Out There: A National Parks Story, a documentary and love song to the United States’ national parks system, had its inaugural New York screening at The Explorer’s Club on the Upper East Side this past Thursday.
The household creative poses as the new face of the Australian denim brand’s latest launch, Abrand Baggy.
This past Tuesday evening, on February 13th, the fashion world was treated to an unforgettable experience as LoveShackFancy unveiled their Autumn & Winter collection at the illustrious venue, The Box. Founded by Rebecca Hessel Cohen and known for their ultrafeminine and maximalist designs, LoveShackFancy did not disappoint with a show that blended high fashion with awe-striking lives performances, creating an atmosphere of pure indulgence.
The venue, a favorite in New York City and its fashion elite for its intimate setting and avant-garde performances, provided the perfect backdrop for LoveShackFancy’s latest collection, fittingly decorated with long, drooping pink bows, glitter & stunning flower arrangements, and over-the-top dessert decorations sponsored by Dunkin Donuts. The AW24 collection, aptly named Bowquette Burlesque, showcased the brand’s signature romantic aesthetic, featuring cascading bows, intricate laces, and opulent fabrics that transported attendees to a world of romance and elegance.
What set this event apart was not only the stunning displays of fashion, but also the immersive experience curated to maximize the glamorous, romantic, and elegant ambiance that is the essence of LoveShackFancy. Throughout the night, the audience was treated to live performances by iconic personalities, with the legendary Amanda Lepore taking the center stage. With flawless combinations & transitions between the models’ catwalks, dance performances, and mime shows, the event made for a truly eye-captivating spectacle.
The festivities were not limited to the runway and the stage; guests were treated to a wide array of culinary delights. Dunkin Donuts coffee and treats satisfied the sweet cravings, while the bar served up Pink Espresso Martinis, a wine selection from J Vineyards, as well as tequila-base cocktails sponsored by 21 Seeds to add a spirited flair to the event.
The LoveShackFancy event not only provided a platform for fashion enthusiasts to witness the latest designs, but also created a space where creative expression flourished. In a world where fashion is not just about the clothes, but the entire experience, LoveShackFancy’s AW24 Bowquette Burlesque at The Box stood out as a celebration of femininity, extravagance, and the artistry hallmarked by the brand, leaving a lingering sense of magic as the night came to a close.
Notables in attendance included: Rebecca Hessel-Cohen, Chloe Bailey, Amanda Lepore, Rachel Zoe, Alexandra Richards, Ivy Getty, Amy Lefevre, Isan Elba, Lachlan Watson, Xandra Pohl, Tefi Pessoa, Campbell Hunt Puckett, Jett Puckett, Drew Jessup, Lexi Wood, Faith Jaggernauth, Luca Mornet, Nikki Kynard, Carolyn Angel, Bukunmi Grace, Rachel Hilbert, Harry Hill, Janelle Lloyd, Ella Mendelsohn, Xunami Muse, Kaye Bassey, Clara Perlmutter (Tiny Jewish Girl), Morphine Love, Arianna Margulis, Jenna Rennert, Jessica Belkin, Priya Shukla, Jill Kargman, Sasha Exeter, Audrey Hilfiger, Dr. Macrene Alexiades, Greta Louise Tomé, Gabrielle Richardson, Sharina Gutierrez, Tara Thomas, Romilly Newman, Sophie Auster, Mckaelyn Guidry, Mckinley Guidry, Elizabeth Kurpis, Griffin Maxwell Brooks, Jo Rosenthal, Emmanuella Asabor, Isabel Timerman, Maryah Ananda, Molly Ford, Melvin Lawovi, Deja Foxx, Nya Grace, Stephanie Horton, Connor Holloway, Darianka, Chantal Monaghan, Kornelia Ski, Mieke Visser, Nastasya Generalova, Morgan Rhodes, Avrey Overd, Alessia Merzlove, Isabella Di Stefano, Hannah Harrell, Gezelle Renee, Djouliet, Noot Seear, Theresa Hayes, Paloma Brey, Megan Williams, Alioune Badara Fall, Violet Manners, Dawn Sterling, Luana Barron, Drew Jessup, Kelly Bensimon, Kate Applepie, Elizabeth Tamkin, And More…
Photo Credit: BFA
At the heart of this collection, is the New York based designer’s lived experiences as an Israeli American.
Nestled in the vibrant and chic Hudson Yards neighborhood of New York City, Crowne Plaza HY36 stands as a beacon of luxury and convenience. As a pop culture journalist with a penchant for the finer things in life, I recently had the pleasure of experiencing this gem of a hotel firsthand, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
Location, Location, Location
One of the many highlights of Crowne Plaza HY36 is its prime location. Situated in the trendy Hudson Yards area, the hotel offers unparalleled access to some of the city’s best attractions. Whether you’re in the mood for indulgent shopping at the nearby Hudson Yards Mall, craving a culinary adventure at one of the area’s renowned restaurants, or seeking awe-inspiring views from The Vessel and The Edge observation deck, everything you desire is just a stone’s throw away.
A Stay Like No Other
Stepping into Crowne Plaza HY36 feels like entering a sanctuary of modern elegance. The sleek and stylish design of the hotel exudes sophistication, while the warm and welcoming atmosphere instantly puts guests at ease. During my recent stay, I was thoroughly impressed by the impeccable service provided by the friendly and attentive staff. From check-in to check-out, every interaction was met with genuine hospitality and a genuine desire to ensure a memorable experience.
Rooms Fit for Royalty
As I made my way to my room, I couldn’t help but admire the sleek and contemporary decor that adorned the hallways. Upon entering my spacious accommodation, I was greeted by a serene oasis that boasted modern amenities and luxurious comforts. The plush bedding, ample workspace, and state-of-the-art technology were just a few of the many touches that made me feel right at home. And let’s not forget the breathtaking views of the city skyline that served as the perfect backdrop to my stay.
Indulgence at Every Turn
Crowne Plaza HY36 goes above and beyond to cater to every whim and desire of its guests. Whether you’re looking to maintain your fitness routine at the expansive gym or unwind with a delicious meal and craft cocktail at the attached Burgerology Midtown restaurant and bar, the hotel leaves no stone unturned when it comes to providing a truly exceptional experience. Check out this Reel on our experience!
Photo Credit: Crowne Plaza HY36
The non-traditional, salon style show graces NYFW with elegance and mirth.
On Thursday night, we returned to one of our favorite spots in the city: BLACKBARN threw a celebration to launch their new intimate event space: the Den. The Den sits at mezzanine level, a step above the lively dining room below but still enveloped in the restaurant’s cozy barn-chic aura.
An exciting new launch, the Den was introduced as the perfect location for intimate dining affairs, birthday dinners, business meetings (it’s equipped with a wall-mounted TV). With its sliding full-length glass doors and hidden satellite bar, the Den is a welcome addition to BLACKBARN’s other event spaces poised to host every occasion.
For those who aren’t familiar, BLACKBARN is an American restaurant situated right by Madison Square Park, home to gorgeous views overlooking the park. Its event spaces and coveted vistas are only the beginning of what the restaurant has to offer, though. Their farm-to-table menu delights clientele with local ingredients, artisan flavors and techniques, and a cozy “modern barn” interior that feels like a special treat and makes you feel right at home. We’ve been in the past to sample their summer menu and their wine collection, but this was the first time we got to try their winter selection.
When we arrived at the restaurant, we were escorted upstairs and greeted with fresh wines and their signature apple whiskey cocktail while we took in the calming atmosphere of their Loft event space. An array of wondrously delicious appetizers floated around the room during the entire night: fried artichoke with goat cheese, black truffle egg yolk souffle served in eggshell cups, breaded lamb-stuffed olives, and many more.
Halfway through the event, Chef / Owner John Doherty came out to tell us about some of the exciting initiatives they are undertaking. A recent event with Netflix’s Blue Zones documentary inspired the kitchen to create more plant-based, gluten-free, and vegetarian menu options. Their new Hudson Valley location at Diamond Mills Hotel in Saugerties offers a dazzling experience: from spa treatments with non-toxic, science-backed products from Comfort Zone to a waterside massage to a personal ferry ride from the spa to the restaurant. We can’t wait to make the trip upstate to try it out!
Think back to the trials and tribulations of being sixteen years old—navigating yourself, friendships, and relationships. Now add a reproductive disorder that will jeopardize all three; that’s the reality for Lindy (Maddie Ziegler) in Blue Fox Entertainment’s coming-of-age traumedy Fitting In.
Blue Fox Entertainment
Lindy is your oh-so-typical new girl—a track star, best friends with Viv (Djouliet Amara), crushing on Adam (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), and keeping her relationship with her mom, Rita (Emily Hampshire), afloat. After seeing the doctor for birth control, though she has never gotten a period before, Lindy realizes something is wrong.
After a series of tests, including an MRI featuring the sounds of Aqua’s “Barbie Girl,” which, given what we know and love about the Barbie movie, is the perfect touch to this story. Lindy then learns she has MRKH, a rare reproductive disorder causing the vagina and uterus to be underdeveloped or even absent.
Since learning this diagnosis from a less-than-stellar male gynecologist, Lindy’s life is turned upside down, as she was just planning to have sex with her now-golden retriever boyfriend Adam and realizes she will never be able to have children.
Blue Fox Entertainment
When he delivers the news, director and writer Molly McGlynn does an impeccable job of utilizing camera movements to capture the “world crumbling around you.” A feeling that most of us have experienced at least once.
Lindy’s life continues to change as this diagnosis becomes too much to bare. She pushes away those closest to her, including her best friend and boyfriend. Between painful dilations that had viewers next to me wincing, tears, and modern loneliness, Lindy finds herself in a much different spot than the prior months.
Along the way, she gets to know Jax (Ki Griffin), an intersex individual, sharing their story with others. Despite only passing by each other in the pharmacy at the top of the film, Lindy confides in Jax about her condition, and soon after, one too many shots at a party, a few of the guests.
Blue Fox Entertainment
Soon enough, the entire grade finds out about the condition Lindy has and, like most high schoolers, acts like menaces over it. With courage, clarification, and a little help from her friends, Lindy owns up to her condition (in a stereotypical high school one-against-many standoff).
The film concludes with a content Lindy looking at us from the inside and Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” playing us out.
Over the 105-minute film, McGlynn makes the audience feel something and even jerks some tears, but the tears don’t last long because there is a punchline just around the corner, ensuring that viewers get the message but don’t dwell on a sad moment.
The writing is authentic to the current Gen-Z culture, which Ziegler commended McGlynn on in the post-screening Q&A with Ziegler and Amara.
“It was just about being a human, rather than ‘I’m a teen.’ It was a human experience, and I thought, ‘That’s why she’s so brilliant,’” said Ziegler. “Being 16 is so high cringe… A lot of people are trying to write these really cool teenagers, but teenagers are not cool,” Amara chimed in.
Speaking of Ziegler, her acting has soared to new heights. While she became a household name in 2014 after starring in Sia’s “Chandelier” music video, many OGs met her as a nine-year-old dressed in powder blue and white, a la Dorthy and The Wizard of Oz, on Lifetime’s Dance Moms. From there, we knew there was a star in the making. Her comedic timing, coupled with her dramatic monologues, is a display of her growth.
Blue Fox Entertainment
Ziegler’s star shines alongside the rest of the cast, including Hampshire, whose character starts as a fit yet unsteady mother who is met with mediocrity in her work as a therapist and her love life when she fails to find a partner. However, toward the middle of the film, we start to see more layers of Rita when we dive into her previous journey with breast cancer and the lengths she will go to to help her daughter.
Rita is the only parent we’re introduced to, as Viv’s homelife was cut from the final script (it would’ve been great to see more background, but the film was already jampacked.) What we do know, from what Amara discussed in the panel, is that Viv had more absentee parents. We learn that her mother is away on business while her daughter competes in one of her biggest track events.
Nonetheless, the dynamic between Lindy and Viv is the epitome of a genuine high school friendship; even when things hit the fan, they have one another’s backs– even if the other one doesn’t know it at the time. The chemistry between the two is evident both on and off-screen, with Amara calling Ziegler “a f*cking lovely gem” and describing the overall filming process as “summer camp.”
Fitting In is Molly McGlynn’s semi-autobiography, and she turns her pain into passion and passion into an exceptional film. For Ziegler, bringing this story to life and raising awareness of this condition was a transformative experience.
“I was so specific about getting it right for Molly, and I wanted to do her story justice as best as I could. Something I’m so thankful that she did [for all of us] was, ‘As much as this is my story, it’s yours now too,’ and she gave us the freedom to explore the characters in a way she might not have even thought of,” she explained.
Regardless of opinions on the plot, audience members can agree that they walked away educated about this condition that society has buried for too long. Ziegler herself discussed the importance of women being able to talk about their bodies without the fear of “being taboo.”
Fitting In is a hilariously sad, honest rollercoaster that impeccably shows, rather than tells, the story of overcoming adversity in the face of one of the worst times in people’s lives: being a teenager. In a time when movie-goers long for the return of the next Y2K-esque coming-of-age film, Fitting In is an exceptional addition to that modern-day lineup.
Fitting In is in theatres now. Find a screening near you here.
The fragrance launch was nothing short of a grandiose New York social affair.
When considering what makes up NYC culture, there’s various elements you can think of. The bright lights, the skyscrapers, the hustle culture, the one-of-a-kind pizza, shows on Broadway. Yet, for me the heart beat of the city will always be rooted in the origin of hip hop. Regardless of your demographic or your music taste, everyone is usually able to connect and feel the rhythmic beats and powerful lyrics in hip hop, in a way that connects us all together.
Last Wednesday evening, The Knockturnal joined Gotham NY and Landmark at the House of Cannabis to celebrate artists paying homage to New York’s most iconic hip-hop landmarks. This evening was exactly what you would consider to be a GRAND opening. Between the empowering art exhibit, upbeat DJ lineups, and special performance by the legend Pharoahe Monch, it was an opportunity to immerse in the NYC hip hop culture with a hint of green.
Being a younger generation I didn’t have as much knowledge of old school hip hop as those next to me who grew up on it, but I still found myself feeling connected to the music, the art pieces, and the strangers around me. There was so much power in art Wednesday evening. Every form of art in the building told a story, a story of the realities of growing up in NYC during an era that shaped the roots of hip hop. The vibrant beats and rhythmic flow of the music, the graffiti-laden art pieces that covered the walls, and the diverse crowd sharing the space all became threads weaving together a narrative. It wasn’t just about the past; it was a collective expression of resilience, creativity, and the shared experiences of navigating the dynamic streets of New York City.
Pharoahe Monch is the perfect example of a storyteller through both audio and visual. His immersive art piece “Framing my Own Narrative” was on display and represented a story that required no verbal articulation because the piece spoke for itself. Luckily for us, we had the best of both worlds. Between his live performance at the center of his art piece, he told the story of key events of his teen years that played a huge part to the trajectory of his life and how he was molded into the man he is today. There was not a single person in the room who did not feel empowered and connected to those who filled the space through this art.
If you find yourself in the NYC area and a lover of all things hip-hop and Mary Jane, check out the month-long exhibit at the House of Cannabis to immerse yourself into NYC culture through art.