Blogger of the Week

Lela Luxe

By Molly Heintz

“What most inspires me about New York is the culture,” says Martha Alburquerque, the founder of the online magazine Lela Luxe which covers New York City’s fashion, art and entertainment scenes. A native of Manhattan with Dominican roots, Alburquerque (“Lela” to her friends) was making her way in the finance industry when the market started its downturn. “I decided I was going to use this challenge as an opportunity to finally dedicate myself to my passions–fashion, art, and New York City.” Alburquerque began attending and covering events that interested her, friends began passing the site along to other friends, and soon Lela Luxe had a dedicated following who loved her curatorial eye and insights (“never gossip” says Alburqueque).

On any given day the uniquely New York mix of cultural topics might include a piece about the record-breaking sale of a Picasso at Christie’s, a review of Steven Meisel‘s new campaign for Balenciaga, about the House of Deréon home collection, and the invitations to the hottest sample sales from Ideeli, Gilt Groupe and RueLaLa among others.”Lela Luxe is the glamour of New York City minus the fluff” states the site, and indeed the site had a service-oriented approach that gives it the feeling of an extremely chic guidebook.

And while the topics on Lela Luxe may be high-end, the tone is not. The site features writing that is engaging and accessible, all the more impressive since the author does not have a background in journalism or publishing. Alburquerque prides herself on her unpretentious take on the city’s cultural offerings, on being a positive media outlet that “shines light on the fabulosities of life.” Alburquerque is so adept at seeking out fabulosities in fact that your very own Derek Loves Shopping recruited her to write on trends.