The New Old Laguna: Casa Loma Beach Hotel

October 29, 2024

After a drive down California’s coastline, the entrance to Casa Loma Beach Hotel from the street side seemed unassuming. But when we walked in, we were met with a beautifully curated space with the ocean as its backdrop. Located on Main Beach, the hotel is steps away from the cliffs and beaches Laguna is famous for. The atmosphere was relaxed but luxurious, laid-back but inviting.

Underneath an impressively large sculpture carved onto the lobby wall, we met John from Marc & Rose, the hospitality group responsible for the hotel’s renovation. While it was initially just meant to be a quick intro, in his excitement and eagerness, he couldn’t help but explain the specific design choices and partners that developed the art-focused environment: overall design by Electric Bowery; artwork by LAND; hand painted signage by Joe Swec; custom radio station curated by Uncanned. Elements that enveloped all the senses, but never overwhelmed.

This careful balance created the aura the hotel sought to encompass: what Laguna might have felt like when it was still a bohemian surf-town, attracting those who appreciated craft and nature, but in an elevated and refined way.

Text by Justine Hwang
Photos Jesper D. Lund

While most of the weekend was left free to enjoy on our own, the highlight of the opening was the immersive theater experience, performed by IAMA Theater Company. Earlier, John had alluded to the premise: a funeral for Cappy, a fictional character meant to represent the old Laguna (pre-reality tv show fame). Not being a big theater person myself, I wasn’t sold. The dress code was that of the hotel color palette: shades that were reminiscent of the surrounding landscape. After the opening act on the pool deck against the sunset over the beach, we were free to explore around the hotel, visiting each scene however we felt. After my first room / scene, I left in tears. I was completely sold.

We watched scenes of a young love blossoming, adult lovers breaking up, past loves healing old wounds. All while learning about the history of the town and interacting with the hotel spaces in an intimate way. Sitting in various rooms and suites, appreciating the hand woven tapestries and soft lighting from the organically shaped lamps. Being warmed by the fireplace on the terrace once the sun had gone down. Continuously moving between the indoors and outdoors, making nature as much of a feature as the interior.

The following morning, breakfast was served on the terrace with stunningly vast views of the ocean. We spotted dolphins following a pair of paddle boarders out on the water. While there is not much that is better than a cloudless sky full of sun and the sound of waves crashing on the shore, Casa Loma works to enhance these simple joys through all its fine details.

Culture

"Oh, to be Björk's MacBook."

May 13, 2024

Björk's DJ set was already infamous before it happened. Featuring sets from certified techno royalty Eartheater, Jlin, Mun Sing, Sega Bodega, and Shygirl in addition to two sets of her own, Björk brought everyone out to what was essentially Bushwick Coachella. For a night put on by Bowery Presents, we all showed up, rain or shine, $100 tickets or guestlist. A friend of mine told me they skipped on that week's groceries to be able to see her. We were like religious devotees, platform boots stomping through mud in an almost Biblical march. Björk's cathedral of choice? The K Bridge. "My nipples are hard," said one guest upon entry — whether it was because of the cold or excitement was unclear.

Apologies to whoever came to see DJ Björk (DJörk) spin a classic Friday night club mix: her long-awaited return to Brooklyn was clasically experimental and incomprehensible in the way that made us fall in love with her in the first place. At least in the city, her cult-following is too dedicated for her to be obscure, but her artistic choices are opaque enough for us to be hypnotized into wondering what exactly goes on in her mind. Behind me, one fan sighed, "Oh, to be Björk's MacBook," to which another responded, "She doesn't even have processing power. Her laptop just runs on dreams and, like, an elf on a treadmill."

By Izzy Capulong
Photos Santiago Felipe

My camera breaks after Björk's first set and I think she put a spell on all the tech in the area that made her impossible to photograph — which makes sense for her. All the pictures I tried to take ended up looking like found footage or Bigfoot sighting photos, but I think she wants it that way. Her masked ensemble (courtesy of Noir Kei Ninomiya and James Merry) made someone wonder aloud, "Is that even her?" While she stayed hidden for the most part, only occasionally popping out from behind leaves to erratically dance and thrash around, the Björk touch was undeniable. Who else is mixing hymns, soundbites of hysteric laughter, and Megan Thee Stallion?

Culture

Miami F1 With HUGO

May 11, 2024

There probably isn’t a better time to be in the 305 than during Formula 1 Miami. There's a blissful excitement felt across the activations, dinners, parties (and afterparties) over the weekend, all leading up to the race on Sunday, F1 cultivates an eclectic intersection where motorsport lovers, editors, celebrities, influencers, natives, come together to celebrate. Three months after announcing its partnership as the official apparel and eyewear partner of the Visa Cash App Red Bull (VCARB) F1 team, German powerhouse HUGO set up shop in Wynwood transforming UNKNWN into an all-red pop-up modeled after a traditional mechanics' workshop. The space was christened with a rowdy Boiler Room party on Friday night attended by VCARB team drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda and a slew of talent and internet celebrities (like Avantika Vandanapu, Drumaq, Gabbriette Bechtel and Swae Lee) dressed in bold black and red HUGO ensembles from the new RB collab.

Photography by Sahir Ahmed

Beyond aesthetics, with its selection of boxy oversized tees, jackets, and collaborative Alpinestars racing suits onview, the pop-up was also experiential. At the HUGO GARAGE, attendees could take photos with a life-sized replica of the VCARB car, customize their own merch with spikes and gears, design a T-shirt with a selection of screen prints and colors from artist Jordan Watts, or airbrush a HUGO scent bottle. There was also a F1-inspired arcade-style racing set up by LOVE RACING and where attendees could compete in races by remotely controlling miniature cars to see who could achieve the fastest lap. But of course, at any Boiler Room event, it all comes back to the music. DJ sets by Sel. 6, El Gusano, and V1FRO, and performances by La Goony Chonga and Ivy Queen amped us up for the weekend in just a few hours. The outside bar pumping out drinks and Cuban snacks: empanadas, croquettas, and mini-Cuban sandwiches, kept us fed and hydrated. Not even a five minute rain shower could stop people from crowding the decks to dance.

Images courtesy Hugo Boss

As Saturday came in, HUGO didn't miss a beat in keeping the momentum going, partnering with AFROFUTURE to close out the weekend with a festival that honored Miami's Afro-Caribbean influence. There were DJ sets by TxC, Ethan Thomas, MC Lolahsti and a performance by Afrobeats artist Victony. Then came the main event on Sunday, HUGO and a select group geared up to support VCARB racers Daniel and Yuki. It was bittersweet when McLaren crossed the finish line first.

Here's a peek at what went down night one below.

Culture

We Are Ona Is Back in NY

Try it for yourself before the pop-up closes up. The restaurant will be open for a 6-course lunch and 8-course dinner service from May 3rd through 12th.

Reservations can be made here. ‘Hard Copy’ curated by Aaron Stern runs until May 31st.