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Read the MAR ISSUE #123 of Athleisure Mag and see 9R3DCARP3T in mag.

YOUTH ON POINTE | YAGP GALA

On April 16th the Youth America Grand Prix will have its World’s Largest Ballet Scholarship Competition for their 2026 Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Gala which is hosted by Misty Copeland. Rebecca Hessel Cohen, Founder and Creative Director of LoveShackFancy, as well as Melanie Hamrick, choreographer, author and ballerina will be honored at David H. Koch Theater in NYC. The event’s Gala Creative Chair is Marcella Guarino Hymowitz. There will be performances by Christine Shevchenko and Calvin Royal III of the American Ballet Theatre, Polina Semionova of the Berlin State Ballet, Roman Mejia of New York City Ballet, Reece Clarke of The Royal Ballet, and Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko of La Scala Ballet.

In addition to seeing phenomenal performances and enjoying a dinner at the gala, The Pointe Project shoes will be available for all to bid on via Givebutter.com starting on April 16th - April 23rd at 12pm ET.

You can still purchase tickets to YAGP Gala. We had the chance to talk to a few people ahead of this event. We had the pleasure of interviewing Misty Copeland a few years ago for our OCT ISSUE #94 and as this year’s host, we wanted to catch up with her on what she has been up to, why YAGP is important to her, and upcoming projects she is involved in.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We had the pleasure of interviewing you a few years ago and it’s great that we connected with you again! What do you love about ballet?

MISTY COPELAND: I love that ballet is a language beyond words. It’s discipline, imagination, and storytelling through the body. It gave me purpose and a way to connect with people across cultures and generations.

AM: What did it mean to you to be a Prima Ballerina for the ABT?

MC: It was deeply meaningful both personally and historically. It meant honoring the path that came before me while helping expand what audiences believe is possible in ballet.

AM: You retired from the ABT, and we know you just performed at the Oscars with Sinners, what are the kinds of projects that you will be taking on that we can keep an eye out for?

MC: I have a new middle-grade novel, Firebird Waltz, coming soon, along with future performances and creative projects across stage, film, and producing. I’m also continuing to grow the work of my foundation.

AM: You are hosting the YAGP Gala. Why did you want to be involved in this year’s event and what are you looking forward to?

MC: YAGP plays such an important role in nurturing young dancers. I wanted to support and celebrate the next generation of artists.

AM: Why is the Youth America Grand Prix important for dancers?

MC: YAGP creates access to training, mentorship, scholarships, and global visibility. For many dancers, it’s a life-changing opportunity.

IG @mistyonpointe

We wanted to know more about the importance of YAGP and sat down with Marcella Guarino Hymowitz, who is the YAGP Gala Creative Chair.

AM: Before we delve into YAGP and the upcoming gala, can you tell me a bit about your background?

MARCELLA GUARINO HYMOWITZ: I’ve been dancing for as long as I can remember—I started at three, was assisting classes by twelve, and performing professionally as a teenager. Dance was my first language. It taught me discipline, expression, and how to connect with an audience without saying a word.

Over time, my path evolved beyond performing into choreography, creative direction, and experience design. Today, I run The Pearl in New York City, a dance and wellness studio built around confidence, community, and self-expression, and I also create immersive entertainment for events through Studio MGH.

Everything I do still stems from that same foundation—using movement and storytelling to make people feel something.

AM: When did you first fall in love with dance and why do you love it?

MGH: I fell in love with dance very young, but I think I understood WHY I loved it as I got older. It’s one of the only art forms where your body becomes the medium.

Dance gives you a way to process emotion, to tell stories, and to transform—not just how others see you, but how you see yourself. It builds confidence in a very real, physical way.

There’s also something magical about the shared experience of it. Whether you’re on stage or in a class, you’re connecting with the people around you. That energy is addictive.

AM: Why is YAGP so important for those that are in the ballet community?

MGH: YAGP is incredibly important because it creates access and opportunity in a way that is truly life-changing for young dancers.

For many students, traveling around the world to audition for top schools and companies simply isn’t financially possible. What YAGP does is bring those opportunities to them. With regional competitions in many countries, dancers are able to be seen by panels of judges representing some of the most prestigious institutions in the world—Stuttgart Ballet, Princess Grace Academy, The Royal Ballet School, Paris Opera Ballet School, John Cranko School, La Scala, ABT, Miami City Ballet, and many more of the top companies across the United States.

It’s not just exposure—it’s a direct pathway. Through the support of donors, YAGP is able to help bring students to these competitions and award scholarships that can completely change the trajectory of a dancer’s life.

Beyond that, it creates a global community. Young dancers from different backgrounds, countries, and training styles come together, learn from one another, and feel part of something much bigger than themselves.

YAGP isn’t just shaping careers - it’s shaping the future of ballet.

AM: You are serving as the gala’s Creative Chair this year for the 2026 Stars of Today Meets the Stars of Tomorrow Gala. What does this role involve?

MGH: As Creative Chair, my role is to shape the overall experience of the evening - how it feels, how it flows, and how the audience connects to what they’re seeing.

That includes working closely with YAGP’s founder, Larissa Saveliev, on performance curation, pacing, transitions, and the emotional arc of the night. I’m thinking about everything from the energy in the room to how each moment builds on to the next.

And beyond that, my goal is to help make the night one of the most exciting ballet programs in New York this season - to bring in new audiences and create more fans of the art form by exposing them to different interpretations of ballet, and showing how expansive and relevant it can be today.

The party after the performance is also exciting and fun because we will have all of the performers with us. It gives guests a chance to meet the performers and understand how Youth America Grand Prix helped to make their dreams come true.

AM: What are you looking forward to for this year’s performance as well as the gala?

MGH: I’m most looking forward to that moment when everything comes together - the dancers, the music, the audience - and you can feel the energy shift in the room.

This gala is such a beautiful intersection of emerging talent and established artists, and there’s something really powerful about witnessing that exchange in real time.

I’m also especially excited to debut the pointe shoes that will be auctioned off for The Pointe Project. They’ll be on display for the first time at the gala, with designs from Carolina Herrera, Michael Kors, Alice + Olivia, Monse, and more. It’s such a unique fusion of fashion and ballet, and a really special way to celebrate creativity across disciplines. These pointe shoes will be available for all to bid on via Givebutter.com starting April 16 and closing one week later at 12pm EST on April 23rd.

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

MGH: We have a lot of exciting things happening at The Pearl right now. We’re continuing to expand our collaborations and host pop-up wellness and fitness events for adults that feel both elevated and community-driven.

We’re also really focused on building meaningful programming for teens - from workout classes to “teen talks” featuring inspiring voices speaking on topics that matter to them. Creating a space where they feel strong, seen, and supported is incredibly important to me.

And starting this fall, we’ll be launching both a competitive cheer team and a dance team, led by top-tier instructors. It’s a natural extension of what The Pearl stands for - confidence, discipline, and community - just taken to the next level.

IG @marcellahymo

We wanted to talk with performers who will be part of YAGP Gala and caught up with ABT’s Christine Shevchenko and Calvin Royal III.

AM: When did you first fall in love with ballet?

CHRISTINE SHEVCHENKO: I vividly remember falling in love with ballet at the age of four. My mother took me backstage to see “The Sleeping Beauty.” A friend of hers was performing as a prima ballerina in Ukraine, and the show was quite lengthy - about three hours. I stood mesmerized in the wings, captivated by the music, costumes, lighting, and the enchanting story unfolding before me.

CALVIN ROYAL III: I came to ballet a bit later than most, at fourteen. At first, it was a curiosity more than anything, but I fell in love with the discipline, the music, and the feeling of discovering something I didn’t know I was capable of.

AM: When did you realize that you wanted to be a ballerina and to do it as a career?

CS: I realized I wanted to be a professional ballerina when I was around eleven. That was when things started to click for me, and I began truly enjoying my dance journey. Ballet consumed my thoughts; even in school, my mind would wander to ballet classes and rehearsals.

CR III: When I started training seriously and saw how much growth was possible, I realized this could be more than just a hobby. Being introduced to opportunities like YAGP, summer intensives, and eventually a scholarship to the ABT School made it that much more real. That this could actually be a path forward.

AM: What does it mean to you to dance for ABT and is there a specific performance that you are excited about that you will do this Spring or Summer season?

CS: Dancing for ABT means the world to me. This has been my dream company ever since I admired legends like Baryshnikov and Makarova, as well as the extensive classical repertoire they offer. I’m particularly thrilled to perform “Don Quixote” again this season; it’s one of my beloved ballets. Additionally, I’m eagerly anticipating my role in “Onegin.”

CR III: Dancing with ABT has been one of the defining chapters of my life. It’s where I grew up, both as an artist and as a person from student to Principal dancer over the years. There’s a deep sense of responsibility in carrying forward the company’s legacy while also finding my own voice within it. This season, I’m looking forward to exploring roles that challenge me both technically and emotionally, and allow me to deepen my artistry. I’m constantly searching for ways to bring meaning and sincerity to the stage every time the curtain goes up.

AM: Why is YAGP so important to ballet?

CS: YAGP plays a crucial role in the ballet world because it offers life-changing opportunities for young dancers to be noticed by some of the most influential figures in the industry. It fosters resilience and confidence, provides invaluable stage experience, and creates lasting friendships.

CR III: YAGP creates access. It’s a platform that opened doors for myself and thousands of young dancers, for decades, who may not otherwise have a clear path into the professional world. I see it as a program that continues to shape the next generation by connecting talent with opportunity on a global scale.

AM: What are you looking forward to for this year’s 2026 Stars of Today Meets the Stars of Tomorrow Gala?

CS: I am excited to perform alongside world-class dancers who are also friends, and to inspire a new generation of dancers to chase their dreams.

CR III: There’s something really special about bringing together established artists and young dancers on the same stage. I’ll never forget being an aspiring dancer looking up to the pros. Returning this year feels full circle, and a reminder of the continuum of this art form. I’m looking forward to that exchange of energy and inspiration when the curtain rises at Lincoln Center next month.

IG @christineshevchenko

IG @calvinroyaliii

This year’s auctioned pointe shoe designs are those that we are excited about as mentioned by Marcella. Libby Klein is also contributing a design at this year’s Gala. We wanted to know more about her aesthetic and why she wanted to participate.

AM: How would you describe your work’s aesthetic?

LIBBY KLEIN: My work is rooted in beauty, but not surface-level beauty. It is layered, intentional, and deeply symbolic.

I am a mother of six, and that shapes everything I create. Every day I am balancing two worlds, art and home. Being a mother is not something separate from my work. It is part of it.

I lost my father at a young age, and that gave me a different relationship with life early on. I learned to notice what is fragile, what is meaningful, and what truly lasts. I also come from a family built on tradition and entrepreneurship, the Reichmans, where creating and building something lasting was always part of our foundation.

Alongside that, I was deeply influenced by my great-grandmother. She carried a quiet strength and an understanding that being a woman is not only about what you give to others, but also what you create from within yourself. That stayed with me.

So I built a life where both could exist. I am raising a family, and I am also an artist. I never saw those as separate roles.

My work reflects that balance. It holds beauty and responsibility, softness and strength, tradition and growth. It is not about escaping life, it is about taking everything life gives you and turning it into something meaningful.

I am drawn to blending old and new, preserving tradition while allowing it to evolve. You will see that in my work through delicate, timeless compositions, florals, birds, and natural elements, each one placed with intention.

So the aesthetic is beauty, but beauty with depth, with story, and with purpose.

AM: Where do you look for inspiration when it comes to creating new pieces?

LK: I look at my life.

My children, my home, and the way I choose to see the world, even when it is not simple, especially when it is not simple.

I have always believed that you can either focus on what is broken, or you can choose to find the beauty within it. That choice is where my work comes from.

I create from that perspective. I want to bring into the world the beauty that I see. I want people to feel something when they look at my work, to see light, to see hope, to see something good.

A lot of that is rooted in the power of women. In motherhood, in creation, in the quiet strength that women carry every single day. There is something incredibly powerful about being a woman, about holding so much, building so much, and still choosing softness. That balance inspires me constantly.

If someone can walk away from a piece and feel even a little more grounded, a little more inspired, or simply reminded that there is still beauty in the world, then I have done what I set out to do.

At the end of the day, it is about making the world feel a little brighter, a little softer, and a little more whole.

AM: Why did you want to be involved in the 2026 Stars of Today Meets the Stars of Tomorrow Gala?

LK: As a mother of six, this felt deeply personal to me.

I understand how important it is to nurture talent and to give children a space to grow, to express themselves, and to believe in what they are capable of. Life is not always easy, but when a child is given the opportunity to create, to move, and to be seen, it can shape everything.

This gala represents that. It is not just about performance, it is about possibility.

Being part of something that uplifts the next generation, that gives young dancers a platform and a sense of belief in themselves, is incredibly meaningful to me.

It aligns with everything I value, family, growth, resilience, and the ability to create something beautiful even through challenge.

AM: Tell us about the pointe shoes that you designed that will be auctioned off on this night?

LK: I chose to center the design around the poppy flower because its symbolism really spoke to me. There is something about the poppy. It represents hope, renewal, and resilience how something can grow and bloom even after difficulty. The more I thought about it, the more it felt so connected to ballet.

I also felt a personal connection to it. I grew up in Israel, and this kind of flower is deeply tied to the land. It carries a quiet message of strength, of healing, and of the idea that even in places that have seen so much, beauty can still grow.

What you see on stage is beautiful, but what it takes to get there is not easy. It is repetition, pressure, setbacks, and still choosing to get back up and keep going. That is the poppy to me.

The red carries that strength. It is soft, but it is not weak. That duality feels very feminine to me, the idea that softness and strength exist together.

I added a young bambi into the design because it felt like these dancers, at the beginning of something, still growing, still stepping into who they are becoming.

The butterflies bring a sense of transformation, that everything is constantly unfolding.

And the bees are something very personal to me. There is this idea that a bee should not be able to fly, but because it does not know its limitations, it does anyway. That reflects how I see life as a mother and as an artist, and it is something I see in these dancers as well.

So the shoes are not just decorative. They are a reflection of that whole journey, of becoming, of pushing through, and of finding beauty in it all, and a quiet hope for more unity, peace, and beauty in the world.

AM: Are there any upcoming projects or things we should keep an eye out for?

LK: Lately, I’ve been working on a collection that feels very close to me, the Glow Collection. It really comes from the idea that light doesn’t always come easily, sometimes it’s something you find after moving through darker moments. That kind of beauty, the kind that is built, not given, is something I’ve come to appreciate more over time.

I’ve also been involved in different fundraising efforts and creating pieces that support women, including work around breast cancer awareness. That part of what I do is very important to me, making sure the art gives back and reaches beyond itself.

IG @libbykleinart

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | YAGP

Read the MAR ISSUE #123 of Athleisure Mag and see YOUTH ON POINTE | YAGP Gala in mag.

9LIST STORI3S | MORGAN RIDDLE

Read the MAR ISSUE #123 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Morgan Riddle in mag.

ROCK THIS WHEN CHECKING OUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Read the MAR ISSUE #123 of Athleisure Mag and see ROCK THIS WHEN CHECKING OUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD in mag.

NYFW FW26 EDIT

The month of Feb is beyond busy but this year with the addition of the Winter Games 2026, Super Bowl, Grammys and of course, NYFW it’s a lot of activity! NYFW FW26 took place from Feb 11th - 16th and this season, we attended an array of runway shows and presentations as well as backstage coverage. As we do each season, we go over some of the shows that stuck out with us as well as interviews that took place along the way.

LOVESHACKFANCY NYFW FW26

We kicked off this season of NYFW heading backstage to NY based LOVESHACKFANCY which is known for their whimsical collections. Founder and Creative Director Rebecca Hessel Cohen held this runway show at Cooper Hewitt’s Gilded Age mansion and transformed the historic landmark into a sanctuary of romantic vibes. By using history as her guide as well as the social codes of Gossip Girl, she shared that her muse, “is feminine yet opinionated, romantic yet ironic, a little dramatic and fully self-aware. When you’re looking at her, it’s as if she’s been dancing through the halls of Versaille, yet also entirely of the moment.” This upcoming season’s collection is filled with pastels that are grounded in espresso, soft florals that are precisely tailored, and beaded mesh corsetry. With tones of blush, powder blue, deep bordeaux, choclate, gunmetal and more.

Courtesy of Goody, Wet Brush, and Bio Ionic, we watched the hair look and its inspiration come together with Brent Lawler, Celebrity Hairstylist and Lead Hairstylist for this show who talked with us about how he created the look and he even provided a 9 step process on how we can create the look.

He shared that the look was focused on an undone-yet-polished look. “We wanted the hair to feel very chic, but relaxed - a heritage reinterpreted. I wanted a concept that is clear and cohesive. I love a bow and bows are part of the DNA of the brand. I wanted to give a look that is more lived in, more casual, more wintry, and natural. It’s the girl that loves to party but also loves poetry. so if she wakes up in the morning with the bow still in her hair, she just throws on her ballet flat and heads out the door for coffee.”

This look of being undone is one that definitely can be worn to the office, heading to the studio for your workout, and of course to grab cocktails and a meal later!

Because we loved this look and hearing the inspiration behind it, Brent shared with Athleisure Mag how you can create this look in 9 easy steps to bring it from the runway to your every day!

9 STEP HAIRSTYLE

• Step 1: Brush out tangles & negate frizz with the Wet Brush Frizz Free Detangler.

• Step 2: Put a little mousse at the roots for texture and volume.

• Step 3: Use Bio Ionic Smart X Hair Dryer on high heat fast speed to quickly get out any moisture.

• Step 4: Section the hair with Goody Luxe Claw Clips.

• Step 5: Use Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron in 1.5 inch to create loose waves with natural bends.

• Step 6: Use Batiste Powder Dry Shampoo and Batiste Original Dry Shampoo along the roots for increased volume and texture (which builds the texture and creates airy volume).

• Step 7: Grab pieces of hair and pull back into a Goody Comfortflex thin hair tie, or Goody Clear Elastics, then pull the hair tie down to create a looser look. It allows it to hold the low ponies that were shown in the show.

• Step 8: Go into the ends of and push the Batiste powder into the hair to create more volume and texture.

• Step 9: Add a bow on top of the Goody hair tie.

IG @loveshackfancy

@brentlawler

@goodyhair

@thewetbrush

@bioionic

NEW YORK MEN’S DAY SESSION I FW26

New York Men’s Day is always a great day to see runway shows and presentations that focus on menswear. Held at Mercedes-Benz Manhattan, we were able to connect with collections from brands we enjoy seeing each season as well as those that are new to us.

AVON ANGLERS

NY based Avon Anglers is founded by designer Patrik Rzepski in 2021 and made it’s NYMD debut this season. This collection was filled with wardrobe staples through elevated materials, precise construction, and a restrained point of view. The brand is focused on maintaining and preserving the craft of sewing, maintaining relationships with local makeries and factories as well as being focused on reducing excess by making less, but better.

A.POTTS

A.Potts is a staple of NYMD and is known for clothing that is easy and makes a statement. This season we enjoyed seeing neutral pieces from the collection that also has great visual texture through garments that moved as it hit the runway.

CHELSEA GRAYS

Chelsea Grays theme known as DROWNING presented a luxury streetwear 14-look collection that blends oversized tweed, navy ombré nubby wools, and technical materials with cargo shorts.

PEAK LAPEL

For the past few seasons, we have enjoyed seeing Peak Lapel’s presentation. This season, their theme, Breaking Home Ties focused on a modern, rugged, and refined take on workwear and preppy, traditional codes. Key pieces included standout tailored outerwear, prep styles, and a blend of polished, and functional pieces.

PROJECT BY INFORMA LAS VEGAS PREVIEW

Pieces that showed within this presentation from the morning session as well as the afternoon one were previews of brands that you could see ahead of PROJECT by Informa Las Vegas which took place Feb 17th - 19th. Guests were able to see Devereaux Golf, Goat by James King, GWOP Meet,

KNOTWTR, Lost My Accent, Monadic, Moshe Yossel, Psycho Bunny, Public Drip, RTA, and Ryoko Rain.

IG @newyorkmensday

@avonanglers

@a___potts

@__chelsea.g

@peaklapelnyc

@projectbyinforma

@devereauxgolf

@goatbyjamesking

@gwopmeet

@knotwtr

@lostmyaccent

@monadicclothing

@mosheyossel

@psychobunny

@publicdripbrand

@rtabrand

@ryokorain

FREDERICK ANDERSON FW26

We always enjoy attending Frederick Anderson’s runway shows as it always has drama and great silhouettes. This year, Tony Award nominee Amber Iman (Soul Doctor, Shuffle Along, Hamilton), kicked off the show singing Nina Simone’s Feeling Good. As 34 looks hit the runway, attendees enjoyed hearing bluesy songs from Amy Winehouse and Nina Simone. The looks were a mix of separates and one pieces that pulled from fabrications that included: Chantilly lace, wool tweeds, tulle, chiffon and metallic laser-cut vegan leather. Frederick shared that he, “wanted to write a story about finding strength in all the blackness. We’re in a black time, and you can find an inner strength in that. Throughout the collection, there’s all these layers and different fabrications that layer on top. It’s all in the details and it’s all for the woman to enjoy. It isn’t for everyone.”

IG @frederickanderson_designer

NEW YORK MEN’S DAY SESSION II FW26

CHRISTOPHER LOWMAN FW26

For the second session of NYMD, we enjoyed seeing another round of great looks. This portion of NYMD included designers who made their debut this season.

SKI TRIP was the theme of Christopher Lowman’s FW26 collection which merged alpine sport with downtown ease. The performance fabrics used in the line included neoprene, gabardine, double-sided fleece, and boiled wool that was finely tailored into exaggerated silhouettes with a palette that embraced all that is winter oriented.

MONDAY BLUES, STUDIO FW26

One of the most interesting brands that showed at this platform was Monday Blues, Studio. This brand is rooted in sustainability. What really struck out was garments that reimagined discarded burlap coffee bags into one-of-a-kind, made-to-order couture garments.

WANGDA FW26

A new to us designer was Wangda that created strong menswear pieces that showcase how you can look dapper while having an elegance that makes you think of Old Hollywood brought forward as well as east meets west sensibility. By blending in America, British and Japanese aesthetics, something completely new was presented within this collection of warm tones and deep eggplant hued suiting.

SCIENCE PROJECT COMPANY FW26

Our favorite designer that shows all day at NYMD was Science Project Company hands down. Seeing a runway show that also featured a presentation was a great way to enjoy this line of menswear apparel along with bags that you could imagine in any of your tunnel fashion views from your sport of choice!

The collection reflects the man on the go who is navigating between a number of activities that tru;y tale him from day to night. Standouts included outerwear, multi-pocketed pants, and a very large weekender bag that we continue to think about.

IG @christopherlowman

@mondaybluesstudio

@wangda_official

@scienceprojectcompany

MODEST NOW X MUSLIMI

During the Modest Now X MUSLIMI runway show, we were able to see 2 lines that showcased their designs. In womenswear, Amariah had luxe elegant pieces that literally floated down the runway whether they were separates or dresses in tulle, lace and a number of fabrications across hues.

For menswear, we were treated to Athari Wear that really showcased a lifestyle collection of looks from what one would wear to work out, run errands, and to go out for a nice meal. In addition, a number of accessories and sneakers from the brand really rounded out this line.

Both shows were a great way to showcase modest dressing and it was easy to see how these items could be seen on the street or in your favorite show.

IG @modestnow.theshows

@muslimi.official

@amariah

@athariwear

LAQUAN SMITH FW26

Going backstage is a great way to see the looks come together where beauty and fashion truly support one another. We were invited to go backstage at LaQuan Smith via KISS and we had the opportunity to chat with Celebrity Nail Artist/Manicurist Gina Edwards to find out about the inspiration behind the nail look and how it tied into the overall vision of this FW26 show which included structured silhouettes, sharp tailoring and Bond Girl vibes.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We always enjoy when we see you backstage at iconic fashion shows. The last time we were with you, it was at Prabal Garung’s FW24 and we’re here with you today for LaQuann Smith’s FW26. What can you tell us about the direction of the nails that we will see today?

GINA EDWARDS: These are the nail looks for the show. What we did with LaQuann is that he is all about edgy, tailoring to a tee and this season’s inspo is the James Bond Girl.

The Bond Girl is a structural and intentional woman! With that, we did the KISS (their new branding) with their core collection which comes in your classic colors, your trends, and your classic French with the Chrome. These are long, and they’re oval, and you want it Stiletto and they are shaped nails like a bullet now. So think about James Bond, he’s always carrying a gun with bullets. Some of the models are wearing the more classic French out of the box. Others are wearing the Chrome finish. With the French, we’re just shaping them out to a Stiletto which is Fascinating - that’s the name of those.

With the Chrome, we customized a mixed chrome finish to give it more like a gunmetal.

AM: Right.

GE: To make it that bullet, you see it here. I mean, we have seen Chrome over and over again, but the fact that when you could in terms of relate it to the collection and how it is all cohesive, it kind of really is amazing.

AM: How long did it take for you to come up with this concept as we know that, like, you go through the files!

GE: So, I can’t speak for him, but I know that he had this woman in mind. He envisioned that she had this strong, powerful edginess, and we wanted to take that and put into context and put that onto the nail right. Thinking back to James Bond, you have this fierce sensibility with guns.

He wanted that type of woman to show on the nails. And I think KISS nailed it again – the whole team. We just came up with an idea of just having this gunmetal finish to match with a lot of what you’re going to see in his pieces/ The shoes, the hair it was all how to tie that all into what he envisions on a nail for this collection.

AM: So the classic French can be purchased and is ready to go out of the box.

GE: Yes, right out of the box, you could purchase the French, the French classic. It’s called Fascinating and is part of the collection by KISS which is a staple in their line.

AM: Now, if you wanted to recreate the Chrome one at home, how can we do that as we know that this was done custom for this NYFW FW26 runway show?

GE: Yeah, so it’s a little tricky because I did mix the chrome to get this finish. It’s a DIY you can do on your own. You can pick out a chrome finish and maybe add a little black to it to kind of give it a little deepness, and then you go from there you add your gel and then you buff it down, you know? It’s like 20 different steps, but we do have the how-to guide for those people that want to do it!

AM: For our gel people out there who go in get their nails done and then on their next visit, they get it removed and get another gel, how can they keep the skin on their hands looking amazing? Right now we’re navigating the Winter here in NYC which is very tough on the skin and drying!

GE: The first thing I would say is to carry cuticle oil with you at all times! Your skin needs to stay moisturized especially at night! Just like your face has day cream and night cream! Having this for your hands will keep them moisturized and it’s also about building up your fats internally. You know, make sure you’re eating avocados and nutrients that create those fats which helps your skin. and out of oil, you know, it’s really fat. You want to make sure that you are getting the most natural oils that are good for you from the inside out!

If you’re interested in achieving the Chrome look at home that Gina customized for this show, she tells us how we can do this in 3 simple ways.

• Step 1: Select and size KISS CORE Collection nail in Fascinating and customize shape into a sharp stiletto.

• Step 2: Apply nail glue to the artificial nail and the natural nail, then press down gently, repeat on all ten nails.

• Step 3: Leave as is for the classic French tip look, or layer on your favorite bullet chrome on top for the dark silver finish.

IG @laquan_smith

@ginaedwards_

@kissnails

VEEJAY FLORESCA FW26

For our final NYFW show, we made our way to the Ritz Carlton NoMad to see the latest Project Runway S21 winner Veejay Floresca where she showcased her FW26 Collection Presentation. During her season we enjoyed how she attacked each of the challenges creating stunning looks. So we knew that her show was going to be one that we had to see.

Veejay’s collection was filled with modern glamour, designed to evoke confidence, sensuality, and individuality. Her inspiration for this season came from Willem de Kooning’s abstract expressionist paintings. She wove in bold, gestural color and layered textures into tactile fabrics, heavy knits, and sculptural finishes that create movement and depth. Oversized, fluid silhouettes balance spontaneity and control, resulting in pieces that feel both striking and wearable. As she is known as an eveningwear and special occasion designer, she explored color, texture, and form through an elevated yet effortless lens. In attendance were a number of designers from her season as well as Christian Sriano.

IG @projectrunway

@veejayfloresca

PHOTOGRAPHY | PG 129 LoveShackFancy | PG 130 Peak Lapel NYC | PG 133 Estelle Sweeney | PG 134 Ben Hider | PG 137 Michael Pagara |

Read the FEB ISSUE #122 of Athleisure Mag and see NYFW FW26 EDIT in mag.

9LIST STORI3S | BEA KIM

Read the FEB ISSUE #122 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Bea Kim in mag.

9LOOKS | ALICE + OLIVIA

Read the FEB ISSUE #122 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LOOKS | Alice + Olivia in mag.

ROCK THIS WHEN PACKING FOR YOUR NEXT BEACH TRIP

Read the FEB ISSUE #122 of Athleisure Mag and see ROCK THIS WHEN PACKING FOR YOUR NEXT BEACH TRIP in mag.

GO GET'EM MODE | MICHELLE BUTEAU

We’re days into the New Year and we’re making sure that we are setting ourselves up for the best success! Although we know that the 1st is the beginning of the year, it’s that first Monday that really lets us know what we’re in for. Jan 5th is really the beginning of a series of days and weeks where we really have to get in gear!

We sat down with actor, standup comedian, producer, Co-Creator and star of Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest Michelle Buteau to talk about her career, her creative process, her projects and why she partnered with Premier Protein! She talks about the importance of showing up for herself and being good to herself.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Hello! We met briefly at Chuks Collins dinner this Fall when he shared his collection at Bryant Park Grill. I was waiting to be seated, turned around and then there you were looking stunning walking by and all I could get out was, I love you in Survival of the Thickest!

MICHELLE BUTEAU: Oh yes, that was a great dinner and Chuks is so special!

AM: Yes it was such a good dinner and it’s great talking with you now.

MB: I love to hear that people love the show because it makes me feel like I am doing my job, so thank you for that! I will never get tired of that.

AM: I am a fan of your energy, your humor, your authenticity and all the things! Honestly, I don’t know where I was in life, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that I was like wait who is this – I loved you on Netflix’s Barbecue Showdown, you were the host of a social reality show that I loved watching, being on BET’s First Wives Club – I was like this woman is working! You literally got me through the pandemic which then brought me to watching the other things that you do as well!

You’re an actress, a comedian, a producer, a host, you can do drama – when did you realize that you wanted to be an entertainer?

MB: Oh my goodness! I feel that every kid thinks that they can be an entertainer. I think that it was when I was around 12 or 13 that I was like, “I think that I want to do this” to my parents and they were like, no you don’t. I don’t think that I really told myself or gave myself permission or license to really go far with this until my 20’s which is so crazy, but you know, whatever makes you happy!

AM: Well, whether you’re preparing for a character or an upcoming film, or series, what is your creative process or what do you pull from when you’re trying to get ready for things that you’re working on?

MB: You know, that’s such a great question! I don’t really have a process, the main thing that I have to do, because I have a husband, 2 dogs, 2 kids, are responsibilities at home and in life. The main thing for me to do is that I am happy and healthy, that I have all of my vitamins, and I am taking care of myself because my brain is working! When I have a good amount of rest because I like to be busy – the main thing is that I am taking care of me throughout the day!

AM: In Survival of the Thickest, I love it with the energy of that show! You are showing the industry and what goes on in it. I am the Co-Founder/Creative + Style Dir of Athleisure Mag but I am also a Fashion Stylist. So when I am watching the show and your character, I’m like oh yeah – that is what it is!

MB: Yeah, you get it!

AM: Yup, I’m like, that’s pretty much it! It’s glam when it’s glam and then it’s just not.

MB: Yeah and I love that about it. It’s a parallel to comedy which is why I chose that job for my character. That job will humble you real quick and the next day you could be flying first class or private in this whole different realm, so I think it is important to know that there are a whole of different places that you can live especially with the job that you love.

AM: What made you want to be a Co-Creator of this show and also star in it as well? I know that you’re back in production on S3 and I am so bummed that this will be the final season – but the series has everything!

MB: I mean, it was just really natural right? I have been doing standup for 24 years and it has helped me figure out my voice, my platform – and when I wrote this book when I brought my kids home from the hospital. I was like, “oh, I have twin babies now and I guess I will be at home so I need to write a book – I mean what? What?” But I will say, hot tip, I do put some Premier Protein Shake in my coffee because that’s how I get my protein! I get my coffee kick, my caffeine kick, my protein kick! So that was very helpful! Obviously lots of hugs and fresh hugs too – but anyways!

AM: What is life without fresh veggies and hugs?

MB: Ok now! Downward dogs and everything – cat/cow!

I mean, I wrote the book and then when Netflix optioned the book, they said, “do you want to build this world yourself or would you like to work with someone?” There’s nothing better than collaborating. When you find the right person it just sings and so I am so happy that Netflix introduced me to my Co-Creator Danielle Sanchez-Witzel (My Name is Earl, New Girl, The Carmichael Show) because we had a time! We had a whole kiki! It’s been so fun! It is 3rd and final, but that’s ok because I think that it is a gift knowing that you are not coming back so that you can do what you want to do. Also, no one is a 1 trick pony! We can go out there and do other things – I mean look at you!

AM: Tell me about The Surviving and Thriving Tour!

MB: Oh my goodness! Well, you know, everybody has got – the whole point is that we can live in 2 places at once. While we feel like this is really hard, there also some really good things too. You have to wake up really early, but isn’t it really good that you get to wake up really early and get to do all the things that you want to do? I feel like being busy or stressed is a privilege – I get to have the responsibility to do these things which is really fun. So Surviving and Thriving is named kind of after that. I love standup and I can’t wait to go back out on tour. I love performing and just writing hard jokes, hard jokes. I want people bending over with laughter! I want people to just be cackling because laughter is medicine and I’m a doctor!

AM: I mean, I will take in all the prescriptions that you’re providing!

MB: Yeah! There’s no Co-Pay, come get you some laughs!

AM: Spa Weekend looks amazing! It’s a great cast! Why did you want to be part of that project?

MB: I mean, there is just this beautiful, wild and comedic powerhouses coming together! I love Isla Fisher (Now You See Me franchise, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Nocturnal Animals), Leslie Mann (The Other Woman, Blockers, Motherless Brooklyn), Anna Faris (Scary Movie franchise, Mom, The House Bunny) and how could I not want to be part of that team? I also love the idea of strong female bonds and relationships when we are from different walks of life. The one thing that we have in common is that the women of Spa Weekend, go on a spa weekend because they need it. They are really busy with the responsibilities and the mundane things that are done in life and they have to go away. They just go away for a wild weekend and they just have a lot of fun stuff going on and a lot of hijinks!

AM: I cannot wait to see it!

You recently partnered with Premier Protein as a part of their New Year campaign and Go Get ‘Em Mode. Tell me about this mode and what it is and why did you want to partner with this brand?

MB: Oh my goodness because I like to Go Get’ Em so let’s Go Get ‘Em, come on sis – let’s roll! Are you for real? So I remember and this was a full circle moment. My dad, he was like the busiest man alive. He would lift weights in between meetings, take me to the mall and he was so busy. He would always have a Premier Protein Shake! So I grew up watching the busiest man I know always being in Go Mode and getting it done and always taking care of his body. So when Premier Protein Shake approached me, I said yes! Everyone knows about that hard start of the year at the top of January 1st and it isn’t always that and then people beat themselves up – it’s the Monday – it’s the January 5th of it all. It’s really exciting because Premier Protein wants to set people up for success by going to goget2026.com and you can go on there and try them out for free! They will send it to you in your house in select cities (Atlanta, NY, Chicago, LA, Philadelphia and Miami). We all know what that is! We know what the pre-party is before you have to go to work so it’s that 5-9 where you’re like, uh-oh how am I going to do this, who am I going to be, what am I going to wear? You know, can I touch my toes, will I have enough energy – yes you can! It’s Premier Protein and they want to help you get that energy sis so let’s go!

AM: I love that and a shake is a great way to do all of that!

What do you love about drinking these shakes? Do you have a special flavor?

MB: I’m a Chocolate or Caramel girlie! What I love about it is that I am doing something for myself. I feel like because women – I mean, I’m no doctor – I only play one on TV – actually I did!

AM: I was going to say you did!

MB: You got me!

AM: You did!

MB: We need between 40 and 65 grams of protein a day. So you get 30 in one shot with the bottle, it’s like pretty great! When I have more energy, I’m nicer to people! There’s no road rage you know what I mean? I hope you heal! Oh my God there’s a spot! I found a parking spot? Yes you can cut me in line! You go –

AM: That’s right!

MB: I’m just a nicer person when I have more energy. So yes, I do that for myself - treat yo’self all year long!

IG @michellebuteau

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Netflix/Vanessa Clifton

Read the JAN ISSUE #121 of Athleisure Mag and see GO GET’EM MODEL | Michelle Buteau in mag.

ORIGINS AN NFL COLLECTION

It’s been another great NFL season and it all culminates with Super Bowl LX which takes place on Feb 8th at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, the home of the San Francisco 49ers! This year, the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will battle it out to see who will be the champions! During this time of year, there are a number of events and activations taking place. One of them is Origins: An NFL Collection which in addition to be a collaborative line of apparel that is created with designers who are in the community that the Super Bowl is being held, but it is a time where those who are in the area can enjoy the pop-up! We wanted to find out more about this collection, the pop-up event, the NFL’s committment to highlighting artists and bringing them in to the experience of Game Day! We took some time to catch up with the Director of Marketing and E-Commerce at the NFL, Ashley Daniel to find out about this and more.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell me a bit about your background prior to coming to the NFL.

ASHLEY DANIEL: I’ve spent most of my career since coming out of college working for the NFL. During undergrad, I volunteered with the Super Bowl Host Committee and later interned with the NFL in the Media Strategy & Business Development department. After graduating, I was selected for the NFL’s Rotational Program and have continued to grow my career within the Consumer Products department ever since.

AM: As the Director of Marketing and E-Commerce at the NFL, what does your role entail?

AD: The role is dynamic, which is one of its most rewarding aspects. My work ranges from leading our Local Club Collaboration Program and developing capsule collections with small, local brands to collaborating with our advertising team on national NFL Shop TV campaigns. At its core, the position is about tying inspiration to conversion and strengthening fans’ connections to their cities and teams through product.

AM: Tell us about Origins: An NFL Collection in terms of why this program was created and what it serves to do.

AD: The Origins program was first developed for the Super Bowl in Los Angeles. Although we produce incredible Super Bowl merchandise, there was an opportunity to showcase products from local brands that authentically represent the host city and its communities. The program emerged from that insight, grounded in the belief that every host city is home to artists and designers who reveal dimensions of the city often overlooked.

AM: How do you go about finding designers to partner with, and what are you looking for?

AD: Each year, the approach evolves. In previous years, my colleague, Xaimara Coss, who is also a Director on the Consumer Products team at the NFL, and I relied heavily on web research and social media, tracking who was showing up at local markets, consistently launching collections, actively engaging with their communities, and creating truly distinctive work. This year, we partnered with our licensing partner, NoCallerID, to support the search. Together, we spent several weeks reviewing candidates and hosting introductory conversations before ultimately selecting the final group of brands.

AM: Tell me about the designers who will be participating in this year’s Origins: An NFL Collection.

AD: Each designer brings a distinctly different point of view, which is what makes this group so compelling. Aaron De La Cruz is an artist by trade, and his work immediately stood out to us, particularly his use of shape and movement, which introduced an aesthetic we hadn’t previously explored within the Origins program. We knew he would bring a bold, unexpected reinterpretation of the Super Bowl. Nostalgia approaches design through incredibly unique silhouettes; when we saw a previous collection featuring intricate woven paisleys, it was clear they would offer a fresh perspective on what fan apparel can be. Lastly, there’s Blvck Scvle, an iconic Bay Area streetwear brand that has been shaping the culture since 2007. Their product is elevated and refined, with exceptionally strong design execution. Together, the three brands form a powerful cohort that authentically represents the spirit and creativity of the Bay.

AM: This year, there will be a one-day pop-up event ahead of the Super Bowl in the Bay Area. Tell us more about this.

AD: Each year, we host a launch pop-up retail event that serves as the first opportunity for fans and the community to shop the new collection. The event brings together shopping, music, and a strong community presence in support of the participating brands, attracting both locals and visitors in search of authentic Super Bowl products and experiences. This year’s launch will take place on Thursday, February 5, at the Pearl from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

AM: For those who are unable to attend the event, how can they be part of this experience?

AD: On Friday, February 6, at 9 AM ET, the product goes live on NFLShop.com/origins. They can also follow the brand stories as they launch on @NFL on IG and on NFL.com/origins.

AM: In terms of the Super Bowl, will this collection of Origins: An NFL Collection be at the stadium?

AD: No. Any product that does not sell out at the launch event will be sold at the NFL Shop Presented by Visa at Super Bowl Experience Presented by Jersey Mike’s.

AM: Are there any upcoming projects that you would like to share with us that we should know about at the NFL that you are involved in?

AD: There are a lot of great drops coming out around the Super Bowl. We can’t say much right now, but stay tuned.

IG @nfl

After speaking with Ashley about Origins: NFL Collection, we wanted to talk with one of the designer collaborators, Aaron De La Cruz, to find out more about his work, participating in this assortment, and more!

AM: Before we delve into this collaboration that you did with Origins: An NFL Collection, can you tell me about your background and what led you to design?

AARON DE LA CRUZ: From as far back as I can remember, I have loved to draw. As a kid growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, I spent a majority of my time outside surrounded by skate and graffiti culture. The graphics I would see on clothing, skateboards and art in the streets influenced me to create my own at home, school and, eventually, on the streets too. I was fortunate enough to have the support of my parents and teachers who recognized my talent, which helped me get into programs and eventually art school. I graduated from college with a BFA and went into teaching art for ten years until I became a parent and I decided to pursue being a full-time artist. That was exactly 13 years ago this month – wow, time flies! I’m the first full-time artist in my family, so my main focus is to show my kids that being a creative for a living is possible. This occupation is hard and definitely has its challenges. They are old enough now to see what it’s really like, but projects like this are moments to celebrate and make it feel like a dream come true.

AM: You have done a number of collaborations with Maison Margiela, Diesel, ESPN, etc. What is the creative process that you go into when you are creating something for or with another brand?

ADLC: When taking on collaborative projects, I prefer to have a personal connection with the client or find a way to connect the project to my family. Because many of my works are considered abstract at times, they can appear as decorative considering the context in which they are displayed. I always try to find a way to integrate my family into these types of projects because, for me, these are the people in my life I’m surrounded by the most. When given the opportunity, I make it a point to provide a story that will connect with the audience, especially for those who are interested in what’s beyond the surface.

AM: How much does the Bay Area influence your work?

ADLC: The Bay is a special place. We have a rich history of movements that were born here that have spread throughout the world. That, plus our unique landscape, draws people to visit and live here, including myself. I don’t know if the Bay is something visually noticeable in my work, but I can say the culture here has definitely influenced what I do with my artwork. Social justice is something very important to me, and I use my art as a vehicle to express my opinions. I try my best to donate works to nonprofits that are doing amazing work. I also give away my work from time to time for those who might not be able to afford it and promote social interaction.

AM: As one of the collaborators in the Origins: An NFL Collection, what does it mean to you to be part of this project?

ADLC: This project is HUGE! As a kid, I was a big NFL fan, and now as a parent, football plays a big part in my life 24/7. I have twin sons (and a wife) who are borderline obsessed with the sport, so for me to be involved at this level is definitely a project I am happy about, and so are they. Being Mexican and a fan of the sport, you don’t see much representation on the field, so for me, this project was an opportunity for us to be seen at this level. I really wanted to show any kids who are artists or have a desire to play the sport that we can find ways to be seen on and off the field in the NFL.

AM: What were you inspired by in terms of the items that you designed in this collaboration?

ADLC: Many of the works I create involve the idea of deconstruction and breaking something down to its simplest form. For the collection, I wanted to create something that my fan base – who might not be football fans – would appreciate, and for football fans who aren’t familiar with my work would recognize.

First, the use of black and white was inspired by the referee uniform. The referee is someone who plays a big part in the game and, at times, can control the game. The artwork on the garments is scaled at 2” wide, which is the width of the black and white stripes found on the official NFL referee uniform.

Second was the location of the artwork. This was inspired by the player, their passion and what they put their body through playing the sport. I created an all-over design because they take hits all over the body and sometimes walk away with wounds and scars that they have for life, all for the love of the sport.

Third was the design, I created unique marks using my signature style that reference routes found in a playbook. I wanted to capture the simplest thing that was recognizable and had that feel of hand-drawn.

I wanted to capture the simplest thing that was recognizable and had that feel of hand-drawn.

The colors of the garments are white on black (chalk on board), black on white (marker on dry erase board) and the grey colorway is a nod to San Francisco and our reputation for being covered in fog.

AM: Are there any upcoming projects that you would like to share with us that we should know about?

ADLC: Please be on the lookout for the online release of the collection at AARONDELACRUZ.COM on Feb 7th. If you happen to be in San Francisco for the Super Bowl, be on the lookout for a city-wide project I’m doing on Feb 6th. This project will involve me creating 11 original works of art and dropping them off at 11 different locations throughout the city. I’m using this as an opportunity for people to discover and support independently owned businesses within the 11 districts (11 players on the field!) of San Francisco. All of this will take place on my Instagram (@aarondelacruz) so you will need to follow and see what happens!

Aside from that, I’m working on multiple projects and continuing to play this game of life while supporting my team (family). Trying my best to win the MVP for being the best Dad in the league and not end up on the injured reserve list haha.

IG @aarondelacruz

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Origins: An NFL Collection

Read the JAN ISSUE #121 of Athleisure Mag and see ORIGINS an NFL Collection in mag.

ROCK THIS WHEN HEADING TO TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE PUB

Read the JAN ISSUE #121 of Athleisure Mag and see ROCK THIS WHEN HEADING TO TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE PUB in mag.

HOW TO DRESS | WHEN GETTING GAME DAY READY

Read the JAN ISSUE #121 of Athleisure Mag and see HOW TO DRESS | When Getting Game Day Ready in mag.

TEAM USA WINTER OLYMPICS 2026 OUTIFTS

The Winter Olympics 2026 takes place from Feb 6 - 22nd in Milano Cortina (these games will be co-hosted by Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo)! It’s a time to see your favorite athletes competing on a global stage from curling, snowboarding, alpine skiing and more. As we get closer to these games, we also enjoy seeing when each country unveils the looks for the teams from Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony and for competition looks. Ralph Lauren who has Team USA Olympic and Paralympic athletes for nearly 20 years unveiled their uniforms.

As we watch the Opening Ceremony, you’ll see Team USA arriving in a white wool coat with wooden toggles, a turtleneck sweater and wool trousers that are tailored. For the Closing Ceremony, they will have a color-block puffer jacket, wool turtleneck sweater, and white utility pants. Accessories will include knit mittens in red, white, and blue as well as a leather belt and suede alpine boots.

Via a release, David Lauren, Ralph Lauren’s Chief Branding and Innovation Officer shared that, “Ralph Lauren has had the immense privilege of outfitting Team USA for nearly 20 years, and the significance and sheer magnitude of dressing our nation’s incredible athletes—on the most dramatic stage in sport as they pursue their lifelong dreams—is an honor that never fades. Our design philosophy has always been about creating dreams and telling stories through style, and these uniforms, both timeless and modern, reflect the passion, optimism, and relentless pursuit of excellence that embody the American spirit.”

Each time they present the looks, the brand also features athletes who will be participating in the games.

PHOTO CREDIT | Ralph Lauren | Team USA Closing Ceremony Snowboarder Red Gerard (1G)

“I’ve been doing a lot of training, spending a lot of time over in Europe pretty close to where we’ll be competing in Milan,” says Red Gerard. “Trying to get better snowboarding but in a safe way without getting hurt before the Olympics! I’m stoked to represent Team USA with Ralph Lauren and to be a part of the unveiling of my personal favorite Opening and Closing Ceremony Uniforms!!”

PHOTO CREDIT | Ralph Lauren | Team USA Closing Ceremony Looks | Ice Dancers Maia Shibutani (2B) and Alex Shibutani (2B)

In addition to the looks that are worn by the athletes, Ralph Lauren also creates a collection that allows us to purchase them to support the team as well as the Winter Games. Ralph Lauren’s 2026 Team USA is available now and can be purchased online, at select Ralph Lauren stores, select department stores, and if you will be at the Winter Games this year, you can purchase pieces at their pop-up shop at the Rosapetra Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

PHOTO CREDIT | Ralph Lauren | Ralph Lauren Team USA Collection

AVANT GOTHICA WITH VSA

We’re excited to share an interview from our Athleisure Mag Summit Series which gives you an indepth look at a brand that we have had the pleasure of including in our photoshoots from celeb covers, model editorials, and even wearing it personally with a number of looks. Virgins Saints and Angels is a brand that includes a number of accessories that tell an array of stories and adds visual texture to whatever your style may be!

We sat down to talk with Cheryl “Finn” Finnegan, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Virgins Saints and Angels. We talk about the origins of the line, the assortment, her design process, and essentials you need as you begin to build your own collection.

ATHLEISURE MAG: I have to say it is such a pleasure to be able to chat with you finally for this Athleisure Mag Summit Series Virtual Event! This series allows us to talk with great fashion brands that I know our readership and community should know about. Having them hear from the brand, learning about their assortment, and what we can expect from them in upcoming seasons! As you know, I have been a fan of your brand for the past 2 decades from wearing it personally when I’m out and about, for TV segments and also including it in our photoshoots for Athleisure Mag!

In talking with you right now, I am wearing the first ring that I ever received from your collection as that in itself is a full circle moment as it was the first piece that I wrote about for a blog that I started back in 2004 and how was I to know that in 2011, my boyfriend who I am still with who is a Co-Founder of Athleisure Mag, would not only buy this ring without knowing that I knew about it, but he ordered it through Ylang23 which is a retailer that I knew and would talk to off and on when I was working on my site! They knew me and thought it was such serendipity and then around that time, I was in Santo Domingo designing my collab line with Sebago as we were were preparing to launch the collection on HSN and I ended up meeting the leather team that supplied leather for your belts because their company was supplying the leather for my shoes!

CHERYL FINNEGAN: Oh my gosh thank you so much and I just think the world of you!

AM: Same! It’s a brand that I have loved ever since I knew about it, it’s what I wear every single day and I love everything about it. I just want to say thank you for creating it and your aesthetic is something I appreciate and I really love that you are taking the time!

CF: Of course!

AM: So prior to launching Virgins Saints and Angels, I’d love to know about your background because I know you are a fashion veteran as you worked in marketing for Levi Strauss and Co.

CF: Yes, I have been working in fashion since I was probably 16!

AM: Same!

CF: Yeah, starting out in the local department store and moving on from there. I worked with Levi Strauss and I had the best title on the planet! I was called an Image Consultant!

AM: Ok, that is the best title!

CF: It is the best title! I loved handing that card out! So, I was in charge of going out and checking out boutiques. I was searching out for places for us to be in. So I was always on the cusp of what was happening. So when I moved down to San Miguel I originally started doing these plastic woven bags. They were super cute and I reinvented the whole plastic bag in the mercado and I had to brand it because I am a marketing person.

The branding in these plastic bags – I couldn’t sew anything in there and it was cheesy to glue something in there. So I had the weavers who were prisoners, they did that job in the prison system in Mexico – I had them weave the little ring in there and I did a key fob.

AM: Ah I’m seeing where the DNA of VSA came from the minute you said that and now I know why the brand also has key fobs!

CF: Then that key fob turned into a belt buckle which then turned into a ring and then a rosary and that is how it all began!

AM: Yeah, I always wondered what was the piece that sparked everything else – this is fascinating because it’s an extensive assortment that has an array of pieces that speak to each other inside of the collections as well as those adjacent to it, but I couldn’t figure out where it started and what the root was.

CF: Right! I was making these little itty bitty key fobs and I had a sweet little logo under resin and then Fred Segal was buying the bags. But one day he said to me, “do you think that you could just sell me some of the key chains?” I thought that was great because the bags take up major bulk right?

AM: Yes!

CF: So most of the cost of the bag was the shipping. So I thought, I could ship 100 key chains in a little box. So then I started putting in the religious imagery in them. Then I had cute little hangtags on them so it would be Adam and Eve and the cute little tag would say, “They always look better than they taste” or something fun about the Virgin of Miracles or whatever. I had these cute little tags on them and Fred Segal went crazy over them! I was just selling them as fast as they got in and then eventually, it turned into a belt buckle. Literally, I was walking down the street in LA with my belt buckle and Laurence Fishburne’s (Matrix franchise, John Wick franchise, The Amateur) relative stopped me and asked me what I was wearing and I told her that I had just made this belt buckle and it was my prototype. She said that she had to have one and I just took it off my body and I sold it to her!

AM: Oh my God, that is insane!

CF: Then I thought, I think that I could be onto something!

AM: The pieces are so iconic. When we had Lala Kent from Vanderpump Rules as our cover for our MAY ISSUE #29 in 2018, she wore one of your crowns for the cover.

CF: Yes – insane.

AM: It’s just amazing the responses that you get when you’re wearing them even in the wild. On days where I’m running between editor’s appointments and showrooms and I’m just rocking leggings and a top but I have my VSA which takes it to another level, I do get stopped and you have mini conversations about them and it’s so fun to engage with people in that way.

What is your sourcing process like? I do like the elements in the pieces an San Benito and then the Magdalena – where do you get all of these things from?

CF: Well inspiration is local, I mean you’re in Mexico. When I first got here, I didn’t get it. I come from the Midwest –

AM: Same!

CF: Right, your religion is private.

AM: Same! That’s how I was raised too!

CF: I’m from near Chicago.

AM: I’m from Indianapolis originally and obviously, I’m in NY now. But I totally get it. Like growing up there you’re religious, but it’s not something that I would just throw out in conversation.

CF: It’s reserved right?

AM: 1000%

CF: In Mexico, Guadalupe is on every other tattooed man – it’s just very visible. I found it interesting and then I started looking into it more and then I started adding in this Gothic kitsch. I was definitely more of a punk goth chic when I was young. I had the spiky hair and black that was my thing. I definitely have a bit of those elements in every piece that I do. The Magdalena was that ability to wear a rosary and to wrap it around. I particularly love the belt buckles and to me, those were it! That was my go-to piece that I was known for and every celebrity would wear the belt buckle and be pictured in it and you would see it! An earring you may not see necessarily, a ring you may not see, but a belt buckle – you’re going to see that.

AM: I do love the Gothica style of it. I always say that there is this noir/macabre feeling in the pieces that are pleasantly moody where it’s not fully leaning in that direction but you get that essence. I’m not a preppy girl by any means, although I growing up that is how I dressed – hello Midwest. But, I love that I feel when I wear them that it grounds the look, it gives an edge to it. It feels approachable, it has visual texture, and there are always great conversations around the pieces and it goes on for minutes! You see a cross, then there is an interesting design, or some other fun element.

CF: I know! It does kind of push the limits! I will never forget when I was in San Francisco, I was in a store and a woman came in and she told me that her parents had a dining room and it was all in black velvet and had Jesus and Mary in it as they were very religious. This woman was wearing her Virgin of Guadalupe belt buckle and she felt kind of dirty wearing it there – ha! It definitely pushes something.

AM: It does push the limits but you have created this world from the jewelry to the campaign imagery that you put around it that creates a cohesive story and what it means to be in that space. Sometimes our shoots end up popping up so quickly that I may not have time to reach out to your team to put a request in for something that is in a new collection or an archive piece and I will shop my personal VSA collection to bring it to set as it adds that element of drama.

CF: Oh honey! We’re so happy to work with you!

AM: Of course sometimes when there is a tight window you have to make do! You had a cameo set that we pulled a couple of years ago and I had requested various pieces from it as I wasn’t sure how we were going to have it with our model and by the time I saw the looks, I realized that they all needed to be worn together as we shot it at the Algonquin Hotel here in NYC.

CF: Oh yes! I loved that!

AM: Your team was great to work with to get that going. And between the dress and the layers of statement necklaces and the earrings this Cameo Noir moment just really came together. My team was like, wait all of this together and I’m like the whole thing!

CF: You’re too cute!

AM: Where do you start in your design process? Being where you are in Mexico, walking around definitely must be something for the senses and crazy inspiration.

CF: My new collection is just coming out and it’s called Brigid. So, Brigid took me back to my original roots. So when I was first introduced to San Benito, I was in Ireland. I saw the Celtic cross and I remembered being in San Benito and seeing the San Benito Monastery. That was the Celtic cross and I have Celtic roots. So Brigid takes me back to the first trip in Ireland when I was first introduced to that Celtic cross in a town called Kildare. Killdare happens to be the town where Brigid is. I wanted to do something that was very Irish and I started looking back into it and the famous Celtic cross in Ireland is in Kildare and Brigid, she is the only Goddess who is also a Saint. So she is a pagan Goddess and a Saint at the same time.

AM: Interesting!

CF: She is all 4 elements. She is Air, Water, Fire, and Earth.

AM: Now it makes sense with the images that you sent knowing that!

CF: Exactly right? So, I’m tying things back to my Celtic roots but yet, it is so very Mexican inspired for the pieces. All of my pieces are handmade!

AM: That’s another thing that I love about your brand! It already comes out with that heritage aspect to it due to how it is crafted. It is polished not like something that is mass produced, but in a way where you feel that an artisan made it and it is passed down to you. Every time I put it on – even if it is a new piece or one I haven’t worn in a while, you have this feeling that is warm and as if it something that you have had for years.

CF: You need to come down here and come down to the workshop!

AM: I want to come and see this, I would probably freak out!

CF: All of my clients that come to the workshop, they always say, “you don’t charge enough for your pieces.” They are blown away!

AM: I have to say that I have always felt that your pieces are a great price point; however, you have all the people that are making it by hand –

CF: It’s a lot! I have the same workers for 25 years.

AM: Really?

CF: Yes, the same people! They are the best of what they do. They love when I bring a magazine photo in and show them. They love seeing Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus or a number of the people that have worn their brand. They all have their little alters at their work stations. They really put a lot of love in what they do.

AM: When you make a collection each season like Brigid, how long is that process from concept to finish?

CF: It’s a lot. It can take – Brigid is coming out on Feb 1st and what we do is that we always wear the pieces beforehand. So after awhile in wearing a piece, you can see how it feels and you may say, this isn’t right. So we have to change and we have 2 pieces that we are right now in the process of getting ready. For Brigid, we have been working since Oct on this. It takes a long time and as a designer, I’m working all of the time. You don’t just stop your brain from being creative right? Every time you are looking at something, you’re saying, how does this translate?

It’s very interesting and I love it. I sit with the workers, I don’t hand them a sketch. I sit with them while we are making the pieces. I don’t have my cell phone with me or my laptop, I sit with them and I say, let’s do this and let’s do that. Then, they give me ideas, and we do it together.

AM: I did the same thing with my shoes as there was so much to learn by being able to talk with the artisans that have been doing this for years. I was able to share my vision, how I wanted the leathers arranged and then to watch them put it together, offer directions and adjustments to make a beautiful collection that I sold on HSN. So being in Santo Domingo and to have that experience really opened my eyes to craftsmanship. They knew that product and it was a pleasure to work with them. They knew that leather better than anybody, they knew about the last and so many components of the shoe.

CF: Yes! I have to say that it is very different than going to a factory in China where they are throwing things in a machine and spitting it out. There was a period where there was a copy cat of mine and they were making it in China and you could tell that it wasn’t the same.

AM: You knew the difference! Just the weight alone. It always surprises me that the pricing of your collection is so reasonable and then when you think about the hand made element as well, it’s amazing that your prices aren’t higher.

CF: People know once you start wearing it and playing with it. Our pieces in addition to being hand made are also hand polished. In this industry, when people say handmade – what does that mean because there could be elements that are and others on a machine. I do such a volume that I am fortunate that I am able to keep the prices at where they’re at. That definitely helps and we have a nice kind of flow to our factory – I don’t call it a factory I call it an atelier. We have about 13 people who work with us and every piece has its own hand antiquing. I don’t like that usually in jewelry when you antique it, they throw it in a black pot and they tumble it. I don’t like that. I like to brush it on by hand and I tell them where I want it to be more intense and where I want it to be less intense.

AM: Oh wow that explains something else I have always wondered. It’s yet another little detail that I am learning about you and the brand! I always noticed that it wasn’t the same all over in terms of my rings as I have more in this category than other portions of your line. So I will see certain parts of the ring will look one way or another when I am turning my hand or picking something up. I just thought that my skin was making it do that!

CF: There is a designer that wore my cuff to death in the shower, swimming in the ocean and I ran into her in NY and I said Nicole, would you like for me to replate that for you? It was black! And she was like, it’s my natural patina piece – my personal patina! I was like ok!

AM: Oh wow!

Who would you say is the VSA customer if you had to put a person in a category or categories?

CF: I know! There is the woman that I think she is that is this punk rock cool chick. But it’s so difficult because we have people from Miley Cyrus to Maria Shriver to Marilyn Manson. It is the most bizarre brand. A marketing company will come to me and say who is your customer and I really know that we are all over the board. We are being included in the upcoming season of Euphoria –

AM: Oh yeah, that’s huge! It’s their 3rd season!

CF: Yeah and they’re using my pieces all over! Yeah! So I have that kind of client and I have no idea as I have never seen that show.

AM: I did try to watch it but I feel like the show the cast when it first started they were like 16 but they’re definitely show the cast going through it. They’re drinking, doing drugs, navigating relationships. For me, watching younger kids do that isn’t for me versus seeing the same thing done with adults. But it is an acclaimed show and I know people really love it! I mean Zendaya (Challengers, Dune franchise, Spider-Man franchise), Colman Domingo (The Four Seasons, Fear the Walking Dead, Sing Sing) – so now I feel like I need to get on that train.

CF: I know! I have to watch it.

AM: So now that VSA is in it, I have to support it.

CF: You’re not going to see Zendaya in it but it’s another main character –

AM: Could be Sydney Sweeney (White Lotus, The Housemaid, Eden) as I know she is in it.

CF: I don’t know, but the main character is going to be wearing a signature rosary as that is her thing. You’ll see a belt buckle and you will see everything. I don’t want to say too much but I am excited.

I have also had a number of programs contact me as there is this whole witchy aesthetic that has been going on lately. When VSA started, Passion of the Christ came out, The Da Vinci Code so there was a lot of the religious thing, then we moved into Disney because there was Once Upon a Time –

AM: Yes! Loved that show and the pieces for that were huge as that was such a major collab with Disney!

CF: I fit in with those things personally. Then things got a little boring and now there is this whole witch thing going on. So there’s a movie called Forbidden Fruit that they chose my pieces for and then there is this new series that they are filming in Canada right now and I sent them 150 pieces. They went crazy for everything!

AM: I would love to see them in White Lotus, I don’t believe they are in production just yet. When they were filming in Thailand for S3, I was reached out to by someone working with them and they were looking for designers to partner with. I don’t know if it was for the show or for promotional items that would flow coming off of that and I told them then that they should talk with you and that I would be happy to connect the 2.

CF: Love it! I will tell you that my team is so professional and you have worked with them so many times. We say that we will have it on X date – we do, we have the return label, everything is packaged clean, we do what we say we will do. I don’t know how many people in the industry do that.

AM: Not a lot! Many times I have the request with a buffer and you’ll have some people still missing that window – so crazy!

CF: They’re kind of taken back at how easy it is to work with us!

AM: Oh yes, you guys package it nicely and everything is just ready to go. I find that in this business even though some people don’t do things to standard, when you are not a massive brand or with a massive firm or whatever the case may be, you have to be more on point and easy to work with so that you can continue to navigate and I always appreciate when people take care and pride in what they do! It’s about the details and the follow through!

CF: I also have this immense archive!

AM: I was just going to ask you about that!

CF: It’s massive – it’s crazy! So this program called The Body that is coming out, they shared the storyline and I told them that I would pick all of the pieces so they could give me direction. I gave them my mood board with all of the pieces. The pieces I showed them were not on the website. I can just pull from the archive and it’s so fun and most people don’t know that I do head pieces – I have thousands! I’m not going to put them on my website. People don’t necessarily want to spend a $1,000 on a headpiece that they will wear once.

AM: But it is there should they want it!

CF: It’s been so much fun and I can’t believe that I have had this life.

AM: Your photoshoots are productions in themselves and I get it as we do a number of them here at Athleisure Mag. What is that like as they are immersive and they have such a storyline and you had one that always comes to mind which was a Last Supper motif.

CF: I know! That one was so controversial. I would have surprise photoshoots with my team and that one was a team photoshoot.

AM: Oh wow!

CF: They didn’t know it was going to happen we were just eating like we normally do. I do them at my house, so I have the MUA sneaking in, the costume guy, the hair guy – everyone is setting up. So I let everyone know this is it – the Last Supper photoshoot. I have Mariana there with her long black hair naked, covering her breasts with the black tears and huge belt buckle. We have 12 women dressed super elegantly with the hairdos and I wanted a crystal turkey – the food had to be crystalized! We have so much fun with these shoots and they are all at the office or at my house!

AM: I always enjoy seeing your campaigns, photoshoots, and videos. There have been times that I have used them in terms of creating my moodboards for a shoot or concept. It’s art and it has everything in there.

CF: I go outside of it. When I do Marie Antoinette, she’s going to have the white makeup on and we’re going to go all out. Forget about the hybrid! I’m the real deal!

AM: What do you feel are the 3 key pieces that someone should have if they are just starting our their VSA collection?

CF: Ok, well for certain my Magdalena which is a multi-beaded piece that is super versatile and the first necklace that I designed! It’s still in the line and still my #1 piece. Lady Gaga wears it, Madonna wears it, everyone! That was the necklace that Britney Spears put me on the map. Then when she was going through that period of time where it was about Save Britney Spears was all over the Internet. She decided that she was going to pose naked on the Internet with only my necklace – she is like Maria Magdalena reincarnated. Lady Gaga wore it for her half time show and people choose to wear my pieces during key moments. Miley Cyrus wore that necklace for forever. It means something to them.

I would definitely say a VSA ring. I would also say a belt buckle. These are great statements. A lot of people think that with a belt buckle you have to have a skinny waist – no you don’t. You can wear your belt buckle high on the waist if you want our buckles are big it’s somehow an illusion!

AM: I tell people it’s a look that should be incorporated.

CF: Those 3 items the Magdalena the beaded necklace, the buckle, and the ring. My rings are statement pieces as you know – don’t be afraid of them!

AM: I say that too. You get used to wearing them and I don’t leave the house without them! I would feel weird leaving the house without them. The few times I do, they are probably in my bag waiting to be put back on. I workout in them and they sit in the little ring tray when I am getting my nails done.

CF: It’s like protection.

AM: I do feel that they are a bit like armor when I put them on. I have had them for so long and I like being able to choose a nice arrange of rings as I tend to wear 4 and always 2 from VSA. The fact that you have archives I do want to dig into those as a few years ago I was looking through that with one of your team members because we thought a project was going to take place and I couldn’t believe pieces I was drooling over that I had never seen on the website.

CF: Oh yeah the archive!

AM: Right and to your point, I was like we need to go to San Miguel because I can only imagine!

CF: You and Paul need to come down you would have so much fun! I love how versatile the pieces are the people that love this brand. I remember when Tim McGraw was in a photoshoot and he was styled in various pieces. The shearling coat was Dolce Gabbana and the best photo of all is a full page shot of him in his lounge chair in his office. He had his belt buckle on – VSA belt buckle and his hat and his favorite denim shirt and the credits said that the buckle was designer’s own. He was so proud of wearing that piece. I don’t care that he didn’t say my name –

AM: I remember seeing that picture and looking at the credits and I knew it was VSA!

CF: Yeah! That’s the thing – he chose that outfit because that was the picture and he looked so relaxed and so great.

We get phone calls and emails of people claiming that the pieces have done something to save their life – it is bizarre. We had a woman from NYC call the office and she was crying. She told me that she was weaing the Guadalupe belt buckle in Central Park and walked up to a woman crying on a park bench. She put her hand on her shoulder and said can I help you? The woman looked up and saw the belt buckle and said, “you just did.” The woman on the bench had prayed to Guadalupe asking for a sign or she would end her own life.

AM: Oh my.

CF: I mean, we were all crying by the end of that story. It was just amazing and we get these stories. People from Patagonia that had a life changing event that happened while wearing the necklace and now they aren’t going to take it off. You can’t believe some of the things that we hear and there is a power behind it.

AM: I always feel settled when I wear them it’s putting on those last elements to take on the world like armor.

CF: Listen to us!

AM: I’ve always felt that when you wear an accessory and especially when it comes to jewelry and that skin to skin contact, there is what the designer intended by designing it and then it merges with who you are as a person and then it becomes like a totem in many respects. You wear it every day, stories and moments in time are being associated and there is something there.

CF: I think jewelry does that way more than a sweater or something of that nature.

AM: Totally! I think it’s like when you walk into someone’s home, you feel a vibe because you are in the space of the inhabitants that eat, sleep, and live there and the home becomes an amplifier of the energy and sentiments that are there.

CF: Exactly.

AM: So the pieces that you’re wearing, because it is everyday and next to your skin – it is a thing.

IG @vsa_designs

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 56 - 65 Virgins Saints and Angels | PG 73 - 75 Paul Farkas

Read the DEC ISSUE #120 of Athleisure Mag and see AVANT GOTHICA WITH VSA in mag.

NEW YEAR, N3W YOU

Read the DEC ISSUE #120 of Athleisure Mag and see NEW YEAR, N3W YOU in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG SUMMIT® SERIES X CHERYL "FINN" FINNEGAN OF VIRGINS SAINTS AND ANGELS

Athleisure Media's Co-Founder/Creative + Style Dir of Athleisure Mag, Kimmie Smith will chat with Cheryl "Finn" Finnegan, Founder/Chief Creative Officer of Virgins Saints & Angels to talk about this jewelry brand, the creative process, assortment showcasing some of their acclaimed fashion jewelry, campaigns, and upcoming projects in 2016.

​Join us via Zoom to know more about Virgins Saints & Angels.

​​Join us on 12.31.25 @ 11am CT/12pm ET. Upon signing up you will receive the Zoom details.

​FOLLOW US ON IG | @athleisuemag @vsa_designs

​​ABOUT ATHLEISURE MEDIA LLC

​​A leading voice in Athleisure Culture, Athleisure Mag features celebrity, athlete and artist covers, high editorial, and active lifestyle stories. Athleisure Mag receives 30M+ Imp/mo, and is carried on airlines, luxury hotels/resorts, cruises and lifestyle distribution partners. Catch our Athleisure Studio podcast shows featuring top chef judge/restaurateurs, athletes, artists, trainers, actors and entrepreneurs at your favorite podcast platform.

​​ABOUT VIRGINS SAINTS & ANGELS

​​Virgins Saints & Angels is a luxury jewelry brand featuring symbols of protection & good fortune, infused with romance & spirituality, all handcrafted in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

​The Sacred and Profane, the spiritual and the everyday. They are inspired by the goddesses and deities that protect us and our mother earth. The Virgins Saints & Angels team is like an extended family of artisans and creative spirits on both sides of the border. Before a piece of VSA jewelry reaches you, it has been touched by many hands. From the inspiration of the designer to the artisans who practice traditional jewelry making methods from centuries ago, to the angels in their warehouse; every piece they create has been touched by hands that care.

​As a women's owned-and-operated business where people are encouraged to be themselves and be creative, their founder and creative visionary, Cheryl “Finn” Finnegan, has a unique ability to channel the spiritual world into beautiful pieces that add meaning, mystery, good fortune, and a touch of magic to anyone who wears them. The business started as an obsession with the Virgin of Guadalupe and Mexican folklore. They believe in the value of bringing artisanal craftsmanship to fresh design, in the desire to make jewelry that reflects the soul and ancient spirits imbued in these timeless symbols and traditions. Every bead, every stone has been placed there by someone who is proud of their jewelry-making heritage. Nothing we do is mass-produced. Every piece is unique. Each piece tells a story continued by those who wear it. Wear It & Believe!

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

9LIST STORI3S | KAY SIDES

Read the NOV ISSUE #119 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Kay Sides in mag.

ROCK THIS WHEN HEADING OUT FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Read the NOV ISSUE #119 of Athleisure Mag and see ROCK THIS WHEN HEADING OUT FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING in mag.

GETTING HOLIDAY READY WITH CHLOE X DRY BAR AT THE HOLIDAY BOW BAR

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.

Today through Jan 4th, you can book the Holiday Bow Bar Experience Bow & Wine Upgrade to take your blowout to the next level with a glass of Chloe Pinot Grigio (21+ at participating locations to enjoy responsibly) and a designer Lele Sadoughi bow. In addition to booking your appointment, you can bring up to 2 gifts to be professionally wrapped complimentary (during 2 of busiest holiday weekends if you are in NYC - Tribeca, LA - Culver City, or Dallas - North Park on Dec 13th, 14th, 20th, and 21st for the Holiday Bow Bar Wrapping Experience) while getting your hair done and enjoying a glass of wine.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME | MEGAN EUGENIO

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!

IG @overtimemegan

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

@shes.kimmie

@feliciagrahambeauty_

@hairbyleadeloy

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.

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Read the OCT ISSUE #118 of Athleisure Mag and see FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME | Megan Eugenio in mag.