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Davide Torchio—Hairstylist and Editorial Visionary of Global Proportions

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By Charmaine Bennett

Davide Torchio has had a lifelong love affair with styling hair. Growing up in Turin, Italy he began as a 5-year-old by giving haircuts to family and neighbors. At the ripe age of 14, he landed his first job at a renowned Turin salon, which ultimately led to a scholarship at a fashion and beauty school and set him on his journey that ultimately led me here today.

After working with an array of leading fashion houses and photographers in Milan, it was off to share his genius with the fashion elite of Paris. Absorbing the style and panache of this fair city, he was energized for what lay ahead and departed for the next in a natural progression of top fashion cities—Beverly Hills. Here he studied under the iconic José Eber and coiffed some of Hollywood’s most famous personalities including the likes of Farrah Fawcett, Cher, Cristina Ricci, Winona Ryder, Morgan Fairchild, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Naomi Campbell.
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Staying true to his nature, after gleaning everything he could, it was off to the next adventure—the bright lights of New York City. After a four year stint with the famed Warren Tricomi, Davide knew that it was finally time to venture off on his own and launched his namesake salon. 

Making his home in an intimate bi-level Upper East Side space, featuring glistening black and white checkered marble floors, hand-cut vintage mirrors and oversized Venetian chandeliers, he handily delivers high fashion to his extremely loyal fan base. Add to that ultra-modern Karim Rashid chairs that add a burst of neon avocado to the minimalist landscape and this place is glaringly hip while somehow still remaining down to earth. 
I started my transformation alongside celebrated colorist, Milika Botez, who spent the better part of 20 years in Beverly Hills where she met and worked closely with Davide while also working  for Jose Eber, revolutionizing hair color treatments for a wide array of celebrity clientele. 
I wasn’t planning a major change on my visit, but after what amounted to very little coaxing by Milika, I found myself taking a departure from sunny Southern California blonde, to a more, streaky dirty blonde, reminiscent of a Gisele Bündchen look—voila! 

Next up in disrobing my inner chrysalis, were the magical sheers of Davide. He transformed my long, one-length locks, to a face-framing cut that urged me to put on my favorite party dress and go out and hit the city—again and again! 

It takes a special person, and a talented designer to win the trust of the likes of Carmen Electra,  Adam Lambert and Ricky Martin—but Davide Torchio is just that kind of man. He has built his reputation on the relationships he maintains with his clients—he is an artist and a true fashion visionary whose talent is his calling card, but whose heart drives loyalty. 

www.davidetorchiosalon.com
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By Michael Hepworth

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What exactly is GRAND BRULOT I thought to myself as I opened the bottle for the first time just around the time this lockdown took effect. Well, Grand Brulot is listed as a VSOP Cognac Café and it can be used in Bloody Mary’s, Manhattans, Negronis, Martinis, spritzes and sidecars , just for starters. It is a blend of Ugni Blanc & Colombard that is crafted into 80 proof VSOP. Then 100% Robusta Ecuadorian coffee bean essence is extracted and blended with brandy to meld for a few months and finally, it is blended with the VSOP Cognac. There is also a whiff of peppermint, nutmeg and hot cocoa in the drink. The retail price is $42.99.

The idea for the drink was instigated in 2015 by John Bernbach who asked for the help of industry veteran Francisco Tonarely to investigate the potential of a cognac/brandy drink blended with coffee. Three year later in August 2018 Grand Brulot was launched. This cognac comes from the Tardy Cognac Group and the grapes come from its single estate. Grand Brulot also plays homage to a New Orleans specialty of the same name that is still served around town.  The name Grand Brulot was inspired by the famous French pirate Jean Lafite who helped New Orleans repel the British invaders in 1812. He would order coffee, pour cognac in the saucer, set it alight and mix it with the coffee.
Recipes:

THE RISE AND SHINE
2 oz Grand Brulot
Orange Twist

Just pour Grand Brulot over ice and the orange will highlight the flavors
of the spirit.

BRULOT BLACK MANHATTAN
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz Bourbon
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
3 dashes Orange Bitters

Bartender Todd Smith created this one. Stir all the ingredients together in
a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass with ice and garnish

with orange wheel.

FRENCH NEGRONI
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz  Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari

Build in a rocks glass over ice and garnish w/orange wheel.

GRAND BRULOT CAFÉ HOLIDAY
1 oz Grand Brulot
0.5 oz Crème de Cacao
3 oz Porter Beer or Stout
3 dashes of bitters

Throw cocktail ingredients between two cups a couple of times to mix
And ignite the foam from the beer. Pour into a highball glass over ice
And garnish with nutmeg.



www.grandbrulot.com
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