Chika Tillman: From Wall Street Banker to Pastry Chef

“I really loved the job as a banker, but the first thing I checked every morning in the newspaper is not the stock market section but the restaurant section,” said Chika Tillman, founder and head pastry chef of ChikaLicious Dessert Bar.

In the late 90s, when Tillman was working amid the hustle and bustle of Wall Street, in a suit and heels, she would attend the evening classes at French Culinary Institute after work. Having helped out in the kitchen at home at an age as early as six years old, Tillman has had a passion for European cuisine since she was a baby, regardless of the fact that she grew up in a traditional Japanese family in Tokyo.

Not long later, she started to set foot in the fine-dining industry in New York. From joining the Gramercy Tavern in 1994 to working at the Ritz Carlton, Tillman was finally living the life where she could talk about food as much as she wanted – the dream she kept holding onto when she quit her job as a banker.

From the fine-dining experience, not only did Tillman learn more about cooking with a professional team, but also, she noticed something else. “For most fine-dining places, you already spend $300 before the dessert course,” Tillman said. “So why not having a pizza or ramen and going to a different place for dessert?”

In 2003, with a vision of providing a four-star yet affordable dessert experience, Tillman opened ChikaLicious Dessert Bar with her husband, Don Tillman, in East Village. With no waiters, this 20-seat eatery that is built around an open kitchen enables Tillman to work right in front of the guests and to serve them directly. Influenced by her fine-dining experience, Tillman created a 3-course prix fixe menu with wine pairing, which starts with a two-bite tiny tasting portion and onto a comfortable and nostalgic piece.

“If I am making something that uses strawberries, I want people to think about a time when they had fresh strawberries,” Tillman said.

Finally, it ends with a more sugary piece to satisfy the brain.

“Because I don’t put much sugar in the first two pieces, so I want people to have something sweeter in the end so that they have a feeling of ‘Oh, I ate the dessert,’” said Tillman as she presented the most popular “Fromage Blanc Island Cheesecake.”

On top of a plate of ice, this white snowball is more like a milk pudding than a cake. Covered with fresh cream, it not only looks different from the traditional cheesecake, but also has a unique taste. As smooth as mousse, yet as rich as cheese, the cake will melt in your mouth after the first bite, but leaves a satisfying creamy consistency. The menu is changed every day by Tillman, with inspiration from food, color and picture, but “Fromage Blanc Island Cheesecake” is the only exception because of popular demand.

When asked what is the ideal job if she stops being a pastry chef, “A cashier at the liquor store!” Tillman said without hesitation. “So that I can get a discount for champagne! You know how much I love champagne,” Tillman said with excitement, just like a kid who finds her favorite toy, as she decorated a freshly-baked cake with blueberries.

Chef Samuel Clonts: a Modernized Kaiseki Dining Experience at Uchū

Having come to realize his love for food at a very young age, Chef Samuel Clonts started down his cooking career by helping his mom out with everyday dinner. With a huge passion for food and the process of making food, it did not take long for Clonts to begin cooking professionally by attending a culinary program at high school while at the same time working as a dishwasher. The 15-year-old Arizona boy never expected that in five years, he would be working at a Michelin star restaurant in New York.

At the age of 18, Clonts transferred from the Ritz Carlton in Arizona to one of their other locations in New York while furthering his studies at the Institute of Culinary Education. The young starter was eager to get real-world experience, especially in a city filled with a wide range of opportunities.

“When I ate at Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, I knew this was the best,” Clonts said.

In due time, he got a job at this three-starred Michelin restaurant and started cooking Japanese-inspired cuisine. During his five years at Chef’s Table, Clonts found his true career passion – modernized Japanese cuisine.

“I really fell in love with their approach to cooking, the way they think about food and the way they handle it,” Clonts said after recalling his trip to Japan, where he tried the traditional Kaiseki.

Kaiseki is a multi-course Japanese dinner with a focus on seasonality and ornate tableware. It requires hours of meticulous preparation by the chef to provide an ultimate dining experience – a visually appealing meal with the taste buds dancing with delight.

By eating at different places and reading a variety of books, Clonts quickly learned the essence of Kaiseki. Since no one was manipulating it into a more western style in the city, Clonts decided to be the first to combine traditional Kaiseki with western elements, making it more approachable to New Yorkers. And it all started with Uchū.

Having opened in June of 2017 in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Uchū, the 1-starred Michelin Japanese place is a tale of two counters, with chef Eiji Ichimura helming the 10-seat sushi counter and Clonts running the 8-seat Kaiseki counter. In contrast to a traditional Kaseki, Uchū’s tasting menu uses more high-end luxury ingredients, like caviar, truffle and wagyu that are not commonly seen in a traditional setting. Following the typical Kaiseki progression, the course starts with a light yet impressive dish to set the tone, followed by a dashi course, sashimi, grilled dish and finished with rice course. The menu changes every couple weeks, either because there is a new product or Clonts gets bored with a dish that has been there for too long. From white asparagus coming from France to caviar from Shanghai, Clonts looks for ingredients that are the best of the best.

Among all the delicate dishes, the most popular one for customers is the caviar handroll, which includes caviar imported from the Kaluga farm in Shanghai. With a sheet of nori, a little sushi rice seasoned with black vinegar, some fresh wasabi and sumptuous caviar on top, the well-known handroll is ready to serve.

Aside from the customers’ favorite, Clonts himself favors the egg dish. By using a famous Japanese breed, called Jidori eggs, and some golden trout roe, this simple-looking soft scrambled egg tastes as smooth as clouds.

“The natural fat from the yolk gives it a really nice texture. On top of it is usually some pickle that changes seasonally,” Clonts said.

Now 27 years old, Clonts is already a very successful chef in the competitive restaurant industry in New York. However, he is still not satisfied with his accomplishments.

“I think there’s room to grow and I would love to cook in front of people,” Clonts said. Without the limitations of space, Clonts would be able to prepare the food right in front of customers so that they could fully appreciate the beauty of Kaiseki. 

Images Courtesy of: Uchū

Summer’s Luxury Cosmetic Launches

Summer has officially begun and what better way than to kick off yours by picking up some products from this summer’s most highly anticipated luxury cosmetic launches. From highlighter duos to bronzer, these products will become essential to your makeup routine this summer. 

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CHANEL CRUISE 2019 COLLECTION LUMIÈRE ET CONTRASTE

Global Creative Makeup and Colour Designer, Lucia Pica, drew inspiration from the effects of shadow and light for Chanel’s 2019 summer makeup collection to create a contrasting palette of subtle, sensual, reflective and mysterious makeup.

Duo Bronze Et Lumière Bronzer and Highlighter Duos

“Created exclusively for the Cruise 2019 Collection, this limited-edition face powder duo features a matte bronzer and iridescent highlighter to sculpt and contour the complexion with a range of effects. Available in two shade harmonies, embossed with a double-c monogram.”

Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow Palettes 

“Created by Lucia Pica for the Cruise 2019 Collection, this limited-edition eyeshadow palette features four natural shades with matte, iridescent and metallic finishes that layer together for captivating eye looks. An exclusive creation embossed with the double-c monogram.”

Ombre Première Gloss Top Coat Eyeshadows

“Created exclusively for the Cruise 2019 Collection, this limited-edition shimmering eye gloss seamlessly glides onto lids for a high-shine look. Available in luminous golden and silver shades that can be worn alone or over eye makeup.”

Stylo Ombre Et Contour Eyeshadow Liner

“This all-in-one eye pen features a longwearing formula and can be used as an eyeshadow, eyeliner or khôl for a variety of lasting eye looks.”

Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour

“The iconic nail polish is reformulated for longer-lasting, high-shine colour that cares.”

Rouge Coco Flash Hydrating Vibrant Shine Lip Colour

“A comfortable lipstick with intense colour that transforms on contact with lips for an enhanced high-shine effect.”

Rouge Coco Gloss Moisturizing Glossimer

“A non-sticky, ultra-light formula leaves lips visibly smooth and plump, and perfectly brilliant. An innovative, dual-sided applicator ensures optimal, even coverage and high precision. In 24 shades to collect, layer and love.”

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YVES SAINT LAURENT SUMMER LOOK 2019 

Yves Saint Laurent’s limited edition Luxuriant Haven Summer Collection is inspired by the vibrance of an exotic jungle escape. 

Bronzing Stone Summer Look 2019 

“This limited edition Bronzing Stone Palette is cloaked in a gorgeous, earthy tan, contrasted by a fire-colored signature and palm deco. Within the palette, a silky-matte bronzer that instantly gives skin effortless, natural-looking radiance without the shine.”

Couture Eye Pallete Summer Look 2019 

“This limited edition Couture Palette is cloaked in a vital deep green suede contrasted by a bright, clean signature and palm deco. Within the palette, shimmering golden browns and blues are complemented by a rich green and warm highlighting peach, effortlessly blending together to create an illuminating eye look.”

Glossy Stain Summer Look 2019

“A best-selling YSL lip product that combines the texture and shine of a gloss with the long wear of a stain. Offered with the limited edition summer collection in a gorgeous, easy to wear nude.”

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DIOR WILD EARTH SUMMER LOOK 2019

Serving as both the Creative Director and Image Director for Dior Makeup, Peter Philips draws inspiration from the femininity of earth tones and shades for bronzed and gold-brushed skin and with smoldering eyes. 

Dior Lip Tattoo Coloured Lip Tint

“This summer, Dior reveals four exclusive* shades of Dior Lip Tattoo in earth tones warmed by the sun. Dior Lip Tattoo, the first long-wear lip tint by Dior, is about to shake up your makeup routine. With its 12-hour wear,** comfortable formula and weightless no-transfer finish, the colour fuses to the lips like a tattoo just seconds after application.”

Dior Addict Lacquer Stick Saturated Lip Colour

“This summer, Dior adopts a “”Bronze”” touch. Four new shades of Dior Addict Lacquer Stick double their colour intensity with a shimmering veil of light. A stick with a “”lip fondant”” effect that liberates all the colour and shine of a lacquer, plus the comfort of a balm, with 6 hours* of weightless wear and unrivaled texture.”

Dior Addict Lacquer Plump Lip Plumping Lacquered Ink 

“Dior Addict Lacquer Plump reveals two sensual and sophisticated shades for summer. Dior pushes the boundaries of lacquer and skincare even further with the creation of the first lip-plumping lacquered ink.”

5 Couleurs Wild Earth High Fidelity Colours & Effects Eyeshadow Palette

“The iconic 5 Couleurs palette explores a range of tawny colours for a natural and luminous ombré effect. An ornamental motif, inspired by hand-hammered metal, marks a wild and sensual beauty.”

Diorshow In & Out Eyeliner Waterproof Double-ended Eyeliner Pencil & Kohl

“Dior has created its 1st double-ended waterproof eyeliner pencil & kohl, your essential ally for a long-wearing intense eye look. Flawlessly defined eyes in one easy, controlled stroke.”

Diorskin Mineral Nude Bronze Wild Earth Bronzing Powder 

“Housed in the silver-domed case, Diorskin Mineral Nude Bronze Wild Earth reveals a motif in the style of hand-hammered copper, available in a limited edition. The powder, infused with golden minerals, captures the light and heightens the bronzed look of the skin. It warms the colour of the complexion for a unique,* luminous and natural effect that makes you appear naturally tanned.”

Diorskin Mineral Nude Glow Wild Earth Brightening & Correcting Powder 

“Housed in the silver-domed case, Diorskin Mineral Nude Glow Wild Earth reveals a motif in the style of hand-hammered copper, available in a limited edition. Infused with pearls, the minerals in this natural glow powder capture the light to reveal the radiance of each shade for a colour-enhanced healthy glow.”

Flash Luminizer Radiance booster pen

“Flash Luminizer captures the light of summer to boost the natural radiance of the face. Inspired by the skin-illuminating techniques used by Backstage makeup artists, this illuminator brush enhances the complexion in a single click, for professional radiance.”

Dior Vernis Couture Colour Nail Lacquer

“This summer, Dior Vernis takes colour and light all the way to the fingertips with 4 new exclusive and captivating shades.”

Dior Sun Glow Veil of light Nail Protection

“The first nail care lacquer by Dior inspired by the rays of the sun. Applied alone or as a top coat, it enhances the nail with an iridescent luster and protects it from exterior aggressors (sand, saltwater).”

The Automotive World’s Most Extravagant Party

Once again one of the most highly anticipated parties of the year will return to Monterey California to kickoff famed Car Week.

Gordon McCall‘s Motorworks Revival’s 28th incarnation is set to provide Monterey Car Week pilgrims with an experience like no other. The party, which looks to be as if it was inspired by Scott Fitzgerald’s the Great Gatsby, is what has inspired countless Hangar Parties around the globe.

“Our 2019 event is set to be one of our most thrilling and glamourous yet,” said Gordon McCall, creator of the McCall’s Motorworks Revival. “The show has come to be known for its eclectic mix of aircraft, motorcycles and automobiles and a great way to kick off the Monterey Car Week. Our team is working hard to “Wow” our guests once again with a unique and exciting experience. This is our 28th year and we’re ready to fire it up!”

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The August 14th event, which will take place across 4 acres of space at the Monterey Jet Center, will feature incredibly extravagant displays from sponsor partners that include Gulfstream, Chronoswiss A.G., Eberhard Co., McLaren, Pilatus, Reservoir Watch S.A., Textron, and WeatherTech, to name just a few. However, cars and planes will not be the only highlights: As epicurean delights will be served by celebrated chefs and bespoke cocktails will be created by the hands of talented mixologists.

This year’s event will also be raising vital funds for the California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation, which works to provide emergency assistance and scholarships to California Highway Patrol employees and their families.

The McCall’s Motorworks Revival is a truly cannot miss event, which enjoys a seat among the most exclusive and utterly enjoyable automotive events of the year. Red Carpet and VIP tickets are currently available for purchase to this automotive extravaganza on the McCall Events website.

Images courtesy of: McCall Events

The 17th Annual Celebration of The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering

A spectacular lineup of over 200 motorcars will permeate the vibrant and serene fairways of Quail Lodge & Golf Club during famed Monterey Car Week on Friday, August 16, 2019. An event that allows for motorsport enthusiasts to share their interests with like-minded individuals surrounded by a large array of the world’s rarest classic and superlative automobiles; that is exactly what The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is all about. To create a haven for car collectors, enthusiasts and authorities alike to spend a single, glorious day reveling in a breathtaking setting accompanied by fine gourmet, fascinating people and, most importantly, some of the most exceptional automobiles within the automotive industry.

This year, three new classes, of which each commemorate automotive breakthroughs and anniversaries, will shine as the focal point of the event. The three classes are as follows: “100 Years of Bentley Motors,” “25th Anniversary of the McLaren F1,” and “A Tribute to the Electric Car Movement.” In addition to these outstanding displays, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering will also be offering guest six international culinary pavilions as well as more vehicles hailing from some of the world’s most famous sport and racing brands.

Celebrating an entire century of automotive history, the British marque will be launching “100 Years of Bentley Motors” with the presence of key examples, such as a 1926 Speed Six, 1929 Le Mans, a 1958 S1 Continental Coupe by Park Ward, and a 2018 Supersports. Not falling behind Bentley’s momentous 100th year anniversary, the “25th Anniversary of the McLaren F1” special class will be showcasing an impressive lineup of illustrious supercar models the like of which includes the renowned 1997 F1 GTR Longtail chassis number 27R, an example that is one of just ten GTR Longtails ever built as well as the first to champion over a race. With a focus on solely the historic and remarkable examples of electric automobiles, “A Tribute to the Electric Car Movement” will even feature a duo of experimental Volkswagens: an electric 1964 Microbus and the 1965 Volkswagen Beetle Zelectric Sedan.

The three special class displays is anticipated to be the perfect addition in conjunction with the theme of this year’s event. These special classes will play as the centerpiece together with an array of traditional classes like Pre-War Sports and Racing, Custom Coachwork, Supercars, and The Great Ferraris.

A rare 1966 Cheetah owned by Mark Boen is one of the prominent vehicles to be announced for this year’s The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. As one of just 12 original Cheetahs to have been produced, this Cheetah is recognized as the most original model in existence, which happens to also be the only example to possess a 1966 model designation. Having initially been constructed as a Chevrolet-powered opponent against the innovative Shelby Cobras in sports car competition, Chevrolet revoked their plans on the 100-car production run after only producing 12 of the model even though promises to deliver timely culmination were made.

“I’m thrilled to bring the 1966 Cheetah to the lawns of The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering,” said owner Mark Boen. “I’ve displayed cars at this event each year since its inception, and I couldn’t imagine a better place to display such a rare and striking piece of automotive history.”

“Over its 17 years of celebrations, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering has become one of the most prestigious automotive events in the world with a truly unique atmosphere,” said Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for The Peninsula Signature Events. “All three of our 2019 featured classes will complement this atmosphere perfectly, and we are confident they will help to make the 2019 roster one of our most impressive to date.” 

Like the years before, the event will continue their family and pet friendly environment offering. For those in attendance, the whole event is set up as an expansive lawn-party with six culinary pavilions, award-winning wine vendors, and a Fireside Chat Series. Furthermore, guests will be offered an invitation to the Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction that is going to occur jointly on the Quail Lodge Farm Field.

To learn about The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering please visit: SignatureEvents.Peninsula.com

Also check out The Quail’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Bentley’s All New Flying Spur

Bentley Motors is commemorating the launch of their all new Bentley Flying Spur with a nod to the past. Today and tomorrow, the century old coach builder is unveiling the 2019 Flying Spur alongside the storied S1 Continental Flying Spur at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance. The event, which is sponsored by watchmaker Richard Mille for 2019, originally dates back to the years of the classic Concours d”Elegance of the 1920’s. Today, the Chantilly Arts & Elegance is well regarded for bridging the gap between cutting edge new automobiles and honoring classic models from the past.

This event is held at the famed Chateau de Chantilly about 50 kilometers north of Paris; it is now the temporary home of what can only be described as a full on exhibit which is 100 years of Bentley. The all new Flying Spur is being exhibited side by side with its ancestors that include the 1958 S1 Continental Flying Spur and the 1953 R-Type Continental. Bentley is also displaying their Bentayga V8, Continental GT, and Continental GT Convertible.

Stepping away from the Manufacturers Village and unto the Concours display located on lawns designed by Andre Le Nôtre , spectators will take note of 17 Bentleys made between 1928 and 1963. A total of three classes in the Concours d’Etat will be dedicated to Bentley, which include the “road cars pre-war”, “racing cars pre-war” and “post-war cars”. The seventeen vehicles range in models, however the highlight was undoubtedly the Bentley Blue Train. The complete list of Bentley’s on display is as follows.

Bentley centenary’s special – Road cars (Pre-War)

Bentley 4.5 Litre Saloon (1929)
Bentley Speed Six Saloon (1929)
Bentley 8 Litre Foursome Coupé (1931)
Bentley 3 1/2 Litre (1934)
Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Standard Saloon (1938)

Bentley centenary’s special – Racing cars (Pre-war)
Bentley 4 1/2 Litre (1928)
Bentley Speed Six Le Mans Open Tourer (1928)
Bentley Speed Six “Old No.3” (1930)
Bentley 3 1/2 Litre Drophead Coupé (1934)
Bentley Barnato Hassan Special (1934)
Bentley 4 1/4 Litre 3 Position Drophead Coupé (1936)

Bentley centenary’s special – Post-War cars
Bentley Mark VL Cresta (1948)
Bentley Type R Continental Fastback (1955)
Bentley S1 Cabriolet Graber (1956)
Bentley S1 Continental Fastback (1956)
Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur (1963)

This year’s Concours d’Etat was attended by some of the world’s most prominent automotive enthusiast, who reveled in the beauty of over 100 pristine classic cars that were delivered to the Chateau de Chantilly from all across the globe. All of these incredible automobiles arrived for one critical purpose, to achieve the Best of Show award, which is regarded as the “crème de la crème” of Chantilly.

The fifteen classes of automobiles at Chantilly, which each include six cars, will be judged on their respective provenance, rarity, conservation and the quality of their upkeep.    

Images Courtesy of: Bentley Motors

The Man Who Made Monterey Car Week | An Interview with Gordon McCall

Featured Image Credit: Angela Decenzo, provided courtesy of Gordon McCall

On a warm, June afternoon in Monterey, California we were given the privilege of interviewing one of the Automotive and Motorcycle world’s most interesting personalities. “The location for this interview?” you may ask. It is what appeared to be a humble storage unit, however it ended up being anything but. As the door opens to this metal building, you are greeted by an expansive automotive paradise. If you haven’t already guessed, this hideaway is the refuge of none other than Gordon McCall, the man whose ingenuity made Monterey Car Week into what it is today.

With a passion for automobiles and motorcycles that is seemingly endless, McCall’s imagination and painstaking work have given life to not only some of greatest automotive gatherings of our era, but also to the world of modern automotive auction photography. Having began his career as a teenager sweeping the floors of a local Ferrari dealership, the Carmel native who previously headed Christie’s Auctions Automotive division has risen to be one of the must know individuals in the car and motorcycle industries. Worlds which few individuals seldom inhabit simultaneously. 

His passion, you may ponder? Not just mind blowing hyper cars and tasteful classics, but items rich in meaning and provenance. We were given the exclusive privilege to chat with Gordon at his breathtaking hideaway, which houses not only some immaculate cars, but also over 20 motorcycles. Read on to get to know the man that – gave life to the Hangar Party, advised Bentley on paint work, and is soon to be one of the automotive world’s most entertaining television hosts.

The name McCall is quintessentially synonymous with Motorsports in Central California. With that said, can you tell us a little bit about your background with cars and your relationship with Monterey Car Week?

“Well I think, like a lot of car enthusiasts, you get the bug when you’re young. I lost my dad when I was eight and most guys I know that are into cars got it from their father or grandfather, something they hung out in the garage and spent time fiddling with cars over. I didn’t have that in my youth, but what I did have was a mom that understood that I loved Corgi Toys. And she managed to, every birthday, Christmas, Easter, you name it, whatever the occasion was, I always got Corgi Toys. Not sadly or pathetically, but I still have them. Those little cars: the little Aston Martins, Ford GTs, MGB GTs, the Jaguar E-Types… Those little cars clearly planted a seed with me in my youth. I don’t know how old I was, seven/eight years old, or somewhere in that neighborhood, cars and sports were the two things I cared about the most. And I am grateful that my mom was able to kind of keep me in cars to the point where I ended up, you know, with a career. So, Car Week is a bit of an unintended consequence for me, you know, being from here. Car Week [has] always [been] going on in my life, since the early ’50s, when they first started running the track, before I was born, before Laguna Seca was built. Actually, I am as old as Leguna Seca; it was built the year I was born. I would get dropped off at the track in the ’60s; my mom would drop me off at the bottom of Highway 68 and I would walk into the Can-Am Races as a kid. That’s back when you could do that with your kids, I just had to be back on Highway 68 at dusk. So, I did not know it was Monterey Car Week at the time—I really didn’t. Actually, we can credit the Pebble Beach Concours [with starting Monterey Car Week], but before the Pebble Beach Concours [there] were the Pebble Beach Road Races. So, it’s actually racing that started all this. Steve Earle, in 1974, brought vintage racing to Laguna Seca. I was going to Carmel High School at the time [and] I was a volunteer out of the gas station there, which was a Union 76 station. I used to pump gas into race cars. I was just mesmerized by the whole process to the point where I started volunteering my time as a Junior at Carmel High School. I started volunteering my time as a field crew volunteer at Pebble Beach and a good friend of mine, who is now the Chief Judge at Pebble Beach, Chris Bock kind of kept me on board. He saw that I was an enthusiast when it came to cars and I ended up working my way up the ranks. After 28 years, I ended up as a judge [at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance], which is when I collaborated with [The Honorable Sir] Michael Kadoorie to create the Quail.”

Is there a particular place that you trace your passion for automobiles and motorcycles to? Was it an encounter with them in your childhood, or through family or friends?

“Going back to my response to the first question, I trace it probably to the carpet in my mom’s house. Between my Hot Wheels, HO Slot Cars, Corgi Toys, Matchbox toys, Dinky Toys—I think just being around it, being interested in how things work. I mean, I’ve still got a ’64 Corvette Stingray Corgi Toy that’s kind of a maroon color; the wheels are painted white and I realize I did that when I was like eight years old. So, technically I have been modifying cars since I was [a kid]. As far as where that started, definitely then. I got interested in those .049 powered Cox Gas Cars. I learned that you can change the cylinder head on it and get more compression out of it and it would be faster. I have always been into kind of how to make stuff go faster and how to make stuff work. You know, why stuff works? It has always been intriguing to me, so it led to a career in the car world”

When did the Motorworks Revival begin its transformation from a humble get together during Monterey Car Week to a party that can only be described as one of the most extravagant of its kind?

“Well, thank you for saying that, especially with your extravagant website, which, not pandering here, is incredible. It really is an amazing job you and your team do on that site; it is above all, it really is. I used to host [the event], when I had my finish restoration business [at] the Monterey Airport, [the party was] basically customer appreciation night. We would have a barbecue. Throughout the year it was really Car Week that brought everyone together, so that’s when my customers would be [in Monterey altogether]. We would prep a lot of cars for various shows and races, etc. And it went from a somewhat of an intimate shop party to [something] a little bigger than that when I partnered up with my neighbor at the Monterey Airport, which was Alan Shugart. Alan, at the time, was the Principal at SeaGate Industries. He had the patent on the hard drive. He also owned a couple private planes and he had a wonderful hanger next to my business. I needed a little more room if I was to expand our get-together, so I asked [Alan] if he [would] mind if we utilized his hanger and maybe had the airplanes on display. Realizing that car guys and plane guys are kind of the same all-in-one, and gals. In the early ’90s, the very first year that we moved it into the hanger and still incorporated my shop, both airplanes [on display were] on a Type-135 charter. It turned out that the first year that we integrated Alan’s hanger, one of our guests chartered a three month European trip utilizing their jet. So all of a sudden [the party] became like a business entity, it’s like ‘hey this is great, can we do this again next year.’ We brought the right people to the table, well the pivotal year for us was 1997 when Gulfstream had caught wind of our guest list, and back then we were maybe a 1,000 [to] 1,500 people, which is still a fair amount of people to entertain. We had vintage airplanes, the Shugart’s Astra jets on display, and a couple other airplanes. But Gulfstream contacted me and said ‘we have this new plane, it’s not quite finished yet, but we know a couple of your guests are going to be attending—we can’t get to these people.’ And I am thinking ‘Gulfstream can’t get to these people, but I can?’ I mean, this [was] a very humbling experience. Well, needless to say they showed up with a then, new GV. [The aircraft] was [still] green on the inside; [the interior] hadn’t even been outfitted, but the GV when it was introduced was a big deal, it was a game changer in the long-distance private plane sector. It’s like, ‘this is phenomenal, I can’t believe there’s a Gulfstream at our event, and a new one that no one has seen yet.’ Admiral Alan Shepard, the astronaut, was one of our guests and [at the time] I didn’t realize he was a Gulfstream test pilot. So I am standing next to him with his wife and he is flipping out over this new Gulfstream. He goes, ‘well I’ve heard of this, but I can’t believe it’s here.’ Next thing I know he is in the cockpit with their chief test pilot, a guy named Captain Bob Osbolt—I’ll always remember him—who the thrill of his lifetime was having Alan Shepard sitting in his cockpit. And Alan is telling stories about taking his daughters for zero gravity excursions in the early Gulfstreams, the ones and twos. This is all happening at a party; what is even more comical, and is not really funny because it’s business, but they sold two planes that night. So all of a sudden not only did my wife and I pioneer this concept of integrating aviation and automotive businesses together, but we were instantly being credited with having come up with a pretty darn good idea. Not only has it been good for us because we’ve been able to maintain this now for 28 years, but we’re knocked off all across the country; there isn’t a major car show that takes place now that doesn’t have a hanger party prior to it. And everyone of them gets measured against what we do in Monterey in August and we are really proud of that. It’s flattering that these other entities will even reach out to us and say ‘we just want to let you know we are inspired by what you do in Monterey and that’s why we do this here.’ It keeps us on our toes, as well. So, every year we try to evolve the event; it’s become more of a food and wine affair now. We are really catering towards the lifestyles of the people that bother to attend Monterey during August; it’s a well traveled group [and] they know what they are looking at, it’s a discerning audience, needless to say. But, 1997 was pivotal in that that’s the year we kinda broke out. Monterey Jet Center was just being built, and we [discovered] that the original building, Alan Shugart’s building, was the original United Airlines terminal. It’s an old facility and we thought ‘wow there is a brand new, fixed base operator going up down the way. I should probably reach out and get the chance to maybe know who these new owners are.’ That’s when I met Carl Panattoni and Jack Van Valkenburg, who have obviously become partners over the years and two of the nicest guys on the planet. Monterey Jet Center is an amazing facility and in the year 2000 we moved the event to the Monterey Jet Center and we’ve been there ever since.”

What are some of the greatest challenges to hosting an epic party with supercars, private jets, and over 3,000 guests?

“There [are] a few moving parts. One of the most difficult things is the fact that after September 11th we are on the inside of  [a] FAA/TSA controlled space; and to be able to throw a party like we do inside of controlled space, that’s very tricky. We have elements of security there that none of our guests see, but we work all year long in terms of meeting the requirements of the FAA and the TSA, and the Monterey Airport Police, as well. We also have a lot of high-profile guests that travel with their own security teams. There [are] lots of elements involved here. There’s a lot of powerful folks that come to this event and security has always been a big concern of ours and we’ve always treated it very [seriously], and fortunately to this day we’ve done a pretty good job of doing that. So that’s certainly one of the challenges. It’s been an interesting challenge to transform it from what used to be everyone there was an invited guest to transitioning it into a viable business. You know, we weren’t going to be able to continue to entertain the world as our personal guests indefinitely; we needed to make a business out of it. And when companies like Gulfstream and our other airplane company sponsors are doing business at the event it seemed like ‘well maybe we can find a way to put together some sponsorship opportunities that are reasonable and have good ROIs.’ So that’s an interesting transformation because we kinda took it on the chin a little bit from some people. So [people say] ‘well, I used to come to that thing as your guest.’ Well, [that] actually got to us, which is common. I had an uncle who had a set of towels in his guest bathroom and it said ‘friends: yes, friends of friends: no.’ And I will never forget that because we were getting friend of friended to death. ‘Hey thanks for the invite, I’ve got six house guests—I’m bringing them’ That’s really hard to account for catering and, you know, it’s just tricky. So my response to that has always been ‘gosh, when’s the last time you brought a group of friends to a wedding you were invited to.’ Like you just don’t do that, right? But, you know, people are excited [and] we are flattered that people want to be there, but we really had to make a business out of it. It had to have accountability and there’s a value to those tickets and, you know, what’s important to us is to deliver. Yes, it is an expensive ticket; but then again, it’s a unique experience. So, there are a lot of challenges. Long answer to a short question.”

Is there anything in particular that you would like to share regarding the upcoming Motorworks Revival and the Quail, A Motorsports Gathering?

“Just that I am really proud of both. I would like to give a special thanks to my wife Molly who is Vice President of McCall Events and runs all the marketing for the Motorworks Revival; in addition, Tiffani Munsey, our Event Manager, does a superb job and the event would not be the same without these two gals. I mentioned earlier that the team that puts on the Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the Peninsula Signature Events Team, run by Courtney Ferrante, is really impressive. I am amazed at what they do, quite frankly, that’s an event owned by the Peninsula Hotel Group and it’s phenomenal what they put together. I’m the resident car guy as the Director of Motorsports, so what I do is relatively easy compared to what they do in terms of the daily work as well as the implementation of it all. You know, I look forward to [these events] every year. My wife and I are locals, we don’t just roll into town, produce a couple of events and leave. We are part of this community [and] we hire a lot of local people; that’s always first and foremost with us. We take a lot of pride in having a stake during Car Week. It’s really satisfying to think that we both grew up here and we both have something to contribute during that period of time. For any of the locals here that complain about Car Week, and we’re aware that there has been a little bit of add over the years, I can only emphasize that there is such a financial impact, a positive one, to this community that to be able to endure some car enthusiasts for 10 days is worth the sacrifice. And to that point, interesting timing right now, I’m not hearing about anyone complaining about a quarter-of-a-million golf fans being in town. Not hearing any complaints, which is good [because] we shouldn’t be complaining, we should be grateful that people choose to flock to this area. We’re pretty fortunate to be able to live here.”

How would you describe Monterey Car Week in just a few words?

“That’s tricky. So, there’s a wonderful expression I heard years ago about Disneyland, and that is you’ll hear people complain that there is too much to do during Car Week, and you know during the old days there was like two or three things to do. Now you really have to ala-carte pick what it is that you want to participate in, but there is this great expression that applies to Disneyland, which is that ‘I have never heard anyone complain that there’s too many rides there.’ So, I think Car Week is, in a nutshell, a sensory overload of incredible people that come from all over the world. They bring their interests and their talents with them and they share them. The car world is not shared in a vacuum, it really isn’t. These are people out driving their cars, they’re out showing their cars, they’re racing their cars, they’re buying cars, they’re selling their cars… It’s an exciting period of time. So to put that into a few words is, as you can tell, [is giving me] a hard time. It’s a true extravaganza for car enthusiasts.”

All those who’ve enjoyed the privilege of attending The Quail a Motorsports Gathering remark that there really isn’t anything like it. Tell us more about the inspiration for this magnificent event and how it exactly came to be a reality?

“Well, here we are 16 years into the Quail and there isn’t anything else like it to this day. You know, people have had 16 years to copy it; it hasn’t been replicated anywhere else and to me that is a true testament to a couple things. One is, it’s a very difficult event to produce and, again, more credit in the world goes to the Peninsula Signature Events Department. But it also, kind of stands on its own as a result. The idea that everybody is a VIP. The Peninsula Hotels are into service; that’s their main forte, and they certainly do that. Everyone there does feel like a welcomed, invited guest. I think the fact that it hasn’t been knocked off, says everything about the event itself, it’s a true lifestyle event. I said years ago, that it’s like going to a five-star restaurant and having a car show break out. People are there because they want to be, there is a general level of enthusiasm that is completely real. It’s just refreshing and to have it to where everyone is a VIP, that has a special feeling to it. I learned years ago, you can’t please the world, you just can’t. I don’t care how hard you try, you are never going to be able to please everybody. So, pick a sector that you can excel in and do that. And that’s exactly what the Quail is all about.”

What are your top tips for doing Monterey Car Week right?

“Pace yourself. As I mentioned earlier, pick and choose what it is that you want to do. If you happen to have access to a motorcycle, you’d be doing yourself a huge favor to ship a bike out. I think the best way to do Car Week is, quite frankly, rent a house and spend more than the week. Don’t just get caught up in the hotel five-night minimum. Local hotels might not be happy with me saying this, but… Send your friends to the hotels, take a house for a month, make it a true holiday and book end Car Week with being here before it starts and being here after it starts. You’ll get a true sense for what the Monterey Peninsula is all about; it’s not critical mass with congestion that takes place for a ten-day period because of Car Week. I think, as we all know, it’s a really special place to live; and to be able to take that in with a family vacation, bring a motorcycle or ship one out, so that you can tool around easily when it is congested. And most importantly, pick and choose what it is that you want to do. You can’t go to every auction, you really can’t. You can’t really go to every show, you can’t go to every race. So, just pick a few things that you really want to immerse yourself in and don’t feel like you are missing out on anything else. That’s what wonderful websites are for.”

Has your personal taste in cars and motorcycles evolved over the years? If so, how?

“It really hasn’t changed that much. Getting an early start in cars, when I think about it, I have always been able to afford what it is that I like. I’ve always worked hard, I’ve had multiple jobs, I’ve always had targets on the horizon and goals. I’ve also kept my expectations for my interest in cars very real. Having the experiences that I’ve had with companies, such as Christie’s, etc. I have been around some really amazing, priceless cars that just personally have no interest to me in terms of ownership. I can appreciate them for what they are, but I have no desire to own something that’s worth more than my house. I’m just not that kind of guy. I really like driving cars, so my cars are really approachable and normal and fun. That’s my common denominator. The same for my bikes, they are just fun.”

What is the most cherished vehicle in your personal collection?

“So that question of which is your favorite child, though I don’t have children; that’s a loaded question. When I was going to high school I was really influenced by a guy named Pete Brock, who had an enterprise. It was called Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE). Pete is a guy that was racing Datsun 510s against Alfa Romeos, BMWs, and the like. Growing [up] at Laguna Seca, I used to go out there and cherish those Trans-Am Races. I was always intrigued by the Datsun 510s because here was an economy car that no one really heard of in the States in the ’70s, yet [Brock] was beating known brands like Alfa Romeo and BMW that were much more expensive cars. I was mesmerized by that to the point where my first car was a Datsun 510. I have to admit though, while I owned the Datsun 510, that I bought it [at]16 years old and modified heavily to replicate one of Pete Brock’s cars. The car I always wanted was a 240Z; I just thought they were the coolest things ever. This gentlemen Bob Sherry was Vice-President of SCRAMP and his son Pete and I were close friends and his mom, Julie had a 240Z. I just thought this car [looked] like a Ferrari. Again, nobody really knew what Datsun was—so many years ago I added a 240Z to my little stable. When I get into that car it just makes me think ‘okay, I didn’t have this in high school, but I have it now and I’m good with that.’ It just makes me smile. It’s a car that actually [is] starting to get recognized, one just sold for a world record the other day, on the internet of all things. People are starting to [think] ‘why is a 240Z worth so much less than a Porsche 911 of the same era when in fact [the 240Z] probably [had] more [of an] impact on the car scene than the 911 did at that time?’ Those days are starting to end; the Zs are starting to get recognized now. And so of course, I’ve lowered mine and put triple Webers on it with a hot cam and headers and all that kind of stuff. So, It’s a fun car, I love it. I’m going to say that’s the car I kind of lean towards.”

In your opinion, what is the most important aspect to consider when purchasing a classic car or motorcycle?

“I think there’s only one really important thing, actually two. You’ve got to be able to afford it. Don’t cut into the mortgage money because of the car you desire, right? So, you’ve got to be sensible about it, but to that point, buy what you love. This idea of what it’s going to be worth later; if that happens great, if it doesn’t, so be it. [It’s really about] the joy of ownership. I have actually been asked that question several times and I’ve come up with a funny analogy; I don’t know if it’s going to make any sense, but when you take a trip, when you buy your tickets for the airplane and the hotel, and all the experiences, there is zero expectations that you’re going to get any of that money back. It’s the experience that you’re paying for, so I feel the same way about cars and motorcycles. You know, you [should] be smart about your purchase; you don’t want to be the fool who fell off the turnip truck and paid way too much money for something. But be smart about buying what you’re buying. If it goes up in value, great; if it doesn’t, what was the use of it worth? How many smiles did that put on your face? It has a value to it, so factor that in. You don’t want to be a fool about it, but at the same time you can have a little reckless abandon if you put a true value on the use of it. I do, I really do. Bruce Canepa has a great expression, a friend of mine up the coast, says ‘you can’t drive art.’ I think he credits that from Jerry Seinfeld, actually. When you look at people who park money in investment art, in an investment car—it’s like, at least you get to drive the car. Worst case scenario is that the market fell out, the car is worth half of what you paid for it, but hey, you put gas into it and go have some fun, That’s not so bad.”

Is there anything that you can share with us regarding your upcoming television series on the History Channel, titled “The Road to Provenance”?

“Yeah, I’m very excited. So, I’ve been in and out of different television productions for most of my career, either as someone who has been interviewed or contributed in one way or another. This show all came about in an odd way, [in] that I’ve been featured in a couple of the episodes, the early episodes. Then got asked, ‘will you be interested in hosting the show?’ And I thought ‘well I’m not a TV host, I don’t know what I’m doing.’ Then I come to find out that’s exactly what they were looking for—they were looking for someone who doesn’t need cue cards and it’s just first-hand knowledge or whatever and driven by the passion of it all. I find that it’s a refreshing show, in my opinion, and the reason I was so eager to be involved with it is that I’m finding there’s room [for this type of show]. This is going to be a History Channel production, so this is not landing in the normal course. There are plenty of people out there looking for content that’s a little bit more in depth than just talking about what cars are worth. Our goal is to find out why cars are worth what they are, and why people are interested in collecting what they collect. And it’s not just cars, it’s timepieces, it’s aircrafts, it’s boats, it’s art, it’s all that. So, provenance is an interesting word. I’ve met some very interesting people along the way, quite frankly, most of the [27] episodes we’ve already shot. There are a lot of people that I already know, but a few of them I don’t. I’m just fascinated to walk into the world of these people that you find out they’ve done something right in their life to where it forged the ability to collect something, anything. And then you find out why they are collecting what they are collecting, and it’s just fascinating, it just is. It’s kind of a personal glimpse into people’s lives. There used to be a show called ‘Pinnacle’ that I remember watching on public television years ago. I forget who the interviewer was, but it was this very well-informed guy. He would sit with Warren Buffet in his backyard on milk crates and they would just talk about life. And that’s kind of what this show is like; we are not finding out where the money came from that bought the… It’s got nothing to do with that. It’s like, ‘why is this interesting to you?’ You’d be surprised at the similarities amongst people, as to why they collect what they collect. It’s neat, it’s really, really neat. So, [it’s an] exciting show to be involved with, and [I] can’t wait for it to air in the Fall. We  filmed four more introductions to it, just recently. We are into season two right now, so lots of fun.”

Tell us more about your involvement with the California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation.

“So a really good friend of mine, a guy named Ned Tanen, who used to be President of Paramount Pictures; Ned’s a part-time Carmel Highlands resident. I used to look after his car interest years ago, I’m talking about 30 years ago, or so. He’s a guy that first exposed me to the 11-99 Foundation; I [had seen] some license plate frames, [but] really didn’t know what it was. [Ned Tanen] said, ‘do yourself a favor, you know Bruce Meyer, right?’ And I said, ‘yeah, I know Bruce.’ Bruce has been a friend [of mine], I [actually] just got back from the Isle of Man with [him]. Bruce is a driving force behind that foundation. And I sat down with him one day to learn what the foundation was all about. I had friends who were California Highway Patrol Officers. I always assumed when there was an incident involving an officer, being a state agency, it was just an assumption that everything must be taken care of, right? Well, come to find out, that there’s a huge lag time when an officer is killed in the line of duty. There is a huge lag time between any kind of financial benefits that go to the family—and to me, that just doesn’t feel right. I think the way I feel is shared between many car enthusiasts. Those of us out there that may have [bent] the rules a few times on the public roads with cars, we all appreciate what the Highway Patrol does. It’s a job I would never want and particularly nowadays. I mean the whole perspective towards law enforcement has changed so much in this country, yet these folks are strapping on a badge and a gun everyday and they may not come home from work. And so, to get familiar with this Foundation and see the good it does. It was literally a check that would arrive on the doorstep of a fallen officer’s family. It’s evolved from that, into a now, well-managed fund that kicks out scholarships as well as death benefits. We distribute $2.5 million a year in scholarships to family member’s of Highway Patrol Officers. So, we are making a difference not just in catastrophic loss, but we are [also] making a difference in officers’ and CHP employees’ families’ futures. It really feels good. I also have featured that charity at our event at the Jet Center, forever. And the reason why, is I feel like anytime you get a group of successful people who have chosen to come to Monterey Car Week, something good has to be coming from it, it can’t just be a party with jets and cars and fancy food—something good needs to be happening that goes beyond the night. That’s why we utilize that night as a fundraiser for the 11-99 Foundation. We do the same thing for the Quail and it’s a genuine, bonafide fundraiser. We don’t take a percentage of what is raised. It’s monies that go straight to the Foundation. A lot of events will hold a raffle where they will give a car away, then you will find out that the venue is actually taking part of it—that’s not charity in my book. So giving them the opportunity to meet influential people that become donors has been a real thrill. Personally, I’m really elated to be part of the Foundation. It’s heartwarming, unfortunately we lose officers every year, and it’ll be like that. It’s a tough job, a dangerous job. It feels good to think this Foundation is doing something that can help. The 11-99 Foundation has its own website [called]:  CHP11-99.org. It’s a really noble cause, there’s no doubt about it. I go up to the memorial [in Sacramento] every year in May. [As a] matter of fact, the local guy, Joe Farrow, whose brother was [General Manager] down at the Jaguar dealership; Joe was a gate guard at Pebble Beach. He became Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol under Arnold Schwarzenegger’s appointment. I had my Irish green 911 and I blew past the [Pebble Beach] gate, and there [he] was. And he was a car guy, he had a ’75 Carrera actually, Joe did. He held every position with California Highway Patrol and ended up as the Commissioner. [He] recently retired as the Commissioner, but he is now the Chief of Police in Davis. He still carries a gun and still wears a badge—he’s a great guy. He’ll be coming to the event this year actually. We’ll see him there.”

With such a busy schedule, what is a day in the life of Gordon McCall like?

“I am very routine-oriented, but with a lot of flexibility—if that makes any sense. I cycle a lot; that keeps my head screwed on straight, not just [riding] motorcycles but I ride road bikes. I’ve competed my whole life; I [still] have my Tenspeed, I mean who still has their Tenspeed, right? That bike really led the way for me, that’s what I segwayed into a Honda 90. I find that I was one of those kids they probably didn’t have a name for at the time. I think they call it ADD, or something to that effect. I was one of those kids that [on] the playground, in the sandpit, I had an off-road race going on with Matchbox cars [and] a war going on with mini tanks and these little tanks and jeeps. I’d [also] have an air strip with the airplanes going… I had like five things going on at one time. That was me as a kid and that’s me as an adult; nothing has changed. I’m kind of all over the map, but at the same time pretty focused on what I do. If what I do is related to the other things I do, I’m good. It would be weird if I was in the medical world and the aviation [world]. That wouldn’t work, but my wife [Molly] and I are kind of quiet people. As I’ve mentioned we live out in Carmel Valley. We’ve got a great little German Shorthaired Pointer, it’s our third one. [My wife’s] a professional artist and does our marketing, as well. But we’re just kind of a couple of quiet people that are grateful to have grown up here. I can switch gears, which I need to professionally. I have no problem throwing myself in the arena and playing that role, as well. And it’s genuine; I love people. I find that the businesses that I’m in, they’re really people businesses. I mean cars, airplanes, motorcycles and all that. Yeah, those are things, but it’s really [about the] people. That’s the part that I really love the most, it’s neat”

Lastly, we’ve heard that you are developing an incredible space for car collectors. With that said, can you tell us a little more about the Monterey Motorsport Park development?

“Yeah, so that’s the answer to a lot of peoples’ problems, particularly here on the Monterey Peninsula. Around here, you’re lucky to get a two-car garage. Well, what’ll you do if you’re into cars, or bikes, or really anything? I don’t know what’ll you do if you have two full-sized cars, but a lot of the Carmel garages are very limited in that way. So, we’ve learned that there’s a definite market for this. Our first development Garage Unlimited sold out immediately. This is a derivative of that; Monterey Motorsport Park is a spin-off of Garage Unlimited. It’s an incredible location on Highway 68, it could not be more convenient: two minutes to the airport, 10 minutes to the track. The tax advantages to owning your own space versus renting your own space is huge, and I think it’s a ramification of the demand that is in need around [here]. There [are] so many car people that choose to call [the Monterey Peninsula] home now, and unless you’ve got a big house out in the [Santa Lucia Preserve] or [if] you’re fortunate enough to build a basement in your house, out in the forest or something. If you’ve got cars, where are you suppose to put them? Well, this is the answer. We’re sixty percent sold out, we’ve got a few months left in construction and its coming along really well. Most importantly, the people who are buying units in this building are very interesting people—and that’s going to be fun, too. My rule of thumb regarding a club atmosphere there was that around here people already belonged to the clubs they wanted to belong to. They aren’t looking for another club, so why spend the money on a common area space. I mean your space is your common area space. If you want to have a get-together, just invite everybody into your space. It’s a real solution to a pretty serious problem. These hangers at the airport, for years, have been full of cars. They’re cracking down on that and actually there’s a prevision, and I’m not saying this as a partner in a real estate development, I’m just saying this as a kind of fact. When they did the runway safety extensions here at the airport, that was an FAA nationally funded affair, there was a prevision in there to enforce the use of hangers to be restricted to aircraft only. Which, when you think about it, makes nothing but sense. If an airplane can get to it, it should have an airplane in it—not a bunch of cars. That’s kinda putting a few folks out, which are steering them over to what we have to offer because you can’t park an airplane in our space. Airplanes are limited to taxiways, accessibility. I think with that, it’s proven that there’s a bunch of tenants that have been inquiring about: ‘I need to get my cars out of the airport.’ Every unit has a mezzanine in it, so every unit has the ability to have a getaway office, a satellite office, home office, whatever you want to call it. We have been approved to multiple business uses. For instance, wholesale and retail dealer licenses have been approved by the State, which is a big deal actually. The State’s very strict; they don’t want any kind of discrimination going on and they don’t want to think that you can lock somebody out of access. So, they’ve approved our facility for car dealership licenses. They range from 600 square feet up to about 2700 square feet. Once you’re in and once your business is approved, you’re free to do what you want. It’s a great opportunity, it really is. So many people around here have storage units tucked away. They’ve got Wifi, they’ve got their car collection, but they’re in a storage unit. It’s like ‘you pay your rent, you go month to month and there you are.’ Well, here’s your chance to own a place and actually have a nice address that goes along with it.”

Where can we follow you? And also, where can we purchase tickets to McCall’s Motorworks Revival?

“So, I’m on Instagram at: @gordonmccall75, every once in awhile I put a picture up there, and the McCall’s Motorworks Revival is on Instagram at: @mccallsmotorworksrevival. The easiest way to chase us down [for tickets] is on McCallEvents.com.”

All Images courtesy of Gordon McCall

How a Bourbon King influenced ISAIA’s S/S 2020 Collection

Famed Mens Clothier ISAIA unveiled their stunning Summer 2020 collection on June 15th in Milan at the Palazzo della Triennale. In true Neapolitan fashion, ISAIA is paying respect to its home city of Naples by supporting the
National Museum of Capodimonte. The Museum, which is under the patronage of ISAIA, is currently in the process of being renovated.

The museum is housed in an eighteenth-century palace on the Capodimonte hill. The palace, which has long served as a repository of Neapolitan artwork, was constructed for King Charles III of Spain, who ascended to the throne in the year 1734. Charles III inherited a significant collection of art from his Italian mother, Elisabetta Farnese. The Farnese family collection was initiated by Pope Paul III, in the 1500s. Significant holdings among the Farnese family collection that now reside within the museum’s hands include works by masters, such as Simone Martini and Tino da Camaino, Colantonio, Raffaello, Michelangelo, Tiziano, Breughel, Carracci, and Caravaggio.

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One of the most exceptional aspects of the palace is its Rococo style rooms, which include a Chinese Salon crafted entirely of porcelain. Capodimonte has seen many changes in its long history, from conversions in use, to movements of contents: this residence has witnessed it all. Following Bourbon ownership, the estate passed through the hands of the House of Savoy.

Well, we assume you are now asking yourself ‘what does this palace have to do with ISAIA’s most recent collection?’ In honor of Capodimonte, ISAIA has titled their S/S 2020 release the “Capodimonte Collection,” in honor of the majestic palace. The Colours, which are well pronounced in the collection, are reminiscent of the grand residence. Whether you’re the kind of gentleman that desires solids or pastels, you will be pleased to know that your next garment has taken influence from masterpieces in one of Italy’s finest museums.

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Highlights of this collection abound in casual wear, including well-tailored jeans, madras sport shirts, and polo shirts; in addition to sporting trousers that feature boat shaped pockets and elegantly tapered lines. The polo shirts stand out with their exposed seams that reinforce the garment’s fabric, and handmade buttonholes leave little to be desired. Other standout details amongst the collection include pieces that display prominent glass buttons and the new sail feature with coral thread that is more like tailored stitching.

With our attention returning to the museum’s art work, we can’t help but notice the palace’s Flemish tapestries, which solidify the victory of Charles V at the Battle of Pavia in 1525. This work is adapted into the S/S 2020 collection’s elegant dinner jackets. Last, but certainly not least, the undercollars of ISAIA’s S/S 2020 jackets are meant to pay homage to the Capodimonte’s ‘rococo cherubs that peek through golden stuccoes and frescoes.’

Images courtesy of: ISAIA

For more information, please visit: www.isaia.it

A Modern Interpretation of Ballet Unveiled at the Whitney Museum of Art

Featuring 75 different artists and collectives, the Whitney Biennial, the longest running art exhibition in the country, has returned for the summer and is mesmerizing viewers.

Through its duration, the exhibit works to provide “a snapshot of art in the United States” for its viewers, but perhaps what is one of the most eye-catching aspects of the exhibition this year, is an installation created by Brendan Fernandes.

The installation titled The Master and Form, was originally showcased in 2018 at The Graham Foundation and explores the contrast between beauty and discipline in relation to classical ballet.

Having familiarized himself with this style of dance, on the museum’s website, Fernandes, a 39-year-old artist who was born in Nairobi, Kenya, but currently lives in Chicago, IL, discusses a desire to be critical of and to break down the binaries of race, class, and gender through his work.

Located in a room separate from the other artworks in the exhibition, stepping into the installation as a viewer almost feels like you are entering a different world.

With a large industrial cage dominating the center of the room, at any moment there are five classically trained ballet dancers holding onto the 10 large ropes hanging from ceiling to floor in the back of the installation. While grasping one end of the rope with each hand, the dancers slowly and methodically move between different poses, showcasing their endurance and strength.  

At certain moments, the dancers are given a cue to leave their position on the ropes and return to the cage placed at the center of the installation, which Fernandes describes as “a safe space for them to release their bodies.”

Jeremy White, a 22-year-old student studying art in Connecticut, ventured to the city for the day with some friends and decided to come to the Whitney and explore the exhibition, during which he took the time to step into and admire the installation by Fernandes.

“I ended up stepping into it with my friend and walking around,” says White. “I liked how [the ropes] were sitting on the track light and I was just thinking about the relationship between the utility of movement, or being attached to this track light.”  

Since its opening in 1932 by the museum’s founder Gertrude Vanderbilt, the Whitney Biennial has worked to include a myriad of different works that are made available to the public every two years, ranging from paintings, sculptures, installations, film, photography, performance, and sound. The curators of the Biennial this year are Jane Panetta and Rujeko Hockley.

In addition to the work created by Fernandes, the Biennial also includes a number of other provocative artworks by artists like Kota Ezawa, Elle Pérez, and Jeffrey Gibson.  

Admission to and guided tours of the Whitney Biennial are included with admission to the museum, and the installation by Fernandes is available to view on select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until the exhibition ends on September 22, 2019.  

Featured image courtesy of: Brendan Fernandes and Monique Meloche Gallery, Chicago. Photograph by Brendan Leo Merea. Provided via The Whitney Museum of Art.

Featured image description: Brendan Fernandes, The Master and Form, 2018. Performance view, Graham Foundation, Chicago, IL, 2018.

Moët Imperial Celebrates 150 Years at the Recently Renovated Château de Saran

Covering the chalk plains and hills of eastern France, Champagne, home to the most famous sparkling wines in the world, welcomed an A-list crowd with an exclusive sparkling soirée and a dinner prepared by two Michelin-starred chefs on May 22 in front of one of the grandest 19th-century homes.

Alongside Roger Federer, Kate Moss and Uma Thurman, about 100 other guests had all come aboard a specially commandeered Orient Express train in Paris earlier that day for the unveiling of Château de Saran, a property of Moët & Chandon since 1801, with a celebration of the 150th anniversary of Moët Imperial, the signature champagne of the Maison.

Château de Saran was built for Jean-Remy Moët, grandson of the founder of Moët & Chandon in the village of Chouilly. In the lush landscape of Champagne, the house that was originally built as a hunting lodge turned into a family residence that has entertained the Maison’s most distinguished guests. After a five-year restoration, the renovated Château de Saran will once again become the site of festive celebrations for Moët & Chandon’s honored guests.

“We are thrilled to welcome our honored guests to the beautifully-restored Château de Saran to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Moët Impérial in grand style, and to mark a pivotal moment in our House’s history,” Stéphane Baschiera, President and CEO of Moët & Chandon, told LVMH.

Following the cocktail hour, guests were greeted with a seated dinner inside a striking mirrored structure set among the vineyard. The four-course, seafood-centric dinner with wine pairings was created by the three-Michelin-starred duo: Yannick Alléno and Dominique Crenn.

The evening did not stop there. The house lights were lowered, while the guests all looked toward a transparent wall as instructed. A stunning fireworks display erupted in the adjacent fields with a live piano performance by Freya Ridings to close out the evening.

“Elegant, generous, and beautiful,” said Roger Federer as fireworks sparkled across the sky.

Image & Video Credit: © Moët & Chandon courtesy of LVMH