Why New York's new wave of 'It' girls are far too busy to party

It's all about the hustle 
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Margaret Abrams9 January 2019

Who is the next Eva Chen, Olivia Palermo or Emily Weiss?

The New York 'It' girl has evolved over the years. At one time, the life of a Big Apple golden girl involved a full time focus on partying. In the early aughts, Paris Hilton was frequently spotted gallivanting about town and slinking into nightclubs (even before she hit 21).

In the mid-2000s, along came southern socialite Tinsley Mortimer, who would later go on to star in The Real Housewives of New York. And, of course, on our screen Gossip Girl immortalised the New York 'It' girl, as Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf made the Met steps a place to see and be seen.

But now there's a new wave of New York It girls in town - and they're far too busy building wellness empires, setting up restaurants or podcasting to party.

Here are some rising stars on our radar, from fitness gurus to body positivity bloggers:

1. The next beauty guru

Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton is a lifestyle blogger who opened Lower East Side beauty destination Chillhouse. The salon slash coffee shop is the best place to get work done while sipping on a matcha latte and booking in for some nail art. They even offer merch, including beauty dusts, to up your natural beauty game. Next up, Ramirez-Fulton is rolling out a line of athleisure inspired by the art of the chill.

Mostly to be found... At Chillhouse sipping on a latte or at her husband’s bar, The Garret, or in the tub — she is, after all, a self-care star.

2. The next Angel

Iesha Hodges might not be a household name quite yet, but she will be after the upcoming Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. But she's about much more than modeling; she also hosts a podcast devoted to empowering women and redefining beauty standards.

Mostly to be found... Working out (in all Victoria's Secret Sport, of course) or working on her podcast.

3. The next celebrity chef

Eden Grinshpan is already a true celebrity chef in Canada, but the Williamsburg resident became one to know in New York when she opened fast-casual Mediterranean Soho spot The Dez . The Israeli restaurant is backed by Sam Wasser, the woman behind by CHLOE’s Instagram-worthy designs, so there are plenty of places to snap a photo, whether it’s of the desert-themed bathroom or while holding one of their monthly ice cream creations.

Mostly to be found... Filming Top Chef Canada , appreciating the culinary scene in Israel, or exploring Williamsburg with her one-year-old daughter, Ayv, who appreciates food as much as she does.

4. The next fitness entrepreneur

Heather Andersen is the mind behind New York Pilates, the cool girl fitness studio complete with hanging plant walls and a silver sign outside made for selfies. The studio is rapidly expanding, bringing its white-walled, low-key approach to Instagrammable fitness all across the city. Their latest is a brand new spot in the West Village, that's sleek and doesn't look like anywhere people usually get sweaty.

Mostly to be found... Moving between New York and the Montauk studio she works from in the summer or showing off her extreme flexibility on Instagram.

5. The next street style star

Courtney Quinn, better known as Color Me Courtney to her more than 550,000 followers, is known for her love of bright colors and travel obsession. Follow her for outfit inspiration (especially during dreary winters where black is the go-to) and quirky wedding planning advice.

Mostly to be found... Wearing all pink ensembles or exploring New York's new Disney pop-up in Chelsea.

6. The next comic book creator

Arianna Margulis is better known to her Instagram followers as @butlikemaybe, the cartoonist bringing her messy millennial dating stories to the masses. Her Instagram is a mix of partying pictures and the character she's created riding the subway while offering colorful commentary about her fellow commuters. She'll make you feel better about your own dating stories.

Mostly to be found... dancing at Acme or sweating out her hangover at New York Pilates.

7. The next wellness warrior

Lo Bosworth won’t be part of The Hills reboot, but she will be continuing her lifestyle takeover with her wellness blog The Lo Down. She's also started her own wellness company, Love Wellness, devoted to self-care.

Mostly to be found... at Surf Lodge during the summer or cooking up something extremely healthy in her kitchen for the ‘gram.

8. The next big baker

Amirah Kassem is the mastermind behind the exploding candy cakes all over Instagram. The Flour Shop owner makes the rainbow cakes that are chock full of glitter, brightening up most fashion parties (and our Instagram feeds).

Mostly to be found... at the Flour Shop, cutting into a colorful cake, and wearing something far more colorful than basic black to go with her rainbow aesthetic.

9. The next jet-setter

Lindsay Silberman was Town & Country ’s deputy editor until she decided to depart and give her 100,000 and growing Instagram followers the content they crave on her newly launched personal blog. Silberman often shows her followers exactly how the magic happens, going through her Photoshop and masking habits.

Mostly to be found... posting her favorite beauty products from bed as part of her #InsomniaBeauty series on Instagram.

10. The next body positive activist

The Miami-born curve model Denise Bidot is a busy woman. Her career took off in 2014, when she was the first plus-size model to walk multiple runways during New York Fashion Week. When she's not playing judge on Univision she's spreading her #NoWrongWay movement, which proves there's no wrong way to be a woman by showcasing followers natural selfies, cellulite and all.

Mostly to be found.... spending time with her daughter, filming, or poolside in Miami.

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