Red Silk Carpet Magazine #35 2019 by Shelly Jernigan Pekala

RSC#35 2019

VOLKSWAGEN INTERNATIONAL

Donavon Markeith Costume Designer

Brazilian Indian Actor Miguelito Acosta

Sushmita Dewanji In s p i r a t i o n

Rosie Esquivel Editor

Ed Morales Jo h n D u g a n U S A Yalitza Aparicio In Rodarte S a l l y C r o s s f i e l d Fa rl e y Author

Gigi Xiang looking awesome

DESIGNER SURBHI TIBREWAL

ON THE COVER

Model: Donavon Markeith Designer : Donavon Markeith Photographer : Gerard Cosby

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Model and Designer, Donavon Markeith has shifted things into third gear. Donavon wanted to take his modeling and designing career and combine the two to create significant art images that translate his background and culture. “I’m always looking for ways to be a big brother to young men.” Model, Designer Donavon Markeith MUA Precious Collins Photographer Tyrone Thomas

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All designs created by Donavon Markeith The crown representing power and authority signifies the leadership role that I am taking as I stand on this platform. The colors of the paint (white and black) demonstrating light, strength, success, and power; all of which I have or must possess on this journey. The tribal printed fabric is a representation of my culture, where my ancestors traveled from to be free.

Last but not least, the tribal staff; typically used to bare oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weight and often have markings and designs that identify which tribe an individual belongs to.â&#x20AC;? Model, Designer : Donavon Markeith MUA: Precious Collins Photographer : Tyrone Thomas

Photographer Tyrone Thomas

Model: Donavon Markeith Designer : Donavon Markeith MUA: Precious Collins Photographer : Tyrone Thomas

Donavon Markeith Photographe: Mitch Davis

Donavon Markeith Photographer: Nathan Pearcy

RED Silk Carpet Magazine CONCIERGE

MEDIA

GROUP

SANDRA SMITH- DOGHMI Founder and President SHELLEY PEKALA Editorial Director GUTHRIE BONNÃ&#x2030;TT #ATOC Editor-in-Chief LUCIA CAPRI Red Silk Carpet Italia Editor-in-Chief SOPHIA CIN CINFULLY DELICIOUS Editor-in-Chief MIKAYLA PEKALA Editor-in-Chief C R Y S TA L A T W O O D Assistant Editor in Chief MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ Vice President Sales & Marketing shelley@redcarpetconciergeofchicago.com

RED Silk Carpet Magazine We are proud to have a dedicated Team to bring you a variety of stories and information within our industry. We look forward to serving you.

TEAM AARON NOBLE Managing Editor Rosie Esquivel Ed it o rial Writ er EMER GOMEZ Creative Director S A N TA N A C R U Z Marketing Director M.D. SAIF RAHMAN SOZIB Inter national Jour nalist JOLENE KUNDE RCCI Photo Jour nalist MEGHAN WALSH Fashion & Lifestyle Advisor

VOLKSWAGEN INTERNATIONAL FA S H I O N W E E K AUTOCOGLIATI MILANO (Edition01)

Among the countless fashion shows that surround the MFW f/w2019 an innovative catwalk took place today at AUTOCOGLIATI Milano. A perfect union between fashion garments, with careful refinement of precious fabrics and inserts, and cars with the international guarantee brand: VOLKSWAGEN. Organization of the event by DIAMOND PRODUCTION, under the direction of ROSARIO STAGNO, supported by the marketing department of BONNY CESARI and all their numerous staff, composed of about 100 people including art director, specifically TAMER KURTER, SVETY SOL and ALEX LEE, models, make-up artist/ hair stylist by MIX ART and MALI, photographers, of which officers ROBERTO PRISCO, PIPPO FAILLA, BRUNO MALANCHINI and RICCARDO NOVARINI, videographers, official VISUAL MOTION STUDIO by MICHEL PADUA, audio/video technicians, etc. They showed their new collection as many as 15 stylists of different

nationalities, emerging and established, demonstrating so much attention to detail that can make a woman unique in its genre by surrounding this show with the presence of unique items, from the simplest to the most elaborate, without making miss a little extravagance and the 21th century wedding concept. Even the presence of masculine collections from elegant to sportwear is appreciated.

The designers were: CRISTOFORO VIZZINI, ILEANA GRILLO, JARIEL by GABRIELE BONOMO, REYLU by MONICA BARTOLUCCI, M M FASHION DESIGN ACADEMY MARIA MAURO, CIGDEM KARAVIT, RAFFAELE TUFANO, FERRUHKARAKASLI, BEYAZ BUTIK by ILKER BILGI, ATELIER PRESTIGE by VALENTINA COCCIU & LAURA CIDDA, SCALZI&PAREATI, IMPACTO EXTREMO by ANTONIO DIMICCOLI, TOLGA CAM, JK JEKE by XU YUE JUAN, RAFAEL VENUTI.

We witnessed a good 3 hours of real show, where everything was made pleasant by the ďŹ&#x201A;uid synchronism between the various outputs. A triumph for the spectators present, about 500 people who have enjoyed this day of fashion. Presenting the director Volkswagen Italy, with its staff, the consulate of Turkey in Milan, the consulate of China in Milan, many VIP guests and many journalists. In short, an unusual event for the location but certainly very successful, as surely will follow other editions. We make the best compliments to the organization, thanking them for the beautiful day spent and we will see each other soon for the next event. by: SAIF RAHMAN SOZIB

FA S H I O N A N D S T Y L E W I T H FA S H I O N

DESIGNER SURBHI TIBREWAL by Saif Rahman Sozib 1. What sparked your interest in fashion?

When I was younger, I used to stay up watching late night fashion shows on TV for hours. my mother would also bring home vogue magazines and I would flip through them just to stare at the clothes. And then when I was in Middle School and high school I was really into design, sketching, sewing etc. The thing that really sparked my interest in fashion was that it had so many aspects that I could never get bored of it...

2. What made you take fashion more seriously and make a career out of it?

Fashion is more than a hobby for me. I really became interested in the topic of fashion and style. I continue to pursue fashion as I want a career in the field, whether it be of Design, Styling, Photography, whatever. The ability to create something that others will enjoy emotionally and physically is the best aspect. Showing your skill to the world, hopefully changing it as you go along.

3. How has your work evolved since you began your own label?

Well, right now I can't say much about evolution as I have just started my label, but yes, I can see me and my work evolving by every passing day. 4. Are you self-taught or did you study fashion design?

I wanted to go and study fashion abroad, but it was too expensive for me, so I studied fashion entrepreneurship and designing from INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF FASHION, NEW DELHI. This course really helped me and was very useful for what I wanted to do with my designs. 5. Have your pieces become more appealing to people as a result?

Yes, I think so. People today seem willing to dress a little bit differently from one another. I definitely see young people today making more effort in the way that they dress than young people did ten years ago. people are getting tired of just wearing a t-shirt and jeans every day and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great to see them express themselves more in what they wear. 6. Are there any types of clothing that you avoid wearing?

Yes, many things. In order to look and feel your best, you have to know how to dress for your body. I avoid Anything straight cut mostly as I have a straight body type. 7. Does your approach differ when designing menswear compared to womenswear?

I love to design clothes for women. I haven't actually designed anything for men yet. But I'm looking forward to it.

8. What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your company?

You have to be focused on what you are hoping to achieve and be very dedicated. Sometimes I think I could have been more business minded earlier in my career. – Then again you can never know, because you know things now that you didn’t then. Whatever you focus on at any given point be it your design ideas or your business give it 100% because time passes by quickly. 9. What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?

I love talking to experienced and older people, their insights fascinate me. Also, the works of such talented designers, it encourages me to work better and inspire me to take challenges and enhance my work.

Designer: Surbhi Tibrewal B r a n d n a m e : T I B R E WA L’ S Theme: Beach Floral

Collection: Beach wedding attire for guests T y p e : I n t o We s t e r n P h o t o s : S u r b h i T i b r e w a l ’s archives

Sushmita Dewanji â&#x20AC;&#x153;My modeling allows me to inspire a generation of aspiring young womenâ&#x20AC;? Sushmita Dewanji By Saif Rahman Sozib 1. Tell us about your career as a model?

I started modeling as a hobby when my friends suggested I would be good at it. It started as part-time fun kind of job but soon evolved into my putting more hours into it. Also, being an international beauty pageant winner simply took it to a different level. 2. When did you first sign with an agency & what was that like?

I started my modeling in 20--. It was definitely a new experience for me. Being in lights and among people was a different experience but I soon felt at home with it. 3. What is one of your favorite photographs from your career so far?

My favorite picture is the one with me in a red dress standing in an aisle somewhere. It is a side pose with my head turned towards the camera. I think this picture is my complete portrait. It puts together my looks, expression, attitude, and my sensuality in perfect harmony. 4. What do you think is the best part about being a model a model in the industry today?

The best part of being a model is the ability to express myself in a variety of ways and in a variety of location. Through my modeling, I can get an opportunity to highlight many things some of them being for a worthy cause.

5. What is your favorite outfit that you have posted so far?

My favorite outfit so far is Saree. It puts me at ease with tradition and about being a woman of tradition. The fact that I look good in it is icing on the cake. 6. What is

I like instantly times,

your favorite healthy snack?

bananas as a healthy snack. They boost energy as has been proven scientifically. I also, at munch on low carb energy bars. 7. What is your travel essentials?

I like to travel light. Besides usual toiletries, jewelry, and makeup kit, a pair of shoes and sandals. My wardrobe for travel depends on the kind and duration of my travel. 8. What are your future goal, dream & plan?

My modeling allows me to inspire a generation of aspiring young women. I represent the class of women who balance their passion for modeling with a regular job. At some point, I would like to mentor aspiring models and I would also like to become a brand ambassador for a cause I believe in.

Sushmita Dewanji Photographer Vinod GS

Sushmita Dewanji Photographer Rajesh R. Chandran

John Dugan USA capture the title of CMG Paris International Model and CMG Paris International Makeup Artist of the Year. @cmgparisfashionweek @Cupanifashion

John Dugan C M G P a r i s I n t e r n a t i o n a l M o d e l o f t h e Ye a r P a r i s I n t e r n a t i o n a l M a k e u p A r t i s t o f t h e Ye a r R C C I M a k e u p A r t i s t o f t h e Ye a r 2 0 1 8 D e s i g n e r : D o n c a s t e r To d d a n d G a r l a n d c o m p a n y P h o t o g r a p h e r : h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / f a i t h . c h a r i t y. 7 3

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John Dugan C M G Pa r i s I n t e r n a t i o n a l M o d e l o f t h e Ye a r Pa r i s I n t e r n a t i o n a l M a k e u p A r t i s t o f t h e Ye a r R C C I M a k e u p A r t i s t o f t h e Ye a r 2 0 1 8 Designer D o n c a s t e r To d d Garland Company Photographer h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / f a i t h . c h a r i t y. 7 3

In tremendous respect and honor, we will be screening what many consider Karl Lagerfeld's greatest fashion film

"Remember Now". Shot in Saint Tropez and starring Pascal Greggory, and Elisa Sednaoui, the film encompasses Karl's long stated philosophy of living your life with a constant sense of renewal. This film had its film festival premiere at La Jolla in 2011. Art by Antonio

"Youth is a short term lease - nonrenewable" Above: Quote and screen shot from the film

Karl Lagerfeld making a cameo appearance at the end .

Model And Actress Gigi Xiang Looking awesome

Ya l i t z a A p a r i c i o I n R o d a r t e

h t t p s : / / w w w. i m d b . c o m / n a m e / n m 2 3 5 2 7 9 7 / Miguelito Acosta Actor and Producer w w w. s t a g e 3 2 . c o m / m i g u e l i t o a c o s t a

Miguelito Acosta is a Brazilian Indian, actor, and producer. Born on May 14, 1964 in Corumbรก, Mato Grosso do Sul. At six years old he came with his family to live in the city of Rio de Janeiro, where he lives until today When he was a child, Miguelito Acosta liked to play characters, and in the school, he expressed well this artistic talent, in the theatrical plays. In adolescence, he participated in theater groups and produced some pieces. When he became adult he studied, and professionalized in dramatic arts. Miguelito Acosta worked in Theatre, TV, and Cinema, and has participated films and commercials national and foreign, which have earned him prizes and International recognition. He also acted with major foreign actors (Josh Duhamel, Melissa George, Olivia Wilde, Stellan Skarsgard, Joaquim de Almeida and Vlasta Vrana) in Brazilian territory. He has not yet acted outside of Brazil. But he has hope of one day receiving an invitation to act in Hollywood. Miguelito Acosta is a Christian and has a lot of faith in God and Jesus Christ and has the Holy Bible as his manual of life and faith. He is also a constant fighter against

injustice and social inequality and believes in the possibility of us living in a better world of peace and love without injustice and discrimination. He argues that for this to happen, it is necessary for all people who say "to be" human and intelligent to be aware that we are all equal and passive from the same feelings of thirst, hunger, cold, pain and need, and that we are here in this world just in passing, and one day we will have to leave it, whether we want it or not. But! While we are here, we have the right to live the best of this world and be happy, and live in peace and harmony with all people, animals and nature created by God. This is Miguelito Acosta. A simple man, honest and hardworking, and who desires the good for everyone. Visit Facebook page, and get to know his work.

https://www.facebook.com/miguelit oacostactorproducer

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My name is Rosie Esquivel and I am new to the Red Silk Carpet team as an editor. I would like to share a little about myself. I am mommy to Kayla Garcia- Queen K, who was Youth Model of the year for the RCCI 2018 Oscars Documentary. I am Spokesperson for Live Out Loud Charity, in which we conduct workshops for children on antibullying and suicide prevention and help save lives. I work full time for Advocate Corporate office, momager, humanitarian, in process of writing a book, also our very own chocolate “My Goodness Bar” available soon, and a couple other projects soon to come.

I also help with my boyfriend’s business, Food Hero, which is a Culinary School, in which we teach minorities the fundamentals of commercial cooking, guarantee job placement and help bring their entrepreneur skills to life by helping them open up their own businesses or bring their products out to the market. We also encourage our students to do community work. The food that is made in class is donated to the less fortunate. I have been around the pageant and

fashion world for the past 7 years now. I modeled back in the day. briefly, in print and have coached my daughter for the past 6 years. She has won 14 titles, some which are National and I have taught her that giving is better than receiving. We go out daily helping those in need and saving lives. We are part of many wonderful organizations. Love bringing out the best in others and helping them reach their goals. Would love to collaborate with more of our team in different projects. Love working with youth.

Bubbly and Bodacious Bettie Page This is the 5th in the series on Bettie Page portraits I've done.

A little Neon Lady with a twist. Painted etched brass to give it a dynamism that is uniquely its own. You can find many more pieces of this type at my art Facebook page: deselarom Exclusively

"GIRL AND HER GOOSE, DONE STAINED GLASS STYLE, It is amazing what can be done with a little paint and a bit of imagination. This little bit of visual magic is done with the proper paint build up and texturing and, of course, the slightest touch of color. This texturing, of one sort or another, is done in all of my paintings and as a consequence the paintings can be downloaded but never duplicated because the texturing will be lacking. The beauty of texturing is that when you look at the painting from different angles it will appear to change markedly. If you wish to see more of my pieces or make any inquiries please go to Facebook and type in, de Selarom, Exclusively, it is my name spelled backwards. This site is a closed Facebook group. Submit a friend request, I will open the cyber door, greet you and you can peruse through the dozens of paintings. By becoming a friend and clicking like you will be notified when I upload new pictures. Here is the link for online readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups /325087428129171/ "

"BLONDE BETTIE PAGE AND THE BALLOONS" Back in '98 I needed to come up with a marketing logo that I could use in my portrait painting business. I had painted Bettie Page many times with her black bangs, not this time, she had to be notable. Here comes the blonde Bettie Page. Now that is notable.. Bettie Page has been painted perhaps thousands of times by many artistic types, but as far as I am aware, never as a blonde. Wonder why?

"ROBOT GIRL AND THE FULL MOON" Back in 2005 I needed a girl model to pose as my robot girl, enter my daughter Nicole. I never mentioned what I was up to and just took picture after picture. What you see here is the final result which on and off took 14 years. It is great fun working on robots, it is all about stretching the imagination to point where the figure takes on a life of its own. To see more of this type of art just go on Facebook and type: de Selarom Exclusively

SALMA HAYEK "I stared this piece in 2007 and for one reason or another never was never completed. I pulled her out of my art morgue, and after 12 years of cooling her heels, she was finally ready to dance. With a quick deft swirl around my Lazy Susan art easel and she said "you win" and she was finally done. That is the way it goes in my little art den. Ed Morales, email: deselarom@olypen.com "

OIL CAN ROBOT "Dinner is served.â&#x20AC;? It is amazing what can be accomplished with a little paint and a bit of imagination. The fun is when the piece begins to take on a life of its own. Over the years Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve painted many robots and they always begin with a singular thought and that is that the name of the game is to have fun.

When I began this robot I had no idea that the oil can would play a key part in the final composition. Things kind of fall into place when one paints with a "what if" brush. Ed Morales, email: deselarom@olypen.com

This my son Chris' momma. Funny how she got that name. On 6 October 1987 when I finished airbrushing and detailing this girl robot, Chris, my son, walked into my studio in Barrington, Illinois and shouted "POP, YOU PAINTED MOMMA AND SHE IS GOING TO BE MAD! I've had this painting in my Port Angeles studio for the last decade. When I'm in Chicago, this month, March 2019, I'll present it to him. Momma's home and she never got mad!

"SCOTT CROSSFIELD ROCKET PILOT" The genesis of the my Scott Crossfield portrait began around 1960 when my sister gave me Scott Crossfield's book "Always another dawn" I read the book many time and he became my boyhood hero. Around 2009, I decided that I wanted to paint his portrait in a manner that only showed his eyes with the rest of his face covered with his flight helmet and oxygen mask. In order to precisely render his eyes I had to make contact with someone in his family who could help me with the correct details. Luckily I came into contact with Sally Crossfield Farley, Scott's daughter. I would paint the eyes relying on online sources, shoot the image over to Sally and she would send it back to me with her recommendations. This process went on for a few weeks until she was satisfied. I gave this portrait to Sally to keep. She uses it to help promote her father's educational foundation. About 6 months ago I asked her if she could write Scott's bio from her unique viewpoint. Thank you Sally for writing a wonderful story that only you could write. Ed Morales

S a l l y C r o s s f i e l d Fa r l e y I write this as I listen to the quiet ticking of the backwards clock my father gave me one birthday, it reminds me of his sense of humor. I love the clock and observing a person’s expression when it dawns on them, it’s backwards. The desk I sit at is as old as I am if not older and holds the memories of my father’s dreams and aspirations from even before his first days at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA, now NASA), to helping to bring to fruition The Society for Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), to beyond the D558 and X-15 and his dream of The Oriental Express which would take us from the United States to China in 3 hours by going up to Mach 6 after the plane reached altitude above the ozone. I have all the paperwork and calculations to produce such a plane as it sits in this desk. This desk has a quirky yet ingenious locking system that involves no keys, just a knowledge of which drawers to try in which sequence. The only refinishing I did to it was to re-stain it, I left all the scars it earned over six decades in tact. They are history.

My father was Scott Crossfield who became the fastest man on earth one cold, windy day in November of 1953, breaking Mach 2. It would soon be flight’s 50th birthday and he was flying the Douglass Skyrocket D558-II, pushing it beyond what it was designed to do. When he reached an altitude of 72,000 feet he put the D558 in to a shallow dive and at 62,000 feet reached Mach 2.005, making him the first man to break Mach 2. Thus, the fastest man alive, for a time.

After joining NACA in 1950, he flew a number of research planes and logged over a 100 rocket powered flights in the 5 years he was with NACA which made him the single most experienced rocket pilot in the world. He flew nearly all of the experimental aircraft under test at Edwards, including the X-1, XF-92, X-4, X-5, Douglas D-558-I Skystreak and the Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket. He once told me he flew every X plane except the X3.

I wasn’t born until late 1957, and will be eternally grateful that he was successful and didn’t die in his quest to break Mach 2. Or, I simply wouldn’t be. Many of my memories as a young girl are of seeing him on the evening news. He wasn’t home a lot or I was already in bed so I didn’t see him as much as I would have liked. We lived close to the Los Angeles airport so he would fly his Bonanza to work at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mohave Desert, which he said NACA tried to stop him from doing because it was dangerous. Oh the irony. Our home in Los Angeles wasn’t actually big enough for our growing family so he had a two story addition built on that included two bedrooms, two bathrooms on the first level and two bedrooms and a large connecting bathroom upstairs. My room was upstairs and my sister had the other room. Since she is ten years older, she was often out on dates and it felt like I was up there alone. I often slept under my bed or in the closet. I remember playing in the pool, having massive water fights with my brothers and sister with our black Labrador, Honey Bear, often joining in. There was a trampoline in the pool

yard where if you jumped high enough you could see a fledgling Culver City down below. How he found the time I don’t know, but he built me a playhouse which was the size of a small bedroom and everything in it was sized to fit a little girl including the door and ceiling.

He was working on it one day when my mother called to him that he had a phone call, when he didn’t come she, a little irritated, walked down to the playhouse and found him unconscious. He apparently heard her when she called to him and stood up, forgetting that everything was built for a small person, hit his head on the doorway, knocked himself out and nearly broke his neck. He also built us a playground. We had a treehouse, a slide, swings, and even a merry go round. We had so much fun with my little brother, one of us would get him to the top of the slide and one of us would position at the bottom to catch him. Well, sometimes. Or, put him on the merry go round and see how fast we could spin him. Or, sometimes, we’d just play in a cardboard box and eat dirt.

When the whole family was home, all eight of us would have dinner at the dining room table. The table initially must have seated 14 and was large, round, and super heavy with a massive base. The story with it was it was made for my great grandfather, Amasa Scott Crossfield who was a Supreme Court Justice in the Philippines and the table was a gift to him. When my father inherited it they had to cut a foot off the diameter just to get it in the house. With all of us seated around that table it wasn’t unusual for us to raise our hand to speak, which actually worked well. No one was allowed to say we didn’t like something. We were to be grateful for the effort made to make a hot nutritious meal for eight people, and we were. Not that we didn’t find creative ways of “cleaning” our plate, ranging from passing food discreetly to the dog under the table or sneaking it from one plate to the next until often our mother, father, or both ended up with more vegetables than they started with. I seriously doubt they didn’t notice but I think they liked us problem solving and working together. When I was in kindergarten, I walked to school, uphill both ways of course. I always walked to school. If it was

foggy as it often was in the fall, I’d hold my hand out to gage it’s thickness…some times in doing so I couldn’t see my fingertips at the end of my outstretched arm it was that thick. On sunny days I would jump the shadows of the passing vehicles. Buses were a challenge. One day, something bad happened, I’ve only vague clips of memories. Have never been able to retrieve anymore and pretty sure I don’t want to, my mind is protecting me. I was gone for a little bit, I have no idea how long, but I was in a unfamiliar house with a man I didn’t know. Then, somehow I was home, all else are hidden or lost memories. It was never talked about, in retrospect I think my parents thought it best, but what vague memories of it I do have still surface from time to time. It was after that he stopped talking about his work or what he was doing. We had family life and he had his work life. I can’t say I didn’t know what he did especially as I got older, but he made it seem so inconsequential to our daily lives that I never really thought about it or him beyond our home. It wasn’t until he died that I realized just how extraordinary he really was.

He was bigger than life. He built two go carts that my brothers would race along the paths that surrounded the gardens in our California home. One was complete but the other cart was just soldered pipes, wheels, a seat, and an engine. Which in my opinion, was the much cooler one. Some days I’d find him with one of my brothers in the garage making their own surfboards. I loved the drives to the beach where we’d pile in the station wagon, surfboards and all. Every turn someone would get squished as we used the momentum of the turn to apply as much pressure as we could, it was tough being on the end. When we came over the hill and the beach came into view, and what a magnificent view. We’d park and as soon as we did I’d dash out of the car to sand so hot you had to throw your towel down and jump from towel to towel until you got closer to the water where the sand was cooler. If I wasn’t in the water I was digging for sand crabs or building sand castles and watching my brothers surf, on surfboards they helped to make, the music of the sixties playing in the background. I remember us all flying with him in his Bonanza one day, all five kids (younger brother had yet to be born) when one got sick, you know what happens next, we all got sick. Had to be awful flying that plane that

particular day, you can’t just pull over. He was a healthy baby but at the age of five he was diagnosed with pneumonia which severely damaged his lungs and also affected his heart. His parents actually thought he was going to die and sent for their priest who administered last rites. He was actually in a coma for some time. He eventually recovered but was left sickly and small, always the smallest boy in his class. A year or so later he came down with rheumatic fever which left him bedridden for over four months. The following four years until he was about ten, every so often he was made to lie down and rest until dinner time. His parents’ thought he would be crippled. He would tell me about this time and how as a child his mother would have him sit in a chair in the backyard. This chair soon became his airplane as he attached an airplane control stick and a rudder and let his imagination take him across oceans, valleys and over mountains. This small, sickly boy became one of the ten most famous pilots in the world. He always believed the fact that as a child he was told he’d never be able, physically, to fly and the one teacher who believed in him were the two greatest spurs in his life.

We welcome you back next month to experience more in the life of Sally Crossfield Farley

L.B. Ellis

T h e A r t o f Wo r d s By L.B. Ellis It really starts with basic reading for all writers must be well read. Sounds easy to do. You just go to your local library and check out a few books and skim through them and type out a novel . Submit your best seller to a major New York Publisher sit back and catch up on your social media , catch up on your shows and wait for the Benjaminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to roll into the mail. To be honest everyone thinks that is how it works until you actually try it and see just how hard it really is to read the vast amount of books you have to have read to absorb the myriad of styles of writing to develop your own style that other people will want to read! Every successful writer has their own road they have traveled to get to that special place that everyone wants to be at but few actually achieve. For me it was very unique. When I was a young lad growing up in the sixties and seventies

there was a single phone that the family had installed on our busy kitchen. We never ate out so the kitchen was the heart of our home. The dial was simple actually you inserted a finger into a circle that was aligned with a series of holes with letters and numbers printed beneath and spun the clear hard plastic to a set point and released the mechanism . Slowly the face of the phone box would rotate back to the original setting and you did it again and again to make a call to a person who would answer formally, usually as a representative of the home you were dialing . You were always consciously thinking that there would be zero expectation of privacy so you kept the call brief and to the point. Seems strange to describe it in an article about writing but I do have a point I promise!

The other functions of the home I grew up in were similar, as in television time . There was none ! Well the occasional Saturday cartoon and if you were really lucky a after school rerun of Star Trek but that was actually a very rare treat . My mom would get home from work and the news would go on and then back off then the television which was black and white would be unplugged and we were out on bikes or in serious study . There is that word I know so well “ Study.” My homework was pretty easy for me so I would read the huge collection of National Geographic magazines my mother brought home from work or the encyclopedia which I am convinced every home had, from A to Z ! I must have read the collection of knowledge, front to back then back to front at least a dozen times in my young life before I moved onto more colorful books like Tolkien or Twain.

The list of books I have read would fill an Olympic swimming pool HaH! Now here it is many years later and I have command of the written word. I have discovered from my learning that a successful person reads 50 books a year . That is not including magazines by the way . The average person reads 1.5! You can do the math and see that to be or not to be a real writer is not as easy as it may look to the average person. In future articles I’ll share some of the books you should have read and why. L.B. Ellis is a published writer with Austin Macally London . His current book is “Paris” a World War II Action Adventure Book romantic and tragic. He can be found on Facebook and on the small and big screen as an Actor and is also an Inventor.

Horace Robinson

What was your favorite editorial picture and what story does it tell? I’m not quite sure how to answer this question. I’m a self-taught photographer so I don’t break things down in that way. There are many photographers out there that do great work, for me images invoke feelings. Sometimes the feelings from an image is so intense that I’m drawn into it. I want to nowhere it was taken, who it is, what are they saying. Then again I look at an image, and it doesn’t say anything to me. What makes a model interesting to photograph? For me having a model that knows their job. Knows how to bring an outfit to life. A model that can sell. A model that understands that they are a part of a team. That team has many parts, a make-up artist, a hair stylist, wardrobe, an art director, a set, or location, and the photographer. Now that we have all these creative people doing their jobs its now time for the model to bring the concept to life. In short a model that understands they are not just a mannequin, they have skills, and talents, they need to do their part to bring this project to life.

If you were to judge a photography award what qualities would you look for? I would look at the technical things like is it in focus, does it have the right white balance, is the composition right for the image. But most of all how I feel about the image. Does it move me,

does it tell a story that I can follow. for me photography is an art form, and as an artist we see, and interpret things in our own way, but I still feel people need to be able to follow our meanings. Give us a 30 second elevator speech about your photography. My path to photography was very strange. My wife brought me a camera for a gift, because I couldn’t think of anything else to ask for. I say this is strange, because I never thought about photography. Now that I have it, and started taking pictures of all my friends I fell in love with taking pictures. I must be honest in the beginning they were not very good. However, after taking lots of pictures, and putting in thousands of hours on YouTube. I think I might be getting better. What is your favorite passion life? In the beginning, I thought photography was about capturing images, and there’s nothing wrong with that if you’re doing a documentary. Today I want to create the image. In my quest to become a better photographer I would hear other photographers talk about seeing the image before I pick up the camera, and I wouldn’t understand what they meant. Today I understand it’s okay to capture the moment, but there’s times when it’s better to create the moment. Today photography is my passion.

Gwen Hawkins

Gwen Hawkins has been sewing since age 8. Both her mother and grandmother were seamstresses who taught her the art of design. In her early years, Grace Jones and Twiggy were her inspirations. People always laugh when she tells the story of being suspended from high school and told not to come back until she learned how to dress. She now teaches high school students sewing and helps them become young designers. Gwen Hawkins was first featured as a model in J.E.T. Magazine in 1968. After changing careers, she opened Gwen’s Bridal Boutique in 1998. Since opening the boutique, Gwen’s Bridal Boutique and Designs by G have been featured in several publications including: Wedding Noir, Exalte’ Magazine (2016- 2018), Salyse Magazine October 2016 (an International magazine) New Orleans Wedding Guide Fall 2017, New Orleans Living Magazine December 2018, and Acadiana Profile Magazine Fall 2017. Most recently Designs by G has participated in: Coastal Fashion Week 2016, 2017, Winter 2018, Summer 2018 and Winter 2019. Gwen has also participated in New Orleans Fashion Week: Revolution, New Orleans Fashion Week 2017 and 2018 and The Rock the Runway Celebrity Fashion Show hosted by Angel Love of VH1’s Basketball Wives. Designs by G and Gwen’s Bridal Boutique can be seen in local fashion shows supporting small business in

New Orleans. Gwen has won several awards for her custom designs including winning: Coastal Fashion Week Winter 2018 in New Orleans as well as Summer 2018 in both New Orleans and Mobile. In late 2017, Gwen became the official seamstress for the founder of Coastal Fashion Week. Gwen has also designed and dressed New Orleans first African American female as well as the only female mayor in 300 years, Mayor Latoya Cantrell, for the Inaugural Ball on May 7, 2018. Recently, Gwen dressed Ms. Louisiana Universal, Havilah Malone as she competed for the Ms. Universal Pageant. On August 22, 2018, Gwen designed and created a custom jumpsuit for the Imperial Directress, Phyllis Johnson, who hosted the 56th Sally Berry Fashion show for the Imperial Court Daughters, an Auxiliary of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine where she also served as a judge. In early 2018, Gwen was selected as the 2018- 2019 Modiste for the Original Illinois Club in New Orleans where she designed and created dresses for the debutantes and pages as well as the costume for the captain of the club. “Today when I see my dresses on the runway, I feel like a peacock.” “I have learned how to dress!”

Emilia Lepore

Emilia Lepore class of 1973, Pugliese, born in Bari, was trained preferring artistic studies, an Architecture to the Secon Federico of Naples. She learned the Mannerist painting arts, attending the "arts workshops" of Puglia where she learned the ancient techniques of gilding and painting. She express her creativity by opening her first store in 2000, the second in 2007 where she created a line of clothes for children. In 2013 she began to develop graphics for textiles and discovers her great current passion, creating fabrics with graphic textiles. In 2014 she began creating and mixing various techniques. From traditional sublimation to the innovative one on natural fibers. From 2016 she created couture polydimensional textile, combining various natural materials inside the fabrics. Recovering old Textile and giving new light with its innovative technique. It then defines Volcanic Creativity. Emilia Lepore draws beauty from everyday life in contact with nature, source of continuous inspiration of its textiles.

Colors, shapes, materials and elements of nature then come together in an artistic and sartorial union, based on the handcraft creation of each individual element. Therefore the 8LE of Emilia Lepore stands for " Eighth wonderâ&#x20AC;&#x153;.

It enhances the preciousness of each individual, part of the whole, just like textile, created by hand-petal by petal, according to the highest conception of sartorial exclusivity. The comfortable and soft Saris with a retrĂ˛ taste are born, as well as the Caftan gifts, a mix of Afro, Mediterranean and Arabic ethnicities that influence the design in the colors and lines of its ethno-chic collections. The clothes in pictures, almost sculptured, are a fusion of skillfully mixed techniques and materials painted on a divine canvas as the designer herself likes to define her textile.

The 8LE in an endless journey, an eternal evolution a journey of art and creativity, the love for the little great precious things, part of the infinite universe. All photos are created by Sandro Quarto

Research and experimentation of material are the base of the Polydimensional textiles, expressing the value of the uniqueness of the fabric made by hand.

Photography by Sandro Quarto

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