Brooklyn rapper Tré Yung began making music while attending Kingsborough Community College as a promising track star, but was soon booted from the track team for smoking weed, a vice he remains unapologetic about. Rather than sulk, Yung saw the dismissal as a callto-action to dive into writing, recording, and touring. He linked up with producer, Llama, who’d previously worked with Grammy-nominated artists Ryan Leslie and Fetty Wap, and released his debut album, Parkside Prospect in 2017. The album produced the cult hit, “Now A Days” and led to a worldwide tour. Yung’s latest album, Dark ‘N’ Sharp, released in June 2019, features 16 tracks that speak to Yung’s eclectic musical inspirations, which go beyond hip-hop culture. Yung’s bold language and inflection, and his fearless use of beats pull from genres that transcend rap. “I make feel-good music, and I’m not stuck in any one particular sound. I’ve gained inspiration from artists like Drake, Jay-Z, Future and Biggie; but I’ve also drawn inspiration from artists like Andre 3000, Good Charlotte, All-American Rejects, and Lincoln Park. That diversity comes through my music.” The album’s standout singles are “Coastin’”, “Waistline”, “Sire” and ‘Spotlight.” The Flatbush rapper puts an iconic New York stamp on his music. “I feel like each borough has their own style, but it’s all still cut from that same New York cloth,” he says. “New York is a melting pot and there are people from so many walks of life who claim New York and put out music, but the lyrics in my songs give away that I’m a New York artist.” Yung is paying more than lip service to Flatbush, Brooklyn. For every thousand streams of Yung’s album, Dark ‘N’ Sharp, he is donating $5 to CHiPS, a Brooklyn-based non-profit organization close to his heart, that is helping to provide food and shelter to homeless single mothers and their children. Click below to launch slideshow > Your latest album Dark ‘N’ Sharp has so many different sounds. Each track has a distinctly different flow. To what do you credit the versatility of your music? Tré Yung: Dark ‘N’ Sharp is the album I thought I couldn’t make, until I did. I had never pushed myself as much as I did on this album, and it was an incredible experience. I’ve always been a perfectionist, but on Dark ‘N’ Sharp, we took it to a whole other level. Every sound on every track was analyzed, thought about, and ultimately made. I pushed myself, creatively, in ways I honestly didn’t even realize I could. The adventure of pushing myself and discovering new places I could go musically was the direct result of creative experimentation and the benefits that come along with experimenting because we found what worked and stuck with it. Tell me about your ongoing collaboration with producer, Llama. Why do you vibe so well together? TY: Llama is the big brother I didn’t know I needed. His head is on straight, and like me, he desperately wanted to better his situation. We’re both from Brooklyn and we are both dedicated to building something long lasting. We’re confident that we can be the next generation to continue to represent our borough and provide an example to everyone who comes from where we come from. We worked together for approximately a year before we put Dark ‘N’ Sharp together. It was a no brainer. What classic rap albums would you bring with you to a deserted island? TY: Reasonable Doubt by Jay-Z, Ready to Die and Life After Death by Notorious B.I.G., The Stoned Immaculate by Currensy, & Take Care by Drake. I know that philanthropy is important to you, and you donate part of the proceeds from your album sales to CHiPS, a Brooklyn, New York organization that provides resources for homeless mothers and their children. What about CHiPS touched your heart and made you want to help? TY: CHiPS is where the hear t is, right in Brooklyn. It’s an incredible organization that helps single mothers who are homeless, providing them with food and shelter. Everyone has been in tough situations before, of various levels of severity, and I truly believe that it is the community that helps everyone get out of those tight spots. Community, and especially the Brooklyn community from which I hail, has always been supportive of me. It is important for me to continue to support my home. My entire life, even when I didn’t have the financial means to do so, I would always try to help in any way I could. The fur ther this music takes me, the more I’ll be able to continue to help. Do you ever get to Miami, and will you be performing in Miami any time soon? TY: I love Miami and it will always have a special place in my heart. The first ever single I put out was called Bankroll and I shot the music video in Miami. It was a special experience in a special town, and I love going back. In terms of performances, I would love to get back and show out for the people. Bringing some of Brooklyn to the Miami energy would be huge. My team is constantly working out new places for me to tour and I can be down in Miami on a moment’s notice. How would you describe the overall sound of Dark ‘N’ Sharp? Fans of which current artists will resonate with your music? TY: Dark ‘N’ Sharp is what I like to call “the epitome of feel-good music.” The music could resonate with anyone that’s into good music, from fans of Sade to someone who is a fan of Chief Keef, the music doesn’t discriminate. Dark ‘N’ Sharp is available through iTunes and on all major music streaming services. Visit www.treyung.com. For every 1,000 streams of the album funds will be donated to CHiPS, serving New York City homeless mothers and children. Words by Allison Kugel. Images courtesy of Dark 'N' Sharp

President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, Alex Rodriguez-Roig, Co-Chair, Alison Stuart, Co-Chair and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, Andy Stuart, Youth of the Year, Tatiana Hernandez, Nelson Fraga and BGC MIA club kids Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade hosted its VIP “Wild About Kids” Gala Kickoff Party aboard the Norwegian Breakaway. Guests enjoyed breathtaking views, while indulging in a delicious luncheon. President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, Alex Rodriguez-Roig, Andy Stuart, Gala Co-Chair and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line and his wife, Co-Chair Allison Stuart, held presentations. Sponsors were automatically entered into a 3-day Caribbean cruise raffle drawing, courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line. District Director for U.S. House of Representative Donna Shalala, Raul Martinez, Jr., presented Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade with a Congressional Record for the nonprofit’s achievements in the community as one of the oldest child advocacy organizations to provide mentorship and educational advancement for nearly 80 years. Norwegian Cruise Line, longtime supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, will donate its yet-to-launch billion-dollar ship, Norwegian Encore, for the nonprofit organization’s 13th Annual “Wild About Kids” Gala taking place Nov. 16–17, 2019. Guests of the gala will be the first aboard Norwegian Encore for this one-of-akind, overnight VIP experience. Proceeds will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s many positive programs, including after-school programs, homework assistance, computer training, social skills, dance, arts & crafts, professional mentoring and summer, and athletic programs for area children who need them the most. Click below to launch slideshow > Photo Credit: WorldRedEye.com

I am waiting for Ryan Serhant in his real estate office’s conference room. The small room boasts a conference table as well as a console table and two bookshelves brimming with a mélange of books, framed photos and editorials, real estate awards, and memorabilia, like an autographed poster of The Wolf of Wall Street, Ryan bobbleheads, and mugs with the catchphrase: “Expansion. Always, in all Ways.” Beyond the glass walls, I spy several stacks of Ryan’s book, Sell It Like Serhant: How to Sell More, Earn More, and Become the Ultimate Sales Machine and his credo framed: The Serhant Team Way: We Take Initiative. We are Relentless. We have Empathy. We Respect. After a few minutes, the former soap actor/hand model-turned-reality star/real estate agent extraordinaire walks in, pulls up a chair, and gets comfortable. The 6’3” realtor scrunches up his legs and rests his loafers on the edge of the seat between us —a bold move considering he is wearing fitted suit pants (bright blue) paired with a crisp white button-up, and a light pink tie. Ryan just returned to New York City from Greece, where he celebrated his birthday, his wife Emilia’s birthday, the 4th of July, his wedding anniversary, and had his daughter, Zena, baptized. “Efficient with time,” Ryan says with a smile. Though admittedly slightly jet lagged, he doesn’t look it. Ryan, who was born in Houston, Texas and raised in Topsfield, Massachusetts, studied theater his whole life and always thought he would be an actor. After high school, he attended Hamilton College in New York, then moved to New York City to pursue acting. Not long after relocating to the city, Ryan landed the role of Evan Walsh on the soap opera, As the World Turns (2007- 2008). “And then, I ran out of money. I was going to go home to Colorado or go get my master’s —just continue the process— and a friend told me to get into real estate and I just fell in love with it the minute I got into it. I talk about there being a lack of control [as a realtor], but as an actor in New York City, you have complete lack of control.” Ryan has been working as a real estate agent since 2008, but it wasn’t until 2010, when he was cast on Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing New York, that his career really took off. “I went to an open casting call with 3,000 brokers in Times Square in March of 2010. The show was me, Michael Lorber, and Fredrik [Eklund]. I was basically doing rentals beforehand. I’ve grown my entire business with the show as it has grown.” This August, Million Dollar Listing New York returns to Bravo for season eight and Ryan tells me that it’s the greatest season yet. “I’ve got a baby. Steve Gold had a baby out of the blue. Fredrik is moving to Los Angeles. Luis came back from Paris, out of retirement. This season is going to be the most visceral and intense season that, I think, we’ve ever had by far because the market is so up and down,” he says animatedly. “ It’s not just going to be like, ‘Yay! We got a listing. Let’s sell it, cool,’ and show beautiful properties. We’ll still have that, but you’ll also see the market crashing around us, prices tanking, sellers taking losses of millions of dollars to get things sold —the real struggles that New Yorkers are going through to sell property right now. We have the same situation in Miami, where there’s a significant amount of condos to sell in Miami, but less buyers to buy them.” Million Dollar Listing New York has certainly helped Ryan’s career, but it takes more than being on a reality TV show to become the #1 real estate team in New York and among the top 5 real estate teams in the nation. He works arduously to separate himself from the pack, noting that NYC alone has about 80,000 realtors. This no-days-off guy credits his immense success to staying in touch with everyone he has ever met as much as he possibly can, and the utilization of every resource available to him, including, social media (especially YouTube, Instagram, etc.), press, multiple outlets for sales, and his book. “I’ve grown a significant network of clients and developers and used all of them to help propel the business. I learned early on, success in any business, but especially in sales, is driven by your focus on new business. 90% of my day is focused on new business, 10% is doing the best with the business that we have —I have a team that helps me with that. I think the discipline that I had growing up, that I really resented and hated, has paid off for me in this business by a lot, because you have to be self-disciplined to be an entrepreneur,” says Ryan. Over the last decade, he has built a highly lucrative and recognizable brand that grows more and more each year. In addition to filming Million Dollar Listing, Ryan is working on his second book, producing a vlog, growing his team in all markets, selling as much as possible, releasing a real estate course this month, and enjoying time with his family. “I just focus on being a good, hard-working person, instead of having an overbearing personality. I think that’s why we do so many different types of deals. Like, I am not a broker who is known for just doing 10-million-dollar overheads. We do deals from $300,000 to $50 million, between East New York to the Hamptons to Miami to Los Angeles to Harlem. For me, it’s just always been about volume. We want to sell as much as possible. I don’t really care if it’s the guy with the crazy motorcycle, who is going to drive me totally crazy, to try to sell that thing over the course of a year for $18 million or over the next two weeks, I can sell 18 one-million-dollar apartments in Brooklyn. None of those people are going to drive me crazy, they’re all super excited about their homes.” How do you balance it all? What is a typical day for you like? I wake up at 5 am. I answer emails from overnight. I deal with any phone calls with clients that are in Europe or Asia at that time, partly because they’re always appreciative that I call them earlier than anyone else in the country. I go to the gym for an hour. I come home, shower, get dressed, go to work. I have a driver that takes me around, I basically live in the backseat of that car. I’m booked on the half hour, for the most part, throughout the entire day, Monday through Friday anyway. I try to start in the office and end my day in the office, but the days are random, different appointments, different pitches. I’ll be either filming or I’ll vlog or I’ll be working on book number two or I’ll be working on the course. Then, I’ll have a dinner or an event or two. I’ll get home and if my wife and baby are there, I’ll say hi to them or kiss them —they’ll be sleeping. Clean up email from the day. I get on average, somewhere between 900-1,100 emails that I have to respond to —I have an email assistant who helps me with that. I also have five other separate assistants that help me with the rest of the work. I prep my day ahead, that way when I wake up the next morning, I’m not already playing catch-up like most people are going to do. Wow, what time are you going to sleep? Between 11 pm -12 am. That is a very busy day. I think that is one of the busiest days I’ve heard. As a real estate agent, there’s so much you have to do personally. It’s a lot of work, but it’s what I chose to do. There are times, I will say, when things get a little bit slower, and I don’t know, I lose my mind. Unfortunately, I am now a product of my environment. I am so addicted to it, so as crazy as it might be, as tired as I might get sometimes, I need it. It’s like a drug in a way. I think New York does that to you as well. You’re sitting there like, I need to be doing something. Can you Netflix & chill? Sometimes, yeah. Although, the problem now is we have all these great shows I try to watch, but I’m always on my phone and I don’t even know what happened. I’d love to watch Stranger Things, but I don’t even know what happened the last season. Pretty sure I was just doing emails the whole time. What is your biggest challenge as a realtor? Your complete and utter lack of any control, whatsoever. My life is dictated by everyone else’s decisions. I think anyone can say that, but at least other people’s jobs have a salary. You know you do good work, you’ll get promoted —there are systems in place. As a real estate agent, there are no systems. I have deals that live and die based on what people say on FOX News. If the stock market goes down a hundred points, buyers pull out of deals because they’re so nervous that 2008 is happening again. There’s an unbelievable amount of competition and there’s no way to control any part of this business. So what you do is you try to control yourself and the way you attack the business as much as you possibly can, so that you can stay happy and stay motivated. What philosophy do you live by? Expansion has always kinda been my quote. Expansion always and always in all things in life. Always do more. That’s my biggest fear, wasted potential. When I was a little kid, we were driving in the car and my grandfather pointed to a cemetery and he said, ‘In that cemetery are probably the greatest basketball player in the world, the greatest trumpeter in the world, the greatest author in the world, and no one will ever know it because they just didn’t try hard enough to pull out their talents.’ And that, for some reason, my grandfather was an intense guy, really, really sat with me. There’s so much we can do with the time that we have and life is so short, it just seems like such a waste to Netflix and chill. What is your most memorable listing? My most memorable listings are the weirdest ones. We filmed it. 61 West 62nd Street Harmony House on the Upper West Side was this big, crazy, multi-unit combination and it was completely renovated to be like a Gothic Spanish church on the inside, which in the very Jewish enclave of the Upper West Side was a super tricky sale. It also had hooks and things for sex swings and had been used for many a fun party. That was one of the most memorable listings because that was one where you walk in and you’re like: I don’t think staging is just going to do it. I don’t think we can just paint this. This is going to be interesting. It was hard. We sold it to somebody who completely gut renovated it. What do you think people would be surprised to find out about you? I’m far shyer than I think I put myself out there as on Million Dollar Listing ’cause my character as a real estate agent has to be very aggressive, right? Every single episode, I’m always doing a party, all over the place, even the vlog, and the way people know me —but I am uncomfortable in crowds. When I tell people that, I think they still don’t believe me. Any summer plans? I was just in Greece, now I work. I was working there, too. I go back to Greece in August to see my wife and baby, so that she’ll grow up knowing she has a father. We’re renovating a townhouse in Brooklyn that we’ll move to in a year, so it’s just staying on top of the renovation. What is your favorite place you’ve ever been? Probably New Zealand. It is unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been because it’s so different. It’s kinda like two islands that make New Zealand and the north is so different from the south. You go to the south island and you look this way, this way, this way, it’s like you’re looking in four different countries. This is a beach, this is like rocky mountains with snow-capped covers, this is the amazon jungle, and this is something totally different. It’s completely crazy. There’s also no bugs, no animals, no disease —nothing was ever brought there. It’s a pretty wild place with amazing food, amazing wine, and good people. Follow Ryan on IG, Facebook, and Twitter: @RyanSerhant For more on his real estate course, visit https://ryanserhant.com/course Words by Vanessa Pascale • Photo credit: Alex Abaunza

While true wireless earbuds continue to dominate the headlines, there is still a lot of innovation and improvements making their way through more traditional Bluetooth headphones. One prime example of this is the BT 120 NC in-ear neckband headphones with from Phiaton. These lightweight and affordable headphones pack 12mm drivers and active noise cancellation in a complete package. Neckband headphones can be hit or miss, but if you’ve shied away from them in the past, the BT 120 NC should make you reconsider. The neckband is extremely thin and light, and its presence is barely noticeable around the back of the neck. The benefit of this design is that most of the weight is borne by your shoulders and not your ears. However, you don’t need to even wear the BT 120 NCs to recognize how light they are. Even in the hand they feel like feathers. Around your neck, the weight disappears, and there is almost zero tension on the ear. I’ve worn a lot of lightweight headphones in my day, but these may take the cake. The minimal weight is even more impressive when you consider the other features that Phiaton squeezes into these headphones. The most remarkable is probably the active noise cancellation. Usually only seen on more expensive headsets, the active noise cancellation on the BT 120 NCs cancels out low frequency noise, like the hum of ceiling fans or air conditioners. It’s not going to compete with a pair of $300 over-the-ear headphones, but it's very decent for the price. Combined with the passive noise isolation from the design, and you’ll hardly be distracted with these around your neck. In addition to the ANC, the BT 120 NCs also pack 12 millimeter drivers, a nice step up from the more standard 10mm drivers seen on most in-ear buds. This takes the volume to some impressive levels, that you probably should be maxing out too frequently. The volume controls reside on the left hand anchor point on the neckband. This means right handers will be going cross body to get to the controls. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest, but it's something to think about. On the remote is your typical three-button control scheme for playback and phone calls, as well as a dedicated ANC button—a very nice to have on such a small set. The other item of note on the left is the micro USB port for charging. In about 2 hours, the BT 120 NCs will fully charge for about 8.5 hours of music playback, but what’s more impressive is their quick charge feature. In just 5 minutes, you can get an hour of playback out of these headphones. Normally this is a feature at the bottom of my list, but when it comes to workout headphones, it’s surprisingly important. I can’t tell you how many times I’ll charge them up while I’m stretching, and they’ll last me through the run or workout. It’s hard to argue with all the features you get on the BT 120 NC headphones from Phiaton. These are a great set of workout headphones that get loud, feel great, and charge quickly, all for a great price. If you want to forget about the feeling of your headphones on your runs or during your workouts, give the BT 120 NC a shot for the featherweight experience. For more information, visit: www.phiaton.com Story by Thomas Bender

There seems to be a lot of options when it comes to minimalist, low-profile luxury sneakers today, but Koio is making their name as a stand out brand amongst wide range of competitors. Their made in Italy, direct-to-consumer model lets them deliver the quality and finish of more expensive shoes at a much more affordable price. The Capri sneaker from Koio really encapsulates the brands origins, and demonstrates their expertise in luxury sneaker design and construction. These low profile shoes come in a wide variety of colorways (sneaker talk for colors) and a few different materials that are, nevertheless, all top quality. A variety of all leather options are sure to find a home in your closet, and for a bit more flourish, grabbing a pair with suede accents is a great way to take your style to the next level. For me, I really like the texture of the Italian calf suede, so I went for the Capri Pebble, an all gray tone that has squirmed its way into my closet as a daily driver. However, Koio offers plenty of neutral colorways, blacks, a fan favorite triple white, and some options that pop a little more, like the rose pink Fiore, silver Sterling, or my personal favorite, the Castagna. The beauty of the Capri design and colorways is that they can be worn with so many outfits, and are a very versatile piece to have on hand (or on foot, as the case may be). Koio is not shy about wanting to create a sneaker that can easily transition between all aspects of your life. From the bar to the office to a nice dinner, the Capri’s carry enough class to be at home in most situations. Also, because they are so well constructed by talented artisans in Italy with high end materials, they will last a long time. So my original apprehension at wearing my “nice” sneakers too often quickly faded as I realized how well the Capri Pebble’s withstood the tests of time. And Koio takes that made in Italy philosophy to its extreme. The word Koio, pronounced koy-oh, is even derived from the Italian word for leather—cuoio. Everything from the forms to the laces, and yes, even the shoeboxes, is sourced and made in Italy. Because the materials are so rich and supple, they feel really excellent on your feet. They break in quickly, and even invite you to wear them without socks—if you’re into that. They are called Capris for a reason! The quality materials don’t stop at the outside—every Koio Capri is lined with buttery smooth calf leather, and your feet will thank you for it. With the number of options available to savvy sneaker consumers, it's a testament to Koio’s philosophy and business model that they’ve managed to stand out. Whether you are looking to make a statement, start a conversation, or just have a super clean pair of sneakers to compliment any outfit, you can’t go wrong with a pair of Koio Capris. At $248, they undercut any of their closest competitors, with equal or higher quality, and are a solid investment to keep in your closet. And if you’re wondering what I mean by the Koio philosophy (beyond their diehard commitment to being made in Italy), check out their frequent collaborations with people like JonBoy or Quincy Davis, who have taken risks and pursued unconventional paths in the pursuit of passion. For more information, visit: www.koio.co Story by Thomas Bender

Catriona Gray entered the pageant world in 1999. She was only five years old when she won Little Miss Philippines. “It was more my mother’s choice than mine, to be honest,” Catriona chuckles. “Being on stage, I remember I wasn’t even nervous, in fact, I was more concerned with finding my parents in the audience.” This win was just the beginning of many more victories. Catriona continued to win pageant titles, all culminating in December 2018 when she was crowned Miss Universe. Even with her background in drama, modeling, and dancing, being a pageant queen was never one of Catriona’s dreams. “I never grew up with the dream to enter pageantry or being a beauty queen. Even when I grew up as a teenager, I still didn’t have an interest in pageantry,” she says. “Before the age of 20, I thought pageants were just a show. All I saw was that final coronation night.” But as Catriona got older, her views about pageantry changed and she began to see it was much more than just a coronation. Catriona had a friend go through it in 2014 and saw how much preparation goes into it, as well as the duties and the one-year job that comes with the coronation. “It took a very close friend of mine to join a national pageant for me to see what kind of voice beauty queens had in the Philippines.” Catriona realized how important pageantry is in the Philippines. “When beauty queens speak, the public listens.” At the time, she was volunteering with a charity and realized she could combine her passion for her charity with the platform of pageantry. Around that same time, Catriona noticed a shift in pageantry —contestant’s stories were being emphasized more, to her, almost as much as their physical attributes. The shift made Catriona take pageantry more seriously. When Catriona is on stage, she exudes beauty and grace —she makes it look easy. “We are just women up there; we are not super beings. It does take a lot of effort to look that put together and that beautiful.” Being on stage and exuding confidence is something she works hard at, and is not something she believes she was born with. She confesses to being a naturally shy person. “I’m very quiet. I’m very simple.” For Catriona, it’s a persona she puts on every time she goes on stage. But the moment she steps onto that stage, she is ready for anything. Though she has never slipped, she does have a plan, if it ever happens. “I would just get up and keep going. I feel that it’s a test of grace under pressure. And I feel like the judges look for more in a woman’s character, rather than if she can walk perfectly on stage. It’s not just the physical attributes that can get a woman heard, it’s really what you have to say.” You could say that Catriona is the most beautiful woman in the world, since she holds the title of Miss Universe, but the 25-year-old beauty queen shares that she too had an awkward phase — just like everyone else. “I had an ugly-duckling stage,” she laughs. “I had my growth spurt at the age of 8.” At 12 years old, Catriona was taller than most of her teachers and peers. “I felt extremely awkward, uncoordinated. I had braces. I had terrible skin and a crazy sense of colorful fashion,” she chuckles. Catriona wants to show the world that she is so much more than a beautiful face. As Miss Universe, she wants to make a difference and give back to the community. Becoming Miss Universe has changed her life. “It’s a humongous blessing, but it comes with such a big responsibility.” As Miss Universe, her reach is greater than she ever imagined. She wants her message to be one of education and awareness. “I was drawn to pageantry through giving back to the community, so now, that’s really what I want the tone of my reign to be.” Now that she has the platform, she is raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. She wants to build a better future for children, a better tomorrow. HIV/AIDS is close to home for Catriona. When she was a young adult, she had no awareness and unfortunately, learned the hard way. “I had a friend, someone who was close to me, get really sick and consequently passed away from medical complications associated with HIV/AIDS. He was only 26,” she says. “I wish I wasn’t pulled to the cause in that way, but that’s how it was.” When that happened, Catriona started volunteering with a group in the Philippines called Love Yourself. Love Yourself provides support, education, free treatment, and counseling to those who have been affected by HIV/AIDS. “It’s so much more than a medical problem, it’s wrapped up in so much stigma.” Today, Catriona is encouraging people to take that first step and get tested. “We shouldn’t have to wait until it happens to someone close to us. It’s really about increasing the dialog,” she says. Catriona explains that there are so many regions in the Philippines where people don’t really know what it is. “We are using education to really empower people to take a hold of their health.” Catriona currently works with amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, to find a cure and is hopeful that they will find one. She explains that there are many ways to get tested, there are even over-the-counter options. “We should shift our mindset to seeing it just like any regular health check-up. Testing positive doesn’t mean your life is over.” There is medication, that if taken correctly and consistently, can really make a difference, she tells me. Catriona believes in organizations, like amfAR, that are looking to make a difference. Her cause is not only to raise awareness and get people to get tested, but also to raise awareness about the importance of finding a cure. Becoming Miss Universe has given Catriona a platform to make a difference in the world, and that’s exciting for her. “It enriches your perspective. I think it’s amazing.” She is empowered to pioneer change for a cause that is so important to her, but it has also shown her so much more about the world and how we are all connected. Before Catriona was crowned Miss Universe, her focus was on the issues in the Philippines, now, she sees how some of the projects happening in the U.S. can be helpful in the Philippines. “It’s been very eye-opening for me. I feel like a sponge every time I get to learn something new.” Catriona is enjoying her time as Miss Universe and making the most of her reign, but the title comes with a number of expectations and hardships. “In the Philippines, we’re one of the biggest social media user nations. Reading comments can get a little overwhelming and trying to measure up to people’s expectations can be overwhelming,” says Catriona. “It’s a process, having to come to terms with the fact they don’t know everything, and never allowing my worth to be defined by what other people perceive of me, especially strangers.” As Catriona enters her last quarter as Miss Universe, she already knows what she wants to do after she passes on the crown later this year. “I would love to continue doing what I do, which is being a spokesperson and being able to work with the various organizations, because at the end of the day, that’s such fulfilling work for me.” Becoming Miss Universe has allowed Catriona to speak up and be heard, and to her, that is power and a huge responsibility. It’s one of the reasons why she was so compelled to enter the pageantry world —and maybe even the reason she was crowned Miss Universe 2018. “I believe when you have an ambition, it’s in your heart for a reason. And when going into Miss Universe, think about what your purpose is. Make the journey about more than the crown, don’t put all your eggs in that one basket, but rather look at it as an opportunity to develop yourself, gain experience, friendships, learn more about your country, and push a cause.” Follow Catriona on IG: @Catriona_Gray, Twitter: @CatrionaElisa, and Facebook: facebook.com/catrionaelisagray For more on Love Yourself visit www.loveyourself.ph Words by Claudia Paredes. Photo credit: The Miss Universe Organization | Fadil Berisha | Benjamin Askinas

Lorenza Izzo was on her first magazine cover, with her mother Rosita Parsons, when she was only two weeks old. By the age of 15, she was walking the runway. Her modeling career was off to a great start. But it’s no surprise that Lorenza found success in the modeling industry —she was born into a family of models. “It wasn’t much of a thought process, my modeling days,” says the 29-year-old Chilean actress. “It was a really nice way to make extra money, but it was never my goal or my objective to become a model.” For Lorenza, it was more of a side project that gave her so much more than she ever expected. She learned a lot from modeling, specifically, work ethic. When Lorenza was 18, she landed her first major campaign: the face of Colcci in Chile —a Brazilian label, which Gisele Bündchen also represented. “It’s a very hard job, it requires a lot of time and effort, and complete surrender of yourself, kind of the way acting does,” she explains. “It taught me what a real career can feel like at such a young age.” The rush she felt being on the runway made it all worth it for her. “There is a lot of adrenaline when performing in front of a crowd, which is what I love doing.” Lorenza wanted to do something different with her life and acting was a natural evolution from modeling as they both put her in the spotlight, which she loved. “At a very young age, I really enjoyed being the center of attention, making people laugh, and performing in every way possible,” she says. She enjoyed drama and theater in school, and discovered that acting came natural to her. “I lied a lot as a child,” she confesses. “I loved making up stories...I even made up that the Spice Girls were my aunts.” At 19, Lorenza realized she should channel these natural instinct of hers into acting. “I loved bedazzling my real life. It wasn’t just a hobby, it was something within me that I couldn’t control.” She had the opportunity to go to New York City and study acting at The Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute, so she moved to the United States. After some time in NYC, Lorenza returned to Chile and was cast in her first student film. “When I was on set is when I truly became hooked.” Lorenza was studying journalism at the time, but knew acting is what she was meant to do. “I’m meant to live on a set.” It didn’t take long for Lorenza to start making a name for herself in the film industry. Her first major role was in the Chilean film, Que Pena Tu Boda, which premiered in 2011. The following year, at the age of 20, she landed her first English-speaking role in the movie, Aftershock. “It was a really difficult, physically-demanding shoot,” says Lorenza. She has shot in various locations, under different budgets, and has learned that no matter the stresses of set life, she truly enjoys the experience —the good and the bad. Over the next few years, Lorenza perfected her craft and worked on about a dozen films —some of them with ex-husband Eli Roth, who she met on the set of Aftershock. The House with a Clock in Its Walls, starring Jack Black, was one of the biggest films she had done —until she booked the role of Francesca Capucci in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and directed by Quentin Tarantino. “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is one of those one-in-a-billion chances. It’s the thing you dream of as an actor,” says Lorenza. Not only did she have the opportunity to work with an amazing cast of actors, but with her dream director. “I’m a massive fan. Everyone in this film is incredibly talented. It was a tremendous experience.” Lorenza did a fabulous job with bringing Francesca to life on the big screen. “She is based on all the starlets of the 60s in Italy,” she explains. “We tried to do something different. She is very funny, full of life —a person who walks into the room and takes over.” Lorenza was excited to play with this role and explore the ’60s. Like most of the characters she has portrayed, Lorenza had a few things in common with Francesca. Though, the actress wishes she was more like her Once Upon a Time in Hollywood character. “She really doesn’t care and just enjoys and lives life, and there is a great beauty to that.” Lorenza just finished filming Women is Losers. Slated for release in 2020, this is her first time producing a movie. “I learn so much from each project that I do,” she said. “There is a lot of research and understanding the world I’m going to be living in and submerging myself into it.” Watch Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in theaters now and follow Lorenza on Facebook, IG and Twitter: @LorenzaIzzo. Words by Claudia Paredes • Photo credit: Rie Rassmussen

Nu Wave Swim celebrated the end of Miami Swim Week with a multidesigner runway show, including Charmosa Swimwear, Revival, Red Carter, and Bleu Rod Beattie brands. Hannah Whelpley, Thais Martino, & Johanna Daru Hannah Whelpley, Johanna Daru, & Thais Matino Click below to launch slideshow > Anya Lesun, Elysze Held, & Diana Fox Rod Beattie & Models Johanna Thompson, Red Carter, & Thais Martino

Top model and former Miss Universe Vietnam 2015 Pham Huong Bee is moving to California. Since participating in the Miss Universe competition, she has become increasingly popular in Vietnam, and has been countlessly booked as an opening and closing runway model for a list of top designers. You are about to see a lot more of this stunning beauty queen. Top: Simonett Ear rings: Nicolina Royale Shoes: Enrico Cuini Jumpsuit: Bronx & Banco Shoes: Enrico Cuini Ear rings: Kimsu Jewels Bracelet: Now PR LA Ring: Kimsu Jewels Dress: Silvana Tedesco Shoes: Gianvito Rossi Earrings: J.ING Ring: Uno De 50 Bracelets: Saskia Joy, Gabriel New York, Uno De 50, Uno De 50, Tacori, Uno De 50 Dress: Flora Bridal Ear rings: Maison Louella Shoes: Ruthie Davis Dress: NF by Nour Necklace: Ir is Trends Bracelet: Ir is Trends Shoes: Enrico Cuini Dress: Lethicia Bronstein Shoes: Gianvito Rossi Ear rings: Tacori Ring: Polluce Keep up with Pham on Instagram: @phamhuongbee, Photo Credit: Caesar Lima. Model: Pham Huong Bee • Makeup: Monica Alvarez • Styling: Jessica Boal • Assistant: David Niño • Hair: James Gilbert

Colombian swim and activewear brand, Maaji, launches its newest collection, Thalassophile, meaning a lover of the sea. The Spring 2020 collection honors those who protect our oceans and preserve the idea of #RealMermaids. A #RealMermaid is passionate about the Earth; she is a dreamer and naturally beautiful because she is true to herself. Click below to launch slideshow > Images by Simon Soong

Letsfit is a company with a clear vision of bringing fitness products to the masses. From resistance bands to fitness trackers and headphones, Letsfit offers a focused line of products for your personal wellness, all at exceedingly affordable prices. Whether you’re strapped for cash or just not interested in bringing your most expensive personal gadgets to the sweaty gym, Letsfit can provide new technology at old school prices. T22 True Wireless Earbuds Letsfit has a full range of sports headphones, including both tethered and truly wireless options. The T22 caught my eye based on all the technology and battery life they have packed into this $40 package. This pair of earbuds feature an insane 80 hours of playback time, thanks to its 2,600 mAh battery! I don’t care what kind of workouts, marathons, or iron mans you are running, these things have what it takes to go the distance. The case of the T22 also features a full-size USB-A port, allowing you to tap that massive battery to charge your other gadgets as well. Sharing is caring. Also, surprisingly, the T22 supports both wired and wireless charging, so on the rare occasions where you do need to charge up the case, it’s extra convenient. Did I mention it has a digital readout for your battery? No LED indicators here, just a straight-up percentage read-out. The T22 also comes with an IPX6 waterproof rating. You won’t take them swimming, but it’s better than the standard IPX4 rating that comes with many other wireless earbuds. 6.2mm dynamic drivers pump out the audio, while an on-board microphone and multi-function buttons on each earbud let you answer your calls. T12 True Wireless Earbuds If you prefer that all-white, stick look for your wireless earbuds, consider jumping to the T12. These are also wallet-friendly at $49.99, and battery-friendly, with up to 30 hours of playback from their smaller case (compared to the T22). The T12’s share a Bluetooth 5.0 chipset with the T22’s for a reliable connection. And instead of the touch controls you might see on some similarly designed competitors, the T12 use small buttons on each bud to keep your costs low. If you love your AirPods, but don’t want to risk them at the gym, or you unfathomably lost one, the T12’s are a great replacement pair at a fraction of the price. ID205L Smartwatches In addition to headphones, Letsfit also has a dozen different fitness trackers at equally affordable price points. Consider the ID205L. I wouldn’t call it a smartwatch, because it isn’t, but it certainly starts to blur that line a little. It has a bunch of features, including call and SNS notifications to keep your phone in your pocket or purse, but it only costs $39.99. Like the T22’s above, I was very impressed with the Letsfit fitness tracker’s battery life. At 10 days between charges, it makes it a lot easier to consistently use and keep on your wrist. And when you do need to recharge, the proprietary cord has a super-strong magnetic connection that takes the guesswork out of adding some juice. Between the extended battery and the super lightweight build, this is the first smartwatch that I’ve been able to keep on overnight. The device tracks your sleep, as well as your daily activity, and even your heart rate, so having technology that enables consistent use is key. As mentioned, it will display notifications from your phone and do a few other tricks, like control your music and offer you breathing exercises, though in general, I found these to be a little more difficult to engage with than just taking out my phone. Key to the Letsfit fitness tracking experience is the App. This is probably the area that could use the most improvement, which isn’t so bad, since it can be fixed and upgraded without your continued investment in new hardware. It gets all the basics right, displaying deep and light sleep times, your average heart rate, and your step count, but it makes it difficult to look at the data over time and pick out trends or exceptions. With accessible fitness products at accessible prices, Letsfit certainly has a market to make everyone’s workouts that much more enjoyable. For more information, visit: www.letsfit.com By Thomas Bender

Nestled on bustling King Street is Hotel Bennett — Charleston, South Carolina’s newest luxury hotel. A refreshing addition to the Holy City, Hotel Bennett is an architectural gem adorned with mint green shutters and quaint black lanterns. But it’s the entryway that truly evokes awe. A world of elegance rests beyond the front doors — dramatic spiral staircases, tall, tufted seating areas, delicate hand-painted murals, and artistic tile. The lobby houses a posh cocktail lounge with a baby Grand piano as well as a pink-hued champagne bar named Camellias. Click below to launch slideshow > Hotel Bennett boasts 179 guestrooms and suites. During our stay, we resided in a junior suite, which has a bedroom, living room, and bathroom. The beautiful room is outfitted with eyecatching chandeliers, dark wood furniture, and a soothing color palette of gold, soft blues, and cream. The bedroom features a king bed with plush white bedding, a desk, and bookshelves stocked with hardcover novels wrapped in twine. The bathroom is just as serene with it’s white marble tile, inviting pedestal tub, and separate rainfall shower. I highly recommend adding on The King’s Club during your stay. For an additional cost, guests have access to this exclusive space where refreshments are served daily and a private concierge is present. As the name suggests, you’re treated like royalty here. There is an open bar stocked with top-shelf liquor and five food presentations (prepared by the hotel’s Chef de Cuisine) throughout the day: continental breakfast, light fare lunch, afternoon tea, evening hors d’oeuvres, cordials, and desserts. Here, we enjoyed a light breakfast, where scrambled eggs, sliced ham, fruit, pastries, and a Bloody Mary bar were served, and a lunch that featured a salad bar with grilled chicken, poached shrimp, and an assortment of cookies. Situated on the 6th floor, the outdoor terrace provides a lovely view of King’s Street and additional seating. Hotel Bennett has a variety of topnotch dining options, including Gabrielle (formal dining), Camellias (champagne bar), Fiat Lux (rooftop dining by the pool), and La Pâtisserie (a casual bistro that serves “the city’s finest breads, pastr ies, and sandwiches”). Gabrielle is a gorgeous two-story restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows, leather chairs, and a stunning crystal art installation draped overhead. Helmed by Executive Chef Michael Sichel, the masterfully-executed dishes are inspired by the chef’s work in Europe and New Orleans. The dinner menu boasts mouthwatering dishes, including grilled octopus, French onion soup, steak, and seafood. Click below to launch slideshow > We dined at Gabrielle for Sunday brunch and had the challenge of selecting from an array of dishes that each sounded more scrumptious than the last —Breakfast Beignets, Crepes Amandine, Shrimp and Grits, Lemon Ricotta Toast, Gabrielle Burger... To start, we ordered the Biscuits & Gravy with Amish Chicken Ground Sausage. Not your typical southern dish, this was elevated fare. The biscuits were warm and fluffy, while the gravy was creamy yet light, and incredibly delicious. Every morsel was devoured. For our main dishes, we ordered the Belgian Waffle with Smoked Pork Belly and Organic Strawberry syrup; and Eggs Bennett: Storey Farms Organic Poached Eggs and Filet Medallions topped with beraniase. Both plates featured a symphony of flavors that came together harmoniously. I definitely recommend dining at Gabrielle —the food is excellent. Retire to The Spa Hotel Bennett for some R&R. The spa boasts five treatment rooms, a relaxation area, and fitness center. While you wait in the relaxation room, help yourself to some water, tea, and light snacks. We experienced the 80-minute Ultimate Aromatherapy Massage in the couples’ room, and left completely invigorated. The spa menu also features facials, like the Gold Hydralifting Facial, and body treatments, like the Holy City Healing Wrap. Whatever treatment you choose, you’re sure to feel pampered and refreshed. Charleston is a popular destination for weddings, and Hotel Bennett’s Crown Ballroom is the perfect place to celebrate your nuptials. Honestly, every corner of the hotel presents a beautiful backdrop for photos, especially their rooftop which has a heated pool, Fiat Lux, and six private rental cabanas outfitted with seating, a TV, refrigerator, fan, bottled water, and fruit basket. During our visit, the hotel was bursting with wedding guests and intimate parties enjoying champagne and tea at Camellias, which serves an extensive collection of bottle and by-the-glass offerings, caviar, ceviche, tartare, desserts, and Afternoon Tea (from 2-4 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). Hotel Bennett embodies Charleston charm and luxury,and is the best when it comes to the city’s accommodations. For reservations, visit www.hotelbennett.com or call 833-331-9616. Hotel Bennett is located at 404 King St., Charleston, SC 29403. By Vanessa Pascale, Images courtesy of Hotel Bennett