In celebration of California.
A dinner party, panel talk and live podcast recording, produced and designed by Rapport for Visit California and SUITCASE Magazine.
Picture the scene.
Guests gathered around a California-themed dining table designed by Rapport. From reclaimed vintage napkins to retro matchbooks and handmade candles, every detail of the tablescape nodded to the Golden State’s heritage. Florals were by talented artisan Christina Pack of Wild at Heart Florist.
A live panel discussion, hosted by Rapport founder Amira Hashish, saw fashion pioneer James Flemons of PHLEMUNS in conversation alongside House of Aama mother/daughter design duo Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka. Danny Guerrero from The Culturist Group and owner of West Hollywood’s most stylish new boutique hotel Short Stories Leo Grifka gave us their take on the travel scene.
A delectable feast and cocktail program by Short Stories Restaurant comprised Olive Choclo Flatbread, Crispy Seabass Ceviche, Peruvian Arroz con Pollo and the hotel’s signature Cheesecake.
“Hosted under a canopy of lush trees at West Hollywood’s Short Stories Hotel, the evening was designed to champion creativity, diversity and artistry.”
In the spirit of collaboration.
Rosé was courtesy of Lorenza, founded by the mother daughter team of Melinda Kearney, a wine industry veteran from Napa Valley and Michèle Lorenza Ouellet, an international fashion model.
The Chardonnay was in full flow with "unstuffed" Knotty Vines bottles created by millennial female winemaker Olivia Wright.
Meanwhile, Broc Cellars showcased its natural whites made in Berkeley by Chris Brockway. Santa Barbara’s Final Girl Wines, by Latina owner/winemaker Anna Clifford and her husband Peter, added a spooky touch to proceedings with their horror movie inspired labels.
All bottles were passionately poured by wine educator Lexi Stephens who recounted the story of each winery.
A California party wouldn’t be complete without top-notch tequila.
Hence the LALO Ranch Water cocktails. LALO blanco has no barrels or additives with the finest agave from the Jalisco highlands.
We love its heritage. It is named after founder Eduardo “Lalo” González, whose legendary grandfather Don Julio (yes, the Don Julio) gave him the nickname Lalo.
Listen to the podcast
〰️
Listen to the podcast 〰️
Women-founded Sandy Beer was the go to palette cleanser. Its ethos speaks to us. Born on the beaches of Southern California in pursuit of the first clean, delicious, palette-quenching brew, it balances wellness with a healthy dose of fun.
The super chic Ghia provided a spirit-free apéritif option. Cans of Ghia’s Le Spritz were as delicious as they were pure with a biting combination of botanical extracts. Meanwhile, the 100% recyclable & refillable Boxed Water kept everyone dehydrated in style.
Guests were gifted a sparkling goodie bag with sustainable treats such as a Slowtide beach towel and Youthforia beauty product. Not forgetting the latest volume of SUITCASE, of course.
Read the SUITCASE Magazine article here
Photographs & video reel by Annabelle Sadler
Shots on film by Chase Yi