LOOK GREAT ❇ DRESS SHARP ❇ LIVE WELL
FALL’S FLYEST FASHION ISSUE
SWAGGA DIGITAL MAGAZINE FALL ISSUE 2016
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ELEVATE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE WITH LEATHER
GET YOUR JACKET ON IN EAST LONDON THE END OF SUMMER
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INTRODUCING
TruBLU DOWN UNDER
❋ FASHION NOVEMBER-JANUARY 2017
PAGES OF REAL PEOPLE WEARING THE FLYEST COATS FOR FALL WHAT TO WEAR NOW
Culture
LIFESTYLES
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GROUP FAMILY HOME A COLLABORATION OF VISIONARIES
ISSUE NO. 18/VOL 5 DISPLAY UNTIL JANUARY 2017
Music&Art
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BEHIND THE PAGES
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EDITOR’S NOTE
This publication is dedicated to my mom whose courage, strength, tenacity and love has been a rock for me in the production of this magazine. There are so many people who are instrumental in the production of this publication, and I could not possibly name them all in this writing but I just want to thank all of you and you know who you are for assisting me with this issue. Many thanks to all of the wonderful and talented models, photographers, MUA’s, and Hair Stylists. Reproduction of any material within this publication in whole or in part is, prohibted without expressed consent of publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility to any party of the information, claims or ads herein to include errors, inaccuracies or omissions. By advertising the advertisers agree to indemnify the Publisher against all claims relating to or resulting from said advertisements and or promotional material. Ron Fulcher Editor-In-Chief
COPYRIGHT ©2009-2016 SDM PUBLISHING ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of SDM The Magazine is prohibited. SDM The Magazine does not accept and cannot be held responsible for any kind of unsolicted materials. Published Quarterly, Four (4) Times a year. Available in Print, Mobile, and available for download to Apple, Android, Ipad and Tablets. Visit our website at www.swaggadigitalmagazine.com Need to send a email to the EDITOR: sdm_magazine@yahoo.com. For subscription information email us at: sdm_magazine@yahoo.com Printed in the USA, MAIL P.O. Box 3138 Oakland, California 94609 CALL 1.415.591.8681 CUSTOMER SERVICE: sdm_magazine@yahoo.com CONNECT WITH US EMAIL SDM_MAGAZINE@YAHOO.COM SOCIAL MEDIA: facebook/swaggadigitalmagazine, instagram/@swaggadigitalmag twitter/@blackberryron snapchat/@keepitrealfilms Visit Issuu.Com,Blur.com and Magcloud.com Digital Newstands to download our digital version to IPAD, TABLET, IPHONE or your Andriod Device
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VOLUME V, NO. 18 | FALL ISSUE
WWW.SWAGGADIGITALMAGAZINE.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | RON FULCHER
BRANDING & STRATEGY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLICITY | ARCHIE BRUMFIELD GRAPHIC DESIGN ~ CREATIVE SERVICES | SDM PUBLISHING PHOTO EDITOR ~ ART DIRECTOR | RON FULCHER ADVERTISING MANAGER | ARCHIE BRUMFIELD
SOCIAL MEDIA
FACEBOOK | SWAGGADIGITALMAG INSTAGRAM | @SWAGGADIGITALMAG SNAPCHAT | @KEEPITREALFILMS
CREATIVE CONTRIBUTORS
PHOTOGRAPHER | RON FULCHER PHOTOGRAPHER | ALAHN BREZAN PHOTOSPHERESTUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHER | VINCENT GOTTI DESIGN SERVICES | REMOTE FACE GRAPHICS PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE | SDM PUBLISHING SERVICES PUBLICITY | BEFORE ROYALTY MANAGEMENT GROUP STYLIST | MARIO B PRODUCTIONS PHOTOGRAPHER | STEVEN LANG PHOTOGRAPHER | CARL FISHER MOONSHINE STUDIOS LONDON UK
SPECIAL THANKS
SEE EYEWEAR FIRST MODEL MANAGEMENT WESTCOAST LEATHER FORD MODELS H&M CLOTHIERS JCREW MACY’S SAN FRANCISCO UNION SQUARE RCA RECORDS, NYC FAB STUDIOS, OAKLAND CA LIONSGATE PUBLICITY RCA RECORDS UBER RIDE SERVICES JOE PICKERING MAKEUP SMART MODEL MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL CRYSTAL CLEAR PHOTOGRAPHY ROC RIO DESIGNS BEASTMODE FASHIONS FASHION ON THE SQUARE
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SDM
It’s more than just a magazine it’s a lifestyle
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Style matters rocrio designs
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CONNECT WITH SDM. PRINT . MOBILE . SOCIAL . ONLINE . TABLET
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TRUbLU ON THE COVER Photography by Vincent Gotti
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PROMOTION
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INTRODUCING HAYDEN SMITH TRU-BLU DOWN UNDER
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ntroducing Hayden Smith, our first double issue cover model for the Fall Issue #18. Hayden hails from Auckland, New Zealand. Hayden says finding a place to start is hard when writing about yourself. It all started in 1995, Hayden was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He says, “I grew up like every other child and played sports like most kids. Hayden had a strong passion for the game of rugby league. He says, “I chased the sport trying to get to the higher levels of the game, playing alongside some of the country’s top players in representative teams”. “Like most things though the higher up you get the harder it gets, I started committing a lot of time outside of school and training to become a better league player, then after a serious injury at a young age I had to call it quits on my passion, it sucked but I knew I had to continue to strive to be better”. Hayden decided to let go of the dream playing for the Kiwis and representing his country for sport and chose another path, the military! At the age of 15 Hayden enrolled and got told he was to young. Once he turned 17, he was accepted and was taken to a place south of Auckland for basic training.
“Spending the next few years of my life travelling and serving in the army, I decided it was time to get out and see the world for myself! After running into a model scout in NZ I decided to give modelling a go everybody said go to Sydney, so I did I saved up and left”!
Now that Hayden’s military career, had ended. He has decided he wants to model. Stephen James was an inspiration, who is a tattooed model travelling and getting paid for it. Hayden says with confidence, “I look and feel comfortable behind the lens because the photographers are generally very supportive and easy to work with. I have already dealt with a lot of rejection and a lot of hardships just through modelling but I have also had a lot of amazing fun times”! “It's been an amazing journey so far! I am 6'1, 186cm tall and I listen to all sorts of music, hip hop, rock anything that I can vibe with. I have plans to move to the USA, that's where I want to be in the next few years, if modelling does not work out I have a few things to fall back on, I could go back to the military or I can continue to be a personal trainer and grow my own business!
Now I am an aspiring full time model working with talented photographers and companies around the globe. It has taken a lot of effort to get my name out there but it is working slowly and surely and I could not be happier!
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PHOTO BY: VINCENT GOTTI
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PROMOTION
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PROMOTION
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What We Have to Lose – From a African-American Prospective
onald Trump’s recent remarks to the African-American Community in late August of this year ring hollow to most, black parent’s concerned about their children” He asks, “What have you got to lose?” suggesting that his “Make America Great Again”, campaign responds to centuries of injustice. However, what comes to my mind is where was the greatness of America in the 17th, 18th, or 19th centuries, when African families were stolen from their homes, transported as cargo, separated and sold to white slave-owners in America? Maybe in 1776 there was an illusion of greatness for the rich, white men who proclaimed “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” However, the only people who really were entitled to enjoy those words were rich, white men like themselves, not women, not slaves, not African-American free men, not the Native Americans whose land was stolen. “Moving forward to the Civil War, when African-Americans were pressed into service to fight for the Confederate Army. The irony of their servitude, was they were forced to fight against their children’s freedom. Let’s move past the sharecropping system that swapped slavery for servitude for generations. The lynching’s, and mobs that served to terrify children and families into submission once their “freedom” was won. In the 1940s when the United States was fresh from its victories in Europe and Asia. African-Americans were systematically redlined out of the neighborhoods they wanted for their children, wouldn’t call that a time of greatness. State sanctioned discrimination in housing, education, employment, welfare benefits or healthcare are instead the ugly shadows of U.S. history, times that should evoke in all of us a sense of shame – not nostalgia.” In the 50s which was known as the “golden decade”, gasoline was 18 cents a gallon, but how was that great when an African-American family had to carry extra gallons of gas, along with food for lunch and a makeshift chamber pot, because gas stations were often unwelcoming to these consumers? Under the G.I. Bill, young adults were gaining access to higher education in unparalleled numbers, but more than 95 percent of African-American youth enrolled in
25 SDM MAGAZINE FALL ISSUE numbers, but more than 95 percent of African-American youth enrolled in college were limited to black-only institutions. They were not welcome in the universities we now open to all. Surely, America was not great in 1960s when our streets were roiled by rioting and violence. When communities of color, left out of the American dream for too long, and suffering the relentless abuses of strongarm police tactics, exploded in frustration and demanded that we right our historic wrongs. In the 80s, about 1 in 10 white children were living in poverty, the rate was almost 4 times greater for African-Americans. The disparities persist today. Nearly 2 in 5 black children live in poverty, and those born poor typically remain poor; income mobility in the U.S. is a greater party myth than it is fact. Today, a black baby is two times more likely to die in the first year of life than a white infant. An African-American child is two times more likely to be maltreated than a white child. A black youth is five times more likely to be killed by gun violence that a white youth. American can be great, but making it so means creating equal opportunities for all children to get a healthy start in life, to live in safe neighborhoods, to access high quality child care, to go to strong schools, and to see their parents working in good-paying jobs. “What have we got to lose” is hardly the political platform of inspiration. America will be great when children’s life outcomes are determined by their hard work, their determination or perhaps their generosity to others. America will be great when we realize the potential of “justice for all.”
PROMOTION
“The Get Down: Original Soundtrack To The Netflix Original Series” Now Available At All Digital Music Providers – Deluxe Physical Version Available
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TABLE OF CONTENTS QUICK READS 24 WHAT WE HAVE TO LOSE FROM AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN PROSPECTIVE WRITTEN BY: RON FULCHER 28 RAMEKON OʼARWISTERS MAKING ART EXPRESSION A MEDITATIVE EXPERIENCE WRITTEN WORDS: RON FULCHER ART: RAMEKON OʼARWISTERS 74 ON THE CATWALK 11TH ANNUAL FASHION ON THE SQUARE INTER-CONTINENTAL HOTEL OUT AN ABOUT SDM LIVE PHOTOGRAPHER: RON FULCHER
FEATURES 20 ON THE COVER TRUBLU - DOWN UNDER MODEL: HAYDEN SMITH HMUA: KERRIE JANE BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT: PAUL FIORETTO ART DIRECTOR: ALEJO ANTONIO MONDEJAR PHOTOGRAPHER: VINCENT GOTTI 36 BEHIND THE LENS IN FASHION INTRODUCING CARLOS VONTEEʼAGO MARIO B COLLECTION STYLIST: MARIO B PRODUCTIONS PHOTOGRAPHER: RON FULCHER
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 18
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EDITORIAL 64 GET YOUR JACKET ON WHEN SUMMER IS GONE MODEL: ALDONA MIETTIEN MAKEUP: JOE PICKERING STYLIST: ASHLEY JOHNSON ON LOCATION: EAST LONDON, UK PHOTOGRAPHER: CARL FISHER 70 FLYEST COATS FOR FALL URBAN FASHIONS FOR FALL ART DIRECTOR: RON FULCHER PHOTOGRAPHER: RON FULCHER
FEATURES 48 BEFORE ROYALTY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP HOME FAMILY A COLLABORATION OF YOUNG VISIONARIES WORDS BY: GROUP HOME $NOOK & GROUP HOME CHRIS GROUP HOME FAMILY 56 ELEVATE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE WITH LEATHER WITH WESTCOAST LEATHER FALL COAT FASHIONS PHOTOGRAPHER: RON FULCHER MODEL: KHALID ARRAMDANI
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MAKING ART EXPRESSION A MEDITATIVE EXPERIENCE
! hat would you call your a ? Ramekon, says his a is called social a prac ce. I ask, what does e mean? My a engages e public in an a ac vity done in co unity. “In my case I use e folk a tradi on, and rag rug making.” The pa icipants use rips of fabric to fo er social interac on, crea vity and libera on.
at are you libera ng people from? In croquee jam, he tea es single i croquee, and once e pa icipant learns he or she are free to select any color or paern of fabric ey want to use. Ramekon, as e event leader, gives up his au ority and by not dicta ng e crea ve process. The udent can u lize any color, fabric, etc. The libera on comes from not being dictated to on at to use. In is society we are con antly told at to do, Ramekon says very passionately. One of e major components is having an experience in i you are not being told at to do and he feels is is libera ng for e pa icipant. The second component is not being judged. “I am perceived as e leader or au ority of e event.” People are expec ng me to say croquette four rolls of red or blue, I tell my udents select any fabric or color you like! The main concept of e second component is atever you create you don't judge! “It’s not beau ful it’s not ugly it’s not right or wrong it's as it is.” So, erefore accept it! “Calmly and pa ently wi a smile. Ramekon resses, its ok not being told at to do and not being judged by e finished product. He encourages pa icipants to allow e materials and eir a i ic in incts on at it wants to become. You have to let go, of e rules. He says, wi all sincerity it is a medita ve experience. I asked at is e origin, and how you plan for your audience to be engaged wi your work? For decades, he has been trying his be to be a tradi onal, use a i canvas, showings in galleries, and trying to fit e rela onal modes of at an a i should be. But, is was not working so he decided to ep ba and reflect on his a . “ at am I asking of galleries en I bring my hat in my hand?” Beyond, e financial rewards. He says it's a rela onship, I was asking to be under ¢d, to be heard, to be embraced, to be respected in his a i ic vision. To be included, and
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en he had e revela on, at now it’s me to give to o ers at he needs and let go of trying to seek at he needs from o ers. As I pause, and reflect on at was ju said Ramekon, a s to remember ings at correlate is concept. He speaks of memories of his grandmo er allowing him to ange e paerns of her quilts during e 60s and 70s during e Jim Crow era in e sou and e civil rights movement, en bla men were expected to be passive, and at e same me ey needed to be very masculine. He admits he was having a difficult me of naviga ng ese feelings. His grandmo er said one day, “come here boy and help me wi is quilt.” “She said at color do you like, and I will show you how to add it to e quilt.” He was so excited! He knew his was safe in his grandmo ers’ house despite all at was happening around him and wi in. ”Ramekon says, my grandmo er had e wise intui on ju to allow any event to happen and not say any ing about o he should be or shouldn't be.” “And she never told anyone in his family, ey quilted toge er because she didn't want any misconcep ons by family or anyone to que ion his masculinity especially during ose turbulent racial and sexual mes. He says, during his early years, at at me in is country, race, sexuality, and violence was e very founda on of e sou .” Ramekon, ates If he, was feeling excluded, fearful, and angry he was not by himself, everyone is feeling is in some way or ano er at any me in eir lives. To accept his a as it is, to give to o ers at he needs and rough croquee jam. Ramekon, says he believes it is his responsibility as an a i to fo er, an oppo unity for individuals, in a safe calm environment to experience libera on, social interac on, and crea vity. Through ese concepts, Ramekon’s a is embraced. He is not trying to sell em any ing, he is only trying provide an experience by i people aren’t told at to do and ey are not being judged. Ramekon has been an a i for 30 years, a gallery director, a museum curator, an a tea er and now wi croquee jam, he is e mo fulfilled. We go rough life always rea ing for some ing and riving to always get at bite of e apple. The only impo ant ing is fulfillment he says wi a gleam in e eye. !
ART
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Tim Man of the Cloth 2011-16 Crocheted Fabric
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Continuous Flow 2011-13 Crocheted Fabric Safety Pins
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04 With the Wind 2011–13 crocheted fabric
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03 Where We Are 2013 crocheted fabric, vintage family photographs, wood, paper
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02 The Trinity 2011–13 crocheted fabric, ceramic, glass, metal
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01 Have You a Little Fairy in Your Home? 2013 crocheted fabric, mixed media
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BEHIND THE LENS WITH CARLOS VONTEE’ago
Behind the Lens in ON THE RADAR.. introducing Carlos Vontee’ago
C
arlos Vonteego, was born in Georgia. He graduated from Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Georgia, with a Bachelor of Art Degree in Art with a concentration in Architecture. He received his Master of Architecture Degree in 2008 from Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. “Art & Designing has always been his first love”, says Collins. “My grandmother would give me newspapers at the age of 6 and I would sit in the middle of the floor and deconstruct the newspaper and make objects out of it. It was at those moments when my grandmother helped me discover my passion for design and the arts”. Since that very day, Collins has developed a passion for Fashion, Design, Architecture, and Graphic Design. Collins never stopped believing in his dreams and he continued to work hard and strive for the best. He is what we call, the first generation for his family.
In 2009, he attended the Black Engineering Conference. It was there where he found the opportunity to go and work in Germany. This was his changing point and the beginning of his career. While in Germany, Carlo Vontee' Augo was born. The name is his birth name and he came up with "Augo" based on life situation. HE WAS ALWAYS THE FIRST TO "GO". With three years of professional experience in the discipline of Architecture and a great variety of expertise to his career, he began to diligently design a fashion line inspired by the class of the grandmothers of Collins with a high fashion kick. After returning back to the United States, Collins continued to work on expanding his Carlo Vontee' Augo brand. Recently, his line was featured in Berlin, Tulsa, Sacramento Fashion Week and other parts of California. Collins goal is to someday see his line in stores nationwide and to open his own shop in Atlanta Georgia. In addition, to start his own clothing manufacture back in his hometown and create jobs for people in the area. Collins, is all about inspiring, helping, giving back and seeing dreams come true. PHOTOGRAPHY BY RON FULCHER STYIST MARIO B PRODUCTIONS
n Fashion
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FASHION
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PROMOTION
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PROMOTION
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PROMOTION