Join Ashley Madekwe, Lindsay Price, Jaime Ray Newman, Taylor Jenkins Reid, & more inside The Retaility’s Galentine’s Day

held in collaboration with Lightbox

“I was so worried that we would be dripping in diamonds and that it would have a very different meaning today,” joked The Retaility’s founder Lindzi Scharf, during our lifestyle platform’s Galentine’s Day brunch with lab-grown jewelry company Lightbox.

After several days of unseasonably rainy weather, the sun shone bright during the al fresco afternoon affair, which was held at a private — fittingly pink — home in Los Angeles.

The seated brunch — which drew Ashley Madekwe, Lindsay Price, Aurora Perrineau, “Daisy Jones & the Six” author Taylor Jenkins Reid, Oscar-winning producer and actress Jaime Ray Newman, and technology journalist Taylor Lorenz —was a celebration of female friendship and self-love.

“I’d never been to a Galentine’s Day,” Scharf told the crowd. “I thought, ‘Why not?’ So here we are.”

Other guests in attendance included past, present, and future The Retaility subjects including Mouna Traore, “YOU” author Caroline Kepnes, Emmy award-winning costume designer Janie Bryant (of “Deadwood” and “Mad Men”), power manager Christina Gualazzi, The Happy Place co-founder Kate Gordon, television personality Adrianna Costa, “Kricut Kween” Kristen Kabel, therapist Ali Howard Kirsch, digital strategist Wynter Mitchell-Rohrbaugh, and Alliance of Moms founder Kelly McKee Zajfen.

“A handful of people here have been featured on the site,” Scharf added. “One of my most nervewracking ones… Taylor [Jenkins Reid] is one of my closest friends and I was more nervous to ask you than…” She paused. “Other people.” Everyone laughed. “It’s true.”

“But you always get a yes!” Reid countered.

“No! But it’s hard. It’s just different.”

“And then there’s this Taylor…” Scharf continued, referencing Lorenz. “I texted and was like, ‘Hey, we haven’t met,’ but I really, really had been wanting to meet you. So, I [said], ‘I’m doing this thing. Come on out.’”

Bryant and Scharf were among those who were decked out in lab-grown diamonds by Lightbox at the event. Meanwhile, glittering pieces on display included an array of Lightbox’s recently launched drop earring silhouettes, stacking rings, pendants, and solitaire studs in Lightbox’s signature diamond colors - pink, blue and traditional white, as well as the brand’s stunning new tennis bracelets.

“Lightbox is all about lighting up life’s moments and we are delighted to be a part of this special event celebrating friendship in all its various and wonderful forms,” said Lightbox’s CMO, Melissa Crivillaro. “As we continue to build our community of fashion jewelry enthusiasts, we’re thrilled to support Lindzi and the meaningful initiatives she creates with The Retaility.”

Launched in 2018, Lightbox is an innovative lab-grown diamond company offering premium fashion jewelry at accessible prices. Built on more than 70 years of Element Six’s ground-breaking science and patented technology, Lightbox manufactures its high-quality, lab-grown diamonds in pink, blue and white at its state-of-the-art facility in Gresham, Oregon using 100% renewable wind energy.

“I’m delighted to partner with Lightbox for this fun-loving affair,” Scharf later shared. “Being in a room filled with women I admire soothes my soul. Storytelling and community is at the heart of The Retaility. I’m appreciative that Lightbox wanted to support our mission of shining a light on creative and entrepreneurial women and all that they've overcome to be in the positions they are today. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my closest friends, which is why I wanted to celebrate Galentine’s Day with a few of my favorite people.”

The event featured Sophie James Wine’s 2021 sparkling rose, Tilden mocktails, and a custom coffee cart. The menu included quiche lorraine, farmers market vegetable quiche, niman ranch bacon, roasted Weiser Farms potatoes; and garnet yams.

Price wore Zimmerman; Scharf opted for a playful floral dress by Tanya Taylor; and Newman was red hot in Ronny Kobo.

Guests were treated to Lightbox’s quarter carat mini solitaire bracelets in yellow gold as well as the The Retaility’s limited-edition tote bag, which contained the children’s book “Piper Joy and The Grand Old Tree” written by Kim Scharf in honor of her granddaughter Evan Frances.

The intimate brunch was also held to celebrate and highlight The Retaility’s new “In Conversation” series, which kicks off with Newman interviewing her former “Eastwick” co-star Price in March.

“It’s women who are in conversation with their closest friends,” explained Scharf, noting future subjects include Madekwe with Gualazzi as well as a slew of notable women over the coming months — many of which were in attendance at the luncheon. Stay tuned.