In true Dan Levy fashion, the New York premiere of his directorial debut, Good Grief, wasn’t just an event. The celebration, much like the film itself, was an emotional journey through the corridors of grief, love, and, most importantly, the unwavering bonds of friendship.
In an ongoing online era where there can be such a lack of authenticity in product reviews, collaborations between brands and public figures who have a personal connection to the products they’re recommending are a breath of fresh air.
Long before the days of everlasting gobstoppers, an expansive chocolate lake, and the boy who suddenly got everything he’d ever wanted, there were hoverchocs, a rather dreary looking room in the employee wing of a laundry parlor, and an inquisitive orphan named Noodle. And before Willy Wonka was Gene Wilder, he was Timothée Chalamet. Actually? Strike that, reverse it.
In order for Violet to turn violet inside of Willy Wonka’s infamous Chocolate factory, there had to be a factory to begin with. Paul King’s latest installment to Road Dahl’s beloved trilogy gives us a firsthand view of the road to this creation, and as to be expected (or maybe not at all), it did not come without hardship.
Without curiosity for a character’s past, a prequel doesn’t have a great deal of ground to stand on. Luckily, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory does a brilliant job at evoking curiosity (and a great deal of confusion) as to how these characters all ended up in the same place at the same time. Mel Stuart’s beloved 1971 film allows us to imagine the endless, quirky possibilities as to who Willy Wonka truly is and where he came from prior to the equally-as-quirky events that unfolded within the walls of the factory. The beloved film presents quite a mysterious character at the forefront, and it does make sense for the next installment to feature the rather ridiculous life of a young Willy Wonka.
The scene is set in a fictional European town in a (somewhat frustratingly) unknown year, with a vivaciously excited Willy Wonka, played by the always-exquisite Timothée Chalamet, singing a ballad of sorts about the past seven years of his life, which have been spent aboard a ship. In his own words, he’s pinned seven years of hope on the city he is about to arrive in, but he’s in for a bit of a rude awakening when the aforementioned metropolis is not exactly what he’d hoped for. After spending nearly all of the twelve silver sovereigns that he so confidently sang to us about having in the earlier, more naive verses of the song, it appears that his luck has run out when the final one slips through the highly noticeable hole in his pocket into the grated storm drain he’s standing directly over. Did not see that one coming. After accepting what sounded like an initially very kind offer to spend the night at Mrs. Scrubitt’s laundry parlor, Willy is slapped with a substantial debt due to his inability to “read the small print,” as Noodle, an orphan facing a similar debt, quietly encouraged. Willy’s inability to read lands him twenty seven years working in Scrubitt’s basement, throwing quite the wrench-shaped bar of chocolate into his plans.
Chalamet harbors the interesting ability to convince viewers that he was born to play every single role he’s ever had, and bizarrely enough, a young Willy Wonka is far from an exception. He’s a visionary as Wonka, delivering the perfect amount of absurdity, wholesomeness, and, since it’s Willy Wonka we’re dealing with, a perfectly calculated edge of madness.
But, if you’re searching for the somewhat dark and twisted elements that you’ll be met with in Stuart, and later Tim Burton’s, renditions of Dahl’s book, you won’t find it in Wonka. Spoiler alert- despite a close call or two, nobody drowns in chocolate in this one. The film carries a new cadence, a delightfully wacky ball of absurdity. In it, we see Willy and Noodle steal a giraffe (named Abigail) from the local zoo, a multi layered chocolate that mimics a big night out so perfectly that it has the security guard at the aforementioned zoo crying on the phone to the subject of his middle school admiration, a corrupt priest and his hundreds of chocoholic monks played by none other than Rowan Atkinson, and a “chocolate cartel” made up of Mr. Slugworth (Paterson Joseph), Mr. Prodnose (Matt Lucas) and Mr. Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton), who are arguably one of the funniest aspects of the film.
The film’s subplots are where most of its charm lies. The decision to set the film entirely in the time prior to Wonka obtaining the factory rather than having at least some of it pertain to its creation and early days was a unique one, as the factory has been the main focal point of the trilogy. That being said, it does make for some highly entertaining tidbits involving Willy and Noodle going on wacky adventures and meeting some colorful characters. The layout of the story could not be more perfect, it is the ideal mix of concrete plot points that contribute to the storyline and absurd whimsicality that provides the charm one would hope to find in a Willy Wonka film.
Through Chalamet’s portrayal, we see a softer version of Wonka than what we’re used to. It’s unlikely that this particular version of the character would have stood around and simply observed the less than favorable situations that the factory guests had found themselves in in the first film. His banter with Lane’s noodle and the miniature details that his character is strapped with (i.e.- a small bottle of hand sanitizer inside of his magical chocolate making box, a factory prequel in and of itself, so that hennever has to make chocolate with dirty hands) create for a delightfully wholesome protagonist that you can’t help but root for.
Newcomer Calah Lane surely won’t be a newcomer for very long. With an absolute powerhouse of a voice, an unmistakable charm, and the same ability as Chalamet to completely transform into a character, she has a bright future ahead of her. At her very core, Noodle is the heart of this film. The emotional story of an orphan in search of her family is something that has been done many times before, but it feels refreshing from her perspective. Her curious attitude and friendship with Willy adds to the loving atmosphere of the film.
When Willy exasperatedly confides in Noodle that a “little orange man” has been stealing all of his chocolate at night, she doesn’t believe him. What may be most surprising to the viewer about this exchange is not the existence of the little orange man or Noodle’s disbelief. Rather, there’s only one little orange man?
Where the two previous films had no shortage of Oompa-Loompas, this film only had 1. But what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in, well, Hugh Grant. Grant carries the weight of an infinite amount of the aforementioned creatures. Simply put, he’s hilarious, and his performance is absolutely delightful.
The film’s music can be met with the same word: delightful. Lane carries every song that she is a part of with an unmistakably remarkable voice, and Chalamet, a high school theater veteran, has a warm and inviting voice that is perfect for this role.
For many, Wonka was a delightful surprise. The perfect mix of absurdity and affection, and truly the perfect addition to the holiday season. Hear more about it here!
A world of pure imagination can be found anywhere, even within something as simple as a sidewalk on a Sunday afternoon, if you’re willing to see it that way. As Timothée Chalamet sings in his latest film Wonka, all one needs to do is simply look around and view it! But this Sunday, Los Angeles based Chalamet fans (and, not naming names, but one particular New-York-based Chalamet fan who caught a flight to be there) didn’t have to do much imagining, as the star immediately made his way over to eager admirers waiting across the street from the film’s red carpet premiere.
Excited screams could be heard from any vantage point as a titular star-carrying black SUV made its way down the blocked off street surrounded by fans and barricades, with Chalamet waving at fans through an open window in the backseat. Anyone who knows the first few things about the actor would have been able to guess his next move: exiting the car on the opposite side of the carpet to greet fans first and foremost. This is not new for Chalamet, a self described “fan,” himself. The star often makes a point to meet as many supporters as time will allow at his public appearances. This comes as a delight to the aforementioned fans who can then come to the realization that the phrase never meet your heroes simply does not apply to them.
Chalamet, clad in what Vogue described as a “bar of chocolate cosplay,” is no stranger to style. Many of his looks from the ongoing Wonka press tour have been bold and chic, a few even featuring a very popular detail- the lack of a shirt. While that wasn’t the case for his US leg of the tour, his custom Tom Ford suit was certainly all of the above, bold, chic and stylish.
After appearing in as many selfies as one man possibly could, Chalamet hit the carpet to, you guessed it, appear in even more. The carpet, where Chalamet greeted even more fans, was absolutely decked out in more candy paraphernalia than originally imaginable. And it wouldn’t be resemblant of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory if you couldn’t eat some of that candy, so the walls were lined with edible Wonka bars for carpet-goers to enjoy.
Wonka tells the story of a young Willy Wonka, pursuing his dream of being a world famous chocolatier. However, this dream doesn’t come easy, and after many unfortunate run-ins with the chief of police (Keegan Michael-Key) as well as some particularly frustrating encounters with a certain “little orange man,” (Hugh Grant) as he describes, Willy teams up with the exuberant Noodle, (Calah Lane), an orphan who has never tasted chocolate before, to overcome his powerful competition: the chocolate cartel. The movie is a delightfully fun film for all ages, and the premiere’s festivities perfectly encapsulated the dream world that the trilogy has illustrated on screen throughout its three films.
On the candy-lined carpet, in addition to Chalamet, was Paterson Joseph, Calah Lane, Hugh Grant, Keegan-Michael Key, director Paul King and more, as well as other special guests like John Stamos and Kelly Rowland, who both brought along their kids to enjoy the heartfelt film.
Once the red carpet festivities had concluded and my fellow attendees and I had taken our seats inside of the Regency Village Theatre, Chalamet, joined by the cast, took to the front of the room to kick off the screening. “A big thank you to Paul King,” he started, before quickly being interrupted by a crying baby somewhere in the audience. “Oh no, is it that bad?” he joked.
“Easy for me to say, but these are the kind of movies we need right now,” he continued. “I think this one will leave you with a smile on your face. I don’t want to speak too soon. But this is definitely the sweetest project I’ve ever been a part of.”
It is utterly impossible to leave the theater after seeing the film *without* Pure Imagination stuck in your head, and Chalamet’s rendition did not disappoint. The undoubtedly ear-wormed attendees, myself included, were invited to walk along the dazzling red carpet to get from the screening to the after-party, where the entryway was lined with umbrellas mimicking one of the grandiose dancing scenes in the film, in which Chalamet was front and center.
In the number, Willy is penalized for daydreaming and charged a fine, but that couldn’t be further from the case at this party. Though there was no fine for daydreaming, it was not at all necessary, as it was decked out with festive crafting stations, numerous hot chocolate bars, video games, and of course, a massive candy bar complete with just about every type of candy imaginable. It truly was an evening of pure imagination.
The party featured a handful of interactive features that does the exact same job as the film: making anyone who steps into the Wonka world feel like a kid again. Earlier this year, Warner Bros Pictures teamed up with Xbox to roll out an array of Wonka-inspired gaming paraphernalia that aimed to transcend the boundaries of traditional gaming merchandise. The centerpiece of the collaboration was the debut of the Xbox Wonka Console, a rendition of the Xbox Series X that mirrors the aesthetic of the infamous Wonka bar. At the glistening Xbox station, party guests had the opportunity to take the console for a spin and enjoy a variety of games and features.
The fun didn’t stop there. At one of the craft stations, guests could make their very own holiday snow globes (which, for reference, I learned the hard way that you are not allowed to bring through airport security, and any pleas that it is very important to you because it came from the Wonka premiere will not be taken into consideration) and create a scene that is beautifully reminiscent of the colorful atmosphere of Willy’s chocolate shop. Even more fun (and take-back-to-New-York-friendly) was Noodle’s very own candy bracelet making station, where guests were treated to colorful (and candy shaped!) beads to create their own friendship bracelets. All of these activities will most likely work up an appetite, and luckily, the party featured a delightful selection of themed bites, including Slugworth’s Sliders and Classic Brit With A Twist, fish and chips with chicken tenders.
There was no shortage of joy at the Wonka Premiere and after party, but the night was made even sweeter by reuniting with my favorite actor, and the man who kickstarted my very own journalism career. That’s a story for another day, but just as Willy’s mom tells him in the film, it’s not about the chocolate, it’s about the people that we share it with.
The colorful hues that make up 5th Avenue’s Intimissimi location can cast a glow at any time of the day, contributing to the magic of the bustling New York City area. But the magic of the store doesn’t stop on the outside. Inside, the Italian lingerie brand, renowned for its high-quality, sophisticated lingerie and loungewear collections, truly comes to life, with its 3 floor store and soon to be opened cafe.
One of the brands distinctive features is its commitment to timeless elegance, from their products to the sleek design of their stores. Their collections often feature classic designs combined with contemporary trends, ensuring a wide appeal to customers of different ages and tastes. From delicate lace bras and panties to cozy loungewear, the brand offers a versatile selection suitable for everyday wear as well as special occasions. The stores themselves are designed to provide a luxurious and welcoming atmosphere, enhancing the overall shopping experience for customers.
Intimissimi is a subsidiary of the Calzedonia Group, which also includes brands such as Calzedonia, Tezenis, and Falconeri. With its emphasis on exquisite design, premium fabrics, and attention to detail, Intimissimi has become synonymous with elegance, comfort, and sensuality in the realm of intimate apparel. Their designs have made a viral splash within pop culture, most recently with Kendall Jenner sporting their iconic Boat Neck Modal Cashmere Ultralight Top, which has caused a frenzy among social media and made the top fly off shelves.
Where Intimissimi soars in the realm of lingerie and loungewear, its sister brand Calzedonia specializes in legwear, hosiery, socks, swimwear, and beachwear for all. The brand has gained international recognition for its diverse and trendy collections, offering a wide array of products ranging from stockings, tights, leggings, and socks to swimsuits, bikinis, beachwear, and accessories.
The two are both prominent brands under the Calzedonia Group umbrella, sharing a parent company but catering to different segments of the industry. This year, they have joined forces for a one of a kind Spring/Summer 2024 collection, which they unveiled at Intimissimi’s fifth avenue location on Wednesday. Attendees were treated to a unique walk-around experience on the top floor of the gorgeous shop, while browsing the new collections. The styles range from soft, neutral colors, to bright blues and florals that are perfect for spring and summer.
From alluring bikinis adorned with intricate lace detailing to sheer stockings and leggings exuding elegance and versatility, the collaboration aims to redefine summer sophistication.
Shop the new collections for yourself and hear more about Calzedonia and Intimissimi here and here!
December in New York often feels just like the movies, with the magic of glistening lights and a Christmas tree in every corner. Through the ups and downs of major city living, the holidays are an effervescent reminder of how magical life can be. At the heart of the holiday magic, Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park has stood as a capsule for as long as I can remember. Located in Midtown Manhattan, the Park transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season, offering an array of festive activities, shopping opportunities, and delightful entertainment for everyone, weather you’re a native New Yorker or visiting for the very first time.
Even before its lively tree lighting, which will be taking place on November 28th this year and will be leading the charge as the first major NYC tree lighting for 2023, the park looks absolutely magical. One of the most iconic parts of the yearly experience is the picturesque ice-skating rink, surrounded by an iconic landscape adorned with sparkling holiday lights and decorations. The rink provides a magical setting for visitors to glide across the ice, creating cherished memories with friends and family against the backdrop of the city’s skyline.
Lacing up my skates and heading over to Bryant Park’s (free admission!) skating rink has always been a vibrant memory of how we kicked off the holiday season, and I am beyond grateful to have carried that experience into adulthood. On Tuesday, I headed over to the park to see an exclusive preview of what the park has in store for the season. The night commenced with a nostalgic skating experience at the rink. The enchanting ambiance of twinkling lights and joyful decorations enhanced the already joyful feeling of gliding across the ice.
Following the skating session, I headed to The Lodge, an inviting bar and food hall adorned with seasonal cheer. Here, I indulged in some of the year’s signature food and drink offerings, which included loaded croissants, churros, tacos, and so much more.
One of the most exciting features of Bryant Park’s Winter Village is its bustling holiday market. The market features rows of charming kiosks and stalls offering an assortment of unique gifts, crafts, artisanal goods, and delectable holiday treats. Visitors can explore a diverse range of vendors selling handcrafted jewelry, clothing, artwork, ornaments, specialty foods, and much more, making it an ideal destination for holiday shopping. After enjoying some sweet treats at the lodge, I strolled around the shops and was delighted by the hand crafted goods and sweet smell of hot cocoa that exists all around the park.
The atmosphere in the park is lively and spirited, with seasonal music performances, festive events, and activities for all ages. Throughout the holiday season, Bryant Park hosts various themed celebrations in addition to the iconic tree lighting, including caroling sessions and visits from Santa Claus, adding to the joyful ambiance.
We highly reccomend a trip to Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park this holiday season! Hear more about it here!
The holidays are well on their way, and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, the ever long debate of how early is too early to start celebrating the Christmas season is back in action. But here in New York City, arguably one of the most festive places you can be for the season, it seems like everyone is determined to maximize the most wonderful time of the year, and I could not possibly agree more.
When it comes to festivities, Cookie Pop and Candy Pop always hits the nail on the head. The goal of the brand was to seamlessly combine two of the best parts about going to the movies, the savory taste of popcorn and the sweetness of candy. “For almost a century, movie lovers have been combining their candy and cookie brands with popcorn for a delicious sweet and savory combo,” the brand states. “Now, consumers can find this tasty combo in stores all over the world. it’s a treat when watching your favorite movie at home or as a grab and go-to snack throughout the day.”
On Friday, New York City’s exclusive membership club and hotel, The Ned NoMad, played host to a delightful and charitable celebration. The occasion marked the kickoff of the #GivingTuesday SnackGiving campaign by Cookie Pop and Candy Pop, in support of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to inspire and uplift the spirits of hospitalized children and their families through entertainment and educational initiatives. Founded by Seacrest himself, the foundation seeks to utilize multimedia experiences to contribute positively to the healing process of young patients.
The highlight of the event was an engaging Gingerbread House Making Workshop, where attendees had the opportunity to indulge in the holiday spirit while supporting a worthy cause. The popcorn comes in a wide variety of flavors, but has recently unveiled two new ones for the holiday season, a delicious iced gingerbread with a glorious spice, and a tasty peppermint hot chocolate with smooth minty and chocolatey interludes. Guests were encouraged to incorporate the delicious snacks into their gingerbread houses, which gave the finished products a delightful crunch. These limited-time holiday editions are now available in various retailers, including Albertsons, Publix, and more, adding an extra touch of festive cheer to snack times during the holiday season.
Throughout the night, guests enjoyed festival-themed cocktails adorned with holiday popcorn, including a Gingerbread-rimmed Espresso Martini featuring Thomas Ashbourne By NPH, a non-alcoholic Cucumber G&T cocktail by Free AF, garnished with peppermint and cherry, Prosecco topped with edible glitter, and a tantalizing vanilla & chocolate peppermint martini crafted by The Ned NoMad’s mixology team.
In addition to the festive popcorn delights, guests savored delectable catering options from The Ned, ranging from gourmet pigs in a blanket, ricotta crostinis, chicken parm sticks, mini grilled cheese, to gourmet pizza. The culinary offerings perfectly complemented the lively atmosphere, creating an unforgettable evening filled with joy, delicious treats, and the spirit of giving back.
The collaborative efforts of Cookie Pop and Candy Pop in conjunction with The Ned NoMad and the esteemed personalities present truly encapsulated the essence of the holiday season, a time for celebration, generosity, and making a positive impact within the community.
During the holiday season, there are very few places more festive than the heart of Rockefeller Center. Between it’s iconic Christmas tree, dazzling ice skating rink, tons of shops, and close relation to the SAKS windows and their remarkable light show, spending a cozy winter evening there with a cup of hot cocoa is surely a bucket list item for many.
As if the renowned location wasn’t festive enough, it just got even jollier, with it’s latest pop-up, The Candy Cottage of Christmas Magic! Nestled within the Chanel Gardens, this sugar-coated wonderland is an immersive, family-friendly escapade designed to infuse the holiday spirit with a dash of whimsy.
Running now through January 2nd, the Candy Cottage promises an experience for all ages. It will take guests on an adventure that will invite them to embark on a journey through a magical, candy-filled Christmas tree.
Inspired by a fabled tale of an old cottage within a Christmas tree trunk, overflowing with magical sugar turned into edible delights by the cottage keepers, the Candy Cottage experience beckons visitors into a swirling, sugar-laden fantasy. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by the feverishly working Cottage Keepers, spinning sugar into delectable treats while encouraging visitors to pluck candy from the cottage walls—truly a dream come true for those with a sweet tooth!
Once the sugary wonderland cravings are satisfied, visitors are equipped with a specially crafted map, setting them on a scavenger hunt throughout Rockefeller Center. This quest, teeming with hidden Christmas magic, leads participants through the iconic landmarks of the Center.
The journey culminates as guests return to the transformed Candy Cottage, where they receive a magically conjured gift along with a personalized message, as if crafted from thin air. The entire experience is curated to leave a lasting impression of the holiday spirit, wrapping visitors in the magic of Christmas.
The Candy Cottage of Christmas Magic is the brainchild of We Are Smile Studio, a creative force founded by seasoned theater and film producer Arielle Tepper and Creative Producer Vance Garrett. Their expertise in crafting immersive experiences is evident in this delightful collaboration, marking the first of many to come from this innovative studio.
The design, courtesy of Nate Bertone and Adam Blumenthal, promises an enchanting atmosphere, while fabrication and production management by Nicolas Locke and Jonathan Zencheck ensure a seamless and magical execution of this whimsical concept.
The Candy Cottage of Christmas Magic at Rockefeller Center promises an immersive, magical experience ideal for families, friends, and anyone seeking to infuse the holiday season with a sprinkle of enchantment. With its darling design, creative storytelling, and a touch of theatrical expertise, it’s destined to create lasting memories that capture the essence of Christmas.
The experience operates daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., providing ample opportunity for families and visitors of all ages to partake in the festivities. Ticket prices range from $25 to $45 per person, depending on the day of the week and time of visit. Tickets are available here!
If you’re anything like me, anything with low, colorful lights and a ball pit will surely catch your eye. Maybe it’s my affinity for maximalist decor or the fact that I am more than likely a 10 year old trapped in the body of a 20 year old journalist, but I digress, the era of museums that double as adult (and kid!) playgrounds popping up (and coming to stay) all throughout my New York City home has been the perfect one for me to be living through.
It is because of the aforementioned affinity that I have such a vivid memory of season two of Emily in Paris. The Balloon Museum takes center stage in episode seven, titled “How to Lose a Designer in 10 Days.” The pop-up exhibition, initially located in Paris during filming and now residing in downtown Manhattan, gained significant attention during its time at La Grand Hall de la Villette, attracting over 800,000 visitors from April to September 2022. This success prompted its move to Milan, following a previous installation in Rome from December 2021 to May 2022.
The Balloon Museum, self-described as the “first incubator of artworks and installations completely created by inflatable and balloon art,” showcases immersive environments featuring works by international artists. As seen in the show, visitors encounter furnishings made entirely of balloons, including a lamp, cactus, couch, and coffee table. During Emily and Gabriel’s walk (and ball pit dive) through the immersive experience, I found myself utterly jealous, and wishing that the exhibition would make its way to New York. It would be just under a year before the exhibit made it’s way down to pier 36!
The New York installment is called the Let’s Fly exhibition, and it offers a stunning inflatable experience crafted by a collaboration of fourteen international artists. This concept transcends conventional art installations, embracing an avant-garde approach that redefines the traditional interactions with art. Let’s Fly encapsulates freedom, flight, and accessibility, taking spectators on an unprecedented sensory journey.
The exhibit thrives on physical interaction, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in a universe of unparalleled freedom. It’s a space where play, touch, and exploration lead through hypnotic visual realms. Artists like Michael Shaw, Sasha Frolova, Rub Kandy, Camilla Falsini, Cyril Lancelin, Tadao Cern, and SpY offer contrasting atmospheres—ranging from light, colorful worlds to heavier, darker tones. The journey is designed as an expedition through surprises and contrasts, igniting a genuine thirst for discovery.
In addition to the contemporary installations, the museum offers a space dedicated to the history of inflatables, tracing its origins from the Montgolfier brothers’ 18th-century experiments to iconic contemporary works like Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog series. The Balloon Museum serves as a platform not only for contemporary inflatable art but also as a window into its rich historical evolution.
It aims to provide visitors with a tailor-made experience, offering marvels like the graceful bubbles of Quiet Ensemble, interactive sculptures such as ADA by Karina Smigla-Bobinski, the myriad black spheres of Hyperstudio collective, and the musical sculptures of Eness. These works stimulate the senses through touch, sight, and hearing, engaging visitors in transdisciplinary immersive art proposals.
If you make your way to the ball pit, you’re in for a treat. The massive area takes up nearly the whole room, and guests are treated to an immersive show while there. Between it’s interactive features, fantastic music, and photo worthy sites, everyone can have a great time at the exhibit, no matter what age they are.
We highly recommend a trip to the museum yourself! Hear more about it and grab your tickets here!
Though he requires no introduction, renowned American artist Keith Haring is celebrated for his distinctive and instantly recognizable visual language, featuring bold lines, vivid colors, and a recurring cast of characters, including dancing figures and radiant babies. His art is a testament to his activism, using the universal language of symbols and vibrant design to address important social issues, including AIDS awareness, apartheid, and the fight against inequality. Haring’s work transcends time and borders, continuing to inspire and educate generations. His work has been kept alive through the years in nearly every way imaginable, but no collaboration has been more outstanding than Caran d’Ache’s latest collection.
The collection showcases a beautiful blend of Caran d’Ache’s signature pens and art materials reinterpreted with Keith Haring’s iconic visual language. With its notebooks, pens and colored pencils each uniquly inscribed with Haring’s designs, it’s a testament to the intricate attention to detail that sets the brand apart from so many others. Founded in Geneva in 1915, the brand has spent over a century perfecting the creation of high-quality writing instruments and art supplies. Its name, borrowed from the Russian term “karandash” (карандаш), meaning pencil, embodies a rich heritage of creativity and precision that has enamored artists, writers, and connoisseurs of fine tools the world over.
At the heart of Caran d’Ache’s allure is its dedication to quality. Their pencils and colored pencils are marvels of design, precision, and innovation. Whether it’s the smooth glide of a graphite pencil or the rich pigmentation of a colored one, each product is meticulously crafted to offer the best possible experience for those who wield them. Artists, illustrators, and designers often find themselves drawn to Caran d’Ache for the tools that promise not only precision but also a touch of artistic magic.
On Wednesday, guests were treated to a stunning brunch event to celebrate the launch of the highly anticipated collection. It took place at the Empire Diner in Chelsea, a vibrant neighborhood deeply rooted in the NYC arts scene. Guests sipped on brunch cocktails and a curated menu of best eats against a backdrop of the iconic mural above Empire Diner, a stunning tribute to 20th-century modern artists like Keith Haring himself, while hearing all about the collection. To make matters even sweeter, everyone got to take home a piece of the art and channel their very own Keith Haring with gift bags containing pieces from the collection.
The collaboration between Keith Haring and Caran d’Ache is a fusion of Haring’s iconic imagery with Caran d’Ache’s commitment to quality and innovation. This artistic partnership has resulted in limited-edition collections of art supplies, including pencils and other creative tools, adorned with Keith Haring’s signature designs. These art supplies not only serve as a tribute to Haring’s enduring legacy but also as a source of inspiration for artists and creatives who admire his work. Check it out here!