For our JStyle summer shoot, we headed to RAYE, the sleek new residential addition across from the Van Aken District in Shaker Heights. With its modern aesthetic, calming color palette, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing sweeping views of the Cleveland skyline and Shaker Heights Country Club, RAYE offered the perfect backdrop for a serene, style-forward editorial. Clean lines and natural light let the fashion — and the spirit of summer — shine, as our models showcased looks from some of the area’s standout local boutiques.
Photography: Casey Rearick / Casey Rearick Photo
Fashion: Jessica Simon
Hair and Makeup: Ramona Dauksa Studio
Grant Gravagna
Age: 27 | Director of Major Gifts
Grant wears a blue and white striped button down and ivory pant both by Zegna and plaid sport coat by Zegna Couture all from Kilgore Trout in Woodmere. Shoes by Allen Edmonds are his own.
A Beachwood native who once dreamed of becoming a comedy writer (“Lorne Michaels has yet to call,” he jokes), Grant now puts his talent for connection to work as director of major gifts at University Circle Inc. He’s passionate about Cleveland and grateful for the chance to collaborate with colleagues and donors who care deeply about the city’s future, he says.
Grant describes his personal style as “old-school, but not stodgy.” He feels most confident in a sportcoat and tie, and he’s rarely seen without his well-shined Allen Edmonds. His most-worn item, though, is more sentimental than formal: a green and white Ohio University baseball cap he bought his first day on campus. “The colors are faded, the fabric is fraying, but it represents a time in my life. I won’t ever get rid of it.”
He was drawn to the patterns and textures in the shoot’s styling, and says he’s looking forward to a summer trip to Boston with friends. As for his favorite Cleveland hidden gem? “Johnny’s Little Bar in the Warehouse District. Wonderful staff, a fun atmosphere, and the best burgers in town.”
Sarah Goldstein
Age: 42 | Interior Designer
Sarah wears a Hilda top and Sebastiane skirt by DOEN and a red bead necklace handmade in Ecuador all from Ladder in Shaker Heights. Shoes by Bamboo are her own.
Raised in Moreland Hills, Ohio, Sarah always knew she’d pursue something in the arts. As a kid, she was constantly rearranging furniture, painting, and bringing creative visions to life — an early sign of the hands-on, design-driven path she’d follow. Today, she’s the Senior Designer at Teela Bennett Design, a full-service interior design studio based in Beachwood. She loves the collaborative energy of the team and the opportunity to create spaces that feel thoughtful, personal, and uniquely tailored to each client. “We genuinely enjoy working together,” she says, “and that energy carries into every project.”
While Sarah’s known for her eye for color and composition, she also has a deep love for the construction side of design. “Most people are surprised to learn how much I love the framing and drywall part,” she says. “There’s something so satisfying about seeing a space come together from the ground up.”
Her personal style mirrors her design aesthetic: “Polished, creative, and a little unexpected.” For the shoot, she especially loved wearing hand-selected pieces from small-batch collections
at Ladder — “refined yet free- spirited,” she says.
This summer, she’s spending more time outdoors with her family and recharging on the front porch. “It’s a simple moment,” she says, “but one of my favorites.”
Kim Agin
Age: 39 | Finance Professional and Inventor
Kim wears a navy blue beaded sweater by Fabiana Filippi and Sulli pant in midnight by TWP from Kilgore Trout in Woodmere. Shoes by Dior are her own.
Originally from Baltimore, Kim moved to Cleveland in 2013 after living in New York City and London. She always knew she’d pursue something in business — “I used to sit on the stairs listening to my dad’s finance calls with people in Asia and thought it was the coolest thing.” Today, she works in data strategy and analytics within financial services, where she’s navigating a rapidly changing industry shaped by AI. “It’s such an exciting time. I’m constantly learning and seeing new ways of doing things.”
Outside of work, Kim is the creator of Hair by Flatts, a line of slim, travel-friendly hair rollers sparked by a simple question on a girls’ trip: “Why hasn’t anyone made these flat?” The idea took off — and so did the product.
Kim’s style leans toward classic silhouettes and minimalist elegance. During the shoot, she loved the cream pants and beaded navy sweater — pieces that felt both refined and versatile. This summer, she’s looking forward to pool days, golf, and evenings at Cru, a favorite wintertime spot that reminds her of London: warm lighting, intimate tables, and great conversation.
David Zimmerman
Age: 23 | Supply Chain and Business Development Professional
David wears a classic white t-shirt by Danini, double-breasted CoolMax sportcoat by Alberto Zimni and SuperStretch medium wash jeans by Alberto all from Ticknors Men’s Clothier in Beachwood. Shoes by Goodfellow and watch by Seiko are his own.
Raised in Monroeville, a suburb outside of Pittsburgh, David always imagined he’d grow up to be both a serial entrepreneur and an operational finance analyst. Today, he’s well on his way — working in Cleveland for a natural resource company by day and co-running an AI-powered recruiting software business on the side. “Both roles keep me thinking critically and on my toes,” he says.
David describes his style as European-inspired: clean, tailored, and full of earth tones. “Simple gets it done,” he says, noting that his most-worn pieces are a black Express turtleneck (inspired by the villains from Cobra Kai) and a brown suede pilot jacket he received for his birthday. For the shoot, he was surprised by how much he loved the purple blazer: “It’s a color I didn’t know I needed until now.”
David wears a classic white t-shirt by Danini, double-breasted CoolMax sportcoat by Alberto Zimni and SuperStretch medium wash jeans by Alberto all from Ticknors Men’s Clothier in Beachwood. Shoes by Goodfellow and watch by Seiko are his own.
This summer, David is finishing his master’s degree, continuing to build his startup, working in Cleveland, and sneaking in trips to Michigan and West Virginia. His favorite hangout? Bounce Innovation Hub in Akron— “great coffee, kind people, and the energy of ambition everywhere you look.”
Melissa Paderewski Lopez
Age: 41 | Creative Entrepreneur
Melissa wears the Ethereal Oasis dress from Lisa Moran Ltd. in Woodmere. Shoes by A New Day are her own.
Born and raised in the Cleveland area — technically Solon, with strong ties to Shaker Heights — Melissa always knew she was creative, but it wasn’t until high school that the dream of owning a business began to take shape. Today, she’s living that dream as a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur: she launched her first photography studio in 2013, opened a wedding venue in 2020, and now co-leads a branding and social media business while also partnering with New Image Photography, the studio where she got her start 15 years ago.
“I don’t think I was ever meant to clock in and out,” she says. Melissa thrives on big ideas and fast-paced days — often juggling two businesses and two kids with surprising ease. “People are always shocked at how much I get done.”
Her style is as fluid as her schedule: “I dress for my mood,” she says, though sweatpants are her most- worn item when she’s off- duty. For the shoot, she loved the playful energy of the clothes. This summer, she’s looking forward to the beach — and treasure hunting at her current obsession, Thriftique, which she calls one of Cleveland’s hidden gems.
Above and left: Kim wears the Jillian bustier, Earl shirt in mini pinstripe cotton and Sulli pant in midnight all by TWP and all from Kilgore Trout in Woodmere. Shoes by Dior are her own. Sarah wears a body suit by Maria Stanley, Singapore skirt by MIRTH and Merino wool clutch by Graf Lantz all from Ladder in Shaker Heights. Shoes by Anne Michelle are her own. Grant wears a white zip-up jacket, long-sleeve navy polo and light wash jeans all by Isaia from Kilgore Trout in Woodmere. Shoes by Rothy’s are his own. Middle and right: Sarah wears a Neil maxi dress by Apiece Apart from Ladder in Shaker Heights. Shoes by Anne Michelle are her own. David wears an aqua cotton polo in midnight by Raffi, light wash jeans by DL1961 and blue Industry waffle sportcoat in lavender all from Ticknors Men’s Clothier in Beachwood. Shoes by Goodfellow and watch by Seiko are his own.
Kiln
Kiln is a warm, elegant American bistro inspired by the transformative power of fire and the artistry of functional pottery. Serving seasonal, locally sourced fare rooted in classical techniques, the restaurant, located at the Van Aken District offers a modern take on European and American bistro dining. Designed for sharing and celebration, Kiln brings the community together around thoughtful hospitality, refined flavors, and a beautifully earthy ambiance – complete with custom ceramic tableware crafted by chef/restaurateur Douglas Katz himself.
Grant wears a Johny collar polo by Rag & Bone, jacket by Etro and tan denim by Hiroshi Cato all from Kilgore Trout in Woodmere. Shoes by Allen Edmonds are his own. David wears a plaid sportcoat by Jack Victor, pique roll collar shirt by Marcello and tan jeans by DL1961 all from Ticknors Men’s Clothier in Beachwood. Shoes by Goodfellow and watch by Seiko are his own.
Melissa wears the Niki linen dress by tyler böe from Lisa Moran Ltd. in Woodmere. Shoes by A New Day are her own. David wears a woven linen shirt by Avenue 21, knit sportcoat in brown by Distretto 12 and pants in blue hemp by 34 Heritage all from Ticknors Men’s Clothier in Beachwood. Shoes by Goodfellow and watch by Seiko are his own.
Raye in the Van Aken: Luxury Living Meets Walkable Community
By Lydia Kacala
Atypical day at the Van Aken District looks different for everyone. Visiting the mixed-use center, which offers shopping and dining experiences as well as opportunities to live Upstairs at Van Aken or at the new RAYE apartments across Farnsleigh Road in Shaker Heights, you’ll find local residents and visitors alike spending their time leisurely shopping, grabbing lunch or dinner with their loved ones or walking around the area.
Jesse Rathner, general manager of the Van Aken District, tells Jstyle many different kinds of people can be seen gathering at the development to dine, shop, get their hair or nails done, or even just to people watch.
“We’re a poll for the community, not just Shaker, but for the surrounding suburbs in (the) Greater Cleveland Metropolitan area, specifically on the east side suburbs,” Rathner says. “And, it’s a family- friendly destination, so we see kids, we see adults, we see grandparents (and) empty nesters, who come and use Van Aken for their leisure, discretionary time.”
The living spaces at and near the Van Aken District allow it to develop its own community, and keep those that it serves closer to the area, he notes. Those living in the area can also benefit, with amenities being right outside their front doors.
By adding more living spaces through RAYE, the Van Aken District is able to increase foot traffic while investing more into the area.
“Really, it allows us to, not that we don’t already, but enhance the vested interest that we already have in the area because this is the front door step out of people’s homes – which it was for some, but we’ve now doubled down on that by adding RAYE and the number of units that are there and who’s living there and what they’re seeing,” he says. “It’s an opportunity for us to really challenge us in the right way to continue to make the property shine the way we want it to.”
Rathner says he has one main hope for the future of RAYE and the Van Aken District – growth. He hopes for the future of the apartment building and area to remain intertwined, continuing to work together to create community and be a “mutually beneficial experience” to one another.
“My hope is that they help fortify together to create this downtown of Shaker Heights and make it a heartbeat for the city – that people will want to keep coming to Van Aken, consider living in Ray, consider the district as their home and their destination to gather and have that grow as the district continues to grow,” he says.