It took place on the “NYC Street” backlot of Paramount Studios in Hollywood. This massive fashion-music-art block party had three concert stages, DJ dance parties, a runway fashion show presenting one of a kind Billabong bikinis, organic food trucks, custom art gallery, a VIP street (which Brittany and I completely took advantage of, all thanks to sweet Conor <3 )
The entire evening opened my eyes to what we can all create and share with one another, all for a good cause.
100% of this year’s ticket sales and a portion of the proceeds from art auction and product collaboration sales were donated to the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, a new foundation aimed at supporting people, organizations and institutions that are committed to a better, more sustainable future through their work to improve individual family farms, the environment, as well as youth and education programs. The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation is dedicated to creating a sustainable, healthful and equitable food future.
Walking into the Paramount Studios legendary New York back lot, I was a little taken aback. There were thousands of people that filled the streets. I felt immediately as I had stepped out of my car on Gower St. and walked right onto the Corner of Grand and Broadway. The energy was amazing!
Brittany and I had an absolute girl, giggle, freak out, star struck moment when we saw one of our favorite bands, The Lumineers walking the red carpet as soon as we walked in........we've probably played their song "HO HEY" a kabillion times already this summer in the office.....a few of our fellow coworkers haven't been as thrilled as us to hear it on repeat..BUT I JUST DON'T CARE!
For any reason you understand our undying love and dyer need to play this band on repeat..how good is THIS SONG! Brittany and I heard it for the first time when The Lumineers played a live concert at the benefit....drool. I'm usually not this girly....but they just warm my insides.
Besides that, we met some amazing people that night. While waiting for a amazing peach margarita drink mixed up by the most beautiful Australian men we've ever seen (it's the accent) we spotted the cutest girl wearing a Vanessa Mooney Cage Head Piece at the front of the line! We had to meet her! And luckily we did because she turned out to be Kylie Yoshida, the head buyer for Swell! She was too precious and we couldn't have been more happy to talk with her.
We sipped our cocktails and mingled about a bit before having the pleasure of meeting LA based artist Adam Roth and LA Weekly writer Daniel Rolnik. As the best of friendships seem to always blossom...they came out of NO WHERE. I feel like Brittany and I were in deep conversation about something, turned around and BAM! There they were and how quickly we all immersed ourselves in each others lives, what we did did for work, where we all grew up in comparison to each other, why have we all ended up here now.
It was short lived, but wonderful. By the end of it all, Adam had used me for a sketch pad. I don't think I washed my hand for 24 hours, I was too in love with my hamburger hand. They invited us to a Pizza Social next month at an art gallery in Venice, CA. Apparently a Pizza Social is where a group of local artists all gather together at a selected art gallery location in LA and put on a show...and eat pizza :) Sounds pretty amazing, I'm dragging all the VM girls with me!
The night came to an end and I couldn't have been more thankful to experience something so wonderfully fun and enlightening. I was so happy to have shared it with Brittany and wished all my Vanessa Mooney team could have been there to enjoy the festivities with us..UNTIL NEXT TIME!
- Jordan de Leon
Social Media & Public Relations Director at Vanessa Mooney Studios
Instagram/Twitter: @jordanLAcity
