Diversify - Vol 6 (GTA Magazine) by Diversify

ISSUE06 ALTERNATIVEFASHION&ARTSMAGAZINEOCTOBER2023 DIVERSIFY DIVERSIFY

ISSUE06 ALTERNATIVEFASHION&ARTSMAGAZINE OCTOBER 2023

GLASIER FW23

Angelo Huang

Angelo Huang

GLASIER FW23

Fashion Innovator

Letter From the Editor

The Importance of Community Initiatives

Interview: Aaron Kim

Interview: Angelo Huang

Interview: Danielle Bordeaux

A WORD FROM FAITH, OUR EDITOR IN CHIEF

Hello, dears! Diversify is honored to work with Glasier once more to display their glamorous, high-fashion Fall Winter 23 Collection. After Solana and the Glasier team revealed the collection to me first-hand, I decided immediately that I wanted to loosely model the images' look on 'Grime' as an aesthetic, with the photography dipping into an older rendition of Diversify's content similar to our debut magazine edition. With this edition, I aim to fluctuate between an abstract-commercial approach, studying from my perspective what may or may not have artistically benefited us from the past third, fourth, and fifth magazine editions.

A year has passed since Diversify became a legitimate endeavor. As a brand, we have faced a number of difficulties but we have prevailed by becoming one of the forefront faces of the fashion industry in Los Sant edition is not only a thank you to our loyal reader foreshadowing of Diversify's physical, business developments to ensue shortly.

The importance of community initiatives

Though it was an idea formed by Frederick Coleman, the former Deputy Mayor of Liberty City, over two months ago, as of the 16th of September, The Coleman Fund was officially recognized as a legal charity by the Los Santos City Government.

The Coleman Fund, named after the founder himself, is an intimate project that focuses on the inequality within society and encourages and nurtures equal opportunity. Specifically, the notfor-profit focuses on emboldening communities and giving power to BME people and any initiatives formed by them. Frederick plans to closely involve himself in his curated project as it develops, through effective governance now as the Deputy Mayor of Los Santos, he aims to make significant changes in regard to community development, entrepreneurship,andeducation.

This initiative has the intention to grant dreams the power to become a reality and to give power to what was previously believed unachievable. Barriers and obstacles are not impenetrable, with Coleman’s vision in mind, as he hopes it’ll breathe new economic life into less economically developedareasofLosSantos.

According to statistics created by the Statista Research Department this year, in 2022, 17.1 percent of Black people living in the USA were living below the povertyline.

Further research shows that it’s not just anationalissue,asintheUK, data provided by the Trades Union Congress showed that, between 2011 and 2022, the number of BME workers in insecure work doubled from 360,200 to 836,340 whilst the proportion of BME workers in low-paid and insecure work increased from 12.2% to 17.8%. In contrast, white workers in insecure work only slightly shifted marginally from 10.5%to10.8%.

That’s not all, however, as Frederick’s sights reach far beyond just economic improvements, focusing on education too, where he wants to increase accessibility to higher education and mentorship programs when it comes to minority groups. Education attainment in Black teens has been growing already, as 88% of Black or African American people have a high school diploma, as statistics from the United StatesCensusBureauindicate.

The not-for-profit was announced in the wake of the controversy surrounding Avery Lafayette’s Grass Roots, a scam that had the same ethos, supposedly, as Coleman’s charity. It’s hopeful that The Coleman Fund will succeed where Grass Roots has previously created societal distrust, and with Faith Labelle, editorin-chief and CEO behind Diversify endorsing Coleman’s vision, it’s clear to all that The Coleman Fund, a legal charity in the eyes of the city, is the real deal, and with its action-oriented strategies, all eyes will be on The Coleman Fund as it presents a light at the end of the tunnel, and it breathes new life into the city’s underdeveloped communities.

Now that the recent mayoral election has finished, Coleman said himself that besides his mayoral responsibilities, all of his time will be spent making The Coleman Fund the best it can be. His sights, for now, are on Davis where he’ll take a more intimate approach, ascertaining what problems there are within Davis’ communities and figuring out the best strategies to assist Los Santos'communities.

An Interview with Aaron Kim

Diversityindesignmeansdiversityof experience, perspective and creativity - otherwise known as diversity of thought. And it can be shaped by multiple factors including race, ethnicity, gender, age…AntoinetteCarroll

The youngest child in a large family, Aaron grew up in Bucheon, the second most densely populated city in South Korea. His upbringing was fair despite the peculiar haircuts - he says they looked like mushroomsand though his family cared for him, they had to regulate his passion for drawing and art in order to maintain good grades. Fortunately for him, that creative spark didn’t go anywhere, as evidenced by his impact on visual designacrossLosSantos.

In fact, his determination to keep his creative fire alight was one of the key reasons it stuck around. After negotiation with his parents, if he could prove his academic prowess through his entrance exam, then he’d be permitted to study whatever he chose. Kim was true to his word, as he was then, phenomenally, one of the highest scoring in his school; which led him to apply for one of the best universities in the country. It was viewed as unorthodox, by both his peers and his family, but it matteredlittletoKim.

Aaron Kim’s university life was all work and no play, similar to his focus on his studies prior. He went to study in Seoul, South Korea’s capital. With two part-time jobs, he barely had free time, doing what he had to in order to cover tuition fees andadditionalcostslikerent.

And still, with university behind him, Kim has not stopped climbing. While working with a graphic design firm, Kim kept his focus on producing and developing Sugarcube, with the help and assistance from university peers. A collective, collaborative effort, the ethos of Sugarcube is that they would work together rather than have a hierarchical structure. While working with this firm, Kim would steadily bring clients over to Sugarcube.

The paradigms shifted, though, once Kim was introduced to the fashion world in Los Santos. As a tourist back in 2019, his friend, Ines Nervetti, who had the urge to create a modeling and marketing agency, roped him into helping her develop Elegance. This was Kim’s gateway to the fashion world, and he’s been affiliated ever since. Juggling both Elegance and Sugarcube was a challenge, but Kim persisted until he chose to focus on his career in Los Santos, taking a leaveofabsencefromSugarcube.

Elegance metamorphosed over the years, as many companies do, and after its transformation, Kim elected to head back to South Korea. However, the allure of Los Santos and the fashion world did not give Kim much reprieve, as it wasn’t long before Ashley Hendricks, CEO and founder of Prestige Global Network, called Aaron and asked him to be a business partner in the original foundation of the company. This was a brief chapter in Kim’s career, however, he returned to Los Santos to assist with the conceptualization only briefly before returning to South Korea to complete his military service.

When it comes to his work, Kim believes diversity is fundamental and integral, especially when it comes to diversifying thought and the practice of work. Generating ideas, elevating work standards, and engaging extensive audiences all require an open mind. Art serves as a teaching tool within society, a mode of inspiration and motivation, and it’s a catalyst for diversity and inclusivity. His South Korean identity plays a significant role in his art. His roots are a compass, a reminder of his values. "Even the biggest trees fall if they forget the Earth that holds them. Staying rooted keeps me grounded, reminding me who I amandwhereIcomefrom."

Kim has confidence in his selfemployment, it ensures his life stays private,whichmanyinthepublicspotlight are unable to maintain. Diversify is fortunate enough to be given a peek into the life of Aaron Kim. It’s not a walk in the park when it comes to self-employment, though. There’s a tightrope of uncertainty one must walk. You need self-awareness, and you must know how much you can handle and manage at one time, know your strengths and weaknesses, and know exactly how to harness your own talent to producethehighestquality.

It was around this time that his relationship with Faith LaBelle, editor-in-chief and CEO of Diversify, bore fruit, as she was initially a model at Prestige that Kim had scouted himself. At this stage in Kim’s life, he truly believed he would not be lured to Los Santos for a third time. However, LaBelle’s passion for Diversify attracted him, as she asked himtobeinvolvedinDiversify.

And he believes the fashion industry could also take heed of this advice, as he thinks despite its tremendous advances, there is so much more distance to travel. He hungers for experimentation, creativity, and new designs that challenge convention. As a pioneer in the Los Santos fashion industry, Aaron aims to encourage the industry to border beyond the practices of conventionalism and sameness that conceptually stagnates the LosSantosfashionindustry.

An Interview With Angelo huang

When it comes to Los Santos’ fashion industry, anyone who’s even slightly acquainted would struggle not to recognize the Glasier name. A clear, rising star of Los Santos, led by innovative, forward-thinking, artistic minds, Diversify sat down with some ofthearchitectsbehindtheartistry.

Angelo Huang has come a long way since his start, being a fresh face in theindustry,buthewastednotimeas he brought Glasier’s name to the foreground. Despite this, and coming into his second season, Huang doesn’t think he’s changed much other than feeling more adjusted and comfortable in his position as Executive Creative Director. His hunger for transcending boundaries has furthered, now that he’s had time to study other designers and evolve hisownpersonalidentityasacreator.

In his second season, he’s ready to prepare for the new challenges, fresh ideas, and opportunities that will cross his path, and in the wake of this season, he’s fortunate enough to collaborate with unique, novel talents that many are yet to experience but should look forward to, both within Glasier Los Santos itself and beyond. Angelo's title incorporate the most creative position in Glasier's fashion house, with Angelo shaping and establishingGlasier'sbrandvision.

Huang considers himself fortunate to be in the position he is, thankful that Glasier hasgivenhimtheopportunitytoworkina field that he both loves and appreciates, where he’s able to nurture his passion for theindustry.

As the Creative Director, all attention can be given to the creative process. Unique, creative ideas are at the forefront of Glasier’s periphery, and everyone within the brand is encouraged to innovate, to try something many have never tried before to see if there’s a way that they can resonate with their clientele in ways many have yet to believe possible. The Glasier brand is still conceptualizing its identity, even now, as it evolves and adapts to both the minds within that are contributing to thebrand,andthemindsthatconsumeit.

The mythos behind the “Glasier Woman” was something that we couldn’t resist asking about, and Huang was happy to shed some light on the enigma. In fact, there’s no tangible, physical woman they’re referring to. In fact, it’s an idea, a concept, Huang believes it is a state of mind. Throughout their last two seasons, the “Glasier Woman” has been something they’ve been constructing, originally, it was merely the intention of understanding and reaching their desired audience. Initially, the “Glasier Woman” was a fully-formed, confident statement, but rather than focus on what she is, Glasier re-angled their focus on her potential. What can the “Glasier Woman” be, and how can she provide glamor, taste, beauty, and fashion in anauthentic,unapologeticway?

Even with this pride around Glasier’s innovation, Huang firmly believes the fashion industry could do a lot more with its rising power. The city is incredibly diverse and rich with culture, and he believes there’s room in the market for something that reflects the unique, dauntless, intrepid nature of Los Santos’ denizens. He recognizes that not all of Los Santos’ designers are capable of creating that, and he’s come to terms with that, but he still believes there’s room for stronger identities that need to be platformed more, and the platforms currently being used are not being used as effectively as he’d hoped. He looks to the future with optimism, though, and thinks that the positive evolution is inevitable, but Huang also states that thefashionsceneneedsvariation.

The Fall-Winter collection is Glasier’s next showing, and Diversify was privileged enough to receive some information from Huang himself. He and the rest of his team focused passionately on adapting their designs to cater to customer feedback; what was liked in the last collection, what they wanted more of, and what could’ve been done differently. Their previous collection, according to Huang, was considered polarizing, a bold statement for the masses to consume. This time around, they plan to create a more accessible collection, focusing on “less hostile fashion environments”, it explores deeper themes of elegance and class whilestillfeelinguniquelyGlasier.

One of his favorite parts of working for Glasier is the community of larger-thanlife personalities, and the access to a variety of collaborative opportunities thanks to its team. He’s proud of the collective, creative, unique mind that he and his team come together to form, and he thinks that’s part of what makes Glasier so special, with Glasier providing those with limited opportunities access to jobroles,andequalopportunities.

He also teased us, and now you, Diversify readers, that there’s plenty more to come from Glasier for the rest of this year. The Fall-Winter collection is just around the corner, but there’s plenty more to come after that. Huang affirms that he’s not going anywhere anytime soon, staying as Creative Director for the foreseeable, and expresses pride in the recent opening of their new store on Portola Drive. He couldn’t give us any more information on what’s to come but told us to keep our eyes peeled, as there are many more new, fresh takes from Glasier that will revitalizethefashionindustry.

An Interview With Danielle bordeaux

A vastly different upbringing to the children of today, Danielle grew up through the 70s and 80s accompanied by her sister, Emily, who did most of the talking while Danielle kept to herself. The academic and the social butterfly. They grew up in Saint-Raymond de Portneuf, a city in Quebec, not far from Quebec City. Her father was a manager in a nearby steelworks, and her mother, her main cheerleader when it came to her later career in medicine, was a teacher of biology.

Bullied for being focused on her studies, Danielle felt karma had played its part when she graduated from high school with a GPA of 3.7 and then went to college to study medicine where she finished her residency under Dr. Jennifer Prescott. Academia lasted into Bordeaux’s twenties, as the dedication required for Med School took its toll, she did not have time to have a thriving social lifewhenshehadtofocusmostofher free time studying inside a library. Though she loved Canada, as she neared the end of her studies, she grew tired of the landscape, hoping for something new. Thankfully, another motivating figure in her life, Dr. Prescott was the main reason that Bordeaux was driven to move to Los Santos in order to assist her mentor inopeningaclinicinVinewood.

She applied, first, for her skilled qualificationVisathatwouldpermitherto move to the USA, and when she did she assisted at a family clinic in San Fierro, where she settled originally. She got her green card in her thirties, and once she became a naturalized citizen in her forties, she made the move over to Los Santos where she’d later start to manage the Vinewood Medical Center, and then move the team over to the larger IMC locatedinRockford.

She believes firmly that inclusivity and diversity go hand-in-hand, and you cannot practice one without inevitably practicing the other. According to Bordeaux, our roots are more similar than many of us realize, with our ancestries leading back toEurope,Asia,orAfrica.

We asked Bordeaux about her recent campaign for mayor, and she voiced that she had mixed feelings on the matter. Although she thoroughly adored meeting the unique, diverse communities across Los Santos, she struggled when it came to the public sphere, where she firmly believed misinformation ran rampant. Her name, according to Bordeaux, was trampled and dragged through the mud. She believes the idea of mutual respect and ethics within politics is long gone, as she doesn’t feel a sense of camaraderie between her and her opponent,HankPreston.

She feels the opposition has relished in her loss, she refers to McCain vs Obama ethics, where McCain supported Obama through prejudice, and says that the opposition now chooses to kick you while you’re down. She’s seen transphobic comments about her on social media, referring to her wife, and struggles to comprehend why her marriage decisions would impact her performance as Los Santos’ mayor. She thinks Los Santos has regressed, no longer a safe, open state and becomingarepressivestatesimilarto that of the bible belt states and Texas. Her frustration with the aftermath of the election led her to reject the offer to be a senator, alongside her already planned intentions to resign before the campaign. She’s lost hope with the current state of Los Santos’ political institution but clarifies her resignation was not impulsive. Danielle refers to a meeting she had back in July about her title as Director of Pillbox, experiencing alleged defamationfromtheGOP'sChairman.

It was believed that the best course of actionwouldbeforhertoresign,andthey felt, in that meeting, that defamation from a politically neutral, unbiased entity would hinder how she performed in her position. Though she was deeply saddened by her loss, none of the decisions made in her medical career were impacted by the actual results on September 9th, her team had concerns about the success of her campaign from early polling on social mediaregardless.

During her campaign, Bordeaux has vocally supported the opening of a new LGBT Center in Los Santos, something that is dear to her heart due to it being led by her wife. However, she’s concerned about the future of LGBT spaces in Los Santos, although she finds the few spaces provided in Los Santos are great, she believes the rest of the city does not reflect that. She believes, unfortunately, that it’s unlikely there’ll be a governmentsupported Pride in Los Santos again, and she points out that the Republican side of the senate met the legal establishment of Pridewithlotsofresistance.

She fears that Hank Preston and the rest of City Hall may not buck this trend, and are unlikely to facilitate the celebration of something members of that party do not tolerate. However, she feels more reinvigorated with her faith in the GOP in the aftermath of Deputy Mayor Coleman, recently condemning Jonathan Spencer online for causing controversy when quotingthebibleinaharmfulmanner.

Bordeaux also hopes she and Sienna can be a beacon of hope for all LGBT people, as she stresses that the LGBT center is an amazing initiative that welcomes all who needshelter,particularlytheLGBT.