Table of contents for Autumn 2025 in Chic Compass

As the season of giving approaches, we're reminded of what a community can achieve when people come together and how even small acts of kindness matter. In this edition of Chic Compass, we celebrate the people and or ganizations whose generosity (often shown in the quiet, steady ways they give their time, energy and care) and sense of pur pose inspire others most during this time of year. Our cover star, Naomi Parisette, is a perfect example. She balances life on the runway with her work as a high school teacher, but it's her devotion to her students that truly stands out. She guides them with empathy and inspires them to give back. As you read about her journey, you’ll see that giving is about more than helping; it’s about…

This fall, the fashion world will converge in Las Vegas for the inaugural Vegas Fashion Week, scheduled from Nov. 12-16. This ex citing event will highlight fashion as a powerful force in culture, creativity and commerce through a week filled with runway shows, citywide activations and immersive experiences. Presented by the Las Vegas Fashion Council, Vegas Fashion Week will feature: Fashion shows and presentations Educational talks In-store activations, trunk shows and VIP shopping experiences Community engagement and entertainment "We really felt that 2025 was the perfect opportunity to launch Vegas Fashion Week, and this time of year is the perfect time to host our inaugural event. We've had a vision to launch this series of events for many years, and it has been part of the vision of the fashion…

Chef Fabio Viviani's journey has taken him from humble beginnings to "Top Chef." Over decades, he has created a refined, inviting atmosphere with a thoughtful menu of handmade pasta, fresh seafood, indulgent entrees, decadent desserts and handcrafted cocktails for his guests to savor with every sip and bite. Viviani, as well as being a celebrity chef, is also a renowned hospitality developer, restaurateur, best-selling cookbook author and television personality. He was born and raised in Florence, Italy, and then moved to the United States in 2005 to pursue greater opportunities in the culinary world. His passion for hospitality and talent, paired with his effervescent charisma, has quickly propelled him to global fame. He first captured attention in the United States in 2008 as a standout contestant on Bravo's hit series…

Known as the "Home of the Great American Adventure,” Cody, Wyoming, stretches across the valley east of Yellowstone National Park's entrance, encompassing the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to Yellowstone Valley, but it is this region where those seeking Western adventures immerse themselves in authentic experiences. Here, visitors reconnect with the spirit of the American West, enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors, marvel at spectacular vistas and engage in a variety of recreational activities and adventures. Many choose to spend time at genuine dude or guest ranches, deepening their connection to the land and its heritage. During our visit, my husband, Scott, and I witnessed exceptional creativity through art inspired by the region’s vibrant cultural legacy. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West…

At 4 a.m., the world is still quiet, but Naomi Parisette's alarm sounds. She slips out of bed before her 6-year-old daughter Emily stirs, moving softly through the house. The ritual is always the same: packing Emily's lunch, checking lesson plans, brewing a cup of tea. On the table sits her model bag, packed the night before with water, herbal teas and a few healthy snacks. Her outfit is a simple black — what she calls her "casting uniform" — practical enough for the classroom and easily elevated for a photo shoot or runway later. By 6 a.m., she pulls into the school parking lot, one of the first teachers to arrive. The fluorescent-lit hallways soon fill with the sound of lockers clanging, sneakers squeaking and laughter bouncing off tile…

Traveling more was something I added to my bucket list for 2025, and getting married was on there too; both came true. When my husband, then fiancé, set our wedding date, the first thing we started dreaming about was where we'd go for our honeymoon. We tossed around ideas — Disneyland for childlike wonder, New York for its city lights and Cancun for its beaches — but Naples, Florida, quietly stole our hearts. When I was offered the opportunity to visit, I couldn't pass it up. The best part was that my husband would be by my side, and Naples would become the backdrop to the beginning of our life together. We decided on late July for the trip, making it our honeymoon getaway. Experiencing a new city as newlyweds…

There is a cliché that states, "money makes the world go around," and funding (money) is indeed needed by charities and nonprofits to provide services and products. The Autism Community Trust focuses on raising funds and donating to charities and nonprofits that provide services to the autism community in Southern Nevada. There are several organizations offering resources, support groups and therapeutic services for individuals with autism and their families. Families for Effective Autism Treatment of Southern Nevada (FEAT) is a great first step on the journey of finding the right organizations that can fill those needs. Richard Femenella is a highly talented individual dedicated to the hospitality industry and the autism community. He is the owner of Mae Daly's Fine Steaks & Whiskeys, a classic steakhouse, and a hospitality veteran…

Once a remote outpost nestled between sunburned valleys and wind-worn mountains, Las Vegas was never meant to be the North Star. As settlers moved onto Paiute lands, the springs of this desert oasis offered only a brief rest for dreamers chasing fortunes farther west. But something happened in the Mojave. People stayed. Drawn by its daring spirit and boundless possibility, they began to shape a city that would defy its desert origins. Over time, Las Vegas became more than a waypoint. Though long considered the dusty backyard of Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, two cities that profoundly shaped its early development, it forged a distinct identity. It was shaped by the convergence of cultures: the reverence of its Indigenous roots, the grit of ranchers, the shadows of mobsters, the…

Las Vegas has long been a city of dazzling lights, towering resorts and a rhythm that draws the world to its famous Strip. But beyond the neon and spectacle lies another story — one of resilience, community and second chances. It is here, in the quieter neighborhoods of the Historic Westside, that Vera Jackson Moore is rewriting what it means to begin again. A Black woman, mother of four and grandmother of three, Moore's life has carried her from San Francisco to Virginia and ultimately to Nevada. Along the way, she has endured challenges that might have silenced others — including incarceration — yet she has transformed that lived experience into a mission of advocacy and hope. In 2013, she founded True Beginnings, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting justice-involved women…

Morlon Greenwood Foundation Each December, the Morlon Greenwood Foundation hosts its Annual Toy Giveaway at Sportsman Royal Manor (5600 Boulder Highway). This year marks the fifth celebration, in partnership with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Supporters can help by donating, volunteering or simply spreading the word to bring joy to children in need. mg52.org | admin@mg52.org 702-907-2556 Vegas for Athletes This holiday season, Vegas for Athletes brought heart health to the spotlight with free youth cardiac screenings. In early November, at T-Mobile Arena, they screen 500 athletes during the Hall of Fame Classic basketball series, gifting each participant tickets to the game. Looking ahead, their signature VFA Summer Games — an Olympic-style competition with 14 sports and 5,000 youth participants — will light up the Thomas & Mack Center…

This past fall, New York Fashion Week (NYFW) powered by Art Hearts Fashion took place at the Angel Orensanz Foundation, featuring five days of runway shows and designer presentations. More than 40 international designers showcased collections representing diverse styles and cultural influences, including Alexis Monsanto, Almee Couture, AnaOno, Coral Castillo, Cross Colours, Danny Nguyen, Haus of Harleen, Kene Kaya, Keziah, Mila Hoffman, Montecristi NYC, Raquelle Pedraza, Starielle, Vizcarra, Wanda Beauchamp and others. The season featured several firsts, including the debut of a Cambodian designer on the NYFW stage, alongside presentations from Ecuador and Guatemala, highlighting Art Hearts Fashion’s global reach. Philanthropy was also part of the week, with AnaOno hosting a patient-led runway show to raise awareness and support breast cancer research. Art Hearts Fashion expanded internationally with its London…