Posts made in December 2019

3 Pro Tips to Master Your Holiday-Season Fashion

The holiday season is in full swing, which means you’ll need the perfect outfit for the endless number of occasions on your calendar. From holiday work parties to get-togethers with family and friends, you’ll be diving deep in your wardrobe if you want to avoid wearing the same outfits over and over again during the next few weeks.

To keep your style fresh and your outfits chic, here are three pro tips to help you master your holiday season fashion.

1. Invest in Quality Outerwear

Unless you’re lucky enough to live in a region with warm winter weather, you’ll likely be bundling up every time you go outside this holiday season. This means the cute outfit you spent hours putting together will inevitably be covered up by your bulky coat. If you’re headed to a party, this isn’t a big deal, as you’ll likely shed it as soon as you make your entrance.

But if you have an outdoor date to see Christmas lights or are going out for dinner and drinks and need to be able to get from one place to the next without freezing, you might be wearing that coat a bit longer. In that case, it becomes just as much a part of your holiday outfit as your dress or favorite skinnies.

To keep your coat from ruining your holiday look, invest in some quality outerwear. A black wool coat or sleek khaki trench will help keep you looking winter chic without sacrificing warmth. Plus, these styles are classic enough that you won’t need to worry about them going out of style from one season to the next.

If you live in an area that experiences below freezing temperatures this time of year, a warm, puffy down-filled coat is another good choice. Indeed, it will provide you with a little extra warmth, as well as help you stay trendy this holiday season.

2. Dress Up Your Year-Round Staples

The holiday season and all its parties, glitz and glamour lasts less than three weeks from start to finish, give or take a week if you start celebrating before Thanksgiving. But if you’re buying new holiday outfits every year, only to stop wearing them after Christmas, you’re wasting your shopping budget on items that are useless for more than 11 months of the year.

Rather than starting from scratch for your holiday outfits, look in your closet for items you can dress up for your next party or date. For instance, your favorite little black dress can easily become holiday ready with the addition of a colorful scarf, glittery jewelry or a pair of red or green tights. By only buying a few accessories, you can save your shopping budget for items you can enjoy year round, like a new little black dress.

3. Layer on an Oversized Sweater

While you’re shopping for something new, sweaters are another good choice. The right one can be dressed up or down, and you’ll no doubt stay warm all season. When in doubt, layering an oversized sweater over a dress, skirt or leggings is an easy way to look chic and stay warm this holiday season. Whether it’s tossed over a fitted black dress or a flowy midi skirt, the result is effortless polish. Big, bulky sweaters of all shapes, colors and textures are in right now, so go with what you like.

Mastering Your Holiday Style

Whether you’re prepping for a holiday party or a low-key Christmas with family, these pro tips can help you look chic and stylish all season long!

Sody – I’m Sorry I’m Not Sorry

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[December 13th – New York, NY] Emerging international singer-songwriter, Sody, releases her new EP “I’m Sorry I’m Not Sorry” via Relentless Records and Sony Music Independent Network. ‘I’m Sorry I’m Not Sorry’ is available to stream or purchase at all digital service providers now. Click here to listen.

The internationally breaking singer-songwriter has caught the attention of famed publications such as Wonderland, Clash Magazine, and Euphoria Magazine and also Julia Michaels who shared Sody’s track “Maybe It Was Me” on her socials.

“I’m Sorry I’m Not Sorry” is an EP that is sure to have an impact on its listeners – full of reflection, captured by a spine-tingling acoustic sound. Sody has been releasing live versions of each track online where each video uses colour and set design to reflect the mood of the lyrics and tone of each track. Watch the latest video ‘Reason To Stay’ here.

Sody says of the EP – ‘‘I’m sorry I’m not sorry’ is me accepting myself for who I am and coming to terms with certain experiences in my life. My words are honest and I hope other people find comfort in them and remember that whatever they are going through, they are not alone.’

The EP “I’m Sorry I’m Not Sorry,” includes co-writing credits and production from Sacha Skarbek (Miley Cyrus, Wrecking Ball and Lana Del Rey, Without You), Toby Scott (Little Mix, Gossip) and Frances (Maisie Peters, Jess Glyn) amongst others.

ABOUT SODY:

At 12 years old, Sophie Dyson aka Sody was discovered by her manager where her music career began. She spent the next few years honing her song-writing skills and was promptly signed to UMPG in 2016, one of their youngest signings to date.

At 15, came her first offer of a record deal, making the decision to turn it down after realizing she wasn’t ready. She released her debut EP ‘Youth’ in 2016, garnering over 4 million streams and has since gained the support of Wonderland, Clash, Line of Best Fit and BBC Introducing.

Not shy to admit that she wears her heart on her sleeve, Sody states ‘Being honest is my thing’. Her music is a complete reflection of that, where Sody voices her journey in coming of age in songs like ‘Maybe It Was Me,’ ‘Let You Know,’ ‘Whole (demo),’ ‘I Don’t Know You Anymore,’ and ‘The Bully’. Earlier this year, in support of ‘The Bully,’ Sody passionately advocated for anti-bullying by partnering with UK organization Ditch The Label and travelled the UK giving talks about her bullying experience in high schools.

An artist on the rise, Sody at the mere age of 19 has had tracks featured on Love Island UK and already amassed over 35 million collective streams.

Buy / Stream ‘I’m Sorry I’m Not Sorry’

I’m Sorry I’m Not Sorry Tracklist:

1. Nothing Ever Changes

2. What We Had

3. Reason To Stay

4. Love’s A Waste

Louis The Child

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Chicago-bred production duo Louis The Child have shared a brilliantly left-field new single called “Here Comes a Feeling,” with Naomi Wild and London-based musician Couros. Released via Interscope Records and available through all digital retailers, “Here Comes a Feeling” marks the start of an artistically adventurous new era for L.A.-based musicians/producers Robby Hauldren and Freddy Kennett.

Listen to “Here Comes a Feeling” by Louis The Child with Naomi Wild & Couros HERE.

Featuring a mesmerizing vocal performance from Naomi Wild —an L.A.-based singer/songwriter known for her work with Odesza (“Higher Ground”) and Machine Gun Kelley (“Glass House”) — “Here Comes a Feeling” finds Louis The Child redefining the boundaries of dance music and evolving into entirely new sonic terrain. With its expansive palette and experimental sound design, the track hints at the major cultural shifts in store for the duo in 2020.

Says Louis The Child, “We started this beat with Couros on a day off in London. We had never met before but ended up staying at the studio until 6am working on this and a few other beats. When we left the studio we were super happy with what we made, it felt experimental and like controlled chaos. When we got back to LA we hopped in the studio with Naomi Wild and Blaise Railey. We played them that beat and they immediately wanted to write something to it. It’s one of our favorite productions we’ve ever made, and one of our favorite songs we’ve made too. We hope you feel the same”

Last weekend, Louis The Child wrapped up their widely acclaimed Here For Now North American headlining tour. In a departure from past performances, the tour featured live production from Hauldren and Kennett, adding a whole new vitality to their set. Among the tour’s sold-out dates were three consecutive nights at New York City’s Terminal 5 and their third annual Friendsgiving show in Chicago. With more dates lined up for 2020, Louis The Child will continue to elevate their live set with the addition of their exciting new material.

About Louis The Child:

Louis The Child is a Chicago-bred production duo comprised of Robby Hauldren and Freddy Kennett. After landing three singles on the Hot Dance/Electronic songs chart in 2017, they delivered a series of exciting releases in 2018, including collaborations with artists like Joey Purp and Quinn XCII, as well as “Better Not” ft. Wafia — a #1 hit on the US iTunes Electronic charts, featured on their EP Kids at Play. Also in 2018, Louis The Child scored the #58 spot on the first-ever Billboard Dance 100 artist rankings, then moved up to the #46 spot on the 2019 list.

*Photo credit: Maddie Cordoba

Drama Relax – On the Side

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Long Island-bred singer/songwriter/producer Drama Relax shares an addictively catchy single called “On the Side.” Released via Rule #1/Interscope Records, and produced by Oren Yoel (Miley Cyrus, XXXTenacion & more), the smooth and soulful track delivers Drama Relax’s signature brand of deeply confessional R&B.

Check out “On the Side” by Drama Relax HERE.

Directed by Kenny Okagaki, the video for “On the Side” features a beautifully dreamy color palette and adds a new layer of emotion to Drama Relax’s lyrics — a candid expression of romantic frustration and doubt. With its moody beats and delicate textures, the song again reveals Drama Relax’s supreme skill in matching his perfectly crafted melodies with heart-on-sleeve honesty.

“My goal with my music is to help people understand the situations they’re going through,” says Drama Relax. “I want them to know that even if you have a bad breakup, it’s gonna be okay, because so many other people are dealing with the same thing. If you can have that awareness and that perspective, it makes everything so much better in the long run.”

“On the Side” marks Drama Relax’s first new music since his debut EP Lonely, a three-track project released in October. His recent triumphs also include landing a song on the hugely popular 13 Reasons Why (Season 3) soundtrack: “All That” featuring Chicago singer/songwriter Jeremih, an undeniably infectious track that’s now surpassed 3.2 million streams on Spotify.

About Drama Relax:

Growing up on Long Island, Drama Relax started making music in eighth grade, largely inspired by Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III. After spending his high school years building his beat-making skills and self-releasing a series of mixtapes, he pushed forward with his music by producing and selling beats online. Once he’d amassed a sizable following on YouTube, Drama Relax began sharing his own music and steadily grew a fanbase on SoundCloud. His songs soon drew the attention of Interscope Geffen A&M Executive Vice President Joie Manda, which led to his signing to Interscope in fall 2018.

McLaren 720S Spider

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Up and coming multi-hyphenate filmmaker, Ruslan Pelykh has been commissioned by luxury dealership McLaren Beverly Hills to direct a one-of-a-kind video featuring the McLaren 720S Spider. The 720S Spider has the best of both worlds as it combines the adrenaline pumping rush of a supercar while sporting a retractable roof allowing the driver to enjoy its smooth ride under the sun to fully embrace the Los Angeles lifestyle.

The video, which was launched on McLaren Beverly Hills’ YouTube channel, features a captivating Helios Orange 720S Spider and models Michael Yerger, Ari Welkom, and Brittany Phillips, and was produced by Adam Maffei. Similar to the McLaren designers, Pelykh is inspired by the human form and captures close-ups of the models’ body parts in movement, illustrating the correlation to different components of the vehicle. To Pelykh, a woman’s curves mirror the ergonomically designed outer shell, a shoulder morphs into the hood of a car, and a spinal cord resembles the spoiler. Pelykh masters the art of creating powerful yet graceful imagery by contributing an innovative and cutting edge perspective, unlikely to be seen by supercar connoisseurs.

As such, this production marks Pelykh’s first supercar-focused project. The video also accentuates the intricacies of the car as well as the unique interiors and views of the dashboard from the driver’s seat. The glossy exteriors are beautifully highlighted and the distinctive details that are exclusive to the McLaren design are brought to the spotlight. The video comes to an end with a sensual display of the power of touch, concluding with an invitation to the viewer to climb into the driver’s seat.

“As a child, I was fascinated with cars and as I grew older that passion turned into sketching them, specifically coming up with my own designs. I drew cars nonstop and to now be able to create a video for McLaren Beverly Hills is a very special project for me. When I look at a McLaren I see not only hard work, high technology, and a perfectly made vehicle, I see it as artwork and the emotions people put into the process from design to completion. This specific model, the 720S Spider immediately made me think of the human body so I went with that route and started shooting the model’s bodies against different components of the car. All of my videos are shot by hand and I handle the postproduction, which is not very typical in the industry, but McLaren Beverly Hills gave me the full freedom to develop my idea and vision and because of that, I was able to create a video how I imagined.”
-Ruslan Pelykh, Director

“At McLaren Beverly Hills, we wanted to develop a new project that was less about racing and more about art. When I first saw the 720S, I was awestruck at the beautifully sculpted lines and curves of the body. I wanted the vehicle depicted in a way that tells a story and accentuates how incredibly sexy this car is and that’s exactly what came about through our collaboration with Ruslan. He was given free creative reigns and he forged something so special.”
-Llewyn Jobe, Director of Variable Operations at O’Gara

Ukranian born, New York City-based Pelykh is known for his artistic vision and handheld camera usage. He has worked with brands such as Alexander Wang, British Vogue, L’Officiel Italia, Rag & Bone and models including Alexina Graham, Doutzen Kroes, Elsa Hosk, and Hailey Bieber amongst others.

The McLaren 720S Spider performs like no other as it is exceptionally fast yet still boasts a phenomenal driver engagement. At the heart of the 720S Spider is a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that generates 720PS and 770Nm allowing the speed to go from 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds and 0-124mph in just 7.9 seconds. The Retractable Hard Top is a new design by McLaren with a one-piece carbon fibre roof panel as standard. For open-air driving, the roof can be lowered in just 11 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph.

The McLaren 720S Spider is available for purchase at McLaren Beverly Hills (price upon request).

About O’Gara Coach

O’Gara Coach, established in 1976, has served Southern California for more than 43 years, with locations in Beverly Hills, San Diego, and Westlake Village. O’Gara Coach is a factory-authorized dealer for Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Automobil Pininfarina, Bentley, Bugatti, Genesis, Karma, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, McLaren, Maserati, Rimac and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Through unparalleled performance, O’Gara Coach has become respected as one of the largest and most prestigious dealer groups in the entire world. http://www.ogaracoach.com

McLaren Senna XP

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Luxury car dealership, O’Gara Coach Beverly Hills, hosted their last Sunset GT of 2019 bringing together over 2,500 members of the LA car community to enjoy a morning of cars and coffee at Sunset Plaza.

O’Gara Coach proudly displayed 3 McLaren Senna XPs. This marks the first time that the McLaren Senna XP has been seen by the general public. The Senna XP Short for “Experimental Prototype” is the model built in the development of the McLaren Senna. O’Gara Coach had the McLaren Senna XP model specially commissioned to honor the late Ayrton Senna who is widely considered to be the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time. As such, there are only 3 functioning Senna XPs in the world. In addition to the McLaren’s, the Bugatti Chiron Skyview, the Pininfarina Batista, an Aston Martin Zagato shooting brake, Two Porsche 918 Spyders, Ferrari LaFerrari, Bugatti Veyron and the Koenigsegg Agera RS, which holds the world record for reaching the highest speed on a public road at 284.55 mph, were also on display. Car aficionados surrounded these exclusive vehicles and over 200 other hypercars throughout the morning.

In the true spirit of the holidays, O’Gara Coach partnership with the Los Angeles House of Ruth hosted a toy drive and silent auction. O’Gara also helped in creating and raising money through a GoFundMe page with all proceeds benefiting victims of domestic violence. Supporters can bid on luxury weekend experiences put together by the O’Gara team featuring different brands including Aston Martin, Bentley, McLaren, Lamborghini, and Rolls-Royce. Both the GoFundMe and the silent auction are running through the end of the month.

About Sunset GT

Letizia Silvestri and Giulia Acampora founded Sunset GT in March 2017, which successfully reinvented “cars and coffee”. Sunset GT brings the very best of hypercars together in a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. Car aficionados from across Los Angeles gather together at the iconic Sunset Plaza to experience cars, coffee, and more. Powered by O’Gara, Sunset Plaza, Obica and Roger Dubois.

About O’Gara Coach

O’Gara Coach, established in 1976, has served Southern California for more than 43 years, with locations in Beverly Hills, San Diego, and Westlake Village. O’Gara Coach is a factory-authorized dealer for Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Automobil Pininfarina, Bentley, Bugatti, Genesis, Karma, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, McLaren, Maserati, Rimac and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Through unparalleled performance, O’Gara Coach has become respected as one of the largest and most prestigious dealer groups in the entire world. http://www.ogaracoach.com

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The Peninsula Classics

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The Peninsula today announced the eight nominees for its prestigious The Peninsula Classics 2019 Best of the Best Award, an accolade presented to the world’s most exceptional classic car. The selected vehicles were built by automakers from five different countries over a span of nearly 40 years, 1919 to 1958. The winning vehicle will be unveiled on 6 February 2020 at an award presentation at the famed The Peninsula Paris.

Founded in 2015 by The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, with co-founders William E. (Chip) Connor, Bruce Meyer and Christian Philippsen, this year’s award brings together eight of the concours circuits’ elite best of show winners from around the globe. The winner will be decided by a cohort of 25 judges ranging from automotive designers to some of the most recognised private collectors in the world including Peter Marino and Laurence Graff.

“This award is truly a celebration of automotive excellence. Only eight vehicles are selected from the world’s most prestigious concours events to compete for the title of most exceptional classic car,” said Sir Michael Kadoorie. “These motorcars are works of art, each with a unique history and provenance. Our esteemed panel of judges have their work cut out this year due to the incredible field of contenders.”

The diverse nominees include vehicles built in France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States. This year’s nominees for The Peninsula Classics 2019 Best of the Best Award are as follows:

France

1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupé, coachwork by Figoni et Falaschi – Best of Show at the 2019 Salon Privé

Germany

1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Autobahn-Kurier, coachwork by the Factory – Best of Show at the 2019 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

Italy

1958 Ferrari 335 S Spyder, coachwork by Scaglietti – Best of Show at the 2019 Cavallino Classic
1950 Abarth 205 Berlinetta, coachwork by Vignale, design by Michelotti – Best of Show at the 2019 Goodwood Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance

United Kingdom

1931 Bentley 8 Litre Foursome Coupe, coachwork by Freestone & Webb – Best of Show at the 2019 Chantilly Arts & Elégance Richard Mille
1919 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Torpedo Skiff, coachwork by Barker – Best of Show at 2019 Concours of Elegance Hampton Court Palace
1931 Bentley 8 Litre Dual Cowl Tourer, coachwork by Gurney Nutting – Best of Show at 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

United States

1931 Stutz DV32 Convertible Victoria, coachwork by LeBaron – Best of Show at 2019 The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering

More details of the award can be found here.

About The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award

Through a shared desire to celebrate the best of what defines the automotive world, The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, launched The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award in 2015 with co-founders William E. (Chip) Connor, Bruce Meyer and Christian Philippsen. Each founder shares a common passion and appreciation of fine motor cars, the preservation of their heritage and immaculate restoration projects. The award, sponsored by The Peninsula Hotels, brings together the concours circuits’ elite ‘Best of Show’ winners from around the globe.

Bad Gyal – Zorra

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Today, Spanish singer/producer Bad Gyal shares her highly awaited new song “Zorra.” Released via AfterCluv/Interscope Records, “Zorra” closes out a year full of chart-topping, multi-platinum-selling releases for the massively celebrated Catalana sensation. The video was directed by MANSON and produced by CANADA.

Check out the video for “Zorra” by Bad Gyal HERE and stream the song HERE

Built on Bad Gyal’s genre-warping hybrid of reggaeton, dancehall, and urban music, “Zorra” shows off her force-of-nature energy and fierce sensuality. Meanwhile, its outrageous video follows a day in the wild life of Bad Gyal, leading up to a jaw-dropping climax that finds the singer and her girls getting some glorious revenge on the man who’s done them wrong.

“Zorra” arrives on the heels of Bad Gyal’s smash single “Alocao” — her record-breaking collaboration with urban-flamenco musician Omar Montes. Since premiering in late October, “Alocao” has shattered all streaming records in Spain, amassing more than 70 million plays and spending five consecutive weeks in the #1 spot on the Spanish Spotify chart.

As one of the only artists of her generation to achieve a staggeringly high level of fame both in Spain and internationally, Bad Gyal has also recently delivered such hits as her July 2019 single “Hookah” (now at over 13 million streams on Spotify). Next year, she’s set to continue her global domination by embarking on a widely anticipated European tour.

ABOUT BAD GYAL:

Born Alba Farelo, Bad Gyal grew up in Vilassar de Mar — a sleepy seaside town located on Spain’s Catalonian Coast. Despite that quiet upbringing, she’s brought a wildly rebellious spirit to the Spanish urban-music scene in recent years. With a number of world tours now under her belt, Bad Gyal has also won the praise of leading outlets like Pitchfork (who noted that she “twists and bends languages, fashion trends, and musical styles to her will”), The FADER (who dubbed her a “rising star”), and Nylon (who noted that “she has an untouchable confidence that can’t be taught”).

*Photo credit: Gonzalo Hergueta

Beyoncé × ELLE

KO Média is proud to announce that the January issue of ELLE Canadae stars none other than global phenomenon Beyoncé. As she unveils her new Adidas partnership for IVY PARK, Beyoncé offers a rare opportunity in this can’t-miss feature: full access. In an intimate DM session with her fans, the superstar opens up about motherhood, finding time for date nights and how she learned to feel “more womanly and secure” with her curves. “The more I mature, the more I understand my value,” she explains in the piece that hits newsstands in conjunction with ELLE US and UK. “I realized I had to take control of my work and my legacy because I wanted to be able to speak directly to my fans in an honest way.”

The issue also features another exciting ELLE network exclusive: the 2020 ELLE International Beauty Awards. This much-anticipated global event reveals the top 16 products handpicked by ELLE’s esteemed team of international beauty editors—and you won’t want to miss the results.

And for those looking for some guidance as we kick off a new decade, look no further than the whopping 30-page astrology guide in ELLE Canada’s January issue, which boasts ultra-entertaining year-ahead forecasts for every sign, an unmissable glossary of every celestial term you’ll need to know in 2020 and asks the important question: should you plan your next vacation based on your sign?

Also in this issue: Hollywood’s top stylist Karla Welch talks about the future of fashion, a report on the unlikely problem with clean beauty, a panel of Canada’s top fitness experts share the keys to successful goal setting, and an exclusive unforgettable shoot with Gucci’s one-of-a-kind eveningwear collection.

The January issue of ELLE Canada will hit stands today.

Spotlight: Japan 2020

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With major hype surrounding the upcoming summer games in Tokyo, Japan is poised to have its best year yet. Plus: a roster of luxury hotel openings and exciting destinations beyond the popular tourist track.

Opening in January, the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono will offer a refined hideaway in one of Asia’s best ski destinations: Hokkaido. In May, the HOSHINOYA Okinawa will open in the Yomitan Village, an archipelago of serene coral reefs, as a sleek beachfront hotel with an innovative fusion restaurant.

A 90-minute bullet train from Tokyo is the Tohoku region, an ideal addition to an adventurous Japan trip. Known for its bustling capital city, Sendai, and dramatic landscapes allowing for myriad outdoor activities, Tohoku is home to off-beat culture and festivals, like the Namahage Festival in February.