The Arts & Entertainment Issue - March 2022 by The House of Perez

VOLUME I I I

Olivia Jade FOR

THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ISSUE THEHOUSEOFPEREZ.COM

MARCH 2022

THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT I SSUE

Olivia Jade

Written by CAROLINE COTTEN / Photographed by JANA SCHUESSLER / Styling by ALI MULLIN assisted by NORA FOLEY / Hair by RICKY MOTA / Makeup by LIV MADORMA / Produced by GREAT SOCIAL CLUB

Suit set, RVN. Shoes , BILLINI.

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CONTENTS March 2022

Editor’s Letter

Sonya Dove Inspiring Creativity, Spunk, and Kindess

BEHIND THE SCENES 10 Nova Kaplan Girl on the Go Beautifying Hollywood's Finest

Chillhouse Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton: Tastemaking Manhatten One Day at A Time

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

Chance Spreading Magical Beauty a Star at Time

Ask Nathalie Life coach Nathalie Bernier Shares Advice on How to Say No

14 The Beauty Edit Ethically Sourced Products That Will Leave You Feeling Good Inside and Out

16 Aida's Picks These Picks from Our Editor at Large Will Have You Blossoming in the Spring Weather

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Dr Nadine Macaluso Wolf of Wall Street's Ex-wife Presents the Gift of Authenticity to the World

FOOD & TRAVEL 34

FASHION 44 Dru Jewelry Designed by Thea Miller

46 London Fashion Week A Selection of The House's Favorite Shows

A Taste of Euphoria Diving Into the Intoxicating Fashion's of Euphoria's Season Two

FEATURES 60 On the Cover Olivia Jade: Setting a Precedent for Influencing Beauty on the Inside and Out

New York Fall Fashion Week Fashion Director, Connor Duszynski, Recaps the Daring and Dazzling Styles Reclaiming the City

Norman Rene Devera The Man Behind the Designs

Chef Angie Mar Changing the Concept of Fine Dining in Classic New York City Fashion

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

Hotel Erwin One Man's Vision Brings Windward Full Circle

The House List A Spring Refresh

Final Notes L E F T TO R I G H T: F R O M T H E R U N WAY, LO O K F R O M T H E FA L L 2 0 2 2 E M I L I A W I C K S T E A D S H O W, P H OTO C O U R T E S Y O F T H E B R A N D. C H A N D E L I E R I N S I D E L E S T R O I S C H E VAU X B Y W I L L A M H E R E F O R D. O L I V I A J A D E F O R T H E C O V E R , S H OT B Y JANA SCHUESSLER.

Awir Leon Emerging French Artist Creates Music and Movement

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THE HOUSE OF PEREZ THE HOUSE WEDDINGS

COMING SOON The latest place for luxury wedding inspiration. Follow along for the latest trends in wedding fashion, design, beauty and tips and tricks from the best in the industry.

Photography by Jana Schuessler | @janaschuessler | www.janaschuessler.com

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Letter from the Editor

What's in a Word IN THE PAST THREE YEARS THE WORLD HAS SEEN drastic changes that have affected us all dramatically - even in the smallest communities. Today, we are regularly checking on Ukraine as the world watches the invasion, with feelings of hopelessness as we sit and watch from afar. This is yet another moment in our history where we all can take pause, watch, listen, feel, and learn. We all react and adapt differently when there is an impact to our local or global society, and we've learned to implement self care more than we ever have before. When I think about what has happened in the last three years, there is a heavy feeling as I process the sheer amount of people that have suffered and are still suffering. There is one thing, however, that I've found to be just as important as self-care - a word that stands out among all others - empathy. We have done nothing but process current events for such a long period of time. To try and understand just a small amount of what causes shifts in society has felt like a full time job, but has been so important as we continue to learn from one-another. The one consistent thing I've learned to lean on is having empathy for those I have in my direct surroundings, as well as throughout the world. I've found it so important to take pause and make space to learn from others as we continue to charge forward through these changes in our world. For this issue, our team found an amazing amount of joy getting to know our cover star, Olivia Jade, and learned what's next for her during this new chapter in her life. We also had the pleasure of interviewing another amazing line up of creatives such as, Chef Angie Mar, fashion designer Norman Rene Devera, and celebrity makeup artist. Nova Kaplan At The House, we continually talk about how the world is changing, how we can help make an impact and how we can be a space for those to share their stories. What keeps us motivated is the constant flow of creativity from everyone we connect with through this platform, and for that, we thank you. In closing, I am excited to announce we now have an additional space to share stories. Our website has officially launched and will include exclusive interviews, never before seen in our print publications. Please give us a visit at: www.thehouseofperez.com.

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Editor in Chief KACEY PEREZ Creative Director at Large NATALIE STEGER Editor at Large AIDA M. TORO Managing Editor CAROLINE COTTEN Visual Director JANA SCHUESSLER Visual Director FILBERT KUNG Fashion Director CONNOR DUSZYNSKI Beauty Director FRANKIE SANDERSON Features Editor JENNIFER STRIEGEL Social Media Manager CLAIRE GRISOLANO Contributing Writers TIFFANY KANTROWITZ / CYAN LEIGH DACASIN

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Nova Kalpan

Girl on the Go Beautifying Hollywood's Finest WRI TT EN BY: FRANK IE SANDERS O N PH OTOGRA PHY: NOVA KAPLAN

Nova Kaplan, celebrity makeup artist, is always moving forward, yet sat with me to spill some tea. I was lucky to get some time to chat and ask her a few questions. Let’s jump in. What got you into the make up game and who were your biggest makeup influences ? Fashion magazines, like Vogue or Harpers Bazaar, where ad campaigns were stunning! Everything worked together to create this painting. My parents are painters and it reminded me of that in another art form. Everything working together to create this masterpiece. Also, one of my best friends who also doubled as my roommate is a Drag Queen and she and all her friends taught me how to do makeup. I taught them how to paint canvas and they taught me how to paint my face. I’ve always been inspired by drag queens and trans women. What does a day on the set look like for you and how did you get involved on the celebrity MUA circuit? Over preparation. I make sure I have everything. I hear you are heavily involved in social justice issues. Could you elaborate on that? It’s our responsibility. Injustices and inequalities have never set right with me. I’ve latched onto intersectionality and making sure it’s part of my everyday life. If various communities can speak up within their own communities and share what’s happening in other communities there’s more voices. The minority then becomes not so minor. I see you have dog and cat fur babies. What are their names? They’re adorable. Lola is a Manchester Terrier. She’s my baby. KO, our teenager, stands for “knock out”. I was playing a lot of Mortal Combat when I named her and she has a black ring around

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her eye. What was your favorite moment during the February issue of HOP? My favorite part of the travel issue was working with Jana for the first time. It was so cool when Jana said, “let’s move out of the way so the glam team can get a beauty shot”. I thought that was really great because a lot of photographers

don’t do that. I thought that was so sweet. The whole HOUSE team has been so open and wants to make sure everyone is having a good time while creating this editorial dream. Everyone has been so wonderful! Do you have any future plans to collaborate on any interesting project with other artists? I feel so lucky every day. I get to work with

the most phenomenal, amazing women. Intelligent, smart, kind, funny… I can’t say enough about them! My regulars are the “f******” best if I’m allowed to say that? I wake up every morning happy and grateful! I get to work on different things all the time. TV, print, Red Carpet. I never get bored. I’ll

never stop being grateful for that. Yes, I love it! Where do you see yourself in five years? I don’t know where I will be in 5 years, in 5 minutes. I just try to stay in the moment and take it one day at a time!

Follow Nova on Instagram @novakaplan.

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Ask Nathalie

I N TRO BY: AI DA M. TORO | PHOTO G RAPHY: COU RT ESY O F NATHALIE B ERNIER

HOUSE choice A FAVORITE spring refresh piece FROM THE EDITORS of THE HOUSE

QUEST ION FROM A REA DER:

At times, I feel I am a people pleaser and I always tell people yes, even though deep down I don’t want to do certain things. What advice can you give to a person that doesn’t want to disappoint anyone when the moment of truth comes and they want to say no? Hello! We often think that saying no is a negative thing and that we will hurt people doing it and lose their interest or love. Right now, you disregard your own feelings, and by doing this you can start to build resentments. You need to find your inner voice. To start, go slowly on little things; each time someone asks you for something you don’t feel like doing, take a moment before you answer, and if it feels right to say no try saying, “Let me see if I will be able to” or “sorry but not at this time” which are both softer ways to say the same thing . Doing this exercise, you will be able to find your voice littl by little. Don’t forget, saying no is not a bad thing , it is your right ! You can do it! Good luck ! Reach out to Nathalie at www.nathalie-bernier.com, or email her at nberniermgt@gmail.com

stripe TERA LAMP by CERAMICAH

MEET NATALIE: Models, actors, musicians, and other major players have been part of Nathalie Bernier's world. Bernier is a life coach based out of Paris, France who began her quest in assisting people when she acted as an agent at Wilhelmina Models, which is one of the world's leading modeling and talent agencies. As she progresses in her career at other prestigious modeling agencies and traveled, she realized her job wasn’t fulfilling anymore, even though she still enjoyed the fashion industry. Bernier was then wondering what she could do to change gears in terms of her career. She then recalled that many people in her life would remind her of how she contributed to changing their lives for the better. With this in mind, she considered becoming a life coach, a role where she provides her models, people in her personal life, among others with an ear and empathy in order to cultivate constructive solutions. We are honored to share some of these solutions with our readers in Berinier's new monthly column:

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MADE IN LOS ANGELES. Ceramicah is a ceramic studio in Los Angeles, CA, producing wheel thrown objects by Micah Blyckert from his studio in Los Feliz. Having planted roots in Los Angeles in recent years, California’s nature and landscape has provided deep inspiration to Ceramicah’s new Collections centered around organic forms, while exploring the simple, yet ornate possibilities of the raw clay. Each Tera Lamp is made of a wheel thrown ceramic shade and ceramic base, brass hardware and dimming switch, and LED lamps. Shop this piece at www.ceramicah.com.

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the beauty

EDIT W R I T T E N B Y: T I F FA N Y K A N T R O W I T Z P H OTO G R A P H Y: CO U R T E S Y O F B R A N D S

WHO DOESN'T WANT TO LOOK GOOD AND FEEL GREAT? With pandemic burnout upon us, the worlds of beauty and wellness are colliding right when we need it the most. Beauty routines have long held the secrets to a more youthful appearance, glowing skin, and perfectly accentuated features. Cleopatra used milk and honey to hydrate her skin and kohl to accentuate her eyes. The Geisha of Japan used rice powder to refine and indigo to heal the skin. As routines have evolved over time beauty products have become more clinical and advanced. With medical grade ingredients and claims of all-day wear there is little our products can’t do, right? But do they actually have the power to transform us from within? A whole new wave of wellness inspired products are out there with key super-ingredients like adaptogens, antioxidants, and detoxifiers are leading the way to inner and outer bliss! Ethically produced products paired with clean, high-impact ingredients define the convergence of beauty and wellness worlds. Toxin-free formulas, recyclable packaging, and cruelty-free testing are mainstays for do-it-all formulations. Super ingredients highlight efficacy with powerful and transformative benefits. Adaptogens are powerful ingredients promoting a balanced state by aiding in the body’s return to “homeostasis.” When taken orally they help reduce stress response and counteract inflammation. In skincare, they are used to heal & nourish. When applied topically, adaptogens take

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3. down irritation and inflammation common in certain skin conditions like acne and eczema. Antioxidants, commonly found in superfoods, are substances that prevent oxidation or slow cell damage. In beauty formulations, super-charged ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin A, and niacinamide reduce the signs of aging and prevent skin damage. Detoxification is well regarded as beneficial to our health by removing toxins from the body. Removing impurities from the skin with healing ingredients such as clay and charcoal helps to refine the skin and promote a youthful glow. All of these highly beneficial ingredients do the heavy lifting for us in a new generation of wellness derived cleansers, serums, moisturizers, oils, supplements and makeup to boot.

Must-try Adaptogen Beauty Products: 1.) Herbavore / Emerald Hempseed + Adaptogens Deep Moisture Glow Oil. This omega rich multi-tasking oil will soothe and hydrate the skin with hemp seed and adaptogens including shiitake and ashwagandha. Vitamin E and turmeric root tame environmental aggressors. Suitable for all skin types, this light-weight oil will stave off dullness and dryness while deeply protecting. This brand advocates for the legalization of cannabis promoting its healing properties including incredible skincare benefits. Available at herbivorebotanicals.com.

2. Moon Juice / Beauty Dust. This apoptogenic formula draws from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda helps reduce stress, improve skin clarity and protect from free radical damage. Pearl Powder, Goji Berries, Schizandra, and Rehmannia help build collagen, hydrate and firm the skin. Create a youth-enhancing tonic with a scoop of this herbal supplement and soak in the glow-inducing benefits from the inside out. Available at moonjuice.com.

Detoxifiers Doing the Dirty Work: 3. Youth to the People / Superfood Cleanser. A green juice cleanse meets skincare product with this multifunctional, super gentle gel cleanser. Green tea deeply purifies in a rich texture that naturally lathers without sulfates. Skin-loving phytonutrients from cold-pressed extracts including kale and spinach gently cleanse impurities and soothe. Plant powered antioxidants vitamins C, E, and K nourish as they lift out impurities and combat inflammation. This PH-balances formula rinses quickly without drying the face. Available at nordstrom.com. 4. Farmacy / Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm. This cleanser melts away the day with sunflower and ginger oils removing even the most stubborn makeup. Turmeric and moringa extract remove impurities while papaya enzymes clean out pores

6. and smooth skin texture. A sorbet-like texture that magically transforms into a silky, soft oil on the skin will have dirt and makeup on its way in no time. The fresh, sensual scent will transport and renew in seconds. Available at farmacybeauty.com.

Antioxidants with Superpowers: 5. Your Superfoods / Forever Beautiful Organic Superfood Mix. Newbies on the beauty scene are supplements taken orally rather than topically to promote a healthy glow from within. An antioxidant powerhouse with chia, acai, maquui, acerola, maca and blueberries transforms and tastes great. This beauty supplement powder will have you looking gorgeous and feeling better-than-ever. Supercharge your daily smoothie by adding a scoop and let the antioxidation process do it’s thing. Available at yoursuper.com. 6. Aixiology / Golden Hour Lip to Lid Trio. This trio packs a punch with its multifunctional use on eyes, lips, and cheeks. An easyto-use balm texture and crayon-like application makes this product a must for makeup on-the-go. Formulated with skin-loving oils and antioxidants including, elderberry, hemp and plum. This zero waste and cruelty-free product will have you ready for date night at your fav vegan eatery in a snap! Available at credo.com.

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Spring

The cooling touch of obsidian is vitalizing as it pacifies and helps with bringing calmness and tranquility while living in the present moment. Perfect for a spring refresh, Obsidian is also known to occlude negative energy, bad vibes and unclog psychic vapor. 4. Le Visage Lift Contour Serum by Chance [Amina Jaschke]. Before using your roller, a good serum should be applied to your skin. The serum is brought to our lovely faces by award-winning aesthetician, Chance Amina Jaschke. Le Visage’s Lift Contour Serum is ideal to apply prior to rolling as it is reminiscent of a powerful ancient French Egyptian beauty cocktail cultivated of ingredients containing antioxidants, botanicals and vitamins to assist with boosting the skin’s immune system to prevent tissue degeneration. This product also repairs the firmness and brightness of the epidermis by boosting the oxygen intake into the skin cells. The serum is also proven to heal psoriasis, eczema, and more. Once you apply a couple of drops, you’ll notice that your skin will look radiant, bright, glowy, healthy, and will feel firm. (P 5. VGlow Beauty Bar's Glow Hydro Sun Defense Tinted SPF 44. Having a tinted SPF in hand is key, especially when warmer weather is approaching. A tinted SPF can add a minor touch of color to your skin and can be utilized with or without regular foundation. VGlow’s Glow Hydro Sun Defense Tinted SPF 44 is a water resistant Sunscreen which features a moisturizing base with a sheer, universal tint that is beneficial for all skin types. Aside from its mineral based sun protection, this tender sunscreen contains Hyaluronic Acid that hydrates the skin for a fresh and youthful look. Not to mention, it's super light, making it an easy choice to wear alone or under makeup for everyday protection from the sunrays. 6. The Maker Fragrance in Paradiso. The Maker Hotel in Hudson, New York is a place where creatives and tastemakers alike go for some R&R. That said, the hotel has a fragrance collection of six, which was inspired by the bespoke hotel and wanderlusting thoughts we have in our minds each and everyday. The scents are gender-inclusive and intend to evoke figments of our imagination. The fragrances arrive in a one of a kind package, influenced by an antique ink flask, resulting from The Maker’s partnership with a German glassmaking team. The creation of the custom bottle is rooted in three eco-responsible methods, including minimizing glass use. A House of Perez favorite is the Paradiso fragrance. Paradiso is considered to be a fruity and floral scent which arrives from moments of pure joy and bliss. The key notes for this specific fragrance are Mangosteen, Blood Orange, and Italian Bergamot. Now that the temperatures are picking up, bloom with spring using a spray of Paradiso, which can also be found at The Maker’s Shop in Manhattan located at 246 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011.

THE HOUSE LIST W R I T T E N B Y: A I D A M . TO R O P H OTO G R A P H Y C O U R T E S Y O F B R A N D S

MARCH IS HERE AND WE ARE ALL IN BLISS because the aromas of the spring’s blooming are knocking on our doors. With Spring rolling in, we’re all craving a new beauty regime, products, and accessories. Hence, the references to spring cleaning and refreshes. In this edition of Aida's Picks for The House, a couple of beauty products and essentials have been rounded up and will have you gleaming and blooming this Spring with a fresh face, killer hair do, and more. 1. Kjaer Weis Beautiful Oil. New Yorker and Danish Makeup artist Kirsten Kjaer Weis, brings you this facial oil which contains nutrient-rich, organic ingredients that’ll moisturize your skin and provide a glow like no other. The formula is lightweight and absorbed rather quickly by the skin, making it ideal to apply as a primer if you utilize cream or liquid foundation. What’s even better, is that the Kjaer Weis Beautiful Oil is great for all skin types to utilize. 2. Serge Normant Meta Sheer Dry Oil Finishing Spray. Serge Normant products are known to be responsible for Sarah Jessica Parker and her character Carrie Bradshaw’s fabulous hair do’s. That being said, the Dry Oil is a multi-tasking spray that brings an all-over shine with weightless frizz control containing Nopal and Tsubaki extracts worthy of your day to day needs. The benefits of this Dry Oil are exquisite, as essential nutrients promote follicular health, tension and anxiety are reduced when applying, and more. This dry oil can be utilized prior to blow drying the hair in order to protect, assist with frizz, and include a natural shine to utilize for dry hair throughout the day for additional touch ups. 3. Keys Soulcare Obsidian Face Roller. A face roller is essential for a skin care regiment. In that case, the Keys Soulcare Obsidian Face Roller is the one for you to grab! Keys Soulcare is brought to us by Alicia Keys; the brand was inspired by the artist’s personal skincare journey and passion for ancient beauty rituals. This obsidian roller assists with bringing your skin the tranquility and revitalization it deserves. The Soulcare Obsidian Face Roller Obsidian invigorates your senses while helping fortify your skin tone, texture,and suppleness.

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2. P H OTO B Y: F I L B E R T K U N G

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Sonya Dove Inspiring Creativity, Spunk, and Kindness

WR I TTEN BY: FRAN KIE SANDE RS ON P H OTOG RA P H Y BY: RICHARD M ONSIE RS

I WAS SO EXCITED WHEN SONYA SAID “YES” to be interviewed. The “Sonya Dove”. Not only is Sonya Wella’s color council director for North America, but also Wella’s professional global ambassador, Ulta pro team member, and Hairdreams ambassador. She’s also an educator and the kindest human being you’ll ever meet. Sonya’s career has taken her around the globe and has had her hands in the hair of Hollywood’s most famous stars. Throughout it all Sonya remains grounded, calm and the coolest cat in the industry! After all her successes, trials, and tribulations, Sonya remains at the top of her game. Her portfolio of work is one masterpiece after another. How does one keep up? I thought I’d do a deep dive into Sonya’s world and find out how a global hair icon keeps it real and keeps it going. I asked some rapid fire questions, not necessarily in any order, to have some fun. Here we go! Did you always want to do hair? No. I wanted to be a nutritionist, but you had to do this thing called “biology.” I tried many times but I couldn’t make the grade. My mother in law, at the time, said “why do you want to do this?“ I told her “because I want to help people.” She then said, “there are plenty of profes

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sions where you could help people. Have you ever thought about hair?” So, that was it and I never looked back. Was being a colorist on the top of your list? I do all of the disciplines of cut, color, and style. I’ll do a show or class and do all three myself. It’s the same when I’m in the salon. How did you find yourself in the hair world after school? Being passionate. I’m a Taurus and once I make up my mind I go for it. I’ll have a vision and I like to see it through to the end. Who has been an inspiration throughout your career? Christopher Dove. He is a visionary. Christopher’s creativity was amazing! He is a future thinker. He has that type of mind and I am an analytical mind. I can think of the steps to get there but Christopher does the vision. That’s where we work together. Also, Trevor Sorbie. We spent a lot of time together in the 80’s and 90’s . Genius. What would you like someone to know about you that would surprise someone? I love house music. I’m going to a music festival in a few weeks time. I can fist pump anyone into the night. I read that you enjoy Burning Man. What was your favorite burner experience? At dusk, between the late afternoon and the sunset. You can see all of the playa. You’ve got 18,000 people transform the desert space into a sci-fi/blade runner experience. So much inspiration! Future thinking and tech people come here, it’s really quite unbelievable! The average age of burning man is 50’s to 70’s. You have to have lived life to really experience burning man. If you’re young and you think you’re going to a rave it’s not the place for you. Who do you have your eye on in the industry right now? Not a particular person but a trend. All this virtual education like Chris Appleton and Anh Co Tran, etc. I find it really intriguing. Someone told

me 7 or so years ago when Facebook and Instagram were peaking that I didn’t have to worry about it because it was for younger people. That was enough for me and I said “game on”! That’s all it took. This online education has given us another realm to experience education, learning on tiktok, reels and I try my best with it. I love watching the movement in tech regarding education. I did two years of work in Covid and was busier than had I flown anywhere. What was your most memorable

younger self? To trust in myself. Believe in myself and to know that everything comes out just perfect. I’m a big worrier. I read a lot of self help books and have many post-it’s on my desk that say “believe”, “trust”, and “ you’re perfect as you are”. It’s always a battle. A daily battle/ practice. What are the current hair trends and where is hair going in the future? Within one collection you have a curly afro, a short bleached blonde, a straight bob, etc. It tells me it’s about the individual and what’s best for their eye and skin color. There’s always trends; short fringes and textured, layers, movement in the hair. Color is everything, chocolate brunettes, blonde is more pinky/ taupe blondes, unusual blondes. White blondes will always be there. It’s a classic. There’s always some sort of in fashion color because it’s about the hues. The pantone is periwinkle 2022. Who is your musical influence for house? Commercial: Swedish House Mafia. Underground: Maga How would a budding stylist interested in runway hair break into the scene? Follow a certain stylist with a particular style and ask to be an unpaid assistant. Write, call or dm that stylist. Put yourself out there and offer yourself up. We all started from somewhere. Never forget that someone will eventually say “yes”. Have that in your head last thing at night. Never give up. Let the universe take care of it. Are you a dog or a cat person? As a matter of fact I have my dog in my lap. She’s an 11 month old puppy. I have a pom-chi. It’s a very cold day in Mexico and she’s got her little jacket on. I’m definitely a dog person. A woman after my own heart!

“I'm a Taurus and once I make up my mind I go for it. I'll have a vision and I like to see it through to the end.” campaign? It was with Wella. It was a bond builder called Wellaplex. It’s a bond builder that goes inside bleach to protect hair while it’s lifting. They chose me over every other hair stylist in the world. It was an honor. They wanted me to turn Sophie Turner’s hair from red to blonde for ‘the game of thrones’. Sophie had years of copper in her hair. 11 years of red. I had to explain to her it takes several attempts to get there. Over a period of time I got Sophie’s hair light and the hair quality was great. She appreciated me being honest with her and later told me that I was the only person that spoke the truth and did not ruin her hair. I was able to go to her wedding with Joe Jonas. That’s what it’s about. What advice would you give your

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Chillhouse Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton: Tastemaking Manhatten One Day at A Time W R I T T E N B Y: A I D A M . TO R O P H OTO G R A P H Y: CO U R T E S Y O F C H I L L H O U S E

IT’S BEEN FIVE YEARS SINCE NEW YORK BRED COLOMBIAN-AMERICAN Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton opened the doors to her first ever Chillhouse location, formerly known as Chillhouse version 1.0, In the lower east side. Ramirez-Fulton’s main objective with Chillhouse was and still is for fellow new yorkers to experience a chilltime amongst the hustle and bustle they live with throughout their day in the big city, by savoring the pleasures of self care via a manicure, a massage, and clean yet delectable lattes and noshes in the café. “I hated some of the spa names out there because they felt a little bland, cold, and expected and i thought about the place I wanted to build and felt the word ‘house’ was a word I liked in a brand because it’s a place people feel comfortable in,” said Ramirez-Fulton. “As for the word ‘chill’, I felt that I haven’t really seen it used in the context of this particular space, and culturally it's a word that we all used growing up and a word we still use in our everyday vernacular. Therefore, combining the two made sense for us because it is youth-

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ful and speaks to the space you are entering.” Nowadays, her flagship location on varick street in Hudson Square showcases high ceilings along with large windows that allow the sunlight to make its entrance and brighten up the space. Ramirez-Fulton sipped on an iced matcha latte while I sipped on a Get Me Golden hot latte during our meeting at the Chillhouse flagship location, which is now the only location standing after Chillhouse version 1.0 closed its doors in July of 2020 due to the global pandemic. “Cyndi pre-Chillhouse was probably mostly lost,” stated Ramirez-Fulton while sipping on her iced matcha. “It took me a long time to find what I was good at and what I was passionate about.” Ramirez-fulton’s background comes from the hospitality industry, working as a bartender and waitress in her 20’s at some of the most well known locales in manhattan prior to becoming an entrepreneur and tastemaker. While working in hospitality, she realized she really enjoyed the aspect of all things food and beverage, as well as providing memorable experiences for people during gatherings. “In some way, I combined the two and made chillhouse out of my passions, which were diverted in wellness and beauty, as I always craved this as a woman,” she said. “I also really loved the act of getting people together and community building, so when I fully thought of what chillhouse could be, I knew it had to have a cafe where people can gather and hang out.” She also grew up in the spa environment, as her mother has been the owner and operator of Mary’s Cosmetology in Jackson Heights, Queens for over 25 years. When it came to services for chillhouse, Ramirez-Fulton wanted to incorporate two services that were important to her on the menu when she first opened the doors to version 1.0, and those were: massages and manicures with a focus on nail art. In her past, she had yet to encounter spa spaces that spoke to her; services were always priced too high or too low, leaving her with a sense of guilt on either end of the spectrum from spending an obscene amount of money or very little money for their services and time. Ramirez-Fulton and her husband, Adam, had an experience like this on a day they were headed to a spa for a massage, leading to a lightbulb moment for the idea of creating Chillhouse. As for nail services, Ramirez-Fulton has always been a nail art fan and also felt manicures provided the ultimate weekly maintenance self care moment for her, which is why she was very big on adding this specific service to the menu. Nowadays, services all the way from pedicures, facials, sauna experiences, and more are offered at Chillhouse’s flagship. “Ever since, it’s been all about identifying different ways of self care, ways to experience it, and ways to provide that moment for our community,” she said. “It’s just been really fun.” Not only has Ramirez-Fulton revolutionized the spa landscape by incorporating all of her heart’s greatest passions into Chillhouse, but she has made a mark as a Latina in both the beauty and hospitality industries. Being the daughter of a Colombian esthetician, she witnessed her mother catering exclusively to Colombian clientele as a result of her spa’s location and the language barrier throughout her community. Ramirez-Fulton’s community, on the other hand, differs

as she was born in the states and has friends of all different backgrounds. “As a New Yorker, we have more than just our heritage here,” she said. “ We have access to everyone across the world as well as all backgrounds, and whatever it was that I did, I wanted to make sure I was able to do that and have New York be at the forefront,” she said. Ramirez-Fulton continued, “As a Latina, I felt I was confident in representing that Latina’s can be at New York’s forefront and not necessarily only catering to our community.” She felt that anytime she’s seen business owners portrayed in the media, phrases such as “it’s a Latina thing” were always mentioned, rather than being portrayed as women who are more than the Latina

from a certain community. Ramirez-Fulton ultimately wanted to push the identity of Colombian and overall Hispanic women to a calibur beyond what they are typically portrayed as and make room to create their own. “It’s almost like my background is secondary and my business is number one and what I’ve created is important,” she said. “The product and business should speak for itself and it shouldn’t be because we are minorities or because it is ‘trendy’ nowadays that we should be taken seriously.” On top of running Chillhouse, assisting her husband with the bars he owns, and uplifting and inspiring women, Ramirez-Fulton is a mother to an almost two year old named Hendrix, also known as Henny.

Cyndi's Top Picks: 1. Chill Tips 2. Palo Santo & Chill Candle 3. Gua Sha 4. Have a Chill Night Body Oil 5. Have A Chill Day Face Oil

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“This just makes me feel happy and that I’m doing everything in my life for more than just goal seeking… it’s a fulfillment factor too. We will always compare ourselves until we realize that we are exactly where we are supposed to be.”

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“We have a lot of people helping us, however, it’s been a challenge at times because we put in extra hours working,” she said in regards to balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. “At the end of the day, squeezing in moments for yourself are very imperative…for instance, little moments such as where my husband and I have a meeting over a cocktail to regroup at one of our bars or at a restaurant we want to try is my way of telling myself that everything I do is because I love it and every part of my life is a passion project that I am constantly working on.” At the end of the day, Ramirez-Fulton’s main passion project is Henny; she always has and always will make sure he is taken care of. When she was pregnant with him in 2020 during the pandemic, she was able to grasp the reins of motherhood and spend more time with her son, which kept her centered. Having a baby during the pandemic was one of Ramirez-Fulton’s greatest blessings because she received the chance to see Henny grow up until now, since businesses started opening up, which meant that she and her husband had to go back into their work spaces. “Henny was a huge learning experience for me during the pandemic because I was with him nonstop,” said Ramirez-Fulton. “He was fully immersed in our lives everyday, where as of now, things are opening up and I’m able to come to the office for eight to nine hours at a time and won’t have to stress because he’s in a good place.” Overall, Ramirez-Fulton believes it is important for those who strive to become entrepreneurs, mothers, creatives, and more, to hone in on their blessings rather than pushing towards the next big thing. “It’s really easy to compare your life to someone else’s and happiness may look different for someone else than what it may look like for you,” she said. “Growing up, I definitely identified with a lot of people I looked up to and used them as digital expanders and thought that I could possibly do the same as them.” She also feels that once you are hyper focused on making sure you are satisfied, along with the scales being in good standing and goals are met within your business, results as a much more important factor

than the vanity of what entrepreneurship is defined as. For Ramirez-Fulton, seeking out what makes her happy while running her brand is a balanced act of accomplishing overall goals in her life as this method permits her to seek joy in other ways that don’t necessarily have to get her from one point to another in an orderly fashion. “This just makes me feel happy and that I’m doing everything in my life for more than just goal seeking…it’s a fulfillment factor too,” said Ramirez-Fulton. “We will always compare ourselves until we realize that we are exactly where we are supposed to be.” Ramirez-Fulton looks forward to feeling more settled in her life and building a community around her son’s life. Currently, she and her circle of immediate friends are in the early stages of cultivating a community within their families. She also looks forward to working with her mother, her in-laws, and more, as she and her husband have brought them all into the fold of the businesses they’ve created. “I look forward to all of this because I feel like an adult now and haven’t felt this way till I had Henny and now with all of these shifts happening with our businesses growing,” she said. “There is more responsibility than just taking care of me, Adam, and our child, but at the same time, it brings light into perspective a lot deeper.” To keep up with Ramirez-Fulton, follow her on Instagram over @cyndiramirez and @chillhouse.

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MARCH 2022

Chance Spreading Magical Beauty a Star at Time

W R I T T E N B Y: A I D A M . TO R O P H OTO G R A P H Y: A N N A B A R N AT

I AM MAGIC..PURE MAGIC,” SAID CHANCE [AMINA JASCHKE]. Chance, a French aesthetician who developed the "Le Visage Lift Contour”, caters to a plethora of Hollywood’s biggest stars such as Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, JLo, Cher, Mara Rooney, Demi Moore, FOODGOD, Suki Waterhouse, Kendall Jenner, Miranda Kerr, Diplo, and more. She’s had the pleasure of residing in many countries such as France, Italy, Spain, and Morocco, due to her father working in government missions, which consisted of heavy travel. Chance became fluent in five languages and broadened her comprehension and appreciation for many different cultures and perspectives. What’s to be a very unique story about Chance is how she gained the name Chance. She obtained the nickname when she was at a beach trip with her parents at a very young age. “Chance meant luck. While kids were building magical castles, I was digging like a dog and finally found a plastic bag, which had a sterling silver belt with gemstones,” said Chance. “That’s how my name ‘Chance’ was born.” Till this very day, Chance has this belt, which she wraps around her Buddah’s waste. As a devoted Buddhist, she mentioned the formula for the technology and energy she developed for her product was already out there. All she had to do was grab the formula, because everything is existential and magical. “Buddhism is about energy and magic…and magic is real,” she said. “My formula is a gift from the universe because I know I had the power to discover it.” Originally, Chance studied science and its concentrations such as biology, anatomy and physiology, since her parents wanted her to become a doctor or scientist. Meanwhile, her mother was a fashion designer, which inspired her to steer into the fashion industry where she designed her own lingerie brand, gowns and more. Chance then shifted her focus towards the beauty industry,

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where she attended the Forum Des Halles in Paris and obtained a certification in skin, body care and makeup for stage. In addition, she received her Cosmetology License in 1992, in San Francisco, California. Later on, Chance became an award winner at the California Cosmetology Association in a nationwide beauty competition. “My mom was my idol and everything for me and she died when I was only 12.5 years old,” said Chance. “When my mom died, the thought of why humans die was always in the back of my mind.” The idea of death was haunting Chance while growing up, following with thoughts on why society ages and changes. She received the answers to her questions once she began to comprehend how the body actually functions. Based on her studies of science, Chance explained that human beings are like computers, as we are masses of energy and frequencies. “Frequencies are waves that run in us like the computer. So when they take a scan of your head and brain, which is called an Encephalogram, you see waves going up and down,” she explained. “When it comes to muscle functions, the waves you see are called Myogram and when it comes to your heart working with frequencies, you see waves up and down in the screen as well, which is called a cardiogram.” During her research, Chance started working with different machines and then began understanding the reason behind the overall changes humans experience. She discovered that humans go through these changes due to the lack of function and the lack of the frequencies coming to the cells and organs that keeps them from doing their job or maintaining their power to provide the cells with the ability to eat, breath, develop collagen, and more. Fortunately, Chance was capable of combining her science and medical background with the assistance of experts in high tech facial rejuvenation, including her sister who is a microbiologist scientist, to cultivate the French concept of the fountain of youth, which she embodied in the Le Visage Lift Contour Machine in 2009. Chance and her team spent endless nights figuring out how to restore function and give life and youth to the skin, muscles and tissue. “My mission became very, very obsessive to find the formula to basically keep our youth and the cells functioning at the same state as when they were younger, which is finding the formulas for those frequencies,” said Chance. “Remember the muscle, as well as the cells like us have memory, so

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when you feed them and activate them and you tell them this is how you used to work, then they start functioning.” This revolutionary technology consists of computerized electronic stimulations where a variety of waveforms and specific frequencies are sent to stimulate the muscles at the cellular level promoting more production of collagen elastic and ATP, as well as enhancing the blood flow to increase the oxygenation and the absorption of nutrients. The procedure assists with the detoxification of the cells by increasing the lymphatic system function as well. “My concept is based on the speed of the frequency, that’s why it’s different,” she said. “It’s not a one fits all because every client needs different frequencies based on my analysis.” Le Visage Lift Contour has helped with beauty restoration for many when it comes to aging, and in some cases, has healed some clients that have suffered muscle atrophy due to certain injuries or health conditions like bell's palsy. “I helped Janae Houfley who couldn’t shut her left eye due to nerve damage caused by a brain tumor and bell's palsy syndrome…her husband used to put medical tape on her,” said Chance. “After the first session, I helped her open and close her eye.” Houfley was referred by a friend of hers from Canada that was following Kim Zolciak and read her son Kash’s story, which referenced Chance helping him with his eye injury via Instagram. Kash was bit on the face by the family's dog back in 2017, which left him in the hospital for a couple of days as the scratch wasn’t too far from his eye. Chance said, “The body is a temple of all these frequencies that need to be activated and working. It just happened that I found the activation formula to activate your body to gain back certain powers.” For a variety of years, Chance traveled between Paris and San Francisco developing and refining her concept Le Visage Lift Contour. During this time, she had the gratification of working with a plethora of clients where she’s communicated their specific needs, and achieved enormous results. As a result, Chance received recognition from many French and American publications and had the opportunity to travel to high profile cities to work on celebrities and

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public figures, which she kept private and confidential. With this in mind, Chance then decided to expand her business to Los Angeles. “My first client was Cher,” said Chance. “She found out about my work when she saw the work I did on Marjan Malakpour, who was her stylist for years and is my brother-in-law's partner.” Chance continued, “After Cher looked at her face in the mirror once I was done with her procedure, she came and hugged me and didn’t want to let me go. She said I was a Frankenstein scientist.” Kourtney Kardashian also became a regular at Chance’s. For her, it all started after visiting Washington DC to advocate for clean products. The paparazzi took some photos of her and she realized that she needed to do something about her face. Kourtney was talking about it to her friend, who happened to be Chance’s client and told her that she gave her a gift certificate that will change her life, which happened to be for a session with Chance. “Kourtney asked her for my contact and booked that day… it was about five years ago and she became a regular client ever since that,” said Chance. Chance also developed a Le Visage Lift Contour Serum which is known as a powerful ancient French Egyptian concoction cultivated of ingredients containing antioxidants, botanicals and vitamins to assist with amplifying the skin’s immune system to block tissue degeneration. “The serum is a magical formula,”said Chance. “I formulated it for years and I saw the transformation, however, it wasn’t packaged or branded.” The serum contains the formula Chance utilizes with her technology on the face along with stretch marks on the body, which she’s seen major results in. Of course, Chance mentioned she perfected the serum’s formula by adding a percentage of ingredients back and forth in order for it to reach a level of perfection. With this being said, she launched the Le Visage Lift Contour Serum a week before the global pandemic started. “I have people who have used the serum all over the world who have told me that the serum has worked with curing their facial scars, rosacea, psoriasis, and more,” she said. “The serum is just as big as the technology.”

Due to her success with her technology, Chance has changed the landscape in Hollywood’s beauty industry in many positive ways. Celebrities felt they didn’t have a lot of options to maintain their external youth, which is the reason why they went for drastic options such as botox, mini lifts, fillers, and more. Due to their drastic transformations, people have lost the vision of their character along with jobs, as their faces were altered and didn’t look the same. “What I did with my technology was allow these celebrities to look like their actual selves as they did when they were younger, while still keeping that youthful and beautiful face that has the ability to move and be expressive,” she said. “It was huge…matter of fact, many of my clients who are models, actors, and singers scored so many big jobs after they came for my treatments.” Chance continued, “Basically, I made everyone look 20 years younger without having to use any knives or injections where they can still make expressions with their faces. Therefore, I had a big impact on them, their lives, their careers, happiness, and everything.” Currently, she is working on a magical formula for a serum that will also be considered a perfume. She mentioned this specific serum will be ideal for applying on the neck and breast area for firming and regenerating. In addition, this serum will contain healing properties and will have a different scent on each person depending on the pH level of their skin. The product will launch in the next three months. “It will also have a spiritual effect because it will heal you and balance you,” she explained. “People who have dry skin can also use it on their skin for intensive hydration at night, as well as on their bare face.” Another product in production is the Le Visage Lift Contour Home Device, which will be for home use and will launch this upcoming summer. To conclude, Chance desires to tell aspiring entrepreneurs that everything they hope for will come to fruition as long as they love and believe in themselves while acknowledging that their mission is going to help others. When it comes to entrepreneurship, Chance mentioned it isn’t just about oneself, as it is about others too. “Never stop…there are so many obstacles that will be thrown in your way, whether they are emotional or personal,” she said. “But the universe is just teaching you to be stronger and better and it will not handicap you from standing up and to keep going.” Chance also mentioned that her work is not all about the money because when one packs and flies away towards death, they aren’t going to take money or any materialistic object for that matter, however, they will take their spirit, as frequencies will be flying with major positive waves if there has been a fair contribution towards the universe during their time alive. “If people put their eye on the goal, as long as it is noble and beautiful, it will happen,” expressed Chance. Want to keep up with Chance and her latest? Follow her on Instagram over @chancehightech and visit her website beautebychance. com.

“Never stop… there are so many obstacles that will be thrown in your way, whether they are emotional or personal. But the universe is just teaching you to be stronger and better and it will not handicap you from standing up and to keep going.”

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MARCH 2022

DR. NADINE MACALUSO Wolf of WALL STREET'S Ex-wife PRESENTS the GIFT of AUTHENTICITY to the WORLD WR ITT EN BY: AIDA M. TO RO P HOTO GRAPHY BY: MADDIE MARINE

Florida based Dr. Nadine Macaluso, known as Dr. Nae, is a Brooklyn born and raised powerhouse who became a thriving psychologist. Macaluso experienced a life that one can only view in a motion picture. Many knew her as Nadine Caridi, the Duchess of Bayridge, and of course, one of the most popular references she’s received: the ex-wife of Jordan Belfort, who was known as the infamous Wolf of Wall Street. The marriage between Macaluso and Belfort was a turbulent eight-year commitment full of abuse, greed, drugs, and trauma. However, there is a silver lining to all the pain, as Macaluso gained two blessings from her marriage with Belfort; her children Chandler Winter and Carter Belfort. Not only did she survive her marriage with the Wolf, but transformed herself into the wounded healer who developed a passion for assisting others in creating vitality in their lives. I had the pleasure of having an empow-

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ering conversation with Macaluso on her life journey, where we discussed who she was prior to marrying Belfort, the true essence of her marriage with Belfort, her thoughts on the “Wolf of Wall Street” movie, and more. Dr. Nae. Prior to being a therapist, I know you were a model. What got you into modeling? I grew up in the 1970’s in Brooklyn, which by the way was a great time. I was raised by a single mother and what really got me into modeling was money because I needed money. I graduated high school at 17 years old and my parents were like “Ok…you’re on yourown”. I was working in the city and going to school and it was so much work and so expensive to live in the city even then. I was also working at Barney’s at the time. Then I just started to model and work in commercials. It was great because I didn’t enjoy the work, however, I had money and some security. Why didn’t you really enjoy modeling?

First of all, I am naturally an introvert. Hence, why I love to write, research, and I am a therapist. It’s tough when you model in New York City because you are up against some of the most beautiful women in the world and you really need to have the thick skin of an elephant to go on ten “go sees”, as we called them back in the day, then to get rejected 99% of the time. Then it was just really boring once you did it. The commercials were more fun because they were live and you were animated, however, it was just boring and not intellectually stimulating. I got my Masters and Doctorate because I love to learn. For all those reasons it was challenging, but modeling was good to me and I am grateful for that. As a former model, what can you tell models that don’t actually want to be in the industry and want to pursue something else? I would just advise them to save their money so they can do something that is very fulfilling. Model-

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ing does serve its purpose and we do need money to live in the world. Growing up poor in Brooklyn at a very young age, modeling was something that did help me out. The girls should save their money and go towards their dreams. I say that when you want to do something, just go for it. What drove you to becoming a therapist? My mother was very psychological. When I was a young girl she was always talking to me about Jung and Freud, feelings, nature or nurture, and more, which I am very grateful for because she was very progressive. What happened was that I was a model at the time and as the story goes, I was in the Hamptons

therapy before. Once my time was up, his therapist suggested I should talk to someone. Right at that moment at 24 years old, I entered into therapy and then I stayed throughout my whole first marriage, which was tumultuous as the movie depicts. I always say that therapy allowed me to manage and survive that crazy time. I believe it saved my life and I am so grateful. What were the challenges of getting married at such a young age? I was young and a naive babe in the woods. At 24, you think you’re smart when you don’t really know anything...and that’s ok. What happened was that I stepped in a world that I realized

mother. There were so many reasons for me to go to therapy because there was no way I was going to manage this marriage, this life, and I just needed support. Overall, this is why I went to therapy. Nowadays, do you get along with Jordan? Jordan and I have been really good parents and the proof of that is in our kids. Jordan and I have our moments…at times we get along great, and at times we don’t. Before the book and movie came out, we got along really well. I just always made the decision that my children would have a father because that was really important to me. Through the book and the movie, we had our bumps

relationship with him. Jordan got to have his narrative and I went through it as well, and mine was of course not included, which was fine because I didn’t write the book. It was still challenging, mostly because I wanted my kids to be ok with it. How did your kids cope with the book launch and movie? With the book, the kids were a little younger. When the movie came out, my daughter was a freshman in college and my son was a junior in high school. The good news was that I was always very open with them throughout their lives, since I was already in therapy. I’m very real…I’m not a secret keeper and my kids just knew what

about this movie. I was already in my late 40’s and getting my Doctorate and my main concern was my kids. How did you feel Margot Robbie played your part and how did the film differ from actual reality in your life? The lady who reached out to me that worked at Martin Scorcese’s office also mentioned that Margot Robbie, who played me in the movie, wanted to meet me. It was surreal because the day I took my daughter to college, I met Margot Robbie. Margot met me with her speech coach because she wanted my Brooklyn accent for the part, which was funny because when I was a model I also went for speech lessons.

never threw water over his head and we certainly got into fights, but they were about drugs and not about women. How did you cope with Jordan using drugs while being married to him and having your children at home? Not very well, however, I handled it well in the sense, because luckily I don’t have an addictive personality. Jordan and I were very much in love and never in my life have I seen drugs like this. It was very challenging because when you are in love with someone in a passionate way, you really believe you can fix them and that the love you have for them will heal them. Addiction, however, is much greater than any love that

with a boyfriend I had at the time and met my first husband, Jordan, known as the Wolf of Wall Street. I was 22 when I met him, married him at 23, and was pregnant with my daughter at 24. While being pregnant with my daughter, Jordan had a minor back surgery and he took too many pills and was in a rehab for a weekend. I remember going to his therapist because I was 24 years old and pregnant, and his therapist told me, “When Jordan works, he’s like a-symphony and when he doesn’t, he is a natural disaster.” Of course, I wanted to keep talking to him the whole time because I had never been to

was way beyond to me. I did not grow up wealthy and here I am living in suburbia with a 10,000 square foot house, a limo driver, a housekeeper, and more help, which I didn’t know how to talk to and set boundaries with. It was just a whole new world I had stepped into. Again, I am the type of person that loves information and education, but then my ex-husband was so dramatic and erratic, not initially, but with his behavior as the relationship went on. He had a severe drug addiction, and that was something I was clueless with handling. I also had a baby coming and I just wanted to be a really good

along the way. At the end of the day, we are both really invested in our children and that’s where we come together. Our daughter actually just got married and we all gathered as a family to celebrate. He truly is a wonderful dad. It’s also just tricky because my life with him was a real Greek tragedy…that's the way I perceived it, because certainly as a young girl I did not go into that marriage thinking that it would end. When he wrote the book, Jordan had every right to do what he did, but in a way, I felt it to be the ultimate form of gaslighting as I had endured an abusive

went down. It was just interesting because in the book Jordan used my name but by the time the movie was coming out, I was just getting my license as a family therapist and it was just an interesting time and they wanted to use my name for the movie. I said no because I wasn’t making any money out of it and didn’t have any creative interest. Due to the fact that the production couldn’t use my name, they got worried, so then Martin Scorcese’s office called me and I told them I wasn’t going to suit them and that my main concern was regarding my kids being ok

Overall, I feel she did great. My character was very one dimensional and that’s fine, because I honestly felt that is how Jordan always saw me. The movie portrayed me as the pretty young mother who loved her kids, which was the truth. It didn’t show any depth of the character, and that’s ok because that’s not what the movie was about. I thought the way Margot portrayed my Brooklyn accent was funny, which she did a great job on. As for the movie, it's always interesting to see your life portrayed in a movie from someone else’s perspective because it was Jordan’s narrative. It’s so funny because I

exists. That was very challenging because when someone you love is doing drugs and you don’t want to see them destroy themselves, it’s very scary. I would reach out to specialists and doctors, but doctors were the ones giving him the drugs. I would try to talk to Jordan, I would scream at him, even steal the drugs from him and hide them, basically everything. So what I did was hire a couples coach for us to go to together. The coach asked us to go back the next day and Jordan didn’t go back, which is what actually changed my life. The coach advised me to either do an intervention with him or

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leave him because if I didn’t, she said I was going to get cancer. Something in her words snapped at me, which I then resulted in having an intervention on him. It’s different from the movie, but that was the one time Jordan got very violent with me because he didn’t want me to tell him not to do drugs and that was when he kicked me down the stairs and drove my daughter into the car door. But guess what? He did get sober. Jordan had his outbursts, however, he actually ended up in Florida and I hired the two top interventionists in the country and we got him into a rehab because that was the only way he was going to be able to see the children and I. It worked out well. How was the experience once Jordan returned from rehab? When he did come back he was sober and I tried to talk to him about how hard it had been for me. Jordan was extremely callous about everything and that was it for me. I was very afraid of Jordan because he was very powerful and had a very wicked temper and wasn’t afraid to use it. He was very threatening and dominating towards me, much less so when once sober, however, he still had that personality. He then got arrested a year later and because he had an ankle bracelet on, I knew I could leave him because I felt safe since he wasn’t able to go after me. That way I was able to leave, and I did. Once you left, where did you go? Jordan went to South Hampton and I stayed in our Long Island home. During that time, I had a maternity clothing line. About a year and a half later, I met my second husband on a blind date, who actually lived in California. I really wanted to get my kids out of New York because it wasn’t their legacy to deal with. Therefore, I was able to move my children to California and we restarted our lives there. I was in California for 22 years and the children and I got to have a fresh start. Nowadays, what are some major changes you’ve done ever since you had your fresh start and how do you feel now that you are an impactful therapist? I love it! So, I started to meditate

a lot and received a thought while meditating, which was that I needed to go back to school. I went back to school in my late 30s to become a therapist. I loved learning so much that I stayed on and got my Doctorate. It has been the most beautiful experience of my life, aside from having my children. I can’t even speak about it in clear terms because there’s just so much love that comes from my heart. When you go through a severe trauma like I did at that age, also having breast cancer at 39, it’s just so much. I always felt that I went through things before my friends,

me. How do you feel about giving people second chances in life? I always give people second chances. I feel that forgiveness frees the person who forgives more so the person you are forgiving. If we hold onto these resentments forever, that’s not healthy for us. Certainly, I could have disliked Jordan for writing the book and making the movie, but that’s not what it’s about. It’s about this being his journey and me being on my own journey and it doesn’t mean I have to love it, but I can accept it. For instance, the day the movie came out, it was Christmas Day and he was actually at my house.Overall, when you forgive somebody, it makes you realize that you aren’t perfect either and gives you the chance to forgive the imperfect places in you too. What do you look forward to with your upcoming book Trauma Bond Free, A Therapist’s Guide For Healing From Traumatic Love? I really want to educate people and give them language on terms such as trauma bonds and more. The second half of the book is about the whole process of self love and self acceptance, whether you were in a trauma bond or not. I love relationships and I love to love because love is what makes the world go round. We all need to learn how to do it better. I just want everyone to have healthy relationships with themselves and other people. To keep up with Macaluso, follow her on Instagram over @drnaemft and to sign up for updates on her upcoming book, Trauma Bond Free, A Therapist’s Guide For Healing From Traumatic Love, visit her site: www.nadinemacaluso.com.

“I love relationships and I love to love because love is what makes the world go round. We all need to learn how to do it better.”

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which I was curious about. Everyday when I went to work for the past 14 years that I've been doing this, I realized why. Aside from my professional acumen, I had a lot of personal experience with trauma and the combination of the professional and personal has really enabled me to be a really good clinician. The ironic thing was that when the movie came out, I was worried that people were going to Google me and see that I was now a therapist. What I did was trust the process and the universe because when people googled me and saw what I went through following with what I became, it made them realize this was the real deal. It’s very easy to be the therapist in the room, but try living your life with those values, morals and ethics…that’s the challenge. The thing I worried about, ultimately ended up serving

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Chef Angie Mar Changing the Concept of Fine Dining in Classic New York City Fashion WR ITT E N BY: A I DA M. TO RO P HOTO G RAP HY BY: WI LLA M H E R E F O R D

New York City is known to be the ultimate mecca of the food world, allowing civilians to go on a gastronomic worldwide wanderlust without ever leaving the classic metropolis it is. Not only is the city the destination to provide your palate with the ultimate gastronomic experience, but it is home to many celebrity chefs and restaurateurs who credit their names and experience towards journeys of all sorts, with fine dining being one of them. Chef’s such as the stylish and influential Angie Mar, who many know as a lover of meats and game from her time as the Executive Chef and Proprietor of West Village icon The Beatrice Inn, is one to bring fine dining to another level in Manhattan. Arriving from a family of prominent restaurateurs such as powerhouse Ruby Chow, who was her aunt and a major restaurateur and politician that made history in Seattle’s community for her vigorous work in Civil rights, equal opportunity for Asian Americans and women, and the LGBTQ communities, Mar knew working in the culinary industry was her calling. I had the pleasure of having a fascinating conversation with Mar about her restaurant Les Trois Chevaux, the future of fine dining in Manhattan, and more. Chef Mar, when did you first start cooking? I grew up cooking with my dad, so I couldn't

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P H OTO B Y: K E V I N TA C H M A N

really tell you what the first thing I ever cooked was, however, cooking on Sundays with my father was something that was very formative as a child. My mom made some Taiwanese food and my dad really just cooked everything and was a tremendous accomplished cook. How was your experience working for other Chefs and how did these experiences shape you to be the restaurateur and Chef you are now? I worked for a lot of really wonderful Chefs and I think that anytime you work for really wonderful, great minds, and even the not so great minds, it gives you a foundation of who you want to become and who you don't want to become. I think that's tremendously important. Nowadays, one of the things that is very important to me is that I am always providing a very wonderful base for the people that are in my kitchen. I think it's so often that in this industry as a young cook you’re kind of left in this cog in the wheel and you're just a body filling up space while cooking somebody else's food in kitchens where you never saw the Chef. This isn’t the environment I have at Les Trois Chevaux or at any of my restaurants. It’s very important that I set the standard for the next generation of cooks because at the end of the day, they should grow and be ready for the next step in their career once their time with me is up…overall

they should have a great foundation. As New York City rolls back pandemic restrictions, how did you deal with everything when all was very restricted when it came to indoor dining and what were some challenges you experienced and how did you tackle them? First of all, we did absolutely everything that we could to keep our patrons safe, but most importantly, to keep our staff safe because this is my family. Even though mask mandates and vaccine mandates are being dropped, that is something that we aren’t going to drop at Les Troix Chevaux. COVID has wreaked havoc on our industry on so many of our lives. I think that the government is really downplaying the financial, emotional and physical impact that COVID had on the restaurant industry. This is an industry that employs millions of people, where we generate billions of dollars in sales tax revenue to the government. This is very much an industry that has been left behind just because there are vaccine mandates that are being dropped. My entire staff is fully vaccinated and boosted, and we will still be requiring our guests that want to dine here to be fully vaccinated as well. Coming from somebody who never closed their restaurants during COVID and stayed open the entire time, I made sure that my employees were still getting paychecks the entire time and sacrificed

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a huge amount and I feel it to be a very selfish decision to not get vaccinated and I am not going to allow people that aren’t vaccinated into my restaurant…It's just not what I'm going to do. How do you feel you've changed the overall landscape of fine dining and Manhattan? This is a topic I really love talking about because New York has always been one of the most aspirational cities in the world. The reason why I moved to New York and the reason why I fell in love with this city is because if I was going to cook and be in this industry, I was going to come to New York and cook in the culinary capital of America. Dining is not a ‘one size fits all’...this was even stated prior to the pandemic where you saw a shift in New York dining and the way the media has described restaurants and dining. They tried to make it very much a ‘one size fits all’ and that everyone should have access to it. That is not what dining is and that is not what food is. Food is not a ‘one size fits all’...food is the complete breath of cuisine, culture, vision, and art…that is what true cuisine is. Twenty years ago you would come to New York and you’d eat everything from something that would cost you $5 to a meal at restaurants like Per Se and at all of these other amazing restaurants. It was all about the breath and that was the wonderful thing about New York dining. In the past five years, there have been trends where it’s all about fried fish and cheap eats. For me it’s a very sad thing when you look at the city and for someone who has been in love with the city for the

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majority of my life to turn into this. For me, this isn’t what the city is all about. When we were opening up Les Troix Chevaux, if I wanted to follow the trends that everyone was following, I would have just opened up a place serving appetizers and cocktails. Opening Le Troix Chevaux was my way of expressing that we need to go back to the New York that holds so much magic and a time in the city I believe a lot of people don’t remember because they weren’t here or just don’t understand. I remember I used to fly into New York on a Saturday night, check into whatever hotel I was staying at, and would get dressed up and go sit at the bar at the Harrison by myself. I’d order a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and eat Jimmy Bradley's veal liver and it was just so chic and everybody was dressed to the nines. Nobody does that anymore because everybody's walking around in yoga clothes, which by the way has been happening way before the pandemic. New York is a glamorous and magical place, and what I’m doing gives me hope that the city will be restored to that kind of glory. How has fashion played a major role in your life and how have you intertwined it with your love for food and dining? My mother is probably one of the most fashionable women I know. I think that just being around her has made such an impact in my young life and formative years. She really gave me a love for fashion, however, not just fashion, but culture and theater. When we talk about fashion and food, that's one thing, but I think that's only part of it. There is an intersection

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where fashion, art, theater, literature, cuisine, and travel meet, which I think Americans haven't figured out. New York is its own thing and I believe those are very important crossroads that many need to explore because people that appreciate great art, realize that art comes in all different forms. In the form of fashion, theater, food, literature and more. This is my art. How do you feel social media has changed the aspect of life, especially when it comes to enjoying a fine meal at a restaurant? It's a double-edged sword, right, because as a business owner, you see the value in social media. But culturally, I think it's destroying us and when I say us, I’m not just talking about our industry, I’m talking about the world in general. You see, we talk about a lot of issues, especially about the younger generation…I'm not even talking about the 20 something year olds… I'm talking about 13 and14 year olds. Then, you think about the pressures that they feel when it comes to what they have to do to live up to society because they don't look a certain way and more. As women and young girls, this is something I think about quite often. Look, I have three very young nieces, and they're on social media all the time, but I think that there is, especially for the very young generation, that pressure to look a certain way, have your hair a certain way, or you have to be thin to a point. I didn’t have those pressures as a 13 and 14 year old girl. Social media does play a large and very negative role in the formative years of our youth. When I go out to eat, I don't have my phone out, even when I am dining by myself. As I’ve gotten older, I realized that it is extremely important to be present in the experience that is happening right in front of me and all around me. When I go out to dine, I really just try to be present with the food and the conversations I’m having. I’ll never forget that before COVID, I was sitting at my dear friend Sally LaPointe’s show and a few looks came down the runway. Something came down the runway that took my breath away and I put my phone down because I just wanted to be present for the experience. I didn’t care about putting it on socials, I just wanted to be present for the art. What inspired you to choose Christian Siriano to design the three looks on your staff’s uniforms? Christian is not only a very dear friend, but was also a very good regular at my last restaurant, The Beatrice Inn. I don't think that there's anybody else that I could have chosen to design the uniforms for my team at Les Trois Chevaux because this restaurant is all about art and artisans. We have a tremendous art collection here. Even if you look at the liquor on our shelves, you’ll notice we don't have Kettle One because why would we.. like that's boring. Every single liquor that we have on the shelf is done by a family owned, small batch artisans, and the list reads like a library. First of all, Christian is a tremendously inspiring individual. His talent speaks volume and he is all about the New York woman, women of color, and women of all sizes. And for me, it was very important, especially during the time when I was building this restaurant, since we were in the height of COVID because Christian was here in the city making masks. He was part of that group of people that understood that this is our city. We have to support it, the people that

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work for us, and the people that live here. Christian did that, as did I. His support of his team, just in women in general, is something that makes him really tremendous. I know you are Chinese American. How can you say your menu incorporates bits and pieces of Asian culture? One thing that can be said is that my food is more French than most French. It’s really interesting because when I talk about how I try to weave in small ingredients or things surrounding my heritage, people say it’s a fusion and it's absolutely not fusion. The food is French through and through, however, I do choose certain ingredients that are important for me because they hit a chord with my soul because this is food I grew up with at home. I think that it's very dangerous when we talk about this, because we have to put it in context since Americans don't really understand Chinese cuisine and actually how nuanced and elegant it is. I think Americans' large fault is in the lack of understanding Asian cuisine because they think it’s cheap, greasy, bedded up, and more. That’s not what it is…if you’re well traveled and have been to Hong Kong, Beijing, and more, you eat at Michelin Star restaurants where you’ll eat 20 to 30 course meals at some of the most elegant spaces and dining that you will ever have. When I talk about the flavors I grew up with, I’m talking about these types of meals…not about Chow Fun for take out, even though we did get Chow Fun for take out sometimes. Chinese cuisine is hard to cook and I couldn’t ever hope to execute that type of cuisine because it is extremely complicated and it's something I really don’t know about. What I do know about are the flavors and textures that have had a very lasting impact on my palette. Chinese cuisine is all about texture and the progression of the meal. I had this insane meal in Hong Kong a few years back and it was at one of the best restaurants in Asia. It doesn't matter because dessert is always a beautiful plate of perfectly ripe oranges, as it clears and refreshes your palette and gives you something bright, sweet and tart, as well as helps with digestion. Oranges are very ceremonial but very special because there is so much care that goes into their growth and cultivation. At Les Trois Chevaux, we end your meal with the absolutely most perfect mandarin orange glace. It’s something very incredibly French, however, it is a flavor very indicative to my culture. What makes your concept at Les Trois Chevaux different from The Beatrice Inn? Les Trois Chevaux is a completely different restaurant. There is no beef here and the restaurant is really formulated around fish and fowl. We obviously have game birds as well as rabbits. Any beef that we have on the menu at Les Trois Chevaux is offal. I chose to go in a completely different direction than what I was known for at The Beatrice Inn. When I turned in the last pages of my book Butcher and Beast: Mastering the Art of Meat: A Cookbook, it was like finishing a painting and there was nothing more that I could do to improve The Beatrice Inn in that iteration of it. It wouldn’t have made sense for me to be at Les Trois Chevaux to keep cooking the same food that I always cooked. This restaurant was a blank slate which provided me with the opportunity to cook food that I wanted to cook for years and that people thought I wasn’t capable of. People thought all I did was cook steak and make meat pies.

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Where do you gain your fascination for game meat? My mom grew up between Taipei and the UK and my father is Chinese and was born in Seattle. I never spent a spring break in America, as most of my spring breaks and summers were spent in the UK and Europe, as well as in Taipei and Hong Kong. I absorbed a lot from the European and Asian cultures because that's where I was for half the year. The one large difference that we can all agree on is that Americans do not know food for the most part because all they know about is chicken, beef, and barbecue since they haven’t been exposed to other cultures enough to where it’s just a way of life. Growing up over the spring and summers and spending time where food and cuisine and the art of cuisine is the most important thing ever is a whole different ball game. I was exposed to a lot of different things, like rabbit, and when I fell in love with France, I was about eight or nine years old and the reason behind that was because I had a big bowl of veal kidneys in front of me and I never tasted anything like it. I just wanted it for the rest of my life everyday. Is there any specific favorite item your palette prefers? There’s not a favorite thing that I have because it depends on the day, on my mood, the weather and more. Sometimes I just want a bowl of veal kidneys and be brought back to when I was nine years old and sometimes I just want to roast a pheasant and open a bottle of White Burgundy. It really depends. I love food and this industry so much and I feel so fortunate to have grown up with a family that loves food as well as the industry

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itself. That’s why I try to champion everything about it. It’s very interesting because I'll get asked why I like cooking game meat or why I love cooking flat fish…it’s a very normal thing, it’s a way of life, and a cultural difference. I’m always quite baffled when people ask me these questions. I even crave Kraft Mac and Cheese at times because I had it as a kid. The cuisine you have during your formative years is what we crave because we crave the memories that are attached to those flavors. What’s important is exploring those flavors. Being a powerhouse female Chef and restaurateur in the big city, what are your future plans? Right now, my only goal is seeing Les Trois Chevaux through as the economy stabilizes as well as the state of New York. I hope to stay in the course and expose people to an experience they probably didn’t know they even needed. My big thing has always been the city. I love New York very much and this is my home, so anything that I do now or in the future will only be for the betterment of the city.

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MARCH 2022

HOTEL ERWIN

VENICE BEACH, CALIFORNIA

ONE MAN’S VISION BRINGS WINDWARD FULL CIRCLE BY JAMIE PAGE 1697 PACIFIC AVENUE, VENICE, CA 90291 @HOTELERWIN

VENICE BEACH, CA -For over sixty years, ErwinFor Sokol had a knack for always overhas sixty years,Erwin Sokol has had a seeing the potential in Venice Beach, and in knack for always seeing the potential in Venice particular, Windward Avenue. His art-filled Beach, and in particular, Windward Avenue. vision and his sheer pride in the community His art-filledvision and his sheer pride in the have contributed to several notable community have contributed to several notable businesses including the Hotel Erwin, businesses includingand theaHotel Larry’s restaurant, new Erwin,Larry’s partnership restaurant, andYou a new partnership with to thesee with the Wish Were Here Group Wish You Were Here Group see theAll opening the opening of Belles Beachto House. through building ofThrough these Venice of Bellesthe Beach House. the building hospitality institutions, Sokol has beenSokol of these Venice Hospitality institutions, devoted to the arts and to artists. has been devoted to the arts and to Gregory artists. Hines and Larry Bell among others have GregoryHines and Larry Bell among others been long-term guests at the Hotel Erwin. havehotel beenmay long-term guests at the Hotel Erwin. The be one of America’s most The hotel may be one of America’s most unique oceanfront hotels, but it has alsounique oceanfront hotels, but it has also made Sokol’s made Sokol’s life unique.

life unique.

This vision didn’tdidn’t comecome easy,easy, andand certainly This vision certainSokol faced hardship along the way, buthis his lySokol faced hardship along the way, but passion and deep-rooted friendships carried passion and deep-rooted friendships carried him him through, and none of them was more through, and none of them was more meaningmeaningful to him than his friendship with ful to him than his friendship with artist Larry artist, Larry Bell.

Bell.

Where it Began Where it Began SokolSokol has affectionate andand fond memories has affectionate fond memories of When he hewas wasgrowing growingup, up, ofVenice. Venice. When hishis family family lived in another part of LA, the West lived in another part of LA, the WestAdams Adams neighborhood but rented a cottage neighborhood but rented a cottage on the on the beach. "I had fond memories of going beach. "I had fond memories going to “Ithe to the beach with my family,”ofhe says. beach with my family,” he says. “I remember at remember at just eight years old heading to justVenice eight years heading Venice the Pierold every nighttotothe see whatPier was going recalls rattling uprecalls every on." nightHe to see whatthe wastram going on." He and downrattling the boardwalk offering rides for a the tram up and down the boardwalk nickel."The driver would give me a to offering rides for a nickel."The driverride would the pier. People were friendly. Those were give me a ride to the pier. People were friendly. such great, fun days."

Those were such great, fun days."

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But these were also darker days for Venice. But these were also darker days for Venice. At Depression, oil oil At the the beginning beginningofofthe theGreat Great Depression, had thethe beach waswas covered hadbeen beendiscovered, discovered, beach in oil wellsinand tourism disappeared. covered oil wells and tourism People disappeared. People had very little had very little disposable income to spend on disposable income to spend on Venice's Amusement industry, andVenice’s oil brought amusement industry, and oil brought in in much-needed money. Sokol’s memories also much-needed money. Sokol’s memories included the noise, the smells and howugly and also included the noise, the smells and how dangerous the beachfront could get with all the ugly and dangerous the beachfront could drilling. was dumped into get withOil allproduction the drilling.waste Oil production waste the and the paved over It was wascanals dumped intonow the canals andlagoon. the now paved over lagoon. Itwere wasoften so unhealthy; so unhealthy;students transferred to students were often transferred to other other school locations for safety reasons. school locations for safety reasons. "What’s the worst thing you can think of "What’s the worst thing you can think of that that could ruin us?" asks Sokol. "The smell, the could ruin us?" asks Sokol. "The smell, the sound. Our canals were filled with oil,refrigerasound. Our canals were filled with oil, tors and [abandoned] cars." refrigerators and [abandoned] cars." There wasn't even a place to go get a hotThereadds wasn't a recalls place to goyou getcould a hotget dog," Bell.even But he that adds for Bell. But he recalls you adog," storefront $40 a month and that an apartment could for $14.get a storefront for $40 a month and an apartment for $14. Larry Bell, now 82, first came to Venice in1959 looking for an art studio. "It was dead Larry Bell, now 82, first came to Venice in commercially," he says. "Itstudio. was dangerous.Every1959 looking for an art "It was dead thing was empty except the on the commercially," he says. "Itsynagogues was dangerous. Boardwalk, thatempty madeexcept it affordable Everythingso was the for artists." synagogues Boardwalk, so that made Dreams on of athe Hotel it affordable for artists." In 1958, Sokol started working for his dad on Windward Avenue. "At the time, it was a Dreams of a Hotel beach parking lot," he says. Sokol added,howIn 1958, Sokol started working for his dad ever, his father thought Venice as being in a on Windward Avenue.of"At the time, it was “hibernation" but knew that it would eventually beach parking lot," he says. Sokol added, wake up. "With the perfect climate and being however, his father thought of Venice as being in “hibernation" but knew that it would next to the city of LA, he knew all of that would eventually wake up. "With the perfect have to change." climate and being next to the city of LA, he knew all of that would have to change."

Sokol had the idea of building a hotel on the parking to the bring more familiesa hotel and Sokollothad idea of building tourists to the area. "I wanted people to on the parking lot to bring more families and come and enjoy the beach. We wanted to tourists to the area. "I wanted people to come stimulate the area and get something going and enjoy the beach. We wanted to stimulate on Windward Avenue."

the area and get something going on Windward Avenue." "At one point, this place [Venice] was the "At onefor point, this place [Venice] was the attraction everyone in Los Angeles, attraction everyone in LosItAngeles,California Californiaforand worldwide. was the most amazing placeItto be." and worldwide. was the most amazing place to be." In 1975, Erwin's dream became a reality as In 1975, Erwin's dream became a reality he prepared to open the doors to Hotel ashe prepared to open the doors to HotelErwin. Erwin. But it wasn't with any fanfare. Venice But wasn'tfrom withthe anymess fanfare. Veniceby Had hadit gone created oilgone from the to mess created by oil by drilling to a mess drilling a mess caused dangerous drug caused dangerous drug Seventies. use inby the Seventies. "Ituse wasinathe rough spot," sums it up.spot,"he sums it up. "Ithewas a rough In the early days, only a handful of people In thecheck early in. days, a handful of people would "Weonly would average eight to ten would check in. "We would average eight to guests a night, but sometimes several would ten guests a night, but sometimes several leave and want their money back because of the would leave and want their money back location." because of the location." Sokol says it was other properties he Sokol that sayskept it was properties owned owned the other hotel afloat along he with that kept the hotel afloat alongthe with creative creative thinking--like registering hotel thinking--like registering the hotel and with withMarina Chamber of Commerce Marina Chamber of Commerce and offering offering various groups a place to stay and work. various groups a place to stay and work. Sokol also first named Hotel Erwin theMarina Sokol also first named Hotel Erwin the Pacific Hotel & Suites attention Marina Pacific Hotelto&gain Suites to gainbecause, atattention the time, because, no one wanted to stay at the time, in noVenice. one For a wanted short period,Erwin also partnered with period, Best to stay in Venice. For a short Erwin also partnered with Western Western to take advantage ofBest the first onlineto take advantage reservation system.of the first online reservation system. This is about the time Sokol and Larry Bell First met. Venice had a lure for somany.Especially these two young men who had a vision for

the long term. “When I first met him, he was always walking around the area picking up and cleaning the area,” saidBell. [He] had the guts to open a hotel at the time [and place] that he did. He had the guts of Tarzan and Superman." It was around the same time the hotelopened that Bell moved his art business toNew Mexico. "I needed a change of life, and New Mexico Gave me that opportunity,” says Bell. “I didn't know if I was stepping out of the cosmos ornot." Bell couldn’t sell enough art from hisTaos studio, though, so he started regularly making the trek back to Venice where art collectors were more plentiful. "I saw Larry Struggle during the lean years," says Sokol. Wanting to keep art alive in Venice, Sokollet Bell made Hotel Erwin his home away from home. "I have so much respect forLarry. He didn't know where his next meal would come from as an artist. They start with nothing—just their passion." The friendship and Bell would also serve as an inspiration for the d or of Erwin. The Hotel walls are home to Bell’s art as well as photos of numerous artists who have stayed at the Erwin. Finishes also include custom-made wallpaper with handprints of the artists. Sokol's next venture was the opening ofLarry's. "Larry said it had to be a first-class place with good food and good service," he says. "I drew a lot of inspiration from Larry." From a sketch on a napkin,which became the neon logo outline of Larry, iconic in his hat, smoking a cigar, Sokol paid close attention to branding and other details to turn Larry's into the place to go for locals and tourists alike. Full Circle Venice and the Beachfront would take another hit with the onset of COVID 19. But,once again, Sokol's vision would breathe new life into the area. “I want to see the areas come back," says Sokol about Belles Beach-

House. He adds that he and his family did their homework before finding the right restaurateur to open it. "We're confident that this restaurant will thrive—we've already seen it happening," he says. “Making Larry Part of the new restaurant was also important. You'll see on the staff uniforms and throughout the restaurant that we brought in a lot of things that are aboutLarry." Most importantly, says Sokol, he wants to see Venice, its art culture and the community continue to thrive. "We treat everyone, our employees and guests, with a lot of respect and kindness. We want to see that continue.The first thing is to care about other people.Thank God I can help other people, whoever it is." Clear as a Bell Larry Bell may have been a struggling artist for a time, but he is now regarded as one of the most renowned and influential artists to emerge from the Los Angeles art scene of the 1960s, alongside contemporaries EdRuscha and Robert Irwin, earning an international reputation by the age of 30.Known foremost for his refined surface treatment of glass and explorations of light,reflection and shadow through the material,his significant oeuvre extends from paintings and works on paper to glass sculptures and furniture design. Bell's use of commercial, industrial processes in his studio, located in Venice since the1960s, demonstrates his unparalleled skill and dedication in each step of his sculpture's fabrication. Since 1969, his studio has used its own high-vacuum coating system, which allows him to deposit thin metal films on glass surfaces, harnessing a little-known technique developed for aeronautics, to create an unprecedented body of work. "Art has been only good to me," says Bell of both the lean and more fruitful years. “Art is a teacher—my work is my teacher—and I've Been in school all my life." These two men with their visions are the material Venice is made of. Believing in themselves and in their community, they've helped shape the Venice people see and love. And, whether it’s a new spin on a tiki bar or world-class art, they’ve achieved individually and together. Most importantly,as friends.

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Dru Jewelry

Be you. Do you. Have fun. Break rules. Live a lot. My only DON’T is: Don’t be too precious. Your jewelry can be acquired stateside in local shops and globally at Neiman Marcus and Farfetch. How do you decide which establishments to partner with? That’s a very good question, and the answer is always evolving. My goal in 2022 and onward is to partner

WR I TT E N BY: J E N N IFER ST RIE GE L P H OTO G RA P H Y BY: J OAN SHE PP, COU RT ESY OF DRU. J E WELRY

Before making the decision to turn your designing jewelry into a business, how did you get introduced to the art in the first place? I first started making jewelry when I was in my early twenties, with no intention of turning it into a business. I saw a necklace that I liked in a magazine but couldn’t find anything similar, so I decided to make one myself. From there, I branched out in many directions, and over the next 15+ years, I continued to dabble. Sometimes, I would sell my designs, and other times I would just create for myself. It was a passion that gave me great pleasure, but it was still not something I did for a living. My main love was teaching and working with children. It was during a major crossroads in my life in 2016 that I decided to leave teaching, and jewelry design seemed to be the most obvious career transition. Looking back, I can see how incredibly naïve I was, but that naivete served me well. If I would have known how difficult the jewelry and retail business is—how many challenges there would be—I’m not sure I would have made such a risky venture. What does DRU. stand for? Dru is my middle name. Choosing that as my company name allowed me to reinvent myself, while still remaining me. It also allowed me to hide a little bit. I’m very shy and incredibly private, so, by using my middle name, I was able to remain anonymous, but still be true to myself and from where I come. You refer to the aesthetic of DRU. as quality, uniqueness, and edge. What do those words mean to you? I would hope that the meaning of those words is clear. Quality means that my jewelry is made by hand in Los Angeles by skilled artisans. We do not hollow out pieces to keep prices down, most settings are done by hand, there are no shortcuts in the design or production process, and each piece

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is thoroughly checked and labored over before shipment to the client. In terms of uniqueness, it is important to me that every design is authentic. I do not produce a piece just because it happens to be a popular design on the market at that time. In fact, I try to stay away from any design that is currently over-saturated, even if that means I lose out on potential sales. Lastly, edge means that I like a little danger in each of my pieces. A little “fu%# you,” if you will. I grew up feeling like an outsider, and I want to be sure that my jewelry never conforms to others’ expectations. I don’t want to fit in; nor do I want my jewelry to. What is your creative process? My creative process is messy. Some pieces develop in a straight line from start to finish, but most do not. It’s like anything in life. I am moved by meaning and symbolism and significance. Most importantly, I am inspired by emotions—my own and those of other people. Those emotions are what typically lead me to a new design. I think we tend to have a romantic idea of creativity and design, but that process is not always pretty. I know mine isn’t. I spend a lot of time with thoughts and ideas floating around in my brain for awhile before I do anything with them. Sometimes those ideas are brought to life with my team, and other times they’re put on the back burner. If they do come to fruition, it can takes months before they’re ready to be seen by the world. And, sometimes they get completely shelved. I think the most important thing is recognizing the ebb and flow of the process and allowing that ebb and flow to exist without fighting it. I try to give myself space to create when I’m feeling moved to create and to forgive myself when I’m not. I’m still working on that latter part.

with only those stores that really believe in and support DRU. I care more about having a good relationship with fewer stores than having a lukewarm relationship with lots of stores. It’s quality over quantity. The new year recently began. Any upcoming designs we should be sure to look out for, for ourselves or our loved ones? The new chains are insane. They’re all solid and handmade in

DTLA. They have been in the works since last spring and are now ready to shop. I also love all the new enamel rings and bracelets. In terms of brand new designs, be on the lookout for the new Claw Earrings and the newest iteration of the Phoenix coming soon. | Visit drujewelry.com

What is your greatest hope for the jewelry industry in years to come? My greatest hope for the jewelry industry is for it to become more inclusive and less of a popularity contest. DRU. has reached its holy grail. How would you describe it? I do not aim to reach any sort of Holy Grail. Instead, I aim to remain authentic. I want to build a business that I can be proud of, and the only way to do that is to remain true to myself. I suppose that would be the Holy Grail. Do you wear your own pieces? What piece are you coveting the most right now? Yes, I wear my own pieces. My current favorites are the Phoenix—both the ring and the necklace— the claw rings, the Cigar Band, and all of the new chains. The world continues to evolve in blurring lines between gender, age and lifestyle. Have you found this with your jewelry too? How does it impact, or not, your designs? I’ve always designed my pieces to be worn by all. It’s less about gender, age, and lifestyle, than it is about designing for a state of mind. I design my pieces to inspire and empower people. I want them to feel stronger and braver when they wear DRU. I also want them to feel more connected and grounded. And they should feel a little sexier and more alive too. Those feelings are ageless and genderless. Some of the fiercest people I know do not fit neatly within the constraints of gender, age, and lifestyle. So much of what you do inspires others, artists and wearers alike. What one thing would you tell artists not to do? And one thing you would tell wearers not to wear? I don’t tell anyone what to do or what not to do. That’s not my way. An artist must remain true to herself. Period. As for what to wear or not to wear, I am not stepping into that arena.

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MARCH 2022

London Runway Recap

WR I TT E N BY: C L A I RE G RIS OL A N O A N D FRA N K IE SA ND ERS O N P HOTO GRA P H Y: C O URTE SY O F TH E BRANDS

Fashion week is back in London. The first of the fashion weeks to be fur-free as of 2018. Though the chance of rain may have loomed over the fashion parade, street style came out strong. Many of the past fashion weeks have demoed the hybrid physical versus virtual shows,

Connor Ives Conner Ives, an American designer, brings to mind early landscape a la Todd Oldham with his fresh color and print block knit onesies and dresses. Collecting prints from Star Wars and Marvel while color blocking them with solid colors reminds me of

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but London Fashion Week was entirely in person. These designers were back and better than ever, and in the classic post-pandemic fashion, they were brighter and bigger. Must know looks of Spring 2022? Big, bold, colorful, and represented by all.

the 90’s punk revival. The Reconstituted Handkerchief tops harken back to the days of NY Club Kid glam, with Richie Rich, when Heatherette was prancing the runway. Paris Hilton wore this triangle shaped top a lot in the early 2000s.

So, safe to say, these shapes, textures, and prints remind me of a young Stevie Knicks, techno-bohemian, rock chic, Dior dream. This designer has an interesting eye for details and mixing them all up. There’s so much to look at and dissect, I think you must have a look for yourself!

Richard Quinn

Rejina Pyo

Richard Quinn wow-ed the fashion week crowd with his grandiose style hats and colorful English floral prints. Each look tests the boundaries of proportion and questions the utility of every aspect of headwear. Most notably, Quinn combined two of his signature runways pieces into one with his half-gimp mask, half wide floppy hat pieces seen on many of the models walking his runway. Thus, began the theme of hoods beginning above the shoulders. His collection juxtaposes two conflicting themes; the tradition of fancy florals and long quilted coats contrasted by sexy all latex looks. Of course, the look that went viral includes a dominatrix in a full latex catsuit holding the leash of a man fully incased in latex from his gimp mask down to his footwear.

The 35 weeks pregnant Rejina Pyo brought a new sense of femininity and gentleness to her collection this season. In her first show back since the start of the pandemic, Pyo explored the feeling of freedom, adventure, and anonymity that one might take on when traveling the world. After the lockdown restrictions, Pyo says she reminisced on memories of traveling with ease and the naivete of life before the pandemic. This feeling became evident in her pieces through photographs displayed on looks throughout the show. One of which was a photograph she captured as a teenager of a Korean scene. Another character found on many of her pieces was a small mouse inspired by a children’s book she loves to read with her four-year-old son. Pyo, known for her more structured, stiff fabrics and silhouettes, had a sense of softness and intimacy in this line.

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Harris Reed Harris Reed, a British/American Fashion Designer, brought fluidity, femininity, and fun into his Spring 22 RTW show. Not only is this collection unique, but there was also a special message from the designer himself. These clothes were donated by Oxfam and repurposed into custom looks for the show. The purpose was for Second Hand September, an initiative to refrain from buying anything new for September. The message detailed just how much waste there is in fashion. Another fantastic aspect of this gorgeous collection is that Harris will be donating all proceeds to Oxfam. These pieces can be bought at Selfridges. The halo headpieces adorning the model’s heads reaching towards the sky are reminiscent of Renaissance icons of the past, but more modern and juxtaposed against his abstracted and elongated shapes, creating a complete intergalactic yet elegant collection to sweep the senses.

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The bold striped jacket with squared-off shoulder pads and belled trousers is an intersection of the late, great, David Bowie and the mark of the 80’s standard, strong shoulder pads. Reed used lace in many of his looks, in a modern and clean way your grandmother would not understand but would approve. This collection is one of my favorites. I’m so looking forward to more from Reed in the future. He will be one to watch.

Emilia Wickstead

Emilia Wickstead gave us a flash of the past with romantic silhouettes resembling those of the 60s. We have seen many designers this season inspired by the looks of Queens Gambit. Wickstead tops her look off with checkerboard prints and a background to match. Her color palette was distinct; she consistently shared chocolate, lime green, and powder pink throughout the presentation. Reminiscent of her time spent in Milan, Italy, the New Zealander embarked on the challenge of the perfect suit in charcoals and greys. Tailoring was at the forefront of this show, displaying that most simple silhouettes with flawless tailoring create excellence. Wickstead showed 3D lace applique dresses with a texture that makes you want to reach out and touch them. She played with length in dresses from micromini skirts to long hemlines that brushed the floor. The inverted sweetheart neckline on the two dresses gave an edge to the otherwise clean-cut looks of the show.

Roksanda

In her first show since 2020, Roksanda Ilincic came back bolder and sportier than ever. Her presentation was inspired by, also adjusted to, the necessary athleisure and design restrictions of the past two years. With an extra splash of bright colors, loud patterns, and oversized silhouettes, the line has a hint of an outdoorsy camping feel. The puffer jackets and windbreakers we elevated to a larger-than-life proportion. So much so that some pieces look as though they were enveloping the models. In collaboration with Fila and the home of sporty spice, the Roksanda brand has made a statement in athletic wear. Backstage after the show, Ilinčić embraced her daughter, who invited her whole class from school to attend. They were, of course, dressed on theme in their sports day attire.

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MARCH 2022

New York The Daring & Dazzling: NYFW Fall 2022 Reclaims The City

WR I TT E N BY: C O N NOR DU SZ YN S K I

AFTER YEARS OF UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING THE FUTURE of fashion weeks and in-person events everywhere, mask mandates were lifted just in time in New York City for the return of NYFW Fall 2022 last month. There’s no denying that designers and major fashion labels were eager to return and reinspire us all. The likes of Carolina Herrera, Christian Siriano, and Collina Strada showcased vibrant ensembles, signaling a celebration of life and hope for the future. Meanwhile, the designers like THE BLONDS and LaQuan Smith opted for ultra-sexy, vampy, and brazen ensembles, completed with cut-outs, electrifying combinations of blacks, reds, and metallics, and an abundance of dark glamor to-die-for. However, what was perhaps the most compelling show was that of the Imitation of Christ, a platform blending the line between fashion and environmental responsibility for some twenty years now. The platform’s collection was showcased digitally, a preview of their participation in this month’s Decentraland’s Fashion Week. Providing commentary on environmental responsibility and fashion since its inception, IOC has often been criticized as being ahead of its time. This couldn’t be further from the truth. IOC is current, it’s relevant, and it’s pertinent that fashion-lovers pay attention to the critical mission it’s pushing. IOC Founder Tara Subkoff presented the collection of digital wearables (created with Adam Teninbaum) that currently exists only within the metaverse. However, it’s alleged IOC will develop these renderings into garments at a later date. Aside from the critical mission and fascinating digital presentation of IOC’s collection, what was perhaps even more inspiring about their collection was its versatility. While some looks were more representative of hooded athleisure wear and casual looks one might theoretically wear to workout, the latter half of the collection was comprised of elegant, ornate, and even campy evening gowns and ensembles with no practical

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application (except perhaps for one to wear on the steps of the MET Gala). Looks 20 and 23-25 were undeniable standouts, exaggerated gowns jutting out at the hips, reminiscent of Medieval attire with digital armor accents. IOC’s collection was the perfect balance of artistry and substance; it was a thoroughly engaging collection that was as thought-provoking as it was intentional. I hope to see more fashion-lovers and critics alike embrace its unique style, and am excited to see the label garner more recognition for their work. Collectively, these designers reinforced once again just why they are taste-makers, trendsetters, and thought leaders in the fashion space. In addition to the compelling show from IOC, others like Proenza Schouler provided commentary on the past two years during the pandemic, expanding upon and redefining homewear with strong tailoring, corseted silhouettes, and sculpted knitwear. Prompting his viewers to ask where fashion goes from here, label designer Ottessa Moshfegh played upon the pandemic-era fashion buzzwords “comfort” and “ease” in his collection, suggesting that these trends will remain for some time to come. Regardless of how the fashion landscape changes in the coming years, one thing’s for certain: it looks vast and inclusive, bold and unwavering, forward-thinking and promising. While many of these designers pulled references from years past, including Collina Strada’s homage to early-2000s American punk culture (just to point-out one example from this NYFW), there’s been thoughtful reinvention and enough editing to leave fashion-lovers wanting more.

IMAGES COUR TESY OF ADAM LIPPES.

IMAGES COUR TESY OF COLLINA STRADA.

IMAGES COUR TESY OF PROENZA SCHOULER

IMAGES COUR TESY OF CAROLINA HERRERA

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MARCH 2022

Norman Rene Devera The Man Behind the Designs

WRITT EN BY: CYAN LEIGH DACASIN I MAG ES C OURT ESY OF: NO RMAN RENE DEVERA

BEHIND EVERY WELL-DESIGNED WARDROBE FINERY— There is a team of designers making magic behind closed doors. While we know the trending designers of today behind big brands such as Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri, Alessandro Michele of Gucci, and Kim Jones from Fendi, what goes behind the atelier’s closed doors aren’t always known to the public. Especially, when it comes to the creation of each collection. The work that comes with bringing a piece to life is no easy task. It will always be a visual satisfaction that, once complete, hopes to appeal to the eyes of the beholder, particularly the designer and team behind it all. Norman René Devera comes from outside the tight knit fashion world, making him somewhat anonymous. But, he is fiercely known and held in the highest esteem amongst his peers. While his resume has an impressive fanfare of famous names and faces, Norman has always stood out on his own as an aesthetic

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chameleon with an impressive personality to match. His hard-working ethic stems from growing up as the child of first-born Filipino immigrants in London. He was raised by his Mother with Filipino values and traditions while growing up at the same time with the grit and freedom that is offered in the Western world. To say the least, it wasn’t easy growing up, but it turned him into the powerhouse that he is today. As a child, he had no direct family members that ventured into the world of fashion; for Filipinos, the creative industry has always been considered a passion rather than a career. Norman’s connection with the fashion industry came from a distant cousin of his mother’s who worked as a tailor for Alber Elbaz in the Middle East. According to him, “Whenever he (Alber Elbaz) had clients in that region, he would use my aunt Susan. She would fly in and used to always visit her employers and then she would see us and I’m very small like around 4ft11 - 5ft and she would teach me how to alter

“The hard reality is, I am not what people think and see on televisions as a designer. I mean, there aren’t many Filipinos that are actually designers at big places. And at one point, I constantly questioned myself, do I belong here? Am I supposed to be here? But today, I can say all the time that I do belong here.” everything so it could fit me. Back then, there was no such thing as a petite section, So having her teach me these methods led to me finally wearing clothes I could actually wear in my size.” From using the sewing machine to learning how to open and close a seam, these methods planted the seeds of interest. His intrigue in construction combined with a love for drawing, eventually grew into a full time passionate career in the world of fashion. Norman didn’t think much of his apt for drawing when he was young. Looking back, he recounts his youth wistfully, citing the times he would walk around school with a notebook and pencil in hand. “I think growing up, I was a very quiet kid, always on my own. I've got a big birthmark on the side of my face, which I was very insecure about. I thought, oh gosh, no one's going to want to play with me. So I ended up drawing during recess women dressed in pinafores like, you know, Little House in The Prairie vibes.” For him it was mundane, but it was the beginning of his unique method, 3D sketching.“I think it's always been in me to design for women. And it's funny now because I actually don't, when I design, I don't draw first, I always go straight to fabric and start draping.” 3D sketching is Norman’s way of expressing his craft, while some designers go for pen and paper, he would instinctively drape to see how the fabric moves around the form of the mannequin. It makes it more viscerally appealing for him, which makes sense as touch is a big factor that dictates the flow of his design. Draping it a certain way defines what aesthetic he is going for. This technique has made Norman a fast designer, which makes him a great asset for fashion houses. His skill is evident in his collaborations with modern legends, namely Phoebe Philo of Celine, Nicolas Ghesquière of Louis Vuitton, Raf Simons, Donatella Versace and of course, Alber Elbaz. Calling himself an aesthetic chameleon, he works and learns at the exact same time,soaking in what he sees from the design director and the vision of the atelier he is in. Things weren’t always smooth sailing at the beginning, like a lot of things in life. He struggled with broaching the topic of being

a fashion designer to his family, but that changed as soon as it was accepted. “I made my mum watch this show with me called The Secrets of Couture and in that episode, John Galliano was talking about this dress that was priced at $125,000 and my mum looked at me like, what? That dress cost that much? And she was just amazed that there was an industry that was priced like a car or house.” He has also dealt with challenges, similar to many others, in dealing with racism and the lack of diversity in the fashion industry. While he has worked hard to be where he is now, he understands it may not be as easy for others. “The hard reality is, I am not what people think and see on televisions as a designer.” Citing Azzedine Alaïa as inspiration, he recounts how the Tunisian designer broke barriers by becoming the couturier that clothes everyone who is important from aristocrats to royalty. For the 36-year-old designer, Norman strives to push and break barriers by working with coloured designers who are wanting to break the norm of the industry alongside him. “I mean, there aren’t many Filipinos that are actually designers at big places. And at one point, I constantly questioned myself, do I belong here? Am I supposed to be here? But today, I can say all the time that I do belong here.” With all of these in mind, it is no wonder that Norman René Devera became who he is today. An enigma in the world of design and as the bright mind behind the legendary AZ Factory by Alber Elbaz.

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MARCH 2022

Awir Leon Emerging French Artist Creates Music and Movement WR ITT EN BY: CARO LINE COTTEN PHOTO GRA PHY: COU RT ESY OF El lA HERM Ë

Some people are born into the world of artistry and find simply that fulfillment comes from traveling deeper into their creative journeys. A musician, a dancer, a producer, and more; Awir Leon has certainly found himself on the right path. He emits a sense of confident ease, but underneath it is clear determination and honest devotion to his crafts. Born in the north of France, him, his brother, and sisters grew up in an environment that cultivated curious originality. Considering his many talents, it made sense to learn that his mother built a dance school in the neighborhood where he grew up. The success of the school was followed by the opening of a music school in the same building. This first taste of dance and music, in a neighborhood flavored by many different cultures, solidified his desire for more, "It became clear to me around my mid-teens that this is what I wanted to do with my life, I didn't know how but I found some way". Several years later, Awir now lives in Amsterdam, pursuing his music career in which he just completed recording his new record and most recently has been on tour with Woodkid, a french contemporary musician. It's worth mentioning that in introducing himself, Awir notes that he "cooks alright", however, the more I learned the less I believed his modest claim to alright; he's great at everything he does.

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One of the most captivating aspects to the work that Awir produces is his seamless integration of movement and music. His talents extend to both with equal weights. When asked if one inspires the other, he states quite indisputably that "they complement each other in creating a broader vocabulary, the body can say things a mouth can't, the instrument can say things that a person can't". When watching him live (you can find his performances on youtube or his Instagram) it's clear that these talents are so natural to him. This "broader vocabulary" goes beyond the movement to evoke emotion that inexplicably captivates you until you find yourself rhythmically swaying to the

hypnotically produced electronic beats. As mentioned previously, Awir is currently on a European tour with Woodkid. So far the tour has taken Awir across Europe. From Istanbul, Warsaw, Paris, and Athens, the tour has already made lasting memories. The emotion he is able to stimulate in the crowd stems from the emotion he conjures in himself. The concert in Athens was performed in the Acropolis, where Awir notes "it felt insane". There is a sense of closeness to the crowd that feeds Awir's spirit on stage. Like any normal human being, Awir gets backstage nerves, but you'd never be able to tell. He leverages his nerves to remind himself that his performances are not meant to be perfect, but instead a time for him to be true to himself. As a result he is a natural on stage; "I love performing, it's the place and time that feels the most like where I'm where I'm supposed to be, I'm grateful to know that feeling". He is all about deepening the connection to the music, to the crowd, and to his own enjoyment. Importantly, Awir is involved every step of the way in his projects. Whether it be a music video, song production, or choreography, it needs to have his flair. Of course, we were curious as to his methods for generating his creative juices and he describes his mentality that the work he does is moreso a craft. Therefore, "I just sit and try to make as much as I can. And within these moments of working on the craft the magic moments happen, and hopefully you have worked

on your tools enough to catch them". He is neither a morning person or a night owl, but takes advantage of what both serve him; the morning being his more pragmatic mode and exploring the uninhibited creativity that comes with the evening hours. His music ranges from slow acoustics showcasing his soft voice to electronically charged productions. This range can be traced back to the influences he has come across in his music career. His family has Polish origins, yet he grew up in a town north of France that was a majority north African neighborhood. Here, he was exposed to art from all of these backgrounds in addition to western contemporary art. With regards to music, he shares that "I found my voice and my role models within the Hip Hop culture but turned into a contemporary dancer. I want to honor all these cultures that I built myself from, hopefully without appropriation, but with all the love and gratitude I have for each of them." The blend of styles is evident in everything he produces. Awir also shared his appreciation for Marvin Gaye and Erika Badu being "pillars" along his individual artistic journey. His flair also draws inspiration from Radiohead, Frank Ocean, Bon Iver,

Outkast, and more. Amongst all of these influences and role models, Awir has remained dedicated to his individuality and authenticity. In all respects, he seems to have succeeded in this commitment, style being one of them. Inspired by style icon Andree 3000, it's worth noting

“Growth as an artist doesn’t have to be about changing you or what you do, it can be about opening the doors to what you do, letting people in, genuinely sharing with love”. that Awir has effortlessly found himself mastering a casually chic streetwear look. There are many temptations in the industry, which Awir candidly remarks, "Staying authentic has always been my priority, I

can't do it any other way honestly. I've tried! Sometimes you get tired of being broke, so you try, but I'm sh** at it, and straight away, I feel I'd rather do any other job then". He has not gone without challenges. Making a name in the industry is competitive and can have plenty of disappointments. Awir shared that he struggled with the release of his first two album releases when the result he expected and hoped for wasn't achieved. Yet, true to his character, he knew there was a silver lining to altering his expectations and finding these moments to be lessons learned; "Growth as an artist doesn't have to be about changing you, or what you do, it can be about opening the doors to what you do, letting people in, genuinely sharing with love." It's safe to say, Awir has a voice, and he knows how to express it whether through music, dance, or style. After reading this, we hope you're as excited to follow Awir along as he embarks on the second half of his tour and continues to celebrate a fundamental joy in music and sharing his voice.

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MARCH 2022

a taste of

EUPHORIA Diving Into The Intoxicating Fashions of Euphoria's Season Two WR I TTEN BY: CONNOR DUSZYNSKI PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF EUPHORIA AND HBO

“You don’t know how much power you have.” 2024 can’t come soon enough. For the viewers and fans of the hit show Euphoria, last month’s season 2 finale left us all wanting more after the cliffhanger of a conclusion. While the show’s fanbase may have to wait another two years to learn about the fates of some of the teen drama’s most beloved characters like Rue, Fezco, Cal, Jules, and Lexi, there’s no doubt that the hype surrounding the show will continue to build since last season’s rave reviews, social media hype, and of course will the promotional help of the star-studded cast. While the show, in its essence, is an exploration of teenage angst, recklessness, and the discovery of oneself, the fashions that accompany each of the characters’ storylines and development help to reveal their motivations throughout season 2. Euphoria’s costume designer, Heidi Bivens, utilizes the show’s fashions and stylings as tools to reflect each character’s individuality and their states-of-mind as the plot unfolds. While characters like Maddy and Cassie are dressed in more risqué and revealing ensembles in many of their scenes, others, like Jules, opt for more thrifted, vintage, and loosely-fitted finds. “However hard life was, it got harder and more complicated.” Euphoria may center its plot around these high school students, however, fans of all ages can be influenced by the fashion choices and costume selections for these characters. While the show is very much a reflection of Gen Z fashion trends, adults and teenagers alike can be encouraged to wear something more reflective of their own personal style by the bold and unapologetic statements in the show. Furthermore, like many other pieces and references in contemporary pop culture, major fashion houses have begun to take note of Gen Z trends. For example, Miu Miu’s recent Spring 2022 Collection featured a number of cropped cardigans, short pleated skirts, and sneaker ensembles that one might imagine Maddy or Cassie wearing to Euphoria’s high school. Additionally, trendy and refreshing fashion label JACQUEMES made an appearance in season 2’s episode 7, in which Heidi Bivens styled actress and breakout star Alexa Demie in a green Le Body Yeru Bodysuit (which of course has already sold-out). The integration of such refreshing and up-and-coming labels like JACQUEMES into the show is just one example of how in-tune Bivens is with Gen Z trends, particularly amongst America’s youth culture. Bivens knows what stylings, pieces, and brands resonate with the show’s youthful audience; she understands the importance of presenting each character in a way that is both unique to their personal stories, struggles, and aesthetics while presenting them in a way that is mature and memorable. I wouldn’t at all be surprised to continue seeing major, well-established fashion houses like Stella McCartney, Coperni, Rodarte, Fendi, and Mugler incorporated into the upcoming season(s), especially given that many of the show’s stars have already been photographed, published, and featured wearing these brands already. Outside the show, the cast’s stars like Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Hunter Schafer have been styled in these brands, as well as a number of other couture ensembles from the likes of Schiaparelli and Prada.

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"He gave me just the right amount of attention at the wrong time." While I by no means think the producers and Bivens anticipate moving towards strictly-couture looks, viewers should expect an elevated level of sophistication and incorporation of high-end pieces as the characters develop and get more in-tune with their personal styles and self-expression. Iconic houses like Mugler already have long histories of pushing the boundaries of fashion with edgy, revolutionary, and risqué garments that would continue to elevate the character’s fashions and overall artistry of the show, while perfectly accompanying the inevitable development and ongoing storylines of many of the personalities in season 3 and beyond. “There it is, there’s my heart. Hello, heart. I thought I lost ya.” Furthermore, it is clear that as Bivens was preparing to style Euphoria’s cast, she most certainly paid attention to social media trends. Regardless of whether we think of Maddy and Cassie’s bold stylings or of Rue’s more subdued vintage outfits, Euphoria’s costumes are a direct reflection of what is current today (which is very much influenced by younger generations’ consumption of social media and

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fashion through digital platforms). Moving away from Maddy, Cassie, and the other bold fashion choices of the show’s “it-girls,” even when we look at characters like Rue, we see clear intention behind her fits. Amongst the Gen Z generation and America’s youth culture, there is very much a movement towards thrifting, sustainable fashion, and loose-fitting pieces that reject structured silhouettes. However, these are still exaggerated silhouettes. One such contemporary star who has undeniably popularized this movement and contributed to the push towards oversized, exaggerated clothing is none other than Billie Eilish, whose music speaks to the same youthful audience as Euphoria. While Bivens likely paid unique attention to social media fashion trends (particularly amongst high-schoolers and college-age students), her choices themselves are commentaries on the current state of fashion and the direction the fashion landscape has been shifting towards over the past several years. Moving forward, it’s critical that Bivens and the show’s stylists continue to pay close attention to what is trending in the fashion

world (particularly on social media). If season 2 proved anything, it’s that Euphoria’s viewers are excited to see what some of our favorite characters will be wearing next. There’s no doubt that Bivens’ choices helped Euphoria to become the most-tweeted about show of the decade so far, and viewers will continue to watch every week to be shocked and inspired. “I wish you could see yourself the way the rest of the world does.” While I imagine Bivens and the rest of the show’s producers and stylists would like to continue incorporating smaller brands, “Instagram brands,” and more up-and-coming designers in the next season(s), I think viewers should expect to see a shift towards these larger houses like Stella McCartney and Coperni as the characters mature and develop. What is perhaps most refreshing about Bivens’ choices and the show as a whole is the boldness with which they showcase the characters. Maddy, Cassie, and the other characters who embrace structured silhouettes, cut-outs, and cropped pieces are oftentimes portrayed as raw in their emotions and expression, vulnerable, and sometimes are even accused of dressing to impress

the wrong people. This is all intentional. The viewers of the show relate to the characters, in all their imperfection and vulnerability, seeing their flaws, their insecurities, their fears, and at times their recklessness and eventual breakdowns. Bivens’ choices accompany these plot lines. This is how fashion serves a purpose in Euphoria; it not only serves as a reflection of the characters’ individuality and as a commentary on their development, but it also helps to move the plot forward and for the audience to relate to the struggles of some of our favorite personalities.

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S E T T I NG A P R E C E D E N T F O R I N F L U E N C I N G B E AU T Y ON T H E I NS I D E A N D O U T

OLIVIA WRI TT EN BY: CARO LINE COTTEN PHOTOGRA PHY BY: JANA S CHUESSLER STYLED BY: ALI MULLIN HA IR BY: RICKY MOTA MA KEUP BY: LIV MADO RMA PRO DUCED BY: GREAT S O CIAL CLUB

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White Tank Dress SIMON MILLER Skirt CULT NAKED Shoes SIMON MILLER Tie Top OWNLEY Gloves KERRY PARKER

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Dress CULTNAKED Shoes STEVE MADDEN Gloves and socks KERRY PARKER

It’s not often that we get to watch someone grow up in the spotlight and truly get to watch and support them step by step as they navigate their individuality and learn life’s lessons. No path is linear, but the more we listen, understand, and encourage each other, the better our relationships in this increasingly connected world can be. When you are a public figure, like Olivia Jade, the noise can be louder and news travels even faster. The House Magazine had the pleasure of interviewing Jade, beauty influencer and YouTube vlogger, and have been fortunate enough to dive deeper into what makes her who she is, from fashion and beauty to finding empowerment in being vulnerable. Jade’s exposure to the world of fashion and glamor at a young age is of no surprise. After being raised by her mother, an actress and her father, a fashion designer, it’s only natural to find oneself on a creative journey, drawing inspiration from the surrounding environment. Jade’s curiosity led her to Youtube, first leveraging it as a learning tool, watching other creators in the beauty space. Being self-savvy, it only makes sense that her next step was to pick up the camera herself; “I taught myself how to edit and film through YouTube tutorials and the rest is history. I love it so much.” From here, it became an obsession, a passion, and a fundamental aspect of self expression. This was seven years ago, at the tender age of 14, way before the time when being an influencer was considered an acceptated career. And even if it had been done before, that wasn’t what Jade was originally seeking from this endeavor. She has an outgoing personality and couldn’t help but externalize the passion she had bubbling inside. When asked about her goals for the platform when she first started, she revealed she had no intention of building an audience, “In fact,

I wanted to keep my videos hidden and private so no one would tease me at school.” Jade found a passion in her vlogs and carved her own creative path while finding a place to express herself. Her vlogs dating back to 2014, were refreshingly charismatic, not to mention impressively well versed on beauty routines. Jade was never for a lack of ideas either, posting content on a weekly basis, makeup routines were a core asset but she also knew to mix things up, sprinkling in Q&As, fashion haul’s, and all sorts of ontrend favorites. She may have been young, but she certainly had a natural ability to connect authentically to her audience. It was a clear indicator of her natural charm and intuitive knowledge of trends which brought meaningful value to her followers. Flashforward to today, her drive and enthusiasm has brought her a long way. Jade has built herself a loyal audience and

Recently, Olivia partook in Dancing With The Stars. “When I first got the offer to do dancing with the stars, my initial thought was, ‘oh god can I even dance?’ And then I felt a lot of gratitude that such a big show wanted to give me this opportunity.” Like vlogging, Olivia jumped in wholeheartedly. Her hard work brought her just up to the week before the semi-finals. Participating in the show came at the perfect time for Olivia, sharing that, “I loved Dancing With The Stars growing up and it was truly an honor to be a part of something that completely changed my life in a few short months. It gave me a confidence and pride that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. I think it healed a lot of pain I was going through at the time and I am so glad I said yes.” Dancing on Dancing With The Stars allowed yet another outlet for self expression. Jade vulnerably articulated that she has felt misinterpreted by the world in many ways. “I think so often people paint a picture based on the surface of who others are and that isn’t always 100% accurate. Dancing With The Stars was exciting because I wanted to show sides to myself that I feel like most people don’t even know.” From Waltzes to Tangos, Dancing With the Stars was integral for her to reestablish and reaffirm confidence in herself, while at the same time, letting the world see her bubbly yet motivated and driven character. Dancing with The Stars was not all work and no play; Jade had fun with the creative freedom when it came to costumes, hair and makeup. Being on the set of DWTS entails hours of whipping your body into shape, memorizing foreign movements, and managing an abundance of logistics. It’s a chaotic time commitment to create and perform on a weekly basis to a panel with high expectations. Yet, Jade had fun building a lasting friendship with her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, and working collaboratively with the DWTS team, sharing ideas back

“It gave me a confidence and pride that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. I think it healed a lot of pain I was going through at the time and I am so glad I said yes.”

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MARCH 2022

substantial following. “I genuinely just loved talking to a camera about makeup and fashion and did not know this would be my job in my future,” she tells us. “It was merely just a passion project that turned into work with the rise of social media.” Since her start, she’s managed a significant number of collaborations and stayed true to her girly yet casual minimalistic style. Jade entered the vlogging sphere right on time to grow up alongside the simultaneous rise of social media’s increasing influence into our daily lives. Her success as a trusted voice for fellow beauty enthusiasts opened the door for Jade to engage with the beauty industry on an even deeper level. At 19, Jade collaborated with Sephora on a makeup palette. This was a milestone in her vlogging career that was “such an amazing learning experience and a complete honor. I will always cherish that.”

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Shirt and Pant Set ANIM Shoes STEVE MADDEN

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Full Suit Dress ZADIG Set RVN & VOLTAIRE Earrings VERONICA THARMALINGAM Shoes STEVE MADDEN Boots ALEVIPOPPY MILANO Sunglasses LISSIMAN Makeup MAC COSMETICS

and forth to curate a captivating on-stage presence. In the spirit of Jade’s desire for people to get to know her on a deeper level, she just launched her podcast, “Conversations with Olivia”. The episodes feature a range of guests from athletes, entrepreneurs, therapists, and friends. Topics discuss themes of authenticity, acceptance, and vulnerability. Intentionally of course, as Jade has made it clear she is on a path of personal growth and she hopes her audience can relate. “I want everyone listening to be able to resonate with a guest or even take some of the tools that I am being taught and apply them in their own lives.” On one of the podcasts Jade hosted with therapist Dr. Hilary Goldsher, Jade opened up the forum to answer questions submitted by her followers. Dr. Goldsher and Jade discussed sensitive topics such as comparisons with their family relationships, romantic relationships, and relationships with oneself. During the session, Jade and Dr. Goldsher spoke to the importance of analyzing whether your actions are for others or for yourself, and the significant impact social media has on infiltrating beliefs about ourselves. Jade discusses her role as a prominent influencer and being conscious of who is watching her and the pressure she feels in this role. “It’s helpful for me to remember that we were never meant to see the amount of people we see on social media. The amount of people we can reach on social media is unfathomable…you have to remember that this isn’t how we are built to digest information in a healthy way so you have to take it all with a grain of salt.” Unfortunately, makeup and clothing can only provide so much protection when it comes to creating a barrier to hurt. “I’d be a complete liar if I said negativity and comments don’t hurt my feelings. I am a pretty sensitive human.” She has learned to set boundaries, but she’s human and these don’t always work. The tools she is learning for herself are a necessity for the territory of being an influencer and putting yourself out there on social media. She knows she isn’t the only one dealing with the negativity, expressing to us, “I hope that one day our society starts to judge people

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MARCH 2022

based on personal experiences instead of this band wagon bullying effect.” Living in a media centric world, we have all seen or experienced the criticism it can fuel to some degree. Yet, Jade hasn’t let it stop her from doing what she loves. Jade offers her advice to those who have also experienced hatred via social platforms and hopes to uplift those feeling sad or discouraged. “I encourage you to remind yourself that 9/10 times is an extremely insecure and sad person sitting behind the

“The amount of people we can reach on social media is unfathomable - you have to remember that this isn’t how we are built to digest information in a healthy way so you have to take it all with a grain of salt.”

media has become a career, her inspiration for everything comes from living her life. To Jade, that means putting the phone away and engaging in the world around you, whether it’s finding peace in her morning routine or soaking up the outdoors. Jade’s next chapter in life will find her venturing beyond her vlogging career. She’s been working with Operation Progress, an organization with a mission to lift and shape a community of underserved children by providing educational tools and skills to facilitate a path for success and hopes to continue working with charities. While she’ll continue on with her beauty platform, she hopes to one day design her own makeup line. Currently she is investing a lot of her time on her podcast where she has the opportunity to spread her knowledge and influence on an emotional level. It’s impressive to witness and discuss with Jade how far she has come, from cheerfully jumping into the YouTube culture, to finding a meaning in the goals she has set for herself. Jade is a kind and genuine human, forging a determined path that embodies her values, embraces her story, and maintains grace for herself and others along the way. We’re excited to keep up with Jade and watch what's next as she clears her path for personal growth. Keep up with her podcast “Conversations with Olivia” and follow her instagram @Olivia Jade and YouTube Channel, “Olivia Jade”.

screen. Bullying is the most cowardly form of human interaction, ever.” So, despite any hardship and cruel comments, Jade has pushed on and is using her platforms to promote positivity. She’s taken time off from at various points in her career and while she missed the process of vlogging during these breaks, she mostly missed the interactions with her audience. Whether it’s giving fashion advice, sharing her day to day, or opening up about herself, Jade cares about her followers and how to connect to them in a meaningful way. It’s also important to note that while social

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Dress Set PAPA DON’T PREACH BY SHUBHIKA

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Sunglasses POPPY LISSIMAN Top and Pant Set OWNLEY Shoes STEVE MADDEN

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Suit Set RVN Shoes: BILLINI

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house list

4. 5. 2.

7. 6.

SPRING REFRESH There's something so good about starting fresh. Head into the Spring season with bright colors and bold patterns - it will pair well with the smile you'll have as we look at blue skies ahead.

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1 . A N U S C H K A F LO R A L U M B R E L L A

5. ANINE BING EVE SANDALS

2 . C O S M O H A I R - B L E N D O V E R S I Z E D S W E AT E R

6 . S TAU D L I M O N E B A G

3. CITRINE AND RAINBOW HEART RING

7. JASON ADLER COASTER

4 . M S G M F LO R A L S T R I P E P L E AT E D M I D I S K I R T

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final notes

HOUSE choice

FROM THE HOUSE WRITTEN BY: JENNIFER STRIEGEL

LEFT: CHARLES DARWIN, COURTESY OF ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA. RIGHT TOP: ART BY DAVID GARIBALDI. IMAGE COURTESY OF AMERICAN FINE ARTS FOUNDRY

IMAGES FROM:

art WOODEN HAT WEARABLE ART - LIMITED EDITION WOODEN BRIMMED HAT BY ELIURPI. Made in Spain, this beautiful wood brimmed hat is hand painted by designer Elisabet Urpi. The look is completed with natural straw crown with grosgrain ribbons, which are used for ties for a personalized fit. Shop this piece at www.www.eliurpi.com.

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THE BEST OF TIMES AND THE WORST OF TIMES. Charles John Huffam Dickens wrote in his acclaimed novel, The Tale of Two Cities in 1859. The story was based between London and Paris, a different vibe certainly from the London we spoke of in London Fashion Week Recap this issue (p. 32). Yet the settings from nearly two hundred years ago are strangely relatable today, so much joy and simultaneous turmoil intertwining in the world… Life is messy. DRU. (p. 38) made reference to her creative process beautifully with the word “messy”. That one word is relevant to so much of life. The current climate, our processes as artists, our experiences as human beings. As artists we have a great blessing through our creations to get messy. In the development process, we make decisions on what to create based on things from the past, what is in the present and what we may desire for the future. We can rewrite history, we can relive exactly as it was, we can create it from scratch, through our own

imaginations. We are unapologetic when it comes to mess, so much so our fanbase looks up to us for it. The 28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, too, had a theme of how much beauty there is in mess. Not just Juno Temple’s “perfectly imperfect fishtail braid” (p. _), also the acceptance speeches. Actors, in their emotional overwhelmedness, either behave quite stoic or completely untethered. That sheer elation in the moment when one hears their name called to the podium to acquire the very heavy trophy. Very heavy isn’t an exaggeration either as it weighs in at twelve pounds of solid bronze. Produced by the American Fine Arts Foundry, based in Burbank, California. Their expertise in fabrication across a multitude of materials is the definition of owning beautiful messes. Listen to Life’s a Mess by Juice WRLD and Halsey. Ponder what’s messy in your own life. And embrace it.

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www.simpliciteus.com 78

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