Current Issue
Current Issue
On the Cover: A Toast to 150 Years of the Kentucky Derby
Lexington native and 2024 Kentucky Derby Museum Ball chair Rhonda Jo Conner wearing a gown from Glasscock Boutique.
Photo by Andrew Kung
Highlights from the March/April 2024 issue:
For the first time in its history, House Beautiful brought together 13 women-led design teams from around the country to embark upon a complete and dramatic makeover of a nearly 150-year-old home originally designed by David Adler in Hinsdale, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. "It was one of my biggest 'pinch me' moments to be included in this company," said self-taught Lexington-based interior designer Isabel Ladd, a House BeautifulNext Wave Class of 2022 designer selected to lend her "more is better" philosophy to the showhome's two-room owner's suite.
Text: Bridget Williams
Room photos by Kevin Miyazaki and portrait of Ladd by Heather Talbert
A Maximalist's Oeuvre
House Beautiful
There's an honesty in design stripped of extraneous colors, where the subtleties of existence become more pronounced. The eyes are free to ponder the nuance of light and shadow rather than process a preponderance of pattern and color. Working within this restrained palette requires a trained eye to add depth and dimensionality amid the simplicity. Time and again, Douglas Riddle, President & COO of Bittners, has demonstrated his prowess with monochromatic interiors, imbuing them with timeless classicism and evoking feelings of welcoming calm.
Photo by Robert Burge
Text: Bridget Williams
A New York City native, Kogan moved to Louisville for medical school and was soon smitten by the pomp and circumstance of the Derby. As someone who likes to exercise both sides of her brain, Kogan initially began making Derby hats for friends. She quickly realized that her one-of-a-kind creations could be a lucrative side hustle, helping to pay off her student loans. Today, the mother of two, who is a double board-certified physician in radiology and nuclear medicine, is one of the Kentucky Derby Museum’s featured milliners, has her pieces on offer in the city’s top boutiques, runs a robust business on Etsy (thehatdoctor.etsy.com ), boasts nearly 20,000 Instagram followers, and somehow still manages to find the time to make hundreds of attention-grabbing headpieces each year. To help inspire your Derby duds, the good doctor was kind enough to share a few of her fabulous creations with us.
Credits: Photography: Andrea E. Hutchinson / Production Manager: Alexandra Hepfinger / Stylist: Ilana Kogan, The Hat Doctor / Makeup Artist: Becca Schell / Models: Virginia Stanley, Emily Graves, Kayla Ann Prather, and Hayley Fawn Hall / Location: Second Stride Chorleywood Farm in Prospect, KY
The Doctor Will Outfit You Now
Happy Birthday, Pisces and Aries! This year offers transformative energy as Pluto, the planet of transformation, departs Capricorn for Aquarius until March 8th, 2043; it has not been there for roughly 226 years. Change is also in the air this spring as we welcome eclipse season in Aries and Libra in March and April. It’s an exciting time with lots of planetary and exciting news! If you’d like to book a personalized astrology session with me, email me at thepowerofdivinetiming@gmail.com
Text: Joy Yascone Elms, MS
Image: Diamond is April’s birthstone. Lugano’s 10-carat diamond ceramic ring with an interchangable band (luganodiamonds.com).
Sophisticated Stars
Society Calendar
Happenings of note in March, April & May.
Is there an event you’d like us to cover or add to the calendar in our May/June issue? Send an email with the details to bridget@slmag.net.
Photos by Daniel Roberts
Power of Motion
Photos by Daniel Roberts
Bowl-A-Thon
Photos by Daniel Roberts
PJ Party for a Purpose
Photos by Daniel Roberts
63rd Theatre Aviation Brigade
Photos by Daniel Roberts
Mid-Winter Masquerade
Photos by Daniel Roberts
Urban League Empowerment Banquet
Photos by Daniel Roberts
I almost came to blows at my first Kentucky Derby, which I attended as a member of the media along with my father and my business partner, who were on assignment for Sports Illustrated as starting gate photographers. My ensemble, a midi-dress with pink and fuchsia flowers on a white background, was ill-suited for a day marked by torrential downpours and oodles of mud. As we were leaving the track at the end of a long day, a very inebriated woman, covered head-to-toe in infield muck, ran over and attempted to hug me unsolicitedly. When my initially playful refusal was refuted, and she continued to move in, I realized I needed a more aggressive stance and 'gave the Heisman' so that the hand of my outstretched arm was the only thing to get dirty. The woman's friends smartly diffused the situation, ushering her away before she could move back in and allowing us to continue on our way.
Text: Bridget Williams
From the Editor-In-Chief
Get to Know Us
At Sophisticated Living, we are dedicated to and passionate about all the finer things life has to offer. Whether your interests are close to home or in far-flung places. each issue shares highlights of the good life in Lexington and beyond.
Bridget Williams, Editor-In-Chief
A co-founder of the company, Bridget is Editor-In-Chief of both the Lexington and Louisville editions and serves as the editorial director for shared content across all Sophisticated Living issues. Originally intending to become an archaeologist, she transfers her global curiosity into content that considers multiple perspectives.
bridget@slmag.net
Advertise
Join us around the table. Sophisticated Living readers are affluent, educated, capable, and influential consumers. Our award-winning editorial, full-page-only ad format, and unique direct-distribution method give our advertisers ample opportunity to maximize their message in front of the highest-income earners in Lexington.
For advertising information, contact Eric Williams at eric@slmag.net or 502.582.6563
Connect
Sophisticated Living Lexington
PO Box 1229
Prospect, KY 40059
502.582.6563