Wind Beneath My Wings - Gotham P.R.

I now know that to outward appearances our company, Mal Sirrah, looks like this really sleek well oiled machine. I know this to be true as often when buyers and/or editors stop by or call they are usually shocked to be greeted by me answering the telephone and/or the door. But the reality of the matter is that this tightly ran ship is manned by a small crew of insanely dedicated part-time employees and interns. I also truly know that I am an extremely blessed man to be surrounded by people whom believe in our collective vision. If there is one person on this planet that truly gets and shares in my vision 100% – it is my publicist and friend, Courtney Lukitsch.

Courtney Lukitsch, unlike me, runs a very sleek well oiled machine which goes by the name of Gotham P.R. One glance at Gotham P.R.’s client roster on their website reads like a veritable “who’s who” of entertainment, fashion, art, technology, etc. And then there’s me - - - the proverbial “bull in a China shop” with middle finger a blazing…

Courtney and I actually met last summer on the 4th of July weekend. I remember this wonderful afternoon as if it were yesterday. You see, I was attempting to have a nice quiet brunch “alone” at the original MeatPacking District eatery Florent (the anti-Pastis) and noticed a very attractive blond woman reading several of my favorite New York-centric mags and papers (i.e. The New Yorker, New York Magazine, The Observer, etc.). The weather was perfect, the street was quiet and my kir royals were flowing and soothing… Then out of the blue I hear someone from across the street scream my name, or should I say my handle, “Malcolm You Bitch!” As a gay man living in New York eventually you get used to hearing your name attached to the words “You Bitch”. It was my dear friend and famed fashion photographer Dahlen. I have known Dahlen since I first moved to New York in the late 80’s. Dahlen has lived in the now trendy MeatPacking District when you couldn’t throw a stick without hitting meat racks, trucks, and/or a transvestite hooker. (Ah, the good old days…) Not only was Dahlen screaming “Malcolm You Bitch” but he also had his three overweight Shar-Peis in tow. What a sight (I wish I could have found a photo of Dahlen on the web – but for some reason I couldn’t find a single one.) Anyway, for the next 45 minutes Dahlen divided his time between his huge loft/studio directly across the street from Florent and my table where he sipped on my cocktails and picked at my fries – all whilst playing fashion gossip and gay catch-up. The entire time, the blond woman smiled, read quietly and shared in my pain.

Photos by the infamous : Dahlen

As this stunning blond stood up to leave I noticed that she was wearing a beautiful dress and carrying a great summer bag. She reminded me of my very first visit to St. Tropez, France. There was a warmness and kindness of spirit that radiated from her that made me want to know more. Somehow, before Dahlen had made his way back for another French fry and alcohol drive-by, Courtney and locked eyes and introduced ourselves. We got to chatting about Dahlen who was also trying to get me to rush off with him to Central Park for Pat Field’s annual Fags In the Park Picnic (I kid you not that is the name of soiree) and it turned out that Pat was also a client of Courtney’s. Pat Field was also my previous employer and had guided me through my early years here in New York. Long story short, we shared a few other quick three-degrees of separation stories, exchanged business cards and vowed to stay in touch… Not even a week later, I found myself in need of a new publicist.

Fast forward…. There are days now when I speak with Courtney and know for sure I am speaking with a woman that has mediated and chanted herself to a higher plain. I know this because my spirit is drawn to learn this same sense of calm. Unfortunately, there are also times when I telephone Courtney completely wired on either caffeine and/or adrenaline with one of my grandiose and elaborate ideas, often void of plan and filled with purpose. No matter how lofty the goal and/or concept, Courtney always calmly listens as I ramble on and on without any interruptions; she simply listens. One of the great things I love about Courtney, amongst many others, is that she has never once attempted to talk me down or out of an idea or goal. She has always asked me one simple question, “How can I help you achieve your goal?” If you have never heard these wonderful words before – then you are looking into the eyes and speaking into the ears of the wrong people.

Courtney and her wonderful team at Gotham P.R. have assisted me in expanding Mal Sirrah’s visions and goals, guided Lydia Hearst and I with our charitable endeavors through Designers For Darfur, and acted as my tether as she has allowed me to strategically sore and grow often with reckless abandon. Courtney understands that I have no desire to become yet another cookie cutter fashion designer nor to someday be heralded as the “darling of the industry”. I simply want to be Malcolm Harris - a conscious and evolving citizen of the world.

Courtney Lukitsch is truly the wind beneath the expanding wings of Mal Sirrah and Malcolm Harris.