With the Fourth of July weekend almost here, designers and executives are ready for some rest and relaxation. Spy talks to a few creative forces to get the details on their plans as well as top traditions.
Erika Gabrielli, director of marketing, Teva
Holiday plans: “Beach and barbecue with family.”
Favorite July 4th activity: “Riding cruisers around town and enjoying the fireworks show in Santa Barbara, [Calif.]. The show happens off boats in the harbor, and it’s an amazing experience to watch them go off over the water. It’s a fun holiday to appreciate the beauty and freedom of where we live.”
David Giordano, co-founder and designer, Atelje 71
Holiday plans: “I am combining the family’s two favorite holidays, Swedish Midsummer and Fourth of July, by celebrating with close friends over a smörgåsbord of herring, meatballs, Brooklyn IPAs and barbecued turkey burgers. Hoping for some much-needed R&R, but with my active 3-year old, the weekend will most likely be more about water guns and soccer practice than sleeping in.”
Favorite July 4th activity: “My favorite activity is hands-down watching the fireworks from my terrace in Williamsburg [in Brooklyn, N.Y.]. We have an amazing view of the skyline span- ning from Long Island down to the Freedom Tower. Watching the sky light up brings back so many awesome childhood memories.”
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Naomi Reid, designer, Latigo
Holiday plans: “I’m going to be home in San Francisco and really looking forward to it. I’ve been traveling so much. [I’m just] coming off a product trip in China — not to mention [I was recently] in New York for market week. So I’ll probably just crash.”
Favorite July 4th activity: “Typically, I just spend the holiday barbecuing and relaxing with family and friends. Again, I travel so much this time of year that I’m just happy being home in my own space with those I love.”
David Kahan, president, Birkenstock
Holiday plans: “My wife just purchased a 25-foot inflatable duck for our pool. I plan on spending the better part of the weekend relaxing on the duck in the water.”
Favorite July 4th activity: “Always spend the day with friends — usually just barbecue at home. Now that we are near the wineries of Napa and Sonoma, it seems every year we have East Coast friends come out and visit. [We do] wineries on July 3, followed by our backyard [barbecue] on July 4. Oh, and I have great music mixes I always make that are custom-made based on the day.”
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