Graffiti Beach Summer 001 by GRAFFITI BEACH

GRAFFITi BEACH M

emerging fashion on radar Best s ’ l a C So

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001

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SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

ideas

I n s p I r I n g

C r e a t I v I t y

Dear Readers, Dreaming of something new is the first step. Acting upon a dream with the first creative design is the next. And then sharing your work with the world finalizes the process. These steps are so easy to say and write, and so much harder to do. The designers, artists, and musicians within these pages have done just that, and we at Graffiti Beach aim to support the bravery, inspiration, and dreams of these Creatives and share them with the world. The goals of our magazine are two-fold. 1) We believe in the artists that we feature, and we believe in their success. We want to support these Creatives in the advancement of their careers by celebrating them in this step of the process 2) We are inspired by true creativity. We love to see new and interesting ways of doing things and we love to see designs that are eco-friendly and attempt to make new from old. If knowledge is power then we hope that the knowledge of their work will empower them to create more, and in turn inspire creativity within others. Just like Pinterest exposes the viewer to ideas that they might never have seen, and Facebook connects you with others, our intent is for this magazine to reveal, highlight and celebrate talent that you might never have known. We aspire to cultivate creativity by sharing what is unique and trendsetting within the worlds of art, music and fashion - in the hopes of inspiring you! When we surround ourselves with creativity, and experience the energy of people following their dreams despite the odds against them, our world becomes so much more vibrant and beautiful. Get inspired! Melanie Michaud Brandie Mata Alana Trevino Itaya

meet the

TEAM

MELANIE MICHAUD - OWNER SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

BRANDIE MATA - CREATIVE DIRECTOR, PARTNER BRANDIEMATA.COM

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ALANA TREVINO ITAYA - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MYALANA@HOTMAIL.COM

HEATHER GILDROY - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY HEATHERGILDROYPICTURES.COM

MAFER ARCE - PHOTO ASSISTANT, DESIGNER BEHANCE.NET/MAFERARCE

meet the

TEAM

GIOVANNA AVILA - BEAUTY DIRECTOR GIOVANNA@GIOVANNAAVILA.COM

BLAIRE BABYAK - STYLIST BLAIREBABYAK@MAC.COM

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GRAFFITi BEACH m

table of contents

7 9 12 16 18 22 28 33 34 40 46

A Piece of HAwAii

fASHioN

by Erica MansfiEld

PHoto StorieS

BrAve New (& StyliSH) world

Art

by VanEssa d’aMico

feAtUre mUSic

ANi BikiNiS: A New look oN tHe BeAcH by VanEssa d’aMico

BUSiNeSS oUt

AN AgAte for UNcoNditioNAl love by Kallah oaKEs

follow tHe trAvelS of cAmeroN HAwAii by Erica MansfiEld

moderN dAy HiPPie photo story

BirdS oN A wire

by alana trEVino itaya

diy - flower crowN by KElli Murray

grAffiti BeAcH: iNSPirAtioN foUNd it’S Home by alana trEVino itaya

UrBAN Street photo story

reBel witH A cAUSe by VanEssa d’aMico

I n s p I r I n g

C r e a t I v I t y

contributors

contributors Vanessa Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;amico - writer Vanessa.a.Damico@gmail.com

micK motor - photographer micKmotor.com

Kallah oaKes - writer beingopentolife.blogspot.com ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

erica mansfielD - writer citymeetstheshore.com

lauren franKs - writer laurenfranKs.com

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GRAFFITi BEACH m

The BirTh of a Business:soapylove

fashion

by AlAnA Trevino iTAyA

phoTo sTories arT

effecTive MarkeTing 100% free by MelAnie MichAud

feaTure Music

caTwalk To crosswalk by lAuren frAnks

Business ouT

dreaM in color phoTo sTory

BeauTiful BedlaM by AlAnA Trevino iTAyA

a clear reflecTion by AlAnA Trevino iTAyA

The BeaT of eco fashion by vAnessA d’AMico

GRAFFITi BEACH m

eMerGinG fAshion on rAdAr

a passion for recycling

’s Best SoCal

by kAllAh oAkes

salvaged

ideas

a pockeT full of Tunes by lAuren frAnks

adaM Builds a lego eMpire by heATher Gildroy

001

iSSUe

table of contents

50 55 56 58 65 72 76 80 84 88 92 98

all aMerican grunge phoTo sTory

I n s p I r I n g

C r e a t I v I t y

on The cover PhotograPhy: HeatHer Gildroy

graffiTi Beach grand opening

StyLISt: Blaire BaByak haIr & MakeuP: Giovanna avila ModeL: MaBelynn

I n s p I r I n g

C r e a t I v I t y

contributors

Brianna Baggett - photographer BriannaBaggett.Com

contributors

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

alexis Contreras - designer alexisContreras.Com

CarlY heBert- designer CarlYJoCreative.Com Jesi Jean Yeager- designer

fashion

Graffiti Beach is constantly on the lookout for emerging brands that are

unique

fashion-forward and have a great story behind them.

In this next section we will introduce you to up-and-coming brands that have amazing designs and equally amazing people that created them. Join us in our mission to support emerging talent! You can shop from these designers at www.ShopGraffitiBeach.com

California says “aloha” to hawaiian fashion Maui roots combined with a passion for making jewelry unite to create Jasmine Honey Designs. Jasmine Bustamente creates handcrafted jewels that are inspired by her love for Hawaii and perfectly express her creative eye for style. “I started playing with jewelry at the age of six. My mother is an artist, so there were always beads and interesting ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

materials lying around that I could play with,” explains Jasmine. Even at that young of an age she learned how this Photo: hEaThEr Gildroy stylist: BlairE BaByak hair/mU: Giovanna avila

Writer: Erica MansfiEld PhotograPhy: MafEr arcE, lara TishlEr designer: BrandiE MaTa

to make simple earring designs. She would bring them to craft fairs, trading her pieces with other artists. These early experiences really inspired Jasmine and fused her love of handcrafting jewelry. Today, Jasmine has come a long way from trading at local fairs and her jewelry components have matured into a wide variety of eclectic and earthy materials. From 14k gold to Tahitian pearls to watermelon tourmaline, she produces one-of-a-kind pieces that can be layered for a bold statement or worn alone for a classic look of simplicity. Her range of imaginative jewelry includes earrings, necklaces, wrap bracelets, bangles and rings, each unique in its own way. Jasmine’s design aesthetic can be summed up in three words: feminine, refreshing, and bohemian. There is nothing subtle about her tribal-inspired wrap bracelets,

jasminehoneydesigns.com

or the intricate workings of her crystalized necklaces.

fashion

AVAILABLE AT SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

“One of my favorite things about my jewelry is layering. I love stacking them and mixing and matching different colors for a trendy look with a feminine edge.” Another favorite of Jasmine’s design process? Soldering. “There is something so satisfying about melting metal and turning it into something beautiful. Afterwards, I get to add in gemstones, shells or whatever it is I’m in the mood for. The best part about it is I always have something new and exciting to wear.” With nature being her main source of inspiration it’s no wonder there is never a shortage. Living in Hawaii is itself a muse and allows her to tap into a well of creativity, channeling it into her work. “The sunrises, swimming in Makena, even just shell-picking on the beach inspire me to create. With so much beauty in Hawaii, it’s difficult not to be influenced by the natural wonders out here.” For those who have never gotten the chance to experience the beauty of “The

Aloha State,” Jasmine’s designs give us an opportunity to own a small piece of it. While Jasmine has always had an eye for handcrafting jewelry, this isn’t her first foray into the world of business. She originally started her own apparel company called Haute Rock Couture, targeting women looking for easy, versatile pieces that can be worn from day into night. Jasmine was a one-woman show, doing everything herself, which left no time for making jewelry. “Around this same time, I

FEMININE, REFRESHING, AND BOHEMIAN

started to get more requests for my jewelry. I make everything myself in my own studio so I have full control over the quality, and can get the precise design I’m looking for. One day I will have a clothing line again, but for right now I’m focusing on the jewelry aspect of designing. I look forward to eventually incorporating them together to create a lifestyle brand.” Watch out for Jasmine Honey in the future. We’re sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of her unique designs, and will enjoy watching as her successful business continues to grow.

WRITER: VANESSA D’AMICO

DESIGN: BRANDIE MATA

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY: BRIANNA BAGGETT

A NEW TWIST ON MILITARY INSPIRED FASHION BY

REDHAWK BRIGADE

Redhawk Brigade is an incredibly unique clothing line from Los Angeles based designer Joshua Lee. Lee’s designs for Redhawk Brigade are inspired by the bravery and strength of the U.S. armed forces.

fashion The entire company is based on the concept that “Bravery Never Goes out of Style.” He is dedicated to producing high quality products that represent the concepts of courage and honor. Joshua built the company on his own business savvy and creativity, and he is a natural. Joshua explains, “I did not study to be a designer. I went to school at the University of Kentucky, and graduated with a degree in Finance and International Business.” He moved to Malibu to begin an acting career. He was unimpressed by what was being offered in stores, so he started to make his own custom clothes. “I was buying bags of 2nd hand clothes and cutting them up, distressing, painting, you name it, whatever I could come up with that I thought was cool. Then I started making gear for my friends as well and it steamrolled from there.” He started introducing his clothing to the public in 2007 and hasn’t taken a break since. He is a complete natural in the world of fashion design. This drive has made Redhawk Brigade into the brand it is today. “It took me a while, but I started professionally producing shirts in 2007, and haven’t stopped since. “In August 2010 former Air-force Captain and Fighter Pilot Leo Spens joined the Brigade, and we are working hard to take this brand to the next level.” Joshua is inspired and driven by his grandfather, an 87-year-old navy veteran. “My grandfather Febus is a real character, bigger than life. Actually he turned 87 today, and is still charging as hard as anyone I know.” Joshua explains, “He joined the Navy at 17 and didn’t even get to graduate high school before he was in the Pacific on the USS Hancock. He doesn’t talk about the war very much, but they interviewed him for the history channel a few years back and I got to see the footage. I was floored by the things he went through.” Joshua designed a specific shirt in honor of his grandfather and the work he did while in the service. . It is called “Hero,” and it sets the tone for the entire brand. Not only does Redhawk Brigade raise awareness for something that is often overlooked and taken for granted, but it is also a quality brand that you will enjoy wearing. Joshua understands an active, fun loving lifestyle. He says his ideal day is, “Summer time on Lake Erie with my family: wake-boarding, shredding, and boating. It is my favorite place in the world. There is no substitute for great family and friends in a cool place. I love it.” A Redhawk Brigade T-shirt will be your “go to” comfy shirt to wear on weekend trips or to hangout with friends. “We have very high quality shirts that fit well and are highly blended to be super soft and comfortable. Buy one and we guarantee you’ll want another. It always makes me happy to hear that our shirts are THE most comfortable shirts in our customers closets” states Joshua.

“BRAVERY

NEVER GOES

OUT OF STYLE.”

The majority of Redhawk’s tees are tri blend, athletic

now, the ladies can rock the unisex hats, wristbands,

cuts, with screen prints that are meant to fade into

or even a boyfriend’s shirt.

feel. Joshua gets his inspiration from old military

When Joshua is asked how he chooses what to put on

memorabilia, and places screen prints strategically

his designs, he says, “I usually pick a theme or idea

where someone would get a tattoo. The designs

and just run with it until I’m satisfied.” He puts a lot

include anything from Fire Department logos and

of work and time into making sure everything comes

barcodes, to naval insignia, airplanes and battleships.

out perfectly. “Color scheme is an evolving process,

“Right now I’m really digging the ‘1812’ T, based on

I usually pick a few different combinations before I

The Battle of Lake Erie.” This shirt commemorates

decide on the one or two I end up using.”

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

the fabric overtime creating an authentic vintage

one of the biggest naval battles of the War of 1812. The shirt, is a grey tri blend crew neck with a screen

Joshua has a very easygoing persona, but don’t

print of the Great Lakes in the upper right hand

let that fool you. He is committed to learning

corner. There is also an incredibly cool compass

about fashion and apparel as he continues to build

graphic on the back. Another

his business from scratch. He has the drive and

great shirt is the “LAFD.” This

determination to make Redhawk Brigade into

is a tan, tri blend, crewneck,

something known around the world. “We are going

which honors the Los Angeles

to go as big as we can with Redhawk! Our goal

Fire Department. It features

is to have flagship stores in LA and New York,

crossed axes in the upper right,

and a huge online customer base.” His proudest

with three parallel black lines

achievement so far is creating “A great product. I

running across the chest below

really believe in the product, and it gives me joy

it. The women’s line is coming

when I see someone rocking a Redhawk shirt and

out sometime this year. But for

looking good.”

fashion

: Ani Bikinis A New Look on the Beach

A Beach Girl Turns Vintage In a world where everyone buys the same solid, triangle, side-tie bikinis, it is nearly impossible to stand out on the sand. Wearing an ANI Bikini is a surefire way to get noticed. Drawing inspiration from the 60s, 70s and vintage beach culture, Ani Breslin, creator, designer, and head of ANI Bikinis, has made unique and flattering swimsuits that you will fall in love with this summer. Ani has much to say about life as an independent designer, her new line, and how she knows exactly how to turn us into that hippie beach girl that we always wanted to be. Ani debuted her first collection in 2010, so it is still a relatively new company. She has a great understanding of beach culture, surfing, and movement, making her bikinis not only beautiful, but functional. “I’ve grown up in a bikini, spending everyday at the beach before and after school, and surfing until I couldn’t feel my arms anymore. I was fascinated by color and style and wearing any and every type of bikini. It seemed like the natural thing to do to start making my own bikinis.” Because of this, not only will you be able to run, swim, and surf in your suit, but you’ll look amazing while doing it. She went to school for Fashion Merchandising, Marketing and Communications, but never saw herself designing. She explains, “It was never something I thought I would make into a business. In 2010, I started small, and sewed up some suits with friends which we’d wear to the beach. I got a lot of compliments, so I decided to sew a few more and take some photos. Once word got out, I got more and more excited about it and began to pursue the business side of things.” Pretty soon she caught the creative bug and dove into fashion design headfirst. “I put together a fashion show complete with 30 looks with an amazing outcome. I knew I couldn’t stop there, and so became ANI bikinis.” Ani’s swimsuits are modern, with a vintage feel. Her inspiration stems not only from the famed Southern California beaches but is also rooted firmly in her family and home. “My

WRITER: VANESSA D’AMICO

PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH SHREVES

DESIGNER: BRANDIE MATA

ANIBIKINIS.COM

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

mother is naturally a huge inspiration to me. Not only is she gorgeous (and still able to wear my bikinis) but she used to be a model in the 70’s and had the most epic style. I love flipping through her old photos and pulling inspiration from her outfits. She was such a Betty.” But just because she finds inspiration in the past, it doesn’t mean you’ll be running around in something old and frumpy. Although the suits have a 60’s and 70’s feel to them, the cut and style is extremely contemporary. With her wrap bikini tops, tied bandeaus and strappy backs, every piece has an element of individuality. She also finds inspiration in beaches and the outdoors. “Anywhere I can be in a bikini 24 hours a day brings all the inspiration in the world.” However, her latest collection was

fashion

Anywhere I can be in a bikini 24 hours a day brings all

the inspiration in the world.” inspired by music, specifically from the time period that inspires

she can make anything out of anything. That’s what I want to

her most. “Its insane how much a song can inspire you. The

do.” With their soft, flattering colors and textured fabrics, ANI

Doors song ‘LOVE STREET’ inspired my latest collection.” With

Bikinis are reminiscent of Hoffman’s designs, but they have a

its fun melody and upbeat lyrics, it’s hard not to want to throw

feeling and an attitude about them that are purely Ani’s own.

on a bikini and run to the beach when you hear this song.

Not only is the style of her bikinis unique and cool, featuring Brazilian cuts, simple, sexy silhouettes, and distinctive cut outs

Ani Breslin aspires to be the best. She lives by the words, “No

and wraps, but she also prides herself on the unique selection of

Brakes,” literally never taking a break, but always striving for

fabrics. “I could spend hours sourcing fabric and losing myself

the best. “I love Mara Hoffman. Her free spirited designs

in LA’s fabric houses. I like to say that I use ‘unconventional’

inspire the hell out of me. I love her fabrics and the fact that

swimwear fabrics that are completely suitable for lounging,

BIKINIS NOW AT SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

surfing, swimming, dancing… the list goes on.” But every designer has their list of personal favorites within their own line. “In this collection I love the ruffle Brazilian bottoms and wrap around halter. I think it’s a unique and wearable design that looks good on everyone. I’m also in love with my cutout onesie.” Also featured in this collection are bow tied bandeaus, hand dyed Brazilian bottoms, and a unique V-back halter that is perfect for games of touch football or ultimate Frisbee on the beach. You’d expect nothing less from the designer of an amazingly fashionable line than to be amazingly fashionable herself. In terms of styling and accessories, Ani definitely goes for an eclectic, hippie vibe. “People always know me to have an ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

OWNER / DESIGNER, ANI BIKINIS - ANI BRESLIN

“arm party.” I love wearing rad vintage bracelets and rings that make a statement. Sometimes they get a little noisy or inconvenient when working with fabric (snags), but I never leave the house without my arm party.” For the beach this summer, instead of accessorizing just with sunglasses, a tote, and flip flops, think about piling on bright woven bracelets, some vintage bangles, and stackable rings on different fingers to get that ANI Bikini feel. What are Ani’s beach essentials? “ANI bikinis, Maui Babe, surfboard, and some vino.” Ani Breslin wants you to feel comfortable living in your bikini, so when you do end up getting an ANI Bikini, you are likely to do just that all summer long. Let your hair flow naturally and blast “Love Street” on the way to the beach while wearing your favorite ANI Bikini.

fashion

Agate

for Unconditional

PHOTO BY: MAFER ARCE

Love

Sara Reichert was at the Sundance Hotel for a business

You would never guess it from the chic polish of her website

meeting when she stumbled upon a jewelry-making class

(complete with dozens of pictures of celebrities wearing

that was being offered as part of a sales convention.

1OAK pieces), but Sara continues to work out of her home

Curious, she tried it out… and to her amazement,

in New Jersey and makes her pieces by hand. As of right

discovered a gift. “I loved working with the materials,”

now, she manages to do it all, including raising a sweet little

she gushes. She went home from the business trip and

7 year old daughter, with no employees. “A close network

began taking apart her many pieces of vintage jewelry that

of family and friends have been a major support for me,”

she had collected over the years, and began reassembling

she says, explaining the confidence she is able to have in

them with her own artistic flair. She signed up for one local

her business. Working with people who know she runs a

jewelry-making class after another in her surrounding area

small business has been a “refreshing” experience for Sara.

of New Jersey and New York.

“People genuinely want to help each other.”

Today, four years later, her average piece of jewelry sells

It’s not easy to take the “high road” of being eco-conscious

for about $158, and can often be seen gracing the likes of

and fair to the planet when you’re working in a tiny

Maria Menounos and Jaime Pressley. These celebrities are

company without a huge profit margin. But Sara has made

just a few of the many who are fans of her jewelry.

the sacrifices that many bigger businesses say they can’t afford. She is proud of the fact that she uses recycled Kraft

Sara’s story is the “Cinderella” tale that embodies the

boxes for her packaging, and participates in the “1% For

American dream. After all, she was just a Jersey girl who

The Planet” Foundation, which donates 1% out of every

worked hard for years in a typical high-stress career. Her

sale to help environmental organizations around the globe.

educational training is in business and media, not jewelry, or even design. It is the classic American dream to change

You might imagine given the organic, small, eco-conscious

your career in order to wholeheartedly pursue something

sound of her company, that Sara’s actual products may

you are passionate about, and by doing so, to find greater

be on the simple, au natural, “homemade” side. This

success than you could ever have imagined. After a time

impression couldn’t be farther from the truth. 1OAK

of experimenting with her own designs, Sara found herself

jewelry is not cheap, and it doesn’t look like it either. The

in this position that one could only dream of being in

dangly earrings, long pendant necklaces, large glittering

someday. And unlike so many, she actually made the leap.

stones with delicate gold chains, and bold interlocking

And fighting the odds that most entrepreneurs face, the

polished chain bracelets, are all unique, attention-stealing,

leap has been incredibly successful.

and dripping with glamour.

WRITER: KALLAH OAKES

DESIGNER: BRANDIE MATA

1OA K BYS A R A . C O M / /

SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

Even to the untrained eye, the 1OAK

It is not an exaggeration to assert that

jewelry to create a truly

stones look like they are of the purest,

when you purchase a 1OAK piece of

unique look. She keeps

highest quality. That’s because they are.

jewelry, you are purchasing an heirloom.

her designs simple,

“I work directly with the person that

The piece arrives in the mail, packaged

accordingly. They are easily layer-able

runs the mine in South America where

with a card describing all of the features,

pieces, even to the novice accesorizer.

the stones are from. The mine cuts and

including the symbolic meaning of that

Sara says she is currently exploring the

polishes the stone,” Sara says, explaining

particular gemstone – agate, pyrite, rose

next evolution of the pendant necklace,

how she is able to source all the stones

{

and is excited to find the many different

works the mine, discussing the size, color, and shape of each stone, and how it might best be used in different pieces of jewelry.

1OAK stands for

1 Of A Kind

}

It is Sara’s passion for the stones

ways in which a “one of a kind” stone can be represented. Going forward, as the line expands in popularity, there is also an evolution of the look that can be expected. Sara is one of those designers who is not only

themselves that make her jewelry

quartz, etc. Both the gems and their

keenly aware of the major trends for

so elemental and organic. From her

symbolisms are of a rare variety. All of

jewelry, she is also interested in noting

excitement about each stone’s meaning, to

her pieces are conversation starters.

the more regional and local tastes.

her careful choice of which stones to use

She has been expanding her market

for which pieces, a single 1OAK earring

1OAK stands for 1 Of A Kind, and

by attending numerous trade shows

seems more like it was “born” than

as the demand for her jewelry grows

this year, and she loved noticing that

simply “made”. Sara’s process of art and

larger, Sara is committed to keeping her

Southern ladies in Georgia preferred

design is imbued with a passionate desire

pieces just as “one of a kind” as the

her more delicate pieces, like the “Mini

for “meaning” in the beauty she creates.

first necklace she made. “[The name]

Druzy”, whereas women from Tennessee

Thus, the agate stone that she favors is

is representative of the product, mainly

and Florida showed more interest in

often set in necklaces accompanied by

the stones I use,” says Sara. “But it is

her “Mixed Metal” collection. This

a small heart of gold, because an agate

also about the people that wear the

appreciation for individuality and

symbolizes “unconditional love”. Each

jewelry… The look for each person is so

attentiveness toward her customers is

piece of jewelry is created carefully with

unique.” She encourages people to layer

sure to set Sara apart as a designer worth

the inherent beauty and meaning of the

1OAK jewelry with their own personal

following… a designer who is, truly, one

gem at the heart of the design.

collections of vintage and engraved

of a kind.

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

herself. Sara skypes with the man who

fashion GB

the Travels

Erica Mansfield photos provided by Cameron Hawaii by

“Over a drink and a dare,”

true to island style. The cloth-

for the night, she brings her

that’s how Mike Clegern

ing line is a celebration of the

Hawaiian soul wherever

describes the beginning of the

life and travels of “Cameron,”

she goes.

brand Cameron Hawaii. Over

the company muse. She is a

the last three years, Robert

girl hailing from the islands

It’s no surprise that fashion

Ikeda (aka Bobby-Doo) and

of Hawaii who moves up to

runs deep through the blood

Clegern have combined their

the sunny coast of California

of both designers. With their

unique styles and design exper-

where she takes in every ounce

strong fashion backgrounds, it

tise, along with their experi-

of the culture. “Cameron,”

was inevitable that they would

ence, passion and personal ties

who has a lust for travel, and

both end up being extremely

to Hawaii, to create a one of a

a carefree attitude, is a born

successful. Ikeda’s family

kind brand. Their main focus

trendsetter. She incorporates

operated one of Hawaii’s first

has been on combining vintage

her beach lifestyle into ev-

successful high-end knit and

elements with specially devel-

ery aspect of her wardrobe.

garment dye factories, and he is

oped fabric, “girly” graphics

Whether it be soaking up the

also well known for his designs

and great fits, all while staying

sun, or heading out to a party

in cutting-edge knits and pre-

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

She Makes Waves Wherever She Goes

fashion

brand development for some of the

The collection includes oversized, flowing tops, high to low skirts and fringe accents to compliment any adventure on or off the island.

industry giants around the globe.

the time we really try to translate

just need something to throw over

The muse of “Cameron” actually

the street styles and trends from

your bikini, they have you covered.

comes from the last princess of

other countries into our designs.

Past seasons have also reflected ties

Hawaii, Princess Ka’iulani, whose

We also try to pull elements from

to Cameron’s visits to far off places

father is in Clegern’s family tree.

the runway and incorporate them

- locations such as Costa Rica, Baja

mium denim. He is seen throughout the industry as an expert on the development and manufacturing of high-end and boutique goods. Clegern, is related to Hawaiian royalty, and has a gift for t-shirt and graphic design. He has also implemented marketing strategies and

into our beach lifestyle.” Previous

California, the French Riviera, and

Finding inspiration comes easy for

seasons contained an assortment

of course America.

the two designers. Hawaii is the

of graphic tees and tanks, but the

main source of their creativity, but

designers have expanded - produc-

In their High Summer 2012 col-

they also find inspiration wherever

ing rompers, dresses, skirts and

lection, Cameron returns from

they go. “We are constantly taking

beach totes. Everything is designed

visiting the beautiful country of

photos and collecting little trinkets

as an easy layering piece. Whether

Brazil, taking the Latin influences

from all over the world. Most of

you’re going out for the night, or

and color palettes back to Hawaii

CameronHawaii.com

soul

Hawaiian

wherever she goes.

with her. Stemming back to Ikeda’s

skirt with a crop top and a pair of

has been spreading far and wide in

family history of garment dying,

wedged sandals. If you’re heading

terms of popularity overseas. The

the use of the ombre technique,

to the beach for the day, throw the

brand’s success both nationally and

which refers to color fading from

flash dance top over your favorite

internationally can be contributed

dark to light, can be seen as a key

bikini and finish off this beachy

to their unique designs, high qual-

attribute used throughout many of

look with one of Cameron’s staple

ity products at a reasonably price

their pieces. The collection includes

graphic totes. The bright colors

(tops range $38 to $65 retail) and

oversized, flowing tops, high to low

and hot graphics will always leave

super soft fabrics made of cotton

skirts and fringe accents to com-

you with a small piece of the west

and modal, which are made solely

pliment any adventure on or off

coast lifestyle no matter where

in the United States. The company

the island. Some of the key pieces

you’re from. Interested in where

is especially well received in Japan,

include the fishtail skirt, ruffle top

Cameron will be traveling next?

where they have been featured

dress and cropped fringe tank, all

For the upcoming resort collec-

in numerous publications such

which come in an array of ombred

tion, Cameron will be exploring

as Vivi, one of Asia’s top fashion

colors such as berry, honey or ash.

and taking in inspiration from the

magazines and Nylon Japan. They

Each piece is versatile enough that

exotic location of Tahiti.

have also graced the pages of Max-

you can mix and match pieces from

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

She brings her

im Magazine and Women’s Wear

the collection for an easy yet stylish

Not only does Cameron travel all

Daily. For new looks visit Graffiti

beach look. For a more fashion-

around the globe, her laidback

Beach or shop online at

forward look, pair the fishtail

beach style and sense of wanderlust

ShopGraffitiBeach.com

fashion SKIRT BY CAMERON HAWAII BRACELET BY LESA WALLACE $32

fashion

PHOTOGRAPHY: HEATHER GILDROY PHOTO ASSISTANT: MAFER ARCE DESIGNER: BRANDIE MATA STYLIST: BLAIRE BABYAK HAIR & MAKEUP: GIOVANNA AVILA

e i p p i H y a D n Moder

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

MODELS: MABELYNN AND PILAR

fashion

DRESS BY CAMERON HAWAII BAG (DOUBLES AS BIKE BAG) BY BEATRICE HOLIDAY $84

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

fashion

UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER: TANK BY BROKEDOWN $84, EARRINGS BY BEATRICE HOLIDAY $42 LOWER CORNER TANK BY BROKEDOWN $74, DENIM BOTTOMS BY ANI BIKINIS $88, HAT BY YELLOW 108 $35

EARRINGS BY

fashion

BEATRICE HOLIDAY $28, TOP BY BROKEDOWN $86, DENIM BOTTOMS BY ANI BIKINIS $88, BAG (DOUBLES AS BIKE BAG)

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

BY BEATRICE HOLIDAY $84

art art

Photography: Maria Arce Designer: Jesi Jean Yeager

solitary bird is rarely seen sitting on a telephone wire. Often they are there in groups, lending and

giving warmth, and reveling in the companionship of the whole. Amy Paul finds herself in the center of a thriving art community within San Diego. It is there that she supports her fellow artists and they support her. She is dedicated to the inspiration of the future thru her teaching, her store Pigment, and her art. She is the first to admit that though she does not have it all figured out, she is learning, and she is ready to offer her support to the next generation of artists whenever they may need it. “I preface everything with humility. I am spending one day at a time trying.” Amy remembers two instances that launched her into the world of art. Both moments reveal the importance of childhood activities to set the stage for who we are meant to be. In 2nd grade she won an art competition for her illustration of A Midsummer’s Night Dream. And this feeling of success was compounded again in 6th grade. “6th grade was a more profound moment. They asked us to draw a president or writer… at the time I wasn’t aware of it but my rendering looked like the image and no one else’s did. That was one of the really early times that I realized that I just had a skill, and an early inclination that other kids my age didn’t seem to have.” It was in these instances that she began to formulate a plan for who she would be. “From those moments on being an artist became a huge part of my identity.”

art

Her first self-proclaimed milestone was her own art studio. All of a sudden rent needed to be paid, and the fact that she was spending money on a space of her own needed to be justified. She realized then and there that she In College we all decide who we will needed to create, and create quickly. “If I become, with little or no knowledge don’t come to the studio and work then I am of what that truly entails.

We look to

throwing money away every month. It made

mentors, role models, and parental figures it real for me, and it was the first time that to fill in the gaps and help us to understand

I made work more prolifically.” In college

what we will be taking on when choosing she worked painstakingly slow in order to a career.

Amy reveals that she had no make every piece a masterpiece. Now she

world of becoming an artist who lives off

masterpiece”, but she instead was creating

of their work. “When I reflect on my initial work in her distinctive style… to survive.

I preface everything with humility. I am spending one day at a time trying. decision, ‘being an artist’ just meant that I liked to draw. I didn’t necessarily know what that looked like as a profession. Only in my post collegiate years since I have met other artists, who are professional artists, was I able to visualize what that means and how that happens.” She now teaches art classes at multiple colleges in the San Diego area. Her awareness of the importance of a role model undoubtedly serves her students well as she educates the next generation of artists.

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ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

real role models helping her traverse the was not trying to create the elusive “personal

art art

“Most galleries would not even talk to me until I had at least thirty pieces of completed work. Jim, a great teacher I had, said: ‘Keep making the work. In time people will care.’ I never worry about making the work anymore. I used to be stuck in my head, and now I just DO. I know that I am successful when my hands are working faster than my mind. I don’t think about it. It is better to have creative vigor…The success I know today stemmed from the work done at that studio.” From that small studio on Ray Street, she then moved to where her store Pigment currently sits (she worked in the back), and then moved to another studio with the realizations that though it had been her dream, it was much harder to work with constant interruption.

art

When describing her work stylistically she chooses a lot of “positive and negative space, with a very graphic quality, patterning and color are driving forces. Stylistically I am a drawer or renderer. I’m interested in contour lines, power lines, silhouettes, architecture against the sky and shapes that divide the space.” Her subjects are varied. From portraits, to cityscapes to silhouettes of nature, they span the gamut of creative artistic expression.

She typically forgoes working on

canvas to work on wood. The wood is itself a piece of art and lends its natural beauty to her work. She ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

then works on the wood with acrylic with a resin over it. “It is a bit like watercolor in that I build from thin transparent layers to thicker opaque layers. Like watercolor, the image is built slowly, thin transparent layer upon thin transparent layer.” Inspiration is found everywhere in San Diego. She draws from her beloved the painting means to them. Amy shares a story city, where she was born and raised, as seen by the water tower in North Park, of a painting entitled “Together” that was painted power lines, and commercial jet flight paths. “My area informs my work.” after she had her first baby. A woman came along Organic matter also finds its way into her art, thru flowers, eucalyptus (which and shared her own interpretation of what it meant is found everywhere in the San Diego area) and other aspects of nature. And to her, in her life at that moment, and it was clear that she paints portraits – of friends or acquaintances. Sometimes the subjects in the painting should belong to her. “Some pieces are her portraits are found in old photographs found in boxes of photos that were magnetically attracted to people.” Amy believes bought at a swap meet. She captures unknown random faces that were lost the artwork picks the person, in the same way that until she presents their likeness in a painting. She loves to capture the behavior the person picks the art. If a client feels unsure of life. “Inspiration is rooted in habitual behavior that marks each day. I about a purchase, rather than push the sale, she capture fleeting moments and the most mundane activities.”

encourages them to wait in order to feel confidence

Pieces of her art act as a journal detailing time spent in her first studio, having in the piece that they choose.

She knows that

a baby, and the death of her grandmother. At times these pieces are hard to they will intuitively know when the piece is right. part with. And yet it is at these times that the buyer will often reveal what She describes her own “burning building piece”,

315

art art

the one piece that she would grab if fleeing a burning building. It is titled “Bather III,” oil on canvas, it is a depiction of a beautiful woman

carrying

buckets,

facing away from the viewer. A

If you are not lucky enough to own an original piece by Amy Paul, there are other options

common repeated element in her

available. Her work is “editioned,” meaning that a wider group of collectors, with a

work is the use of birds. When

wider group of budgets, can begin to enjoy her pieces. Amy creates a certain number of

her grandmother passed away she

signed prints for buyers to enjoy. “My editions range from really small quantities, like

began to draw birds to represent

five or six in the series, or run as big as one hundred.”

her passing. Her Guardian Series

Like the birds on the wires that are captured in many of her paintings, each bird

was created during that time.

perilously balances to stay among the flock. They gather together for warmth and

Her pieces reflect key moments in

companionship. In the same way Amy finds herself in a similar situation in the artistic

her life that capture her personal

community in which she lives. So much of life is about balance, and Amy seeks it out as

and professional journey. “I am

she wears the multiple hats of motherhood, store owner (with her husband Chad), wife,

not religious but the closest thing

artist, and teacher. “Our lives are full. Full of love and joy, and a little bit of crazy.”

I have is my art.”

But the birds, just like in her paintings, always remain perfectly balanced on the wire,

Her store, Pigment, was originally intended as a gallery to showcase Amy’s work. Over time, in a very organic way, it has also become a shop where you can buy other types of design-oriented art made by other local artists. In this way she is also working to support the other artists in the area. Each item is carefully chosen by Amy, and tends to flow seamlessly into her artistic style. It has become a space that sells art, flora, fauna, and carefully chosen gifts, as well as beautiful artwork by Amy Paul.

amongst a support system of the flock.

do it yourself 1

diy

b y Ke l l i Mu r ra y

B L O G : K E L L I M U R R A Y. C O M

FLOWER CROWN STEP 1: Get your supplies! I bought all of my supplies at

Michael’s, but any craft store should suffice. What you will need is a handful of selected silk flowers, wire cutters/pliers, heavy rustic floral wire for the base, thin floral wire (green) to attach the flowers, and floral tape or ribbon (both optional). STEP 2: Take your rustic floral wire and shape it into a circle

that fits comfortably on your head. I would suggest making it a little loose because the flowers end up making it fit a bit snugger. STEP 3: Begin arranging your flowers on the base and decide the general placement of the flowers. Once decided, start from the back and begin working forward. Take your thin green floral wire and secure each flower into place by wrapping tightly around the base several times (or until you feel like it is secure). STEP 4: For the larger flowers, there was not enough of a ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

stem for me to securely attach it to the crown, so I improvised and first went underneath the bottom of the rose and tightly wrapped the wire underneath the green base of the flower between the petals and the stem. Make sure to cut the wire long enough to be able to first wrap around the bottom of the flower as well as still wrap around the crown afterward. STEP 5: Continue the process, moving around to the front of the crown and to the opposite side. There is really no “right” way to arrange your flowers. Just play with it until it feels right. Cut out “like they lie the way you like” STEP 6: You can choose to wrap your flowers around the entire circle of the crown, or, like I did, only go 3/4 around the base. If you decide to only go 3/4, you can finish it off by wrapping the back with floral wire or ribbon. I decided to leave mine as it was because I liked the natural look of it. Voila! You have yourself a flower crown!

profile

WRITER: ALANA TREVINO ITAYA PHOTOGRAPHY: MAFER ARCE DESIGNER: BRANDIE MATA

Graffi t i Beach: Inspiration Found It’s Home Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. -Harriet Tubman

Dreams stay dreams without action. Action combined with passion lift dreams towards endless possibilities. The powerful quality about passion is… true passion always begets passion. Melanie Michaud, owner and founder of Graffiti Beach, is passionate about showcasing emerging artists and giving them a platform to share their work with the world. And because of the belief and support that she provides, a multitude of up and coming artists and designers are given the opportunity to propel themselves into the world of business. American Idol launches the careers of a handful of singers into the world of music. Melanie offers the opportunity to showcase artists, musicians, and designers, that are passionate about being seen, sharing their work, and moving forward, as they create cutting edge ‘Beach Meets Street’ style designs and artwork. These artists utilize Graffiti Beach as their vehicle to showcase their work and to develop their passion even further.

Melanie’s sister at Graffiti Beach’s 1st Pop-op, Dec 2009

profile

Venice Holiday Boutique, 2011 - 2012

Melanie has spent the last three years

The building that is now called home is a

organizing ‘pop-up shops’ in order to test the

historic, recently renovated building that

market with the Graffiti Beach concept of

has classic design work married with a raw

exposing emerging talent to the public and to

modern finish. “The reason that South Park

build a database of followers. She has now

is great for Graffiti Beach’s brick and mortar

found a permanent place in San Diego to

is because it is a trendsetting space with a

set up shop, and feel the stability of staying

community vibe.” There are many parts of

in one space. She revels in the excitement

San Diego that embrace the artist, but this

of the new store and all the possibility that

renovated space houses the architecture of the

owning her own shop holds. “It feels great!

old, with the artistry of the new, in a perfect

From the beginning I have dreamt of the

union. The music that fills the Graffiti Beach

moment that Graffiti Beach would turn into

boutique is indie in vibe and as you look

a permanent store. While the pop-ups were

around you can shop from unique designers

fun and exciting, they are a lot of work and

and artists that Melanie discovered scouting

it is unstable. I love coming to the store each

blogs, tradeshows, events, and networking.

day and feeling like Graffiti Beach has found

She admits that her “best finds” come

a home.”

through referrals or seeing the art in person

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

Pop-up at Hotel Maya, Long Beach May 2010

at an event. “We also have a Trend Team, a Graffiti Beach has settled in South Park in

group of carefully chosen College students

San Diego. It is an area with a younger,

that search for hip, emerging brands and

more affluent population, that follow

trends.” She has the heartbeat of the up and

trends, and are interested in new art, music

coming artists through strategically placed

and fashion. It has the feeling and vibe

and well chosen teams of college students that

of Venice, California (Graffiti Beach’s first

scout out their local communities to find the

temporary store location) but with a smaller

newest of new.

community feel, so that the store can be noticed and “shine”. “People joke and say

The store perfectly encompasses the feel and

that South Park is the place that the hipsters

vibe of Graffiti Beach. “Our signature look

go when they grow up and have children.”

is the east coast meets Cali.” The store is full

profile of handmade displays. Bricks and wood

the hard work and love of the artist that

pallets find new life under a fresh coat of

created it, and Melanie has a connection

white paint. Plumbing pipes are useful

to them all. The items sell themselves

and decorative as trendy new clothing

through the stories that are embedded in

hang from their curves. Decoupage

every stitch, every swath of paint, and

shelving proudly displays eclectic and

every carefully considered detail. Melanie

one-of-a-kind items to sell. “Everything

simply tells the story of the artist and their

was handmade by a team of hardworking

work ‘shines’ under her words.

individuals, that include myself and my devoted boyfriend who worked everyday

When seeking out the brands that are

helping me pull the store together.”

featured by Graffiti Beach, Melanie looks

Melanie’s love of reclaimed products

for artists that believe in what they are

brings an eye catching quality to the space.

doing, and are enthusiastic about their

Each piece has a story as the recovered

products. She looks for unique designs

item gets a second chance to become

that meet the “Beach Meets Street” vibe

something new. “I found these beautiful

of her business. “I love featuring brands

patina wood posts that were salvaged by

that use reclaimed materials and who

a local San Diegan, from a barge docked

have a mission to not just sell products

in La Jolla, California. This dock was

but to change the world in some way.”

flipped over by the tsunami in Japan last

She cites a few eco-conscious favorites:

year.” She is devoted to reading blogs

Chime Designs that creates cutting edge

daily that reveal DIY ideas and to find

jewelry from used drum cymbals that are

creative new uses for older items, and it is

damaged through the wear and tear of

reflected in every inch of her store.

being played, and are then donated to the Leslie Barrett (designer/owner) for her to

In the same way that each display rack or

turn into beautiful accessories. Another

shelf has its own story, so do the unique

brand that she loves is Beatrice Holiday.

products that are displayed on them. She

This designer (Alison Franson) creates

does not need to sell customers on the

vintage bike bags that double as purses,

items that she has stocked. Instead the

and jewelry made from the inner tubes

items sell themselves. Each item reflects

of bicycle tires. Each item is unique,

Graffiti Beach’s home in South Park

eco-friendly, and perfectly reflects

location.” She also finds herself

Melanie’s vision for her company.

wrapped up in launching this very Ezine, and continuing to develop

As she settles in to her new space she

Graffiti’s Beach’s blog. Melanie is

reflects on her mission statement.

constantly seeking out inventive ways

“The mission for Graffiti Beach still

to further her mission statement. She

remains the same… it is in just a

is also not content to let the space

different form. I always felt like it

be ‘just a store’. She plans to host

was important to reach all markets

weekly events that will “include trunk

and promote creatives worldwide…

shows, art exhibits, live art, runway

However now that we have a solid

shows, poetry readings, music and

following we have entered into Phase

more.” She encourages any new

II of the business which is to launch

artists to contact her at Melanie@

an e-commerce website so people can

ShopGraffitiBeach.com, and to send in

shop online, and have a permanent

links to their websites and blogs.

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profile

Her passion to support working artists started at a very early age. It was woven in the fabric of who she is. Loving and appreciating true art and wanting to share it with others was stamped into her very DNA. “My father is a flamenco guitarist and I felt like he is such a great musician, but I saw firsthand his struggle getting into the mainstream market.” Watching amazing artists go unnoticed was something she felt was a major detriment to not only the artists but also to the world. “Creativity inspires everyone, no matter if you are an art enthusiast, a fashionista or a music lover…these creations are what keep the world entertained and happy.” The stage was set for her to take on the role of supporting artists and designers who have realized their dreams yet need the support to have them realized. “I just always thought about all of these creative people that are so amazing at what they do but they have no ‘business sense’ and definitely don’t know where to begin when marketing themselves.” Melanie brings up the example of Vincent Van Gogh who was unknown until he died. “How many other amazing artists does the world never get to see? That in essence is my inspiration. Not only to give the artists the chance to reach the public, but for the world to be able to access these undiscovered treasures.” Melanie brings a strong business sense, passionate drive, and a belief in the talent that she discovers and reveals in her thriving business. “Growing up in my father’s music school and my Grandfather’s coin shop, I really developed core business skills early on. I found my gift was marketing, so why not use what I was good at to help these amazing artists get noticed? That’s how Graffiti Beach came about. In fact, the small star-like shape represents the first idea, the little sparkle that happened when Graffiti Beach was created.” Her father told her a story of when he was feeling completely discouraged. At his lowest point he then had a revelation, “He felt a source of energy” that gave him the motivation and courage to “take on the world”. He represented this feeling of success through the image of a smiley-faced sun that he uses to this day, next to his signature. “That always stuck with me and that little star shape

profile

is my representation of the great feeling I had when the idea of Graffiti Beach sparked inside my head.” Before this spark occurred the groundwork had been laid. She combined this inspiration from her father, her love of fashion, and her natural gift of marketing to make the leap to young entrepreneur. Each step led her to this space that her store currently inhabits. And it fully expresses the mission statement of her life and her work. The name Graffiti Beach defines what being an artist is. Graffiti captures the rebellious, free spirited nature of being in a creative field: testing limits, expanding beyond any box or limitation - to define something new, unique and extraordinary. The ‘Beach’ represents the ocean that lines our beautiful coasts. It is the calm, the power, and the empowerment felt when you stare out at the beauty and power that is the Pacific Ocean. “While both terms seem to contradict one another, they are opposing sides of the same coin. It is like the yin and yang, or the balance that an artist must achieve in order to create a masterpiece. The words ‘Graffiti Beach’ together represent the feelings that I believe inspires every artist.” “Graffiti Beach is about being passionate. It is about ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

supporting talented creatives to never give up on their dreams. It is about feeling inspired, that spark of energy you feel when you come up with an amazing idea. It is about knocking down the walls in your office and reaching for the stars.” She believes that creativity should not just be ‘allowed’, it should be encouraged and celebrated. “The long term goal is to have stores in every trendsetting city around the world! I want Graffiti Beach to be almost like a futuristic museum where people scout where the creative industries are headed, and who are the ‘must see’ emerging artists”. All you have to do is look into the bright, sparkly eyes of Melanie Michaud to realize that every dream will come true. Her store is one giant step to fulfill that dream. She has the heart, the will, and the passion to see her handpicked “creatives” through to success. And she will be there with them, supporting them every step of the way.

fashion

Bettinis Bikini top $68, Bottom $68 onLine / in-stoRe Jammypack $48 onLine / in-stoRe yeLLow 108 BamBoo sungLasses $130 in-stoRe

urban urban urban street street street PhotograPhy: HeatHer Gildroy designer: brandie mata styList: blaire babyak

hair & MakeuP: Giovanna avila ModeL: mabelynn

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

fashion

Ani Bikinis One-Piece $188 OnLine / in-sTORe chime BRAceLeT $58 in-sTORe chime neckLAce $52 OnLine / in-sTORe 1OAkBysARA eARRings $88 OnLine / in-sTORe

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

fashion

Alex Chimilio hAndpAinted SkAteboArd $300 in-Store dellA heAdbAnd Sold oUt CAmeron hAwAii Crop top $38 in-Store bettiniS bikini bottom $68 online / in-Store beAtriCe holidAy CUff $28 online / in-Store

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

fashion

music

EMILY KILIMNIK IS CHANGING THE COMMON PERCEPTION OF THE VIOLIN ONE PERFORMANCE AT A TIME.

Writer: Vanessa D’Amico Photography: Vincent Martinez Designer: Alexis Contreras

music

(try “emily kilimnik!” on Youtube) make sure to focus on her fingers. They move lightning fast, creating a steady beat, while she draws the bow to create flowing melodies. That kind of technical ability is exceptionally rare and something she has been working on for an incredibly long time. “I knew after a few years of playing violin that I wanted to do something out of the ordinary on violin, like play in a rock band, quote Jimi Page on my violin, solo over quartets with live drums and bass, serenade live art, and push every known limit with the violin. I’ve been in bands on and off since I was fifteen years old. I’ve played in everything from Irish bands, rock bands, jazz bands, string quartets, hip hop bands, blues bands....” The list goes on. Even though she is an amazing solo artist, she is able to work with groups as well as enhancing each performance with her unique sound. She has put an edge on up the electric violin. These instruments use an amplifier to project sound that resonates and creates a sort of “rumble.” Kilimnik says, “I would say one of the most exciting moments so far was recently If you have never heard an electric violin

Emily is classically trained and learned the

acquiring an endorsement for my first

played live before you must look up Emily

basics before jumping into experimental

electric five string violin by Electric Violin

Kilimnik right now! She creates beautiful,

methods, such as the electric violin

Lutherie, based in New York.”

unique instrumental melodies with an

she is known for. She started with the

electric vibe that will appeal to any mood

Suzuki Method (a Japanese method of

Emily has had unbelievable commitment

you are in.

instruction), the first song she learned

from the very beginning of her career

being, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”

with the drive necessary to produce such

Age five was her first introduction to the

From that moment on, her playing has

amazing sounds. “I grew up in a large

violin. “My dad dusted off his violins he

been a non-stop tour de force.

family with five brothers. So if we wanted

played when he was in grade school and

my parents to pay for lessons, we had to

pulled them out from underneath his bed.

After Emily learned the fundamentals,

be serious. My mom finally got me lessons

I picked up the violin and knew

she was a master of her instrument.

when I was twelve. It was a dream come

immediately that I wanted to play it.”

If you watch any of Emily’s solo videos,

true. My parents never had to ask me to

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

the classic sound of the violin by picking

music

practice” Her love of playing is evident

Nash and Young, Beach Boys, Neil Young,

in the emotion and feeling she puts into

and The Traveling Wilburys were just some and it will continue to bring her success.

her music. She gets inspiration from just

of the musical ‘greats’ that we enjoyed

“I am currently writing and preparing

about everything. “I truly find inspiration

listening to. So I’d have to say that some

for some of my first solo performances

everywhere I go. I think the people that

of my favorite music is from this era.

this summer in Long Beach, which will

have inspired me the most, as well as had

My first love of Rock music came from

have a lot of fun surprises.” If you are

the largest impact, would be my parents

The Beatles. I had their posters plastered

locally based in Southern California,

for sure. Everyone in my family is artistic

all over my wall as a kid.” Since her

be sure to attend one of her shows. She

and supportive of each other. My parents

childhood, she has expanded her taste

will be working with Ariano Price to

have inspired me to be an independent,

and experimented with all sorts of sounds.

release a music video for their new single

strong, creative woman and also shown me

“I listen to everything! Some of my favorite ‘A New Day.’ She also tours with The

that anything is possible with hard work

artists range from Phillip Glass to Stephane Robby Armstrong Band and a number

and dedication.”

Grappelli, to Bob Marley, A Tribe Called

of other artists in the Los Angeles area

Quest, The Roots, The Black Keys, Tracy

this year. Her website is currently under

Her family’s interests have also transferred

Chapman, Alice in Chains, Roberta Flack,

construction, but you can check for

over to her taste in music. “I grew up

but The Beatles will always be at the top

upcoming shows and new recordings on

listening to my dad’s LPs. The Beatles,

for me.” She doesn’t have a favorite

her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.

Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones,

song to play; instead she loves all styles

com/emily.kilimnik

Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Crosby, Stills,

and sounds and really enjoys playing just about anything.

2012 has been an amazing year for Emily,

music

Emily truly loves music. Not only does she play the violin, but also the guitar, mandolin, and piano. She also writes her own music. Watching the videos of her live performances it is amazing to see the appreciation from the audience. “Every venue is different and exciting and a challenge to find your perfect sound,” she says. She feeds off of this, smiling, laughing, and having tons of fun as she continues to play. Emily says, “I absolutely love what I do. I love being a musician and playing violin because it is so versatile. I can play any style. Best of all, when I am on stage and soloing, I can show my soul to the world. When I solo I get lost in what I do - nothing else matters in that moment except for my fingers and my violin. I believe deeply that music is the art of my soul. My passion for this instrument, and the musical world, drives me everyday.

“THROUGHOUT MY COLLEGE CAREER AND BEGINNING MY CREATIVE CAREER, I HAVE HAD MANY PEOPLE TELL ME WHAT I WAS DOING WITH THE VIOLIN WAS NOT OK. ‘THE VIOLIN IS NOT SUPPOSED TO PLAY THIS KIND OF MUSIC.’ I SHOULD BE BACK IN THE ORCHESTRA, ETC… WHILE I DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE EXPONENTIAL POWER OF A BEAUTIFUL ORCHESTRA OR CLASSICAL ENSEMBLE, THIS IS NOT WHERE MY OWN PASSION LIES WITH THE VIOLIN. I LOVE AND RESPECT THE STYLE VERY MUCH. I HAVE MANY PEERS THAT RIP ON CLASSICAL MUSIC AND MAKE A WONDERFUL LIFE AND CAREER OUT OF IT - MORE POWER TO THEM. THIS IS NOT FOR ME.”

www.facebook.com/emily.kilimnik violin by electricviolinlutherie.com

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

I can’t get enough of it!”

feature

WRITER: ALANA TREVINO ITAYA

PHOTOGRAPHY: SOAPYLOVE

DESIGNER: BRANDIE MATA

The Birth of a Business:

Soapylove Southern California Soapy Pops Go Global A business is like a baby. It needs to be birthed, nurtured, and filled

Debbie Chialtas explains the path her business has taken to become

with inspiration as it grows. In its infancy it requires everything, but

the self-sustaining expression of her love and art that it has become.

as it matures it begins to take on a life of its own. There are moments

Her intense focus on this very specific product allows her to share

of intense joy, and times when you feel like your creative identity is

her streamlined business story that relates to any and every business

completely sapped. But the true, dedicated entrepreneur guides their

venture.

baby onward, loving it despite the peaks and valleys, always with the intent that it will see a bright and successful adulthood.

Debbie was pregnant with her first baby and feeling the grind of

Soapylove, known for its popsicle shaped soap line, began as a

working in the fashion industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fashion design and product

creative hobby and has expanded to become a global business.

development were my first careers. I graduated and immediately began

feature

working in the fashion industry. I went into the corporate area of manufacturing. For ten years I worked for the Gap corporation and other large companies - really big industry jobs and not very creative. There was not much freedom. It was very technical - like traveling around to factories and negotiating all the details of production. It was really sapping my creativity…and I just sort of lost it. I lost my love for fashion design over the years. So when I wanted to just make a lotion for my pregnant belly I wound up looking at some soap making books. It just hit me like a ton of bricks, and I was instantly obsessed with making soap. All of my creativity that had been squashed for years and years had suddenly found a new medium that was so fresh and so exciting. Really no one was using glycerin soap as a creative outlet at that point.” What started off as a personal interest, turned into a hobby, which very quickly turned into a full time career. Her dessert inspired soaps came from her experiences baking in college. She had a popsicle mold from Williams and Sonoma and she found it incredibly fun to create layered pops, which ultimately inspired her colorful, whimsical, edible looking Soapylove pops. looking through her website you are greeted with bright, appealing colors that are intriguing and eye catching to SOAPYLOVE.COM

tweens and teens and reminiscent of past summers and “childhood nostalgia” for others. The business aspect began when she decided that she would try and sell some of the soaps she was making in order to get some money to fund her growing hobby. “It started with me in my kitchen at night experimenting, having my sister take pictures, with the intent of seeing what would sell well. ” She decided that she would try and sell some of her soaps online on a little known site called…Etsy. She posted her products on Etsy just six months after they launched, when they were still in the beta processing phase. “I discovered Etsy and that was mind blowing. It was in 2006 so it was still really new, but it opened doors to all of these people – bottled up creative types that had found something that they were inspired by. So coming across the Etsy community and getting involved was like a breath of

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

“An experiment turned fun,” describes Debbie. When

feature fresh air. It was so inspiring, I was just floored. It was an extremely, extremely exciting time for me to step out of the work in the corporate atmosphere into just doing whatever I wanted, with no one telling me what I could or couldn’t do and having this Etsy community of people all over the world to share with, and celebrate little sales and do the happy dance. It was just the most exciting thing. I love it. I love thinking about it. It just makes me happy.” Her pieces were repeatedly hand picked to be featured on the Etsy homepage. This began to increase sales. “What I really think helped my shop do well is that I got photography help from my sister who does portrait photography but I gave her my soaps and she did these gorgeous, gorgeous really well done photos and my soaps are so colorful and so unique.” The Etsy administration wanted to feature products that were eye catching and new. Then a true, beautiful coincidence occurred... They chose her product once again to be featured on the homepage, but this time it was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. As everyone was out of the office for the Thanksgiving holiday her soaps were featured on the front page during the largest sales weekend of the year. Black Friday and Cyber Monday were filled with sales for her Soapy Pops. She made soaps all weekend to keep up with orders. “ I got so much exposure from that weekend, and that was a huge jump start for my business. It was super exciting.” But just as every small business longs and hopes for the jump into the next level, there is a bit of terror mixed in with the wonderful. Hard decisions are encountered, and the reality of how to “make it all work” must be dealt with. “Pretty much right after that Thanksgiving weekend…I was beginning to get some pretty serious orders. I was still working full time, and I had a sixmonth old baby, and it was a lot of work. So I had to decide whether I was going to get help, or close. I decided to get help. So I have had a contractor for the last five years to make soap from her home, while I managed all the business and did all the marketing and the design, take orders, and schedule production. So I was still working in fashion full time and managing Soapylove for three years. Until I got pregnant again,

feature and I decided that I would not return to

soon to Hawaii.” Business is booming

and the best fit for the ultimate goals of

my corporate job. I would instead stay

and Debbie and her team are scrambling

their burgeoning company. For example,

home and manage Soapylove full time.”

to keep up with demand. This is the issue

although Etsy was a perfect launching

From the moment her choices led her

that every small business owner hopes to

pad for her, she says that often it can be

to create this full-fledged business, she

encounter as their business continues to

challenging for other businesses because

became very clear on her goals for her

grow. Debbie and her team happily make

there is little name recognition involved. A

company. “I wanted to be an expert in

soaps from the warehouse that features

customer will often only remember that they

my field. I wanted to build Soapylove as a

huge five foot tall neon Soapy Pops on the

bought it on Etsy, but not remember who

brand name. I wanted to cater to the soap

walls and a black and white checkerboard

the designer was, making it harder to further

crafting community and create tutorials and

floor. Her favorite Smith’s poster is on

their brand. She also encourages fellow

teach classes.” Clear direction is truly a key

the wall behind her desk. The mood is

artists to “keep experimenting”. Decide

to launching and maintaining a successful

joyful as they laugh and share stories while

your look, what is special about your line,

business. Once goals are created there is a

making soapy happiness. “I just feel like a

and continue to change. “Build on your

clear path to follow.

kid in a candy shop,” gushes Debbie. “And

niche. Being hyper specialized is okay. You

“My business is a wholesale business,

it is my candy shop!”

can have one item and many versions of

which was really important for this business

to grow efficiently and steadily. So over the

When reflecting on the ins and outs of

and design.” She encourages everyone to

years it has been wholesale companies, and

creating this successful business, Debbie

see where their sales are coming from, and

shop owners, and people overseas that have

is very candid. She never intended this

just continue to adapt and change to build

found me. I hardly do any retail. Only in

to become the huge business that it is

upon what is selling. When asked for some

the last couple of months did I move my

becoming. It began simply as a hobby.

secrets of business she immediately jumps

business out of my home. I moved into the

When pressed for tips for the aspiring

to copyright. “If you have a signature item,

new warehouse in March. And now I have

entrepreneur she gives some gems of advice:

you must protect yourself and copyright it.

three employees that are just cranking and

“Experiment with selling your product in

You need some legal protection, but there

trying to keep up with orders. Right now

different places - stores, farmers markets,

will always be copycats. There is really

we are sold out until mid June on many

craft shows, online.” She encourages

nothing you can do about that. Even with

items online. We are working on an order

starting artists to try a variety of markets

a copyright, people may still ‘knock you

right now for six thousand soaps shipping

in order to find the best fit for the product,

off’. All you can really do is keep coming

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

it. But give yourself time to experiment

feature

up with new things and stay ahead of the trends and ultimately you

she branches out into more products. Continuous creation and new

will stay ahead of the copycats. They will not be able to keep up, and

styles grace every season as more and more Soapylove is enjoyed. Wafts

you will stand out in the crowd.” Debbie also suggested diversification

of papaya cover Debbie as she smells her current favorite Soapy Pop,

if it fits with the goals of the company as a whole. Her business

“Heat Wave”. It is a tropical, neon, soapy delight. Her upcoming

is two-fold. She creates Soapy Pops, but also teaches and creates

trip to Maui is sure to inspire more summery scents as she includes the

tutorials. Through her work teaching she was featured on TV on the

inspiration found in Hawaii’s tropical paradise. Inspiration comes from

DIY network which created more buzz for her company and it also led

so many sources. Ultimately she has always stayed true to herself. “I

to a book deal. Eventually this exposure helped create a partnership

make what appeals to me. I love bright colors, trends from my fashion

with Bramble Berry who distributes a licenses line of Soapylove soap

interests, and the MTV music videos that my three older siblings were

crafting supplies. Overall having two methods of income helps to

constantly watching.” New Wave, David Bowie, The Smiths and so

balance out her revenue. When there was a lull in sales she would

many other memorable 80’s bands and music inspire her soaps. “I

simply teach more and vice versa. Debbie is inventive with her methods

love that it is a fun company – we are creating soaps that are useful,

she is constantly coming up with new ideas for products. Her most

practical, colorful and free-spirited. All our items are made with love,

recent additions are her lip balms and perfumes modeled by her nieces

and I get tons of love back from my customers and a business that is

on her website. Parents all over the world will delight in sharing these

doing well and sustaining my life in a really great way as a mom. I love

appealing products with their children. “I make all of my products with

the energy. It makes me happy. It’s a happy company and I am really

excellent quality ingredients. A few of the ingredients found in Debbie’s

proud of that.” Once you discover her beautiful, joyful products you

line are: coconut oil, palm oil, castor oil, safflower oil, glycerin, purified

are sure to be delighted too. You cannot help but smile when enjoying

water, and skin safe colorants and fragrance oils. Japan has some of the

one of her sudsy, Soapy Pops that are helping to wipe away the cares of

strictest guidelines for soaps and cosmetics in the world and Debbie’s

the world.

products are extremely popular there. In the ‘safety conscious’ world in which we attempt to live in, Soapy Pops are a joyful addition.

“Its been 6 years since I started this business, and it was just a hobby when I started, but then Soapy Pops started to take off pretty

Her future goals are many. She hopes to start selling Soapylove crafting

quickly. Everything I did was a huge learning experience. I may

supplies from her own website for other soap makers to buy and use.

have wanted to grow faster, but in hindsight things happened when

She intends to continue to introduce new styles, scents and colors as

they were meant to.”

Marketing Tips on a $0 Budget ATTENTION

EMERGING BRANDS!

friends and family! Grassroots marketing is the

must also be aware that readers are typically not

highest level of branding and a very effective sales

following blogs to read someone’s whole life story.

strategy. Most people are much more likely to go

They look for lots of photos while quickly reading

and visit a store or look for a specific product if

a bit about what is going on with the blogger, or

a friend refers it to them. Giveaways encourage

the new cool shirts the blogger spotted, or tips on

customers to talk about your products! In order

a cool Do-it-yourself project. Keep it short, simple,

for a contest to be really effective, the title must be

personal and the more photos the better!

attention grabbing, it should be a highly coveted item or group of items, and you need to make sure

EVENTS

that you gain database capture (meaning email

Events can be a lot of work, may be time

addresses and/or Facebook likes). For example:

consuming and can eat up your funds quickly. I

“Share our page on Facebook and be entered to

am not suggesting that you take up event planning

win the Summer Getaway Package - $500 value –

by any means. However, some of your best

includes $300 gift card, towel, flip flops, beach bag

customers are your closest friends and family. They

and more!” You don’t offer all of this stuff? That

are also the ones that are continually supporting

is even better! Reach out to partnering companies

your brand by spreading the word through their

that are interested in donating the items you do not

social network. You can embrace this easy source

have and request that they promote the giveaway

of marketing by having small get-togethers and by

One of the simplest and most effective

as well. This allows you to hit a larger market, and

offering trunk shows, and mini fashion shows, you

marketing tools is sharing your network with a

makes the package even more enticing. You can

name it! Keep them talking, pinning on Pinterest

complementary business. No, this does not mean

choose to have customers enter by submitting their

and sharing your Facebook page. Something as

to swap databases. This means to find a business

email address, liking you on Facebook, or sharing

small as a social gathering at your house with your

that has a similar target market as yours and work

your Facebook page. If you choose to partner

products displayed will encourage people to start

with them on ways to drive customers to both

with other companies, have customers enter their

spreading the word!

of your sites and social networks. You can start

email address and add a disclaimer that specifies

with the basics, like mentioning each other on

that all partnering companies have the rights to

Facebook, inserting ads on both sites and writing

the email address being submitted. When doing

Consumers love checking out new items found

a featured article for both of your blogs. However,

this, it is extremely important that you are aware

within their favorite magazines. Because of this fact,

these basics are simply for branding. You may

that any entry may unsubscribe to emails at any

having your products featured in a major magazine

generate sales from these efforts but they are

time. Another way to gain additional exposure for

can be a real ‘game changer’ for your brand. This

primarily intended to introduce new customers to

a giveaway is to reach out to media and bloggers,

is called product placement and is 100% free!

your company. If you want to drive sales through

and request that they post it through their social

Product placement puts your products in the eyes

your Ecomm site, or if you have your own store,

networks and sites. You would be surprised at

of your audience, and it has a non-biased stamp of

run a promotion that: 1) incentivizes customers

how many will do this as they are always looking

approval. How can you take advantage of this great

to increase the amount of product they purchase

for new content to promote!

source of marketing? Do some research on stylists

You do not need a Huge Budget to have an effective marketing plan. In fact, the best secrets to Marketing are 100% FREE!

CROSS PROMOTIONS

from the partnering business; 2) allows for the partnering business to extend an offer which will

PRODUCT PLACEMENT

and editors that work for publications you think

BLOGGING

would be good matches for your product. Draft

motivate customers to buy your products. For

In the past few years blogs have gone to a whole

up an email that is short and to the point with the

example, the partnering business can offer a $10

new level. They are so effective that some of the

benefits of your product. Send the email introducing

Gift Card (you may include a minimum purchase

largest companies worldwide are treating Bloggers

yourself to these contacts (make sure to address it

amount) valid on your products for anyone that

like celebrities! What makes blogs effective? They

with their names, so it sounds very personal) and

spends $50 on their website. Then you may offer

are personal, heavily visual and short. People

attach a heavily visual lookbook or pamphlet of

the same for them. The great part about an offer

feel like they are connecting with someone, and

info. Include a link to your site and ask where you

like this is that the customer shopping on their

can take a brief moment to get a glimpse into

could mail them a sample of your product. Letting

site now wants to spend a higher amount and you

that person’s life. So in order for your blog to be

them experience it for themselves is sure to get you

have a new customer that wants to spend money

effective, keep it personal. Don’t just try to feature

some massive exposure, even if it is just around their

on your site! It’s a win, win for all parties!

your products. Give your readers real insight

office! Haven’t heard back from them? Well, they

into your everyday life and what makes you,

get tons of emails! Pick up the phone and ask where

YOU! Readers will be more inclined to buy your

you can send their gift to, even if you have to get the

Launching contests is an easy way to motivate

products and support your efforts if they feel a

mailing address from their secretary. If it is a highly

your current market to spread the word to their

strong connection to what you are all about. You

coveted publication, it is worth the work.

GIVEAWAYS

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

business

fashion

WRITER: LAUREN FRANKS PHOTOGRAPHY: PHOTO OF ALEXANDRIA BY NELSON SHEN

CATWALK TO CROSSWALK

DESIGNER: BRANDIE MATA

They cover magazines, they strut the catwalks, and they love the camera almost as much as the camera loves them. Models. Men and women paid to bring out the best in the newest fashion designs and designer clothing brands. Since the early 20th century, models and fashion designers have had a reciprocal relationship, with models such as Kate Moss inspiring fashion designers as much as the great fashion designers inspire today’s models.

3 MODELS SHARE THEIR STYLE OFF THE RUNWAY

Rachel Barnes, with Ford modeling agency, has appeared in many lifestyle and fitness advertisements, including ads for Nike, Under Armour, Ross and L*Space swimwear. Today you can find her playing the girlfriend of Justin Bieber in his latest video ‘Boyfriend.’ Labeled as a Selena Gomez lookalike, the chemistry between Barnes and Bieber in the video was enough to upset the Beliebers, but Barnes told TMZ female fans need not worry - she’s married. GRAFFITI BEACH: How would you describe your style?

In this issue, we interview three successful models about their style, and what clothes they just can’t live without.

RB: I grew up in Manhattan Beach and I live in La Jolla now, so definitely beachy. Beachy, a little bohemian, with a classic twist. I’ll wear blazers with Navajo jewelry. Classic with a hippie mix. GB: Who are some of your favorite designers? RB: Probably Alexander Wang. I like the clean lines. But it changes all the time. I also like

RACHEL BARNES

earthy stuff. GB: Are there any specific people who inspire your style? RB: I love people watching and “street style”. I’m inspired by other models and creative people. I love reading blogs and enjoying the day to day style of people - Kate Moss, every girl’s style icon and the Olsen twins are just a few that I enjoy. GB: Where are your favorite places to shop? RB: I’m a vintage seeker shopping at flea markets. I also shop at Wasteland, Zara, and Free People GB: How would you define style? RB: When I think of style, it’s a natural ease when putting together outfits. Organically gifted when putting together stuff. People don’t want something that looks forced or over done. GB: What is your favorite outfit for spring? RB: For spring, I’m obsessed with pastels. Right now I’m wearing floral jean shorts and an oversized pastel sweater. GB: What do you gravitate towards when you’re shopping? RB: I think I’m a jewelry girl. I find myself buying the same things in different variations. I love accessories. Like a simple black tank dress with a big chunky necklace. Big cuffs, big rings. I also buy gray sweatshirts over and over again. I have 20 different kinds of gray sweatshirts. I feel like gray sweatshirts go with everything.

fashion

I caught up with Alexandria Everette, known to her friends as Lexie, just before she headed off to Canada for America’s Next Top Model live runway show. Stereotyped as the bad girl of America’s Next Top model cycle 16, and referenced as “bossy with a bad attitude,” Everette returned for the All Stars round where she struggled with the music video challenge and was eliminated. Speaking with Everette, she was nothing but polite and incredibly positive. She told me about her Southern California style, and then without even realizing it, she reminded me why we all passionately love fashion - it’s our ultimate form of expression. GB: What’s your style? AE: I would have to say…my style is laid back west coast mixed with New York. Southern California, and New York chic. I am wearing skateboarding shoes with coral pink jeans and a Roxy hoodie. I’m the girl who surfs and skateboards ALEXANDRIA EVERETTE

and can still pull off six inch heels.

Maybe supermodel powerhouse Kate Moss made wearing vintage cool, or maybe vintage was just the right

GB: Who are some of your favorite designers?

fit when the trend turned the disheveled, “rolled out of bed look” into super sexy. However vintage fashion

AE: Karl Lagerfeld, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen,

revolutionized, we can be certain, models were clad in “estate sale finds” from the beginning. Keeping

for their creative genius. For casual style I like Southern

the trend, model Jennifer Akerman, tells us about her interpretation of vintage style. Akerman, sister of

California brands, Volcom and Element Eden. With Element

well-known actress Malin Akerman, has been under Hollywood’s watchful eye since a very young age. In

Eden and Volcom girls can wear it to the beach and dress it

2010, she was rumored to be dating Chace Crawford. Akerman writes a blog educating her native Swedish

up. Things that are effortlessly comfortable but cute, fun, and

audience about life and style in Los Angeles.

inviting. I think that’s what style is all about.

GB: How would you describe your style to someone who has never met you?

GB: What Spring trends are you excited to wear?

JA: Very personal. We will be shopping and my friends will see things and say that’s “very you.”” I don’t

AE: I’m digging the patterns. I can’t wait to get out my high

have a favorite brand or designer. I love to mix and match. I love vintage - jewelry and bags. I like to mix

waisted Levi’s shorts. Also, TAVIK swimwear, they have this

and match vintage pieces with H&M. I’m from Sweden so I’ve been shopping at H&M since I was about

cute fringe bikini top with a hipster bottom. I have a feeling

6! I’d rather not buy expensive jewelry or glasses. I’d rather buy ten vintage pieces of jewelry over something

that will be my wardrobe for the Spring and Summer. Oh

with diamonds.

and everyone needs a good pair of Ray-ban sunglasses. I have these Knoxvilles from Electric- I wear them every day.

GB: Do you have a piece you can’t live without? JA: A leather jacket. I like to wear a pretty dress with a leather. I like to mix feminine with edgy. My favorite

GB: What do you gravitate towards when you’re shopping?

leather jacket got stolen. I finally found another one I love from Wasteland even though it’s not vintage.

AE: I’m a sucker for a great shoe. I gravitate towards stuff I

It’s one of the new pieces they sell at Wasteland ($350). It has a belt and very cool details. I love details on

don’t have.

things. Your own personal details make a huge difference. GB: Do you feel pressure to be stylish working in your GB: Complete this sentence. My relationship with fashion is?

industry?

JA: My relationship with fashion is ... how I feel, or my mood. People will see me and say, “I didn’t know you

AE: I don’t feel pressure. Your style should be natural to your

were a rocker chick.” Fashion is who you want to be for that day. Maybe today I’m in a dressy mood, so I’ll

mood. When I’m feeling down, I go closer to gray and dark

wear a pretty dress.

things. Fashion is representative of who you are. If you stay true to yourself, and show who you are, and don’t care about

GB: What did you wear today?

what people think, then there shouldn’t be any pressure. Hold

JA: Today I had a meeting with an editor for a final edit for a music video, then I had a casting. I needed to

your ground.

wear something that worked all day. I have on black vintage boots with fringe detail, a tight purple shirt and white tank top, and a vest from Urban Outfitters with simple vintage jewelry. I love the vest from Urban Outfitters. It adds a cool element to every outfit.

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

JENNIFER AKERMAN

fashion fashion

dream in color PhotograPhy: HeatHer Gildroy designer: brandie mata

Photo assistant / retoucher: mafer arce stylist: blaire babyak hair & MakeuP: Giovanna avila Models: brittany and brina

bikini // Ani bikinis necklAce// 1OAkbysArA

593

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

fashion

earring // JessBee Designs tank // Cameron Hawaii

bikini // Ani bikinis necklAce // Jessbee Designs

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

fashion

fashion fashion

sunglasses // Yellow 108 bikini // ani bikinis necklace // Jessbee Designs

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

fashion

ring // 1OAKbySArA tee // CAmerOn HAwAii

Graffiti Beach went on a mission to reveal some of the

most creative concepts that artists are using from the

years past. From the runway to the galleries, we found amazing pieces that are a blast

from the past yet modernized for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world. From fannypacks with speakers to 8 track artwork to beautiful water drop sculptures from salvaged plumbing pipes...

get ready to be inspired.

PhotograPhy: Mick MoTor, BriAnnA BAggeTT

Designer: BrAndie MATA

Beautiful Beautiful Bedlam Bedlam

Jeff and Rebecca Unite to cReate theiR own bUghoUse

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

Writer: AlAnA Trevino iTAyA

art

BUGHOUSE.COM

In 19th Century Britain, insanity and craziness would

Jeff and Rebecca, like most who live and love in Los Angeles,

pave the way to an institution for the mentally incapacitated,

met thru thriving film careers. Jeff worked in set design

commonly known as a Bughouse. Here in 21st century Los

and art direction and Rebecca was a PA and worked in

Angeles, husband and wife team Jeff Klarin and Rebecca Johnson

post-production. As children they both grew up artistically

offer a humorous and subversive look at our culture, our city, and

inclined, but when the time came for them to choose careers,

our lives through the company they call Bughouse.

the city that raised them pointed its demanding finger not

“FUTURE FOSSIL” MADE FROM CONCRETE

towards paint and canvas, but instead towards the film industry. It was only after meeting one another that they were truly “emboldened to pursue art,” says Jeff. “Being together sparked something new for both of us. That’s when we really both became artists,” says Rebecca. “There was synergy and ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

support, and commonality… that we found with each other,” says Jeff. With this spark of connection, Bughouse was created. This word “bughouse” encapsulates a little of the “crazy” involved in being an artist, and the craziness one experiences when attempting to define their art. It is self-described “subversive art” that revels in black humor, taking the ordinary, mundane, and almost banal artifacts of our daily lives and flipping them on their heads. In one glance you may feel as if it requires no further reflection, and then you look closer only to realize there are layers of connection and meaning found within their work. If the artist’s job is to provoke or elicit an emotional response, Jeff and Rebecca do just that. There are a variety of reactions to their work: offense, emotion, awe, intrigue, curiosity and connection. Whether you are looking at a chandelier of hypodermic needles, a joystick “future fossil” made from concrete, or debating where your arrow will fall on a target where the circle of happiness is elusive their art may cause more introspection than you initially realized.

art Each piece promotes a response of some kind. Initially feelings of confusion may occur, or even familiarity due to the commonplace items in the piece. But upon further inspection a connection is created, and some sort of “understanding” is achieved, or at the very least a greeting has been made between the individual’s sensibilities and the work of art before them. “Our intent is to redirect people’s expectations by inviting them in through common and recognizable iconography and offering an alternative interpretation,” says Jeff. Their artwork must be viewed in order for any sort of interpretation to be made. Photographs attempt to capture a flying UFO, a woman lying broken by a stream, a side table that insist that you try and pluck record albums from it’s body, an image of blue and red pills dispensed by candy machines, and a table that looks like a DJ’s dream. These pieces are just the tip of the creative iceberg for Jeff and Rebecca. “Our early creative life like most was an exploration trying many styles and approaches. We are graphic designers by trade but we were always drawing and making illustrations, so we tested the waters by teaching ourselves screenprinting,” says Jeff. The couple began their artistic journey thru making

“Being together

sparked something new

for both of us.

That’s when we really

both became artists,” says Rebecca.

limited edition prints and experimenting with t-shirt designs. The designs were selling rapidly. “In order to be able to experiment more quickly with new artwork we started to use transfer techniques… which led us to make larger mixed media pieces… and at this point straddle the two worlds of fine art and design.”

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

art

Their artistic style has best been described as “the nexus

Nineteen years later, Bughouse thrives with a variety

between art and design”. Others have described it as “LA

of art and mediums. As artists they work alone but

Style”, a definition that is at once confusing to these two

receive support, feedback, thoughts, and artful direction

Angelenos, both born and raised in this city. “Perhaps its

from each other in order to finish each piece. “We

is because it is urban and edgy that people say this,” says

certainly have a lot of feedback when someone is

Rebecca. “We don’t want to have a set style.” They create

finishing something,” says Jeff as he artfully describes

what their mediums inspire. And they are the definition of

and interprets a piece that Rebecca has created. “We

self-taught. Jeff will often build the tools that they need to

talk about it a lot. We live it,” says Rebecca. They are

facilitate their design work. Their work stems from their

truly a team and their lives are completely entwined.

initial work as graphic designers. And it is often their

“We work in our home studio so our lives are fully

“DIY” nature that prompts them to try new directions,

integrated and work and life merge, maybe a little too

mediums, and work. “It is idea based, not just something

much,” joke the couple.

pretty or striking, although it can be that as well. It has a story, a message, or concept,” says Jeff. The style and

There is never a lack of inspiration. They both laughed

medium are interpreted by what is needed to tell the story

when asked what they do to re-inspire themselves. They

of the piece. Each piece “decides” upon its own needed

are in a constant state of creation and are constantly

medium. And it’s this process of matching the two design

working. “This city provides countless artistic

components that Rebecca loves, aside from the creation itself.

inspiration,” says Rebecca. Jeff and Rebecca do not

ITEMS AVAILABLE AT SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM TO PLACE A SPECIAL ORDER CALL GRAFFITI BEACH 858-433-0950

“A mental institution is a relatively perfect metaphor for the

to create all of them. Their work tells a story and continues

creative process if you consider an environment that allows

to take them, and the viewer, in a stylistically subversive

all views of reality to co-mingle and exist. An interesting

direction. It dabbles in the crazy and yet each piece has a

distinction might be that in our case we have access to release

message. Are you able to tap into your inner insanity to find

our visions on the world and the institutionalized person does

it? Visit their website www.bughouse.com to discover all of

not. In truth we live in the normal world and only visit the

their work for yourself.

‘crazy’ world less often than we would like.”

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lack for new ideas. If anything they are only short on time

art art

GGBB

by Alana Trevino Itaya

If what we create reflects where weTanya have been, thenLiquid Tanya If what we create reflects where we have been, then Clarke’s Clarke’s beautifully. Liquid Lights track herwe journey If who we are Lights track her journey If who are isbeautifully. the sum of our parts, is the sum of our parts, Tanya’s perfectly definesher. her. then then Tanya’s art art perfectly defines

Photography: Brianna Baggett Designer: Jesi Jean

We often arrive at a destination not realizing that this was where we would end up. Tanya says that it is only through reflection that she sees her life bringing her to this artistic point. She did not plan, foresee, or plot out a linear line, but through a circuitous route found herself creating pieces that clearly encompass aspects of who she is, and where she has been. She is a Canadian who found herself acting on and off Broadway for 14 years in New York, only to now find herself in Southern California near the beach. She creates beautiful pieces that use reclaimed metal water pipes, combined with glass blown water droplets, and finishes these masterpieces by adding an LED or a low voltage light, to make the glass glow. She “paints” with light. “Living in New York I was surrounded by ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

very dense materials – a lot of concrete, and a lot of metal. In California I live near the beach and water is ever present in my consciousness. Growing up in Canada, conversations with my father, who is a political activist, about water conservation led me to want to connect to him on some level.” Though she did not set out to create something that would encompass the route her life has taken, all of these pieces led to the creation of Liquid Light. Part metal, part water, part familial connection. These pieces are a clear reflection of her journey.

art Liquid Light began to fill a personal aesthetic need. As an actress she was used to filling space, and creating atmosphere. She was also used to living in New York, where the old buildings are works of art. When she arrived on the west coast she realized that she was going to need something beautiful to cover up the “pre-fab look of the stucco ceilings” that now made up her home. She began to dream and come up with a hazy concept of what she wanted to create, which would eventually become droplets of glowing light. When coming up with the artistic concept for Liquid Light she looked to people like Michael Reynolds, and his team of Earthship builders in Taos, New Mexico. “They use old tires, water bottles, cans, etc. to create the foundations for the homes they

“Taking disposed-of objects… and turning them into something not only functional but incredibly beautiful has always been a huge inspiration.”

build around the world. I had an

She finds all of her reclaimed metal

opportunity to build a home with

digging in dumps, antique stores,

them…right when I was piecing

and some were also given as gifts.

together the components of what

A neighbor’s mother would send

is now a liquid light chandelier.

Tanya pieces inside packages for her

Taking disposed-of objects…and

daughter. Tanya has even arrived

turning them into something not

home to find old pieces left for her

only functional but incredibly

on her front porch. Sometimes she

beautiful has always been a huge

finds a piece and knows instantly

inspiration.” She knew that she would use reclaimed objects found how she will use it and what the from airplanes, landfills, old homes, and anywhere else she could finished light will look like, but find them in her designs. But when the time came to create the water other times it is like “adult Legos”. droplet, she sought out a fellow Canadian – a glass blower in Toronto. “I look for the piece that perfectly She arrived at his studio only to find a space filled to the ceiling with fits within another piece. I do stuff. “He took a ladder to a very specific box, on a very specific shelf, not draw or sketch. I take what and brought out exactly what I had described. It was a glass water I have and I will see what it fits droplet that was left over from one of his local installations. It was within. It’s seeing what works until exactly what I had imagined.” She bought what he had, and then something does. It is very similar to found a local Venice glass blower to create them for her current pieces. playing Legos as a kid. The second The process of Liquid Light was very organic. It began combining I start to think about it, problems important elements that she saw as real, valid, and important. Her occur. I’m best when I get out of first chandelier was made from fifteen drops of light, and meant for my head, when I go in ‘clean’, and her and her alone. As friends stopped by to visit they always noticed start feeling around blindly and let her chandelier. Interest began to grow, which ultimately led to the myself be led. At least that’s how it creation of more pieces. works on a good day.”

“what you take away from it depends upon what is going on with you in your own life.” Tanya defines her work as “painting with light”. “Some of these pieces are functional, and some are sculptural by day and atmospheric by night.” Liquid Lights use LED lights, and other low voltage lights, in order to minimize the use of energy. Some clients constantly keep these lights on. Others will wait till the soft glow of the sunset appears to turn on their lights. Some pieces are meant to act as true lights, while others act as “night lights to light hallways or define the space in a home, giving dimension within a room. They will announce your place, and where you are within your home.” When someone sees her pieces she realizes that “what you take away from it depends upon what is going on with you in your own life.” She realized this over many discussions with her friend, Will Ryman, the son of the founder of the “white on white” phenomenon. “I guess it is like any sort of piece/ art. You hope they take away something or are affected in some way. It’s good as long as it evokes something.” Currently her work is found in the homes of celebrities ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

such as Russell Crowe, Susan Sarandon and Seth Rogan and also found in Chateaus in France. It won’t be long until Liquid Light is found around the world under the name of Tanya Clarke. Her work will be left like a watermark to represent her, and the beauty that is seen in water, with the need to conserve it. A percentage of all sales go to the organization, Polaris Institute, which believes in education and action on global water issues. The glass blown droplet in her design serves as a perfect reminder of our most precious of resources - water. Water is often used to reflect an image. For Tanya this reflection is clear and beautiful, and has found itself in the pieces of art that she creates. “I feel that I have a strong masculine side to me, along with the feminine. These pieces represent the more masculine as represented by the metal, alongside the feminine, represented by the water droplets.” Tanya Clarke is Liquid Light.

fashion

WRITER: ERICA MANSFIELD

PHOTOGRAPHY: BRIANNA BAGGETT

DESIGNER: BRANDIE MATA

the

Beat of ecofashion C HIME CREATES A NEW SOUND WITH

WELL WOR N CYMBALS

In the Fall of 2006, Leslie Barrett of CHIME took a cracked drum cymbal, cut it up, and made a pair of earrings for herself. Leslie was taking a Jewelry Fabrication course at her local community college and because she was dating a drummer at the time, there was always old drum cymbals lying around. What she saw ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

as a hobby, slowly turned into a profitable business. She now has over 50 designs, presences in online boutiques and brick and mortar stores internationally. With the cracked and beat up drum cymbals, Leslie handcrafts unique earrings, necklaces, bracelets and has recently introduced belt buckles to her collection. She also receives recognition from drummers across the country, who continually send her their old cymbals for her to work with. Leslie’s process for making jewelry has changed and matured over time, starting with learning new ways to manipulate the cymbals. Originally conquering the use of a band saw, which she describes as impractical and challenging, the designer has come up with a few different routes that make creating her jewelry less of a challenge. It all depends on what kind of shape she wants from the cymbal – for straight edge pieces she uses a laser cutter and then metal shears to achieve LESLIE BARRETT, FOUNDER, CHIME DESIGNS

fashion

smaller, delicate pieces. For round pieces, used

that the Sabian AA, Metal X crash have

with most of the earrings, she uses a punch press.

produced some of the most stunning pieces

When she needs to get, “down and dirty” with

she has ever made. However, her favorite

the cymbals, she’ll use files, a Dremel, a brand

piece from CHIME’s (ChimeJewelry.com)

of power tools known primarily for their rotary

current collection are the Crash earrings,

tools and a plethora of other small devices.

simply because they are her original design

Leslie has worked with an array of many

and still her #1 best sellers. The earrings make

different cymbals, no two alike, so each piece

a slight chime when worn and have proven

of jewelry carries it’s own unique feel and

to be timeless. Her designs also extend into

vibe. Leslie is partial to working with the

beautiful necklaces and bracelets, each with its

Paiste 2002 cymbal, mainly because it’s the

own unique vibe and look. Some of the pieces

first cymbal she’s ever cut into. She has also

are great transitional pieces that can be worn

worked with all different kinds of Sabians,

on a day outing or added for that extra edge

Zildjians and other Paistes, but she claims

when going out at night.

CHIMEJEWELRY.COM

She relies heavily on art and music for inspiration. CHIME’s Los Angeles office ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

is always filled with tunes from hip, indie bands to keep the inspiration flowing. This gives some explanation to the brands tagline, “Wear It, Feel It, Own It and Let the Beat Play On.” One of her current favorites, which she keeps on repeat throughout the studio, is by the American post-rock band Explosions in the Sky. MARIMBA NECKLACE $62 SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

Leslie believes that by channeling her creativity through the music, the beat will play on through her pieces. Most importantly, she has always felt that following her intuition is what has led her down the path to success. She has a desire to create and recreate old from the new, and each cymbal’s rich history adds to her innovative and distinct designs. From the intricate cymbal production, to the drummer’s final set, to its latest art form as her jewelry, her aesthetic lies heavily in jewelry that carries vibrations within for others to wear and enjoy. The pieces themselves are edgy yet simplistic, something which twentysomething hipsters and soccer moms alike can sport with everyday wear. CHIME continues to grow and the popularity of Leslie’s jewelry is now turning heads internationally. This is one designer we’ll be seeing a lot more of in the future. As she continues to come up with new and innovative designs, her unique line will take on a ‘beat’ of its own.

fashion

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Writer: Kallah Oakes Photography: Brianna Baggett Designer: Alexis Contreras

fashion industry. It has the unmistakable feel of authenticity. It is art that was genuinely inspired by real life, not some desire to impress, or some ambition to get rich and famous. It’s born from a real life being lived with passion. It is apparent to anyone that meets Alison that she has real-life inspiration, and drive. “I saw my Nana and Pop-Pop traveling to Queens, NY nearly every Sunday. Nana Beatrice was funny, clever, sassy, and had a knack for vintage styling... especially, when it came to couches. When I see vintage upholstery fabrics... it just reminds me of her and so, naming the brand in her honor was just kinda... mandatory.” Alison explains that she collects the authentic vintage fabrics for her bicycle seat/handlebar bag designs from auctions, eBay, estate sales, “and sometimes I’ll deconstruct a couch or two.” A big aspect of Alison’s passion for life, is emphasized in her designs, is her commitment

black [with a splash of vintage], to bohemian recycling Colorado

to going green. “I feel strongly that being

cowgirl who rides her adorned bike in the California sunshine.”

eco-friendly is a way of life, not a trend,”

This is Alison Franson’s description of her own line of

she emphasizes. “It’s as important to

jewelry and bicycle accessories, named Beatrice Holiday,

buy something that is comfortable to wear, as it

after her grandmother.

is to feel comfortable about buying it. It’s about

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

“It’s a fluctuation between edgy New York rocker wearing all

educating consumers on making conscientious Her description could not be more accurate. With its genuine

choices on where and how they spend their

vintage materials and funky details, Beatrice Holiday makes

money. Make them realize that the $3 shirt

a resounding fashion statement. The authentic feel of her

comes with a hidden cost. Fashion shouldn’t just

designs are an instant draw. Alison creates bold, black cuffs

be price-based. It’s about thinking about people,

out of old inner tubes – something that was done years ago

planet, then profit.

on slow summer days in bike shops at Summer camp. They were worn tearing down steep, rocky trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“There is no denying that green wants to be the new black, as more and more ecoboutiques devoted solely to environmentally

Beatrice Holiday instantly resonates deeply with

conscious designs emerge onto the scene. I think

those that see her work for the same reason that she

the evolution is occurring, but on a small scale.

attracts shoppers looking for something new in the

If we were feeling the heat of our actions now

fashion and Mother Nature were kicking down

designs after she herself had already

also a way to reach out to others, to

our door instead of just knocking on it - I

fallen in love with riding her bike

make life a little more simple and a lot more

believe the majority would change their

everywhere. On her adorable website,

beautiful.

ways. The evolution needs to be more like

www.BeatriceHoliday.com, she explains

a ‘revolution’ and the message needs to

that it all started with one too many

spread quicker than the YouTube video “Charlie Bit My Finger”.

“mishaps” while biking. “Fallen lipstick into a gutter, a lost credit card that slipped

Alison is enthusiastic when you ask her a question about cycling in general. For her, it has clearly been as life changing as Weight

out of my pocket while in transit, keys that Watchers was for Jennifer Hudson. I asked People, planet, and then profit. Here in our

slipped through the crack of my basket

her to share a “few” positives that have

jaded, commercialistic culture, we are so

into another gutter. Lots of road kill left in

resulted from her lifestyle change of two

used to little sound bite mantras that make

my path! I figured I wasn’t the only one...

years. She gave me six:

everything sound better than it really is.

right?” Her ‘Wheel Cute Couture’ designs

But in Alison Franson’s case, this is

were not only a way to further pursue her

no sound bite. She began creating her

passion for all things bicycle, but they were

That last one sums up a lot of Alison’s ethic and intent as a designer. “I like the marriage of fashion and sustainability and don’t think they should be mutually exclusive. It’s important to me to use materials that already exist in the world but it is equally important to make products that I would actually want to purchase and wear.” For this reason, Alison goes the extra mile to hunt down vintage fabrics that fit the style of the season… bold stripes, geometrics and florals for spring/summer, and rich plaids and “muted florals” for the fall/winter. It’s one thing to decide to use recycled couches for your fabrics, but it’s a whole new level of commitment to both fashion and sustainability to stick to that decision while also searching for recycled couches that fit this season’s fashion trends. When asked if she’s had a chance to take her bike with her abroad, and if that made a difference in her it becomes “a true adventure.” She went on, “You see and hear things that you would otherwise miss being confined in a car. There are no blind spots being on a bike.” So far, Alison has explored parts of Ireland, New Zealand, and Costa Rica with her bike. “In each instance, it was amazing...although in Costa Rica my bike literally fell apart while I was riding!” That zest for adventure is what makes Alison’s line so full of life. Beatrice Holiday Wheel Cute Couture was the natural outcome of pursuing an eco-friendly life with passion and art. Right there you have the difference in a nutshell between Alison Franson, and some big, mass-producing fashion line. For Alison, her designs are about self-expression, adventure, and passion for people and the planet. That’s a much more valuable investment to spend money on than the millions of “$3 t-shirts” out there. Besides – her Handlebar Bags are ridiculously adorbs.

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

experience as a tourist, she excitedly answered that

fashion

WRITER: LAUREN FRANKS

PHOTOGRAPHY: MICK MOTOR, KELLY LEWIS

DESIGNER: BRANDIE MATA

a pocket full of tunes

AS THE OWNER OF JAMMYPACK WOULD SAY...

”Let there be Music!”

JONNIE SAX, FOUNDER OF JAMMYPACK

JammyPacks have been a hot commodity since

So what exactly is a ‘JammyPack?’ Well,

their first release at Coachella music festival

take your favorite 80s throwback fanny pack

in April 2010. The company started with 100

in fluorescent brights, and add a kick-ass

packs that sold out in thirty minutes. Since

set of speakers, and jam on. Great sound

then, the company has more than 10,000

was imperative when finalizing the design

JammyPacks in circulation. Rihanna has even

of the JammyPack. The bag is equipped

been spotted sporting a fanny pack. When

with ‘absolutely, the highest-quality, water-

asked about this transition, Sax laughs, “10,000

resistant, silver stamped magnetic, open

JammyPacks in circulation, that’s hilarious.

source mini-speakers; boosting 3W of stereo-

Seeing a stranger with it, I want to be like,

amplified beats per speaker’ which they state

where’d you get this?”

at JammyPack.com. Which means it sounds

freaking awesome. Powered by a battery box that holds 3 AAA batteries, the battery pack boasts six to ten hours of nonstop music. The sound is clear and the volume, powerful. The JammyPack comes in a variety of colors and patterns, everything from ‘JuneGloom’ (grey with pink trim) to ‘FaceTime’ (a pattern of faces in black and white). Worried you carry around too much stuff to fit in a JammyPack? Don’t despair; the company also makes the “JammyBoom” and the “Hoarder,” with the same quality sound system and more storage space. Judging by the current count of 3,658 “likes,” and variety of customer photos, and testimonials on their Facebook page, JammyPack has quite an eclectic mix of supporters. After combing the Facebook images, a few images stick out: the couple jamming in the rain on the streets of Washington D.C., the models in tiny bikinis walking the runway with JammyPacks bigger than their bottoms, or the guy in the blue sperm suit with a matching JammyPack.

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

JAMMYPACK.COM

JammyPacks look amazing when worn loose, back to one side behind the hip. This look equates to how the cool kids used to wear their backpacks over one shoulder instead of using two straps. Regardless of how you dress it up, design it, or style it, one thing is

fashion EMERGING DESIGNERS

for sure; the JammyPack will elevate any experience for the user as well as anyone within earshot of them. JammyPack “bridges the gap between action sports and music.” The largest group of supporters is definitely that of the extreme snow sport community. With the help of childhood friend and pro snowboarder, Alex Gobel, Sax made the decision to go after this sporty market. Working together the pair received the financial backing needed to head over to China and order 4,000 units. Returning with the large supply, Sax marks January 2011 as the official release of JammyPack. It only seems natural that what came next was a collaboration with Southern California lifestyle brand TAVIK. TAVIK, like JammyPack, designs for the music-minded, active sports individual.

Together they created

the ‘Project 1,’ a

JammyPack in

black and white

Zebra stripes

stamped with the TAVIK logo (available online at ShopGraffitiBeach.com). Today, JammyPack is available in over 50 surf and skate shops as well as numerous internet sites. The JammyPack is also popular on mommy blogs; mothers use the pack while cleaning or walking. Children love them, and teens love them as well. Teens wear their JammyPacks to school, take them on vacation, and jam in their rooms. Fanny packs packed with awesome speakers are gaining new life in the teen community. JammyPack rocks their world! Now, at 34, Sax, a trained architect is ready to become a fashionista. He has set his sights on his next market… the fashionable trendsetter. He plans to manufacture the JammyPack in leathers and exotic skins. Sax sees the chic JammyPack being sold in department stores like Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. Sax had his first epiphany during that “epic summer of festivals” in 2010, he envisioned JammyPack being sold in Urban Outfitter stores. As the company continues to grow and expand within various markets, this still remains his ultimate goal. So what is next for Sax as he continues to design and create, while managing a growing company? Keeping true to his festival roots, Sax will be releasing the Ultimate Festival Survival Kit, complete with JammyPack in 2013. Stay tuned! An unforgettable aspect of the JammyPack revolution thus far is the squirrel pictured on the battery pack. ‘Hoarder,’ as Sax calls him, reminds us all, “Don’t be a hoarder, jerk. Don’t keep the music to yourself. JammyPack is a social headphone.”

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

PROJECT 1 (collaboration between TAVIK and JammyPack) Now at ShopGraffitiBeach.com

art

WRITER: HEATHER GILDROY PHOTOGRAPHY: HEATHER GILDROY

DESIGNER: BRANDIE MATA

Most of us spent a fair amount of time as kids gathered

anything that’s not a bodily function.” He would spend

around a pile of Legos building radical cars, unicorns, ninjas

hours in his parents’ basement building ships for time travel,

and all of the other essentials in a childhood arsenal. As

and would go on Lego odysseys fighting ninja sharks and

adults, most of us find ourselves fiddling with objects on our

evil robots. The years passed and rather than abandoning

desk trying to think of dramatic and clever messages to leave

his “Lego Maniac” ways, he used the bricks as his tool of

on our friends’ refrigerators with the letter magnets. We

choice for school projects, and to create practical household

look to bolster the level of sillydom around us with cartoon

items like coin banks and key chains. Those years of staining

mustaches, horns, and inappropriate thought clouds. This

countless pairs of socks as he treaded the red shag carpet to

sense of whimsy, combined with well thought out design, is

and from his basement studio, led to a masterful knowledge

what makes the products of Adam Builds a must have for any

of construction with Legos.

ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

A LEGO LOVE STORY

child at heart. Although there was a brief break from building when he Having (mostly) abandoned all Lego building pursuits long

first went to college, Adam continued to create, despite those

ago, it was awesome to take a tour of the products and

saying “Legos were for kids, nerds, nerdy kids, and kiddy

concepts which Adam has in the works. The company offers

nerds.” The years of building led him to exhaust his entire

everything from clocks, iPod docks, key rings, and jewelry

collection of childhood bricks. They were ultimately turned

boxes to a growing number of larger products such as end

into some of the more grownup pieces found in his collection.

tables and light boxes. Walking through a Lego laboratory,

Adam began carrying his new products - such as his key fob -

curiosity and imagination were sparked by the endless colors

and Legophiles responded with excitement and curiosity.

and shapes, and the potential to build almost anything with these colorful bricks of childhood.

With the recent success of his Kickstarter, which is an online

Adam’s “Brick Story” began over twenty five years ago,

pledge system for funding creative projects, Adam Builds’

which in Adam’s words is, “Longer than I’ve done basically

product line was launched. The outpouring of support and

art

funding has created a flurry of activity and buzz around his work. Huge orders, live demonstrations, potential retail space, and travel around the country to share his projects, demonstrate the real staying power, magic, and playfulness in his designs. On any given day Adam is surrounded by mountains of Legos and already ten hours into a building day at 4pm. There were jokes about elves, small children, and people with tiny hands becoming a Lego building crew. From early indicators, Adam Builds has had great promise. It’s similar to the potential of Lego items themselves, to grow into a large and varied company with something for everyone. Adam is basically a big kid himself. While sitting amidst Legos and building, he offers at least five wonderful options for the word “yes”, and cleverly crafts Antonio Banderas into a mass of hilarious counterparts. This easy wit and wicked sense of humor is expressed clearly

art

in his building. Each object, no matter its functionality, is inherently playful because it is made from Legos. This medium however, is just a happy coincidence. When asked, STARTING ABOVE THEN CLOCKWISE:

Adam explains Legos simply became a great building tool.

TRANSLUCENT YIN YANG APART AND TOGETHER, SIDE

After using them for two and a half decades, he knows how

TABLE., THE LIGHT BOX,COASTERS AND THE SAFE BOX.

to construct with them extremely well. That said, I can’t help but feel this designer, so full of imagination and shenanigans, would also be aptly suited to a non Lego design as well. The future of Adam Builds includes an expanding line of products for men and women, young and old alike. Each piece is custom designed, so that every item can be almost any color while reflecting personal choice. Lego colors, shapes and opacities have grown immensely over the years, far past the traditional red, white, yellow, black and blue. They now come in a beautiful array of colors as well as light ISSUE 001 SUMMER 2012 // SHOPGRAFFITIBEACH.COM

FOR INQUIRIES SEE: FACEBOOK.COM/ADAMBUILDS

densities, lending themselves perfectly to a personal favorite, the lamps. Just like the pieces they are made of, they are beautiful, colorful and unique. One can touch it, see how the light works, and reminisce about his or her days playing with Legos. This is the beauty of Adam Builds. We all get busy and rush from place to place, sometimes missing rich details. All of Adam’s products invite curiosity and the opportunity to interact with the world. Like eating only one potato chip, one is faced with the same impossibility of not playing with Legos when presented with a Lego picture frame or clock. We want to take it apart and put it back together, rearrange the pieces and make it our own. I am currently waiting on my first Adam Builds’ piece, a lamp, which I plan on deconstructing, rebuilding with friends, and enjoying, just like the kid I am.

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Pilar- Tee by Cameron Hawaii Michael- Tee by Redhawk Brigade $28

STYLIST- Blaire HAIR/MAKEUP -

Babyak

Giovanna Avila

MODELS- Pilar,

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Pilar- Dress by Cameron Hawaii Zach- Tee by Redhawk Brigade $28

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Tank by Redhawk Brigade $32

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Michael- Tee by Redhawk Brigade $28 Zach- Tee by Redhawk Brigade $32

Zach- Tee by Redhawk Brigade $32 Pilar- Tee by Cameron Hawaii Michael- Tee by Redhawk Brigade $28

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Graffiti 2220 Fern St., San Diego CA

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Rachel Dabbs, Ximena Duck, Mafer Arce, Melanie Michaud, J. Carlos Zavala (DJ Monster), Jorge Valles, Rangana Kotwal

tank//Brokedown bikini//ANI Bikinis bag//Beatrice Holiday

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skirt//Cameron Hawaii bikini//Bettinis Necklace//Jasmine Honey

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