ESCAPE WITH FLAVOR | CHANEL IMAN

Miami Swim Week took place May 29th - Jun 3rd of this year and a number of designers took their looks to the runways across South Beach as we already begin thinking of upcoming travels next year! It always ends up being a star studded events as athletes, celebs, recording artists, and enthusiasts show up to the shows as well as the associated parties!

We caught up with Supermodel Chanel Iman who was a Victoria's Secret Angel, as well as walked their shows, as well as iconic houses including Tom Ford, Gucci, Versace, Roberto Cavalli to name a few. She has also been in a range of campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Bottega Veneta and more. She shared why she loves Miami Swim Week, shows she has enjoyed watching this season, the power of fashion, her summer travels, and partnering with CÎROC Limonata.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What do you love about Miami Swim Week?

CHANEL IMAN: I’m a beach lover so it’s exciting to see the new swimwear designs. I also really love Miami.

AM: Tell us about 3 of your favorite shows that took place this season?

CI: The Louis Vuitton Pharrell men’s fashion show is one of my favorites. Zuhair Murad is also one of my favorite shows to watch because of all the beautiful dresses every season! Rick Owens is such an edgy show with everyday great pieces I can’t wait to rock.

AM: Why is fashion so empowering for women and how can women use that as it pertains to their swimwear?

CI: Fashion is so empowering for women because it’s a way of expressing yourself and how you feel for the day.

AM: How have you found confidence through fashion?

CI: I feel confident about creating a new look for myself every day. I like matching highs and lows for a unique look. I work a lot with my stylist, Monica Rose, and she pulls the best.

AM: As someone who enjoys traveling, what are some tips that you have that we can use as we’re navigating across the globe?

CI: Travel light and take pieces that you can mix and match. Be conscious of where you’re traveling so you can respect the culture wherever you are traveling. I try not to overpack so I could leave space for new items wherever I go.

AM: Where do you enjoy traveling during the Summer and what are 3 must-haves that you will bring for a stylish beach getaway?

CI: Europe is our favorite destination to travel during the summer. We love the South of France, South of Italy, Greece, and Spain. I have to travel with my body chains, swimwear, and a good pair of flats.

AM: You have partnered with CÎROC Limonata, can you tell us more about this and why you enjoy it in your favorite summer cocktails.

CI: Partnering with CÎROC Limonata has been an incredibly exciting venture for me. CÎROC Limonata is the perfect blend of sophistication and taste, making it an ideal ingredient for summer cocktails. What I love most about it is its vibrant lemon flavor, which is both invigorating and versatile. Whether I’m hosting a gathering with friends or enjoying a quiet evening at home, CÎROC Limonata brings a touch of elegance to any occasion.

AM: Are there any projects that you are working on that you would like to share that we can keep an eye out for?

CI: It’s too early to share now, but there’s something in the works. Stay tuned to find out.

IG @chaneliman

@ciroc

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 41 Loamis Media | PG 44 for 9LIST STORI3S Valeria Sarto |

Read the JUN ISSUE #102 of Athleisure Mag and see ESCAPE WITH FLAVOR | CHANEL IMAN in mag.

CREATING SPACES | ELAINE WELTEROTH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AM: What’s your go-to CÎROC cocktail?

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

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

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

AM: Oh, the CÎROC Thyme Spritz.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CÎROC THYME SPRITZ

INGREDIENTS

1.2 oz CÎROC Vodka

1 oz Fresh Lime Juice

.5 oz Thyme Syrup

1 oz Fresh-Pressed Cucumber Juice

GLASSWARE

Footed Spritz Glass

GARNISH

Cucumber Ribbon and Thyme Sprig

PREPARATION

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

IG @elainewelteroth

PHOTGRAPHY CREDITS | Bre Johnson

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

I CAN RELATE | JASMINE LUV

We continue chatting with CIROC's Love Squad to find out more about them and what they're working on. We have spent countless days scrolling through our feeds to watch creator, Jasmine Luv's skits on IG that focuses on situational comedic experiences that we have with our friends, families, colleagues and those we interact with randomly. She has grown this brand to a number of acting roles, hosting and more. We wanted to find out how she got here, navigating her brand and her partnership with CIROC.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We've enjoyed seeing your sketches on your IG. We didn’t know that you have an MA in accounting – what was the moment that you realized that you wanted to work in entertainment?

JASMINE LUV: I realized I wanted to work in entertainment when I noticed I was writing scripts at work instead of actually working. The majority of my day was consumed with thinking of sketches and then work came last. That’s when I realized I found my passion and it was time to pursue it.

AM: What led you to creating your brand with relatable comedic videos about day-to-day life?

JL: I just saw a niche and pursued it. When Vine was out, I would scroll and never see Black women doing sketches. Once I realized there was an area that lacked what I had to offer, I stayed consistent and was able to build a brand from it.

AM: Do you remember creating your first video? How did you get started?

JL: Yes, I remember being at work and writing every line to the script and thinking to myself, “I’m going to film this when I get home.” I already knew how to edit using iMovie so that was one less thing to teach myself. I was so excited that I got off work early just to shoot it. I went home, shot it, edited it and it actually went viral.

AM: Although you’re playing the characters, it’s easy to watch and imagine yourself and someone you know (friends, family, coworkers, or person on the street) as the other person(s) in the video. There’s something transformative about the way that you present the situations – did you always intend that people would see themselves or their world through your work?

JL: Yes, thats always been the goal when I made a videos. I want people to see themselves within my videos and be able to relate. I just never thought I would have “millions” of people being able to relate to my work.

AM: Where do you get inspiration from your videos and as a creator, do you find that you have to step back to assess new directions that you want to incorporate into the brand and how you can do this in a way that your audience can still embrace it?

JL: I got a lot of my inspiration just from my everyday experiences. A lot of my videos were real life situations whether it was real in my life or a friends. I notice I get a lot of my inspiration just going along my day. I can be in a grocery store and see something that I think would be funny and relatable. I then go home, shoot it, edit it and post it.

AM: We enjoyed seeing you in Starter Pack and BET Her’s The Waiting Room. What are some upcoming projects that you’re working on that we should keep an eye out for?

JL: I’m currently doing a lot of things from writing scripts, hosting, auditions, and constantly perfecting my craft. 2022 is going to be a great year, just wait and see.

AM: You’re an actress, content creator and host. Are there other areas that you also want to take on?

JL: Now that I’m married, I’m excited to take on motherhood. That’s the next area that I excited to eventually explore.

AM: It's great to see those who focus on a specific passion and end up navigating other opportunities that become part of their brand. You have increased the scope of being an influencer in not only comedy, but in the areas of skincare as well as fashion – what’s your process in terms of deciding what brands you want to align with to ensure that it synergistic with you.

JL: I love to work with brands that I either personally use/like or want to try. When aligning with a brand, it has to do just that, align. If not, it won’t be authentic.

AM: You recently joined CIROC’s Love Squad – tell us about your partnership with the brand and this specific initiative that you were part of.

JL: I recently partnered with CIROC as a part of the Love Squad for their Valentine’s Day Sweepstakes where a lucky winner will receive a one-of-a-kind experience for a loved one and them to be brought to life by some of our favorite voices in food, style, and entertainment including myself.

AM: Do you have a favorite CIROC recipe that you enjoy drinking?

JL: I love the limited-edition flavor CIROC Pomegranate, and the Sweetheart Cocktail is my favorite to enjoy.

1.5 oz CÎROC Pomegranate

1.5 oz Hibiscus tea

1.5 oz Concentrate coffee brew

0.5 oz Grenadine

Glass: Coupe

Garnish: Red currant/grated chocolate

Method: Add all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake for 6 to 8 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish.

AM: Your wedding was stunning. It was great to see you partnered with The Knot as well as being on the covers of Black Bride. What were 3 must-haves that were essential to your wedding day?

JL: My 3 must-haves were pretty simple. My family, dream location, and my husband.

AM: Now that you’re married, will your brand include your husband as well?

JL: When we met, we both had our own individual brands and identity and we always wanted to keep that. Therefore, we created a brand named Luv N Slim, which is the brand we built together where we create beautiful content outside of our individual brand.

AM: As someone who is running their own brand and as someone who trained to be an accountant, do you work with brands or participate in initiatives to provide information about the importance of financial literacy and if so, what are those projects like?

JL: Yes, I actually recently partnered with Chime to give more insight on the importance of financial literacy especially in the Black community. I love these projects because it represents something I’m passionate about which is the importance of education, knowing how to save, and handle finances.

AM: How do you take time for yourself to ensure that you’re having the proper self-care and/or mental health that you need?

JL: My husband and I always set days and time based on our week to have time for each other as well as individually. I ensure I have self-care time by properly managing my weeks and making plans in between working.

IG @luv_jjp

PHOTOS COURTESY | CIROC

Read the FEB ISSUE #74 of Athleisure Mag and see I CAN RELATE | Jasmine Luv in mag

THE POWER OF FOOD | CHEF RICHARD INGRAHAM

We took some time to chat with Chef Richard Ingraham. We wanted to find out how he took his talents in the kitchen to a career that has led him to being the private chef to power couple, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union and creating a private chef network whose clients are those in the NBA, NFL and entertainment industries. We also talk with him about Grown Southern, his upcoming projects and his partnership with CIROC.

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

CHEF RICHARD INGRAHAM: I’ve always loved cooking. I started making omelets, cookies, and milkshakes at the age of 10. During that time, I had no desire to become a chef. I was doing it because I loved creating. My family cooked all the time and it just rubbed off on me. It wasn’t until my mid to late 20’s that I decided that I wanted to become a Chef.

AM: Where did you train and what has your culinary journey been?

CHEF RI: I received my formal training at The Art Institute of Atlanta. My first job was at the Buckhead Diner where I was a line cook. I worked at the diner while I was in culinary school. As if I didn’t have enough on my plate, I got a second job working across the street at the Corner Café, where I learned all about pastries.

After I graduated, I became a Sous Chef at a restaurant called the Bubble Room. I left the Bubble Room and moved on to Insigna where I was a Sous Chef and Executive Pastry Chef.

AM: How would you define your style of cooking, and have you always been focused on sports nutrition?

CHEF RI: That has always been a difficult question to answer. Difficult because I'm influenced by so many different cuisines. If I were backed into a corner, I’d call my style “Eclectic American.” I really didn’t become focused on nutrition, until I started cooking for Dwyane Wade and other athletes.

AM: What led you to becoming Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union’s private chef?

CHEF RI: A friend of mine who just happens to be Dwayne’s Business Manager, Lisa Joseph Metelus, asked if I would like to cook for a NBA Rookie that was just drafted. I asked her who it was. She said that it was Dwyane Wade. After I did my research on who he was (I wasn’t a big basketball fan, so I didn’t know who he was) I told Lisa I’d like the opportunity. The day of the tasting, I arrived at his home with 10 prepared items. I made him everything I could think of, from smothered turkey wings with mashed potatoes to my grandmother’s lemon pound cake. Even though I’d prepared all this food, Lisa wanted me to prepare something fresh so that Dwyane could see that it was me preparing these dishes. He liked it and the rest is history.

AM: Can you share 3 go to meals that they enjoy eating?

CHEF RI: Gabrielle: Bhindi Masala; Pasta Alla Checca; Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes over Heirloom Tomato; and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Honey Vinaigrette.

Dwyane: Blistered Cherry Tomato and Shrimp over Angel Hair Pasta; Pan Roasted Sea Bass Sweet Potato Puree; Sauteed Spinach and Ponzu Ginger Sauce; Stewed Chicken Thighs with Chickpeas.

AM: What are 3 ingredients that you always like to have on hand that are versatile to use in several dishes?

CHEF RI: Creole Seasoning, Five Spice, Cumin, Red Pepper Flakes and Smoked Paprika. I know you said three, but I couldn’t help myself. lol

AM: When you’re a private chef to a celebrity or a family, what are the challenges that you're navigating when creating meals?

CHEF RI: In my case, I have 7 individuals who all eat differently. So, I must create meals for each of them that are creative, flavorful, and still help each person achieve their goals. If you’re a Chef who cooks in a restaurant you have a set menu that you execute daily. You may create daily specials which would give you some variety. Whereas I must come up with something different each day for each meal - Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Not only do I think about the food, I also pride myself on maintaining an elite level of service for my clients. I do everything from making sure their glasses are never empty to inquiring about personal health issues, to preparing and executing a menu for 75 guests on Christmas.

AM: You created Chef RLI, a network of Private Chefs that work with celebrity clientele. How did that venture come about?

CHEF RI: One day Dwyane and Gabrielle came in the kitchen and mentioned that Chris Bosh was looking for a private chef. They told him that I had a company that had chefs for hire. When they told me that, I couldn’t believe it because I had no such company at the time. I just had a few chefs helping me with the meal prep service. Well, they told me that I needed to figure it out because they had already put me out there. So, my business partner and I created Chef RLI, and began placing some of the chefs who were helping with the meal prep as private chefs.

AM: You partnered with Michelle Bernstein and Michael Schwartz during former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Chefs Move to Schools White House Initiative. Tell us why you wanted to be involved?

CHEF RI: The First Lady’s Initiative was such an important one because it helped spotlight the problem we are having as a nation bring healthier food options into our schools. As a former educator, I’ve seen first hand how the lack of nutrition stunts the scholastic growth of our children, especially in our lower income communities. So, when I was asked to join this initiative in support of Miami Dade County Public Schools, I jumped at the opportunity. The Chefs worked with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and cafeteria managers to create healthier dishes using what was already in the school’s inventory. Of course, we had to take into consideration the differences in culture and eating habits of each school. As an alumnus of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, it was incredibly rewarding to support my community.

AM: You released Eating Well to Win. Tell me more about it and why you wrote it.

CHEF RI: Eating Well to Win is a cookbook for everyone. I found that when we talk about eating better or healthier, we seem to think that the only thing we can eat is food that is bland or out of reach for us. This book shows that you can take some of your favorite foods and by just changing a few ingredients make it better.

Because I’ve had so many different careers, I feel that I can speak on the importance of eating healthier and better. Whether you're a teacher standing in front of a class full of students, a sanitation worker running your routes, or a 3-time NBA World Champion, what we put in our bodies helps us perform better.

AM: Will you release another cookbook?

CHEF RI: Yes, I’m currently working on my second book.

AM: Tell me about Grown Southern!

CHEF RI: Grown Southern is a restaurant concept we developed in collaboration with Grown Restaurant, owned by Shannon Allen. It features organic southern inspired soul food prepared with passion and care. We have great menu items like our Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich, Old School Mac & Cheese, and Red Velvet Cake with Rich Cream Cheese Frosting.

AM: You're constantly working as a chef as well as giving back to others – why is this important to you?

CHEF RI: When I started working with Dwyane, I was still teaching culinary arts at a high school as well. My classes were held at a homeless shelter called the HAC (Homeless Assistance Center). The student demographic of my classes consisted of the homeless population of the center, as well as students that were bussed from various high schools. So, every day I would see both sides of the spectrum.

I would go to work in the morning and see broken people trying to put themselves and their families back together. Then in the afternoon, I would drive to this massive estate, where life couldn’t be better. Seeing this each day made me realize that we are all one mistake from our lives becoming entirely different. That experience keeps me honest with myself. It keeps me hungry. It has made me more compassionate towards others and their struggles and instrumental in motivating me, to find a way to help them.

AM: Tell us about your partnership with CIROC and how you became involved.

CHEF RI: I’ve been working with CIROC for about a year. I was featured in their CIROC Stands Black Excellence campaign in 2021. They profiled my story through a mural in Wynwood, FL. painted by local Miami artist Mojo. Then in November, I collaborated with them to create delicious Friendsgiving recipes and cocktail pairings with their CIROC Pomegranate. Now, I’m excited to be back with CIROC Pomegranate as part of the Love Squad. Our goal is to give one lucky winner a one-of-a-kind experience for them and their loved ones.

AM: We enjoy CIROC when we're celebrating or relaxing at home. We have a feeling that you may have a recipe that you can share and how we can pair it!

CHEF RI: Of course, I have recipes!!!! One of the cocktails that I created using CIROC Pomegranate is called “The Ingraham.” It’s my take on the classic sidecar. It consists of CIROC Pomegranate, Orange Liquor, Lemon Juice, and Cinnamon Simple Syrup. It’s the perfect cocktail for my Asiago and Herb Crusted Rib Eye Roast.

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

CHEF RI: I’m going to be in Miami for the South Beach Food and Wine Festival from February 24-27. I’ll be hosting a brunch at Grown in Miami Beach on February 27. I'm also working on potential show ideas as well.

AM: We love your statement eyewear! What do you look for when it comes to your frames of choice?

CHEF RI: Listen, I said to myself a long time ago 'If I’ve got to wear them, they have to be FLY!!!' When looking for my frames I look for a statement piece that evokes conversation. I love large frames with color or interesting patterns. I use my glasses as a part of my total look. I would love to have my own eyewear line one day.

AM: Being on the move constantly, how do you take time for yourself?

CHEF RI: It’s difficult to carve out time for myself while taking care of my family, Dwyane and Gabrielle’s family, and Co-running my businesses. There aren't enough hours in the day. So, I give myself more hours by waking up around 4 each morning and working out. This allows me time to gather my thoughts and organize tasks for the day. It gives me a sense of accomplishment that helps me get the day started. Being in the kitchen all the time is murder on my hands and feet. So, I make it my business to get manicures and pedicure regularly.

IG @chefrli

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | CIROC

Read the FEB ISSUE #74 of Athleisure Mag and see THE POWER OF FOOD | Chef Richard Ingraham in mag.