Gambit's CUE May 2019

CUE MAGAZINE A M O N T H LY

SHOPPING

Mother’s Day gift ideas R E A L E S TAT E

Choosing the right window shutters for your home BEAUT Y

Heat-proof makeup tips SHOPPING

Essentials for enjoying the great outdoors

LIFE + STYLE + DESIGN

GUIDE TO NEW ORLEANS

Take it

M AY 2 0 1 9

outside

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CONTENTS

MAY 2019

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SHOPPING

Gift ideas to show mom some love for Mother’s Day

9

BEAUTY

How to sweat-, heatand humidity-proof your makeup

11

14

REAL ESTATE

17

CUE TIP

What to know when shopping for window shutters

Get gussied up with designs from Kelsey Campion’s Fringe + Co.

FEATURE

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Essentials for all your outdoor adventures this spring

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#FOLLOWING

5 Editor’s Letter

Blake Owens and Nick Reed mount up with Bike Rite

ON THE COVER: HANDMADE PAPIER-MACHE FLOWERS BY BRIAN BUSH, AVAILABLE AT MIETTE, HOME MALONE AND AT WWW.CARNIVALSCULPTURE.COM.

[ FROM THE EDITOR ]

SPRING, GLORIOUS SPRING! (Although, as I type this, the humidity and temperature have already risen to summertime numbers.) Is there a more eventful time in New Orleans? Seafood boils, graduations, live music in the beautiful parks around the city — it’s time to get outside!

To get you in the mood for the great outdoors, we’ve got a broad offering of stories. In our real estate column, we talk about choosing window shutters for your home. If you aren’t sure whether to purchase antique or new shutters, or restore the ones already adorning your facade, this story is for you. It’s particularly timely since hurricane season is around the corner.

For truly Instagramable makeup— that stays that way, despite the elements — check out the application and product tips from Alyssa Liberto and Tyrelle Angeletti at Salon D NOLA in the French Quarter. Their secret makeup weapon? Fixing (not setting) powder. It’s a must-read.

Nick Reed and Blake Owens are ready to ride with their company, Bike Rite, and its weekly Tuesday night social bike ride. Read all about how they got their start in this month’s #Following (and see why Blake chose a pineapple as one of his must-haves).

Finally, Mother’s Day is upon us!

Don’t trot out the “every day is Mother’s Day” excuse when you

ON

CUE

Publisher JEANNE EXNICIOS FOSTER Editor KATHERINE M. JOHNSON Creative Services Director DORA SISON

Magpie Mother’s Day P H OTO BY K A R L A P H OTO G R A P H Y

realize you’ve forgotten to pick up a gift — local stores such as Alquimie, Art & Eyes and Coconut Beach (yes, that Coconut Beach!) have tons of ideas to show mom (or auntie or granny or your neighbor) that you care.

Yours in peace, love and jasmine-scented breezes,

ADVERTISING

Advertising Inquiries (504) 483-3150 Advertising Director SANDY STEIN BRONDUM (504) 483-3150

[sandys@gambitweekly.com]

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Sales Coordinator | MICHELE SLONSKI Sales Assistant | KAYLA FLETCHER Senior Sales Representatives [ jillg@gambitweekly.com] Sales Representatives

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BRANDIN DUBOS (504) 483-3152

Contributing Writers SARAH RAVITS, SUZANNE PFEFFERLE TAFUR

Pre-Press Coordinator JASON WHITTAKER

Graphic Designers

[brandind@gambitweekly.com]

SAMANTHA FLEMING (504) 483-3141

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ABBY SCORSONE (504) 483-3145

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TAYLOR SPECTORSKY (504) 483-3143

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traditional •vintage • modern • antique

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EDITORIAL Managing Editor

PRODUCTION

WE BUY AND SELL

JILL GIEGER (504) 483-3131

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[ SHOPPING ]

Whoa,

Silk and leather scarf by designer Kate Beck, $168 at Alquimie (938 Royal St., 206-579-5219; www.alquimiestudio.com).

MOMMA!

BY SARAH RAVITS

Hawaiian Dream mommy-and-me dresses, $142 (adult) and $64 (child) at Trashy Diva Clothing Boutique (537 Royal St., 504-5224233; 2048 Magazine St., 504-299-8777; www.trashydiva.com).

While Mother’s Day should be every day, we’re sure Mom doesn’t mind having one day all to herself. On May 12, celebrate the woman that made you you (literally). Here are a few gift ideas from some local shops.

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Fifteen-piece citrus macaron collection, $31.50 at Sucre (622 Conti St., 504-267-7098; 3025 Magazine St., 504-5208311; Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-8342277; www.shopsucre.com).

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Hand-painted photo frames, $32.50 to $70 at Scriptura (Lakeside Shopping Center Annex, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-219-1113; 5423 Magazine St., 504-897-1555; www.scriptura.com).

[ SHOPPING ]

Handmade eyeglass chain, $40 at Art & Eyes (3708 Magazine St., 504-891-4494; www.artandeyesneworleansla.com).

Cotton poplin faux wrap dress (available in sizes 14-22), $89 at Jaci Blue (2111 Magazine St., 504-603-2929; www.jaciblue.com).

Gold metallic purse, $240 at Claudia Croazzo (4214 Magazine St., 504-605-3005; www.claudiacroazzo.com).

Tasc tank top, $35 at Coconut Beach (100 Coconut Beach Court, Kenner, 504-305-4090; www. coconutbeachla.com).

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Wolf Gourmet precision griddle, $549.95 at Nordic Kitchens & Baths (1818 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504888-2300; www.nordickitchens.com).

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Tortoiseshell sunglasses by Jacques Marie Mage, $895 at Art and Eyes (3708 Magazine St., 504-891-4494; www. artandeyesneworleansla.com).

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[ BEAUTY ]

Makeup

THAT WON’T

Break up Hot to heat-, humidity- and sweat proof your look

BY K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N IT’S ABOUT TO GET WARM OUTSIDE. Very warm.

Even during the comfortable temperatures of spring, humidity levels are rising, and the flurry of outdoor activities that inundate social schedules — crawfish boils, festivals, wedding receptions and graduation parties — increases exposure to the elements. Sweat, warmer temps and higher humidity may be good for your skin, but they can ruin your makeup. Don’t despair: Alyssa Liberto, esthetician, and Tyrelle Angeletti, makeup artist, both at Salon D NOLA (317 Burgundy St., Suite 14, 504581-3490; www.salondnola.com), explain the products and techniques that help makeup stay put, no matter what the weather brings.

“Always use a good primer,” Liberto says. “That’s really going to help lock that foundation in. You want a primer with a tacky consistency, so makeup can literally stick to it.”

Use fingertips to spread a liquid or cream primer over the skin, paying special attention to smile lines, wrinkles and natural folds of the skin (like around the nose) — any place makeup can potentially crease.

If you opt for a powdered primer, Angeletti suggests applying it with a sponge, allowing the product to sit on the skin for a few minutes, then gently wiping away the excess.

“It’s really about finding that perfect primer,” she says. “You can use a $5 foundation if you have the right primer.” Angeletti likes primers

by Becca Cosmetics, especially for oily skin.

Primer, like makeup, is skin typespecific, so choose one that fits your skin’s needs, such as mattifying for oily skin, hydrating for dry skin or pore-filling for smoothing. For clients with combination skin, Angeletti and Liberto put different products together, using the appropriate primer type for each area of the face.

Liquid makeup

Follow with a dusting of powdered makeup. Keep it light to avoid packing on too much product.

Setting vs. fixing sprays and powders

To seal the deal, people often reach for a setting spray or a powder. Setting sprays are water-based and usually contain a humectant compound that retains moisture in the skin, which helps the layers of makeup bond together, leaving behind a dewy look. If you prefer powder, Angeletti recommends using a finely milled, starch-based, translucent loose setting powder. She says talc-based powders result in “flashback” — when photographed with a flash, the powder appears white and chalky.

She also explains that a translucent formula blends more evenly than a tinted powder, which can flatten out skin tones. (Her favorite setting powder is Laura Mercier’s translucent loose setting powder.)

The application technique is more important than the specific formula.

Brushes — even very dense ones — don’t spread powder evenly, which can cause the powder to not set properly.

“You can use a brush for a light application, but I use a sponge and press it into my skin,” Angeletti says. Velour or satin puffs also are effective applicators.

You don’t need to apply a setting powder or spray all over the face.

Liberto says to concentrate efforts under the eyes, in smile lines and the T-zone to prevent creasing.

However, setting sprays often are

light on “film-formers,” ingredients such as polymers or acrylates that help makeup stay put by creating a flexible film over the skin. For oily skin especially, a setting spray may not be strong enough to beat the heat.

If this sounds like your truth, try a fixing spray or powder instead. Angeletti likes RCMA’s theatrical-grade cosmetic products. You can use the fixing spray intermittently throughout the application process — after moisturizer and/or sunblock, after completing the liquid makeup part of your routine, in tandem with or in place of a setting spray — concentrating on areas where makeup is most likely to run (such as the T-zone).

Eye makeup

Apply eye makeup after spritzing the face with fixing or setting spray. If you have oily skin, beware waterproof eyeliner and mascara. Waterproof products dissolve in oil, not water, so oily eyelids and waterproof eye makeup can’t coexist. Eye makeup primer is essential — cover the entire lid with a healthy coating, even above the crease where mascaraed eyelashes will contact the skin.

Touch-ups

Don’t, say Angeletti and Liberto. Instead of applying more makeup, use blotting papers to freshen the makeup you’re already wearing. Angeletti likes the mattifying blotting papers by e.l.f. cosmetics. Always pat the face (don’t swipe); in a pinch, a square or two of toilet paper will do the trick.

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Similarly, they’ll mix foundations to ensure makeup is drying or moisturizing where necessary. Liberto emphasizes the need to wear the foundation that’s right for your skin.

If you’re unsure of your skin type, talk to a makeup professional. (Liberto and Angeletti offer beauty consultations at Salon D.) Next, hit hard-to-cover areas with a thick, heavily pigmented concealer (a little will go a long way). Concealer follows foundation, not the other way around.

“The face is two-toned, so foundation on top will make the face look bland and flat, like a single color all over,” Angeletti says. “Concealer puts the life in.”

Taylor Jenkins receives a beauty consultation from Tyrelle Angeletti (left) and Alyssa Liberto (right).

C UE M AG A Z I N E •

Before beginning the makeup process, complete your skin care routine.

“Treat your skin first … because if your skin is good, your makeup is going to look good,” Liberto says.

“Clean your face really well with an appropriate cleanser, like a clarifying cleanser (for oily skin),” Angeletti says.

“Let it dry the skin out a bit. Then put on a moisturizer, even though you’re going to get a little oily again.”

If you have combination skin, be sure to treat both skin conditions.

Liberto warns against overapplying makeup when heading to the great outdoors.

“No matter how much you try to prevent it, the oils in your skin will peep through,” she says. Sweat and humidity only make skin more oily, and sunblock (which is a must) adds more oil to the mix. Angeletti suggests using a foundation that contains sunblock, which will eliminate a product from the makeup base. To reapply sunblock, try a powdered version that can be brushed over completed makeup. Follow the instructions though — many brands recommend at least two applications to get full protection from the sun.

Primers

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BEYOND Sunblock

Headed to the great outdoors this spring? Bring along some of these outdoor essentials to keep the fun in the sun going.

B Y K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N

Mosquitoes love the outdoors too, so be sure to bring a bug spray when heading outside. The smell of citronella can be overpowering on its own, so try a bug spray that combines other bug-repelling and good-smelling oils, such as this one that also contains cedar, lemon, lavender and eucalyptus.

Louisiana swamp-tested, locally made all-natural bug spray, $12 for 4 ounces at Xodo Botanicals (www. xodobotanicals.com).

Sometimes all the SPF in the world isn’t enough to shield you from a sunburn. Throw some shade (over your face) with a widebrimmed hat for extra protection — but don’t skip the sunblock. “Love” fedora with heart-shaped brim by MY BOB, $320 at Saint Claude Social Club (1933 Sophie Wright Place, 504-218-8987; www.saintclaudesocialclub. com).

The skin on the lips is thinner than that on the rest of the body, and even more vulnerable to sun exposure. A lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 is a must for long days in the sunshine (don’t forget to reapply!).

Organic and vegan Mineral Liplux lip balm with SPF 30 in Skinny Dip by COOLA, $18 at the Waldorf Astoria Spa at The Roosevelt New Orleans (130 Roosevelt Way, 504335-3190; www.therooseveltneworleans.com).

An all-in-one product to treat bug bites, chapped or sunburned lips and plenty of other outdoor-related skin ailments is a life- (and space-) saver.

Miracle Balm made from local beeswax infused with botanical butters and essential oils, $12 at Xodo Botanicals (www. xodobotanicals.com).

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Low-cut rain boots keep feet dry and let them breathe when temperatures soar. These lemon-scented boots by Lemon Jelly feature an elasticized ankle and an odor-absorbing carbon insole, and are cut from a street shoesize pattern for a more natural fit.

Chelsea-style rain boots in Baby Rose, $104.99 at Feet First (4122 Magazine St., 504-899-6800; www.feetfirststores.com).

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11

Meet Master Jeweler

Ray Griffiths Wednesday, May 8th, 12 - 7 Thursday, May 9th, 10 - 6

One of a kind designs of unique metal crownwork® and exquisite stones.

3933 Magazine | 504.304.9475 | sotrecollection.com

R E AC H 155, 901 L O C A L SHOPPE R S

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Father’s Day Gifts

12

I S S U E D AT E

JUNE 4

A D S PA C E

MAY 24

To advertise: Sandy Stein at 504.483.3150 or sandys@gambitweekly.com

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When an umbrella isn’t practical (i.e., in close quarters at a festival, where there’s a legit risk of poking out your neighbor’s eye with an umbrella spoke), a foldable, lightweight poncho (in a cheery pattern) is the way to go. Pack-away foldable poncho with pouch by Joules, $39.99 at Feet First (4122 Magazine St., 504-899-6800; www.feetfirststores.com).

Hand-woven and -dyed using traditional techniques by the Wayuu tribe in Colombia, a mochila bag offers durable construction and plenty of room for your outdoor essentials. Each bag can take a month or more to make, and slight variations in each design are emblematic of the bags’ handcrafted nature.

Drawstring mochila shoulder bags in Frida Kahlo and hot pink geometric prints, $149 each, imported by Hola Guava (www. holaguava.com).

And because sunburns will happen to even the most diligent sunscreen reapply-er.

Salvation aloe vera gel, made with locally-grown aloe vera and infused with vitamin E oil, $9 for 2 ounces at Southern Rhoades Apothecary & Mercantile (www.southernrhoades.com).

A fresh pair of sunnies not only makes a “look at me” fashion statement, but also protects eyes from sun damage.

Try a pair in an on-trend oversized square shape. “Blink” sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection by Marni, $695 at Art & Eyes (3708 Magazine St., 504891-4494; www.artandeyesneworleansla.com).

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[ R E A L E S TAT E ]

AN OPEN-AND-

SHUT CASE?

What to expect when window-shopping for shutters

BY S U Z A N N E P F E F F E R L E TA F U R Photo: Cassagne Photography

Client-Driven Real Estate with Collective Results!

Voted by Gambit readers as the #1 Real Estate Agent in the Metro Area 2018!

Witry Collective

900 Camp Street, Suite 301, New Orleans, LA 70130 504.291.2022 • wcnola.com Licensed in Louisiana, USA

HOME WORKS

1037 Dauphine St. - 1.2 Million

PHOTO COURTESY FIVE STAR PAINTING

A fresh coat of paint can make a pair of weathered shutters look brand new.

2028 Sq Ft.

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3Beds/3Baths

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This is a rare find in the French Quarter offers a lush & private courtyard to include a 15x30’ pool! Located on a residential block of the FQ and bathed with natural lighting that enhances its Southern charm and elegance, this home is a must see!

With over 20 years in the real estate business, Crystal offers ethical expertise and exceptional personal dedication to each and every client. Loyalty, honesty, and a commitment to excellence is given each day!

A proud parent, born and raised in New Orleans. “Local architecture as well as all homes inspire me in a manner that attributes to representing Sellers and assisting Buyers in a precise and dedicated manner.”

Crystal Berry, Realtor email:crystal@soldbytagrealty.com website: soldbytagrealty.com

TAG REALTY, LLC. 4405 N I-10 Service Road W, Suite 100 • Metairie, La. 70006 c: 504.628.7498 • o: 504.875.2100

NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE IN NEW ORLEANS, you’ve likely noticed that most of the homes in your neighborhood have exterior shutters.

They’re charming architectural details that have framed windows for centuries to protect residents from flying debris during a storm and to shade them from the hot summer sun. Aside from being practical, shutters add dimension, color and a sweet touch to the facade of any home.

But purchasing new or antique shutters or repairing the ones you have can be costly. First, decide whether they’re worth the investment, and then determine which shutter style fits your needs.

Richard Maia, the manufacturing manager at LAS Shutters and Windows (800-264-1527; www. lashome.com), has met customers who want decorative shutters — even if those shutters don’t actually work — because they hope to boost their home’s curb appeal.

“When you drive around and look at people’s homes, you’re going to see a lot of what we call ‘deco’ shutters,” Maia says. “Those are shutters that don’t function.”

In fact, the combined width of shutters flanking a window may be smaller than the width of the window.

“That’s one of the biggest faux pas in our industry, but you see it on all kinds of houses,” he says, adding that other signs of low-quality decorative shutters include elements that are not placed in the proper spots.

Some LAS customers want shutters that at least open and close, while others prefer durable shutters that will protect their home during a hurricane, Maia says. If storm protection is a priority, consider aluminum shutters, which are stronger than wood. LAS manufactures aluminum shutters that mimic the dimensions and elements of wooden shutters, and coats them with a powdery matte paint that completes the look.

[ R E A L E S TAT E ]

PHOTO COURTESY L A S SHUT TERS AND WINDOWS

Window shutters can offer protection and add a pop of color to your home.

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“You never know when a hurricane is going to enter the Gulf, and it’s nice to close your shutters for that extra layer of security,” she says. “They’re a great alternative to putting up plywood.”

The professionals at Five Star Painting (504-264-6044; www.fivestarpainting. com) also repair damaged shutters.

“If they’ve been well-maintained, then all we have to do is clean them — maybe knock a few edges off — and then put a nice, light coat of paint on them,” says owner Michael Dodick.

“If the paint has failed, we’re in a situation where there’s a lot more manual labor involved to remove the failing paint from the surfaces, prior to recoating them.”

The shutters are dipped in a solution that eliminates the paint, but reveals a rough surface that requires a “significant amount of sanding,” he says.

Repainting a single shutter can cost $150 to $350, but Dodick believes that shutters are a worthwhile home investment.

A “classic New Orleans home” looks incomplete without them, he says.

“The shutters that are on those homes were originally used to protect the home during storms and shade the home. There’s no reason that they can’t be used for those same reasons today. They just take more upkeep than I think people realize, but that’s the truth about every bit of having an old New Orleans home.”

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“I go around the French Quarter taking pictures of shutters all the time, figuring out ways to make our shutters look better,” Maia says. “Aesthetics is the main reason you would buy a shutter.

Storm protection is just the added benefit.”

Impact-rated windows don’t shatter when they’re stuck by storm debris, but they can crack, and “you may end up replacing a window that costs $800 to $1,000, rather than (replacing) a hurricane-rated shutter that may cost you $400 to $500,” he says.

Sturdy antique shutters or shutters made from reclaimed wood also offer protection from strong winds. And they have the composition and architectural details of shutters that were made in a bygone era.

The Bank Architectural Antiques (1824 Felicity St., 504-523-2702; www.thebankantiques.com) sells and repairs antique shutters with the same machines that were used to create them nearly 150 years ago.

“We can strip the old paints off of shutters and replace missing parts, like the slats or the rods, and get them ready to be painted again,” says Kelly Wilkerson, co-owner of the shop.

Most antique shutters are made of cypress, which is expensive and difficult to source, but The Bank creates its shutters with Spanish cedar. Cedar is denser than cypress, looks nice in its natural state and when it’s painted, and it contains a natural bug repellent, Wilkerson says.

“There are a lot of guys out there pulling old cypress boards out of rivers, and they’re not air-drying them like they used to,” Wilkerson says. “You would air-dry a piece of wood for 20 years. But now, they’re finding ways to make that happen in six months, and it’s completely changing the makeup and the integrity of the wood.”

So, if you come across a set of antique shutters that are salvageable, keep them.

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[ADVERTISING PROMOTION]

Sugarcane necklace, sterling silver & 14K yellow-gold, $95, at Jose Balli.

Locations in Mandeville, Metairie, Magazine Street & French Quarter, 504-832-8990, www.JoseBalli.com.

This Pink Brocade Blazer from Yvonne LaFleur in the Riverbend is the perfect Spring wardrobe essential. Pair with jeans for a dressy casual look or style with Yvonne LaFleur’s “Magic Pants” in desert blush or white.

Visit the store Monday to Saturday at 8131 Hampson Street to add this to your Spring wardrobe or even a gift for Mom.

MiaMily New Hipster Smart is a revolutionary new carrier designed by a Swiss mom. This award-winning new carrier is a parent’s must-have for festival season and travel. Built in hip seat supports baby’s hips. So much storage for baby’s items, you can ditch your diaper bag!

Try one on in store or order online at zukababy.com.

Show off your style this Spring in a handmade, hand painted hat made in New Orleans that you can get at Bywater Clothing.

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Modern pendant crafted with 14k yellow gold and set with natural lapis lazuli cabochon. Teardropshaped lapis with gold bezel and rich royal blue hue with glimmers of gold in the stone. The pendant hangs from an 18 inch 14k gold chain with a secure spring ring clasp, $395, at magpie Vintage & Estate Jewelry 4529 Magazine St., 504.891.1333

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Bambi DeVille’s flagship store at 818 Royal Street is having a moving sale for the entire month of May. Shop treasured Vintage Clothing and one-of-a-kind pieces such as Jewelry, Shoes, Tiaras, Headpieces, Millinery, Gloves, Purses and more.

Custom Birthstone Necklace. 14K gold dipped with 2,3,4 or 5 birthstone Swarovski crystals, $46.

Available on beatrixbell.com or in the gift shop.

Stunning “in and out” hinged hoop earrings with stones on both the outside and inner back surface for a brilliant display from every angle. Available in Gold with Diamonds and Silver with Cubic Zirconia, at Fisher & Sons Jewelers. Located at W. Esplanade and Transcontinental in Metairie, 504.885.4956, www.fishersonsjewelers.com.

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N A B O U T E AC H B U S I N E S S , LO O K F O R T H E I R A D I N T H I S I S S U E O F C U E M AG A Z I N E. TO H AV E YO U R B U S I N E S S F E AT U R E D I N H T E N E X T N E W + CO O L , C A L L S A N DY S T E I N AT (5 0 4) 4 8 3-31 5 0.

[ CUE TIP ]

FRINGE +CO.

BY SARAH R AVITS

Summer

RESTAURANT GUIDE RESERVE YOUR SPACE AD SPACE

BY MAY 17

PHOTO BY MADELINE ROSE

Kelsey Campion, owner of Fringe & Co., and some of her colorful headpieces and apparel.

ISSUE DATE: MAY 28 To advertise call Advertising Director Sandy Stein at 504.483.3150 or email sandys@gambitweekly.com

Bywater Clothing

New Orleans Gifts Local Artists & Designers

Mermaid Umbrellas

4432 MAGAZINE 1 block off Napoleon Uptown | 504.502.6206 | BywaterClothing.com

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ion full time.

Her signature T-shirts (“party tees”), which retail for $98, are fashioned out of vintage and retro finds that she discovers while scouring thrift stores and spending late nights on eBay. Campion repurposes the shirts and embellishes them with colorful sleeves, most often featuring sequins and feathers. She also is working on a line of crop tops.

Like many tech-savvy entrepreneurs, Campion attracts much of her clientele through Instagram (@fringe.and.company). She also recently addressed a crowd at a panel during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, discussing the metrics (however unconventional) of success.

“Mostly, it’s been fans and friends who’ve spread the word,” she says.

Customers can place orders online, but many of her creations are one-of-a-kind and best seen and

purchased in person at various popups and events around the city. Her clothing and apparel are all made locally, and she’d like to keep it that way, but she has been expanding her market beyond New Orleans and just hired some extra help to assist with sewing projects, managing the website and online orders.

“Client communication and how I source things is very important to me,” she says. “I want to add things that bring joy to people’s lives.” It’s vital that Fringe + Co. continues to build the celebratory community that embraced her as a newcomer and encouraged her to be bold, she says.

Campion plans to host a “sequined pub crawl” in late May or early June to raise funds to help fellow small business entrepreneurs with start-up costs. She wants her own creations to reflect a fearless mentality, and to inspire members of the community to “be part of things, to be brave and bold and excited and happy,” she says.

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IT’S BEEN A YEAR SINCE KELSEY CAMPION LEFT HER CAREER as a commercial photographer to fully devote her time and abundant energy to Fringe + Co., a clothing and apparel company that she owns and operates out of her MidCity apartment.

The Minnesota native lived all over the world before relocating to New Orleans right before Mardi Gras in 2016. That the timing of her move coincided with the city’s biggest holiday was serendipitous. Campion, who previously had pursued a doctorate in forensic psychology, had been soul-searching — and honing her sewing skills — after leaving her academic program in order to pursue something more creatively fulfilling.

“I had no clue what I was going to do,” she says. “I had followed a straight and narrow path before I uprooted everything.”

While living in Milan, the style capital of the world, Campion, a lifelong fashion enthusiast, was inspired by the head wraps (held in place by hidden wiring) worn by fashion-forward Italian women.

“I’d always struggled with keeping accessories on my head, so I took that inspiration and made it my own,” she says.

When she arrived in New Orleans, a place where sporting a costume or festive accessory on a regular day isn’t uncommon, Campion purchased some fabric and started making her own headpieces, while holding down a job as a commercial photographer.

“I wore [a head wrap I had made] into a store in New Orleans, [and] the owner asked where I got it,” she says.

Demand snowballed from there, and in the following months, her apparel selection grew to include distinctive jumpsuits, high-waisted pants and other sparkly items, all handcrafted by Campion. Her “side hustle” became a full-time job.

“About a year and a half in, I couldn’t devote 100 percent to either one of those things,” she says, and decided to leave commercial photography to pursue fash-

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#FOLLOWING:

BLAKE OWENS & NICK REED Co-owners of Bike Rite @getupnride_nola on Instagram B Y K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N

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PHOTOS BY K ARL A PHOTOGR APHY

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BIKE RITE (www.facebook.com/ getupnridenola) is the social bike ride phenomenon that almost didn’t happen.

Blake Owens and Nick Reed went to high school together and graduated from Xavier University together, but they didn’t really become close until they both began working for House of Blues.

“Without the House of Blues, this never would have happened,” Reed says. “I was working events there and we would see each other on Sundays. … For three months, we kept saying, ‘When are we going to get together and ride bikes?’ Finally, one week I came in and I just announced, ‘Tuesday. We’re going Tuesday.’ ” Their career paths divulged — Owens delved further into his music career as a hip-hop artist with his band New Orleans Most Wanted, and Reed began promoting events centered around Jameson Irish Whiskey — but they meet weekly on Tuesdays to ride bicycles together, eventually inviting other friends and industry workers to join them. They tagged the meetups “Get Up N Ride” on social media, and Bike Rite’s social ride was born. Reed says the group’s first ride in 2015 had about eight riders. Sporadic media attention increased their numbers to 50, then 100, then 150, and Owens realized it was time to form a company around Bike Rite and the Get Up N Ride brand.

They bought a small fleet of bicycles to rent out to wheel-less riders and contacted an attorney.

“I actually fought it,” Reed says.

“Tuesday was only supposed to be a release therapy for us, so when it became business, it was kind of a struggle. But, (Owens) said, ‘If we don’t do it, somebody will.’ ” The struggles didn’t end there. It took about a year for the organization’s training wheels (pardon the pun)

to come off. There were stand-offs between bicyclists and impatient motorists and a couple of falls — Reed, after consuming two potent Monsoon cocktails from Port of Call restaurant one night, and a distracted rider trying to consume lemon pepper wings while cruising on the Canal Street streetcar tracks. There also was the night that the ride swelled to hazardous proportions.

“We were coming out of (Champions Square on Lasalle Street) and at this point, people are now following the ride in cars,” Reed says. “It had turned into 600 bikes, and cars, and everyone wants to know where we’re linking up next. We have no police presence. …

We’re heading down Poydras (Street) … and we’re taking up both sides of the street. People were just feeling like it was one big parade. So, we shut us down before (the city) could shut us down.”

After holding a board meeting (read: Reed and Owens sat down exhaustedly after the ride to figure out how things got so out of control), they decided some changes and safety precautions were in order.

“We were reckless in the beginning, because we were just thinking that we were riding bikes,” Reed says. “We weren’t thinking that people were looking to us to lead them.”

They learned the proper hand signals and the legalese of where and how bicyclists are allowed to ride, and sought permitting and preferred bicycle routes from City Hall. They also started keeping the meetup spot secret until just before the ride, to keep the numbers of riders manageable.

Owens and Reed notice the difference their reorganization has made: they’re now collaborating with companies such as Defend New Orleans, and organizations such as Bike Easy are seeking their input on policy and infra-

structure updates to complete the nonprofit’s Complete Streets bicycle safety campaign.

“It’s not like they didn’t want us to be a part of the culture, but now they have no choice,” Owens says. “With the bike lane (expansion) and the Blue Bikes — all this came about after (New Orleans) moved up in the percentile of the most bike-able cities. Not to say that it wasn’t already in the works, but a lot of this didn’t happen until the black community started joining in so heavily. Now the safe streets campaigns are starting up. I think it’s amazing, what’s going on.”

No matter how successful the group becomes, Owens and Reed remain committed to the community that first embraced and encouraged them.

“We’ve had a ride for every cause you can think of: a ton of different schools, (New Orleans Recreation and Development Commission),” Owens says. “We do the Santa Ride, where we ride to (homeless encampments) under the bridge and we give gifts to the homeless and cook food for them, dressed as Santa. We’re always doing stuff. … I think the reputation from

that helps to build up the (Bike Rite) community. It’s more of a personal thing. We’re not just an impersonal business. … We’re in the mix.”

Reed and Owens aren’t the only ones who’ve come a long way since Bike Rite’s first ride. In the beginning, riders would show up with bicycles in every manner of disrepair — flat tires, rusted chains and gears and bent rims. Now, riders show up with their own tools and offer repairs to other (usually newer) riders and sport tricked-out rides of their own.

“Seeing the ladies with the bike racks on their cars — I’m proud of that,” Reed says.

Bike Rite will host the Bike Rite Classic June 1. The event has existed in some form since 2017, but this year, “we’ve brought it back to what we do best,” Reed explains. There will be a festival with food trucks, live music and bicycle information, but it will culminate in the twilight with what they hope will be the largest bike ride on record, complete with festively lit bicycles and a police escort.

“We’re mimicking the Crescent City Classic in our own way,” Reed says.

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as the community of bicyclists that they’ve built.

“We’ve probably put at least 300,000 (people) on bikes in four years, if you think about all the tours,” Reed says. “That first year and a half, we had bike tours nearly every day.”

Mother’s Day Buffet

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > M ay 7 - 1 3 > 2 0 1 9

“We want that feel of when we had 600 to 700 people, but organized.”

Reed and Owens agree that the most exciting thing about growing Bike Rite is the impact it’s had on the communities and local businesses that they’ve worked with and patronized over the years, as well

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Hours: 10 am - 3 pm • Adults: $59.95

Kids 12 & under: $22 / Kids 2 & under: FREE

Nick Reed’s Must Haves

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MUST-HAVES NICK REED:

Jameson hat and glass — “I’m a brand ambassador for Jameson, so that’s got to be in there.”

Headphones — “I’m always listening to music.”

Blake Owen’s Must Haves

LIKES Favorite springtime festival or event?

Owens: “French Quarter Festival.”

Reed: “Eating crawfish. I only have a taste for crawfish for a two-month stretch in the spring.”

Favorite place for boiled seafood?

Owens: “I’m not big on crawfish … but I love Sweet Soulfood.”

Reed: “I don’t even know the name of the place — I just know how to pull up to it.”

Favorite music to listen to on rides?

Owens: “Classic R&B.” Reed: “Old-school hip-hop, like Jay-Z, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill.”

Favorite area of the city to bike through?

Owens: “The Quarter.”

Reed: “Uptown — anything on the other side of Canal Street.”

Zatarain’s scampi mix — “I like to eat. There’s no brunch that I haven’t eaten in the city.”

Endymion football from this year’s Carnival parades BLAKE OWENS:

Microphone — for his rap and hip-hop performances Bike rim DJ table Pineapple — “It was the first healthy thing I saw in the kitchen.”

Skull — “I’m from the 7th Ward, [where they call us] Hard Heads.”

Ja Live

Seafood Display

Oysters on the Half-Shell Bloody Mary Oyster Shooters Boiled Gulf Shrimp Spicy Boiled Crawfish & Fixin’s Smoked Catfish Crostini Grilled Redfish Salad Yellowfin Tuna Tartare

Soup & Salads

Alligator Sausage & Seafood Gumbo Redfish Bisque Tomato, Mozzarella & Bean Salad Creole Potato Salad Louisiana Strawberry Salad

Sides

Pepper Jelly Brussels Sprouts 3 Cheese Mac & Cheese Honey Roasted Carrots Baby Zephyr Squash Truffle Roasted Potatoes with garlic & rosemary

Entrée Favorites BBQ Shrimp & Stoneground Grits Hickory Grilled Redfish Pontalbla potatoes and lemon butter Crispy Catfish bacon braised collard greens, creamy ravigote Shrimp Creole with green onion rice

Carving Station

Grilled Pork Loin Slow Cooked Prime Rib horseradish crème fraiché Cajun Fried Turkey Breast strawberry-cranberry sauce

Kids Station!

Arts & Crafts Area Mini Kids Buffet Sundae Bar

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115 Bourbon Street • French Quarter

Reservations 504-598-1200