L’ART
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11
Be Creative
Page 4- D&L Style: Your editor’s choose our signature fashion items for the holiday season.
Hi all and welcome to the eleventh issue of L’ART; the ‘celebratory 2012’ issue.
Page 8- Following her Summer win of Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model (BINTM), we sit down with Letitia Herod to talk all things Clothes Show & BINTM Live.
As we come to the end of another year and look forward to the festive season, we’ve focused on those who have had a great kick start to new beginnings and opportunities this year and have bigger and better things to come in 2013.
Page 12- With a great modelling career and travelling history behind him, it’s no wonder Charley Speed was made one of BINTM male judges. See how the international model is getting involved at this year’s Clothes Show. Page 14- Fashion and dance can create a world of endless opportunities. Matt Henry is a great example for what is available… Page 18- As we approach the end of another year, we asked you what music, fashion and performing arts moments stood out to you this 2012 in Word On The Street. Page 19- Acoustic artist, singer and guitarist Joely Rendle breaks things down for us in her music profile. Get clued up on this young artist ahead of her L’ART TV feature. Page 20- Working with Chrisette Michele has been one of J.Rob’s highlights of 2012. We caught up with the music producer to learn a bit more about the man behind the music.
Winner of Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model (BINTM), Letitia Herod has seen her modelling career catapult and you can find out what she’s looking forward to at this month’s BINTM Live with our featured interview with the top model. Plus we have a word with model judge Charley Speed and catwalk coach Matt Henry. Following the successful launch of Oxford’s new dance company Body Politic, we thought we’d catch up with some of the crews that stood out for us on the night. With incredible talent, great achievements and work ethic in the art, these UK Street dance crews are an inspiration to many. Read on to find out more… Plus we speak to upcoming L’ART TV feature Joely and accomplished American music producer J.Rob! Enjoy the festive season and have a great start to 2013.
CONTENTS
Daniella and Letisha Page 22- Winning at the World’s 2012 is just one of many highlights for Tega Alexander this year. Catch up on his successes. Page 25- With a growing dance school, hugely talented Street troupes and an all important date in March, Step2 founder Nadia Dickson goes back to where it all started. Page 28- Masters of Movement (MOM) began with two ambitious people fulfilling their dreams. Today it’s a dance platform for dancers worldwide. Here’s JJ’s story with the group.
D&L STY LE
1. Topman- £28 2. River Island- £25 3. River Island- £80 4. Dorothy Perkins- £50
LETITIA HEROD Now there is just days away before all girls from the latest series hit the catwalk at this year’s Clothes Show Live, as 2012 marks the first time both events will be combined and celebrated as one huge event. “It’s going to be amazing. It’s nice to have experience doing catwalks everyday,” Letitia smiled, as we sat down with her at the show’s preview day. The demanding and busy requirements may seem far from the norm for some, but working in an industry where you can be told about a casting for a new job with less than 24 hours before you’re due, is very common in the fashion industry.
really think of her judging panel?
LETITIA REVEALS:
“Whitney’s (Port) really down to earth, Tyson (Beckford) has a good eye and knows what he’s looking for and Elle is similar in that way. She’s been in the business for how long? I wanted her to tell me everything!”
What fashion trends are you loving at the moment? Dresses. I do love the lace, I’m glad that’s in now.
Highlights of the show for Letitia, included winning (of course), and the final photoshoot on the beach which she describes as incredible, although as much as she admired the location, the same couldn’t be said for having to grasp wearing heels in the sand. Funnily Letitia had to keep her great achievement under wraps due to the time difference in shooting the series and its television airing. However she did celebrate with her family and friends incognito as she successfully kept her two month experience under wraps.
What was it like working with catwalk coach Matt Henry? He’s a lovely guy, such a good catwalker. It was really good for us to have him quite early on . I think he was quite happy with my first walk. How was presenting at the 2012 MOBO’s? It was actually quite fun. Hopefully something else will pop up. It’s good to do something different. Name a future dream model moment of yours. Victoria’s Secret would be incredible. Fingers crossed!
“That was quite fun,” she smiled. “I’ve always wanted to be a model,” Letitia continues.“I thought the best I could do for myself is go on the show. So then I entered and got pictures…” and the rest is now history. Following her time on the show, Letitia can say she’s had advice and guidance from some of the best on the modelling scene, but what did Letitia
With her goals set on modelling in areas of editorial, commercial, underwear, beauty and hitting the catwalk at prestigious fashion week’s, we for one can’t wait to follow her as she continues to make those milestones in her modelling career.
Photography by Ishmael Jackson All models are styled by Miss Selfridge
Top Model Letitia Herod Hits The Runway At Clothes Show Live.
Becoming Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model (BINTM), meeting Elle McPherson, gracing the cover of Company magazine and modelling for Revlon’s Shangai Collection; you could definitely say it’s been a life changing year for Letitia Herod.
Meet Your BINTM Live Host, Mr Charley Speed
Accompanying the girls on the BINTM and Clothes Show Live line up is international model and former judge on the show, Charley Speed. “It’s great! People get twice the fun,” he said on the joint show. “I did tweet saying Letitia is stunning and I love her, I think she’s got real potential, so I’d just like to get that in there,” he laughed. Although other contestants Emma and Anita also caught his eye, he expressed his joy at Letitia’s win. “She’ll be an editorial and high-end classic.” Her skinny, yet fuller figure immediately got a thumbs up from the series judge, as he longs to see a change in the era of ‘super skinny, androgynous looks’. “Lets hope she gets on the runway. It’s about time,” he continued. Charley’s experience in modelling played a huge part in him landing the role of male judge on the show, as he has had an impressive run in editorial, high profile campaigns and runway shows, coming a long way from his first shoot in a Boots calendar. After being spotted by Calvin Klein, there was no looking back as his career snowballed.
So in Charley’s eyes, what makes a top model? You have to be “striking” when you walk into a room with an interesting aspect about you. “No one really knows who the next big guy or girl is until it happens.” You’ve “got to have a bit of actor/actress in you”. The ability to do so will help hugely when interpreting the concept and really help to make the story come alive. “You have to have a versatile portfolio. If you can do anything it’s so rare.” So there you have it, three top tips from someone whose world knowledge and travel experience is definitely worth taking on board. “It’s a privileged position to be in, otherwise it’s wasted.” With high end clothes, a signing area, pampering, master classes, model advice and potential scouting on the day, fashionistas would be crazy to miss out. “It’s nice doing live, it’s a good buzz. It’s going to be all it’s been the past years and a bit more.” DID YOU KNOW? Charley won the VH1 Model of the Year Award, giving him recognition for all his hard work. He loved doing editorial work as it gave him the chance to use his acting skills. Walking the runway was always a buzz for Charley. “Opening a show is quite a big thing.”
“Calvin Klein made me,” he humbly reminds us. His working relationship with Models One sees this affiliation with the company offer the winner a contract with the top agency. And whilst on the topic of great working relationships, this trait also mirrored Charley’s views of co-worker Elle McPherson. Charley commended her good heart and sweet nature, as he looked back on the lady who was a huge icon when he began looking up to the industry.
Photography by Ishmael Jackson
The Secrets Behind That Model Walk When you see your favourite model walking down the catwalk, do you ever think about the work put behind the walk? Well today’s the day to draw your attention to the work of a catwalk coach! Every model has worked with one at some point during their career to address those last finishing touches and one guy who knows his stuff on the catwalk is Matt Henry. He trained at the Urdang Academy. From there he left early to perform on stage in The Lion King and Saturday Night Fever, without any full-time work but then the opportunity of Britain & Ireland’s Next Top model came up! Focusing on posture, alignment and movement, Matt has worked with aspiring models and the general public with one goal in mind; to create their own unique walk. Working with the girls on Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model (BINTM) for the past two years has given him a platform to educate the models with the relevant techniques he has from his background in dance. Here’s how the two are easily connected and how Matt found himself working alongside such a popular show.
Who has the best walk? “I would say Yasmin Le Bon has the best walk. She commands you to look at her and I think that’s what a walk is. “If you command me to look at you then I’m going to put my clothes on you. That’s what she’s able to do and that’s what I want the girls to do; to have that confidence.” This year at the Clothes Show & BINTM Live “I’m doing a cat-walking master class. It’s a very high and intense day of working with the general public, girls who want to get scouted and they come dressed to impress. “But what you have to think about is if that will impress a scout. It’s a good day of fun and working half an hour with 50 girls. Trying to pass so much knowledge is the hardest thing because everyone has questions. “But where the two shows are coming together I think it’s going to be even bigger, better and more exciting this year. Hopefully we may find next year’s winner. “Jade who won last year came to a master class and look, she won (BINTM series). So it does work.”
“It was one of those things that just happened. I’m a trained actor and dancer. Coming from that following I did a lot of scouting for a company. It escalated from there.
Matt’s catwalk method “I call it P.A.M – posture, alignment and movement. It’s a bit like a farmers cattle. I get the girls to walk around the room. From them walking around you get to see the extent of what you’ve got to work with.
“Since then I’ve been working with BINTM and their live shows. It’s now joint with Clothes Show Live this year.”
“By the end of each catwalk I do try to give each girl some critique. You don’t want to go to a class and come away with nothing and when you give someone a compliment, they take it on.
Perfecting your walk “We all have things we need to work on but the majority of girls come with pre-conceived ideas of how they think a model should walk. “But you should find your natural walk. A lot of the time I just get people to walk around the room. You walked here today without thinking about it so get rid of the pre-conceived ideas. “I try and break that down and re-build the things you naturally do to make it unique.” BINTM “It was really exciting working with the girls. I even created a master plan and got them walking with animals. I’d been to a lot of catwalk shows particularly Harrods where the girls were walking with dogs. Things like this may happen! “Coming back to see them today (at the Clothes Show Live press day) and seeing how much they’ve grown is nice.”
“I’m not sure what my next job is; I take things as they come. But I still do acting. I get different rewards from performing and teaching. I’m enjoying working with the girls right now.”
WOTS
This summer, we created L’ART TV; a platform for our features and guests to further showcase their talents and offer a chance for you, the audience, to see them on a more personal level.
Word On The Street
From Body Politic and 88 Music, to The Dance Company, Jael Russell-Cartwright, the Miss P Countdown and our latest UK Black History Month honourary highlights, our YouTube channel is home to the arts of music, fashion and performing arts.
Each new year brings a lot of new ventures and opportunities for many and this year has been no different as our features for this issue and the others of 2012 have proved.
This month, we have our first young acoustic singer Joely. Find out who her music idols are, what talent she’ll be showing you this month and what music moment stood out for her this year.
From life changing competition winners, dance champion titles, new business starters and signed music acts, it’s been a memorable and high achieving time throughout so as we enjoy the last days of 2012, we asked you what your favourite arts related moment of 2012 was. Read on to discover your top music, fashion and performing arts related moments of 2012… “The Miss P Fundraiser 2012.” “Seeing Ed Sheeran in concert. He’s amazing.”
PROFILE Name: Joely Age: 12
“1950’s is a huge trend and we saw the retro look on the catwalks at London Fashion Week!” “That moment when The Weeknd came on stage with Drake at Wireless Festival.” “Rita Ora winning ‘Best Newcomer’ at the MOBO’s.” “The Oxford Fashion Week Couture Show held at Ashmolean Museum.” “London 2012 Olympics!” OURS INCLUDE: Attending the BINTM press day. Speaking to issue 9 feature Shystie ahead of her music releases and NY Fashion Week. Seeing issue 6 features Alleviate in action at Move It 2012.
How long have you been involved with music? I’ve been writing since a very young age and started adding the guitar to my songs from the age of 10 after having lessons. What genre of music do you like? Acoustic and chart music. What musicians do you like? Ed Sheeran. Who are your favourite acts of 2012? Nicki Minaj and Jessie J. Who would you love to collaborate with? Ed Sheeran; I love his personality and the way he performs with just him and his guitar, So relaxed. Tell us your favourite music moment of 2012. Seeing Ed Sheeran perform live. He was really good. You can listen in on Joely’s covers on her YouTube channel at ‘joelyrendle’ and keep your eyes open for her interview to reveal more.
J.Rob – Meet The Producer Music producer J.Rob describes himself as a laid back, passionate, honest, motivated, creative, hardworking, loyal, god fearing, chilled dude. But what we wanted to know was how did he manage to work with such high-profile artists? What was Chrisette Michele like to work with? Who does he consider to be the top UK artists to collaborate with? Here’s what we found out… “I always knew that I wanted to be involved in the music industry in some form, whether it was playing drums, percussion, piano, or teaching. “I started playing piano at a very early age and later transitioned to drums and percussion. After graduating my goal was to really focus on the engineering side of my career, build up a good reputation in Atlanta and eventually transition into production. “This strategy worked for me. I spent a couple years on the intern circuit and from there landed an assistant engineer position with Mix Engineer Kevin “KD” Davis. “From there my career started to take off on the engineering side. I became producer Shekspere’s personal engineer and even got involved with some production duties for him. “I started to build up a name as a great young engineer in Atlanta and have worked with artists and producers ranging from Musiq Soulchild to Rodney Jerkins and Bangladesh. “Gary, my manager and I met at Icon Studios in Atlanta where we were both interns. Through the years we eventually grew to become friends and do some small business things together.
“I really respect that he is an extremely persistent person. In the music game you need someone that doesn’t take no for an answer, someone that has your best interests in mind and someone that you don’t have to micromanage to get things done. “It’s really just us together trying to grow my brand and become a force in the music game. He knows how far I can go. “I will give credit to Gary for directly emailing some of my tracks to Chrisette Michele. She had such a great reaction to what we sent her and working with her was great. “She was super enthusiastic throughout the process and she loved sharing ideas. Overall it was a dope experience. “Working with Chrisette has been the biggest moment of my production career so far. Working with a Grammy award winning artist with such a beautiful and unique voice and talent is a blessing. I feel like Chrisette really took these songs to a place that was beyond my original thoughts. “When I’m creating a track for a specific artist I like to dig through their older albums and get a good vision on their style. From there I usually try to find a dope sound or melody on the keys and just build up the track from there. “My sound is very dramatic with live sound elements, electronic, hip hop, pop, big choruses and that moment of suspense. I try and grab sounds of today and mix them in with sounds that have gone through all generations of music.
“Movie scores and soundtracks are also a big inspiration. I’ve been told that a lot of my tracks sound as if they should be in movies. “I am currently collaborating with a prominent producer from N.Y. on some upcoming projects for Eminem and Kanye West. I am also looking to collaborate with Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Hudson and Ciara on Epic Records. “I would love to work with Adele, Kanye West, Jay Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Coldplay, Kendrick Lamar; everyone really! I want to have my hands in all genres of music. “Emeli Sandé, Olly Murs, Ellie Goulding and Leona Lewis are a couple of major UK Artists that we have our eye on too. The Saturdays are another group I like. “There are a lot of great artists and great music coming out of the UK. I am actually looking to visit the UK in the Spring to work for a few weeks so I’m always watching and looking for someone to collaborate with.”
Tega Alexander “I can’t remember what happened or how I danced. I just did something and I ended up winning,” said Tega as he recalls his recent win at the IDO Hip-hop World Championships in Germany this year. 2012 was his third time competing at the competition and he was determined to get into the final after previously missing out by one place. “Before I went on the floor I thought to myself, why just try to get to the final, why not try to win the whole thing?” Then before he knew it, he came first in the world out of hundreds, possibly thousands of solo dancers that competed for the title. Tega was ‘unbelievably motivated’ for this but that is a small part of what dance means to him. “I’ve been dancing for five years now. I started dancing after watching a film called You Got Served. I wanted to try and do that. “I did a lot of self-teaching for the first year. Then after being in a dance class I began to learn a lot more about dance as a whole and different aspects of dance. “From taking part in that dance class I became a member of the 220kru. I was dancing with them for about two to three years then on Got To Dance I saw a group called Trilogy. “I saw their set on TV and I was really impressed. I really wanted to be part of something like that. A couple of months later the head choreographer from Trilogy
came to Portsmouth to do a workshop and I took his class then he asked me to come up to a rehearsal. “I felt really welcomed. I’ve been dancing with them for about a year and a half now. Ever since I joined Trilogy, my style has improved. I’m a lot more versatile. “Going into the first rehearsal I was a little stunned at how much work they got done in one rehearsal, but being involved in a group that worked so efficiently I tried to give that back to my group.
“We have four mini groups that make up 220kru and 220youth. They’re a bunch of talented children that deserve a chance to shine. We’re trying to push them to that point. “They train in house and hip-hop at the moment but what they perform is interpretive and whatever the music gives, they perform.” 220kru also competed at the World’s and placed tenth out of 45 teams! “All round it was a good trip. “Teaching gives me a chance to get myself across. It’s a good outlet and
helps other people understand you a little bit more. “I would say I prefer teaching. I do love performing as well. It’s just as much an outlet, just in a different way. It allows you to be someone else and to push another valve out to the audience.” Upcoming Priorities Trilogy dance crew recently competed at Dancer’s Delight; one of the biggest shows in London. “With 220kru we’ve just started a new set and I’d like to put them in the British Championships competition in February.
“Also, not forgetting the Body Politic audition and the new wave that they’re pushing. I choreograph for that and am fully supporting that. “Em-J and I spoke briefly at a class she held in London. Later on she saw my work online and contacted me about choreographing the launch video. “I choreographed that and she’s wanted me to choreograph more for upcoming shows. She’s an amazing person to work with. “I’m always choreographing for a crew and I’m also a learner in a crew as well so I’m aware of what needs to be done. “Whatever I’m learning from someone I try to soak in as much as I can, that’s how I search for my choreography. Anything that catches my eye plays a part in inspiration.
Future Plans “I’d like to perform with artists like Trey Songz. His music is very easy to move to and he gives you that opportunity with what he writes. “Also, Justin Bieber. His dancers get a lot of life on stage. He likes to ensure the world that he works with good dancers as opposed to them just being in the background. I think that’s amazing and I would love to be part of something like that. “I’ve been really lucky in the way things have panned out and being around the right people.” So you never know, these future goals of Tega’s just might be accomplished in the near future. Remember the name; Tega Alexander.
STEP2 From ballet, street, contemporary and adult pilates sessions, Nadia Dickson does it all. With a background of dance training and experience with some top choreographers in LA, the world of dance and fitness are close to her heart and this is present when she’s either performing or teaching her students at dance school Step 2. Now celebrating a year at her own studio, Nadia spends her time teaching her students and helping them to become as versatile in the art form as they can possibly be. And with a huge show set for the new year, the Step 2 family are working harder than ever. “It’s been amazing, completely changed everything,” Nadia said and with the help of her co-teachers in ballet, tap and break dancing, Nadia is left to focus on the remaining tap, pilates and street classes. With all their focus on new choreography and showcasing their talents at the next annual dance show, the prospect of the 2013 showcase is causing double the excitement, as they prepare to perform at Oxford’s New Theatre for the first time on March 16th. “We want to make sure it’s amazing. We’ve always done a show every year in March at the Headington Girls School, but we were having to do four nights in order to show all the children’s parents. I thought ‘I’ll bite the bullet and give it a go’.
Having trained in dance from a very young age herself, Nadia specialised in ballet, tap and modern and went on to graduate from The Italia Conti Academy. Following opportunities in pantomimes and stage appearances, she then came back to Oxford and discovered a new love within her trained art form; teaching. “I work here and teach at schools doing Physical Education where they do dance. It’s good, I love it.” And with her school continuing to grow and a daily timetable at the studio from 16:00-20:00, the hours training is bound to be reflective on the big stage in 2013. Audience members can look forward to seeing the inclusive babies Ballet class, the adult ladies tap, the open street class who find their inner female assasin and more. Plus the schools Street troupes Unleashed and Pink Noize will be taking to the stage. Katie Blakeborough spoke on her first competition experience with the girls: “It’s amazing, a bit overwhelming. You’re there and see how good everybody else is, so it’s a bit scary. There’s quite a lot of people who have been there and done it before.” “It was really good to see different dancers and I like the battles,” Imogen Robinson added. Actively taking part in different dance styles including contemporary and musical theatre, the troupe girls have been together so long, which is present in their close relationships and through the fun they have at competitions whilst sharing hotel rooms. “Normally I can’t shut them up,” Nadia laughs. Sitting in on the last half hour of one of their classes, their friendships and shared passion was great to see. We look forward to seeing the show guys! Unleashed The name was inspired from their first dance set, which they performed in orange boiler suits with a prison esq feel. The piece was all about unleashing the power. Born in 2000, members auditioned for the team following experience in other classes and dance schools. The age range is 13-18.
Website: HYPERLINK “http://www.step2dance.co.uk” www.step2dance.co.uk
“The kids are so excited. It’s a good opportunity for them.”
The girls are advanced and recently came first at the British Championships during their first time in the category and went on to be in the final eight when competing against the likes of 220kru. Their set is 2 and a half minutes long and all hard hitting hip-hop. Pink Noize The name was the result of a brainstorming session and represents their energy and girly side. Born in 2010, the girls are aged 11-16. At the last competition in Blackpool, Pink Noize came 1st in their under 14 newcomer category. This was their first win in their category and they will now move up to Intermediate. Their set is 2 minutes of strong, girly, female power. All girls performed at the Body Politic Launch and took part in workshops by Glenn Hudson and Shanelle Fergus as well as the December 23rd Oxford Christmas lights. Upcoming Events & Projects Competitions in January and June plus more. A collaboration project with Film Oxford with the inclusion of a live VJ (a playback system which has the ability to manipulate images on a screen).
Masters of Movement are just that; masters of their craft. The company was put together by Spin and TK, friends who wanted to create a dance company with a name that defined them as a group of individuals who can do all styles of dance. With training in schools such as Alvin Ailey, Spanish School of Dance and Broadway Dance Centre NY, TK & Spin have knowledge from travelling around the world whilst teaching and dancing in a host of shows, including Culture Shock Choreographers Showcase, High School Musical and Wedding Singer. Now based in London at Studio 68, Masters of Movement is made up of 25+ members of mixed gender who train and perform together at various showcases. One person who was attracted to the work of Masters of Movement is LA dancer, JJ. We caught up with him during a late night rehearsal. Here’s what he had to say. “I moved here from California to get a change of scenery in my life. I heard about Studio 68 and I thought I would give it a go. “I got to know people inside the studio and they were just a lovely group of people. They had auditions and I got through. We became like family instantly. “We’re all from various different styles as well. We have ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz and break dancers. I just love to move my body. So whenever the music comes on, sometimes I can get a little jazz funk, sometimes I could get more contemporary. “I also teach at Studio 68 at the training academy. I taught commercial last week and this week I’m teaching something really bizarre.
Masters of Movement: Uniting Dancers Around The World “I went to school in LA and majored in kinesiology; the study of movement of the body and my extra was in dance. “Dance-wise the movements here are very different in the way people move but the industry is the same. Masters of Movement is a huge family. We all compliment each other really well and we’re all unified. “We try to keep pushing ourselves, moving forward and becoming better. We’re not the best but we try to present ourselves as if we’re unbeatable. “We’ll be doing a couple of shows in early 2013 but I don’t know the titles just yet. We all work together with choreography. We use each others ideas, have an idea that we want to start off with and elaborate from there. We love what we do.”
Founder and Journalist - Daniella Jones- Ellis Founder and Journalist - Letisha Jones- Ellis Graphic design - Laura Parker- Johns