and both attended McGill University in Montreal, yet never crossed paths. Time—and their careers—eventually brought them to New York City, where Emma worked as a chef and Rowan moved into creative direction while moonlighting as a DJ and music curator. They finally met when Emma was looking for a DJ for a launch event of her magazine in 2016 and their mutual friend Jaime connected them.
“I was in Ireland at the time, but we met up weeks later at a now-shut bar on MacDougal to discuss. I was totally smitten,” says Rowan. “Emma went with some other DJs who threw the party at their house—an obvious oversight on her part.
” Adds Emma, “But, we became extremely close regardless. Fast forward to now, and fortunately, I’ve essentially devoted my life to making up for it as we plan so many events together both personally and professionally.” Love grew over the years, as did their creative pursuits.
The couple even launched a successful music and food pop-up series, , in 2023, which they are now working to establish as a full-time brick and mortar. In 2022, Rowan began work on another creative project—their engagement. He recruited Emma’s friend Mary that spring to help him pick a jeweler to design a ring in secret, finally landing on the brand .
“I was going to propose to her around the time of the five-year anniversary of our first kiss here in NYC, but she was cooking in Paris on Chef Jay Wolman’s team during his residency at Early June,” says Rowan. �.
