- Since Tuesday, it seems that everyone with an internet connection and Instagram has been captivated by Gabriel Grossman and Marissa Fuchs’ “surprise” engagement scavenger hunt.
- But as Taylor Lorenz reported for the Atlantic, it may not have been such a shock to Fuchs after all. The couple apparently pitched the social media spectacle to potential advertisers ahead of the Big Event.
- But regardless of whether or not it’s all a ruse to earn money or bring in followers to Fuch’s style blogging account, FashionAmbitionist, people can’t look away.
- Grossman has sent his girlfriend to Montauk, Miami, and now Paris.
- As of Thursday morning, they still weren’t engaged and their Powerpoint promised an actual wedding, too.
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Since Tuesday, it seems that everyone with an internet connection and Instagram has been captivated by Gabriel Grossman and Marissa Casey Fuchs’ “surprise” engagement scavenger hunt.
The extravagant search has been well documented. It began on Tuesday when Grossman posted a video, which Fuchs, the Director Brand Partnerships for Goop, reshared on Instagram, where she’s known as The Fashion Ambitionist.
“Riss, I love you so much,” Grossman said. “You’re the most important person in the world to me. Which is why I have the most important question of my life to ask you. Problem is, we’re not really into traditional weddings. It’s not really our style.”
He continued, adding that he wanted his proposal to be an "extraordinary adventure," on that "would incorporate everything that's important to her: love, adventure, travel, fashion, friends, and family."
"I didn't know how to do something like that," he said. "I figured it out. I guess you'll see."
"WHAT IS HAPPENING?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Fuchs captioned the video.
Cut to: Fuchs gallivanting around New York City, taking a Flywheel Sports cycling class in the East Village with her friends. Then, she went back to her apartment where the Glamsquad awaited. After a quick hair and nail appointment, she packed her bags for a surprise trip to the Hamptons.
But as Taylor Lorenz reported for the Atlantic, it may not have been such a shock to Fuchs after all. The social-media spectacle-slash-engagement-slash-maybe-marriage? was apparently to potential advertisers ahead of time.
In a pitch deck obtained by Lorenz, the proposal was posited to be a "surprise" despite the fact that it was sent to advertisers.
"This summer, Marissa of @FashionAmbitionist will be pulled into a surprise created by the center of her life, Gabriel," the deck said. "He will remotely ask her to take an unexpected and sentimental journey to him, a journey that will [encompass] many familiar stops along the way that offer their own unique gifts."
It continued: "We're pleased to offer your brand the opportunity to align with this momentous occasion and the beautiful cities she will be visiting along the way."
It's unclear if the deck was successful in soliciting sponsors and advertisers. Multiple brands have been tagged in posts like Glamsquad, Ramy Brook, and Tumi - the latter two brands she said sent her items to travel with.
The deck also contained an hourly itinerary which aligns with what Fuchs and Grossman have been documenting on Instagram stories along with their friends.
In an Instagram story posted Wednesday night, one of Fuchs' friends, Elicia Blaine Evans, said that the deck was a "logistical plan" that she had created. The friend, speaking into Fuchs' phone, maintained that Fuchs had no idea what was going on and that the "plan" had not included the epic social media tale's conclusion.
But it's unclear if this revelation will stop people from tuning in.
So far, the engagement has spanned three cities in the US: New York, Montauk, and Miami. While in Montauk, Grossman, via Instagram, instructed Fuchs to search for three "jewels."
The "jewels" were diamond and gold necklaces, with the brand Jade Trau tagged, as is influencer best practice, even if it's not a part of a brand deal.
At one point, it seemed that Grossman was leading Fuchs to their hometown of Hewlett, New York. That, however, turned into a surprise flight to Miami, where the social media influencer expected to find her boyfriend. No dice.
Instead, the couple will be meeting in Paris on Friday. At this time, they are not engaged. Although the couple has heavily referenced that by viral stunt's end they plan to be not just engaged but also married.
That's modern love.
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