Luxe Laboratory

Robert Verdi’s Luxe Lab hosts Fashion Week Retreat, Survival Of the Chicest

Posted in Parties on September 12th, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

SURVIVAL OF THE CHICEST: THE FAST-TRACK TO FASHION WEEK CHIC

Robert Verdi’s Luxe Laboratory hosted SURVIVAL OF THE CHICEST, an exclusive fashion week retreat for editors, influencers and celebrities to escape the frenzy of fashion week in favor of exclusive services, on-site treatments, and stylish solutions for the new recessionista chic lifestyle. Just blocks from the tents at Bryant Park and steps from this season’s new shows at Milk Studios, the private retreat provided the perfect pit- stop for elite fashion insiders to relax, revitalize and refresh for a fabulous return to the front row.

SURVIVAL OF THE CHICEST included the CVS/pharmacy Beauty Lounge featuring Hair Styling by Cristophe, Manicures by Sally Hansen, Make-up by CoverGirl and more, plus Mercedes-Benz VIP Car Service, Quintessentially Concierge Service, Rock & Republic Denim Bar, TARINA TARANTINO Jewelry Styling, Vans Custom Shoe Vault, Healthy Eats from BluePrintCleanse, Sweet Treats from Hershey’s, Stylish Refreshments by smartwater, Ice Cold Peroni Beer, New Classics from Coca-Cola, Swag-packed Totes from L.L. Bean, Ignite the Genius Within from Penguin Books, Astrobabble Psychic Readings and Karma Parties, KODAK Picture Kiosk and Cameras, Equinox Fashion-ready Fitness, Carrera Shades from Solstice Sunglass Boutique, Reinvented Classics from Timex and more.

The invitation to Survival of the Chicest was inspired by a clutch designed to carry all your fashion week essentials. invite2

The invitation to Survival of the Chicest was inspired

by a clutch designed to carry all of your fashion week essentials.

MAP

guests

Leigh Lezark Lisa Rinna

Holly Montag & Stephanie Pratt

Ted Allen Tyson Beckford & Bethann Hardison

Celebrity Make-Up Artist Jake Bailey & Finola Hughes

J. Alexander Memsor Kamarake & Robert Verdi

Stephanie Pratt leaving in the Mercedes E-Class

Nigel Barker Fabiola Bercasa

Nico Tortorella & Sara Paxton

Kathy Griffin & Kristen Wiig

She’s Got the Look Viewing Parties

Posted in Parties on July 1st, 2009 by admin – Comments Off

Robert Verdi is hosting weekly sneak-peak viewing parties this summer for the second season of She’s Got The Look, TV Lands’s hit series searching for the next major model over the age of 35. Each week throughout the show’s 8-episode run, a select group of friends and influencers gather with Verdi at his chic event space, Luxe Laboratory, for an advanced screening of the show on the 103″ plasma screen where they can follow the drama as the number of contestants dwindles and root for their favorite to win it all.

The Most Fabulous Women of New York, presented by Robert Verdi

Posted in Parties on June 14th, 2009 by admin – Comments Off

Robert Verdi hosted The Most Fabulous Women of New York, a tribute to nine of New York’s most influential women. This exclusive group of leading ladies came together at Luxe Laboratory for a glamorous seated dinner followed by an intimate award presentation celebrating the unique achievements and contributions of each guest. From start to finish, the elegant evening proved to be an unprecedented gathering of great minds spurring animated, provocative conversation. The fabulous honorees included the legendary dame of haute-couture Iris Apfel, Bergdorf Goodman’s style luminary Linda Fargo, altruistic illustrator Marissa Acocella-Marchetto, Vanity Fair columnist come fashion-muse Amy Fine Collins, innovative award-winning designer Rebecca Cole, the insurmountable doynne of nightlife Susanne Bartsch, unadulterated cultural archivist Lynn Yaeger, magnetic social siren epitomizing the hip modern matriarch Ann Dexter Jones and steadfast fashion preservationist Marlene Wetherell. Verdi’s distinctive new awards highlight the unique ways in which each woman is utterly fabulous and inspires women around the world to embrace their inner diva and celebrate their power of personal expression. Each honoree received an award plaque designed after Verdi’ own signature look using Jonathan Adler’s Muse Vase with a pair of Gucci sunglasses atop and left the event with a gift bag fit for a queen, a Coach tote packed with goodies from La Prairie, Vosges Haute Chocolate, Michael Aram for Wedgwood, Molten Brown, Phaidon, H. Stern and more.

Ana Ortiz’ Baby Shower Hosted by Vanessa Williams & America Ferrera

Posted in Parties on April 19th, 2009 by admin – Comments Off

Ana Ortiz’s closest friends and family celebrated the mother-to-be with an intimate shower at Luxe Lab. The stars of Ugly Betty were all there in good form for the occasion as cast members, America Ferrera, Eric Mabius, Mark Indelicato, Tony Plana, Sarah Lafleur, and Vanessa Williams shared the excitement and anticipation of welcoming Ana’s first baby. Ana herself looked radiant and treated her guests to delicious treats from Hershey’s, spa treatments with Decleor skin products including mini-massages from aesthetician Andrea DiSimone and giftbags overflowing with goodies galore.

From left: America Ferrera, Eric Mabius (with son Ryan), Mark Indelicato,

Ana Ortiz, Tony Plana, Sarah Lafleur, and Vanessa Williams

The Men Event Hosted by Brian Boye of Men’s Health Magazine

Posted in Parties on April 2nd, 2009 by admin – Comments Off

Guests of Blueprint Cleanse, a league of extraordinary gentlemen, were invited to a tasting to determine the final menu for the Man Plan, BPC’s new cleanse just for men. Host Brian Boye of Men’s Health Magazine along with Erica Huss-Jones and Zoe Sakoutis of Blueprint spoke candidly with guests in a round table discussion about health issues specific to men. A tasting of seven new cleanses were offered, to help determine which would make the final cut in the Man Plan. Cocktails and Hors D’oeuvres were served following the tasting, including a special White Russian made with Blueprint’s Cashew Nut Milk.

Â Erica Huss-Jones, Brian Boye & Zoe Sakoutis

Jeremy Abrams, Gail Simmons,Â Sakoutis & Huss-Jones

Plain & Fancy Trend Lunch

Posted in Parties on March 27th, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

Influential design insiders gathered at Luxe Lab for an intimate lunch and sneak-peak at the hottest new interior design trends from Plain & Fancy. From sparkling glasses of champagne to the lush floral decor to the gorgeous table settings featuring giraffe print placemats by Kim Seybert, twig flatware by Michael Aram and Africana dinnerware by Wedgewood, every aspect of the event perfectly reflected the event’s theme celebrating two intertwining trends in kitchen design Safarience with a Glimmer of Shimmer. Guests included House Beautiful’s Sam Emmerling, Elle Decor’s Karen Marx, Metropolitan Home’s Katherine Nelson, Cottages & Gardens’ DJ Carey, Hamptons Cottages & Gardens’ Sophie Donalson and Nicole Haddad of New York Spaces.

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Ashanti Hosts JOHNSON’s Cause Party

Posted in Parties on February 23rd, 2009 by admin – Comments Off

Grammy Award-Winning Artist Ashanti hosted an intimate press gathering at Luxe Laboratory to launch a new charitable program from JOHNSON’S Body Care. The sensory elements of the event were inspired by the new JOHNSON’S Body Care collection- the hors d’oeuvres and specialty cocktail incorporating various flavors from the line and the floral arrangements representing each of the line’s six colors and corresponding scent. Ashanti got ready with her sister, mother & girlfriends in the Luxe Spa and looked radiant throughout the evening as she gave insight about Johnson’s new cause parties to the cameras from EXTRA! and beauty editors from InStyle & US Weekly.

Michelle Huff, Shia Douglas, Ashanti, Eunice Liriano & Debbie Asrate

Robert Verdi’s Luxe Laboratory hosts the fashion insider’s dream retreat, BRAND NEW YOU!

Posted in Parties on February 14th, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

Once again this season, Verdi successfully transformed his Chelsea event space into an intimate haven
for fashion’s most influential editors and insiders to escape the frenzy of New York’s Fashion Week. At
the outset of 2009 amidst America’s electrifying new political climate and rapidly changing economy,
the week-long retreat stood out against the crowd by offering empowering solutions and optimistic possibilities for self-renewal and progress. BRAND NEW YOU! provided savvy streamlining solutions and life’s little touch-ups to fashion’s finest editors and celebrities, returning them to the front-row feeling refreshed and looking fabulous. The exclusive guests couldn’t get enough of the on-site treatments from manicures to make-up, expert advice from fashion to fitness and pioneering products from accessories to electronics. Elite insiders returned again and again in the event’s fleet of Mercedes sweeping editors and celebrities off between shows to Verdi’s intimate community of convivial brand partners offering the unique opportunity to relax, revitalize and interact at ease. The event had truly unparalleled success during Fashion Week as guests left with an overflowing goodie bag and raved about their unforgettable experience at BRAND NEW YOU!

GUESTS INCLUDED…
CELEBRITIES: Eva Longoria-Parker, Natasha Bedingfield, Kathy Griffin, Lake Bell, J. Alexander, Stacey McKenzie, Stefani Vara, Justin Tranter & Cole Whittle of Semi-Precious Weapons, Fabiola Beracasa & Genevieve Jones.

FASHION INSIDERS: Cindy Cushnie, Michelle Ochs, Sean Patterson, Wilhelmina Models, Shelly Bromfield, Gina Glickman, Lauren Ezersky, R. Scott French, Judy Licht, Monique Pean, Lars Nilsson, Paula Dorf, Bryn Taylor, Alexander Allen, Catherine Baba, Wendy Schecter, Deborah Watson & Tory Gast.

EDITORS: Linda Wells (Allure), Renata Espinosa (Fashion Wire Daily), Suze Yalof Schwartz
(Glamour), Christopher Bollen (Interview), Joanna Coles (Marie Claire), Lucy Kaylin (Marie Claire), Zanna Roberts (Marie Claire), Lucy Sykes (Marie Claire), Brian Boye (Menâ€™s Health), Eloise Parker
(NY Daily News),Katie Goldsmith (New York Magazine), Shauna Bass (OK!), Mickey Boardman (Paper), Kika Maria Francisca Rocha (People en EspaÃ±ol), Katie Livanos (Star), Melissa Ventosa (NY Times Style Magazine), Jessica Mehalic (US Weekly), Olivia Barker (USA Today), Troy Artis (USA Today Weekend), Lynn Jager (The Village Voice), Stephanie Horton (Vogue), Sally Singer (Vogue), Anne Vincent (Vogue),Â Teri Agins (Wall Street Journal), Cheryl Tan (Wall Street Journal), Holly Thomas (Washington Post), Jean Scheidnes (WWD), Casey Gillespie (Zink) & Joseph Ungoco (Zink).

Eva Longoria-Parker Joanna Coles & Zanna Roberts

Sally Singer & Natasha Bedingfield

Kathy Griffing & Pierre Woods J. Alexander & Stacey McKenzie

Margo Morrsion & Linda Wells

Judy Licht & Robert Verdi

Lauren Ezersky

Justin Trantner, Robert Verdi & Cole Whittle

Lucy Kaylin

Alexander Allen & Stefani Vara

Lake Bell

Anne Vincent, Nicholas Makhatadze & Stephanie Horton

Margo Morrison & Suze Yalof Schwartz

Genevieve Jones Fabiola Beracasa

Robert Verdi

“In Your Face” Photo Exhibit, Grand Opening Sponsored By KODAK

Posted in Parties on February 13th, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

Luxe Laboratory held the grand opening of “In Your Face”, an exhibit by Brooklyn-based fashion and celebrity photographer Mat Szwajkos. Kodak sponsored the debut of Mat’s tightly-framed portraits of celebrities, style icons and socialites hung at Luxe Lab in vignettes such as “Ladies of Gold” which juxtaposed TV’s original Golden Girls beside modern glam girls Amanda Lepore, Jenna Jameson & Dita Von Teese. The collection of cultural curators in attendance included Genre Editor-In-Chief Neal Boulton, Designer Ted Rossi, Stylist & SheFinds.com Fashion Editor Bryn Taylor, Tribeca Film Festival Design Director Tory Gast, Good Morning America’s Eric Noll & Courtney Chapman and Kate Bussard of The Chicago Art Institute.

“Golden Girls”

“Women We Worship”

Stylist Bryn Taylor, Tribeca Film Festival’s Tory Gast, Photographer Erin Wigger, & Mat Szwajkos

Mat Szwajkos & Genre’s Neal Boulton

Seventeen’s Lindsy Swartz & Dan Koday

EDFF Winners Breakfast Hosted By Zac Posen

Posted in Parties on February 13th, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

Fashion’s finest gathered at Luxe Laboratory on the opening morning of NYC Fashion Week for a breakfast hosted by Zac Posen to celebrate the next generation of talented designers to win the coveted Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Awards.The up-and-coming designers each displayed a winning design at the event and received their awards from The International Fashion Syndicate’s Marylou Luther. EDFF spokesperson Robert Verdi led the presentation in front of fashion’s most powerful faces, from Vogue’s Sally Singer to Barney’s Julie Gilhart to The Fashion Calendar’s Ruth Finley to Paper Magazine Founder Kim Hastreiter.