Jenna Blake
Designer of eponymous jewelry line
How does Aspen play into your design inspiration?
Because Aspen is such a big part of my life, and because I design pieces that I would want to wear myself, I envision myself wearing them in Aspen. To me, the Aspen lifestyle is the perfect balance of casual elegance, which I am always trying to achieve in my pieces.
What do you love most about Aspen?
I love how multifaceted Aspen is. You are surrounded by nature while being able to be active, social, and cultured all at once. Aspen has the best of everything, including peace and calmness, style, and sophistication—all rolled into one place.
Marianne Boesky
Gallerist
How do the rhythms of your life shift when you’re there?
The Aspen rhythm suits my natural rhythm so well—up early, busy all day in nature with friends and family, and early dinner in the evenings. I love being in my cozy house so much, and I have a great kitchen, so I cook a lot more at home in Aspen than I ever do in New York.
Name your favorite hike?
There are so many. If I have to choose one, I’d say I really love Midnight Mine. Your favorite place for an evening drink? In the summertime, I love the little outside area at Casa Tua for a cocktail. In the winter, my favorite spot for a drink is by the fire at the Little Nell. They have the best hot chocolate and are dog-friendly too, so Dino loves to join!
The best meal in town?
Ooh, that’s a hard one. I would have to say that it’s [collector] Bruce Berger’s homemade brick-oven pizza that he makes from scratch and fires up in his and Barbara’s backyard!
Lesley Slatkin
Collector
Where is your full-time residence and when do you go to Aspen?
We live in Los Angeles and come to Aspen mostly from the end of June to the end of August. I am not a huge winter person (probably because I am a horrible skier), but we also come for several weeks in the winter.
When you arrive in Aspen after some time away, what’s the first thing you like to do?
We typically drop our bags and dogs and go to Silverpeak Grill (which we still refer to as 520 Grill) for fish tacos and the best sweet potato fries in town!
Best spa or workout spot?
It depends on the class, but I love both O2 and Aspen Shakti.
How do the rhythms of your life shift when you’re there?
Life slows down the second we arrive in Aspen for the summer. My friends and I joke that the first session of camp has begun! The time I spend with family and friends has a different quality. We spend hours on our porch, sit and play games, do puzzles, and take in the beauty of the mountains
Meredith Darrow
Art advisor
Your favorite seasonal indulgence in Aspen?
Powder Cat tours on the backside of an Ajax.
What do you love most about Aspen?
You have to be really intentional to live in Aspen, as it’s a challenge. People work hard and play hard. Everyone is really engaged in all aspects of the community, from the arts to athletics to their work.
The best meal in town?
Cache Cache is my favorite.
Best spa or workout spot?
Rachel Hansen’s Pilates class.
Do you dress differently when you’re in Aspen? If so, how?
I lean into the Western vibe for sure. Lots of denim and suede. It’s fun to embrace it.
Richard Edwards
Gallerist
What do you love most about Aspen?
I love that Aspen is a small town with the heft of a large city. During the summer, there are a plethora of activities involving intellectual life, the arts, and physical activity in a setting of outstanding beauty. It’s a wonderful place to live, with great people and a robust community spirit.
When you arrive in Aspen after some time away, what’s the first thing you like to do?
The first thing that I do upon my return is head to the gallery and the office to check on how things are going—then I take my dogs for a walk. We tend to walk from town on the Rio Grande Trail before we cut across the river behind the Music Tent and walk back through the West End.
The best meal in town?
My favorite place both for a drink and dinner is the Caribou Club. I may be biased, but it has a relaxed and convivial atmosphere, delicious food, incredible staff, and has earned its status as an Aspen classic.
Do you dress differently when you’re in Aspen? If so, how?
I basically wear the same clothes wherever I am. It may be a little formal for Aspen, but I usually wear a jacket and jeans, or a casual suit in the evenings. Aspen has many excellent opportunities for shopping. On my return, I am looking forward to seeing the newly remodeled Dior and Zegna stores—our neighbors at the Baldwin Gallery.
Eleanore & Domenico De Sole
Collectors and chairman of Tom Ford International
What scents, sounds, and textures do you associate with Aspen?
The physical beauty is what has always caught our attention: blue skies, snowcapped mountains. In the summer, the afternoon storms start building and the winds pick up. This guarantees the rustling of the aspen trees in our yard with the quivering and shimmering of the branches and leaves.
What do you love most about Aspen?
The town is filled with so many accomplished and cultured folks. One is never short of having an engaging conversation. And you can’t beat having so many friends who share our love of art… we are all obsessed! When we come to Colorado, we get on our bikes—electric now—and hit the road for a couple of hours. Like so many others, we hike the many beautiful trails.
Your favorite place for an evening drink?
Out on our terrace overlooking Burnt Mountain and the Continental Divide, in the direction of Hunter Creek.
Albert & Holly Baril
Collectors
Name your favorite hike?
People take hiking rather seriously in Aspen, and everyone has their favorite. Mine is Difficult Creek (which isn’t actually difficult) because I enjoy its serenity and shade. Albert’s, however, is American Lake, which is more of a challenging hike.
When you arrive in Aspen after some time away, what’s the first thing you like to do?
The first thing we like to do is take a walk up Smuggler Mountain. Because it is such a popular destination, we affectionately refer to it as “social climbing.”
Best spa or workout spot?
The best workout spot in town is Higher Terrain Aspen. Kaytlyn Shepherd’s Pilates class always has a waitlist! To recover from a multi-sport day, we love to unwind at the St. Regis’s RAKxa Wellness Spa. Its relaxation lounge offers supplemental oxygen to help locals acclimate to the altitude.
How do the rhythms of your life shift when you’re there?
Summer in Aspen turns into “camp for grownups.” Between amazing outdoor activities, cultural events such as the Aspen Music Festival, Ideas Festival, Theatre Aspen, and the Food & Wine Classic, along with numerous social gatherings, it’s hard to find some downtime. During the winter, though, the days become shorter, things slow down, and we get to spend more time at home with our family.
in your life?
