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The Health Craze is Not Just a Phase, But a Gaze into History

July 29, 2015 by Nicole Yapijakis

Merriam Webster needs to make revisions to its dictionaries because society has altered the definitions of beauty and success once again due to the increased popularity of the health craze.

As a new resident of the Chelsea/ Flatiron neighborhood, I wasn’t surprised to find numerous Starbucks locations at my disposal, yet when I explored the area they appeared scarce compared to the overpopulation of juice bars. I never expected to stumble upon 7 spinning studios – 3 of which were SoulCycle.

spinning-771470_640SoulCycle reinvented indoor cycling when it opened its first studio in 2006 and became one of the top 10 NYC Google Searches of 2012. Ever since then, spinning studios have become part of the New York City lifestyle.

Companies like Juice Press and Blue Print have become popular names in the juice industry and they too are being integrated into our lives. They no longer just offer a trendy beverage for those who can afford it at $10 a bottle, but the companies, like spinning studios, have become part of our regimen.

“We see detoxing as a path to transcendence, a symbol of modern urban virtue and self transformation through abstinence…we indulge in expensive cold pressed juices and SoulCycle classes, justifying these purchases as investments in our health,” says Lizzie Crocker, journalist at the Daily Beast.

These days it seems like trends are ever so fleeting, but a few like these have become a part of who we are as a community.When you look into history, you see the trends that defined beauty and success have transformed drastically, while reflecting the times.

Look at the corset for example. In the 16th century it was meant to create a cylindrical figure, while flattening and raising the bust line. By the 18th century it transformed into an unhealthy device that created a hourglass figure. A trend that became a part of society for over 2 centuries evolved and changed to the point where it no longer was one.

In the past, a full figure meant you were wealthy enough to eat rich food. Due to this, such a figure became the definition of beauty and success for both women and men. Yet now, being skinny and fit has become the epitome of beauty. Just like in history, only those who can afford it have the opportunity to  become society’s ideal image.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, Eugene Lee Yang, video producer at BuzzFeed, said, “We’re so often preoccupied with current trends that we lose perspective on how fleeting our obsession with physical perfection has historically been.”

This recent health craze isn’t just a trend that reflects how we are fixated on obtaining society’s idea of perfection, but how perfection is made for the rich. If Merriam Webster needs help revising its definitions, here is a suggestion, “Beauty & Success: If you can afford it!”

 

Filed Under: Commentary and reviews, Culture and Entertainment, Featured, Lifestyles, Uncategorized Tagged With: Beauty, Chelsea, Craze, Fitness, Flatiron, Health, History, Juices, lifestyle, manhattan, New York City, Perfection, Society, SoulCycle, Success, Trends

Intertwining Three Worlds at Bristle + Crème

August 7, 2013 by GABRIELA ROBLES

i21

When venturing around London, Kim Vu never imagined that she would find the inspiration for her store, Bristle + Crème, in the neighborhood of Notting Hill. When she entered 202 Restaurant, she found that there was a small clothing store attached to it. At that moment she realized that she wanted her store to offer a similar mix. That’s why when she opened her own beauty space, she integrated art, fashion, and hospitality under one roof.

The moment people pass by Bristle + Crème, they realize this isn’t your typical hair salon. The location in Kips Bay not only holds a hair salon, but this fall will also include an espresso bar and an art space. The unexpected mix at Bristle + Crème, was created by Kim Vu who believes it’s the perfect opportunity to blend together all of her interests.

Bristle + Crème recently had a soft launch in early June, opening only to a limited amount of people. On the recent opening Vu said, “We’ve definitely gone really far in a very short period of time.”

She said this is largely due to the service model, one of the things the company focuses on. Employees are handpicked and trained in what they do, a host instead of a receptionist serves clients, and the store carries high-end products such as Oribe and Bumble and Bumble.

The environment of Bristle + Crème was designed with the clients in mind and Vu said she wants it to have a very communal feel. “The design of the store is very client centric. I wanted clients to come in and just want to sit down and hang out, which is one of the reasons why we have this large table in the center,” Vu said.

Her goal is to have the salon be beautiful, yet relaxing and approachable too. Vu recalled going to many different salons and always feeling that, while they may have been beautiful, the minute they finished doing her hair, she wanted to leave because the salon was too stuffy or boring. This is why she said she wants to make sure Bristle + Crème’s space is as inviting and different as possible.

The official grand opening in September will include the installing of the artisanal espresso bar, opening of the art space and launching the atelier program. The art space will be located on the second floor, where the beauty spa is, and will serve as an art gallery for various artists. Vu said, “I feel like this will be a good opportunity for emerging artists to display their work.”

An art curator will pick new artwork to display every three months to vary the art being presented. Every time there is a new exhibition, Bristle + Crème will hold an event to showcase the work. “We’ll be displaying all types of art. We definitely don’t want to stick to just one type,” Vu said. Along with the artwork, Vu also will invite photographers and musicians to use the space and will use it for other events.

The atelier program, also known as the backstage program, will allow fashion to be integrated into the salon. It will allow clients to book appointments with in-demand editorial stylists. Stylists will be able to use the space for photo shoots and even prepare for runway shoots. Vu said, “I’m really looking forward to further incorporating the fashion world into Bristle + Crème and through this program I know stylists will be able to bring in cutting edge fashion and techniques into the store.”

“New York City is such an eclectic place so I wanted to make it [Bristle + Crème] just as interesting,” Vu said. By intertwining the three worlds of fashion, art, and hospitality, Bristle + Crème is aspiring to bring something new to Kips Bay.

Filed Under: Lifestyles Tagged With: art space, bristle + crème, espresso bar, hair salon, kips bay, lifestyle, manhattan

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