March-April 2016
Oscar Benjamin:
Beauty and the Geek #ARThotel916
20Q with:
Seamus Coutts & His Team
The Edith Head Look: By: Cliff Weimer
Please Save the Date! May 3rd, 2016 All donations made on this date will be match funded! The CIC depends on generous people like YOU to keep our regional Arts growing.
“Creating Entrepreneurs since 2011.�
www.CapitolINDIECollective.org
Inside INDIEblush Mar-Apr:
18
62
Cover Stories:
76
ART Hotel 916: The Legacy continues as we go 20x20.
The Edith Head Look By: Cliff Weimer
Latiya Gholar: From Muslin to Muslims
70
By Christina Marie
Beauty and the Geek
74
By Oscar Benjamin Riding the Lightning: Jackson Bolt An Interview with Aimee Chiofalo & Jim Meyer
Thank you for your readership!
All stories and reprints used with permission.
Introducing:
All rights reserved.
FASHION WRITER
Please direct any questions or comments to our website. Editor-in-Chief/Founder: Christina Marie Staff photography: Quroscuro, CMYK photography Proofing: Pamela Finney
Sabrina Baladad-Perez:
10: TREASURE ISLAND
7: Introduction from our Editor
About Our Contributors for this Issue: Christina Marie, Founder, Editor-in-Chief:
Christina Marie is a Writer, Producer, Director, and Actress with over 30 years experience in the entertainment business. She obtained her Theater Arts degree from CSU Sacramento with a Minor in Music. After working on the stage for several professional theaters, she converted to film. She is driven by the INDEPENDENT spirit in film, fashion, wine & food, and the outdoors. When not working, Christina enjoys camping, crafting, regional wine tours, day spas, and spending time with her extended family.
QUROSCURO
With over 30 years of combined photography experience and the creative minds of Darren Paquette, Craig Fouts and Jessie Rand we work to create a high-end finished product ready for print in magazines, billboards and all other advertisement needs.
Cliff Weimer, Film Historian
Clifford Weimer is a Sacramento-based writer and film historian; his website, inthebalcony.com, is celebrating its tenth year, and he also writes a regular column for ClassicFlix.com. He’s contributed bios, documentaries, and other material for numerous DVD releases for various companies, including VCI Entertainment, AC Comics, and others. Some of his work can be found on such DVDs as The Green Hornet, The Phantom Empire, and Buck Rogers.
Arlene Barshinger, Media Outreach
Arlene Barshinger is a model, film producer, actress, and photographer. She is half German and half Korean, and was born in Fort Belvoir, VA. She’s been involved in such projects as Fruitvale Station, HBO’s Looking, HP commercials, and worked as an American Express Print Model. She also currently models for INDIEblush Magazine and Hopelessly Romantic.
Oscar Benjamin, Music & Film Industry Writer/Photographer:
Oscar has always lived with the idea that an individual should always pursue their dreams and interests to the fullest that they can. This philosophy shaped Oscar’s career and positions he’s held over the span of his adventurous life. Oscar’s been a mobile disk jockey, a truck driver, a commissioned artist, and more. He relishes his current life as a professional photographer and writer who’s documented a number of high profile motion pictures, TV shows, red carpet premieres and numerous other entertainment events. He continues to enliven IndieBLUSH with his first-hand tales of the entertainment industry.
Pamela Finney, Sales, Features, and Proofing:
Pamela Finney has a Bachelors in Communication and an ABT Masters in Education from Simpson College, along with a Masters in English from CSU Fullerton, and spent many years as a college English professor. Pamela is a breast cancer survivor who has also spent most of her life acting, always dreaming of becoming a full-time SAG-AFTRA actor, an accomplishment she is finally realizing.
April Potter, Sales and Marketing
April Pirl Potter has been involved in the Fashion, Arts & Entertainment industry for over 15 years, working in film, television, music and fashion in various capacities. She is an Actress, MC, Stylist, Producer, Director, Writer, Videographer, Talent Booker and Promoter of the arts. She is fiercely dedicated to inspiring and connecting with others using media and entertainment as her medium, sharing it through Megatude Media. If she’s not on a production of sorts, April can be found playing out in nature with her two dogs Johnny Cash and Pirl.
Sabrina Baladad-Perez, Fashion Writer
Sabrina is a fashion design student at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in San Francisco (FIDM). She is a FIDM Social Ambassador and contributing writer for The Odyssey Online. Sabrina is a coffee lover, creative crafter, and proud Bay Area Native. She is always on the lookout for the latest trends and new places to adventure.
Do YOU have what it takes to make us INDIEblush?
Send us a sample of your writing, photography, video, or join the sales team! INDIEblush aims to be a competitive magazine in the INDIE market. We need writers who are PASSIONATE about writing and all that is INDIE, photographers who have a unique eye with a knowledge of commercial production, and videographers who get 1 minute journalism. Is that you? Email us at indieblush@gmail.com.
From the Editor: Thank you for reading our magazine! It’s hard to believe that Capitol INDIE Collective, Inc., is nearly 5 years old!! This Summer we will celebrate with a return of the Birthday Bash. Big Day of Giving is also coming up May 3rd-so please save the date and give where you heART is! This Bi-month, we cover Art Hotel 916, Fashion Designer: Latiya Gholar, remember Edith Head, explore Beauty & Geek-dom, introduce Sabrina Baladad-Perez as our new Fashion Writer... and so much MORE! Do you know of an INDIE who could use coverage? Our mission is to highlight the INDIE films, fashions, wine producers, and more in the Northern CA region and beyond. In the past we have highlighted Bollywood and other regions that produce Independently made products and services. Please contact us with your story! We also take photo submissions through our site. You may be highlighted on our blog, social media, or in the magazine itself.
Thanks again!
~Christina Marie
YOU could be Advertising here. www.INDIEblush.com
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c m e n i s r n or e f o v i i t d m a l i t f d n r en a s u , e o s r l y p ! a t y i re D a E I m r T t P b r u N A o S E r p S ! o f E e g t R n a a i P r r o E e g R cu c g w E a e m B , n u s t d e n a r i n t e i m It’s la un t o a r o v m i o t p s e p e . h f t o r F bette ries. Ke ep May 2016 F to ur s P o r d o n f a A n io t a r S e d i s . n ento co
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Treasure Island Flea Market Celebrating Independent Artists By Sabrina Baladad-Perez
The San Francisco Treasure Island Flea Market debuted in May 2011 with the intention of supporting local artists and entrepreneurs. In the short time since it launched, the Treasure Island Flea Market has become the largest monthly gathering of artists, designers, and crafters. The Flea Market is held year-round on the last full weekend of every month. “Treasure Island Flea,” as the locals call it, thrives because of the overwhelming feeling of its community. It doesn’t matter if someone is looking for furniture, old records, or eclectic new jewelry-- there’s something for everyone. On the other side, each vendor has a unique story of how they wound up selling at Treasure Island Flea. I had the opportunity to talk to a few sellers, and I was amazed by how different each person’s story was, but what unites these sellers is their unbelievable creativity, dedication, and passion. A woman with these three traits and more is Jessica, the founder of Maude, a “small, earth-friendly, mobile boutique.” The idea of owning a mobile boutique
came to Jessica when she was in grad school. She was not happy living her life in a routine of constant studying and taking tests and would often dream of ways she could escape. Specifically, she wanted to refurbish a vintage RV and just travel. However, a thought kept complicating things: “how would she make money?” Well, Jessica solved that problem. Today, Jessica is a proud owner of a mobile boutique, where the store is the actual RV itself. The interior of the RV was constructed completely of re-purposed materials and even runs on solar power. As if that’s not enough, the majority of the jewelry and art Jessica sells is handmade by independent Bay Area artists. Jessica says that the goal of Maude is to “show different ways you can be environmentally friendly.” She is a prime example of how a person can benefit the community and the earth without sacrificing “the latest fashion trends.”
Opposite page: Clockwise: Maude, My Trendy Trailer, Little Lemon Production House, Ruby Rose Apothecary This page: Maude. All Photos by: Julian Maletsky
Another passionate woman I encountered at Treasure Island Flea was Karyss Bollen, the owner of “My Trendy Trailor.” Before she started this business, she was hosting craft meetings for moms like herself, who couldn’t afford to buy expensive jewelry. Before she knew it, her craft meetings turned into an actual business. My Trendy Trailor accessories are now available in seven stores across the United States and Bollen continues to sell at Treasure Island Flea and other markets around the Bay Area. Bollen emphasized that her business is definitely for-profit, but she tries to support other communities. One example of this is a popular bracelet she sells, for which the beads were bought from women in Ghana who hand paint them with local materials.
Photos by Julian Maletsky
Now my focus going into the Flea Market had been to showcase the fashion and jewelry scene of the event; however there were some vendors whom I couldn’t ignore. One of them being the mother-daughter duo of Karen Sanders-Betts and her daughter, Hannah Howerton. Their company’s name is the Little Lemon Production House. They sell a variety of things including plush pillows and canvas bags, but the focus of their company centers around the book, “The Little Lemon that Leapt.” The book was written by Sanders-Betts and illustrated by Howerton. The book’s message is to teach children that “what makes you weird or different is what makes you beautiful.” I am in complete support of their message and look forward to seeing their business grow and inspire a positive self-image to young kids.
Another seller I talked to was Kay Raykiewicz, owner of “Ruby Rose Apothecary.” Raykiewicz sells handmade bath bombs and soap, inspired by the bad skin she had when she was younger. Ruby Rose Apothecary uses 100% local and organic products. Some ingredients include-- milk, honey, roses, and avocado. In addition to the natural ingredients, Raykiewicz describes her products as “functional art” because of the colors and designs each bar of soap contains. The Treasure Island Flea Market is full of sellers like the ones showcased in this article. They sell their products not to make money, but because they are passionate and truly believe in the work they do. The community is extremely supportive of each other and the products can’t be found in a mall-- they are unique and made with love. If you haven’t been to the Treasure Island Flea Market, I encourage you to go-- it is truly filled with brilliant treasures. ~Sabrina Baladad-Perez
Please help bring it back!! We did not hold a challenge last Summer due to lack of funding!! Our developing Designers need YOU. Be the Difference. PLEASE DONATE
Four successful years of creating couture in 10 days with unexpected materials: Newspaper Couture, Fashion Pairings, Poe Couture, and TRASHION. Your generous donations will fund this year’s challenge. What secret materials will there be this year?
On May 3rd, 2016 your donations get
match funded!
Capitol INDIE Collective, Inc (501c3) transforms Artists into Entrepreneurs. With your tax-deductible gift, we can have more success stories like Sacha Laurin, winner of the Fashion Challenge, who went on to show her fashions and jewelry at SAC Fashion Week, The Huffington Post, and at the Oscars as part of the Nokia Gifting Suite. Your donations fuel projects like ELEMENTS Fashion Experience and The #DYSPHORIA Project, fighting back against bullies and body shaming. Because of your generosity we have nearly 100 people standing up to share their body types and educate on Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Please SAVE THE DATE, May 3rd, 2016 We hope to acquire at least 100 new donors at $100.00 each. If we raise $10,000, The #DYSPHORIA Project can go global at Burning Man 2016.
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With Art Hotel 916
List of installed Artists at m5arts.com Story and Photos by Christina Marie
Shaun Burner Contemplates What He and His Team Has Accomplished.
David Walsh gazes at the line already wrapping around the block on Saturday morning.
It’s a brisk Sacramento morning as I walk past 24 Hour Fitness and a gaping construction site where a new arena seems to rise like a Phoenix from the ashes of the demolished Downtown Plaza. A sentry stands guard near a window cut in the plywood barrier to assist the curious populace that mills by on their way to work. I continue on to excitedly just a little further to something far more interesting to this passionate journalist: an abandoned hotel, flagged for demolition, not going quietly into the night. This is Art Hotel 916. Seated next to the historic Marshall Hotel, the Jade Hotel is no shrinking flower; rather, she is a defiant fixture of 7th street with one middle finger up at progress. She’s not going out until she hosts one of the most significant Art experiences Sacramento has ever seen. At the door, Artists and volunteers work as docents counting heads as they flow in and out in groups. They can only allow up to 60 people in at a time. Today, there is no line yet, but a plethora of Press and Media document as fast as they can what is sure to be a phenomenon in a matter of hours. From that morning on, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with the organizers, volunteers, and attendees as I visited an addictive three times between February 5th and 13th-- the only week that Art Hotel 916 would be open for viewing before demolition.
By the last day, February 13th, David Walsh and Chris Hopkins try to manage the Goliath line that wraps around the block across the street, up to Capitol Mall and doubles back. Matt Orr Juggles on the sidewalk. An Artist and his child draw on the sidewalk with vibrant colors.
Q1:
What is the one thing you've had to say repeatedly today?
Andy Cunningham: Get in line like everybody else.
Q2:
What is your favorite part, being a Docent?
Andy Cunningham: Watching the people come out. It’s another way to experience this. People come out and ...sometimes it’s visceral, sometimes they are speechless, sometimes they are mad they are getting kicked out because there wasn’t enough time--it’s just a myriad of experiences.
Q3:
Do you think this should happen again in Sacramento?
Absolutely. Are you kidding? Eleven THOUSAND people in a week? Crocker doesn’t even do that!
Lisa Jetonne, an Installed Artist also volunteered to serve as crowd control and assure that no one would write on the art or vandalize the project.
Q4:
Which one is yours? Lisa Jetonne: The Zipper! The Mile Long Zipper. It goes throughout the building. There’s a ball of it in the lobby, and it.... is focused in a closet on the third floor. Then it runs up to the roof, and to the fire escape on the 3rd floor.
Q5:
I noticed on the first day, there was a swing, then it was broken when I came again. Did someone sit in it and break it? Lisa Jetonne: Yes. I mean I knew that was a possibility that might happen...the swing was a metaphor of the back and forth passage of a zipper, right? We swing our zippers open and closed, and the fact that is broke is fine! Because that’s what happens to our zippers, right?
Q6:
How did you first learn of the project and how did you apply to install? I found them on Kickstarter. I supported the project, and then I saw how to apply: there was an open call to artists. I bought two miles of zipper a couple of years ago and just had it lying around waiting for a venue to do what I wanted to do.
Q7:
How does one acquire TWO MILES of zipper?? There is a fantastic store called, Urban Ore in Berkeley, they do architectural salvage and they take the most amazing random things from people who need to get rid of them. It cost me $5 per mile. I had to measure it to confirm. It all fit onto a hand truck on two spools- I couldn’t carry it!
Q8: What inspired you to create Art Hotel? Seamus Coutts: There wasn’t really an inspiration; it’s kinda something that I do. There were others involved: Shaun Burner, the Artists...we have a great team.
Q9:
How has the City been over the length of the project? Seamus Coutts: If they were here, I would throw roses at them. They have been brilliant with helping us with code things, letting us know what we had to do to make it happen. I just can't thank them enough.
Q10:
I heard you were able to bump up your maximum capacity from 60 to 100, then you had to ratchet it back again-- what happened? Seamus Coutts: THAT (He points to piles of building materials freshly dropped off in the empty space next to the hotel). There are basically two fire exits... and one of them got closed off.
Q11:
I heard the demolition of the building got pushed to Summer. Are there going to be further showings? Seamus Coutts: Our team is tired and we need a break. Not only that, but I think it is an integrity issue. People say, “Oh you can reopen and charge!” Well, we’re not about charging. For one thing in the United States everything is instrumentalized towards capital, and for people on the fringe, whether they are Artists, homeless... if there is anyone who is marginalized by society... and not welcome in a hyper-capital space, [we want them to] have a place to go to participate in society...otherwise they are excluded-- and that’s the worst thing that can happen to a human, to be excluded from their own tribe. Most of the people on the team think the same way. The idea of charging and doing a longer run went down in flames.
Q12:
Jennifer stood in line only to learn the show sold out. How did you feel? “It’s a little disappointing. I got here at 11a.m. at opening time... we should have gotten here a lot earlier.”
Q13:
Do you think the City should do this again? “Yes. Definitely.”
Q14:
Do you think Sacramento has arrived? “I think there is still more that they can do. I think they are on their way with projects like this.”
Q15: How do you feel about the growing art scene here? Seamus Coutts:
Pardon my French, but it’s Fucking brilliant!
Q16:
Have you had a chance to ascertain how much has been donated to the artists yet?
Seamus Coutts: Not yet. I DO
know that we have had over 11,000 people come through in one week. That’s how we measure our success. To guess how many actually donated on their way out? I don’t know.
Q17:
So how about the Human impact? Seamus Coutts: I think this sent a message: “Hey play nice with one-another, and we can make great things happen.�
Q18:
Together we are more? Seamus Coutts:
Exactly.
Q19:
Do you think this helps make Sacramento a world-class city? I don’t think Sacramento can ever be a worldclass city because it is so far behind. Sacramento doesn’t have the super tall buildings like New York [or the history of London]. [Compared to] San Francisco? Eh...one good earthquake and we got it covered! BUT....what Sacramento CAN do? And this is a message for the City: it’s up to the City Planner and the people who run the city to have imagination, because it’s not just a small province of Artists. What Sacramento CAN do is shine as a worldclass city through the Arts. That they CAN do.
Q20:
Wishing this could last just a little longer, I mused about how it will live on through media. Are you collecting the photos and placing them somewhere? Then Seamus told me about this: Virtual Art Hotel by Dreyfus & Blackford Architects at www.virtualarthotel.com. It will live on (temporarily) virtually.
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Themes coming soon! Check the website for this years titles & tuition information
Beauty &
Fashion with a Sense of Wond
the Geek
der -- The Geek Fashion Show Oscar Benjamin
The continuing popularity and growth of Kosupure (more popularly known as Cosplay) has allowed designers to incorporate that sensibility into their designs, which in hindsight is a very logical development. IndieBlush caught up with Douggary Grant at the recent SacAnime convention in Sacramento, California, to gain insight on the rapidly ascending and popular fashion shows that he has been integral in presenting at various convention throughout California. IndieBlush: I need some background for my readers, origin story, interests, etc. Who are you? Douggary Grant: I’m Douggary Grant and I’m a huge geek! I’ve been reading comics since I learned to read. I’m one of the founding editors of G33k-hq.com and I also create costumes and props. I’ve been a part of a bunch of different fandoms: Rocky Horror, gaming, cosplay, Renn/ Dickens Fair, and everything in between. I got heavily involved in conventions through my love of comics. The easiest way of attending a lot of shows when I was younger (and broke) was to volunteer. I worked my way up to planning my own events and that is where the idea for the Geek Fashion Show sprung. IndieBlush: What is the official name of the fashion show you are part of? Douggary Grant: The Geek Fashion Show! I wanted a simple name that clearly explained what our mission is. IndieBlush: How did your group form? Douggary Grant: In 2006/2007 I was chairing a small nonprofit sci-fi convention that benefited diabetes research. Our budget was next to nil and I was trying to think of ways to buff up our programming without breaking the bank. I had friends in both
sides of the cosplay community, fabrication and the cosplayers themselves. I thought it would be cool to put some designers together with models and have our own little geek/chic fashion show! It ended up being one of the most popular events at the Con. IndieBlush: Who had the initial idea and why? Douggary Grant: It was mine alone, and I actually had some push back from the board for the event at first…they didn’t think it was viable and that a fashion show didn’t belong at a sci-fi show. That is not to say I didn’t have help. I certainly had a hand from a few people with that first show. My good friend Katharine Kuzia(AO) was a wellknown cosplayer and professional model and she was already coming to the show as a guest, so I put her to good use. Designer Carlyfornia was vending at the show and she put together a line of her geeky inspired dresses to walk. I pestered a lot of my cosplay friends to come out and walk that first time. I now work with a great group of people, from models and designers to make-up and hair professional and a production crew. We even bring in our own DJs. IndieBlush: How do you pick your models? Douggary Grant: Honestly I usually let the models find us. We are an all-inclusive show, which means we do not discriminate based on age, race, gender or physical appearance. It is my firm belief that everyone has something beautiful about themselves. I want to give people the chance to show everyone else that onstage. That being said not everyone makes the cut. You have to be willing to put in some hard work and long hours. We screen every model, and if they don’t embrace our ideals or mesh well with the group we have already assembled, then we pass on them. This
group is like a family and the only time we tolerate divas is when you’re walking the runway! IndieBlush: Are your models professional? Douggary Grant: Yes! Some are: we’ve had Adrianne Curry, Rana McNear, AO, Jean Gomez, Milynn Sarley, and LeAnna Vamp, just to name a few. That is not to say it is in anyway a requirement because we want representation from all across fandom. Cosplayers, bloggers, artists, gamers and just regular fans! IndieBlush: You are obviously skewering towards the Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy crowd with your presentation. Was this the main reason for the creation of the group? Douggary Grant: The group was formed just to aid in the creation of each event and we actively seek out other areas of fandom to represent. In the last show we had designer Lunar Descent, who uses
aesthetics pulled from computers/hacking for her unique looks. Wasteland, Steam Punk, and Gaming are all areas of fandom from which we have designers using as their inspiration. We change designers all the time, so you never know what exactly will be onstage. IndieBlush: Have you and any of your models branched beyond your particular show? Douggary Grant: Sure. Since we use national brands, ETSY/ boutique labels have pulled girls from the show to use for catalog and marketing work. Some of them have gone on to be involved in video/film projects through contacts made in the group. I am happy everyone networks, so it is good to see people involved in the show working with each other outside of our events. IndieBlush: Is there an underlying message that you
are trying to give your audience? Douggary Grant: As I mentioned earlier, I truly believe that everyone has something beautiful about themselves: maybe it is their eyes, their laugh or the just way they eat pancakes! Something that makes them shine. I think as geeks we all faced some sort of oppression or discrimination growing up and we’re all social misfits to some extent. I want to give these girls and guys a chance to feel good about themselves--as they should! I had one girl who was in my show bring her friend up to me afterwards. She really enjoyed watching the show and wanted to see about participating. The model introduced her friend to me as a “plus sized model.” I stopped her right there and said, “We don’t have plus sized models, we just
have models.” It is the same way we don’t have skinny models, old models, young models, short models or tall models. We just have models ,and everyone has a chance to be one. IndieBlush: How many venues have you now been a part of with this show? Douggary Grant: Oh God--I lost count--lots! IndieBlush: What was the official first day that you started this concept? Douggary Grant: Sometime in 2006/2007. The idea was kicking around before that, but that is when it was given life. IndieBlush: Can you please go into some detail about the various designers! Douggary Grant: Oh wow! We have worked with so many great designers! Minz Prints, Orion’s Originals, Gold Bubble, Melancholic Designs and that is just to name
a few. Two brands I really love are Newbreed Girl-there stuff is so playful and fresh --and Iron Fist Clothing. I have a special liking to IFC because they provide me with stuff to wear onstage and plus it’s hard to find designers doing specifically male looks. Both of them are currently working with Think Geek-- and be on the lookout for some exciting stuff coming from them. Oh! Sires Eye wear-- I love their stuff! IndieBlush: Do you place any kind of limitations upon your models? Douggary Grant: They really have to want to just to do the show. A lot of people underestimate what it takes to put on a fashion show. Our call-time for a show at noon could be as early as 7:00 A.M. A lot of people will scoff at that, but think about how long it takes you to get you and your friends to the movie theater and now multiply that by 10! We have to coordinate anywhere from 40-70 models getting make-up and hair and dressed--it’s like herding cats! IndieBlush: Where would you like to see your show go in the future? Douggary Grant: I’ve been lucky enough to do a lot of shows all over, but I’d love to take it on a tour and really see a bunch of Cons I’ve never been to or even outside of the U.S. That would be awesome! I do want to give a shout out to everyone who I’ve had the pleasure of working with! I love how the show has brought together so many wonderful people and given them a confidence boost!
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From Muslin to Muslims
Latiya Gholar photographed by Frans Loriaux
Latiya Gholar is one of the most unique designers on the runway this year. She is an entrepreneur, has a nonprofit organization, and designs some of the most controversial swag to hit the catwalk. Her 501c3 pending, “Designing For A Difference,” or D4D as she fondly refers to it, started as a program for girls, then expanded to boys, seniors, and the School District with a free after school program funded by the nonprofit at Hiram Johnson. The Citrus Heights Women’s League donated a ton of fabric and are making dress forms for her students, as well as offering sewing machines and a 3D printer. The mission? “Give the kids a safe and creative environment to grow in,” says Gholar. The seven-year plan is to expand to 40 cities. “I want to make sewing something the community does again. For seniors, it gives them something to reconnect to, and for girls, it gives them another way to be represented along with sports & cheerleading... If no one is there to teach them [these skills], they have to wait until college to figure out if this is something they want to do and... By then they take all of the creativity out of these kids.” Latiya laments how our children have few programs to teach creative arts and then we ask kids to chose a career path with little to no exposure to the Arts. “I participate in creating curriculum for home schools too, incorporating geometry and color theory, so they get school credit, and if they are a Girl Scout, they get a badge too!” She has a sewing lab on Tribute near Cal EXPO and Latiya has grown her classes to 14 students with almost half re-enrolling each session. “Right now we offer classes, but soon we want to have solar-powered sewing machines for women in underdeveloped countries to empower them and to start a business.” She is looking for a high-tech partner now.
through fashion. What I wanted to see was a hybrid of clothing so it would be easier for people in this country to understand and identify with Muslims. As Muslims we are not supposed to make things foreign. It’s about community, like any religion.” She is turning heads and receiving threats that perhaps she is too edgy. “I know I have to stand up for this. In life there are two types of people. There’s the shepherd and the sheep. I am not a sheep.” I wanted to know how she balances being a Muslim and being an American. “How do you dress and express yourself?” “Well for me, it’s about what Allah has for me. We are all individuals and Islam for me, has been a personal journey -- it’s a personal gift. I feel like where I fit in is more of a role model who isn’t holier than thou. I don’t see myself wearing something that’s not from this country. I don’t want to offend my country. I’m not from other countries, so I’m not going to assimilate to those other countries’ cultures --and I don’t particularly like that fashion-- it comes down to that. So my customer is that nonperfect Muslim. They might miss prayer, or go to the club, drink alcohol or smoke weed. We as Americans have our own challenges, so it’s an opportunity for me to introduce something new without having to explain somebody else’s culture. That’s not my thing. At the end of the day everything is Islamic-INSPIRED.” Yet, very American. “The set of rules are simple: so I took those rules and make it look how I would want it to look, what I think it should be. Because in the beginning, Allah didn’t say, “Hey, I select you to create this uniform.”
It would be cool to see a “Tom’s” model: Buy a machine; give a solar machine. INDIEblush & Capitol INDIE Collective, Inc., hopes to assist Ms. Gholar with this endeavor.
What you wear is a thought and an image, and Allah is not a thought or an image. Islam is not one image. To me, it’s really disrespectful to boil it down to one image. It’s not about how you dress!
But what about Latiya Gholar the Designer?
I have so many opportunities to be creative. Allah tells us to wear our most beautiful apparel, which makes sense, because he wants people to be attracted to the faith. I want people to say, “That is HOT, I want that, I want to be a Muslim!” The slogan for American Uma is, ‘Same concept, different swag.’
“I’ve been trying to figure out who I am as a designer, because I am really an artist.” She’s created American Uma. Uma means Community in Arabic. “I’m Muslim-- I wasn’t born Muslim; I converted to Islam. I learned a lot about the history of Islamic Fashion and I learned a lot about Islam
I have so much fun with it.”
(cont’d)
“Can you imagine if all of Catholic women dressed like Mary the Mother of God?” I muse. We laugh... hard. It really is difficult to imagine. In regard to men wanting women to dress a certain traditional way, “OK I’ll dress like that, but you have to get out of the Lexus and get onto a camel or a horse. What’s wrong with modernizing fashion?” By its very definition fashion reflects the modern day. To be “out of fashion” or “old fashioned” means you are behind the times. “We are supposed to be progressive!” By chance, a Muslim woman walks by with her baby in a stroller. She is dressed rather Americanized and covers her head with a large bulky scarf. Latiya points it out and says, “Like right here: that’s her style. But I find that cumbersome and uncomfortable.” I say, “But you know... on a lazy hair day, that scarf has got to come in handy.” We both laugh again. “There’s almost two billion Muslims in the world. If you think I am going to make them all happy.......no. If you don’t get it, I don’t care. My hope is to have anybody wear it just as a fashion statement.” Latiya is on fire. She appears at SAC Fashion Week, then off to LA, Atlanta, and Chicago. She’s getting featured on an international TV show by a woman who was on Afganistan’s top model. WAIT. Afghanistan has a Top Model show?!?!?!?! YES. Yes they DO. She is hopeful that Dubai is on the list of travel and finishing out her 501c3 requirements is also at the top of her list. If that’s not enough, by Fall, she hopes to go into production with a few pieces. INDIEblush will be there waiting to see the amazing things Latiya Gholar and American Uma do next!
Special Thanks to Frans Loriaux for providing the photos for this article. To see more of Latiya’s work, please visit his website: http://www.fransloriaux.com/
Marina Radoycis photographed by Frans Loriaux
Riding the Lightning:
Last year, a group of Independent filmmakers set out to make a movie and perhaps do something different. Completing the movie from script to screen in less than a year just happened to be a by-product of their passion, team, and ambition. INDIEblush had the wonderful opportunity to get a glimpse through an interview with Jim Meyer and Aimee Chiofalo before the World Premiere, March 11, 2016 at IMAX in Sacramento, California. INDIEblush: When did you start shooting & editing last year? Jim: We began in June of 2015, and we shot for 12-15 days between Principle and Pickups. Robert Parham edited as we went and was involved from the start, so he finished it in January. INDIEblush: From script to screen in under a year?! Aimee: It was a big collective effort getting it done. It’s about the team. Using her connections, Aimee “type cast” cops and EMS workers into the movie. Locations were the biggest challenge because of insurance and liability. Aimee thought outside of the box and secured locations that were versatile and film friendly, like a vocational nursing school to double for a surgical suite for the operation scene. Jim: Everybody wants to act, but logistics are... tedious. Thinking outside of the box doesn’t mean a compromise on quality, though. The team secured a SAG-Indie contract and Robert Parham helped cast professional talent like Markus Taylor, China McCoy, Fred Williamson, and more.
Jim: We built the movie around our celebrities because we knew we had them for a limited number of days. INDIEblush: How was your experience with the Union? Aimee: We think this is the first (contract) of many to come! They have Distributors coming to the premiere at IMAX on March 11th and they are already in Development for Jackson Bolt 2. They are optimistic that they will get sales before AFM 2016. Aimee: It won’t sit on a shelf! They also have a way that they are giving back to the wonderful EMS and First Responder community who worked on the film. They are donating proceeds to “The Boston Mass First Responders,” an organization that trains EMS workers for disasters across the country. The event on the 11th includes two screenings: 7:00 P.M. and 9:30 P.M. with a Red Carpet at 6 P.M. including Celebrity appearances and swag bags for the first 100 attendees. An after-party will follow the event (for details one must attend the screenings).
The Edith Head ‘Look’ By Cliff Weimer
Edith Head (1897-1981) was peerless at her craft; like her constant collaborator, Alfred Hitchcock, she’s a brand name unto herself. The Academy Award for Best Costume Design was practically created to honor her, and she’d go on to be nominated 35 times (including 18 years in a row), winning 8 and dressing the most beautiful women in Hollywood history. Head brought home statuettes for such classics as A Place in the Sun (1951, with Elizabeth Taylor), Sabrina (1955, with Audrey Hepburn) and All About Eve (1953, Bette Davis). She won her final Oscar™ in 1974 for The Sting. In addition to dressing such legendary stars as Dorothy Lamour, Mae West, Ginger Rogers, in 1946 she began a lasting partnership with one of Hollywood’s premier directors, as Hitchcock – on loan from David O. Selznick to RKO – found no one appropriate on the lot to properly dress his beautiful star, Ingrid Bergman. He talked the studio into borrowing Edith from Paramount; although their paths wouldn’t cross again professionally for nearly a decade, once he was able to reunite with her (for Rear Window in 1955; he didn’t think anyone else could do Grace Kelly justice) he would rarely make a film without her. In her autobiography, she wrote about Hitchcock’s eye for detail: “Every costume is indicated when he sends me the script. There is always a story reason behind his thinking, an effort
Above: To Catch A Thief, Sketch Left: To Catch A Thief, Final Below: Rear Window, Sketch Opposite Page: Edith Head
to characterize… He specified colors if they were important. If he wanted a skirt that brushed a desk as a woman walked by, he spelled that out, too.” For Hitchcock, she oversaw fashions and hairstyles for Miss Kelly (To Catch a Thief), Shirley MacLaine (The Trouble with Harry), Vera Miles (The Wrong Man), Doris Day (The Man who Knew Too Much), Kim Novak (Vertigo) and Tippi Hedren (The Birds); when studio politics or policy prevented him from crediting her officially, he hired her unofficially to help dress such stars as Eva Marie Saint (North by Northwest) and Janet Leigh (Psycho). In the 1960s, Head left Paramount – where she’d worked since the 1920s – to follow Hitch to Universal. They worked together on his remaining films, up through his final thriller, Family Plot, in 1976; she remained busy in television and theatrical costume design until her death. The following are a few iconic stars and images reflecting the genius of Edith Head (who, by the way, is caricaturized as the diminutive super-hero costume designer of the Disney-Pixar film The Incredibles).
Original Sketch and Final Result for Grace Kelly’s Appearance in Rear Window.
Edith Head and Her Many Sketches
~CW
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