Quaint Revolt - Zine 000 by quaintrevolt

QUAINT REVOLT C U L T U R E

C R E A T I V E

L I F E

ZINE 000 | MARCH 2020

A R T S ,

NEW CREATIVE VOICES THE INAUGURAL ZINE FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC JORDAN, DESIGNER BRITTANIE ALEXANDRIA + MORE.

ZINE 000 QRMEDIA.CO | VOL.01

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QUAINT REVOLT Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Music Editor Fashion Editor

Sasha-Gay Trusty

Jessica Louis

Josh Robinson

Hasani Malone

News Writer

Alyssa Allen

Social Media Dr.

Kyah Owusu

Culture Writer

Kay-Ann Henry

Contributors Photo Intern Photographer Creative Partner Video, Director Dr. of Photography

Deanna Griffin

Reilly Shaw

Gilmer Street Productions

Timi Faderin

Immanuel Powell

Quaint Revolt an independent publishing house for a global creative audience. For inquiries or submissions, contact us at: www.qrmedia.co hello@quaintrevolt.com +1 404-694-9121

58 Edgewood Ave NE Atlanta, Georgia 30303

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Editor's Note

The Blume Effect

Q+A: Eric Jordan

Trial + Error Series

Cross Colours Exhibit

Suggested Readings

Submissions

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EDITOR'S NOTE "What a time to be alive" has adopted an eerie tone as we challenge the outbreak of the Coronavirus globally. In less than four months into the new year, the world has come to a halt, ushering with it fear, disappointment and an economic downward spiral. I'm writing you today from the comfort of my bed, fully content knowing we have creativity to help us through.

All problems are solved creatively, and this pandemic is no different. Some of the most revered art and artists emerged during times of tumult. Notably, the Harlem Renaissance was birthed on the heels of the Great Migration ignited by Jim Crow Laws. The Dadaist movement rose in response to World War II. In the 90s, Gangster Rap gave voice to poverty and violence that devastated American inner cities. Now it is our time to do the responding. Who will we be - collectively - after this moment? I think we will all be creatives. So, let's create!

This inaugural issue of Quaint Revolt the Zine has been in ideation since last year. It was stalled due to budget constraints with no anticipated date to resume. But imposed isolation pushed me to solve this issue creatively. So, I've compiled a book

Use what you have and make the most of it. that champions the art of the pivot.

That's it. That's the note.

Sasha-Gay Editor-in-Chief

THE BLUME EFFECT

THE JEWELRY BRAND CURATING UNAPOLOGETIC STYLE

Words / Hasani Malone

The German word “blühen” translates to “bloom” or “to flourish” in

She looks for items that spark a sense

English, which is the central theme in New York-based jewelry brand

of romance. Gold-toned jewelry is

Ginger Blume. After connecting with the German word, and

the go-to metal and always includes

learning of the different types of ginger flowers, founder Brittanie

items that one would be able to

Alexandria named the company "Ginger Blume." The title is a way to

layer, a self-professed secret passion

represent how people blossom along their individual journeys. “At

of the designer.

the end of the day, regardless of how long it takes you or what your entire process [is], we are all blooming,” Alexandria said. As for her, that journey includes launching Ginger Blume.

Alexandria created the brand in the summer of 2019 after a year of contemplating whether this was the right move. After pursuing a degree in business and a Master’s in psychology, Alexandria - who is the product of a family in medicine - went get back to her creative roots. She decide to only put energy into things that she would want for the long term, then Ginger Blume came to fruition. When deciding on what goes into a collection for the minimalist brand, she looks for things that are simple and easy to wear, to dress up or down.

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BRITTANIE ALEXANDRIA:

WHEN I’M GETTING DRESSED, I DON’T WANT MY EARRINGS TELLING THE WHOLE STORY. I THINK THEY DO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES; BUT THEY COMPLEMENT, THEY’RE NOT STEALING THE SHOW. Founder, Ginger Blume

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Her gold, oblong earrings hung off her ears as she spoke, later clarifying that they were part of the first collection.

Creating something simple with subtle beauty is an important aspect in crafting these collections. She went on to say that there wasn’t a specific vision of what her customer base would look like, but pictured someone “who is naturally beautiful and looking to accompany their natural beauty.” Alexandria hoped to create something representative of women, which is why many of the pieces are named after people in her life that have inspired her in some way, like Mrs.

“Stepping out from the traditional thing that society tells you to do, whether it is starting a business, modeling, writing. Any of those careers that are less mainstream, it's really hard to find opportunities when you're starting out. Ones that you feel good about and that you feel connected to. I want to be able to contribute to fostering that."

Hines and Danielle; and while all of them aren’t based on real people, they each include real names to offer jewelry that is for women, by a woman.

Right now, the company is mostly run and operated out of Alexandria’s two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. In fact, she is also the sole model for Ginger Blume, but hopes to create a community through the brand by collaborating and providing opportunities for other creatives.

GB X QR EXCLUSIVE

“We are not a massive brand, but I think anything that I could give to someone else to help them along their journey is really important to me in whatever it is that I do,” Alexandria said.

Now in the Quaint Shoppe.

Photography / Reilly Shaw

For Alexandria, it’s important to do what brings you passion and do it unapologetically – an important word for the company. The word means to do something at full force without being sorry or timid about it, no matter the outcome. The company’s relationship with being unapologetic comes from its roots. Before creating Ginger Blume, Alexandria spent 6 months mentally jotting down a list of reasons why it would never work.

“I felt stuck in this analysis paralysis place where I was like, okay, how can I make mine differently? 'How can I do this?' I found myself just being stuck in a space where I actually wasn't doing anything. I was just thinking about the same concept, the same idea and I had to bring myself to a place where I just said, okay, whether it works, whether it doesn't work, whether I make a mistake, whatever the case may be, I need to just do it,” she said.

By the end of the first 6 months, in the summer of 2019, she decided to take the deep dive and put her all into Ginger Blume. Unapologetically. She likes to incorporate the word into the different collections by including pieces with a natural, organic or abstract feel. The word is also one of the reasons she decided to use herself as the sole model for the brand, citing it to be an expression of herself, in a natural state of imperfections.

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“I think we often times know what it is that we're supposed to do. We know what we are supposed to do, we know to some extent how we are supposed to do it, but we let all of these external stimuli, and all these things tell us false stories,” she said. “I think if we really connect with what the tiny little voice inside us is telling us to do and you stick to that and say ‘hey, this is what I’m going to do, it may not work but either way I’m going to learn something from it and to do it, just do it without being sorry about it;’ I think [we] will get a lot more from ourselves and be able to trust ourselves more if we lead with that intent.”

For Alexandria, while taking that leap

You asked, we listened. After revamping our website in 2019,

was scary, the first six months have

team Quaint Revolt is happy announce the release of our

proven to be a success. With average

Premium Zine + Web subscriptions. For just $10 a month, get

monthly sales ranging from 40-50 pieces

access to exclusive content, curated newsletters and specialty

and being included in the In Her Shoes

offers in the Quaint Shoppe. All curated with you mind - our

2019 list of Black women-owned brands

global creative community. Full-access is now yours!

to shop, Ginger Blume has been on a steady rise.

Right now, she’s working on another collection, that’s a bit edgier and a bit

Premium Access Your Way. Available now.

more New York inspired. She’s also working on extending the Ginger Blume community to give a platform to other creatives and help contribute to the growth of other people.

For this creative, jewelry isn’t the last stop on her journey – rather, it’s just the beginning.

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Q+A

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ERIC

JORDAN Eric Jordan II is a full-time photographer and part-time health educator/case manager for the Gwinnett County Health Department in Georgia. Writer Alyssa Allen spoke with the Atlanta creative to discuss his practice and how he captures the vast beauty of Black Women.

Alyssa Allen: When did you first know that photography was "It" for you?

Interview / Alyssa Allen

AA: When you got started, which photographers influenced you?

EJ: A few of my peers that were heavy into photography, [like] Andre Johnson who is based out of Savannah, Georgia. My homies Tyrell Gordon and Derrick Baker, and Likeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Eric Jordan: I knew that photography was it when I took my first photo. Literally had no skills or training whats so ever and my photo was used on my school (Armstrong State University) webpage.

Kawasha (he sold me my first camera. They all looked cool doing it.

AA: Did they influence your photography style in any way?

--->

EJ: The Photographer that influenced my style the most, I would say Bennie Roosevelt. If you don't know his work please Google him. Pure artist. His photos tell a story and show pure

EJ: Yes, I do! I actually havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t released it yet. I've been holding on to this project for a month now. Crazy right! I don't know. I just feel like this project is bigger than Instagram.

emotions.

AA: You capture Black Women beautifully. All the

AA: Tell us about your creative process. Where do you get ideas for projects?

emotion comes through in your shots. Exactly what is it you want your photographs to say?

EJ: Wow! I'm speechless. Thank you! And I try my best to freeze time. I actually take my time with each shot. I can describe the weather, what the conversation was

EJ: My creative process starts with a mood or emotion. Usually stemming from music, or just simply observing what's around me at that moment. Honestly, music is the main source of my creativity. I started to add [video] visuals to help with that as well.

AA: A lot of people are naturally nervous in front of the camera. How do you put them at ease before you begin? EJ: Oh, of course, it's only natural and it's a method to my madness. Honestly, I start a lot of my shoots with casual conversation. It allows me to see how patient they are and how the client can take direction. Also, I do a lot of testing with my lighting or settings. That's what I tell them and usually, I show them how the photo looks. A clear and well-composed photo usually gets the client excited and BAM! We're ready to go.

about at each shoot, and even what I ate that day. When I look back at my work, it is very nostalgic.

AA: How do you get your subjects to convey those emotions?

EJ: I shoot subjects that give

AA: What's the most difficult shoot you've ever worked on? EJ: Whew! I shot an album cover for an artist and she asked me to turn her into a different person. *Laughs* Literally!

off an essence. They may have zero experience modeling. If they can give

AA: When do you know you have the perfect shot?

off the feeling, we can make magic.

AA: Out of your entire portfolio, from the very beginning to now, do you have a favorite photo or project?

EJ: Man, it's an emotion you see on my face. If you ask any of my clients, they'll see my face light up. 'Oh, Jordan has the money shot!' But if I can feel the photo, that's when I know.

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View Eric Jordan's work on the web at

jordanviision.com

TRIAL + ERROR EP. 001

TK PETERSEN Trial + Error is the first video series

document similar stories from other

by Quaint Revolt magazine, in

figures in the African-Diaspora

which I sit down with creatives and

who've done it too.

Words / Sasha-Gay Trusty

Watch Trial + Error Ep.001 Now streaming on:

trailblazers to discuss their journeys. As a startup founder, I

This inaugural episode features

know how difficult it is when you

businessman TK Petersen,

are starting out. QR is a prime

Co-founder and Chief Financial

example of bootstrapping it, a

Officer of The Gathering Spot.

series of constant trial and error.

Inspired by our shared Caribbean

But that is where the magic lies

roots, I invited the Virgin Islands

because it's when we are the most

native to chat about how he lives

creative. Having experienced the

creatively, his favorite V.I. grub and

thrill of troubleshooting toward

much more.

exceptional results, I wanted to Check it out!

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CLOTHING WITHOUT PREJUDICE: LOOKING AT CROSS COLOURS IN THE 20TH CENTURY

Words / Kay-Ann Henry

When

the clothing brand Cross Colours

emerged on the scene in the late 80s and early 90s, founders Carl Jones and Thomas “T.J” Walker couldn’t have imagined the impact it would have on the entertainment industry. From being seen on the hit television shows "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "In Living Color" to being embraced by the era’s biggest artists like Tupac and TLC, the streetwear brand revolutionized culture; bridging the world of hip-hop and the fashion industry. Now, the Los Angeles-based brand is making a comeback, thanks to an exhibit at California African American Museum (CAAM) titled Cross Colours: Black Fashion in the 20th Century - which runs until August 23, 2020.

The exhibit is the first of its kind to highlight the iconic brand, with a mixture of vintage clothing and accessories, video clips, advertisements from the 90s and the designers’ original notes and fabric samples.

Not only is the exhibit a colorful celebration of the brand, but it aims to show it as a model of Black pride, solidarity, and community. After all, these very sentiments gave life to Cross Colours in the first place.

--->

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Thirty years ago, designers Jones and Walker had the

"Love No Matter What Colour You Claim” are still

idea to start a brand that would embody positive

relevant.

messaging around Black culture and display Afrocentrism. In 1989 as they founded the brand, the

Today, the brand has come back to the fashion

Reagan administration enforced unjust policies

scene, comfortably finding a place among

toward minorities with the war on drugs,

streetwear and vintage lovers. They have revamped

skyrocketing levels of poverty and police brutality.

their website, re-released iconic pieces such as a

With the tagline “clothing without prejudice”, the

rugby sweatshirt seen on Tupac and have released

designers essentially offered wearable activism

new pieces.

through fashion. Advocating for Black aesthetics and social justice The idea for an exhibit came to the curators Tyree

are rarely championed in the fashion industry. Cross

Boyd-Pates and Taylor Blythewood-Porter in 2018.

Colours has done so successfully since its inception.

The following year, Bruno Mars and Cardi B

Thankfully, the Black-owned CC continues to be a

collaborated on a song called "Finesse" styled in

positive influence for Pan-African folks.

Cross Colours. The timing was perfect! As we are living in a time that mirrors the sociopolitical turmoil

Learn more about "Cross Colours: Black Fashion in

that ensued during the 90s, this exhibit is not only

the 20th Century" online at

birthed out of nostalgia but also necessity. The messages adorned on the brand’s clothes like “Unity Between Tribes” and

www.caamuseum.org.

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