CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Colin Cowie
| Of Colin Cowie Enterprises Colin Cowie has led an extraordinary life. He arrived in the U.S. from South Africa with $400 in his pocket, a good suit and a tan. But it was his smarts, personality and stylish sensibility that led him into the fast-track, glamorous world of planning over-the-top parties for the who’s who of royalty, celebrity and business. Respected around the world as an arbiter of style, Colin Cowie has been at the forefront of event and wedding planning for the past 25 years, creating trends and raising the bar for the ultimate guest experience. Colin has created some of the most talked about events, including the multimillion dollar opening of the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas, Palm Island Dubai and Atlantis as well as Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball. In addition to Oprah, his celebrity clients include Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Seacrest, Jimmy Iovine, Kim Kardashian, Lil Wayne, Nicole Kidman and Demi Moore to name
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a few. Colin’s corporate clients include Audemars Piguet, Dom Perignon, Davidoff of Geneva, Warner Bros, CBS, Cash Money Records, The Whitney Museum, Architectural Digest, Kerzner International’s One and Only Hotels, Cosmopolitan Magazine and InStyle Magazine. Colin is an authority on living with style; an author of ten best-selling books that are sold around the world and a celebrated television personality who spent seven years on the HSN Network. More recently, Colin announced the Colin Cowie wedding and jewelry collection for Blue Nile. Beyond entertaining, Colin’s work extends into the hospitality arena where he oversaw the renovation of the Mira Hotel in Hong Kong with 600 guest rooms, three restaurants, the ballroom, spa and all common areas. Residential projects include private homes in Los Angeles, Miami and New York. From 1997 – 2001 Colin was a national spokesperson and designer for Lenox with his signature line of china, crystal and silverware sold in more than 500 retail stores. Colin also served as creative director for NetJets from 2007 through 2009, focusing on creating the greatest customer service experience in private aviation.
FLUENTIAL NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2017
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Colin sits at the helm of his digital venture that is revolutionizing the online wedding planning industry. Wilkieblog.com, launched in April 2017, is quickly becoming the most compelling place online to reach the millennial bride. Engaging the engaged with a dynamic fresh look, exclusive original content and a proprietary social network, the venture combines the expertise of Cowie, one of the world’s foremost authorities in wedding planning and lifestyle to assist the modern, digital couple in planning the most stylish day of their lives. Colin Cowie and his work have been prominently featured in publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, People, Elle Decor, InStyle, Town & Country, House Beautiful, InFluential Magazine, etc. and on television shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, Ellen DeGeneres, The Today Show, and Access Hollywood. Colin sits on the board of several philanthropic organizations focusing on arts, education, healthcare and mentorship programs in South Africa and is devoted to supporting young people create a better future for themselves. His charities include: Lalela, Ubuntu, The Phelophepa Train of Hope, Infinite Family and The Turning Point Foundation.
Merilee Kern
Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List” As the Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List”, Merilee Kern is an internationally-regarded consumer product trends expert and hospitality industry voice of authority-a travel, dining, leisure and lifestyle expert who spotlights noteworthy marketplace innovations, change makers, movers and shakers. She reports on exemplary travel destinations and experiences, extraordinary events and newsworthy products and services across all categories. Reach her online at www.TheLuxeList.com, on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ LuxeListEditor, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ TheLuxeList and on Instagram at www.Instagram. com/LuxeListReviews.