MasterClass Launches Weekly Free, Live-Stream Series with the World's Best

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MasterClass, the platform that makes it possible for anyone to learn from the best announced MasterClass Live, a new series where members can connect with MasterClass instructors and outside experts, taking their learning beyond MasterClass's video-streaming classes, downloadable workbooks, and apps.

For the foreseeable future, MasterClass is making this member benefit available to all.

"MasterClass Live is directly part of our mission to democratize access to the world's best," said David Rogier, co-founder and CEO of MasterClass. "The Live sessions are free and across a wide range of topics from scientific thinking to interior design so everyone has a chance to learn from the best."

Upcoming MasterClass Live sessions include:

  • Wednesday, April 22: Award-winning designer Kelly Wearstler will share interior design techniques to make any space more beautiful, creative and inspiring.

  • Wednesday, April 29: Community activist and self-proclaimed "Gangsta Gardener" Ron Finley, whose MasterClass is launching on Earth Day, will share tips on how to keep plants alive and thriving, garden in any space and grow your own food.

  • Wednesday, May 6: Daniel Negreanu, one of the best and most influential poker players today, will break down his tips and strategies for making the most of your hand.

  • Wednesday, May 13: SPANX®  founder Sara Blakely will dive into her entrepreneurial journey and her approach to inventing, selling and marketing products that people love.

MasterClass Live sessions average an hour and are fueled by questions from the audience.  MasterClass kicked off its first session in March with former FBI hostage negotiator and MasterClass instructor Chris Voss, who discussed negotiating through collaboration and empathy in the time of social distancing. This was followed by sessions with makeup artist Bobbi Brown, renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and Cronut® creator Dominique Ansel. Additional MasterClass Live sessions will continue to be added to the series.

MasterClass Live is free and all are welcome. Tune in on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET by clicking here or by going to the MasterClass YouTube channel. Share your thoughts and join the conversation by using the hashtag #MasterClassLive on Twitter.

ABOUT MASTERCLASS: Founded in 2015, MasterClass makes it possible for anyone to learn from the best. With MasterClass, step into Anna Wintour's office, Timbaland's recording studio, and Neil Gaiman's writing retreat. Improve your serve with Serena Williams, perfect your pitch with Shonda Rhimes, and leave the atmosphere with Chris Hadfield. Hundreds of video lessons from 80+ of today's most brilliant minds are available anytime, anywhere on iOS, Android, desktop, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Roku with the All-Access Pass ($180/year). Subscribe to greatness with MasterClass.

MasterClass's current roster of courses includes:

Business: Howard Schultz (business leadership), Anna Wintour (creativity and leadership), Sara Blakely (self-made entrepreneurship), Bob Iger (strategy and leadership), Chris Voss (art of negotiation), Goodby and Silverstein (advertising and creativity)

Culinary Arts: Gordon Ramsay (cooking), Alice Waters (home cooking), Thomas Keller (cooking techniques), Wolfgang Puck (cooking), Dominique Ansel (French pastry), James Suckling (wine appreciation), Aaron Franklin (Texas BBQ), Massimo Bottura (Italian cooking), Gabriela Cámara (Mexican cooking)

Film and Television: Werner Herzog (filmmaking), Martin Scorsese (filmmaking), Ron Howard (directing), Spike Lee (filmmaking), Mira Nair (independent filmmaking), Jodie Foster (filmmaking), Ken Burns (documentary filmmaking), Helen Mirren (acting), Samuel L. Jackson (acting), Judd Apatow (comedy), Aaron Sorkin (screenwriting), Shonda Rhimes (writing for television), Natalie Portman (acting), David Lynch (creativity and filmmaking)

Lifestyle: Bobbi Brown (makeup and beauty), RuPaul (self-expression and authenticity), Kelly Wearstler (interior design)

Music and Entertainment: Steve Martin (comedy), Christina Aguilera (singing), Usher (performance), Reba McEntire (country music), Herbie Hancock (jazz), Deadmau5 (music production), Armin van Buuren (dance music), Hans Zimmer (film scoring), Tom Morello (electric guitar), Carlos Santana (art and soul of guitar), Timbaland (producing and beatmaking), Penn & Teller (magic), Itzhak Perlman (violin), Danny Elfman (music for film)

Writing: James Patterson (writing), David Mamet (dramatic writing), Judy Blume (writing), Malcolm Gladwell (writing), R.L. Stine (writing for young audiences), Margaret Atwood (creative writing), Dan Brown (writing thrillers), Neil Gaiman (storytelling), Billy Collins (poetry), David Baldacci (writing thrillers), Joyce Carol Oates (short story writing), David Sedaris (storytelling and humor)

Photography: Annie Leibovitz (photography), Jimmy Chin (adventure photography)

Design and Fashion: Frank Gehry (architecture), Diane von Furstenberg (how to build a fashion brand), Marc Jacobs (fashion design)

Sports and Games: Serena Williams (tennis), Stephen Curry (shooting, ball-handling, and scoring), Garry Kasparov (chess), Daniel Negreanu (poker), Phil Ivey (poker strategy), Simone Biles (gymnastics), Misty Copeland (ballet)

Politics and Society: Jane Goodall (conservation), Bob Woodward (investigative journalism), Karl Rove and David Axelrod (political campaign strategy), Paul Krugman (economics and society), Doris Kearns Goodwin (U.S. presidential history and leadership)

Science and Technology: Chris Hadfield (space exploration), Will Wright (game design), Neil deGrasse Tyson (scientific thinking and communication)

FASHIONADO

My NYFW Fall 2017

I made my return to New York Fashion Week this season and I couldn't be happier. Gone are the long days at Lincoln Center and I'm very okay with that. Hello Manhattan! It was fabulous to hop around the city, with my partner Alex, from show to show. 

On the first day that we arrived to NYFW, timing got the better of us and we missed the Jill Stuart presentation. (So) we gratified our hunger and then hit the streets. Later in the day we attended some of the Art Hearts Fashion shows at the Angel Orensanz Foundation, followed by our support of a couple of Art Institute of Atlanta students who were showing at a smaller venue. By then end of the night, Alex and I were whipped from travel and runways and decided to turn in... of course, not before enjoying some NYC thin-slice pizza! (Don't worry, we walked nearly nine miles that day!)

The next day, Sunday the 12th, we started out at the Pier 59 Studios where we caught a glimpse of Fern Mallis and a couple of runway shows. (See runway finale videos above.) VERDAD, made its NYFW debut to a roaring crowd and Custo Barcelona shimmered with metallics and lames. These were both very exciting, chic and modern runways. 

Oh, I forgot to tell you, that on the first day, as we were "Lyfted" to our hotel - ROW NYC, very very noisy place, don't stay there! - I spotted a pair of designer pumps clacking down the sidewalk to a limo. As my eyes wandered upwards, it was la fabulosa Nina Garcia! The celebrity designer sightings continued with Alexander Wang walking out of Barney's as we were walking up and a priceless visual of Queen DVF herself holding court on a white leather club chair at her showroom. Across the street from DVF is Jeffrey, so of course, we stopped in. We met up with Jeffrey Kalinsky and chatted for a bit. He is celebrating 25 years of Jeffrey Fashion Cares in Atlanta this August - kudos!!!

Monday morning began with an appointment at the Frye Corporate offices. Their offices are on the 60th floor and there was a wind advisory in effect... Yikes! So what that the building was swaying...this was one of my fave stops on my NYFW tour! The Frye Company's Director of Marketing & PR is a super genuine, gorgeous and lovely person who carved out a very generous hour+ to meet with us and show us around. The rich leather scents throughout were fabulously intoxicating.

By late afternoon, our next runway was Sherri Hill at Gotham Hall. Famous for her prom and pageant-wear, the designer presented evening looks that sparkled with sequins, beadwork and glam. Real Housewife, Lisa Rinna and hubby Harry Hamlin walked past me after the show. I recognized the razor cut hair and signature LIPS. The front row for Sherri Hill looked the the cast of Pretty Little Liars and Mean Girls.

We ended our evening back at the Art Hearts Fashion shows. I stood next to the jewelry designer for Rich by Richie Rich and had a fun chat about him and his show which I had an invite to but I wasn't up there yet.

February 14th rolled in. It was Valentine's Day and our flight was at 4:45PM. We made a decision to skip fashion shows and enjoy a day to ourselves. After checking out of the hotel, we took a car to Little Italy where we feasted on authentic pasta dishes and red wine. Happy Valentine's Day to us! To walk it off some, we wandered into Crate & Barrel where I noticed a ridiculous line of teenagers waiting to get into a showroom - there was a huge freakin' line with bouncers and security as all this teen spirit eagerly awaited entry into Kylie Jenner's Pop Up Shop... whatevs. Alex and I went somewhere better and with no line - the Acne Studios showroom.

NYFW came to end for us - though it's lives on through my collection slideshows! I'm already dreaming of NYFW September...

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