kathy ireland® FW/ 20/21

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Contents Cover Story pg 7 Give Back pg 8 Non-Profit Support Ideas for the Holidays.

Millenium Development Goals pg 10 Her-Story pg 14 Elizabeth Taylor’s Hawaiian Home Timeline pg 24 kathy ireland® Worldwide, Through the Years.

Top 150 Licensors pg 28 Play Like A Girl pg 30 Women in Sports; Sarah Fuller and Serena Williams Boutiful Bloom pg 40 Adding to Your Holiday Festivities 8 Tips for Virtual Buying pg 43 Leading Dr. Last Message of 2020 pg47

Holiday Messages from Kathy pg 108 Protect Your family and Your Money pg 49 Luxury Leather and Why pg 50 The Power of Place pg 60

Emily Ratajkowski pg 76 Fall Flashback pg 122 Janet Jackson Into The Jungle pg 88 Prequel Novella of Fashion Sunday Dinner pg 124 Jungle Winter’s Cozy Comforts Meghan Markle & Prince Harry pg 104 Where are they now?

kathy ireland® Weddings & Friday Night Recipe Resorts pg 106 pg 62 Chocolate Chipotle Brownies and Martinis!

Holiday Messages from Kathy pg 108 Artist in Residence pg 66 Your Best Bow Forward Diamonds pg.72 pg 112 Wrapping with Bows Ashley Graham pg 74 Christmas Entertainment pg 114 Cover Story pg 6 What to Watch this Season Image Courtesy of Jon Carrasco

A Touch of Nature pg 129 Media pg130 COVID-19 Winter in NYC pg160 Over My Shoulder pg 162 The Eye of the Storm In Memoriam pg. 166

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KATHLEEN MARIE IRELAND FOUNDER and EDITORIAL DIRECTOR WORLDWIDE CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND EDITOR AT LARGE JON CARRASCO PRESIDENT AND CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER STEPHEN ROSEBERRY EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT STEVE ROSENBLUM VP FASHION AND FINE JEWELRY ROCCO INGEMI VP, PRODUCER AND CERTIFIED SOUND EXPERT NIC MENDOZA VP AND MIVI FASHION EDITOR TOMMY MEHAREY VP TEAM OPERATIONS LARRY CHILDERS VP FINANCE ZULMA PONCE VP CONTENT/BROADCASTING/SPORTS STEVE GLICK CIO AND MANAGING EDITOR BRITTANY DUNCAN DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND OUTREACH BRIAN NGUYEN ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS ADRIAN PONCE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE BECCA CHILDERS CONTRIBUTING EDITOR NATALIE RAPS CHEF/BRAND AMBASSADOR SUNDAY DINNER/FRIDAY NIGHT EDITOR ANDRÉ CARTHEN LANDSCAPE DESIGNER- BRAND AMBASSADOR- JARDIN NICHOLAS WALKER PRODUCTION NOAH CHILDERS PRODUCTION ERIK IRELAND-OLSEN PRODUCTION BETHANY IRELAND-OLSEN CHIEF ARCHIVIST AND CURATOR BARBARA IRELAND ADMINISTRATOR DEE STERLING PUBLIC RELATIONS RONA MENASHE and VP & EA TO MR. CARRASCO AND MR. ROSEBERRY & ASSOCIATE EDITOR & POET IN RESIDENCE RUBÉN TORRES

CONTACT LICENSING: LARRY CHILDERS

PUBLIC RELATIONS: RONA MENASHE

lchilders@kathyireland.com

rona@guttmanpr.com

MARKETING: BRIAN NGUYEN

bnguyen@kathyireland.com

OTHER VENTURES: TOMMY MEHAREY,

tmeharey@kathyireland.com

kathy ireland® Worldwide P.O. Box 1410 Rancho Mirage, Ca kathyireland@kathyireland.com 12

BOARD MEMBER

MICHAELAMINI.COM

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Villa Elizabeth: Image Courtesy of Jon Carrasco 14

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Villa Elizabeth: Image Courtesy of Jon Carrasco 17

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Villa Elizabeth: Image Courtesy of Jon Carrasco 19

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Kathy Ireland and Elizabeth Taylor Image Courtesy of Jon Carrasco 21

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Villa Elizabeth: Image Courtesy of Jon Carrasco 23

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Images Courtesy of Jon Carrasco

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Global License names kiWW #26 of Top 150 Global Licensors of 2020 ®

The global 2019 media and licensing landscape—even prior to the emergence of the COVID 19 pandemic and accompanying challenges subsequent of circumstance—was already in flux, revealing dominant trends of major mergers and acquisitions of licensed merchandise across leading brands resulting in the creation of powerhouse ownerships, mass media conglomerates and the exponential rise of business subsidiaries, products, and properties, a tremendous change and transformation beyond retail and licensing revenue.

The Walt Disney Company, the worlds #1 largest licensor and leading diversified family entertainment and media enterprise, brings an array of innovative products & experiences to life, with new consumer initiatives and planned content garnering an estimated 54.7B. The global lifestyle brand best known for Hello Kitty, Sanrio, features an expansive breadth of content, naming the growing portfolio of licensed products and enhanced retail programs #10 with an estimate of 4.4B. Similar in strategy, Bluestar Alliance company, with international and domestic distribution derived from an extensive and comprehensive lifestyle licensing strategy that includes cross product classifications celebrates prestigious and recognized brands such as Elie Tahari, Catherine Malandrino, Limited Too, ranking #15 with an estimate of 3.5B. Sequential Brands Groups retail sales of licensed products reached 3B, with its brand expansion focused both on new partnerships and categories, such as the growth of the Jessica Simpson brand into beauty and haircare accessories ranking #25.

Contemporary collaborations are strategic expansive brand marketing initiations that successfully elevate brand awareness, creating cross industry partnerships driven by innovation and consumerism that simultaneously increase a brands market share footprint.

In today’s discussions of social action, justice, equality, and empowerment of women, advocate Kathy Ireland, without a doubt, epitomizes what it means to be successful. Long before stars and celebrities began to leverage marketability, Kathy, founder and chief designer of her empire kathy ireland® Worldwide, has always been privy to the entrepreneurial spirit, capitalizing on the innovation and dedication required to create a profitable and self-made career.

Since its creation in 1993, Kathy’s licensed empire currently at #26—an expansive corporation speaking directly to her style, taste, and business ethics—continues to enjoy substantial growth in 2019 product categories, offering more than 17,000 products of branded merchandise garnering more than 2.6B. Remarkable expansion at retail includes Global Kitchen Concepts kathy ireland®, Firefly Store Solutions, and Kathleen Marie New York Nourison.

By identifying collaborative partnership opportunities, kiWW® consistently receives accolades from a myriad of publications; strategically extending licensees and distributors into new markets and channels of distribution, kathy ireland® Worldwide maintains ranks amongst the top 50 global licensing brands, earning a personal fortune of over 420m in merely two decades

was the 2016 “Supermodel to Supermogul” Forbes cover story naming Kathy, #33 amongst the first ranking of America’s top 50 most successful self-made women alongside feminine icons such as Oprah and Sheryl Sanburg—the first women to serve on the director board of Facebook—that caught the attention of us “millennials” and really put Kathy on the map from both an entrepreneurial perspective and advocate for the empowerment of woman.

Effortlessly gracing the front page of publication cover after cover, what resonates with the millennial generation, particularly young women today, is not the 1981 VOGUE Italiá fashion magazine covers photographed by Peter Lindburg, but rather the luxury Kathleen Marie Italiá Digio collection—the recent global partnership with Digio leather featuring a bespoke collaboration of incredibly designed modern furniture with European flair and elegance—and Kathy Ireland Home x Bush, the first female owned and designed office furniture brand which upended, disrupted, and redefined the industry.

In 2019, Kathy joined the WNBPA’s Board of Advocates and the NFL Players, Inc.’s Board of Directors as the first woman on the board of both the NFL and WNBA, via its licensing and marketing arm NFL Players Inc., is one of the largest and most influential licensors in the world, representing exclusive group licensing rights.

Kathy is the female spokesperson and brand ambassador for American Family Insurance, motivating us to pursue our dreams realizing them as opportunities by supporting and empowering women everywhere; A role model, an inspiration, and an ever-savvy businesswoman, the former Super Model turned licensing mogul has, and continues to stay increasingly relevant, catching the eye of just about anyone but ever more so those millennials that are inspired by Kathy’s successful self-made entrepreneurial spirit. Emily Ratajkowski, who launched swimwear label Inamorata in 2017, is greatly inspired by Kathy Ireland’s success in the business world and has since expanded the brand to include clothing, lingerie, and sleepwear. Ashley Graham often talks about Kathy as a role model for her business and brand, crediting the mogul with the inspiration to make your own success Repeatedly listed as one of the biggest flourishing licensors inspires us rethink, and, perhaps even redefine our own contemporary measures of success as our own personal self-advocates. As a young woman with a budding business of my own, I would argue that many have and continue to be encouraged by Kathy daily—granted, I do have both a personal and professional relationship with Kathy and am honored to be a luxury consultant and curator of special collections for kathy ireland® Worldwide—however it is the independence as a self-made entrepreneurial business woman whose continued growth of kiWW® and philanthropic ethos, paired with grace and humility of building a business with character and ethos is, simply put, aspirational beyond words.

The innovative design and development of kiWW® places Kathy as the first, and only, female led owned and created, chief design and licensing arbiter, the only individual (highest than any individual and other woman) amongst License Global magazine’s top 150 media giants and conglomerates with mega merger and acquisitions…lookAn internationally famous fashion supermodel, Kathy appeared in ing forward, what’s next—will Kathy disrupt the industry and break 13 consecutive issues of the highly celebrated Sports Illustrated swim- new grounds as the first to bring her own insurance brand to market? suit magazine; in fact, the 25th anniversary edition in 1989 featuring We’ll have to wait and see!

Kathy on the cover has— and continues to be—the highest-selling

by Natalie Raps and most profitable Sports Illustrated cover of all time; however, it

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Kathy Ireland Photo by Nikon Ambassador Dixie Dixon Courtesy of Jon Carrasco 29

PLAY LIKE

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GIRL 31

Lucy Draper played by Kathy Ireland in “Necessary Roughness”. 1991. Photo: Fusion Movies

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“Congratulations to Sarah Fuller and the Vanderbilt Commodores. So powerful to see something that happened on film in Necessary Roughness, many, many years ago become a reality for this brilliant, superb athlete.�

Kathy Ireland as Lucy Draper in Necessary Roughness.

Image: IMDB

-Ireland said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

Below Image: Paramount/PhotoFest 'Necessary Roughness' (1991).

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Photo: @The Portal to Texas History Description: Photograph of Kathy Ireland filming “Necessary Roughness.”

Kathy Ireland is acting as the character Lucy Draper, the kicker for the Armadillos. Ireland is standing on the movie set in her football uniform and smiling for her portrait to be taken, film crew and film sets are visible behind her.

UNT’s buildings and football field served as the backdrop for the 1991 football comedy film Necessary Roughness. The University was compensated $65,000 for use of its facilities. In the movie, the fictional Texas State Armadillos follows a string of successful seasons with a host of NCAA violations.

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Casey Schwab, Kathy Ireland, Steve Scabelo Image Courtesy of Jon Carrasco

Ireland, founder of kathy ireland® Worldwide (kiWW®), one of the world’s most powerful brands, has been on the cover of Forbes twice (2012, 2016) and is one of the most influential women in licensing and fashion. kiWW generates billions in sales and Kathy’s addition to the NFL Players, Inc. board will help NFL players exceed their revenue objectives through marketing and licensing.

In addition to her success in the board room, Kathy and kiWW® support many non-profits including serving as an Ambassador for the YWCA Greater Los Angeles, and as an Ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, the Dream Foundation, Providence Educational Foundation, 911 for Kids/ AEFK and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Kathy is a strong advocate and supporter of the fight to end human trafficking in the U.S. and around the globe.

“We are thrilled to have someone like Kathy Ireland join our board,” said NFLPA Executive Director and Chairman of NFL Players, Inc. DeMaurice Smith.

“Kathy Ireland’s experience in leveraging her early career in the fashion industry into an iconic licensing business empire with kiWW® will be invaluable to support the work of our players. The fact that her 36

family is rooted in unions with her father’s ties to California’s farmers is another reason why she is a natural fit.”

“I am delighted and honored to join the board of directors for NFL Players, Inc. and work with some of the world’s best athletes,” says Ms. Ireland. “My company’s experience in entrepreneurialism and licensing we believe, will be very helpful to the board and our players. Without question, the NFLPA is a legendary organization that offers opportunities to players at every level. It is our responsibility to protect these extraordinary athletes and to expand their earning potential while on the field and after it. Too often, the licensing industry has focused on an athlete during their playing career. This is a great loss. As we leverage all of our relationships in retail, entertainment, technology, and finance, we believe the opportunities for NFLPA life members are greater in 2019 than ever before. Being prepared for life off the field is not that different than the career of a model when the catwalk and covers end. We will work together as a board to generate a continuous stream of excitement as we move forward representing and protecting the rights of our players. We are one team!”

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Kathy Ireland Joins the WNBPA’s Newly-Formed Board of Advocates

WNBPA assembles its own “super team” with newly-formed Board of Advocates The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) is pleased to announce that it has formed its own Board of Advocates featuring a diverse group of paradigm-shifters and glass-ceiling breakers in business, politics, entertainment, media, and sport. Union leadership, specifically the WNBPA Executive Committee, identified each Board member to share their guidance and unique perspectives in support of the WNBPA’s efforts to create meaningful changes in the working conditions of the world-class athletes who play in the WNBA. “As the first labor union to represent women professional athletes, we are thrilled to announce our collaboration with the Board of Advocates,” said WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike. “The WNBPA’s rallying cry for us and working women around the world is “Bet on Women” – a 38

message reinforced and embodied by each member of the Board.”

“Through their professional careers and contributions to their communities, the Board’s members have proven, time and time again, that celebrating, supporting, and investing in women and girls is also an investment in families and communities, added Layshia Clarendon, First Vice President. “We know that when we “Bet on Women,” everyone wins.”

Established in 1998, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association is the first of its kind and longest running union for women athletes. The purpose of the WNBPA is to protect the rights of players and assist them in achieving their full potential on and off the court. The members of the WNBPA are phenomenal and accomplished athletes. Our union members play in the WNBA; and many play for and represent this country in World Championships and the Olympic Games. In order to make a living in the sport, they play in leagues overseas, too.

Kathy Ireland throwing the first pitch in Jackie Robinson jersey #42.

Image @kathyireland Twitter

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Bountiful Bloom

By Andre Carthen The Fall/Winter Months bring about an array of beautiful bountiful colors; deep, rich, heart-warming colors that reflect the changing of the seasons. As we celebrate and seek more healthy food choices by opting for organic Farm-to-Table produce, a plentiful harvest and the array of fall/winter florals allow us to Bring-TheOutdoors-In. Key flowers of fall are Chrysanthemums, Pansy, Sweet Alyssum, and Black-Eyed Susan’s. Giving way to the glorious metamorphosis of the warming colors of fall foliage. Hues of rich scarlets, amberglow (a radiant autumnal orange), burnt orange, golden marigold, sunflower yellow, deep plum purples and earth-tone browns, adding the savory flavors of pumpkins and squash, which not only provide numerous health benefits, and also (in raw form) inspirer stunning Autumn décor. What could be more symbolic of Thanksgiving than the bountiful cornucopia? The eye-catching center piece that goes hand-in-hand with Thanksgiving like pumpkin pie, roasted turkey, and cranberry sauce!

Likewise for winter into early spring, the season is kept alive in blood red, verdant green and winter white florals representing the traditional colors of Christmas.

Against the snowy white landscape of winter, blooms the bold Poinsettia. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, this bright RED flower that is sometimes called the Lobster and/or the flame-leaf flower and due to its blooming season coinciding with the Christmas 40

WARNING: Pointsettia’s are poisonous to cats and dogs.

holiday season is undoubtedly the ultimate Christmas Flower.

Adding to holiday décor in flora arrangements, frosted bulbs and fragrant center pieces are Paper Whites, Amaryllis, Pinecones and Holly. Forced Paper Whites and later Hyacinths are some of the easiest bulbs to grow and offer a big punch of fragrance and color.

Along with every-green, pinecones, wreaths, garland and a warm fire, the holidays have always been a time for families and friends to come together, and although it may be virtual gathering the symbols, the food and the memories are what we hold most dear.

As nature prepares for the newest and growth of spring, so shall we.

Early signs of spring come to life in Hyacinths, with its fragrance bright colors of purple, white, yellow and pink, Daffodils which seem to grow wild in unexpected places and in the traditional flowers of Tulips and Lilies. Wishing all growth and prosperity in 2021.

Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, this bright RED flower that is sometimes called the Lobster and/ or the flame-leaf flower and due to its blooming season coinciding with the Christmas season.

Kathy Ireland Image Courtesy of Jon Carrasco

Kathy Ireland Image Courtesy of Jon Carrasco 41

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8 Tips for Virtual Home Shopping Tips

by Michele Lerner

Image: YH1S

Whether you plan to purchase a property sight unseen or want to narrow the list of properties you’ll visit in person to save time, a virtual tour can be a valuable tool. While virtual tours using 3D modeling and simple videos have been around for years, during the Covid-19 pandemic real estate agents and builders quickly increased their use of virtual visits while in-person tours were restricted by local jurisdictions or sellers. Now that everyone has become accustomed to “touring” homes with a tablet, computer or smartphone, industry experts anticipate virtual tours to become a routine part of many real estate transactions.

While many virtual tours can be found on home listings and builder websites, you can also ask a real estate agent or a new home sales consultant to take you on a live virtual tour via a video chat app such as Facetime or Google Duo or with a video call on Zoom or Skype.

To make the most of a virtual tour online, keep these tips in mind: 1 Know your budget before you start shopping. Get a loan preapproval from a lender so you know your maximum borrowing power and come up with your personal comfort level with your housing budget.

2 Be ready with your list of priorities. Virtual home buyers should have a written list of needs and wants that you can refer to during the tour. The list will remind you of what to look for during the virtual tour. You can always revise it as you tour more homes, too.

3 Take notes as you watch. If you plan to virtually tour numerous homes, it’s smart to take a few notes on what you like or dislike about each property toured to make it easier to compare them later. Virtual home buyers should carefully review notes to get a thorough understanding of each property.

4 Make a list of questions to ask an agent after the tour. Virtual tours can’t answer every question about a property and many deliberately skip past some of the essential parts of the house such as the furnace, water heater and storage space. Keep track of what you missed so you can follow up with an agent, order a home inspection if going

under contract on a property, or remember to inspect systems yourself during an in-person tour before closing.

If you’re taking a live video tour with an agent, you can also: 5 Request a floor plan. When a real estate agent tours a property via video it can be hard to get a good sense of the flow and size of rooms. Request a floor plan if available, as this may help you navigate the property virtually. You can also ask the agent to navigate according to the floor plan from room-to-room or in certain directions allowing you to view ceiling height, window and door locations and many other details during the tour.

6 Ask to check out the exterior. The agent may automatically start inside, but you should also ask to experience window views and to go outside to tour outdoor areas, patios, decks, etc., and request to see the property from the road and driveway entry to experience curb appeal.

7 Feel free to ask the agent to show you closets, utility rooms and storage areas. During a video tour, the agent may focus on the big things like the kitchen and great room. While it’s important to get a feel for the layout and those rooms, you also need to check on things you would see in person, such as closets for clothes and utilities, a basement or an attic. Ask to have more lights turned on if you need to see more.

8 Ask about neighborhood noise and the presence of home scents or odors. One thing you won’t pick up on during a virtual tour is whether the house smells musty or moldy, if there are pet or other odors, or whether there’s a noisy street or loud neighbors nearby.

Ask the agent to be your nose and ears.

Many homebuyers say they “just had a feeling” or they “fell in love” with a house the minute they walked in the door. That experience can be hard to replicate with a video tour, so many buyers choose to use these virtual tests to eliminate a few properties. But with some ingenuity and help from an agent, you can get a better feel for whether a property should be on the short list as your potential new home.

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Kathy Ireland Image Courtesy of Jon Carrasco

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mymedicalimages.com

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Our Philosophy Attune Health began with a single question: Could we harness the latest science in diverse fields like genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, and combine these precision sciences with advances in functional nutrition and lifestyle modification, using innovative technology? Our goal is to significantly improve the lives of people with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

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One of America’s leading Dr.’s on COVID: Last Message of 2020 Dear friends, 2020 has been a year to remember! As I get ready to ring out 2020 and look with great hope towards what 2021 can bring us, I have some personal observations to share with you.

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Having deep connections with friends and family is important to me. Even though I’v been close with my family, I never made time to meet up with my extended family.

That has now changed and we have family meetings through zoom, attended by family members all over the world. This has been great! My own family has seen a lot more of me, and I’ve been more engaged in the day to day world of my children. I will hold on to this in 2021 and beyond.

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I’ve never been more proud to be a doctor.

Seeing my colleagues in the medical profession rise up and volunteer to care for patients with COVID has been gratifying. Healthcare professionals of all stripes, races, ethnicities and religious callings have been working tirelessly to combat COVID and care for people in need.

Hats off to all the medical professionals all over the world!

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I’ve never been more proud to be a doctor.

Seeing my colleagues in the medical profession rise up and volunteer to care for patients with COVID has been gratifying. Healthcare professionals of all stripes, races, ethnicities and religious callings have been working tirelessly to combat COVID and care for people in need.

Hats off to all the medical professionals all over the world!

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I’ve never been more proud to be a doctor.

Seeing my colleagues in the medical profession rise up and volunteer to care for patients with COVID has been gratifying. Healthcare professionals of all stripes, races, ethnicities and religious callings have been working tirelessly to combat COVID and care for people in need.

Hats off to all the medical professionals all over the world!

My Best Wishes, Swamy Venuturupalli, MD AttuneHealth.com

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by Kathy Ireland

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Are you intrigued?

That’s what we thought.

Check back soon for details.

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Kathy Ireland Image Courtesy of Jon Carrasco 51

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KATHLEEN MARIE® ITALIA by L U X U R Y L E AT H E R F U R N I T U R E H A N D C R A F T E D & M A D E E X C L U S I V E LY I N I TA LY

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STONEfacade by CertainTeed

by Steve Kleber CERTAINTEED’S STONEFACADE™ PROVIDES THE LOOK AND PERFORMANCE OF NATURAL STONE The new STONEfaçade™ product by CertainTeed is a screw-in, mortar-free, stone veneer product with a dedicated, built-in rainscreen.

The construction experts at CertainTeed have combined material performance with leading design qualities and have developed an easy-to-install product that replicates the look and feel of real stone.

The engineering of CertainTeed STONEfaçade™ includes molding the product from natural, hand-picked stones, and blends the rugged beauty of popular ledgestone styles with modern performance features to ensure long-lasting beauty.

STONEfaçade™ offers and integrated rainscreen suitable for indoor and outdoor applications, and features the industry’s first fully-integrated 3/8” rainscreen, for outstanding moisture management and home protection. STONE façade features beveled perimeter edges for a more attractive appearance and comes in a variety of low-maintenance, nature-inspired colors.

The product comes in 8”x10”, 8”x14”, and 8”x24” panels for a wide variety of configurations and features a 20-year limited warranty.

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For more details, visit: www.certainteed.com

adt.com

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Destress in luxury with the kath outdoor seating set feature high-density resin material to en armrests coupled with extra thick aluminum fr 56

hy irelandÂŽ Homes & Gardens River Brook collection by Twin Star Home. This es a custom hand-woven, two-tone walnut colored wicker, which is crafted using nsure your seating set is built to withstand the elements. Gently sloped backs and k cushions provide both elegance and optimal comfort, while commercial grade rames ensure maximum durability. Available at Wayfair and other fine retailers. twinstarhome.com | kathyireland.com

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Thanksgiving with Vanessa W

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Williams and Family

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by: Barbara Ireland

A key to a happy home is maximizing the impact of our physical environment. For most moms, even if we work outside the home, our house or apartment is our primary “office.” For better and worse, it is the space that communicates how we’re feeling about ourselves and our lives. Never underestimate the power of place to either lift your spirits or take a toll on your emotional well-being. I urge you to step back and consider how your home is making you feel. Years of living in the same spot can have a numbing effect on your senses. You may not even realize that the atmosphere of your living space is making you tense, anxious, and depressed when it should be leaving you relaxed, at peace, encouraged, and happy.

You may sense that your physical surroundings are draining your energy but aren’t sure why. It could be that your furniture feels hemmed in and out of balance.

It’s possible that the colors on the walls, which once felt exciting and enlivened your decor, now appear outof-date, stuck in the past. If your life has changed, why haven’t your colors? Or are you overwhelmed by one of the most common culprits of all—clutter? With tons of clutter, you may not be able to even see the colors of your walls. Is your home filled with things you no longer want or need? Are you hoarding to compensate for or cover up some emotion? Are your tables and floors covered with toys, clothes, dishes, and unread

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magazines? These are signs that clutter is taking over your life. It’s easy to get weighed down by possessions.

In some cases, the desire to acquire becomes a disease.

People have closets and rooms full of things that weigh them down. If that’s your situation, don’t hesitate—it’s time to act. Attack your home one room at a time. As you come to each item, either put it to use or get rid of it. If it’s a ticket from a movie with your kids that evokes a special memory, put it in a “scrapbook to preserve the memory, design a Christmas craft with it, or throw it away. Learn to let go. As you do, you’ll rediscover the inviting home you once knew and loved.

I don’t mean that every item and scrap of paper in your home has to be out of sight. That’s certainly not the case in our home. My desk, which used to be my kitchen table, is covered with paperwork. You might call it a mess. Yet I know what each piece of paper is and where it goes. It’s an organized mess! So I’m not suggesting that your home has to pass a white-glove inspection. On the other hand, if your bedroom doorway is blocked by boxes of Christmas cards from people you haven’t talked to in ten years, it’s time to step in and “clutter bust.”

Clutter Bust!

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Becca Childers

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Kathy Ireland Wearing Vintage Valentino Gifted to Kathy by Elizabeth Taylor and Jewelry from Personal Collection and Gifts from Elizabeth Taylor Photo by Nikon Ambassador Dixie Dixon Courtesy of Jon Carrasco

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“Elizabeth always said, ‘Every girl needs big diamonds.’ We’ve been able to make that dream come true, and within reach of diamond clients around the world.

Our collection is handmade from the finest materials, by great artisans. The top quality diamonds, and the patented setting intensifies the natural beauty, radiance, and apparent size of each stone. The collection is 65 jewelry pieces, which include engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, bracelets, and pendants. Paul Raps New York and Yaron Turgeman of Taly Diamonds, are our partners in this incredible venture.” says Kathy Ireland® about the new diamond collaboration, DIAMONDS by kathy ireland®.

This red carpet evening offers an unprecedented glimpse of the Elizabeth Taylor and Kathy Ireland® relationship. Documented by exquisite treasures gifted to Kathy by Dame Elizabeth including a priceless oil painting of the icon, photographs of Dame Elizabeth and Kathy, jewels, couture fashion, and the Jean Herscholt Humanitarian Academy Award from the Elizabeth Taylor collection. For the event only, a display of KATHLEEN MARIE by Paul Raps New York, the prive, couture collection of multi-million dollar diamonds will be presented. This prestigious event will bring media and clients to your location, we will make a donation honoring your store, and your clients to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, and a matching donation to a non-profit organization in your community.

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Click HERE for Pretty Big Deal with Ashley Graham Episode with Kathy and Ireland and more. www.prettybigdealpodcast.com

Images Ashley Graham and Kathy Ireland @Pretty Big Deal Podcast

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S u rp r ise!

Kathy Ireland Surprises Ashley Graham at her “A New Model” book signing in Los Angeles.

Photo courtesy of Jon Carrasco

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Emily Ratajkowski and Kathy Ireland at The Daily Front Row’s Fashion Media Awards.

Image: Daily Front Row

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Kathy Ireland Presents Emily Ratajkowski with the Entreprenuer Award for her brand, Inamorata at Daily Front Row's Fashion Media Awards .

Kathy Ireland and Emily Ratajkowski: Image: The Daily Front Row

Did you know that Emily Ratajkowski aspires to be and is inspired by Kathy?

Emily Ratajkowsi @emrata on IGTV

Kathy Ireland introducing Emily Ratajskowsi as Entreprenuer of the year for Inamorata Woman, at The Daily Front Row’s Fashion Media Awards.

Image courtesy of Jon Carrasco

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The Daily Front Row’s Fashion Media Awards.

From left to right: Emily Ratajkowski, Kathy Ireland, Raissa Gerona, Halima Aden , Candace Swanepoel, Ashley Graham, and Indya Moore.

Photo courtesy of Jon Carrasco

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Kathy Ireland Photo by Nikon Ambassador Dixie Dixon Courtesy of Jon Carrasco

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KATHLEEN MARIE PAUL RAPS NEW YORK Diamonds are luxury gems at their finest in: Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat. Please contact paul@talydiamonds.com for more information.

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Kathy in New York wearing sapphire blue silk and pearlsfashionable in every season, including Fall & Winter.

pearl /perl/ noun 1. a hard, lustrous spherical mass, typically white or bluish-gray, formed within the shell of a pearl oyster or other bivalve mollusk and highly prized as a gem.

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ELIZABETH TAYLOR An Eternal Inspiration

Image from the collection of the Kathleen Marie Ireland Trust.

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One of these models will be murdered? Which one? find out in Fashion Jungle 87

Into the Jungle Fashion Jungle Prequel Novella

by Kathy Ireland and Rachel Van Dyken

Chapter One- Brittany

I tried to keep the tears in as the plane landed in New York, a city I’d only ever read about and seen on TV during the infamous New Years Eve ball drop.

And now it was going to be a temporary home for the summer.

Goodbye horses.

Friends.

Skateboarding.

The beach.

Our small farm in Southern California.

My Family.

Part of me understood why my mom had entered me into the modeling contest—I mean, I can’t totally blame her.

I did spend the last sixteen years like a barefoot bohemian circus performer, pre-ferring ocean sand to humans, and only doing my hair on Sundays when she didn’t want to have to spend twenty minutes picking straw out of it while the pastor spoke about being respectful of your parents.

I swear every single time the sermon leaned that way he would shoot me a linger-ing hopeless glance and continue.

Then again I think every teen probably felt that way in church, a bit squirmy in the hard pew like they were caught doing something wrong when they’d done nothing but right their entire lives.

And maybe that’s what had upset me the most.

I was a good kid—some might even say too good.

And there I was, New York.

My punishment.

A punishment every single friend I had would kill for. My mom honestly believed it would give me some much needed polishing while still safely exposing me to a world bigger than the one I grew up in. When 88

I’d told her I didn’t need any polishing, she’d tugged at my swimsuit only to see bits of sand fall to the ground so my argu-ment wasn’t necessarily sound.

I’d washed my hair, done the contest, and forgot all about it until we were con-tacted by one of New York’s premiere agencies.’

Weeks later they wired us money for airfare and the rest was history.

It was my first plane ride.

My first trip away from home.

And I couldn’t help the nerves that crashed over me as I grabbed my backpack and waited to get off the plane.

Someone from the agency was supposed to be waiting for me—otherwise my mom wouldn’t have let me get on the plane, and since it was a direct flight she trust-ed I’d be okay. I had my pink razor cell in my hand as I walked off the plane and to-wards the direction of baggage claim.

My first reaction?

Everything was bigger.

And everyone looked like they were in a hurry.

I bumped into about a thousand people before finally getting to baggage claim and seeing my name typed out on a piece of paper.

A chic woman with dark hair smiled bright in my direction and waved me over. “Brittany! I’m Marnie, from the JC agency. We’re so happy to have you this summer!”

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Later on I would realize it was my first clue that things weren’t always what they seemed to be, but the manners bred into me had me holding out my hand and shak-ing hers.

After all, she was an adult, and all my life it had been beat into me to find an adult if I needed help—so I just assumed they were all trustworthy.

Her hands felt cold and frail against my warm tan skin.

She released my hand quickly and then pulled out a small container of anti bacte-rial gel and rubbed it generously up past her wrists.

Okay?

“Now,” The scary smile was back as she dumped the gel back into her giant black handbag and turned towards the luggage. “Let’s get your things and I’ll explain how the works on the way to the apartments.”

“Apartments?” I found my voice.

Marnie’s right eye twitched as she tucked her straight black hair away from her face. I couldn’t tell how old she was, but she looked old enough to at least be an older sister figure? A mom? I frowned, she had no wrinkles. Her brown skin was absolutely flawless to the naked eye.

“Yes, dear,” She scrunched up her nose. “Where did you think you’d be staying? A hotel?”

“Well the brochure never really said…” Something lodged in my throat, a mixture of fear, disappointment, and nerves. “I guess I just assumed.”

“Never assume, not in New York.” She laughed like what she said was funny. A loud beeping had me colliding with her.

Marnies laugh instantly had my cheeks heating. “Oh you small town ones are al-ways so funny. It’s supposed to do that. Now, find which one’s yours and lets get out of here.”

Ten minutes later my noticed my simple black suitcase, grabbed it, and took a deep breath. “Alright, ready.”

Marnie looked behind me and then directly at me. “Is that it?”

“Should I have brought more?” I asked confused.

“No?” She gave her head a shake and put on dark glasses that were in direct con-trast to her red nails. “Nevermind, let’s go, I have a few meetings I need to get to, but your special so I wanted to be the one to meet you at the airport, after all I promised your mom.” She sounded terse. “A bit overprotective is she?”

I felt tears well in my eyes. “Yeah, a bit, but she just wants the best for me and she said this was a great opportunity—“ “—it is.” Marnie interrupted as I fought to keep up with her crazy high heeled place, she waved her hand in the air as we crossed the heavy traffic. “A lot of models don’t make it until the end of the summer, so you’ll need to work hard, keep your complaining to yourself

looked over goes towards the money the agency spent to get you here and to provide food and lodging, once you earn out the agency will take fifteen percent. Got it?”

“Yeah,” I was already exhausted. “Are the model apartments stocked with food? Or do I need to go out and—“ She burst out laughing.

What did I say?

“Oh honey, people in New York don’t cook, we eat out, and models, they don’t eat at all,” She eyed me up and down. “Actually, I think it would do you some good to lose a few pounds, if you need to take Chapter Two- Brittany up smoking so you don’t crave chicken nug-gets I’d get right on that, Traffic was crazy. theres always going to be a girl that’s skinnier, prettier, bet-ter—you And it seemed everyone was angry. don’t want them to have a leg up on you when you can easily change I saw a lot of middle fingers, shouting, and several times I closed my eyes imagin-ing a horrifying situation where I made the evening news what’s wrong in the first place.” less than two hours after ar-riving in New York all because our driver Did my own agent just call me fat?

How was I going to eat? ran another red light.

Mom had packed a few protein bars and I guess I still had my half Did people actually live in this chaos?

I shivered as the car pulled onto the freeway, I’d landed Newark since eaten sandwich from the plane that she’d sent with me so I didn’t have to buy any airport food. the flight was cheaper and I’d always been frugal, besides, the agency “Some girls measure what they eat, others just grab a dixie cup and fill fronted the money but that didn’t mean I actually did anything other it up five times a day with fruit or vegetables and that keeps them thin, than smile to earn it. just whatever works for you. I mean other than cocaine,” She laughed And something about that felt, weird. again, and then whispered under her breath. “Seriously though, if you Marnie was on the phone the instant we were in the car, and most of really want to start landing jobs, it wouldn’t be the worst thing that the time she talked in hushed tones until a yelling match erupted becould happen, am I right?” tween her and whatever un-fortunate person was on the other end.

I jumped a foot when she hung up the phone and swung her attention I gaped.

Was this real life? over to me. “Alright, so I’m sure you have loads of questions. I have your first test shoot scheduled for the morning, you need to show up in “Alright, almost there,” And then she was on the phone again.

For the next fifteen minutes. no makeup, clean skin, clean nails, a white t-shirt and jeans, no name The town car pulled up to a large brick building that had a small conbrands, solid colors, can you do that?” venience looking store on the bottom and a Chinese restaurant nextI nodded. door.

“Good,” She pulled out a mirror and started reapplying her red lipThe smell alone was making my stomach rumble and I wasn’t even stick while talk-ing. “You’ll go to several cattle calls throughout the out of the car yet. next few weeks, everything you earn according to the contract you We parked. I waited for Marnie to get off the phone, but she only dug into her purse fished out a silver key and handed it to me, then covered the phone and whis-pered. “Third floor, room thirty-seven, find a bed and claim it before the rest of the girls get there and be ready by eight.”

She went back to talking.

Guess I was being dismissed?

I got out of the car, grabbed my backpack and suitcase from the trunk then tried not to look lost as I took the stairs one at a time, and shoved the key inside the door ignoring the way the building looked like it was going to fall down on itself any mi-nute.

The door creaked open.

I hadn’t even turned my key yet.

Great.

I made a mental note to buy mace as I faced the old brown stairs with green car-pet, and slowly took them to the third floor.

Lights flickered overhead.

It felt like a horror movie—the one where the sixteen year old dies a horrible death.

Fantastic.

I hurried down the hall and found the door that said thirty-seven. It was cracked open, the smell of smoke had me coughing as I pushed into the room.

And nearly died on the spot.

At least fifteen girls huddled around the kitchen, most of them wearing nothing but tank tops and short jean shorts, and even then they looked like they were standing in a sauna. I was hit with a wall of heat that told me air conditioning wasn’t going to be something we were given.

“You must be new.” A girl snorted shoving away from the cheap white formica countertop. “Dessy moved back a few weeks ago, so you can take her bunk. There’s two rooms and a bathroom schedule. And if you bring anything carb related into this apartment, we’ll murder you and hide the body.”

I gasped.

A few girls chuckled. and for the love of God just do what you’re asked, photographers don’t have time for questions. They want action, you’re to be seen and not heard, and your opinion doesn’t matter, follow those simple rules and you should be fine,” She stopped walking and winked. “After all, such a pretty face should be easy to sell, you’ll be America’s sweetheart in no time.”

But as we loaded my bag into the black waiting town car, a sinking feeling had me wondering if that was what I wanted to be.

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The girl speaking however didn’t. She looked like she would prefer prison over bread.

What sort of world had I just walked into?

“Don’t mind, Justine,” A peppy blonde haired girl rolled her eyes.

“She’s just hungry and today she did a shoot for snickers.”

The rest of the girls burst out laughing while Justine puffed on the edge of her cigarette and ignored her.

“I’m Everlee.” The blonde offered her hand. “And I’m in the same room, you can come with me and I’ll show you the ropes.”

She wasn’t smoking but she did seem so rail thin that her shoulders were about ready to pop off the front of her body.

I was instantly ravenous.

But I followed her away from the crowd of sweaty, hungry girls.

“Here you go,” She opened a door into a room that was filled with what looked like army barracks. “Did you bring sheets?”

“I didn’t know I had to.” I felt like I was going to cry, could I be any less prepared?

“Don’t worry.” She waved me off. “I have a spare, I was given from set the other day, they were going to get thrown away anyways, so why not take them? Plus nobody noticed the teenage girl in the corner, not when movie stars are in the room.”

“Move stars? Real movie stars?” I asked in a voice I hoped didn’t sound star struck, I mean I lived in California, not LA. She nodded her head excitedly. “Totally, I bumped into Arnold Schwarzenegger and almost died on the spot.”

I burst out laughing. “What did you say?”

“What else could I say, but I’m a huge fan, and like an idiot I just stood there smil-ing before one of his assistants kindly asked me to move out of the shot.”

I giggled. “What were you on set for?”

“Promo for his new movie, I was one of the extra’s. My name was teen number two and I was forced to stand under a tree for seven hours.”

She paused dramatically and rolled her eyes. “I’m clearly going places.” Everlee clasped her hands together “Al-right, here’s the sheets sorry they’re Terminator themed, but at least you get to fall asleep on

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his face every night and not embarrass yourself publicly and have to relive it over and over again.”

I snorted out a laugh and took the sheets placing them on the empty bunk along with my duffel. “Thank you, I really appreciate this.”

She waved me off. “No problem, the nice ones gotta stick together, we’re the ones that actually consume food that doesn’t come out of a small box labeled side ef-fect: Cancer.”

“We?” I asked looking around the empty yet messy room, clothing was strewn everywhere, you could barely see the floor.

“Oh the rest are on the fire escape, come on.” She took my other bag and dropped it on the floor then drug me towards an open window where two other girls were sitting with their knees pulled to their chests.

All of them were gorgeous in their own way.

It made me wonder if I was good enough. Good enough to stay. Was I insane to even do this? I suddenly very much wanted to call my mom but I didn’t want to dis-appoint her, after all, what we’d been shown and told via pictures and over the phone showed nothing but smiling faces and stories of success.

Not a most likely cockroach infested cramped apartment with enough chain smokers to make it hard to see.

“Girls, we’ve got a nice one!” Everlee announced triumphantly like they’d just won the lottery.

One of the girls looked up, she had gorgeous brown skin, a wide smile, deep brown eyes and was so tall I was instantly jealous. She stood, hands on hips and then tilted her head. “Chocolate or vanilla?”

“Both.” I said quickly.

That earned me a high five.

The other girl was a bit shorter than me, she had straight dark hair, ice blue eyes, and a sharp jawline that looked like it was cut from stone.

“Favorite Friends character.”

“Ross,” I nodded. “But only because of the Holiday Armadillo.”

“Best episode.” She sighed happily and smiled. “What’s your name?”

“Brittany.” I sat next to Everlee and dangled my feet off the edge of the escape.

“Well Brittany,” The girl sighed. “I’m Danica, that’s Zoe, and this is what we call liv-ing the dream.” The sound of sirens filled the air while the crippling summer heat smacked me in the face along with the smell of trash.

“Right…” I looked around, the feeling of emptiness was so overwhelming it al-most hurt to breathe. “Tell me it gets better after day one.”

Everyone fell silent.

And then Danica piped, up. “If you make it, all your dreams will come true.”

“Do you really believe that?” I asked.

The girls were quiet.

Zoe didn’t look at me, she stared down at the city below us. “I think as long as you have good friends, and work hard, you can accomplish anything.”

“I like that.” I breathed my first sigh of relief all day. “It’s a concrete jungle out there isn’t it?”

The sound of sirens and traffic filled the silence.

“Thats why theres strength in numbers.” Everlee finally said in a soft voice. “Be-cause the jungle can very easily eat you alive.”

It sounded like a bad omen.

A prophecy.

I half expected a crack of lightning followed by a boom of thunder.

We sat in silence for another few minutes after a warm breeze picked up, remind-ing me that I was in a strange place.

I could do this.

Because the last thing I wanted to do was go home with nothing to show for it. If mom wanted me to get polished and experience the world—I was going to prove to her that I was mature enough to handle it.

And prove to everyone I wasn’t just a beach bum hippie from California.

If they wanted a model.

I’d give them the best model the world has ever seen.

And I’d do it on my own terms.

Chapter Three- Brittany

I slept horrible, too many girls arguing over stupid things like whose shirt was bor-rowed and why did it have a hole in it filled the air making it almost impossible to sleep.

The summer heat didn’t help.

And apparently nobody had told me there was a shower schedule, so when I woke up in a small pool of my own sweat, I had to suck it up, get dressed and just put on fresh deodorant and use makeup wipes all over my skin like a spit bath.

Marnie said she’d be by at eight, and I had this intense need to prove to her that I could be punctual and ready for whatever she was going to throw at me.

I checked my cell.

I had ten minutes.

“Hey,” Everlee called out and jogged over to me, she was wearing a white crop top that fell over her shoulder and jeans that looked two sizes too big that slung low on her bony hips. “Wanna meet up later?”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

She grinned. “Like for lunch or something, coffee…”

By ourselves? In the City? Could we do that?

“Give me your phone.” She grabbed it out of my hands and quickly typed in her number then gave it back. “There, now you have my number, be safe and have fun!”

She skipped off while the rest of the grumpy girls around the kitchen stared me down like I had a disease. I mumbled a goodbye and flew out of the apartment with my purse and enough money to hopefully buy me something to eat at some point during the day.

The smell of Chinese food assaulted me and I had a sudden vision of digging through the trash near the alleyway just so I could have a fried egg roll.

My stomach clenched with hunger as I walked to stand in the middle of the side-walk than nearly got trampled by a billion people as they

shoved past me in a hurry.

No sorry’s were muttered.

But a lot of watch where you’re going and cursing was directed at me.

I got out of the way so I was near the busy street and looked left and right.

It was nearing eight.

Where was she?

I wasn’t necessarily afraid but I was anxious that I’d somehow misunderstood what she’d told me and I didn’t want to fail on my first day.

“Brittany!” A male voice yelled to my left. “Brittany over here!”

I glanced up and saw a nice looking man in an expensive suit. He was standing outside a black limo next to what I assumed was the driver, who held the door open.

A thrill shot through me followed by speculation. “Thats me.”

“Well?” He was dressed in a nice dark blue suit that seemed to fit him perfectly, his smile was friendly, he had nice dark hair that was slicked back, and he was in front of a limo for goodness sakes, he had to be important, right. “Are you coming?”

“Um…” I almost said my mom told me never to get in the car with strangers but didn’t want to look like an idiot. “I’m actually waiting for someone.”

He raised his hand. “Thats me, I’m someone.” Another ear splitting grin. “I’m the the owner, Jon Casati.”

I recognized the name and exhaled in relief as I made it over to him and took his outstretched hand. His grip was tight and then he pulled me against him and kissed both cheeks.

I jerked away horrified than raised my right hand to slap him when it was held back by the driver.

“Whoa-whoa,” He chuckled. “Adorable, where did you come from again?”

“Don’t touch me.” I glared while my cheeks heated with embarrassment.

“Relax,” He held out his hands. “It’s a simple misunderstanding, it’s a way of greet-ing people…I’m Italian.”

“And we’re in New York.” I countered with a shaky breath, hoping I wasn’t screw-ing up royally.

“I’m aware.” He shook his head with a chuckle. “Alright, in you go, and I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself, I truly meant no offense.”

I hesitated.

He noticed.

And then he moved and pointed to the waiting limo. “After you, we don’t want to be late for your first day.”

I hated disappointing people.

And he was the owner of the agency.

Everyone talked about him like he was some sort of modeling god who single handedly built the industry from the ground up.

But he seemed a bit young for that.

All I really knew was that he discovered Linda Evangalista. Even I knew who she was because the man standing in front of me, asking me to get into his limo—had in-vented the word supermodel.

And he’d just kissed me.

But he said it was a greeting.

And he wouldn’t lie. Right?

I prayed I wasn’t wrong as I finally nodded my head and scooted myself across the plush leather seats.

“Champagne?” He offered once I was safely inside and the door was shut.

I gaped at him. “I’m underage.”

“Most of my models are.” He shrugged. “Half a glass, it will help the nerves.”

I knew my own mind. I wanted to say no.

But I also knew who was offering.

The need to please would either be my greatest strength or greatest downfall.

I tried to swallow the doubts in my mind and decided that if he needed me to have half a glass of champagne-I would do it.

It wasn’t like he was giving me drugs like Marnie had joked about.

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“Good girl,” His voice was suddenly gruff as he eyed me up and down with a look I’d been on the receiving end of since I hit puberty.

Throat suddenly dry I tried looking anywhere but his face, and noticed he had a wedding ring.

Thank goodness.

He was married!

He really didn’t mean it then, the kissing.

Ugh, I was an idiot.

I took my first sip of champagne as the Limo pulled into traffic.

Jay was already on his second glass.

Was that a New York thing?

“Do you pick up every model from the apartments?” I wondered as the car pulled to a stop at the light.

“Only the ones that I think have potential.” I couldn’t tel if he was being honest or if there was something there I wasn’t seeing.

I decided to take him at face value until he did something that broke my trust, af-ter all, he’d made so many peoples careers, if he was bad.

They would say something.

Adults around him would speak up.

I was positive.

After all, that’s how I’d been raised, to always go to an adult if I felt unsafe, so why would the very adult that’s supposed to keep me safe hurt me? It made no sense, and on top of that, his models worked for him, made him money, so it didn’t make sense that he would be anything but friendly and protective.

I relaxed a bit with the chilled champagne in my hand. “Do we have a schedule for today?”

His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Actually yes, after taking you to the agency I had a bit of a surprise for you, that is, if you’re up for it?”

Warmth spread through my chest and I found myself smiling back.

“What is it?”

His eyes hooded as he rasped. “Well, I may have called in a favor with a photog-rapher, he had a sudden opening for your test shoot, most girls would kill to build their portfolio’s with him.”

“Thats a good surprise.” I felt the champagne hit even though it was a few sips, it burned down my throat and before I knew what I was doing I finished the glass.

“More?” He asked.

“No,” My hand touched my stomach, his eyes followed the motion. “I didn’t get a chance to eat this morning so, yeah.”

“Mmm,” He licked his lips slowly. “First day and already a pro. Good work.”

Was he applauding my no eating?

It was on the tip of my tongue to say it wasn’t on purpose, but the car pulled to a stop and his door was already opening.

“Come on.” He walked with authority into the terrifyingly tall building, it was hard to even see the sky with all the buildings. “I’ll take you to your first meeting with Marnie, you have a long day ahead of you.”

I had no idea what that meant until two hours later.

When I was pinched within an inch of my life.

When I was weighed.

When measurements were taken, when I was privy to looks of disappointment as numbers were scribbled down on a piece of paper.

Marnie introduced me to a few people around the agency and then I was back in her corner office sitting in a chair wishing for a burrito— hot dog, at this point I’d eat the paper from her printer.

Everlee had called twice.

She was probably eating a burger.

Ugh. “So,” Marnie hung up the phone. “It looks like Jay was able to secure Frederick for the test shoot, not sure how he did it.” Her brown eyes sparkled. “Lucky girl.”

This was happening.

I took a deep breath and smiled back.

“There you are,” Jay knocked on the door. “I have an errand to run downstairs, care to take a tour of Trend?”

“Me?” I asked. “You want me to see Trend?” I went weak in the knees.

I bought Trend magazine every single month, my goal was to be on 92

Trend.

“Don’t look so excited, you’ll give yourself away.” He winked. “Let’s go, and thanks Marnie I’ll take it from here.”

“Don’t forget about her test shoot later.” Marnie’s face twisted into a knowing grin. “I know how you get Jay.” “We won’t be late.” He gave her a salute and then nodded his head towards me. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Four- Brittany

“Ronan Campbell Jr!” His mom was furious by the sound of the tremble in her voice, she may well shrieked with how purple her face was turning. “What possessed you to think this was a good idea?”

He held my grin in, barely and shrugged. Ronan didn’t care that the media dubbed them American royalty—he was still a guy, and still had a sense of humor, he just hid it from the tyrant sitting next to me in the town car. And often.

“Well?” She was clutching her Hermes bag like she was trying to shield herself from my bad behavior.

What he wouldn’t give to see his own mother just…relax, laugh a little and enjoy the privileged life they’d been given.

“Mom,” He shrugged. “I was bored. It’s the last day of school and I have three months before Brown.”

She still wouldn’t look at him as the car pulled up to the curb. “You were standing in front of half the school with no shirt on dancing an Irish Jig! There were pictures!”

“At least I wasn’t naked.”

Her head shot in his direction.

He grinned. “Too soon?”

She put a hand to her chest and bit down on her bottom lip. “It’s not just the sing-ing and dancing—it’s everything—it’s this feeling—“ “—Mom,” I took her hands in mine. “Nothing’s going to happen to me, alright? You’re just having a hard time because I’m leaving for college.”

A tear slid down her cheek.

security opened the door for him. “Anything else?”

“No.” He thanked the guy and went to the front desk.

The secretary had blonde hair. She was probably twice his age by the looks of it, but still beautiful, after all he didn’t discriminate.

“Hi.” He said smoothly.

The blonde looked up. Then pen fell from her hand onto the desk as she drank him in.

He waited for her to finish her perusal.

“Hi,” She recovered. “You’re early.”

He grinned. “So you know who I am? I was afraid I’d need a name tag or that we’d have to do one of those awful ice breaker they make you do on the first day of camp.”

She grinned. “No ice breakers, and I think everyone knows who you are Ronan Campbell.”

“You forgot the junior part.” He winked. “And you said you knew me…” He couldn’t help but tease her.

Her cheeks pinked. “You’re funny I’ll give you that.” She stood and walked around the desk. “Follow me, Grace is in her office.”

He slid his cell phone out of his back pocket to check the time and nearly collided with another body.

She went tumbling to the ground.

He immediately felt like an idiot.

The girl had gorgeous golden brown hair.

“Are you okay?” He reached for her and picked up her dropped cell phone, thank God it wasn’t cracked he would have felt like a complete jerk.

She put her hand in his.

And something like an electric jolt hit him square in the chest.

She was beautiful.

Young.

But beautiful.

Maybe he should keep the phone and it’s owner.

“I’m fine.” Her smile was nearly blinding.

A rare show of emotion for the former first lady.

He wanted that smile for himself, selfishly he didn’t want anyone else “I’ve been worried ever since the secret service detail stopped following seeing it but him. you.”

A man stood off to the side on his phone, he looked all business and He almost snorted. He’d been overjoyed that he didn’t have two men vaguely familiar. in suits con-stantly shadowing his every move.

She looked over at the man, then back at Ronan.

Including dates.

“He your dad?” Ronan asked twirling her cell phone in his hands.

A shudder wracked through him at the memory of trying to hide in The girl gave him a funny look and laughed. “No he owns the agency the dark mov-ie theaters, stolen kisses, wistful moments—laughter.

I’m with, we’re a few floors down but he wanted to show me around.”

More secrets his mom didnt’ know about.

Ronan snapped his fingers. “Jay? Right? I thought he looked familiar.”

Along with the bomb he still hadn’t dropped on her.

The man was notorious for discovering new models. “So that must His aim at Hollywood. mean you’re here with the agency?”

Maybe he’d save that for another day.

“Yup.” That smile was dangerous, it made him want to do more than And make sure he had flowers in hand when he announced he wanted dance and sing in front of his classmates, it made him want to be reckto try to act before he sold his soul to the family—to the life his mom less. wanted him to have—what she’d fought for him to become.

And that alone was enough for him to want to ask for her number.

Expectations settled like a weight on his chest as the car door opened. “Here.” He handed her his cell. “Put your number in there.”

He moved to get out, his mom put her hand on his arm. “I’ll be back She hesitated only briefly before grabbing his phone and putting her in an hour, be careful, and have fun, and if I hear you were dancing number in. again I’m going to ground you, I don’t care that you’re eighteen.”

“Now press call.” He rocked back on his heels with a smirk.

I leaned in and kissed her flawless skin. “Love you, mom.”

She shyly ducked her head and hit call.

Her face softened. “I love you too.”

The phone in his hand went off, he looked down at it. “Sorry just Freedom smacked him in the face as he walked towards the glass making sure that the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen in real life isn’t building, he was used to the stares, the pictures, the constant press, but giving me the number to Sub-way.” at least now he was doing things on his terms.

She burst out laughing. “Clever, I should have thought of it, or at least It was his first photo shoot since graduation. put in the number to Dominos.”

His first time being on the cover of a fashion magazine of all things He pressed a hand to his chest. “Girl after my own heart, a model who talking about his dreams and aspirations. eats pizza? Who are you?”

He’d agreed because it sounded fun and also, models.

Before she could answer, Jay was walking over and wrapping an arm Not that he gave his mom that answer. around her protectively.

No he told her that he wanted to be an inspiration which he did, but So maybe he was a little like her dad. The thought had Ronan mentalit helped when you had gorgeous women hanging on your body and ly rolling his eyes, it wasn’t like he was going to deflower the girl in the your every word. middle of Trend.

With a smirk he waved at security.

Then again the thought had crossed his mind about a dozen times Within minutes he was getting escorted to the fiftieth floor where before he could stop himself.

Trend maga-zine had it’s headquarters.

“Sorry about that, Brittany.” Jay smiled at Ronan. “I hear you have a The elevators opened to a tall glass door with Trend printed across it,

93

“I know you will, Brittany, now let’s get going, your photo shoot’s going to take at least an hour possibly more to get to especially in traffic.”

“Oh,” When I checked my phone it was already five. I didn’t argue though.

He seemed irritated enough with me exchanging numbers with Ronan, so when we got back into the limo.

And he got on his phone.

I laid my head down against the soft leather and accidentally fell asleep.

Loud cursing startled me awake, it was just starting to get dark and we were parked in a hotel parking lot.

Panicked I looked around, my eyes landing on Jay. He was yelling at Chapter Five- Brittany someone on the phone.

I was still recovering from meeting Ronan Campbell Jr. Every single I’d never heard anyone curse so much in my entire life. He hung up his friend back home had a crush on him, me included, he just seemed phone and stared me down. “Something came up, Frederick can’t do so…ridiculously good looking and confident. the shoot until morning.”

I tried not to look like a crazy fan girl but my cheeks hurt from smiling so hard so I probably failed on that front, I couldn’t wait to tell my “As in tomorrow morning?” Unease trickled down my spine as Jay pinched the bridge of his nose like he was fighting a migraine. mom.

“Yes typically that’s what morning means.” He snapped and then his “Starstruck?” Jay asked looking up from his phone with a weird look face sof-tened. “I’m sorry Brittany it’s been a long day, let’s get some on his face. “Remember you’re going to meet a lot of people in this dinner and we’ll take a room for the night.” industry, try not to fawn all over them and you’ll be fine, and just beI stiffened. “A room?” cause a boy asks for your number doesn’t mean you need to give it.”

He shrugged. “If they even have one, you don’t want to sleep in the My smile faded. “Technically I didn’t fawn, he ran into me then limo do you, might get cramped with you me and the driver…” helped me up.” I said nothing about exchanging numbers because it “No,” I swallowed the lump of panic in my throat. “But why can’t we wasn’t any of his business and because I was flattered. just drive back and then come back in the morning.”

“I know.” Jay said slowly. “Just be careful, especially with guys who probably have more one night stands at eighteen than more thirty year He narrowed his eyes. “You’re young, you don’t understand, it costs money to go back and forth, time is money, and it’s a waste of my time olds.” to head back into the city then wake up at six in the morning and get I frowned at that. “Seriously?”

Jay snorted out a disgusted laugh. “Oh you’d be surprised how often Jr you to your shoot, don’t you realize who I am?

What I do? This is rare, Brittany, what I’m doing for you, and I’d like gets around these parts, he could charm the pants off a nun.”

“Oh.” I deflated a bit. “I guess I just assumed since he was still a teen- you to start being more thankful and less questioning.”

“You’re right.” Tears filled my eyes. “I’m sorry, this is just so new…” ager…”

“And that’s your first lesson of the day,” Jay turned his thunderous ex- He reached across the seat and put his warm hand on mine. A sick pression to-wards me. “In this industry assuming does nothing but get feeling swirled in my stomach. “Hey, it’s okay,” Something in his eyes flickered. “You’re even pretty when you start to cry. Incredible.” you in trouble.”

Slowly I pulled my hand away and swiped under my eyes as if I had “Got it.” I nodded. “I’ll try harder.” more tears when really I just needed an excuse to pull away.

“Now,” He cleared his throat and smiled. “Let’s get some food in you and we’ll see about that room.”

I gripped my cell in my hand and followed him out the door towards the hotel lobby. I had no idea where we were, the Hotel was large and it wasn’t name I recog-nized, The Viana Hotel and Spa, at least it was clean and looked nice.

I walked close to Jay as we made our way inside the lobby.

“Stay here,” He guided me to a blue leather chair.

I was still in shock.

I sat down and waited while he went to the receptionist, handed over a black AMEX card and then got two room keys.

My gut kept churning.

This wasn’t right.

He laughed and chatted with her.

I quickly looked down at my phone, I was losing battery fast, typically I would have brought my charger but I didn’t plan for any of this to happen.

I shot a quick look at Jay to make sure he was still talking, and quickly dialed Mar-nies’ number.

“Brittany?” Her voice was clipped. “What is it?”

“Um, hi, I just kinda freaked out and wanted to make sure that this was normal.”

“What’s this?” She sighed in irritation.

“Well Frederick canceled last minute but we’re already—“ I looked around. “Out-side the city and Jay said we needed to stay at a hotel so we could shoot in the morn-ing—“ “—I’m going to stop you right there. Are you calling me to complain about being put up in a fancy hotel?”

“No!” I gasped horrified. “No, I just, don’t feel comfortable, I mean Jay said we had to get a room.”

“Same.” She whispered with another longing smile.

He said his goodbye and walked away even though he wanted to sprint back to-wards her general direction, when he looked over his shoulder she was looking curi-ously back at him.

And when their eyes locked he knew.

This wouldn’t be the last time he saw Brittany.

Not if he could help it.

And since he was a Campbell, he could do whatever the heck he wanted.

And he decided in that moment, he wanted, her.

94

I nearly dropped my phone. “Yeah, it was Marnie.”

He frowned but said nothing and then. “Food?”

I wasn’t sure I could eat but I nodded anyways.

We walked in silence over to the restaurant that overlooked the water, it was beau-tiful, romantic even.

He ordered a bottle of champagne and once again tried to encourage me to drink it so I would relax.

I sipped at my glass curious why nobody had said something about underage drinking, but nobody seemed to even care, the waiter included.

Then again, I saw Jay slide him a crisp hundred dollar bill the minute we sat down.

I managed to make small talk and eat my chicken and rice-the cheapest thing on the menu at thirty dollars, while Jay ordered clams, more bread, salad for both of us, and another bottle of champagne.

“Everything okay?” Jay said over my shoulder scaring the crap out of me. You’re with an adult, he’s taking care of you, and he’s the owner of the most prestigious ageny in the world. If anything you should be on your hands and knees thanking him for even look-ing your way.

Gotta go.” She hung up.

The line was quiet and then. “Why wouldn’t you be comfortable?

You’re with an adult, he’s taking care of you, and he’s the owner of the most prestig-ious agency in the world. If anything you should be on your hands and knees thanking him for even looking your way.

Gotta go.” She hung up.

“Everything okay?” Jay said over my shoulder scaring the crap out of me.

I nearly dropped my phone. “Yeah, it was Marnie.”

He frowned but said nothing and then. “Food?”

I wasn’t sure I could eat but I nodded anyways.

We walked in silence over to the restaurant that overlooked the water, it was beau-tiful, romantic even.

He ordered a bottle of champagne and once again tried to encourage me to drink it so I would relax.

I sipped at my glass curious why nobody had said something about underage drinking, but nobody seemed to even care, the waiter included.

Then again, I saw Jay slide him a crisp hundred dollar bill the minute we sat down.

I managed to make small talk and eat my chicken and rice-the cheapest thing on the menu at thirty dollars, while Jay ordered clams, more bread, salad for both of us, and another bottle of champagne.

Had he drank most of that himself ?

He’d had to of, I hadn’t even finished my glass.

Though he did refill it to the brim in that moment.

I took it and drank a few sips to be polite then put it back down.

“So,” Jay grinned over the candlit dinner. “Let’s talk about your career, where do you see yourself in five years?”

I sucked in a reassuring breath, this I could talk about. “I’m not sure, I want to be successful and I want to make my family proud. I like being in front of the camera and,” I shrugged. “I think I could be a supermodel one day.”

His smile was warm. “I agree.”

“Really?” I perked up.

He reached across the table and grasped my right hand, the same hand that had just held the champagne flute. “I see a lot in your future, in our future—“ I froze.

“—As the owner of the agency that discovered you.”

I exhaled in relief.

He winked and asked for the check when the waiter came back and I was sudden-ly exhausted as he led me towards the elevator and down the hall to our room.

I yawned when we got to the room, when he slid the card over the door and opened it, I expected to see two beds, a desk, a small bathroom, possibly a bible in the drawer.

Not a massive king sized bed.

A bathroom I could fit the model apartment in.

And plush white bathrobes laying across the bed ready for a naked body to wrap around.

There was another tub of champagne sitting on the table, and Jay was

already tugging at his tie.

“Why don’t we have two beds?” I asked dumbly.

Jay gave me a funny look. “They only had one suite left.”

I mentally searched for a couch but all I kept seeing were nice looking chairs.

“You’re being ridiculous you know.” Jay snorted out a laugh and stumbled a bit towards the table with the champagne.

He was drinking more?

His eyes were already glassy.

His demeanor sloppy.

He popped the cork with a laugh, poured two flutes and brought one over to me, then lowered his head and kissed me on the cheek.

I gasped.

“Sorry, did I offend you again?” He whispered, the smell of his champagne in-fused breath hit my neck in a wave of nauseating heat that had me ready to hurl all over his expensive shoes. “Come on, we’re both adults here…” He trailed a finger down my bare shoulder.

“You’re married.” My voice was barely above a whisper.

“So?” He snorted.

“So you shouldn’t touch me like that.” I took a step away.

His eyes hooded. “I can do whatever the hell I want.”

I backed away slowly, cell clutched in my hand, and when he didn’t stop ap-proaching, I sprinted towards the door jerked it open and ran down the hall like I was being chased.

Which in hindsight, wasn’t so far from the truth.

Chapter six- Brittany

I was suffering through another boring charity dinner when my phone started buzzing in my pocket.

With a frown I pulled it out and looked at it under the table so my mom wouldn’t disown me.

Brittany?

I grinned and excused myself to go use the restroom, then made a beeline around all the circular dinner tables and ran outside.

“Hey there,” I answered with a giant smile. The sticky summer heat was almost as inescapable as the smell of traffic.

95

Crying sounded on the other end hitting me straight in the gut.

“Ronan?”

“What’s wrong?” Panic flared in my chest. “Are you okay?”

“I’m so sorry I know this is stupid, you don’t know me.”

“It’s not stupid. What’s wrong?” I was starting to think about all the horrible things that could happen to a beautiful girl alone in the City and immediately felt my skin crawl. “Brittany?”

“I don’t know where I am and the photoshoot was rescheduled for the morning, and Jay said we should stay at a hotel and I knew it was wrong and then there was only one bed and I think he came onto me, no I know he came on to me and I have no money, no way to get back to the city, I don’t even know how far I am!”

She sounded like she was about to start hyperventilating. “Okay Brittany, I need you to breathe, alright?”

“K-kay.” Her teeth started chattering over the line.

A million curses ran through my head.

“Alright, now go to the receptionist at the front desk and ask what city you’re in.”

“Okay.” I could hear her talking, and then she was back on the phone.

“I’m at the Viana Hotel and Spa in Westbury.”

About an hour drive if I had good traffic.

“Alright, stay with people, in the lobby, where you’re safe, alright? If Jay comes back downstairs stay firm, and keep your phone on you.” I swallowed the knot in my throat. “I’m coming.”

“Thank you.” I could tell she was fighting not to burst into tears again.

“My phone doesn’t have much battery left.”

“Ask the front desk if you can charge it, it’s a nice hotel they’’ll have extra’s al-right?”

“Kay.” “Stay safe.”

“Thank you, Ronan.”

“Anytime.” And I meant it.

I hadn’t woken up that morning thinking I was going to play hero, but for that beautiful girl who had already gotten under my skin—I was ready to do anything.

I quickly looked up the hotel number on my new phone and dialed.

“Viana Hotel and Spa, how can I direct your call?”

“The girl who’s crying, is she still there?” I asked as I sprinted towards Valet and grabbed the keys to my new Benz.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. This is Ronan Campbell Jr, I need you to make sure she’s safe, if you see an older man come near her, call the police, keep her by reception and give her whatever she needs, I’ll pay for it all, just keep her safe.”

“Yes sir.” She said quickly.

I hung up just as Valet tossed me my keys, jumped into my car and prayed I wouldn’t be too late.

It was the first time in my teenage life I just left my mom without saying anything, she’d be worried, but I’d call her later, right now I had a girl to save.

The traffic wasn’t that bad, I was thanking God for small favors as I weaved in and out, honking my horn like a madman. I made it to the hotel in for-ty minutes breaking every single speed law known to mankind.

I didn’t even turn off my car as I pulled to a stop in front of checkin and sprinted inside the hotel lobby.

Brittany was standing by Reception and Jay was glaring at her from the restaurant bar.

Brittany’s body slammed into my chest as she hugged me tight crying her eyes out. “I’m so sorry!”

“You did nothing wrong.” I whispered, my voice thick as I shot a death glare over her head towards the man tossing back whiskey. “Stay here,”I whispered in her ear. “I’m going to go deal with him.”

“No, you can’t,” She pulled back, fresh tears spilled over her cheeks.

“He’s angry, I probably won’t even have a career after this.”

“Oh you will,” I promised. “I mean why else have the family name if I can’t toss it around and play your knight in shining armor?”

The first real smile since I arrived spread across her beautiful features.

I cupped her face and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Stay.”

96

She nodded and then I was stomping in his direction with rage in my soul.

“If you ever,” I said in a deathly low voice. “Ever touch her again, I’ll have so many lawsuits shoved down your throat you’ll be bankrupt before your next birthday.”

“Oh?” He smiled at me mockingly. “Says who?”

“Every single political connection I have,” I snapped. “And the fact that I have a testimony from one of your models that you came on to her, wonder how many other canceled photo shoots have happened over the years, and lets not forget about the last girl you were seen with, what was she? The new face of Calvin Klein? Then she just up and quit, and went overseas, I think they found her dead from a heroine overdose, then again you already knew that, the man who found her runs the agency in London.”

He paled a bit. “You can’t prove any of that.”

“But I can prove enough to make life very painful.” I said with a grin.

“I’m taking her to the city, then Im bringing her back here for her shoot in the morning and if you as much as breathe this to anyone I’ll destroy you, are we clear?”

“You’re eighteen.”

“I’m a Campbell.” I gripped him by the shirt then shoved him away, he was just drunk enough to tumble out off the barstool onto the floor.

I turned back towards Brittany.

A look of wonder crossed her features as I made my way over to her, grabbed her hand and whispered. “Let’s go home.”

“You’re shaking.” I whispered, my voice trembled a bit as the moonlight cast a blow across Ronan’s aristocratic face.

Boys like Ronan didn’t belong in cars with girls like me—then again I was having trouble even processing what sort of girl I was.

What if Ronan and I hadn’t exchanged numbers?

I sucked in sharp breath then felt Ronans warm hand as it covered mine and squeezed.

He didn’t look away from the road but finally responded. “Looks like both of us are shaking.”

I squeezed his hand harder. “I’m sorry—“ “—if you say sorry one more time.” His jaw tightened as the lights from the City came into a more clear view. “It’s not you’re fault he’s a complete jerk with a God complex.” His body shuddered. “I wish I could tell you that it’s rare, that most men aren’t like that, but I’m a bit too jaded.”

“Jaded at eighteen?” I guessed his age.

“Yeah, well.” He licked his full lips. “It’s kind of hard to forget when you’re dad wasn’t just a president.”

I didn’t ask.

Because it wasn’t my business to pry, but I knew, in that moment, he wasn’t just a few years older than me, he may as well be decades older, forced to grow up while the world watched.

Forced to mourn publicly.

Forced to become a pillar for a family that seemed constantly surrounded by both fame and tragedy.

“Are you hungry?” Ronan shot me a look and then smiled. I could tell he was try-ing to put me at ease. “I know a place.”

I returned his confident smile, I didn’t feel. If anything I was lonely, blindly grasp-ing at whatever he could give me so I didn’t shut down and hop on the first plane home. I took a deep breath and said. “I could eat.”

“A model that eats, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.” He winked.

“Maybe I’m already there.”

I scrunched up my nose, glad he was distracting me from the hollowness I felt in my chest.

“I was doing so well until that comment too.” He teased. “Alright, let’s get you fed, beautiful, and then I’m going to be the perfect gentleman, drop you off at your apartment, and pick you up in the morning.”

A lump formed in my throat. “If I still have a job.” What would my parents say? My friends? I had to make this work.

“Lesson number one,” He magically found parking in front of a building with bright signs and at least half a dozen people outside eating with chopsticks, the restaurant was open to the city and I immediately wanted to ex-perience it.

Needed the distraction more than he would ever know.

Guilt gnawed.

He said it wasn’t my fault.

But was it?

Had I sent the wrong signs?

Should I have seen it?

“Brittany, look at me,” He unbuckled my seatbelt for me and gripped my hands again. “As I was saying, lesson number one, this place,” He shook his head. “It’s a con-crete jungle with enough predators ready to pounce the minute you smile in their di-rection.”

“Was that your idea of a pep talk?” I gaped at his amused expression.

“Because you really suck at it.”

“No.” He chuckled. “Sorry I was distracted by your hair—I like it.”

“My hair?”

“It’s pretty, I’m a guy, I get distracted, most teens are like raccoons when it comes to girls, they see something shiny and want to take.”

“Is that lesson number two? All guys are racoons?”

“Ah you think you’re ready for lesson number two when I haven’t even finished lesson number one?”

“I’m an over achiever.” I flashed a smile at him.

Ronan said something under his breath and shook his head at me.

“You’re going to be trouble aren’t you?”

My face fell.

He leaned in and cupped my chin. “The good kind of trouble, the best kind, the kind you know would be worth the work, worth the fall.”

“Are you saying you’re falling for me?” I whispered.

His eyes darted to my mouth then away. “Lesson one, never run away from what scares you the most. Own the city, stare down your enemies, make them take notice. The minute you look away from the path— you lose all sense of direction and then you’re lost, scared, willing to do anything to be found again and thats when you lose the most important thing you have—your self and your self worth.”

I gasped. “And lesson number two?”

“No.” “What?”

“No.” He nodded. “That’s lesson number two. You hold the keys to the kingdom in the palm of your hand, and in the jungle, no is a full sentence. You don’t owe any-one an explanation.”

“I like that.” I whispered. “A lot.”

“Oh yeah? Care to practice?”

“Yes?” He groaned. “That was a test, you failed.”

I let out a burst of laughter. “It was a trick question.”

“One day, Brittany, when you aren’t traumatized beyond belief, when you don’t look at me like I’m a hero, when you realize that everyone is part villain, it’s just that nobody’s brave enough to admit it—I’m going to kiss you.”

He dropped his hands and opened the door to his car leaving me gaping after him.

I wanted to ask him to kiss me then.

It would be my first.

I was young.

Not stupid.

Okay maybe a little bit naive since I knew he wasn’t the sort of guy who would just steal a kiss then send me on my way with a high five and thank you note.

I still wanted.

For the first time in my life I was tempted, and the phrase kept bouncing around in my head, teasing, tempting, beckoning.

Would it be so bad?

Wanting someone like him?

Having him?

And as Ronan helped me out of the car and entertained me with stories of his childhood over fried rice, I failed my first test.

I imagined a path where my worth came from the way his words made me feel, from the way his hand felt against mine.

And I blindly, very slowly, stepped off my path into the thick of the Jungle with my eyes wide open.

And smiled.

97

Chapter Seven- Brittany

I didn’t want to drop her off at the model apartments anymore than I wanted to look at my fortune cookie and see yet another prediction that great things were ahead!

I never admitted it to my mom or anyone in my family—but I always felt an im-pending sense of doom when I thought about the future, my therapist would say it was paranoia.

He’d probably be right.

I put too much pressure on myself to be too many things and even though I was leaving for college soon, I really wanted the freedom I knew I’d have in someone like Brittany’s arms.

“Thanks for tonight.” Brittany was watching me, I knew it without having to look to my right to see it, it’s like I could feel her stare, she was more than a pretty face.

She had a presence.

And to someone like me, someone starving for something more—it was addicting.

“You’re welcome.” It came out gruffer than I would have liked.

I pulled up the address and scowled. The building was old, trash was piled near the stairway and I knew for a fact the Chinese restaurant across the way had been shut down a dozen times for health code violations.

“Are you sure you’re safe?” I didn’t like it. I wanted to take her with me back to my Penthouse apartment in the City, better yet, our house in Connecticut far, far away from my mom. “Brittany?”

The sound of her unbuckling her seatbelt gained my attention. Without saying a word she leaned across the consul gripped the sides of my head and kissed me on the cheek. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

I gulped. “I’ll pick you up in the morning.”

She winced. “You won’t get into trouble?”

“Did you forget who I was for a second there? I don’t get into trouble.”

I was teas-ing but I wanted to see her smile again.

And she did.

That bright smile one day, would break my heart wouldn’t it?

“Thanks, Ro.” She opened the door. “I”ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.” I promised.

I watched her walk up the stairs into the building, and I waited for a few minutes just in case she changed her mind.

She didn’t come back down.

I drummed my fingertips against the steering wheel and knew I had to make a choice and kind of hated myself for doing the mature thing, and making the right choice.

“Britt.” I tested her name again on my tongue. “Trouble, so much trouble.” I shot one last look back at the building. “But you’d be worth it.”

I drove off with a smile on my face.

And something like hope in my soul.

possible to my getting dropped off by someone like Ronan.

That lasted for about five steps into the apartment.

Everlee burst out of her room, her eyes wide. “Was that Ronan Campbell?”

“What?” One of the other girls shrieked.

Complete silence followed.

I squeezed my hands closed at my sides and tried to come up with a good ex-cuse, but I was honest to a fault, something i’d always treasured until this moment, where I needed a good lie to just magically create itself.

“Um,” I gulped and stared straight ahead at Everlee. She was wearing ripped jeans and a black tank top that showed a bit of skin and was barefoot. She made casu-al look better than I ever would. “Yes.” Chapter Eight- Brittany It was late by the time I snuck back into the apartment. My phone was She shrieked, grabbed me by the hand and jerked me into the bedroom and then out to the fire escape where the rest of my new friends nearly dead again and I had a missed call from Marnie. were giving me sly looks.

I was afraid to listen to the voicemail but waited out in the hall and I looked down. pressed play, my heart hammering in my chest the entire time.

Perfect, they saw everything.

“Brittany,” She sounded calm. “I understand that you became ill They saw him drop me off. before the shoot and they needed to reschedule, if you need a car to take you in the morning please call me as soon as you get this, Jay said And they saw me leave his car. something about Ronan Kampbell bringing you in the morning and I “If I didn’t love you so much,” Zoe grinned. “I’d slap you.”

I took a deep breath and sat cross legged next to Danica, she handed must say, I’m proud. One day in and you’ve already landed the attention of the cities most notorious teen heartthrob. Keep him close, learn me an ap-ple but I refused, I’d already eaten.

Because. Ronan. his secrets, who knows, you could be in a white house one day.” She “It’s not what you think.” I said in a small voice earning a snort from laughed and then. “This stays between us, after all, it’s business. This is just how the industry is, I trust you understand.” She sighed. “Okay, Danica.

“What?” I searched her face for a hint of anger but she was smiling. bye, bye, sweetheart!”

“What? Real-ly?”

Disgusted I wanted to throw my phone against the ground. Instead, “Ronan Campbell doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to. I’ve met with shaking hands I slipped it back into my jeans and unlocked the him once and he ignored me the entire time, swear that boy can text door to the apartment. like the best of them. When he left he called me Dory.”

It smelled like smoke. Again.

I burst out laughing. “Sorry.”

I kept my head down and tried to bring the least amount of attention 98

“He could have easily arranged a car service.” Zoe pointed out. “But you’re telling me the former presidents son is waking up at the crack of dawn to personally escort you to a photo shoot so he can sit there and what? Watch?”

I winced. “Well, I think he’s just worried.”

“Worried means texting and checking in. Obsession is picking you up.”

Zoe grinned. “I’m happy for you. Maybe this will be big things for you?” A shrug. “I mean lets be honest, it can only help your career.”

Everlee shoved her.

“What?” Zoe shrugged. “I would kill to have that kind of attention from him, eve-ryone will want you in a heartbeat.”

I scrunched up my nose. “That makes it feel…wrong.”

“Girl, sometimes wrong is right.” Danica piped up. “Just see where it goes, whats the worst that could happen?”

The wind picked up like a warning as we all sat and stared at each other in silence, then finally I held out my hand in the middle of the circle. “Let’s make a pact right here right now, that we dont’ sacrifice who we are for this job. Stay true to ourselves and hopefully we survive.”

One by one the girls put their hands on mine and then Danica whispered. “Is this the part where we say go team?”

We fell into fits of laughter earning a shut up from one of the girls inside and I thought of Ronan’s face, of seeing him again, and of a future that suddenly felt like it was enertwind with his.

“So, now that we know you’re okay, we have something serious to go over.” Zoe said in a serious voice. “What are you going to wear tomorrow?”

I grinned. “No idea.”

“I’m not, I got to stare at him for a solid hour.”

The girls fell into fits of laughter while I remembered the way he looked at me, the way he held my hand, not to mention the knowledge that he wanted to kiss me.

I thought he would too.

But somehow the timing felt wrong, or may be just off.

He’d sighed like he was disappointed and I hated that I was too.

I mean I was here to work, not kiss guys I barely knew in the backseat of their car.

“So spill.” Everlee hugged her knees. “I’ve only seen him on TV and he’s gor-geous, I mean mouth watering.”

I shivered. He really was.

“Look at her face, she’s thinking about him.” Zoe whispered and then burst out laughing when I felt myself start to blush. “Tell us everything. Leave nothing out!”

“Well,” I swallowed against the ball in my throat, and then a tear fell followed by a few more, and before I knew what was happening I was full on sobbing in Everlee’s arms while Danica and Zoe rubbed my back.

“Whoa, whoa,” Everlee held me tight. “What’s wrong? Did Ronan…”

“No.” Wiped under my eyes. “Actually he saved me tonight, we bumped into one another exchanged numbers and I didn’t have your guys cell numbers and my agent basically threw me to the wolves.”

“Saved you?” Danica’s voice shook a bit. “From what?”

“Jay.” I sniffed and then I told them everything, about the limo, champagne, pho-to shoot, and finally the hotel room.

“That bastard!” Danica screeched almost scaring me. “I’m going to kill him!”

“You can’t go to prison.” Zoe said softly. “You’re too pretty.”

“I’m scrappy.” Danica pointed out. “And it would be worth it!”

I smiled through my tears. “Thanks, but Ronan actually threatened him and when Marni called again she said we’d just put it behind us, I still have to go to the shoot tomorrow—Ronan’s picking me up.”

All three girls gaped at me like I had two heads.

“What?” I sniffled. “Let’s go,” Everlee stood and we followed back into the room and my new friends picked out my clothes for the morning, then made sure I had all of their numbers so I felt safe.

I fell asleep that night with a smile on my face.

My sole focus, Ronan Campbell.

“Let’s go,” Everlee stood and we followed back into the room and my new friends picked out my clothes for the morning, then made sure I had all of their numbers so I felt safe.

I fell asleep that night with a smile on my face.

My sole focus, Ronan Campbell.

Chapter Nine- Brittany

I had two coffees in hand and a bag of bagels as I waited for Brittany to come out of the apartment, she’d texted sending she was ready.

And I felt like a jerk because I knew that I had to end whatever this was, I was leav-ing for school, and on top of that, she was young.

Technically underage.

As much as I hated it.

I wanted her too much.

More than I’d ever wanted another girl in my entire life and I wasn’t used to not getting what I wanted.

Which made it even worse.

I swear I had the devil on one shoulder telling me, just one kiss, while an angel on the other said, it would be your downfall.

And as she came jogging out of the apartment wearing a white crop top that fell over her tan shoulder with all that gorgeous hair bouncing around her gorgeous body—I knew the angel was right.

I wouldn’t stop with just a kiss.

I wouldn’t stop with a simple date.

It would consume me, I would want it all.

She grinned and held out her hand a I handed her a coffee. “For you.”

“Thanks.” Her blush was so beautiful.

I wanted to kiss her pink cheeks so bad I nearly spilled may own coffee.

Giggling sounded from somewhere, I looked up and saw three beautiful girls around her age wave down at me.

“Friends?” I pointed up.

She laughed. “They saw you drop me off last night.”

“Ah,” I nodded, that wasn’t good. If they saw, did anyone else?

“Should we get going?”

“Yeah.”

Standing next to her was complete torture. I held open her door handed her the bag of bagels, blew a kiss to the girls still watching our every move then quickly got into the car. “So I have some news.”

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“Good news or bad news?” She dug into the bagel like I knew she would.

I grinned when a crumb lodged itself against the corner of her mouth, never been jealous of food before but there it was, taunting me, showing me exactly where I could kiss like a map with arrows.

“It’s not the best news, at least to me, maybe you’ll be happy with it though, I guess our future depends on it.” I teased causing her to choke on her bagel.

“Our future?” She croaked.

“You’re adorable you know that right?” I grinned and weaved through traffic. “You’re young. I keep forgetting that.”

“And you’re old?” She countered.

“Ancient.” I teased. “Hips even acting up.”

She rolled her eyes. “Says the guy who isn’t even a freshman in college yet.”

“Give me two months.” I hated even saying it.

She was quiet. “That feels soon.”

“It does doesn’t it?” I shook my head. “Funny thing is, I was actually looking for-ward to escaping all of this, and wouldn’t you know? The universe dropped you into my lap and now I kind of want to drag my feet.”

She reached across tentatively placing her hand on my thigh.

I felt that all the way down to my toes, that touch, the comfort.

“What’s so different about you?”

Her smile was brilliant. “I don’t know.”

“You do, it’s okay to say it.” I waited.

She pulled her hand back, chewed her lower lip and then turned towards me again. “I grew up in the church, in a home where my parents let me know my worth, I know who’s I am, who I belong to, I think because of that, I’m not the same as some of the girls that you’ve been around.”

“I grew up catholic.” I whispered.

“I figured.” She smiled.

“So, back to my news…” I needed a subject change and quick, I already felt guilty enough for wanting her, now I was thinking about ruining her just because of it? I would die before taking some of that light from her eyes.

A day in and I was a mess.

“I’m not going to see you after today.” I said it quietly and then gauged her reac-tion.

She didn’t move for a minute and then. “Okay, did I do something wrong?”

“No,” I let out a humorless laugh, “Thats the problem, you’re doing everything right and I was never good at keeping my hands to myself.

This is just me…protecting you as much as I can.”

“From what?” She wondered out loud.

“Me.” It hurt to say.

“You?” She repeated.

“Yeah.” I stole a glance at her. “I like you, but Britt, you’re young, this is your first time in the City, your first everything and even though I’m selfish enough to want all the firsts, I know I don’t deserve them.” I sighed. “So I’m going to play body guard at your first real shoot, then I’m going to take you back home, and then I’m going to sit on my hands so I don’t text you like crazy, and then maybe next year when you’re a bit older…”

She sighed. “I get it, I do. I’m…a bit surprised but…” She shot me another smile. “Thank you, Ronan, the fact that you would even do that means I can trust you.”

I gulped. “Yeah well you aren’t in my head right now.”

“Is it dangerous in there?”

I barked out a laugh. “Yeah you don’t know how bad I want to kiss you, how bad I want to turn this car around or pull over just so I can see what you taste like, but I won’t, because, gentleman.” I pointed at myself. “And now I need a subject change.”

“Hey,” Brittany reached for my hand. “I won’t be young forever.”

“Wait for me.” I asked knowing I didn’t deserve to.

Her smile brightened. “Deal.”

“Wow that was easy.”

“I’m not allowed to date until I’m eighteen anyways.”

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“And when would that be?”

“Few years.” She answered. “Now, about that subject change,” And just like that we fell into an easy friendship.

It was a day I would never forget.

Watching her at her photo shoot, making sure Jay kept this paws to himself which he did.

And knowing, during that entire shoot, that this woman was going to take the world by storm and I hoped to God that she would do it with me by her side.

Wait for me. I whispered into the universe.

And when I dropped her off that night, and she hugged me tight, I whispered it again for good measure.

Maybe God would listen.

Maybe because she had to be one of his favorites since she was already mine—he’d listen.

“Bye, Britt.” I whispered.

“Bye, Ro.” She left.

And my heart cracked a bit in my chest as I did the right thing, got into the car, and drove away without looking back.

Chapter Ten- Brittany

3 years later “Happy Birthday!” Zoe shouted then started dancing in front of me while I tried to relax against the hot sand. “We have to celebrate!”

“You celebrate.” I grumbled. “I’m going to sleep.”

She stuck her tongue out at me. “The photographer brought drinks.”

“Of course he did.” I yawned. “You go, I’m just gonna lay here in the sun.”

“Finneee.” She did a little twirl. “Can you believe we’re shooting for Sports Illus-trated?”

“No.” I laughed then. “I can’t actually.” I shook my head. “It’s crazy.”

“It is.” She did a little twirl again. “Okay I’m off to go hang with all the people who aren’t lame enough to turn down some party time. We should be celebrating!”

“This is me celebrating.” I grabbed my Bible.

“You’re weird, but I love you anyways.” Zoe blew me a kiss and ran off.

The truth was, even though it was my birthday and it felt like everything was com-ing together career wise.

I missed him.

He texted often.

But it didn’t take a genius to know he’d been casually dating for the last three years, models, actresses, girls with trust funds the size of a house.

It didn’t necessarily hurt it just made me wonder if I made everything up, if it was little bit of hero worship with a side of being blown away by his good looks and cha-risma.

I grabbed my Bible and sat cross legged.

I needed to find my center.

I needed something to make the sadness go away and I didn’t want to hang with the other girls, not when I knew how that would end, plus I was working.

I didn’t judge them, I just didn’t want to lose focus and I didn’t want my parents to be disappointed in me.

Disappointment was a huge motivator, even now.

The laugher got louder along with the music, I smiled down at my Bible when I heard Zoe start shouting about a crab that nearly killed her.

And then a shadow cast over me.

“Ugh Zoe, the crab isn’t going to kill you!”

She said nothing.

And then.

“I’m Ronan Campbell,” My heart stopped in my chest. “And I could really use some saving.”

I looked up into the eyes of the man who made me promise to wait and whis-pered. “You’re here.”

“I’m here.” He dropped to his knees next to me and before I could get another word out, he pulled me against his chest and then kissed me softly across the lips. “Happy Birthday, Britt.”

Top: Kathy Ireland With Mobile Version of Fashion Jungle. Image courtesy of Jon Carrasco.

Left: Kathy Ireland and Rachel Van Dyken. Image courtesy of Jon Carrasco.

“Ro,” I touched my fingers to my mouth. “Is this real?”

He smiled and pulled me against him again, digging his hands into my hair. “It’s real. And just so you know, you’re leaving with me today and I’m not taking you back to your apartment.”

I knew I should say no.

It was on the tip of my tongue.

But I was in love wasn’t I? With this man who was back in my life.

So I clung to him like a lifeline, grabbed his hand and skipped off the path, and whispered. “Okay.”

Keep reading to find out what happens in Fashion Jungle!

Avilable on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Nook and Barn & Nobel kathyireland.com/fashionjungle 101

Kathy Ireland Image Courtesy of Jon Carrasco 102

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Meg

Nigel Roddis/EPA, via Shutterstock

Photo: PriceyPads.com

Meet Kathy’s New Neighbors!

Have we enticed you?

We hope so.

Check back here for more details, soon.

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BY CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES.

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On Hanukkah, may all who observe be embraced by the special love of G-d and His love for those who are the “apple” of His eye.

The chosen. There is no replacement. G-d never breaks a promise.

Happy Hanukkah Love, Kathy Please read this prayer.

By Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA Adonai, You are with me in the gentle flickering light of the Hannukah candles. I close my eyes and feel the presence of my grandparents, my great aunts and uncles, those no longer in this world, my parents, family and friends far and near. I open my eyes and I am alone, even with people around me, I feel my oneness in the world. For a moment I am outside looking up at a light in the window, reaching toward the warm glow and not knowing how to return. And then I am carried back inside the light by the many voices singing blessings, voices raised in song, Jewish voices across the country, around the world, held together by community, and holding me as I add my voice, and we praise Your name.

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May the joy and truth of Christmas be yours now and always. Have beautiful memories of this unusual and admittedly challenging year, no matter the circumstances. Our hearts and prayers are with you, your family and friends for a bright and peaceful 2021.

Happy Holidays.

Love, Kathy

“... the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy’...”

-Luke 2:10

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TUNE IN OR STREAM DECEMBER 15 AT 8/7C The American Pops Orchestra presents an evening celebrating the album of holiday classics.

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Fall “…Enter Kathy Ireland. The model/­ businesswoman took a vested interest in Jackson’s career through Sterling/Winters, Jackson’s ­ management company, which is owned by kathy ireland® Worldwide and run by ­president/COO Stephen Roseberry…” , “…negotiated with BMG to lock down a recording budget for Jackson (to the tune of at least $500,000, according to an insider) along with a sizable marketing spend…”

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kathy ireland® Worldwide And Pacific Coast Lighting Extend And Expand Licensing Partnership Of America’s Most Successful Designer Lighting Program “The kathy ireland® Home brand is America’s most successful designer lightning program in the home furnishings industry.

This renewal, after 15 years of partnership, extends our agreement well into the next decade,” says Mr. Linstone. “In our industry, most other brands have not been successful, and kathy ireland® Home continues to be, because Kathy continually battles beside us creatively and with great strength to resonate at retail. Design, Media, Values, that truly mean something to our retail customers, make a tremendous difference.Kathy works closely with our design team and drives the inspiration, personally and sales professionally. She leads a great team and the vision Kathy sets is recognized in the market. Customers understand what this brand is all about and customers embrace it. Fashion, quality, value and safety are hallmarks that make the kathy ireland® brand successful and finally, because of all of these reasons, customers search for the brand and after all these years, our sales continue to grow,” adds Mr. Linstone.

“Lighting is essential jewelry for the home, office and garden spaces. Our team at Pacific Coast Lighting makes beautiful, chic lamps and lighting fixtures that are functional and fabulous. We’ve worked togeth-

er for 15 years and it feels as though, we’re just getting started. Clark Linstone, Dennis Swanson, Manja Swanson and each of their team members are extraordinary people,” says Kathy Ireland, Chair, CEO and Chief Designer of kathy ireland® Worldwide. “This renewal is thrilling for everyone at kathy ireland® Worldwide.

They have led us to an incredible success in the lighting sector of the home industry. Many have attempted to imitate our accomplishments and while we respect competition, staying in the role of leadership is possible because of the genius, integrity and creativity of these industry leaders. We simply love our PCL team and thank them beyond measure for believing in us, when very few did. They are the definition of partnership. We have great plans for expansion in 2017,” adds Kathy, who recently graced the cover of Forbes Magazine for the second time in four years as one of America’s most successful self-made women. This week, Forbes Magazine also listed Kathy as one of the country’s 20 most successful celebrities. This latest issue also features Casa Elizabeth, a kiWW® Weddings & Resorts property designed and curated by Kathy, as one of the top vacation destinations for the world’s rich and famous.

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Nourison has entered into a licensing agreement with kathy ireland® Worldwide for a floor covering partnership. This licensing agreement includes the brands kathy ireland Home as well as kathy ireland® Designs Jardin by Nicholas Walker, kathy ireland® Designs ACafe Society by Chef Andre, and Kathleen Marie. In addition, Nourison will be creating decorative accessories under this agreement.

“It is exciting for everyone at kathy ireland Worldwide to join Alex and the incredible team at Nourison, to develop beautiful flooring and accents for homes, offices and the hospitality communities. We considered no other company for this category. Under Alex’s keen vision and direction, Nourison is a world leader in fashion. As our brand continues to grow, we are actively seeking the finest global partners in each category. Nourison enjoys an unequaled level of respect and appreciation from designers and the people who chart the course of fashion. We want the home 134

furnishings industry to know, that our pursuit of this partnership is very important to our strategic plan, of building equity in fashion and growing from good, to better and best at retail. Our collaboration of kathy ireland Home by Nourison, is an expression of great confidence in the integrity and leadership offered by the great house of Nourison and their extraordinary taste, at price points that address various retail partners,” said Kathy Ireland, CEO and Chief Designer of kathy ireland® Worldwide.

“Nourison is thrilled to be partnering with such an exciting leader in the home furnishings industry,” said Alex Peykar, Principal of Nourison. “An award-winning designer, Kathy Ireland heads up the 25th most powerfully licensed brand globally and is one of the 50 most influential women in the United States. She is a true expert in this field. We are confident that together Nourison and Kathy Ireland will create a dynamic, fashion forward and highly successful duo of home design.”

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kathy ireland® Worldwide And PPI Apparel Group Celebrate The $100 Million Sales Milestone With An Extension And Expansion of Partnership The kathy ireland® Intimates & Sleepwear collection includes functional, sophisticated, fashion-forward and on-trend bras, panties, shapewear and sleepwear. The new upcoming collections will see expansion in girls and the launch of underwear for men.

“We were thrilled to be awarded with the exclusive license for kathy ireland® Intimates & Sleepwear several years ago,” “We knew then that a partnership with kiWW®, one of the most successful brands in the world, presented a tremendous and unique opportunity for our company. Our sales projections were doubled and we are now celebrating a major milestone. We are even more thrilled to be able to share this success with Kathy and her exceptionally talented team at kiWW®” - Abe Hanan

Joey Hanan, Kathy Ireland and Abe Hanan at the PPI offices in New York, NY. Image Courtesy of Jon Carrasco 136

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kathy ireland® Worldwide And Bush Furniture Exceed The $100 Million Mark With An Extension And Expansion Of Partnership kathy ireland® Worldwide and Bush Furniture are extending their partnership yet again for kathy ireland® Office furniture through 2023, it was announced by Mike Evans, CMO and Principal and Jim Garde, CEO and Principal, Bush Furniture. The two companies are celebrating the $100 million sales benchmark. “We were thrilled to be awarded with the exclusive license for kathy ireland® Office, Quick To Assemble (QTA) several years ago,” says Mr. Evans. “We knew then that a partnership with kiWW®, one of the most successful brands in the world, presented a tremendous and unique opportunity for our company. Our sales projections were doubled and we are now celebrating a major milestone. We are even more thrilled to be able to share this success with Kathy and her exceptionally talented team at kiWW®,” he adds.

“The Bush team and their QTA Technology are extraordinary,” says 138

Kathy, kiWW’s CEO & Chief Designer, who this year graced the cover of Forbes Magazine for the second time as one of America’s 50 most successful self-made women. “Many, many years ago we tried and failed in the direct to business channel. With Bush, we’re winning. In concert with our Global Creative Director, Jon Carrasco, we’re making miraculous things happen. We are outselling so many leading brands. Our on-trend design work, in-stock positioning and customer connection has powerful results,” adds Kathy. “Our sales and margins are excellent... and sales and margin are the bottom lines. Aren’t they? We started as a business, and became a business family,” said Stephen Roseberry, President and CMO who brokered the original deal and extension.

“Bush is the future of QTA. In business furniture, Bush Rocks! kathy ireland Office by Bush best sellers include Ironworks, Volcano Dusk, New York Skyline, and staggering presales for our Connecticut, Metro and Echo collections. Jon Carrasco, the Bush Team and I have many plans to delight our clients. New upcoming offerings will see designs with the launch of our I’M1 collection. This is a focus for Millennial men and the women who love them. We’re making glorious progress,” says Ms. Ireland.

Image by Nikon Ambassador Dixie Dixon Courtesy of Jon Carrasco 139

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Continues Expansion of Health Advocacy Through Partnership with Pioneering Global Biotechnology Company We-Fresh “We are thrilled to work with Kathy Ireland and her exceptionally talented and super creative executive team, to bring this revolutionary technology to manufacturers looking to enhance the quality of their products, as well as give their customers the added comfort of a product which is tough on harmful bacteria,” says Ms. Williams. “kathy ireland® Worldwide is one of the most powerful brands in the world, with Kathy named one of the most powerful women in the categories of furniture and fashion, our main target business-to-business customers. Kathy’s business acumen is renowned throughout the world, and her team’s talent for developing and executing creative and strategic growth plans, is second to none. This partnership is an incredible opportunity for our brand.”

“We are delighted to partner with WeFresh,” says Kathy Ireland, who is named one of the top ten women’s health advocates by UCLA. “During this COVID-19 crisis, we’re all forced to be more aware of harmful bacteria, even our new normal will require us to be as clean as we can be. Imagine destroying germs at the site of your clothing, furniture, your shoes, the pillows our kids sleep on...even the dog beds our beloved four-legged family members lounge in. WeFresh kathy ireland® is a brand like no other. Incorporating this revolutionary technology by manufacturers can help keep us and our loved ones safer and healthier, as well bring an ‘added-value’ to a product, especially during such times.”

WeFresh kathy ireland® is exclusively distributed in North America for a product sold worldwide as Micro- Fresh®. The technology was originally developed and crafted in 2006 in the U.K. to prevent the growth of mold on products in transit from the far corners of the world. It also has additional properties that prevent odor causing and 140

pathogenic bacteria. Today, the brand is used as an ‘added value’ by over 50 retailers and manufacturers, including Marks and Spencer, Emirates Airlines, and Avon. It now serves as the ‘go to’ brand for innovation-conscious retailers that want to promote the freshness of their products.

In addition to preventing the growth of odor causing microorganisms, WeFresh kathy ireland® products can be washed at low temperatures, decreasing the need for frequent washing which prolongs the life of the product, as well as reduces energy costs and carbon footprint.

WeFresh kathy ireland® is free from restricted substances and SVHCs, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 approved in all 4 classes I-IV, and Certified DMF free. The result is a Nano-free technology that is tough on harmful bacteria but kind to the human skin. WeFresh kathy ireland® has been tested and approved for safety in baby bedding and has been featured in children’s footwear for nine years.

The technology behind WeFresh kathy ireland® has been honored with a number of awards including the Cisco Systems National Innovation Award 2010, Ernst & Young Sustainable Business Growth Finalist 2014, Cummins Entrepreneur of the Year 2014, Goldman Sachs Business Growth Award 2015 and more.

“WeFresh kathy ireland® now serves as the ‘go to’ brand for innovation-conscious retailers that want to promote the freshness of their products.”

Kathy Ireland and Michael Amini at High Point Market, NC. Image: House Tipster

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Eclipse Collection Available at Wayfair

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Silverlake Village Collection Available at Wayfair

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“We are thrilled with our partnership as we continue to co-develop high-quality children’s activity products at a good value,” said Ben Ferguson, CEO of Bendon, Inc. “Bendon’s kathy ireland® line of products represents classic play patterns as well as new, innovative formats that capture the essence of the kiWW® mission statement ‘...solutions for families, especially busy moms.™” Our two companies are partnered closely in developing this premium line of products for children ages 3+ and are committed to continuing this successful relationship.” kathy ireland® and Bendon Publishing International have given a huge boost to the US Marine Corps-sponsored Toys For Tots campaign, making a donation of $10 million in children’s books to supplement the Marines’ annual gathering and distribution of Christmas gifts for millions of at-risk children and youths.

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kathy ireland® Worldwide and Molecular Testing Labs Enter Into a Licensing Agreement “Our development of My Home Tests began roughly four years ago. This project began based on the opinion that the World needs more people taking a proactive approach to their sexual health. STI testing deserves to be a higher priority for sexually active people and we are making it more accessible via online purchase. Our partnership with Kathy Ireland is the exclamation point to this project! Together, we will make greater strides towards creating awareness and access to self-collect testing. James York, Managing Director of Business Development.”

“Our company’s Millennium Development Goals strategy was formulated with the sole purpose of improving the lives of people in our country and around the world,” says Kathy Ireland, Chair, CEO and Chief Designer of kathy ireland® Worldwide. “Easier access to health testing is such an important need for our society, as early diagnosis leads to early treatment which can save one’s life and the lives of the people they love. Part of living a healthy and responsible lifestyle, includes routine testing for STI’s.

Through this partnership, we will be able to bring affordable testing to people’s homes, forgoing the sometimes long wait period of a doctor’s office visit. Routine testing is imperative in reducing the spread of STI’s and My Home Tests gives people easier access and a more comfortable way of doing it. All of us at kiWW® are looking forward to working with James and the incredible team at Molecular Testing Labs in bettering the lives of men and women in a powerful way.” Ms. Ireland is a health advocate for early screening tests, including detection of breast cancer and colon cancer. Continuing the tireless work and activism of her close friend and mentor, Elizabeth Taylor, Kathy is Ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. kiWW® recently donated $100,000 to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 148

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kathy ireland® Worldwide Expands Health & Wellness Advocacy Through Partnership with Vertical Wellness™ for New Line of Innovative CBD Products Vertical Wellness™, an industry leader in the Hemp cannabinoid health and wellness space, has partnered with kathy ireland® Worldwide (kiWW®) for CBD products. The announcement was made by Smoke Wallin, Chairman and CEO of the California-based company. The new strategic relationship encompasses all CBD product categories, including beauty, health and wellness, pets, edibles and more.

The products will be marketed under the kiWW® brands. kathy ireland® Health and Wellness, kathy ireland® Better Living, kathy ireland® Loved Ones, kathy ireland® Gracie & Delilah, Kathleen Marietm New York, MIVI Co- Founded by Tommy Meharey, Friday Nights, and Sunday Dinner. As part of the strategic collaboration, Ms. Ireland will be joining Vertical Wellness’ Advisory Board “We are ecstatic to work with Kathy Ireland and her incredibly creative executive team, to bring the benefits of Hemp CBD to a diverse customer base from all walks of life,” says Smoke Wallin, Chairman and CEO of Vertical Wellness, Inc™. “kathy ireland®Worldwide is one of the most pow-

erful brands in the world, and adding Kathy to our advisory board and leadership brings Vertical Wellness™ a leader recognized as one of the most influential women in business globally. I look forward to learning from Kathy as she brings us her unique perspective and insights.”

Wallin adds, “Building innovative brands to help consumers improve their access to natural health and wellness solutions is our mission. Kathy and the organization she built, kiWW®, epitomizes the values-based leadership I believe in and have aspired to my entire business career. It is ingrained in our company’s culture. Aligning both of our organizations enables Vertical Wellness™ to achieve this mission on an even greater level. I can’t think of a better time to invest in the future and look forward to working with Kathy and the whole team at kiWW® on this incredibly great endeavor.”

The new kathy ireland® CBD products will be available for purchase in late 2020 through various online stores and local and national retail locations.

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Stars Repping Stars Vanessa Williams has signed with artist management firm Sterling Winters Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of kathy ireland® Worldwide. SWC will manage the actress and singer in all areas, including theatrical, music, licensing and .branding Vanessa is a global pop culture icon and" an artistic treasure," said Ireland, who will be part of Williams' management team alongside SWC/kiWW® president and CMO Stephen Roseberry, Executive VP and global creative director Jon Carrasco, Executive VP concerts and artist administration Steve Rosenblum and Executive VP content and broadcasting Steven Glick, who will serve as point.

"All of us at Sterling Winters Company and kiWW® have admired her limitless talent, inspiring beauty and incredible career accomplishments for years, as well as her unwavering dedication to making the world place through her advocacy and ".philanthropic endeavors Williams recently starred in the ABC pilot The Happy Accident and will soon be heard in Disney Junior's upcoming .animated series T.O.T.S I am thrilled to join the stellar team" /of Sterling Winters Company kathy ireland® Worldwide," Williams said in a statement. "Their excellence, knowledge and bravery in every facet of multiple businesses make me so excited about my future endeavors and very secure with my diverse ".career opportunities

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Other icons for whom SWC/kiWW® has managed and worked on marketing and licensing campaigns include Janet Jackson .and the late Elizabeth Taylor Williams continues to be represented by UTA for theatrical, ICM Partners for music and by attorneys P.J. Shapiro and Julian Zajfen at Ziffren Brittenham

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kathy ireland® Worldwide Expands Health Advocacy Through Partnership With Bright Innovations, Inc. For Revolutionary and Effortless At- HOme Fine Jewelry Cleaning and Sanitizing System kathy ireland® Worldwide and Bright Innovations, Inc. have entered into a partnership for a revolutionary at-home fine jewelry cleaning and sanitizing system – GemSpa by kathy ireland®. The announcement was made by GemSpa inventor, jewelry expert and GIA Graduate Gemologist, David Bellman, Founder of Bright Innovations, Inc.

and consider prized possessions, and not only do we want to keep them clean and sparkling at all times, we want to make sure that they are not the source of harmful bacteria for us and our loved ones. The GemSpa by kathy ireland® system is effortless, convenient and an easy at-home solution for jewelry “We are very excited to partner with kathy ireland® hygiene, with professional cleaning results that keep Worldwide, the best brand in the world to bring this your family safe and healthy, by removing the harmrevolutionary product to the global marketplace, and ful bacteria that builds up on rings, bracelets, and earrings from everyday wear.” to bring the importance of jewelry hygiene to the forefront,” says Mr. Bellman. “Most of us, includOver 90% of all fine gold, silver, diamond and geming the public health community, understand and stress the importance of hand washing as a defense stone jewelry can be safely cleaned in the GemSpa against food-borne illnesses. But most people don’t by kathy ireland® . The device’s patented surgical-grade, stainless steel mesh design defuses the realize that washing your hands is not enough, and at times, counter-productive. Bacteria colonies dwell water and steam in the dishwasher, into a fine spray and thrive on our jewelry. It’s a fact that the average that gently and safely cleans fine jewelry. This ring or bracelet carries more than three to five times multi-patented device with its locking mechanism secures the complete front cover of the device, which the bacteria found on a public restroom toilet seat. includes a jewelry bar that holds up to three stud/ Now, more than ever, preventing the transmission hoop earrings, and a large jewelry bay to place neckof harmful pathogens has garnered worldwide attention. The GemSpa by kathy ireland® is the only laces, bracelets and pendants, which will remain in safe, convenient and affordable at-home option that place during the cleaning process. leaves your jewelry not only sparkling, but removes 99.9% of the bacteria residing on it.”

“We are delighted to partner with David and his incredibly innovative team,” says Kathy Ireland, Chair, CEO and Chief Designer of kathy ireland® Worldwide, who is named one of the top ten women’s health advocates by UCLA. “As I learned from my beloved hero and mentor, Elizabeth Taylor, who taught me almost everything I know about exquisite gems, jewelry is something most of us cherish 156

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Product Design + Quality Materials 1. Surgical Grade Stainless Steel Our patented mesh design defuses the water and steam in

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Kathy Ireland’s new partnership with NPCF will help impact children battling cancer nationwide as she works to raise awareness and funds for critical life-saving pediatric research.

“National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is an incredible organization,” says Kathy Ireland, a renowned humanitarian and philanthropist. “NPCF’s tireless work in seeking cure and treatment for pediatric cancer, saves the lives of so many children and it is an honor for all of us at kiWW® to join David, and each and every person at NPCF and its incredible and generous partners, in our mission to destroy pediatric cancer.” Ms. Ireland will help the NPCF launch several upcoming initiatives and will also participate in events to call attention to the fight against pediatric cancer by engaging communities nationwide and globally through current and future relationships.

Only four percent of the billions of dollars annually spent on cancer research is directed towards treating childhood cancer, and fewer than 10 drugs have been developed for use in children with cancer since 1980, compared with the hundreds of drugs that have been created exclusively for adults. Cancer remains

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the number one cause of death by disease among children, and this year, 43 kids each day are expected to be diagnosed. NPCF, a Tampa- based nonprofit, funds research to eliminate childhood cancer with a focus on fast-tracking less toxic, more targeted treatments by partnering with 24 leading hospitals nationwide.

“We take a truly collaborative approach to finding cures for all types of pediatric cancer,” said David Frazer, CEO of the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. “We are energized by the opportunity to collaborate with Kathy Ireland – an icon and tireless advocate for so many causes – on new ways to engage the global community to have the greatest possible impact for the children and families fighting cancer each day.”

NPCF has donated more than $23 million to pediatric cancer research since its inception in 1991.

Eighty-seven cents of every dollar donated funds research, and Charity Navigator has awarded NPCF a perfect score of 100 percent – the highest rating a nonprofit can receive — for financial health and transparency.

kathy ireland® Worldwide Partners with Baratelli Properties for Affordable Residential Housing and Commercial Properties Baratelli Properties has partnered with kathy ireland® Worldwide (kiWW®) to bring affordable housing to people and families including those facing financial difficulties, essentially anyone affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement was made by entrepreneur/investor Phil Baratelli, President and Chief Investment Officer of Baratelli Capital Management, LLC, and Kathy Ireland, Chair, CEO and Chief Designer of kathy ireland® Worldwide.

unique skill sets are extraordinary in finance and real estate.

Phil is an executive in the truest sense. He is an entrepreneur with great dreams and the strength to realize those dreams in an accelerated timetable,” says Ms. Ireland. “We developed kathy ireland® American Home several years ago and waited patiently for the correct partner. Phil Baratelli is indeed this partner. We welcome Phil, his companies and team to the kathy ireland® Small Business Network. Our goal and strategy is to bring kathy ireland® American Home managed Baratelli Properties acquires, refurbishes, develops, and leases by Baratelli Properties to all fifty states. Where appropriate, affordable housing in communities throughout the Southeast- our residences which are furnished will offer product from kathy ireland® Home partners, including Pacific Coast Lightern and Midwestern United States. The new venture, kathy ireland® American Home, launches with a real estate porting, Nourison, Michael Amini kathy ireland® home designs, folio of 138 properties in various stages of development in Bush Furniture, Blue Ridge Home Fashions, Fame hardwood ® thirty-one cities in six states. kathy ireland American Home Floors, and Global Kitchen Concepts | kathy ireland® will is funded through be the planned installaBaratelli Capital tion resource for kitchens Management, LLC going forward. So many and is managed by people are affected by the Baratelli Properties.

COVID-19 pandemic with many families worried ® kathy ireland about being able to afford rent. We look forward to American Home is working with Phil to grow one of the inauguthis venture and expand it ral partners of the ® to the rest of our country. kathy ireland Small Business Network The housing units manuwhich also includes factured and built will be Kahwa Coffee places families can proudly (www.kahwacoffee. call home. They will be com) and My Medifully renovated and priscal Images (www.mytine. This is a great day.” medicalimages.com).

“Special thanks to Kathy, The partnership will see Mr. Baratelli become the first member of the Board Stephen, Jon and our Board of Directors for allowing me the ® of Advisors for the kathy ireland Small Business Network, opportunity to co-chair the kathy ireland® Small Business which is co-chaired by Ms. Ireland and Tommy Meharey, Network,” says Mr. Meharey. “My journey with kiWW® Board Member, Vice President, kathy ireland® Worldwide. began as a residential contractor and veteran of the Marines fifteen years ago. From day one, Kathy said ‘we must find a “I believe the concept of speed and urgency is important. It way to give people lovely homes within their budget.’ Today, is time to build. People need affordable housing now, to help Kathy’s dream becomes a reality.” them realize their hopes and dreams for them and their families,” says Mr. Baratelli. “We created our model, executed our As part of kiWW’s philanthropic initiatives, every brand partner that joins kathy ireland® Small Business Network supplans, and developed many of our properties in just twelve ports National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF), a nonmonths. Kathy and I connected, and with her leadership profit organization dedicated to funding research to eliminate and passion this partnership was accomplished in one week. childhood cancer. As part of the agreement, Mr. Baratelli In thirty years of business, I have never seen anything come together so quickly, powerfully and respectfully. To Kathy and and his company are supporting NPCF on an annual basis through the organization’s Team43 Campaign, in support everyone on the kiWW® team, I say Thank You,” adds Mr. of the 43 children who are diagnosed with childhood cancer Baratelli who initially met Ms. Ireland after making contact each day. with her through business social network, LinkedIn. “Phil Baratelli is an inspiring, passionate entrepreneur whose 159

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Christmas Holiday 2020

COVID-19 Winter in New York

by Natalie Raps

Christmas Holiday 2019 164

T

he city that never sleeps may be in the midst of a prolonged period of hibernation. Usually bustling with tourists, overflowing crowds, and people enjoying the winter season and holiday festivities, it seems this year, affirming the unprecedented nature brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the only semblances of normalcy are relegated to the lights of empty retail stores, holiday décor, and winter seasonal accents lining the barren streets, avenues, and neighborhoods unlike ever before.

Signs of the holiday are noticeable, yet against the darkness of the pandemic, it is challenging to balance sentiments of joy. Restaurants facing temporary and permanent closures along with small businesses, boutiques, and the very definitions of New York City are, unfortunately, very much in jeopardy. Traditions and seasonal activities are adapting as a result of the pandemic, however what is most noticeably absent are the sights and sounds of the lively city, left with the sounds of nature and songs of birds chirping, a stark contrast to the urban “noise” of cars and crowds.

hustle and bustle for which the city is known; unprecedented closures, imposed curfews and “New York on PAUSE” are just some of the drastic measures imposed on the city that never sleeps, transforming into one that is barely awake.

Despite the hopeful décor adorning the famed 5th avenue luxury streets and department retail stores, the streets overall remain desolate, quiet, and sadly, a melancholic yearning for the absence of what was. While Rockefeller Center’s traditional 75foot Norway Spruce glimmers beautifully, it is only against the sheen of darkness that the light shines.

Art and holiday décor act as small uplifting reminders of the inevitable light at the end of the tunnel; the dreidel, tinsel taxi, and present sculptures on 5th avenue beautifully glisten in the darkness, while the festive life-size ornaments in the Fashion/Garment District and Candy Canes on 57th street attempt to embody the NYC holiday spirit. Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Bloomingdales have all unveiled holiday windows; however, normally packed with crowds trying to catch a glimpse of the interactive and inAs a result of New York City’s role tricate seasonal displays, this year, as an early epicenter in the pandem- winter in New York City feels like a ic during the spring, the city’s hallshow with no audience. mark tourist locations have lost the by: Natalie Raps

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IN MEMORIAM Gianna Bryant May 1, 2006 January 26, 2020

Bryant Family via Vanessa Bryant Instagram @VanessaBryant

Kobe Bryant August 26, 1978January 26, 2020

Gianna and Kobe Bryant Jerseys via Vanessa Bryant Instagram @VanessaBryant

“My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time.

Thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them. We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.

is endless — and that’s to say, immeasurable. I just wish I could hug them, kiss them and bless them. Have them here with us, forever.

Thank you for sharing your joy, your grief and your support with us. We ask that you grant us the respect and privacy we will need to navigate this new reality.

To honor our Team Mamba family, the Mamba Sports Foundation has set up the MambaOnThree Fund to help support the other families affected by We are also devastated for the fami- this tragedy. To donate, please go to lies who lost their loved ones on Sun- MambaOnThree.org. day, and we share in their grief inti- To further Kobe and Gianna’s legacy mately. in youth sports, please visit MambaSportsFoundation.org.

There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now. I take comfort in Thank you so much for lifting us up in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew your prayers, and for loving Kobe, Gigi, that they were so deeply loved. We were Natalia, Bianka, Capri and me. #Mamba so incredibly blessed to have them in #Mambacita #GirlsDad #DaddysGirls our lives. I wish they were here with #Family us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon.

I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond - Vanessa Bryant today, and it’s impossible to imagine life via instagram @VanessaBryant without them. But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way. Our love for them MambaSportsFoundation.org.

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Gianna and Kobe Bryant Allen Berezovsky/Getty

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Kobe Bryant and Kathy Ireland Serving Children at the Athelets for Entertainers Event - via Twitter @kathyireland

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Kobe Bryant and Rick Fox via A.List

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Allen Berezovsky/ Getty Images

Gianna and Kobe Bryant via Twitter @shaq

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Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan via WallPapperAccess 170

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Kobe Bryant, Shaq and Rick Fox via @vanessawilliamsofficial

1. “Heartbreak. Praying for the Bryant family, friends and fans. Today, we lost a father, husband, genius and icon. #kobebryant” - Kathy Ireland via Twitter @kathyireland

4. “Kobe and Gianna may your souls and the souls of the others who were with you Rest In Peace. My condolences and prayers go out to Kobe’s wife Vanessa, his daughters and the Bryant Family. I Love You Kobe and will miss you dearly.”

2. “I’m Not Ready but here I go. Man I - Rick Fox via twitter @rickfox sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I be5. “Kobe was so much more than an athgin crying again just thinking about lete, he was a family man. That was you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/ what we had most in common. I would brotherhood we had! I literally just hug his children like they were my own heard your voice Sunday morning beand he would embrace my kids like they fore I left Philly to head back to LA. were his. His baby girl Gigi was born Didn’t think for one bit in a million on the same day as my youngest daughyears that would be the last converter Me’Arah.” sation we’d have. WTF!! I’m heartbro- Shaq ken and devastated my brother!! Man I via twitter @shaq love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I promise you I’ll 6. “Having been a part of the Laker continue your legacy man! You mean so Family for World 3 Championships, we much to us all here especially #Lakerwatched Kobe Bryant excel as a pheNation and it’s my responsibility to put nomenal player, motivated man, lovthis shit on my back and keep it going!! ing husband and devoted father. Kobe Please give me the strength from the spoke fluent Italian, had deep faith heavens above and watch over me! I got but it was his curiosity that was unUS here! There’s so much more I want ending. My then husband @imrickafox to say but just can’t right now because was not only a teammate but mentor I can’t get through it! Until we meet to Kobe and my favorite memories were again my brother!! #Mamba4Life #Gighow generous and loving he was to my i4Life” son @devin_christian who was a ball - LeBron James boy at the games. My heart breaks for via Instagram @kingjames his wife Vanessa who has lost not only a husband but her precious daughter 3. “When Kobe died a piece of me died...”

Gianna. May we all surround the Bry- Michael Jordan ant family with love and support.”

Kobe and Gianna Bryant Memorial - Vanessa Williams via Instagram @vanessawilliamsofficial

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