Former Kosovo president attends magazine party in Upstate

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - A luxury brand magazine that started circulating nationally 10 years ago celebrated its anniversary at the home of its founder and publisher, Karen Floyd.

The two-day event began Friday with an exclusive screening of “CatWalk FurBaby 2,” a documentary about Elysian’s philanthropic division that combines fashion with fundraising during New York Fashion Week. Elysian’s CatWalk FurBaby supports charities across the country with a runway show that pairs models with rescue dogs in matching creations by well-known designers.

The event winded down Saturday with some personal stories shared by Atifete Jahjaga, the first female president of Kosovo who served from 2011 to 2016.

Jahjaga has been recognized internationally for providing medical care and government support for female survivors of wartime sexual violence and increasing women’s opportunities in business and politics.

“Women were the ones that started criticizing me initially,” Jahjaga said. “Boys have had their own boys’ club, but what we are missing is women having a women’s club.”

The anniversary celebration also included an awards presentation that honored women who have made positive impacts in the fields of arts, business, science, philanthropy and government. Fox Carolina’s Hayley Spitler helped to present the awards.

Lt. Governor Pamela Evette, a featured guest at the event, received an Elysian Circle Women of Excellence award.

Marybeth Jacoby, news director at WIS-TV in Columbia and former news director at FOX Carolina, was also a recipient in the public relations category.