"We run a restaurant together, we work out together, we shop together," says
Komal Patel of her partnership with her husband, Attila Gyulai, with whom she
created Embeya, the progressive Asian restaurant in the West Loop. "Many times
we color coordinate," chimes in Gyulai, who often sets the tone with a classic tai-
lored navy suit from favorite labels like Ermenegildo Zegna, Morris & Sons ("A
fantastic, fantastic shop—they really know what they are selling"), and Suitsupply,
while Patel is smitten with Maria Pinto's new M2057 line. "I love classic shapes
with somewhat unusual texture and an architectural feel," she says of the label.
A native of Zambia, Patel prefers a dose of whimsy in her wardrobe, though
she and Gyulai avoid competing with Embeya's stunning aesthetic; today, Patel's
raven hair cascades down a black and white Jean Paul Gaultier maxi dress that
complements Gyulai's light violet button-down. "To an extent we want to [blend
into] the background," she says of the Karen Herold–designed destination ("We
probably sent the wood f loor back at least 20 times to get [the distressed] look,"
recalls Gyulai). Adds Patel, "A lot of what we wear is shaped by our environment
and who we are dressing for." She grimaces when Gyulai cites age as an addi-
tional factor for how their wardrobe has evolved in the four years since they met.
"Speak for yourself," she laughs as Gyulai kisses her forehead. "I feel like I'm 21."
t h e v i s i o n a r i e s
beauty
is in the details for the husband and wife team behind embeya.
Gyulai:
SuitinG
provided
by
MorriS
&
SonS;
patel:
ClothinG
provided
by
tel
aviv
Couture;
hair
and
Makeup
by
daniel
howell
