STYLISH MAGAZINE SEPT-OCT 2020

PHILIPPINES MAGAZINE VOLUME III

Naima Mora OUR FAVORITE AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL WINNER

Team STYLISH Editor: Marane Plaza Art Director: Niel Santiago Tayao Content Creators: Dexter Francis De Vera Roj Miguel Kate Munar Zianne Tan Richard Caponpon Angelica Caparros

EDITOR’S NOTE

W

e couldn’t be more excited to have our favorite America’s Next Top Model winner everrrr to be on the cover of this issue of Stylish Magazine: the ever so stunning and talented Naima Mora. And this cover is extra special because it has been creative directed and produced by Naima herself, showcasing this model’s artistry and creative eye.

America’s Next Top Model will always be our favorite modelling competition and reality TV in one, ever. The TV show creation of the one and only Tyra Banks has grown into a full blown global TV franchise, with various international versions like Asia’s Next Top Model and Germany’s Next Top Model hosted by Heidi Klum. But all real OG fans of ANTM know that nothing can beat the first few seasons of America’s Next Top Model. There were raw, authentic, fun personalities, oozing with charm, sex appeal and talent. We were all instant viewers of ANTM from cycles 1 to 3, but it was cycle 4 that really put America’s Next Top Model on that another level of fame, hype, relatability and viewer obsession. And it was because of that cycle’s interesting mix of amazing model personalities and of course, that cycle’s superstar, Naima. There are reasons she’s been dubbed as America’s Next Top Model Favorite Winner.

Beyond her ANTM fame, Naima has proved that she is more than just a top model. The

stunner can sing and produce music (she was the vocalist of the bands Chewing Pics and Galaxy of Tar), and she can definitely write. Naima authored the book Model Behavior, which has been more than just about inspiring aspiring models. The book showcases Naima’s personal insights and stories from her own journey-from living a consciously healthy lifestyle to overcoming adversities in the fashion industry.

These days, she’s been producing and contributing content for the world’s leading fashion magazines, such as some international versions of Cosmopolitan and Vogue. Indeed, our favorite top model has come a long way.

We also have some fashion editorial pages that showcase the creations of some of our favorite Filipino fashion designers. From high fashion couture by Rocky Gathercole, to street style brilliance by Kirby Cruz.

We are also proud to introduce to you the country’s first ever premium shapewear brand meant to empower women of all body types and backgrounds: Adam & Eve. Learn how you can have your own couture confidence with Adam & Eve through our editorial shoot. This shapewear lingerie brand is set to launch virtually on Stylista TV’s special segment on Digital Fashion Week Conversations, in partnership with Singapore’s Digital Fashion Week and our home digital channel Style Visionary Network.

For this issue, we just really wanna go back to the core basics of why we are publishing content: to celebrate the fun and beauty of fashion, and the artistry of the creative people who are generously sharing their talent to showcase and express fashion fiercely, like Naima. Hope you enjoy flipping through our pages as much as we enjoyed making it!

Xo,

Much love, Marane Plaza Editor-in-Chief

Ethereal Beauty Rocky Gathercole is all about celestial couture with elaborate frills and gold accents.

Photographer Roj Miguel Designer Rocky Gathercole Hair and Makeup Artists Dearra Canlas and Zharmaine Arjinal Models Julia Nunes and Vivian Negrini Ideal People Model Management

Street Fashion Couture The Fashion Hospital by Kirby Cruz boasts of its edgy, fierce and racy high fashion street style.

Creative Director & Producer Marane Plaza Fashion Designer Kirby Cruz Photographer Richard Caponpon Stylist Keith Angelo Styling Assistant Jericho Dionisio Hair & Makeup Artist Charisse Daily Model Juliana Nunez of Certeza Models Manila

Teen Spirit You’re never too old to play with colors Photographer Jeff Ong Stylist Chris Lee Hair & Makeup Artist Dave Quiambao Models Vanessa Tedesco - Elite Model Management Manila and Sarah Martens Contributing Sittings Editor Dexter Francis De Vera

On Sarah: Tiedyed bucket cap and plaid trousers by Forever 21, white tank top by Bench Body, yellow jacket by Zara (First choice: 8580)

THE ARTISTIC SIDE OF

Naima

Concept and Creative Direction Naima Mora Photography Harris Davey Hair & Makeup Jessyka Martin Styling Harris Davey

A

fter a few online correspondences and a couple of Zoom meetings, we have gotten to know more about our favorite America’s Next Top Model Winner: Naima Mora.

In this self-produced editorial shoot, Naima has reminded us again that she is more than just a gorgeous face. From the shoot concept, styling theme, modelling to creative direction, Naima just wants to showcase her raw artistic side.

“I wanted to create something simple and beautiful that reflected me as a person. A lot of times we see models dressed up in all kinds of crazy clothes for a grand editorial shoot. This time, I wanted to make something simple and pretty,” Naima explained.

Naima: More Than Just A Top Model

By Marane Plaza

A

merica’s Next Top Model is without a doubt the biggest modelling competition in TV history. It has grown into more than just an American TV show, as the franchise has grown with over 30 global versions. And still, one of the favorite Top Model winners ever is Naima Mora.

Naima first made the world fall in love with her when she debuted on ANTM’s Cycle 4 with her Mohawk hairstyle, and beauty as resplendent as her personality. But more than anything, she was remarkable for the way she performed at the reality TV contest. She won 4 mini-challenges, 9 Cover Girl of the Week, and two first call-outs during her run. And of course, she was named America’s Next Top Model Cycle 4 winner.

As she effortlessly dazzles in front of the camera and on the runway, Naima did not always have modelling as her

top priority. A serious student of ballet, Mora attended Detroit’s Ballet Renaissance in Michigan where she grew up pre-ANTM. When she decided to move to New York, she was supposed to further study ballet at the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

“I was actually scouted for the show. I was working at a coffee shop in New York City that hired a lot of models and actors. The casting team found me there and asked me to audition. I was really nervous and about the audition, but decided to be honest and be myself,” Naima shared.

“When I moved to NYC to study ballet, my roommate at the time was a makeup artist and asked me to model for her a lot. That really spiked my interest in modelling.”

She recalls though that modelling has always been somehow connected to her.

“My mom actually wanted us to

model one year when my twin sister and I were very young. I remember her dressing us up, and taking pictures of us in the living room. It’s a very dear memory to me.�

Artistic Roots Naima Mora grew up in Detroit, Michigan with a twin sister named Nia and four other sisters. Her mother is a jazz vocalist, while her father is a jazz percussionist. Her paternal grandparents are artists. Her grandfather is a painter and sculptor, while her grandmother is a printmaker. In fact, a black marble bust art made in 2001 by her grandma Elizabeth Catlett was titled

“Naima”. The model inspired the art with her “very dynamic personality”, as the artist herself shared. Growing up with such a colourful art background has definitely molded Naima.

“It is absolutely wonderful growing up in a household of such colorful personalities. My parents taught me to express myself and to be bold. My grandmother taught me to be disciplined and focused on my successes. It is really a blessing to have had them in my life. My parents actually named me after a jazz song by John Coltrane. My name means ‘serenity, calm or fresh’,” she said.

Her strong artistic background is why Naima has easily recreated herself in different genres of art and entertainment after her ANTM stint. She appeared on the season 2 premiere of hit TV series Veronica Mars, and filmed an independent film called Sarbanes-Oxley. She also released some music, which is a natural turn for her.

“I have always loved music because my parents are musicians. They raised me and my sisters in a very musical household,” she said. “I released a dance album called ‘Dancing In Starlight’ on my YouTube page. As of now though, my focus is on modelling and acting, but I am sure something musical will come along someday soon.”

Beyond Top Model ANTM and fashion fans have stayed smitten with Naima after many years because of the way she has kept her journey inspiring, and real.

“My experience was something a little different from what a normal model goes through. I was actually famous before I knew a lot of what I was actually doing,” she narrated. “I still had to learn the ropes and ins and outs of the industry, while navigating being a household name. A lot of clients actually didn’t want to work with me because I was on a reality TV show.”

Although being a winner of America’s Next Top Model meant having global fame and celebrity perks, the stunner noted that it was not a total walk in the park towards being a real working model post-ANTM. “It was very taboo at the time in the fashion industry. I had to work very hard to prove that I was good as a model. It took a few years longer than I expected, but I never gave up and I relied a lot on the support from my fans all over the world,” she said.

Since her win, Naima has walked for some of the world’s biggest fashion events such as New York Fashion Week, graced many pages of various international fashion magazines, and modelled for numerous brand campaigns.

“I have done a lot of campaigns and editorials. I have a client in the British Virgin Islands called The Islander Swimwear. Traveling there to

do those campaign shoots has always been a dream.”

Aside from the glamorous side of modelling, being an inspiration to fans has always been Naima’s favorite thing about being a model celebrity. So much so, that she has authored a book titled Model Behavior. The book is meant to help her fans- both aspiring models and fashion fans alike- to stay inspired and motivated.

“I have had fans reaching out to me online since I won ANTM. I really wanted to create something tangible for them to be able to be inspired by,” the model slash book author said.

“The book is all about my life experiences and adventures in the fashion industry. In short, it’s an inspirational book for young people.”

“I have always loved writing, so it was a dream come true for me to publish it. Last year, I had a re-release of the book and toured my book signings to Harvey Nichols in England and Atelier Cologne in New York City. I can’t wait to write another one!”

Model Behavior While pop culture may link the phrase model behaviour to being a diva, Naima has been effortlessly redefining the meaning of it into a real good, positive thing.

Aside from her book, Naima has been very creative in terms of sharing her knowledge in the business of modelling, as well as the fashion industry. Her podcast on Spotify called Model Tips Live is very educational and entertaining.

And her free modelling workshops online have been very helpful to aspiring models worldwide.

“I want to give all the advice and instruction to aspiring models that I wish I had gotten when I first started off,” she said. “ANTM was a great experience, but it definitely did not prepare me for the real world of modelling.”

“I have learned so much and it’s taken me a little longer than I thought to learn the things I have. So now I am passing the baton to aspiring models of all ages. I’m showing them the ropes of the industry while building confidence and technique. This is a hands-on course where I work with each student individually!”

Besides teaching aspiring models the ins and outs of the business, this model and artist also

uses her time with her many creative pursuits.

“I am actually doing a lot of photo shoots now, taking all the precautions as possible. I do a lot of art direction for my shoots and I love it. I just landed one of my shoots that I produced in Vogue Italia online. It is always very rewarding to see your work gets published,” she said. “Another one of my shoots is published for Cosmopolitan KZ. I love to write as well, so it all comes together. I do a lot of shoots by myself as well, a simple set up with my phone camera and a dramatic light.“ For this September Issue of Stylish Magazine, Naima actually exclusively produced this amazing editorial photos.

“I wanted to create something simple and beautiful that reflected me as a person. A lot of times we see models dressed up in all kinds of crazy clothes for a grand editorial shoot. This time, I wanted to make something simple and pretty,” she said.

Top Model Influence Naima has always been known for using her voice and influence in advocating diversity in beauty and fashion.

“My online course is one thing, as I am teaching models of all ages, backgrounds and diverse cultures to be the next wave of models to take the industry by storm,” she said.

Naima has shown over and over that hard work and determination really do pay off at the end of the day, despite various hardships. She has these pieces of advice to share to aspiring models: “Follow your dreams, work hard and never give up. You’ve got to take your career in your own hands and decide what you want. There is no time to second guess yourself. Love who you are and let it shine all over the world.”

“I’ve been told no so many times, that now it’s a drop in the bucket. I’ve been given almost every excuse from people that I couldn’t model, even after winning ANTM,” Naima said. “My career is proof that being different is the new norm.”

Indeed, Naima has come a long way from being a top model, to an actual role model.

COUTURE CONFIDENCE WITH

Concept and Creative Direction: Iya Miranda & Marane Plaza Photography: Migo Alamohan Couture: Don Cristobal Shapewear Solutions: Adam & Eve Makeup: Kate Munar Hairstyling: Keigh Dones Styling: Marane Plaza & Mades Torre Models: Vanessa Giordano & Daiane Vittoni of Caesar Certeza Models Management

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earn about the first ever premium shapewear brand in the Philippines: Adam & Eve. Made with the topnotch Carvico Revolutional Slim Fabric from Italy, Adam & Eve shapewear solutions effortlessly break down and burn belly fats, shape your body curves and place your body fats in all the right places.

The caffeine and fatty acids in the fabric make you lose weight, while the Vitamin A and aloe properties are for skincare properties. Each shapewear also has energy stones for proper blood circulation, and undergarment boning features that can help improve your posture.

Couture confidence with Adam & Eve

Adam & Eve’s corset shapewear burns belly fats, lifts breasts and improves curves.

Adam & Eve corset shapewear makes you even look better in any ensembles, be it everyday wear or couture.

Adam & Eve’s corset shapewear works even better with the shapewear shorts, which lifts the butt and tones the legs.

Look and feel sexy from within with Adam & Eve shapewear.

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Adam & Eve Shapewear will be on the live segment of Digital Fashion Week Conversations x Style Visionary Network on September 30, 2020 at 2PM.

With Stylista TV host Katarina Rodriguez And Adam & Eve Brand Manager Iya Miranda With couture creations of fashion designer Don Cristobal Catch the live segment on facebook.com/digitalfashionweek and facebook.com/stylistatv Powered by:

https://stylevisionarynetwork www.digitalfashionweek.com

FROSTY EYES The early 2000s frosty eyeshadow trend is making a comeback in a more subtle, heavenly way.

Photography and Concept Angelica Caparros (@angelicacaparros) Model Tricia Herrera (@triciaherrera) Hair and Makeup Kat Munar (@katmunar)

Eyes: Viseart Eyeshadow Palette MAC Kohl Eyeliner Pencil RCMA Color Foundation Super White Heroine Make Volume and Length Mascara Lips: MAC Cremesheen Glass

Base: NARS Luminous Weightless Foundation Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick Laura Mercier Translucent Powder NARS Laguna Bronzer Glossier Cloud Paint

KOREAN BEAUTY INSTITUTE An aesthetic clinic and institute specializing in premium Korean skincare, semi-permanent makeup and non-invasive beauty procedures 3rd Floor Madison Galleries, Don Jesus Blvd., Alabang Hills, Muntinlupa City, Philippines +630939 923 9006 | facebook.com/pg/koreanbeautyinstitute www.koreanbeautyinstitute.com/

Derived from the Filipino word �buslo� which means basket, BOSLO BAGS is all about celebrating Filipino craftsmanship. This premier selection is made of hand-made bags made of authentic, high quality leather.

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PEACHY KEEN

This season’s peachy makeup trends are instant pick-me-uppers.

Creative Director & Stylist Marane Plaza Photographer Richard Caponpon Makeup Artist Zianne Tan Model Anastasiia Ptashenchuk of MSS Group Ukraine and Elite Models Manila

Huda Beauty Nude Eyeshadow Palette Morphe 3502 Palette Too Faced Snow Girl Blush Too Faced Snow Girl Bronzer Too Faced Snow Girl Highlighter blk Creamy All-Over Paint Peony

UNIQLO FALL/WINTER 2020

UNIQLO LifeWear clothing is designed to improve the everyday life of everyone. Conceived thoughtfully with people’s changing needs in mind, LifeWear adheres to a promise of continual progress towards something better. LifeWear clothing features the highest-quality materials, modern elegant lines, and superior comfort: all aimed to provide ease when staying at home or doing daily tasks, to help stay stress-free when working, and to give support in keeping active and healthy.

BEAUTY PICKS

Erica Eyelash Essence is South Korea’s famous high-end lash serum that helps your real lashes grow longer and thicker in two weeks and gives instant lift Made with natural ingredients such as lavender, camel gras, persimmon flower, green tea, rosemary leaf,peppermint, matricaria, purslane, ceylon cinnamon, ginko leaf and Retinispora leaf. Korean Beauty Institute is the official distributor in the Philippines. Visit facebook.com/koreanbeautyinstitute to order.

The Brow Artist Collection is the latest beauty venture of Strokes Beauty Philippines, made for a polished, precise set of eyebrows. Visit strokes.ph to order.