GLSEN, a trailblazer in championing LGBTQ+ inclusive education, marked another milestone with its annual Respect Awards at Gotham Hall in New York City on April 29, 2024.
On Wednesday, February 7th, from 6-8pm, The Hotel Chelsea hosted the eagerly anticipated Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits Spring Preview.
Guests were warmly welcomed by hosts who provided a brief tour of the experiential stations, showcasing the diverse brands within the Deutsch Family’s impressive portfolio, including Gray Whale Gin, Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon, Cantera Negra Tequila, Josh Cellars, and their exquisite selection of fine wines and champagnes.
The adventure began with a transformation of El Quijote, the hotel’s Spanish restaurant, into an early 20th-century speakeasy. This immersive experience was designed to highlight Redemption Whiskey, where attendees were treated to the signature Redemption Manhattan, expertly crafted with their distinctive whiskey. This innovative presentation set the tone for an evening of exploration and indulgence.
As the evening progressed, guests enjoyed a curated selection of wines and spirits from across the Deutsch Family’s portfolio. A standout moment was the showcase of Josh Cellars, the world’s largest wine brand, featuring their “Seaswept” line of white wines, which captivated the palates of invitees as they posed for a quick photo-op.
The event was not just about tasting; it was an immersive experience. Passed appetizers complemented the diverse selection of wines and champagnes, adding to the sophisticated atmosphere. Hosts stood by, providing key insight into their brands’ history and heritage. The Hotel Chelsea buzzed with excitement as the room filled with guests, all eager to dive into the rich flavors and stories behind each brand.
The Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits Spring Preview at The Hotel Chelsea offered an unforgettable evening that celebrated the art of winemaking and spirit production.
Photography Credit: Matthew Carasella for Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits
The Ned Nomad celebrated Halloween with a takeover by The Box on October 27th and 28th in New York City.
The Haunted Hotel at The Ned NoMad results from a collaboration between party-maven Richie Akiva and The Box’s experiential production company, Outside The Box Amusements. This immersive experience marked the second consecutive year of spine-tingling entertainment, ensuring guests experienced a Halloween celebration like no other.
On the first night, rapper G-Eazy led the festivities, celebrating with friends and Ned members amid the eerie ambiance of The Haunted Hotel. Festivities continued on October 28th, with models, actors, musicians and VIPs filling the haunted hallways and dancefloor. The guest list included notable attendees such as Evan Mock, rapper Maino, fighter Dillon Danis and more joining Akiva and The Box’s Giza Selimi for two nights of spine-tingling fun.
The Haunted Hotel at The Ned NoMad featured a meticulously designed transformation of the hotel. Classic horror films inspired the setting, immersing guests in scenes like a devil-led poker game, an orgasm room, zombie bellhops, and more. The entire hotel, including The Magic Room, The Library, Little Ned Bar, and every nook and cranny, transformed into a frightening world that left guests in for a frightening treat.
Guests enjoyed flowing libations from Cierto Tequila and danced the night away to the beats of a stellar lineup of in-demand DJs, including Michael Simpson, DJ Truth, and DJ Soni withanEYE. Late-night pop-ins by Al3x Crush and DJ Reign added to the excitement of keeping partygoers on the dance floor well into the evening.
With a star-studded guest list, a spine-chilling atmosphere, and some incredible visual and auditory performances, The Haunted Hotel at The Ned NoMad made for an unforgettable Halloween celebration for all in attendance.
Maestro Dobel Tequila was born in Jalisco, Mexico, founded by 11th generation tequila maker Juan Dobel. Having refined his craft after 250 years, Dobel produces some of the smoothest range of tequilas for the global market.
In 2021, Maestro Dobel announced a multi-year partnership with Design Miami, a global forum for collectable and internationally renown design. Seeking to support the thriving Mexican art scene, Maestro launched their Artpothecary hospitably initiative. Acting as a platform to promote the cultural richness of Mexico, Maestro Dobel holds a series of immersive events, which seek to elevate Mexico’s most prominent artists. Maestro Dobel Tequila now returns to Miami Art Week in 2022, supporting the yearly event series on its 20th anniversary.
Maestro Dobel x Design Miami
As the official Tequila of Design Miami, Maestro Dobel Artpothecary brought to life a contemporary recreation of the Mexican Golden Age. The Artpothecary team drew upon the style of trailblazing architect Ricardo Legorreta, who designed the world renowned Hotel Camino Real in Puerto Vallarta. Legorreta was known for his uncanny ability to intertwine Mexican vernacular design with international flair. Maestro Dobel Artpothecary along with Clásicos Mexicanos recreated this pivotal period in Mexico’s design language. The team utilized an original deisgn from Legorreta’s Vallarta collection featuring archival pieces and three works from Mexican painter Mathias Goeritz. Guests of the installation were treated to a selection of Maestro Dobel Tequila cocktails as well as a custom menu by Chef Jorge Vallejo of Quintonil.
Maestro Dobel awards Latinx Art Prize with Vogue Mexico and El Museo de Barrio
On Tuesday, November 29th Maestro Dobel, along with Vogue Mexico and El Museo de Barrio celebrated the launch of Maestro Dobel’s innagural Latinx Art Prize at the Setai in Miami Beach. The Prize aims to raise awareness of Latinx artists who remain underrepresented in the global art world. Awarded every two years, the prize includes a $50,000 grant and showcase in El Museo de Barrio’s gallery. The first recipient will be announced in the fall of 2023.
Guests were treated to hor d’oeuvres along with artfully crafted cocktails made using Maestro’s signature tequila. Later in the evening, attendees gathered around Vogue Mexico Editor in Chief Karla Martinez de Salas, El Museo del Barrio Executive Director Patrick Charpenel and Maestro Dobel Artpothecary Creative Director Alejandra Martinez as they took the stage to announce the launch of the Latinx Art Prize.
Evening at the Bass Museum
The Bass Museum held its Opening Reception on Wednesday, November 30th with an incredible turnout of influencers, press, media and museum VIP members. The member preview and cocktail hour was highlighted with a viewing of Adrian Villar Rojas’ exhibition, ‘The End of Imagination’. Maestro Dobel sponsored the event, serving their signature Black Diamond Margarita as well as a refreshingly crisp Ace Paloma. The event lasted well into the evening as guests enjoyed the unique experience of being able to tour the museum at night.
Maestro Dobel’s endeavor into supporting the arts and the work of Latinx artists through their Artpothecary initiative will continue as their partnership with Design Miami returns in 2023.
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Nestled within the bustling Nomad district, which formally housed the Nomad Hotel, The Ned has finally made its US debut with the backing of Soho House parent company, Membership Collective Group.
New York City’s newest rooftop at the Le Meridian New York, held its grand opening on Monday, May 9th.
Upon arrival to Life Rooftop, I was greeted with a complimentary wine from the bar and was immediately taken aback by the stunning vistas of Central Park during golden hour. As the evening progressed guests enjoyed live music, food and drink and a presentation of the lounge’s signature drink a Rope Hanger Punch, which consists of rum, grand Marnier, lime and a bottle of Veuve Cliquot.
Perched 29 stories atop Le Meridian New York, Life Rooftop offers guests a variety of colorful cocktails, curated bites, and astonishing views. Guests were treated to executive chef Anastacia Song’s menu which feature pub style pretzels, charcuterie, and a variety of dips. Additionally, Life’s extensive bar menu features a variety of tropical inspired cocktails including a Rita Hayworth, Tropical Nymph and my personal favorite, a spicy Paloma with Jalapeno infused Tequila. The rooftop will transform from a lounge to a livelier atmosphere as sunset turns into evening. Life Rooftop was designed to be the ultimate escape above it all, where you can relax, unwind and enjoy your day outdoors rain or shine.
Life Rooftop will be open from Tuesday-Sunday beginning in June, with extended evening hours on the weekends. Check out their website and menu below!
https://www.liferooftop.com
On Wednesday May 4th, I entered the beautiful home of best-selling author and actress Jill Kargman on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Upon entry, I was greeted warmly with a glass of chardonnay from Beringer Vineyards and enjoyed energetic conversation with with the hosts. Beringer Senior Winemaker Ryan Rech gave me a brief overview regarding their Napa and Knights Valley AVAs as well as what I was to expect for this evening. I was in for a treat; an intimate 10 guest dinner party inspired by the exquisite collection of wines from Beringer themselves.
As the first guest to arrive, I enjoyed chatting one on one with Jill, who’s energy lit up her already airy and charming great room. Guests continued to trickle in as we all coalesced on Jill’s couch, where Ryan began detailing the history of Beringer and describing the glass of White Meritage we currently had in our hands. The theme of the evening was “Wild and Refined”, inspired by the wild and refined expressions and flavor profiles of wines from Beringer. We began the evening with a ‘refined’ Napa Valley Chardonnay and freshly prepared salad, followed up with a ‘wilder’ pairing of Cabernet Sauvignon and Beef Tenderloin. My favorite pairing of the evening happened to be the dessert, intermingling a sweet and refreshing Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc with a trio of mini tarts. Along the way, Ryan discussed tasting notes as each course was served, sharing anecdotes about the winemaking process and vineyards, and answering questions about each bottle. As a truly wonderful evening came to a close, Beringer sent each guest off with two complimentary bottles as a parting gift. The magnificent evening organized by Jill and Ryan was truly a Wild and Refined night to remember.
Beringer Vineyards is an industry leader in the Napa Valley as well as the lesser known Knights Valley region of California. Below please find a brief description of the wines sampled this evening:
Beringer Vineyards 2019 White Meritage
Beringer Vineyards 2020 Private Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay
Beringer Vineyards 2019 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Beringer Vineyards 2018 Private Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Beringer Vineyards 2019 Napa Valley Botrytised Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc
These can be purchased directly from their website:
Photography by:
Will Ragozzino /
for Beringer Vineyards
At the Venue, a groundbreaking concept store and fashion incubator, held its grand opening last Tuesday April 26th in the Nolita neighborhood of NYC.
Last Friday November 5th, guests flocked to the Classic Car Club of Manhattan to honor the Brock Pierce Foundation. The YPC Fall Gala was a resounding success, raising almost $200,000 dollars for music therapy programs and cancer research.
Guests to the Fall Gala were treated to a intriguing experiences made possible by a variety of generous sponsors. Presenting Sponsors Newmark and Knotel generously hosted the exclusive Nightrise lounge at the event, while José Andrés ThinkFoodGroup, provided a photobooth as well as a ham and sangria tasting. Additionally, guests to the Fall Gala were treated to an exciting racing experience by Racing Unleashed with a state-of-the-art simulator making you feel like a real F1 driver on an F1 track. The simulator is available for bidding as part of Gabrielle’s Angels fall charity auction
Event chairs for the event were Andrew Warren, Arleigh Banner, Brendan Brown, Julia Moshy, Kyle Lutnick,Natalie Jackson, Conor Kennedy, Ava Dash, Alex Assouline, Danielle Naftali, Ming Lee Simmons and Remi Bader.
“I started working with the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation at 14 years old when asked by my family friends Denise and Daniella Rich”, Warren told the crowd during his speech. “I threw my first teen event for them and from then on almost every year threw a younger aged benefit which eventually has turned into the YP Gala, bringing hundreds of different people from the younger generations to raise funding and most importantly awareness to the next generation for this important cause. I hope to grow the future events even bigger and get even more people involved to continue it on for future generations.”
Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation’s Young Professionals Committee’s was born from the desire of young professionals to give back and make a difference in the fight against cancer. Since 1996, the Foundation has raised more than $38 million dollars in grants making it one of the largest non-governmental sources of grant support to blood cancer research in the nation.
Their online fall auction runs from October 28 – November 11 at charitybuzz.com/gabriellesangels.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: Jonathan Cheban attends the fall gala Honoring the Brock Pierce Foundation hosted by Gabrielle's Angel Foundation's Young Professionals Committee at Classic Car Club Manhattan on November 05, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Gabrielle's Angel Foundation)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: (L-R) Anna Zege, Ayaan Ahmed, Brendan Brown, Lidiya Maltseva, guest, Rebecca Morris and Kyle "Kxtz" Lutnick attend the fall gala Honoring the Brock Pierce Foundation hosted by Gabrielle's Angel Foundation's Young Professionals Committee at Classic Car Club Manhattan on November 05, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Gabrielle's Angel Foundation)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: (L-R) Denise Rich, Andrew Warren, Ayaan Ahmed, Daniella Rich and Talia Kilstock attend the fall gala Honoring the Brock Pierce Foundation hosted by Gabrielle's Angel Foundation's Young Professionals Committee at Classic Car Club Manhattan on November 05, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Gabrielle's Angel Foundation)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: Denise Rich, Talia Kilstock and Kyle "Kxtz" Lutnick attend the fall gala Honoring the Brock Pierce Foundation hosted by Gabrielle's Angel Foundation's Young Professionals Committee at Classic Car Club Manhattan on November 05, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Gabrielle's Angel Foundation)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: Dale Moss (L) attends the fall gala Honoring the Brock Pierce Foundation hosted by Gabrielle's Angel Foundation's Young Professionals Committee at Classic Car Club Manhattan on November 05, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Gabrielle's Angel Foundation)
Designer Tiffany Brown made a major splash at NYFW S/S 2022 debuting her new monochromatic collection at Swift Studios.