My 9 Things: What I packed for the 64th GRAMMY Awards
Hilton art director J’Nay Penn shares her most essential items for a star-studded weekend at the 64th GRAMMY Awards. | By J’Nay Penn | May 5, 2022 (Updated March 2, 2023)
What do you do when life (read: work) gives you GRAMMYs tickets? Easy, you go! For Hilton art director J’Nay Penn that dream became a reality when she jetted off for a working weekend (and her first West Coast trip) in Las Vegas. From walking the red carpet to running around the event shooting video and photography, the entire weekend was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. J’Nay told us, “Hilton empowered an exceptional experience at the GRAMMY Awards and I got to be a part of sharing that story with our audiences around the world.”
While we can’t guarantee your next business trip will include a red carpet, we can promise that these packing tips will ensure you’re well-equipped to work AND play hard. Here’s what J’Nay put on her packing list for a star-studded weekend away, as told to Hilton:
The dress
Even though I wasn’t walking the red carpet, I knew I’d still be fairly close to it. I also knew I’d be standing for hours on a warm day and working while I was there. The solution? A timeless mini dress and statement earrings for a comfortable yet fun party outfit.
Earbuds
In-ear audio is essential when traveling. These are must-haves because they're small and mighty and can pair with my phone or laptop — not to mention they hold a charge!
Red lipstick
I try to pack at least one bold lip option to upgrade any of my looks — usually paired with a darker liner for a seamless blend. It's a small and easy addition to my toiletry kit.
Brow products
Brows are my thing. Even when I decide on "no makeup" for the day, I always fill and shape my brows. And I always pack two eyebrow pencils (can't chance running out!), a highlight pencil and setting gel in my toiletry kit.
Crossbody bag
We had a long list of content to capture across multiple locations. Rocking my bag on my body made running around the vastness of Resorts World Las Vegas that much easier. It allowed me to reach for my camera and everything else I needed to get those perfect shots with zero hassle.
Jean jacket
This was my first West Coast trip, so I made sure to do my research. Everything I read, plus the weather forecast for my travel dates, confirmed I needed something to wear for windy Vegas nights. Needless to say, my jacket came in handy a few times!
Statement hat
Gotta have options for switching up the hair, right? This hat worked perfectly for the day we shot all the pool scenes for Hilton’s social content.
Comfortable shoes
With all the work commitments we had planned for this trip, I ended up surpassing every activity ring and step goal on my watch and phone. My feet thanked me kindly for packing with style and comfort in mind.
Sunglasses
Umm, hello? Can you go to Las Vegas without one or two options for sunglasses? Best of all, these made our outdoor shoots a breeze — no extra glare here!
J’Nay Penn is a passionate digital content creator who enjoys reading, collecting vintage enamel pins and spending as much time as possible in the US Virgin Islands, where she was born and raised. She previously was an art director within Hilton's in-house Creative Studio.
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