February 2011 Free from the Editor in Chief
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F ASHION LIFESTYLE ART ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2011 FREE FROM THE EDITOR IN CHIEF Romance and love are the first words that people think about when their thoughts turn to February. Even though you know that February 14th is Valentine’s Day, have you ever wondered about its origins? Whether or not you have, we provide a little insight into the day; you may be surprised to learn that its origins are not clearly known and that there are several legends that have been passed down through the centuries. Everyone knows that chocolate candies are a Valentine’s Day favorite. But did you know that chocolate is really bitter and that for 90% of its history, it has existed only a liquid? For most of the 2,000 years that chocolate is known to have existed, it has been enjoyed by the wealthy, the royal, and those considered to be important members of society. It is a recent development that the common person was able to participate in the joyful consumption of chocolate. While red roses are known to rival chocolate as the gift of choice on Valentine’s Day, the color of roses runs the gamut of the spectrum and each has a specific message associated with them. We provide the color coded meaning of roses for your quick reference. Las Vegas hotels have pulled out all the stops when it comes to decorating for the Lunar New Year. You will not believe the displays that they have created in honor of their extensive Asian guests; the spectacular displays will be appreciated and enjoyed by non-Asian guests, as well. One of our party pics pages is of a personal nature to me and one that is perfectly suited for this issue. My parents celebrated 50 years of marital bliss and are living proof that lovers really can celebrate their love, commitment and Photo by Collin Kelly Valentine’s Day for half a century. Now, that is a goal worth pursuing! Whether you give or receive roses, chocolates, jewelry or other memento of love, may you and your husband, wife or significant other enjoy each other’s love with the passion that Valentine’s Day represents. V. Hoang The color yellow has played a recurrent symbolic role throughout the history of Asian culture. It symbolizes the earth that sustains all life, yet has been embraced by Buddhist monks as an expression of unchallenged power. Such is the role of yellow: always revered but in different ways under different circumstances. The mission of Yellow Magazine is to introduce our readers to the artistic , fashion, lifestyle and entertainment contributions made by Asian Americans. It is our hope that the depth and breadth of the topics and events we cover do justice to the pride that the color yellow has represented throughout the millennia. As the editor in chief of Yellow Magazine, my last name is Hoang, which also means yellow. Just as I am proud of my name, I am proud of my heritage, and proud of Yellow Magazine. Editor in Chief V. Van Hoang, President of MV Media Editor Website Henri Merceron Leo Sipras Cultural Editors Assistant to the Editor in Chief Vuthy Kuon Ashley Vu Tricia Volore Contributing Photographers Health Editor Chad Landry Ivy Yang Thang Nguyen Travel Editor [email protected] Matt Sims Timothy Frederick Wine Editor timothyfrederick.com Philip Cuisimano Shehla Z. Shah shehlazshahphotography.com Music Editor Peter Tham Tyler Merceron Fashion Photographer Lifestyle Editor Collin Kelly Chau Nguyen-Todd Fashion Stylist Beauty Editor Leslie Rivas Tree Vaello Hair and Makeup Fashion Editor Bianca Linette Vi Hua Fashion Intern Contributing Writers Lanicka Woodson Deanne Nguyen Fashion Photo Retouching Leo Sipras Jhane Hoang Creative Director Business Manager Jeff Martin Karla Montejo Publisher Publisher/Managing Director MV Media Frank Perez National Advertising Local Advertising Verve Communications 713.528.6000 x103 Group [email protected] 325 N. St. Paul Street Suite 1360 Dallas, TX 75201 214.965.9933 x106 vervecommunications.com Yellow Magazine 3040 Post Oak Blvd. Suite 1440 Houston, TX 77056 p 713.528.6000 f 713.228.3186 yellowmags.com Yellow Magazine is published monthly. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of the magazine is strictly prohibited without the permission of the publisher. Yellow Magazine is not responsible for any unsolicited materials submitted. Subscriptions to Yellow Magazine may be purchased for $36/12 issues. Mail check to: Yellow Magazine, 3040 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1440, Houston, TX 77056. © 2011 MV Media On the cover Blouse by Luisa Cerano $485 Sweater by Elie Tahari $325 Skirt by Pink Tartan $495 All available at Neiman Marcus Model: Nida Khurshid February 2011 TRAVEL A Destination for All Seasons St. Moritz by MATT SIMS There are few places to which you can travel where the attractions draw just as many people in winter as they do in the summer. Most ski resorts are abandoned in the warmer months and, conversely, many warm weather destinations empty out completely when cold winds and snow invade the landscape. However, one European hotspot continues to attract visitors year round and can be credited for giving birth to winter tourism itself. That place is St. Moritz, Switzerland, long known as an exclusive hideaway for the rich and famous. For nearly 3500 years, people have been drawn to the city’s iron-rich If you just want to stay put, relax, and admire the reflection of the nearby springs, esteemed for their healing properties. The fact that it was surrounded mountains on the lake from the pedestrian promenade, you can descend and by natural beauty including a perfect mirror-like lake encircled by stately return in style on escalators that extend nearly a quarter mile. The quiet lake alpine peaks further enhanced its appeal. In 1519, Pope Leo X promised is a welcome refuge from the bustling center of commerce in town. absolution to anyone who made the pilgrimage to bathe in the springs. But During my visit, there was an exhibition of large sculptures placed in it wasn’t its ancient reputation as a spa which really put the city on the map. public areas that stood in complete contrast to the traditional architecture In 1864, hotel owner, Johannes Badrutt, made a wager with some of his that surrounded them. It is quite strange after hiking across half of Switzerland British summer season guests that they would like the place even better in to come face to face with an enormous 15 foot tall avant garde black plastic winter. Previously, St. Moritz was only considered to be a summer destination, baby demon lizard. There were actually two different ones on display and and people avoided hazardous travel conditions found in snowy mountainous both attracted much attention. They could best be described as large sculptures regions. Skiing and other recreational winter sports had not yet come into of human-like babies with tails and bony, horn-like spinal protrusions. I’m being. Badrutt promised that if the visitors liked St. Moritz, they could stay still not sure what statement the artist was making unless it was that children Kempinski Grand Hotel as long as they liked as his guests; if they did not like it, he would pay their are monsters or, perhaps, that his own kids are a little too much to handle. des Bains St. Moritz travel expenses from London and back. When the visitors arrived, they found Depending on the season, you may want to stay near the shopping district Via Mazdi 27, 7500 St. Moritz a snowy paradise with many more sunny temperate days than their native or closer to the slopes. The Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains is one of the +41 (0)81 838 3838 London and outdoor activities that were infinitely more fun than what they best as well as most costly. Be sure and visit the hotel’s restaurant in the kempinski.com could do indoors back home. mountains for a unique dining experience. The best view of the lake is Badrutt’s Palace Hotel Badrutt won his bet. From that point forward, people loved St. Moritz probably at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, where you will be treated like royalty Via Serlas 27, 7500 St. Moritz so much that they returned in greater numbers each year. The city is home with 5 star service and great food. If you want convenient access to the +41 (0)81 837 1100 to Switzerland’s first ski school, first tourist office, and first electric light. shopping areas and the lake, the Hotel Hauser is a more moderately priced badruttspalace.com After hosting two Winter Olympics, the resort’s reputation exploded. Early option with a nice restaurant and English speaking staff. I felt very welcome Hauser St. Moritz regular visitors included Charlie Chaplin, Henry Ford, the British royal there and enjoyed eating gourmet meals without having to venture up and Via Traunter Plazzas 7, family, and the Shah of Iran. Celebrities, millionaire industrialists, and anyone down the mountainside in search of a place with a varied menu. They serve 7500 St. Moritz +41 (0)81 837 5050 who could afford the cost of visiting the city made it their winter playground a very good tomato basil soup that is made with coconut milk. I know it hotelhauser.com of choice. It has even been featured in a couple of James Bond films, as well. sounds like a weird combination, but it works in a sort of Italy meets Thailand Today, St. Moritz has the distinct air of a ski resort town that is home kind of way. to a number of exclusive shops and hotels as you would expect in an upscale As I glanced about the room, I noticed tables full of people of many For more information, visit myswitzerland.com section of Paris or New York.