LA CANVAS - THE FASHION ISSUE (SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2013)

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C A N V A S

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 6

SEPTEMBER + OCTOBER

publisher

DANTE COLOMBATTI

creative director ERIN DENNISON

ar t director

RACHEL MANY

online editor

VI NGUYEN

photo editor

GRANT YOSHINO

photography

CONAN THAI EMMAN MONTALVAN GRANT YOSHINO KATHRYNA HANCOCK MARK WALES RONALD PRE

contributors

ROSS GARDINER MEAGAN JUDKINS ASHTON STRONKS MICHAEL FRANCESCONI VIJA HODOSY KACY EMMETT CRIS BRISCOE SANNI YOUBOTY

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DOT COM LA’S BEST ART, STYLE, MUSIC, FOOD AND EVENTS SOURCE

LA CANVAS TV Because sometimes you’re just at literary capacity, LAC’s going video.

Our baby cousin, LA CANVAS TV, features interviews and behindthe-scenes content brought to you by our ambassadors. Our latest addition, pint-sized, internet maven, and sartorial wizard, blogger Olivia Lopez of Lust for Life brings our print and digital content alive through the LA CANVAS channel.

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NOTED WELL VERSED One time for talented Jewish rappers. Long Island native, UPenn grad and former Google employee Hoodie Allen relocated to LA in 2009 and has given us three mix tapes since then. With delectable pop-culture references like “I’m more Seth Cohen than you’ve ever been . . . I made her come trice like Obie . . . and, I got a couch no Chappelle put your feet on it,” we’re more than a little hyped for the ivy-league pretty boy’s upcoming full length album this fall.

HOODIEALLEN.COM

PUNK PRODIGY Some thirteen-year-old boys Instagram a dozen photos of soccer games and biking battle scars in rapid succession . . . some are world renowned street artists. This September, adolescent savant Skyler Grey will be showcasing his first solo show for LAB ART on La Brea. The street art gallery has previously played host to favorites like Chad Muska, Desire Obtain Cherish, and Gregory Siff, and is famous for breaking the recalcitrant industry’s best new talent.

LABARTGALLERY.COM

EVERYONE HAS A STORY 100 percent cotton, made with 100 percent consideration. Brett Novek started his clothing and accessory line good hYOUman dedicated to his father David’s memory. Good hYOUman features a battery of expertly fitted basic shapes available in neutral palette, customized with our choice of graphic inspirational quotes. Simple typography phrases range from clever wordplay like “Goal Digger” to basic statements of “I like to Spoon.” Novek’s mantra is to illuminate the human experience, using clothing as a platform to share personal stories with an audience of our peers. In a word, what makes us hYOUman.

GOODHYOUMAN.COM

GLOW IN THE DARK The beach comes alive again. After a three-year hiatus, Glow is returning to the sands of Santa Monica. The free, interactive, all-night event transforms miles of beach into an outdoor gallery, commissioning installations ranging from acoustic music performances, gargantuan light installations, to some of the most technologically advanced, interactive artworks the sea has ever seen. This September 28th, we bid the sunset adieu in favor of one hell of a Nuit Blanche.

GLOWSANTAMONICA.ORG

15 WALK THE WALK Skating and lifestyle brands go together like taggers and disdain for authority. With their base tans, tank tops and battle scars, it’s no wonder many a lifestyle brand muse after the intrinsic rebellion of the SoCal ethos. And unlike poser apparel companies, the creators of Asphalt Yacht Club are actually pro skaters themselves. Stevie Williams and Stefan Janoski’s inaugural collaboration showcases the skate gods’ eclectic vibes and utilitarian sensibilities, neatly packaged together in the form of the perfectly branded cotton crew neck.

ASPHALTYACHTCLUB.COM

POET LAUREATE What the french toast!? Snoop’s an author now? The man behind the smoke never fails to keep our best coast, hip-hop crush alive, and we’re oh-so-intrigued to see how the beats maven puts pen to paper. Reincarnated offers a glimpse into how Snoop Dogg’s growth into Snoop Lion came to be, chronicling his lifechanging trip to Jamaica and introduction to reggae. With an accompanying reggae-influenced album executive-produced by Diplo and Major Lazer, interviews with Bunny Wailer, and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, this lion cub is navigating these unchartered waters like a king of the pride.

RIZZOLIUSA.COM

THE STALL LIFE The city’s oldest and largest open-air market, Grand Central Market, may not be the most glamorous of downtown dining destinations, but discerning epicureans have long known the fabled location to be a historic gem with plenty of options for fresh and flavorful grub. While some debate the merits of renovations slated for the market, we can’t deny our excitement for some of the new stalls popping up at our favorite lunch-break haunt. Head to Sticky Rice for Thai street food comforts like Khao Mon Gai, a Thai rendition of Hainan chicken, cooked to tender perfection and served with savory garlic rice and delicious chicken broth. For dessert, Sweet Clementine’s serves up a rotating selection of refreshing suckers with unique flavors like Spicy Peach and Cantaloupe Ginger. Those looking for a dose of caffeine should try G+B Coffee, who make their own almond milk and tickle our beer-loving fancies by serving up an impossibly smooth cold brew in beer bottles. Stay tuned to LACANVAS.com for more on Grand Central Market developments.

GRANDCENTRALSQUARE.COM

photo CONAN THAI styling ADRIAN MANUEL / QUIMARI MAJETTE text ERIN DENNISON shirt RICHARD CHAI / pants SIMON MILLER

future WELL-DRESSED, WILD ONE DOMINIC LORD IS ON TO SOMETHING

S

pring of 2012 we received a clandestine passwordprotected link via email with the subject line, “this kid

is gonna pop,” sent to us by an industry clairvoyant I met

collaborate with for his first EP. Fashion Show was co-produced

serving bottles in Hoboken back in 2006 #struggle. This oracle

by Madd Matt, Hudson Mohawke, The Neptunes’ Chad Hugo

of a Jersey girl has predicted the rise of and collaborated with

and Rico Beats, with Pusha-T on the somber Pierce remix. The

the who’s who of burgeoning industry talent. Artists like Kid

range of epic cosigners helped ensure that Lord’s entrance into

Cudi, A$AP Rocky and our 2013 March/April cover boy, multi

the game was felt as gutturally as his irregular beats.

Grammy-winning producer Chase N. Cashe, have all been her

Remarkably, with relatively little content and

prophecies. Suffice it to say, when Kerry emails, I left-click. This

under two years of experience, Dominic Lord’s output has

time, the surreptitious hyperlink lead to a captivating video for

attracted more buzz than many industry veterans. Much

hip-hop newcomer, Dominic Lord’s track, Pierce. The arresting

like his former mentor A$AP Rocky, his hype has been due

beauty of inky indigo shadows scored by haunting vocals and

in large part to the discerning fashion industry spotlight. A

synth-y beats were certainly atypical for a new artist’s debut

cocktail of rebellion and refined aggression swirled together

EP. Musically, Pierce contains off-tempo, screwed up beats that

in a moody color palette serves as this muse’s alchemy, at

fall just as the hook descends beneath lyrics like, “Fuck with

least according to elite design houses. Arguably, it’s Lord’s

the God child/You’re gonna need your guns now (blood bath)”

dark aesthetic that touches a similar nerve and elicits a

and is set to visuals with exquisite editing, cinematography, and

parallel primal response as the Sex Pistols did in 1970s.

production of a couture fashion short—not at all what you’d

It was punk matriarch Vivienne Westwood, after all, who

expect from a 19-year-old from Harlem.

initially demonstrated couture fashion’s anti-authority fetish

As an early member of the famed A$AP Mob,

through her years of allegiance to nihilist music icons.

Dom sharpened his creative teeth as the crew’s designer. He

During his track Overworld, Dom monotonically

has since cut ties with the group, going solo with Pusha-T’s

antagonizes the audience, chanting “Swear to god Ima drop my

manager, Steven Victor, which has proven to be a decidedly

drawers/Piss on a muthafucka’s star/Muthafuck off/What you

good move for the multi-hyphenate songwriter/producer/

waiting for,” while in Blood Diamonds he pronounces that he

designer. The self-proclaimed music designer’s introduction

will be coming at you with an AK47. Aside from delivery, the

to the industry has been so on point, that just one year later,

sentiment is not unlike the Pistols’ lyrical decree of wanting “to

designer Riccardo Tisci flew Lord out to sit front row at the

be an anarchist.” Could hip-hop avatars be the new punks? If

SS13 Givenchy show during Paris Fashion Week, and just this

Lil Wayne’s ripped skinny jeans, Tyler the Creator’s mantra of

June, Vogue debuted his latest up-tempo alt banger, Overworld

doing “what the fuck you want” and Lupe Fiasco’s “punk rock

to the blogosphere. Though still learning to make beats, Dom

logic” are indicative of today’s frustrated youth, then the alt

was able to expertly choose an eclectic selection of talent to

hip-hop subculture seemingly occupies the same space as the disenchanted punks once did. And if visually inspiring ebullitions are the crux of the anti-authority matrix, then Dominic Lord is, as they say, trending. (continued on next page)

text ERIN DENNISON

“

MUSICALLY, PIERCE CONTAINS off-tempo, screwed up beats AND IS SET TO VISUALS WITH exquisite editing, CINEMATOGRAPHY, AND PRODUCTION OF a couture fashion short—NOT AT ALL WHAT YOU’D EXPECT FROM A 19-year-old from Harlem.

”

But aside from looking the right combination of beautiful and dangerous, what makes Dominic Lord musically progressive? The answer might best be exemplified by the hip-hop community’s response to demigods Jay Z and Kanye West’s summer 2013 albums. With inescapable comparison between Yeezus and Holy Grail, critics overwhelmingly cosign the former. While Jay’s Samsung-sponsored Holy Grail will undoubtedly be scoring our SoulCycle classes this fall, West’s antagonistic spasm on celebrity in Yeezus incarnates the notion of raw desperation—of nothing left to lose. Those dueling narratives may be reductive at best, yet production and lyrical differences between the albums certainly reflect a considerable chasm in artistic perspective.

Like Kanye’s Yeezus, Lord’s Fashion Show was produced by acclaimed beatsmith, Hudson Mohawke. Both albums lace aggressive vocals over electronic beats and invoke a comparable sensation of anxiety from the listener. At vastly different points in their careers, the two artists have little in common other than a bottom line of giving no fucks, which has consequently produced a fairly analogous auditory experience.

Assuming authenticity and rebellion are the root of evolution, how can a musician so influenced by a fascist fashion industry “keep it real?” The same way a rapper whose son’s mother is world’s biggest reality star—the answer is, it doesn’t actually matter.

But urgent verses, monotone hooks and syrupy production over asymmetrical beats certainly communicate counter culture more than Swizz Beatz is ever going to. Ultimately, rebellion and vigor intrigue more than bragging, and Dominic Lord is coming at us, dressed in Christopher Kane. . .perhaps Yeezy taught him.

SOUNDCLOUD.COM/DOMINIC-LORD

DIGITAL TAKEOVER

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RISE OF THE YOUTUBE CURATOR text VI NGUYEN photo KATHRYNA HANCOCK @ 7ARTISTMANAGEMENT hair + makeup ANGELA PETERSON Tammy Szu didn’t mean to become a YouTube channel curator. She’d lost her iPod, and the obscure, then-unknown musical picks on her playlist weren’t to be found on the Tube-verse. So Tammy decided to upload her own tracks in order to help her study while away from her PC at home. A mere accident then became a precipitous stumble into the world of audio cultivation. More than 45,000 subscribers later, the 24-year-old has become a respected authority in up-and-coming, underground electronic music acts. Just how did Tammy and others like her become trusted figures whose curatorial prowess gained them access to an elusive world in which other artists came to them for a “big break?”

Tammy didn’t always listen to electronic music. She grew up listening to underground hip-hop, and her first playlists were on the nowdefunct imeem. Then she dated a DJ, who happened to introduce her to electronic music. “Even though I got introduced to electronic music through trance and other mainstream stuff, I always just liked weird stuff,” Tammy laughs. “I’d show my music to my friends and they didn’t like it so I’d just be like, ‘F*ck you, I’ll listen to what I want.’”

That fearless embrace of the strange and obscure has undoubtedly been the formula for Tammy’s success. She began her acoustic relationship with YouTube in 2009, and though her initial selections were slightly haphazard, her channel has since become more purposefully crafted. The evolution of her channel includes “German and weird tectonic stuff, some European shit,” and nudisco, after which she started uploading music with photos of stylized fashion editorials as video backgrounds, because her tracks sounded like the melodies she associated with runway shows. Eventually, her photographic choices ventured into the more avant-garde, as her musical taste meandered into a decidedly less glitzy territory.

Acts like Kastle, Pelican Fly, Sinjin Hawke and Morri$ soon began reaching out to Tammy, sending her exclusive tracks after receiving attention on her blog. But don’t mistake her for being easily swayed. She purposefully makes an effort to help out artists who aren’t yet big, “who are struggling to get up there.” She cites DJ Paypal as an example, “I’ve been uploading his stuff for a while and he just got signed to LuckyMe.” The record label LuckyMe happens to be the home of veritable electronic acts Jacques Greene, TNGHT, and Machinedrum.

Still, with this kind of access to an exclusive network, it has to be tempting to veer off her art school trajectory. When asked whether she planned to stick with her art-steeped career or go the music route, she explains that the two often go hand in hand, citing the procurement of acts like Pelican Fly to produce an exclusive track for a Rick Owens runway show as an example. Likewise, DJs often reach out to artists to create custom motion graphics and visuals for their performances, something that Tammy is interested in pursuing.

And with her selective finesse, it makes sense. After all, helping DJs and producers find apt visual representations of their music is none too far from her process of curation. As her digital platform has become a thoughtful display of taste, a case for style, and for Tammy, a sonic representation of her personal identity.

YOUTUBE.COM/TAMMYSZU

V E N U E

NOVOCAINE MOUTH Fashion and music are as symbiotic as unicorn blood and Voldemort, as Birdman and Weezy . . . but we digress. Oftentimes, the perfect soundtrack is as integral a component to a designer’s presentation as the garments themselves. Like cytoplasm, it’s the melodic cocktail that allows for the season’s proverbial metabolic pathways. The clothing, venue, and lighting are all critical decisions but where would a collection be without a relevant score?

So power through the aggravating Spotify login, it’s T-shirt time.

“A Cause De Garçons” Yelle

“Million Dollar Bills” Lorde

“Breathe And Stop” Q-Tip

“On Your Side” Jacques Greene ft.

How to Dress Well

“Hot Mess” Sam Sparro

“Ready For The Weekend” Icona Pop

“Cobrastyle” Robyn

“Paris” Friendly Fires

“Primadonna” Marina & The Diamonds

“Short Skirt/Long Jacket” Cake STREAM THE FULL PLAYLIST ON LA CANVAS’ SPOTIFY

“Change Clothes” Jay Z ft. Pharell

“Seeing Red” Alpine

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NASTY ONE TIME

AS THEY FOR

WANNA F R E E S P E EC H

BE

phot og ra p h y S EAN GARRI S O N st y l i n g TH E W ELL

In June 1990, controversial rappers 2 Live Crew became unlikely first amendment advocates when their most successful and now infamous album, As Nasty As They Wanna Be was deemed legally obscene by a Florida court.

The decision, overturned two years later, transformed the hip-hop group into champions of free speech. Our pal, photographer Sean Garrison, had a chance to shoot the guys, styled by our favorite DTLA spot, The Well. Stay tunedfor our interview with 2 Live Crew on LACANVAS.com

SEAN GA R R I SONPHOTOGR A PHY. C OM THE WE L L . L A

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photos provided by ERIN MITCHELL LOSTANGELESSTREETART.TUMBLR.COM RON PRE RONPRE.TUMBLR.COM

ILLUSTRATOR AND DESIGNER MARCELA GUTIERREZ WALKS THE LINE BETWEEN ART AND FASHION The presentation of fashion is continuously challenging itself to evolve. Editorial legends like Mert & Marcus, Nick Knight, David LaChappelle, and scores of others are pushing high fashion towards increasingly

abstract

states

of

presentation

and

context. It’s no longer enough to have an emaciated, grayscale model draped in a casual white button-down being misted with ocean spray. You need to transcend realism and resist the urge to relate to the consumer.

Editorial advertising should be treated not as a means of example, but as an opportunity to demonstrate the great heights of a brand’s imagination, and to catch those wandering eyes as they flick through the pages.

With the search ongoing for fresh mediums of expression within fashion publications, we can see a notable gravitation towards brush and paint representations of models and their wares, with illustrator and designer Marcela Gutierrez being a key figure in directing the aesthetic towards the border that joins fashion, art and photography. If her name is unfamiliar, you may have seen her massive watercolor portraits covering the windows of Prada’s New York and Los Angeles flagship stores.

“It allows you to experience fashion from a different perspective,” she noted in reference to her vivid painted editorials, “you not only consider the represented image but also the brush stokes and marks on the paper that transmit a particular energy of their own. It allows a communication between the viewer and the artist.”

Gutierrez’s body of work is defined by precise and vibrant impressions of existing fashion portraits, amplified contrast of near-arbitrary color, and deft splatters and blotches of damp pigment. The result is an entirely fresh interpretation of the portrait, and one that seeks to merge the collective visions of the models, designers, photographers, and make-up artists through the eyes of a painter.

Underneath the high fashion and abstract color palettes, the foundation of her work can be found in the geometrics of models’ petit bone structure. She aligns images based on the direction of sharp jawlines and the position of the eyes, and carefully sculpts the dark grooves left by pouting cheekbones with layered textures and tones.

“When using watercolor you must create depth and shadows in several layers, and often use blocks of colors to develop form and volume.”

Yet, it seems that diversity of culture is deep at the root of this artist’s outlook. Marcela was born in Florida, raised in Guatemala, studied in Mexico and London, worked in Milan, and then settled, at least temporarily, in New York. When viewing her extensive portfolio, which contains a mixture of work for Harper’s Bazaar, editorials for Vogue Spain, and commissions for Shiseido, Swarovski, and Beyoncé, you get a sense of her vast array of cultural influences.

The artist’s ability to capture the subtle vulnerability of the models that was so precisely extracted by the original photographer is one of the great achievements of her work. Her understanding of depth, texture, and expression are what gives her paintings the appeal it has within the fashion industry, and allows her to continually offer a fresh creative take on the work of great photographers.

The modern trend of mixed media art and collaboration has heavily influenced the direction of her work. There are many creative minds involved in a single portrait, and one of the more critical aspects of her work is that it redefines the archaic relationship between painter and her subject. There is now an entire production crew placed between the two, arguably disrupting any sense of intimacy that may have otherwise existed in a forgotten era. Yet, therein lies the whispered illusion of her work and its precious sense of its own time. But, then, isn’t that aptly indicative of the often overwhelmingly objective world of fashion?

MARCELAGUTIERREZ.COM

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PICTURE PERFECT

35

text + photo RACHEL MANY

WE LEICA IT: LEICA’S EXPANSIVE GALLERY AND STORE IS A CAMERALOVER’S OASIS Since its introduction in 1925, Leica’s reputation has preceded

Below the gallery, lies the equally well-curated store, home to

itself, its commitment to excellence never faltering among the millennial

the entire range of new Leica products, along with a number of their rare

generation’s lust for instant gratification. So when Leica decided to open a

and vintage pieces. From a gold-plated, special edition Leica created for the

new gallery space in the heart of Los Angeles, they, predictably, took their

Sultan of Brunei, to their entire line of the brand new and highly coveted

time and did it right. Upon entering the 8,000 square foot space, I am greeted

Summilux motion picture lenses, the store is an optical sanctuary, housing

with a flood of natural light, a well-clad staff on deck, and a gargantuan,

some of the most cherished and influential cameras in photographic history.

metallic Leica sculpture built by Chinese artist Liao Yibai. It is one hell

I am enthralled with the staff’s knowledge, and they are quick to school

of an introduction, as “after all,” says Roland Wolff, VP of Marketing and

me on all things photography. Many of their cameras are made by hand in batches

Corporate Retail, “everyone knows that you only have one chance to make

of 15, taking up to four to six weeks to produce. Apprenticeship in their factory

a first impression.” Tiffany’s window-shopping be damned, this is a gadget-

can take up to a full year before handling the precious cargo is even allowed.

hoppers dream, a camera-lover’s heaven, a photojournalist’s paradise. You

And with their technologically advanced rangefinder system, it’s no wonder that

are entering an elite club, and you’d be a fool not to take note.

photojournalists across the world are keen to call this camera their own.

But geeking out among the pristine cases of vintage and contemporary

As I ogle the collection, Annie tells me of the big plans lined up

lenses will have to wait. Upstairs, the gallery beckons. I am given a tour of the

for the gallery’s future; A never-before-seen collection of images from Astrid

space by curator, Annie Seaton, who describes in detail the incredible history of

Kirchherr’s days with The Beatles opening this fall, traveling exhibitions among

the brand and what’s in store for the gallery’s upcoming exhibitions. Breathtaking

the Leica galleries worldwide, and an incredible selection of photojournalists

prints by iconic photographer, Mary Ellen Mark line the walls of a space that has

set to line the walls later this year. “Our space is so much more than a gallery.

been retrofitted to host Leica Akademie workshops, with projections built into the

It truly is an environment for photography and for photographers to relax,

ceiling and hidden walls appearing as if out of thin air. There is a small library

exchange ideas, and be inspired,” Seaton tells me. The first of its kind among

curated by celebrated Magnum photographer, Martin Parr, where guests are

the handful of Leica Galleries across the world, the Leica Gallery LA space is

invited to peruse his selections of some of the best photo books the publishing

making efforts to appeal to its location, geared to an expanding entertainment

world has seen. Double glass doors lead to a gorgeous outdoor (why yes, there’s

and arts industry. “Between filmmaking and photography, we have many

an outside!) patio. I grab one of the books from the gallery and find my way to a

people in this city that appreciate great images, whether still or moving.

shadowed corner on the patio and read away, mesmerized by images and totally

Photography as an art has found a welcome home in LA We’re excited to be

relaxed in this hidden oasis just off Beverly Boulevard.

here.” And we’re pretty damn excited to have you.

8783 BEVERLY BLVD, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA LEICAGALLERYLA.COM

G A L L E R Y

GALLERY OPENINGS ALISON SAAR: SLOUGH L.A. Louver September 3rd – October 5th Opening Reception: Thursday, September 12th, 6pm Sculptor Alison Saar presents a new series of work that continues to explore her identity, along with themes of African cultural diaspora and spirituality. Her carved figures and installations call on a wide variety of sources, from African and Haitian folklore, to Catholicism, mythology, Voodoo, and the practices of “outsider” artists. Slough constructs a visual language that is simultaneously historical and philosophical, accessible and explorative. lalouver.com IVA GUEORGUIEVA: IMMEDIATE HORIZON ACME. September 6th – October 12th Opening Reception: Friday, September 6th, 6pm Iva Gueorguieva, known for combining collage, drawing, painting, and printmaking, curates a collection of large scale works that creatively draws from 20th century styles including cubism and abstract expressionism. While her work is largely devoid of any central focus, the attention to detail and use of color on her massive canvases are remarkably striking. acmelosangeles.com TYLER MATTHEW OYER: SHIMMY SHAKE EARTHQUAKE Cirrus Gallery September 7th - October 26th Opening Reception: Saturday, September 7th, 7pm As part of the gallery’s continued interest in performance and new media, Cirrus presents the first solo show of Tyler Matthew Oyer. The artist will stage an operetta set in a glittered mid-century modern living room, highlighting the many tropes of Americana. Oyer adopts the caricatured roles of hypnotist, lecturer, and nightclub performer and presents the audience with the complexities of their relationship to the socio-political landscape. cirrusgallery.com ANTONY: THE CUT Maloney Fine Art September 12th – October 26th Opening Reception: Thursday, September 12th, 6pm Alongside his critically acclaimed musical career, Antony has created a body of work including drawing and collage, reflecting a shared visual and psychological vocabulary. The initial inspiration that provided the framework for the exhibition was a poem written by the artist entitled The Cut, which describes the source of creation as a slit in the sky. maloneyfineart.com CARLOS ESTEVEZ: LIVING APART TOGETHER Couturier Gallery September 14th – October 19th Opening Reception: Saturday, September 14th, 6pm Stemming from a new generation of Cuban artists and intellectuals who were no longer constricted to the social, political and geographic boundaries of Cuba, Estevez develops a symbolic language, using images from the physical world to convey his thoughts on isolation and solitude. Present are his trademark mechanical figures: hybrids of man and nature, combined with elements of music, marionettes, architecture and telephones. couturiergallery.com DAVID COOLEY: IGNORED EPIPHANY Thinkspace Gallery October 5th - October 26th Opening Reception: Saturday, October 5th, 6pm In his new exhibition, Cooley transforms basic geometry to achieve curves and depth while interacting with various rendered images. His mixed media paintings are presented, utilizing acrylic, pen, spray paint, resin and fabric, creating intricate multi-layered, multi-dimensional spaces that bring to life unusual dreams and strange thoughts. thinkspacegallery.com

QUAM ODUNSI: UNTITLED Design Matters Gallery October 10th – November 2nd Opening Reception: Thursday, October 10th, 7pm In Untitled, Quam depicts a series of works in which he is a government surveillance official who becomes increasingly absorbed by citizens and their private lives. The works are film images and content from these surveillances, portrayed on archival paper, film, and canvas. designmattersla.com

RICK BAHTO Jancar Jones Gallery October 26th – November 30th Opening Reception: Saturday, October 6pm Relying heavily on chance and the tensions that arise as media combines in real time, Bahto utilizes 8mm film, photography, and sound to create an immersive environment where the mundane and everyday elements of life take center stage. He pays homage to these elements in a thoughtful way, provoking the viewer to think differently about their commonplace actions. jancarjones.com

GET MORE OF LA’S BEST OPENINGS AT LACANVAS.COM

OUR days

after

CAMBRIDGE photography GRANT YOSHINO art direction MEAGAN JUDKINS styling BEAU BARELA @ OPUS make up JEFFREY BAUM @ ATELIER hair DEREK YUEN styling assistant RUBEN GONZALEZ models JOHN HEIN @ FORD / ANN MARIE @ PHOTOGENICS

on this page ON ANN MARIE coat NOT EQUAL / shirt VICTOR LUNA / skirt BRYAN HEARNS / boots TOGA PULLA, American Rag / tights WOOLFORD

ON JOHN shirt ROXANNE NIKKI / vest ATELIER BY ERICK HART / pants JACHS

opposite page ON ANN MARIE shirt VICTOR LUNA / dress ATELIER BY ERICK HART / tights WOOLFORD

ON ANN MARIE top ALL SAINTS / pants G-STAR ON JOHN sweater JACOB HOLSTON / pants SECOND / LAYER

ON JOHN sweater DIESEL / shorts SECOND/LAYER / boots ALL SAINTS / socks AMERICAN APPAREL / hat VINTAGE, American Rag

ON ANN MARIE coat G-STAR / pants JACHS HOUNDSTOOTH / boots ATALANTA WELLE ON JOHN sweater DIESEL / shorts SECOND/LAYER / boots ALL SAINTS / socks AMERICAN APPAREL / hat VINTAGE, American Rag

hollywoodandhighland.com

B C B G Û B E B E Û F O R E V E R X X I Û F O S S I L Û S TA R B U C K S LOUIS VUIT TON Û GAP Û KITSON Û LUCK Y BR AND JEANS E X P R E S S Û T H E G R I L L Û C R U M B S Û L UCK Y S T RIK E L A NE S CABO

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Hollywood Blvd & Highland Ave

TO O COOL

FOR

SCHOOL STREETWEAR GODS PUBLIC SCHOOL WELCOME INDUSTRY SUCCESS WITH OPEN ARMS

photography CONAN THAI styling RAUL GUERRERO hair MARIO CISNEROS makeup FATIMOT ISADARE photo assistant JOAN MICHEL VERGARA text ERIN DENNISON

What

happens

when

the

unconventional

becomes popular? In the case of menswear designers, Public School, increased popularity simply means more

By staying true to their sartorial identity, Chow and Osborne

people at your parties. It’s been said that the principal

remain celebrated proprietors of the underground while

fundamentals of “cool” are achieved through a nuanced

earning the prestigious co-sign of the fashion industry’s

concoction of rebellion, aesthetic inclination, confidence

litmus test, the Council of Fashion Designers Association.

and individuality. Turns out, being hip—and we’re not

This past May, after participating in the association’s

talking about Generation Y’s collective ethos of ironic

inaugural

living—is achieved by the timeless act of truly doing you.

talent, Public School took home their highest honor, The

Fashion

Incubator

Program

for

burgeoning

The concept that authenticity will persevere is

Swarovksi Designer of the Year Award, just three short

equal parts rudimentary and complex, and a notion that’s

seasons later. Upon their re-launch in 2012, Public School

undoubtedly woven into the fabric of the universe. Dao-Yi

began to produce 100% locally, adopting the Californian-

Chow and Maxwell Osborne have been marrying street logic

inspired (we like to think) counter-culture of DIY production,

and luxury since their tenures at 2004 CFDA award-winner,

supporting locally made garments on the East Coast.

Sean John. Just a few years after meeting at the urban

“In terms of the staying underground, we want

powerhouse, the duo reunited to produce cult-favorite

to affect as many people as possible, we aren’t interested

menswear brand, Public School. Smart, athletic tailoring,

in keeping it a little niche brand . . . not saying we’re trying

a downtown sensibility, and opulent fabric choices fuse to

to make it a megabrand, but eventually our goal is to make

construct a hybrid that pleases both the anti-hero and the

sort of a global lifestyle brand. It’s such a cliché, but for

notoriously exclusive fashion industry simultaneously.

us to launch into different product categories, eventually produce women’s, retail, you know—all those things are in our plan. I don’t think the goal was ever to keep it this small underground thing. It’s great that it is—everyone has to start somewhere—but we’re really trying to grow.”

“

IN TERMS OF THE STAYING underground, WE WANT TO affect as many people AS POSSIBLE, WE AREN’T INTERESTED IN KEEPING IT A little niche BRAND.

”

46

TREND MATRIX WOOYOUNGMI SLIM PEACOAT $1200

CARVEN CONTRAST HOOD COAT $970

EXORBITANT

PETER JENSEN REX SWEATER $330 WELCOME COMPANIONS TOAST SHOULDER BAG $560

COMME DES GARCONS STAR WARS TOTE $395 RAEN STRYDER GLASSES $310

ENFANTS RICHES DEPRIMES CHANDAIL CREW $200 NIXON THE DIPLOMAT $450

NEED

MARTINIANO WHITE BOOTIE $295

VOLCOM SUB ZERO BOOTS $160

WANT

MEADHAM KIRCHOFF TIARA $152

PUBLISH JOGGER OXFORD PANTS $88

MIISTA “LYNN” SHOES ROSE GOLD $175

PALACE X REEBOK CLASSIC WHITE $115

APOLIS WOOL CAMP HAT $68

SET ADRIFT SPRAY CAN PRINT SHIRT $96

LAZY OAF CANS OF POP SHIRT $84

PHILLIP LIM X TARGET BLACK SATCHEL $35

LUMI INKODYE STARTER KIT $30

MISTER X FREEDMIN DS BLACK BRIAN T-SHIRT $38

KLORANE DRY SHAMPOO $18 POKETO CLICK PENS $4.50

TOPSHOP MINT BOBBLE SWEATER $72

ODD FUTURE LILAC DONUT SOCKS $13

ECONOMICAL

SKULL CANDY HESH 2 HEADPHONES $60 LOVE+MADE X MISS WAX EARRINGS $60

CELEBRATE LA'S LATEST FASHION BRANDS UNDER ONE ROOF

LA APPAREL

SHOW

September 9 - 11 9am - 6pm California Market Center 110 East 9th St. LA, 90079 13t h Floor Pent house

Sample Sale & After Party September 11 3pm - 9pm www.laapparelshow.com

o

o

o

@LAAPPARELSHOW

#LAAPPARELSHOW

@LAAPPARELSHOW

/LAAPPARELSHOW

A THE DRESLYN’S INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO CONTEMPORARY FASHION IN THE DIGITAL MARKETPLACE

To be one of the few is a great thing, but to be the only one of you is even better. The impactful layout of The Dreslyn personifies expert presentation upon initial digital pilgrimage, delivered to us by an infrastructure unlike any other in the virtual marketplace. Immaculate photographs capture an elegant narrative without the pretense notoriously held by so many of its contemporaries. By gracefully guiding the educated shopper to their checkout destination, The Dreslyn has carved out a niche for itself in the luxury marketplace, and we’re proud to claim the innovative retail environment is indigenous to our fair city.

photography EMMAN MONTALVAN art direction THEDRESLYN.COM models CHAUN @ NEXT hair & makeup ERIKA NUNEZ @ WILHELMINA text ERIN DENNISON

PREVIOUS PAGE shirt RO HALTON / top RAG & BONE / pant L’AGENCE / cage ring PAMELA LOVE / cuff ring LOREN STEWART THIS PAGE shirt EQUIPMENT / skirt RAQUEL ALLEGRA / coat BAND OF OUTSIDERS / boots KATHRYN AMBERLEIGH

51 “ WE DECIDED TO TAKE THINGS a step further IN ORDER TO engage WITH OUR audience.

skort WAYNE ARRO / cuff JENNIFER FISHER

”

Founder Brooke Taylor Corcia sharpened her

technologies unique to the online retailer. Special touches

sartorial teeth as the Senior Women’s Buyer for SSENSE. She

like a GIF-like rollover bring formerly monotonous linesheet

had always loved contemporary fashion, yet the notorious

shots to life. Brooke explains, “Our technology is another

hierarchy of the industry left her craving a less pompous

aspect that sets us apart. We’ve worked hard to establish

approach.

The relationship between the authoritative elite

new ways to interact with the customer. Our zoom feature,

source and the presumed ignorance of the shopper was never

for example, is an interactive element we adopted after

a narrative Brooke could fully get behind. Seeing the lack of a

studying the market. We decided to take things a step

lateral exchange as an opportunity for innovation, she began

further in order to engage with our audience.”

She

conceptualizing a retail platform for the sartorially savvy woman

goes

on

to

emphasize

The

Dreslyn’s

to correct contemporary fashion’s considerable blind spot.

unconventional perspective,

Through a cocktail of expert brand-cultivation, art direction,

like Net-A-Porter and Gilt Groupe that we’ve been able to

and interactive technology, The Dreslyn crafts an elegant voice

advance—we’ve really been able to stand on their shoulders

and populist exchange between the brand and customer.

and try something new. Our delivery is much more informal. We

Brands like APC, Helmut Lang, Rag & Bone,

“It’s only ‘cause of companies

come at it from a bit of a democratic point of view—a bit more

digitally

conversational. The ‘West Coast point of view’ is something that

merchandised to cultivate an enchanting mood–an ocular

is very important to our identity. I do find that it has been missing

attitude personifying the sophisticated SoCal gal. Oxymoron?

the market. I literally relocated my life to California ‘cause there

Hardly. The Dreslyn’s emphasis on personal style and

is a lot happening here. The California angle is really exciting

minimalism demonstrates a flawless amalgam of laissez-

and we’re really proud to adopt it.” Visit TheDreslyn.com and say

faire luxury. And what’s more, the site employs proprietary

goodbye to whatever you were just doing.

Champagnes

de

Provence,

and

Carven

are

THEDRESLYN.COM

& HALF G R A M S

G RAN D PL ANS

photography ROSS LAURENCE styling TODD PEARCE make up ANTHONY NGUYEN hair VERONICA VALDIVIA styling assistant KARSEN RICHARDSON model ANN MARIE @ PHOTOGENICS

OPPOSITE PAGE dress PAS POUR TOI / shoes SEBASTIAN / necklace TODD PEARCE / cuff BESO BESO / bracelet LUV AJ / bangle CHIC PEAK / ring BACCARAT ON THIS PAGE jacket DIESEL / shirt + tie DEAR CREATURES / tights WHAT KATIE DID / hat GLADYS TAMEZ / rings LUV AJ / cuffs ISHARYA

ON ANN MARIE top ALL SAINTS / pants G-STAR ON JOHN sweater JACOB HOLSTON / pants SECOND / LAYER

ON JOHN sweater DIESEL / shorts SECOND/LAYER / boots ALL SAINTS / socks AMERICAN APPAREL / hat VINTAGE, American Rag

OPPOSITE PAGE lingerie WHAT KATIE DID / coat FUR ELISE ON THIS PAGE coat FUR ELISE / top + pants NOON BY NOOR / necklace TODD PEARCE bracelets LUV AJ / large chain bracelet PLUMA / cuff BESO BESO / bangle CHIC PEAK

coat + pants ANTHONY FRANCO / headband CULT GAIA / shoes CESARE PACOTTI / necklace TODD PEARCE bracelets LUV AJ / large chain bracelet PLUMA / rings BACCARAT, CHIC PEAK

robe ANTHONY FRANCO / shorts CHARLOTTE RONSON / headpiece MISS G DESIGNS cuff ISHARYA / rings BESO BESO / small cuff BESO BESO / bangle CHIC PEAK

58

ONES TO WATCH text KACY EMMETT

GTFO JAYNE MIN

O

H E A D O F T H E TA B L E JACLYN JOHNSON

Blogger / Stylist

O

Founder, (No Subject)

FRAME FEVER BEN COPE

O

Photographer

Everyone shut up, Jayne Min is talking. Her site,

Girl about town (in a good way) Jaclyn Johnson has

Ben Cope puts the eff in fashion photography.

stopitrightnow.com, is a fashion blog you don’t

a pretty eclectic hat collection, good thing she looks

Cope’s raw and seductive style has been featured

have to feel guilty about bookmarking. Jayne’s

good in them. The blogger of Notes on Napkins,

in Nylon, Vogue Australia, 160G,

posts are insanely clever and make brands like

founder of (No Subject), and brains behind the

Magazine to name a few. His editorial portfolio is

Céline and Acne look casual—with a killer ombré

Creative + Cultivate series has a considerable knack

an intense McFlurry of celebrity faces like Coco

to boot. Instead of hoarding, she even recycles her

for branding, conceptualizing, and encouraging her

Rocha, Sammy Adams and Brandon Boyd. Repped

style finds on the site. In between styling and being

followers to do the same. Recently expanding to

by the agency 7Artist Management, Cope doesn’t

a total babe, Jayne designs for the streetwear brand

Brooklyn and Portland, this media maven’s takeover

compromise style for commercial work either. His

The Hundreds. Basically, if Jayne’s in the closet we

is far from over. If intimate curation and organic

recent collaborations with UNIF and California

totally want to be in there too.

networking were a class . . . oh wait, now they are.

Apparel are just a sample of Cope’s effortless edge.

STOPITRIGHTNOW.COM // THEHUNDREDS.COM

NOSUBJECTLOSANGELES.COM

BENCOPE.NET

photo SABRINA MEIJER @ AFTERDRK

JACLYNJOHNSON.ORG

7ARTISTMANAGEMENT.COM/BEN-COPE

and Bullett

INDIGO DAUGHTER KRISTIN REITER

O

Blogger / Designer / Author / Creative Director

If Kristen Reiter ever goes missing there’ll be a trail of tear sheets and epic footwear to find her. Kristin is an all around design connoisseur-slash-dream weaver, making waves as the Design Director of Nike and co-author of one of our favorite blogs, BLEACH BLACK. Her chic minimalist aesthetic is akin to straight up smelling salts for your brain, doused with a thoughtful pinch of wicked chaos and draped over the kind of innovative engineering Apple hasn’t even thought of yet.

BLEACHBLACK.COM // KRISTINREITER.COM

BRAND OF BROTHERS ANDREW AND NICK POTASH

O

Designers

It’s clear the Potash brothers were raised by a pack of aesthetically charmed wolves. Andrew and Nick Potash, designers behind Ampal Creative and CRAP Eyewear, respectively, have got you covered from the # T R E N D I N G

neck up. Andrew is the co-owner and creative director of Ampal Creative, the LA-based headgear brand.

Whatever your cap fancy, beanie or snapback, all material has been handpicked in the US. The other Potash, Nick, is the co-founder of CRAP Eyewear—a laidback line of frames and lenses that are guaranteed to make your face look better. If you ask nicely, Nick will also custom make you silver jewelry that you can find on his blog or at Love Adorned. The Potash Bro’s are killing it, just not in the Biblical sense.

THEAMPALCREATIVE.COM // CRAPEYEWEAR.COM

photography BEN COPE hair + market GARRET GERVAIS styling MARGAUX BROOKE clothing SKINGRAFT +UNIF

SPECIAL PROMOTION LAC X MODMAN

TASTEFULLY ADORNED ANDREW MODLIN’S MODMAN BRINGS CONTEMPORARY ART GLAMOUR TO THE CASUAL HEALTHY DINING

text ELYSE GLICKMAN The brands and logos of our childhoods’ fast food bastions are, for

The latest clients to receive Modlin’s Midas touch are the Kreation

better or worse, a part of American pop culture. However, as these purveyors

Juicery franchise and Go Greek!, whose designs for Beverly Hills outposts

of calories and carbs are now struggling to find and measure the pulse of an

challenge the status quo of its architectural aesthetic yet appeal to a very

increasingly health conscious public, dozens of ambitious health-driven fast

targeted, affluent, and appearance-conscious consumer base.

casual spots—yogurt and juice bars specifically—have cropped up in the past decade to fill the void with varying levels of success.

“What I like most about working with these companies is being able to transform obscure materials and ideas into something thought-provoking

The fates of the savvier health hubs lie in the capable hands of

but accessible,” says Modlin. “Each client allows me to do their project the

Andrew Modlin, who with partner Adam Bierman, steers ModMan, a company

way I would do it if I were the owner of their company. Go Greek! and Kreation

that offers burgeoning franchise companies everything from soup to nuts or,

allow me to do I want to do rather than having me interpret whatever design

more precisely, from logos and websites to high-concept retail environments.

or color choices the owner may have in mind. In the design process, being

Although he is still in his 20s, Modlin has a fine arts resume that would

permitted to get my vision across is important so the job gets done right.

rival artists twice his age. His fan base includes the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger,

Furthermore, I enjoy the challenge of finding offbeat materials that empower

music executive Jerry Moss, and other Hollywood mover-and-shaker types, and he

me to bring good design to life.”

scored a cover for the national newsstand magazine Science.

Although Modlin,

Choosing the projects he wants to work on and having the freedom to see

like many young artists, was initially hesitant about crossing over from the world of

his vision from start to finish helps keep Modlin’s creative juices flowing. “Working on

fine arts to consumer marketing, he took into consideration his desire to make the

these (accounts) are very much like art projects,” Modlin says. “I can go crazy with

world more beautiful, one project at a time, whether in two dimensions or three.

design in ways I cannot do with franchise business concepts. Each one is a one-of-

“I definitely struggled with my career right out of college because

a-kind canvas, from the store design to branding to walls and so on.”

I wanted to focus on art and not get into the commercial world,” confides

Modlin takes pride in the fact that his endeavors have also elevated

Modlin. “The way I reconciled this at first was to resolve to do both at the

customer service to an art. “If we weren’t helping clients grow their company,

same time. However, as canvases sit in my house waiting to be used, I realized

it would not be worth it for us. We seek out very serious clients at this point

that having moving forward into the full-service projects ModMan has become

in time. This is why our website does not feature client testimonials like other

known for, (reinventing a space) allows me to do things I see as art oriented

branding firms, and we don’t do advertising. This works out because the

as well as play with architecture and branding. I feel a lot better about the fact

clients we attract are the ones who want our expertise and our artistic vision

that I apply genuine creativity to the work I do for clients.”

as a way to express themselves more effectively.”

A YEAR

AWAY

THE VIRTUOSO BEHIND ALMA, ARI TAYMOR, ON HIS FIRST ANNIVERSARY, MEMORY AND THE CRONUT PROBLEM

text MICHAEL FRANCESCONI photo RACHEL MANy

After a slow start that saw the brink of closure, Alma, the first brick-and-mortar from 28-year-old Ari Taymor, has surged to the front of LA’s chefdriven must-try list. A mountain of recent press and praise from foodies alike has the restaurant poised to be one of the most sought after seats in 2014. LAC sat with the young chef to review the year gone by and look at what’s ahead.

A YEAR AGO YOU SAID: “WE’RE LOOKING TO DO EVERYTHING THE RIGHT WAY. FROM THE WAY WE BUILD TO THE INGREDIENTS WE USE. TO THE WAY THAT WE TREAT OUR STAFF. WE’RE LOOKING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.” ANY UPDATE?

WHAT MADE YOU START COOKING?

You know, I’m really happy with the way those things are

I went to Atera in New York where Matt [Lightner] was

going. With the success of the restaurant, we’ve been able

serving a beet ember I think they cooked for thirty-six hours.

to move closer to those ideals—in terms of compensating

And you look at it and think ‘this is a beet’ but everything

staff, growing our own food, working with individual farmers,

that went into it, the way it was eventually dressed and

cooking unique, delicious food.

plated, made it taste more than of itself, like the platonic ideal of what a beet should be. When I experienced cooking

YOU’VE BEEN OPEN FOR A YEAR. YOU’VE BEEN IN LA FOR TWO.

that made food taste more like itself than it would normally,

THOUGHTS ON LOS ANGELES?

I realized I had to do it for a living.

Truthfully, I love it. The markets are the best in the country.

The produce here is untouchable. I’ve said that it’s hard to

SPEAKING OF HYPERREALIZED FOOD, YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN

do conceptual food here, but we’re here because we have the

YOUR LAMENT OF THE CRONUT.

best product and it allows us to the cook the best tasting food.

[Laughs] Look somebody spent all this time and care to make this thing that hasn’t been made before. It’s a beautiful thing.

WILL YOU ELABORATE ON CONCEPTUAL FOOD?

It’s original. If people can use that to articulate something

We’re not necessarily cooking from a regional background.

else, and make something that’s equally beautiful and

Conceptual cooking is trying to bring the essence of some

original and delicious, then that’s great, but you can’t just

dish you had in Italy or France or Spain into the kitchen.

take things from people like that. There’s no copyright on it,

Personally, I have these memories and emotions that I want

but that’s intellectual property. There’s borrowing and there’s

to articulate through food, and Alma is my venue to do that.

chefs sharing things with each other, but I don’t hear anyone thanking Dominique Ansel for making this thing we’ve all been inspired by. They’ve just hacked together a crude copy.

It doesn’t seem fair when you consider he probably spent a couple of years perfecting it. What I’d love to see in LA is less of that and more people looking inside and deciding how they can express LA and what we do here and what we love.

952 BROADWAy LOS ANGELES, CA 90015 ALMA-LA.COM

IS THERE ANYTHING INDICATIVE OF LA CUISINE YET? I think it’s still so open. The pervasiveness of second and third generation guys that are straddling both worlds—between immigrant parents and a modern California culture—and are finding authenticity in their cooking without looking for it are going to be big shapers of defining LA cuisine. I guess it’s going to be very personality driven.

IS ALMA PERSONALITY DRIVEN? I don’t think Alma is necessarily about me, Ari. I think it’s more about the memories and emotions that I try to convey to people, the care I show to the staff, the sourcing, the preparations. I think those are things I could eventually instill in a chef de cuisine and no longer be here and Alma could exist and succeed.

ARE YOU WORKING ON ANYTHING ELSE? I would love to get the support to turn this into a prix-fixe restaurant. As we grow to utilize the garden more, the easiest way for us to use 100 percent of the vegetables is to have a more focused menu. But that requires trust—guests coming in and feeling comfortable, giving up total control. And I think in LA that’s a little more difficult than it is other places. And that trust takes time. This restaurant is 20 percent of where it could be. We can get so much better. So much more refined.

GOALS FOR THE NEXT YEAR? Be full every night. Continue to grow the staff and give them a bigger voice. Continue growing our social and community outreach. I want more time to do research, to discover how to better articulate through cooking. You know, really, to just keep making better food.

UNION BY THE SEA TASTES OF TRADITION MEET MOUTHFULS OF MODERNITY AT TABERNA ARROS Y VI

75

text CRIS BRISCOE A row of striking antlers set off by vibrant lighting dominates

mouth fried capers. We also order the Mejillones al Vino Blanco, green-lipped

the bar upon entering Taberna Arros y Vi, Michael Cardenas’ latest tapas-

mussels that sit in a complex, queso-and-white-wine broth perfect for soaking

centered venture in Santa Monica. The restaurant’s mishmash of art and

crusty bread in. Dip in and you might also find bits of chorizo for a nice

decor include a boar’s head, flickering candles, large chairs and couches,

surprise. Crispy Pig Ears also arrive, paired with a flavorful harissa aioli. We

and an assortment of art, providing for a hip, eclectic ambiance that walks

dig in and we’re pleasantly surprised with a tasty, refreshing experience in a

the line between intimate and energetic.

tapas realm that can be all too predictable.

While it’s far too easy for us to fill up on tapas, we’re thankful

We are greeted warmly and settle down to enjoy one of the Salted

we’ve saved room for the rich, silky Fideua Nego (Squid Ink Pasta), served

Watermelon. A wash of sweet and savory pleasantly tingles our tastebuds

with garlic, calamari, shrimp, and Albeniz cheese. Taberna’s is a no-holds-

and we decide that the tasty cocktail may have been worth the trip to Santa

barred approach that treats you to full-bodied, ink-drenched pasta accented

Monica alone. But what meal is complete with just one solo drink? A selection

by a sharp lemon zing that brings the dish to another level. Paella lovers will

of refreshing sangrias awaits, and who are we to deny ourselves, particularly

not leave disappointed either, as Taberna offers three varieties, including a

when a delightful Honey Grapefruit sangria is just begging to be consumed.

traditional saffron-infused Valencian pan, a vegetarian version, and a seafood

restaurant’s

numerous

house-crafted

cocktails,

the

Seasonal

But let’s get down to business. Deciding what to order from the

rendition. Spirited diners wishing to try something a little more courageous

extensive menu might seem overwhelming at first, but that’s why the Iberian

may also want to try the Morcilla Blood Sausage rice dish. Nothing quite like

Gods invented small plates, right? You’ll find a variety of tapas and paellas

consuming your daily recommended dose of iron in a meal, we say.

on chef Verite Mazzola’s menu, including traditional standbys like Gambas al

Closing out our night, Chef Verite Mazzola treated us to two desserts,

ajillo (Shrimp sautéed with garlic) or Aceitunas Alintadas (Cured Olives) and

a velvety flan and a decadent bread pudding, showcasing the traditional and

more creative interpretations, like Pulpo en Lata (Octopus in a Can).

the modern, respectively. As we continued to dip our spoons into both the

We start off with an order of the Pickled Vegetables, a mix of

creamy, dense flan and the crisp-topped cocoa nib and caramel-laced bread

vegetables with just the right mix of crunch and tanginess, and a welcome

pudding, we agreed that while modern American eateries often fail in an

briny accompaniment to our dishes still to come. Out comes a Scallop Ceviche,

overzealous attempt to create good ethnic food, Taberna Arros y Vi had gotten

which is plated with sweet pickled fennel, blossoms, herbs and melt-in-your-

this union of modern and traditional just right—antlers, boar’s heads and all.

1403 2ND ST. SANTA MONICA, CA 90401 TABERNALA.COM

R E S T A U R A N T

CAP UCLA is dedicated to the advancement of the contemporary performing arts in all disciplines—dance, music, spoken word and theater as well as emerging digital, collaborative and cross-art platforms created by today’s leading artists.

FALL HIGHLIGHTS Tue, Oct 8

Goran Bregovic Wedding and Funeral Band Champagne for Gypsies Sat, Oct 12

Robert Wilson, Philip Glass and Lucinda Childs Creating Einstein on the Beach Tue, Oct 15

Robert Wilson John Cage’s Lecture on Nothing Sat, Oct 26

They Might Be Giants Kid Show and Rock Show Sat-Sun, Nov 2-3

The Intergalactic Nemesis Book One - Target Earth Sat, Nov 9

Susan Marshall & Company Play/Pause Sat, Nov 16

Chelsea Wolfe and Anna Calvi Wed-Sun, Nov 20-24

Young Jean Lee WE’RE GONNA DIE

THE SKINNY In the name of fashion, put down those grease-laden, butter-garlicparmesan-herb, truffle-sprinkled fries! The style gods demand that one must eat leaves, exotic flora and other foreign environmental matter to maintain that impossibly toned body. We kid. While we don’t condone denying thy bod the glories of carbs and lard, we figured it might be a nice change of pace to gather up some salads that won’t betray your gourmandizing ways, so you can gorge guilt-free without the extreme forage.

PLAYA DEL REY

O

THE TRIPEL

Top Chef runner-up Brooke Williamson’s gastropub The Tripel is an unexpected gem amongst the beach-staple dive bars of Playa del Rey. Serving up tasty pub fare elevated with gourmet distinction, the Tripel is the perfect post-tan sesh destination.

THE TOSS: If there’s one vegetable that’s almost universally loved (after the humble potato, of course), it’s corn. The ever-so-timid vegetable-sometimes-grain is anything but as the featured element in The Tripel’s Corn Salad, accompanied by flavorful heirloom tomatoes, delicate pea tendrils and, surprise-surprise, celerysalted popcorn. The popcorn is a delightful quirk that makes this salad a must-try. thetripel.com

DOWNTOWN

O

DR J’S VIBRANT CAFE

With the constant barrage of warnings citing the evils of everyday foods and anything non-organic, Dr J’s Vibrant Cafe is a welcome respite from the world of so-called cancer-serving indulgent restaurants. If you’re down for a radical retreat from the artificial, visit the Doc for a prescription of organic foods that are astonishingly free of artificial ingredients, sugar, gluten, wheat, yeast, and dairy.

THE TOSS: The Quinoa Spring Salad is a hefty one, with the miracle grain cooked overnight in Dr J’s signature vegetable broth, lending to its delectable richness. Served chilled, and topped with Fuji apples, red radish, and Persian cucumbers, the salad is a crafty balance of savory and sweet, and grounded with an earthy texture.

HOLLYWOOD O VINTAGE ENOTECA A warm, inviting wine bar, Vintage Enoteca also holds its own in the food department. Serving up an assortment of Italian smallbites (including a variety of flatbreads, salads and paninis), what Enoteca lacks in portion size, it more than makes up for in flavor. If you’re looking for a hideaway in Hollywood, look no further.

THE TOSS: The Enoteca’s Crispy Duck Cracklings Salad is as mouthwatering as it sounds. Arugula is lightly dressed with creme fraiche, blistered baby tomatoes and blue cheese, a combination of creamy elements that compliments just the right amount of acid.

Topped with duck cracklings, the rich, crispy bites of flavor are the pièce de résistance of this tasty salad. vintageenoteca.com

MID-CITY

O

CAFE MIDI

Any cafe that lists more than ten salads on their menu is bound to have the whole salad thing down; and with approximately 40+ salads to choose from, Cafe Midi’s list of salad options may just be the most comprehensive menu of salads you’ve ever laid eyes on.

Catch a seat outdoors and soak in your vitamin D while consuming the rest of your nutrients in Cafe Midi’s delicious, healthy fare.

THE TOSS: Get a taste of tropical with Cafe Midi’s Arugula Blackened Mahi-Mahi Salad. With chunks of mango and tomato, sliced cucumber, and fresh ginger, the salad is dressed with a light vinaigrette that perfectly complements the slightly charred Mahi-Mahi. www.cafemidi.com

MID-CITY

O

PIZZERIA IL FICO

Don’t let the name deceive you, Pizzeria Il Fico serves up more than just a mean pizza. This Italian restaurant specializes in Pugliese cuisine, the distinctive cooking of Southern Italy, or more accurately, the region that is the heel of Italy’s “boot.” Burrata finds its origins here in this region, it’s no surprise then, that our salad recommendation features the indulgently creamy cheese.

THE TOSS: Get the Barbietola con Burrata, Fagiolini e Menta. We know, it’s a mouthful, but you’ll be wanting more of this magnificent salad at the elegant Pizzeria Il Fico. Red and yellow beets are accompanied by luscious burrata cheese, green beans, and mint, served with a delightful fig and balsamic dressing. pizzeriailfico.com

GET TH E SCOOP ON LA’S LATEST A N D GR EATEST EATS AT LACA N VAS.COM

111 S San Pedro St Los Angeles, CA 90012 www.izakayafu-ga.com 213.625.1722

CROSSING ERAS EBANOS CROSSING CHANNELS PROHIBITION SECRECY, BUT WITH OPEN ARMS

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text VI NGUYEN On a non-descript corner of downtown Los Angeles sits a new kid to

Luminosity Entertainment to birth our city’s present incarnation of Ebanos Crossing.

block, one whose story still begs to be told. On the surface, Ebanos Crossing

True to their vision of capturing the intrigue and sensation of the

is just another bar tip-toeing into the foray of downtown’s renaissance,

story, it was only fitting that the duo decided to make Los Angeles, with its

packing with it quiet weapons of a little-known piece of history brought about

heritage steeped in Mexican migration, the backdrop to their new conception.

On this day, we step past the indistinguishable exterior and

by American prohibition’s strong-willed libation-lust.

In the 1920s and early ‘30s, our government misguidedly bid

find sanctum from the city’s unremarkable concrete terrain. Four distinct

adieu to booze. In response, the American people determined that the thirst

quadrants of the spacious expanse are tactically put together with the

was strong, and the entrepreneurial spirit God had so blessed his favorite

intention of providing visitors the option for a different experience each time,

nation with came alive, ushering in an era of corruption and criminal activity

each corner conjuring its own vibe with varied lighting and seating options,

centered on feeding the rebels who could not bear to desecrate their beloved

while still retaining an aura of mysteriousness. Indeed, it’s with the same

temple of divine spirits and forbidden brew. Those hankerings for a sip of

obsession shown in unveiling the Ebanos Ford’s story that the owners have

inhibition-freeing, stress-removing, miracle liquid were effectively goldmines.

decorated and styled Ebanos Crossing.

Crafty smugglers made their way from Canada somehow to Mexico, and it was

Sit down in an antique chair, for example, and you’ll find that

across Texas’ Los Ebanos crossing, that rum, whiskey, tequila, and mezcal

despite the vintage design, each chair is lovingly re-upholstered. Grand

met and found themselves stealthily traversing the border into American

chandeliers hang from the high ceilings, dazzling from above as we take a

territory together for the first time.

seat at the bar. Aaron, the bar manager, greets us and begins brewing up a

This intriguing story of the four spirits’ first maiden voyage together into

beguiling selection of drinks.

the United States is what inspired Justin Shapiro and Haris Bojic (who together

An award-winning mixologist, Philip Ward’s beverage program

form the Urban America business venture) to conceive Ebanos Crossing. Hunting

reflects a fine-tuned passion for well thought-out whiskey, rum, tequila, and

down the only author they could reach on the topic of the Texan ford, writing to and

mezcal cocktails, and a compelling pluckiness that comes across in some of

finally speaking with him on the phone to find out as much as they possibly could,

the menu’s unusual ingredients; Tabasco, mole, rock-sugar-encrusted-bacon,

Justin explains that they went to such great lengths because the self-proclaimed

and Fuji apple are just some of the oddities that impart some fascinating and

history obsessives had heard of the story, and “it was like a thread we had to keep

strangely familiar flavor profiles to our complex drinks.

pulling.” The first question they received while on the phone with Dr. Diaz, the

We’re impressed with what the beverage program, and to a greater extent, the bar has pulled off: taking an obscure piece of history and architecting

author they had finally found: “So where in Texas are you from?”

Though the combined geography of their business venture spanned

an ambitious notion that might otherwise be tacky. With the city providing such

Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, Justin and Haris were nowhere near Texas.

a rich tapestry of culture, we can only wonder: as the threads of American

Amused but excited, Dr. Diaz was more than happy to divulge his knowledge, helping

history continue to be studied and unraveled, what masterfully concocted

the fascinated pair flesh out their idea before eventually partnering with L.A.-based

conception might we see show up next? We eagerly await the answer.

200 S. HILL STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 EBANOSCROSSING.COM

B A R

NEVER

FEAR

YOUR COFFEE

IS HERE

www.LACOFFEECLUB.com

THE BESPOKE COCKTAIL

81

MIXOLOGIST TALMADGE LOWE BREWS UP AN INDIAN SUMMER

text VI NGUYEN photo RACHEL MANY When it comes to cocktails, Talmadge Lowe is all about what we’d

laughs Tal). Instead, you’ll find homemade syrups and shrubs, and a menu

like to phrase, “classic ingenuity.” A seemingly paradoxical term, Talmadge’s

of cocktails put together with strategic dexterity. After a consultation with his

concoctions are a nod to mid-century cocktail culture, channeling the elegance

clients, Lowe goes back home and prepares. Beyond the taste of the drink

and sophistication of the time, while incorporating unique ingredients like fennel

itself, style and aesthetic play a critical role in all his productions, down to the

and black walnut bitters, or grated nutmeg. A former actor, Lowe’s culinary chops

glassware used, the uniforms of staff, the color and vibrance of the cocktail,

were developed in the bowels of struggling-actor-dom, having worked almost

and even the name of the libation itself, which, in Lowe’s eyes, should elicit a

every job in the restaurant business, he eventually ended up in catering.

gastronomically inquisitive reaction.

Harnessing the dread of rubber chicken dinners and uninspiring

Which brings us to this issue’s featured drink: Indian Summer.

cocktails alike, Lowe decided to venture into conceiving his own creations,

A smoky mezcal is complemented by the herbal aroma of Yellow Chartreuse.

laying the foundation for what would become Pharmacie—a roving, underground

Homemade honey syrup mellows the drink with rich sweet notes, while lime

speakeasy of sorts that has now evolved into a bespoke cocktail catering service.

balances the drink with some necessary acidity. Finally, says Lowe, “dashes of

At the center of it all are lovingly crafted libations. You won’t find

Angostura bitters give it a little pop and depth, like a little firecracker.” The result?

superfluous flavored spirits (“What on earth is buttered popcorn vodka?”

A supremely refreshing drink we wouldn’t mind extending our hazy summer for.

RECIPE 2 CT. MEZCAL 1 CT. HONEY SYRUP* 1.5 CT. YELLOW CHARTREUSE 1 CT. LIME 2 DASHES OF ANGOSTURA BITTERS (DASH INTO DRINK BEFORE YOU SHAKE AND POUR INTO GLASS) 1 LIME WHEEL GARNISH Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice and shake vigorously. Then strain into a glass. Add garnish. *To make the honey syrup add water (8 oz.) and honey (8 oz.) and heat together until the honey thins out.

Always let cool to room temperature before using. Refrigerating overnight is strongly recommended.

PHARMACIELA.COM

D R I N K

SCENE & HEARD This summer, the LAC crew has been hard at work gifting, reveling, and bringing cool people together. We couldn't fit our entire catalog of celebratory voyeurism here, but if you've been snapped at one of our parties, head over to FACEBOOK. COM/LACANVASMAG to locate your shining face (tag at your discretion). Missed out? Make sure you're signed up for the LA CANVAS Weekly on LACANVAS.com to get in on the upcoming festivities to ease you into autumn.

photo MARK WALES // RON PRE

WE double dare YOU TO COME OUT and play

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cause IF you're NOT HAVING a goodTIME, YOU'RE NOT doing it RIGHT. love, LA CANVAS

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FESTIVAL THE BEACH BALL @ SANTA MONICA PIER

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CONCERT THIEVERY CORPORATION @ THE GREEK THEATRE

16 CONCERT BASTILLE @ THE EL REY

FILM SAM FRANCIS @ PASADENA MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA

CONCERT ZOLA JESUS @ HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY

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ART OPENING ART PLATFORM @ BARKAR HANGAR

FILM THE WIZARD OF OZ @ SANTA MONICA PIER

ART OPENING TAKAKO @ PARK STUDIOS HWOOD

FESTIVAL STATION TO STATION @ UNION STATION

CONCERT COLD WAR KIDS @ THE WILTERN

CONCERT THE WEEKND @ THE GREEK THEATRE

FOOD EAT WRITE @ MUDDY LEEK

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CONCERT BODY PARTS @ THE BOOTLEG

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24 FOOD DINNER & A MOVIE @ L.A. LIVE

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CONCERT KING KRULE @ THE ECHO

CONCERT MOUNT KIMBIE @ ECHOPLEX

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CONCERT DARWIN DEEZ @ TROUBADOUR

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16 FOOD LOBSTER FEST @ PORT O’CALL

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FESTIVAL THAI CULTURAL DAY @ BARNSDALL PARK

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THEATER THE SUNSHINE BOYS @ THE AHMANSON

22 CONCERT M83 + PHANTOGRAM @ THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL

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CONCERT ARCTIC MONKEYS @ THE WILTERN

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CONCERT CONCERT THE XX + MAN MAN @ CHROMATICS THE FONDA @ HOLLYWOOD BOWL

C A N V A S

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3 CONCERT WISEACRE AND EDUARDO CASTILLO @ PATTERN BAR

ART OPENING IVA GUEORGUIEVA @ ACME

SEPTEMBER W TH

CONCERT BLONDE REDHEAD @ THE EL REY

4 CONCERT GARDENS & VILLA + MR. LITTLE JEANS @ SANTA MONICA PIER

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FOOD SUMMERTASTE DOWNTOWN LA @ FIGAT7TH

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CONCERT LOCAL NATIVES @ THE GREEK THEATRE

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PARTY GLOW IN THE DARK PING PONG @ SPIN STANDARD

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CONCERT JIMMY CLIFF @ SANTA MONICA PIER

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PARTY WET L.A. POOL PARTY @ THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL

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CONCERT ON AN ON @ THE SATELLITE

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PARTY THE ISTANDARD BEAT CAMP @ SAE

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FOOD THE TASTE LABOR DAY BLOCK PARTY @ PARAMOUNT STUDIOS

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PARTY NIGHT SWIM @ THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL

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PARTY 6TH EDITION RELEASE PARTY @ LOVE NAIL TREE

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CONCERT PIXIES @ THE EL REY

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PARTY LA APPAREL SHOW AFTER PARTY @ CALIFORNIA MARKET CENTER

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PARTY #CANVASDAZE @ LOCK & KEY

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PARTY DIM MAK TUESDAYS @ DIM MAK STUDIOS

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COMEDY HOT TUB WITH KURT & KRISTEN @ THE VIRGIL

FESTIVAL L.A. COUNTY FAIR @ PAMONA FAIRGROUNDS

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PARTY MICHAEL JACKSON MASHUP @ BOOTIE LA

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ART OPENING ART OPENING KAI AND SUNNY: BENNO GRAZIANI CAUGHT BY @ DRKRM THE NEST @ SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS

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CONCERT MAD DECENT BLOCK PARTY @ LA CENTER STUDIOS

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CONCERT WAVVES @ THE ECHOPLEX

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ART OPENING THE END OF THE NIGHT @ LACE

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CONCERT ATOMS FOR PEACE @ THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL

16 PARTY EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS PRESENTS: BIG TOP @ LA STATE HISTORIC PARK

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CONCERT QUINTRON + MISS PUSSYCAT @ THE SATELLITE

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FOOD PIG ROAST WITH EAGLE ROCK BREWING CO. @ KING’S ROW PUB

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CONCERT HANNI EL KHATIB + TIJUANA PANTHERS @ THE EL REY

19 COMEDY FESTIVAL SUPREME @ SANTA MONICA PIER

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CONCERT SURFER BLOOD @ THE EL REY

CONCERT ANIMAL COLLECTIVE @ THE WILTERN

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ART OPENING IN DIALOGUE | SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN: LOS ANGELES @ PMCA

19 PARTY FULL MOON PARTY @ ACE HOTEL

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CONCERT HAUNTED SUMMER @ THE ECHO

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CONCERT THE BLOW @ EAGLE ROCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

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ART OPENING SEE THE LIGHT @ LACMA

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ART OPENING THE POWER OF PHOTOGRAPHY: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 125 YEARS @ THE ANNENBERG SPACE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

FOR MORE EVENTS, VISIT LACANVAS.COM

CONCERT HOUSES @ THE ECHO

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CONCERT WOODKID @ THE FONDA

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MARKET FARMER’S MARKET @ GRAND PARK

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PARTY HALLOWEEN!

PARTY OKTOBERFEST @ VANGAURD

PARTY DUB CLUB @ THE ECHOPLEX

CONCERT JAMES BLAKE @ HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY

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THEATER EVITA @ THE PANTAGES

CONCERT CITY AND COLOUR @ CLUB NOKIA

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MARKET FLEA MARKET @ MELROSE TRADING POST

FOOD TACO TUESDAY @ ALEX’S BAR

29 29 CONCERT COCOROSIE @ THE FONDA

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CONCERT GOGOL BORDELLO @ THE FONDA

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FESTIVAL REYES ADOBE DAYS @ REYES ADOBE HISTORICAL SITE

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CONCERT FIONA APPLE @ WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL

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T 1 PARTY LOW END THEORY @ THE AIRLINER

FIILM SHRIEKFEST @ RALEIGH STUDIOS

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CONCERT PHOSPHORESCENT @ THE EL REY

2 CONCERT YOUNG GALAXY + MISTER LIES @ THE ECHO

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1 CONCERT ALLAH-LAS @ TROUBADOUR

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FOOD SAUSAGE MONTH @ BIERBEISL

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COMEDY IMPROV ROULETTE @ SECOND CITY

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CONCERT SAVES THE DAY @ THE TROUBADOUR

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CONCERT WARPAINT @ THE EL REY

FASHION

Fi3 @ DTLA

12 CONCERT MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD @ THE FONDA

10 CONCERT WHITE LIES @ THE EL REY

FOOD TASTE AMERICA @ UNION STATION

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FESTIVAL CULTURE COLLIDE @ ECHO PARK

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COMEDY FUNNY CUZ IT’S TRUE @ THE SECOND CITY

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PRESENCE OF HAND COVER ARTIST SPIROS HALARIS WANTS EVERYONE TO CALM DOWN text VIJA HODOSY As with many fancy affairs, it began with a beautiful invitation. A young graphic designer, a natural aesthete, Greek-born Spiros Halaris hadn’t really known what was in store when he allowed a friend to use one of his illustrations as the invite for a London Fashion Week event. What began with a clever eye, crafty fingers, a splash of social media and the right cadre of homies, turned into an impressive, and still growing, folio of luxury brand clientele, foaming at their perfectly pouted mouths.

Once upon a time, fashion illustration was the bee’s knees of hardbound, glossy-print magazines. Ostensibly, somewhere in the 1930s, photography took over, and sensualist drawing skills took a glove to the cheek, fell off the cover, and started shacking up with mock-ups and inner page whimsical ad campaigns. While fashion photography is fierce, throw backs feel good, and remind us that some narratives are better coifed with a spritz of fiction. Halaris’ technocratic slash sophisticate approach to storytelling is comprised of bold coloring, confident contour, memorable typography, mixed media and an undeniable arsenal of skills.

If asked about his emotions toward the mostly holier-than-thou, dog-and-pony-show of the high-end fashion scene, he’ll smile, sink back in his seat and fork over a fashionably cool, “It’s fun, but everyone needs to calm down.” Calm down? Spoken like a true badass, whom at a mere twentyfour years of age boasts a stockpile of collaborations and commissions from global juggernauts like Harrods, Tom Ford, Topshop, and Dolce & Gabbana, to name a few of the thirty-one plus flavors.

Halaris’ works are very much a product of an evolving and contemporary artistic playing field with regard to mainstream amicability.

His creations, those enchanting amalgamations of traditional painterly skill and techy-or-bust stylus savvy, are memorable, and by memorable we mean valuable and by valuable we mean marketable. For Halaris, what began in Grecian suburbs, bled into London’s concrete loins, and has now set its sights on the unapologetically come-hither adventures of New York City. This month, he’ll be committing himself to the uppity, heartless shrew known as the Big Apple, where he’ll set up shop in the quiver of NYC’s talent brigade, and surely continue his unyielding, demon-eyed studio practice.

It’s exciting when fine arts find their way into the mainstream, for the distinct purpose of exposing the masses to a lesser-homogenized series of eye-catching vignettes.

Halaris struts a double yellow line of graphic

design and illustration, where the difference between the two seem less about selling you something and more about inspiring you to do something--to live beautifully, with a bold sense of individuality coupled with the innumerable options we have for putting a feather in our caps, and calling it macaroni.

When viewing Halaris’ work it can be hard to distinguish between where the illustrator ends and the graphic designer begins. But that’s okay, and more so wonderful. As creative directors go, he is alarmingly friendly, and his expressive illustrations are succinctly apt to telling their respective, commissioned stories. His talent surfaces in his interpretations of the global bestiary of western luxury--they appear to be a perfect match. When Halaris isn’t sketching our dreamy date-night attire, he’s living the denizen lifestyle many hope to pave. Not a lot of starving artists have the option to be selective in their L A S T L O O K

commissions; that’s not to say he isn’t hungry, but recently, skipping lunch is no skin off his sweet ass. Don’t be surprised when you hear his name again—don’t be surprised when more artists of his ilk start flooding your timelines.

SPIROSHALARIS.COM