'TIS THE SEASON EDITORIAL

This month, our editorial shoot takes us to The Algonquin Hotel Times Square, Autograph Collection, a Marriott property which is a living gateway to the past, present, and the future as it embodies the early 1900's of literary and Hollywood luminaries that graced the rooms of this hotel while currently being a destination of the modern era with an open path to the iterations it will take as the years continue to evolve.

The holiday season is definitely a marathon and not a sprint as it takes place over a number of weeks spanning between the fall and the winter. We wanted to look at the many days that take place that are casual and allow us to connect to one another as we make our way closer and closer to more signature events! We spend a lot of time with friends, family, significant others, co-workers and more. Our shoot took place at the Tallulah Bankhead suite at this iconic hotel that is in the heart of it all. We wanted to find out more about the history of this hotel, why it's an important part of NYC history, what guests can expect whether they're staying for business, a staycation, or a vacation and more. We took some time to catch up with The Algonquin Hotel's General Manager Willis Loughhead to find out more!

ATHLEISURE MAG: It was such a pleasure to shoot at the Algonquin Hotel and being there, we learned a lot more about the property and its history. When did the Algonquin first open and can you take us back and through the storied history of this hotel as it's over 100 years old!

WILLIS LOUGHHEAD: The land for the Algonquin Hotel was purchased in 1901 for $180,000. In just under a year, at a cost of $500,000, the Algonquin Hotel was built and opened on November 22, 1902. Named for a New England Native American tribe, the hotel welcomed its first guests - a room with a bath set a traveler back $2 per night.

From the day it opened into the current time, the Algonquin has maintained close ties to the arts community with early residents who included the great star John Barrymore, Drew Barrymore’s grandfather, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks. Writers, Playwrights, humorists and critics, as well as editors of both fact and fiction, converged on the Algonquin in the decade between 1919 and 1929, founding the legendary Round Table. My Fair Lady was written in suite 908. William Faulkner wrote his Nobel Prize speech in a room. The Algonquin has been both primary residence and preferred NYC hotel for incredible talent like Maya Angelou, Norman Mailer, Ralph Ellison, James Baldwin, Steve Martin, and Lou Reed, to name a few. Films with a Round Table history include Citizen Kane, Giant, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Sound of Music, and many more.

I continue to host close friends in the arts community such as legendary musicians like Thurston Moore from Sonic Youth, James Ijames, who celebrated his Tony nomination for his play Fat Ham under our roof, and both Colson Whitehead and Richard Hell, New York City legends who read in the Oak Room.

AM: We had the pleasure of shooting at the Tallulah Bankhead Suite (loved the phones which were such a great touch and the blue shade of the paint was so calming) and we know that there have been other suites that are named after notable people, can you tell us about them and why there is such a connection with these individuals?

WL: All 24 of our suites are named after our residents like Dorothy Parker 1106, Herbert Ross 610 and John Barrymore 209.

AM: Who have been some notable people that stayed here and can you tell us more about the connection between the hotel and literary figures? Tell us about the Algonquin Cat! We didn't see Hamlet, but we know that he is just as much a key figure as others who have stayed there.

WL: Hamlet is featured in a children’s book, The Algonquin Cat, illustrated by Hillary Knight who also illustrated the Eloise series set in another famous NYC hotel where I served as Executive Chef for a number of years before moving into Hotel Management.

AM: Tell us about The Blue Bar and The Lobby Lounge. Is there a signature drink that we should know about?

WL: The most famous cocktail is none too cleverly named, The Algonquin; a mix of woodsy rye whiskey, pineapple, bianco vermouth and some say a touch of Peychaud bitters like a Sazerac. We also currently feature a Hamlet cocktail with Rocky’s Brooklyn Botanical, Galliano L’Autentico and Whispering Angel Rosé. Our cocktail lists change frequently and right now I am working on some Holiday treats with Hot Cocoa and Mezcal.

AM: For those looking to grab a bite at the hotel, what can you tell us about The Round Table?

WL: The Blue Bar Restaurant & Lounge is a 3 meal restaurant built around the legendary Blue Bar which opened in 1902 with the hotel. At night we feature cocktail cuisine with classic New York City inspiration from the Oysters Rockefeller to a deli-style Reuben, and we do a brisk, healthy lunch with servers who I would put up against the best of the cities’ baristas. You should see the foam they get for a cappuccino even out of the almond milk that I prefer!

AM: For those that are looking to create an event whether it's a launch, sales meeting, etc - what can you tell us about event spaces that you have available?

WL: We host wonderful and intimate occasions in our small private library featuring Round Table first editions, signed collectibles, vintage 1950’s and 1960’s Playboy magazines and recent releases and memoirs like Thurston Moore’s Sonic Life which just came out. In the early 90's, I worked for Arnold Schwarzenegger as a wood burning oven chef at his restaurant Schatzi on Main in Venice California, so sitting amongst the Pulitzer Prize winners is a copy of Arnold’s latest, Be Useful. We also use the Library a great deal for Broadway stars to dress and have makeup done before premieres and on opening nights.

We also have the famous Oak Room, a wood paneled vintage street front room that can seat 110, for formal dinners next to Hirschfeld’s original artwork that adorns the walls.

AM: At the conclusion of our shoot, we actually took in some live music, which was a great way to decompress, what events do you typically have that guests or those grabbing a drink can enjoy?

WL: We have a culture and history of live music at the Algonquin. It was a personal goal of mine to breathe life into that tradition that started with Ella Fitzgerald and so many others like Burt Bacharach, Elvis Costello, Harry Connick, and Oscar Peterson. On Tuesday nights, we feature classic cabaret music with the inimitable KT Sullivan, and on Thursdays, we have live piano and vocals with Rocco DellaNeve who is a legend in the making. You should hear his version of Enter Sandman by Metallica and he also does a killer New York State of Mind. Guest stars always drop by.

October and December are my charity months to raise money for Breast Cancer and Toys for Tots, so our programming expands greatly with Broadway’s biggest talent coming in to belt numbers and dance. Keep your eyes and ears open in December when we have 10 nights of incredible holiday entertainment including one “Santa Baby” drag show that will raise this 120 year old roof.

AM: Tell us about the kinds of rooms that are available and also provide additional details about the suite we were in, The Tallulah Bankhead Suite?

WL: Our suites and king rooms book first. We are a boutique sized hotel with 181 total rooms. None of our rooms are exactly the same and some rooms have a haunted history that has been verified by both official ghost hunters as well as nightly guests. Was it Robert Benchley who moved your towels around or turned on the lamps in your suite living room? Did Dorothy Parker open the shades that you closed before turning in? Perhaps.

In 1959, the filmmaker Preston Sturges passed away in a suite and Montgomery Clift was a frequent visitor. Perhaps.

AM: For a truly decadent stay for our readers is there anything that you can suggest that can be enjoyed at the hotel? I know at one time, you had a $10,000 Martini that had diamonds in it!

WL: We have two packages to note:

• A Dine with a Broadway Star package, where pre-theater you are able to dine at the Infamous Round Table with one of the stars of the show that you are seeing that evening.

• Hex and the City package for 2024 with our Resident Wellness Witch, CardsyB who will help you stay magical by reading your tarot cards and your energy so that you can straighten up and fly right in 2024. All guests will receive a reading, CardsyB’s memoir, a Stay Magical AF candle and a Bad@ss B*tches Tarot Deck.

AM: For those that are enjoying a staycation at the hotel during the holiday season, what are activities that you suggest that are in the neighborhood that they should take out?

WL: All the B’s: Bryant Park, Broadway and Books at the NYPL.

AM: For those who have never been to NYC and are here for vacation during the holidays, what would you suggest that they should do?

WL: Get inspired, keep a notebook, write your story. The good ol’ days are now and keep your mind wide open. New York is an awesome place to be surprised. Rockefeller Center has grown immensely and Central Park is just a shopping walk away up 5th avenue.

AM: For those that have corporate functions that are being held at the hotel, do you have any ideas of what they can enjoy?

WL: I partner with BroadwayPlus.com. One of my close friends - ask for Corey - is the guru of the VIP corporate experience with them. They book custom concerts, VIP tickets, arrange backstage meet and greets, and generally unlock all of the perks normally reserved for the highest tier of celebrity guest and bring it to the corporate accounts. We also encourage a Bowery Boys Walking Tour or one of the many sightseeing tours via boat around Manhattan that my team can arrange.

AM: For those that have corporate functions that are being held at the hotel, do you have any ideas of what they can enjoy?

WL: I partner with BroadwayPlus.com. One of my close friends - ask for Corey - is the guru of the VIP corporate experience with them. They book custom concerts, VIP tickets, arrange backstage meet and greets, and generally unlock all of the perks normally reserved for the highest tier of celebrity guest and bring it to the corporate accounts. We also encourage a Bowery Boys Walking Tour or one of the many sightseeing tours via boat around Manhattan that my team can arrange.

AM: The holiday season is a major time of year, are there events that the hotel will offer that we should know about and can share with our readers? Thinking ahead to Valentine's Day, is there anything that we should know?

WL: Book your 2 night Date Night Package now where you get a $150 credit in the Blue Bar, a bespoke scented candle, a chocolate rose and a guaranteed table in the restaurant.

If your pet is your date, perhaps our Fuwwy Fwiends Package, going live in December, with a:

• Waived pet fee

• Polaroid with Hamlet, you and your pet

• Vintage bronze “A” Algonquin pet tag

• Trip for your pet to the Algonquin Pawwty Chest, a treasure chest of toys and treats from our local pet shops

• Use of our cat or dog beds so that you and your date can sleep in peace

IG @algonquinnyc

It was such a pleasure to bring our editorial to life at the Algonquin that's filled with history, NY glamour, and a vibe of creativity that's all its own. This shoot included our focus on bringing 5 looks that lets us look at fall and winter holidays here in NY that you can enjoy on your next stay at the Algonquin as well as in the neighborhood.

TIS THE SEASON | CREDITS

LOUNGE LOOK PG 97 - 101 | Anna Zaia - PONO Colette Matte Earring | VIRGIN, SAINTS & ANGELS Saint Deco Cross Medallion + Delfina 6mm Crystal Jet Beaded Necklace | MAISON MIRU Floating Sphere Stacking Ring Trio - Gold | MAISON DE PAPILLON Jesse Silk Charmeuse Boyfriend Shirt Longtail | BCBG Ruched Velour Legging | Benjamin Simic - BEN SHERMAN Signature House Taped Track Pant |

FITNESS LOOK PG 88 - 95 | Anna Zaia - PONO Silvia H20 Earring Honey | AMELIA ROSE JEWELRY Fluorite Heishi Necklace Latte | ETTIKA Your Essential Flex Snake Chain 18k Gold Plated Bangle Set | MAISON DE PAPILLON Vail Cacoon Sweater | ABERCROMBIE + FITCH YPB Sculpt Squareneck Slim Tank + YPB MotionTEK High Rise Lined Workout Short | Benjamin Simic - ADIDAS RPT-02 SOL | MAISON MIRU Bubble Bracelet 7" | GREATNESS WINS Performance Training Tank | ATHLEISUREVERSE Bomber Jacket | ABERCROMBIE + FITCH Gym to Grocery Jogger |

WFH LOUNGE III PG 102 - 105 | Anna Zaia - VIRGINS, SAINTS + ANGELS Edie Crystal Post Earrings | PONO Sea Chain Necklace Latte | ATHLEISUREVERSE Cropped Fleece Hoodie + Jogger Set | SAVE THE DUCK Iria Long Hooded Puffer Vest | Benjamin Simic - | BEN SHERMAN Signature Zip-Through Track Jacket |

OUT + ABOUT LOOK IV PG 80 - 86 | Anna Zaia - DEEPA GURNANI FW23 Crab Earrings | DEEPA BY DEEPA GURNANI FW23 Loretta Necklace | ETTIKA Abstract Flex 18K Gold Plated Cuff | CARRERA 318/S | AUTUMN CASHMERE Sweater Dress | AEROSOLES Loafer | Benjamin Simic - MARC JACOBS Shield Sunglasses | BEN SHERMAN Lennon "Imagine" Mod Knit Stripe Polo | AUTUMN CASHMERE Cardigan | MAVI Jake | ADIDAS Samba |

(NYE/NIGHT OUT) LOOK V PG 106 - 112 | Anna Zaia - LELE SADOUGHI Crystal Pave Drop Earrings | DEEPA GURNANI Helga Clutch | VIRGIN, SAINTS & ANGELS Virgin Cameo Crystal Mesh Choker, Virgin Cameo Large Figaro Necklace 18 + Virgin Cameo Statement Clip Earrings | BCBG Oly Tiered Ruffle Evening Gown | NEVER FULLY DRESSED Black and Cream Coatigan | Benjamin Simic - UNTUCKIT Wool Rawlins Sport Coat + Wrinkle-Free Las Cases Shirt | MAVI Jake |

‘TIS THE SEASON | TEAM CREDITS

PHOTOGRAPHER Paul Farkas | FASHION STYLIST Kimmie Smith | MUA Toni/Ann/Felicia Graham Beauty | NEW YORK MODEL MANAGEMENT Anna Zaia + Benjamin Simic |

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@pvfarkas

@shes.kimmie

@toni__ann

@feliciagrahambeautyteam

@newyorkmodels

@_anna_zaia_

@lilboochie

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS

For this shoot, Paul shot with a Sony Aplha A7R V, Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM Prime G, Sony FE 24-70 mm F2.8 GM1, Sony FE 50 mm F2.8 Macro Prime, Sony FE 90 mm F2.8 Macro G OSS Telephoto Macro Prime G, and Sony FE 70-200 mm F2.8 GM OSS II. In addition, he used SIRUI Dragon Series Bendable RGB Panel Lights set of 2 of B25R*2 Kit + DJ280.

ATHLEISURE MAG SUMMIT EXCLUSIVE

We had a number of brands that were included in this shoot or supported this shoot and they wanted to make sure that you were able to enjoy purchasing your must-haves with a discount!

PONO

Receive 20% off your order with code ATHMAG95 for a 20% discount off PONO orders through 12/31/23.

SIRUI

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VIRGINS, SAINTS, ANGELS

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Read the NOV ISSUE #96 of Athleisure Mag and see ‘TIS THE SEASON Editorial in mag.

BLEISURE MAG

Read the Dec Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Bleisure Mag in mag.

TAVERN ON THE GREEN FOR THE HOLIDAYS

When it comes to iconic destinations that you have to check off your bucketlist, Tavern on the Green is one of them. It's not just a culinary destination, but it is steeped in history. Earlier this fall we had the chance to talk with their General Manager, Kelly Harbison during their Fall Apple Event. With the holidays descending upon us, we had to circle back to share the history of Tavern on the Green, it's new incarnation, focus on approachability, being a steward in the community and of course, receive a snapshot on what the holiday season is like for them going into this time of year.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Can you tell us about the iconic history of Tavern on the Green?

KELLY HARBISON: Tavern on the Green is called Tavern on the Green because obviously we are located directly in front of Central Park and our building in the 1800’s was a sheepfold for the sheeps that would graze in Sheep’s Meadow which is right across the street from us. It’s really not even just historical in the 1900’s or even recently, but really all the way back to the building of Central Park where our building is a historic landmark is really influential in that kind of a growth of Central Park as a location which is really exciting for us.

Our ownership of Tavern on the Green has been since 2014. And basically, it was a restaurant for most of the 1900’s and then is was closed down for a little while and then the city really wanted to find a new owner/operator to come in that would bring the park inside. The old Tavern on the Green was really big and people were always in the Crystal Room that had all the chandeliers and such which was great and beautiful, but in the new incarnation of Tavern on the Green, we really looked to bring the park inside. We took down the Crystal Room and having that really beautiful Courtyard that really opens right up to Sheep’s Meadow and having an entrance open on that side so that people can just walk right up from being in the park and have a drink with us at our Courtyard. Our main dining room is the Central Park Room and it has a full glass front so that people can be experiencing the park while they are dining with us. Our two other rooms – our Bar Room and South Wing were really designed with nature in mind. So the original wood in the Bar Room or the leaves in the South Wing really help us to bring Central Park in and make it a bit more of an approachable place!

The Old Tavern, you would wear a suit and tie and go there for a 1,000 person gala and in the new incarnation, both the city and the operators really wanted to make it a place where everybody could come. You could still do a gorgeous wedding here in our Courtyard, but you can also stop here for lunch on a Mon if you are here visiting NYC and really have Tavern be a part of NYC as well as Central Park.

AM: We love that and we think that that is why Tavern on the Green has such a feeling for those visiting the city as well as those that live here! Because you guys have a number of rooms/areas, is the menu the same regardless of where you choose to dine?

KH: We generally for our dining room, have one menu. We have a lunch, brunch and dinner menu depending on the day and time. Additionally, we have our bar menu which is only served in our Bar Room and that has snacks and light bites if you are looking for something to nosh on while you have a nice beverage. In addition to that, we have our nice To Go Window open mainly year around although it closes in Jan. and Feb. – that’s more of a grab and go kind of thing for sandwiches and coffees for those that are walking through the park and don't have time to sit down for a nice meal. You can still have a nice lunch while you are walking by.

AM: As the General Manager, what is your role at Tavern on the Green?

KH: My role is to be the liaison of our ownership. We have over 300 staff members over a number of departments and a lot of things going on! I always joke that Tavern may be one restaurant, but it’s really 5! At any given point, we can have a wedding reception going on in our South Terrace, we can have our To Go Window open, another party in our South Wing, have a la carte in our Bar Room and Central Park Room and then have a full Courtyard with people coming in off of the Park and enjoying lunch or brunch. So it’s one building, but it’s really telling many stories at the same time. So my job is to help our ownership put that all together and what that looks like to ultimately hone in on the guest experience. I make sure that all of our departments whether it’s the front of house or back of house is firing on all cylinders and really just providing that really magical Tavern experience.

I know that you said before that people may have come here years ago – we have guests that come in that say, “oh this is my first time back since my friend’s wedding 10 years ago.” Or they will say, “I have never been here, but my grandparents got married here.” Or that their mom proposed to their dad here. There are a lot of really special family moments that we enjoy having them as Tavern moments as well and being able to speak to that. Simultaneously, being a part of NY.

We have a number of guests that live across the street on the UWS and they love having us here as their local establishment. It’s about holding those two things together and making sure that we are serving all those guests with absolute perfection - which is essentially my job and helping the management team from the front and back of house to do that!

AM: To be sure that is a huge job!

KH: Haha yes!

AM: On Nov 29th, this will be the 3rd Annual Tree Lighting for Tavern on the Green. Why did you guys start this tradition and what events will take place on this night? We know this is one of many events that will flow throughout this holiday period.

KH: The holidays here are about a month and a half of events at Tavern on the Green. We start with Thanksgiving Week. We do over 1500 people for Thanksgiving that Thursday and obviously, we know that that whole weekend is really a fun food and beverage weekend for everybody. That Saturday, we start our Holiday Brunch so our Executive Chef, Bill Peet puts together a $70 prix fixe menu that really focuses on the holiday and celebration and we run that menu every Saturday and Sunday through New Years. So coming off of that week, we head into the celebration of Christmas and all the holidays. So one thing that we do is participate in Winter’s Eve which takes place on Nov 26th at Lincoln Center which kind of brings together all of the restaurants out onto the street. We set up little kiosks and it allows us to be a part of the neighborhood and welcoming in the winter celebrations. This flows right into the Tree Lighting which takes place on Nov 29th and I’m so excited about it!

One of the things that I really love about it is, that yes we are in this iconic city, at an iconic restaurant, but we also try to be a good local steward of our community as well. Our charity partner for both the Winter’s Eve event and this Tree Lighting event is the West Side Campaign Against Hunger - a hyper local charity that really does amazing work around issues of hunger and scarcity right in our backyard. They run a food pantry which is set up like a grocery store and it allows people that need that food support to be a customer and get the kinds of things that they need for their families versus just giving boxes of food to them. It’s a really classy and respectful way for you to help someone out while making them feel valued at the same time. We love partnering with this organization for these reasons. So all of the money we raised for the donations from the delicious apple cinnamon donuts and delicious hot chocolate dipping sauce that was made for the Winter’s Eve event will be given to the West Side Campaign Against Hunger and similarly on the evening of the Tree Lighting Ceremony, we will host students from their Chef's Training Program who will be giving out soup and and raising money as well. Once again, we’re tying in this celebratory Tree Lighting into something that is a little greater than that and a bit more about the reason for the season – I think they say!

From the decorative side, we have a decorator that comes in who starts on Thanksgiving night at 1am to put up all the decorations.

AM: Oh wow!

KH: Oh yes, he’s right up in there! We will have over 12 Christmas Trees all over the building in addition to the beautiful one that is in the Courtyard that is 20 feet tall and has over 20,000 ornaments. There’s also 10,000 lights that we put up all over the eaves and the outside of the building and then really fun kinds of nooks all over the building. We have this white fireplace and we’re really playing up this cute Christmas Village in that area. We have Toy Soldiers when you come into the front and Chef Peet is putting together a full-scale Tavern on the Green as a gingerbread house. We have some lifesized elves in the Courtyard that are really fun to take a picture with. Finding these nooks so that people can take pictures of those great moments is really important to us.

Finally, for the Tree Lighting event, we will give out Chef Peet’s famous hot chocolate, spiced cider, warm cider, Christmas Cookies, gingerbread and apple cinnamon donuts. These will be complimentary to our guests for this event as we want our guests to enjoy the evening with us from 5-7pm. Our entertainment for the evening is the LaGuardia High School which is right around the corner from us. So we’re happy to have these talented young people to come celebrate with us!

AM: This sounds amazing! Will you continue to partner with West Side Campaign Against Hunger throughout the holiday season?

KH: We do events with them all of the time! I actually meant to mention an event we did the Tues after Thanksgiving …

AM: Yes Giving Tuesday

KH: Yes – on Giving Tuesday we donated 5% of our gross profits to West Side Campaign Against Hunger as well. We’re really happy to be engaging with them and the work that their Executive Director is phenomenal and the work that they do is amazing. It’s really important with the work that they are doing and it is being done in an amazing way. It’s about raising people up and doing charity in a way that helps people move themselves forward too.

I mentioned the Chef's Students that will be participating in the Tree Lighting, that’s a jobs program right? We come to them, they learn a skill and that helps them with their families to continue to succeed as they go forward. It’s an amazing way to serve the community. We work with this organization all the time so at the Apple Garden event you were at earlier this fall, one of the apple items had a $1 from every Waldorf Salad went back to them and we really look to find ways to donate to them as well as to incorporate them into what we do at Tavern. A couple of those Chefs Students who will be working at the Tree Lighting will actually be here all day with us by working with Chef Peet to see how a kitchen runs, helping with some prep work and really taking their classroom experiences in this charities kitchen to this big open kitchen on Tavern on the Green to give them that experience.

AM: That is truly amazing and the students must be excited for that experience!

What would you consider to be a classic holiday dish that people enjoy at Tavern on the Green as well as a cocktail to enjoy during this time of year?

KH: Oooo we have so many! In terms of a classic dish, we have a Tomahawk Steak that is served with Truffle Macaroni and Cheese which is as decadent and I mean that in the best way! It’s perfect for a cold Dec. night. Our beverage program is great as we do seasonal cocktails throughout the year and for the holidays we have some really beautiful Mulled Spice Cider which is delicious and served hot. We have a spiced Eggnog which is amazing and we can do those versions styled for the kids as well. We really searched far and wide for this Eggnog recipe and our Beverage Director joked last year that he really perfected it. This is the Tavern version and that Eggnog is really the way to celebrate this holiday.

AM: We feel that the holidays wrap up with New Year’s Eve essentially. What are you guys doing this year?

KH: We do. We’re really happy to do New Year’s because it is a really beautiful space to do it in. You can see all the fireworks that they do over Central Park. Once again it’s bringing in that Park and NYC experience right into Tavern. This year, we are doing it a little differently with an a la carte experience that will start at 4:45pm until 6:45pm. We want to be really approachable for everybody so maybe it’s a family with 2 really young kids and they want to celebrate but their kids need to be in bed by 8pm. We want to provide something for them.

So in the beginning we will have a normal lunch service and our evening will be a really fun celebratory affair with open seating so that people can have fun but then enjoy seeing the ball drop at home on TV. They can have an early celebration with us.

Starting at 9pm, we have our full 4 course meal with seating so you purchase your ticket by buying by table and it is yours for the evening. There will be live entertainment at the Bar Room and our Atrium so there will be several different party areas. The idea is that you will have a beautiful meal, then we will have passed desserts so once you finish the first part of the meal, your table is your home base, but then you can enjoy exploring the restaurant to bring in the New Year celebration!

IG @TavernOnTheGreen

Read more from the Nov Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Tavern on the Green for the Holidays in mag.

ONE ON ONE WITH THE SHERIFF

We've talked about Obstacle Course Races (OCR) before and in this month's fitness focused issue, we sat down with Hunter McIntyre to talk about his upcoming Tough Mudder X Championship presented by KILL CLIFF race taking place on July 28th and airing on CBS. We wanted to know how he got into this sport, how he trains for it and why he enjoys doing them.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your athletic background as we know you were a cross country runner and champion wrestler in high school.

HUNTER MCINTYRE: My grandfather was an Olympic athlete and he really helped me believe that I could become a great athlete myself. He would constantly tell me that I was really fast and encouraged me to run track and field. My ability to run quickly and my experience with wrestling has really translated into my training now.

AM: How did you get into the world of Tough Mudder and other OCR competitions?
 
HM: While living with my friends in Malibu, my one friend challenged me to compete in an OCR race. At that point, I hadn’t been training for an obstacle race, just body building. In the short time I had to train for that race, I would run up and down my driveway for hours and I ended up finishing 6th place out of around 10,000 participants. I was all-in after that.

AM: What is it about OCR in general that you enjoy?

HM: The best thing is, the opportunity is what you make of it. It’s a sport that you can train for anywhere and everywhere. I can go for a run in Central Park, go to the gym to lift and I can mix in some rock climbing with my friends to train. Most of all, I just love being outdoors.

AM: How do you train for OCR versus just maintaining your workout?

HM: When training for a Tough Mudder, I’ll run once or twice per day, six days per week. It also depends on the distance and location of the event. For World’s Toughest Mudder, I’ll spend 2-4 hours per day training in the woods. When I’m not training for a race, I just like to get in the gym and challenge myself to get as strong as I can. That’s when my friends and I put a big emphasis on strength training.

AM: What are your go to foods that you  eat when you're maintaining your body and what  3 splurge foods do you enjoy?

HM: I stick to a high carbohydrate diet. I eat a lot of pancakes and Honey Nut Cheerios. There are some days when I’ll eat 10 apples per day. For two months leading up to the Tough Mudder X Championship I ate a 14oz or 16oz ribeye steak every single night. That steak every night became my sleeping pill and I always feel rejuvenated the next morning. I do splurge on Ben & Jerry’s ice cream from time to time.

AM: Where did your name, "The Sheriff" come from?

HM: One of my friends called me “The Sheriff” one day and it really just stuck with me from then on.

AM: With such an intense schedule how do you take time for yourself?

HM: When I’m not training or I’ve just finished an event, I really like to just chill and relax at my place in Malibu. Since I’m on the road a lot, I enjoy that time at home when I can.

AM: How important is travel to you and what are 3 of your favorite places that you enjoy going to?

HM: It’s important to disconnect work travel and travel for pleasure. I’m always traveling for events, but my top vacation spots would be St. Barts, Telluride, Colorado and Big Sur.

AM: On Sat July 28th, you will be defending your title in the finale of the Tough Mudder X Championship presented by Kill Cliff airing on CBS - how have you prepared for this competition physically and mentally?

HM: Preparing for the TMX Championship, I put myself in tough training situations. This year, I trained extremely hard in the mountains of Park City, Utah.

AM: What has it been like to compete alongside athletes that are comprised of Navy Seals, UFC Fighters, CrossFit, American Ninja Warriors?

HM: It’s great because you learn to respect and understand the ways these other athletes train and the way they approach the same events, differently. I really enjoy learning and picking up some tools from each of them.

Read more from the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see One on One with the Sheriff in mag.

NERVO YORK

We end our year the way we began it - with NERVO, but this time, in addition to our interview, we hung out with them right before their Lavo NYC show to shoot the International EDM DJ duo. Liv and Mim have been traveling, DJing around the world, releasing new  music and continuing to connect with their fans.

We brought them to Grammy winner and music icon, Desmond Child's home (we have an exclusive interview with Desmond following this interview), which was the perfect location for this shoot. We talked with them about what they're up to, who they've been working with, where they'd like to perform, their upcoming show for NYE at the W in Miami and what festivals you'll see them in during 2018.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We kicked off the year with an interview with you ladies and it's only fitting that we close it with you as well as you're gracing our Dec cover - what has been a snapshot of this year from what you were up to personally, musically, - whatever you wish to share.

NERVO: We have had a year of absolute madness. Lots of great things going on that we just need to pinch ourselves sometimes. We also are just doing our best to keep our heads above water and enjoy the little moments you know… We think all touring artists or just busy people, in general, are the same. There’s a lot of pressure mixed with a lot of adrenaline filled moments. It can be a lot sometimes!

AM: You ladies are multiple threats as you're DJ's, producers, songwriters, composers, models, brand ambassadors, etc., so it was only fitting to have you shoot in Desmond Child's home
- can you share some of your projects that you did this year or next year?

N: Tell us about it - Desmond Child is a total legend. What an honour to be shooting in his home! Love how we decked his house out.

So… We released a bunch of music this year, including a few collabs - one with New York based band Sofi Tukker and some others with more dance artists like DVBBS and Danny Avila, Oh, and then there’s the collab we wrote with Cheif Keef which was pretty special! We have been touring mainly Europe for the summer, but we also have our residency at Omnia in Las Vegas, which gets us over to The USA about 16 times a year.

We have a bunch of new songs in the works which we are focusing in on now. Quarters 4 and 1 are always for making new music and that means touring a bit less.

AM: What's the process like when you're creating your music and how is it different when you're creating something for another artist?

N: We’re more relaxed when we make music for others or even for a collaboration. Something about it being less pressure. When it’s your own record suddenly you feel like people are going
to hate on you if they don’t like it. It’s a part time job blocking out that noise!

AM: How do you go about finding inspiration for upcoming projects?

N: We are constantly inspired. To be honest we don’t have enough time to not be inspired. We have so many unfinished ideas that we just need an extra 2 days a week to finish. We must be
ADHD or something.

AM: What is a NERVO Christmas like - do you make it home to Australia for the holiday, do you guys cook and what gifts are you looking for this year?

N: It’s pretty low key and is the same every year. We have a huge lunch in our family home in Melbourne, then we all go to our Aunty Mary and Uncle Max’s home for more food, and then we
eventually pass out around 10pm with belly’s so full that we couldn’t dream of eating dinner! Leftovers are eaten for the next 4 days or so. We are Italian/Australian so there’s always SO
much food!

AM: This NYE, where are you playing and what about 2018 makes you excited to ring it in?

N: We are playing Miamiiiiiii! At the W Hotel. We can’t wait!! Miami is just the best for New Year's Eve. We think we might hang around a few days and have some beach time and Cuban food.

AM: What's on your playlist at the moment that gets you up and moving?

N: Massively inspired by what Jax Jones is doing at the moment. Sampling Booka Shade and flipping it into a 2017 anthem! Go JJ!

AM: Where are some festivals/cities that you'll be hitting this year that we can expect to see you performing at?

N: We are playing Tomorrowland in Belgium again. Always a yearly highlight! We are also playing Creamfields in South America. And of course, everyone can catch us at Ushuaia in Ibiza and Omnia/Hakkassan in The USA for our residencies.

AM: What is a gig that you would like to do ie. Super Bowl Half Time show, that you have yet to be asked to do but want to check off your bucket list?

N: Probably Coachella. It’s such a great festival and one of the only ones we have never been asked to play at. We don't think they like us. ha! Maybe we're too bubbly or mainstream or
something... We dunno. But we have been to the festival and it's such a great vibe. Always perfect weather.

AM: You're rocking a lot of fun styles throughout our Dec cover shoot, but what is your personal style when you head out to play a set for NYE versus when you're hanging out?

N: We like to dress things up when we play a gig. We love body suits, lycra, face jewels, creepers, teased up hair, more is more. When we are hanging out we’re a lot more chilled and casual - for example we are loving the Fenty clothes that we wore in the shoot for our travel/studio days!

AM: You guys travel a lot, what are your 3 musts that you take with you no matter what city you're rocking in to feel like you're at home?

N: Iijin snake skin silver and gold shoes (for Liv), Hairspray (for Mim), and our laptops (for both of us).

AM: The Winter Olympics are coming up and we're fans of curling, what teams/sports are you cheering for?

N: Ooohh we’ll have to check it out!! We do love to ski so that’s something we would like to watch. Does Australia even have a team? If Australia is competing then we would have to go for
them but if they don’t then we would go for Italy because that is where our parents were born :).

NERVO YORK CREDITS

COVER + PG 14 | FENTY X PUMA Blocked Track Jacket + Blocked Taped Track Pant | OUTDOOR VOICES Sport Bra | FENTY X PUMA AnkleStrap Sneaker | FENTY X PUMA Monday Cap | FRAME Le Original Patch Jacket |

FENTY X PUMA Hooded Zip Front Leotard | FENTY X PUMA Printed Bra | RUBEN GALARRETA Legging Harness |

PG 16 | BLACK MILK Fatale Dress | LAGOS JEWELRY Black Beaded Caviar Bracelet | ARTISTS' OWN Wrapped Bracelet, Charm Bracelet, Watch + Hat |

PG 19 | MCM Shearling Bag | ARTISTS' OWN Bra, Shorts + Scarf |

PG 20 | SPLENDID Racerback Turtleneck Sport Bra | ELIZABETH ACKERMAN Palazzo Palm Pants | DIANA ROSH FUR Olive + Blue Fur Coat | LOVE KNITZ Hat |

PG 21 | DIANA ROSH FUR Multicolor Coat | HAT ATTACK Arm Warmers | MIRA RAE Velvet Leggings | MCM Shearling Hat |

PG 22 | ROMPLY Blush Wrap Romper | HAT ATTACK Hat | LAGOS JEWELRY Ring | ARTISTS' OWN Bra |

PG 25 | ROMPLY Navy/Gold Tapestry Romper | NINA JEWELRY Swarovski Bangle | MCM Polke Backpack in Starry Eyed Bunny | ARTISTS' OWN Marcher Jacket |

Athleisure Mag readers know that a number of our shoots take place in luxury apartments that have yet to be released to the public or are being sold. We tend to maintain the privacy of the homeowners; however, this shoot was perfectly aligned as it took place at Grammy-winning and Emmy-nominated songwriter/producer Desmond Child's home!

He is one of the most accomplished hit-makers, having written and produced more than eighty Billboard Top 40 hits spanning five decades including "Livin' On A Prayer”, “You Give Love A Bad Name”, “I Was Made For Lovin' You”, “Dude Looks Like A Lady”, “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” and “Waking Up In Vegas.” From Aerosmith to Zedd, his genre-defying collaborations also include Bon Jovi, KISS, Motley Crew, Joan Jett, Cher, Michael Bolton, Cyndi Lauper, Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Meat Loaf, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Sia, Mickey Mouse and Kermit the Frog, selling over 500 million records worldwide as well as downloads, YouTube views and streaming plays already in the billions. His upcoming autobiography LIVIN' ON A PRAYER: BIG SONGS BIG LIFE with David Ritz is scheduled for release the Fall 2018. Desmond Child was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008 and serves on its Board of Directors as well as the Board of ASCAP. In 2012 he co-founded the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame and serves as its Chairman/CEO. He is also Chairman of The Fountains of Musica Foundation, who’s mission is to complete Alan LeQuire's aquatic bronze masterpiece MUSICA located at the entrance to Nashville’s Music Row.

ATHLEISURE MAG: It was an honor to shoot in your beautiful home and NERVO was very excited to see that they were in your apartment. Please share with our readers about how you got into the music business and whom you have worked with.

DESMOND CHILD: My beautiful mother, the late Cuban poet and Bolero composer Elena Casals, was always writing her romantic and soulful songs at her old upright piano on the dairy farm in Hawthorn, Florida, where I was born in 1953. At that time, I didn’t know that most people don’t write songs as a natural expression of the ups and downs of ordinary life. I would sit on my mother's lap at the piano and bang out long unrepeatable classical sounding improvisations. As soon as I could sit upright, she would make me play for her bohemian friends sitting around on the floor smoking and drinking during the Mad Men era when that was actually still good for you.

Not being able to afford a gift, I wrote my first official pop song titled “Birthday Blues” at the age of 15 in 1968 as a birthday tribute to a beautiful girl I was trying to impress named Laura
Stern. After that, I never looked back and kept writing songs all the way into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, where I was inducted into in 2008. That only took 40 years. ;)

ATHLEISURE MAG: Your home is awesome and there were so many elements that were amazing, but we all enjoyed your piano - when did you decide that you would have these notable talents sign your piano, and are there signatures that you have yet to get, but still
want to have in there?

DC: It was a random day, and I was walking down 57th Street, and when I got to the Steinway showroom, I looked through the window and saw this gorgeous Steinway D lit up like it was on a stage. I went in, sat down at it, and it seemed to just play itself. I ended up buying it on the spot, but I had to put it in storage for 2 years while my apartment was being renovated. When the time finally came to move-in the piano, I had to hire a crane to lift it up on its side in a massive wooden crate and slip it through the living room window.

It was an incredible feat that tied up Fifth Avenue traffic and pissed-off a lot of people.

As soon as I started doing writing sessions with top stars or important visitors, I would ask them to write their names in the piano along with the date. It started to get crowded in there and some names are completely unrecognizable, so I guess I will have to create a map of the stars to keep track of them all.

These are the names I would love to have in the piano: Joni Mitchell, Sir Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, Sade, Imogen Heap, Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons, Beyonce & Jay Z, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry.

AM: Are there projects that you are working on that you can share with us?

DC: I am just putting the finishing touches on my auto-biography - LIVIN' ON A PRAYER: BIG SONGS BIG LIFE with David Ritz. I hope to release in the fall of 2018.

AM: What is currently on your playlist?

DC: I only play two records ever… AMOROSO by Jaoa Gilberto, produced by my dear late friend Tommy LiPuma, and Sade’s epic LOVE DELUX. Over the past 5 years I’ve added Concha Buika’s
rare but exquisite albums. Any other music I hear is by accident.

AM: With New Years Eve just around the corner, what's the perfect playlist that we should be creating to celebrate the end of 2017 and the start of 2018?

DC: Any of Amy Grants 5 Christmas albums. Amy is my husband Curtis’ favorite artist of all time…. It just ain’t Christmas without Amy Grant.

We enjoyed finding out more about Desmond Child and his home which is currently on the market. We sat down with Louise Phillips Forbes of Halstead properties to find out more about 1215 Fifth Avenue #8CD as well as the neighborhood it resides in.

ATHLEISURE MAG: There are so many great aspects to this apartment, from its layout to the INCREDIBLE views of Central Park - what can you tell us about this property?

LOUISE PHILIPS FORBES: What’s not to envy in this exceptional home?! It’s a full-floor combination apartment with panoramic views of Central Park that are breathtaking year-round, and an abundance of custom designer details like art-deco moldings and Venetian plaster walls. The grand and expansive formal living room is an entertainer’s dream with four large picture windows (manufactured by Hope's) facing west, high-beamed ceilings and a statuesque
wood-burning fireplace. Plus, the spectacular views carry through to the formal dining room. A peaceful retreat, the master suite also showcases the Central Park views and features superbly crafted built-ins and an oversized walk-in closet that resembles a luxury boutique. You can escape to the spa in the elegant Vitrolite tile and Terrazzo master bathroom with a deep soaking tub, double sink vanity, walk-in steam shower, and heated floors. But it's the park views that will transport you to another world. A culinary delight, the eat-in chef's kitchen is the heart of the home with an open design that includes a substantial casual dining/living and media area. Kitchen highlights are the sophisticated Terrazzo countertops, abundance of pantry storage cabinets, and high-end appliances. A coveted laundry room holds the side-by-side and full-size Miele washer and Asko dryer with a sink and storage. To top it off, there is a new state-of-the-art Lutron lighting system and Crestron integrated surround audio system with built-in
speakers all through the apartment. Two oversized bedrooms and a second full bathroom complete the home with through-wall AC's in every room and great closets throughout. It’s pretty close to perfect!

AM: What amenities are offered in this building for residents?

LFP: A pre-war treasure, the Brisbane House at 1215 Fifth Avenue was developed and built in 1928 by distinguished journalist and columnist for Hearst newspapers, Arthur Brisbane, and designed by the renowned architectural firm Schultze & Weaver. The beautiful 16-story limestone-and-caramel-brick building boasts an elegant lobby and full-service amenities, including 24-hour doorman, live-in superintendent, private courtyard, fitness area, central
laundry room, personal storage, bike storage, and pet-friendly attitude.

AM: Tell us about the neighborhood that is directly around this building and what neighborhood is this considered?

LFP: A premier residence nestled near Carnegie Hill, this elegant gem is conveniently located across from Central Park and along Museum Mile with easy access to world-class exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim Museum, and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, among others. Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue
beckon with high-end boutique shopping and fine art galleries, plus there is an abundance of distinguished restaurants, charming cafes, gourmet grocers, supermarkets, Equinox Fitness
Club, the 92nd Street Y, and many popular retail destinations.

AM: For those that are interested in purchasing this unit, how can they find out more information?

LFP: It would be very easy to call this stunning apartment home given the grandeur of the rooms, designer details throughout, and abundance of Central Park views! To schedule an appointment, simply contact me directly and I will be happy to give you a private tour and discuss the purchasing details. You can reach me via email at lphillips@halstead.com or at 212-381-3329.

AM: Where can readers find out about additional properties that you represent?

LFP: Visit my website and click on the tab for “My Listings”. You can view pictures, 3D floor plans, and videos along with detailed descriptions of each property I’m working with from
downtown to uptown. The available homes range from a three-bedroom loft apartment in Tribeca to a 6-story grand townhouse on the Upper East Side.

Read more from the Dec Issue and see NERVO YORK in mag.

2017 GLOBAL CITIZEN FESTIVAL

On Sept 23rd, the 2017 Global Citizen Festival came back for its 6th year on Central Park's Great Lawn in NYC. This event culminated Global Citizen Week, a series of more than 30 public, advocacy-driven events and digital activations that took place across NYC. Prior to this week, Global Citizens took 1.6 million actions over 2 months that secured 29 commitments, 55 announcements and 13 calls to action which totaled $3.2 billion to assist in affecting the lives of 221 million people. These efforts will continue to assist in holding governments and business accountable to deliver on their promises for years to come. The concert and summit like festival included world leaders, non-profit organizations, social conscious focused artists and Global Citizens that are intent on leading the world to Global Goals for Sustainable Development to end extreme poverty by 2030.

Over 60,000 attendees and millions watched live (via broadcasting partners at MSNBC, Youtube and Twitter) with performances by Stevie Wonder, Green Day, The Killers, The Lumineers, and featuring the Chainsmokers, with special guest performances by Pharrell Williams, Big Sean, Andra Day, and Alessia Cara.

| PHOTOGRAPHY Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Global Citizen - Model & Activist Joan Smalls |

Top Campaign Victories  

Economic Empowerment | Accenture, Citi, Ernst & Young, and Procter & Gamble each committed to source $100 million from women-owned businesses - a majority of whom will be based in the developing world. This amount totals $400 million will be delivered through Global Citizen's partners at WEConnect International which brings the amount to $1 billion committed on the Global Citizen stage from corporate entities towards women's economic empowerment in the past 12 months.

HIV/AIDS | Global Citizen partners Johnson & Johnson commits to accelerating the healthcare company’s HIV vaccine and announced that for the first time it is going into late-stage human clinical trials. It is the world’s first ever “global” vaccine, which means it can protect against all strains of HIV. In early-stage studies the vaccine has shown 100% success rate.

Famine | U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware), as a member of the Appropriations Committee announced that encouraged by Global Citizens taking over 60,000 actions, his colleagues in the Senate have proposed $311.5 million more in funds for International Disaster Assistance compared to last year.

Yazidi Justice | Three years since the genocide was committed by ISIS, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, Matthew Rycroft, announced that the UK led the UN Security Council to a unanimous vote this week on the decision to set up a UN Investigation Team to pursue justice for the Yazidis. The UN resolution on ISIS accountability was described as a “long overdue first step” by the UN Office for the High Commissioner on Human Rights. This comes after an 18 month campaign and over 100,000 actions taken by Global Citizens.
 

| PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen - Priyanka Chopra; Demi Lovato; Michelle Monaghan; Freida Pinto |

Top Accountability Updates

France | Thanks to Global Citizen’s two year long campaign, and nearly half a million actions, including those of Global Citizen and Global Partnership for Education Ambassador Rihanna, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that for the first time ever a G7 country — France — was to co-host the Global Partnership for Education replenishment with an African country — Senegal in order to raise $3.1 billion to provide 870 million children with vital education.

GHANA | President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, committed on the Festival stage to end child marriage. The newly elected President inherited the initiative to end child marriage in the country from his predecessor, so this stage moment provided confirmation that the new president has officially committed to continue with the National Strategic Framework on Ending Child Marriage in Ghana. As part of this announcement, the President also reaffirmed his pledge to provide universal free secondary education.

Famine | Executive Director of the World Food Program, David Beasley, confirmed that $575 million of $990 million committed by Congress in May — a commitment helped by 49,291 actions taken by Global Citizens — has been released to the WFP and others to immediately fight the famine. He then issued a powerful call to action to Global Citizens, revealing that after years of progress, the number of hungry people in the world is going up.

Partners of Global Citizen Week included: Gucci and CHIME FOR CHANGE, MSNBC & Comcast NBCUniversal, Live Nation, Johnson & Johnson, Citi, HP, Cadillac, T-Mobile, iHeartMedia, NYC Parks, lululemon, P&G, The New York City Mayor's Office for International Affairs, Bira 91, Universal Music Group, the Empire State Building, Forbes, Guardian US, Omaze, TOMS, and Tribeca Enterprises.

Partners of the 2017 Global Citizen Festival included: presenting partner GUCCI and CHIME FOR CHANGE, premier media partner MSNBC & Comcast NBCUniversal, entertainment partner Live Nation, global health partner Johnson & Johnson, and other major partners Citi, HP, Cadillac, T-Mobile, iHeartMedia, and NYC Parks.
 

HIS SPRING EQUINOX

Obviously, the Spring has us all feeling a certain kind of way with changing temperatures, longer days and more. That's more time to take your workouts outside, run errands without worrying about the weather and eating outdoors. We sat down with menswear designer, Stan Cheung to talk about his line EYSOM, how he became a designer and how he will enjoy the upcoming Spring Equinox.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your background and how you came to being a designer.

STAN CHEUNG: It wasn’t a conventional route. I began my career in Los Angeles, working in the executive buying program for May Department Store. Up till then, the experiences I had at the entertainment studios didn’t ignite my passions, so my mentor – who was the Dean of the Business School at USC – recommended that I pursue retail. He was right. It clicked. I fell in love with buying menswear. Back then there was a lot of autonomy in this role. You could take risks. You could be creative with buying assortments. But my experiences were cut short when Federated merged with May, and so my life took a turn and I moved to New York to work on private brands for Macys. 

New York City is where I really learned about the design world. My buying experiences in L.A. were a good fit for brand strategies in my new role. I quickly transitioned into product development after Macys saw my talent in this area. 

Working on multiple Macys’ brands led me to source factories all over the world, collaborate with them to create collections that resonated across Men’s, RTW and Children’s. I became fascinated in thinking, not only about fashion, but also about the white space and what would appeal to each brand’s end consumer.

Everyone knows New York is fast paced, which I loved. What I loved less were the long and weary winters. I longed for the L.A. sun. I came back to So Cal to take a role as creative director in the fast-fashion business. I led a design team that created collections for many of the largest U.S. retailers. In the business world of Juniors, you’re bound to create collections non-stop, and at some point you eventually burn out. That’s what happened to me. 

I took a short sabbatical to re-center. I spent a lot of time working on myself, both spiritually and physically, lots of meditation and workouts. Unable to find the right gym clothes, I decided to make them myself. With luck and good timing, I got a push through the Axe/Esquire Mentorship, and so EYSOM was born. 

AM: Tell us about EYSOM.

SC: EYSOM is truly a concept and collection that’s been brewing in my thoughts for over a decade. I’ve always been a workout fanatic. I take as much pride in my workout clothes as my “work” clothes. I found it so perplexing why it’s always so difficult to find great gym shorts. Men can find great jeans, fitted blazers, and the best dress shirts with much less effort. Why don’t the same rules apply to workout clothes?

EYSOM stands for “Exercise Your State of Mind”. The name itself is really about the journey to find balance between the body and the brain. In the logo, we used the M for Mind to reflect the sign of the heartbeat to show this connection as a symbol of feeling good — inside and out. Wellness today includes physical and spiritual wellness — we are much more conscious today of this wholeness feeling. We want integrity and totality in all that we do. 

The company really started from this emotion of wanting to offer men some thing better and different. I wanted to use really beautiful, yet technically functional fabrics. I wanted to create a line that was tailored, sporty and elegant at the same time. EYSOM is all about effortless designs that make you feel good when you put them on.
 

AM: How did it feel to have John Legend pick your brand to be included in the Axe Collective and what is the nature of this partnership?

SC: I was so honored. He’s such an amazing talent. In addition to being a style icon, he’s just an overall good guy. It was fantastic to have him be so into the brand. This encouragement gave me the extra energy to go after my vision. Had it not been for the Axe Collective, ESYOM would not have started when it did, and be where it is today.

AM: Presenting at NYFW Men’s must have been a great experience, tell us what it was like.

SC: It was such an amazing experience – it was so fast, but at that point in time, it was incredible to see the collection all come together. Now onto my third collection, it’s nice to see how the brand has evolved, but stayed true to that initial concept.

AM: You currently sell at Equinox, what's next for EYSOM?

SC: Equinox has been such a natural and organic fit. They’ve been hugely supportive of EYSOM. It has been an amazing way to expose their clients to the brand. Next for EYSOM, we are looking to organically expand in markets where there’s most interest – Europe and Asia. 

Also, I am starting to explore categories that people have been asking for. We have been asked since day one to add swimwear, including by Esquire Fashion Director Nick Sullivan. During the time the product has been in Equinox, we’ve also had a lot of requests to create a women’s line.

AM: What are the trends in menswear for this spring/summer that we can find in your line?

SC: EYSOM is always about being effortless and stylish all day, and year-round. You’ll notice our introduction into camouflage, which is a trend across all activewear, but we’ve taken a much more designer approach by playing with our signature print in a range of more sophisticated colors including sage green, brilliant navy, and red.

With the activewear trend, we also have our assortment of joggers and sweatshirts. 

AM: What are your favorite pieces in the EYSOM collection and where would we find you wearing them?

SC: Living in LA, you’ll find me wearing EYSOM about 90% of my life! I love the training shorts, because they have a tailored elegant feel that allows me to wear them in and out of the gym. I’m obsessed with the tops – usually in black, because the fabric is amazingly soft and you kind of don’t want to ever take it off.

AM: Where do you workout and what are your three favorite places to eat in NYC?

SC: I work out at Equinox obviously, but I’m also a regular at Barry’s Bootcamp because I love running. When I’m in NYC, I prefer running outdoors on the WSH or Central Park and just zoning out for miles at a time. 

I am a big food lover, especially in NYC. I think the right balance of a great workout is that you can enjoy and indulge in some great meals. My consistent go-to places would be Morimoto for sushi and Balthazar after working out in Soho. Indochine is my classic staple.

AM: With the Spring Equinox and having 12 hours of sun, how are you going to take advantage of the day?

SC: I’m obsessed with being outdoors, so I always take advantage of the LA sunshine. Hiking Runyon Canyon in the morning, enjoying the beaches of Malibu and Laguna, and of course, dining al fresco whenever I can. My favorite is The Beverly Hills Hotel or the garden at Pailhouse.

AM: What Axe Collection items are a part of your rotation?

SC: The Axe Gold Signature dry spray and skin hydrator body wash. 

Axe Gold Signature Dry Spray

Axe Gold Skin Hydrator Body Wash

Read more from the March Issue and read His Spring Equinox in mag.