BANK ROBBERY: HOW some BANKS STEAL YOUR MONEY
EDGAR RAPHAEL
EDM
FASHION&ART
A HISTORY OF MUSIC
Gamili E Collection
STREAMING
MAMI.TV BUGATTI GALIBIER 16C 2015
SARA STOKES STRIKES AGAIN
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MAMiMagazine Content
10 Spring Break Tips
52 City & Chic
12 Red Black White
60 Ashley Channel
18 History of EDM
66 Sara Stokes
22 Empire
76 2015 Bugatti Galibier 16C Concept 82 ReverbNation Top20
What to do when you are OUT THERE Fashion Editorial
Electronic Music turns 40 Fox’s new hit series.
32 Flux
Fashion Editorial
40 Gamili E
Designer Spotlight
44 Bank Robbery
How Banks Are Stealing Your Money
48 SPES
A Charity Worth Helping
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Fashion Editorial Beauty Queen
Reality Calls
Music
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Taraji P Henson as “Cookie “ in Fox’s Empire
SPRING
rebirth
Ahh Spring.. a time of ReBirth and ReInvention.. once again MAMi Magazine delivers.. drink it up.. and keep it on your coffee table.
Publisher: Algie deWitt IV Managing Editor Jake Witt Editors Asia Nicholas Eric Ouaknine Vee Vera Ochia Advertising/ Business Dev. 8564415036 Marketing MAMi Media
all content copyright 2015 MAMi Media may not be used without written permission. MAMi Media, LLC
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Photographer: Edgar Raphael Models: Rodrigo Santos & Mikaela de Castro Fashion: Fernanda Brito Make Up & Hair: Natali Esteves Photo Assistant: Pierre Mollier
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I Tips for
8 SPRING BREAK
Do us all a favor (including yourself ) and party smart. Be responsible. Pace yourself if you choose to drink, and avoid hard alcohol or other drinks that are powerful and have fast effects.
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t’s that time of year again when thousands of college students and young adults will flock to the far reaches of the world for spring break. Wherever your travels take you, it’s best to adopt the Boy Scout’s motto,”Be Prepared.”
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Preparation
rrive safely. Traffic death rates are three times higher at night than during the day. This means an all-night drive to Florida or any other sunny locale is not a good idea. If you can’t avoid night driving, have someone stay up to talk you.
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locked and important belongings like passports and wallets are in the safe. For added security, consider bringing along a portable door stop alarm like that from SABRE, a manufacturer of security products for both law enforcement and the general public. The door stop alarm can alert you
MEMORY
nsure you know the name of your hotel. Memorize the hotel’s address, and take a card to give cab drivers (especially if you don’t know the language).
BUDDY UP Employ the buddy system. Never leave a party with a stranger, but if you do, consider carrying a pepper gel key ring with you.
SAFE DRINKING Practice safe drinking. Always have one
friend who plans on minimal drinking to look out for everyone and watch cups and glasses as well. Only accept drinks you’ve watched get made or poured in front of you.
SUNSCREEN
Drink water and wear sunscreen. Too much time in the sun can leave you dehydrated and at risk for sunburn or sun poisoning. Take a water bottle and sunscreen when you go out.
TAXI!
If you are hailing a taxi, ask ahead for a typical price. This is especially important in countries where taxis don’t have meters. If there is no meter, you must negotiate the fee before you agree to the ride. The front desk of your hotel is a great resource to tell you how much a ride should cost.
BACKPACK SECURITY
If you are going to carry a backpack, consider getting a small lock for your zipper and keep the key in your pocket. Another theft reduction is to carry your backpack on your front instead of your back in crowded areas.
SEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT INTERNSHIP? DRINKIN THIS SPRING BREAK? OF COURSE.. BUT JUST IN Always CASE.choose experience over money. As you read this, you are probably shak-
ing your head thinking, “How can I take an unpaid internship and still have spending money?” Regardless of the pay, the purpose of the internship is to proDo us all a favor (including yourself ) and party smart. Be responsible. Pace yourvide you with experience. If you shy away from unpaid or lower wage internships self if you choose to drink, and avoid hard alcohol or other drinks that are powyou could be missing out on an opportunity that could help you grow profeserful and have fast effects. (And remember that drunks = easy targets.) Also be sionally and personally. Use the connections and resources you have available. aware of alcohol poisoning. According to a University of Wisconsin study, 75 perYour professors, family and friends want to help you succeed. Reach out to your cent of college males and 43 percent of females reported being intoxicated on network and inquire about internship openings or even if you can use them as a a daily basis during spring break. If you do decide to drink, know the liquor laws reference to attest to your work ethic. Also, take time to speak with your career of wherever you’ll be vacationing. Drinking & driving is always a dangerous situservices department. Not only can they help you tailor your resume, but they can ation, so avoid this by having your safe mode of transportation home planned direct you to your school’s online job resources and possibly introduce you to before you go out. recruiters from companies you are interested in interning with.
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SECURITY Secure your hotel room. Make sure your door is
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HISTORY OF EDM
Electronic dance music (also known as EDM, dance music, club music, or simply dance) is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres produced primarily for dance-based entertainment environments such as nightclubs, raves, and festivals. The music is largely produced for playback by disc jockeys (DJs) and is generally used in the context of a live DJ mixes where the DJ creates a seamless selection of tracks by segueing from one recording to the next.
The acronym “EDM” was adopted by the American music industry and music press as a buzzword to describe the increasingly commercial US electronic dance music scene. “EDM” is the umbrella term for which other genres fall under i.e.; house, Eurodance, trance, techno, trap, dubstep and garage. “EDM” is not a genre of its own but a collected group of subgenres of electronic dance music
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“EARLY ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC” Notable examples include the 1977 collaboration between producer Giorgio Moroder and vocalist Donna Summer on the song “I Feel Love”, a groundbreaking dance hit with no traditional instruments, as well as Kraftwerk and Yellow Magic Orchestra during the late 1970s to early 1980s, and 1980s genres such as electro, early house (particularly Chicago house) and Detroit techno. Electronic dance music (sometimes referred to as EDM, or in the UK simply as dance music) is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered in dance-based entertainment. The music is largely created for use by disc jockeys and is produced with the intention
dating back to 1977. ” ~ lord algie
of it being heard in the context of a continuous DJ set; wherein the DJ progresses from one record to the next via a synchronized segue or “mix” Electronic dance music is a set of percussive music genres that largely stem from the production methods of disco music, techno music, house music, and trance music. Such music was popularized via regional nightclub scenes in the 1980s, the warehouse party scene of the late 1980s, and the early rave scene of the acid house movement in the late 1980s. In the latter half of the 1970s, the disco music scene began to shift away from its traditional orchestration (acoustic orchestras) on its recordings. For example, in 1977, producer Giorgio Moroder worked withDonna Summer to produce “I Feel Love”, a dance/ discothèque hit made using synthesizers and drum machines. In 1979, the pair collaborated again on Donna Summer’s highestselling album, Bad Girls, which incorporated similar production techniques. This sound became a feature of many disco records in the late 1970s and into the 1980s. In the mid-1980s and into the early 1990s, disco’s popularity waned, but electronic production dominated new popular dance music styles, such as electro, Industrial, freestyle, house and techno. By the mid-1990s, the presence of electronic dance music in contemporary culture was noted widely, and its role in society began to be explored in published historical, cultural and social science academic studies. The term electronic dance music was used in America as early as 1985, but didn’t catch on as a genre name until the second half
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“EDM has a long history,
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Mainstream appeal in the United States Electronic dance music achieved limited popular exposure when it was marketed as electronica in America during the mid 1990s.[10] At that time, a wave of dance music acts from the UK, including the The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim and Underworld, had been prematurely associated with an “American electronica revolution.”[11][12] But, instead of EDM finding wider mainstream success, it was relegated to the margins of the industry.[11] Despite the domestic music media interest in “electronica” during the latter half of the 1990s American house and techno producers were still forced to travel abroad if they wanted to establish their careers as DJs and producers.[11]
Some 15 years later, in 2011, Spin magazine reported that the American dance music scene had finally reached critical mass with a “new rave generation” of mainstream consumers having emerged.[11] Both domestic and foreign artists no longer viewed America as the “final frontier” when it came to EDM and the market was now wide open.[11] Today it has become common for established Top 40 artists and producers to infuse elements of popular EDM styles in their music. [9] According to Time Out Chicago, EDM has “become the driving beat behind pop music and product sales, the soundtrack of choice for a new generation.”[13] On December 20, 2012, WHBA, a Class-A FM owned by Clear Channel Communications and serving the Boston metropolitan area, flipped from an Adult Hits format to a dance format with the monicker “Evolution 101.7,” claiming to be “the first real EDM station in the country;” the station soon changed its call letters to WEDX. The station was a extension of Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio platform, also named “Evolution,” and has bought BBC Radio 1 personality and influential EDM icon Pete Tong onboard to produce programming and content for the format. In 2005, the Grammy Awards added a Best Electronic/ Dance Album category, renamed in 2012 to Best Dance/Electronica Album. Winners of the award thus far are Basement Jaxx, The Chemical Brothers(twice), Madonna, Daft Punk, Lady Gaga, La Roux, and Skrillex. In 2012, the American Music Awards added a Favorite Electronic Dance Music category.[15] Artists were nominated based on sales & airplay, and the winner, chosen by fans in online voting, was David Guetta.
Awards Several U.S. music awards mention EDM by name: In 1995, readers of Project X magazine voted for the winners of the first (and only) Electronic Dance Music Awards. In a ceremony organized by the magazine and Nervous Records, award statues were given to Winx, The Future Sound of London, Moby, Junior Vasquez, Danny Tenaglia, DJ Keoki, TRIBAL America Records and Moonshine Records.
Festivals Several EDM-centric American music festivals are held periodically, including the touring Electric Daisy Carnival (1997–present), the Ultra Music Festival in Florida (1999–present), and the Electric Forest Festival in Michigan (2008–present). Other festivals, including Lollapalooza and Coachella have increased the number of EDM acts represented. Rawley Bornstein, an MTV music and talent programmer, described EDM as “the new rock and roll,”[9] as has Lollapalooza organizer Perry Ferrell.[citation needed] Ray Waddell, touring editor at Billboard magazine, noted that festival promoters have done an excellent job at branding.
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of the 1990s, when it was embraced by the American music industry and in academic writing. The term’s use surged in the US in the late 2000s with the mainstream appeal of hybrid styles which were increasingly disconnected from EDM’s relatively underground roots, but remains largely unknown in the UK, where genres of electronic music for dancing are collectively referred to as “dance music”
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LEE DANIELS Finest
“LUCIOUS LYON is the king of hiphop. An immensely talented
artist, the CEO of Empire Entertainment and a former street thug, his reign has been unchallenged for years. ” From Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels (“Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “Precious”) and Emmy Award winner Danny Strong (“Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “Game Change”), comes EMPIRE, a sexy and powerful new drama about the head of a music empire whose three sons and exwife all battle for his throne. LUCIOUS LYON (Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard, “Crash,” “Hustle & Flow”) is the king of hiphop. An immensely talented artist, the CEO of Empire Entertainment and a former street thug, his reign has been unchallenged for years. But all that changes, when he learns he has a disease that is going to render him crippled and incapacitated in a matter of three years. The clock is ticking, and he must groom one of his three sons to take over his crowning achievement, without destroying his already fractured family. Lucious’ favorite is his youngest son, HAKEEM (newcomer Bryshere Gray), a gifted musician and a spoiled playboy who values fame over hard work. The middle son, JAMAL (Jussie Smollett, “North,”“The Mighty Ducks”), is a sensitive soul and a musical prodigy who, unlike Hakeem, shies away from the spotlight. Jamal also happens to be gay, which infuriates and embarrasses his father. ANDRE (Trai Byers, “90210”), the eldest son, is CFO of Empire Entertainment. Wharton educated with a brilliant business mind, Andre lacks the charisma that Lucious believes is crucial to running the company. But in his quest for power, Andre is assisted by his manipulative and likeminded wife, RHONDA (Kaitlin
Doubleday, “Hung,” “Catch Me If You Can”). As Lucious prompts his sons to vie for the empire, his plans are thrown into chaos when his exwife, COOKIE (Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Person of Interest”), mysteriously emerges seven years early from prison, where she’s been for almost two decades. Brash and fearless, she sees herself as the sacrificial lamb who built an empire with Lucious and then took the fall for running the drugs that financed Lucious’ early career. For now, Lucious remains firmly in control of Empire Entertainment. He is attended to by his hardworking assistant, BECKY (guest star and Academy Award nominee Gabourey Sidibe, “American Horror Story,” “Precious”), and relies on longtime friend and Chairman of the Board VERNON TURNER (Malik Yoba, “Revolution,” “Girlfriends”) for advice and support. He relies on a whole lot more from ANIKA GIBBONS (newcomer Grace Gealey), the head of A&R for Empire and his current girlfriend. As the Lyons slug it out, an emotional chess game begins that will either cause the family’s destruction or redemption. Lives and loves will be lost as the complicated family will come together and fall apart over the elusive throne, all set to an original soundtrack written and produced by legendary hiphop hitmaker Timbaland.
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EMPIRE
Will the family unite and learn to love each other before it’s too late? Love, war, family, sacrifice, money and music: this is the story of EMPIRE. EMPIRE is from Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. The series is created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. The pilot is written by Daniels and Strong. The series is executiveproduced by Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer (“24,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Parenthood”), Ilene Chaiken (“The L Word”) and Francie Calfo (“Those Who Kill,” GANG RELATED). Daniels directed the pilot. “Like” EMPIRE on Facebook at facebook.com/EmpireFOX. Follow the series on Twitter”
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flux. Photography By Ahmad Barber Model: Tierra Benton Makeup By Anthony Prather Hair By Tre Baines Stylist: Carter James Clothing By Gamili E. Accessories By Vintage Hazel & IndiePop Showroom
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Designer Spotlight :
Gamili E
The Gamili E collection is the Creative Brainchild of Gamili E, who has worked as an Apprentice for Mychael Knight, who starred on the popular Fashion Reality Show, Project Runway. Gamili’s designs reflect a strong sense of femininity with bold colors and can be described as “wearable art” that accentuates the female form. Born in Brooklyn, New York, as a young child, Gamili was inspired by her mother who was a professional Seamstress and introduced Gamili to an Artistic way of life. Having her first professional design showcase in 2014, and her name already making a buzz within the Celebrity and Entertainment circles in Atlanta, the Gamili E collection is on track to becoming a household name. What is the correct pronunciation of your name? Is there a specific meaning? Gamili is pronounced Guh-mil-e. The name is of Arabic origin and is a variant transcription of the name Gamille meaning beautiful. 2. What is your most favorite aspect of designing? Creating is my favorite aspect of designing.Being able to bring my ideas to life fuels my passion to create. 3. Where does your inspiration come from? I’m inspired by so many things but I would say that music has been my biggest inspiration, everything from Hip-Hop to Jazz. Also, I am highly influenced by the fashion from the 1940’s. You can see some of those influences in many of my designs. I like to add my own touch of edge and a little more sex appeal to my designs. I think the way women dressed in that time era was classy yet sexy. I always carry a pencil and paper because you never know when, where, or by what your inspiration will come from. 4. What does the Gamili E Collection represent? The Gamili E Collection celebrates the female form and represents women who dare to be a fashion statement. The Gamili E Collection is a representation of class, sex appeal, and confidence. 5. When did you know designing would become your career? I knew that I would be a fashion designer after completing an 8th grade Home Economics project. The project entailed drawing clothing for female and male croquis figures. I knew at that very moment it was the first day of the rest of my life as a fashion designer. 6. Who is the Gamili E customer? The Gamili E customer lives for fashion. She does not follow trends and is always Red Carpet ready.Her high confidence and strong sense of style demands attention when she walks into a room. 7. As a designer, is there one place you wish to visit? Why? It was always a dream of mine to visit Paris, France. In 2011, I fulfilled that dream. Now, Iím very anxious to visit Milan, Italy. I have read many articles, and Iíve seen so many beautiful and inspirational pictures.
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8. Who is your muse? Right now, I really love Rihanna. She is my current muse. Her ability to make bold fashion choices that not only work but compliment and celebrate the female form is nothing short of inspiring. In addition to her sense of style and undeniable beauty, her music keeps me going as I burn the midnight oil. I listen to her music while sketching new designs. Rihanna definitely inspires me, and one day soon I hope to see her wearing pieces from the Gamili E Collection. 9. What is your ultimate career goal? My ultimate goal is to become a Fashion Legend.I want my name to be mentioned among the fashion greats like Coco Chanel, Diane Von Furstenburg, and Christian Dior. Currently, I am a single mother of three who works a 9 to 5 and stays up late nights sewing to pursue my career as a designer. I want the Gamili E Collection to be a “must have” for women all over the world. 10. As a Business Woman, what is your most important focus? My focus as a business woman is to learn the business, plan, and pursue. There areso many goals and opportunities so itís easy to make mistakes. Iím learning every day, and Iím growing every day. My daily mantra is toget better, plan bigger, and push harder. Trying to balance being a single mother, working a 9 to 5, and being a business woman is challenging. I also focus on balance and being the best mother I can be to my children. 11. Where can we find your collection? Currently, my designs are custom made for my clients. The Gamili E Collection is ready to wear andoften designs are purchased off the runway. My website is under construction and will be accessible Spring 2015. Inquiries can be madedirectly at gamiliecollection@gmail.com 12. Where will the Gamili E collection be in the next 5 years? In the next 5 years, I hope to accomplish my dreams to present at Fashion Weekin NY, be featured in other major fashion magazines, and have a free standing boutique of my own. Within the next 5 years, the Gamili E Collection will also be available in department stores such as Barneyís, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstrom which will also feature accessories like gloves, purses, and hats. 13. Are there recent updates or events you wish to share? Hip-Hop artist and Star of the Sisterhood of Hip Hop, Diamond was recently seen in a design from the Gamili E Collection for her calendar launch. Also, actress Jasmine Burke was Red Carpet ready in a design from the Gamili E Collection as she accepted an award for “People to Watch” in the Georgia Entertainment Industry. I am now working on completing a line for my 2015 Fall/Winter collection, stay tuned!!! 14. What do you want your legacy to be? I want to be remembered me as a creator and someone who really understood the art of fashion. I want the Gamili E Collection to be a staple in fashion. 50 years from now I hope that women are still wearing designs by Gamili E. 2
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BANK ROBBERY
Allegations have been made about excessive bank overdraft fees. Specifically, customers of some banks allege that they have been the victims of excessive overdraft fees and that banks have used misrepresentation of account balances and reordering of credits and debits to push customers into overdraft, allowing the banks to collect bank overdraft fees. Bank accounts go into overdraft when more money has been taken out of the account than was actually in it. It can happen quite easily—a bank account has $100 in it, but the customer makes a debit card purchase for $110, pushing the account $10 into overdraft. Bank Overdraft FeesThe problem is that some customers say they never asked their banks to provide overdraft protection—they assumed that if they tried to make a purchase they could not afford the purchase would be declined. Instead, customers say more and more frequently, such purchases are being approved and the customers are left with MAMi Magazine 46
hefty overdraft fees. Those fees can be as much as $35. That means that $10 into overdraft—overdraft the customer might not have asked for—is costing that customer an extra $35. What’s more, customers say they are charged overdraft fees for every overdraft transaction. So, they may be in overdraft without knowing it, continuing to spend on their accounts and being charged $35 every time they do so— pushing them even further into overdraft. That can add up to hundreds of dollars in fees. Citizens Bank Settles Overdraft Fee Class Action Lawsuit for $137.5M Coral Gables, FL (Press Release) Citizens Bank has agreed to pay $137.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit which accused the bank of manipulating its customers’ debit
card and ATM transactions in order to generate excess overdraft fee revenues for the bank. The lawsuit, part of multidistrict litigation involving more than 30 different banks entitled In re Checking Account Overdraft Litigation, case number 09-cv-02036, is pending before U.S. District Judge James Lawrence King in Miami. Citizens Bank is part of Citizens Financial Group which, through RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, operates more than 1,500 retail banking branches throughout the Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic and the Mid-West. The lawsuit claims that Citizens Bank employed software programs designed to extract the greatest possible number of overdraft fees from its customers. According to the lawsuit, Citizens Bank re-sequenced its customers’ debit card and ATM transactions by posting them in highestto-lowest dollar amount, rather than in the actual order in which the transactions were initiated by the customers and authorized by the bank. According to the lawsuit, this internal bookkeeping practice resulted in Citizens’ customers being charged substantially more in overdraft fees than if their debit card and ATM transactions had been posted in the order in which they were authorized by the bank. “This is an outstanding recovery for Citizens’ customers who were affected by this practice. We are extremely pleased to have achieved this result,” said Robert C. Gilbert with Grossman Roth in Miami. Gilbert serves as Plaintiffs’ Coordinating Counsel overseeing and managing all cases in this multidistrict litigation proceeding. He expects the settlement with Citizens Bank to be presented to the Court for approval later this year. Citizens Bank is not the first bank involved in this multidistrict litigation to settle similar claims. Last year, the Court approved a $410 million settlement with Bank of America. Settlements with a number of other banks have been announced over the past six months. Reordering Transactions One tactic that banks are accused of using to increase their profits from overdraft fees is reordering transactions on accounts. That means that regardless of what order transactions occurred in on a single day, some banks process the largest transactions first. That can lead to a lot in extra fees for a person to pay.
overdraft. But, if the account is debited in the order the purchases occurred, then only the final transaction will result in an overdraft fee of $35. However, if the transactions are processed from largest to smallest, then only the $100 purchase will be covered, leaving the customer to pay $35 for each of the final three transactions—for a total of $105 in charges. Those charges can add up. According to a USA Today article, banks made $36.7 billion off overdraft fees in 2008. The article notes that some banks have allowed debit transactions as low as $1 and charged a $35 transaction fee and have charged an overdraft fee when the purchase is made rather than when it clears the account. Not all banks charge a flat $35 overdraft fee—fees run from $19 up to $35. Some banks have tiered overdraft fees, so that the first overdraft transaction in a certain period costs one amount but any more overdraft transactions cost more. Lawsuits have been filed against banks for their overdraft fee policies. Already, some overdraft fee lawsuits have been settled. In Closson v. Bank of America, Bank of America agreed to pay $35 million to settle allegations of fraudulent business practices and false advertising. According to the plaintiffs, Bank of America reordered transactions, did not warn customers that their account was about to be overdrawn, and gave inaccurate account balance information. Meanwhile, more customers are filing lawsuits against their banks, alleging their overdraft policies are illegal. Banks that could potentially face lawsuits regarding their overdraft procedures include:In 2010, a judge ordered Wells Fargo bank to pay $200 million to customers in California who alleged that the bank’s overdraft practice was unfair and deceptive. According to The Oregonian, the judge wrote that customers do not expect to pay “up to ten overdraft fees when only one would ordinarily be incurred.”
For example, say a man spends $10, $20, $50 and $100 (in that order) in four transactions on one day, having $140 in his account. Either way, the account will likely still go into MAMi Magazine 47
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“According to a USA Today article, banks made $36.7 billion off overdraft fees in one year”
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RESTORING
LIFE
Around the world, there are many well-known charitable organisations but few can pride themselves in working to achieve the ideals we advocate: love of humanity, help to the deprived, generosity and fraternity. One of our basic principles is that all Council members serve in an unpaid volunteer capacity, covering expenses personally. Therefore all donations go to the children. SPES-USA is the American arm of SPES (Support for Suffering Chidren = Soutien pour enfance en souffrance) SPES International ïs a charitable organization that helps orphaned children in aids-ravaged West Africa via supplying the complete needs of the children: food and housing, education, clothing, healthcare, and community support while maintaining them within and still a part of their community as well as helping to support the schools of the villages. SPES is a voluntary association comprising unpaid members. All funds go fully towards the support of the children -- food
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clothing shelter-- , and the teachers and orphanage staff. In the United States, persons can donate to this cause via the US arm “SPES-USA” and/or can provide greater support by monetarily sponsoring a child through the organization. SUCCESSFUL STORIES SPES has already founded 2 orphanages in Togo, West Africa: in Lomé and Kpalimé. These orphanages accommodate about 160 children (currently) in a decent environment where housing, food, clothing, health care, and education are all provided. Supervision and education is done with the aid of “house-mothers“ and “houseuncles”. This all has been accomplished with the aid of the supporting members of SPES and the personnel of SPES- Togo.
DONALD DOVE
His mother died the day he was born in Lome.
His father, a 40-year-old farmer, had a tough time taking care of Donald who at the age of 19 months still didn’t walk. This forced the father to carry him on his back to the fields, which diminished his ability to work. The father had no one who could help him, and could not care for Donald. This is why the village chief has requested that SPES to take Donald into its care. Since then, Donald has made tremendous progress at SPES Kpalimé. He started to smile a few months after his admission, and is doing well, and in class, is a good student. He is currently sponsored by a young man in Istanbul. ABOUT US SPES translated from Latin means HOPE. In French, the letters stand for “Support for Suffering Childhood”. SPES International its American branch SPES- USA is a philanthropic, apolitical , nonprofit association founded in the year 2000. SPES is a voluntary association comprising unpaid members. Everything you give goes directly to SPES- Togo to support the needs of the children.
SPES- Togo is in charge of all daily activities under the supervision of SPES- International. The mission of SPES is to take care of orphans and abandoned children. To protect the children against malnourishment and disease. To give the children love and affection of their “home mothers.” To give them education and raise them in their culture until they are adults and self- sufficient. The youngest children go to kindergarten while the older ones attend Elementary and High school. The children taken in charge by SPES can only be sponsored but cannot be adopted. VISIT http://spesusa.com/
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“SPES has already founded 2 orphanages in Togo, West Africa: in Lomé and Kpalimé. “
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City &
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& Chic Credits. Photographer: Edgar Raphael Model: Geraldine Zawisla @FashionStudioAgency Fashion: Sandrina Francisco & Lisbon School of Design Styling Masterclass Make Up: Ludmylla Lima Photo Assistant: Christian Leonni
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Ashley Chennel
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MAMiMagazine Over the past few years Ashley Chennel has become a well-known figure in the beauty industry. You’ve probably seen Ashley on her popular YouTube blog Ashley Chennel Beauty https://www.youtube.com/user/MzzAshleychanel In addition to Ashley’s blogging success, Ashley has created her own jewelry line, hair extension line (Ashley Chennel Virgin Hair LLC) and is currently working on expanding the Ashley Chennel brand. Because of Ashley’s background in television and YouTube beauty videos Ashley landed herself a spot as a commentator on the popular Style Network reality show Jerseylicious; Also, she’s recently partnered with Stilettos Shoe, a New Jersey shoe store located in Cherry hill mall, to launch stilettos TV. Ashley will be filmed interviewing some of the top shoe and fashion designers in the industry. More about Ashley Born and raised in Voorhees, NJ, Ashley began her career shortly after graduating from The Connecticut School of Broadcasting. After graduating, Ashley landed her first internship at Radio One Philadelphia. During her Internship at Radio One, Ashley interned for all three stations including Philly’s Hot 107.9, 100.3 WRNB, and Praise 103.9. Shortly after Radio One, Ashley began her second internship at The Rachael Ray Show where she made her first TV debut as one of Rachael’s Yummettes! During her internship at The Rachael Ray Show, Ashley was given the opportunity to design jewelry for Rachael Ray. Designing jewelry sparked a fire in Ashley, which inspired her to start her own jewelry line. Ashley’s next TV job would be at Vh1 Ashley. VH1 gave Ashley the opportunity to exercise her skills as a producer by co-producing a promo for the shows on Vh1. Additionally, she interned at BET’s 106 and Park. Ashley decided to take her love for television to YouTube and in 2011 Ashley launched her own YouTube channel; where she started making videos about virgin hair. Making YouTube videos later led to product reviews and fashion videos. It wasn’t until one of her hair videos went viral in 2012 that she started to develop an audience. People began to request more hair videos from Ashley and as a result, her YouTube popularity began to grow. There is still more to come from Ashley as she begins to brand herself as a media mogul and YouTube Beautyguru! www.ashleychennelbeauty.com/
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SARA STOKES
Kareem Williams [ realentertainmentnews.com ]
Our guest contributor Kareem Williams, from RealEntertainmentNews.com caught up with Sara Stokes to get updated on her music and personal life. If you’re a fan of P. Diddy, you will remember Sara from his Reality Show ‘Making the Band’ starring Rappers and Singers who were competing to be managed by Diddy. After the show, Sara experienced one set back after another and has had to serve time in jail. This time around, Sara says she’s finished with her “thug life” past and is ready to move forward with her life as a mother, singer, and Reality star. 1. Rumor has it that you’re entering back into Reality Television, this time working with Nicci Gilbert from R & B Divas. Can you explain the premise of the show and why you decided to participate in Reality TV once again? MAMi Magazine 66
Yes, I am working with the wonderful, Nicci Gilbert. The show will air this year sometime. I unfortunately can’t say too much more about it but know this, it is super real. There are no scripts, everything is real! Reality is my middle name! I came from one of the biggest Reality shows of our time. It was certainly one of the more memorable ones. But I feel like the world will really get to know me and see all the different aspects of my life. You will see the challenges that celebrities face to achieve their goals. You’ll see the hard work that goes into it and the ups and downs you face as well. I believe our fans will truly respect our hustle once they see this show. 2. Who are the other cast members on the show and how has it been working with the other ladies? Can we expect
That’s what I told my grown children. Everything that I go through I share it with them. I’m totally honest with them. I do this hoping that they will steer clear of anything that could possibly hinder their dreams. “
to see drama? The other ladies are well known stars in their own right and respected throughout the industry. Much like myself, they have experienced some valleys in their careers. I can’t let the cat out of the bag and give names but once the full cast is revealed everyone will know them. Drama is a part of life so there will always be obstacles to overcome. You will see that first hand in this show. You are in for a treat, trust me! 3. Although ‘From the Bottom Up’ and ‘Making The Band’ are both Reality Shows, the formats are different. What was the greatest lesson learned from ‘Making The Band’ that has helped you with your new show? Has it been an easy adjustment working in a setting that doesn’t focus primarily on Music? Both shows filmed what I really go through, so I just be myself and let the magic happen. This time around we focused more on the inner me more. It was almost like therapy. You get to the heart of Sara, you will connect with me more. On a much deeper level. 4. It sounds like you’re transitioning well from some of the problems you’ve experienced. How did spending time in jail change you and how did it affect your children? What did you tell them? Yes, jail is real! That’s what I told my grown children. Everything that I go through I share it with them. I’m totally honest with them. I do this hoping that they will steer clear of anything that could possibly hinder their dreams. I basically had to slow it down, slow everything down and think about where I wanted my life to go. I realized I needed to make huge changes to get there. That meant leaving the drama alone and holding on to what’s more important to me. I learned a lot about myself in there. I took every class they offered and kept myself busy writing, singing, and working out. I stopped thug living first and foremost. This time in jail really made me a better person. I look at the positive outcomes of everything I go through. 5. That period of time must have been extremely difficult for you, particularly being a mother, what has helped you maintain focus to keep pushing? I had to adapt to my surroundings by being physically locked in but yet my mind was free. Yes, there were moments were I would cry and be mad at the world but when that happened I had to remind myself that I would be out soon. I wanted to learn from it so I would ask myself “what can I get out of this situation.” So, like I said, I went to every class they had. I wrote tons of music and I prayed a lot. 6. Do you have advice to give to young girls and other women who might be experiencing similar domestic situations? Well in my situation it was both of us that needed to change. I worked on myself and he did as well. To other ladies that are possibly going through a similar situation as mine, just know that there is help available to you. You were not put on this Earth to be mistreated by anyone. ALWAYS remember that. 7. In addition to the Reality Show, have you been back in the studio and are there any music projects we should know about?
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“Yes, jail is real!
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SARA STOKES
continued.
9. What do you want people to know about the new Sara? Yes, music is my life! It’s the essence of who I am. My single has just been mixed and mastered and ready to go. I’m working with James Worthy, and Eric Campbell in addition to other amazing producers. But largely my time was spent working with James. He had my sound on lock and he’s weird like me. We get in the recording studio and go nuts with creativity. I have so much to sing about and he helps bring that out of me. My single, “Sneak Peek” will be released soon. You should hear it in the upcoming months. 8. You are a busy women. How do you balance work and family? I love to be super busy. It keeps me out of trouble! This time around it’s a family affair. My kids are so talented so they are getting into the entertainment world as well. We are doing this together. ‘Different Stokes’ is gonna be the name of our spin off.
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Honestly, I’m still the same Sara Stokes. I’m just wiser, thanks to life experiences and on my grind. There is no holding back this time around and I’m gonna keep it 100 with yall. There’s no shame, I’m going to tell yall like it is! 10. If you could write the next chapter for yourself and your family, what would be the title and what would it say? The next chapter for me and my family would be called, TIME FOR THE KNOCKOUT! We have always stuck together and been super tough but this time the world will get to see the love and compassion we have for one another. We are all conquering the world! Knocking hits out the park, ‘Different Stokes’ coming soon! My Twitter@exySaraStokes Instagram page @Sara_Stokes My Facebook Sara. Stokes.330
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MAMiMagazine Photographer : Kemuel Valdes for www.valdesarthouse.com Make uo and hair : myself Wadrobe details : Artisan de Luxe Jeans $185 White linen pants by Tommy Bahama $98 Location : Malibu
Sebastian Large MAMi Magazine 71
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Where are they now ? Sebastien Large Occupation : Actor, model 6ft 165lbs
Once upon a time that was this French Native young man Sebastien Large who at the time was known as “Seby” who had curly blond hair, green eyes with a chiseled physique with abs like girls could wash their clothes on . He had that surfer beach look going on. But there was something that will make him a unique look . He had his own style , his versatility will portray him to represent the high fashion industry . There are many talents, many aspiring models, actors in the entertainment industry , however how many after a decade still doing what they love everyday or how many gives up after having so many rejections or not getting any work in that industry . Well , Sebastien is the example that if you are dedicated, that you believe in yourself, and never give up then one day it ‘ll pay off . “ There ‘s been many times where I was thinking of quitting , many times I told myself maybe this isn’t for me , maybe I don’t have what it takes to succeed , … “ – sebastien Large Sebastien was featured on many international magazines as well major campaigns for major brands . Today ,we found Sebastien Large who was one of the main Mami Magazine male model a decade ago and reunited and we asked him his journey since gracing few issues of the Mami Magazine . Lord Algie : Seby, You were one of our first male model that we introduced in Mami Magazine in 2005 . I remembered the “ headline” was Hot Model . What have you done since then ? Sebastien Large : First of all, it’s so great and an honor to be featured in the magazine . Second of all, wow it’s been that long!!! I tell you Algie , the time flies. I left Los Angeles in 2006 as i felt things were not happening . I decided it was not my time to shine .After being in the dark for a little more than five years, I moved back to LA with a new beginning, a new look and more rage than I ever had to succeed ! Seby is BACK! Lord Algie : Welcome back . Sebastien Large : Thank you , it’s good to be back . Lord Algie : I follow your news, updates through social network and I gotta tell you , iam quite impressed all the things you have accomplished in short time . Do you feel 2015 would be the year of your big break ? Sebastien Large : Thank you very much Algie , you have always supported my career and this is why I am so thrilled and honor to be in this ten year anniversary special issue. Yes, I have been blessed to accomplished a number of things in the modeling but also quite a bit in the acting world as well. I have had several fashion editorials that came out in 2014 including magazines covers but also interviews inside . My biggest highlight of last year was my episodes of the long run soap opera “ the Bold & The Beautiful “ wich my episodes aired last july . One of my biggest accomplishment last year was to walk the red carpet for my own movie. Ghost Goggles where I played one of the leads premiered on December 7th 2014 .It was a great moment . I can say 2014 was a great year, but I do think 2015 is going to be a better one ! Well I am hoping this year would be the year but what it’s for sure is that I am going to work as hard as I can to get my big break before this year ends . Lord Algie : Well , everyone at Mami Magazine wish you the best . What are your projects ? Sebastien Large : Thank you for the support . Well, I do have some things in the work , some I can talk about, some others I cannot due to a disclosure signed agreement confidentiality . I have few magazines international covers including some fashion editorial but also some fitness magazines that will come out in the spring . I also booked a campaign that I would be shooting in March. Iam the face of a new Ab Machine “AbX Core” wich would be worldwide release this year .Visit the official website www.abxcore.com I also booked a recurring role in a new series “ Sangre Negra “ where I played Alfonso Dimitri starring Antonio
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MAMiMagazine Mc Kay among well known actors such as Erik Estrada (Chips) , Eric Roberts (The Expandable), Robert Miano (Donnie Brasco) , directed by Frank Pinnock.It’s like the Sopranos meets Dallas. I am very exciting about this and it’s a blessing to be a part of this great project that would hit the network this year . Visit the official website www. sangrenegratheseries.com Lord Algie : Before I go , the social network has taking over the industry . If any of the Mami Magazine audience, readers would like to follow your news, see your everyday life , how can they do that ? Sebastien Large : You said it , that’s right, it is very rare to see someone who doesn’t have a Facebook, or Instagram ,…accounts . My only purpose is to boost , promote my career in fact if you look at my Instagram page you will see I never post selfies of any kind but it’s all about my acting , modeling projects . www.instagram.com/sebastienlarge www.facebook.com/officialsebastienlarge www.twitter.com/sebchristensen www.imdb.me/sebastienlarge Lord Algie : Thanks again Sebastien for your time and we look forward to see big things for you . Sebastien Large :Thank you very much .
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2015 BUGATTI GALIBIER
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16C CONCEPT
he Bugatti 16C Galibier is a luxury 5-door fastback concept car. Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. debuted the 16C Galibier at an invitation-only show held at the Molsheim, France assembly salon on September 12, 2009. The 16C Galibier uses a front-mounted, 8.0 L twin-supercharged W16 engine that delivers power via permanent all-wheel drive. A production version of the 16C Galibier concept, named the Royale, is expected to reach the market in 2014- 2015. The 16C Galibier name is a reference to the Bugatti Type 57 Galibier. Bugatti traditionally gave Type 57 variants names that referred to mountain passes. Galibier refers to France’s Col du Galibier.[1] The “16C” refers to the engine’s 16 cylinders. The 16C Galibier features a hood which opens in two parts along a central hinge. The 16C Galibier features the longitudinal rib also seen on the previous EB118 and EB218 concepts that references the longitudinal body seam of the Type 57SC Atlantic. The Gabilier will be most likely one of if not the most luxurious cars in the world, with interior features such as an analog timepiece which can be mounted in the dash as a clock or on a wristband as a watch
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MAMiMagazine Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. debuted the Bugatti 16C Galibier 5-door fastback concept at an invitation-only show held at the Molsheim, France assembly salon on September 12, 2009. The 16C Galibier was first shown to the general public at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. The 16C Galibier uses a front-mounted, 8.0 L twin-supercharged W16 engine that delivers power via permanent four-wheel drive. The engine is derived from the quad-turbocharged unit used in the Bugatti Veyron.[2] It will also incorporate an option for a hybrid powertrain, primarily to reduce pollution in urbanised environments.[5] Performance figures have not been specified, but it has a power output in excess of 1,000 bhp (750 kW) while surpassing speeds of 235 mph (378 km/h). A production version of the 16C Galibier concept, expected to be named the Royale, was originally scheduled to reach the market in 2013.[4] In 2011, Bugatti postponed the release of the Royale to 2015 or later to refine the vehicle’s design. Bugatti expects to produce 3000 units of the Galibier compared to 300 of the Veyron, and is expanding its factory in Molsheim to cope with the production volume. It is also expected to cost more than £1 million.
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TOP 30 Shinobi Ninja Total Fans 200,548 Rock | Brooklyn, NY
Bro5 Total Fans 35,915 Pop | Ridgefield Park, NJ
Alexandra King Total Fans 137,160 Pop | New York, NY
NOAH Total Fans 34,558 Dance | New York, NY
DollaSyneChase Total Fans 83,917 Rap | Jersey City, NJ
Lil Sharls Total Fans 28,867 Singer Songwriter | Manchester, ENG
Love Jones Girlz Total Fans 70,478 Pop | New York, NY
Jasmine Kara Total Fans 22,468 Pop | Stockholm
Mayor Allen Total Fans 62,361 Hip Hop | Washington, DC
Empathy Test Total Fans 18,788 Electronica | London
Lady keyz Total Fans 40,786 Rap | Brooklyn, NY
DanO Total Fans 15,623 Hip Hop | Mount Laurel, NJ
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Kisharra B aka "Shar" Total Fans 1,930 Pop | New York, NY
Porsha And Mercedes Total Fans 11,461 Hip Hop | Elmont, NY
Simisola Total Fans 1,350 R&B/Soul | Bowie, MD
Angelica Joni Total Fans 10,959 Pop | Staten Island, NY
Nina Lee Total Fans 1,214 R&B/Soul | New York, NY
MERO Total Fans 10,576 Hip Hop | Westbury, NY
Paula & Angie Music Minis... Total Fans 1,184 Christian/Gospel | Wilmington, NC
wunda845 Total Fans 6,535 Hip Hop | West Haverstraw, NY Villen 2x Total Fans 6,308 Hip Hop | New York, NY
Every season MAMi Magazine will review outstanding artists on ReverbNation and give you a breakdown of what we find. Our list has no numbers.. so they are all on equal par. please submit to www.reverbnation.com/label/mamimagazine
Nando Griffiths Total Fans 6,036 [?] Reggae | Bronx, NY Laura Cheadle Total Fans 5,062 Blues | New York, NY Erica Ashley Total Fans 4,793 Pop | Richmond, VA Lynette Williams Total Fans 4,638 Singer Songwriter | New York, NY Fake Flowers Real Dirt Total Fans 4,043 Funk | Baltimore, MD Heather Edwards Total Fans 3,898 Pop | New York, NY Soul Understated Ft. Mavi... Total Fans 3,151 R&B/Soul | Brooklyn, NY Paytra Total Fans 3,014 Pop | New York, NY
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Kayla Stockert Total Fans 13,539 Singer Songwriter | Sayville, NY
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MAMiMagazine A “legend� is a story of mythical and often fantastical events whose heroes and heroines achieve extraordinary accomplishments that inspire. For over a quarter of a century the watchmakers of Swiss Legend have created their own legends with loyal customers by crafting quality timepieces expressive of timeless traditions, cutting edge design, and versatility. At the very core of the Swiss Legend design philosophy rests our commitment to stylish, distinctive timepieces that harmoniously balance fashion forward style with old world precision and accuracy with over 2,000 combinations of styles, materials and functions. Swiss Legend watches are meticulously built to exacting standards that are demanded to be a Swiss Made watch- using only the highest quality Swiss movements offering a true story of unparalleled quality, variety, style and functionality. From the snowy mountains of the Swiss Alps to the busy city streets, to the sunny shores of South Beach. Some watches tick. Swiss Legend inspires.
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watch the throne
M
cGuire Furniture has collaborated with artist Jordan Betten of Lost Art to create a one of a kind works of art. Taking five of McGuire’s most iconic chairs, he re- envisioned them with a rock and roll vibe – as he does for his fashion clients. They will be on display at McGuire San Francisco for the month of February and Baker Knapp & Tubbs’ Los Angeles showroom in March. ince 1948, McGuire has been internationally known for creating timeless furniture of natural materials. Each piece of furniture is crafted by trained artisans who bend, weave and form every chair, table or accessory by hand. Says McGuire President Kendra Reichenau, “Jordan’s work is incredibly creative, and he has envisioned some of our classic chairs in an entirely new way. He uses only the finest materials and fine tuned hand-craftsmanship – two qualities we very much admire.” ordan Betten is a New York City based artist and the founder of Lost Art. Lost Art, a luxury leather brand, began in 1997 with the creation of a bag called “The Road”. Since the beginning of Lost Art, all pieces have been made entirely by hand, in the tradition of the finest craftsmanship and attention to detail.
S J
Algie deWitt
Marketing&Advertising Expert MAMi Magazine 88
One Of A Kind Works: McGuire/John Betten The Lost Art collection includes clothing, accessories, motorcycles, instruments and guitar cases. Collectors include Lenny Kravitz, Steven Tyler, Sean Lennon, Sheryl Crow and many others. Betten’s collection can be viewed at the Lost Art gallery in West Chelsea, Manhattan, and his murals are easily recognizable on walls around the world. http://lostartnyc. com
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“Knowing that McGuire continues to produce handcrafted furniture was the best reason to collaborate. Our company’s aesthetics may be very different, but our shared sensibilities of paying attention to detail and the respect for the materials created an organic connection,” says Betten
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The Butterfly Chair, originally designed by Edward Tuttle, has been a McGuire icon for nearly 40 years. Just as much a work of art as it is functional; the Butterfly chair takes on a new personality. Betten imposed his own rock-star interpretation with the use of a cobra skin seat, arms and back laced with leather fringe. As in his figural art, Betten followed the existing curves of the back and arms to create a sense of movement around the frame.
The Target Dining Chair, designed in 1984 by Elinor McGuire has been a best seller for over 30 years. Betten re-interpreted with a brown calfskin hide on the seat and frame. Leather crossstitching adds an additional element of handcraftsmanship, as does the intricately hand-braided leather fringe that hangs dramatically from the back of the frame.
The Laura Kirar Dining Arm Chair, already one of the most dramatic pieces of McGuire’s collection, became even more of a statement in the artistic hands of Betten. Playing off of the pop-art inspired pattern of rattan circles, Betten doubled the affect, tying in additional brass rings in the back and arms of the chair. The python skin wraps the entire frame, as though it were constricting the rattan beneath. Crystals and feathers adorn the newly-fashioned Barbara Barry Script Side Chair. Reminiscent of a dream catcher, Betten uses the negative space within the calligraphic back to incorporate more detail. Hand-tied feathers frame the outside of the chair, adding a note of whimsical charm. Betten’s work often depicts a sense of gathering or connectedness, physically manifested here via tightly woven leather bands that create one large network of details.
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dekor for your home
The McGuire Furniture Company (415) 626-1414 or kendra.frisbie@kohler.com www.mcguirefurniture.com MAMi Magazine 89
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