The Sunday Sanctuary With Melissa Rosenfield
A weekly series that profiles the most fabulous, hard-working, 24/7 hustlers, and how they spend their Sundays.
As a born and bred New Yorker (by way of Brooklyn to be exact), Melissa Rosenfield has always been a connector. Her affinity for the most cutting-edge, unique and thoughtful cultural experiences and things has led her to a life defined by well-seeded relationships with movers and shakers in a variety of lifestyle verticals, including but not limited to hospitality, fashion, art, music and food.
Being around trailblazers throughout her life, Melissa naturally decided to forge for herself a new and unknown path. As the world’s first “Director of Vibe,” she is a lifestyle innovator, luxury travel expert and social director all rolled into one. She connects brands with the right people, in the right places, at the right times and establishes partnerships that are authentic, and most importantly, alignments that drive business and yield a strong ROI.
From planning programming to handling celebrities and VIPs, Melissa does it all, but most importantly she sets a unique tone and creates a sense of vibe. Through her work with major brands such as Stila, Tarina Tarantino, she also offers a deep sense of understanding earned media and PR acumen.
In 2010, Melissa made her role as Director of Vibe official and put the concept into the world by way of her work with Viceroy Hotel Group. In the role, she was responsible for programming, events and global PR strategies. The move was unprecedented; not only did people not believe her title (or responsibilities) were real, but they couldn’t quite seem to grasp that one influential individual could oversee and curate an entire feeling and sensory experience for guests of a luxury hospitality company. Now, brands such as W and Renaissance have developed similar roles that they agree are pivotal in enhancing their guest experiences and general reputation.
By 2015, Melissa transitioned into a consulting role and landed collaborations with GM, Samsung and 1Hotels putting her on a fast-track to conquering the lifestyle space in both New York, LA and beyond. In 2015, she returned to her hospitality roots and launched IFP Communications, a New York-based agency that focused on creative brand strategy, to launch a speaker series dubbed, “This Vibe Life” to showcase new, interesting and exciting brands. The series has evolved into a monthly founders panel, and has been part of a larger initiative with IFP that touches on work with Soho House and Marriott.
In her spare time, Melissa is incredibly active – both figuratively and literally. She is an engaged member of The Wing, feels No Kid Hungry is a major cause everyone should be paying attention to, and partakes often in workout sessions at Y7 and The BRRRN. And she believes in the power of doing things with swagger and a smile.
Q: What time do you wake up or does the alarm go off ?
A: The alarm goes off every day at 625, I hit snooze once for 15 minutes and get out of bed at 640.
Q: What is your morning routine (specifically the first 15 minutes)
A: Since having a baby last October mornings are my quiet time especially if I am lucky and can get him to sleep until 7 or 8am. My alarm goes off at the same time every day, 7 days a week and I lay in bed for those first 15 minutes of my day either finishing a dream, taking breath for myself or just laying and listening to the sounds of our home in the morning.
Q: What is your Sunday mantra?
A: The same mantra I have every day- show up to win
Q: What’s your go to breakfast/brunch?
A: Before things changed we would do Saturdays or Sunday breakfast at our favorite place Jack's Wife Freda on Lafayette Street. Since we now spend more time at home the weekends are when Robert makes breakfast so usually some beautiful farm fresh scrambled eggs with homemade bread for toast, some farm fresh butter and jam and if we have avocado slices. And a cuppa! Always a cup of coffee.
Q: Do you give yourself any Sunday self-care treatments?
A: Sundays are when I wash my hair, play with my guasha, reset my brain, read for pleasure and try to avoid the news.
Q: What song is a good representation of your Sunday?
A: Oh this is a tough one maybe Lover by TSwift? Cause I spend it with my loves Robert, our baby Sid and our dogbaby Cybile?
Q: How has your Sunday routine changed over the years?
A: This year is a little different, in the past I would have been at yoga or pilates every Sunday religiously. Those are two styles of working out I have a hard time doing in my living room so now it’s about spending the hour reading for pleasure, and longer if I have the time.
Q: Do you exercise?
A: YES! We got a peloton a few months ago and I usually get on for a least 30 minutes on the weekends, I also started running again, bike riding and trying to get my pilates/yoga back on the schedule
Q: Do you like to spend your Sunday alone or with family/friends?
A: Alone time is very rare in a house with a baby but I actually love spending my sundays with my family. It’s nice to be just us meandering around doing whatever we feel like with no set plans or obligations.
Q: Do you use any apps or products for relaxation?
A: I used to be very into the meditation apps but since developing my own practice I find its easier without them at least for right now.
Q: What is your ideal bedtime?
A: Honestly, we start to “down tools” at 930 and usually get into bed around 1030 latest.
Q: What are some of your favorite Sunday activities?
A: Reading, eating a delicious meal, having breakfast as a family, going to the beach if we are in the Hamptons.
Q: How do you prepare for the week ahead?
A: I always make my list of to dos and read through my schedule on Sunday now. It helps combat the Sunday Scaries and I feel super prepared for what the week will have in store. Now that often changes throughout the week but at least mentally preparing in that way gives me a bit of an edge.