QP FASHION MAGAZINE - AUGUST 2022

Page 1

QP AUGUST 2022 MAGAZINElifestyleandFASHION BY ANDREY DUBRO EMELINA ADAMS

TEAM CONTRIBUTINGEDITORIALCREATIVEEDITOR-IN-CHIEFDIRECTORPRODUCERSSENIOREDITOREDITORSCONTENTCREATORS

FASHIONMAKEUPSTYLISTSARTISTSHAIRSTYLISTS

ANASTASIIA CHERKASHYNA JOI RUTHRIRIMICHELLEJENNIFERDARIACOLEMANSARANADIYATEALDARIAARCHANGELAQUELAMICHELLEHANNAHSALVADORKERRIWURENEECHELSEANATIUNINADRUDASERPOOSHMOKHTARIMORRISNATIUNINABAKERV.ROYAB.MEDRANO

JOSE-MARIA Editor-in-ChiefJIMENEZ

JOSE-MARIA JIMENEZ M. ALEXANDRASHARONELISABETHSHARONCLAUDIAAREZOOMATTHEWCHÉRIENIENABERJALALILOMBARDOJANEHOWERJANEBONNET

QPmag 4QP

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Hi Welcomethere, to our AUGUST 2022 issue! We could not be more excited about this new issue we are presenting to you. Not only do we have the beautiful and talent actress & model, EMELINA ADAMS, who has been the face of GUESS & MARCIANO for years and is now enyoing the success, as an actress, of her recently premiered movie, BULLET TRAIN, with Hollywood star, BRAD PITT; but we are also featuring 3 interviews with 3 different artists: fashion designer SANA HANASSI-SAVARI, the multi faceted artist MARA LOVE as well as the highly acclaimed video creator, FRED STAUFFER. And to make things even more visually engaging, we are adding 5 stunning fashion editorials, that we hope you will love as much as we do. Like always, a huge THANK YOU to all the talented professionales who have made this issue possible. All kudos to them! Much obliged!

COVER talent: EMELINA ADAMS @emelinaadams PHOTOGRAPHER: ANDREY DUBRO @andreydubro fashion stylist: ANASTASIIA CHERKASHYNA @stacyjefferson MAKEUP artist: ARCHANGELA CHELSEA @archangelachelsea HAIR STYList: COLEMAN MORRIS @hairbycolescott PR AGENCY: HELIOTYPE CREATIVE @heliotypecreative PRODUCer: MATTHEW NIENABER @matthewnienaber vintage car: 1972 FERRARI 365 GTC4 - provided by MIKE KERNS @mike_kerns LOCATION: DEVLIN HOUSE @devlinhouse QP 5

IN THIS ISSUE 8-41 124-131114-123104-11388-10382-8772-8152-71|42-51|||||||| EDITORIAL: LILY´S DAY OFF EDITORIAL: HEART ON THE WEST - VOL 3 COVER: EMELINA ADAMS EDITORIAL: RUNAWAY INTERVIEW: FRED STAUFFER EDITORIAL: MIAMI DELUXE INTERVIEW: AMBER LONDON EDITORIAL: FEELS LIKE PARADISE INTERVIEW: MARA LOVE www.qpmag.comhello@QPMAG.com SUBMISSIONS hello@qpmag.com ww.qpmag.com QP FASHION MAGAZINE BELLO MEDIA GROUP WEST8285@BELLOmediaGroupSunsetBlvd,Suite01HOLLYWOOD,CA90046 6QP

@jadghandourofficial

8QP

PHOTOGRAPHER: ANDREY DUBRO @andreydubro MODEL: LILY DANIELS @they_callmelily AGENCY: LIPPS LA @lippsla fashion stylist: ANASTASIIA CHERKASHYNA @stacyjefferson hair & makeup: DARIA MATIUNINA @daria_matiunina_muah PRODUCer: MATTHEW NIENABER @matthewnienaber vintage car: 1968 MASERATI SEBRING - provided by MIKE KERNS @mike_kerns DAYLILY´SOFF QP 9

Coat KAFTAN STUDIO Earrings ADIBA Pearl necklace VERONICA THARMALINGAM Shoes CHARLES DAVID 10QP

QP 11

12QP

Coat KAFTAN STUDIO Earrings ADIBA Pearl necklace VERONICA THARMALINGAM QP 13

14QP

Coat KAFTAN STUDIO Earrings ADIBA Pearl necklace VERONICA THARMALINGAM Shoes CHARLES DAVID QP 15

Coat KAFTAN STUDIO Earrings ADIBA Pearl necklace VERONICA THARMALINGAM 16QP

17 QP

Scarf SHAKU Jacket MISTER TRIPLE X Necklace VERONICA THARMALINGAM Pants HELEN ANTHONY Shoes CHARLES DAVID Bag TIZIANO COLASANTE 18QP

QP 19

20QP

QP 21

Scarf SHAKU Jacket MISTER TRIPLE X Necklace VERONICA THARMALINGAM Pants HELEN ANTHONY 22QP

QP 23

24QP

Jacket & Bodysuit MISTER TRIPLE X Necklace ANTHROPOLOGIE Earrings ADIBA Eyewear VERSACE Sequin boots CHARLES DAVID QP 25

26QP

Scarf SHAKU Jacket MISTER TRIPLE X Necklace VERONICA THARMALINGAM Pants HELEN ANTHONY 27 QP

28QP

Jacket & Bodysuit MISTER TRIPLE X Necklace ANTHROPOLOGIE Earrings ADIBA Sequin boots CHARLES DAVID QP 29

30QP

QP

Jumpsuit FARAH AL MESBAH Gloves MARTA MILJANIC Earrings MASON LOUELLA Bracelet MASON LOUELLA 32QP

QP 33

34QP

Jumpsuit FARAH AL MESBAH Gloves MARTA MILJANIC Earrings MASON LOUELLA Bracelet MASON LOUELLA QP 35

36QP

QP 37

Jumpsuit FARAH AL MESBAH Gloves MARTA MILJANIC Earrings MASON LOUELLA Bracelet MASON LOUELLA 38QP

QP 39

Jacket SUBIN HAHN Bodysuit BANI PASRICHA Earrings DM JEWELRY DESIGNS Necklace JEWELRY BAR Shoes CHARLES DAVID Bag TIZIANO COLASANTE 40QP

QP 41

42QP

HEART on the PHOTOGRAPHER: MISHAN WARNAKULASURIYA @mishanw MODEL: NICOLE PEDRA @nicolepedra makeup artist: JUAN PABLO TORRES @makeupbyjpablo WEST VOL. 3 QP 43

44QP

QP 45

46QP

QP 47

48QP

QP 49

50QP

QP 51

COVER ADAMSEMELINA Interview by SHARON JANE @itssharonjane talent: EMELINA ADAMS @emelinaadams PHOTOGRAPHER: ANDREY DUBRO @andreydubro fashion stylist: ANASTASIIA CHERKASHYNA @stacyjefferson MAKEUP artist: ARCHANGELA CHELSEA @archangelachelsea HAIR STYList: COLEMAN MORRIS @hairbycolescott PR AGENCY: HELIOTYPE CREATIVE @heliotypecreative PRODUCer: MATTHEW NIENABER @matthewnienaber vintage car: 1972 FERRARI 365 GTC4 - provided by MIKE KERNS @mike_kerns LOCATION: DEVLIN HOUSE @devlinhouse The beautiful inside/out model & actress, Emelina Adams, joins QP Magazine to share with us her journey to landing a role in the now blockbuster film, Bullet Train, how she got into acting and modeling (and even becoming a Guess Girl!), as well as her style inspiration, beauty favs, and more! MULTI FACETED BEAUTY 52QP

Coat SARAH REGENSBURGER Earrings VERONICA THARMALINGAM Golden choker ROCKY STAR Shoes CHARLES DAVID QP 53

Golden sequin top & skirt set ROCKY STAR Gold drop earrings DM JEWELRY DESIGNS 54QP

I t is so amazing to finally having you on the cover of our magazine, and we are honored to have this interview! First things first, you are making your big screen debut with Bullet Train! How does that feel?! Thank you so much for having me! I am honored to be on the cover of QP! I am so happy we were able to work together. It's honestly such a dream come true for me. I have always wanted to be an actress, and I feel like I have been preparing for this moment for a very long time. How did you prepare for this role? I've been taking acting classes and working with my acting coach for the last five years now. I train with Graham Shiels at the Graham Shiels Studio. He is so amazing and has helped coach me on my biggest auditions, including this one. This was a tricky audition because I wasn't given a script or any dialogue to prepare. I was instructed to improvise a scene, and I sent in two very different takes and booked this role from my self-taped audition. What is the most memorable behind-the-scenes moment during Bullet Train? I can’t give away too much, but I honestly had the best experience being on this set. From the moment I walked onto the Sony Studios lot, I could just feel the adrenaline kick in, and it gave me this feeling that all of the years of work I have dedicated to this craft have all been worth it. I had a very fun moment improvising some dialogue with the director David Leitch. He's a very funny guy. It is also known that you are a very successful model, even being the face of Guess x Marciano (congrats!) Why did you get into modeling? Thank you so much! I have been modeling for 12 years. My ultimate goal has always been to be an actress, but I didn't know how to get into the entertainment industry, so I thought modeling would be a step in that direction and hopefully lead to bigger opportunities, which it definitely has. That's also why I got into beauty pageants, which ultimately led to me winning the title of Miss Nevada USA 2016. Was it your dream to be part of the Guess family? How does it feel to be a Guess girl? Absolutely!! Being a Guess girl has always been a dream of mine! I love my Guess family so much, and I am so grateful for them and to Paul Marciano. He really gave me a chance when no one else would. They have given me so many amazing opportunities, and I have continued to grow and evolve with the company. I have shot two global Guess x Marciano Campaigns, Spring/ Summer of 2021 and Spring 2022. I was also most recently in Lugano, Switzerland, with Guess to walk in their latest fashion show!

What advice would you give to those that would like to pursue a career in acting and/or modeling? Never give up and stay positive. It only takes that one "yes" to change your life. Keep going and be persistent! You have incredible style, by the way! Who or what is your biggest style inspiration? Thank you! I love fashion! When it comes to my style, I personally like to be sexy, classy, and effortless. As a model, I'm not afraid to try new looks and am open to wearing anything that makes me feel my best. I've really been loving 70s fashion lately and love how old styles are coming back. What are your beauty essentials for the season? Sunscreen is the one product I wear every single day. Skincare is super important to me, and that is the one product I'll never give up “From the moment Iontowalkedthe StudiosSony lot, I could just feel the adrenaline kick.”

QP 55

Pant suit MISTER TRIPLE X Earrings DM JEWELRY DESIGNS “I LOVE my GUESS family so much and I am so grateful to them and to Paul Marciano. He really gave me a CHANCE when no one else would.” 56QP

QP 57

Golden sequin top & skirt set ROCKY STAR Gold drop earrings DM JEWELRY DESIGNS 58QP

Coat SARAH REGENSBURGER Earrings VERONICA THARMALINGAM Golden choker ROCKY STAR Shoes CHARLES DAVID QP 59

.

.

no matter what season it is. I also get monthly facials and maintain a beauty routine, so I'm always photoshoot ready. My signature lip color is pillow talk by Charlotte Tilbury

Why did you get into acting?

What are your favorite activities to do in your free time? I love to travel! I've been to 12 different countries and had the opportunity to study abroad In Italy when I was in college. I also love to work out and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Pilates is my favorite! Recently, I started taking archery, which has been really fun. I also love spending time with my baby Pomeranian Gigi and going to the beach! It is also known that you are passionate about several philanthropic activities that you help out in. Could you please share about them?

.

60QP

I am very passionate about helping out when I can, and there are several organizations I have worked with. When I was Miss Nevada USA in 2016, I worked alongside Solutions Recovery Center, spreading awareness about addiction. I've also had the opportunity to work with children who come from challenging backgrounds and help them through their educational journey. You also have a degree in Psychology and are dedicated to helping others, especially children in matters related to mental health. What advice would you give to kids that would like to improve their mental health? Yes, I attended the University of Arizona, and I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a Pre-Law thematic minor. If I did not pursue the entertainment industry, I was planning on becoming a child psychologist. The advice I would give to parents assisting their children with mental health is to work closely with everyone involved in the child's treatment, including teachers, coaches, therapists, and other family members, so the child is given the best care possible, which will lead the child to succeed. We are also aware of many exciting upcoming projects coming soon! Please share about them!

From a very young age, I had wanted to get into acting. My first play was in elementary school, and I started taking acting classes. I loved the idea of being in someone else's shoes and living in a totally different world. I love period pieces and sci-fi/ fantasy genres, so being able to create in that type of environment is so fun and exciting to me. What do you love most about each: the modeling and the film industry? I love that each industry offers the opportunity to be creative, and the sky is the limit. As a model, I love working with brands I've always wanted to work with. Working with Guess has been such a dream, and I've always loved their iconic images and aesthetics. The film industry is a different world, but I love being able to tell a story versus just posing in a photo. I love seeing how everything comes together, whether it's for a photo shoot or a feature film. Who is your all time favorite movie director? There are so many good ones! This is tough. There are several I'd LOVE to work with, but I love anything Steven Spielberg

I am so excited to have several feature films coming out this year! The next one is a comedy, Back On The Strip, with Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Wesley Snipes & many more! This was a fun one because I played someone totally opposite of myself. Another feature film that just premiered at the Taormina Film Festival is called American Murderer, based on a true story starring Ryan Phillippe, Idina Menzel, Tom Pelphrey, & Jacki Weaver. Stay tuned for more! “I love that each industry offers the opportunity to be CREATIVE, and the sky is the limit ”

Leopard bodysuit MARTA MILJANIC Coat ALABAMA BLONDE Necklace VERA WANG Earrings ANDREANNE PATRY QP 61

Jacket CHARLES AND RON Bodysuit MARTA MILJANIC Earrings ANDREANNE PATRY 62QP

QP 63

64QP

Pant suit MISTER TRIPLE X Earrings DM JEWELRY DESIGNS Shoes CHARLES DAVID QP 65

“Never give up and stay positive. It only takes that one "YES" to change your LIFE. ” 66QP

@theindustryla Leopard bodysuit MARTA MILJANIC Coat ALABAMA BLONDE Necklace VERA WANG Earrings ANDREANNE PATRY Boots CHARLES DAVID QP 67

Coat SARAH REGENSBURGER Earrings VERONICA THARMALINGAM Golden choker ROCKY STAR Shoes CHARLES DAVID 68QP

Coat ALABAMA BLONDE Necklace VERA WANG Earrings ANDREANNE PATRY QP 69

Golden sequin top & skirt set ROCKY STAR Gold drop earrings DM JEWELRY DESIGNS Shoes CHARLES DAVID 70QP

Pant suit MISTER TRIPLE X Earrings DM JEWELRY DESIGNS Shoes CHARLES DAVID QP 71

PHOTOGRAPHER: J. LUZAN @tropicpic MODELs: OLGA STOROZHUK @olechka_storojuk & TAMARA SEM @tam.model8 RUNAWAY 72QP

QP 73

74QP

QP 75

76QP

QP 77

78QP

QP 79

80QP

QP 81

CONTENT CREATOR pr agency: EMILY BLAIR MEDIA @emilyblairmedia Interview

INTERVIEW

The inspiring creative, Fred Stauffer, shares with QP Magazine how he got into creating magical content for the Met Gala, Balmain, Louvre, Louis Vuitton, and way more… just to name a few! See the world behind his lens, and let’s hear what he has to say about his signature style, go-to gear, and the future of fashion content.

FRED STAUFFER by SHARON @itssharonjane

JANE

SIMPLE, EFFICIENT & ELEGANT 82QP

83 QP

“Think SIMPLE but efficient and go crazy staying ELEGANT” 84QP

QP 85

t is so wonderful to have this interview with you! Your creativity in content creating is incredibly inspiring! How did you get into this? Hi everyone, the pleasure is all mine. Thank you so much. For me, everything actually started in high school when I picked my mum’s camera to bring to our parties. That’s when I started learning photography and how to set my camera for the photo I wanted to take. For the lovers of photography and videography, we never forget our first camera and how it felt to capture what inspires us - what was your first camera? Of course, I remember, but I actually consider that I had two first cameras. The actual first one was just a waterproof compact Olympus that I would bring with me everywhere. However, the camera that made me want to go deeper into photography, my first DSLR was my mum’s camera, a Canon 450D and I still have it. How would you define your content creating signature style? I guess I would describe my content as unexpected, magical, and fun. In a way, there is always a little touch of magic. Your content brings fashion moments to life, what is a fashion trend or moment that you are loving right now? I actually have to say that I don’t really like to follow trends. My main goal is to try to offer content that is going to be as original as possible. As a creator, how do you find inspiration for your projects? I actually find inspiration by just looking around me. Not just looking, but really paying attention to all the details around and I try to imagine unexpected situations in a normal situation. What is a highlight experience in your career so far? I would say it was when I flew to NY to shoot for Louis Vuitton for the Met Gala. It was a very intense and crazy experience, from beginning to end. Fashion advertising and content is constantly evolving; what do you see in the future for content creation in the fashion industry? I think in the future, brands are going to be focusing more and more on digital campaigns than traditional ones. Right now the social work for a lot of brands is still kind of secondary but it is already as important as the main campaign. Why is this new form of advertising and content creating so important today?

What advice would you give for others that would like to pursue digital content creating as well?

What are some artists that inspire you in your art? The artist that inspired me the most is and will always be my mother. Everything that I do today comes from her golden touch and her eyes for art. Who is your biggest style inspiration? Miss Prada, without a doubt. What is your go-to gear for your content creating?

I think because people don't have as much time as before, the ad has to be shorter. This form of advertising can also speak directly to a certain audience which can make it more efficient.

Think simple but efficient and go crazy staying elegant. What future projects do you have that you’re excited about?

It’s been a few months now since I started shooting on Red and now I can’t live without it. For the lens, I would say the 16-35 with a little monitor or just my phone and my tripod of course.

All I can say is that I might be going to South Korea soon. I can’t talk much about it but I’m very very excited for this.

“My main goal is to try to offer content that is going to be as original as possible”

I

“The artist that inspired me the most is and will always be my mother. Everything that I do today comes from her golden touch and her eyes for art. ” 86QP

QP 87

PHOTOGRAPHER: LEONARDO HOLANDA @holandaleonardo MODEL: JULIANA ADORNO @adornojuli hair and makeup: ALYONA ZUBENKO @alymuah exotic cars provided by: BILLIONAIRES MIAMI @billionariesmiami DELUXE MIAMI 88QP

QP 89

90QP

QP 91

92QP

QP 93

94QP

QP 95

96QP

QP 97

98QP

Black dress HAES 99 QP

100QP

Black dress HAES QP 101

102QP

Black dress HAES QP 103

INTERVIEW Sana Hanassi-Savari set out to revolutionize the swimwear industry with AMBER LONDON, her most recent collection “Resort 22” has been purposefully designed, produced, and modelled on everyday women for everyday wearing. AMBER LONDON FOUNDER & DESIGNER SANA HANASSI-SAVARI pr agency: THE POP GROUP @thepop.group special thanks to PORTIA LARGE @portia_pop 104QP

SANA HANASSI-SAVARI QP 105

106QP

The feeling totally resonates with me, I spent years feeling self-conscious about my body and choosing swimwear had become an extremely painful process: the pieces I liked would not fit my curves, the ones I did fit in would just simply not look good on me. It’s important to realise that we are not all made to be equal, diversity is what makes this world beautiful, I mean it would be boring if we all looked the same, dressed the same and did the same things. It’s important to realise that we all have our own struggles and insecurities and we shouldn’t judge people from what we see from the outside. I guess true confidence comes from the inside and it can take many of us years to master, so most importantly you should do what is right for you and what makes you feel good. This also applies to what you wear, focus on what makes you feel comfortable and good - this is particularly important when it comes to swimwear. I would personally say wear the right size and invest in good quality swimwear, the right pieces will give you all the confidence that you need and they’ll become staple pieces in your wardrobe. Spend time searching for the brands and pieces that work for you, it’s worth the effort and you’ll feel so much better when you do. Other than that, just try to relax and enjoy yourself, don’t over think things.

I have started my career in finance so I have always thrived in competitive environments: the feeling of pushing myself and establishing a name for myself is quintessential to me. In swimwear, and more generally in fashion, this is no different. You need to believe in yourself and believe in your story, look at everything with an inquisitive eye to test every detail from the very beginning and don’t stop at the first hiccup. London is not the first place we think of when we think of swimwear, but it is one of the fashion capitals, you’ve already secured yourself a LA stockist via Wolf & Badger, what else do you plan on doing in the city of Angels? We are very happy to have started our journey with a strong international focus, with customers from Europe, US and even Australia from the very beginning both from our online store and via WOLF & BADGER platform. LA holds a very special spot in our future plans: we stepped into the city of angels thanks to WOLF & BADGER and our online store but we would love to establish a stronger physical presence: in an ideal world scenario, pop-up shops and few collaborations could foster our brand in the city. We are a young brand with ambitious dreams and that really seems in line with the spirit of the city, where the “You need to believe in yourself and believe in your story”

QP 107

S ana, congratulations on the new collection, this is now your second season producing swimwear, the look this time looks very different, we love the models which are wearing your designs. How did your approach to designing this collection differ from the last time?

As a female entrepreneur in a competitive market, what do you do to spur yourself on to keep going and how can our readers apply them to their daily lives.

Thank you and thanks for the kind words. I love to think of each collection as integral part of our journey, so I believe there are a lot of common elements in our approach across designs and across seasons. We continue providing our customers with choice by adding a new set of diverse styles and exciting colors. In our Resort collection, bikini styles might seem different in look but they remain true to our commitment towards timeless style and comfort, with a strong focus on multi-use purpose for pieces that can be enjoyed beyond the water. Size and fit continue to be key pillars of our design process and that has driven our choices in terms of models, looks and styles. Swimwear can be one of the most terrifying things to wear for many people, you are essentially wearing the same volume of material we use for our underwear, aside from wearing AMBER LONDON SWIM, what words of advice would you give our readers to feel their best on the beach?

“I would personally say WEAR the right size and INVEST in good quality swimwear. ” 108QP

QP 109

What insecurities did you find before you created AMBER LONDON when you were on the hunt for swimwear and what were your biggest regrets? We’ve all bought unsupportive bikini tops and ended up with holiday snaps we wouldn’t share with “We are a young brand with AMBITIOUS DREAMS and that really seems in line with the spirit of LOS ANGELES ”

Sustainability has been a buzzword in the fashion industry for some time – we would love to know what you are doing at AMBER LONDON to be as green as possible.

.

Sizing is a big deal, consumers are misled by many brands and are often put in positions where they can feel body conscious. Your recent campaign depicts the female form as we know and love ourselves, what’s the key to designing swimwear for real women?

110QP

Sustainability is part of our ethos, we pride ourselves on being an eco-friendly brand with a conscious mindset. We are set to challenge fast fashion trends by providing timeless core collections that use high-quality, durable materials. From the very start, we have decided to work with local Italian suppliers that are themselves committed to sustainability and social investments. We promote conscious buying, limited production runs, design with multi-use purpose and we utilise recycled and re-usable packaging. Where possible we utilise sustainable materials, for example each piece of the Resort collection is made from recycled fabrics (specifically the swimwear is made of ECONYL®, a premium yarn that gets regenerated from waste such as fabric scraps and fishing nets).

sun shines throughout the year and the Hollywood world attracts bright young talents in search of their own path.

What can we expect from AMBER LONDON over the next few years, do we see standalone stores, a female empowered podcast, or the venture into RTW perhaps? We are still pretty young and for that reason we are very agile; we want to remain true to our identity, so we avoid overthinking and committing to changes too far ahead, but we have big dreams and we are taking baby steps to move towards those. Accessories and RTW are already part of our latest collection, so it seems more natural to expand in that direction further with new looks and new prints. We might try to create a one stop shop solution for our customers’ summer needs, but let’s see where this path takes us!

I totally agree, it is very difficult sometimes to find your perfect fit when it comes to swimwear and I have certainly suffered from that. The key is recognising that the female form is diverse. I don’t think applying one size for a bikini top and bottom really works for most women, it assumes we have the same top and bottom sizes, that all women with a small back also have a small bust and vice versa (I am the perfect example as to why this assumption is wrong, I am a U.K. 6 / US 2 and have a bust of 32DD/E). Swimwear is like lingerie, the fit is crucial, it is not a t-shirt, where if the size is a little small or a little large it could still work, swimwear needs to fit us perfectly. That is why at AMBER LONDON our bikini tops and bottoms come as separates and why our bikini tops are based on cup-sizes. Swimwear is essentially underwear designed for the water so it should be sized in the same way. When designing our swimwear, we thoroughly test them, the initial samples are done to my size, and we continue iterating our samples until I am fully happy with the fit, we then test the size range on women of different body shapes and sizes, we don’t just scale up and down our sizes, we test on real bodies. This process usually takes over a year. Can you tell our readers 3 facts about yourself not related to work? Well, I am fairly introvert, so this question is probably the most difficult for me. I am an avid reader, usually looking for romance and adventure stories I can read through when I travel or when I am back home from work. I love going to the gym, me and my partner have a decent routine and we went through all phases: gym, HIIT, boxing (even lockdown home gym). I am the definition of foodie; my soft spot are Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes.

QP 111

I have a small back and a fuller bust and really hated shopping for swimwear, I used to avoid certain stores knowing that they would not offer my size or would not have any options for me, when online shopping I would filter to my size just so I wouldn’t be disappointed seeing pieces that I liked that didn’t work for me. I would look at my girlfriends’ swimwear and think why can I not find pieces like that. At some point I even considered a breast reduction surgery, which I didn’t go ahead with in the end. Over time I stopped overthinking and gained more confidence in myself and my body. My main regret is that I should have started AMBER LONDON sooner, I’ve had the idea for over 10 years, I would have had the right swimwear much earlier on and would have felt better about myself sooner. I would say to other girls and women who feel insecure about their size and body to spend time finding pieces that fit them best, to really search for the right brands and not just be let down if the mainstream stores don’t cater for them. We are loving the images we’ve seen of your designs in editorials featuring your swimwear as not just something for the by the pool. What are your style tips for incorporating AMBER LONDON into the everyday closet? Our designs are born from the idea that swimwear is an integral part of your wardrobe, with pieces that really complement your everyday style and not just confined to the water. I often wear our bikini tops as a sports bra to the gym or to a yoga session or even on a long-haul flight since I find them more comfortable than lingerie. Our bikini tops can be styled with our resort wear or everyday outfits from AM-PM. For example, style our Positano top with a pair of shorts and our Beatrice Kimono for a casual poolside bar look or laid back summer day out. Wear our Milano top under a blazer and with jeans or with our Luna wrap skirt and a pair of heels for dressedup dinner out. Our accessories, for example the Rebecca bandana can really spice up any of your looks all year round. These are just a few examples, but the possibilities are really endless.

anyone, let’s keep it real!

112QP

QP 113

114QP

feels like PARADISE PHOTOGRAPHER: ÓSCAR BUENO @phoscarbueno MODEL: MARTA ÁLAMO @martalopezalamo QP 115

116QP

QP 117

118QP

QP 119

120QP

QP 121

122QP

QP 123

ART Mariel Mendez is a Latin American artist and founder of MARALOVE, a brand focused on artistic vanguards, showing through illustration the sensitivity of women and the expression of fashion in our times. Using bright colors and mixing different styles and techniques when making portraits. Her work has been exhibited in the United States and Mexico. She is currently exhibiting at Manchester Grand Hyatt Downtown (San Diego) and Westfield Mission Valley (San Diego, CA).

MEET MARALOVE 124QP

QP 125

126QP

How would you define your work, what stories are your trying to tell, and what are you trying to convey? I define my art and my work as very free and colorful, very attached to my emotions. What I want to tell behind art is the emotional expression that each one of us has during life. The final product is to see a painting that makes you feel or see an emotion. How would you describe in conceptual terms your proposal applied to fashion?

I balance my life naturally, I don't have something strict to work, I can work on different days, it doesn't matter if they are holidays, but I also give time for myself, for my family, for my emotional well-being, and I try to balance and take it from a “What I want to tell behind ART is the expressionemotional that each one of us has duringlife ”

I do not consider myself a fashion designer, I am a creative artist who works in fashion, not necessarily trends, but I love having the opportunity to experiment with different fabrics, with different applications and materials. Merging art with fashion is a very satisfying experience. Who or what inspires your to create your collections?

I am very inspired by music, shapes, textures, clothing, everyday people I see walking, images that capture my attention. Other artists inspire me and make me see that there are challenges that I can explore. Basically I am inspired by everything, anything that goes from day to day in my life. Any moment and circumstance triggers my inspiration, since I have the inspiration, it gives me creativity to capture. Did you have an artist you looked up when growing up? I admire many famous and not famous artists, but I think the ones I admired the most were those everyday people who made and loved art. How do you want women to feel when wearing your clothes? I would like people who wear my personalized clothes to feel free, empowered, and creative. What keeps your creativity going?

W hat was your first approach to art? My first approach to art was from my childhood. I began to develop the taste from elementary school where I participated in art activities. Furthermore, I have a memory of a Christmas where my parents gave me a case that had colors, markers, scissors and also sheets to start with art activities.

The project of linking art with fashion is to combine/merge my pictorial works with the physical. My illustrations focus on creating characters and I am inspired by every detail of them, whether from clothing, makeup, accessories and settings. What I show in my works I take to the physical plane, where viewers can carry my creations and feel part of them. How did you star mixing your art with fashion? I started painting clothes with a jeans jacket, because a person asked me for a personalized one and at that moment, I discovered that I liked to intervene and add accessories, for me it was an approach to something I wanted to do, which was to design clothes. I haven't taken the time to learn sewing, so I think it was a way I was able to combine art with a made garment. How does your brand take on the challenge of sustainability in fashion? I reuse materials in my creations and make interventions on previously used clothing. I propose to give a new image to those garments to reuse them by adding a new touch; creating a different outfit. Whats is your favourite part of being a fashion designer?

QP 127

I It is a born value. I always have it alert. My way of seeing life may be different from other people's, but what I feel is that everything seems creative to me. Any place, object, idea. I see everything that way. How do you balance life?

“My illustrations focus on creating characters and I am inspired by every detail of them.” 128QP

QP 129

What is the secret of your success?

profitable way for me and my business. Is there a second passion or a hobby in your life besides art and fashion?

I really like the route I have taken because it has been fluid in conjunction with what I believe and expect of myself, for my personal challenges. I have done everything with a purpose and to feel better, as a personal motivation. Always taking into consideration others and thinking about what is best for you. I hope to work on developing my creativity and my essence for my future.

What are you currently working on? Right now, I am working in a space where I take my clothes and my paintings, using it as my gallery but it will also be a space to share with other artists who want to exhibit.

130QP

I don't consider myself a successful person in terms of money, but I consider myself successful as a person because I have love. I have a family and I live in constant growth as a person. I do not consider myself successful in my business because you are always working and with something new that you feel you can do better. You must reach a point where your business flows on its own.

Looking back, how would you define the path you have taken so far? And what do you hope for in your future?

I like to spend my time with my family, I also like to swim, it is not something frequent but it is something that I enjoy.

QP 131

WWW.RATBETTY.COM

WWW.CRISTINACIPOLLIJEWELLERY.COM

QP AUGUST 2022 MAGAZINElifestyleandFASHION BY ANDREY DUBRO LILY DANIELS INSIDE COVER

QP AUGUST 2022 MAGAZINElifestyleandFASHION FRED STAUFFER BACK COVER SELF-PORTRAIT

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.