VMAN 50: BLACK TIE AFFAIR WITH JADEN SMITH, KJ APA, DOMINIC FIKE, & MORE

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JADEN SMITH BLACK TIE AFFAIR PHOTOGRAPHED BY NATHANIEL GOLDBERG STYLED BY GRO CURTIS INTERVIEW BY KEVIN ABSTRACT

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DOMINIC FIKE BLACK TIE AFFAIR PHOTOGRAPHED BY NATHANIEL GOLDBERG STYLED BY GRO CURTIS INTERVIEW BY MATHIAS ROSENZWEIG

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JACOB LUSK BLACK TIE AFFAIR PHOTOGRAPHED BY NATHANIEL GOLDBERG STYLED BY GRO CURTIS INTERVIEW BY ELTON JOHN

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TOMORROW X TOGETHER BLACK TIE AFFAIR PHOTOGRAPHED BY NATHANIEL GOLDBERG STYLED BY GRO CURTIS INTERVIEW BY LAUV

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KJ APA

BLACK TIE AFFAIR PHOTOGRAPHED BY NATHANIEL GOLDBERG STYLED BY GRO CURTIS INTERVIEW BY JAMES FRANCO

Table of Contents

Photography Sebastian Mader

SPRING

HARVEST In this issue 22 VMANIFESTO 28 VMEN 34 Trends 38 VMAN News 42 Black Tie Affair 70 A New Tide 78 New Romantics 88 Streetwise 94 Suited Up 104 What VMEN Want

OMEGA De Ville Prestige Co-Axial Master (40 mm chronometer in steel-on-steel) ($4,400, available at omegawatches.com) Glove HERMÈS

TOMFORD.COM

GROW

VMAN 50 SPRING/SUMMER 2023

Hand model Matthew Curti (CESD Talent Agency) Retouching MGS Post

WATCH

US

Masthead

EDITORIAL Stephen Gan Editor-in-Chief / Creative Director

Melissa Scragg Managing Editor / Production Director

Dania Curvy Managing Digital Editor

Czar Van Gaal Editor / Sales and Distribution Director

Kevin Ponce Digital and Beauty Editor

Mathias Rosenzweig MINI V Editor-in-Chief / Digital Director

Matthew Velasco Kala Herh Associate Editors

Greg Krelenstein Entertainment Editor

PHOTO / ART Photo Director Goran Macura Director of Creative Services Jennifer Rosenblum Art Director Tobias Holzmann Senior Graphic Designer / Production Coordinator Celena Suwei Wang Consulting Creative / Design Greg Foley

FASHION Fashion Director Gro Curtis Fashion Market Editor Emma Oleck Contributing Fashion Editors Nicola Formichetti Anastasia Barbieri Patti Wilson Anna Trevelyan George Cortina Amanda Harlech Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele

CONTRIBUTORS Nathaniel Goldberg Felix Cooper Roberto Piu Winter Vandenbrink Alessia Ansalone Blair Getz Mezibov Grant Woolhead Marcus Ohlsson Sebastian Mader Greg Swales Luca Falcioni Peter Siskos Michelle Genevieve Gonzales Douglas VanLaningham Tyre Thwaites Altorrin Charlie Knepper Eric Hart Jr. Mikelle Street Bailey Bujnosek Ava Manson Kayla Curtis-Evans Contributing Editor-at-Large Derek Blasberg Copy and Research Editor Lynda Szpiro Office Manager Olivia Ayl

ADVERTISING / FINANCE Magazine International (Advertising Office for Italy and Switzerland) Luciano Bernardini de Pace luciano@bernardini.it Eleni Gatsou Bureau (Advertising Office for France and America) Eleni Gatsou eleni@elenigatsou.com Camille Pignol camille@elenigatsou.com Marie-Loup Faggioli marie-loup@elenigatsou.com Todd Kamelhar Managing Director David Renard Distribution

PRESS AND EVENTS Purple PR Andrew Lister andrew.lister@purplepr.com Amy Choi amy.choi@purplepr.com

SPECIAL THANKS Blanc Alexandre Lamare, Julia Petroff Exposure NY Stacy Fischer, Brian Brewer CLM Thu Nguyen CARTEL and Co. Yoni Ben-Yosef, Luiza Herdy Chris Boals Artists Nick Blumenthal Home Agency Robin Pacheco, Andrew Bruggeman, Joseph Le Berre The Wall Group Mandy Smulders, Alex George, Kit Lejarraga, Alexander Williams Streeters Daniel Weiner Calliste Yann Gabin Wise & Talented Camille Ferrand Safe Mgmt Jospeh Belingard A-Frame Suniii Hendrix Opus Beauty Natalie Miller, Jovita Lee Art Department Marjolein Sopjes DNA Tony Craig IMG Christopher Lukas. Hakim Choudara The Society Morgan Rubenstein NEXT Samuel Zakuto, Kevin Silva SOUL Jason Kanner, Sarah Hamilton-Bailey Marilyn Delphine Buhagiar Success Kevin Nompeix Rapture JD Ankomah Studio Paris Maxime Labbé The Curated Giorgio T-D Atelier Management Darrell Blakely Blanc Studios NY Tyre Thwaites, Sydney Shaw, Jeremy Mitchell

INTERNS Jewel Baek, May Chen, Shiyao Wu, Olivia Novato, Erica Marrison, Nicholson Baird, Anna Montagner, Sasha Wayman, Giulia Bartolotta, Nicholas Cafua, Cecelia Connelly, Josh Mooiweer, Sofia Naranjo, Noelia Rojas-West

Cover 1 Jaden wears jacket ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Headpiece MSFTSrep Necklace his own Cover 2 Dominic wears all clothing and accessories SAINT LAURENT Cover 3 Jacob wears suit, shirt, brooches, earrings his own Necklace BULGARI Bowtie GUCCI Rings DAVID YURMAN Cover 4 TOMORROW X TOGETHER wears all clothing, shoes, accessories CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Cover 5 KJ wears all clothing and accessories LACOSTE

CARTIER Tank Française (medium model in steel) ($4,100, available at CARTIER boutiques.)

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Editor’s letter

ROLEX Air-King (in oystersteel) ($7,400, available at rolex.com and select ROLEX boutiques.)

Glove HERMÈS

PLANT THE SEED Since we debuted in 2003, the pages of VMAN have always hosted an exploration of the intersection between fashion and masculinity. Of course, when compared to our 50th issue, a quick glance through the archives confirms what we already know—men’s style has changed drastically in the past two decades, with the menswear market expanding each year as fashion becomes less and less nuanced as a feminine pastime.

But perhaps less expected is the evolution of masculinity itself; a concept that has been revised at varying degrees since, let’s pretend, Adam and Eve, but has more recently shapeshifted so radically that we’re left questioning: is the word “masculinity” perhaps soon to be far too antiquated for actual use?

While our cultural predecessors—David Bowie, Grace Jones, Prince—have contributed greatly to the idea of blurring gender lines, the discussion of eradicating any genders whatsoever—as in, “X” is for boys and “Y” is for girls—is picking up steam at an exponential rate.

That said, with our 50th issue, we strived to capture five different cover stars—KJ Apa, Jaden Smith, Jacob Lusk, the boys of TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and Dominic Fike, with five different and inherent takes on masculinity.

Specifically, the issue centers around tailoring, and how designers are reimagining the traditional men’s suit into something more suited to the times. The images tell a story: there is no formula for masculinity these days; rather, diversity and originality ring through, foreshadowing a future wherein the idea of what it means “to be a man” is almost so unpredictable, we’re left only to use our imagination. MR. V

AKONI SS23 VISIONS IN TECHNICOLOR

VMANIFESTO Since our premiere issue in 2003, VMAN has always sought out to capture a new type of masculinity. Nearly 20 years later, that mission has been accomplished. Now, with issue 50 (and counting), this is only the beginning for us. Here, the editors of VMAN tip their hats to the many moments that have defined our publication

Gael García Bernal shot

by Mario Testino VMAN 2

Ryan Gosling shot by Inez & Vinoodh VMAN 5

Ashton Kutcher shot by Mario Testino VMAN 10

Adam Driver shot by Inez & Vinoodh VMAN 33

Coming off of the mega success of The Notebook film and into his latest project at the time, Ryan, seen here photographed by Inez & Vinoodh, really helped the notion of VMAN becoming a platform for Hollywood’s newest leading men to shine like never before.

A cover shoot so conceptual that it would only be fitting that one of pop culture’s ultimate heartthrobs should play the role of a dapper cyborg.

It was Mario Testino’s idea to make Ashton a “bionic man,” and at the height of his career, it could not have been better.

Adam was gearing toward the end of his Girls era, and finally coming into his own as an actor—starring as Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

From this shoot with Inez and Vinoodh, Adam’s overall image really solidified into one of a bona fide movie star.

Ashton Sanders shot

by Richard Burbridge VMAN 42 Who could forget Ashton’s performance in the film, Moonlight?

He was actually nominated for an Oscar before this cover story, and was ready to metamorphose into a true star with the help of VMAN.

This was a moment where our star power began to form into what it is today. With an international actor as respected as Gael for issue two, right as he began to catapult into true superstardom, a continued caliber of spotlighting true talent for our issues took off from here.

Alex Pettyfer shot

by Mario Testino VMAN 22 No stranger to the world of VMAN, the British heartthrob has always been one to watch and his range in filmography and beyond proves it.

Hero Fiennes Tiffin shot by Chris Colls VMAN 41 One of the many moments in our history that blew our minds. The overwhelming wave of fans that swooped onto our platforms to support the next-gen heartthrob’s cover was outstanding.

Similar to the response to Timothée’s cover, the fanfare helped mark this issue as a true sellout.

Orlando Bloom shot

by David Sims VMAN 8

Hayden Christensen shot by Mario Testino VMAN 7

I guess one could say Orlando was the first of many shock-worthy cover stories within our publication’s history.

I mean, who else could put one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors on a cover while smoking some weed?

The first of many Star Wars alumni to grace our pages, Hayden set aside his dashing boy-next-door looks in exchange for more classic suiting, helping solidify one of the many early codes that have established the DNA of VMAN.

Jacob Elordi shot by Chris Colls VMAN 43 We found Jacob to be so adventurous and willing to create amazing images, it was really impressive.

Whatever Nicola Formichetti showed him, he was willing to wear. He was letting go of his “hunk” outershell, he wanted to do something fun and brave in terms of image-making.

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VMANIFESTO

Chace Crawford shot

by Mario Testino VMAN 12

Timothée Chalamet shot by Collier Schorr VMAN 39 Aside from the excitingly favorable response to Timothée’s cover, it certainly marked the beginning of a new era for VMAN. He proved that you don’t have to be a “hunk” to be a hero. The cover put VMAN on a new radar for many and ushered in a younger generation of readers.

Jake Gyllenhaal shot by Hedi Slimane VMAN 30 Jake is the ultimate Hollywood staple, so putting him together with the underground vibe of Hedi Slimane for his cover was our goal. He is very classic, and the images turned him from a mainstream actor to a certified rock and roller.

Josh Brolin shot

by Hedi Slimane VMAN 19

A true star on the rise during the polarizing ascendance of Gossip Girl, Chace was one of the first teen idols we’ve featured that kept VMAN on the pulse of what’s happening with a newer generation.

Nicholas Hoult shot by Mario Testino VMAN 31 Nicholas was fresh off of the success of his zombie rom-com Warm Bodies, and the world was anxious to see what he would do next. With his recent roles in The Menu and The Great, it’s certain that he is one of those actors who will keep on surprising you.

As wine gets better with age, so does a real man. Among the many leading masculine figures in cinema, Brolin, then age 42, proved that the true qualities of being a VMAN certainly aren’t age-restricted.

Andrew Garfield shot

by Inez & Vinoodh VMAN 26

Charlie Hunnam shot

by Tim Walker VMAN 34

You never know what to expect from him. From his entry into stardom with The Social Network to playing a comic superhero in The Amazing Spider-Man at the time of his cover, Andrew is undeniably talented in every way possible.

Coming out of his bad boy phase as Jax Teller from the series Sons of Anarchy to leveling up his craft with Guillermo del Toro in the film Crimson Peak, Charlie’s images photographed

by Tim Walker and a *very* raw conversation made his cover story one for the books.

Alexander Skarsgård shot by Inez & Vinoodh VMAN 18 This was the first of many tuxedo covers— it really was so chic. It paved the way for what VMAN does now—a refined, sophisticated image of a cool guy in today’s world.

Austin Butler shot by Collier Schorr VMAN 49

Ewan McGregor shot

by Damon Baker VMAN 46

Douglas Booth shot

by Bruce Weber VMAN 29

We titled Ewan’s cover story as “Reigning Hollywood Royalty” because it was, without a doubt, the most deserving title we could think of. From Moulin Rouge, Star Wars, and the captivating Halston series that kept the fashion world glued to their screens, we were honored to spotlight yet another talented being.

Having watched Douglas in an early BBC movie called Worried About the Boy, where he played Boy George, we knew there was something amazing about him. For his cover, we titled the story as “Romeo Redux” as he was starring in Romeo and Juliet at the time—and it couldn’t have been more fitting.

The actors that succeed the most are the ones that have the ability to totally abandon themselves for a role, similar to Austin’s incredible performance in Elvis.

With the help of Baz Luhrmann, he gave himself into that world entirely, and we were nothing but thrilled to capture this supernova of a being.

Channing Tatum shot by Inez & Vinoodh VMAN 48 Since his early modeling days to his foray into acting, it’s been thrilling to watch and wonder what Channing will do next. From rom-coms to action thrillers (and even a tale about a male stripper), you can bet that Channing is here for the long haul.

HOLLYWOOD’S LEADING MEN 23

Lil Nas X shot by Inez & Vinoodh VMAN 47 A show-stopping force in the modern landscape of music—he’s bold, unafraid, blending genres in a way that we haven’t seen before. With Inez & Vinoodh capturing him as Jimi Hendrix for his cover story, it demonstrated a visual evolution in the way Black musicians have impacted the world of pop culture.

Troye Sivan shot by Luke Gilford VMAN 40 No one could ever predict the trajectory of how a musician’s career will go—but with Troye, going from his early YouTube days to having multiple top 10 hits, and now becoming a full-fledged actor, it’s been a pleasure watching his star burn brighter with each move he makes.

Maluma shot by Daniel Clavero VMAN Digital Who would be better to bring a certain Latin flair to VMAN’s platforms than Maluma? He’s a global sensation for a reason (and even Madonna loves him).

Finneas shot by Domen & Van de Velde VMAN 47

The Weeknd shot by Inez & Vinoodh VMAN 36 Undoubtedly, he’s sort of a musical enigma. One can never predict which direction Abel will go in terms of his artistry, and that’s what makes him such an exciting subject to document.

Although his sister is one of music’s biggest musicians ever, (Hi, Billie!), there was no better time to spotlight the force that is Finneas, as he was coming into his own and showing the world his own identity and capabilities.

Shawn Mendes shot by Ben Hassett VMAN 45 There’s something magical about Shawn, whether it be his voice, his boy-next-door looks, or his sense of self in today’s world. Having someone as legendary as Sir Elton John interview him for his cover story was the perfect documentation of generations colliding in the most beautiful way.

MUSICAL MUSES 24

VMANIFESTO

THE REAL MVPS David Beckham shot by David Sims VMAN 3

Colin Kaepernick shot by Bruce Weber VMAN 32

The birth of the metrosexual could not have been made without David Beckham.

The combination of David and VMAN coming together really solidified our stance on celebrating all types of men. As a beloved sports star and fashion icon in his own right, David brought together a group of readers who share our interests and beliefs.

The quarterback with a heart of gold. Aside from Colin’s impressive career accomplishments on the field that propelled him into superstardom, it’s the use of his platform to fight for what he believes in that VMAN celebrates the most.

Canelo shot by Sasha Samsonova VMAN Digital Among the many greats in the world of boxing, none come close to Canelo. Cool and collected until those gloves go on in the ring, he will always pack the punch that is needed.

Tom Brady shot by Inez & Vinoodh VMAN 9 He’s what many football aficionados refer to as the G.O.A.T. When you think of legendary players, this quarterback is the ultimate. From gearing up to score touchdowns to stripping it all back with the help of Inez & Vinoodh for his first cover story, all eyes will forever be on Tom. 25

MOST-WANTED MODELS Sean O’Pry shot by Josh Olins VMAN 30 Having had some of his first-ever editorial images taken for VMAN, it’s been a pleasure to see Sean’s ascendance into male supermodeldom and beyond (remember his appearance in Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” video?)

Clément Chabernaud shot by Willy Vanderperre VMAN 7

Tyson Beckford shot

by Nathaniel Goldberg VMAN 30

It’s undeniable that Clément is the epitome of Parisian cool. With a trajectory into modeling like his, it’s no wonder his chic look makes him one of the male model greats.

RJ Rogenski shot by Bruce Weber VMAN 9 Having been a Bruce Weber and Hedi Slimane favorite, RJ aided in expanding the visual idea of what masculinity is in fashion.

Who can forget the New York-native who went on to become the face of Ralph Lauren and solidified himself as one of the most successful Black male supermodels of all time? If there was ever a male model equivalent to a prize fighter, it would certainly be Tyson.

Simon Nessman shot

by Hedi Slimane VMAN 9

Tyson Ballou shot

by Josh Olins VMAN 16

Armando Cabral shot

by Mario Testino VMAN 12

As Christy Turlington brought a certain classic feel to modeling, so did Simon—there’s no need to wonder why the Canadian is an industry great.

There’s probably no one that has done more campaigns than Tyson. With an extensive body of work that dates back to the early aughts, the Texas-born model will always be a VMAN all-star.

Alongside his brother Fernando, Armando is one of many Black models that have paved their own way in this business–from being a runway staple to buidling his own namesake brand from the ground up.

Brad Kroenig shot by Inez & Vinoodh VMAN 1

Jon Kortajarena shot by Mario Testino VMAN 17

Brad is the quintessential college jock that broke into the fashion game. From an ex-soccer player from St. Louis, Missouri to becoming a mainstay in the industry, Brad will always hold a special place in our hearts as he was our first VMAN, ever.

A familiar face to many, Jon is one of the leading men who have championed the Spanish wave of male models in the industry. With numerous campaigns and acting credits in films such as Tom Ford’s A Single Man, who can resist Jon’s charm?

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VMANIFESTO

Garrett Neff shot by Mario Testino VMAN 12 Classical and sculptural, Garrett reminds us of an all-American, Weber-inspired figure who draws comparison to Michelangelo’s David. Multi-talented and part designer with his own brand Katama, he’s beyond just easy on the eyes.

Andrés Velencoso shot

by Inez & Vinoodh VMAN 17

David Gandy shot by Mario Testino VMAN 9 As a true breakout in modeling, David helped usher in a new masculine and built aesthetic, which ended up being something that was missing in fashion at the time.

When you think of the early Spanish fashion scene, you think of Andrés as he truly brought the hot-blodded Spanish energy into the modeling scene—and fashion hasn’t been the same since.

Pietro Boselli shot by Giampaolo Sgura VMAN 42

Cloud Modi shot

by Steven Klein VMAN 45

Who can forget his viral entry into the scene? As an engineer and former mathematics lecturer, the Italian hunk definitely showed the world that brains were part of this job.

A fresher face on the scene who cut his teeth in the pages of VMAN, Cloud brings the elegance in everything he does.

Jordan Barrett shot by Steven Klein VMAN 34 A face that has helped herald the coming of a new wave of models, the feline Aussie’s shoots for VMAN have always been some of the most memorable.

Alton Mason shot

by Richard Burbridge VMAN 48 Jason Shaw shot

by Nathaniel Goldberg VMAN 30

Parker Van Noord shot by Inez & Vinoodh VMAN 46 Redefining masculinity for a new age, Parker’s entry into the industry has highlighted his own creative soul, along with showing a softer side in what he does aside from modeling.

As an evergreen titleholder, Jason is among the many top industry pros whose looks defined a generation.

Taras Romanov shot

by Steven Klein VMAN 45

With agility and movement as some of his skill sets—true supermodel qualities—Alton is part of the new wave of faces who have rapidly risen to global it-boy status, continuously proving what the modern landscape of modeling is (now expanding his range in work, making his acting debut in Baz Luhrmann’s, Elvis).

James Turlington shot by Steven Klein VMAN 44 Baseball player turned model cover subject, James is truly a fashion all-star on the rise.

Ukrainian-born basketball player and musician, Taras is one of the ultimate Steven Klein discoveries to watch out for.

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VMEN Whether it be starring in a beloved series, dominating the global airwaves, headlining exhibition openings, or even landing on sports’ most prestigious podiums, these multidimensional tastemakers are intent on redefining the ever-evolving artistic arena

INHALER

If you ran into the members of Inhaler on the street, you’d be forgiven for mistaking them as university students that just finished a grueling round of exams. That’s partly because of their youth—they’re all 23 years old—and partly because of their unassuming air. As they field questions over Zoom from their native Dublin, Inhaler’s four school chums turned bandmates—frontman and guitarist Elijah Hewson, drummer Ryan McMahon, bassist Robert Keating, and guitarist Josh Jenkinson—chat as if they’re still a group of friends who jam together. The reality is that they’ve just wrapped up a busy year and a half: supporting Arctic Monkeys on tour, making their Glastonbury and Lollapalooza debuts, and headlining four sold-out U.K. shows to promote their first album— 2021’s It Won’t Always Be Like This.

In the midst of all that chaos, they found time to make a second record.

Their highly anticipated sophomore album, Cuts & Bruises, is out now. Don’t let the title fool you—Inhaler is still a band of optimists. “The whole point of Cuts & Bruises is that they’re only a few scratches,” Hewson says. “It’s an album about relationships [which] have ups and downs. But we’re coming out on the other side, and we’re not missing arms, legs, or anything. We’ve just got a few scars to show for it.”

The 11-track project is a catalog of hurts and remedies. Lyrically, Inhaler remains fixated on the thrills of youth, from the sleepless nights and allconsuming romances to unearned feelings of invincibility. The synthy lead single, “Love Will Get You There,” entrances with a catchy chorus and a compelling guitar riff. “If You’re Gonna Break My Heart” takes a more wistful tone, Hewson’s vocals impossibly airy as he croons a hyperbolic address to a potential heartbreaker. There’s a noticeably bigger sound to it all, though the group doesn’t stray too far from the gritty, uplifting beats they introduced in their first album. Rapping “will have to wait until the third album,” Keating jokes.

Inhaler has prompted comparisons to The 1975, Sam Fender, and U2—the latter inevitable, as Hewson’s father is U2 frontman Paul Hewson, aka Bono.

But Hewson and the group aren’t dependent on his musical parentage, as evidenced by their commitment to a work ethic that some seasoned artists would flinch at. Cuts & Bruises coincides with a 36-date world tour featuring a more confident Inhaler. “On the first record, we didn’t feel like we had a sense of identity too much. Everything was bright and clean,” Hewson reflects, pausing to glance at his bandmates before deadpanning, “We want to do the opposite of that now.” The group nods in agreement. It’s clear Inhaler’s new era is going to be a wild ride—and we’re calling shotgun. BAILEY BUJNOSEK Cuts & Bruises is now available on all streaming platforms.

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Makeup Mitch Yoshida Hair Davey Matthew Photo assistant Kristina Jiana Stylist assistant Sionán Murtagh Location Blanc Studios

THE PUNK ROCK QUARTET WITH AN INDIE INTUITION

VMEN

Photography Tyre Thwaites Fashion Altorrin

From left to right Josh wears jacket ARMANI EXCHANGE Sweater FENDI Jeans CALVIN KLEIN Necklace SENTIENT Shoes TÉCHIN Robert wears jacket TOMMY HILFIGER Shirt ARMANI EXCHANGE Jeans LEVI’S Tie SAIBYSAI Shoes talent’s own Ryan wears coat LANDEROS Shirt NICHOLAS RAEFSKI Jeans and shoes talent’s own Elijah wears jacket LANDEROS Shirt CALVIN KLEIN Pants TÉCHIN Shoes TOM FORD Jewelry talent’s own On hair OUAI Texturizing Hair Spray

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Jabari wears all clothing TOM FORD On skin GLOSSIER Futuredew Oil Serum Hybrid

Photography Greg Swales Fashion Luca Falcioni

JABARI BANKS HOLLYWOOD’S NEW PRINCE Jabari Banks was shaped by the camaraderie of West Philadelphia, where he was born and raised. It’s a part of him no matter where he goes—although before this past year, he had no idea how far he’d really get to soar. Just like Will Smith’s character in the original Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Banks experienced the real-life trials and tribulations of departing familiarity and diving into a new world.

It was an average day when Banks, as he aptly put it, had his “life flipped, turned upside down.” He is just a normal kid from Philly—he loves a good cheesesteak; “Dalessandro’s or Ishkabibble’s are the spots,” he shares. He has always fearlessly expressed his charismatic personality, taking up both athletic and artistic pursuits as a kid—“It was very much a Troy Bolton, High School Musical moment,” he says. As an alumnus of Philadelphia’s University of the Arts, creativity fuels Banks and he was hungry to share that passion with the masses.

The creative was surfing on friends’ couches while auditioning for roles when he spontaneously received a call that would change his life forever. “Two days later, I was out in L.A. for the first time,” Banks explains. “My life has mirrored Will’s character’s experiences in the original Fresh Prince, so it’s been great to be able to pull from that and bring myself to the role. I feel there’s no other way to really do this.”

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After speaking to the animated actor, it really comes as no surprise that he landed the lead role for Bel-Air. Banks shares many qualities with Smith’s character: he is headstrong, fashionable in his own “I’m doing me” way, and his energy is infectious. But he also brings a refreshing take to the character, modernizing Smith in subtle yet necessary ways. “It’s the same heart as the original, but we’re breathing new life into [the characters] and showing different, unseen sides of them,” he states.

As a member of Gen Z, Banks grew up with sitcoms like Fresh Prince, Martin, and morning television cartoons, but he also had the unique position, like many other ‘90s kids, of concurrently experiencing the digital age. He has seen the industry evolve for the better over time, but also acknowledges that there’s still work to be done—and he’d like to be a part of that firsthand.

On what’s next for Banks, the sky truly is the limit. “I really want to go super sci-fi,” he reveals. “I remember the first time I saw Spider-Man: Into the SpiderVerse. I got really emotional because that was the first time I saw a Black boy fly. I hope to do something like that for others.” KAYLA CURTIS-EVANS Bel-Air Season 2 is now available to stream via Peacock.

VMEN

Jagger wears all clothing GUCCI On hair KÉRASTASE Curl Manifesto Curl Refreshing & Restyling Spray

JAGGER EATON THE SKATEBOARDING PROTÉGÉ GOING FOR GOLD Jagger Eaton knows a thing or two about perseverance. He’s broken both ankles, both collarbones, both sides of his skull—the list goes on. Jagger smiles as he recalls his past injuries, as if any of them could have halted a career as extraordinary as his. At just 21, the Arizona-native is highly decorated, having driven home the first American medal in Olympic skateboarding at the sport’s inaugural debut at Tokyo 2020.

Jagger can still remember the moment he realized his board held more potential than a hobby. At nine years old—long outgrown from the mini ramp his dad built in their garage one Christmas—he and his brother were skating the MegaRamp at Woodward West. Skated by the likes of legends Tony Hawk and Bob Burnquist, the world’s largest public ramp was a daunting feat for most, but certainly not for Jagger. “That was the moment I realized skateboarding was going to be my career,” he says. “Me and my brother were going out there together and landing the whole thing.”

With a confidence unmatched by his fellow competitors (and rightfully so), Jagger became the youngest person to enter the X Games at only 11 years old.

It couldn’t have been a more accurate sign of all that was to come. With notable versatility in both park and street skateboarding, the decade to follow was filled with countless wins, a Red Bull sponsorship, and, to top it off, a trip to the Olympics.

The plan seemed simple enough—practice, qualify, compete. Tokyo 2020 was a perfectly feasible goal for the young veteran, and as long as he stayed focused, there was no reason he shouldn’t make the team. The problem with that is it’s a fairly boring story. And if there’s one thing Jagger is going to do, it’s have one hell of an adventure.

“I had one more contest to make the team, and I could barely walk,” he remembers of the Olympic qualifiers. He was skating on a fractured ankle, the majority of his ligaments torn, but through the pain, he managed to make it.

Six months later, in Tokyo, it was time to brave the injury once more. “The emotional and mental strain was astronomical,” he says. “Out there [in Tokyo], I could still feel my ankle crack in my shoe.”

Jagger won’t lie—like any athlete, he hates to lose. (Not that he’s particularly well-versed in it, he did bring home an Olympic bronze medal). But what sets him apart from the pack is a second priority he won’t let himself forget: the passion. “Skateboarding will never feel like a job to me,” he says. “What I’m going to do, and what I’ve continued to do, is remember to find the joy in it.”

AVA MANSON Follow Jagger’s journey to the 2024 Olympics on Instagram at @jaggereaton.

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Grooming (Delfin, Jagger, Benson) Lisa-Marie Powell (Art Department) Grooming (Jabari) Alexa Hernandez (The Wall Group) Producer Alexey Galetskiy (AGPNYC) Photo assistants Sandy Rivas, Juliet Lambert Stylist assistant Frankie Benkovic Production assistant Sasha Milostnova

Delfin wears all clothing LOUIS VUITTON On skin HUMANRACE Humidifying Face Cream

DELFIN FINLEY THE CANDID CREATIVE WITH AN UNFLINCHING RESOLVE “I render in a way that is most respectful to the subject,” painter and creative Delfin Finley says of his lifelike paintings. “I want the viewer to look at the subjects in the inactive reverence that’s not offered to communities of color, to question whether the subjects are resigned to carrying the weight of the ropes or empowered by them to move forward.” The ropes that Finley mentions are both literal and figurative—systems and structures that have disproportionately impacted people of color throughout the history of the United States and a constant focal point throughout his hyperrealistic portraits and abstractions.

A native of Los Angeles, and the son of fashion designer parents, the arts were ingrained in Finley’s day-to-day from an early age. While immersed in the bustling city, Finley gravitated toward the essence of L.A.’s graffiti scene.

“Graffiti is something that I [saw] every day growing up—all over the walls, the neighborhood,” Finley shares. “It drew me in because it was people getting their message across in any way—they’re literally risking their entire livelihoods.”

Though the arts were ubiquitous in Finley’s upbringing, it wasn’t until the then-emerging artist met L.A.-based graffiti artist EL MAC that it became real.

Guiding Finley artistically, he and other local artists showed Finley the ropes, later cementing that a creative career was tangible for the burgeoning artist.

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After beginning a degree at ArtCenter in Pasadena shortly after, Finley’s 2017 debut solo show saw the artist’s signature, thought-provoking aesthetic on full display for the first time. Brimming with takes on the artist’s friends and family—Tyler, the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, his father, Ron—the exhibition was met with immense success. Finley depicts his subjects in the type of manner that Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Rubens did—though Finley places communities of color in contexts and spaces that historically have not been afforded throughout history.

While Finley’s brushstroke is fluid, it is also innately precise—embodying an innate sense of realism that rivals the snapshot of a DSLR camera. Gearing up for a solo show titled Coalescence in May, Finley is decisive in his next steps.

Though he remains guarded about the contents, viewers can expect the artist’s signature style, with new explorations on display. “This collection of work captures a higher level of awareness and finds more ways to convey how I imagine the world should be,” Finley shares. “If I can inspire you to feel, to take in a different perspective, and maybe even walk away ruminating about the cause and effect of my work, I have succeeded.” MATTHEW VELASCO Coalescence is on view at the David Kordansky Gallery May 12 to June 16, 2023.

VMEN

Benson wears all clothing VALENTINO On hair ORIBE Curl Gelée for Shine & Definition

BENSON BOONE THE VIRAL VOICE WITH PURE-POP STYLINGS It’s no surprise that there’s been an explosion of burgeoning talent from social media, most notably TikTok, in the past year. Many of this year’s biggest hits– “Sunroof,” “Doja” and “L$D”—built their widespread popularity in part to the app.

As these infectious tracks skyrocket up the charts, the artists behind them do too, as their dreams materialize within a few months—almost like magic. And yet, there’s no rose without a thorn. While there’s a plethora of new talent and content to consume, young musicians often find it difficult to cut through all the noise. But, one musician is unfazed, if anything, invigorated by this challenge–and he goes by the name Benson Boone.

Unlike many other musicians his age, Boone’s introduction to music was unconventional. The Washington state-native wasn’t classically trained and didn’t aspire to be a musician when he was younger–he didn’t even realize he could sing until three years ago. But once he started penning his emotions into lyrics, his fate was sealed. “Music hasn’t really been a big part of my life for very long. I found out I could sing about three years ago, and then, a little over a year ago, I started writing music. That’s when I started to fall in love with it,” Boone shares over Zoom, from his home base in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Shortly after discovering his new talent, Boone entered the infamous singing competition, American Idol. His first audition immediately impressed the panel–

Katy Perry even said she could envision Boone winning the competition from that one performance. But he ultimately decided to leave the show before Hollywood Week to pursue his career on his own terms. From there, he began carving out his own path in the ever-changing industry by posting snippets of him singing on TikTok. Boone’s soulful, evocative musical aesthetic soon caught on and within a few months, he had accumulated a significant following– ultimately capturing the attention of Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds, who subsequently signed him to his label, Night Street.

Now 20, and some life-changing events later, Boone has charted internationally and surpassed ten million monthly Spotify listeners. Last year, the singer-songwriter released his debut EP, Walk Me Home…, which beautifully chronicles life as a twentysomething thus far. In between heart-wrenching beats and intimate lyrics, Boone navigates it all: love, heartbreak, and loneliness while discovering himself. And though some may argue he’s already making his mark, Benson says the best is yet to come. “I have the best songs that I’ve ever written,” Benson beams. “I’ve never been more excited about a group of songs in my life. And I think it will be the biggest year of my career.” KALA HERH Walk Me Home… is now available on all streaming platforms.

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SPRING BREAK FOREVER Ondrej and Chris wear all clothing ARMANI EXCHANGE Sunglasses AKONI EYEWEAR

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All clothing UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON 34

Grooming Akihisa Yamaguchi using Balmain Hair and Amika tools Models Chris Colvin, Ondrej Mokoš (SOUL) Stylist assistant Noelia Rojas-West Production/Photo assistant Xavier Penagos

All clothing GCDS Necklace DAVID YURMAN

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Photography Charlie Knepper Fashion Emma Oleck 35

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Why have one when you can have them all?

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Photography Peter Siskos Fashion Emma Oleck 37

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ROLLING LOUD (LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA): MARCH 3 - 5, AFTER STOPS IN MIAMI AND NEW YORK CITY, HIP-HOP’S NEXT-GEN GREATS SUCH AS FUTURE, PLAYBOY CARTI, TRAVIS SCOTT, CENTRAL CEE, AND MORE ARE GATHERING TOGETHER IN SUNNY CALIFORNIA. TOMORROWLAND (ALPE D’HUEZ, FRANCE): MARCH 18 - 25, DANCE YOUR ELECTRO HEART OUT ON THE ALPS WHEN TOMORROWLAND GOES TO THE FRENCH MOUNTAINS FOR AN ADVENTURE FILLED WITH TUNES COURTESY OF MARTIN GARRIX, AFROJACK, STEVE AOKI,AXWELL,AND MORE. ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL (MIAMI, FLORIDA): MARCH 24 - 26, EDM FANS, PACK YOUR SPEEDO–YOU’RE GOING TO MIAMI! ULTRA IS HEADED DOWN TO CATCH SOME SUN AND SIZZLING SOUNDS FROM DAVID GUETTA, GRIMES, ZEDD, HARDWELL, AND MORE. COACHELLA (INDIO, CALIFORNIA): APRIL 14 - 23, LOVE IT, HATE IT–THIS YEAR’S COACHELLA LINEUP IS BRINGING BAD BUNNY, BLACKPINK, FRANK OCEAN, ROSALÍA AND MORE TO THE DESERT FOR TWO MEMORABLE WEEKENDS. REMEMBER, VIP & ARTIST PASS OR BUST! LOVERS & FRIENDS FEST (LAS VEGAS, NEVADA): MAY 6, PRESENTED BY USHER, IT’S A ONE DAY ONLY EXTRAVAGANZA FEATURING THE HOTTEST HIP-HOP AND RAP MUSICAL MUSES SUCH MISSY ELLIOT, MARIAH CAREY, USHER, SUMMER WALKER,AND MORE. THE GREAT ESCAPE (BRIGHTON, UK): MAY 10 - 13, FOR INDIE AFICIONADOS, IT’S A WEEKEND OF MUSICAL DISCOVERY AS THE FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHTS THE BEST RISING ACTS SUCH AS MAISIE PETERS, ARLO PARKS, 49TH & MAIN, AIME SIMONE, AND MORE. GOVERNORS BALL (NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK): JUNE 9 - 11, THE BALL IS BACK! THIS YEAR, MANHATTAN’S ULTIMATE GETDOWN FEST IS TAKING THE PARTY TO CORONA PARK WITH AN ECLECTIC LINEUP FEATURING LIL NAS X, DIPLO, LIZZO, KENDRICK LAMAR, AND MORE.

SOUNDS OF SUMMER

Turn up the volume—festival season is back and ready to rock! Navigate your next musical adventure as VMAN charts out our very own lineup of must-see concerts

VMAN NEWS

VMAN News

AVEDON FOREVER

Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, headed by Julian Bond, Atlanta, Georgia.

Photography by Richard Avedon (1963) Courtesy of Gagosian © The Richard Avedon Foundation

A century of influence and impression is certainly worth celebrating. Avedon 100 is just that–a commemoration of Richard Avedon and his illustrious body of work. Known for his unwavering ability to evoke emotion, seemingly uniting the world through a single photograph–that innate flair precedes the late visionary from beyond the grave as the industry’s tastemakers come together to honor his legacy. Serving as a collection of contributions from the likes of Naomi Campbell, Elton John, Kate Moss, and more, the exhibition displays Avedon’s lively work accompanied by personal anecdotes on the impact of each image.

Reflecting on Avedon’s decade-spanning career, Avedon 100 offers snapshots into various periods of his oeuvre, from his fashion work to imagery of the social justice movement to his celebrated “In The American West” series, each highlighting the extent and diversity of Avedon’s creative reach. The retrospective marries elements of prominence and privacy, unveiling several never before exhibited works.

Through his work, Avedon helped cement photography’s status as a contemporary art form, while seamlessly transcending boundaries between the medium’s evolving genres. In a world most frequently captured through the lens of an iPhone, his work remains a candid portrait of the artistic achievements of film photography. OLIVIA NOVATO Avedon 100 is on view at Gagosian Gallery beginning May 4, 2023.

HARING GOES TO HOLLYWOOD A celebration of art and life like no other is headed to Tinseltown. Heralded as the first-ever museum exhibition in the sunny city of Los Angeles, California to present Haring’s iconic body of artwork, Keith Haring: Art is for Everybody is set to feature an estimated of over 120 pieces and archival materials.

Exploring both his variety of artistic practices and storied life experiences, the many works that are to be displayed at The Broad museum will span from the late ‘70s, dating back to when he was a bustling student at New York’s School of Visual Arts until 1988–just two years before the acclaimed artist passed away from AIDS-related complications at the tender age of 31. Scattered around ten galleries in total, the expansive collection of Haring’s work will spotlight a variety of sculptures, paintings, videos, and more–including memorable public projects from murals to subway drawings. As the various topics Haring addressed in his art continue to remain a part of modern society, a continued exploration of issues surrounding capitalism, sexuality, and race finds its way from canvas to conversation once more. KEVIN PONCE Keith Haring: Art is for Everybody will be open from May 27, 2023, until October 8, 2023.

Untitled Artwork by Keith Haring (1983) Courtesy of The Broad Art Foundation © Keith Haring Foundation 39

VMAN News

Photography Eric Hart Jr.

MUSINGS ON MASCULINITY

With his debut tome When I Think About Power, photographer and creative Eric Hart Jr. muses on the inner workings of masculinity, identity, and power— core tenets that guide this must-see release and the image-maker’s wider artistic identity

In the opening image of Eric Hart Jr.’s debut photo book, When I Think About Power, a figure sits, photographed in profile. Shirtless, with his chest facing away from the camera, the sitter—one of many that Hart calls a muse—looks over his shoulder with his chin resting in his hand and long acrylic white stiletto nails on the tips of each finger. The black and white full-bleed photograph is indicative of the entire series which revolves around Blackness, masculinity, queerness, and often, seemingly contradictory notions. But ultimately, it’s an investigation of what the 23-year-old was taught power is, what it isn’t, and how those things fashion an identity.

“I feel like if you’re wearing a stiletto nail and you’re not showing it off in that manner, you’re not proud of the nail,” the photographer says of the opening image, sporting the same style of nails during our interview. After growing up in a family where all the women got their nails done, he adopted the practice in what has come to be a visible marker of feminine power and an outward act of rebellion. “He’s not hiding the nail. But if you look at his face, if you look at the crease between his brows, there’s conflict there.”

In what he calls his first long-term series, which began in 2019, Hart excavates his own ideas about what it means to be a man and what it means to be powerful while offering imagery that departs from much of what he had been seeing in contemporary visualizations of Black masculinity. In the place of vibrantly colored, multi-hued mood boosters depicting “Black bodies on beds of flowers or Black bodies in colorful durags,” Hart’s black and white images (inspired partially by Dana Scruggs’s work) are contemplative and sober, depicting a grinning Black sitter bandaged up here, a figure holding a

double-barrel shotgun at the viewer there, and three lithe, muscular men wearing white tights and acrylic nails in a third.

“I wanted to tackle the concept of vulnerability and power coexisting,” the Georgia-born, New York City-based image-maker says. “A lot of the works that I had seen just sent messages that were like, ‘let boys be soft, or let boys be fragile.’ I had never heard the conversation go further than those statements and also incorporate the notion that your fragility is power.”

This work became therapy for Hart. The inclusion of motifs like acrylic nails, choir robes, and church hats or lace, prompted him to do internal interrogations about his connection to those things. While acrylic nails were about powerful femininity in the ways of Catwoman or Florence Griffith Joyner, ornate Sunday hats and crosses were a visualization of religious authority. These were the things, in addition to the lace representing antebellum Southern Gothic style, that have helped to shape Hart.

“I had to write a lot and really think about what I was trying to say with this work because I think a lot of the concepts could give off ‘What is he trying to say here?’” Hart says. “But I was thinking a lot about what I was taught power was, what I was taught power was not, and how those things still exist inside me. I wanted to think about how I am exuding this in my life and how I am not exuding this in my life. It was about wanting to stand more in my power and wanting to be more vulnerable about my past and the things I’ve been taught.”

MIKELLE STREET

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When I Think About Power is available globally May 2023 via Damiani.

THE ISSUE WELCOME TO

From spirited takes on the latest must-know trends to boundary-pushing style abstractions that challenge the industry status quo, VMAN has forever remained the perennial go-to destination for fashionable men’s happenings. Now, as we mark our 50th issue, we usher in a fresh generation of tastemakers, trendsetters, and trailblazers. Welcome to the golden era of VMAN

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JADEN

One of Hollywood’s most beloved outliers talks dreams and intergalactic living with his friend and confidant, Kevin Abstract

Photography Nathaniel Goldberg Fashion Gro Curtis Interview Kevin Abstract

“Jaden Smith Is Not Dead,” reads one headline from a Snopes article in January of 2023. The clarification arrives on the tails of a viral Facebook hoax that claimed the opposite; a strange yet popular trend in the world of fake news.

But why? Because Smith is a public figure, a term that people often misinterpret as “belonging to the public.” Such is the bizarre world of celebrity at the moment—like folklore or mythology, we adjust their stories to fit our whims and likings.

On the contrary, Smith is very much alive—a fact he greets with gratitude each and every morning. Especially because this year will see the actor and musician releasing new music and visuals, all in the hopes of connecting or reconnecting on a deeper level with throws of adoring fans. VMAN asked the artist and global obsession to speak with his friend and inspiration, Kevin Abstract, for a conversation about raising kids, where to get pancakes in Paris, and forthcoming art. MATHIAS ROSENZWEIG JADEN SMITH: What are you doing in Paris, bro? How’s fashion week?

KEVIN ABSTRACT: Let’s go. It’s been awesome. I haven’t made many fashion shows, I’m not out here living like you, but this is my second time here and I’m pretty happy. I’m pretty happy to be here. I could low-key see myself living in Paris for like a year.

JS: Yeah, Paris is dope. Paris is really, really dope. I saw you went to a fashion show sitting in the front row and stuff. I was like, my guy’s locked in right now.

KA: I have to start with asking…can you describe to me the feeling of watching Passengers while listening to “Passionfruit” on loop? And why were you ever in a situation where you were doing that? (Laughs) JS: That is such a good way to start. That’s the best question already. As you watch Passengers, at the beginning the spaceship is just going through space and when you’re playing “Passionfruit,” it feels like, “Oh my gosh, this is the best Drake music video you’ve ever seen in your life.” It just makes sense with Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence. Their whole relationship, in the film it’s about passion but from miles away. They’re in the middle of space, he wants to be with her, but she’s so far away from him because she’s sleeping in the cryo-sleep space stuff.

It’s just the best song and movie combo that I’ve ever freaking seen besides the Pink Floyd album and Alice in Wonderland. That combination is so insane. I did that for so long, I would invite people over and I wouldn’t tell them what we were doing. We’d just get high and do that. When you mix these kinds of things it’s kind of a spiritual experience. So I’m so glad that you mentioned that because I just highly recommend doing it!

KA: I heard that a lot of your creative [process] and ideas for your [work] comes to you in dreams. How do you [capture] and document this? Do you write your dreams down? What are some of your dreams like?

JS: Alright, this is a good one, too. A lot of the times when I dream, I wake up and I’m on a plane with a bunch of my homies and I write these down sometimes. So yes, I do write my dreams down, but a lot of times I don’t because I have the same dream a lot of the time. Most nights, I’ll wake up on a plane with my homies, you’ll be there, all of my homies will be there, just an infinite plane of all of my homies. We’ll land, everybody will get off of the plane, and then we go into this resort building and it’s wooden inside and there’s a beach and the waves are always way too big to go in the ocean. We are always at this resort. I have a room and then all of my homies have their own rooms and then I can go to the rooms and I can see whoever I wanna see because they all have a room in this infinite hotel.

And then my dreams mostly consist of the interactions that I have with people when I go into that room or when I go into the other room. My friend Jordan and her boyfriend were right next to me in an adjoining room in one dream, and my dream was just about talking to them and hanging out with them and looking at the ocean views and me trying to get into the ocean, but not being able to because the waves were just going too crazy. So that’s a recurring dream that I have consistently. It’s always like that. So sometimes when those get crazy, I write those down.

KA: That’s awesome. I gotta start writing my dreams. They’ve been pretty intense over here, but I forget. I gotta write ‘em down.

JS: Yeah, you gotta write that shit down.

KA: Okay. Save Earth or restart on Mars?

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SMITH JS: I have to go with save Earth. I have to go with save Earth because there’s a small group of people that will be able to reset on Mars if they really want to.

Just sucking up the ocean and bringing that to Mars and then trying to create a stronger ozone layer on Mars and then trying to make it habitable and putting geodesic domes on it and the solar panels and the generating of all of that.

KA: Let’s go.

JS: Yeah, all of that, that’s not my full vibe. I think I really love Earth. I have a strong bond with Earth where I’m already Bluetooth-connected to it and I just feel the strong bond already. So I think I would have to stay here on Earth and just get it right because there’s just so many amazing things and so much water here already and animals and the Amazon rainforest. I think I’ll have to save Earth, you know? That’s a good one though.

KA: That’s beautiful. Where would you settle down to raise a family?

JS: Honestly, I’ll always be based in Southern California, I truly believe. But I think that for the first couple of years of raising a family, raising a child specifically, I might go to the Bahamas, I think. I might go to the Bahamas and be on the beach and be relaxed and raise my baby on the beach and be very relaxed there. Just chill and spend time with my baby for the first years that they’re born, and obviously travel around during that time. Then I would come back to Southern California once the real pivotal years were done, I would start to be based mainly out of California. Like, once school is starting and things like that, I would come back here to do those types of things. But the Bahamas, I think, it’s just such a relaxing place. I think it’s a very spiritual place too, and it’s a place where you don’t have a lot to focus on, so that you can really just focus on your family, your passions, and your goals. That’s the type of headspace that I would wanna be in when I’m starting a family. I would wanna be as meditative as possible, and I just feel very meditative in the Bahamas.

KA: I might steal that answer.

JS: Yeah, it’s a really good one. The Bahamas is awesome, we have to go there as a gang one day.

KA: That would be lit. This might be a heavier question, but I’m interested, I’ve been thinking about it. What do you think makes a good apology?

JS: I think that a lot of people think that a good apology depends on the timeframe and when it happens. I think that might be a part of it a little bit, but I think what makes a good apology is actually feeling that way, and that other person being able to see from your actions, not just your apology, that you actually feel that way and it’s true. Like when somebody says something and then you can see it in their actual life and you’re like, “Oh, wow. That’s true.”

They got off the phone with me, but then I still see that the things they said are standing true. I think if it’s honest and if it’s vulnerable, as well. If you can be vulnerable while you’re giving an apology, I think that can make it sincere and it can make it what it needs to be.

And also, apologies that don’t require the other person to do something.

Kind of a selfless apology where it’s like, “Yo, it does not matter what happens from this point on, or what you do or anything, I just need you to know this because it’s true to me.” I think those types of apologies are the ones that are the real ones.

KA: I’m gonna sneak in one last question before we go. What’s up with new music? What’s going on?

JS: Bro, I’m working on new music right now! I’m really inspired, I’m really happy. I was just listening to some new stuff. I’m really excited to share my new vision with the world. Not only music, but I’m such a visual artist as well. So are you, and that’s why I love everything that you do. I got music videos that I wanna share with the world, and I really wanna connect with my fans that love my music, and I really wanna connect with my fans that love my videos and the storylines that I tell through those. This year, I have so many unreleased videos, I have so many unreleased songs and ideas that this year, I really wanna get those out. This year I really wanna make that happen and I’m going to, so I’m so excited to share this new side of myself with my fans. I also wanna start making YouTube videos and just talking directly to my fans because I just wanna share with them, you know? I just wanna share with them.

KA: That’d be sick.

JS: Yeah! I just wanna share with people, man. But I wanna lock in with you, bro. We gotta lock it in.

Head to VMAN.com to read the extended interview.

Jaden wears jacket ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Headpiece MSFTSrep

All clothing MSFTSrep

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DOMINIC FIKE

From the beaches of Hawaii, the musician and actor reflects on recent years and a newfound need for decompression

Photography Nathaniel Goldberg Fashion Gro Curtis Interview Mathias Rosenzweig

Dominic Fike’s debut EP with Columbia Records was titled Don’t Forget About Me, Demos. Nearly five years later, in 2023, the world has certainly obliged his request—seemingly, Fike becomes less forgettable each day, further weaving himself into the worlds of music (he spent the last months of 2022 touring his most recent album, What Could Possibly Go Wrong), TV and film (he starred as Elliot in HBO’s massive hit Euphoria and has major acting projects ahead), and of course, fashion, wherein brands like Calvin Klein have tapped the 27-year-old to star in their omnipresent global campaigns. Now, Fike is virtually inextricable from our pop culture’s fabric.

Keeping in mind that he signed his record deal while on house arrest, his unimaginable success is all the more impressive. And while much of his previous music focused on his transition into the spotlight, Fike’s new music will revisit his past, which is of course, intricately tied to his present.

VMAN: How are you doing?

DOMINIC FIKE: I’m fantastic, man. I’m in Hawaii.

VMAN: What island are you on?

DF: I’m on the Big Island. I think it’s called Kona. I don’t really know though, because I’m not too familiar. I’ve been here for like a week.

VMAN: That sounds really nice! I want to start off by going back to the end of last year. Last year was a lot for you, especially with the tour. What was it like for you to be touring to that extent?

DF: It was great. I mean, I’ve toured a little bit. I’ve already done two or three tours at this point. I did a world tour in 2019, that was like three months long, and then I did a college festival tour recently, maybe last year. I’ve also done festival one-offs around the world for a little bit. I’ve toured quite a bit, so that really wasn’t too big of a lifestyle change, but it was kind of crazy, the amount of discipline I had to put in this time around. I stopped doing drugs and [indulging in] alcohol, so it was pretty much just work rather than partying.

VMAN: Wow, it sounds like a lot more work than anything else.

DF: It was, because I had a lot of people, it wasn’t just a skeleton crew, like in the 2019 world tour with maybe seven people. This time, it was two tour buses full of people. The whole stage design, production, crew and lights, and everything were a huge step up. So I couldn’t really afford to be screwing around. But it was a really good time. I’d never done anything like that, but it was cool. I stepped up to it.

VMAN: You were playing new music that you hadn’t officially released yet while you were touring. Why did you choose to share some songs that way and how was the reaction, in general?

DF: The reaction was great. I kind of chose to share songs that way cause I know it’s been a while since I’ve been able to release any new music for anybody. I feel like the last time I really got to interact with any fans was before Euphoria. I think a lot of this new fan base doesn’t really know who I am. I just kind of lost that connection between me and the people. Sometimes when I say crazy things on Twitter, people kind of look at me like, “Who the hell is this kid talking to?” You know? Because a lot of these people don’t even know who I am. So yeah, it feels good to talk to my fans through the music, and kind of keep directing the narrative of who I am. Sometimes I forget that I just gained this whole new fan base that didn’t evolve with me since my start in 2019. So a lot of these kids just have no idea who I am and that’s why I chose to play some of the unreleased music from the new album during the tour. That’s the best way that I know how to communicate with them. I’m not gonna sit on Instagram and say sorry for anything or talk to them on stage, I’d rather just play the music.

VMAN: Can you tell me more about that? Being on Euphoria obviously gave you a massive increase in visibility. How did that play into the music?

DF: It was really cool. Obviously, there are pros and cons to it. Some of the pros are, obviously, a lot more exposure, a lot more people to [listen] to my music. Being booked for music because of the increase in fan base and getting bigger deals with brands so I can make more music and try to spend more time in the studio and be less stressed so I can create. It did a lot for me, but I guess the con is when your fan base grows like that, kind of, overnight. A lot of kids have no idea who I am. I try to remember that they have to take the time to learn who I am as an artist…just like everyone else did back in 2019. So catching those kids up to speed hasn’t been the easiest thing because I’m not one of those people who is always online and in your face. The only way I really

communicate with people is typically through music. And because I haven’t been releasing new music as often, that dialogue is kind of lost on these new fans. I feel partially responsible, but also I’m not rushing my music just to talk to everyone.

VMAN: It seems to me that it would be much smarter to have patience and communicate through music that you’ve spent time on, rather than posting a knee-jerk reaction to something on social media.

DF: Absolutely. I feel like I’ve had a couple of clashes with my new fan base and even my old one just because I’ve done a lot of growing and they haven’t really seen so much of it because I’m not online as much as other public figures.

If I were to go online and give a statement or some long-winded Instagram story, or whatever people do, I’d probably butcher it. Talking to people through music is always the way I communicate. And for good reason.

VMAN: With your new music, what kind of themes do you find yourself visiting when writing lyrics?

DF: I feel like when I had released the project back in 2019, the demos were kind of just where I was at the time. I was in jail when I was writing Don’t Forget About Me, Demos, and the What Could Possibly Go Wrong album was about me coming to L.A. then being put in the public eye. I think for this new project, I’m just going back a little bit to my childhood and exploring things that have [shaped] me. My [body of work] has been covering my whole story and the new album is kind of the next [chapter]. It’s about the things that I’ve experienced.

With music, for me, it’s always just about honesty, you know? I’m telling stories, but a lot of it comes from personal experience. This project is kind of just going back and it’s really honest. I just decided to be honest with people again, because I think everyone’s missing that in music at the moment.

VMAN: With these new larger audiences, do you find yourself debating more in terms of what you want to share with your music as opposed to what you might want to keep for yourself in terms of personal experiences?

DF: Yeah, absolutely. I think more so in the post-process, the selection.

I think during the creation, I’m not too concerned about what anyone is thinking about or even the fans at all. I feel like they don’t even know what they want.

In post-production, I’m more conscious about what to share, for sure. And not out of fear, I just feel like timing is everything. I feel good that I have the opportunities to decide what order these things are coming out and when I shed light on the subjects I choose.

VMAN: I wanted to ask about how you balance your acting career with music, but in addition to that, how do you also balance finding time for yourself? Because, obviously, you need more than just your job, so what would you say is your key to overall balance?

DF: Well, the only way I do balance those things is by being healthy, happy, and enjoying my life. I feel like balancing acting and music, for me at least, the only way I can do any of this is if I’m okay. So that’s why I’m sitting here in Hawaii right now, and I’m sober and I’m taking the time to work out every day.

I want to pay attention to my body, and see what it needs both physically and mentally. There was some time that I went through where I just couldn’t work because I was so lost in these habits that I couldn’t make any music. People will think that I’m going away for three years to make an album, but half of it is just getting myself together and healthy. Then the other half is getting back to the music, you know? So the only way I can balance those things is by taking care of myself and enjoying life.

I just made an album and turned it in, and then I was supposed to jump right into another one, but instead I decided to come here and take a little break, which feels like something that a lot of the people in LA do. I feel like they’re just like, “Oh yeah, I’m gonna go away for a second and decompress.” I always thought that was kind of a weak move because when I was coming up in Florida, we never had time to decompress. Like go ahead and get it, you know?

But I understand that what we’re doing now is on a larger scale and it takes a lot more mental and physical energy out of you. So I have been taking the time to decompress.

VMAN: It’s very different, the kind of art you can make while you’re feeling happy and healthy physically.

DF: Oh my God. It’s a huge, huge difference.

Head to VMAN.com to read the extended interview.

Dominic wears all clothing and accessories SAINT LAURENT (worn throughout) On skin YSL BEAUTY Nu Bare Look Tint in #13

JACOB

Photography Nathaniel Goldberg Fashion Gro Curtis Interview Elton John

Jacob Lusk has always had a big voice. Now, the 35-year-old performer has the big life to match. As lead singer of the Gabriels, the Compton-born artist has gone from the colloquial “day job” to performing in front of tens of thousands of people, a major record deal, and earning a stamp of approval from the “Rocket Man” himself, Sir Elton John.

It’s hard to imagine life getting any bigger than that, but Lusk can. While their music’s inclusion in a 2018 three-part series for Prada titled “The Delivery Man” helped put the Gabriels on the map, it was the release of their two 2021 EPs, Bloodline and Love and Hate in a Different Time, that earned the band a stable place in arenas of R&B, soul, and rock—the three of which coalesce to form a musical hybrid. Not unlike Lusk’s voice, it seems that when it comes to success, only the sky’s the limit. MATHIAS ROSENZWEIG ELTON JOHN: Do you have a lot of memories of music in your childhood? I know you went to church a lot, so gospel music must have played a huge part in your childhood. And you can’t get a better foundation than gospel music, right?

JACOB LUSK: I mean, gospel music is all emotion, it’s all feeling. That’s what makes the difference in it. And luckily, I came at a time when there was a lot of different gospel music. Bebe & Cece Winans were my favorite, and the Clark Sisters, and Aretha [Franklin]. Whitney Houston did the Preacher’s Wife, and that’s my favorite movie, it came out when I was like, 11. So I got into gospel music in a whole different way, I think than most people probably see it as.

EJ: Well, when you go to a gospel church, if it doesn’t move you, then there’s something wrong with you, because it’s just something about the beauty of those voices and the feel of the music and the spirit that’s in the room. It’s probably the most wonderful music to hear live in the world to be honest with you, because you just can’t walk out of there and feel bad. You’ve gotta feel good. I hear that in your voice all the time. Apart from gospel, what were you listening to on the radio at home when you were growing up? I’m curious to hear about some of these early influences and how they have [shaped you].

JL: I was listening to jazz. I found comfort in the voices of Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Seal, and believe it or not, Michael McDonald. A little Patti [LaBelle] here and there, a little Gladys [Knight], but mostly a lot of jazz.

EJ: All those singers you’ve mentioned were great interpreters of a lyric, which is an incredible talent to have. To interpret someone’s lyrics and make it your own is one of the hardest things to do. That is the hallmark of a fantastic singer and a great vocalist.

JL: I strive to be a better and better and better interpreter of the songs.

Even when we write our songs, we really dig into like, “Wait, what are we saying? What does that really mean?” The thing is, and people say this all the time, they may forget what you say or what you did, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. Even if the words don’t make sense, it’s about if you can connect with that lyric.

EJ: That’s so true. Within this journey, was there ever any point in your life when you thought, “I’m gonna do something else besides music?”

JL: Well, it’s interesting. My elementary school teacher whom my mom still talks to said that when I was little, I would say I wanted to be a singer and they would tell me I wasn’t gonna be a singer. So then I would lay out on the floor and kick and scream. But as a high school student, I wanted to be a doctor or an educator, but my mom had a very strong arm in that. I had good grades, she put me in tutoring, and I did speech and debate competitively and there weren’t a lot of opportunities for music. So I was like, “Well, I’ll just do this.” And as soon as I got an inch in the music, I was like, “Fuck it, I’m singing!” She was like, “Well, why don’t you go to the military?”

EJ: Why do you think parents think that being a singer or an entertainer is such a bad thing? They think you should have a normal job and you have to have security. It’s like, the adventure of being able to sing and be involved with music as a career is the most incredible thing you could possibly have, I think.

JL: Maybe this is just because I’m Mr. Practicality, but I understand. So, for instance, I’m not gonna tell you how old I am, man of God, but I’m older than I appear. Praise God. It’s been hard. It hasn’t been an easy road. You know, it’s been some years I’ve been in and out of trying different things and sometimes I feel like, and maybe I shouldn’t feel this way, I feel like I was one of the people who got really lucky. I’ve worked hard, but, I mean, there are people out here who sing better than I sing and look better and all that. I feel like I was really

The singer and performer takes a break from recording his new album in Malibu to talk with his idol and friend, Elton John

LUSK blessed and maybe just because I stuck with it for so long, I feel like that’s probably why I really stuck with it. I didn’t ever really get too distracted with stuff, even dating. I don’t really date that much, but that’s gonna change, praise God, in 2023. But, I think I was one of the people who got lucky and I think she was trying to protect me. I’ve had a lot of heartache, I’ve had a lot of letdowns. I think they’re just trying to protect us from that.

EJ: That’s the best way to do it. I started out playing in a band at 17, playing in a band backing Patti LaBelle, Major Lance, Lee Dorsey, Billy Stewart and all those kinds of people, and I didn’t have any success for six years. And it was hard, there were so many disappointments, but what it gives you is a backbone. What it gives you is determination. When you look back later in your life, Jacob, you’ll think, “God, although it seemed horrible at the time, that was a lot of fun. I’m glad I did that.” Because when you make it quickly, I didn’t know that you were on American Idol. That would’ve been the worst thing for you, to win American Idol.

JL: It was funny because I was told that, and at the time it didn’t feel that way. The guy who won, even his mom was like, “You should be so happy you didn’t win.” And I’m looking at y’all as I go home to go collect these food stamps and y’all got these good jobs and y’all traveling and I’m sitting at home struggling and I’m just like, “Really?” But now I’m so glad that I didn’t. I’m so glad, and I feel like everything happened the way it was supposed to.

EJ: You’re a very spiritual person, I feel that when I’m with you. I’ve always believed in serendipity and that everything happens for a reason. I think we’re both alike in that way. When you go out and perform, you are an amazing performer, I can’t take my eyes off you. When you perform, you dress unbelievably, that evening suit with the tie and the cloaks and the rose, it’s very ‘50s.

It’s very Nat King Cole. You look amazing. Nobody looks like you. And that’s what Mick Jagger said when I said, “God, this guy’s amazing.” And I said, “Yes. There’s no one like Jacob.” Dressing up and putting on the clothes, is that important to you before you go on stage?

JL: Absolutely! This is no shade to anybody else, but I feel like people have spent their money and they’ve dressed up, so it’s like, why don’t I go out here and give these people the absolute best I can give them? I don’t come out on stage just for people to hoop and praise me. I’m really there to hopefully make their day better, hopefully to make their day brighter. Hopefully, when they leave they feel better than when they came. So the way I dress, the way that I present myself, the way that I talk, all of that is in the hopes that it’ll reach the heart, and they will be able to forget about whatever they came from or whatever they had going on, and they can step into this world.

EJ: And that’s something you’re so subtle about, and that’s why I love it.

You’re not Prince, because Prince was Prince, but you are Jacob, and Jacob just stands there and sings like Nat King Cole. You move and you sashay and the way you sway and move your arms are incredible, and then you drop the cape.

It’s just fabulous, fabulous! And it’s just wonderful to watch it. I’m so inspired when I see you because I can see the soul that you have and it’s just, ooh baby!

JL: Thank you man of God. I’m trying to get there!

EJ: You are already doing so well. What do you have coming up? I know you’re in the studio now. What are you doing for the rest of the year?

JL: We’re doing our first year at Coachella and Glastonbury!

EJ: I’m doing Glastonbury, as well!

JL: No way! Are you doing Sunday or Saturday?

EJ: Sunday.

JL: I’m gonna do my best and definitely try to be there. I have to be.

EJ: I’d love you to do something. I’ll call you later and see what we can work out! [Does that] sound okay?

JL: Let’s go!

EJ: Let’s do it, baby! I’d love that. Being with you is such a great time and seeing the boys today was great because I’ve never really spoken to them. But you are, ever since I first heard you and since we met, you are a big part of my life, because I just really respect you. I love what you do. You’re a breath of complete fresh air and you will always continue to be. And if you don’t, you can always call on me to say, “Elton, I’m down in the dumps. What can I do?” I love you that much.

JL: I love you and I appreciate you so much. You have no idea.

Head to VMAN.com to read the extended interview.

Jacob wears all clothing THOM BROWNE Rings DAVID YURMAN Bow tie and earrings Jacob’s own

Cape NEW YORK VINTAGE Shirt and earrings Jacob’s own Necklace BULGARI Bow tie GUCCI

Jacket and bow tie GUCCI Shirt and earrings Jacob’s own Necklace BULGARI On skin YSL BEAUTY Nu Bare Look Tint in #19

TOMORROW

X TOGETHER

Five of South Korea’s most beloved boys depict coming-of-age at a new time and in a new light

Photography Nathaniel Goldberg Fashion Gro Curtis Interview Lauv

Who knows what tomorrow may bring? Well, no one really. But according to one of Korea’s most raved-about pop acts, we won’t have to face the realities of a new day alone.

Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and HueningKai of TOMORROW X TOGETHER had a monumental year in 2022, during which their first world tour, “ACT: LOVESICK” saw them perform for hundreds of thousands of fans across the globe. Officially one of the biggest acts to come out of the ceaseless K-pop craze that has consumed the world over, the five idols have captured the hearts and imaginations of millions with their music about youth, camaraderie, and navigating our way through life together.

In January of this year, TXT dropped their new EP, The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION. The project should be listened to in order, telling a coming-ofage story about youth entering adulthood, and how growth is accompanied by growing pains. In March, they’ll be kicking off their second world tour in Seoul, Korea. But before they hit the road, VMAN asked singer-songwriter LAUV to interview the boys about their first impressions of each other, the meaning of masculinity, and how they were inspired by other performers, including BTS. MATHIAS ROSENZWEIG LAUV: You guys have worked together now for a few years. What were your first impressions of each other when you met?

YEONJUN: I think BEOMGYU’s personality is what really shines through.

He’s one of the brightest and most energetic people I know. It was funny though, because he seemed very quiet and shy the very first day he joined us. It turns out he was just assessing everything because less than 24 hours later, he’d already settled in and we were all on his turf. He can be calm and poised when he wants to, but he sure knows how to enliven the atmosphere.

BEOMGYU: SOOBIN is a kind soul. It’s easy to say that about people, but SOOBIN has always been consistent in the way he looks out for others, ever since day one. I appreciated it a lot, especially since I was new to the city, and I know the others also really value him for his character. At first glance though, I guess he just stood out a lot because we were all young but he was still really tall.

SOOBIN: HUENINGKAI was a “baby” when we first saw him. I guess we all were, but he seemed especially young since one or two years makes all the difference in your teens. I thought he was adorable. He was always in his flashy printed tees and we could catch him dozing off [during] his free time. Admittedly, it was a little difficult to imagine that I’d be on the same team as someone so young and cute, but it’s funny how younger brothers mature into friends so fast.

HUENINGKAI: TAEHYUN had the biggest eyes ever. He still does. He was such a good-looking kid that the other members and I kept commenting about it. He was good at things—the usual stuff like math and some martial arts too, but also random things like magic tricks, which isn’t a talent you see every day. TAEHYUN’s very clever and is a great conversationalist. We still stay up late nights to talk about basically everything in life.

TAEHYUN: We all say the same thing for YEONJUN. He was famous among K-pop trainees for being good at everything. There was even a moniker for him: “BIGHIT Legendary Trainee YEONJUN CHOI.” He was a real jack-of-alltrades and was confident about it too, in an admirable and somehow also endearing way. He also always gave his all for everything, which is a great quality to have in a teammate.

L: How did you make sure that TOMORROW X TOGETHER stood out and was unique in comparison to other groups?

Y: I think our priority has always been to be genuine in our music alongside, of course, sounding good. We want to address issues and experiences that are relevant to our contemporaries, as well as to anybody who has lived through this period in life before us.

B: Each of our albums and chapters are generational narratives of our youth. Each album is a reflection of the experiences and emotions we have at that period in life and, often, they’re sentiments that are shared with our peers. I think we can credit a lot of the love we receive to the stories we tell.

S: We had so many different concepts with each song we’ve released, so far. I feel like they’re songs that only we could have done at that time; in fact, I don’t think it’ll ever feel the same if we were to perform our earliest songs like “CROWN” again now in our 20s. It’ll be different—in a good way—but I think we did have something fresh and special. That said, we’re really getting into polishing our sound as a band and I’m very proud of it. I can’t wait to see what our discography will look like in five years time.

H: We want to make sure we can give audiences the full TOMORROW X TOGETHER experience. We want to put on a show that sounds and looks great, with all components coming together for a more immersive experience.

T: One of the other components that is really important to us, collectively, is conversing and connecting with our fans. We obviously talk about our music but we also want to talk about what we did or what they did that day, how they’re feeling, and just normal routine things like that. There’s a lot we can relate to and vice versa.

L: This issue is about the evolution of masculinity. How do you believe masculinity has evolved over the past ten years?

Y: I’ve never seen one set definition for masculinity that everybody in the world agrees with. In the same way, I don’t think there’s a set standard that we, or anybody, should have to follow. In terms of interpretations of the terminology, I think there’s going to be a lot of generational, social, and cultural context. That said, I think people probably define it in broader terms than before. If anything, concepts about conduct or self-expression should be about confidence, freedom from scrutiny, and feeling comfortable to just be yourself.

L: You’ve been fortunate to work with BTS, the only other boy band from BIGHIT MUSIC prior to you. How did they inspire you all as band members?

S: To have a dream of reaching the world with music and seeing someone close to you actually living that dream is great motivation. They’re incredible role models who actively give us advice and we’re very thankful for it.

H: They’re great performers and a great band of brothers. We really admire that. It’s one thing to know your own musical tastes and develop them, but it’s another to practice building synergy with your group. It’s enjoyable, of course, but it also takes effort from every member of the team and this is something we truly appreciate.

L: Do you feel proud to be bringing Korean pop music to the rest of the world? What is the best part of it for you?

T: We feel very proud, of course. I feel like there’s still more room for K-pop to grow and expand in this world and we’re honored to be part of that movement. That potential alone gives us even more motivation to do better and put out more good music.

S: The best part of it is definitely when we hear people sing along to our lyrics. It’s a moment that really stands out for us because most of our lyrics are in Korean. It’s another example of why music is so brilliant—it can deliver emotions and messages, and helps people connect, no matter where they’re from or what languages they speak. It’s a blessing that we can put out music in this period of time where media is accessible and can be enjoyed by so many [people across the world].

H: I really enjoy seeing the world. Last year, we had our first world tour and we visited 13 cities and performed at a festival (LOLLAPALOOZA). Our debut was in 2019, but COVID-19 meant that it took us a while to be able to fully experience performing live in front of large crowds and in international settings. Visiting city after city and experiencing various cultures gave me memories I’ll never forget.

B: We’re in this industry because we love music. Hearing people all over the world cheer our name and sing our songs feels incredible beyond words.

They’re sharing their passion and love for music with us through our songs, and that’s something I’ll forever be grateful for.

Head to VMAN.com to read the extended interview.

Beomgyu wears all clothing CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane

Yeonjun wears all clothing CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane

Soobin wears all clothing CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane

Hueningkai wears all clothing CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane

Grooming (Dominic) Anna Bernabe (The Wall Group) Grooming (Jacob) Christina Jimenez Makeup (TXT) Noh Seul Ki, Suh Yejon Hair (TXT) Kim Seung Won, Seong Eunbi, Lee Bongju Makeup (Jaden) Conrad Hilton Hair (Jaden) Pircilla Pae (A-Frame) Executive Producer Johnny Pascucci (Photobomb) Senior producer Kevin Warner (Photobomb) Production coordinator Merry Nestor Digital technician Evan Strang Photo assistants Roman Felix, Kevin Coffey Stylist assistants Mattie Tiggleman, Emma Oleck Production assistants Paul Draper, Nick Lambrakis Location Lightbox (Smashbox)

Taehyun wears all clothing CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane

K J

After finishing the last season of his hit show and becoming one of the faces of Lacoste, the actor and musician is ready for change Photography Nathaniel Goldberg Fashion Gro Curtis Interview James Franco

This March, it’s time to say goodbye once more to Archibald “Archie” Andrews, the titular character from the 82-year-old seminal comic book franchise about love, friendship, music, and quotidian life in the American suburbs. We say “again” because in 2014, the character already died by bullet in the offshoot comic series Life with Archie. Now, Riverdale—the CW TV show starring New Zealand actor and singer KJ Apa as the beloved, maroon-haired protagonist in a twisted drama-mystery—is reaching its seventh and final season, meaning Archie will once again disappear out of the cultural zeitgeist, even if just temporarily.

Apa himself, however, isn’t going anywhere. Life for the 25-year-old performer is, in many ways, better than ever, with a child, sobriety, and a conviction to prove himself as an artist. We asked VMAN family member and guest editor James Franco to connect with Kapa about being a workaholic, the spirituality of sobriety, and the importance of connectivity in life.

MATHIAS ROSENZWEIG JAMES FRANCO: So how did you get into Riverdale and acting?

KJ APA: So I grew up in New Zealand in Waitakere out west of Auckland.

And acting was never even something that struck any sort of chord with me.

As a kid I loved movies. I used to watch Jim Carrey. My dad loved Jim Carrey.

And we shared this kind of fascination with what he was capable of in front of a camera.

JF: What are your top three Jim Carrey movies?

KA: Cable Guy, Ace Ventura, and Dumb and Dumber.

JF: Dumb and Dumber was probably one of my top three movie experiences.

I was in high school. It was partly because—I don’t smoke anymore, people think I’m a big stoner still—but in high school I was. That was probably the highest I’d ever been seeing a movie. I almost couldn’t walk out of that theater after.

KA: I was like 12, so I definitely wasn’t smoking weed. But I just remember watching Jim Carrey and even still now, nobody does it like him. When I see actors like you, like Jim Carrey, playing characters like that, I want an opportunity to do that so badly. I feel like after being on Riverdale, like a CW type of show, it’s really difficult to get those opportunities because people only see you as this actor who’s capable of doing one thing…I almost want to go to the opposite side of the spectrum of CW Land. I want to play real characters, you know?

JF: That makes me think of a couple of things. I didn’t realize how good Freaks and Geeks was when we were doing it because it was one of my very first jobs. Looking back it’s like, oh my god; Judd Apatow, Mike White was a writer, you know, incredible cast. But at the time, I was such an idiot. I was like, “Oh, I’m stuck on a TV show. Ugh.” Then it ended and I was like, “Oh, now what do I do?” But then I played James Dean and it started this new phase of my career. But then I did a series of movies that I just didn’t like and I got really depressed mainly because acting was the only thing I had in my life to define me. And then I reunited with Judd Apatow…he gave me a little cameo in Knocked Up to sort of prove that I could be funny. And then we got Pineapple Express and it changed my entire career. Which is all to say, there might be some people just around you right now who are thinking the same way you are thinking.

KA: Mhm, definitely.

JF: But I wanted to ask, when you look back on the show, what do you think some of your takeaways will be?

KA: It’s so hectic to think about because…I’ve spent a lot of time really unhappy. Really unhappy about where I was in my career, which objectively, seems really ungrateful. And then I realized, coming into my last season of the show, how incredible of an experience I’ve had. When I’m older, I get to have this documentation of these pivotal years of my life that are documented on television. The seasons represent chapters of my private life that I can look back on and show my kid and reminisce on. I’ve been through so much, man.

As you know, a few years ago, I found recovery and my sobriety because at one of my lowest points, someone who I’ve worked with gave me your number, and it took me weeks to reach out. Because I was like, “Why would this guy want to help me?” Like, why would this guy want to help this CW actor from New Zealand who he doesn’t even know? I had your number for a while. I got to the point where I couldn’t really hack it on my own. And so I reached out to you, and you gave me another way to live my life through recovery, man. And that program and the program that I’m still trying to get has helped me

APA tremendously. How to love myself, how to be a father, how to show up for myself, how to be a professional at work. And most importantly, how to reestablish my relationship with my God. Because I grew up in a pretty religious house in terms of being brought up Christian, and I still consider myself a Christian, but through this program, I’ve now understood that my direct link to God is through my self expression, my creative self-expression.

JF: Well, what I’ll say is, I was definitely a workaholic, you know? I’m just speaking for myself, but you know, after a while it was kind of diminishing returns because I was working to the detriment of my life. And here’s my, you know, douche card. I got to have lunch with Bruce Springsteen one time, maybe five years ago. He said a couple of things to me that were so important because he was a bit of a workaholic as well…and at a certain point in his life, Springsteen realized, right after Born in the U.S.A.—number one album, still one of the best-selling albums ever, right—he realized he was so lonely, he was so alone. It’s in his book, that he went to this country fair in like, Kentucky or something, and he saw these families and these couples and he realized that he had none of that in his life. And that’s when he got into therapy. And so at lunch he said to me, “You can’t live in the work, but the work can live in you.”

And I think it’s kind of like what Bryan Cranston said in his book: “I want to be sane in my life so I can be crazy in my work.” And the other thing that Springsteen said was, one of the scary things about success is that when you get successful, especially if you’re a creative person, the mind wants to think that everything about you contributed to the success. Even the defects. Like if you’re a rockstar, you’re like, “Yeah, all the crazy stuff I’m doing is going into my music.” But it’s like, no, you’re a great musician. Cobain was a great musician because he played every day in his basement as a teenager and practice, practice, practiced. Not because he was high all the time. He was great despite that.

JF: One of the things I’ve tried to do with my work, because it used to be all, that’s my identity, I gotta do all this stuff, I gotta be great, it was like, take, take, take. And now what I’ve tried to do in my life is change the taking and just adding to what I can. How can I be of service? And I had been sober for a long time. I’ve been sober since I was 17 and I thought I was living a spiritual life because I was sober, but I wasn’t living a sober life in these other areas, work included. So now that I’m trying to get away from that work addiction, I’ve really tried to learn how to bring the spiritual side of things into my work and look at work as a form of service. And I found that when you do too much, it works for a while, you work really, really hard, but for me it was unsustainable.

It stopped working after a while.

KA: Yeah. I recognize that coming out of Riverdale, the fear of maybe not working, I realized that taking some time is actually a blessing. I’ve got debt and I know I need to keep making money and stuff like that to support my family. But I relate so much to what you’re saying, this obsession with working…I’ve been really guilty over the years of measuring my success against my work, but now, especially being in recovery, I’m trying to set standards for myself. I’m kind of going into another territory right now, being a father has really brought up a lot of things. Like I feel like I’m going through this period of self-discovery right now in my life where I’m like, “Okay, I’m a father. I’ve got all this responsibility,” but I have all this ambition and things that I want to achieve. I’m trying to find a healthy balance for it all.

JF: You know, what’s so special about this conversation is that I get to talk to like, a version of my younger self and it’s really powerful. Like when you reached out, it was so special for me, because when I got sober, I was in Palo Alto and there weren’t a lot of young people around and certainly nobody in the movie business. And then when I got to L.A. and there were probably people around who could have given me some guidance, I just wasn’t ready for it, you know? And so when you reached out it was so sweet, because it was like, here’s a chance to talk to that young James and just tell him, you don’t have to do it alone. ‘Cause I did think I was an outsider. And so it’s been so great, buddy. I love talking to you. It was really special.

KA: I appreciate you doing this. I was actually really nervous before this because, for some reason, you just, you scare the shit out of me I don’t know dude. You just have a powerful energy.

JF: Nah, I love you buddy.

Head to VMAN.com to read the extended interview.

KJ wears all clothing LACOSTE (worn throughout)

Makeup Tom Pecheux (Safe Mgmt) Hair Sebastien Bascle (Calliste) Manicure Brenda Abrial (Wise & Talented) Producer Michael Lacomblez (Louis2) Production Manager Léa Duboin (Louis2) Digital technician Sarah Reimann Photo assistants Corinne Mutrelle, Patricia Zheng Stylist assistant Liana Sipos Production assistants Mathilde Barniaud, Alexandre Johannes, Othmane Bouassaria (Louis2) Location Little Grand Studio

Parker wears all clothing BOTTEGA VENETA Ring DAVID YURMAN (worn throughout) Bracelet MUNAY KI (worn throughout) On skin TOM FORD BEAUTY Traceless Foundation Stick in #1.5 Cream

A NEW TIDE Here, model and longtime VMAN muse Parker Van Noord is classically confident with a hint of masterful modernity— highlighting that, in fact, the finest of men’s tailoring is meant to be undeniably effortless Photography Blair Getz Mezibov Fashion Grant Woolhead 70

Pants and shoes PRADA Belt CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane

Shirt GUCCI Belt CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Pants and shoes PRADA

All clothing and shoes FENDI

Shirt LOUIS VUITTON Pants SAINT LAURENT Belt CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane

All clothing and shoes PRADA

Jacket and shirt GUCCI Pants PRADA

Jacket and shirt GUCCI Pants and shoes PRADA

Makeup Virginia Young (Home Agency) Hair Ward (Home Agency) Model Parker Van Noord (DNA) Digital technician Lucas Harwin-Nye Photo assistants Corey Danieli, Anthony Corklin Stylist assistant Gerardo Uzcategui Vivas Production assistant Xavier Penagos

Top MIU MIU Belt CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Pants and shoes PRADA

Lars wears all clothing and belt SAINT LAURENT Bracelets DAVID YURMAN On lips YSL BEAUTY Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Balm

N E W R O M A N T I C S What’s with all the rave? Sartorial stylings and luxuriant fabrics of the ‘80s club scene define the resurgence of radical formalwear Photography Felix Cooper Fashion Roberto Piu 78

Hugo wears suit FENDI Top ISABEL MARANT Shoes ERNEST W. BAKER Earring JUSTINE CLENQUET Rings CARTIER Safety pin ring HUGO KREIT Tights and pins stylist’s own

Yous wears jacket GUCCI

Raoul wears suit GIORGIO ARMANI Shirt, belt, boots CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Pocket square CHARVET Ring DAVID YURMAN

Baye wears all clothing PRADA

Lars wears suit DIOR MEN Tank top stylist’s own Shoes ACNE STUDIOS Watch CARTIER Bracelets DAVID YURMAN

Hugo wears suit BURBERRY Leather jacket ERNEST W. BAKER Top stylist’s own Earring HUGO KREIT Necklace MAD LORDS Bracelet on left CARTIER Bracelet on right JUSTINE CLENQUET

Yous wears suit LOUIS VUITTON Shirt ARTURO OBEGERO Necklace DAVID YURMAN Flower and feather stylist’s own

Alexandre wears all clothing PRADA

Makeup Eny Whitehead (Home Agency) Hair Olivier Noraz (Home Agency) Models Lars Jammaers (Rapture), Hugo Evans (Viva), Yous (Studio Paris), Baye Seye (IMG), Alexandre Le Guilloux (Success), Raoul Uzan (Success) Set design Tobias Blackmore (The Curated) Producer Justine Torres (CLM) On-set producer Louise Lila Casting director Sarah Benjamin (Streeters) Photo assistants Margaux Jouanneau, Cameron Koskas Stylist assistant Liana Sipos Makeup assistant Alexandra Leforestier Hair assistant Yulia Pantiukhina Casting assistant Victoria Machmudov Location Studios de l’usine

Baye wears jacket and shorts RALPH LAUREN Shirt CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Tie ERNEST W. BAKER Watch OMEGA Brooch DARY’S PARIS

STREET Take-charge tailoring signals a new dawn of menswear.

Prominent prints and free-flowing, shortened shapes forge a new vanguard of men who are guaranteed to stand out in any crowd 88

Mahamadou wears jacket LOUIS VUITTON Shirt and scarf PETER DO Tank top CHRISTINA SEEWALD Pants ANN DEMEULEMEESTER Necklace HUGO KREIT

TWISE Photography Winter Vandenbrink Fashion Alessia Ansalone

Emery wears jacket, pants, tie, earring (worn as pin) DIOR MEN Collared shirt EMPORIO ARMANI Shirt SOLITUDE STUDIOS

From left to right Sofiane wears coat DRIES VAN NOTEN Pants PHIPPS GOLD LABEL Necklace JUSTINE CLENQUET Shoes BOTTER Teo wears all clothing and shoes LOEWE Necklace HUGO KREIT

Mahamadou wears all clothing COMME DES GARÇONS HOMME PLUS Headpiece and socks stylist’s own

Makeup Akari Sugino Hair Eduardo Bravo Models Emery Ammar (Storm), Tom Rey (Success), Teo Fortin (Metropolitan), Mahamadou Diaoune (Premier), Sofiane (TIAD) Production Alik Onno Casting director Troy Fearn Stylist assistant Alexandra Nicolaidis Production assistant Yannis Zeggane Casting assistant Mason Thomas-Downes

Teo wears jacket and shorts PRADA Shirt Y/PROJECT

From left to right Emery wears shirt KOLOR Tank top and pants DIESEL Necklace D’HEYGERE Shoes DIOR MEN Tom wears jacket and pants MM6 MAISON MARGIELA Sneakers DIESEL Sofiane wears pants OTTOLINGER Shirt (worn as flag) ACNE STUDIOS Shoes DIOR MEN Teo wears shirt and shoes ANN DEMEULEMEESTER Pants and belt Y/PROJECT Socks stylist’s own

UP

SUITED

Since the inception of menswear, the classically tailored suit has forever remained a quintessential wardrobe staple.

Now, the beloved uniform brims with dynamic and refreshed connotations—exaggerated lapels, casual silhouettes, and pared-back colorways breaking new ground Photography Marcus Ohlsson Fashion Gro Curtis 94

From left to right Matthew wears all clothing and shoes LOEWE Chandler wears all clothing, shoes, accessories Y/PROJECT Ibby wears all clothing, shoes, accessories ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Addison wears all clothing, shoes, accessories GIVENCHY

From left to right Addison wears all clothing and shoes RICK OWENS Jass wears all clothing and shoes BALENCIAGA Ibby wears all clothing, shoes, accessories RICK OWENS Ruskin wears all clothing, shoes, accessories DIOR MEN Jass wears all clothing, shoes, accessories DIOR MEN Caias wears all clothing, shoes, accessories DIOR MEN Anden wears all clothing, shoes, accessories DIOR MEN

From left to right Anden wears all clothing, shoes, accessories DOLCE & GABBANA Ryan wears all clothing and shoes DOLCE & GABBANA Jass wears all clothing and shoes SAINT LAURENT Yeray wears all clothing, shoes, accessories EMPORIO ARMANI Kevon wears all clothing, shoes, accessories EMPORIO ARMANI Addison wears all clothing, shoes, accessories EMPORIO ARMANI

From left to right Kevon wears all clothing, shoes, accessories CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Ryan wears all clothing, shoes, accessories CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Yeray wears all clothing, shoes, accessories CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Chandler wears all clothing, shoes, accessories ETRO Caias wears all clothing, shoes, accessories THOM BROWNE Matthew wears all clothing, shoes, accessories THOM BROWNE

Makeup Yuki Hayashi (The Wall Group) Hair Line Bille Models Caias, Chandler Frye, Addison Stender (IMG), Anden Scudder, Matthew Morrison, Ruskin Caesar-Kwofie (DNA), Ibby Sow (The Society), Ryan Park, Yeray Allgayer, Jass Reemann (Soul) Manicure Frances Liang Executive producer Antonia Tedroff (Day-Int) Producer Briet Olina (Day-Int) Production manager Elise Miccolis (Day-Int) Digital technician Filip Hanning Photo assistants Isaac Bearman, Diego Garcia Stylist assistant Noelia Rojas-West Makeup assistant Mert Nazlim, Rachel Malkin Production assistants Nico Herrera, Julian Garcia, Vincent Gooden Location Seret studios

From left to right Ryan wears all clothing, shoes, accessories GUCCI Ruskin wears all clothing and shoes GUCCI Ibby wears all clothing and shoes GUCCI Anden wears all clothing, shoes, accessories PRADA Caias wears all clothing, shoes, accessories PRADA Ruskin wears all clothing, shoes, accessories PRADA

What VMEN Want

WHAT

Photography Michelle Genevieve Gonzales Fashion Douglas VanLaningham

VMEN Utilizing the conceptual illustrations of the late Swiss artist David Weiss, French powerhouse Celine is taking us for quite the ride this season with their intricate, Bauhaus-inspired skateboard

WANT

At its best, high-fashion can feel like gallery-worthy art. Creative Director Hedi Slimane invites the comparison on several levels with “Dysfunctional Bauhaus,” a striking menswear retrospective. The Celine 15 Men’s Summer 2023 collection incorporates artwork from several influential creatives, including renowned Swiss artist David Weiss. Splitting time between his native Zürich, Carona, and Los Angeles, the late artist created a masterful body of work that reimagines the everyday in surprising new shapes and palettes. Slimane spotlights Weiss’s transformative take on waves, featuring his ocean paintings on the decks of effortlessly cool Celine skateboards. Celine’s sporty accessory captures the dynamism of Weiss’s work, the sweeping blue brushstrokes and peals of white foam ready to flash in sight during kickflips and ollies.

As skate and surf culture have long been intertwined, the four-wheeler is the perfect canvas for Weiss’s splashy designs—which are sure to make you the envy of the skate park. BAILEY BUJNOSEK

Seth wears all clothing and accessories CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane 104

CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Cruiser skateboard (with multicolor David Weiss Wave Print #3) ($1,150, available at select CELINE boutiques worldwide.)

Grooming Michelle Harvey (Opus Beauty) using Dior Beauty and Oribe

Head to VMAN.com to read more on actor Seth Lee and Celine’s bid for accessory of the season with the Cruiser Skateboard