SRFC magazine
antithesis edition Cheat Your Way to a Fit Body, Master a Red Pout, Antithesize Fashion, & much more inside
music
health 6
29
fashion & beauty 10
30
sports 35
Who is AJ Smith?
36
12
Red Bulls Fans May Find a New Team to Root For
How Short Should I Go?
7
Grocery Shopping With a Ballerina
Loving
14
Beauty How to: Red Lipstic
16
34
Surfaced Mixes
Antithesis Editorial
8
The New Yorkers’ Cheat Guide to Being Fit
34
Redemption: Drake
26
OOTD: Where Do You Get Your Style Inspiration From?
2 table of contents
january 2013
life & culture 38
news 47
39
antithesis edition
g Labels, Refusing to Be Labeled
extras:
Letter From the Editor 4 Acknowledgements 49
48
We Are Florida
42
Editorial Fitting It All In: The Secrets of Superwomen
on the cover:
Cheat Your Way to a Fit Body 8 Master a Red Pout 14 Anthesize Fashion 16
table of contents
3
Letter From the Editor: Hey Surfacers, This issue, we focuse on the opposite of what is expected: Kimberly Buesser is an athlete turned nutritiomist; AJ Smith opened for The Eagles, yet has no recording contract or producers behind him; David Lew Qingwei is a ex-soldier who loves to shop; and so much more! Take a look at the fashion editorial and see the antithesis tranformations of today’s celebrities , Can you guess who we Surfaced? Thank you for the enormous participation in this edtition from your votes in our Surfaced Mixes to your outfit submissions for the OOTD. We make this magazine for you and love seeing how willing you are yo get involved. Lastly, Sina rocks the cover in the portrayal of “Real New York in Fashion.” We took items typially found on the street and alleyways and made apparel out of them. See Sina throughout the magazine. Thanks Loves xoxo,
Kathryn Jones
Surface Editorial Board Kathryn Jones Editor-In-Chief
Assistant Copy Editors Raghav Chawla Jeffrey Dynof Andre Wheeler
De-VINE Abs
for: abs how: every time you see a twerking fail on Vine, do 10 crunches
About Surface Magazine Surface is the go-to publications for young people ages 18-27 in the metropolitan area. Based in New York City, it exemplifies urban life and seeks to uncover what the city often hides. Find out what’s beneath the Surface...
4 editor’s page
Try the “New Yorkers’ Cheat Guide to Being Fit” on pg. 9.
5
6
Table of contents • Grocery Shopping With a ballerina
health
• New Yorker’s cheat guide to fitness
From PliĂŠs to Produce Kimberly Buesser cannot remember her life
before she started dance classes. Training since a young age at Petrov Ballet School, Buesser dreamt of becoming a ballerina in a professional company. After high school, she deferred college to train with the Boston Ballet. According to Buesser, practicing ballet has helped her to maintain a healthy diet. She records her nutritious recipes on her blog, EatRealBeReal. Now at 21 years old, she is studying nutrition in order to help others in nutrition in order to help others be more health conscious.
1. plain yogurt For: an alternative to ice
cream
Make: stir in some cocoa powder and freeze for fro-yo
2.nut butter 3.wheat germ For: antioxidants
Make: add some fruit to make a yummy sandwich
For: whole grains
Make: stay energized by mixing wheat germ into a smoothie
4.eggs
Eataly ery store: c o r g v a F
For: whole grains
Make: fry eggs and put them on toast with sliced tomato
Grocery Grocery Shopping Shopping with with aa Ballerina Ballerina BY KATHRYN JONES
health
7
The New Yorkers’
Cheat Guide to BEING FIT Surface model Frank demonstrates typical New Yorker behavior that doubles as exercise routines. *consult a physician before participating
Frank doesn’t feel like going to the gym today. He’d rather just watch Breaking Bad on Netflix. But Frank has no food in the house!!! So he heads to the grocery store.
1. the subway stroll
for: legs and thighs how: walk to your destination instead of taking public transportation
2.the shelf stretch for: arms how: reach out far and feel the burn
At the grocery store, Frank sees some cookies on the top
8 health
While shopping, Frank really has to use the bathroom. But public bathrooms are gross!!!
Frank leaves the grocery with a bag of groceries.
3.THE POTTY SQUAT for: thighs how: squat as low as possible over the toilet seat without touching it
Finally Frank gets home. Too bad he didn’t do his laundry in weeks!
4. THE TAKE-OUT TONE
for: triceps how: carry a bag over your shoulder and lift up and down
5.THE Laundry lug
Now Frank wants a glass of milk before sitting down on the couch,
for: biceps how: keep your arm in a gripping possition and tug the bag across the floor
6.The jug-gle
for: biceps how: grip the milk and move your forearm up and down
BREAKING BAD TIME!!!! health
9
10
fashion and beauty
Table of contents
• How Short Should I Go? • Beauty How To • fashion Editorial
Celebrities made dramatic changes to their looks by cutting their looks. 2013 embraced shorter cuts. Want to jump on this trend? Gain inspiration for these Surface readers.
fashion & beauty
11
solange knowles
bob
cropped
mini fro
celebrity
12 fashion & beauty
jennifer lawrence
jennifer aniston
the cut “Pretty short but it’s length depends on what style it’s in. If I twist it into Bantu knots than my curls stretch. But if I wet it and just throw some moisturizer on it, it shrinks to it’s original size.”
asymmetrical, ear-length
“below the jaw and above the shoulder”
wheysiotm’se aw
you
perfect for natural natural hair, easy to style, and cost-efficient Noni, 19
“Takes no time to do anything to” Vivian, 20
not too long, not too short Ariel, 21 fashion & beauty
13
beauty beauty meets fashion:
how to wear red lipstick for any event
band tee, cardigan, shorts, high ponytail
mUSIC FESTIVAL
GAME DAY baseball cap, fan sweatshirt, denim shorts, flannel shirt
14 fashion & beauty
w o h
to leather jacket, crew-neck sweater, gray jeans
casual day
DATE NIGHT
GNO printed romper, top-knot
pretty blouse, pencil skirt
fashion & beauty
15
a
16 fashion & beauty
n
t
i
t
Witness the transfor
h
e
rmations of culture
s
i
s
fashion & beauty
17
ALL GROWN UP 18 fashion & beauty
fashion & beauty
19
JESUS 20 fashion & beauty
PIECE
fashion & beauty
21
22 fashion & beauty
PARTY IN THE FRONT fashion & beauty
23
NOITULOVER 24 fashion & beauty
EHT ERA EW
fashion & beauty
25
Where do you get your s inspiration from? Surface readers submit their best looks.
Amanda, 18
Both the bustier and the pants are my mom’s, and I like mixing high-end stuff with things that I find in random places.
26 fashion & beauty
Therese, 21
I love Urban Outfitters cloth
style ?
1
and Brandy Meville’s hes.
Ria, 19
I liked the 80s, anything classy (vintage) and comfortable. I love floral prints
Courtney, 20
My style icon is a mix of Little Edie, Rosie teh Riveter, and Lumberjackers if they had cool earrings - with a dash of Roger Rabbit. fashion & beauty
27
28 fashion & beauty
29
Table of contents • who is aj smith? • Surfaced Mixes • Redemption: drake
AJSMIT
Indie Pop Rock artist, AJ Smith, balances homework an struggling to make it in the music business within the n ing for the Eagles. BY KATHRYN JONES
30 music
TH?
nd a social life while next year after open-
The sound check is complete.
The instruments are on stage. The lighting engineer is ready and waiting for his cue. Fans cover most the dark and muggy space in The Studio at Webster Hall, waiting in anticipation. The packed room gets Hell-like as fans crowd the bar for some cooling refreshments. Little do they know, a “dragon” is about to heat the room even more. Backstage, the band celebrates the third performance of solo artist AJ Smith at New York City’s Webster Hall with pre-show drinks. However, the stakes are higher this time. They have never headlined before. Drummer Tom Jorgensen, percussionist Xander Green, guitarist Peter Wise, and vocalist Tiger Darrow gather around in a circle for words of wisdom from AJ. They have been here before twice already. They have practiced for weeks. Sure, it was in a dingy, old room, but sacrifice was necessarily. Most of the budget was spent on advertising. But it worked! A crowd of people ages 18-30 shouting “AJ SMITH!!!” can be heard from inside the dressing room. AJ reassures them that they are going to rock, as they did when the band opened for the Eagles at the Beacon Theatre months before. And when they play AJ’s new single, “Dragons In the Sky,” the band will go down in history among the great “dragons” before like Mumford & Sons, AJ’s dream band to open for. AJ Smith is definitely not the typical rock star. He hates tattoos, wears fairly loose jeans, and has no plans of ever putting on makeup. Under all the glamour of the music industry, AJ is still a graduate student in Songwriting & Film Scoring at New York University. And when music
31
he is not on stage, he is the Residential Assistant for a first-year dormitory. He is also the captain of the university’s lacrosse team. How he juggles Music Composition homework, band practice, and tending to his residents while still having time to write his own songs is beyond me. Just because the songwriter does not look and act exactly like Ozzy Osbourne or Steven Tyler, does not necessarily make him the male version of sweet, hopeless romantic Taylor Swift. Music is his only love at the moment. AJ admits that it is hard to have a social life and work so hard to reach success in the music industry. “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll find a girlfriend by the time I’m 30 and get married by 32. What else?” He sighs and says, “I’m more concerned about my career though right now so…There’s no use starting a family right now if you can’t afford it…other than for love I guess. But I don’t have that right now so.” Unlike today’s artists who go in and out of relationships, AJ does not care to be in one. He would rather think about his career and dedicate his life to that. He is lives an artist’s life, full According to the artist, he is in an “Empire State of Mind” like one of his favorite artists, Jay-Z. He started out “cocky,” thinking he would see faster results. He had expected to win his first Grammy by age 25. Now at 22, he sees that time and money are against him. That goal has been pushed back to age
32 music
28. He does not want distractions. “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen may have been the Global Best Selling Single in 2012, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, but AJ is not looking for maybes. He does not want failures. All he wants is to spread his music. He wants to make it a definite possibility that he will have his own tour one day. No matter the struggle, he will not stop trying. He does not care that the average musician makes only $34,455, according to Forbes Magazine. In his latest song, “Dragons in the Sky,” he writes, “Teach me how to fly so high just like the dragons in the sky.” Smith wants to become as Courtesy of AJ Smith successful as musical legends, whom he calls “dragons.” This is his American Dream. This musician is so driven and stubborn in his ways. “It’s almost like the dream is that you can have a voice I think it’s being able to do…what you love…and being able to make a life of it. Not everybody can – in other places – can become a musician and make a career doing it.” He sighs, “Plus that, not everybody here can do that here either so…” Yet, AJ remains determined to accomplish his dreams of becoming a successful musician. According to the artist, music is not only just a part of him. Music is who he is. It always has been. Before AJ came to the city with the hopes of making it big in the
music industry, he was Andrew James Smith growing up in Denver, Colorado. He was born on Dec. 21, 1990 and raised in the Littleton suburb of Denver. A career in music was not something his parents necessarily pushed him towards, according to AJ. Parents Scott and Sharon Smith encouraged arts as a hobby. Therefore, they thought nothing of it when two-year-old AJ would bang on the keys of the family piano. No one predicted that this little boy would eventually open for the Eagles on Nov. 15, 2012 – not AJ, Scott, Sharon, little sister Sarah, babysitter “Grandma” Lillian, or even Teddy, the family dog. But as he developed, AJ became enticed with having a career in music. As a teenager, he wrote songs and began using his recorder to multi-track different songs with his own singing. He also played in youth orchestras after learning to play the violin. Later, he decided to apply to several songwriting programs for college. New York University was the only music program that would allow him to do music composition, his biggest passion. He questioned whether this was the “universe’s way” of telling him he was not cut out for the music industry. But, then the musician saw this as a sign that his dream could be made possible. Now a student at New York University studying music, AJ has the full support for his musical career from his family and the full confidence in himself, according to the songwriter. With his aspirations of becoming the headliner of his own tour, AJ was driven to increase his chances of doing so. He taught himself to play the guitar, drums bass, mandolin, and banjo while also learning how to sing. He practices three to four times a day in his dorm room.
AJ has written lyrics for over 100 songs, including for other artists. He excelled in the undergraduate Music Composition program under the mentorship of Phil Galdston and other faculty members. In 2011, he competed in New York University’s Ultra-Violet Live Talent Competition – which Lady Gaga has also competed at – and won Best Original Performance. He was awarded a scholarship in 2012 as NYU Steinhardt/Songwriters Hall of Fame Songwriting Scholar of the Year. Despite recording his songs mostly at New York University and few professional studios, the artist’s music has gain international popularity. His song, “Summertime,” ranked number three on the Australian club charts. Then he reached an American fan base when his music ranked in the Top 15 Upcoming Indie Artists in the United States on Reverbnation for two weeks, according to AJ. His talent has been acknowledged by Eagles founding member, Glenn Frey, renown songwriter and producer Barry Eastmond, and musician Jonatha Brooke. Yet, the financial burden of pursuing his dream still weighs heavy on him. He is without a record label, agent, attorney, and producers. Most of the business side of his career he does by himself, occasionally with the help of his father. His rehearsal space may not be a lavish sound room but it does its duty for his band. Also, he is forced to record his music in studios provided by New York University instead of more expensive and equipped professional ones. Nonetheless, AJ says that money cannot buy him his dreams, no matter how much he has. So despite his money woes, he continues trying to reach his dream of a successful music career.
“I want to be the best musician that I can be. I want to touch the hearts of many, inspire people. I was at a Jay-Z concert the other day at the Barclays Center and it was just amazing to see how many people. And in order to do that and then have all those people come out and were able to sing along with your lyrics, that just goes to show how much of a profound impact you’ve had on some people. Whether or not you identify with his music, that…THAT IS POWER. And I think that you can use that power to benefit the world really.” AJ continues to write songs that will relate to his American and Australian fan bases. AJ has a definite plan to make sure he is the next “dragon in the sky” among the greats. If things do not go as planned, he will keep trying. “Well, the funny thing about [perfection] is that you can actually never achieve it,” the songwriter says, “There are a lot of instances when famous musicians are on their deathbeds and they’re still trying to practice, you know, even if they might be the greatest of their generation.” AJ says that he refuses to give up because pursuing a music career is doing what he loves. With his determination, he could eventually reach his goal. He has reached success despite his struggle because of his dedication to his music. His only true setback is trying to make it in the music industry by himself. With his busy lifestyle, AJ has only a few minutes left to speak. He has to run to fulfill his RA duties. Hopefully, he will have time to finish his To-Do list: 1. Get a new Mac charger to upload music for streaming; 2. Edit his videos; 3. Send Sony a download for his new songs; 4. Set up ITunes account; 5. Set up a press kit; 6. Set up his performing
acts royalties; 7. Inventory Check. He forgets a task so I add it for him: 8. Find balance in money, duties, and pursuing dreams.
music
33
SURFACED SURFACED MIXES MIXES
redemption:
Gangham Style by Psy
34 music
READER’S CHOICE
1. Tune to Chill To: Pyrite by Frank Ocean 2. Favorite Love song : Marry Me by Jason Derulo 3. Shower Song: Beauty and a Beat by Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj 4. Dance Like No One’s Watching to: Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis 5. Workout Jam: Black Skinhead by 9. Best Song of the Year: Royals Kanye West by Lorde 6. Fashion Killa by A$AP Rocky 10. Artist With the Most 7. Cleaning song: 22 by Taylor Swift Wow-Fator in 2013: Katy Perry 8. Song that should stay in 2013:
BY KATHRYN JONES
News
Critics tore apart Drake’s latest album, “Nothing Was The Same,” calling it unsually emotional for the rapper. But, past albums show similar emotions. Beyonce drops surprise self-titled visual album at midnight on Dec. 13. The artist’s fifth album features songs with Jay-Z, Justin Being too emotional Timberlake, and Drake. Surfacers, what were you doing the moment Emotions are nothing new. “Beyonce” dropped?
Tried with: Plea:
Example A: In “Thank Me Now,” Drake expresses his vulnerability, rare in the proud lyrics of other rappers. In “Sooner or Later, “ his lyrics suggest a regretful man crying back for a lost love.
Example B: His 2011 album ,“Take Care.” features “Marvin’s Room.” If this song doesn’t say desperation, I don’t know what does.
Verdict: Try looking deeper into Drake’s lyrics because they are amazing. Champagne Papi’s softer tunes epitomize what he has been hinted at all along in past albums.
35
Table of contents • New metro team May Change Who Red Bulls’ Fans Root For
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
O. . EL N A A A Y. R H T C T S U I IC .M CA RRY KIM R AR R E O . E C V N G E IE C A O A K H TH I P B M T T K U ME N . S A N O X 1 3 0 E H B -2 A EY . KO SA RE U G . V D D R N I L . G AN IL ON SON A ER. RIN H B C D L A N S U IS C A BY R X D B M Y E E I N O T G IN RB AL . B L Y E . T H EY HAVE BEEN O T U N PLAYING N H L O A S S Y M N U A A K I T GU T S R S E U I A B .P HR ,M E C Y D R A N IAN L HE R O N N CO
M OR JA EN MI O. SO N M O AR SA L AV IU M. S O 1 9 96 E IB . LU RA BE I H S KO IM BR RO AD SE P. BL K LE ES AG Y .
OY
R LE IL M
AM AN DO
.R RA ZG IA M
.
36 sports
T AT .M RA EA M
they failed to bring home a championship title for the 17th season in a row. The team advanced into the Major League Soccer Cup playoffs in postseason, after earning the 2013 Supporters’ Shield for winning the most games in the season. However, the Houston Dynamo knocked RBNY out of the playoffs during the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the fourth time in a row RBNY only made it to the first match of playoffs. With no championship title, RBNY faces losing its fanbase as the metropolitan area gains a second MLS team, the New York City Football Club. RBNY owned the title as the only MLS team representing New York/New Jersey since 1996 when they were called the MetroStars. The MLS recently
AN
The New York Red Bulls disappointed fans when
RY
----------------------------------------------------
created new teams in the league including the NYCFC and Orlando City Soccer Club, which will both debut in the 2015 season. With the addition of two teams, there are a total of 21 teams in the league. Yet, RBNY and NYCFC are the only franchises to represent the same region. The area is known for having rivalries caused by having multiple teams within a league. NY/NJ sports fans spilt: NY Yankees versus the NY Mets in Major League Baseball and NY Giants versus NY Jets in the National Football League. Similarly, RBNY and NYCFC will battle for the support of metro fans. However, the battle between metro MLS teams differs from those of their MLB and NFL teams due to the locations of their stadiums.
NEW METRO TEAM MAY CHANGE
WHO RED BULLS’ FANS ROOT FOR BY KATHRYN JONES
GY WR LL A OY . IG J O HT D NN -P YS HI LL TE IPS EL E. .M IKE PE TK E.
of international leagues with MLS teams, soccer’s Both the Jets popularity in North American can increase. “I think and Giants play at MetLife the creation of more MLS teams will have a positive Stadium in East impact. That will mean that players from overseas will come over more, and so the quality of play will Rutherford, NJ. hopefully increase,” says Jawan, 20-year old RBNY and The Yankees and HE SUPPORTERS’ SHIELD Yankee fan. Mets play in New Though, the inconsistent performance of RBNY York City: Yankee Stadium in Bronx in postseason could discourage new MLS fans from supporting them. Soccer fans blame the rumored and Citi Field in S O C C E R Queens respectively. “Curse of Caricola,” since MetroStar Nicola Caricola’s own goal caused the team to lose their first home game But Red Bulls’ Arena G FOR 17 YE in 1996. RBNY qualified for the playoffs 14 times. The is in Harrison, NJ ARS, AND FIN ALLY team qualified for the finals in 2008 but lost to the and according to the Columbus Crew. Despite no 2008 players still on the NY Post, the NYCFC’s team except the new coach Mike Petke, fans regained stadium will be in faith in the team after a successful 2013 season. RBNY Bronx, NY. With RBNY defeated home team Dynamo in the first leg, but technically in NJ, it will ended with a lower aggregate score once they played in be easier for the NYCFC Harrison. to claim New York City as RBNY history theirs. Because “I won’t follow NYCFC. RBNY is my club, shows a disheartening the simple as that. I’ve got too much love for pattern at home games, when most Yankees and them and so many memories following metro fans are in Manchester them. I wouldn’t replace it with another attendance. If NYCFC City franchises own the team just because they’re new in town.” is successful at home NYCFC, the - Kenny, 19 games, the new team may have a higher fan new team also is attendance at games. advantaged in gaining fans despite The future of the RBNY franchise all depends on RBNY’s veteran status. With the Yankees’ popularity and the attention of the loyalty of its current fans. If the fans can tolerate more disappointments or the RBNY can step up to win English Premier League fans, NYCFC’s the MLS Cup before 2015, RBNY will make its mark as fanbase may dominate the RBNY’s. Not the only NY/NJ team worth watching. to mention, NYCFC head coach Jason Kreis, former “You don’t really give up on your childhood team player of the Real Salt Lake and Dallas Burn, brings just because they don’t do well, that’s what loyalty is for. his own fans to the team. If the NYCFC takes the first I don’t care if RBNY doesn’t win a trophy for the next metro area championship title, then the public will ten years, I won’t abandon them. I’ll keep going to that know them as the region’s main team. stadium every summer,” says Asad, 19. Yet, the NYCFC can be positive overall for the MLS. Most American soccer fans follow international teams instead of domestic ones. With the cooperation
MAJOR-
LEAG
UE
sports
37
38
life & culture
Table of contents
•
• Loving Labels, Refusing to Be Labeled
• Editorial • Things we can’t believe we did in 2013
Loving Labels, Refusing to Be Labeled BY KATHRYN JONES
22-year old David Lew Qingwei identifies as heterosexual male. He plays rugby and video games. He is lead guitarist in a band. He served as a soldier and firefighter. He makes frequent trips to the gym. Qingwei possesses all the characteristics of a typical straight male, many would say. However, Qingwei’s love of shopping is a passion that causes people to question his sexuality. Therefore, he is forced to identify with the term, “metrosexual.” But why does a guy who loves clothes have to be singled out or have a special label? Why are males who enjoy shopping assumed homosexual or associated with femininity? Qingwei vows to redefine the meaning of what a true man is, someone who does not let society keep him from doing what he loves.
Threading His Lifestyle
Qingwei grew up in Singapore in a home with his parents and older brother. He says he feels Singapore’s cultural standards are similar to those of the United States: the idea of the alpha male. “I think even though there have been great strides made in establishing gender equality, there are still expectations – albeit somewhat more muted than in the past – for men to wear the pants in the household and to play the role of primary breadwinners. I also believe that men are still expected to be more emotionally closed off in comparison to their female counterparts,” says the fashionista. From childhood, his father taught him to uphold the traditional roles of men. According to Qingwei, his father toughened him up with reprimanding, sometimes physical, and pushed him to excel in his studies. For his father, being the sole provider for his family was an essential part of a man’s life, and Qingwei needed to do whatever necessary to accomplish such. Qingwei’s parents, he says, already envisioned what his future would be like and expected
him to want that future as well. “My parents are pretty stereotypical strict Asian parents that wanted me to be whatever I wanted to be… as long as what I wanted to be was a businessman, a doctor, or a lawyer. I remember when I was 7 years old, my dad taped the multiplications table on the ceiling above my bed so I could stare at it before I went to sleep,” recalls Qingwei. Ultimately, Qingwei wanted an exciting career he could put all his focus into and his own family with a wife, son, and daughter. He credited his brother for teaching to put his own aspirations first. Qingwei says, “My brother is the person who taught me that it life & culture
39
isn’t important what you do, so long as it makes you happy.” So, he chose a career path in finance, working in Human Capital at Ernst & Young and Fixed Income Sales & Advisory at UBS AG. “In more recent years, my father has been a little more relaxed. I suspect part of it is because I’ve basically chosen a career path that closely mirrors his, and he’s just relieved that I’m doing what he is,” comments the fashionista.
Suiting Up
In Feb. 2010, the government drafted Qingwei into the Singapore Civil Defense Force. Singapore requires all 18-year-old males to enlist in its military and serve for two years. He trained in fighter squad commanding in hopes of becoming a sergeant leading a single fire engine and its three to five other firefighters. The national service promoted him to an Urban Search and Rescue instructor. Qingwei taught advanced rappelling techniques and rescue tactics for situations such as trapped victims in road traffic accidents, collapsed buildings, and suicide attempts off high-rise buildings. He trained veteran firefighters in SCDF’s Disaster Assistance Rescue Team to aid overseas rescues during in natural disasters. Simultaneously to his enlistment, Qingwei discovered his love of fashion. “My brother, who was and still is an avid shopper and fashionista, had just moved back to Singapore so I started hanging out with him. He took me shopping quite frequently and it began to cultivate my appreciation for fashion,” says Qingwei. While forced into Singapore’s regulations for men, Qingwei broke out of the usual style for both the nation’s men and women. Typically, Singaporeans paid little focus on looking their best, according to the fashionista. “Singapore is way too hot to dress nicely. Dressing nicely sometimes entails layering, which is a death sentence in a tropical country where the climate perpetually hovers around 90% humidity and 95 F during the day. T-shirts, shorts, and flip flops are the norm,” says Qingwei.
Finding the Right Fit
Today, Qingwei pays a lot more attention to what he has in his wardrobe since his brother first introduced him to fashion. For Qingwei, fashion is about “dressing well,” not flashing labels. His finance background helps him master finding stylish, yet affordable buys. “How expensive a single article of clothing or recognizable a brand is does not a good purchase make. A guy could buy a $6,000 Dolce & Gabbana suit that’s a couple sizes too big and look like an idiot, and that same guy could get a well-cut $100 suit from a Jos. A. Bank sale rack and look like a rock star,” says the savvy Singaporean. He spends approximately 400 dollars per month on clothes shopping and is able to make a fair amount of purchases for his money. He prides on his clothing being of excellent material and cut, according to Qingwei. Since living in Manhattan, he frequently shops at J.Crew, both his favorite store and label. “I love the J.Crew store on 5th Ave around 18th St. Massive store, and it’s got everything. That store is the reason why 70% of my wardrobe is J.Crew,” he says. Yet, he goes to Loewe when looking for something “more upscale.” He comments, “Fantastic quality. Love the ribbon-like trademarked logo they put on their belts. Sort of a more tasteful version of those hideous Louis Vuitton belts with the massive “LV” on the buckle.” Qingwei describes his style on a regular day as preppy. He obsesses over collared shirts and button-downs, and is very particular when buying them. “I think every man needs a good oxford cloth button down shirt – and not just any oxford cloth button down, but one that FITS. It hits the bone of their wrist, bottom of the shirt hits the midpoint of their trouser zipper when untucked, and the waist is slightly cinched and clearly defined. Good fit is a must.” He fills his closet with mostly gingham than will subtly accentuate his look. During colder weather, He adds to his gingham button-down a shawl collared sweater or cardigan, jeans, leather shoes, and coat. Then, the fashionista accessorizes according to two sworn rules: 1. “Noisy socks. Always noisy socks.” 2. Something to feed his watch fetish. “I’d dare to consider watches a separate category from general fashion. It’s one of the few ways a man
“Hell, a lot of people think I’m gay because of the way I dress.”
40 life & culture
can really express who he is. The amount of exquisite detailing and work that goes into a beautifullymade watch, the idea that the only thing keeping time is a hairspring and a bunch of gears, and that a craftsperson had to spend time assembling the watch… it’s a more refined kind of nerd/engineering pornography,” says Qingwei.
comments Qingwei.
Measuring by the Quality
Qingwei wants more men to embrace fashion as well as women. For him, style is the best way to make a first impression. “Now, we could get into an entire discussion about how personality trumps all, and I couldn’t agree more. But why start at a disadvantage? Labeled and Branded Why have to traverse the barrier created by you The Singaporean balances his passions for apparel dressing sloppily?” the Singaporean remarks. He and athletics. Yet, in his experience, Qingwei receives emphasizes personal size and the importance of more criticism for his interest in fashion than in sports. clothes that fit well to the person wearing them. According to him, his parents nag him about how And the biggest piece of wisdom Qingwei has for much he spends on clothes and for shopping out of men, “For the love of god, you people aren’t supposed pleasure rather than necessity. Others disbelieve that to button the bottom most button of your suit!” a heterosexual man who they watch ESPN with, who they play with in a jam band, who works out at the gym six times a week, and who trains rigorously for the New York Half Marathon also “might wander around some stores for the sole purpose of windowshopping.” Often, people mistake him for homosexual, according to Qingwei. I’m accused of ‘dressing like a gay man’ from time to time,” he says. Commonly, people refer to Qingwei as “metrosexual” for his love of clothes. However, he considers that label to be politically incorrect, “I think the general definition of a metrosexual is an urban male who shares an interest in fashion, luxury, and liberal politics. I’ve always felt the “-sexual” prefix was bizarre considering the term ‘metrosexual’” says very little about a person’s sexual orientation. In that light, I think I’d prefer to be referred as ‘cosmopolitan’ or ‘urbanized.’” The fashionista says he believes a person’s interests have no relationship to their gender or sexual identity. He takes himself for a heterosexual male with a passion for clothes, and it has no effect on his level of masculinity. “I think a true man is a man who knows exactly what he wants, exactly how to get what he wants, and is in the process of executing his plan to procure what he wants. What he wants is defined solely by himself for himself, and he doesn’t expect others to live by the same standards that he sets for himself,” Courtesy of David Lew Qingwei
I’m still pretty much the same as I was years ago when I started caring about my appearance. I just happen to enjoy dressing nicely now.”
life & culture
41
Fitting It All In:
The Secrets of
42 life & culture
f Superwomen When it comes to relationships, your life is like a suitcase. It’s full of the necessities (budding career, decent social circle, moola, etc.) And you can’t possibly fit any more clothes in and adding anything else will just be extra weight on you. Yet, you try to shove a relationship- or in this case a brand new sparkly blouse in life’s suitcase cause you know you want it and have to have it. You try and try to make it work. “Gee, maybe if I sit on it...” But if somehow you manage to fit that blouse in the suitcase, you risk wrinkling the other clothes, the clothes that you know you can pull off cause they created so many beautiful outfits in the past. You know how they look on you, accentuating the “right” parts. And this never-beenworn blouse? How do you know how it will go with the rest of your clothes? Will it go with your red skinny jeans or your sexy stilettos? Will it replace a top in the perfect ensemble? So to depart from this metaphor, I ask: Is it possible to be superwoman, the girl who has it all (the successful job, perfect man, and all of her sanity), or is a relationship just extra baggage to an aspiring and driven career woman? BY KATHRYN JONES
life & culture
43
eyes on the prize!
s!! l a g he ! t ith RS!! w ht HEE g i N C get that bacon, honey!!
There are so many examples of women today who are
able to fit it all in their suitcase. Just look at Angelina Jolie, Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, Victoria Beckham, Leslie Mann, Jenna Dewan, or Hilary Clinton. Well, that is reassuring if you’ve got a few Oscars, starred in a Super Bowl halftime show, conquering social issues, epitomized all childhood memories of 80s and 90s babies, or help run the country. But what about the rest of us? But how does the average woman become a superwoman like them? I immediately think of my friend, Nicole. She has a budding career as a journalist being both an editor of a newspaper and on the production team of news show owned by a major broadcasting network. Her day spans from 4:45 a.m. to midnight, and I still consider her one of the more sane people in my circle. On top of that, she has an amazing boyfriend, Tony, and those two are cutely the Rachel and Ross of real life. But what common trait to all these women including Nicole have? Somewhere between being sidetracked by the lack of plot in Magic Mike and fantasizing about David Beckham’s abs, I realize that it’s impossible to think of these women without also thinking about their men. Before any feminists start throwing rocks at me, hear me out! These women all have their own success going on for them. They all are independent and powerful. However, their men’s
44 life & culture
popularity and success isn’t too far behind. Maybe that’s what it takes to become the ultimate superwoman. You have to find someone as driven and passionate as you are. Brad Pitt has his Oscars. Judd Apatow has his movies. Jay-Z…well Jay-Z is doing the long list of things Jay-Z does (just like Beyoncé has her own list). And if you need me to explain Barack Obama, I’ll raise concern. Tony and Nicole even met each at the newspaper they both work at. These superwomen do not have to worry about their partners being intimidated by their success. They are truly free to be the independent and determined individuals that they want to be without guilt or shame. These women balance it all because they incorporate their goals with the rest of their lives. Their friendships are no exceptions. Nicole admits that she is closest with the people she works with at the newspaper. This proves that while aesthetics play a part in forming relationships, similar mindsets are what keep them intact. So Surfacers, what do you think? Does it take a superman to become a superwoman?
I love you,
Nicole’s Packing List
babe!
XOXO
1. Know it’s not about quantity
My first advice is to not stress about trying to “have it all.” There is no reason to force yourself to do everything to the point where you break.
2. Determine what you want and stick to it
“I would say that ever since I decided I wanted to be a journalist in middle school, I have been working to this point. I still have a long way to go to become a professional, but when I decided in 7th or 8th grade that I knew what I wanted to be, I worked hard to set me up for that career.”
3. Surround yourself with Super People
“When you can feel yourself getting overwhelmed, turned to the people in your life who support you. Know when you need to let someone in and talk. You don’t have to work through everything alone.”
4. Don’t rush it
“You will find the right person when you aren’t really looking. I know that sounds cheesy, but it was true for me.”
5. Commit to effort
“Tony and I try to make sure we see each other at least once a day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. I don’t talk to my family as much as I would like to. I try to call at least once a week, hopefully more than that. I always look forward to breaks though so I can really spend time with them.”
Yes!!!
m.
Mo , w o n Ik
et+
forg t ’ n o Iw
6. Learn from the best
“There are many people who have influenced me and shown me how to balance it all, but I think my mom has had the most influence. She and I can talk about almost anything and I often turn to her for advice - I can’t say I always take it, but whenever I have to make a big decision, I work through my options with her help. She is definitely my friend as well as my mom and I know I can always rely on her.”
7. But also be an Example yourself
“I want to be able to inspire women the way I have been inspired by other women in my life. If I can have even a small impact on the people in my life, I will be proud. And as long as I am staying true to myself and reaching for my goals, I will be happy with myself, whether I am truly a superwoman or not.”
life & culture
45
46 life & culture
47
Table of contents • We are florida
Americans expressed strong emotions since the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. 28-year –old George Zimmerman of Sanford, Florida claimed the teen was threat during a neighborhood watch in February 2012. Under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, Zimmerman said he acted in self-defense when fatally shooting Martin. In July 2013, prosecutors tried Zimmerman with second degree murder. Though riotors targeted Zimmerman, Floridians received backlash for his acquittal. With past cases involving 2008 murder suspect Casey Anthony and 2012 “Stand Your Ground” defendant, Marissa Alexander, Americans blamed Floridians for alleged corruption. Suddenly, Florida became synonymous with racism, violence, and injustice in the United States. But should Florida really be scapegoat for all that is wrong in America? While SRFC remains neutral on the outcomes of these three cases, we feel it is necessary to give Floridians equal opportunity to discuss what life is really like in the Sunshine State Four young Floridians from different races and cities break myths as they discuss what daily life in Florida is like. Danielle - Multiracial female from Orlando Francisco - Latino male from Miami Kaleel –Black male from Coral Springs Taryn - Caucasian female from Lake Mary
Myth: Everyone in Florida has traditional values.
Would you say your hometown is more conservative or modern? Danielle - Specifically, the community I was surrounded with was very conservative. I was raised in a private Christian school, which happened to be the most liberal around. That being said, I believe that the youth was visibly more modern than the generation of our parents and before. Generally I would say my town holds more old-fashioned traditional values, but that may also be an opinion influenced by my own traditional views. Francisco - My area of Miami (Doral) although being pretty affluent and suburban is very leftist, except for the Cubans. People are pretty progressive generally. Kaleel – Compared to other towns in the state that have a much older median age, Coral Springs is a rather modern town. The people there are very progressive. And then when you look at my extended community in Miami, you have a very liberal pool of views. I feel like I wouldn’t be as open minded if I grew up in many other places. I grew up near Miami and Fort Lauderdale so I was exposed to a wide variety of cultures and lifestyles that one would never come across in say the mid-west. Taryn – Our town holds more of a modern view to me
48 news
because everything here is spread out rather than close.
Myth: Florida is segregated by Black and Caucasian.
How diverse is the neighborhood you grew up in, in regards to people of different races, cultures, etc.? Danielle - I spent the majority of my childhood at my grandmother’s house which was situated in the numbered streets mainly characterized by its Hispanic population. My town was generally racially and cultural diverse, but a neighboring town was characterized by its black community, another by its affluent wealthy residents, and one other by its Southern mostly white residents. Francisco – It’s like 90% Latino. Then there are a very small group of Asians and White people. Kaleel –My neighborhood was not very diverse. Most of the people living near me and who I went to school with were mainly white. Black and Hispanic races made up less than a quarter of the people I would see on an average day. Taryn - The neighborhood I grew up in was pretty diverse but dominantly white my neighborhood here is pretty good mix I would say mostly white Indian and Hispanic. What common trait(s) of identity do the majority of people in your town possess? Danielle - Most people in my town were divided by Southern culture or the culture of their minority. There was a gap in between these two, which I feel I somewhat fall into, but it is definitely the minority. Francisco – I don’t know really. Kaleel – Most of the people in my town were kind I would say. Crimes were not a major issue in my town and a good portion of the students in my high school
Four Floridians, One Place Called Home BY KATHRYN JONES
were very driven and passionate. Taryn - Middle class comes together to a point more for football games. I’ll have to say this is the only time the community comes together, this or for festivals. Through your experiences, how have people of different backgrounds been treated? Danielle - My school tended to be extremely old-fashioned and small in comparison to the many public schools surrounding, which translated to no diversity clubs. Everyone was generally given the same value, but some of my friends who are not white said it was tough at times to connect with the others who did not understand their cultural backgrounds. My adjustment to a predominately white culture was something I did not realize until the end of high school and beginning of college when I connected with the experience of others in the Hispanic community. Francisco - I don’t notice anything in public. Kaleel – To be completely honest, I cannot give an accurate response to this since I really have not witnessed many positive or negative reactions toward people from different backgrounds. I never really noticed or cared enough to call attention to someone who was different from me, and so I assume everyone around me felt the same. However, this is coming from someone who a part of the minority. But I personally have never felt ostracized by the people around me. Taryn – The same.
How have you been affected by the Zimmerman verdict? Danielle – I think there is a lot of tension over all the cases. To this day many of those are heated topics. I know a close friend of mine cried as she discovered the verdict of the Trayvon Martin trial. Francisco – In no way really. There has been more conversation about the stand your ground act, but that’s it. Kaleel – I feel like people have become much more self-aware concerning topics pertaining race now. After seeing countless rallies and marches occurring after this trial, it’s extremely obvious how the public is banding together to finally dispel any and all racial stigmas that exist today. Taryn - Before and while trial was going on, there were multiple protest going on. After, there was a big protest going on. It wasn’t a safe time for anyone during the trial. It was safer for me to keep quite because if there was any one word that was said wrong, there could have been a riot in school. Living close to it, my parents were worrying because they heard some people were running through neighborhoods vandalizing cars and homes, and scaring some citizens.
orlando
lake mary
coral springs
miami
Myth: Everyone in Florida has a gun.
Does anyone in your family own a gun? Danielle - Yes, my father owns multiple guns which news
49
he keeps for safety and recreational activities (target practice, not hunting). Francisco - NO. Kaleel – No one in my family owns a gun. Taryn - No. Do the majority of people in your town own a gun? Danielle - To my knowledge yes, but it may be fiftyfifty because I do know a lot of people without one. Francisco - No but I do know of some people. And the people who have one tend to have like collections, which is creepy. Kaleel – No. Taryn – N/A. Have you ever used a gun? Danielle - No, and I don’t ever want to. Francisco - Not a real one. BB guns of course. Kaleel – No. Taryn - N/A How has your household dealt with the idea of gun possession and use? Danielle - I never recall being lectured by my parents on gun safety, but it was a general rule not to touch or play with them. Because my siblings and I had such high respect for our parents we valued their requests. They did place them out of the way, but they did not try to hide them or spare us from the belief of their danger. We were well informed and had access to them, but knew not to play with them. My dad used to use them for target practice in my youth, which dwindled as I became older. At that point they were merely a means of security and safety in my household because we lived in an underdeveloped part of town (which is transforming as time progresses). Francisco – It’s not even a question. Hell no. Kaleel – The topic has never come up in our household. We feel safer without one in the house. Taryn How have you been educated about guns? Danielle - My school never addressed the subject of guns or gun safety, but I know my friends who attended public schools addressed the issue in either late Elementary or Middle School. Francisco - I’ve never been really educated about guns. D.A.R.E. was about drugs, but it did teach me about anti violence. I’d say that the reason that I don’t care about guns is because watching the news I’ve seen the
50 news
problems they create. So the US has the ‘bear arms’ thing so people own guns just cause they can, but there is also this idea of rugged wild west individualism that connects people to the past and cowboys. It’s nostalgia for a past fantasy which sounds really bad ass, but is impossible today. So that’s why Americans like guns so much. Kaleel – I remember receiving a small amount of education during elementary school about guns. We watched a video about them and a police officer spoke to us. I have not learned anything else in school about them other than that. Taryn - Yes I believe so. In school during D.A.R.E., and lot of my family members are cops so I learn the danger of them.
Models Sina Medhidan Frank Navas Brenda Yu Amanda Busta Andreanna Buccheri Andre Wheeler MIranda Zhang
OOTD All pictures were submitted to Surface through social media. Surface does not own these photos.
acknowledgements
51
BE THE REVOLUTION