Every year around Valentine’s Day, Cupid’s Undie Run takes place in dozens of cities around the world. Participants run around a mile outdoors in their underwear all in the name of raising funds for The Children’s Tumor Foundation. Last year’s series of events — as sponsored by Bombas, MeUndies, Fathead and Quicken Loans — brought in over $3.5 million, leading to over $11.5 million being raised over the years.
In advance of New York City’s event — which starts at Stage 48 at 12:00 PM on Feb. 18 — Downtown caught up with Chad Leathers, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Cupid Charities. New York City’s event alone has a fundraising goal of $180,090, of which nearly $50,000 has already been raised. While early registrant fees of $35 are still in effect, New Yorkers John Risner and Sharon Parente will be matching all donations of $50 or more.
How would you describe the event to someone who hasn’t yet attended?
Chad Leathers: It is truly indescribable. Nothing can prepare you for standing in a public place with nothing on and the temps are somewhere near freezing. It is a rush and very unifying at the same time. In short, it feels like a giant party with a crazy run in the middle of it. You feel like some sort of celebrity when you’re out in the street and people are stopping and honking their horns and waving. It is a show-stopper for sure.
CL: Not much. It is still driven by the local communities, and as one of our volunteer race directors said, “This is a party that throws itself.”
Have you heard of any people meeting at Cupid’s Undie Run and starting a new relationship?
CL: A LOT. Think of it this way, this event acts as a giant filter for some truly amazing people. You have to be somewhat adventurous and outgoing, you’re rather exposed, and it’s for charity.
Do you have a favorite part of the event?
CL: If you’ve ever seen the original National Lampoon’s Vacation, where Chevy Chase is clapping his hands and saying, “This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy…” That moment happens every year at every event and it is my favorite part every time.
The amount raised from the 2013 event was well over $1 million. What caused that big jump in money raised? Expansion into other cities?
CL: Some incredibly brave, thrill-seeking, do-gooders that wanted to bring Cupid’s to their city. Our expansion has always been organic and driven by those who are excited to do something great AND just this side of legal!
Do you have any goals for the event? Hopes to expand into more cities?
CL: My main goal this year is for our runners and donors to understand the impact they can make on someone else’s life.
CL: The best advice I ever received was “successful people make more opportunities than they find. Something is always broken, or could be done better, it is up to you to think through the problem and find the solution that no one else has.”
Trip.com is an innovative planning tool that tailors recommendations for places to stay, eat and play to your specific tastes. It also allows you to share your great experiences with people who have the same interests as you; people in your “tribes.”
Trip.com’s TripPicks This Week feature empowers you to discover and take advantage of great events, openings and exhibits throughout the city each week.
Here are some exciting events and sites to check out this week in Downtown New York, courtesy of Trip.com. Visit the Trip.com site or download the app for more upcoming events.
Dust off that Juicy velour suit and come party with TRL! The live cover band will be playing the best of the aughties hits from Outkast, Britney Spears, Jimmy Eat World, Maroon 5, Beyonce and many more! This party is full of energy, so come prepared to dance! Tickets start at $15.
Bakery Hours: Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM; Saturday to Sunday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
We are sorry it took us this long to visit Union Fare, because the bakery in this latest sprawling gastro-hall is doing magical things with croissants! While we are partial to the matcha cream stuffed croissants, most people are losing their minds over the stuffed birthday cake and red velvet versions. Are they worth the hype? YES! Oh, and there is a candycane croissant, special for the holidays. Better come down here fast before we eat them all!
Rooftop drinking is not an exclusively summer activity, not when 230 Fifth hoists PVC igloos on their heated rooftop deck and serves seasonal cocktails like spiced whiskey martinis and rum-spiked hot apple cider while you enjoy the city views! Grab some friends and head up for the coolest chill-out in the city.
Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, Dec. 14 to Saturday, Dec. 17 from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Sunday, Dec. 18 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
A long-standing New Year’s Eve tradition, Italians don red lingerie and underwear in hopes of inviting more passion into their lives. The La Perla sample sale is a good excuse as any to stock up on lucky underwear for the coming year.
Sunday to Thursday from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM; Friday-Saturday from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM
When the weather is cold we tend to crave foods from those parts of the world that know real winter. East Village’s newest addition N’eat offers curated, elegant Nordic dishes with in season ingredients in a casual setting. We loved the braised short rib with berries and marrow, the fried turbot with cauliflower and tarragon and the poached egg yolk with Brussel sprouts and gammel knas. But, the real treat is the strangely refreshing dessert of Icelandic skyr yogurt, dill, cucumber, and white chocolate.
Lead by composer and sound artist, Phil Kline, the night will be far from silent as hundreds descend on Washington Square Park for the annual Unsilent Night. If you are lucky, you can get your hands on an old school boom box and if not, download the track and bring your own sound gear for a synchronized music march to Tompkins Square. We hope it will drown out Santacon. Check site for complete details. FREE.
A new and rising e-commerce retailer, Basic Outfitters is known for creating clothing that keeps performance, comfort and space in mind. One of its trademark offerings, the New York City-based company lets customers “Create-A-Drawer,” choosing up to 19 basics for just $60. Its offerings may currently be limited to underwear, socks and loungewear, yet Basic Outfitters manages to deliver fashionable attire that ranges from professional to athletic.
Downtown had the pleasure of speaking with the founders of Basic Outfitters, the husband and wife team of Michael and Laura Dweck. As explained within the Q&A, inspiration for the brand and its subsequent business model came from the realization that New Yorkers do not have the storage space that other major cities’ residents do. In turn, quality must prevail over quantity when choosing one’s wardrobe, and Basic Outfitters is there to provide smart around-the-house attire.
To someone who hasn’t yet shopped with your company, how do you describe it?
Michael Dweck: Basic Outfitters is the most convenient new way to shop for basics. With our Create-A-Drawer service, you can refill your drawer with high quality basics in under two minutes for just $60. Customers choose their socks, underwear, tees and jogger sweatpants. It’s that simple.
What inspired you to start Basic Outfitters?
Laura Dweck: When we first got married, we moved into a cozy apartment in New York City, where we had very limited closet space. When it was time to divide up our dresser, naturally I monopolized five out of six of the drawers. Michael was left with one drawer for his socks and underwear. When the drawer wouldn’t close, I knew we had a problem. I made Michael throw out all his old basics, which turned out to be 90% of his drawer.
MD: When it came time to refill my drawers I was faced with two options: high-quality and high-priced basics, or low-quality and low-priced basics. I love to look good, but I hate to shop and the hunt for affordable and quality basics was stressing me out. I figured I wasn’t the only one having this problem and there had to be a better way. We saw the opportunity to capitalize on the white space in the market, and we created Basic Outfitters.
Have you been able to apply anything that you learned from working with Century 21?
MD: Absolutely. It was my first real job and it taught me the importance of professionalism and accountability. One of my roles was to drive the CEO to work every morning. When we were scheduled for a 6:30 AM pickup, he’d be outside waiting at 6:29 AM. That always stayed with me — no matter how important your title is, there’s no room for slacking.
MD: 100%. There was so much I learned and my experience was invaluable. The most significant takeaway was the value of customer service. Working with cancer patients on a daily basis, compassion and understanding was essential to making the experience as comfortable as possible. With Basic Outfitters, I care about each and every customer and it is my utmost priority to make the shopping experience and the customer experience as seamless and fun as it could possibly be.
Laura, I understand you studied at FIT and interned at Bloomingdale’s early on. What is it that drew you to fashion?
LD: My first fashion memory was when I was in nursery. My mom gave me one day a week that I could choose my own outfit. It was my favorite day of the week and it was when I realized I had a definitive eye and irreverence for style. I remember wearing a purple velvet trapeze top with leggings and Looney Tunes-themed Converses with ruffled socks spilling over. I felt empowered by owning my expression. That’s when I realized the power fashion has to allow people to express their individuality, and I never looked back.
To you, what does the word “basic” mean? Some people may view it as being essential, while others may view it as being simple or elementary…
MD: To us, the word “basic” means essential. Something you can’t live without. Something fundamental to your everyday life. We’ve created a brand of essentials that is the basis of every man’s wardrobe.
Do you have a favorite item from the Basic Outfitters catalog?
LD: My favorite item by far is our new fleece joggers. They’re my Netflix pants and they are the coziest things you will ever put on your body. I usually wear them with our SuperSoft socks that feel like cashmere.
MD: That’s such a tough question! I love it all but one style that I gravitate towards is our performance boxer briefs. The fit and comfort is incredible. And now you know me a little too well.
Besides you two, who are some of the other people that help make Basic Outfitters happen?
MD: What really makes Basic Outfitters run is our band of characters who work with us. Jake came to work with us as an intern when we first started and has made himself invaluable to our team. Frankie recently started working with us and his unique style makes the Basic Outfitters brand come to life. He’s become a fan favorite on our Facebook Live broadcasts. We have an all-star team of freelancers that we work with as well. One of our key hiring points is a candidate’s authentic enthusiasm for our brand and our mission.
Do you have any goals for Basic Outfitters? For example, do you hope to get your products into stores? Or to be able to design lines for existing retailers?
MD: Our goal is to become the leading basics brand. We plan on expanding into the women’s and children’s markets as well as the international market. When we first started Basic Outfitters, we came across a horrifying statistic: On average men keep their underwear for seven years. We have made it our mission to make it as easy as possible for men to change their drawers that they no longer have any excuse not to.
Beyond working together, you two are married. How are you able to make things work both at home and in the office?
MD: That’s our #1 question — so many people ask us that. Luckily, we get along really well! Our skill sets complement each other so well and we each manage different aspects of the business. We’re a power couple!
As two people that were born in the Tri-State area, what is it that keeps you based out here? This isn’t the cheapest place to start or run a business…
MD: Family is the most important thing to Laura and I. We both come from large families and value the close proximity. New York definitely isn’t the cheapest place to work, but the energy of this city is something we can’t live without. The opportunities this city affords are priceless. In the famous words of Frank Sinatra: “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!”
Michael & Laura Dweck
When not busy with Basic Outfitters, how do you like to spend your free time?
MD: All I want to do in my free time is play tennis and ski.
LD: He’s obsessed. The first day of the U.S. Open is like a religious holiday for him.
MD: I also love to cook, I even applied for Chopped.
LD: I like to travel any chance I get and I love to take dance and yoga classes to unwind. Shopping is always fun. (laughs)
Do you have a favorite restaurant in Manhattan?
MD: Our favorite brunch spot is Russ & Daughters. Nothing like a good lox and cream cheese bagel.
Finally, any last words for the kids?
LD: Michael is a history junkie so he made me watch Men Who Built America. One of our favorite lines is from John D. Rockefeller: “”Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.”
Victoria’s Secret may have claimed the tagline “What is Sexy?”, but it doesn’t mean that the brand defines the essence of what makes a sultry siren so seductive. These iconic underwear campaigns reveal the raw femininity that lies beneath the designer garments that these actresses and models are often photographed wearing. Now the age-old Hollywood saying is true – sex DOES sell, and as quickly as hemlines have gotten higher, lingerie shoots have become more risque than ever before. Call it tasteless if you will, but this form of marketing has become a symbol of liberation and even empowerment for women, baring their bodies with confidence. If wearing lacy underwear can make us feel as sexy as Eva Mendes or Megan Fox, then we’re not complaining! And we’re sure our male counterparts won’t have any objections either…
Ladies, hold your breath. Let’s make a confession right now–we’ve all turned our heads to sneak a quick peek at an underwear model on a billboard or sidewalk poster. When you’re constantly bombarded with images of scantily clad women with bodies to die for, it is comforting to know that the male equivalent is out there for us to indulge in. These underwear campaigns have an abundance of testosterone in their chiseled glory, conveniently captured on camera for the world to gawk at. With models striking such provocative poses, it’s no wonder frenzied fans are known to steal Calvin Klein posters from subways and bus stations. Take a look at these ten men’s underwear ads, and you’ll be obsessed too.
