Latest news with #hostess
Condé Nast Traveler
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
Are Fashion and Hospitality Collabs Reaching a Tipping Point?
It took me a minute to find the entrance to Sushi Park at the flagship location of Saint Laurent in Paris, along Rue Saint-Honoré. Dark and unassuming, it looked more like the staff entry to the store than a gateway to an upscale Japanese restaurant. But then an elegant hostess clad in a little black dress led me down a dimly lit flight of stairs to an omakase restaurant done in dark woods and clean lines, dimly lit by light fixtures in abstract shapes. The space was minimalist, buzzing with an army of servers all dressed in casual-smart Saint Laurent. Ten first-rate courses of nigiri unfolded at a comfortable pace, as the chefs and servers moved in perfect harmony to feed a style-conscious crowd. It was a dining experience that rivaled a meal at any of the most coveted Parisian restaurants—and yet an addition to the Saint Laurent brand that I initially found to be entirely unnecessary. So why did they do it? The crossover of luxury fashion houses into the hospitality realm is nothing new. In the 1970s and '80s, Elio Fiorucci's New York City flagship store was described as a 'daytime Studio 54,' a hub for fashion, art, and social interaction where a coffee counter and bar were a highlight (also, Andy Warhol had free office space there). In 1995, supermodels Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson, and Claudia Schiffer launched the bygone Fashion Cafe at Rockefeller Plaza. Palazzo Versace, located on Australia's Gold Coast, was the first hotel branded after a fashion designer when it opened in 2000. A meal at Sushi Park rivaled an evening at any of the most coveted Parisian restaurants Kristen Pelou/Sushi Park At the minimalist Sushi Park restaurant, servers are all dressed in casual-smart Saint Laurent. Kristen Pelou/Sushi Park In the decades since, designer labels have claimed more and more enduring spaces in the worlds of food, hospitality, and travel. Gucci Osteria, a collaboration with star chef Massimo Bottura, opened in Florence in 2018 and expanded to four outposts across three continents. Louis Vuitton launched a glamorous, fully-branded lounge-within-a-lounge at Doha International Airport in 2022. Dior now has two branded spas in Paris and has opened a wellness retreat on the French Riviera. This year already, in 2025, Saint Laurent imported Sushi Park from Los Angeles to Paris; Prada engaged the Hong Kongese filmmaker Wong Kar-wai in the design of its brand new Mi Shang restaurant in Shanghai. That's all without including the limited-edition collaborations between fashion brands and hotels that come and go with the seasons. Burberry has been taking up residence at The Newt in Somerset this summer; Lacoste has installed itself at the Shangri-la Paris until October; a new Missoni Resort Club has popped up in Cali Mykonos in Greece. The point remains: This trend is not totally new—and yet seems to be reaching a zenith. The proposition is simple enough: Create a brand destination for everyone, whether locals or tourists, to visit. These built spaces bring to life a highly-curated world that exemplifies the brand—the slinky chicness of Saint Laurent's Sushi Park, the iconic heritage of Tiffany's at the Blue Box Cafe in London, Ralph Lauren's Americana at the long-standing Polo Bar in New York City. Sure, they give designer devotees a reason to visit and shop at the adjoining boutiques. But for guests to even just linger and gather nearby, soaking up the brand's aura, is a win for their marketing teams. It cultivates a relationship between the label and a potential customer. And while not everyone has the budget for a $6,000 Louis Vuitton mini Capucines bag, a trip to the Louis Vuitton Café for a hot chocolate ($11) or an eclair ($14) is—comparatively—more accessible. These products come with the LV logo too, easily captured and posted on social media, amplifying the brand's voice and reach. Small swag items that brand fans can purchase, from Saint Laurent stamped lighters to Dior water bottles, serve a similar purpose.
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Baby Shower Speech Examples to Make Hosting & Toasting a Breeze
A baby shower is an important event in the life of the mom-to-be, so it's frequently the setting of a special speech. Whether you're the mother-to-be, the hostess, or a guest with something special to say, using a sample can help you with writing the baby shower speech and presenting your words. That way, you can confidently speak from the heart and give an impressive toast. Often, a baby shower hostess gives a short speech to welcome the guests and honor the mom-to-be. There are no set rules for this speech, but it helps to prepare a few words ahead of time. The right speech can put everyone at ease and make the mother-to-be feel truly special. What to Include As the hostess, there are a few things you may want to include in your shower speech: Mention the mother-to-be by name. Briefly discuss how you know the guest of honor. Offer thanks to any other hostesses of the shower. Take a moment to welcome everyone to the event. Example Speech Welcome to [name of mother-to-be's] baby shower! I'm so glad you could all come to help us celebrate the arrival of this new little [boy or girl]. I've known [mother-to-be] for [amount of time], ever since [give circumstances of your meeting]. [Mother-to-be] is going to make a fantastic mom. She has the tenderness to care for a newborn, the sense of humor necessary to endure the terrible twos, and the strength to make it through the teen years. What's more, she has great instincts, which will guide her in making choices for her baby, no matter how many sleepless nights she's had. Thanks again for being here on this special day. Help yourself to some refreshments and a drink, and we'll get started with a few fun shower games. Related: Whether the hostess makes a speech or not, it's perfectly appropriate for the mom-to-be to say a few words of thanks to the guests. If you want to speak at your baby shower, simply let the hostess know ahead of time. Then she can gather everyone to listen when you're ready to stand up. What to Include Although there are no requirements about the mom-to-be's speech, you may want to include the following elements: Thank the hostess or hostesses for the event. Thank the guests for coming and sharing your joy. Mention your little one and any details you are willing to reveal, such as the due date, the gender, or the name. Example Speech I just wanted to take a moment to thank [hostess] for hosting such a wonderful baby shower to welcome our little one. It means so much to me that all of you were able to come today and celebrate with me. Having a new baby can be really overwhelming, but this event makes me feel so supported and loved. There are so many great moms here today. I especially admire the parenting skills of [mention a few people by name]. I am glad to have your example as I get ready to parent our little [boy, girl, or baby] in a few [weeks, months]. You can be sure I'll be calling all of you up with questions! Thanks again for coming today! Anyone at the shower who wishes to be included could give a speech welcoming the new baby. If the mom-to-be or hostess doesn't feel comfortable giving a speech to the crowd, she can assign someone else to give a general speech geared toward the baby. What to Include If you aren't necessarily a family member and may be speaking for the group, these are good elements to include: Briefly discuss how you know the new parents-to-be. Mention the baby's name, astrological sign, or personality traits evidenced by womb activity to make it feel personal. Use "We" instead of "I" and make it a welcome message on behalf of the whole group. Need to Know Though baby showers are often about supporting the expectant parent, that same expectant parent probably loves to chat about the baby. So you don't have to feel awkward addressing the little one. Example Speech If you can hear me in there, [baby's name, little one], we can't wait to welcome you into the world! I'm [your name], and [describe your relationship to baby]. You might not be able to tell, but you are already so loved and admired. We can already tell you're going to be an energetic little [boy or girl] thanks to all those strong kicks your mom has let us feel! Every person in this room has unique gifts to share with you throughout your life. You will undoubtedly have many unique gifts to impart to us as well. We can't wait to see your beautiful face and hold your tiny hands. Welcome to this world, our family, and your new home with [parent's names]. Related: If you're hosting a co-ed or couple shower, make sure to include both parents in at least one speech during the shower. This is a great way for other guests at the shower to take part in the event. What to Include This type of speech can be silly or sentimental, but should probably address: Briefly discuss how you know the new parents-to-be. Mention both parents-to-be by name. Offer thanks to the shower hosts. Example Speech Hi everyone, I'm [name and relationship to parents-to-be]. [New parent's names], having one of something, such as chocolate, is better than having none. Two things that just can't work without each other, like peanut butter and jelly, make life better. But, groups of things, like a family, you can't live without. Each of you started out fine on your own, but life got better when you found each other. Now your family group is growing and I'm sure you can't imagine life without your new little bundle of joy. Here's to a lifetime full of happiness for all of you together! And thank you [host names] for allowing me the chance to make my life better by sharing this moment with all of you. When the parents-to-be have tight-knit families, other family members might want to give speeches at the shower too. This is a joyous event for the new parents and their current children, but it's also an exciting time for close friends and family members. Make sure everyone feels included by opening the floor for comments from the crowd and ask each person to keep their speech to two or three minutes. What to Include Start with an explanation of who you are in relation to the new baby then offer brief congratulations or sentiments including: Briefly discuss how you know the parents-to-be. Thank the hostess and new mom for letting you be included. Express your wishes for the new baby and family. Example Speech From Sister As [mom-to-be's name's] sister, I know firsthand what a great mom she will be. Whenever I was hurt or needed a shoulder to cry on, she was there. Whenever I hit developmental milestones that scared me, she told me how to deal. My wish for you, little [baby name] is that I'll be as good of an aunt as your mom was a sister. Thank you for sharing this epic moment of your life with me, sis. Example Speech From Sister-In-Law I wasn't lucky enough to be born into [mom-to-be's name's] life like this precious baby will be. But, I can tell you as her sister-in-law that it doesn't matter how you know [mom-to-be's name]. She'll treat you like family either way. Your generous heart and loving spirit are all this baby needs to succeed in life. I may not have been born your sister, but I'm sure glad this little [guy, girl, child] will be born my [niece, nephew, little one to love]! I promise to love them as you have loved me, unconditionally. I truly appreciate the opportunity to share in this glorious time with you. Quick Tip If you're hosting the baby shower, reach out to close family members and friends ahead of time to see if they want to prepare something to say. Example Speech From Grandma-to-Be On the day you were born, [mom-to-be's first name], I was promoted to the rank of Mom. Not every woman achieves this honor, and I'm glad to have experienced it. Without trying you showed me what love truly looks like. Now, when your baby is born, I'll be promoted again to the highest honor a woman can hope for, Grandma. Thank you for bestowing these honors upon me, I will be forever grateful. Your baby shower speech doesn't need to be perfect; what matters most is that you're making the mom-to-be feel loved and supported. As you write and deliver your speech, keep the following tips in mind: Specific, personal stories are almost always a hit. Talk about the first time you met the mom-to-be or the moment you got that positive pregnancy test. Guests will remember these anecdotes. Use appropriate humor to put everyone at ease. Gentle teasing or jokes about baby care can make guests smile. Keep your speech short. Limit yourself to a couple of minutes to keep everyone's attention and allow them to enjoy the other parts of the event. Point to the future. A baby shower is all about the arrival of a new baby, so mention your hopes and dreams for the mom-to-be or your anticipation about becoming a parent. Use feelings in the wording of your speech. Talking about your emotions makes the speech intimate and personal, which is perfect for a baby shower. If you're not sure what to say, consider reading a poem, a meaningful saying or quote about newborns, or a short and meaningful children's book. If you aren't giving a full speech for the baby shower, you might have the opportunity to propose a toast to the parents, the baby, or the whole family. Whether it's a baby shower punch or a fun mocktail, toast to the new bundle of joy with one of these ideas: Here's to the new little person we all can't wait to meet. A toast to two wonderful parents and a bundle of joy we are all excited to finally meet. Here's to the growing family. May your joy continue to increase. A toast to a glowing new mom and all of the wonderful memories ahead for her. Let's toast to this beautiful mother and her sweet baby. May the joy you experience in motherhood be only just beginning. A toast to you, [parent's name], you're going to be such a wonderful parent, and your little one is beyond lucky to have you. [Mom's name], here's to a lifetime of happiness as you step into motherhood. Here's to you [baby's name], we can't wait to discover who you are. Let's have a toast to [mom's name]. We all know you're going to be a wonderful mother. Related: Because there are no consistent etiquette rules surrounding baby shower speeches, you have complete freedom to write and deliver your speech in any way you like. Ultimately, if you make the hostess or guest of honor feel special and thank the guests for coming, your speech will be a success. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
People left shocked by 'absurd' requirements in resurfaced flight attendant job listing from the 1940s
A vintage flight attendant job listing from the 1940s has shocked people with its 'absurd' requirements. Posted in the Reddit forum 'OldSchoolRidiculous', the advert for Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc, (TWA) firstly required attendants to be aged between 21 to 26. Next on the list were height requirements. Wannabe cabin crew had to be taller than 5'2 and shorter than 5'6 to qualify. And if that sounds outrageous enough, the airline also stipulated that crew must weigh between 100 and 130 pounds. Applicants also needed to have one year of college education or be a registered nurse to be accepted and have good vision. And there's still one more shocking requirement. Cabin crew 'must be single', states the advert. One shocked person comments: 'Were they looking for absurdly small woman or is this one of those people used to be smaller on average sorta things? Pretty gross still, a 100 pound adult woman?!' Another person says: 'My mother was hired as a hostess by TWA despite not having had a year of college or being a registered nurse. She was what the 40's called "personality plus!"' They explain: 'In my mother's case, "personality plus" comprised indiscriminate effervescence that always favoured males. Hostesses were routinely terminated upon marriage, or upon reaching the age of 32. 'TWA even stated bluntly: "If you haven't found anyone by that age, we don't want you either". 'My mother lived on black coffee, skim milk and four packs of cigarettes a day when she was a TWA hostess, as well as afterwards, I recall.' Transcontinental & Western Air was a USA airline that operated from 1930 until it was acquired by American Airlines in 2001. Shockingly, the person even claims that their mother was 'suspended briefly' after gaining three pounds. Meanwhile, another commenter questions whether the airline was 'specifically looking for a college dropout'. However, another person explains: 'Getting hired as a flight attendant was considered an excellent reason to drop out of college back in the day, for someone who'd prefer to travel and earn a modest salary rather than pay tuition and study.' Another resurfaced United Airlines advert has similar requirements asking wannabe applicants to be 'unmarried', between 5'2 and 5'7 and not weighing anymore than 135 pounds. The advert also states that the 'starting pay is good' and flight attendants will get 'regular raises'. it comes after a flight attendant shared two forms of common passenger behaviour that 'send her over the edge' when she's having a particularly 'bad day.' Dallas-based air hostess Cher Killough, who has worked in the industry for six years, recently took to TikTok to highlight disruptive in-flight habits that often leave her 'clenching' her jaw. Sharing a video to her page, @cherdallas, the cabin crew noted she becomes frustrated when a passenger ignores crucial safety instructions because a previous flight attendant either turned a blind eye or allowed them to do so.
Washington Post
07-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Miss Manners: How does a host gracefully navigate quantity of food served?
Dear Miss Manners: When hosting a cocktail hour, how does the hostess gracefully navigate the quantity of food served? For example, if the cheese platter is reduced to a few bites, should the hostess be constantly monitoring and replenishing it, even if the planned 'hour' has passed?
