LS MINI MAG: THE “NEW” ISSUE
04
MODEL MOVES:
08
EDITORIAL:
12
COVER STORY:
24
LIFE IN THE U.K.:
Michyl Collins is on the rise and she’s telling us her story “Beauty Mark” by Steven D. Hill
Taye Hansberry on her life as a photographer and all around artist A look into the life of an American girl overseas by Karen Knight
Welcome to another issue of our LSMAG mini issue! There is so much talent in the world at times we cannot fit it all into one of our monthly issues. So here it is our creative juices in overflow, an intimate look at people who are changing the way we perceive the fashion media. On our cover this month is the talented Taye Hansberry... wait did I just say talented... I mean multi-talented. Taye has become a very special woman here at LSMAG! She has been contributing her work and many of previous articles think back to our Tracy Perez cover, yes shot by the one and only Ms. Hansberry. We are honored to have her this time, not behind the lens but in front of it. While we are speaking on changing the perception of fashion media, you will have to read our interview with Michyl Collins who is stomping her way down countless runways as a plus size model. She has vowed to change the industry’s standards pertaining to women with curves. Take a peek and let us know what you think about the feature. Post your comments onto our Facebook page”Liberating Style”. In closing I must say Mr. Winter or Ms. Winter (which ever you prefer), has made its mark on the US something fierce this year continue to flip through this issue and be inspired by “Beauty Mark” and across the Pond with Karen Knight’s “Life in the UK”. Chin up I see warm weather on the horizon. - Angela Clay, Editor in Chief
LS MAG Angela Clay EDITOR IN CHIEF CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Joseph Young FASHION EDITOR
Arushi Khosla FASHION EDITOR
Alexis J.
BEAUTY EDITOR
Sareta Gabriel EDITOR AT LARGE
Steven D. Hill CONTRIBUTORS
Karen Knight ByronGeorge Niki Marshall Wendy Poindexter Jason Maddox Courtney Kornegay Jaime Blair Shweta Walavalkar
MODEL | SPOTLIGHT |
ON THE
RISE | BY ANGELA CLAY | PHOTOS: FLIX PHOTOGRAPHY
Modeling can be a rewarding career when you’re a sought after face. Some are discovered in the midst of going on with their daily routines like Michyl Collins. Michyl’s modeling career began when she was asked by Tracie Collins producer of Kiss the Curves runway show in February 2010. After rocking the runway Michyl’s career has been non-stop, having completed 25 fashion shows in just under a year. LMAG caught up with the upcoming catwalker to chat about her budding career.
What has been your most memorable moment in your career? My most memorable moment is when I got a chance to speak with some young ladies who came up to me and told me they were inspired by me to pursue modeling! If I can inspire and help motivate others to chase after their dreams and follow their hearts then that means the world to me! Could you tell us some of your goals that you have for yourself? I would like to start up my own website company catering to full figured women. A site that will give you all the resources access needed for modeling, clothing, accessories, information, etc! I also want to become an international model as this is my passion! Are there any changes occurring in the fashion/ modeling industry? Change is always good and occurring everyday in the industry. We have to push the envelope and let the world know that Curvy women are beautiful and are here to stay! I feel as though were taking our stand and designers are making more clothing catered to us.
What advice would you give to women who are trying to pursue this career? Research… find as much information about modeling and know your designers, models, bloggers, clothing stores and websites. Practice, practice, practice! Runway requires a lot by knowing what walk goes with what type of clothing. It’s good to know your designers & styles of clothing and practicing your walk. A true model knows this and will rock the runway What’s currently on your playlist? Rhianna, ElDebarge, Michael Jackson, Chris Brown and Mary J.Blige In your purse what are your staples? I must have my wallet, cell phone ,lip gloss, compact, gum and always a pair of eyelashes! For Spring 2011 what are you wanting to add into your wardrobe? I would like to add more mini skirts and pencil skirts to show more of my beautiful curvy figure, also floral prints with vibrant colors! Find Michyl Collins on Facebook
Photos and make-up by Steven D. Hill
| COVER STORY |
THE
TRUE
TALENT
| BY JOE YOUNG | PHOTOS: JASON MADDOX In case you haven’t noticed, we here at LSMAG are all about collaborating with talented creative people time and time again. We’ve had numerous shoots by photographer and make-up artist, Steven D. Hill, featured the artwork of Dawn O. back to back and revisited Karen Knight in the U.K. just about every issue. As multi-talented as she is, Taye Hansberry could fill the pages of LSMAG for months. Having shot our cover with actress Tracy Perez, Hansberry catapulted our magazine into a fresh world of chic and glamour, all in one shoot. So it felt natural that we’d give the spotlight to a woman who has meant a great deal to the style edge of this magazine.
First off, can you tell us about where you live, where you’re from and how long you’ve lived in your current spot? I live in Hollywood, I’m from the City of Angeles born and raised. Actually born at the hospital that sits right across the street from the Famous Beverly Center. I’ve been living in the same place way too long. Why photography? Was it something that you were drawn to or something you ended up liking? I have not been shooting long but it is in my blood. My grandpa Vincent Tubbs was the first black publicist at Warner brothers in the 1960’s. One of his clients was Steve McQueen. He was also the editor of Ebony and Jet Magazines. And a very good photographer. Although I did not know a lot of this until recently. I was looking through a garage of his stuff last year and found tons of olds black and whites that he had taken. It was definitely an ah-ha moment for me. I literally picked up a camera one day and did a shoot. And it was actually good. After that day I found out what the best cameras under $5000 dollars were and I made it a priority to get one of them. I guess I have always been drawn to photography but never really had the guts to actually try it. I have always loved going to bookstores, sitting on the floor in the art and photography section and combing through all the books. Looking at all those photographs from amazing photographers gave me a clear perspective on they type of photos that I love. It’s also great education. Where did your professional career begin, how have you ended up being in the position you are in? In a nutshell, along with acting, I was a stylist to pay the bills. I was styling
Blouse: Backstage Pony hair Booties: Alaia $3325 Princess Doll necklace: Servane Gaxotte $375 Pyramid Totem earrings: Made Her Think $345 Crystal Rings: Low Luv $50 each Crystal Diamond ring: Low Lov $150 Annihilation Bracelet: Assad Mounser $270 Sheer Heart tights: American Apparel $25 All but the Backstage Blouse available at Satine Boutique
Jeans: Vintage Jordache Blouse: Backstage Heels: Report Signature Hoop earrings: Lanvin 3 tone metal Bracelet: avail at Kiz Boutique Chicago, Ill Vintage Gold Necklace: Taye’s own Chain: Stylists own Cropped Cardigan: Rachel Comey $555.00 Shot at Simple Things Pie Shop in Los Angeles
Strapless Cocktail Dress: Satine $495 Earrings: Isabel Marant $430 Collar Necklace: Assad Mounser $430 Bangle Set: Assad Monser $320 All available Satine Boutique
a shoot and the photographer handed me the camera and said shoot, and I did. I actually loved the photos. So I really never looked back.
Her energy was fantastic. We played with all kinds of ideas for the shoot. I wanted her to be a part of the shoot, not just the pretty girl in it.
I figured the best way for me to start would be to take headshots of all my actor friends. So I did and the feedback was amazing. As an actor I have had many photographers take my headshots; some good and most not so good. I took everything good and bad that I had learned in that process to build my headshot business where I love shooting young actors. They are so enthusiastic and ready to go. It’s actually a fun process. I always make sure the client is having fun, if they are not then we might as well stop because they photos will reflect that.
My Team was awesome. My Stylist Lauren Preston was 6 months Pregnant with twins at the time and she pulled it all off. I actually met Jamie Blair (who did the make-up) through Tracy for that shoot and I have used her for tons of shoots since. She actually did my make up for the shoot for this issue. She is a master at her craft!
Who are your favorite photographers, who inspires your personal work? Sam Haskins is my favorite photographer. I am obsessed with his Cowboy Kate series. Peter Lindbergh, Ellen Von Unwerth, Mario Testino are also some of my favorites. Human eyes inspire me. The sun inspires me. The feeling of warmth inspires me What was your childhood like, in terms of relating to photography? My mom was a press photographer when I was a kid. So a lot of times she would take me to events like the Grammys with her while she worked. I would be the little girl in the back of the pressroom in awe of all my favorite celebrities. I’ve always admired photography but growing up but at the time I was more into clothes, art and acting. I guess that all goes hand in hand, though. Tell us about the Tracy shoot? How did it come about, what was the on set events like? I actually was contacted by a friend who thought the shoot would be more my style. I met with Tracy a few days later and fell in love with her instantly.
My goal for every shoot is first and foremost for everyone involved to have fun and for everyone to feel like they can have input. I am very rarely super married to one idea. I always believe that the best comes from more than one head. No one person has all the right answers. What is your onset vibe in general? Are you playing music? How does a shoot come about for you? No two shoots are alike, but yes I love to play music. I always ask the person being shot what they would like to hear or what type of music they listen to because it is very important for them to be completely comfortable and relaxed. I know what it’s like to be in front of the camera as well and I know that it can be very nerve racking. I also make sure that everyone is fed, whether it’s a small gorilla shoot or a shoot for a magazine. People are always happy when they aren’t hungry. So many of my shoots come out of last minute ideas. I don’t take a long time anylizing anything, sometimes to my detriment. I try for things to be more organic. I’m a bit unorganized so things sort of have to be organic. Also, a lot of my shoots come out of referrals. I let my work at that moment in my life speak for itself.
In fashion today what do you think the role of a photographer is? Has this changed over the past few years, decades? I think the photographer’s role is to capture the life in the clothes, the model, the person or the object they are photographing. For me the subject is more important than a perfectly crafted, technically amazing photograph. The photos and photographers that I have always been drawn to are more subject orientated. There are probably a thousand different right answers to this question but if you don’t capture the life then I honestly think that everything else is pointless. What’s the best photograph you’ve ever taken and why? Ha! I have not taken my best photo yet. If I absolutely had to answer that I would say the first photograph that I took, because I had no idea what I was doing, if that makes any sense. Has your photo style changed over the years? I think I am constantly evolving as a photographer. I am not really a person who follows rules. But I am never afraid to learn them. I take bits and pieces of everything and mix it all in my pot of photography, kind of like a Gumbo (I’m a Creole girl after all). I think I definitely have a style. I am obsessed with photographs from the 60’s and 70’s. They just have a grainy imperfection to them that I cherish. I feel like a lot of the photography today is so perfect. I find beauty in the imperfect. I am not against Photoshop at all. I use it, but you will never find a photograph of mine that has been photoshopped to perfection. I like to see the pores in a person face and a little dust on the lens. The imperfections kind of go with who I am. I tend to shoot a little
crooked. Not because I want to, I just can’t really do anything with straight lines. My handwriting is slanted; I can’t even draw a straight line. I used to hate that part of me, but now I love it. Also my blog has allowed me to experiment with all kinds of situations. I think my blog has been a huge part of my education. Because I have to adapt to whatever situation I am in, in terms of lighting, background etc. I am always shooting businesses during working hours, so I never know what will happen. The place could be filled with people so I have to adapt. Did you go to school for photography? Nope. I’ve taken a couple classes here and there. And I definitely plan on taking more…but I do ask a lot of questions. Whenever I meet someone who is a photographer I always ask him or her a bunch of questions. I learn so much that way. Name one person you’d want to photograph (one for passed on and on for those currently living)? Passed: Jimi Hendrix, Edie Sedgwick and Sally Hemmings (George Washington’s Black Mistress) My Aunt Lorraine Hansberry the day A Raisin in the Sun opened on Broadway and my Father (who passed away when I was a baby). Living: I want to shoot everybody: Designers, actors, models, mogul’s grandma’s grandpa’s babies. Was that a cop out answer? Fashion is important to you, on some level, what is your style? My style? I don’t really have a set style. I love to try everything. I love to mix high and low like stuff from my grandma’s closet with stuff from boutiques. I will say that I am not afraid to wear an out fit to death if I love it. That’s the beauty of clothes. You can wear them as much and as
Taye and team at the Tracy Perez shoot
often as you like. I recently bought a sweater from American Apparel and I literally wore that thing every day for two weeks straight. I also do a weekly post on my blog called Fashion Friday where I showcase clothes from my closet mixed with new clothes. I also want to showcase small start up and local designers. My goal with Fashion Friday is to inspire people to mix and match. You don’t always have to have on the newest of everything. Chances are we all have great pieces in our closets that work. It’s also super fun. My friend and fellow photog Jason Maddox and I get together and just experiment every week. Usually late at night after a super long day when we are both super tired. So you never
Booties: Lanvin $1095 Triple Crystal Cocktail ring: Low Luv: $120 14K crystal Stud earring: Low Luv $55 14K cabochon bangle: House of Harlow $140 Knit Vest: Rachel Comey: $590 Black Gold Dust Jumper: Ghita Multi colored crystal necklace: Vintage Gold chunk bracelet: Gianfranco Ferre Photographer: Jason Maddox Producer: Courtney Kornegay Hair and Make-up- Jaime Blair All Backstage clothes and Report Signature shoes provided by ISIS PR Shot at Satine Boutique and Simple Things Pie and Sandwich Shop
Taye’s blog: www.taye-stuffshelikes.blogspot.com Website: www.tayehansberry.com Headshot website: www.tayehansberryphotography.com
But Let Me Explain! | VIEW |
| BY KAREN KNIGHT
I got fined for throwing a cigarette on the ground today. Well, I never . . . I know what a lot of people might say, but let me explain. I arrived to work as usual, started the day with my colleagues and decided I could do with a mid-morning smoke. I puffed quickly under an umbrella and trotted back toward the building when I was stopped by some guy in a navy blue wind breaker. “Excuse me . . .�
He worked for the council and he witnessed me throwing my butt to the floor. “Can I pick it up?” Apparently not. Apparently the council would rather have seventy-five pounds. Humiliated, I went inside to my co-workers who had witnessed the whole thing. “You okay?” They spoke to me in soft comforting voices; the kind of tones reserved for the terminally ill. They expressed the appropriate level of rage for “the system” and it was back to work as usual. I know that smoking is bad for me. I know that I shouldn’t have littered. But amid the discarded soft-drink cups and dog poop being navigated by the lovable neighbourhood tramps, I guess I didn’t think it would matter that much. I know, I know . . . if the whole world thought that way, what kind of world would we live in? That’s the next question, right? First, we do live in that world. I know I’m not the only one dropping cigarette butts or worse when I think no one is
looking. Second . . . harsh. Real overkill. No warning, nothing. And third, I am so broke. I could barely afford the nicotine and tar to blacken my lungs, much less the seventy-five pounds that must contribute to the lining of the street sweeper’s pockets that strolled along to clean the sidewalks five minutes after I was ticketed. The worst part is the icky feeling of being publicly scolded. I just stood there and took it. My husband said he would have argued, but that’s the kind of thing people say when they weren’t the one standing there. I gave the man my name and address and meekly returned to work. My coworkers tried to cheer me up but my laughter was thin and tinny as I contemplated my most recent mortification since moving to England. I’ve decided to just add it to the list and leave it. It’s a sad day when your most profound realization is that this will not be the last time you’ll be caught unawares by some stranger telling you what you shouldn’t be doing.
Follow Karen’s blog here: howcouldanyoneeverknow.blogspot.com