KAREN ROBINOVITZ has lived 9 lives, all of which I'd gladly reenact. She is a New York fashion and beauty journalist turned jet-setting red carpet reporter turned published author turned renowned marketing and social media genius. And now she plays the part of CREATRIX of her very own bombshell beauty brand, PURPLE LAB NYC.
Karen and Sharon of Purple Lab actually found me on Twitter, glittering my life away, and it was love at first Tweet!
When we met at her West Village apartment, Karen inspired every glittering bone in my body with her fabulous rollercoaster tale of hard-earned success. She spent YEARS “hibernating”… writing, reporting, pitching and pitching, until she hit every homerun of her dreams!
Her writing was published everywhere from Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Details to The New York Times. Her contagious, bubbly energy has taken her career all over the world as a celebrity reporter, television personality, fashion expert and pretty party girl.
ZOOM IN! Karen’s 30th birthday... my favorite part:
For the big 3-0, Karen decided re-invent herself as a faux It-Girl. She convinced a PR firm to be her publicist, Harry Winston lent her $2 million of diamonds and a bodyguard, she threw an epic bash at Bungalow 8, Calvin Klein showed up, Paris Hilton was on dancing tables, and M&Ms sponsored the entire thing.
Her agent said to her that night: This is your next book.
And 3 weeks later Karen and her partner in crime, Melissa de la Cruz, signed a double book deal that included: How To Become Famous In Two Weeks Or Less.
The book launch party was an even bigger fuss! The starlets made a historic entrance, rolling up to Bungalow with 20 male models on Vespas, dripping in Diamonds and Dior. Foxy Brown showed up, Laura Brannigan performed Gloria per her own request, and then the duo went jetting - in all their fame! - all over the country on their extravagant book tour. Karen pulled together a Dior-sponsored wardrobe, a Bentley with a chauffer where they conducted all their interviews, and MAC Cosmetics sponsored the entire tour.
After all this she realized: “I am a marketing person.” (Aha moment!) She shifted her career, began consulting for major fashion and beauty brands such as DVF, Coach, Tresemme and Estee Lauder, and became a social media pioneer. Three years ago luxury brands didn't want to listen to Karen's advice about Twitter and Facebook. NOW what!
And now what? Here we are: Karen does a little bit of everything (I mean a lot of everything) and has accomplished her wildest dream, launching her OWN brand, Purple Lab NYC.
Personal note: I’m completely addicted Purple Lab’s lip gloss, Huge Lips Skinny Hips. As a beauty editor Karen tried every beauty product in the world, so when creating her own, refused to produce anything that wasn't better than everything single other thing out there. HLSH is "Double Duty Beauty," with lip plumper and Hoodia. Karen, you’re brilliant.
Purple Lab is a sophisticated, luxurious brand with a sense of humor, love stories and personalities behind every product. The colors are inspired by Karen’s favorite things in the world!
And guess what else was inspired by all her favorite things in the world? You guessed it... my rules for becoming a better New Yorker.
THE RULES:
1. Go to S Factor and take a pole dancing class. Bonus: get a private lesson with Barbara. (HLSH Color to match: Kittypole Dancer)
2. Let Drew Linehan of Trew Productions show you how to walk the runway... and own it.
3. a) Go to the Christian Louboutin store. Try on shoes with the manager Michael. Drool.
b) There’s nothing hotter than red soles on the back of a motorcycle. Get a ride somewhere - on a motorcycle - in Louboutins. (HLSH Color to match: Red Sole)
4. See Veronica Varlow perform in a Burlesque Show. (HLSH Color to match: Kittypole Dancer)
5. Let Devachan Salon give you the best curls of your life.
6. Go with Colin – the mixologist for U’luvka Vodka, and have him take you to some of his underground spots in NYC for the best Lychee Martinis you’ll ever have. (HLSH Color to match: Lychee Martini)
7. Get the 2 best Octopus dishes in Manhattan:
a) DBGB, Daniel Boulud’s newest restaurant.
b) Dell’anima
8. Get a Gogi berry smoothie at Organic Avenue.
9. Thank somebody with Crumbs cupcakes. (HLSH Color to match: Love Your Thighs)
10. Get a facial with Nina at Paul Labreque
11. Shop with Lisi at Kirna Zabete. (HLSH Color to match: Worship Kate)
12. Meet: DJ Coleman
13. Wear only Hanky Pankies. If you need a new pair, go to Scoop, where you can also get HLSH! (HLSH Color: No Panty Lines)
14.) Read How To Become Famous In Two Weeks Or Less
Wait a second… I COMPLETELY misread this.
On Friday when I typed this list out, I thought the rule said:
BECOME FAMOUS IN TWO WEEKS OR LESS
Oh no! I’ve put 8 publicists, 3 assistants and a full fledged GET-FAMOUS plan in motion…
I spoke to Karen yesterday about the slip-up - she stated that she would accept my completion of the rule in either form.
Alright... no turning back now!
I've had exactly 3 days to get my famous affairs in order, and here are a few things I've got in place.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS ONLY A GAME! Please do not take any of this too seriously.
* My personal hair stylist and makeup artist, Jillian Halouska of Warren-Tricomi, is very strict and will be making sure I look perfect every day, at all times.
* I’ll be headlining and making appearances at parties all week. These venues and publicists just won’t stop calling!
* Designers and publicists have been clamoring to send me clothes and millions of dollars worth of jewelry.
* I’m performing in a World-Famous Burlesque show this Friday night at the Slipper Room… with Burlesque Legend Veronica Varlow. Upping the ante for Rule #4 just a touch.
* Citrine is throwing me a sexy, star-studded Burlesque-themed party, EYE CANDY, this Wednesday night to preview and celebrate my upcoming performance… the entire NYC Burlesque world will be there in my honor!
* I’ve signed as the face of RD International, a hot Canadian label that’s debuting in NYC this fall. Fashion photographer Joey Falsetta is shooting my campaign, and we’re throwing a huge penthouse press party during the shoot. Invite only.
* DJ Coleman and I are knocking out Rule #12 with all our wildly famous friends this Sunday night.
* Celebrity fitness coach Noam Tamir is thrilled to have signed me as his newest client.
* I don’t know who, but someone out there has been tipping off the paparazzi… I’m thinking of hiring a body guard.
* There will be an enormous NYC Game Hamptons Labor Day blowout party series…. to celebrate my fame! Invite only, but you’ll be able to read ALL about it ;)
TWO WEEKS.
Will I be household name by Labor Day?
Does infamous count as famous?
I haven't lost a round yet.
And the winnings - if Karen decides I've completed the challenge in 2 weeks and become a better New Yorker - is oh-so dreamy...
WOW... sounds like a famous girl's fantasy.
Let the games… and the fame… begin!
MWAH!!!-HA-HA-HAH
Michelle Joni
This game has been won! Click here to see the results.
Wowza, that sounds like you've got a lot of ridiculum ahead of you! Have FUNNNNNN!!!! You've convinced me that you're famous btw ;)
ReplyDeleteGood luck!! You'll rock it!
ReplyDelete