How Rayobyte is Bringing Consumer Data Awareness to the Forefront

NY Weekly Staff on December 28, 2022

Today’s rapidly-evolving tech world is all about data. The internet is swarming with data of all kinds, and knowing what data is valuable and how to gather and utilize data ethically can be challenging. 

The concept of web scraping — data extraction from websites — has been around for some time. However, not all approaches to data extraction are legitimate, easy to use, or even safe for customer use. 

In the world of web scraping, the use of proxies is standard. Proxies or proxy servers provide an intermediary between a client and a server, effectively disguising a client’s IP address for better web scraping. Proxies can provide clients access to blocked content, such as geographic limitations on data access from certain foreign websites. Proxies can also help clients avoid being blocked by websites since numerous attempts at connections from a single IP are often identified as non-human. 

Rayobyte CEO Neil Emeigh has a long history of proxy use and run-ins with sketchy providers who offered little more than poor runtimes and lackluster customer service, and knew that he could provide something better. Beginning as a blazing-fast proxy provider for SEO purposes nearly a decade ago, Neil has built his business into something that offers far more than services for SEO.

“In July of 2022, we officially rebranded as ‘Rayobyte’ from ‘Blazing SEO’ — a name that means ‘the largest finite amount of bytes possible.’ This name better reflects our promise to customers today: no matter how much data you’re looking for, how much bandwidth you require, or how many IPs you need,” Neil explained to The Webscraping Club. 

Proxies for multiple use cases 

According to surveys, proxy traffic increased by an estimated 60 to 70% across various use cases. Rayobyte aims to make it easy to buy the best private proxies on the market, regardless of the client’s need or budget. 

On the starter end, Rayobyte offers semi-dedicated data center proxies for affordable scraping with static IP addresses on non-major sites. These proxies can be shared between three separate users at a time and are incredibly fast. On the high end, Rayobyte offers high-powered, residential proxies — all of which are volunteered by their users — that take care of any management needs or hurdles standing in the way of web scrapers. 

“A lot of providers specialize in one type of proxy,” Neil says. Rayobyte has been lauded as having the best data center proxies in the industry. “You could be the best mobile proxy provider, the best residential proxy provider, or the best rotating ISP proxy provider — the trick is to hone in on one thing and become the best at it.”

Today, Rayobyte offers residential proxies, mobile proxies, data center IPs, ISP proxies, and rotating ISP proxies, covering any possible proxy need a client may have. 

“It’s all about how reliably you can provide results for your customers,” says Neil. “We go above and beyond to set our customers up with what we know are the best mix of proxies for their use case because ultimately we’re the experts.” 

While Neil is well aware that many businesses spread their proxy choices across several providers, he hopes Rayobyte can solidify itself as a solo proxy solution for companies. Being the go-to provider for companies’ proxy needs helps companies reduce overhead, build relationships, and cut overall costs. 

Ethical scraping 

Ethics and data acquisition may seem like strange bedfellows. But Rayobyte has dedicated itself to merging the two concepts, ushering in a new era of web scraping. 

“Ethical usage means understanding what people are using your proxies for. When most people think of proxies, they think about hacking, someone sneaking into your network to steal private data,” explains Neil. “What they don’t think about is that Google makes all their business from scraping web pages. Pretty much every e-commerce company is using scraping research.”  

Many businesses and sites people use daily are built through data scraping. When ethically approached, scraping is simply akin to digital research. When building a business, researching the competition is part of a sound business plan. Companies should look at scraping as competition research on a large scale, using a bot to do the leg work. 

For Neil and his team, promoting ethical scraping and proxies is all a matter of education. “It all starts by not letting your users do sketchy stuff. Putting in the automated and manual checking systems will ensure nobody can access private data using your proxies.”

Rayobyte doesn’t attempt to obtain residential IPs through the underhanded means other less-ethical proxy providers may resort to. “Everyone in our residential proxy pool knows that their IP address is being used as a proxy and gets reminded of that every month. They can opt-out at any time, and we only use their IPs if their devices are connected to WiFi, plugged in, and not in use,” says Neil. “Plus, we pay them for it through our Cash Raven app. It’s a much more ethical approach — no one’s being fooled, and no one’s giving anything away for free.”

The proxy market is growing by leaps and bounds. Data influences all industries, and the wealth of data to be found on websites can be helpful in a myriad of ways, from influencing future changes in technology to sociological research. 

Rayobyte is disrupting the proxy market by being transparent with its clients regarding data collection habits, use of data, where it is being collected from, and how much it is being collected. Ethical proxies are the wave of the future of the internet, and Rayobyte intends to lead the way into this new age of data collection. 

McGroarty & Co. Shares the Importance of an Executive Coach

NY Weekly Staff on December 28, 2022

The start of a new year is a time for setting new goals. It is also for many people a time for realizing how little progress has been made on last year’s goals. Setting goals is easy. Achieving them is something else.

Business executives know better than most how challenging it can be to accomplish new goals. They face a daily routine that is often focused on maintaining current operations and addressing unexpected challenges that arise. Goals focused on developing new skills, earning new certifications, or shifting into a new career path regularly get relegated to the bottom of the to-do list.

“For many executives, it is challenging to simply find the time to identify valuable goals,” says Alexandra McGroarty, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of McGroarty and Company. “Moving beyond identifying to strategically pursuing and actually accomplishing goals is something that often requires extra help. Executive coaches are specially trained to provide that type of assistance.”

Alexandra is a Human Resources consultant and Certified Professional Coach. She was recently named the winner in the Executive Coach category of Ragan’s Top Women in Wellness and HR Awards for 2022. She founded McGroarty and Company to provide customized and tailored solutions for a wide range of HR challenges, including issues related to talent acquisition, brand revitalization, employee lifecycle, and organizational change management.

“Executive coaching helps executives to get unstuck in the area of setting and achieving goals,” Alexandra explains. “By providing guidance, insight, and encouragement, coaches help executives to explore options, plan actions, and create a future that they can get excited about pursuing.”

The role of the executive coach

Coaches provide business executives with a unique opportunity for growth. Unlike counselors, who often focus on how past experiences may be limiting performance, coaches keep their clients focused on the future. They work with executives to identify a preferred future, then assist in mapping out the steps necessary to get there. The person being coached directs the process, with the coach providing inspiration and encouragement that is tailored for the client’s particular journey.

“One of the beauties of executive coaching is that it is not a one-size-fits-all approach to professional development like you might find in consulting or training,” Alexandra shares. “It is based on a relationship of trust in which a coach works with an executive to discover where they are, where they want to go, and the best way to get there. The coach’s expertise allows him or her to create a safe, structured process that pushes the executive toward maximizing their personal and professional potential.”

Most coaches employ a step-by-step process that starts with exploring and exposing the reality of the executive’s current situation. This is where the relationship starts. Coaches ask questions designed to reveal aspirations and apprehensions. They push back against assumptions that may be hampering growth. They provide a fresh perspective.

The next step is setting goals and exploring options for reaching those goals. This is an area where executive coaches can be especially helpful, as they can leverage their experience to present a wider range of possibilities than the executive may know to exist.

“As a professional executive coach, I have a wealth of case studies to draw upon provided by my previous clients,” Alexandra explains. “These help my current client to see the wide range of possibilities and how a certain strategy could help them to achieve their goals.”

The final step is coaching typically involves selecting a path and embarking on the journey. At this point, coaches help to set a healthy pace for pursuing goals. Ideally, achieving a goal will require effort, but not be so challenging that the executive becomes discouraged and unmotivated.

The impact of executive coaching

For the executive, working with a coach can be life changing. Whether the goals involve broadening a skill set, developing an expertise, or achieving the qualifications that allow for a new position, achieving them plays a significant role in furthering a career. In many ways, executive coaching provides the fuel needed to take a career to the next level.

Executive coaching can also have a corporate impact, as the executive, once achieving his goals, brings new capabilities to his or her company. One example is the ability to share the power and process of effective goal setting. In addition, many leaders who experience effective executive coaching bring a new level of confidence, as well as competence, to the role that they play in their organization.

As corporations come to understand the value of executive coaching, they acquire a tool for guiding their leadership toward new levels of awareness and capability. For example, workplace diversity is an increasingly important topic that is challenging to understand, implement, and manage. Because executive coaches often have a deep understanding of HR issues, they can help to coach executives on difficult issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“Executives in today’s workplace must be able to foster an environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Alexandra says. “Not only do current employees want to see more DEI initiatives, but prospective hires are looking for positions at companies where DEI is valued. Executive coaches are perfect partners for executives whose goals include growing in their understanding of DEI.”

Alexandra holds a Certified Diversity Professional certification issued by the National Diversity Council. Her book, “Bridging the Gap: Reducing Gender Bias in the Workplace,” lays a path for a deeper understanding of DEI issues by presenting an overview of gender bias in the workplace. Executives will find the book to be a helpful guide on the current state of gender bias, including insights on how the Covid-19 pandemic affected the way women are seen in the workplace.

A Heart for Service and Out for Justice: Meet Attorney Michel R. Huff

NY Weekly Staff on December 28, 2022

“I want each and every person who experiences our law firm to be left better than they were when we found them,” said attorney Michel Huff, founder of Huff Legal and social justice advocate, who goes by the name “Huff.” “That’s my philosophy on life.”

While his law firm provides clients with excellent legal representation, Huff isn’t motivated by billable hours.

“I have a bone for justice and a heart for helping people. I’ve always been wired that way,” he said. “The only thing that actually makes me go is the good feeling I get when somebody says thanks.”

Repeatedly meeting adversity and being forced to overcome it could have made Huff bitter. Instead, it inspired him to give back and make the world a better place.

An extraordinary career

Huff knew he wanted to be a lawyer since he was seven years old. Affording law school, however, was another matter. To raise the necessary funds, he served as a police officer and patrol supervisor in Houston, Texas, from 1997 until 2004.

“I took the scenic route,” he joked.

But his time in law enforcement was no pleasure drive. “I was a lesbian of color who was closeted at the time because of fear of retaliation,” he explained.

When asked which pronouns should be used for this time in his life, Huff explained, “I didn’t transition until I was 40. I owe everything I’m enjoying now to her. She did it. She went to law school. She graduated at the top of her class. She was the first black female deputy in the history of Precinct Four. She did all of those things. And then at 40 ‘he’ started doing stuff.”

As a biracial lesbian police officer, she faced multiple forms of discrimination. “A certain lieutenant who will remain nameless regularly called me a fat [racial expletive] to my subordinates,” Huff said. “The captain at Precinct Four told me I’d never make it to be an attorney. He told me I should adjust my goals to something a little bit more realistic.”

This prejudice failed to deter the young Huff from achieving her goals. “I went to school every day in my bulletproof vest and gun belt because there wasn’t enough time to change between work and school,” he said.

Upon graduating from the police academy, Huff was assigned to patrol one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country. “I was one of two female deputies ever assigned to South Central,” he said. 

As a policewoman, Huff’s approach focused on building relationships in the community. “In addition to working within the community, I also really try to speak to every single person’s higher self,” he said. “When you meet people with a degree of respect and extend expectation for the greater good, they often rise to that occasion. That was my experience out on the street. I can’t tell you how many times a citizen showed up and helped me. Sometimes even someone with an open warrant jumped in to make sure that I was safe.

“For example, I had a guy whose arms were so big that he needed two sets of handcuffs. He could have made my nose be where my ear is if he wanted. But three gang members who knew me said, ‘You’re gonna turn around and let her put those cuffs on you, and we’re not going to have a problem out here.’ The same guys that I might have to chase or arrest had my back. They were my backup.”

In the course of this service, policewoman Huff earned two life-saving achievement awards. In one case, she saved a 13-year-old boy from suicide. In the other, she rescued a teenager from a small, makeshift craft during Tropical Storm Allison. She pulled him to safety while suspended over the raging waters as a deputy held her by the gun belt over the water.

Giving former felons a second chance

In addition to his legal career, Huff currently serves as Deputy Executive Director for 1 More Chance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Wyoming. Founded by Robert J. Phillips, the charity provides education and training to former felons to help them reintegrate into society. 

Huff described his involvement as “a great opportunity to finish the cycle that is in the criminal justice system.”

To combat recidivism, Huff explained, it’s important to understand why felons committed their crimes in the first place.

“A lot of it is that they just don’t know any better,” he said. “People assume everyone’s getting the same training at home on things like nutrition, getting a job, etc. But the information that’s being disseminated is vastly different on the different sides of the track. We provide the education and training these former felons never received at the outset.”

Huff describes the positive impact of successful rehabilitation as having a “snowball effect like compound interest,” due to participants “paying it forward” and helping others in their communities.

Legal Lifeline

If that wasn’t enough, Huff has created an app called Legal Lifeline that would connect citizens with real-time legal support.

“It potentially could have helped George Floyd,” he said. “Had George Floyd been able to push a button on his phone to bring up Legal Lifeline, a real-live attorney like me – a civil rights or criminal defense lawyer – would have appeared and told Derek Chauvin that he was going to get 30-plus years in a federal prison if he didn’t remove his knee from George Floyd’s neck.”

Taking up the role of the lawyer speaking to Chauvin, Huff continued: “‘It’s excessive force and murder, and you will stop it right now. I’m a third-party learned intermediary and officer of the court, and you will not do this to that man.’

“Sometimes you just need to hear that voice of reason to stop being stuck on stupid, and Derek Chauvin was stuck on stupid that day,” he explained.

In addition to high-stakes interventions like these, Legal Lifeline could help connect people who have been in car accidents with personal-injury counsel. People could also use it to report needing help. Huff is currently seeking funding to make this app a reality.

Helping others be awesome

Looking back on a life spent facing discrimination, Huff says the biggest adversity he has overcome was “learning how to stop reducing my shine for people that didn’t want me to run faster than them.”

“I’m too old now to let anybody stop me,” Huff said. “I want to know my full potential. I don’t think I’ve scratched the surface, but I feel empowered to do it now.”

True to form, however, he views this effort as a collaboration.

“I want to sit at the dinner table with everybody who wants to talk about how to be more awesome for humanity and figure out how I can be a part of helping them do it,” he said. “That’s what I want to do with the rest of my life.”

Achievement in Biomedical Engineering Automatic 3D Brain Tumor Segmentation using Deep Learning

NY Weekly Staff on December 28, 2022

Sandeep Trivedi is a Senior SAP Analytics Consultant at Deloitte LLP in Houston, Texas, United States. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Electronic & Communication Engineering from Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal, India, in 2005. He is SAP certified and specializes in SAP Analytics Reporting using machine learning algorithms. He is not only an SAP Analytics Consultant but also a visionary, researcher, and technical committee member of various prestigious international conferences. 

He participated in and led multiple SAP technology-related projects in India, Qatar, UAE, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States. He contributes to engaging students in STEM conversation at NASA and supports TESI staff in this regard. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, U.S., Region 5, and the American SAP User Group (ASUG). Prestigious IEEE conferences, including ICCCIS-2022, IEEE UEMCON 2022, and IEEE ICSCA 2022, invite Sandeep Trivedi as a technical reviewer because of his expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning. IEEE Recently featured Sandeep’s article on its official website. 

3D structures instead of 2D images reveal more information about brain tumors. Physicians find it more beneficial to diagnose the brain tumor from the 3D structures. However, segmenting the tumors from Computer Tomography (CT) images and reconstructing the 3D shape is complicated and sensitive. As a matter of fact, anything related to healthcare is sensitive. 

A slight mistake in 3D brain tumor segmentation and reconstruction may lead to improper diagnosis causing severe health and emotional damage to the patients. Sandeep Trivedi has developed an innovative 3D brain tumor segmentation method that will be a breakthrough in biomedical engineering. 

The process uses a Nested Deep Neural Network architecture. Its purpose is to automate the brain tumor diagnosis process. This innovative technology will be integrated with modern CT scanners to assist radiologists. Brain tumors are sensitive. The more information the physicians get about the tumor, the more effective treatment they can provide. 

A surgical procedure is mandatory to remove the tumor if not curable through medicine. Imagine how helpful it would be for brain surgeons to have the brain tumor 3D printed before they start the surgical procedure. It would give the surgeons a crystal-clear idea of what they are going to surgery to improve the success rate. Sandeep Trivedi

Sandeep Trivedi

Brain surgery is critical, and complications may arise anytime during the surgery. The 3D-printed tumor would help the surgeons assess possible challenges and take proper precautions before they start the surgery. From this vision, Sandeep Trivedi developed the segmentation method, which has been published in the 13th IEEE Annual Ubiquitous Computing, Electronics, and Mobile Communication Conference (UEMCON 2022). The system segments brain tumors in 3D with 90.2%, 85.11%, and 85.41% dice scores for whole tumor, core tumor, and enhancing tumor, respectively. 

Sandeep envisions integrating his innovation with the CT scanner along with a 3D printing module to 3D print the tumor after scanning. It sounds futuristic. There are many challenges associated with it. It requires more research and experiments. Sandeep Trivedi believes he can turn this futuristic idea into a realistic solution. 

 

Ian Wendt’s Official Patriot Gear®: A Symbol of Unity and Support for Small Businesses

NY Weekly Staff on December 28, 2022

As the summer heat rises, it’s hard to miss the sea of red, white, and blue that seems to cover every store in sight. But for Ian Wendt, the founder of Official Patriot Gear®, every day celebrates American unity. Ian grew up in Middletown, NY, where he spent his entire life until he left for college at the age of 18. His passion for highlighting the connections that bind Americans together is stronger now than ever, as the country faces unprecedented division.

In late 2020, Ian saw an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of small businesses struggling to stay afloat amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He turned to his large social media following and asked for help supporting these businesses, hoping to assist a few. But his followers exceeded his expectations, coming together to raise tens of thousands of dollars in just a few hours, without asking about the beneficiaries’ political affiliations, religious beliefs, or backgrounds.

This display of unity and kindness inspired Ian, and he wanted to give the members of his virtual community a way to show their support for small businesses and their love for their country. The patriot tee was born, representing the values of patriotism: love for one’s country, a desire for its people to be free and thrive, and a willingness to defend their freedoms. These values were exemplified by the acts of kindness shown by Ian’s followers, and the patriot tee became a symbol of their commitment to unity.

The patriot tee was just the beginning for Ian and his brand, which has reached over 50 countries and has hundreds of products, including t-shirts, hats, and accessories. The brand has also developed an ambassador program with several hundred people representing its message of unity. Based in Idaho, Official Patriot Gear® continues to grow and values its partnerships with other small American businesses. Later this year, the company will open its flagship store to the public, showcasing the strength and resilience of the American dream. So the next time you see a sea of red, white, and blue, remember Ian Wendt and the message of unity and patriotism that he is spreading through Official Patriot Gear®.

Binge-Watch & Chill: Top 10 TV Series Recommendations

NY Weekly Staff on December 28, 2022

As we socially distance ourselves in the comforts of our own homes, it’s a no-brainer to pass the quarantining time binge-watching our favorite shows or diving into a new series. For those of you who are looking for some must-see recommendations, this list is for you!

1. “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon)

It’s the late 1950s and Miriam “Midge” Maisel has everything she has ever wanted — the perfect husband, two kids and an elegant apartment on New York’s Upper West Side. Her seemingly idyllic life takes a surprising turn when she discovers a hidden talent she didn’t previously know she had — stand-up comedy. This revelation changes her life forever as she begins a journey that takes her from her comfortable life on the Upper West Side through the cafes and nightclubs of Greenwich Village as she makes her way through the city’s comedy industry on a path that could ultimately lead her to a spot on the “Tonight Show” couch. The series was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino (“Gilmore Girls”).

 

 

2. “I’m Sorry” (Netflix)

Andrea Savage is brilliant in this throwaway comedy series about a comedy writer, wife, and mom who attempts to forge a normal life despite her neuroses and odd job requirements. Kathy Baker and Tom Everett Scott also star, and some funny names, including Jason Mantzoukas, pop up occasionally, but the real star is Savage. She’s witty and sharp and crass and perfectly fine with all of it. There aren’t any huge, climactic plot point per episode — the show deals mostly with weird neighbors and common parenting mistakes and relationship humor — but it doesn’t need any of that to make us laugh. It just needs Andrea Savage.

 

 

3. “Half Past Jump Time”  (YouTube)

This electrifying series is part sci-fi visual spectacle and part feel-good adventure story about hope, family and opportunity. The story follows the lives of a Harlem Renaissance era time-traveler and her distant relative (niece) who lives in contemporary New York as a hip-hop dancer/entrepreneur. Through the use of an ancestral ring, the traveler Harriet, uses a portal to finally visit and ultimately convince her niece and her friends to save her failing 1920s nightclub. Hip-hop and jazz music create a magnetic balance of two time periods intertwined with an inspiring theme of personal determination that leaves every viewer wanting to stream more episodes. The series was created by Terrence Patterson.

 

 

4. “Welcome to a New Level of Appreciating Yourself” (YouTube)

Abraham Hicks gives deep detail on how new environment gives a new perspectives. New perspective cause new desires. So as new desires happen within you  your asking changes because of it. As a result you will feel the momentum of your experience picking up ans will see manifestations begin to pick up around you. As you are looking forward, you will find a new level of appreciation of yourself. you will discover a way to strike  balance between who are in your physical body and who you  are in the non physical energy because you are both.

 

 

 

5. “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (Hulu)

Depraved underachieving might look easy, but for the egocentric Mac, Charlie, Dennis, Frank and Dee, it’s an art form. “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” follows “The Gang,” the owners of the unsuccessful Paddy’s Pub; a group of degenerates who loves nothing more than to scheme, conspire, and mostly revel in each other’s misery. Whether gaming the welfare system, exploiting dumpster babies, pretending to be crippled, impersonating officers, or faking funerals, The Gang never stoops too low in the name of making a buck.

 

 

6. “The Good Witch” (Netflix, YouTube)

Catherine Bell reprises her role of Cassie Nightingale in this series based on `The Good Witch’ franchise of made-for-TV movies. Nightingale, the titular sorceress, embarks on a magical journey with teenage daughter Grace, who shares her mother’s intuitive charm. When divorced Dr. Sam Radford and his teenage son move next door, they are quickly drawn to the Nightingales’ unique prowess. Sam realizes that Cassie’s signature charm is more than just a magic touch, ensuring the quaint town of Middleton is in for big surprises.

 

 

7. “Inner Worlds, Outer Worlds” (YouTube)

There is one vibratory field that connects all things. It has been called Akasha, Logos, the primordial OM, the music of the spheres, the Higgs field, dark energy, and a thousand other names throughout history.

 

8. “Kindness Diaries” (Netflix)

Leon Logothetis travels the world with only a vintage motorbike and the kindness of strangers, which he pays back in unexpected, inspiring ways.

 

9. “The Morning Show” (Apple TV)

An inside look at the people who help Americans wake up each day, exploring the challenges faced by the people who work in morning television.

 

 

10. “Good Morning LALA Land” (AppleTV + ROKU)

This series is America’s first live-streaming daily talk show. (Monday-Friday 9 am PST). Wake up to good news, inspiration, and positivity.

A Dark Fairytale: Ava O’hara Wears Alexandra Popescu-York’s Gothic Glamour

NY Weekly Staff on December 27, 2022

Internationally renowned for their abstract and visually spectacular photographs that combine fashion and art into a higher state, Formento & Formento Photography features stunning models Alexandra Popescu-York and Ava O’hara in their newest photoshoot. Following themes of cryptic fairytales, “Modern Fairytales” showcases the depth of human emotion entwined in whimsical old tales to create an experience that borders the line between reality and fantasy.

The team’s use of high-end fashion, couture gowns, and Gucci and Chanel accessories enhances the luxurious and opulent atmosphere of their shoots. The couture gowns, in particular, are a standout feature of the editorial shoots, with their intricate details and expert craftsmanship. Moreso, these garments are often made from the finest materials and symbolize wealth and status.

Alexandra Popescu-York, Ava O’hara, and Formento & Formento Photography transport their audience on a surreal journey that merges fashion and art. From couture gowns paired with Gucci and Channel accessories to time-defying fantasy tours worldwide, these “Modern Fairytales” highlights high-end fashion and evoke strong emotions in their viewers. Creating surreal images, crossing the bridge between fashion and art in a lavish editorial Ava O’hara with Alexandra Popescu-York and Formento & Formento photography are the dream team. The audience is transported on a fantasy tour around the world, defying time and space, transporting us back and forth from the past to the future. High-end fashion and couture gowns paired with Gucci and Chanel accessories accentuate the mystique and alluring energy behind the shoot.

The team’s attention to detail and creativity is evident in each shot, as they expertly blend elements of the past with futuristic elements. Each image tells a unique and captivating story, drawing the viewer in and immersing them in the dream-like world created by Alexandra Popescu-York, Ava O’hara, and Formento & Formento Photography. From the lavish sets to the stunning models, every aspect of these editorial shoots is carefully planned and executed, resulting in a truly one-of-a-kind experience for the audience.

High-end fashion and couture gowns exude luxury and opulence. These garments are typically made from the finest materials, with intricate details and expert craftsmanship that make them stand out from other fashion items. They are often seen as a symbol of wealth and status, and are often worn to formal events or special occasions.

About Alexandra Popescu-York

Alexandra Popescu-York is a Romanian-born designer who has made a name for herself in the fashion world with her unique, artistic style and her focus on creating original, one-of-a-kind pieces. Based in New York for over a decade and a half, Popescu-York is known for her couture fashion collections and her paintings, which she has exhibited at New York Fashion Week and the Art Exhibition at the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations.

Popescu-York’s collections are designed for the modern woman who is always on the go and needs a versatile wardrobe. The designer’s style is both elegant and edgy, combining classic, feminine elements with a glam rock feel. Popescu-York believes that authenticity is rare in the fashion world, so she puts a lot of effort into creating original pieces that stand out from the crowd. To achieve this, she often paints directly onto the materials or embroideries, or alters the textures through overlapping.

One of the things that sets Popescu-York apart from other designers is her approach to patterns. Rather than working on a pattern table, she builds patterns directly on the model, and she rarely uses traditional patterns unless they are necessary. This allows her to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that are truly original. Popescu-York’s couture collections are made in her New York atelier, while some special pieces are cut and sewn in Europe.

In addition to her fashion work, Popescu-York is also an accomplished painter. She has been painting since the age of three and has studied both fashion design and plastic arts at the University of Arts in Bucharest and FIT. Her paintings have been included in the Art Exhibition at the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations and have been widely published in GLAMOUR, Harper’s Bazaar, VOGUE and other publications.

Overall, Alexandra Popescu-York is a talented designer and artist who is dedicated to creating original, one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrate the sensuality and power of the modern woman. Whether she is working on a fashion collection or a painting, Popescu-York always strives for greatness and puts her heart and soul into her work.

American Fashion Producer Dimitri Manuel Talks New York Fashion Week Amid COVID-19 Restrictions

NY Weekly Staff on December 27, 2022

Fashion Week in New York is a highly anticipated event for industry professionals and fashion enthusiasts. And this year, as the world continues to grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be held under unique circumstances.

Fashion Week, the highly anticipated event for industry professionals and fashion enthusiasts worldwide, has had to adapt to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past, Fashion Week events have attracted large crowds of attendees, with designers showcasing their latest collections on the runway and hosting parties and other events. However, to protect attendees’ health and safety, many Fashion Week events have had to implement strict COVID-19 restrictions.

According to American fashion producer Dimitri Manuel, who has worked with some of the largest venues within New York Fashion Week and is known for organizing filming and production events throughout the country, the event will be held with a limited number of attendees who will be required to present a vaccination passport. Many designers will also choose to have their shows at separate, closed locations rather than the traditional offline platforms.

One of the most significant changes has been the shift to virtual events. To comply with social distancing guidelines, many similar events have been held online, with designers streaming their shows and presentations online rather than hosting them in person. This has allowed attendees to watch the performances from the safety of their own homes, reducing the risk of transmission. In addition to virtual events, some places have also implemented strict attendance guidelines. For example, attendees may be required to present a vaccination passport or negative COVID-19 test to gain entry to events. Capacity may also be limited to ensure that social distancing guidelines can be followed.

Despite these challenges, Manuel sees September as an ideal time to launch new products and focus on online sales. At the event, he plans to unveil his line of luxury niche perfumes, DM Gold Parfume Donchica, which will feature fundamental particles of gold in every bottle.

In addition to his work as a fashion producer, Manuel is also the founder of the New York Fashion TV & DM Corporation, which includes an Academy for Models. The academy, created in response to a lack of models who understood the show, has continued to operate during the pandemic, offering students lessons in posing, choreography, and photo shoots. Many of its graduates have worked for well-known brands such as Calvin Klein, Philipp Plein, and Balenciaga.

Overall, it is clear that despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Fashion Week in New York will still be a significant event in the fashion industry, with new products being launched and talented models taking to the runway. Manuel notes that media from worldwide will continue to cover the event, making it a powerful platform for designers and brands to showcase their work.

About Dimitri Manuel

Dimitri Manuel is a well-known American fashion producer who has made a name for himself in the industry in just a few years in New York. Working with some of the largest venues within New York Fashion Week, Dimitri is known for organizing filming and production events throughout the country. His events have attracted the attention of prominent brands, and he is often sought out to advertise their products. He is also a regular presence at popular parties in Manhattan, where he is admired by stylists, celebrities, and designers who dream of working with him.

In addition to his work as a fashion producer, Manuel has also worked as the Casting Director of the New York Fashion TV & CD Corporation, which includes an Academy for Models. The academy was created due to a lack of models who understood the show. It has continued to operate during the pandemic, offering students lessons in posing, choreography, and photo shoots. Many of its graduates have worked for well-known brands such as Calvin Klein, Philipp Plein, and Balenciaga.

“Jewelry fit for a Legend: Vikar Ahmed’s Custom Designs for Jadakiss,” German Jeweler and custom jewelry maker Vikar Ahmed makes his mark with his jewels

NY Weekly Staff on December 27, 2022

The expert is dedicated to creating a piece for Hip Hop Legend Jadakiss.

Hip-hop culture has always been closely intertwined with jewelry, with many artists and fans alike sporting flashy, extravagant pieces as a form of self-expression and status symbol. From grills and diamond-encrusted watches to personalized pendants and rings, jewelry has played a significant role in the evolution of hip-hop fashion.

But it’s not just the artists themselves who are driving the demand for high-end jewelry in the hip-hop community. Many young entrepreneurs have also made their mark in the industry by creating their own jewelry brands and catering to the unique tastes and preferences of hip-hop fans.

One such craftsman is Vikar Ahmed, a German jeweler whose brand has gained popularity among many top names in the entertainment and hip-hop industry. Vikar started his journey as a 17-year-old, working various jobs to finance his own company and eventually achieve his dreams of creating custom pieces for some of the artists he admired. Today, he is known for his exclusive jewelry collections and top-quality materials, all made in the capital gemstone city center of Europe, Idar-Oberstein.

There are many passionate and experienced jewelers who are committed to creating unique jewelry pieces to suit your style. Amongst the best names is Vikar Ahmed, who has done splendidly well in this space and is making his mark through his jewelry brand. His custom jewelry brand is home to some of the most exclusive jewelry collections, which has amazed people to no end. Vikar Ahmed, also known by his VIP clients, Vikar, The German Jeweler, is a jeweler whose clients include many top names in the entertainment and Hip Hop industry from Germany to England, Dubai, New York to Los Angeles.

Thriving on his hard work, he established his own brand of works with some of the most popular artists in the world.

He started his journey 20 years ago as a 17-year-old and built everything for himself from the ground up, where he worked at different jobs to ultimately be able to finance his company to achieve his dreams. He confesses how he was always fascinated by hip-hop culture, and as a youngster, he would dream of creating something for those artists. Today, he is in a position where he creates custom pieces for them, for the artists whose music he listened to 20 years ago; that is how far he has reached in his journey.

Vikar’s passion for hip-hop culture and desire to create something special for the artists he admired inspired him to start his journey as a jeweler. Today, he has the opportunity to create custom pieces for some of the biggest names in the industry, including Hip Hop Legend Jadakiss. Currently, Vikar is working on a pendant with Jadakiss’s initials and two musical notes, which will be delivered to the artist in New York next month. His specially-made and customized jewelry piece for Hip Hop Legend Jadakiss from New York has a strong message and represents the persona of the artist:  a J Pendant with his J A D A K I S S letters and two musical notes.

His showroom in Idar-Oberstein has a vast collection of the most exquisite jewelry made with the highest quality materials through the hands of the finest goldsmiths and diamond setters. You can visit his showroom by appointment only and explore the range of jewelry collections and custom designs.

All his creations are guaranteed to be of the best German quality, made in the capital gemstone city center of Europe, Idar-Oberstein, and appeal to people who like to surround themselves with luxury. The luxury brand Vikar Ahmed stands for a unique lifestyle.

Vikar Ahmed’s custom jewelry has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, with many celebrities and high-profile clients choosing his brand for its exclusive collections and top-quality materials. His showroom in Idar-Oberstein is home to some of the most exquisite jewelry pieces made by the finest goldsmiths and diamond setters, and can only be visited by appointment.

In addition to his showroom, Vikar also has an Instagram page where you can see some of his masterpiece creations. His brand, Vikar Ahmed, stands for a unique lifestyle and appeals to those who appreciate luxury and high-quality German craftsmanship. If you are looking for a special and unique piece of jewelry, Vikar Ahmed’s brand is definitely worth considering.

To see a few of his masterpieces, you can check his Instagram page under vikarahmedthejeweler.

Los Angeles Dentist Transforms Dental Experience, Combining Technology With Comfort

NY Weekly Staff on December 27, 2022

Residents of Los Angeles no longer need to be filled with dread at the thought of their upcoming dental appointment. Dr. Igal Elyassi has used his personal experiences with dentistry to create his own unique practice with an emphasis on the highest level of technology, as well as prioritizing relaxation of the typical jitters that accompany a visit to the dentist. With stunning Los Angeles views, an inviting environment offering creature comforts, atmospheric music, and lovely aromas, this is not your typical dentist’s office. 

In addition to those comforts, his Wilshire Smile Studio in Hollywood does not mess with messy and uncomfortable physical molds when creating something like a sports mouthguard to help patients stop snoring or grinding their teeth while sleeping. Instead, it uses digital scanners that transmit an exact image to the dental lab that will craft it. 

Always Learning

Dr. Elyassi places a high emphasis on continuing education for his team and staying on top of the latest dental technology and practice updates. He graduated from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry and is the former president of the Los Angeles chapter of Alpha Omega International Dental Society, an exclusive organization for the dentists who are interested in continuing education classes from top experts.

He is committed to building the best dental team he can for his clients. His team’s dedication has led his practice to be highly successful in the field, and their insights into how to help patients with the latest dental technology have made them a highly sought-after practice in the Los Angeles area, even by celebrities. He carefully selects his staff as well, ensuring they are only the best in the field with the highest levels of education, whether a general dentist, a specialist, a dental hygienist, dental assistant, or technician.  

An Art Combined With Science

“Dentistry is a blend of art and science that can transform people’s lives,” Dr. Elyassi said. He highly values consistency, constantly aiming to grow his practice on a positive trajectory that will reach the smiles of as many in his community as he can. 

“I personally had bad experiences as a kid, so I took on the challenge to help people have beautiful smiles,” he recalled.”I love to be able to help people avoid dental pain and when it happens, such as due to a cavity or gum infection, ending it through procedures that are painless, thanks to our use of a variety of anesthetic options.”

Leveling Up

Dr. Elyassi proudly shares that he and his staff do everything they can to “boost their clients’ confidence and social life because of their confident new smile that leaves friendly impressions.” 

Dr. Elyassi’s Wilshire Smile Studio offers a wide range of services, including general dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and orthodontics. In addition to traditional treatments, the practice also offers advanced options such as Invisalign and laser dentistry. These cutting-edge techniques allow for faster, more comfortable treatments with excellent results.

Patients of the Wilshire Smile Studio can expect to receive personalized care from a team of highly skilled and compassionate professionals. Dr. Elyassi and his team take the time to listen to their patients’ concerns and work with them to develop a treatment plan that meets their individual needs and goals.

The Wilshire Smile Studio is always looking for ways to improve the patient experience and provide the highest level of care. Recently, the practice has added a state-of-the-art 3D imaging system that allows for more accurate diagnoses and treatment planning. This technology allows the team to more accurately identify and address dental issues, leading to better outcomes for patients.

In conclusion, Dr. Igal Elyassi has transformed the dental experience at his Wilshire Smile Studio in Los Angeles, combining the latest technology with a comfortable and relaxing environment. His dedication to continuing education and staying on top of the latest advancements in dentistry has led to his practice becoming highly sought-after by patients in the area, including celebrities. From general dentistry to advanced cosmetic procedures, the team at Wilshire Smile Studio is committed to providing personalized, high-quality care to help their patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles.

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