ECOLUXE Pre-ESPYs Luxury Lounge: Puppies, Tequila, and the Best Pizza of My Life (Yes, Really)
- By: Julianne Elise Beffa
All Benefitting Marley’s Mutts…
Beverly Hills knows how to throw a party, but the ECOLUXE Luxury Lounge before the ESPYS? That was something else entirely. Picture this: pro athletes and Olympians, rescue pups, and me walking out with a bag full of pizza dough like I had just won the culinary lottery.
The whole event was hosted by legendary producer Debbie Durkin at a tucked-away estate that felt more like a summer dream than your average awards week pop-up. It was chic, sun-soaked, and all for a good cause- benefitting Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue Ranch, a nonprofit that helps rescue and rehabilitate shelter dogs. I’m always down for a good time with purpose, and ECOLUXE nailed that balance.
Let’s talk about the food first, because I still haven’t stopped thinking about it. Detroit’s iconic Sly Fox Pizza set up shop near the pool, serving up wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, and a salad bar that was honestly too pretty to eat (but I did anyway). The pizza? Out. Of. This. World. I told them I was obsessed and not only did they hand me two half-baked pies to take home, they also slipped me two balls of fresh pizza dough so I could try my hand at recreating the magic. Spoiler: I made it for dinner that night and it was phenomenal. Like, cancel-all-future-Pizza Hut-delivery phenomenal.
Food coma incoming? Not at ECOLUXE. The wellness lounge by Integrative Peptides and Dr. Kent Holtorf had everyone bouncing back in record time. I tried red light therapy, PEMF, and got an ozone water and ginger shot that somehow managed to taste like a spa day. There were health coaches on-site doing mini consults, plus treatments with peptides and bioregulators that had athletes lining up like it was game day.
DJ William Reed kept the vibe flowing with chill daytime beats while guests roamed from brand to brand. Man Labs Skincare was launching their Titan Sport Kits for Men, but the celeb-loved estheticians Shekinah Garner and Sarper Guven weren’t gatekeeping, they gave guests a mini-treatment using their anti-aging formulas, and the men’s skin was glowing harder than the Beverly Hills sun.
And then, of course, there was tequila. BLOWFISH Tequila was serving smooth, five-star pours with major summer energy. Add in Waiakea Hawaiian volcanic water to keep things balanced, and you had the ultimate beverage situation. Anita’s Kitchen Co., a dessert brand run by veterans, brought handcrafted Southern treats that made me wish I had worn stretchier pants.
There was also a little bit of everything to keep things exciting: medium Lynn Darmon connecting guests with lost loved ones, yard games, adoptable dogs from Marley’s Mutts (I fell in love with at least three), and an incredibly fun and eclectic crowd.
Some of the fabulous attendees I spotted included Gilles Marini (forever iconic), NFL pros like Matt Vanderbeek and Keelan Doss, Olympian Crystal Drew, Adam McArthur from Jujutsu Kaisen, Savaje Davis from BET Rampage, and even the always-fabulous Porscha Coleman. From The Chi to The Sopranos, this guest list was stacked.
But what made the day special wasn’t just the glitz. It was how effortlessly the event blended luxury with impact. The ECOLUXE Lounge wasn’t just about showing off brands—it was about elevating the ones that do good. Whether it was supporting dog rescue, highlighting sustainable wellness, or introducing us to brands that make people (and pets!) feel better, everything had heart.
I left with great memories, ready to celebrate the ESPYs and, let’s not forget, pizza dough. And as I sat at home later that night, eating my Sly Fox pizza and reflecting on the day, I realized ECOLUXE is what all events should strive to be: stylish, meaningful, and really, really fun.
Photos by Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images for Debbie Durkin’s ECOLUXE Lounge
