NUOVO NUOVO Issue: 1
Issue: I
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Table of Contents
Issue: I
Bold Moves for Balenciaga..................................................................................13 The Leader in Transparency...............................................................................19 The New Normal................................................................................................23 Behind The Lens.................................................................................................29 Michele Shakes Up Gucci and the World of Luxury Fashion............................37 Around the World in 30 Minutes.........................................................................41 What Should My Caption Be?............................................................................45 AI’S Impact on the Fashion Industry Today and in the Future..........................51 Fashion in the Age of Technology.......................................................................55 @DAVID BENOLIEL | PHOTOGRAPHER..................................................61 G-Dragon............................................................................................................65 For The Bold and Daring.....................................................................................71
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Letter from the Editor
Issue: I
A magazine is meant to inspire. NUOVO strives to evoke the meaning of luxury in your hand. The magazine is well crafted and expertly curated so that readers immerse themselves in only the best and most relevant content. Our concept for this issue is fashion and culture through the lens of technology and change. We are seeing incredible things happen in today’s society, from the shifting to gender neutral clothing, to concepts being spread through social media platforms. Our goal at NUOVO is to take those concepts and deliver them in this magazine.
Frank Sessa Editor-In-Chief, NUOVO Magazine 7
Contributors
Issue: I
Editor-In-Chief: Frank Sessa
Editors: Ericka McGriff
Courtney Lucido
Chau Ly
Cover Photo Credit: Photography/Direction- David Benoliel Model- Martina Dimitrova Stylist- Veronica Camacho Makeup- Eliut Tarin and Jennifer Cruz
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Bold Moves for Balenciaga
By: Frank Sessa
All images from Balenciaga Fall 2016 RTW
This year, former Vetements designer, Demna Gvasalia, revealed his first-ever collection for the Parisian luxury house Balenciaga. While keeping it edgy and dramatic as he did at Vetements, he maintained the notable silhouettes the house is known for. Oversized outerwear done it chic leather, bold denim, soft shearling and ski jackets were all stylized to be worn over the shoulder, a cut that is a staple from the designer, adapted from his studies of Margiela’s tailoring, which was implemented in his previous collections at Vetements. One notable part of the collection was the attitude the clothing spoke for. Dresses were given the distinct hourglass shape, that were defined 13
and exaggerated. Showing the collection in an old TV studio in Paris’s 15th Arrondissement, Demna was able to keep all eyes on the clothing. While the models walked down the runway in vibrant florals, of saturated blues, reds, purples, and greens, the contrast of the more industrial white & grey walls made it so the designs would be showcased in the best way possible. The collection started off showing couture styled industrial suits done in classic plaids and stripes, followed by the more audacious ski jackets in bold colors, jackets done is stunning denim, leather, and shearling, and finally we see the bold essence of dynamic floral patterns. The combination of these textures and colors made for an unimaginable collection that gives us hope for the future of Balenciaga and its new gatekeeper.
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The Leader in Transparency
By: Courtney Lucido
Image from Everlane leather bag factory in Vicenza, Italy
Everlane, founded in 2011, is a label that has quickly moved to the forefront of a new fashion industry niche. Based on the concept of creating a spirit of honesty and candor between the brand and its customers, Everlane is taking transparency to a whole other level. This San Francisco-based brand is known for its “radical transparency” and desire for customers to actively engage with them. With this approach, Everlane is setting the tone for a new kind of brand and customer relationship. Everlane created a market for itself driven by an open dialogue between consumers and designers. They provide details about their global factories and encourage conservation through use of the hashtag #KnowYourFactories. In an interview by 19
Jenni Avintawith, for Quartz magazine, Everlane founder and CEO Michael Preysman, excitedly proclaims that Everlane doesn’t want fashion, they, “…want lasting styles.” They do not follow the standard six months in advance schedule typically used in the fashion industry, Everlane works to build customers’ wardrobes over time. They consider what one might layer and combine on any given day to determine what products to add to the mix. They sell traditional, reliable items year-round. In addition to their unique merchandising strategy, they provoke their customers to ask questions, remain curious and hold them accountable. Everlane puts out products with
the idea of getting feedback from customers and making adjustments based on those comments. They view each item as an ongoing process, not a stagnant piece. With each garment, there is consideration for what void it is filling and how customers will react to it. The amount of information and influence they provide customers with is unprecedented in the traditionally “closeddoor” fashion industry.
out. For example, when they released pants in 2015, there was a 12,000-person wait list. They also have a beautifully organized website that provides in-depth detail on the garments as well as multiple photos and videos of the item in motion. While Preysman does not see a brick-and-mortar store in their future anytime soon, Everlane interacts with customers through pop-up shops and hosting parties.
It is contrarian values like this that will trigger change in the industry as a whole. Seeing brands like Everlane thrive proves that companies can, indeed, succeed while providing humane and fair treatment of workers and safe, environmentally sensitive factories. Everlane even goes as far as providing the breakdown of the cost of their garments, divided between labor, materials, hardware, duties and transport. After providing their customers with the true cost of the garment, they then compare the traditional retail price to their own (generally significantly lower) price. Everlane is able to charge less because they cut out the middle man and rely solely on online distribution. They have a robust online presence on Snapchat and Instagram. They create high demand for products online by employing waiting list sign ups and providing release dates for consumers to look forward to new items coming
This type of innovation and forward-looking business ethic is in sync with the ethos of many of today’s consumers. This younger audience of socially and environmentally aware individuals enjoy being enlightened on the “behind the scenes” practices of the brands they support and want to feel comfortable with the processes and factories employed by that brand. According to an article by Chavie Lieber on Racked, “Sixtyfour percent of millennials would rather wear a socially-conscious brand than a luxury brand… They want to know where their product is coming from.” It is attitudes like this that will further amplify the shift towards more conscientious brands and hold brands liable for their actions. By providing this level of honest transparency as part of their value proposition, Everlane is sure to engender meaningful customer relationships and loyalty.
Images from Everlane tailored shirting factory in Shenzhen, China and knit factory in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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The New Normal
By: Ericka McGriff
“Over the decades, TV shows have brought gay couples into viewers’ homes and humanized their struggle for equality.” services. As the generations and the world catches up to learning to open their hearts with love, compassion, and respect there have been sixteen major shoes that have helped shape America’s attitude towards these LGBT relationships. Over the decades, TV shows have brought gay couples into viewers’ homes and humanized their struggle for equality. The first was Soap, in 1977 when viewers met Jodie Dallas, played by Billy Crystal, the first openly gay character played on TV. From then on many networks followed with shows like Roseanne in 1994, which features TV’s first samesex kisses, and one of the first same-sex marriage ceremonies on TV. The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Friends, while Will & Grace was the first show to feature two gay characters to become a bona fide major television hit. The L Word, the first show to feature an ensemble of gay women, Queer As Folk, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Six
Eighty-two. Within the years of 2015 and 2016 there are a total of eighty-two characters on broadcast and cable with leading, supporting, and recurring roles that are based on LGBT characters. This is a vast difference from years ago, when saying or even the mentioning of anything LGBT was ultimately unheard of. It’s the new normal, in a time where generations are speaking up, and standing up for what they believe in, demanding to see people like them on TV, magazine covers, and in a vast array of industries, it was only a matter of time before the world began to listen and things began to change. In the annual Where We Are on TV report produced by GLAAD for the 2015 – 2016 year, the news 23
Feet Under, which became the first interracial family when they married and adopted a child. Brothers & Sisters, one of TV’s longest-running same-sex couples, Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family, Glee, Orange Is The New Black, and Looking are just a few that have changed the way America views the LGBT community. The list continues with shows like The Fosters, How to Get Away with Murder, Shameless, Empire, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Transparent, I Am Cait, Becoming Us, I Am Jazz, which are breaking the barriers and bridging the gaps between what is expected and what has transformed into the normal. It’s a new age when people no longer are afraid to be themselves, no longer worry about the acceptance of others, and get to live the life they’ve always imagined.
media site analyzed that out of the 881 regular television characters expected to appear on broadcast programming, only 35, which is a mere 4%, were identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, with an additional 35 recurring characters. In additional to these statistics, the number of regular characters on cable rose from 64 to 84, with recurring cable characters increasing from 41 to 58. Considering how online streaming services have overcome the television and film world, GLAAD also took into account the number of LGBT characters on series that have premiered on Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix with a total of 43 series regulars and 16 recurring characters across a total of 23 series on the streaming 24
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Behind the Lens
By: Chau Ly Sølve Sundsbø born in Norway, London is a fashion based photographer and filmmaker. He studied photography at the London College of Printing. He left college to work as the first assistant to British photographer Nick Knight. He has shot for publications such as Italian Vogue, Love, Visionaire, V, Interview, i-D, NYTimes, Chinese Vogue, Vogue Nippon and W Magazine. He also received high praise for his images of the Alexander McQueen archive shot for the catalogue of the celebrated “Savage Beauty” retrospective at The Metropolitan Museum. His works are beautiful and powerful. He has a lot of focuses on the body parts and body movements. His style for his works is that he has no style. People thought that his work has been fixing through a computer but he said that he actually used a lot of the old-fashioned techniques. He probably has more in common with a fine artist than slick fashion snapper. “People would say to me, ‘I’m not sure I can hire you, I’m not sure what you’re doing. What is your style?’ I was mortified and thought I was never going to make a living as a photographer.” – Sølve Sundsbø
Images from V Magazine, CR Fashion Book and Dazed
Pierre Debusschere is a Belgian director and photographer. He founded 254FOREST, a creative studio working in the realms of film, art, photography and music. He launched his career at Dazed & Confused in 2008. Shortly after that, he worked with Nicole Formichetti on Vogue Hommes Japan and Dior Homme. In 2013, he created a book, exhibition and hour-long film entitled “I KNOW SIMPLY THAT THE SKY WILL LAST LONGER THAN I.” Most recently, he directed two music videos for Beyonce’s self-titled visual album, which are “Mine” featured Drake and “Ghost”. He also created a full range of campaign images and a film inspired by the seven deadly sins for the 2014- 2015 season of the National Opera of Belgium. His works focus on a lot of unique and unnatural poses from the models. His creativities are unstoppable. He does not stop at one style of work, he can work with many styles, from the most natural way to posing, to the most unnatural way of posing. He uses his pictures to express the emotional. The images seem so unusual, not a lot of people would let their weirdness out to express how they feel, but he did. 29
Images from Vogue Italia and Numéro
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Arthur Elgort was born in New York on June 8, 1940. He studied painting at Hunter College but then finding the right medium for his art works were a bit too hard so he decided to try his hand at photography. Soon after that, he began to work for Gosta “Gus” Peterson as a photo assistant. And in 1971, he made a debut in British Vogue. Arthur’s relaxed and easy style was like a fresh air in a world where completely curated studio shoots and mannequin like models were the norm. Arthur encouraged his models to move freely in the frame. The models he chose were lively and didn’t wear a lot of make-up. In 2011, Elgort won the CFDA Board of Directors’ Award. Arthur quickly became one of the best-known and most emulated photographer. He likes to take risks with his models and the photos changed the ideas of what fashion photography was. For over 40 years, Arthur’s ideas of the modern woman and her take on fashion have appeared regularly on the covers and in the spreads of Vogue. “He doesn’t get nervous and I think he was meant for it. He’s doing well and we eye an eye on him. And he still comes home for chicken soup”- by Ansel Elgort, Arthur’s son.
Images from Vogue US, 7000 Magazine and Marie Claire
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Michele Shakes up Gucci and the World of Luxury Fashion
By: Courtney Lucido
on the spectacle of high-style fashion shows, another label that employs an approach similar to Gucci’s is Vetements. They also create garments that are not limited to a specific seasons or aesthetic. The clothing is both easy to wear and extremely desirable—which bodes well for other labels considering this change in strategy. Michele has chosen to ignore gender lines by showing menswear and womenswear in the same shows, which is a significant departure from the norm. Not shockingly given the prestige associated with Gucci, these decisions have begun to permeate the rest of the fashion industry. Valentino, for example, has created an ongoing capsule collection of unisex garments entitled Rockstar Untitled. These garments, while very simple, are infused with the signature elements of the Valentino house. The items are numbered one through 12, beginning
with a classic trench coat and ending with a musthave leather clutch. Last fall, Opening Ceremony collaborated with Coach to release a unisex capsule collection consisting of five coats, two pair of shoes and two bags. Vivienne Westwood’s F/W fashion show consisted of men in togas and skirts while the few women in the show donned menswear pants and jackets. This trend toward androgyny seems to be making a meaningful impact on the business of fashion. Alessandro Michele is making his mark on the industry. His seemingly calculated yet effortless decisions are both redefining Gucci and influencing other labels. In the years to come, it will be fascinating to see how he as a designer—as well as the Gucci label—develop, side by side.
“Michele is focusing more on the clothes and less on the spectacle and entertainment associated with a fashion show.”
Images from Gucci Spring/Summer 2016 Campaign
Since being appointed to the position of creative director for Gucci in January of 2015, Alessandro Michele has created highly sought after collections and has acquired a significant new following for the brand. The colors, adornments and floral patterns used in his recent seasons represent a notable change from what previous creative director, Frida Giannini, brought to the table. Michele is focusing more on the clothes and less on the spectacle and entertainment associated with a fashion show. In doing so, he has spurred a major change in the 35
industry’s approach to luxury clothing. When it comes to Gucci, gone are the days of creating each season to be the antithesis of the previous one. Quite the contrary, Michele is developing collections designed to complement each other and is reusing successful silhouettes. These tactics have resulted in the creation of timeless and influential pieces from this notable fashion house. While many other brands continue to capitalize Image from HYPEBEAST
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Around the World in 30 Minutes
By: Chau Ly
“I wanted to create an aircraft concept capable of reaching its antipode -- or diametrical opposite -- as fast as possible,” Bombardier told Forbes. For the science lovers, scramjet systems, which power the Skreemr Jet, work by combusting liquid using oxygen taken from the atmosphere passing through the aircraft. This mean, the craft doesn’t need to carry any liquid oxygen, so the whole thing becomes a lot lighter unlike the traditional system; this is why the scramjet is much faster than the original jet. According to Science Alert, this concept has been proven to be impossible to achieve, due to the current limitations of scramjet technology. But Popular Mechanics said Skreemr Jet is possible to build, although of course it will be a challenge to find an affordable material that could withstand the extreme heat of acceleration, when at lower altitudes, as well as, finding a way to keep the passengers from passing out from g-forces. One big problem of this plan is heat, objects traveling past Mach 5 can reach upwards of 980 C (1800F), and there are limits to the type of materials that can withstand those kinds of temperatures. Despite all the doubts and rumors around the Skreemr Jet concept, Bombardier is confident he will find a solution to the problems. Even though, the design is still decades away from achievement, the jet is still a pretty cool concept that we can keep looking forward to in the future. With this jet being in process to launch in the future, people can get from continent to continent in a short amount of time. No longer do people have to think about the fact that they have to sit on a plane for such a long time, which will increase tourism. People can go from continent to continent for shopping and enjoy the cultures that every country has to offer. The world is about to get a lot smaller. “The Skreemr Jet would be used as a commercial aircraft to fly from one continent to the next,” Bombardier wrote for The Globe and Mail.
New York to London or New York to Dubai, pick your dream destination. There have been rumors a new jet is in town, the Skreemr Jet, which could fly you around the world in an hour. As days pass the rumors about the time has been shortening, days turned to an hour, an hour turned to 30 minutes and it only keeps getting shorter. But one question still remains, “is it even actually possible to travel the world in 30 minutes?” Skreemr Jet is a four-winged scramjet that can carry 75 passengers at speeds of up to Mach 10- which is 10 times speed sound and five faster than Concorde. It was designed by the Canadian designer Charles Bombardier with a concept rendering created by Ray Mattison. The jet ignites liquid oxygen in order to rise in speed and altitude until it is moving at such a rate to successfully compress incoming air for engine combustion, burning hydrogen and compressed oxygen to accelerate to unbelievable speeds of Mach 10, or about 6,600 m.p.h. at 40,000 feet. Compared to the Boeing 747s, which could carry 400 to 600 passengers and gos roughly 570 m.p.h. The Skreemr Jet can carry less passengers but it can go 10 times faster than the Boeing 747s. It would make the flight crossing the Atlantic feel like crossing a lake. All images of Skreemr Supersonic Jet
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What Should My Caption Be?
By: Frank Sessa
see just as many, if not more, when they are scrolling through the apps when they have nothing to do. Seeing these pictures inspires the viewers and encourages them to enjoy similar experiences. Snapchat has been booming as a platform for quickly showing what is happening. Snapchat has categories of things going on daily, like Daily Mail, and other things that are happening when they are hot. Burberry is a major part of Snapchat, they show behind the scenes of their house, as well as, all of the behind the scenes details of their shows and what is happening before and after the show. Keeping up with this trend is necessary, and while Burberry and most of the other major fashion hubs are at the forefront of this movement, food is as well. The constant posting about food events, competitions, restaurants or just plain at home meals keeps people on their toes about food and inspires everyone. While some may not appreciate it as many others do, the ones who do, know how to target this new age market that wants everything fast and everywhere. Everything has gotten more portable than ever and with that comes the need for speed, people are wanting to view menus and book reservations in quick time, so catering to these individuals opens that market and keeps them coming back again and again.
“Promoting through social media has become the new newspaper ad...�
One of the biggest words in the industry, food. Food is something that everyone indulges in. From hot dogs on the street of New York City, to taste filled salads on the coast of California, food is something everyone can enjoy and share. It is a part of every culture and now, because of the new generation, it can be shared instantly. Social media platforms have skyrocketed what food is today and can inspire anyone who wants to dive into the art of cooking. Instantly, people can find what they are looking for when they go to choose and place to eat and which place may be better than the other. Various platforms allow for multiple levels of connectivity, and each site recommending different offers or rewards for its followers. Every platform also has its own unique follower base, like fashion, social media platforms are always shifting, one day its Twitter, the next it is Snapchat. Within seconds people can find out what their friends are wearing and doing. Utilizing social media platforms is one of the biggest techniques for any business in the twenty-first century. Brands who have it, have a large follower base and have increased foot traffic. Promoting through social media has become the new newspaper ad; everything is categorized and available for everyone to access. People want fast and ready, when they are searching they want everything at their fingertips to be easy and ready; always available. Social media is fast but snapping pictures is even faster. People take around 8-12 photos a day, and more than half of those will be posted on social media. While some don’t take as many per day, they 45
All images from Snapchat
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AI’s Impact on the Fashion Industry Today and in the Future By: Courtney Lucido
for retailers and brands. It can be used to analyze large quantities of data and inform fashion labels which products to release based on sales performance or other criteria. Brands can also use AI to determine the best locations to move to based off of factors that would contribute to the new stores success. AI can also be used to predict consumer behavior. It can assess customer preferences based on their age, where they live, and other demographics. It can anticipate which products will become big sellers, as well as what colors and materials will be in demand. AI can also pick up on what is trending in social media and help companies determine the best timing for them to implement the styles they create. This type of in-depth analysis is invaluable for brands and retailers. It can provide them with an advantage over competitors and help keep them relevant. The one-to-one dynamic, once the purview of only luxury retailers, is becoming part of the e-commerce world through the use of chat bots, computer programs designed to simulate conversation with humans, especially online. Online personal styling services such as Thread uses AI to determine which items to recommend to their clients. Thread takes into consideration
Artificial intelligence (AI)—computer systems performing tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages—is seeping into most contemporary industries, and fashion is no exception. There are a wide range of analytics and algorithms employed for use in many facets of the industry, including everything from predicting trends and forecasting product sales, to performing specific tasks like identifying objects in an image and classifying items. 51
The argument regarding whether or not AI will ultimately replace human professions is a hotly contested one. For example, some say that driverless cars could put truck drivers out of a job while decreasing the costs of logistics and reducing accidents. Also, authoring software could be used to compose descriptions for products in e-commerce and other applications, eliminating the need for copywriters.
data points such as the opinions of human stylists, where the customer lives and the weather for that area, and what they look at on the app. All these factors are used when the system searches through the company’s large inventory to pick items for a specific shopper. AI can also remember individual shoppers’ preferences, which dramatically improves targeted marketing and communication; humans are simply not capable of this level and volume of information processing. AI is an emerging topic in the world of fashion design. Some argue that it will one day replace designers, while others say it will simply aid the design process by furthering designers’ creative abilities and taking ideas beyond the limitation of “pencil and paper.” The debate about the importance of AI in the fashion world will not likely end anytime soon. Some believe it is imperative to success— especially given the next generation of luxury consumers, who have grown up with technology at their fingertips—while others say it is not necessary. While some brands and retailers have been quick to adopt this technology, not all have the drive to invest in AI development. Only time will tell which have made the right decision.
“Some believe it is imperative to success— especially given the next generation of luxury consumers, who have grown up with technology at their fingertips...”
When it comes to fashion specifically, AI is increasingly becoming a resource for improving the delicate balance between supply and demand 52
Fashion in the Age of Technology
By: Ericka McGriff
Images of Claire Danes wearing Zac Posen
Images from Metropolitan Museum of Art “Manus x Machina” exhibition
The first Monday in May. To some this means only three more days stands between them and Cinco de Mayo, or the first day of finals week, the sign that summer vacation is near, and to some this literally just means it’s the first Monday in the month of May. But, if you’re a part of the fashion world, or now a day even apart of the music and television industry, this probably means something entirely different to you. The first Monday in May, the day of the most coveted Met Gala, where everyone who is anyone, and anyone who was lucky enough to snag an invite from the infamous Anna Wintour, or for the regular everyday person who has $25,000 at their fingertips, the first Monday in May, takes on a whole new meaning every year. This year it was Manus x Machine: Fashion in the Age of Technology, when the rise of social media and the Internet is at its all time high, this years theme only seems fitting. Now for those who aren’t quite familiar with fashion, and maybe not too hip with gossip sites, and were unable to get coverage, the Met Gala’s main focus is to benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City which all started in 1946 led by Irene Lewisohn. In 1995, when Ms. Wintour came under leadership, this event became something quite spectacular. It became known as the prom of fashion, the event of the year, and one of the most wanted invites from anyone in the industry.
the theme saying, “I think what the exhibition tries to address is the symbolic associations of the hand and the machine. Sometimes employing the machine is more time consuming and more expensive than the hand. The majority of pieces in the exhibitions are an amalgam of the hand and the machine. It is very rare to have a garment in which the hand and the machine is completely absent, whether it is haute couture or ready to wear.” (CNN) This idea came from the uprising of technology, it is meant to examine how computer modeling with fabrication methods are impacting fashion, specifically high-end fashion, and the couture world. The exhibition captures how fashion designers are utilizing technological advancements into their garments, and the unique ways they have been done in the past, with the use of sewing machines, which were invented in the 19th century, to now, when designers have a vast array of options in terms of innovative technology that has arrive within the 21st century. Elements of haute couture, such as feathers, embroidery, pleating, and lacework, will be side by side with garments that were made using modern day machine techniques such as 3D printing, laser cutting, airbrushing, heat transfer embellishment, and other technological advanced methods that are addressing the distinction between the hand (manus), otherwise known as couture and the machine (machina) the mass-produced prêt-à-porter collections.
Andrew Bolton, curator in charge of The Costume Institute, made an impact on the justification of 55
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Within the exhibit more than 170 pieces will be displayed from the 1880s Charles Worth gown, to the staging of the most represented designer of the exhibit, Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel. Each label respectively delegating each garments “genetic” makeup: what is it handwork, machine work, and the various technologies employed. Other garments included are previous works from Christian Dior and Coco Chanel, and contemporary talents like Nicholas Ghesquiere, and Miuccia Prada, which is all-apart of the idea to challenge visitors’ perceptions. Inside the Gala, was a world of its own, infused with technology, the guest were surrounded by the most talked about thing of the century, Instagram. Guest were invited to strut their stuff inside a super futuristic portrait studio, connected to Vogue’s Instagram account, a sponsor of the event, where viewers and fashion addicts at home got to experience a tiny morsel of the event. But the most talked about thing on the first Monday of May was of course who made it on the best and worst dressed list for the night. Some of our favorites were, Emma Watson in Calvin Klein, Claire Danes in Zac Posen, and Alicia Vikander in Louis Vuitton. Some who missed the mark on the theme but were equally as fabulous were Dakota Johnson in Gucci, Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton, and Mia Wasikowska in Prada. Technology, it has become something you can’t escape. Whether you’re ready to fully embrace the change or have yet to trade in your Motorola Razr, it is here. With the invention of things such as 3D printers, and recycled plastic, unconventional pairing of Calvin Klein and Eco Age for the ensemble Emma Watson wore on the red carpet, to Iris van Herpen and her use of digital knitting, the possibilities of what the hand and the machine can do together have become something that seems quite endless. With a vast of possibilities and the rise of the millennial generation, we are simply just grazing the surface, and to think, this is only the beginning.
Images of Alicia Vikander in Louis Vuitton, Dakota Johnson in Gucci, and Mia Wasikowska in Prada
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@DAVID BENOLIEL | PHOTOGRAPHER
my inspiration, today I’m obsessed with Steven Meisel and his way of putting together real stories and editorials through his images”. David has his first passion for shooting high or conceptual fashion so when the time came to shoot that in a video format, he jumped at the opportunity.
By: Frank Sessa
Based out of New York and Miami, he gets inspired by travel and loves to do so. “While I was influenced early by the art, architecture and culture that existed in Paris where I grew up, I wanted to try something new, and in fact, I discovered my true passion here in Miami, fashion and beauty photography!” He talks about how he is mainly located in Miami, he still gets inspired by the vibe of New York. Every location gives every designer something new and builds on their aesthetic. Building this inspiration is a key in Davids working process. “My team and myself are really dedicate and passionate about our work, we all put a lot of time and effort” Interview through Bigshot360
Images from Zink! Magazine
David Benoliel is a French photographer, specializing in fashion photography and beauty. His main goal is to take the women and bring out her beauty, even if her beauty is through flaws, he wants to accentuate that women and make her look more ravishing than ever. His main technique is taking the photos and then manipulating them in a way that will allow him to discover the flawless elements of the photo that he looks for. Specializing in this design has made him a great photographer that wants to also keep the room for growth available. Working with major designers and getting inspired from them and incorporates that in his persona projects, David has grown from that and has turned more towards conceptual photography. Conceptual, although requiring more thought, edits, and design, allows the photographer to be more free and creates a newer, more artist directors feel when shooting. Taking that notion, he has also been developing fashion films. Although films don’t allow him to edit the women, leaving them natural, videos allow for more development in styling. “When I started fashion photography, Greg Kadel was 61
Images from davidbenolielphotography.com
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G-Dragon
By: Chau Ly
In 2015, G Dragon started an art exhibition called PEACEMINUSONE: Beyond the Stage. The exhibition contained 200 artworks from 12 domestic and international artists. He worked on the exhibition for over a year, he said he wants to bring the modern art and pop culture together. The show was held in Seoul from June 6 to August 23; and he will bring the show to Shanghai and Singapore in the future. G Dragon started as a singer, then become a song writer, and now he is a well known artist. Fashion is one of the thing that he is very famous for. G Dragon isn’t new to the street style scene and has been sat front row at Saint Laurent and Lanvin for years, wearing anything from pink glitter Giuseppe Zanotti brogues to Chanel tweed women’s jackets.
Fall-Winter 2015/16 Haute Couture in Paris, France. According to Chanel’s official website, the idea was from Karl himself. The photo included Karl Lagerfeld, Julianne Moore, Kristen Stewart, Rita Ora, Lily Collins, and K-pop icon G-Dragon. “When Karl Lagerfeld included G-Dragon in a group photo at the latest Chanel couture show alongside international A-listers like Kristen Stewart and Julianne Moore, it helped elevate the Korean rapper’s status as an ‘it boy’ even higher.” – noted by BOF. G- Dragon is a man of the future. His goal is to have fun and be relaxed, and he is his most relaxed when he is on stage. He is someone who is not afraid to try new things, whether it be in fashion, music, or art, he is a chameleon, who is just getting started.
Karl Lagerfeld has included G Dragon in Chanel latest picture that was taken in Chanel’s
“Work until your idols become your rivals.”
Images from Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2015 and Resort 2016 fashion shows
Ji Yong Kwon also known as G Dragon, is the leader of a Korean boy band named BIGBANG. BIGBANG debuted on stage in 2006 with five talented members: TOP, Taeyang, G Dragon, Daesung and Seungri. G Dragon was born in August 18, 1988. He is a Korean rapper, singer and songwriter, record producer, model and fashion icon. His songs are mostly electronic songs from dubstep to trap, which are use by electronic instruments to create. He is not writes his own songs, but he has been writing for his band and his company, YG Entertainment. He is also famous for his 65
collaboration with famous U.S. artists like Missy Elliott, Skrillex, Diplo, Justin Bieber, Pixie Lott… “Work until your idols become your rivals”- by G-Dragon. In 2009, he debuted as a solo singer with an album called Heartbreaker. The album sold over 200,000 copies and won the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA). 2012, G Dragon got an award in 22nd Seoul Music Award in Record of the Year. In 2013, Artist of the Year at the 15th MAMA. And at the 2014 World Music Awards, he won two awards: World’s Best Entertainer and World’s Best Album Awards.
Image from Seoul Museum of Art “PEACEMINUSONE” exhibition
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For the Bolding and Daring
By: Ericka McGriff
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Sure every girl loves a good, natural “no make up” makeup face, but who wants to blend into the crowd? For the girl who’s not afraid to stand out, to be noticed, and who loves a not so subtle look, the future is yours. With strong over
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exaggerated contours, to bright, electric mesmerizing eyes, and geometric symmetric infatuation, sure every girl appreciates a good smokey eye, but every now and then a good “look-at-me” makeup is all a girl really needs in her life.
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All images: Photographer- Alexander Neumann, Assistant Photographer- Emily Steele, Makeup Artist- Lexys Velarde, Models- Caroline Cook, Emily Steele and Brenyce Watson
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NUOVO NUOVO Issue: 1
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