Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/259813
When: 1990. Where: Los Angeles. What: Betty and Ali meet for the first time. "It was at a rave club," Betty says. "We partied until the sun came up in Malibu. I thought to myself, That was fun…" Guess so. They have been married for 20 years and have a son, Omar, 15, and daughter, Ines, 17. Betty, a self-described serial entrepre- neur who was born in Jerusalem and grew up in San Francisco, has founded a cookie company, fashion boutiques (she started Stil Clothing, which had four locations in Greater Boston), and is now the owner of Stil Studio, a yoga studio in Dedham. Ali, who grew up in Pakistan, Norway, Los Angeles, Switzerland, and England, is the founder and CEO of Attivio, an enterprise soft- ware company that has raised $71 million in growth funding. Despite their busy schedules, the couple, who moved to Boston 13 years ago, prioritize each other. "We laugh, we argue, we make up, and we evolve," says Ali. They've come a long, long way from that rave club. What are you wearing tonight? BR: The dress was custom-made by Boston designer Sam Mendoza. [I'm also wearing] a Mongolian lamb shrug, a coin bracelet from a street shop in Mexico, and a limited-edition necklace designed by Deepak Chopra—a gift from my husband on my 40th birthday. AR: A Burberry jacket, Dubuc trousers, Bally sneak- ers, and Chopard shades. Describe your style. BR: It's an eclectic expression of edited elegance. AR: Relaxed elegance. I love to dress and look good, but I must be comfortable. Describe each other's style. BR: He doesn't give a damn about labels, but uses his instinct to always wear the right thing. AR: She mixes it up, elegant and bohemian. She can rock a Lanvin gown as easily as a fitted leather shirt with skinny jeans. What do you love about each other? BR: His "I don't give a hoot what anyone thinks" attitude, not to mention his wit and charm. AR: Seriously, everything! She's gorgeous, a great mom and wife. She's cool and my best friend. Did I mention she's gorgeous? Your philosophy on life: BR: Live, love, and forgive fully. AR: Surround yourself with family and friends who you love and are a positive inf luence. HIGH-END ZEN Betty and Ali Riaz mix couture with Karma THIS PAGE: ON HIM: SHIRT, BRIONI ($575). NEIMAN MARCUS, COPLEY PLACE, 617-536-3660; NEIMANMARCUS.COM. TIE, ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA ($195). NEIMAN MARCUS, SEE ABOVE. ON HER: BRACELET, TALIA ($890). BLOOMINGDALE'S, 225 BOYLSTON ST., 617-630-6000; BLOOMINGDALES.COM. SANDALS, TABITHA SIMMONS ($1,345). NEIMAN MARCUS, SEE ABOVE. FEMALE MODEL (BACK LEFT): DRESS, KATE SPADE NEW YORK ($448). BLOOMINGDALE'S, SEE ABOVE. CUFF, DINA MACKNEY ($580). NEIMAN MARCUS, SEE ABOVE. OPPOSITE PAGE: ON HER: EARRINGS, RONI BLANSHAY ($548). BLOOMINGDALE'S, SEE ABOVE. RING, IPPOLITA ($595). BLOOMINGDALE'S, SEE ABOVE. BAG, DOLCE & GABBANA ($1,345). SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, THE SHOPS AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER, 617-236-3100; SAKS.COM. ON HIM: POCKET SQUARE, LASLETT & STOCKER ($65). BLOOMINGDALE'S, SEE ABOVE 106 BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 100-107_BC_F_Couplesr2_Spring14.indd 106 2/7/14 5:49 PM