Louis Vuitton Donates 2,500 Face Masks to New York's MTA Workers

After shifting several of its workshops to producing face masks in the wake of the coronavirus, Louis Vuitton is now allocating supplies to some of the most dire areas around the world. The French label has reportedly donated 2,500 of the masks specifically to New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) employees, as detailed by The Cut.

Several masks were said to already have been doled out to the MTA staff at the end of March as COVID-19 continued to spread throughout the city, though it hasn’t stopped the virus from taking its toll on the workers. Reportedly more than 80 have died since the pandemic hit, and thousands have tested positive.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has recently implemented further changes to the transportation system in order to help combat the spread. Last week, he announced that the subway would close down every night from 1 a.m. until 5 a.m. to allow for additional cleaning, a move that hasn’t been enacted in over 115 years, as The New York Times notes.

Though Louis Vuitton’s donations may not be able to fully provide for the MTA’s more than 74,000 employees, the resources still come at a time when the city continues to grapple with managing the virus amid limited supplies.

“As an important French House, Louis Vuitton wishes to commit at its level to producing many thousands of masks that will be distributed within the region, at no charge, to protect those who are most exposed,” CEO Michael Burke stated previously when speaking of the company’s decision to produce masks. “This production is the fruit of a wonderful collaboration with the regional sector of the textile industry.”

Elsewhere in fashion, DSPTCH has recently launched its own durable cotton ripstop face coverings, seeking to raise money for those most affected by the virus.

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Times Square Billboard Promises A Free Face Mask For Every American

DHVANI, the Activ(ist)Wear brand, unveiled a Times Square billboard promising "A Mask for Every American." The red, white and blue billboard features the internet address DHVANI.com/FreeMasks – a web page where anyone can request a free face mask, and donate to help supply masks.

The billboard kicks off a fundraising campaign to provide all 327 million American residents with a free face mask to protect themselves and others from the COVID-19 pandemic. The company will provide medical-grade masks to healthcare professionals and reusable cloth masks to the general public, per recommendations from U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

This is a personal issue for DHVANI's co-founder and chief of operations, Kanayochukwu Onwuama. Onwuama first learned of the seriousness of the personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages in the New York City area from his mother Joy Austin, a registered nurse at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, NY. 

"When my mom told me she'd been using the same disposable mask for a whole week, my stomach dropped, and I couldn't help but cry," said Onwuama. "I immediately knew I had to do something."

"We hope nobody actually sees the billboard because they're sheltering in place," said Avi Brown, DHVANI's co-founder and chief executive. "Unprecedented times require unprecedented action. It's up to all of us to put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the help of donations from the public, we're using our manufacturing and distribution resources to put a mask on every face in America."

The two founders quickly decided to help the American people fight the virus, which has already caused more than 170,000 deaths worldwide, one in four of which have been in the U.S. In Portland, where DHVANI is headquartered, the company made an initial donation of 10,000 medical-grade face masks to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and an additional 1,000 to essential workers such as grocery store employees. Its next donation of 10,000 masks will be delivered to Elmhurst Hospital.

"Providence is grateful for DHVANI's mask donation," said Nancy Roberts, chief operating officer of Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. "Every caregiver in a patient care area, no matter what their role, wears a mask for their shift. Donations from local organizations like DHVANI help us ensure that we continue to have masks to protect our patients, their families, and our caregivers. We are truly amazed by the generosity of individuals and businesses in Oregon."

DHVANI is no stranger to philanthropic activism. Earlier this year, the brand launched their Buy One, Plant One initiative to help the reforestation effort of Australia's 8.8 million acres of brush fire devastation. The company plants a tree for every item purchased from their website. And in an effort to directly reduce plastic pollution in oceans and landfills, DHVANI recently announced its new Terra leggings and sports bras, which are made from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. 

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Canada Goose Launches Sustainable Impact Strategy and Commits to Carbon Neutrality by 2025

Canada Goose launched its Sustainable Impact Strategy outlined in the company's first-ever Sustainability Report. Driven by its long-standing commitment to keep the planet cool and the people on it warm, the accelerated strategy includes tangible commitments supporting four key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

As part of its Sustainable Impact Strategy, Canada Goose outlines key commitments:

Canada Goose (CNW Group/Canada Goose)

• Carbon Neutrality: Net zero direct and indirect (Scope 1 and 2) greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, through aggressive and tangible action plans which aim to reduce emissions by more than 80 per cent from current levels.
  

• Reclaimed Fur: In 2022, Canada Goose plans to introduce reclaimed fur into its supply chain, which includes beginning to manufacture parkas using reclaimed fur and ending the purchasing of new fur. The company also plans to launch a consumer buy-back program for fur in the months ahead.

• Responsible Down Standard (RDS): In 2019, in partnership with Textile Exchange, the company completed third-party compliance audits at 100 per cent of its manufacturing facilities and commits to being 100 per cent RDS-certified by 2021.

• bluesign®: Commit to reach 90 per cent of Canada Goose fabrics as bluesign® approved for responsible and sustainable practices by 2025, increasing from 32 per cent in 2019.
  

• Plastic-Free: Eliminating single-use plastics in all Canada Goose owned or controlled facilities.

Sustainability has been a foundational part of the Canada Goose business model for more than 60 years, starting with its unwavering commitment to making best-in-class products using highest quality materials and craftsmanship. The company's 2019 Sustainability Report marks its first step in measuring and publishing its global environmental and social impact, and new and ongoing commitments in support of four key UN SDGs.

The inaugural report also highlights the company's long-standing global citizenship initiatives including its Polar Bears International (PBI) collection, the Canada Goose Resource Centres Program and Project Atigi, all aimed at supporting Canada's Northern communities. As well, the report details innovative employee-driven sustainability initiatives, giving programs, and impactful commitments to reduce its environmental footprint and transform operations.

"We have always believed in building a business that is good for our team, for the communities we're a part of and for the planet, for generations to come," said Dani Reiss, President & CEO, Canada Goose. "No matter how much we've done over the last 60 years, we need to do more – the world can't wait. Our aggressive commitments outlined in our first Sustainability Report are the steps we're taking to transform the way we do business and ensure we are doing everything we can to create the future we want to see."

As part of its accelerated Sustainable Impact Strategy, Canada Goose also announced it achieved carbon neutrality as of March 2020 through investments in strategic offsetting projects, equivalent to 200% of its annual greenhouse gas emissions. The company will continue to offset at this level as it continues to transform business operations to achieve its 80 per cent emissions reduction targets by 2025.

To read the full report, visit: canadagoose.com/sustainability/

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Loverboy Launches A Refreshing Twist On The Classic Spritz

Loverboy, a New York based better-for-you beverage startup, founded by Bravo TV's Kyle Cooke from Summer House, announces the launch of its first 'Spritz' product, a distinctive low calorie, no sugar added option as a flirtatious twist on the traditional spritz. Exclusively sold online, direct-to-consumer—Loverboy Spritz will bring summer to your doorstep as a refreshing new ready-to-drink canned beverage.

To meet demands for the health-conscious consumer, the new bubbly Loverboy Spritz is designed to taste like a freshly-shaken cocktail without being overly sweet or artificial. "We love the refreshing nature of a spritz cocktail, but recognize it's high in sugar and calories," said Cooke, "we created our own spritz with quality ingredients and only 100 calories and 2g of sugar for a guilt-free sip, with no sugar hangovers." To bring levity to individuals at home, and taking a turn from traditional cocktail combinations, the first flavor to market is Blueberry Lemon, a combination of blueberries kissed with basil, zest, and bubbles to take you from your living room to the Amalfi Coast.

Making their spritz available to most states, Loverboy Spritz is exclusively sold online, direct-to-consumer, bypassing industry norms for a safer and more convenient delivery method. "No more trips to the store for ingredients," said Cooke. "As an already prepped, ready-to-drink beverage, our spritz is a great grab-and-go item you can take anywhere, and is less expensive than trying to duplicate a cocktail at home."

With the Loverboy brand built on family and friendship, Cooke's Summer House co-star, co-creator, and fiancé Amanda Batula serves as the brand's Creative Director, designing Loverboy's packaging and managing branding and merchandise. As their first line of sparkling hard teas was inspired by Kyle's persona; colorful and playful -The Spritz will embody Amanda's with a classic feel; minimal, elevated and sophisticated, yet sexy. "We wanted a look and feel that was elegant enough to toast at a wedding, yet cool and fun to post on your Instagram feed," stated Batula. Joined by co-star Carl Radke, who heads sales and business dev for Loverboy, the trio promises the spritz will "turn any occasion into a special occasion.”

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MAKING YOUR WORK-FROM-HOME WORK

As we are finding ourselves adapting to new living and working environments, it is important now more than ever to create an indoor aesthetic that is both positive and comforting. Finding that balance varies from person-to-person, however many have found that adding live greenery and organic accents to a space can change an atmosphere entirely. Keeping the mindset that a space has now become your office might be new and somewhat challenging for you. Consider reorienting the furnishings and adding light to flip the vibe of the room so that you are able to adjust your mental position. 

Christie's International Real Estate's 'Luxury Defined' blog recently published an article on "home office design" and "working from home". The article highlights several well-known interior designers and their perspectives on adding nature-inspired colors, textures, and motifs to create a stronger connection with the outdoors.

Integrating elements of nature into your home office design might not be a new approach—it’s been a trend in well-designed office spaces for years—but it has benefits you might not be aware of. Google’s Zurich headquarters famously introduced one of the first indoor gardens into its workspace, and credited a boost in creativity to the increased light, greenery, and oxygen.

Now, as the current public health crisis means we’re spending both work and leisure time at home, there’s no better time to apply this aesthetic to your own surroundings.

The most achievable, and obvious, way to do so is simple: add some plants—requisitioning pot plants from elsewhere in your home or ordering them online if necessary. But, while the sense of calm that greenery can bring to a space is not to be underestimated, it’s just one of many ways designers weave natural elements into their interiors. Read on for their expert tips.

Frame the View

Follow the advice of Studio L, a London-based interior design company that specializes in creating beautiful homes, and draw attention to what’s beyond your window. Whether your home office overlooks greenery, the urban landscape, or water, you can take simple steps to frame the view.

“At Studio L, we tend to paint window frames in colors that enhance whichever vista may be outside,” explains creative director Laura Marino. “We’ve used shades of green, blue, gray, yellow, and charcoal to bring each view into focus.”

“I’d advise getting a delivery of paint samples (VOC-free to avoid fumes), brushes, and wallpaper lining. Paint large samples onto the wallpaper lining then tape them to the window architraves to see how you’d like to frame your view.”

You can also achieve a similar result with a set of curtains. “We always use window treatments to link and enhance the view outside,” says Marino. “By layering textures and playing with heights and decor you create a visual hierarchy that draws your eye to what’s outside.”

Integrate Natural Materials and Textures

Nature-inspired colors, textures, and motifs create a stronger connection with the outdoors. This is the approach taken by Elicyon, an award-winning interior design studio known for residential projects across New York, Los Angeles, London, and Dubai.

“In the Blossom apartment we designed at Chelsea Barracks in London, we brought reference to the outdoors through an abstraction of floral motifs and materiality,” says Charu Gandhi, founder and director of Elicyon.

“This was expressed in the ceramic textures of table lamps, a rug that’s reminiscent of a flower unfurling, and a chandelier in which seed pods are imagined as frosted light fittings on a brushed brass stalk.”

To achieve this look, try integrating items in hues and textures that remind you of the environment outside. Sometimes this can draw on the personal connections you have with a particular place.

“Bringing in natural materials and textures immediately sets a tone for the space,” Gandhi explains. “Rattan is a lovely element to weave in for a sense of the outdoors. It reminds me of my childhood in India and the Far East, when outdoor rattan furniture was de rigueur. Space-making is about evoking memories and emotions.”

Reorientate the Room

Parisian firm Jouin Manku has designed the interiors of private residences, retail spaces for brands such as Van Cleef & Arpels, office environments including Paris’s Ministry of Defence, and Alain Ducasse restaurants worldwide. The agency’s founding partner, Sanjit Manku, believes reorientation can be key to bringing a sense of the outdoors inside.

Parisian design firm Jouin Manku uses "soft, organic, curved formations" to evoke the feeling of a natural environment—even where there's no outside view.

“Our work is very much nature inspired,” he says. “We aim to create spaces that reflect the natural environment, an environment that is sculpted by forces of nature into soft, organic, curved formations.”

To begin, ask yourself how you can alter the space to find calmness. “We find a sense of peace when we’re in a natural space,” Manku elaborates. “Being able to breathe deeply with a view creates a feeling of calm. It can take a small change, such as orientating your seat next to a window, so you have a beautifully long-term view. These kinds of things can help you feel grounded in the relationship to the exterior.”

Finding the right layout is then a simply matter of trying things out. “Take rooms that are filled with light and move the furniture around,” he advises. “Use it as a test to see how it affects you. Spaces are not just about decor—they’re not just about what things look like. There is power in space because it affects what you feel. To make the most out of your workspace, explore the effect reorientation has.”

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Dressing Like a Million Bucks: How Looking Good Can Affect Your Poker Game

When you walk into a room, one of the first things that people tend to notice is how you’re dressed. Looking sharp and well groomed will give you an instant confidence boost and guarantee your welcome in almost any room. In the world of poker, this is no different. In our article on ‘How to Achieve 'Understated Elegance' in 3 Simple Steps’, we describe how going for simple and classic clothes that fit you well is guaranteed to hit the mark. Less is also more when it comes to accessories as well as hair and grooming. With these tips in mind, you’ll help ensure that you’re physically and mentally ready for your next poker game.

While poker used to be a casual pastime often enjoyed at home via online platforms, many of the high profile tournaments nowadays are very much glamorous social events held in the very best gaming establishments across the world. Yahoo’s article on ‘How PPPoker is Bringing a New Social Dynamic to Poker’ outlines how the game has increased in popularity throughout the years due to a combination of community-based technologies and high-profile major events. In more ways than one, this trend has encouraged some players to be more conscious about how they look, act, and dress.

Over time, clothing trends have come and gone. Men’s Fashion Magazine describes how the cowboy look was popular in poker games in the past due to the game being “dominated by strong manly types from the Southwest”. More recently, sports jerseys, football caps, and comfortable outfits have become the norm due to the long hours players have stay at the tables. On the other hand, more stylish types choose to wear blazers or smart casual outfits, including business suits with sharp shoes and a tie. Other accessories include oversized headphones, which can also help keep your head in the game. The typical poker pro tends to wear sunglasses, baseball hats, hoodies, or masks and facial hair to hide much of their facial expressions. Alternatively, others who are more disruptive want to dress a little off-kilter to strategically confuse their opponents.

However, dressing well can eventually land you a sponsorship deal and help you become a part of the big leagues. In Forbes’ article on ‘How to Get to The World Series of Poker Final Table’, Chad Holloway, 2013 WSOP bracelet winner, states that getting to the final table means that apart from players winning seven-figures in prize money, “many become poker celebrities and are considered big names for years to come. There are also sponsorship opportunities (much less than in years past though),” which means that as well as upping your game, you should try to dress well to catch a sponsor’s eye.

Finally, no matter how you decide to dress for your next poker game, always make sure you’re comfortable in your own skin. Inc mentions the concept of thin-slicing, which is defined as the process of analyzing visual details instantaneously. The first impression you make when you sit down at that poker table will instantly affect how other players view you, so it’s up to you to project a confident and cool exterior to match your game.

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Dad's Garage Big Stupid Parking Lot Carnival - April 6th

Move over BaconFest, Dad’s Garage Theatre Company is shaking things up this year and rolling out a brand-new concept for its annual fundraiser: Dad’s Garage Big Stupid Parking Lot Carnival.  One part festival and one part theatrical weirdness, the inaugural event will feature plenty of beer, delicious food and rides.  Attendees will also have the chance to interact one-on-one with Dad’s Garage improvisers in games and carnival booths like the Redneck Wine Tasting, Wheelchair Obstacle Course, Bad Caricatures, and Improvised Erotic Fanfiction.  Set for Saturday, April 6, 2019 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Dad’s Garage Big Stupid Parking Lot Carnival is for ages 21+ and will take place in and around the theatre’s home in the Old Fourth Ward.  Tickets start at $10 and all proceeds benefit Dad’s Garage Theatre Company.  For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.dadsgaragecarnival.com. 

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