Love perusing through social media to find out what your favorite influencers are up to? Get a closer glimpse into how they spend their time in Atlanta with “ATL Closeup,” an AJC feature that explores the leisure lives of some of the city’s most notable personalities as they go from work to play mode over the course of a typical weekend — from their favorite places to dine to the little-known spots where they find retreat.
It's an average Friday afternoon for celebrity stylist Fiskani Kaira. Her Buckhead business, The Ivy Showroom, is bustling.
» RELATED: The future of American fashion lives in Atlanta
While one client is perusing the racks for an Afropunk costume, another is primping her final look for an awards ceremony.
Reality star Phaedra Parks is even trying on an evening gown for a special occasion in the back of the studio.
“Everyone is welcome,” Kaira told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We don’t discriminate. I want people to feel special when they come. Anything you want is here.”
Credit: Ryon Horne
Credit: Ryon Horne
For four years, her 8,000-square-feet space, which includes garments from Gucci, Tom Ford and Versace, has been the ultimate destination for fashionistas.
Stylists and buyers have visited to pull luxury clothes for events like the Tyler Perry Studios opening and the BET Awards. Pieces from the showroom have even appeared in films, including "Coming 2 America," "Black Panther" and "The Bobby Brown Story."
Although Kaira’s establishment has only been open for a few years, her career in fashion spans more than a decade. She’s outfitted Akon, TLC, Toni Braxton, Snoop Dogg and so many others for red carpets, photo shoots and music videos.
With the Ivy Showroom, she’s been able to expand her reach, and Atlanta has played a major role in her success.
“Atlanta is special to me. It has a big part of my heart, because I was able to venture out into my wildest dreams of style,” the Zambia immigrant said. “I was accepted. I’ve been able to soar. The people have been so welcoming and open.”
When the Gwinnett County resident isn’t coordinating fits, she is carving out time to hit up her favorite places. Here’s where you’ll likely find her on any given weekend in Atlanta.
Finger-licking good meal
One of her top dining picks, Eclipse di Luna, is in walking distance of her job. Not only is the location convenient, but the food is amazing, too.
“I call it my second office,” she revealed. “I tell everyone if you can’t find me in the showroom, we will meet at Eclipse.”
Credit: Jason Getz
Credit: Jason Getz
The tapas restaurant, which also has a location in Dunwoody, offers a drinks and small bites, including empanadas, hummus, salmon and mussels. You can also go to take salsa lessons and hear live music.
Kiara’s usual order? It’s the Moscow mule.
“It’s great. We go for the ambiance. We go to relax and socialize,” she said. “I like how they make me feel. Remember the show with the neighborhood bar? ‘Cheers!’ It’s where everybody knows your name, and they know my name at Eclipse.”
Her top dining pick:
Eclipse di Luna, 764 Miami Circle NE, Atlanta. 404-846-0449, eclipsediluna.net.
Shop-til-you drop spot
Aside from the Ivy Showroom, you might spot the entrepreneur checking out the boutiques around the city. She’s often choosing items for her business or picking up a few things for herself.
One of her favorites is Moda404, a men's shop. The store has a wide variety of kicks, tracksuits, hoodies and T-shirts. She also loves Connaisseur Paris, another men's store that specializes in suits.
“I don’t really frequent the malls as much as I used to,” she said. “I’m all over the place, so I’m not really boxed into one. But those are my go-tos. Again, I like how they make me feel.”
Her top shopping picks:
Moda404, 3145 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. moda404.com.
Connaisseur Paris, 3077 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. 404-600-1076, connaisseurparis.com.
Social Hour
Kiara said her club days are mostly behind her. “I used to have perfect attendance in the nightlife, but my attendance is not so great now,” she laughed.
These days, she enjoys hanging out at lounges in Buckhead like the St. Regis Bar, Whisky Mistress and the W Lounge.
“I’m not really married to one particular place,” she confessed. “We jump around depending on the day and how we feel.”
The last one she visited was Blu Lagoon Bar and Bistro for a friend's birthday. The menu features Caribbean, American and African cuisine and an expansive cocktail selection.
“It was a long night, but we had a good time,” she recalled.
Her top party picks:
St. Regis Bar at St. Regis Hotel, 88 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta. 404-563-7900, marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlxr-the-st-regis-atlanta.
Whisky Mistress, 3161 Maple Dr. NE, Atlanta. 404-565-0113, whiskymistress.com.
W Lounge at the W Hotel, 45 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta. 404-582-5800, marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlhw-w-atlanta-downtown.
Blu Lagoon Bar and Bistro, 2263 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, Atlanta. 404-254-5346, blulagoonatlanta.com.
» RELATED: 5 Atlanta gyms where you might just spot a celebrity
The wind down
Nothing helps Kaira unwind like a good workout with her trainer at the Loft Athletic Club in West Midtown. She goes for about an hour four times a week.
“I wasn’t a gym rat until recently,” she said. “The sessions are very intense, but it actually relaxes me. I go there, and I escape. I take my mind off.”
In addition to the tough classes, the gym also provides various forms of physical therapy and a chiropractic service.
But despite the soothing environment, Kaira admits she still gets a little distracted.
“Usually my phone is right there, and when it rings, my trainer tells me not to answer,” she said. “So a lot of times I’ll put it in my locker.”
Her top relaxation pick:
The Loft Athletic Club, 1122 Old Chattahoochee Ave NW, Suite E, Atlanta. 404-732-3975, theloftathleticclub.com.
Hidden gem
For Kaira, there’s no place more magical than the Ivy Showroom.
“This place is magic. It’s amazing,” she boasted. “My life is so the Ivy.”
The spot is named after her mother, who encouraged her to open the business, and her sister helps manage it. Each garment is selected by Kaira, and the pieces are shipped from all over the world.
Credit: undefined
Credit: undefined
“When you come in, it’s like an abyss,” she described. “You’ll feel like you’ve been in here forever, because there’s so much you can find.”
If you go:
The Ivy Showroom, 800 Miami Cirle NE, Suite 220c, Atlanta. 404- 599-9791, theivyshowroom.com.
» RELATED: 5 locally-owned shops every Atlantan should visit
