Índex per Spring 2022 a Chic Compass

What can I say about the first quarter of 2022 that would even describe what has transpired in this ever tumultuous world we all live in these days. So much drama comes to mind, and it is all too surreal to capture in a few short paragraphs. Unless you live in a cave, you know exactly what I am referring to. In the meantime, Chic Compass has been gathering inspirational stories here and there and trying to find some semblance and balance in a world that requires navigation through storm after storm, and we are here to deliver just that. We invite you into our little niche of sanity and share many stories of people making a positive difference in our world and shining light with their music, art, or…

I recently spoke with designer Anna Gupta and asked her to tell me about her fabulous collection. "I enjoy and receive great satisfaction in working with different textiles. You will find varying tulles, laces, and silks throughout my collections." The idea behind this collection, Anna says, "was to focus on the inspiration that each romantic creation provides." Each creation captivates the viewer with its passion for detail and craftsmanship, creating a longing for another time and what could be again. It was a fluid experience for Anna to embody romanticism, which was incorporated into the gowns through intricate three-dimensional flowers, flowing textures, stunning embroidery, large volumes, luxurious details, and ultra-feminine energy. Who is an Anna Gupta woman? The Anna Gupta woman is confident and glamorous but doesn’t follow trends and…

In today’s Instagram-saturated world, where everyone is a self-proclaimed photographer armed with a smartphone, the work of a true photographic artist jumps out from all the rest. While brilliant photography can be reduced to four simple concepts - light, composition, technique, and subject - it is hardly a simple art. Moreover, making a livelihood as a professional photographer requires not only a gifted eye combined with passion and perseverance but also a head for business and a heart that recognizes life’s unique moments. I was first drawn to Elisa Terry by her photographs of Ballet120 dancers. While dance suggests movement, her shot of a sensual supple body juxtaposed within a weathered door frame caught my eye. It is a frozen “landscape” of the dancer’s body and yet so revealing about…

Who is Miguel Julio? Most of you have probably seen him on the local FOX 5 KVVU-TV’s “The More Show” every other week. Some may have been his clients at his mobile beauty studio. Yet others had met him through the Raiderettes, the official cheerleading squad for the Las Vegas Raiders professional American football team. Mostly, people know him simply as the funny, charming, crazy, over-the-top, vegan person. However, the other side of that is an independent, disciplined, and organized person—with very high standards! Miguel has a commanding presence of a natural-born leader. Born on January first, he comes in with a bang! I wanted to know more about him and find out what makes him so interesting, fabulous, and lovable. What are your accomplishments? MJ: “I have been a…

Welcome to another exciting issue of Chic Compass magazine! Our theme for this issue is Magic in the Air. With all that we offer you this time, you will discover that each article has its own magic. Melissa Manchester graces our cover and shares some of her insights and what she has accomplished through her years of creating music and teaching music to aspiring musicians. Even more fascinating is seeing how Melissa recreates her past successful songs into new ones with a different twist. It is an article you may want to read several times. As always, fashion is a significant part of our magazine. We share stunning photos of Anna Gupta’s fashions taken by famous photographer Jaime Lim. In addition, Jaime Lim showcases a hauntingly beautiful fashion extravaganza, “White…

After 50 years of performing, Melissa Manchester, a Grammy Award-winner and multi-Academy Award-nominated artist, decided to apply a new twist for unveiling her 24th album, Re:View. Since September 2020, Manchester has been reimagining her charted hit songs from the 70s and 80s, releasing music videos. To date, six videos from ten chosen songs have been released: “Just You and I,” “Midnight Blue,” “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” “You Should Hear How She Talks About You,” “Fire in the Morning,” and “Come in From the Rain.” Melissa Manchester’s illustrious career began in the late 1960s as she worked alongside aspiring musicians and composers of that day, including Barry Manilow, Ashford and Simpson, and Patty Austin. The Brill Building in Manhattan housed these creative, talented up-and-coming artists. At 17 years of age, Manchester…

When I learned that I’d be writing about Renata Bosnjak, the talented artist of predominantly religious figures and portraits, I had no idea what to expect. Upon meeting her, I was taken aback, for to me, she looked like she could have fit into one of her paintings. She was tall with her long blond hair pulled back, and she reminded me of older times. But it was her eyes that drew me in—so expressive as only an old soul can exude. I wanted to know more about her. Renata was born in Bosnia in 1976. Growing up, she always heard stories about her grandfather, an Austrian-German man with an affinity for art. Even though she never met him, those stories carried her through her passion. Holidays and special occasions…

With so many weddings canceled or delayed because of Covid, it was a call to love to feast on the beautiful wedding dresses presented at the 5th ANNUAL – BRIDAL FASHION WEEK 2022 created by Parvesh and Jai, the world-renowned Canadian Fashion Designer duo. North America’s most opulent and luxurious wedding extravaganza featured the designers’ beautiful White bridal collection held at three different locations for all to see. With each creation shown, hearts beat with anticipation, proving once again that there’s no stopping love. DESIGNER: PARVESH JAI PHOTOGRAPHY: JAIME LIM MODELS: (FROM LEFT) NINA LAZRQ, DEANNA YII, GISELE VOO, TERESAA DESIGNER: PARVESH JAI PHOTOGRAPHY: JAIME LIM MODEL: DEANNA YII DESIGNER: PARVESH JAI PHOTOGRAPHY: JAIME LIM MODEL: TERESAA DESIGNER: PARVESH JAI PHOTOGRAPHY: JAIME LIM MODEL: GISELE VOO DESIGNER: PARVESH JAI PHOTOGRAPHY:…

It is a privilege to be asked to write a business column for Chic Compass magazine. As the former chief executive for the Small Business Administration in Nevada for the last five years, I witnessed business obstacles and opportunities throughout the State of Nevada. I have also seen the devastating effects of Covid-19 during the last two and a half years on our business population, including the shutdowns, restrictive government policies, immediate price increases, and supply chain intrusions that made it very difficult to survive as a business owner. When 2022 arrived, it appeared that life and business might be returning to normal, and I was excited to see the events taking place in Las Vegas and the surrounding business communities that support the opportunity for survival, growth, and prosperity.…

LIFE IS NEW YORK CITY, AND NEW YORK CITY IS LIFE! And this is the reason we maintain a Piedà-Terre residence in this glorious urban oasis. When spending time in Manhattan (the city), every one of our senses is engaged and heightened in a way that elevates even the simplest activity into an elated experience—from a trip to the market to a walk through Central Park—we find it joyful! Everything in the city feels bigger, bolder, louder, and more vibrant. Colors feel more saturated, and we feed off the electricity in the air. We love that we get inspired by something as simple as a stroll down the shopping avenues, with a coffee in hand, appreciating the sophisticated and elaborate window displays. Being part of the world of interior design…

It never fails. Whenever portrait artist Neal Portnoy meets someone, they always ask, “Can you do me?” In just six short years, the Boston native has made his felt-tip mark in Las Vegas and realized his dream of becoming the “Illustrator to the Stars.” So this Portnoy has no complaints. Name any popular performer, politician, or personality—on and off the Strip—and you can bet they’ve been “Portnoyed.” (Yes, that’s a thing!) For many of those fortunate enough to get caricatured on canvas, they see his portraits as a badge of honor; it’s an “I’ve arrived” vibe. “Vanity, vanity, vanity,” admits Neal. “I have no other way to explain it.” Quick side note: I won the chance to get “Portnoyed” in a charity raffle, and I won’t lie. I am honored…

For the past 12 years, Kevin Lepine has done what very few headliners have in the Entertainment Capital of the World—he’s transformed ordinary people into Las Vegas superstars. Now performing at Four Queens Resort and Casino in downtown Las Vegas, Lepine’s hit hypnosis show, “Hypnosis Unleashed,” gives audience members the opportunity to star in the production by volunteering to have the award-winning hypnotist use his certification in clinical hypnotherapy “for mischief instead of good.” While hilarity naturally ensues, “Hypnosis Unleashed” has become the hypnosis show to see in Las Vegas for one very good reason: Lepine never humiliates his trusting volunteers. “My goal, once someone walks up onstage, is I want to make them a superstar,” Lepine told Chic Compass. “I’m not going to embarrass anyone because if I embarrass…