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Jennifer O’Bannon editor-in-chief Cece Guthrie managing editor Brittany Chetochine marketing manager Jennifer O’Bannon creative director Rumur Stamps production director Corinna Cooke beauty director Jennifer O’Bannon fashion director Daniel Larsen feature writer Asher Reed designer
CONTRIBUTORS Scott King
Sylvia Hardt
Laura Madden
Brittany Chetochine
Andrew Gleason
Carissa Ferreri
Kelly Capelli
Amy Brownstein
Christine Guthrie
Anderson Group
Drew Noreen
Kirra Wong
Dr. Karen Prentice
Becca Furnish
Robert Black
Kasey Kitchen
Elie Maalouf
Desirae Stevens
Amy Brownstein
Icon PR
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Viewpoint LA
Justine Goodiel
Wilhemina LA
Craig Moore
Taylor Guthrie
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PR Studio USA
Michael Kanyon
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Mike Azria
Patricia Morales
Ironwood Wealth
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Angela Solouki
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Iman Haji
Myra Carlos
Lindsey Morgan
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FEATURES
BEAUTY
FASHION
12. Doc’s Advice Is Your Cell Phone in Charge?
56. Pro Advice Botox: Facts vs Fiction
66. Eco Fashion
words by Corinna Cooke
words by Laura Madden
68. 1 for All Fisherman Sweater
words by Dr. Prentice
15. Novel Ideas
58. My Makeup Bag
words by Brittany Chetochine
by Lindsey Morgan
16. Making Cents
59. Product Spot Light
Budgeting
words by Craig Moore
18. From Scratch
Passion for Pomegranate
Bobbie Brown Eye Pencils words by Corinna Cooke
60. Bewitching Beauty
photography by Andrew Gleason
words Brittany Chetochine
R Collective
by Jennifer O’Bannon
70. Accessories Scarves Hanging in There photography by Nichole Town
76. Runway Retread by Jennifer O’Bannon
84. Product Spot Light Kent Stenson Bags
CULTURE
ENTERTAINMENT
36. Ivy Walls
49. Bailee and Alex
Music
words by Cece Guthrie
20. Marissa Hanson
Competitive Auto Racing words by Myra Carlos
8. Moira Walsh
Community Activist/ State Representative words by Cece Guthrie
words by Daniel Larsen
25. Gabrielle Ruiz
words by Taylor Guthrie
30. Skylan Brooks
words by Daniel Larsen
42. Mathilde Ollivier words by Daniel Larsen
6. Lindsey Morgan Self Love
words Lindsey Morgan
words by Brittany Chetochine
88. He Loves Me... He loves me Not
photography Kelly Capelli
96. Not’s Just a Man’s World photography Kelly Capelli
104. Denim Overdrive photography Sylvia Hardt
114. Sole Searching Wellington Boot
words by Jennifer O’Bannon
SELF LOVE words Lindsey Morgan
I can’t tell you how many times I rewrote this article. My first draft was too personal, the second too muddled, the third was just a random series of athome beauty routines? I couldn’t quite grasp exactly what I felt the idea of “Self Love” was to me. It’s been a hot topic for a while now, seen all over Instagram or the covers of magazines. “Do this work out for ‘Self Love’” or, “Try this face mask for ‘Self Love’,” but what really is ‘Self Love’? A trend for the moment? A clickbait topic? An excuse to splurge on ourselves or to disconnect digitally? It seemed to have so many definitions that it could only be truly answered by the beholder. So, what is ‘Self Love’? What is it to me?
at first always telling myself in my head, “You look hot!” or “Good work!” But the more I did it, the more something inside of me started to shift.
Rupi Kaur, poetess and author of Milk and Honey, pens; how you love yourself is how you teach others to love you
I started to believe these silly little affirmations! Or really, I started to allow myself to embrace them, instead of how the ‘old me’ would brush off a compliment because I didn’t think I was worthy of it from others, but especially from myself. And it felt good – great even. It felt like when someone I cared about gave me love. I was astounded by how I had been missing this in my life for so long.
I remember those words hitting me like a ton of bricks when I read that. All my life I never really thought about consciously ‘loving myself’ or HOW to love myself or ‘ways’ I go about doing so. Sure, I liked myself, and treated myself well enough, I fed and bathed myself, bought myself nice things but never really went above and beyond the way I would for someone else I loved. And then, I thought, well, that is strange. Why wouldn’t I put more effort into loving myself? Isn’t the relationship with myself the longest one I’ll ever have, period?! And therefore, the MOST important?!
This spiraled into me seeing more things differently: my world view, my relationships with others, and of course, myself. I realized I was subconsciously playing the supporting role in my life A LOT, dropping everything the moment someone needed me, choosing others over myself. I used to tout myself on my ability to be a great partner and teammate to others, that lifting others would lift me up. But the truth was, that wasn’t always the case. Sometimes lifting others up was too strenuous for me to do on my own. Sometimes they left me feeling drained, and in some cases used, burned and devalued. I began to take note of what or whom in my life
I started becoming more conscious of that idea, of how I was actively loving myself. I started small at first, complimenting myself more internally, the way I would a best friend or cheering myself on if I did something well. Mind you, I felt pretty dumb 6
drained me, and didn’t feed me the way I fed them. And I began to extract. Honestly, it was painful letting go a lot of lifelong relationships or habits, metaphorical chains and anchors that held me captive in my life. I also found that cutting off friends, love, some family members even, could make me feel like I was a bad person – mean or cold. But I also knew, this newfound value in myself meant I deserved better. Even as I reconciled with the feelings of guilt, there was still this immediate lightness, freedom and growth within myself. A feeling deep in my core that I knew though it was tough, it was right. I swore to myself then and there, I had to become extremely selfish of my time, my energy, my love and my soul because I valued it. Because I began to see how valuable I was, and how much I truly gave and truly deserved in return. That I was worthy. Worthy of greatness. Society likes to shame us for putting ourselves before others, that it is bad to be “selfish”, but it kind of reminds me of airplanes and when they instruct you to put your mask on before helping others. I used to
hate that because what if someone else needs that oxygen more before I do? If I don’t help them first, I’m a bad person, right? But the truth I found is, you cannot feed others or more importantly, yourself, from an empty bowl... AND we are all worthy of full and beautiful bowls. We’ve gotten into a bad habit as a people to take ourselves for granted and devalue ourselves much more quickly than we would others. We are forgetful to take inventory of the actual relationship with ourselves and therefore, we slip, become lazy with the proper nourishment, and thus, either begin to starve or allow the junk to rot ourselves. Our souls. So to me, taking care of myself and choosing myself first isn’t selfish, It’s “Self Love” because to know thyself, is to love thyself. And I know now, I’m worth it.
photgraphy Suzanne Teresa hair Michael Kanyon makeup Elie Maalouf
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Somone to Know
MOIRA WALSH
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words Cece Guthrie
Moira Walsh was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. Prior to running for office, she was a waitress for nearly a decade before finding a place in activism and community engagement. In 2014, the single mother became involved in the movement to increase the tipped-worker minimum wage. After almost a year of organizing waitstaff and testifying at the State House, people started asking Moira if she was running for office, “At first, it seemed like a joke, but the more people who asked me, the more I considered it. After bouncing around to a few different non-profits trying to save the world one marginalized group at a time, I realized I needed a more centralized way to make a difference.” Public office was the
logical next step, so Moira decided to run for office and won. Currently, Moira represents the 3rd district in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and as of print, is seeking re-election. Her first campaign was not easy, “There was one day when I was knocking on doors, and it seemed like it was Sexism Saturday. A male neighbor asked who I was knocking for. I smiled and said confidently, ‘Myself’. He chuckled, shook his head, and declined to sign my petition papers. Someone else told me, ‘Women can’t run for office.’” At that point, her best friend reminded her why she decided to run in the first place, so she kept going. And she’s still going – in fact, she
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make a difference, it’s a big one. It’s the worst because you can spend six months banging your head against a wall to make no ground.” The unconventional Representative sees some of her colleagues taking years to try to pass bills unsuccessfully, so some days she finds it hard to not be cynical. Yet, she presses on because she feels she is blessed with the opportunity to do so.
says, “My 28th birthday is a mere week away, and my 4-year-old, Malcolm, and I will spend it knocking doors for my first re-election campaign.” Every day Moira finds motivation in her constituents, “By far the most rewarding part of my job is the people I work for. I literally get paid to be nice to my neighbors, to listen to their needs, and to support them however I can. When you have meaningful work, it doesn’t feel like an effort.”
“In my kitchen, we have a wall of photos called ‘The Wonderful Wall of Warrior Women,’ Moira shares, “It has photos of everyone from Beyonce to Frida Kahlo to Elizabeth Warren. My role models are women everywhere, famous and otherwise, who have dedicated their lives to making the
Although at times, the role is frustrating. Moira explains, “I often joke that being a representative is the best/worst job I’ve ever had. It’s the best because when you
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world a better place. Whether it’s through art, music, politics or science, the women who came before me paved the way for me to do what I do. My Wall of Women is a reminder that my great-great-grandmother did not have the opportunities that I do, and that if I work hard, and keep up the fight, our daughters might be able to have opportunities that even we didn’t dream of.”
the importance of manners and be setting herself up for a run for Mayor of Providence, all while continuing to be an inspiration to others. Moira shares, “I hope to inspire more mothers, single mothers in particular, to run for office. I hope to teach my son that it isn’t just a man’s job to respect women, it’s a woman’s job to stand up and demand the respect that she deserves. And more than anything, I hope that my candidacy inspires everyone to give back to the communities that raised them.”
The young activist’ s life mantra is hilarious – “Karma is a jerk, and if I’m very well behaved, God will let me watch.” She explains that it’s a reminder to continue doing the right thing even though some others aren’t. In five years’ time, Moira hopes to have finished her degree, taught her son
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IS YOUR PHONE IN CHARGE OR ARE YOU? Words Dr. Karen Prentice DOFAAP “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times� ~Charles Dickens, Tale of Two Cities. Over the last ten years the use of smart phones, technology, and the internet has sky-rocketed in all ages from infants to the elderly. Medical science has been desperately trying to keep up with researching the affects technology and its use has on the human brain, body, and social interactions. Many wonderful things can be gained by using technology: facetime with loved ones, keeping social connections to friends and family, job searches, online education, medical and nutritional information at our fingertips, ease of advertising and growing a business, sharing artistic and musical endeavors, communicating wit and wisdom through writing and blogging, encouraging one another in our sports and hobbies, and fostering a sense of self and uniqueness. A wonderful list indeed! However, despite all the benefits many drawbacks have been found.
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Anxiety and Depression Research has shown that those who spend three or more hours a day on their devices are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and risk factors for suicide. Reasons are multifaceted and include social isolation, constantly comparing your life to others, often called “Facebook depression,� less face-toface time with loved ones, not to mention the brain effects of the light emitted from the screens. Most physicians and researchers recommend one to two hours maximum per day on media/electronics. Sleep Disturbances Poor sleep can lead to mental health issues as well as physical problems. Electronic use prior to bedtime has been linked with poor sleep quality and sleep disruption due to the light produced from the devices and our nervous system’s reaction to it. Sleeping with our cell phones sets us up for frequent interruptions from incoming notifications and texts. Keep all electronics out of your bedroom and stop electronic use one hour before bed. Attention and Learning Issues A recent study published in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, followed teens with an average age of fifteen, for two years. At the onset of the study none had ADHD or ADHDlike tendencies. At the end of two years, those with higher frequency of digital media use had far more ADHD-like symptoms, such as inattention and trouble concentrating than those with less media use. In addition, multiple studies, including studies from Michigan State University, have found college students who use two or more hours a day on media are having memory, learning, and concentration difficulties. The solution is to track your media time and limit it to one to two hours per day or less.
Heart Disease Risks Obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which can all lead to heart disease, have been on the rise. In addition to a poor diet, scientists are linking these issues with the increase in sedentary time caused by gaming and constant media use. Keep the media time less than two hours a day, get up and move frequently, take the stairs instead of elevators, and try to exercise at least one hour a day. Loss of Empathy and Social Skills A prevailing theme in media research is the concern for loss of social skills not only among young children and teens, but among college age and adults as well. It seems people are losing their skills for reading body language and social cues. Researchers fear the very young will never learn empathy, grit, and resilience, which come from difficult face-to-face conversations and encounters. Intentionally spend time each day cultivating relationships with friends and family in person. Other Risks Other media risks including cyberbullying, sexting, and tracking your digital footprint are too broad for the scope of this article although they urgently require your consideration and caution. As you contemplate how your media/electronic use is affecting your life and the life of those around you, take charge of your life. Use technology wisely. Give your brain and body needed rest and your loved ones the attention they deserve.
Dr. Prentice is a physician and author. To read more of her work go to www.anappleadaythedoctorsway.com
DR. KAREN PRENTICE
An Apple a Day the Doctor’s Way Do I have to eat only organic foods? What is BPA? Should everyone be gluten-free? How can I eat “clean”? For answers to these questions and more, and over 50 quick and healthy recipes, go to anappleadaythedoctorsway.com and get your copy today!! @ a n a p p l e a d ay th e d octorsway
ADVE RTI SE ME NT
Novel Idea words Brittany Chetochine
Glam Italia! How to Travel Italy, written by Luca’s own Beauty Director, Corinna Bertram-Cooke, is the book you need to plan your dream Italian vacation. From how to book your flight like a frequent flyer, to where to spend your time eating like a local, Corinna shares how to actually plan the trip you want with whatever budget and time you have.
Miss Ex-Yugoslavia: A Memoir is a beautiful telling of the life of an immigrant growing up between a turbulent Yugoslavia and a more stable Australia. Sofija Stefanovic shares her captivating, touching, and funny story of a perpetual outsider seeking to find herself.
You’re on an Airplane is Parker Posey’s first book – a memoir, but narrated as though she has just sat down next to you on a plane. Filled with fascinating personal stories, collages pieced together by Posey, and even a few recipes here and there, it finds itself a relatable telling of the often unrelatable, but absolutely mesmerizing life of a celebrity.
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BUDGETING
YOU CAN’T AFFORD NOT TO! words Craig Moore, Financial Planner
there are way more categories for fixed and discretionary than you would think. When creating your personal budget, balance comprehensiveness with simplicity. I have seen some people create a miscellaneous category in lieu of 20 discretionary expense categories. When the funds dry up in that category, it means that spending must stop...
In my experience as a financial planner, one of the most difficult conversations to have with a client is discussing budgets, also known as spending habits. For many people, this topic of conversation can be quite uncomfortable, but why? Most people treat the idea of having a budget as a negative, but fail to consider the flip side of the coin, which are the unfavorable effects of debt. Some view a budget as a constraint of their wants, thus limiting their joy in life. But budgeting is actually just the process of creating a plan to spend your money. Having a spending plan allows you to determine, in advance, whether you will have enough money to do the things you need to do or would like to do. Budgeting is simply balancing your expenses with your income and, when done correctly, will allow you to remain debt free and live a life free of the stresses associated with debt.
Lastly, every budget should include a savings component. Remember. we want to use the concept of budgeting as a tool to allocate and track our dollars to various expenses, with the purpose of remaining debt-free. By building a savings component into your budget, you can save money to act as an emergency fund to be used when something unexpected happens. The size of this emergency fund and the sense of comfort it can provide is different for every person. When considering your savings goals consider the possibility of losing your job…
At Ironwood, we attempt to reshape how clients view budgeting and the often negative mindset associated with it. We encourage our clients to view a budget as a “playground” boundary – in other words, the budget should be thought of as a set of reasonable boundaries to stay within on the “playground” where you are otherwise free to operate and play.
How much from a dollar standpoint could you scale back your existing budget? What type of profession are you in and how long would it potentially take to find another job? How many months of fixed/survival mode expenses would you like to have saved to make you feel safe if this happened? For some people that is three months, and for others that could be six months. It all depends on your comfort level. Once you have reached your desired emergency fund balance, then switch this portion of your budget to retirement savings. The quicker and earlier you can get to this piece of your financial puzzle, the better off you will be long term. If you are young, do not be discouraged by starting small – it will add up over time. Remember that time is your best friend.
By now you may be asking yourself, “How do I build a proper budget?” In my opinion, the answer is simple: Build a budget that is easy for you to understand, quick to update, and works for you and how your brain operates. I have had engineers bring multi-page spreadsheets complete with graphs into my office, and I have had clients bring in their budgets on a napkin – neither one is right or wrong! The point is to create a budget that is comprehensive and thorough, but jives with how your brain functions and views finances. No matter how you structure your budget, there are a two key categories you need to include - fixed and discretionary expenses.
At the end of the day, remember that a budget is a tool to help hold you accountable for doing the correct things with your hard-earned money. It is a positive concept meant to keep you on track to meeting established current and future financial goals. It is not meant to rob you of joy or restrict your lifestyle, but to make you live within your financial means. The earlier in life you can create and adhere to a budget, the better off you will be financially for the long term.
Fixed Expenses are payments that happen on a routine basis. These could be things like rent, mortgage, car payment, health and/or life insurance premium, utilities, car insurance, etc. Discretionary expenses are purchases for things like entertainment, travel, hobbies, Starbucks etc. These are optional things that you want to dedicate funds to on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis. When things happen in life and you cannot afford everything in your budget, discretionary items should get cut out to make sure the fixed expenses get paid. Typically,
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PAS S I O N P O M E G R A N AT E FOR
words Brittany Chetochine
Fall is the season for the power-house fruit pomegranate! Set for harvest in late September, this luscious red fruit has been around for centuries. Ancient Egyptians hailed the pomegranate as a symbol of prosperity and ambition. In ancient Greek mythology, it was regarded as the “fruit of the dead” and thought to have sprung from the blood of Adonis. The pomegranate seeds are a stunning addition of color, delightfully delicious, and add healthy boost to any meal. The shiny red “jewels” are called arils and have a similar tartness to cherries. These culinary rubies get their flaming red appearance from polyphenols which are major antioxidants. The seeds are also rich in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Health benefit claims include positive effects in the areas of cancer prevention, protection from Alzheimer’s and improved digestion. Opening a pomegranate and freeing the arils from the rind may appear like hard work, but there are a few tricks. One of the most popular methods involves water. First, score the pomegranate with a knife, break it open, then work to separate the arils from the peel and whitish pulp membranes in a large bowl of water. The arils will sink and the inedible pulp floats. A second effective way of quickly harvesting is to cut the pomegranate in half, score each half of the exterior rind four to six times, then smack the rind with a large spoon while holding the pomegranate half over a bowl. The seeds will spill from the pomegranate directly into the bowl, leaving only a few embedded in the rind to remove. Once you have harvested these beauties, they are ready to enjoy! Try adding the pulpy seeds to a little goat cheese and dill as a topping on toast rounds or apple slices. You can also top oatmeal or yogurt to give it a tart punch, or try adding to guacamole for a delicious twist. While you can always use pomegranate juice, we recommend blending whole seeds in a high-speed blender (such as a Vitamix) instead to create fresh salad dressings or glazes. Have fun experimenting with these red pom beauties! 18
MARISSA HANSON words Myra Carlos
To sum up the amazing life of Marissa Hanson in one short article would be tough. Though “tough” is also a great word to describe this car racer who got her first taste for the love of everything automobile from her dad who is a car mechanic. “He always had a project car or two that he was working on at home. As a family we’d often attend car shows or drag races to show our support while he competed,” Marissa shares. These trips to car shows and races gave her a deep appreciation for car culture, which turned into a passion when Marissa met her husband, who had just started racing with the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). After just one invite to an event, she was hooked. She gushed, “I’ll never forget that day and the experience of being on a road course as a passenger for the first time. It was amazing!” The camaraderie she witnessed among the car racing community also made an impression on her, making her want to be a part of it and to learn more about it.
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Marissa started the road to racing by earning her competition license at the beginning of the year, which was no small feat. She explained, “Earning my license took months to complete and involved a lot of hard work. I first completed Competition Racing School, which consists of two full days of classroom lessons, on-track drills with the cars and other students, and a final exam. Once I completed Comp school I was required to complete five races without any incidents. It was challenging to say the least, but I’m so glad I stepped outside my comfort zone and earned my racing license.
Marissa is equally passionate about leading an active life. A natural athlete, she played baseball, volleyball, basketball, and soccer as a child. Nowadays, she spends a lot of time at the gym for strength training to keep up with the physical demands of car racing. Marissa shared that she likes to add variety to her routine by doing Pilates, hot yoga, boxing, and Barre. “I love to dance and have danced ballet for years,” she revealed. A Phoenix resident, Marissa also always finds time for rock crawling. She said, “We usually go rock crawling 3-4 times a year during the cooler months. It’s a nice change of pace from racing and I love venturing out to places in the desert where very few regular vehicles can go.” It must be also added that this car racer/model/ gym enthusiast is a proud professional. “I work full time as a Quality Specialist at Mayo Clinic, which challenges me mentally and it’s very fulfilling to work in healthcare,” she said.
Fast forward to 2018, Marissa is all set to compete in the NASA National Championships in September. She said, “There will be over 300 cars/teams at the event coming from all across the country. There are over 20 racers in our specific class which is the Super Touring 2 (ST2) group. NASA will have online broadcast and media coverage at www. nasachampionships.com.”
It’s all systems go for Marissa on the fast track of car racing and life. She has set her systems to go for higher and bigger goals, “Overall I hope I can be an inspiration for women and encourage them to take risks and have the courage to try something new or go after their passion. Life is too short to wait for the right time or circumstances - just get started now! “
If not on the race track, chances are you will find Marissa in the pages of a magazine. Represented by the FORD Robert Black modeling agency, Marissa‘s regular week is peppered with modeling gigs or auditions. Modeling is also one of her passions: “I would love to do more runway shows, print and commercial work and will continue to improve my skills in all of these areas.” 23
earrings Madame Baloge blouse Hottie + Lord pants Stylist own shoes Eva Luna
Gabrielle Ruiz words Taylor Guthrie
Breakout star Gabrielle Ruiz hit the jackpot when she landed her television debut role as Valencia in the hit series, Crazy ExGirlfriend. Although a satirical and dark comedy, the show features hysterical song and dance numbers, something Gabrielle has been preparing for her entire life. She studied ballet, tap and jazz at a local dance studio her hometown in South Texas. Although her love of dance was evident from the beginning, it wasn’t until college that she found her love of musical theatre after she garnered her first acting job as a resident company member for a summer theatre. After graduating with a degree in musical theatre, her ambitions developed a clear path: “I began focusing on my acting training once I moved to New York City post college graduation. It was then that I realized what it took to be a true triple threat and my auditions strengthened.” Strengthening these triple threat skills soon led Gabrielle to make her debut on Broadway singing and dancing in huge shows such as In the Heights and If/Then. The star’s success grew and a big opportunity to switch platforms arose.
photographer Mike Azria makeup Natalie Malchev hair Adriana Bena fashion stylist Angela Solouki
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Gabrielle auditioned for and landed a feature role in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Changing from live performances to camera might be difficult for some, but she found excitement in the move: “The first week after shooting CXGF, someone on set told me, ‘Have a good weekend and we’ll see you on Monday!’ and I almost fainted! On Broadway, you don’t get weekends. The switch from Broadway to television was greatly welcomed. I am grateful for all the New-York-hustle memories and lessons, but this ‘job with a weekend’ mindset was very easy to get used to!” Gabrielle’s portrayal of Valencia left such an impact on the audience that she became a crowd favorite and regular in Seasons 2 and 3. The immensely loyal, powerful and fashion-forward Valencia was practically made for Gabrielle, “It has been an absolute privilege to tell Valencia’s story and carry her journey. I truly adore her because she not only challenges those around her, she challenges herself. If she has high expectations for anyone, it’s herself first. She and I have that in common. We both can also rock a fierce high heel and run through a cemetery in them.” This role has self-admittedly changed Gabrielle’s life. “As an actress, she reminds me that there really is that perfect role out there waiting for you. She’s effortless.” Although the show is filming its final season, the set of CXGF remains fun and inspiring. Gabrielle describes, “When the ladies are called, I’m usually first in the hair and makeup trailer. Since season one, Valencia is well dressed with lots of hair and nails and that takes time. Valencia’s hair has shortened since, so I now have time for a warm breakfast and hot coffee! The hair and makeup trailer is always a balance of quiet time and quality laughing time. I’ve lately been in scenes with Rachel Bloom, Donna Lynne Champlin and Vella Lovell. So between Rachel creating and editing, Donna Lynne and I talking Broadway, and Vella always keeping everyone laughing, it’s a delightful way start of our day. We then rehearse the scenes in the studio rather freely with insight and creativity. The writing on CXGF is so brilliant, I always feel taken care of and never lost when creating my
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beret Beret Freak earrings Machete sweater Teatum Jones pants Lord Logan
earrings Madame Baloge sweater Teatum Jones pants Prosperity purse Vintage Chanel shoes Avec Les Filles
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Valencia moments. It’s all on the page.” As for Gabrielle’s favorite song in the show, she shares, “I have always loved disco and funk music, so my favorite song without questions is “We’ll Never Have Problems Again” from Season 2. I was pretty sad Valencia wasn’t able to make a cameo in the song, but I still visited set the day this song was shooting and lived my 70’s dreams vicariously through all who could be in it. If only I could soul train everyday!” A go-getter that never takes a break, Gabrielle finds inspiration in moments and people that remind her stop, breathe and think. When not rehearsing amazing dance numbers or watching her career climb, she likes to literally go climbing. Gabrielle has a close group of friends who make time to go indoor rock climbing together. She shares, “It’s our quiet haven and also our place to talk through things like work, family and life goals. The V3 climb I’m trying to conquer at the moment and the people I go with inspire me so much.” She is also currently working to set roots in LA, including finding ways to give back her community, “I am an advocate for arts education and support American’s for the Arts and my hometown’s public school arts programs. I recently became involved in KIND [Kids in Need of Defense] and their efforts fighting on behalf of children and families seeking asylum for a better, safer life in America.” And she appreciates her family, feeling that she had a strong support system growing up, “I feel very lucky and grateful my parents are so supportive in my career. They brought me up prioritizing God, family and standing up for one’s self. Not only have they done that for me, I’ve done that for them. That kind of unconditional support has influenced my decision-making in my career.” If you haven’t already, binge-watch Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and fall in love with Gabrielle. Catch the premiere of the final season on the CW October 18, 2018.
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Skylan Brooks words Daniel Larsen
An avid traveler, professional laugher, hat collector, dancer and actor are just a few of the many ways Skylan Brooks describes himself. At just 19 years old, he’s acted alongside some of the biggest names in showbiz and can most recently be seen as “Chubs” in the sci-fi thriller The Darkest Minds. Skylan was introduced to acting at a young age, so it’s no wonder Skylan is already so accomplished. He shares, “When I was 5 years old, my mom had me participate in pageants, dance competitions and acting showcases for kids. I was never into the pageants, but I’ve always enjoyed acting and dancing.” He recalls his first roles were in two USC short films called How the Turtle Got its Shell and The Van Pelt Family. The star has continued refining his skills since those early acting showcase days.
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With fellow actors Amandla Stenberg, Mandy Moore and Miya Cech, Skylan helped bring the story of The Darkest Minds to life on the big screen. He tells us of filming the project, “It was very chill, which was surprising at first. We were lucky to have great people on this production. Usually, the energy on a set would be hustle and bustle only. But on the TDM set, it was very calm. Shooting in the woods of Atlanta, with a bunch of teenagers my age was a lot of fun.” To be able to successfully portray a character as interesting as Chubs shows just some of Skylan’s immense talent. He found that he and the character shared some traits, “Chubs and I have somewhat of a similar [sense of] humor, which I resonated with quickly. The only difference would be, I don’t use it as a protection mechanism with others, and I don’t have a super power.” Discovering what he and the character have in common is crucial to Skylan’s ability to embody any role. He says, “I try to look at the things that the character and I have in common, and focus on it. First I relate to it, then somehow make it my own. The process differs, per project. However I initially feel or think, I just let that take precedence and build off of that feeling; whatever feels real to the character’s benefit.” Although Skylan admires quite a few people and tries to emulate the qualities they possess, most importantly, the actor admires his own resilience and how far he’s come. He explains, “I have to remind myself it’s been 10 years since I started with my first agent. Being humble and grateful, not jumping at everything that’s offered to me, keeps my feet on the ground. I had to learn to like things about myself and own it. I admire my tenacity and willpower. Also, standing my ground, to not change who I am. That is why the people who love me do, and still do. They don’t have to worry about me changing!” Skylan also wants to enlighten people through his acting, sharing that, “There is so much I’ve learned through the craft and the people I’ve met in the industry at all levels. It’s become important to me that I don’t ignore the call to help
open people’s minds through acting and sharing when I can. It’s a gift. I find staying truthful to my methods of using the wisdom and knowledge I’ve gained in this industry heals and changes people’s lives.” When he’s not on set, Skylan spends his time bringing many of his creative ideas to life. The young actor explains, “I’m either auditioning, writing music, singing, rapping, reading scripts, doing school work, photography (when I can), catching up on anime, sliding in some video games (if possible) and creating artwork for my brand! I even started writing a video game/manga. With all that said, before I go to bed, I thank God and think about how I can help others in an innovative way.” As his role as Ra-Ra in The Get Down taught him, “…genius ideas take hard work to implement. Never give up on your dreams!”
Although its run on Netflix was short-lived, The Get Down, a music-driven drama set in the late 1970s, has been one of the more influential roles of Skylan’s career thus far. “The Get Down made me want to deliver its message, even through my own music. It pushed me to become better; to respect the true essence of hip-hop. I’m also grateful that it received the love that it did. I worked and sacrificed so much to make it happen,” Skylan shares, “True hip hop won’t forget The Get Down, so it was all worth it!” Remaining true to hip-hop, the talented young artist is able to garner inspiration from everywhere, “Everything in my daily life inspires a song. Whether it was a feeling about a girl, or wanting better for myself and everybody around me. I feel like the energy and place I’m in when I write, is the most important ingredient to me. Consciously, I try to write about my pain (not a bad thing) or my desires. I like to see where it takes me. Due to how busy I am, it’s hard to get clear thoughts and feelings all the time. But I can write about anything.”. He tells us he listens to all types of music, “…so I can create and make anything I feel. I can’t be boxed in. I feel like the energy and place I’m in when I write is the most important ingredient to me. I’m very deep with my songs and I put a lot of time into them.” Skylan is currently in the studio working on his first album and is shooting a video for one of his songs. Aside from an upcoming album, you can expect to see some great things coming from Skylan Brooks! The actor has some big projects in the works and some amazing goals in mind, “I want to personally learn how to invest money, so I can invest in others and help build others’ dreams. It genuinely makes me happy to make others happy.” He continues, “What I want most, is to be able to have the creative freedom and independence to achieve the grand ideas in my mind.” We’re certain that if he keeps up the hard work, Skylan’s grandest ideas will be coming to life in no time.
photographer Suzanne Teresa groomer Elie Maalouf fashion stylist Jennifer O’Bannon
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photo Iman Haji
The Ivy Walls
How did the band get started and how did you come up with the name?
words Cece Guthrie
The Ivy Walls is a new wave post punk band based in Los Angeles, comprised of lead singer Jeff Yanero, bassist Rodrigo Brea, keyboardist Ryan Varon and drummer Adam Walden. They recently released their 4th full length album Pheromones. The LA indie rockers collaborated with actor Chris Pine, who starred in their new music video for the album’s second single “White Ocean”. Movie stars, models, and isolation are all held together in a sea of sound by the walls of the old Harvard House Motel that make up the new video. The band and Pine became intertwined years ago when they were playing around Hollywood on their first tour. The actor would attend their shows with mutual friends and given their cinematic approach to making music, it felt only natural to join forces. Pine first starred in the band’s 2011 release “All I Want”, but it would be several years until schedules would align for a new collaboration. We sat down with the band recently, where they shared how the band came about and their inspirations:
Ryan and I met on a music message board while both attending Santa Monica College. We had an instant chemistry and, maybe more importantly, instant trust. We were strangers enough in the beginning to be whoever we wanted to one another, which I think was freeing. During our first meet up, he had some friends over that didn’t know he had ambitions of being in a band. Somehow these guys ended up hanging around longer than he expected and though he didn’t fancy himself a singer, he put himself out there in front of these guys to show me what he was working on. It must have been terrifying for him. I think that set the tone for everything to follow. We took risk after risk and had total confidence that it was okay to fail in front of each other, which we did a lot. We had many names along the way – The Ivy Walls was one that just felt right for us at that particular time. Somehow, the imagery it evoked for me went with the sound we were developing. It came right at a time when we were starting to understand who we were as a band. I think we needed to shed certain aspects of old names and projects and The Ivy WalIs was our coming-of-age moment as we were starting fresh and embracing more elegance in our sound.
For those who are unfamiliar with your music, how would you describe your sound and where do you draw inspiration from? I would describe our sound as deceivingly light with dark and dreamy undertones. I’d say musically, our inspiration is a fusion of the standards like Ride, Slowdive, JMC, and Echo and the Bunnymen. Those are a few of the easy and common answers and very honest and true, but we also draw a lot from contemporary influences that were out on the scene while we were forming our core. Bands like Secret Machines, The Daysleepers, Young Prisms, and The Depreciation Guild are still important to us.
Chris Pine stars in your new video “White Ocean.” What was the creative process like behind that and, out of all the songs on the album, how did you settle on that one for the video? The process was a year long. Our first thought was to out-do the “All I Want” video and we actually went into preproduction
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photo Will Jones
on an epic idea that was to be a cross between [the movies] Ex Machina and Heat. Unfortunately schedules just weren’t lining up, and we finally just sort of let go of the idea of having Chris involved again. Then on a night out, we listened to “White Ocean” and we thought, ‘let’s rethink this.’ We decided to go the opposite direction and focus on intimacy. The song is very intimate, so why not shoot something that stays within that? I think it was ultimately the right move.
Are you currently working on new music?
Pheromones is your fourth album. How is this record different from the others?
I was asked this during an interview in New York once and back then my answer was the 90’s version of Great Expectations. I remember saying the greens and the rain and the city were just so stunning, and all of the beautiful Francesco Clemente portraits of the characters, the heart and passion from Finn all worthy inspiration. But these days I’d have to say maybe something like Ex Machina. A film where maybe we could be synthy and direct at the same time.
We’re always working on new music. We have so many songs waiting for their turn. I hope we can get to them all and give them all a proper recording. There are three or four I would be really upset about if they didn’t make it out of the demo stage. But we have countless songs ready to be rendered. If The Ivy Walls could score the soundtrack to any movie what would it be and why?
This record is different in that the songs were born in apartments and on computers and kind of evolved in that manner. In the past, if one of us were working on a new song, it would usually make it into the rehearsal room before making it to the studio. It’s also deeply LA. It originally was intended to be a 90’s New York-inspired group of cold wave songs, but apparently the universe had other ideas and instead we ended up with the sonic version of what it’s like to live and love in this Lord of the Flies environment.
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photo Iman Haji
We hear you’re a dog lover and you advocate for others to adopt from shelters. Why is this such an important cause to you and what advice do you have for someone who may be thinking of getting a dog?
In the age of streaming and all things digital, how has this affected you in terms of your music and what are you doing to stay ahead in this vastly changing industry? For better or worse I would say nothing. When we started this, we just loved making music. I definitely miss having cover art that people held in their hand and read but as far as how this affects us with sales, I think we’re just disappointed that people no longer put on a whole record and let it play all the way through. They hear about a band and just look to see what their top-played song is, which many times is just the result of a TV placement and by no means an indication of the one song someone should stream or download. But as far as getting ahead of that, I think our hands are full with just making music and content that we feel represents what we’re trying to do.
It’s an important cause because they are suffering so badly there. So many of them. My advice is to go to the shelter and walk the floors and see what is happening. There’s every kind of dog waiting for a chance at a life. So many of them bought and paid for from breeders so unnecessarily. Don’t worry that you’re not home all day or that your apartment is small. There are ways around those obstacles. Anything is better than what they are enduring there. In the summer, the heat is suffocating, and in the winter, the concrete is cold. On top of that, so many people are dumping their dogs at the shelter when they get old or sick. The one thing I tell everyone who says they are thinking about adopting is that you will never regret it. So far, I’ve been right.
What advice do you have for anyone else who may be pursuing a career in music? Do it. Get on message boards, go to shows, find people who allow you to be yourself and start a band. You will never regret it. Treat each other well become a family and no amount of success or failure will ever trump that.
The band is busy preparing for a West Coast tour this October. You can find their new album Pheromones on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube, and Pandora. Check out the haunting and dreamy new single “White Ocean”- we adore it.
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Mathilde Ollivier
words Daniel Larsen
“The European way of life. I love simply sitting in a café, watching and listening to French people discuss and debate the last exhibition they saw, the last film they watched, their new music...I love les planches mixtes et le bon vin rouge!” shares Mathilde Ollivier when asked what she loves most about her native country, France. The beautiful French actor and model is starring in J.J. Abrams’ new thriller, Overlord. In the midst of promoting the film, I had the opportunity to interview Mathilde and learn about her journey, passions, and future.
Well-versed in a variety of arts, Mathilde refined her craft from a young age. She explains, “When I was three years old I started musicology, dance, and theater and it’s just never left me. I was lucky to be born and bred in Paris - the city itself is a big inspiration.” Film and theater was celebrated in her household. As a child, she would memorize lines from her favorite characters and even created costumes so she could perform scenes in her living room. An artistically inclined and fiercely driven young talent with Paris at her fingertips, Mathilde was bound to end up on the big screen and magazine covers across the globe.
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Mathilde’s talent has led her to a variety of projects – most recently the leading role in Overlord. When word came of the opportunity, Mathilde knew she wanted it and sprang into action to obtain it. “I received a call from my agents telling me that I had a casting request for the next J.J. Abrams production and they asked if I was interested in doing the casting. I said, ‘OH YES! OF COURSE!’ I prepared for the casting with my coach and started to create the background of my character. I made a list of all the common and differing points between my character and myself, drawing on different inspirations. Before going into the audition, I focused
photo Cynthia Frebour
photo Cynthia Frebour
and prepared myself as I would for a football match – I really went for it! My goal was to leave the room with no regrets and to give everything that I have. Two days later, I received a call from the casting director telling me that J.J. watched my tape and really liked it!” The actor continues, “A few hours later I received a second call, this time it was from my agent and she told me, ‘YOU GOT THE PART!’ I was speechless, I screamed aloud on the streets of Paris. I was so ecstatic.” All the hard work had paid off. From the time filming began, the thrill Mathilde felt when she got the part never faded. She tells of the project: “It was wonderful – going on this set everyday was like experiencing Christmas Day over and over again. All the people involved in this project were extremely talented. As soon as I walked on set, I was instantly immersed by the grand scale of the set design. It was so motivating.” The film, Overlord, is set on the eve of D-Day when a group of American paratroopers is dropped behind enemy lines to carry out a mission crucial to the invasion’s success. However, as they approach their target, they begin to realize there is more going on in this Nazi-occupied village than a simple military operation. Mathilde has had the pleasure of acting in both French and American films and in a variety of
genres. Delivering flawless performances across such diverse settings seems daunting, but she has developed a special technique to help her get in the zone before filming: “I like to jump up and down on the spot, to get the energy moving... and that causes the others actors to laugh! If it’s an emotional scene I will still jump, but then I will sit on my own for few minutes just before filming.” Her unique routine has clearly been working. She says of her experiences, “I’m sure it’s different for everyone. So far, I have experienced a different energy on set in the US – larger scale productions, a faster tempo, bigger budgets. In France, my experience has been on Indie films, where the shoots are longer and we have time to experiment.” One such film is The Misfortunes of Franco tis Jane in which Mathilde played Charlotte, “...a really, really French woman, who was born and bred in Paris. She has a very poetic sensibility; She loves others for their true personality and not for their facade. Charlotte, like everyone, has her own internal struggles, which she must navigate with Francois Jane.” An accomplished model, Mathilde landed on the pages of Vogue Australia. “I was really honored to be part of a such prestigious magazine. The team that I was working with were wonderful. The head of her feature, Peta Chua, wanted to give the audience the
most natural shoot possible. With a team of six people, we wandered around Sydney as real tourists, I had such a good time. Jake Terrey (the photographer) caught the candid moments as I discovered Sydney.” For a model that describes her style as, “French! Simple, elegant, minimal,” such an authentic shoot on the streets of Sydney seems more than fitting. A quick glance at her website or social media and you will see that Mathilde is just as comfortable behind the camera as she is in front of it. She has been photographing for years and her style is always developing, “During the last four years I have been developing a passion for street photography. My biggest inspirations are Vivian Maier, Diane Arbus, Joel Meyerowitz and Bill Ray. Recently I have been diving into portraiture. I normally like to shoot pockets of beauty on the streets of the cities I visit, and the strangers I meet every day.” In addition to acting, Ollivier is a well-travelled young artist and her eye for inspiration is insatiable. Among all the beauty in this world, it seems that much of what inspires her is those around her. “My family is my biggest inspiration. I grew up with my grandmother, mother and sister. They are each so different but so strong in their own individual way. Another inspiration is the strangers that I meet every day, or during my travels. Talking
courtesy of Overlord
with them is my favorite and when I don’t speak with them, I love imagining their life...what do they do? Where have they been? What are their stories? Where are they are going? What are they thinking? Or listening to?” Mathilde is constantly looking for other outlets to use her creative energy, “I recently started painting and I absolutely adore it; I go very often to see plays in London and I catch up on my huge list of movies that takes up most of time to be honest!” Although she has accomplished so much, we’re positive Mathilde Ollivier is just getting started. On top of her coming film Overlord, she recently went to Burkina Faso in West Africa to shoot a documentary she is producing. In the coming years, Mathilde says she’ll be, “Keeping on creating! On set or on stage, doing what I love the most, every day.” And we’ll be here, eagerly waiting to see what other beautiful creations come from the multi-talented Mathilde Ollivier.
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BAILEE & ALEX
“My hope for Alex is that he knows that the world is his oyster, he has such a talent but even more so, his heart can make waves and change in this world. I’m his biggest fan.” –Bailee “I hope that Bailee never forgets how special she is. She’s the most talented person I’ve ever met, and I know she can accomplish anything. I’m her biggest fan.” –Alex
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words Daniel Larsen
four years ago came together with Kelly Rowland and others help Michelle Obama launch “Better Make Room” – a campaign aimed at encouraging students to continue their education.
Each other’s biggest fans, Bailee Madison and Alex Lange share, “Our relationship stems from a place of respect. We both have such respect for one another, and to us, that’s a very important piece to a healthy relationship.” Love, for some, may begin as high school sweethearts, or a meet-cute at a coffee shop, or even by swiping right, but for our amazing Fall cover starts, Bailee and Alex, love bloomed in a much more surprising (and adorable!) way. Alex laughs, “I actually met her mom first! We were at a clothing store-opening event. She had designed a T-Shirt for the company, and I was modeling for them. I saw Patti [Bailee’s mom] holding a bunch of bags and so I offered to help her carry them. She then introduced me to Bailee, and I immediately knew that I liked her.” The young couple became friends and talked for eight months before they began dating. In fact, they attribute the strength of their relationship to the solid foundation they built in those eight months. Alex continues, “We’re best friends before anything, and I’m very lucky to call her mine.”
Higher education is just one of the many causes Bailee is passionate about. She also supports organizations concerned with the health and well-being of children, including Starlight Children’s Foundation, Give Kids the World, and Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Bailee introduced Alex to these causes, so for her birthday one year, Alex and Cam Meekins made a song and donated all proceeds to Alex’s Lemonade Stand (an American pediatric cancer charity founded by Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who lived in Connecticut and suffered from Neuroblastoma). “It was something that was very dear to my heart, and I’m glad that Bailee enjoyed it too. It’s a foundation that is so important to both of us.” What do Lily Collins, Blake Lively and Zayn Malik all have in common? They provide style inspiration to our ever-trendy cover stars. If there’s one thing we at Luca love about fashion, it’s the ability to take risks. Bailee refers to Lily and Blake as, “…fearless and filled with such class,” while Alex looks to Zayn for inspiration because, “…he’s not afraid to be different and that’s something that I try to incorporate into my style. If I had to describe it, I would probably say it’s very diverse. I’m very open-minded and enjoy trying different brands and looks, and I never can quite stick to one.” The couple are excellent reminders that fun and fashion go hand in hand, but for Bailee, it’s so much more. She has been lucky enough to put her passion into practice with her Macy’s capsule collection NOWADAYS (#NowBailee). Bailee shares, “The design team was so wonderful and allowed me to be as hands-on as possible! The collection is all about pieces that can be matched to create a look that is most YOU! With feminine pieces to those with more edge, there’s something for everyone. We hope these clothes will encourage you to go tell your story!”
Prior to meeting, the two led different lives. Bailee, originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, began acting at the age of five. At seven, she flew to L.A. for the premiere of one of her first major roles in Bridge to Terabithia and she hasn’t stopped since. Her credits quickly grew to include roles alongside some of the biggest names in the industry. Acting from such a young age coupled with working alongside so many talented people allowed young Bailee a one-of-a-kind learning experience, “I feel so fortunate to have been surrounded not just by talented people, but by such influential and kind hearts. I’ve learned so much throughout the years, everything from how to treat those around you on set, how to stay true to myself and my values, and of course, the craft itself. My heart will forever be thankful to those I’ve been able to sit and talk to and call my friends.” Among those friends is pop star Ciara, whom Bailee refers to as, “a light in my life!” Ciara and Bailee have known each other for years and about
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Aside from being an actor and designer, Bailee is also an accomplished author. Along with Stefne Miller, she co-wrote the young adult psychological thriller Losing Brave. She tells us, “It’s a thrilling story about loss, holding onto hope, and how tragedy affects people in different ways. The inspiration came about one night after filming a movie I was producing at the time. I was sitting down with Stefne Miller who had come on board to rework the script, and she just turned to me and said, ‘Would you ever want to write a book with me?’ I said yes right away and the idea for Losing Brave was born that night. I’m so appreciative of Stefne for being the best mentor and for giving me a chance to be a part of this journey.” Alex is also passionate about being creative, “Whether it’s through acting, writing, building a business or even baking a cake. There’s something so cool about bringing something new to the world, and I want to do as much of that as I can.”
French/half-English school system. I had a pretty regular and traditional lifestyle until the age of 14, when I started getting into photography and is what led to my passion for the entertainment industry. From there, I started working on developing content for social media, which turned into a fulltime business by the age of 15. Eventually, I met Bailee and she encouraged me to explore film and acting. I signed with Coast to Coast, and lucky enough, I booked Code Black on one of my first auditions! That’s what I’ve been working on ever since, so all the pieces kind of fit together, and I’m so grateful to be able to do what I love every day.” He continues about his big break, “Code Black was my first acting job, and my favorite experience so far. The rest of the cast, especially Marcia Gay Harden, were so kind and patient that it never felt like work. I also had the honor to play the role of a kid who suffered from cancer, which was an emotional rollercoaster.” The future of Alex’s career looks promising and luckily for him, he has a girlfriend willing to share her advice and experience freely. According to Alex, “Bailee’s is an excellent support system. I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am right now if it wasn’t for her, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Although the two have many passions and interests, their acting careers are where the bulk of their creative energy is spent. Bailee has the portfolio to prove it, “Truly every role I’ve been able to play holds a special place in my heart. Once upon a Time was such a creative thrill and honor for me, being a part of The Fosters and playing a character that raises awareness for suicide prevention was something I’ll forever be grateful for, and most recently The Strangers: Prey at Night pushed me in ways I had been dreaming of and reminded me why I love doing what I do”. She continues, “I love every genre! Comedy, Rom-Com, Drama, Horror, I don’t have a favorite! The hope is to never be stuck to one thing, and to continue to grow and learn, and so I’m very thankful for those who have believed in me and allowed me to do so!”
Being a couple in the public eye can get complicated quickly. So how do our cover stars keep their relationship strong? They say, “We both decided to be open with our relationship, because there’s an extreme amount of love and support for each other and we were excited to show that. However, in any relationship, private moments are very important and so we have a lot more of those than we do public ones. We enjoy getting to share memories and are so thankful for the support online, which honestly fills us up with such love!” Along with balancing their public and private moments, the couple keeps their relationship alive by making the most of their free time, whenever they can find some in their crazy schedules! Bailee tells us about their most recent trip, “We…took a little trip to Hawaii, I was about to start filming my show and it films in Toronto for five months, which means our relationship is mostly long
But Alex is no stranger to acting either. His talent and enthusiasm for the craft is evident in his rapidly flourishing career, “I’m very passionate about creating, in all senses of the word.” How did the young star get to where he is today? In his own words, “Growing up, I went to a school called ‘Lycée Français,’ which is essentially a half-
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distance. It was important for us to unplug and be as present as possible with each other before I left. It was priceless.” Another memorable getaway of theirs was New Year’s Eve of 2017, which they spent together in Paris. Alex tells us it’s his favorite place the two have visited together, “...it was an absolutely amazing experience. It was so special to me to be able to share my culture and upbringing with her.” Bailee and Alex, aka “Bailex”, share many memories together. Bailee spills, “Oh man, I mean all his clothes are my clothes now… we really do have the mentality ‘what’s mine is yours’ be it material things or sentimental things. His family is like mine, and mine is like his. We’re a part of each other’s worlds and we are so grateful for that.” We can only imagine how fun a Lange/Madison family gathering would be! They elaborate, “We’re so blessed to have the most incredible families and every time we all get together the room is filled with so much love. We have a huge family group chat where we send pictures and keep one another updated.” Bailex is making memories every day and they plan on making many more! What might be next for them? Alex says, “Skydiving!!! Bailee and I have been talking about it forever and I think it’s next up on the bucket list! There’s nobody else I’d rather throw myself off a plane with!” Give each of the lovebirds a follow on social media to keep up with their accomplishments, watch their love continue to grow, and hopefully see them skydive together!
photographer Andrew Gleason hair Scott King makeup Carissa Ferreri Fashion stylist Jennifer O’Bannon
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words Corinna Cooke
Although Botox is the most popular cosmetic treatment in the world, there is still a staggering amount of disinformation out there about it. It’s not rat poison and it isn’t used to plump up your lips! Here at Luca magazine we are fully invested in all things beauty, so we are going to set you straight on the wonderful world of Botox!
BOTOX
FACTS VS. FICTION
What is Botox? Botox – or Botulinum Toxin – is a neurotoxin that is medically injected into muscle to cause a temporary paralysis. What does it do? Botox is used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing the underlying muscles that cause them. Think crow’s feet, frown lines, that annoying number 11 between your eyebrows! Master technicians and practiced doctors can also use it to tip up the outer corners of a downturned mouth and even lift drooping eyebrows! Anything else? If you are a chronic migraine sufferer, Botox can be a miracle-worker! Many insurance companies will cover the use of Botox to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. Another life-changing use for Botox is to help with excessive sweating. Out-of-control sweating can be incredibly embarrassing, but depending on where the problem perspiration is occurring, Botox can treat the condition and normalize it. Muscular disorders and some bowel and bladder conditions are also treated with Botox. When should you use Botox? When you are thinking about injectibles as a beauty treatment, it’s important that you only do it for the right reasons. If you have frown lines or crow’s feet and they really bother you, this is a great way to fix them. Botox beauty isn’t age specific, it’s condition specific. You can be 40 and have no crow’s feet, or you can be 22 and have intense crow’s feet – everyone is different! The technician administering your Botox needs to make sure you can still move your face and express emotions – faces that are over-botoxed and don’t move can be uncomfortable and not improve how you feel about your look! How Long Does It Last? Botox typically lasts 3 to 4 months, but it can last longer depending on where it is being used, how it is being used, and the skill of the technician or doctor. 56
My Makeup Bag:
LINDSEY MORGAN One of Luca Magazine’s fab favorite, Lindsey Morgan shares her makeup bag. Lindsey and her character on CW’s The 100, mechanic Raven Reyes are both badass, no nonsense gals. Here are a few on Lindsey’s go-to items for her few days off from set.
1. Hourglass Illume color trio blush bronzer and highlight $62 2. Kevyn Aucoin Eye Lash Curler $21 3. Caudalie Moisturizing Sorbet $39 4. Benefits 24 Hr Brow Setter $24 5. Dior Addict Lip Glow $ 34
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photo Nichole Town
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LONG WEAR CREAM SHADOW STICK
words Corinna Bertram-Cooke
photo Nichole Town
Say hello to your new best friend! Here at Luca, we are crazy about Bobbi Brown’s Long Wear Cream Shadow Sticks! The perfect solution for the busy girl on the go, these creamy eye shadow sticks really do make five minutes to fabulous part of your morning routine! Cream shadows are gorgeous all year long, but for fall we are really loving slightly shimmery, autumnal shades. Try Dusty Mauve, Goldstone, Golden Bronze, Bark, Violet Plum, Stone, and Shadow. Vanilla and Truffle are also just lovely! Swipe across your lid and along the lower lashline, smudge with your finger, throw on a quick coat of mascara, and you have a fabulous fall look that doesn’t flake or fade and lasts all day long. If you want to do a bigger eye makeup look, they are also the perfect eyeshadow base. Use them to define your look, highlight it, or make it smoky – they are super versatile! With a really comprehensive color selection in Bobbi Brown’s signature neutral palette, we dare you to try and choose just one! Here’s winking at you…
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BEWITCHING BEAUTY Photography ANDREW GLEASON Makeup ELIE MAALOUF Hair PATRICIA MOALES
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THE R COLLECTIVE
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words Laura Madden
We have a lot to be grateful for as fashionloving consumers, especially the power of choice – the power to choose what, from who, and from where we purchase our much-valued second skin. As consumers, we have the power to change the world for the better by making conscious fashion choices and using fashion as a force for good in creating a healthier, happier planet. Consider choosing fashion sources that are part of the solution, not the problem, such as luxury upcycled fashion brand The R Collective. Based in Hong Kong, The R Collective debuted at Barney’s New York and is known for their social impact, transparency in the supply chain, upcycled luxury fabrics, and purpose-driven fashion that is changing the industry as we know it. The R Collective was born from sister charity, Redress, and the Redress Design Award, the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition. Leftover fabric waste – deadstock – that is discarded by larger luxury fashion brands and would otherwise end up in a landfill, is used to create The R Collective’s upcycled collections. Why is this such a big deal? “It is estimated that 92 million tons of textile waste is generated by the fashion industry every year.” -The R Collective So use your power, and let’s try to make the world a better, more fashionable place.
Of course...
shirt Tommy Hilfiger pant Tomy Hilfiger shoe Fitflop
As expected... hat Briston pant Calvin Klein scarf Echo shoe Dolce Vita
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photographer Sylvia Hardt • hair & makeup Rumur Stamps • model Savannah Whalen
fashion editor Jennifer O’Bannon
Well, why not?... blouse H&M skirt Free People shoe Anne Klein
Go with it...
shirt Sanctuary short Sanctuary boot Steve Madden socks Steve Madden bag T-Shirt Jeans
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HANGING IN THERE The scarf is the accessory of this season. Knotted at the neck, string it as a strap, and tie it as a top. photographer Nichole Town stylist Jennifer O’Bannon
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Kate Spade
Treasure & Bond
H&M
H&M
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Rebecca Minkoff
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Echo
R U N WAY
RETREAD by Jennifer O’Bannon fashion editor
DESIGNER F W 2018 Styles from the runway to YOUR way! Grasp the general idea of a look then reshape it to fit you and your budget.
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R U N WAY
RETREAD
Dsquared2 FW2018
top Passport $20 w/ applied bandana .99c • pant Dikotomy $22 belt Nordstrom $36 • shoe B.O.C. $70 • earrings Baublebar
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Dsquared2 FW2018
top Passport $20 w/ applied bandana .99c • pant Cloth & Stone $50 shoe B.O.C. $70 • hat and bag vintage
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Chanel FW2018
coat Veltigo Paris $360 • pant Glitz $28 • shoe Jessica Simpson bag Vince Camuto $140
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RETREAD
Christian Dior FW2018
blouse PT & Key $24 • skirt Coconut Wow $26 • shoe Fergalicious $50 bag Clements Ribeiro $40 • choker Panacea $36 • glasses ABS $12 belt Tahari $45
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RETREAD
House of Holland FW2018
sweater Free People $128 • shirt Grande & Green $24 skirt As You Wish $25 • shoe Tommy Hillfiger $75
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R U N WAY
photographer Sylvia Hardt • hair/makeup Rumur Stamps • model Danielle Martin Ford/RBA
RETREAD
Versace FW2018
jacket Vigoss $108 • scarf Adidas $25 blouse Diane Von Furstenberg $119 • pant Calvin Klein $59 belt DKNY $50
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HE LOVES ME E M S E V O L E H NOT
photographer Kelly Capelli hair Drew Noreen make up Corinna Cooke fashion stylist Jennifer O’Bannon vintage wardrobe by Fashions by Robert Black
NOT JUST A M
Bringing a feminine touch to the custom roles of... Motocross...Park Ranger...Sailor...Fighter Pilot...Mechanic
MAN’S WORLD photography Kelly Capelli make up Corinna Cooke hair Drew Noreen model Julia Williams Ford/RBA fashion stylist Jennifer O’Bannon wardrobe Fashions by Robert Black
DENIM OVERDRIVE photographer Sylvia Hardt makeup and hair Rumur Stamps fashion stylist Jennifer O’Bannon model Daniella Bonine Ford/RBA
top Moelleux pant Rewash shoe Blowfish glove H&M
top Madewell pant Rebecca Minkoff shoes Penny Loves Kenny suspenders vintage
top DE Collection dress Current /Elliot jacket Levi shoe JG
jacket Rebecca Taylor shorts Current/Elliot hat vintage Levi boots X2B
jacket Levi skirt Free People shoe Foever legwarmer Memoi hat Gatsby Newsboy
jacket Vintage ??? pant Desigual shoe Jessica Simpson belt bag I.N.C.
jacket Gap overall Free People pant American Eagle shoe Nine West
jacket CQ by CQ skirt Connection shoe Levi
SOLE SEARCHING:
Wellington Boots Wellies, Gummies, Rainboots – whatever you call them, we all know and love them! But you may not know exactly where they come from…
Invented when the Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, asked his shoemaker to customize a pair of Hessian military boots, Wellington Boots have always been popular – though the reasons for their popularity have changed over the years. In 1817, they were largely worn by soldiers as they were good for riding, the waxtreated leather made them fairly waterproof, and they could also be worn as informal evening wear. Through the 1840’s, they became widespread as fashionable menswear and 114
stayed that way with minor changes through the 1850’s and 1860’s. Following the discovery of the vulcanization process for natural rubber in the 1860’s. the boots were rubberized, making them the footwear of choice for farmers then families. They were again issued to soldiers during World War I and World War II and by the 1940’s were popular for men, women, and children. They can be durable and hardwearing with steel toes for work, fun and comfortable in funky patterns for festivals, or elegant and stylish enough to make a fashion statement, even in the rain! Whatever your purpose, Wellington Boots are the right Fall choice for everyone!
fordrba.com