Chief Editor Omarr Olasewere
creative director writers
photographers
Larry Dupard Michael Brewer Tiffani Moreno Suzanne Akceylan Erika Thomas Escalante Merry Widjaya Laura Abigail Eniko Szucs
inter
Back to School List: Pens, Paper and The G.O.O.D.S to Roll to School Properly
Complete the suitable Summer ensemble that indicates the successful direction to good grades with an A+ in Style 101. With Fall Semester jetting closer to the last beach party before summer’s end, The G.O.O.D.S Magazine is bringing an “Electric Current� through the fashion frequencies to revamp a subtle wardrobe. A massive wave of colors inspires bolder ensembles, lavishness going-out get-ups, & must have items for a smooth transition from summer break to class sessions. Summer is still sizzling and night life is heating up the night sky. August is a sunny month to focus on a bright future, not only academically, glitter is pouring onto fabrics and electrifying contemporary patterns. Downtown and beachfront bars are ideal places to visit before school starts. Make an appealing fashion statement with the G.O.O.D.S and make sure others hear you loud and clear. Take our crash course on pulling off bold looks while staying in the safe lane when wearing a daring or rebellious outfit. Dressing age appropriate and accordingly will score you fashion points and show that you have your things together, with assistance from your friends at the G.O.O.D.S. Magazine. Grooming is essential in a first impression and nobody wants to be set aside from success because of a lack of personal maintenance. This issue we are taking a step back from our regular scheduled program to give you a few editorial pieces we thought we very creative and full of life. This bite size issue should hold you over until we release our monstoruous september Fall issue.
rlude
Sagacity A Reminder From : Suzanne Akceylan
Voldemort is my college roommate from freshman year. She wasn’t born with such a descriptive name, but it’s the one I gave her because the sound of her real name has harshed my mellow ever since I discovered her spreading of my private secrets and information, as well as a few lies... not to mention the trash-talking. A type of inspiration for Ke$ha’s song “Backstabber.” Voldemort doesn’t have an apartment and was crashing at our mutual friend’s, actually my best friend’s, apartment. I’ve seen her once or twice throughout the past year, because it was last summer when her gossip spilled and I wished her a, “Nice f*$&ing life.” Sitting on his couch while my friend is at work, she comes in full with tears and woes of what a terrible day she’s had. The cheetah has yet to change her fake and manipulative spots.
If there is one thing all her deception and cruelty has taught me, it’s that, and my therapist says it so eloquently, “No one else’s judgement of you is more important than your judgement of yourself.” The most important relationship we have is the one we have with ourselves. Be who you are and trust who yourself above all. If you spend all your time focusing on someone else and what they say and their wrongs towards you, you give them a kind of power over you. But, if you stick to you, their significance withers away along with the pains they’ve caused. After all the awful things she has done and said, I swallowed my angst, remained myself, and killed her with the kindness she doesn’t have.
Y T S E J A M & HER S E V L O W THE REVIEW BY Michael Brewer
Each time I think of the name “Her Majesty & The Wolves” a few things come to mind: Twilight, Underworld, Dracula and pretty much any occult or demon filled story. But that’s not the case with electronic duo fronted by former member of now defunct Pussycat Dolls Kimberly Wyatt (The Girl who always had her leg extended above her head) and Spencer Nenzy of Jupiter Rising. This isn’t the first time that former members of different groups come together to form new musical projects and it won’t be the last. Both of them come from different musical backgrounds but have come together in some weird way that is hit-or-miss for the most part. Even the album title “111” and seems to continue this trend. The album artwork seems very faded but the title seems very cryptic and brings to mind Binary Codes. If Fergie and Will.I.Am were to do songs without the other members of BEP it might sounds somewhat similar to this but with better vocals.
As the album begins you are plunged into the deep with tribal drums and a haunting phaser. Then, the album kicks into high gear with the stunning retro-dance stylingof “Stars In Your Eyes” which happens to be the strongest vocal performance from Miss Wyatt complete with ad-libs, pseudo-melismic sprinkles and gentle bits of falsettos. This song showcases both Kimberly and Spencer’s strengths and hides their flaws well. We fall into the next selection of “Walking On The Sun” which re-establishes the jungle-drums from the intro. Unfortunately we’re taking along on this ride that gives the same or nearly identical impression left by the previous song vocally. The next song “Emerald Showers” presents a new idea of Spencer singing which gives the song more depth over a lush Euro-Trancey bounce. The album takes a dreary turn with “Shades of Grey.” Spencer takes the helm again singing lead with his rich voice and moody expressions over the heavy and sluggish production. Its a downer to say the least and misfire to place the song right after such bright and vibrant songs that proceeded. Soon we find ourselves in a dream on “Goodbye/Goodnight” that sounds like an updated version of Daft Funk’s classic “One More Time” thanks in part to Spencer’s vocals overshadowing little Kimberly. We hit the first interlude of the album “Dream” which to understanding is an epilogue to the previous song. We’re introduced to “Never Come Down” that once again presents Spencer as the lead vocalist of the album. Even with the harmonies, Kimberly is barely heard but from she’s delivered thus far, I don’t think she’s really missed. She must be still asleep by this point of the album. Once she finally reawakens she sings with much intensity on the experimental electronica track “Glaciers.” The album soon comes undone with the forgettable “Spinning Circles” and the misplaced interlude of “Rise.” The album tries to pick itself back up with “Cut Me Down,” a Rock/Electro number even with its own rock-drum loop. Kimberly seems more aware on this song. The album ends on a somewhat perplexing note with the Drake-esque “Our Love” followed by the last unnecessary interlude “Mantra.” This album had many pitfalls such as misplaced interludes and sometimes over-accessorized production. It started off with much fire and passion. It soon began to lose it steam and became stuck on the side of the road. I felt that Kimberly took the backseat on this album. This album could have benefited from the same kind of punch that was present on “Stars In Your Eyes.” Surprisingly Spencer was the leader of this pack of wolves. There weren’t enough good moments to enjoy for long due to the unfortunate track arrangements. When the album would shine, it shined brighter than any star in your eye but when it was dim it was darker than any shade of gray.
h c a e b s s i l b Photographer: Merry Widjaya Stylist: Regina Moretto Makeup: Jason Melgar Hair: Ashley Sparks Model: Sara Cremer
C xmakeup Photographer: Laura Abigail MUA: Aaike Christens Model: Charlotte Goyvaerts Cupcakes and pie: www.detaartenfee.be and www.cakediscount.be
play clothes Photography: Escalante Models: Brooke and Ashlynn The Rock Agency Hair and Make Up: Lynda Spring Ford Artists Wardrobe Stylist: Ruben Lopez Lily's Talent Agency Wardrobe Assistant: Crystal Mendez and Emmanuel Gutierrez Location: The Congress Hotel
Sunshine state
By: Erika Thomas
Yellow is stylish, glam, gorgeous and it’s never been more on trend than it is now. Designers such as Michael Kors, Derek Lam, Etro and many others crafted frocks for the runway this season that are overthe-top fabulous—ones that are sure to give your summer style a supersurge of electricity. Luxurious fabrics like silk, matte jersey and cotton pique’ make these wares even more irresistible. Shades range from
high-voltage brights to subdued and feminine pastels, and with so many great hues to choose from there is something for everyone. To style-proof your look, pair yellow with neutrals or bold colors like fuchsia, green and blue—and you can never go wrong when you pair it with white. Yellow is one chic and sophisticated color that when worn, makes it easy to ignite sparks wherever you go.
HERE I AM KELLY ROWLAND ALBUM REVIEW BY Michael Brewer
After many album delays, label drama, and media scrutiny to see Kelly now even more confident and determined than ever is a testament of her strength to endure such odds. Judging from the immense and tumultuous journey it has been for Ms. Rowland over the last six years, this album could not be more aptly titled Here I Am. It seems to be her declaration of survival and independence. With this being album No. 3 in her catalog it’s safe to say that this album is the one she always wanted to make. The sensuality and confidence seems to pour right into your senses and never lets you go. The first selection of the album “I’m Dat Chick” produced by hit-maker Tricky Stewart and written by currently one of music’s most sought-after write Ester Dean opens the album with energy and much sass. Assisted by a blaring of heavy drums and horns, Kelly’s staccato pace aligned with her ATL-accent delivers a very diva-inyour-face performance that captures the spirit of the album well. Keeping up the pace and energy, she follows up with Rodney Jerkins produced “Work It Man” that includes an ole DooWop piano introduction which fades into the strumming synths and heavy bass. Kelly purrs about how great her man is and how he’s far beyond the average man. And to elaborate on this mighty man that she praises, she sings with fiery passion “Push harder, you’re almost there now/ So go lover, make mama proud” on the urban
smash single “Motivation.” Its clear that Kelly has a fire that needs to be put out by the male form. Kelly does not stop her lust and proudly begs for it on “Lay It On Me.” With all these love letters she sings about how she loves love-making, she then turns her attention to herself with her self-appreciation anthem “Feelin Me Right Now.” Singing alongside a beautiful piano riff, booming bassline and a slinky drum loop. Somehow, Kelly did not get enough love-making before and she finds her way back to her leading man on the dreamy “All Of The Night” and the cosmic melody of “Keep It Between Us.” To conclude the adventures of our sexy lovemachine, she takes it to the clubs with the pulse-pounding dance-floor destroyer “Commander” produced by the legendary DJ David Guetta. Kelly storms the club and aggressively declares dominion over the dance-floor and all who inhabits it. But as Depeche Mode said it best “I Just Can’t Get Enough” and Kelly obviously can not either. She needs one last fling and she’s ready for anything on the Red-One cultivated electro-sizzler “Down For Whatever.” After listening to this 10-track LP, its very clear that Kelly has been sexually frustrated which may be a metaphor for her years of artistic and creative stifling. Being under the iron fist of Matthew Knowles and in the shadow of Beyonce, Kelly has emerged as a femme fatale ready to take on any obstacle, any foe or any situation that she encounters. This album is laced with great production, solid writing and a streamline of well polished songs that gel together well. A great step forward in the evolution of Kelly Rowland. Hopefully this will not be her last stand.
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d r haandy c Designer: La Quan Smith Photographer: Eniko Szucs Producer: Adaku Okpi Makeup: Lazarus TheMAkeupMan Hair: Amy Theard Shoes: Walter Steiger Manicurist: Jasmin Walton Models: Aminat Ayinde Amber Tolliver Danielle Filmore Eyerusalem Eyer端
LaQuan Smith, was born on August 30th, 1988 in Queens, NY. LaQuan has always had a love for fashion and design, but at the age of 13, his grandmother passed on her old Singer sewing machine for LaQuan to practice on. LaQuan began with simple patterns and then reached out and developed his own techniques on creating garments. After a tramautic and difficult battle with a cancer, LaQuan was able to regroup and refocus on his passion- fashion design. In 2007, after graduating from high school LaQuan began working as an intern at a prominent magazine in New York City, Blackbook. Yet, realizing his fashion thirst was not quenched LaQuan soon began exploring his design talents and in 2008, he created his self titled designer brand.Here are a few of his pices from his S/S 2011 collection.