From The Editor

BY CHANNELLE HAYES-SESSIONS

A new year brings change, and with it, we welcome the first edition of 2026. The start of a new chapter always invites reflection as we think about what we're starting, what we're letting go of and what we're carrying forward. New beginnings rarely arrive with fireworks. More often, they show up in small decisions, consistent work and the choice to keep going when the future isn't completely clear.

That persistence is exactly why Robert Dolan and Cashman Photo feel so right for this season. In a city like Las Vegas that's always reinventing itself, Cashman Photo has remained a constant, built on the simple idea of showing up and paying attention. For more than 60 years, Dolan and his team have focused not only on the big moments but also on the everyday ones that quietly shape the city. His approach isn't about chasing trends. It's about moving forward while protecting what matters most: the people, the history and the trust built over decades.

In this issue, we also highlight Alan Cumming, who reflects on new creative chapters and the power of self-reflection, while John Parenti shows what long-term reinvention really looks like — from a kid with a snare drum to songwriter, producer and now founder of a record label. We also get an exclusive interview with WWE Superstar Chelsea Green, who shares her journey back to the ring, proving that one chapter doesn't define the rest of your story. You'll also read a deeply emotional essay from Chic Compass writer Laura Henkel on grace, reminding us that care and showing up day after day can transform both a life and a heart. We also spotlight the life and career of Laura McKenzie, whose path from self-taught musician to television host and producer shows that reinvention comes from adaptability and staying true to your creative roots.

In Las Vegas, the Arts District is buzzing with possibilities this season thanks to the THIRD Street project. It gives artists a place to create, take risks and grow while building a community where creativity fuels connection and opportunity, which you'll read all about in this issue. We also shine the light on Leaders in Training, a community-based nonprofit based in East Las Vegas, helping first-generation youth do the same by teaching them how to show up, stay the course and imagine leadership in their own way.

As always, our compass takes you around the world. We head to Quito for Art Hearts Fashion's first runway show in Ecuador, then to Beverly Hills to talk with James Cameron about "Avatar: Fire and Ash" and Miley Cyrus, who has a powerful connection to the film. In Dallas, we explore the culinary delights of Crown Block from Elizabeth Blau and chef Kim Canteenwalla of Blau & Associates. Back in Las Vegas, we visit Oddyssey Noir at AREA15, step inside The Cabinet of Curiosities at Horseshoe Las Vegas with mixologist Daniel Ponsky, who shows another side of Las Vegas cocktail culture and check out the latest beauty tech from CES 2026. We also take a look at how inflation has affected everyday Americans over the past five years.

We hope you enjoy this issue, packed with powerful stories of reinvention, creativity and resilience. Take a moment to ask yourself: What does this year hold for you, and how are you ready to reinvent yourself? Here's to fresh starts, unwavering dedication and the courage to keep building — for yourself, your community and the world around you.