Lifestyle

Get To Know LBV Created By Joss Sackler: The Face of Fashion, Business, and Female Empowerment

Published

5 years ago

February 18, 2021

Joss Sackler is a fashion entrepreneur, chief executive officer, doctorate degree holder, socialite, philanthropist, and mother of three. The female powerhouse became the face and founder of private social club, LBV, in 2017, when she decided she was tired of the male-dominated atmosphere within the existing social societies in New York City. Initially, the all-women’s club was created to discuss the attributes of wine. But as its member count grew, so did its list of interests. Now, LBV focuses on providing high-end experiences centered around culture, art, literature, and much more. Not to mention–the social club is the only one of its kind with its own designer clothing line.

The ready-to-wear collection comes from a combination of member-inspired interests, according to Sackler and the brand’s creative director, Elizabeth Kennedy. Kennedy was brought on as the head designer of the line shortly after the release of LBV’s heavily criticized inaugural collection in 2019 consisting of rock climbing themed athleisure wear, merely meant to serve as “emblematic” gear for the social club. She is a Parsons graduate with extensive experience in the couture realm of fashion, priorly working with prestigious fashion houses such as Isaac Mizrahi, J.Mendel, and Donna Karan. Since assuming her role, the female duo has successfully ventured six seasons of remarkably designed capsules, each of which have participated in three consecutive years of New York Fashion Week. The brand aims to embody the style of a powerful, strong-minded woman who is ready to conquer the world with her confidence and professionalism, while not losing touch of her femininity.

All collections are released direct-to-consumer through the brand’s e-commerce website. While previous collections have been found through high-end retailers in the past, the brand chose to make the switch to the new business model following the detrimental effects of a global pandemic on luxury department stores. Both entities of LBV have gone fully virtual since the nationwide lockdown in early 2020. “All the events for the social club are now done via Zoom, which has actually allowed us to incorporate more events for the members since we don’t have any of the stressors of the in-person events, like having to book a venue,” Sackler’s assistant, Allison Castillo, shared. “For our tasting events for example, we’ll send the wine over to the members and then discuss it on a video call.”

In philanthropic efforts, Sackler redirected all garment production resources to assist in generating over 5,000 face masks for New York City while it experienced a severe shortage on the front lines. Masks were donated to local organizations and hospitals in need, including New York Presbyterian and Mount Sinai. They have also become available on the brand’s website in a small range of neutral colors.

The newest member of the LBV family is a recently launched editorial magazine, which made its debut in November 2020. Issue One of the publication contains several detailed photographs of the most recent Fall/Winter capsule, along with spreads of articulately written articles centered around topics it shares in common with the social club: fashion, wine, and lavish lifestyle. The writers behind the stories are also members of the female driven society. While the magazine is not accessible to readers who are not part of the LBV community, Sackler, who is the editor-in-chief, shares that she’d like to broaden her audience in the issues to come.

In the end, regardless of negative press and undisclosed hardships, the down-to-earth socialite icon continues to commit to her brand, her team, her family, and herself beyond any obstacle. “I’ve learned that it’s okay to fail. We’re always working to make our experiences better,” she says. “The important thing is to keep pushing forward.”

Lifestyle

Donnette Russell-Love on How Policy Changes Are Reshaping the Immigrant Experience in America

Published

4 days ago

January 16, 2026

Michelle Langton

What happens when the rules for chasing the American dream keep changing? For millions of immigrants, the answer is anxiety, confusion, and a constant fight to stay one step ahead of shifting policies that can decide their future overnight.

This is the reality that Donnette Russell-Love, attorney and CEO of Immigration Care Service, faces every day. With a career built on both courtroom experience and compassionate advocacy, she has become a steady guide for individuals and families navigating one of the most unpredictable legal systems in the world.

A Changing Landscape

Over the years, U.S. immigration policy has shifted from being opportunity-driven to increasingly restrictive. Donnette Russell-Love has seen how these changes have reshaped not only the process but also how immigrants are perceived. She believes that leadership plays a major role in setting the tone; each administration influences whether the focus lies on inclusion, enforcement, or deterrence.

Under the current administration, the path to the American dream has become much narrower. There has been a stronger push to limit humanitarian provisions for people fleeing unstable conditions, less tolerance for long-term immigrants with even minor offenses from years ago, and growing efforts to challenge birthright citizenship.

These policies reflect a clear shift in how the United States approaches immigration. For many of her clients, the rules that once offered hope now feel like walls. Yet, her mission remains the same: to help them find a way through, one informed decision at a time.

Guiding Clients Through Constant Change

In an environment where laws and regulations can change faster than people can adapt, Donnette’s approach is built on preparation. She doesn’t just focus on forms and paperwork; she focuses on context. Her process starts with understanding each client’s story, background, and long-term goals. From there, she helps them see not just what’s required legally, but what’s likely to be asked, reviewed, or challenged along the way.

For her, education is the most powerful defense. She believes that informed clients are stronger, calmer, and more confident when facing interviews or hearings. She spends time explaining how new rules apply to their situations and how small details, like old records, travel history, or documentation, can make all the difference.

Her deep understanding of immigration stems not only from her legal training but also from her background in compliance and risk management. These skills have shaped her proactive style, allowing her to anticipate potential issues before they arise. Instead of reacting to policy shifts, she prepares her clients to adapt to them.

Leadership That Balances Law and Humanity

Running a law firm in such a turbulent field requires discipline, empathy, and vision, qualities that Donnette has cultivated over years of leadership. As the head of Immigration Care Service, she manages the balance between legal precision and genuine human care. Her team works closely with clients from diverse backgrounds, ensuring they receive not only sound legal guidance but also emotional support during uncertain times.

She also emphasizes the importance of staying grounded. Her philosophy is that immigration law is not just about policies or procedures, it’s about people. Every case represents a life story, a dream, or a second chance. And while the system may grow more rigid, her role is to help clients see that persistence and preparation can still lead to opportunity.

Moving Forward with Purpose

For Donnette Russell-Love, the work doesn’t end with one case or one victory. It’s about helping her clients understand the bigger picture, that success in immigration is not only about following rules, but about knowing how to navigate them with clarity and confidence.

She recognizes that the path to legal residency or citizenship is harder now than ever before. But her message is one of resilience: knowledge and preparation still open doors.

In a time when immigration policies seem to shift with every election cycle, Donnette’s approach stands out for its steadiness and humanity. She reminds her clients and the broader community that while laws may change, the pursuit of hope, belonging, and a better life remains constant. And with the right guidance, that pursuit is still worth every effort.