World Equal MagBook Volume IV

FASHION | ALTERNATIVE | PHOTOGRAPHY | MUSIC | MODELS | BUSINESS | ART | BEAUTY | FILM | CHARITY

VOLUME 4 // 2016

WORLDEQUAL.COM

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Models: Marta Misiak and Leon Krieft Photographer: PicLoft Photography

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Front Cover BOTTLES: Aleah Leigh - Dragon Lady Productions Photographer: Deborah Selwood Hair: Mum Net Make up: Samina Khan Model: Vivienne Emily Tay Shade: RadikalVip Lara Oliveras Jewelry: Calleesy Jewellery & Gifts

© 2015-2018 Copyright EQUAL AND EQUAL MAGAZINE. The publisher of Equal Magazine, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the content placed in its publications. For the avoidance of doubt, Equal Magazine gives no warranty or guarantee in regards to any information placed in this publication.

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ALTERNATIVE

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MAKEUP

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INK

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ART

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MODELS

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FASHION

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BUSINESS

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MUSIC

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PHOTOGRAPHY

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Victoria Gugenheim ................................................................... 10 Amy Rachel Clarke ..................................................................... 14 Robert King ................................................................................. 18

World Equal

Christine Lynn............................................................................. 26 Jamie Lee Knott .......................................................................... 32 Rob Ratcliffe ................................................................................ 36 Neville Longmore ....................................................................... 40 Victor Nesterovic ........................................................................ 44

Mari Almeida .............................................................................. 50 Heather Mclean .......................................................................... 56 Sebastian Pawlick ....................................................................... 62 Leon Krieft aka Lèon World ...................................................... 66 Anna Brogan ............................................................................... 72 Haus of MoHawk ........................................................................ 76 Aleah Leigh – Dragon Lady Productions ................................. 80 Tony Boylan – Handheld Technologies Ireland ...................... 90

Pumeza Matshikiza .................................................................... 94 Steve Jones .................................................................................. 96 Ed Fielding ................................................................................. 104 Aleksandra Eqa Chmiel ........................................................... 114

EQUAL Fashion Contact: For submissions and advertorial enquires: E: equalfashionmagazine@gmail.com T: +44 (0) 77 1026 0041 worldequal.com

Back Cover: Victoria Gugenheim 3

A wonderful thing happens when you finally accept what the little voice inside you has been telling you for years; That this life is YOURS. You start to see everything differently when you take that knowledge on-board. You start to live. It's an amazing feeling to wake up each morning knowing that you will choose how your day plays out.Oh, that’s the first thing… dump the words ‘must and ‘have to’ and replace them with ‘choose’.

Shanti Baba & One Love Things become easier once you start choosing. You choose to go to work. you choose to pay the phone bill,you choose to attend that audition. I know, I know ... you cant NOT pay the bills,but telling yourself that you’re choosing to pay them takes away the power they have to make you feel like some kind of slave. So... Pick your day.

Today would be a good time but tomorrows okay too. Wake up. Take some time to locate the love that’s in everyone of us. Relish the thought that you’re alive. Have some breakfast (coffee and cigarette get me going but feel free to have something healthier) and go out into your world.

Feel the air flowing into you. Listen. Smile at everyonethe homeless lady on the corner, that guy in the grey suit rushing somewhere, the kid playing ball against the wall… everyone.

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You never know when your smile is going to be the thing that gets someone through the day. Your happiness could be the reason someone doesn't jump tonight. You are important.

Of course, we cant please all the people all of the time.

Not everyone has found their inner sunshine yet. But answer anger with Love,answer hate with compassion and answer spite with patience ... it's good medicine. It cures the ones who are afraid that showing Love is a weakness. That natural glow you have when you're being positive stays with people. When I was a homeless, a guy, who I assumed had it made ... he had GREAT shoes, handmade I guessed, he used to bring me a cup of coffee and a pack of smokes every week day. Always asked if I was okay. The thing I remember the most about him was that his smile was genuine. For the couple of minutes he talked to me each day was Like having the sun shine on my face. I didn't know anything about himhe never offered any information and I never asked.

Anyway,a year or so Later, I was doing OK. I’d got a place to Live and a job spinning records at a club. At some point one night, I was taking a break and saw this guy. I was sure it was him,so I went and thanked him,his hair was shorter and he didn’t have the Italian shoes on, I remembered the Smile.

Bask in the Light of your uniqueness. Billions of people in our world and each one of them different! That is

mind blowing! Blessed are the strange, the weird, the unusual,the different,for the world is truly ours.

We change the world by our very existence. We heal our world with Love, we enhance our world with our Laughter and we Light our world with our kindness.

When you get back home tonight,sit there with your hot chocolate, or your glass of wine and recall how your day went, remember the faces and places, feel the Love in your heart (maybe notice it’s a Little stronger from the smiles you got back). Today you participated fully in Life.

Relax, give YOURSELF a smile.

Sink into your dreams,imagine all the possibilities and rest easy.

You get to do it all again tomorrow and forever! Albert Camus, the existential French writer, wrote this ... In the midst of hate,i found there was,within me,an invincible Love. In the midst of tears,i found there was within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me,an invincible calm.

I realised, through it all,that in the midst of winter, there was, within me,an invincible summer and that makes me happy, for it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me,within me there is something stronger,something better,pushing right back. Recognise yourself…?

ONE LOVE.

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Shelley Rodgers Founder / Editor / Owner / Photographer

Kieran Sherry Editor / Partner / Writer / Musician / Artist

S Angela Carson Columnist / Alternative Section

Christine Lynn Columnist / Alternative Section / Model / Tattoo Artist

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Laura McGrath Writer / Musician

Ryan O’Hare Photographer

L Lauryn Sarah Hall Writer / Stylist / Model / Co-Owner LSH & RMNI

Pily Mirazi Entrepreneur / Public Figure

R Amy Rachel Clarke Professional Hair & Makeup Artist

Entertainment, Promotions and Modelling

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P Nicci St.George Smith Writer / Producer & Aid Worker

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ALTERNATIVE 9

Victoria Gugenheim

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Multi Talented Victoria is an artist who1s standard of excellence is out of this world and beyond.

With a boundless passion for creativity and the universal enthusiasm to go with it her work is quite simply astonishing, mind blowing, awe inspiring and completely unforgettable leaving a resounding impression after even a glimpse of her artistic magic.

You cant help but feel intensely inspired knowing the hands of a human being can paint such attractive and thought provoking art on to the skin of another human being it just makes you want to take your clothes off, let her paint you up and walk around the town as proud as punch.

It is no surprise to see her skills take her into the movie world. This Body-painter, Photographer, Speaker, Artist, Consultant, Model, SFXer, Exhibition Designer, Executive Producer, Designer at Victoria Gugenheim is a tornado of talent expressing excellence in every direction all at once.

Credits: Serebro: Model: Olea Bodypaint, Concept, Photo: Victoria Gugenheim All Kingdom Come: Model: Suzanne Edwards Photo, Bodypaint, Concept: Victoria Gugenheim Electra Mechanica: Model: Alice NeverMore Bodypainter: Victoria Gugenheim Thanks: Garou Graphix AU Automaton: Model: Bishop Black Bodypainting and photo: Victoria Gugenheim 11

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MAKEUP 13

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My name is Amy Clarke, I am a Professional Make up/Hair/SFX artist from Ballywalter. l am self employed which allows me to allocate my time for different events, client appointments and to bring you this new section in Equal Fashion Magazine.

This section of the magazine has kindly been given to me so I can bring exciting product reviews, dos and don’ts, technique and any other requests from all you make up junkies.

From Christmas I have been working closely with different make up brands to bring my knowledge and preferences into writing for the spring edition of equal fashion magazine so that hopefully readers can benefit and take some interest into which products are right for you and which brands are better for your skin.

In this edition I will try and cover as much as I can. so lets get started .. How many of you have a skincare regime? Do you moisturise? Do you prepare your skin before you apply make up? And most importantly, Do you remove it before bedtime? if the answer to any of those questions are no or you’re not sure, don’t worry I am here to give you the basics in skincare and Prep before applying your second face.

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{Step 1 {Step 2

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Washing/Cleansing your face – I have found that some of the cheapest drugstore brands are just as effective as more expensive brands such as, just plain AQUAS CREAM, yip just plain paraben free aquas cream which can actually be used as facial wash and light moisturiser.

COCONUT OIL which I use to remove make up and cleanse my face, it is antibacterial, anti inflammatory, suitable for all skin types, its natural, cheap and just an all round winner for me, which can also be used 'lightly' as a moisturiser among many many other purposes.

Toner – In contradiction to my post on Washing/ Cleansing I have to say my go to Toner is Dermalogica which is slightly most expensive. This is only because it works for my skin, however this doesn't necessarily mean it will work for you. Generally speaking a toner is not mandatory within your skincare regime, it is more of a personal preference. Skin care specialists will tell you to use a toner but I wont, it would be like me telling you to wear bright blue eye-shadow… some it may suit while others it won't.

{Step 3

Moisturising - While its great to just use any moisturiser lying around the house, unless you know your skin type and what moisturiser will be more beneficial for your skin then you could end up with a very oil slicked face or flaky dry skin, Blackheads or some zits which in technical terms are called 'Comedones' .. You definitely don't want that if you can avoid it. Coconut oil is quite a good moisturiser, all natural, although if heavy handed can be more of a problem than a solution .. use lightly.

For about 6 months now I have been using Dermalogica Active Moist which I really like, I alternate every other day between active moist and Rose-hip oil which I find works for me and my skin type which is 'combination'. it feels dry to touch but looks oily and I would recommend it for anyone with Combination - Dry skin.

Some useless information for you - If you don’t moisturise your skin actually produces more oil around your T-zone, while you are probably thinking ‘oh god my skin is so oily I couldn’t possibly use moisturiser’ you are actually wrong .. Without moisturiser of some kind your skin will automatically produce more oil as its own way of trying maintaining the skins PH balance. Men included!

Don’t forget to use a Facial Scrub once a week to get rid of all the dead skin cells and help maintain your skins natural glow. Below I will list a recipe for my go to face and body scrub, its easy peasy and good fun to make.

Coconut Scrub - find a small tub, 2 table spoons of coconut oil, 1 table spoon of sugar (alternate if necessary), mix together and Vwahlaa… Give it a go and let me know what you all think .

... TADAAAA now your Skin is prepped and your Ready to paint your face!

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Robert Kıng 18

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I've always had a love for horror movies – it's by far my favourite genre-but never did I think that I could do the likes of the makeup you see in the movies.

Until, in September 2014 as encouraged by my cousin Francine I joined a makeup course along with her that promised to teach such skills as beauty makeup, face and body paint, airbrush makeup and theatrical and special effects makeup. Although the course was a bit of let down as it only touched on all of these different aspects briefly, I had purchased a kit worth £300 that came with SFX (special effects) products.

I started to play around with the kit and watch some YouTube tutorials.

Within a week I was hooked! I was absolutely fascinated at how you could be so creative with makeup. By Halloween of 2014 I had everyone asking me to do their makeup. It was a great way to practice, as I was only used to trying it out on myself.

I continued to practice at home when I could and was able to complete all assignments at college even though I struggled at times with working full time and doing the course part time. Since then, I've worked on many different and creative projects both within groups and on my own. I used to struggle a lot with confidence and would be nervous of trying new things, but I’ve basically jumped at every given opportunity since finishing the course, I’ve had to work hard and be confident in my own abilities. I was lucky enough to do a photo shoot at the Game of Thrones location @ Castle Ward which included the wolves from the show.

I’ve worked on the Sister Act theatre production, West Side Story, Eternal Love, Wizard of Oz, and soon Cats the musical. I’ve worked on some great short movies such as Fractured City, “Who Nose Me Better”, “the butchered” and most recently Delicate things staring Paula Malcomson.

I’ve worked with many different photographers in creating my own creative pieces, as well as helping others achieve their vision. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the top makeup artists in the industry, mostly through the fantastic team at Titanic Creative Management on training courses such as Life casting and creating realistic makeup for death and decay. I want to continue to learn and grow in the hopes that this will be a full-time venture one day. In the meantime I look forward to working with other great artists for Belfast Alternative Fashion Week.

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INK 25

Christine Lynn High Fashion, Lipstick and Tattoos

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Woman on suitcase Iva Michalak Photography 27

I started to get interested in tattooing when I was a young child, I can’t remember the age exactly but I remember standing outside a local studio with my older sister while my mum was inside. I think I was about eight or nine.

The noise is the thing that I remember the most. It was summer so the windows and door were open and that buzz from the machines got me hooked. I always got excited when I heard it, much in the same way when I walk into a convention hall now. Its strange, to a Lot of people, that noise is frightening but to me, it was quite electrifying. I kind of like the perfect mixture of excitement, joy and complete comfort. Do you know that feeling of being in your element? That’s it. Only exhilarating at the same time. From then, I always Loved walking down that street and as I grew, I got more curious and would make excuses to go in. That studio sold jewellery and alternative clothing so I normally used that as a good reason.

When I was thirteen, I began getting piercings done, of course hiding them from my parents Like most teenagers. Only I wasn’t going through a rebellious phase, I think I just wanted to be involved to be honest.

Anything to get into the different areas of the studio and a chance to have a quick Look or question the staff a Little.

I’m sure I was a right pain!

See more >

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At fourteen, I got my first tattoo. I wasn’t sure what to get and finally decided on getting my best friends name at the time. I thought it was the best thing ever! Haha. From then, I would get a small tattoo from time to time and again, I think it was more about being in the studios and around the workings of them rather than the actual tattoo.

Maybe that’s why I have them all covered now!

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But I was addicted to the industry and I wanted to know everything there was to know. I was always planning something or thinking about it, probably boring my friends to death always talking about it!

My parents weren't too happy about my fascination with tattooing but told me if I could show them that there was any way of getting work from it, they would let me put my main focus on art at school but unfortunately at the time, no local studios would open their doors, not even for free work experience. I ended up focusing on media studies, thinking that it just wasn't a realistic career move.

When I turned eighteen, I had been making more ambitious plans and wanted to start a full back piece.

It was about a year into working at this that my artist; Snoopy (Tattoos by Snoopy, Glengormley) agreed to let me help out in the shop and try to learn what I could from watching him work. That was a life changing moment.

From that day, I never returned to my university course or my job in M&S. I was fully committed and never felt as comfortable making a decision in my life; that’s if I even waited a second to make it!l’ve been tattooing for four years now and they have been the best and most interesting, exciting and challenging years yet. Not a day goes by when I’m not learning something new, artistically and technically.

I like to explore different styles and do a wide variation of work. I’m always looking for new inspirations and given the volumes of amazing tattoo artists in the world, I have new inspiration by the load! I don’t want to be dedicated to one style as I feel it keeps the interest and mind working, to try and improve at the different styles that are available, to be more diverse. It’s good to challenge yourself.

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I’ve always said from a young age that the high paying doctor and lawyer jobs weren’t for me, that it was important to be happy and I really couldn’t be happier.

I’m working at my dream job and I look forwards to it everyday!

Snoopy’s studio is great, its so relaxed and friendly and he has really been the best mentor to me. I grew up going into studios that were full of intimidating staff and very little communication between tattooists and customers so now I am so grateful to be somewhere that I feel makes clients feel welcome and comfortable. I love my customers! I have a lot of really cool pieces and having a client trust you with their body, that’s amazing.

There really are no words for that. I still have days when I’m driving to work and it sinks in and it’s like a whole new wave of appreciation. That definitely keeps me humble.

I worked my first convention last year, the Titanic International Tattoo Convention Belfast which I will be attending again this year as well as the International Amsterdam Tattoo Convention. It’s such an incredible feeling, working alongside artists that I love and aspire to and booking my first international clients for Amsterdam is almost incomprehensible at this point. It’s definitely a ‘pinch me’ moment haha.

Tattooing has been such an amazing lifestyle to me so far, and that’s what it is, something you eat, sleep and breathe. I’m so excited to see what it holds in the future!

Blue Sphynx Tattoo in association with Tattoos by Snoopy, 15A Ballyclare Road, Glengormley, County Antrim, BT36 SEU Phone:07823883422 christinestattoos@hotmail.com

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Dark Horse Collective 31-33 Boldmere Road Sutton Coldfield B73 5UY

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Jamie Lee Knott, co-owner of Dark Horse Collective tattoo studio in Sutton Coldfield, is a rising talent known for his bold New Traditional style in tattooing.

Although Jamie knew he had an artistic talent from a young age, he had never considered it as a career opportunity. It wasn't until after a few varied jobs that Jamie was introduced to the industry by a few of his fellow students during his time studying Journalism at Wolverhampton University. After being acquainted with a few local artists he found himself hooked.

Jamie never had the opportunity to serve an apprenticeship under another tattooist but Martin Jackson of Panther Crew tattoo studio in Wolverhampton, provided guidance with aspects such as health and safety, equipment and technique.

This, alongside extensive research, was enough for Jamie to launch himself into his new venture. After spending six months self-teaching and practicing on family and friends. Jamie was offered his first studio position in Eye Candy Tattoos in Willenhall, where he stayed for a year before moving on to Vivid Ink in Sutton where he tattooed for a further two years.

It was during this time that Jamie really developed himself as an individual artist in the tattoo world and found his true passion in the area of New Traditional, evading his original thoughts of becoming a predominately black and grey artist.

“I think the main reason is I prefer to draw what is in my head and see that transition to the skin rather than being dictated by reference. I’m able to put my own spin on things by tattooing in the New Traditional style as opposed to realism.”

During the two years Jamie spent at Vivid Ink, he found himself dedicated to leading his work down the path of New Traditional before deciding to open his own studio alongside good friend and talented artist, Rich Harris.

“We were so excited to get started that we put an offer in on the first premise we saw and just eight weeks later,Dark Horse Collective was open for business.”

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Dark Horse Collective initially opened with a four-man team; Jamie, Rich, apprentice Kirsten Pettitt, who has since developed into a full-time artist producing beautiful work and Jamie’s tremendously supportive partner, Emma Regan who manages the studio as well as being the resident Body Piercer and Laser Removal Technician The team strived to open a relaxed and welcoming studio, a “studio that focused on the art and treated every client as an individual, a tattoo studio run by artists.”

The studio features a large open area, which has separate booths for each of the artists as well as private rooms if the client prefers and also private rooms for piercing and laser treatment.

Its important for Dark Horse Collective that their clients feel as comfortable as possible and so they have added extra touches such as having TV’s in each booth,which can be a perfect distraction tool!

“We pride ourselves on being as professional as possible but still maintaining a friendly and approachable atmosphere. We want to ensure that everyone that comes to our studio leaves nothing less than 100% happy, weather they’re in for a full sleeve, a nose piercing or have just popped in for a chat! Each client will have a direct consultation with the artist of their choice and each artist is capable of bringing something entirely different to the table.”

Since opening Dark Horse Collective, the studio has brought five awards to their hall of fame; three of which are Jamie’s own personal achievements; “My most recent award was at Manchester Tea Party where I won Best Traditional.

To say I wasn’t expecting it would be an understatement!

I was competing against some amazing artists that I have looked up to for a very long time, and to win an award for the style of tattooing I most prefer just made it even better.”

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opening; being featured in their local newspaper three times now and look forwards to exciting new ventures, starting with their shop renovation to provide for their clientèle’s demands.

Jamie is hoping to finalise dates for some exciting guest spots working alongside hugely talented artists at studios throughout the UK as well as starting their sponsorship of their local football team, Sutton Town.

As humble as always, Jamie ends by telling us “The support from our clients has been brilliant and we couldn’t have imagined things going any better, we now have four full time artists, Emma doing the piercing and laser and two apprentices. All of us have a very loyal client base and more and more people coming to us each day.

The support we have received from our clients means everything to us, and we really wouldn’t be where we are without them.

I’m very proud of what we’ve created so far and my main goal for the future is to simply keep producing work that I am proud of, enjoy and ensuring that all of my clients are 100% happy!

“We are very excited to see what the future holds for Dark Horse Collective.”

You can contact and follow Jamie and the rest of the team at Dark Horse Collective, 31-33 Boldmere Road.

Sutton Coldfield, B73 SUV.

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Rob Ratcliffe

Rob Ratcliffe is a well-respected member of the industry and owner of Border Rose tattoo studio in Littleborough, Rochdale.

After studying Art and Design at Rochdale College, Rob moved on - to Technical Illustration, in a time well before computers were used as an industry standard.

After finding this to be boring and uninspiring. Rob propelled himself into tattooing and began working with local legend, Johnny Sparks. Rob served an old school apprentice..sh1p, learning all about the inner workings of the technical aspects of tattooing, from learning to make his own needles and pigment to designing and building his own tattoo machines and power packs. Rumoured to be the most lasered man in Europe, Rob has lasered over 40% of his body which as since been tattooed over as part of Rob’s project to achieve a full Japanese-style body suit by industry master; Filip Leu. This in itself is a reflection of Rob’s comes to his own work as although he is well experienced in all styles of tattooing, including his wealth of knowledge in the cover up area of expertise.

Rob’s preferred style of work is large scale Japanese pieces. As well as being hugely successful himself, being featured in magazines such as Skin Deep and Total Tattoo and working conventiofls across the world, Rob runs a thriving studio, which hosts two other full time artists; Andy De'blasio, James Marland and apprentice Maaike DeHaan.

Body piercing and laser treatment are also offered at the studio from Liz Kenworthy as well as laser treatment by Billy Jones. It’s-a friendly studio where customers are welcomed to call in for queries or to discuss projects for all styles of tattooing, including custom work, re-do’s of older designs and cover ups.

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The studio will not replicate other tattoo designs but will be happy to design your own unique piece and has an extensive range of flash for inspiration.

You can catch up with Rob at The International Amsterdam Tattoo Convention in May and The Titanic International Tattoo Convention Belfast this August.

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ART 39

Neville Longmore Abstract Artist

Neville is a past pupil of the University of Ulster at Belfast specialising in acrylics on canvas, automatic drawing, print, digital art, animation, music and sculpture.

Nevilles art is abstract and when he sees imagery he will let it happen. He believes the viewer is as important as the artist and what the see transforms how he sees.

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Victor Nesterovic My Name Is Victor Nesterovic, I am a Dublin based Freelance Artist. I’ve been into arts since I was five years old but got more interested in my twenties which is when I created first my first drawing.

My obsession with art started when a friend and I thought it would be a great idea to stencil up a t-shirt with spray paint, it didn’t work out really well, considering my skills nowadays, but anyway, we loved it, so at that stage we started experimenting with t-shirts every weekend or so ... We moved on from spray painting to airbrushing which was an improvement cause we used less stencils,more hand painting.

On my spare time off my airbrushing was improving with drawings on paper, mostly with Prismacolor markers, pencils, ballpoint pens which I prefer the most to this day.

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Despite the fact I prefer Traditional Art, I do draw with Wacom Stylus from time to time, but I try to stick up with traditional art as much as possible,because everything’s digital these days already. I love drawing horror & macabre drawings and everything else that co e, to my loony world of ideas!

My inspirations would be everyone that has anything to do with street art, tattoos, alternative modelling and horror!

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Mari Almeida

Mari Almeida, an accomplished athlete who will be representing her home country of Brazil in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, is not only a model for the fashion industry, but also a role model for people with disabilities.

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Mari lost her left leg at age 15 as a result of a motorcycle accident, but that somehow turned her into a more extraordinary person.

Her athletic debut was in track and field, where she broke the national record in her class at both the long jump and javelin throw events. She gained further recognition by being the first amputee woman to complete long distance foot races (10 to 21km) on crutches in Brazil. But it was in adapted sailing that Mari went the farthest. She competed in the Adapted Sailing World Championships in the Netherlands between May 24th and 28th , 2016, in preparation for the Games in Rio in September.

Mari makes a point not to hide her disability and displays a disconcerting sense of confidence and togetherness, as she naturally goes out and about, either wearing prostheses or on crutches. In people’s minds, a disabled person and a beautiful woman by definition dot not fit together, and often fall in boxes that are diametrically opposed. Very often, the sight of Mari graciously strutting around on a high heel, walking down the catwalk, or deftly running a half marathon on crutches stuns people as they are forced to reconcile these two impossible features in one person. She drives that message home more directly on speaking engagements, such as the recent TEDx Sao Paulo in March this year.

Her message: “Don’t let other people tell you what you can or cannot do! Believe in your dreams and go after them wholeheartedly, you won’t believe what amazing things can happen!”

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I am a single mother with three beautiful children. I work in a private day nursery.

My main interest was training in the gym where I used to compete at a high level. My world revolved around training, dieting and competing! I loved it, although the judges didn't appreciate the tattoos and shaved head! In that world they mark you down for being different.

Unfortunately my first love was taken from me when I was diagnosed with a very rare muscle wasting disease.

Dermatomyositis. I lost three stone of muscle in less than a year. It was a giant kick in the guts. I was really sick. It was out of my control. However instead of dwelling on the

Heather Mclean

negative (quite frankly I was mortally depressed every time I looked in the mirror) I regrouped and battled on. I changed my goals.

I still train in the gym. I beast my tiny baby weights. But I took the opportunity to embrace my other love which was frowned upon in the competing world. Tattoos! If I weren’t such a wuss I’d be covered head to toe by now. I got my first tattoo at 14! And slowly started a collection. I love old school traditional tattoos. Amongst many other styles.

None of mine have any deep meaning. I just got them cos I like them. Although I do have my mum and dad on there, with me for life!

In the future I would like every inch of skin covered. I’m an all or nothing kind of girl. My mum asks me what the heck am I going to look like when I’m an old lady. Well I reckon I’ll look pretty awesome! Grey hair with a blue rinse, wrinkly skin covered in tattoos! They say you never feel any older, even when you’re eighty, until you look in the mirror. So in that case, I’ll never change! Xxx 56

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Sebastian Pawlick

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Having done only a little modelling back home in his Native Poland when he was younger Sebastian only started to take a serious interest fairly recently.

Moving to Belfast originally to study music a keen hobby evolved in amateur Photography along with a group of friends.

Someone suggest that Sebastian stood at the other side of camera and the results turned out to be pleasantly surprising.

Sebastian’s friend encouraged him to have more photos taken to begin building up a relationship with more local professional photographers to make a portfolio of images to use.

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Approached various model agency’s both in NI and England Sebastian resize it was quite difficult to determine which agency’s were legitimate and which were only to there to try to scam you out of money.

They were all so pleasant and promised so much until the point came when they explained they did not have to pay!

Experiences like that made me feel quite deflated and I often wondered if there was any point in pursuing what had now become a bit of a dream.

Encouragement from others helped Sebastian to remain focused and so he persisted in looking for more unpaid work and working with professional photographers to help to raise his profile.

Sebastian took part in the Mr British Empire contest in the summer of 2015 which he says was an enjoyable experience where he met a lot of lovely people who have now become good friends.

Since then Sebastian tells us he has gained a wealth of experience within different events such as wedding shows, fashion shows and promotional evening for MUA’s and hair stylist.

Sebastian has worked with different Photographers both north and south of Ireland and continuously accumulates more shoots building further to his portfolio which works well for both he and his photographers.

Using social media Sebastian applied for modeling work that he finds would be more suitable and has taken part in designer cat walk/runway shows in Dublin.

Sebastian has now been accepted to model in A.F.W and later in the year he will be traveling to Paris to take part of their fashion week.

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Sebastian Pawlick

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Photographer Sebastian Bauer 66

Leon Krieft aka Lèon World I always wanted to be different, stand out from the crowd. In the nationwide tattoos, people look surprised but appreciative.

My father Martin Krieft is a photographer and I had to serve as a model child. There I learnt how to pose properly and how to behave in front of a camera. I love to meet so many interesting people and cultures . That’s why I love shooting in other countries. My dream is to travel the world meet new and wonderful people and experience many beautiful-cultures.

Belfast Alternative Fashion Festival in Northern Ireland is another part of the world that is allowing my dream to come true and I am so delighted and looking forward to being a part of it in November 2016.

Leon is also currently the International FACE of ACE The Alternative Commercial Equal Agency.

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Photographer Leon Cool 68

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Photographer Sebastian Bauer

Photographer Falk Rothaar

Photographer Falk Rothaar 70

FASHION 71

Anna Brogan Anna Brogan is a local photographer from Castlewellan, Co. Down. She has been studying photography at the Ulster University, Belfast since 2012, graduating this summer.

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During her studies she has been involved in several collaborations with other photographers, artists, models etc. She completed an exchange year in The Netherlands at the Royal Academy of Arts (KABK), in the Hague between 2014-2015. Among her return she has been focusing on building her practice and expanding her portfolio, particularly in the local community!

"I feel there is always a narrative within my pictures, it may be based from a personal experience or just a fictional story. I am always experimenting with technique and challenging myself to improve from each project.

One thing that has always stood out, is my fascination with people. I am intrigued by mannerisms, expressions, emotions and how they can portray an experience!"

She feels very strongly about collaborations!

“Belfast is quite a small place, everyone knows everyone.

Everyone has mutual friends or connections. There is so much creativity and talent within our little city through music, art, photography, design, theatre, performance. I think it’s a pleasure that we can collaborate and support each other learn and grow. I love to work with others and share ideas. We should never take that for granted”.

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Haus of MoHawk

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This inspiring designer will not be drifting into the world of oblivion any time soon as the fashion world has many prosperous avenues for her ready to explore.

The Haus Of MoHawk is an award winning international Northern Irish fashion brand established by Strabane native Lynsey Mc Garrigle.

After recently gracing the runway of the House of iKons during London Fashion Week February 2016 in aid of the Princes Trust 40th anniversary, has been named as one of the top six designers of the show and is now set to be featured in the global market of Beijing, China at the House of iKons launch in the world renowned Four Seasons Hotel alongside five other international designer from across the globe.

Specialising in bespoke occasional wear the brand prides itself on the premise “Always Dare To Be Different” which is at the very heart of its design ethos. Founded in 2013, the Haus Of MoHawk has gained notoriety from winning numerous fashion awards and designing for high profiled clients, for both local and international events.

The brand has featured in Australia, America, Asia and Europe in a variety on different media publications, fashion shows and television. The Haus Of MoHawk is a brand which prides itself on standing out from the crowd, causing head turning moments and being the visual outlet of self expression for their wearers.

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Aleah Leigh

INTERVIEW WITH ANGELA CARSON & Kl ERAN SHERRY Qt. What is your favourite Colour?

A1. red all the way and anything with sparkles Q2. Has Art been something you grew into over the years or were you born with the gift?

A2. My mum was and still is very arty she would always come up with things for us to create together still now she is an amazing artist and is definitely where I get my talent from.

Q3. What is your favourite raw material?

A3. News paper has to be my favourite material to work with you can create so many different looks and textures with it, you can turn it in to anything and best of all no one ever expects it.

Q4. If you were granted three wishes that could only be used for the purposes of Art , what would they be?

A4. Great question and a very hard one, first wish would be that trees grow clothing so in the less fortunate countries they can pick their clothes straight of the tree.

2nd wish would be for a never ending roll of material that changed in to a different colour or texture every day.

3rd wish would be to be able to touch anything with my one finger and it would turn into material.

Q5. As an Artist myself I was self taught from early childhood, 3 years old, but when going through the education system we were taught to perfect the skill of recreating what we seen into either an analytical sculpture,painting or drawing. Once a high standard of that was achieved I was 18 years old, then we were challenged to undo those skills and think “Out

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of the Box”. It took some getting used to but once I could unravel the norm it was great fun. Anything became possible! I think you have an Out of the Box approach to Art which is fascinating and exciting as we never know what is coming next but we know that it will be thought provoking, nourishing and fun.

So, my question is when did you start thinking “Out of the box” have you always been a daring Artist or did this come later in life?

AS. My very first dress I made I made it out of news paper I was living in a hostel and had no money so I use to find anything I could and turn it into a garment, I am self taught in all I know.

When I get fabric or an item I see a pattern in my head of how to create it . My favourite saying is everything can be anything you just have to find a way to create it.

I have always been outside the box and at first people did not get my designs, I received a lot of criticism but I always kept going because I love what I do and that’s all that matters to me.

Q6. How did the idea for making a dress from Train Tickets arise and why did you decide to go through with it?

A6. It was something I had thought about for awhile and my original ticket dress was made entirely of my own travel tickets and I call the piece “The Journey of Aleah Leigh”.

I had collected them for years and when I got booked to make eco-designs for the Paddington art centre netting hill carnival I asked my local train station who loved

the idea and gave me bags of tickets, after they had seen what I had created Chiltern Railways asked me to make a dress for them and we did a great campaign for the anniversary of the Hammersmith line.

Subsequently Virgin seen my dress and booked me to do a project with them which I then created the worlds first dress designed to fit over a wheel chair and it was made out of train tickets.

Ticket Dress & Suitcase & Background Lights Model Former Pussycat Dolls member and presenter of ITV’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Ashley Roberts 81

Ticket Dress & Suitcase & Background Lights Model Former Pussycat Dolls member and presenter of ITV's Saturday Night Takeaway, Ashley Roberts 82

Q7a. A spider and a silk worm create Silk naturally.

Sheep make wool and the Cotton plant makes Cotton. Technically Linen is a vegetable as the Linen fabric is made from the cellulose fibres that grow inside of the stalks of the Flax Plant. Our amazing natural world provides us with so much bounty for our benefit. We can harness these natural raw materials renew-ably without killing the animal or insect in the process unlike some people do with fur or leather. The plants can be replanted. If you were an animal, insect or plant that could make a fabric for humans to wear, what animal would you be and what material would you make for us?

A7a. I love birds and if I was an animal I would be an eagle and I would shed my feather for you to make beautiful soft designs out of.

A7b. I really do not like insects but if I had to chose I would be a spider and make web lace designs.

Q7c. What plant would you be and what material would you make?

A7c. I love Aloe vera it is really good for you so I would make a healing dress out of the leaves and jell so when you wear the design it would help your body rejuvenate.

Q8. Have you a particular ethos or mantra that you go by to guide you through the Artistic Landscapes in life?

A8. I like to try use as much natural or recycled product as I can, I hate waste so I always try to reuse as much as possible and I always like to shoot with nature, the world is the biggest canvas of art after all.

Q9. Who is your top 3 favourite artist’s?

A9. Stella McCartney, Salvador Dali and Banksey to me they our visionaries and create their dreams through art and any cost.

Q10. Do you have a well thought out methodical approach to your work or is it a free for all in the mind, or a bit of both. How would you describe your thought process when in the creative zone?

A10. I am one of those people who do not stop every day

I get ideas everything I see gives me a vision and once I have it I have to create it, I take a pad to bed and every where I go because once I have it in my mind it has to be made into reality Q11. We at Equal Fashion Magazine are massive fans of your work, may I ask when will your new collection will be out this year?

A11. My next collection will be seen at Aberdeen fashion week with Lemunto Lydia on the 23rd 24th April 2016 then you will be able to see my Couture collection at the Global Short Film Awards in Cannes with Andres Aquino.

Q12. What has inspired you for this seasons collections & where have y,our ideas come from?

A12. I always find this question so hard to answer. I know what I want to make but then I will see another fabric and completely change my mind and make something else.

My ideas for my collection are always if I would not wear it I would not ever show it ! I love to do womens wear and I either want to make you look a strong feminine lady or completely ga ga, either way I believe it is the way you make people feel in the clothes, how you present them to the public and if you can connect with them and make them feel good they will feel good in your designs.

Q13. Other than your amazing collection that your working on I hear you have the contract for dressing the contestants on Strictly Come Dancing which is amazing. May we ask how this came about?

A13. I cannot answer this question unfortunately hunny!

Instead we can talk about Ascot as I will be designing a hats collection this year with a fellow hat designer called Janice Charles .Together we will be creating a hat collection based on sports teams as asked by the British polio fellowship. As an ambassador to them I regularly do projects with them to generate media attention and give out information about PPS post polio syndrome. This year all the ambassadors will be wearing mascots for Ascot 16th June.

Q14. What is your favourite Colour? Red all the way and anything with sparkles.

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Red Dress girl on fire design full production by Aleah Leigh 84

Ticket Dress & Suitcase & Background Lights Model Former Pussycat Dolls member and presenter of ITV’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Ashley Roberts

Photography by Glenn Cockerill of Aleah Leighs Collection for the Premier League 85

BOTTLES: Aleah Leigh - Dragon Lady Productions Photographer: Deborah Selwood Hair: Mum Net Make up: Samina Khan Model: Vivienne Emily Tay Shade: RadikalVip Lara Oliveras Jewelry: Calleesy Jewellery & Gifts

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Aleah Leigh - Dragon Lady Productions

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Aleahleighwoods@hotmail.co.uk 88

BUSINESS 89

MUSIC 93

Described as “one of today’s most exciting new operatic voices” (Independent), South African soprano Pumeza Matshikiza is one of today’s rising opera stars. An exclusive Decca Classics recording artist, her debut album “Voice of Hope” was released in 2014.

Her second album is slated for release in spring 2016.

Pumeza Matshikiza

SOPRANO

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Pumeza Matshikiza kicks off the 15/16 season singing solo concerts in Copenhagen, Gothenburg and Krakow.

include Mimì (La Bohème), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Ännchen (Der Freischütz), Zerlina (Don Giovanni) and Pamina (Die Zauberflöte).

In October she makes her debut with the Orchestra dell’Accademia Santa Cecilia in Rome, singing the world premiere of Luca Francesconi’s Bread, Water and Salt, based on the famous speech by Nelson Mandela.

Pumeza Matshikiza studied at the University of Cape Town College of Music and the Royal College of Music with a full scholarship. Roles at the RCM included Marenka (The Bartered Bride), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus), Concepcion (L’heure espagnole), Poppea (L’incoronazione di Poppea) and Contessa (Le nozze di Figaro). The young soprano also participated in masterclasses with renowned artists such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Thomas Allen, Renata Scotto, Joan Rogers, Paul Farrington, Philip Langridge and Ileana Cotrubas. She has worked with accompanists Malcolm Martineau, Julius Drake and Simon Lepper.

The concerts that open Santa Cecelia’s season are led

by Sir Antonio Pappano and broadcast live on TV and radio. The piece is repeated as part of Radio France’s Festival Présence in February 2016, Mikko Franck is conducting the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.

On the operatic stage, Pumeza Matshikiza is singing Mimì (La Bohème) and as well as making her role debut as Micaëla (Carmen), both at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, where she has been an ensemble member for four years already. Pumeza Matshikiza can be heard singing in recitals in London, Amsterdam and Salle Gaveau in Paris. The CD release concert of her new album is schedule for March 2016 in Aarhus. She also joins Rolando Villazón for concerts at the BASF Feierabendhaus Ludwigshafen as well as Schloss Salem and gives a solo concert at the Festival de la Vézère, France, before closing the season with a recital at the Rheinvokal Festival.

Recent engagements include her debut as Eve in the world premiere of Giorgio Battistelli’s CO2 at Teatro all Scala in Milan, Dido in Dido and Aeneas with the English Concert Orchestra at the Bristol Old Vic as part of the Bristol Proms series; two concerts with the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra in Denmark; an appearance at the BBC Proms in the Park and a concert tour with Rolando Villazón that took her to Vienna’s Konzerthaus, Paris’ Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Laeiszhalle Hamburg, Gasteig Munich, Kuppelsaal Hanover, Tonhalle Düsseldorf and Helsinki.

Pumeza Matshikiza was a member of the Jette Parker Young Artists’ Programme at the Royal Opera House from 2007-2009 and could be heard as Blumenmädchen in Wagner’s Parsifal, Slave in Strauss’ Salome, Innocent (The Minotaur), Witch in Dido and Aeneas, Sandmann (Hänsel und Gretel) and Tebaldo in Verdi’s Don Carlo, conducted by Antonio Pappano. In January, 2010 Pumeza Matshikiza was awarded with the 1st Prize in the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition and became an Associate Artist of the Classical Opera Company, singing the title role in Mozart’s Zaide for which she was awarded with the Patrick Fyffe-Dame Hilda Brackett Prize.

Recent roles in Stuttgart where the soprano has been member of the ensemble for the past three seasons 95

Steve Jones An in depth and thoroughly enjoyable insight into the musical mind,emotions and inspirations of Steven Jones

Photo Credits: Janice Long, Simon Watson, John Newstead, Simon Watson.

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"I've always felt a very deep connection to music. It's a lifelong romance. I think I've been responding to music from my very early childhood. And I mean very early, before memory, aged two or three. This connection to music was intuitive and emotional. The first song I was ever conscious of was 'Anyone Who Had A Heart' by Cilla Black. It's the first song I had thoughts about. The first time I was conscious of responding emotionally to a song. I didn't know who was singing or what the song was about, but I felt something because of it. I see this as the beginning of my journey in music. I still think that Cilla's is the definitive version of this classic song but it carries an extra layer of meaning for me because of my early relationship with it."

As Steven grew up, his love of music evolved, specifically his love of recorded music. He became obsessed with listening to albums, spending hours with headphones jammed to his ears, gazing at lyrics and artwork. The first album he owned was ABBA's 'Arrival' and he knew all the words and felt all the emotions! "It was like a secret world opening up to me".

Steven tells us "I was an emotional child and I think I discerned that music offered a space in which to express complex or difficult emotions, feelings that were perhaps too obscure to define using words and that really is a power in music, its ability to broaden our means of expression, to take us beyond concepts to a space of pure feeling. Unconsciously, I knew this as I was growing up. My parents listened to Country music and soul but as I grew older I was increasingly drawn to electronic music, finding a new glamour in albums by Human League, Kraftwerk and Japan. They seemed like a doorway into a more exciting and colourful world. And suddenly a new and beguiling visual element presented itself. Stylishly ambiguous boys singing songs wearing cool clothes and lots of makeup! One of my school friends collected 12" singles by bands like Ultravox and Visage so chilly autumn evenings were often spend listening to 'Lament' or 'The Anvil'. Suburban winters were made much more intriguing by this music.

This same friend gave me a copy The Damned Don't Cry by Visage (again a 12") and I was mesmerised by its sadness and beauty.

The loneliness of some of those teenage evenings found its expression in that song. And how odd that a song can follow you through life like The Damned Don't Cry has followed me. I think it's natural for anyone who has spent as much time as I have listening to music, to one day seek to create it. I've always wanted to record music.

I dreamed of making an album. I was fascinated by the process of recording music and by the almost mythical environment of the recording studio.

In the years before home recording software, recording my own music was quite an elaborate scenario. FInally, opportunity presented itself. A school friend, during long afternoons immersed in the albums of Kate Bush, decided that we would begin to write songs rather like hers. We scribbled esoteric lyrics about moonlight and drowning and then headed down to a local recording studio, Pentagon, to turn these poems into demos. The technology at the studio seemed amazing. Six tracks to record on and an actual vocal booth! Synths too! We put down two songs, 'Moths (All Our Dead Voices) and 'We Drown'. Three weeks later, and after some serious mixing, we heard these songs on cassette. Amazing.

Actual recorded music! We took some moody shots in a photo booth, glued them to the cassettes and sent them off to all the major record labels. They didn't reply!

I went to university in York and about this time I started to explore a new world of club life and the energy of the dancefloor! The word 'Thrill' is one of my favourites terms. I think electronic music should always contain some euphoria, some dark pulsing energy even if sometimes the vibe is melancholic. The most potent pop and dance tracks combine sadness with joy.

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Live music photography by John Newstead working with Simon Watson Photography

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There's something shamanic in losing oneself on the dancefloor at 3am. It's pagan. It's a catharsis. My student days in York were characterised by literature and acting during the day and a nightclub called Roxy's by night.

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays meant surrendering to the music of Soft Cell, Prince, Sisters of Mercy. Bowie, Iggy Pop,Pet Shop Boys.

Music opened a space in which to dance, to connect, to express. All dressed up with somewhere to go! And somewhere in the midst of this party culture, the old impulse to produce my own music remained constant. So again, I found ways to to make primitive recordings.

This time using the four track tape recorder owned by a friend. I multi-tracked vocals and created tracks that were free-form and almost unlistenable.

All in the name of art. I wrote a song called The Man Behind The Mask which echoes around in my head to this day. I played Brass In Pocket by The Pretenders so many times on the Students Union Juke Box that the guy behind the bar was forced to unplug it.

I think it's far more interesting to be transcendently beautiful! An aloof otherworldly quality. Bowie had it.

Grace Jones has it. Steve Strange had it. I bought French Vogue to look at photographs of makeup.

Covered my walls with Man Ray post cards and became intrigued by the eroticism of Spanish movies. I bought vintage clothes to look Byronic and enjoyed wearing lots of makeup. I remember feeling flashes of complete freedom.

We drank Pernod and Black until it coloured our lips purple...Life is dynamic ,there are highs and there are lows. I'm at my happiest when I feel I’m being authentic and creative. I'm at my lowest when I feel misunderstood and rejected.

A creative life manifests both of these circumstances easily! But I'm stubborn and will always continue doing what I love even when I’m discouraged. The secret is to keep on connecting and keep the flow flowing!"

The year I graduated we were dancing to Love Shack by The B52s and I was daydreaming to the albums of Talk Talk. So many songs forming a soundtrack to the years.

I've always felt like an outsider feeling drawn to otherness and glamorous strangeness.

So I took my inspiration from artists who expressed emotions and experiences that seemed to me to be outside the mainstream.

Kate Bush for her incredible imagination both musically and visually. Bowie for giving us permission to be really bizarre if we wanted to be. David Sylvian for the chic suits, big hair and the eye shadow (three of my favourites!). I'm attracted to glamour and style. Not specifically to trends or to the fashion industry but to clothes and makeup that can transform and reinvent.

I love beauty which is somehow separate to sexiness.

These days, people seem obsessed with being sexy.

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PHOTOGRAPHY

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Ed Fielding PHOTOGRAPHER

Edward Fielding has been a Professional Music Photographer for over 12 years specialising in live music photography and promo work.

With works associated to Paloma Faith/ Simple Minds / Laura Mvula and Black Star Riders the results show Edwards images are breathtaking.

Edward currently works for o2 Academy Group / The Hype Media / Siren Artist Group.

MOBILE - 07403485815

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Aleksandra Eqa Chmiel

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As a child I wanted to be an artist. Painting pictures, drawing, designing clothes and interiors. Life decided otherwise and I finished an economic school and became an accountant. Having the art in my heart meant I never stopped being an artist. I always saw the world differently than most people. two years ago I decided I would come back to what I really loved. Creation, Art, Magic. All of that I could get from the photography. Six months later I bought a professional camera and started a beautiful journey with it. From the start I wanted my images to be artistic, magical, eye catching. Mostly my images are very colourful, positive, showing the subjects from a different perspective (this is how I see the world). They started to be magical when I learned how to process them properly. It was June 2015.

My first models were my own pets. Later I started taking my camera with me everywhere and during a walk through the town or park I asked owners of dogs if I can take a picture of their pets. They were surprised but I never heard no. No matter if dog was pure breed or mix/cross, young or old they all were fantastic humans’ companions and I wanted to show it on my images.

When I mastered a pet photos I started working on humans.

First I had a problem as I did not have a model. So decided to take my own portraits. Thanks to it some models came along -amateurs and professional and I could build my portfolio. How to take a good picture I was It took me some time but now I see the whole scene and know how to setup it when I start a photo shoot. Usually from the beginning I know what image I want to get and how I process it.

This is like having a vision of the final result. A vision of what I want to create on the photo makes the whole process very special for me. I love every step which leads to the final image. Preparing for the photos shoot, discussing with the models clothes and accessories, taking pictures, processing them. For time to time I do some special projects which allow me to show my artistic skills (themed photos shoots: forest fairy tale, vampire etc.). And this is how ACE came into my life. I am so proud they asked me to be their artist-photographer it makes me feel very special.

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Prepared by MagCloud for WORLD EQUAL Magbook. Get more at worldequal.magcloud.com.

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