Posts tagged with "WWD"

GUCCI JACKIE 1961 CAMPAIGN

Dakota Johnson stars in a new film and imagery that revisit the emblematic handbag’s storied origins.

JlA longstanding mainstay within the House’s collections, ‘The Jackie’ experienced a well-chronicled rise to icon status—ever since its debut in 1961, the handbag’s perpetual presence on the arms of celebrated figures around the world crystallized its everlasting association with their signature sophistication.

Dakota Johnson finds herself at the latest inflection point of the line’s celebrated chronology in which a certain attitude encounters a certain era, marking the beginning of
a new chapter through the House’s latest campaign. Johnson makes her way through
everyday moments in Los Angeles with different versions of the Jackie 1961, each with its
own personality, each perfectly paired to the occasion. The film and imagery, captured by
Glen Luchford, pay homage to the style’s storied origins as spontaneous snapshots
highlight the silhouette’s intrinsic versatility and enduring elegance, reflecting a state of co-existence that spans decades and personas.

The Jackie 1961

Following a distinguished line of reiterations, each emblematic of its time, today’s Jackie
1961 emerges to transcend the traditional with its sleek silhouette and universal attitude.

The selection is presented in three different sizes—mini, small, and medium—in a wide
range of colors that highlights the design’s inherent versatility. Clean lines bring the focus
to the unique piston closure, as well as the quality of the material itself, whether natural
grain, patent, or precious leather, or the emblematic GG Supreme canvas. A longer,
removable shoulder strap, either in leather or as a chain, enhances the Jackie 1961’s
adaptable personality and practicality. Within each collection, the House introduces
creative interpretations, including in woven raffia and straw, as well as with velvet tapestry patterns for Cruise 2023.

The original model introduced in 1961 became expressive of the 1960s and 1970s jetsetter
lifestyle for which Gucci was known and new sensibilities were brought to the signature
style in 1999 and 2009, drawing from a contemporary intuition and attitude and ever–assuming new characters that defy definition.

Art Director: Christopher Simmonds

Photographer + Director: Glen Luchford

“Feel The Pain” Performed by Dinosaur Jr. (J. Mascis Jr.) © Spam As The Bread Music / BMG Blue

Courtesy of BMG Rights Management (Italy) srl and Cherry Red Records

About Gucci

Founded in Florence, Italy in 1921, Gucci is one of the world’s leading luxury brands. Following the House’s centenary, Gucci forges ahead continuing to redefine fashion and luxury while celebrating creativity, Italian craftsmanship, and innovation.

Gucci is part of the global luxury group Kering, which manages renowned houses in fashion, leather goods, jewelry, and eyewear.

Discover more HERE.

Snipes × Adidas

RSVP

Step Up Your Sneaker Game with the adidas Forum Low Detroit: A Tribute to Motor City’s Culture.

Join SNIPES in Celebrating Detroit’s Culture and Community with a SNIPES Exclusive Sneaker and Dance Event on March 13th

SNIPES and adidas Originals are releasing a new sneaker in honor of Detroit, and it’s dropping on 313 Day! Introducing the adidas Forum Low “Detroit” is a snipes exclusive shoe that pays homage to the Motor City.

This sneaker is a must-have for any true sneakerhead. The classic adidas silhouette features a sleek black and gold colorway, with “I Am Detroit” emblazoned on the strap. The sneaker also features a tear-away option. Consumers who purchase a pair can tear off the white upper, which will unveil a secondary layer, which features the Detroit skyline.

But that’s not all – the shoe is also packed with high-quality features that make it a top-performing sneaker. The premium leather upper provides durability and support, while the EVA midsole and rubber outsole offer superior cushioning and traction. Whether you’re hitting the streets or hitting the dance floor, the adidas Forum Low “Detroit” has got you covered.

To celebrate the release of this sneaker, SNIPES is hosting a full day dance competition, including a 2v2 Jit & Breakin’ Competition, with $2,000 in prize money on the line. This competition will feature some of the best dancers from across the Midwest, showcasing their incredible skills and pushing the boundaries of the Jit and Breakin’ styles. Additionally, the event will include a Detroit Jit vs Chicago Footwork Exhibition Battle, featuring a reunion of these two homegrown dance styles of the Midwest after 15 years of separation.

The event will be hosted by the talented Kay Bae, with judging by renowned dance experts Man of God, Stringz, Queen Gabby, and Yaks. To keep the energy going, DJ Shane Treez will be spinning the latest hip-hop beats during the competition, and DJ Vader will take over for the official 313 Day After Party.

“We’re thrilled to bring this event to Detroit, the birthplace of these iconic dance styles,” said Paula Barbosa, VP of Marketing for SNIPES. “This event is all about celebrating the city’s unique cultural heritage and strong dance roots. We can’t wait to see what the talented dancers will bring to the competition, and we’re excited to share this experience with everyone who loves the Jit and Breakin’ dance culture.”

Doors open at 4:00 PM with prelim registrations closing at 4:30 PM, and the event will start at 5:00 PM sharp. The event is open to all ages, but the open bar is only available for attendees aged 21 and over.

Fun Facts

*Rapper Coi Leray Named Face of Snipes.

Beyoncé – World Tour

Beyoncé announces Renaissance World Tour. To date, the arena/stadium tour has numerous dates in Europe and North America, beginning in May and ending in September.

Five years have passed since On The Run II Tour, co-headling her husband Jay-Z. Her last solo tour, The Formation World Tour, was in 2016.

Beyoncé Renaissance Tour Dates

About Renaissance

Beyoncé’s seventh studio “Renaissance,” has arrived. This is Beyoncé’s first album in six years and first since her world-conquering Lemonade. The 16-song project cites production by Hit-Boy for her song “THIQUE.” Hit-Boy, who’s no stranger to collaborating with artists, is responsible for producing a string of anthemic records for Beyoncé (“Sorry,” “Flawless,” and “Bow Down / I Been On” to name a few).

Beyoncé stated in her Instagram post, “Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time in the world. It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration. I hope you find joy in this music. I hope it inspires you to release the wiggle. Ha! And to feel as unique, strong, and sexy as you are.”

Last July, Parkwood Entertainment, an imprint of Columbia Records, made pop history with Renaissance artwork.

Beyoncé’s cover art displayed her prominently seated on a crystal horse with a black background. While both of her hands appear to be placed on the steed, her upper half is on the side and facing us.

Follow Beyoncé

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok

In the News

Beyoncé in Dubai.

IVY Park Drop: Park Trail.

Embrace Beyoncé’s IVY PARK capsule, IVYTOPIA, featuring IMG Models’ Joan Smalls.

Beyoncé inside British Vogue

Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2023 Spin-Off

Fresh off the runway in the Gobi Desert, Louis Vuitton enamored the world with their theatrical and inventive athleisure, resulting in 278 million streams.

For the Spring-Summer Men’s 2023 Spin-Off show in Aranya, China, the Maison expanded on the idea of the magnified playground first introduced in Paris in June. In a collaborative effort between Chinese directors Jia Zhangke and Wei Shujun, the cinematic show portrayed themes of childhood, discovery and community.

The story took its audiences to Aranya beach, a relic of the Ancient Silk Road, where the live show unfolded in a vast sandscape, representing the infinite possibilities of craftsmanship. Live-scored by the Beijing-based instrumental band Sleeping Dogs, the show featured a performance choreographed by dancer Hou Ying.

‘Collection ∞’ Aranya, September 2022:

Aranya

There are as many grains of sand on our planet as there are stars in the galaxy. Yet in the eyes of a child, the vastness of sand never poses an impossibility. It invites opportunity. In the sandbox and on the beach, children instinctively build sandcastles: constructs of the imagination that turn dreams into reality. For the Spring-Summer 2023 Spin-Off show in Aranya – designed by the Louis Vuitton Studio Prêt-à-Porter Homme – the Maison expands on the idea of the magnified playground first introduced in Paris in June. A cinematic prelude titled Mirage created in a collaborative effort between Chinese directors Jia Zhangke (producer of the prelude) and Wei Shujun (director of the prelude) – who also serve as directors of the show itself – portrays themes of childhood, discovery and community. Shot in the city of Dunhuang, on the edge of the Gobi Desert – once a frontier garrison on the Silk Road – the film stages a contemporary meeting between East and West reflected in the poetry of history. The story takes its audiences to Aranya beach where the live show unfolds in a sandscape moulded with the tools at the root of a collection founded in the infinite possibilities of craftsmanship. Live-scored by the Beijing-based instrumental band Sleeping Dogs, the show features a performance choreographed by the Chinese dancer Hou Ying.

Collection ∞

Imagination is at the heart of Louis Vuitton. A visual manifestation of our hopes and ideas, it has the power to heal, regenerate and uplift us. The Spring-Summer 2023 Men’s Collection was conceived and created by the Louis Vuitton Studio Prêt-à-Porter Homme: an ever-evolving ecosystem of creative minds, who welcomed Virgil Abloh to the Maison in 2018 and expanded during his eight seasons of artistic direction. A living testament to his talent for bringing people together, they populate a creative playground more than a century in the making. At the timeless core of the Louis Vuitton studio is the belief that imagination – creatorship, craftsmanship, showmanship – can move and unite its spectators around the world. It’s the heritage on which Virgil Abloh based his practice at the Maison and the philosophy that continues to drive the Studio Prêt-à-Porter Homme. As a creative community who shared a monumental experience, they embrace the Spring-Summer 2023 Men’s Collection as a cathartic process: a proposal created in the spirit of all the human minds that shape Louis Vuitton.

Magnified playground

Toys are tools for the imagination. The playthings we are given early in life become building blocks for dreams and aspirations. In the Carré du Louvre in June 2022, the Louis Vuitton Studio Prêt-à-Porter Homme imagined a magnified playground. Here, a giant children’s toy racetrack became a Yellow-Brick Road for the imagination: an evolutionary path for the mind where childlike fantasies come to life. It’s a transition from naïve to refined reflected in a collection that elevates the symbols of childhood through the savoir-faire of the Maison. The premise cuts a silhouette drawn from swoopy lines, which plays with shrunken and oversized dimensions founded in the idea of a wardrobe grown-into or outgrown, with rootsy nods to the 1990s dress code of the skater community. Iconography native to the playground adorns garments and accessories: origami paper planes, building block beading, playdough textures and tones, cartoon prints, and sandbox tool embellishments. Evoked within the pieces is an under-construction sensibility inherent to the toys found in a playground and to the process of growing.

Parade for the mind

Pageantry courses through the veins of Louis Vuitton. Over time, the custodians of the Maison have employed displays of wonderment to inspire unifying feelings of joy in its diverse audiences around the globe. On the magnified toy racetrack of the Spring-Summer 2023 Men’s Show in Paris in June, a parade of childhood dreams unfolded led by The Marching 100, the Tallahassee-based marching band of the Florida A&M University formed in 1946. Flags filled the space – their motifs reflective of the Louis Vuitton codes and values – as a representation of global communities created beyond borders and diversities. Elated by music, the soundtrack of the parade fused with the clothes themselves: two SpeakerMan looks integrated a number of wireless loudspeakers into backpacks, which connected to the show’s sound system. The constructions portrayed the togetherness of sound and the harmonious properties of speaker culture, while echoing the shared appreciation for loud music that exists within the Louis Vuitton Studio Prêt-à-Porter Homme – where every corner is occupied by a speaker.

French romanticism

A quintessential component in the genetics of Louis Vuitton, French romanticism fills the collection. Flower fields – the eternal image of harmony in diversity – grace garments through impressionist paintings transformed into tapestries and prints, while depictions of thistles appear in multiple fabric weaves, prints and embroideries. A symbol of resilience and healing folklorically used to overcome difficult situations, the prickly flower motifs also nod to the decor of Louis Vuitton’s ancestral home in Asnières where thistles often appear in bouquets. The delicate floral paintings found in the ceilings of the same residence echo the cornices that define the palatial interiors of Parisian architecture. A manifestation of our childhood dreams – fairy tales, majesty, whimsy – these moulures ornament moulded leather tailoring and bags, and feature in delicate lace garments. As a tribute to Paris, a photo montage collaging elements from the city and the Maison – the Pont Neuf, the Damier pattern, the cornices of interiors – runs through the collection.

Arts and crafts

The impulse to turn imagination into creation begins with the instruments of our childhood: toys, building blocks and the tools of the sandbox. As we grow and refine, so do the devices that bring our ideas to life. Through the savoir-faire integral to Louis Vuitton, the collection reflects on this transition in figurative and literal ways. Children’s building blocks and playdough elements adorn garments and accessories, while toolbox components – such as scissors, tweezers and clamps – embellish garments as three-dimensional embroidered pendants. The motifs celebrate the expert ateliers of the Maison, and serve as symbols of the painstaking savoir-faire that makes up the collection, from the development of fabrics to hand-embroideries, hand-beading, hand-crocheting, Shiburi tie-dye, and intricate leather moulding, as well as technological ingenuity like static electricity fabrics and SpeakerMan backpacks composed of genuine and 3D-printed loudspeakers.

LOUIS VUITTON Spring-Summer 2023 Spin-Off inside 360 MAGAZINE

CELEBRITIES

LIU YAO WEN at LOUIS VUITTON Spring-Summer 2023 Spin-Off inside 360 MAGAZINE

FASHION DESIGNER GUSTAVO CADILE

Listen to Gustavo Cadile speak to Vaughn Lowery on 360 MAG Apple/Spotify podcast HERE.

Gustavo Cadile is an Argentinian-born fashion designer of Italian descent. Recently, he relocated from New York City to Miami to launch a new showroom and continue designing as well as launching stunning couture fashion collections. He combines Italian artistry with Argentinian imagery to create beautiful fashion designs, bridal gowns and swimwear.

Additionly, Gustavo earned an Associate’s degree in Fashion Design from Miami International University of Art & Design; and he is excited to return to his alma mater to debut a new swimwear collection at 2022 Miami Swim Week.

Cadile has built a noteworthy name in the fashion industry as a highly sought-after fashion designer having dressed influential celebrities including Gina Rodriguez, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Eva Longoria, Reese Witherspoon, Kate Walsh and January Jones among others; both on the red carpet and in editorial pages.

Gustavo Cadile has also been recognized for his craftsmanship and quality, earning him the New Emerging Designer Award in 2007 at the Gold Coast Awards in Chicago. He was nominated in 2008 and 2009 for the Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award; and in 2013, Gustavo was awarded the Fashion Group International Award in Miami.

In addition, Gustavo’s noteworthy fashion looks have been featured in prominent media outlets including Elle Magazine, Vogue, Los Angeles Times, Ocean Drive Magazine, WWD and L’ People Magazine. To learn more about Gustavo Cadile, please visit his website HERE.

Follow Gustavo:

Instagram

Twitter

Articles in the Media:

Miami Living Magazine

Chris Brown × Drai’s

Multi-talented singer, dancer and Grammy-award winning artist Chris Brown blew fans away at the first show of his new powerhouse production at Drai’s Nightclub early this morning. “Chris Brown: The Live Vegas Residency” showcases the iconic artist’s phenomenal talents on a custom-built, two-story stage.

The sold-out crowd sang along to hits like “Baddest,” “Indigo” and “No Guidance,” all set to an unprecedented nightclub production with a full cast of talented dancers and smoke, lasers and confetti. Brown also performed “Warm Embrace” and “Mona Lisa” from his much-anticipated new album, “Breezy,”which will be released on Friday, June 24. Brown was one of the first artists to perform one of the club’s signature full-length Drai’s LIVE performances back in 2015 and his residency is the first time Drai’s has created a custom stage for an artist.

Widely known as one of the top performers of his time, Brown has been in the music industry for over 15 years. He became a teen hit sensation for record-breaking R&B songs like “Yo” and “Run It!” featuring Juelz Santana and his album “F.A.M.E” won a Grammy-award in 2012.

Drai’s Nightclub is open from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Friday – Sunday. Drai’s is the only nightclub in Las Vegas that offers full-length concerts by today’s top-charting artists. Every weekend, the Drai’s LIVE concert series brings big names like Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne and Lil Baby to the rooftop of The Cromwell, with banner performances set to the stunning backdrop of the lights of the Las Vegas Strip. The upcoming Drai’s LIVE concert lineup can be found HERE. Additional dates of Brown’s residency will be announced, soon. Other special requests are available by emailing info@draislv.com.

About Drai’s Beachclub • Nightclub

Drai’s Beachclub • Nightclub takes entertainment and nightlife to new heights in an unmatched setting – 11 stories high on the rooftop of The Cromwell with dazzling views of the Las Vegas Strip at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Boulevard. Drai’s Nightclub is a 30,000-square-foot palatial, multi-level club with an expansive dance floor, massive LED lighting systems, and modern technology featuring more than 7,000 square feet of the most state-of-the-art high-definition LEDs in production, including a towering 80-sided LED disco ball – the only one of its kind. Drai’s Nightclub is home to Drai’s LIVE, an unprecedented concert series that provides fans with the opportunity to see full-length performances by top performers like Lil Wayne and Lil Baby in an up-close setting unlike anything else in the world. Drai’s is located at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Boulevard. Drai’s Beachclub is a 35,000-square-foot oasis with multiple pools shaded by eight towering palm trees, a variety of cabanas and bungalows, a full-service gourmet kitchen and two full-service bars. The legendary Drai’s After Hours has solidified itself as the ultimate late-night, see-and-be-seen party destination for more than two decades.Drai’s After Hoursis a sleek, sexy lounge where DJs play chart-topping songs of today, including top 40, Latin and hip-hop music. In addition to bottle service, Drai’s After Hours is one of the only spots on the Strip to offer hookah nightly. Drai’s After Hours is open from midnight to close every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More information, including reservations, tickets and hours, is available at DraisGroup.com. Follow Drai’s on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – @draislv, @draisbeachclub and @draisafterhours.

About The Cromwell

The Cromwell – named a Top 10 “Best U.S. Casino” by USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice, recipient of the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Awardand the first standalone boutique hotel on the famed Strip – brings an exclusive, luxury lifestyle hotel experience to the Las Vegas Strip, focusing on hospitality, amenities and personalized service. The Cromwell is the first hotel in Las Vegas to offer mobile key technology for digital, keyless entry to rooms via the guests’ iOS devices. Located on the bustling corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road – directly across from Caesars Palace – The Cromwell keeps it intimate with 188 rooms including 19 suites, a personalized virtual concierge service named Ivy, a 40,000-square-foot casino, Bound – the elevated hotel lobby bar, Interlude – a casino lounge featuring live entertainment, award-winning GIADA – the first-ever restaurant by celebrity chef and television personality Giada De Laurentiis, Drai’s Beachclub • Nightclub – a 65,000 square-foot rooftop pool and nightclub with day and nightlife experiences boasting open-air, panoramic views from 11 stories above the iconic Las Vegas skyline, and Drai’s After Hours – located at its original home beneath the boutique hotel. The Cromwell is operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR). For more information, please visit thecromwell.com or the Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas media room. Find The Cromwell on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram. Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-522-4700 ©2021, Caesars License Company, LLC.

*Photo: Denise Truscello, Getty Images

paris jackson – lighthouse

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress and activist paris jackson unveiled her brand-new single entitled “lighthouse” out now via Republic Records—listen to “lighthouse” HERE. The song was produced by singer, songwriter, musician and producer Butch Walker.

The single is released alongside the official music video, which was inspired by the iconic video for Nirvana‘s “Sliver.” In the video, paris pays homage with a photo of Kurt Cobain—a full circle moment to the original video. Watch the “lighthouse” video HERE.

The song channels unbridled nineties rock energy as it harnesses the power of a classic alternative dynamic with a twist of its own. paris’ hypnotic verses give way to a chantable chorus, “I can feel the lights go low, but I don’t wanna let go now, maybe if I turn around you’ll see me, and what you used to be,” before a hummable guitar solo.

On the song, paris says, “I continued to write about this same old heartbreak that wilted is about. A lot of the new songs coming out are similar stories about the same person and heartbreak. I guess I’m just exploring different feelings. wilted was a more melancholy record, and now I’m exploring more of the anger…”

paris recently lit up SXSW with her debut performance at the festival, landing looks from Billboard, The Recording Academy’s Grammy U and more. Back in 2020, she delivered her debut album, wilted, joined by collaborators Andy Hull and Robert McDowell of Manchester Orchestra. Upon arrival, it captured #1 on the iTunes US Alternative Albums Chart and incited the applause of NPR, Rolling Stone, Associated Press, Entertainment Weekly, E! News, People, NME, NYLON, Refinery29, WWD and more. Additionally, she ignited late-night television with an emotionally charged rendition of “let down” on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!. paris remained prolific in 2021 with The Struts’ collaboration “Low Key In Love,” before sharing the lost EP as a surprise gift for her fans in early 2022. Now, paris jackson re-introduces herself with an honest and raw signature sound.

COUNT TO TEN PODCAST RELEASE

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‘COUNT TO TEN’ PODCAST WITH CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED BIPOC AND QUEER ARTIST, INFLUENCER, AND CONTENT CREATOR BRI HALL LAUNCHES NEW EPISODE: RACE & ROYALTY WITH BRITTANY LACKEY & GERMANI MANNING OF BLACK GIRL BRAVADO

“Some proclaim the title of social media influencer just because they have a lot of followers, but [Bri Hall] is using her platform for good to reach her 1 million followers around the world.” — START YOUR DAY, BLACK NEWS CHANNEL

“[Count to Ten] aims to unpack appearance-based discrimination and more… [Bri Hall] wants the podcast to elevate people’s various lived experiences with the hope of also hitting home with those who haven’t lived them.” — WWD

Multi-hyphenate BIPOC and queer artist / influencer Bri Hall launches episode 2 of her new weekly podcast ‘Count to Ten’ presented by RedCircle. Available across all streaming platforms now, the new episode entitled Race & Royalty features Brittany Lackey and Germani Manning of Black Girl Bravado. Oftentimes when we think of a “post racial society,” we hear about minorities who have “made it.” Minorities who exist in the top 1% of society as the beacon of hope. Sometimes this is used to gaslight experiences with race by saying, “that was not racist, it was classist,” when it can be one, the other, or both. Today’s episode is all about exploring intersectionality of race, class, and power. Tune in now, here.

Raised in the DMV area (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) and now based in Los Angeles, Hall has achieved over 1.1 million followers across social media plus 50 million views and counting on YouTube as a content creator. Through her various work, including partnerships with Fenty Beauty, Calvin Klein, Clinique, Facebook, Google, etc, and her music project under the moniker La Hara, the rising thought leader has garnered positive praise from ABC, Allure, BET, Black News Channel, Bustle, Cheddar, Elite Daily, Harper’s BAZAAR, ESSENCE, NBC, NYLON, PopSugar, Refinery29, Washington Post, WWD, among several others. Utilizing her dedicated fanbase and established platform, Hall hopes to open an honest dialogue around delicate and indispensable topics such as race/racism, feminism, sexuality, intersectionality, the model minority, DACA/Dreamers, invisible disabilities, mental health, and more.

‘Count to Ten’ is a statement of defiance against the notion of “staying calm”—something individuals in marginalized groups are told to undermine their experiences when facing complex issues around social and racial injustices, gender or identity inequality, mental health, and more. Taking ownership of the phrase “count to ten,” the podcast is Bri Hall’s way of breaking that silence and creating a safe, educational yet entertaining space where listeners can feel seen and heard. Throughout the podcast, Hall will tap a special guest to provide their unique insight and expertise on select themes. Upcoming guests in the first season include Keziah Dhamma (aka Swirly Curly), Brittany Lackey and Germani Manning (Black Bravado), Bukola Odeosun, Darian Harvin, Aliza Kelly, Kristopher Head, Charlotte Nguyen, Helya Mohammadian (Slick Chicks) and Marta Elena Cortez-Neaval (Abilitee), MANNYWELLZ, and Jen Winston (The Greedy Bisexual).

For Bri Hall, every project is an opportunity to explore new avenues to push boundaries and showcase different sides of her as an ever-evolving creator and trendmaker. On the ‘Count to Ten’ podcast launch, she states, “I’m excited to share a huge part of myself that supporters don’t always get to see from an Instagram photo or a makeup tutorial. Between filming for videos and creating content, I’m deeply engaged in conversations with colleagues, friends, and family about social justice, personal struggles, and marginalized identity. It feels like such an organic step to use my platform to further delve into these stories on a larger scale. I hope that people will learn more about marginalized identities and themselves through this podcast. Oftentimes, the gap between empathy and apathy is a lack of understanding and a fear of asking the wrong questions. By having a first person, fly-on-the-wall invitation into these conversations, I hope a deep feeling of connection between diverse communities will emerge for my fans and new listeners.”

‘Count to Ten’ episodes:

January 18th — Do I Seem Relaxed with Keziah Dhamma (Swirly Curly)
January 25th — Race & Royalty with Brittany Lackey & Germani Manning of Black Girl Bravado
February 1st — Being First Gen with Bukola Odeosun
February 8th — Do the Write Thing with Darian Harvin
February 15th — Hex and the City with Aliza Kelly
February 22nd — The Truth of Invisible Disabilities with Kris Head
March 1st — Excluded? The Model Minority Myth with Charlotte Nguyên
March 8th — Ableism in Fashion with Helya Mohammadian (Slick Chicks) and Marta Elena Cortez-Neaval (Abilitee)
March 15th — Show Dates: How DACA has Impacted Artists with MANNYWELLZ
March 22nd — The Greedy Bisexual with Jen Winston

About Bri Hall:

One of the brightest cultural leaders of her generation, Bri Hall embodies the kind of visionary creativity that defies all boundaries and transforms the way we view the world around us. With a global reach that now includes over 1.1 million followers across all platforms, the 27-year-old artist, social-media creator, and motivational speaker has continually turned her creative passions into a conduit for community-building and increased awareness of such crucial issues as social justice and mental health—all while channeling the singular joy of unbridled self-expression.

A first-generation American whose mother immigrated from Jamaica, Hall was born in New York but moved to Maryland at the age of five. As a young child she started drawing portraits, discovering an affinity for art that she partly attributes to an urge to connect with her absent biological father (a stained-glass artist). A lifelong creative polymath, Hall took up poetry in third grade, and within just two years saw one of her pieces published in a national poetry journal. Later on, she earned the distinction of being one of two students in the entire state to be accepted into a highly competitive visual and performing artists middle school, which helped to refine her raw talents and self-taught skills. Throughout her childhood, Hall further broadened her artistic horizons by learning to play clarinet in elementary school and later taking up piano while enrolled in a prestigious science and technology program in high school. During her junior year, she began exploring social media by kicking off a weekly Facebook feature in which she created time-lapse videos documenting her work as she drew or painted a portrait based on subject requests submitted by her followers. The feature was an instant hit, and in 2011 Hall launched a YouTube channel to showcase her increasingly in-demand speed portraits.

While studying animation and game design at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Hall continued posting art videos and began appearing on camera—a turn of events that soon led to the launch of Smartista Beauty, a separate YouTube channel that served as a hub for the hair and beauty tutorials her viewers immediately clamored for. With her very first Smartista Beauty post amassing a staggering number of views, Hall quickly emerged as a beauty guru backed by an immensely devoted following (as well as support from global brands like Calvin Klein and Google). Not only known for the awe-inspiring ingenuity behind her wildly popular tutorials, she gained widespread recognition for the vulnerability and candor of her content, often using her videos as a sounding board for such complex and intensely personal topics as self-love and Black feminism. As more and more viewers tuned in for Hall’s insights into living a more fulfilled and empowered life, she took the stage for a TEDx Talk in 2018 and detailed her journey in following her creative dreams to incredible success.

In all of her endeavors, Hall merges her limitless imagination with a profound sense of purpose. In 2019, for instance, she made her musical debut under the name La Hara, an R&B project whose first round of singles included “Hereafter”—a quietly powerful track she wrote after the death of a close friend, then released during National Suicide Prevention Month in order to help others struggling with grief. More recently, Hall has aligned her longtime mission of increasing representation in media with her growing fascination with cosplay, tapping into her extensive makeup savvy and morphing into a series of iconic characters rarely performed by Black artists and creators.

In her commitment to endlessly magnifying the impact of her platform, Hall is now set to launch a weekly podcast called ‘Count to Ten.’ Presented by RedCircle, the show will include intimate and unfiltered conversations with guests whose personal experience speaks to the inequities affecting marginalized populations all around the world. To that end, the first season of ‘Count to Ten’ finds Hall and her guests discussing everything from the model minority myth and the intersectionality of race and class to ableism in fashion and the politics of natural hair. Inspired by the heart-to-heart talks she engages in on a daily basis—and the moment of re-centering pause many people with intersectional identities must frequently take in order to coexist in a variety of spaces—’Count to Ten’ ultimately reflects the driving force behind all of Hall’s output: a one-of-a-kind gift for taking the ordinary stuff of everyday life (a conversation, a bare face, a blank page), then introducing the extraordinary to expand our sense of possibility and reshape the way we live, work, and care for each other.