Tasteful

Joey Scalabrino is a New York City native working across hospitality, CPG, and brand strategy. He is a co founder of Apollo Bagels and is focused on building brands, products, and experiences.

Collina Strada isn’t just a fashion label, it's also a platform for social issues and awareness. Created by Hillary Taymour, her main concern is staying true to her craft, and staying on course to becoming a fully sustainable and radically transparent brand in the near future.

Based and manufactured in New York, the brand’s cult status core pieces transcend trends. Taymour’s designs are imbued with a fearlessly fluid attitude, re-inventing classics and unexpected details. Collina Strada embodies humor and youth. The brand DNA is now firmly cemented in the ability to look inward, even when we’re loud and expressive on the outside. Season after season, Collina Strada’s goal remains the same: to encourage self-reflection through clothing. How can you be the best version of yourself today?

Showing each season on the official New York Fashion Week schedule, Collina Strada has reimagined their shows to spur others into action. Runway shows have tackled global problems from racism to politics. “We are in a crucial state of change right now and the more we [do, the more we] can impact others to take action.” – Hillary Taymour

Gabriel Whaley is the founder and CEO of MSCHF, a Brooklyn-based art collective and creative studio known for blurring the lines between art, fashion, tech and satire. Whaley leads a team of artists committed to mischief, controversy, and cultural critique. From viral stunts like turning a pair of Air Max 97s into “Jesus Shoes”, to selling 1,000 Warhol art pieces (only one of being real); Mschf continues to make headlines and disrupt fashion industry norms. With Whaley at the helm, the collective has earned global recognition, museum placements and awards, including being named one of Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies and a spot on Hypebeast's Top 100 list.

Nicolas is the owner and operator of Bridges, a one-Michelin-starred restaurant in Chinatown. French-Japanese and raised in Melbourne, he built his career across luxury hotels and restaurants in Tokyo, Melbourne, Switzerland, France, Hong Kong, and New York before opening Bridges in September 2024. He is currently developing a second location on Mott Street, opening Q1 2027.

Marguerite Zabar Mariscal is the CEO of Momofuku, where she oversees the brand’s growth across restaurants. She joined the company in 2011 as an intern, quickly expanding her role to lead design and communications, and was named Brand Director in 2016. Two years later, she was promoted to Chief of Staff and Creative Director before becoming CEO in 2019. In 2020, she co-founded Momofuku Goods, the line of pantry products now sold nationwide. Marguerite has lived in New York City every year of her life, except for four majestic years in Maine.

Linden Pride

Principal, Dante, Dante West Village, and Dante Beverly Hills

Linden Pride is the founding partner of Figure of 8 Hospitality and Principal at Dante, Dante West Village, Dante Aperitivo and Dante Beverly Hills.

A native of Australia, Pride began his career in the hospitality industry in some of Sydney, Australia’s best restaurants, where in his early career he received recognition as “Australian Bartender of the Year” and “Australian Restaurant Manager of the Year” in 2010.

After moving to Europe to work in several of London’s most acclaimed restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Hakkasan, Pride returned to his native Australia to work with restaurateur Neil Perry on the development of Rockpool Bar & Grill Sydney, Spice Temple Sydney, Spice Temple Melbourne, The Waiting Room and Rockpool Bar & Grill Perth.

In 2011, Pride moved to the United States and began working as director of operations for AvroKO Hospitality Group, a renowned and award-winning international design and concept firm based in New York City. There, he opened and managed numerous venues worldwide, including Saxon + Parole, PUBLIC, Gotham West Market, Genuine Roadside, The Thomas in Napa Valley, Saxon + Parole Moscow, and The Ritz Berlin.

In 2015, Pride and partner Nathalie Hudson formed Figure of 8 Hospitality and reopened Dante, the 100-year-old Greenwich Village institution. Dante has earned top honors, including #1 and #2 World’s 50 Best Bars; Time Out New York’s Bar of the Year, and World’s Best Bar and Best American Restaurant Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. In 2020, Pride and Hudson opened Dante West Village — a seafood-driven restaurant focused around a wood-fired grill and charcoal oven paired with a world-class martini and aperitivo bar. In July 2023, the duo expanded the brand to the West Coast with the opening of Dante Beverly Hills at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, its first location outside of NYC. Set on the hotel’s recently-renovated rooftop, Dante Beverly Hills transports the spirit for which Dante is known, blending New York hospitality with Californian sensibilities. Most recently in 2025, Accademia Dante opened as an expansion of the adored MacDougal Street location; becoming a NYC hub for cocktail exploration, inspiration, and connection.

Nathalie Hudson

Co-Owner & Creative Director, Dante & Dante Aperitivo

Hospitality Visionary Who Creates Globally Acclaimed, Soulful Neighborhood Dining & Drinks Destinations, Guided by Empathy, Warmth and Human Connection

Nathalie Hudson is Co-Owner and Creative Director of Dante and Dante Aperitivo, a new restaurant at 51 Bank St. in the West Village, which she leads with her husband, Linden Pride.

The dynamic duo is behind the award-winning Caffe Dante, an iconic New York restaurant and bar founded in 1915 that they relaunched a century later. Through their exceptional gastronomic offering and hospitality, it earned The World’s Best Bar (2019) and North America’s Best Bar (2019 and 2020). The couple has expanded Dante to Dante West Village, Dante Beverly Hills at The Maybourne in Los Angeles and Dante Mayfair at Claridge’s in London.

Their latest NYC openings include Dante Aperitivo, which reimagines Italy’s aperitivo ritual, and Caffe Paradiso, the coffee shop of Nathalie’s dreams, where guests feel a sense of connection and community. Both are passion projects of Nathalie that she personally conceptualized, designed and operates with Linden.

Nathalie oversees day-to-day operations across all Dante properties, as well as the creative direction and brand identity. From menus to music, uniforms to interiors, it all tells the Dante story. Leading a team of more than 300 employees, she is deeply involved in shaping the narrative to feel cohesive and authentic across every space.

ARIEL ARCE is the female founder, owner, and entrepreneur behind Tokyo Record Bar, Pearl Box Townhouse, Roscioli NYC, Big Pearl Caviar, Leonessa and formerly Air's Champagne Parlor, Niche Niche, and Special Club - each a singular space built around her passions for wine, dinner parties, and music.

Born and raised in Hells Kitchen, her formative life as a professional actor helps her infuse her venues with theatricality and a philosophy that going out should foster human connection, feel authentic, and in this modern world, feel like a good value.

She earned her stripes in Chicago working for Michelin-starred Chef Grant Achatz and as a Champagne specialist at Pops, which opened doors around the world to the best cellars and culinary talents. At 25, she returned to New York to open the first Fried Chicken & Champagne Restaurant (Birds & Bubbles) and then to partner with Ravi Derossi on Riddling Widow before opening her first solo project, Air's Champagne Parlor, at 28. She is a tastemaker in the city's dining scene and a thought leader in the industry, a published author with Rizzoli for "Better with Bubbles", consulting Partner for Hilton at The Conrad's Leonessa, which she developed and concepted, along with projects forthcoming. She is known as "The Champagne Empress of Greenwich Village" by The New York Times, "Champagne Mogul" by Vogue, and named one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine's "40 Under 40 Tastemakers" as well as Eater's "Young Guns."

Robert Rizzolo is Global President of Alexander Wang. He brings 25+ years of experience driving growth across every segment of fashion, from specialty to luxury, at LVMH, Kering, Capri, and Gap Inc. Whether scaling founder-led brands or strengthening global institutions, he builds high-performing teams that align creative vision with commercial discipline. He holds an MBA in Management from Cornell's SC Johnson College of Business and serves on the FIT Foundation Board of Directors.

Max Tcheyan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Caper. Previously, Max was Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Puck and served as VP of Growth at The Athletic. Earlier in his career, he helped build Gametime and Bleacher Report into category-defining media and technology companies. Across each venture, his work has centered on building consumer brands, scaling audiences, and developing sustainable digital media businesses.

Caper is a media company covering the business of hospitality through original journalism, exclusive events, and a growing community of industry leaders. We connect the people, ideas, and businesses shaping the future of hospitality, creating meaningful opportunities for storytelling, conversation, and partnership across the industry.

Halsey Anderson is Chief Brand Officer at Veronica Beard, where she leads brand and creative strategy, strengthening the company’s global presence and customer connection.

Anderson’s unique skill set lies in her ability to shape brand narratives, creating holistic and inspiring campaigns with a deep understanding of the Veronica Beard customer.

She previously served as SVP of Brand Marketing at J.Crew Group, where she helped drive the brand’s resurgence. With 20+ years of experience in marketing, content, and PR, Anderson brings a strong track record of building brand relevance and growth.

Jay Choyce Tibbitts is a New York-based strategist and cultural commentator whose work examines the intersection of fashion, luxury, consumer behavior and the internet. With a background in digital and social strategy spanning healthcare, finance, hospitality and consumer goods, he brings an analytical lens to fashion that merges cultural observation with business insight.

His commentary and personal style have been featured across publications including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, WWD, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and NBC.

Elaine Chang brings more than 25 years of experience across the creative industries of media, technology, fashion, and retail. Her first job out of university was in consulting, but two years into her career, Elaine moved into music just as the industry was being upended by technology. She worked on Pressplay, the first music subscription service, launched as a joint venture between Universal Music Group and Sony BMG. These early lessons in navigating industry upheaval and innovation have shaped Elaine's work ever since. She currently serves as President of Tibi, a global luxury fashion brand building a mindset-driven industry by merging media and product under the philosophy of Creative Pragmatism. Elaine holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Chicago and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Laura’s 30+ year career has spanned leadership roles at luxury fashion brands such as Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren, as well as Food & Beverage ventures including Ralph and Dean & Deluca. Most recently, she spent four years creating Printemps New York from initial concept through execution, culminating in its 2025 opening. Laura is now the CEO of Other Monarchs, a creative office operating at the intersection of culture and commerce.

John Hutchison is the CEO of Paul Stuart, the New York-based heritage menswear brand. Prior to that, he was CEO of Bonobos, President of TRX Training, a Global Vice President at The North Face, and a Director of Strategy at Nike. His career has been defined by brand transformation, consumer obsession, and driving financial performance. He believes that Taste is cultivated, it's inherent in the world's best brands, and doesn't need to rely on a single visionary leader.

Ana Andjelic spent two decades in C-suite brand roles at Banana Republic, Esprit, Mansur Gavriel and Rebecca Minkoff, while building a body of intellectual work that explains why most brand strategy fails.

Her thesis: modern consumers signal status through taste, curation and values — social, cultural and environmental capital — not wealth. At Banana Republic her repositioning delivered a 24% year-on-year comparable sales increase; at Esprit she led the brand's European repositioning and re-entry into North America and Asia-Pacific.

She holds a PhD in Sociology from Columbia University, writes one of the top Substack business publications, and has contributed to Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Highsnobiety and the Guardian.

Patti Simpson is the Chief Administrative Officer of Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), where she oversees the human resources and legal teams while also leading Hospitality Quotient, the company’s hospitality advisory business.

An accomplished executive with deep expertise in human resources, operations, organizational design, and learning & development, Patti Simpson is a trained educator who is passionate about developing leaders and strengthening organizational culture. Since joining USHG in 2019, Patti has helped modernize the company’s HR function, leading major talent initiatives and advancing USHG’s employee-first philosophy of Enlightened Hospitality.

Prior to USHG, Patti led human resources operations for some of the hospitality industry’s most recognized brands, including TGI Fridays, Ignite Restaurant Group (Joe’s Crab Shack and Brick House Tavern + Tap), Au Bon Pain, and Ruby Tuesday.

A 20-year hospitality industry veteran, Sue S. Chan is the founder of Care of Chan, a premier experiential marketing agency working with the world's best culinary, film, fashion and design brands.

Before founding the agency in 2016, she led global brand, PR and restaurant openings for Momofuku across New York, Sydney and Toronto. Vogue called her the “Downtown New York Food Impresario”; Marie Claire named her one of its “Fresh Faces in Food.”

Care of Chan is a hospitality-driven experiential marketing agency creating category-defining experiences for brands that care about culture, connection and impact. Equal parts strategist, producer and host, the agency brings people together around ideas, in real life and — whenever possible — over food. Its work builds community, drives relevance and leaves a lasting impression.

Eugene Rabkin is the editor of StyleZeitgeist, a lecturer, and the author of a new book, Torn: Fashion and Postmodernism, which examines the state of fashion over the past twenty-five years. He has been writing about fashion and culture since 2008, and his work has appeared in the New York Times, the Financial Times, the Business of Fashion, T Magazine China, and other publications. He is also the author of Stone Island: Storia and has contributed to other books.

Annie Shi is the restaurateur behind acclaimed restaurants King, celebrating ten years this fall; Jupiter at Rockefeller Center; Lei, her James Beard Award-winning wine bar named to Bon Appetit's 2026 Best New Restaurants list in Chinatown; and Dean's with co-owner and chef Jess Shadbolt. Annie leads the beverage programs, shaping the distinct wine list and orchestrating how they mirror the ingredient-driven philosophies of the food. She has been recognized with The Michelin Guide Northeast Cities 2025 Sommelier Award in addition to being featured as a Forbes 30 under 30 and Imbibe 75 honoree. Prior to joining the hospitality industry, Annie started her career in finance, and is a graduate of Yale University. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

Shane Davis is the co-founder and Creative Director of Public Records, the Brooklyn-based cultural organization exploring the intersection of sound, hospitality, design, and ecology. He leads the creative vision of Public Records across its spaces, experiences, and broader cultural projects, with a practice rooted in creating environments that foster connection and new forms of human exchange. Shane has been named by Wallpaper Magazine as one of the 400 people defining America's creative landscape, and was awarded Fast Company's Innovation by Design award for The Nursery at Public Records.