12 OCTOBER 2014 WA N T E D

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ISSUE 118OCTOBER 2014Editor Alexander Parker (parkera@bdfm.co.za; @thealexparker)Managing editor Matthew McClure 011 280 5605 or082 446 0747 (m cc l u r e m @ bd f m . co. z a )Art director Megan Guyt (g u y t m @ bd f m . co. z a )Designer Stephanie PretoriusSubeditor Yvonne FontynFinal eye Margaret HarrisContributing editor Alexander Matthews(alexg matthews@g mail.com)Contributing fashion editor Jenny Andrew( jennyandrew40@gmail.com)E d i t o r- i n - ch i e f Peter BruceBusiness Day editor Songezo ZibiPublisher Susan Russell

ADVERTISING JOHANNESBURGSales Executive Wesley Peter 084 371 1155(peter w@timesmedia.co.za)Wa n t e d is available with Business Day nationwide, tosubscribers only. Subscription enquiries: 0860 262 626Printed by Paarl Media for Times Media Pty Ltd,4 Biermann Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg.

R AT I N G S

Filmmaker andphotog rapherNicholai Fischerwas born and raisedin SA but for the past13 years has beenliving between Paris,London and NY.Having honed his

craft alongside some of the world’s most successfulphotographers and directors, such as Ellen vonUnwerth, Mario Testino and David Lynch, Fischercontributes to several international magazines anddirects TV commercials and music videos.The first camera you ever owned? A MinoltaSRT 101, bought by my grandfather from anexplorer who travelled to Antarctica. Aphotographer whose work you admire? S t e ve nKlein (for his past collaborations with actors andMadonna). Your dream shoot location? LakeTahoe, California, or Los Angeles.

Natalia Keet began her career as a stylistalmost 14 years ago after studying fashiondesign in SA and fashion journalism atCentral St Martin’s in London. She hasworked on every facet of the industry frompersonal styling and shopping to lecturing,creative directing, fashion editing, writing,fashion marketing, trend forecasting,storyboarding and organising events.A fashion designer whose workyou admire?A lot of the designersfeatured in this story I have hugeadmiration for but I would say my all-time favourite is Chanel for the classicswith an edge. My new admiration isRoksanda Ilincic for her constructionand femininity. Which city could youspend the rest of your life living in?Right now my home good feeling is inLondon. Your ideal Sunday afternoona c t iv i t y ? After a long lazy lunch I lovegoing for a leisurely walk or relaxing inthe park with some bubbles.

SKI TRIP

Go way off thebeaten piste

See page 38

C O M E DY

C o l l a b o ra t i o nadds the edge

See page 32

UPFRONT

Josh Sontag, no relation of the famous NewYorker Susan Sontag, is the warm-heartedbarman in the ACE Hotel lobby bar. He’s aBrooklynite — some would say a hipster —but what he certainly isn’t, he tells me, is a“mixologist”. He’s a barman, just like that,and he knows how to make a killer cocktail. Adrink at the ACE Hotel in Manhattan is a hipway to end a day of shopping, MoMAing or asan adventure “in to town” from Brooklyn. Asthe day ends the dimly lit lounge gets dimmer,the iPads and MacBooks are packed away intovegan leather handbags and the DJs comeout. International travellers drink artisanalbeers alongside trendy New Yorkers, who, asthey are wont to do, queue for drinks. Thedrinks are well worth queuing for. We triedthree cocktails, some mescal, craft beers —all fabulous. Sontag talked with us about thespeakeasy trend in New York, which is nowon its last legs, passé, he says. Instead, he says,we should look out for handcrafted cocktailson draft, cold smoked cocktails, high-endpunch and barrel-ageing.

Nostalgia, it seems, will continue to be thedefining character of our moment — and thepast tastes delicious.

What is your signature cocktail? Th eSpiced Pumpkin Negroni. Crop AmericanHarvest spiced pumpkin vodka, Aperol andDolin Dry Vermouth. The pumpkin aspect ofthis drink combined with spice bring backearly memories of fall. Aperol also is one ofmy favourite Amaros to boot, the comboblends perfectly with the French vermouthstabilising the blend. The most famous personyou have ever served? Before I was at the ACEI served Billy Joel and Elton John, who then

proceed to battle it out on back-to-backpianos. Strangest drink you have ever made?White wine over ice with a couple dashes ofTabasco. The guest swore by it, so naturally Ihad to taste. Worst career decision of my life.Best seller? Best sellers in my opinion aredirectly adjunct to the amount of love andcreativity we bring to the menu. If a cocktailisn't being ordered off the list by our guestthat’s a good indication we are not doing theright job. Most ordered grub? We serve food24 hours a day and 365 days a year in thelobby. We are very well known for our burger.I have guests come in two to three days a weekfor their fix. Barman’s cocktail? 9/10 Th eNegroni was excellent. A real classic, with thesubtle autumnal pumpkin vodka tocomplement the blustery day outside.Barman’s personality? 8/10 Josh is agentleman — he has the temperament of abaker. The kind of guy you wished your sisterwould date.

The Breslin Bar, ACE Hotel lobby, 20 W 29thSt, Midtown Manhattan, New York,w w w. a ce h o t e l. co m / n e w yo r k

THE SPICED PUMPKIN NEGRONICrop American Harvest spiced pumpkin vodka

Ap e r o lDolin Dry Vermouth

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass, stir

40-50 times. Strain cocktail over fresh ice

with an orange peel garnish.