freebird is the debut poetry collection by emerging poet, Laura Muensterer. The book features one hundred original poems that elegantly express a multi-faceted interpretation of the human condition and feed the soul with validation. Laura’s depth of perspective reflected in her poems far outweighs her 22 years on earth. freebird dances through topics from relationships, the passing of time, self-love, self-judgment, the image myth, trust, betrayal, liberation, and ultimately freedom. The poetry book culminates with the poem titled freebird. The “freebird” is one who sees through the human illusion and casts off the delusions of ego, societal expectation, and self-criticism, to finally be able to fly. Laura was born in Munich, Germany and raised in Dallas, Texas by her German father, and midwestern, Oklahoma-bred mother. She now resides in San Diego, CA. She began writing poetry in elementary school with the hope of giving a voice to a full range of human emotions. “When I write, I try to interpret what I believe many people around the world are experiencing but may not have the words to express.” Through poetry and illustration, Laura explores various aspects of the human experience while shedding light on the many ways our past shapes our present and future self. Your poems reflect such amazing insight and you’re only 22 years old. Where do the ideas come from? Laura Muensterer: I began writing poetry as far back as grade school and middle school started, when I would practice writing poems in English class. It is something that has been inside me for as long as I can remember. I think being born in Munich, Germany to a German dad and a mom from America, as well as moving around a bit growing up set the stage for my sense of wanderlust, in terms of wanting to know about the world, the human experience, and why we experience the things we do. Writing poetry has always been my way of exploring and expressing all facets of the human condition and all ranges of emotion, including my own. What other poets have inspired you and your work? LM: I have been following Rupi Kaur’s work for years and I gain great inspiration from her poetry. Her work certainly informs and inspires me, but in terms of my poetry, I have my own individual style and voice. How would you describe the collection of one hundred poems in your new book, freebird? LM: Although the poems in my book cover a wide range of topics, from love and relationships to self-doubt, confidence, growth, betrayal, forgiveness, and freedom, the overarching theme throughout all of my poetry is that it is rooted in humanity; the simplicity and complexity of feeling like both child and adult throughout our lives here on earth. I try to interpret all of the phases of life we go through, and I also try to include things that could be relatable to most everyone. When I write, I try to interpret what I believe many people around the world are experiencing, but may not have the words to express. freebird is available on Amazon. For more on Laura, visit lauramuensterer.com Words by Allison Kugel

There is no question about it, Brooke Lyons knows how to make the best out of whatever comes her way. Actually, it’s the 39-year-old’s fighting spirit that brought her where she is today in Hollywood. You might recognize her from Two Broke Girls, Life Sentence, The Affair or most recently, Magnum P.I. She has been in the entertainment industry since 2004, and has mostly focused on television throughout her career. Currently, Brooke is filming the NBC drama, Lincoln, scheduled for release in 2020, and her previous project, Paradise City, is in post-production. Brooke is busy -- after all, there is no shortage of shows being created. “We’re in the Golden Age of TV,” says Brooke. Early on, Brooke didn’t know that her passion for the arts and storytelling would lead her to acting. “Growing up in Connecticut, I’m not even sure being an actress or being an artist was possible,” says Brooke. “It was probably because I didn’t know a grown-up making a living from the arts.” It was not until after college that she thought, Maybe I can do this as a job. “I have always been infatuated with storytelling. As a child, I liked to watch and rewatch movies.” She liked how movies, through storytelling, could transport her to another time, another realm. “I started ballet at a very young age --even those stories called to me, like The Nutcracker.” Brooke wanted to be a dancer, and studied ballet at the Joffrey Ballet School, The New England Ballet School, and Boston Ballet. However, when she was diagnosed with scoliosis, she was forced to reconsider her aspirations of becoming a professional ballerina. “At the time, it was a huge disappointment,” she shares. “It was really what I wanted to do.” No teen ever anticipates having to deal with a setback like this, however, Brooke, then 14 years old, made the most of it and discovered that the best medicine sometimes is laughter. “It’s the peak of when my sense of humor developed —out of pure necessity,” she chuckles. “I’m diagnosed with scoliosis, I had a back brace and when you are in the 9th grade, and the boy you like is sitting next to you in math class, and you drop a pencil, but you physically can’t pick it up because you are wearing a back brace straight out of Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion; it’s funny. There is no way to be cool or suave, you just have to laugh,” she says with a laugh. “Those experiences shape you. It’s part of what makes me who I am, and I’m grateful for that.” After high school, Brooke enrolled at Yale, where she studied English literature. There, she fell in love with the power of theater and television and learned the anatomy of storytelling. “It gave me the whole foundation for what I do,” says Brooke. While Brooke was a sophomore at Yale, she had to have surgery to correct her spine. “I couldn’t do anything, but I missed performing. Post-surgery, I was crawling out of my skin with creative energy and I didn’t know what to do with it, so I decided to audition for a play. I got it and I fell madly in love.” It was after this play that she thought, Maybe I could make a living out of this. “I bought a one-way ticket to L.A. [California] --where I had never been,” she laughs. “I showed up after graduation. Honestly, it was terrifying. I didn’t know anyone; I didn’t know anything. You look back at your life, and if I would have known then, what I know now, I would have never done it. There is something nice about being naïve enough just to take that leap, take that chance.” Although it was hard in the beginning, Brooke stuck with it, and stayed in Los Angeles, and now has a thriving acting career to show for it. “I stayed. A lot of people leave. Some may call that perseverance or resilience, I think I’m just incredibly stubborn.” Currently, Brooke is playing Abby Miller on Magnum P.I. Abby is Magnum’s girlfriend and a criminal defense attorney. “It’s fun, because when you meet a character in television, you get one episode at a time, so you only have that one episode to piece together this idea of her. At the time, I did a little research into criminal defense attorneys, and I used a lot of my imagination to know what elements of her personality bring her to life. If the script says she is outdoorsy and down-to-earth, I’m thinking, Let’s trace it back. What was her childhood like? What drives her to be one way versus the other?” she explains. In Showtime’s The Affair, she plays Eden Ellery. “What I love about these characters in The Affair is that these are complex women who are written to be smart, independent, and morally ambiguous. They are not just there to prop up the man. Eden, she is my favorite of all time. I really relished the opportunity to embody Eden through different character’s perspectives —the lead characters, they see Eden through different lenses.” Brooke explains that the show is done through two different perspectives, and because of this, she found herself adapting her performance each time, so it could be channeled through different people’s eyes. “That has been so much fun,” says Brooke. “In life, too, we say, ‘I have an identity.’ We think of us being a certain way, but often we don’t consider that every person perceives us differently.” Over the last fifteen years, Brooke has taken on many different roles and has learned so much from playing all these characters. There is one thing that she wishes she knew when she first started out in Hollywood: to be herself. “There is only one you —do you and do it well. That took me a long time to come to. I think in Hollywood, as in life, it’s uncomfortable to try to fit in a box. If you give yourself permission to be authentically you, everything becomes clear.” Follow Brooke on Instagram: @BrookieLyons and Twitter: @BrookeLyons. Words by Claudia Paredes | Photo Credit: Hudson Taylor

You may have heard of the term “wardrobing” -- the act of buying an outfit, wearing it out, and then returning it. We know people do it. It’s a rising trend, and most fashion brands struggle with how to handle it, except for DIESEL. The new campaign, “Enjoy Before Returning,” for their Autumn-Winter 2019 collection is a playful, nonconformist stance on this controversial topic. Rather than condemning wardrobing, DIESEL embraces it. Click below to launch slideshow > Images by Angelo Pennetta | Production by Art Partner | Stylist Julia Sarr-Jamois

The Miami Design District hosted the Fourth Annual Fashion Strikes Cancer benefit at the Moore Building in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event was founded and hosted by fashion visionary, stylist and breast cancer survivor Angeles Almuna to commemorate her battle with cancer and give hope to those who are experiencing, have suffered or lost a loved one to cancer. This year’s memorable event honored Breast Cancer Research Foundation Co-Chair and breast cancer survivor Kinga Lampert. Guests enjoyed a variety of event elements, including a photography exhibition curated by Angeles called Selfless, showcasing 36 women who inspired her during her most challenging times throughout her journey projected onto two flower-shaped installations at the center of the venue. Moreover, Istituto Marangoni Miami donated a spectacular dress inspired by Roberto Capucci’s couture vintage Butterfly Dress that was on display for guests to admire. The dress was inspired by femininity, class, elegance and the metaphor of the butterfly --a creature that gracefully transforms into a new body. The night gave way to touching speeches by host Angeles Almuna and honoree Kinga Lampert, which were followed by a stellar performance by Venezuelan singer and songwriter Manu Manzo. Angeles Almuna & Kinga Lampert Aileen Garcia & Meg Semeniuk Jhon Santos & Valeria Krasavina Anna Williams, Sandra Santiago, & Stephanie Theis Fajardo Lovaton Zislis & Ana Alfonzo Brian Stone, Piaget Abbasi, & Perci Pietro Jana Rose Carrero, Eliam Coro, Suneal Nandigam, & Ashley Brozic Mary Jane Claverol, Angeles Almuna, Natalia Giannangeli, & Noelia Madiedo Photo Credit: World Red Eye

You’re craving a perfectly-prepared steak and mouth-watering seafood in a beautiful setting —where do you go? If you’re smart, you head over to Wolfgang’s Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener. The former Peter Luger head waiter took his four decades of experience at the famous Brooklyn steakhouse and created a chain of restaurants (there are 19 locations worldwide, from Manhattan to Beverly Hills and Hong Kong to Tokyo) that is next level in every way. Fortunately, there is a Wolfgang’s Steakhouse right here in South Florida that boasts gorgeous views of the Miami River and Downtown Miami from every seat in the house. The restaurant exudes that old-school, upscale steakhouse vibe with its classic decor, white linen tablecloths, and finely dressed waiters. Once we are seated in their spacious dining room, we peruse the menu. The dinner menu (they serve lunch too) is divided into sections: Appetizers, Soups & Salads, Steak & Chops, Seafood, and Sides. With so many appealing appetizers to choose from —hello, Seafood Platter, Stone Crabs (seasonal), Wolfgang’s Crab Cake—, we finally agree on the fresh oysters on the half shell and lobster cocktail to start. You can never go wrong with seafood, right? A platter housing half a dozen oysters and a whole lobster split down the middle, served with cocktail sauce, are delivered to our table. The lobster is juicy, and the oysters are plump and briny. The seafood is delicious, fresh, and certainly sets the bar for what we can expect. Click below to launch slideshow > Wolfgang’s is widely known for their 100% USDA Prime meats and perfectly prepared dry-aged steaks, aged in their own aging box on the premise for an average of 28 days. The Steak & Chops section features a porterhouse for two, rib-eye steak, lamb chops.... We order a filet mignon each, along with shareable sides: lobster mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and creamed spinach. I cut into my filet to find a perfect medium-rare center. I savor my first bite as it melts in my mouth. Tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor, this steak is among the best I’ve ever had. Bravo, Wolfgang’s! I am a discerning food critic and find it so disappointing when a steakhouse falls short on their side dishes, it ruins my dining experience. Thankfully, Wolfgang’s chefs know what they’re doing and their sides are incredible —from their creamy spinach to their velvety mashed potatoes. Definitely order the lobster mac and cheese, it’s rich with cheese and boasts the ideal amount of lobster. Next time, I intend to try their fried onion rings and sautéed mushrooms —our neighboring table ordered these sides and they looked appetizing. Once our plates are cleared and our tablecloth is cleaned, the dessert menu is presented to us. Though we are delightfully full from our decadent meal, there’s always room for something sweet. And this dessert menu is particularly hard to turn away — key lime pie, cheesecake, tiramisu, chocolate mousse cake… All desserts are available with homemade schlag (whipped cream). We agree on the apple strudel. A good-sized piece of apple strudel, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with a side of schlag the size of our dessert, is set down before us. We forget that we’re full and dive in. Served warm and piled high with spiced apples, this dessert is the perfect ending to our exceptional dining experience at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse. Click below to launch slideshow > Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is located at 315 S. Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33131. For more information, visit wolfganvgssteakhouse.net or call 305-487-7130. Words by Vanessa Pascale. Images by Wolfgang Steak House

Bathrobes are one of those items that everyone should have, but not many people think about buying for themselves. They’re often associated with posh hotels and luxury spas, but the Bamboo Bathrobe from Cariloha is right at home in your own bathroom. In fact, it brings that pampered spa feeling to every morning. The Bamboo Bathrobe uses a dual layer construction, with a different material on the inside and outside. It’s a seamless combination, and the color matching and construction make this just two sides of a single fabric. This little trick helps Cariloha’s robe be impossibly soft on the outside while still moisture absorbing on the inside. The exterior is a micro-polyester blend and begs to be touched—you’ll catch yourself running your hand along the sleeves just for the sensation. It’s more often found on blankets or pillows, but is right at home in this robe. The interior, meanwhile, is made of a bamboo viscose material—a Cariloha trademark. It’s slightly less soft than the impossibly soft exterior, but it's still a big jump above the typical terry cloth towel or robe that you’re used to. What it sacrifices in a little bit of softness, it gains in spades from its water absorbing properties. This is the material that has to do all the work, after all! It manages to soak up the water from your body without getting flat or soggy. Cariloha insists that the bamboo interior material “is naturally moisture wicking and features odor, allergy-resistant properties.” This is hugely important with robes, which are key culprits in the hunt for that smell in your bathroom and towels. This is no silk robe, it’s meant to be thrown on after the shower or bath to keep you warm and dry. If you’re experience is anything like mine, you’ll find yourself delaying getting dressed until the last possible moment—I now drink my morning coffee strictly in my robe! The thick belt keeps the robe where it’s supposed to be with a single twist, and the large front pockets are perfect for your cell phone—don’t pretend like you don’t check your phone after you get out of the shower! When you finally succumb to your adult responsibilities and put on some pants, a thick loop at the neck makes it easy to hang up your morning gown. The Bamboo Bathrobe is unisex and comes in white or a dark gray graphite, two pretty classic colors that should complement most bathroom decors. I’m 5’10”, 170lbs and the S/M unisex size fits well without any extra space. The sleeves hang high on the wrist, which is kind of nice after you get out of the shower and are brushing your teeth, splashing your hands in the sink, or making your coffee. The sleeves stay out of your way and don’t require any rolling. However, if you’re any taller, I’d recommend switching to the larger size. It’s a tough world out there, and we all deserve a little luxury in the morning. Wrap yourself in an impossibly soft, full-body hug to start off each and every day with Cariloha’s Bamboo Bathrobe. For more information, visit: www.cariloha.com Story by Thomas Bender

The Shade Store sponsored this Meet and Greet event with Jonathan Adler, who has a long-lasting partnership with the brand. Jonathan recently launched an expanded collection with The Shade Store featuring bold and playful fabrics for drapery, roman shades and cornices. The Shade Store’s showroom is in the Miami Design District at 135 NE 40th Street. Natalia Dedic & Romana Messore Kara Marion & Lorenzo Forteleoni Angelique Salcedo & Rita Green Marina Vaskina, Oscar Lopez, & Sandra Madjdi Angeles Almuna, Gabriella Smith, & Gabriela Medina Ievgen Artsybashev, Nancy O’Riley, & Stephen Lazorischak First image credit: Vienna Bandur, Kara Marion, Jonathan Adler, Isreal Justiniano, Daniela Grow, Judy Henry, & Lorenzo Forteleoni. Images by WorldRedEye

The name says it all, this bag is what you need if you’re taking a break from work and going on a weekend adventure. The Weekender Duffel is extremely easy to manage, just toss it over your shoulder and be ready to turn some necks—this bag is stylish. It’s not easy finding a bag that’s bigger than a tote, but just as fashionable, and smaller than a carry-on spinner, but just as spacious. The Weekender is extremely roomy, and with one main compartment, you can really maximize every corner. It’s worth noting that there are two external side pockets that close with magnetic snaps, and one front pocket that can easily be zipped. This is a great place to keep items that you will need to quickly access. The main compartment is rather large, so you don’t want to find yourself fishing for your passport at the gate. There is plenty of space inside for pants, sweaters, a pair or two of shoes, and for those smaller items, it comes with a removable pouch, a wet pack that is completely waterproof, and a toiletry bag—these match the interior lining and the signature leather trims. The whole bag and its accessories have Delsey’s luxury look and feel. You can also fit your laptop and all the other electronics you’ll need to survive the weekend. This is no traditional duffel. Delsey has incorporated everything they are known for and made this a stylish duffel that you are going to be proud to carry around the terminal. And if you’d rather carry it by its leather handles, simply remove the adjustable shoulder strap. From the clean stitching, to the vegan leather trims, it is beautiful. The Chatelet Soft Air collection is an extension of the popular Chatelet Hardside collection. What makes this collection different is the use of fabric with chevron pattern. This fabric is used instead of the hard shell, but while it’s not hard, it’s still water repellant and it holds its shape, regardless of if being empty or not. You can really tell its high quality from top to bottom. One of my favorite features is that the bottom has a hard surface for easy loading. On the inside, the Weekender does not feel any less luxurious than the outside, in fact, I would say it has a deluxe interior. Soft to the touch lining, bottom feet for protection against wear and tear, and top of the line construction, this carry-on friendly is just what you need for your holiday travels. Plus, it fits perfectly in the overhead compartment. For more information, visit: www.delsey.com By Claudia Paredes

Abby Quinn is the breakout actress to watch out for. She has been landing one role after another —from Landline with Jenny Slate and Edie Falco to Better Call Saul and Black Mirror. Currently, the actress can be seen in the film, After The Wedding, alongside Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, and Billy Crudup. This fall and winter, you can watch Abby in the latest adaptation of Little Women (written and directed by Greta Gerwig) as Annie and starring as Mabel Buchman in the revival of ’90s sitcom, Mad About You. “When I was doing press for After The Wedding, that’s when I heard I got the role for Mad About You, so those couple of weeks were really exciting. It’s been a lot of fun so far,” says the busy Michigan native. Abby has shown that she can hold her own while working alongside legendary actresses, including Julianne Moore [After the Wedding] and Meryl Streep [Little Women], and humbly shares her surreal and incredible experience. “It feels pretty crazy! I’ve been watching Julianne Moore, Emma Watson, and Meryl Streep my whole life on screen. They’re really some of my favorite actresses; I admire them. It’s been really incredible and I learned so much,” she says about working with the three. “I don’t think it will ever feel normal to be working with some of my idols.” What inspired you to become an actress? Abby Quinn: My mom raised us to be very bold and not afraid of what people think. I feel like that was instilled in me at an early age. I just did a play like every chance that I could up until I graduated from high school, starting from when I was 6 or 7. It was never a question for me. I think that I was enjoying it so much that I never really wanted to stop. It’s just been a part of who I am for my whole life. You have a lot coming up, which project are you most excited about? AQ: Well, we’re filming Mad About You right now. We’re on week three, so I’m really excited about that. I’ve never done a sitcom before. Pretty much from Monday to Thursday, we’re rehearsing the episode, and then we’re in front of a live audience on Friday. It’s been really exciting because I’ve been so used to shooting movies. This feels a bit more like theater, which I do really like because that’s how I started acting. I’m also really excited to see Little Women. The version that came out in the ’90s is one of my favorite movies of all time. I am so excited to see that and I think the trailer looks amazing. Tell us about your character, Mabel, in Mad About You. AQ: The reboot picks up from when Mabel is 17, and she’s moving into NYU as a freshman. And I think, she and her parents [played by Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser] are this unit. They really depend on each other, even though Mabel is a bit rebellious. She really loves her parents and they’re really close. I think it’s equally hard for her to go off to college as it is for them, even though she won’t admit it. She is a very interesting and cool character to play because she’s opinionated and strong-willed. What can viewers expect from the Mad About You reboot? AQ: I think the heart of it is the same show. It really does center around this marriage and it’s still just as funny. People are still laughing out loud at every take, the live audience. The reaction has been so good. I’m hoping that people get the same feeling in this reboot as they did in the original, which is, I’m going to laugh but I’m also going to feel for this couple and root for them. There’s a lot of humor and heart in the reboot. There is a lot of buzz and anticipation around Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women, tell us about your character. AQ: I play Annie Moffat, and Emma Watson’s character, Meg, is coming to this ball and she’s feeling out of place. She doesn’t have a fancy dress and her family doesn’t usually go to really fancy balls. My character is looking out for her, in a way. She offers to let Meg wear one of her dresses so she can feel like she fits in. It was fun playing someone who is really open and kind, and wants to take Meg under her wing. It was just two scenes, but it was a lot of fun because we were all in corsets and beautiful ball gowns. I think it’s going to look really stunning visually. What was your reaction when you landed your roles in Little Women and Mad About You? AQ: It was a feeling of shock just like every time. The process of auditioning just feels so long. By the time it happens, it’s this mixture of exhaustion and relief and so much excitement. For Little Women, my mom introduced me to the movie and it’s one of her favorites as well. So I just called her and was like screaming. That may have felt the most surreal, just because I feel attached to the story and because the cast is just filled with most of my favorite actors. For Mad About You, I felt so attached to my character that I just knew I was going to be devastated if I didn’t get it —which is something that I try to avoid. But it was pretty impossible for this one. That was a crazy day, hearing that I did get it. It was so exciting for me! How did you prepare for your roles in Little Women and Mad About You? They are completely different roles. AQ: For Little Women, I rewatched the movie, which I’ve seen like, 30 times at this point. I read the script a bunch of times and it’s so beautifully written. For both parts, I worked with my acting coach, Rebecca Kitt. For Mad About You, I’ve been watching the show a lot, and again working with my acting coach. Right now, I think it’s more so me finding the balance in filming a sitcom and also being aware that there are cameras, while also keeping in mind that sitcoms have to be a bit bigger and performative than an indie film, which I’m kind of used to at this point. If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be? AQ: This is probably advice that I will need now and forever: just being okay with being who you are and owning that, instead of feeling like you have to present something and to be someone else in order to get a part or have people like you. After auditioning for a couple of years now and working in the industry, what’s most important and rare is to just stay true to who you are. I would just tell my younger self, be who you are unapologetically and don’t be hurt if people don’t take a liking to you. It’s just most important to like yourself. Follow Abby on Instagram: @abbyquinnya. Don’t miss her in Mad About You on Spectrum Originals beginning November 20th and Little Women in theaters December 25. Words by Gtenesis Pabon | Photo credit: Cat Gwynn | Hair: Kiley Fitzgerald | Makeup: Carly Fisher |Stylist: Chris Horan

David Guetta has become a music impresario, churning out beat banging, genre busting pop songs that have been topping the charts for nearly a decade with mega hits like Titanium featuring Sia; Where Them Girls At featuring Flo Rida and Nicki Minaj; Club Can’t Handle Me featuring Flo Rida; Who’s That Chick featuring Rihanna and I Gotta Feeling featuring The Black Eyed Peas. Guetta is the King of Collabs. His creative input on a song almost assures chart topping status and his fans have dubbed his music, “Guetta-blasters,” an homage to his bold immersion into hip hop culture, and his constant and effortless ability to blend hip hop and pop music with an addictive beat. Born in France to liberal intellectuals who shunned materialism, Guetta says he yearned for a more glamourous life, which he soon discovered in Europe’s underground club scene where he began deejaying as a teenager. He also fell in love with all things American, as he described to me, delving into American books, movies and music, and yearning to conquer the stateside music scene. During our conversation we discussed his seventh, yes seventh, studio album, simply titled, “7.” It’s an eclectic, genre-fluid collection of emotionally charged lyrics and hypnotic melodies. Of course, the album is full of Guetta’s famous collaborations with the likes of Sia, Jason Derulo and Justin Bieber. Interview by Allison Kugel Allison Kugel: Was your creative vision, of merging electronic dance music with urban music, there from the start, or did it evolve into that because of the opportunities that came your way? David Guetta: This may sound crazy, but when I was a kid and I began deejaying, there was no electronic music (laughs). When I was a teenager I was playing funk, and then I went to hip hop and then house music. That’s why for me, it’s kind of natural, because I come from this culture. Then I just moved to a different style, and one day I was able to merge them together. I love music, in general. I like to create emotions with my music, and I like to make people dance. Allison Kugel: You’re the first deejay I’ve seen that has been able to transcend, not just across various musical genres, but you have been able to get to the point where you’re considered a mainstream recording artist in your own right. How did you create this space for yourself that really didn’t exist before? David Guetta: Exactly! That’s what is so interesting to me. The world is a certain way, the music industry is a certain way, and if you want to be part of a certain “family,” you’re told, “This is the way things are done.” To me, you don’t have to follow those rules. I created my own rules. At that time, I was extremely criticized for this. And then everybody did the same. I want to create my own rules, basically. That’s how I have always been doing it, and that’s how I’m doing it now. I just finished my album (7, out September 14th), and it’s very eclectic. Allison Kugel: Yes, it certainly is. Every song on your new album has a completely different sound and emotional tone to it. From your perspective, is there any one theme that ties the album together? David Guetta: This album is called 7. It is my seventh album, but the number seven also represents the end of a cycle; a week is seven days, the creation of the world in the bible is seven days and my birthday is on [November 7th]. That number is kind of magic to me. What I did with this album, we were talking about how I merged different styles in the past and created a new style of pop music. I wanted to go back to my roots and do a full pop album in different styles. I’m going to do a full electronic album that is completely going back to my roots and being completely underground. So basically, instead of compromising, I’m going to create those magic moments with an album that I could play in the festivals, in the clubs, and be able to have played on the radio. It came down to either being very pop or hip hop for the radio or being underground again in the clubs. I wanted this album to be real. There is this one record that I really love, which was released in Europe, that is called Don’t Leave Me Alone. It’s one of my favorite albums. It’s pop, but it’s electronic and forward thinking, and it doesn’t sound like anything else out there. I also have Latin records and a huge record with Jason Derulo and Nicki Minaj. Allison Kugel: Is there a difference for you, when it comes to collaborating with male artists versus female artists? Do you take a different approach? David Guetta: Not really. Sometimes I will write with a male artist and we will have a female artist sing it. This happens a lot; or even the other way around. If you want to go higher in the notes, of course you would do that with a female artist. Also, you’re not going to necessarily tell the same story in the music with a male artist versus female, even though things are changing, and I love this (laughs)! I think that things are a little bit less stereotyped right now. Allison Kugel: Tell me about this special creative synergy that you and Sia share? David Guetta: It’s incredible, because first, we have a lengthy history together. Sia, when we started to work together, was not the big artist she is now. We created [the song] Titanium (from Guetta’s 2011 5th studio album, Nothing but the Beat) together, which was, for both of us, a life changing record. Sia deserves every success she has. She is my favorite artist. She can sing, she can write like no one else, and any time I need her she is always there for me. We have kept working together, and I love the combination. I think what is interesting in music is to combine opposite feelings together into one song. For example, if you play happy chords and have a happy melody, and you use bright sounds, it sounds kind of cheesy. And if it’s too dark, it’s like, “Oh My God. I want to shoot myself.” You know (laughs)? What is interesting to me is to have a dark instrumental with a happy melody, or the other way around. I’m a happy person, so I like to make emotional records that put you in a good mood. Like, I produced I Gotta Feeling (the 2009 hit single from The Black Eyed Peas’ 5th studio album, The E.N.D.). Those are the kinds of records I make. And Sia, she is a moody, melancholy, survival kind of artist. The combination between the two is the magic. That is why me and Sia work so well together. Allison Kugel: You like the contrast of blending dark and light feelings into your musical collaborations. David Guetta: Exactly, and it’s just like that with movies I like to watch. If you see an action movie, and all they’re doing is shoot, shoot, shoot; bang, bang, bang, it’s stupid and boring. If you have an action movie, but there is also a love story in there, it works better. With music, it is the same. When you study music theory and different types of melody and core percussion, they teach you that people want to have seventy-five percent of an experience of hearing something that is familiar to them, and twenty-five percent maximum of feeling excited by hearing something new. This is really a precise number. It’s interesting, when you listen to a certain core percussion you need the last chord to feel good, and it’s the same when you go back to the first chord. In between the first and the last chords, you can afford to be more experimental. But if you were to add one chord after the other in a sequence that no one ever heard before, it’s very rare that it would work. People need a little bit of excitement and they need their familiarity. Allison Kugel: What spiritual philosophy do you subscribe to? And how does it impact your work? David Guetta: I’m a very happy person, and I’m trying to share this with the world. I’m trying to share my passion for music with the world, and I’m trying to bring people together. I think there are two things that bring people together, and that is sports and music. At a Football match you may have the president of the country, and you have working people; people from all walks of life. That is what I am trying to do with music. That’s what has been my mission my entire life. I’m coming from an underground scene, but I always wanted my music to cross over, because I’m not a guy who’s trying to keep it for myself. I like sharing. When I was trying to bring urban music and electronic music together, people’s feeling was that if you’re black you’re going to be into urban music, and if you’re white you’re going to be into electronic music. But why? To me, we are all the same, so we can also create music that speaks to everyone. Allison Kugel: I read that your father was a Sociologist. Did his studies and his work have any impact on your life philosophy, or anything about how you choose to live your life? David Guetta: It’s funny, because my parents were very, very left. And because it was the 1960s, they were hippies. Of course, being a hippy at that time was very common. I was raised like this. So, for me, being rebellious was saying, “I want to be an entrepreneur and I want to make money. I don’t want to be like you guys.” (Laughs) I was also super pro-America, and I was only watching American movies and listening to American music. Allison Kugel: What about things like picking up your father’s philosophies on any social causes, or on human behavior; things like that? David Guetta: You know, I really hadn’t thought about it. Now that you mention it, I would say a lot of the advice I was given stuck with me. Things like believing and treating everyone as equal, and just a certain way of navigating the world, without me even realizing it. Allison Kugel: What is the difference, culturally, between how your music is received in Europe versus in the states? David Guetta: It’s extremely different. There was this magic moment in my career where I brought people together and opened doors for this kind of music in the U.S., with songs like I Gotta Feeling (with the Black Eyed Peas), Club Can’t Handle Me (with Flo Rida) and music like that. It was a special moment of pop music that transcended genre, around 2009, 2010 and 2011. Now, in the U.S., it’s mainly hip hop. Among the biggest deejays in Europe, I am probably the one that is in the middle, culture-wise. The bigger deejays in Europe could probably not be as successful in the U.S. Hip hop has absorbed every culture there was, in the United States. Hip hop stars are the new rock stars in the U.S. They act like it and they dress like it. They don’t use the old hip hop codes; they use the rock n’ roll codes. I think that kids who would have in the past been into rock or alternative music, those same kids today are into hip hop. They relate to that rebellious, provocative culture. I think it’s very interesting how they absorbed this. In Europe, if you want to be cool and different, you would likely be into underground dance music. Photo Credits: Joseph Abound (album cover), Guerin Blask, Ellen von Unwerth David Guetta’s seventh studio album, 7, is out September 14th. Pre-order at iTunes and at https://davidguetta.lnk.to/Album7?ref=https%3A//t.co/B2tsQPCnog. Follow on Twitter @davidguetta. Allison Kugel is a syndicated entertainment columnist and author of the book, Journaling Fame: a memoir of a life unhinged and on the record. Follow her on Instagram @theallisonkugel and at AllisonKugel.com.

CHANEL celebrated the opening of the Fragrance and Beauté Boutique at Brickell City Centre. The event included mini makeup applications by CHANEL Celebrity Makeup Artist Tyron Machhausen, who offered expert tips and tricks with CHANEL’s latest Ultrawear Intense Matte Liquid Lip Colour: CHANEL Rouge Allure Ink Fusion. Mauricio Rodriguez & Emily LaRoche Edgar Prieto & Florian Jouin Kelly Saks & Gal Kol Bianca Gabay, Carolina Lindo, Sofia Morgan Mariela Bagnato & Marcela Alma Carolina Lindo, Tyron Machhausen, Angeles Almuna Images courtesy of Chanel.

Italian-born chef Stefano di Silvestre cooks with inspiration from his authentic Italian upbringing. His impressive career spans 15 prolific years where he honed his culinary expertise through various international posts at some of the world’s most revered restaurants. Lucky for us, his passion for both travel and cooking recently brought him to the United States. In 2018, he moved to Las Vegas, where he currently resides, to open the 200-seat Cipriani restaurant at the five-star Wynn Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. The restaurant currently serves up to 600 diners per day, and Chef di Silvestre manages and mentors a team of 42 kitchen staff. Click below to launch slideshow > We sat down with Chef to learn more about his impressive career and promising trajectory: How did you get your start in the kitchen? My passion for cooking began as a child, when I spent my days with my mother and grandmother preparing food and baking cakes. When I was 14, I started [studying at] the Filippo de Cecco culinary school in Pescara, Italy and started working at the same time. I began in a local restaurant and then slowly started moving and making my way up between all-inclusive, 5-star hotels, and Relais & Chateaux to become an executive chef for a worldwide company. What inspires you and where do your ideas in the kitchen come from? My preparation of dishes is ver y influenced by my origins. The region where I was born is very rich in natural products where agriculture follows seasonality and the livestock are still bred heritage-style. I am always striving to infuse my culinary memories into dishes to reproduce those smells and tastes I experienced as a child. I also count great international chefs like Massimo Bottura, Heinz Beck, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten as significant influences. How did you land in a restaurant in Las Vegas? I was looking for a new challenge and the company I work for happened to be searching for someone who would be able to take charge of this very significant project located in a city where gastronomy is very important, and the competition is fierce. Thankfully, my past training, work experiences, and abilities helped shape me into the ideal candidate. Tell us about some of your favorite dishes and why. My favorite dish is pasta. It is the dish that best represents my nation, along with pizza, of course. In a pasta dish, you can express your creativity with unique presentations that attract the customer at the mere sight of it. The combinations are endless, and the explosion of flavor is boundless. It is the dish that unifies people most. It doesn’t matter if they are royals or plebeian…no matter who you are, you can always enjoy a good dish of pasta. Anything else you would like us to feature that we have not asked you yet? My choice to become a chef comes from the desire to combine two great passions: cooking and traveling. I’m lucky enough to have known many places, and to have lived them. The great fortune of understanding and immersing in each unique culture has enriched my own cultural and professional background. I am so grateful to every place I have been and look forward to the places I will still go. The kitchen and this profession can sometimes be very hard. There have been many tough moments — from working in extremely hot, cold, or humid environments, to always playing with fire, to endless hours of work, and always wanting to do better — but the goal is always to offer an unforgettable dining experience to anyone who gives me the opportunity to serve him or her. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Stefano Di Silvestre