About 360 MAGAZINE

360 MAGAZINE is an award-winning international publishing on popular culture and design. We introduce avant trademarks to efficacious architects. We are a LGBTQIA2S+ friendly publication--officially recognized by the NGLCC. Our core demographic ranges from 19 to 39-year-old college-educated trendsetters within their respective international communities. The pages in this art book satisfy their strong interests including music, art, travel, auto, health, fashion, tech, philanthropy, design, food and entrepreneurship. It's an introspective digital/print/tablet portrait series, which encapsulates artists/brands/entities who embody the true essence of our publication- empowerment, equality, sensuality and most important of all, humanity within a global society.

Protect Identity During Fashion Photo Editing

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You may have taken a photo or two with dog ears, but Snapchat’s puppy filter is what made you look good. New York Magazine even did an article about it.

In 2015 Snapchat released its new puppy filter, and it quickly became one of the most popular additions to social media platforms.

In 2019, Russian-developed FaceApp was at the center of public controversy after the FBI reported it. The FBI investigators raised concerns about the app’s potential counterintelligence threats. In addition, according to the report, the app developer’s access to the user data was concerning.

The most remarkable feature FaceApp users love is to see how you will look at the age of 50 or 80 from now. Additionally, users can also change their gender with just one click – without intensive surgery.

The app, Voilà was the go-to choice for fun photos this year as people seek to turn themselves into Disney and Pixar characters. The download has increased 2.3 million times in America alone. But are the app users safe from threats of today’s digital age? Experts don’t think so.

Measure the safety of photo-editing apps

The latest advancements in AR have enabled a whole slew of photo manipulation applications like FaceTune or FlawlessMe. So we need to consider these factors when deciding whether or not to use them on our selfies.

Do I want my every detail visible? For example, apps with access to photos of individuals’ faces usually have biometric information such as facial features, speech data, and sometimes retina patterns. Thus, bad actors can use this information for identification purposes.

In addition, these apps mostly ask for approval to access contacts, location, and social media accounts. All these permissions are unnecessary when all they do is provide a way of sharing cute photos.

New research has found Voilà requires an internet connection to operate as expected. Unfortunately, this means we are giving up some privacy when using this adorable photo-sharing application without realizing it.

Should we continue using photo apps?

FaceApp was in hot water after the FBI found the app stores new photos created on the platform. They were quick to deny any nefarious activity saying that they may store updated pictures for performance and traffic reasons. More to explanation, most images last 48 hours on their servers before deletion.

With such unclear statements, it is difficult to pinpoint where a client’s photo could really end up or even have evidence that their photos are being disposed of properly.

Lately, the company has been under fire with other controversies, including switching from the original filters, which were meant more for lightening skin tone, changing eye color, or gender than altering age due to likely demand by users who want younger selfies.

Protect guide using photo apps

Do not give up on using free photo editing apps due to security risks. Instead, follow these simple protection tips to secure your identity.

1- Research more

Before downloading an app, check the authority and permissibility of the app. Numerous scams apps exist in Google’s play store and Apple’s app store today. Find out about the internet and computer security in-depth on this resource we found.

2- Permissions restriction

Before you accept the app’s permission to grant access to all of your data, analyze if it is essential and makes sense to authorize them. For example, if a photo editing app wants to access your camera contacts, give them only camera permission, not contacts.

3- Accounts deletion after use

Everyone loves adding filters to photos or animating still photographs using photo apps. However, there is no harm in using photo apps with precautions. The best strategy is to delete your account once you have fulfilled your curiosity about using an app.

Nine Things You Didn’t Know About the Paralympic Winter Games

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The Olympic Games get a lot of love. However, if you haven’t gotten enough sports action yet, you can watch some of the world’s toughest athletes once again go head-to-head between Friday, March 4, and Sunday, March 13, 2022, during the Paralympic Games.

The Paralympic Games enter their 74th year this spring. Here are nine things you didn’t know about this spectacular sporting event.

1. A Veteran Started Them

The original Olympics began in ancient Greece around 776 B.C. The modern Paralympics came about much later. Ludwig Guttman started them in 1948 for World War II veterans with spinal injuries.

This year’s games feature 736 athletes and 78 medal events. There are 39 events for men and 35 for women. The games welcome trans athletes, making them a model for inclusion for other institutions to follow. It sets a shining example amid a flurry of proposed legislation banning such individuals from competing.

Some of the games involve mixed-gender events. Wheelchair curling will include 12 such teams, each requiring at least one female.

Like standard Olympic games, athletes can qualify to compete through several means. They can place at World Championships, regional games or rank, or a world or regional list. They can also achieve a minimum qualification standard with or without the subsequent allocation formula.

2. Skiing Is the Most Popular Event

Skiing is the most popular event at the Paralympic Winter Games. There are six disciplines: downhill, slalom, super slalom, super-G, super combined and team events.

Athletes compete in three categories based on their abilities. A results calculation system allows those with various impairments to compete against each other. Racers often reach speeds of 100 or more miles per hour as they race down the slopes, and missing a gate results in disqualification.

3. The Record-Holder Has More Gold Than Phelps

Michael Phelps is an impressive athlete, to be sure, with 28 medals. However, he more than met his match in para-athlete Trischa Zorn-Hudson, who tops the charts at 55 — 41 gold, nine silver and five bronze.

In the Seoul 1988 games, Zorn-Hudson won 10 gold medals in 10 events, setting new world records in each one. She won admittance to the Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2012. She currently works as an attorney for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

4. There Are Subdivisions for Different Challenges

Each para-athlete is as unique as any other. They also have various challenges that make ranking their performance more difficult than watching an instant replay of who crossed the finish line first.

The Games use the Raza point score system, where judges convert performances to point scores to account for each athlete’s classification. Therefore, a more disabled athlete might beat a less disabled one, even if they don’t throw or jump quite as far.

5. Beijing Is the First City to Host Summer and Winter

Beijing hosts the Winter Olympics this year, but that isn’t the city’s only distinction. It’s also the first to host the Paralympic Games in both summer and winter back-to-back.

In many ways, the city is uniquely suited for these games. Athletes with disorders like cystic fibrosis run an elevated risk of severe infection from the COVID-19 pandemic. China’s zero-tolerance approach, strict quarantine requirements and mask rules keep participants safer. Although China has waived the quarantine requirement for athletes, they exist in a “bubble” with daily testing and N95 masks required when not competing.

The Paralympic Winter Games served up yet another wrinkle during the pandemic — the need for coaches to communicate with their visually impaired athletes. Although officials discourage coaches from shouting to prevent potential spread through aerosol droplets, they may briefly remove their masks to accommodate these participants.

6. Innsbruck, Austria, Hosted Back-to-Back Winter Games

Who decides where to hold the Paralympic Winter Games? It’s a joint decision between the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee. Ten cities have hosted the winter games since their inception.

Innsbruck, Austria, has the distinction of hosting the games twice back-to-back, in 1984 and 1988. The city’s unique geographic location makes it ideal for skiing events, seated in a valley surrounded by towering, snow-capped mountains. Visitors with less athletic aspirations than competitors can take a cable car to one of the enormous peaks and enjoy a spectacular view.

7. The Paralympic Flame Is Now Eco-Friendlier

Addressing climate change is everyone’s responsibility. Human beings don’t get a pass for special events like the Olympics. Fortunately, the event’s organizers take their sustainability responsibility seriously.

This year’s Paralympic Winter Games will feature a torch powered by hydrogen. This technology was first implemented in the Tokyo 2020 games to decrease emissions.

Switching fuels isn’t the only eco-friendly change. Organizers use sustainable materials, such as recyclable cardboard beds, to construct the Olympic Village.

8. Blind People Can Play Ball

Have you heard of Goalball? If you haven’t, it’s probably because you’re a sighted person. It’s played exclusively by athletes with blindness or visual impairment.

Athletes must have less than 10% vision to participate. All participants wear special opaque glasses to level the playing field — people who can see shades of gray have no advantage over those who have complete blindness.

The interesting thing about this sport is watching it — you must remain silent. During game time, only players or referees may make sounds so the athletes can hear and locate the ball. The sport has appeared in the Paralympics with a men’s and women’s division since 1984.

9. Even the Medals Are Accessible

What’s it like to win a gold medal when you can’t see the metal shine? Athletes with visual impairments will immediately know their rank before announcing the winner. The medals feature one to three lines, indicating bronze, silver or gold.

Furthermore, the venues go above and beyond to ensure accessibility. They must adhere to strict guidelines regarding ramps and signage to allow everyone to navigate freely.

Facts About the Paralympic Winter Games

Athletes come in all shapes, sizes and ability levels. The Paralympic Winter Games allow you to witness some of the best-trained individuals from around the globe compete.

These participants overcome incredible challenges to practice their sport. Now that you know these nine things about the Paralympic Winter Games, catch all the action starting March 4.

Discover Puerto Rico × Pantone

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Boriqua Interior Designer Cristina Villalón curates tips on how to best incorporate the color Puerto Rico Sunshine into a space. This fiery red-orange color created by Pantone is a combination of the sunbeams that grace the island throughout the day, refined by a physicist and professor at the University of Puerto Rico. Villalón, a leading designer in Puerto Rico with projects all over the Americas is the ideal eye to recommend how to integrate Puerto Rico Sunshine into any room or décor.

According to Villalón, orange is a dynamic color. It should be used to add energy to a room and make a space come alive. Thus, if you reside in a cold place, adding an orange wall will automatically add warmth and ebullience to the space.

Puerto Rico Sunshine alongside neutral tones such as gray have a neutralizing effect to tone down the brightness. For full island-vibes, blues also complement orange beautifully and make the perfect combination in a vibrant beach house or beachy themed room. It is recommended to use only one vivid color, like Puerto Rico Sunshine, in any given space. Using a neutral palette and natural textures, then adding pops of this bold orange in accessories makes for a soothing yet cheerful space. Painting an entire room a strong, overwhelming color can be a bit too much for most interior design tastes. Villalón recommends painting one wall in a room the brighter, statement-making color, and the rest a more neutral tone. Not only will the accent wall stand out and become a focal point, but it won’t overpower the rest of the décor elements and make you want to run out of the room! Other trends include incorporating accent colors in a wall mural. A wall mural permits you to incorporate as much or as little of an accent color as you would like, and you can also add texture and visual interest with the pattern or design you choose.

A great way to offer cohesion to the room is to paint only one wall an orange, like Puerto Rico Sunshine, and then repeat the color via furniture pieces or accessories. Some of these ways include adding color to the entryway of your home, updating older furniture, framing a mirror, or even making your own artwork. The eye-catching possibilities are as endless as the sun’s rays. Color is an extremely powerful force and too much of anyone can leave a room or space unbalanced. Yet the right amount can invigorate a home and its visitors!

Cristina Villalón is the Co-founder, Principal Interior Designer and the Director of Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón® | Architecture & Interior Design. Recognized for her attractive, welcoming, and functional interior designs, Villalón was awarded in 2015 with the Star on the Rise Award from the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA). In 2016, Cristina was named among the Top 40 Under 40 by the magazine Design: Retail and that same year, Caribbean Business awarded her the same distinction. Villalón is a proud mother of three beautiful daughters, a recycling activist and gender equality, an insatiable reader and a lifelong learner.

Discover Puerto Rico and Pantone featured in 360 MAGAZINE.

*Special thanks to Discover Puerto Rico for providing images and access to Cristina Villalón.

Eight Smart Winter Skin Care Tips

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La Niña caused harsh winter conditions last year, and people worldwide experienced colder temperatures and more snowfall. They also recognized changes in their appearance during the winter months as the cold affected their skin.

Various weather shifts wreak havoc on your skin. Some people notice an increase in cracking and flaking in the winter, while others experience an overproduction of oil. You can manage these changes by recognizing the weather alterations and adjusting your routine.

What Happens to Your Skin in the Winter?

One of the leading causes of skin changes in the winter is low humidity levels. They decrease during the colder months because cool air holds less moisture. People also use their heating units in the winter, which burn indoor water vapors.

Some people engage in outdoor winter sports that increase their susceptibility to skin damage. Skiing, ice skating and other activities expose them to wind, snow and sun rays.

When it is cold outside, many people believe sunscreen is unnecessary because of the low ultraviolet (UV) index. However, UV rays can penetrate the atmosphere and cause sunburns even in winter. High winds may also cause dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, cracking and other adverse effects. You can reduce these issues by practicing an efficient winter skin care routine.

The Importance of Skin Care

Proper skin care routines have various benefits. You shed dead skin cells throughout the day, which causes irritation without effective prevention techniques. When you remove impurities and moisturize your subsurface layers of skin, you may prevent wrinkles, acne and other adverse reactions.

The harsh effects of winter weather can also cause permanent skin damage. Keeping an efficient skin care routine can prevent harm, and prevention is easier than correction. Maintaining clear skin additionally enhances your self-esteem, which can improve your mental health.

Skin care is also important because your skin is your body’s largest organ. When you take care of your skin, you support your general health and well-being.

There are eight ways to improve your skin care routine this winter and protect it from the elements.

1. Continue Using SPF

One of the most effective ways to protect your skin in the winter is by using a moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF). The product can also protect your skin from indoor lighting, which causes adverse effects over time. You should use daily serums and creams with at least 30 SPF for optimal benefits.

You may also benefit from using a moisturizer with retinol. The ingredient is a form of vitamin A that promotes new skin growth. It also acts as an exfoliant to remove dead skin and nourish the new layer.

2. Turn Down The Heat

You can maintain clear and healthy skin in the winter by turning down the hot water in the shower and bath. High levels of heat cause inflammation, peeling and itching, similar to a sunburn. Hot water also interferes with your natural moisture balance.

The heat can strip your skin of the natural oils, proteins and fats that generally protect the organ. It also makes your skin overproduce oil to compensate for the dryness, causing acne and other unpleasant effects. Take lukewarm showers and baths to protect your skin in the winter, warming up with blankets and layers after getting out.

3. Stay Hydrated

You may engage in fewer physical activities during the winter because of weather-related limitations. You generally consume less water when you don’t sweat as much. Dehydration can cause dry skin and increase the appearance of aging.

Minimize the adverse effects of dehydration by consuming roughly 2.25 liters of tap or mineral water each day. You may also switch out coffee for green tea to improve hydration and your antioxidant intake. Straying away from dehydrating products and consumption patterns can effectively improve your skin.

4. Use Moisturizing Hand Soap

Another factor influencing poor skin in the winter is handwashing. The transmission rates of the flu and colds increase in the colder months, and it’s a good idea to protect yourself by washing hands frequently.

However, overwashing your hands can strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture. You can protect your skin from dryness by using moisturizing soaps. You can also apply lotion directly after washing and place a balm on chapped areas. Using the best hand cream for your skin type find will also help in keeping your hands moisturized.

5. Hydrate in the Bath

You can also protect their skin in the colder months by taking baths. Submerging your skin for extended periods may improve hydration levels. Baths also decrease cortisol levels, which is a hormone that damages the skin.

You may add bath oil to the water before getting in to decrease eczema symptoms. It is also important to moisturize afterward to improve your skin’s moisture retention.

6. Decrease Your Alcohol Intake

Alcohol also adversely affects your skin. Cocktails, wine and beer cause inflammation in the body that interferes with the skin’s natural equilibrium. Alcoholic beverages can worsen the effects of eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.

Excessive drinking also causes dehydration. Protect your skin by limiting your weekly beverage consumption. You can also drink more water when consuming alcohol to minimize the effects.

7. Exfoliate

Exfoliating in the winter can help prevent acne and give you a head-to-toe glow. Removing dead skin prevents clogged pores and stimulates cell regrowth. It’s a good idea to apply a moisturizer after washing away the dead skin to protect the new layer.

You can exfoliate with a washcloth or a beaded body wash if you have sensitive skin. Those with tougher skin can use a dry brush to remove the top flakey layer. You should also remain mindful of your daily routine and tendencies that cause dryness to protect your skin.

8. Prevent Lick Eczema

You may try to moisturize your lips by licking them. However, saliva can exacerbate dryness and cause cracking and chapped skin. The skin on your lips is more sensitive than other areas of your body, making protection essential.

Keep your lips moist in the winter with ointments and balms. You should also restrict your consumption of acidic foods and beverages to minimize licking and dryness. Also, be sure to cover your lips with a scarf or mask when skiing or dealing with high winds.

When Is the Best Time to Start a Winter Skin Care Routine?

You should adjust your skin care routine in the fall and explore any reactions. Test different products by using samples before investing in a new set of moisturizers and soaps. It is essential to remain aware of slight changes in your skin throughout the seasons for optimal protection and to keep that healthy glow all year.

AVRIL LAVIGNE × SiriusXM

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SiriusXM announced today that eight-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated multi-platinum singer, songwriter, designer, and philanthropist Avril Lavigne will perform at The Roxy in Los Angeles for an exclusive invitation-only concert for SiriusXM and Pandora’s Small Stage Series on Friday, February 25.

The special performance coincides with the release of Avril Lavigne’s forthcoming seventh studio album Love Sux,her debut full-length on Travis Barker’s DTA Records. The concert will feature Lavigne performing music from Love Sux including her hit single “Bite Me,” as well as fan favorites.

“So stoked to be playing the SiriusXM and Pandora Small Stage Series!” said Lavigne. “Can’t wait for everyone hear my new record Love Sux. I’ve spent the last year working on this album and I am so excited for it to finally be released! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than at The Roxy with my friends at SiriusXM and Pandora. See you all there : ).”

Avril Lavigne’s Small Stage Series concert will premiere on the SXM App on March 2. Additionally, select songs from the show will air across eight SiriusXM music channels including SiriusXM Hits 1, Alt Nation, Pop Rocks, The Pulse, Pop2k, 10s Spot, Pandora Now and The Emo Project.

To enter for a chance to attend SiriusXM and Pandora’s Small Stage Series, featuring Avril Lavigne, please go HERE. One Grand Prize winner will receive a round-trip for two to Los Angeles, CA, including transportation, two-night hotel stay and two tickets to this show.

To maintain the highest public health standards and/or requirements, SiriusXM will adhere to health and safety protocols for each venue, and all state and local health mandates to protect attendees, staff, and artists.

SiriusXM and Pandora’s Small Stage Series features performances with premier artists spanning music genres and styles, and comedy, and held in small iconic venues. SiriusXM and Pandora launched its Small Stage Series in August 2021 and to date has announced performances by Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile, Coldplay, Dave Matthews, Ed Sheeran, Glass Animals, The Go-Go’s, H.E.R., J Balvin, J. Cole, Jason Aldean, John Mayer, John Mulaney, Kane Brown, Kenny Chesney, Michael Che, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Old Dominion, Shaggy and Twenty One Pilots.

SiriusXM is available to subscribers in their car, on their phone and connected devices at home with the SXM App. Streaming access is included for most subscribers. Go HERE to learn more.

POLARIS SLINGSHOT – SIGNATURE LE

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DELIVERS SUPERIOR STYLE TO 2022 LINEUP

New Limited-Edition Model Inspires Drivers to Make their Mark; Combines Signature Style, Maximum Sound & Ultimate Comfort

Polaris Slingshot, the show-stopping, adventure-seeking three-wheel vehicle, today introduced an all-new limited-edition model to its 2022 lineup. Sitting at the top of the lineup, the Signature LE inspires drivers to make their mark with superior style, maximum sound, and ultimate comfort.

Loaded with features, Signature LE transforms ordinary drives into extraordinary adventures. The premium tri-tone paint and new Vented Sport Hood deliver head-turning style, while blacked-out badging, upper and lower accent lighting, interior XKGlow® lighting, and exclusive matte bronze wheels complete its signature style. In addition, Slingshot’s Stage 3 Rockford Fosgate® audio system delivers clarity at any speed, and Heated and Cooled Seats improve comfort in hot or cold weather.

“We designed our latest limited-edition model to celebrate Slingshot’s iconic signature style,” said Chris Sergeant, Polaris Slingshot Vice President. “When you’re behind the wheel of a Slingshot, there’s no escaping the attention – its bold, one-of-a-kind looks turn casual arrivals into grand entrances. And that’s what the Signature LE is all about – elevating your style and making your mark each time you jump in the cockpit.”

For additional information go HERE.

New Polaris Slingshot inside 360 MAGAZINE.

Sports Illustrated Star-Studded Event f/ Candy Pop

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On Saturday, February 12th, Candy Pop, Hollywood’s favorite popcorn treat, was in full swing at the Sports illustrated The Party. The event was powered by ABG entertainment and Talent Resources Sports in tandem with Resorts World Las Vegas. The gathering took place during the Big Game Weekend in LA for the Super Bowl. The event featured performances by Kygo, Joe Jonas, Jack Harlow, David Solomon and Irie.

SNAX-Sational Brands Group’s premiere brand, Candy Pop and Cookie Pop came in a variety of flavors: TWIX®, SNICKERS®, M&M’s® Minis. SNICKERS®, an official partner of the NFL, is the leader in the industry. As a sweet and savory pioneer, their cookie coatings are low in sodium and contain no GMOs, containing only 150 calories per serving.

Celebrities in attendance enjoyed tons of treats in the roped section. At the Resorts World VIP tables were an array of notable guests: Jeff Ross, Kevin Hart, Julianne Hough, Sean Avery, Foodgod, Nikki & Brie Bella, Ashley Greene, Shaquille O’Neal, Ciara, Jeff Bezos, Daymond John, Brandi Cyrus, Olivia Culpo, Bobby Kennedy III, Camille Kostek, Kate Bock, Quavo Huncho (Migos), Nicole Williams & Larry English, King Bach, Dylan Barbour (The Bachelor), Terrell Owens, Sean Avery, Ryan Phillippe, Katie Cassidy, Taryn Manning, the cast of Vanderpump Rules and Sports Illustrated models. Not to mention, a crowd of famous people were sprinkled throughout the backstage.

The Candy Pop promo models kept the snacks circulating all night alongside former Miss USA winners Kataluna Enriquez and Sasha Sloan, rocking Snickers-inspired referee outfits.

Follow @CookiePop_CandyPop #CandyPop on social media for news and updates, and visit the brand’s website inclusive of their e-commerce shop online at www.cookiepopcandypop.com – Also available at stores like Ralph’s, Sam’s Club, Costco, Stater Bros, and Kroger.

According to 360 MAGAZINE, Quavo Huncho was enjoying Candy Pop Snickers popcorn at his Resorts World VIP table at the Sports Illustrated "The Party" by ABG and Talent Resources Sports, during Super Bowl Weekend while Kygo performs on stage.

Ethical Pieces from New Luxury Brand

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Jewelry Brand Spotlights Rarity and Transparency

Since the dawn of civilization, literally since biblical times, people have worn jewelry as symbols of wealth, status, and love. Ancient royalty all the way through today’s luxury brands, value a prized piece based on the rarity of the gemstones and the metal which serves as its stage.

In recent decades, our attention has expanded beyond the beauty of the jewelry. Today, we want to know the origins of the materials, the transparency of the gemstones, the sustainability of the manufacturing process, and the welfare of the workers. It has become as important as the rarity and value of the collection itself.

A New Narrative in Traceability

Luxury jewelry brand Holy Gems has been setting a new standard in the jewelry industry through a rigorous transparency process that begins at the stage of mining. Shefa, the parent company founded in 1999, is the first and only mining company focused on the exploration of precious gems in Israel and exclusively holds all the existing rights, permits and licenses issued to date by the State of Israel for the exploration and mining of gems in the country. CEO Tali Shalem has made it her mission to ensure the highest levels of transparency. This includes adhering to the strictest international guidelines regarding the working conditions in the mines where the Holy Gems gemstones are unearthed. Workers’ rights are preserved in accordance with the strict labor laws, and the company prides itself on integrating and diversifying its manpower, regardless of religion, race, or gender.

Each piece of jewelry from the Holy Gems collection is certified by a member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisals and is authorized by the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL). The purchaser is presented with a Jewelry Identification & Grading Report which includes all the natural properties of the gems inlaid in the piece.

The Holy Gems Collection

The collection features 101 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry set including a beautiful Sapphire in colors of deep blue to green, a Garnet in sensual red to burgundy, brilliant black Spinel, and Carmel-Sapphire which was once thought to exist only in outer space. Michaella Taub, head jewelry designer, creates distinctive pieces that are brought to life by jewelers who specialize in quality and craftsmanship.

Luxury jewelry brands have a long-standing relationship with sapphires. Holy Land Sapphires are composed of the same mineralogical properties as regular sapphire and are available in a range of colors from deep mysterious blue to prosperous olive green.

Holy Land Garnets are composed mainly of the mineralogical properties of “pyrope” garnets, and are available in colors ranging from eternal brown-amber to passionate red.

Gem quality Spinel has long been used for Jewelry, including in the British and the French Crown Jewels. Spinel is the magnesium/aluminum member of the larger spinel group of minerals. The most famous Spinel gemstones (mistakenly defined as Ruby) are the “Black Prince’s Ruby” and the “Timur Ruby” in the British Crown Jewels.

ReserveBar’s Black Brands

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ReserveBar’s Spirited Change Initiative

Black-Owned Brands

LS Cream Liqueur ($36): LS Cream Liqueur is an award-winning cordial inspired by cremas, an ancestral recipe native to Haiti with notes of coconut, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon mixed with a blend of fresh cream and neutral grain spirits. Since it was impossible to find cremas in stores, husband and wife Myriam Jean-Baptiste and Stevens Charles decided to launch their own cream liqueur, inspired by Stevens’ late grandmother’s handwritten cremas recipe which she left behind and that the family had cherished for decades.

Sorel Liqueur ($40): Born of the spice trade, versions of sorrel date back to the 1600s, when hibiscus flowers were first imported to the new world from West Africa. Valued for its medicinal properties, Jackie Summer’s grandparents carried this culinary tradition with them when they emigrated from Barbados to Harlem, NY in the 1920s. In 2012, Jack left a 25-year career as a corporate executive to launch his micro-distillery, Jack from Brooklyn. When Jack received his distilled spirits permit (DSP), he was the only Black person with a license to make liquor in America, and the first to hold this license post-prohibition.

Brough Brothers Bourbon Whiskey ($29): Brough Brothers Distillery is Kentucky’s first African American owned distillery. Kentucky-born co-founders and brothers Victor, Bryson, and Christian Yarbrough started from humble beginnings in Louisville, where they learned early about hard work and dedication. They took those lessons, traveled the globe, and brought their newfound knowledge of the spirits industry back to Kentucky, where the vision for Brough Brothers was born. Through Brough Brothers, the Yarbrough’s plan to make a positive and lasting impact through job creation and economic development within their local and global communities.

Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey ($59): In 2017, Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey launched in the United States. Honoring the first African American master distiller, this premium whiskey swiftly rolled out throughout the U.S. and abroad, and can now be found in 50 States, 10 Countries, and shipped to over 148 countries in the world. Uncle Nearest is now the Fastest-Growing Independent American Whiskey Brand in U.S. History.

Loft & Bear Artisanal Vodka ($30): Loft & Bear is the brainchild of Paul Ryan Elliott, an east coast native. Paul founded Loft & Bear in 2014 and continues to work toward fulfilling long-term sustainable success, encouraged by the opportunity to bring inclusivity and diversity to the beverage alcohol industry. Loft & Bear’s commitment to social awareness is seen in its Distill.Drink.Donate program in which 5% of Loft & Bear profits are donated to PATH, a charity aimed at ending homelessness and providing support for distressed families, veterans affairs, and human services throughout Southern California.

SPOTLIGHT: NYCHOS

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Blending themes of morbid corporeality with the colorful, hyper-loony aesthetic descended from comics and cartoons, Nychos has developed a unique style that performs with powerhouse effect whether on the street or in the gallery.

Raised in a traditional Viennese hunting family, death and dissection were daily business for Nychos. The proximity to animal viscera had a profound effect on him psychologically and visually–he now explores the theme of dissection in his art, pushing it to playful extremes.

In Nychos’ world, Spongebob has a skeleton, people live inside rabbits and there is always something wicked underneath. Pumped up on the visual adrenaline of comics, heavy metal and graffiti, Nychos’ work reflects the immense energy and technical focus necessary to produce work on the massive scale he has reached on the streets.

Colliding style and subject matter, Nychos slices up animals and innocent childhood characters with unflinching graphic precision. His work confronts the viewer with wicked insistence, using the shock of cartoon violence as a vehicle for exploring subtler themesof mortality and temporality. Nychos pays homage to these deathless cartoon heroes by peeling them open and giving them human substance. His artwork reflects the psychology of an art scene in which creations are sometimes swept away as soon as created.

Nychos also uses subtle imagery such as plastic in an orca’s belly, weaving political commentary seamlessly into his pieces. Using delicious color-scapes and wild, fuming lines to create his characters–whether with paintbrush or spray can–Nychos works with unmatched dynamism.

His command over his tools indicates a work ethic that promises only more staggering output from thisartist. Nychos’ paintings and drawings have been exhibited in galleries worldwide, including six solo exhibitions (Turino, Detroit, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, Paris) in the past two years alone.

These pieces serve as unique compliments to his massive public works that give character to cities all over the world. The artist’s last solo show took place in Zurich and was opened in October 2015. A cooperation with Jonathan Levine is planned for 2016. Nychos currently lives and works out of Rabbit Eye Movement, his studio and art space located in Vienna.