The Mercado Global Celebration
The Mercado Global Celebration benefit was held on October 18, 2017 at The Prince George Ballroom in support of women entrepreneurs. Jewelry designer Pamela Love received the 2017 Fashion Forward Visionary Award. The event was chaired by philanthropist Yaz Hernandez and the Vice Chairs included Rachel Alonso-Mendoza, Carla Isabel Carstens, PJ Pascual, Gabriel Rivera-Barraza, and Laura Day Webb. The annual event was attended by business leaders, top retailers, and major philanthropists who enjoyed an evening of inspiration and action. The event celebrated Mercado Global’s work to empower women and promote ethical practices in the fashion industry.
"We're thrilled with the event tonight,” said Mercado Global’s Executive Director Ruth DeGolia. “We're humbled by the support of our NYC community tonight. It's now more important than ever to focus on what unites us, and we're thrilled to celebrate women's empowerment with such a successful event!"
Guests included: Coromoto Atencio, Gabriel Alonso-Mendoza, Marina Dobreva, Marc Donatello, Sophie Bischoff, Shannon Broyles, Christine Healey de Casanova, Carla Carstens, Ruth DeGolia (Mercado Global's Executive Director), Eve Delf, Emie Diamond, Marina Dobreva, Jacqueline Horowitz, Valentin Hernandez, Kathryn Kerns, ason Keehn(CEO & Founder of Accompany), Julie Koch-Beinke, Stephanie Loeffler, Emily Mann, Maria Teresa Mata, Dr. John Mesa, Noria Morales, Alexandra Seegers, Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, and Rachel Valdes.
The evening began at 6:30 with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres including sesame chicken skewers, roasted vegetable and goat cheese tart, and more. Dinner began at 7:30, when guests were greeted with grissini bread sticks in glasses on the tables. An appetizer of kale and quinoa with butternut squash was followed by a main course choice of pan roasted Alaskan halibut or filet mignon. A silent vegetarian option offered strozzapreti pasta primavera. Belgian chocolate cake was served for dessert.
The program continued with the awards presentation. Vice Chairs PJ Pascual and Gabriel Rivera-Barraza presented the award to Accompany and Pamela Love. Rivera-Barraza said, “What an honor for Mercado Global to partner with Accompany and Pamela Love to empower women in needed communities!!"
Throughout the evening, guests pre-ordered items from Mercado Global’s Resort 2017 and Spring/Summer 2018 Collection. The silent auction was stocked full of incredible finds including: a three day/night trip for two to Cuba; Jenny Packham jewelry ensemble; Marchesa jewelry ensemble; Silvia Tcherassi item; Guatemala Getaway; Tomas Maier bag; Etro bag; Macro Palli Art piece; Julio Gaggia Photo; Pamela Love Jewelry set; Winery Tour and Tasting; Pologeorgis Fur; Theory item; Mercado Global One-of-a-Kind Travel Set; Signed gloves from Manny Pacquiao Custom shoes by Lareymondie; 2 custom portraits by Masana NYC; 2 Tickets to Billy Joel; PJ Pascual Styling Services; Tom Binns jewelry piece; Point shoes signed by Stella Abrera, Marcelo Lua, Cory Stearns, Misty Copeland, and Gillian Murphy; Milos Raonic Wimbledon shoes and hardcourt shoes; Leather spa gift certificate; Gift certificate to Bistro Chat Noir, Sam Edelman Shopping Spree, Marianella Soap; and a Giuseppe Zanotti Clutch.
The event's sponsors included: Alternatives, PIMCO, Exec|Comm, BESPOKE Custom Cuba Travel, Schai, IO Collective, Vias Imports Ltd., Lagunitas Brewing Company, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Wilo's Flower Designs, Altrum Honors, and Hennessy.
ABOUT PAMELA LOVE, 2017 FASHION FORWARD VISIONARY AWARDEE:
Native New Yorker Pamela Love began making jewelry in her Brooklyn apartment in 2007. Since then, she has created a full production facility and design studio in Manhattan’s garment district.
The line is committed to sustainability and localized production whenever possible. The majority of the line is produced domestically in New York City and Los Angeles. Any manufacturing done outside of the United States is carefully considered and vetted for social and environmental responsibility. Love strives to keep old techniques and traditions alive while still employing new technologies that help to move us forward. She has collaborated with Mercado Global on two collections and the organization is thrilled to honor her this year.
ABOUT MERCADO GLOBAL
Mercado Global is a Brooklyn-based accessory brand and non-profit that empowers rural Latin American women to become entrepreneurs. Through donor-funded business education and leadership programs, we help women create community businesses to support themselves and their families. By designing collections for the international market while using traditional local weaving techniques, we are changing the status quo for women, communities, and the industry.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MERCADO GLOBAL: https://www.mercadoglobal.org
Instagram: @mercadoglobal | #MGcelebration
Photos courtesy of Vlasta Pilot/BFA.com
Joshua Beamish and the MOVETHECOMPANY present: Saudade
On a cold and rainy Wednesday night, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Joshua Beamish, choreographer and the leader of the MOVETHECOMPANY, debuted his first full-length dance for New York dance admirers and critics. The piece was a direct reflection of it’s namesake,, “SAUDADE,” a derivative of a Portuguese word that refers to a feeling of longing or melancholy for a feeling of missing love.
Beamish managed to merge two completely different styles of dance, ballet and street-style, in order to pinpoint feelings that are often too difficult for individuals to express through words. The performance could be viewed as a confrontation between feelings that people are too often afraid to admit to unless they are left alone. What made the performance even more memorable was the fact that it was executed by an all-male ensemble, which included six dancers: David Norsworthy, Sean Aaron Carmon, Kevin Quinaou, Dominic Santia, Timothy Stickney, and Lloyd Knight. Although the 21st century has been making history for breaking down boundaries, it is still quite rare to witness an all-male cast perform such a delicate and tender choreography without a lady holding the lead.
As the audience took their seats, and the lights went dim, there was a feeling of suspense and excitement in the room. Although most of the audience knew the dance company and the choreographer behind the piece, no one really knew as to what to expect. However, as soon as the first dancer came out on stage, everyone moved to the edge of their seats. The performance created a storyline of several men, who experience jealousy, anger, madness, love, and passion, which were all expressed through body language and movement. As one solo performance ended, a duet followed, which eventually flowed into a group performance. It was fascinating to witness how complicated issues related to love, such as love triangles, would be expressed through movement without having the words being spoken, or even the music including any implications. However, dance is not just movement; it is also theatre, which was proved true by Saudade. Each segment within the performance, whether completed as a solo, pas de deux, or as a group, produced a stream of intricate emotions, which allowed the audience to be present and be engulfed by the performance. Just as convoluted and fragile as love, each dance portrayed a story that carried those sentiments within itself, resulting in a ride on a roller coaster of emotions.
The performance left the audience in an uneasy state, due to the great reveal of feelings, and how deep and profound the piece was not just to the dancers, but to the viewers as well. The feelings it carried made you reminisce the lost love that once might have existed, but has never really gone quite right. Yet, it had its magic which was worth remembering through the performance just one last time, almost as if it was the final closure.
Performance photos by Ani Collier
Event photos by Jared Siskin/PMC
The Icla da Silva Foundation Hope Gala
Annual event of dinner and dance which was an unforgettable night marking the celebration of the Foundation’s 25th anniversary in achievements in fighting leukemia and other diseases treatable by bone marrow transplants. The evening's highlight was the emotional first-time meeting between a former patient with her life-saving bone marrow donor.
Outside the Shell: Oysters & Libation Pairing
On Saturday, October 14th, Pier A and Edible hosted 'Outside the Shell' - An Oyster and Libation Pairing Event. The event was an afternoon of freshly shucked oysters and delicious aromatic cocktails - all against the backdrop of New York Harbor. It was quite a way to kick off the fall festivities.
Edible Manhattan, the innovators behind some of the city's most desirable culinary events, invited patrons to a feast of sensory wonders dedicated to two of people’s favorite sybaritic pleasures: oysters and cocktails.
The superbly restored Beaux-Arts mansion that is Pier A Harbor House was a fittingly glamorous setting for this fabulous event, offering unforgettable views of the Statue of Liberty and the NYC coastline!
There was no other place to be than to be enjoying an array of oysters and cocktails and overlooking the New York Harbor from Pier A Harbor House. Guests sampled creamy and sweet oysters from the East End of Long Island alongside cocktails from celebrated spirit brands. Delicious food and drinks were featured from top NYC restaurants: Montauk Pearl Oysters, Blue Island Oysters, Fishers Island Oyster Farm, Lucky 13 Oysters, and Trois Petits Cochons, Montauk Pearl Oysters • Blue Island Oysters • Fishers Island Oyster Farm • Lucky 13 Oysters • Cornell Oysters • Oysterponds Shellfish Co. • West Robins Oyster Company • Eastern Bays Oyster Company • Pier A Harbor House • L&W Oyster Co. • Stinky Bklyn • Trois Petits Cochons • Hiro Sake • Proud Pour • Remy Cointreau featuring The Botanist Gin • Bruichladdich • New York Cider featuring Orchard Hill Cider Mill • Hiro Sake • Union Beer featuring: Sixpoint Brewery, Brewery Ommegang/Duvel, Barrier Brewing Co. and Flagship Brewing Co. • Diageo featuring Johnnie Walker, Singleton and Guinness • Pernod Ricard featuring: Absolut Elyx, Lot 40, Plymouth Gin and Lillet
Incredible wine, delicious fare, and amazing vibes in a gorgeous setting; Outside the Shell was the perfect way to kick off autumn.
RealEats - Dinner in 6 Minutes
New York, NY (October 2017)- RealEats, a newly-launched subscription service that delivers healthy and delicious prepared meals, is now available to order on the East Coast. Made by some of America’s top chefs using all fresh, never-processed ingredients, RealEats aims to make real food simple.
RealEats is the concept of working single dad, CEO and Founder Dan Wise. Set out to find a fast and healthy solution for his family dinners, Wise created RealEats for the busy, yet mindful consumer. “RealEats solves the common dilemma of trading off good health and taste for a quick fix,” says Wise. “We're able to give our customers back 60 minutes a day by providing them with meals that are ready in minutes, with no compromises. There’s no prep, no cleaning up, no junk –just real food, made simple.”
Each meal is made by one of America’s top chefs in collaboration with RealEats’ Culinary Director Katy Sparks, including Dale Talde, Bill Telepan, Kat Turner, Lien Lin, and Silvia Baldini, delivering healthy, at-home versions of restaurant quality dishes straight to consumers’ homes. Unlike other subscription meal services, RealEats is all in the bag - literally. Each meal is prepared in the RealEats kitchen, then vacuum-sealed inside food-safe, recyclable pouches locking in the freshness, flavor, and nutrients of real food ingredients. Meals stay fresh in the fridge for seven days from delivery. To heat, the pouches are simply placed in a pot of boiling water and are ready in 6 minutes. No microwaving or nuking required.
RealEats is headquartered in Geneva, NY, in the heart of the Fingerlakes agricultural region of New York, one of the richest food sheds in the northeast. There, RealEats is committed to only using responsibly-sourced ingredients to provide a true farm-to-table experience for customers. Ingredients are non-GMO, never processed, and free from added hormones, antibiotics, preservatives or junk of any kind.
As RealEats continues to grow, it is also evolving by giving more options to its customers. Beginning this October, customers are now able to choose from an expanded menu selection, inclusive of a rotation of three new signature chef dishes each week. Additionally, meal plans can be ordered in plates of 4, 6, 8 and 12.
RealEats is determined to make real food simple for the consumer and advocates the simple belief that we are what we eat. At its core, the company is all about the importance of eating real and RealEats is a proud supporter of Teen Cancer America, working with the organization, founded by The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend, to help educate teen cancer patients, survivors and their family about the importance of real food.
RealEats is available for order in select states, with plans to expand in the future. To order RealEats or for more information, visit www.RealEats.com.
Photos courtesy of RealEats
Tea & Fromage Tasting
On the evening of Wednesday, October 4th, Ravi Kroesen and Maxwell Pollock of Royal Tea New York joined Charles Duque of The French Dairy Board to provide a “most unusual but exquisite pairing” of premier tea and cheeses. The tasting took place at The French Cheese Board (La Maison de Fromage), a bright and ornate cheese shop located in the heart of SoHo. As guests arrived at the tasting, they were warmly welcomed with greetings from the hosts and crisp, chilled white wine. Roughly sixteen guests total found themselves seated at a long and rustic wooden table with a breathtaking presentation of cheeses, baguette rounds, quiches, garnishes, and actual tea leaves.
As the formal tasting took place, three distinct cheeses were paired with three unique types of tea. While the cheeses were already positioned on the table, the different teas were freshly brewed at the “tea bar” counter. From there, Maxwell Pollock described in great detail his pairing choices. Rich Matcha tea was paired with tangy, buttery cantal cheese. Qu Lan Phoenix Oolong tea, a tea rich in honey and pear flavors, was paired with Secret de Scey (Morbier) cheese, a creamy and mature cheese. Finally, Golden Yunnan tea, which has hints of sweet potato and caramel, was paired with Fourme D’Ambert cheese, a creamy, delicate, and fruity blue cheese. Throughout the tasting, guests enjoyed discussing the various flavors and aromas of the cheeses and teas.
The French Cheese Board is the perfect stop for all cheese connoisseurs of New York as well as for those looking to learn more. Since it is considered a “concept store,” The French Cheese Board serves as an educational space on the cheeses of France. Additionally, Royal Tea New York is a tea importer that provides tea drinkers with an abundant variety of teas to take home. Overall, the two businesses forged together splendidly, as the Tea & Fromage tasting was both informative and a complete delight.
Special thanks to @frenchcheeseboard
Photos courtesy of Teddy Adolphe
FoST Festival 2017
During the first weekend of October, The Future of StoryTelling (FoST) Festival gave New Yorkers the chance to engage with some of most cutting-edge trends in storytelling technology. Situated in Snug Harbor on Staten Island, the festival was hosted by the Future of StoryTelling University, an age-old institution that teaches and promotes the art of storytelling.
The storytelling tradition has ancient roots, but the FoST festival was the definition of modern. Guests wandered through an idyllic campus of gardens and greenery and explored exhibits, participated in activities, and watched performances featuring the latest in virtual reality technologies, artificial intelligence, interactive media and more.
Among the hundreds of exhibits featured during the festival were demos like “Free the Night,” a virtual reality experience that uses the latest Acer headset to allow users to release stars into the night sky (presented by Microsoft and Jaunt), and “The Last Goodbye,” a VR experience where users are taken along to Holocaust survivor Pinchas Gutter’s final visit to Majdanek Concentration Camp (presented by Gabo Arora and Ari Palitz in association with USC Shoah Foundation, MPC & Here Be Dragons).
The festival highlighted how the modern age of technology is bringing people from all walks of life into contact and broadening perspectives on what life is like in other corners of the world. VR technologies give users more authentic encounters with the lives of others and foster a greater sense of understanding and empathy.
Guests at the festival were able to take in the experiences of people like Ramadevi, a survivor of child trafficking, whose story, “Notes to my Father,” is told using a mix of verbatim theater and documentary storytelling techniques in the world’s first live-capture VR experience about sex trafficking (presented by Jayisha Patel).
The technologies highlighted by the FoST festival are reshaping the way we take in pop culture, and even reshaping the culture itself. “On Stage: Major Lazer” is a virtual reality music docuseries from Hulu and Live Nation that transports users into the creative process of Major Lazer. “The Johnny Cash Project” is “a crowdsourced homage to the Man in Black”, where people from around the world draw individual frames from the “Ain’t No Grave” music video to create a cohesive work of totally unique artistic styles (presented by Chris Milk and Aaron Koblin).
Artificial intelligence technologies are being put to good use with new creations like “Project Blossom,” a robotic social companion for kids on the autism spectrum. This “smart companion” can help children learn about social engagement by exhibiting realistic empathetic responses to videos (presented by Miguel de Andres with Google and Guy Hoffman with Cornell).
The technologies exhibited at the FoST Festival were innovative, often surprising, and very promising. For both people immersed in VR and tech culture and people simply interested in checking out what the modern world has to offer, the Future of StoryTelling is an excellent resource. For more information about the festival and the FoST community, click here.
Photos courtesy of Edelman and FoST
Breakout Artist Comedy Series: Gianmarco Soresi at Carolines
On Wednesday, September 27th, Gianmarco Soresi (SeeSo's New York's Funniest, TruTV's Hack My Life, Comedy Central), known around NYC as a multitalented comedian, actor, improviser and writer, brought his high energy stand-up comedy and unique perspective on city living, dating and divorce, mental illness and more to Carolines on Broadway as part of the Breakout Artist Comedy Series. Joining Soresi was host Gabe Pacheco (Funhouse Comedy, Secret Loft Show, FLAMA), guest Chris Cafero (UCB, The Night Of, Billions, As The World Turns), and feature Erin Maguire (Girl Friday, Boston Comedy Festival, GSN, ESPN).
The show started with some jokes from the hilarious host, Gabe Pacheco. Pacheco is a ubiquitous fixture in the NYC comedy scene, performing regularly at the Creek and the Cave, The Knitting Factory, and Carolines. Gabe co-hosts a weekly comedy showcase, Funhouse Comedy, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with Sameer Naseem and is also the host-in-residence for the Secret Loft Show. You can also listen to Gabe weekly on the left-leaning political Katie Halper Show on WBAI. This year he will be featured in the Harlem Comedy Fest.
Followed by Gabe’s opening was the uproarious Chris Cafero. Chris is an actor, writer and comedian living and working in NYC. He attended college at George Washington University and New York University. Chris has studied with Joan Rosenfels, Ted Sluberski, Susan Terry (Voice), the Washington Improv Theater and the Upright Citizens Brigade (Advanced Studies Program). Select credits include The Night Of (HBO), Billions (ShowTime), As The World Turns (CBS), and The Awesome 80's Prom (Off-Broadway). You can see him performing in comedy clubs across the city and hear him on the radio with national ads for Staples, AT&T, DirecTV, and Coca-cola. Cafero made the audience feel like they had known him forever with his unfiltered jokes and his comfort with the stage.
Next was the charming and witty Erin Maguire recently appeared in the Boston Comedy Festival, Laugh Your Asheville Off, and opened for Caroline Rhea in Woodstock. She's been seen on Game Show Network and ESPN. Her first album, Girl Friday is available for download on iTunes. She also recently won the Woodstock Comedy Festival's Five Minutes of Fame competition. Erin had the audience in tears with her jokes about topics we can all relate to.
Finally came the sensational headliner, Gianmarco Soresi. Gianmarco is a stand-up comedian, actor and writer - although the first line of his obituary will likely read, “guy from all those General Electric commercials”. He’s performed at Carolines, Gotham, The Metropolitan Room, The Creek and The Cave, Hu Ke Lau, The PIT, UCB, QED, Broadway Comedy Club, Paste Magazine Studios, can be seen on SeeSo’s New York’s Funniest and his stand-up comedy infused play "Less Than 50%" (which premiered in the 2014 Fringe Festival) will make it’s Off-Broadway debut at 59E59 Theaters in July 2018. His writing, including the popular sketch series Matza Pizza, has been featured in Fast Company, CityLab, Huffington Post, Metro NY, LAUGHSPIN, spoiledNYC, Comedy Cake, Splitsider, and he’ll be writing and acting for a Funny or Die Exclusive later this year. Recent acting credits include CBS’ Blue Bloods, A&E’s Unforgettable, Comedy Central, and Tracy Morgan’s new TBS show The Last O.G. He also recently recorded his soon to-be released hour-long stand-upcomedy special INFINITE BRIS, produced by Edge in Motion Productions, and funded with help by Emmy-winning former Late Show with David Letterman writer Ted Greenberg. Gianmarco was the perfect headliner, the laughter from the crowd was constant with his self-deprecating yet awe-inspiring humor.
The Breakout Artist Comedy Series was a fantastic event with great drinks and great laughs, definitely attend this annual event if ever given the chance.
Special thanks to Mariana from Shark Party Media.
Dreamball 2017
On Wednesday, September 23rd, the American Cancer Society and the Look Good Feel Better Foundation joined together at Cipriani 42nd Street to host the 33rd annual Dreamball gala.
This year, the Dreamball gala honored Barry and Marla Beck, founders of Bluemercury, Inc, and Donald J. Loftus, President of Parlux Ltd, for their support of and contributions to the Look Good Feel Better Program, whose mission is to help cancer patients come to terms with the appearance related side effects of treatment through lessons on skin care, cosmetics, and styling.
Barry and Marla Beck, along with Leonard Lauder
Don’t get it wrong, though -- the Look Good Feel Better program is much more about confidence than vanity. Throughout the night, countless people shared how the program had provided them not only with a community of support, but, in the much applauded words of this years Dreamgirl, actress Krista Rodrigeuz, “the realization that I could still look like myself, which helped me still feel like myself.”
Dreamgirl Krista Rodrigeuz
Her charm and vitality lit up the room, and after being stunned by her rendition of "Tomorrow," from Annie, everyone was ready to bid on the many beautiful items available for auction, including timepieces from Frederique Constant, a trip to Miraval Arizona, and an entire skincare line from Dior.
Don Loftus
Following the silent auction, guests headed over to Dreamball After Dark, where they danced the night away to musical duo 'Issac Likes Jenny' while sipping on cocktails and enjoying hors d'oeuvres.
While it seems minor compared to some of the other pitfalls of cancer, appearance related changes are incredibly debilitating to cancer patients -- exemplified by the fact that the Look Good Feel Better program only began when a doctor became concerned after a patient of theirs felt too dissatisfied with their own appearance to leave their bed.
Lezlee Westine, Krysta Rodriguez, Danyelle Boilard-Paul, Jamie Colby, Louanne Roark
Since then, LGFB has helped almost 2 million people around the world be more confident in the face of their diagnosis. With the money raised from this year's event -- $1,226,460.00 in total, the LGFB program can further expand their reachand continue to make sure that no person will ever feel lesser than the strong, amazing being that they are.
Elle Macpherson, Leonard Lauder
For more information about the Look Good Feel Better Program, visit: http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/
Photos courtesy of BFA and PauWilmotCommunications
Taco Takeover 2017
Summer’s over, so that means...tacos? On the surprisingly hot weekend of September 23rd, 2017, Cannonball Productions and Thrillist presented the NYC Taco Takeover, a food festival/party that celebrated the most cultured of comfort food: the taco.
Hosted at The Well in Brooklyn, the Taco Takeover featured Latin inspired dishes from restaurants such as La Esquina, Oaxaca Taqueria, and Zengo. Some of my personal twists on the taco were the Spicy Pork Taco from Kimchi Grill, the Empanada Al Pastor from Empanada Papa, and the Chicken Taco from Bodega Negra.
As the afternoon went on, focus shifted from the food to the fun: margaritas, beer, and tequila flowed freely, the DJ pumped up the music, and everyone took turns whacking the pinata and testing their stomachs in a nacho eating contest. Other games included a giant Connect Four set and a beanbag toss, which guests enjoyed while munching down on churros that they decorated themselves.
Overall, the Taco Takeover is a fun foodie feast that all of taco obsessed will love. Get there early, and you’ll be sure to have a great time.
For a full list of participants and sponsors, check out thetacotakeover.com.
Photos courtesy of Taco Takeover
Luckyrice 2017
On September 22, 2017, on 36th floor of the gorgeous Mandarin Oriental, LUCKYRICE hosted its eighth annual New York Feast.
Created by Danielle Chang in 2010, LUCKYRICE is a platform that supports Asian cuisine and culture by showcasing the Asian influenced work of top chefs, mixologists, and entrepreneurs from around the world.
On Friday, however, the focus was on the food. This year’s samplings included a tasty duck confit from Osamil, a new brunch spot in Koreatown; butter chicken from the contemporary Indian restaurant Badshah; and jianbing from none other than the legendary Mr. Bing.
For dessert, guests were treated to an assortment of mooncakes and sponge cakes; thai ice cream rolls from 10Below Ice Cream; and, for the bravehearted, a grasshopper panna cotta from the Black Ant.
The event also featured an American Express lounge, where guests could take funky pictures and spin a “Wheel of Fortune” to win prizes. This writer managed to take home a copy of Danielle Chang’s book Lucky Rice: Stories and Recipes from Night Markets, Feasts, and Family Tables, which features some of the best dishes Chang has collected since beginning LUCKYRICE.
Since it’s inception, LUCKYRICE has sponsored cocktail parties, homey dinner feasts and wine tastings all over the country, managing to gain the support of culinary stars such as Anita Lo, Daniel Boulud, and Marcus Samuelsson along the way. It’s a platform that is continuing to expand and grow, and one that will no doubt prove an incredible influence in changing the context in which we view Asian cuisine -- from a cheap commodity to a product of thousands of years of history and tradition.
Learn more about LUCKYRICE on their website, and be sure to check out their show LUCKY CHOW, which airs on PBS.
Photos courtesy of Luckyrice
Vago's One-Year Anniversary Party
On Tuesday night, Victoria Guan and Tony Rustja celebrated the one-year anniversary of their Midtown restaurant ‘Vago’, whose name means ‘beauty’ in Old Latin. The restaurant serves a variety of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, and the menu is divided into classic meat, seafood, and pasta entrees.
Guests at the anniversary party tried a variety of the restaurant’s best dishes, including lamb meatballs, smoked salmon topped with goat cheese and caviar, crab-stuffed mushrooms, oysters rockefeller, a creamy truffle risotto served out of a giant wheel of cheese, and, to top it all off, tiramisu martinis.
The flavors were exquisite, the presentation was refined and luxurious, and the service was impeccable. Guan and Rustja’s passion for beauty and excellence shone through every dish, and guests enjoyed a lovely and lively evening at a beautiful location.
Elements of rustic Italian comfort paired with a sleek and modern sophistication make Vago a cool and comfy spot for New Yorkers of all ages. Bob and Lauren, two of Vago’s first and most devoted customers, praised the restaurant for its quality, service, and location. “It’s a great neighborhood restaurant,” said Lauren. “She (Victoria Guan) wants to make you happy. They have great service and great brunch.” When the restaurant opened last year, the couple was happy to find Vago to be the trusted, local spot they had been waiting for. “And they make a great martini,” added Bob, whose endorsement on the subject is not lightly given.
Vago is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner every day. It’s easy to find, and certainly worth a trip. Check them out at 509 3rd Ave and get a preview of their menu here
Photos courtesy of Vago
Dan Liu SS 18 Collection
The new Dan Liu Spring/Summer 2018 collection could be described in three words: elegant, poised, and confident. The collection, which was inspired by the relaxed beach days of summer, as well as the beautiful pastel colors of spring, was presented at the Skylight Clarkson Sq on a sunny Sunday morning.
In his fourth season of New York Fashion Week, Dan Liu, who is of a Chinese-Japanese Canadian, played with traditional feminine silhouettes and textures, such as an A-line dress with ruffles. The color palette included almost every color of spring and early summer, ranging from baby pink and scarlet red to turquoise and royal blue.. In addition, whether for a day at the beach, or for a brunch with your girlfriends, the collection included an option for every occasion.
The opening look was a stunning red satin dress, which was a combination between a wrap dress and an A-line. The dress perfectly wrapped around the model’s waist, while it flared out at her hips. The dress stopped right above the knee, adding a slight seductive yet modest element into the look.
Another memorable look from the collection was a navy, white polka-dotted jumpsuit, which resembled the recently-retired pajama trend, but looked very beach chic. The look fit the model in an effortless way, which made it seem as if she has just woken up and gone about her day.
Each ensemble in the collection kept a bare minimum amount of accessories, and had beige pumps, or silver/gold ankle-strap heels to compliment it. In contrast, the makeup was statement-making and mesmerizing. With peacock feathers attached to the eyebrows of the models, the eyes were accentuated with heavy strokes of smudged black or brown eyeliner. In order to balance off the heavy eye makeup, each model wore a nude or a light pink gloss, which created an effect of party on the top and effortless beauty on the bottom.
For the grand finale of the show, Dan Liu presented a white, flowy wrap dress, which was accessorized with a hula-hoop that was covered with peacock feathers. As the model graciously marching by the attendees, each person in the audience pulled out their mobile device in order to record and embed the moment in their memory and in their iCloud. The look was a perfect end to the runway show since it created peace between the entire collection and the ideas behind it.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images for Dan Liu at NYFW: The Shows
PAXYMA SS18 Collection Debut
Every year, fashion lovers from all over the world swarm to New York Fashion Week to catch the latest trends and to see new creations from their favorite designers. But NYFW is also the perfect setting for up-and-coming designers to debut their collections and make a name for themselves among the fashion elite. One of this year’s rising stars is PAXYMA, a new luxury brand created by design duo Steven Hoffman and Ramin Paksima.
PAXYMA is a cutting-edge line that marries a minimalist palette with luxe, Indian draping styles. At the debut of the new collection, entitled “drishti”, fourteen models strode boldly onto the stark white stage. Only five colors were featured: white, black, silver, taupe, and a fearless shade of marigold. The models stood in formation and transformed the stage into something resembling a post-apocalyptic rebellion. Slick lines, metallic details, monochromatics, and utilitarian aesthetics blended easily with edgy, androgynous styling. Everyone looked comfortable, and everyone looked undeniably badass.
PAXYMA’s unisex design concept makes it a standout for anyone seeking a less binary approach to clothing. But Hoffman and Paksima’s gender-neutral styles aren’t the only thing that make their label a promising name in forward-thinking fashion. The materials are vegan, luxurious, and natural. From ten feet away, the textiles look organic and real. Soft canvas, jersey, and taffeta combine with hard elements of foil, rope, and armor-like safety pin formations to create a futuristic fantasy of a day when industry works with the earth and not against it.
PAXYMA’s ability to balance edgy concepts with straight-forward and minimalist execution is a reflection on its creators. Hoffman is an “all-black wearing minimalist” whose genius lies in structured forms and sleek craftsmanship. Paksima, who is originally from Iran, found inspiration for the line in the draping techniques and silhouettes of India, where he lived for many years. “drishti” has a highly universal appeal. In this collection, people can find chic designs to suit a wide range of body types, gender identities, and tastes. If you feel inspired, you can shop the collection and learn more about the brand here.
Photos courtesy of EB Consults
7th annual New York Harbor Regatta
On Friday, September 15th, in hopes of capturing that last bit of summer, Billion Oyster Project hosted the 7th annual New York Harbor Regatta & Bash in New York Harbor and on Governors Island—a favorite among sailing enthusiasts and New Yorkers alike.
The ultimate waterfront party presented a full day of wonderful activities, starting with half a day of sailing in the iconic New York Harbor. When the clock struck 2:00pm, more than twenty boats made their way to the race against the backdrop of the downtown Manhattan skyline. Sailors and supporters from New York City-based companies and organizations competed in the J24, Colgate 26, J80, and Melges classes for the opportunity to win the NY Harbor Cup.
Ticketed spectators enjoyed a front row seat to the regatta from a spectator cocktail cruise aboard the Manhattan II – part of the Classic Harbor Line fleet of classic yachts, which boasts a 100-foot long all-glass observatory. Aboard the yacht, fresh oysters from Fishers Island Oyster Farm and light bites courtesy of The Clam were served. Intimate tables and a well-stocked bar along with exhilarating race commentary completed the race viewing experience.
VIP guests were invited onboard the Mariner III which was hosted by Murray Fisher, Chair of Billion Oyster Project, and Pete Malinowski, Executive Director of Billion Oyster Project. A raw bar courtesy of Empire Oyster and light bites by Oceana Restaurant made the view experience on the Mariner III unforgettable.
The party continued after the race, as invitees disembarked on Governors Island for a festive evening bash at the brand-new Island Oyster restaurant & bar - an open-air oyster bar with magnificent views of downtown Manhattan—while the sun set behind the scenic Statue of Liberty. Patrons that did not make the daytime regatta later arrived via a ferry, which was only a 10 minute ride away from the Battery Maritime Building in the financial district. Even former Senator, Daniel Squadron, came out and showed support.
Later on, guests were joined by the racing teams and other partygoers for an amazing night marked with a live DJ, open bar, oysters, and seasonal bites from local eateries including Ed’s Chowder House, Midnights, Glazed and Confused, The Roxy, Brooklyn Crab, The Clever Co, and many more. There is nothing like having a fun and memorable night while supporting a wonderful cause.
All proceeds from the event supports New York Harbor School and The Billion Oyster Project's mission to create a diverse network of environmentally literate students, schools, and communities working together to restore New York Harbor.
The New York Harbor School is the only one of its kind in the city. For Harbor kids, the only way to commute to class is by the Governors Island Ferry. The guests at the bash were able to experience this commute as they traveled on the ferry to reach the party. But, can you imagine doing this every day to get to school or work? These kids show their dedication by traveling far from all over the five boroughs to receive their well-deserved education. The Harbor School’s location is deliberate, as students can learn from and within the water, and gain maritime skills as they work on restoring the devastated oyster reefs around their surroundings.
One of the school’s major initiatives is the Billion Oyster Project, a harbor oyster ecosystem restoration project that runs educational activities, restaurant oyster recycling initiatives and other programs throughout the city. The project’s goal is to restore one billion oyster to New York Harbor by 2035. With these kids, and New Yorker’s support, we can reach that goal one shell at a time.
Special thanks to Charlotte and Melody. Photos courtesy of Mary Alice Fisher
Taste Talks 2017
The rise of foodie culture has given rise to ways in which we can celebrate foodie culture, and Taste Talks, a series of national festivals held in Brooklyn, foodie capital of the world, is the perfect way to do that.
This year, the Taste Talks Festival was held from September 8th to September 10th, starting with the second ever “TASTY AWARDS” at the Weylin Hotel in Williamsburg. Categories for the awards included “Best Pastry Chef,” “Best Startup,” and “Best Food Literature,” and nominees ranged from the high end Alinea to the artisanal Felix Trattoria.
Drinks for the event were sponsored by Altos Tequila
After the awards ceremony, guests were treated to snacks from The Meatball Shop and Campbell’s Cheese and Grocery at an exclusive after party located at the extravagant Weylin, which set the focus on food for the remainder of the festival.
The next day, ticket holders headed over to The Williamsburg Hotel for a Future Food Expo, which featured companies that work to produce more sustainably sourced and environmentally friendly food, such as Zesty Z and Kellog’s. Other panelists at the Expo included Wandering Bear Coffee, the Cabot Creamery Co-operative, and teapigs.
To close out the festival, Taste Talks held an “All Star BBQ Cookout,” where guests could enjoy mini dishes from some of Brooklyn’s biggest food talent, including Andrew Whitcomb, Yuji Haraguchi, and Brad Farmerie. My favorites of the day included the “Burro Taco,” a 28 day dry aged Pat LaFrieda ribeye taco from Saxon and Parole, the Double Smoked Bacon Bao from Nom Wah Tea Parlor, and lastly, the out of this world “Cosmic Mousstachio Vegan Ice Cream Sundae” from Van Leeuwen, in partnership with Frankie Cosmos.
"Mile Em Poutine" from Mile End x Emmy Squared
The Double Smoked Bacon Bao from Nom Wah Tea Parlor, in collaboration with Schaller x Weber
"Burro Taco" from Saxon + Parole
“Cosmic Mousstachio Vegan Ice Cream Sundae” from Van Leeuwen, in partnership with Frankie Cosmos
The Taste Talks Festival is a must go for any aspiring NYC foodie. Not only is it a fantastic place to find your new favorite food, but it’s somewhere where you’ll learn about how the food world is changing, and what you can do to help. Find out more at: http://www.tastetalks.com/
Maison the Faux Show SS 18 Collection
On September 8th, New York Fashion Week got a little bit more fun and mysterious. MAISON the FAUX showed off its new collection, “#Fauxmosapien the evolution.” The Dutch fashion house approached its show as a “Faux” ritual, which consisted of a model, who also served as a wordless actor. The performer began spraying the water on the models as they were walking by -- almost as if they were being “baptized” into a new population; a population MAISON the FAUX likes to call "FAUXmosapiens”.
The collection portrayed an alternate world, in which the designers, Joris Suk and Tessa de Boer, were letting go traditional ideals of beauty and embracing a relatively new spin on an old movement in fashion: individuality. Models of every race, sex, and body type carried valiant confidence strutting down the runway, which made MAISON the FAUX even more special.
The collection itself was borderless and inclusive, just as the models. Red striped plastic bags, faux-furs, mermaid dresses with striped tutus, sequins, gallons of milk, and computers were just some of the things and fabrics the models were seen wearing. A male model in a red tutu with a plastic cape; another male model in a pink faux-fur coat and mismatched heels; a female model with a plastic bag for her purse and another plastic bag on her head; and a male model in black-and-white striped capris with a laptop on his arm to serve as arm candy, were just some of the outrageous yet fascinating looks designed by the designers for MAISON the FAUX.
MAISON the FAUX did not just produce a very curious and fun collection; it also had a front row to match it. The Fat Jewish and the Urban Bush Babes were just some of the A-listers, who attended the show. Others were fashion photographers, young musicians, and bloggers. Yet, all members of the audience, VIP and otherwise, had one thing in common: they were watching a show that was produced by a liberal, forward-thinking and anti-standard fashion brand.
After watching the show, one could confidently say that this collection was not the last for MAISON the FAUX. Filled with designs that reflected a forward-thinking and thought-provoking brand, MAISON the FAUX managed to leave its attendees speechless, causing the audience to not just reevaluate their perspectives, but also challenge society’s views. The show was not just a fashion show; it was an artistic movement with various powerful messages hidden within.
Photos courtesy of EB Consults