CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Tal and Danielle Zemer; Eve Vavra Combs and Tinsley Mortimer; Brianna Birtles; Marco of Marco Art and Jason Binn

New Starts

Spring brings with it so many exciting changes: more daylight hours, fewer layers and shorter sleeves, a bevy of additional excuses to update your wardrobe (as if we needed more!), extra time to spend enjoying the outdoors and, of course, new beginnings.

It is with great pride and pleasure that we announce Samantha Yanks’ newest appointment as Gotham’s editor in chief. It seems only a short while ago that we welcomed her aboard as our fashion director in December of 2004. Samantha’s chic New York sensibility has driven the evolution of our fashion pages, bringing our readers an insider’s look at the most sought-after fashion brands and unique insight into designers’ inspirations. Her impeccable taste continues to shine in this issue, where we bring you pages and pages of fashion must-haves—from Prada to Jimmy Choo—arming you fashionistas with the ultimate guide to looking stylish this spring. Greg Kessler brings us backstage at this year’s NY Fashion Week, while at the private Norwood club we showcase some of New York’s most covet-worthy couture (and personalities).

And as if that weren’t enough, we’re so pleased to have New York native Alicia Keys as our beautiful and oh-so-talented cover star. Possibly her best album to date—The Element of Freedom—is already ruling iPods everywhere and has certainly taken over as the soundtrack of Gotham’s offices.

We close this issue by highlighting for you a sampling of our favorite wine spots and culinary delights from local up-and-coming chefs, sure to whet your appetite.

As always, we hope you enjoy the issue.

JASON BINN

BRIANNA BIRTLES

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN KILLIAN/WIREIMAGE.COM (BIRTLES)