Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1033490
letter editor STEVEN VISNEAU, SISTERBROTHER MGMT. 20 O ur October issue began with a fairly radical concept: maximalism, a level of both bohemian layering (Tony Duquette page 48; and Cabana magazine page 78) and luxurious excess (time- pieces, page 44) that first showed its stripes in the home furnishings world. That same mash-up of color, texture, and print has also taken the fashion world by storm. Even the realms of art, politics, and fine jewelry and timepieces are having their own maximal moments. So, things began taking shape. Our art and creative director Michelle Aviña shot on location at Dawnridge, Tony Duquette's wildly ornate estate in Beverly Hills, masterfully refurbished by Hutton Wilkinson. The resulting portfolio is dreamy and decadent — a visual feast for those who want to get lost in an otherworldly interior. And while the notion of maximalism is certainly most often affiliated with a style of dress or decoration, it can also apply to a way of living, a phenomenon, or a moment in the zeitgeist. Thus, this issue of PaperCity looks at two rather maximal characters — both Texans — currently etching their marks on the broader cul- tural landscape. The first is Iliza Shlesinger — the comedian best known for her Netflix hit Elder Millennial. Iliza first popped on our radar via senior editor Lisa Collins Shaddock, who watched the stand-up bit and quickly fell down a Google spiral, wanting to learn everything she could about the young funny girl. As it turns out, Iliza was born and raised in Dallas, having attended the prestigious Greenhill School. Lisa promptly reached out to Iliza and set up an interview. The topic of conversation was, indeed, about Iliza's quick wit and rise to fame — but it also focused on the more topical and timely issues that work their way into Iliza's comedy routines. For she is an outspoken, brazen advocate for women's rights — and she uses her on-stage and on-camera moments to make politically charged (albeit laugh-out-loud) statements about equal pay, sexual harassment, and double standards that impact women. Style, as we well know, has everything to do with substance. We also explore what is maybe one of the most maximal, at- tention-grabbing political phenomena to have taken our state in decades: Our executive editor of visual arts and features, Catherine D. Anspon, tells of her six-minute interview with Beto O'Rourke, Texas' democratic Senatorial candidate from El Paso. Beto has made quite the impact with his widely watched grassroots campaign, apparent approachability, and every-man way of politicking. Some even say his looks, casual demeanor, and political approach are Kennedy-esque. For PaperCity, the idea to do a story on Beto had little to do with political views or agendas. Instead, we saw Beto's disruption of the political landscape, whether he win or lose come November, one of the best illustrations of maximalism happening today. After all, the Texas way of life, from its people to its politics to its sense of style, is probably just about as maximal as you can get. Christina Geyer Dallas Editor in Chief christina@papercitymag.com