In partnership with Uptown Magazine, Lexus developed the annual pre-Oscar, invitation-only, “Lexus Uptown Honors Hollywood” black-tie affair to establish a legacy of recognizing Black Excellence in entertainment by bringing together the industry’s most prolific Black creators, writers, producers, filmmakers and actors to pay tribute to the contributions of Black talent in Hollywood.
On March 23 at the Sunset Room Hollywood, the brands collaborate again to proudly celebrate Black Love in film and television. “There is something special about seeing Black Love on television and in films,” said Len Burnett Jr., co-founder, CEO of Uptown Media Ventures. “Now, more than any other time in Hollywood, Black Love is being embraced and accepted by film studios and audiences of all ages. It is time to remember and celebrate those actors and couples who broke barriers for Black Love to be accepted. At the same time, we also want to celebrate the actors and couples who are displaying Black Love in real life and on the big screen.”
Lexus Uptown Honors Hollywood showcases the best aspects of Black life in film and television,” said Mia Phillips, Senior Manager, Lexus Advertising and Media. “We are proud to support an event that is dedicated to consistently displaying positive images of Black culture, including, and most importantly, love.”
Online fashion retailer Fashion Nova, LLC will be prohibited from suppressing customer reviews of its products and required to pay $4.2 million to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that the company blocked negative reviews of its products from being posted to its website.
The FTC alleged in a complaint that the California-based retailer, which primarily sells its “fast fashion” products online, misrepresented that the product reviews on its website reflected the views of all purchasers who submitted reviews, when in fact it suppressed reviews with ratings lower than four stars out of five. The case is the FTC’s first involving a company’s efforts to conceal negative customer reviews.
“Deceptive review practices cheat consumers, undercut honest businesses, and pollute online commerce,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Fashion Nova is being held accountable for these practices, and other firms should take note.”
According to the FTC’s complaint, Fashion Nova used a third-party online product review management interface to automatically post four- and five-star reviews to its website and hold lower-starred reviews for the company’s approval. But from late-2015 until November 2019, Fashion Nova never approved or posted the hundreds of thousands of lower-starred, more negative reviews. Suppressing a product’s negative reviews deprives consumers of potentially useful information and artificially inflates the product’s average star rating.
The FTC also announced that it is sending letters to 10 companies offering review management services, placing them on notice that avoiding the collection or publication of negative reviews violates the FTC Act. In addition, the FTC has released new guidance for online retailers and review platforms to educate them on the agency’s key principles for collecting and publishing customer reviews in ways that do not mislead consumers.
This is the second case the FTC has brought against Fashion Nova in recent years. In April 2020, the FTC announced that Fashion Nova agreed to pay $9.3 million to settle allegations that the company failed to properly notify consumers and give them the chance to cancel their orders when it failed to ship merchandise in a timely manner, and that it illegally used gift cards to compensate consumers for unshipped merchandise instead of providing refunds.
Under the proposed settlement of the latest allegations, Fashion Nova will pay $4.2 million for harm consumers incurred. Fashion Nova will also be prohibited from making misrepresentations about any customer reviews or other endorsements. In addition, it must post on its website all customer reviews of products currently being sold—with the exception of reviews that contain obscene, sexually explicit, racist, or unlawful content and reviews that are unrelated to the product or customer services like shipping or returns.
The Commission is committed to ensuring that consumers and honest businesses are not cheated by dishonest review practices. In October, the Commission warned more than 700 businesses that they could incur significant civil penalties if they use reviews or other endorsements in ways that were found to be unlawful in prior FTC administrative cases.
The Commission voted 4-0 to issue the proposed administrative complaint and to accept the consent agreement with the company.
The FTC will publish a description of the consent agreement package in the Federal Register soon. The agreement will be subject to public comment for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register after which the Commission will decide whether to make the proposed consent order final. Instructions for filing comments will appear in the published notice. Once processed, comments will be posted on Regulations.gov.
Oxygen, the home for high-quality true crime programming, debuts a two-night special event, The Fatal Attraction Murder, on Saturday, March 26 at 8PM ET. Part two premieres Sunday, March 27 at 8PM ET. The special features an exclusive interview with Carolyn Warmus, as well as the Greenburgh PD investigator who worked the case from beginning to end; Westchester County, New York prosecutors; jurors; and reporters who covered the story firsthand. All reveal what they thought about the case then and how they view it now.
When Carolyn Warmus was tried for killing her lover’s wife, Betty Jeanne Solomon, the unapologetic, attractive, young elementary school teacher from a wealthy family was named “The Fatal Attraction Killer” by the press. The moniker, borrowed from the popular film due to the stunning similarities between the movie and the trial, was a label Warmus couldn’t shake. The story of an affair that seemingly led to murder was a sensation, quickly garnering front-page news status and relentless coverage across television. Reporters from around the world descended on Westchester County to scrutinize every word of testimony, every nuance of Warmus’ body language, and every detail of her wardrobe.
Throughout the in-depth special, Warmus, who never testified in her own defense on the advice of her counsel, shares her truth. She has always maintained her innocence. With no physical evidence to support her guilt, those who investigated the case and worked to secure her conviction offer the circumstantial evidence that led to Warmus’ sentence.
Viewers are left to decide for themselves if justice was ultimately served. Was Warmus the unwitting pawn in a setup to distract police from the actual killer, or was she the obsessive femme fatale who murdered in cold blood?
Casas Latinas is a stunning collection of sophisticated estates, hotels and villas across Italy; Spain; other Latin European countries and Latin America, including Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica and Venezuela.
New for 2022 is three exquisite authentic Italian Casas to add to the group. Dimora Dei Gelsi, a beautiful traditional Puglian home from home, ‘Locanda’ set amongst the rolling hills in a UNESCO world heritage site in Tuscany, and Casa Fantini a concept hotel on their tranquil shores of Lake Orta.
Founder and CEO of Casas Latinas Massimo Ianni said, “At Casas Latinas, our incredible portfolio of properties across the world are hand-picked for their unique credentials. All of them have sustainability at the forefront but each has its special appeal and dedication to providing the ultimate unique stay – reframing the experience we have and the way we travel.”
Dimora Dei Gelsi in Puglia – opening 1st April 2022
Puglia in Southern Italy is top of the list of places to visit this year with its idyllic countryside and pristine coast. Perfect for a family or a small group of friends, Dimora dei Gelsi is a stunning 4-bedroom luxury property in a newly converted group of trulli, the traditional Apulian dry stone whitewashed huts with conical roofs that are specific to the Itria Valley. The property is set amidst a large estate of olive groves between the Adriatic coast and Alberobello. A very special space–a stay here offers the chance to experience a truly authentic Puglian casa like no other. Book a traditional cooking lesson with a local nona and learn the secrets of how to make the best pasta dishes using fragrant herbs grown on the garden terraces.
Dimora de Gelsi is made entirely from local materials reflecting the ancient culture of this fascinating region. The views of the Valle d’Itria are what many consider to be the “typical” Puglia. Rolling hills, groves of centuries-old olive trees, trullo cones everywhere you look, whitewashed towns bleached further by the southern Italian sun.
A stay at the Masseria, or country house, is about slow living–a major travel trend for 2022. Life is spent outdoors–either dining on the large stone-paved terrace or relaxing in the pretty pool with its breathtaking views over the surrounding Apulian countryside. Dimora dei Gelsi accommodates up to 8 people in its 4 bedrooms—all located on the ground floor of the house. The design of the villa is super stylish. A pared-back style of white-washed walls and flagstone floors keep with the trulli traditional, with mid-century style furniture and a focus on ceramics and art from local artists. The luxury conversion, whilst rooted in the past, features up to the minute features such as underfloor heating and air-cooling systems.
There are a whole range of experiences available during your stay at Dimora dei Gelsi. Mountain bikes and treks over the local countryside can be arranged and there is a private yoga instructor as well as masseurs and cooking classes all available on request.
Locanda in Tuscany – Opening 15th April 2022
If you are looking for the ultimate authentic Tuscan experience for a special gathering, wedding, or get-together, Locanda in Tuscany ticks all the boxes. Locanda is set deep in the heart of the Italian countryside where you can enjoy absolute peace with nothing but the sound of the birds chirping to wake you. With little air pollution, Locanda is perfect for incredible night skies and star-gazing or during the day wonderful walks through the hills or cycling to explore this stunning UNESCO World Heritage site.
With nine rooms, including four suites, the first-floor suite has magnificent bathtub views, and relaxing in-room spa treatments are available for guests. Sleep-focussed hotels are a huge trend this year for well-being holidays—at Locanda, the owners take sleep seriously and guests are offered a choice of cotton or linen sheets plus the locally designed wooden beds are metal-free to eliminate electromagnetic pollution that could compromise sleep.
With breathtaking sweeping sunset 180-degree views over the Val D’Orcia close to the village of Castiglione d’Orcia, this beautiful rural hideaway also offers privacy, comfort, and an authentic Tuscan experience for an unforgettable summer celebration. Tuscany is famous for its weddings, and the Locanda team can create a bespoke menu for your special day. They work with you to create the perfect event for your guests from a pool party with DJs and a cocktail bar, to a quieter al fresco poolside dinner, for just a handful of guests, under the stars.
The restaurant Taverna Di Mozart is the perfect setting for an intimate dinner, party or event and is set inside an old stable with an outdoor terrace, where you can sit under a vibrant bougainvillea trellis. The restaurant showcases the very best of traditional Tuscan cuisine. The dishes are influenced by traditional Tuscan gastronomy with passion, quality, and taste.
Casa Fantini on Lake Orta – Opening 15th April 2022
Ideal for a large gathering of friends for a wedding celebration, family reunion or special birthday, Casa Fantini is spacious enough to cater for all your guests.
Situated only one hour away from Milan, Casa Fantini’s philosophy is all about lake-time. The hotel is situated on Lake Orta where everything is designed to be calm, quiet and meditative to create the perfect slow-travel experience. The noise of the gentle waves adapts to the inner rhythms and removes stress. Undisputedly one of the most magical locations for a hotel, Casa Fantini is an intimate place of harmony where architecture, landscape and light blend in perfect balance and, just for a moment, time seems to stand still.
The hotel was designed by world-famous Italian architect Piero Lissoni of Lissoni Architettura, who worked with hotel owner Daniela Fantini, CEO of Fantini Rubinetti, to interpret her vision for a hotel inspired by the slow pace of Lake Orta and to be a contemporary reflection of a home that would enhance the region’s natural heritage.
Casa Fantini has 5 Superior Rooms, 4 Prestige Rooms, and 2 Suites. Super Rooms have a spacious terrace with lakefront view overlooking the gardens, and all the rooms have luxury bathrooms complete with steam room showers and Fantini Rubinetti bathroom furniture. Furnishings have a vintage feel with bespoke Italian couches, raw wool rugs, and comfortable beds with floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading to balconies with romantic views over the garden, lake and San Giulio Island. There is a beautiful library filled with books about the lake to help you unwind and relax.
This contemporary and elegant five-star hotel is the perfect location from which to explore the area by boat, foot, bicycle or car. Often overlooked for its bigger sisters Como and Maggiore, the lake itself has inspired many writers of the 18th and 19th Century including Lord Byron, Honoré de Balzac and Robert Browning.
The exhibition and accompanying Unconference, both held at the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Gallery at Parsons School of Design, explore the implications of the 1884 International Meridian Conference (IMC), a convening that established a prime meridian and universal time standard. Tracing the written and unwritten political agendas and social agreements that underlie Westernized time constructs, Phillips examines the protocols by which dominant time structures regulate, catalyze, and perpetuate systems of oppression that deny marginalized people access to and agency over the temporal domains of the past and present, with a focus on Black communities in the US.
Using Black Quantum Futurism and Colored People’s Time as critical frameworks, the exhibition, Unconference, and digital space propose alternative theories of temporal-spatial consciousness. Learn more below.
Time Zone Protocols
Time Zone Protocols debuts a nonlinear map pinpointing sociohistorical events in the development of Western time consciousness. The map illustrates the backward and forward-reaching impacts of time standardization and colonized time.
Prime Meridian Unconference
The three-day, hybrid Prime Meridian Unconference brings together artists, architects, musicians, physicists, geologists, technologists, and scholars who consider new ways of understanding our relationship to space-time. Speakers and presenters include Camae Ayewa (Moor Mother), Asia Dorsey, Walter Greason, Kendra Krueger, Ingrid LaFleur, V. Mitch McEwen, Katherine McKittrick, Mendi + Keith Obadike, Danielle M. Purifoy, Ingrid Raphaël, Thomas Stanley, Joy Tabernacle-KMT, Ujijji Davis Williams, and Celeste Winston.
www.timezoneprotocols.space
Preceding the exhibition and Unconference is the launch of www.timezoneprotocols.space. The site documents the ongoing Time Zone Protocols research project and sets the stage for the exhibition and Prime Meridian Unconference. It offers an interactive space for rewriting the protocols of time with a Black [Quantum] futurist lens.
Monster Energy congratulates Kokomo Murase on her first-place finish in Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle at the Audi SnowJam in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic. In the official World Cup event sanctioned by the International Ski Federation (FIS), the 17-year-old from Gifu, Japan, earned a dominant victory. She now ranks first in FIS World Cup Slopestyle and has secured the Crystal Globe win in overall Women’s Park & Pipe rankings.
As the penultimate event of the FIS World Cup season, the Audi SnowJam was contested from March 16-19 for the first time in five years. The contest at the popular resort inside Krkonoše National Park offered one of the last chances to collect points towards winning the 2021/22 season’s coveted Crystal Globe trophies.
Scoring points is exactly what brought Monster Energy’s Murase to the Czech Republic. The young Japanese ripper dropped into the contest ranked in first position on the FIS World Cup Slopestyle leaderboards in a tie with Canada’s Laurie Blouin at 160 points. This was her chance to build a commanding lead.
And she did. On the creative downhill course, Murase worked the rail with a switch backside boardslide pretzel into a backside 900 off the jump, Cab 720 mute grab, lipslide pretzel the kicker rail and a huge frontside 1080 lien grab at the bottom. At 89.25 points, she finished 13.00 points ahead of the next competitor for a dominant victory. To learn more about snowboard terminology, click HERE.
“I’m so happy, I did my best in riding this competition and I’m very happy I won,” said Murase.
After Saturday’s win at Spindleruv Mlyn, Murase now leads the 2022 FIS Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle rankings with 260.00 points, a strong 86 points ahead of Jasmine Baird in second place. With one more contest to go, Murase also commands an unbeatable score of 396.00 points in Women’s Park & Pipe overall World Cup standings. Leading the next competitor by 122 points, the Japanese ripper has secured the season’s Crystal Globe trophy.
Will Murase also claim the Slopestyle trophy? Stay tuned for the final World Cup of the season next weekend at Silvaplana, Switzerland, from March 25-27.
Prior to this weekend’s World Cup, Murase claimed bronze in Women’s Snowboard Big Air at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. At age 13, she made history at X Games Norway 2018 as the first girl to land a 1260 double cork in competition and became the youngest Winter X Games athlete ever to win a gold medal.
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans.
Leather jackets can make ordinary attire look cool. Sporting a leather jacket can enhance your looks manifold. Therefore, one must be very particular about buying them.
Though off-the-rack readymade jackets come in a variety of sizes for you to try, they may not fit you the best. In contrast, a bespoke leather jacket can be tailored to bring out the best in you.
If you buy a custom-made jacket, you can avail a plethora of benefits like the customized leather fit, personality enhancement, personalized style, etc.
But the question is what factors should be considered to buy a custom-made jacket?
Well, don’t worry because we have put together a list for you. Let’s take a look:
1. Quality
You don’t plan to buy a leather jacket every second month, or do you? That is why it is best to get quality assurance from the company customizing your leather jacket.
It is best to know which material is being used for production. Also, ensure that they use good-quality studs, zippers, and buttons. The last thing you want is a zipper of sub-par quality that makes an obnoxious noise and gives a coarse feeling.
2. Purpose
Leather jackets come in different colors and styles. Therefore, you must decide the purpose behind buying it. However, you cannot get such liberty while buying an off-the-rack piece as it is made keeping a standard design in mind.
Once you know where you will be using your custom-made jacket, it will be much easier to convey the design you wish for your jacket.
Bomber style jackets are optimum for formal occasions and workplaces, whereas funky avant-garde style jackets are perfect for casual get-togethers where these jackets can make you stand out.
3. The right fit
Fitting is a paramount factor that decides what your personality will look like. The best way to convey the measurements is by sending one of your pre-existing jackets to the company so that they can get the right idea about your body structure. First, however, make sure the jacket you are sending fits you perfectly.
Along with the fit, you must aim for comfort too. Anything too loose will make the jacket look baggy. In contrast, a jacket too tight will be extremely uncomfortable.
Therefore, it would be best to choose a size that perfectly sits on your body and enhances its appearance.
4. Color
The color of your leather makes a spark difference in the way people perceive you. For example, if you are wearing a bold red jacket, you may come across as someone funky in the eyes of the people. In contrast, if you are sporting a standard black leather jacket, you will come across as someone classy and stylish.
A serious drawback with bold jackets is that you cannot sport them everywhere and every time since it is eye-catching. But, on the other hand, you don’t want people to think you wear the same jacket every day.
So, choose your color wisely. And, if you are having trouble choosing one, then simply opt for a black or a brown color jacket as they never go out of style.
Final Thoughts
The definition of a perfect custom-made jacket can be different for different people. However, before buying one, you must know the purpose behind it. The good purpose will help you communicate the right design instructions to the manufacturer.
Also, do not hesitate to ask for a free trial. During that phase, you can test the comfort level, the fit, and the looks.
Authentic bespoke jacket manufacturing companies allow you a free trial for 3-7 days. In the meantime, if you find it uncomfortable, you can send the jacket back for alteration.
So, consider these tips and get a custom-made jacket today.
‘Yaaas! The House of Maserati serves the design, power, and intuitive driver integration on a platter!’– 360
Cosmopolitan and modern. Italian and timeless. Out of this creative tension comes the all-new Grecale. Its sculpted lines fuse essential iconic design elements with an audacious, futuristic outlook. Purity of shape, free of ostentation. Exceptional never follows trends.
The Grecale embraces a new luxury paradigm made of tradition, innovation, and concrete vision. Every detail has a purpose. Every function expresses emotion, down to the smallest knob. Discover all the key design feats of the new Maserati SUV.
Their artisan tradition reinterpreted with a contemporary touch. The extensive use of real materials like natural leather, carbon fibre and wood, together with the quest for unique patterns and colours, convey a feeling of complete harmony. Beautiful digital surfaces remove the need for crowded buttons, transforming the central panel into a blank canvas to play with colors and materials.
The Aston Martin Residences Miami has won six Regional and two International Property Awards, including ‘Best International Apartment/Condominium’ and ‘Best International Residential High-Rise Development.‘
G&G Business Developments is honored to accept the prestigious awards for its first luxury residential development, receiving recognition against formidable competition from around the world. Eight awards in total were won by the Aston Martin Residences, including:
●Best International Apartment/Condominium
●Best International Residential High-Rise Development
●Best Residential High Rise Development Florida
●Best Residential High Rise Development USA
●Best Apartment / Condominium Florida
●Best Apartment / Condominium USA
●Best Residential High Rise Architecture Florida
●Best Residential High Rise Architecture USA
The International Property Awards celebrate the highest levels of achievement in the property and real estate industry. Widely regarded as a mark of excellence, a panel of over 80 independent expert judges selects the best developments worldwide to receive the coveted awards.
Germán Coto, CEO of G&G Business Developments, said: ‘When we started this project, our dream was to create an elegant architectural landmark and the most beautiful homes. We always knew that the building would be exceptional, as, from the start, quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail have been our guide. To receive international recognition against such strong competition is wonderful, and we are so proud to have created a world-class award-winning development for our residents. These awards are a credit to the whole G&G Business Developments team. I’d like to give special thanks to our incredible partner, Aston Martin, the talented architects from Revuelta Architecture and Bodas Miani Anger, and all of the highly skilled craftspeople who have worked tirelessly to bring our vision for the Aston Martin Residences to life in the most spectacular way.’
Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin, said: ‘Id like to congratulate our partners at G&G Business Developments and everyone involved in the Aston Martin Residences Miami project on these highly-respected international awards. These accolades further establish Aston Martin Residences Miami as one of the most exciting ultra-luxury residential developments anywhere in the world and demonstrate our vision to create something truly unique on the Miami waterfront.’
Located at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way in downtown Miami, the Aston Martin Residences is on schedule to complete by the end of this year, and over 90% of the luxurious development is sold. For further information, visit HERE.
Customers can now tour the country for less than $40 per ride
Now through March 29, Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass is available for just $399, a savings of $100 off the regular $499 price. Customers taking advantage of this special offer will pay less than $40 per ride for ten travel segments over 30 days. Offering an affordable way to take a multi-segment train journey on an adventure across America, the USA Rail Pass allows customers to see the country and explore sights at many of Amtrak’s 500 destinations.
The perfect option for those who are craving adventure or want to spend weekends away from home, the USA Rail Pass makes traveling from town-to-town and across the country easy. Individuals looking to discover hidden gems or visit friends in the next city over, can leverage the USA Rail Pass to access more getaways. Customers can purchase the USA Rail Pass on Amtrak.com or the Amtrak app and immediately start to build their itinerary. By leveraging the app, customers can access their tickets, check train status, and get boarding information prior to departure.
The USA Rail Pass offers up to 10 segments of travel within a 30-day period—beginning with the customer’s first trip—and is valid for use within 120 days of pass purchase. A travel segment occurs when a customer boards and disembarks one of Amtrak’s scheduled services. If the trip involves making a connection, customers will use two segments of the pass.
The USA Rail Pass is available for travel in Coach class—featuring wide, reclining seats with a big picture window, ample legroom, and no middle seat. Upgrades to Business Class and private room accommodations are not available. Amtrak Guest Rewards members will earn two points per dollar spent on each USA Rail Pass following travel on the first segment. Additional restrictions, terms and conditions apply. Learn more at Amtrak.com/USARailPass.
About Amtrak®
For more than 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and modernized train travel. Offering a safe, environmentally efficient way to reach more than 500 destinations across 46 states and parts of Canada, Amtrak provides travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app. Learn more at Amtrak.com and connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
