In its third outing last Sunday (September 3, 2023), chaired by Elizabeth Mayhew with Christopher Spitzmiller and Anthony Bellomo, the event was the largest ever and, once again, completely sold out.
In the weeks before Olivia Rodrigo dropped her very first album Sour, I found myself nearing the end of my high school career, wondering if anyone had ever actually experienced a teenage dream.
“I guess some people just don’t get happy teen years,” I’d texted my mom on a particularly cold April day, the weather outside matching my demeanor at the fact of the matter. The years that were supposed to be the best of my life were about to be over and I could count the happy moments I’d had throughout them on one hand.
Two weeks later would see me with Olivia’s Brutal blasting in my headphones as I sat on the corner of the track while doing what I did best: not participating in gym class. The line I’m so sick of seventeen, where the fuck’s my teenage dream? brought unexpected tears to my tired eyes. It was one of the very first times in my life that I’d heard those thoughts out loud, that maybe, just maybe, these years aren’t the best of our lives. Quite the opposite, in my case. To this day, Seventeen years old remains the most difficult thing I have ever been, but it would have been a whole lot worse without Sour.
The combination of the extremely common teenage phenomenon of feeling like you’ll never be good enough for anything, combined with your very first heartbreak, is a lethal duo that so many teenage girls are all too familiar with, myself included. If Olivia Rodrigo had started a religion on the weekend of my first breakup, I would have immediately joined. Honestly? I would still be a loyal part of it to this day. Even as I write this from my own apartment in a city far away from the pink bedroom where I spent many nights crying to Enough for you. Olivia has become a voice for my generation, with her gut (no pun intended) wrenchingly relatable lyrics and stunning voice that will somehow resonate with you long after you’ve forgotten the face of the high school boy who hurt you in the first place.
When Olivia’s very first single Drivers License came out, it was actually the aforementioned high school boy of my life who had told me about it. “You know, the Disney Plus show,” he’d said as we drove too fast down a road to nowhere important and I picked at the holes in my jeans. “The High School Musical one? You haven’t seen it?”
I hadn’t, but the combination of the Olivia-mania that had taken over that weekend and the way her voice conveyed something I’d never heard before, inspired me to check it out. After binging nearly all of it the following weekend, I had reported my findings back to the boy in question: that it was adorable, and I couldn’t help but be an Olivia fan.
Music is healing, but it hadn’t exactly been in my world until I’d heard Olivia’s for the first time. There was already plenty of preexisting music out in the world when I found mine crashing down around me before I could even legally vote, so what exactly made Olivia different? It’s the notion that wounds that originate in your teen years are different. They reopen easier, with the painful reminders of how you got them, and the even more painful realizations of what you should have had instead. At her very core, Olivia conveyed this with the brutal honesty that acted as a warm blanket to everyone just trying to survive the uncomfortable road of teenage girlhood. Beyond her unparalleled talent for storytelling and her astonishing vocals, I think that our shared age and her unwillingness to pretend that teen years were all they’re choked up to be made the world feel less dreary, less hopeless. That is one of the many gifts of Olivia.
It seemed that when Drivers License came out, every girl on the internet had a similar story to the one that she was telling. The stories that she tells are so highly detailed and specific, yet somehow, captivate mass audiences of people who relate on a level far deeper than the surface of the words.
By the time that Sour was released (on the same week as my senior prom), I had listened to Deja Vu and Drivers License so many times that even my grandfather could more than likely recite both songs perfectly. A friend of mine had just gotten a car and we’d planned to go to the beach and listen to the album on the drive, but it was cold out, so we went to the mall instead. We drove way faster than we should’ve down the roads that we’d gotten to know way better than any of us had ever wanted too and listened to every song except for Brutal, as it wouldn’t load due to a Spotify glitch. I’m thankful for that, as I’ll never forget that moment during gym class the following Monday, a moment of realization that I was far from the only person who feared they’d wasted something that they didn’t want in the first place.
We’d taken our trip to the mall on Friday and on Saturday, we took the LIRR into Manhattan to visit the Sour Patch store where they were giving out special edition purple Sour boxes with a picture of a smiling Olivia on the box. I couldn’t tell you what was inside, as we arrived too late and didn’t get any, but I’ll never forget that day. We played the album as we walked through the street and I wore a blue skirt from Brandy Melville and a pair of 3D glasses with the frames popped out, for no reason at all, as we relished in the last few days before we’d graduate high school. My hair was longer than it had ever been as my friend recorded us on her dad’s old camcorder and talked about her upcoming plans to go to film school. It was one of the few times in high school that I didn’t feel temporary, like there was a world beyond the walls I’d grown accustomed to. I tend to think of that when I see sour patch wrappers or pass by the SoHo Brandy Melville.
The tail end of my seventeenth year was much brighter. It saw me packing up the tear stricken pink room and moving to a brand new city (albeit into a room equally as pink), getting started on my journalism career, and finally shedding the skin that had previously held me down. But in the same way that the pink pillows came with me, Olivia and her music did as well. The heartbreaks and woes of seventeen were behind me, but her music still resonated with the growing pains that I don’t think I’ll ever shake, probably for the better. I quickly learned that she would be a constant in my life, the same way that my love for sunsets and New York City, and of course, the color pink would be.
Olivia seems to be commonly known as someone who writes heartbreak music. While true in a sense, her heartfelt music has stayed on my daily rotation years past my most recent breakup. On a chilly New York December night, I laid in my freshman year dorm bed listening to Hope Ur Ok, reflecting on everything that the year had changed me for. The sweetness of Olivia’s voice expressing I hope you know how proud I am that you were created, with the courage to unlearn all of their hatred has been a constant source of warmth in my life, even as the years went by. My building group chat (named ‘The Hotties of 92y,’ as we lived in the iconic 92nd street Y) pinged with a notification of the girl in the room next to me, reading “Sydney- are you okay? I hear you blasting Olivia, what did your boyfriend do?” Another notification came in from my friend Nikole, who wasn’t at the building at the time, reading, “I’m not even there and I can hear Sydney blasting Olivia.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Olivia Rodrigo attends as SPOTIFY x AMEX PRESENT: GUTS Gallery Pop-Up Experience in NYC on September 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Spotify)
To his credit, my boyfriend at the time hadn’t done anything (at the moment), the music was just comforting. The song was soothing in the same way it had been that day on the football field as I struggled to cope with the end of life the way I’d known it for so long. I iterated this to my hilariously compassionate friends, much to all of our laughter. I fell asleep that night to Enough For You, thinking briefly about all of the times that my younger self had cried over its sharp relatability.
It’s strange to think that the pink room isn’t even my most recent bedroom, there have now been four beds in between the nights of Traitor and Deja Vu underneath fairy lights taped haphazardly to a dome shaped ceiling. My bed in my current apartment still has pink pillows, and on the wall above them sits a poster of Olivia, clad in sunglasses and a balaclava and driving a car, a signature of hers that had been established after the virality of Driver’s License. There has been some sort of Olivia memorabilia in every room I have ever lived in, consistently paying homage to the girl who pulled me through the dark and dreary days of being a hopeless teenager.
In the same way that Brutal defined the era in my life that mostly circled around my sparkly red prom dress and gut wrenching fear for the future, Vampire and Bad Idea, Right, have defined this far more comfortable period where I get to be a journalist living in my cozy midtown studio with sweet friends and no sense of impending doom. I’ve learned, throughout this time, that the future is my friend.
While two and a half years ago may have seen me once again in the pink pillowed room with Sour on shuffle, two days ago I opened up an email that I assumed was simply a confirmation of my attendance at tonight’s Guts Gallery. A pop up experience in Manhattan celebrating Guts, Olivia’s new album which will release on Friday.
While the email was in fact confirming my attendance, there was a highlighted sentence underneath the address of the popup: Olivia will be making a surprise appearance!
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: A view of the venue as SPOTIFY x AMEX PRESENT: GUTS Gallery Pop-Up Experience in NYC on September 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Spotify)
Through my years as a journalist, I’ve gotten used to exciting tidbits of information being released onto my life, but few things could have prepared me for the contents of that email. I owe so much of the person that I am today to Olivia and her music, to the way it managed to pull me out of my cloudiest days and into a world that has been so kind. The girl on the football field on one of the last Mondays of high school, the girl in the backseat of her friends car as they drove through a neighborhood that would soon no longer belong to them, the girl in the blue skirt laughing in line at the sour patch store, and the girl who cried as her and her mom drove with Jealousy, Jealousy playing on the car speaker because she felt that every day shouldn’t have been as difficult as it was, felt so close by the girl sitting at the desk of her midtown studio apartment with the Olivia poster on the wall. Just one girl, who’d managed to make it to the good part of life, with Olivia Rodrigo music constantly playing in the background.
As Nikole and I walked out of school that night, I informed her that I would not be getting off at our usual stop. “I have to go buy an outfit,” I said. “I can’t tell you what it’s for, but it’s extremely important.”
We scrolled through the Zara website as we waited on the subway platform, and she asked if I could at least give her a hint as to what we were looking for. I pointed to a purple plaid skirt and said “that would probably be perfect.”
The outfit I ended up choosing wasn’t purple or plaid, instead a pink and black bow ensemble that paid homage to this Olivia look. My texts to my mom as I shopped were very different than they were on that day in April. “I feel so giddy,” I said. “I guess this is what being a teenager was supposed to feel like.”
Inside of the bright purple, houseparty themed Guts Gallery (which you can read all about here!) anyone would feel instantly transported back to high school, with the imagery so beautifully reminiscent of simpler (or in my case, way more complicated) days. As Olivia walked out onto the stage in the living room of the gallery to a packed room of excited fans, I couldn’t help but think of the seventeen year old girl that I was so recently.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: A view of the venue as SPOTIFY x AMEX PRESENT: GUTS Gallery Pop-Up Experience in NYC on September 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Spotify)
Though it’s a tempting phrase, don’t tell any Olivia Rodrigo fan to not meet their heroes. If this weekend has taught me anything, it’s that Olivia is the epitome of grace and kindness. She’s poised and sweet, stating “I’m so nervous,” to the living room audience as the listening party to her new album was about to begin. “Thank you guys so much, I really appreciate it! It’s Guts eve, happy Guts eve!”
Clad in a long black gown covered in flowers, Olivia sat with Eva Chen to answer questions from fans, written on Spotify index cards in sparkly purple pen. If you consider yourself a Livie, you know that everything about that sentence is so brutally Olivia. The questions ranged from her creative process and her growth from Sour to Guts, all the way to her favorite pizza topping (anything but pineapple) and her love for boba tea. Two fans even utilized their question slot to ask if Olivia liked their outfits, to which she sweetly asked them to stand up and do a spin around. “Stand up, stand up! Do a twirl for us!” The verdict from Olivia was that the outfits were “cute!” with her glowingly exclaiming that it’s “mini skirt season.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Olivia Rodrigo and Eva Chen attend as SPOTIFY x AMEX PRESENT: GUTS Gallery Pop-Up Experience in NYC on September 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Spotify)
I’ll never be a seventeen year old girl again. On most days, I’m endlessly grateful for that. But there was something about sitting in a living room, far away from the one of my youth, across from the woman who’s music defined my life when I needed it most, made me feel like I could do it all over again. And out of all of the gifts of Olivia, that may be the biggest one of all.
Check out Guts Gallery for yourself here and stream GUTS here!
The New York Fashion Week events kicked off in style at the iconic VFILES SoHo location on 12 Mercer Street. Steeped in fashion history, this venue has been at the forefront of nurturing young talent since its inception in 2012. Opening its doors with a bang, featuring Hood by Air and ASAP Rocky in June 2012, the VFILES Store quickly became a cherished space for emerging designers to establish their brands in the heart of NYC. Julie Anne Quay, a driving force behind the VFILES Foundation, highlights the organization’s mission to elevate young designers and artists. She explains, “We are reestablishing a showcase at 12 Mercer and establishing the new VFDA (VFILES Designer Alumni) to further support those designers and artists who have been featured in VFILES Runway and in many iterations of the store over the past decade.”
Guests including Rebecca Black, VFILES fellow and professional ballet dancer Gabe Stone Shayer and 88 Rising artist Spence Lee joined the NYFW opening to see a stunning array of designs by talented individuals, including Kim Shui, Sami Miro, Elena Velez, Leaf Xia, Seokwoon Yoon, Hubane Cozy, Celine Kwan, Ari Serrano, Gypsy Sport, Skdrow fashion, and the iconic VFILES namesake brand. This exciting announcement coincides with the celebration of the tenth year anniversary of VFILES RUNWAY, which made its debut in 2013. The runway has seen the spotlight on celebrated designers like Gypsy Sport, Sam MC, Steven Tai, and Ammerman Schlossberg.
Aliza Kelly at VFILES NYFW Opening Night and Manifestation
To commemorate this milestone, VFILES Fellow Aliza Kelly, led the gathering in group affirmations, encouraging everyone to drop their thoughts into the Affirmation Wheel. Later in the night, VFILES continued the celebration by hosting a special NYFW edition of their beloved Pass The Aux series at Bowery Electric. The stage came alive with performances by Rebecca Black and Delly, accompanied by Godspeed.
Rebecca Black on stage at VFILES Pass The Aux
SCHEDULE OF NYFW EVENTS:
- Sept 7th: Opening VFILES FOUNDATION @ 12 MERCER Fashion Week Manifestation with Aliza Kelly** VFILES Lab Fellow
- Sept 3rd: Gypsy Sport casting @12 Mercer studio – 1:00-5:00 pm ET
- Sept 4th -10th : Sami Miro residency @12 Mercer Studio
- Sept 8th – 12th: Ari Serrano’s Sweatshop – Upcycle sewing classes in the basement @12 Mercer Studio
- Sept 11th: Hubane Cozy Show @12 Mercer Studio
- Sept 12th: “Love Kelly” @12 Mercer Studio
The VFILES NYFW schedule is packed with dynamic events, including a casting session by Gypsy Sport, a residency by Sami Miro, Ari Serrano’s Sweatshop offering upcycle sewing classes, Hubane Cozy’s much-anticipated show, and “Love Kelly,” a creative gathering at 12 Mercer Studio.
Checkout our reel recap of the event below:
Parents had every reason to beam with pride at the 13th ANNUAL ROOKIE USA New York Fashion Week Show, held in the vibrant Chelsea area at IRON23. This dazzling event celebrated the world’s most fashionable kids on Wednesday, September 6th. The catwalk featured a diverse group of models, including notable Kidfluencers, and celebrity kids, who confidently strutted their stuff, leaving their parents in awe.
Presented by Haddad Brands, this exclusive event showcased the latest looks and must-have gear, featuring apparel, accessories, and footwear from top global brands such as Nike, Jordan, Levi’s®, Converse, and Hurley. Beyond the glitz and glamour, the show had a heartwarming purpose, benefiting Moms for Moms NYC on behalf of NY Knicks star Julius Randle. The mission of Moms for Moms is to empower single mothers by providing essential support for their postpartum and newborn needs.
Hosted by the charming Kidfluencer Haileigh Vasquez, the event also featured captivating performances by Sophia Rita and the local Knicks City Kids, with DJ Sophia Rocks setting the musical tempo. Cincoro Tequila added a touch of sophistication, offering specialty cocktails for the adult attendees.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Chanel Nicole Marrow (L) walks the runway during the 13th Annual Rookie USA Fashion Show at Iron 23 on September 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Rookie USA)
Among the celebrity families present were Law & Order: SVU star Ice-T, his wife Coco and their adorable daughter Chanel. Ice-T shared his thoughts on the event, saying, “It’s not about exclusive designer brands where parents are trying to go out of their way to show off. It’s simply about regular, cool clothes, and we like the kids to have a bit of flavor and style”.
The former Cheetah Girls star and E-News Host Adrienne Bailon-Houghton watched as her son Ever James walked for his first time and shared her enthusiasm, saying, “I absolutely love it, honestly. It’s my favorite fashion show at New York Fashion Week, hands down my favorite. I think there’s nothing cuter than seeing little kids come down a runway, strut their stuff, and give you the cutest poses at the end of the runway.”
Checkout our reel recap of the event below:
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Israel Houghton, and Claudette Balion attend the 13th Annual Rookie USA Fashion Show at Iron 23 on September 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Rookie USA)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Sterling Shepard walks the runway during the 13th Annual Rookie USA Fashion Show at Iron 23 on September 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Rookie USA)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: A model walks the runway during the 13th Annual Rookie USA Fashion Show at Iron 23 on September 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Rookie USA)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Sophia Rita Agresta performs on the runway during the 13th Annual Rookie USA Fashion Show at Iron 23 on September 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Rookie USA)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Rajeiro Lee and Shenseea Lea attend the 13th Annual Rookie USA Fashion Show at Iron 23 on September 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Rookie USA)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Royal Reign and Lil Kim attend the 13th Annual Rookie USA Fashion Show at Iron 23 on September 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Rookie USA)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Nate Burleson, Mia Burleson, and Atoya Burleson attend the 13th Annual Rookie USA Fashion Show at Iron 23 on September 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Rookie USA)
There’s no party like a Bacardi party! Last night at 45Grand in Soho, New York was a celebration for Hip-Hop, fashion, and cocktail lovers.
The Labor Day weekend crowd at The Surf Lodge all agreed that they love – make that adore – Pina Coladas thanks to a roaring good party thrown by Malibu Rum.
At Starrcast 2023, the wrestling world comes alive with a special touch of nostalgia as wrestlers from around the globe gather to share their cherished Chicago memories.
In a city where wrestling history has been etched into the very fabric of its culture, these athletes take the stage not just to showcase their incredible talents, but to pay homage to the iconic moments that have unfolded in this wrestling industry, which took place at the Hyatt Hotel over this past weekend.
Matt Cardona, formerly known as WWE’s Zack Ryder, told us that he lost his GCW title in Chicago, calling it the “Chicago Screwjob” as he never got a rematch. Beyond this, he has a passion for wrestling figure collecting and shared some of his plans to work with talent to bring these figures to life in the upcoming months.
“I like to see Demolition and now we’re making their figures of Marty Jannetty. So now it’s my turn to make the figures. So I get to go around these conventions and meet guys I grew up watching, or even guys like Nick Gage, who I hate, but I’ll make a figure of them and I’ll make money off them. So it’s fun to collect figures and to make figures,” he said.
Cardona is no stranger to social media as he was one of the first over a decade ago to use it for his advantage to broaden his awareness beyond the wrestling bubble.
“I mean, it’s smart, it’s free advertising, Twitter, X, whatever you want to call it, YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram. It is all free advertising. Double edged sword. It’s free for everybody. How are you going to stand out from every other wrestler? I don’t know. Some things you just gotta throw at the wall. The Indie God thing, It was supposed to be a one night spoof. Just come out dressed as Indiana Jones one night. But I saw the match on social media and I realized that I got something here. And now I’m selling phone figures, hats, micro rollers, figures, and stickers. like I’m making so much money off something else, mostly a one night spoof. So you just have to capitalize and be aware of what your audience wants,” said Cardona.
As the wrestlers take a trip down memory lane, their stories provide a poignant reminder of the deep connection between the squared circle and the city that has played host to some of the most unforgettable moments in wrestling history. Starrcast 2023 is not just an event; it’s a heartfelt tribute to the enduring legacy of wrestling in the Windy City.
AEW Superstar Will “Powerhouse” Hobbs, who had his match against Miro on AEW All Out this past weekend, told us at Starrcast that the fans are the best part of Chicago.
“Every time we come here, it’s a banger for me. just specially being in front of the Chicago crowd. I’ve said in a few interviews that the fans of Chicago let you know how they feel and they bring a different vibe,” he said, adding that one of his favorite hip hop artists is Ice Cube when asked about the 50th anniversary of the music genre.
AEW Superstar Skye Blue, who is a Chicago native, shared the same sentiment about the fans while also explaining that she has navigated the grueling 12-hour car rides and wrestled in venues practically within walking distance. Reflecting on her experiences, Skye Blue considers the worst scenario to be the unfortunate convergence of a flat tire and a traffic ticket on the very same day, a frustrating twist in the wrestling journey. Conversely, her best moments on the road are exemplified by the sheer simplicity of a quick five-minute drive to the show, where convenience reigns supreme, and she finds himself right at the heart of the action.
“I love Chicago. It’s very heartfelt to me that I get to represent Chicago for AEW. So I’m just very grateful that I get to say I’m from Chicago for AEW and I’ve done so many indies throughout Chicago,” she said.
Ricky Starks told us that he has a deep respect for the people of Chicago because they’ve treated him so nicely. Starks cited that the day before Starrcast, someone just stopped him to meet him and was so polite and kind and very encouraging.
“That’s the thing, fans are very encouraging for someone who kind of had to give himself his own encouragement when I was growing up. I had some fans come up to me and they recognized me on the street and they were very sweet people. And this was two years ago when I wasn’t on the All Out pay per view. And I vowed that the next year, I would be and I did. And now I’d vowed that I would do something bigger and better,” he said.
Also to note, WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett took the stage to talk about Chicago at Starrcast. When Jeff Jarrett took the stage at the Starrcast panel, the room buzzed with anticipation.
With a career spanning decades, Jarrett’s presence was a testament to his enduring legacy in the wrestling world. As he settled into his seat, fans and fellow wrestling enthusiasts hung on his every word. Jarrett delved into the storied chapters of his career, sharing behind-the-scenes anecdotes and memorable encounters with some of the industry’s biggest names.
His charismatic storytelling, coupled with his passion for the sport, had the audience captivated, making his Starrcast appearance a truly unforgettable moment for all in attendance. It was a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from a wrestling icon whose contributions continue to shape the industry.
In the realm of horology, where intricate mechanics meet artistic design, Maurice de Mauriac has carved a niche for itself by creating exquisite timepieces that resonate with both luxury and sportsmanship. This Swiss watch brand has a history intertwined with tennis, and its latest collaboration with Racquet magazine, the Rallymaster II, is a testament to this enduring connection.
Maurice de Mauriac’s journey with tennis dates back nearly two decades, marked by its role as the official timekeeper of the ATP Tour event in Gstaad. This affiliation with the world of tennis led to partnerships with prominent tennis figures, including the likes of WTA star Andrea Petkovic, French player Benoit Paire, and even a dedicated timepiece with legendary tennis icon Stan Smith. This convergence of elegant watchmaking and the dynamic sport of tennis culminates in the Rallymaster II.
The watch is the second chapter in the collaboration between Maurice de Mauriac and Racquet magazine, following the successful first edition that sold out within hours. It blends the classic charm of vintage details with contemporary cues from the world of tennis. Designed by the visionary Carlton DeWoody, known for his expertise in interior design and a passion for tennis and watches, it pays homage to the vibrant watch dials of the 1960s and 1970s. Its ice blue dial captures the essence of a tennis hardcourt, providing a striking backdrop for the applied indices and tennis ball-shaped indexes that are illuminated with Swiss Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 BL elfenbein/LE ef. The small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock, with 20-second increments, mirrors the time limit for a tennis serve, a nod to the sport’s recent rule change.
Beyond its visual appeal, the Rallymaster II boasts impressive technical specifications. The stainless steel case features a screw-in crown adorned with the Racquet logo and is equipped with an anti-reflective sapphire crystal that includes a date magnifier. The sapphire exhibition caseback showcases the printed Racquet logo, allowing enthusiasts to appreciate the Swiss movement within. Speaking of movement, the watch houses a Landeron 24 automatic Swiss movement with 25 jewels, operating at a frequency of 28,800 a/h (4 Hz) and offering a power reserve of 40 hours.
A watch (and collaboration) of such high importance deserved a celebration of equal measure, and Rockefeller Center’s radio park was the perfect place for it. Upon entry, guests were greeted with a smashing display created by Aperol Spritz, where they could sip on the titular summertime drinks as they experienced all of the party’s attractions.
Recovery is a crucial part of every athlete’s routine, especially tennis players. Hyperice set up a brilliant display of massage chairs and other products where partygoers could relax for a 15 minute massage. Once rest time was over, they could make their way out to the lawn where Heineken had set up a cart to hand out even more refreshing drinks.
Enthusiasts and collectors have the opportunity to secure their Rallymaster II during the pre-sale window, which aligns with the U.S. Open tennis tournament, from August 28th to September 10th. The watch will be available for purchase online through both the Racquet magazine website and the Maurice de Mauriac official website, mdm-watches.com. Priced at $1,950.00 USD, this limited-edition timepiece embodies the essence of tennis and horological artistry.
Attendees during Red Bull Batalla Miami Qualifiers at Skatebird in Miami, Florida on 26 of August, 2023 // Ian Witlen / Red Bull Content Pool
We all know Red Bull gives you wings, but did you know that it can also help people spit out fire?
That was the case in Miami this weekend when the top Spanish-language lyricists from all over the country delivered some brutal and precise lines at the Red Bull Batalla Regional Qualifier.
Now celebrating its 16th year, the Red Bull Batalla boasts the largest freestyle competition in the world, and the talent that flocked to Miami for the Regional Qualifier had The Knockturnal questioning if we were at the National Final instead.
Sixteen rappers, freestylers, dancers, and artists all around compete in three different regional qualifiers–with the previous qualifiers taking place in Los Angeles in July and Houston in August–to test their quick-witted rhyming strengths and prove why they should advance to the National Final in Dallas in November. The winner of the National Final will test their chops with top MCs from all over the world in the Red Bull Batalla World Final, taking place in Bogotá, Colombia, on December 2.
Sara Socas performs during Red Bull Batalla Miami Qualifiers at Skatebird in Miami, Florida on 26 of August, 2023 // Ian Witlen / Red Bull Content Pool
Ahead of the Miami Qualifier, Red Bull welcomed several journalists from across the country to stay in the art mecca neighborhood of Wynwood in Miami. This year’s contestants stayed at the Arlo Wynwood, a hotel with killer views of Wynwood Walls murals, and a gorgeous rooftop pool complete with occasional guest DJ parties. With the surrounding area of Wynwood full of art, culture, and great food, and with the influx of murals, graffiti, dancing, and Spanish-speaking hip-hop heavyweights intersecting at every corner, the stage was certainly set for the world’s largest freestyle competition.
In between graffiti workshop classes and Asian-Latin fusion dinners, the stage was also certainly set at an unsurprising venue where often these subcultures intersect: a skatepark. That’s right: the Red Bull Batalla Miami Regional Qualifier was set right in the middle of a half-pipe ramp, letting the crowd there certainly match the energy of the contestants freestyling for the Red Bull red, yellow, and blue-colored Batalla trophy, featuring a recording mic.
Apache performs during Red Bull Batalla Miami Qualifiers at Skatebird in Miami, Florida on 26 of August, 2023 // Ian Witlen / Red Bull Content Pool
The weekend started with a graffiti workshop class at the Miami Art Society, which detailed how the Wynwood neighborhood came to be, artists works in the gallery, and how graffiti often intertwined with hip-hop and freestyling. This was then followed by a graffiti lesson by Entes, a Peruvian-born graffiti artist who not only enlisted in the help of Red Bull staff and reporters to ultimately make a freestyling avian he cheekily called “Rooster,” but also created a spot-on Red Bull logo just by using his naked eye.
The night concluded with an Asian-Latin fusion dinner at El Chinito, just down the block from both Arlo Wynwood and the Miami Art Society. The dinner consisted of mixed fusion dishes such as carnitas shumai and watermelon “tuna” pizza; and Red Bull-inspired drinks such as the Chinito Summer (Red Bull Red Edition– watermelon – Tanqueray Gin, Peach Schnapps, lime juice, and simple syrup) and Buru Loko (Red Bull Coconut Berry, Tequila Blanco, Peychaud’s Bitters), as well as the standard Red Bull Vodka.
Before the show started on Saturday evening, several emcees chatted about their upbringings and how they got into freestyle, as well as what they had on their minds ahead of the competition. The scene was set once the show began: Red Bull brought out the Secret Walls crew to enter a real-time live painting battle during the qualifier. Artists Ruth Burotte Tamfee (@rutamfi) and Marlon Pruz (@marlonpruz) battled it out against artists @chnkfondue and @zoegen, unveiling an emcee-inspired work of art.
Judges for the qualifier included MC Snow, Chester, and Sara Socas, with co-hosts Racso White Lion and Sonja La Makina
Sourius competes against VNZ during Red Bull Batalla Miami Qualifiers at Skatebird in Miami, Florida on 26 of August, 2023 // Ian Witlen / Red Bull Content Pool
Leading the show and accompanied by DJ Cesar’s mixing abilities at the turntable. After the emcee was crowned the winner of the Miami Regional Qualifier–with a special guest appearance by El Misionero right before the final round–a Venezuelan rapper Apache gave the crowd a closing performance.
The fantastic weekend truly showcased the opportunity for young emcees to hone in their craft at the Red Bull Batalla and unite emcees from not only all over the country but around the world as young emcees in the United States make their way to the global stage.
Read our interviews with AdonysX, JD, and Crown here.
And our interview with Jay_Co “El Leon” and linked here.
AFROPUNKFest 2023 is brought to you live, from Saturday, August 26th, and Sunday, August 27th; celebrating a weekend of The Circus of Soul. Afro Punk Fest has been a Brooklyn staple since 2005, bringing together the community with light, love, and music. This year’s Afro Punk Fest is bigger than ever, since its return post-pandemic. AFROPUNK Fest has always been held at Commodore Barry Park, but this year, they have changed locations to Green-point Brooklyn’s Skyline Drive-in Theatre by the water. As a Brooklyn native, I’ve grown up each year excited to attend the festival, but this year, as the 25-year-old fashionista writer that I’ve become, I had the opportunity to cover it as media and press. My younger self would be so proud, my current self is leaping for joy and I can’t wait to tell you guys all about this 2 day affair!
AFROPUNKFest is a festival of music, fashion, and unapologetic blackness. Every year, attendees dress up in unique outfits matching the theme of the festival. The Circus of Soul is this year’s theme, and it was drawn out perfectly. There is beauty and there is a pain in the black community when it comes to the word “Circus”. It has multiple definitions, but I had the pleasure of speaking with Sean G, Creative Director of AFROPUNK, and his inspiration for the theme was paying homage to celebrating our blackness. “The circus, on the one hand, has a dark side to it, and we wanted to do something, AFROPUNK, by exploring what that means to us. In history, black people during slavery were sold and showcased in the circus as freaks. For example, the first black albino twins were showcased as the “Men from Mars,” in 2023, and celebrities such as Winnie Harlow are now praised for their skin discoloration. AFROPUNK and I explored how the blackness from white eyes, is this fear and fascination of black people, and how white supremacy objectified and put us on display, as the detriment to ourselves, but over time we found a way to take our power back, and become not the slaves, but the masters, and come to celebrate our “freakiness”, our “oddness” and let the freak show fly”. This is a powerful quote and give us the true essence of what the AFROPUNK Festival truly is about and how we can continue to take up black power in spaces created specifically for us and by us.
AFROPUNKFest went full out on the circus theme, and so did the attendees. Once you walked in, the layout of the festival reminded me of the twists and turns in a carnival, with the excitement behind every corner. There were stilt walkers, vendors, and performers, oh my! The outfits were my favorite part because of how committed and creative everyone was. There were people painted in gold, hair as big as the sky, multiple colors, and outfits handmade and bejeweled with the brightest jewels I’ve ever seen. It was so hard to choose a favorite. AFROPUNK Fest is a safe space meant for creativity and self-expression. Since 2005, the festival looks of the attendees have elevated to the most beautiful and authentic fashions I’ve seen. Fashion outside of festivals is a bit more laid back, but the boldness of the attendees was a 100/10 for me. It’s admirable how everyone has their unique fashion sense because nothing looked the same. There wasn’t one outfit that was similar to another, which is what I craved! For more on fashion at AFROPUNK Fest, I created a reel on @Theknockturnal Instagram page and interviews with attendees and performers.
@Bambiix2 on Instagram: http://instagram.com/bambiix2
The creativity is remarkable, iconic, and legendary. It’s so impressive how these “costumes” attendees dedicate their time to get every last detail right and with a story that goes behind it. For example, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jamal, as seen below in Red. His story was so beautiful of the theme behind his red bridal dress. “My look is red, because it’s my favorite color. It is also my father’s and lover’s favorite color, who both have unfortunately passed away. This is a look that is honoring my love and is the wedding that I never got to have,” Jamal tells me emotionally. Wow! Hearing that, made me just want to break down and we hugged for a very long time, not saying a word, only exchanging each other’s embrace and love. This love is what AFROPUNK is about.
@Kingofjamaica http://Instagram.com/kingofjamaicaand @jamalisking on instagram http://instagram.com/jamalisking
My angle for approaching all the fabulous attendees are capturing their fabulous outfits, is to ask them what black joy means to you. There is so much going on in this world and our daily lives that we forget to have some fun or let our hair down for a bit, and that is why so many people love coming to AFROPUNK Fest for a weekend of pure joy and excitement; a stop in normal day life. Black joy is crucial and should be celebrated with each chance we get. This wonderful woman in this African-inspired outfit stated, “black joy is power, black joy is melanin and unity”. Another attendee, Lew Caine, stated “black joy is this! When you are around your people, spreading love, giving back, elevating and just having a good time.” Shauna Grey, Global head of Development at AFROPUNK shared her meaning of Black joy. “Black joy is watching everyone here have pure teeth while smiling, the babies walking around and those individuals fully exposed in their clothes without fear of being judged, and that’s black joy, just happiness without fear. Caroline Wanga, The President and CEO of Essence Magazine, stopped by to talk to me backstage, as Baby Tate was performing, and she shared her meaning of black joy. “I think black joy is freedom when we have to stop worrying about making black accommodate everybody else”.
For more interviews on black joy, check out my reel on @Theknockturnal Instagram.
AFROPUNK fest’23 has been one for the books.