Read the NOV ISSUE #119 of Athleisure Mag and see ROCK THIS WHEN HEADING OUT FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING in mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | Chloe Wine Collection
And just like that, we’re in the Holiday Season. We are days away from a New Year and yet the final month is filled with weeks of activities that can definitely make our calendar look like complete chaos! We know that we have a number of events, deadlines to meet, gifting to do, meals and more! With all that is going on, we want to look amazing wherever we’re going. Chloe Wine Collection and Drybar have launched their Holiday Bow Bar at participating salons that allows you to mix beauty, gifting, and your favorite Drybar studio across the country.
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Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
This month we caught up with Overtime Sportsbroadcaster, Influencer, and Content Creator Megan Eugenio! For the past few years, Overtime Megan has brought her passion for sports as a fan of NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB to the digital platform. We wanted to know more about how she got into the industry and how she turned her love for an array of games as a fan to talking with our favorite athletes and giving her insights on the games. We also talked about stories that she is focused on this season, upcoming projects, and being a fan of Tate Mcrae.
In addition to talking with her about this and more, we also did an inbook editorial photoshoot with her at Magaritaville Resort Times Square showcasing 5 looks that you can incorporate into your Fall style wherever your travels take you!
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you first fall in love with sports?
MEGAN EUGENIO: I first fell in love with sports when I was 12 years old. This is a funny story. I had a crush on a boy and he loves Dwyane Wade and at the time, he was on the winning Miami Heat team - the big 3 with LeBron James and Chris Bosh. I decided at the ripe age, I think I was in like 5th or 6th grade, I was like, “I’m going to also become a Dwyane Wade fan. I’m gonna watch the NBA.” Then from there just by doing that and making that decision, because my family was not a big sports family, and I grew up in Boston as well, which is a big sports city. I both had the boss is pretty big, big sports.
AM: Boston is a pretty big sports town – you know they don’t play about their sports!
ME: From there, I just realized that this is pretty cool. I love the culture. I love the atmosphere. I love, just like the glitz and glamor of the NBA specifically as well. I didn’t know that I wanted to work in it. Around the age of 18, when I moved to NYC, I realized the sport scene here was so immersive and so welcoming, because at the time, the NYC teams were not doing too good. You know, the Knicks were definitely at their downfall. But it made me realize that I wanted to be a part of something. So I fell in love with the idea of being part of something.
When it comes to me, I was and am terrible at sports! I was not good!
AM: You’re like, “I am a fan – period!”
ME: Period!
I did not make the 5th grade basketball team. I was at the bottom of the batting list on my softball team. But I did cheer, and I did pageants. I love being girly, but I love being girly in this space, so I first fell in love with realizing like this is something I could be a part of. I can join it in this way. Here’s a family. Here’s a group of people, and we all have the same interest. I think that’s also true when you’re younger, you’re kind of finding things like that. It’s like finding a club or a hobby –
AM: Right!
ME: So, for me, joining and being part of these Sports fandoms was something of that nature.
AM: And what’s your first memory of being at a professional game?
ME: It’s funny, so growing up in Boston, it’s a big sports city, I was never a Boston fan because I never went to games! So when I moved to NYC, that’s when I got my first taste of it, and this is before I was even working at Overtime because I only had a month and a half of not working at Overtime into my freshman year. In that month and a half, I had very little money, but I used that money to take myself to a pre-season game at Madison Square Garden - Knicks versus Nets. I remember sitting by myself and posting an Instagram photo - my feet were up on the seat because it was preseason, it was empty and I wrote, “I could get used to this!”
AM: Oh wow!
ME: I thought it was just so casual. I was like, you know what I’m by myself, I’m gonna enjoy this.
AM: Yeah!
ME: My first NBA game ever, I went by myself pre-season, and that was my first memory of like seeing all the guys on the court and I knew I needed to do something with this. I didn’t know what I was going to do because I didn’t have it in my mind like that. I didn’t see influencing as a thing in 2018, I would say it was more YouTubers, and I had a more normal Instagram, so I didn’t know that I was going to work in it, but all I knew was that I felt some sort of connection. Maybe it was the Invisible String Theory (Editor’s Note: This theory is a metaphorical concept suggesting that people destined to meet are connected by an unseen bond, a belief rooted in fate, spirituality, and folklore. It is not a scientific theory and proposes that the universe will eventually bring these connected individuals together, regardless of distance or time)?
AM: Interesting.
ME: Even though I was not an athletic girl myself, I’m like, there’s something here as I’m eating my pretzel with mustard and I can feel it!
AM: So, how did you get that start? Admittedly not being an athlete yourself and being a fan and knowing that there was an interest and something that – how did it synergize?
ME: It started to synergize when I met someone that worked for Overtime. He was also one of their interns I believe that was around my age, and we started striking up a conversation just through social media. I was going through Instagram and I was trying to find a bunch of friends in the city. My idea of making friends within school and in the city was just like cast the widest net you can and whoever reels in.
AM: Sure.
ME: So we struck up a conversation about sports, and I asked him, “would you be able to get me a job? I’ll do anything. I’ll make copies. I’ll take out the trash. I will literally do whatever you want. I will literally just like print papers all day long.” He was young and was like, “let me ask my manager.” I had no experience whatsoever. He sent me his manager’s phone number. I gave her a call. She called me back about a week later, and she’s like, “you should come on in for an interview. Overtime at the time, had I think 880,000 followers if I remember correctly. I only had 2,000 followers. I grew up and I knew about Overtime, in high school because they became a thing around 2016/17 so I knew of Overtime, but I didn’t know what this was going to entail.
I went in for an interview, and these 2 guys who were also, you know, early 20s, it’s a very Gen Z company, 45 employees at the time running the whole operation. They let me know that they could use a little extra hand around here. And little did I know that extra hand would turn into a year later of what now influencing is for me – what content creation is for me. It really started to synergize for me by just asking! Closed mouths, don’t get fed.
AM: Facts!
ME: That’s been a huge motto of my career because you never know who’s going to say yes. This was pretty early in 2018, I had my 19th birthday in the office. It was pretty awesome, but realizing what Overtime had given me once they said yes It was pretty awesome, but realizing what Overtime had given me once they said yes - that was when my love for the sport and this opportunity actually arose where it synergized. So thank you Overtime! They were my foundation, they were my first step, and they still are!
AM: It’s amazing that you’ve been able to merge sports and your digital presence together which is phenomenal and to do it in such an organic way, that’s just what it is!
ME: Yes, and I had to learn as I went too because I didn’t know I wanted to be an influencer. I didn’t even know that was a word at the time. I didn’t know what a content creator was at the time. I fell into it, and this was a year into my job as I started in October 2018. I got introduced to TikTok through Overtime, which is a funny story in August of 2019.
AM: But still, the early days! I’m sure at the time you were like, “but is this even worth it, is this gonna be the next wave?”. And then, it’s like, yeah.
ME: Well, that was the whole thing. My CEO Dan Porter and then our Head of Social Thomas Weingarten, Tommy sat me down. They told me that there was a new app and that it was taking over. Now obviously growing up, like there had been millions – well maybe not millions.
AM: True but there were so many apps that everyone was on and then they weren’t like Vine.
ME: Oh yeah multiple apps – Kick, Keek, so many and a lot of them had not lasted the test of time.
AM: Exactly.
ME: I’m like, “what do you mean?” Like, there’s our big 4 - there’s Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram. Those are the big 4, that’s all you get, and those are the big apps that we’re going to get. They’re like, no, this is a thing - it’s going to be huge. You better get on it, and I was like, that’s for children. And they’re like, just do it. So I go on. They send me 2 TikToks. I think one of them was, like, the Obsessed Dance by Mariah Carey.
AM: Right.
ME: I was, like, dancing not my thing.
AM: You’re like, no.
ME: Yeah, but I’m like, I’m not gonna do that. I’m just gonna put text bubbles on the screen and point to them of my favorite NBA players to see if there’s a community there that’s gonna like that. I think, because I got on in 2019, the pre-COVID boom, I got lucky kind of solidifying my foot as a content creator, as a girl who likes sports in the space in August 2019. Within my first month, I think I got 150,000, which was crazy to say!
Then I realized that people were watching me
AM: You didn’t have to dance.
ME: You know, I can’t dance. But I can tell you that I really like the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks for some odd reason, and I was very much a casual sports fan, but I think also like, at the time, my audience was either my age or a little younger. It was just something you know, it’s like, who’s this, girl, and she’s so young, and she’s working for the sports company that we watch online – how did she get this job, and so I think that’s how it started it as well.
AM: As a sports broadcaster at Overtime, tell me about the network and the sports that you cover. You seem to cover a number of them.
ME: Yeah, so we we’re primarily a Gen Z Sports digital platform. We primarily cover basketball, and that was, I would say the first five years of the company was primarily basketball. Soon, we expanded to football, and now we have a Boxing League. Now we have our own Football League. We have our own Basketball League itself, so it really started with the NBA, and then I would say post COVID really transitioned into a lot of NFL. I do hockey on the side myself because we don’t really have a hockey section at Overtime.
The network is now just so fast it can go to, you know, tennis, the US Open is quite large. It can go to golf - The Masters. It can go to quite literally anything you can think of. Or, I would say, you know, the non-athletic sector like sports trading cards.
The network is so vast, a lot of it is a healthy mix of what Overtime does which is their leagues and their coverage and then what I do on the side, which is like hockey, trading cards and all that grand stuff. It’s been very diverse, which is fun, but I, I do have to say basketball was my first love and it still is obviously one of the biggest sports, and we still have so many amazing players in the league, but you know, it is fun combining different audiences.
AM: Oh yeah.
ME: The NFL and also doing the NHL, like me personally, different sports myself that aren’t really conventional, like skiing and snowboarding and opening up to those audiences, which has been a lot of fun, kind of unlocking, especially even like Olympic sports. I’ve been loving that!
AM: What’s an average week like for you? Whether it’s you being a commentator or doing a live event, hosting or content creating - what’s going on in Megan’s week?
ME: It’s so funny, because I think I used to do so much travel to the point where I couldn’t even buy groceries that I was never home, and that was when I was younger. I was hitting up every single event and it was really fun. I would say 21/22, we were all over the place, and now lately it’s been a lot of NY based things I’m right in the city where there’s a lot of great opportunities here. A week in the life looks pretty much like finding all the events that are going on in the city that are sports related.
So, we have home openers, which around this time, we have NFL games, we had MLB playoffs for the Yankees and in the Summer we had Mets games. So it’s a healthy mix of attending events and activations, which can be put on by companies or by athletes. There are lots of collaborations, which those are great for content because they are very laid back sorts of settings for getting content and interviews. It’s also very accessible! You can take the subway downtown and hit 3 events - very simple. If we’re traveling, we’re going to a game, we’re going to Super Bowls, we’re going to the Olympics, we’re going to home openers, We’re going to practices of other teams – that is something that is more the atypical weeks.
AM: Right.
ME: A lot of time when we’re here, we go in the studio, and we film at Overtime. I hit up a lot of games, and I make content there. I go to some practices sometimes. So, it’s just a lot of reaching out and seeing what we have in the city, which is quite a lot of events that we have going on. Even in my daily life doing what I do, even going to like a Tate McRae concert - there’s a New York Rangers legend goalie there, and even just taking a photo of him and posting it all these things all kind of circle into the orbit of sports content.
Whether it’s personal or not personal, whether it’s paid or unpaid. So it’s just a lot of fun events, a lot of sports games, and a lot of showing my daily life as well is part of my content.
AM: Absolutely!
ME: I’m very blessed that everything I do and everything I enjoy. It doesn’t even feel like work I should say.
AM: Why is it important to you to have your hands in all these areas as the commentator, the event host, and the content creator? It’s always great to have such a diverse portfolio. But what does it mean to you?
ME: So everything that I do has a special place in my heart. So, as a content creator, I’ve always been someone that doesn’t believe in, like fitting in the one hat. So you have to have multiple hats, multiple positions. You have to have your hands dipped in many places because having all those under your belt - it just shows that you’re a multifaceted person. I think a lot of times when I was viewing people online as well, I always felt like there’s one thing, and that’s their thing.
AM: True.
ME: I don’t love that idea! I love discovering new things about different people, like it’s so cool to see. Like, oh my God, she snowboards – never knew that. For me, it’s so amazing, to showcase those different parts of yourself and show that you’re human. We are human and behind the screen, there’s so much more to discover.
I’m someone that likes to throw it all out there. I don’t believe in putting yourself in a box and only having 3 things for people to remember about you. I’m like, no, here’s all of it. Put it on the platter, and I’m not going to knock one of these things off the plate. They’re all on the plate. This is for you guys to digest because there’s an audience for everything, and there’s so many untapped presences and content opportunities in different areas that if you actually think of it - like skiing and snowboarding in winter sports. I’ve been doing that my whole life and I didn’t think about posting it for my content until last season. I was like, I can’t believe I never shared this part of myself. It’s a very popular sport, and also I feel like there’s this notion that everyone hates the cold and hates Winter, and I’m like, well, that’s because you gotta try. You gotta find your place! This Summer I started sailing, and that’s a whole untapped area! There’s the Grand Prix and there’s a whole sports area of that. Even DJ Khaled was hosting that. So there are different areas that people aren’t used to seeing outside of the big 4 main sports in America that I like to showcase because I’m equally as interested in them.
Someone, also seeing another Creator doing that. They’ll be like, wait, I like this. They like this. This is cool, it’s becoming mainstream - same with golf - same with pickleball. There’s always people that want representation of those sports.
AM: A 100%!
You touched on this before as we have been talking about the big 4 throughout this interview. This time of year is just crazy because we do have the World Series, so MLB is ending. But then, we’re in the midpoint of the NFL and literally today as we have been talking, preseason of the NBA started! Of course, you have, the NHL which also just started. So, are there any stories and teams that you have your eye on that we should be thinking about as we start navigating this awesome schedule?
ME: Yes,, for sure!
Obviously, I’m a big Knicks girly! We just hired a new Head Coach, Mike Brown so I’m really excited to see what he’s been doing. I haven’t been to any pre-season games yet, but their Home Opener Is tomorrow, Oct 22nd against the Cleveland Cavaliers and then the next night, is against the Boston Celtics. So those are two, I would say really high stakes games. They both have really great players on opposing teams. So, it’s going to be really good to see how the Knicks hold themselves up against those teams with a new coach. The Knicks have gotten better since I’ve started being a fan, so I really do think that the Knicks have an even better opportunity than last year to be in the playoffs. But, new coach. We’ll see how it goes, but I think he’s got the charisma and the stamina to really last throughout the season with this team, with all of the pressure.
Hockey. My tried and true! I love hockey so much! I love Winter. I’m a Winter girl. I love the ice! I love the snow! There’s a huge Canadian aspect of it. I just love hockey, so I’m excited to hit a few games. I think I’m going to a game in November with one of my friends. I have that planned, but it’s so funny, because a lot of the times that I go to Madison Square Garden for Knicks or Rangers or whatever, maybe concerts. I always kind of find out last minute. So, I really don’t plan out what games I’m gonna go to.
Speaking of Canada, the Toronto Blue Jays are in the World Series for the first time in a long time! I’m super excited! I love Canada. Toronto is one of my favorite cities to visit, and so that’s going to be amazing as well.
My Jets are not doing their best. They have some improvements to be made, and I still love them, and I’ll still be rooting them on because the day that they win the Super Bowl. I can say I was there from the beginning. I’m still excited to see what they do and then see if they can turn it around a little bit!
AM: I love it.
You know, we’re always excited about hearing about people’s fitness routines, because we’re always like, what should we be putting into ours? So when you’re not doing all the things that you’re doing, how do you stay in shape?
ME: Oh my goodness! Every single day - the gym - every single day. I live two blocks from my gym, so I don’t give myself an excuse!
AM: Nice.
ME: In the morning, I wake up and I have to fit in at least an hour of workout in a day, and I really believe in the cardio aspect. I love the cardiovascular health, part of it. I’m a little bit into my weights and I try to get some strength in there. But I just believe getting your heart rate up every single day, it’s so good for your blood flow. It’s so good for anti-aging, it’s good for your endorphins. There’s so many things to it that are beneficial, and I think a lot of people in America live a very sedentary lifestyle and can’t find the time. So I’m like, even if I can only find 30 minutes – I have to do it. I think it’s very important just for you to destress. And I mean, if you really want to, you can even get work done on your treadmill.
But it’s so important! I don’t care what hour of the day I workout - I’m not super strict on that. I typically try to go in the morning. I get a smoothie after or I make one at home. Maybe I’ll go at night. I wish my gym was 24 hours, because then I’d probably go at 1am.
AM: Yes! Nobody’s here!
ME: You’ve gotta fit it in somewhere! I have a vice and I like to indulge in fast food sometimes. So it’s about discipline. If I am going to eat whatever I want on cheat days, you better be working out! I allow myself, I would say 1 or 2 cheat days. And those are typically on the weekends for obvious reasons.
It’s nice to have a rest and you know, walking around NYC itself is, you know, it’s a very active city.
AM: Oh yeah.
ME: Up the subway stairs, down the subway stairs. You’re walking to all your errands because you’re not driving to any of it. So on average, it’s very easy to get 20,000 steps a day here or more. I think I’ve hit like 45,000 one day, which is absurd.
AM: Totally, on some of those days where there are a lot of previews, stacked events, meetings etc, you will hit those large numbers. A normal day could be 18,000 easily but when it goes to 35,000 or more – that’s when I know I was really doing a lot!
ME: I know right? It’s crazy! So many people are like 10K and I’m like, live in NYC and you’ll see! Especially if you have the time to walk!
Oh my goodness, it’s crazy. I used to live at the bottom of the island in Battery Park. I’m on the UES now, and my sister also lives near me. If I had the whole day on a Sunday, I’d walk to her and that was part of my workout. Getting your steps in - you really can’t do any wrong there, but it is definitely important to fit in. You also need to focus on you cardiovascular health, a sauna here and there, a cold plunge.
AM: Oh yeah.
ME: All those things –
AM: I’m obsessed with Red Light Therapy.
ME: Yes! Infrared Sauna! Love it! Very important. I love a good sauna. I’m not too much of a stream room fan, but I’m a sauna girly for life, but it’s, it’s just, you know, there’s so many things you can do your body that are bad for it. That’s why you have to use discipline, and you have to, you have to put in the time for those good things in order to enjoy life fully.
AM: What does it mean for you to be a woman in sports? You have an Emmy, you use your platform to share your passion for sports but to also share other aspects as well. You talk about fashion, fitness, beauty and lifestyle. What does all of that mean to you?
ME: What it means to me is showcasing myself through a platform where people can feel is relatable and accessible. I never wanted to feel that I was someone that you couldn’t reach that you couldn’t feel like you’re approaching. When I started all this, like I said, I feel like I just got lucky. And once I realized that I took it by the reigns? This is what you’re going to do, and this is the first thing you are now, but I never lost the sense of just being grateful to be here for all these different opportunities, and I think just by, you know, showing all these parts of myself that are true to me that were here before social media. It definitely encompasses all of it. I’m a casual sports fan. I’m just a girl in New York City. Yep, there’s so many aspects to it that make it enjoyable because you are just presenting yourself in your truest form. It takes a lot of learning for sure. When you get started out with all of that, but what it means to me is, you know, you’re filming moments of yourself that you want to share with people. Whether it be good, bad, real, raw, authentic, or branded.
AM: Right.
ME: As long as you’re doing that and you’re having a good time, I think that’s all that matters. You’re connecting with people from all over the world that you never would have connected with and it means sharing experiences.
It means meeting people on the street that I never thought I would meet. It means all of these doors opening that I never thought I would have had, and I do it internally for like the little Megan inside of me, but outwardly for everyone else. I don’t know if I can put it into words, but it means having this big family out there in the world and having 600,000 followers, but, that’s 600,000 friends that can approach you and that you could have a connection with. I think as someone who grew up who was a little more dorky, who wasn’t into sports, who wasn’t the popular girl - I think that’s really cool. I think it’s even cooler that people feel like they know me through the different areas that I touch and post about.
AM: What advice do you have for women that are looking to enter the field? Yes, sports, but also stepping into the social/digital platform like anything that they should know before embarking on it?
ME: Something that people should know, especially women is that we all know that the easy answer is, you’re going to get critiqued.
AM: Right.
ME: I think, critique when, when delivered healthily, when you know, not in a bullying manner, I think, is a really nice thing for people to actually give their opinion and see how people are receiving what you’re putting out there. I believe in staying true to yourself, but there’s gonna be people who are a little more on the hater side, a little more on the trolling side, and you have to remember anybody that is coming at you for what you’re doing - you’re doing something right. If they’re coming at you in a negative tone, they’re behind their keyboard. They want to be in your position.
AM: Oh yeah.
ME: You know, there are a lot of people out there that don’t want to see women winning, especially in the sports field. They don’t want to see women here. They don’t want to see a woman next to their favorite athlete or even interviewing them. There’s a sense of like, “I must tear this down”. There’s a big problem with that, and it’s something that I have personally experienced on the daily, but all I’m going to say is, you be strong. You go out there, you don’t dim your light.
AM: That’s right.
ME: You don’t try to outshine others. You just try to outshine the person you were yesterday.
AM: Yes.
ME: I think there’s so much strength in appreciating the men around you, appreciating the other women around you. You don’t have to always be this person that comes in and tears everything.
AM: Exactly.
ME: All you have to do is bring yourself, bring it strong, say what you gotta say! I’m a big advocate for women being outspoken in all senses because I definitely am and I’m like, just say what you gotta say, You’re not going to dim your light. Do not put on a hat. Don’t try to be a façade – come in and be unapologetically you. They will love you for it, and you don’t have to fit into these molds, especially in sports. People think you have to fit in and that being a reporter, everyone thinks you have to be buttoned up - no. I know Gen Z slang in my interviews sometimes. You have to do whatever you think is natural to you and not what the world wants of you.
AM: Well, Halloween is around the corner. I know you are a super Tate McRae fan and that you have been her for Halloween. Are you going to be her for Halloween again this year?
ME: I am! I love Tate McRae! I have been her the last 2 years. My costume is actually out on my kitchen table. There’s glue everywhere. It’s all stuck on the table and I have to figure out how to get it off, but I’m doing her white outfit. It’s like a white jersey, a corset and some shorts and some black boots, and it’s all bedazzled. Hers, says T. And an 8 for Tate and mine says OT so I’m excited for that. It’s proving to be quite difficult, and I have a whole new found appreciation for costume designers.
AM: Oh yeah.
ME: In the music industry world, because my goodness, those rhinestones hand placed, every single last one of them!
AM: Yes, it takes hours!
ME: It’s taken me - I think I should have set a timer. I think if I had to guess I spent so far around six hours, and I’ve I’m not even close.
AM: Yeah, you probably have like another eight to go.
ME: Yes! And she noticed me the first year that I was here which was pretty funny!
AM: You have so many things going on. Are there any projects coming up that we should keep an eye out for? Should we just be watching your Instagram to see when you’re popping up next?
ME: We do have something coming out that I am very excited for! I’m having my commercial debut for the NFL which I believe is coming out Week 10. It will be in the NFL shop and I am repping my NY Jets in it. We also filmed a Europe commercial, which I believe is already out. We can’t see because we’re in the United States, but the next one is coming out Week 10, and that’s really cool. I’ve always wanted to be on TV and getting to see myself like in the middle of a game is going to be really cool.
AM: That’s amazing.
ME: Yeah, I’m really excited for that. I’m getting into the sports trading card space and there’s some conversations around possibly doing some things like that within the within the creation of it. You know, it’s called Live Breaks when you open the card packs and so there’s a huge audience there that I’ve been tapping into. So, maybe we’re going to start something there with that, and then, of course, the Winter Olympics, which are in February. We are going to those in Cortina, Italy, which I’m really excited to create content there.
AM: That’s awesome!
ME: So I’m hoping to win our 2nd Emmy.
AM: What did you feel like when you won an Emmy as that’s major!
ME: I didn’t even know at first! Last year, we went to the Olympics. It was a collaboration of the first of its kind. NBC and Peacock were integrating digital content creators and digital platforms and the content that we created for them had such a different outreach, because I feel like a lot of Gen Z people aren’t really watching the Olympics as much as in years past. To be an Olympian, you know, that’s a future accomplishment. So, for them to realize, we’re going to start using the digital Market and start tapping into it there, it was amazing, and it was the best opportunity. We got to go to Paris, and we did a lot of man on the street interviews with fans, and just kind of showed what the energy is in a city hosting the Olympics, and I found out when I was on the StairMaster when I was in LA. I was in LA and I found out I got the email and it was like you’re an Emmy winner and I was like – what and I ordered my trophy right away! I literally brought that trophy with me everywhere that Summer!
AM: I mean, as you do.
ME: I love her. It’s the coolest thing I put it out. It’s in my living room. It’s on my table when you first walk on.
AM: I would do the same thing! I’d have my tea by it and might high five it every now and again when I leave!
ME: Absolutely, absolutely. I think I wax that thing down with Windex 24/7 in the case. I love checking on her!
We enjoyed our shoot which showcased Fall looks that you can incorporate into your style whether you’re in NYC or traveling to other destinations. Megan wore looks in Fitness, WFH, Lounge, Out + About, Swim, as well as for a Night Out.
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME | TEAM CREDITS
PHOTOGRAPHER Paul Farkas | FASHION STYLIST Kimmie Smith | MUA Felicia Graham | HAIR STYLIST Lea DeLoy |
IG @pvfarkas
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME | STYLE CREDITS
FITNESS LOOK | TRACKSMITH Run Cannon Ball Run Sport Bra + Run Surf Run Shorts | KIMMIE VINCENT Moira Necklace, Sienna Necklace, Ashlynn Bracelet + Drea Bracelet | LAGOS Silver Link Bracelet | WHOOP One | NIKE Vomero 18 |
WFH/OUT + ABOUT LOOK | THE NORTH FACE Valley Flannel Shirt | KIRA GRACE Sleeveless Turtleneck | MAVI Audrey | WHOOP One | PARKER THATCH Charlie Suede | ECHO Scarf |
LOUNGE LOOK | HANRO Tank | NIKE SPORTWEAR COLLECTION Mid-Rise Pleated Track Pants | SEQUIN Super Gem Evil Eye Convertible Talisman Necklace | SPLITS59 Loren Seamless Bra | WHOOP One |
SWIM LOOK | CIA MARITIMA Bikini | CAMILLA Oversized Hooded Kaftan | WHOOP One |
NIGHT OUT LOOK | DORIN NEGRAU Beaded Corset | MAVI Audrey | NAGICIA Necklace, Bangle Bracelet, Dragon Bracelet + Ring |
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME | PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS
SONY 7R IV, FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Full Frame Standard Zoom G Master Lens, FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS Full Frame Telephoto Zoom G Master Lens with Optical Steadyshot + FE 50mm F1.2 GM Full Frame Standard Prime G Master Lens
Our inbook editorial with Megan took place at Margaritaville Resort Times Square which is known for their beachy vibes, an array of restaurants and bars, as well as a heated rooftop pool that is year around! We wanted to know more about this property, neighborhood, NYE, and more. Director of Marketing Blaine McCurry shares this and more with us.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we delve into this particular property, can you give our readers a bit of backstory on the Margaritaville brand as many may know it from the song, drinks, blender etc. They may not be as familiar of it from the hospitality end.
BLAINE MCCURRY: Margaritaville, a state of mind since 1977, is a global lifestyle brand inspired by Jimmy Buffett, whose songs evoke a passion for tropical escape and relaxation. Margaritaville’s portfolio includes over 40 lodging locations and over 20 additional projects in the pipeline positioned across a variety of full-service and boutique hotel and resort brands, branded real estate, and gaming properties, all complemented by an extensive suite of food and beverage concepts, including Margaritaville Restaurant, award-winning JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, and LandShark Bar & Grill.
AM: What would you say is the ethos of the Margaritaville hotels that guests can expect regardless of the location that they are at?
BM: Margaritaville Resort Times Square brings a vibrant energy and relaxed sophistication to the iconic Times Square. Inspired by the carefree spirit of Margaritaville, the resort reimagines the tropical lifestyle to match Manhattan. Guests are welcomed by thoughtfully designed spaces that blend laid-back luxury with bold city style, from lively dining venues and a year-round outdoor heated pool to elegant guest rooms with skyline views. The escapist charm of Margaritaville and electric rhythm of Times Square allow the resort to offer an oasis where island time meets urban adventure.
AM: Looking at Margaritaville Resort Times Square, when did it open and what sets this particular property apart from the other ones that guests may have gone too?
BM: Opened in 2021, Margaritaville Resort Times Square brought a special element to Midtown Manhattan with its island-inspired design and relaxed luxury. The 32-story resort features 234 guest rooms, an outdoor heated pool, and signature dining like the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar and LandShark Bar & Grill. An alternative from classic Times Square hotels, Margaritaville Resort Times Square offers a playful escape, embracing the iconic laid-back legacy.
AM: Tell us about the design aesthetic of the property as you literally feel like you have walked into a beach especially since there is a massive flip flop as soon as you walk in!
BM: Margaritaville Resort Times Square blends tropical ease with urban sophistication through a playful yet polished design. Created by Stonehill Taylor and The McBride Company, the interiors channel a breezy, coastal aesthetic, with nods to Margaritaville’s iconic lifestyle.
From the tiki bar and vibrant murals to the rooftop oasis with skyline views, every space transports guests to an island state of mind, all while embracing the energy and edge of Times Square.
AM: Whether you are a guest or you are in the neighborhood, tell us about each of the restaurants/bars that are on property that we can enjoy as there are 5! Can you also share 3 dishes you would suggest at each one?
BM: The property features two on-site restaurants and four bars.
Margaritaville Restaurant & Tiki Bar is the vibrant centerpiece of the resort. This two-story restaurant captures the lively spirit of Margaritaville with island-inspired cuisine and one of New York’s largest tiki bars. The playful décor, including a 30-foot-tall Statue of Liberty replica holding a margarita glass, and energetic atmosphere make it a necessary stop for both guests and locals.
Recommended Dishes: Cheeseburger in Paradise, Volcano Nachos, Cuban Flatbread (new lunch favorite)
LandShark Bar & Grill is located poolside. It offers casual dining with a tropical twist. Guests can enjoy refreshing drinks and fresh, flavorful bites while soaking up the sun or unwinding by the year-round heated outdoor pool.
Recommended Dishes: Buffalo Chicken Dip, Homemade Banana Pudding, Seafood Steam Pot
5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar is perched atop the 31st and 32nd floors of the hotel. This rooftop bar delivers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline paired with delicious cocktails, elevated light bites including the Chef’s specially selected charcuterie board, and a laid-back island vibe.
Recommended Dishes: Wagyu Sliders, Charcuterie Board, Teriyaki Chicken Tacos
License to Chill Bar can be found in the lobby area. Guests can relax by cozy fire pits while sipping signature margaritas and craft beverages. The warm, inviting space balances casual comfort with stylish design.
Margaritaville Coffee Shop is a convenient spot located on the seventh floor that serves coffee, quick bites, and grab-and-go essentials. This spot is ideal for busy travelers looking for a pick-me-up before exploring the city or heading to meetings.
AM: If you’re at Margaritaville, you have to have a margarita! What are 3 that we should have out eye on?
BM: At the Margaritaville restaurant, we recommend the Perfect Margarita, the Last Mango in Paris or the Seaside Hacienda.
AM: Tell us about the room options for those that are staying at the hotel, as well as the design approach, and the in-room amenities that are offered.
BM: The Margaritaville Resort Times Square provides island-style luxury accommodations in the heart of Manhattan with room options including Standard, Deluxe, and Premium rooms, each available with one King, one Queen, or two Double beds, as well as luxury suites, all featuring accessible options. The design approach creates a tropical escape through contemporary furnishings and a paradise-inspired color palette, complemented by premium bedding and spa-like bathrooms. The suites also feature luxury with walk-in rain showers and plush bathrobes, and Premium rooms include soundproof windows.
AM: For guests staying at the hotel, tell us about the common areas and what they have access to.
BM: The common areas include the Margaritaville Pool, restaurants, the Fins Up Fitness Center, the Margaritaville Retail Store and more. Dining and drinks are central to the resort experience, with options including the Margaritaville Restaurant & Tiki Bar, LandShark Bar & Grill, the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar, the License to Chill Bar, and the ground-level Margaritaville Coffee Shop. For guests focused on wellness, the lower-level Fins Up Fitness Center is fully equipped. Additionally, guests can enjoy daily room service offering island-inspired bites and cocktails.
AM: The rooftop pool is such a fun amenity, and it is heated year around! Tell us more about this.
BM: Located on the 6th floor of the resort, the rooftop pool and sun deck boast an outdoor heated pool, open year-round. The spacious wooden sundeck includes loungers, umbrellas, complimentary towels, and more. The deck also features LandShark Bar & Grill, where guests can get snacks, drinks, and more. Open from 8AM to 8PM, the space is family-friendly, delivering a tropical retreat to those who need a break from the city.
AM: Although the pool is available for guests, you also have day passes for those that would like to use this. Can you tell us more about this and do you offer that package year around?
BM: Yes, year-round, there is a limited number of day passes available for non-guests on select dates. Cabana reservations and availability inquiries can be made directly with the front desk.
AM: When it comes to being a guest at a hotel, you could be traveling for vacation, a staycation, business, or live in the neighborhood and just want to come in to enjoy - why is this hotel such a great option for these kinds of guests?
BM: Guests are welcomed by thoughtfully designed spaces that blend laid-back luxury with bold city style, from lively dining venues and a year-round outdoor heated pool to elegant guest rooms with skyline views. The escapist charm of Margaritaville and electric rhythm of Times Square allow the resort to offer an oasis where island time meets urban adventure. The Nautical Wheeler Boardroom at Margaritaville Resort Times Square offers a refreshing departure from the ordinary, infused with the brand’s signature laid-back style while delivering the functionality needed for modern gatherings.
AM: The location of the hotel is in Times Square which makes it so central and accessible. Can you tell us about partnerships that you have with surrounding businesses that allows guests to get even more at their stay whether it was with the Edge in Hudson Yards, Shopping, Museums, etc?
BM: Margaritaville Resort Times Square features a mix of wellness and food and beverage experiences for guests to enjoy during their stay. The property partners with Sputnik Yoga to host rooftop yoga classes every Thursday and Saturday, allowing guests to start their day strong while enjoying the skyline views. The property also hosts SURFSET classes on Sundays, where guests can try a surfing simulation, allowing for a full-body workout with a twist. Classes are offered seasonally during the warmer months of the year.
The property also has a unique partnership with Edge NYC, where guests can book the Golden Hour Getaway, with 15% off their stay, a $50 dining credit at 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar, and two tickets to Edge NYC.
AM: As we’re in the Fall, are there any promotions or packages that you would like for our community to know about?
BM: Margaritaville Resort Times Square will be offering a Cyber Week promotion starting on November 18 and running through December 5. Stays can take place between November 20, 2025 and December 31, 2026. Guests will be able to get 40% off their stay. They can find more information in the Margaritaville Times Square newsletters.
AM: In terms of the Holiday season, especially with NYE, tell us what you have going on during this time of year!
BM: Ring in 2026 from Margaritaville’s rooftop, with gorgeous views of Times Square as the crowd’s countdown. Attendees can head to the property’s spacious terrace to celebrate in style while enjoying a front row view of the ball dropping. Margaritaville Times Square will also be hosting the Gala in Paradise, the ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration, where tropical vibes meet Times Square energy. For a more intimate and VIP experience, Margaritaville has 7 Ball Drop View Suites that offer a rare chance to watch the ball drop from the comfort of a private room. Sip champagne, enjoy tasty bites with warm slippers, and the best view in town.
AM: Are there any upcoming events taking place that you would like for us to know about that you are involved!
BM: Pickle Cocktail Class – Saturday, November 22, 2025 | 2–4 PM
Guests will toast with Ole Smoky Moonshine Pickles before learning to make a Classic Pickletini and a Spicy Pickle Margarita. Participants remake their favorite cocktail, take home a recipe card, and earn a “Mixology Degree.” Tickets: $20.
Holiday Mixology Class – Saturday, December 20, 2025 | 6–8 PM
This festive edition brings holiday cheer Margaritaville-style, complete with a Christmas Island Pop-Up cocktail, a collectible holiday cup, and a surprise holiday gift. Tickets: $50.
Read the OCT ISSUE #118 of Athleisure Mag and see FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME | Megan Eugenio in mag.
We took some time to sit down with Kay Sides, Founder of HATCh and R0AM in LA. We wanted to catch up with her to find out how she got into the fashion industry, her showroom, the iconic brands that she has been involved in, and her lifestyle brand that she launched a few years ago that are essentials as well as being coveted by some of your favorite celebs.
ATHLEISURE MAG: We’ve enjoyed R0AM as you sent the flip flops during the Summer and have worn them so many times (such a lifesaver during NYFW) and then I we recently were sent the Shearling Clogs which were so cozy after running around the Food Network NYC Wine Food Festival as we had a staycation in BK and I loved wearing them around the hotel and out to the bodega when we weren’t covering the event. Of course, I have been a fan of yours as we had the pleasure of working together years ago! For those who may not be familiar, tell me a bit about your background and how you came into the fashion industry?
KAY SIDES: Thank you so much :)
I’ve been incredibly fortunate throughout my professional journey. I started at Chanel while still in college and quickly became an integral part of the accessories team - managing wholesale accounts across accessories and RTW, conducting store trainings, maintaining merchandising standards, and helping open new doors. From there, I became Creative Director and Buyer at Maxfield, then went on to found HATCh, one of the largest multi-brand agencies in the U.S. We’ve had the honor of helping build some of the most iconic contemporary and young designer brands for both the U.S. and global markets. R0AM came about very organically about seven years ago.
AM: Tell us about HATCh, why you created it, what does this showroom do, and who are you repping now?
KS: Yes, we were so lucky to be brought into that project! Our role was to help launch women’s Lacoste and make it feel fresh and relevant for the U.S. market. It was a pivotal time that introduced the brand to top luxury and specialty contemporary retailers nationwide. HATCh has always been known for its dynamic designer-meets-contemporary mix - at the time we represented Lacoste, Katayone Adeli, Rick Owens, James Perse, Henry Duarte, and Lena Wald, among others.
Over the years, we’ve launched and represented brands like Alexander McQueen McQ, Yohji Yamamoto (coming soon), Aviator Nation, Taschen Books, Banjanan, Zadig & Voltaire, Stance, and Lana Bilzerian, to name a few. We work incredibly strategically - creating integrated sales, marketing, and distribution strategies for every brand partner, and managing all aspects of wholesale and brand positioning.
AM: How did you go from having this successful showroom to deciding that you were going to launch what started as a shoe brand in 2018?
KS: Thank you so much! R0AM truly grew out of an organic need. I couldn’t find shoes that were both cool and comfortable - stylish, versatile options for women who lead dimensional lives (which is to say, all women!). Something that could carry you from school drop-off to meetings, to Pilates, to walking your dog or cooking dinner - without ever needing to change shoes.
I loved so many of the luxury collaborations out there, but to be honest, they weren’t comfortable for me, and they were always $600–$700. I wanted to create something attainable and designed for real life - shoes that feel good, look good, and fit seamlessly into every part of your day.
AM: What is the meaning behind the brand’s name?
KS: I’ve been an adventure and outdoor sports enthusiast my entire life, so the name R0AM resonated deeply - it embodies movement, freedom, and exploration. It implies action and comfort, while visually feeling modern and stylish. Growing up in Hawai‘i and spending so much of my life in nature, I knew the brand also had to be built with consciousness and care at its core. That’s something I’m deeply proud of.
AM: What are the different roles that you have in R0AM and what do you love the most?
KS: Honestly, I’m involved in everything. I oversee design, fit, comfort, sustainability, and creative direction - from photo shoots and campaigns to every ad and communication touchpoint. I’m lucky to have an incredible team that manages the technical side of production, fit, wholesale, and retail operations, and I work closely with each of them, every day.
Even our warehouse manager and I talk daily! I love every aspect of it. When I started, I didn’t know anything about designing footwear, and I still learn something new all the time. I thrive on that challenge. It’s such a gift to collaborate with such bright, creative, and committed individuals.
AM: From a sustainability perspective, what can you tell us about your approach to the design of the shoe?
KS: It’s a non-negotiable for us. From day one, we’ve been entirely vegan - no harm to animals. We use in-market luxury materials, certifiable bio-EVA outsoles made from sugarcane, recycled tread, and compostable, recycled packaging. We recently launched The Slip, made from certified BLOOM technology (algae). For a small, independent brand, we’re proud to be doing our part to minimize harm and protect this beautiful planet.
AM: When did you launch apparel and what kind of pieces can customers expect in this assortment?
KS: We launched apparel a couple of years ago, and it’s grown steadily ever since. The collection mirrors the qualities people love about our footwear - insane comfort and elevated design. Even our most casual styles are luxurious, made from sumptuous jersey, often lined with the softest inner jersey, featuring padded hoods and subtly structured bodies.
The silhouettes are incredibly flattering thanks to thoughtful seaming, and our Tux Jogger - technically a sweatpant - feels elevated, polished, and flattering on every body type.
AM: Since you juggle HATCh and R0AM, how do you take time for yourself to give yourself the proper self-care that you need?
KS: Self-care is everything. I make time to work out, meditate, do contrast therapy, and practice silence - all of which help me stay centered so I can show up fully for my team. It keeps me grounded, grateful, and ready to give 100 percent every day.
AM: We always like asking about our faves fitness routines - are there 3 favorite workouts you enjoy doing or studio fitness that you do?
KS: Each week, I strength train, run, and do Pilates. I mix in hiking, surfing, and boxing whenever I can. Movement is truly my therapy.
AM: From the shoe portion of the brand, what are 3 must-haves that we should have as essential items to wear from R0AM?
KS: The three must-haves from R0AM’s footwear collection would have to be a cozy clog, a statement platform, and our signature moto boot.
Definitely start with a cozy clog - we have so many options, from cush-lined to unlined, platform to non-platform. Our new brushed terry styles are a dream, and whether you go for the glam hardware versions or the classic fuzzy OG R0AM look, these are styles we truly dominate in. They’re unbelievably comfortable and perfect year-round.
Next, you can’t go wrong with a platform. No one does stacks like we do - our custom-molded platform is designed to be insanely lightweight and ultra-flattering. I’m currently obsessed with the Knotty Stack in Oyster and the Fuzzy Stripe Stack in Taupe and Beige.
And finally, the Moto Boot - it’s so sexy and versatile. The perfect low-cut silhouette that instantly elevates a simple leggings-and-jacket combo. It transitions effortlessly from festival style (paired with shorts or jorts) to a boho moment with a flowy dress. It’s one of those pieces that transforms any look with ease.
IG @roamwears
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Kay Sides
Read the OCT ISSUE #118 of Athleisure Mag and see THE RIGHT STEP | Kay Sides in mag.
Dagne Dover launched in 2013 and is a brand that form, function, and innovation come together so that you can enjoy rocking a nice bag that allows you to stay organized. Jessy Dover is 1 of the 3 Co-Founders of this brand and we took a moment to talk about how she got into the industry, her design/creative approach, and what is coming up with the brand.
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you wanted to be a designer in the handbag category?
JESSY DOVER: I always knew I wanted to be a designer because it’s where I light up the most. I love making things and in particular, I love making wearables. I didn’t know that I wanted to be a handbag designer though until I started seeing my successes there. I don’t know who made up this term, but it’s all about greenlights and I kind of live by that term! So when I start getting greenlights, I try and follow that. So the first kick off of that was in my Senior year of Parsons, I was like, I need a job. I’m going to apply for every award, every internship, that I could and I ended up winning the Coach Design Competition and that was the first time that I realized I had fun with that project and I got to really understand how to create a bag. For me, as someone who has more of an athletic body type, I never fit into the fashion body type world, and when I was at school there, I felt out of place. I just fell in love with bags because you didn’t have to consider the body all that much. It is just a tool that you can use every day to make your life work. I was stoked on that!
It kind of led me down this path of eventually meeting my co-founders and creating my first few bags. After we started selling, I would say that after I sold my first 100 bags, I would say “oh, ok other people want really great bags that have pockets and actually support them through their day,” which led me to where I am today, which is deep in bag world and I love it! It definitely wasn’t something growing up where I thought that I would be a bag designer.
AM: I have to say that when I first started working in the fashion industry, I started as a model, then went into design, visual merchandising, wholesale, and then styling before I entered publishing – I would always tell people that I am an Accessory Expert and they would ask why I liked it so much. I would tell them whether you’re bloated or not, the bag is going to fit – the shoe is reasonably going to fit for the most part and the jewelry is generally never going to disappoint you no matter what is going on with your body. When you can do that and enjoy those items, it’s a different level of confidence you can have when you’re wearing them.
JD: Totally!
AM: So I love being accessory first!
JD: Yes! Ok, me too! It also just tops everything off. You can put on your clothes, but when you put on those shoes and that bag, it brings everything together!
AM: What was the first bag ever that you designed?
JD: I really have to think about this one! I would say that the first bag that I ever designed that became an actual bag that someone would want to wear, was the design that I did for the Coach Award. As you can imagine, it takes a lifetime to be a good craftsman and to make a luxury bag.
AM: For sure!
JD: Whenever we go to Asia and we’re with the sample makers, I’m just bowing down because it’s all them. We design, but they create it. But I made this bag with the Coach sample maker and it was my first leather bag, it was a work bag, fairly simple, a camel color, with buckles on the front, computer sleeve, and I looked at it when it was finished and that is when it clicked for me. You need to have a team of people to create something incredible and you can’t be the expert at every single thing. That’s when I realized that I am a designer and I am not a maker.
Then I would say that the first bag that I actually sold that was a success was our Legend – we still sell it and it is still on the site. There was another bag, but we don’t sell it anymore as it has been discontinued, called the Clutch Wallet. But the Legend was our very first work tote and it was made out of coated canvas and it was a solve to the problem that we had originally pinpointed. The problem was that there wasn’t a work bag that was also cute that is a good price point for a working woman that can keep your things safe - that has a computer sleeve, has a key leash, has a spot for your phone and you know all of that good stuff. So that was a big moment for me. I think that the confidence that gave me was that it wasn’t even me, it was like, people want what I want and it gave me that push to keep going. The next bag that I look at as my biggest most favorite success was the Dakota Backpack – that or the Landon, I came out with it at the same time. That was when things started lighting up for the brand and that was a whole other different success than the Legend. Because, all of a sudden we were talking to a whole community that were not just those that were working corporate jobs. They were living!
AM: That’s right!
JD: That was the time that I was really coming into my own as a designer and a person who really prioritizes health and wellness and bringing my self to the world, and I feel that that was the moment for me as a really young designer.
AM: I love when you were talking about the whole designer and the community of makers that support it. My mom was a couture designer for a number of years so I watched her make gowns, suiting, etc.
JD: Goosebumps!
AM: I loved it and she had another person who worked with her. But it wasn’t until I did a collab line with Sebago for a few seasons where I would sell it on HSN and we designed it in the Dominican Republic at the factories there; when I was there you would have generations of people that by hand were sewing and putting the different leathers on the machines. I knew what I knew in terms of leathers, cool colors, and how that should come together, but then I would talk with the teams that would talk about the placements to take my vision to how it could actually come forward, and there was so much knowledge there that I really respected. So when I would go on air to talk about the shoes I was always happy to say that I designed them, but I would always reference the makers and their knowledge over so many years that brought those shoes to life! They would tell me that they had been doing shoes since they were 16 and some of them were in their 80’s.
JD: They knew what they were doing!
AM: They totally did. It’s about the community and taking that feedback and knowledge and making people aware how your favorite items come to be! I think it’s such a great point that you highlighted.
JD: For sure. It’s cool that you got to watch your mom doing that. I didn’t have that level of transparency into fashion and garment making and bag making – but once I did, that’s what hooked me and I knew that that was so cool.
AM: You talked a little bit about how your co-founders came together. What are each of your roles and what does Dagne Dover mean?
JD: Great question! I’m the Chief Creative Officer, I handle all things creative and design. I spend a third of my time designing product, a third of it doing creative marketing, and then a third of my time doing founder stuff.
AM: There’s always founder stuff.
JD: There’s ALWAYS founder stuff! If I let it, it could take 100% of the time.
AM: FACTS!
JD: Oh yeah, I’m always stopping and saying – that can wait until tomorrow.
My Co-Founders, God bless their hearts, because this company could not run without them, they are sort of the business genius behind everything. They do all of the fundraising, they do a lot of the strategic planning for our drops and our buys and our distribution strategy – all of the stuff that goes into running a business. So my partner Melissa Shin Mash, she’s our CEO and my other partner, Deepa Gandhi are COO/CFO –
AM: When you’re Co-Founder you’re always wearing multiple hats!
JD: Oh, we’re all wearing multiple hats! The day that I can just run 1 department is the day that I just die of happiness!
AM: Oh I hear you!
So the name means …
JD: Oh yeah, so Dagne means new dawn. So in Nordic indigenous language it means new dawn and we just love the name Dagne. I’m so obsessed with Scandinavian design because I think that the simplicity, the purposefulness, and the natural elements – it’s the perfect balance from my perspective. So we chose that as our first name, and then Dover is my last name and we just felt that it was a true collaboration. I did not want my name on it to be totally honest. They were like you should have your name on it because you are the creative behind it. So we kind of created this character out of Dagne Dover and we like to look at it as a new dawn for handbags and really in everything that we do, we support the concept that you should expect more from your bag and you should – we’re here to give that to you.
AM: I will say, that I love that your ears are always to the ground, you’re watching and somewhere along the line an innovation is birthed and will fall into a future season. Not everyone does that.
JD: I really appreciate that and I really have that to owe to my partners because I have the space to do it. I’m still very busy, but because of my team and my partners, I’m really fortunate. I have other friends that are designers and I know that you know this, they’re running their business and they are also designing. That is so much! I am super grateful for that and our community is super outspoken! Our community is power women and they’re so great because they will tell you what they want, what they don’t like and they are super honest and I appreciate that!
AM: They truly care and a number of us saw the initial assortment and have had the joy of being along for the ride of the expanded styles, colorways, and innovations! For me, I find that the purpose and intention is there. Whether I may use a specific style or not, I can understand why it is there and who it is servicing.
Many years ago, when I worked in the wholesale division at Lacoste, there would be a large number of SKUs for that particular season and I always thought about how much that could be edited. You could look through and in terms of buyers you knew where a lot of those items would gravitate towards.
JD: I think that that is the difference too between running a product led brand and a brand brand. We’ve all come from the world of brand led brands where you just need stuff to sell. We’re really selling a brand, but we wanted to create something that is product first. We love the brand, the brand has value, but it’s really about the product, because otherwise you’re selling and idea that people are buying into, but I really love product.
AM: What’s an average week like for you? I ask that knowing that there are no average weeks!
JD: I know! I think it’s so funny that you asked this because I really want to nail this down! You’re right! I set a schedule and then it just gets wiped out every week. I do try to stay true to my 1/3 design, 1/3 digital marketing – with all of my emails and photoshoots, and 1/3 founder stuff! I would say that most of my stuff I try to split it between the day, but as a leader of this initiative and how we can be available and make our schedules work, so that we can make it happen and push it forward – what keeps me focused and on point is that at the beginning of the week I write down my top 5 things that must must happen and even if those meetings don’t happen we use Slack, text, and voice notes and all of the other modes of communication to make sure that the ball keeps rolling. It’s about finishing and completing those initiatives. I know that you also know this, but we don’t really have a big team. I don’t even know what size brand to call us! We have a small team, we drive a lot of business, but it is still a hustle every day! It’s a lot of meticulous planning ahead of time. I have all of my workouts slotted in because if I don’t they just won’t happen.
AM: This Summer was a great one for Athleisure Media. We traveled, attended a number of functions, connected with people and have great projects coming up. The IG looks great, but behind the scenes while all that is going on is a lot of controlled chaos.
JD: For sure! I say that all the time my IG looks pretty because it shows my slow paced life, but really it’s not at all because there are a lot of things going on.
AM: Impossible. Just looking at your drops of new products, you do a number of events outside of NYC and dealing with communities in other cities, the planning that goes behind introducing colorways and new styles – there is constant movement going on there and a lot of planning.
I know especially with my wholesale background that yes your brand is small, but the amount of output, the footprint etc – there is a lot of working going on perpetually.
So how do you get inspired and where do you go for your inspiration for the collections and the colorways?
JD: I love this question! I have a lot of different places where I get inspired and mainly it comes from my every day life! For product, I look at what I am struggling with and where is there white space? An example of that is not being able to find my keys for 10mins in my bag at my front door – I don’t have 10 extra minutes, that’s my break time in between meetings!
AM: So true!
JD: Then I designed the key leash and we put it in every single bag! So now it is super quick to find them. So things like that – but then also for seasonal drops that are a lot more conceptual, I learned to design with a method that is very traditional due to going to Parsons with an inspiration and everything fitting within that so that you have the guardrails. For me those inspirations come from travel. Our SS drop this year was called Lakehouse and we had come up with this whole dream world of a lakehouse and we pulled colors, textures, color names, from that theme and so that happens a lot. I will go on trips and be like, “guys let’s just dive into this world.” A lot of times, it becomes place.
AM: Always a good place to start.
JD: Yeah, it’s inspiring. It’s fun and gives me energy. I love a natural landscape. I wanted to go to the Scottish Highlands this Summer, but I didn’t have time. There was no way that that was going to happen so I went to Chat GPT an asked if there was anywhere in the US that was like the Scottish Highlands. It spit out that in Virginia, there are areas that look like that in the Appalachian trail. It’s a small portion of it, but I flew down and there were cows and ponies and it was so crazy. I didn’t know it existed so close to us, but things like that get me really excited.
Then being outdoors – I love being outdoors whether it’s hiking, backpacking, snowboarding. I grew up in Colorado so being in NY, I don’t really get access to that so every chance I get, I go. Often times, I’m inspired by technical gear that I’m getting or buying because those are super high functioning and they are not used in traditional fashion a lot. They are great and they look professional if they are done with the right silhouette.
AM: In those early days, I have been a Dark Moss girl from the start. For me, I feel that it is one of those new neutrals. I don’t want to just have black but somehow, that Dark Moss it just hits different.
How did you guys identify that these were going to be core colors, what would oscillate in terms of colorways throughout seasons, and those that are limited editions? Even now you have those core colors that still find their way there.
JD: I kind of shot myself in the foot with that one if I’m honest. Those colors sell and I’m like, “please, let’s get new ones.” But people love them! They have become iconic to the brand in a way. If I’m totally honest, I made colors that I totally wanted to wear.
AM: Which is fair.
JD: I was working a lot, I wanted to make sure that whatever core colors we dropped, it would go with my friends and families existing wardrobe. They were picked to be complimentary, but exactly what you said, I didn’t want them to be plain and dull and boring and in the exact same colors that everybody else drops. There are limitless colors so can we pick a brownish/purple that other people don’t do? Really when we look at it, we want it to feel good – color is such a powerful tool with the psychology behind it. This has always been interesting to me. There are people who love purple, they only wear purple, and when I do a purple – I know who will buy it and it will sell through really fast, but I can’t make it a core color because it won’t continuously sell. Digging into these people’s minds, there are similarities of how they think because they will choose purple. Green, the Dark Moss green is exactly what you said. They don’t want to wear black every day. They have their own flair and they still need to fit into some kind of societal structure where maybe they are going to the office or they don’t want to be super flashy, but they want to be cool and fun – a little bit interesting. Then there is the navy people. So I just tried to hit on the buckets of those things and to give the best version of those things.
AM: Wow!
When I first started getting pieces from you guys. I came to love the leather collections and it was the oxblood. From the tote bags to this beautiful large clutch/cosmetic base that I use to hold items I use for wine when I am traveling ha! That part of the collection reminded me of 1970’s Etienne Aigner – that was my jam!
JD: Yes! It was! Fun fact, I worked on that brand for awhile!
AM: I am not surprised! My parents in the 70s had matching Etienne Aigner oxblood leather jackets and then my mom gave me hers and I used to wear it all the time and I had the bag to match!
Then neoprene came and I was like, this is not even a fabrication that I would ever think that I would want for my bags, but I got the versatility of it immediately. I love how it is squishy.
JD: Squishy!
AM: Super expandable, and I was there for it. So how did neoprene make its way in there? I knew from the first one that every part of my bag needed this fabrication.
JD: I’m so glad you like it! I love it too! My life changed. I went from a corporate design job to being a founder. I’m running around the city – I’m not seeing people except for my factory and my teammates. We were working in basically a closet and I was in gym clothes every day. I wanted something that felt like me – sporty, needs to move with me throughout the day, but still where I look put together to be neat and presentable. I was in Vietnam working to set up another factory and I was swimming and I had this neoprene bathing suit. I was like, this is rad! So I said to Deepa, do you think that we could make bags out of this? She’s like, “dude, I don’t know but why don’t you try?” She’s always like try it and we’ll see what happens. We did it and it turned out really cool. Before we dropped it, I didn’t know if people would like it.
To me, I felt that it might be a world where people didn’t understand it. In Colorado, I knew people where I’m from would understand the fabrication, but they don’t really need a bag that is tailored as much as those are. They are wearing Patagonia and gear – it’s not like they are wearing something that needs to go into the boardroom also. So I thought, they will get it, but they may not buy it.
My people in NY, they might get the silhouette but this may be too sporty for them!
It was a passion and a random idea that we thought could be really cool and it turned out really great.
AM: The other side of that is the bags that were made completely out of mesh! Again, I was like ok now we’re taking something that is usually inside of the bag as a pocket or a pouch and we’re taking that to the next level!
JD: I know! That was said by people too and they loved it and the fact that it was so lightweight! We ended up dropping the Air Mesh. Ultimately, that one did great, but it was a fun learning experience because it was so sporty, people felt that they couldn’t wear it to the office.
AM: Sustainability has always been something key and core to the brand. I love that now the neoprene bags are made out of x amount of bottles. You also have other environmental innovations as well. Why is that so important to you and being transparent about it because a lot of times you don’t know when someone is saying that something is that – to what end?
JD: Right – what? It could mean anything. I try to stay away from the word sustainable because I am afraid that it doesn’t mean anything anymore. What I try to do is to infuse as many conscious materials that I can find that is trackable. Part of being in a new wave of something is figuring out what is legit and what it’s not. The systems aren’t there, the regulation isn’t there yet and quite frankly, the US doesn’t have a lot of rules around that in the same way that Europe and other places do. It was a process of finding out which manufacturers were making eco-friendly materials.
What do they have that we can already utilize for the products that we have created and what do they have that we can use in the future to make even more sustainably minded products. It’s important to me because I love bags, I love making things and if you saw my apartment – there is stuff everywhere. I understand that when you make things, there is a lot of waste. There is a lot of testing and you’re making a physical thing so as much as you can be conscious about wastage and where it is coming from and where it is going to after, I think is fantastic and hopefully my wish and hope is that we live in a world where there are companies that are offering sustainable materials that we can use that are also durable. I think one of the biggest challenges for us is finding durable sustainable materials that can also be produced in a way that is timely and consistent – a lot of it is experimental!
What people don’t talk in terms of sustainability is affordability and that is a big one.
AM: It’s a huge barrier.
In terms of the travel collection. How long did it take to create that? You know I love it, for years I had asked members of your team why you were not adding it to your assortment and once it came out, I switched over my travel as well as my styling kit – including the carry-ons, duffles, garment bags, cubes to these products and love how they play well with the other Dark Moss pieces that I do have from the eyeglass case, toiletry bags as well.
I will also say the wheels on those bags work so well. Here in NYC, you know we have like 80 types of streets/concrete.
JD: Ha! Thank you for noticing. We put a ton of time into those wheels. I told them that we were not dropping until we had nice wheels because that is the key to the whole thing. I guess it took 3 years, but I was thinking about it a long time prior to that. It was a meticulous process. Luggage is not forgiving! There are a lot of regulations from any number of airlines from around the world that you have to hit so you are boxed into these being the sizes that you have to do or else people will not be able to carry them on the flight – so there’s that. It has to be incredibly durable because of course, we don’t know what they do behind those curtains, but every time that a bag comes out – you’re like what happened here? It has to be durable, dense material – I was really on my sustainability quick when we were designing this. They are 100% recycled and I was not willing to make any compromises on that. We were developing into this custom material and then I really wanted the interior organizational system to match what they were expecting from us. So we designed a ton of pieces, we tested them for a really long time, ultimately narrowed it down and the process took a long time. So we manufacture in Asia so we get the best products and it takes time for them to make every single sample set and we could be waiting 1 month or 2 between sample sets while we’re waiting for the next one to make changes and to evolve them. So it took about 3 years and to be totally honest, I was learning on the fly. Luggage is a whole other category.
AM: It is a whole other beast!
JD: That was very fun, but I am super happy with where they landed and I’m so glad you love your Dark Moss! I need a picture of your set.
AM: I’m constantly taking pictures of it in every photoshoot when I’m on set. I mean yes they are great travel bags but when I am bringing them to set or we’re sketching out what is coming as each shoot is a snowflake with different needs there may be a series of luggage and related accessories to support the needs and I’m always happy how smooth it is or how the compartments work or how I use it for a set versus going on a vacation.
I will also say that the long garment bag which I know is really great for weddings. It’s awesome for pulls because I can fit quite quite a few things in there and it’s still streamlined. When we shot our cover with Bozoma Saint John back in the Fall last year, I literally walked into 2 different bridal showrooms as they had evening wear and I must have fit 8-10 pieces in there easily.
JD: So glad you love it because we made that bag for gowns. My partner Deepa is Indian and we need an extra extra long bag for her gowns and people started loving it for all sorts of things. We have a bunch of designers that are using it for Fashion Week. Garment bags are great, but again, there are not a lot of cute options that are also lightweight and all the things that we as people in the industry need. I am so glad that you love The Capri.
AM: Oh yeah, I use the Carpi bag. I think that day I had that as well as the Air Mesh XL tote in Dark Moss that way folded could go there and everything else was in the other because I was hopping in and out of the subway that day for that cover shoot and I wanted to keep it light and agile haha!
Each showroom was talking about how co-ordinated it was and it didn’t matter if you were in a luxe space or something more functional the bags never looked out of place.
JD: I love hearing that and am glad you’re working those bags!
AM: Without question!
How many drops a year would you say that you guys have?
JD: It depends. I don’t have a specific numbers that I have to or feel that I need to hit. We always have a SS and a FW drop. Depending on what strategically we are trying to achieve, I will drop a product based collection or sometimes just new products if I feel they are needed and I’m working on it.
For example, last year in 2024, we had 4 drops. For 2026, I’ll have 7+ drops planned. So it really depends. I would say that I like to try and stay on a schedule. Things are ready when they are ready. For me, it’s about doing it and the dropping it the right way. That’s why some years we’re making it rain and then in other years it feels like we’re pulling it back a little.
Sometimes I just want to move on and create something new so you have to replace something. Something better is coming and I want to get ahead of it. Sometimes it’s also that something is too expensive to create for what we can sell it for. Being transparent is important about that. People will ask if we can make something and we can, I want to, but it will not be affordable!
AM: If someone is new to the brand, what would be 3 items that they should have to start their collections?
JD: Love this question! I would say that they must have the 23.5 Carry On Luggage that is the larger sized because there are 2. The Landon in the Medium Size. I love it because it goes from duffle to tote and it’s just the most versatile bag ever. I would say the Bennie Sling that we just dropped this past Spring and it’s like our old Morris Sling, but on steroids. We know that our slings are awesome, how can we make it even better and to address every pain point that people have? Everyone needs one. So that is my third pick! Those three you can rule the world!
AM: You guys always do fun events. My favorite event you guys threw was a few years ago and it was a twist on a Field Day/Olympics day.
JD: Oh yeah!
AM: It was like you literally felt you were living with the bags and it was fun. It’s also fun when you have done things with Sloane Stephens and she did a fun collab with you guys for Doc + Glo. We’ve had her as a previous cover, have interviewed her a few times, and I had lunch with her earlier this Spring. She’s just a good human.
JD: She really is! I feel like I’m best friends with her, but I don’t know her like that that well.
AM: You can sit with her and you just feel like you’ve known her for awhile.
Are there any partnerships or event collaborations that you can share?
JD: We have our FW assortment that is dropping in Oct this year. We’re really excited and we have some awesome prints and new colors.
I would say stay tuned for 2026 because we have a big year planned out! I’m very excited about it.
I mean, Sloane, we just love her. She is part of the team at this point so it comes from things like that – synergistic connections that we can create something really cool together.
AM: When you’re not doing all of the things that you do as a co-founder, how do you take time for yourself? This work is consuming and you do love it, but you do have to take at least half a second.
JD: For me it is very physical. My nervous system will crash and I always feel it coming. I will call my mom and I tell her I can feel it coming. When I get to that and some people call it burnout mode, I will take a little trip whether it is 1 night or 5 nights. I was actually able to take a trip for the month of August to Steamboat which is where I’m from and I worked from there for a month. When I tell you that it changed everything for me, I can’t suggest enough about taking a beat and it can be as simple as skipping the commute. Just that, working from home for a week can do that. For me, it’s about working out. I have to get that in and really think about the fact that we have a body too! We’re always up here in our mind and stuff, but when my body is in motion, it’s when I feel the best – hiking and biking – that’s when the ideas come to me. I have 2 dogs and honestly getting the dogs was the best because it forces me to go out and walk them.
AM: They have to do their business!
JD: They have to do their business and they are not going to wait!
IG @dagnedover
PHOTOS COURTESY | Dagne Dover
Read the SEP ISSUE #117 of Athleisure Mag and see NEW DAWN FOR BAGS | Jessy Dover - Dagne Dover in mag.
As we look to other cities around the globe that will continue to showcase SS26 fashion in menswear and womenswear, this month, we’re sharing a recap of some of the shows that we attended and what stood out during this season’s NYFW.
JANET MANDELL NYFW SS26
We kicked off our first day of NYFW at the Janet Mandell show which took place in the LES at The DL. Her show was A Tribute to Vintage: Janet Mandell’s Archival Runway. Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of attending her showroom here in NY (she also has them in Chicago and Los Angeles) which is home to rare vintage who has dresses the Kardashians, Rachel Zoe, Mindy Kaling, and more.
To see these pieces on the runway with a candlelit backdrop on a rooftop, we loved seeing some of the most coveted looks in luxury rental fashion! This show showcased rare looks from the 90s and early 2000s with designs by Roberto Cavalli, Christian Dior by John Galliano, Gucci by Tom Ford and Gianni Versace.
At the conclusion of this show, which left a number of the guests in a dream to see these pieces all in one place, we enjoyed champagne after the event as a means to get ready for a busy season ahead!
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 122 - 123 Janet Mandell |
MORPHEW FLAGSHIP LAUNCH
Interestingly enough, upon leaving The DL, we made our way around the block to Morphew who had a lovely get together to launch their new location of their vintage luxury fashion and art. Their collection includes ready-to-wear, rare luxury vintage, and atelier pieces.
NEW YORK MEN’S DAY MORNING SESSION NYFW SS26
Although we had attended functions the night before, NYMD took place on the first official day of NYFW. This event is one that we enjoy due to the fact that over the course of the morning and the afternoon, you see a curated group of designers.
Both sessions took place at the Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan, which is a large showroom. This season’s presenting sponsors were PROJECT (represents what’s new, now, and next in men’s contemporary apparel, footwearm and accessories) and COTERIE (is the premier women’s contemporary to advanced apparel, footwear, and accessories platform).
The venue host was at the Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan showroom, which allowed attendees to see all the shows, while also being immersed in a luxury space showcasing this brand and partnerships.
In this first group of shows, 4 brands presented their collection to attendees. archie was part of NYMD for the first time. They shared their line with their models rotating on a playground spinner with neutral tones. It was a great way to see the movement of the collection as well as to see everything together.
Peak Lapel was back for another season and had a number of tipped blazers in primary colors with a nod to preppy style. As opposed to being in motion, this presentation of this collection allowed attendees to see them playing chess and had a feeling of sitting in the park as opposed to being in a luxury showroom with G Wagons nearby.
Clara Son is a menswear brand that was back for another season. This collection had a playful take on menswear while incorporating suiting and great separates. There were pops of colors as well as neutrals. It’s always a line that has a distinct point of view.
The last designer to be part of NYMD for the morning session was Oxblood Zebra that returned for another season. This collection has signature pieces that reminded us of items that your favorite artist or athlete would wear.
PHOTO CREDITS | PG 124 Oxblood Zebra/Angel Flores | PG 125 Max Esmail |
RYNSHU NYFW SS26
Rynshu’s box style show allowed every attendee to see the looks that hit the runway at all angles. Although this brand was new to us, we loved the flowing silhouettes, sequins, and a clean palette.
IG @rynshu
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 127 Rynshu |
NEW YORK MEN’S DAY AFTERNOON SESSION NYFW SS26
We made our way back to the Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan showroom to see the afternoon shows, which included 4 additional designers.
For the first time, FIT MW25 Collective shared a curated group of designs! It’s always nice to see what the next generation of creatives and designers are looking to do to put their fingerprint on this industry!
Bryan Jimenez introduced their menswear collection for the first time at NYMD this season! We found that this collection has great core essentials that could be worn dressed up or even casually. It also had such an easy sensibility that we can’t wait to continue to see more from this designer and how it will evolve from season to season.
The first time that we had seen Joseph McRae, it was at another season of NYMD. If you have been watching the current season of Freeform’s Project Runway, you know that he was a contestant and he brought the drama in a number of the challenges. We’re not doing a spoiler alert in case you have yet to see it. As usual, he likes to play with proportion, he’s phenomenal when it comes to dramatic pieces that make a statement.
Max Esmail returned with suiting and outerwear in menswear. The fact that we were at the Mercedes-Benz showroom, it was a great backdrop for this Miami Vice gotham style look.
IG @fitnyc
PHOTO CREDITS | PG 125 Max Esmail |
CHRISTIAN SIRIANO, MACY’S I.N.C X CHRISTIAN SIRIANO + RECEPTION NYFW SS26
A Christian Siriano is an event not to be missed, from star studded attendees, to fashion that is always next level, we were excited to see his NYFW SS26 runway show that took place at Macy’s. Transformed into a golden draped space his muse, Coco Rocha opened and closed this phenomenal show which was filled with dramatic pieces.
Once this show completed, we made our way to the executive floor of this iconic heritage department store, where they had a gallery of curated looks by the designer who also serves as Creative Director of Macy’s I.N.C.
The selection of blazers that were embellished with details was nice to see as we made our way to the roofdeck to enjoy a cocktail reception. In addition to Christian coming to celebrate the 40th year of Macy’s I.N.C. he mingled with guests along with Coco Rocha herself.
IG @csiriano
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 128 - 132 Christian Siriano |
NATALIA FEDNER NYFW SS26
We have been fans of Natalia Fedner ever since we saw her S1 on Project Runway. She is known for creating Stretch Metal which has been created for dresses, tops, skirts, and swimwear. A number of celebs from Lenny Kravitz, Beyonce, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and more have worn her pieces. In addition, we have even styled her pieces in our cover photoshoot of an NFL Super Bowl Champion winner as well.
We enjoyed seeing her show on Sun night during NYFW for her SS26 collection which had a number of fun pieces in Metal Couture from solids to prints in her iconic 6-way Stretch Metal style.
PHOTO CREDITS | PG 134 + 135 Natalia Fedner |
FREDERICK ANDERSON NYFW SS26
For the past few seasons, we have enjoyed attending Frederick Anderson’s NYFW shows, and for his SS26 season, he focused on the concept of joy. There were definite beach vibes in his collection that made you think of booking a trip to Bali, Sao Paulo, and Miami. Of course they are perfect for warm nights right here in NYC!
IG @frederickanderson_designer
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 136 + 137 Frederick Anderson |
MOTT50 EDITION + COOLIBAR NYFW SS26
We ended our NYFW shows at 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar where Coolibar, a suncare brand for apparel showcased elements of their collection as a standing presentation, a runway show for Coolibar, and another runway show for their luxury portion of the line known as Mott50. Before and after the show, we enjoyed a sunny warm summer night in the golden hour which was paired with cocktails and light bites.
Protecting our skin and wearing products that have UPF 50+ built in is a great way to make sure that you are taking care of yourself. We had the pleasure of interviewing Supermodel and 90s icon, Niki Taylor moments before she made her return to the runway in this show as she opened and closed it!
ATHLEISURE MAG: It is so great to sit with you before you hit the runway! I remember when your first cover for Seventeen Magazine came out and it’s great to see how you have navigated your career. It’s so great to meet you.
When did you realize that you wanted to be a model?
NIKI TAYLOR: Oh my gosh! My mom was a model, she had done a couple magazine covers for Gold Coast back in the early 70s, and then she became a photographer. I think just growing up, I was always taller than everybody else. I think that’s when people were like, “oh, she should get into modeling.”
AM: Exactly!
NT: There were some teen things going on in South Florida, so we looked up modeling agencies in Fort Lauderdale and Irene Marie and Michele Pommier came up and I went to both of them. So my mom and I, we made a little black and white comp card and went to a photographer that took black and white photos. I just remember, that I had the hat and the bob and a couple at my mom’s photos we put on this comp card and we sent it into Irene Marie and they said no. They’re like, “nope, she needs braces - come back when her braces are off.” At that time, I was getting ready to get them. I did. I came back and there was a guy named JJ Cortez at Irene Marie. He was a modeling scout, and he said, “hey, we’re gonna sign you,” and the rest is history!
AM: You’ve had a phenomenal career from covers, hosting, and just so many different things. What do you love about what it is that you do, and did you envision that it would be all of this?
NT: I was a fan first. I would spend my allowance. I would ride my bike to the drugstore, buy a Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, and then put Christy, Naomi, and Linda on my wall!
AM: Exactly.
NT: I would look at that and say, I’m going to do that! I think that the drugstore had Italian Vogue one time – I don’t know how it got there!
AM: But it was like destiny!
NT: It was. It was all of the girls doing fashion shows. I remember I was, like, oh my, gosh, there’s Helena Christensen. There is Christy Turlington, she’s my favorite. Anything that I could find with Steven Meisel that he shot was on my wall.
Irene Marie brought me to New York. I did a modeling competition for Spectrum, and I won that. And then, from there, I signed with them and then I went to, um, my first show which was Thierry Mugler when when I was 14. I just remember being the first model there. So I got to watch them all come in, and all the personalities that arrived! My dad had one of those little throwaway cameras. I remember my dad coming with me.
I sat down and Danilo was doing my hair, and I could see Helena Christensen behind me and smiling at each other. I just feel like I was more a fan and the fact that I am still doing this and I get to do this, I’m very lucky.
AM: Well, we love hearing about people’s fitness routines. So, what are 3 that you do that we should consider incorporate into ours?
NT: Well, this is my husband, Burney.
AM: Hello!
NT: We weight train and see a trainer twice a week. We do a lot of walking. We love riding bikes. Anywhere we go on vacation or from work, we try to find somewhere that has bikes.
AM: That’s so cute!
BURNEY LAMAR: Have you done the Citi Bikes?
AM: No, I have not done the Citi Bikes.
NT: Oh my gosh, you have to!
BL: They’re amazing.
AM: I don’t know, you have the crazy drivers and then you have you on the Citi Bike. Yeah, I don’t know about that.
BL: They have a dedicated lane for them!
NT: Oh yeah they have they green lane.
AM: Oh yes – as long as they adhere to that!!
NT: They definitely look out for that bike lane! Talk about getting around fast!
AM: That part is true!
NT: Especially if you are late for something. It does help having somebody with you.
BL: We were ripping around last night.
NT: We did! We went downtown to the Oculus on our Citibikes. Then he said, “alright, let’s take the train,” so we’ll took it back uptown. Then we took another bike so we’re always moving.
We also do a lot of cardio as well, in addition to trying to lift heavyweight 2X a week. It’s because of him that I do that, because if it’s just me, then I’m going to just want to stretch.
AM: Right, I thought that you were going to say pilates, but you have such a great mix.
NT: I just turned 50 and I’m a grandma, so I have a 9 month old grandbaby. His name is Nico. So, we just have to keep moving and that’s our workout routine pretty much!
AM: Are there things that you do when you’re about to do a photoshoot, campaign, walk the runway etc to get into that mindset?
NT: I just feel like we do something every day. I love food. I’m a good eater and I always have been. You can ask my husband, I go up and I go down. I can tell when things are getting a little tight, right?
AM: Yup!
NT: It’s just portion control and a little bit more cardio! I’ve always been like that, and I have a sweet tooth. I can probably put down dessert more than anybody here. I love my sugar. So I have to workout. To get ready for this, I just try to do something every day, and I’m just trying to bring up my heart rate and sweat a little bit.
AM: How did you get connected to this brand? And you know, how excited are you going to be to be able to be a part of the show today?
NT: I’m not sure you’ve met Luis.
AM: Not yet.
NT: Not yet, okay so he will be speaking a little bit tonight. Him and I, we worked together in Miami, before this company for another clothing company. I just grew up in South Florida. I’ve always been in the sun. I know the importance of protecting your skin, and I just wish I had this clothing back then. We love being outside. I could have used their sun sleeves. They have an amazing bandana. I love their sun hats, too. My daughter, Ciel and I, we got to do this shoot together, which was fun. And she’s very good about protecting her skin. She doesn’t go in the sun at all.
My dad struggled a little bit towards the end of his life and had squamous (Editor’s Note: A common type of skin cancer that develops in the flat, thin cells – squamous cells – of the skin’s outer layer). So they were cutting off little pieces of his shoulders – he would mow the lawn without his shirt on. He would run and he had no sunscreen and back then, we didn’t wear sunscreen!
AM: Back then it wasn’t something that we think about as much as we do not. And sunscreen is for everyone across skin tones, hues, shades and whether the sun is out or not – regardless of the time of year!
NT: Yes!
AM: If you are breathing, you need to wear and use it!
NT: Oh yeah and think about the areas you don’t think about like your ears and there are so many areas that just get avoided.
AM: Especially your neck when you’re hair is pulled up and you’re not thinking about it.
NT: I wish this clothing brand was out there back in the 90s, it would have been nice. But this brand is UPF 50+ protection from UVA, UVB, and It’s 98 protection. It was founded in 2001 it’s the first brand that earned the Skin Cancer Foundation recommendation.
AM: That’s huge.
NT: I just love that you’re protected and it does not wash out. It’s in the clothing.
AM: The lookbook was amazing and it will be nice to see the collection when it hits the runway! The pieces are just so modern, very stylish and flowy, and I just appreciate you taking the time.
IG @nikilovesu
PHOTO CREDITS | PG 138 - 143 Coolibar |
Read the SEP ISSUE #117 of Athleisure Mag and see NYFW SS26 EDIT in mag.
Read the SEP ISSUE #117 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LOOKS | Shao New York in mag.
Read the SEP ISSUE #117 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Jessy Dover in mag.
We love that there are a nunber of events that take place whether here in NYC or other destinations that let us know that the Summer is upon us! One of our favorites is Paraiso Miami Swim Week which is a series of swimwear fashion shows that let us know what we can expect to fill our closets with when it comes to greeting sunny destinations in the best way possible. From runway shows, presentations, parties, and special events - it's an exciting time of year. With a number of designers showing during this time, we had our eyes on a number of swimwear brands. We're sharing our favorites here in this feature!
PHOTO CREDIT | Aventura Swimwear, BOLDE, Mariella Swimwear - Paraiso Miami Swim Week 2025/Getty
Read the JUN ISSUE #114 of Athleisure Mag and see MIAMI SWIM MIAMI SWIM 2025 in mag.
Read the JUN ISSUE #114 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LOOKS in mag.
We're thrilled to kick off the Summer season with Chef Esther Choi who graces our cover. We have enjoyed seeing her on a number of shows on Food Network, whether she is participating in culinary competitions or hosting shows. We also enjoy having a great meal at her restaurants whch include Mokbar and GAHM that showcase Korean Cuisine that is filled with flavor and made with love. We wanted to know more about her; how she got into the culinary industry; how she embraced food entertainment; and upcoming projects that she is working on.
We also enjoyed spending time with her at our cover photoshoot at The Maybury in Hudson Yards to showcase some of our favorite must-haves to enjoy as we continue into the upcoming Summer season!
ATHLEISURE MAG: We had the pleasure of chatting with you last month when we first met and you spoke on how you came to falling in love with food. So, we’d like to know what was the first chef that you remember seeing that made you think that being a chef, could be a career?
CHEF ESTHER CHOI: Oh man, that’s a hard one!
AM: We know!
CHEF EC: You know what? I think for me, growing up not in NY which obviously, has a very strong obviously food culture – I grew up in a very, very small town in NJ and there was nothing like that where I grew up. So being in the food industry wasn’t very glamorous, but I grew up watching a lot of chefs on TV. So it was Jamie Oliver (The Great Cookbook Challenge, Jamie's One Pan Wonders, Jamie's Air Fryer Meaals), Bobby Flay (Beat Bobby Flay, Bobby's Triple Threat, BBQ Brawl), or Iron Chef Morimoto (Iron Chef Japan, Iron Chef America, Morimoto's Sushi Master) – these were the role models that I grew up with watching. Even as cheesy as it sounds, even chefs like Rachael Ray (Rachael Ray's Holidays, The Curse, Rachael Ray's Meals in Minutes) or Giada De Laurentiis (Giada in Italy, Giada Entertains, Giada at Home 2.0), these chefs on screen to me, were like real chefs! They were people teaching you how to cook on TV and to me, that was the chef world. I always imagined my career – I mean, back then I didn’t know that I wanted to be a chef. But, I always admired these people who were on TV and I could see a real career path in food. So, I think for someone like me in a small town and I think that this goes for a lot of people in America in general. You watch these screens and these chefs cook and compete and that makes a role model and a career path to have.
AM: Couldn’t agree with you more. Like you, growing up in an area that was not in the city and being able to enjoy the early days of Food Network, I remember countless episodes of watching Chef Morimoto who was our previous cover.
CHEF EC: Oh yeah – yay that’s right!
AM: Right and seeing all of these different chefs at that time, when those shows were on, I didn’t think of it as this career that I know it is now. When you think about culinary and what it can mean for a number of people who are navigating that, it’s a whole other level!
CHEF EC: Totally, exactly!
I mean, now that the food industry has become this idealistic, glamorous thing, for me and a lot of people now, they look up to people. That’s not to say that they didn’t do that back then as well! I feel like that’s what it was.
AM: When did you realize that you wanted to go to Culinary School and where did you go?
CHEF EC: I went to Culinary School in Manhattan at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE). When I first moved to NY, it was because I knew that I wanted to be in food. That was when I decided that I wanted to have a career in food and I felt that going to culinary school was the fastest track to do that. By that age, I had already graduated college and I felt that I was already late to the game. You hear all of these stories like chefs working in kitchens when they were 15 years old! You hear all of these crazy glamour stories of all these chefs working at such a young age. So for me at 21, I felt like I was late in the game and I felt very rushed to catch up to the rest of the world in culinary. When I went to Culinary School, I realized that it wasn’t like that at all! There were so many people of different age groups, career changes, and even young kids that had just graduated from high school. So it was a very big mix of people in culinary school and I think that it was great to see people from various walks of life decide that they want to pursue food. It seems like a glamorous and passionate kind of career to have. So, when I did go to culinary school, I did quickly realize that there was a whole different world here and everyone has their own different career path.
Culinary School was one of those things that’s like continuing education. You can go at any age and it’s a short program too especially in Manhattan. It’s not like a college, it’s more of a program. You can literally do a whole culinary program and get your degree in 6 months in Manhattan.
AM: Woah!
CHEF EC: Yeah. It was a really good opportunity for me. I did the fast pass program in 6 months of school and I did 6 months of internship.
Yeah and lots of chefs, they didn't even go to culinary school. I know a lot of chefs have opinions about that. For me, it was a great, great thing. I never regret one bit of culinary school. It fast track teaches you everything that you need to know about the careers that you want in culinary. You’re not going to learn all of the skills that you need to know in that short period of time. But you will learn, for me – I didn’t know anything about this industry when I got there. For me, when I first moved to NY and went to culinary school, it was kind of a fast track to figuring out what I wanted to do. You find different careers in food. There are so many different kinds of food careers that you can have an culinary school gives you that perspective and teaches you about what is out there.
AM: That’s really cool.
When did you realize that you wanted to open your own restaurant?
CHEF EC: That dream, I have had for a long time. I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur since I was a kid. I was kind of one of those weird quirky kids who would sell candy on the school bus and I started working at a very young age at 14. I’ve always wanted to have a job and I always liked the idea of making my own money and being very independent. I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur and both of my parents were small business owners. I grew up going to their dry cleaners with my parents every day, seeing them run their business and their shops. So for me, I think it was always in me to open my own business or to be an entrepreneur.
Obviously, that solidified when I went moved to NY and went to Culinary School. I knew that I definitely wanted to own my own restaurant one day. So it was a culmination of all of those different things. Not only did I have this ambition to have my own business – I didn’t know it would be my own rant. I think that through having a culinary career later, that’s when I put 2 and 2 together and I knew that that was what I wanted.
AM: For those who have yet to enjoy Korean cuisine, what are the spices and foods that are indicative of it?
CHEF EC: For Korean food, it’s a really special cuisine that is filled with a lot of flavors that are fermented. You’ll find a lot of fermented flavors in Korean food which creates a lot of depth and umami. Things like Kimchi and Gochujang which is a Korean fermented chili paste and there is Doenjang which is fermented bean paste. Of course there is soy sauce and a lot of umami and depth of flavor and I think that that is what makes Korean food so special because there is that aging process because of the fermentation. It’s unlike any other cuisine where it takes a lot of experience. It’s not just a recipe that you can follow, right?
AM: Right!
CHEF EC: Korean food is really about that family taste – in Korean there is a phrase called Son-mat. Son means hand and mat means taste and it literally translates to hand taste which means that every chef or every grandma or every mother has their own flavor in their hands. There is no recipe to it. A lot of Korean food is like that where it’s made with the love that you put into the dish. That’s how my grandma taught me about food.
Growing up with my grandmother in South Jersey, she was the most amazing cook that I know and obviously because my grandma has her special flavors and the way that she creates dishes with local ingredients we had no access to Korean food – she grew her own Korean vegetables. She would take America produce and make it into Korean food. She did crazy things like that and she was ultimately my biggest inspiration and that is what I grew up with. I always thought it was the coolest thing ever and she taught me the way to love food and to express your love through food. It’s not just a family recipe or that she taught me step by step on how to do it. She taught me the way, the culture, and the foundation of where these foods come from. That is the thing. She taught me the philosophy of food. I carry that with me through everything that I do – whether it’s my menus, my recipes, but also the way that I run my business and the way that I treat my family and my friends. It’s a very emotional thing for me to be in food and to share this with other people.
AM: What is that process like for you when it goes into you bringing new items onto your menu? Is that always a major process or do you look to continue tweak various iterations?
CHEF EC: I am always looking to create something new and something fresh. It’s kind of like the curse of being a chef. You can’t just be stagnant and that’s why we love it! It’s the passion and creativity and chefs are artists ultimately. It’s like, honestly the bane of my existence as a business owner, but without that side of me, I’d never even have a business! I love it so much, but it’s also really hard to find inspiration and to be original at the same time. It’s just hard, but I have to find it. I try to find it in my daily life. Whether it’s finding inspiration in the small things – just like going to the Farmer’s Market every week and looking up different produce and looking at what’s new, new trends, and collaborating with other chefs or other artists. They don’t necessarily have to be other chefs. Collaborating with you for example during our shoot on the looks and stuff – that’s part of that process and there is creativity and I try to find inspiration in everything that I do. I can’t just do the same thing every day. That would also be a whole other curse! I’m just cursed in that way – like, I have to create for myself – it’s the only way that I can find inspiration.
AM: What do you look for when it comes to opening a new concept or even locations. Obviously, you have a number of locations here in the city as well as in Vegas. Are you constantly thinking of how you expand that world of Chef Esther Choi?
CHEF EC: Yes! So, I am always looking for opportunities and I think as an entrepreneur and I think that it is a whole other side of things that is separate from being a creative chef. As a business owner, you can’t just be creative all the time or else you will go broke! So my entrepreneurial side is always looking for new opportunities. Saying yes to opportunities and taking risks – you can’t stop taking risks because then you just die as a business owner and your business becomes stagnant. I’m always looking for the next thing and as hard as it is, it’s just chasing every opportunity and seeing what hits. It’s almost a numbers game. I just have to say yes to everything and one of those outcomes will always be a hit. To be honest, as an entrepreneur in order to be successful, you have probably failed that many more times!
AM: That’s right!
CHEF EC: It’s so awful! To succeed once, you have to fail 10 times.
AM: Exactly!
CHEF EC: For me, it’s my life was a failure and then that 1 time, it hit and it put me on the map. It’s always been that way for me. I don’t take failure as a downfall, I take it as a moment to realize, learn and to grow from those mistakes or those failures. To fail, you still have to keep doing it which sucks and it can be so heart wrenching and awful, but what else am I going to do – not do anything?
AM: 100%!
We were talking a bit earlier about the culinary landscape and the nuances that are involved. In addition to being a restaurateur, when did you realize that you wanted to go into TV as well? You have done culinary competitions and it was great to see you on Netflix’s Iron Chef: Quest For An Iron Legend and then hosting Food Network’s 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing. When did you realize that that was something that you also wanted in your portfolio?
CHEF EC: So, before I opened my restaurant, I worked in culinary production. I worked in magazines. You hear about chefs staging in different restaurants all over the world in Europe etc. But for me, I staged in a lot of different production sites. I staged at Saveur Magazine, I was an intern at Food Network and that became a full time position and I actually worked in the test kitchens there for 2 years after my internship. I also worked on a number of TV shows.
AM: Oh wow!
CHEF EC: I did a lot of research before deciding what I ultimately wanted to do. I love the world of food, food styling, production, magazines, and all of that. I really did like it, but it was a little slow paced for me. I really loved actually working in restaurant kitchens and that is what I ultimately ended up choosing in opening up my own spot. The production world and entertainment was a big part of my early chef career and it was a big motivation factor for me as well. Because when you work at the Food Network behind the scenes, you watch these incredible chefs and insanely talented people whether they are on camera or off camera – they were so talented. You’re talking about the 2% of the best in the world in this business. That is what I saw every day and it was such a huge motivation factor for me. If they’re doing it, I can do it too. It wasn’t like admiration like being star stuck – it was more, how can I become that? How can I be Morimoto – how can I be an Iron Chef? Do I want to work with the Iron Chef? No, I want to be the Iron Chef. That was a big inspiration for me in my younger years and that is why I set forth in doing the work, opening my own business, doing my own food, to ultimately go in and be on screens and to inspire other people too. I think that that was the plan for me and the goal to be that one day. I just had to take the steps that I had to take. For me, I did think that I could do it as well. So I just did it. Being around that in my younger years of my career, it made me so ambitious to want that as well since I was around it all the time. I think that it has a big impact on me. So after I opened my own restaurants and all of that, it just came naturally. I was in the entertainment world, I knew the steps that I needed to take to go into that world a bit more and it just naturally happened.
Now, here I am, a host of multiple shows! It actually is really hard and very different being a chef, an entrepreneur, an owner of restaurants – being a host – it’s a whole new playing field for me and it’s a skill that I have to continue to develop. I practice every single day. I don’t think that people realize how tough it is.
AM: It is a different beast. It’s about relatability in addition to having that domain expertise. I’ve done TV lifestyle segments as well as being on HSN selling collaborative designs and it’s a different hat.
CHEF EC: Totally different thing and skill set that has to be learned. Learning a new skill is always exciting for me whether I’m great at it or not – you can still learn! I’m learing.
AM: You never stop learning!
What are some upcoming projects that you have that you feel you can share with us that we can keep an eye out for?
CHEF EC: I think that people know me as a chef, a host, entrepreneur – one thing that I haven’t really succeeded yet on is the CPG world - Consumer Packaged Goods. I have been developing multiple products for years – I mean I try, fail, try, fail and it has been over 5 years since I have been trying to put out a product that is successful. That is a world that I am trying to navigate now. I have been working on an iced tea line.
AM: Refreshing!
CHEF EC: It’s a Korean iced teas all very organic, natural, naturally brewed and not using any chemicals or aspartame or anything like that. It’s very clean and low calorie. All from Jeje Island from Korea. I have been developing the iced tea line for quite awhile now – you can find it at my restaurants.
AM: Definitely want to check that out!
CHEF EC: I’m still not at a point where I can sell it from a big manufacturer. I am working on that.
I also have a sesame oil line that I have been working on it. Sesame Oil is a big part of Korean cuisine and I hope to create more awareness around Sesame Oil - to use it as a cooking oil much like olive oil. I want people to use it a lot more. I have been working on that and of course my Kimchi line – how can I not do that as it is a part of who I am! There are multiple different products that I have been working on and I hope I can get them on the shelves sooner than later.
AM: What do you want your legacy to be whether in general or in this space?
CHEF EC: Oh, that’s a tough one. I want to inspire the younger generation especially as an Asian-American female. I never had a role model to look up to that was like me. I had to kind of find it in myself. I want it to be a lot easier for the younger generation whether it is as a minority or as a female. I want to be a motivation to them to inspire them in their dreams and to be what ever it is that they aspire to be. I don’t want them to think can I do this because I'm not good enough or whatever? That should never be a factor in you accomplishing your dreams. I think I do have a lot of young fans that range from 8-13. That age range has been a big base for me and the amount of people that come up to me and let me know that their kid is a big fan of mine is really special because we are creating young minds. It’s about motivating them and inspiring them. They are the next generation. I really want to inspire them and to be inspired by them!
Every time a kid says that I inspire them and they watch me on TV, and they want to be what I am – that inspires me to want to work harder and to want to do better for myself. I just became a new mom and I want to be great for my little boy and I want him to be proud of me! I think that for me, that is my legacy. I want to inspire and be inspired by that!
IG @choibites
We had a great time having Chef Esther Choi on set with us for her cover shoot as well as finding out more about her world, her career, and upcoming projects. Our shoot includes looks that can be worn in Fitness, Out + About, WFH/Lounge, and Night Out.
FOOD PHILOSOPHY OVER EDITORIAL | TEAM CREDITS
PHOTOGRAPHER Paul Farkas | FASHION STYLIST + CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kimmie Smith | HMUA Felicia Graham + Toni Ann |
IG @pvfarkas
FOOD PHILOSOPHY COVER EDITORIAL | STYLE CREDITS
FITNESS LOOK | PG 16-27 | NYON New York Yankees Moto Varsity Jacket | TRACKSMITH Van Cortland Singlet | WILSON Midtown Tennis Skirt | STELLA MCCARTNEY Sneak-Elyse Platform Sneakers | SMART GLASS JEWELRY Mosaic Stiletto Gold Filled Satellite Necklace |
OUT + ABOUT LOOK | PG 28-32, 36 | SHWETAMBARI Balloon Blouse + Neena Maxi Skirt | ANDRE ASSOUS Anouka Espadrille Wedges | AIR AND ANCHOR Here Comes The Sun Necklace Set | KIMMIE VINCENT Beaded Agate Bracelets | SMART GLASS JEWELRY | Cube Gold Ring |
WFH/LOUNGE LOOK | PG 34-35 | SPLITS59 Ashby Rib Tank | SHWETAMBARI Printed Sera Pant | SMART GLASS JEWELRY Mosaic Stiletto Gold Filled Satellite Necklace + Cube Gold Ring | BUDDHA MAMA Beaded Necklace | DELICACIES JEWELRY Momo Necklace | KIMMIE VINCENT Beaded Agate Bracelets | VONTELLE Ankara Aviators |
NIGHT OUT LOOK | PG 37-39 | SHWETAMBARI Beaded Top | LE LISI Ribbed Knit Dress | SMART GLASS JEWELRY Mosaic Stiletto Gold Filled Satellite Necklace + Cube Gold Ring | BUDDHA MAMA Beaded Necklace | DELICACIES JEWELRY Momo Necklace | KIMMIE VINCENT Beaded Agate Bracelets | LAGOS Caviar Ring | ALEX SOLDIER Tear Drop Silver Earrings | VIRGINS SAINTS & ANGELS Ring | ELLARIA Necklace |
FOOD PHILOSOPHY COVER EDITORIAL | PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS
SONY Alpha 7R IV, FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Full-frame Standard Zoom G Master Lens, FE 50mm F1.4 GM Full-frame Large-aperture G Master Lens, FE 70-200 mm F2.8 GM OSS II Full-frame Telephoto Zoom G Master Lens with Optical SteadyShot, FE 90 mm F2.8 Macro G OSS Full-frame Telephoto Macro Prime G Lens with Optical SteadyShot | SIRUI Dragon Series Bendable RGB Panel Lights Set of 2 of B25R*2 Kit + DJ280 |
Our cover editorial took place at The Maybury in Hudson Yards, which is a great neighborhood that is always filled with options in terms of galleries, eateries, workout centers and more. We took some time to chat with Phil Lavoie, COO of Gotham Organization. He talks with us about the firm, the building, its amenities and more.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we delve into The Maybury, tell us about the Gotham Organization and the kinds of projects you’re typically involved in.
PHIL LAVOIE: Gotham Organization is a fifth-generation, family-owned real estate development firm with more than 112 years of experience shaping New York City’s skyline and neighborhoods. Driven by a deep-rooted commitment to quality, innovation, and community, we specialize in developing and managing mixed-use properties, encompassing residential, commercial, and institutional spaces.
AM: Hudson Yards is one of our favorite parts of the city, and it’s exciting to feature The Maybury on this cover shoot. What can you share about its design and the architects behind it?
PL: The Maybury makes a bold statement in the heart of Hudson Yards. Designed by the renowned Handel Architects, the building stands out with its sculpted brick-red metal façade and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, forming a dramatic and modern profile. Inside, the design strikes a more serene note, with high ceilings, luxury finishes, and an inviting palette of natural textures. The result is a harmonious blend of architectural sophistication and warm, understated elegance.
AM: Can you walk us through the amenities at The Maybury, including common areas, wellness spaces, terraces, and more?
PL: The Maybury features over 20,000 square feet of meticulously curated amenities designed to enhance everyday living. Highlights include a 45th-floor cocktail lounge with panoramic skyline views, opening onto sweeping outdoor terraces ideal for entertaining or relaxing. Wellness offerings include a cutting-edge indoor/outdoor fitness center and a yoga studio. Additional conveniences include a 24-hour attended lobby, a secure package room with and exclusive access to Gotham Living concierge services—all designed to deliver comfort, ease, and sophistication.
AM: What kind of community events do you offer for residents?
PL: We believe that true luxury extends beyond beautiful spaces—it's about fostering a sense of belonging. Our thoughtfully curated resident programming encourages meaningful connections through events like “Sip the Sunset,” a DJ-hosted terrace happy hour; “Cardio Power Hour,” an energizing group fitness session; and “Bloom & Brush,” a creative floral painting workshop. These experiences bring neighbors together and activate our spaces with energy and purpose.
AM: Tell us about the GothamCard Perks.
PL: The GothamCard is our exclusive perks program that connects residents with the best New York City has to offer. From priority reservations at top restaurants and discounts at boutique fitness studios to invitations to private events, GothamCard Perks extend the luxury lifestyle beyond the building itself. It’s all about giving residents insider access to curated experiences throughout the city.
AM: When did The Maybury open, and what types of residences are available?
PL: The Maybury opened its doors at the end of 2024 and offers 453 residences, including a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. Among its offerings is “The Collection” — an exclusive suite of luxury residences spanning floors 35 through 45. These premium homes boast soaring ceilings, high-end condo-level finishes, and breathtaking panoramic views of Manhattan, tailored for those who appreciate exceptional design and elevated living. The building also features 28 Abode by Gotham units—efficiently designed micro-units ranging from 315 to 350 square feet. Each Abode includes built-in Murphy beds, integrated storage, luxury finishes, and generous ceiling heights, combining smart design with refined comfort.
AM: What in-unit features should potential residents know about?
PL: Each residence is designed to condominium-quality standards, featuring quartz countertops, premium panelized appliances, high ceilings, and stunning views of the city and river. Residents also enjoy full access to the building’s extensive amenity package and lifestyle programming.
AM: What services does the concierge offer?
PL: Our full-service concierge is dedicated to making daily life as seamless as possible. From move-in assistance to everyday needs like package management, dog walking, and home care coordination, the concierge is here to support every aspect of our residents’ lifestyles.
AM: Tell us about the Residents App.
PL: The Gotham Properties Residents App puts convenience at residents’ fingertips. It allows users to pay rent, book amenities, RSVP for events, request maintenance, and access exclusive GothamCard perks—all from one easy-to-use platform. It’s designed to enhance connection and simplify life at The Maybury.
AM: What are the benefits of living in Hudson Yards?
PL: Hudson Yards is one of the most dynamic neighborhoods in NYC. Living at The Maybury puts residents steps from world-class dining, luxury shopping, iconic cultural destinations, and green spaces like the High Line and Hudson River Park. The neighborhood is also a hub for leading employers and offers seamless transportation options—making it ideal for professionals.
AM: Can you tell us about the Covenant House partnership and their presence in The Maybury?
PL: Our collaboration with Covenant House—a nonprofit focused on supporting youth facing homelessness—is a vital part of The Maybury’s community mission. Their office that serves as an administrative hub for their international services is located within the building. We’re proud to host and support such an impactful organization and its work in the broader Hudson Yards area.
AM: Are there any upcoming Gotham Organization projects we should know about?
PL: Yes, we’re excited to move forward with Monitor Point, a mixed-use waterfront community in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. In partnership with the MTA, Greenpoint Monitor Museum, and the Department of City Planning, Monitor Point will generate significant civic and community benefits focusing on mixed-income housing, attractive public open space, sustainable design, energy efficiency, employment opportunities, and economic mobility. The development is poised to transform the Greenpoint waterfront into an intergenerational mixed-use income community.
IG @gothamorg
Read the MAY ISSUE #113 of Athleisure Mag and see FOOD PHILOSOPHY | Chef Esther Choi in mag.
Read the MAY ISSUE #113 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Lele Sadoughi in mag.
Read the MAY ISSUE #113 of Athleisure Mag and see THE 9LIST in mag.
We're always looking at wines to add to our bar carts or cabinets and it's a no-brainer when the aesthetic of the bottle is just as lovely as the wine itself. We took some time to sit down with Andrea Brambila, winemaker at Chloe to find out more about how she came to the industry, learning more about Chloe, and the collaboration that they did with accessory designer and lifestyle brand, Lele Sadoughi.
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you wanted to be a winemaker?
ANDREA BRAMBILA: I have been in the wine industry for over 20 years and have been head winemaker of Chloe Wine Collection for the last several years. I love everything about the wine and the brand. I was always drawn to the blend of art and chemistry in winemaking and enjoy the unique challenges each vintage brings.
AM: Can you tell us a bit about the ethos of the brand, Chloe?
AB: The Chloe Wine Collection is built on the ethos of creating high-quality, thoughtfully crafted wines that reflect the passion, artistry, and dedication of the winemaking process. We emphasize a commitment to producing elegant, approachable wines that cater to a range of palates while maintaining a focus on quality.
AM: What can you tell us about the portfolio of Chloe?
AB: In our winemaking, we strive to produce the best representation of the varietal. It’s truly the classic style. I spend a lot of time working with the local growers whether that’s in Northern Italy for our Pinot Grigio or in the cooler, coastal climate of Monterey County for our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to Marlborough, New Zealand for our Sauvignon Blanc.
AM: Tell us why it is important that you engage in traditional winemaking when it comes to making this portfolio of wines and what is the process?
AB: Engaging in traditional winemaking is crucial for us because it allows us to honor and respect the rich history and craftsmanship that has shaped the wine industry over centuries. The process is not just about making wine, but about respecting time-tested techniques, the land, and the heritage that comes with each bottle. By utilizing traditional methods, we ensure that every wine tells a story - of the soil, the climate, and the hands that have worked the vines. This means focusing on quality, balance, and finesse in every step, from hand-picking the grapes to carefully controlling fermentation. Our process embraces both the old and the new, creating wines that are timeless yet sophisticated, and that truly reflect our passion for creating something exceptional.
AM: Can you speak on cultivation, fermentation, and aging of wines and what those techniques are?
AB: The Chloe Pinot Grigio is bright and classic and is fermented in 100% stainless steel tanks, delivering fresh, fruit-forward flavors with mouthwatering acidity, balanced minerality, and pure panache.
The Chloe Pinot Noir is elegant, and complex. It’s cold-soaked, cool-fermented, and aged in French oak, offering a plush mouthfeel, balanced texture, and a rich, satisfying finish.
AM: As a winemaker who spends time with local growers in Northern Italy as well as in Monterey County, CA - what takes place here and why is it important for you to be part of these steps in winemaking?
AB: Spending time with local growers in both Northern Italy and Monterey County allows me to connect deeply with the land and understand the unique characteristics of each region. The collaboration with these growers is essential because it gives me insight into the specific terroirs, climates, and farming practices that shape into the specific terroirs, climates, and farming practices that shape the wines. By being directly involved in these steps, I bring that knowledge back to our winery, ensuring it influences each varietal expression and translates into wines that reflect both the distinctiveness of their origin and our commitment to quality.
AM: How did the collaboration between CHLOE and Lele Sadoughi come about?
AB: Pairing Chloe Wines with Lele Sadoughi was a natural fit, as her feminine aesthetic and iconic bow designs mirror the essence of the Chloe Wine Collection and its signature label bow. This collaboration marks Chloe's first with a fashion designer and Lele's first with a wine brand.
AM: The bottles for both of these wines are a departure from the ones that are associated with the brand. Can you tell us about the LTO design process and why you wanted the bottles to be this way?
AB: The design reflects the beauty of the wines and celebrates what our bow signifies: high-quality wines from the most pre-eminent wine regions around the world. The oblong glass vessel resembles a perfume bottle with elegant-curved shoulders, which directly reflects the experience we want our drinkers to have when enjoying the wine - an elevated, premium, and luxurious experience.
AM: In looking at the bottles, they are so appealing to work with. What are 3 items that you would pair with the Pinot Grigio as well as the Pinot Noir as we begin to plan meals at our homes this season?
AB: Our Chloe x Lele Pinot Grigio pairs well with light, fresh dishes. Here are three great options:
• Grilled Shrimp or Branzino – The crisp acidity of the Chloe Pinot Grigio complements the delicate flavors of seafood, especially grilled shrimp or grilled branzino.
• Fresh Salads – A Caesar wedge salad enhances the refreshing notes of the Chloe Pinot Grigio.
• Parmesan Risotto – Chloe Pinot Grigio’s crispness and citrus notes pair beautifully with the richness of a classic Parmesan Risotto.
Our Chloe x Lele Pinot Noir is a versatile red wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Here are three of my favorite options:
• Rosemary & Thyme Roasted Chicken – The light tannins and fruity notes of the Chloe Pinot Noir will complement these savory flavors.
• Grilled Salmon – The acidity in our Chloe Pinot Noir and subtle earthy flavors pair wonderfully with the richness of grilled salmon or other fatty fish.
• Pasta ai Fungi – Chloe Pinot Noir’s earthy undertones make it a great match for dishes featuring mushrooms.
Now that we know more about Chloe, the brand, and their collaboration with Lele Sadoughi, it's time that we talk with this accessory designer to find out about her brand that has been styled in our editorials, how she came to the brand, and more!
AM: When did you realize that you wanted to be an accessory designer, and do you remember the first piece that you designed?
LELE SADOUGHI: I started my career in ready to wear managing pattern makers. I would get creative projects to paint and bead panels, and knew I loved working with the details. I started to design trims at Rebecca Taylor, so picked out all the buttons, ribbons, and bows that adorn outfits. This led me to designing jewelry for many companies including Banana Republic, Tory Burch, and launching the jewelry at J. Crew.
For the first accessory I designed, I remember making a ribbon necklace with bleached wooden beads for Banana Republic. Thousands of them were produced. My most viral design is the bubble necklace I made for J Crew, when it was all about layering necklaces and wearing a statement piece.
AM: Where do you look to in terms of inspiration for the next collection that you create?
LS: Inspiration for my designs comes from all around me—nature, art, culture, and even everyday life. I’m constantly looking for beauty in unexpected places: color combinations in a painting, the texture of a material, or the patterns found in natural landscapes. I love traveling, and each place I visit brings a new wave of creative energy. Above all, my inspiration often comes from the emotions I want to evoke. Whether it’s empowerment, joy, or a sense of nostalgia, I aim to create pieces that connect with people on a deeper level.
AM: I've had the pleasure of styling photoshoots and including your brand in these editorials! As someone who loves accessories, what does accessorizing mean to you and how do you feel it compliments your identity?
LS: Accessories give the ability to showcase personal style on top of a well-dressed outfit. There’s nothing better than putting together an outfit that makes you feel feminine and confident and adding an accessory like a headband, sunglasses or a bow to complete the look and elevate it that much more. Adding an accessory is like treating yourself to a little luxury, and putting a bow on this fabulous Chloe Pinot Grigio bottle is doing just that.
AM: The Chloe bottle is gorgeous! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the bottle and elevating their iconic Chloe bow?
LS: I was very honored to work with Chloe to create the perfect accessory for them. They came to me with this stunning, super luxurious perfume bottle-styled bottle and asked me to celebrate the signature bow on the label and hero the quality of the wine in the bottle. So, I designed a handmade, double layer silken bow to accent the limited-edition Chloe Wine Collection bottle, so this new beautiful shape can stand out amongst its neighbors. The elegance of the perfume-like shaped bottle evoked such femininity, and adorning it with this chic, luxurious black silken bow was the ultimate finishing touch. Not only is the limited-edition Chloe bottle visually exquisite, but the taste is also perfect for sipping. The bottle serves as a great collector’s piece that will sit pretty, even next to your Lele accessories.
AM: How do you make the everyday seem a bit more luxurious especially as we continue to navigate the Spring and begin to embrace the Summer?
LS: Every day should be luxurious, joyous, celebratory and over the top. Maybe it’s the thrill of adding a bold accessory to compliment an outfit, or even something as simple as pouring yourself a glass of your Chloe wine. To be able to showcase personality through luxurious bows and accessories is a great way to celebrate style, the art of living and enjoying life!
AM: You recently launched your one-of-a-kind Floral Boutique Collection! Are there additional launches and collaborations that we can keep an eye out for?
LS: We are always working in new collection drops. We have a surprise drop of rainbow colored crystal headbands coming soon. Also, every spring we drop a collection using Liberty of London prints as well as an Americana collection just in time for the summer.
IG @chloewine
PHOTOS COURTESY | Chloe Wine
Read the APR ISSUE #112 of Athleisure Mag and see FINE + DIVINE in mag.
Last month we went to Ludlow House to screen Allbirds' series Cards on the Table hosted by and created in collaboration with Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games franchise, Conclave) as well as to enjoy a lovely dinner and to keep the conversation going. This series includes conversations with fashion designer Tan France, F1 racer Carlos Sainz, Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians, The Gentlemen, A Simple Favor), Molly Ringwald (The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, The Bear), Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones, Dark Phoenix, The Staircase), and physicists Brian Cox to name a few. The series was developed by Allbirds in partnership with OBB Pictures and SALT Productions.
We enjoyed the vibe of the series, the dinner and the conversation and wanted to find out more about this lifestyle shoe brand by chatting with the companies' CMO, Kelly Olmstead. We talk about shoes, why it started, the thought behind this series which you can watch on Rolling Stones' YouTube channel, and why they wanted to present the brand in this way.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Can you tell us about your background and what drew you to joining Allbirds?
KELLY OLMSTEAD: Having been in the industry for years, I remember Allbirds first showed up on my radar—and as part of a big industry leader like Adidas, wondering if this small company from San Francisco could really shake up the footwear industry like they claimed. Could they actually do things better, in a better way? When I eventually joined Allbirds, that same scrappy, counterculture spirit was still alive and well—and that’s what pulled me in. It was a chance to rethink the way things had always been done. Back then, I saw the potential for this brand to change the footwear industry for the better. And today, I still do.
AM: Tell us about Allbirds, the first product that they launched and their ethos.
KO: Allbirds was founded in 2015, and since day one, we’ve been deeply committed day one, we've been deeply committed
to drawing inspiration from nature to make better since day one, we’ve been deeply commit make better things in a better way. That philosophy inspired our first product, the Wool Runner, the style that put the business on the map and is still known today for its incredible comfort and simple aesthetic. Today, that same philosophy still rings true. We design our products to be materially different by turning away from convention toward nature’s inspiration.
AM: As a CMO at Allbirds, what is your day-to-day like with the brand?
KO: Our business is focused on three main priorities: making great product, delivering great customer experiences, and telling great stories. In my role, I’m especially focused on that last piece of the equation–and that’s where our brand platform Allbirds by Nature came into play. We introduced Allbirds by Nature last year, which has opened up an enormous opportunity to engage with people on a wide range of topics that are important to us. It’s been an awesome few months really exploring the different dimensions that platform allows with my team, celebrating how we take inspiration from Mother Nature and human nature to make better things in a better way.
AM: What does Allbirds by Nature mean?
KO: Since day one, we’ve been deeply inspired by nature: Mother Nature, the ultimate innovator; and equally, human nature–our consumer’s needs and commonalities. Allbirds by Nature reflects that. Everything originates by observing the world around us, which influences everything from the materials we use in our products, to the stories we tell in our marketing.
AM: Can you talk a bit about the design aesthetic of the shoes and what are 3 products from the men's line and 3 from the women's line that are a must-have as we build our collection?
KO: I’d say Allbirds is widely known for our marriage of natural materials and textiles with sleek, simple, modern design. But we’re widely loved for how comfortable our products are. Aesthetic can be more subjective, whereas comfort is universal, and that’s why comfort is paramount to our product design and development process. There really is a shoe for every foot, but to list just a few of our fan-favorite styles: the Tree Runner Go, Wool Runner Go, and Tree Dasher 2s are consistent best-sellers in both men’s and women’s.
We’ve got an incredible design team led by Adrian Nyman, our Chief Design Officer, and Jason Israel, our VP of Design. They've got a team stacked with incredible talent, including industry experts in materials and color. Later this year, we’re delivering an even more robust product line with fresh silhouettes and material executions, which we’re really excited about.
AM: We had the pleasure of attending your recent event in NYC for the Stanley Tucci X Allbirds Cards on the Table Event at Ludlow House. Can you tell us about the campaign, why Stanley Tucci was a great fit as well as including Dr. Orna Guralnik, and why Allbirds wanted to create this?
KO: At the core, the impetus for Cards On The Table was a desire to make meaningful content that brought to life our brand values and beliefs. One of our core values is to Live Curiously, and it’s that quality that we kept coming back to. The concept of a dream dinner party gained traction quickly, because there’s something about gathering around a table that feels ripe for curiosity, conversation, and authentic connection. In each of the four episodes from the series, we’re bringing together people who inspire us and embody our ethos in different and powerful ways–either with an inquisitive spirit, unconventional approaches to their work, or unique stories of success from those who challenge the status quo.
Stanley was the one and only person weconsidered as our host. Not only is he respected and beloved for his influence in entertainment, fashion, and food, but he embodies curiosity, taste, consideration, individuality, and authenticity. He’s the ultimate articulation of who we imagine the Allbirds consumer to be, and really, the ultimate host. Who wouldn’t want to be at Stanley’s table?
Dr. Orna Guralnik’s expertise was critical to adding weight to the series concept, driving compelling conversations and meaningful connections. I can’t overstate just how important her influence was in crafting the discussion cards, which drive the discussion in each episode. With those prompts in hand, we were able to cook up really exciting, entertaining, and unexpected conversations that uncovered common threads between our guests and encouraged authentic connection.
We’re always exploring new ways to connect with our audience. We know people increasingly seek out brands that share their values and offer more than just a product–people don’t want to be sold to constantly. People want to see content that’s entertaining, inspiring, and adds value to their daily lives. We’re eager to see how people respond to this series, because it’s a reflection of what we believe and value, and we’re hopeful it will resonate with people far and wide.
AM: Will you continue to do this series?
KO: We’re hopeful that this series concept will be compelling and resonant for a wide audience, and we’re excited to see how viewers respond as the remaining episodes drop throughout the month. The natural world and human nature are really a limitless source of inspiration, and we’ve just scratched the surface of where this exploration could lead.
AM: What did you learn the most from doing this series?
KO: We’re always exploring new ways to connect with our audience. We know people increasingly seek out brands that share their values and offer more than just a product–people don’t want to be sold to constantly. The initial response to the series has affirmed that, and it’s been so encouraging and fulfilling to see people connect with the series, the talent, and even with one another in the comments. People are asking for more, and that’s the best result as a storyteller and marketer.
But even more broadly speaking, on a human level, this series reminded me of the joy that comes from human connection. Our hope is that Cards On The Table not only paints a picture of our brand’s beliefs and personality, but inspires people to approach life with renewed curiosity and desire for connection. We want everyone to be reminded of the power of community, and to feel encouraged to connect through the shared qualities that make us human.
AM: Are there any new launches coming out that we should keep an eye out for?
KO: Absolutely–nothing I can tease out quite yet, but we have some pretty fantastic products coming this year that we’re unbelievably excited to bring out into the world.
IG @allbirds
PHOTOS COURTESY | Matt Holyoak
Read the MAR ISSUE #111 of Athleisure Mag and see SPRINGING AHEAD | Kelly Olmstead CMO Allbirds in mag.
This month, we got our fashion fix as well as to see what will hit retail stores and our favorite online shops with this season's NYFW FW25 which ran from Feb 6 - 11th. Each season it's great to connect with the fashion and creative community as well as to interact with designers that are launching their collections, those that are new to us, and of course our favorites. This period of times includes an array of events from runway shows, presentations, previews, and so much more! This month, we want to share a bit of what we saw this season!
NYMD is a curated group of menswear brands (depending on the designer, they may include womenswear as well) that showcase in Hudson Yards. It allows you to come during the morning for a series of designers and activations and then to come back later in the day for a new crop of designers. The shows tend to showcase the collections presentation style although some will have a runway show that continues on loop during the timeslot of the day part.
This season we saw A.Potts, a Brooklyn based brand designed by Aaron Potts. He has shown a total of 10 times during NYMD. This season's collection is inspired by Black Panthers and leopards and the collection has a number of grey and black textures in its modernist aesthetic.
IG @nyfw
Sivan has been a brand that we have always enjoyed seeing each season as they always presented structured pieces for men and women and there is always a theme that ties everything together. For this Fall/WInter season, the focus was Sivan Hotel! This Brooklyn based brand started in 2021 and this is the 3rd season that they have shown their collection. Their fabrication and the impeccable styling is always something that we enjoy seeing regardless of the season that is being presented.
Joseph McRae made it's debut at this year's NYMD. We enjoyed seeing this line that included an array of luxe exaggerated puffers, dresses, and separates. Each piece had fabrictations that were rich in visual texture.
Additional brands that showed at NYMD included Hold NYC, Max Esmail, and Peak Lapel NYC. In addition, Sperry showcased their upcoming FW footwear collection as well as Grimoire NYC allowed attendees of the show to know more about their skincare line.
IG @holdnyc
In between our shows during NYFW, we swung by Jovani's new showroom in Bryant Park. We were able to see an array of gowns, jumpsuits, and more that will find their way on those competing in the Bachelor/The Bachelorette, red carpets, your favorite Real Housewives and so much more. We always like keeping pieces like this in mind for our next project.
We kicked off our next day of shows early by heading to Authentic Roz which made it's NYFW debut. We enjoyed seeing Rayane Alami's collection which had elements of a retro vibe but showcased Moroccan aesthetics, Japanese minimalism, and Italian craftsmanship. This 24 piece collection is infused with sustainable streetwear.
Our series of shows continued my making our way to 610 Loft and Garden which overlooks Rockefeller Center as well as St Patrick Cathedral! We were excited to see luxury designer, Michael DePaulo's couture show which showcased an array of stunning gowns! It was great to have such a clear canvas to see the models showcase the dresses, to interact with the creative community as well as enjoying cocktails with good vibes all around.
It's always great to attend a collective show where multiple designers showcase their lines together. FILIPINXT celebrated fashion designers and crafstmanship of the Philippines and presented their designers: Bessie Besana (the collection 'Rays of Twilight' showcased bridal wear with chantilly lace, silk, and tulle in serene whites and nudes), Edited Limited + Adante Leyesa (the collaboration between Leo Bartolome or Edited Limited and Adante Leyesa came together in 'Tough Love' illustrating bold streetwear with raw edges with intricate accessories for the perfect accent), Bagoyan (the collection 'Bagoyan Rising' blends an aesthetic of traditional Kalinga culture and modern wearable design), and Tagpi (the collection 'Tahak' merged the worlds of a tropical landscape of the Philippines and the cosmopolitan energy of NYC). Prior to the show, we were welcomed by The Philippine Consulate in New York & Kalye NYC which talked about the designers' heritage, sustainability, innovation, and individuality so that they could take their work and passion to the global stage of NYFW through powerful runway shows.
Once again NYFW is always a great way to see and connect with designers and their passions! We have been a fan of Chris Habana for a number of years as his designs have been worn by Tyla (floating bra), Latto (a number of iconic moments), Doechii (a number of iconic moments), Beyoncé (Sir Davis bottle crystalized bag), Shaboozey (pony fur coat for Netflix Christmas Day NFL Halftime Show), and more! During NYFW, we were invited to their studio to see apparel and accessories that he has created as well as to see an outfit that was being made for a project that will be worn by an entertainer. It was great to meet other enthusiasts of his work as well as to take in a few drinks in between seeing his archives!
IG @chrishabana
We enjoyed closing out our NYFW FW25 experience with Frederick Anderson at Paradise Club at the Edition Hotel in Times Square. The show started with an opera performance by 2X Grammy winner J'Nai Bridges.
41 looks hit the runway that had elements focused on romance and had a bit of a Spanish vibe with sultry tones that could be felt throughout the collection as well as the venue!
IG @frederickanderson_designer
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 72 Ned & Aya | PG 74 + 75 Sivan | PG 77 Michal DePaulo | PG 78 + 79 David Warren |
Read the FEB ISSUE #110 of Athleisure Mag and see NYFW FW25 in mag.
When you think of a brand, you think about its ethos; products it makes; how it engages with those who purchase it as well as their followers. As you delve deeper, there are campaigns, collaborations, how it presents its assortments and how it is seen in terms of how it changes our lives and the way that we move.
This movement and exchange takes place with thoughtleaders and we're thrilled that this month our cover is with the former CMO of Netflix, Endeavor, CBO of Uber, and Marketing Exec at Apple Music, PepsiCo, and Beats Music - Bozoma Saint John. Without a doubt, she is a badass in the boardroom and she is bringing her brand of creativity on S14 of BRAVO's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as a full-time castmember which premiered on Nov 19th. We can't wait to see her navigate her season. We wanted to talk with her about her fingerprint on some of the most innovative brands on the planet, how she approaches her work, the launch of her hairline Eve by Boz, and being on RHOBH!
ATHLEISURE MAG: All right, so I mean, I followed your career for a number of years and have been blown away by just the Innovative companies. Just things I couldn't have imagined as a kid growing up to see you doing that. What led you to that journey to work with these Innovative companies?
BOZOMA SAINT JOHN: Well, I don't really believe in the 5 or 10-year plans. I don't even really believe in like a 2-year plan. I think you have to follow you know, the feeling of the moment. We're always in a state of evolution and so it's more important to understand like where you are and what you're trying to achieve than it is, where you're actually going. Because in hindsight, it will look like you had a plan.
I don’t know if I can answer that there was a plan in working for the innovative companies. I believe I’m an innovative person and therefore the companies found me and my job style.
AM: Do you have key moments that you're really proud of that you did at these companies?
BSJ: Yeah, of course. I don't know that there's a company I've ever worked for where I didn't feel proud of something I did there. You know, I think that as long as you know your focus on doing your best work, that there can't be a bad job.
AM: Right.
BSJ: You know, there can't be a bad work experience and so I could rattle off a whole bunch. I mean, it's like when I was working for Spike Lee (School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X), working on Carmen the commercial for PepsiCo featuring Beyoncé (Dreamgirls, Austin Powers in Goldmember, Lemonade), who had her first solo gig was great.
When I was at Mountain Dew, working on the, AND1 Streetball initiative, it was amazing. That was the first time any of the big companies paid attention to these Black men who were playing on concrete. It was also the first time we ever created a brand lead film called First Descent using Mountain Dew and obviously, I also did the Super Bowl Pepsi Halftime Show featuring Beyoncé, followed by Bruno Mars, followed by Katy Perry, followed by Lady Gaga and those were big.
Then at Apple, I mean that was creating Apple Music.
AM: Yeah.
BSJ: You know, as the biggest thing probably because it just changed the way that we listen to music in the way that people consume it.
At Uber, it was working with LeBron James, on his production company because he was trying to break out of, you know, just playing basketball and trying to branch out and nobody wanted to give him a job because they didn't believe that athletes could do that kind of thing. And then we made this amazing piece of content which it was said he should just shut up and dribble. Which led to his own transformation in terms of his vocal presence and what he felt like he should be able to say and that he's more than an athlete. That's where it was coming from.
At Endeavor, it was working on Miss Universe and crowning Zozibini Tunzi as the first Black South African with the crown and that same year, all five beauty queens, who are black.
AM: Yup.
BSJ: So you had Miss Universe, Miss America (Nia Franklin), Miss USA (Cheslie Kryst), Miss Teen USA (Kaliegh Garris), and Miss World (Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica). Who were all black. (Editor’s Note: In 2019, Black women won all 5 major beauty pageants for the first time in history).
AM: That was incredible and I had the pleasure of styling Nia Frankin for an editorial shoot during her reign and it was such an amazing experience.
BSJ: Oh nice.
Of course, my good friend Cheslie Kryst unfortunately, lost her life to suicide.
AM: She was lovely. I had the pleasure of interviewing her and was so sad to hear of her passing.
BSJ: Then at Netflix, it was you know, making the world understand that content can travel. You know, it's been the long-held belief that you can't use content from Spain in France or French content in Nigeria or Nigerian content in the US. I proved all of those people wrong especially because we used the pandemic as the way to do it. So a show like Squid Game would never have been possible. without that moment in time.
AM: 100%
BSJ: You couldn't have predicted that show. I mean, the creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk had been trying to sell it for 12 years!
AM: I didn’t know that until after the series came out which was incredible.
BSJ: You couldn't have sold it without the pandemic, without me being a global citizen. A true global citizen understands that language is actually not the barrier, it's the access and so if you break down the walls of access then people will be able to enjoy other cultures.
AM: I mean, I have to say Love is Blind, I've watched every edition of it starting with the US, Habibi, Japan, etc and going through the various countries.
BSJ: Yeah!
AM: Prior to watching Squid Game, I didn’t watch shows in subtitles. But after I got hooked on Squid Game, I realized that there was so much content that I was missing that I wanted to enjoy and I haven’t stopped since. I realized that if I watched that, why can't I enjoy the Swedish thrillers on Netflix, true crime etc?
BSJ: Yeah! A weird, violent, and comedic drama!
AM: We're actually going to a VIP Editor Event at Squid Game: The Experience as guests of Johnnie Walker tonight after spending time with you and I can’t wait to kind of get into the game ahead of the second season launching next month!
BSJ: Yeah, you could never predict that, that would work.
AM: I just love hearing all the different things that you've talking about. You’re also an author and you released your book The Urgent Life: My Story of Love, Loss, and Survival, which is a powerful memoir. Why did you want to share something like this as it is so vulnerable, and so amazing.
BSJ: Because leaders are just supposed to be fierce. They're supposed to be behind the corner office, behind a very heavy desk without showing any vulnerability without showing their humanity. Oftentimes, I think people think that if you go through something difficult that somehow, then you can't rise to the top.
AM: Right.
BSJ: That your traumas have to stop you. And that's not true. And so, if more leaders were able to share their humanity and have more empathy about who they work with and how they work, how they show up and we probably would have a better culture all the way around, not just even corporate culture, but in politics and in social reform and in charities, If we would just show more of our humanity, perhaps we just have a better world anyway.
AM: When I read your book, it was the first person that I knew that looked like me that could be both. Like, you're clearly very fierce, but the fact that you can still embrace these other elements was intriguing to me as I continue to learn to be more vulnerable as I figure out how to apply it for me. I commend you for that.
BSJ: Well I'm only fierce because of my vulnerability - just because of the things I've been through. You know, you don't become fierce because you sat in one place and everything was peachy keen, you know. So, I actually don't understand that dichotomy. I don't understand it when people think that like, your vulnerability is weakness.
AM: Right.
BSJ: You know, I think you say that, you know, there's so many catchphrases that people use that they don't actually understand.
AM: Right, it’s like a whole retraining. I find myself at 45 examining and thinking about how I look at things and seeing that you can be this and this and that one doesn’t deplete the other.
BSJ: Exactly! People like these catchphrases, but don't actually apply them! Like vulnerability is strength so yippie, yippie yippie, but you don't actually show your vulnerability - so how are you strong?
AM: Yeah.
BSJ: The way that people think about these phrases that have become a way of being - almost like a badge.
AM: Yeah.
BSJ: But don't actually apply life to it. They say, you know, be unapologetic, but yet you are apologizing – you’re afraid to show up as exactly as you are because you are apologizing. You may not want to say that. Because it's embarrassing. It makes you feel like you're not. But don't say that you are if you aren't behaving in that way.
AM: You are a woman who never stops. You have a hairline and as we were in prep for this cover interview and I was watching your IG even more than I already do, that’s when I saw what your new company is Eve by Boz. Tell me about this and why did you want to create it?
BSJ: Yeah, well I think as much from my business acumen you know being a Black woman in Corporate America obviously means that most of the time I'm one of one or one of few and our hair is always a topic of conversation, even if we don't want it to be. So having had the experiences in corporate where, you know, people have often said stuff about my hair you know whether it's like oh I know you know Boz is going to be crazy today if her hair is white. You know, where she's gonna be more reasonable because her hair is straight.
And it's not even just like from white people. A lot of people do that and so it's like well-meaning well-intentioned, who say things like, oh you're going into a board meeting, you should probably pull your hair back so that it's, it's not too much.
AM: Exactly.
BSJ: And then you have, you know, the legality of it all with like The Crown Act and having to find ways to just simply exist without the threat of being fired or the threat of being kicked out of school or whatever places you have to be where you just simply are trying to exist as your natural self. I remember when I got on the Apple keynote stage and yes, I was the first Black person but also, besides look, I'm a Black woman and I'm going to show up that way. Steve Jobs built that stage. Everybody knows that he showed up in the black turtleneck and his jeans and everybody has followed suit since. Maybe it's not a black turtleneck but it sure is a blue button down and maybe some cargos that were switched out from the jeans.
AM: Which is still the same look in essence.
BSJ: It was the same white tech boy look. For me, it was how do I do that, but in my own way? Truth be told, for me it was like, look, I want to wear something that makes me feel my most comfortable and most powerful, which meant that I was wearing a pink Mimi Plange dress, and my pink Louboutins with the little puff on the back. My hair was in a curly afro and very shortly thereafter, there were Tweets and comments both positive and negative about my hair and that's just one instance where I made a deliberate choice to wear my hair a particular way.
AM: Yeah.
BSJ: When I got my job at Uber and I was a Chief Brand Officer, I did decide to show up with my braids down to the back of my kneecaps, because it was like look where else are you gonna see anybody in the Chief seat like that.
At the time that I became the Chief Marketing Officer at Netflix, I was the only Black C-suite executive with budget in any of the most profit companies on the planet. The only one man or woman. It was important to me, then also to show up with my hair however, the hell I wanted to show it.
Now the challenge has been that I happen to like hair and wearing numerous ways. Whether I have somebody fabulous like Nikki styling my hair or I'm at home. I have made wigs. I have cut my hair, I have - well, Nikki, has had to take care of some of my cuts – that’s fine and we won’t talk about that - ha! But the point is that, regardless of what I'm doing, I've always had to manipulate the hair so that it matches my texture, so that it matches my complexion, so that it feels more like me. Why do I have to do that when 80% of the consumer base is Black or women of color? The product that is being made is being centered around white women. That doesn't make any sense as they are under 20% of the of the market. Now I can see makeup companies - I understand. You are focused on white women even though they happen to be 50% of the marketplace or whatever, because you know that's quote unquote majority. But is it a majority because wasn't it just because it wasn't available?
AM: Exactly.
BSJ: So you change that dynamic and you make it available, then shouldn't the numbers increase? So that goes for makeup, other beauty products, skincare etc. But when we talk about hair, the numbers already exist. It's not as if we're saying, oh do this, and they will build this and they will come. They are already there, you're just not even serving them.
AM: Right.
BSJ: So it was Innovation like lace color. I mean right now I just have 3. Can you imagine if I had 40?
AM: Wow!
BSJ: And I'll get there. Right now, we have 3. You know, can the textures not be named these ridiculous names that don’t have anything to do with us?
AM: That part!
BSJ: No disrespect to the Burmese, but why am I wearing Burmese curly?
And who named it Yaki Straight?
AM: Liteally was just going to say where did Yaki come from?
BSJ: Was it an actual yak? What are we saying? What are we talking about?
AM: When you were there with the names, I was literally like, what about Yaki?
BSJ: I know right? Where did that come from?
Why does everything have to be Kinky?
AM: Exactly!
BSJ: So my point in the building of the company was yes, both from a product standpoint and being Innovative in that way because of lace, textures, etc. But also because I want the narrative to change. So what we call the hair and where it's produced. So it's very important to me that every tag had created in Ghana. So meaning that the hair is still sourced from Asia, because that's the number one market and it's very difficult to change the supply chain from there, but manufacturing doesn't have to be done there.
AM: Right.
BSJ: So manufacturing in Ghana, using ingredients that are found on the continent, whether that's Moringa, Baobab Tree Oil, Rose hip, Shea Butter, Palm Tree Oil – these are all amazing ingredients that are found all over the continent. We've been using it for a Millennia and so some of the big, you know, companies are already using that in terms of, soaps, lotions and things like that. You'll see a lot of Shea Butter, and Moringa is starting to make its way into the marketplace. But it's still not used in hair and it's not treated. So most of the time, what people do when they purchase these units, is that whether it's wigs, closures, bundles - they're getting it out of a plastic bag first of all. It stinks to high heaven because it hasn't been washed and hasn't been processed in a way that's healthy for us. So, I changed all of that, including the packaging that you receive the hair in, it's fabric. It's actually a bonnet.
AM: Oh, wow!
BSJ: It’s a bonnet that is used as the bag to put the hair in.
AM: That's smart.
BSJ: The fabric I made myself at GTP which is Ghana's first textile company was founded by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who was Ghana's first president. And they're established and their mission was to also showcase the patterns of Ghana to the world. So why not follow in those footsteps? On top of that, it's like the hair products that go to treat the hair – by the way, we don't have any that are specifically formulated for extension hair and so I did that.
AM: Oh wow!
BSJ: I partnered with a Black woman chemist, Jerry Watson, who is amazing. She's worked at all the big companies before. She has a few patents herself and I wanted to formulate new products that I could then own the formulas and also use for these specific products that I'm making. So that meant shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner. A hair perfume which is my favorite of the line. In three scents, Genesis, Rose of Eden, and Earth Bomb - those use Baobab Tree Oil, Rosehip and Moringa Oil respectively. I made a Goddess Paste which is an edge control.
I have this product called Native Skin, which is innovative because it hides the lace. So it's like a paste that you put on the lace to camouflage it again in three colors so that you can match it to your shades. And It just felt to me like once I was going, there was no stopping. The truth of it is that I think I made this for myself because I made it for anybody. You know which is just like I've been in the spotlight, and doing my hair and all kind of ways for a long time. Sometimes I want to pick out some hair and go!
AM: And how many SKUS would you say you started with?
BSJ: I have 166 SKUS.
AM: Wow.
BSJ: Yeah, so big.
AM: My background is in wholesale so listening to you talking about the assortment and how a number of them fall into 3 shades, I felt that it was 100+ maybe even as high as 210 – 250.
BSJ: Yeah exactly!
AM: Do you envision going to HSN or QVC down the road? I created a collab line with a footwear brand it being able to be on that platform to talk about the brand as well as the designs I created was a great way for consumers to become engaged and to drive sales.
BSJ: Oh right, right, right! You know, I don't know if I want to do HSN. Maybe. My primary concern is that I'm in control of the entire chain. So I don't know that I want to go in that direction. Right now, I have direct to consumer (DTC) via the website, the only retail location actually is in Ghana at my headquarters, where if you're in Ghana, you can come to the store and purchase.
AM: Okay.
BSJ: I plan to own my own retail, so I don't plan to, you know, sell through any big box. If I have a big box, it'll be my own. So right now, it's like I want to be able to build the consumer base to understand the product first and then create the demand to have retail myself.
AM: It’s really interesting to hear about Eve by Boz and the innovation that is built into it and how it is structured! I can’t wait to see how it continues to move forward!
How did you decide to come to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?
BSJ: That came after the fact in my sabbatical while writing my book, I was trying to consider where else to go. You know, what else I wanted to do, what company I want to work with. There wasn't anything that was really drawing my attention. I had a few meetings that were great companies but just nothing that I felt passionate about, and then I made the decision to start my own and build my own.
Which was scary and all of the things. Because it's just like, oh my gosh. I could just comfortably, go and sit in somebody's seat, get paid a lot of money and just keep doing that, you know? But starting my own thing felt like such a departure from anything that I thought I ever wanted to do. And so, when I got the call about the Housewives, it almost felt like just keep going.
AM: Yeah!
BSJ: You know, in the same direction where it's like, look, I'm not ignorant to the fact that it's a huge platform that people are excited about that other women have created businesses off of, but you know, not for nothing. I don't believe that there are any, who have started the way that I'm starting, right with the kind of purpose that I have.
AM: Well, that was the thing that caught me by a surprise. I've been watching Housewives since the very beginning starting with the Orange County and I have watched every franchise and there is generally a very specific type of woman and I'm like but you're coming out completely different. All anyone has to do if they have not followed you previously is to Google you!
BSJ: Right! I already exist! I appreciate that because also you know, how do I say this? In my entire career, it has been about quote unquote representation.
My entire career. I can't remember a time when I was working where it was just like, oh I'm just Boz to be Boz. I don't remember a time. It's always been like, oh, you're representing this entire group of people and then it got worse and worse and worse as I became more and more and more successful, it was like what if I had failed on that Apple stage - we all know.
AM: Of course.
BSJ: There wouldn't be another one. You know it!
AM: Facts.
BSJ: I don't even have to explain it to you and not only that, it's like every space has had to be shattered. We've had to represent it every single space. So on this show, I look at it and I'm just like but then why not represent here? You know it's like what about the corporate baddies who look like me, who act like me, who don't care about wearing a gray suit, who want long claws, and weaves down to their asses. What about them?
AM: 100%
BSJ: Why not have the self-made girl down there? You know it's like I've been a widow for 11 years, 11 years. That’s a long time. My daughter was 4 when my husband died. I at the time I wasn't like it just the whole future looked so far.
AM: Yeah
BSJ: Everything just looked like it was just too far to get to and now she's 15 and a half. We're talking about colleges and it's remarkable to me that I've been able to come as far as I've come and so again, this is not a knock to anybody who's done a different way.
AM: Right.
BSJ: I'm just saying there's some of us out here who've made it ourselves. Who like when you see the success and what we came through, everything have our claw marks on it.
AM: That part, I’m feeling that in my soul right now!
BSJ: Because we climbed ourselves. Nobody gave this to me. So there's not a single day that goes where I'm just like, oh my gosh, I'm so like, oh, what if this happens? No, I've seen the worst already. I've been to the bottom already and I climbed out and so there's nothing that scares me about anything. And so that's why it's like I'm like what about those women? Like where are they in this lineup of people that we see or are they not important enough to be represented? They're more of us and they're all done.
So my hope is that being on this show is yes both about getting a platform for my business, but also doing what I've always done which is simply represent for those who are not represented.
AM: I love hearing this.
Are there any other upcoming projects that we should keep an eye out for?
BSJ: I know, right? You never know. Tomorrow I could be like – Anita!
AM: I have followed you for so many years. I've awalys been impressed by you with everything that you've done. The fingerprint that you have left across industries, verticals, and projects is amazing and has left significant and dynamic impressions! So I know that there is always more out there!
BSJ: But that's what I find is so beautiful about life. Again, just going back to why I live my life the way that I live it. You know it's I think again it's so cliche when people say like carpe diem.
AM: Right.
BSJ: Because they don't even know what they're talking about. I know I look pretty, but I'm a Latin student, you know, High School and in College, I took Latin the entire time. Carpe diem doesn't mean Seize the Day. It actually means A Plucking of the Day. It's more delicate and intentional, so carpe diem, quam minimum postero credula means pluck today - trusting as little as possible into the next one.
AM: Ooo.
BSJ: That's the whole thing. So the idea that you will trust tomorrow.
AM: Right.
BSJ: That you trust what's not yet seen.
AM: Right.
BSJ: Versus making today, the most important thing, the most powerful thing. It's crazy to me. And so that's why I'm living this life this way. You know, I'm taking everything that I can, I'm making everything as I go. It's like tomorrow I might wake up and have a new idea and I'll go do that.
AM: Exactly!
BSJ: You know? But I'm not worried about what's to come, because I'm so excited about the life that I'm living today. So there is no need for me to worry about what comes or when I go from this planet because I'm gonna live the best one that I can. It's not it's not flippant to me. So again, people say these words and they say them without knowing. They're like, “oh live like today's your last,” are you really though? Are you truly? Are you waiting until six months from now to be the thing that you want to do? Are you waiting a year to ask for that raise? Are you still in a relationship that you shouldn't be in? Because why? You're gonna wait five years until your kid gets a little older? I don't think so. So for me, it's like if you're really gonna live this life to its fullest then you have to start actually living a true story!
AM: Wow.
I think back to Paul and I sketching out this magazine in the Summer of 2015 and then we dropped the first issue in Jan 2016. In addition to thinking about concepts and flow, I made a list of 10 people that I wanted as a cover and you were in that list of 10 and here I am talking with you as our cover for our 107th issue!
BSJ: Girl really? I didn’t know that! Oh wow that’s amazing!
AM: I just appreciate you being out there and being all the positions that you did where who else would have done something like that and for you to be the first to leave that door open in other areas for other people it’s a legacy that you can proud of.
BSJ: Oh thank you. That means a lot and I really appreciate that.
AM: When you’re navigating from point A to point B, you do look up and out to see what other trailblazing is going on. So seeing all the things and where you continue to go, I'm just so happy to see somebody that's like this. Then when you were announced on the show, it became next level and I was just like, ok, she's gonna shake some shit up.
BSJ: Exactly. No, that's just it. I mean no I really really really appreciate you saying that though because I do think it's it's really so important for us to be seen. And the thing is like, you know, in addition to us seeing each other, I want other people to see us you know? It goes back to like even the company where I'm just like man, I do not see us.
AM: A lot of times we don’t.
BSJ: How are we centered? Because if you actually saw us, you would talk to us.
It's like, look, we need more opportunities to be seen in more beautiful ways and more intentional ways. You know, it's like it can't just be one note or one-dimensional.
AM: Exactly.
BSJ: And so that's why I also find it really important that, you know, both from just like I don't take the image to be superficial at all. It's like people often do that, like, what's the big deal about clothes and I'm like, no, it's very important.
AM: It’s huge.
BSJ: When you’re out, when people can spotlight you and say that one. So that's why it's like even in doing this I'm like okay you know we just got to make sure that it looks the way it's supposed to.
AM: Yeah, I'm a very first show every show.
BSJ: This, we are on the same wavelength! I can't! I don't I understand it when people show up halfway it just makes no sense!
AM: It's just not how I was raised. I come from people who did multiple things within their careers and I know that it is possible to be able to navigate that, but it has to be done right!
IG @badassboz
We enjoyed being able to sit down with Boz to talk with her about her career, outlook, RHOBH, and more while we were in the midst of shooting her cover editorial for our NOV ISSUE #107! Our shoot included looks that can be worn in Fitness, Out + About, WFH/Lounge, and Night Out.
THE INTENTIONAL ONE COVER EDITORIAL | TEAM CREDITS
PHOTOGRAPHER Paul Farkas | FASHION STYLIST + CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kimmie Smith | MUA Ashley | HAIR STYLIST Nicky Newland |
IG @pvfarkas
THE INTENTIONAL ONE COVER EDITORIAL | STYLE CREDITS
FITNESS LOOK | PG 16 - 26 | SKIMS Bandeau | GORWEAR Progress Thermo Bib Tights | DEEPA GURNANI Lalika Earrings |
OUT + ABOUT LOOK | PG 29 + 30 | PANTORA Florence Jacket + Florence Pants | WOXER Rib Tank Top | SIMONE I. SMITH X MISA HYLTON The Misa Doorknockers |
WFH/LOUNGE LOOK | PG 33 - 42 | PANTORA BRIDAL Taylor Robe | ATHLEISUREVERSE LUXE Lace + Tulle Deep V-Neck Adjustable Tap Pant Bodysuit | PONO BY JOAN GOODMAN Azalea Clip Earring + Mini Barile Maria Necklace |
NIGHT OUT LOOK | PG 44 - 54 | HWIT Red Gown | DEEPA GURNANI Teresa Earrings | MIRIAM HASKELL Necklace |
THE INTENTIONAL ONE COVER EDITORIAL | PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS
| SONY Alpha ILCE 7RM5, FE 50mm F1.4 GM, FE 70-200 mm F2.8 GM OSS II, FE 24-70 mm F2.8 GM II + HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash | SIRUI Dragon Series Bendable RGB Panel Lights Set of 2 of B25R*2 Kit + DJ280 |
Our cover editorial took place at 77 Greenwich PH. This luxurious space was the perfect setting to showcase the looks and the vibes for this story. We sat down with the team at 77 Greenwich to find out more about the property and specifically the penthouse unit.
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did this residential condominium open, how many units are still available, and can you tell us about the neighborhood that it is located in?
77 GREENWICH: 77 Greenwich officially opened in 2020, and it has quickly become one of the most sought after addresses in Lower Manhattan. Out of its 90 luxurious homes, there are a variety of unit types still available for purchase, most notably the Cloud Club Residences on our uppermost floors, which we just released. Located in the heart of Lower Manhattan, the building is on the west side of the Financial District overlooking the Hudson River and Battery Park. Our pocket of Lower Manhattan is a burgeoning but off-the-radar neighborhood that has rapidly transformed into one of the city's most convenient and vibrant places to live. Aside from the 80+ acres of waterfront parks at our doorstep and Manhattan’s newest Whole Foods Market a block away, we’re adjacent to nearly every subway line, and we can walk to a dynamic mix of cultural hubs such as the new Perelman Performing Arts Center. Lower Manhattan has also developed an award-winning dining scene, from Michelin-starred restaurants to the newly made over Tin Building at The Seaport. Residents of 77 Greenwich overlook all of this and soak in expansive views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. This "New Downtown" offers the perfect combination of contemporary living with historic charm, and is one of the most desirable places to live in the city.
AM: Who are the architects/developers that are involved in 77 Greenwich and what can you tell us about them and how they came to this project?
77G: 77 Greenwich was designed by FXCollaborative, a renowned New York-based architecture firm celebrated for its sustainable and innovative designs, with interiors by Deborah Berke and Stephen Brockman of TenBerke. The vision for the tower was to create a structure that blends seamlessly with the historic neighborhood while offering a refined, luxurious lifestyle. The building’s pleated glass curtain wall is a testament to FXCollaborative’s ingenuity, maximizing natural light and framing breathtaking views of the New York Harbor and Freedom Tower. FXCollaborative is known for its commitment to green building practices, and this project was designed to meet LEED certification standards, reflecting their dedication to sustainability.
The development of 77 Greenwich was spearheaded by Trinity Place Holdings, a respected name in real estate known for revitalizing and creating exceptional properties. Trinity Place Holdings aimed to make this project a cornerstone of Lower Manhattan’s transformation into a vibrant residential and cultural hub. Their vision encompassed more than just luxury living, and thus incorporated a new public elementary school to foster community growth and strengthen neighborhood connections.
AM: 77 Greenwich has 42 floors and 90 residences. What are the community amenities that are offered in this building that residents can enjoy?
77G: The amenities at 77 Greenwich have been thoughtfully designed to enhance every aspect of residents’ lives, from wellness and leisure to entertaining and convenience. The highlight is Cloud Club 77, located on the penthouse level and rooftop, which offers breathtaking views and exclusive spaces, including an art-filled lounge with a fireplace, a private dining room with a catering kitchen and a double-height fitness center. Families enjoy the fully-supplied children’s playroom, while fitness enthusiasts utilize the training studio and the multipurpose game room with direct access to an outdoor terrace. Outdoor areas, crafted by Future Green Studio, include a rooftop garden with a grassy lawn, a meditation deck, grill stations, dining spaces and a play area for children. All of 77 Greenwich’s residents have access to these top-floor amenity spaces. Additional outdoor features include a Japanese rock garden, pergolas, a dog run and a zen garden on the 12th floor, providing another tranquil retreat above the urban setting. Practical amenities include a 24-hour attended lobby, dedicated storage spaces, bike storage and a package room.
AM: This property is clearly luxurious, what can you tell us about the environmental sustainable elements that are here?
77G: 77 Greenwich is designed to meet LEED standards, emphasizing environmental responsibility and sustainability. The building incorporates energy-efficient systems, including high-performance windows and advanced HVAC systems that reduce energy consumption and are private to each residence. The use of sustainable materials throughout the building is central to its design, and the inclusion of green rooftops and gardens provides both aesthetic appeal and environmental benefits. These features, combined with its energy-efficient infrastructure, make 77 Greenwich a model for luxury living that is also ecologically responsible. The building integrates green design seamlessly, ensuring that its residents can enjoy an elevated standard of living without compromising on sustainability.
AM: Tell us about the outdoor space which was designed by Future Green Studio.
77G: The many outdoor spaces at 77 Greenwich, designed by Future Green Studio, are a standout feature. This Brooklyn-based landscape architecture firm is known for its innovative designs that integrate nature with urban living. At 77 Greenwich, they have created multiple outdoor spaces that offer both relaxation and recreation. The open-air rooftop garden spans 3,600 square feet and includes a grassy lawn, a play area for children, a meditation deck and grill stations. The design promotes a sense of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Additionally, the Cloud Club level features a Japanese rock garden and lounge areas, offering residents a peaceful space. Below, a 2,350-square-foot terrace on the 12th floor includes pergolas and a dog park, catering to the needs of families and pet owners. The outdoor areas are thoughtfully designed to make the most of 77 Greenwich’s sweeping views while offering residents an intimate and serene escape within their building.
AM: We’re thrilled that our cover editorial took place in the penthouse of Greenwich 77! What can you tell us about the floorplan of this unit that was designed by TenBerke.
77G: The Penthouse at 77 Greenwich is a stunning example of contemporary elegance, designed by TenBerke, with recent customization options led by Stephen Brockman. Spanning 3,531 square feet, this four-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom, plus home office residence is truly one of a kind. The design prioritizes open space and natural light, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows framing breathtaking views of the New York Harbor. The penthouse features an expansive great room with southern, eastern and western exposures, offering panoramic views of the city’s skyline and waterways. Finally, the Penthouse includes a private loggia terrace, adding 219 square feet of outdoor living space overlooking New York Harbor. The design emphasizes both stylish functionality and timeless elegance, with sleek materials like Blue de Savoie marble countertops and custom fumed sycamore vanities. There are very few newly constructed homes of this size available in Downtown New York City.
AM: For those that may be interested in buying this unit, what options do they have to customize this space?
77G: The penthouse at 77 Greenwich is a customizable masterpiece. Led by Stephen Brockman of TenBerke, customizations are available for buyers, offering options to tailor the space according to their individual tastes. From custom millwork to bespoke finishes, the design team allows for personalization across the home.
Buyers can choose from a range of high-end materials and finishes, such as custom cabinetry and flooring options. Whether it's altering the layout, adding additional built-in features, or refining the color palette, the options available enable prospective buyers to create a truly personalized residence that fits their lifestyle and aesthetic.
AM: What are some of the key features of this property that our readers should know about?
77G: 77 Greenwich offers an extraordinary blend of modern luxury, thoughtful design and a location that captures the essence of downtown living. The building features 90 residences, ranging from one to four bedrooms, each outfitted with high-end finishes and appliances. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame breathtaking views of the New York Harbor and iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, offering an unparalleled living experience in Lower Manhattan.
All of 77 Greenwich’s residents can take advantage of its top-floor Cloud Club 77 suite of amenities, including the Cloud Club lounge private dining room and a double-height fitness center overlooking the Hudson River. The rooftop garden, designed by Future Green Studio, offers residents a peaceful outdoor retreat with a children's play area, meditation deck and spacious dining areas with grill stations. There is also a multi-use game room and a fitness center with terrace access, making it a perfect blend of relaxation and active living.
The location of 77 Greenwich places residents in the vibrant Lower Manhattan area, close to a wealth of cultural, dining and entertainment options. Nearby, Manhatta offers elevated dining experiences with panoramic views, while the Perlman Arts Center in the World Trade Center complex provides world-class performances. With its proximity to world-renowned restaurants, shopping and cultural landmarks, 77 Greenwich offers an unmatched lifestyle.
IG @77greenwich
The penthouse also comes together with its impeccable staging which was done by ARTEFACTO a 3rd generation Brazilian firm that manufactures its own furniture as well as supplies a cohesive look in an array of properties! We wanted to know more about the inspiration behind how they staged 77 Greenwich PH, the history of the company, their recently launched showroom here in NYC, and more. Pietro Bacchi shares this and more with us.
ATHLEISURE MAG: We enjoyed shooting at 77 Greenwich St PH and as we have spoken to the building about this particular unit, we’re looking forward to speaking with you as well. We wanted to know more about your business and the staging that you did at the penthouse, which is beautiful. Before we delve into that and the staging that was done there, can you tell me about ARTEFACTO as a firm, its history, and what you guys do?
PIETRO BACCHI: ARTEFACTO is 48 years old and it’s in its third generation. The firm was started by my grandfather in São Paulo Brazil. My father formalized the corporation and brought it to the United States via South Florida. We quickly became market leaders in Florida, and throughout South America and now, we want to kill it in the Northeast. I run the New York operations with my twin brother, Bruno. We're very happy about this New York expansion.
AM: Did you always know that you would work in the family business?
PB: In the beginning, I wasn't really sure, to be honest. When I started seeing all of the components together from the design to the manufacturing and delivery, it gave me a whole different scope. I started thinking about how big this business could actually be. I got to see the real craftsmanship and quality of work that goes into every piece. We have about 1 million square feet of manufacturing and showroom space including the recent New York expansion. That’s 1 million square feet under one roof. We do absolutely everything from upholstery to woodwork to leather and suede.
AM: Wow.
PB: Yeah, from designing SKUS on a computer, to making prototypes to launching a whole line.
AM: What are the kinds of projects that are of interest to your firm when you're looking to add things into your portfolio? You were talking about obviously you have the manufacturing but then you also have all of the staging that you do as well.
PB: We have quite a few different streams of business that we've been adding to our model in the last four or five years. One of them is a staging. The reason that we do staging is because it's beneficial for all parties.
AM: Right.
PB: It’s great for ARTEFACTO because our products are displayed in a beautiful apartment instead of sitting in a warehouse waiting for delivery. So it's kind of an extension of the showroom. Obviously, the developer can show the unit more beautifully and the idea behind it is that it actually sells completely furnished which happens about 80-85% of the time. So that's a huge model for us. We really specialize in residential, but now we’ve branched off into the commercial sector as well. We just finished Casa Cipriani in New York City, I don’t know if you have been there.
AM: Yes, it’s lovely.
PB: We just finished that project. That was one of our bigger commercial projects. And we have a lot in the pipeline, but of note, we did the Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc in the South of France for their 150th year anniversary.
AM: Nice!
PB: So that that's kind of the key piece of why we work so well with the real estate sector. You can't really do that at that level of customization if you don't have the manufacturing component. It’s not the most beautiful part of the business, but by far one of the most important.
AM: Tell us about your Madison Ave.showroom.
PB: We got super lucky. We found the perfect corner on 32nd and Madison with double-height ceilings on the first floor. There’s a tree that we blew the ceiling out for so you could see it from the first and second floor. The first floor is more of a museum-styled concept; all of our new collection living room sets. Upstairs, we have distinct spaces designed: living, bedroom, dining six times over. We have different fabrics available for customization and everything you see on the showroom floor is ready for immediate delivery in two weeks.
AM: Wow, that’s amazing!
PB: That's one of our big selling points because, you know, everybody knows how long you wait for furniture especially after COVID.
AM: A 2 week turnaround is phenomenal because we have friends that are still waiting for their couches and it's been 8 weeks.
PB: I've heard eight months at one point!
AM: Yikes!
So what's your role at the company as well as your brother to get a scope of the kind of the things that you are involved in.
PB: My brother handles the complicated and important backend… manufacturing, the warehouse, and logistics. I handle business development, the PR teams of course, marketing and product development. But together, we're working on this big United States expansion.
We picked Miami as our first showroom in the United States - my analysts looked at, from the American public point of view - because Miami is the bridge into the United States.
Whereas New York is known as the bridge to the rest of the world. In New York, you have the best architecture and developers. The restaurants are amazing and the culture is next level as well. So it made sense as a solid move. Believe it or not, it's very similar to São Paulo with its character, and similar kind of aesthetic in interior design, fabrics, etc.
AM: We get that. Recently we watched a few thriller series on Netflix that take place in São Paulo and the similarity is interesting.
In looking at the penthouse at 77 Greenwich as a point of reference, when you take on a new project or you partner with a residence or developer, can you walk us through like, how you stage a property from where do you start, and what's the inspiration? There were just so many details and elements of that place that really came together beautifully.
PB: Absolutely. I mean, I’m definitely very proud of our projects. Usually, we hear from the Sales Team of the building if it's a new development. We listen to the problems that they're having and usually the number one problem is that the clients can’t visualize themselves in the space. They don't have an imagination in terms of what a dining table of 8 people or 10 people will look like in a space. How many people are in the living room? Especially in these bigger apartments - it's especially difficult. So then, we look at the floor plan and we dissect it. We look at the mood and the feeling that we're going for. Obviously our Miami line is completely different from our New York line, and that’s completely different from our Hamptons line.
So we have quite a few pieces to choose from and then basically, they pay me a deposit which is one-third of the staging package furniture process. But the reason the developers love it so much is because the remaining amount is paid after the property sells. It's about marketing property and so it's an investment on both sides essentially.
AM: Right.
PB: It's an investment for us because obviously, it's the products that would probably be sold and shipped out from the warehouse. It's also an investment on the broker’s part or the developer because there is a deposit. They are trying to maximize those profit margins, so it gives them an opportunity to do that.
AM: What are the some of the key elements that you added into 77 Greenwich St PH that you would like to highlight, especially?
PB: I think the double-size sofa. It’s a beautiful touch there by the window.
AM: I love that piece. It makes such a statement.
PB: And that's kind of why we put that oversized mirror on that wall, because anywhere, you sit in the apartment and you get the view of the water and the Statue of Liberty. I think the most important thing that we think of when we go to stage an apartment is, what are the first five seconds of a person who's going to buy? What is the reaction going to be? That's why we make it as big as possible and as grand as possible. We really try to invoke all five senses! We have the music playing, the aromas in the air, the lighting is correct. I think it's a huge part of it.
AM: From start to finish for this Penthouse unit for example, how long did it take for you to Stage it?
PB: So between getting floor plans and preliminary estimates and that kind of thing, that takes about a week - week and a half.
AM: Oh, wow!
PB: Then once the client is ready to move forward, it takes about two weeks to install and deliver.
AM: That's pretty quick. Wow!
So, for developers that are reading this, how can they begin to work with you or reach out to you so that they can talk about their project?
PB: Yeah, whatever they prefer. I think the most important thing ever is to come into the showroom on Madison that we just built because it is - and it's not because we did it - jaw dropping from every angle!
AM: We definitely want to drop by to see your showroom for ourselves.
For those that have their own homes who are also reading this issue, are they able o go on your website and buy their desired pieces a la carte like they would at another furniture or interior design store?
PB: Yeah, we do have an online presence. But for the high-end furniture realm that we're in, it’s more common for them to come into the showroom so that they can come in and sit down on the furniture and actually see it. We also offer a design service where the clients come in and the designers and the architects come, they bring their floor plan and make sure everything's in sync. We do a full presentation of swatches and fabrics to marble, and art as well as accessories. We really try to make it a turnkey solution.
AM: Wow, that's amazing.
PB: Right, for these clients and architects.
AM: It’s been great to find out more about ARTEFACTO and its scope. What has it been like for you to be involved in this business that has been around for three generations?
PB: I mean, first off, I couldn’t be more happy to do this! We have had a lot of positive feedback even though we have only been open in the New York showroom since September. There have been a lot of clients walking in, a lot of people hearing about the brand for the first time, which is amazing!
I think Brazilian furniture definitely had its time back in the day, you know, with Oscar Niemeyer, Sergio Rodrigues, and other designers of the world and then it kind of died down. So Vèr - our new collection - is our fresh take on the community.
Vèr really pulls from The Mid-Century Modern design that Brazil had to offer with all the natural woods and natural lines and what we've created is completely different than anything you see on that entire block.
Read the NOV ISSUE #107 of Athleisure Mag and see THE INFLUENTIAL ONE | Bozoma Saint John in mag.
