CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Raising awareness for “Shine on Sierra Leone” with my beautiful cohost Selita Ebanks at the Venice Beach home of photographer Philip Dixon; Celebrating Traditional Jewelers’ Lula and Erick Halfacre’s donation to the Art of Elysium with my event cohost Ali Larter; Welcoming Italian furniture design impresario Anna Lenti with Robert Yadegar, Shoshana Gilbert and Elizabeth Moore at the Niche Showroom; DeLatori’s latest collection with Tal and Ori Zemer of the Charriol family, and Valerie Robles

Understated masculinity? Buh-bye. Say hello to bespoke suits, jewel-encrusted belt buckles, handmade ostrich-leather shoes and cosmetic procedures—today’s modern man is consuming high-end products and services with a voracious appetite. In fact, this segment is one of the luxury sector’s fastest-growing areas—and it’s not just about expensive Swiss watches and German automobiles anymore. Redefining mainstream masculinity, today’s high-net-worth man requires the same exceptional caliber of design and sophisticated taste we used to attribute to women alone.

In this issue, we celebrate all things urban-elite male, and I wonder what is at the heart of this increased luxury awareness. What are the catalysts driving this obvious groundswell change in our social fabric? Perhaps it’s the undeniable global success of men’s fashion icons—personified by Tom Ford—or the influences of entertainment industry characters like Don Draper (portrayed by Jon Hamm in Mad Men), who is akin to the quintessential Hollywood leading man Cary Grant. Whatever the forces, it’s clear we’re in the midst of a cultural revolution, evidenced further by trends such as designer sneakers and the launch of Gilt Groupe’s male-focused accessories and apparel shopping destination, Park & Bond.

So this month, whether you embrace or are repelled by bromances, manscaping, metrosexuals and murses, this woman says, bring it on! I believe ZZ Top had it right when they sang, “Every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp-dressed man.” Don your best attire, and I look forward to celebrating our fantastic cover star Gerard Butler with you later this month. And finally, Los Angeles Confidential is excited to launch our partnership with the new social media travel site, Gogobot. Visit the LAC magazine collection on gogobot.com for our favorite LA hot spots each month.

ALISON MILLER

Follow me on Twitter at @alisonmillerlac.