This year’s gala theme, “Doll Test”, is inspired from the 1947 photos taken by Gordon Parks from the trailblazing experiment in the United States.
This is the year of fully living the lifestyle that you want.
At The Knockturnal, we like to try out all things fun and new in the beauty world—including visiting salons to try out exciting services on ourselves. Our latest venture? A trip to Smooth & Skinny in Yorba Linda.
As more beauty treatments began to become popular in the mainstream world, it’s important for us at The Knockturnal to continually try out all things new and exciting. Because of this we decided to try out an Endo-Roller service which includes “compressive micro vibration roller device that generates low frequency vibration,” according to the salon. Treatments such as these are meant to improve muscle tone, skin tone and reduce cellulite.
At a price of $100, it comes out to be a much more affordable alternative than trying out other treatments. Being as it improves your blood flow as well, the service itself feels like a nice massage all while going hard at work on your muscles.
While at the salon, I felt incredibly taken care of and appreciated having my practitioner patiently and thoroughly walk me through the process. Such treatments should always be completed with someone you feel comfortable around and luckily at Smooth & Skinny the staff is as kind as we’d hope for.
Perhaps more impressively is the fact that the salon offers a ton of different services at that price point such as Endermologie, Lipo Cavitation, Infrared Body Wrap and more. If you’re unsure what the right service is for you and your goal, Smooth & Skinny is able to help customize a package tailored to your personal needs. “Whether to lose inches, smooth and tighten your skin, and more,” reads the salon’s website. “We offer state of the art technology to achieve your goals effortlessly.”
Ahead of the holidays and the New Year, there’s never been a better time to work on your own goals (or purchase a gift card for someone else to enjoy).
Alberta Distillers announced the return of the famous Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye on October 12. A call for celebration, on October 20, the brand hosted an exclusive tasting with a twist: a fitting for custom jeans by FITTED Underground.
Made from 100% Canadian Prairie rye grains and brewed in glacier-fed spring waters from the Rocky Mountains, the elixer took the U.S. by storm in 2020. Since, the brand’s Cask Strength Rye has received serval awards including Double Gold at both the 2020 and 2021 SIP Awards and the San Francisco World Spirits Competitions.
The award winning booze was sampled in two drinks the evening of the 20th on the rooftop at Sunset Park’s Brooklyn Grange. A rustic “Old Fashion” with Angostura Bitters, and a light “Rosemary’s Baby” with organic cider. In between sampling, guests received the opportunity to customize their fantasy jeans down to the logo on the buttons. A simple, but luxurious process. Through the customization of jeans, guests were also receiving a sneak peak of the whisky making process; which like jeans, requires patience and great craftsmanship.
This holiday season, treat yourself or the whisky lover you know to a bottle of Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye while they’re still in stock.
Four spirits were the highlight of the Lobos 1707 Tequila Tasting and Pairing on October 26 in NYC. Hosted by Founder, Diego Osorio, the evening was dedicated to appreciating the Lobos 1707 Joven, Mezcal Artesanal, Reposado and Extra Añejo expressions as both beverages and ingredients via cocktails and tasty h’ordeuvres. While entertaining guests in the Lobos Headquarters, Diego was able to explain how the brand came to be.
“Everything goes back to a story,” Diego explained to the Knockturnal. “The story told is my great-great-grandfather went from Spain to Mexico with some sherry wine barrels, drank them, filled them up with agave liquor; and then realized it tasted a lot better.” Often used to age whiskeys and bourbons, Diego’s family decided to partner sherry and Tequila. Each expression contains this special ingredient, also known as Pedro Ximenez, despite their contrasting flavors.
What started out as a creative outlet and something for friends to enjoy, turned into a company thriving in partnership with Lebron James. “We’re building something to stay,” Osorio asserted. “I think other brands are trying to capitalize and make just a moment, and sell something. We want to make something that’s here to stay.”
Check out Lobos 1707 for the next Taco Tuesday or gathering with friends. Like the company slogan says, “Protect your pack. Drink responsibly.”
At the very beginning of October, we were invited to the Park Hyatt New York hotel for the latest art collection featuring Jeffrey Okyere-Agyeii, a contemporary abstract artist and bellman at the hotel. “TeRa-NiSeR ToTeMs” is inspired by Okyere-Agyei’s upbringing in Ghana, where totems are a large part of the physical symbology passed down through generations. Ghana is one of many cultures across the world that have totems embedded in their history through artifacts and storytelling. These totems possess spirits of animals, plants, and various other entities associated with their ancestors.
Marking Okyere-Agyei’s third exhibit at the iconic Park Hyatt New York, the collection titled “TeRa-NiSeR ToTeMs,” is inspired by the artist’s upbringing in Ghana, where totems were a large part of the physical symbology he experienced, as passed down through the generations. Ghana’s culture, artifacts, and storytelling, like many across the world, honor totems as important fixtures embedded in their history, and typically possess spirits of animals, plants, and various other entities associated with their ancestors.
“I have always been intrigued by ancient mythical artifacts and have found their relevance to the human story fascinating,” said Okyere-Agyei. “TeRa-NiSeR ToTeMs has become my creative interpretation of one aspect of our human history, modern art, and its spiritual symbology as a way to connect the past to the present. With the use of resin and vibrant color pigments, each piece has a unique mystical reverence about it.”
Last fall, the hotel presented Okyere-Agyei’s “EDIFICE,” an abstract interpretation of New York City’s incredible cityscapes and famous skyline. Prior to that in September 2019, Okyere-Agyei displayed his first Park Hyatt New York exhibit, “Future Art for the Present,” which reflected his love of movement in nature, space, and geometry.
The artist’s current installation began on September 14 and will be commemorated with a launch event in the hotel’s restaurant, The Living Room, on October 6. “TeRa-NiSeR ToTeMs” will be on display at Park Hyatt New York’s ground-level Avenue Gallery and in The Living Room through the end of December 2022.
Chef Jonghun Won brought a taste of Europe to Midtown Manhattan in the form of cafe and bakery, Pavé. After leaving his home in South Korea to open Jungsik New York and New Jersey’s La Tabatiere, Chef Won teamed up with partner, Jin Ahn, to create the rustic Pavé which opened its doors on September 21. Taking pride in their daily baked bread, Pavé also offers coffee’s and teas to accompany specialty seasonal sandwiches and pastries.
The Knockturnal was invited to a Pavé tasting on October 12. Starting off with the Burrata salad, the sweetness of the marinated tomatoes complimented by the crunchy pistachios definitely woke the taste buds. Next was the savory Croque Monsieur. This ham and cheese sandwich mixes Gruyère and Béchamel with spicy Dijon mustard on a warm and soft sourdough bread. Just as savory, was the Country Pâté which is topped with tart cornichon pickles on a firm, but doughy baguette. Similar to a Sicilian slice, the Chorizo-Zucchini Focaccia is a delicious mix of sausage, mozzarella, basil and of course; thinly sliced zucchini.
For desert, we indulged in a few pastries. To start we had a fluffy brioche slice filled with a passionfruit sauce, the perfect sugar kick for anyone with a sweet tooth. Next up was the Green Tea Scone which was full of white chocolate that was flavorful but not overpowering; a great pair for tea. Lastly, it was only right to close off on a classic chocolate chip cookie that was crunchy in all the right places.
Check out Pavé on Tuesdays-Fridays from 8am-3pm to unwind the Parisian way, in a tranquil space while wafting the smell of bread baking from opening to closing.
Five designers brought a crowd to the 69th floor of the World Trade Center for the Nolcha Show’s S/S 2023 NYFW Runway Show held on September 13.The brands included Mauricio Alpizar, The Tailory, Maya Seyferth, Kaiane Designs and Høst & Vår.
While Mauricio Alpizar debuted an “Animal Kingdom” collection full of vibrant colors, bold prints and graphics; The Tailory remained grounded in chic and edgy, clinging to the simplicity and sophistication of black in both formal and street wear genderless pieces.
Giving a nod to her home base, Zürich, Maya Seyferth created an elegant line solely based on the flower of the Alps, aka Edelweiss. The Kaiane Designs team also drew inspiration from their home, Saudi Arabia, as they created loose and silky nude garments perfect for Middle Eastern desserts or date night. 
Host & Vår channeled seasonal transitions through their “Flowers From My Garden” collection; creating bright and floral pieces complete with shy frills and puffs for an extra girlish flare.
Although each collection conveys their own messages, they all share one important value: sustainability. Each brand remains dedicated to preserving the Earth while creating fashion. Be sure to keep an eye out for these trailblazers who are ensuring a guilt free shopping experience.
On The Scene: IKEA Kicks of IKEA Festival with Peter Thomas Roth, Eric Rutherford, Eric West, & more
Last night, we were on the scene in Downtown, Manhattan as IKEA US provided an exclusive first look at their upcoming global IKEA Festival, hosted by nine cities including Austin, TX and Brooklyn, NY.
IKEA Festival formally kicks off tomorrow, starting in Austin, circling the globe, coming back to New York on September 2nd, visiting more global hotspots, and finishing in Paris, France. This preview event did not disappoint and was attended by some of our favorite and most notable influencers and celebrities including Peter Thomas Roth, Eric Rutherford, Eric West, Ralph Souffrant, Michelle Song, Urszula Makowska and more as the posed for pictures and dressed picture-perfect for their Instagram stories.
Lior Cole
Guests, such as myself sipped on IKEA signature cocktails, ate classic IKEA foods with a modern twist, experienced one-of-a-kind exhibitions celebrating iconic IKEA products over the years, and previewed their upcoming collections KRÖSAMOS and BLÅVINGAD.
Marcus Engman, Chief Creative Officer at Ingka Group (IKEA Retail) says, “It has been a joy to see IKEA Festival grow over the past few years. This time, we are focusing on people who want to spend more time doing their hobbies and passions. We want to show how a little creativity when making your space your own can have a huge impact. A BILLY bookcase is a BILLY bookcase in every IKEA store in the world. It’s when you take it home that it transforms. That intersection is what we want to explore and celebrate during IKEA Festival.”
As well as the nine host cities, IKEA Festival will be taking place in many other IKEA stores globally. With activities like speed dating with home furnishing specialists, food trucks serving up the latest IKEA food offering, events in store, and special offers for IKEA Family members, be sure to check your local IKEA website to see what they have lined up.
We were in The Hamptons this weekend for the The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation’s second annual Hamptons Garden Gala on August 13th at Patricia and Roger Silverstein’s Water Mill home, which was an intimate benefit, actually more in the nature of a festive dinner party at home with friends and friends of friends.
The heart of the gala which was chaired and hosted by the Silversteins and Vice chaired by Marc Leder, Doug Donaldson, Jean Shafiroff, Susan Shin, Maria Fishel and Pamala Wright along with generous support from Balmain, Ameōn Skincare and Libbie Mugrabi, was Dr. Camillo Ricordi’s briefing on game-changing developments in the fight to cure diabetes as well ground-breaking stem cell research that has far reaching applications for reversing diabetes and fighting other disease aa well as anti-aging protocols.
WATER MILL, NEW YORK – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Patricia Silverstein, Christine Schott, Jean Shafiroff, George Ledes and Roger Silverstein attend the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Hamptons Garden Gala on August 13, 2022 in Water Mill, New York. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
The gala also featured a touching and inspiring performance by the Chamber Dance Project, choreographed by award winning Diane Coburn Bruning to the vocals of John Lennon’s Imagine. Roger and Susan Shin were the live auctioneers and one item that was highly sought after were tickets to the Balmain fashion show in Paris! However, there was another package that trumped everything and that was a special package to spend the day with Dr. Ricordi at the DRI in Miami to learn about the work they do and after that dinner the lucky bidder will dine with the brilliant and charming doctor.
There was an after party inside the Silverstein’s home at their private “night club” a la St. Tropez, with Roger himself DJ’ing … real estate mogul by day, DJ by night!
WATER MILL, NEW YORK – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Libbie Mugrabi, Susan Shin, Patricia Silverstein, Natalie Lefevre and Suzanne Amini attend the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Hamptons Garden Gala on August 13, 2022 in Water Mill, New York. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Libbie Mugrabi, flew in from London for this gala, on the heels of her Fashion in Motion opening at the V&A museum, turned DRIF into a verb, writing JustDrif in Glitter on her iconic trucker hats which were gifted to everyone in the gift bags!
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