With tremendous gratitude and appreciation to the Gallery Books team, specifically Emilia Pisani, whose insight and unstoppable talent made this book possible.
Profound thanks and ongoing debt to the RKOI team: David Kuhn and the Kuhn Projects crew, especially the wonderful Jessie Borkan; CAA Publishing and the extraordinary Cait Hoyt; Stephanie DeLuca, publicity rock star; and copyeditor Steven Boldt, whose sharp eye was invaluable.
For those whose wealth of knowledge and insight aided in the creation of this book: Jack Siebert; surf guru Joss Kelly, and Justin Hogan. The brilliant Baron Cody Franchetti, this semicolon is for you; to Magnus Ranstrop, for taking time out from his busy schedule to answer silly questions. The elegant and sophisticated Johan Nissen and, of course, a “ciao ciao” to Justin Ward and JWHCS Hamptons Concierge Service.
To those who inspire every day: King Jerry Kalajian and IPG; Laurie Meadoff, who endlessly inspires; Liz Killmond-Roman, for her wisdom; Matti Leshem and Lynn Harris Leshem. To Will Smith I, whose support and friendship is a great gift. To Karen Burnes, one of the most exceptional and bighearted people in the world . . . you are loved. To Leslie Epstein and Skip Hays, who make this all possible. And to the late E. Lynn Harris, who is still around, helping the words to come.
To our family, whose emotional support means the world: Dr. Stephen and Roberta Sloan; Greg Sloan; Chris, Carla, Calder, and Caleb Sloan; Jon and Julie Gold; Aaron Miller. Ina Lise Warming Larsen; Kai Warming; Tine Warming, Ronni Tias Nielsen and the Hobbits. And to our friends, who mean just as much: Emily Johnson; Margaret and Keith Frederickson; Jefferson Courtney. And, of course, Myles Grosovsky. To the inspiring Peter Mauceri. To Kenneth French and NYU SCPS; Katherine Burnes; Limor Aberman; Ned “Lyndon Walker” Shatzner and “Burn Brother” Zachary Karabashliev. To Nicole Vorias, brilliant producer and all around cool chick. Also to Neal Feinberg, a gifter writer, for his encouragement. Michael Patric Hall; Loretta Coney; Steve Waitt; Stephen Sanders; Xiaoyan Zhang; CGTextures.com; to the guys at the Grand and Graham Street Farmer’s Deli; Caroline C. Woods; Mara Cazars; Terrell Jones; Tucker Hollingsworth; Brandee Dallow; Davy Rothbart; Malina Saval and Best Man Stephan Fowlkes. To the gifted Aimee Delong. To Ned Martin Shatzner and Renee Martin Shatzner, who is always in our hearts.
To all the RKOI kids, who are unapologetically themselves; in a world where so few will live out loud, you guys have guts, and for that you deserve admiration.