OUR LOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS

(as if you were there)

Well. So. I'm back on earth. I think. As you may have heard, we celebrated a party on Wednesday. It was time for our Look of the Year Awards and we launched our first real paper magazine. Moreover, it had to be cooler than the year before. Just imagine. That someone would say that last year was more fun. That can't be.

So we looked for a location where such an event had never been held before. Food on the stage of Carré? Or why not in the Westerkerk? My sales director Daniëlle called me hyperventilating with excitement when she visited the Westerkerk. “It can just happen, May. I high-fived the caretaker and checked everything.”

Music had to be there. Music. But who? I got into a Facebook conversation with singing coach Babette Labeij (her lessons weren't really for me but we remained digital friends through my short visit cycle to her studio) and suddenly she arranged an incredibly beautiful singer for me. Just from L.A., because that's where Babette lives these days. Her name is Easy May Walker, check out her album. And how beautiful is that woman.

Where I want to go is that this evening came together so smoothly. Although it didn't always feel that way. For example, when our presenter canceled four hours before the event. But my beloved made a phone call and it was solved. Enter Jan Versteegh. The most fun presenter we could think of. Sorry Jan, that you were offended that we didn't ask you first, I don't understand it myself either. Or did we think it would be fun if Jan sang a little Frank Sinatra upon arrival. Jan. Did I already mention that we are fans? And that we love you? And that there is a huge bottle of Moët with your name on it waiting to be drunk this weekend?

Furthermore, we wanted to give an award to a top model. Quite tricky during couture week. But luckily there are models out there who are too tall for the shows and voilà: Jamilla Hoogenboom (favorite of Mario Testino, Mert and Marcus, and Juergen Teller and Vogue habitué) could come. “Unless she gets a huge hotshot booking,” said her agent Micha Models. But the prayers were answered, Jamilla had a day off and was with us.

Makeup artist and creative director of various makeup brands Dominique Samuel was also flown in especially for us from New York. And well, since I was booking a room in the Pulitzer for him and one for Jamilla and her boyfriend, there could also be one for Daniëlle, for Lucia, the art director of the magazine, and for yours truly. It immediately served as a dressing room for the editors, hair room, champagne room, and here-you-dump-your-heels-at-the-end-of-the-evening room. May I hereby crown the Pulitzer as the coziest, best furnished, and most original hotel in the city? I want to live in room 388. For real.

You know what was also so, forgive me my immodesty but I have nothing to do with this so it’s allowed, good was this evening? The food. Just try to bake a halibut fillet for 130 people. It was perfect.

Then I want to take a bow to our guests. From Jason Denham via Jetteke van Lexmond, Eva Jinek, Karin Swerink, Milou Neelen, Lieke van Lexmond, Lucy Woesthoff, Anouk Smulders, Leco van Zadelhoff, Steven Dahlberg, Dominique Samuel, Bert Visser, Jamilla Hoogenboom, Renate Gerschtanowitz, Carolien Karthaus, Toprak Yalçiner, Danie Bles, Harriet Calo, Peggy Weijergang, and Franska Stuy. The nicest VIPs and the best in the business.

I would like to nominate a number of people for a royal ribbon. First our partners Renault, Omoda, Philips, Moët, and L’Oréal Professionnel. And also thanks for the cocktails from BOS Ice Tea and Our/Vodka. And the touch-up area from L’Oréal Professionnel was also a gift. How nice is it when you can get your hair done halfway through the evening? Without them, it would have been a total no-go. I thank them for their trust and the creative and smooth collaboration we have had for such a long time.

Now champagne and confetti for Daniëlle Heerkens, my right half who always makes everything just a bit cooler and hipper. Theo Bakana for his dances, jokes, and calmness, but especially for his seriously smooth production spirit and Annick van den Broek who always thinks of everything long before I come up with it as a last-minute thought. She looks up photos of the guests, knows the seating by heart, sends everyone a thank-you photo afterwards, and well, there must be something she can't do but I haven't found it yet.

My art director Daphne for the layout of the menus and everyone, everyone who helped so cheerfully. Intern Annabelle who packed 260 sheets even with a torn rib muscle and Danique who is the epitome of calm, but always did everything you asked and also kept an eye on the budget. I would never do that. And of course the editors and Renske and Marion. The nicest girls in the country.

And now the photos. Pour a glass, channel yourself to the Westerkerk and you are just there. Really.