Earlier today, we saw some of our favorite looks from Dior's Paris Mens Fall Collection for 2017. A number of suiting, athleisure style and great accessories hit the runway today for an easy, well traveled look. You can see all looks from today's runway show.
PHOTO CREDIT Giovanni Giannoni
This spring, Dwyane Wade of the Chicago Bulls adds to his talents - designer. The NBA Chicago Bulls star has long been a fan of Dsquared2 fan as he wore a custom-designed tuxedo of the brand to his wedding in Miami. Now he will lend his sense of style for a debut collaboration of Dwyane Wade X Dsquared2 collection. This capsule collection will be available with 9 looks exclusively at Saks and on Saks.com. Here is a peek at what you can expect from the line above.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | DSQUARED X Dwyane Wade Saks Capsule Collection
Almonds are a great treat, but they are also a gift for the skin, whether your product has almonds in their entirety, essence or just the oil. We have a roundup of some of our favorites to include in your beauty routine as we come to the end of the year.
| DOVE ADVANCED CARE Clear Tone Sheer Touch | TRILOGY Age-Proof Active Enzyme Cleansing Cream | L'OCCITANE Almond Supple Skin Oil | NUDE SKINCARE Replenish Daily Moisturizer | PHOTO CREDIT UnSplash
During Fashion Week, we can never pass up a runway show; however, we do love a presentation. It allows you to see the line at your own pace whether it is on models or hung up exhibition style. Rossignol showcased their outerwear which is the perfect mix of form and function. These layered jackets have details from the iconic rooster to fur that ensure that whoever wears it, sticks out this upcoming FW17 see the full line here.
PHOTO CREDITS Andrea Delbo
Fendi hits the runway at Milan Fashion Week for its Men's Collection presenting fall. The iconic brand took notes from the way that we like to dress in comfort, style, and of course infused with luxury. Check out some of our favorite looks from the show and you can see the full collection here.
Photo Credits Davide Maestri
When you can't find a luxury alternative to Nike, you create your own line - which Philipp Plein created with his new line, Philipp Sport. His runway show honored an array of sports including Cross Fit, boxing and more in a two floor gym entertaining presentation. You can see more pictures from the show here.
PHOTO CREDITS Giovanni Giannoni
The FW17 runway for Moncler, created by Thome Brown was filled with his signature red, white, and blue as well as athleisure wear. Whether it included garments that one would wear to hit the slopes or fun blazers that could also be worn in a transitional way - the feeling of
PHOTO CREDIT Giovanni Giannoni
Alison Sweeney has literally grown up on TV from her first commercial at the age of 5 for Kodak, various shows and then in 1987, she came to the soap opera, Days of Our Lives which she spent over 2 decades as Samantha Brady. She is also known for her roles as the host of NBC's Biggest Loser, Hallmark's Murder She Baked and more. This Daytime Emmy and Soap Opera Digest Award winner and nominee continues to share her love of life in Food Network's Kid's Sweet Showdown as a host (she has hosted and co-hosted various Food Network specials).
We took a moment to sit down to talk with this Soap Opera queen to chat about her Food Network special, how she keeps a healthy mindset, what she's up to for the holidays and her personal style.
ATHLEISURE MAG: We've been fans of yours for a long time as we got our first glimpse of you as Sami! How have you crafted your career to take on so many roles and opportunities beyond those of just the Soap Opera world?
ALISON SWEENEY: Thank you for being fans! Growing up on a soap opera, where we learned so much dialogue each day, taught me how to be in the moment and how to plan. That upbringing has helped me throughout my life as I now tackle various roles. I make a point to continually push myself, but always to keep it manageable with a schedule and to only look at what’s next on the list. By focusing on what I’m doing in the moment, I’m able to give it my undivided attention before moving onto whatever is next. Plus, as my kids are getting older, I’m able to accomplish much more during their hours at school and with after school activities.
AM: We're Food Network fans for sure, how did Kid’s Sweets Showdown come about and what can we expect from this show?
AS: As followers of mine on social media know, I love to cook at home and I’m a big fan of Food Network. I’ve hosted several specials for the network so when they asked me to host Kid’s Sweets Showdown for the holidays, I jumped at the opportunity.
AM: Being healthy is a mindset, but it's also about making a time commitment, how are you able to do this during the holiday season especially with children and so many other responsibilities?
AS: My family and I are incredibly active and we view the holiday season as a time to get out and do so much more because we don’t have limitations with work, school and other responsibilities.
Whether it’s taking a hike or skiing down the mountain, it’s a great time of year for us to have fun while still being healthy
AM: Outside of the holidays how do you stay healthy from favorite meals, workouts, etc that you do?
AS: I love cooking at home and with my kids helping me. I think by making our own meals, we’re more aware of what we’re eating. Our go-to favorites are shrimp and veggie kabobs that my kids and I prep and my husband grills. For workouts, nothing beats a long run with good music and it’s a great way to explore neighborhoods or cities if I’m traveling.
AM: How did the partnership with Arm & Hammer Spinbrush come about and why are they a perfect stocking stuffer?
AS: I’m a big fan of Arm & Hammer products and believe in having a strong and confident smile so when Arm & Hammer approached me about working together to raise awareness of their Spinbrush and toothpaste, it was an organic fit as they’re products I already used and a daily routine my family and I are committed to. Plus, who doesn’t love a fresh toothbrush for the new year! It’s a great stocking stuffer and one that my kids look forward to each year.
AM: With the holidays, it's literally almost 6 weeks of so many activities - do you have any traditions and how will you be spending it?
AS: My family and I always disappear to the mountains for some time in the snow. We love being first on the chair lifts and last off the mountain before curling up by a fire.
AM: What's your holiday style suggestion from what you would wear to a holiday brunch, holiday activities with your kids, Christmas and New Year’s Eve - do you have any go to staples?
AS: I love to have a sparkly top or shoes to be extra festive over the holidays. I also learned a great tip years ago which is to carry a handbag so one hand is always full, providing less opportunity to
graze the food at holiday parties.
AM: When the holidays are over, how will you bring some much needed zen and centering back into your life as you embark upon the new year?
AS: My family and I are creatures of habit so the first day of school is the first day we return to our normal routines and get back in the mode of school and work. The holidays always give us a great time to take a break so when the day comes, we’re ready to tackle life again in the new year and to make every day count.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Food Network
Remember when many of us were growing up, we used to have underwear that was for each day of the week. There was something about starting the day off in the right way! Yesterday in Milan, Alberta Ferretti included within its show, soft and cozy sweaters that let you promote your favorite day of the week. This is definitely in our sweet spot of luxe athleisure style. This capsule collection is called "Rainbow Week" which is for men and women. These cashmere-wool blend sweaters are not only the first capsule collection for the line and is available right now on the website which is a part of the growing trend of see now, buy now. You can see more the the Pre-Fall 17 collection here.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY Alberta Feretti
When it comes to gifting, it's essential to have the tools to get the job done. When prepping your gifts, it's important to ensure that your bows are steamed with the Reliable DASH 100G (the flat plate really presses it), name tags are uniform via the Brother PT-D210 label maker, and Scotch Thermal Laminator keeps your party plan pages intact throughout the holiday season!
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | UnSplash
FW17 collections have begun and will continue throughout the next few weeks. Ports 1961 presents a line that is perfect for athleisure, jetsetting and just running errands to keep it easy. You can see more from the Ports 1961 collection here.
PHOTO CREDIT Giovanni Giannoni
Earlier this week as we were attending a number of market meetings and previews, we happened to walk by Macy's in Herald Square which had Fitbit as the sponsor of a number of windows on the Broadway side of their building. In last night's episode, Fitbit was the focus of the challenge by looking at what a "Girl on the Go" needs. The challenge was to create a look that worked well from day to night. Of course, they would be accessorized with new products from the tracking accessory company.
As always the beauty sponsor for this season of Lifetime's Project Runway is Butter London. Check out what was used for this look!
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | Project Runway Junior
With the New Year fast approaching, it’s time to once again consider what our resolutions will be for 2017. One of the more popular, yet generic resolutions is simply to “get healthier.” For those looking to set more specific goals, improving your oral health should be a top priority. Oral health is profoundly important, and goes far beyond simply having white teeth or a pretty smile. Did you know periodontal (gum) disease can either be an indicator or effect of other serious, systemic health problems?
Considering this, Dr. Caitlin Grimes of StoneCreek Dental Care has shared her top seven ways to help ambitious New Year’s “resolution-ers” up their oral health game in 2017:
1. Choose the right foods. We’ve all heard that we need to avoid sugary foods so we won’t get cavities. While this is true, there are certain foods you should be eating that can actually help your mouth. Next time you’re in the kitchen, reach for crunchy foods like celery, carrots and apples — not only are they healthy, but they also increase saliva production. More saliva means less bacteria-producing acid in your mouth that may lead to cavities and erode your enamel. Calcium-rich dairy products (think: milk, yogurt and cheese) are also great options to help strengthen your teeth.
2. Change your toothbrush. Chances are, you haven’t changed your toothbrush in months or maybe even a year. If your toothbrush is worn out, it definitely will not clean your teeth as effectively as it once did, and may even be leaving behind plaque and food debris. Throw your old one out, and aim to replace it every two or three months.
3. Pick up that floss! There seems to be a never-ending debate about whether or not flossing is a necessity. The answer is actually quite simple – it’s YES, you need to floss! Flossing gets rid of food trapped between your teeth, helps removes bacteria and plaque and freshens breath. It’s a win-win-win!
4. Go easy on the brushing. Listen carefully, it’s not that you should brush less — you should be brushing at least twice a day for two minutes. That said, many people brush their teeth way too hard. Vigorous brushing can wear down your enamel, and lead to increased tooth sensitivity or damage your gums. So, next time you brush, pretend you’re brushing the surface of a tomato, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of how much force should be applied to your teeth.
5. Don’t neglect the tongue. This may not be the most pleasant news you’ve ever heard, but bacteria doesn’t just live between your teeth — it also covers your tongue. This bacteria causes bad breath, and can move to your teeth and gums and create other problems. You don’t necessarily need to go out and buy a special tongue scraper, just remember – when brushing your teeth, be sure to give your tongue some love as well.
6. Consider cosmetic choices. Did you know that crooked teeth that rub against each other wear down more easily, and are more likely to build up plaque that can lead to gum disease?
If you don’t want metal braces, there are several great and increasingly affordable options for invisible braces. Veneers and implants should be considered if you have more serious dental concerns, but are an investment and must be done properly. Be sure to consult with a trained dental surgeon who specializes in cosmetic dentistry prior to making any decisions.
7. Make and keep your dental appointments. Visiting your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup is crucial. Regular cleanings help prevent cavities and gum disease, improve your smile and boost your overall health. Most importantly, you’ll be able to address your concerns with a trained professional (not Google), and ensure there are not any serious issues going on that need further treatment.
New Year’s resolutions can be cliché, but often serve as a great motivator to help people make positive changes in their lives. In 2017, up your oral health game with these seven tips and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come!
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | UnSplash
Read more from the Dec Issue
The men of the red carpet looked dashing and fun as they made their way! We will update more information on each one's look.
Check out more celebrities, their interviews, and more!
| CHRIS PINE GIORGIO ARMANI Suit | DONALD GLOVER GUCCI Suit | MILO VENTIMIGLIA RALPH LAUREN Suit | JEREMY RENNER Suit |
| Pictures courtesy of Frazer Harrison/Getty Images | REX Shutterstock (bottom left) |
SHOT AT NINE25 | PHOTOGRAPHY Paul Farkas | STYLIST Kimmie Smith | MUA Kay Cunningham | HAIRSTYLIST Lea Deloy | MODEL Garrett Keillor/Major Model | MODEL Sarah Kaufmann/Major Model |
ATHLEISURE MAG: Nice shooting here, what amenities are offered at Nine52?
NINE52: Every detail of Nine52 has been designed to accommodate the modern city dweller’s needs and to provide the comforts and services of a luxury building. The full-service building is attended by a 24-hour concierge and offers a children’s playroom, a state-of-the-art fitness center with separate yoga and spinning rooms, private storage units, an expansive interior courtyard with a tranquil fountain, a large resident lounge with a bathroom and entertainment area with a full kitchen, a wine cellar with dining area and a co-working space complete with two conference rooms and individual workstations. Atop the building sits a fully furnished and landscaped rooftop deck complete with 360-degree views. Residents may also use a complimentary bike service offered, which includes twenty single-speed Joulvert bikes. The vast amount of amenities is incomparable to other buildings.
AM: What is the concept of the layout?
NINE52: Developed by Gaia Real Estate, Nine52 offers 155 residences with architecture by SPIVAK Architects and interior design by Erik Galiana. Danny Fishman, Managing Partner of Gaia Real Estate not only wanted to target “attainable luxury” for residents, but also include as many amenities within the building as possible. Gaia has a very large rental business and did a lot of research when planning this building – they did a survey with a few thousand tenants and asked them what they wanted. Ultimately, instead of creating something they thought people wanted, they used direct results to actually give them what they are looking for - which, one of the top things was a co-working space. In terms of style, they wanted to keep it very "New York".
AM: What are its selling points?
NINE52: Nine52 provokes a sense of discovery. This striking building in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen – a neighborhood rich with history and intrigue – features a brick façade and winding, maze-like corridors that lead to thoroughly modern and new condominiums. Like the city itself, Nine52‘s duality of space blends old with new, masculine with feminine, metal with wood, and thoughtful design with unique details to create a harmonious whole.
Comprised of studio through three bedroom and garden duplex homes, each residence is well-appointed with rich finishes, such as stained white oak floors, oversized windows and sleek kitchens with custom lacquer cabinetry and Caesarstone countertops. Each home is also equipped with a washer and dryer.
There is also a large array of floorplans, which helps cater to a wide variety of buyers and is unlike anything else available in the neighborhood.
AM: What is building's occupancy?
NINE52: The building is open and is now fifty percent sold. Residences are priced from approximately $819,000 to more than $3,000,000. Park River Properties is the exclusive sales and marketing agent for the property.
AM: What is the neighborhood draw?
NINE52: Located between 9th and 10th Avenues, with entrances on both 51st and 52nd Street, Nine52 conveniently located just steps from Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Times Square and shopping outlets at Columbus Circle, and residents will find a magnitude of resources and sought after destinations, including renowned museums, educational institutions, and a vast assortment of fine dining and shopping.
Read more from the Dec Issue
Black, White and the combination of the two were worn on last night's red carpet by presenters, nominees and winners. Our favorite standouts are above! We will update more information on each one's look.
Check out more celebrities, their interviews, and more!
| HEIDI KLUM J. MENDEL Dress | JANELLE MONAE ARMANI PRIVE Dress JIMMY CHOO Shoes | JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS IN EDITION BY GEORGES CHAKRA Dress | SIENNA MILLER MICHAEL KORS Dress |
| Pictures courtesy of Frazer Harrison/Getty Images | REX Shutterstock (bottom left) |
Gold was one of the big trends of the night that we enjoyed seeing during the Golden Globes. The shimmer, glimmer and radiance that it emits no matter the style that serves as its canvas made these presenters and nominees look fantastic. We will update more information on each one's look.
Check out more celebrities, their interviews, and more!
| PRIYANKA CHOPRA RALPH LAUREN Dress | CHRISSY TEIGEN MARCHESA Dress JIMMY CHOO Shoes | SOFIA VERGARA ZUHAIR MURAD Dress | KERRY WASHINGTON DOLCE + GABBANA Dress | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY Golden Globes
| Pictures courtesy of Frazer Harrison/Getty Images | REX Shutterstock (bottom left) |
This season means that you have a lot of traveling for work, friends and family. The carry on bag is vital to not only have things to keep you entertained, but to also be your source for essential fixes while you're on your way.
| THE STRAP SAVER Wardrobe Solution For Too-Long Bra & Sports Bra Straps | DRAPER JAMES Plaid Travel Set | BLISS Triple Oxygen Instant Energy Eye Mask | ERNO LASZLO Double Cleanse Collection Duo in Soothe + Calm | M-61 Moisture to Go (Hand Cream, Body Butter + Lip Balm) | DECLÉOR Strengthening Nail Serum | GOYARD Travel Duffle |
Read more from the Dec Issue
It's another week of Project Runway Jr and in this week's challenges, contestants broke off into pairs to showcase Avant Garde looks. It's always hard when people work together (especially when you're not used to it) - but one partner that has been great in each episode is beauty sponsor, Butter London. You can see some of the products that were available for the winning look below.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Project Runway Junior
We sat down with Emmy Winning journalist, E! News Correspondent and TV Personality, Zuri Hall. We chatted with her about family, her recent partnership to shed a light on MS, what awards season is like and her sense of style, as well as staying balanced in the industry.
ATHLEISURE MAG: You're a busy lady! As we know you're constantly on air, we'd like to know about your connection to this survey about MS.
ZURI HALL: I was excited to partner with Genentech as my Aunt was diagnosed with MS 3 years ago and for me, it was my first personal connection to the disease. I had done a human interest story about this for a local news story – so I was getting a little familiar. But it wasn’t until it hits home that you started to say, “what does this mean, what does it do.”
So she was diagnosed and over the last few years her symptoms have delveloped and progressed, and unfortunately, have gotten worse. When I partnered with Genentech, we found that MS Mindset Survey – a lot of their findings reflected what I was seeing my aunt go through when it came to her symptoms. My big takeaway from the survey was the unpredictability of MS symptoms. Some of the things she is dealing with is wobbly legs. Sometimes it's cognitive issues, blurred vision, and she’s hit with fatigue. So she knows roughly what she’s dealing with, but she doesn’t know when they will pop up. So since it is so unpredictable, it’s hard to know or plan around those things whether you are directly dealing with it or are the caregiver that is involved. You can’t plan a week in advance when you have no guarantee of how you will be feeling tomorrow.
So one of the big findings was that about 85% of those with MS have said that they have missed social engagements because their symptoms have come into play when they didn't think that they would. 87% oddly enough, a higher percentage of support partners and caregivers, have also missed out on events because their partner had a flare up or had an issue.
For example, my aunt told me that she went to a baseball game once and it was a big venue, so while she was excited to go out with your co-workers and friends she had to commit to it. She gets to the field and then 30 minutes in she realized she had to go because she sensed that she had issues with her wobbly legs as they had been giving out over the previous days and that anxiety of not knowing if that would happen during the game was something that she was dealing with. She would rather remove herself completely from this social situation that she was looking forward to then risking something that she couldn’t predict to happen during the game and having to explain herself or to create a socially awkward situation to those that were there. There are also issues with urinary problems, like not being able to control your bladder – she’s nervous when it hits, then she has to go. For her, it’s not just about being awkward for her but she doesn’t want it to be weird for others and having to have them figure out how to talk about her disease. She is an independent, small and feisty woman and we love her. So it’s interesting to see how this disease begins to dictate the social decisions that she makes.
Another finding that this survey focused on is the day to day activities which hits home for us. She is the person who loves to host and she has a beautiful home that she has decorated with love and she invites all these people and we are a massive group. Brothers, sisters, cousins and more – we come over, she cooks, and cleans. She is the domestic goddess as well as a corporate goddess. Nowadays, this is really hard for her. We’re going home for Thanksgiving and I don't know why she is going to do this, but she wants to do all the things that she has always wanted to do. She loves hosting our family and dinners. I love her because she refuses to let this disease get the best of her but it does steer the decisions that she has to make leading up to doing so. For me, I look inside and figure out what I can do to support her to make things easier.
One of the findings in the survey was that more than 80% of the people that live with MS were asked how they could be helped and what service could be offered to them, the top takeaway was that they wanted someone to help them with groceries, in the kitchen, household chores, etc. I think a lot of us, me included, underestimate the impact that this can make. You sit back and say, “really you just want me to put a box of cereal away for you?” But for someone who is dealing with fatigue and is exhausted – it helps. She has told me that mixing a bowl of dressing for more than a few minutes tires her out depending on the day. Her muscles don’t do what they used to do and they don’t act the way they used to.
There was a time when she visited me in LA this summer. She was teaching me how to make her baked bean recipe and she went to check on it in the oven and accidently flipped the pan and the beans went everywhere. It was sad because she was frustrated in that moment and she doesn’t want to show signs to the disease and we had had amazing days together with her husband (my uncle) and everything was fine and things were great. It felt great as you know she had the disease, but you felt like not really and then it comes out and reminds you. It lets you know that it could happen at anytime and you have to deal with it.
Some of the things that I want to encourage other people to do is to be patient and understand what your loved one is going through and the symptoms. This way, when it happens you know what they are going through and you can be considerate. When the beans happened, there was a moment when I thought about the beans, but then I had to remember this is what my aunt is going through because we’re not at a point where there are daily constant reminders. I caught myself and knew it was beyond her control and so I came from a place of love and patience and I let her know that I would clean it up and we’ll buy more beans, take a seat etc – it let’s her feel more comfortable and less of an awkward situation. I don’t want her to feel that she is a burden and it helps. She says that she feels like it is her own burden to bear as she doesn’t want people to pity her. But I have found that offering my help and services in specific ways – she takes me up on those offers.
During the holidays I will be offering to put the dishes away, to run out to Kroger or the grocery story to get something that she has forgotten. I will say, "Aunt Mel, take a rest." I was talking with one of our nurses yesterday and she was saying that the big things to keep in mind that asking “what do you need” is not enough as it’s so open ended. For fiercely independent people they don’t want to give you a laundry list. But when they are specific asks it helps and gives them the time. Plus we take this for granted.
The survey, after diving in, lets me see how much the findings there are mirroring my aunt’s experience as well as my own. With the holidays here, this encourages support partners and caregivers to be more proactive during this time as well as all year around.
AM: What is your partnership like in terms of your role in this initiative?
ZH: For me the partnership is about this moment, this time and getting people to understand the results of the MS Mindset survey. Don’t just end there with the info, but this survey is telling you what people with MS need and let’s do something about it. It's about sitting down and encouraging support partners/cargivers to what they can. Many times, you forget about the other party. There is a person who is there dealing with MS and so of course you’re not thinking about the support person; however, they are there and they need to be educated. People should go to your local support groups, advocacy groups and learn more via National MS Society.
AM: Obviously, I was aware of MS, but not the depth of it until a few months ago, when I styled one of my clients who is an entertainer and although she performs, is on stage etc – behind the scenes there are a lot of struggles. It’s amazing that she is able to stay on tour, hit the road, dance etc with the unpredictable nature of this disease!
ZH: When I sat down with Tamia (R&B Singer) who is very public about her disease, so many people are dealing with this and we are all so close by just a few degrees to someone who is. It’s ok to know that you don’t have everything figured out as you can’t really prepare for it as things get dumped in your lap. But to know there are resources is the most important thing. There is education to be had across the board from those with MS and those who support or are the caregivers to someone who is.
AM: What was your journey to get to E!?
ZH: Getting to E! was a long winding road. I started out winning a competition to be the face of a local TV station in Indiana. I was there for a year and MC’ing for the Pacers and then that opened the door to another job in Ohio and I was hosting another show which allowed me to anchor the evening news down in Texas and that got me to NY to host a show for Fuse (music countdown show), which led to MTV and then E! It was all over the map. The last year and 3 months at E! have been like the best. They chal-lenge me in really good ways. My skillset makes sense for what they need and what they want. Everyday is different. We just launched a new daytime show, E! News Live recently. Exciting times.
AM: How do you prepare for your celeb interviews?
ZH: It’s really about – I mean for us being that we’re E! and they’re celebs, so we want the scoop. I tend to know a lot about their personal lives and what is going on. Because I come from a creative background I actually really appreciate the art in what they are creating and what they are there to talk about. I feel that most celebs, musicians, etc appreciate and recognize those that appreciate and recognize that. So they are more likely to open up about the extra stuff if they believe that you care about the stuff that you should be caring about, and I do. So my preparation is understanding what the film is about, why they took on a certain project – have they had past ones that led them to this point and what it took for them to get into a certain character. Reading any article or interview surrounding that project before I talk to them. Because the last thing that they want to do it to regurgitate the same thing that they have said about 73 times during that junket. They want to be challenged and sparked and they get excited. They’re working but they prefer to enjoy it and it makes it fun!
AM: And for the Red Carpet?
ZH: Red Carpet is chaos and I just get stressed when I think about it. It’s one of those things that you do as much as you can and then you just throw it out the window – you go with the flow. You have so much talent – Brad Pitt for one second and then you have Angelina Joli and you have her and all these people bottle necked. As you talk to Brad, you have George Clooney walk by and the publicist is pulling people and you only have a few questions that you can ask as you’re getting wrapped as you start. It's a high pressure situation. So it’s one of those things that it’s just like I know a little bit about a lot – so you go with the flow, you make moments as you can’t really tackle issues there. You just want people to toast champagne with you or to make a joke or slip up and say something silly. Carpets are about moments and they make great content for the internet.
AM: How do you stay balanced during this season?
ZH: For me I need to get more into the fitness side, I'll be honest – I’m lazy and I have my mom’s genes which works for me. I am getting to that point where you feel it - you walk up the stairs and realize that it takes more time than before - just a moment guys. So I go to the gym with my boyfriend every now and then as he is healthy. For me, it’s about mental health honestly and I’m really into and value mindfulness and trying to be present and balanced. I’m reading a book right now – 'Present over Perfect' because especially in my line of work I am open to public scrutiny and waiting for people to judge you, Instagram you etc. You post a photo I’m waiting for comments, likes etc. I go on E! News I’m going to get tweets from people - maybe they liked what I wore, what I said about Rhianna etc and you get caught up with not being in that moment. We do these carpets and awards shows and I have to look back and say wow you were at the Oscars – my pictures tell me what my last year has been. I have started to dedicate time for me. I will carve out 60 minutes to say I’m busy so that I can not be busy and take time for me – mindfulness above all so that I can be happy/peaceful, whether it's taking time to read or whatever it takes to get to my happy place.
AM: What is your personal style versus what you wear on the show which we love?
ZH: Thank you! I would say that personal style is casual chic - I know that that sounds generic! I'm a midwest girl through in through - I'm from Ohio and I like to be super comfortable, you will never see me wearing heels that I don't have to be wearing. Because comfort over everything is key for me. So I'm a jeans and T-shirt girl. I feel the most confident and sexy and in control when I am in a fitted pair of high wasted jeans with a loose v-neck t-shirt and bootie. If you see me in a bootie, then you know that I'm trying. If I'm not on a red carpet, I'm in sneakers at this point.
I would say overall, E! News - Urban Chic with a dash of glam. My style is very much influenced by my years in NY as I was here for about 2.5/3 years. So definitely I appreciate the leathers and dark colors. I appreciate the black on black on black. My stylist is convincing me to put color back into my wardrobe.
For the glam, I'm in LA now - come on it's E!, The Kardashians you have to have a bit of glam. I like to do the full face, the hair, I let my glam come through in this area. The clothes tend to be more timeless, chic and classic.
For the most part, I'm pretty chill and for the most part I LITERALLY love athleisure and I'm not just saying that because you're here as I don't work out. But I just discovered gym wear and it's a whole new world! I just discovered Fabletics and I love Kate Hudson's line. I tried it for the first time when I met her and I was like, "this jumpsuit is amazing." I can move and I'm so free! So they sent me more stuff and now I just pretty much live in athletic wear.
AM: We always say that athleisure can be broken down into core, essential and luxe. Core is that which is meant to hit the gym (sport bras, tap shorts, etc), essential items that are a hybrid that can be worn in the gym and out (the capris, tanks, etc mixed with layers or not) and then luxe which are the jetset components that include your leggings paired with a fun cashmere and a leather jacket which allows you to hit the ground running once you touch down.
ZH: Absolutely - so many ways to style it and again it's so comfortable. At this point in my life, comfort is key girl!
AM: We love your #AlphaBabe movement. We're a huge proponent of it but can you tell our readers about this and what made you want to do it?
ZH: For me when I first have a vision for #AlphaBabe, I wanted a place where young millennial women could go to support one another and to develop tools where they could navigate the first few years of their career.
I got where I got to by the grace of God and stumbling into things and figuring it out as it went. Looking back, I felt like it didn't have to be that hard honestly. If there had been just one person to tell me about the right way to make a demo reel, to craft a resume, or the right way to go to my boss' office to ask for a raise - certain things would have been easier.
For me it is a place where we can celebrate substance and style. You don't have to choose. That's what I'm trying to get across with the message. You can be Alpha and strong and unapologetic as a leader - a boss in your work environment and you can totally be a babe. There is nothing wrong in saying that. You're pretty, you can style yourself up and these two things can co-exist. That's exciting when you find that balance and it doesn't need to be one vs the other which is really hard in a culture of comparison (via social) where people tend to focus on the babe part. At the end of the day the likes, re-tweets - it doesn't really matter. This is a place where you can be both and it's great to be so!
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Zuri Hall
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