Thank you Marc Deliz for your incredible images capturing our ICONS Gala to benefit ReachWithin.org! Marc, a NY actor, photographer and artist, is working on his first book of Magical Realism photographs. Check him out, follow him and book him to capture the magic in your life! www.mdelizphotography.com
By Monica Aparicio,
If you’ve been under a rock about the Women’s Mafia 11th anniversary gala benefitting ReachWithin, here goes… 
Imagine the elevator doors opening into a beautiful plush lobby where the winding hallway opens to reveal a dimly lit ballroom sitting on the penthouse of a building in the Flat Iron.
You arrive and are greeted with adornment of golden temporary jewels via Tribe Tats and divinely inspired henna designs on your delicate hands via Margie Nugent while sipping on delicious Daily Greens juices or enjoying a perfect cocktail!
Over at the opposite end of the ballroom you see Carmen Rubio setting up for your glamour photo. You get your picture taken by Carmen or photo artist Marcy Andrew Deliz before DJ Sharri starts to play luscious melodies and you strut in your Goddess costume to the dance floor.
Dancing, you look out the window to see the Empire State twinkling while you and your friends turn the heat up with your moves.
You pause to recoup and head on over to The Lifestyle Lounge pop up, where you receive a complimentary miracle stretch with Marina Simovic and sit down to speak to Dieniz Costa about dipping into your sacred sensuality, since you’ve been thinking about fully claiming your Goddess Power!
While you’re there you also have a mini consult with Kelly Lynn Adams about taking the next steps with your career and you hear some awesome astrology tips with Jeanny Tsai.
You feel so uplifted about your future you celebrate by treating yourself to a gorgeous piece of jewelry at Georgianna Kouliano’s table and you participate in the mini Cacao ceremonies with Chrysalis Unfurling before indulging in yummy hors d’ oeuvres.
All this plus hula hooping with Isamar Gonzales, making art with Inspirality & VitaminR, complimentary energy healing with Nathalie Jaspar, mini consults with Meg Conkling, the curly hair alchemist (because your next haircut will be the bomb), life coaching with Sydney Campos, Goddess portraiture with Lisa Levart, prophetic Tarot with Denise DePass, soul revealing sessions with Kell Morton and by 11pm you go home with a cup that runneth over!
Mmmmmmm get ready, get your tickets…
Join us for The Lifestyle Lounge experience inside of the Women’s Mafia 11th Anniversary Gala celebration and dress up as your favorite Goddess or historical heroine
Michelle works independently as a virtual fitness coach with Team Beach Body and is currently a student at The Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She teaches others to implement a healthy lifestyle in body mind and spirit. Michelle can provide you with the necessary tools to achieve a higher level of clean and healthy eating and lifestyle.
Talk to Michelle and her partner Christina about Shakeology whole food meal replacement containing a daily dose of dense nutrition of Phytonutrients that help support health and vitality, build lean muscle and curb cravings. Exotic superfoods and vitamins will help you fight free radical damage and support a healthy immune system, also aiding you in weight loss.
Meg Conkling is a seasoned Curly Hair specialist, best known as the Curly Hair Alchemist. Her skills and expertise are as adaptable as her strengths and versatility. She is articulate and has always approached her clients and the art of curls with enthusiasm and an open heart.
With Meg “It’s not just a haircut, it’s an experience.” Meg helps you clarify the woman you are and the woman you are ready to embody, with an intuitive consult prior to your haircut. Explore a heightened and holistic one on one training. Walk away learning how to manage and embrace your natural texture.
Kabbalistic Astrology with Jeanny Tsai
Jeanny Tsai has worked with Kabbalah Astrology for over 10 years. She is known for her depth, clarity, and accuracy when giving a reading. She is well versed in giving general readings as well as well as giving deep insights into specific areas of one’s soul blueprint such as relationships, career, health, and soul path.
Jeanny can help you map out ideal dates for starting a business, getting married, and other life important events. She advises on when to take action and what remedies to use to reach one’s highest destiny. Her approach is heart centered with her clients goals and soul evolution in mind. Jeanny is also an intuitive healer who has apprenticed with masters in multiple lineages from around the world.
Kate proudly represents Rodan + Fields Dermatologists. These uniquely effective skincare products are designed by two of the most respected dermatologists in the country with a legacy of delivering on what they promise. Kate believes that using Rodan + Fields is as close as you can get to visiting a dermatologist … without an appointment.
Rodan and Fields can truly transform your skin.
Lisa Levart is the author of Goddess on Earth: Portraits of the Divine Feminine, winner of the GOLD Nautilus Book Award. Goddess on Earth, an ongoing project for more than a decade draws deeply on ancient mythology to reveal the vibrant interior lives of the women she photographs and their personal experience with the divine feminine.
The Goddess:Erotica portraits will allow you to enjoy your divine sexuality through the eyes of a loving artist. Treat yourself to a one-of a kind, encaustic art work that most deeply reflects your most powerful erotic self.
During a session with Dive Into Reiki/Nathalie you will experience warm, deep relaxation, gain a sense of clarity and a feeling of joy. It’ll enable you to access your own true inner energy so you can bring positive change into your life at all levels—physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.
Dive Into Reiki offers sessions and classes based on traditional Japanese teachings.
Ellen Williams is a Licensed Massage Therapist whose work is geared to alleviating discomfort and pain in your body without causing more pain. Because work with your body’s nervous system to help your body recognize what’s going on, your body is able to self-correct, thus allowing the results of each session to last longer. You’ll feel more comfortable in your body, so you‘ll sleep better and wake up more alert and focused
We all have those friends and loved ones – they march to the beat of their own drum, they have everything that they truly need and they value quality time over things – we LOVE them for all these qualities, but they sure are hard to shop for!
Here are some clever, healthy, thoughtful and totally unique gifts that give back to great causes, perfect for the most selfless and creative people in our lives.
For the Yogi You Love – AumHome Soulsprays give back to children’s charities in India and the US
SOULSPRAY by AumHome
Reiki infused essential oils, colloidal silver and crystal tinctures are hand blended by professional yogi, Feng Shui expert and healer Nidhi Huba at her Woodstock Retreat. Ideal for fortifying and perfuming your aura as well as every room of your house.
$27 per bottle
$54 for custom sprays, blended with specific intentions and wishes in mind, receive 2 bottles one for home and one for altar.
Each glass bottle comes with crystals in it that can be reused with your own essential oils. A portion of proceeds from each bottle benefits children’s charities in India and the US. www.aumhome.com
For the Kid In All of Us – The FAPE Coloring Kit supports cultural diplomacy through art
FAPE Coloring Book Kit
The FAPE Coloring Book Kit is the perfect gift to stoke a child’s creativity and help them think big about Art, their abilities and the world. It’s also great for adults who are into the Meditating-By-Coloring trend – have you tried it?
The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies’ Coloring Kit is a colorful collaboration between artists Donald Robertson and EunSun Lee of CMYK+WHITE, INC. Donald “Drawbertson” Robertson is the creative force behind Estée Lauder Company Brands and Creative Director of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. Many individuals may also recognize him for his colorful and whimsical illustrations commonly found on Instagram.
The $40 kit includes:
Proceeds from the kit go towards FAPE’s mission of cultural diplomacy through art!
For details and to order, please visit: www.fapeglobal.org/coloring-kit/.
For the Athletes and Weekend Warriors In Your Family – a great stocking stuffer, Perky Fruit Bodies supports organic farmers and also farming education for formerly homeless families in Florida
Perky Fruit Bodies
A great stocking stuffer for all your healthy, active family members! This innovative, fun and delicious pocket-friendly snack, made of only pure, whole organic fruit and superfoods such as raw cacao and raw coconut, is an ideal snack for kids, parents, athletes and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.
Founded by raw food educator Gil Cohen and his teenage sons RJ and Tal, Perky Fruit Bodies roll ups include naturally occurring, fiber, protein, enzymes and micronutrients and are Paleo-friendly and low-glycemic, to provide sustainable energy for the mind and body. www.perkyfruitbodies.com
For Anyone With Skin – Beauty Buster Skincare is a super-premium, locally made all natural line with products for Men and Women. All products give back to charities benefitting U.S. Vets and Veterans Families.
Beauty Buster Skincare
Beauty Buster Skin Care is award-winning esthetician Lora Condon’s all-natural answer to raising the standards of skin care by using all active ingredients and no fillers. Beauty Buster Skincare will always donate 10% of proceeds to charities benefiting military families and soldiers serving overseas. Beauty Buster Skincare features only the most highly effective natural ingredients including meadowfoam oil for moisture and anti-aging benefits, pine essential oil for healing and anti-bacterial properties, rosewater for soothing hydration and more.
Celebrating “Strength In Beauty,” Beauty Buster Skincare chose inspirational women and men as celebrity faces of the new line including: Miss Kansas Theresa Vail – “America’s Choice” for Miss America and currently serving in the Armed Forces, Fitness Expert NikkiFitness, Author and former Marine Rachel Luna, and US Army SPC Justin Woods. www.thebeautybuster.com/shop/
By Sylvie-Rose Cherwin
Monday July 27th marked the 10 year anniversary of the Women’s Mafia founded by Marcy Clark. Continuing tradition of their annual Red Party, the event was hosted at the Gansevoort Park and was an evening all about glamour, connection, and celebration, with this year’s theme being “You Oughta Be In Pictures” and the recommended dress being your Old Hollywood finest. Donations throughout the evening were raised for the charity Reach Within, which has sites in Grenada and St. Vincent that helps vulnerable children break the cycle of violence and develop social and emotional skills to succeed in life.
The event was co-hosted by The Men’s Collective and The Ladies’ Collective and partnered with The Wellness Lounge and Heart & Soul Magazine to create an evening of self-empowerment, community, beauty, wellness, and glamour. Monica Aparicio and the Wellness Lounge offered guests treatments, samples, and information about how to live a more healthy, happy, and wonderful life!
The peerless James Corbett Studio gave women beautiful elegant old-hollywood hairstyles and makeup before getting their photos taken by photographer Becky Yee of Vintage Vanga Photo Studio. Becky once again, assembled a fabulous on-site photo booth with props including feathers, fans, and flowers.
We were so lucky to have “Orange Is The New Black” actress Tanya Wright attend and sign her new book “I Found God In My Hair” and say a few words about the evening. Tanya has also started her own great natural haircare line called Hairiette for women with naturally textured hair.
Performer Cassandra Nemzer sang a beautiful cover of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” accompanied by a magic trick, making the evening wonderfully enchanting and magical.
Health Entrepreneur and Gift Bag Sponsor of Perky Fruit Bodies Gil Cohen
Guests enjoyed samples of four delicious types of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey as well as other beverages provided by Cordially Brooklyn Handcrafted Shrubs.
We want to thank all the amazing people who came out to celebrate and support the Women’s Mafia! We look forward to seeing everyone again next year for another amazing celebration!
Networking in NYC can be tough – especially for women. That’s why branding expert Lisa Josephson created Pitch! Networking to focus exclusively on women business owners and the triumphs and trials we face from determining the best time to scale to finding the right employees to executing a marketing plan. Says Josephson: “Over a light breakfast, we each introduce ourselves with our pitch. We follow with a presentation by a member geared toward providing tips and advice to other attendees directly related to her business. The presentation is followed by a roundtable discussion. Our goal is to provide an environment for sharing business insights while creating valuable referrals and partnerships.”
This month, Rebecca Shine of NY Shine will speak about creating and executing a successful marketing strategy for your business, service, or product. A veteran of Red Bull, Shine will share advice from a pro about how to get your own marketing strategy in order. Join us on Tuesday, October 14 for our next Pitch! Women’s Networking event. Josephson is hosting a breakfast meeting starting promptly at 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at 175 Varick Street on the 8th Floor in Conference Room C.
This September Kashmir was flooded by the worst floods in over a century. The ancient city of Srinagar was submerged under water with 700,000 homeless. Art for Kashmir, hosted by Inspirality, will focus on raising funds for Kashmir flood victims, to help rebuild this ancient town.
$20 Suggested Donation & $20 for art supplies
Tuesday October 7th, 7-9:30pm at The DL, 95 Delancey Street at Ludlow
Donations Made To:
Chinarinternational.org and Kashmirfloods.org
Artists PAINTING LIVE!!!
Hosted by:
Inspirality by Kori Burkholder
Public Health Advocate Nadia Muzaffar
Marcy Clark and The Women’s Mafia
Savior Elmundo and Collage
RSVP to:
Marcy@womensmafia.com
DJ JON QUICK, DJ Lex NY & Tahleim will be tearing up The DL Rooftop with a mix of Hip-Hop, R&B, Afro Rhythm and more.
Most importantly though, it’s a sacred space for transformation and sisterhood. It’s a practice of releasing what no longer serves you and callingup the Goddess within you. We’ll be accessing your radiant Goddess self, and lighting you up with your own unique energy, creating peace of mind, radiance and confidence.
A portion of all Goddess On The Go proceeds goes to support Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS).
Monday March 31st 6:30-8:30pm
Bonhams Auction House
580 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Benefit tickets can be purchased online by clicking the button at the top of our homepage: communitywordproject.org. We hope to host over 300 attendees catered by chef David Santos of Louro, with activities highlighting the students’ achievements and recognizing honored guests throughout the evening. This year’s silent auction promises to be the best ever, with items including weekend get-aways, designer sunglasses, Broadway tickets, and a cooking class and private party in your home with a professional chef, and of course, many stunning pieces of original artwork!
About Community-Word Project:
Community-Word Project is a New York City arts-in-education organization that inspires children in underserved communities to read, interpret, and respond to their world and to become active citizens through collaborative arts residencies and teacher training programs. Founded in 1997, Executive Director Michele Kotler and CWP received an Echoing Green Fellowship to help young people develop the skills they need to be successful in school and in life. Since then, CWP has inspired more than 15,000 youth in underserved New York City communities to become positive agents of change for themselves and their communities through our school partnerships and hundreds of aspiring teaching artists through our intensive Teaching Artist Training and Internship Program.
CWP was founded with the belief that creative learning through the arts gives every child the opportunity to find a voice that, not only is heard, but also has the power to make you pay attention. According to a 2012 report from the National Endowment for the Arts, learning in the arts helps youth in under-resourced communities become more likely to stay in school, attend college, and be engaged citizens. Each year through our highly trained, diverse teaching artists, each year, CWP’s collaborative arts programming helps more than 1,500 New York City youth learn creative and critical thinking through poetry, sculpture, mural painting, photography, music/rhythm, dance, and performance, with every child leaving the classroom each day knowing, “I have a voice; my voice is powerful; my voice can change the world.”
My friend MacDella Cooper recently invited me to share her amazing new conference with Women’s Mafia members and readers!
“She’s The Way” is a global movement promoting, mentorship and education amongst the young women of Africa from the most oppressed and marginalized areas. The “She’s The Way” Summit is a gathering where extraordinary, real women will share their stories of personal and professional success with younger women who are trying to “find their way.”
The goal in creating this gathering is to foster understanding of life’s blueprint through moral courage, embracing internal beauty, finding the value in traditions, and becoming an active participant within the global women’s sphere.
The inaugural “She’s The Way” Summit is scheduled to be held on December 1st 2012 at Columbia University. The event is free of charge and is expecting to up to 500 young women of African descent from all over the United States for this enriching, educational experience.
The Summit is organized by MacDella Cooper and Amanda Annan – and is sponsored by Soft Sheen Carson and Essence Magazine.
MCF ACADEMY
A tuition free boarding school for at risk and vulnerable children (espicially those who are orphaned and abandoned).
The MacDella Cooper Foundation (MCF)INC.
The MacDella Cooper Foundation (MCF) is a 501c3 international charitable organization dedicated to providing youth, especially orphans and abandoned children, with an education and the basic necessities of food, clothing, and shelter. Our vision is to give as many Liberian children as possible the chance to escape the poverty cycle and grow in the nurturing environment of an MCF Academy, so that they can lead Liberia toward an economically strong and politically stable future
Designer, tastemaker and human rights activist Kristine Gottilla has been creating stylish and inventive handbags for almost 10 years. What began as a hobby, has progressed into a popular brand sold in New York, LA and boutiques around the country and her new endeavors increasingly support women in low income countries where there are lacking opportunities. Her handbag and travel line Spencer Devine is being debuted to Women’s Mafia members, stylists, press and bloggers on Wednesday August 8th at POP 242 Grand in Williamsburg with a big party featuring a flash sale, prizes and gifts for the press.
Enjoy a new Q&A with Kristine about Spencer Devine and her unique business model and design aesthetic below. Will you join us on the 8th?
RSVP to Marcy Clark at rsvp@yellowskyagency.com
Women’s Mafia: How did you get started in design?
Kristine Gottilla: I’ve been dabbling in handbag design since high school, but became serious about pursuing it as a career in 2006 when I finished studying costume design in Rome. The first leather bag I ever designed, was something I made for myself to use for a trip back to Rome. Upon my return to NY, the ideas started flowing and I spent the next two years educating myself on the construction of handbags and making one of a kind pieces.
WM: What does style mean to you?
KG: Self-expression and experimentation. How we present ourselves through our choices in attire says a lot about our demeanor. From color palette to levels of extravagance through detail can portray an interesting insight about our mood, ambitions, and how we personally reflect to ourselves.
WM: I understand that Spencer Devine is very involved in social causes. Can you tell us more about that?
KG: Since the company’s conception, our goal has been to create livelihood opportunities to people in need. Recently I worked with ahuman-trafficking organization in India. This experience taught me about the perils of unsafe migration, which is the leading cause for individuals to be exploited. While in the North East states of Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, I designed textiles with weavers as part of a livelihood initiative that will launch later this year in Europe, India, and the US. I documented this period of developement at http://spencer-devine.tumblr.com/ .
In addition, a portion of all sales goes towards a variety of unique causes affiliated with the groups I worked with in India. Having seen the initiatives and worked closely with those involved in bringing them forward, I am eager to revisit with funds to help advance these programs.
WM: Where do you get your design inspirations?
KG: My background is in fine art and I find most of my inspiration to come from architecture, sculpture, and travel. I rarely peruse fashion magazines, although I know I should expose myself more to that realm. More directly, I find my work to be inspired by juxtapositions and stark contrasts in textures, shapes, and opposites. Azulejos facades in Portugal and the ancient coinciding with the modern in Rome are a couple examples of what I think my aesthetic reflects through material choices and structure.
WM: I understand that your work is all made locally in Brooklyn, does that affect your quality and can you tell me about why you made that choice?
KG: Keeping production in Brooklyn between two workspaces has allowed me to maintain a watchful eye on all stages of the process. From sourcing of materials to working closely with the women constructing each piece by hand, I am able to be fully involved all along the way.
WM: Where do you see Spencer Devine in 5 years? Do you anticipate starting other companies, collaborations or endeavors?
KG: I see Spencer Devine growing into a fuller bodied version of what it is now while broadening our infrastructure as our social contribution goals continue to grow. From 2008-2012 I was designing under the brand Kristine Gottilla. Moving forward, we have gathered the most successful designs from that brand into Spencer Devine Femme. All of these designs have spawned into more refined versions of custom orders that I worked on with clientele through Front 242 in Williamsburg. Alongside SD Femme is our Travel & Leisure collection which was born out of the growing demand for uniquely beautiful cases and travel accessories.
In the next year as we continue to see growth, we plan to pursue a livelihood initiative here in New York aimed towards providing work for low-income, homeless, and/ or jobless women. Having returned from India with new knowledge, it makes sense to develop a similar model here as business grows and requires more hands on board.
WM: What materials and colors do you like to use for your bags?
KG: We have always used the highest quality Italian and German leathers, however now we are launching a new line that uses waxed linen, Indian cotton ikat, and leather (the leather we are using for the straps are made from portions of the hide that would otherwise be considered scrap). This is an eco-conscious version of the already existing designs. Not only does the replacement of waxed linen for leather make the products more eco-friendly, it also cuts the cost fairly drastically while still maintaining an expensive feel, and is just as water resilient and protective as leather. As part of our profit from each sale goes towards causes in North East India, we feel it’s just logical to make the products available to a broader market of consumers.
