Ellen is the designer of Dusen Dusen, a line of womenswear and home decor. Known for its original bold prints, Dusen Dusen is developed and inspired each season by fine art, commercial and naive design, and the brain’s reaction to movement, color, and contrast.
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Meet Erin Allweiss
“Erin has overseen media relations for some of the most recognized organizations, artists, brands and individuals. With a diverse background in art, sustainable design and public policy, her professional work is an extension of her personal interests. Erin grew up in New Orleans, went to school in Boston, and began her career in Washington working for the ONE Campaign, Oxfam, the Natural Resources Defense Council and on Capitol Hill. She moved to New York in 2010, and three years later launched her own PR firm, The No. 29, with partner Melody Serafino – focusing on art, design and sustainability.”
Top, Sessun ; Jeans, J.Brand ; Necklace, Growing Jewelry
on her morning routine
If I go to bed at a reasonable hour, then I’m up early for 6:30 AM yoga or running. If I have a late night, I save it for later by running home from work over the Brooklyn Bridge to avoid the F train. Regardless, I’m pretty much on my phone and email immediately – a habit I’m trying to break – and turning on WNYC. Often the first voices I hear in the morning are Steve Inskeep, Renee Montagne and David Greene. I was basically reared on Morning Edition. I make coffee or tea (sometimes both) and catch up on emails since we have clients in Holland, Paris, London and Tel Aviv.
on finding her interests
I knew from age five that I wanted to be an environmental lawyer, and just out of college had the privilege of working for some of the best nonprofits fighting for environmental justice – Oxfam and NRDC. I realized quickly that my disposition (constant motion) is not geared towards making incremental changes to policy and law, though thankfully others have the patience I lack. I realized I could still be an advocate, but in the court of public opinion. I love to write, tell stories for those who should be heard, and see immediate results.
“I just started college when Samantha Power’s “A Problem From Hell” came out. I’ve always been consumed by the dark moments in human history: how they happen, why people turn a blind eye and how we can change these patterns. We’re unfortunately revisiting this dark side now in Syria. That Power had written this book, received a JD, worked as a war correspondent and started the Carr Center for Human Rights by the time she was in her early 30s was inspiring. Reading her book, I simultaneously thought: I want to do something to make the world better…and I want to be as badass as Samantha Power.”
Shoes, Veja
on beginning her career
Back in DC, I learned how to do my job, made some of my dearest friends, and got to see Barack Obama sworn in as president. After a while, it got frustrating to fight for things that weren’t coming to fruition. I always planned to live in New York, and made the immediate leap from politics to art, though much of the art I work on makes a political statement. Working with JR, who had just won the TED Prize, was among my first major projects. It was the start of something really special in New York. Three years later, I started a PR firm with my brilliant partner. We simply wanted the power to choose who we worked for and how. People thought we were crazy to focus solely on sustainability, design, art and impact, but we’ve really carved out a niche.
on being in public relations
Being in PR has allowed me to work across disciplines – and often combine them in unexpected ways. We have wonderful clients who are making an impact, and help them tell their stories. I learn daily and feel incredibly fortunate to be an extension of their teams. There’s no greater feeling than conceptualizing and shaping a story, and ultimately making that story news.
Dress, Claudie Pierlot ; Shirt, Iris ; Shoes, Schutz ; Art, Frank Relle
“The Police, Synchronicity – since I was a kid. The Police and The Beatles were my favorite. My parents would play them and we’d have dance parties in costumes, as New Orleanians do. This music feels like home.”
Dress, L'Wren Scott ; Shoes, Loeffler Randall
on her beauty routine
My skin is finicky, so I have to change products with the weather. I use Diane Higgins Regenerating Facial Oil combined with her moisturizer. She carries a line called Face Reality, and I use their cleanser as well as Diane’s cleansing balm when my skin is dry. Tizo sunscreen is a daily must. As a runner, I need something that won’t irritate my skin and this rubs in like powder. I’m obsessed with eye cream. She has a great one but I’ll try anything. I also recommend REN Clean Skincare Vita Mineral Lip Balm, Bobbi Brown Eye Makeup Remover, Le Labo Women's Rose 31 Eau De Parfum, Yves Saint Laurent Terre Saharienne Bronzing Powder, Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Matte Lip Colour, Diorshow Mascara, Eminence Organic Skin Care Organic Sun Defense, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour, Nars Blush, and Diorblush.
on her style and shopping habits
My favorite shopping spots are spread around the world. In New York it’s A. Cheng or Anthom. When I go home to New Orleans, UAL is my go-to for insanely discounted designer gems (like that incredible L’Wren Scott dress). In Paris, Centre Commercial is the best. Everything is either made in France and/or sustainable. The guys behind Veja opened it five years ago, and they’ve created something truly special.
Dress, L'Wren Scott
erin's favorite books
Paris Views by Gail Albert Halaban, A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide by Samantha Power, Special Orders: Poems by Edward Hirsch, Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates by Tom Robbins
erin's favorite records
The Belle Album PV by Al Green, My Kind of Jazz by Ray Charles, Synchronicity by The Police, Soul Train Super Tracks, Brothers by The Black Keys
erin's favorite places in nyc
Prime Meats for a glass of wine (and awesome food) at the bar
Frankies - for every meal
Black Gold Records is where I go for a strong coffee and album browsing. Its got a NOLA vibe, which makes me feel at home
Court Street Grocers for magical sandwiches
Buttermilk Channel for dinner and French Louie for brunch
I love the Invisible Dog art space on Bergen. Great exhibitions.
For a bar, Brooklyn Social for Matt's Ginger Old Fashioned
Overalls, Loup ; Trench, Catherine Malandrino ; Shoes, Prada ; Bag, Kooba
Meet Christina Coleman
“From journalism studies at Howard University, to covering Earth and Science for NASA, to a ballsy move to NYC, Christina Coleman has carved out a space for her work in the news industry. Now a News & Culture Director at Glamour Magazine, when we first caught up with her for this feature, she was working as the Managing Editor for NewsOne.com. Before that, she was one of the founding editors for Solange Knowles’ SaintHeron.com, a wannabe chef, journalist/activist, and a fierce advocate for black women.”
Top, Urban Outfitters ; Jeans, Levi's ; Shoes, Nike
on her morning routine
I’m usually up by 7 a.m. to do two things – walk my dog and assign stories to my writers. As a managing editor of a news site I need to know what’s going on at all times so I’m searching the wires. Between 7-9 I’m glued to my computer writing and editing so I don’t grab breakfast (always oatmeal and pineapple) until about 10 or 11 when I head into the office.
on becoming a writer
This sounds silly, but making up short stories and poems with my brother are my earliest memories of writing. And I was always good at it; my teachers in grade school encouraged it because they could see I had ‘something.’ And so I decided to dedicate my life to that ‘something.’ I went to school for it and have been fiercely defensive over my decision to be a writer/journalist even if that means sleeping in a cardboard box the rest of my life. Sorry, Mom.
“‘Between the World and Me’ is a brand new favorite and I recommend it for any household that wants a clear understanding of the scourge of living while Black in America. It’s a heavy read, but no one promised that healing this nation and its people would be easy.”
Top, Vintage ; Earrings, H&M ; Skirt, H&M
on creating a vision
I’m really lucky to have stumbled into what became Saint Heron. While the site has undergone a restructure, the first iteration allowed me to be a part of a collective of young, Black women who were passionate about art, politics, culture, music, inclusivity, freedom…women who I’ve remained friends with and continue to watch grow in their own fields. I’m thankful that Solange’s vision has blossomed into what it is today because it creates a space for individuals like myself who are interested in a range of hobbies and music and topics separate from the ills of mainstream.
on the best part of her job
Sometimes I think about my time at NASA and it’s so surreal I have to remember that, yes, I really did that. Working closely with scientists and engineers, attending launches, witnessing the last of the manned space missions and translating all that science jargon into stuff millennials cared to read didn’t seem big then.
“Aside from my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer (the best Christmas gift to date), my hands are my best cooking ‘appliance.’ Nothing gets the job done quite like they do. My mother isn’t the best cook so I’m not sure where my sister and I got the talent from. But looking up to her (she’s the coolest person I know), I’ve secretly challenged myself to out-cook her. I’m losing, she’s awesome. But I have to say, my eggplant meatballs are to die for.”
Top, Zara ; Pants, Urban Outfitters
on her beauty routine
Mandatory routine, no matter how tipsy I am: Wash with Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser. Follow up with Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion. Depending on the night, I may use Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream or the Oil Free Moisturizer. I also recommend Mario Badescu Glycolic Eye Cream, Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Lotion, and Vaseline Cocoa Butter Petroleum Jelly.
For my hair I’m curbing breakage with Pure Shea Butter on my curls. I use what I have in the kitchen otherwise – coconut oil and olive oil are lifesavers for both hair and skin. I recently started to use coconut oil to shave my legs. You’ll thank me later.
on her makeup routine
I recommend Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Bare Minerals Original Foundation, MAC Powder Blush, Audacious Lipstick - Rita, Topshop Lipstick, Revlon PhotoReady Kajal Eye Pencil, Benefit they're real! lengthening mascara, MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red.
“I’m increasingly frustrated with shopping in stores but if I need an item fast for a meeting, interview or if I’m going to be on camera I run to Awoke Vintage (if I’m in Brooklyn) and the nearest Zara (if I’m in Manhattan). But I tend to do most of my shopping online – my clothes need to translate from office to camera to covering an event so I’m often wearing feminine dresses with sneakers or boxy men’s attire with strappy heels. Best of both worlds.”
top, urban outfitters ; jeans, levi's ; bag, marc jacobs ; shoes, nike
christina's favorite books
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Sula by Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter Godwin Woodson, PhD, The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
christina's favorite places in nyc
Aurora for Brunch
Alice's Arbor for Dinner
Sisters for coffee and amazing cocktails
Whisk for kitchen supplies
Awoke Vintage for clothes & jewelry
Meet Tamara Santibañez
Tamara Santibañez relocated from Georgia to New York at a young age and has made the city her home for the past decade. She currently lives and works in Brooklyn, combining a fine art practice of drawing, painting, and printmaking with tattooing full time at the legendary Saved Tattoo.
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Meet Janine Lee
in Entrepreneur
“Originally from Coronado, CA, Janine Lee is co-founder/CEO of Floss Gloss, an independent Brooklyn-based nail lacquer brand. She studied fashion design at California College of the Arts (2010) in San Francisco and co-founded Floss Gloss with Aretha Sack in 2011 out of pure necessity and bad (bad) recession job availability. After years in SF, she recently relocated from the Bay Area for Floss Gloss & life to Bushwick in 2014. At this time, currently thriving and always striving for success.”
Top, DKNY
on her morning routine
Normally I’m up around 8. I take Bodie out with Brett and grab an Americano at AP Cafe or Wyckoff Star. Then Brett and I both get ready for work and maybe make breakfast. I read some emails and do some light work, pack a lunch before I’m off at the Floss Gloss office.
on her path to floss gloss
I always was into coloring, arts & crafts and reading. I read a lot as a kid and worked at a library. I started really doing nail art and painting my nails in middle school and high school. I got Klutz Nail Art Book as a gift when I was a pre-teen and basically never looked back. Floss Gloss was born out of necessity. Aretha and I didn’t have a brand that we really felt was speaking to us and to who we were as consumers. We took about a year and wrote a full business prospectus, pitched investors, got money and found excellent manufacturing. We took a big leap and are still going!
on the production of floss gloss
Aretha mixes up a bottle of color we both love and we send it to our factory, they send back a matching sample, we approve or disapprove and either re sample or go into production. We have caps, bottles and brushes already at our factory and within 6-8 weeks with sampling we have a new baby! This process can be very challenging because everyone sees color a little differently.
““Art class was my favorite and I was in a fine art program at my high school in Connecticut that challenged me to get into art school. I love to paint, sew and create.””
on her inspiration
I paint on 10 tiny canvases these days. But my biggest art influences have always been Matisse, Guagain, Leroy Neiman - color! As for fashion I love fashion history, but in college and still to this day I’m inspired by eastern designers Isse Miyake, Rei Kowakabo and Junya Wantanabe with some American sportswear idols like Geoffrey Beene and Liz Claiborne.
on her beauty and skincare routine
My everyday routine is pretty basic! Lately I’ve been really into the Naked 3 pallet by Urban Decay and the Pro Paint Pots by Mac. Mascara and I’m out! But always moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! I always look at the ingredients in products. And of course sometimes I like to experiment with beauty, because I like art and painting and essentially it’s all the same vibe. I went through a very long glitter eyeliner phase in 2014. If I have a redder blemish on my face, I get a few drops of OpCon eyedrops onto a q-tip and apply it to the redness. It reduces redness of the eyes and basically does the same thing to the skin. Not sure how- but it does! I also run my eyelash curler under hot water before curling my lashes like a heat perm! I would also recommend: the MAC eyebrow pencil, Shea Moisture lotion, tea tree oil, coconut oil, Purlisse moisturizer, Batiste dry shampoo, and Davines nourishing conditioner.
on her favorite books
I’m obsessed with anything true crime right now. But specifically Ann Rule. I’ve read 3 of her books this year! She is an incredible story teller and nobody really has time for fiction. I need the truth! I also have a lot of art books. I Wonder is just stunning to look at. Mexican Art and anything ancient is super fascinating to me. If I wasn’t in the arts I’d probably be in sociology or anthropology. The Book of the Hand is about palm reading and your life thru your hands. Because its essentially my business I am really into anything related to hands and nails! I would also recommend : And Never Let Her Go by Ann Rule.
Top, DKNY ; Skirt, Express
Janine's favorite makeup products
Nail polishes from Floss Gloss
Top, Soffee ; Pants, Vintage ; Shoes, Modern Vice ; Bag, Echo Club House ; Sunglasses, Ray-Bans
janine’s favorite places in nyc
The AP Cafe/Wyckoff Star for espresso
Northeast Kingdom for dinner or brunch
The Keep for a cocktail and a free* Tarot card reading (*with tip-- totally worth it!)
Urban Jungle for vintage. They have great prices and huge selection if you like to dig and independent boutiques on Knickerbocker!
janine’s favorite floss gloss colors
Right now I’m really feeling these babies: The Pink Nugget, Smoke on the Nail, Dinge (always), Lavish and Honey!
Meet Leta Sobierajski
Leta is a multidisciplinary designer and art director based in New York City. She combines traditional graphic design elements with photography, art, and styling to create unique visuals. Her client list includes Bloomberg, Google, IBM, Kiehl’s, Refinery 29, Tate Modern, and more.
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Meet Janelle Anne
in Copywriter
“Hello” is tattooed on her arm if she ever has laryngitis when you meet. If not, you’ll probably talk about her transition from writing for Opening Ceremony to writing for BBDO—and how the latter is not a lot of writing at all. She’ll likely also mention her unexplained obsession with boxes, lipstick packaging, and French 75’s.
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