The Intersection of Creativity and Evolution
N T E N T S
MEET THE PUBLISHER
ART
FASHION
CREATIVES
VISUAL
MEET THE PUBLISHER
KHALIPH YOUNG
Publisher-Creative Director Lotus | Content Creator, Strategist
Long before my journey into television, multimedia, and digital storytelling began, my passion for creative media was sparked in the most nostalgic way flipping through the pages of my motherʼs magazines. Titles like Vogue, W Magazine, Architectural Digest, and National Geographic filled our home, each page a treasure trove of captivating photos, brilliant layouts, and stunning graphics. I was mesmerized by the artistry and craftsmanship that brought these publications to life. Those moments ignited something in me, and before long, I was cutting out images, making collages, and immersing myself in the world of design.
This love for graphic design and print has always stayed with me. Itʼs a passion thatʼs evolved as Iʼve grown in my television career by doing motion graphics for TV and video projects, but one dream has remained constant: creating a magazine of my own.
Itʼsbeen an idea that has lingered in my heart, waiting for the right moment to take flight, and now, that moment is here. Enter Lotus. This digital magazine is a canvas where I can celebrate the creative things and people who inspire me artists, designers, and creative visionaries whose work and stories deserve to be shared. Lotus isnʼt just about showcasing creativity; itʼs about sparking something within all of us. Itʼs a space for creative rebirth, renewal, and the rediscovery of inspiration through the artistic lens of others.
So hereʼs to new beginnings and creative journeys. Welcome to Lotus, a celebration of art, culture, and the endless pursuit of beauty and meaning. Letʼs bloom together.
EMPATHY IS A UNIVERSAL LOVE LANGUAGE
Mous Lamrabat: Photographer
Jamea Richmond-Edwards: Reframing Black American Narratives Through Art
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, during the crack and AIDS epidemics of the 1980s and 1990s, Jamea Richmond-Edwards has channeled her lived experiences into a powerful body of work that challenges, inspires, and redefines. An interdisciplinary artist, Richmond-Edwards is known for her monumental assemblages, immersive installations, and vibrant collages that explore Black womanhood, legacy, and self-esteem through familial histories and autobiographical lenses.
“I didnʼt have to visit a museum to understand art,” Richmond-Edwards reflects. “My generation inherited the artistic and cultural legacy of the Motown Era.” This deep cultural grounding has influenced her work, which seamlessly blends material and spiritual planes through improvisational gestures, intricate self-portraiture, and figurative groupings imbued with multimedia auras.
artistry, and her pieces resonate with themes of mythos, imagination, and community.
Currently, Richmond-Edwards is pushing boundaries in her studio, experimenting with new materials and techniques. “My paintings are autobiographical, inspired by the lived experiences of those closest to me,” she shares. With a mission to bring nuance and authenticity to the representation of Black American experiences in art history, Richmond Edwards continues to shape a legacy that is both deeply personal and universally profound.
The lotus blossom technique
is a visual brainstorming method that helps generate ideas and explore them in a systematic way. The technique uses a grid structure to organize ideas around a central theme. The central idea is placed in the center of the grid, with related ideas or themes placed around it. Each of these sub-themes can then be further explored by becoming the center of a new grid.
Azzah Smith: Weaving Detroitʼs Soul Into Fiber Art
AZZAH SMITH FASHION
Founder, Fibers & Design
Azzah Smith, a distinguished fashion and textile artist, has been transforming visions into tangible works of art for over two decades. With her hands immersed in fabric and fibers since 1998, Smith’s practice bridges traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation, rooted in her deep connection to Detroit’s rich culture and history.
upcycling, Smith’s work is an ode to the versatility of fiber arts. Her materials and sustainable practices, embracing deconstruction and Smith’s artistic journey is as dynamic as her designs. A graduate of
Education with a minor in Fashion Design and Merchandising, she brought her creative talents to Detroit Public Schools before dedicating 26 years to the Detroit Institute of Arts one of the nation’s largest museums.
Her expertise has shaped the local fashion scene through freelance design, collaborations with retailers, and gallery exhibitions. Azzah’s dedication has elevated fiber art, demonstrating its ability to merge cultural storytelling with sustainable innovation.
Azzah Smith isn’t just creating art; she’s crafting a narrative one where Detroit’s resilience, creativity, and cultural roots are interwoven with the threads of sustainability and tradition.
Innovation is not only about technology. Innovation is within the way you eat, how you relate to people, what you think, how you move.
CREATIVES
The Sonic Visionary: Robert C. Taylor Beyʼs Journey from Fashion Icon to Healing Dj
Robert C. Taylor-Bey
CREATIVE
Robert C. Taylor Bey’s life is a mosaic of creativity, evolution, and purpose. Born in Highland Park, Michigan, on February 25, 1974, Robert’s journey began humbly, but his trajectory has been anything but ordinary. From a thriving career as a celebrity fashion stylist to a transformative path as a sonic healer, Robert has continually reinvented himself, proving that art and creativity transcend boundaries.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Robert made waves in the fashion and entertainment industries. As a Midwest Regional Representative and brand ambassador for esteemed designers such as Azuray, Indigo Red, and Control 5 Soul, he carved a niche for himself in the bustling world of fashion. His impeccable styling graced the likes of Slum Village, Musiq Soulchild, and Raheem DeVaughn, and his role as wardrobe manager for *Wild ’N Out* seasons two and three solidified his influence in the industry. During the MySpace era, Robert expanded his creative portfolio, spearheading digital marketing efforts as the Midwest Regional Representative for the platform.
But in 2010, Robert pivoted. Leaving the glitz and glamour behind, he redefined himself as a sonic healer, a role that perfectly marries his love for music and his passion for mental and emotional well-being. Drawing inspiration from legends like Jeff “The Wizard” Miles, Moodyman, and Jazzy Jeff, Robert embraces an open-format DJ style that blends healing frequencies, color psychology, and visual arts. His holistic approach fosters emotional and mental wellness, using sound as a bridge to inner peace.
Robert lives by his motto, “Grace is godly,” a philosophy rooted in forgiveness, acceptance, and divine love. From styling celebrities to healing souls, Robert C. Taylor Bayʼs story is one of artistic evolution and unyielding purpose a testament to the power of transformation through creativity.
THE VIEW DOWN HERE
Mous Lamrabat:Through My Lens
VISUAL
Mous Lamrabat
Moroccan-Belgian photographer
Recognized for his exploration of themes such as identity, diversity, and self-expression, Lamrabat's photography is a captivating blend of bold colors, surreal compositions, and a unique fusion of contemporary and traditional elements. Born in Morocco and raised in Belgium, his diasporic perspective adds a nuanced layer to his storytelling, delving into notions of belonging and identity through the lenses of beauty, spontaneity, and humor.
Lamrabat's "Mousganistan" offers a utopian cultural exhibition that transcends divisions, racism, and status. Through the unapologetic authenticity of his fusion of Western and Moroccan aesthetics, he celebrates diversity in religion, gender, beauty, and cultural origin. Inviting audiences to glimpse into a future where elevated art and dignified representation coexist harmoniously, Mous Lamrabat creates a visual narrative that challenges norms and inspires a celebration of individuality and connectivity. Lamrabat's global brand collaborations with Whatsapp and YSL stand as testament to his influence in the industry, as he continues to push boundaries and redefine visual storytelling on a global scale.
Mous Lamrabat:Photo
A Glow That Defies the Dark
"As each page turns, so does the story of creativity— endless, evolving, and ever-inspiring. Until next time, stay inspired and let your vision take root."
