So, it’s been a while since the last time I wrote something in here, and definitely is time for something fun and new, isn’t it?
Turns out that the social media is more useful than I thought it was. The other day I was ‘wasting time’ on Facebook and because active users follow or ‘like‘ popular pages, which today I count as one, I discovered an event that opened the doors to a whole new type of networking. One of the big companies that I follow? Société Perrier MX. What they do is that they publish through the social media the main events that about to happen in Mexico. They supply the main information and basically a little synopsis about the event.
The moment when I saw the new picture uploaded by them, it was an image of an event by CoolHuntingMX, a sort of new project/company focused on innovation and people willing to learn about entrepreneurship, and everything related to it. They present two or three seminars per year where they invite leaders and several personalities directly involved with the media or field selected. This semester the selection was about social media and hotspots around Mexico City. How fun does that sound right?
As soon as I knew, I contacted the person in charge or in this case… Sent an email to the address published on Facebook. This is where all the process began. You have to pay a fee to attend to the event, and after that they’ll tell you what’s next. What you receive is a simple package with the information about the event, presented during a Saturday. Because you officially suscribed and payed the fee, they invite you to a courtesy ‘Trend Tour’ where you get to visit five different hotspots around the city.
The Trend Tour, which just happened, was so well organized that the networking began almost instantly after we said hello to each other. We get to meet the owners and creators of this amazing places, ask them about their projects, and basically expand our contacts to a whole new level.
The first stop was in a street style restaurant or so-called ‘food truck‘ called ‘Le Camion’. The owner is a french guy (Djeko Arqueros) and the food is very basic, affordable but absolutely delicious. I ordered an italian panini. I strongly suggest that if you don’t have a very big appetite or eat in standard sizes, share your meal with somebody else. It was a really fun experience, and if I may say, the boys attending the business where absolutely gorgeous.
The second stop was in a contemporary bookstore/gallery/boutique, where the enchantment is almost instant. The place is called Casa Bosques (Córdoba 25). You feel at home as soon as you step in. The books, the magazines, and almost everything around it create an immediate wow, and the layout of the store is clean, minimalist and cozy on its very own way. Keep walking towards inside the store and you’ll ran into Galería Machete. A very simple gallery dedicated to one exhibition. Somehow the place is small and the art pieces are very few, but is just right. After keeping an eye at the gallery you move forward and you’ll ran into a small perfumerie. C’est tres belle, c’est parfait! The smells, the art and the place all by itself, suggest that the magic corners around the city, still exist.
The third stop was in a very special coffee house. It sounds boring when you put it that way, but truth is that the place carries its enchantment on every single detail and brick building the walls of it. It is called ‘El Tercer Lugar’, which means ‘The Third Place’ in English. Located at one of the most popular colonies of Mexico City, the recipes and smells attract you directly to the register and make you order the specialty of the house, the coffee served with Rwanda beans. The taste, the smell and the texture is just perfect. The desserts are beautifully done and every zip is absolutely enjoyable. As a Colombian who absolutely loves coffee, I strongly recommend it.
The fourth stop was at an interior design’s studio. The first impression is not the best one I might say, but once you get in, the wonder is just right there. The whole idea of this place is surrounded and built by an amazing team of architects, industrial designers and artists who make part of what today is called ‘La Metropolitana’. Every chair, every detail and every texture has been thought to transform itself into a beautiful and gorgeous piece. Every piece has been done with wood and a special selection of bright colors. I truly want every single piece for my future house. The funny thing about this stop is that I already knew them because of the Mexican annual event ‘Zona Maco’. Once you stepped into the event, they were one of the first stands. The colors and the design drew it straight to it. The attraction was just instant. As a plus, they’re working on a special project called ‘Lagos del Mundo’, where the main inspiration relies on creating home items, such as cooking tools, with organic and natural materials. They’re really gorgeous. One more thing about them: when you walk into the studio they have a little table with all the business cards and press releases, available for those who visit the place. That’s really useful and exemplar when you invite people who writes, blogs and dedicate themselves to editorial. Well done you guys.
The fifth stop and probably one of my new favorite places in the world was at ‘Tomás Casa Editora’ located at La Condesa. The whole concept of the place is inspired on offering an entire selection of different teas. All of them, from green to red tea, are ready to mix and try with almost anything you can think possible. As a plus, the layout of the store/café is divine. The teas are placed on silver jars, and numbered according to their type. If you love the whole kit and mix of the tea culture here’s the place to come. The desserts are also divine. Green tea cake, blackberry pies and an option where you just can’t avoid a ‘yum’.
Two days after the Trend Tour concluded the big event was up. The meeting spot was in a place called BeeOpenSpace located at one of the main avenues in Mexico City called Avenida Chapultepec. Honestly it was so hard to find. But at the end it’s all about following the right directions. (I’m so bad at locating myself or any address in general).
Once you get in, you see this design and special place where colors and design books dominate the place. It is truly gorgeous. The hosts were there waiting for us and as always so nice and so sweet to make us feel like home. The person in charge of presenting the seminar was there as well, preparing the presentation and a friendly environment for the new audience. The seminar took place in a small classroom with really comfortable chairs and what was more surprising of this whole presentation, and that I’ll get into details in a further paragraph,was that the attention was kept and constant during 99% of the time.
Juan Martín Salazar, the Colombian mentor who presented the new seminar titled ‘Transformar‘ was funny, entertaining and so updated with the latest gigs in trendy stuff. From fashion to simple packaging, the business cases selected where crazy interesting. I’m not a person who usually takes notes, but this time I wrote as much as I could. Salazar talked about non-profit cases such as Project Daniel (idea that I truly recommend researching) and Veuvet Clicquot. Also about Porter (net-a-porter’s printed magazine and actual huge success at the editorial world) and certain airlines giving people miles for every step you take (for a better health and points reward of course).
For us to be active and entertained the whole time, we were allowed to be reporting the seminar through the social media, utilizing the official hashtags and accounts, obviously (this strategy generates greater traffic and online presence). Also, we were welcomed with a gorgeous breakfast at the terrace of the building (and if I may say, one of the most magical and hidden corners of the capital), and then free to go to lunch wherever we wanted. After that, a brief coffee break at the same terrace. And as a conclusion, a little group project.
As a perfect ending, CoolHunterMX and Noveno Efe gave us a goody bag as a special gift for attending the seminar. It had a great kit for every person who loves trends, design and fashion. One of the special items? Two editions of the Hoja Santa magazine. It is true piece of art based on culinary arts and fun facts about food. Take a look online. You’ll be more than delighted. And as a plus, the networking in these type of events is crazy good. You end up with a huge list of new and professional contacts, whom might work with you in a further future (plus friends of course).
I loved every single minute of this event. It was really well planned and the people in charge are true sweethearts (special thanks to Ceci and Ebbani for such a great experience). I look forward to the next seminar and to working with these amazing people. Inspiration is now not only a simple element but a daily piece of personal innovation.
Keep moving, keep transforming. For more images, check my official instagram page (http://instagram.com/cromer2242)
MODALOGY... by Catalina Romero 