Marjon Carlos
Courtesy of Marjon Carlos
HURS CURATORS
MARJON CARLOS
The journalist, podcast host and cultural auntie shares her favorite scent, brand and restaurant.
Marjon Carlos is culture’s ultimate multitasker. A journalist, podcast host, and brand consultant based in New York, she moves seamlessly between storytelling, strategy, and style. Her bylines in Wall Street Journal Magazine, Essence, and i-D have captured the pulse of fashion and culture—interviewing industry icons like Megan Thee Stallion, Gigi Hadid and FKA twigs—while her strategic work with brands like Palm Heights and Ganni shapes their narratives. As an auntie to the industry, she empowers and inspires with her signature mix of intellect, humor, and authenticity. As the host of the breakout podcast Your Favorite Auntie, she delivers sharp cultural commentary and hard-to-hear advice. What began as a quarantine IGTV experiment has evolved into a must-listen series, now gearing up for its highly anticipated second season. With dynamic conversations featuring today’s most compelling voices, Carlos is cementing her role as the virtual confidant we all need.
WHERE CRAFT, CULTURE AND MODERNITY MEET
Diotima is a study in contrasts: rooted in the Caribbean yet steeped in European craft traditions, bold yet nuanced, sensual yet intellectual. Founded in 2021 by Rachel Scott, the Jamaican-born designer crafts a distinct dialogue between tradition and modernity. The brand’s signature mix of hand-crafted crochet from Jamaica, tailored wools from Italy, and heritage tweeds from the UK, has made it stand out. In just three years, the brand has earned industry acclaim—including the 2023 CFDA Emerging Designer of the Year Award—establishing itself as both a celebration of the Caribbean’s rich artistry and a powerful new voice in contemporary fashion. Each piece—whether a sharply tailored suit or an intricately embellished dress—blends craftsmanship with cultural storytelling. Scott’s vision is rooted in honoring the Caribbean’s cultural and aesthetic legacy, all while challenging the conventions of luxury to embrace craft and community.
“I remember the first time I wore Diotima: I was on a beach and I got carried away. I was wearing a crochet knit dress that was a sexy incarnation of a doily and I was a fan ever since. Rachel is designing EMOTIONAL clothes for women with curves and has managed to transform the tradition of crochet into something precious, sensual, and luxurious.”
“I’m not quite sure how I discovered the work of Arthur Jafa, but his video collages always felt so instinctual to me. A constellation of found images and videos from the internet and beyond that depict Black expression, Jafa’s work is SOULFUL, unapologetically Black, and incisive. I remember he erected an installation of large monster truck tires hanging from the ceilings in this open studio. There was Teddy Pendergrass blaring from these four large, custom stereos as you entered, so you were just enveloped by this large-scale tribute to rural life. He’s such a genius.”
THE BRILLIANCE OF ARTHUR JAFA
Arthur Jafa is a visual artist and filmmaker whose work dissects the complexities of Blackness, merging history, culture, and personal experience into a compelling visual language. For over three decades, Jafa has used film, sculpture, painting, and installation to examine the power, beauty, and brutality embedded in the Black experience. Jafa’s approach involves collaging found imagery and sounds, producing sequences that reveal new emotional and intellectual connections, drawing on the legacy of Black music, history and visual culture. With a career spanning collaborations with artists like Spike Lee and Solange, as well as groundbreaking exhibitions at major institutions like The Museum of Modern Art, Tate Modern, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and The Studio Museum in Harlem, Jafa’s work blurs the line between fine art and popular culture. He has become one of the most influential artists of his generation, always challenging and expanding the conversations around race, culture, and identity.
A DISTINCTLY NEW YORK CLASSIC
The Grill is a New York institution, reborn with an unapologetic nod to mid-century glamour. Located in the Seagram Building, this chophouse blends old-school elegance with bold theatrics. Prime rib carved tableside, crab cakes with pan-fried potatoes—everything here is an experience. In the kitchen, classics are reinterpreted with precision, and the service, as sharp as the knives, turn every meal into a show. The Grill’s vibe is straight from the Mad Men era—luxury, power lunches, and martinis that never stop flowing. This isn’t a place for restraint; it's a place to indulge, to celebrate, to live big. Classic American dining, but with a New York edge.
“There isn’t a place more distinctly New York than The Grill. I love going on special occasions to INDULGE and remember why I love this city so much.”
“The sister location to Manhattan’s WSA is my favorite new catchall. Tucked away in Bushwick in a VERY unassuming warehouse location, it’s a one-stop shop for everything I need. I go to work or take meetings in the beautifully designed member's lounge, have a brilliant dinner at Tenny’s, take gym classes with my guy Ariel, and get massages with Yessenia at the beautiful on-site spa. There are even bougie indulgences like waiters walking around with caviar bumps or after-work drinks and oysters. It’s the third place I’ve needed since COVID.”
A MEMBERS’ CLUB FOR THE CULTURAL CLASS
Scott Avenue Associates (SAA) in Brooklyn is where culture meets luxury. The members’ club at 154 Scott Ave., is designed for those who long to blend work and downtime and have a deep appreciation for design. The building houses sleek workspaces, a high-end gym, yoga studio, marble spa, and a rooftop pool—all under one roof alongside extensive culture programming. Its top-tier amenities paired with standout restaurants Tenny’s and Habibi and the 154Spa, make SAA the kind of place you don’t really want to leave. SAA is where the city’s power players and tastemakers convene, balancing work and relaxation in perfect harmony. It’s the kind of place where business meetings turn into intimate dinners, and wellness is as much a part of the experience as anything else.
ARTISANAL FRAGRANCES, CRAFTED FOR CONNECTION
Maison d’Etto sits at the intersection of art, design, and fragrance. Founded by Brianna Lipovsky—a former agency executive with extensive experience in branding and luxury design—the brand is defined by its modern approach to the world of fragrance. Brianna’s lifelong love for the equestrian lifestyle and scent serves as the foundation for Maison d’Etto, which blends her understanding of luxury branding with a passion for creating personal, memorable experiences. With a background in pre-med and product development, Lipovsky’s approach to perfumery is intuitive, crafting scents that evoke emotion and memory. But we’ll let Marjon tell you more about her favorite scent.