A Night of Glamour and Purpose: The 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Lights Up Los Angeles
On Sunday, October 12th, the second annual Gurus Awards brought Gatsby-era glamour to the historic Cicada Restaurant and Lounge in Downtown Los Angeles. Presented by Gurus Magazine, the evening honored trailblazers in beauty, wellness, and community impact through an unforgettable celebration of style, innovation, and inspiration.
Founded by Gurus Magazine publisher Derek Warburton and executive produced by Rachel Wilson, the event combined Old Hollywood elegance with a modern sense of purpose. Guests stepped into a Jazz Age reverie where Art Deco design met contemporary allure — a night defined by celebration, creativity, and connection.
The star-studded guest list included Taye Diggs, Cynthia Bailey, Gretchen Rossi & Slade Smiley, Gleb Savchenko, Hilaria Baldwin, Laganja Estranja, Matt Dallas, Sarah Jane Morris, and Selling Sunset’s Jason Oppenheim, Mary Bonnet, Nicole Young, and Romain Bonnet, among others. Each guest embodied the magazine’s mission of honoring modern “gurus” — individuals whose work merges passion with purpose.
The evening began in true showbiz fashion, as Derek Warburton made a dazzling entrance accompanied by feather-clad dancers. Hosted by Robyn Newmark, Editor-in-Chief of Beauty Guru Magazine, the event unfolded with wit, grace, and Hollywood sparkle.
Award Highlights
Beauty Entrepreneur of the Year: Olha Maikina, presented by Gretchen Rossi
Hope & Healing Award: Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch, presented by Courtney Ford
Innovation Award: Evelyn’s Breast Friends Forever, accepted by Evelyn Calip, presented by Dr. Michael K. Newman
Empowerment Through Reinvention: Tricia Connor Jackson, presented by Laganja Estranja and Lauren Falcione
Storytelling Impact Award: Lifetime Network, accepted by Taye Diggs, presented by Autumn Federici
Civic Leadership Award: Jason Oppenheim, presented by Mary Bonnet, Romain Bonnet, and Nicole Young
Community Excellence Award: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, accepted by Michelle Toulmin, presented by Matt Dallas and Gleb Savchenko
Child Advocacy Champion: Dawn McCoy, presented by Sarah Jane Morris
Inspiration Award: Worthy of Love, accepted by Mandie Davis, presented by Cynthia Bailey
Guests enjoyed an immersive 1920s-inspired experience featuring an eight-foot dessert bar by Luxe Bites, gourmet popcorn from The Blonde Italian, and cutting-edge wellness and beauty showcases from Zemits and Lumara. The night came alive with The Satin Dollz dancers, a live jazz band, and models draped in Monica Mahoney’s 1920s kimonos, transforming the venue into a living work of art. Even Gerra, an AI robot, made an appearance, charming guests and adding a futuristic twist to the vintage celebration.
Celebrity photographer Josh Fogel captured the evening’s most glamorous moments, ensuring every guest left with a memory as polished as the event itself.
As the night drew to a close, guests departed with gift bags filled with luxe treasures from Dolce & Gabbana Beauty, Peter Thomas Roth, Suzy Levian Jewelry, Purlisse Beauty, Thyme & Table, and signed copies of Beating Endo by award-winner Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch.
The 2025 Gurus Awards proved once again that glamour and purpose are a perfect match — a celebration of innovation, elegance, and authenticity that felt straight out of a modern-day Gatsby dream.
Photography: Robin L Marshall
