January 2011 by The G.O.O.D.S. Magazine

STAFF

Chief Editor OMARR OLASEWERE

Creative Media Director LARRY DUPARD Fashion Director MEISHA FOURQUREAN Style Interns KLA-BADA ROBERSON ESMERALDA VIZCARRA RENESSTA OLDS

Editorials ALEXA MANGRUM SHANYN WRIGHT RACHEL L. SHELTON ALVINA SIDDIQUI DAVID PINSON JOHN REED CATALDO TIERSA BUCKLEY

Photographers NATALIE SEMA FREDERIC CHARPENTIER JODI JONES JEFF MURRILO

Design Interns AUTUMN GREEN

HAP LETTER FROM NEW THE EDITOR YEA

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

AS THE COUNTDOWN COMMENCES AND THE BALL DROPS IN TIMES SQUARE SO DOES THE MOST ANTICIPATED JANUARY ISSUE OF THE G.O.O.D.S. MAGAZINE. AFTER THE CHAMPAGNE SHOWER TO BRING IN THE NEW YEAR, LET’S HAVE YET ANOTHER TOAST TO THE TRENDSETTING ISSUE FOR 2011. BOTTOMS UP FOR THIS NEW YEAR THAT WILL BRING UP TO DATE TRENDS AND FORECAST OF THE LATEST FASHIONS AND MUST HAVE ACCESSORIES TO START THE YEAR IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

JUST BEGINNING TO SPROUT. MY ANXIETY TURNED TO EXCITEMENT AFTER RECEIVING FEEDBACK FROM READERS, RESPONSES TO OUR ADS AND BEING CONTACTED BY TRISSA AND GAYNELLE FROM PHILTHY RAGZ CLOTHING, FEATURED DESIGNER FOR THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE YEAR.

I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE CREDITS TO MY PARTNER MR. DUPARD AND PHOTOGRAPHER FEDRICK CARPENTER FOR COMING UP WITH A FANTASTIC VISION BEHIND THE PHILTHY RAGZ SHOOT. THE SHOOT WAS A SUCCESS DESPITE MOTHER NATURE AND THE NOTORIOUS LOS ANGELES TRAFFIC IN THE HEART OF BEVERLY HILLS. MODELS TAYLOR AND HONOR BROUGHT THEIR OWN PERSONALITY TO UNIQUE LOOK TO THE ALREADY DISTINCTIVE PHILTHY RAGZ CLOTHING. THEY BOTH DID A FANTASTIC JOB AND EXEMPLIFIED COMPLETE PROFESSIONALISM DURING THE TREMENDOUS DOWNPOUR OF THE RAIN THAT DAY.

BORN OCTOBER OF 2010, THE GOODS MAGAZINE HAS BEEN MY PRIZED POSSESSION AS WELL AS MY FIRST AMBIGUOUS ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVOR. AS I WATCH THE MAGAZINE GROW, I HAVE ALWAYS SAID TO MY BUSINESS PARTNER LARRY DUPARD, THAT THE FIRST ISSUE IS MY FAVORITE BECAUSE IT’S MY FAVORITE BECAUSE IT’S MY BABY, BUT I MAY HAVE TO RETHINK MY STANDPOINT. THE JANUARY ISSUE WILL SET THE TONE OF THE NEW YEAR AND GIVE READ- THANK EACH AND EVERY READER FOR TAKING ERS A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO FOR FUTURE THIS RIDE WITH THE G.O.O.D.S MAGAZINE! ISSUES. I AM BLOWN AWAY BY THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT THE G.O.O.D.S. MAGAZINE HAS RECEIVED WITHIN THE PAST THREE MONTHS. AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE DECEMBER ISSUE, I FELT RELIEVED TO FINISH THE YEAR STRONG, BUT STILL ANXIOUS FOR A NEW YEAR, NEW ISSUES, AND NEW GROWTH AS THIS SEED IS

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STYLE

rince Harry pays a royal visit to Berlin looking more lavish than ever. As he treks along the Berlin Wall on a snowy day, alongside his magnificent compassion, he flaunts his superlative taste in style.

He seems to be leaning towards a very simplistic, yet formal look. A simple look that demands respect and shows charismatic authority. Prince Harry has topped off his navy pair of, khakis it seems with a plain sky-blue collared shirt and a light blue, yet darker than the skycolored shirt, tie. The cherry on top is the gray vest overtopping the formal woven and tie (though his elegant coat seems to be covering most of it). There it is boys; what you need to pull off a classy and elegant, yet extremely simplistic look. The different shades of blue, blended in together help create a unified picture without too many focus points and distractions. The gray vest, therefore, becomes the center of attention and adds an incredible depth to the outfit. Be careful with your colours! Prince Harry seems to have done a nice contrast with the metallic feel almost of his tie against the very base feeling of his shirt.

Lastly, the must have of this winter and hopefully the winters to come! A dark, long coat with pea-coat collars! Get a dark color that matches with any outfit and any pair of shoes and adds a sense of elegance. For the shorter fellas, top it off with a shorter pea-coat and for the taller boys, knee length is perfect!

BY: ALVINA SIDDIQUI

P H OTO G R A P H E R : N ATA L I E S E M A S Y L I S T: T H E H AU T E H AU S H A I R / M UA : B R O O K E H I L L MODEL: ANDREI RAZMERITSA

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6 8 A D L A F A M

BY: JOHN REED CATALDO

Being in the market for a pair of glasses can be depressing for most; a fashionista’s demise. The products of many designers can seem as if they were crafted solely for the facial structure of a single manican, nothing fitting quite right; nothing for you. It’s the feeling of finding the perfect dress or suit, and realizing it’s not made in your size. Walking through the door of Mafalda 86’s flagship store on Via Tortona in Milan, Italy customers are presented with an entirely different problem; which pair(s) to choose. Founder, Vittorio Sebastiani, has been crafting glasses for over half of his life. In this time he has acquired an invaluable technique of creating lenses for faces of all shapes of sizes. It’s a frame one could certainly feel comfortable purchasing online, that is, if they could find it. Studying under the most prestigious eyewear labels in LA, NYC, London, Paris, Monaco then Amsterdam,

Sebastiani reached his break point in 2008. With a passion for art, design, and fashion, Vittorio sought to create his own label, one more unique. Together, with colleagues Stefano di Berardino and Marco Albani, Malfalda86 was envisioned and founded. One year after opening the first of now two Mafalda 86 stores in his hometown of Giulianova, Italy, Milan beckoned for the Sebastiani touch. At first glance, the resemblance of 1950/60 Andy Warhol pop art is duly noted; after all, a Warhol quote can be seen plastered on the storefront. But, Sebastiani and company, comprised of family and close friends, are elsewhere influenced. When asked about vision, Vittorio chuckles to himself; the sign of a true artist. Walking over to a showcased model, he points to the bridge of the frame. “Questo ponticello,” he says with a grin, “l’ho trovato in soffitta.” Baffled at the literal translation, his

explanation provided its only interpretation. Using only vintage materials, Mafalda 86 finds inspiration in everyday things. The optical frame that Vittorio was holding started as part of a handle of aged luggage left to dust in the back of the “soffitta,” the attic. The “ponticello,” or the bridge of the frame, was the first piece of this deisgn; vintage pop art meets 2010 ensued. Just as this artistic design can be seen, so too can it’s quality be felt. Completely hand-made in Abbruzo, Italy, walking through the factory, one can see some ten of it’s employees working grazefully; whether clothed in an Italian suit or comfy pajamas, the work done here is never comprimised.

demand for the pair of Mafalda 86’s he was wearing. In the same trip, Sebastiani was summond the set of a Ford Models shoot. Here, his eyewear complimented some of New York’s finest. However, instead of returning to Italy or to the apartments of the models, the designers were to first to gobble up his work; a true compliment among artists. As one could guess, such stories continue. The trademark “double dots” have been spotted on a number of Hollywood’s most wanted. Appealing to designers, architects, photographers, and artists alike, his target market certainly approves.

Vittorio, a humble Italian, recalls stories of his last trip to New York. Sitting in the quaint dinning room at Paola’s Restaraunt, spotted from tables over, Nicole Kidman approached his table with a pleasant

2011 holds new endeavors for Vittorio and Mafalda 86. Using techniques combinding celluloid and lamination, and uncoventional earwear assemble Sebastiani will be holding workshops at Milan’s elite institute, NABA. As he will also be attending Aurora Fashion Week and Cannes Festival, his time will be high-in-demand. Mafalda 86 will continue to look to the future and to add new advancements of design, but not at the expense of their company motto: “Vintage style, modified for present years.” For now, Mafalda 86 remains a brand reserved for Italians and the internationals; located at the center of the fashion capital of the world, the rest will have to wait on these frames. But, with travels twice a year to NYC, and many praises to the city itself, keep an ear out for this established designer to make his brand available in The Big Apple. And if you do happen to cross a Mafalda 86, make sure to purchase and extra lense set; easily switching from sun to reading, you’ll have doubled your purchase.

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E H T F O S E TAL G A B D N A H Y T E F A S

BY: RACHEL L. SHELTON

For years I have always stuck by my safety purse. You may ask why I would refer to a purse as being “safe?” Well that’s because it’s the type of purse that can fit into almost every aspect of my life. My handbag has traveled almost everywhere with me from work to dates to girls’ nights out. In fact, the only place my purse probably has not been is to is the dance floor. I have a handy black wristlet to replace it on those occasions. My handbags typically have only a few slight details such a golden buckle or a small silver zipper. Pretty much everything from the texture to the stitching is really subtle about it. For as long as I could remember, I’ve always been attracted to this kind of purse. I would always pick out simple earth tone colors such as brown, nude, or black. It coordinated perfectly with my modest wardrobe. Lately I realized that my little black leather purse has been attached to my hip a little too long. I liked the fact that it wasn’t hard to match it with anything, but I felt like I was missing something to my personal style. In fact, I got bored with it as well as all of my other safety purses. It was then I realized that I have fallen into the safety dresser mode. In the past, I would buy little clutches that came in more vibrant colors like hot pink. However, I would only wear them for one particular outfit and they would eventually end up stored in the back of my closet. I felt as if I wasted money on a

purse I had limited usage for. Overtime this led to my plain jane handbag addiction. In 2010, I realized I needed something new update my look. Nothing too drastic but something that was new. One day I was shopping in Target and was briskly walking by the accessories section. At the corner of my eye a little purple purse caught my attention. No, it was definitely not a designer handbag like my safety purse that hung on my shoulder, but I liked it. It had two little pockets in the front, an interchangeable strap and enough space to carry all of my unnecessary items around. The color really stood out to me. It was cute and simple, but an outsider to my safety purse collection. As I was about to put the purse back on the rack and continue with my shopping, something compelled me to give it another look.

I am the type of shopper that likes to take time and think about if the purchase I am about to make will be useful in my wardrobe. But it was something about this little Target handbag that made me want to give it a chance. So, I ended up purchasing it that day. It’s ironic how one simple change can lead you to take other risks. When I got home with my new bag, I realized I needed something to match it. So a few days later I bought a purple striped sweater dress that matched it perfectly. Then I brought a matching nail polish that had a hint of shimmer to it. I stopped myself from buying something else because I didn’t want to end up in a purple rut. Although my purse is not a fancy name brand, it made me realize my need for adding more color into my life. Now when I walk through a clothing store, I notice other patterns and colors instead of my typical grays, blacks and brown selections. I want to try out new colors in my wardrobe such as hunter green and red. And I can’t wait for the spring time when I can choose bold colors such as turquoise and sunset orange. This new outlook has even made me consider trying a new hair color for 2011. Recently I made a trip to the hairdresser to get a new cut. I asked for a temporary blonde highlight to be added to in the front of my new hairdo. That little highlight against my natural black hair color made the haircut standout even more. I was so happy with the results and started thinking of other hair colors I would love to try. These experiences showed me how color can make such a difference in your appearance and attitude. Now I understand that everything does not have to match perfectly in life. It is okay to take risks and just seeing how different things can flow together.

READER’S QUESTION: HAVE YOU PURCHASED AN ACCESSORY THAT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE?

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L L I W T A H T THE DRESS . E L Y T S F O T U O O G R E V E N

BY: ALVINA SIDDIQUI

THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS WITH THE HALTER TOP! Of course none other than “The effortless little black mini.” The little black dresses have been in style for as far as anyone can remember. While it’s for a formal event, a casual party, a first date, a dance, dare I say it, a funeral, or simply a girl’s night out, your black mini is your best friend. It was first unleashed on the world by Coco Chanel in 1926 and it hasn’t stopped its wrath since! What makes the little black dress even better is that, you can wear it down with a simple elegant look or dress it up with some sparkly earrings and the perfect pair of high heels. Lets take a look at the two top best.

This is perfect for the hot summer nights and the unforgettable evenings. Top these off with a simple cardigan and you’re ready to head off to work. Or, dress it up with a nice pair of heels and some extravagant jewelry and you’re ready for any party.

THE STRAPLESS BLACK DRESS! This is perfect for any formal event! Find a tight fitting dress throughout, and its perfect for any day or any night, whether you’re going out to a dinner with your girls or you’re getting ready for a high-end fashion show. For the perfect look, keeping it at a height of at or above the knees, add a pair of chandelier earrings and a simple necklace.

E H T O T Y R O AN ACCESS Y T U A E B F O E CRIM

EMENT T A T S A E N MAK A C Y R L E D JE W NALIT Y O S R E P R H OW B O L ME YOU AND FR A

Go big, or go home! Living in a world of fashion on the constant rise, there is no room for overlooking your jewelry stand. Simple, yet barely-there earrings or toothpick thin necklaces will not suffice for the attention that you deserve! Every woman is beautiful and unique, and every woman must flaunt her personality. What’s great in your circle of friends is the fact that everyone is adjusted and familiar with each other’s characteristics, but you want to be able to light up a room full of strangers exposing your sassy confidence given away by the statement that you wear. The most common reply to modern jewelry is that some women don’t think that they can “pull it off,” but that is far from the truth! The biggest mistake that cost women these insecurities is the misconception that the entire look should be bold. On the contrary, you want to make sure that the accessories you are boasting are complimentary the look, not working against it. For example, if you are going to wear a multi-chain necklace, you do NOT need to bring along a set of over-sized teardrop earrings. The reason being, too much bold is going overboard. You want the biggest piece of jewelry you are wearing to be the focal point, not to get lost in the mess of accessorizing.

BY: SHANYN WRIGHT

Secondly, unless your name starts with ‘Lady’ and ends in ‘Gaga,’ you are looking for a style that is full of taste. Adventurous accessorizing should stand alone when combined with your wardrobe, meaning that if your jewelry is big and bold, then your outfit is simple and sophisticated. The rule is also reversed when wearing a gallant dress – you want to downplay your jewelry with a soft touch such as pearl earrings or necklace. Pieces of flare should coincide with your face frame and/or body type to accent your personality. Do not wear anything that doesn’t look or even feel like something you would ordinarily choose because you want to stand out. There is always a way to work with what you have. Long, dangly earrings are good choices for tall women. Geometric shapes are attractive on full-figured women. Up-swept styles, like seashells or wings, make short women look taller and also minimize the thinness of a face or the length of a nose. Wider bracelets are more proportionate for women of average height. Narrow bands and bangles are great choices for petite women. Delicate bracelets make longer arms look dangly. Depending on height, either several narrow bands worn together or a couple of wide bands adds balance to a full figure. Last but not least, you want to make sure that the color of the jewelry stays within the theme of your outfit. Accessorizing out of the theme will only distract the look you are aiming for. You want the style to be consistent and naturally pleasing. Of course, to be bold in your decoration is only complete when you are bold in your assurance! So flaunt your look and don’t forget that best accessory you can wear is a smile!

N O I T C I ] ADD[+ BY: KIMBERLY LAMONTAGNE

The start of a new year is usually a call for change. The resolute are busy making resolutions on how to better themselves. Then, there is no better time to talk about addictions. My father and I were in the car whilst some teenagers sat on a stoop smoking cigarettes. My dad asked me why young people smoke. I simply replied, why do old people smoke? He said it was a different time back then. The dangers of cigarette smoking were not known to that generation. It was everywhere; in movies and magazines. You couldn’t avoid it. I am a non-smoker and therefore cannot understand the dependency. Nor do I pretend to. I cannot wrap my head around the idea of knowingly causing harm to oneself though. I can, however, fathom how powerful nicotine is once you’re hooked. But, what about something like shopping, or sex? An orgasm is not a physical substance one can abuse. A credit card, on the other hand is. The Shopaholic series spawned a movie making light of such a serious issue. With production houses and networks holding the reigns, what can society make of it?

“Addiction is due 50 percent to genetic predisposition and 50 percent to poor coping skills. The children of addicts are 8 times more likely to develop an addiction.” You need just watch one episode of A&E’s Intervention to see how true that is. An addiction is defined as a “compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal.” Will dear Merriam have to revise her dictionary to include sexual intercourse? I think not. Yet we tend to use the term rather loosely: “I’m addicted to this show, or that, etc.” Look at what Facebook has done to us. Hours of patrolling the site is rather habit forming, no? I mean, how often do you check your wall? “Addiction is hardwired into our brain. Everyone has eaten too much of their favourite food even though they knew it wasn’t good for them. Although everyone has the potential for addiction, some people are more predisposed to addiction than others.” As tiresome as the Tiger [Woods] affair was, the public ate it up. His downfall due to addiction made for loads of entertainment. It’s consuming. It would seem not much has changed since my father’s generation; addictions whether smoking, sex or alcoholism, remain everywhere.

BLACK SWAN: MOVIE REVIEW

BY: DAVID PINSON

Director Darren Aronofsky crafts smart cinema. Starting with his 1998 debut, Pi, his array of films are always challenging and filled with ideas. Everything has meaning and purpose. The costumes, the music, the camerawork… Whether he’s focused on manifestations of drug addiction (Requiem for a Dream) or the power of love (The Fountain), his films are original and thought provoking. His latest effort, Black Swan, fits right in line with his aesthetic. Described as a psychosexual ballet thriller (funny, I know, but the description just about nails it), the story is an innovative illustration of surrealism. In the film we meet Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), an extremely dedicated ballerina who is an ensemble dancer for a New York City ballet company. Nina lives with her devoted mother and has a bedroom that, with it’s pink walls and herd of stuffed animals, seems to belong to a twelve-year-old girl.

But all is not well at the ballet. Attendance is down and the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main star, Beth (Winona Ryder), is growing slightly long in the tooth. It is obviously a time for change. The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director (Vincent Cassel) is looking for someone new to helm his upcoming production of Swan Lake and Nina, with her perfect form and demure style, is chosen for the lead. The role is comprised of dual duties and Nina is asked to dance both the White and Black Swan roles. The White Swan comes easy, as Nina is a walking definition of purity, but the Black Swan, not so much. She is asked to dig deep in herself and find the ability to let loose and become seductive. The task is daunting for Nina and she quickly begins to see parallels between her life and that of the characters on the stage. Enter Lily (Mila Kunis), a new addition to the company who is a natural choice for the Black Swan role (the floral tattoo on her back even looks like black wings) and a real threat to Nina. Delusions of persecution follow and Nina begins a downward spiral of paranoia that blurs the line between reality and fantasy.

In the role of Nina, Portman is amazing. She trained with an accomplished ballerina so that she could perform much of the dancing herself and (to my untrained eye) she is quite good. She also lost some weight and is concernedly skinny which makes her completely believable as an obsessed woman who is so focused on what she wants that she is hurting herself. She gives Nina a frailty that is so convincing that the character is, at times, irksome. She eeks out her words and is on the verge of tears more often than she isn’t. Portman’s work in the last act of the film is haunting. She transforms in both her acting style and dance technique. Watching her unravel is a treat. The film isn’t perfect, however, and takes a bit too long to get going. Once the conflicts are introduced, we stay there awhile and material is repeated and exhausted. Nina needs to connect with her dark side, explore aspects that have been repressed. This is driving idea of scene after scene in the first half of the film. It is understood rather early and quickly becomes tiresome. The film then catches fire and ends incredibly strong. There are some genuinely frightening moments that pack more of a punch than any horror movie released this year. With a slight trimming, Black Swan would be nearly perfect. It was recently announced that Aronofsky will helm the next Wolverine flick and, while that seems like an odd pairing that has the potential of going the way of Ang Lee’s peculiar take on the Hulk, I find it exciting. Let him take a stab at anything he wishes. Give him the sequel to Yogi Bear if he is so inclined. I’m wondering why Yogi denies his true animal nature, what with the hat and the talking and all, an Aronofsky is just the man to delve into such issues.

4.5 OUT OF 5

D A L A N O S R E P A WRITING

TRUTH OR DARE WITH A SMATTERING OF DECEPTION

BY: TIER S

A BUCKL

Putting pen to paper and taking out a personal ad in the singles section of your local paper is not something to be taken lightly. One must contemplate just the right flow of words to make Mr. alright respond to your advertisement faster than you can say fat, single curvy woman seeks big beefcake for meaningful McDonalds meetups. As engaging as that might sound to you, it probably wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bring home the man prize of your dreams. In order to attract the right kind of Ken to your Barbie, you might need to stretch the truth a little. Its risky business by telling your future would be husband that your version of tall and sexy is about three apples high of a smurf with squatty forest gnome feet.

Tiersa Buckley is a creative writer for www.datin dating tips are provided. Her stories present a hu 36

It’s okay to vamp up your advertising profile with descriptions that capture and captivate the attention of the intended reader. The whole point is to create a little mystery and uniqueness. It’s really a way to brainstorm your way to love. There’s nothing in a caterpillar that leads you to believe it will become a butterfly. Until you meet your prospective match in person, play up those beautiful traits in a wonderfully crafted paragraph wrapped up in interesting adjectives. On the flip side, be careful not to get carried away by describing yourself as a lusty busty blonde. You don’t want your dates face to drop when he discovers your busty description just turns out to be just plain musty and the equivalent of two mosquito bites hidden under your sweater. Even though you might have fallen out of keeping yourself up these days, fix that frayed and frazzled hot mess you call your hair by coloring those nasty little roots. Blow the dust off your pen and get going crafting the witty ad that will bring home tall, dark, handsome and totally just okay.

ngonline.net and www.datingsite.org where daily umorous twist on todays dating dilemmas! 37

GRAFFITI: THE BEAUTY IN URBAN SOCIETY

BY: SHANYN WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY: DEV

Walking past the brick wall masked with psychedelic patterns either disappoints you, or piques your interest. The doings of graffiti influence society in one of two ways; the first being vandalism and the second being a form of art. But like most appreciated art forms, the beauty is understood with unfamiliar perspective gained from knowledge.

WIJEWARDANE

What exactly is graffiti, anyway? Defined by its singular noun name, graffito, it’s explained as “A rude decoration inscribed on rocks or walls.” Although it is largely true that you can find graffiti in other places other than rocks or walls, [schools refer to any doodling on paper as graffiti these days] it is mostly agreed that the message that lies within the tag is usually a “rude” statement. I personally have not come across graffiti that encouraged world peace or environmental awareness, so it leaves me to believe that these statements are fueled by a powerful opinion by one, two, or even a handful of individuals who create them.

Most often affiliated with gang related activity, graffiti actually dates back as far as 30,000 BCE in the form of prehistoric cave paintings and pictographs using tools such as animal bones and pigments. Throughout time, illustrated inscriptions were used as a way to catch the attention of society in hopes to send some sort of a passionate message. It is speculation that graffiti was used to advertise prostitution in the days of ancient Greece. Whichever the connotation, graffiti has been altered and misused as well as misinterpreted as an act of defiance in modern history, and in my own opinion, widely misunderstood. A variety of artists’ supplies are available and well suited to create the art form, anything ranging from spray paint to markers. It’s the individuals keen sense of skill and an eye for tasteful stroke that blends the vision with the final product. When standing back and really taking in the vibra ncy’s of the colors, the creativity of the illustration and appreciation for the artist, graffiti becomes beautiful. The difference between beautiful graffiti and tasteless tagging is the essence behind both the message and the quality that it beholds. For example, a seemingly incomplete version of graffiti painted with an amateur’s hand presenting a series of letters and/or numbers pressed upon inappropriate places are labeled as vandalism, a senseless act. On the other hand, if stumbling upon a wall decorated in an assortment of iridescent pigmentation integrated with a bold statement of civil rights, culture, general concerns or even proverbs – it is then looked at as beauty, modern artistry at best. Consider this: to appreciate skill and creativity, you must appreciate the grace in style whether it is simple or exotic. Vandalism is an issue that should be dealt with appropriately and separately, but too often confused with the true art form of graffiti.

PHILTHY RAGZ

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PHILTHY RAGZ MAXI SKIRTS (MERMAID CUT) WITH THE PHILTHY RAGZ LOGO TEE

THE OPEN FRONT WHITE DRESS IS CALLED “CANDID”, FEATURES PENCIL SKIRT BOTTOM WITH A ‘PEEKABOO” TURTLE NECK

PHILTHY RAGZ PLAYHOUSE COLLECTION THE LEOPARD PRINT IS FROM THE SAME COLLECTION AND FEATURES A PENCIL SKIRT BOTTOM ALSO WITH THE VICTORIAN BODICE...

THE SWEATSHIRT LINE “STREET SMARTZ” PLAYFUL SWEATSHIRTS THAT ARE RECONSTRUCTED, HAND-DYED AND TITLED WITH TODAYS SASSY EDGY WOMAN IN MIND,

RASPBERRY PENCIL DRESS - “JUSTICE”

THE OPEN SIDE TURTLENECK DRESS-AUDREY MAE: FEATURES THE HAREM STYLE LOOK WITH A SEXY BACK OUT

COLORFUL DRESS WITH LACE IS A PART OF THE PHILTHY RAGZ SIGNATURE LINE “PLAYHOUSE”......THE LINE FEATURES A MIXTURE OF LACE AND RAYON/ LYCRA THAT IS SCULPTED TO THE BODY TO ENHANCE A WOMAN’S SILHOUETTE:

THIS DRESS IS A PART OF THE PHILTHY RAGZ PLAYHOUSE COLLECTION, THE LONG BLACK DRESS FEATURES A JERSEY RAYON FABRIC WITH A VICTORIAN BODICE WITH A LACE DETAIL ON THE WRIST AREA

G O V S T E E M E G A T N I V

HOW FASHION IS ITS OWN TIME C

Just by dressing yourself this morning, you could have incorporated three generations of style that you were unaware of! These days, fashion is like America: everything [i.e.; “the trend”] stems from someplace else, without pinpointing any direct originality. Fashion is inspired, and thus creates and grows into its own unique flare. Just by browsing either your local boutique shop or the mall, you will come across fashion variety ranging from basic to bohemian or funky to frivolous. Whichever the technique, you can almost always recall a time where that particular style was “in” at one point, and then just as quickly “out” again. Except nothing in fashion is buried; there will be a season when it’s reinvented and brought back to life! The special part about re-creating and tweaking style from the past is that you are also re-living and celebrating the moment it was ‘the next big thing.’ When the look is fresh, the fashion world gets in on the fun and popularizes it; making it attached to a timeline. I am sure that you have stumbled across clothing/accessories from either a photo or on television and thought, “Oh my god, I remember that!” Usually the flashback is followed by a laugh or two and a shake of the head followed by, “What was I thinking?” Don’t be ashamed of the appearance you rocked, you were apart of an era that will surely rise again, only next time it will make a bold comeback.

However the most important and I mean the most crucial ingredient to promoting and encouraging the vintage/vogue revolution is in confidence. Whoever decided to start bringing back the one piece jumpers must have been alone in doing so, but with instilled pride and a positive attitude – the romper is one of the hottest trends on the market today!

GUE

CAPSULE

BY: SHANYN WRIGHT

Surely the clothing that you rocked yesterday will be done with in due time, but you can bet that a part of it will be resurfaced in years to come, although tied in with a look from long ago. For example, one of the most sophisticated looks that women wear today would be chic attire such as fitted business suits complimented by jewelry either from, or influenced by the 1920’s popular brooch’s and filigree accessories. It’s an appearance that integrates both the modern, independent woman but staying true to elegance and class which is largely associated with the early 20th century.

Wasn’t there a time in your life where you felt invigorated and inspired? A time when you were comfortable in what you wore; flaunting your beauty and the look? Current fashion trends may hibernate for a short while, but it’s up to the consumer and the fashion fans out there to take that trend back and to own it! With taste and with poise, almost anything can be brought back from the graveyard of faddism and given the breath of life once more. In every closet, every storage garage, re-sale retail, boutique or thrift store – there is a time machine, just turn on the power and make it happen!

E E B E L P P A Y SE

IL ND

THE NATURAL TALENT FULL OF CONCEPTIONS

BY: WHITNEY GOMES

A talented painter, an experienced graphic designer, and a photographer are only a few of the hats Lindsey Applebee wears. She is also a Washington D.C. local who resides in a former 19th century school with walls covered with her phenomenal artwork. Recently, I had the privelage to speak with Miss Applebee herself and get to know more about her life and the many versatile pieces shown on her website www.laconceptions. com.

KOKALAS

WINE CAFE

Lindsey has come a long way since graduating from the Art Institute of Washington with a degree in graphic design. Today, her work has been displayed at several exhibits and she has sold countless pieces. Though she uses mixed media for most of her art such as acrylic paint and fabrics, she also has many graphic prints that have caught the eye of art junkies all over the east coast. In the 2008 Pierce School Showing, she introduced onlookers to the number fifty-six as well as her fascination with clocks. For some reason these two images stood out at me so I asked her what the significance behind them is. She explained that everyone in her family is intrigued by different types of clocks and she has been inspired to paint “clock girls” such as “Star Light Bright” and “Maybelline” displayed above. The women are shown from their profile view and are what make

these pieces interesting; the color schemes and the contrasting contoured lines help an observer see the thought behind the piece. After speaking with her, she told me she is currently working on redesigning her first clock girl that will be faced fully foward with each time increment representing a different locality of the female.

to the actual title gets to take their very own Lindsey Applebee production home. Her talent is unprecedented and by inviting others to join in finding the meaning behind her “conceptions”, she is giving everyone a litte piece of her work to take home with them (even if they do not purchase the painting).

From witnessing the natural talent of the humble Miss Applebee and discovering her joy of involving others in her work, I simply cannot wait to see what she does next. Lindsey’s website displays the words “my mind to your eyes” beneath some of her work. That’s just what her art is; a plethora of thoughts, worries, and ideas, more simply known as conceptions.

After the several exhibits Lindsey’s work has been featured at, one thing sets her apart from other artists; she makes a genuine effort to connect with the viewing public. Instead of wanting people to simply buy her art, she instead encourages them to understand meaning behind the canvas and appreciate her “concepts” for what they are. After all, her website is titled “L-A Conceptions”. She does not have a specific theme or genre to every piece because in order to bring these unique creations to life, she must set her mind free and utilize everyday thoughts as the inspiraion for her artwork.

If I had to chose, my favorite painting of hers would be “Recovery” from her 2009 Pierce School Showing. It is a rectangular acrylic profile of a woman with very thick layers of reds, blacks, and grays making out her face and hair. When I asked Lindsey what inspired the title “Recovery” she told me she did not come up with it. Apparently it is hard for her to come up with titles for her work because everyone sees something different. A friend was accompanying Lindsey at her studio while she explained the recovery of her friend who was now in remission of cancer. She was a survivor and Lindsey dedicated the title to that painting because of the good news. The ironic part of the production behind “Recovery” is that she came up with the idea and then whipped out one of her most popular paintings ever in only fifteen minutes! Getting an opportunity to purchase a piece of work from the talented painter is a real treat but equally impressive is what she does for guests at her exhibits. Everyone is invited to study specific paintings and is given a card to jot down their best guess of the title of the piece. Then whoever is closest

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Z Y A J G N I D O DEC BY: ALEXA MANGRUM

Picked up Jay-Z’s latest masterpiece Decoded in London and have hardly had a day pass without being compelled to thumb through it again and again. Decoded seamlessly fuses first-person memoir with interviews, illustrations, and above all explanations of the infamous lyrics now iconically integrated into both music and historical contemporary culture. Tracing the life of Jay-Z from childhood in Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects to his formative years as a teen drug dealer to the Jay-Z of today, Decoded is daring as a memoir, fresh, to say the least, much like Jay-z himself, progressive and always a clairvoyant of all things cool. Yet, it is a different sort of memoir than perhaps usually seen. Less about de-mything the mystery of Jay-Z, and more about the birth of a culture, Decoded is less for the true hip-hop enthusiast well versed in the A to Z of the movement and more perhaps for the intellectual. Dropping careful insight into the birth and journey, Jay-Z babysteps towards enlightenment of both the phenomenon of the man the legend and of the genre of hip-hop itself. It’s a book of translation, blatantly introducing not only a culture but also a life force. Decoded, aesthetically is innovative as well, Warhol’s Rorschach graces the cover, an inherent integration of the ethos of both the book and perhaps Jay-Z himself. Slightly vague and mysterious yet bravely honest and attractive all the same, Decoded is the work of an artist, who not only knows the tenants of what constitutes excellent art, but how art can excel within the framework of a receptive society. Much like Warhol himself, Jay-Z has found the perfection balance of abstraction and reality, where the everyday audience may meet inspiration.

Don’t be deceived by appearance however. Decoded is not just a coffee-table book, it is a historical compendium of hiphopology. A timeline of an era, an explanation for the inception of hip-hop as we live and breathe it today.

YO U T U B E

WE MAKE VIDEOS WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/USER/GOODSMAG 65

Y C A G E L : N O R T

MOVIE REVIEW BY DAVID PINSON

When it comes to mega-event movies, Tron: Legacy is a bizarre specimen. It is a sequel that comes nearly thirty years after the original Tron; a film that did mediocre business back in 1982 and many viewed as an oddball misfire by the then struggling Disney Studios. Decidedly ahead of its time, Tron was the first film to utilize computer graphics as a special effects medium and is an important work that has influenced much of what we see at the Cineplex today. It is also a slow paced, unbalanced film that many found boring and plodding. Over the years Tron has developed a devoted cult following and the neon blue and red fingerprints can be seen all over the pop culture landscape. But does a small mob of rabid fanboys and girls clamoring for more time on The Grid constitute the production of a 200 million dollar movie? Probably not. To wait three decades to give the masses another dose of something that the majority of them werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t interested in the first place is an example of studios sapping their back catalogue for any little idea they can revisit. A sequel to a flop is a bizarre thing indeed. Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) has been missing for years. He has left behind a young son, Sam (Garrett Hedlund), a genius rebel who can ride the hell out of motorcycle and spends his off days BASE jumping from skyscrapers. These just so happen to be excellent skills to have when visiting the mainframe. While exploring his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old arcade palace, Sam is sucked into a new and improved version of the Grid and is immediately thrown into a large arena to participate in some fast and violent games. Two opponents throw glow-in-the-dark discs

at each other, to the digital death! After a slight trickle of blood is spilt, Sam is quickly identified as a User, a human from the outside world, and not a Program and taken to the leader of the Grid. He is shocked to find that the ruler of this digital world is his father, looking the same as he had when he disappeared twenty years earlier. Turns out that this isn’t Kevin Flynn, however, but a Program named Clu who was created by Flynn to help him develop this world. Clu is a digital copy of Flynn but with more sinister plans and when the time was right, Clu took over and Flynn was exiled off the Grid. It was a Clu coup. Sam must find his father and help him escape this prison that he has created for himself. But time is short and they only have a few hours before the portal will close again forever. The main attraction here is obviously the special effects and they are hit and miss. The Grid is beautiful and detailed while the action sequences involving “The Games” are exhilarating. The new light cycle race and disc game are the sole reason to revisit Tron and these are the best-rendered and choreographed moments of the film. For some reason, the 3D effect does very little to enhance this world and most of the movie is 64flat. First-time director, Joseph Kosinski, tries to

2.5 OU

UT OF 5

impart some Wizard of Oz on the film and presents first few minutes in 2D. This is during the moments that take place in “The Real World” and when Sam enters the Grid, the movie is supposed to become alive in full 3 dimensions. This doesn’t work and the artificial landscape has barely any depth to it at all. It does look like Jeff Bridges is standing a few feet behind Hedlund in some scenes though. You could almost reach out and touch it. Another major failure when it comes to the “special” effects is the main villain, Clu. To make the character appear to be Jeff Bridges decades younger, Clu’s entire head is cobbled in a computer and it looks it. The work is a few steps behind The Curious Case of Benjamin Button from a few years back. In Button, you saw a person in those early moments that featured Brad Pitt as a tiny old man. In this film, there isn’t one second that Clu comes off as a real being. The eyes are dead and the mouth isn’t well synced to the words. Clu is a walking prop. It is a massive mistake that is hard to ignore, never allowing you to invest in the fantasy. If nothing else, the first Tron film was a true original. Opinions aside, it can’t be argued that the film was visionary and broke new ground. The saddest aspect of this retread is that it copies instead of defines. Besides sharing some Wizard of Oz structure, here are elements lifted from the book of Wachowski (The Matrix’s slo-mo action, the light cycle scene screams Speed Racer) stirred up with a little Star Wars (in that robe, Flynn sure does look like a Jedi) and a dash of Christianity (the savior is the Son of the Maker) for good measure. It is all so old and tired. This is a prime example of an unnecessary sequel. Maybe the third one will be better. I hope they keep pace and we won’t find out until 2038.

DEXTER

BY SHANYN WRIGHT

WHY WE KILL FOR THE SUSPENSE Admit it: you are jealous of him. Minutes into the introduction in one of Showtime’s favorite dramas, and you cringe. You want to do what he does, you want to be him. Dexter. If unfamiliar with the series, the show is centered on a forensic bloodstain pattern analyst who copes with the difficulty of being a psychopath. The protagonist reasons his urges to act on his condition in the only way that seems fair: to kill those who are guilty. The concept is that of a serial killer who murders other serial killers. Just the thought of it alone has its appeal, and to let your imagination run wild with the show is beyond entertaining. Although violence is never the answer in the real world, the beauty in the idea behind Dexter is that some people deserve to be punished, and when taken care of, leave the world with a little more relief then when they were alive. Most can agree that the issue of justice can be sensitive and largely frustrating; as it is true that it is not always served the way we feel it should be. In mainstream society, the general portion knows that it is wrong to commit such crimes, but when faced with tragedy pressed upon innocent people, the though of vigilante justice is seemingly fair.

For that reason, Dexter is strikingly attractive to audiences around the world who have felt that same emotion of unjust doings in the world who would love to be able to do the same. What better way to take out a bad guy then to carefully study the criminal, create a plan of action down to perfection, and then execute without any legal repercussions? In a very morbid way, it’s a dream come true to some individuals. In reality, no one in a healthy, responsible mindset would carry it out – but that’s not to say that they do not enjoy entertaining the thought. Large populations of humans love and crave the thrill of horror films and fast paced amusement rides for the excitement without any of the dangerous results. We get so caught up in cinematic situations that wouldn’t occur in day to day life to be able to live in the moment, in the “what-if.” Dexter feeds off of that public thirst, and we keep asking for more. Being caught up in our stressful busy lives doesn’t leave us much time to deal with the frustration we have towards concerning issues – so when tuned into an unusual series based upon the ‘eye for eye’ proverb, the solution is temporary but darkly satisfying. To some, Dexter is living the life of a superhero. Referred to as his ‘dark passenger,’ the main character assures himself that the only way in which to stay out of trouble and confront his need is to live this way. Unable to substitute the double life, Dexter doesn’t condone the action of murder and does his best to fit in with the appearance of a normal life outside of his secret. A strange mix of Clark Kent/Superman meets Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde; Dexter is carrying out the subconscious career that we wouldn’t mind taking upon in moments where we feel useless against the legal system. So go ahead, don’t be afraid to admit it; Dexter is your guilty pleasure.

FAC E B O O K

38 THE G.O.O.D.S MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2010 68

S D N E R T G A B D N HA Totes, clutches and handbags have become the necessary accessories to make your wardrobe more stylish! They are the finishing touch that allows an outfit to make a powerful statement! This seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bold patterns have made a tremendous return onto the fashion scene. You can find exciting patterns and textured fabrics everywhere from vests to ankle boots and couture handbags! There are no exceptions! Designers are showcasing a variety of bag styles utilizing a plethora of fabrics and detailed accents. From faux fur to studded leather and man-made materials in vibrant colors, there is something out there to satisfy your bag jones! Here are a few examples of must-have bags for every budget.

PRADA CAVALINO LEOPARD PRINT TOTE

$3100

T H E LO O K F O R L E S S : KATHY VAN ZEELAND HANDBAG, WILD THING TOP ZIP TOTE

$99.00

JIMMY CHOO ALBA PYTHON PRINTED LEATHER HANDBAG

$4,295

T H E LO O K F O R L E S S : BETSEYVILLE BY BETSEY JOHNSON HANDBAG, METAL EDGE HOBO

$98.00

T H E LO O K F O R L E S S : CHANEL TWEED AND FANTASY FUR CLUTCH

A BY ADRIENNE LANDAU FAUX COYOTE FUR CLUTCH WITH CHAIN STRAP

$89.00 70

MOSCHINO MEDIUM FABRIC BAG

$1160

BOTTEGA VENETA EMPIRE CERVO LOOP BAG

$2200

T H E LO O K F O R L E S S : FOREVER 21 RETRO STUDDED CLUTCH

$22.80

MARK GATHER AROUND BAG

$30.00 71

P H OTO G R A P H Y: N ATA L I E S E M A S T Y L I S T: E S M E R A L D A V I ZC A R R A HAIR: JASON FRAZIER M A K E U P: S I LV I A M A N AG A M O D E L : J OYY L I U C LOT H I N G P R O V I D E D BY P U R E B O U T I Q U E J E W L E R Y P R O V I D E D BY M I C H A D E S I G N

INTERN

INTERN FOR THE G.O.O.D.S 81

As I’m listening to Morrissey singing “some girls are bigger than others” I can’t help but pondering (not to much though) what if this new year we decided to reject (don’t be afraid, come on!) fashion, no more biblical Vanity Fair (flashing outrageously the new icon of beauty), no more ELLE slid between your strawberry flavored lip gloss and the last pair of Dior sunglasses. To the fire with it! 2011 is coming quick. Second one before midnight, on the lookout, bubbly bottles of champagne are shaking their booty, feverish firecrackers are stomping to celebrate! Seize the year!

SEIZE THE NEW YEAR! 82

The woman that once was will disappear to the new crude. Mature, self-confident, fulfilled will be adjectives susurrated as you will pass by. For that new step to be achieved why not trying for once to be you? Is it too much to ask for? Free yourself from a corseted society, put over your shoulder advice imprisoning your personality in the mold constructed intentionally by fashion magazines to fuel the business. Under the malefic power of the Queen’s spell the aspiring Snow White that we all are dig their own grave of continual disappointment. Are we not closer to the queen versus Snow White? Look at my pulpy mouth subliminally evokes the model on the A4 cover (don’t you envy me?), look at my perfect nose (worthy of a trip to a state-of-theart butchery in the west end of town), look at my impressive measurements (that make every wolf salivating in his cubicle between 9 to 5) and at the other end of the spectrum... You... Snow White’s stepmother... Wailing... “Mirror, mirror on the wall?/Who in the land is fairest of all...”. And all the fashion magazines in choir to sing YOU if you get our last review!

And the f-----g mirror (elogist to the “in absentia” heroin) to answer the same torturing refrain in your ears “Queen, you are full fair, ‘tis true, but Snow White is fairer than you”. F-----g Snow White, she’s always the center of attention! And will always be since we give her this power over us. F--k the dogmatic and universal criteria of beauty! Your numerous attempts to get lost in the local forest to challenge the veracity of the tale, made you realize that there’s nor hidden cottage there nor seven dwarfs! Harsh reality! Let’s come down to solid ground, two options are available to you: either you coerce yourself to a lifetime draconian diet to fit the constant evolving evil mold (a Sisyphean task especially with the ups and downs of life) or breathe deeply for few seconds while regaining your rationality and be yourself (if you sustain once people’s judgment, the rest will be history). For the sake of being fashionable women sacrifice freedom to follow the main trend, denying themselves the right to express their individuality. Or is it a common sense of beauty?

How many of us advertise those bearlike boots from Australia (that I won’t brand)? Yes... One, two... Come on... Ah, ok, this figure seems more realistic. In Los Angeles (70 degrees Fahrenheit), girls, women, girls craving to be women, women dying to be girls parade dressed with a t-shirt, shorts and this pair of boot. I would have understood if we lived in the North Pole or close to those latitudes! But, when fashion meets ridicule, elegance is not part of the equation. Does it mean that none used their brain or their critical sense ? Then, it advocates loudly that singularity doesn’t exist? Therefore the responsibility of being optimistic fell to me. The other day, under the pressure of her daughters, a woman with a cotton shirt knitted at each extremity asked for my opinion. I, without beating around the bush, told her that I did not like it. But, then instead of letting her know that I was the victor among all (approval of her daughters for my judgment), I asked her if she liked cherries, she answered yes, I said I did not. To make my point I told her that if she had to tell me to eat cherries only because she liked it, I wouldn’t! To conclude, I simply demanded from her to listen to her desires, her heart. If you like it, buy it! She did (to the repulsion of her daughters!) What gave them the right to almost feel humiliated, to almost disown their mother for a vulgar piece of fabric? That’s what life is about, repression because the tenets of fashion said so. No. It is not about their say so! It’s about ours! Religion says so, the Law says so, the Government says so! What does remain to us as an individual if they have to step over every decision of ours! Life is about pleasure, enjoyment. You like this ugly piece of fabric? So be it? Who are they (we) to impose their (our) taste to others?

It takes GUTTS and strength in the cannery to be the sardine that won’t be packaged, boxed! How many will we be?

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