The Phunky Elephant is located at 1271 Bay Street in Staten Island
NEW YORK, NY—JUNE 2013— Born and bred in New York, famed chef, Shehu (pronounced SHAY-U) Fitzgerald is returning home. The 2011 winner of the Food Network’s competitive cooking program, Chopped, Fitzgerald recently opened a high end eatery called the Phunky Elephant (www.thephunkyelephant.com) in his hometown of Staten Island. Located at 1271 Bay Street, the Phunky Elephant is a gastro pub that specializes in high quality, fresh and seasonal cuisine. On Monday, June 24th, Shehu will be hosting a grand opening event to celebrate his newest venture.
Expanding on the concept first developed by the British (two distinct menus served in two separate seating areas), Fitzgerald presents a unique spin on the idea of a gastro pub with a menu of “Twisted American Cuisine”—American comfort food taken to another level. Seasoned with his own deliciously blended spices from his newly launched line, The IllChef, Shehu has created a tantalizing bar menu featuring his unique take on some of America’s favorite dishes. With a rustic pub setting, the Phunky Elephant offers patrons a relaxed yet upscale feel with two seating areas that presents a choice of a cozy, intimate culinary experience in the dining room or a more upbeat atmosphere in the main room.
New York’s food enthusiasts and tastemakers are invited to experience an evening of cocktails and decadent crudités creations. Guests get to mix and mingle and sample the Phunky Elephant’s offerings. Festivities begin at 6pm.
For press inquiries, contact Tamara Walker at tamara@sienamediagrp.com
To RSVP, contact Tanya Sotillo at Tanya@luxecolore.com
Shehu Fitzgerald
The Ladies Who Lunch Heads to Atlanta
NEW YORK, NY – June 2013—The Ladies Who Lunch (www.theladieswholunch.org) founder, Latisha Daring, is bringing the movement to Atlanta. The third stop on a four city tour, the Ladies Who Lunch is an empowerment lunch series that focuses on women entrepreneurs who aspire to impact their communities and the world-at –large through their business ventures and strategic partnerships. The Atlanta event will take place on June 15th at the Renaissance Midtown Atlanta Hotel, located at 866 Peachtree Street in northwest Atlanta.
An afternoon of empowerment, the Ladies Who Lunch is brings together some of the most dynamic women across a diverse spectrum of industries to share their experience in the world of business and entrepreneurship and what it takes to be successful women in business with an intimate crowd of like-minded women. Panelists will share their stories, lessons learned and wisdoms garnered in the pursuit of their dreams. Guests will have the chance to get an insider’s knowledge that will motivate, educate and inspire them to craft their own dreams. The fabulous women of the Atlanta panel are:
- Nicole Garner, the principal of high profile event planning, fashion and lifestyle public relations and marketing firm, The Garner Circle PR
- Marisa King Redwood, the “brand architect” and CEO of Buzz Brand Marketing, Inc.
- Tammy Williams, the quintessential storyteller and the founder of the ground breaking Open Rivers Studios
- Dr. Heavenly Kimes, leading Atlanta area dentist and founder of Heavenly Dental Associates, inc., author, speaker and business powerhouse
Debuting at the last event in Washington DC, Ladies Who Lunch will featuring the Marketplace, a curated collaboration of unique brands and products—highlighting local brands that marry viable business strategies with successful execution in presentation. The overall mission of the Ladies Who Lunch is about supporting dreamers. Latisha has been a supporter of independent designers and small businesses since 2000– particularly as the former owner and buyer for the well-known boutique, Pieces of Brooklyn. She has played a major role in helping to build brands both nationally and worldwide by introducing new talent to consumers for over a decade.
“Our goal in presenting Ladies Who Lunch is to sow the seeds of change that leave a lasting footprint on the community,” says Ms. Daring, the design mind behind the emerging high end women’s wear line, Ashtyn.
Ladies who Lunch with Latisha Daring will be hosting their last event for 2013 later this month in Chicago. For more information about the luncheon series or to purchase tickets, visit www.theladieswholunch.org.
For sponsorship opportunities, email Latisha Daring at info@theladieswholunch.org.
For press opportunities, email Tamara Walker at tamara@sienamediagrp.com.
The Ladies Who Lunch with Latisha Daring Comes to Washington, DC
NEW YORK NY— The Ladies Who Lunch movement continues in the District Of Columbia. Latisha Daring, successful entrepreneur, fashion designer, mom and wife announces her latest venture, Ladies Who Lunch with Latisha Daring (www.theladieswholunch.org) has embarked on a four city tour. The Ladies Who Lunch is an empowerment lunch series that focuses on women entrepreneurs who aspire to impact their communities and the world at-large through their business ventures and strategic partnerships. The inaugural DC event will take place on May 4th at the famed Station Four, located at 101 Fourth Street in southwest DC.
An intimate afternoon of inspiration and empowerment, the Ladies Who Lunch is brings some of the most influential and dynamic women across a broad spectrum of industries together to share their experience in the world of entrepreneurship and what it takes to be successful women in business with an intimate crowd of like-minded women. Panelists will share their stories, lessons learned and wisdoms garnered in the pursuit of their dreams. Guests will have the chance to get “real world” insider’s knowledge that will motivate, educate and inspire them to become the architect of their own dreams. The Washington, DC event has drawn a distinguished panel including:
- Nicole Cosby, Program Director, Global Ad Compliance at AOL
- DC’s own April Watts, on air personality with Majic 102.3 FM; visionary behind “Life Styled With April Watts”
- Janaye Ingram, DC Bureau Chief of the National Action Network
- Akinah Rahmaan, Vice President, Marketing at Island Def Jam Music Group
Debuting at the DC event, Latisha Daring will be launching the Ladies Who Lunch Marketplace, a curated collaboration of unique brands and products. The Marketplace highlights brands that marry viable business strategies with successful execution in presentation. These women owned businesses showcase a “go get ‘em” mentality that have resulted in their success. The overall mission of the Ladies Who Lunch is about supporting dreamers which comes to life with the launch of the Marketplace. Latisha has been a supporter of independent designers and small businesses since 2000– particularly as the former owner and buyer for the well-known boutique, Pieces of Brooklyn. She has played a major role in helping to build brands both nationally and worldwide by introducing new talent to consumers for over a decade.
Ladies who Lunch with Latisha Daring will be hosting events in Atlanta and Chicago. For more information about the luncheon series or to purchase tickets, visit www.theladieswholunch.org.
Latisha Daring Launches Ladies Who Lunch, Empowerment Lunch Series for Women
Latisha Daring, the highly successful New York-based fashion designer, announced the launch of her newest project, Ladies Who Lunch with Latisha Daring (www.theladieswholunch.org). An empowerment lunch series geared towards women entrepreneurs who aspire to impact their communities and the world at-large through their business ventures and strategic partnerships, the luncheon series kicks off in New York City on March 17th at the famed Tribeca Grill Loftlocated at 375 Greenwich Street.
“Our goal in presenting Ladies Who Lunch is to sow the seeds of change that leave a lasting footprint on the community,” says Ms. Daring, the design mind behind the emerging high end women’s wear line, Ashtyn.
Ladies Who Lunch is designed as an intimate afternoon of inspiration and empowerment with influential and dynamic women across a broad spectrum of industries who share their experience in the world of entrepreneurship and what it takes to be successful women in business. Guest panelists will share their stories, lessons learned and wisdoms garnered in the pursuit of their dreams. Attendees will have the chance to get “real world” insider’s knowledge that will motivate, educate and inspire them to become the architect of their own dreams. The New York event has drawn a distinguished panel including:
· Mona Scott-Young, entertainment mogul
· Tai Beauchamp, style expert, TV personality and entrepreneur
· Dream Hampton, culture writer
· Julee Wilson, style and beauty editor, Huffington Post/Black Voices
· Laurie Angela Cumbo, city council candidate and founder of MOCADA Museum
· Tanasha Pettigrew, luxury real estate expert
· Nanci Neffi Walker, expert in sustainable eco-living
· Carline Balan, co-owner of Balan Inc, a luxury lifestyle agency
Ladies who Lunch with Latisha Daring will be heading to Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington DC. For more information about the luncheon series or to purchase tickets, visit www.theladieswholunch.org.
For sponsorship opportunities, email Latisha Daring at info@theladieswholunch.org.
For press opportunities, email Tamara Walker at tamara@sienamediagrp.com.
ABOUT LATISHA DARING
A visionary and trendsetter, Latisha Daring has always walked to the beat of her own drum. Born in Brooklyn (the creative capital of New York City), Latisha has been making strides in fashion and business since 2000 when she opened her own retail destination, Pieces. For a decade, Pieces was the go to location for fashionistas looking for hard to find labels, trendy brands and inspired designers. In the spring of 2009, inspired by the birth of her daughter, Daring launched her own contemporary line, Ashtyn. With two successful business ventures under her belt, Latisha has decided to embark on another journey with the Ladies Who Lunch empowerment series. The event brings together a diverse group of successful and affluent women that work in various industries. By having these women share their stories and their journey of success, Latisha is recreating the cycle of success one dream at a time.
Ann Nahari Teams with the UnderWraps Agency for New York Fashion Week Presentation
NEW YORK CITY—JANUARY 3, 2013 – Los Angeles-based plus size fashion brand, Ann Nahari (www.ann-nahari.com) announced that it has enlisted the services of New York’s Underwraps Agency to cast and produce its upcoming showcase during New York Fashion Week. Slated to show on February 9th in Manhattan, this will be Ann Nahari’s first presentation in the United States.
With an established name in the global fashion community after successful showings in Dubai and Istanbul, the luxury full figured atelier is ready to launch in the American market. Teaming with the Underwraps Agency, which launched in early 2012, Ann Nahari will be only the second plus size brand to present during the famed industry semi-annual event. This collaboration continues the revolutionary mission to showcase the beauty and style of the full figured woman.
“I am excited about working with the Underwraps Agency to show during New York Fashion Week because the agency’s vision and energy blends perfectly with my company’s vision of chic, sophisticated high-end attire,” says Ann Nahari founder and head designer, Sumiyyah Rasheed.
Known for creating luxury plus size ready-to-wear and lingerie, Ann Nahari targets the curvaceous woman sizes 14-22 who seeks high quality fabrications and impeccable fit. This noteworthy event will feature top trend-driven styles that empower and inspires.
“Plus size women are beautiful and deserve to be seen as such. Why shouldn’t they have the option to buy clothing which reflects that they are beautiful, stylish and chic? There should not be a limit to their choices of clothing on the racks. On the contrary―there should be a plethora of options in every clothing shop for plus sizes, just like there are for sizes 0-12.” says Rasheed.
The Ann Nahari fashion show will take place at 6pm on Saturday, February 9th in the heart of New York’s Garment District at Studio Arte (located at 265 West 37th Street, 17th Floor).
For additional information, please visit www.ann-nahari.com and follow Sumiyyah Rasheed on Twitter at @sumiyyahr.
For press inquiries, please contact Tamara Walker at tamara@sienamediagrp.com or 347.827.1284.
ABOUT ANN NAHARI
Ann Nahari is an upscale ready-to-wear fashion and lingerie brand catering to the fuller figured woman. Created by designer, Sumiyyah Rasheed, Ann Nahari has successfully presented plus size collections overseas in markets including Dubai and Istanbul, solidifying its presence in the global fashion market. Based in Los Angeles, Ms. Rasheed takes pride in the fact Ann Nahari is “made in the USA.”
For more information, visit www.ann-nahari.com.
Veronica Lipscomb, the design mind behind plus fashion brand, Tru Diva (www.trudiva.com), announced she is hosting a trunk show later this month to celebrate the relaunch of her brand. Taking place on Saturday, October 27th at Basha Studios 34, Tru Diva will also host a search for new faces of the full figured fashion brand.
Launched in 2006, Tru Diva has quickly made a name in the plus size fashion market by setting itself apart. Known for its innovative and unique use of colors and styles, Tru Diva and Veronica have earned tremendous praise from women worldwide in the size 10 to 26 demographic.
Recently Ms. Lipscomb decided to take the design aesthetic Tru Diva became known for up another level with the expansion of more customizable fits for her curvaceous customer. Veronica understands that not all plus size bodies are build alike. To better serve her clientele, the designer now offers four fits (straight, pear, hourglass and oval) to better flatter their diverse shapes. The trunk show will give attendees a sneak peak at her new offerings for Holiday 2012—which will include coats.
“Knowing your body type is half the battle,” said Lipscomb. “But getting the right fit is winning the war,”
The announcement of the new fits is in tandem with the relaunch of the Tru Diva website which will now be a full service e-commerce site.
The Tru Diva trunk show will begin at Noon. To learn more about Veronica Lipscomb and Tru Diva, visit www.trudiva.com and facebook.com/TruDivaDesignsbyVL
ABOUT TRU DIVA
Accentuating a woman’s contours, and creating flattering lines is only part of the designer’s recipe, her decidedly contemporary designs are characterized by an exquisite attention to detail, impeccable construction and use of rich luxurious fabrics. From bohemian chic to glamorous evening gowns, Tru Diva has a myriad of fashion for the plus sized woman. Style, sophistication and sex appeal, make a TRU DIVA.
Empowered with an innate talent of fashion design, Veronica Lipscomb is making her dream a reality. With encouragement from friends, she began to design her own clothes and became a stylist catering to a plus-size clientele. Many women would approach her about where she purchased her clothing. Once it was discovered she was the designer, they would request the same outfit for themselves. Through TRU DIVA, Veronica offers an alternative style to a limited market of fashion conscious clothing for plus size women.
Do you want to know the Truth? Knowing the truth is only the beginning – TRU DIVA designs by Veronica L.
For more information, visit www.trudiva.com
The Black Girl Project has announced the date of their 2nd Annual Sisterhood Summit.
The Black Girl Project Announces the Date for its Second Summit
BROOKLYN, NY – SEPTEMBER 26, 2012 — Brooklyn-based non-profit, the Black Girl Project (www.blackgirlproject.org), announced today that the organization will host its second “Sisterhood Summit” on October. Hosted by the BGP founder, Aiesha Turman, the day of workshops and seminars will continue its format as a symposium designed to provide a platform for young women and girls to develop the tools to advocate, express, create and inspire each other. The Sisterhood Summit will also serve as a means to build active and sustainable networks on local, national and global levels. The event will take place on Saturday, October 27 at the State University of New York- Empire State College Brooklyn Campus.
“This year’s summit was planned based on feedback and the bits of conversation we were able to glean from last year’s attendees,” Aiesha said. “We have a lot in store for both youth and adults — parents, educators and caregivers — and we’re excited that there will be more intergenerational exchanges.”
This year’s symposium is themed: PYT: Pleasure, Youth & Transformation. Inspired by last year’s summit experience, the theme will have participants explore the deeper themes of sex, sexuality, intimacy, love and identity and how these issues resonate in the lives of young women and girls, their communities and popular culture. The purpose of the summit is to give the participants an opportunity to engage in dialogue and interactive workshops that will allow them to question, discuss viewpoints and deepen their awareness and insight. This year, Turman and her team have created a section of the summit dedicated solely to the parents and other adult caretakers in the attendees’ lives. The Black Girl Project firmly believes in the importance of providing a space for a diversity of perspectives to encourage growth as sharing views and ideas lead to enrichment, transformation and understanding.
Interested in attending this year’s Black Girl Project Sisterhood Summit? Online registration is available here: http://blackgirlproject.wufoo.com/forms/sisterhood-summit-participant-registration/.
About The Black Girl Project Sisterhood Summit 2012
BGP’s annual Sisterhood Summit is situated in BGP’s mission to empower young women and girls to navigate the challenging social issues they are faced with around sex, sexuality, and gender by providing a safe environment for them to connect and collaborate with peers, investigate, innovate and explore; in order to educate themselves, educate others, and take action.
About The Black Girl Project
The Black Girl Project is the outreach arm of the film of the same name. The mission of The Black Girl Project is to use the issues discussed in the film–Identity, Obstacles, Goals, Love & Sex, Family and the Media–to help build critical thinking, inspire dialogue and empower young women and girls. For more information, visit us at blackgirlproject.org.
*The Sisterhood Summit is open to all people who identify as Black and women and/or girls and is inclusive of transgender women and girls as well as people who identify with any femininity/femmeness/etc. spectrum.
###
It was on this day 7 years ago that Tamara Walker, our Founder, launched a PR and Event Planning firm called NY PR Diva. Seven years later we have grown and even gave rise to a little one (Siena Media Group, our brand strategy division). Today we are a PR “incubator” that works specifically with small businesses and start-ups who are venturing out. We are a boutique PR and Event Planning firm catering to the Fashion, Beauty & Entertainment Industries.
We thank all of our clients who started with us all those years ago and the new ones we garnered along the way. Thank you from the bottom or our hearts.
Kisses,
Team NY PR Diva
Winning Sketches from Universal Military collection of Our Lady of Lourdes by Lou Torres
New York’s Lourdes Torres Wins Major Design Prize; Debuts New Collection for Our Lady of Lourdes.
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 31, 2012—Thunderlily (www. thunderlily.com), the online “fashion workshop” announced Friday, that the winner of its recent design competition was Westchester-based fashion ingénue, Lourdes Torres. As the winner, Ms. Torres will have her autumn capsule collection entitled Universal Military for her brand Our Lady of Lourdes produced and sold by the emerging fashion technology company.
“Winning this competition has given my line its wings to soar,” says Torres. “I am anxious to see who may be stepping out in my fall looks this year.”
An up-and-coming designer, entrepreneur and activist, the New York bred single mom beat out a formidable group to win the covet prize. The 25-year-old first burst onto the New York fashion scene in 2004 where she worked behind the scenes of various runway shows as well as for many of the city’s merchandising showrooms. Lourdes has produced or assisted in the production of a multitude of shows and even designed costumes for the theatre…all this while raise her 4 year old autistic son and working a full time job in the education arena. Despite her busy schedule, Torres finds ways to work with charities such as Autism Speaks, Keep a Child Alive and St. Judes.
As part of the submission process, Lourdes and other entrants were asked to submit 5 design sketches they felt embodied the theme of autumn 2012 in March of this year. Along with the sketches, each competitor had to send along their inspiration for their proposed capsule collection. Over the next few weeks a panel of judges reviewed the many submissions and chose Torres’ Universal Military as the overall winner, with the announcement ironically being made the start of the Memorial Day weekend on Friday.
When asked why Lourdes Torres was chosen, Thunder lily responded, “Lou’s styles have attitude, she knows who her customer is and her sketches reflect this knowledge and understanding. Her designs are subtle and sophisticated. She has shown a real vision for a line of clothing that can work for day or evening, business or casual. The designs look structured but comfortable and we imagine that almost any woman would feel sophisticated, powerful and approachable wearing these clothes.”
The Our Lady of Lourdes capsule collection will debut in late August/ early September with a stylized lookbook on Thunder lily where fashionistas will be able shop the pieces of the collection which will be made to order in custom sizing from sizes 4 to 14.
For more information about Our Lady of Lourdes and Lourdes Torres, visit: http://www.ourladyint.com/.
ABOUT LOURDES TORRES
An up-and-coming designer, entrepreneur and activist, Lourdes Torres, a 25-year-old New York native, first burst onto the fashion scene in 2004. A mainstay behind the scenes of various runway shows as well as for many of the city’s merchandising showrooms, Lourdes has also produced or assisted in the production of a multitude of shows and even designed costumes for the theatre…all this while raise her 4 year old autistic son and working a full time job in the education arena. Despite her busy schedule, Torres finds ways to work with charities such as Autism Speaks, Keep a Child Alive and St. Judes. For more information about Lourdes and her line visit http://www.ourladyint.com/.
ABOUT THUNDERLILY
Thunder Lily is a fashion workshop. We are developing software to enable independent designers and fashionistas to create their own fashion quickly and easily and have it produced on demand. The competition winner will have the opportunity to experience the technology and see their designs being custom-produced by Thunder Lily. For more information visit www.thunderlily.com
###
NY PR Diva Director, Tamara Walker, will be speaking at the upcoming Five Star Events Panel, "So, You Want to be a Publicist? The Next Generation."
Want to meet her? Click the flyer for more info.
