Nfm Issue 68, Sept '22

CONTRIBUTORS

Chele Sellman, Editor-in-Chief

Catherine Michelle, Editor at Large, Vlogger/Reviews, & European Rep

Brianna Lewis, Marketing & PR

Unique Miller Web Lead Sophia Muce, Copy Editor

Penelope Becker, Writer Dalia Fischer, Writer Alison Isko, Writer Zara Rawoof, Writer

Anushka Mangal, Writer

Gabriela Medina, Writer

Katie Nalle Writer

Janelle Sessoms, Writer Jennah Owda, Writer Zara Rawoof, Writer

Alyna Chadwick, Design Emaan Omer, Design Ishrat Ali, Design Bel Palix, Design

Zhen Zhu, Design Kristin Falvo, Design Sanai Lewis, Design Nita Phillips, Design Robyn Nel, Design Erin Craddock, Design Nita Phillips, Design Ira Mitchell, Website Helena Carrington, Submissions Sheila Rodriquez, Social Media Shannon Sewell, House Photographer Seattle/Portland/Vegas/LA Shanyn Fiske, House Photographer NYC /Boston/DC House Photographer

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Ready, Set, Flourish!

By: Lizette Desirae Maldonado

Ever since I began observing how creators influence and inspire their audience on digital platforms, I fell in love with content creation and social media. I always found it fun to envision myself making skincare tutorials and working with the best skincare companies as a brand ambassador so that I can help my followers find products that will work best for their skin type to help them overcome any issues they may have with their skin. If you are like me, you were likely forced to let go of a silly dream like this once you were introduced to the importance of college and a stable income to cover living expenses. The pressure of choosing a safe career path creeped closer as I got older. Every lecture in public school led me to believe that the key to living a satisfying life was by pursuing a traditional route, being a good employee, and earning a stable and practical income. My creative spirit felt slightly defeated when I was told that this did not include uploading cool videos or social media content for a living as it wasn’t “practical” or “realistic”.

Let’s fast forward a few years to when I found myself on a path I thought I was pleased with due to my foggy perspective and limited beliefs. I had passed my entrance exam for a nursing

program, and was on my way to becoming a nurse. After a few semesters of hard work and persistence, I suddenly felt constantly discouraged and lost in the path of pursuing this career. I began to question myself and wondered if I was even cut out for this kind of job—a job that I randomly chose. I had to be cut out for it, I was doing everything I was supposed to be doing, or so I thought.

For a little over a year I resisted these surfacing feelings and just continued my education for nursing, but they only grew greater and it was getting difficult to look past the shameful feeling of boredom despite my successes in my classes.

I felt lost—as though I was floating around with no direction whatsoever. I soon realized that I stood defeated by the truth that I did not want to face. Tearing through all my excuses, the question I needed to ask myself all along was, “Is this even right for me?” I came to the conclusion that all of these feelings were coming from a place of guilty regret. I was settling for a “stable career” that was a safer path to success where I did not have to face any fear of failure even though I lacked passion in it. It was daunting to think about changing my career choice after

how far I had already come; especially for a career I knew felt like a long-shot for success

In the midst of this dilemma, I was also getting tired of working hard to make other people’s dreams become a reality instead of my own. So what was really holding me back? Was everything I wanted really just on the other side of fear? That was the moment I knew the time had come to make a change for myself to feel the purpose in my path to success. I started to reconnect with myself and remember who the real me was. The me that I had buried under false confidence and pressures. Remembering what inspires and moves me, I took action by searching for opportunities to be part of a team or even a project to gain some momentum in this new journey.

Even though I still worried about how or if I would be guaranteed a good income in this career change, I had to realize that I was, in fact, taking a risk and that I couldn’t let a paycheck determine the choices for my way of living like they once did. While I was scrolling on Instagram at work on a regular Tuesday, I came across a reel of a young girl who was showcasing her journey to entrepreneurship in her niche As I went further into her profile, I gathered that she had been in a similar situation as me in the past and was now networking to inspire people to make the same change in their life that I was making. Well, I was inspired. I took it as a sign and messaged her. After reaching out and telling her my situation, we instantly connected and she introduced me to opportunities where I could potentially make an impact in the digital era all while earning a meaningful income. One of these opportunities included a Monat marketing partnership—a brand that uses the highest quality of natural ingredients and organic raw materials to create effective and safeskincare, haircare and wellness products. As somebody who was familiar with this since I worked at a spa and loved skincare, it was definitely a perfect place to start.

exciting new journey. Simply seeing how excited and passionate she was caused me to want to make the same impact with others. After I began sharing content that I passionately enjoyed creating on my platforms, not only did I grow faster but I learned that there were a lot of people out there who shared the fear of failure I was once consumed with when I lost confidence in my own path. I began getting messages with questions on what I worked on and how I got to do the things I participated in or how, by the looks of it, I got to enjoy life quite freely. The truth was I was just a regular college girl who took action to overcome the unworthy feeling of taking risks and becoming my own boss, which felt so out of my reach. I learned to shift my effort and energy toward something that would make me feel fulfilled and bring me joy.

Not only did this opportunity further my knowledge in the brand and business, but it led me to start building a platform where I could socially impact and inspire people even in the slightest way to turn their passions into a career they can pursue with enjoyment.

“I realized that in a new world full of endless opportunities and limitless growth, the majority of the time we are the ones who hold ourselves back from our higher purpose.”

I am so grateful for the other market partners I have met along the way that support and encourage each other to connect and continue to grow.

I began the process of becoming a market partner and letting her guide and train me through this

I know that the road to success isn’t going to feel easy or be perfect in any means, I am just excited that everything I was searching for—an amazing, rewarding career path—is now right in front of me. I realized that in a new world full of endless opportunities and limitless growth, the majority of the time we are the ones who hold ourselves back from our higher purpose. The important lesson I was depriving myself of was that the external fulfillment I was looking for actually started with an internal acceptance. I had to welcome an uncomfortable change that I originally resisted to be able to enjoy all the small successes in my life that I am passionate about and that resonate with who I am. I hope to inspire other readers to know that it is okay to change their minds to gravitate and work hard towards what they love and enjoy.

DIGITALIS CLOTHING

THE FUTURE OF F AS HI O N?

ARTICLE BY KATIE NALLE

Granola Girl Aesthetic

By Katie Nalle

According to Urban Dictionary, a “Granola Girl” is defined as “A girl who doesn’t wear a bit of makeup, has a very low-maintenance appearance, dresses in mainly earth tone colors and wears clothing that is very casual (even in more formal occasions).” This aesthetic has gained popularity through TikTok in the past few years but has always existed in other forms. People have been called “hippie,” “crunchy,” and “granola” for a very long time.

“Crunchy” has been seen as a bit of an insult in the past. The word has been used to describe people who don’t subscribe to modern medicine, engage in hippie counter-culture, and are “annoyingly intense about health and environmental issues,” according to Etymonline.com. Although the aesthetic is fairly unchanged, the granola girl trend focuses on the positive, down-to-earth, and free-spirited traits of this type rather than the political and naturalistic themes.

The staples of this aesthetic as far as clothing and accessories go are beanies, flannels, rings, and woven bracelets. For colors and fabrics, Urban Dictionary’s definition is very accurate in saying that earth tones are vital to this style. Corduroy, denim, linen, and fleece are popular fabrics within this aesthetic as well. Iconic brands are Birkenstock, Carhartt, and Patagonia. Essentially, if you don’t look just about ready to go on a hike in the nearby forest or to go on a scenic walk over to your neighborhood crystal store, you’re not doing it right.

Personality-wise, the granola girl is outdoorsy, down-to-earth, and an avid storyteller. She dresses freely and probably lives in the Pacific Northwest. She can be found carrying her camera into the woods where she takes pictures of the trees and wildlife. She loves camping, cooking health-conscious meals, and reading. Without a doubt, you will find her listening to Indie music on her record player: Fleetwood Mac, Vance Joy, and The Lumineers.

Granola girl influencers are popping up all over the place recently. Some of the most popular influencers on Instagram are @livvylandblog, @quingable, and @miss.rover. This aesthetic is also especially popular on Pinterest. There are thousands of boards on the app that are chock full of aesthetic photos of these iconic women clad in their staple fall colors. Overall, this aesthetic is woodsy, rustic, and seemingly good for the soul if these influencers’ posts are any indicator.

Slow Fashion: How We Can Reduce Our Carbon Footprint with Clothes

by: Katie Nalle

and probably most obviously, we can refrain from buying clothes that are mass-produced and mass-marketed. The less demand for these items, the less likely they will continue to be produced. Doing your research on clothing companies before you buy is a good way to make sure that you are purchasing clothing that is produced by a sustainable and ethical company. Some brands will have a section on their website about their values and production, which can provide some insight into their practices. Another good indicator of whether or not a brand is a good choice is the pricing of its clothing. If a brand is selling clothing that looks like it is a highquality product but for an extremely low price, this is a sign that they are mass-producing its product.

It’s difficult to talk about sustainability without mentioning fast fashion. Fast fashion is the practice of massproducing inexpensive and lowquality clothing in an attempt to keep up with the rapidly changing trend cycles. This practice encourages short-term usage of items that lead to more waste being added to our landfills; this is also known as “throwaway culture.” Trend cycles have always moved quickly, but with the popularization of TikTok in recent years, it is moving faster than ever. A quick trend cycle means that things don’t stay fashionable or popular for very long, sometimes even only staying in style for a few months before becoming outdated. This is a big shift from the multiple years, or even decade-long, trend cycles that existed before the late 2000s.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways that we, as individuals, can work against fast fashion to reduce our carbon footprint. Firstly,

Practicing these mindful behaviors is called engaging in “slow fashion.” Designer Vivienne Westwood is quoted as saying “Buy less, choose well, make it last.” This is a philosophy we should keep in mind when shopping for new items. Higher quality purchases may put a dent in our wallets, but ultimately they will last longer and be more sustainable; plus, high-quality clothing will always be on trend.

So, as a consumer, it is important to ask ourselves, what can we do to participate in slow-fashion to help our environment?

For starters, by avoiding the negative impact we have on the environment due to the cost of the fast fashion manufacturing process, we can choose to purchase items made with sustainable materials that can help reduce our carbon footprint. Practice shopping with intent, think before you buy, and refrain from purchasing

clothes that you can’t see yourself wearing for a long period of time. Take the first step to reduce waste by limiting the amount of clothing you throw away each year. Thrifting is another great option.

Although we should be buying clothes with the intent of keeping them for a long time, donating clothing or selling it to a secondhand buyer can give clothes a new life and keep them out of landfills. Another great option is clothing rental services. These services are becoming increasingly popular and help those who want to stay upto-date with current trends without buying clothes that they will only wear once or twice.

This all sounds easy enough, but realistically slow fashion really is slow. Take your time and create a plan for how you can engage in this practice. Working these healthy practices into your shopping routine takes time. Even small changes can make a big difference, so do what you can today and add in the rest over time as you are able to.

Photo Credits: Alexandra Gorn (Left)

Maude Frederique Lavoie (Middle)

Averie Woodard (Right)

Instagram Changed Their Algorithm and People are Over it

by Katie Nalle

App updates continue to lack creativity when it comes to providing advanced features for social media users to experience, which is nothing new. Instagram is an exception to this rule. The platform updates fairly frequently and often implement major changes with each update. These changes have previously enraged the apps’ users, especially for the most recent update.

Meta—the company that owns both Instagram and Facebook—is notorious for trying to keep up with trends set by competing social media platforms. In an attempt to keep up with Snapchat’s incredibly popular Stories feature, Instagram and Facebook also added the Stories feature to their platform. Then, Instagram became TikToks’ largest competitor by introducing Reels to their platform, ultimately mimicking TikToks’ video app format.

While the Reels page on Instagram already mimics the algorithm and content shown on TikToks’ For You page, the recent Instagram update has further changed the app’s interface and layout to be even more similar to TikTok. Instagram’s homepage, which would ordinarily show posts from people you follow and the occasional ad, now pushes content from popular accounts or posts they think you may like. This change has shifted the platform away from the feature that originally drew many users to the app. The ability to personalize your homepage to only see posts from people you are interested in is a feature that not many other apps offer. Facebook and Twitter both offered trending and featured posts amongst preferred content, while Instagram didn’t. Even with the addition of Reels, the homepage remained unchanged until now.

Complaints spread beyond the platform in late July when dozens of content creators rallied at Meta’s New York headquarters. Celebrities, including Kylie Jenner, spoke out about their displeasure with the recent changes to the app. This is unsurprising given that data released by the tech company itself implied that their stocks have been plummeting and users have been spending less time on the platform in recent months. This downward trend could be dangerous for Instagram considering how quickly social media sites tend to dwindle in popularity.

Some of these updates were removed by Meta after receiving many complaints from the app’s users. However, we can likely expect these updates to be implemented again in the near future. According to representatives at Meta, the purpose of these updates are to turn Instagram into more of a newsbased app. They are hoping to fill the homepage with more than double the recommended posts it currently has to move toward this goal. With the addition of recommended posts to the app’s homepage already causing uproar from users, Meta may need to rethink their future plans for the platform.

How TikTok is Changing the Music Industry

By Katie Nalle

TikTok has become a valuable tool for upand-coming artists, musicians, and actors to showcase their talents and gain a following. In addition to the rise of talented new creators, earlier established artists such as Yung Gravy, Joji, Mitski, and many others have had songs go viral and gained additional listeners due to the use of their music on TikTok.

XThe app tends to popularize older songs as trending audio as well. This brings new popularity to artists who may have fallen out of the spotlight or have not been as well-known in the past. Bôa’s “Duvet,” for example, was released in 1998, but charted on Spotify’s Viral Top 50 after becoming a trending audio on the video platform over 20 years after its initial release.

Smaller creators, many of whom have never officially released any music, have also taken advantage of the platform’s tendency to create viral music. These creators will often post a video using a short clip of a song they plan to release as a teaser of sorts to get people talking about the song. The clip of the song can then be used in other videos as an audio and gain popularity before it’s even released. Quinnie’s “Touch Tank” and Leith Ross’s “We’ll Never Have Sex” were both released and promoted using this method.

XTikTok has also caused a shift toward fans becoming more involved with the music they’re listening to. In the case of Leith Ross’s release of their first teaser for “We’ll Never Have Sex,” users began to eagerly await the song’s release. Their followers then began posting videos of what they thought the rest of the song might sound like using their ideas for the lyrics. This collaborative style of creating and releasing new music is introducing a feeling of closeness and involvement between fans and their favorite artists. This format also allows small artists to stay independent while maintaining relevance. Artists have the option to be creative with their music on their own without having to be under the control of a record label.

Although the popularization of songs via TikTok is not inherently bad, many have expressed frustration at the effects that this phenomenon has caused. Some users have complained that the popularity of TikTok has led artists to produce songs they feel are made with the intent of becoming viral audios on TikTok. This leads to the creation of new songs that feel almost formulaic. Listeners also express disapproval or disappointment toward their favorite artists for “selling out” and creating songs with TikTok in mind. This frustration is not exclusive to listeners either. Some artists who use the platform to communicate with their fans have also noted that their record labels have pushed them to create content for the app and conform to TikTok’s content style. While TikTok is on track to reach its one billion user milestone, we will inevitably see these artists continue to cultivate growth and popularity.

Top 5 Places in the Pacific Northwest to See The Colors of Fall

The fall weather in the Pacific Northwest cultivates some of the most beautiful autumn foliage in the country. Although the perfect time to see these colors can be a little tricky to figure out, you’re bound to catch a glimpse of this gorgeous environment no matter when you visit. To spare yourself the research, here are some of the best places and times to see the colors of fall in the iconic PNW:

The Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia river forms the boundary between Washington and Oregon. You can drive over 1,200 miles beside the river and see the leaves change along the way. The ideal time to catch the leaves changing in this area is from mid-September to mid-October.

by: Emily Doffin

by Katie Nalle

Sawtooth Scenic Byway

Located in Idaho, the Sawtooth Scenic Byway on Idaho’s Highway 75 runs through the Rocky Mountains.

Along the Byway are the Sun Valley scenic resort and the Boise River Greenbelt— both great places to stop and see the fall foliage. The best time to visit this area is from late September to late October.

The Washington Arboretum

The Washington Arboretum is beautiful on its own, but it is also home to the lesser-known Seattle Japanese Garden. The Japanese Garden showcases plants not native to the Pacific Northwest including Ginko trees and Japanese Maple trees. The garden also features a stunning koi pond. The ideal time to visit the arboretum is from mid-September to midOctober.

Cathedral Park

Cathedral Park is located along the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. You can sit in the park under giant deciduous trees while the awe-inspiring St. John’s Gothic-style bridge towers overhead. The best time to visit the park is from midSeptember to mid-October.

Silver Falls State Park

Located in Willamette Valley, Oregon, the Silver Falls State Park features a whopping 10 waterfalls along an 8-mile trail aptly named the Trail of Ten Falls. The tallest waterfall on the trail sits at the height of almost 200 feet. The best time to hike the park is from mid to late October.

Photo credit: USDA Forest Service

FIND

B reaking Fashion rules

PhotograPher: Shannon Wallace

M akeuP artiSt: M aria atubiga

Model: b ianca loMiny

“Who says you can ’ t Wear White after Labor Day?”

simply bold

take me back to basics

Photographer: Michelle Shirm

Model: Delanie Elliott

MEN IN BLACK

"The difference between her and every other sharped dressed man? She makes this look good."

PHOTOGRAPHER BILLYANA PETROVA MODEL CHRISTIANA VELICHKOVA / SURPISE MODEL MANAGMENT

YAT SING / VERSACE / CALEDONIA / RALPH LAUREN / DÜK ROMANO

The difference between her and every other sharped dressed man?

makes this look good.

Classe Confidential

Photographer: Himanshu Sharma / @himanshusharmaphotographyy

Wardrobe Stylist: Nikhita Tandon / @nikhitatandon Model: Sonya Aayodhya / @ sonyaaayodhya

HOW TONY VINCENTE IS ROCKING THE FASHION INDUSTRY WITH COMPASSION

by Zara Rawoof

Fashion and giving back are two of Tony Vincente’s favorite things. On October 1st, Vincente’s label Rossario George will throw the Rock & Rhinestones fashion benefit dedicated to both. The brand will unveil two of next year’s collections at the Snoqualmie Casino with all proceeds going to the iMiracleProject, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding Ukrainian refugees. Rossario George is dedicated to bringing its luxury ready-to-wear women’s clothing and shoes to the world at a reasonable price. From the mind of natural-born artist Tony Vincente, these designs maintain a creative edge while remaining elegant. Glossy pumps, dual-toned trench coats, and float maxis barely begin to cover the wide range of style essentials carried by Rossario George. But CEO Tony Vincente has no plans of slowing his roll.

Rossario George has graced the glossy pages of 75 different publications, leaving readers of Vogue, GQ, and Tatler in awe of its designs. While Vincente’s brand accomplished a Vogue feature in its first year, he advises aspiring fashion designers to stay patient. “Rome wasn’t built in a day. Start small, and you’ll be able to see your dreams get big,” Vincente urges. “Do your research. You want to make sure that you are as competitive as you can be in the environment that you want to be in.”

Rossario George may have gotten its big break early on, but Vincente says that it took four years for his brand to truly find its identity.

Authenticity is essential in the fashion world. Rossario George has always maintained an aesthetic that remains theirs. “I think the fact that I am a gay, Black business owner sets me apart. Mainly, it’s our affordable luxury. We don’t overprice our products, but we use the same quality as other major fashion houses. We want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy everything that we produce. That’s a major part of what makes us stand out. It’s our luxury and quality but at an affordable price.”

Delivering quality while keeping prices reasonable is why many businesses fail in the fashion industry. But with Tony’s team behind him, he feels they have all worked to help Rossario George blossom. “I have one of the best CFOs ever. He makes sure to really do a deep dive into what other competitors are doing. And I do have a fantastic team where everyone is always supportive. We are a true team. I’m a strong believer and was taught that a good leader is a team member, not somebody who just barks orders. We listen to one another. It’s a very cohesive environment. That makes Rossario George very different from a lot of companies. Not only that, but we’re 100% remote. We want to make sure that our carbon footprint on the planet is as low as possible. What we can do, we do it in the comfort of our own home.”

STAY PATIENT AUTHENTICITY

Delivering quality while keeping prices reasonable is why many businesses fail in the fashion industry. But with Tony’s team behind him, he feels they have all worked to help Rossario George blossom. “I have one of the best CFOs ever. He makes sure to really do a deep dive into what other competitors are doing. And I do have a fantastic team where everyone is always supportive. We are a true team. I’m a strong believer and was taught that a good leader is a team member, not somebody who just barks orders. We listen to one another. It’s a very cohesive environment. That makes Rossario George very different from a lot of companies. Not only that, but we’re 100% remote. We want to make sure that our carbon footprint on the planet is as low as possible. What we can do, we do it in the comfort of our own home.”

Delivering quality while keeping prices reasonable is why many businesses fail in the fashion industry. But with Tony’s team behind him, he feels they have all worked to help Rossario George blossom. “I have one of the best CFOs ever. He makes sure to really do a deep dive into what other competitors are doing. And I do have a fantastic team where everyone is always supportive. We are a true team. I’m a strong believer and was taught that a good leader is a team member, not somebody who just barks orders. We listen to one another. It’s a very cohesive environment. That makes Rossario George very different from a lot of companies. Not only that, but we’re 100% remote. We want to make sure that our carbon footprint on the planet is as low as possible. What we can do, we do it in the comfort of our own home.”

Tony Vincente began his life of artistry with painting and home decorating. By the time Rossario George began, Vincente’s love for styling and creative direction led to working with the photographers that landed the brand in fashion’s biggest magazines. The designer has no formal fashion education but spent his life exploring wherever his creativity took him. Trying his hand at everything, Tony has unkind memories from modeling life in the beginning. “I had a not-sogreat experience, but I didn’t want that for other individuals. And the only way to make that happen is to make change. Part of change is being in it. So here I am now in the fashion industry, making my mark.” Tony treats his models far differently from how he was treated in the past. Using shoots and campaigns as opportunities to represent a diverse group of people, Vincente emphasizes his delight in seeing how the fashion community lifts each other up. “One of the things I take pride in is during our bizarre Rossario George fashion shoots; we make it fun. To this day, every model who’s ever worked for us continues to work with us. I call them my ‘RG queens.’ I’m so proud of each and every one of them, and I’m proud of the fact that they love our brand so much that they keep coming back. Fashion should be fabulous. And most importantly, it should be fun. And that’s what Rossario George and I are bringing to the environment.”

Tony Vincente began his life of artistry with painting and home decorating. By the time Rossario George began, Vincente’s love for styling and creative direction led to working with the photographers that landed the brand in fashion’s biggest magazines. The designer has no formal fashion education but spent his life exploring wherever his creativity took him. Trying his hand at everything, Tony has unkind memories from modeling life in the beginning. “I had a not-so-great experience, but I didn’t want that for other individuals. And the only way to make that happen is to make change. Part of change is being in it. So here I am now in the fashion industry, making my mark.” Tony treats his models far differently from how he was treated in the past. Using shoots and campaigns as opportunities to represent a diverse group of people, Vincente emphasizes his delight in seeing how the fashion community lifts each other up. “One of the things I take pride in is during our bizarre Rossario George fashion shoots; we make it fun. To this day, every model who’s ever worked for us continues to work with us. I call them my ‘RG queens.’ I’m so proud of each and every one of them, and I’m proud of the fact that they love our brand so much that they keep coming back. Fashion should be fabulous. And most importantly, it should be fun. And that’s what Rossario George and I are bringing to the environment.”

which was her favorite brand.” Tony accredits his success to his creative instinct along with the support always felt by loved ones. “Something that really pushes me is the memory of those who are no longer here, starting from my mother to the actual name of the company ‘Rossario George,’ my partner’s father. I always want to make those who are not with us proud. And I feel like their energy is pushing me to be creative and to think outside the box.” Tony feels guidance from up above in everything he does. In addition to the inspiration he feels from Gianni Versace and the glamorous Cindy Crawford, his stomping ground of New York City will always be a muse. “What I’ve always loved about New York is that there are so many people from so many different areas and countries and races, and I’ve learned so many different things from each and every one of them. New York truly is a fantastic place for creativity, and to be in that environment and know the people I knew made it a magical time. It was a time when I was able to become me.”

“My very first foray in fashion was my mom taking me to the Versace store, which was her favorite brand.” Tony accredits his success to his creative instinct along with the support always felt by loved ones. “Something that really pushes me is the memory of those who are no longer here, starting from my mother to the actual name of the company ‘Rossario George,’ my partner’s father. I always want to make those who are not with us proud. And I feel like their energy is pushing me to be creative and to think outside the box.” Tony feels guidance from up above in everything he does. In addition to the inspiration he feels from Gianni Versace and the glamorous Cindy Crawford, his stomping ground of New York City will always be a muse. “What I’ve always loved about New York is that there are so many people from so many different areas and countries and races, and I’ve learned so many different things from each and every one of them. New York truly is a fantastic place for creativity, and to be in that environment and know the people I knew made it a magical time. It was a time when I was able to become me.”

Drawing and painting since childhood, the designer remembers his mom buying the comic books he would make as a part of his allowance. “My very first foray in fashion was my mom taking me to the Versace

Drawing and painting since childhood, the designer remembers his mom buying the comic books he would make as a part of his allowance. “My very first foray in fashion was my mom taking me to the Versace store,

Drawing and painting since childhood, the designer remembers his mom buying the comic books he would make as a part of his allowance.

The culmination of inspiring people and places that motivate Tony Vincente has led to the luxurious brand that Rossario George has become. But that’s not to say that they maintain their unique fashion DNA. “I don’t believe in following trends. I’ve always followed my own path. I always select 8-10 colors I want to utilize in the collection and just go forward from there. There are different angles and cuts that we’re known for. I always make sure they’re involved.” While RG is a womenswear brand, for now, Tony Vincente has big plans for the label. With plans to expand further into beauty, menswear, and even the lifestyle industry, fans can incorporate Rossario George into every part of their routine. Tony has aspirations of reintroducing Rossario George’s homeline with kitchen essentials that keep it classy. As the selfproclaimed fashionable foodie, cooking has always been an important part of Tony’s life. “It is so relaxing to make a fantastic meal for my family and friends. It’s definitely something I developed over time because as a child in New York City, I did not cook. Eventually, I taught myself how to make some fantastic meals. I love cooking with my partner because he’s the best person to cook alongside, and he’s also great at it. We make fantastic meals together. And I just always found that being home is always an important part of me.”

Rock & Rhinestones will not be the first fashion show Rossario Geroge has thrown. At LA Fashion Week and North American Fashion Week in the past, RG has packed the house with the excitement their designs create. But Tony Vincente is adamant that this collection is the best one yet. “It makes me feel like I’m in this industry for a reason,” he says, reflecting on the designs for the 2023 collection. One line has a rock influence, while the other is the 2023 couture gowns. Local bands will perform live music, and Rossario Georgio’s face of 2023 will also be unveiled. For those who can’t make it, the event will also be livestreamed.

Tony Vincente’s excitement for the upcoming benefit is infectious. Helping out a good cause while gaining exclusive access to the revelation of so many new Rossario George additions, this RG fashion show is the place to be on October 1st. It represents not only the brand but also the man behind it. Lifting others up while letting your creativity shine has always driven Tony Vincente. With so much under his belt already, there are no limits to what Rossario George will become.

Terry Hu

Photos by Alex Stone

and Their Unwavering Authenticity Are Changing Hollywood

by: Zara Rawoof

Aliens and undead teenagers in a Disney musical come as no shock to fans. However, queer representation has been harder to find within the company’s productions. But in “Z-OM-B-I-E-S 3,” Terry Hu’s character A-Spen brings science fiction and gender fluidity to the table. Hu’s role is one of the first representations of non-binary gender identity in film on such a large scale. As Addison in Netflix’s season 3 of “Never Have I Ever,” Terry Hu’s character appealed to a teenage audience as main character Fabiola’s love interest. A short film released in 2021 called “Americanized” portrays Hu as a young woman named Eng grappling with her identity as a Chinese American in Oakland. While all characters differ significantly, Hu convincingly depicts any role they’re in. Now, Hu is opening up on their journey to get here.

Even though they’re making waves of change in the industry, Terry Hu doesn’t put too much pressure on themself to try and represent such a large community. “It was so wonderful that [Disney] wrote the character as non-binary, but I don’t think there’s one way to be non-binary. I’m just being me, and the character reflects that side of me,” the actor says. Hu’s journey with gender and sexual identity started young, claiming they’ve been “queer since the womb.” But it wasn’t until 2020 that Hu came out as non-binary. “I just posted on my [Instagram] story, ‘Hey, everyone, I’m just trying out these pronouns. I’m a little bit nervous, but I’m just trying it out.’” They reflect, “I remember from there, I was like, ‘Yeah, this feels better.”

Exploring one’s identity has been known to be very personal. Terry

Hu has been very open about their journey, helping to normalize the stigma that comes with changing pronouns and coming out. In an essay posted to Instagram this past Non-Binary Awareness Week , Terry shared their current uncertainty in their identity, admitting that it may change in the future. “I’ve always been pretty open as a human. I’m very transparent, like compulsively honest,” they admit. “I posted [the essay] when we were still filming “Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 3.” I was getting a lot of messages from fans who knew that there was going to be an enby [shorthand for non-binary] character, and they said how much this meant to them. I remember feeling nervous

because I’m a very anxious person. But I want to be a good person on [Instagram]. Whenever I get anxious like that, it’s always helpful to be honest. It usually helps me to share my thoughts. We all should be looking for our authenticity. We’re all just trying to figure it out. And things can change. I think the new generation especially is very understanding about fluidity.”

There may still be some moving parts in Terry’s self-identity, but their professional path was never unclear. As a kid, Hu’s work in commercials was overshadowed by school, but their passion was never lost. Terry graduated from UCLA with a degree in neuroscience and received offers from several physical therapy schools. Between their unrelenting interest in pursuing acting and the daunting price tag that further

education comes with, Hu allowed themself one year to get the ball rolling as an actor. When they won ABC’s Digital Talent Competition in 2018, Hu’s destiny was undeniable. However, it wasn’t until this year that Terry fully dedicated their life to acting. Transitioning out of a safe, traditional job and into a career like acting is never easy. While Terry jokes that physical therapy is still their “backup plan” if things go awry, it doesn’t look like they’ll need plan B anytime soon.

Terry Hu is adjusting to life after millions watched them bring the roles of A-Spen and Addison to life, admitting that having fans is uncharted behavior. Within the 28 days between the release dates of “Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 3” and “Never Have I Ever,” Hu curated a fanbase so strong they found themselves amidst the presence of devoted supporters decked out in zombie attire. At the “Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 3” premier, Hu will never forget how surreal it was to see two little girls dressed up as cheerleaders from the movie, screaming at Terry that they were their favorite actor. That same night, Hu was asked to draw a tattoo for a fan. “I drew a heart with a smiley

“I'm just being me, and the character reflects that side of me.”

face. And I was like, ‘Does it have to be zombies related? Like you want to have aliens and UFO tattoos on you?’” Terry recalled. Despite the growing number of fans, the actor makes sure that they aren’t overexposed to comments online to avoid the negative but acknowledges that the overall response to their career has been very positive. Many young non-binary fans express their appreciation for Hu’s work, and Hu acknowledges the special bond online communication can create. “I’m excited to be a part of their journey in any way to finding their fulfillment and authenticity,” Terry says. Between their likable roles and couples with a willingness to share their truth on social media, it’s no surprise Terry Hu is already on the path to stardom.

While basking in fans’ adoration seems to be part of the job description, Terry is honest about the realities of being a working actor. “To be an actor, your job is to audition,” Hu says. “When you book, that’s a vacation.” Terry reflects on the adjustment period they faced when having to accept the true lifestyle of an actor. Accepting the anxieties that come with acting is essential to enduring a long career of awaiting callbacks or dreading the likelihood of rejection.

It’s easy to wonder why someone would subject themselves to a life revolving around uncertainty. But Terry knew acting was for them early on. “‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ was really the last nail in the coffin. I was heartbroken and sobbing, and I remember just thinking, ‘This is catharsis.’ I remember wanting to affect people like that. I want to help provide catharsis.” Their last two roles weren’t exactly as dramatic as Brad Pitt aging backward and losing his love, but Terry wouldn’t have it any other way. “I want to do drama, but honestly, I’m so glad I booked these two projects because I love them. And I think that catharsis can appear in so many different ways.” While a gritty role is definitely a dream of Hu’s for the future, the actor says they’re just happy to take anything

coming their way.

In addition to their love for acting, Terry Hu accredits their friends to help them keep a positive mindset in the entertainment industry. “One of my good friends, Natasha Bendon, has been a positive influence on me. She taught me that what’s right for me is right for me, and what’s not, [to] just let it go.” For now, Terry is focused on putting good vibes out into the universe and hoping for the same energy in return. Not only does this mindset ease the anxious feeling when gunning for a role, but it has also helped Terry keep a calm headspace during the audition process.

While they are making a difference themself, Terry is still ready to see more representation in the queer and Asian community. “I hope to keep seeing two types of storytelling. One type is a story that revolves around the specific struggles of a minority or minority group. But then the other type of storytelling is having the character have a full arc, but they just happen to be gay or queer or Asian. It’s not really emphasized,” they explain. “Media has such an incredible influence, and you don’t even realize when it’s normalized.

You attach to the character as a human. Sometimes there may be people who are homophobic, but then they see a character on screen that they relate to, and that character happens to be gay. They still relate to that character. It’s really important to have characters that are normalized in that way.”

Terry Hu is flipping the industry on its head just by being who they are. Playing a non-binary character in a Disney movie at the beginning of their career means there is no telling what Hu can do next. With kindness and authenticity often lost in the haze of Hollywood, Terry Hu is set apart from many actors their age. Their willingness to share all parts of themselves helps fans get to know Hu in a special light. Whether it’s designing tattoos for fans or presenting the world with an unwavering sense of self, Terry Hu has a permanent impact on anything they touch.

‘Vampire Academy’ Star

Jonetta Kaiser

Turns a Passion Into a Career

Photographer: Kristina Yamamoto Makeup: Tiffany Thater

Hair: Brooklyn Cardenas

Stylist: Venetia Kidd

dream on

If there’s one way to describe Jonetta Kaiser, it’s her passion. A word lately overused when describing even the most lackluster subjects, the passion that drives the 24-year-old actress is what led to her booking the role of Sonya Karp on Peacock’s new TV series “Vampire Academy.” It’s also the reason Kaiser powered through an interview with NFM the day after her Lasik eye surgery.

Jonetta’s tenacious spirit, in spite of life’s curveballs, is not recent character development. Diagnosed with scoliosis as a freshman in high school, she remembers the fear instilled in her by doctors when explaining the restrictions that come with the diagnosis. “I was heartbroken. No one’s ever going to want someone like that to be the actor in their show,” Jonetta said, reflecting on her teenage years. While some remember high school for the pivotal memories it created, Jonetta remembers these years as when she thought she had to give up her dream.

Article by Zara Rawoof

Being an actress was what Jonetta Kaiser always wanted. As a kid in Louisiana, she would spend hours Googling “How to become an actress” in hopes of finding the key to her big break. Her aspirations were the same as almost every child at one point. But Jonetta’s actions set her apart from other kids with the same goal. Kaiser did everything she could. After reading “The Hunger Games” as a preteen, she wrote the film franchise’s casting director, pitching herself for the lead role of Katniss Everdeen. Jonetta submitted headshots taken in her grandma’s backyard. As the momentum building up for years came to a sudden halt as she entered high school, Kaiser focused on more STEM-related activities. At 14, she was making money designing Myspace layouts for people. “It was just the math and the science of it all. I love studying. I read books, and I just took notes and marked pages. I loved, loved, loved, loved doing that,” she gushed, explaining how her love for STEM resulted in her majoring in biochemistry. “It was something to keep my mind busy until I realized what I really wanted to be doing is

acting,” Jonetta said. After getting a second opinion about her scoliosis treatment and saving up the money she made as a waitress, bartender, and web designer, Jonetta left Louisiana for an entirely different LA. “I moved here in January of 2018. By February of 2018, I was fully repped with a manager, theatrical agent, commercial agent, and modeling agent. I just emailed people and hoped they responded to me!” The actress used the skills she developed years before to create the life she had always dreamed for herself.

Jonetta’s journey is admirable, but her methods to success are simple. The actress has spent her whole life putting herself out there and asking for what she wants. Rejection was never a concern of hers. “I wanted to be a cheerleader but never made the cheerleading team. I wanted to play soccer but didn’t make the soccer team. I think I had enough rejection in my childhood. I’m kind of used to being told no, so I’ll just keep going and it’ll work out eventually. The worst they can say is no. And then you go to the next person, and they’ll probably tell you no as well. And then the next person will as well! But then, eventually, you’ll get a yes. You keep trying!”

In hindsight, Jonetta made all the right decisions. But as a college student thinking about dropping everything in her small-town life for the opportunities of a big city, thinking positive can be harder. Especially for loved ones. “I was doing pretty well in Louisiana, working at the bar. I had my finances figured out, so quitting and moving to a place where everything is three times more expensive was terrifying. But my mom was always super supportive. She always knew I was going to be an actress. And then my dad told me that I made a big mistake, and I should move back to Louisiana. He’s very logical,” Jonetta explains, understanding where her father was coming from. “ He wasn’t saying anything that was crazy. It was scary until I hit the ground running and just figured it out.”

By “figuring it out,” Jonetta means booking a Big Sean music video, two Snapchat series, and most recently, her role in “Vampire Academy.” Based on the 2007 young adult novel by Richelle Meade, this series is the second on-screen adaptation of the hit story. With a new intensity to the story, the project is executive produced by “The Vampire Diaries” creator Julie Plec, who says this was something she had been “dying to make.” St. Vladimir’s Academy for royal vampires and their human-vampire-hybrid counterparts has a darker, sexier undertone not yet found in this sci-fi niche. But amidst the enticing romance and drama of these vamps, themes of classism parallel reality, adding a refreshing take that steers clear of an artificially unblemished fantasy world. Jonetta Kaiser

plays Sonya Karp, an introverted librarian whose love life brings her out of her shell. “It’s really different from what people are used to,” Jonetta explains. “And we’re streaming, so there aren’t rules as far as cursing and all of the normally restricted things. It’s really exciting.” A book lover herself, Kaiser had been immersed in the vampire world as a teenager. From “The Vampire Diaries,” “Twilight,” and even to the “Vampire Academy” movie, booking this role was a full circle moment. This would normally cause some nerves, but Jonetta hadn’t realized that her audition for “Vampire Academy” was for the “Vampire Academy” until she saw Julie Plec’s name. By then, she had already sent in her tape. “At that point, I just thought it would be so cool if I booked this,” she said. “There was no pressure because I hadn’t realized what it was!” It ended up working in Jonetta’s favor, helping her connect to Sonya without auditioning in a certain style. “I read what was on the page. I did that to the best of my ability, and it worked out!”

Paving her way in the acting industry, Jonetta Kaiser still keeps herself grounded with her activism. Supporting A21, a non-profit dedicated to ending all forms of human trafficking and modern-day slavery, the actress admires the work done to actively protect victims and prevent the continuation of these humanitarian crimes. “I did my senior thesis in high school on human trafficking, and at Louisiana State University, I spoke to some of the people who worked for an organization to end human trafficking. It was something at the time I didn’t really know that much about. There are the “Taken” movies which are so scary, full of action, and fun to watch, but not the reality. These are real lives.” Human trafficking was something Jonetta didn’t learn about until later in life. But her advocacy for diversity and opportunities for underprivileged children comes from a more personal place. “I grew up very poor myself. It’s getting out of the box that you can get stuck in and seeing outside of that box to know that there’s more to life than what’s right in front of you. It’s one of the hardest things to break out of. And in generationally poor families, it’s really because they can’t see past a box. It’s a mental struggle on so many levels, and growing up that way, it’s something that I’m passionate about.” While Jonetta could break out of that mindset, she’s adamant about shining a light on the lack of opportunities in the arts for poorer communities. “In small towns in the middle of nowhere, you do what you know,” she says. “Go to school, go to college, get a job. Pursuing the arts is not something that guarantees any money. That’s a fear for a lot of parents. There aren’t a lot of resources where you can go to a music class or have those programs.”

acting,” Jonetta said. After getting a second opinion about her scoliosis treatment and saving up the money she made as a waitress, bartender, and web designer, Jonetta left Louisiana for an entirely different LA. “I moved here in January of 2018. By February of 2018, I was fully repped with a manager, theatrical agent, commercial agent, and modeling agent. I just emailed people and hoped they responded to me!” The actress used the skills she developed years before to create the life she had always dreamed for herself.

Jonetta’s journey is admirable, but hermethods to success are simple. The actress has spent her whole life putting herself out there and asking for what she wants. Rejection was never a concern of hers. “I wanted to be a cheerleader but never made the cheerleading team. I wanted to play soccer but didn’t make the soccer team. I think I had enough rejection in my childhood. I’m kind of used to being told no, so I’ll just keep going and it’ll work out eventually. The worst they can say is no. And then you go to the next person, and they’ll probably tell you no as well. And then the next person will as well! But then, eventually, you’ll get a yes. You keep trying!”

In hindsight, Jonetta made all the right decisions. But as a college student thinking about dropping everything in her small-town life for the opportunities of a big city, thinking positive can be harder. Especially for loved ones. “I was doing pretty well in Louisiana, working at the bar. I had my finances figured

beautifulGiving us a glimpse into the methods behind her success, Jonetta says she writes down shortterm goals she can achieve to reach the longterm ones. “That’s one of my biggest motivators. I want to work with Academy Award winners. So what do I need to do on a smaller scale to get there?” She’s also candid about just wanting to pay her bills. Coming from where she did, making sure that money is not an issue drives Jonetta’s work. She also stresses the importance of maintaining a job that will support your dream. Putting it bluntly, she says, “Don’t expect anything to be handed to you because it will not be. The guys being found in a restaurant by Martin Scorsese is quite a long shot.” Reading, listening to podcasts, and consuming information help Jonetta become a better actress. “If you don’t know where to start, start with your favorite actor. Mine is Jennifer Lawrence, so I watched probably every interview and project she’s ever been in. Study all the time. And then, put yourself out there. Send out emails; sagaftra.org has a list of agencies that are sag franchised [Screen Actor’s Guild]. Reach out to them if they don’t respond, wait a while, and reach out again. Eventually, someone’s going to respond to you.” The clichés about hard work paying off and never giving up retain less meaning each time someone mindlessly utters the words. But seeing powerhouses like Jonetta Kaiser turn those phrases into actions shows the true value of hard work. As if the emails she sent were promises made to her future self, Jonetta is already fulfilling the dreams she had her entire life. With a role in “Vampire Academy” this early on in her career, Jonetta Kaiser is becoming the actress she always knew she would be.

“When myth and reality clash, remember to embrace your uniqueness and always be yourself.”

Une Nuit Noire

A little black dress tells no secrets, but learns them all.

Photographer: Samuel Ganem

Model: Ariela Bruno

Stylist: Aldana Dornelles

Hairstylist: Agustina Visser

Makeup Artist: Macarena Marzullo

And a black suit empowers the queen’s knight.

IT CALLS ME

photographer: tanya tanchoo / @tanchoo_ph

wardrobe stylist/creative director: vita verner (stepanchuk) / @vita.vernerrr

makeup artist: nastya ulasovets / @ulasovets_nastya model: triumphmodels alisa kmet / @amanefreare retoucher: alexander belov / @westseafilm

up

go with the flow

Cold September

Photographer: Yael Bar Cohen Model: Eva Rós

Where land and sea once met...

creeps the chill of autumn...