Latest news with #Japanese-inspired
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Celebrated Angeleno Artist Greg Ito Unveils Short Film in Homage to Kikori Rice Whiskey
Celebrated Angeleno Artist Greg Ito Unveils Short Film in Homage to Kikori Rice Whiskey originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Fresh off a starring role at Frieze L.A., Angeleno native Greg Ito unveiled his latest art installation Wednesday night: a short film that pays homage to his grandmother and the nature that inspired the female-owned spirit brand Kikori Rice Whiskey. The event, held at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo, featured installations created by Ito and Japanese-inspired cocktails sponsored by Kikori Rice Whiskey, which was founded by Korean-American Ann Soh Woods, whose childhood adventures in Japan inspired her brand. The film is centered on following a lantern carried by Kikori's Woodsman logo as it travels through the mountainous forests of Kumamoto, where the whiskey is distilled, along with volcanic lava symbolizing the region's rich soil in which the rice used to make the spirit grows, and delicate cherry blossoms - part of the nature that inspired Woods to open her company in 2015. Now as one of the only Asian American women in the liquor industry, Woods is also expanding her reach and brand into the art community. As part of that, and to celebrate Asian American Heritage Month, she collaborated with Ito, she says, to "explore heritage, resilience, and the spirit of craft through a new short film inspired by Kikori's roots in Japan. Kikori is proud to support creative voices like Greg's and champion stories that celebrate culture with heart and purpose."Ito's wife and young daughter were in attendance at the event. The little girl's favorite rocks were part of her daddy's installation. As the evening came to a close, Woods made the announcement that Kikori had made a $10,000 donation to the JACCC a vital donation that will fund their ikebana program, as well as other creative workshops. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
_2025_05_29_11_53_45.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
In Greenhills, Hashi Pan-Asian serves food that's almost like a honeymoon of flavors
There are chapters in your family's love story that deserve more than buffet lines and dim lighting. We were going to celebrate my grandparents' platinum wedding anniversary (yes, 72 years like a long-running K-drama plot) and my parents' sapphire one so we wanted a place that felt familiar with the kind of quiet charm that befits the steadiness of my loved ones' relationships. Then I found out about Hashi Pan-Asian Restaurant on the 3rd floor of Greenhills Mall. A quick look at the menu shows majority of the dishes are Japanese-inspired, Hashi also offers Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese selections. Don't get fooled by the wood and marble interiors that feel like an upscale dining area of a posh hotel. Each dish is quite affordable and offers bang for the buck. Hashi's aesthetic quietly beckons to families who prefer intimate celebrations to Gen Z professionals who bask in the quiet elegance that modern restaurants offer. Owner Frederick 'Erick' Tuazon, a visionary who splits his time between Sweden and the Philippines, launched the flagship restaurant in Venice Grand Canal Mall in 2017. Its expansion into Greenhills, a dynamic food district, was a strategic move. 'We wanted each location to carry a thematic identity, ambiance and menu should work together. Greenhills gave us that opportunity,' Erick says. A Culinary Vow Renewal From the first plate served, our celebration being lunch and became a full-on culinary reception. Moving forward intentionally Erick isn't here for the flash. 'One to two branches per year,' he said of his expansion plans as 'I care about consistency.' Just like any lasting marriage, he knows that longevity isn't about speed, it's about showing up with consistency, and this is how he treats his business. 'I don't want 30 or 40 locations where guests can't expect the same experience. I want our guests to return and find the exact same quality, flavor, and service they fell in love with,' he added. So, whether you're celebrating decades of marriage or simply craving something soulful, drive to Greenhills and let Hashi Pan-Asian Restaurant remind you what coming home tastes like. — LA, GMA Integrated News Hashi Pan-Asian 3/F Greenhills Mall, San Juan. +63285110725
Hype Malaysia
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Giorgio Armani, YSL, Longines & More: New Fashion & Beauty Drops To Level Up Your Style & Glow!
Freshen up your style and skincare with six new launches that bring effortless cool and easy glow-ups to your everyday routine. From sleek shoes to must-have beauty picks, these simple upgrades pack a big style punch. Giorgio Armani Step into minimalist heaven with Giorgio Armani's Spring/Summer 2025 men's shoe collection. Soft suede meets iconic black mesh in clean silhouettes that fuse Japanese-inspired geometry with Italian finesse. Whether you're sliding into lace less pairs for effortless sophistication or lacing up for that low-key edge, the season's palette – black, white, sand, and that signature greige – is pure quiet luxury grounded in style. Find the Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2025 men's shoes now at Giorgio Armani boutiques and selected retailers. Innisfree When your skin's acting up and the heat is on full blast, Innisfree has your back. Their limited-edition Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask in Cool Mint Chocolate is like a mini ice cream break for your face. Packed with Jeju Volcanic Cluster Spheres™ and inspired by everyone's fave summer dessert (yes, mint chocolate!), this mask cools and calms while soaking up oily chaos. Grab the Cool Mint Chocolate mask for RM75 (100ml) at all Innisfree stores and online while stocks last – don't let it melt away. Longines Longines Conquest, your new everyday watch that's as versatile as your weekend plans. Sizes range from dainty 30 mm to bold 41 mm, with styles featuring stainless steel, gold accents, and even mother-of-pearl dials with diamond indexes. Sporty charm meets sophisticated flair, making it the perfect wrist companion for workdays and nights out alike. The expanded Longines Conquest collection will be available in various sizes and styles from mid-2025 at authorised Longines retailers and online. The Ordinary Sun protection just got a serious glow-up. The Ordinary's UV Filters SPF 45 Serum is lightweight, white cast-free, and slides into your skincare routine like it was made for you. With broad-spectrum UVA and UVB defense, it shields against sun damage and premature aging while keeping your skin hydrated and glowing. If you've been searching for fuss-free, effective sunscreen that feels more like skincare than makeup, meet your new holy grail. Launching 29th May at Sephora stores and online, priced at SG$34 (~RM120). Ready to protect your skin without the heavy, sticky feel? Carrera Carrera's Spring/Summer 2025 Women's Collection is here to turn heads and set trends with a fearless blend of bold design and Italian craftsmanship. Oversized rimless flattops, chic butterfly frames, and sleek optical options strike the perfect balance between edgy modernity and timeless elegance. Whether you want standout sunnies or sleek specs, Carrera's got the confident style to own every moment. The Carrera Spring/Summer 2025 collection is now available at select stores and online. YSL Beauty YSL Beauty's LIBRE L'Eau Nue brings the Mediterranean sun right to your skin. This fresh, luminous scent mixes juicy green mandarin, Calabrian bergamot, and rare Moroccan orange blossom in a radiant oil-in-water formula that feels more like skincare than perfume. Housed in a sleek white ceramic bottle dripping with couture vibes, it's freedom, glow, and elegance all in one summer essential. LIBRE L'Eau Nue is available now at YSL counters nationwide and online.
FACT
5 days ago
- FACT
30 hotel destinations to indulge in for the perfect Eid Al Adha escape
Visit these lavish resorts in the Indian Ocean, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Make the most of the elongated Eid weekend with a luxurious trip. Enjoy sweet spa deals, plunge into glorious pools or expand your palette with some world-class international cuisine. Whatever you're looking for, FACT has a luxe place in mind for you – these are the best hotels for an Eid Al Adha escape this June. Maldives Alila Kothaifaru Maldives Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is great for honeymooners – it's in a largely untouched part of the Maldives, which makes for a more secluded stay. Located a 45-minute seaplane journey from Malé, on the northern edge of Raa Atoll. The property boasts 44 beachfront villas and 36 overwater villas, all of which have pools and a sun deck. While the treetop spa adds to the castaway vibes. Snorkellers and divers will be drawn to the location, as it has marine life ranging from colourful coral to manta rays. Plus, excursions are available to Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The restaurants range from Mediterranean cuisine at Seasalt to Japanese-inspired flavours at Umami. GO: Visit for more information. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa has captured the spirit of a Maldivian village. The resort boasts 96 beach and water villas, and dining options to suit every palate from Asian to Western food. Activities include snorkelling, jet skiing, and shark and dolphin excursions. The Romance in Paradise is available from 3 to 28 February and offers 10 per cent off the bed and breakfast rate. The package includes breakfast and dinner, a 90-minute massage and a Dolphin Cruise or Sunset Fishing Cruise for two at one of the world's most secluded Valentine's Day hotels. GO: Visit for more information. Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort and Spa Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort and Spa is a top-notch, family-friendly resort. Situated in North Malé Atoll, it's a 20-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport. What sets this apart is that it's an all-villa resort, and all 109 rooms come with a pool. The resort describes itself as a family-friendly getaway, as there are villas that can sleep up to six people. Plus, it boasts a kids club, children's pool and rooftop lounge for teenagers. GO: Visit for more information. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives This Eid Al-Adha, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives will be collaborating with Facette Facial Bar, a premium skincare atelier. From 1 June 2025 onwards, the stunning Ritz-Carlton Spa will host Facette's exclusive high-tech treatments. Treatments available include The Supernova Facial, a three-in-one ritual that exfoliates, oxygenates, and infuses the skin for a radiant glow, and for men, The Supernova X provides a dynamic treatment using Geneo X technology, designed to enhance the male complexion. To experience this and more, visit the esteemed Ritz-Carlton Maldives for the ideal Eid getaway. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. Mauritius One&Only Le Saint Géran One&Only Le Saint Géran has an impressive reputation in Mauritius. In 1975, the hotel opened. In 2017, it underwent a $55 million refurbishment and in 2024, essential enhancements were made. One&Only Le Saint Géran is the stuff that island dreams are made of. It's grand without being pretentious and friendly without being in your face. Drawing inspiration from old sugar cane factories, it feels like it has always been a part of the island. One&Only Le Saint Géran is home to 142 rooms and suites. The rooms range from a Lagoon Room to a Beach Front Balcony Room to a Beach Front Balcony Suite. Plus, if you're seeking a splurge, there is a standalone two-bedroom villa. GO: Visit for more information. Shangri-La Le Touessrok If you are thinking of a chic beach resort with a little taste of the island lifestyle, then Shanghai-La Le Touessrok is the place for you in Mauritius. You can choose from a range of luxury rooms, suites or beach villas, but the hotel also has a selection of esteemed restaurants and bars, meaning you don't have to look far for top dining experiences. Making things even better is the resort's prime location on Trou d'Eau Douce Bay. Bonus tip: Be sure to take the short boat ride to Ile aux Cerfs Leisure Island and spend the day. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. Oman Alila Hinu Bay Alila Hinu Bay draws inspiration from the rich Omani heritage, blending with the local culture and breathtaking landscape. Thoughtful design elements frame spectacular views of the sea and lagoon from the rooms and villas (some with private pools), emphasising the resort's connection to nature. Indulge in culinary delights at Seasalt, which serves up sustainably harvested seafood specialities sourced from Mirbat's traditional fishing port. The resort is ideally located for exploring the surrounding landscape, including the waterfalls of Wadi Darbat, the Tawi Atair Sinkhole, and Khor Rori, the largest nature reserve in the area. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. Mandarin Oriental Muscat Set in the prestigious Shatti Al Qurum district, Mandarin Oriental Muscat offers views of the Arabian Sea and Hajar Mountains. Designed to reflect Omani culture with a contemporary twist, the hotel features 150 elegantly designed rooms and suites, each with private balconies. The hotel's restaurants serve everything from Italian cuisine to creative Mediterranean-Asian fusion dishes. The hotel also boasts a serene outdoor pool, a luxury spa, and an exclusive beachfront setting, making it a perfect retreat for relaxation and indulgence. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. The Chedi Muscat Visit The Chedi for a sophisticated Eid Al-Adha this year, and enjoy their holiday offer. This entails a four-course set menu at The Restaurant, featuring a fusion of both local and international specialities. Each dish is lovingly crafted to give you a high-end culinary experience for the best Eid possible. Their open-show kitchens allow you to take a peek into what the behind-the-scenes look like, inviting diners to make the most of their stay. GO: Visit for more information. The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort is an exquisite luxury retreat set along Oman's pristine coastline, offering a perfect blend of modern elegance and Arabian charm. The resort features 250 beautifully designed rooms and suites, each offering stunning views of the beach or the lush fairways of the Al Mouj Golf Club. A true haven for relaxation, the resort boasts a serene private beach, two swimming pools, and a world-class Guerlain spa. Dining options include nine signature restaurants, including the renowned Hakkasan, known for its contemporary Cantonese flavours, and Roberto's, an Italian fine dining hotspot. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. W Muscat Visit W Mucsat for a lavish stay in Muscat by Shatti Al Qurum beachfront, and unwind in one of their 279 luxury hotel rooms where classic Omani heritage fuses with contemporary design. Escape there for Eid al-Adha weekend, and make the most of their special offer whilst enjoying a stay filled with trendy culinary experiences. Their offer includes a complimentary breakfast and a special Eid Al-Adha dinner for two at HARVEST, early check-in and late check-out and more. GO: Visit for more information. Saudi Arabia Desert Rock Resort Enjoy astounding mountain views with Eid discounts at Desert Rock Resort. Get two complimentary nights with every five consecutive paid nights, for a minimum stay of seven nights, and breakfast included. Alternatively, receive one complimentary night with every three consecutive paid nights, for a minimum stay of four nights, including breakfast. Kick back and relax in a rock-hewn retreat, and make the most of your long weekend. GO: Visit for more information. Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Red Sea Just off Saudi Arabia on the Ummahat Islands, Nujama (meaning 'stars' in Arabic) is an untouched haven in the Red Sea region. Coming in hot with an Eid al-Adha package, the esteemed hotel is offering daily breakfast and dinner for two, as well as dining experiences such as Arabian Surf & Turf at SITA Restaurant on June 7 and Beach Dinner Under the Stars on June 8. Additionally, save 20 per cent on invigorating treatments at their award-winning Neyrah Spa. GO: Visit for more information. Shebara Resort With gorgeous scenery ranging from mountain peaks to island shores, experience this rest with 20 per cent off your stay this Eid al-Adha. From 29 May to 14 June, book four nights with the fourth night complimentary or book seven nights, including two nights complimentary. Perfect for a romantic getaway, Shebara Resort is the place to be for a retreat under the stars or in crystal-clear waters. GO: Visit for more information. Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea Spend your long weekend in the magnificent sands of the desert at Six Senses Southern Dunes, a 45-minute drive from the coast. For a minimum two night stay, visitors can benefit from 10 per cent savings on room rates and complimentary daily breakfast, SAR 500 spa credit, One Earth Lab activity per stay – choose between candle or soap making, a hands-on experience for all ages, early check-in and late check-out, a movie night at the Community Lounge with complimentary popcorn for kids and additional savings. GO: Visit for more information. Seychelles L'Escale Resort Marina & Spa Despite being one of the new hotels on the block, L'Escale Resort Marina and Spa is already making a name for itself, as it is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The charming hotel is on Mahé Island and has 25 guest rooms. The rooms include suites and villas with a mountain or ocean view. Plus, selected suites and villas include a personalised butler service. The spa offers massages, facials and more, and features a hammam, steam room and sauna. If you're travelling by superyacht, you'll be pleased to hear that this is the only hotel in the Seychelles that can cater to this mode of transportation. GO: Visit for more information. Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts You know you're in for a luxurious experience, as Mango House Seychelles is part of Hilton's LXR Hotels & Resorts. The location was once the Italian photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri's residence, and it has now been turned into a 41-room boutique resort. The accommodation ranges from rooms, suites and villas to beachfront residences with pools. The rooms all feature classic four-poster beds and balconies with stunning views. Excursions are given an upgrade: enjoy a private tour in a glass-bottom boat, hike the rocky coastline path of Anse Major Beach, take a scenic helicopter tour and go with a park ranger to explore native wildlife. GO: Visit for more information. Waldolf Astoria, Platte Island, Seychelles Cast your Robinson Crusoe fantasies aside. The latest ode to barefoot luxury is the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, which opened in 2024 on a private island. The hotel redefines tranquillity and elevates indulgence to an art form. It includes 50 sea-facing villas, each designed to reflect the island's natural surroundings. Waldorf Astoria Spa offers a curated menu of rejuvenating treatments inspired by ancient traditions. La Perle is a Mediterranean brasserie where fresh, locally sourced seafood shines from breakfast to dinner. The uber-luxe locale makes for one of the best Valentine's Day hotels. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. UAE Address Beach Resort The Address Beach Resort is offering a limited offer of 40 per cent off all room types for bookings made between 29 to 31 May 2025. With no blackout dates, you have the flexibility to book your trip anytime until 30 September. Furthermore, guests will have access to the world's highest outdoor infinity pool, panoramic spa views on the 75th floor and a secluded part of Jumeirah Beach at their doorstep. GO: Visit for more information. Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa For the ultimate desert escape, Al Wathba has it all, with full-board dining at all resort restaurants, unlimited house beverages, a FlowRider experience, archery sessions, complimentary snacks and a fully stocked mini-bar. Plus, complimentary stay and dining for children under 12, access to Saray Spa and fitness centre facilities and more. Available from 1 May to 30 September 2025. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr This gorgeous beach resort on Abu Dhabi Creek is the ideal getaway for an Eid Al Adha escape. With stunning views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, guests can enjoy up to 20 per cent off their stay. The offer includes the breakfast buffet at CuiScene, pool and beachside access and more. Guests can also receive 10 per cent off for two nights, 15 per cent off for three to four nights, and 20 per cent off for more than five nights. Available from 15 May to 15 September 2025. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates The Kempinski Hotel in Barsha is connected to Mall of the Emirates, an estimated 650+ steps away from all the best shops, world-class restaurants and family-friendly entertainment at Ski Dubai. With their 'Stay Longer and Save' Eid deal, visitors can get up to 20 per cent off for stays of seven nights or more, or 15 per cent off for four to six nights. The offer runs from 5 to 8 June 2025. GO: Visit for more information. Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara This Eid, visit Qasr Al Sarab for a secluded trip to the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. With 140 rooms, 14 suites and 53 pool villas, this hotel allows visitors to escape the never-ending heat and cool down in the dunes of the desert. Explore the site with desert adventures and unwind with a Moroccan hammam and desert spa rituals for the perfect long weekend. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert Escape the heat and take refuge at a private pool villa overlooking desert landscapes. With temperatures typically cooler than the city, the 100-villa resort offers everything from signature in-villa dining to transformative spa and wellness experiences alongside an unparalleled choice of adventure activities and wildlife encounters. Experience a full moon camel ride, gaze at the stars, indulge in some pampering or visit the Zuma pop-up. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. Rosewood Abu Dhabi Immerse yourself in the highest levels of luxury and enjoy fabulous facilities, dining options and views over the glittering waters of Al Maryah Island at Rosewood Abu Dhabi this Eid. Those looking to enhance their Eid Al Adha escape can visit The Galleria for luxury shopping and its collection of upscale restaurants, from La Petite Maison and COYA to Nusr-Et and Zuma. Their Eid offer includes luxury accommodation, a USD 100 hotel credit per stay to be used on dining or wellness treatments, and complimentary wireless internet access. The offer is valid until 1 September 2025. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri For a guaranteed great long weekend, visit the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi and delight in their Eid offers. From 5 May to 31 August 2025, the establishment has a daily buffet breakfast at Sofra bld and a choice of one exclusive experience per night of stay – The Art of Chocolate (Eat), Spritz and Sail (Play) or A Soleful Escape (Love). With modern facilities paired with Arabian architecture, guests can further enjoy views of the Khor Al Maqta creek and take a traditional abra boat through the waterways, where they can shop at the souk. GO: Visit for reservations and more information. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Escape to luxury at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort and immerse yourself in island tranquillity with a pristine 9km stretch of protected beach. The resort boasts a collection of luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, all featuring expansive bathrooms and private terraces with ocean panoramas. Unwind at the spa, which offers a fusion of traditional treatments and modern techniques. Take a dip in one of the outdoor pools or dine at one of the marvellous onsite restaurants, including Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi, MAZI and Sontaya. GO: Visit for more information. Waldorf Astoria DIFC If you're looking for an elegant Eid holiday, Waldorf Astoria DIFC is the place to stay. With rooms starting from AED 850++ per night, visitors can get 20 per cent off all food and drinks. This city escape also includes 20 per cent off all spa treatments at the Waldorf Astoria Spa, a free room upgrade (if available) and a late checkout at 4pm so you can enjoy that much-desired lie-in. The offer runs from 5 to 8 June 2025. GO: Visit for more information. Zanzibar Bamboo Zanzibar Bamboo Zanzibar is great for grown-ups. The hotel is a little piece of luxury in Jambiani, which is 450 metres from Jambiani Beach. The venue only has 10 ocean view suites – the rooms are doubles, and there are no twin or triple rooms. Guests must be at least 15 years old. The fine dining restaurant offers seafood, salads and traditional Zanzibar curries. Plus, there's a private beach, outdoor swimming pool and barbecue facilities. GO: Visit for more information. The Zanzibella Hotel & Spa The Zanzibella Hotel and Spa opened at the start of 2022 and is located in Kiwengwa. It's more on the rustic side and includes rooms with a balcony and sea view, plus suites with a kitchenette. Moyo Restauracja & Bar sources its ingredients locally to create Zanzibar-inspired dishes. When you want to unwind, enjoy spa treatments on the beach – choose from Swedish massages to facials that draw on Japanese kobido techniques. GO: Visit for more information.
Business of Fashion
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business of Fashion
The Business of Ballerina Farm
MIDWAY, UTAH — Many who stumble upon Hannah Neeleman on TikTok find themselves asking one question after they've spent a bit of time admiring her photogenic farm life: How on earth does she find the time to bake so much homemade bread while raising eight kids? Neeleman chalks it up to meal planning and plenty of advanced prep. But when it comes to Ballerina Farm, the lifestyle brand she launched with husband David Daniel Neeleman, she's enlisted a staff of 60, including multiple chefs, to develop her brand's growing array of food, home, body and wellness products. 'It definitely doesn't happen without a team behind you,' said Neeleman while serving cups of homemade buttermilk at a preview of her brand's new store in May. The Ballerina Farm Store opens in mid-June in the 6,000-person town of Midway, about half an hour south of Utah's ritzy Park City ski area. With a Japanese-inspired charred wood exterior and reclaimed barnwood floors, it has the sort of upscale rustic charm that's equally at home in rural Utah, or a hip shopping street in Los Angeles' Silver Lake neighbourhood. The store sells everything from the brand's Farmer Protein Powder with colostrum to soap made from sourdough crumbs and pig lard, as well as dairy products of the pasteurised variety. A sign on the wall promotes raw milk, which they sell at their farm stand. ADVERTISEMENT Many products are inspired by — and sometimes sourced from — her family farm. Others are imported. Customers can buy cardamom apricot amaretti and ginger rhubarb strawberry kombucha at an in-store cafe counter, or purchase 20th-century Belgian art. 'We've just had fun bringing in beautiful products that are the best in the world,' Neeleman said during the tour. 'Our French salt — I fell in love with salt when we went to France three years ago.' A former Juilliard ballet student who gave up her dance career to buy and run a family farm with her husband, Neeleman's idyllic content has attracted nearly 22 million followers across social platforms. On TikTok, the hashtag #ballerinafarm is up to 2.5 billion views. That hashtag will bring you to a mix of Neeleman's own videos, depicting milking sheep or rolling dough, but also an ecosystem of fans and critics who react to her every move, whether it's receiving an egg apron from her husband or competing in a beauty pageant two weeks after having a baby. With their massive and highly engaged online audience locked in, the Neelemans are moving fast to expand Ballerina Farm into a real-world lifestyle empire. There's the new store, and 20 employees hired in the last four months. Its bestselling Farmer Protein Powder will be stocked at New York's Happier Grocery, the Big Apple's answer to Erewhon, in June. The Neelemans want to create an agritourism site complete with hospitality and an event space. They say the business is profitable, while declining to share sales numbers. The Ballerina Farm Store in Midway, Utah. (Ballerina Farm) Ballerina Farm already has the hallmarks of some of the biggest and trendiest lifestyle brands on the market, with a farm-themed twist. Its product lineup and price points (that protein powder retails for $67 a bag) are similar to brands like Flamingo Estate, while Neeleman's cooking videos evoke an even more industrious Martha Stewart, who follows her on Instagram (viewers can try their luck at home with Ballerina Farm's $89 sourdough kit). TikTok especially has given Ballerina Farms instant access to a global fandom, most of whom have no intention of milking their own cows. Los Angeles is the top city for e-commerce orders, while 62.5 percent of Hannah's social media followers are outside the United States, according to Daniel Neeleman. ADVERTISEMENT Hustle Agriculture As avid followers know, the Neelemans married three months after their first date, in 2011. Two years later, the twosome were raising goats in Brazil, which sparked the idea for Ballerina Farm 1.0. 'We wanted the farm to make money; we wanted to be able to support ourselves,' said Hannah Neeleman. Daniel left his job as a director at Vigzul, a home security company started by his father, JetBlue founder David Neeleman, and by 2017, the couple was raising pigs in Utah. They turned to social media to promote their new artisanal meat business, gaining a niche following of customers and fellow farmers. 'When we were first starting [on] Instagram, we had a lot of homesteaders that followed us, because we were really in the thick of building things — our first milk cows and building chicken coops,' said Hannah Neeleman. But it wasn't until the pandemic that she became a mainstream success. 'I remember not more than a week going by when someone was like, 'You're exploding on TikTok,'' she said of the account that is now up to 9.8 million followers. Her Instagram following, which was at 443,000 in January 2022, grew to 8.3 million by January 2024. Media attention raised her profile even more. A viral July 2024 profile of her life in the UK's Sunday Times was followed by appearances in The New York Times, Glamour and other publications. (Neeleman hasn't welcomed all of the attention, calling the Sunday Times profile an 'attack' in a video posted shortly after it ran). Each piece sparked a firestorm of online discussion, as audiences obsessed over her life path and marriage, which ballooned into broader debates about whether her content implicitly supported 'tradwife' ideology, especially after she was featured in a 59-page spread in Evie, a publication aimed at conservative women. A representative said the feature 'was not intended as a political statement.' ADVERTISEMENT All that attention and world-building elevates Neeleman to a category of fame beyond social media influencers, and into the realm of mass-market celebrities, said James Nord, founder of influencer marketing agency Fohr. The logical next step would be a reality show. Daniel Neeleman says they've been offered 'dozens' of opportunities, but haven't signed onto one yet. 'Never say never,' he said. The Simple Life The day before the store preview, Hannah Neeleman led a tour of her family's newly built 150-cow dairy. She discussed the finer points of manure collection (she said a robotic 'manure roomba' gathers it), shared her views on the virtues of raw milk and described the best type of feed for optimising cream content. The Neelemans produce a portion of what they sell, and they refer to Ballerina Farm's brand ethos as 'close living' — sourcing locally and homeschooling their children to help on the farm. As demand has grown, so has their supply chain. The handmade soap is made by a neighbour; the protein powder sources whey from Ireland. 'We're limited; we're a small farm,' said Daniel Neeleman. 'We have to lean on other farms to help supply us.' Even as they expand into product categories like wellness that can be shipped internationally in large quantities, there remain 'products that we'll probably never be able to scale, and we love that,' said Hannah Neeleman. One of the main ones: their raw milk, which can't be sold outside their own store, per health regulations. The brand's website says customers need to sign a waiver to buy it, and a required disclaimer on the vintage-style bottles warns that it 'can be unsafe.' The success of the brand hinges on how many followers tuning into Ballerina Farm out of aspiration, drama — or the combination of both — will end up placing orders for products. The Neelemans, meanwhile, remain practical about their ambitions. 'We're not trying to go public. We're not trying to franchise. We're not trying to be in every gas station and every grocery store,' said Daniel Neeleman. 'That isn't really what makes us excited. We like to keep things small and special, and that's kind of where we're at right now.'
