Building a community of like-minded individuals, working to make the world a better place is not an easy task, but it’s one Derek Warburton has mastered. Warburton, the founder and publisher of Gurus Magazine is not only a fashion maven, a magazine editor and an entrepreneur, he is a man on a mission to help people find their truth, passion and authenticity. He has built a loyal community of friends, family and associates, all working to achieve the same mission. This past week, at the SLS Beverly Hills, Warburton hosted the 1st annual GURUS AWARDS to honor trailblazers who are reshaping our perceptions of beauty, wellness, humanitarianism and entrepreneurship, by prioritizing transparency, passion, and purpose.
As Warburton welcomed awards show guests, presenters and winners, he shared a touching story that came with a lesson everyone should take to heart and a motto the winners of the evening truly represented – never give up. He shared that he has hit many roadblocks in his life, and he has learned that giving up is not the answer; it’s not how you will achieve your dreams. Nancy Davis, founder of Race to Erase MS, and GURUS Lifetime Achievement Award winner for her humanitarian efforts didn’t give up when she lost her son to addiction – she started a foundation to help others like him. Jennifer Howell, who won the Humanitarian Visionary Award, didn’t give up when trying to bring art to the ailing – she founded The Art of Elysium and has hundreds of volunteers bringing art to those who are sick. Lauren Falcione, winner of the Culinary Entrepreneur of the Year award didn’t give up when trying to find healthy options for feeding her family fast – she launched The Blonde Italian and makes delicious sauces loaded with fresh herbs that many other families can now enjoy too.
That is just a snippet into the wonderful people celebrated at the GURUS AWARDS. (A full list of winners is below.) Warburton said “we have to come together to thrive together.” This awards show honored people aiming to do just that. Multiple winners echoed that sentiment, agreeing that we have to celebrate community, because it’s really the most important thing in bringing people together and making positive change. Presenter Jessica Betts said our platforms and our voices matter, no matter who we are. She had the audience loudly cheering in agreement.
While everyone in attendance looked like royalty, there were real royals in the house. Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her husband Shaman Durek Verrett received an honorary award and during their acceptance speed the Princess shared some wise words, stating “love transforms, it changes, it opens doors.” If we have love, and we have the drive to never give up, we can achieve anything. Her new husband concurred and said “the love we give, no one can take.”
Nancy Davis said that Derek Warburton has a heart made for giving back and joked that he may just “show it in glamorous, over the top ways.” She was alluding to the awards show, but Davis, along with every other attendee was grateful for the incredible night that Warburton and his Gurus Magazine team, including event producer Rachel Wilson put together to honor those building communities just like he is, those who never give up and those aiming to find truth, passion and authenticity, Warburton’s 3 words to live by. Presenter, and Dancing with the Stars pro Gleb Savchenko said “there is no show without business. We cannot reach the stars without hard work.” While the night was a glamourous celebration, it truly highlighted the wonderful work so many special people are doing to make our world a better place.
Guests stepped into a beautiful Parisian inspired space, designed by The Party Goddess. They enjoyed charcuterie and macaroons from Bottega Louie, and sipped cocktails featuring Golden Eagle Vodka. Attendees posed for keepsake photos, taken by the award-winning photographer Josh Fogel in the Luxury in Style Photo Studio. As the night came to a close, each guest departed with an exclusive gift bag filled with luxury items from renowned brands including Grande Lash Cosmetics, O Hui, Kevin Murphy, Purlisse, Saints & Sinners, Peter Thomas Roth, Skin Wand Pro, Dr. Groot, The Blonde Italian, Freshy, Golden Eagle Vodka and Yensa.
As part of the evening’s awards presentation, the following honors were celebrated:
- Actress Shanola Hampton (Found) presented Jennifer Howell (The Art of Elysium) with the Humanitarian Visionary Award.
- Actress Lisa Vidal (Being Mary Jane) presented Nancy Davis (Humanitarian) with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Niecy Nash-Betts (Actress) and Jessica Betts (Recording Artist) presented Princess Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek Verrett with an honorary award.
- Katie Ginella (Real Housewives of Orange County) presented Mara Dorne (Speaker) with the Empowerment Trailblazer of the Year Award.
- Gleb Savchenko (Dancing With The Stars) presented Michael Lukacs (Entrepreneur) with the Business Visionary Award.
- Marcel Vigneron (24 in 24: Last Chef Standing) presented Lauren Falcione (Entrepreneur) with Culinary Entrepreneur of the Year.
- Robyn Newmark (Hollywood Beauty Guru) and Kathleen Francesca (Entrepreneur) recapped the Wellness & Beauty Awards.
- Cynthia Bailey (Real Housewives of Atlanta) presented Dr. Michael Newman (Plastic Surgeon) with the Innovation in Surgery Award.
- Mary and Romain Bonnet (Selling Sunset) presented Kathleen Francesca (Entrepreneur) with the Wellness Entrepreneur of the Year.
- Nicholas Pritzker (Investor) presented Dr. Astrid Heger (The Alexis Project) with the Health Vanguard of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion award.
- Dr. Sandra Lee (Dr. Pimple Popper) was presented with the Social Media Star of the Year Award
- Podcast hosts and reality TV stars Patrik Simpson and Pol’ Atteu (Amazon’s Gown & Out) presented Josh Fogel (Photographer) with the Lens of Inclusion Award.
Beauty Awards:
- Best in Hair: Saints & Sinners Haircare
- Best of Clean: Corsica Scents
- Best of Sustainability: True Botanicals
- Best of Skin: AlumierMD
- Best in Tech & Tools: Skin Wand Pro
- Best in Design: Neon Hippie
- Best in the Business: Joel Sebastian
Want to witness the magic of the Gurus Awards? You can watch them, streaming on KNEKT TV. Get a glimpse of all the action on the black carpet, the full awards show and much more. Streaming free for KNEKT TV subscribers. As part of Gurus Magazines partnership with KNEKT, 10% of new subscriptions during the month will be donated to the awards shows charitable partner, The Art of Elysium.
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