Culte Magazine Winter 2016

CULTE WINTER 2016

UK 6.00

USA $14.99

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CULTE 20

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

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BEAUTY AND THE INTERNET BEAST

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THE BRAIDY BUNCH

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Theodora Silver

Shreya Chopra

Hair Editorial

THE MAN WHO IS CHANGING THE GAME-ONE STRAND AT A TIME Edoarda Schoch

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ADORNING YOUR REFLECTION FROM EVERY ANGLE Danielle Schostak

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MISFITS

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RETURN OF THE PUNK COWGIRL

Fashion Editorial

Sanya Malhotra

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DJ KATHMANDU’S WINTER PLAYLIST

CULTE

social

WELCOME TO THE CULTE

Follow Culte on Instagram @cultemagazine #cultemag

CHECK OUT BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE CULTE SHOOTS 9

CULTE

winter 16

EDITOR IN CHIEF Edoarda Schoch MANAGING EDITOR Danielle Schostak

FASHION EDITOR Theodora Silver FASHION CRITIC Sanya Malhotra

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CULTE

winter 16

WELCOME TO THE CULTE Culte is a eurocentric, English language, unisex magazine that is the authority in luxury fashion, design and pop-culture.

Culte embraces the emergence of net culture.

We embody playfulness and positivity.

We are spirited at heart.

Culte is fascinated in the transformative nature of social media in the economy, our society and culture.

Culte is a group of creative collaborators and authors from around the globe. We are a collective action driven by diversity. We are inspired by the streets.

Culte is an attitude, we collaborate, we share.

We are wanderers, in search of the unique.

We imagine a future of creativity and harmony, believing in the freedom of speech and ideas.

Culte is our clan, we insist upon openness and transparency.

Forever collective.

THE CULTE TEAM

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CULTE

contributors

ANNA RUBACK 20

Culte Photographer Photography at Parsons Dead, or alive Pick 3-5 people for a dinner party?

Grandma, Hitler, Lewis Caroll, Iris Apfel, Wahlid from the Deli, Prince Phillip, Frida Kahlo.

Who do you dream about?

Maggie Thatcher.

Most embarassing moment: Everyday.

DAISY KORPICS 20

Photography at Parsons If you got matching tattoos, who would it be with?

I have matching arm tattoos with my mom, hers says “you see all my light” and mine says “and love all my dark.”

DJ KATHMANDU 20

Student at Edinburgh University Granny pants or thong?

Granny Pants - worn as spanx under a long sheer skirt, any unsexy vibes disappear instantly!

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR FEATURED DESIGNERS: Sidharth Chawla

Mercer Clutch

Christinia Cabada

Lallie Doyle on behalf of The Design Studio

www.sidharthchawla.com/@sidharthchawla

@christiniacabada0

Lauren Woodard

@laurenalyssadesign

www.mercerclutch.com/@mercer_clutch

@Lalliepop_/@thedesignstudiohawarden www.thedesignstudiohawarden.co.uk

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CULTE CONTRIBUTORS SUKRIT SINGH 19

TIFFANY WANG 21

SHREYA CHOPRA 21

NELLY TAHERI 20

Communication Design Drink of choice?

Iced cold beer.

If you could be born in any era when would it be?

The 1960s to work in Warhol’s Factory.

Illustration at Parsons and low key beauty blogger Thong or Granny panties?

Granny Panties for the win (girl boxers are the best though)!

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Photography at Parsons If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?

I would die to have a dolphin as a pet.

Design Management at Parsons Dead, or alive Pick 3-5 people for a dinner party?

Steven Hawking, Ronaldinho, Johnny Depp, Woody Allen, Elvis.

ARTA AJETI 22

@arta-artwork Illustration at Parsons One thing you can’t live without: A Micron pen (sketchbook too?

But the pen’s more important seeing as I can always draw on walls).

RACHEL GRAY 20

Advertsing, Marketing, Commications at FIT Favorite spot in NYC: Anywhere with a view.

Coffee or Tea: Definitely, Coffee!

EMILY DABNEY 21 Photograph/Politics Eat to live or live to eat?

Eat to live.

Marry, Kiss, Kill?

Kiss J Biebs, marry Shia LaBeouf, kill Drake.

PARIS AMARO 21

Accessories Design at Parsons If you could be born in any era when would it be?

I was born in the 90s and I love it.

Spirit animal:Panther.

BRADI MASCI 21

Illustration at Parsons If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?

A micro mini pig, so I could push it around central park in a stroller.

BRAEDEN SUMNER 21 Photography at Parsons Favorite spot in NYC: DEFINITELY my couch. It’s the best place in the city.

Coziness and nudity.

Eat to live or live to eat?

I live to eat.

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DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE IS SOCIAL MEDIA RECRAFTING, OR DISSOLVING SUBCULTURAL FASHION CODES? Theodora Silver The past decade has been a tumultuous balancing act for Generation Y, hovering over the precipice that is Social Media. Unlike our parents, the evolution of Social Media’s presence, which is riddled throughout our personal lives, has felt like an organic transition, even growing up alongside us. We were given flip phones and chunky desktop computers in our pre-teen years, we chatted on MSN Messenger, Bebo and Myspace during middle school. As teenagers, we found the arbitrary anonymity of ChatRoulette hilarious, flying the nest to university and Skyping or Face-timing our parents when we ran out of cash. We then graduated, started jobs and adult life, with an acceptance that the probability of bumping into Tinder matches was embarrassingly high.

Perhaps the most universal claim made about the Internet is its ability to transmit cultural congruence. Unlike the pre-millennial era, nowadays we have a platform for people to create, share and voice common, eccentric or niche interests, entirely free from traditional demographic constraints.

Within this consumer-driven and Social Media-obsessed society,subcultures which seek a minority style aesthetic, are in danger of losing both their definition and their ability to challenge the status quo of majority style and its commercial meaning. Has Social Media given way to new tribes or is Social Media THE new subculture?

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Throughout history, fashion i n some way or another has been a crucial component to our identity.

Surface decoration of the human body has given us the power to express ideologies, smoothly classifying each and every one of us into varying cultural tribes, based on fashion, attitudes, political views and music. Social Media has blended these aesthetic divides and the importance of symbolfetishism that shaped subcultures before us. Punk mohawks, bondage straps and spikes,have all been forgotten.

Whilst subcultural styles of the past, may have been adopted by mass culture for its commercial purposes- such as the leather jacket, today we all want to dress like a Kardashian sister or in an all-black uniform. Our tribal instincts have been diluted by the need to increase ‘likes’ on our posts and adapt our style habits to each and every upcoming trend. As Social Media personas trump tactile personalities in importance, desirability and intrigue, the rise and fall of subcultures is happening at a warp speed. No longer do we want to stand out from the norm and subvert the expected by committing to a ‘style tribe’. Instead, we accept commercially provided trends in the interest of blending in with bloggers and celebrities. Social Media has encouraged gang conformism with regram, retweet and #TBT culture, borrowing, stealing and merging

in a frantic battle of (un)coolness. Brands attach products to movements and style leaders with sponsored Snapchats and Instagram posts, claiming ownership and losing authenticity. Our ultimate f ear is looking different, offending others opinions and beliefs, or not being included in this black streamline-cut army.

Social Media has become a virtual world through which we now communicate, socialize and even accomplish mundane everyday tasks. The Internet has given us access to an infinite amount of information where ‘privacy’ is now an obsolete term. Most of the population have an online persona or existence, transforming how young people form their identities and how they project these onto their audience. Visual Social Media accounts such as Tumblr and Instagram have allowed ‘trickle up’ trends to be adopted by a wider market; Health Goth, Soft Grunge, SeaPunk & Vaporwave are recent style aesthetics born solely from

likes and reposts. Today, there is no commitment necessary when choosing a ‘look’. No cult is private. No sect is secret.

Partaking in a subculture such as emo, punk, mod... is no longer an emotional and financial investment.

Social Media operates on informational currency through likes and regrams.

Anxiety over popularity on these platforms has become a palpable problem for millennials. Subcultures barely exist as separate entities, but are absorbed into an amalgamation of styles and utopian ideals. Shoppers would rather look like they could belong in the matching, uniformly slick, sexy, it-girl warriors of the Balmain Army, or the understated edge that is the Adidas Yeezy clan. The Internet generation has become a melting pot of the nostalgic past, present, and cliched future, blurring style boundaries and deconstructing subcultural trends. Now, anyone and anything can be a part of it- as long as you are wearing the correct uniform.

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BEAUTY AND THE INTERNET BEAST PART 1: THE NEW FEMALE Shreya Chopra In this day and age, it’s hard to say which social and cultural norms are not been dictated by the power of the mighty ‘World Wide Web’.

Celebrity nudes are leaked daily, raising serious questions regarding privacy and body image, whilst twitter is being used as a battleground for cultural critique and political canvassing.

Although the internet is a powerful beast, with the ability to create viral movements - turning a grumpy cat into a sensation - somewhere in that confusing and overwhelming world, beauty and feminine ideals are also being shifted. Now more than ever, consumers have the ability to make choices that they did not even realise were available to them. From having access to gluten free face creams and avoiding certain carcinogenic eyeliners to dying their underarm hair pink and choosing to wear dreadlocks because they understand it political and social history. In its own weird and wonderful way, the Internet has created a unifying umbrella, where everyone has the ability and choice, to share beautiful moments of human experience expanding across borders and different walks of life, showing how similar all of our problems can be.

Social media is the greatest tool we have to understand this cultural shift.

Instagram is not only a giant net used to catch each and every selfie Kim K has ever snapped, but

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to shed light on many feminist beauty issues. Ranging from the #freethenipple movement, to a woman’s choice not to shave her body hair, a platform to discuss the normality of breast-feeding or even period blood. The wonderful aspect of all these movements is they are in fact female guided, and their accompanying images are created by women. This movement has driven a shift, away from the hyper-sexualized stereotype created by and for the pleasure of men. Real women are finally allowed to be real.

On a platform loaded with usergenerated imagery, that is constantly feeding into our visual lexicon, social media truly carries the power to transform society’s concept of visual and aesthetic normalcy. It is now acceptable, unique and beautiful to see a photo of a breast-feeding mother and child, just as it is beautiful to see a neatly arranged coffee table in a bespoke yogurt parlor. The concept of female beauty has been handed back to women, giving them the choice to be as open about their femininity as they want; from exposing their breasts, to their clothing choices, to perhaps sharing none of these options.

Of course, social media also has the ability to affect us in an equally negative way. Whilst many women are able to open up about breakouts and menstrual cramps, such transparency can come at a serious price. Hateful

comments are posted, anti-hashtags created, increased scrutiny, and an overuse of the word “ugly”. There are more fitness and “thinspo” blogs pushing women to have 23 inch waists and 40 inch hips. There is an equal number of ‘How to contour like a Kardashian’ tutorials as there are Hotline Bling memes, creating an epidemic of claylike sculpted faces. It would appear that despite women finally bringing female issues to the forefront of the media, the backlash has been extremely harsh and personal. If anything, social media in its own right, is creating a new kind of female ideal body image –o n e t h a t i s n ’ t n e c e s s a r i l y created in the fantastical mind of a teenage boy, but by trolls and anonymous body-shamers who have been granted the power to pick on, and create new sources of insecurities using the very same beast that has given the ladies of today a platform for change.

like Lena Dunham, they can take the political and diplomatic track and use their power of free speech - like Emma Watson or, they can basque in their traditional a n d beautifully curated femininity - like T a y l o r S w i f t . T h e s e models of femininity can overlap; they can combine and be altered, or be ignored altogether. In the end, the Internet has granted us a unified experience, giving us the chance to share our common problems. and accomplishments with one another.

Moving forward, the challenge is for us to accept that there is no ideal way of ‘being woman’, just one and a million different ways of accepting women as they are.Beauty and the Internet really do go hand in hand – just like that relatable vine you saw the other day about stepping on a Lego brick, there is something universally relatable about beauty issues. We all have breakouts and we have all cyber stalked Kylie Jenner’s transformation.

The women of today are not at a junction, debating which road to take. Rather they are within a tangled web. They may venture into the realm of the being the ultimate, natural woman – completely exposed and unapologetically themselves -

To read more about how beauty online has raised issues on: gender, race, health, body image, diet fads and make up trends, visit: http://themedicinecabinetdiaries.tumblr.com/

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THE BRAIDY BUNCH BOYS AND BABES DO BRAIDS

Whilst we love plaits and braided hairstyles, we want to respectfully acknowledge that they are not a new hair trend. Whilst many believe braids to be a symbol of a “bad girl/boy� image, and a way to express that they are edgy and urban, these hairstyle can be linked as far back as 3500 BC and are mainly associated with Hip Hop & Black Culture. Braiding hairstyles have spread into mainstream culture through high fashion catwalks and celebrities, becoming an increasingly politicized and racial issue as the public has little idea of the cultural practice behind these hairstyles. We want to cause neither offense, nor disrespect, to an age-old practice. We wish to celebrate these hairstyles, that are attributed to men and women in several groups around the world.We want to share and learn these cultural traditions in order to be knowledgeable and to engage more with those around us. We see it as positive inspiration, not appropriation.

Photographed by Anna Ruback

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THE MAN WHO IS CHANGING THE GAMEONE STRAND AT A TIME Edoarda Schoch As I am sitting here, contemplating on where to begin when it comes to e x p l a i n i n g t h e e n i g m a t h a t is Michael Gordon, the distinguished British gentleman behind Bumble and Bumble and now Hairstory Studio; I am transported back to the day I meet Michael for the first time.

It was Friday May 8th, 2015. I had finally secured an appointment at the place that was dubbed “The Warhol Factory of Hair,” by what is now Vogue Runway. So at 12pm sharp I found myself stepping off the elevator into the Studio (aka Michael’s apartment).

While I was getting my hair cut by Wes in Studio 1, Michael walked in.

I, having stalked Hairstory for the better part of 2015, of course knew who he was, and to be honest my heart was racing at that point. Turns out there was no need for that, he was very friendly and we talked for a bit, while I was getting my hair done.

Afterwards he asked me whether I could stay for a while, so we could continue our conversation, which I did happily.

We ended up talking for about two hours, the topics ranged from cars (Uber and Tesla) to Technology (Apple).

Through that conversation as well as the following five months o f interning at Hairstory I got a detailed understanding of who Michael is as a person and what he values most.

Although he was the brains behind Bumble and Bumble for 34 years-more

than half of his life, first in South Africa and later in New York. He is what we would call an early adopter.

Michael, with Bumble and Bumble, pioneered the way we buy hair products. He was the person that made it possible for you to pick up your favorite hair product in your local Sephora or CVS, rather than going to the salon. After having revolutionized how consumers get a hold of their haircare products, Michael noticed that shampoo is actually damaging to your hair, and we only need to use conditioners and deep conditioning masks to fix the damage. In fact you can often hear him say, “you might as well use dishwashing liquid to wash your hair, instead of shampoo.”

Although Michael’s statement to some might seem quite puzzling, as you would never find yourself using your bottle of Dawn’s dishwashing liquid, instead of your L’Oreal Silky Smooth, it will all start to make sense when you google ‘how to remove lipstick from leather’ you will come across an article on housecleaningcentral. com that suggests giving it a try with either dishwashing l i q u i d o r . . you guessed it, shampoo. If shampoo can be used to remove your favorite lipstick from your leather sneakersshould it be used in your hair?

As a solution Michael and his team at Hairstory have developed first Purely Perfect, a detergent free cleansing

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creme, and now the new and improved version- New Wash. Athough Michael is quoted on Hairstory.com saying, “in many respects we were not ready: the instructions were misleading (the French translation totally off) and the pump hardly functioned.” Regardless people broke down the door, so much so that it sold out after a few months.

It would have been an easy thing to just produce more of the now defunct Purely Perfect and leave it at that.

However, that is not the type of person Michael is. He always was, and always will be one of the first to try new things.

His move to South Africa in 1972, to deepen his yoga practice-most people in the West probably didn’t know how to spell yoga at that pointis an example. His exploratory nature continued in his professional life as well as he took the the route of detergent free ‘shampoo’ back in 2012, instead of launching something similar to Bumble and Bumble and continuing to bet on a winning horse.

These examples are the reason why it is to be expected, that he and his team are about to launch the big sister of the cobalt blue bottles that were known as Purely Perfect, and that could be found in every beauty editor’s bathroom nation wide.

The new product line named for the place where all this magic happens, is a more grown up version of what Purely Perfect used to be. Just as Michael Gordon has changed the hair industry so many times over with Bumble and Bumble, Hairstory products are bound to do the same “by empowering independent hairdressers.”

Michael is a firm believer in independence. One might say that that is a virtue that he got from his mother, Sylvia Gordon. Sylvia w a s a n independent hairdresser herself in the late 1950s and 1960s in London. Although Michael says that he,“became a hairdresser...because [he] had blond curly hair [when] all the other boys other boys in England had brown straight hair,” it for sure helped that in 1961 he started working, “saturdays at the family salon sweeping floors, handing pins, washing up.”

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When his apprenticeship at the famous hair salon Leonard of Mayfair led to his discovery of American Vogue, and as a result he was moved to explore all aspects of hairdressing, as well as photography. Although these days he is a firm believer of the less is more ethos in all aspects of his life and work. His passion for photography has remained a strong. He is the one that takes pictures of many of the models that come through the Hairstory Studio doors. Michael has such an obsession with photography that you often find yourself startled, when working at the Studio- blinking in confusion when being blinded by the flash of Michael’s Iphone, or your head snapping up, when you hear the shutter of his Canon fall. Photography is another area where his forward thinking shows.

Using Instagram to stay in the loop, he continues to post as @moderngentlemanmg. Most of the snaps are in color, although he is known to favor a more subdued palette, a s e vide n t b y t h e mostly black and white look of the newly launched Hairstory.com.

When it comes to Hairstory.com it is once again clear that Michael Gordon and Hairstory as a whole is not your usual hair salon. In fact using the word hair salon to describe Hairstory in front of Michael, will get you a death stare. He loathes that phrase like nothing else! Why else would it be called Hairstory Studio? Hairstory.com is structured like a fashion magazine, but for hair. It has its editions, of which the first monthly launched Sunday, October 4th, they are filled with different pieces a b o u t t h e studio, the models, and the team.

As with Steve Jobs, Vidal Sassoon, and all the other people Michael admires for their ingenuity and their ability to be different, he himself is someone that belongs in that category of geniuses that don’t care what anyone else is doing. Then that is exactly what Hairstory and Michael in particular are all about, “it is not doing that everyone else does.”

“I had blonde curly hair, which is why I became a hairdresser...

All the other boys in England had brown straight hair.�

-Michael Gordon

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ADORNING YOUR REFLECTION FROM EVERY ANGLE

Narciss Fashion is reputable in its message and unique in its vision Danielle Schostak “So many of my girlfriends look at themselves in the mirror and focus on the flaws and not the good qualities,” says Latvian fashion designer, and Associate Fashion Marketing student at Parsons the New School for Design, Alise Trautmane. In 2009, in reaction to this idea, Alise had a light bulb moment, recalling the famous Greek Myth of Narcissus. While walking along a river, Narcissus, the son of the River God, Cephisus and Nymph Lyriope, sees his reflection in the water.

Amazed by his own beauty, Narcissus becomes entranced with his own reflection. Alise twisted the egotistical message of Narcissus into one of honor and respect, and formed, her brand Narciss, which supports strong, confident women, who “adore their reflection.”

In 2008, Alise created a new life for herself, making the shift from corporate to creative. She quit her c a r e e r i n l a w a n d b u s i n e s s consulting to pursue an artistic path. Deciding to jump right into fashion, Alise began working with a local designer, back in her hometown of Riga, Latvia.

Almost immediately, Alise knew that she did not share the vision of this designer, nor did she have the skills to help him succeed. Thus, leaving after one collection, Alise focused on her

education, by attending classes and lectures at Central Saint Martins in London and Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan, where she learned the basics of fashion construction.

The knowledge gained from these institutions supplied Alise the vigor to build her own brand, which had always been her dream. Once financially stable, Alise decided to apply to a two-year Fashion Marketing program at Parsons, and was accepted. Alise wanted to be in New York for a short time so that she could remain highly involved with Narciss, back in Riga. So she took her entire first year of courses online.

The bubbles within the Baltic sea surrounding Alise’ native land, Latvia, prompted inspiration for her Spring/ Summer 2016 collection, which is filled with polka dots and sailor cuts. Reflecting upon her muse of the ocean, Alise realizes, “how important the unconscious is for inspiration.”

Being in New York has provided Alise with so many influences, especially Yayoi Kusama’s Give Me Love exhibition at the David Zwiner Gallery in Chelsea, as Alise says, “I’m generally a big believer that you can be inspired by anything. You do not need to go on an exotic trip, you can be

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inspired by your Grandmother’s house. However, being in New York, inspiration i s m u c h more free and n a t u r a l , i t comes easier in a creative environment.”

Although Alise wanted to be in New York for a brief time, she realized the value of remaining.

As she talks about the influences of New York, Alise overflows with excitement, it is contagious. It is clear that attributes of New York City have sparked possible catalysts for future Narciss collections, as Alise says, “If you are put on an isolated island, you may get the most genius ideas in the world, but to be relevant and interesting you must immerse yourself into these experiences.” Referring to her time at Parsons and in New York, the city has made a lasting impact on the designer.

Latvia is a tiny country with only two million in population. Though it may not be a rapidly growing market, it is the foundation of the Narciss brand and home to its only boutique. The second floor of the Riga boutique houses Alise’s studio and office space.

Her small, yet diligent team work hard to sell in New York, London, and Paris Ready-to-Wear Markets, while keeping their accounts happy around the globe from Brooklyn, New York to Kuwait

to Taiwan. Balancing all these tasks as a small company is not an easy.

Thus, in order to keep the business thriving, the Narciss team also constructs uniforms for national Latvian agencies and hotel employees.

This reality provides Narciss with the money to help develop the brand.

Narciss recently grabbed the attention of the Worth Global Style Network (WGSN) with their “might white,” “sheer stripes” and “back detail,” statements from their Spring/ Summer 2016 collection. WGSN featured Narciss in a trend recap of Copenhagen Fashion Week, where Alise showed her collection; a short, yet sweet taste to fashion week not far from Latvia. Utilizing all WGSN has to offer on a daily basis, it was validating for Alise that Narciss was highlighted. Of course this was a great achievement for the brand, yet Alise has high expectations and goals, which she is constantly working towards. For her, a prime focus is getting her brand out into well known department stores and boutiques, such as Barneys and Kirna Zabete, thus for Alise, “the biggest motivators are the small things. You have to be happy for the small things because you have to move forward.”

As she sits across from me in a long black coat with fur trim and a bright

“If you are put on an isolated island, you may get the most genius ideas in the world, but to be relevant and interesting you must immerse yourself into these experiences.”

-Alise Trautmane

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red tassel necklace, talking, yet looking around at the people in the coffee shop, I can tell she is juggling multiple ventures. Alise admits that is challenging having her own brand. She is grateful f o r h e r p r e v i o u s experience as a lawyer in Moscow. For one she, has no need for a lawyer and two, she thoroughly understands the importance of deadlines.

As fluidly as possible, Alise manipulates the dominance of both her brain’s right hemisphere and her left hemisphere, in order to improve and focus in each area of her company.

While a common assumption may be that one cannot obtain control and superiority in both realms, Alise proves there a r e exceptions. With her analytical background, Narciss is able to remain independent, under Alise’s watch.

Narciss still has enormous hurdles to overcome, yet their leader, is one who is determined to no end, passionate without a doubt and multi-talented. “You can create the most beautiful things, Alise muses, but I really see the value if people wear it and enjoy it.”

“I’m generally a big believer that you can be inspired by anything. You do not need to go on an exotic trip, you can be inspired by your Grandmother’s house. However, being in New York, inspiration is much more free and n a t u r a l , i t comes easier in a creative environment.”

-Alise Trautmane

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Left to right: Sweater:IKKS, Slipdress: Zara, Boots: Dr. Martens; Jacket: DKNY, Top: Stolen, Shorts: Topshop, Sneakers: DKNY; Jacket: Jac Vanek, Top: Forever21, Pants: Model’s own, Hightops: DKNY X PONY; Jumpsuit: Topshop, Coat: Vintage, Shoes: Model’s own, Necklace: Ribbon tied as necklace; Jacket: DKNY, Shorts: BCBG Maxazria, Shirt: Forever21, Clutch: Mercer Clutch, Sneakers: Common Project.

MISFITS

GIRLS KEEPING IT IN THE CULTE #SQUADGOALS

Photographed by Anna Ruback

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Left to right: Sweater: Vintage, Shorts: Topshop, Hat: River Island, Backpack: Proenza Shouler, Hightops: DKNY X PONY; Jacket: Bread & Butter Berlin, T-shirt: Vintage, Skirt: Thrifted, Hightops: DKNY

Left to Right: Turtle Neck: H&M Collection, Laser Cut Jacket: Sidharth Chawla Studios, Overalls: ASOS, Boots: Model’s own. Sports Bra: DKNY X Cara Delevingne, Pants: DKNY X Cara Delevingne, Leather Jacket: All Saints, Boots: Model’s own.

Dress: DKNY, Hightops: DKNY X PONY, Beauty: H&M

Left to right: Sweater: Jacket: H&M, Pants: Model’s own, Boots: Model’s own, Necklace: H&M; Dress: Atmosphere @ Primark, Bomber: Topshop, Hat: BCBG Max Azria, Hightops: DKNY X PONY, Bag: Louis Vuitton; Top: DKNY, Skirt: ASOS, Clutch: Mercer Clutch, Sneakers: Common Project, Necklace: Zara

Left to Right: Vest: Imperial, Belt: Zara, Top: Second Female, Skirt: Topshop, Boots: Tricker’s England. Coat: Niche, Loafters: Model’s own.

Left to Right: Scarf: Topshop, Overall: Les temps des cerises, Top: Topshop. Slip dress: ASOS, Long dress: H&M, Gold Choker: Aldo, Necklace: Zara. Turtleneck: H&M Collection, Coat: Topshop. Jeans: Model’s own. All boots: models’ own

Left to Right: Dress: Adidas, Jacket: Zara.

Duster: Topshop, Turtleneck: Model’s own, Dress: Topshop, Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Skirt: Topshop, Scarf: Topshop, Top: H&M.

Bag:Topshop, Jumpsuit: Stolen, Breast Plate: Christina Cabada Sneakers: Common Project

Left to right: Sweater:IKKS, Slipdress: Zara, Boots: Dr. Martens; Jacket: DKNY, Top: Stolen, Shorts: Topshop, Sneakers: DKNY; Jacket: Jac Vanek, Top: Forever21, Pants: Model’s own, Hightops: DKNY X PONY; Jumpsuit: Topshop, Coat: Vintage, Shoes: Model’s own, Necklace: Ribbon tied as necklace; J acket: DKNY, Shorts: BCBG Maxazria, Shirt: Forever21, Clutch: Mercer Clutch, Sneakers: Common Project

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RETURN OF THE PUNK COWGIRL

Coach makes a comeback with their first ready-to-wear runway show Sanya Malhotra With the launch of Coach 1941, a new, higher-priced line centered on ready-towear garments, the luxury leather goods company primarily known for its handbags is diversifying its offerings. “1941” refers to the year that the company was founded and symbolizes their commitment to their roots as they evolve.

The collection was presented at the brand’s first-ever runway show at New York Fashion Week this fall -- set in a glass box on New York’s High Line, with a mirrored catwalk on a bed of wildflowers and tall grass. As an appeal to the youthful patriots of the community, British creative director Stuart Vevers channelled an AllAmerican and bohemian vibe for Coach’s Spring ’16 show. The location and design of the runway, a haven in the middle of the skyscrapers and chaos that is New York City, echoed the attitude that Coach 1941 projects -- an unapologetic ode to bohemia in the midst of the chaos of city life.

Models sported reconstructed classics in a plethora of patterns and eye-popping colours. The dresses, part prairie, part punk, featured tiered vintagelooking floral prints and clashing panels with drop-waist details. Adding an edge and stepping away from anything too prairie, Vevers injected an element of cool by incorporating multicolored, luscious leather jackets, layered waistcoats and miniskirts with patchwork and applique detailing. He explored suedes, a natural for a leather-goods house, in patched details on the yokes of Western jackets with coordinated skirts. He also tapped into the ‘70s vibe, on pointed slip-on sneakers, as well. that is all the rage at fashion houses across the globe, with double breasted

suits in shades of bright blue and cherry with skinny printed belts, bowed collars, sheer peasant blouses and denim flares.

In step with the apparel, the low-heeled, Western-style ankle boots came in endless prints and textures, some in gold leather. Others were patchworked like the dresses, some in a tiger and zebra stripe, which was featured The bread and butter of Coach has always been its bags. However, that meant that the heritage bags we all know and love were rejigged to corroborate with the new collection.

For Spring, Vevers was big on the saddle bags and satchels, which came in several variations. The threedimensional leather flower festooned saddle bags and the colorful satchels with fold down side panels and animal print shoulder straps are destined to be best-sellers this coming season.

Through this collection Vevers successfully explored classic Americana yet remained current through its connections to the laidback Coachellavibe that is popular with the young audience that Coach 1941 aims to target. Small details like the combination of cloth and leather, the carefree yet somehow careful mixing of prints, and focus on quality materials provide each garment in the Spring ‘16 collection with a touch of warmth and familiarity.

The clothes reference an attitude of the skate, punk cowgirl variety, reinforcing that the collection is a eulogy to romance, freedom and our inner rebel.

The Coach 1941 collection will be available in stores this coming spring.

If you’re eager to get your spring wardrobe ready without ever leaving the house, you can also shop the collection online at www.coach.com.

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DJ KATHMANDU’S HOLIDAY PLAYLIST Kathmandu-not just the capital city of Nepal- but up-and-coming DJ and London It-girl Katharine Doyle. With a multi-hyphenate list of talents, she started her DJ career during her Fine Art studies at Edinburgh University, Scotland. Like a tie-dye duck to water, she became resident DJ at intimate Sunset-Strip style bar Paradise Palms, and played at the World’s largest arts fiesta ‘The Edinburgh Fringe Festival’.You can find her dancing the night away in a diamante encrusted bodysuit, spinning hits at ‘Pollyanna’, cabaret drag show, a mixture of: performance art, drag, experimentation and entertainment. All this, along with a fabulous troupe of drag queens and multicolored characters.

As the party season is upon us, Kathmandu has put together an epic compilation of her favorite dance tunes exclusively for Culte. Expect some serious snogging under the mistletoe t o these sensations! If your guests aren’t cutting some serious shapes, it might be time to find new friends...

Octave one

Blackwater

Noir & Haze

Around Solomun Vox

D-Train

You’re the One for Me

Elicit

I Wanna Be Your Lover

Barbara Tucker feat. Darryl D’Bonneau

Stop Playing With My Mind

Frankie Knuckles feat.

DBow

Get Involved

Arthur Russell Sleeping Bag Records

Tiger Stripes

River Ocean feat. India

Love & Happiness

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GLOSSIER.