Arts & Entertainment
Macy's Pride And Joy Party: Celebrating With 'Queer Eye' Stars!
Daniela Kirsch shares her exclusive coverage of Macy's Pride & Joy celebration in Herald Square last night.
Macy's Herald Square invited New Yorkers on Tuesday to join the 2018 Changemakers Award ceremony celebration.
New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer honored Netflix's 'Queer Eye' -- a television show that features five style and fashion experts who advise people in lifestyle changes. Tan France, Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Karamo Brown & Bobby Berk were all in attendance to accept the accolades for their work that breaks down barriers and promotes acceptance of our country's diverse LGBTQ+ community.
Photographer Daniela Kirsch was on the red carpet to capture all of the action for Patch. Take a look!
5:06 p.m.
I arrive on the 9th floor at Macy's Herald Square. Right next to the escalator I see an installation in honor of the victims of LGBTQ+ related crimes. I very much hope events like #PRIDE month and the celebration today at Macy's helps to prevent prejudice and acts of violence.
5:30 p.m.
"Do you shoot a lot of PRIDE events this week?" asks me one of the photographers who is well known for doing a lot of LGBTQ+ entertainment event coverage.
"I feel like every event has some LGBTQ+ flavor these days" I answer. "I like it; there is always a lot of fun and excitement going on."
"Ten or fifteen years ago, when it wasn't so open yet, whenever an A-lister was at a gay party, I deliberately shot photos of them just to make sure they will never be able to deny they were supporting us" says the photographer.
5:52 p.m.
The event starts with Macy's CEO Jeff Gennette and New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer congratulating the honorees.
"What you don't know is that I started my career here at Macy's at Herald's Square in the stockroom," says Scott Stringer.
And then it's time for the "Fab Five" from the Netflix's Queer Eye show. Today they are only fab four.
"I clearly need to be on your show and get a makeover," says Scott Stringer.
5:55 p.m.
"There are two ways to have shoe laces..." says Scott Stringer
"Get out!" Karamo Brown knows what comes next.
"Right now they are tapped in because..." says Scott Stringer "After fourth grade..."
And the room finishes the sentence with: "No bunny ears!"
Geez, I did not know that.
5:56 p.m.
Scott Stringer hands over the commendation.
"Thank you so much for supporting us, for accepting us, for loving us, for inviting us into your homes and your hearts and just you know, we will continue to entertain you, inspire you, we will continue to do the work to bring love and pride around the world!" says Karamo Brown.
5:57 p.m.
"Love is Love is Love" says Jonathan Van Ness.
6:04 p.m.
The second part of the event is on the third floor. On my way downstairs I meet four very excited friends.
"Are you fans of the show?" I ask.
"Yes! Huge fans! I took a day off from work to binge the second season all in one sitting!" says one of them.
6:10 p.m.
I see these two talking to each other and writing something on paper.
"What's going on here?" I ask.
"We are doing a poem exchange." says one of them. "We write poetry, and then we exchange the letters."
They want me to take photos of the poems. One of them reads:
"I want to use my fist. I am an activist.
I am using my voice. That is my choice.
I hope someday we can rejoice."
6:11 p.m.
The music is loud and fun, and the crowd is happy and dancing to the tunes.
6:15 p.m.
"Why are you so excited?" I ask the girl on the right.
"Because I'm going to meet the Fab Five!" she says.
"Which one is your favorite?"
"Probably Jonathan."
"Why Jonathan?"
"Because he is so shy, but in a good way!"
6:22 p.m.
Here they are again! Hi guys!
6:23 p.m.
Fans surround Antoni Porowski, and he loves it.
6:28 p.m.
Sorry for interrupting you taking a selfie, you look fabulous!
6:29 p.m.
Jonathan Fernandez from Love & Hip Hop NY comes on stage. He tells us that he also started his career at Macy's. Wow, all roads lead to Macy's.
6:31 p.m.
Jonathan brought a gorgeous friend.
6:42 p.m.
I love your style!
6:45 p.m.
"Let's take a photo!" I say to these three.
"You have an accent." one of them says.
"Yes, I'm from Germany."
He says something that sounds a little German but doesn't make sense to me.
"That's 'We are going home' in Yiddish!" he says.
"Wir gehen nach Hause." I answer in my native tongue.
And that's a wrap!
Daniela Kirsch is co-founder of NameFace — a facial recognition application that can identify celebrities in photographs. Through her technical and creative expertise, Kirsch has changed the entertainment industry, and she knows more than just a thing or two about photographing A-list events.
See more exclusive red carpet coverage from Daniela Kirsch:
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