L U X U R L U X D R E A M E R S
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A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 I S S U E N O . 3
HOW TO PREPARE FOR AND ATTEND FASHION WEEK AN INTERVIEW WITH JANA WILLIAMS, INTERNATIONAL FINE ART WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
AN INTERVIEW WITH VIOLETA MEYNERS, L.A. BASED PHOTOGRAPHER & MAKEUP ARTIST
McKenzie Foster TOP TIER NYC REAL ESTATE BROKER & RESTAURANTEUR
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A C H I E V E R S
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LIVE FOR THE MOMENTS THAT YOU CAN'T PUT INTO WORDS
EDITOR'S NOTE
Angela Brickley FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @LUVANGELAMARIE
Welcome to the August issue of Luxur Lux, a monthly fashion, influencers and young female entrepreneurs magazine, which is offered in digital and print. This is for readers that would like to get the latest fashion trends, business tips to local influencers and female entrepreneurs sharing their journeys to a successful business. What you will get out of this issue is a diverse group of young female entrepreneurs from all realms of the industry telling their girl boss stories on how they built their businesses from nothing and now they are all successful. We also share a few tips on how to attend fashion week. Thank you in advance for flipping through the pages of our August issue. I would like to invite you to stay with us and join a positive women's movement that is all about supporting and inspiring each other. INSTA: @luxurluxmag
Angela Brickley
Founder & Editor-in-Chief Angela Brickley Editorial Assistant Moni Demaris Editorial Intern Lori Granded
EDITORIAL CONTACT INFORMATION Luxur Lux is published monthly For advertising please email | info@luxurluxmag.com
www.luxurluxmag.com
Inside YOUR GUIDE TO ISSUE NO.3
14 McKenzie Foster Shares her inspiring story on how she started her real estate business at a young age and added restauranteur to her resume.
27 Blogger/Influencer Spotlight: Cynthia Godslaw
35 Jana Williams Jana shares her story of being inspired by telling other people's story through her camera lens.
39 Violeta Meyners Shares her story of when she arrived in the U.S. with less than five hundred in pocket and now she runs a successful photography and makeup artistry business.
TRAVELING LEAVES YOU SPEECHLESS THEN TURNES YOU INTO A STORYTELLER.
Dresses for the Summer
So make sure that you have some floral prints in your wardrobe.
@vivaluxury
READT TO WEAR ZIMMERMAN
UNBRIDLED ELIXIR SILK MINI $1600
Floral Dresses The Australian designers wanted to design floral patterns, rendered in a sophisticated tonal scale of natural, chic shades, added to the feminine appeal of the collection, The Victorian style and a eighties's vibe were combined into a beautiful collections, ranging from delicate romanticism to chic city functionality.
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WHERE TO GO s e s s e THISrSUMMER Dr
Shee
Sheer, skin revealing fabrics were shown all along the runway for 2018. Don’t shy away from sheer! This look can be made classy when styled right. With a little bit of skin coming through, this fabric is perfect for those hot days while still looking chic.
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Bright Saturated Hues Dresses "Stand out in a bright, bold dress, mix up different brights by color-blocking, or wear a bright shoe to spice up an outfit!" While millennial pink was a popular pick in 2017, the preferred spring and summer 2018 palette is bright, saturated hues, either monochromatically or color blocked.
@colormecourtney
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Polka Dot Dresses Designers, like Valentino, changed it up and showcased bright multi-colored and white polka-dot dresses, but remained true to the classic print with the small scale.
@vivaluxury @ciprianaquann @oliviaculpo Page 10
Pastel Dresses "Spring pastels and dusty rose is soft and has a romantic feeling."
@yarashahidi
@songofstyle
@shionat
If wearing bright colors are out of your comfort zone, but you still want to make a statement, try pastels! Colors like lilac, blush pink, pale yellow or blue are everywhere this season! Page 11
s e s s re D n i t Sa
@garypepper
@micahgeanelli Page 12
Satin was the dominant fabric down the runway shows for two great reasons. First, its sheen instantly elevates any silhouette; second, its inherent fluidity and lightness makes it comfortable to wear all night long."
WORK HARD RIGHT NOW SO THAT YOU CAN WORK FROM ANY DESTINATION IN THE FUTURE Page 13
McKenzie Foster A TOP TIER NYC REAL ESTATE BROKER AND RESTAURANTEUR By Moni Demaris
Photographed by HB Media
When did you start your businesses and tell us the story behind your brands? I would like to think I started my business when I was 4 years old and began training for the Olympics as a gymnast. This set the tone for my life as a competitor, builder, and a dreamer. I then began working in real estate at the age of 15 after over a decade of competitive gymnastics. All I wanted to do was sell historic homes, which is why I got involved in real estate. I closed my first two deals between the ages of 15 and 17 years old and got my license at 18! I now work at Compass and my real estate brand is about selling historic properties and providing my clients an elegant and sophisticated approach to selling real estate.
"MY REAL ESTATE BRAND IS ABOUT SELLING HISTORIC PROPERTIES AND PROVIDING MY CLIENTS AN ELEGANT AND SOPHISTICATED APPROACH TO SELLING REAL ESTATE."
Given my love for New York City history, I felt compelled to respond to the shuttering of so many cultural institutions throughout Manhattan and that’s when FryGuys was created. Beyond its colorful and whimsical nature, FryGuys is really about highlighting an incredible era of New York’s history. FryGuys truly captures the 1960s-1990’s, which was when the city really transformed into the electrifying cultural metropolis that it is now. Through black and white photographs, vinyl records, magazine covers, and clippings, disco balls, and music, FryGuys delivers a lost era of New York City through the power of potatoes.
Who or what inspires you to chase your dreams? When I was a little girl, I was chosen by Jane Feldman of Random House Publishing to be the subject of their Young Dreamers series. They wrote two books about my dreams to become an Olympic Gymnast, which I think really set me on a lifelong path of dreaming big and working even harder. What inspires me most is the idea that the sky’s the limit, and that I have all of the talents in the world to achieve my dreams to their fullest extent.
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Why did you decide to start your businesses? I decided to start my businesses because I felt that I was not exercising enough of my talent and maximizing my potential, and the saddest thing in life is wasted talent!
What is your dream-level goal for your businesses? I would like to be the top real estate agent in Manhattan and have a franchise of FryGuys’ internationally!
What does your current business model look like? Right now, because we are so new, it’s very hands on. My current role at FryGuys varies from owner, manager, HR, payroll, and more. As we expand and learn more about our businesses needs we can shift our model accordingly. Talk us through what your typical day looks like. I wake up at 7:00 AM and keep myself on a pretty tight schedule throughout the day. The morning is for relaxing, however, I sometimes play with my Shiba Inu Winter and watch Sex in the City for inspiration. Maybe I’ll get a work out in, but if not, it’s okay! I get to Compass around 9:00 AM and focus on my real estate business which includes showings, client meetings, marketing, and networking. I take small increments of the afternoon hours to build and expand FryGuys. Around 6:00 PM I fully transition into restaurant mode, which is very busy these days with the opening of our summer location in Bushwick.
I check into both locations, work with the staff to improve and perfect our products, continue to design and add color to the store, invite food bloggers and others to dine at our restaurant, run our Instagram and media, problem solve on the administrative side, and interact with customers and think of new dishes for the menu. No matter where I am in the city, I love to walk home, there’s something so magical about strolling home and looking up at different buildings and the skyline. What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out? I think the best advice I can give is to get ready to be tough! Owning a business, let alone two, is mentally, emotionally and physically challenging. There are so many instances where I’ve felt defeated, which is not an easy or a familiar place for me, but everything does get easier over time if you stick with it! What’s next for your businesses? I started the McKenzie Foster Team at Compass, so I am continuing to hire agents and expand our client services and reach. On the restaurant side, we would like to open another retail location and are exploring our options. Where can people find you? Instagram: @mckenzie_foster
DAINTY JEWELRY IS SO IN OUTFIT OF THE DAY
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1. Gorjana - Jagger Adjustable Charm Necklace 2. Women's Kris Nations Zodiac Charm Necklace 3. Women's Baublebar Acrylic State Pendant Necklace 4. Women's Uncommon James By Kristin Cavallari Crescent Necklace 5. Flawless Large Cross Diamond & 14K Yellow Gold Pendant 6. Women's Bp. Heart & Crystal Layered Necklace
You can shop these trendy looks right at your fingertip by clicking on each photo. (only for digital) Page 20
HOW TO PREPARE FOR & ATTEND
FASHION WEEK Fashion Week happens 2 times per year, once in February and once in September. At these events, designers showcase their work for the upcoming seasons, giving fashion insiders a sneak peek before the designs are available for purchase. There are a few different options for attending fashion week and we are giving you the inside scoop!
ELIE SAAB
Model: Blanca Padilla Photo: Kim Weston Arnold / Indigital.tvÂ
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CHOOSE WHICH DESIGNERS AND EVENTS MOST INTEREST YOU
If you have specific designers in mind, check their schedule first to see if they have any events open to the public. To view designers' schedules, go to the New York Fashion Week website at https://cfda.com/fashion-calendar/importantdates/upcoming The website includes short description of the brand, what to expect from the event, and the date, time, and location for all events. This will help you to plan ahead!
REQUEST TICKETS BY SENDING AN EMAIL 2-3 MONTHS BEFORE FASHION WEEK.
Write a short email to request tickets to shows that you want to see. Explain that you are interested in attending the designer's show on a specific date and would like to request a ticket to their show.
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RSVP IN A TIMELY FASHION
Invites will normally arrive via email with a link to RSVP, so keep an eye on your inbox during the month before fashion week. Only RSVP ‘yes’ if you are sure that you will be able to make it to the show.
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sUMMER BAG TRENDS WE ALL LOVE
o o b bam
Bamboo Luna Bag $218.00
Cult Gaia Small Acrylic Ark Bag $300.00
Zaha Bamboo Bag $337.04
Stevie Top Zip Crossbody Bag $225.00
Kepi Round Crossbody $228.00
Mini Cupola Bamboo Bag $240.00
e g n i fr
Darren Fringe Messenger Bag $325.00
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Balenciaga - Bazar Fringed Striped Textured Tote $2190.00
Click each item to shop (only for digital)
BLOGGER INSPO HOW DOES SARA THE BLOGGER BEHIND COLLAGE VINTAGE WEAR DAINTY JEWELRY?
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BLOGGER/INFLUENCER SPOTLIGHT
CYNTHIA GODSLAW OF CYNBYCYN When did you start your business and tell us the story behind your brand? I created cynbycyn.com as a platform that provides young women with key techniques and philosophies to help upstart their career. I originally created this concept to deliver a specific goal in mind, and that is to inspire women to become a better version of themselves. I work really hard to ensure that I tie that mission into every content I publish, with belief that taking  this purposedriven approach is my unique way to help improve lives and become a mentor for younger women that struggles to find one.
Who or what inspires you to chase your dreams?
I wanted everything to happen for me now but I then realized that anything worth achieving takes a whole lot of time. If I want I understood the power of having a hands on it bad, I had to continuously make the mentor early on. I was initially introduced to decisions to stay humble and keep work entrepreneurship by watching my boyfriend hard for a long time. relentlessly building his company despite all 3. The most important lesson of all was of the obstacles he encountered. This is Failure. I learnt that failure is never really a where I learned a few key lessons: failure. I remember watching my boyfriend launch the first proof of concept for his 1. Dreams come true when you make business and I also remember watching zero SACRIFICES. This helped me understand customers come through the door. After how to invest  time, money, and personal several reiterations and a few years he comfort to make things happen. finally got a winner. Personally I would have 2. This next lesson was a difficult one for me, given up but watching him constantly push through serves as a reminder to keep I had to learn PATIENCE. pushing, take the learning experience and get better.
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Why did you decide to start your business? I saw a gap that I wanted to fill. The problem is that there are too many young women who are struggling to find their passion and career path. It dawned on me that women are very underserved for the proper development thats needed to be successful. Cynbycyn.com was built to bridge this gap. My aim was to create a community that provides resources for young women to continue to develop through personal and career growth. What is your dream-level goal for your business? My goal is to grow the cynbycyn.com community and eventually expand its platform to become a multi-faceted channel that allows young women entrepreneurs to connect and provide each other with key resources to thrive. What does your current business model look like? Its just a blog for now, but eventually I will add an online shop where people can shop products from partners and affiliates. Talk us through what your typical day looks like.
"My aim was to create a community that provides resources for young women to continue to develop through personal and career growth."
I currently work as account executive in the heart of silicon beach by day, and I am a creative blogger by night. I am also in between photo shoots building up my portfolio to kick off my ambitions in modeling. What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out? The best advice I can give is that fear is just an illusion. I spent a long time being afraid of letting my mom down and failing.I come from a Nigerian culture where excellence is expected which puts extreme pressure on me to succeed. Every day I am realizing that there is nothing to fear but fear itself.
What's next for your business? Im focusing on collaborations right now. Within the next few months I am looking to build relationships with partners, collaborators, and media outlets. Where can people find you? Website: cynbycyn.com Instagram: instagram.com/cyyn_city Twitter: twitter.com/cyyn_city Linkedln: linkedin.com/in/cynthiagodslaw/ Facebook: facebook.com/cynbycyn/ FUN THINGS ABOUT CYNTHIA! Coffee or Tea? Tea If you could have dinner with one celebrity who would it be? Oprah What is your favorite travel destination? I really enjoyed my most recent trip to Mexico. What is your favorite type of food? American What does your workspace look like, and what is one thing we would find on your desk everyday? My work space has a window view of beautiful Santa Monica. One thing you can find on my work desk, is my trophies and post-it reminders to work hard and remain humble.
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Sole Society Cassidy Duffel, $69.95 solesociety.com
Lace up Corset Dress, $117 revolve.com
Editors @nnekaj
PICKS
The best time to travel is the summer time! The month of August and September is when traveling is at it's highest. Summer is a great time to travel - except for the crowds and high temperatures. For the best summer vacation with sunny weather, long days and exuberant nightlife head to Europe.
6 Chanel Pearls & Calfskin Mules, $1150 Chanel.com
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Marisa Pendant Necklace in White Diamond and 14k Rose Gold, $400 KendraScott.com
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3 Astor Drop Earring, $31.20 HenriBendel.com
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Mini Johnny Leather Bucket Bag, $380 Nordstrom.com
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Body Blur $45.00 ulta.com
Ouai Sun of a Beach Ombre Spray $24.00 sephora.com
3 Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask $48.00 sephora.com
6 African Botanics Revitalizing Therapy Gel $65.00 bloomingdale.com
TOP BEAUTY PICKS 4
"Add a few products into your regimen to help soothe your skin in that hot summer heat!"
5 MILK MAKEUP Cooling Water $24.00 sephora.com
La Vie en Rose Face Roller $65.00 saksfifthavenue.com
JANA WILLIAMS INTERNATIONAL FINE ART WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
W
hen did you start your business(s) and tell us the story behind your brand(s)?
There was a time in my life where I was serving 2 for 1 drinks at Cabo Cantina on the Sunset strip and I felt lost. I knew I was destined for more than taking orders and scraping plates. Then one day I picked up a camera, looked through the lens and was given a whole new perspective on my life, I had the control. There were nights when I stayed up all night, diving deep into the depths of the internet to learn more about DSLRs, photography and editing. Days when I spent all day assisting photographers and taking photos of people and products for free to build up my pro-folio. All of the struggles and free labor was worth it because it lead me to shooting my first wedding in 2011 and after that I was hooked.
Who or what inspires you to chase your dreams? I have always been inspired by telling people's story through my lens. Capturing other's best moments are what I live for! Why did you decide to start your business? I wanted to be able to pursue my creative vision and showcase my love and passion through my work.
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I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INSPIRED BY TELLING PEOPLE'S STORY THROUGH MY LENS. CAPTURING OTHER'S BEST MOMENTS ARE WHAT I LIVE FOR! What is your dream-level goal for your business?
Talk us through what your typical day looks like.
I would say that my dream-level goal for my photography would be for me to be able to do more traveling and capture more images for bridal editorials.
My daily grind is waking up, meditating, journaling and exercising. After, I'm done with my morning routine, I get straight to work! I'm answering emails, addressing my couples needs, suggesting other vendors and then I'm out shooting. On somedays, I head out to my favorite locations to capture beautiful engagement shots or lifestyle photos for bloggers.
What does your current business model look like? My current business model is myself as the primary photographer but I also have such an amazing, talented staff! I have associate shooters, an editor, social media manager and a YouTube videographer team!
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out? That dream you’re chasing after... isn’t a dream. It’s your PLAN! We always lay out what our dream job or dream life would be composed of, but what if it’s just our plan instead? Take the leap, you got this!
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What's next for your business?
A FEW FUN FACTS ABOUT JANA
There is going to be more traveling, beautiful weddings and exciting projects coming up!.Â
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Where can people find you?
If you could have dinner with one celebrity who would it be? Oprah
Website: janawilliamsphotographyblog.com/ Instagram: @janawilliamsphotos_ YouTube: janawilliams07Â
What is your favorite travel destination? Santorini, Greece What is your favorite type of food? That really cheap box cake from your local grocery store. What does your workspace look like, and what is one thing we would find on your desk everyday? I work from home, so it's homey and cute with a palm tree and a flamingo wallpaper! I usually always have essential oils on my desk!
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WHAT IS THE KEY TO FINDING YOUR TRUE PASSION IN LIFE By: Moni Demaris
1. Find out what you enjoy doing 2. Decide if your hobby can be turned into a business 3. Love everything you do and find ways to stay refreshed and excited 4. Focus on what you keep gravitating towards 5. Quit talking and start doing Page 34
SOUTH MIAMI 6907 Red Road, Coral Gables, 33143
Photographed by: Adam Hendershott Who or what inspires you to chase your dreams? My 10 year old son! His enthusiasm for life, his positive energy, and his: "you got this mom" attitude pushes me to extremes I've never thought I could reach! Why did you decide to start your business? Makeup and photography allows me to teach and empower in an artistic way. Helping women own and celebrate their beauty and worthiness is what lights me up. If I can be that permission granted in your life that whispers: “ you got this” while the rest of the world is provoking doubt, then I’ll consider my job done.
Violeta Meyners PHOTOGRAPHER & MAKEUP ARTIST When did you start your business and tell us the story behind your brand? I didn’t always have this business; the clients, the beauty business, and the dreamy ocean locations. In contrast to the amazing life I have now, I came from next to nothing. I arrived in the U.S. in 2002 with less than five hundred in my pocket with no family or friends—just my Romanian fire within my soul, big dreams, and a burning desire to turn them into reality. On my quest to accomplish my dreams, I did whatever it took. I worked four jobs while going to school—walking to work and school because I didn’t have a car, and I ate for nearly $1.25/day. Five years ago, after freelancing as a makeup artist for a decade, I considered how my approach to makeup artistry made women feel effortlessly beautiful, fresh, and empowered—and what better way to capture it all than by co-creating images that radiate your bright, feminine essence?
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Photographed by: Patrick Pindiur.
"HELPING WOMEN OWN AND CELEBRATE THEIR BEAUTY AND WORTHINESS IS WHAT LIGHTS ME UP." What is your dream-level goal for your business?
Talk us through what your typical day looks like.
I love photographing natural beauty and my makeup artistry speaks that! Natural glow from within! So beauty campaigns are in my future. Hey, Neutrogena, I am available and ready to shoot!
As a single mom my day starts very early! Five am the alarm goes off! I take a little bit of time to myself before my son wakes up: brew my coffee, meditate, plan for the day then get started. Breakfast and lunch prep for my son, dropping him to school and most of the days that's followed by a photoshoot in my home studio. Editing, homework with my kiddo and taking him to his acting auditions occupy most of my afternoon, ending with cooking dinner together.
What does your current business model look like? I do it all: from promoting my business and continuously updating my work on my website and social media to booking the clients, sending out the call sheet, doing my client's makeup for the shoot, photographing them and delivering their session upon post production work. I think it's safe to say it is time for an assistant!
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out? Just start! Where you are, with what you have. I started shooting with an old T3I camera, and worked my way up. And most of all: shoot, shoot shoot! Take your camera with you and practice, capture what you love. Believe in yourself and all that you are! You got this!
What's next for your business?
A FEW FUN FACTS ABOUT VIOLETA
A white, larger studio space. I currently built and shoot out of my home studio, a beautiful space but the need to separate the two has been stronger as my clientele has grown and developed
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Where can people find you? www.violetameyners.com IG: @violetartistry FB: violetartistry YouTube: Violetartistry
If you could have dinner with one celebrity who would it be? Jennifer Lawrence What is your favorite travel destination? Paris - I haven't been yet but I know it's my favorite!
Photographed by: Patrick Pindiur.
Photographed by: Adam Hendershott
What is your favorite type of food? Sushi! All day, every day! and bread! My middle name is "Carb Monster" What does your workspace look like, and what is one thing we would find on your desk everyday? Very clean and organized! I cannot work otherwise. A picture f my son and a picture of myself when I was 2 years old to remind me how far this little girl came!
624 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
FASHION WEEK CALENDAR Luxur Lux will be in attendance covering the latest trends that will be featured in our October issue.
Click each image to view each fashion week schedule (only for digital)
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Visit luxurlux.com to begin enjoying the August issue today for only 7.99! Available on iPad, iPhone, Kindle through the Issuu app. www.luxurluxmag.com For advertising: info@luxurluxmag.com Page 42
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