Chuan Spa at Langham Unveils Upgrades and Expanded Offerings

The Chuan Spa, a signature feature of the Langham Hospitality Group, is setting a new standard for luxury wellness in Pasadena.

Nestled in the Langham Huntington Hotel, this sanctuary for relaxation has introduced more than 10 new fitness and wellness classes, upgraded its facilities and added amenities to provide an elevated guest experience. By introducing new fitness and wellness options such as mat pilates and yoga, which are now inclusive with any hotel guest’s stay, Chuan Spa created an ideal opportunity for those looking to warm up and center their minds before indulging in a massage.

The timing for a special gift package could be ideal, with Valentine’s Day approaching.

Other special monthly events, including skincare and retail pop-ups, are open to hotel guests as well as local residents. Registration may be done via the Chuan Spa booking website.

Guests can now also enjoy specialty classes, such as pilates reformer in the spa’s serene sound bathroom and puppy yoga in the hotel’s Horseshoe Garden, available for an additional fee.

The spa’s commitment to innovation extends beyond its mind and wellness services. Newly installed water heaters help ensure the comfort and maintenance of the luxury spa’s facilities.

For the full length article, visit https://outlooknewspapers.com/pasadenaoutlook/chuan-spa-at-langham-unveils-upgrades-expanded-offerings/article_d2beb836-ca1e-11ef-bddc-8395927d7e65.html

Literacy Council Empowers Immigrants Through Community Integration

Since its founding in 1969, the San Gabriel Valley Literacy Council (SGVLC) has provided vital educational services to adult immigrants in Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley.

Originally established as a small tutoring program, the nonprofit organization has grown into a cornerstone for accessible learning, serving a diverse population of adult students through online and in-person courses.

“The purpose behind our program is to help people integrate into the community while giving them a sense of confidence,” SGVLC director Chet Crane said.

SGVLC offers a range of classes focusing on English, citizenship preparation and American cultural norms, catering to the large immigrant population in the San Gabriel Valley. The area has a particularly high concentration of Asian Americans, many of whom are foreign-born and often in need of English literacy assistance.

SGVLC President Jennifer Chen, who immigrated from Taiwan at age 4, understands the importance of literacy programs for this country’s newcomers. She has been deeply involved in the organization and spoke passionately about her experience as a volunteer.

For the full length article, visit https://outlooknewspapers.com/pasadenaoutlook/literacy-council-empowers-immigrants-through-community-integration/article_ae41cda0-9ec1-11ef-beb0-c76dc954c405.html

Pasadena Fire Chief Goes International in CrossFit World Championship

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin finished among the top 25 men in the world for his 50-54 age division at the 2024 Masters CrossFit Games.

The event, featuring a stellar list of international competitors, was held this past weekend at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center in Alabama.

Preliminary rounds began several months ago, with approximately 10,000 men competing in his age bracket, Augustin said. After several rounds of preliminaries, the number of athletes in his age division were whittled down to 30, who advanced to last weekend’s finals.

Reaching the world championships was a victory in itself for Augustin, who suffered two major injuries during the past year. He ruptured his bicep tendon just after Thanksgiving and tore his meniscus in June.

Augustin, who placed 21st, still walked out feeling like a winner.

“I would say how you finish doesn’t make somebody a champion or not,” the 51-year-old fire chief said. “I’ve learned that it’s the discipline, the teamwork, the camaraderie and the sport. Just being able to go out and compete with a bunch of other great athletes is the most rewarding part of it all.

For the full length article, visit https://outlooknewspapers.com/pasadenaoutlook/news/pasadena-fire-chief-competes-in-crossfit-world-championship/article_0ee7967c-6875-11ef-adb5-2fe10dceab63.html

What to Expect in Spring 2024 Fashion

As the academic calendar resets, students clean out their wardrobes as they prepare to embrace incoming trends in fashion, recognizing them as essential tools for nuanced self-expression in the evolving narrative of their journey toward adulthood.

Against the backdrop of a shifting socioeconomic landscape influenced by unpredictable dynamics, the fashion industry is overdue for a rejuvenation in the spring. Departing from the practicality and neutral basics that defined recent years of darker style, trend forecasters anticipate a playful and vibrant resurgence.

Drawing insights from recent runway trend analysis, followers of fashion can expect a captivating mosaic of diverse aesthetics in the new year, acting as a testament to the industry’s ability to harmonize innovation, playfulness and nostalgia.

Italian designer brand Diesel paid homage to the 2000s era at Milan Fashion Week, resurrecting bold and eccentric styles for the warm weather. The spring collection showcased apparel nostalgic to Y2K kids, with appearances of old trends like capri pants, hobo bags, small-frame sunglasses, low rise jeans and textured midi skirts.

For the full length article, visit https://thepolypost.com/arts-and-culture/2023/12/16/style-and-trends-to-expect-in-spring-2024/

11 Fashion Staples from Each Decade and Their Impact on Contemporary Wardrobes

Cal Poly Pomona student organizations like Fashion Society and Apparel Scapes utilizing vintage influences within recent work shows the ongoing power of nostalgia in fashion and reviving trends from past eras.

Over the decades, the landscape of fashion has undergone change through cultural and societal movements, leaving a mark on the evolution of style.

The trend cycle not only reflects societal shifts but also plays a pivotal role in shaping individual identities. As CPP students navigate the complexities of life, their fashion choices reflect a visual narrative of their experiences and emotional expressions.

With the industry of apparel continuing to reinvent itself, the newer generations of fashion find themselves at the forefront of tradition and innovation.

Any modern, popularized piece of clothing takes elements of inspiration from the past. Whether it is subtle or widely recognized, former stylistic trends are curated into the apparel seen by today’s contemporary retailers.

For the full length article, visit https://thepolypost.com/arts-and-culture/2023/12/05/11-fashion-staples-from-each-decade-and-their-impact-on-contemporary-wardrobes/

The Cultural Reset of the Cowboy Boot

From the likes of high-end brands such as Chanel and Saint Laurent, retailers started to embark on the redefined cowboy boot trend, and junior contemporary designers like Jeffrey Campbell and Betsey Johnson have followed suit. Even unconventional footwear companies like Croc have released their own line of cowboy boots this year.

Students like apparel merchandising and management major Mikaela Alvarado highlighted the reasoning behind retailer participation of unexpected trends and the importance of atypical approaches within fashion.

“I think it’s sort of a funny way for Croc to try something new,” said Alvarado. “Kind of like when they released the Croc heel, I think they’re trying to cater to a section of the newer generation interested in a wacky and unique twist on apparel that’s currently trending.”

A shoe designed for utility and ease, the cowboy boot has morphed into an everyday staple in today’s fashion.

Emerging in 16th century Spain, vaqueros, or Spanish cowboys, imported much of their culture to the West, including footwear made out of buckskin. After civilians migrated west post-war and were met with difficult terrain, Kansas City shoemaker Charles Hyer created a functional pair of boots for cowboys.

For the full length article, visit https://thepolypost.com/arts-and-culture/2023/11/14/the-cultural-reset-of-the-cowboy-boot/