QP FASHION MAGAZINE - FEBRUARY 2021 by QPmag

FASHION and lifestyle MAGAZINE

QP FEBRUARY 2021

CELESTE BRIGHT BY DALI MA

12STOREEZ.COM

TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JOSE-MARIA JIMENEZ CREATIVE DIRECTOR YASMINE KATEB SENIOR DIRECTOR CLAUDIA LOMBARDO OF SELECTED PROJECTS

FASHION STYLISTS MICHELLE WU HANNAH KERRI

SENIOR EDITOR ALEXANDRA BONNET FASHION EDITOR SHARON JANE

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR SHANNEN TIERNEY CONTENT CREATORS ALEXANDRA BONNET SHARON JANE

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR This month’s issue is glowing! As we start to make our way into Spring, the sun is coming out, the birds are fluttering, and the flowers are blooming! Celeste Bright graces our front cover and Kayla Fitzgerald our back cover. Two beauties keeping it sexy and fun, you won’t want to miss their stories! We also have some exciting interview with bag designer, Ikram Ramla, and actresses, Arielle Raycene and Verónica Montes. Of course, you will also find some amazing editorials that bring some flare to this month’s issue! It is the month of love after all so why not keep it sexy and sweet?! After all, here at QPmag we love to showcase these type of stories and editorials. We bring out the fire and ice in every individual’s story. This is a perfect opportunity to think about what ignites your inner fire as well as who and what brings you the most love in your life. At times we forget to think of the basic things in our lives that motivate us and fill our hearts with light! Stay Safe. Stay Happy. Spread Love. ALEXANDRA BONNET & JOSE-MARIA JIMENEZ

Senior Editor & Editor-in-Chief QPmag

COVER

model: CELESTE BRIGHT @celestebrightt agency: WILHELMINA MODELS @wilhelminamodels PHOTOGRAPHER: DALI MA @dali.photographer fashion STYLIST: MICHELLE WU @michellewustylist MAKEUP artist: JOANNE KIM @makeupby.joanne HAIR STYLIST: CHLOE HO @chloeho_mua photographer assistant: DI GAO 5

SUBMISSIONS hello@qpmag.com ww.qpmag.com QP FASHION MAGAZINE BELLO MEDIA GROUP @BELLOmediaGroup 8285 Sunset Blvd, Suite 01 WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90046

www.qpmag.com hello@QPMAG.com

SPRING BLOOM PHOTOGRAPHER: BROUJ @broujphotography MODEL: ALYSSA BARTASHY @alyssabartashy PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT: ALONZO SANTIAGO @as_photog RETOUCHER: ARGIRIS MAIPAS @argirismaipas

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PHOTOGRAPHER: KENT AVERY @kentaveryphoto MODEL: JESSICA MICHEL SERFATY @jessicamichel AGENCY: LIPPS LA @lippsla WARDROBE STYLIST: JENNY RODRIGUEZ @styledbyjennyr Makeup ARTIST: LIZ CASTELLANOS @makeupbyliz HAIR STYLIST: RUTH MURO @colorbyruth SPECIAL THANKS TO ANAHID KRILE @anahidkrile

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COVER

CELESTE BRIGHT @celestebrightt

agency: WILHELMINA MODELS @wilhelminamodels PHOTOGRAPHER: DALI MA @dali.photographer fashion STYLIST: MICHELLE WU @michellewustylist MAKEUP artist: JOANNE KIM @makeupby.joanne HAIR STYLIST: CHLOE HO @chloeho_mua photographer assistant: DI GAO

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INTERVIEW

ARIELLE RAYCENE BEHIND THE SCENES Intro by SHANNEN TIERNEY @shannentierney

Arielle Ray was born in Texas and raised in Kansas. She had dreams of being an actress from a young age and even started pursuing those dreams as a child early on starting with commercials. Ray’s since gone to college and now splits her time between New York City and LA. She’s also built a huge internet following and has over 220 thousand followers on Instagram. Although she’s already had so much success, she’s just getting started and has even bigger plans for her future. TALENT: ARIELLE RAYCENE @thearielleray PHOTOGRAPHER: STEPHEN SHADRACH @nycinstagram wardrobe STYLIST: DANIEL ALAMILLO @danielalamillo_ HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST: MERARI RAMOS @merariramos_

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Tell us about Arielle Raycene behind the scenes.

Behind the scenes, I try to live a healthy lifestyle mentally and physically. I try to push my body and mind to their limits. Mental health is very important to me so I'm constantly trying to grow as an individual through books, meditation, and events or courses. I’m in class full time for acting and sometimes I take an interior design course here and there- as I love it! I tend to pile things on so I can travel in-between work and such! Who are your style icons? Tell us why. Jane Birkin because it feels so effortless and… the bag! Who wouldn't love to have the Birkin bag named after you?! Grace Kelly for her class and elegance. I love Carrie Bradshaw as a risk-taker. Cara Delevingne because she always adds an edge to even the most elegant or classiest outfits.

I live in it day-to-day. And Agent Provocateur because it is so much fun and sexy! What have you learned from 2020? Oh boy! I've learned a lot. I’ve learned to slow down a lot and to be more in the moment and focus on the now. How can I be happy today with myself and in my current situation without living in the future looking forward to this job or that opportunity? Can you share your beauty regimen with your audience? I love micro-needling, PRP’s and microcurrent facials. Outside of that, I use retina, make sure I exfoliate, use masks, and hydrate.

“I’ve learned to slow down a lot and to be more in the moment and focus on the now.”

How do you manage to stay on top of your game? I set boundaries for myself and those around me, taking on too much is an easy way to get stressed out. I’m also selfish with my time and make sure there is alone time with me, myself, and I. I make sure I get my beauty sleep and I avoid social media until my basic “housekeeping” (ie. meditating, reading, etc) is done.

What are your thoughts about being an “influencer”? I think it is a great way to use my voice and connect with people I never would have been able to reach before. What type of brand collaborations are you interested in and why? Ohhhh there's so many! I Am Gia- I looooooove the style! It has so much personality. Also because

What advice can you give to young aspiring actors? Study your craft, have patience, keep a positive attitude, know your truth and be prepared. My acting coach used a good analogy referring to how many “no’s” you will get in this career. She said you bring your cookies to all these people and for whatever reason they don't like that flavor or they just had that flavor or they became allergic or they are on a diet. It's funny, we won't ever know the reason we get told no but it's a lot better knowing your cookies taste damn good, someone will eat them up! Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 5 years, I better be a full-time working actress and a boss! HA! I would like to have brand deals and be a full-time working actress, be working on a passionate project, and be in a place financially where I can take care of my family.

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PHOTOGRAPHER: XENA PETERSON @xenapeterson MODEL: KAYLA FITZGERALD @kaylafitz3 fashion STYLIST: EMILY ALVAREZ @emily.alvrez MAKEUP ARTIST: EILEEN MADRID @miss_madrid HAIR STYLIST: ISABELLA SEMENTILLI @isabella.sementilli PRODUCTION: EMILY BLAIR MEDIA @emilyblairmedia & BURGERROCK MEDIA @burgerrockmedia pr: EMILY BLAIR MARCUS @emilyblairmarcus PR ASSISTANT: NICOLE SHLOMOF @nicoleshlomof

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PHOTOGRAPHER: KENT AVERY @kentaveryphoto MODEL: BOJANA KRSMANOVIC @bojanakristinaperic26 wardrobe STYLIST: CARA GORDON @cara_gordon PHOTOGRAPHER assistant: ALEC KILLION @aleckillion location: DECLAN @5thletter

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INTERVIEW

IKRAM RAMLA

MAKING A STATEMENT Interview by SHANNEN TIERNEY @shannentierney

Ikram Ramla was born and raised in Morocco. When she made her brand, RAMLA. she wanted the bags to be inspired by her Moroccan culture. She has also travelled to many different places and has taken inspiration from a variety of countries. Her bags are all unique pieces of art that are handmade by Indian craftsmen. Ikram has worked so hard to build up her brand and create original designs that truly make a statement.

IKRAM RAMLA

LARSA PIPPEN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY YASMINE KATEB FOR THE COVER OF QP DECEMBER 2019

RAMLA BAG: EMERALD 62

ow do you think growing up in Morocco has impacted your designing abilities? My upbringing in Morocco definitely shaped my view of the world. Morocco is a wonderful place, mind you I am not without bias, but it has been throughout the years a melting pot of different civilizations and cultures, it was a major stop in the Silk Road and a bridge between Africa and the west. So we grew up with an abundance of exotic scents, colors and flavors from all around the world. I think that definitely had a role to play directly or indirectly when I had the idea to create my own brand. You mentioned that you have also traveled around various places in the world. Was there one country in particular that struck design inspiration for you? I would say India. When I first visited, I was truly fascinated by the people and the culture. It is a land of great diversity. In many ways, it reminded me of Morocco. There was something very familiar yet wildly exotic about the place. I wanted to find a way to bring the two cultures together so when I came across their mosaic work it seemed so evident, Morocco is known for its ancient mosaic, and India's way of working this basic material got me inspired!

“I was not about luxury or brands, what appealed to me was the design, shapes, materials and colors of bags.”

Growing up, what was one luxury purse you dreamed of getting your hands on one day? Growing up I was not really looking at luxury bag brands if I am honest, I was more concerned about pairing my outfits to my bags, that was the thing in the 90s. Also, I was not about luxury or brands, what appealed to me was the design, shapes, materials and colors of bags. These things definitely sparked my creativity...

What challenges did you face when building your brand? How did you push through and overcome them? It was very hard to start something new, especially if you want to make a brand out of an idea. It was hard to get people to try something new as well. Mosaic bags are not regular bags and a lot of people were skeptical about the style, the weight etc. Obtaining celebrity endorsements was a challenge, as you can imagine, for a starting brand. No one really believes in you. I was lucky that people fell in love with my bags but it took time, hard work and persistence. I am a very persistent person, I don’t give up easily but there were times I almost did. Furthermore, I am not the only brand that specializes in mosaic bags, so my brand had to stand out. It is very challenging, exhausting most of the time, but when you see that your vision is finally coming to life it is very rewarding. It is worth overcoming all the obstacles and challenges. What do you think sets your brand apart from other brands in terms of originality and being unique? Mosaic bags have always existed, it’s one of the traditional fashion accessories in India. When I came across these bags I fell in love with the concept and fascinating details. I used the mosaic idea, which was not very known at the time, to start making my own designs. The same parallel can be drawn with leather bags, a large number of brands manufacture and/or design leather bags, the key differentiator is the style, the design, the concept behind the brand. For RAMLA, I work on different design ideas and colors. Every bag has unique detailing and is supported by the use of the best quality materials.

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RAMLA BAGS: JOY, L´UNIQUE & JEWEL 64

RAMLA BAG: THE ROCKSTAR 65

How important was it to you to make your brand vegan and cruelty-free? I think we are, collectively, a generation that grew up in a very different world than that of our parents because of advances in technology and population growth the paradigm shift is substantial, so wanting to change the world is an undertone to everything we do. For me, changing & protecting the world starts with the little steps, the everyday choice, whether it is protecting animals, wildlife, or the climate. How do you want people to feel when they walk around with one of your purses? I want people wearing my purses to feel confident. I want them to feel that they own something special and unique, a handmade piece crafted with a lot of attention and details, I want them to feel that they stand out from the crowd because that’s what RAMLA is about. Which celebrities that you’ve worked with were you most excited to see use your bags? Karrueche. I am a big fan of her and I was so excited to see her wearing my bag at a Tiffany and Co event. Are there any celebrities you haven’t worked with that you would like to work with in the future? Of course, the list is very long ...There are still lots of celebrities that I would love to work with, but my dream would be working with Beyonce and JLo, that would be a huge milestone for me. Hopefully one day!

What advice do you have for any designers struggling to come up with a unique concept? Just do it! No matter how small you think your idea is, just jump and get started. And always believe in yourself and dream big. Everyone fears failure, but when your dream is far bigger than your fear, that is when you find the courage to chase your dream. Why do you think people should be more willing to make a statement with their choice of purse rather than sticking to basic styles? I think we finally live in a world that acknowledges differences, even if they are not fully accepted. I think it is fundamental to celebrate our differences and showcase our individuality. Live personalities the way they are meant to shine. We are all different, and in making a fashion statement you embrace and normalize the fact that it is ok to be different. What more can we expect from RAMLA in the coming years? Certainly, the pandemic will affect the behavior of humanity for many years to come. Depending on which fashion branch they are involved in, aspiring designers need to consider the behavioral changes in our society while planning their future.

“I think we finally live in a world that acknowledges differences, even if they are not fully accepted. I think it is fundamental to celebrate our differences and showcase our individuality.” QP

IKRAM RAMLA

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INTERVIEW

VERÓNICA MONTES PURSUIT OF PASSION Interview by SHANNEN TIERNEY @shannentierney

Verónica Montes was born in Lima, Peru and moved to Miami at an early age. As a child there was only one thing she wanted to do: act. Montes started booking jobs at a young age and has not slowed down since. Her passion for acting has landed her roles in projects such as “Trolls 2”, “La Piloto” and “Una Pareja de tres”. PHOTOGRAPHERS: OSCAR VALLE (PAGES 107, 108 & 113) & ALEX CORDOVA (PAGES 110 &11) FASHION STYLISTS: EMANUEL CATRINA (PAGES 107, 108 & 113) & ENRICO BOMPANI (PAGES 110 &11) MAKEUP artists: ANA CLAUDIA CABRERA (PAGES 107, 108 & 113) & HUGO QUIÑONES (PAGES 110 &11) HAIR STYLIST: BEATRIZ SANDOVAL SPECIAL THANKS TO GET AGENCY - WWW.GETAGENCY.MX

hat was it like transitioning to life in Miami after growing up in Peru? It was really hard, even though I was only 10 years old, leaving behind your natal country, a big part of your family, your friends, it was a shock for me. To adopt the new language, food, and customs, was a difficult transition, but by the time that I convert into a teenager I was fully adapted to Miami, and that was a cornerstone for me to have a healthy and full development. What goals did you originally set for yourself when you moved to the United States? My goal has never changed since I was a little girl: to become an actress. As soon as was old enough to work, I started doing it, because I needed to pay for my acting lessons since my family was not in the position to do it. I found a great job in babysitting since I was able to study while the kids were sleeping. When I turned 18, I started working as a waitress, because the money was better, but my sleeping hours were severally reduced. I was also studying a major in Business, but my true passion and greatest effort were always focused on acting.

You’ve worked on many different projects from “La Piloto” to “Una Pareja de Tres” and so much more. Which has been your favorite to work on? I have learned different things from each project, so I enjoyed every single one of them. But if I have to choose a favorite, it would be “El Señor de los Cielos”. It was my first time with a lead role in a very famous production, and I remember that the nerves were taking over me, but all my colleagues were amazing with me, they were patient and emphatic, they helped me a lot to do my job. Every time I walked into that set, I felt like I was entering heaven. Which role would you say has challenged you the most and taken you out of your comfort zone? In my role in “Papa A Toda Madre”, I was reluctant to even going to the casting. I had never worked in comedy before, and I was not sure I could make people laugh. Thank God my people convinced me to go to the casting because once I conquered my fears, I discovered that I loved to do comedy. It is really fun and brings me special satisfaction since I believe that laughter is the best medicine for the soul, and it is great to feel that you are helping people laugh.

“Adapting to Miami was a cornerstone for me to have a ealthy and full development.”

You’re very passionate about fitness. What sparked this love for fitness that has kept you motivated to stay fit? It is a passion derived from my main one, acting. Since I started my acting career, all the production teams asked me to stay fit, therefore I became highly disciplined with my body. After you create this discipline, your body also starts to ask you for the endorphins released by exercise, so it becomes easier through time. The hardest part comes with the food, my trick is to find healthy food that I like and maintain the balance with a cheat day every week, when I eat all the cravings accumulated during the previous days. So defintely your passion for fitness has helped you in your career. Absolutely, not only because keeping my figure is a demand for me but also because it taught me to be disciplined and persistent, virtues that are basic to become successful in any career.

Speaking of out of your comfort zone, you’ve typically always done acting roles but recently ventured into the world of animation with “Trolls 2”. What was it like voicing a character for the first time and getting to be a part of a popular movie franchise? It was a wonderful experience, I loved working on this, although it is very difficult to match the voice with the movement on the screen, and at the same time give it the necessary nuances for each part of the phrase, I received a lot of help from everything the production team and it was amazing. I was really happy and excited when they called me to be a part of this franchise, even when I had no idea of how to do it, I was counting the days to attend the studio and make the recordings. I hope soon to work in children's dubbing again.

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You have a very strong social media presence through Instagram and your YouTube channel. What social media content can fans expect from you in 2021? I will keep posting training exercises, recipes, and beauty tips that work for me, sharing with the followers my day-to-day, but I will be putting a high focus on the interaction with them, trying to respond absolutely to every one of their questions and concerns. Also, if the pandemic allows it, I want to travel as much as possible, so I can share places and experiences for my people, giving them ideas of where they could go to take a break, after a year that had kept us in lockdown. Being so into health and beauty, what’s one beauty tip or hack you could share with us? One of the greatest tips that I have ever received is to NEVER go to sleep with makeup on, regardless of the

state in which you arrive home, you must always take it off before going to bed, and if you still have the strength to put on your daily creams, even better. As to the fitness part, the abdominals muscle group has a superior power of rehabilitation than every other muscle group, therefore it can be trained on a daily basis as long as they are not overcharged. I only let them rest one day per week, but I never take them to a high level of fatigue. If you could go back in time and play any role in a movie or T.V. show what would it be and why? I would have loved to be in the role of Angelina Jolie in the movie “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”. Interpreting two completely characters in the same movie, making all the action sequences, working with Brad Pitt…. It could not get any better!

“I was really happy and excited when they called me to be a part of the TROLLS franchise, even when I had no idea of how to do it. I was counting the days to attend the studio and make the recordings.”

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FASHION and lifestyle MAGAZINE

QP FEBRUARY 2021

KAYLA FITZGERALD BY XENA PETERSON