DESIGN YOUR DAY

This week, Ray Digmi catches up with jewelry designer and owner of AVENUE CHIC, Christine Atrach

Originally from Lebanon, Christine grew up in a family of fashion designers but did not immediately embrace the path of fashion, ultimately traveling to the United States with the intention of becoming a college professor.

And although she did embark on a journey of high education, she could not ignore the family talent, and eventually listened to the advice of her father, who told her to pursue a career in fashion.

After starting her own family, Christine made the career pivot, and introduced AVENUE CHIC, a virtual showroom of a collection of brands and pieces ;showcasing designers from all around the world

Today, AVENUE CHIC features brands from Paris, United Kingdom, Lebanon, Brazil, the United States and more and is proudly showcased at The Gathering Shops

Christines’s story is an example of how your first dream can lead to the opportunity to fulfill your true destiny.

This week, we catch up with Christina Mahjouri - the founder of fashion & accessories company, Cemeli

Christina shares her personal story of growing up in Greece, building a career in governance and supply chanin, and how the burnout of that corporate career led to her wanting to make a change…A change for herself and change for women around the world.

With that inspiration for change, Christina founded Cemeli, a fashion and accessories brand that is committed to empowering emerging women designers and driving education initiatives for underprivileged youth

Christina Mahjouri and Cemeli are examples of how a creative spirit can inspire women to change the world.

This week we catch up with Artist - Cartoonist and author Tony Rubino

Tony is the co-creator of the Internationally syndicated comic strip, “Daddy's Home”, which appears in more than 250 newspapers and websites and is seen by 26 million people every day. “Daddy’s Home” is a fresh and funny look at the contemporary trials and tribulations of a growing segment of the modern family dynamic -- the stay at home dad.

Tony’s designs, comics, and words can be found on greeting cards and other product lines such as calendars, posters, and apparel sold in stores and catalogs worldwide; including The Gathering Shops newest store location - Bell Works, in Holmdel, New Jersey

Tony’s paintings and prints have been featured in galleries in New York, Chicago, Washington, and LA.

This week, Ray Digmi catches up with New Jersey Artist, Julian Mitchell Estremera

“J-Mitchell” as he is known in the art community, shares his personal story of growing up in the Garden State and eventually landing successful career in the financial industry - where he soon realized that money is never a guarantee for health and happiness.

Deciding to take a courageous leap and walk away from his corporate career, he dove into his passion of painting and creating . A self educated artist, Julian Mitchell’ story is an example of finding your true passion by painting your personality.

Design Your Day host Ray Digmi catches up with fashion veteran and musician, Andy Hilfiger

Andy shares his personal story growing up with his siblings in upstate New York, where his brother Tommy started a small fashion store called The Peoples Place - that would set the stage for a life of fashion and music.

Eventually moving to the Big Apple, Hilfiger would play the bass guitar for the rock group - King Flux - during the same time that his brother Tommy was developing the Tommy Hilfiger fashion collection.

Andy would eventually join his brother and begin a decade worth of creative work at Tommy Hilfiger, that including styling and brand development. Andy followed that act up with the launch of Andrew Charles, his namesake rock-n-roll inspired fashion brand, as well as a playing a major role in the launches of other successful brands.

In his latest role, Andy Hilfiger is the creative director for ARTISTIX, a new luxury streetwear brand. An incredible conversation that will take you behind the scenes of one of the greatest generations of fashion, Andy Hilfiger is a man that knows how to build a brand and make a beat…

Host Ray Digmi catches up with The Founder of The Suburban Monk, Ellen Atkins

Ellen shares her story of how she decided to leave the stability of a successful job in corporate America to take a leap of faith and become an entrepreneur, a journey that would change her life. An incredible story of self reflection and passion, Ellen has built a brand around “Syd” who helps people find joy and happiness - but Ill let her tell you about him.

On Episode 1, Design Your Day host Ray Digmi talks about the exciting first year of The Gathering Shops - what the platform has offered and accomplished and gives a sneak peek into some of the exciting new projects and events that are in the works in the coming months. With 2019 staring to wind down, The Gathering Shops is just getting started!

The prelude episode to DESIGN THE DAY, the official podcast show of The Gathering Shops - retails newest and most exciting shopping platform. Host Ray Digmi gives a little insight into this exciting new platform and what you can expect to hear on the show each week. Get ready to listen closely...there is a story behind every brand!