Bleu Magazine Issue 44- Tahj Mowry

SU

BER 44

ION IS

M

H E FA SH

.T

Tahj Mowry How This Disney Alumnus Achieved The Amazing Feat Of Staying Out Of Scandal While In The Spotlight

44

E NU

M Y NA KE D T R U T H ™

TAB

Dwyane Wade in our Luxury Loungewear

I we󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧 󰇧󰇧󰇧 󰇧󰇧e󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧 󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧 󰇧󰇧󰇧 󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧e󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧󰇧 The smile, the emotion you see on the court, that’s real. That’s the authentic me. Underneath it all, I want the freedom to do my own thing. To be who I want. The best me. Because you don’t ask to be a role model, it just happens.

That’s my Naked Truth™ – what’s yours? # mynakedtruth

THE FREEDOM TO BE YOU wearnaked.com

Available at

Issue 44

5

Co ntents

54

Who’s Your Daddy How this Disney alumnus achieved the amazing feat of staying out of scandal while in the spotlight

PHOTOGRAPHY ALBERT LOMAN

WORDS CHRIS LAW

Sunglasses $640 SAMA Sweatpants $245 and Shorts $525 PALMIERS DU MAL

6

MAGAZINE

LIFE IS BETTER WHEN YOU MOZIE

luxury bicycles delivered to your door moziebicycles.com @moziebicycles #MozieOn

SU

BER 44

Co ntents

ION IS

M

H E FA SH

.T

E NU

50 The Creatives

12 Contributors 14 Access by Bleu 16 The 4 by 5 Creme De La Creme

18 Gadgets Accessory Upgrade 20 Car 1 Car, 2 Million, 3 Seconds

22 Soled Up Fall For All

28 Body Vigorous Worker

32 Fuel Pop! By Yaz

38 Travel

62 Fashion Introducing Ro James

72 Feature Chasing Aaron Walton...

76 Op-ed Police Brutality and The Debasement Of Black Lives

78 Feature Blessed

80 The Humans 84 Fashion L'art De La Mode

92 Score Brand Shift

94 Spotlight Collette/Feit

Saint Lucia

96 Bleulist

42 Fashion

97 Icon

Jump and Shout

Muhammed Ali

Sweater $68 Pants $78 DOCKERS

8

Michelle Ten...

MAGAZINE

PHOTOGRAPHY ALBERT LOMAN

11 Publisher’s Letter

TAB

WE FOCUS ON HIV TO HELP YOU FOCUS ON

TODAY

Ask your doctor if a medicine made by Gilead is right for you.

onepillchoices.com © 2015 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC1839 03/15

Issue 44 9 Issue 38 1

MASTHEAD

On The Cover TAHJ MOWRY Words CHRIS LAW Photography ALBERT LOMAN Fashion CHRIS SANDFORD Grooming SONIA LEE COVER SHOT: Rings TRITON Watch NIXON Sweater and Pants PERRY ELLIS

TEAM BLEU

THE BLEULIFE GROUP

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

DÉVON CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON

FASHION EDITOR-AT-LARGE DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER

CHRIS SANDFORD ERICA VAIN

GRAPHIC DESIGN LEAD

DOMINIC BIELAK

AD SALES

CONTRIBUTING FASHION EDITOR EUROPE FASHION EDITOR

RONÇOIS FRANCOIS SEAN AZEEZ

TODD EVANS RIVENDELL MEDIA 908.232.2021

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

RAYMOND MORA, CHRIS LAW

CHAIRMAN, CEO & PRESIDENT DÉVON CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON

BRAND STRATEGIST

EDITORIAL TEAM

CHRISTOPHER FINDLEY @CHRISTOPHERMFINDLEY

ADONIS FRANK ANGEL QUILES DORIELLE JACKSON

EDRIC ROBINSON YISREAL RICHARDSON BRIAN CAMACHO

COPY EDITOR OFFICE COORDINATOR PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

TREVOY ROSS JOSE MATEO NAYA AGARRAT

TRAVIS WEEKS @DRIVENSOCIETY

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

ALBERT LOMAN GREG VAUGHAN OTHELLO BANACI TERRENCE MIELE ROBIN MARSHALL MARCUS INGRAM PRINCE WILLIAMS AMY ANAIZ TONY RYSK ROWAN DALY

RANNON HARRIS (CHICAGO - MIDWEST)

EVENT PRODUCTION:

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DANIELLE YOUNG EVAN MAJORS DOMINIQUE CARSON CHERESE WEEKES

INTERNS TERENCE MCNEALY, JOCELYN MERCADO, LAWRENCE PITTS, CHAE LIN LEE, RHESA BERNAL, SHAMECA LYWOOD, HENOCH BELLANTON

LEGAL & BUSINESS AFFAIRS THOMAS J. WILSON Esq

NEWSSTAND DISTRIBUTION

SUBMISSIONS

INGRAM CONTENT GROUP INC. 1 INGRAM BLVD. LA VERGNE, TN 37086 PHONE: 615.793.5000

BLEU MAGAZINE 500 FASHION AVE, 17A NEW YORK, NY 10018 INFO@BLEULIFE.COM

BOMBSHELLBYBLEU EDITOR EBONY ALLISON CONTRIBUTORS GLAMO, TANYKA RENEE, CATAANDA J, LONDON BURNS, MATIA PEEBLES, CORINNE CUTTINO

10

MAGAZINE

Bleulife Media & Entertainment Inc. | 119 West 24th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10011 | E-Mail: info@bleulife.com | Online: bleulife.com Printed in Canada. Opinions expressed by advertisers, columnists, feature writers or other contributors are not necessarily the opinions of Bleu Magazine or its staff. All advertisements, photographs, text or illustrations are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized to have secured proper consent for the use thereof.

Bleu Magazine shall not be held responsible for any errors, loss, expense or liabilities on advertisements accepted after the deadline. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or advertisement in Bleu Magazine is not to be constructed as an indication of sexual orientation of such persons, advertiser or organization. Partial or complete reproduction of an advertisement, news article, feature or photograph from Bleu Magazine is strictly prohibited as Bleu Magazine is a registered trademark. A $25 or 1.5% (whichever is greater) fee will be charged for all NSF checks. All rights reserved.

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen How’s everybody doing tonight?

I’d like to welcome to the stage The lyrically acclaimed I like this young man, because when he came out He came out with the phrase he went from ashy to classy – I like that So everybody in the house give a warm round of applause for the Notorious B.I.G, The Notorious B.I.G, Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for him y’all!

Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on Just keep on pressing on Sky is the limit and you know that you can have What you want, be what you want “SKY’S THE LIMIT” NOTORIOUS B.I.G. FEAT 112

Here we go again - another issue of Bleu. This time there’s new meaning. This is the first issue created after we celebrated our 10-year anniversary. For most this would be the time to pat ourselves on the back and say “job well done.” Unfortunately, we still have a lot of work to do.

Bleu was created out of the necessity to create more diverse and inclusive images of Black and Brown men. There was a void in the media; print, television, and digital of stories that told the whole story, not just the stereotypes. That mission is as relevant in these troubling times as it was 10 years ago. Yes, it is absolutely true that #AllLivesMatter, however for too long Black and Brown people were not included in the all. So initiatives like #BlackLivesMatter have to exist to hold the society at large accountable.

How do we do our part? Well, we continue to give you what we feel the world really looks like. Diversity is not a just an initiative for us - it’s our DNA. Sit back relax and enjoy our latest Bleu. We will be here for another 10 years and beyond.

To do the work. To challenge stereotypes. To push for inclusive media.

DÉVON CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON

FOUNDER AND GROUP PUBLISHER @DEVONISBLEU

Issue 44

11

CONTRIBUTORS

12

OTHELLO BANACI

L.ADONIS FRANK

Othello Banaci is a Photographer and Visual Storyteller from the D.C area specializing in fashion and commercial media. He started his career in fashion production which led to his debut as a photographer/cinematographer at MBFW. Since then, his work has been featured in NYLON, Complex, Huffington Post, Washington Post, and The Fader.

L. Adonis Frank Brooklyn Born Mogul in the making & entrepreneur is steadily creating a name for himself in the event world & nightlife scene. The 29 year old Mixologist has worked hard to establish a following through his many talents. Adonis is an award winning Mixologist Acquiring the nickname “The Starrtender” along his epicurean journey, mixing, consulting & Managing at many of Nyc’s hot spots such as Milk River, La Marina, 40/40 club & Sweet Brooklyn to name a few.

DANIELLE YOUNG

ALBERT LOMAN

Danielle Young is a seasoned journalist and content creator with a strong affinity for social media. When she’s not rubbing elbows with Oprah, Idris Elba or Angela Bassett, you can find her sipping a iced chai latte and lifting up those in her village and beyond. Danielle has always been attracted to storytelling and uses her gifts to tell the stories she cares about the most, which includes Black culture, feminism and entertainment.

“Hailing from Marietta,GA, Albert Loman is a fearless young man with big dreams. With experience in Acting, Albert recently took a leap of faith and decided to make the transition from in front of the camera to behind the camera. “I knew that I had an eye and a vision beyond what I could do in front of the camera and I wanted to express that” -Albert. In a short amount of time Albert has accomplished a lot.

TERRENCE MIELE

RONI FRANÇOIS

Terrence Miele discovered photography when he was 14-years-old and never looked back. He attended Rochester Institute of Technology and Salzburg College graduating with a degree in Photographic Arts and Sciences. He is based out of New York City with a client list that includes New York Times magazine, Fortune, Village Voice, Sony, Absolute Vodka, Vibe, Twisted Records, Nervous Records and Newsweek.

I am an experience image consultant, with 7+ years in the industry, who specializes in creating and defining standout fashion moments and effortless style for my clients. I believe the way a person presents himself or herself appearance-wise can have a meaningful impact, not only on they way they are perceived, but also the opportunity that come their way. My passion is to guide my clients towards a consistent “look” perfectly suited to their personality, lifestyle and goals, that make a statement every-time and will help strengthen their image as a powerful player in their respective industries.

MAGAZINE

BLEUMAGAZINE.COM @BLEUMAGAZINE

FA S H I O N | H E A LT H | C U LT U R E ENTERTAINMENT | ART

ACCESS BY BLEU

Reverend Al Sharpton and the National Action Network along with TV One presented the 2016 Triumph Awards at the Tabernacle Concert Hall in Atlanta.

ATLANTA SEPTEMBER 19, 2016

1

Hosted by actress and philanthropist Tichina Arnold, the Triumph Awards recognizes distinguished individuals and corporations in civil rights, the arts, entertainment, education, business and sports. The show was taped in front of a live audience and will air Sunday, October 2 at 7PM and 9PM ET on TV One. PHOTOGRAPHY ROBIN MARSHALL AND MARCUS INGRAM 2

3

5

6

4

7

1. Fantasia and Spike Lee 2. Audience 3. Rev Al Sharpton 4. April Parker 5. Silento 6. Carl Payne 7. BJ The Chicago Kid Performs 14

MAGAZINE

ACCESS BY BLEU

Def Jam and 2 Chainz celebrated the nominees and previewed 2 Chainz new restaurant at Escobar Lounge with a Midnight Brunch.

ATLANTA SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

1

On Friday night ahead of the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta, Def Jam and 2 Chainz celebrated the nominees and previewed 2 Chainz new restaurant, Escobar Lounge in Downtown Atlanta, with a midnight brunch.

The new restaurant, set to open this fall, played host to artists such as Jeezy, Lil Durk, G Herbo, Lajan Slim and many other Atlanta tastemakers.

PHOTOGRAPHY PRINCE WILLIAMS 2

3

5

4

6

7

1. 2 Chainz 2. 2 Chainz and Jeezy 3. Lil Durk 4. Ming Lee 5. Inside the Restaurant 6. Cap 1 7. Lajam Slim

Issue 44

15

THE 4 BY 5

Creme De La Creme From the coble stone streets of London and Paris, to the fast paced energy of New York City and Tokyo, these four cities have birthed some of the fashion’s most celebrated designers. These 20 gentlemen are responsible for keeping the world looking their best, and now it’s time to get to know a little bit more about the men behind the clothes.

ILLUSTRATIONS LAWRENCE PITTS

New York City MARC JACOBS

MAX GENGOS

TOM FORD

RALPH LAUREN

ROBERT GELLER 1 You’d be hard-pressed to find a New Yorker who only wears black. New York City is ground zero for getting a first glance at the trends we see all over the world — both on the runways and in the streets.

Tokyo YOHJI YAMAMOTO

ISSEY MIYAKE

2 It is widely accepted that the fashion in Tokyo is at an advanced level. Whether brands are re-interpreting Americana for the Japanese consumer or pushing the frontier of style, it seems like the land of the rising sun is at the forefront of fashion.

JUNYA WATANABE

16

MAGAZINE

KANSAI YAMAMOTO

NIGO

THE 4 BY 5

Paris LOUIS VUITTON

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

CRISTÓBAL BALENCIAGA

CHRISTIAN DIOR

HUBERT DE GIVENCHY

3 Paris is known as the city of love, and that love exudes through their fashion.

And, their fashion is all about the timeless, well-cut, and classic look.

London ASTRID ANDERSON

4

SHAUN SAMSON

London’s weather is notoriously gray and dreary. London’s fashion scene, on the other hand, is consistently anything but.

And, despite the outrageously colorful and out-of-the-box pieces spotted on the streets, somehow, it rarely comes off as trying too hard. And that’s the kind of cool we aspire to.

WILLIAM RICHARD GREEN

JAMES LONG

OLIVER SPENCER

Issue 44

17

GADGETS

ACCESSORY UPGRADE Most of the time gadgets are used for our everyday activities. It varies from using phones for contact and information to laptops in personal homes, knowing how much work needs to be done.

But sometimes individuals want to wear tech gear that looks fashionable in public. Here are four fashion gadgets you need to be as appealing as top models.

WORDS RAYMOND MORA

$100

1

BRAVEN LUX This sleek, palmsized stereo speaker, is a certified water resistant product, capable of playing more than 12 hours of wireless playtime, and providing a builtin power bank for a long lasting experience. The speaker also charges iPhones and features a TrueWireless technology, able to connect with any other BRAVEN 7Series to create left and right channel stereo. The products comes in three colors all combined with black: Jewel, Pearl and Gold.

2

IWALLET The wallet has four layers of protection for cash, credit cards and personal information. It features fingerprint security, rf shielding, bluetooth tethering and durable construction. The durable construction is a carbon fiber or aluminum chassis, which secures cash & credit cards.

$299

18

MAGAZINE

GADGETS

3

LG URBANE SMARTWATCH A smartwatch compatible with Androids and iPhones. It delivers smart notifications to manage your their schedules and follow voice commands like “OK Google” or play a track on the web. Other features include monitoring your health rate and fitness and water and dust-restraint design.

It has a built-in 410 mah battery, capable of lasting for a long time. This smartwatch makes anyone look stylish.

$299

4

DIGITSOLE The world’s first smart shoe features bluetooth connection, accurate tracking from calories burned, a rechargeable battery, shock absorption measurement and wireless charging. It also has automatic tightening, which can be operated through a smartphone or by voice control. The smart technology feature of the shoe allows it to reach a predetermined set temperature.Once it’s reached, it turns off to start recharging the batteries.

$450

Issue 44

19

CAR

1 CAR,

2 MILLION,

3 SECONDS A Classic Fashionable Car On The Go WORDS RAYMOND MORA

T

he 2017 Lamborghini Centenario represents the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mr. Ferruccio Lamborghini. This man created a world-class brand, producing legendary and extraordinary vehicles that are super sports cars. This car is a perfect example of innovative design and the engineering skills being displayed for this type of vehicle. The Centenario is the future of Lamborghini.

The interior of the vehicle can be customized according to the customer, though many may opt for the standard option. It also features 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sharp graphics and awesome colors. The driver with the system can connect to the outside world through the satellite navigation,

PRICE $1.9 MILLION

social networks, phone calls, email accounts, and browsing the Internet.

Some of the technical characteristics for the Lamborghini Centenario include a 770 CV aspirated V12 engine springing from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, max speed reaching to 217 miles per hour and a max torque of 5.500 revolutions per minute. Passengers and drivers feel safe inside the super sports car due to the dual stage driver airbag, adaptive passenger airbag, cruise control, lane change warning system, rear-view cameras and parking assist.

The Lamborghini Centenario is set to look at the future through the lens of innovation, and is one of the most exclusive cars in the world.

LAMBORGHINI CENTENARIO CAR DIMENSIONS LENGTH 4.924 MM (193.86 IN)

WIDTH EXCL. MIRRORS 2.062 MM (81.18 IN)

HEIGHT 1.143 MM (45.00 IN)

WHEELBASE 2.700 MM (106.30 IN)

DRY WEIGHT 1.520 kg (3,358 lb)

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION (FR.- REAR) 43% - 57%

SOLED UP

Each season triggers the desire for a wardrobe upgrade. The season change can make it difficult to decide what shoes to wear day to day. Luckily, Bleu has picked out some looks that are fresh and totally wearable for fall.

PHOTOGRAPHY TERRENCE MIELE FASHION CHRIS SANDFORD

22

MAGAZINE

SOLED UP

FEIT Military Hiker $800 Available at Feitdirect.com, FEIT retail stores, and Mr. Porter

NOBIS X SULLY WONG-HI Black $350 Us.nobis.com

Issue 44

23

SOLED UP

TIMBERLAND Six-Inch Premium Autumn Leaf $200 Timberland.com & Timberland specialty retailers worldwide

24

MAGAZINE

SOLED UP

SUPRA Skytop III $100 Suprashoes.com

NEW BALANCE $200 Newbalance.com

GOLA Ridgerunner High CC $120 Golausa.com

PALLADIUM Pampatech Hi TX $100 Palladiumboots.com

DR. MARTENS 140 8-Eye $115 Drmartens.com

PALLADIUM Pallarue Hi Cuff WP $135 Palladiumboots.com

Issue 44

25

SOLED UP

DR. MARTENS Whiton $130 Drmartens.com

26

MAGAZINE

SOLED UP

NATIVE SHOES Monaco Mid $80 Nativeshoes.com

FEIT Hand Sewn Low $520 Bergdorf Goodman, feitdirect.com & FEIT retail locations in NYC

Issue 44

27

BODY

VIGOROUS WORKER Working out can be boring at times. The long endurance runs, the same free weight workouts, and the machines can get repetitive and dull. Often this repletion leads to plateau. However, high intensity exercising in short rounds can accelerate the growth of an average body to new heights. Check these creative exercises demonstrated by celebrity trainer Corey Rouse.

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY RAYMOND MORA

MEDICINE BALL: OVERHEAD SLAM

Duration: 45 SECONDS Rounds: 4 ROUNDS Rest: 15 SECONDS Targets: FULL BODY

BENEFITS Another dynamic movement with a pinch of cardio on the side. This exercise will help you reach your target heart rate, generates enough explosive power to transform your core into that 6-pack you’ve always desired, and strengthens the legs from that downward slam into the floor and back into the overhead position.

28

MAGAZINE

BODY

TRX: INVERTED ROWS Duration: 45 SECONDS Rounds: 4 ROUNDS Rest: 15 SECONDS Targets: BACK, SHOULDERS, BICEPS

BENEFITS This isometric movement is an awesome way to begin your routine, because of the limited strain it applies on the joints. This is a great exercise for those looking to increase their “Pull-up Game”. The moves place emphasis on the major upper back muscles, giving you a much wider torso with an amazing physique.

BATTLE ROPES: ALTERNATING WAVES Duration: 45 SECONDS Rounds: 4 ROUNDS Rest: 15 SECONDS Targets: ARMS, ABS, SHOULDERS

BENEFITS Both highly explosive and dynamic. This exercise packs a burn and it helps increase flexibility, force, strength, and speed. It is an total body conditioner.

Issue 44

29

GROOMING’S MAJOR KEYS As the temperature drops and the seasons change, now is the perfect time to update your bag or cabinet with products that will help you look better, keep your skin healthier, and help prevent future skin problems.

5 SCOTCH PORTER FACE LOTION This lightweight moisturizer will hydrate and soothe your dry skin, without making it look oily or heavy.

PHOTOGRAPHY RAMON MARTINEZ

$15

$40

1 POWER BRUSH

BY THE ART OF SHAVING

Whether or not you are clean-shaven or a member of the beard gang, taking care to prevent of ingrown hairs is a necessity. When it comes to solving this issue, we recommend the Power Brush.

2 THE ART OF SHAVING PRE- SHAVE GEL The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Gel prepares the beard for a close shave that leaves the skin feeling clean and fresh.

$25

4

3

AMERICAN CREW 3 N 1 TEA TREE

AMERICAN CREW DEFINING PASTE This defining paste helps add texture and definition to your hair giving it a natural looking hold suitable for all lengths leaving a matte finish.

30

MAGAZINE

$18

This three-in-one product is convenient as it cleanses and conditions the hair and skin for up to 6-8 hours; it clears breakouts, kills germs, and leaves the skin feeling soft with a refreshing scent.

$24

6 NIVEA MEN MOISTURIZING FACEWASH This light, easily absorbed SPF 15 lotion protects every day against sun damage and moisturizes to relieve dry, wind burned skin. Protective lotion enriched with vitamins and moisturizers and is oil-free so it won’t clog pores.

$5

7 NIVEA MEN SENSITIVE COOLING SHAVE BALM This perfume and alcohol-free product cleanses the skin thoroughly without aggravating sensitive skin, and the vitamin E and chamomile helps protect the skin.

$6

8 SCOTCH PORTER FACE WASH This low-foaming face wash is made of magic—with Charcoal, Licorice and SP’s secret Skin Renewal Complex, cleansing and rescuing dry skin without wreaking havoc on your skin’s natural pH balance.

$18

Issue 44

31

FUEL

Pop! By Yaz Exploration And Evolution Of Today’s House Party WORDS ADONIS FRANK

In todays social media driven world the conceptual mind is a major player in everyday life. What does your social lifestyle say about you? Do you color inside the lines? Do you think outside the box? Many of these questions are asked when throwing an event. In the year of 2016 private events, private dinners, and house parties are at an all time high. Expectations of the style of these events are changing. What was once normal for a house party is no longer considered acceptable. However, the real question is what is the new normal for the modern day house party?

Do you remember when a house party was an iPod, red cups, pizza, wings, comfortable clothing, and conversation? Well that ship has sailed. Now we are in the age of RSVP’s, caterers, live DJs, and place settings. The evolution of the house party has taken a tremendous leap. The house party now features the talents of professionals who plan events found often on the society pages and magazines.

Every event needs a certain Pop! Today we showcase an event superstar who takes the common house

32

MAGAZINE

PHOTOGRAPHY AMY ANAIZ

party to the next level. Yasmin Quiles, the owner and creative genius behind the event production company “pop! by YAZ” gives us an up close and personal view of the makings of this generation’s interpretation of a house party. Tablescaping, color scheme, a cohesive menu, and the right cocktails are essential for the modern day house party. Whether its 15 of your closest friends sitting down for a curated dinner or 100 guest enjoying hors d’oeuvres and champagne. Yasmin excels at turning a dull space into a moment of life with her “pop!” touches.

Bleu: What influenced you and your creativity?

Yasmin Quiles: I grew up in the North East Bronx, as a child, I hosted tea parties for celebrities like Barbie and Teddy Ruxpin. Growing up I was part of every club at school (GQ Fashion Club, Captain of my Volleyball Team, Math Team, Latin Club, Theatre, Band.... the list goes on) participated in talent shows and helped produce fashion shows. My true love for entertaining came from my mother.

Why did you start “pop! by YAZ”?

I founded “pop! by YAZ” to fully unleash my creativity and passion, and to share the breath of

knowledge and depth of experience that I’ve gained with those seeking an experience as unique as they are. I’ve produced weddings, social extravaganzas, experiential events, fashion shows—all of which reflect my clients’ needs and style coupled with my creative vision and an appreciation for my clients’ budgets.

How would you describe your personal event style?

My style is at once traditional and glamorous; practical and fantastical; urban and cosmopolitan.

I appreciate good food, great drinks, and a trip to fantastic locales around the world. I infuse those interests and inspirations into pop!’s events.

What advice or tips would you give to anyone trying to host an amazing new age House Party/ Private Event?

They say that experiences are the new commodity.

I find that people are craving new experiences to share that they cannot get anywhere else. Because of this, people are now starting to entertain more at home. What other experience is more personalized than one curated in your own home?

U Whether you’re hosting a small cocktail party or an extravagant dinner, prepping in advance is key to successful soiree. Creating a plan and laying out all of the details will help you keep organized throughout the process.

T 1

Determine Your Budget 2 Create The Ultimate Guest List With A Good Mix Of Interesting People 3 Cook Your Go-To Meal. You Can’t Go Wrong When You’ve Made Your Pollo Al Horno A Million Times 4 Keep It Simple With One Or Two Signature Cocktails 5 Add An Activity. Even Something As Simple As A Empire Viewing Party Can Be The Catalyst For Fun Activities Such As Best Cookie Impression, Cookie Fashion Show And Empire Karaoke” 6 Create A Hash Tag! Share Your Experience With The World And Let Them Get A Glimpse Into Your Night.

7 Finally... Always Makes Sure The Cocktails Are Flowing Because As They Say... “Great Stories Never Start With Somebody Eating A Salad”

T

From hosting private dinner parties as a child to letting the world view her in all of her event and culinary magic on social media as an adult, Yasmin Quiles is taking the private and corporate event-planning world by storm. You can follow Yasmin’s amazing journey at YazQuiles.com.

You have officially been introduced a “pop! by YAZ!

T

TRAVEL

Saint Lucia There’s just something about uttering these two words, “Saint Lucia,” that brings so much light-hearted, tropical joy into your heart. It’s as if you’re breathing in the lush glory that breeds on that gorgeous island. Try it. “Saint Lucia…” feels good, doesn’t it?

WORDS DANIELLE YOUNG

As soon as you step off the plane, you’re introduced to a level of heat that may surprise you. Although the Caribbean island is known for its heat and amazing cool breezes, the bite of the heat will still shock you. I was sweating by the time I walked out of the small airport. There are plenty of smiling cabbie faces when you leave the airport—they’re eager to get your fare and to get you to your destination safely. Warning: The roads wind harder than a star of a Sean Paul video—bring your Dramamine. Even the best driver will induce car sickness.

We asked the driver to pull over during our long drive up to the north side of the island when we spotted people on the side of the road, cooking. Note: If you ever see people cooking on the side of the road in Saint Lucia, do yourself a favor and pull over. You’ll be met with authentic Saint Lucian treats, kind smiles and more than likely, some good music to boot.

The woman we stopped to see was serving up bread. Yes, bread. It was fresh baked in their stone oven, which I am convinced the man who was putting the bread in and taking it out, made with his bare hands. And the smell of that fresh bread was enough to keep me standing in the Saint Lucian heat in front of a very hot oven. No carb diet be damned, I was getting me some of that!

The bread was called “criolla” and I watched the woman take the hot bread from the man, split it open and fill it with either a sausage sauce or butter and cheese. I opted for the butter and cheese and I swear I’ve never had something so simple be so satisfying in all my life! We ordered six of these fresh breads 38

MAGAZINE

with butter and cheese and I swear we paid $5. They accept the US dollar and obviously, it’s very strong against the Saint Lucian East Caribbean dollar —so bring plenty.

During this trip, we opted to stay in two different hotels—one in the north side of the island and the other in the south side. In the south side, we stayed at Ladera Resort and honey when I tell you I have never seen this type of luxury before, I mean it! Keep reading because I am going to explain why Ladera is probably heaven in real life. I think Jesus resides there.

We stayed at the Body Holiday Resort in the north side of the island and the name is exactly what you’ll experience. Their motto is: Give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind. SOLD! It is flawless.

Saint Lucia is a perfect island. It’s the type of vacation venue where even if you opt to do nothing, you’re doing the right thing. Seriously—do as much or as little as you want. Every vacation is worth a sit down and relax moment, an unplugging from life’s hectic to-do lists and Saint Lucia offers you that luxury, but so much more.

Here is a list of things I did on the island that I definitely recommend you trying when you come to Saint Lucia. Also, let me know when you’re coming so I can practice fitting into a suitcase. Let’s be real—you owe me. Thanks!

TRAVEL

Issue 44

39

1

Eat Mango Tree at Stonefield Estate Resort gave us a chocolate tasting dinner with 13 courses and enough wine to get all of Saint Lucia drunk.

Body Holiday has a very fancy restaurant, Cariblue Windows which is also included, however for $85 you can get a chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings. During our fabulous dinner, seared foie gras and cauliflower cappuccino became my new favorite things. I highly recommend a little splurge here. Dasheene at Ladera took it a step further with a cooking demo that offered local fares like cocoa, lamb that melted in your mouth and callaloo soup that will have you forgetting how hot it is outside. And there’s an award-winning burger with crab rested on top at Jade Mountain that will make you question every other burger you’ve ever had. OMG, Cap Maison is another resort that’s close to Body Holiday and their restaurant, The Cliff at Cap Restaurant has some of the best squid ink risotto I’ve ever had (it’s the only I’ve ever had) and their short rib? Ugh, so amazing. The best thing about these resorts is that you can come over to eat at the restaurants without staying there. The food in Saint Lucia is cosmopolitan but saturated with local flavor.

2

Do CHOCOLATE TOURS

Who knew Saint Lucia was known for chocolate? And this isn’t the average candy—they harvest, grow, cut open, plant, transform and crush their own chocolate right there on the island. Go to Hotel Chocolat. It’s right near the lovely Ladera and allows for you to take their Tree-to-Bar tour which allows for you to tour the process of making chocolate, learn about the vast history as you go and at the end, you make your own chocolate bar, which is harder than it sounds and will leave you sweating and appreciating chocolate a lot more. You also get to plant a cocoa tree and taste plenty of the actual cocoa fruit.

STREET PARTY

In the north side of the island, the locals host a street party every single Friday and it’s LIT! I am a fan of dancing, sweating and dancing some more, so it was right up my alley. The heat was sultry and almost stifling outside as we all gyrated our hips to the DJ spinning classic reggae, soca and of course some good old fashioned American radio tunes like Ludacris’ “Throw Them Bows,” Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen” and The Ying Yang Twins’ “The Whisper Song.” Classics. But I was the “Queen of de Road” at the street party. I had men fanning me in the sweltering, sticky heat, men who would keep coming back to dance with me, men in front, men behind. One of my travel companions said I had every man’s attention that night. And as long as I’m the center of attention, that’s my kind of party. Not only are locals serving up their best intoxicating and fruity concoctions, but they’re also grilling, there’s more bread, chicken, all kinds of island goodies. It feels just like a block party with a hot island twist, with locals and tourists rolling their hips to the beat.

TRAVEL

3

Stay

Ladera Resort

LADERA RESORT

This is the best place I’ve ever stayed in my life. Every single room at this resort has a pool in it. Some pools have swings, some are 6-ft deep, others face The Pitons head on, some are smack dab between two Pitons, but no matter how you slice it, every suite in Ladera is sweet! They all have a no fourth wall component which puts you right outside on the mountain, lounging in your pool. Every view at this resort is stunning. You must take advantage of their shuttle that takes you to Sugar Beach! It’s ridiculously gorgeous and you can spot it from your pool on the mountaintop that is Ladera.

Body Holiday

BODY HOLIDAY

This is an all-inclusive resort tucked away in the beautiful hills of Saint Lucia is the perfect place to vacate, refocus, rejuvenate, revive, realign, reflect, re-energize, refresh or relax. Body Holiday is a resort that understands your need for all those “re’s” listed above. Wellness is at the center of this resort, but it’s not a forced healthy holiday—there’s plenty of booze and non-lettuce-like foods to consume, but there are also plenty of healthy options that support a well body, like yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, nature trails with fitness challenges, and farm-fresh foods. There is a garden on a very steep hill that you can conquer, pick your own fresh ingredients and cook a delicious meal with their stellar chef. Also included is a 50 minute spa treatment every day that you spend at Body Holiday. I’ve never been a resort that includes a body treatment per day in their offerings. Body Holiday spoiled me.

4

Drink Who knew Saint Lucia distilled its own rum? To make this super easy I will just suggest a few rums to taste, because as discovered, it is a sipping liquor and is not necessarily best with Coca-Cola.

Go figure. Chairmen’s Reserve has a few versions, but I was most in love with their spiced rum, which tasted like Christmas.

Then there’s 1931, which feels like it will literally grow that many hairs on your chest. Admiral Rodney is a step below in knock our your throat department, but smooth nonetheless. The rum tastings had me wanting more and I purchased my own bottle of Chairman’s Spiced Rum to bring home. I never do that, but it had me convinced. There’s something so tasty and satisfying about homegrown rum. Try it for yourself.

Issue 44

41

FASHION

Jump and Shout From Preacher’s Kid to Sir the Baptist, meet the man who will change the world.

WORDS RHESA BERNAL PHOTOGRAPHY OTHELLO BANACI FASHION CHRIS SANDFORD GROOMING TISH FERGUSON

His music has a refreshing sound yet has a deeper meaning within those lyrics that gives you chills; Sir The Baptist is just a simple artist with a simple message.

This is Sir the Baptist, the man behind the life-changing music.

Who are your inspirations in music?

I listen to a lot of commercial music. I listen to T.V. show intros like Cheers and Amen. When T.V. shows come on, that catchy vibe, I try to keep that in my music. You only have sixty seconds to catch your listeners’ attention. If they don’t feel comfortable, they’ll just shut it off. So, I use the “sixty seconds” motto for inspiration.

BLEU: How does your upbringing as a preacher’s kid from

Chicago inspires your music now?

SIR THE BAPTIST: I was born in Bronzeville. Bronzeville was the home place for the Great Migration, and my dad, born in 1924, migrated during that time as well. And of those who migrated around that time was Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, and a bunch of other artists. Bronzeville, at that time, was sort of the birthplace of African-American art, music, poetry, and everything else. So, I’m very influenced by the people that were around back then and even now.

How did you go from being William James Stokes to Sir the Baptist?

You don’t wake up one day and just say, “You’re Sir the Baptist,” you know? You’re born who you are and when you find true purpose, you find out who you are all along. You have to grow to understand what you were born to do. Everything in my life has led me to finally see that Sir the Baptist is my reason and my purpose for being here. I have a line on my album that says, “I was the Baptist before my water broke.”

Did the passing of your father dictate where you wanted your music to go?

Yes, of course, you grow up looking up to your dad. Not everyone in the hood got to look up to their dad, specifically my generation.

My dad was my superhero. I don’t remember watching Superman, Batman, or anyone else. I always remember what my dad did and what we did together. He died when I was 11. The name of my album is “Preacher’s Kid.” Even my mother is a missionary. It just shows how my parents influenced my life.

You had an advertising job before you decided to pursue music, what made you realize that music is all you wanted to do?

You get to do your own purpose and mission in music. You get to do your own thing. I just wanted my music to mean a lot more.

42

MAGAZINE

What is your greatest achievement with your music?

To be able to take spirituality and the most popular music and to be able to put it in a festival or put in front of people who don’t really hear other spiritual singers or rappers.

It also seems that your style is incorporated with your religious background and your musical style—long robes and long necklaces, sharp suits—how did you figure your clothing style as an artist out?

I’ve always liked suits. Because of my dad, you had to wear a suit coat jacket. If you’re not wearing a suit coat jacket, you’re not prepared for the day, according to my dad. I had to wear a suit coat jacket when I even played basketball. I also remembered when the Jordans attended my dad’s church, and we would get free Jordans, but we still had to wear a suit. That’s where the suit came from.

I also had to wear a robe on certain Sundays. It’s not necessarily connected to religion, but it’s more connected to my dad and where I grew up.

Who are your inspirations when it comes to your personal style of clothing?

When I dress myself, I try to image if “I took a picture, would I look timeless?” I look at a lot of old photos and see these artists, I aspire to that. I look at my dad and Louis Armstrong, and they still look timeless.

What are you trying to show to the world with your music and with what type of artist you are?

That no matter who you are and what your do and where you come from, that you have a lot of influence. Don’t believe in something you feel like that has already excluded you. I don’t think that God is like that. Everybody should feel comfortable and loved because [exclusion is] not what we’re here for.

FASHION

Noragi $325 PALMIERS DU MAL Shirt $147 OLIVER SPENCER

Issue 44

43

FASHION

Robe $685 Shirt $385 RIDEAU Joggers $280 ROCHAMBEAU

44

MAGAZINE

FASHION

Suit Jacket $1495 DAVID HART Shirt $70 CALVIN KLEIN Cuff $125 GILES & BROTHER

Issue 44

45

FASHION

Cardigan Sweater $535 Crewneck Sweatshirt $525 Culotte Trousers $685 LUCIO CASTRO Sneakers $1,050 BUSCEMI

46

MAGAZINE

FASHION

Vest $689 Trousers $564 KENNETH NING

Issue 44

47

Left and Right Photos: Sleeveless Jacket $1200 Hoodie $600 N-P-ELLIOTT

48

MAGAZINE

FASHION

Issue 44

49

THE CREATIVES

Michelle Ten: Styling Her Way Through the Fashion Industry Creator of the Haute Crew Agency, Michelle Ten, discusses her career as a stylist and producer WORDS CHERESE WEEKES

50

MAGAZINE

THE CREATIVES

PHOTO BY NICOLE SWEET

Michelle Ten

Issue 44

51

PHOTO BY DAMIAN CASTRO

THE CREATIVES

52

MAGAZINE

THE CREATIVES

From an early age Michelle Ten had a deep passion for fashion. Whether glossing over the intricate designs of Jean Paul Gaultier and Versace, or demanding to wear a dress, she’s always been cognizant of her keen sense of style. So much so, she replicated fashions found in Barbie catalogues and made the streets of New York her personal runway. Now in her thirties, Ten’s days of playing “dress up” with Barbie as her inspiration are long gone, but her early aspirations embarked a journey that has led her to become a stylist, producer and creator of The Haute Crew.

“Recognizing the growing need for a 360-degree approach to styling and imaging, The Haute Crew was created as a veritable for the image-conscious clientele,” says Ten. “I hit upon the idea to start an agency after realizing that on most of my projects, I not only take on the role of a stylist, but also that of a producer,” she adds.

On the road to establishing The Haute Crew, Ten left behind her career as fashion editor at The Source Magazine, which gave her little room to showcase her full potential as a stylist since the magazine’s fashion department was small. It also couldn’t contain the big dreams Ten had envision. Her vision was to build a team that would meet the specific demands of the client- whether it is through grooming, fashion styling, creative direction, personal shopping, hair and makeup or photo production.

“By bringing in other creatives to collaborate with me, I’m able to serve my clients on a much broader level,” says Ten. As a team we have collaborated together for many years, so we understand each individual’s work ethic.”

With a squad of fashion-forward connoisseurs by her side, Ten is determined “to ignite a fashion revolution”, especially when she has full range to showcase her capabilities and versatility. “My best creative space is to be able to utilize my vision without restrictions and without any guidelines,” says Ten. Each client is treated as a blank canvas, destined to be beautifully decorated with her stylish touch. But a client who portrays confidence enables Ten to utilize her creativity seamlessly. “My ideal client is someone, confident, yet understands the concept and respects the creative space,” says Ten. “They are open to suggestions to look their absolute best.”

However, Ten acknowledges that every client is different and makes no

reservations about helping each of them achieve their most fashionable look.

“Clients contact us with shoot requests because their company does not have the capability to work through their ins and outs; and we can independently execute from start to finish,” she explains.

Ten thrives on innovation and admires high-end fashion designers that have left a long-lasting imprint in the industry like Kimora Lee Simmons and the original Franco Moschino. “I am inspired by people that do what no one else is doing and people who have created empires,” says Ten. Creating an empire in this industry isn’t easy, especially with ongoing obstacles such as finding a hardworking assistant and proving her worth can make a day on site a bit chaotic. And with each day full of tasks to accomplish like finding new business initiatives or working with a shoe client in Mexico, Ten conquers every project by getting in the right frame of mind through meditation.

Ten takes pride in her fashion entrepreneurship, and works industriously to accomplish each goal she has set for herself. Much of this pride is displayed on her website, www.haute-crew.com, which can also be deemed as a platform designed to service the fashion-conscious individual.

“Style varies from talent to talent on the site,” says Ten. “Overall the message is in the quality of work. Also, we regularly collaborate together so the camaraderie is there.” She continues, “My personal inspiration is the juxtaposition of ‘opposing forces,’ things you wouldn’t see together with the objective of making a statement.”

One of the images she styled depicts the notion that the power of fashion supersedes race. The faces of a Caucasian and an African American woman are styled in the same studded sunglasses, hat and shade of lipstick. Although framed together, only half of their faces can be seen. When describing the image Ten says, “The very personal point I was trying to make here is that ethnicity is irrelevant in fashion, because the clothes are the same.”

Ten has over a decade-long career and is taking the fashion industry by storm, leaving behind a sense of sophistication and sexiness like the world-class Italian designers she admires. Yet, she’s in a league of her own with a thirst for fashion that cannot be easily quenched. “Pinpointing my biggest accomplishment [in this landscape] would convey my job here is done. I still have a lot to do.” B

Issue 44

53

WHO’S TAB

DADDY 54

MAGAZINE

YOUR How this Disney alumnus achieved the amazing feat of staying out of scandal while in the spotlight WORDS CHRIS LAW PHOTOGRAPHY ALBERT LOMAN FASHION CHRIS SANDFORD GROOMING SONIA LEE For Exclusive Artists Management Using The Organic Pharmacy

Sunglasses $389 SAMA Shirt $68 DOCKERS Swim Trunks $78 NAUTICA Bracelets $175 ea.

TRITON

COVER STORY

I Have Been Playing a mean game of phone tag with Tahj, and after weeks, we finally connect. It is 2pm in New York City and 11am in Los Angeles. “Don’t be alarmed if you hear birds and other animals in the background,” cautions Mowry, “I basically live in the jungle.”

Navigating the unknown field and not being bothered is something that Mowry knows all about. Being a child actor is not an easy job or an easy life. It could be likened to a Greek Tragedy. A child actor

is tasked with entertaining his peers and their parents. He or she have to strike the delicate balance between being cute but not annoying, precocious but not grown, and funny but not inappropriate.

Remember child actors are tasked with accomplishing all of this before they are 12 years old.

“I’ll never not do comedy, it’s a part of me. This world is already a horrible place. Laughter is necessary.”

Unfortunately, many child actors are forced to grow up in front of our eyes. Being a teenager is hard enough, but to have the world watching you makes it that much more difficult. Actors of any age may have trouble finding but it is particularly difficult for those under 21 years of age. As a young thespian, you run the risk of being typecast before

you have physically matured or considered washed up before you have officially grown up.

The fate of child actors usually plays out a few ways. Hopefully they have saved enough of their earnings and if they have, they never need to work in Hollywood again. They take a long break, head to college; get a taste of normalcy before heading back into the spotlight. Many unfortunately fall victim to the pitfalls of Hollywood and end up on drugs, broke, in dire straits, and finally on a “where are they now” type of show or worse - deceased.

Of course, there are others, like our cover story Tahj Mowry. Mowry defied the odds by starting out young, winning the hearts of so many and continuing to work on highly successful sitcoms, making people laugh and staying out of tabloids.

Tahj Dayton Mowry first emerged onto television screens in playing a onetime role on Who’s The Boss. His next notable role was doing voiceover work as “Young Sonic” in the animated series Sonic The Hedgehog. Then came his recurring role as “Teddy”, the loveable bestie to Michelle Tanner (played by Olsen Twins: Mary Kate and Ashley) on the hit sitcom Full House.

Sunglasses $640 SAMA Sweater $407 OLIVER SPENCER T-Shirt $95 RIDEAU Joggers $20 BOOHOO MAN Sneakers $550 BUSCEMI

56 L

TAB

Sunglasses $640 SAMA Sweatpants $245 Shorts $525 PALMIERS DU MAL Sneakers $85 CONVERSE

57 L

COVER STORY

Sunglasses $640 SAMA Bomber Jacket $420 LUCIO CASTRO

While Mowry continued to do guest appearances on shows like Friends, Star Trek: Voyager, and Sister, Sister which starred with his real life sisters, Tia and Tamera, it was his show Smart Guy; a show about a child genius who gets skipped from fourth to tenth grade, that really put him on the map and solidified him as an actor. Tahj led the show with charm and comedic timing for the three seasons it aired.

“Yeah, I’ve been drunk, I’ve done things.. But my mess-ups were around people that were trustworthy”.

Picking a role post teenage years is one that is very difficult for child actors. Again, one is faced with being typecast or worse, not cast at all. Yet, Tahj never seems bothered by that challenge, in fact he seems to embrace it. When I ask him how he has starred in all successful shows, he offers this: “The power of saying NO! You’ve also got to put time in and believe in your roles” Tahj says. In other words, you have to know the importance of thinking about the character and the show as a whole as “a lot of television shows” are not successful.

Thankfully for Mowry he chose right. In 2012, He began working on Freeforms’ (originally ABC Family) Baby Daddy which he describes as “a modern day Three Men and a Baby”. In Baby Daddy, Mowry plays “Tucker”, a law school dropout, best friend, and wannabe ladies man. A character Mowry says he created from scratch. However, about his character Tucker, Mowry says, “I’m nothing like him. He’s is a ladies man -- well he thinks he’s a ladies man. Tucker has Noooo filter.” Tahj continues, “Sometimes I can’t believe the thing he says, I’m like, is he really going to say that?! I have a lot of fun playing him.” This fun translates on the screen as fans of the show really have embraced him in this role including making a hashtag of all his character’s outrageous sayings called #tuckerisms. Baby Daddy just wrapped its fifth season and will soon start its sixth, an uncommon feat for a sitcom in this day and age - much less one that records in front of a live audience. Mowry credits this feat to the tightness of the cast and crew he’s worked with.

“We’ve become family over time” says Mowry. “A lot of the stories and dialogue on the show are from things that have happened to us.”

Sweather $68 NAUTICA

59 L

COVER STORY

Watch $100 NIXON T-Shirt $46 OLIVER SPENCER Suit $50 BOOHOO MAN Shoes $120 FLORSHEIM Hat $135 STETSON

60 L

61 L

Robe $595 PALMIERS DU MAL

Despite the success of Baby Daddy, it is no secret that TV shows these days is getting grittier.

Even comedic actors like Jamie Foxx or Mike Epps have ventured into dramatic roles. This is something that Mowry hopes to explore in the future, but he wants to keep his roots in comedy.

“I’ll never not do comedy, it’s a part of me. This world is already a horrible place. Laughter is necessary.”

Much to my surprise, there is no bad press about him, no horror stories of him being a diva, no mug shots to be seen, and no headlines on TMZ not even a tagged photo on Shade Room. None of this can be said about many of the child actors who begin acting when he did. I’m curious about how he’s stayed grounded in the world of entertainment. “Faith and my parents” he states firmly. “Surrounding yourself with the right people.

I have friends that keep me grounded. You need

that. You can’t have a bunch of yes people. You need people to let you know when it’s no.” He pauses as if he is remembering. “Yeah, I’ve been drunk, I’ve done things.. But my mess-ups were around people that were trustworthy”.

“I Literally Am Dating My Music. Dating Is Not Something Important To Me Right Now. I Am Focused On What I Want To Do Career Wise And Family.”

Mowry remains mum on his dating life. I mention to him that there is also no word of him linked to anyone both past and present. While he maintains he has always kept his personal and public life, he

does tell me that he is single. “I literally am dating my music. Dating is not something important to me [right now]. I am focused on what I want to do career wise and family. I love kids, I want a wife and kids, picket fence -- that’s a dream for me but I can’t do any of that right now.”

Tahj is cultivating his romance with music. He is currently in the studio recording a follow-up to his 2015 electro-funk R&B release Future Funk.

Music is another passion for this actor and he is looking forward to having fun and expressing himself, rather than worrying about the pressures of topping the charts “I’m not doing it to go platinum; I’m passionate about music... There will always be a blend of old school and new school.

Says Mowry, “I want to pay homage to Lenny[Kravitz], Michael Jackson, Janet and Prince, but put the Tahj spin on it. I’m not going to put something out that everyone has done… I think that’s dumbest thing ever. “ B

FASHION

Introducing Ro James Coming fresh off the release of his debut album, Ro James is ready to take over the music industry one R&B track at a time.

PHOTOGRAPHY GREG VAUGHAN PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT PIERRE LOUIS FASHION STYLIST AMBER LEON & RONI FRANCOIS FASHION EDITOR CHRIS SANDFORD PRODUCTION NAYA AGARRAT HAIR DESIREE STEVENSON GROOMING ASARI SUZANNE

Jewelry RO’S OWN

62

MAGAZINE

FASHION

Shirt DZOJCHEN Hat KANGOL Sunglasses GUCCI Jewelry RO’S OWN

Issue 44

63

FASHION

Shirt BOOHOO MAN Jeans LEVI’S Hat MINNETONKA Bandana STYLIST OWN Jewelry and Watch THOMAS SABO

64

MAGAZINE

FASHION Jumpsuit ROCHAMBEAU Bandana STYLIST OWN Sunglasses GUCCI Jewelry RO’S OWN

Issue 44

65

Jacket KITH Sunglasses GUCCI Hat HERSCHEL SUPPLY Jewelry RO’S OWN

66

MAGAZINE

FASHION

Suit DZOJCHEN Coat LUCIO CASTRO Sweater ROCHAMBEAU Sunglasses GUCCI Jewelry RO’S OWN

Issue 44

67

FASHION

Coat and Pants MARNA RO Hat KANGOL Sneakers ALEXANDER WANG Jewelry RO’S OWN

68

MAGAZINE

Jewelry RO’S OWN Suit DZOJCHEN Hat RJR Sweater ROCHAMBEAU Sunglasses GUCCI

Issue 44

69

Bandana STYLIST OWN Sweater ROCHAMBEAU Jewelry RO’S OWN

FASHION

Shoes NOBIS X SULLY WONG Sweater ROCHAMBEAU Pants DZOJCHEN Sunglasses GUCCI Socks 40s & SHORTIES

FEATURE

72

MAGAZINE

FEATURE

Chasing Aaron Walton During Paris Fashion 2016

When @modelCEO, Aaron Walton, asked us to accompany him to Paris to cover Paris Fashion Week we were thrilled.

Literally over the moon with excitement. One, because we have never been to any fashion show in Paris. Two, because Aaron is super cool and cultured. There was no better way to experience this than with him. Let’s just say, we(I) made to Paris. So did Aaron. And all we got to say was goodbye to each other. Here’s how a simple invite turned into a great adventure.

WORDS DEVON JOHNSON

Issue 44

73

FEATURE

FEB 19TH, 2016 3:00PM: I meet Aaron for the first time in NYC at the east coast headquarters of his ad agency Walton Isaacson. What was scheduled to be a 20 min interview turned into 90-minute conversation about everything from fashion to politics. This is when we both discovered our mutual love affair with the city of Paris.

In true Aaron fashion he invited me to join him in paris.

“I’ll be walking Ryunshu’s show again. It will be fun you should come out. You’ve got to be in Paris for Fashion week. It’s like no other.”

FRIDAY June 24TH, 2016 1:00 P.M. AARON GETTING FITTED BY THE DESIGNER

2:42PM

De’Von: Sunday night there is a good party in Marias

1:00 P.M. AARON FITTING WITH RYNSHU IN PINK 2:49PM

Martin: :)

1:00 P.M. AARON AT FITTING

3:25PM

Martin: Let me know when you get on your flight please. Mat got a flight a bit later. If you are not on time.

1:00 P.M. RYNSHU POLAROIDS FROM FITTING 5:38PM

De’Von: U sleep?

5:40PM

Martin: I’m up 5:42PM

De’Von: Call me (Martin doesn’t call)

74

MAGAZINE

FEATURE

SATURDAY June 25TH, 2016 12 P.M. – Aaron at TRANOÏ Fashion Tradeshow, which is held four times a year during Paris Fashion Week, and twice a year during New York Market Week, the TRANOÏ fashion trade show takes place in prestigious venues and establishes a relationship between creativity and business.

3 P.M. AARON IS IN REHEARSAL WITH REST OF MODELS

8:07PM

DeVon: I have some family stuff going on. Hopefully my flight is delayed.

8:08PM

Martin: Nope. Its on time.

SUNDAY June 26TH, 2016 6:30 AM-7:30. AARON WORKS OUT PRIOR TO HIS BIG DAY

7:30 A.M. AARON SHOWER AND SHAVES TO GET READY FOR SHOW

5:19PM

9:15 A.M. AARON LEAVES FOR SHOW

2 P.M. SHOW TIME

Aaron: We are on our way to the restaurant. Should be there in 12 mins. Are you coming?

5:27PM

DeVon: Hey I just landed.

Hopping in cab soon as I leave customs. Hopefully i will at least be able to.

7:42PM

De’Von: Have a great flight in the morning. My apologies for all of my travel woes today.

Issue 44

75

OP-ED

POLICE BRUTALITY And The Debasement Of Black Lives

Police brutality in the United States continues to dominate news headlines. While opinions and perspectives vary there is no denying there are a few rotten apples behind the “blue wall,” but do a few bad apples spoil a bunch? Do police officers really value black lives?

WORDS EVAN MAJORS ILLUSTRATIONS LAWRENCE PITTS

76

MAGAZINE

OP-ED

I am hurt. I am sad. I am afraid to live in our current climate of racial and culturally bigoted America. Like no other time in my life have I been more afraid for my life than I am today. When I see police officers it makes me nervous and living in NYC that is all the time. I am tired of black men being used as target practice by civil servants who took an oath to “protect and serve” people, all people. I am exhausted hearing about the acquittals of police officers that behave badly, e.g. murder black and brown citizens on video.

ficers at different times in my life. I’ve been stopped, frisked, handcuffed and made to sit on the curb in front of my apartment because I fit a description. Such encounters are humiliating and demoralizing. However, I also feel lucky, as my interactions did not end up being life-threatening like many others with my same skin tone. The notion that I am “lucky” to not have been beaten or worse killed by police says a lot about the relationship black and brown people have with police officers. The constant clash between police and their abuse of power in dealing with black communities is one of historical hostility and terror.

I am angry by the continued justification I hear from some white Americans that Eric Garner and Mike Brown must have done something that caused trained police officers to kill them. I am tired of hearing media pundits discuss black lives in a cavalier manner only to change the narrative to talk about black on black violence and crime. Sure, it’s an easier narrative to discuss and takes the blame away from white Americans who still refuse to have honest conversations about race, white supremacy, and how they benefit from white privilege. In America, there continues to be no accountability for the beatings, shootings, and killings of black Americans. Why? Because black lives are not valued and have not been since the inception of slavery. Black lives are not important, nor respected in America. So how can we expect police officers to protect and serve the black communities they patrol when they do not value our existence? You will not protect something you do not value.

Since the Civil Rights Movement it has been documented that Ku Klux Klan members along with other white supremacist organizations around the country, infiltrated police departments and according to some was their first order of business since their inception in the mid-1800s. Last year, KKK members were exposed in police departments in Maryland, Missouri, Florida, and Louisiana. William H. Parker, who was considered the “most controversial chief of police” during his 39 years as chief of the Los Angeles Police Department is said to have recruited police officers from Klan rallies though some still dispute this claim. As America’s first terrorist organization after the Civil War, what we are now witnessing is police departments that resemble the KKK. Such as when a when a gang of deputies terrorized the streets of Lynwood in Los Angeles County by carrying out “systematic acts of shooting, killing, brutality, house-trashing and other acts of lawlessness and wanton abuse of power,” according to a federal judge.

I

We have heard the statistics, while African-Americans make up only 13 percent of the population we make up 26 percent of police shootings. We know that young black males are three times more likely to be killed by a cop than our white counterparts, and despite these numbers, there continues to be disbelief by society at large of this harsh reality and systematic problem. If its true police officers do not hate black people they certainly have an interesting way of showing it.

Of course, all police officers are not bad. There are good police officers out there. Those who are serving the communities they are paid to protect. I don’t dislike police officers. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a police officer. My grandfather was a police officer for the NYC Transit Authority. He graduated from the FBI Academy. I looked up to him. He was my hero. I remember my grandfather would drive me around in his unmarked police car and attach the police siren to the roof and turn on the siren, which was under the hood of the car. It was exciting to see all the other cars on the street scatter like roaches. He also carried his gun with him everywhere he went, everywhere. He was always on duty even when he wasn’t. Even as a kid I understood his importance and the power he possessed, and I wanted that too when I got older. However, when he died from a heart attack so did my dreams of being one of the ‘boys in blue.’ However, do a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch?

In American culture, we were taught and conditioned to fear black men since the inception of slavery; it was systematically created that way. We were conditioned and taught that black men are inherently more violent and to be feared. Over the decades, those ideals and stereotypes have been re-enforced by popular culture be it TV, film, print, or music. The American power structure has unfortunately, systematically destroyed the black male psyche and we reinforce the negative stereotypes and myths about ourselves. So there is no irony when it comes to police attitudes towards black people or specifically black males.

Like most black males in America, I have had encounters with police of-

Such abuse of power by police officers is nothing new. In today’s digital age of camera phones everything is being documented bringing more issues to the surface. Police officers are no more or less racist than they were before the Civil Rights Movement, now they are being exposed. Some of our greatest Hip-Hop poets like N.W.A., Ice T, Public Enemy Dead Prez, Gheto Boys, KRS-One, Mos Def and 2Pac have all rapped about the terror police officers have inflicted on black and brown communities from South Central, to NYC, Detroit, and down south since the1980s, so this isn’t a new thing.

It is said that bridges between police officers and black communities need to be built in order for things to change, but in order for things to change police officers have to be held accountable for their brutal and murderous acts, instead of being protected by the “blue wall” code of silence and a complicit judicial system. Police officers like civilians need to get to know the people and communities they are supposed to protect, a real dialogue needs to take place. They need to see “difference” as a positive, at the minimum as neutral, and not come from a place of fear. I do not expect police officers to celebrate black culture, but we can train them to not react negatively out of habit or again, fear. They need to see value in black people, in black bodies. If not, you can only abuse people for so long before they rise up, start protecting their own communities and bodies, as we have seen recently with the increase in the civil rights movement targeting police brutality and the shootings of unarmed civilians. If police officers want blue lives to matter, then they need to value and respect that Black Lives Matter too.

This article is dedicated to Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Sandra Bland, Kathyrn, Laquan McDonald, Johnston, Sean Bell, Akai Gurley, Oscar Grasnt, Eric Garner, Rekia Boyd, Walter Scott, Amadou Diallo, Danroy Henry, Mike Brown, Abner Louima, Kimani Gray, Kenneth Chamberlain, Kajieme Powell, John Crawford III, Jordan Baker, Tanisha Anderson, Travares McGill, Tamir Rice, Alyana Stanley-Jones, Freddie Gray, Rodney King and so many others. B

Issue 44

77

FEATURE

BLESSED Donovan Carter’s Second Chance On Living His Dream

WORDS RAYMOND MORA PHOTOGRAPHY ROWAN DALY

I

“I kind of just took a leap,” says rising star Donovan Carter.

“I literally jumped off the cliff and didn’t know what was at the bottom. God just blessed me with the opportunity, but at the end of the day I didn’t have a lot of experience, and HBO tested me and our director to earn this spot.”

Sometimes opportunities are given out of nowhere, and Carter, 26, took advantage being part of a stellar cast on the HBO series “Ballers,” created by Stephen Levinson and starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Carter, a Washington D.C. native who grew up watching TV shows like Boy Meets World and Saved By The Bell, loved acting as much as football. He thought of being like the actors on the shows and thought it was cool to do that.

“One of my mom’s friend did a play and she asked me to be in it,” says Carter.

“That kind of got me into theater and I thought it was cool. I learned early how much hard work it is and had a good time with it. But I got involved more into sports and got comfortable with that.”

When the Washington D.C. native did college football at the University of California -- he couldn’t do acting due to his hectic schedule. Carter’s mindset was to make to the NFL, and he came up short. Life after college involved doing commercials to pay bills and gain experience in the entertainment business. It ended up being a blessing when his UCLA coaches emailed him about trying out the role for “Ballers.”

Everything he thought of being an NFL player for a living turned out to be true, even if it’s on a TV show. Playing football prepared him for the Vernon role, and destiny was on his side as one door opened to being a star.

78

MAGAZINE

“I wanted to be in the NFL,” says Carter. “I wanted to get that money to take care of my family. It’s kind of like I’m playing what I wanted to do in a sense, but I’m not actually playing football. It’s kind of ironic in a way.”

When it comes to being on set, he learned a lot from the cast and Johnson, who plays as his financial manager on the show. Johnson made his job easy, understanding what it takes to be a good actor and offering advice. Preparation for the show requires the same old makeup/wardrobe session to performing lines for scenes, which is done in about 10-12 hours a day.

Overall, the show focuses on football players making decisions outside the sport on money, stability and being surrounded by good people. It’s almost like looking at the behind the scenes look on making critical decisions of their careers off the field.

Carter as Vernon goes through these challenges and it’s unique to see him live his dream. Him and the rest of the cast are all pushing each other for success within the show, which is making strides in the entertainment industry.

For Carter, who signed on for season three of “Ballers,” he continues to work on his craft as an actor, hoping to be like his idol Jamie Foxx, who’s as versatile as any actor. Since Carter can’t join the NFL hall of fame, maybe getting a star on Hollywood walk is the ultimate goal, which he intends to accomplish in the future.

“My ultimate goal is to get one of those stars on Hollywood Blvd,” says Carter.

“I’m working to get one of those cause I feel like that’s the hall of fame right there for actors. I can’t get into the NFL hall of fame, so that’s my hall of fame.

I want to continue doing TV, I want to do movies. I just want to continue to be on screen and entertain people.” B

FEATURE

Issue 44

79

THE HUMANS

IGE

OKAFOR WORDS JUWAN WILLIAMS

Igee Okafor is the Founder and Editor of Igeeokafor.com; the eponymous website is well respected in the fashion industry. Igeeokafor.com content includes menswear, grooming, food, travel, and design. In 2013 Igee moved to New York City and is currently a studying Business and Marketing at St. John's University.

He writes for Jones Magazine and The Source. Igee has also collaborated with brands such as GQ, GAP, Stacy Adams and many more. Now as the founder and editor of his own fashion website Igee is wearing many hats.

What inspires your fashion styles?

I am very infatuated with old Hollywood and the authentic every day styles. I am inspired through the movies and photos that I’ve seen. Their style was so effortlessly elegant. A lot of these fashion pieces are a big part of history and I like to reveal that through my work. When I am working with a brand, I have to cater to their specific needs. Every brand is different and that means the approach has to be different each time.

Where are you from?

I was born in Lagos, Nigeria so I’ve always been a city boy. In December of 2008 my family and I moved to Virginia where we lived until I attended college in New York City. My parents were big on education so we mostly moved to the states for better education opportunities.

When did you launch the website?

I launched the website in 2014

What do you do?

First and foremost I am a college senior and I graduate next summer. Aside from that, I am an internet blogger focusing on men’s fashion, lifestyle, and travel. I am a writer, model, content creator, and photographer.

When did it all begin for you?

Before this all began I always wanted to be an actor and model, I lived to be on stage. When we moved over from Nigeria, I had ties with a few acting agencies; This was the reason for me coming to New York. As I got older I tapped more into my fashion sense and knew I wanted to express myself through the way I dressed and carried myself. Since then I have created the website to share those styles and ideas with other adult men around the world; especially men of color.

What lead you to becoming a fashion blogger?

For a while I was in school and interning for a few people. There was a Canadian blogger who reached out to me to become a writer for her male audience. At first I didn’t know what I was doing. At this point I didn’t even know whether I had a voice and if people would even listen. Once I got the hang of it I was comfortable for a while. When I decided that I would move on to my next goal it was my mom who gave me that big push. She provided the seed money for me to start my website and here I am today.

80

MAGAZINE

How does it feel to have accomplished so much?

It’s an amazing feeling. Personally I don’t feel like I’ve reached my peak but I have been making strides. So I pat myself on the back. I have met the right people and consistently pushed myself to be better. I am very grateful for where I started, where I’m going. I want to continue to continue to grow and inspire people in the process.

What is your most prized possession?

I don’t have a materialistic favorite possession but if there is anything that I do cherish it would be my family and the bonds that we share. Many times it was my strong relationship with my family that pushed me to do all these great things.

Are there any brands that you look forward to working with?

Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Tom Ford and a few others. These brands are all iconic on so many levels. In the fashion industry they are seen as powerhouse lines with timeless pieces.

What does the future look like for Igee Okafor?

Branching out into my own fashion line is the ultimate goal. I also look to master the art of digital media and marketing and creating better content.

What is your favorite quote?

“You can’t have a million-dollar dream with a minimum wage work ethic”

THE HUMANS

Christopher Findley’s eye for fashion began when he was in junior high school.

Then Chris expressed himself through his fashion and style. He has continued to use his creative eye and love for fashion to create a stylish travel bag. Chris has a passion for world travel and each Christopher Findley travel bag is designed and handcrafted for that purpose.

Where are you from?

Canarsie Brooklyn What do you do?

I am a brand ambassador for Heritage Clothing which is a capsule collection.

With the position I am a part of sales, marketing, branding, and digital Media.

How did fashion come into your life?

Growing up on Brooklyn, the way you dressed said a lot about who you were or wanted to be. Being a child of a single parent with four other siblings, I didn’t always have the means to wear there hottest or newest things; that’s where my creativity kicked in. From junior high to high school I began to learn different ways to look “fly” on a budget.

Why the bag?

I did a lot of travel blogging for a few brands and I would always have a travel bag. That’s what inspired me to create my own travel bag. Having a stylish travel bag is what takes you from stylish to “dapper”. You can be “fly” but adding a bag to your ensemble just takes it to an entire different level.

What are some of the places you have been and of them, which is your favorite?

Ibiza, Spain, Madrid, London, Paris, Cayman Islands, Anguilla, St. Vincent. Ibiza

[is my favorite] because it was the first place that I went after getting my passport and it was in Ibiza that I realized that I was going to travel for the rest of my life.

Do you plan to venture out into other pieces of fashion? tBecause my life will continue to be about travel anything that I will create will be for the traveler’s lifestyle. So I’m creating these pieces to fit me, but anyone who believes in this lifestyle sees the significance in this bag.

What do you like most about what you do?

In the beginning of my career I would work with brands that wanted to limit my growth. I was given control but not as much as I wanted or felt that I deserved.

After taking some time to think I agreed that instead of going to all these different brands and begging them to work with me, I would create my own. Now I am able to have full creative control and able to target the audience that I want to.

Each time a bag is sold I use that money to purchase a plane ticket to continue my journey and every time I land I am hit with an abundance of knowledge, experiences and love. Recently I traveled to Curacao and was able to see where the first slaves were sold and I just knew that was something that I didn’t learn when I was growing up and I knew that it was something that I would have to learn myself by traveling the world and learning these experiences. That’s what you get from traveling. This is why I always encourage many young people to travel because there is a world full of knowledge out there.

Your bags are nearly $500.00. How do you respond to those who say it is too expensive?

In the same instance it’s the same deal with Apple products or cars. You could easily buy a bag that is a portion of the price but chances are you will have to replace it more frequently. The bag is 100% leather and handmade in New York.

You are buying quality and style at the same time.

CHRIS

FINDLEY WORDS JUWAN WILLIAMS

Issue 44

81

THE HUMANS

JAMAL

JACKSON WORDS JUWAN WILLIAMS

Jamal got an early lesson on what it meant to be stylish from his father, and has since come up with his definition. As a master of street style, Jamal Jackson is the embodiment of New York cool. Going by the name “Style Society Guy”, Jamal launched his own website Stylesocietyguy.com where style and fashion are the main-focus. Jamal has collaborated with many brands and his work has been featured in over 50 publications such as Forbes, Esquire, Vouge and GQ. On his website, you will find tips on what to wear, how to wear it, and where to get it.

Keeping up with trends and sharing knowledge is what Jamal Jackson is all about.

Jamal continues to set bar by creating innovative and daring guidelines for style.

Born and raised?

I’m from Maryland. I moved NYC in 2008 for College. In school, I studied marketing and fashion.

82

visuals. When I would post photos to my profile I would site all the sources of what I was wearing. After a while, I had different brands and PR companies reaching out to me. The website was way for me to share that knowledge on a larger scale.

What inspires your content for your website?

The website is visual inspiration. Half of the content is of things that people request; the other half is of things and ideas that were self-inflicted. Most of my fashions looks are things I would wear and how I would wear it. My looks and ideas are very transparent and able to be switched up.

What is your favorite street wear brand?

Uniqlo. If you are having a sweatpants and tee-shirt day or you are feeling a little more sophisticated; you will find something that for you.

What do you do?

I am content creator and social media blogger. My website stylesocietyguy.com highlights men’s fashion, lifestyle, and travel. Through my blogging, I have could learn and pass on so much information that attains to fashions and lifestyle. I utilize my platform to speak out on being a part of the millennial generation and being on different sides of the industry such as modeling, marketing and creating original content.

What do you love most about being a fashion blogger?

I love that I get to past knowledge. I am very appreciative when someone shares their knowledge with me, so it’s only right that I keep that cycle going. So much information has been missed out on because people don’t share knowledge these days. I love going to schools or speaking to the youth about what I do because it’s a great feeling to share information with someone who shares your passion.

What lead you into fashion?

I would say it stemmed from my dad; He was a stylish guy. My father taught me the importance of self-upkeep and hygiene. As I got older I became fixated with my appearance and the way I dressed. I quickly developed my own sense of style by keeping up with currents trends and always adding my own touch.

How would you describe your own personal style?

I would say that my style is more like “comfy cool”. Whether I’m wearing jeans or in a three piece suit it must be comfortable. I also like to play with colors, whether they be dull or neutral. Sometimes I like to switch it up and where bright colors that are inspired by things that I see in New York City.

How did you get your start?

I started out by using my Tumblr and Instagram as my main sources for my

What is your favorite quote?

“Your knowledge means nothing if you can’t pass it on.”

MAGAZINE

THE HUMANS

Ryan “Styles” Clark has always been into fashion. When he was just a kid his mother set the fashion bar for him. While in college working towards a career in the medical field he realized that he had a deep passion for fashion. A college friend convinced him take a leap of faith and pursue his passion. In college Ryan got his first experience as a stylist working as a member of the brand team for a Neiman Marcus store. Ryan moved from Texas to New York and has completely transformed himself into a reputable stylist and brand ambassador. Ryan uses his social media platform High Fashion Living as a way to influence men and women, on fashion, lifestyle and travel.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Texas, so that will always be home to me. When I first moved to New York in 2014 it was a completely different world, I felt isolated.

After living in New York a while I developed a huge network that would help me in this industry.

What do you do?

I would say that I am a brand consultant and social media influencer. I consult with different brands and publications and bring to life their visions. I also produce fashion, travel, and editorial pieces.

When did you launch High Fashion Living?

2012, it all started off as highfashionmen.com. After focusing on the male audience we decided to cover more content. With the changes that were made; we included women’s lifestyle and fashion.

How did you enter the fashion industry?

I got my start in the industry when I was in college. I worked on the brand team for Neiman Marcus. Shortly after realizing my passion for being a stylist, I began to style some of the college athletes on campus. I got my “Big Break” when a

few of those athletes went professional and heightened my clientele.

What inspires your fashion styles?

For me when I’m working with people I access their comfort level. For example, if I were to style Russel Westbrook, or Andre 3000, my creativity wouldn’t be limited. For each person I’m styling it’s all about where they are willing to take their style. When I am working with brands, I blend my personal vision with market research in a way that is innovative but stays true to that brand.

What does “high fashion” mean to you?

High fashion means to me what it means to the rest of the world. It is continuously classic and such a subjective term that cannot be described by one person.

Which is your favorite “high fashion” brand?

As a slim guy I would say that Burberry highly appeals to my creative vision and style the most. Most of the pieces are fitting which isn’t so easy to find. I advocate for other brands such as Givenchy and Balmain which are some of the top faces of “high fashion” What is your favorite cologne?

Well I can’t give away my secret but my second favorite would be ‘Creed Aventus.’

What is your must have accessory?

Sunglasses definitely! I’m a huge fan of the Tom Ford sunglasses. Anytime there is a new pair, I have to have them.

What is your favorite quote?

“Do well, live well, and dress really well.”

RYAN

CLARK WORDS JUWAN WILLIAMS

Issue 44

83

FASHION

Sweater NAUTICA

l’art de la mode ILLUSTRATIONS LAWRENCE PITTS FASHION EDITOR CHRIS SANDFORD

84

MAGAZINE

FASHION

Blazer J. HILBURN Pants NAUTICA Shirt CALVIN KLEIN

Issue 44

85

FASHION

Shirt and Suit PERRY ELLIS

86

MAGAZINE

FASHION

Shirt and Watch BEN SHERMAN Pants SLATE & STONE

Issue 44

87

FASHION

Coat and Shirt ORINGINAL PENGUIN

88

MAGAZINE

FASHION

Jacket SLATE & STONE Shirt CALVIN KLEIN

Issue 44

89

FASHION

Shirt ORINGINAL PEGUIN Pants SLATE & STONE

90

MAGAZINE

FASHION

Shirt DAVID HART Pants ORINGINAL PEGUIN

Issue 44

91

SCORE

BRAND SHIFT Dale Moss is expanding his brand from fashion and athletics to entertainment.

WORDS RAYMOND MORA PHOTOGRAPHY TONY RYSK

“I always knew I wanted to go into the fashion industry, and sports. Now more than ever, is the time to fuse fashion and entertainment,” says fashion influencer and free agent NFL player Dale Moss. “I just knew that with my following and how it was growing it was something I can turn into a lifestyle.”

When Moss suffered a torn labrum playing football two years ago, he decided to go into modeling. Paris Hilton’s team contacted him about getting some content done in fashion. He finally signed with talent management agency, Wilhelmina. Once it was official, Moss became one of the most popular in the world in fashion, fitness, and health.

“When I first started modeling there was no other agency I wanted to be with besides Wilhelmina,” says Moss. “Since signed, it started as fitness and athletics and I developed into doing a lot more fashionable things. Now they are working me on their image side as a personality and celebrity to really build my brand as an influencer and personality more than just a model.”

The South Dakota native started to become a star, appearing in numerous media outlets such as Men’s Fitness, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, WWD, Vogue and Sports Illustrated. Moss also takes notes of what designers and creative directors do for their brands. When it comes to going out to a dinner or cocktail party, the fashion influencer dresses in mostly navy and black colors. He believes in this combination while others may dislike it because it’s a clean, powerful look. Some may be afraid to be fashionable with clothes, but Moss believes people should feel confident in being themselves “I would say that it may be intimidating, but fashion is an amazing form of expression and there is no right or wrong way,” says the South Dakota native.

“You can express yourself in so many different ways. And then I would say understand the history, the backstory of fashion. It’s a powerful thing. That, 92

MAGAZINE

music and sports are three of the most influential things on the planet.”

Still much of Moss’ success goes to his dedication in fitness. Always living a healthy lifestyle, playing football for many years, and being disciplined definitely helped Moss’ brand shift, especially since fashion and fitness go hand-in-hand.

“I still workout all the time,” says Moss. “I train a little bit differently, as it’s now more about preserving my body. I watch my diet a lot better. The fitness side is huge within my brand to keep myself healthy, my body in shape and my skin good, so they go hand in hand. My focus is kind of both.”

Since the fashion enthusiast is an NFL wide receiver, his workouts consist of explosive movements involving resistance bands. These bands help him with plyometrics and footwork drills, preventing injuries to preserve a healthy body. Furthermore, Moss’ has stepped into television and wants his production projects to be on networks such as BET and Food Network. Currently, he is making pitches to have a lifestyle show as a lead host.

Athletes embracing fashion and entering the industry is more common than in years past. The future of media and social media trending upward can say the same for sports being part of the fashion world. Influencers are joining forces with athletic and fitness brands, and Moss, is apart of that trend. He has already successfully stepped into this role, with one of his highlights being a guest host on Sports Illustrated’s new digital series “Sports Style Swipe”.“You’re seeing a lot of these brands are transitioning more to that athletic, and lifestyle look,” says Moss. “Luxury brands are now making work out gear and fitness gear. I really feel the merger will continue to grow so much because it’s a focus now and I don’t see it being a trend that’s going away.” B

TAB

D

Issue 44

93

SPOTLIGHT

COLETTE One of the world’s original concept stores, Colette continues to attract industry figures and fashion fans with its curated edit.

WORDS HENOCH BELLANTON

COLETTE STORE HOURS: Monday-Saturday: 11am-7pm Sunday: Closed Colette was founded in 1997 by Colette Rousseau and her daughter Sarah Andelman, and in a short amount of time, the Parisian clothing and accessories store has become a main attraction in the Paris fashion scene, attracting shoppers from all over the globe.

to the global scene, and they have a known reputation for supporting relatively unknown menswear designers early on. In fact, Colette has acted as a huge supporter of Raf Simons, Thom Browne and Sacai in the early stages of their respective careers.

In the world of menswear retail stores, Colette was able to make a name for itself through its diverse edit: a mix of high fashion, current streetwear trends, and kitsch lifestyle paraphernalia. “From the beginning I try to think of all type of men, not just a fashion victim, not just a young hipster; I want to touch a dentist, a lawyer, a dad. I think it is important that if you come to Colette just to check out the exhibition in the gallery or have a coffee in the restaurant, and you go to the men’s section, I hope that any kind of man could find something suitable” says Andelman, who is also the creative director of Colette. Colette is one of the only stores that is able to launch emerging menswear designers on

When speaking about the kind of environment that Andelman wants to create in the menswear department, she says “For me it should not be something forced, all the choices we make have a legitimacy… It is trying to get something naturally interesting I would say, organically fresh. Something new that you would feel comfortable to try and that is why we go from Valentino to Givenchy, kind of extremes. From the perfection of Valentino to the sometimes craziness of Givenchy, but it is an expression of what we are trying to do. For us it makes sense. For us it all naturally goes together — voilà.”

LOCATION 213 RUE SAINT HONORÉ, 75001 PARIS, FRANCE

94

MAGAZINE

SPOTLIGHT

LOCATIONS 11 GREENWICH AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10014 2 PRINCE ST, NEW YORK, NY 10012

FEIT Minimally handcrafted footwear preserved into reimagined cobbler conception.

FEIT STORE HOURS: Monday-Saturday: 11am-7pm Thursday: 11am-8pm Sunday: 12pm-6pm

WORDS HENOCH BELLANTON

Since opening its second shop in the trendy pulsed-veined west village sector of New York, Australian footwear brand FEIT has made the point of redefining retail spaces with innovation to ultimately “push the boundaries of what a retail space could look and feel like” as stated by co-founder Tull Price. Synonymous with the concept “volume and void”, FEIT lives up to expectations, with its geometrically designed space. The storefront’s adaptation of industrial interiors juxtaposed with naturally crafted wooded fixtures plays a major role in showcasing the minimally handcrafted leather footwear.

The Price Bothers started the brand in 2005 with the goal of building the greatest, highest-quality product with the nicest design”, that also had “minimal environmental impact.” The design presents a cross between sneakers and boots, created in a neutral and clean aesthetic throughout. Each shoe is made with a single piece of leather for a more contoured fit. Taking a stern stance to producing their footwear and accessories sustainably, FEIT believes “quality over quantity” is the approach that is best suited for the brand’s impact on society. In 2014 FEIT made the conscious decision to use sustainable procedures in their production and developing their Biotrainer, a shoe that uses the milk of the Hevea brasilensis(rubber tree) as the primary source of natural rubber.

From the moment you enter the retail space, you feel as thought you are stepping into a labyrinth. The equally spaced timber slabs are fixated throughout the store, creating a dynamic flow of light similar to a well-designed set. The subtle wood tones highlight the displayed shoes, while directing the flow of traffic with the flow of light created by the even spaced timber slabs.

The price point of a shoe ranges from $400 to $600, while accessories such as wallets, belts, and watchbands range from $100 to $300. What might seem like a hefty price, the brand makes up for it in its quality. The process of completing each shoe is meticulous. Each shoe is made out of one cut of premium leather, crafted by hand, for a repeated precise finished shoe design. The use of one piece throughout the shoe as opposed to multiple panels allows for a more contoured fit, essentially made to mold to the foot of the wearer over a period of time, much like selvage denim.

We recommend keeping this store on your radar. One could expect nothing less than high quality, and minimally sophisticated designs from the retailer. The impeccable interior design is simply an added bonus.

Issue 44

95

BLEULIST

96

MAGAZINE

Acne Studios

Givenchy

Pokemon Go

Adidas

Google Glass

Pop-Culture

African Fashion

GQ

POWER

All Lives Matter

Gucci Mane

Prince

Apple Watch

Hollywood

Public School

ATL

Iconic

Quincy/Omarion Braids

Bill Cunningham

Joggers

Real Housewives

Black Lives Matter

Jordan

Rihanna

Brands

Kanye West

Runway

Cali Swag

Kardashian

Russell Westbrook

Carmelo Anthony

Kendrick Lamar

Salary Cap

Cartier

Lamborghini

Serena Williams

CFDA

Lemonade

Soho

Chance The Rapper

Leslie Jones

Street Style

Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi

Street Trends

Dame Dash

Melanin

Vans

Dashiki

Michael Jackson

Vintage

Desiigner

Models

Vogue

Drake

Naomi C.

West Coast

Fader

NBA

WNC

Fashion Bomb Daily

New York Men’s Day

XXL

Fashion Shows

NFL

YSL

Filas

Nike

Y-3

Fitness

Panda

Zara

Future

Pharrell Williams

Zipper

ICON

Muhammad Ali WORDS DOMINIQUE CARSON

On June 9, 2016 the world paid their final respects to boxing legend, Muhammad Ali at the Kentucky Exposition Center. The world recognized Ali’s contribution to sports, entertainment, culture, and philanthropy, which is why he will forever be known as “the greatest.” Ali’s life was a prime example of one his favorite phrase, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” because he was inspirational, confident, and knew when to pull out his boxing gloves when necessary. Ali was a world champion boxer and social activist. References to Ali were included in many short films and movies including the 2001 biopic, Ali, starring Will Smith.

Fifteen years later, Ali is still a groundbreaking film that revealed Muhammad Ali’s astounding personality. Smith also developed a lifelong friendship with Ali and served as a pallbearer during Ali’s memorial service in Kentucky.

But, before Ali earned a household name as a boxer or an Olympic gold medalist, his journey to success began in Louisville, Kentucky. Muhammad Ali, also known as Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. discovered his passion when he was twelve years old. Ironically, he decided to be a professional boxer after his bike was stolen and wanted to have a fight with the thief. According to Biography. com, the officer told Ali, “Well, you better learn how to fight before you start challenging people,” and from that day, Ali launched his boxing career.

Muhammad Ali, known at that time as Cassius Clay won his first fight in 1954 and went on to compete in 1956’s Golden Gloves tournament. In 1960, Ali was on the U.S Olympic boxing team and traveled overseas. During the matches, commentators paid attention to Ali’s footwork and speed. Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s, he was a professional boxer who competed against British boxer,

ILLUSTRATION LAWRENCE PITTS

Henry Cooper, Sonny Liston, Jerry Quarry, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman.

Outside of the ring, Ali was not bashful about his conversion to Islam and why he decided to join a Black Muslim group. After his conversion, the world will no longer call him Cassius Clay. Ali was also a fighter when he was adamant about his views against the Vietnam War. Ali’s views came with a costly price including incarceration and being suspended from the ring. However, those setbacks showed the world that he is not afraid to speak his mind.

After Ali retired from boxing, he launched the Muhammad Ali Center and Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix Arizona, after being diagnosed with the neurological disease in 1984. He contributed to other charities including the Olympics, Make-A-Wish-Foundation, and the NAACP. Ali received many awards and accolades such as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the NAACP’s Presidential Award.

Muhammad Ali was truly the “G.O.A.T” (the Greatest of all Time). Ali’s courageous spirit reinforced us to be fearless and not be mediocre. Ali believed we cannot demand respect without change especially when he said, “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” Ali’s words exemplified how and why he embodied a work of art for generations to come. He was not only a great boxer but also a great father of nine children, including Laila Ali. Even though Ali is no longer with us physically, the world still consecrates his legacy by still highlighting his remarkable athletic talents, humanitarian work, outspoken persona, and declaring world peace.

Issue 44

97

STOCKIST

PHOTOGRAPHY GREG VAUGHAN

Jewelry RO’S OWN

ALEXANDER WANG alexanderwang.com ALL SAINTS us.allsaints.com BEN SHERMAN bensherman.co.uk BOOHOO MAN boohoo.com BUSCEMI buscemi.com CONVERSE converse.com CALVIN KLEIN calvinklein.com DAVID HART davidhartnyc.com DOCKERS dockers.com DR. MARTENS drmartens.com DZOJCHEN dzojchen.com FEIT feitdirect.com GILES & BROTHER gilesandbrother.com GOLA golausa.com GUCCI gucci.com J. HILBURN jhilburn.com JOHN ELLIOT johnelliott.com KENNETH NING kennethning.com KITH kithnyc.com LEVI levi.com LUCIO CASTRO luciocastro.com MARNA RO marnaro.com 98

MAGAZINE

MINNETONKA minnetonkamoccasin.com NATIVE SHOES nativeshoes.com NAUTICA nautica.com NEW BALANCE newbalance.com N. P. Elliot npelliot.com NOBIS us.nobis.com OLIVER SPENCER oliverspencer.co.uk ORIGINAL PENGUIN originalpenguin.com PALLADIUM palladiumboots.com PALMEIRS DU MAL palmeirsdumal.com PERRY ELLIS perryellis.com RALPH LAUREN ralphlauren.com RIDEAU nordstrom.com RJR rjroberts.com ROCHAMBAU rochambeau.nyc SAMA samaeyewear.net SLATE & STONE slateandstoneclothing.com SULLY WONG shop.sullywong.com SUPRA suprashoes.com THOMAS SABO thomassabo.com TRITON tritonjewelry.com

TAB

Subscribe // bleUmagazine.com

LUKE CHRISTOPHER FOREST WHITAKER DRIVEN GLOBAL JUSTIN DURANT HAWAII

RYAN GUZMAN SEX

THY

N EIGH B OR

35

1 year/6 issues for $19.99 Issue 44

99

TAB

100

MAGAZINE