36 Hours in NYC!
If you had told me last month that I’d be hanging with Tiffany Haddish, gifting her a CB Grey scarf, and spending the night in a surprise penthouse suite…I would've laughed and asked what kind of dream world you're living in. But yep. That actually happened.
I spent a jam-packed 36 hours in NYC for the Fashion Group International Rising Star Awards to support my girl Alicia—the insanely talented founder of Wondermint Goods—who was a finalist in the Accessories category!
The trip kicked off with a little dose of unexpected magic. Alicia and I had arrived on different flights, but once I landed, she called an Uber to take us to the hotel. We were expecting a regular car… but a brand-new Tesla rolled up instead. We both looked at each other like, “Okayyyy, NYC—we see you!” It totally set the tone. We joked that the universe was already on our side.
And then we got to the hotel...
We dragged our bags inside, probably looking like two tired moms on a rare girls' trip (because... that's exactly what we were), and sweet Miranda at the front desk hit us with: "So we are sold out of the standard room that you booked so I upgraded to the penthouse." I'm sorry, what now??
We got to the room, and y'all—it had a balcony bigger than most NYC apartments. The kind of spot where you just stand there and think, how is this real life? We had about an hour to soak it in (and take a ridiculous number of pictures, obviously) before heading out to the FGI Opening Reception at Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL).
The energy at that event? Electric. So many incredibly talented designers and industry icons all in one room. The highlight for me was hearing Robert Chavez, the recently retired President + CEO of Hermès Americas, speak on the panel. As someone who designs silk scarves, hearing him talk about legacy, quality, and storytelling through design literally gave me chills. There was something so grounding about hearing from someone who’s been in the industry for 45 years and still leads with heart.
After the panel, I walked right up to him (nervously!) and gifted him and his partner Vince a pair of CB Grey pocket squares. The next day at the luncheon, I walked over to congratulate him on winning the Lifetime Achievement Award, and he told me they had opened the pocket squares the night before and thought they were absolutely beautiful. I nearly melted.
That night, I also got to meet Tiffany Haddish. She was walking by at the reception and I just casually dropped a CB Grey mini in her bag, winked, and said, "A little gift for you." She smiled and thanked me and kept it moving, and I played it cool but inside I was doing full cartwheels.
After the reception, Alicia and I grabbed a classic Italian dinner—the kind where the pasta is perfect and the conversation is even better. When we got back to the hotel, I was still buzzing from the night. I couldn’t turn it off yet. So I laced up my sneakers and headed out for a solo walk through the city. Just me, the streets, and that New York magic. I wandered for two hours, well past midnight, through my favorite place in the world. There's just something about New York at night that fills me up like nothing else.
The next day came the main event: the FGI Rising Star Awards luncheon, held at the gorgeous 583 Park Ave. Before the ceremony kicked off, there was a reception and red carpet, which made the whole thing feel even more glamorous and exciting. The room was filled with editors, designers, executives, and creatives from every corner of the fashion industry, all buzzing with anticipation. Tiffany Haddish hosted (queen energy) and brought the perfect balance of humor, heart, and hype to the stage. After the awards, I got a chance to talk to her again and we snapped a photo together.
Robert Chavez received the inaugural FGI Lifetime Achievement Award. His acceptance speech was warm, humble, and inspiring—a true reflection of the legacy he’s built over four decades in the luxury world. As the former President and CEO of Hermès Americas, Robert led with integrity and vision, helping grow Hermès into a powerhouse while staying deeply committed to the brand's heritage. I felt incredibly honored to witness his recognition in person—especially after having had the chance to connect with him the night before.
I can’t even begin to say how proud I am of Alicia. Watching her stand as a finalist in a room full of industry powerhouses—owning her space, fully in her element—was incredibly emotional. I’ve seen firsthand how much heart she pours into her brand, and to see it recognized on such a big stage was magic. I’m just so grateful I got to be there beside her for that moment. It felt like such a full-circle thing—for both of us.
After the ceremony, the room shifted into this electric, floating energy—everyone was up, mingling, talking, hugging. I looked around and realized I was surrounded by some seriously powerful people in fashion. And instead of shrinking back, I just went for it.
I started walking up to people—designers, execs, editors—and gently handed them a little black satin CB Grey bag with “you are beautiful” printed across the front. Inside each one was a midi scarf and my card. That was it. No hard pitch, no rehearsed lines—just a simple gesture and a story waiting to be discovered.
And the response? Unreal.
Some women opened the bag, smiled, and tied the scarf around their necks right there on the spot. One man slipped his into his blazer pocket immediately. People were stopping me to say they could feel the soul in the design. They talked about the intention, the emotion, the story behind the pieces before I even explained it. A few even said things like, "This isn’t just fashion—this is something bigger."
Several asked to stay in touch, handed me their cards, and said they were excited to follow CB Grey. It was humbling and energizing in the best way.
Those conversations? I’ll carry them with me forever. Because when people you admire see the heart of your work without you having to explain it… that’s when you know you’re doing something right.
On the flight home, I thought about everything that had happened in those 36 hours. The Tesla. The penthouse. Robert Chavez. Tiffany Haddish. All the new faces and kind words. It was one of those rare trips where every single thing felt… aligned.
I was totally exhausted and totally on fire. This trip reminded me why I do this. Designing scarves isn’t about fashion alone—it’s about telling stories that make people feel seen. It’s about connection. Confidence. Little moments of beauty that remind people how special they are.
