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Charli Penn

@charlipenn

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Where she sits, she shines.
Editor-in-Chief @apartmenttherapy
Formerly @essence & #yesgirlpodcast

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Back for the third consecutive year! 💫 Meet me at AfroTech Conference in Houston, Nov. 2–6.

As a member of the AfroTech Insider community, I’m looking forward to exclusive perks, new connections and opportunities to expand my work with @watchmewin and @winsforblackgirls.

I am also open to collaborate, attend events and set up interviews with business leaders, entrepreneurs and cultural activists. 📝

Let’s WIN together. ⭐️

Last year, I interviewed Danessa Myricks, and I’m expecting to land another BIG interview this year. 🔑

@danessa_myricks • @danessamyricksbeauty

AfroTech with friends is always better. 🤑
Hey @veronica.tashae, ready to run it back?

From knowledge-packed panels and immersive activations to conversations with innovators shaping the future of Black tech and culture, AfroTech continues to be a space for learning, collaboration and community.

@adriennedidthat, are you attending this year?
Maybe @heyitskalish can slide to the city.

I’m open to interviews and conversations with CEOs, business leaders, entrepreneurs and cultural activists who are making an impact in their industries and communities. 🔑

Let’s WIN together!

#AfroTech #AfroTechConference #BlackTech #BlackEntrepreneurs

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Peek behind the scenes with our Editor-in-Chief, @charlipenn, as she reveals our 2026 Organization Award winners live on the @todayshow. 🎥

And don't forget to check out the winners list at the link in bio!

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This one feels especially meaningful.

Today, Apartment Therapy officially announced its inaugural New/Next Designers list, and I am deeply honored to be one of only five designers selected for the 2026 class.

For 15 years, I have built Dressing Rooms Interiors Studio around one belief: a beautiful room is not enough. It should tell you something about the person who lives there. It should hold their history, their discoveries, their memories and a little bit of their drama.

To see that philosophy recognized in this way feels incredibly affirming.

The feature traces my journey from human resources to vintage shop owner to designer and creative director, along with the family history, collected objects and instinct that continue to shape my work.

Thank you to @apartmenttherapy and @pallywally_ for telling my story with such care. And thank you to everyone who has shopped with me, hired me, shared my work, encouraged me and believed in DRIS along the way.

Layered. Soulful. Collected.

And just getting started.

Read the full feature through the link in my bio #NewNext2026

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The patio upgrade everyone deserves.... @apartmenttherapy put @liveouter’s Charcoal Aluminum Outdoor U Sectional to the test, and the review speaks for itself.

The editor called it "the kind of investment piece that transforms your outdoor space into a true extension of your home."

A huge thank you to @charlipenn for the thoughtful feature and for highlighting what makes Outer so special!

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Single best June ever in the greatest city in the world. New York City forever. 💙🧡💙🧡

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Some outtakes from my 3-day jaunt last week to Kohler, Wisconsin, & the resort’s newly renovated Carriage House. On my mind since, tiles & toilets, 19th-c. horse troughs turned enameled bathtubs we use today, log cabins, made in the USA, brands supporting artists, family-owned businesses, artisan chocolate Terrapins, that I need to learn golf, that I’ve seen the tallest freestanding flagpole in the U.S., that I finally had cheese curds, the clean green wide open spaces of America’s Midwest. Many thanks & much gratitude to @kohler @kohlerwi @kohlerwaterspa @golfkohler @magrinopr #fbf (Also, let’s go #knicks)

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Did you know our ✨SQUEEZABLE✨ Paste won the @apartmenttherapy Cleaning Awards 2026 for Best Cleaning Paste? 🏆🩷 ⁠
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Featured by Apartment Therapy Editor-in-Chief @charlipenn on the @todayshow with @alroker @craigmelvinnbc @dylandreyernbc 👏⁠
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🛒 Get yours on @amazon @homedepot @walmart⁠
🔗 linkin.bio/squeezable-us⁠
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#ThePinkStuffUSA #ThePinkStuff

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Still out here trying to make it 😬😜🥴
And still blessed while doing it 🙏🏾💪🏾🫶🏾

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Our editors are just like you: Fueled by a love for exploring charming home decor stores and the invigorating rush of a perfectly crafted iced coffee ☕️

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Come along while we shop at @macys for a low-lift living room refresh that’s ready for entertaining 🍷 with help from our editor-in-chief @charlipenn!

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Women’s History Month has me reflecting on the women who inspire me and who have paved the way. These ladies come to mind 💘This story is from our 55th Anniversary issue last year and it celebrates the beauty journeys of (some of the) former ESSENCE beauty/lifestyle Editors. Of course we had to have former Beauty & Fashion Director @blakelawren pen this one as well 🤍 on set felt like a beauty family tree lol. Grateful to you all. (Shot by @mylesloftin 💘)

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Let’s go shopping at @macys for Maya’s first solo apartment ✨ with our editor-in-chief @charlipenn!

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