Imagine a celebrity chef preparing a private dinner for you, while you sip on a fresh Dirty Martini in hand, in a $20 million apartment in New York City. On Wednesday, January 24, the lucky winner of Tanqueray’s Damn Fancy Dinner Sweepstakes got to immerse in that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The trendy online retailer coming to NYC may just be the gift of the season!
A bathhouse launch party seems like the most natural move for the ‘escape wear’ brand’s newest collection!
On Saturday, Nov. 11. the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit returned to Atlanta, offering a vibrant celebration of the diverse facets of the black experience. With the support of Coca-Cola and McDonald’s, attendees of all ages gathered for a day filled with panels, beauty, and music.
Throughout the lively event, trays of complimentary McDonald’s French Fries circulated the venue while guests engaged in various activities including photo-booths, crafting flower crowns, and more.
Essence Ventures President & CEO Caroline Wanga kicked off the event with her ‘Disrupt or Be Disrupted’ panel. A thought-provoking episode of the podcast ‘If Not for My Girls’ featured comedian and actress Pretty Vee, rapper BIA, and singer-songwriter Muni Long discussing walking in one’s purpose and aspiring for more.
Girls United Co-Founders Rechelle and Sophia Dennis joined sisters Jordyn and Jodie Wood for a heartfelt conversation on the joys of sisterhood and how they’ve learned eachother. Despite their age gaps, the sisters displayed a genuine closeness that made the panel feel more like a relaxed chat between life-long friends.
Jordyn and Jodie Woods, despite their undeniable impact across social media, have solidified themselves as more than just influencers. Jodie has emerged as an inspiration for the new Gen Z, while Jordyn has continued to establish her brand with her newly launched clothing line, Woods by Jordyn.
Notable personalities such as Aliyah’s Interlude, Yung BBQ, TM Twins, Karma Bridges, Anisa Brenee, and DJ Tootz were also in attendance.
The summit offered diverse interactive experiences, from speed mentorship sessions to a beauty makeover station. In front of a massive photo wall featuring the season 5 cast of ‘If Not for My Girls’—BIA, Muni Long, and Pretty Vee—attendees enjoyed Coca-Cola mocktails at a mocktail bar and explored a Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar photo activation.
Guests personalized airbrushed tote bags and pouches and indulged in some light shopping at the Soko Marketplace, featuring a range of products from jewelry to haircare.
The day concluded with an electrifying performance by Mariah The Scientist, singing her hit songs, including the fan-favorite “Spread Thin.”
Veteran’s Day is one of the most significant holidays is our society. This holiday gives us the opportunity to honor the brave men and women who have put their lives on the line for the nation. Since 1938, This day has been commemorated on November 11. The observance day was originally referred to as Armistice Day. Around 1954, the name of this holiday was changed to Veterans to highlight those who served in all U.S. wars.
This year in Washington D.C., we had the chance to attend one of the most memorable ceremonies in honor of our veterans. The American Veterans Center Annual Gala, American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes was hosted the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The rooms were filled with joy and gratitude from guests and family members. Notable attendees included David Boreanaz, Yvette Nicole Brown, Glenn Powell, and Maggie Sajak. The evening was hosted by the talented Emmy Award Winning nominated actor and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Rob Riggle, who kept a lively atmosphere the whole night. The attendees saw several shows hosted by service academy students from West Point, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. The shows included band performances, singing and short movies. During the interim, the guests enjoyed a dinner during which they had the opportunity to socialize and get to know those monumental figures. After the dinner, the honorees were highlighted by Rob Riggle. 
As he highlighted our heroes, you could see the pride on everyone’s face, whether they had a personal relationship with the honorees or not. To conclude the event, the attendees took it to the dance floor. The attendees sang and danced the night, while some enjoyed cocktails and conversations. The American Veterans Center Annual Gala, American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes was a night to remember.
Honorees Include:
NEW YORK, NY – On Thursday evening, in the Gramercy Park neighborhood at The Players, WORDTheatre celebrated their 20th anniversary with short stories and musical performances.
Boston is officially on island time!
Coconut water brand Vita Coco and Captain Morgan have recently teamed up to bring the Caribbean to store shelves nationwide. As part of a multi-city “Tropical Takeover Tour” in celebration of Vita Coco Spiked with Captain Morgan, Jamaican rapper Sean Paul gave an exclusive performance at The Grand in Boston on Sept. 14.
The Grand was transformed into a tropical paradise with everything from palm trees and hammocks to signature Captain Morgan mixed drinks. The good vibes got even better when Paul took the stage to perform his top hits, including Sia’s “No Lie,” Clean Bandit’s “Rockabye,” and of course, “Temperature.”
Noteworthy guests of the night included 106 and Park host, Free.
Paul expressed his excitement regarding his partnership with the brands earlier this year in an exclusive interview with The Knockturnal. “In Jamaica we have a culture of rum tasting and drinking and when we do beach parties we usually put coconut water in our rum so it’s a perfect match for me,” the rapper said in June. “I love how it tastes.“
And Paul is right—this collab is so good that it will make you want to shake that thing. Made with real coconut water and Caribbean Rum, Vita Coco Spiked with Captain Morgan canned cocktails are available in three flavors: Piña Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri and Lime Mojito.
“It’s a way for me to spread a part of my culture as a Jamaican boy,” Paul continued, “and let people know how we do it.”
If you are 21+, visit captainmorgan.com to purchase your own vacation in a can.
NEW YORK, NY – From September 22 to October 1, the multidisciplinary design studio and showroom café Hudson Wilder in DUMBO, Brooklyn, will act as a sanctuary not only for contemporary home goods, but also for the curated art and design exhibit “Playing House”.
New York Fashion Week is back and active, as everyone gathered near and far to be apart of the many shows, press events and after parties. It’s a full week affair and on Saturday September 9th I had the pleasure of attending Leonardo 5th Avenues NYFW Runway show located at the infamous Spring Studios.
New York City on a rainy September evening, anticipation and excitement filled the air. I had the privilege of attending a highly anticipated fashion show at Spring Studios, a venue renowned for hosting some of the most prestigious events in the fashion industry. Leonardo 5th Avenue promised to be an unforgettable experience, and I was eager to immerse myself in their collection. Designers, Leonardo and Ana Sofia, debuted their RTW Spring/Summer 2024 collection on the runway with the rainy day, but the show must go on. Leonardo’s show was filled with so many unique attendees dressed to impress. As the doors to the hall opened, I made my way to the front row, where the runway extended like a glistening pathway. The stage was bathed in bright lighting, creating an atmosphere of anticipation. The pristine white catwalk seemed to stretch into infinity, a canvas awaiting the artistry of the designers.
The show commenced with a breathtaking display of creativity and innovation. The designer’s collection was a unique expression of their artistic vision, and I was captivated by the diversity of styles on display. From sleek and minimalistic ensembles to bold, avant-garde creations, every piece pushed the boundaries of fashion. The destructed tailored suits, paired with the models dark grungy black Smokey eye makeup, was the perfect combination of elegance and grunge. The models, with their impeccable poise and grace, glided down the runway at first in pairs of two. They walked with a vampire blank expression, sharp movements and confidence that brought the garments to life. The music pulsated in harmony with the designs, adding an extra layer of excitement to the spectacle. This is my first viewing of the brands clothing and I was blown away. The innovation of turning unisex suits into rockstar styled outfits is amazing. The collection was a mix of high fashion quality with street style inspiration. One model had a suit with a studded choker, long cape attached to the romper style suit and chunky leather high heel boots. This was a moment everyone’s jaw dropped in awe of this silhouette.
What I found equally fascinating was the backstage chaos that contrasted with the elegance on the runway. Hair and makeup artists worked tirelessly to ensure each model’s look was impeccable. Designers and their teams hurriedly made last-minute adjustments to the outfits, and the energy backstage was electric. As a fellow model, I saw a few familiar faces that are good friends of mine and other fabulous models I’ve shared a runway with. It’s always a proud moment to see models flourish and grow while being chosen to walk show to show throughout the chaos of fashion week.
The final walk, where all the models appeared together, was a spectacular. The audience erupted in applause, acknowledging the immense talent and hard work of the designers, models, and everyone involved in making the event a reality. Leonardo and Ana Sofia graced the runway with their presence and walked amongst a roaring applause in support and congratulations to their showcased collection. They took pictures, press gathered for interviews and others hurried to the next show.
Congratulations to Leonardo 5th Avenue. I am now aware of this brand and will be on the lookout for what is to come of their next collections and even interests in pulling one of their fabulous evening wear pieces. For more information about Leonardo 5th Avenue, check out their instagram and vogue runway pictures online.
NEW YORK, NY – With its origins stemming from the later half of the 20th century, Diner En Blanc (French for “dinner in white”), has established itself as an annual tradition in NYC since 2011.