Fashion

DREAM DOWNTOWN X KATE CONNICK CLOTHING

From loungewear to your new favorite cozy blazer, Kate Connick Clothing was one of the newest lines to hit New York Fashion Week 2019. Connick, a guest of Dream Downtown, launched her comfortable, chic collection at our downtown hotel’s lobby on Friday, September 13^thto round out the NYFW festivities.

As a final cap to the week, the emerging designer hosted a meet-and-greet and pop-up shop in the heart of our lobby, officially dubbed “Cloud 19” in honor of her Cloud Billie set, a staple of her collection. Connick even sat down with us for a quick chat before the start of the day’s events, which we featured on the Dream Hotels Instagram account. Didn’t get a chance to see it? We’ve included the full interview below for our guests to learn more about Connick and her clothing line, Fashion Week party, and plans for the future.

Dream Downtown:When did you first create your brand?

Kate Connick:I created my brand two years ago when I thought of the ideas of rings and ribbons—rings representing people and ribbons representing a shared idea to bring people together. I was incorporating grommets and rings into my collection and now I’m working fully on sustainability.

DD:What’s your favorite piece?

KC:The Billie set. It consists of a hoodie and joggers, is completely sustainable, and made of rayon and bamboo.

DD:How would you describe your style?

KC:Comfortable and chic. I’m all about comfort because it makes me feel confident. I’m all about confidence.

DD:What does fashion mean to you?

KC:To me, fashion is all about expressing yourself and it’s a great way to show who you are and your personality. That’s why I absolutely love it.

DD:What’s your next vision for the brand?

KC:I’ve recently been doing a lot of loungewear pieces, and now I’m interested in going into fancier items. For example, I’m wearing the blazer which will be coming out in the spring and I’m super excited about it.

Following her pop-up shop in the lobby at Dream Downtown, Connick celebrated with an afterparty at the Electric Room, where her clothing line was featured, as well as special cocktails to celebrate the designer’s success, fittingly named the “IConnick” and “Cloud 19.”Want more fashion? Be on the lookout on our Instagram and blog for our upcoming launch with another new, sustainable line featured exclusively at Dream Downtown

Dream x Gay Pride Apparel: Q&A with Founders Jesus & Sergio

This June we’re showing we’re #DREAMPROUD with the help from our new friends over at Gay Pride Apparel. The clothing and accessories company, which launched earlier this year, will join us every Wednesday and Thursday by the pool at The Beach at Dream Downtown for a pop-up shop featuring their signature collections, with a portion of the proceeds going to The Center. They even created a special capsule collection just for the Dream team!

We caught up with founders Jesus Gutierrez & Sergio Aragon to chat all things Pride, summer, and Gay Pride Apparel.

How did the idea to start your business come about?

We wanted to represent the LGBTQ+ community in a different way that wasn’t being represented. We wanted to create clothing that we would wear and that was an homage to the strong culture and history of the community.

What does Gay Pride Apparel, and Pride in general, mean to you? What makes you #DREAMPROUD?

Being proud means being true to yourself and accepting yourself. It’s about being loving, understanding, and accepting of everyone around you. Gay Pride Apparel strives to allow individuals to express their pride in a cute and subtle way.

The two of you are life partners and business partners — do you find that helps in running your business?

Being able to say that we have been friends since the 6th grade means that we have been through it all and we can read each other’s minds. It’s wild. It’s the most essential part of our business. We’re not afraid of speaking up if we don’t agree on a design or business decision.

What is your favorite item in your collections?

Sergio: My favorite item from the collection will always be one of our first ever designs which is our Arizona Roots shirt. To know that we have so much support back home where we are from and to see where we are at now and growing is amazing.

Jesus: My absolute favorite design is the “Gay Liberation” T-shirt. It’s an homage to the original Gay Liberation Movement from the 1960s.

What three words would you use to describe your designs and merchandise?

Inclusive, chic, and historic.

What message do you hope to spread through your clothing and accessories, and what kind of community are you hoping to create with your new venture?
We spread a message of love, acceptance, and pride. We are creating a community free of judgment and full of love with people from all over the world.

This year is the 50th anniversary of Stonewall — how do you think that will create an even bigger meaning for Pride this year?

Being able to recognize the history and acknowledge where we come from is something super meaningful and something we think about throughout every process. This year will be a year of reflection on what we have accomplished and a time to think of what we’ll need to be better in the future.

Favorite poolside treat?

We love a good hot dog and a beer combo!

Favorite summer activity?

Getting together with friends at Sheep’s Meadow in Central Park in NYC or Charlie’s Patio in Phoenix.

Ideal summer vacation destination?
Miami.

Favorite spots in the city?
Central Park, PHD Rooftop Lounge, Washington Square Park, The Stonewall Inn, and the West Village in general.

How to Dress for NYE: Mimosas & Manhattan Edition

The end of the year is finally here, and the age-old question prevails: “What are your plans for New Year’s?” While the Dream team is already set with plans for the big night, with celebrations at all of our venues like PHD Rooftop Lounge, Fishbowl, and Beauty & Essex, there’s a second question that’s just as important: “What are you wearing?” We tapped into the closet of one of our favorite NYC influencers, Courtney Seamon of Mimosas & Manhattan, to prepare for the celebration and get her advice for ringing in 2019.

What are your rules of thumb for getting dressed and ready for New Year’s Eve?

I always say the more sparkles and sequins, the better! It is the one day of the year you can really get away with this dress code and you should take advantage of it. I always try to be more daring and find something super unique and different.

What are you wearing this New Year’s Eve?

I am in between a few different choices! An aqua velvet suit (it looks better than it sounds, I swear), a hot pink maxi dress, and a sequin jumpsuit. However, two of my friends have already called me asking for whichever I do not wear!

What are your favorite things to do in New York around the holidays and New Year’s?

New York City is such a fairytale this time of year. Every corner is lit up and you can just feel the energy of the city. One of my favorite things is just going to different restaurants and bars in the city. Each restaurant is lit up with decorations and Christmas trees. They’re all so cozy!

What are your New Year’s resolutions?

This 2019 I am pledging to a healthier lifestyle. I am leaving 2018 on a really good note in terms of going to the gym, trying out different workout classes, and eating healthier. I’m hoping that continues into the new year. My other resolution is not to take Uber and Lyft rides as often, and if I need to, do a pool or Lyft line. Finally, I want to travel more. I haven’t been to Europe since college, so I’m definitely trying to get back there.

For more style and advice from Courtney, visit her blog, Instagram, and Facebook. Snag last-minute New Year’s Eve tickets here.

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