ISSUE 2: THE FANTASTICS ISSUE by menacemag

ISSUE 2 SPRING SUMMER 2022

JACK BLANCO JUSTAS VAICIULIS ALIOU LOU CLORY DOSSANTOS ISIAH ZION OSKAR DAMEGARD TYRONE SMITH JAIDYN SOMMERS OWEN TOPPING NEWTON KANGETHE TOM BANKS JANNES ARNDT

THE THE FANTASTICS FANTASTICS ISSUE ISSUE

KORNELIJUS BUDRYS X TOM J JOHNSON

page 17

NEW YORK CITY BOY

page 18

Jack Blanco X Mark Arroyo BAD HERO page 26 Justas Vaiciulis X Jakub Koziel FAMILY page 34 Aliou, Clory and Isiah X Clare Setian DAY TO NIGHT page 50 Oskar Damegard X Klara Fowler LONDON BOY page 58 Tyrone, Jaidyn and Owen X Akin O’Boye FRESH PRINCE page 64 Newton Kangethe X Jakub Koziel I AM HOT FOR YOU

page 70

Kornelijus Budrys X Tom J Johnson RUDE BOY page 84 Tom Banks X Clare Setian THE ONE (DER EINE)

page 92

Jannes Arndt X Terrance Whittaker

MENACE MANAGEMENT

Letter from the founder

@menacemodelmanagement www.menacemodels.co.uk

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND FOUNDER Patrick Egbon-Marshall @patch1977 MANAGING EDITOR Melissa Santos @melissasxntos EDITORIAL DIRECTOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER Clare Setian @claresetian CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Tom J Johnson @tomjjohnsonphoto Mark Arroyo @arroyoworks Jakub Koziel @jakub_koz Klara Fowler @klara_fowler Akin O’Boye @londonakin Terence Whitaker @terry.w.whitaker

M...Is for MENACE What’s in a name? As founder, this was a pivotal question that led to the creation of the agency. I came to realise that amongst other things, it was the word ‘MENACE’, for all its other meanings could also represent a state of resistance and resilience, fearlessness and forward thinking. As Editor in Chief, these are the same ingredients that led to the creation of M Magazine! A platform by Menace to celebrate Menace. We have an amazing board of diverse and talented models and creatives and we want everyone else to share this with us. We have taken control of our own creative destiny and are forging our own path within our own industry. We are unique and we wait for no one! We want to share our editorial platform and support as many creatives of all levels who are willing to also support, work and grow with us as a family. This is why this issue means a lot to us because it is the next step from the idea of the first issue and a recognition of our resilience to have already come this far. I would like to thank my team who have worked so hard and all the contributors who took part in the shoots and have allowed us to share their talent. To all the models who continue to form the foundation of our family; you are all fantastic. I hope you enjoy The Fantastics Issue!

NEW YORK CITY BOY

Jack Blanco X Mark Arroyo

BAD HERO

Justas Vaiciulus X Jakub Koziel

INDIVIDUALITY & VISION

@badheroofficial www.badhero.com

FAMILY

By Clare Setian

Photography

Clare Setian

Meet Clare Setian and the boys. For this

An intimate editorial shot in Menace’s very

second edition of M Magazine, Aliou, Clory

own office in London, these three boys

and Isiah take over one of the covers in this

demonstrate a notion of regality that is

special story, Family, shot and directed

assisted by the styling from Vintage Threads.

by Clare. From shooting the agency’s

headshots, to high-fashion editorials, the

Clare delves into more detail about her

informal

and

casual

conversation,

Styling

Vintage Threads

28 year old photographer from Valencia

photography background and the chemistry

Models

Aliou Lou Clory Dossantos

knows how to execute a concept from start

between these Menace boys that made

Isiah Zion

to finish and bring ideas to life. This story

Family happen.

Words

Family is no exception.

Melissa Santos

Tell us more about your photography background and journey? “Well, I was born and raised in a small town in Valencia, Spain, and to be honest I was never surrounded by fashion or creative people. My town has a very big classical music influence so I actually always thought that I would be a musician in an orchestra (I play the saxophone). I then

three years and with no experience in the

developed a love for fashion and clothes and

fashion industry, I went to Milan for two

even toyed with the idea of being a fashion

months and a whole new world opened for

designer haha. But then as fate would have it,

me. I fell in love with fashion photography,

my mum and dad bought me my first camera

so I guess it was then that my journey truly

and I fell in love with photography.”

began. I then decided to move to London and lots of new doors opened for me. I

“I started shooting my friends, creating

started meeting all sorts of people in the

something that most creatives hold close to

layouts in my mind and coming up with so

industry, one of them being Patrick. I then

their hearts. As creatives, the opportunity

many new ideas. I developed a passion for

began shooting fashion editorials non-stop

of being surrounded by other creatives, no

photography, so I decided to study it. After

for magazines and also for portfolio use. The

matter what medium or discipline, in order

people around me really inspired me and I

to help fuel our own creativity is truly a

soon found that when you surround yourself

privilege. It sometimes takes a team to bring

with other creative people, magic happens.

brilliance to life, much like M Magazine, and

It’s beautiful, you kind of get addicted to it.”

with so many creatives emerging into the industry, there has never been a better time

This story demonstrates the kind of beautiful

to collaborate and create.

magic Clare makes happen. She touches on When we open ourselves to other people’s ideas and perspectives, we open ourselves to more greatness. It’s sometimes easy to stick to industry norms, but that’s not what Menace or the models are about. Through these in-house editorials, Menace is taking back creative control and proving to the world that they’re only just getting started.

What was it about these three boys together that worked so well together? “Well,

for

one

thing,

they

looked beautiful. But mostly, it was their camaraderie and visible chemistry on set. They quickly became a little family unit and

editorial, there is also a feeling of nostalgia

to see them having fun together made it all

present within the story. It’s a feeling that

the easier to capture their dynamism.”

these are industry legends in the making.

Can you tell us a bit more about the styling?

Were there any points of inspiration or

“For

this

cover

shoot

references for this story?

collaborated with Vintage Threads. Their

“It was a whole process to

team put together all the looks and they

arrive at this idea to be honest. At the

did an amazing job. I’d love to give them

beginning, we were shooting a completely

a shoutout, definitely check them out

different story, with different models and

on their Instagram you can find here @

a different scenario. But I always wanted to

vintagethreads_ldn.”

shoot Aliou and Clory together so started creating new mood boards focusing on

The boys dripped in such unique pieces in

them. Balenciaga family campaigns were

unison together, it’s hard not to be in awe

my first inspiration for the shoot and

of their dapperness; the magic is real. With

everything started making more sense

such recognizable prints from the likes of

in my head. However, something was still

Burberry and Fendi, it’s easy for the clothes

missing. I wanted to portray a brotherhood

to wear the models, but not with the Menace

vibe and that’s when Isiah came along, he

boys. Aliou, Clory and Isiah are naturals and know how to stand as a family unit stronger than the iconic pieces they wear. Such a thought through and excellently executed

is and how it encapsulates Menace so well. Being able to tell a story of family and unity through this creative lens is the work of an editorial director who is also a visionary. Above all, part of Clare’s brilliance is her was the missing piece for this shoot. Three

recognition for the other creatives she

beautiful Black boys posing as a family for

works collaboratively with.

the cover of the first print issue of a family magazine. Because that’s what M magazine is; family.”

What was your favourite part of the shoot? “One of my favourite parts was working with such a diverse, talented team.

Menace is more than an agency and this

Having people from so many different

story shot by Clare proves this through

backgrounds coming together to create

and through. The relationships between

one vision was really inspiring for me. I also

all members is the reason the Menace

usually don’t enjoy the editing process

family keeps on growing including models,

but with this shoot, I definitely did. I found

photographers and all other contributors.

myself getting more and more excited when

Menace is a hub for diverse talent and this

I saw just how vibrant the colours were and

second edition of M Magazine is only the

how beautiful they turned out to be as the

beginning of what more is to come.

story unfolded through them.”

As the conversation with Clare comes to

What do you hope to see more of in the

a close, it’s evident how special this shoot

industry moving forwards? “WOMEN IN CHARGE! This industry is led by men and that needs to change. The majority of photographers, fashion designers, creative directors etc, are male and we need to showcase women’s visions,

and timeless, that’s the foundation of what M Magazine is all about. Clare is a powerful photographer who is blazing through the industry and making a name for herself. And on the other hand, these three boys Aliou, Clory and Isiah represent just a fraction of the talent that Menace has to offer. Watch more female power. When the industry gatekeepers promote one voice and agenda, it’s hard for emerging female talent to break through. We need to give a platform to more diverse artists in order to reflect different forms of expression.” Say no more. Diversity within the industry will always be a necessity. When we allow the space for creatives from all different backgrounds and disciplines to enter and bring their ideas and talents, we open up room for more perspectives, new voices and above all; innovation. Working collaboratively with a range of people is how to make a difference and produce content that is fresh and keeps the world turning. The industry has a while to go but that’s what this story of family is dismantling. Creative

this space closely.

DAY AND NIGHT

Oskar Damegard X Klara Fowler

LONDON BOY Tyrone Smith X Akin O’Boye

LONDON BOY Jaidyn Sommers X Akin O’Boye

LONDON BOY Owen Topping X Akin O’Boye

FRESH PRINCE

Newton Kangethe X Jakub Koziel

I AM HOT FOR YOU By Tom J Johnson

A photographer that explores different

Kornelijus Burdys demonstrates the raw

mediums to tell a narrative, Tom J Johnson

talent that M Magazine is so passionate

joins M Magazine as one of The Fantastics

about sharing with the rest of the industry.

Issue covers. Based between Somerset and Photography Styling

Peter Bevan

Grooming

Tom J Johnson

London, Tom has established himself as a

Tom speaks authentically and beautifully

photographer who captures the beauty of

about his work and this story, which

body movement through an editorial lens.

M Magazine wanted the world to read

Anni Rademacher

untouched. This means that’s all from us, as

Model

Kornelijus Budrys

A privilege to welcome Tom as part of

we let Tom share the driving force behind

Words

Melissa Santos

the Menace family, this story with model

his craft and the process behind this story.

Knitted crop top Pronounce Shorts Daniel Fletcher Socks Lacoste Boots Vagabond Bracelet Maria Black Rings Isabel Bonner and Vivienne Westwood

Can you tell us more about your photography background and journey? “Photography initially came to me because of my terrible painting skills. I studied art at GCSE, and was always frustrated with how the ideas I had in my head would never quite come to fruition

of representation within the medium.

on paper. We had a project during the

Then through my own background in the

course which allowed us to take reference

performing arts, I naturally felt myself

images to then paint from and my interest

drawn to photographing dancers, actors,

in photography developed from there. I

and musicians, for the way they embody

started off with lots of self portraiture,

a character on set and can so easily form

What narrative did you want to portray in

utilizing the countryside I grew up in around

a narrative with my concept. You can also

this story?

Somerset to create more concept-driven,

be so much more adventurous with posing

surreal photographs. “

which is a huge benefit in itself.”

“I feel like in this instance, I went into the shoot with a technical vision in mind, which is usually a second thought to the

“I also used to really over produce my

How would you describe your work to

story. But I knew from the offset that I wanted

images in Photoshop afterwards, which in

somebody who has never seen it?

to really use this shoot to try out a multi-

hindsight created some really ghastly edits

“I would describe my work today as

light set up and see how it complimented

but allowed me to develop my skills in post

sitting on the boundary between performing

film as a medium in comparison to digital.

production. I’m very thankful for this today

arts and fashion, a duality of the two. I like

I’ve developed much of my skill set through

as it gave me a huge head-start on what would

to hark back to my earlier work in terms of

self teaching, and try more nowadays to

later be my retouching process. I studied a

how my images sit in relation to reality, in

acknowledge that it’s okay to experiment

fashion photography course at university

that I personally don’t enjoy creating images

with an element of failure involved.”

which gave me the practical studio skills I

that feel too realistic. I love feeling like I’m

“This is why I didn’t want to assert any

lacked and also an understanding of British

creating another world, and having that

preconceived narrative onto this shoot as

fashion history and a wider knowledge

reflected in the visual tropes I use, which is

I wanted to give myself the freedom to be

often a mix between my lighting, pose, and

playful. And I feel like now, this is what ended

the way I play with medium format in post.

up being the narrative, from the styling to

But absolutely not to what I suppose would

the posing, Kornelijus’ personality in itself

be the hyper-digital extent they were a few

to Anni Rademacher’s grooming; everything

years ago.”

carried this lighthearted playful attitude which I didn’t really realise until afterwards.”

What did the creative process behind this story look like? “This story originated from me wanting to try out a new lighting set up,

Top Jeans Socks Shoes Bracelet Rings

Carlotta Barrera Zilver Lacoste Stefan Cooke Maria Black Isabel Bonner and Vivienne Westwood

and we ended up shooting it on a freezing day in December. So in shooting the story, I knew I wanted to shoot something that felt brighter and warmer than what we felt outside, and Peter Bevan who’s the fantastic

how to present all of the styling to a super

stylist behind the fashion, pulled some

high standard and was essentially the face

brilliant clothing that carried the same sort

of the playful, lighthearted attitude of the

of discourse in relation to more dynamic

day. The original shoot idea fell through due

paneling and cut outs that fit this style.”

to complications with covid, and Kornelijus

enjoy the process more. I love how clean and

actually came in at the last minute to save

dynamic the image feels through the bright

“The shoot started with a moodboard, which

the day and bring the shoot above and

background and use of shape in the cutouts

I shared with Peter, and then we cast it to

beyond what I’d originally had in mind. He’d

of the styling, and the way the fill lights

match. But in the post production process, I

already made the shoot a success before

help accentuate the contours in Kornelijus’

felt the images I’d taken on my Canon lacked

we’d started. “

silhouette and bone structure. But I still feel

texture. They were missing some of the

like it maintains that delicacy that I like to

depth that the film images had and I wanted

Do you have a particular favourite shot and

capture in my work, but presents it from a

them to read as one story. This is how I ended

can you tell us why?

new perspective perhaps.”

up printing some of the images to achieve

“I do! It’s a shot of Kornelijus

the paper texture on some of the final edits

wearing the cutout Carlota Barrera vest with

If anything at all, what’s the aim you’re trying

and make the different looks between the

the cutout Zilver trousers, with a hand on

to accomplish with your work?

mediums feel deliberate. I felt this added an

the opposing shoulder looking directly into

“Essentially, I just want to show

element of nostalgia that helped unify the

camera. From a photographic standpoint,

the personality of my subject. I feel like a

story.”

I’m drawn to this image because it’s the first instance where the new set up I wanted to

How was it working alongside the model,

try actually worked. So from here on you

Kornelijus?

sort of let out a sigh of relief and can actually

“Working with Kornelijus was a joy. He’s an incredible creative, and was really cooperative and keen to try out whatever pose or expression I asked of him. He knew

shoot is a success when you can feel the subject through the photograph, as the viewer, and feel like you can begin to know them. It demonstrates a connection, trust, and I feel like a shoot can feel flat if this is missing. This is why I thoroughly enjoy working with performers, in that it gives you an opportunity to represent personalities other than the person in the photograph.

through collaborating with queer stylists or

It can really help elevate a concept if the

talent; fashion and photography can create

demeanour of the subject can adapt to

an incredibly safe and nurturing space to

match it.”

experience these things now.”

“But I guess ultimately, my work is an outlet

Not only a magician with the camera but

to explore things I feel I perhaps missed out

with words also, Tom’s transparency about

on growing up. I usually work with dancers

his brilliance is both inspirational and

because I feel like I became interested in

motivating. Being able to create a space

dance too late to do what they do to that

for talented creatives to share more about

level now, but I can photograph it and

themselves is what the industry needs. It

experience it this way instead. Or with queer

contributes to giving emerging creatives

identity, I was very closeted growing up in

that extra nudge some of them need.

a small countryside village with no LGBTQ+ representation that I can remember, and my

The connection between the viewer and

work allows me to fully indulge in an element

Kornelijus through Tom’s lens is present in

of myself I used to ignore, whether this be

a very unique way and that’s what makes this front cover and story so powerful. This shoot is only a glimpse into how Tom views the world and it has been an honour to his work a part of this special, fantastic, issue.

RUDE BOY

Tom Banks X Clare Setian

THE ONE (DER EINE)

Jannes Arndt X Terence Whitaker Hair and makeup Styling

Samantha Pottmaier

Emily Hawkins Emre Wagner

100

101

102

103