By R Life, posted Apr 8th 2011 at 2:02PM
will.i.am is more than an A-list music producer and one-fourth of hip-hop group The Black Eyed Peas—he’s also a style icon.
Before joining the Peas, will.i.am (real name William James Adams Jr.) was a student at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. In 2005 he debuted his own line of threads, i.am, and he often helps design looks for the Peas. Also, as anyone who’s seen him at an awards ceremony or performing onstage can attest, the guy definitely gets noticed: hats, sunglasses, his controversial 2010 MTV Video Music Awards black leather suit and black facepaint get-up.
So it only makes sense that Brazilian GQ’s inaugural issue includes a fashion spread with the international music icon getting his pose on atop Renaissance Sao Paulo’s helipad.
Check out the full photo spread from the April issue, on newsstands now, with covergirl and Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio after the jump.
By R Life, posted Jan 12th 2011 at 4:01PM
The Plastiscines aren’t just any rock band. They’re an all-girl rock band. An uber-fashionable, all-girl rock band. One who cites the White Stripes, the Kinks, and Blondie as inspiration. And they’re French, too. (Excuse us while we scour the thesaurus for more descriptive phrases synonymous with “ultra cool.”)
Not only has the foursome’s music been featured on Gossip Girl and in NYLON magazine, but the girls have also been inculcated into the fashion world, putting together a capsule collection for French label Jennyfer and joining fellow rockers Iggy Pop and The Virgins to promote Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses.
So it seemed natural that the band would get together at Renaissance Arc de Triomphe for an interview (and, of course, try on myriad outfits in between questions). Lesson of the day: Renaissance suites make for great dressing rooms. Especially if you’re a rockstar.
By R Life, posted Dec 3rd 2010 at 8:38AM
In celebration of her new album, “Body Talk,” Robyn rocked the party at Renaissance Hollywood on November 15th, and then again at The Stanford Court Renaissance in San Fran on November 22nd.
Check out the photos, and keep an eye out for new events brought to you by RLifeTM LIVE.
By R Life, posted Nov 29th 2010 at 3:16PM
Director Tony Scott didn’t get to see much of Pittsburgh while in the city shooting his latest release on the silver screen, Unstoppable. Asked whether he got to visit anything outside of the film set while shooting, the reported workaholic director responded, “Swear to God, if I got to the bathroom, I was lucky.”
Even if bathrooms were all Scott got to see in Pittsburgh, we’re proud to say he saw ours. Holed up at Renaissance Pittsburgh during the process, Scott retired (for only 2-5 hours a night, it’s said) to his room at the Renaissance.
Want to know more about Renaissance Pittsburgh? Check out this piece we put together after a sit-down with the hotel manager in September.
By R Life, posted Nov 12th 2010 at 9:55AM
One of the most notable differences between short-lived trendy music and long-lasting classic music is genre. Many respected musicians with ongoing careers tend to bend genres, experiment with sound, and play music because they love it – not because they care about a fad genre. Thievery Corporation is a band that has successfully defied genre. The duo has mixed and mashed their varying tastes, and the well-received eclectic result has kept them playing (and selling out shows) over the last 14 years.
Recently, Thievery Corporation brought their talent to RLifeTM LIVE. After showcasing their songs at the Capiz Lounge inside Renaissance Boston Waterfront and the Lobby Bar at Eden Roc Renaissance in Miami, members, Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, mingled with the guests. Word on the street is that our guests enjoyed themselves… all night long. (Check out photos from the Eden Roc performance here.)
Inspired by music from across the globe, (dub, jazz, reggae, Indian Classical, Middle Eastern, etc.) Thievery Corporation has created a unique sound that we’re happy to bring to Renaissance guests who will, undoubtedly, be inspired by their music.
By R Life, posted Nov 2nd 2010 at 3:16PM
We love magical nights. Those nights when you step out of your door, turn the corner, and run right into your favorite celeb. Basically, nights when you know something really good is going to happen. That was exactly the feeling on Thursday night in New York’s Times Square and downtown Chicago as RLifeTM LIVE launched into full gear.
At the RLounge in Times Square, Solange Knowles kicked off the evening DJing a 2-hour set of some of the freshest R&B classics to date. As the dance floor started bumping, Robin Thicke took to the stage and rocked the crowd with his slick demeanor and soaring vocals. After his show, Samantha Ronson donned the DJ booth and cranked it up with some high-energy dance and hip-hop hits. Additional celeb sightings included Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick, as well as Friday Night Lights star, Minka Kelly.
The night was just as busy at Renaissance Chicago Downtown. With their pop-meets-rock-n-roll flair, rising stars Neon Trees performed their smash hit, “Animal,” to an animated crowd of partygoers. We also celebrated the 1-year anniversary of our acclaimed Bar Novo.
And thanks to the intimate setting of both of these events, everyone in the room had a front-row view of the performance. Just like running into a celebrity – except this time, they’re there just for you.
Of course, there’s more fun to be had. Check out our Facebook page for more info on upcoming RLife LIVE events and featured artists, as well as photos from the NYC and Chicago launches.
See Neon Trees, Robin Thicke & Sam Ronson after the jump…
By R Life, posted Aug 30th 2010 at 12:06PM
If we asked you to hum the melody of that song, “Kiss Me,” by Sixpence None the Richer, you could probably do it. The band’s big hit has been engraved into our permanent memories via commercials and movies like “She’s All That.” Their song “There She Goes” is probably another one you could pluck out the notes to.
So now you’re probably wondering… where has this band been lately? Well, in short, it went something like this: they got famous, broke up, the singer went solo, they reunited in 2007, released an EP, got signed again, and played their first US show in six years last month at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.
The concert was a benefit for MusiCares, an organization that exists to aid musicians in need of help with anything from addiction recovery to financial crisis. The post-show accommodations for the band were at none other than the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa.
Congrats on your return to the spotlight, Sixpence, and thanks for choosing Renaissance.
By R Life, posted Jul 13th 2010 at 11:50AM
Richard Gere. He’s often seen on the big-budget silver screen and not as often seen in Aruba. Unless the Aruba International Film Festival is happening. The AIFF took place June 4-11 and Gere made an appearance in the Caribbean for the event.
Although Renaissance wasn’t the official hotel for the festival, Gere was nonetheless hosted at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, which, by the way, sits upon its very own private island. Pictured in the photo with the resort’s director, Francisco “Chico” Faro, Gere turned the heads of onlooking guests at the Renaissance.
By R Life, posted Jun 1st 2010 at 10:20AM
Sarah Ferguson leaves the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel on Sunday May 23rd 2010.
Caught in the middle of a bribe scandal, The Duchess of York (also known as “the original Fergie”) has been making headlines even more than usual these days. But contrary to the bad press she’s been receiving lately, Fergie has always been well known for her humanitarian efforts. The Duchess was recently spotted at Renaissance Hollywood, receiving an award from Variety International for her philanthropic work with disabled and underprivileged children.
Poised as always, Fergie had a lot to say about the nature of philanthropy:
“I learnt today about making a difference. Most importantly I learned I hate grown-ups and I love children. When I got on that plane from London tonight, I thought, phew, what a heavy day. But when the children’s choir came out tonight and I saw their little faces, I turned round to my friend and said, ‘You know what, I’m glad I did because it is about the children’,”
By R Life, posted May 13th 2010 at 11:52AM
Image courtesy of The Glamazon Diaries
All of you Sex and the City fanatics must be bursting at your seams about now. Sex and the City 2 will be premiering on the silver screen May 27th and Renaissance Times Square is happy to have been part of the sexy filmmaking process. We shared the “unconfirmed” rumors in a previous RLife post. Samantha Jones’ (Kim Cattrall) office with the million dollar view was in fact the Renaissance Times Square restaurant.
Now here’s some good news: we’ll be doing a contest to celebrate this movie opening. The winner will receive a trip to Renaissance Times Square. But you’ll have to stay tuned because that’s all we’re telling you for now.
In the meantime, check out the latest trailer for the film here
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