BELLO mag #105

BELLO Entertainment

FEBRUARY 2016

Tokyo

Diaries Domestic

Goddess Master Penman:

Jake Weidmann

Starring HTGAWM’s

#105

MATT MCGORRY

by Maarten de Boer

Surrealism with Maya Mladenovic

SOBELLO

Letter from the Editor O n e of the best things, in my opinion, about BELLO is that we get the choice to decide who we want to feature in our issues, so of course, we choose to the people we like. As an independent magazine, we can choose and pick talent, without the pressure for results, who allow us to bring to our readers cover stories and features different from anything you can see elsewhere. We also take into consideration your requests and wants, as we read all of your comments on social media.

So keep sending your ideas to @BELLOmag.

Matt McGorry, was game to create this artsy, portrait session with us, reminiscent of old hollywood stylized portraits. Make sure to read our exclusive interview with McGorry.

The issue is packed with interesting content from around the world. Our Entertainment Editor at Large, Hiko Mitsuzuka, takes us on an amazing journey in his article titled Tokyo Diaries. Also, make sure to check out the amazing fashion story Domestic Goddess, by Vancouverite photographer, Matthew Chen.

We hope you like this issue as much as we enjoyed making it.

Sincerely, Leslie Alejandro Executive Director

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BELLO CONTENTS 105 Entertainment

FEBRUARY 2016

Tokyo

Diaries Domestic

Goddess Master Penman:

Jake Weidmann

Starring HTGAWM’s

#105

MATT MCGORRY

by Maarten de Boer

Surrealism

with Maya Mladenovic

SOBELLO

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Letter from the Editor Contents Intro Masthead

DOMESTIC GODDESS

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JAKE WEIDMANN: MASTER PENMAN

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COVER: MATT MCGORRY

Top 8 Picks ART: Maya Miadenovic The Tokyo Diaries

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6 48 Miro Watches 8 50 Hotel G

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PHOTOGRAPHER MATTHEW CHEN STYLING SARAH D’ARCEY

HAIR MARC RIESE

MAKEUP AARON WOZLOWSKI

MODEL DANIELLE TAYLOR PRODUCER DAVID CHIN

INTRO February is known to be the month when most people feel the heart of winter and become depressed and tired, but February is also the month when most of the new TV shows are launched Mid-Season, and all our favorite ones are returning, making us happy all over again. HTGAWM (one of BELLO’s favorite) is almost back on our screens, and our favorite character is already gracing the cover of your favorite magazine ;) As always, we do listen to your suggestions and requests on social media, so we are happy to bring you Matt McGorry on the cover of our Entertainment issue in this sexy and playfull photo shoot.

Also in this issue we have the great Tokyo Diaries, as well as the sexy Domestic Goddess fashion story.

We feature the young and inspiring artist Maya Mladenovic and master penman Jake Weidmann.

Keep telling us about are your favorite shows and the talented faces you would like to see inside BELLO. Also make sure you follow @BELLOmag on Periscope as well as Instagram and Twitter, to be the first to see live BTS and learn about who we will be featuring next.

Ciao, Alek Editor in Chief Aleksandar Tomovic

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PUBLISHER IMAGE NATION STUDIO L.L.C. California, USA editorial@bellomag.com

ADVERTISING advertising@bellomag.com

Aleksandar Tomovic (editor in chief) alek@bellomag.com Stephane Marquet (creative director) steph@bellomag.com Leslie Alejandro (executive director) leslie@bellomag.com Dio Anthony (young hollywood editor) dio@bellomag.com Warren Alfie Baker (fashion director) warren@bellomag.com Nicole Walmsley (beauty editor) nicole@bellomag.com Michelle Ganney (Contributing Entertainment Editor) michelle@bellomag.com Dee Trillo (senior lifestyle and travel editor) dee@bellomag.com Fabio Fernandez (fashion news director) fabio@bellomag.com Kimmy Erin Kertes (fashion editor-at-large) kimmy@bellomag.com Hiko Mitsuzuka (entertainment editor-at-large) hiko@bellomag.com Morgan Stewart (lifestyle editor at large) boobsandloubs@bellomag.com Steven Carver (international editor) steven@bellomag.com Brent Lambert (design and technology editor) brent@bellomag.com Jon Norris (european editor) jon@bellomag.com Mark Norris (european editor) mark@bellomag.com Amanda Peixoto-Elkins (creative director, latin america) amanda@bellomag.com

INTERNS PAULO ACUÑA (editorial assistant) paulo@bellomag.com CELESTE PIRAINO (social media and communications assistant) celeste@bellomag.com

LAYOUT

NEBOJSA DOLOVACKI

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

DIO ANTHONY (Cover/Entertainment) BRENT LAMBERT (Design and Technology) MARK NORRIS (Lifestyle) HIKO MITSUZUKA (Lifestyle)

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

COVER: MAARTEN DE BOER (Los Angeles) MATTHEW CHEN (Vancouver BC)

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ENTERTAINMENT

Top 8 Picks

BY BRENT LAMBERT

Composer Federico Albanese’s stunning new instrumental album, The Blue Hour, has become a personal favorite of mine since it was released in mid-January.

Made with nothing more than a cello, synth, and piano, the emotional terrain he explores is truly breathtaking.

In their 9/10 review, Drowned In Sound writes: “The Blue Hour is one of the most hauntingly beautiful records you’ll ever hear.” You can grab your own copy by visiting his website at www.FedericoAlbanese.com.

Happify is a brilliant resource for anyone interested in the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. Their website has an incredible range of instructional exercises, games, and more that help you train your brain to build skills for lasting happiness. You can get all the info at www.Happify. com, and watch their terrific animated video explaining how mindfulness empowers us at https://youtu.be/ vzKryaN44ss

Business Insider’s recent video which demonstrates the process known as “immersion printing” absolutely blew my mind. In the video we see how camouflage patterns are printed onto soldiers’ helmets, as well as various other products such as car parts, etc. Get ready to be mesmerized by watching the video at www.goo.gl/MWg4wI

73-year-old director Werner Herzog remains one of the most prolific filmmakers in the world. His latest documentary explores the world of artificial intelligence and the possibility that the Internet and computers might one day evolve to develop their own consciousness -- or perhaps they already have. You can see the trailer for Lo And Behold: Reveries Of The Connected World here: www. goo.gl/fC2wKJ

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I am seriously hooked on the debut album from producers Joel Ford and Ian Evans. Mr. Foolish is a 10-track powerhouse blend of American house, cosmic funk and hip hop, including the standout track “Only You” (which I’ve listened to a thousand times this past week). You can stream the album in full at www.goo.gl/JSJIu6

What happens when you mix Tchaikovsky’s ballet masterpiece Swan Lake with Joy Division’s “Transmission”? This was the curious question asked by freelance motion graphics designer and editor, EVOL, and as you will see in his video the final result is pretty amazing. Watch “Swan Division” at www.vimeo.com/95911444

She’s only 22, but experts at NASA, MIT, and Harvard believe Sabrina Pasterski is the next Albert Einstein. What makes her so different compared to her other classmates? At 22 she is functioning at an equal or superior level to Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking when they were the same age.

You can read the full story at www.goo.gl/Evmcno

Seattle-based producer Benoit Pioulard is one of my favorite ambient artists in the world. His latest remix of Aphex Twin’s classic “Stone In Focus” is further proof of his mastery. Find your safe happy place, close your eyes, and press play on this beauty here: https://goo.gl/yAlV02

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ART

Young & Inspiring;

Exploring artist Maya Mladenovic’s dreamy world of Surrealism WRITTEN BY MARK NORRIS IG @mrmarknorris @the_norris_twins Twitter: @thenorristwins

THE WORLD OF SURREALIST ART OFFERS UP A REFRESHING PERSPECTIVE IN TODAY’S OVER-COMPLICATED ENVIRONMENT THAT WE ALL FIND OURSELVES LIVING WITHIN. A WORLD THAT DOESN’T HAVE BOUNDARIES, PRE-CONCEPTIONS, OR IDEOLOGIES, A WORLD THAT TELLS US THAT IMPERFECTION IS PERFECTION, RELEASE YOURSELF FROM THE AVERAGE, STEP OUT FROM BEHIND THE CONVENTIONAL, AND GO EXPLORE HOW LIFE SHOULD BE, OR COULD BE. WHAT IS ‘NORMAL’, ANYWAY?

Maya Mladenovic has lived in this surrealist world for many years, and recalls why art is her calling card in life: “I have been involved in art since I can remember and I will continue to do so until my last breathe. It is my first true love and my only passion in life…it is a true privilege to create artworks, and to inspire people.”

It is true, like many things in life, we all do things that appeal to us innately, things that are not chosen explicitly, but things that we have gravitated towards for one reason or another. In much the same way many musicians have explained away their enduring connection with writing and performing music, Maya tells me that surrealist art is not a chosen field, rather, a natural extension of her surrealist personality: “Being a surrealist is not a choice. It is how I was born and who I am, even in my day-to-day life. If you look at the paintings that I have done as a child they are pretty similar to what I am doing today. I guess

Beauty and the Beast

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David Bowie

by Maya Mladenovic

Fish & Chips

by Maya Mladenovic I just love the idea of creating a different reality and the fact that in art anything is possible.”

Her work continues to inspire me, every time I see a new piece posted on her instagram account, one can only imagine the thought and psychology that has gone into it, and this is the most fascinating part of surrealism.

It means different things to different people. Each juxtaposition, each arrangement of differing landscapes, they all create such muddled harmony at a distant glance. There is an admired depth to Maya’s work, it is obvious that there are many motivations for all of her pieces, and she explained her interest in psychology through art as a way of learning about life, and about herself: “I have always had a strong interest in psychology, so this interest helps me create artworks about people, their relationships with themselves, and others. Through this exploration I not only learn about the people and society we live in today, but I also learn a lot about myself. “ Art is about life, and life is about the art of perspective. Maya uses her art to tell a story about her life, to let others 9

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Modern Mona Lisa

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in on her thoughts, her journey, and the beauty of her creative cognition. She explains her motives and inspiration to me: “I once read somewhere that it is an artists duty to create artworks that speak about the time when he/ she was alive. We are supposed to leave this art for other generations to see, and to learn from, and that is my goal…my main career goal is to have a major exhibition at the Tate Modern and Pompidou, while I am alive.”

The Fine Art world is changing, for better or worse, we will only find out in the coming years. But one thing that remains a constant, young artists of today, like Maya, continue to create works that inspire, relate, and forgo any preconceptions of pastimes. They live in a refreshing world of their own, a world that elicits such energy and enthusiasm for creativity, and they live with an undying goal in life, to create a legacy of their own. Long may this continue.

Waterlilies

by Maya Mladenovic

For more of Maya’s works, please visit her online presence and Art Store: Etsy: ArtisticSideOfLife (www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ ArtisticSideOfLife?ref=shop_sugg) Instagram: @ArtisticSideOfLife_ Woman

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Facebook: www.facebook.com/ artisticsideoflife Twitter: @mayaartist February 2016 - BELLO

EDITORIAL

Domestic Goddess

BY MATTHEW CHEN

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BODYSUIT TOPSHOP SOCKS TOPSHOP SHOES STEVE MADDEN EAR CUFF ZARA

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BRA TOP & BOTTOMS VICTORIA’S SECRET FAUX FUR JACKET H&M RINGS TOPSHOP

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OVERALLS RAG AND BONE SHOES CONVERSE RING H&M

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TOP ARITZIA SKIRT TOPSHOP SOCKS TOPSHOP SHOES MICHAEL KORS LACE GLOVES BOHEMIA GALLERY BOW NECKLACE KATE SPADE PEARL NECKLACE KENNETH JAY LANE BRACELET (LEFT) MARC JACOBS RING (LEFT) ZARA BRACELET (RIGHT) JENNYBIRD

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SWEATER BCBG MAXAZRIA BOTTOMS VICTORIA’S SECRET RING BCBG MAXAZRIA

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DRESS ST. JOHN NECKLACE SWAROVSKI BRACELET JENNY BIRD

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SKIRT TOPSHOP LACE GLOVES BOHEMIA GALLERY PEARL NECKLACE KENNETH JAY LANE BRACELET (LEFT) MARC JACOBS RING (LEFT) ZARA BRACELET (RIGHT) JENNYBIRD RING (RIGHT) VINTAGEÂ

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FAUX FUR JACKET H&M RINGS TOPSHOP

Photographer MATTHEW CHEN www.mchenphotos.com | @mattchenphoto • Styling SARAH D’ARCEY | @s_darce Hair MARC RIESE using La Biosthetique products | @labiosthetiquecanada • Makeup AARON WOZLOWSKI | @awoz Model DANIELLE TAYLOR | @daniellekattaylor • Producer DAVID CHIN of EastWest Productions | @eastwestproductions 21

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ENTERTAINMENT

Master Penman Jake Weidmann: The Beauty, Art & Neuroscience Of Penmanship In The 21st Century

BY BRENT LAMBERT

“BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED.” THIS IS THE MANTRA OF 31-YEAROLD, DENVER-BASED ARTIST JAKE WEIDMANN, WHO IN 2011 JOINED THE RANKS OF ONLY 11 OTHERS IN THE WORLD WHO ARE OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED AS MASTER PENMEN BY THE IAMPETH MASTER PENMAN SOCIETY.

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are planted, then it’s safe to say Jake has blossomed many times over in Colorado.

Jake’s dedication to his craft is nurtured by his intense work ethic and drive to each day become better than he was the day before. As one of penmanship’s greatest masters once said, “You should study as much as you practice,” and Jake lives by this rule. Perhaps Jake’s favorite classroom of all is the exquisite natural world that surrounds him in Denver. He can often be found on hiking trails in the local wilderness where he sketches and makes his own unique observations of mother nature which he then incorporates into his pieces.

In this regard he’s not unlike one of his greatest heroes -- American master penman Platt Rogers Spencer (18001864), who created the art of cursive writing and Spencerian Script when he was all of 13-years-old. Spencer’s muse was rooted in his personal philosophy and theology in which he felt that God had instilled His beauty in nature. Spencer believed if he took Weidmann’s breathtaking works of art encompass the full breadth of his penman passions which include: calligraphy, business penmanship, ornamental and Spencerian script, Engrosser’s script, engrossing and illumination, offhand flourishing, text lettering, and even hand-carving (yes, he even lathes his own wooden pens).

His work is world renowned, and he is one of the most sought after artists of his kind anywhere in the world. If one truly is meant to bloom where they

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his cues from the natural world then his handwriting would be inherently imbued with God in return. Spencer was most inspired by the flowing lines he observed in the streams by his house, the gentle lean of the wheat blowing in the wind, and the rolling clouds over mountain peaks.Â

new younger generation of penmen to whom he will pass the baton in the decades ahead. In a world where cursive writing is being forgotten -- and in many schools, not even taught at all -- Jake is reminding us of the essential importance of cursive writing, both from

a historical and practical perspective, but also from a scientific one.

In a fascinating TED Talk, Jake explains how recent research in neuroscience has discovered how handwriting plays a significant role in developing the

Jake Weidmann has taken these and other lessons from the great masters to heart, which are self evident in the grace, sophistication, and intoxicating beauty of his towering body of work.

Not only is Jake becoming a legend in his craft, he is also inspiring an entirely

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to be true with typing, however, which does not involve the same types of differential tactile movements.

“Schools are leaning all the time more and more so on technology to help move kids down the conveyor belt of the education system,” says Weidmann in his TED Talk. “But what we need to do is be a good steward of both and listen to what our technology is telling us and pick up the pen and keep writing. It is not technology that is the direct enemy of the pen, it is our dependency on technology.”

To see all of Jake Weidmann’s extraordinary work be sure to visit his home at www.JakeWeidmann.com and follow him on Facebook here: www. goo.gl/N6AQUq. You can also see a gorgeous video profile of his life and work at www.bit.ly/20mt0QC, and watch his terrific TED Talk entitled “Penmanship for the 21st Century” here: www.bit.ly/1EAE1mV. (all photos courtesy of Jake Weidmann)

younger brain. FMRI brain scans of young children engaged in cursive writing have revealed that during the different tactile movements of doing handwriting, the brain lights up like a fireworks display as it is engaged in several areas simultaneously, and the information is quite literally ingrained into the brain. The same was not found

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ENTERTAINMENT

Tokyo Diaries The

HIKO HIKOMITSUZUKA MITSUZUKA(@TheFirstEcho) journeys (@TheFirstEcho) journeysto toJapan Japanto tosqueeze squeezeininall allthe theculture culturehe hecan...in can...in80 80hours. hours.

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A LIGHT DRIZZLE HAD ALREADY BEEN FALLING WHEN I WAS DRAWN TO A GLOWING VENDING MACHINE OUTSIDE THE TERMINAL AT NARITA INTERNATIONAL. IT WAS FILLED WITH AN ARRAY OF SOFT DRINKS, SOME OF WHICH I COULDN’T PRONOUNCE. I WAS LIKE A MOTH TO A FLAME, AND I NEEDED SOMETHING TO QUENCH MY THIRST AFTER THE ELEVEN-PLUS-HOUR FLIGHT FROM LOS ANGELES. IT WAS THERE WHERE I SELECTED MY FIRST TASTE OF JAPAN, A BOTTLE OF POCARI SWEAT, A LEMON-GRAPEFRUIT-FLAVORED WATER (THINK: GATORADE WITHOUT THE OBNOXIOUS COLORS AND LABELS). IT DID THE JOB AS I BOARDED NARITA’S “AIRPORT LIMOUSINE,” A CHARTER BUS THAT WOULD SHUTTLE ME AND MY FRIEND MATT TO THE POSH DISTRICT OF GINZA IN DOWNTOWN TOKYO.

The misty night air and glistening concrete, combined with the city’s inevitable neon signage, provided a nice, neo-noir ambiance as we moved deeper into the capital city. It’s the kind of atmosphere usually associated with films like 2003’s Lost in Translation, the cherished Sofia Coppola film that conjured up for all foreign travelers a romanticized ideal of the mega metropolis, or any given yakuza saga in which danger stealthily lingers in the handshakes of shady businessmen and behind the tinted windows of town cars.

It had been over a decade since I last visited Japan, and I was excited to experience the Land of the Rising Sun on my own – on my own time – without much family obligations. (My last visit was spent mourning a grandmother I had gotten to know throughout four occasions over a twelve-year period.) I had always wanted to return as an adult, to submerge myself in the culture of a country I had mostly learned about through tales of my father’s childhood and adolescence. Since half of my heritage originated from this island nation thousands of miles away from western coast of America, I knew I wanted to have an experience I could fully appreciate, one that blended both the traditional and the modern into one, awe-inspiring package. What better place to do that than Tokyo?

Photo credit: ⓒTOKYO-SKYTREE

After the airport limousine dropped us off at our designated stop, we managed to hail a taxi that zigzagged its way through the rainy Friday night traffic. It was a brief ride during which I started to envision the many possible adventures Tokyo promised. For one thing, I anticipated eating lots of fish and rice and squeezing in lots of walking in the following days. The perfect way to lose a couple of pounds, no?

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Our accommodations for the next four nights, Hotel Sunroute Ginza, came equipped with some nice amenities – God bless whoever invented the bidet.

The boutique hotel was located within a few blocks from the best shopping in the city. Having opened in the summer of 2015, it’s the newest addition to the stylish Sunroute chain that caters to a variety of high-end travelers and February 2016 - BELLO

The next three days consisted of some of the best sights and meals Tokyo had to offer. Within the first day, I was craving green tea-flavored everything. Lucky for me, I was in the capital of green teaflavored everything: chocolate bars, lattes, truffles, ice cream, muffins – you name it.

a warm greeting and equipped us with some maps and brochures. Then, we set off for our first destination: the Tsukiji Fish Market, a reasonable 15-minute walk from the hotel. Since we neglected to eat anything beforehand, we grabbed some breakfast at a small, nameless open-counter storefront frequented by some of the local fishermen. It’s

After some much-needed sustenance, we wandered throughout the two main sections of the labyrinthine market.

There’s the marketplace where one can buy the freshest catches of the day and sit down at one of the unbelievably crowded food stations for a mouthwatering meal (expect to wait in one of the many lines that snake around the block), and then there’s the massive open warehouse where one can get lost among the coolers of salmon heads and freshwater eels and wooden carving blocks that are constantly being hosed down to accommodate the next shipment from the Pacific Ocean. (Tip: be sure to visit while it’s still there as there are plans to move the entire facility later this fall to make room for the 2020 Summer Olympics.) Once we witnessed our umpteenth slab of tuna being buried in an icy grave, we felt the enormity of the entire operation that unfolded before us. A majority of Japan’s seafood passes through Tsukiji, and we were standing in the middle of an epicenter that smelled like a combination of saltwater and every fish imaginable.

Photo credit: ⓒTOKYO-SKYTREE

Photo credit: ⓒTOKYO-SKYTREE

business types. The Ginza location, with 165 rooms, happens to cover all of the C’s: Comfortable, Compact, and Convenient. Our double-twin space wasn’t much larger than most college dorm rooms. (The word “pod” came to mind once we settled in for the first night.) But this is Tokyo, I told myself.

Like Manhattan, square footage is a precious possession here. And despite the absence of a closet, every inch within our room was meticulously designed for maximum functionality.

the kind of non-descript haven that serves a hot meal and a warm smile, courtesy of the grandfatherly cook who also manages the register. We ordered tonkatsu donburi, a pork cutlet and fried egg over white rice and a bed of cabbage drizzled in a sweet brown sauce. I was immediately reminded of my father’s own spin on this particular recipe, a dish I often ate on weekends during my childhood back in New York.

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It eventually made me hungry for lunch.

Next, a visit to the Imperial Palace Gardens proved to be a brief one.

Expecting an up-close-and-personal experience (a la Buckingham Palace), we were disappointed to find out that our views of the royal house and the remnants of the former Edo Castle were limited due to the surrounding moats and bridges overlooked by guards. Still, we were able to take in the beautifully manicure bamboo trees that populated the park and snack on juicy Japanese pears on benches near the restrooms where busloads of tourists took turns using the facilities.

From there, it was a 10-minute Metro ride to the neighborhood of Asakusa to take in the sights at Senso-ji Temple, the oldest in the city (said to have been built in 628). First of all, there are many ways to visit this sacred ground and appreciate its surroundings, but the standard is to start at the Kaminarimon Gate and move up through Nakamise Shopping Street, the large marketplace where we browsed through several

tourist-trapping souvenir shacks. But before heading in, we observed the two large figures that guarded the gate, a pair of intimidating deities, Fujin-sama (“god of wind”) and Raijin-sama (“god of thunder and lightning”). Good luck getting a good snapshot of either one;

both are protected by wire netting, most likely to prevent birds and vandals from tarnishing them.

A change in scenery was soon needed, so we hightailed it to Harajuku. The bright colors of this world-renown shopping district (and inspiration for Gwen Stefani’s 2004 album Love. Angel.

Music. Baby.) may not appeal to anyone over 40, but it’s the ground zero of all things Kawaii (cute things). From accessory boutiques and patisseries to anime costumers and trendy sock shops, Harajuku was one giant sensory overload that was only intensified by the sugar rush I received from my second can of melon soda. One of the stores we visited, the two-floored Body Line, blared an album of remixed Disney theme songs. Somehow, hearing “Colors of the Wind” over a generic EDM beat inspired us to try on wacky sunglasses and an occasional neon wig.

Finally, after being bombarded by the shouts of costumed shopgirls and the aromas of sweet and savory crepes, we tracked down an actual Harajuku girl (okay, maybe stalked) to take a photo with her like the clichéd, silly American tourists we were. Think of Rainbow Brite, throw in an anime warrior princess, multiply it with a dozen Hello Kitty dolls, and that’s just a fraction of what this young woman looked like.

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Photo credit: ⓒTOKYO-SKYTREE

a nice bowl of fettucine topped with lamb smothered in a brown sauce that was both sweet and savory. (I’m using quotations here because this is far from the red-checkered-table-clothed eateries I’ve experienced in New York; I’m sure there was no one named Vinny, Al, or Luigi cooking up a storm in the kitchen.) *Sidenote: this place also turns into a traditional Japanese and Western breakfast buffet that serves everything from mini omelets and broiled fish to muffins and pickled radishes.

SUNDAY

By that time, I wished I had worn a FitBit to see how much walking I had accomplished so far. Shibuya Crossing, one of the largest pedestrian crosswalks in the world, was our next stop, and we managed to keep up with Shioji as she zigzagged through the massive yet orderly crowd. (Imagine New York’s Times Square mashed up with London’s Piccadilly Circus.) After one slightly wrong turn, we found some refreshments at Mocha, one of the city’s many popular “cat cafes.” In between cups of melon soda and iced mochas, we lounged and played with the dozen or so furry felines that strutted quietly around the picture-taking patrons.

(Rule #1 of Cat Cafe: No sudden movements or running – because that would just be…bad.)

of us had one iota of energy to carry on. After all, with the jet lag, we were running on four hours of sleep. So we made a beeline back to our hotel.

Before completely passing out, we opted to stay close for dinner and tried Villazza Due, the “Italian restaurant” at Hotel Sunroute, where I enjoyed

After grabbing a coffee and muffin from a nearby 7-Eleven – FYI, they’re everywhere in Tokyo – we strolled through Ginza with the very informative and patient Shioji. She led us past the Yonchome Intersection, known for its symbolic architecture and Wako Clock Tower, through massive electronics stores and tempting food stations, and into the Tokyo International Forum, a giant complex that houses exhibitions, concerts, and conventions. By the time we made it to Shinjuku (considered the skyscraper mecca of Japan) and snapped some photos in front of the world’s largest Hello Kitty monument at Sanrio Gift Gate, we were ready for some lunch. The top floor the enormous and family-friendly Takashimaya Store boasted several dining options, and we ended up scarfing down bowls of rice topped with tuna sashimi and dried seaweed, miso soup, and several cups of hot green tea – a classic Japanese

After our brief cat-tastic pit stop, night had fallen, and we said our goodnights to Shioji in Shibuya, thanking her for the day’s extensive sightseeing, wondering what the rest of the night would have in store for us. But at that point, neither ENTERTAINMENT issue - BELLOmag.com

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lunch to fuel us for the remainder of the jam-packed day.

The afternoon passed by like blur.

We captured several sumo wrestlers exiting the Ryougoku Sumo Hall on the final day of the wrestling season. We strolled along the pedestrian-friendly boulevard of Akihabara, the city’s “Electric Town,” known for its retailers that cater to electronic heads, anime and manga fanatics, and video game junkies. And I made several impulsive purchases in the forms of several miniature toy cars, a 30th anniversary edition 8-bit figurine of Super Mario, and a CD single of “Halloween Night,” the latest hit from the super-sized girl group AKB48 (go ahead and YouTube them).

As we neared the end of our time with Shioji, Meiji Shrine was our next notable spot to conquer. Located within 170 acres of evergreen forest in the middle of the city (in Shibuya, to be exact), the shrine is dedicated to the spirit of Emperor Meiji, his reign (18671912), and his wife, Empress Shoken, and it is built on grounds that are now considered a place for recreation and

relaxation. It’s a classic expression of Shinto, the indigenous faith of the Japanese that worships ancestors as guardians of a family. During our visit, we witnessed several wedding ceremonies, made a reflective offering at the central sanctuary where the emperor is enshrined, and observed the many people who left prayers on small wooden blocks in the main yard.

Then, it was off to Ueno Park, Japan’s most popular city park that houses over 8,000 trees, a small lake, a lily pond, and several museums. 800 of those trees happen to sprout cherry blossoms every spring, filling up the park with thousands of tourists and natives alike. The Tokyo National Museum, the country’s oldest museum, was where we learned about the rise of Buddhism, the art of the tea ceremony (a painstaking process), Zen and ink paintings, and what goes into samurai attire (a lot). It was here where we also learned how George Lucas was inspired by samurai gear while brainstorming ideas for Darth Vadar’s look in Star Wars. (Who knew?) With more than 110,00 items, antiquities and national treasures, this place is a history junkie’s dream.

By nightfall we were treated to a traditional izakaya dinner, “Japan’s friendliest form of dining,” which kicked off with top-grade sashimi and a small bottle of sake, followed by an array of fusion dishes that included broiled mackerel, rice, fried chicken, sautéed vegetables, miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and a slice of raw horse meat.

(Think: the Japanese version of a tapas bar.)

Heading back towards Shinjuku, we wandered into Arty Farty, a bar-club in the area known as Nichome and capped off the evening with some late-night sake shots and martinis while listening to a DJ spin some 90s house for a small dance floor of Sunday night stragglers.

One cup of convenient store ice cream later (green tea-flavored, of course), and we were done for the day.

MONDAY Our first day without our generous guide started with a breakfast that consisted of a McDonald’s sandwich: a beef patty topped with a sunny-sideup egg, bacon, and the special sauce that’s usually found on Big Macs. With fries and a coffee. Because that’s just how I roll.

It was enough to fuel me up for our main attraction of the day, Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest freestanding tower (according to Guinness World Records) which receives 5.3 million visitors a year.

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of beautifully tricked-out elevators that are each themed after one of the four seasons. We were fortunate enough to ride in one of the two shuttles with a see-through ceiling panel. The smooth and swift ascent wasn’t as nauseating as I had expected, although the digital reading on the elevator panel was tricky to watch. (“Now arriving at Floor 340.”) The 360-degree view from the Tembo Deck was breathtaking, but it was the view from the higher (and less crowded) Tembo Galleria that was slightly vertiginous. (Tip: if you want to knock several hundred yen off the admission ticket, make a reservation in advance.)

An architectural wonder that will be celebrating its 4th anniversary this year, the Skytree represents the many kinds of technologies and art that has been passed down through generations of engineers and artists across the nation.

Formed by steel and other flexible materials in a shinbashira, a vibrationcontrolling system reminiscent of ancient wooden pagodas, the structure was created to withstand all forces of nature, particularly earthquakes and typhoon winds. At night, blue and purple lights enhance the tower, conveying both iki (the spirit of Edo) and miyabi (Japanese elegance). It is a true expression of the traditional and the modern coming together, a motif that can be felt and seen throughout all of Tokyo.

By lunchtime we walked through the connecting Skytree Town, an indoor shopping plaza that also houses

several eateries, an aquarium, and a planetarium. And after dining on a very un-Japanese-like basket of Britishstyle fish and chips (at a Germanthemed brewery), we took the rest of the afternoon off to recharge and prepare ourselves for what was to come…

THE LAST NIGHT Our final night in Tokyo kicked off with what was possibly the most insane dinner-theater experience of my life: Robot Restaurant. I would liken it to a 90-minute-long Power Ranger-esque musical extravaganza injected with Red Bull-fueled anime and a wackadoodle story that throws every jungle creature together and puts them up against evil robots from outer space. And this

doesn’t include the showgirl interludes in between the staged battles, one of which involves a random tribute to Dreamgirls, sung by a dozen young Japanese women with names like Arisa Nikaidou and peppered with high-energy J-pop and masked samurai rockers.

This multi-million-dollar production all unfolds in an underground space that is meticulously measured and constructed (to the inch) to squeeze in every action piece, remote-controlled float, and heavily costumed character.

It was a WTF-worthy performance we will never forget.

As for the dinner portion, I highly recommend getting tickets for the early show and eating elsewhere afterwards.

We were told to avoid the menu’s boxed meals and opted to munch on the popcorn, potato chips, and beer they served before the show and during the intermission. In conclusion, heavy on the “robot,” light on the “restaurant.”

After collecting our thoughts from the sensory overload, we realized just how much of a tourist trap this place is – we counted 8 Japanese attendees out of the crowd of 150 – but what a wonderfully bonkers one it is.

For our last dinner in Tokyo we trekked back to Shibuya to experience the sushi lover’s paradise that is Uobei, a new addition to a futuristic chain of Genki Sushi restaurants. Served on a hightech, high-speed conveyor belt, each

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THE TOKYO CHEAT SHEET Sunroute Hotel Ginza sunroute.jp/English Robot Restaurant shinjuku-robot.com Tokyo Skytree tokyo-skytree.jp/en Senso-ji Temple senso-ji.jp Meiji Shrine meijijingu.or.jp Tsukiji Fish Market tsukiji-market.or.jp Tokyo National Museum tnm.jp Mocha Cat Café catmocha.jp Uobei Sushi genkisushi.co.jp Body Line at Harajuku bodyline.co.jp small plate is an affordable delight.

My appetite was adequately satiated by two pieces of tuna, two pieces of eel, four pieces of salmon, two pieces of cuttlefish, two pieces of inari (rice pockets), a baked scallop roll, two pieces of tamago (sweet egg), one miso soup, and two glasses of melon soda. It was a fitting feast we later walked off amidst the thousands of pedestrians outside, surrounded by the constantly flickering neon lights that once welcomed us but now bid us adieu...or sayonara.

+ + + Considering we only had three days and four nights to conquer as much of Tokyo as possible – a city I equate to four islands of Manhattan squished together – we managed to squeeze in a maximum amount of culture.

From the traditional and historic to the progressive and modern, Tokyo is a city filled with opposing styles and sensibilities, and that is what makes it so undeniably fascinating. A return visit is definitely in need.

I’ll just need to lay off the melon soda and green tea ice cream next time.

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COVER STORY

A New

Voice

BY DIO ANTHONY PHOTOGRAPHED BY MAARTEN DE BOER

TV STAR MATT MCGORRY STARS IN ONE OF PRIMETIME’S HOTTEST DRAMAS. THE EXPLOSIVE THURSDAY NIGHT THRILLER, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. MCGORRY PLAYS ASHER MILLSTONE ON THE ABC SERIES; A PRIVILEGED LAW STUDENT, WHO BY WAY OF HIS MOUTH GETS HIMSELF INTO MORE TROUBLE THAN HE’D LIKE TO FIND HIMSELF IN. IN REAL LIFE, AS IT HAPPENS MCGORRY’S OFFSCREEN PERSONA COULDN’T PALE MORE IN COMPARISON. HE’S A BORN AND RAISED NEW YORKER, WITH THE TYPE OF COURAGE AND ATTITUDE ONLY NEW YORK CITY BREEDS. A NEW AGE RENAISSANCE MAN WITH EVERY RIGHT TO THE TITLE. THE 29-YEAR-OLD ACTOR, RECENTLY ON FORBES’ “30 UNDER 30” LIST SAT DOWN FOR A PERSONAL CONVERSATION WITH ME, ONE OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTLESS STORYLINES GOING ON ON HIS HIT SHOW. HAVING ARRIVED ON THE HOLLYWOOD CIRCUIT JUST THREE YEARS AGO, THE LAGUARDIA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI’S FANBASE IS RAPIDLY GROWING. AS IS HIS PLATFORM, WHICH HE PLANS TO CAREFULLY USE IN THE RIGHT WAY. 35

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YOU WERE BORN AND RAISED IN NEW YORK CITY. THERE’S THE IDEA THAT BEING RAISED IN NEW YORK IS UNIVERSALLY DIFFERENT. WOULD YOU SAY THAT IT HAS SHAPED YOU AS A PERSON IN ANY PARTICULAR WAY? DOES THAT IDEA RESONATE WITH YOU?

I would definitely say growing up in New York has affected me. Overall quite positively. Part of it is getting to grow up in Manhattan and another part of it is being fortunate enough to come from a family that could afford resources, like taking me to the theater.

When I was very young, my family and I had a subscription to The Roundabout Theater Company. I think that’s the amazing thing about New York City, that you have all of these incredible resources with such close access. When I decided I wanted to be in Magician, one of the best magic stores in the country happened to be a couple blocks from my house. Or, when I decided I was interested in Self-defense, one of the best places to train for that was also not far from my home. I was able to attend Laguardia High School which is a really great school. So, for me, I think growing up in New York always helped keep my expectations very high. I never really had what can be labeled as “small town syndrome,” when you feel like you’re hot shit because you’re the best one. While attending Laguardia, I was always around people working very hard to succeed, so in turn that helped me grow to be very aggressive in my own pursuit.

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You mentioned Self-defense. You also dabbled in Bodybuilding and fitness.

What sticks out to you when you think back on that chapter of your life?

I mostly competed in Power Lifting, which is a sport where contestants attempt three types of lifts in a set sequence. I did one Bodybuilding competition at the end of my competitive career which was about four years long.

The Bodybuilding show itself was very interesting, mostly because it was the last thing I did in that world in a sense, and definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It’s a sport that requires your full energy and engagement, like, 24 hours a day. From sleeping and cooking. I was actually reading through some of my old training journals last night, and I think that even when you’re in it, you’re trying to make it through, so you don’t have the time to really understand how miserable you are [laughs].

You’re cooking all your own meals, weighing them out to make sure you have the proper amounts. You’re also carrying your meals around in tupperware, all of the time. This included Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, New Years. It was a miserable experience, But I’m glad I

did it. My whole life, I always wanted a six-pack, the way I’d see it in the media portrayed all the time. The media makes it so appealing in a way that actually makes it seem more normal than it actually is day to day. During the time of the bodybuilding show, I was at my peak physical aesthetic, probably ever. I had beyond the six-pack, but interestingly, getting to achieve that and then realizing that it didn’t make me happy, was really useful to me because I was then able to let go of that expectation of myself.

What was that like for you? Going through that change.

It took time. After prepping the way that you do for something like that, your mind is screwed. You’re so used to being restricted both physically and mentally. It’s nice to now look back and say; yeah, I prefer a moderate lifestyle, and not having a six-pack. We’re not all built that way. One can do it, and I did, but it was’t worth the sacrifice that is required to do that. I wonder sometimes how long it would have taken me to figure that out If I hadn’t gone through that experience.

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The idea of it getting bigger because I continue to work in the industry is a good thing, also because it allows me to level that with speaking about social justice issues.

On HTGAWM, your characters been experiences some shifts from last season’s tone. What’s that like behind the scenes?

Some of the writers told me I had some big stuff coming up, but I always take that with a grain of salt because different things mean different things to different people. I’ve always learned to keep my expectations as low as they need to be to motivate me to do the work, you know? Imagining the work without luck on my side. Then if I get lucky, which I have, you take that, too.

In that same way, I was enjoying what I was doing on the show already. I was sure I’d love what they had planned, but I was so content with where I was too.

That’s a very good and interesting way of putting it.

Yeah, it tends to be helpful! I think happiness, ultimately is where you’re at, minus your expectations, or viceversa. The difference in those two, a lot of times can provide a lot of dissatisfaction, it can make people feel hopeless and like giving up on things.

But with that being said, some of the work I’ve gotten to do this season has been the most demanding from me as an actor, and that’s wonderful! I very much enjoy the comedy of the show, 39

but it’s also nice to have those moments that require your full attention. To get your mind in the game, in the sort of way that you’re able to lose yourself in the work, which is very fulfilling.

Your new film Ratter co-starring Ashley Benson is the biggest departure for you character wise on-screen. What can you divulge?

The script is great and the film is very creepy. It’s based on real occurrences.

We live in a world where people could take over our devices and have access to our cameras. We shot it with all sort of devices, really lending to a natural style of performance which I really enjoy. The script itself gave so much to the character, so everything just came together naturally.

What’s changed for you since wrapping production on the film?

Besides my even heightened awareness of what woman go through, since shooting that film, I’ve since covered up my laptop camera. It doesn’t hurt and it offers me a piece of mind, when I’m picking my nose in front of my computer or something [Laughs]. Working on this film sparked more of a my interest in gender equality. In the film, there are guys hitting on Emma (Ashley Benson),

and it’s supposed to be subtle, but it’s not. Just seeing what women have to deal with all the time, everywhere they go. It did a good job for me of putting me in the shoes of a female and seeing what that might be like.

On social media, you don’t shy away from voicing your opinions. Wether that’s Social or Political. The first time you posted something like that, we’re you scared of the backlash you’d possibly receive?

I’d be lying in saying I was fearless. And there are things, for better of worse that I would like to say that I probably shouldn’t. In this industry at least, there’s that tricky balance of choosing which battles you want to fight. My platform is due to the fact that I have a career as an actor. The idea of it getting bigger because I continue to work in the industry is a good thing, also because it allows me to level that with speaking about social justice issues. But I think going after every single thing, could ultimately cut me short in that.

But as a straight white man, who hasn’t had to call anything out in life, it’s a very new process of figuring out—when and where you don’t. It’s a privilege to be able to step into that space when I want to, and step out of it when I don’t. Which February 2016 - BELLO

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The more I read, the more I realized how being white instantly makes you unaware of a lot of different issues, or being a man makes you unaware of certain issues.

is what compels me to speak up about things. But I’ve been exploring that part of myself and figuring out that balance, while pushing my comfort zone with this platform that I’ve been given.

What’s been the most rewarding thing you’ve found from being so publicly outspoken?

It’s a very interesting balance because it shouldn’t be a rare thing that a straight white man speaks out about Gender or Racial equality. That shouldn’t be as rare as it is. Because it is, I do get a disproportionate amount of praise for saying the same things people of color and woman and trans people have been saying for a long time. I tend to get more credit for i,t or more notice for it. It’s an example of that privilege in action. So, that’s something I can’t help but feel guilty about, but I shouldn’t, and that doesn’t stop me from speaking out. In terms of rewarding, people expressing gratitude to me has been really wonderful and fulfilling. I get messages from people all of the time telling me I’ve encouraged them to speak out about things.

You posted a photo on your instagram of you reading The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander a couple a few 41

weeks ago. The statistics on that post were insane. Is that generally the engagement you receive?

The New Jim Crow book is incredible, it’s about the Criminal justice system and how in turn it disproportionally effects people of color. That post was very live reaching. My parents were in Florida recently buying subscriptions to a theater company, bragging about me being their son, and someone there pulled out their own copy of The New Jim Crows book and told them he bought it after seeing my post on instagram. It’s like I have my own little media empire, my own little news channel and I can make it what I want to make it. It’s all really rewarding, and I’m looking forward to digging in some new ways to reach people.

The must’ve been quite the read?

The more I read, the more I realized how being white instantly makes you unaware of a lot of different issues, or being a man makes you unaware of certain issues. Getting to have these conversations with some of my straight white male friends is very fulfilling. They’re my friends because they’re kind and compassionate and intelligent. But people are perceptive,

and unfortunately sometimes people in privilege have to hear things from other people in privilege, that’s sometimes the only way they listen or are more likely to listen. I think mobilizing more people like myself will put us one step closer to the world we all deserve.

You seem 100% opposite from your character in some ways. Is there any character on the show you’re the most like? And why?

I wouldn’t really say that I’m like any of the characters on the show, but everyone likes to view themselves as quite unique, so I’m not really sure, [laughs].

But I think if I were to have the chance to play another character, it would’ve been fun to play Connor. Just because I’ve never really played a character that’s confident like that. I think Asher’s perceived confidence is actually based in insecurity. It’d be interesting to play someone like Connor who’s very confident in what he does. He’s a cool guy, and neither Bennett or Asher have been cool guys. It’s crazy to think that I’ve only really been professionally acting for the last three years. So, hopefully I have a lot more characters to play with a lot more range to explore.

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Story by DIO ANTHONY Art Direction DIO ANTHONY Photographed by MAARTEN DE BOER Grooming by STEPHANIE HOBGOOD for Exclusive Artists Management using Peter Thomas Roth Styled by LISA CERA, THE REX AGENCY Assited by AJA DAVIS & KENNETH CROWDER 47

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TIME

Great looking watches for unique individuals

BY JON NORRIS

ELEGANT YET STYLISH, MIRÓ HAVE ACHIEVED A UNIQUE AND SIMPLISTIC DESIGN TO MANY OF THEIR TIMEPIECES, ONE THAT MAKES US AS USERS VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE CONSIDERED STEPS THEY HAVE TAKEN TO CREATE SUCH CLEAN AND PURE LOOKING WATCHES.

Launched in 2012, out of the beautiful Nordic city of Stockholm, the minimalistic approach to design clearly an advocate for where the brand was born. Their mission being, to help people express themselves, to help each person tell their own story about who they are, and the journey of life they are creating for themselves.

If you’d like to find out a bit more about MIRO Watches and their luxurious but affordable collection of classic watches please visit www.mirowatches.com or add them to your friends list @ mirowatches.

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ENTERTAINMENT

San Francisco’s Magnificent Hotel G: A Living Time Capsule of Memory, Magic & Migration

BY BRENT LAMBERT

THE CITIES AND TOWNS WE USED TO USED TO CALL HOME ARE VERY MUCH LIKE OLD FRIENDS. WHEN YOU SEE THEM AGAIN IT’S ALMOST AS IF ALL THOSE YEARS APART SIMPLY VANISH BEFORE YOUR EYES.

My most recent brush with this feeling came when I paid a visit to San Francisco -- my first time back since I left nearly fourteen years ago after living there for half a year. After a 20-minute ride in my airport taxi the familiar downtown core began to emerge in the distance, and ENTERTAINMENT issue - BELLOmag.com

soon enough I found myself flooded in long-forgotten memories from my younger days in the City by the Bay. Because my friends and I had planned to meet up in Palm Springs for New Year’s week I decided I would do

Christmas early with my family back in Montreal over Thanksgiving. This left me with a week wide open smack dab in the middle of Christmas, so when my friend invited me for Christmas dinner with his family in San Francisco I figured it was the perfect excuse to 50

spend a week in the city I used to call home.

I was all of 25-years-old when I left San Francisco back in the summer of 2001, so most of my memories of my time there were made through rosecolored, twenty-something glasses.

Because I knew I was in store for a week of walking down memory lane I decided I would treat myself to a hotel worthy of such a special chapter in my life. After doing some research into boutique hotels in the city, in no time at all I came across Hotel G and was instantly sold.

Years later the Fielding was owned

by Ernest F. Peterson and Edith G. Nichols, whose son just so happened to be renowned poet Robert Peterson.

Growing up in the Fielding, young Robert was enormously shaped and influenced by the constant stream of colorful characters who came and went like migrating birds through the

The fact that Hotel G lies right in the heart of Union Square was just one of the many clues that had my traveller’s intuition abuzz, but when I began to look at the photos of the hotel’s interior I knew I found my perfect home away from home.

First built in 1909 as part of San Francisco’s post-earthquake revitalization boom, the building was originally known as the Fielding Hotel.

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years. From eccentric jazz musicians and mighty boxers, to mysterious magicians and brilliant scientists, the hotel’s lobby, bars, and hallways were an endless living exhibit of the human spirit.

As I was taking a tour of the hotel’s history, I learned that the Fielding added four new floors in 1939 to bring

it in line with the city’s wave of urban modernization inspired by the Golden Gate International Exposition. As you walk down the hotel’s refurbished cast-iron staircase you can see how the materiality of the architecture changes from that point in time. It’s this sensibility to hotel’s architectural memory that so greatly motivated interior designer Hun Aw, principal of Hun Aw Studio, who

served as the creative lead during the hotel’s top-to-bottom 2-year renovation and restoration before it was reopened as Hotel G in 2014.

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beautifully captures my week back in Frisco: “And there is nothing to improvethe extravagant silence.

Flowing through silk sleevesare all memoriesof previous things.

And the pine tree beyond the gardenis seen againto be a resting place For birdswho come no nearer.”

The next time you find yourself in San Francisco be sure to treat yourself to a stay at the Hotel G. You can learn more by visiting www.HotelGSanFrancisco. com. elements as possible. For instance, a ribbon of windows on the second floor -- hidden for years by the previous owners -- were once again revealed and celebrated. The floors’ hexagonal floor tiles from 1908 are also given new life with cement patchwork filling the areas damaged through time, as are the gorgeous hardwood floors that were found hidden beneath layers of previously added floor surfaces. But perhaps most extraordinary of all is the exposed ceiling of 398 Brasserie, the hotel’s main restaurant on the ground floor -- truly one of the most stunning interior design moves I have ever seen with my own eyes.

Visiting San Francisco is not for the lazy traveller. You need to be in shape to climb the city’s vast number of inclined streets and hills, so I can assure you after a long day of walking it was truly blissful to come home to the heavenly comforts of my room. And for a week as nostalgic as this one was for me, Hotel G became a perfect retreat where each day I would begin and end my adventures of revisiting the memories I had left behind so many years ago through the streets of San Francisco, my very own personal time capsule.

Fittingly, while reading some old poems of former Hotel G resident, Robert Peterson, I came across one part of his poem “Leaving Taos” that in many ways 53

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