GBK lands during NY Fashion Week, giving the Big Apple of Hollywood Glamour & Pampering

By Laura Medina

Legendary stylist, Philip Bloch enjoying GBK

An exclusively Hollywood/Awards Season tradition had dropped into Manhattan, giving the Big Apple a touch of Hollywood glamour, GBK Gifting Lounge and Style Suite.  What begun as a last-minute jumpstart pop shop to get starlets dressed and primped and up and ready nanoseconds before the award show itself has transported the same services for the New York Fashion Week frenzy and the accompanying frazzled nerves.  Ahhh, Hollywood TLC pampering in the heartbeat of the Big Apple.

In honor of New York Fashion Week, GBK and Sparkling Hill Resort hosted a Luxury Gift and Styling Lounge on September 6th and 7th. Celebrities dropped in between fashion shows to receive luxurious gifts and services at the glamourous suites at The Empire Hotel. This annual event is a "must attend" Fashion week festivity. This year’s guests included: Jay Manuel and Miss J of "America’s Next Top Model", Celebrity Stylist June Ambrose, Ice-T of "Law and Order SVU" and his wife and model, Coco Austin, "Big Ang" and Carla Facciolo of VH1’s "Mob Wives", Sonja Morgan of Bravo TV’s "Real Housewives of New York City", Adrienne Bailon of Fox’s "The Real", Fashion Designer Phillip Bloch, Po Johnson from "La La’s Full Court Life", Matt Letscher of "The Carrie Diaries" and "Scandal", Katie Findlay and Chloe Bridges of The "Carries Diaries", Annaleigh Ashford of Broadway’s "Kinky Boots", Ryan Serhant of Bravo’s "Million Dollar Listing New York City", Siggy Flicker and Anya Ayoung-Chee of "Project Runway", and Nole Marin of CW’s "America’s Next Top Model".

 Philip Bloch with GBK's founder & CEO, Gavin Keilly.

 

This year, GBK added a touch of glam with a crystal-infused luxury lounge setting in honor of Title Sponsor Sparkling Hill Resort - a European-inspired wellness resort known as the first resort in the world to incorporate Swarovski crystal elements into every aspect of its design. Guests who attended received complimentary resort stay certificates featuring Deluxe Lakeview Rooms and Penthouse stays up to $6,000 in value. 

VIP guests indulged in a special gift selection from luxury lifestyle brands including Presenting Sponsors Hard Candy and Pilot Pen. Hard Candy amazed with off-the-chart products, intense color, wild packaging and a flair for the dramatic. The name invokes all things girly and sweet while the brand brings in an edge and attitude. Pilot Pen is known for offering superlative writing instruments renowned for quality, performance, cutting-edge technology and consumer satisfaction. They gifted an assortment of goodies including their FriXion Clicker, Acroball Pure White and G2 Fashion FriXion Clicker erasable pens.

 Ice-T, Los Angeleno/New Yorker actor/musician loving this Hollywood Glamour pampering

Some must-have beauty brands were the highlight of this lounge, including products from: Tibolli ® - gifting their Tibolli Moisture Must Leave-In cream and Tibolli Hair Oil; youthH2O - Age Defying System is the only ‘Daily Superfood Nutrition’ supplement with Age Defying Benefits enhancing your Beauty, Performance and Wellness all in one; D’Mademoiselle ® Pure Mineral Makeup and Skincare Product™; EcoGenics Active Botanical Skin Care, a unique combination of nature and science, paraben free and ideal for all skin types, ages and ethnicities; Nikki’s Magic Wand - an innovative cosmetic tool designed to retrieve all of the hard to reach left-over make-up from tubes and containers; and Lashem - your go to brand for your lash and brown needs!

On the fashion front, the lounge showcased Cynthia Gale Jewelry - who gifted Modern, Urban Eclectic, Art Inspired, Fine Craft, Sterling Silver Jewelry; d’andrea handbags - handbags that are classic with a contemporary edge, relatable to the modern day woman; Lulu Avenue - Lulu Avenue designs by Jude Frances is a line of quality fashion jewelry that is dramatic, elegant and affordable; Wild Soul Sunglasses, gifted their beautiful acetate sunglasses named after untamed wild animals; The Artisan Group®, gifted the celebrities and members of the press a lovely collection of jewelry, stationery, fine art photography, spa and bath products, and other handcrafted gifts; and fashion-forward, cause-driven hats from Gratitude Couture - Gratitude Couture is a business focused on supporting non-profit organizations intent on eradicating hate and bullying. Twenty percent of proceeds from sales will be donated to various handpicked charities. Special event sponsor, Supima - an American luxury cotton, also displayed two evening wear gowns made especially for the event.

Some unique gifts included: Walk Japan - the pioneer of off-the-beaten-track walking tours in Japan with authentic and enjoyable tours to discover Japan, its people, society and culture; Visit San Luis Obispo Countyand Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast, who gifted two VIP tickets to Sunset SAVOR Central Coast Food & Wine Festival; and Rivé- through sleek shapes, bold colors, and fashion-inspired artwork, Rivé water bottles transform colorless, odorless, tasteless substance into an experience that excites the senses.

No lounge would be complete without a selection of sweets and treats. Luxury food and beverage sponsors included: Viva Diva Wines by Christina Milian, the hottest flavored Moscato in the US; Connecticut Cookie Company - cookie and treats made with grandma’s hometown vanilla; Oasis Mediterranean Cuisine provided a selection of refreshments and gifting a cooler bag with certificate for flavor of the month for an entire year; Prima Dolce Company - Bella’s Fruit Compotes; and Latta Russian Kefir- the most authentic, natural probiotic kefir on the market - sampling Latta Russian Kefir probiotic yogurt and non-dairy green teas.