Bleu Magazine Issue 56 - Ryan Leslie

Ryan Leslie K A M I E S H A GA R B A DAWA L A SWITZERLAND

BRANDON FRANKLIN A N D R É L E O N TA L L E Y

T H E Y.

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Table of

Contents

Jacket OAK NYC Shirt TOPMAN Pants KRAMMER & STOUDT Shoes JOHNSTON & MURPHY s Photography By OTHELLO BANACI

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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO R YA N L E S L I E Words By KEYAIRA KELLY

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Table of

Contents Shirt HOMME PLISSÉ Pants MR.TURK

s Photography By ANDREW HART

12 Access By Bleu

44 Travel Luxe by the Lake

14 The 4 By 5 Looks of a Lifetime

50 Fashion Glory

16 Gadgets Hovering Behind

66 Feature Everyone Is Asking Who are THEY.

19 Cars ‘67 Chevy Corvettes

68 Feature Taking a Stand

20 Soled Up Beasting with Beasley

70 Feature Abstract Beauty

26 Grooming Head Above The Rest

74 Op-ed Scams For The Gram

28 Fuel Comfort Food On The Go

30 Fitness Back It Up

76 The Humans

80 Fashion Roman Holiday

32 Fashion Nautical

88 Spotlight Kicking it Back with Mr. Throwback

40 The Creatives A Mad Hatter’s Art to Hat Making

91 Icom To André With Adoration

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MASTHEAD

On the Cover RYAN LESLIE Words By KEYAIRA KELLY Photography By OTHELLO BANACI Stylist RAVEN ROBERTS Grooming: TISH FERGUSON Photography Asst BRYAN SONA & RAVON WRIGHT

Publisher/Editor-In-Chief DéVon Christopher Johnson

Executive Editor

George Kevin Jordan

Editor-at-Large Darius Baptist

Art Direction & Design Vee Banionis

UK Fashion Editor Sean Azeez

East Coast Fashion Editor Raven Roberts

West Coast Fashion Editor

Contributing Writers

Cedric Small, Dominique Carson,Erica Garnes, George Jordan, Jamie Rollo, Jamie Siebrase, Kenneth Miles, Keyaira Kelly, LaTeisha Clément, Lavanya Sunkara, Talia Leacock, Tyrus Townsend

Contributing Photographers

Alexandra Nicole, Andrew Hart, Ashley Sky Walker, Daniel Igbinyemi, Emilie Breslin, Jamie Siebrase, Khrystian McCalister, Lavanya Sunkara, Othello Banci, Sami Drasin

Interns:

Terence B. McNealy

Managing Editor Johana Lopez

Contributing Editors Raymond Mora

Copy Editor Trevoy Ross

Chairman, CEO & President DéVon Christopher Johnson

Business Development

Brent Zachary, Massih Azad

Digital Content Designer Julian Kim

AD Sales:

Todd Evans, Rivendell Media 908.232.2021 Scean Ellis, Leverage Media Sales scean@leveragemediasales.com

Claire Concannon, Jamie Rollo, Victoria Mickens

Partnerships & Branded Content

BOMBSHELL BY BLEU

Rannon Harris (Chicago - Midwest) Leroy Williams (Northeast)

Douglas Hickman

Fashion Market & Production

THE BLEULIFE GROUP

Editor-In-Chief Ebony Allison

Digital Content Strategist Kaylin Young

Editorial Team

Kishon Springer, Cataanda James, Sigourney Salley, London Burns, Matia Peebles

Jonathan Kirkland, info@bleulife.com

Brand Ambassadors

Newsstand Distribution

TNG 1955 Lake Park Drive, Ste. 400 Smyrna, GA 30080

Submissions

Bleu Magazine 119 West 24th Street New York, NY 10011 info@bleulife.com

Bleulife Media & Entertainment Inc. | 140 West Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10007 | E-Mail: info@bleulife.com | Online: bleulife.com Printed in Canada. Opinions expressed by advertisers, columnists, feature writers or other contributors are not necessarily the opinions of Bleu Magazine or its staff. All advertisements, photographs, text or illustrations are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized to have secured proper consent for the use thereof. Bleu Magazine shall not be held responsible for any errors, loss, expense or liabilities on advertisements accepted after the deadline. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or advertisement in Bleu Magazine is not to be constructed as an indication of sexual orientation of such persons, advertiser or organization. Partial or complete reproduction of an advertisement, news article, feature or photograph from Bleu Magazine is strictly prohibited as Bleu Magazine is a registered trademark. A $25 or 1.5% (whichever is greater) fee will be charged for all NSF checks. All rights reserved.

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Photo By EBONY ALLISON

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

And I’m rollin’, rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ With my brothers like it’s Jonas, Jonas Drinkin’ Henny and I’m tryna forget But I can’t get this shit outta my head You probably think that you are better now, better now You only say that ‘cause I’m not around, not around You know I never meant to let you down, let you down Woulda gave you anything, woulda gave you everything You know I say that I am better now, better now I only say that ‘cause you’re not around, not around You know I never meant to let you down, let you down Woulda gave you anything, woulda gave you everything (oh wow)

Post Malone, “BETTER NOW”

It always gets better. No matter what the naysayers say or what obstacles present themselves. Yes, the journey to success feels long and lonely.

But would it really be worth it if it came easy? Social media shields us from the real life realities of dream chasing and the disappointments that come along with it. We promote our best days like a movie premiere, and avoid posting anything at all on the not-so-great ones.

So when we have an “actual” bad day we don’t know how to handle it.

I feel bad for this new generation that lack the interpersonal skills that develop when you are present in the lives of your family and peers.

What it was like to make actual phone calls. Or even more nostalgic; sitting at dinner table without your cell phone. Instead we have become a society of memes and acronyms. No wonder people are more depressed and anxious. We are seeking approval from people that only exist virtually.

My suggestion is unplugging. Listen to yourself. Put down the phone or at least close the social media apps for a day. Take some time and talk to your coworkers. Pick up the phone and call a family member. It may feel a little awkward at first. But the more you practice the more comfortable it will become. Allowing real life people back into your life will make those rough days a little less harsh. Real smiles, with laugh lines and crow’s feet, are always more genuine than that yellow circle with the disproportionate features in your text.

Happiness is a human emotion. Find real people to connect with. I promise they will help you get over that DM breakup you just went through. Or that influencer gig you just lost to the person with 10 more followers than you. They probably bots anyway.

DéVon Christopher Johnson Founder And Group Publisher

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C O N T R I B U TO R S

OTHELLO BANACI

Othello Banaci is a photographer and visual storyteller from the Washington, D.C. area specializing in fashion and commercial media. He started his career in fashion production which led to his debut as a photographer and cinematographer at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Since then, his work has been featured in NYLON, Complex, Huffington Post, Washington Post, and The Fader.

Raven Roberts is a New York fashion stylist with an affinity for vintage fashion. She is always on the hunt for a fierce look to create the perfect mood for her shoots, clients and herself. She’s a vegan-adjacent foodie with a love for baked goods. You may have also spotted her in a commercial or two.

ANDREW HART

IMANI SULIMAN

Andrew “ANDEE” Gowdy-Hart, Direct Focus Films LLC’s Head Photographer is a Newark, New Jersey native that has a direct focus on using his talents for capturing events. Andee got his start shooting Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, and music videos for up and coming artists and most notably the NBA Draft.

Working in the fashion industry for the majority of her adult life, Imani Suliman is a styling force that does not plan on stopping anytime soon. She has worked with famed designer Laurel DeWitt for the past few fashion week seasons. She is preparing to take all she learned and step out on her own.

K E YA I R A K E L LY

KHRYSTIAN MCCALISTER

Keyaira Kelly is a writer, producer, speaker and poet living and loving in Brooklyn, New York. Keyaira’s bylines are scattered across the web and in print, covering the culture, women’s issues, the latest water cooler gossip and modern-day sex and love.

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R AV E N R O B E R T S

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Khrystian McCalister is a visual artist with a passion for art, fashion and music. Her ultimate goal is to spread positivity to everyone she encounters and create beautiful lasting imagery. She hopes to have a great impact on our generation that will flow out into the rest of society.

BLEUMAGAZINE.COM @BLEUMAGAZINE

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AC C E S S BY B L E U

NIGH T SCHOOL On September 10, 2018, Kevin Hart and Will Packer were joined by Atlanta’s top influencers at Regal Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Georgia for the screening of their new comedic film, NIGHT SCHOOL, hosted by radio personality Frank Ski of Frank Ski and Wanda in the Morning. The event drew in celebrities, including DC Young Fly, Keshia Knight Pulliam, and Luke James among others.

Night School hit theaters on September 28, 2018

Kevin Hart, Heather Hayslett, Will Packer, Harry Ratchford

Singer/Songwriter and Actor, Luke James.

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Rapper and Actor, DC Young Fly

Actress, Keshia Knight Pulliam

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BL ACK MUSIC HONOR S It was a star-studded night on September 7, 2018 for the 3rd Annual Black Music Honors held at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. The hosts, television and radio personality Rickey Smiley and GrammyÂŽ Award-winner and actress LeToya Luckett, joined the prestigious crowd in honoring icons Bobby Brown, Faith Evans, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Whodini, Stephanie Mills, and Dallas Austin for their esteemed musical contributions.

Black Music Honors also paid special tribute to legendary Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin, who passed away the morning of the event.

The evening was undoubtedly one for the books.

Singers Syleena Johnson, Paris Bennett, and Angela Winbush

Singer and Actor, Demetria McKinney

Singer, Faith Evans, Producer, Stevie J.

Singer, Kierra Sheard

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THE 4X5

LOOKSof a Lifetime These four stylists took chances and risks, and pursued their creative vision throughout their lives.

Now, brace yourself for five looks that helped to define their respective careers.

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“Coming from the South Side of Chicago, stylists weren’t as prevalent as in New York and LA,” he told Teen Vogue.

“We grew up with the old-school notion of you go to school, you get an education, you get a job, and you have a career. Fashion wasn’t one of those things that you can automatically know that you can survive and create a livelihood off of it.”

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Tiffany Haddish in Galia Lahav Zendaya in Vivienne Westwood Celine Dion in Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Mary J. Blige In Jean Louis Sabaji Demi Lovato in Ester Abner

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2 ADE SAMUEL “My aesthetic is to always build textures, layers and prints.

It comes from being of Nigerian descent,” Samuel told the Los Angeles Times

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Kelly Rowland in Yousef Akbar Yara Shahidi in Cynthia Rowley Monica where in ASHISH UK Letitia Wright in Coach Michael B. Jordan in Giorgio Armani and Louboutin shoes

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3 UGO MOZIE “The two things that keep me grounded are my God and my family,” Mozie said in an interview with Elle South Africa. “I’ve always lived and worked with the idea that I am doing this for something more than myself. My family has always driven me and they make everything real.”

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Wizkid “Come Closer” music video Justin Bieber in Balmain Kofi Siriboe in Prada Keith Powers in Versace Maxwell in Givenchy and Dior sunglasses

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MISA HYLTON “I think you have to have courage to be yourself and to stand in your power and to express yourself in a way that may separate you from others,” Hylton said to The Fader.

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Lil Kim Jodeci Mary J Beyonce Missy Elliott

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HOVERING BEHIND Words By CEDRIC SMALL & TERENCE B. MCNEALY Photos By LIGHTNING PACKS

The term “Get off my back” never held more meaning than now with this futuristic bag at your disposal.

Finding your go-to bag just became a lot easier, as Lightning Packs released its HoverGlide backpack this fall. The idea behind the HoverGlide is simple enough: the backpack’s straps attach to a frame that sits solidly on your back. The backpack itself is mounted to this frame and suspended by bungee cords on a pulley system, so that it’s free to ride up and down as you move. The HoverGlide backpack contains a new form of technology called SLT (Suspended Load Technology). The technology is specifically made to reduce tension on your neck, back, knees and ankles. The bag contains a magnet material within the interior design that helps it maintain durability and lightness. The cords suspend the load in the pack so it stays at the same height from the ground while the wearer is running or walking and reduces the risks of muscle and joint problems.

Its designers said it will allow users to carry an extra 12 pounds (5.4 kg) while expanding the same amount of energy as when carrying a normal backpack. The HoverGlide backpack comes in four varying styles: the “Hiker,”(4) the “Commuter,”(3) the “Tactical,”(2) and the “Trekker.”(1) The material inside is water-repellent, keeping the inside safe from rain and other liquids. It’s the perfect backpack for anyone that takes their hiking, or their course load seriously. The bag retails for $170 USD and can be purchased at Sears nation wide.

THE READ Words By EMILIE BRESLIN

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D re ssin g t h e Ma n: Ma ste r in g t h e A r t o f Pe r m a ne nt Fas h ion

by Alan Flusser (2002)

Iconic Looks in Books

Fashion may be in the eye of the beholder, but you would definitely want these five legends telling you what to wear any day of the week. Now you can do a deep dive into what inspires them with these essential books on fashion.

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Th e Wa y We Wo re : B l a c k S t y l e Th e n

by Michael McCollom (2014) Michael McCollom captures Black fashion from the 1940s through today in his The Way We Wore: Black Style Then. Featuring photos of over 150 Black men and women’s most memorable ‘style moments’ from the last 70 years, he includes personal shots of his friends and family including: Oprah Winfrey, James Baldwin, Iman, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Tracy Reese, Patrick Kelly, Kimora Lee, Bobby Short, Bethann Hardison, Portia LaBeija, and more.

From brides and grooms to streetwear, McCollom captures the beauty of Black people throughout its ingenious and captivating history.

H o w t o S l a y : I n s p i r at i o n f ro m t h e Q u e e n s 2 and Kings of Black Style

by Constance C.R. White (2018) How to Slay is an inspirational journey throughout Black fashion in the 20th and 21st Centuries, featuring icons of celebrated style and taste. The book is a survey of Black style and fashion, offering lavish illustrations with a focus on the last thirty-five years. Striking images of Josephine Baker, Michelle Obama, Maya Angelou, Miles Davis, Rihanna, Naomi Campbell, Kanye West, and Pharrell Williams fill the pages, offering a dense exploration of Black trends. An array of topics, from hats and hair to attitude and color usage are touched upon, always recognizing the influences of Africa and the Caribbean in fashion.

Why, with so many options now in men’s apparel, do some guys still feel lost when it comes to fashion? If you’re interested in educating yourself in the art and craft of style, then Dressing the Man is for you! Alan Flusser is known for his taste and style - and this book expands upon his reputation. Combing his knowledge of men’s clothes with his signature wit and elegance, Flusser takes his book to an entire new level. Dressing the Man takes readers through each major clothing classification step-by-step through a guide that helps you apply them to your own personality.

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I r i s A p f e l : Ac c i d e n t a l I c o n

by Iris Apfel (2018) Iris is a woman with original personal style, who dresses for who she is and does it unapologetically - a true message to all. Her inspiration encompasses her message and aesthetic as a transcendent icon. Iris Apfel discusses how she changed time and trends with fashion, textiles, and interior design. Apfel is the co-founder of Old World Weavers, an international textile manufacturing company that specializes in reproducing antique fabrics, with prestigious clientele that includes: Greta Garbo, Estée Lauder, Montgomery Clift and Joan Rivers. Apfel is not only a business woman, but has been a restoration consultant for the White House for nine presidential administrations. A world traveler, Apfel also searches flea markets for inspiration. At 97 years old, Apfel shares her story in Iris Apfel with bold, color-filled, exciting designs on every page. Read away if you want to learn from a true professional - and if you want to add a smile to your face!

5 Wo m e n i n C l o t h e s

by Sheila Heti, Heidi Julavits, Leanne Shapton and 639 Others (2014) A book unlike any other, Women in Clothes, is essentially a conversation among hundreds of women of all nationalities from all over the world. Consisting of famous, anonymous, religious, secular, married, single, young and old voices, the subject of fashion and clothing used each and every day is a shared universal relationship among all. Starting with a survey, the editors composed a list of fifty questions to prompt women to think deeply about their own personal style. Writers, activists, and artists including: Cindy Sherman, Kim Gordon, Kalpona Akter, Sarah Nicole Prickett, Tavi Gevinson, Miranda July, Roxane Gay, Lena Dunham, Molly Ringwald, and more share these questions through photography, interviews, personal testimonies, and illustrations. Demonstrating confidence, connection, values, politics, and bonding to display function and art. Women in Clothes, shows how females everywhere embrace the complexity of women’s style choices.

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‘'67

Chevy Corvettes CARS

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Words By JAMIE ROLLO

What’s more unique and stylish than a classic car? Nothing. And there’s no better way to be timeless than sporting the American classic: the Chevrolet Corvette, specifically, the stylish 1967 Corvette Stingray Coupe.

The ‘67 Corvette was the last in its line, and with five years of remodeling it is the most refined. The coupe has a fiberglass reinforced plastic body. Standing out among other models, the Stingray was made without much of the exterior trim, scraping out the hood script emblems and fender flags, and the front fenders replaced the three large air vents for five smaller ones. The rocker panels on this model were made flat to give the car a more finished outward appearance, and features a singular back up light, which is unique to the model.

When it was first manufactured, drivers had several options for customization across all boards. The interior was made with genuine leather seats in an array of different color selections. The coupe is also equipped with soft ray tinted glass windows. The slotted six-inch Rally wheels were also unique to this stylish coupe and contained chrome beauty rings and concealed lug nuts.

Though impressively stylish on the outside, what really makes the ‘67 Corvette notable is it’s two big-blog 427 engines with 390 horsepower. The coupe also contains a standard 3-speed manual transmission, with options of 4-speed and 2-speed. The world-class engine allows the car to reach 60 miles per hour in just 5.9 seconds, and have a top speed of 151 miles per hour.

Something also interesting to note was the amount of customization available for consumers at that time. And one customization that really makes the Corvette Stingray stand out is the option of an L88 engine. This engine was as close as Chevy could get to a commercial race car. The top speed of ‘67 Corvettes that contained the powerful engine topped at 170 miles per hour. Not only does the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe look upscale and sleek on the outside, but it also basically has the capabilities of a racecar, that you can drive on the street making this coupe the ultimate dream car.

DIMENSIONS/WEIGHT: Length:

175.1 inches

Width:

69.6 inches

Height:

49.8 inches

Wheelbase:

98.0 inches

Front Track:

56.3 inches

Rear Track:

57.0 inches

ENGINE: Type:

ohv V-8

Power:

300 horsepower @ 5,000rpm

Torque:

360rpm @ 3,200 pound-foot

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SOLED UP

BEASTING WITH BEASLEY WITH BEASLEY Photography By KHRYSTIAN MCCALISTER

Keenan Beasley, Co-Founder of BLKBOX, a marketing firm that analyzes how audiences are influenced to assist companies with brand growth. Beasley gave Bleu an exclusive look into his extensive footwear collection. The assemblage is enough to make any sneaker head envious.

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Jordan 4 Retro Travis Scott Cactus Jack $475

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Filling Pieces High Field Boot Sky Tsaatan $460

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Jordan 4 Retro Ginger Wheat $400

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Nike Air VaporMax Moc 2 X AcronymⓇ $300

Jordan 1 Retro Chicago Bulls Patent Leather $350

Comme des Garçons PLAY x Converse Chuck Taylor® - Hidden Heart High Top Sneaker $150 24

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Jordan 4 Retro Travis Scott Cactus Jack $475

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ABOVE

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GROOMING

Photography By ANDREW HART

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Words By TERENCE B. MCNEALY

It takes more than a pair of Wahl clippers to make a master groomer. Just ask Jamille “SirMil The Barber” Edwards, who has made a career out of making you look good.

One of the most important relationships in every man’s life is the one with his barber. No one understands that better than famed barber Jamille “SirMil TheBarber” Edwards. Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member got his start cutting heads while attending William Paterson University in Paterson, New Jersey and seeing his friends struggle to get a decent fade.

“I started barbering when I first entered college,” Edwards said. “Seeing my friends go through so much just to find a decent barber motivated and inspired me to take on barbering as a side job.”

“Every day after classes, I spent hours researching how to start cutting hair the professional way, with YouTube as a guide, I bought all of the clippers that were needed and started cutting my friends hair.”

Since then, Edwards has taken on a “the sky is the limit” mentality when it comes to his craft. This has allowed him to work with both the general public and famous clients like Luther Muhammad, point guard for Ohio State Buckeyes.

Not surprisingly, with 14,000 followers across his social media platforms, Edwards credits a portion of his rapid success to the internet.

“Social media has truly improved the success of my business and entrepreneurship as a whole,” Edwards said. “Instagram and Facebook in particular, have helped shape my branding, clientele, as well as aiding my marketing process. Social media has also enabled me to expand my overall awareness as a businessman and artist.”

Edwards is redefining what it means to be a luxury professional groomer one shape-up at a time and wants for every man to be the best version of themselves.

One last thing Edwards says every man should follow: “Find a barber that makes you feel confident within yourself and most importantly gives you the look you envisioned.”

Edwards is based in Maplewood, NJ, however, he’ll fly out to anywhere in the world for you, and trust me, it’s worth it. Take a look at some of his work below and follow him on Instagram at: SirMilTheBarber

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C o m food F O O D

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Words By JAMIE ROLLO

Photography By JOHANA LOPEZ AND EBONY ALLISON

Taking chicken and waffles to new heights, Chick’nCone boasts one of the most photographed treats in Manhattan. Their specialty? Crispy chicken bites served in a fresh waffle cone. This unique food destination is located at the entrance of Central Park right off of Columbus Circle. Their convenient location makes Chick’nCone the perfect park-side pleasure.

The menu is simple but satisfying. Chick’nCone serves their fresh waffle cones with an assortment of sauces and drink options. Customers can choose from Kick’n Ranch, Yella BBQ, Cinna-Maple (an homage to the classic chicken and waffle combo condiment), Buffalo Blue, Traditional BBQ, and Peri Peri. The cones are also served with crispy Cajun shoestring fries.

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waffle cone to get? You can get four mini cones with individual flavors for $12 as well. If you still have room for dessert, they serve a joyous apple pie cone, and blueberry pie cone.

Everything served is hand-made by the owners. The waffle cones are made from a vanilla-based recipe, and the chicken is breaded with panko, flour, and buttermilk. Their Bryant Park pop-up location sells nearly 600 cones a day, a testament to the fact that New Yorkers can’t get enough of this savory-sweet treat.

Chick’nCone is perfect for people who want their chicken and waffles on the go, making it one of this summer’s most Instagramed meals. What’s more, a cone is only $8, and the fact that the price matches the portion is a bit of a rarity in Manhattan!

The co-founders of Chick’nCone, Jonathan Almanzar and Josh Lanier, didn’t want to create another “carnival” novelty food, something many might think

of when they hear, “Chick’nCone.” “We wanted to create a grab-and-go food that was savory and filling, and wasn’t just a snack,” Josh Lanier told ABC News. “It’s walkable, it’s delicious, it’s a quick grab-and-go comfort food.”

Jonathan and Josh have always been passionate about food service. Almanzar, a former pastor, has been working in the food industry since he was 13.

He also spent time leading organizations, starting businesses and social movements, all of which lead to the creation of Chick’nCone.

Lanier also possessed a love of food and business.

As a chef and restaurateur, he felt a need to bring innovation and fun to the food business, so he was inspired by the idea of giving people this unique twist on an American classic.

Almanzar, a Colorado native, came up with the original idea for Chick’nCone, and later teamed up

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fort with his partner, Lanier, in 2011 to make it a reality. They sold their first bite in the Poconos, but the two always knew they wanted to take their venture to New York City.

“New York was always the plan,” Almanzar told the New York Post. “There’s a debate about where chicken and waffles were invented, but I’m going to choose to believe that it was NYC—so I think it’s cool that we’ve reintroduced it to the city in a very NYC way; fast, easy to eat.”

Not only is the chicken cone deliciously portable, it is also environmentally friendly, something that Almanzar and Lanier were passionate about from the beginning: their signature dish is completely fork free and entirely edible, with the exception of the paper the cone is held in, which is biodegradable.

Chick’nCone also has franchise opportunities on their website.

So, hopefully we will have their chicken and waffle cones available on many more street corners in the future. For now, you’ll have to venture to their Central Park location to get a bite of this delightful, cone-shaped, riff on an American classic.

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width. Keeping your lower back naturally arched, pull your torso up and thrust your hips forward as you stand up with the barbell. Lower the bar to the floor and repeat.

Words By DOMINIQUE CARSON Photography By KHRYSTIAN MCCALISTER

Goblet Reverse Lunge Hold the head of a dumbbell with both hands keeping it steady in front of your chest, elbows pointing down. Step back with your right leg and lower your body until your front knee is bent to 90 degrees.

BACK

IT UP It’s not just the subject of hundreds of songs, the Gluteus Maximus is one of the most powerful areas of the body. The butt, along with the lower back, are essential to building a better body. Certified personal trainer Daries Lindsay shows us how to have proportional muscle gains, while decreasing injuries.

Take a beat, and then push your body back to standing. Do all your reps on one side before switching legs and doing the same number on the other side.

Step-Up

Askmen.com did a recent poll and the information might surprise you. Turns out women love butts too. It’s one of their top body parts, along with face, back and, well other private areas. Some things you can’t fix. But a more pronounced derrière is not impossible.

Lindsay, who showed us how to build better abs is here again to help us work on our Gluteus Maximus and lower back without injuring ourselves. He says this about working the back, “In order to reduce your lower back pain, you must move the body.

Do a lot of stretches for back pain. You can also do lunges so you can strengthen your lower back and glutes.”

Put one foot on a sturdy box or step with your weight placed on the center of your foot. Stand straight up while pushing your hips back. Squeeze your glutes at the top of the movement.

Hold this position while keeping your hips and shoulders square and your body tall. Push your hips back again, and slowly lower your trailing foot to the floor, taking 3 seconds on the way back down to the starting position.

Once you’ve got it down, add a couple of dumbbells to your routine.

Here are three exercises to work out the glutes and lower back.

Hip Thrusts Lie on your back with your knees bent at 90-degree angles. Place feet flat on the floor about hip-width apart. Crunch your abs and tilt your pelvis back so that your lower back is flat against the floor.

Maintain this pelvic tilt throughout the entire exercise. Push through your feet and raise your hips as high as you can without arching your lower back.

Hold this position for a couple of seconds, then slowly reverse the movement.

Walking Dumbbell Lunge Grab two dumbbells and stand while holding them.

Take a long step forward with your left foot. Push up into a standing position bringing your back foot forward. That’s your first rep. Alternate the leg you step forward with so that you’re “walking” with each rep.

Barbell Deadlift Load a barbell and roll it against your shins. Bend at your hips and knees and grab the bar with an overhand grip, your hands just beyond shoulder

**Exercises provided by Menshealth.com

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Fashion Stylist By SEAN AZEEZ-BRIGHT

Photography By DANIEL IGBINYEMI

Hair By ROHMARRA KERR

Fashion Assistant By SAFA MOHAMED

Make up By JOLANDA COETZER AT LHA REPRESENTS

Model ARIEL BERNARDES AT D1 MODELS

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Words By JOHANA LOPEZ

Photos By ALEXANDRA NICOLE & BRANDON FRANKLIN

A MAD HATTER’S ART TO HAT MAKING Did you think that all that went into hats was making sure it fit over your head? Think again.

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When first ringing the doorbell to B.M. Franklin & Co.’s workshop, you’re not sure of what to expect. It’s not every day you meet someone dedicated to the hat making sector of the fashion industry. Brandon Franklin, the owner and founder, had recently finished hosting an Airbnb Experience where guests received an “intensive history of hats and the production process, hands-on instruction, and access to a depth of sartorial knowledge from esteemed makers.” His mission is to “revitalize the image of craftsmen, through meticulous demonstration and nuanced design innovations.” Browsing through Airbnb “experiences” is in fact how I came across Brandon’s “The Art of Hat Making.”

Once in the studio, I was greeted courteously by Brandon and his intern as Brandon finished up with a guest. We chatted about everything from Franklin being born and raised in NYC by his mother, a former model and entrepreneur, to moving to Fort Myers, FL during his sophomore year of high school. Brandon describes Fort Myers, Florida as a very racist place where his experiences there were what “shaped and motivated me to get the fuck outta there and go back to New York.”

While speaking to Brandon about his craft, a client showed up for a fitting. I asked if I could stay to see how it’s done and he allowed me to. I won’t write too much on it since part of this is what is offered through his AirBnb Experience, so I will briefly mention the basics.

He brought out samples of colors for the hats. He was very easygoing and he and the client spoke as if they have been friends for some time, like a true people person. Face shape, height and features determine the fit of the hat, from the crown to the brim. He let her try on one of the hats and asked her for her opinion to which she replied “you’re the professional, so I trust you.” He brought out a suitcase with bands and ribbon styles to put on the hats. He said, “we try to evoke your personality and character and what makes you you.” The client asked if she could bring him WWII bullets to attach to her custom hat. His face lit up and he expressed how much he loved the idea. The client took out a dress and gave him permission to cut it up to incorporate it into her hat somehow. “Perfect,” he responded.

Where did your drive come from?

My mom started four or five businesses in her life and they were successful for a while. Each time, she had to go back and work for ‘The Man’ out of necessity. I had the mentality that ‘If I don’t make my own way, I won’t find my way at all.’ I’ve always had that mentality because of the women who raised me.

As mentioned earlier, his bad experiences with racism in Fort Myers drove him to find a way out of Florida. He started working for Ralph Lauren in Miami where he came to appreciate fashion. He was later transferred to New York.

What was appealing about fashion?

The creativity. Wearable Art. You can’t walk around with a painting on your chest every freaking day but a garment, a piece of jewelry is like a beacon of who you are.

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Why did you transition into hatmaking?

Working for Ralph didn’t really give me the amount of stimuli that I wanted so I went on a search for something more and I met the owner of the oldest hat shop, Worth & Worth. I was like ‘This guy is incredible.’ He honestly didn’t give me the time of day. So I showed him what I could do for him, so I created this business plan [for him].

I saw this amazing place that I didn’t know anything about. But I delivered everything I said I would. I saw what needed to be done so I did it.

The Process Do you ever have a difficult time tapping into an idea?

Success for me at this point is awareness and education. I want people to see what goes into making these [hats]. I want to put those shitty factories in China out of business.

What advice would you give to someone looking to get into the industry?

Patience, resilience, and dedication. Mainly patience. This shit is not easy. For anyone doing it for the money, prepare to not be rich.

Whatever that means to you.

“If I don’t make my own way, I won’t find my way at all”

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Words By JAMIE SIEBRASE

Luxe by the Lake Ready for the most luxurious lake vacation of your life? Between the open-air bathhouses, river cruises, and fountains galore, Zurich, the water city, has definitely earned its nickname.

It’s funny listening to the Swiss promote their country. In preparation for my recent flight to Zurich, a representative from Switzerland Tourism spent the better part of an hour doing a hard sell on things like pristine lakes – “Switzerland is so clean you can jump in any lake in any village!” – and legendary hiking – “We have 30,000 miles of well-marked and maintained trails!” – and five-star, celebrity hotels: “Audrey Hepburn was married in a chapel at the Bürgenstock Resort!”

He had me at “Switzerland,” of course, but I walked away from the conversation with lots of leads, and a surprising new perspective on the country’s cultural diversity, too. At 15,950 square miles, Switzerland’s a small nation — not quite the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. Luckily size doesn’t matter, right?

Through its centralized location, Switzerland has absorbed the best parts of its surrounding countries – Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein – becoming a vast mosaic of people, food, and languages. Switzerland’s 26 cantons (similar to states) are cut by the Alps, and the majority of the country’s 8.4 million residents live on the Central Plateau, in Geneva and Zurich, the latter a bustling banking hub claiming thriving arts and LGBTQ scenes, in addition to the county’s top nightlife.

But the water city isn’t your typical metropolis.

Zurich was built on Lake Zurich; the Limmat River forms at its outfall, moving through the city center.

Urbanites, then, find natural wonders at every turn, whether they’re enjoying watersports, wellness facilities, or simply gawking at Rhine Falls, Europe’s mightiest waterfall.

With 5,000 years of history under its belt, Zurich’s skyline is dominated by churches. The twin towers of the Grossmünster, the stained glass windows of the Fraumünster, the clock tower of St. Peter — these architectural wonders remind travelers that, sometimes, man’s inventions actually embellish nature.

It would be easy to linger in Zurich, but don’t forget about the Alps. Eventually the stone buildings of Zurich’s old town give way to rolling countryside.

You’ll get a feel for Switzerland’s topography riding the Glacier Express from Zurich to St. Moritz, a chic resort town in the Engadin valley drawing billionaires and celebrities during ski season. In the summer, when hotel rates are within reach, the landscape looks exactly like what you’re expecting from the Heidi VHS box: Snow-capped alpine peaks cradle sparkling lakes and meadows inhabited by roaming goats and cows with bells dangling from their necks..

Eats and Treats The Swiss cuisine is incredibly varied — but no matter what you eat, you can usually count on a delicious and photogenic charcuterie board. The best place to sample Switzerland’s eclectic culinary scene is at Markthalle, serving Tokyo tacos, shepherd’s pie, and everything in between.

If you’re only going to try one regional dish, it should be Züri Gschnätzlets at the Swiss Chuchi in Zürich’s Niederdorf quarter. Here, typical Swiss fare (fondue included) is served in a simple chalet-style restaurant.

In St. Moritz, the vegetable capuns (Swiss dumplings) are perfection at Chesa Veglia, a quaint farmhouse eatery filled with good smells and old world charm.

Zurich is home to the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world, the Haus Hiltl, a casual joint with an impressive line-up of scratch-made veggie burgers and innovative Indian and Asian items, including a fabulous Sri Lanka jackfruit curry. At the butcher’s counter, vegetarians can order meat-free Züri Gschnätzlets.

Bircher muesli was invented in Zurich. While many local breakfast joints do muesli, the crème de la crème is served at Zum Guten Glück, a stylish café also specializes in sweet waffles and handmade ice cream.

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Explore The best way to explore Zurich is by water. While I don’t self-identify as a “group tour person,” SUP City Tours puts an adventurous spin on sightseeing, as certified instructors point out historical tidbits while guiding groups across Lake Zurich. Contact Zurich Tourism for details.

Alternatively, the Lake Zurich Navigation Company operates fabulous River Limmat cruises passing old town’s most stunning sights.

With thirty lake and riverside bathing facilities (“badis” to locals), and almost twenty swimming holes, Zurich has the highest concentration of bathing facilities per capita in Europe. The premiere men’s badi is Freibad am Schanzengraben, a timber box bathhouse built in a 17th century moat. Entry is free, and at night the badi becomes the trendy Rimini Bar. The Oberer Letten river bathing facility is another hip place to get wet.

On the northeast side of Lake Zurich, the Allianz Cinema is an outdoor movie theater drawing 50,000 spectators annually with a mix of blockbusters and art films. Plan to grab dinner during the show; the food at the Allianz Cinema is as appealing as the ambiance.

Located south of Zurich, in the canton of Zug, the Höllgrotten “hell grottoes” are worth the 18-mile drive — just make sure to bring a jacket because temperatures inside never break 50 degrees. It takes 45 minutes to tour these ancient limestone caves.

Stay On the less-frequented end of Lake Zurich, Hotel Marina Lachen is where the cool kids bunk, checking all boxes with modern rooms, four-star amenities, and scenic views.

The Villa Schönegg in Rüschlikon is a cozy and affordable three-star guesthouse with a homey vibe, not to mention an ideal lakeside address. For those who relish local flavor, Villa Schönegg is a fabulous place to shack-up.

For something out of the ordinary, consider camping at the Fischers Fritz campsite. In addition to being the only camping ground in Zurich, Fischers Fritz is the epitome of glamping, with furnished safari shelters that are a far cry from your typical nylon tent.

Luxury was born in Switzerland, possibly at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz, an opulent five-star property with stunning architecture, breathtaking views, and an unforgettable spa.

Rooms go for $2,000 dollars a night during ski season; summer rates, though, start in the mid300s, when savvy guests get five-star amenities at a fraction of the cost.

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“Switzerland is so clean you can jump in any lake in any village!”

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THE HOTEL HOT SPRINGS Hotel Marina Lachen Hafenstrasse 4, 8853 Lachen, Switzerland +41 55 451 73 73 www.marinalachen.ch/en/

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VILLA SCHÖNEGG Seestrasse 116, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland +41 43 388 05 15 www.villaschoenegg.ch/en/

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CAMPING ZÜRICH Seestrasse 559 8038 Zürich +41 (0)44 482 16 12 www.fischers-fritz.ch/en/home/ BADRUTT’S PALACE HOTEL Via Serlas 27, 7500 St. Moritz, Switzerland +41 81 837 10 00 www.badruttspalace.com/en

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SUP CITY TOURS Zürich Tourismus Im Hauptbahnhof 8001 Zürich +41 44 215 40 00 www.zuerich.com RIVER LIMMAT CRUISES W/LAKE ZURICH NAVIGATION COMPANY Zürichsee Schifffahrtsgesellschaft Mythenquai 333 CH-8038 Zürich +41 44 487 13 33 https://www.zsg.ch/en/

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OBERER LETTEN Lettensteg 10, 8037 Zürich, Switzerland +41 44 413 58 80 www.stadt-zuerich.ch/

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ALLIANZ CINEMA 8008 Zürich, Switzerland +41 43 499 51 41 allianzcinema.ch/zuerich

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MARKTHALLE 8005 Zürich, Switzerland +41 43 322 14 14 www.restaurant-maha.ch/ SWISS CHUCHI Rosengasse 10, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland +41 44 266 96 66 www.hotel-adler.ch/ CHESA VEGLIA Via Veglia 2, 7500 St. Moritz, Switzerland +41 81 837 28 00 www.badruttspalace.com HAUS HILTL Sihlstrasse 28, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland +41 44 227 70 00 https://hiltl.ch/en/

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Words By KEYAIRA KELLY Photography By OTHELLO BANACI Photography Asst BRYAN SONA & RAVON WRIGHT Stylist RAVEN ROBERTS Grooming: TISH FERGUSON

The Gospel According to Ryan Leslie The good news is this: we all have the ability to turn a mess into a message. At least that’s the “word” multi-talented, Ryan Leslie wants you to take home. Bleu spoke to the music and business visionary about his mission, his music and our collective future.

The air outside the William Vale hotel in Brooklyn is hot and dense with humidity. The foliaged patio area of the restaurant provides the scenic backdrop for my Saturday brunch with mega music producer, Ryan Leslie. In the thick of the heat, Leslie arrives on location like a light breeze, dressed in a white and black Hawaiian shirt, denim shorts, vintage frames, and a smile flossed out with gold bottom fronts. He introduces himself and his video assistant, and asks for my number, a request that initially catches me off guard. But Leslie’s ask was prompted by his SuperPhone technology venture, an ultra-connected smart phone that bridges the gap between the artist and their fan community.

Yes, anyone can text Ryan—his phone number is literally the cover photo of his Twitter account.

Leslie’s foray into tech comes as no surprise, considering he was one of the pioneers of web music virality. Leslie’s breakout artist, Cassie Ventura, struck gold with her Myspace-made hit, “Me & You” in 2006. In the early 2000s, social media platforms were burgeoning influencer platforms ripe with possibility. Leslie caught the YouTube wave early, using the Internet to showcase his talent worldwide. This foresight has enabled Leslie to maintain relevancy in a fickle entertainment industry.

“The dream I’m pursuing is the dream to unlock the value of more efficient communication,” Ryan explains to me as we wait for our croissants and pancakes. “I believe success happens at the speed of communication. How quickly you can communicate your idea, how quickly you can get the right idea to the right person with the right resources at the right time.”

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A world where followers have direct access to the stars at all times would probably make other celebrities feel over-exposed, but for Ryan, access and information are intertwined. Almost positioning those in the success cloud as demigods, the idea is to give and receive inspiration and opportunity effortlessly in partnership with the people.

“I believe ideas should be given freely to the world, and they should be used in such a way that people can actually advance human civilization and society as easily and efficiently as possible, because we have some major challenges which are facing us. I believe that information and music and art should be disseminated as quickly as possible. I believe the economics around intellectual property will eventually change. Especially given the fact that eventually all information will be accessible and used and built upon.”

Leslie envisions a future where individualism takes a backseat to collaborative efforts. I had to ask him if he had this same energy towards property and creative theft when his laptop was stolen in Germany back in 2010.

“I believe that, what I was supposed to learn out of that situation and what value I was supposed to receive from that situation, and the experience and life I was supposed to live during those times, that was the true value of that entire experience,” Ryan says. “So I feel great about what happened. I feel it’s the reason I’m sitting here now, talking about the plans and goals and the ways I’m going to impact the world from this day forward.”

Leslie’s undeterred optimism almost reads as out of touch. I questioned if his cheerful outlook was some sort of shield to protect the vulnerable soul inside of the guise of fame. In pursuit of raw emotion, I dove into what makes him feel sad, since he could look at one of his ‘lows’ so auspiciously.

“Last time I was sad...sadness, sadness, real sadness,” he repeats, searching for the emotion like a foreign object.

“I’ve had several conversations where I feel sadness when [people] feel the optimism I subscribe to is out of their reach for whatever reason. I can empathize and feel sadness for their challenge of seeing what’s beyond their current circumstance.

I got 80,0000 people in my phone, so there’s many different scenarios and requests that come through my phone, and I genuinely feel empathy for the people who don’t ascribe to the same optimism I have.”

I became curious about his religious background, as I observed him dance around human devastation with an almost zen-like wisdom.

“I was raised as a Christian boy. I’m down with Jesus,” Ryan says. “I’m down with religion for the peace it brings us and the peace of mind it brings us. So we can be thinking about how to give without being burdened down with trying to unravel mysteries that can potentially distract us from giving the most.”

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“So, how does it feel to be a genius?” I ask, already taken aback by his grasp on both tech and music and dare I say, spirituality? He looks behind me and off into the distance when answering my questions as if he visibly sees the answer in the atmosphere and is trying to interpret the vision into words to relay back to me.

He laughed off my assertion, explaining, “I assume other people have realized it more than I have. Was it Edison who potentially said genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration? So once I realized I was willing to work that full 99 percent on whatever little one percent idea I had, then according to Edison’s definition, I assume I would fall into that.”

Ryan adds, “Anyone who puts in the time can become great.”

Anyone well versed in Ryan’s resume could dismiss his answer as performative humility. As a Harvard grad at 19, a master of several instruments, and a sought after hit-maker, there is nothing ordinary about Ryan’s story. But Ryan credits the discipline of his Salvation Army officer parents and his own relentless self-drive for his success. “[My parents] always felt the education system in America was much more different than the education system in the Caribbean islands, which really came from the United Kingdom. They really felt like our kids coming from our genetic lineage

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“I believe ideas should be given freely to the world, and they should be used in such a way that people can actually advance human civilization and society as easily and efficiently as possible, because we have some major challenges which are facing us�

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should be able to breeze through this. So once they said ‘hey this should be easy” than that was what I was programmed to believe.”

The narrative of ‘easy’ is a rare story in the Black experience. Descriptions of our existence are often riddled with the heavy words of struggle, pain, and burden. But Ryan prefers to “live limit free.” When I challenged his mindset as privileged (vis a vis the whole Kanye ‘free thinkers’ rhetoric), he explains that the sweat and grit one puts into the work is what separates the ordinary from the extraordinary.

“There are plenty of people who have gone to all the same private schools and [still] live a totally different existence and life than I do. I find most folks are putting a great deal of perspiration and lack the inspiration.”

Ryan draws inspiration from his well of life, particularly his love life. Like all great musicians, he transforms his pain into poignant melodies. And, if you only read the headlines to his life stories (which many do), one could draw a dotted line across Leslie’s visible career missteps: his fallout with Diddy, his subsequent breakup from Cassie, and his untimely split from Universal Records.

But one of the markers of genius is mental agility; Leslie doesn’t look upon these moments of his life as “low moments,” but instead regards their lessons as beautiful.

“I still get questions about ‘Yo you had such a good run with Cassie, and then boom it all fell apart. Was that a low moment for you?’ And that’s beautiful as well, because that actually correlates more to this idea that the people in your life, are really what gives your life that kind of value.”

“There I was a young, multi-millionaire music producer quote unquote ‘self-made,’ and had used my ingenuity to break an international pop

star through a nontraditional distribution and discovery method over the internet. And people, no matter if their bank account had the same number of zeros in them as mine, could relate to this idea of heartbreak, betrayal, and just a break in the cycle. Because everything in life is a cycle, you fall in love, the cycle breaks, for whatever reason people relate to it. And that’s no matter what walk of life they’re in.”

Leslie harnessed the energy from his relationship heartache and translated the hurt into catchy hooks.

“I just wrote about, ‘I wonder if we’ll ever find out how it was supposed to be?’ ‘What would you do, if I left you out in the blue.’ ‘I know you’re not my girlfriend but I swear that I love you. Those records are so clear.”

I inquired if his catalogue of sonic love graveyards were hard to visit present day.

“No that’s so beautiful. What do you mean? Those songs are so beautiful and what they mean and the memorialization of human emotion, being able to feel at that level, is beautiful to me.”

For die-hard Leslie fans, one of his most unique and powerful musical talents is his ability to convey feelings without words. Leslie’s 2009 single “Gibberish,” will go down in history as a beautiful accident.

“Really, that song is an unfinished record that we just released unfinished. That’s the same process I use for writing any song, which are, somewhat intelligible syllables that we put a melody to.”

Continuing, “I remember playing that record for John Legend in the studio, and he said it would be great when it’s finished. And my manager, Ed

Woods, God rest his soul, said ‘Ryan you should just put it out like this, it sounds great like this,’ so that’s what I did.”

Since there are no words, I pried into what feelings and emotions were coursing through his mind as he recorded.

“The intent is in the music, so however that music made you feel, is likely how that music made me feel when I was creating it. I feel like there is a lot of confusion around what feeling great means to people. So I’m going to leave that up to interpretation, I mean I’m always in love.”

When asked about his current love life, Leslie smiles while spelling out his girlfriend’s name J-EN-A-Y-E loudly in my recorder.

“I feel like I’ve been with her forever. What’s beautiful is the concept of meeting the right person. There’s a construct I’ve had in my mind from the time I was very young, the concept of the ‘proverbial Camelot.’ Who is the princess? What are their characteristics? What are the values they have? I’ve been with THAT person my whole life.

And I feel like that changes as you try to find that person in the people you are dating, and I finally found her.”

It’s clear Leslie’s ‘happily ever after’ depends on his deep acceptance of life’s messy stories and the freedom to change how he remembers them. With the discipline of a mental alchemist, at 39 years old, Leslie’s positive perceptions really create his reality.

“Live hard, love hard. Work hard. Fail hard,” is his advice for those grappling with the weight of “failure” in their lives.“That’s what makes your life interesting, it gives you tent poles of life so you really can feel where you come from and where you’re going.”

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Words By EBONY ALLISON

Photography By ALEC WALLIS & ALEXANDER BLACK

Not everyone is into labels. Just ask the duo known simply as THEY., who have demolished the idea that certain people should make certain kinds of music.

Refusing to conform to the restrictions that the music industry tends to place on most new artists, Dante Jones and Drew Love, better known as THEY., have birthed a new strain of music dubbed “Grunge and B.” The duo made their debut to the world back in 2017 when they released their first album Nu Religion: Hyena. The album was a versatile body of work fusing R & B, trap, funk and rock. Fastforward to present day and the two have honed in on their signature sound which showcases gritty stylistic changes on what was once considered contemporary R & B. By pairing lead singer Drew’s melodic vocals, over Donte’s sonically superior booming bass, adding well integrated ethereal synths, the two formed a sound that is fit solely for themselves.

THEY. stated, “We worked with so many different artists for so long, creating sounds that were fit for them and at some point we had to take a step back to figure our own thing out. Us creating this group was like our freedom. We’re finally free to create and put out the type of music that feels good for us.”

entire day just vibing out in the studio. From there we continued to link up and create music until we finally decided to form the group.

What were you working on prior to creating THEY.?

Dante: I’m originally from Denver, but I moved to LA to pursue music so prior to meeting Drew I had been in the studio producing for Kelly Clarkson, Chris Brown, some Nickelodeon stuff...a lot of Pop music. I’m a big Indie Rock fan so I fell back from the pop thing for a while. I eventually got my own studio in Hollywood and that’s around the time I was introduced to Drew.

Drew: I was doing the solo thing. I had released a project called Sexcapades, but I also did a lot of writing for artists like K. Michelle, Jason Derulo, and Jeremih, to name a few.

Bleu spoke to the group recently to get their take on music, the industry and their iconic name choice.

What music inspired you?

Drew: I think my family influenced my love for music a lot. My mom was big on all the artists that came from the Motown umbrella. My dad was heavy into funk and jazz, so I was into that for a while. I personally was into Ginuwine, Boyz II Men... I was and still am a huge 90’s R & B fan so that influenced me a lot as well.

Bleu: How did you two meet?

Drew: My manager at the time was really good friends with Dante, and he was the one to set up our initial meeting. The first day we met, we spent the

Dante: Growing up in Denver was cool because the area I grew up in was so diverse, so I was always exposed to so many different types of music. My influences run deep from Kanye West to Vampire

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Weekend. I loved Pac of course..8ball & MJG, but I was always just a student of the game soaking up as much music as I could.

How did you arrive on your sound?

Drew: Well we can’t be boxed in to any sound. If you listen to our first album it is such a variety but the one thing we have perfected is taking all these different influences and styles of music and making cohesive projects. R&B of course is the core of everything we do, but it’s fused with so many different elements.

Who would be a dream collab for you (dead or alive)?

Drew: Alive, I’ll have to say Miguel. Love his music, love his sound. Dead, would have to be Kurt Cobain.

Dante: Alive for me would be Frank Ocean. Dead, Michael Jackson.

How do you balance things like fatherhood and fame?

Dante: I mean I’m still figuring it all out. If I wasn’t doing all of this, I would still have struggles, being a parent is a a difficult job. But my daughter is very proud of what I do though...even though she’s only four. I set boundaries for myself though.

Where do you see yourselves and your careers in the future?

Dante: We just want to keep making more music.

We have some dope collaborations coming up, more touring, more albums. Overall, we just want to erase the barriers that people try to place on new artists and keep creating new sounds!

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F E AT U R E Words By KENNETH MILES

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Taking A Stand The talented and tireless Taye Diggs has been with us now for over two decades.

But this fall he plays one of his biggest roles yet on the CW’s All American, tackling racing, class and one of the country’s biggest institutions - football.

Taye Diggs has the kind of resume that many up-and-coming actors may never be able to duplicate. Starting with his “It Boy” role as Winston Shakespeare in How Stella Got Her Groove Back opposite Angela Bassett in 1998, he went on to become the prom king of Black Gen X films.

Think about it - The Wood, The Best Man, Brown Sugar - these movies defined what black love and relationships looked like for some 10 years. The rest of America was not left out of the loop as the versatile actor played Dr. Sam Bennett on the ABC hit series Private Practice for six seasons. It seems like we all have seen some form of Mr. Diggs over the past 20 years.

Now, with his latest role in CW’s new Fall show All American, Diggs plays Billy Baker, a Beverly Hills High school football coach who recruits Spencer James (played by British actor Daniel Ezra), a popular football player and good student from South Crenshaw High. It takes James’ mother Grace (Karimah Westbrook) and his best friend Coop (Bre-Z) to convince him that moving to Beverly Hills to live with Coach Baker to play football would be an opportunity of a lifetime. Diggs cites All American’s dynamic plot, which convinced him to take on the role of Baker. “The complexities dealing with identity, race, socioeconomics, all the drama the high school football entails makes for really rich

storytelling,” Diggs said. All American is inspired by the true-life story of NFL linebacker Spencer Paysinger, who got recruited to play football for Beverly Hills High School before turning pro.

Prior to filming All American, Diggs’ experience with sports was limited to playing tennis and soccer in high school and a little bit of basketball so he had to use the behind the scenes expertise of Paysinger and the show’s football consultants to authenticate the portrayal of his character. “We have ex-NFL players in our writer’s room that make it easy [to do the job]. When you don’t play football you can’t take for granted how intricate and how difficult [football] is. I have a newfound respect for quarterbacks for what they have to do [on the field].

The first season of All American addresses a variety of social issues facing America, but the show has not created a storyline dealing with the controversial topic of athletes kneeling in protest during the National Anthem. In 2016, former San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided not to stand as a form of protest for racial injustice in America during the National Anthem sparking a national debate. “Since we deal with so many issues [on the show], it’s hard to get them all in.

The writers are making sure we don’t inundate the viewers with too much,” Diggs said, later adding, “I

feel like people should do what they want and that others should allow them. So in the same sentence I love that people are taking advantage of their ability to kneel and demonstrate, but at the same time if I want that to be permissible, then I feel like I have to respect the other side when they say they don’t feel like the football field is the place to express themselves.”

Although Diggs has graced both the big and small screens for more than 20 years, he is also an accomplished stage actor who has appeared on Broadway in Rent and later in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. It’s the stage where Diggs got his start and honed his craft. “I feel most like the athletes that I work with on the show when I do theater. There’s no saving you if someone is rushing you, you either get hit or you don’t. In theater you have a live audience.

You know your lines or you don’t. You don’t get any second or third takes. I enjoy the live dynamic a little bit more than I do acting on the screen.”

The next chapter in the 47-year-old actor’s life will have him broadening his horizons behind the scenes producing his own projects for film and television.

“I’m learning more about other elements of this business and trying to leave my mark with a positive influence as much as I can, so I’m definitely putting on that hat and grinding more on that.”

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Photography By ARTIST

ABSTRACT BEAUTY

Words By EMILIE MARIE BRESLIN

From trauma and tragedy to works of art. See how Kamiesha Garbadawala’s pain ripples into poignant and vibrant paintings.

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onsisting of dark colors and an array of brush strokes, Kamiesha Garbadawala’s As A Whole painting is breathtaking. It was featured this summer, positioned in the center of the back wall of Galleria Ca’ D’Oro in Chelsea. The up-and-coming abstract expressionist of Jamaican descent was raised in Connecticut but she describes how her lineage and culture penetrate through her medium, “it’s still a huge part of who I am. I think it’s not so much a direct Jamaican inspiration, but more of the mood portrayed in my art.”

Although she was always creative, the ‘99 Parsons School of Design grad admits to jumping into painting in 2016. In just that short time her work has impacted many.

She recently completed Columbia University’s School of the Arts’ Summer Advanced Painting Intensive Program. She is an ArtSlant Prize Showcase Winner in multiple selections and an Artist-in-Residence at the School of Visual Arts.

She was featured in Miami’s SCOPE Beach Art Fair in December of 2017, and several New York exhibits.

Bleu spoke to the artist recently about her work and her life.

Bleu: What inspires your creativity?

Kamiesha Garbadawala: My mother was always one of my biggest inspirations and I even named my luxury handbag line (Alric Suba) I designed in my 20s, after her. I just loved that her name didn’t really resonate with any particular culture.

I went through a series of traumatic events starting with a pulmonary embolism in October of 2015.

Essentially, it was a blood clot in my lung, caused by my birth control pill. I’d taken it for years, so I thought it’d be safe, especially after my doctor

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agreed. Yet, it was an abrupt life-threatening incident. Sometimes, it felt like I did die and was reborn in the process. Because of its severity, I asked my mother to visit. Surprisingly, she was severely unwell and passed away a few weeks later. Both of those events together really affected me. I felt lost.

As a mother of two and a career person at heart, I wasn’t sure what to do. My husband eventually recommended that I should try an art class, which actually became my start into the art world.

This past May, I also suffered from a Grand mal seizure - it’s like running a marathon in seconds.

Strangely enough, I almost feel like I have to experience these semi-tragic things to create my art.

I guess tragedy and trauma are a large inspiration for my work.

As a female, were there any challenges becoming an artist?

It’s definitely a struggle. You have to have faith, endurance and not become discouraged. Just keep moving forward. It’s still a male dominated industry, but it doesn’t bother me as much. I feel I have something of my own to offer – a story that I’m telling…it’s empowering. My dad would always tell me, ‘you’ll be a very happy woman not because you married your husband, but because you’re doing what you love.’ I think as a woman, to have that inspiration and feedback from a male figure is so powerful.

What’s your favorite piece(s) you’ve done so far?

Eden because it was my first. I just saw so much of my mother in it, and because of that, I’ll never sell that one. Sugarcane is another, inspired by my

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father with reference to Jamaica and his spirit.

He really embodies the ‘everything is going to be alright’ attitude. Brainwaves, is my last in reference to the seizure I had in May. It’s inspired by the EEG tests (the brainwaves shown on a hospital screen).

Do you have any advice for future painters?

I would still love some advice! I know that an MFA isn’t necessary – if you want the education, that’s great, but you don’t need it to be in the art world.

Residencies have helped me. You need to find someone who believes in you. It’ll take years, but just get out there. Networking is so important – attend the shows, talk with people and go for studio visits. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and find mentors. You don’t need everybody to like your work - just that one person.

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SCAMS FOR THE GRAM

O P- E D

Words By TALIA LEACOCK

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Photography By WEI CHEN

The Highs and Lows of Social Media’s Fashion Frauds Three years ago, Branden Miller took social media by storm when he brought Joanne the Scammer to life. A self-declared “messy bitch who lives for drama,” Joanne is outrageous in every way, from her platinum blonde blunt cut and “mink” fur to her unabashed pride in her fraudulent fortune. Joanne and her scams are a hit, and she’s got 1.9 million bemused Instagram followers to prove it. Joanne the Scammer is funny because all of her devious criminal behaviour is entirely fiction.

But when scamming is real, it’s not funny at all.

Ask Shannade Clermont—one half of the former reality TV duo The Clermont Twins—who has been indicted on charges for debit card fraud. Clermont was arrested in July of 2018 after spending more than $20,000 from the account of a man she had allegedly met for a “prostitution date” who was later found dead of an overdose. Clermont used the money to pay her rent and bills and book flights.

A significant chunk of the cash is said to have gone towards the purchase of luxury clothing.

This is the least surprising part of the shocking saga. Shannade and Shannon had amassed 861,000 followers on their joint Instagram account thanks in part to the edgy fashion sense they exhibited on their flawlessly-curated profile. They’ve walked the runway at New York Fashion Week 2017 and at Kanye West’s Yeezy Season 6 and launched their own fashion line, Mont Boudoir. One would presume that their success should have been more than enough to fund their high-fashion habits.

But Shannade’s current charges make it hard not to question how the sisters have financed their expensive clothing collection.

The Clermonts haven’t been the only siblings to come under scrutiny for allegedly scamming for style. Kiran and Jyoti Matharoo live up to their moniker, the “Canadian Kardashians” with Instagram feeds full of Louboutins, diamondencrusted jewelry, and bikini photos on yachts in exotic locales. The pair have never been shy about how they feed their expensive tastes: they date Nigeria’s wealthiest men. The Matharoos are very pleased—braggadocious even—about the lifestyles their millionaire boyfriends make possible.

But the sisters had quite the scare when they were arrested for threatening to reveal scandalous secrets and photos of a Nigerian billionaire. After spending a night in a Nigerian jail and nine more nights closely guarded in a hotel room, the two made it back to Canada, leaving behind charges of extortion, cyberbullying, and threatening to kidnap. They have not returned to Nigeria to face

these charges (there are no extradition laws between Canada and Nigeria). Instead, they’ve continued to floss for the ‘Gram, showing off their svelte figures clad in designer duds.

Tyrone Hankerson took a very different approach from the Matharoos when his alleged scamming came to light. The Howard University alum was a top student, the first to speak at his undergraduate commencement, and one of the 75 students to receive the White House-elected All-Star for HBCUs. He was also well-known around campus for his lifestyle blog—and the accompanying Instagram account—chronicling his fashionforward style.

This April, Hankerson found himself more notorious than beloved when he was accused of misappropriating over $400,000 from Howard’s Financial Aid Office where he worked. The accusation earned him the nickname “Finesse God,” and Howard students and much of the internet began to speculate that the fur coats, fancy cars, and the videographer he hired to capture it all were being paid for with money he stole. Hankerson, who was pursuing his graduate degree at Howard as a law student, has maintained his innocence, but the one-time social media darling can hardly be found online. His accounts are deleted. His presence, erased.

Hankerson, the Matharoos, and Clermont are three chapters of a cautionary tale—scams may pay, but not forever. Hankerson’s law career might never get off the ground, the Matharoos’ names are forever tainted, and Clermont—the most unfortunate of the bunch—could spend 37 years in jail if convicted of the charges brought against her.

I would be hard pressed to believe that any of these well-educated young people were unaware of the risk that came with stealing and extorting thousands of dollars to fill their closets and Instagram feeds with the best of high-end fashion.

So, what could have convinced them that the scam was worth the risk?

Their obsession with documenting their lavish looks would suggest they did it for the likes, the followers, and the high that comes with social media fame. Science would agree. Psychologists have found that social media ‘likes’ release dopamine—the ‘reward molecule’—the same chemical our bodies produce when we win a game, have sex, or eat something delicious. We essentially get high on likes and affirmation. For some people, the high that comes with rocking designer brands

and sharing it on Instagram for people to double tap is so intoxicating, they’ll chase it no matter what it costs.

That feeling is perpetuated by the offline implications of social media clout. For users with enormous follower counts, beautiful feeds, and “the look,” opportunities abound. Businesses are eager to work with ‘influencers’ who are able to get hundreds of thousands of people to pay attention. These are the people who get the brand partnerships, modelling contracts, and freebies.

They’re the ones who gain access to exclusive social spaces and collect checks for simply re-posting a photo or showing up to a venue.

The problem with building your “success” on the shaky foundation of a scam is that it only takes one small mistake to blow your house down. The simple truth is scamming is not sustainable. Lies are forgotten, tracks aren’t covered, the wrong victim is chosen, or the mess just becomes too big too hide.

It’s hard to feel bad for people who deceive and defraud others to flaunt on IG. Sympathy is generally reserved for their victims. Thanks to social media, those victims now include hundreds of thousands of millennials who are being influenced by the false narrative that Instagram scammers have carefully devised. Studies have linked social media use to anxiety, depression, and self-doubt, likely triggered by the way it encourages social comparison—our tendency to measure ourselves against others to determine our sense of worth.

Typically, we compare ourselves to peers, people we consider to be of similar social standing, intelligence, and abilities as ourselves. But with the constant onslaught of posts from other millennials whose success seemingly materializes out of nowhere, this comparison does us more harm than good. That pressure to keep up with the Joneses? It’s gotten very real and even more present in this age of social media when the Joneses are no longer next door, but right at our fingertips.

If the stories of people like Shannade Clermont, Tyrone Hankerson, and Jyoti and Kiran Matharoo teach us anything, it’s this: Instagram is just a slice of life. There’s no behind-the-scenes camera to show us how those exciting moments, beautiful places and fabulous fashion are paid for. Some of the people rocking Jimmy Choos with the Joneses and Coco Chanel with the Kardashians have built their empires on fraud, extortion and deceit. Don’t follow suit. Leave the scamming to Joanne and rock with what you’ve got.

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Words By GEORGE JORDAN

Kearah-Armonie (Kearmonie) is a poet, spoken word artist and filmmaker form Brooklyn, NY. Her short film Shoulders, which she produced, shot and edited is now streaming on Aurore TV. So tell us about your short film?

Well, Last year this time a longtime colleague of mine and fellow poet named Chanel Dupree messaged me the script for “Shoulders”, having known that I went to school for film. I immediately agreed to jump on the project as DP(Director of Photography) and editor. The story is about a young woman, the tumultuous relationship she has with her mother, and the friendship she builds with her best friend to escape from it all. The majority of the film is an intimate conversation between the protagonist and her best friend in which she confides in her about the abuse she has experienced. I was immediately drawn to the script for that reason, the intimacy and the urgency of her monologue highlighting the kind of personal conversations many people do not have and do not realize the necessity of.

How do you know when a project should be a film, a short, or something different altogether like a poem?

Sometimes I don’t really know, but most times as soon as the idea pops into my head. I am very much a visionary. When I think of a poem I think of it almost as a film. I already visualize the beginning, middle, and end just through words and the use of language. I primarily do spoken word and slam poetry so I often consider the performance before even putting my pen to paper.

What inspires your creative process?

Life, As cliche as that may sound. I am already a creator, my day to day life is apart of the process.

When it comes to a specific project it is usually a reflection of myself, my experiences, and my beliefs.

I also work really well under time constraints. All I need is a vision and a deadline.

Who were your heroes growing up and your heroes now?

Solange Knowles - she was probably the first real image I had of someone who was just a full time artist aside from other celebrities. Years after her second album dropped she didn’t have any music out but was still a star, she was a fashionista, she was a natural hair icon, she would make appearances and DJ at parties and events. Just based on her style and the fact that she could do so much and still be this one force, inspired me greatly and still does. As 76

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ARMONIE

(KEARMONIE) far as the G.O.A.T.s are concerned, I worship Sonia Sanchez and Nina Simone.

So much of the line between entertainment and politics has been blurred especially with this Presidential administration. Where do you see the line for you as an artist?

This is a tough one. I am not sure if the line is blurred but we may be discussing several different lines. My politics are all up in and through all of my work. As a Black and Queer Woman my existence is political and it is hard to ignore that. However, I don’t ever say #45’s name, I don’t discuss politics in my personal life, and I do not consider myself much of an activist because I am not participating in protests nor organizing acts of resistance. Yet, on the other hand my voice is my greatest weapon and I will continue to use it. Even speaking up, telling my story, and sharing the stories of those who are misrepresented are acts of protest because they inherently counter the systems in place that work against us everyday.

What are your future goals?

I just want to be an artist. I want to use all of my talents and all that I have been given the most I can, to inspire, uplift, and educate others. To also use my voice and be true to myself 100% all of the time.

Words By JOHANA LOPEZ

SIMON AREDONDO

Simon (sfa) Aredondo is a graffiti writer and artist based in Dyckman. The self-taught artist attended FIT for fashion construction and his work recalls everything from street art, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol.

the website years after selling my first piece ‘cause I got caught up in doing art shows. It felt great being around people that actually like your art. It took a while to get comfortable with social media and believing that the world would like to see my art .

Who or what inspired you to get into art?

Well, I was a graffiti writer in New York for more than a decade. So the transition to art was easy.

Plus I knew most of the famous writers from New York and the street culture. But learning how to do art and make social networking and media work for me was hard. Dealing with criticism wasn’t easy in the beginning. But you learn how to navigate in the art world. If this is what you want to do.

Patience is key.

What has been your biggest learning experience regarding your art?

When did you sell your first art piece and set up your website syla.bigcartel.com?

My first piece I sold was at a group art show in the Lower East Side, a tribute to Bart Simpson. I set up

My biggest learning experience is you can’t give up.

If this is what you want to do and make a living. It’s a hard business and support is nonexistent in the beginning. It can be some fun at times then it can be so depressing at times. It’s in my DNA. I love art and people. I will always create until I die.

What motivates you to continue your craft?

I acquired many skills over the years in the graffiti world and the Street art world. My mind is always thinking, plotting how to paint or construct an art piece. Or simply to write my name. It’s a constant

struggle between art and graffiti. They both drive me to keep going. Seeing what more can I do.

Where did your interest in fashion come from?

In grade school, around sixth grade, someone made fun of my sneakers. And that fueled me and my friends. It took over our lives. Fashion was more important than anything else. Not knowing at the time that was our art. Looking and hunting throughout the tri-state area to find clothing not worn by our peers in school or our neighborhood.

It felt like I was a king in school. Never again did they make fun of me. New York in the 90’s was a great era for street fashion. Ralph Lauren. Donna Karan. And a hand full of brands made us cool in high school.

What advice would you give to someone who is doubting themselves?

Never stop. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not possible.

Make good relationships and have lots of patience.

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JANSIEL

POLANCO Jansiel Polanco graduated from City College with a BA in Graphic Design and an AAS in Graphic Design/Illustration from Kingsborough Community College. He works as a freelancer and creates Youtube videos of his illustration process while advising viewers to follow their dreams.

When did your interest in animation begin?

My interest in animation/cartoons began when I was around 7 years old. I made my first cartoon character tracing a refrigerator magnet of a potato to make the head of the character and other vegetables to make the rest of the body.

What was the most appealing part of animation for you?

The most appealing part of animation for me is seeing how a cartoon can come to life. Animating is like acting, and the animator is the actor. Animating could be seen as acting without limitations.

When did you start ArtCL studios and where do you get your inspiration for animations?

I started ArtCL Studios [in the ] winter of 2016. The inspiration for my animations come from cartoons I watched growing up, but the most influential was the Dragon Ball Z series and many of Disney’s animations.

When did you start your Youtube channel and what was the inspiration behind it?

I started my Youtube channel back in 2008 but back then I used to make dancing and acting videos.

It was in 2016 when I started making drawing videos for youtube. It started as a way to finish my drawings and share the process. I had a hard time finishing drawings, I would get distracted often or would stop midway and create a new drawing.

Recording the process forced me to finish the drawing, it stopped me from multi-tasking and if I wanted a good video I could only have one program

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open. At the end I had a video and others could enjoy the process of it.

How do you stay motivated?

By competing with myself. I’m always looking to surpass my limits and learn new information, whether it is art related or new stories. My motto is “Never Stop Learning For You.” What is the biggest challenge for being an animator and how are you overcoming it?

The biggest challenge of being an animator is finishing animations. Sometimes I tend to be too ambitious with my projects but as the project starts to unfold I find ways to simplify some aspects of the animation. I may modify the animation by making the actions simpler or by changing angles of the camera in order to meet my scheduled deadline.

The best way to make sure I finish an animation is by planning well, being honest with myself about the amount of work everything will be and sticking to the scheduled plan.

Where do you hope your skill-set takes you in the future?

I hope to create animated movies and animated shows. I also hope that I can have a large enough studio where I can create and house other artists pursuing the same goal I have. I wish to serve as a catalyst to inspire a new artist to pursue their dreams.

What advice can you give to others pursuing art?

Keep learning new things constantly. Look at life [like] a video game where you are the main character and you have to make impossible things, possible. The last thing is to enjoy the process of everything that you do, in doing so you will find that the beauty is not in finishing but in learning from the journey you embark every time you decide to create a new piece of art.

Visit his artwork on IG @artclstudios and at artclstudios.com

Words By JOHANA LOPEZ

What made you so passionate about mentorship?

I am the eldest of 5 siblings and I can remember always wanting to have an older brother. Someone who could relate to me and guide me or give me advice without commanding me or having the authority a parent or grandparent has over you.

Older brother or not, I think all young men (and women) want someone to acknowledge them on their level, but also help guide their growth. I’ve been that person for many people, and many people have been that person for me. There is too much garbage influence out there that young people can relate to. This is dangerous because once that influence takes hold, it’s hard to shake or resist, especially with the rise of social media.

Young people are looking for someone to emulate and be recognized by and unfortunately positive influencers aren’t making the time to do that.

Tell us about the purpose behind your businesses, Unlimited Investment Inquiries and An Extended Hand Inc.?

One is consultative in nature and focuses on coaching in one on one, small, or large group settings on the topics of financial literacy and best mentorship practices. My immediate goals around that are to establish a solid brand and tour schools and other institutions to deliver workshops and seminars on those topics. The second is a non profit organization I co-founded focused on combating homelessness both by taking a preventative approach through mentorship and financial literacy education to at risk youth, and a head on approach by connecting those impacted by homelessness with services to get them on their feet.

What were the biggest challenges when writing Mentorship: The Playbook?

Aside from literally losing the manuscript somehow for MONTHS, I’d say my biggest challenges were prioritizing my time to write it, and not making the text too personal. Originally the book was to be a memoir, but I felt like I could turn some of my experiences into lessons and that’s where the call to action at the end of each chapter comes into play.

Tell us about your non-profit and how the public can help?

The non-profit is called An Extended Hand, Inc. and was recently formed by both myself

RAHKIM

Rahkim Sabree has big aspirations, not only for himself but for the lives of others. After receiving guidance as a mentee, he was able to start a business at 24, buy a house at 26 and has now published a book, Mentorship: The Playbook, and started a nonprofit at just 28 years old. His goals are the success of his non-profit and to travel to urban areas to serve as a mentor for youth facing hardships.

SABREE

serving as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Alfonso Holland of Middletown, CT serving as President and Chief Executive Officer. To the both of us it made sense; I channel my passions around mentorship and financial literacy, and he brings his knowledge of life skill development via job placement and independent living skills, and we go out and make a difference. Right now we are working on creating a gofundme page to raise money for our initiatives as well as focusing on grant writing and other funding sources. The best way the public can help is by donating and sharing our message, keeping up with us on social media, and trying to make a change for

homelessness in their areas. We are on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram at An Extended Hand Inc. we also have a website at www.aeh-ct.org.

What one piece of advice would you want young people to take with them?

My advice to YOUTH in general is to believe in yourself. You are MORE than enough and you have EVERYTHING you need to win already inside of you.

Rahkim Sabree can be followed on: Instagram @ unlimitedinvestmentinquiries and Facebook @ unlimitedinvestmentsolutions Visit his page at www.rahkimsabree.com/

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Photography By ASHLEY SKY WALKER Stylist DOUGLAS HICKMAN Grooming: AMBER AMOS

Roman Holiday Actor and model Rome Flynn has journeyed a long way since his days on Bold And The Beautiful, where he won a Daytime Emmy. Flynn has since took on roles in How To Get Away With Murder, and will be featured in Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Funeral next year. For now, he is rocking the latest shirts, jackets and sweaters for Bleu.

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Jacket PHLEMUNS

Shorts ICEBERG

Jacket RAGA MAN Shirt PHLEMUNS Pants NO SESSO

Jacket NO SESSO Hoodie O. N. S Pants LANDLORD / THRASH STYLE HOUSE

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Suit O. N. S Shirt PHLEMUNS

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Shirt LEIMERT PARK THREADS

Vest VINTAGE GIANNI VERSACE / THRASH STYLE HOUSE

Pants LENA KASPARIAN

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Kicking it Back with

MR. THROWBACK Words and Photography By LAVANYA SUNKARA

Skip the hot tub time machine and take the subway for a trip down memory lane at Mr. Throwback, a vintage sports apparel store in New York City’s East Village.

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Michael Spitz, 36, owner of Mr. Throwback, in NYC, sits at a counter in the back of the store, sporting a Knicks jersey, matching shorts, and Ewings, keeping watch over his collectables -- ranging from original Air Jordans and gameworn jerseys to throwback hats. In just a few years, word has spread about his unique store, attracting customers from around the world, and celebs like Kid Cudi, Fabolous, and J Balvin. Pete Davidson and Ariana Grande recently had a private shopping spree, and Spitz proudly shares that he styled Bruno Mars for his stint hosting SNL. With that kind of notoriety, it’s no wonder there’s a steady stream of customers to this distinctive establishment. But visiting this unpretentious gem remains a pleasant experience, where you get not just rare sports items, but accompanying stories, courtesy of Spitz’s enthusiastic narration and extensive knowledge.

Spitz recently moved across East 9th Street to a larger space, to house his entire collection under one roof. “If someone wants a Giants jacket in the middle of summer, I can just run downstairs and get it,” he says, grinning about his success. The Long Island native and uber sports fan, who wore Air Jordans to his wedding, started selling 80’s and 90’s jerseys at the Hell’s Kitchen and Brooklyn DeKalb flea markets in 2012. When DeKalb shut down, he didn’t want to give up his dream. He was lucky enough to find a place he could afford and started what would become a one-of-a-kind shop. Mr. Throwback is the only niche store in NYC dedicated to classic, authentic sportswear.

A playable 90’s basketball arcade cabinet sets the tone as you enter. Across from it are two stacked, old-school boomboxes next to a TV/

S P OT L I G H T

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MR. THROWBACK IS LOCATED AT

437 East 9th Street (between 1st Ave and Avenue A), and is open Mon-Sat from 12-8PM, and Sun from 12-6PM. Find out more at www.mrthrowback.com or follow him on Instagram @mrthrowback.

VCR combo playing Space Jam. On the floor is an NES, in case you get the urge to pick up a controller. Along the left wall, logo shirts and sweatshirts from teams across the country are organized by color, followed by a selection of original Starter and Chalk Line jackets. On the opposite side, ageless jerseys, from your favorite ball players to teams that have since relocated like the New Jersey Nets and Seattle SuperSonics, are lined up below a shelf of classic sneakers, and a video cassette of the original Dream Team. As for authenticity, Spitz makes sure the jerseys have the right labels, and only buys and trades items made by Champion, Reebok, Puma, and Starter, who no longer produce NBA merchandise.

The decor takes you back to the 80’s and 90’s.

“I’ve never been to a store that flooded me

with so many happy sports and pop culture memories! I feel like a kid again,” exclaimed a customer visiting from Long Island. Pennants for various teams and superstars adorn the walls.

An oversized Knicks wristwatch hangs next the changing room, which showcases a subway sized poster of Allen Iverson and a curtain sporting retro basketball team logos. On the counter is a stack of Mr. Throwback business cards, with their designs inspired by Blockbuster video membership cards. Two folding stadium seats flank the wall next to a giant Nike sign on a shelf featuring Mr. Throwback logo apparel and bootleg rap style t-shirts akin to those sold outside concerts, featuring graphics of characters from your favorite 90’s sitcoms with cultural icons. Ever wanted a shirt with Jen Aniston wearing a Knicks sweatshirt or Seinfeld hanging out with Derek Jeter? This is the place for it!

If you are wondering about the price tag, worry not. Everything is reasonably priced, and Spitz makes sure you leave the store happy.

“If you’ve only got 60 bucks to spend, I will make sure to find the right jersey for that price because I want you to tell everyone you had a good experience.” Most jerseys are priced between $30 to $150, depending on the player, condition, and the year of game.

Spitz understands that not everyone is into retro clothing, but he sure knows how to sell it. “I enjoy the fact that there is a story behind some of this stuff. I found ticket stubs from the World Series, Giants games from ‘94 and ‘96 in the pockets. That’s so cool!” he recalls.

When you want authentic sportswear and great conversation, Mr. Throwback is the place to go.

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A Different World

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Reservoir Dogs

America’s Next Top

Fifty

Roman Holiday

Model

Fight Club

Rosemary’s Baby

American Gangster

Footloose

Saturday Night Fever

American Hustle

Girlfriends

Saved by The Bell

Back to the Future

GoldenEye 007

Scarface

Blade

Grease

School Daze

Blade Runner

Grownish

Sex and The City

Blow

Hairspray

Showgirls

Bohemian Rhapsody

House Party

Sin City

Boomerang

Kill Bill

Sister Sister

Boyz in the Hood

Kingsmen

Superfly

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Living Single

The Cosby Show

Car Wash

Mad Max Beyond

The Craft

Carmen Jones

Thunderdome

The Deuce

Casino

Mad Men

The Devil Wears Prada

Charmed

Martin

The Fresh Prince of

Charmed

Men in Black

BelAir

Claws

Midnight in Paris

The Great Gatsby

Coming to America

New Jack City

The Leftovers

Do the Right Thing

Paid in Full

The Matrix

Dope

Paid in Full

The Wood

Dreamgirls

Pleasantville

Wayne’s World

Drive

Pose

White Men Can’t Jump

Dynasty 25

Pretty in Pink

Wild Child

Elizabeth

Pretty Woman

Zoolander

Pulp Fiction

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ICON

To André With Adoration

André Leon Talley is at once inspirational and aspirational, paving the way for all marginalized people to be able to see themselves not just behind the fashion scenes, but leading the way, and shaping the industry itself.

Words By TYRUS TOWNSEND

Southern-born, Northern-educated and Internationally acclaimed, André Leon Talley is one of the Seven Wonders of the modern fashion world. A bright presence of augustness one has no choice but to stop and accept that Talley ushered in an ideology that is part church, part avant-garde. He is able to honor the past, be present, and understand the future of the fashion world, and any other mortal plane for that matter. A fellow North Carolinian, the love of his beloved grandmother allowed him to be a precocious #FreeBlackBoy peering beyond the limits of his imagination, wallpapering his bedroom with images of Diana Vreeland’s Vogue.

Vreeland would later adopt him as a surrogate fashion son and close confidante.

Under Vreeland’s constant tutelage and armed with HBCU and Ivy League pedigree, he inserted and peacocked his way into the vibrant world of the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute and into the life of icons like Andy Warhol, Anna Wintour, Tom Ford and a host of other luminaries. He spews out French phrases and ‘André-isms’ that capture the attention of anyone who listens. Yet, Talley is a historian who can recall growing up in the Jim Crow South.

For Talley, style began every Sunday in the pews and choir stands, citing the black church as an inspiration board that would serve him well during his illustrious and decorated career. The uniformity,

I

(most likely from observing the usher staff), would remain with him forever as he still boasts a wardrobe consisting of bespoke suiting, flamboyant separates and his signature cape. Talley recalls in an interview a time when his mother compared him to the Phantom of the Opera. That is the first of many nicknames he would garner including being called a “black superhero,” during another interview at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Most recently, André invited us into his most intimate spaces with The Gospel According to André documentary which portrays the complex successes and sacrifices of a man who is beyond the boundaries of brilliant, and full of confidence and hilarious one liners. His booming voice is humbling as he discusses many points in his life: from his beginnings in Durham, North Carolina, to later becoming an icon in an oftentimes white washed and cruel industry, to preparing for the next uncertain phase of his life. Throughout it all Talley reminds us to never forget those who stood in the “gap” for us whether in the civil rights line or in the voting booths.

The face of Vogue, the face of black manhood, the face of the eccentric creative, André Leon Talley became the voice of many of us black boys who would would eventually become editors, photographers, creative directors, stylists, influencers, artists and journalists. Whether privileged or marginalized, one thing is for sure: André stays caping for us while wearing customized Dapper Dan capes!

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S TO C K I S T

Photography By ANDREW HART

Style By IMANI SULIMAN

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ANGELO NARDELLI Angelonardelli.it BARBOUR Barbour.com CHAMPION Champion.com COACH Coach.com CONVERSE Converse.com DAVID HART Davidhartnyc.com FLORSHEIM SHOES Florsheim.com GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Giuseppezanottii.com HAUPT Hauptusa.com HOMME PLISSÉ Isseymiyake.com HOUSE OF FUTURE Houseoffuture.com ICEBERG Iceberg.com JOHNSTON & MURPHEY Macys.com KRAMMER & STOUDT Krammer-stoudt.com LACOSTE Lacoste.com LANDLORD Landlordnewyork.com LEIMERT PARK THREADS Leimertparkthreads.com LENA KASPARIAN Lenakasparian.com LES LUNES Leslunes.com MOSCHINO Moschino.com MR. TURK Mrturk.com NIKE Nike.com

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NO SESSO Nosesso.net O. N. S CLOTHING Onsclothing.com OAK NYC Oaknyc.com OFF-WHITE Of-white.com PHLEMUNS Phlemuns.com PRÉVU LONDON Prevustudio.com PSKAUFMAN Pskaufman.com RAGA MAN Theragaman.com RALPH LAUREN Ralphlauren.com REMUS UOMO Remusuomo.com SAND COPENHAGEN Sandcopenhagen.com SCOTCH & SODA Scotch-soda.com SEBAGO Sebago.com SELECTED HOMME Selected.com THRASH STYLE HOUSE Thrashstylehouse.com TO BOOT NEW YORK Toboot.com TOPMAN Topman.com UMBERTO LUCE Umbertoluce.com UNIQLO Uniqlo.com VELVET Velvet-tees.com WOODHOUSE CLOTHING Woodhouseclothing.com WRANGLER Wrangler.com

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