Meet The Founder | The New Standard NY

Meet the Founder

The New Standard NY was born from a belief that confidence is not worn - it’s embodied.

I’m Maxine Cesar, a first-generation Haitian American, born and raised in New York. My culture has shaped many aspects of who I am, from my values and resilience to my work ethic and personal style. Fashion has always been my language, and service, my foundation.

I began my professional journey in nursing over eight years ago, a career I still practice, grounded in care, discipline, and purpose. But my creative longing was always present waiting for the right moment to take up space.

In 2018, I launched The New Standard NY as a fashion blog highlighting emerging creatives and artists. While the platform evolved, the vision never left. I always knew it was meant to become something deeper - something transformative.

That transformation began to take shape in 2021 when I entered the world of pageantry. Competing in prestigious systems such as Miss USA and Miss Grand, where I placed Top 20 and Top 10 among hundreds of women, marked a defining shift. Pageantry refined my presence, strengthened my confidence, and deepened my trust in my purpose.

As doors began to open, I stepped into new spaces within the fashion and media industry. I attended New York Fashion Week and leading industry events, building relationships with designers, creatives, and brands. From there, my work expanded into hosting and correspondent roles, leading to red carpet interviews with notable talent including Ciara, Serayah, and Priah Ferguson.

Today, I work as a red-carpet correspondent in both in New York and Los Angeles, covering major events including the NAACP Image Awards and the AAFCA Awards, bringing my perspective on style, presence, and culture to some of the industry’s most visible moments.

All while still nursing.
All while still evolving.
All while becoming more of who I am.

Over the years, my personal style became more than aesthetic - it became presence: refined, powerful, and intentional. It began to open doors, but more importantly, it began to spark questions. Women wanted to know how to cultivate that same level of confidence and clarity in how they show up.

That is where The New Standard NY fully came to life.

This brand is a luxury style and image consulting experience designed to help women own every room they walk into without sacrificing who they are. I don’t believe in fitting into a mold. I believe in refining who you already are and elevating it with intention, clarity, and strategy.

The New Standard NY is not about trends.
It’s about presence.
It’s about alignment.
It’s about becoming unforgettable on your own terms.

Welcome to The New Standard.