an outline point by point, whether that means debating the pros and cons of certain locations or brainstorming about potential donors and corporate sponsorships. In addition to smoothing out these and other details, Shafiroff will try to generate enthusiasm about the associated cause by keeping everyone informed of relevant trends and current events.

Photo by Billy Farrell Agency, Red Gown Victor de Souza, Gloves by Milly

“A charity event has to be run like a business,” she says. This means that Shafiroff stays acutely aware of finances throughout the planning process. She explains that the expenses for a charity event should never exceed one-third of the funds brought in for an event and should really be much less. Thus, the expenses for an event that raises $1 million should not exceed $333, 333.33 (to be precise). Ideally, Shafiroff says event costs would be lower so as to “raise as much money as possible.”

In addition to planning and arranging fundraising events, Shafiroff makes introductions for charities. These introductions put charities in touch with key figures,
such as potential board members and donors, who can also contribute their time, money, and knowledge to non-profit organizations. Shafiroff used her extensive philanthropic expertise to author her first book: Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life by What You Give. The title, which has an introduction written by Georgina Bloomberg and has earned five stars on Amazon, has become something of a bible for those on the charity scene. Shafiroff plans to write another book and continue making television and radio appearances to speak about philanthropy and fashion.

“I enjoy the work,” says Shafiroff. “I wouldn’t want to be playing golf or Bridge. I’m an empty nester. My children are out of college. I find this so rewarding.”

Photo by Patrick McMullan

It’s truly amazing that you have been able to develop so many distinctive products and collections under the Anat Fritz brand.
In terms of designing, I just know exactly what I want and I already see the finished product in front of me, and then I work backward so to speak and ask myself what “does it require?”, until I can finally hold the finished product in my hands. That pretty much describes my design process. Before I moved to New York I had my own fashion brand, as well as a studio for creative consultancy. I just love to create. I am a perfectionist and proportion fanatic and it is really hard to please me aesthetically. Of course, the few designers that I adore will have what I love, but honestly, I like to wear something beautiful with my own name written on the –label – that  is much more satisfying to me.

 Tell us about yourself?
In addition to my fashion and fragrance lines (anatfritz.com), I also oversee all aspects of my art direction, my branding, styling, and design. I direct all my shoots, look books and campaigns myself and do visual consulting and collections for other brands. I also do a significant amount of free-lance work consulting on creative direction and exploring new brand partnerships. Presently, I am in development on a wonderful anti-aging face cream, unlike anything on the market. 

Photography by Willy Somma

How did you get started in perfume?
I am always on the search for that perfect thing. If I cannot find it somewhere, I sit down and make it. I was always looking for the perfect scent to accompany my daily life. Something that leaves a trace of me in the atmosphere. A scent with depth, personality and impact – but on a subtle level. A memorable, but refined scent.. I have very high standards with everything I do.

Sexiness comes from inside whatever your age. 

What is your philosophy on scent?
The only purpose a perfume has is to flatter, expose, enhance one´s personality and make the wearer´s individuality visible. I cannot understand how people can walk in a cloud of these commercial synthetic celebrity scents, that smell the same on every person —and people say “wait, are you wearing Fahrenheit? Or is that Daisy by Marc Jacobs? I recognize it!” Those perfumes function like a blanket that covers your personality.  

What are your influences?
My influences stem clearly from the late ’70s. Just think Annie Hall! The proportions, the shapes, the combinations. I am a big fan of functionality paired with effortless chic.  I like classy, timeless things in every category. Feminine but not overly vampy, still a bit held back so that there always remains a part that needs to be discovered. Over the years I have built “the perfect wardrobe.” Once it makes it into the archives, it will blend and mix with every other piece I have. I can just grab anything and it will be a perfect match all together. I rarely spend more than five minutes in front of my closet. I love to be inspiring eye candy to people I meet and I value when others make an effort with the same. Isn´t it so much nicer to study a woman sitting across from you in a cafe and finding inspiration in her outward appearance and to possibly get a glimpse of her personality and maybe character?  

Sounds like you would make an excellent stylist.
For the right client, I would. As long as I am I given the creative freedom I require.

Final thoughts?
I like to create beautiful things and inspire people. If it comes to an idea or vision of a naked woman on a horse, I like to be that woman. Sexiness comes from inside whatever your age. I do yoga and exercise and I’m a proponent of healthy food. The ultimate for me is raw, unprocessed food. In fact, I also have a book out with raw food recipes that has been translated into a few languages. I get great satisfaction in helping other women rediscover their feminine power and joy of life.

anatfritz.com 

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Dale Noelle

CEO of TRUE Model Management

By Carlos Lacayo | Photos by Chris Carroll

Styling by Rachel D’Ruan | Produced by Carlos Lacayo

Dale Noelle is the Founder and CEO of TRUE Model Management. For twenty years, she was a successful model, working with some of the most prominent fashion houses and popular brands like Oscar de la Renta, Oleg Cassini, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger and Nicole Miller. Over the years, Dale cultivated a robust network among the fashion elite and was regularly asked for referrals and advice.

Shortly after becoming pregnant, Dale was diagnosed with cancer and her modeling career came to an abrupt halt. Despite her diagnosis and the anticipated challenges, she refused to let those sudden changes and obstacles define her future. She was confident in her skills and connections and immediately made the move from model to model manager. This was the beginning of TRUE Model Management.   

Headquartered in New York City with affiliates in Los Angeles and Hong Kong, TRUE continues to grow exponentially and actively recruits new models every day, worldwide. TRUE is known for providing models for some of the most in influential names in the industry such as Calvin Klein, DKNY, GAP, Ralph Lauren, Milly, Zac Posen, Alexander Wang, Vera Wang, Tommy Hilfiger and Victoria’s Secret. Dale’s passions for networking, modeling, philanthropy and empowering others continue to remain at the core of TRUE.

From becoming a successful female entrepreneur to giving back and empowering others, Dale Noelle tells 25A Magazine how she manages to overcome obstacles and balance all of her endeavors

and time.

Starting a business can be quite overwhelming and intimidating, let alone during pregnancy and amidst a diagnosis of cancer. Did you have a mentor, to help you through this process?

I did not have a mentor to guide me specifically for TRUE Model Management, but however, my grandmother and my father were my life’s mentors. From a very early age, they instilled a strong work ethic in me and always focused on the importance of supporting others. These lessons, combined with first-hand practical experience as a previous business owner and model, set me up to be successful in pursuing my dreams.

Can you speak about your experience as a female business owner? What would you say is the greatest challenge?

My experiences as a female business person in the modeling industry have all been very positive. However, when I worked and owned businesses in other industries, I needed to work extra hard to prove myself, earn respect for being smart and get men to look me in the eyes.

TRUE was inspired by your passion for modeling and for networking and connecting with others. What advice do you have for someone interested in turning his/her passion into a business?

My advice for others is to follow your heart, do your homework before starting your business and write a detailed plan. It is important to align yourself with honest business associates and intelligent, loyal employees. Knowledge of business laws, at least the basics in accounting and computer programming/coding are helpful to know. To be successful as a businessperson you need to be aggressive and bold, while being kind and compassionate. Take calculated risks, be optimistic, resilient and persistent. Lastly, I’d recommend saving money and resting up for the ride!

What causes do you support and how does this compassion lend itself to your professional work?

I strongly believe in giving back to communities and empowering others to further enrich the world. Philanthropy has always been very important to me personally and professionally, which is why I try to stay actively involved in many causes close to my heart. For the events that I host, I like to incorporate a donation and/or charity component. As a cancer survivor, I fully realize the importance of funding foundations and charities and the impact these philanthropic organizations have on the lives of others.

Currently, I’m on the boards of the Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation (FEHSF), TedX Fulton Street, DRAM Conferences and the Women and Fashion FilmFest. I regularly organize and participate in charity events and am on benefit committees for organizations such as: Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington’s Cancer Research, The Center For Discovery, K.I.D.S/Fashion Delivers, Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, Women Helping Women, to name a few.

Causes close to my heart include the following: Cancer, Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy and Alzheimer’s Research, Empowering Women, Education, eradicating Human Trafficking, Homeland Security, Manufacturing in America, Assisting the impoverished and more.

What makes you feel most empowered and how do you hope to empower others?

I feel the most empowered and energized when I’m helping others to attain their dreams and improve their lives. I believe in the power of positivity and by helping to better the lives of others you are bettering your own, as well as the world. TRUE Model Management is an extension of my commitment to help others make their dreams a reality. At TRUE, we help our models to realize and pursue their dreams related to the industry and otherwise. I regularly participate and partner with organizations that share my desire to empower others, especially women. Some of the organizations include, Women’s Entrepreneur Day, the Women and Fashion Film Fest, Women Helping Women, INC.’s Women’s Summit and Women’s Leadership Live.

truemodel.net

Cindy Guyer

Restauranteur & Romance Queen

By Bennett Marcus

Cindy (left): Purple and Gold Dress and Corset: Maggie Norris (@maggienorris_couture)

Dale (right): Blue Dress: Carmen Marc Valvo (IG @carmenmarcvalvo), Shoes: Ruthie Davis (IG @ruthie_davis)​

Photographed by Chris Carroll Photo www.chriscarroll.photo

If Cindy Guyer looks familiar when you walk into her Upper West Side restaurant/wine bar, Guyer’s, it’s because she has appeared on the covers of over 400 romance novels. A model and actress, she has appeared in numerous national commercials for products like Prell shampoo, plus movies and television shows, in addition to being the queen of romance novel covers. Guyer is sort of the female Fabio, with whom she has shared many book covers.

When we spoke to her on a recent Friday afternoon, Guyer was about to head to the restaurant, where she wears many hats. “I do everything,” she says. “I’m very hands-on.” One night she’ll tend bar, another night she’ll do the cooking. “I’m little overworked, but that’s OK,” she laughs. “Right now, I’m on my way over there, my cook will get there around 3 o’clock, and I’ll start to bartend, and at 7 o’clock I’ll turn the bar over to my bartender and then just be the hostess.”

But it turns out that wearing many hats has been the hallmark of this entrepreneur’s varied career, starting at age 15, when the legendary modeling agency founder Wilhelmina scouted her at a Connecticut restaurant where Guyer was lunching with her parents. At 16, Guyer was signed by Eileen Ford, and became the face for the young-adult Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys novels. The agency that cast the books threw a corset on Guyer one day and put her on a romance novel as a “little Lolita,” and she graduated from kid lit to romance novels. “I guess I did such a good job, they just kept using me.” She continued her education, and also studied acting, worked on soap operas, and, she says, just got very lucky early on, and through hard work, wound up having a twenty-year career doing book covers. She still does book shoots. “I did one last month,” Guyer says.
She takes care of herself, and realizes that she is very lucky to still look good. Yes, she says, the niche she fell into as romance novel cover-girl is a lot of fun, and she loves the people in the industry. “We have these big romance conventions, and I’m friends with a lot of the authors,” Guyer says. She recently went to a convention in Las Vegas for the magazine The Romantic Times, run by her friend, Kathryn Falk. “I call her my godmother. She’s so good to me. Both of my parents passed away, so her and her husband have always known my family, and they always look after me. She’s just great.”

Guyer produced and hosted the series Mr. Romance, a breakout show for Oprah’s Oxygen Network, which featured Fabio and Kiss rocker Gene Simmons. She also wrote the concept and starred in the Lifetime series The Perfect Nanny.

So how did Guyer end up in the restaurant business? “I think actors are natural-born entertainers,” she says. “We love people, we like to entertain. We sit around on movie sets waiting, so we’re used to just hanging out with other people, so I think certain actors are just good at hosting. They know how to handle people. I understand people. I love it.”

The food she describes as French-American, “but it’s actually very continental, because I do have my grandmother’s fabulous meatballs on the menu.” Weekend brunch skews southern, with grits and homemade biscuits. She loves the kale salad, which she created. “It keeps me skinny, I call it the model salad.” All of the salads are healthy, she says, and there are fabulous flatbread French pizzas, which are also “not that fattening.” There are daily fish and pasta specials. “It’s very homemade food; homemade, gourmet, fun food.”

With restaurants, there’s always a lot of drama…

She hopes Guyer’s will become a neighborhood staple; she has a ten-year lease, and just added weekend brunch and outdoor seating. She hopes to paper the powder room with her book covers. She had previously run a wine bar in the same space, with several partners, a situation she found less than ideal. “This time, I decided I would be the only partner,” she says. “I have no investors, and I’m doing this all on my own.” Partners, Guyer has decided, are only for dancing and for loving. “When it comes to money and different ideas on how to run a company, it gets tricky.” She admits that by doing it on her own, she is overworked, but feels that the rewards will be worth it.

Even with working 7-day weeks, Guyer is still planning new projects; along with Romantic Times editor Falk, she’s cooking up a series of novels set at the restaurant. “With restaurants, there’s always a lot of drama, especially with the staff. And if you’ve ever watched the Bravo show with Lisa Vanderpump, there’s always drama when you’ve got a bunch of kids around. Instead of having a reality television show, we’re going to have books.”

guyersnyc.com