MAKE ROOM FOR THE BRACKETOLOGIST

You know what time of year it is, we’re all focused on March Madness which allows us to increase our ability to showcase our depth of knowledge in Bracketology, “the activity of predicting the participating teams in a tournament, typically the NCAA. basketball tournament.” With Selection Sunday, March 17th around the corner, we’re all thinking about who is going to the big dance and who we’re adding into the Big Bracket. The New York Times is launching a Bracketologist Sweatsuit Set for college basketball-watching enthusiasts this Friday, March 8th.

This set will exclusively be sold on The New York Times Store and is the first drop from their “Words” Capsule Collection. This will be an evolving product collection that decodes modern language through journalism. This collection will include the Bracketologist Sweatpant ($80) and Bracketologist Crewneck Sweatshirt ($70), the perfect ensemble to wear when you’re out and about or gathering with friends to get your brackets in order! 

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

IT'S ABOUT THE STORY | MARIA STEN

This month's cover editorial is with actress and writer, Maria Sten. Throughout her career she has used her passion for creativity to navigate her interests whether it was being Miss Denmark 2008 and then representing her country at Miss Universe, working as a model and a dancer until connecting with her passion for storytelling!

For fans of Big Sky, she wrote for this crime genre series that took place in Montana; those who enjoy immersive podcasts, she included her voice work in QCODE's Narcissa; and she's currently in Prime Video's Reacher whose second season is streaming now and we're excited to see that not only is the third season greenlit, but it is already in production, and of course her character, Frances Neagley will be back!

We wanted to find out more about how she got into the industry as a writer and actress, the stories she likes to tell, how she gets inspired, being on Reacher, its success, working on projects she's passionate about, and more.

We also enjoyed our cover shoot with her at il Pellicano and Bijoux Lounge in NoLita which has been on our list to transport us as we navigate the winter weeks ahead.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We have been a fan of yours across the Narcissa podcast, your work as a writer with Big Sky and obviously with Reacher! But before we delve into that, in our research we saw that you were Miss Denmark 2008 and competed at Miss Universe as well, you were a dancer, and a model. What made you want to do that and to ultimately, dig deeper into entertainment as a writer and a producer.

MARIA STEN: You know, that’s a good question. I think that one thing that is true to my life and has always been true is that I have just zero chill. So I just want to do stuff all the time. I want to work, I want to challenge myself all the time and I want to grow. I came to NY when I was 18 to be a dancer and obviously when you come to NY as an immigrant, I did not have papers and I was working very hard to try and build my career and to build sort of a profile for myself so that I was able to get papers, and I was going back to Denmark and then randomly, Miss Denmark opportunity came up and I thought, sure why not? I won and then they said, do you want to go to Vietnam for 1 month and do Miss Universe? I thought, how could I say no to that? I think it was sort of a strange roundabout way as I don’t think that I consider myself to be a pageant girl per se, but it was such an incredible experience and I got to meet these amazing women from all over the world and I do still know a lot of people in that community. So you never know when these once in a lifetime experiences – how they can come about! For me, that was just something that I couldn’t say no to.

Then I think that from then on evolving into a dancer and then music, acting which I had done when I was a teenager and as a child a little bit. I sort of realized that these were the things that I wanted to do for my life. The desire to write came as a necessity to do so as I didn’t really feel that I could really stretch with the opportunities that were offered to me. Black women in the industry, at least at the time, it was more limited what we were offered. It still is in terms of opportunities, but of course, it is better now. I just wanted to write to play in the same roles that my other colleagues were able to play in as well. Then people apparently thought that I should be a writer! So now, I do both!

AM: I love that and to your point about the pageant system. In addition to my role here, as a fashion stylist, I have styled Miss America 2019 as well as Miss Ecuador 2018 ahead of her competing in Miss Universe that year. It is such an interesting world and that network is really amazing because the interest that a lot of the people do are so different. It’s literally that they could be rocket scientists, fashion designers, or other interests. It’s cool to see people that are part of that world!

MS: It’s really interesting and I think of course in America, it overlaps a lot. I’m still in communication with Miss Puerto Rico that was from my year, Ingrid who is also an actress, Meagan Tandy who was Miss California USA who was the year before me, and Miss Iowa from 2007 Dani Reeves is a good friend of mine. Not necessarily because we competed in pageants, but that network and you just find people like you do in any other industry that you connect with and you stay friends with! It’s really incredible. Meeting photographers like Fadil Berisha who is an amazing photographer did my very first headshot in New York when I was 19.

AM: I styled a shoot for an artist that he did the album art for – so talented!

MS: Yes he is and that was because of Miss Universe. I’m definitely grateful for that opportunity and it was only just a springboard for me to stay in the United States, to build my career, and etc. etc.

AM: I was such a huge fan of Big Sky and love that you wrote for this series. What drew you to this show?

MS: I am a huge Western nerd. I have been riding horses since I was 3 years old and I went to the US for the first time when I was 8 and spent a month with my family on a ranch in Arizona and I totally got bit by this Western bug because I grew up riding English and I had no idea that there was this thing that was called the Wild West and that there are these big wide open spaces with nature and cowboys with cool hats and six shooters! So I totally got obsessed with this world and watched all the westerns growing up and I had been wanting to write one for forever. I did write a pilot early on which was a spec of mine which was a period western. So when Big Sky came along, it was kind of an obvious choice for me. It was a Black female lead set in Montana and it’s a crime show and I thought – yes and of course, David E. Kelley (The Undoing, Love and Death, The Lincoln Lawyer) was attached! Generally, I don't do a lot of network television, but when it is David E. Kelley is doing it – that’s the parameters for it – that’s sort of a no-brainer for me.

AM: What do you look for in a project when it comes to you coming on as a writer?

MS: I definitely look for character and world and relationships. That’s definitely what I’m looking for and a lot of my projects are always born out of wanting to play in a world, but also what do I want to do as an actor? What could be interesting for me as an actor and also, what is the lack in the space? If I don’t see it in the space – female villains or Black people in the Western space – all of these things are things that I want to be playing in, but I don’t see – that is always a good incentive for me to start writing in some way, somehow. Definitely looking for things that are unique and have something to say. That is always important to me.

AM: What is your creative process like when you’re writing. It must be so interesting where obviously you’re thinking about the storyline and future seasons or how that character arc grows over a period of time. Where do you start with that?

MS: I definitely start with the pilot and I think about what is the pilot, who are the people that we care about, what is the central relationship, and what is the central theme of the show? Then, once I have a good grip on the pilot, what are we setting up with the world and the relationships with the characters – then I will branch out. I do that sort of organically. Once I’m flushing out the pilot, I’m thinking about when certain information will have to be revealed if you’re thinking about the season as a whole.

AM: Right.

MS: It’s an organic way and I don’t really have a way of going about it. I think that most things come to me in different ways. Sometimes I just know a scene, I know the beginning or the end, sometimes I just know the character and I just want to focus on that character and what interesting situation that I can put them in. Most of my own stories are like misfit families. Family dramas of some kind. So oftentimes, the central relationship will always be some kind of family relationship and how we can dive into these complicated relationships. Flawed characters are what I like to dive into. So that’s usually where it goes.

AM: I’m a huge fan of podcasts, generally true crime. But I really appreciate other genres in the scripted space. QCODE is one that I love with their immersive approach to storytelling and Narcissa was amazing and I loved hearing you in it. What drew you to that?

MS: Thank you!

AM: Oh it was so good!

MS: Yeah, I think that – what was happening at that time? Fun fact, I think at the time, I was home writing on something and I had just broken my wrist snowboarding so I was sort of just stuck at home and they said, “do you want to do this thing from your closet?” and I said yes absolutely because I really wanted to be able to do a project. That was one fun fact and also I think I really just wanted to dive into the character. That character is so interesting and not to give anything away, but playing something like that and the different dynamics that you have to sort of consider in playing a character like that, I thought it was interesting and to also look at AI and what’s to come in our society – I thought that that was interesting. For me, I thought that it was a fascinating dive into audio. I haven’t done a lot of voice work and I would love to. So I thought that it was a good way for me to get started.

AM: Over the holiday I watched the first season of Reacher and then watched the screeners of the 2nd season of Reacher. It's interesting that with as many shows that I watch and love there are always those that I haven’t gotten around to and I know I would love them! In prep for the interview, I wanted to see both seasons and it was so good and so fun to jump into. What was it about this show that you wanted to be involved in this series?

MS: Off the bat, it’s the action! I love the action, I love strong characters, kinetic characters, kinetic stories – Neagley, this word is so overused, but she’s a badass in a lot of ways and she also has this other kind of quirky quality about her. So to me, that was something really interesting to get to play with and to figure out how to make it interesting and grounded at the same time. For sure, to begin with. I knew it was going to be this splashy/action show and then when I got the job and I realized that there was this whole billion dollar book franchise that is behind it – I read all the books that Neagley was in and I got excited because there was so much to dive into and to explore that was about this mysterious woman that I got to play!

AM: Well beyond reading the books and the information that you were given, how else did you prepare to play her?

MS: Definitely kinetically. I was training just sort of on my own physique that we do as actors. Then I did kickboxing which I did when I was younger, shadow boxing, doing drills with a stunt team and then there was a lot of speaking to military veterans that had served – specifically women who had been in the army and the marines. I have a couple of friends that are veterans and so they put me in touch just so that I could understand what that life was like and the real things that you sort of have to endure day in and day out as being deployed and being part of this mahinery that is the US military.

I just love doing research and deep diving with characters so it was a combination of a few things.

AM: Obviously, not to have spoilers or anything, but where do we leave Neagley in Season 1 and where do we pick up with her again as we go into Season 2?

MS: You know, the good thing about the show is that each season is a contained story, right? We do 1 book per season so it feels quite satisfying where when we were in the first season, it was a limited series and if you’re watching the 2nd season, you don’t have to have seen the previous one to enjoy the next one. Of course, I think that you should so that you have an understanding of the character Reacher (Alan Ritchson), who he is and how he moves through the world.

But I think that we leave her and she’s come in to do her duty and to help save her friend. And now, we pick back up with her in Season 2 where there are bigger stakes for her and them because members of their unit have turned up dead. I think that is much more of a personal round and a personal story for all of our main characters this season. I think that the action and the scope of the season is indicative of that in terms of the action and the interplay between the characters and how stark it also is given that we shoot in the winter in Toronto.

AM: The final episode of the second season I was like, this is so exciting where everything ends. We know that it has already been greenlit for the 3rd season and we know that we will continue to see you. Do you know anything about the 3rd season that you’re able to share with us or what would you like to see if you were able to be in the Writer’s Room?

MS: I may or may not know things that I may or may not be able to talk about! So we can leave it at that ha ha! Of course, we will see Reacher do cool things in Season 3 and if Nealey shows up to lend him a hand again – hopefully that will be exciting for the fans as well as it has been in the other seasons. I think that the liberty of doing a book per season, we can dive into new stories as we adapt them for screen. The showrunners and the powers that be can fit it into what they feel is right for the TV version. So a lot more action of course, but the story changes in terms of scope, in terms of world, and I think that it will be interesting to see what comes next.

AM: Are there any upcoming projects that you have that we should keep an eye out for?

MS: I’m currently working on a few things on the writing side. I just finished a pilot which is a modern Western set in Wyoming where I also live. Right now, I also have 2 features in development, but they are in very early stages, but that’s what I plan to be working on for the writing side this year.

AM: When you’re not working on a project or in the throws of a project, how do you take time for yourself?

MS: I travel a lot. I love to go to different countries exploring different cultures. I specifically go to Mexico a lot, I go to Southern Africa a lot, I spend a lot of time on horseback in the bush in Southern Africa. There’s just nothing better than seeing wildlife from horseback. For me, it’s a great way to of course get inspired, reset, and step away from the hustle and bustle of our industry and just to have some stillness and to be off of our phones and to reconnect with nature.

IG @mariasten

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 38 - 45 + 45 Prime Video/Reacher | PG 42 9LIST STORI3S + PG 118 NEW YEAR N3W YOU Image Courtesy Maria Sten |

Our shoot with Maria Sten took place on Mulberry street in NoLita at il Pellicano and Bijoux Lounge. Following the credits from this photoshoot, we delve into into this restaurant as well as the lounge so that you can plan your next night out in an epic way!

IT'S ABOUT THE STORY COVER EDITORIAL | TEAM CREDITS

PHOTOGRAPHER Paul Farkas | FASHION STYLIST Kimmie Smith | MUA Rebecca Restrepo | HAIR STYLIST Corey Tuttle |

IG @pvfarkas

@shes.kimmie

@rebeccarestrepo

@coreytuttlehair

IT'S ABOUT THE STORY COVER EDITORIAL | CREDITS

LOUNGE LOOK PG 16-19 | BUCK MASON Molasses Lounge Wool Shirt + Pants |

FITNESS LOOK BACK COVER + PG 20 - 25 | COSMOLLE Air Wear Long Sleeve + High Waisted Legging Set | ATHLEISUREVERSE Varsity Jacket | NEW BALANCE 550 Sneakers |

OUT + ABOUT LOOK PG 26 - 29 | GREY BANDIT Adriana Coat | LNA CLOTHING Essential Cotton Kaden V Neck | MAVI Wide Leg Pant | ABBOTT LYON Curb Chain Necklace | SEQUIN JEWELRY Marleigh Evil Eye Charm Necklace | NAGICIA Braided Ring | SMARTGLASS JEWELRY Cube Gold Ring in Aqua and Antique Clear |

NIGHT OUT LOOK FRONT COVER PG 30 - 35 | FORE Dress | ALEX SOLDIER Silver Drop Earrings with White Topaz | LAGOS Caviar Beaded Ring, Black Caviar Silver Station Ceramic Caviar Beaded Bracelet, Black Caviar Single Station Ceramic Diamond Bracelet, Signature Caviar Silver Caviar Bracelet | STEVE MADDEN Evelyn |

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS

PAUL SHOT WITH | CANON Mark IV and Canon Lenses - 24-70, 70-200 + 50 1.2 | SIRUI Dragon Series Bendable RGB Panel Lights set of 2 of B25R*2 + DJ280 |

ATHLEISURE MAG: It was such a pleasure to have our cover shoot with Prime Video's Reacher star, Maria Sten. Tell me about the backgrounds of the co-owners of this restaurant from previous restaurants etc.

IL PELLICANO: Owner, Massimo Tabacco's journey from Rome to New York City in the mid-eighties led him to work in several esteemed Manhattan restaurants like Tre Merli, Azzurro Ciaobella, Coffee Shop, and Paper Moon Milano. In the early '90s, he opened Gilda near Saks 5th Avenue, where he forged a lasting friendship with Kyky Conille, who became a significant part of his citywide ventures. Kyky Conille is known for nightclubs in NYC like Provocateur, PM, the original Bijoux, and Lily Pond in the Hamptons. The restaurant is located above Kyky Conille and Dimitri Hyacinthe’s new club, Bijoux Lounge, which has become one of NYC’s hottest going out spots. Il Pellicano and Bijoux will be working together to deliver elevated dining upstairs and a late-night menu down for Bijoux’s patrons’ downstairs.

AM: When did il Pellicano launch and can you give us some background on the restaurant as I know you have a sister restaurant in CT.

IP: Popular, Fairfield, Connecticut Italian restaurant, il Pellicano, is opened its first NYC outpost. Known for their infusion of old classics with a modern twist, Il Pellicano will stand apart from the other traditional Italian restaurants on its block. Il Pellicano is located at 149 Mulberry, and encompasses a 50-seat dining room, a 40-seat front patio and 30-seat back garden. Owners Massimo Tabacco and Kyky Conilleofficially opened its doors to the public on Friday, January 12th.

AM: What is the importance of the Pelican?

IP: The Pelican (Il Pellicano) is a small hotel in Poro Ercole, Italy where Massimo (owner) used to ride to with his friends with motorcycles from Rome. Amazing ride on the coast of Tuscany, so it always had a sentimental meaning to him.

AM: Tell us about the design aesthetic of the restaurant and the meaning behind the name.

IP: The design is sleek and modern with green booths and gold light fixtures. The walls are filled with framed photos of Pelicans – drawing from the name.

AM: Who is the Executive Chef at il Pelicano on Mulberry St and can you provide information on their background and kitchens that they have worked in?

IP: Chef Saul Media is the executive chef at Il Pellicano on Mulberry Street. Chef Media’s heritage of Puebla Mexico is where the kitchen was his earliest classroom thanks to his grandmother and aunts. In his early twenties he embarked his journey to NYC, Connecticut, West Coast and then back to the East Coast making a mark in the world of culinary arts. With Chef Media’s first few years in the trenches starting as a dishwasher, then a line cool and then eventually cooking in renowned establishments including Gibsons Italia in Chicago, The Mark by Jean-Georges in New York, G’ios Italian and Cena’s restaurant in Tampa Bay, and the iconic steakhouse, The Forge, in Miami, among others.

AM: For those who are coming for lunch, tell us about 3 appetizers that we should try when dining with family or friends?

IP: Olive Oil Flight – three select styles of monini single harvest olive oil served with fresh baked herb focaccia

Caesar Salad – romaine arugula, croutons, parmigiano Reggiano, Caesar dressing

Heirloom Tomato Caprese – bocconcini mozzarella, basil oil, balsamic pearls, parmesan gel

AM: What are 3 main dishes that you suggest that we should have when we're coming in for lunch with family and friends?

IP: Chicken Milanese - arugula, tomato, cucumber, onion meyer lemon vinaigrette

Cacio E Pepe – Bucatini, Pecorino, Cracked Black Pepper

Tuscan Steak Sandwich – Shaved steak, cubanelle pepper, raclette cheese, carmalized onion

AM: What are 3 cocktails or wines that would be great to pair with our meal?

IP: Super Tuscan, Promis by Gaja, ITALY

Sancerre, Moulin Camus, ITALY

Barreled Negroni – Gin, Campari, Antica & Barrel aged in House

AM: For dinner, what are 3 dishes that you suggest to begin our meal?

IP: Forgmaggi e Salumi – rotating selection of curated meats and cheeses and house made accompaniments.

Carpaccio Di Polpo – thinly sliced octopus, roasted eggplant and tomato musarda, sherry glaze

Suppli di Riso Funghi – roman rice rice ball stuffed with mozzarella, parm, truffle dust, pistachio cream

AM: What are 3 dishes that we should have our eye on?

IP: Carbonara fettuccine - parmiggiano reggiano, guanciale and cracked pepper

Tartufo Al Funghi - pappardelle, wild mushroom blend, white truffle, pecorino romano

Pork Chop Scarpariello - cherry peppers, onions, white balsamic, crispy potatoes

AM: What are 3 sides that we should have with them?

IP: Rainbow Carrots, Mushroom Blend, and Asparagus.

AM: What are 3 cocktails that we should have in mind?

IP: Olive Oil Martini - tito’s fat washed with monini olive oil, cocchi bianco, brine, castelvetrano

Durazno Verde - tequila, ancho reyes, peach, lime, poblano ice, tajin

Amari & Aperitivo - a custom cocktail experience: select the bitter and the bartenders do the rest!

AM: What are there 3 dessert options that you suggest?

IP: The Almond Cake, The Smoked Burrata with Dried Figs, Infused in Truffle Honey, and the Chocolate Budino.

AM: As we navigate the winter and look towards the spring, are there any events that we should know about?

IP: Weekend truffle party brunches and a new truffle menu launching.

In Athleisure Mag's DEC ISSUE #96, Bijoux Lounge was featured in Athleisure List. We wanted to share a bit more about this hot spot!

As temperatures drop below freezing, venturing out for a night in NYC has become dreadful. The struggle of searching for a spot to stow away your bulky winter coat, spending ungodly amounts to Uber two blocks or enduring long club lines is very real. What if we told you there was a way to enjoy an entire night out without ever leaving a single location? In the past year, it has become increasingly common to bars/clubs or vice versa allowing you to complete the night out within the confines of one building. Il Pellicano & Bijoux Lounge is NYC’s newest restaurant and bar combination. Nightlife maven Lionel “Kyky” Conille, a pioneer and renowned for his NYC nightclubs like Provocateur, PM, the original Bijoux, and Lily Pond in the Hamptons, quietly marked his return to the scene with the opening of Bijoux Lounge at the end of 2023. This speakeasy-style, moody red-lit club has already hosted notable events, including the 21st birthday celebration of "Summer I Turned Pretty" star Lola Tung and Society Management's model-filled holiday party. Above the bar, Bijoux owner Conille and longtime friend Massimo Tabacco unveiled Il Pellicano a few weeks ago. The menu promises a seamless fusion of timeless and contemporary Italian flavors, echoing some of the beloved dishes from Il Pellicano's Connecticut location. Collaborating seamlessly, Bijoux and Il Pellicano are set to provide a can't miss elevated dining experience upstairs and a late-night menu downstairs.

IG @ilpellicanonewyork

@bijouxnyc

Read the JAN ISSUE #97 of Athleisure Mag and see IT’S ABOUT THE STORY | Maria Sten in mag.

BEHIND THE SPARKLE | TAYLOR CUSTOM RINGS

We're always looking at how we can add to our jewelry boxes and with so many choices, it's important to know more about what you're buying when it comes to diamonds. With options from natural diamonds and lab diamonds, we wanted to delve deeper into things that are worth noting when you're making this purchase as well as how the technology has advanced to such a point that the possibilities are endless.

We sat down with Jerry Taylor of Taylor Custom Rings who talks about what brought him the diamond industry, his passion for lab created diamonds, having the knowledge necessary to purchase your diamond, and the process of how these pieces are created.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you first fall in love with diamonds and gemstones?

JERRY TAYLOR: It was very accidental actually in college, broke and looking for a job. I interviewed at a jewelry store, kind of begrudgingly. I wasn’t really interested in high pressure sales. That’s how I kind of viewed the jewelry industry and that store that I ended up working at was a great place to be. I had a great boss that really mentored me in the industry and I fell in love with it way back in 2003.

AM: Oh wow, at what point did you decide that you obviously wanted to delve deeper into the industry and become a graduate as a gemologist at GIA which is a whole other level to be involved in that.

JT: Yeah, again, I am going to use the word accidental and you will probably hear it a few more times! I was in school studying and I was pre-med. I wanted to do something in the medical profession and that was my plan. In the end, I was planning on being a dentist, that was the goal. I have an underground degree in science and it was probably my Junior year that then my boss said, “hey, I think that you would do great in the industry. I don’t know if you thought about making a career out of this, but I think that you could." I knew that and I started thinking about it and I ended up deciding that this is what I wanted to do as opposed to going on to dental school. By the time I graduated, I was working full time as a manager at that jewelry store and after my undergrad, I decided to do my graduate gemologist degree at the Geological Institute of America so that’s how that played out!

AM: That’s crazy!

Why did you decide that you wanted to launch Taylor Custom Rings?

JT: So, working in retail, I was at that store for 12 years. At the beginning of that time, custom designed rings weren’t really accessible to most customers. So if someone drew a picture and wanted something to be created, they wanted an element of one ring with an element of another ring, and they wanted it to be combined – the way to custom make a ring was difficult to do. You would have a bench jeweler sit down with a block of wax and hand carve the design. That was just really limiting so most jewelry stores didn’t offer that service because it was very very expensive and it took a lot of time. It was also high risk for the customer because they weren’t certain that it would turn out exactly like they would want it.

AM: Exactly!

JT: So, basically, that was something that always intrigued me. People would come in asking me for that and I really wanted to say that we could do custom. So that was one of my projects or roles in my company to figure out ways to be able to offer custom projects to our customers. I was trying to stay on top of technology and manufacturing processes and basically computer design technology in the jewelry industry took off where instead of carving wax by hand, you could design it all in a software system and then you could send a specialized file to a robotic mill that would cut the wax for you and it would be precise. Then you could finish manufacturing the process from there so that the finished ring would be very predictable and similar to what you could represent to a customer before they made any final decisions in a picture. So that was a really fun time in the industry to be able to figure out the best way to do that and I spent a lot of years developing that system and that process and building relationships with great designers and manufacturers. Because of that, the market shifted and a lot of things became available and people were drawn to and wanted to have custom rings.

As I worked retail and really loving helping people to make their custom projects, another thing that happened with online shopping – it makes me feel old because it’s like talking about when pictures launched!

AM: Well I was born in ’79 so I’m right there with you ha!

JT: Ha we’re in the same age frame. So people came in with their picture board and said, “I found this ring and I really want to make it like this.” A lot of diamond companies started listing their inventory on websites and really started cutting out a lot of the markup. Because when you don’t run and operate a jewelry store, you don’t have that kind of overhead. You can charge a lot less and that became a thing where more and more people were coming in with online quotes and asking for price matching and they wanted the online price but the retail experience. That was really hard to run a big retail store and to be able to do that. But I really loved that part of the process and I had worked in the industry for over 10 years and I started to feel like I wanted to do my own thing. I didn’t want to be restrained by an existing company or limited opportunities for growth and so Ashley and I, my wife, decided to launch the business and it was actually terrible timing in a lot of ways. She was 8 months pregnant with our last kid, kid number 4.

AM: Oh lord!

JT: We had recently bought a home and it was just – a lot of people close to us thought that we were insane. And we were, but we just felt that the timing was right. We had this idea to have our own company and to be kind of a hybrid to have our own online business, but have the ability to work with people personally through their projects and to cut out some of the overhead with this sort of price competitive thing that we were filling in the industry. So we did that in the Summer of 2015 by launching Taylor Custom Rings.

AM: As an Accessory Expert so I have had the pleasure of sitting there and watching how the diamond industry has changed especially with people looking at natural diamonds versus lab created diamonds. The different options that are out there, it’s a great time to see where everything continues to go especially when you’re looking at ethical sourcing.

Why did you choose to work with lab created diamonds?

JT: Well I was always intrigued by the science and lab created diamonds was created in the 50s, but it was for industrial goods like sandpaper, drill bits and things like that. It wasn’t until more recently that the technology had advanced to a point where they could create gem quality for diamonds. When that became a thing, I was very interested in the technology and the process, but also I was very involved at that point in sourcing. I would fly to India and New York and buy the diamonds we needed for inventory.

What I realized in working with mined diamonds, that even if you worked with great companies, which we did – you could only trace them back so far.

AM: That’s very true!

JT: Even though the industry post Leonardo DiCaprio and Blood Diamond and the response to the horrible things that happened in Sierra Leone, they have tried to implement more practices to be more accountable when it comes to sourcing. It’s not perfect and it’s far from it. That was something that we felt! We were always a little uncomfortable in saying that we actually don’t know 100% even when our suppliers are telling us that they came from this mine in this country – it’s very hard to actually validate that. So lab grown diamonds were very attractive for that reason. They pose a very significant societal benefit to be able to know that this diamond didn’t come out of a conflict zone, it’s not funding war, we know that it was grown here, it was polished here, and we can actually track it. That was very attractive.

Also, lab grown diamonds aren’t controlled by the big conglomerate, like DeBeers. So pricing was very attractive and pricing has come down since then, but even in the beginning it was such a significant difference between a mined diamond. Customers loved it! Who doesn’t love the idea of getting a diamond that they feel better about socially and environmentally, but that it also costs less. It’s a no-brainer and at the beginning, we started offering our customers both and asked which they preferred and the overwhelming majority were choosing decided to really lean into it and now that’s all we advertise on our website and it’s been great!

AM: I love it! I know that it’s something that I personally enjoy and I also love that over the past few years, the depth of colors and different options that are available – it’s interesting to see where that part of the industry has gone and it does make me feel that when I am wearing it, I know exactly where that came from! Like you said, I don’t want to wear something that is funding situations that I don’t support.

So for those that are looking to buy lab diamonds, what are things that people should be aware of whether they’re purchasing from you or another store in the marketplace to consider?

JT: Yeah so, there’s some real basic things. You know about the 4C’s – diamonds are graded in 4 basic categories. The carat weight which is how much the diamond weighs when we put it on a scale. The cut grade which is the brilliance and the sparkle that the diamond has, the color of the diamond which is how much yellow or brown or colored hues that are saturated in the diamond and how visible that is. Then it’s the clarity which is internal characteristics that happen as diamonds form whether it’s in the Earth or in the lab. They have the same clarity inclusions and the more they are and the more noticeable they are, the less valuable the diamond is.

Those are the 4 basic factors and then it gets pretty nuanced. I’m kind of a nerd about this stuff!

AM: Loving this as it’s my wheelhouse!

JT: There are a couple of big things that aren’t necessarily – like if you were on a website in their database and you were trying to choose from your computer screen or if I’m looking at a suppliers list of inventory and looking at the numbers, there are a few things that don’t show up.

The first one is color nuance. So this happens in mined diamonds some depending on where they originate, sometimes they have a prominent green or brown color and that color is undesirable and it’s not pretty. It’s not enough green to make it an actual green diamond or enough brown to make it a colored diamond. It’s a hint of it and it makes you think that you want to clean the diamond. But when you do, nothing changes so that’s true for lab grown diamonds as well. One of the most common color nuances is blue. Blue can happen naturally by the chemical boron. It can make the diamond a little bit blue it can make fluoresce under black light. If there is a lot of it, it can make a really beautiful color. So in nature that happens and it’s very rare and blue diamonds are very, very rare. But if there is a little bit of it in there, it has what we call a nuance in it. And again, unless someone wants something that is a tiny bit blue, it’s not a desirable trait. Oftentimes, it’s not offered on the grading report. Sometimes it is if it is very strong and it will say in the comment section, blue nuance. But it’s not often that that is the case. That happens with brown and grey and even green. So that color nuance is something that when I am buying diamonds for inventory or sourcing for a customer, that is an additional criteria that we’re really picky about and we don’t want to have any kind of color nuance in a diamond.

AM: That’s really interesting and why do you think that people don’t really list the nuance?

JT: That’s a great question and I have gotten a lot of different answers from all of the grading laboratories. But basically, their mission is to provide reliability in a third party grading report for consumers so that they have confidence in what they are buying. There is so much that goes into grading and analyzing a diamond and they want to make sure that it is digestable for the public and that it's not too much to figure out. They want to make it simple and effective so there are these things that are right there on the border that I would love as someone in the jewelry industry, I would love to see that on a report and that additional analysis. But I think that out of simplicity and also, I have to say that a lot of people don’t care as much. A lot of jewelry is made for chain and mall stores so it’s bought in a different way than how our customers come to us when they make a purchase. So there’s also a massive percentage of the market that doesn’t care. You’d have to call and interview GIA to get a response which would be better than mine, but I have the sense that they don’t want to devalue the product.

AM: I think that what you’re saying makes sense to me. When you talked about the nuance, it’s the first time that I have heard of it and after you explained it, I know it’s something that I would be looking for as I’m someone who really does care about details like that. But I can also understand that for John Q Public who’s going to his local mall, you know the 4Cs and that may be tapping you out a little bit.

JT: Yeah. They want something that’s beautiful and is going to go into a great piece of jewelry and not everybody is looking for that detail and they just want to know that it looks nice.

AM: How long does it take for a lab diamond to go on its journey from being what it starts as to a piece that can go into your ring?

JT: The bigger the diamond, the larger it takes. But the average size I would say is between a 1 and 2 carat diamond and that takes about 3-4 weeks to grow. Then it has to be cut and polished like a mined diamond does and depending on that process it’s another couple of weeks. It’s pretty fast!

AM: Oh wow! That’s very interesting.

So, just like in fashion there are always trends. What are the trends as it pertains to diamonds and gemstones in jewelry and more particularly in engagement rings?

JT: As far as diamond shapes go, oval is really the most popular shape and round diamonds are the most classically always popular choice and always in style. Just like I’m sure fashion does, it’s cyclical really. What’s popular in the 70s comes back in time again and the same with jewelry.

A fun thing that we’re seeing right now is that marquise shaped which is like a football shape, that’s becoming really popular again. I probably went 10 years like in the early 2000’s never selling it because no one wanted it and so that is coming back which is fun! It’s a fun shape because it’s really big for its carat weight, but it covers a lot of surface area and you can do some fun things with it from a design perspective. Radiant cut and cushion cut is popular also and then as far as jewelry styles, yellow gold is one of the most popular color metal right now. If we were talking 10 years ago, rose gold would be the most popular metal. Yellow gold is like the round diamond shape, and it has always been really classic. It’s really popular right now. Of course silver an platinum gold, the more silver looking metals are steadily really popular.

Thicker bands are very popular right now. We went through a phase where everyone wanted thinner or very dainty bands with little prongs.

AM: Which I was never a fan of!

JT: Yeah, from a durability standpoint, it’s kind of scary! One of the things that I know from the technical standpoint, wider and chunkier rings are becoming more popular which is very cool and they just hold up better!

AM: For lab grown diamonds, can you pretty much get any shape just as you would in natural?

JT: Yeah the supply has become much better. In the beginning, it was very hard to do that. Because there were only a few growers and the inventory was very limited and it was getting sold very quickly to the buying networks around the world. Now, you can basically get whatever you want!

We’ve custom grown and cut diamonds for customers that want something that’s not available. We did a 3.5carat portrait cut which is a very thin diamond that’s flat on the top and the bottom with facets around the edge so that it’s sparkly on the edge but completely see through in the middle.

AM: Oh wow!

JT: We set a little green emerald right underneath that diamond so that you could see through to that emerald on the ring. That custom diamond was custom grown and custom made for that customer because that’s not a readily available diamond on the marketplace.

AM: That’s interesting!

JT: So there is a lot of availability right now. It’s really exciting.

AM: I love that because I have always been a fan of Asscher and Cushion Cuts. I know for myself over the last 15/20 years, I have always said that I would only wear a lab created diamond. So to see where sites that I have been watching over the last few years have increased their assortment to a number of shapes, cuts, and colors – it’s absolutely amazing. As you said, it’s a lower price in comparison to getting that ring from the natural diamond. So it’s cool to see where the technology and interest has gone.

When people are coming to you, what is the process when someone is looking to have their ideal ring created by you? Not necessarily having you grow the diamond although that is something that’s amazing and what I would want. What would that normal process be?

JT: We have 2 kinds of customers that we serve now. We’ve been an online business since the beginning and have helped customers from all over the US, Canada, and even other countries. They contact us through our website and we have a team of design consultants where after they fill out a design form, they take it from there and work with them step by step to make sure that they at first know their vision and that the customer gets exactly what they want. We give them a very accurate quote from us so that the custom er knows exactly what it costs and then if they decide that they want us to make the ring for them, we do half the deposit up front to get started. Our design team then renders the ring digitally with our software so that the customer can see a photo realistic rendering of what the ring will look at from multiple angles. We even send them a rotating 360 animation and we work with them on any revisions. So it’s a very visual process and we want to make sure that it’s perfect and that there are no surprises when it’s finished. So if they want to have anything altered, we work through those revisions with them and once they approve the design, we finish making it for them. Then, we ship it to them. That’s a really fun process and that’s what we did for a very long time.

Then last May, we opened our first retail store and so we have a showroom now. My wife and I over the years have designed our own line of rings and so we have those on display so that people can come in and browse through our collection and if they fall in love with an existing piece, they get to pick out the exact diamond that goes in the ring. We have an inhouse goldsmith that puts the ring together and they come back and they can pick it up!

Then we can also do the full custom process too. If they have ideas or they want to do combinations or they have pictures, we can go through that process with them as well.

AM: That’s really cool and it’s awesome to hear how over the years you have navigated different ways to approach the vision you have and how you have stayed focus on lab created diamonds! Even with my background in natural diamonds as well as lab diamonds, you left me with some nuggets and details that I will have in my pocket as I purchase pieces of this nature from understanding color nuance and the fact that I could have my ideal lab diamond grown as I am all about customization and I know our readers will love being aware of that as well as knowing about the trends and what’s going on in the industry as a whole as well as in this particular area.

JT: It’s always great to talk and this was just the tip of the iceberg and I always welcome future discussions from you.

AM: Absolutely, the wheels are churning as I think about everything we talked about.

IG @taylorcustomrings

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Taylor Custom Rings

Read the JAN ISSUE #97 of Athleiure Mag and see BEHIND THE SPARKLE | Taylor Custom Rings in mag.

NEW YEAR, N3W YOU

Read the JAN ISSUE #97 of Athleisure Mag and see NEW YEAR, N3W YOU in mag.

ON THE GO WITH BÉIS | LIZ MONEY

We enjoy including a number of brands within our issues whether it's our roundups or editorials that we style. So when we have the chance to share more behind these brands it's a great way for you to know more about how they were created, their vision, and more about their assortment. We have been a fan of BÉIS since it launched in 2018. With a focus on travel as well as being on the go, we have enjoyed seeing how Shay Mitchell has infused her love for travel, quality, design and more into this brand!

We hosted Athleisure Mag Summit® where we sat down with Liz Money, SVP, Brand & Creative, BÉIS. We talked about her background in the fashion industry, how she came to the brand, digging into the assortment and projects that they have coming up that you'll want to keep on your radar.

ATHLEISURE MAG: I’ve been looking forward to chatting with you about the brand and in prep for this interview, I found out that we both graduated from Indiana University so it’s always exciting to talk to another person from there!

LIZ MONEY: You know that not only am I graduate from there, but our president, Adeela Hussain Johnson, is also a graduate from IU!

AM: I didn’t know that!

LM: Yeah, she actually graduated in the same year.

AM: I graduated in 2002 and it’s always fun to connect with those that went there.

LM: I graduated in 2004!

AM: Nice!

It was great to be connected earlier this year through the Accessories Council when we included pieces from the brand in our JUN ISSUE #90 photoshoot that we did at Kimpton Eventi Hotel. We’ve been a fan of the brand since it launched! So we love that since this is part of our Athleisure Mag Summit® virtual event, we can talk to brands and people that are involved in with the brand in order to get to know more about them, to include them in our YouTube Channel and in our issue of course! We’re so excited to have you.

LM: We’re excited to be part of it honestly.

AM: So, before we dig into all thing BÉIS, I wanted to find out more about your background! Can you walk us though previous brands and/or positions that you did prior to coming to this brand?

LM: Sure! You went to IU, you lived in Indiana, you know about the brand Vera Bradley, It’s a very popular, Midwest, Southern, East Coast brand. I spent 12 years there – pretty much right out of college working for them. I started on their cutting room floor because I was just out of college and they didn’t have very many positions open and I knew that if I was going to stay in Indiana, it would be one of the few opportunities that I would have to design and do creative. It was sort of an opportunity to get my foot in the door. I ended up working on the cutting room floor and sewing placemats for my 1st 8 months there during second shift from sometime to midnight – I can’t remember!

I used every opportunity I could to get in front of the people that I needed to by going to company events and chatting with those people. Pretty much, I was very persistent. I applied for every internal job that I felt that I could potentially do that my degree supported. I was a fine arts major and studied a lot of sculpture, but primarily, I studied textile design as it pertained to art. So, I did that and ended up becoming an assistant in the product development department and I just took on more and more tasks as they saw fit. I was under essentially, the VP of PD, the VP of Design and the Cofounder of the brand – Barbara Bradley Baekgaard. I was working with them every single day. I showed them what I could do, above and beyond, then I worked my way up at Vera Bradley. I spent the bulk of my time there as a Trend and Creative Director. I really worked over the development and design and working hand in hand with marketing, merchandising, and all of those departments from a product perspective, but also from a creative and trend perspective. Then Beach House Group which is a co-founder of BÉIS, reached out to me and I started working here!

AM: I love that and can I just say, growing up in Indiana, I remember my early days in terms of knowing the brand as the classic Bible book covers and the obviously, once I started styling, I couldn’t believe how the product assortment, colorways, etc grew and they had some fun pieces like the duffle that converts to a hanging bag which I used with shoots and styling my clients for the Grammys. The fact that they went from the patterns and hues to what I knew them as a kid to where they are now is really cool for the heritage of that brand.

LM: I mean honestly, the position that I had with them was just incredibly rewarding and taught me so much that I was able to reciprocate into my knowledge here for BÉIS.

AM: I love that and tell me what you do at BÉIS.

LM: Of course, we are a travel brand and are more so an on the go brand. We are at the pivotal white space of a brand that is giving you this affordable highly functional product that also looks really good and then with our own personal creative spin on it which is essentially putting a little humor to it. We have a lot of lifestyle and are incorporating high fashion as well. I am the SVP of Brand, Creative and essentially I am over our product and design team, our creative team, and our marketing team.

AM: That’s a big umbrella.

LM: It’s a very big umbrella. I try to think of ways that give me a bit of a smaller umbrella so we’re going to be hiring a VP of Marketing so that’s great!

AM: Well that’s amazing!

I remember when the brand started in 2018, I don’t remember what the first product was, but I feel pretty early on, The Weekender was there as a fashion stylist and accessory expert so when I travel that’s great, but I do need bags that I can lug my items to photoshoots, work with my celeb clients – so to see that you guys have created such an assortment and that you have items that can work in an array of situations, it’s truly a brand that is on the go!

What is the ethos of the brand and why did Shay Mitchell want to create it?

LM: So honestly, the ethos of the brand is to be in that white space of creating an on the go brand and it was very intentional that we launched the brand with bags and not with rolling bags and that came later in 2019 as you know. This ethos of creating an on the go lifestyle brand really helped us through the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 when travel felt that it was really at a halt. I felt that we could easily pivot to bags that we could use on a daily basis for a walk, etc.

So really the ethos of the brand is creating this fun lifestyle brand that is relatable, affordable, and accessible to people. It’s on the go right? You’re always on the go! You’re going to the gym, the grocery store, you’re going for a walk, whatever it is that you are moving to. Shay is an incredible partner in this brand. She’s involved in the day-to-day quite honestly in the creative, product, and the positioning and the reason why she wanted to develop this brand is because she is centered into this ethos. She travels a lot, she has her YouTube Shaycation and she was traveling a lot for her job, she’s traveled since she was 15 years old when she start ed getting into the industry she was in Thailand or Bangkok for awhile. Travel is in her blood. She knows it and she understands it. What she noticed was this gap in the industry of really expensive bags that were great looking, but they had no functionality, really cheap bags had some function, but they looked really cheap. So she was like, where is the perfect bag that is in the middle of that. The Weekender is actually one that she carried and that she loved. It’s a beige bag and she wanted to design off of that bag that she had and loved for so long and sort of got scuff marks, was dirty and had been with her all over. I have no idea of what that bag was as I have never seen it. But we just based off of her sketches and drawing and hearing about her background of using it the love that she had for it and all the places that she took it to, it’s basically how that on the go lifestyle brand was created.

AM: I love that! As someone who has designed collections I’m always interested in other’s approach to their assortment. What do you look for when it comes to adding new designs or even new colorways? You guys are doing really amazing at that as well.

LM: I mean, it’s not that much of challenge. As you know from a design perspective and for an assortment, you’re essentially trying to look into a crystal ball to figure out what people want. A lot of it is trend driven and design driven and we use programs. We shop the industry and look at what we are attracted to and what Shay is attracted to as well. We have an insane and amazing community of the brand so we’re able to tap into them to see what they want. If we hear them shouting loudly about something that they specifically want then we try to bring it in. A Rolling Weekender is something that we have been trying to work on for awhile because primarily, it’s the size of a Carry-On. So we get a lot of complaints that it’s super heavy. It’s a Carry-On that essentially you carry and whatever you put in there, it's going to be heavy. So, making a potential solution of being able to roll on it is something we want to bring out in the future and we are currently working on that right now.

And then it’s really about leaning into the data and looking at the boring stuff and seeing what people are searching for. A lot of our color expansion has come primarily because either we have done a small drop of something and we see that we have an insane amount of people signing up for it and eventually, we want to be able to answer to these people! They have signed up for Maple and there are 40,000 people that like it, then we are going to bring Maple into the core line.

AM: I love Maple!

LM: That’s how some of it happens!

Maple is one of our top colors right now. How we decide what colors, we are a brand that started with beige and black in our first couple of years. We didn’t really launch any colors in those first 2 or years and then the consumer started wanting color again and I think that’s a nuance we’re seeing across a number of industries right now. Interiors right now, beige and this gray were in and now people are reinvigorating color into their spaces! So I think that we are seeing that trend across the board, but we want it to remain to look good all together so that if you do have a collection that is a mélange of colors that are offered in our product category that look good and match back to each other. Although we prefer monochromatic ha!

AM: Same!

What do you feel are the core pieces of the brand?

LM: The core pieces of the brand are The Weekender, Rolling Luggage is hands down – that’s what the consumer says it is. There is one new item that is really ticking up – our Sports Sling! We literally can’t keep it in stock and I think it’s because when we started designing this, I wish I could go through the iterations of it. It was this thing that could be a long sleeve, it could be a bag, and then it would zip together. When we saw it zipped we loved how compact it was and then we added this sneaky water bottle pocket – it’s the perfect travel companion and the perfect everyday bag and now we’re going to be adding it into multiple different colors. I do think that our sport category is slightly underrated, but the materials of this category are amazing.

But if you are looking through the consumer lens of where is she putting her dollars, it’s our luggage and our Weekender. For me, our luggage, and not to put the word value on it, but it’s a value item. It’s has more function than on any piece of luggage on the market, in this category, at the level of durability that we offer and at that price point. It’s great luggage! I converted my husband to this luggage, Rimowa people who are stans! Once you start using this luggage, people get it!

AM: I love that sling back, it’s one of the ones we shot for our issue. Like you said, I love that water bottle in it. Plus it lays so nice for those who want to wear it towards the front whether you have ample bosom or not!

LM: We take that into account in our testing! We have all sizes and shapes on our team. We try them on, everybody!

AM: I love that as a brand the focus on intention and design and having all of these areas where you’re optimizing its use! How do you decide about that functionality and to make sure that those elements are there?

LM: Yeah, So we honestly have our staple function pieces and there are no compromises to them. They will always be in that bag if it makes sense for the bag. We learned that by trial and error. If we came out with a line and it didn’t have the Trolley Sleeve just because it was a bag that didn’t have it as it wasn’t going to be a travel bag, it would be more of a bag that didn’t have it as it wasn’t going to be a travel bag, it would be more of a daily tote. But then customers would let us know that they would have bought it but they wanted that sleeve. So it was the trial and error of learning what are those core function pieces that we have to have in all of our products. So those are the things – the Trolley Sleeve, Padded Laptop Sleeve – ways to use it everyday and ways to use it for travel. We know that the consumer is not always buying 2 bags – some do, I buy a bag for everything. But some want to use the same tote bag for work, for travel, for sport/gym, whatever – they want it all. So giving the all, but also being mindful that if it is intended to be a sport bag, let’s throw in the sport function – a pass through for your yoga mat or your tennis racket. If it is travel specific, it has to have a padded laptop sleeve, it has to have ease of accessibility so that you can go through TSA. Honestly, finding things to add on like that sneaky water bottle pocket, hidden pockets that are great for easy accessibility of your phone, but it’s not on the exterior so that someone can grab it. Our key leash is a stable, but functionality is a consumer driven thing, but it’s also us using the bag and seeing that this bag can use something like this to level it up times 10!

AM: If someone is brand new to the brand, what are 3 pieces that you suggest that they should have?

LM: Ok, I am going to tell you that this is the worst thing for me to say – I am not personally a weekender girl!

AM: What?

LM: I don’t know why. I don’t travel like that. My number 1 is you have to get the Carry-On – you absolutely have to. If you don’t spend the money in any other way, the Rolling Carry-On is a must. Next to me, you have to have a bag that goes on top of it. So if you’re a Weekender Girl, then the Mini Weekender is a must. I love all of our East to West Totes which are in our Recycled Collection. The Premium Duffle and the Premium Weekender just came out. I will carry this over the holidays for the first time. I love that it is a duffle, but it also snaps. So it can be more of a tote which I am more of a Tote Girl. You can’t go wrong with our Work Tote because it is super buttoned up. It’s very structured and super roomy and expansive. The third piece is like a sling. Honestly, that is my perfect travel uniform but also the sling and the tote or if you’re a backpacker or weekender – once you get there, you have your Carry-On in your room and then you have these other pieces to take you throughout the rest of your journey.

AM: When I’m styling on set, I use the Sport Pack for accessories that I am bringing on/off the talent or event some of my tools so that my kit which has everything can just stay In one place. I definitely have enjoyed bringing that piece recently into my styling tools for sure.

I also love the engagement that is around this brand! You have some people who are just down for the brand and you have done amazing partnerships with your hotel concept that you did in Dallas and in LA! Can you talk more about this and whether you plan on rolling more out and will you be coming to NY?

LM: So you just missed us in NY when we did a quick week long pop-up!

AM: I know! So bummed as by the time I realized it it was already wrapping and we were on set – but it looked great!

LM: Yes our community is so engaged – sometimes scaringly, but we love it! People either love you or hate you – but we have a lot of love and we’re super fortunate that we are able to engage with our community and one of those ways is through the experiential through our pop-ups. The one in NY again, was such a short stint. The BÉIS Hotel Pop Up was our very first pop up with the BÉIS Motel and it was in the Glass Box in LA at The Grove. We wanted the next iteration to be more experiential and we definitely will continue to create experiential touchpoints in real life with our consumer. Next year, our first one will be loyalty based or service-based pop up. One of the things that we hear from our customers is that our product is maybe harder to clean or how to keep the product in a way that it can last longer. We’re going to be popping up with the BÉIS Wash and we have partnered with cleaning brands and they have helped us create some formulations that get certain stains like wine, mascara, Sharpie, and scuff marks off of bags. We’re going to do another short pop up over a weekend. We’re using this opportunity to have people bring their bags in and we will clean them up for you and we’ll potentially do some livestreaming and show people how to clean their bags themselves at home and we will potentially make this kit for sale for purchase and use it to keep their bags looking good!

AM: I love the campaigns and the images/videos you do. What’s your timeline and the planning involved when you’re looking to do them?

LM: So, our creative process honestly starts 18 months out when we’re designing the collections. We’re a very drop based brand for the last 5 years. We will start moving away from that and start driving into our core of the brand – our luggage, our weekenders and that’s essentially when the creative process begins. Not only does the design and the product speak to how we end up doing the creative. I think I sent you some photos of the Slate Collection. The Slate Collection launched last year in January with our Sport Collection. Essentially, a color that our consumer really loved and we brought it back. We actually brought it back in a small way with Nordstrom for their Anniversary Collection in July and re alized that there was even more love for it! The whole campaign was about being a clean slate so there was this whole car wash scenario! Honestly, it’s about having fun! When we’re going through this creative process, it’s about having fun! It’s great that we love it, but that our consumer will also think that it’s a great idea and that it makes sense with the brand in some way or the other and that it’s a little bit fashiony! It’s about being interesting and not just showing bags in hotels and rooms – which we do and they perform amazing, but sometimes it’s about having a little bit of fun too!

AM: What have been some of the projects that you have been part of that you were really excited to have your fingerprint in there?

LM: Our pop ups for sure! I think that some people witnessed that our first pop up that we had in The Grove, when we opened up, I literally cried – I don’t know if it was a pain cry or a joy cry?

AM: Maybe relief haha!

LM: Yes relief! It was like, wow we’re finally done! That one was super exciting for me. It was the first time that I had done something like that and that I felt that I had owned the process. I also think that the creative and the look of it was just so cool and people’s reaction at The Grove – there are pop ups there every single month. So for people to walk by and say, “wow, it’s the best one that I have ever seen. For you to have so many things in a 20’ sqft x 20’ sqft space.” That was truly a testament to how we as a brand look at everything. When we do something, we’re going to go as in as we can. That means we’re going to look at it from all angles, how we are putting it on social, how does it look on the website, how do we entertain and invigorate our customer at every touch point no matter where they are or what they are doing. So the pop ups have been amazing!

I would say that in general, just the growth of this brand! I have been here for 5 years since we have launched the brand. There are 2 people that have been here longer in this brand and that’s Shay and Adeela, who is also the other IU girl!

AM: Oh nice!

LM: Just seeing the growth of the brand and when you go from a team of 4 or 5 to a team of almost 40, it’s so incredibly rewarding. I have gone from a position where you are the person who is doing most everything because there are only 4 people and you have to split up and do a bit of everything for the business. That was only for a very short amount of time and we grew to 7 and then to 12. Now we’re at almost 40! To see the growth of the brand, how my position has changed from a doer to a cultivator of all of these people and now we’re teaching them and helping us grow this brand beyond our wildest dreams, I think that is probably one of the most regarding and awesome things.

AM: That’s definitely cool to see and you have first hand knowledge in seeing that growth and where you are with the support of 40 people. I remember many years ago when I worked at Lacoste HQ in their Wholesale division – the whole US part of the company was only 60 people and you were doing a lot of support beyond your direct role and it’s interesting to think about how much you do just to get that brand to where you’re positioning it and to meet the needs of partners, customers, etc.

The same can be said here at Athleisure Media and sometimes people have a concept that there are all of these people doing these things and in many cases, that is not what is happening!

LM: Nope! You raise that curtain and it’s like hello!

AM: Exactly, it’s a shock if you ever get to see behind the curtain haha!

You can watch our virtual event on our YouTube channel and we currently have our giveaway that kicked off on Dec 21st and runs through Jan 3rd. For more details on our Athleisure Mag Summit® Series X BÉIS Giveaway, you can find out by visiting our Instagram post so that you can enter!

IG @beis

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | BÉIS

Read the DEC ISSUE #96 of Athleisure Mag and see ON THE GO WITH BÉIS | Liz Money in mag.

THE STATEMENT | ANDREA SALAZAR

Style is a very personal thing as it reflects how you feel and how the world sees you. These styles set the scene which in many ways we showcase in our photoshoots! SETA is a line that balances edgy cool that can work whether you're looking to have a dramatic or an ethereal look. It can be dressed up or down. This month. we hosted our THE 9LIST® Holiday Event where we sat down with Andrea Salazar, Creative Dir of SETA and finalist in Prime Video's Making the Cut S2. We talked about her passion for design, her creative process, being on the show, the brand's vision, and her suggestions for NYE depending on where you'll be watching the ball drop!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We are so excited to be able to talk with you as I have been a fan for the past few years and I know our readers will love hearing more about you, competing on Making the Cut, and of course NYE finds that we can take into ending the year and kicking off to the next! For those that are joining us, Andrea Salazar is the Creative Director of SETA and she competed and was a finalist in Season 2 of Making the Cut which you can stream now if you haven’t done so!

ANDREA SALAZAR: Thank you so much for having me! Where is your magazine based?

AM: We are based in NY. Athleisure Media is our baby and we have Athleisure Mag which is released monthly and you will be in our 96th issue and we have one of our heritage features that we really love which is THE 9LIST. It’s really about those must haves of shop, discover, and experiencing. So when I thought about a brand in thinking about my hat as a Co-Founder/Creative Director as well as being a fashion stylist and an Accessory Expert, your brand is amazing as its great materials, is embellished, has an edgy style to it, and it had accessories too. So having you in THE 9LIST Holiday Event made perfect sense so that we can get to know more about you and our readers are able to understand the brand and of course, show the looks, that they can shop their favorite finds as well! This is amazing and I enjoyed your time on Making the Cut as well!

When did you realize that you wanted to be a designer?

AS: I discovered my passion for design when I was young. I came from a family of fashion lovers! My mother is a fashion designer, my grandmother was a fashionista in her decade! So fashion has been in our blood.

When I was a teenager, I had the opportunity to live in London and I fell in love with the street style as well as European fashion. So since then, I knew that I wanted to be in the fashion industry absolutely!

AM: How did you hone your skills from where you trained or apprenticed?

AS: I have an International Business Administration degree because I always knew that I wanted to do that and to open a business. I knew that I needed to know how to manage it. Then I did Fashion Design in Marangoni in Miami. They opened their doors 4 years ago and I was one of the first students there. Then I also did Visual Merchandising and fashion courses in Milan, Italy. I also did styling courses with stylists in Miami. I did pattern making with a university in Columbia that had those courses online and so I have done different aspects of fashion as it’s what I love!

AM: I love that you love the business and you know it from the design, but also the structure of it and how to plan it.

AS: I think that it’s very important to know about the business first and then to specialize in the fashion part as well. It’s another thing about the business that is important.

AM: How do you approach designing upcoming seasons?

AS: So, I have inspiration from different sources. I love to travel and it’s one of the ways that I get a bit of therapy. When I travel, I am inspired in this way the most. So, I love to go to museums to get in touch with art, culture, and history. I also have personal experiences, friends who love the brand, so I love to be at the stores so I can be in touch with the customer. Their opinion is important for the feedback to see which pattern is working and which isn’t, the fabric, and fit! We always try to do cohesive collections, timeless pieces so you can shop in different seasons. But at the end of the day, they are timeless pieces that you can use all year long.

AM: That’s something that I have loved over the last decade or so that brands are focusing on a timeless collection that can truly be worn year around! You were talking about how you get inspired which is amazing. How would you describe your design aesthetic which I am so obsessed with!

AS: Oh thank you!

As I said, inspiration can come from different sources. My design aesthetic, I’d say that it is an element of sophistication and also a little bit edgy as well. It’s timeless and I try to be classic too! It’s a very eclectic brand where you can find romantic style, classic, rocker, boho – it’s a mix of things like a clash. So when we are with our customers, we try to tell them to take that risk, wear that jacket, be the center of attention as this will make you feel beautiful. We love to celebrate every woman and it’s about them enjoying their self expression too! We want them to express themselves with the pieces.

AM: Tell me about how the brand came about and what is the meaning behind SETA?

AS: The meaning behind the name SETA is S from Salazar because that is my last name. Also my second last name is Zapata so we wanted to get together the S and the Z. When I do my initials, I always do the ASZ and so I have S and Z always in my last name. It’s also an acronym, S – Sophistication, E – Edgy, T – Timeless and A – Attire.

AM: Oh, I love that!

AS: Yes, that is the acronym.

AM: What would you say is the ethos of the brand?

AS: Are ethos for this brand is that we strive to empower individual women to express their uniqueness through fashion. We offer pieces that not only standout, but embody quality and craftsmanship. I’m super focused on craftsmanship, items that are handmade, very unique pieces – we say that they are treasures from the closet.

AM: Love it.

I first became aware of you and your brand from your season on Making the Cut. Why did you want to be on the show and what was it like navigating those competitions?

AS: So, Making the Cut, was a very big decision on my career. It was an opportunity to be on a global stage and at the end of the day, if I didn’t do it, I would never know what would happen! I’m a woman that loves to take risk. I loved the first season, the judges, the way that they produced the show, and it was done very well in a high-end way. So, I think it was a very good platform to be on and it was a great way to learn professionally as well as personally. It was actually a great resource.

AM: Being able to get insights from Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn which we have interviewed previously, that must have been such an amazing resource. What did you learn from doing the show in working alongside them as well as the other designers?

AS: Working with industry icons like Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn was invaluable! It was a big opportunity – the feedback, the mentorship, these things were very important in staying true to my vision – that is what a real designer is. Also, Jeremy Scott says that the life of a designer is tough and you always have to be creating. You launch a collection, you’re already thinking of the next one. It is a non-stop industry that is also very competitive. It was also great to be next to big designers too that had a vision. We were all super different, no one was similar. So it was super interesting to have this cast and I really enjoyed it.

AM: It was so cool to watch you throughout the season as well as the other designers. Since the show, how has your brand grown?

AS: It has really grown! The presence has increased, we have a new clientele, the exposure opened our doors to have our own online channel, we also have Amazon Fashion as a customer. It was great growth and it has been a great year for us. Not only in exposure and publicity, but also for sales. Even after COVID and various things, we have really had a very good result! Being on Amazon has been a vision beyond borders. It’s just been a great opportunity.

AM: I really love that your brand, it has high visual texture, amazing embellishment that takes place and you really lean into that! Then there are the accessories which really rounds it out. Where does your love in those 3 areas come from?

AS: We love elevated looks! I don’t know, you can be a classic woman, but if you put on a belt, you’re already elevating that look.

AM: Yup!

AS: Accessories are the seal of the look. We really love that. That's something that we import because they are statement pieces and the belts are made super well and are handmade leather. We are very focused on that. We love the boots and the shoes and it’s a great way to diversify the business beyond just the clothing.

We’re also exploring the beauty industry – we have our fragrance. We want to do more research on this as we’re already a brand. We want to have candles and other kinds of products as well. So this will be something that is coming in future seasons as well.

AM: Tell me about your boutiques as I know you have a few – walk us though them.

AS: Our boutiques are carefully curated so it has the essence of the brand. From the moment you enter, you are immersed into the world of SETA. You’re surrounded by crafted garments and accessories. You can find our physical stores in Miami, Medellin, and Bogota. Those are our 3 stores. We have projects to open more and to franchise coming soon. But for now, we’re super good with these and of course, we’re available online too!

AM: That’s amazing and I hope you one in NY as that is where we’re based!

AS: We actually did a pop up last year there during NYFW!

AM: What’s your travel schedule like as I’m sure you personally maintain a presence in all 3 stores frequently?

AS: Oh yes. I think that that the pop ups are a very good resource to try different markets and we’re always looking at where the next place will be to open. But NY, that is our next target.

AM: That aesthetic for many of us in NY is just perfect!

AS: We feel the same way!

AM: Tell me about the SETA Gallery at the Sagamore Hotel in South Beach. It’s been fun to see the images on your IG.

AS: We really had this opportunity to have the space in this hotel. It’s a very traditional hotel in Miami Beach. It’s full of tourists and is in the touristy area of Miami Beach and we wanted to make it different. They wanted to expose art - different art pieces and to have it as a fashion exhibition. We are celebrating 10 years in the industry as a brand so that celebration allows us to showcase our most iconic pieces from the beginning! You can find our first pieces of the brand, it tells our story, and you can scan the QRCode and see the story of the piece and they are unique one of a kind pieces. It’s like an exclusive escape where they can see our pieces from our trajectory.

AM: What would you say are 3 core pieces from the brand that are essentials for people to have in their closets?

AS: So 3 essential pieces from SETA is definitely our classic Legend Military Jacket. That jacket has been a classic from the beginning and it’s a must. It’s very well fitted, it’s a statement. It’s good for the winter and the fall. It’s for that girl who loves to travel, so it’s a must. In our suit pants, we have our Baggy Suit Pants which are super super studded and they’re amazing too. They are showstoppers. A belt in general is a must. As I have said, a very classy woman wears classic pieces or basics, a belt adds that extra.

AM: You have a collab that you’re involved in. Can you tell me more about this and how it came together?

AS: Right now, we’re pitching some different shoe and accessory brands. I think that it’s very good to have a marriage and different strategies. But we have also had them in the past, we worked with a Spanish boot brand and we did a runway show in NY in 2022. We were sold out on all of the boots. People loved them and we had collabs with influencers in Columbia and from Latin American. It was amaz ing because they had their own influence and their own clientele. So we also sold super fast with those as well! We can tell that collabs work very well.

AM: In looking at your line, I love the color palette. Do you ever envision other colorways coming into the brand?

AS: Yeah, actually we do try to be more flexible with the colors. But to be honest with you, we only do that with little capsules. It can be a bit of a shocking position when we have colors in the brand and it’s a challenge because it targets a different kind of clientele. But why not?

This year for the holidays we did a bit of a lilac for the embellishment. People love it!

AM: It was pretty cool.

AS: A bit of a hint of color can make a difference.

AM: I can’t believe that we’re talking a few days out from the beginning of the year and when this is in our issues, it will be 2 days before New Year’s Eve!

AS: It’s unbelievable!

AM: For those that may still be planning what their NYE looks will be, I love that for this night, we all do different things.

AS: Yeah, I know it’s fun!

AM: So we reached out to you to give 3 NYE events and to present 3 looks that could be worn with accessories from SETA! So we’ll walk through each of the shown looks and get your thoughts on them (See the event stream here)!

The first one, we thought was amazing for a NYE Loft Party if you’re here in NYC or a roof top if you’re celebrating in warmer climates like Miami! I love that this look is really easy – tell us more about it.

AS: I really love this one because it is perfect for the winter. It’s a Mesh Turtleneck and pants and I love to put this bralette on top so that you can have that shimmery addition to your outfit. The mesh turtleneck, I’m wearing that right now.

AM: Loving the mesh!

AS: It’s like a layer and the Lumino Bralet – love it. The Luminous Collection is for Fall/Winter and is perfect for NYE. The cut, color, this one has the little lilac sequins that I talked to you about earlier. It’s a new color and the Lumino Pant is super comfortable and has a baggy style. It can be comfortable, yet beautiful for a rooftop or a dinner! It’s a very balanced look for the New Year.

AM: We also have a 2nd look that would be great if you’re doing New Years at home!

AS: Oh yeah, amazing!

AM: Not to say that you can’t dress whichever way you choose when celebrating at home, but I love the idea of still putting a great look together whether you’re enjoying it with friends or your significant other. It’s really fun with how relaxed it is – walk us through this one!

AS: It’s flawless. This is our Oversized Shirt in black, we also have it in white. I know a lot of people love to wear white for NYE. But we picked this one. This Alquimia Short is super baggy and is a bit of a Bermuda Short style. It’s embellished and it also has that lilac sequin that we’ve been talking about. It’s very special and these boots – you can wear hosiery or pantyhose with it if you’re looking for more coverage. But it’s the perfect outfit to be at home.

AM: I love this Rocker Boot! Does it slouch or fold over fully if you want to?

AS: Yes you can slouch them!

AM: It’s a sick boot!

AS: Yeah when you slouch them it has a great look!

AM: It looks like you’d have the perfect scrunch with them.

When we’re talking about the classic NYE bring it down with that epic night out, tell me about this!

AS: This is my favorite!

That Luminous Faux Coat! It’s perfect!

AM: Right?

AS: For NY it’s perfect and that catsuit, it’s my favorite of the season because I just posted a video using it and I was in NY because I went to Heidi Klum’s Halloween party and it was chilly. I wore it and I love it! I talked to the people and they loved it and it’s time that we shine in our own skin! People are loving this catsuit, it’s amazing because it’s all crystal and it’s super trendy right now.

I mean Kim Kardashian’s collaboration between SKIMS and Swarovski, I was happy to see that because I knew I was ahead with mine!

AM: When I saw the pieces from their drop, I instantly thought of your catsuit which you’ve already had! You’re so right that this is trending.

I must tell you that I really love your campaign shoots and videos as it lets me step into your world truly! Right now if you look at your IG table we see the pieces juxtaposed to glam elements of a tablescape with dinner plates and candelabras which is stunning. It ties back into the brand and is amazing!

AS: Thank you so much! You’re so sweet and thank you so much for all of this love! I think that when we do the things that we love, everything flows so we are really passionate and SETA is like our baby and it’s like our little daughter that never grows! We take care of her all the time and it’s our life project! It’s like a baby because we have been seeing all of the growth and we still have a lot to do.

It’s a lot of learning, it’s a lot of sacrifice, it’s a lot of bumps in the road but I love it – the success and the failure. It’s up and down, but it’s like life, but we love it as it’s the passion and it’s amazing to do what we love!

IG @seta_apparel

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | SETA

Read the DEC ISSUE #96 of Athleisure Mag and see THE STATEMENT | Andrea Salazar in mag.

9LOOKS | SUKEINA

Read the DEC ISSUE #96 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LOOKS | Sukeina in mag.

NEW YEAR, N3W YOU

Read the DEC ISSUE #96 of Athleisure Mag and see NEW YEAR, N3W YOU in mag.

THE ARTISAN | DOMINIC CIAMBRONE "THE SURGEON"

If you've been collecting sneakers and have a passion for some of your favorite Nike, Gucci, Lanvin's etc that are deconstructed, reconstructed and customized with premium and exotic skins, Dominic Ciambrone, a.k.a. The Surgeon is the legendary creative mind that is at the forefront of taking our sneaker game to the next level! His work has been coveted and collected by Justin Bieber, LeBron James, Odell Beckham Jr, DJ Khaled, Canelo, and more. In addition he has worked with Bentley Motors, NBA, NFL, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Heineken, Reese's, Glenmorangie, 7-11, and a number of other brands. We wanted to find out how he got into and pioneered this space, what his work entails, his projects, working with luxury brands, SRGN Studios, SRGN Academy, his passion for sports, The League, and additional projects that he is working on.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you wanted to be a shoemaker?

DOMINIC CIAMBRONE: When did I realize that I wanted to be a shoemaker? I would say when I was 19 years old. From the age of 15/16, I was painting shoes, but I realized that to actually be a shoemaker, I needed to take my craft a step further. That realization came I think when I met one of my mentors, Michael Anthony who hand makes western boots.

AM: What was that journey like to be able to be self-taught and learning all of those elements?

DC: It was a long road! I started with painting shoes and then I learned how to sew on top of them – I learned sewing in high school. Then I met my mentor who made western boots so I got to watch him make boots and then I realized that that’s what I wanted to do with sneakers. I wanted to make the highest end sneakers in the world and it took many years working for free and just doing stuff to learn about machines and tools. It was a lot of missteps and a lot of learning. I did paint, I did shoe repair, fixed purses and bags. I mean, I did all kinds of things just so that I could learn.

AM: Back in 2011/2012, I had a collaboration with Sebago and I had a line of their boat shoes and we sold it on HSN, Bloomingdale's and a few select retailers and I was so excited. But my background at that time was in apparel and jewelry as opposed to shoes. I remember reading an article about you and your work when I was on my flight heading to the factory in the Dominican Republic. After reading it, I felt that in hearing your story, how you approached your work etc, that if I could take that same approach and focus on the materials and create another way to highlight this style of shoe much as you do with sneakers that I could do it! So reading about you and just thinking about it in a different way saved me from freaking out on my flight I just wanted to say thank you for that!

DC: That’s awesome!

AM: Why do you call yourself The Surgeon?

DC: I was 18 years old in a hotel in NYC for the first time trying to figure out what to call myself, the brand, and what I was doing. I just wrote down a bunch of things and I was just trying to figure out what do I do to sneakers? What do I do to the shoes? I was like, “surgery,” and that’s where it got birthed – The Surgeon. Now that we're expanding the business, we've taken "Shoe" out of the name and go by SURGEON. Our creativity isn't limited to sneakers and you're going to see that more and more next year.

AM: When you’re customizing shoes, where do you start in that creative process when you’re making sneakers?

DC: I mean it changes. I don’t have one set process. For me, I have always been able to build something to life straight from an idea. I love sourcing materials, I’m really big into materials, I think that I’m mostly a materials person. I mostly just love it so much. You can turn something into a product and that’s a beautiful thing.

AM: I’m also a fashion stylist and an accessory expert, so I’m constantly talking about and believe that when someone is purchasing a handbag, jewelry, or shoes, you’re buying what the designer intended in making that item as well as what the wearer puts into it after wearing it and wanting it. Ultimately, that connection between the person who purchased it and the product creates its own history and meaning. When people are buying your shoes, what are they getting?

DC: I mean, ha – they get a piece of my soul. They get a piece of something that’s my entire life and they get a piece of shoemaking history that dates back all the way to Ancient Egypt! I mean, there’s those hieroglyphics on the wall that I looked at recently and some of the oldest ones have people making shoes!

AM: You have been worn and collected by so many people from LeBron James, Justin Bieber, Drake and more. What’s it like when you’re collaborating with them on specific ideas and incorporating your concepts together?

DC: Sometimes they give me the full range to do what I want and then there’s some that have a couple of ideas and I help bring their ideas to life where they will give a little bit of direction and I’m able to go back and forth. I think that a true collaboration is a very beautiful thing. You have 2 energies that are coming together to create something magical.

AM: You’ve also worked with so many brands whether it’s Gucci or Lanvin or Nike or Reese’s, what does it feel like to be able to work with these types of brands and to bring your creativity and artistry into what their lexicon is?

DC: I mean, it’s a beautiful thing. At the end of the day, I just – a friend of mine told me that I’m making commercial cool right? So a lot of the stuff that I get to do is that I get to make cool commercials and I didn’t look at it that way. People just reached out to me for my craft and my artistry and what I have been able to build from my Instagram to just a true foundation where I hold a high value on my quality and my artisanal work with the team so it’s really cool to be able to be part of it.

AM: You’re SURGEON X Bentley partnership last year where you had the limited edition shoes as well as Surgeon-ifying their car, what did it mean to you to work with this brand and to create in this way?

DC: Bentley is one of, if not the most, prestigious car company in the world. So, to be able to fly to Crewe, England and sit with the makers there and to see how they produced one of the highest quality cars in the world was a very humbling experience and it was so amazing to be able to do that because that car is the top of the top!

AM: Oh yeah!

The materials that you use – the leathers, the exotics are amazing. Have you also used sustainable materials like banana leathers, mycelium and things like that?

DC: Oh yeah, I’ve been using different ideas of sustainability whether it’s even recycled materials. I actually flew to Brazil, developed an Elephant Ear plant material and we have used that on shoes and right now, I have a shoe that is launching that the sole is dyed with turmeric, the swoosh is mushroom, pineapple leather, grape leaf leather – I mean, it’s a really cool shoe.

AM: What has been your favorite project that you have worked on?

DC: I don’t really have favorites …

AM: You’re like me – I don’t have favorites, but there are a lot of things that I vibe with!

DC: I think it’s myself – really working on myself is beauty and I never looked at it that way until recently. So to be able to work on myself and to be able to translate that to my children, the work will speak for itself. myself is beauty and I never looked at it that way until recently. So to be able to work on myself and to be able to translate that to my children, the work will speak for itself.

AM: When you started, this industry and the market didn’t really exist in this way and you definitely have left a mark on it. Where do you see the industry in the next 15/20 years?

DC: That’s a great question. I don’t know. I don’t think like that because shoes and the custom industry was something that I think that I really helped pioneer and now for me, it’s way bigger than that. I’m working on architecture, interiors, car design, and so many other things. So just for custom shoes as an industry, I think that more people will respect the process more. I think that some will try it and most won’t like it because it’s a lot of work. I do think that a lot of things will be going to automation and easy to do things.

AM: Tell me about SRGN Academy which you have in LA, Las Vegas and at the Seaport here in NY.

DC: The SRGN Academy was started 8 or 9 years ago now. Growing up, I didn’t have a class or a school that I wanted to go to so I wanted to offer a trade school that you learn how to make a pair of shoes from scratch and at the same time, it’s not just about the shoes. It’s about going through something for yourself and doing something positive for yourself.

AM: Then there’s SRGN Studios, why did you want to launch this and what does it entail?

DC: SRGN Studios and even SURGEON Worldwide, is just a company that I have been able to build. The studio is like my fantasy factory where we have sports and all things under one roof. Not until you’re able to come into the studio do you really get a feel for it. You can only see so much through social media and online. So it's just a way for people to be able to have fun and live life. Life’s too short. I wanted to create a safe and fun place for people.

AM: Tell me about The League.

DC: The League started out of – well my business partner Dallas Imbimbo, he plays basketball and I play soccer. So once we got into our newer space, we just started playing pickup games and then we were like, “oh, let’s do more.” So we turned it into a league and it’s been very competitive, and fun, and a great outlet for me to not just be creative – but athletic and to compete in a healthy way.

AM: It seems like you have a full schedule. Will you ever have versions where you go to other cities like here in NY or in Miami.

DC: Yeah, we’re working on it.

AM: A few minutes ago, you were talking about how your passion extends beyond just shoes as you’re working in architecture, interiors, and cars. Will you have a clothing line, will we ever see a hotel that you do?

DC: Yeah exactly! I’m working on all of those things. I think that the hotel is definitely something that I love. I’m passionate about traveling and experience is something that is very meaningful to me so a hotel is definitely ideating.

AM: Here at Athleisure Mag, we love talking about food, it’s a great love that we’re constantly covering. You have the Canevari’s Ravioli Factory & Delicatessen – tell us more about this.

DC: My dad took over this deli 12-15 years ago and growing up my whole life, my dad was a chef. My mom cooked and my dad, when I was going into my freshman year of high school, they opened a restaurant and I got to see them live out their passions by just opening up a restaurant. At the time, I took it for granted and I didn’t understand it. I thought that it was normal and it was just my normal. Now that they have the deli, I have helped them remodel it, help brand it, and to get the right eyeballs on it to continue to grow it. It’s helped my dad and I to become closer.

“They get a piece of my soul. They get a piece of something that’s my entire life and they get a piece of shoemaking history that dates back all the way to Ancient Egypt! I mean, there’s those hieroglyphics on the wall that I looked at recently and some of the oldest ones have people making shoes!”

— Dominic Ciambrone "The Surgeon"

AM: What do you do in terms of working out as we like to know. So what are 3 workouts that you do that we should consider to add into our routines?

DC: Play soccer! Play soccer! It’s such a good workout. I mean and then, steam room, sauna, and I also meditate which is a workout for the mind to relax and physical therapy. I think a lot of people don’t realize how important physical therapy is. We wait until we’re hurt or we need to recover to get to it. But it’s like, if you can be preventative, then you’ll always be good. Mobility workouts are great. It’s less about weight and going crazy, it’s about the body and being really kind to your body and figuring out how to open it up so that you can have it for the longevity of your life.

AM: Totally agree. I turned 40 a few years ago and prior to that I wasn’t as focused on recovering the body post workout and mobility. When I started adding it in, I wondered why I had never done that because your body needs it and you can feel it over time.

When you’re not working, how do you take time for yourself?

DC: How do I take time for myself? I have a life coach that I work with every week. You know, I would say that playing soccer is time for myself even though it is in the studio. It’s really the only time that I ever shut off unless I’m in a meditation or workout. Hiking, traveling, and then working on myself for my children.

AM: Are there any upcoming projects that you would like to share?

DC: Ha! I’d have to ask my team! I can’t even keep up. We’re moving into the new studio, another 20,000 sq ft. We have a collaboration with Allen Iverson that launches next month. I mean, there are so many, I can’t even keep up anymore.

AM: You have so many projects going on and dropping. When a project comes to your attention, how do you decide if that is something that you want to add to your schedule?

DC: We have built such a great team to help manage this stuff so that we can continue to grow and that for me as a creative, I can continue to explore new things. So, it just depends. There are so many great things that we’re working on and a lot of the things that I’m working on is the stuff for the future.

AM: You’re also an advocate and you speak about the importance of mental health which is something we believe in. Why is it so important to you and what do you feel is the connection between mental health and physical health?

DC: As a kid, I went through a lot of mental health challenges, and I don’t think that I knew of it that way. At 24, I ended up jumping out of a window when I was making shoes for Justin Bieber, and I was diagnosed bipolar and I didn’t really know what that meant. Then when I started doing more self-research and figuring more things out, it’s so important – mental health and physical health are one in the same and you need to do both. When you take care of your physical health, your mental health will be better. It’s just true in the same and so it’s very important to physically take care of yourself for your mental purposes and with mindful workouts which is meditation, positive self-talk, it's mindfulness and so many things. And yeah, there’s so many people with how the world is going where people are pushing you know, different types of medicines. There’s something so much more easier about being able to get up and going for a walk, being in the sun, and taking care of your mind, body, and soul.

AM: I heard you like to rap in the office!

DC: HAHA I like to make people laugh! Growing up, my dad always rhymed, more like Dr. Seuss than a rapper, but I do it for myself and also to help people around to laugh. My kids pick it up to and it’s so funny because if I try to start rhyming and rapping, my daughter’s like, “dad, stop!”

AM: I could see you dropping a mix tape!

DC: I mean, I’m working on music more for exploring it. It’s less about rapping and more about just creating!

IG @ciambrone

@thesurgeon

@srgnstudio

@srgnacademy

@srgnnyc

@canevarisdeli

PHOTO CREDITS | FRONT/BACK COVER, PG 20 + 9DRIP 42-45 Bryam Heredia/SRGN Studios + Grooming/Stefanie Guerra | PG 16-19, 22-41 SRGN Studios |

Read the NOV ISSUE #95 of Athleisure Mag and see THE ARTISAN | Dominic Ciambrone “The Surgeon” in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG SUMMIT® SERIES X BÉIS

The week before we head into the holiday season has quite a bit going on and we’re excited that our Athleisure Mag Summit Series with BÉIS’ SVP, Brand and Creative, Liz Money. We’ve had the pleasure of including their brand in our issues as well as editorials that we have shot.

On Dec 20th, from 3pm - 3:30pm ET, our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Dir of Athleisure Mag, Kimmie Smith will chat with Liz about this brand, their assortment, great gifting options, and what we can expect from them in 2024. You can join us virtually and we’ll also have a giveaway with them. Click here or the invite above so that you can sign up for this event.

9LOOKS | CULT GAIA

Read the NOV ISSUE #95 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LOOKS | Cult Gaia in mag.

9DRIP | DOMINIC CIAMBRONE

Read the NOV ISSUE #95 of Athleisure Mag and see 9DRIP | Dominic Ciambrone in mag.

9LOOKS | DOLCE & GABBANA

Read the AUG ISSUE #92 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LOOKS | Dolce Gabbana in mag.

CHRISTIAN SIRIANO X GREENIES COLLABORATION

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Christian Siriano (@csiriano)

We’re just a few days out from NYFW and that much closer to the fall season! When you’re out and about with your four legged friend, why not make it a true match? Noted designer and host of BRAVO’s Project Runway, Christian Siriano has partnered with Greenies to launch the Houndstoothless Collection. Now we know that Houndstooth is a timeless and iconic fabric, but Houndstoothless is strategically missing “teeth” in the design to represent the canine dental crisis, as 80% of dogs show signs of oral health issues by the age of 3, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Christian is a dedicated pet parent to his three pups, making this Greenies project a natural fit to promote dog dental health via canine couture!

Now through September 6th, anyone in the U.S. over the age of 18 can enter the sweepstakes at greenieshoundstoothless.com to get their paws on the iconic trench coat set. There will be 150 grand prize winners, receiving the limited-edition matching trench coats, and 300 second-tier prize winners receiving GREENIES dental treats for their dog. 

WEEKEND VIBES ONLY EDITORIAL

This month, our editorial takes us to a hotel group that has been our favorites as we have stayed at their properties in Seattle, DC, and Philadelphia. In addition, we have gone to their hotels here to attend a number of functions there from launches, editor events, and more. Kimpton Hotels are always a great place to go to as the vibe always feels so comfortable and has a boutique essence to it. When you stay as a guest, you can enjoy their complimentary wine hours that take place in their lobby, they have yoga mats in their rooms, and they always have great restaurants on their properties as well.

Kimpton Hotel Eventi has always been a lot of fun whether we're attending a preview or meeting up with friends to grab a quick bite which turns into an epic night out! Because we've frequented it so much, for this month's editorial, we thought it would be perfect to take our readers inside one of their suites known as Veranda which has a large L shaped balcony, a living/sitting room, large bedroom, and 2 bathrooms. Whether you're having a weekend in with friends, enjoying it with your significant other, planning a wedding event, or anything of that nature - this is a great suite to make memories!

Our shoot looks at our models enjoying a weekend in by taking in the city and taking a moment for themselves. They're rocking a new line that we excited to share that is created by us known as ATHLEISUREVERSE! With pieces that are soft, various colors, and styles - there is something for everyone! In addition, this shoot includes a number of our favorite accessories that you should pair with your favorite looks as well as some treats that we've been fans of from our issues! Following the credits, you'll also find out more about Kimpton Hotel Eventi and why this should be a place that you stay at when you're visiting NY for vacation, business or as a staycation! Not only do they share more information about the property, but they also gave us insight on how you can get the most out of the neighborhood when you're staying here as well!

WEEKEND VIBES ONLY | CREDITS

LOOK I PG 38 | Emma Young - ATHLEISUREVERSE Zipped White Hoodie, Flowy Black Jersey Muscle T with Rolled Sleeve, White/Black Tipped Shorts | Tim Park - ATHLEISUREVERSE Classic Fleece Hooded Black Sweat Set Jogger | WHOOP 4.0 Health and Fitness Tracker | APPLE Watch |

LOOK II PG 40-49 (additional images in this photoset included here that are not in the JUN ISSUE #90) | Emma Young - ATHLEISUREVERSE Cropped Fleece Hoodie Off-White Sweat Set Short | BEIS The Sport Pack | CARRERA Superchampion | CARMEN SOL Red Aviator Sunglasses | Tim Park - ATHLEISUREVERSE Jersey White Muscle T, Fleece Off-White Jogger | CARRERA 302/S | APPLE Watch | DRINK SIMPLE Raspberry Lemon Sparkling Maple Water | JAMBAR Organic Energy Bars | SOUNDCORE Motion+ | BALA Bala Bangles |

LOOK III PG 53-57 (additional image in this photoset included here that are not in the JUN ISSUE #90) | Emma Young - ATHLEISUREVERSE Jersey Hooded Olive Track Short Set | CARRERA 3006/S | SPRAYGROUND Lasers Blazin' Backpack Sling | Tim Park - ATHLEISUREVERSE Olive Bomber, Fleece Cream Short | CARRERA Superchampion | WHOOP 4.0 Health and Fitness Tracker | APPLE Watch | NIKE Air Jordan 1 Retro |

LOOK IV PG 58-63 (additional images in this photoset included here that are not in the JUN ISSUE #90) | Emma Young - ATHLEISUREVERSE - Classic Fleece Hooded Hot Pink Sweat Set Jogger | CARMEN SOL Racquel Jelly Bucket Hat in Fuschia, Lisa Small Crossbody Bag in Fuschia + Tonino Wedge | CARRERA Flaglab 14 | Tim Park - ATHLEISUREVERSE Classic Fleece Hooded Neon Lime Sweat Set Jogger | CARMEN SOL Racquel Jelly Bucket Hat in White | CARRERA Flaglab 14 | NIKE Air Jordan 1 Retro |

LOOK V PG 64 | Emma Young - ATHLEISUREVERSE Cropped Fleece Hooded Peach Sweat Set Jogger | Tim Park - ATHLEISUREVERSE Classic Fleece Hooded Peach Sweat Set Jogger | DRINK SIMPLE Raspberry Lemon Sparkling Maple Water |

PHOTOGRAPHY | Paul Farkas

STYLIST | Kimmie Smith

MODELS | Tim Park/Prestigious Models + Emma Young

Now that you have seen a number of the features of Kimpton Hotel Eventi's Veranda Suite which is quite spacious! We wanted to know more about the property as well as the neighborhood so that you can plan accordingly for your next visit!

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did Kimpton Hotel Eventi open?

KIMPTON EVENTI HOTEL: Kimpton Hotel Eventi debuted in 2010.

AM: Before we talk about Eventi specifically, we have had the pleasure to stay at several Kimpton hotels as well as to attend events that are held there, including this property. For those that aren't familiar with Kimpton Hotels, can you tell us about what a guest can expect when they are staying at these properties in general?

KHE: The Kimpton brand is known for its unique, design-driven properties with warm, genuine service. Our hotels have exciting restaurants and aim to create moments of connection with guests.

AM: Tell us about the art at Eventi?

KHE: Kimpton Hotel Eventi features a variety of works sourced and installed under the creative direction of Reunion Goods & Services by Art Consultant Kyle DeWoody, Associate Art Consultant Laura DVorkin, and design team We Came in Peace. Extending from the hotel's original design rich in texture and depth with a variety of fine art pieces from renowned artist Barbara Nessim, the new collection introduces a mix of both established, younger artists and emerging artists with visibly promising talents.

Moving beyond the traditional decorative intention, this collection attempts far more conceptual approach by showcasing edgy and thought-provoking works including Kwangho Lee's hanging light installation made entirely out of electrical wire, and a Tony Matelli mirror - which is made to look dusty through a technique using layers of urethane. The dynamic collection also features stunning works by artists including Lorna Simpson, Alex Katz, and Ernesto Leal that flow throughout the lobby and fill spaces within The Vine and L'Amico.

AM: Our editorial shoot took place at the Eventi which is in Chelsea. What can you tell us about the property in general and how it connects to the neighborhood?

KHE: Kimpton Hotel Eventi’s location in the heart of Chelsea – on 6th Avenue between 29th St. and 30th St. – places guests conveniently in the midst from some of the city’s most prominent art galleries, boutiques, nightclubs and restaurants. Being located near Chelsea Market and the High Line allows easy access to popular attractions, and travelers are also within a few blocks of the nearby NoMad and Flatiron neighborhoods and landmarks including Times Square and the Empire State Building.

AM: Tell us about the 3 restaurants, L’Amico, The Vine, and Skirt Steak that are at Eventi which can be enjoyed by those on vacation, staycations or just hanging out in the neighborhood.

KHE: The three on-site restaurants, all helmed by Chef Laurent Tourondel, offer visitors a variety of dining experiences. L’Amico serves Italian-influenced American cuisine inspired by the simplicity of a countryside stroll and a wood-fired meal; The Vine’s welcoming environment complements locally sourced, vegetable-centric French dishes; and Skirt Steak harkens back to old-school steakhouses, serving only grilled skirt steak (or a cauliflower steak), salad and fries, followed by a rolling dessert cart.

AM: We like that regardless of the Kimpton properties that you’re staying at, hotel guests can enjoy complimentary morning coffee and tea to start your day as well as the hosted evening wine hour that’s in the Lobby Living Room. Can you tell us about this and why these have been an amenity for guests?

KHE: We aim to provide opportunities for connection, and this often happens over food and drinks. Beyond giving guests a morning or evening beverage, we’re creating space where visitors can relax, get to know one another and build a sense of community. Our wine hour, a core part of our programming, was started by Bill Kimpton and is practiced at every Kimpton property worldwide.

AM: We enjoyed having our shoot in one of your suites. For guests that are staying at the hotel, what guestrooms and suites are available?

KHE: Our guestrooms range from standard King and Queen/Queen rooms to our specialty suites featuring balconies, Jacuzzi tubs or pool tables. Each room in the hotel offers a spacious respite amid the city, floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the cityscapes, and design emphasizing brightness and clean lines.

AM: What amenities are offered in these rooms?

KHE: All guests receive complimentary morning coffee and tea and a hosted evening wine hour. In addition, there is a yoga mat in every room, mini-bar service, valet laundry service, and access to public bikes to explore the city.

AM: For those looking to maintain their fitness routines, how can they do so at Eventi?

KHE: In addition to our onsite 1,000 square foot 24-hour fitness center that includes Peloton bikes and other workout equipment, we also offer custom designed PUBLIC bikes and yoga mats in every room, free of charge.

AM: For those traveling with their four-legged friends, tell us how this hotel is pet-friendly as well as Wag! Premium.

KHE: Kimpton Hotel Eventi welcomes dogs and provides them with in-room water bowls, pet beds and courtesy bags for walks. We don’t charge a deposit or cleaning fee for bringing in dogs, and have no size or weight restrictions, nor a limit on the number of pets allowed. Our concierge keeps a list of pet-friendly restaurants, parks and groomers as well.

Guests receive complimentary access to Wag! Premium, meaning they receive 10% off of services, no booking fees, and round-the-clock access to licensed veterinary professionals. If a walk is arranged, travelers can leave a key at the front desk to be handed over to the dog walker upon their arrival.

AM: In addition to complimentary Wi-Fi, you keep guests connected with access to Press Reader (which Athleisure Mag is on this platform), are there other digital amenities that you offer?

KHE: Press Reader provides access to a vast library of local, regional and national newspapers and magazines, allowing guests to keep up with the news during their stay. Each guestroom also includes a Crave tablet that guests can use to set wake up calls, request housekeeping items, get information about local attractions, use as a TV control and channel guide and more. All TVs include Chromecast, allowing guests to stream from their personal devices.

AM: Tell us about the Kimpton Library.

KHE: The Kimpton Library allows guests to borrow from a curated collection of books on property, so they can pack light and still enjoy some of the most popular literary titles.

AM: For those that may be getting in a bit of work whether they’re there for business or simply need to do a few things, what is available at your business center?

KHE: We do not have a formal business center, but our team is happy to assist with small printing requests. Our concierge can also guide guests to nearby storefronts and libraries with extensive offerings.

AM: Tell us about the Public Bikes that are available.

KHE: Our PUBLIC bikes are custom-made. Guests are invited to take them on a spin at leisure and can use our Manhattan Waterfront Greenway map as a guide.

AM: NYC is always great to visit regardless of the time of year; however, the summer is always a lot of fun. What packages are you offering for those that are looking to book?

KHE: This month we are bringing the fictional world to life with a new Dream Blades offering. Taking inspiration from retro neon sportswear and summers in Malibu, we are launching a limited-time complimentary roller blade lending program for hotel guests looking for a fun outdoor activity. Hotel guests will be gifted neon retro skating accessories, including candy-colored sun visors, sweatbands and fanny packs, as well as the option to rent rollerblades.

We also have our Celebrate Summer offer, allowing travelers to make the most of their time to the city by enjoying a picnic in the park or taking surf lessons at one of the city’s beaches.

AM: For residents who are looking to enjoy a staycation, why should they book at Eventi?

KHE: So often, New Yorkers forget to be tourists in their own city. Kimpton Hotel Eventi is located in a central spot allowing guests to take in some of the city’s most popular attractions, whether they’re visiting for the first time or the twentieth. Our rooms also offer a peaceful escape above the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, making it a great spot to stay in the city while getting spot to stay in the city while getting out of a mundane routine.

AM: The hotel’s location is in the heart of several neighborhoods that are a must visit!

Although the hotel is great for those that may really want to stay in, there are a number of things to do outside of it!

For the solo traveler: where should they grab a bite for people watching, where should they shop, and what's an attraction/gallery/park they they should visit?

KHE: L’Amico on-property is the perfect place for a solo traveler to sit at the bar and people watch the world around them. We are centrally located, close to the shops in Chelsea, Flatiron District, and Herald Square areas. We are minutes away from Broadway and the theater district - perfect for a solo traveler to take in a show.

AM: Our shoot focuses on our models enjoying a getaway so for those booking their girl’s trips whether a staycation or traveling to the city: where should they go out for brunch, where should they go for a spa session, and where should they go for a bit of nightlife?

KHE: La Pecora Bianca and Oscar Wilde offer great brunches nearby. We are located near Juvenex Spa, a day spa on West 32nd known for their Korean-style Salt Glow Scrub. The Vine has a great wine and cocktail list for guests.

AM: For the business traveler who will be with a group of their colleagues: where should they go for a drink to decompress after a day of sessions, what’s a great spot for sightseeing and to take in the city, and what’s a great place for a group exercise?

KHE: The Vine’s cocktails are expertly curated and perfect to decompress after a long day. We’re in the heart of Manhattan, blocks from the Empire State Building, Chelsea Market, The High Line, Times Square and more. All are great for sightseers. We are located minutes away from a variety of boutique fitness studios from yoga to boxing, and more.

AM: For those that are booking Sales Meetings, conferences, editor events, etc. Why is Eventi a great place to host this?

KHE: Our meeting spaces are spacious and clean, and meeting attendees get all of the perks of our central location: great for those living in the city or anyone visiting for the day or overnight. These spaces are also filled with natural light, fitted with large screens, and our catering offerings are restaurant quality courtesy of Laurent Tourondel. Our caring staff, many of whom have been with the hotel for years, take wonderful care of our meetings guests.

AM: Are there events that Eventi participates in such as Pride, Summer Solstice, or NYC specific initiatives to support the community/neighborhood?

KHE: We just hosted a special Pride wine hour in collaboration with Absolut, benefiting the Trevor Project. The hotel often leans into major events to tie the guest experience into major happenings in the city.

IG @hoteleventi

KIMPTON EVENTI HOTEL VERANDA SUITE

Read the JUN ISSUE #90 of Athleisure Mag and see WEEKEND VIBES ONLY Editorial in mag.

9LIST STORI3S | JASON REMBERT

Read the APR ISSUE #88 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Jason Rembert in mag.

THE 9LIST

Read the APR ISSUE #88 of Athleisure Mag and see THE 9LIST in mag.

CREATING SPACES | ELAINE WELTEROTH

When we hear the name Elaine Welteroth, we think of someone who continues to place herself in spaces where she leaves the door open for others that also want to have a presence in. When she took the position of Editor in Chief at Teen Vogue in 2016, she was the 2nd Black person to have held this position in the 107 years of Condé Nast's history! This journalist, editor, New York Times Bestselling Author of More Than Enough: Claiming Space For Who You Are (No Matter What They Say), BRAVO's Project Runway host continues to inspire others. We connected with her right after the Big Game to find out about hosting CÎROC Stands For Black Excellence which was held at the NFL House, the importance of representation and upcoming projects that she has coming up.

ATHLEISURE MAG: You just came off of a panel for CÎROC Stands For Black Excellence which took place during Super Bowl Weekend at the NFL House. Can you tell me about this event and why you wanted to be part of it?

ELAINE WELTEROTH: The event was amazing! For me, it was an easy yes! Being able to go and spend time with some influential Black women in sports media during Super Bowl Weekend in Phoenix where the sun was always shining – we were surrounded by the local chapter of National Association of Black Journalists. I just felt like I was around my people. I didn’t know any of the people prior to being there, but it felt like a homecoming in a sense because we have all walked similar paths professionally and we all in some way, shape or form understand what it means to be what I say in my book, first, only and different. So FOD which is a Shonda Rhimes term from her book, but I really felt this kinship and I think everyone did. It was really necessary because we’re all doing this work and in different spaces as journalists and it can be isolating to be the only one that looks like you and navigating those worlds. I think that it was very nourishing and energizing for everyone that was there. I have to give a lot of credit to the panelists because they brought it! I can bring my juicy and hard-hitting questions, but if I’m not met with openness, vulnerability, and transparency, it can just be a run of the mill event. This was anything but, I went really deep and there were tears. I joked that people came for the Super Bowl, but they got Super Soul conversations instead. It was like testimony time, it was incredible.

AM: You were also able to highlight the next generation of Black sports journalists, what was your biggest takeaway from the event as a whole?

EW: My biggest takeaway is that we all share so much in common no matter where we’re working or what side of the business we are in. There are some commonalities to our struggles and our triumphs. I think that the major takeaways were how important community is along the journey and I think that we definitely cultivated a deeper sense of community with at least 1 other person. My charge to them before they left, because the last question that came up from somebody in the audience which by the way I have to say, ain’t no Q+A session like a Q+A session with NABJ folks in the audience because every single question that came up was hard-hitting, thought provoking, complex or even beautifully simplistic! The last question was that – how is your heart? It left us in this really kind of reflective and heart filled space. My charge to everybody was to find somebody at that event that they did not know walking in and ask them, how is their heart?

We’re trained to ask the right questions and to be really buttoned up and to be focused on being very professional, but I think that when we’re with each other and in a safe space, we need to gear shift and learn how to ask the questions that open up our humanity and allow us the safe space to be just human and to show ourselves the softer side of each other. We need to cultivate that sense of community. That felt really good and I would say that that was a standout moment from the event.

AM: It’s great that this took place obviously during Black History Month, how can we continue to support and celebrate these objectives not only this month, but year around?

EW: Absolutely! Well one of the things that I loved about partnering with CÎROC is that they have made a financial commitment to NABJ to help fund the important work throughout the year. I know that NABJ is such a worthwhile organization that we rely on their work in terms of scholarship, mentorship, career advancement opportunities to keep the pipeline alive for the next generation of Black journalists. I just really love that CÎROC is taking a stand and making sure that they are supporting an organization like NABJ which is keeping Black journalists in the jobs. NABJ really does place young or emerging journalists in jobs. So we need them to stay funded, to stay supported and for me that was the most important connection. It’s not that Cîroc was just doing that one off event, they’re putting their support where their mouths are by really investing in NABJ in this way.

AM: What’s your go-to CÎROC cocktail?

EW: Ok so, I’m a terrible bartender, I don’t know how to make a cocktail myself, full transparency. I know how to do a lot of other things ok?

AM: You do all the things! But there is that one.

EW: Exactly! I wear a lot of hats, I do a lot of jobs – bartending ain’t one! But I will say that I do love a minty, cucumbery, light refreshing drink.

AM: Oh, the CÎROC Thyme Spritz.

EW: Yes, they had them at the event and it was so refreshing! It was perfect for a sweltering day in Phoenix right before the Super Bowl. I think most of us, but I definitely descended from a much colder climate so I was still thawing out and needed some refreshment! It was bomb and you should get the recipe because it was great.

AM: I have been a fan of yours of years. I remember when you became the Editor in Chief of Teen Vogue, my mouth literally dropped open and all the barriers that you have broken as a co-host on BRAVOS’s Project Runway, your best selling book and all of these accomplishments. What does it mean to you to not only be able to break barriers, but to unapologetically be you in these different spaces that we’re still making our presence known in those places?

EW: Well thank you first of all, I appreciate that so much. I think that it means nothing to break a barrier if you’re not doing so as your authentic self. I think that that’s what keeps the door open for the next Black woman to come through those doors as herself. We are not a monolith and I think that while we do represent for our community, we also represent the individuality of our community. I think that it’s important that we understand. You can feel the pressure as someone who is the first to blaze a certain trail. You might feel the pressure to be a certain way and to fit a mold or to break it in some kind of radical way. It’s important for you to be able to figure out how to be authentically you and how to tell the stories, those stories, if you’re journalist in only the way that you can tell. I think that by doing that, you are giving the permission to others to do the same.

AM: You are always so busy doing a number of projects. I know that you have an advice column with The Washington Post. What are things that we should keep an eye out for that you’re doing? I know that every time I see you taking on something that it will be amazing.

EW: That’s so nice! I am shooting a new show that I can’t fully talk about yet, but that’s why I’m in NY this month. But it’s going to be really good in terms of the conversations that it’s bringing to the table proverbial and literally. I’ll leave it at that, but I am excited about that. I feel that everything that I do, it may seem like I am doing a lot of things, but to me it is the same mission and the same spirit that I bring to everything. I always say that purpose can be multiplatform. You can find a way to work in your purpose across many mediums, especially as a journalist and storyteller in this era. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be able to explore different mediums and going deeper into television. Also, finding a way to use my skill set as a journalist to raise awareness to issues that matter to our community and to me a lot as well personally.

Recently, I have been getting very involved with raising awareness and working towards hopefully, reform around the Black Maternal Mortality Crisis and trying to recontextualize that conversation because it can be so heavy. It’s just hearing that term, Black Maternal Mortality Crisis sometimes people just turn off. There’s so much going on in the world and there’s so much trauma, I can’t handle one more thing. But I think that if we reframe the conversation around celebrating the joy around childbirth and reminding us that we deserve to have joyful, safe births, then it opens up the conversation to how we go about achieving that! What are the different options that we have that we didn’t even know about? I want to come at it with this kind of fix it spirit; with this optimistic lens that’s very much so solution oriented and it’s really about showcasing these choices that we have along this birth journey that we really don’t know about and sometimes when it’s too late. So before we become another sad statistic, how do we get the right information to the right people and especially to Black women who are disproportionally affected by this crisis in this country. So that's my passion project in the non-profit space. I think that because it’s Black History Month, it’s worth mentioning!

You can support NABJ as well as Black owned business in a number of ways!

• To stay informed on all NABJ related news you can register for their newsletter here.

• Making a habit of supporting Black owned businesses all the time.

• Share information online/engage in conversation surrounding pro-black efforts.

• Finding your local NABJ chapter online to become a mentor, get involved and more.

• Making a donation to NABJ through their website to help further their mission.

• Registering for the NABJ newsletter to stay informed on all NABJ related news and future events.

CÎROC THYME SPRITZ

INGREDIENTS

1.2 oz CÎROC Vodka

1 oz Fresh Lime Juice

.5 oz Thyme Syrup

1 oz Fresh-Pressed Cucumber Juice

GLASSWARE

Footed Spritz Glass

GARNISH

Cucumber Ribbon and Thyme Sprig

PREPARATION

Add CÎROC Vodka, fresh lime juice, thyme syrup, and fresh-pressed cucumber juice into a shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Serve in a footed spritz glass. Garnish with cucumber ribbon and thyme sprig.

IG @elainewelteroth

PHOTGRAPHY CREDITS | Bre Johnson

Read the FEB ISSUE #86 of Athleisure Mag and see CREATING SPACES | Elaine Welteroth in mag.

ROCK THIS WHEN YOU'RE POPPING OUT FOR A MOMENT

Read the FEB ISSUE #86 of Athleisure Mag and see ROCK THIS WHEN YOU’RE POPPING OUT FOR A MOMENT in mag.

9LOOKS | BURBERRY

Read the FEB ISSUE #86 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LOOKS | Burberry in mag.