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Grandes Ecuries of the Domaine de Chantilly, Maria Grazia Chiuri showed her cruise 2019 ready-to-wear collection. “Each of the women presented is one and multiple, both herself and many others, some illustrious and some less well known to us, but all of whom resemble her in some way.” Nicole Loraux, La Grèce au féminin The escaramuzas are traditional Mexican women riders who have claimed the right to participate in the charreada – an equestrian practice of performing several challenging routines before a crowd - just as the male riders do. With their strong, sculpted bodies clad in costumes that emphasize their femininity (full skirts, embroideries, bright colors, large hats and owers), these women proved an inspiration to Maria Grazia Chiuri, the Artistic Director of the Dior women’s collections. For the 2019 cruise collection, she interpreted these elements combining tradition and freedom in a contemporary way. Ample and extravagant skirts are worn with tted jackets that accentuate the narrowness of the waist, emphasized with a high belt. The collection is punctuated with different materials, such as that great French classic that is toile de Jouy, which has been revisited and modernized, its picturesque scenes featuring the introduction of a series of wild animals, including tigers and serpents. Lace, whether light or opulent, layered in pleated ounces or perfectly rounded, is set off by black rubber boots that contrast with the more contemporary elements: transformed tulle skirts and Bar jackets possess an assertive air. The tulle blooms a powerful red as well as in superimposed powdery shades. Click to view larger image > The power of these united and supportive women, evoking the female crafting groups devoted to the transmission of artisanal savoir- faire in a form of shared creative freedom, prompted Maria Grazia Chiuri to reinterpret a series of typical materials and techniques through a contemporary prism. The image of the Amazon, a mythological beauty from antiquity, also pushed her to explore a wardrobe whose sporting dimension overcomes gender barriers. As a result, jackets in Japanese cotton are paired with pants in various shapes, culotte skirts, or skirts whose pleating recalls the design Drags, an haute couture afternoon dress designed by Christian Dior for the spring-summer 1948 collection. The look is nished with the iconic Saddle bag, as rethought by Maria Grazia Chiuri, as well as white or striped men’s shirts, and a slim black tie. The collection also references The House of the Spirits, the rst novel by the Chilean writer Isabel Allende, with its portrayal of independent female characters. Wide-brimmed straw hats, created by Stephen Jones, are worn with white dresses, embroidered according to traditional dressmaking methods, with lace inlays given graphic impact through the use of black. Chantilly, a town linked to the tradition of lace, but also to the great French equestrian tradition, provides a symbolic setting for this collection. STARS IN DIOR Click to view larger image > ML Staff, Courtesy of Dior. Group shot image by Estelle Hanania for Dior

The Orianne and Phil Collins’ Little Dreams Foundation celebrated their 5th Annual Gala in Miami’s Design District. Under the modern arches of the historic Moore Building, honored guests participated in an LDF casino experience, sipped on flowing champagne during the VIP cocktail hour, dined on a delectable four-course, sit-down meal, and enjoyed an unplugged musical styling by music icon Richard Marx, Phantom of the Opera’s Tim Howar, and the talented Alex Di Leo, along with foundation beneficiaries, Little Dreamers. Hosted by Phil Collins, Orianne Collins, more than 300 of South Florida’s prominent figures, business leaders and celebrities gathered at the annual event, which raised funds to support the nonprofit organization that helps children between the ages of 6–17 without financial means to pursue their musical, artistic or athletic dreams. Orianne Collins, Eddie Leal, & Phill Collins Moore Building Romero Britto Daisy Fuentes & Rosana Brijbag Evander Holyfield Richard Marx& Daisy Fuentes Katerina Sagardia, Mariela Encarnacion, Gilda Torres, & Ingrid Luquetes Tim Howar and Little Dreamers Performing DJ Irie Images by World Red Eye and Mitchell Saks

Leading luxury jewelry and timepiece retailer MAYORS celebrated the grand opening of their flagship at The Shops at Merrick Park with an elegant cocktail reception alongside a slew of notable attendees. In celebration of the grand opening, MAYORS collaborated with Karen Martinez, Lola Ponce, Martha Graeff and Shea Marie as brand ambassadors to reveal and wear pieces from MAYORS High Jewelry, Messika, Pamela Love and Roberto Coin to the event. Attendees enjoyed a variety of engaging activations throughout the evening including a ‘finger photo-op’ red carpet moment, a photobooth encouraging guests to document the night, a Flash Tattoo station in celebration of the collaboration with Pamela Love and a custom design experience with MAYORS’ in-house jewelry designer, Bruno Dunlop. Karen Martinez, Lola Ponce, Shea Marie, & Martha Graeff Notables who joined David Hurley (Executive Vice President of The Watches of Switzerland Group), David Kellie (Head of US Marketing at The Watches of Switzerland Group), and Frank Cimilluca (Vice President of Retail Operations at MAYORS) included a variety of socials and influencers including, but not limited to, Aaron Diaz, Ana Milton, Andres Fanjul, Elysze Held, Eva Hughes, Irma Martinez, Karen Martinez, Kelly Saks, Lola Ponce, Manny Machado, Martha Graeff, Melody and Christiaan De La Fe, Shea Marie and Soledad Picon. To shop and learn more about MAYORS, please visit www.MAYORS.com. Karen Martinez, Eva Hughes, & Irma Martinez Nicolas Pic, David Hurley, & Benjamin Beaufils Elysze Held, David Kellie, & Lesley Decanio Karen Martinez, Carolina Melo, Kim Caceres, Elysze Held, Lola Ponce, & Martha Graeff Christiaan de la Fe, Melody de la Fe, Shea Marie, & Andres Fanjul David Kellie, Melissa Fichman, David Hurley, & Frank Cimilluca Soledad Picon, Malena Assing, Eva Picon, & Yulien Brenlla By ML staff. Images courtesy of Mayors

freebird is the debut poetry collection by emerging poet, Laura Muensterer. The book features one hundred original poems that elegantly express a multi-faceted interpretation of the human condition and feed the soul with validation. Laura’s depth of perspective reflected in her poems far outweighs her 22 years on earth. freebird dances through topics from relationships, the passing of time, self-love, self-judgment, the image myth, trust, betrayal, liberation, and ultimately freedom. The poetry book culminates with the poem titled freebird. The “freebird” is one who sees through the human illusion and casts off the delusions of ego, societal expectation, and self-criticism, to finally be able to fly. Laura was born in Munich, Germany and raised in Dallas, Texas by her German father, and midwestern, Oklahoma-bred mother. She now resides in San Diego, CA. She began writing poetry in elementary school with the hope of giving a voice to a full range of human emotions. “When I write, I try to interpret what I believe many people around the world are experiencing but may not have the words to express.” Through poetry and illustration, Laura explores various aspects of the human experience while shedding light on the many ways our past shapes our present and future self. Your poems reflect such amazing insight and you’re only 22 years old. Where do the ideas come from? Laura Muensterer: I began writing poetry as far back as grade school and middle school started, when I would practice writing poems in English class. It is something that has been inside me for as long as I can remember. I think being born in Munich, Germany to a German dad and a mom from America, as well as moving around a bit growing up set the stage for my sense of wanderlust, in terms of wanting to know about the world, the human experience, and why we experience the things we do. Writing poetry has always been my way of exploring and expressing all facets of the human condition and all ranges of emotion, including my own. What other poets have inspired you and your work? LM: I have been following Rupi Kaur’s work for years and I gain great inspiration from her poetry. Her work certainly informs and inspires me, but in terms of my poetry, I have my own individual style and voice. How would you describe the collection of one hundred poems in your new book, freebird? LM: Although the poems in my book cover a wide range of topics, from love and relationships to self-doubt, confidence, growth, betrayal, forgiveness, and freedom, the overarching theme throughout all of my poetry is that it is rooted in humanity; the simplicity and complexity of feeling like both child and adult throughout our lives here on earth. I try to interpret all of the phases of life we go through, and I also try to include things that could be relatable to most everyone. When I write, I try to interpret what I believe many people around the world are experiencing, but may not have the words to express. freebird is available on Amazon. For more on Laura, visit lauramuensterer.com Words by Allison Kugel

There is no question about it, Brooke Lyons knows how to make the best out of whatever comes her way. Actually, it’s the 39-year-old’s fighting spirit that brought her where she is today in Hollywood. You might recognize her from Two Broke Girls, Life Sentence, The Affair or most recently, Magnum P.I. She has been in the entertainment industry since 2004, and has mostly focused on television throughout her career. Currently, Brooke is filming the NBC drama, Lincoln, scheduled for release in 2020, and her previous project, Paradise City, is in post-production. Brooke is busy -- after all, there is no shortage of shows being created. “We’re in the Golden Age of TV,” says Brooke. Early on, Brooke didn’t know that her passion for the arts and storytelling would lead her to acting. “Growing up in Connecticut, I’m not even sure being an actress or being an artist was possible,” says Brooke. “It was probably because I didn’t know a grown-up making a living from the arts.” It was not until after college that she thought, Maybe I can do this as a job. “I have always been infatuated with storytelling. As a child, I liked to watch and rewatch movies.” She liked how movies, through storytelling, could transport her to another time, another realm. “I started ballet at a very young age --even those stories called to me, like The Nutcracker.” Brooke wanted to be a dancer, and studied ballet at the Joffrey Ballet School, The New England Ballet School, and Boston Ballet. However, when she was diagnosed with scoliosis, she was forced to reconsider her aspirations of becoming a professional ballerina. “At the time, it was a huge disappointment,” she shares. “It was really what I wanted to do.” No teen ever anticipates having to deal with a setback like this, however, Brooke, then 14 years old, made the most of it and discovered that the best medicine sometimes is laughter. “It’s the peak of when my sense of humor developed —out of pure necessity,” she chuckles. “I’m diagnosed with scoliosis, I had a back brace and when you are in the 9th grade, and the boy you like is sitting next to you in math class, and you drop a pencil, but you physically can’t pick it up because you are wearing a back brace straight out of Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion; it’s funny. There is no way to be cool or suave, you just have to laugh,” she says with a laugh. “Those experiences shape you. It’s part of what makes me who I am, and I’m grateful for that.” After high school, Brooke enrolled at Yale, where she studied English literature. There, she fell in love with the power of theater and television and learned the anatomy of storytelling. “It gave me the whole foundation for what I do,” says Brooke. While Brooke was a sophomore at Yale, she had to have surgery to correct her spine. “I couldn’t do anything, but I missed performing. Post-surgery, I was crawling out of my skin with creative energy and I didn’t know what to do with it, so I decided to audition for a play. I got it and I fell madly in love.” It was after this play that she thought, Maybe I could make a living out of this. “I bought a one-way ticket to L.A. [California] --where I had never been,” she laughs. “I showed up after graduation. Honestly, it was terrifying. I didn’t know anyone; I didn’t know anything. You look back at your life, and if I would have known then, what I know now, I would have never done it. There is something nice about being naïve enough just to take that leap, take that chance.” Although it was hard in the beginning, Brooke stuck with it, and stayed in Los Angeles, and now has a thriving acting career to show for it. “I stayed. A lot of people leave. Some may call that perseverance or resilience, I think I’m just incredibly stubborn.” Currently, Brooke is playing Abby Miller on Magnum P.I. Abby is Magnum’s girlfriend and a criminal defense attorney. “It’s fun, because when you meet a character in television, you get one episode at a time, so you only have that one episode to piece together this idea of her. At the time, I did a little research into criminal defense attorneys, and I used a lot of my imagination to know what elements of her personality bring her to life. If the script says she is outdoorsy and down-to-earth, I’m thinking, Let’s trace it back. What was her childhood like? What drives her to be one way versus the other?” she explains. In Showtime’s The Affair, she plays Eden Ellery. “What I love about these characters in The Affair is that these are complex women who are written to be smart, independent, and morally ambiguous. They are not just there to prop up the man. Eden, she is my favorite of all time. I really relished the opportunity to embody Eden through different character’s perspectives —the lead characters, they see Eden through different lenses.” Brooke explains that the show is done through two different perspectives, and because of this, she found herself adapting her performance each time, so it could be channeled through different people’s eyes. “That has been so much fun,” says Brooke. “In life, too, we say, ‘I have an identity.’ We think of us being a certain way, but often we don’t consider that every person perceives us differently.” Over the last fifteen years, Brooke has taken on many different roles and has learned so much from playing all these characters. There is one thing that she wishes she knew when she first started out in Hollywood: to be herself. “There is only one you —do you and do it well. That took me a long time to come to. I think in Hollywood, as in life, it’s uncomfortable to try to fit in a box. If you give yourself permission to be authentically you, everything becomes clear.” Follow Brooke on Instagram: @BrookieLyons and Twitter: @BrookeLyons. Words by Claudia Paredes | Photo Credit: Hudson Taylor

You may have heard of the term “wardrobing” -- the act of buying an outfit, wearing it out, and then returning it. We know people do it. It’s a rising trend, and most fashion brands struggle with how to handle it, except for DIESEL. The new campaign, “Enjoy Before Returning,” for their Autumn-Winter 2019 collection is a playful, nonconformist stance on this controversial topic. Rather than condemning wardrobing, DIESEL embraces it. Click below to launch slideshow > Images by Angelo Pennetta | Production by Art Partner | Stylist Julia Sarr-Jamois

The Miami Design District hosted the Fourth Annual Fashion Strikes Cancer benefit at the Moore Building in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event was founded and hosted by fashion visionary, stylist and breast cancer survivor Angeles Almuna to commemorate her battle with cancer and give hope to those who are experiencing, have suffered or lost a loved one to cancer. This year’s memorable event honored Breast Cancer Research Foundation Co-Chair and breast cancer survivor Kinga Lampert. Guests enjoyed a variety of event elements, including a photography exhibition curated by Angeles called Selfless, showcasing 36 women who inspired her during her most challenging times throughout her journey projected onto two flower-shaped installations at the center of the venue. Moreover, Istituto Marangoni Miami donated a spectacular dress inspired by Roberto Capucci’s couture vintage Butterfly Dress that was on display for guests to admire. The dress was inspired by femininity, class, elegance and the metaphor of the butterfly --a creature that gracefully transforms into a new body. The night gave way to touching speeches by host Angeles Almuna and honoree Kinga Lampert, which were followed by a stellar performance by Venezuelan singer and songwriter Manu Manzo. Angeles Almuna & Kinga Lampert Aileen Garcia & Meg Semeniuk Jhon Santos & Valeria Krasavina Anna Williams, Sandra Santiago, & Stephanie Theis Fajardo Lovaton Zislis & Ana Alfonzo Brian Stone, Piaget Abbasi, & Perci Pietro Jana Rose Carrero, Eliam Coro, Suneal Nandigam, & Ashley Brozic Mary Jane Claverol, Angeles Almuna, Natalia Giannangeli, & Noelia Madiedo Photo Credit: World Red Eye

You’re craving a perfectly-prepared steak and mouth-watering seafood in a beautiful setting —where do you go? If you’re smart, you head over to Wolfgang’s Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener. The former Peter Luger head waiter took his four decades of experience at the famous Brooklyn steakhouse and created a chain of restaurants (there are 19 locations worldwide, from Manhattan to Beverly Hills and Hong Kong to Tokyo) that is next level in every way. Fortunately, there is a Wolfgang’s Steakhouse right here in South Florida that boasts gorgeous views of the Miami River and Downtown Miami from every seat in the house. The restaurant exudes that old-school, upscale steakhouse vibe with its classic decor, white linen tablecloths, and finely dressed waiters. Once we are seated in their spacious dining room, we peruse the menu. The dinner menu (they serve lunch too) is divided into sections: Appetizers, Soups & Salads, Steak & Chops, Seafood, and Sides. With so many appealing appetizers to choose from —hello, Seafood Platter, Stone Crabs (seasonal), Wolfgang’s Crab Cake—, we finally agree on the fresh oysters on the half shell and lobster cocktail to start. You can never go wrong with seafood, right? A platter housing half a dozen oysters and a whole lobster split down the middle, served with cocktail sauce, are delivered to our table. The lobster is juicy, and the oysters are plump and briny. The seafood is delicious, fresh, and certainly sets the bar for what we can expect. Click below to launch slideshow > Wolfgang’s is widely known for their 100% USDA Prime meats and perfectly prepared dry-aged steaks, aged in their own aging box on the premise for an average of 28 days. The Steak & Chops section features a porterhouse for two, rib-eye steak, lamb chops.... We order a filet mignon each, along with shareable sides: lobster mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and creamed spinach. I cut into my filet to find a perfect medium-rare center. I savor my first bite as it melts in my mouth. Tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor, this steak is among the best I’ve ever had. Bravo, Wolfgang’s! I am a discerning food critic and find it so disappointing when a steakhouse falls short on their side dishes, it ruins my dining experience. Thankfully, Wolfgang’s chefs know what they’re doing and their sides are incredible —from their creamy spinach to their velvety mashed potatoes. Definitely order the lobster mac and cheese, it’s rich with cheese and boasts the ideal amount of lobster. Next time, I intend to try their fried onion rings and sautéed mushrooms —our neighboring table ordered these sides and they looked appetizing. Once our plates are cleared and our tablecloth is cleaned, the dessert menu is presented to us. Though we are delightfully full from our decadent meal, there’s always room for something sweet. And this dessert menu is particularly hard to turn away — key lime pie, cheesecake, tiramisu, chocolate mousse cake… All desserts are available with homemade schlag (whipped cream). We agree on the apple strudel. A good-sized piece of apple strudel, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with a side of schlag the size of our dessert, is set down before us. We forget that we’re full and dive in. Served warm and piled high with spiced apples, this dessert is the perfect ending to our exceptional dining experience at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse. Click below to launch slideshow > Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is located at 315 S. Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33131. For more information, visit wolfganvgssteakhouse.net or call 305-487-7130. Words by Vanessa Pascale. Images by Wolfgang Steak House

Bathrobes are one of those items that everyone should have, but not many people think about buying for themselves. They’re often associated with posh hotels and luxury spas, but the Bamboo Bathrobe from Cariloha is right at home in your own bathroom. In fact, it brings that pampered spa feeling to every morning. The Bamboo Bathrobe uses a dual layer construction, with a different material on the inside and outside. It’s a seamless combination, and the color matching and construction make this just two sides of a single fabric. This little trick helps Cariloha’s robe be impossibly soft on the outside while still moisture absorbing on the inside. The exterior is a micro-polyester blend and begs to be touched—you’ll catch yourself running your hand along the sleeves just for the sensation. It’s more often found on blankets or pillows, but is right at home in this robe. The interior, meanwhile, is made of a bamboo viscose material—a Cariloha trademark. It’s slightly less soft than the impossibly soft exterior, but it's still a big jump above the typical terry cloth towel or robe that you’re used to. What it sacrifices in a little bit of softness, it gains in spades from its water absorbing properties. This is the material that has to do all the work, after all! It manages to soak up the water from your body without getting flat or soggy. Cariloha insists that the bamboo interior material “is naturally moisture wicking and features odor, allergy-resistant properties.” This is hugely important with robes, which are key culprits in the hunt for that smell in your bathroom and towels. This is no silk robe, it’s meant to be thrown on after the shower or bath to keep you warm and dry. If you’re experience is anything like mine, you’ll find yourself delaying getting dressed until the last possible moment—I now drink my morning coffee strictly in my robe! The thick belt keeps the robe where it’s supposed to be with a single twist, and the large front pockets are perfect for your cell phone—don’t pretend like you don’t check your phone after you get out of the shower! When you finally succumb to your adult responsibilities and put on some pants, a thick loop at the neck makes it easy to hang up your morning gown. The Bamboo Bathrobe is unisex and comes in white or a dark gray graphite, two pretty classic colors that should complement most bathroom decors. I’m 5’10”, 170lbs and the S/M unisex size fits well without any extra space. The sleeves hang high on the wrist, which is kind of nice after you get out of the shower and are brushing your teeth, splashing your hands in the sink, or making your coffee. The sleeves stay out of your way and don’t require any rolling. However, if you’re any taller, I’d recommend switching to the larger size. It’s a tough world out there, and we all deserve a little luxury in the morning. Wrap yourself in an impossibly soft, full-body hug to start off each and every day with Cariloha’s Bamboo Bathrobe. For more information, visit: www.cariloha.com Story by Thomas Bender

The Shade Store sponsored this Meet and Greet event with Jonathan Adler, who has a long-lasting partnership with the brand. Jonathan recently launched an expanded collection with The Shade Store featuring bold and playful fabrics for drapery, roman shades and cornices. The Shade Store’s showroom is in the Miami Design District at 135 NE 40th Street. Natalia Dedic & Romana Messore Kara Marion & Lorenzo Forteleoni Angelique Salcedo & Rita Green Marina Vaskina, Oscar Lopez, & Sandra Madjdi Angeles Almuna, Gabriella Smith, & Gabriela Medina Ievgen Artsybashev, Nancy O’Riley, & Stephen Lazorischak First image credit: Vienna Bandur, Kara Marion, Jonathan Adler, Isreal Justiniano, Daniela Grow, Judy Henry, & Lorenzo Forteleoni. Images by WorldRedEye

The name says it all, this bag is what you need if you’re taking a break from work and going on a weekend adventure. The Weekender Duffel is extremely easy to manage, just toss it over your shoulder and be ready to turn some necks—this bag is stylish. It’s not easy finding a bag that’s bigger than a tote, but just as fashionable, and smaller than a carry-on spinner, but just as spacious. The Weekender is extremely roomy, and with one main compartment, you can really maximize every corner. It’s worth noting that there are two external side pockets that close with magnetic snaps, and one front pocket that can easily be zipped. This is a great place to keep items that you will need to quickly access. The main compartment is rather large, so you don’t want to find yourself fishing for your passport at the gate. There is plenty of space inside for pants, sweaters, a pair or two of shoes, and for those smaller items, it comes with a removable pouch, a wet pack that is completely waterproof, and a toiletry bag—these match the interior lining and the signature leather trims. The whole bag and its accessories have Delsey’s luxury look and feel. You can also fit your laptop and all the other electronics you’ll need to survive the weekend. This is no traditional duffel. Delsey has incorporated everything they are known for and made this a stylish duffel that you are going to be proud to carry around the terminal. And if you’d rather carry it by its leather handles, simply remove the adjustable shoulder strap. From the clean stitching, to the vegan leather trims, it is beautiful. The Chatelet Soft Air collection is an extension of the popular Chatelet Hardside collection. What makes this collection different is the use of fabric with chevron pattern. This fabric is used instead of the hard shell, but while it’s not hard, it’s still water repellant and it holds its shape, regardless of if being empty or not. You can really tell its high quality from top to bottom. One of my favorite features is that the bottom has a hard surface for easy loading. On the inside, the Weekender does not feel any less luxurious than the outside, in fact, I would say it has a deluxe interior. Soft to the touch lining, bottom feet for protection against wear and tear, and top of the line construction, this carry-on friendly is just what you need for your holiday travels. Plus, it fits perfectly in the overhead compartment. For more information, visit: www.delsey.com By Claudia Paredes

Abby Quinn is the breakout actress to watch out for. She has been landing one role after another —from Landline with Jenny Slate and Edie Falco to Better Call Saul and Black Mirror. Currently, the actress can be seen in the film, After The Wedding, alongside Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, and Billy Crudup. This fall and winter, you can watch Abby in the latest adaptation of Little Women (written and directed by Greta Gerwig) as Annie and starring as Mabel Buchman in the revival of ’90s sitcom, Mad About You. “When I was doing press for After The Wedding, that’s when I heard I got the role for Mad About You, so those couple of weeks were really exciting. It’s been a lot of fun so far,” says the busy Michigan native. Abby has shown that she can hold her own while working alongside legendary actresses, including Julianne Moore [After the Wedding] and Meryl Streep [Little Women], and humbly shares her surreal and incredible experience. “It feels pretty crazy! I’ve been watching Julianne Moore, Emma Watson, and Meryl Streep my whole life on screen. They’re really some of my favorite actresses; I admire them. It’s been really incredible and I learned so much,” she says about working with the three. “I don’t think it will ever feel normal to be working with some of my idols.” What inspired you to become an actress? Abby Quinn: My mom raised us to be very bold and not afraid of what people think. I feel like that was instilled in me at an early age. I just did a play like every chance that I could up until I graduated from high school, starting from when I was 6 or 7. It was never a question for me. I think that I was enjoying it so much that I never really wanted to stop. It’s just been a part of who I am for my whole life. You have a lot coming up, which project are you most excited about? AQ: Well, we’re filming Mad About You right now. We’re on week three, so I’m really excited about that. I’ve never done a sitcom before. Pretty much from Monday to Thursday, we’re rehearsing the episode, and then we’re in front of a live audience on Friday. It’s been really exciting because I’ve been so used to shooting movies. This feels a bit more like theater, which I do really like because that’s how I started acting. I’m also really excited to see Little Women. The version that came out in the ’90s is one of my favorite movies of all time. I am so excited to see that and I think the trailer looks amazing. Tell us about your character, Mabel, in Mad About You. AQ: The reboot picks up from when Mabel is 17, and she’s moving into NYU as a freshman. And I think, she and her parents [played by Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser] are this unit. They really depend on each other, even though Mabel is a bit rebellious. She really loves her parents and they’re really close. I think it’s equally hard for her to go off to college as it is for them, even though she won’t admit it. She is a very interesting and cool character to play because she’s opinionated and strong-willed. What can viewers expect from the Mad About You reboot? AQ: I think the heart of it is the same show. It really does center around this marriage and it’s still just as funny. People are still laughing out loud at every take, the live audience. The reaction has been so good. I’m hoping that people get the same feeling in this reboot as they did in the original, which is, I’m going to laugh but I’m also going to feel for this couple and root for them. There’s a lot of humor and heart in the reboot. There is a lot of buzz and anticipation around Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women, tell us about your character. AQ: I play Annie Moffat, and Emma Watson’s character, Meg, is coming to this ball and she’s feeling out of place. She doesn’t have a fancy dress and her family doesn’t usually go to really fancy balls. My character is looking out for her, in a way. She offers to let Meg wear one of her dresses so she can feel like she fits in. It was fun playing someone who is really open and kind, and wants to take Meg under her wing. It was just two scenes, but it was a lot of fun because we were all in corsets and beautiful ball gowns. I think it’s going to look really stunning visually. What was your reaction when you landed your roles in Little Women and Mad About You? AQ: It was a feeling of shock just like every time. The process of auditioning just feels so long. By the time it happens, it’s this mixture of exhaustion and relief and so much excitement. For Little Women, my mom introduced me to the movie and it’s one of her favorites as well. So I just called her and was like screaming. That may have felt the most surreal, just because I feel attached to the story and because the cast is just filled with most of my favorite actors. For Mad About You, I felt so attached to my character that I just knew I was going to be devastated if I didn’t get it —which is something that I try to avoid. But it was pretty impossible for this one. That was a crazy day, hearing that I did get it. It was so exciting for me! How did you prepare for your roles in Little Women and Mad About You? They are completely different roles. AQ: For Little Women, I rewatched the movie, which I’ve seen like, 30 times at this point. I read the script a bunch of times and it’s so beautifully written. For both parts, I worked with my acting coach, Rebecca Kitt. For Mad About You, I’ve been watching the show a lot, and again working with my acting coach. Right now, I think it’s more so me finding the balance in filming a sitcom and also being aware that there are cameras, while also keeping in mind that sitcoms have to be a bit bigger and performative than an indie film, which I’m kind of used to at this point. If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be? AQ: This is probably advice that I will need now and forever: just being okay with being who you are and owning that, instead of feeling like you have to present something and to be someone else in order to get a part or have people like you. After auditioning for a couple of years now and working in the industry, what’s most important and rare is to just stay true to who you are. I would just tell my younger self, be who you are unapologetically and don’t be hurt if people don’t take a liking to you. It’s just most important to like yourself. Follow Abby on Instagram: @abbyquinnya. Don’t miss her in Mad About You on Spectrum Originals beginning November 20th and Little Women in theaters December 25. Words by Gtenesis Pabon | Photo credit: Cat Gwynn | Hair: Kiley Fitzgerald | Makeup: Carly Fisher |Stylist: Chris Horan