IS cancelling the noise M AY 2013
73 RONNIE FIEG
70
74 TYLER POSEY
heloise williams
10 STATUS MESSAGE 12 MASTHEAD
STATUSPHERE 14 THREADS 24 SETTING 25 BRICK & MORTAR 26 SCREEN 27 INK 28 BEATS
GADGETS
29 TECH PACK: RING AROUND
See and hear the difference.
VISION BOARD 36 MIRROR MIRROR
Whose dress fares best of them all? By Steven Visneau Simplicity transcends earthly desire. By Patrick Diokno
48 NATIONAL NEO-GRAPHIC
Catch the wild one in her natural habitat. By Patrick Lacsina
SWAG
57 SWAG: HERE COMES THE SUN 59 THONG SONG
Shake the skin flakes.
31 BEAUTY BITE: STUDIO FIX
FASHION
STREET STYLE
32 GO SEE
It’s always sunny on this side of town.
34 STYLE ID: VISUAL INSANITY
Maximize your appeal to the eye.
Part-time model and DJ Eve Speciall walks straight out of paradise. By Giano D. Dionisio
MAESTRO
69 COMMON GROUND
With their first headlining tour and debut LP out this month, MS MR are parting the dark clouds of their initial “Hurricane” to let through a Secondhand Rapture. By Reena Mesias
70 CLASHES TO DASHES, DUST TO DUST
Denim Vests
BEAUTY
Mix the ink with the pink.
66 FIRST LADY
SHOPPING GUIDE 58 SOLAR SYSTEM
31 ABOUT FACE: BUFFER BABE
MUSE
42 HIGHER GROUND
30 FACE PAINT: SHADY STROKES
FEATURES
Frontwoman Heloise Williams takes a breather to detach from her Savoir Faire for the band’s Diamond Dust album. By Rita Faire
Printed Sundresses Sandals
60 BIKINI BANDITS
71 THE BRITISH ODYSSEY
Indie rock outfit British Sea Power take grand gestures to tame and temper with their Machineries of Joy. By Rem Gomez
Bikinis
61 WRAP IT UP
Printed Scarves
61 BLING RING Bangles
72 HEAT STROKE
Los Angeles’s Hot as Sun trio let heatwaves and UV rays permeate their sights and sounds for Night Time Sound Desire. By Jericho Umali
62 PLAID PLEASURE
Plaid Button-Downs
63 SHORT STORIES Tailored Shorts
64 IN AND OUT
72 ROOM FOR EXPERIMENTS
Ivan Theory are citing the proofs of life that can veritably verify their jazzy synths and Japanese rock riffs. By Reena Mesias
Sneakers
65 MENTAL IMAGE Graphic Tees
65 HIGH FLYER Aviators
MASTERMIND
73 QUEENS’S KING
Founder Ronnie Fieg of KITH NYC never waits for the other shoe to drop, because his collabs and releases are always first to get copped. By Rolly Ibañez
74 DEMON TO LEAN ON
Resident Teen Wolf Tyler Posey takes it easy; he doesn’t get grizzly about the hounding paparazzi or the howling of Hollywood around him. By Reena Mesias
75 CREATIVE NATIVE
NYC designer and photographer Saulo Villela brings the grit and graffiti of his childhood into the glitz and glamour of hip-hop and rock stars. By Meg Manzano
76 MATCHING WITS
No guessing and headscratching when Stephen Wildish Venn diagrams geekdom with infographics for his highly popular The Friday Project. By Rita Faire
77 BROS OVER BLOWS
Sibling director duo Alex and Ben Brewer’s music videos for Purity Ring and Passion Pit are mere baby steps to realizing their big boy dreams. By Rita Faire
78 HIS DARK MATERIALS
Carlo Ledesma comes full circle with his love for action (Hello, former Gameplan host) and celebrated skill for cinema. By Denise Fernandez
IS cancelling the noise M AY 2013
77
90 WOODKID
ALEX & BEN BREWER
CAESAR 86 SEBASTIAN 78 OVER THE MOON
From astro aspirations to painted osteo-interpretations, artist Jose Luis Santos aims high and hits bullseyes and cow skulls. By Sunshine Reyes
86 PEACE LOVE UNITY RAVE
97 LIMELIGHT FRIDAYS @ 7TH HIGH 97 NYFW JEREMY SCOTT PARTY 98 DIRTY BURGER BONDI 98 MILK STUDIOS PURPLE 99 SOCIAL SATURDAYS @ ARACAMA 99 PARTY CALLED RHONDA
90
Photographer Caesar Sebastian has shared the stage with all your favorite indie acts, pop queens, and EDM DJs at festivals and parties everywhere. He also doesn’t mind swiping sweaty shirts off showgoers, so grab those glowstick goggles and start ogling. By Reena Mesias
79 THE JET SET
We like the way designer Rafé Totengco works it East Side to the West Side, bagging up with a perfect 10. By Viva Gonzalez
HEAVY HITTER
80 UNKNOWN PLEASURES
With sold out concerts, tours, and festival gigs, singersongwriter Ellie Goulding proves that her Bright Lights won’t be fading anytime soon. She soars even higher with her latest album, Halcyon, exploring newer altitudes with her “Anything Could Happen” attitude. By Victoria Herrera
STEREO TYPE
Already a multi-awarded video director and animator, Yoann Lemoine rebrands himself as Woodkid, entering The Golden Age of music with his own take on audio artistry through cryptic elucidation, anachronistic imagery, and epic orchestrations. By Giano D. Dionisio
MORE
100 DIRECTORY
STATUS INVADES
102 VJ HANLI HOEFER
MTV SEA’s newest recruit’s got vintage loot.
EVENTS
103 HER BLOODY VALENTINE
System of a Down and Avenged Sevenfold as sung by Adele.
NIGHTVISION
95 BACK TO THE FUTURE MUSIC 96 NYFW LOST AND FOUND
As captured by Samuel Emmett‘s lens, cover girl Ellie Goulding is having a quiet moment to herself, pondering all of life’s mysteries and melodies amid her glowing success. It’s these candid moments and sound breaks that we celebrate for this issue. Between all the dancing and the “Lights,” we find our reprieve in music that keeps us cushier than a fuzzy sweater.
F/W 13/14
96 ROOTED @ M CAFÉ statusmagonline.com
Blogsphere
the pulse of hip at your fingertips
go see
we’re all models off duty. smize!
FEATURES
there’s more to what’s in print
NightVision who’s spotted partying where
Photo Diary confessional for lensmen
Digital Magazine DOWNLOADS STATUS in pixels, not free mixtapes paper and wallpapers
STATUS MESSAGE
WOODKID (90)
ELLIE GOULDING (80)
CANCELLING THE NOISE T
here is nothing like getting lost in a song or album. When I’m at home listening to my playlist, music has the power to slow down time and allow my mind to go free and explore. On the other hand, it’s just the opposite when I’m out dancing to the DJ’s tunes and time speeds up. Whether allowing your soul to dance free or your thoughts to run wild, we wanted this year’s Music Issue to silence the stereo static and bring out the best in our spirit. This fresh-faced, sweet-voiced girl on our cover beat out a few heavy hitters in our list. Why? Well, anyone who performs at the British royal wedding seems noble enough to rep our Music Issue. If you’re not familiar with her yet, Ellie Goulding is a singer-songwriter who scored a No. 1 hit with infectious single “Lights” which also happens to be in the soundtrack of Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers. She has been busy setting records and climbing the charts, but it’s her voice that keeps us coming back, even after all the dubstep remixes. We got to catch up with photographer Caesar Sebastian as he captures the scenes from the biggest festivals to the wildest parties. Being able to photograph modern music’s biggest influences like Skrillex, Snoop Lion, Grimes, and Travis Barker is no easy feat, but Caesar makes it look as easy as a pic snap. Accomplished music video director Yoann Lemoine aka Woodkid has turned the tables on the music industry by becoming a recording artist himself. From being behind the lens and receiving awards for his music videos, he likes to bring on the challenge and test his limits. We also hung out with model/DJ Eve Speciall featured in our Muse section and we’ve packed our Maestro section with major players as well as up-and-comers in the music scene—Ms Mr, Heloise and the Savoir Faire, British Sea Power, Hot As Sun, and Ivan Theory. Hopefully, we cancel out the noise this month and focus on the voices and artists that bring us to that place where our consciousness is free to wander and play.
Editor-in-chief
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contributors statusmagonline.com editor-in-chief
Rosario Herrera @RosarioHerrera
creative director Patrick L. Jamora graphic designers Nyael David
Jer Dee Paolo Geronimo
associate editor
Kristine Dabbay @tindabs
features editor Reena Mesias fashion editor Loris Peña
PATRICK LACSINA
With his background listening to heavy hip-hop and smooth R&B blends, photographer Patrick has kept a soft spot in his heart for urban cool. Nowadays, he rocks out to Rihanna and keeps pop ditties on rotation to pick up good vibrations at his shoots, such as this issue’s “National Neo-Graphic” (48) whose Bart Simpson sweaters and Butthead graphics speak volumes to grunge kids and street slickers everywhere. Patrick’s advice to his peers: “Dream big and hustle hard. When you do your best, people notice.”
@padraick @nyaels @jerdeeee @paolostroodles
assistant editor Giano D. Dionisio fashion assistant Zoe Laurente editorial assistant Rita Faire
@YoHitGirl @_dizzyrizzy @giodion @zoelaurente @ritadoesnttweet
Tina Herrera @tinaherrera_ Dan Buenaventura @danbuenaventura junior account managers Bea Macalino @BeatMac Marian Ortiz @HailMarian
sales & marketing consultant account manager
tweet us! contributing writers
Rem Gomez, Viva Gonzalez, Rolly Ibañez, Meg Manzano, Sunshine Reyes, Jericho Umali contributing artists
Art Alera, Jennifer Bigham, Ming Han Chung, The Cobrasnake, Fernando Colon, Joyce De Dios-Ignacio, Patrick Diokno, Rick Diokno, Amanda Elkins, Samuel Emmett, Gerard Estadella, Kristina Goldberg, Tinette Herrera, Cher Hukill, Ali Kazen, Patrick Lacsina, Diana Mejia, Miguel Miranda, Ismaël Moumin, Agnes Navales, Joseph Pascual, Mara Reyes, Nikki Ruiz, Karim Sadli, Steffi Santiago, Pam Santos, JP Singson, Phil Sharp, Kristine Suanino, Kristina Van Dyk, Steven Visneau, Chloe Wise interns
REENA MESIAS
With her slender fingers over her keyboard and her dashboard set to endless scrolling, our Features Editor Reena keeps the Beats (28) of current music’s pulse in check. Though she has a knack for Adventure Time and an irrational fear of horror movies, she’s a consenting adult when it comes to her love for punk bands, sexy jams, and fun times at ragers à la Caesar Sebastian (86). After you perk your energy with Caesar’s Red Bull-fueled adventures, cool down with Reena’s stories on the mellower MS MR (69) and Ivan Theory (72).
Gabrielle Bailon, Grace Ann de Luna, Denise Fernandez, Karla Espiritu, Eric Paulo Montesa, Katrina Swee, Regina Vega, Veronica Villanueva
What’s your STATUS? tell us. editorial editorial@statusmagonline.com advertising advertise@statusmagonline.com marketing marketing@statusmagonline.com general inquiries info@statusmagonline.com
PATRICK DIOKNO
It’s not our intention to revive old flames or try to rekindle lost sparks, but we do miss our ex-Art Director’s presence in STATUS HQ. We miss when he plays random Frank Ocean and Azealia Banks tracks or blasts a banging Nixtape while he works on some cutting, cropping, and Photoshopping. Nowadays, he does all that by himself in his newly furbished studio. Well, whatever “Higher Ground” (42) he’s raised himself and onto, Pat will always have a place in our pages.
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read our digital version statusmagonline.com/ digital-magazine like us facebook.com/statusmagazine follow us twitter.com/statusmagazine instagram: statusmagazine STATUS is published by STATUS Media Group. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
THREADS / setting / BRICK AND MORTAR / BEATS / SCREEN / INK
may 2013
MAN INSOUCIANT M
enswear that matters is measured when the wearer doesn’t seem to care how great he looks. THISISNEVERTHAT is a purveyor of this aesthetic. Army pants, tote bags, and crew sweatshirts dominate the collection. Best paired with stubble and a disheveled do, the brand proves that being effortless can give the best results. thisisneverthat.com
16. HUNTING JACKET_KHAKI [MMT] “GARDENER” L/S SHIRT_BLUE “N.I.G” 5P PANTS_BEIGE “ee” P CAP
23
18. “N.I.G” DUFFLE COAT “GARDENER” L/S SHIRT_KHAKI “N.I.G” 5/L PANTS_BEIGE “ace” CAP
9. G FIELD PARKA_BLUE [NYLON TASLAN] “N.I.G” PATTERN TEE_GREY ARMY PANTS_NAVY [COTTON RIPSTOP] “ace” CAP
12
30
MATCH POINT S
core some love on and off the court with ADIDAS ORIGINALS latest collection. Inspired by tennis, the brand comes up with color-blocked and striped polo shirts, nylon jackets, and sleek sneakers with leather and suede features. Gear up; this is the serving you need to nail your next ace, old sport. adidas.com
SIMPLE SAMPLER Y
OUNG FRANKK designer Christine Young’s handmade accessories are all created with tender love in her studio in Richmond, Virginia. This can be seen on her spin on minimalism exemplified by the brand’s geometric bracelets, necklaces, and earrings that aim to stand on their own simplicity. youngfrankk.com
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DRY RUN S
ay hello to summer and SUPERDRY’s latest collection of colorful chinos, tees, denim jackets, and jumpsuits. Made of lightweight fabrics, you can chill without worrying about the sun. After all, nothing screams summer more than maroon shorts, a turquoise tee, and an ice pop to match. superdry.com
THREADS
BRANDS TO KNOW
SWEATER WEATHER T
ake two sisters Marie and Karen Potesta together and you’ll get knitwear label MICAELA GREG. Combining geometric patterns, textures, and a boyish aesthetic, the brand’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection of knitted cardigans, shrugs, pullovers, tees, and dresses will get you feeling fuzzy inside and out. micaelagreg.com
FACTORY EARL
TEAM A
F
using materials like stainless steel, ceramic, rubber, and plastic with wood, SILVANO APPAREL wants you to be sensitive about your surroundings and your suave. From aviators to wayfarers and analog to digital watches, the brand strikes the perfect balance between casual and refined. silvanoapparel.com
T
here’s never too much AMBITIOUS CLOTHING going on in one’s closet. With its latest collaboration with Creative Elite Operation, Ambitious shows strength in Koiprinted button-downs, floral tees, and graphic tanks. From here on, let the clothes speak for the type of game you want to win. facebook.com/AmbitiousClothing
OCEANIC RECORDS A
CROPOLIS wants to kick you out of your comfort zone. The brand’s The Seven Seas Collection takes the ancient wisdom of Phoenicians to caps, printed pocket tees, and typography and lets you navigate your style by taking full control of your wardrobe. acropolisapparel.com
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CATER TO YOU F
ELLOW’s latest collection of arm candy will make you clingy. Braided leather and twisted ropes are put together with an anchor, skull, and helm as a hook. Pair them with your watch or your sunnies because the party is literally at your wrists and fingertips. Facebook.com/fellowaccessories
THREADS
BRANDS TO KNOW
BODY ROCK L
ARA KHOURY is known for mixing big tutu skirts with white tees, silk tops, and oversized trousers and floral wide tops with blue Shalwar pants. Veering away from normal silhouettes, she flies you to exotic shapes via first class craftsmanship. larakhoury.com
INFERNAL AFFAIRS H
UFFER’s Uphill Battles is inspired by mountaineering and the wilderness, but it’s also a tribute to chasing angels and fleeing demons. With Huffer’s khaki pants, plain buttondowns, graphic tees, and nylon jackets, you’ll be happy to trudge along rough terrains even if your journey seems like an endless hike. huffer.co.nz
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE T
ake note of DORI TOMCSANYI’s play with colors. Her latest collections of pantsuits, cardigans, coats, and trousers in fuchsia pink, cobalt blue, neon green, and navy blue are a sweet reminder that you don’t need to limit yourself to neutrals to be taken seriously. doritomcsanyi.com
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ANGLE MANAGEMENT Z
ip it up with WRANGLER’s water-resistant jacket. In khaki and military green, this can be paired with your favorite beat up denims and booties. With utilitarian sensibilities and a floral lining inside, Wrangler makes you girly and tough at the same time. wrangler.com
MOMENT OF CLARITY D
on’t be afraid of the LUCID YOUTH; they come in peace. Lines like “Made by the youth for the youth” adorn their garb. Their heads carry “Citrus” and “Around the World” caps. They’re young, wild, and free, but they know exactly how they want to be viewed—stylish yet fuss-free. lucidyouth.bigcartel.com
THREADS
BRANDS TO KNOW
CONSTRUCTION ROYALE S
portswear and architecture collide in YES I’M FRENCH. Using neon to accentuate clinical white sleeveless tops and black blazers, the collection is reminiscent of ultramodern spaces replete with LED lighting and projector-worthy action. Like a building—these clothes are built to last and provide room for graceful movement. facebook.com/YesImFrench
GALLERY TOUR 1
0 DECOART’s encrusted ropes, gold chain acrylic necklaces, and ruffled leather cuffs are a sight to behold. Pair them with LBDs or casual weekend outfits for an image worthy of a golden frame. 10decoart.com
SKIN YOU LIVE IN D
esigners Dana Mason and Bradley Dakota Scott are trying something different for their menswear brand STONE NEW YORK. It utilizes structured forms such as oversized, boxy garments and wide-sleeved tees, then fuses them with fur insets, skin, and leather to empower any wearer. stonenewyork.com
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YOUNG FOREVER Y
ou can never be too old for ETERNAL YOUTH CO.’s graphic tees, pullovers, and beanies. Reppin’ the idea of “We are Eternal. We are Youth,” the brand’s tanks stand for the “Young American Soul.” Age is nothing, and that’s the gospel truth. eternalyouthco.com
FREAK FLAG V
ANS collaborates with Robin Kegel and gives birth to Vans Freak Waive by Gato Heroi. Embracing adventure and emphasizing comfort and movement, the collection comes in nature-inspired color schemes as seen in the “E-Street,” “Chandler,” and “Delta.” Taking consideration of how surfers like their shoes, these are all gnarly-approved. vans.com
THREADS
BRANDS TO KNOW
HAPPY ENDINGS W
e’d like you to meet RAQUELLE. Every season, she opens her wardrobe with party dresses, boleros, swish shorts, palazzo pants, and tunics and her printed ivory florals and teal dots get together with fine chambray and swinging daffodils. It’s a Polaroidperfect moment that bridges a girl’s fantasy and reality. raquelle.net
CALL OF THE CENTURY P
ull off these 19th century updates from LA-based Courtney Prince of DOLORIS PETUNIA. Featuring vintage-inspired gothic choker necklaces, molded cuffs, and bubble earrings, these one-off, made-to-order designs incorporate gradients of vibrant pink, peach, and blue hand-dyed Swarovski crystals and gold tone metals. dolorispetunia.com
9102 Mac 2.0 Jacket · iPad Compatible Pocket Italian Paper Cotton
9167 Rice Line Embroidery Shirt 9222 Twisted DPM: Bons 2/120’s Poplin Organic Cotton Loopbac
9319 Long Skinny Snopants® Parva Cotton
9125 M42 Cargo Pants · iPad Compatible 9121 Twisted Snocord S Organic Diamond Twill · Compact PanCotton Paper Resin Cotton ·
HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER T
rek through the moors and escape to a private hunting lodge in RODD & GUNN’s line of polo shirts, woolen pea coats, knit sweaters, crisp button-downs, and cotton trousers. Blend seamlessly into nature with a neutral palette accentuated by deep burgundies and blues for that low-key sophistication. roddandgunn.com.au
REPTILE INSTINCTS M
AHARISHI’s Memento Mori Year of the Snake collection uses reptile prints on blazers, jackets, and jersey shirts. Latest offerings include tailored shorts, parkas, and cargo pants made for men who can’t stop and won’t stop. Pant pockets feature iPad compatibility for the busy bees. Hiss and never miss. maharishistore.com
AVALANCHE ALERT B
reak necks with BREAKING ROCKS’s graphic pullovers made from 100% cotton. From palm trees and sugarcoated candies to evil cats in space prints all over your jumper, there is no telling what worldshattering event you can attract. breakingrocksclothing.com
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SETTING
PLACES TO GO
CORKAGE
LOOF, SINGAPORE T
he freshly reopened LOOF rooftop bar goes back to its roots with South Asian flavors. Cocktails are specifically concocted to suit the region’s tastes, while mosaic accent walls in orange, green, and blue, perfectly complement the playful nature of its drinks. For instance, The Badung Bloom— with its calamansi juice, vodka, champagne, and rose syrup—elicits summer languor while the Penang Padi’s vodka concoction inspires a red hot sensation.
loof.com.sg
GRUB
LUCKY NOODLES, SOLAIRE RESORT AND CASINO T
SUITE
THE HENRY HOTEL, CEBU A
rt pops out of Cebu’s THE HENRY HOTEL. Mixing vintage and modern accents, the hotel formerly known as The House of Cebu is littered with precious paintings and other contemporary art pieces from local artists. Sculptures and adorable little novelties immediately greet guests at the lobby. Further inside, the rooms follow different themes from nautical and
Hispanic to Middle Eastern. Designed and furnished with antique couches and wooden tables, The Henry offers comfort wrapped in substance and style.
thehouseofcebu.com
he Lunar New Year may have already come and gone but the luck still hasn’t run out in Solaire Resort and Casino’s LUCKY NOODLES. Warmed by the light wood paneling and decked with graphic art on its walls, the restaurant is open 24/7. Stocked to the brim with the best of Asian comfort food—from rice dishes, soups, and barbecue to dim sum to dumplings and the house’s signature homemade noodles. you can count yourself blessed by Buddha himself.
solaireresort.com/restaurants/lucky-noodles
THIRSTY TRAVELER
Trekking all around the Orient is great, but traveling through South Asia with LOOF’s exotic drinks has an allure all to its own. 331 North Bridge Rd #03-07, Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop, Singapore
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HO CHI MINT An Asian spin on the mojito with pear juice, a sprig of fresh mint, cucumber, and vodka
JAVA GINGER CRUSH A mixture of ginger beer, fresh ginger, Canton ginger liqueur, and grapefruit
SINGAPORE SOUR Straight up parts of vodka, sour plum, and calamansi juice
PENANG PADI Spicy mix of chili padi, lime juice, vanilla vodka, and a splash of soy sauce
Words by Rita Faire and Denise Fernandez
PLATE
BRICK AND MORTAR
STORES TO SHOP
DREAM COLLECTIVE, LA 1404 Micheltorena, Silverlake Los Angeles, California 90026 dreamcollective.com Price Range: $6-$10,000 (P240-P410,000) Don’t leave the store without: A stack of Dream Collective cuffs
E
nter designer Kathryn Bentley’s DREAM COLLECTIVE. Combining roughly hewn shapes and raw textures with natural, subdued tones, the place exudes an earthy vibe that makes you feel calm and collected. The glass storefront reveals an interior boasting Navajo prints, hanging tree twigs, dreamcatchers, and shells. Besides two of Kathryn’s jewelry line, a selection of Karen Walker’s and RetroSuperFuture’s sunglasses are displayed on wooden tables while Caitlin Wylde’s artworks are hung on white walls. Wooden shelves hold Beatrice Valenzuela shoes and products like Fat and the Moon lip & cheek stains, Los Poblanos soaps, and Alexis Smart floral remedies. Dream Collective’s goal is to “add joy to your life every time you wear, use, or display [its items].” That said, this retail space has been delighting LA’s collective shopping consciousness.
BROWNBREATH PASSAGE STORE, SEOUL 1F 544 16 Sinsa-dong Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea brownbreath.com Price Range: $10-$400 (P400-P16,200) Don’t leave the store without: A Brownbreath bag
G
et through the black bricks of BROWNBREATH PASSAGE STORE and leave your worries and excess baggage behind. Known for selling bags, it definitely has more up on its canvas sleeve than apparel. The store’s wooden and brick accents complement the low lighting. Rows of tables flaunt denim, bags, boots, and button-downs from brands like Izola, Komono, Slvdr, Jack Flynn, and Publish–all of which are ready for any young man’s taking. On one corner wall, reads such as Reed Pages Mag and Highsnobiety along with a collection of curated CDs are up for sale, giving you a glimpse of the lifestyles the brand advocates. Priding itself for a friendly staff, it’s okay to hang around the store to talk about shoes. Boys will be boys and consider this their place for new toys.
Words by Loris Peña
SAVOUS
S
AVOUS can mean two things. In French it means “it’s you.” In cyber space, it means a shop where you can get the best metallic skirts, floral shorts, leather dresses, sheer pullovers, and accessories like bowler hats, leather backpacks,
and sunglasses. French classes aren’t a prerequisite, but if you can rock Savous’s items like a French woman, why not?
savous.com
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SCREEN
SCENES TO SEE
TICKET
REMOTE CONTROL NYMPHOMANIAC Written and directed by Lars von Trier, the film follows a selfdiagnosed nymphomaniac (Charlotte Gainsbourg) from birth to the age of 50, when a man (Stellan Skarsgard) finds her beaten in a back alley.
BEFORE MIDNIGHT The third part in Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke, and Julie Delpy’s trilogy follows main characters Jesse and Celine as a married couple with twin girls as they vacation in Greece and flesh out the dynamics of their relationship. THE EAST An intelligence operative (Brit Marling) jeopardizes her mission to sabotage an anarchist collective when she falls in love with the group’s charismatic leader (Alexander Skarsgård) in Zal Batmanglij’s follow-up to his 2011 feature film debut, Sound of My Voice. ONLY GOD FORGIVES Ryan Gosling reunites with Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn in this film about an English crimelord from the Thai underworld who follows his mother’s (Kristin Scott Thomas) orders to hunt down his brother’s killer.
METRO MANILA Sean Ellis’s Sundance Film Festival 2013 Audience Award winner tells the story of a Filipino farmer whose morals are tested when he gets involved in a city-wide heist operation.
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ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (NETFLIX) After nearly a seven-year absence, cult comedy series Arrested Development comes back in a Netflix exclusive internet release. The series will see the return of the entire Bluth family including Michael (Jason Bateman), Gob (Will Arnett), George Michael (Michael Cera), and Lucille (Jessica Walter), just to name a few. It also boasts a huge guest star list including Kristen Wiig, Seth Rogen, John Slattery, and Isla Fisher.
FAMILY TREE (HBO) Bridesmaids star Chris O’Dowd headlines improv comedy icon Christopher Guest’s new series in collaboration with HBO and the UK’s BBC Two. Chris O’Dowd stars as Tom Chadwick, a 30-year-old Englishman who traces the roots of his family back to the former confederate states of the United States. Rounding off the cast are Christopher Guest regulars Ed Begley Jr., Michael McKean, and Jim Piddock.
HEMLOCK GROVE (NETFLIX) Inglourious Basterds star Eli Roth goes behind the camera as executive producer for the adaptation of Brian McGreevy’s Hemlock Grove. The 13-episode series follows the case of a brutally murdered girl and the hunt for her killer. Suspects include a 17-yearold gypsy trash kid rumored to be a werewolf and the wealthy heir to the estate where the girl’s body was found.
PL AYBACK 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968) Watch it in a dark room. The sound and the visuals are completely immersive.
ALEX BREWER (Music Video Director) brewer.us TOY STORY 3 (2010) A movie about cartoon toys that can make you cry. Beautiful.
SORCERER (1977) The best movie you’ve never seen. Epic scale, gripping suspense, pure great storytelling.
PULP FICTION (1994) Three aweinspiring movies in one.
THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998) It really ties this list together.
Words by Rita Faire
FRANCES HA This Telluride Film Festival alum, cowritten by the film’s director Noah Baumbach and star Greta Gerwig, tells the story of a 27-year-old dancer who must learn to live on her own after her roommate decides to move out.
ink BOOKMARK
BOOKS TO READ
HOT OFF THE PRESS A GUIDE TO BEING BORN By Ramona Ausubel After her debut novel, No One Is Here Except All of Us, author Ramona Ausubel’s sophomore offering focuses on love, conception, gestation, and birth in this series of short stories. From experiences such as falling in love to becoming a parent, Ausubel’s eleven stories explore the heart of the human condition in eleven short stories including Atria, the story of a pregnant teenager suffering from paranoia; Catch and Release, which follows a a girl who uncovers the ghost of a Civil War hero behind her home; and Tributaries where falling in love means growing a new arm. LOVE IS POWER, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT By A. Igoni Barrett For A. Igoni Barrett, love doesn’t always lead to a fairytale ending. His new collection of short stories studies people from all positions in life including a man suffering from acute halitosis exploring the chaotic bus system, a young boy posing as a woman online, a minor police officer abusing the authority of his uniform by beating his wife. Though set in unfamiliar territory, Barrett introduces modern Nigeria with humor, sympathy and skillful brevity.
THE POCKET DJ: ULTRAGRRRL’S Guide to building the best music library By Sarah Lewitinn
K
nown for championing rock bands like My Chemical Romance and The Killers way before Hypem, Soundcloud, and YouTube happened, former Spin editor and writer Sarah Lewitinn’s The Pocket DJ makes sure that you have the right jam for the right mood. With over 2000 curated songs from more than five decades of music, here are just some of the playlists you can expect: • Pooping Songs. Featuring songs like Coldplay’s “Yellow,” Jay-Z’s “99 Problems,” and The Cure’s “In Between Days” for people who “don’t’ want anyone to know what you’re up to in there.”
Wprds by Rita Faire and Katrina Swee
• Songs To Help You Lose Those Extra Pounds. Songs like Led Zepplin’s “Immigrant Song,” Van Halen’s “Jump,” and Death Cab For Cutie’s “Army Corps of Architects,” get
THE STORYTELLERS Edited by Selena Wendt Inspired by literary icons such as Jorge Amado, Jorge Luis Borges, Pablo Neruda, and Gabriel García Márquez, The Storytellers investigates the unique storytelling tradition that personifies Latin American literature and its influence on modern-day artists worldwide. The catalogue was edited by Selena Wendt, director of the Stenersen Museum, and writer, curator, and art historian who has organized numerous international exhibitions.
you ready to ”step up to the treadmill, strap on your headphones, and pray that nobody notices you singing along or pumping your fists into the air.” • Valentine’s Day Alone. Those “who love to feel unloved” will find solace in this mix that unites British Sea Power’s “Blackout,” Beck’s “Loser,” and Morrissey’s “The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get.”
FOOTNOTES With a 10-year career focused mostly on poetry, No One Is Here Except All of Us was Ramona Ausubel’s first foray into publishing prose.
A native of Nigeria himself, A. Igoni Barrett was born and raised in Port Harcourt to a Nigerian mother and the Jamaican novelist and poet Lindsay Barrett.
Pablo Neruda’s father greatly discouraged him from a career in literature, but Nobel Prize winner Gabriela Minstral gave the young poet the confidence to push forward.
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BEATS
MUSIC TO HEAR
PL AYLIS T LISTEN UP
ALT-J Joe Newman (guitar/ vocals) altjband.com
MAUDE Glenn Calingasan (bass) facebook.com/maudemanila
Stock up on some Red Bull, because the entire weeks from April 28 to May 31 will beat you up. The Red Bull Music Academy brings Brian Eno, Erykah Badu, Nile Rodgers, LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon, A-Trak, and Four Tet, among over 230 artists to perform at the festival in New York. There are also 34 special shows that will include Brian Eno’s audio-visual installation 77 Million Paintings. Check Redbullmusicacademy.com for the rest of the details.
On May 14, R.E.M. will re-release their 1988 breakthrough, Green. It will feature 21 tracks from a 1989 gig in North Carolina, and it will come in a clamshell box packed with postcards, a poster, and liner notes by Uncut editor Allan Jones. It will also be available on vinyl. Best way to celebrate their 25th anniversary? “Get Up” and get it.
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DARWIN DEEZ darwindeez.com
“Right Down the Line” Gerry Rafferty There has never been a bad time to listen to this song.
“Higher Ground” TNGHT It’s an absolute tune. Nuff said. Safe.
“Down the Line (It Takes a Number)” Romare Cool production and he’s a mate so I got his back.
“Lights Out, Words Gone” Bombay Bicycle Club It makes me high.
“Everlong” Foo Fighters It’s perfect for any time of the day.
“Changes” Base Ball Bear I like the groove of the song, and the bassist looks like my friend.
“Bad Boy” BigBang Yes, I’m a fan, and I listen to their songs everyday.
“Don’t Save Me” HAIM Oh, I’ll save you, baby. Stop looking so hot. Nice handclaps.
“Too Hot to Handle” Heatwave Disco feels good. This dude wrote MJ’s hits!
“Please Don’t Go” Mike Posner Just the breakdown. What a bullshit chorus though.
“Starry Eyed (Jakwob Remix) Ellie Goulding Love that first drop. Fave dubstep song.
ON THE RISE
PULSE CHECK O
“
ur first gig was quite special and memorable,” Rob Mananquil of Filipino instrumental band PULSO says. “I was contacted by a [company] a week before their event to play a 30-minute set.” At that time, he had
only written one song. For most bands, they’d probably say no. But Rob Mananquil, Franco Malaya, and Matt Warren challenged themselves. In five days, they finished four songs. We can’t imagine how
emotionally taxing and exciting that moment was, but their music gives about the same increasing pulse rates. With the calming guitars and steady drumworks that slowly transition to powerful melodies. Rob explains, “I like the idea of a song having no lyrics, yet a storytelling takes place, and it’s the melody of instruments that [does that].” On to the next chapter, they are scheduled to record an album with Terno Recordings. “If the stars align well, maybe [it will be released] on the second trimester of this year,” says Rob. “Pop the CD in your stereo, boom! Ear candy!”
facebook.com/pulsomusicph
Words by Reena Mesias Darwin Deez photo by Phil Sharp Glenn Calingasan photo by Agnes Navales
Joining Colin Farrell, Amanda Seyfried, Josh Hutcherson for 20th Century Fox’s animated film, Epic, are pop diva Beyoncé (voicing Queen Tara), veteran rocker Steven Tyler (voicing Nim Galuu), and hitmaker Pitbull (voicing Bufo). The film is set for a May 24th release date. Epic lineup? Not really. But they could be an exciting lineup for hypothetical American Idol judges.
“Machines of Loving Grace” Princess Chelsea The more I think about it, the more it gets my creative juices flowing.
TEC H PACK SOL REPUBLIC × STEVE AOKI TRACKS HD • • • •
V10 Sound Engines provide deep bass and high vocal clarity Features SonicSoft™ Speaker Pads for long-term on-ear comfort Comes with FlexTech™ Sound Track headbands built to withstand heavy abuse Its three-button mic and music controls are compatible with Apple, Android, Blackberry, and Windows devices SRP: P7,910
BEATS™ BY DRE × COLETTE SWEET SIXTEEN • • • •
Limited edition Beatbox speaker system made in celebration of Colette’s 16th anniversary Designed and signed by New York-based artist Baron Von Fancy Features rubber feet for 2-foot height adjustment option Comes with remote control with lithium battery SRP: P21,090
RING AROUND Play around when surrounding yourself with sound.
ESKUCHÉ CONTROL V2 • Comes cushioned rectangular ear cups and 40mm drivers • Has 20Hz-20kHz frequency response • Features pliable headbands for custom fit • Available in rich chocolate, burnt orange, and baby blue colorways
LEXON FLOW • • • •
Can be used as an FM radio, MP3 amplifier, and three-way speaker Powered by four AA batteries Made with transparent polycarbonate ABS and rubber Available in black, white, and red
SRP: P2,450
SRP: TBD
DOWNLOADS DBLCAM By Social Media Print Studio
GOOGLE KEEP By Google Inc.
PHOTOLETTERING By House Industries
This app takes doublesided photos using both front-facing and back-facing cameras on an iPhone and publishes them as a diptych.
This allows you to keep track of personal notes via written reminders, checklists, and photos. It can also record and transcribe voice recordings.
Creates, edits, and shares images with access to various typefaces from the House Industries font foundries.
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FAC E PA IN T Bobbi Brown Choose Your Black Kohl Cake Liner P960 NYX The Smokey Shadow Eyeshadow Palette P306
Jo Malone™ Rose Water & Vanilla Cologne Intense P5,910
Gorgeous Cosmetics Hepburn Faux Lashes P700
Sisley Paris Transmat Botanical Makeup with Cucumber P4,620
MAC Archie’s Girls Veronica Pigment in Magic Spells P1,010
SHADY STROKES
Ciaté Paint Pot in 3 AM Girl P660
Read between these fine lines and pink lips.
MAC Après Chic Mineralize Eyeshadow P920
Smashbox Love Me Lip Enhancing Gloss in Adore Me P830
MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick P660
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Quad in Maestro P2,580
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Bobbi Brown Choose Your Black Long-Wear Eye Pencil P1,050
Bobbi Brown Intensifying Long-Wear Mascara in Jet P1,100
Model photo by Ming Han Chung
Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35 P1,840
MAC Duo Fiber Eyeshadow Brush 287 P1,360
AB O U T FACE BOOB TUBE
PETER THOMAS ROTH FIRMX™ PEELING GEL is designed to brighten skin in an instant. Just squeeze a dime-sized amount of the gel and massage away dead skin cells. P2,100
PASSION FRUIT
Brighten skin’s complexion with ELEMIS PAPAYA ENZYME PEEL. Its papaya and pineapple fruit enzymes smoothen skin while milk protein, antioxidants, and vitamin E keep it nourished. P1,840
Expert Advice
Buff away course skin with an allnatural facial scrub made of milk and ground almonds.
BUFFER BABE
STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM
MARIO BADESCU STRAWBERRY FACE SCRUB contains strawberry seeds that get rid of dry, flaky skin. Just massage gently on to wet skin, rinse, and enjoy an instant, healthy glow. P950
Turn over a new leaf by shedding some skin.
MIX MATCH
SWEET TREAT
L’OCCITANE ALMOND APPLE SWEET PEEL is a sensitive skinned girl’s best friend. It exfoliates dead skin without making it red and raw. P1,750
Mix BOBBI BROWN BUFFING GRAINS FOR FACE with water for a gentle exfoliator that’s fully customized for your skin. P2,500
BALM BABY
THEBALM TIMEBALM® ALMOND MICRODERMABRASION FACE EXFOLIATING SCRUB not only scrubs away dull skin, but it also brings back moisture with humectants. P1,600
b ea u t y b i t e STUDIO FIX
Model photo by Ming Han Chung Words by Zoe Laurente
S
ome people believe that hair isn’t that important; it can be chopped off if hated, but to Alex Carbonell, hair means something completely different. The hair highness has been a hair stylist since the age of 20, and recently opened another STUDIO FIX in Greenbelt to share his talent of transforming a hair catastrophe into sleek or curly bliss with sexy layers, the right color, or the ideal bob. With comfortable chairs and an experienced staff trained by Alex Carbonell himself, the minimalist and modern salon with art easel-inspired mirrors, candles, and wooden accents offers a friendly environment with exceptional service. Plus, it supposedly has a to-die-for back and arm massage. Celebrities, fashionistas, and magazine editors
swarm to creative director Alex Carbonell for their fix, so why not get yours, too? 2nd floor, Greenbelt 3 Paseo de Roxas cor. Legaspi St., Ayala Center Makati Metro Manila
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GO S E E Prints, textures, and colors are out for some lovin’. Live fast, die young; rad boys and girls do it well.
Oversized Sweater Knitted Beanie
Floral Trousers
Varsity Jacket
Chekered Kilt
Sequined Hot Pants
Neon Sandals
Leopard Creepers Chunky Scarf
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Gold Boots
Stripe Brogues
Bowtie
Spike Shoulders
Printed Suit
Plaid Button-down
Leather Vest
Photographed by Nikki Ruiz and Steffi Santiago
Scarf Print Jacket
Harem Denim Polka dot Pants Pillbox Bag Red Laces
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S T YLE I D
Paint the town with a red plaid dress.
Bold prints, bright colors, and geometric patterns are this season’s must-haves. Stare too long and trip out. By JP Singson
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Dapper Lou’s Ludget Delcy Navajo print bomber is absolutely fabulous. Luigi Musto and his checkerboard drainpipes.
Chiara Ferragni of The Blonde Salad makes 3D look so chic.
Street style photos courtesy of jponfashionspeed.com and lelook.eu. Runway photo by Ming Han Chung.
Visual insanity
Jordy Chicletol of The Hot Spot jumps on the print on print trend.
Marc by Marc Jacobs S/S 2013
It’s easy to spot Cocolia thanks to her printed black and white trousers.
Increase the fun by doubling the visuals with printed and flowing dresses. bodycons, kaftans, and A-line dresses will get you jumping and twisting ‘til you get the fullest, fairest experience. Photographed by Steven Visneau @ Sister Brother Mgmt. Styled by Jennifer Bigham @ Sister Brother Mgmt.
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shirt by Clover Canyon pants by Clover Canyon
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dresses by Clover Canyon
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dresses by Camilla
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dresses are by M Missoni
Hair and Makeup Cher Hukill Model Sam at Wallflower Management
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H
I
G
H
E
R
Monotone dressing requires a lot of discipline; one must be in control to wield power. After all—from where you are standing—the sky is clearer, and the horizon is more visible than ever. Photographed by Patrick Diokno Styled by Loris Peña
G
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R
O
U
N
D
button-down by Oxygen
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scarf, stylist’s own
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sweater by Zara
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shirt by Zara scarf, stylist’s own
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Hair and Makeup Tinette Herrera Model Christian Dela Cruz button-down by Oxygen pants by Zara
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national neo-graphic
Eyes t e ll no lie s . From sta rry, sta rry ni ghts a nd mi li ta ry cam os t o plaids and flora l explosi ons–your tees, leggi ngs, jacket s , and dre s ses wi ll put no sha me to your ga me. All s igns and s ym bols represent you, you qui c k-spotted c uti e tha ng! P hot ogra phed by Pa tri c k La c si na S tyled by Chloe Wi se
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shirt by Topshop skirt by American Apparel tights by Topshop sweater by Jeremy Scott necklace by H&M shoes by Doc Martens
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sweater by Jeremy Scott dress by American Apparel earrings by Chloe Comme Parris rings by Jacflash
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shirt by Yard666sale blazer by Zara pants by American Apparel shirt by Sid Neigum bag by Doc Martens vintage necklace, stylist’s own bracelets by Wildfox Couture ring by Topshop
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halter by Vintage shirt by Topshop pants by H&M bag by Topshop earrings by H&M
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shirt by Yard666 Sale blazer by Zara trousers by Topshop clutch by H&M rings by YSL
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top by Topshop vest by Sig Neigum pants by Topshop bag by Doc Martens neckace by Northbound Leather earrings by Chloe Comme Parris
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shirt by Yard666sale earrings by Chloe Comme Parris
Hair and Makeup Diana Mejia Model Laura Kell of Next
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Printed sundresses
SOLAR SYSTEM Be the center of attention with printed sundresses.
Cotton On [P799]
Warehouse [P4,095]
Kate Spade [P 19,950]
Topshop [P2,445]
po r e Na n e t t e L e r 2 0 1 3 e Sp r in g /SUmm
Forever 21 [P1,275]
Luxe [P3,045]
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Sa n d al s
THONG SONG
These T-strap sandals will keep you on your toes.
Forever 21 [P960]
Steve Madden [P2,450]
Aldo [P2,695]
Cotton On [P799]
Charles & Keith [P1,799]
Call It Spring [P2,195]
ji Ta da s h i Sho 2 0 1 3 er Sp r in g /SUmm
Aldo [P2,695]
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bikinis
BIKINI BANDITS Embrace the heat in a scorching two-piece.
Folded & Hung [P1149]
Oxygen [P1099]
Forever 21 [Top P740] [Bottom P500]
Folded & Hung [P1149]
lo n a C u s t o Ba r c e 2 0 13 er Sp r in g /SUmm
Forever 21 [Top P620] [Bottom P560]
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Oxygen [P1099]
P r i n t e d s ca r v e s / Ba n g l e s
WRAP IT UP Cover up in printed scarves.
Forever 21 [P505]
Warehouse [P1,645]
Call It Spring [P655]
Aldo [P895]
c Jaco b s r a M y b c r Ma er 2013 Sp r in g /SUmm
Topshop [P1,445]
Dorothy Perkins [P945]
BLING RING
Stack ‘em bangles on your arms like there’s no tomorrow.
Penshoppe [P349]
Kate Spade [P6,650]
Penshoppe [P349]
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P la i d b u t t o n - d ow n s
PLAID PLEASURE Get checked out with plaid button-downs.
Penshoppe [P1,099]
Lacoste [P3,950]
21 Men [P1,425]
Folded & Hung [P1,199]
Bench [P649.75]
Topman [P2,395]
OD N .H O o LY WO 2 0 1 3 er Sp r in g /S u mm
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t a i lo r e d Sho r t s
SHORT STORIES
Count on tailored shorts to keep you looking crisp.
Oxygen [P999]
Cotton On [P1,599]
Folded & Hung [P899]
Bench [P699.75]
rs M icha e l Ko 2 0 1 3 er Sp r in g /S u mm
21 Men [P1,025]
Topman [P2,395]
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SNE A KERS
IN AND OUT
Skechers [P3,590]
Creative Recreation [P3,295]
Springfield [P2,450]
Vans [P4,298]
Folded & Hung [P1,499]
Creative Recreation [P3,995]
Vans [P3,998]
Skechers [P3,590]
For your everyday wear and tear.
Keds [P2,590]
y-3 er 2013 mm u /S g in r Sp
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Skechers [P3,590]
Penshoppe [P999]
Adidas [P3,695]
Skechers [P3,590]
Sperry Top-Sider [P4,295]
Adidas [P2,995]
Vans [P2,298]
G r aph i c t e e s / A v i a t o r s
MENTAL IMAGE Print a picture on these graphic tees.
Folded and Hung [P549] Bench [P379]
Oxygen [P549] Topman [P1,445]
D N .H O o LY WO O 13 er 20 Sp r in g /S u mm
Penshoppe [P499] 21 Men [P805]
HIGH FLYER
Keep the glare away in cool aviators.
Bench [P299]
Folded and Hung [P499]
Aldo [P535]
Folded and Hung [P499]
Call It Spring [P553]
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M U S E
FIRST LADY The most special thing about EVE SPECIALL isn’t that she juggles a party-hardy life looking glam; it’s that despite all the rushed photo shoots, last minute DJ gigs, and airport layovers, she remains true to her individuality. According to her, it’s the key to surviving this ravaging industry. By Giano D. Dionisio
what comes out a year later in mainstream music. Also, I am a big fan of mixtapes– really, really great ones that skip across genres without you even noticing. All-time favorite? The Opening Ceremony Mix by Total Freedom. Kid Fresh does excellent ones, too. Oxygen Campaign Summer 2012
I
t happened when Eve Speciall was 11, growing up in “middle class white suburbia–not really an environment for exposure to cool subcultures,” that this little lady discovered hip-hop thanks to Missy E and N*E*R*D. That led to deeper aural pleasures and a unique trajectory for her– Eve, along with her college dance crew, won the World of Dance Hip-Hop Championships in New York. Not giving up the music, she traded in the trophy for a turntable and from then on, her world would revolve around the creative energies of the club scene (as a DJ) as well as global fashion (as a professional model). Eve Speciall effortlessly blends the melodies of her persona with the buzz of sincere style and the trappings of musical talent.
S L A M J AM
Oh, man, isn’t it so cool how the whole audio aesthetic of what is popular or cool shifts without anyone really being able to predict it? I love the constant metamorphosis of music that you hear in clubs because you know it will affect
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INSPIRE D A TTIRE
I really like when I get to wear a designer outfit because I can choose something I could never normally afford. A favorite look was when I was DJing alongside Henry Holland and he dressed me in House of Holland–candy pastel shirt and cloud print jeans–I dyed my hair fairy floss pink that afternoon to match the look. My challenge is always to take something that people would normally not like and make it wearable, like high-waisted acid wash jeans, furry cropped sweaters, leather chokers, and pink zebra platform creepers. It’s all gravy.
G IR L, UNINTE RRUPTE D
Normally, I would describe my style as mad bipolar! I love the contrast of masculine and feminine, light and dark, dirty trap and sugary pop. If I only represented one side of myself with my music and style, it would be so dishonest. I would find it exhausting to suppress an integral part of my being. Every guy and girl has the right and power to harness his and her opposite, be authentic, show the dark and the light.
evespeciall.com
Photographed by Art Alera, Bershka
late at night. The plus side was that we were incredibly focused and we learned to use our time together as efficiently as possible. M: The writing process happened so naturally; it was almost a surprise to look back and realize we’d written so many songs. This is both our first musical project, so there were definitely lots of technical challenges in just learning how to record, but we really embraced those constraints and allowed them to shape the record. The hardest part was choosing which songs to mix. We wrote over 20 tracks and had to whittle it down to the 12 that are on the record. I love “Fantasy,” especially the music video with cheerleaders vomitting glitters. What’s the band’s fantasy? L: To hear our music come on the radio in the car while driving, to be on the cover of Nylon, and ultimately to headline Glastonbury. M: I’d love to have a house in Brooklyn with a full-fledged recording studio in the basement.
CO MMON GR O U N D
“Neither of us are natural blondes,” Max Hershenow of MS MR tells us. But how he and Lizzy Plapinger got together to create haunting music influenced by 80s rock and glitch-pop can’t be any more organic. Dressed up like Brooklyn renegades and finding fans in Jay-Z and Zane Lowe, MS MR may be a young band, but they definitely don’t sound premature. By Reena Mesias
M
S MR are an oxymoron. “I have a really deep manly voice,” says Max Hershenow. “But I love spending a lot of time getting ready for things—I enjoy trying on a million different outfits every morning.” Lizzy Plapinger says, “Ladywise, I look the part and clearly love clothes and dying my hair all sorts of different colors, but ultimately I’m pretty much the girliest version of
a tomboy and not very ladylike.” She smirks, “Most of the time I act like a teenage boy.” Even the way they design their rooms are poles apart. They weren’t high school friends who saw the light and faced that oh-we’re-cool-so-let’smake-a-band phase. Max even admits, “When we started, we didn’t really know each other, and we didn’t really know anything about writing music.” So who would’ve thought MS MR would work? We didn’t bother asking.
We just wanna know how they are now. Your LP, Second Hand Rapture, is out this month. Any challenges making the album? L: Honestly, the challenge wasn’t necessarily the music process itself but carving out time for us both to write and record since we were both working other jobs at the time. We would either work for like two or three hours early in the morning before work or
You’re very visual people, too. Which artists inspire you the most? L: Right now I feel inspired by Liza Farrell, Chloe Nørgaard, John Hughes, Tim Burton, Tommy Kuntz, CANADA (the video directors), Garbage, Spice Girls, Beach House, Tavi Gevinson and always New York City. M: I studied architecture and dance in college and am definitely inspired by interesting spaces and movement. Choreographers like Trey McIntyre, Ohad Naharin and Doug Varone consistently create work that pushed the boundaries of what I am familiar with, and Naharin in particular uses space and music in really incredible ways.
That makes me curious about how your rooms look like. Is it like your Tumblr, dark yet glam at the same time? L: As you might guess, it’s all bright colors and clashing patterns. My room is always a complete mess with clothes absolutely everywhere. I often feel like my bedroom is more like my walk-in closet that I happen to be living in. Ultimately, it feels like where you think Clarissa Explains it All might grow up to live. M: My apartment is sort of the opposite in that it’s always very neat and clean. [Laughs] I painted the walls in bright colors and have cool old Victorian fireplaces, but I live in an old brownstone in Bed-Stuy that’s sort of falling apart, so there’s definitely a little of that decayed glamour vibe. Since you guys weren’t friends first, what surprises did you learn about each other? L: As we started to write music together, we sort of just immediately jumped into the deeply personal stuff as one does when making music; but a lot of the more general facts that quickly learn about someone—where they grew up, etc.—just sort of fell by the wayside. It wasn’t until we finished recording that I learned that Max had spent high school in Ecuador and Honduras [laughs]. M: I think I’ve been surprised at how headstrong Lizzy is. We’re both pretty stubborn people, but we were both so green when we started writing, I didn’t realize how passionately Lizzy could articulate and defend our artistic ideas until we started meeting people on the business side of things. It’s meant that we’ve really maintained absolute control over every element of the project.
msmrsounds.com @msmrsounds
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M A E S T R O
maestro
CLASHES TO DASHES, DUST TO DUST
Diamonds and pearls? Overrated. Obsidian is the real gemstone, and so is BATHS’ latest album. Will Wiesenfeld promises a darker but more pop and hi-fi sounds this time around.
Coming out of her self-induced hermitage and stepping back to the front lines, HELOISE AND THE SAVOIR FAIRE frontwoman Heloise Williams sheds the weight of criticism by getting back to her music’s roots. By Rita Faire
W
“
hen I decided to start Heloise and the Savoir Faire… I didn’t have any outside player influences,” says vocalist Heloise Williams. “It was just me, a Casio keyboard, a drum machine and a laptop.” But bands grow, and Heloise and the Savoir Faire did it in the literal sense. Despite being a solo outfit at heart, Heloise experimented with a backup band. The current lineup features original band member and dancer Joe Shephard with the additional presence of James Bellizia (stunt guitars), Luke Hughett (drums), and Rob O’Dea (bass guitar/sound engineer). Writing her debut album Trash, Rats and Microphones with a full band in mind, Heloise lost track of her “solo-ladysinger-dance-music” persona. But like a number of artists, Heloise felt the desire to go back to her roots and rediscover what makes her “heart-on-asleeve dance music” hers. The “dance-floor napalm” fusion of synths and raw vocals in sophomore album Diamond Dust is the product of this soulsearching. How did your songwriting change from Trash, Rats and Microphones to Diamond Dust. Why did you decide to isolate yourself from influences the second time around? In the process of recording [Trash, Rats and Microphones], I started to write with a full band in mind so that record is a hybrid, and I did write a few songs with some very talented people like my friend Jason Cooley. But my heart has always
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been in the solo-lady-singerdance-music genre like Madonna and Kylie, but with me being the writer and producer mostly out of necessity. [With Diamond Dust], I wanted to get back to my vacuum roots… There was a lot of love, blood, sweat, and tears put into this record, but I had to be sure the vision was mine and not made to please anyone else but me. I had something to prove to myself so isolation made sense to write, but really it takes a village to make a record. How do you think the whole process enriched the final output? I think it’s a strong vision. It’s still bifurcated, but that’s me. I love binaries… so there’s a more throwback vibe on some songs and a more bedroom-y “future style” on others.
bodies (foxes/oceans) and times (future/past). The unknown can feel familiar. Eventually we may be even be able to consciously exist on several different time planes simultaneously. Marie Claire cited that you had Cyndi Lauper’s tone and Debbie Harry’s range. I love and admire Cyndi and Debbie very much. They are the women that I looked up to most growing up, so to have any kind of comparison to them is very high praise… They definitely have a punk spirit. They really inhabit their songs. They’re not vehicles for something or someone else. They’re writers. They sing their minds.
I just listened to your new release “Time Lords,” and I love it, but for more reasons than I thought I would. I’m a huge fan of Doctor Who myself. Well, thank you for listening and loving! Yes, I’m a Doctor Who fan. I was super scared of the Doctor when I was younger but I see it all differently now. I’m a romantic and very taken with the idea of time travel and star-crossed lovers, and of course the absurd makeup and costuming for the aliens… The song is also a nod to the idea of reincarnation, souls inhabiting different
“I’M A ROMANTIC AND VERY TAKEN WITH THE IDEA OF TIME TRAVEL AND STAR-CROSSED LOVERS AND OF COURSE THE ABSURD MAKEUP AND COSTUMING FOR THE ALIENS.”
HeloiseMusic.com @heloisetweets
We were all once pubescent preteens, but LAURA MARLING claims Once I Was An Eagle, and it’s her new record’s name, too. At 23, she’s already got four albums under her belt, and this 16-tracker sure isn’t going to disappoint.
You’ll have to pardon yourself and say Excuse My French once you get your hands on rapper FRENCH MONTANA’s debut album. Hailing from the East Coast, French Montana has worked with the likes of Diddy, Lana Del Rey, Drake, and Nicki Minaj, and Kanye West.
Move over, Damon Salvatore, because the real Modern Vampires of the City are coming to town. Armed with a vintage cover art and a 12-song tracklist, indie rock band VAMPIRE WEEKEND are definitely going to get your blood rushing in excitement with this third effort.
MAESTRO
“…take small breaths and don’t be greedy.”
Having been around the indie rock territory since the early 2000s, BRITISH SEA POWER are surely enforcing their power in the industry. But vocalist/guitarist Yan Scott Wilkinson prefers to look the opposite direction. As captain of the band’s latest venture, Machineries of Joy, he gives us directions on how to make extravagant sound humble. By Rem Gomez
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an Scott Wilkinson of British Sea Power lets us in on his thoughts about rehearsing in the Welsh mountains and recording his band’s material in Brighton. “There are plenty of interesting things going on in the city. I think it’s good if you can find inspiration in everyday life rather than once a year in a remote magical place.” Even if he finds constant things to be motivated about, it’s breathing which he claims to be the best thing in the world. “It’s nice to wake up in your bed, go record, and then end up back in bed.” Everything about the new material from Yan, guitarist Martin Noble, bassist/vocalist/ guitarist Neil Hamilton Wilkinson, drummer Matthew Wood, keyboardist Phil Sumner, and
violist Abi Fry throws us waves of maturity. They knock you out like powerful tides but float with your listening desires. How was it like working with Ken Thomas (Sigur Rós, David Bowie) on Machineries of Joy? Ken’s cool, but I’m not sure that’s what the average person would think if they bumped into him. He’s a lighthearted fellow. He’s very lovely and a little spaced out. Actually, upon reflection, I would definitely rate him as super cool in a non-stereotypical way. He says things I don’t always understand. That’s what I like about him. You’re a lot for a band. Is there a resident lazy member who sleeps during practice? Hamilton gets quite sleepy a
lot, but he’s not lazy. We let him sleep. Ever thought of collaborating with rising British musicians such as James Blake or Jessie Ware? I think I would rather collaborate with someone from another country. The bigger the difference, the better. BSP is known for playing shows at places like the Great Wall; care to share with us the next interesting gig you’ve got planned out? I’d like to play on the space station. M.I.R. mostly just to get to float around, do spins, and look at the earth rotating. Also, maybe in the federal reserve in America to see if it’s really got any gold in it.
What gadgets/inventions keep you busy and joyful these days? GPS stops me from getting lost all the time and tells me how I’m doing with my jogging. Sex robots are fun. Finish the sentence: “When a warm wind blows through the grass…” …take small breaths and don’t be greedy. We’re dying to know if any of you get seasick? Or just plain sick of the sea? Ha, good question! Only Noble gets seasick. He needs tablets at the slightest ripple of water. A storm makes him puke his guts up. The rest of us are fine. I like the sea.
britishseapower.co.uk @BSPOfficial
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HEAT STROKE
These Nocturnes by British electropop artist LITTLE BOOTS will definitely keep you up late over the remainder of your warm summer evenings. Tracks like “Motorway” and “Every Night I Say A Prayer” feature fun, lo-fi electronic goodness.
If your idea of a day-off consists of daydreaming and going on an adventure with good music, then look no further than HOT AS SUN. Their lo-fi electronic pop will have you traveling space in no time. By Jericho Umali
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eople who bond over a soundbath in Joshua Tree don’t usually end up forming a band together, but that’s what destiny did when Jamie Jackson (singer/songwriter) and Deborah Stoll (lyricist/ megaphonist/visual artist) met and discovered they had a passion for “weird sounds, magic houses, Pegasus, and bacon.” The two soon teamed up with WAZ (songwriter/guitar) to form Hot as Sun. As a fan of indie/electro/ pop, there’s a lot to say about
the styles of Hot as Sun’s music. Their genre is a fun combination of 80s pop like Laura Branigan and modern-day dance pop like Robyn. With tracks like “Dahnce to the Beat” and “Mother I’m Alive” off their self-titled debut EP, this trio knows how to heat up the dancefloor. Soon to come out with Night Time Sound Desire, which Jamie admits to having some unorthodox influences—”Jim Mangan’s short film, Winter’s Children, was on repeat in the studio while making the record, and I was reading Murakami’s
1Q84”—Deborah thinks the album could be a perfect backdrop when “you’re running, and mascara is streaking down your face in a really cool way, and someone’s chasing you, and you can’t wait for them to catch you, but the chase is so exciting that you want it to go on forever.” They’re an odd bunch who bring a friend to hand out fortune cookies at their shows. We asked what they’d wanna read about themselves in one? “You will always be very strange and do the magic.” hotassun.com @hotassun
Count off The Ways We Separate with Brooklyn-based duo BEACON’s songs of desire, passion, relationships, and regret. Centered on both intimacy and separation, their latest release draws elements of hip-hop, electronica, and pop—discomforting and darkly sensual at the same time.
room for
experiments
After trying to be a Japanese rock cover band and a Church band, Ali Hooshmand (vocals/guitar) and Andy Lopez (bass) called it quits. They gave music another shot and recruited two more members whose styles were a “little outside the realm of the band.” This didn’t fail as IVAN THEORY was born.
It’s confirmed and Authentic, LL COOL J’s 13th (wow) album is out this season! Working with fellow artists like Snoop Dogg, Eddie Van Halen, Travis Barker, and Jennifer Lopez, Authentic is packed with collaborations every hip-hop fan would kill for.
By Reena Mesias Photographed by Nyael David
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oming from rebels who disobeyed bar rules by playing one more song when they weren’t supposed to (“The bar cut off our power,” says Andy), you wouldn’t think Ivan Theory would be able to make songs that are so passionate and soulful that they hurt. The mesh of sounds could be attributed to Japan, their power metal phase, and a number of influences: “black and white, teenage angst, the forbidden fruit, discovering yourself, the
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fucking dark side, and dreams.” For dreams, they’re slowly reaching theirs. While April Hernandez (drums) and Derick Chan (guitar) say it’s a “bit of luck going well together,” it’s also a bit of science. Ali says, “It becomes subjective; it depends on how you improve, make sense of it all, and if it sounds good.” It’s turning out quite well for Ali who thought that becoming a musician meant “to die poor, unappreciated, forgotten, but not wasted
and unfulfilled.” As they try to prove themselves to their audience, they also prove to life that they can swing right in with ease. “Everyone involved knew it’s a wicked, unfair, door-die wait and struggle, but it’s the best fun we’ve had, and it’s what makes us truly happy.”
facebook.com/ivantheory
Gather ‘round the campfire and listen to Tales of a Grass Widow, COCOROSIE’s newest release. The avant-folk sister duo’s most recent single from the album, “Gravediggress,” mixes playful percussion with eerily beautiful vocals.
KITH NYC founder and collaboration release mastermind RONNIE FIEG captures everyone’s attention by intentionally tweaking familiar silhouettes and revitalizing dead aesthetics, all in good fun. By Rolly Ibañez
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“NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING IS THE ONLY WAY TO THRIVE IN DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT.”
s a proponent of various daily sneaker websites, I can say we are entering a new era in footwear design. Gone were the days when Chucks’ new spectrum of colors was considered modern. Now, the world is talking about hybrid, avant-garde, and forward-thinking kicks. Queensbased footwear cognoscente Ronnie Fieg is leading the vanguard. With muted camos, roaring animal prints, and decadent floral prints, he represents New York with the charisma of a Nike Destroyer jacket and the swag of a Supreme cap. Ronnie effortlessly incorporates the offsetting colors and interesting patterns of limited shoe models into his lifestyle by pairing them with everything from nonchalant white buttondowns and relaxed chinos to sleek black suits and sharp trousers. Ronnie tells us, “My mom was a big fan of high fashion and I’ve seen [her] wear some crazy fashionable things in my life… I would say high fashion plays a huge part [in what I do], but it was never really a goal to fuse street with fashion or anything like that. It’s just been something that has morphed since I’ve first started.” The main man behind reinterpreted designs and reinvigorated charm spares no expense in stepping up the footwear game with his exclusive drops. Hell, sneaker freakouts get so intense that cult followers even camp overnight just to get a pair. As a kid,
Ronnie himself admits to playing the same game. “It started off before athletics, when I [was] selling mostly hiking boots and shoes such as Clarks, Vasque and Red Wing. What started off as a job and a hustle to make money for me to be able to stay as fly as I possibly can in school with the best gear and footwear around, really turned into a hobby because I started collecting.” His taste in footwear—bold thinking Gel Lytes to tasteful camo brogues and fly tassle boots—has always hooked people to his signature aesthetic. One would think his process to be formulaic with colorways, materials, and silhouettes as initial ingredients to his formula only to be enhanced by highly functional silhouettes and additional “It” spins on staple designs. Still, Ronnie assures us that he “just goes with inspirations and ideas that stem from either a vacation or a walk down the street.” For Ronnie, every collaborative endeavor is a synergy of creativity and profitability. He says, “You always want the collection to make sense and make money for both parties because if you want to continue working with the brand, obviously the stuff needs to sell. It’s very important, but it’s more important to put creative goods out into the marketplace than actually be collecting the money from the project.” It’s a cutthroat competition Ronnie’s dealing with, and he’s at the top of the game. “Not paying attention to what others are doing is the only way to thrive in doing something different.” He adds, “The more I stay focused on what I’m doing with the brand and trying to take the brand to different levels, the less time I spend looking at others to see what they’re doing. That’s how I’ve really been able to separate myself from the competition.” With Ronnie Fieg’s sneaker onslaught, we’re filtered to nothing but the capacity to see the range online. Before you decide to buy, the range is already considered sold out.
ronniefieg.com @RonnieFieg
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DEMOn to LEAN ON Six-pack abs, Mexican roots, an ability to speak a “little Spanish” (just enough to seduce us), doses of manly (sometimes beastly) actions, and musical prowess are all crammed into a creature called TYLER POSEY, the lead star of MTV’s Teen Wolf. But being a werewolf isn’t this guy’s second nature. It’s “being on a set.”
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learned so much at such a young age that being on a set is basically second nature to me now,” says 21-year-old Tyler Posey who has been acting since he was six and has been playing Scott McCall, the main character of MTV’s Teen Wolf, for over three years now. Ever since the fantasy phenomenon bombed every teenager into submission, every TV show/movie/music video would try to challenge the status quo. One of those who have made it successful without maneuvering into the most wretched of the pits (ex. The Vampire’s Assistant, Secret Circle) is Teen Wolf. But with a name like that, comparisons to Twilight and the likes were bound to transpire. The fact that future lead actor Tyler Posey tried for the role of Jacob Black made it all the more criticized. But Teen Wolf has defied the odds with its cult following and its upcoming third season. Tyler isn’t doing shabby, either, if only because he gets to do more than act buttfragile when an anemic girlfriend with no facial expression chooses a sparkly vampire over him. Tyler says, “I have noticed that my acting has progressed immensly since I started on Teen Wolf. And I have Teen Wolf to thank for that.” Fighting tirelessly with other young actors and actresses for all kinds of buzzed-about roles, Tyler avoids falling into oblivion with guidance from the right people—like his dad who was an actor/writer/ producer. “The only hard part about being a child actor is that you have to do a certain amount of hours of school per day
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while being on set. And I found that the transition from child to actor wasn’t very hard at all,” he says. “My parents are very knowledgeable about the business, and I had a good group of people around me who helped me stay semi-popular while I was growing up.” Although he’s more than just “semipopular” now, he’s not pressured to be on the covers of youth culture magazines. He doesn’t break down after losing an audition. He doesn’t make a big deal about being mobbed by fangirls when he goes out to eat Chinese food. For Tyler, the only way to avoid hitting the evil of young societal failure is to take it slow and enjoy post-adolescence the way every normal, humble guy does. “On my days off, which are very rare, I like to sleep. I hang with my girlfriend mostly, and we cook food and ride bikes and lots of other things cute little couples do with each other,” he says. Right now, in the midst of practices with his band Lost in Kotsko and the third season of Teen Wolf coming out this June, Tyler is basically just “doing well.” He shares, “I’m just sitting in my house, watching TV with my girlfriend before I have to go to work.” I hear hearts breaking at the word “girlfriend,” but Tyler provides the kind of entertainment that makes heartbreaks bearable just the way comfort food can engorge your system.
@tylergposey
VS. THE MUSIC Tyler makes a music playlist for Scott.
“I’m Just a Kid”
“That song is about being a teenager and dealing with teenage problems, which the first season of Teen Wolf deals with a lot.”
“SOMEBODY”
“;)”
“WHERE IS MY MIND?”
“That song is badass.”
“ASTHENIA”
“Because you’ve got to have a little Blink in there, and that song is rad.”
“DEVOTION AND DESIRE”
“Because that song is dark and awesome like Teen Wolf.”
Production Assistant Ali Kazen, Wardrobe Stylist Kristina Van Dyk, Grooming Kristina Goldberg
By Reena Mesias Photographed by Amanda Elkins
mastermind
CREATIVE NATIVE Jack-of-all-trades, master of none? Not for this mister. SAULO VILLELA shows why he’s horrible at underachieving in a city brimming with destroyed dreams. By Meg Manzano
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here’s an unimaginable amount of skill involved in dealing with rock stars, let alone photographing and designing for them. Enter Saulo Villela, master lensman and designer who makes it all look so damn painless; a man who also belongs to a rare breed of New York folk: the natives. Born and raised in Jamaica, Queens (the same neighborhood heavyweights Nicki Minaj, 50 Cent, and LL Cool J call home) Saulo relied on the city as do most creatives for inspiration on pursuing art. At 17, Saulo landed an internship with Zac Posen after meeting him at a little trunk show as an intern at Bloomingdale’s—“an internship,” he adds, “I landed through a wonderful high school arts program called The Center for Arts Education.” “Growing up in NYC has always kept me driven and
brave,” says the New York native. “I’ve found inspiration in lots of things—from a graffiti-filled wall to even smoke escaping a woman’s lips.” Saulo proceeds to admit that he’s a largely visual person, and surprises us by relating, quite poetically, his tendency to “find beauty in things that go unseen.” From shooting the music industry’s young guns such as Kelly Osbourne, Kreayshawn, and Taylor Momsen to working with fashion luminaries like creative director Nicola Formichetti and designer Adrienne Landau, Saulo stays true to his slasher nature. Already immersed in two distinct arts, Saulo shares with us his desire to come out as a quadruple threat, citing his interest to venture into filmmaking and later on, acting. Unsurprisingly, Saulo’s first foray into filmmaking was stellar considering he’s a firsttimer. His short film titled, East of Eden provided him the chance to work with another
darling creative of the slasher kind: Bradley Soileau (actor/ model/DJ). “I loved producing, directing, and even going behind the camera to film,” says Saulo. “I felt it was similar to photography but it involved a lot more attention, and at times, it even required me to do some acting.” Relating back to his poetic confession, we find incredible truth in his ability to find beauty in things that usually go unnoticed. And perhaps in the insanity that is New York City,
Kreayshawn
Iggy Azalea
Saulo has acquired that rare skill of finding those maddening yet brilliant details that make his works—both photographs and sartorial pieces–larger than life in the city.
saulovillela.com @saulov
Saulo Villela NYC
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mastermind
matching wits We got down with graphic designer STEPHEN WILDISH just after he finished the latest installment of his viral internet project, The Friday Project. Known for wit winders, audience stumpers, and technicolor offers, Stephen tells us the secret of seamlessly jumping between the lines of hobby and hustle without breaking a sweat. By Rita Faire
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initially started The Friday Project with the hope that it might get picked up by a publication or periodical, but it’s taken off so well that it serves its purpose just the way it is,” says graphic designer Stephen Wildish. This passion project of minimalist online posters and web puzzles turned to become the best way to spread his aesthetic to potential clients. The people who approach Stephen’s branding and graphic design outfit Wildish & Co. crave the fun and quippy air of the “typography, minimalism, fun, color, and tone of voice” used in The Friday Project. Among those who’ve embraced the Friday flair is photographer Mark Sherratt, lingerie company Pretty Knicker, and Londonbased online video company ChannelFlip. But whether it’s for his day job or his sidelines, Stephen describes his work as “bringing order and form to something that lacks it, or finding links in things that no-one else has thought of yet.” As someone who works with a variety of clients day in and day out for a gig that “he loves… but pays the bills, which is very handy,” Stephen gets a kick from winding down and doing personal projects like this because, “With The Friday Project, I am the client, so I only have to please myself… Luckily, a lot of clients come to [Wildish & Co.] through The Friday
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“With The Friday Project, I am the client, so I only have to please myself…”
Project so they know what to expect.” Thankfully, they take the puzzle head scratchers out of that equation—that’s just something special for web crawlers. stephenwildish.co.uk @StephenWlidish
mastermind
BROS OVEr BLOWS
For music video directors ALEX AND BEN BREWER, the only downside to working with a brother on set is the lack of elbowroom. Alex says, “Two regularsized directors, or even one fat director, can take up a lot of space. I think this is one of the reasons Orson Welles’ work suffered in his later years.” Hopefully their growth will continue to be stylistic and not at all gastric. By Rita Faire
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orking professionally with a sibling could work in two ways; either you become Liam and Noel Gallagher, who only ever spoke to each other directly when they were onstage, or you could be Joan and John Cusack, who can’t seem to get enough of each other to the point that they’re in each other’s movies more than they really need to be. Luckily for directing duo Alex and Ben Brewer, they went the Cusack path. Starting out as directing spec videos in their backyard, the pair gained popularity for their recent work on the videos for Alt-J’s “Something Good,” Drop The Lime’s “No Sleep For The Wicked,” and Purity Ring’s “Belispeak.” Alex says, “We both have the same sense of humor, and we both wanted to do something creative so it seemed like the obvious thing to work together.” Ben adds, “A lot of our ideas are born out of things that make us laugh. Even though the end result is rarely funny to anyone else. We have very similar tastes all the way around, and we keep each other entertained on jobs.” Two is a company. Some people would say that you two are living the dream— bringing amazing music to life with amazing visuals. Alex: We are living the dream! We made our first music video in our backyard, calling in every favor we had. We just made it
on spec for the artist and hoped he would want to do something with it. We did that a few more times and eventually had the beginnings of a body of work we could network with. We made some connections, met a fantastic music video rep and got our first gig working with a production company and a label. From there, it’s all been little steps. Tell us about Passion Pit’s “Carried Away” and conceptualizing the treatment for the music video. A: In this instance, we had pitched one idea of ours that wasn’t quite what the band was looking for but showed promise. We actually met with Michael Angelakos and talked about the song and what the lyrics meant and the kind of vibe he was looking for.
Is your process normally so collaborative with the musicians you work with? B: It can be, but the only video we’ve collaborated closely was “Carried Away.” [Usually], we tend to listen to the song over and over again. Lyrics help to narrow your thinking—I like having restrictions, it turns the creative process into more of a problem-solving exercise. Sometimes you just picture a shot, or a character, and then start riffing on it. Your work has a very cinematic style. Do you guys have further plans of delving more narrative features/short filmmaking?
B: I’ve been working on a script for a while that is more of a horror film geared towards being smart rather than disgusting. There is also a book that we just found out has the rights available that I want to adapt; that’s more of a thriller. Alex is more oriented towards comics. We want to collaborate on a comic book this year. He has his own script for a graphic novel. His background is all illustration, so he’s got that as a big goal—breaking into the comic world.
brewer.us
Carried Away
Ben: The lyrics are quite dark and dry even though the music is very upbeat. Alex and I latched onto the idea of focusing on the simplicity of watching a couple in a house. We watched Godard’s A Woman is a Woman, and that led us to the idea of exploring the inner turmoil of a relationship in this very external, colorful, cartoonish way. We wanted to make something that felt really intimate and small-scale, but we also shot on 35 mm film so that the intimate subject matter would look as nostalgic and idealized as possible. Heartbreaker
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HIS DARK M AT E R I A L S
“I found out I had a knack for it and really enjoyed it,” muses acclaimed Filipino director CARLO LEDESMA, who kicked off his interest in film by developing photos inside his dad’s dark room. And who could’ve predicted that a kid tinkering with a Video8 camera would grow up to win a Cannes Film Festival award and land eight films under his belt? By Denise Fernandez Photographed by Nyael David
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elieve it or not, one of Carlo Ledesma’s more recent movies, globally sensational horror flick, The Tunnel, was funded solely by fans. Despite wanting to branch out into different genres, he mentions he’s at that “scaring people” phase of his life. “I’ve always been fascinated with dark material,” says the Sydney-based director. “I’m drawn to stories and characters like that, because as opposed to being afraid of what’s out there, you’re actually more intrigued by what makes normal people sort of transform or adapt.” Like most independent filmmakers, Carlo struggled with lack of funds over the course of his career. “I’ve grown a lot as a person especially one with no money, you’re really forced to dig deep and be creative and think of ways to deal with frustration, and going home, being stressed because you weren’t able
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to quite do things you wanted to do,” he says. After living in Australia for the past eight years, Carlo’s finally back in the Philippines and is completely positive about the potential talent in the country, even aspiring to direct an action film. Carlo makes damn sure he’s got heart in whatever project he does. “The best movies for me are the ones when the credits roll, you see the audience sitting down in the theater still staring and trying to process what they just saw or [they’re] so dumbfounded by what they just watched that they want to sit down and take it all in,” Carlo adds. Following this standard, Carlo only aims to make these kind of projects. No more, no less.
allorangefilms.com @allorange
Ask a kid what they want to be when they grow up and they would usually answer “to be like mommy or daddy.” This wasn’t the case with painter LUIS ANTONIO SANTOS, whose parents (Soler and Mona) and grandfather (Mauro “Malang” Santos) are distinguished artists. When he was in kindergarten, he wanted to be an astronaut. Good thing for the art world, he said goodbye to the moon. By Sunshine Reyes
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rtist Luis Antonio Santos admits that he wasn’t interested in art. “Growing up, it’s all that I see. I wanted a different direction. I certainly didn’t want to pursue it just so I could take advantage of my family name.” He wasn’t one of those kids who got all messy with paint pots—in fact, he only started painting in 2010. Hard to believe, after three sold-out shows. What convinced him to finally give in? “I was documenting pieces of artwork in West Gallery and thought maybe I should try painting. I was really scared because I
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wasn’t sure how to start. The canvas intimidated me. I didn’t want to put it to waste.” It was only during college when he discovered contemporary art, citing Roberto Chabet as one of his major influences. As a full-time artist, most people assume that Luis has it easy. After all, he gets to do what he loves at his own time, right? Not really—a regular day usually begins at 10 AM and ends at 4 AM, depending on his deadline. Plus he has to deal with the pressure. “Imagine showing your work to everyone, open for criticism. Sometimes it keeps me up at night just thinking about it.”
The positive feedback he’s been getting for his work, hasn’t made him complacent. “I get really nervous and restless before a show.” But it looks like it’s something he should start getting used to because this year, he’s already slated to do more solo exhibits. The stars have aligned.
behance.net/LuisSantos @LastCigarette
mastermind
THE JET SET Racking up frequent flyer miles is part of RAFÉ TOTENGCO’s creative process. He firmly believes that, “Inspiration is everywhere, you just have to open your eyes.” With one finger on the camera shutter and another on the pulse of the next big accessory trend, Rafé’s exotic yet elegant designs sweep you away to offbeat locales and satiate your lust for luxury. By Viva Gonzalez
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he advent of the competitive It bag market makes it easier for the fashion industry to cruelly and swiftly weed out (as it always does) the mediocre from the amazing—Rafé Totengco definitely belongs to the latter. He moved his life from Manila to New York to continue his design education at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Since the debut of his namesake bag line Rafé New York at Bergdorf Goodman in 1997, the brand has flourished and has expanded into shoes and men’s accessories. Being appointed creative director of handbags for The Jones Group Inc., which includes Rachel by Rachel Roy and Nine West, doesn’t stop Rafé from flying off to a new region around the globe. Constantly seeking inspiration for his various projects, “Diana Vreeland couldn’t have said it better, ‘The eye has to travel.’ I’m on
a plane almost every month so I’m constantly looking at new things. And when I’m home I like to know what’s going on with the art galleries and museum exhibits.” Designing for your own label Rafé New York and then designing for The Jones Group must have been quite a change. What was the transition like? I’m very fortunate to work with a very talented team of designers, merchandisers, and product development people that make it all happen every season. Every brand within The Jones Group has their DNA, and I take that into account every time we have a design meeting. I wear a lot of different hats at work. Designing for the Rafé brand is just like wearing a different hat albeit a hat I’ve been wearing a little longer.
RAFÉ SS13 COLORBLOCK TINA ORANGE
You can tell a lot about a woman by looking inside her purse. I think the same goes for men too. If we took a peek inside your bag, what are the first five things we’ll see? My Muji notebook filled with sketches, my Grama bamboo sunglasses, both of my cellphones, and a pencil case. Your Twitter bio says that you are a social network enthusiast. Are you guilty of constantly being glued to your phone? What would your day be like without it? Believe it or not, I’m pretty good about getting off the grid. I once went on a 7-day device detox in Bali. No cell phones, no email, no Facebook, nothing. It was amazing! I highly recommend it. The world goes on, with or without your tweets, Instagram images, and status updates… seriously.
RAFÉ SS13 MINAUDIERE DAWN PASTEL
We love reading about your travels on your blog Can I Tell You? What is your top destination for 2013? Machu Picchu is on the top of my list this year. I love Peruvian textiles, and I’ve heard about this amazing market in Pisac where you can see all the handicrafts in a riot of colors. I find traveling to be the best education and the most inspiring aspect of creating a collection. Favorite fashion rule to break? Are there any rules left to break? I think they’ve all been broken. I used to think wearing white past Labor Day was so audacious, but now everybody is doing it. I believe that as we continue to celebrate individuality in fashion, there are no more rules.
rafé.com
RAFÉ SS13 METAL CELIA WHITE
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HEAVY HITTER
UNKNOWN pLEASURES Singer-songwriter ELLIE GOULDING is breaking every barrier. With the release of her second album, Halcyon, she once again exposes herself to a new world, and embraces the unknown willingly. By Victoria Herrera Images courtesy of MCA Music
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HEAVY HITTER
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“
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an I be on the cover?” It was an innocent question Ellie Goulding asked. The electrodance music princess stood there, with her neck tilted casually in a very I-havenothing-to-lose stance. At this point, we would like to cue her song, “Anything Could Happen,” to play over the speakers. It’s Ellie’s first concert in Asia, and she’s doing this interview in between her other TV interviews and a sound check for her sold out concert in Singapore, “I’ve done so many shows that you end up being sometimes on autopilot. But doing a show like tonight is different.” It’s a sign of how
far she’s come, stepping into the Asia circuit, after years of performing in the UK and America. With all the possibilities being realized, her catchy, repetitive “Anything Could Happen” chant is set to be this year’s motto of hopefulness. We hear this song everywhere— it has been covered by the Glee cast, performed at Simon Cowell’s X Factor, was featured on the trailer of HBO’s Girls, and accompanied a Beats by Dre commercial. It is part of her second album, Halcyon, a title that refers to the mythical bird that has the power to calm the seas. Considering the context
of this album’s creation, the title makes sense—Ellie has openly referred to this release as a breakup album following her split with BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James. Out of devastation emerges this brilliant work of art; Ellie’s lyrics are real, her voice is filled with emotion, her sound is mature, her message is wise. It’s the type that covers both the realities of heartache and the need for hope into one intertwined story, “I could be very self-indulgent, and I could be a lot more expressive with the things that I write about, but I make sure that I say what I need to say to get across,” she says. Ellie names Björk as one of her main inspirations for breaking out of her shell, “She’s another artist who stopped me from being afraid of anything. I associate her music strongly also with feeling lonely and feeling like I had no one to talk to. I felt like there was something that I wanted to do but didn’t know
HEAVY HITTER
“Between the songs is the time when
I suddenly go back to reality and I realize it’s just me again.”
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HEAVY HITTER
“Music is… being in the right time and place, following your instincts, and accepting something is meant to be.”
what it was, and it turns out it was writing. It was sort of in me, but I didn’t know how to get it out. She just took me to another world with her music, and it’s what I needed at the time.” Another influence in writing was Pearl Jam, “They got me through a lot of stuff when I was in my teenage years. I had new ways to discover things about myself and what kind of person I was. I suppose it made me realize I could write a lot more emotionally than I ever had, and I shouldn’t be afraid of being honest.” It’s not easy showing the world your wounds, but Ellie is a brave soul who chooses to be
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honest to her music rather than prettify her image, “At first, it used to really bother me and irritate me, and I didn’t like people judging my music. It’s very hard for you to take when people don’t know your personal story and then they judge your music so easily. But that can be quite tough.” Ellie doesn’t care about looking perfect, but she does care about being herself, and the criticism she gets is just part of the job, “It comes with the territory. If you release stuff into the public, then you ask for it, really.” Ellie was discovered after winning a college singing competition, and was signed to
Polydor records. But her love for music started when she was a little girl, playing the guitar and clarinet and obsessively singing along to the radio. “It was dance music that made me want to sing,” she shares. “I grew up to electro music. My mom used to listen to it a lot, and it just always seemed to be dance music playing in my house all the time. It was always drummed into me at a young age.” Before her album officially debuted, she won both the BBC Sound of 2010 poll and Critics’ Choice Award at the BRIT awards (with Adele being the only other artist to win both awards in 2008). So did Ellie live up to her pre-album hype? Yes. Her first album, Lights, got the top spot in the UK albums chart and her cover of Elton John’s “Your Song” also made it to the number 2 spot in the UK. Her
HEAVY HITTER success from Lights has brought her to several music festivals; tours with John Mayer, Passion Pit, and Katy Perry; and, most notably, invitations to perform for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding reception, and the National Christmas Tree ceremony. You would think she would be quite nervous going through all these performances, but Ellie owns her own onstage alter ego, “I am very different now than what I am on stage. I am still very shy in between songs,” she says. In fact, she is very soft-spoken in real life, “I think between the songs is the time when I suddenly go back to reality and I realize it’s just me again. Whereas, in the songs, I do lose myself quite a lot.” Ellie is exploring what else she is capable of doing, “There was a world of stuff I could have done after Lights, and I chose Jim just because we made a couple of songs together, and I absolutely loved him. I asked him if he wanted to do the record with me.” She is referring to Jim Eliot (of British electropop group Kish Mauve who produced and cowrote several of her songs on Halcyon.)“I wanted to see what would happen if I worked with someone new. I feel like I could work with someone new everyday, and something entirely different would happen. You just have to make a decision there and then, and trust your instincts,” she says. “That’s why music is so crazy, because it’s literally being in the right time and place, following your instincts,
and accepting something is meant to be.” Her openness to collaborations has resulted in new material with Skrillex (who she also dated briefly last year) as well as Calvin Harris for another EDM favorite, “I Need Your Love.” If it’s not obvious by now, this “Anything Could Happen” attitude seems to run through a lot of Ellie’s recent creative decisions. While this song holds the flag for positivity, the music video makes us question twice, “The song has such positive connotation. It’s so happy on the outside, but I wanted the video to convey something a bit darker.” The video tells the story of a couple–Ellie and her onscreen boyfriend–watching the waves when a car suddenly slams into them. How’s that for an “Anything Could Happen” scenario? It ends with the
couple reuniting on the beach, but in their next life. While you’re saying WTF in your seats, Ellie explains the meaning behind the madness,“There’s a darker side to fate as well. I could have easily done a really happy video, but I wanted to show that you need to make the most of everything.”
elliegoulding.com @elliegoulding
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HEAVY HITTER
PEACE
LOVE
UNITY
RAVE
Skrillex
Photographer CAESAR SEBASTIAN’s job is getting lost. “Getting lost can be anything you want it to be,” he says. “Lost in music, lost at a huge festival and ending up at a stage with an artist you never heard before, or ending up in a grass field hanging out with people from different parts of the world.” Amid the thrill of it all, and in between Skrillex, Snoop Lion, Grimes, and Travis Barker, Caesar loses some brain cells but finds a world he belongs to. “I have too many random encounters, and I wish I could keep connected to all of them, but my camera does that for me.” By Reena Mesias Steve Aoki
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HEAVY HITTER
Rave
F
or some, music is everything. Most can settle with listening to it. Others, like me, write about it. The luckier bunch learn an instrument or take singing lessons. Those who don’t have the hand coordination or vocal chords could take a crack at DJing. Some would be groupies, some would work backstage at concerts or slave away in music companies for the chance to get free passes to the hottest gigs. Caesar Sebastian—although he knows a little piano and sings to Journey in dark karaoke rooms—decides to document it all. “I just got to LA from Miami Week,” Caesar says, shortly apologizing for not answering our interview sooner (capisce), ‘coz he was busy sharing the stage, the sand, and the sweats with Skrillex, Boys Noize, and everyone at the Ultra Music Festival. “I was listening to 90s music on the airplane, and I remember how great those days were.” Those were the days he used to sneak out from his house with a backpack, in his baggy JNCO jeans. “In 1997, I heard Daft Punk, hard-house, and techno at the only after-hours club in LA that allowed all different kinds of club kids, and I fell in love with the atmosphere,” he reminisces. “I felt it, just like you feel going down a roller coaster drop. I was always taking photos since then, just to show my friends what it was all about.” Almost two decades ago, what it was all about for Caesar may have been little club scenes with a swarm of the baddest girls, a relatively decent DJ set, and overflowing booze. But now it has evolved to the Check Yo Ponytail party
series (“The best musical phenomena in Los Angeles,” he says), private parties, Fuji Rock Festivals, and Electric Daisy Carnivals with 20,000 people, the biggest artists, and pyros on stage. “I love big crowds because I like to get lost, and sometimes I get in trouble for it because I like to vibe out with everyone,” Caesar laughs. While there are storm troopers and droids at some of these events, Caesar says, “I’m not just a robot standing there waiting for the shot.” Since Caesar travels from Japan to Miami—and everywhere else—for money, he’s also gotten a little fond of landscape photography. “The most recent [risky experience] was with a group of us on a safari expedition in South Africa, and a huge bull elephant rushed towards our Rover. Nat Geo, Status,” he says. “We were all fucking scared!” Caesar’s photographs can easily infatuate anyone who stares at them. There’s a certain crisp and nostalgia in images that he overhauled into something artful and nocturnal: Steve Aoki throwing a cake at a pool of hipsters, girls sitting on their boyfriends’ shoulders just to get a good look at the stage, a huge green mist to welcome the party, waterguns, tattoos, and Skrillex’s hair. As proof, in 2012, he became part of Complex’s top 10 night life photographers. “It’s up to them what they want to feel. I have so many photos in the internet world, most of them are GIFs on Tumblr or memes. It’s pretty interesting to see how people interpret my photographs. I like the PLUR (Peace Love Unity Respect), ravey ones with love quotes. I get cheesy.”
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HEAVY HITTER
Skrillex
Trash Talk at Check Yo Ponytail
Photographers are usually taught guidelines to shoot: rule of thirds, framing, depth, and all that mumbo jumbo. But for Caesar, it’s not just about camera settings and experimentation with colors and textures. It’s also about mentally thinking about three things: “I think about what I’m experiencing at that moment. I think about paintings and how crazy Van Gogh and Ozzy Osbourne were. I think about Disneyland a lot.” After Caesar immortalizes this generation of artists, ravers, and socialites and their surroundings with a round of fivehour energy drinks, two 5D Mark III bodies, and a “bunch of cool lenses;” with medium format film for his personal projects, he makes sure to take serious downtime on the couch right after. “Usually, I don’t want to see the photographs for a few hours,” he says. “I want to go back home and then slowly go through each one. I just lounge. After a shoot at an event, I just hang out with friends, zone out.” There’s another life behind the King Congeniality and the Party Rockstar in Caesar. Later during our interview, he admits to knowing about real estate and mortgages, but hesitates getting into it. He also tells us that he could draw pretty good especially back when he was younger. “I wanted to be an animator for Disney. I was in a bunch of art classes and wanted to be a cartoonist. I watched weird animation shows like Liquid Television on MTV. I was
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really into documentaries ever since I could remember.” And while we always see him at events that discharge a wave of electronic music, Caesar takes us beyond that and into a more exclusive universe. “I also love to sneak away to see the LA Symphony play the Hollywood Bowl or Walt Disney Concert Hall. I also love Brazilian and Latin American music. I’m all about Samba and Cumbias. I can tell you what a great track is, and not from a fan’s perspective. I just know when someone has it—in that sense. Maybe I should change professions and become a music agent.” Whatever the prfoession, we’re quite satisfied to see Caesar going harder than most photographers and giving us sights to behold. Although he stays behind the camera, his lens’ glare and his own flair are hard to hide. He “hates bills,” but he “loves to say love.” He dislikes the idea of being photographed (except if it were by Nadav Kander), but he loves when he successfully photographs “people with positive energy.” He has many projects in the works, but he “doesn’t like to talk about them.” We were taught that if we’ve got it, we should flaunt it, but an unassuming Caesar says, “I think it is best to work hard, stay low, and when things get done, eventually people will get to enjoy it… or hate it.” Either way, it’ll give them the best memories.
caesarsebastian.com @caesarsebastian
HEAVY HITTER
Riff Raff
Snoop Dogg
"I love big crowds because I like to get lost, and sometimes I get in trouble for it because I like to vibe out with everyone." statusmagonline.com - 89
The Production Club
HEAVY HITTER
s t e r e o
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By Giano D. Dionisio
Photographed by Isamel Moumin
t y p e
With lilting piano scales, surging string sections, and pounding percussions, WOODKID introduces his debut album, The Golden Age, with a title track whose refrain exhales, “But the Golden Age is over/ But the Golden Age is over,� signaling a departure from gilded fantasy into a vast world of music, mystery, and occasional misery.
HEAVY HITTER
“The way I work… it’s like fragments from the past, emotional fragments buried inside of me.“
or Yoann Lemoine, life has been a continuous exploration of creative expression. His family is rooted in Poland, he grew up in France, studied illustration and animation in Lyon, studied more visual arts in London, pursued work in Paris, and eventually moved to New York. Since his beginnings as a graphic artist and 3D animator, he has constantly sought to broaden his visions, going from award-winning commercial spots to assisting the likes of Luc Besson and Sofia Coppola. Already an accomplished video director (Taylor Swift’s “Back to December,” Drake’s “Take Care,” Lana del Rey’s “Born to Die”) with Grammy, MTV VMA, and UK Music Video Awards nominations aplenty, the prolific artist wanted to break free yet again. “Whenever I’m in a comfort zone, I feel very secure, and I feel that I’ve done something that could express myself, then I’d want to challenge myself into something else,” Yoann begins. He acknowledges his success with artists such as Katy Perry (for “Teenage Dream”), then laments those achievements “because it was too comfortable, and I had to be in like a danger zone somehow,” which brings us to Woodkid—Yoann’s musical project that has been almost four years in the making. Out of frustration for not
Photographed by Karim Sadli
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being able to completely control the musical scoring in his short films, Yoann began experimenting with sound, eventually resulting in the Iron EP of 2011. Its title track birthed an iconic Agyness Deyn-starring music video (which Yoann directed himself, of course) and famously inspired a Dior Homme collection. The grand symphonies and hollow beats of “Iron” recur throughout The Golden Age in melodic reprises, trumpeting waveforms, and cinematic
gestures. Woodkid, besides being Yoann’s musical alter ego, is actually the main protagonist of The Golden Age. The record is an epic coming-of-age adventure tackling bouts of nostalgia and desire, pitfalls of anxiety and society, childhood dreams realized and shattered. These themes are exemplified in the Grammy-nominated (it lost to Rihanna’s “We Found Love”) video of the album’s lead single, “Run Boy Run.” Yoann narrates his directorial vision:
“The Golden Age is this story of this kid who grows up and goes through this metamorphosis… It’s the woods, it’s the roots, it’s these monsters that are made of very organic materials; and, as he grows up, he slowly connects to a city which of course connects to the world of adulthood. The city is very bright, but it is also very mineral. It’s made of marble, it’s very minimal, it’s very aggressive in a way, but also very clinical.”
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HEAVY HITTER
Photographed by Mathieu Cesar
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HEAVY HITTER
Photographed by Ismael Moumin
“I love the idea that I have this album and I’m going to give it to the people and they’re going to do whatever they want with it.”
Throughout the video, Yoann litters literary symbolism—an unkindness of ravens, Viking armory, the trademark crossed keys—which heightens the track’s sense of purpose. “The record is reflecting what I’ve done on the visuals. It’s an album that mixes past and future,” he explains. Yoann first laid the digital groundwork himself, then collaborated with friends like Gustave Rudman and Guillaume Brière of The Shoes for arrangements, then brought in both the Paris National Orchestra and the Orchestra of
the Opera. “We’d mix together 50/50—fake orchestras and real orchestras—and we got that sound that’s the signature of the project, which is a sound that is very emotional because the orchestra brings the emotions. It’s very strict and perfect and formatted. That sense of perfection is interesting because the sound at the end is super emotional that it’s almost too perfect to be real. Everything’s been cut, stretched, compressed, and patterned to a new material.” This clashing motley patchwork of motifs and ideas
is rife in Lemoine’s work. As he relates, “The way I work is that I stick pieces of a puzzle together. It’s like archaeology— it’s like fragments from the past, emotional fragments buried inside of me—and I just put them on a table together, and I remove the ones that don’t seem to make sense. When I have these lyrical elements, these video elements, these sound textures, these instruments… I glue them together and I consolidate the project. That’s why I have so many symbolic elements in my videos, in my life, in the lyrics in the album… I guess
together it forms something that tells a little bit about me. But it’s so fantasized, it’s so emphasized, it’s so abstract, it’s so emotional that anybody can just read something different… I love the idea that I have this album and I’m going to give it to the people and they’re going to do whatever they want with it. They’re gonna love it, they’re gonna hate it, they’re gonna burn it, they’re gonna transform it, they’re gonna cover it, they’re gonna reinterpret it; it’s not mine anymore.” Leading up to the album’s release last March, Woodkid (née Yoann Lemoine) has been touring his aural opus, bridging the gap between artist and audience. “They feed me emotionally,” smiles the singer-songwriter. “They cry a lot in the beginning of the show because it’s very slow, then it gets super epic and perks up and then they dance everywhere, and everybody gets super crazy.” With a growing number of listeners, Woodkid matures from a mere personal project into a whole new concept of being no longer a product of jaded youth, but a member of the world at large, ready to extend and experience everything else that still lies ahead.
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NIGHTVISION BACK TO THE FUTURE MUSIC by The Cobrasnake
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NIGHTVISION
nyfw lost and found f/w 13/14
by Gerard Estadella
Rooted @ M Cafe
by Kristine Suanino
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NIGHTVISION
limelight fridays @ 7th High
NYFW Jeremy scott party by Gerard Estadella
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NIGHTVISION
Dirty Burger Bondi by The Cobrasnake
Milk studios purple
by The Cobrasnake
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NIGHTVISION
Social Saturdays @ Aracama by Pam Santos
Party called rhonda by The Cobrasnake
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DIRECTORY BRANDS 21 MEN Forever 21, SM Megamall, Ortigas City ADIDAS Greenbelt 3, Makati City AMERICAN APPAREL americanapparel.net BENCH Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive, Makati City BOBBI BROWN Rustan’s Department Store, Makati City BURBERRY Rustan’s Department Store, Makati City CALL IT SPRING Greenbelt 3, Makati City CHLOE COMME PARRIS chloecommeparris.com CIATÉ ciate.co.uk COTTON ON SM Mall Of Asia, Pasay City DR. MARTENS drmartens.com DOROTHY PERKINS SM Mall Of Asia, Pasay City ELEMIS elemis.com FOLDED & HUNG SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City FOREVER 21 SM Megamall, Ortigas City GIORGIO ARMANI Rustan’s Department Store, Makati City GORGEOUS COSMETICS gorgeouscosmetics.com H&M hm.com JEREMY SCOTT jeremyscott.com JO MALONE jomalone.com KATE SPADE Greenbelt 3, Makati City
KEDS keds.com THEBALM thebalm.com TRISH MCEVOY trishmcevoy.com L'OCCITANE Rustan’s Department Store, Makati City LANCÔME Rustan’s Department Store, Makati City M MISSONI m-missoni.com MAC Rustan’s Department Store, Makati City MARIO BADESCU Rustan’s Department Store, Makati City NORTHBOUND northbound.com NYX nyxcosmetics.com OXYGEN SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City PENSHOPPE SM Mall Of Asia, Pasay City PETER THOMAS ROTH peterthomasroth.com PHILOSOPHY Beauty Bar, Power Plant Mall, Makati City PONY pony.com PUMA puma.com SID NEIGUM sidneigum.com SISLEY sisley-cosmetics.com SKECHERS skechers.com SMASHBOX smashbox.com SPERRY TOP-SIDER sperrytopsider.com
STEVE MADDEN Greenbelt 5, Makati City TOPMAN SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City TOPSHOP SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City VANS Vans Concept Stores, SM Department Stores, Robinsons Department Stores, Landmark Department Stores, Urban Athletics, Toby’s Sports, Olympic Village, Shoe Salon, American Rag, Sole Academy, Greyone Social WAREHOUSE SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City WILDFOX COUTURE wildfoxcouture.com YARD666SALE yard666sale.tumblr.com ZARA zara.com ARTISTS Art Alera (Photographer) arturoalera.com Jennifer Bigham (Stylist) jenbigham.com Ming Han Chung (Photographer) followmystory.com The Cobrasnake (Photographer) thecobrasnake.com Fernando Colon (Photographer) fernandocolon.com Joyce De Dios-Ignacio (Makeup) joyceignacio.com Patrick Diokno (Photographer) patrickdiokno.tumblr.com Amanda Elkins (Photographer) amandaelkins.com Samuel Emmett (Photographer) twitter.com/samemmett Gerard Estadella (Photographer) icanteachyouhowtodoit.com
DJ Fabian (Photographer) djfabian.ph Kristina Goldberg (Grooming) kristinagoldberg.com Tinette Herrera (Grooming) facebook.com/tinetteherrera Cher Hukill (Hair and Makeup) makeupartistrybycher.com Ali Kazen (Production Assistant) twitter.com/Akazzz4 Patrick Lacsina (Photographer) patricklacsina.com Diana Mejia (Makeup and Hair) twitter.com/dianamejia Miguel Miranda (Photographer) miguelmirandaphotography.com Ismaël Moumin (Photographer) ismael-photography.blogspot.com Ismael Moumin (Photographer) ismaelmoumin.blogspot.com Joseph Pascual (Photographer) josephpascual.tumblr.com Mara Reyes (Stylist) mararrrr.tumblr.com Nikki Ruiz (Photographer) nikkiruiz.blogspot.com Karim Sadli (Photographer) artandcommerce.com Steffi Santiago (Photographer) cargocollective.com/steffisan Pam Santos (Photographer) facebook.com/pamparazzi JP Singson (Photographer) jponfashionspeed.com Kristine Suanino (Photographer) facebook.com/Tin.Suanino Kristina Van Dyk (Stylist) kristinavandyk.com Steven Visneau (Photographer) swvphoto.com Chloe Wise (Stylist) chloewise.tumblr.com
S TAT U S IN VA D E S
BROWN CLUTCH BAG
This bag used to belong to my mother. Her friend made it for her in the 70s, so it’s seriously vintage.
THE BEATLES POSTER
We had The Beatles’s greatest hits album in the car when I was a child so I have many memories of me and my brother singing along to their tunes on the way to school.
MOONSTONE PENDANT
Moonstone is my favorite gemstone. I love the range of colors it reflects under direct sunlight.
C
RING
Fresh off her MTV SEA debut, VJ HANLI HOEFER walks off the runway and onto center stage with the best beats and treats for the youth.
facebook.com/mtvvjhanli
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
NEW YEAR’S CLUTCH
HEAT BY BEYONCÉ
This was taken on my 10th birthday party which had a jungle theme. She’s my oldest and closest friend, and every time I see photos of us as children, it reassures me that she is my true soul sister.
Just love the design. I haven’t had a chance to wear it out yet but I think it would go well with my sunnies!
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I got hooked into this eyelash conditioner in the middle of last year when a makeup artist accidentally clipped my eyelashes off! I go through phases when I use it daily, but it really helped me grow fuller and healthier lashes.
My all time favourite scent from one of my favorite female voices.
PHOTO OF MY BEST FRIEND AND I
SNAPBACK
K
TALIKA LIPOCILS
SUNGLASSES
A last minute lucky find! They caught my eye when I was in a small shop in Malaysia five minutes before I left the mall. I added the chain myself to create a more interesting look.
CMY
This is my glitzy clutch for ladies’ night out with my girlfriends. I love how the top has knuckle rings. It can also be a self-defense object!
SCARF
This original Pakistani silk scarf belonged to my mother and was bought in Pakistan over 20 years ago. I love how authentic it is, plus the colors are so bold and complementary to many of my own outfits.
Products photographed by Hanli Hoefer
VJ HANLI HOEFER
This is a family heirloom that belonged to my grandmother from my German side of the family. It survived WWII and now it sits safely in my wardrobe. I never wear it out because it’s too precious.