We put stock into the past, rolling it over in our hands like a stone, wearing it down, smoothing its edges, shaping and reshaping it in our minds. We’re living in interesting times, when the last century burns alive and well in this one, when futuristic technology also flourishes. This wild brew of old and new delivers quite a cultural punch.
This year, our annual Fall Style Issue takes us into the Greenville homes of James and Rebecca Zurek and Travis and Melissa Goodwin. These couples graciously offered their spaces as backdrops for our fashion presentation (“Mid Mod Mood”). Architect James Neal designed the Zureks’ home, circa 1969, while the Goodwins live in the Orders House, originally built in 1958 for beloved Greenville resident, the late Bill Orders and his family. It’s never been hipper to look retro, and our local boutiques and designers are fueling, if not leading, the trend.
Many of the stories in this issue reflect the concept of the past thriving in the present. Truphae is a company focused on the art of penmanship. Its retail store is set to open on Greenville’s Main Street this year (“Write On”). Hotel Bennett in Charleston is another example—opened in January, the five-star hotel is developer Michael Bennett’s “love letter” to his Holy City, evoking eighteenth-century European grandeur, with Charleston character and modern conveniences (“Grand Entrance”). There’s Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a city loaded with history, art, and architectural gems (“Lasting Legacy”). We even present the tried-and-true dinner (or any occasion) classic: roast chicken. Fall begs for comfort like this, just as we lean on our best memories.
We also highlight those who are elevating the bar of artistry and inventiveness: Fine Arts Center junior Ana Pelham has a keen photographic eye; International Ballet’s artistic director Vlada Kysselova inspires through her personal dance journey; and Oak Hill Café & Farm crafts sensory culinary experiences.
We are loath to let go of what’s been done. But if our cultural moment is any indication, transforming what was into what is makes this moment one for the books.
Blair Knobel
Editor-in-Chief
Twitter / Instagram: @LBKNOBEL
