www.flanellemag.com
Issue
08
the IDENTITY EDITION
Featuring Apashe - Stephanie Lou - julie michelet N i c c o lo M o ntanari - Lu k asz S u c h o r ab c over by j e an-bap ti s te b ento uati
1
Our Identity Editor’s letter To be an artist and to say you have found your very own visual identity is always a relief but can also be very dangerous. At what point do you do your own style and stick to it, or change and maybe make it better. Our eight issue celebrates identity, because it is what makes every human and every artist so unique and fascinating. It is exceptionally important because it is what makes our art limited and particularly remarkable. It comes from within our minds, our passion, or our culture and makes us transform what we see and touch to make it our own. It is the ultimate expression of oneself. After two years, we have found Flanelle’s own identity, working and collaborating with talented individuals and presenting you their own, unique visions.We Identify musical discovery, photography, design,art, architecture, movies, good writing and creative people from around the world. And we welcome you into a shared dominion of beauty, imagination, ideas, elegance, and pleasure. In this issue we present you people of great talent , and I would like to thank every and each one of our collaborators for contributing to make, togheter, Flanelle’s identity.
Sarah-Eve Leduc Flanelle Magazine’s Founder
Contributors President / founder Sarah-Eve Leduc
Editor-in-chief Ruby-Maude Rioux
Fashion Editor Elisabeth Labelle
Contributing Writer Sonia Staali
ART DIRECTOR Stephanie Serfaty
director of marketing Ashley Leibernman
Media Marketing manager Vanessa Daly
ContributING ARTISTS Ali Inay Apashe Kashink Milosz Jurkiewicz Niccolo Montanari
ContributING Photographers Alina Soloviova Josep MorĂŠ Jean-Baptiste Bentouati Jimmi Francoeur Julie Michelet Julien Barbes Kersti K Ksenia Gladysheva Lukasz Suchorab Simon Cauvier Goupil Stephanie Lou Yan Bleney
Graphic Designer Sarah Rousseau
prInter Sylvestre Delasalle
Index Gisele 06
the softness 08
redemption 18
apashe 26
the escape 28
working girls 34
hide and seek 42
laura 46
BFFF 56
trauma 58
uptown girl 66
grey lines 74
Tell me your city 82
Dazzled mirror 86
Outside and inside 94
cactus 96
5
Gisele When I was a little girl, I always looked forward to spending the afternoon at my great aunt Gisele’s place. She lived in a small apartment filled with antiques and memorabilia from her journeys across the globe. A thin layer of dust covered almost everything in sight including exuberant artificial flowers, while a distinguished smell of Chanel perfume lingered in every room. In my 8 year old mind, I had entered a fancy Parisian salon.
However, it was her advocacy for freedom and independence that truly forged my ideals of womanhood. Growing up with a role model such as her taught me the importance of making my own decisions. Early on, I witnessed a woman who embraced her liberty and ignored the dogmas of her generation. As she used to tell me, “ above all I want to be free. ” For decades, she lived by this rule and forged a dazzling personality that shined over me. At 90 years old, she possesses this same uniqueness, which is why I look up to her in times when I doubt myself. Whenever I visit Gigi, I still open the heavy drawers in her closet with the same fascination I had as an 8 years old girl. The silk scarves placed neatly on her bed inspire me as their singularity displays the beauty of individuality.
From the moment I said “ bonjour ”, I would run to her large closet, open the heavy drawers, and play with her collection of silk scarves. Like a sacred ritual, I placed them neatly on her bed and organized them by color while admiring their intricate beauty. In the meantime, my great aunt would choose a record from her noble repertoire of classical music. In the middle of the afternoon, she would offer me a cup of tea while she recounted the crazy adventures of a young single woman in the streets of Paris. What truly fascinated me about Gisele, beyond her precious possessions, were those stories from abroad. Gigi, as I called her, had traveled to Europe countless times since the 1950s and had even been as far as China in the ‘60s.
While sitting on her bed, surrounded by these colorful memories, I am reminded of my great aunt’s unconventional choices in life and fashion. Her strength, independence, and distinctiveness proved to be timeless. To this day, despite Alzheimer’s disease, her bold identity is not fading away. Walking around in her apartment I still see her artificial flowers, smell her Chanel perfume and listen to her favorite record of classical music. The thin layer of dust may have become thicker with her disease, but the same fancy Parisian salon lies underneath.
As the years went by, I became a young single woman myself and began to realize how much Gigi had impacted my identity. I am convinced that the afternoons spent on her bed, surrounded by scarves, sparked my passion for art and style. While introducing me to the likes of Hermes, Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Patou, she enlightened me on the importance of quality and good taste. The incredible tales of her travels also inspired me to leave the country and collect my own stories. As soon as I turned 18, I was wandering in the same Parisian streets my great aunt had described to me and was purchasing my very first silk scarf, wrapped in its iconic orange box.
When I am with Gigi, we are two young single women in the streets of Paris.
text By Elisabeth Labelle
6
7
The softness Photographer Josep MorĂŠ Model Violetta Kurilenko @Barcino Management MUA & Stylist Paula Garcia Linares Post-Production Sarah White
9
10
Coat Vintage Jumper Adolfo Dominguez Skirt Adolfo Dominguez Shoes Lefties
11
Bra Oysho Scarf Absolute Organic
13
14
Left : Fur Vintage Shirt Zara
Right : Coat Vintage Shirt Mango Pants Monplay Shoes Fosco
15
Coat & dress Vintage
Fur Vintage Bra Tezenis Panties La Redoute
17
Left : Dress & Top weiss11 / Martha von Guenther Right : Top & skirt weiss11 / Hannah June Spannuth
18
R e d e m p tio n Photographer Jean-Baptiste Bentouati Stylist Laetitia Plantier Make Up Artist Marie Tritsch Hairstylist Chiharu Sugano Model Claudia @ IMG Models Paris Model Charlotte @ IMG Models Paris Model Liza J @ IMG Models Paris
19
Left : Top & Skirt La femme en rouge Middle : Top & Skirt weiss11 / Hannah June Spannuth Right : Top & Skirt La femme en rouge
21
Top weiss11 / Jennifer Malm
Dress weiss11 / Martha von Guenther
22
Left : Dress weiss11 / Martha von Guenther Right: Top weiss11 / Fiona Fink
23
Left : Top & Skirt La femme en rouge Right : Top weiss11 / Fiona Fink
24
Left : Top & skirt weiss11 / Fiona Fink Middle : Top & skirt La femme en rouge Right : Dress weiss11 / Martha von Guenther
26
I am Apashe Interview with John De Buck
Text by Erika-Elyzabeth Korzer & Vanessa Daly Photo by Jimmi Francoeur
Apashe’s music is not trap, nor dubstep; it is rather a mix of the best sounds each style has to offer. His dark, hybrid approach with orchestral sounds and vocals really secured his spot in the international electronic scene. You’ll fall into a trance quickly with John’s mysterious, dark side.With a hint of hiphop and trap, he produces songs that definitely make your night come to life.
“ Often, I get inspired while listening to classical music and then, I ask myself : Oh ! What would happen if I put a really hardhitting beat over this ? ” explains John. The fact that his inspiration doesn’t come from electronic music makes his style even more interesting since there are a variety of sounds that are not computerized, which makes his songs more accessible. Funk and rock/alternative music has inspired him since his childhood, and he transposes those styles in his tracks. Apashe likes to take risks and think out of the box. He doesn’t ask himself too many questions while making a track because it blocks his creative process. John often describes his music as “ weird ”. In this case, you can rapidly assume that “ weird ” is something closer to awe inspiring and is part of what sets him apart from other producers.
Apashe’s career arose from a drum set and a very musical father. “ I couldn’t always have access to my drums when I went to boarding school so I started creating drum sounds with my computer. Then, I eventually started to create whole songs, ” John, a.k.a Apashe, explains. He produces music that combines many influences such as electro, trap, dubstep, hiphop, dance floor, and rap. After moving to Montreal for his studies in sound design, Vincent Sergeant (Lektrique) put him in contact with the Kannibalen team, an electronic record label based in the city, which debuted his career as a producer. His passion for constructing very dark, upbeat, dance floor music doesn’t just stop at this: John also continued his vocation by working for Ubisoft and collaborating in various projects such as the music for Assassins Creed, Black Flag and Watch Dogs’ commercials.
‘‘ Often, I get inspired while listening to classical music and then, I ask myself : Oh ! What would happen if I put a really hard-hitting beat over this ? ” Amen ! Apashe just released a new song, Confess, in collaboration with Lektrique, and we fell in love with the musical piece ! The single has a strong electro feel, which resembles Lektrique’s style, while maintaining the usual Apashe darkness and buoyant sound design. You can hear some dubstep influence that gives it the aggressive finish that many enjoy. We must confess that it is sinful not to take a quick peek at it.
His recent song, No Twerk, went viral slowly after a Russian dance TV show decided to choreograph a dance using the song for the season’s finale. Russia melted in his dark and aggressive sound, and so did we. We couldn’t help but love Panther’s rap that gives No Twerk a supplementary old school feel. Mysterious and obscure is what you get with the song that will make you come to life at dusk, sweeping you off your feet with its sharp, catchy, sounds that gives his track a stronger feel.
We are also looking forward to his worldwide tour. “ I’ll have a few shows in Canada, then Australia, Europe, and I am presently in negotiation for some shows in Asia, ” clarifies the artist. He has also just released a video clip filmed in Thailand. Even big names such as Iggy Azalea used his talent to create the official remix to her song Fancy. Even brands like Adidas incorporated one of his songs in their new commercial : #ThereWillBeHaters. Make sure to keep an eye on Apashe’s future undertakings : we certainly will !
“ Trap or dubstep ? ” is the question you may be asking yourself when listening to Apashe’s music. “ I guess I just hate the term “ dubstep ” so just because of that I’d have to say trap. Then again, if I say this, people won’t understand because my music is not trap ! ” While experimenting with these two styles that he enjoys, Apashe really found his niche in the electro scene by building his own sonic identity. He uses lots of orchestral sounds such as horns, trumpets, violins, and percussion, editing them to give a gloomier electro/hiphop vibe.
27
28
Photo Alina Soloviova/alinasoloviova.com Style Dina Golubeva Hair and make-up Victoria Boyarnikova Model Anatoliy Richy
The Escape
30
Scarf Vintage Long sleeve T-shirt Zara Pants Acne Studios Boots Vagabond
31
Suit jacket Zara Wool Jacket Mango Shirt Topman Pants Acne Studios Bow tie Stylist’s own
32
Coat H&M Boots Vagabond Wool Jacket Mango Pants Acne Studios
Working girls just wonna have fun Flattered by warm tweed suits, oversized coats and shirts, this story shows how mannish style can be feminine and stylish with a splash of fun.
Photography Ksenia Gladysheva / frantandfifa.com Fashion Marian Nachmia / behance.net/mariannachmia Fashion assistant Fay Brown Hair and Make-up Svetlana Chikhireva / lanamakeup.com Model Georgina Castle@ W Athletic
35
Opposite : Hat Stylist’s own Coat and trousers H.I.S London by Sasha Harris Shirt Stylist’s own Waistcoat Harris Tweed Shoes Charlie Robinson
38
Opposite :
Under :
Blazer and Trousers Lizandra Cardoni
Blazer Lizandra Cardoni
Shirt Beyond Retro
Bow tie Beyond Retro
Tie and suspenders Rockit
39
Above :
Opposite :
Coat by H.I.S London Sasha Harris
Eyewear Stylist’s own
Shirt and tie Rockit
Long vest and trousers Lizandra Cardoni
Trousers Lizandra Cardoni
Shirt Beyond Retro
Shoes Another Stories
Bow tie Rockit
41
Hide and Seek A n in t e r v i e w w i t h s w e dis h p h o t o g r a p h e r Kersti k By Elisabeth Labelle
Growing up, Kersti K developed a great passion for looking at things. She could stare for hours at the Swedish landscape from the car window, as it quickly became her favorite thing to observe. Recently, the mental photos of her childhood materialized into reality when she stumbled upon photography.
If clothing is mentioned, it’s because the art of dressing prevails in Kersti K’s personal work. “ I have always been interested in clothes. How they influence identity and how we perceive others. ” Fabrics, textures, and colors set a very specific mood to her editorials and add to her enigmatic storytelling. Aside from fashion, she also finds inspiration in other artistic mediums. “ I don’t really draw a very hard line between my art and my fashion work. I feel like they come from the same place. ”
Over the years, the scenery of Malmö (Sweden) kept influencing her. The nearby ocean and forest always offer beautiful locations for her photo shoots. The northern light is also very special to Kersti K, being a key element to her outdoor pictures. “ I use mostly natural light because I love how the seasons change it. ”
This “ place ” might be on the web, on Instagram, or Flickr, where she follows a lot of contemporary photographers. Romantic and neoclassical sculptures also influence her aesthetics, whereas the films from David Lynch and Ingmar Bergman are also dear to her heart. But to name one artist, it would have to be French fashion photographer Guy Bourdin.
However, even in broad daylight, Kersti K stays in the shadow of her work. “ I guess I’m just a mysterious person. I’ve always been drawn to things that are a bit secretive. ” If she prefers to let the images speak for themselves, they won’t give anything away too easily either.
As for the inspiration behind her Flanelle editorial, Kersti K plays hide and seek. “ I guess I prefer to keep this as a mystery too. ”
The head is cut out of the frame. The face is hiding behind an object. The gaze is turning away from the camera. In every shot, the models remain strangers. “ Often the stories that my photos tell are mysterious even for me. I prefer more ambiguous, loose narratives. ” The pictures that surprise her, the ones revealing a completely different story, are usually her favorites. This might explain why chance is such a huge factor in her work. “ I have a vague idea of a direction that I want to go in, but I never work with storyboards or sketches. ” Instead, she brings people, objects, and clothes to a particular location and explores the unknown.
42
44
45
Left : Shirt American Apparel Earrings Holly Ryan
Right : T-shirt Mamama Paris Scarf Vintage Earrings Holly Ryan
46
Laura Photographer Stephanie Lou Assistant Damien Thiberge MUA Delphine Premoli Hair Benjamin Tandre Styling Stephanie Lou Model Laura @ New Madison Paris
Shirt American Apparel Pull American Apparel Shorts American Apparel Earrings Holly Ryan
48
49
50
Opposite :
Above :
Turtle Neck American Apparel
Coat American Apparel
Pull American Apparel
Pull Mamama Paris
Necklace Felicie Aussi
Scarf Vintage
Above : Coat American Apparel Hat Larose Paris Scarf Vintage
Opposite : Coat American Apparel Hat Larose Paris Scarf Vintage Shoes American Apparel
53
NI C C OL Ă’ MONTANARI THE RE N A I S S A N CE O F THE B ER L I N F A S H I O N I N D U S TR Y By Elisabeth Labelle
With a fascinating art scene and an outstanding nightlife, Berlin is said to be young, alive and inventive. Indeed, the capital city of Germany is a place where people are encouraged to find innovative ideas beyond artistic restrictions. This creative freedom is compelling to many people such as Niccolò Montanari, a fashion entrepreneur who designed his new life in Berlin.
Photographer Riccardo Bernardi Model Niccolo Montanari
55
While Montanari was studying and working in the UK, he slowly developed a desire for radical change. “ If you’re not happy about something in your life, change it, and the rest will follow. ” And what followed his arrival in Germany is the creation of a widely acclaimed fashion film festival. Co-founded in 2012 by Lisa Filipini, Frank Funke and Montanari, the Berlin fashion Film Festival (BfFF) is a curated event aiming to provide high quality fashion film content from all over the world. Once a year, during the Berlin Fashion Week in July, the BfFF organizes a variety of public screenings, an award show and a closing party. Being a reference for professionals from the advertising, film and fashion industries, the award show highlights the talent of international artists in categories such as Best Music, Best Makeup and Best Editing.
“ That’s one of the good things about Berlin: meeting new people, and making new things happen. ”
With more than 500 submissions from 38 countries last year, it becomes clear that Montanari is more than a local entrepreneur. Both his background in public relations and event planning helped him while building a platform for young creatives to experiment with a new medium. “ That’s one of the good things about Berlin : meeting new people, and making new things happen. ” When he moved to Germany back in 2009, Montanari was indeed looking for novelty. The Italian born entrepreneur never had the fashion industry in mind when it came to envision his future career. “ I studied at Goldsmiths University of London, so I was pretty comfortable working in the arts. I just never considered fashion as a possibility. ” However, less than a year after leaving the UK, he co-founded FIER Management with Filipini. Since 2010, the Berlin organization works with emerging designers on PR events to promote their work such as openings, fashion shows and parties.
“ If you are not happy about something in your life, change it, and the rest will follow ” The agency also has a showroom where they welcome buyers in order to push sales and maintain the profitability of up-and-coming labels. “The truth is that designers are creatives, but they need to sell if they want to keep channeling their creativity,” said the entrepreneur. Despite a great deal of talent, the lack of management skills is likely to cause the collapse of their clothing line. Montanari, a fashion industry newbie at the time, grasped this idea fairly quickly. “ The more I learned about the industry the more I understood the constant struggle between its creative core and the business outer shell that supports it. And it fascinated me. ” With the creation of FIER Management and the Berlin fashion Film Festival, the constant preoccupation of Montanari for the success of new talents allowed the city to shine on a local and international scale. Five years later, the entrepreneur is proud of his accomplishments as he built both organizations out of nothing. Looking ahead, Montanari knows more than ever how to keep things interesting in Berlin with the support of like-minded individuals. “ Creative, independent, and caring: yes. Old fashioned ? Never. ”
57
Sweater Michael Kors Trousers Hugo Boss
58
Trauma Photographe Simon Cauvier Goupil Stylist Eugene Marshall MUA + Hair Sarah Ladouceur Model Shems @ Montage Model Emile @ Folio Special thanks to SSENSE
59
Sweater Neil Barrett Neoprene Leather Shorts Surface To Air
60
61
62
Opposite :
Above :
Shirt Christopher Kane
Crewneck Micheal Kors
Shorts Helmut Lane
Belt Hugo Boss Trousers Hugo Boss
63
Above :
Opposite :
Turtleneck Juun, J
Sweater Neil Barrett
Trousers Acne Studio
Trousers Margiela
Shoes Ted Baker
64
65
Top Alchimionek Shorts Alchimionek Coat Alex Huang Ring Fruit Bijoux
u p to w n g ir l Photo Lukasz Suchorab / suchorab.com Model Lucy Make-up Ekaterina Novinskaya / novinskaya.com Hair Kasia Fortuna Stylist Ewa Michalik / ewamichalik.com Photo assistant Jakub Koziel
67
Dress Ellie Ford Coat Alex Huang Necklace 10DECOART
70
Opposite :
Above :
Jacket Funlayo Déri
Dress Alchimionek
Trousers Alex Huang
Coat Alex Huang
Blouse H&M
Dress Funlayo DĂŠri Coat Alex Huang Shoes River Island
73
Grey Lines Photographer Julien Barbes Fashion Stylist Julia Quante Hair & Make-up Stylist Anne Timper / Nude Model Phillip Konrad / Core
74
Total Neck Alexander McQueen Pullover Alexander McQueen Pants Emporio Armani Shoes Alexander McQueen
75
Above :
Opposite :
Jacket Bally
Coat Calvin Klein Collection
Pullover Louis Vuitton
Suit BOSS
Pants Louis Vuitton
Shirt Calvin Klein Collection
Shoes Dolce & Gabbana
77
Coat Bottega Veneta Shirt Prada Pants Bottega Veneta Shoes Bally
79
Coat Louis Vuitton Roll neck Costume National Pants ACNE Shoes Prada
80
81
82
Tell me your city and I will tell you who you are by SONIA STAALI
Some people set off to travel the world, yet many of them return to the very first place they left from ; but why ? How is it that we attach a part of ourselves to a city ? Something called identity maybe. The way we perceive our urban area might tell you more about yourself than you would think. Because Flanelle Magazine is based in Montreal, the curiosity of knowing what creative Montrealers think of the city was a natural step. The attempt was made to discover what really matters when you live in a city and how to discern whether or not you fit in. We can name many cities and associate them to a symbol. Right away, Paris comes to mind along with the Eiffel Tower. But what about Montreal ? By introducing Milosz Jurkiewicz and Ali Inay’s outlook, the city of Montreal can be seen in a new light. As an architect to be, and a self-taught photographer in his free time, both respectively clarify the importance of looking beyond the first impression of a town. Thus, in terms of architecture and photography, the city assumes her role as muse.
83
ARCHITECTURE Milosz Jurkiewicz miloszjurkiewicz.com
Polish-born Milosz quickly adopted Montreal and got involved in photography, video, and design while he was pursuing his degree in Communication Studies. From there, he turned to architecture without neglecting his previous interests. He believes that the people change the city, as much as the city changes the people. “ Cities develop characters that mirror the identities of their inhabitants ; but they also challenge us : they create collisions that confront us with new ways of living. ” We unwittingly become alerted to everything around us, as the city has a certain power to direct us through her streets, avenues, and boulevards and noted that. “ There’s a possibility that the city knows me better than I know it, ” says Jurkiewicz. A city is abound with hidden places and we must be open in order to experience it. “ It is a maelstrom of encounters that is impossible to monitor. You must learn to navigate with it, and that’s when what you make can get a momentary sense of what it actually is. ”
His architectural mind came out when he was asked to explain his way of seeing the city of Montreal. “ Montreal’s small-scale and very ambitious conditions make us enviable because we have high quality of life. Nevertheless, thinking that we are a self-sufficient utopia greatly limits the risks of growth. There is nothing more stifling than being comfortable, and nothing more productive than danger. ” Milosz also talks about the water as characteristic of the island and believes it reflects on how Montrealers live in the city. “ Montreal has good collisions of landmarks throughout the island. But a striking feature of the landscape is the relationship with water. ” This aspect is often overlooked, but this important resource is closely linked to the spirit of Montreal. He finds the situation ironic “ given that we only have one neighbourhood that takes that as a part of its identity (in reference to borough of Rivière-des-Prairies). ” The island is in perpetual changes, and we must pay attention.
84
PHOTOGR APHY Ali Inay inayali.com
It was a matter of circumstance that introduced Ali to photography. After a school exchange program in Belgium he bought his first camera. Hereafter, the young photographer started using Instagram as a tool to show the world that Montreal had no reason to envy other cities. Countless pictures of his own are now spread over the Internet as he mastered capturing Montreal’s lifestyle.
In regard to their point of views, Montreal is a rich cultural city that might not be noticeable at first glance. As they express their own comprehension of the city, they manage to put their finger on what we barely noted as locals. What is certain is that the uniqueness of this bilingual city lies in the perceptions we have of it, and it is quintessentially attached to our own unique identities. Whether you think of Montreal as a multicultural city or as a city of possibilities, it comes down to being able to infuse yourself into your environment.
His thing is to shoot both outdoors and indoors. Oh and coffee too ! Introduced to Instagram in 2012, Ali started to photograph everyday. Ali started to stroll from one neighbourhood to another, keeping in mind that Montreal is “ a very laid-back city, and that Montrealers are open to new ideas. ” As he was walking down the streets of multiples areas in Montreal, he became a regular at small, independent, Montreal coffee shops. He later went on to create the hashtag #mtlcafecrawl to show a new facet of Montreal to his viewers around the world. What stands out most in his pictures and makes us desire more is the way in which he shows the diversity of the city. “ In my opinion Montreal cannot be described without talking about a mix of things, ” he says. From Le Plateau to Westmount, each of those neighbourhoods take part in the identity of Montreal. “ It’s hard to pick an area that symbolizes the city on its own. Plateau, St- Henri, Mile-End, Westmount and many other neighbourhoods makes Montreal so unique altogether, ” says Ali.
85
86 Top DAN QUIROZ
Dazzled Mirror Photographer Yan Bleney @ judyinc Stylist Daniel Ferreira Mua Isabella Forget @ judyinc with Make Up For Ever Hair Raphael Mariage Ast. Photo Geof Mccaldin Model Eva @ Folio
87
Above :
Opposite :
Bra & skirt Clover Canyon
Full look Atelier Wonder
Sequin vest Maje Necklace Sinéquanone Shoes Pertini
89
Top & Pants Travis Taddeo Bra Clover Canyon
Dress Travis Taddeo
92
Right : Hoodie Travis Taddeo Shorts Travis Taddeo Leather vest Helmut Lang Sneakers Winners
Left : Full look Pedram Karimi
93
Outside and inside A n in t e r v i e w w i t h k as h in k P o r t r ai t o f o n e o f t h e m o s t u ni v e r sal t o l e r an c e m e ssa g e
text by ruby-maude rioux Mostly known for her graffiti, but self-described as a visual artist, Kashink is one of those fierce artists who loves the world for its immense variety. Celebrating every part of humanity one mural at a time, her work focuses on tradition and evolution, acceptance and love with a considerable touch of humour. Her scatty, fat characters paired with her unique style of thick lines, bold colors, and traits inspired mainly by comic books results in her sensitive and cheerful creations. You can recognize Kashink by her braided hair and her thin mustache, hand-drawn with eyeliner, perched everyday upon her upper lip.
demands a totally different approach. Graffiti places the artist outside where there is constant movement and spectators, while indoor art offers the luxury of time in a controlled environment. “ Most of all, I bewared the possibility to simply transfer my outside creations to a smaller format inside. People often think it is curious how my gallery artwork is different from my murals. That is why I have made some experiments, questioning the way I adapted my work from big walls made of different components to an inside, smaller format. ” Wanting to question the process of simply bringing her graffitis into a gallery, Kashink experimented in the ways she could paint: painting while crossing Paris from west to east, or hanging a canvas on the wall on which she was painting a mural- and bringing this small portion of the painting inside- leaving a painting outside for it to get salvaged by nature.
Her walls display eccentric personas, deformed and exaggerated versions of humans. “ I was first really impressed when I discovered Frida Kahlo and Botero, mostly known for his voluptuous personas, ” explains Kashink about her visits in museums as a kid. Painting mostly bulky men with faces, looking more like extravagant masks from various cultures, the characters of Kashink’s imagination represent a huge celebration of humanity’s differences and uniqueness. “ The heart of my work really is the celebration of diversity. As I paint on walls, I like to create something that everyone can relate to. For example, none of my personas has an existent skin color. I prefer to let people find their own interpretation. ”
‘‘ The heart of my work really is the celebration of diversity ”
“ The conceptual thinking is sometimes missing to street artist, ” adds Kashink. “ That is why I try to have a thematic for each of my exhibits. ” From vanity, to men’s fashion accessories, Kashink likes to develop her ideas around contrasting thematics, playing with social conventions and often, laughing at them. “ I have started to create a sequel of graffiti named Fifty cakes of gay when the debate on gay marriage was shaking France to the bone. I have already painted some in Paris, Bourges, Tanger, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tartu, Berlin, Blackpool, Athènes, Vienne, Miami, Montpellier, New York, Montreal, and Kongsvinger and will paint some more in New Orleans, where my next exhibition will open, and once again in Maroc. “
Digging up important symbols of beauty in many old cultures and mixing them all together creates these intriguing, funny characters that cannot be associated with any culture, religion, or gender. The same applies for their emotions. “ A lot of my portraits have two sets of eyes. I like the possibility and complexity it creates. If you cover one set of eyes or the other, you will always see two different emotions. ” Always portraying tough characters with warm hearts, you can see the duality of their cohabiting fierceness and fragility revealed in each set of eyes. By adding some words of wisdom, or short sentences to the drawings, it lends some vague context to the creation as if it could have been the scene of a story in a comic book. The passersby is led to wonder about the whole story, questioning the character’s identity, emotions, and goals.
Through her many ways of questioning social convention, Kashink is now proudly wearing the mustache everyday. “ It first started as a joke at parties, ” she explains “ but as I started wearing it more often, it became some kind of a statement on the absurdity of women’s makeup. I thought it was curious how the same eyeliner trait women usually draw on their eyes, when placed on the upper lip, causes such a shock. ” Wanting to explore alternative mediums and having already created a series of masks and installations, Kashink is now exploring the possibility of creating a clothing line. She’s definitely one artist we’ll be keeping our eyes on.
From choosing a medium, to deciding between working in a gallery or in the streets and where to exhibit the work, many things profoundly influence the creative process of the artist. While painting on walls does not imply any previous conceptual preparation for Kashink, it does represent more of an “ in-the-moment ” kind of art. Creating art for gallery purposes
94
96
Ca ctus Photographer Julie Michelet Model Daria Avdienko @ Oui Management Stylist Leatitia Plantier Assistant Rudy Maxime Make-足up Sarah Young Hair Cyril Laforet
97
T-Shirt Mimi's Beer Jacket Christophe Lavet Skirt Christophe Lavet
98
99
Pullover Johanna Ho Pants Mimi's Beer Jacket Mimi's Beer
100
Above :
Opposite :
Sweat Isnotdead Paris
Knitwear Johanna Ho
Skirt Christophe Lavet
Bourgeoise Sweat Parisian Rich
Shoes New Look
Trousers Gig Shoes New Look
101
102
Opposite :
Above :
Jacket Christophe Lavet
Jacket Mimi's Beer
Ecaterina Top Gauchere
Top Christophe Lavet
Pants Christophe Lavet
103
Above : Sweat Isnotdead Paris Opposite : Dress Isnotdead Paris
104
www.flanellemag.com