Popping the Bubbly with Mimosas & Manhattan; NYC Fashion Bloggers & Queens of Stylish Brunch Attire

When you hear the words "mimosas" and "Manhattan," you may automatically think of some fun bottomless brunches you've had that one time in NYC. But actually, those two words have way more significance than you think. Courtney Seamon and Kelly McFarland are two insanely stylish cousins living in New York City who happen to be the founders of a major fashion and lifestyle blog called Mimosas & Manhattan.

Courtney and Kelly's blog has always been such a huge inspiration to me. Blogging since 2013, the ladies have taken the world of digital content creation by storm and have made major moves in fashion, making Mimosas & Manhattan a NYC household name. Their blog is like a bible for all things fashion and lifestyle in your twenties. These ladies are some of the most driven I have ever met, and their go-getter attitudes and dedication to their passion has gotten them serious recognition on major outlets like InStyle Magazine, WWD and People StyleWatch. 

On top of being bloggers and successful entrepreneurs, they've each got phenomenal full-time jobs in the fashion and PR industries. Defying the fashion blogger stereotypes, Courtney and Kelly have got it all and worked extraordinarily hard for it, and they're only going up from here.

I wanted to show all the readers of The Gilded Bellini just how cool the girls of Mimosas & Manhattan really are (and also get the juice on their avid brunching lifestyle in NYC), so I got to chat with Kelly, who happens to be one of my good friends! She dished all the details on how the blog name came to be, what it's really like to be a blogger and work full-time, their favorite brunch spots, how to choose the perfect brunch outfit and more!

Introducing.... Mimosas & Manhattan.

Photo by: Laurel Creative

1. Tell us about how you chose your name Mimosas & Manhattan. 

When we first came to New York, we stumbled upon the amazing world of bottomless Mimosas and at the ripe old age of 20 - this became a weekly occurring event.  The name honestly spiraled from there and has sort of taken on a life of it’s own! 

2. You've made a name for yourself in the fashion scene not only in NYC, but all over! How do you think your style, and even your lifestyle resonates with such a large audience?

 I think people us find us to be very relatable and like to see two girls who are just like them, trying to take on New York and make names for themselves in the industry.

Photo by: Laurel Creative

3. There's often a misconception that bloggers, especially in fashion "have it easy." That its all just posting pictures and looking pretty. As someone coming from the blogging community, I find that to be the furthest thing from true because of all the genuine hard work that goes in to creating a brand for yourself. What are your thoughts on this?

 There is so much more behind blogging than most people think. It's not just shooting and writing posts (unfortunately) it is pitching brands, being your own publicist, accountant, stylist, project manager, editor, creative director - the list truly goes on and on. Blogging has taught me so much more about the industry and just working in general than I could have possibly imagined - we are so lucky for everything we had learned but sometimes it is frustrating when people don't understand everything that goes into building your own brand. 

4. What sparks your inspiration to create content on your blog that's fresh and different from other fashion/lifestyle bloggers? You've been doing this for a few years now. How do you not run out of ideas?! 

Just like fashion changes, our content changes! We like to keep things fresh and fun.  As we grow up and mature, our style changes with us so we never really run out of content! 

Photo by: Join Comb

5. How do you balance having full time jobs and having a blog that is so successful? A blog is a full time job in itself! 

Honestly, it is a lot of work and we absolutely have our good days and our bad days. What it all comes down to however is that if we didn’t absolutely love blogging, then we wouldn’t be doing it. We wake up work on the blog and answer emails, then go to our full time jobs during the day and then come home and keep working. It is a lot but it is all about hard work while keeping a balance. 

6. You're no strangers to living a fabulous (and envious!) lifestyle. Part of that includes brunching every weekend! What are your favorite brunch spots in NYC? 

Some of our favorite spots are David Burke's Kitchen, Miusa Wine Bar and Freeman's Restaurant.

Photo by: Laurel Creative

7. What is your favorite brunch dish & cocktail? 

We are huge fans of Croque Monsiers and of course Mimosas!!

8. Your perfect weekend brunch would be incomplete without: 

The "birdseye" flatlay table instagram post. 

9. How do you get the perfect brunch flat lay shot?

 Number 1 rule: you must stand on the table. You will get yelled out, but in the end it is worth it. 

Photo by: Laurel Creative

10. What is your go-to brunch outfit? 

During the Summer months, we are all about staying cool and comfortable. There is nothing that screams brunch more than a flowy dress from one of our favorite online stores, FloatingStyle.com. We also love the super fun jumpsuits from BB Dakota and shift dress from Marks and Spencer. 

11. Your blog has really taken off in the past year. What has been your favorite opportunity that has come your way so far? 

Aside from some of our favorite campaigns like Magnum Ice Cream and Shoeline.com, we have just loved connecting with so many amazing bloggers, influencers, photographers, designers, etc. There is no better feeling in the world that connecting with like-minded people who are fans of the brand we have built. 

Photo by: Laurel Creative

12. What does the future hold for Mimosas & Manhattan as a brand? 

Right now, it is all about learning to find the balance between our full-time jobs, blogging and normal 23 year-old-things. It is great that Courtney is in fashion product development and I am in Marketing/Public Relations because it will only help us with future endeavors. We love being female entrepreneurs and truly feel the skies the limit when it comes to our brand! 

13. When you're not blogging, we can find you...?: 

We spend a lot of our time going out with friends to cool spots in Brooklyn. Some of our favorite “going out” spots are Freehold, The Woods and Baby’s All Right. 

Keep up with the effortlessly fabulous blogger duo

at Mimosas & Manhattan and on Instagram at @mimosasmanhattan!

Join the #ChampagneSociety with Kyle of From The Hamptons To Hollywood, Bicoastal Blogger & Witty Apparel Designer

Being bicoastal is the the lifestyle that many dream of. Being able to experience new things in unfamiliar places can often be intimidating, but extremely invigorating. Your life experience from where you started has the potential to help give you that extra push to accomplish big things on the opposite coast. 

Kyle Langan of the award-winning blog, From The Hamptons to Hollywood is someone that can totally relate. The former Hamptonite turned Angeleno originally created his site to showcase the luxe lifestyles of the Hamptons and Los Angeles, by specializing in fashion, food, events and witty editorial content. Now, a few years later, he has created a collective social media group called #ChampagneSociety and has launched a fun apparel line that has struck the attention of many... including the team at Bagatelle.

Check out what Kyle has to say about his journey from the Hamptons to Hollywood.

1. How did you come up with the concept for From The Hamptons to Hollywood, and why did you start blogging?

I started my blog when I moved from the Hamptons to LA; it was originally an online journal on my adventures in Los Angeles, and then since it’s grown, I’ve tackled highlighting the lifestyle of both locales.

2. What do you find similar about the fabulous lifestyle in The Hamptons vs. LA? What do you find different? 

The similarities are that they both offer a casually luxurious lifestyle. The Hamptons are an escape, so there’s definitely a “have fun and chill” atmosphere. LA isn’t as formal a city as other huge ones, like New York, so they both have a laid back and fun vibe. The people are the biggest differences; attitudes, culture, interests, etc.

3. Tell us a little bit about you and what you do when you aren't blogging. 

Blogging is my life. Duh. ;)

4. You and I both share an obsession with Bagatelle brunch. Why do you love it so much? 

It’s just abashed, no-holds-barred revelry at it’s best. Everyone is there with the same goal – have as much fun as possible – and that energy is infectious and so fun to be around.

5. What is your favorite spot in LA for brunch? In the Hamptons?

LA: The Ivy, just because. Hamptons? Navy Beach.

6. You've created a part of your blog that serves as a collective of loyal readers of Hamptons to Hollywood called Champagne Society. Tell us about why you created this fun concept, and how we can become members too!

I created the #ChampagneSociety for 2 reasons – I wanted my audience to have a name that made them feel included in what I was reporting on and that I could refer to them as, and I wanted a term that embodied the lifestyle of the Hamptons and LA…and it doesn’t really get much more luxurious than champagne. I encourage everyone living the life my blog represents to tag their photos with #ChampagneSociety, to create a collective group where readers can find other readers through the tag.  

7. You've started selling apparel on your site inspired by the casually luxurious lifestyle that your site represents. I love the shirt that says, "On Wednesdays We Fly Private." What made you want to start an apparel line? What are some of your favorite shirts you've designed? What's in store for future designs?

I’ve always been interested in fashion to a degree, but I’m no Tom Ford! I wanted something simple and comfy that had and witty phrases that are just are fun to read, just like my blog :) The first idea was the #ChampagneSociety tank so I like that one and I chuckle every time I see Your Stomach Flu Is My Goal Weight. I’m always thinking of new ones.

8. What's a really cool collaboration you've done with a brand or another influencer that is your favorite to date?

I’m really excited because I partnered with Bagatelle LA and I’ll be hosting the inaugural #ChampagneSociety brunch on May 22nd. Our brands complement each other perfectly and I’ll also be having a Pop-Up Shop for patrons and guests to buy my apparel for the first time in person.

9. There are so many cool parts of your site - from fashion to lifestyle to food and so much more. How do you manage your time? What's your process for creating new content for each section? Do you ever get overwhelmed? 

It can get pretty hectic sometimes, But I set hard deadlines for myself. Also, not sleeping and coffee helps! I am always trying to think outside the box and collaborate with brands and companies to create cool content we can both benefit from.

10. Name your favorite champagne cocktail, if you have one.

I don’t discriminate :)

11. Are you more of an upscale bruncher, local bruncher, party bruncher...?

The thing about brunch is you can check out a local spot this weekend and then do something completely different the next. I love a fancy brunch, but I like to rage too.

12. As another East Coast transplant like myself, what do you think you bring to the "scene" in LA?

A fresh perspective, a great sense of humor, and perpetual optimism.

13. What's your favorite rooftop spot in LA?

The London rooftop.

14. What's the coolest event that you've been to in LA since you've been here? There's posts on your site of you from LA Fashion Week and quite a few launch parties.

When I tried to sneak into the Golden Globes!

15. Tell us your mantra you live by.

Life is too short to be anything but happy.

16. What words of advice could you give someone who wants to become a successful entrepreneur or a blogger like yourself? 

Never stop dreaming and be persistent. I can’t tell you how many crazy ideas I’ve had that I thought would never pan out, but by being nice, fearless, and having a good pitch to get someone to want to work with you, you can totally make it happen. I’m kinda living proof!

Keep up with Kyle and all the happenings on From The Hamptons to Hollywood and on Instagram at  @hamptonstohollywood.

Find Your Future Boyfriend... At Brunch

If you’re a single woman, you’ve probably tried a ton of different methods to try to meet a decent guy. Bars and clubs? Been there, done that. Tinder, Hinge, and all those tacky dating apps… yes, check those off the list too. Being bicoastal, I have friends in both LA and NYC who continuously ask the same question. Is there even any hope anymore? My answer for you is: YES. But where might you ask? It's where you'd probably least expect to find love; BRUNCH.

You would never believe how many guys there are that love and embrace the brunching lifestyle every weekend, just like you do. Take Jeremy Jacobowitz of NYC, founder of Brunch Boys: a passionate brunch connessieur. Then, there’s a crew of bros who revel in taking over the brunch scene in the City of Angels, who call themselves the Bros Who Brunch.

I got the chance to get to know these guys a little better; which brunch spots they’re seen at most, their passions, their favorite brunch memories, and so much more. The Gilded Bellini is giving you the exclusive scoop on how to steal their hearts at brunch. You know, in case you just so happen to run into them, now that you'll know where they'll be every weekend. You could be one of these guys’ future brunch babes.

Introducing… Brunch’s most eligible bachelors. 

NYC's Favorite Brunch Guy: Jeremy Jacobowitz of Brunch Boys

Name: Jeremy Jacobowitz   

Age: 28

What He Does: Food TV Producer, but currently running Brunch Boys full time

Where He Lives: NYC

Instagram: @brunchboys

Website: thebrunchboys.com

1.     Tell us a little bit about your brunching lifestyle.

For me, brunching isn’t something reserved for just the weekends, its is pretty much everyday.  That’s whats so great about brunch, there are no restrictions!  It also probably means that you are going to drink too much, and over indulge on everything on the menu, and how could that be bad?

2.     Where are you seen at most for brunch?

I’m rarely at the same spot for brunch, as I'm always exploring new places! But some of my fav which Ill be back at all the time are Black Tap, Speedy Romeos, and Flex Mussels.

3.     When you’re not brunching, we can find you….?

Running all over NYC!  Literally and Figuratively.  I start my mornings either being at the gym or running in central park, and then I'm running between my office and different restaurants where I either have meetings or photo shoots. 

4.     What are you passionate about?

Brunch, duh!  Food really is a big passion of mine, and that’s why I found my way into Food TV and then Brunch Boys.  I grew up cooking and watching the Food Network, but my passionate didn’t really click until I had the opportunity to be Bobby Flay’s assistant on set for all of his shows.  It all came together for me from that point on. Oh and puppies!  I’m actually throwing a puppy brunch so I can combine my two passions in life! 

5.     Mimosas, Bloodys, Bellinis, or Screwdrivers. What’s your poison?

I’m a tequila guy, so can my answer be a Bloody Maria?  Also love love love Micheladas!

6.     You take your date to brunch. What do you wear to impress her?

Brunch should almost always be casual, so I think that should come across in your outfit.  That doesn’t mean sweatpants and a Yankees hat, but sneakers, nice jeans, fun shirt. 

7.     What was the best brunch you’ve ever had and what made it different than all the others?

Hardest question ever!  I love brunching at Black Tap because of their Croissant Burger!  It’s an all beef patty that is put onto a toasted croissant with truffle mayo, bacon, swiss cheese, and a fried egg! Another fav is Speedy Romeos!  I mean, they make a pizza pie with ricotta and lox on it!  How could I not fall in love with that dish??

8.     Brunch date turn on:

Being into ordering and tasting as much as possible!

9.     Brunch date turn off:

Dietary restrictions.  I love all food and want to share that passion with them!  So while I can’t blame someone for having some sort of dietary restriction, it still breaks my heart a little bit.

10. Your guilty indulgence is?

#TooMuchTequila

11. Share your craziest brunch memory.

I threw a Drake Party Brunch at Libation.  Yes it is exactly what it sounds like.  We had only Drake music, Drake cutouts, Drake balloons, and then all the drinks and food you could want.  I started drinking that day at 1pm, and the brunch party turned into me being out until 4am, still in my Drake ugly sweater t-shirt.

12. Besides your obvious talent for taking sick photos of food and being a leading brunch connoisseur, tell us something else you’re really good at.

I’m really good at creating content that people love.  Too braggy? But I love being a producer, whether that’s producing shows for the Food Network, or producing content for the @brunchboys Instagram.  I want to make people happy with my content.  I’m very lucky to have a job that allows me to do that. 

13. Your brunch date orders her food. What does she order that makes you know that she’s the one?

When she orders the cocktail with tequila!  Or better yet, knows to ask for a Bloody Maria instead of a Mary! 

The West Coast's Finest: Bros Who Brunch

These Angelenos, OC'ers, and even one NorCal'er are so ready to brunch with you. Here's all you need to know about these brunch hunks.

Name: Logan 

Age: 25

What He Does: Real Estate Agent

Where He Lives: Huntington Beach, CA

Instagram: @LoganEmery / @bros.who.brunch

1. Where are you seen at most for brunch?

You can find me brunching mainly in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach or Santa Monica. Anywhere with a nice ocean view & a great atmosphere.

2. When you’re not brunching, we can find you….?

When I’m not brunching you can find me at the beach surfing, working out or at the golf course. I like to stay active.

3. Mimosas, Bloodys, Bellinis, or Screwdrivers. What’s your poison?

Bromosas, all the way.

4. You take your date to brunch. What do you wear to impress her?

Short sleeve button up Polo, nice pair of jeans, a nice watch & my favorite pair of Versace sunglasses.

5. Besides your obvious talent for taking sick photos of food and being a leading brunch connoisseur, tell us something else you’re really good at.

Something I have to say I’m good at is always remaining positive no matter how bad a situation is. Life is too short to be upset if you ask me.

6. Your brunch date orders her food. What does she order that makes you know that she’s the one?

When she doesn’t order anything vegan or vegetarian, I know that she’s already on the right path. Simple scrambled eggs, bacon, & hashbrowns would be ideal to keep room for the mimosas. 

Name: Ryker

Age: 24

What He Does: Business Development in Entertainment

Where He Lives: Los Angeles, CA

Instagram: @rykerco / @bros.who.brunch

1.     What are you passionate about?

Music and friends. I listen to a wide variety of genres and I love finding new music. It’s even better when I get to share it and experience it with my best friends. Coachella anyone?

2.     Mimosas, Bloodys, Bellinis, or Screwdrivers. What’s your poison?

Mimosas, or what we like to call “Mibrosas” (OJ, Champagne and Ginger). Screwdrivers if I feel like reliving one of my Spring Breaks.

3.     You take your date to brunch. What do you wear to impress her?

My Calvins.

4.     Brunch date turn on:

Down to earth and ambitious, but someone who can still have fun and enjoy a mimosa or two…or three…

5.     Brunch date turn off:

Arrogant and impolite. Nothing worse than sitting with someone who’s being rude to the people serving you at brunch. 

6.     Your guilty indulgence is?

Donuts. And the occasional episode of Gossip Girl.

7.     Share your craziest brunch memory.

My craziest brunch memory would probably be a brunch we did for a buddy’s birthday at Ariel in Santa Monica. Our party was legitimately about 50 people, it was out of control. Food was great and mimosas were refilled before you could set your glasses down. For the amount of people we had, they did a great job at taking care of us.

8.     Besides your obvious talent for taking sick photos of food and being a leading brunch connoisseur, tell us something else you’re really good at.

I rarely tell people about this, but I played the Sax for 14 years and went to school for it. I’ve had a lot of great experiences traveling and performing in amazing venues like Carnegie Hall and was even fortunate enough to earn a scholarship for it that paid for my college. I don’t play much anymore, but after doing it for 14 years; it’s almost like riding a bike, right?

9.     Your brunch date orders her food. What does she order that makes you know that she’s the one?

Nutella Stuffed French Toast. Are you a Single Lady? Cause I’m about to put a ring on it.

Name: Nathan 

Age: 24

What He Does: Sales - Sacramento Kings

Where He Lives: Grew up in SoCal, lives in Sacramento, CA. 

Instagram: @schlatte / @bros.who.brunch

1. Tell us a little bit about your brunching lifestyle.

Brunching is a lifestyle. Brunch is the sunrise to a weekend. Mimosas and brunch are the sure sign of living. Good people, good food, great locations are key. 

2. Where are you seen at most for brunch? 

Iron Horse Tavern in Sacramento. Bottomless Mimosas and the Spanish Frittata are unbelievable.

3. What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about making a difference in other people’s lives directly and/or indirectly through the work I do, or the people I surround myself with.

4. You take your date to brunch. What do you wear to impress her?

Baseball henley, jeans, sperrys with no socks. Sometimes where the Nixon watch. Shaved the day before, but styled the hair.

5. What was the best brunch you’ve ever had and what made it different than all the others?

My buddy Ryker’s birthday brunch. The vibes were flowing, the weather was great with a morning breeze, and the food was unbelievable. I left Sacramento at 6am to attend a 11am brunch in LA.

6. Brunch date turn on: 

When she knows exactly what she wants to order, and she starts the toast.

7. Share your craziest brunch memory. 

Every crazy brunch memory always comes after a crazy night. The great memories from the night before, always continue to brunch the next morning. Thus, it’s a great brunch weekend. There are too many memories of these to count.

Name: Derek

Age: 23

What He Does: Technology Sales

Where He Lives: Santa Monica, CA

Instagram: @dlecot / @bros.who.brunch

1.     Tell us a little bit about your brunching lifestyle.

My brunching lifestyle first started in NYC when I moved out there for a job in buying. I ended up going almost every weekend because the brunch culture is so big out there. I moved back to LA after hating the cold and started to bring some of my friends to brunch. Eventually they caught the bug and we created our page!

2. What was the best brunch you’ve ever had and what made it different than all the others?

It depends on the vibe and what my end game is. The best food I have ever had was at a place in New York that had tapas style. I tried hard to remember the name, but couldn’t find it. If I’m going to more of a party brunch, I like Sonoma Wine Garden the best right now. They have tons of unique kinds of mimosas that they will make for you and the DJ there kills it!

3. What are you passionate about?

Traveling and trying new things! I love getting out of my comfort zone and exploring new cities.

4. Brunch date turn off:

Showing up to brunch in sweatpants and forgetting the first date because you had one too many mimosas.

5. Your guilty indulgence is?

Getting prosciutto pizza at brunch. (Brick and Mortar in Santa Monica has the best and it always sounds great in the morning!)

6. Share your craziest brunch memory.

My craziest brunch memory would probably be at Il Bastardo in NYC. They have 3 options on the menu for drinks, a pitcher of mimosa, Bloody Mary, or a whole bottle of champagne for yourself. Everyone ends up getting personal bottles and it gets pretty wild. There is even a club in the back to party at once your done eating.

7. Besides your obvious talent for taking sick photos of food and being a leading brunch connoisseur, tell us something else you’re really good at.

Planning events with my friends! I’m always the go to person to organize birthdays or holidays. 

Now I'm DEFINITELY going to brunch this weekend...

Jiho Givenchy, Mogul of the Millennials; Where He Brunches, His Personal Style & His Branding Advice

Whether you’re an LA or NYC local, you’re most likely aware of the major influencers around you. Socialites, bloggers, fashion icons, and editors are just a few of the tightknit crowds that set trends, and ultimately inspire others to go to certain restaurants and nightclubs, to develop bold individual styles, and start their own personal empires.

These creative icons encourage the go-getters in us to strive to make the dream lifestyle attainable. That describes Jiho Givenchy, exactly.  He’s got over 30k followers on his @jihogivenchy Instagram account, which captures his luxurious lifestyle of attending the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, capturing chic, editorial moments of himself being levitated in the air in the center of Washington Square Park in NYC, and photos with celebrities like Miranda Kerr, J. Cole and Kanye West. He shoots crazy, yet fascinating videos of his extravagant lifestyle and shares it with the world. But he’s more than just “insta-famous”.

Jiho Givenchy is an influencer. At a young age, he came to the states from overseas. Now, only in his twenties, he has attained a status recognized in NYC, LA and internationally. He works with MTV, several globally known fashion brands, and knows just what places to hit whenever he’s in town. He strives to be an inspiration for people who want to live life big, and live it well.

I got the chance to chat with Jiho Givenchy to learn more about how he got started, about his personal favorite brunch spots in LA and NYC, his go-to drink, and how his personal style influences what he wears to all the hotspots that he goes to on the regular… coast to coast.

1. Everyone knows your name in NYC and LA. You know a ton of influential people from fashion designers to restaurant owners. You're used to exclusivity. For those who were unfamiliar with who Jiho Givenchy was at first, tell us how you made a name for yourself on both coasts. 

I moved to the states from elite district called "Gangnam District" in Seoul, South Korea, at age ten. Gangnam is equivalent to Beverly Hills in California or the Upper East Side, NYC. With no prior knowledge of English or the American culture, I had to start from the very bottom. I graduated from a high school in a small suburban beach town in Delaware. Then, I moved to NYC at the age of eighteen to attend a private university in Upper East Side, NYC. My college classmates were not typical, mundane college students. Most of these students came from very wealthy families with highly influential backgrounds. I hung around the right people at the right time, and I was asked to join the elite circle of New York City.  Then, the rest was history. I started to get invited to exclusive fashion shows, private penthouse parties, and began receiving samples of luxurious clothing brands. My first debut in the entertainment industry was my feature in the comedy traveling show called Dexpedition on European MTV.  This was a hit show in several countries including Norway, the Netherlands, France, and Sweden.  It all started with one simple vision in my head. 

2. Although you're NYC-based, you're back and forth to LA all the time. Name your can't-miss favorite brunch spots that you know every time you're there, you won't be disappointed.

There are actually two steps to a successful brunch.  You must wear the freshest clothes and have two beers in your system already. After that, any brunch spot is a great brunch spot.  But, to name a few, Bagatelle in Meatpacking District and Catch, both in NYC.  I love the Mondrian Hotel and Milo & Olive in Santa Monica. 

3. Name the most outrageous, coolest thing you've had the opportunity to do solely because of the mogul that you are and the status you hold.           

Being a fashion stylist for Victoria's Secret Fashion Show for two years in a row, and having a drunken conversation with Kanye West at a private art gallery party. 

4. What's your go-to cocktail and what do you think that particular cocktail choice says about who you are? 

I'm not really into cocktails. I only drink Stella Artois. But, if I had to choose, I go with ones with cool names. The sexier it sounds, the better it is! 

5. You work with lots of international designers. Who is your favorite and how does your social life and where you go influence what you plan on wearing?

My top 3 designers currently (in no specific order)  -  Olivier Rousteing - Balmain, Hedi Slimane   -YSL and Nigo - A Bathing Ape

My favorite designer is Nigo from A Bathing Ape.  I really like Nigo's vision in incorporating hip hop artists to promote his brand.  He cares a lot about the youth, the art and modern culture. Most importantly, Nigo uses a lot of crazy colors in his designs and I LOVE COLORS. Colors bring energy into people's souls.  I like to stand out at every event I attend – even if I’m just going to a bar or to brunch. So, anything that has crazy bright colors or animal furs on them, you’ll probably see me wearing them. My feelings for the day influence what I wear. 

6. What words of advice do you have for someone trying to build his or her own brand from the bottom up?

Don't just meet people for drinks, food and fun. It's good to maintain the relationship but once trust has been established, think about what y'all can do together to build a better life, create business plans, and develop creative ideas together. Don't just waste time hanging around with pointless conversations.  You are born on this earth for a reason. Turn your brain knowledge into a tangible product. 

You can find Jiho Givenchy on Instagram at @jihogivenchy.