July|August Men Issue by The ICONS Book

JULY | AUGUST 2012

PITTSBURGH’S MANIAC MEN YOUNG HOLLYWOOD’S HOTTEST

ART / C U LT UR E / F A SHI O N / CE L E BR I T Y . . . T HE I N N E R MA N I AC I N A LL O F US

THE

MEN ISSUE

BIG CHIEF APPAREL JET SET DUBAI PARACHUTE: A BAND TO BELIEVE IN

the wolf HUNGRY LIKE

JOE MANGANIELLO

$4.25

MANIAC J U LY / AU GU S T 2 012 C O N T R I B U T OR S

P U B L I S H E R / E D I T OR I N C H I E F April Hubal E D I T OR Rachel Morgan A S S I S TA N T E D I T OR Kaitlin Busch A RT D I R E C T OR / DE S I G N E R Elizabeth Glaessner D I R E C T OR OF A DV E RT I S I N G Kimita Nederlof P HO T O G R A P H Y April Hubal, Anne Luzzatto, Ian Allen, Vince Trupsin, Manfred Baumann, Tyler Shields, Sally Fegg, Teren Oddo, Dave Swartz, Jennifer Malia, Thom Jackson, Brantley Gutierrez, Angelo Kritikos, Katelyn Petraitis, Raquel Olivo, Robert Hester, Tobi Makinde, Cody Wiegand, Sarah Holden, Christina Shields, Bill Schmitt, Paul Schiraldi, Adam Katz Sinding

WRITERS Kaitlin Busch, Jennifer K. McGlincy, Katherine Reel, Dominic Jandias, Amanda Cowan, Chelsea Danley, Taylor Jackson, Frank Baptiste, Emily Olson, Vicki Vernet, Colin T. McDonald, Rachel Morgan, Jennifer Malia, Natasha Roberts, Cody Wiegand, Katherine Reel, Kelsey Panicco

M A N I AC M AG A Z I N E 33 Terminal Way | Suite w533a Pittsburgh, PA 15219 maniaceditor@maniacmagazine.com maniacmagazine.com 412.904.2281 l advertising inquries 8

O N T HE C O V E R Joe Manganiello wears a cardigan from Burton, jeans from G-Star and a necklace from Giles & Brother. Photography by April Hubal, Styled by Joshua Liebman, Grooming by Helen Robertson.

!"#$"% ART / CULTURE / FASHION / C E L E B R I T Y . . . T H E I N N E R M A N I AC I N A L L O F U S

MANIAC

MAY | JUNE 2012

JET SET NASSAU BAHAMAS BEAUTY MERMAID GIRL A SMASH HIT MEGAN HILTY

TOP PITTSBURGH FASHION BLOGGERS GUIDE AMERICAN BEAUTY

Dear Editor,

AMERICA’S INTERN ROSS MATHEWS

I’m so happy to see that Tara Reid is making her comeback! I’ve always loved her and was thrilled when I saw she was on the cover. She looked beautiful in the photographs and I thought the styling was amazing. Bravo!

REINVENTING

THE

L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T OR

TARA REID AMERICAN DREAMS ISSUE

$4.25

TA R A R E I D

Amanda | Monroeville

To the Editor, S E N D PA RT Y I DE A S , COM PL I M E N TS, CR I T ICISMS, A N D W I T T ICISMS TO: M A N I AC M AG A Z I N E 33 Terminal Way | Suite w533a Pittsburgh, PA 15219 maniaceditor@maniacmagazine.com

This past issue really blew me away. Every fashion spread and feature was really well done, colorful, and fun. The swimwear photos really got me excited for summertime and the Baroque shoot was very chic. I also loved the write up on Ross Mathews. He is absolutely hilarious. Erica | Pittsburgh

www.facebook.com/maniacmagazine www.twitter.com/maniacmagazine

BEST DRESSED AT MANIAC’S 7TH ANNUAL WHITE PARTY

MONICA SINGH runner-up, Svetlana Kossman

This year’s White Party was our best one yet! With so many fashionable attendees, it was tough to choose just one, so we left it up to MANIAC’s Facebook followers. With 42 likes, Monica Singh came in at number one for this year’s Best Dressed. Singh won a $50 giftcard donated by REFLECT Apparel. The runner-up was Svetlana Kossman, also in a similarly white-hot ensemble. Stay tuned for MANIAC’s next Facebook contest.

Monica Singh, left. Svetlana Kossman, right. 9

MANIAC CONTENTS July / August 2012

12/ UNDERCOVER Joe Manganiello

26/ ART 3x1 Skateboards

30/ FEATURE Pittsburgh’s Maniac Men

34/ FASHION Pastel Princess

41/ HEALTH Frankly Fitness

46/ FEATURE Big Chief’s James Houk

51/ SHOPS PAGE 21

The Scuba Trend

52/ MUSIC Parachute

53/ FEATURE Iyashi Bed Rock Spa

56/ TELEVISION

PAGE 12

Shane West

58/ FEATURE Young Hollywood’s Hottest

64/ EVENTS Christina Milian at Savoy

66/ EVENTS Maniac’s Annual White Party

70/ BEAUTY Sun-sational Beauty

72/ JET-SET Dubai

76/ DESIGN Shabby Maggie

PAGE 58 10

PAGE 72

PAGE 34

DEAR

MANIAC FANS,

MANIAC TA K E A B I G G E R B I T E OU T TA L I F E

When it comes to men, we at MANIAC Magazine can’t get enough. From local business owners and athletes to this issue’s cover star, Pittsburgh native and sexy werewolf in residence, Joe Manganiello, this issue is all about the favorite men in your life. Manganiello is a true Pittsburgher in every sense of the word –a die-hard Steelers fan with an affinity for Pittsburgh women who hangs out with Steelers royalty in the form of Big Ben. I had the opportunity to speak with Manganiello via phone, but don’t worry, Maniacs, this is one man who comes across loud and clear, even via the airwaves. Our favorite True Blood man (and that’s saying a lot, have you seen the cast?) is uber masculine, boasts abs of steel and plays a sexy werewolf to boot – you can see why it was one of my favorite interviews thus far. MANIAC publisher April Hubal even had the opportunity to shoot Manganiello in an exclusive photo shoot–and trust me, you’ll see a whole new side of the sexy star. You may notice that there’s a different signature at the bottom of this page. I’m happy to announce that I will be joining the Maniac team this month as editor. I left New York City where I worked as an editor of two major luxury lifestyle magazines to pursue a life at MANIAC and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of such a motivated, envelope-pushing and idealistic team. I have every confidence that our editorial team paired with all our little Maniacs out there means big things for the brand in the future. But back to the boys. After all, that’s what this issue is all about. To dress our favorite men in style, MANIAC sat down with the masterminds behind luxury clothier brand J. Hilburn, and its creators, Hil Davis and Veeral Rathod. The duo’s approach to high-fashion style with an affordable price tags are exactly what MANIAC is all about : attaining your dreams (even if said dreams involve a bespoke Eygptian cotton shirt. Hey, we’re not here to judge. I myself am trying to work out the logistics of purchasing a Celine bag on a journalist’s salary.) For those more casual in their approach, MANIAC featured Denim and Decks’ bespoke jeans company- because who doesn’t lust after a pair of jeans perfectly tailored to their every curve, line and measurement? And what would a Men’s Issue be without a horde of Pittsburgh’s finest men in residence, from business owners to athletes to comedians, our very own selection of Maniac Men will keep you coming back for more. Men, that is. But of course we can’t forget about the girls. MANIAC got a sneak peek behind the scenes of resident bad girl and Pretty Reckless frontwoman Taylor Momsen. Momsen, a true Maniac if there ever was one, is embarking upon a tour with the legendary Marilyn Manson and MANIAC has an exclusive video interview with her. Mix in some equally parts sexy and successful men like Shane West of the CW’s Nikita, and a whole horde of Young Hollywood’s Hottest (men, of course,) to the likes of Chris Coy of True Blood, Colton Hayes of Teen Wolf, Brett Davern of MTV’s Awkward, Ryan Johnson of Fairly Legal, Daniel Gillies of The Vampire Diaries, Reid Scott from The Big C, Taylor Handley of Battle Los Angeles and and Nick Carter, from our early ‘90’s guilty pleasure/obsession the Backstreet Boys. We couldn’t think of anything hotter. Until next time, little Maniacs. I can’t wait to see what’s next. Love,

Rachel Morgan Rachel Morgan Editor

Pictured above April Hubal with Joe Manganiello and Taylor Momsen

UNDERCOVER Sweater by Lacoste Shirt by Epstein & Parker Jeans by J Brand Bracelet by Giles & Brother

the wolf HUNGRY LIKE

True Blood’s Joe Manganiello on his unequivocal sex symbol status, his Pittsburgh roots and his secret comedic side. (Yes, we’re serious.) W R I T T E N B Y R A C H E L M O RG A N S T Y L E D B Y J O S H UA L I E B M A N

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y A P R I L H U BA L G RO O M I N G B Y H E L E N RO B E RT S O N

UNDERCOVER

When Joe Manganiello was a kid growing up in Pittsburgh, he used to set his alarm clock, walk to the 6 a.m. Mass and pray like hell that God would turn him into a werewolf. Nearly 25 years later, his wish came true. Enter Alcide Herveaux, resident werewolf on one of the dirtiest shows on T.V., HBO’s True Blood. Don’t believe us? Tune in this summer for the long-awaited fifth season to witness the blood sucking and well… you’ll have to see for yourself. Manganiello is 40 minutes late for our scheduled phone interview, and his publicist has a hard time tracking him down thereafter. When we finally connect, Manganiello apologizes, attributing his tardiness to hitting traffic after visiting the Apple store. MANIAC grants him a pass, for who hasn’t been at the mercy of a non-functioning iPhone? Since Manganiello’s entrance into the violent, bloody and sometimes screwed up True Blood universe, he’s accrued a loyal following of Trubies to call his own. (That’s slang for True Blood fans, for those who have managed to stay on the periphery of the show’s cult following.) But things weren’t always that easy. “The past 10 years of my career, especially when I was drinking, were really tough,” he said in that deep, throaty growl of his. Manganiello is nothing if not all man, all 6’5 testosterone-dripping of him. “There were four years when I didn’t act at all and I thought the dream was over.” These four years included working a shitty construction job shoveling sand and mixing gravel to pay his bills, driving a beat up car and living in a tiny apartment. Finally, having had it with his lack of success, Manganiello took a drastic measure. At 25, an age when most people are living a life ruled by reckless abandon, Manganiello stopped drinking. “I decided if I was going to get all the things I wanted out of life, or at least have a shot at it, I needed to cut that out and grow up,” he said. “I was like a hot air balloon that couldn’t go any higher, so I cut the basket.” We’ll never know whether or not his teetotaling ways are the cause of his trajectory into the universe of A-list actors (he’s now nearly a decade sober), but we at MANIAC think there’s something to be said about one who will stop at nothing to realize one’s dreams – even if it means spending hours lifting weights in a gym to attain said dream, or auditioning for a werewolf with the unfortunate moniker of Cooter. Hey, we’re not here to judge. Onscreen, Manganiello is 14

used to being passed over in lieu of blood-binging, nymphomaniac vampires by True Blood co-star Anna Paquin (vampire bait Sookie Stackhouse). Let’s face it, in this case the choice between vampire or werewolf is an easy one. On that note, MANIAC asked Manganiello about his sex symbol status. (Case in point: even though the interview is taking place over the phone, we are already sweating. Sweating from the fact of actually speaking to the Alcide Herveaux after months of not so G-rated daydreams, sweating because this god of a man claims to love normal girls, truck-loving girls, girls that like sports and aren’t all delicate and model-like, sweating because we are unabashedly flirting.) The undeniably manly guffaw in response to the very mention of “sex symbol,” followed by the humble-ish thank you, is unexpected. “Well thank you! I’m… I’m… You know, I ugh…Forget about talent, forget about all that intangible stuff, I just put my head down and work harder than the next guy in line,” Manganiello stated. “If that description has anything to do with my physicality, I take it as a compliment to my work ethic. I can’t roll out of bed and have these weights lift themselves.” Well, no one’s perfectly humble, we suppose. Manganiello may have the blogosphere to thank for the role of a lifetime. True Blood is based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series by Charlaine Harris. Fans of the books did an online mock casting of the series long before it premiered or was even cast. Manganiello was their perfect Alcide. News reached True Blood casting directors and Manganiello was called in to audition, albeit for a different werewolf (the aforementioned Cooter). As Manganiello tells it, once he walked into the audition room, it was clear to the casting directors and producers alike that he was undeniably Alcide. Expectedly, the call came. “Getting the call that I got True Blood changed my life so much,” he said. “I literally laid on the floor and stared at the ceiling for an hour and just let those four years of not working go.“ Manganiello officially joined the cast in 2010, joining series regulars Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgård, Ryan Kwanten and creator Alan Ball. To prepare for his transformation into the behemoth werewolf, Manganiello hit the gym. As the story goes, after getting the call Manganiello hung up, then called Hugh Jackman’s trainer. While Trubies couldn’t be more excited for the upcoming fifth season, thirsting for their fill of vamps, werewolves, witches, faeries, werepanthers and the promise of some additions to the cast (Chris Meloni, Kelly Overton, Lucy Griffiths and Peter Mensah are among those outed), Manganiello isn’t giving anything away. “There are going to be some ‘OMG’ moments,” Manganiello said of the upcoming season. No word yet on whether Sookie and Alcide will finally do the dirty. But this Carnegie Mellon grad’s talents extend far beyond the world of werewolves and other nocturnal creatures. His acting dossier includes the role of Flash Martin in the Spider-Man movie series, as well as reoccurring roles on ER, How I Met Your Mother and One Tree Hill. There was a whole decade of his work that no one seems to know about. “It’s interesting to think this part in True Blood is so impactful that everybody only thinks of me as Alcide,” Manganiello said. “Everyone thinks that I grew up on a farm, in a barn, in the woods or that I’m from Mississippi.” Wait, he’s not really Southern? Nope. In the interview, that sexy Southern drawl is replaced with a distinct Pittsburgh dialect.

UNDERCOVER Cardigan by Burton Necklace by Giles & Brother

UNDERCOVER Shirt by Lacoste Shorts by Epstein and Parker

UNDERCOVER Manganiello jumped at the chance to delve back into comedy with What to Expect When You’re Expecting, also starring Chris Rock, Jennifer Lopez, Brooklyn Decker, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick and Chace Crawford. Why comedy we ask, unable

girlfriend on True Blood, the now-defunct female werewolf Debbie Pelt (Brit Morgan), he stays mum on his current ex-fiancé Audra Marie (who is not a Pittsburgh native). The couple broke off their engagement late last year. It goes without saying Manganiello is die-hard Steelers. In fact, he recently had a big night out with Big Ben. (That’s Ben Roethlisberger for those of you who living under a rock.) “I was picking his brain about what was going through his mind during the final drive of the Super Bowl and he was picking my brain about True Blood secrets,” Manganiello reflected. The two ended their night listening to a ‘80s cover band at a local Laguna Beach watering hole, where Manganiello ended up on stage singing Duran Duran’s Hungry Like the Wolf. “When you’re a kid, you don’t think you will be on stage singing and hanging out with the Steelers’ quarterback,” Manganiello said. “It’s like, if this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.”

“It’s like, if this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.

”

to quiet the mental image of a shirtless, smoldering werewolf. Manganiello is quick to note that he’s funny. No really. People are often surprised at his comedic prowess, he said. He was once a finalist at an HBO comedy festival for a 13-minute monologue, he noted, pointing out that he’s more than just “the shirtless werewolf guy.” Ironically, another upcoming project does in fact involve the removal of Manganiello’s shirt. And pants. Directed by heavy hitter Steven Soderbergh and also starring Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey and Matt Bomer, Magic Mike is based on Tatum’s past as an exotic dancer. Filming basically consisted of the well-muscled cast performing dances choreographed by Britney Spears’ own choreographer and having an audience of (female) extras stuffing money down their pants. Regardless of his rabid fanset and undeniable success, this hometown boy still proclaims his love for all things Pittsburgh – Primanti’s, the Steelers and most notably an unabashed affection for Pittsburgh women. “Pittsburgh girls, to me, are like Spartan wives of the 300. They are hot, they are sexy and they have this edge.” And while Manganiello has a crazy ex-

UNDERCOVER

Sweater by Lacoste Shirt by Epstein & Parker Jeans by J Brand

UNDERCOVER

Shirt by Ever Jacket by G-Star Jeans by G-Star Raw

MANIAC fashion

J. HILBURN LUXURY QUALITY OFF THE RACK PRICE

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothing brand J. Hilburn sells custom-fit, bespoke clothing from the finest luxury materials, but at off the rack prices. B Y A M A N DA C O WA N

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y T H O M JAC K S O N

FASHION

In 2007, J. Hilburn was formed by two men, Hil Davis and Veeral Rathod – Davis focusing on the business aspect and Rathod on the product and fashion. The materials used in the production of J. Hilburn items are the same used for creating Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Armani and Zegna – fine Italian fabrics, but are also handmade for each and every consumer. MANIAC had the opportunity to speak to Rathod about the background and message of the brand, how the brand works, as well as upcoming future plans for the clothing line and what to expect for the fall season. “When you look at what has been going on in the consumer apparel world, there is a huge run up in demand for luxury brands and goods. All of the luxury brands are taking a significant price and marking it up super high, just for the name of the line,” Rathod said while explaining the initial idea for the J. Hilburn clothing brand. “We wanted to change this by going directly to the consumer and being smarter about how we knocked up our price.” Rathod said both he and Davis like nice, luxurious things, but cannot have them every single day – like many men. This is exactly why the two formed a line, originally starting with custom fit shirts and now amounting to shirts, trousers, suits, sweaters, outerwear, sport coats and accessories - all while providing good quality at the prices found on the luxury brand sale racks. “When you say ‘custom shirt’ to guys, the majority of them think the shirt is going to be ridiculously expensive, that they are going to have to purchase at least three or four of them and that it is going to take a few months for them to receive the product,” Rathod explained. “Ours start at $89, which isn’t a huge difference from what a lot of guys are spending at stores in the mall such as J.Crew and Banana Republic. Plus, those don’t fit very well and instead, we are giving the customer the ability to build the shirt however he wants.” For less than $100, the consumer is receiving a custom fit shirt made of Egyptian cotton and produced in Italy, along with a unique pattern and his choice of color, cuff, collar and pocket. “We are really trying to create a personal shopping experience where the customer doesn’t have to step foot in a shopping mall,” Rathod said. “We also want to get to know and understand that customer so shopping becomes easy for him.”

“

We are really trying to create a personal shopping experience where the customer doesn’t have to step foot in a shopping mall.

“

FASHION Men’s current options for building their own style are limited, and this is where J. Hilburn comes into play. Instead of walking into stores with price points that are too high, the opportunity to dress themselves is given through the line. “We make them feel better about themselves, they like what they are wearing because it fits,” Rathod explained. “Guys are a lot more sensitive about how they look and feel, they just won’t admit it.” J. Hilburn has a network of more than 1,000 personal style advisors across the country that serve as personal stylists and concierges for customers and consumers of the line. They ensure both quality service and fit while building a lasting relationship with the customer. Rathod said he hears a great amount of feedback from the style advisors, like how customers walk out after their custom fittings with their head held high to the sky, really appreciating what the brand has done for them. “Over 90 percent of our customers said we were their first experience with custom fit-

FASHION ting shirts, and that really gets us excited,” Rathod explained. “Our goal is not to go after other custom competitors, but instead to go after the off-the-rack retailers, the guys who are shopping at Banana Republic and J.Crew, because it is a much bigger market.” John Patrick, J.Hilburn’s lead product designer (who had previously worked for Ralph Lauren), brings a timeless look and feel to the line without chasing a trend. Whether you are 30 or 50 years old, a guy from LA who prefers throwing on jeans, a T-shirt and a jacket, or a guy from NYC who decks out in a full suit and tie, or heading to a wedding on Saturday, football game on Sunday and back to work on Monday – J. Hilburn caters to anyone and everyone. “We want guys to think of the J. Hilburn line for any occasion, and we really want the line to be a part of every piece of a man’s lifestyle,” Rathod said. As for what is in store in the near future for the J. Hilburn line, be on the look out for the new formalwear, soon to be added to the clothing line – coming this fall. There will be even more talk of the J. Hilburn line, for the ongoing strong customer relationships and quality product for low prices will not disappear. For your own custom shirts and clothing, visit www.jhilburn.com.

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You don’t need to take a trip to feel like you’re on vacation. vallozzispittsburgh.com | 220 5th Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15222 | 412.394.3400 24

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Lunch Monday -Friday 11:30 am – 2 pm Dinner Tuesday – Saturday 5 – 10 pm Lounge/Bar Friday & Saturday until 11 pm

Catering :::: Private Parties :::: Chef Tastings

900 Penn Avenue :::: 412.338.6463 :::: nineonninepgh.com

MANIAC art

BESPOKE Denim and Decks BY JENNIFER K. MCGLINCY

P H O T O G R A P H Y P ROV I D E D B Y 3 X 1

Situated at 15 Mercer Street in New York City, with over 4,000 sq. feet of retail and gallery space, a manufacturing facility and a brilliant 3,200 sq. feet design studio, 3x1’s creator Scott Morrison is putting a new twist on bespoke denim, one stitch at a time. By harnessing his rich history in the denim industry and a predisposition towards promoting all aspects of art in underground culture, Morrison’s jeans and latest collaboration with famed photographer Ben Watts will have people checking out your decks in more ways than one. Morrison explained of the name, “3x1 is derived from denim’s standard weaving construction, 3x1 Right Hand Twill, and references my third venture after Paper Denim & Cloth and Earnest Sewn.” Started just over one year ago, 3x1 jeans are created on-site and tailored for the customer as Limited Edition, Custom Made or Bespoke. Limited Edition refers to the styles on display in runs of 8, 12, 16 or 24 to be hemmed and finished with a button and rivets of the customer’s choosing, while the Custom Made option includes time with a fit expert to determine preference of back pockets, fabric and thread theory. A bespoke denim service is also offered, allowing patrons to work individually with Morrison and his patternmaker to create his or her own pair of jeans from start to finish. The fabric selection offered to customers consists of more than 100 unique selvedge denims from around the world, primarily for men, and as many as 65 varieties of denims and twills specific to women. “I wanted to invite customers into the process, the same process that I’ve found so inspiring all these years,” said Morrison of the design options offered by 3x1. Areas of personal and cultural interest inspire his

ART

work as demonstrated by his previous collaborations with other artists such as Falie and Bast. Each day brings new inspiration and new opportunities to collaborate with different artists – most recently with Watts on a limited edition series of skateboard decks for charity. Lovely ladies Jessica Hart, Lake Bell, Elsa Hosk, Behati Prinsloo and Chanel Iman were shot in 3x1 jeans and little else for five board designs including 3x1’s logo along with Watt’s signature diamond motif and Hipstamatic lens borders. The set ($400), individual boards ($100) and 3x1’s selvedge denim bag are now available at 3x1.us, along with other stellar denim gear. “I’ve been a huge fan of Ben and his work for years. Aside from Terry Richardson and Mario Sorrenti, I feel he has one of the most distinctive styles of any contemporary fashion photographer,” said Morrison of what inspired the collaboration. “Ben is always photographing the most extraordinary beautiful women, and of coarse we love them wearing our jeans. So what better way to combine a few of our favorite things than with a series of boards with beautiful supermodels all wearing 3x1.” Whether working one-on-one with bespoke customers or launching a series of skateboards for charity at a celebrity filled launch event (ladies, Jude Law is a fan), Morrison isn’t slowing down any time soon. 3x1 is launching its wholesale program this season, partnering with retailers like Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Ron Herman, Restir (Japan) and 14oz. (Berlin). Morrison said he looks forward to furthering their online presence and to creating the retail experience found at 15 Mercer in other countries around the world.

FASHION

Silk Pants by BCBG, Blouse from MACYS Teal Blazer by Calvin Klein, Bib necklace by Topshop, Heels by Nine West.

MANIAC fashion

STREET STYLE B Y K E L S E Y PA N I C C O

Wedges by Kelsi Dagger, Sequin Shorts by Rampage, Sweater by BCBG, Vintage Army Jacket and Fur.

Shoes by Aerosoles, black chinos by J. Crew, Lime Green top by Ralph Lauren, Sequins tank by BCBG, Leather jacket by Kinder Aggugini (MACYS), bullet necklace by Brooklyn Charm.

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y A DA M K AT Z S I N D I N G

Once upon a time, as a little girl, fashion was what ran wild in my imagination. If fairytales and monsters were allowed to be real, so were my outlandish yet innocently sophisticated outfits at the age of seven. I never let anyone tell me what to wear because I thought I knew I was allowed if I saw it in a fashion magazine. No one was my judge other than the editorial bibles I referred to when someone asked me why I was wearing something too dressy, out-ofdate or the least bit “unseen” within Pittsburgh. In my eyes, style has always been about being the girl or the woman I want to show the world. It has always been about expressing a higher form of art, without having to paint. It showed I had a passion, one that would create the rest of my life and all of the dreams inside of my head. One definition of style that I have decided and remained in my mind: style is the creative and confident pursuit of fashion from within, to create as many different versions of you as possible! Style is not about one look, one size or one trend. It is a curious, intuitive feeling that we all possess. This feeling feeds off of inspiration all around us in our daily lives. The difference between good style and a good sense of fashion is that good style cannot be touched. Everybody’s style is individual, which is the most beautiful and interesting part about fashion. It is crucial not to diminish or burry that spark of adrenaline when you see a new dress in a fashion magazine or an old vintage sweater you want to pull off but are afraid to. If you run with the crowd, you will lose a sense of your being and an opportunity to touch lives in a different way other than socially or physically. That is what strikes me most. When I style myself or dress-up, I ask myself two questions. What kind of woman do I want to be today, and what kind of mood am I in, physically and mentally? Then I dress like it. Dressing like a different personality other than my own inspires me to live culturally and socially. It excites me to experience different versions of myself and prevents me from ever feeling dull. I like to be a little bit of everything and everyone so I know I’m not missing out on what life has to offer. Always brainstorm who you want to be, it will change each day. The rewarding part is how that goal shines through your ensemble. Pittsburgh native and former Maniac intern, Kelsey Panicco serves as the New York style correspondent for Maniac Magazine. A student at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Kelsey is a stylist, fashion insider and music addict. You can follow Kelsey’s take on what’s new and inspiring in the world of fashion by tuning in to her blog, Fashion Ace (fashionacekelsey. tumblr.com), or on Maniac’s own blog (www.maniacmagazine.com). 29

Pittsburghâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

MANIAC MEN BY KAITLIN BUSCH P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y A P R I L H U BA L H A I R S T Y L I S T: K R I S TA J E E B A X T E R

MANIAC interviewed some of Pittsburghâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most affluent and influential men. Business owners, athletes, designers and comedians alike, these men are involved in the community and love our great city and all it has to offer. This handsome bunch is anything but camera shy, most of them striking a pose at our photo shoot in the Maniac Office and Studios. Ladies, meet the gentlemen who help make Pittsburgh such a wonderful place to work and play.

FEATURE FASHION

Desmond Brown AGE 21, Single Job Title: College athlete at the University of Pittsburgh, summer intern at BNY Mellon Community outreach: I’m part of Pitt’s R.I.S.E. (Reaching Inside your Soul for Excellence) Mentoring Program and I work with Adopt a Block (where I help clean up Oakland and surrounding communities). Favorite thing about Pittsburgh: Sports and Pittsburgh’s football fans. Favorite place in Pittsburgh: The Waterfront. Favorite restaurant: Yokoso. How you spend your Friday night: I hang out

Julian Vallozzi AGE 26, Single Job Title: Owner of Vallozzi’s Pittsburgh Community outreach: I am a committee member of the Old Joe Club, which holds two events per year and raises over $200,000 for multiple local charities. Favorite thing about Pittsburgh: The people. After living in Philadelphia and NYC, it’s relieving to be in a city full of friendly, down-to-earth people. Favorite place in Pittsburgh: PNC Park. I love the Pirates. Favorite restaurant: Other than the obvious choice of Vallozzi’s Pittsburgh, I’d say Maialino in NYC. How you spend your Friday night: Working. Weekends are my busy time. “Yinzer” phrase you use often: I really try to not use too many. But sometimes slippy just comes out a little smoother than slippery. Favorite athlete: Dan Marino. Role model: My dad, Ernie Vallozzi. Potato Patch or Primanti Brothers: Potato Patch once a summer at Kennywood is the best. Hobbies: Sports, playing guitar, cooking and traveling. Go-to nightlife spot: I try to stick around Market Square. When I’m not at Vallozzi’s, I go to Nola, Diamond Market or Las Velas. Worst pick-up line you ever used: Here’s my number, so call me, maybe?

Josh Dziabiak AGE 25, In a relationship Job Title: CEO of ShowClix Motivation/Inspiration for your job: I’m constantly inspired and motivated by the team at ShowClix. The office is full of creative, quirky people that keep things interesting, artistic and innovative. Community outreach: I am an Advisory Board member of Delta Foundation (LGBT Community) and an Advisory Board member at AlphlaLab (entrepreneurial community). Favorite thing about Pittsburgh: The old churches and architecture. Favorite place in Pittsburgh: Generally speaking, I love the East End of Pittsburgh. Favorite restaurant: Avenue B. How you spend your Friday night: Good food and drinks with friends. You’ll typically find me in Shadyside or the Southside. “Yinzer” phrase you use often: Up’air (“up there”). Favorite athlete: Troy Polamalu. Role model: My father, who is the hardest working person I know, and one of the most generous. Potato Patch or Primanti Brothers: Primanti’s Sammy. Go-to nightlife spot: The Wingharts, Southside. Hobbies: I like to dance and paint. I also like live music and I’m a foodie. Worst pick-up line you ever used: What size shoe do you wear? 32

with teammates, have dinner and go to a nightclub. “Yinzer” phrase you use often: My favorite quote is, “Doing what you love is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.” Favorite athlete: Deon Sanders a.k.a. Primetime. Role model: My brother, Antonio Brown (of the Pittsburgh Steelers). Potato Patch or Primanti Brothers: Potato Patch. Hobbies: Working out, football, basketball, tennis and traveling. Go-to nightlife spot: S bar or Pittsburgh Café. Worst pick-up line ever used: I forgot my phone number, can you give me yours?

Luca Paganico AGE 36, Married Job Title: Owner of Paganico Designs, Senior Designer/Design Consultant Set your DVR: Luca is one of 12 contestants on HGTV’s Design Star, where he competes for his own HGTV show. Tune in to the season finale on July 24 to see what happens. Community outreach: I raise money for Cystic fibrosis, breast cancer and colon cancer. I have donated art to all of these organizations for charity fundraisers. I have also done murals and raised money for Autism Awareness. Currently, I am donating my time to teaching kids at local high schools tricks of the trade of interior design and project management. Favorite thing about Pittsburgh: The hard working Steel City workers and the architecture of the bridges. Favorite place in Pittsburgh: PNC Park, the architecture is second to none. Favorite restaurant: Savoy Restaurant and Lounge. How you spend your Friday night: Exploring the city and surrounding areas for new destinations with my wife. “Yinzer” phrase you use often: Yinz’ gotta see this. Favorite athlete: I can’t decide on a single one. I have several, but the standouts are Mario Lemieux, Troy Polomalu and Jerome Bettis. Rolemodel: My cousin Mark Paganico. Potato Patch or Primanti Brothers: Primanti’s sandwich over everything. Go-to nightlife spot: Savoy Restaurant and Lounge. Hobbies: Custom painting Harley’s and hot rods.

FEATURE

Jason Russell (J Russ) AGE 30, Dating Job Title: Comedian Community outreach: I played college football at the University of Cincinnati and I like to share how football has disciplined me into the person I am. I’m involved with NFL Youth Flag Football, where I coach kids ages six to nine in the inner city. There are a lot of less fortunate children who play in the youth league which allows me to share how a positive attitude, a commitment to education and being a team player will benefit them in life. Favorite thing about Pittsburgh: The cityscape and the culture. Pittsburgh is the perfect city for dating. There are a lot of places and things you can do with someone. Favorite place in Pittsburgh: The Drum Bar because of the great atmosphere. I also love PPG Place because it is the perfect place for me to clear my mind. Favorite restaurant: The Cheesecake Factory. I go there every year for my birthday. How you spend your Friday night: I go to the gym, and then after I clean up I call up my friends and head out to several spots like Nakama, the Drum Bar and end the night at Savoy. “Yinzer” phrase you use often: “Where yinz going tonight?” Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan. Role model: My parents are my biggest role models. They didn’t tell me how to be a good person, they showed me through their behaviors and it has helped me to this day. Potato Patch or Primanti Brothers: Definitely Potato Patch fries. Catch his show: I perform at the August Wilson Center, Kelly-Staryhorn Theater and frequently at the Pittsburgh Improv. I also host a comedy open mic at 720 Music in Lawrenceville.

Andrew Merritt AGE 26, In a relationship Job Title: Graphic Designer, Model for Docherty Talent Agency Community outreach: As a freshman at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, I helped found a chapter of Habitat for Humanity. My group took three trips to New Orleans to help rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Currently, I am growing my hair out to donate to Locks for Love. Favorite thing about Pittsburgh: I love the entrance to Pittsburgh coming through the Fort Pitt Tunnels. No other place in the world has an entrance that just opens up and reveals itself to you quite like Pittsburgh does. The different vantage points throughout the city are just spectacular. Favorite place in Pittsburgh: Herr’s Island, commonly known as Washington’s Landing. It is a great place to take a romantic walk and is a hidden gem within the city. Favorite restaurant: For fine dining, I like Elements. Otherwise, The Diamond Pizza at PNC Park has the most unbelievable pizza I have ever tasted. How you spend your Friday night: Typically, I go see a movie in the Southside Works with my girlfriend. “Yinzer” phrase you use often: This isn’t really a “Yinzer” phrase but there is nothing more beautiful than hearing the Penguins’ announcer yell, “He SHOOTS and he SCORES!” Favorite athlete: Marc-Andrè Fleury. Role model: My mother. Potato Patch or Primanti Brothers: Primanti’s all day! Go-to nightlife spot: Local in the Southside and Hofbrauhaus. Worst pick-up line ever used: I used this one to get my girlfriend’s attention: “Hi, I’m an underwear model.” She thought this was horrendous, but it worked!

Alex Presley AGE 26 Job Title: Outfielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization Community outreach: I’m involved with Pirates Charities, the philanthropic arm of the Pittsburgh Pirates, which focuses on three core areas of youth health, fitness and education. In 2011, the Pirates and Pirates Charities assisted more than 3,000 organizations. Favorite thing about Pittsburgh: There are so many bridges, it’s unreal. It’s picturesque and the background is pretty cool. Favorite place in Pittsburgh: PNC Park. Favorite restaurant: Hyde Park. How you spend your Friday night: I’m not big on going out, especially if we have a game the next day. I just hang out and play guitar. I’m usually tired after a game and just want to chill out. “Yinzer” phrase you use often: Yinz is odd to me, I never heard it before. I just say ya’ll. I’m from Louisiana. Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan. Role model: My dad. For the love of the game: I love playing baseball for the fun of the competition. It’s not easy in the fact that it is a difficult sport and the challenge of the game is what makes it so much fun. Hobbies: I like to play guitar. We have a lot of downtime, so we play video games, but there is not a whole lot of time for much else. I go back home and hang out when I can. Favorite thing about PNC: The backdrop. You look behind the outfield and you can see downtown and the Roberto Clemente Bridge. It’s pretty cool.

FASHION

pants & shirt by Jonathan smikhai

PASTEL

Princess P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y A P R I L H U BA L M O D E L B RU N A M AT T O S F RO M M A J O R M O D E L S N Y C S T Y L I N G B Y K R I S T I NA C H A N E L S U K A M TO HAIR BY ANDREA WHITTEN

MAKEUP BY YUUI VISIONY

FASHION pants by Alice & Olivia top by Supertrash

FASHION

white shirt by Jonathan Smikhai shorts by Dana Max Orange shoes by Supertrash

FASHION Bra & pants by Jonathan smikhai

FASHION

Bra & pants by Jonathan smikhai

MANIAC health

W R I T T E N B Y F R A N K B A P T I S T E A N D TAY L O R J A C K S O N

EIGHT TIPS

TO KEEP YOUR BEACH BODY

With summer in full swing, there’s no chance you’re going to let all those hours at the gym slip. Personal strength and performances coaches Frank Baptiste and Taylor Jackson of Frankly Fitness in New York City have tips to not only retaining those abs, but offer suggestions of different workouts to slim down and tone up. 41

HEALTH

TABATA KET TLEBELL SWINGS 15-20 MINUTES (Less than 10 minutes of work)

5X (20s:10s) REST 2 minutes 30 seconds between rounds.

Stop doing cardio and get anaerobic. High intensity interval training creates an “after-burn” effect that will elevate your metabolism long beyond your workout. And you can do it in half the time.

Here are some of Frank’s and Taylor’s favorite interval sessions:

For trainees with experience with the Kettlebell Swing, try for 3-4 rounds of the following: Using a moderately heavy Kettlebell, perfor m 20 seconds of swings, rest briefly for 10 seconds and repeat 5 times before recovering for 2 and half minutes. Repeat this circuit for 3-4 rounds.

The Runner’s Intervals

Gym Lovers

Outdoor Lovers

ROW SPRINTS

STAIR SPRINTS

18 MINUTES (less than six minutes of work) 6 X 200M SPRINT Rest 2 minutes between rounds. Aim for 2-3 sessions per week.

20-30 MINUTES

As a sprint, your goal is to row 200m as fast as possible. You should finish between 40 and 60 seconds, making your work to rest ratio about 1:2. Keep track of your split times as a baseline to improve on. You can expect your perfor mance to drop off from the first to the last as fatigue sets in. 42

(less than 10 minutes of work) Shoot for 8-10 rounds Do this 2-3 times per week

Whether at a local park, or in a stadium, find a location with plenty of stairs, ideally 100 or more. Using a stopwatch, time yourself as you run from bottom to top. Note your time, then restart your timer as you WALK down to the start. Rest an additional 30 seconds at the bottom and repeat.

Want to change up your regular running routine to improve your results? Try one of these simple recommendations to turn your aerobic session into a high intensity interval. ON THE ROAD

Sprint from one telephone pole to the next, then walk or jog to the next. Alternate in this fashion for 20 minutes. POWER PL AYLIST

Fill your iPod with your favorite pump up songs, then during your run really pick up the pace during the choruses, then jog for the verses. Try this for 30 minutes, or 2/3 the length of your regular run.

HEALTH

Forget reps and start counting ZZZs. Whether your goal is to build muscle, lose fat or both, sleep is a critical variable. Keep a sleep calendar to make sure you’re getting eight hours each night.

Get three times the results with total body resistance training. Traditional bodybuilding splits only work if you’re on steroids. Take advantage of the supercompensation effect and give every muscle group three opportunities to rebuild each week.

TRAINER TIP

3x’s the results--So we know we should take a day off between body parts, not working chest, for example, two days in a row, and the reason is because we generally need about 48 hours to recover to allow our muscles to rebuild. Supercompensation, or the training effect, is our body’s natural response to stress. By introducing a new stimulus our bodies react by adapting so that it will be prepared for the next time the same stress is introduced. As we recover, we become stronger and more conditioned, and there is an optimal window of time to train again to keep the upward trend. Most importantly, without the proper frequency our body will revert back to our original baseline or homeostasis. This principle of reversibility can be put simply, “Use it or lose it.”

HEALTH

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how we plan our training week: It starts with training movement patterns, rather than muscle parts. There are an infinite number of exercises, so without getting too technical with kinesiology, planes of motion and the balancing joint actions, here is a simple way to think about how our body moves and the types of exercises we should therefore be doing.

DAY 1 Lower body, Hip Dominant Upper body, Vertical Push/Pull

TRAINER TIP

Deadlift Overhead Press Single Leg Glute Bridge Lat Pull-down Forward Plank

Stop working out and start training. Even the best exercise routine will eventually become, well...routine. Training involves planned progressions. Here are some ways to transform your routine into a program for success. 44

DAY 2

DAY 3

Lower body, Knee Dominant Upper body, Horizontal Push/Pull

Lower body, Lateral Upper body, Auxiliary

To add to this, we might balance core functions on each day so one day focuses on stability exercises (anti-flexion and anti-rotation), the next on rotation and the third on core shortening. Start with three sets of 10-15 reps to build basic strength and endurance and add lean body mass. A balanced total body program could look this:

Squat Pushup Reverse Lunge Inverted Row Russian Twist

Sumo Deadlift Chest Fly Lateral Lunges Reverse Fly Tricep extension Bicep curl Reverse Crunch

The trick is knowing your training variables. These fall into two categories:

volume

intensity

Number of Exercises Number of Sets Number of Reps Rest Time

Load (external weight) Speed or Tempo PRE (perceived rate of exertion)

Depending on your goal, you’ll hold certain variables constant while manipulating the others. STR ENGTH ENDURA NC E

Keeping all other variables constant, increase the load 5-10% per week Keeping all other variables constant, add 2 reps each week OR Add an additional set Decrease rest by 5 seconds each week

HEALTH

Eat lean, green and clean. Protein should be from a lean source, carbs should be colorful veggies and fruits and food should be from a whole source, free of chemicals (verses ‘food products’). Remember, “You are what you eat eat’s too!”

Choose one variable that you will increase or decrease for 4-6 weeks, then change exercises once you are able to do 16 reps of everything you once did for only 10, or the same workout with half the rest time.

Pay for it or find a partner. Whether you’re meeting your coach or a buddy, accountability to someone else will help you keep the frequency and consistency you need to reach your goals.

Get SMART TRAINER TIP Six-packs are made in the kitchen. Feed your metabolic fire with breakfast and stoke it with a small meal every three hours afterward.

TRAINER TIP

Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound goal setting is the first step to making a real and lasting change.

Stop eating like a sumo wrestler! Did you know sumo wrestlers skip breakfast and eat just two meals a day as a strategy to gain weight? Forget calories and start counting meals. Aim for five to six meals a day. Go “half-sies” and wrap half your entree to-go before you start eating and save it for your next meal.

Cut out the booze and any other beverage that isn’t water. In addition to extra calories, alcohol reduces your ability to burn fat. 45

MANIAC feature

This Big Chief Jeans Co. and Jet Street designer is being chased by Hollywood celebrities dying for his denim, but he’s ready to spend some quality time with you, hugging your body in all the right places – with his clothes. James may attribute his success to making the right connections and luck, but MANIAC is the lucky one to have landed this sit-down with such a charming talent.

American Design’s “Big Chief” JAMES HOUK James Houk is just dreamy. He’s a native Pittsburgher and Carnegie Mellon grad with silent film heartthrob looks, an all-American athletic build and a sweetly modest sense of humor. We’ve found the “chupacabra,” as Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger would say. B Y N ATA S H A RO B E RT S

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y A P R I L H U BA L

S T Y L E D B Y K E L S E Y PA N I C C O

MM: What was your life like before designing? JH: I’ve been boxing my whole life pretty much, since I was about 12, and I fought professionally for several years. Something I’ve always done is drawing and painting, not very well, but it’s something I like to do. I happen to know a person I trained was an art critic for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and he saw one of my paintings. He asked if he could see more of [them]. I had all of my paintings in an old firehouse where a photographer worked, and someone in fashion also happened to see my paintings and it was just strange luck. They asked me if I could transfer what I do to clothes, so I tried it. I approached Barney’s New York first and sold them. MM: Wow, talk about taking advantage of opportunities! How would you describe your personal style? JH: I like to think that it’s timeless. Of course I have to take into account trends and what people like, but I don’t ever really try to blow

FEATURE Leather Jacket by Big Chief By James Houk Silver bangle by Vince Camuto Orange/Yellow plastic chain link necklace by Bar III Yellow brocade dress, Blue Sparkle tank and blue sheer fringed tank by Bar III hightops (models own) Model: Izzy Grey, Docherty Modeling Agency

with the prevailing wind. I’ve found that no matter what, if my heart is in something that has resonance, it just always seems to work and people love it. MM: Who are your favorite designers to wear? JH: I am really boring, but I really like Ralph Lauren. My personal taste is pretty reserved. MM: What designers have you collaborated with? JH: I got to meet Beyoncé and [House of Dereon] really liked my stuff. I’ve made tons of different jackets and tops, mostly cotton based, and they loved it. MM: You’ve been in fashion for years and I’m sure you’ve inevitably experienced setbacks in a tough industry. How did you conquer the issues you may have had in order to make it this far? JH: People ask me all the time, “How did you get to design for these people and some of these stores?” They tell me they went to FIT and they can’t get a break and I feel really sorry because I know it’s just been luck and the opportunities that I’ve had. I also could tell them to be careful what you wish for because it might come true. And the business part of it, it’s really burned me a lot of the time because when it comes to [contracts], I’m way too nice. It hurts you in this kind of business. You have to be tough. That’s really been the only setback I’ve had. I’ve never gone to a meeting where [my brand] didn’t sell to people, but when it comes to negotiating the percentages… MM: Going back to your line and designs, it’s very representative of the Americana aesthetic, with a vintage feel. What are you

most inspired by? JH: It sounds so cheesy to say it, but the pillar of everything I do is Americana because people in America love America and I love America and its values. We opened a store recently in Korea and we’re going to be opening a second in Korea, and I’m looking to open one in Italy. Hearing from [people] in different countries and how much they love [America] refreshes my spirit and makes me even more respectful of what I do. MM: What made you think of incorporating recycled hardware into your denim design? JH: If I was going to do denim, I wanted to do something different. One of my good friends is a designer at True Religion. My first experience learning anything about denim was with Adriano Goldschmied, the AG from AG Jeans, and one of my former partners was Manufacturing, who makes AG jeans. When I thought that I was going to start making jeans, one of the stories that always stuck out in my head was from Adriano. On all of his original jeans, the buttons were made from copper, and in the center of the button was always a hole. He said that it was to remind him of [being] a child at the end of the Depression, when [manufacturers] would cut the center out of buttons to use less metal. It reminded him to stay humble and that story always resonated with me. So I thought, if I’m going to do jeans, I have to find my way to make them authentic. I’m going to do every bit of it the way I always do things, with the best materials, made in the United States and with meaning. I thought a good way to start [was deciphering] what’s permanent – the metals. I’m going to use real steel and real copper, and then I took that a step further and asked, “How can I honor where I’m 47

FEATURE from and Pittsburgh, and my family, some of whom worked in steel mills?” I decided to make the steel from old, abandoned steel mills into buttons. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, so I started looking on the Internet, and I stumbled across a jeweler who recommended me to a metal artisan who was also from Pittsburgh. I told him my idea and he helped me crystallize it - he had a friend who had a junkyard and collected steel. We hammered the steel into rivets and buttons, sparks flying everywhere, with a sledgehammer. So the hardware is real copper from the steel mill in Pittsburgh and there’s actually a dye that we use which reads “Pittsburgh US.” How cool is that? And I wanted it to be so that when you first look at [the jeans], you see red, white and blue. A lot of people do a chain stitch, but mine is actually done on a machine from the 1930s. On the back pockets, the lines represent an Indian war bonnet and war paint, paying homage to my Native American heritage. MM: Who makes up the James Houk – Big Chief team? JH: Sam Kim, he’s my main partner. He owns the factory and has produced Lucky Brand, Ed Hardy. We started out together when I designed for American Eagle, which was my very first design experience. Sam manufactured all of their clothing, so we’ve worked together on and off for about 14 years. Jason is a metal artisan. He has gallery shows and is a true artist. MM: Where do you do most of your designing? JH: In Pittsburgh, but I have an office and showroom in LA too. I wish I could say I’m one of those people who can just go by inspiration, but I get distracted really easily! MM: You’ve made quite a name for yourself

Silver belt and Silver snake necklace by MACY’S brand Neon chime necklace by Kensie Riding gloves by Nike Pink dress and striped jumpsuit by Bar III Model: Izzy Grey, Docherty Modeling Agency

in Hollywood. Congrats on landing a coveted spot at the 2012 Academy Awards Style Lounge. How did that happen for you? JH: Actually, we went to the Grammy Awards first because my business partner in LA had contacts at the Grammys, and when we found out that a gifting spot had opened up, we sent samples for approval and we were asked to fill the spot. Then someone from the Academy Awards saw our brand at the Grammy’s and asked if we’d be a part of theirs too. It was so shocking because the Grammy Awards had just ended and all of a sudden it was like, “You have to stay in LA – we’re doing the Academy Awards!” MM: Where can shoppers find Big Chief Jeans Co.? JH: Right this minute, only at Fred Segal in California. You can also find my designs in Barney’s too, but I’ve sold to Fred Segal since the beginning, for like 10 years. I’m lucky because everyone respects that store so much. I’ve found out that when you’ve sold to Fred Segal and Barney’s, you can sell to anybody because those are two of the best stores in the world. Recently, I’ve had meetings with Buckle about in-store placement, but we’re figuring out details. MM: And aside from searching for your New York Showroom and opening new international stores, what can we expect from you and Big Chief this Fall/Winter? JH: When I was at the Academy Awards, I gave away T-shirts and jackets because I would’ve had to bring dozens of jeans in every size, so I offered to send them to celebrities who were interested. And would you believe it, every single person I met, literally like 100 TV and movie stars, gave me their personal information and wanted my jeans!

FEATURE Leather jacket by Big Chief By James Houk Shoes by Nine West Brazil Neon spike necklace and silver necklace by Bar III all Bracelets, necklace and gold belt by MACYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S brand Maxi Skirt and gold cardigan by Bar III Neon green Bandeau by Material Girl Model: Izzy Grey, Docherty Modeling Agency

229 S. Highland Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412.661.5656

1150 Smallman St Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.201.5656

2000 Smallman St Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.261.6565

5847 Ellsworth Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412.362.5656

5849 Ellsworth Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412.362.6198

Seven Pittsburgh Locations madmex.com

MANIAC shops LL Urchin Ring net-a-porter.com

Alejandro Ingelmo Luna Wedge $725.00, www.alejandroingelmo.com

Ippolita Resin Grouped Bangle $350 www.JamesFree.com

Blue Paracord Bead Bracelet ItsHot.com Jewelry

Muse Dress $148 www.museapparel.com

The Portia $320 www.eclairee.com

Jimmy Choo, Denton neoprene scuba peep-toe sandals, £408.33

James Free Collection Black Snowball Jasper on Black Wire Necklace $575 www.jamesfree.com

Lisa Marie Fernandez The Lauren bandeau bikini, £266.67

Lisa Marie Fernandez The Lisa Marie halterneck swimsuit, £291.67

W Hydro Power Trunk Color: Begonia Women´s swim trunk with UV protection $65 www.HellyHansen.com

James Free Collection Blue Titan Bar on Navy Blue Wire Necklace $475 www.jamesfree.com

Richard Nicoll Neoprene mini dress £591.67

Derek Lam Knitted scuba-style top, £616.67

P RO D U C T S E L E C T I O N S B Y: C O L I N T. M C D O N A L D, S T Y L E E X P E RT

Colin T. McDonald is a celebrity stylist and commentator. He’s quickly growing into one of the industries go-to people when it comes to any of your fashion emergencies. Along with being a stylist, he comments daily for many highly noted critics both on and off the red carpet. Still finding time, he is a fashion consultant for top and emerging brands lending them his eye and expertise. You can follow Colin online at www. colintmcdonald.com or Twitter @styleexpert00.

MANIAC music After releasing two albums in two years, some bands would take a break from the constant world of writing, recording and touring, yet Parachute shows no signs of stopping. As one of America’s most promising young bands, they proved they are just getting starting on their sophomore album, The Way it Was. The Way It Was, released in 2011, can best be described as an extension of Parachute’s 2009 album Losing Sleep. Lead vocalist/writer Will Anderson said the band found a sound on their second album that was a little more concentrated, a result of playing live. The band recorded the album in LA, where they continued to develop their sound just a year after the release of their debut album. The band took some risks with The Way it Was. Some of the songs on the album are seven or eight minutes long and contain subject matter that isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. The depth of the lyrics and the song choices are risky, but the band wanted their second album to be outside of the box. “We had long talks about whether or not we wanted to put those songs out there,” Anderson explained. “In our opinion, if you don’t show it all, it’s not worth showing. I think if it’s a good song and people can connect emotionally to it, then that’s all that matters.” Parachute’s sophomore album carries a message of reality. The songs reflect the good and the bad, and the happy and the sad moments of life. The tracks don’t try to make sense of life or explain it, but instead present it in different everyday stages. You and Me is a song about a Bonnie and Clydetype on the run, while American Secrets is an autobiographical study of adolescence and Philadelphia is about a couple of the verge of splitting up due to an unspoken infidelity. The inspiration for The Way it Was came from everywhere and anywhere. The lyrical content is a mismatch of Anderson’s friends’ stories, fiction and even nonfiction involving himself. “Whatever sparks something is worth holding onto,” Anderson stated. “For me, the moment I get inspiration, I just grab onto it and run. There is not a right way and a wrong way of telling a story, it just has to be relatable to other people. It’s a luxury to find something that inspires you to write a song.” Something to Believe In (Jeremiah), the first single off the record, debuted on 52

the Billboard Top 200 Digital Chart. The band released Kiss Me Slowly as the second single off their sophomore album, a song with a little country twang. Anderson said although the band never thought they’d be singing country, they loved working with Lady Antebellum and had a lot of fun recording the duet. He’s even relocated to Nashville, where he

PARA CHUTE A Band to Believe In BY KAITLIN BUSCH P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y B R A N T L E Y G U T I E R R E Z

has been collaborating with other country songwriters. The Way it Was wasn’t necessarily easier or harder to write than the first, it was just different. “I was scared whether I could write an album in four months,” Anderson said. “I was more focused on this album. I told myself, ‘OK, I’m going to write a song today.’ The first album was like ‘Oh, a song came to me,’ so I’d write it down. Then a month later, I’d do it again.” “It’s just so funny because each album is a snapshot of me writing,” Anderson continued. “[The Way it Was] was four months of time in my life. The stuff I’m writing now is a snapshot for another album.” Anderson insisted it wasn’t difficult to release two albums in two years, calling the process “natural.” “We get bored pretty easily. To get a new album out was awesome,” he explained. “The more you can put out the better.” Like most bands, other artists influence Parachute. Some of their favorites include Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty,

Billy Joel and Sam Cook. The band has been playing together for over seven years, most of its members befriending one another at age 15. Anderson, drummer Johnny Stubblefield, bassist Alex Hargrave and saxophone/ keyboardist Kit French were high school classmates in Charlottesville, Virginia. Guitarist Nate McFarland, who Anderson met while attending the University of Virginia, later joined the band. Originally called Sparky’s Flaw, the band decided it was time to change their name in 2008. “We realized we would be going national and we wanted to call ourselves something we wouldn’t necessarily be embarrassed by,” Anderson laughed while reflecting on the band’s past. “Parachute was the first name we agreed on and it was the first one that wasn’t already taken.” She is Love, off Parachute’s debut album, launched their career. Nivea featured it, as well as Under Control, on their national commercials. The band’s songs have also been featured on television shows like The City, One Tree Hill and 90210. The band has a long, promising future ahead of them, where fans will continue to see musical growth. “We have very specific goals in where we want to be,” Anderson said. “We’re just excited to keep playing and we’re best friends and we’re having a blast and I can’t see us stopping.” Parachute will be touring with The Cab this summer, starting in July. Be sure to catch them August 6th at Stage AE.

MANIAC loves

TORONTO’S IYASHI Bed Rock Spa B Y C H E L S E A L . DA N L E Y

P H O T O G R A P H Y P ROV I D E D B Y I YA S H I B E D RO C K S PA

A rock solid foundation is essential for anything and Iyashi Bed Rock Spa takes that literally. The Iyashi Bed Rock Spa is the first of its kind to ever hit North America. Iyashi practices Japanese Ganbanyoku, which is commonly referred to as “Rock Bathing.” But this doesn’t feel like something from the Stone Age. Who would have guessed that Japanese Zen and rainforest air would come together in an indoor sanctuary in uptown Toronto? And this detox and relaxation technique has made Iyashi one of the most sought after spas on the continent. Celebrities and athletes alike travel there for the power of Ganbanyoku at Iyashi, as it is rated as one of the top five unique spas in the world. The spa itself is posh yet tranquil with its urban Toronto backdrop, almost resembling a large sauna spa. It does use one key ingredient of the sauna, heat. But it also adds in a key element of healing with Black Silica rock. Guests dress in the provided cotton outfit and lie down on a bed

of rock. Embedded in the granite flooring is Black Silica slate. After lying down for about 20 minutes, patrons take a break in the cool down room for a couple minutes before repeating the process. A typical treatment takes about an hour and a half. The rock is heated by water and reaches 40 degrees Celsius on average and the room is kept at a humidity of at least 60 percent, making it feel like the air of a comfortable rainforest. This is a completely natural and green process, like bathing but without the water. Treatments provide a time for meditation and relaxation in a tranquil and peaceful environment, a healthy combination for the body, mind and soul. Rock Bathing heats the body evenly and gently, making guests feel as if all their stresses are melting into the floor. The heat itself cleanses the body through perspiration and activation of circulation, metabolism and the immune system. Guests literally sweat their worries, negative energy, toxins and calories away.

Not to mention guests leave with radiating skin. A key component of the Ganbanyoku is the Black Silica rock imported from Hokkaido, Japan. This is no ordinary rock. Black Silica contains minerals that have huge benefits for the body. First, the rock holds heat and naturally gives off far-infrared rays which penetrate over an inch into the body. These are said to be natural rays of sunlight. The effects of this are weight loss (between 700-1,500 calories burned in a session), anti-aging, strengthening of the immune and cardiovascular systems, pain relief, clearer skin (from cellulite to acne) and the detoxification of harmful metals from the body. Negative ions are also released from Black Silica, which counteract negative effects of environmental pollution, help prevent respiratory-related illnesses and increase the flow of oxygen to the brain resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness and more mental energy. Negative ions are also a natural form of anti-depressants, calming anxieties and improving moods. After receiving a treatment, guests leave rejuvenated and refreshed from the inside out, in health and in natural beauty. How fitting considering Iyashi actually means “cure” in Japanese. The spa is owned by Ryusuke Juge and Norma Percy. Their mission is to provide guests with the most authentic Rock Bathing experience outside of Japan, offering a sanctuary within the busy city for patrons to relax and rejuvenate their body and soul. Juge first experienced Ganbanyoku (originating from Thailand) in Japan while treating a martial arts injury. It relieved his pain and he wanted to spread this type of treatment to North America. Now a world renowned spa with over 20 Silica stone beds, Iyashi offers a few other options as well. Guests can choose one of the deluxe suites or even hold a private pampering party for friends. In addition to the signature Rock Bathing treatments, the spa also offers “Ganban-Yoga” on their heated stone beds as well as registered massage therapy services. Iyashi offers packages for sessions and loyalty points for their returning customers. For more information on Ganbanyoku and Iyashi Bed Rock Spa, visit www. iyashibedrockspa.com.

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WELL, YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW. Our chef is a stickler for freshness. Heaven help the food that isn’t. Chef Andrew has his rules and that’s that: #3 Only the best ingredients – we buy local #22 Taste everything before we serve it #37 Proud of everything we serve

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MANIAC television

SHANE WEST A very punctual Shane West called me as he was leaving the gym, just days after his return to Los Angeles upon wrapping season two of Nikita in Toronto. BY KAITLIN BUSCH

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y A N G E L O K R I T I KO S

The 33-year-old Baton Rouge native wasn’t the typical celebrity I expected to interview. Instead, I found he was a humble, focused and funny all-around great guy. West plays the male lead, Michael, in the highly addicting, action-packed hit show Nikita, which has been picked up for its third season. Season two ended in May with a twopart finale. “It was a hell of an ending to an insane second year,” West said. “I think people were confused [by the finale] last year, but this year they are genuinely happy.” Although his character is constantly shooting people or beating them up, West is not the violent type. “The only way I truly relate to Michael is I try to take my own experiences from love and loss and bring that into him. But other than that, he’s pretty much a killer with a heart,” West explained. “He’s making me grow, and the show is changing my life tremendously. To me, it’s a miracle I’m playing opposite someone my age. I thought I’d have to be older to get role like this.” Michael was written as a character in his mid- to late-thirties, a role West wouldn’t be old enough to fulfill. “Somehow in the audition I must have done something that changed their mind. I either had the role easily or I had no shot in hell,” he said. “I was a complete dark horse I think.” West’s relationship with Nikita (Maggie Q) has come full circle. In season one, Michael, who had trained Nikita at Division, was after her. By the end of the season, their relationship had been restored. Michael and Nikita have been on and off throughout the second

STYLE season, but by the finale they were finally back together. Fans of the show have dubbed the couple “Mikita.” “It’s an Internet thing and of coarse we’re happy with it and it’s awesome,” West said of the nickname. “[Maggie and I] do have chemistry. She’s a wonderful girl and we feed off of each other very well. We’re glad people can see that, it makes us very happy.” During the finale, a lot of questions throughout the season were answered. “Two major villains went down and Division is now wide open for Team Nikita to do what they want with it,” West explained. “The finale opens up for a bizarre and exciting third season. Will Team Nikita ban Division or make it what it was supposed to be when it was created?” Nikita wasn’t West’s first stint on television. He played Dr. Ray Barnett on ER (2004 to 2009) and Eli Sammier on Once and Again (1999-2002). “It was very interesting because I wasn’t sure I wanted to do TV a few years after ER. Both [ER and Once and Again] won Emmys and were phenomenal shows and I didn’t know if I wanted to do another show,” West reflected. “Nikita was such a well written pilot. I really enjoy the role of Michael. He might be a guilty pleasure of the characters I’ve played so far.” One of West’s most notable characters is Landon Carter. A Walk to Remember still tugs at our hearts strings time and time again, even 10 years after its release. West became a heartthrob overnight, much like how he landed the lead male role. “I met with Adam Shankman (the director) by myself, just to talk. I didn’t read. Then he brought me in with Mandy (Moore) to read together and we both got the part,” West remembered. “I wasn’t a name and she was a singer. We barely auditioned. Those days don’t happen anymore.” The most memorable moment in West’s career thus far was the premier of A Walk to Remember at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. He said he would never forget that defining moment for the rest of his life. “The reaction to film was so unexpected, we didn’t realize it was going to be a hit,” West reflected. “Adam Shankman sat Mandy and I down and told us ‘Get ready, your life is about to change forever.’ It was kind of something we laughed at, but he was right.” “We knew we did a cute, fun movie out of the heart, but we had no idea people would like it as much as they did,” he continued. “It really touched a lot of people’s hearts.”

Having experience in both television and film, West hopes to continue working in both throughout his career. Although he thinks he prefers films, he said there are advantages and significant positives for each. “With film, you go in and get it done in eight weeks and then you leave and that’s it. You’ve done a good project, and you can do three or four in one year, allowing you to be four or five characters in that year,” West explained. “In TV, I can cultivate and create Michael in a series over the years. TV roles stick out in fans’ heads more because your character spends once a week in everyone’s home and I think that’s why people get into it.” Besides acting, West also has a passion for music. Up until he started working on Nikita, he toured with the hard-core punkrock band The Germs as their lead singer. He went on tour three different times and played numerous shows over a five-year span. West credited his time with The Germs as his most MANIAC moment. “I have scars, I’ve been hit on the head and I hit other people on the head. At my first show, there was a beer bottle fight and I got cut on stage. By all rights I should have quit, but I was never going to that. It was nuts,” West said of his experiences. “I started playing with The Germs right towards the end of ER, when I was 28 or 29. I had to start kind of hiding it from the producers just in case. I fell in Chicago and hit my head on speaker and practically knocked myself out. I had to cover up a huge knot on the set of ER.” With all of his exposure, one would expect to find some not-so-flattering moments of the actor plastered all over the Internet. Yet, we can’t think of one. When it comes to embarrassing Hollywood moments, West claims he “probably blacked that out.” “I haven’t had one in the age of TMZ but preTMZ [those of us in our 30s] really lucked out. We were fortunate enough not to have anyone out there with cameras all the time,” West laughed. “I’ll leave those stories for book one day.” West, who is currently single (yes ladies, I said single), finds dating in Hollywood to be

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I want to be happy with the projects I’ve chosen and continue to make good work.

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a bit difficult. “I think that in a business that is very difficult and is very taxing on the mind and body, it’s sometimes hard to find someone who you can just mesh with perfectly,” he said. “For me, the eyes and smile attract me and it’s really nothing else. If you can just capture me with being real in a world that’s not very real, it’s very uplifting.” During his down time, the actor enjoys visiting Portland because of its laid back atmosphere, and of coarse New Orleans, which he says is essentially his hometown. Abroad, he loves London, calling it “a place I feel like I could like in,” as well as Prague, which he said is “one of the most gorgeous cities I’ve ever seen.” The future has endless possibilities in store for West. Acting is his life, his career and his passion. Ten years down the road, he hopes to be doing just that. “At that point I hope I made myself be where I want to be with film or TV or both. I want to be happy with the projects I’ve chosen and continue to make good work,” he said. “And I wouldn’t mind having a family.”

MANIAC feature

YOUNG HOLLYWOOD’S HOTTEST All the heat this summer isn’t just coming from the sun, it’s also coming from the stars of Hollywood. MANIAC had the opportunity to talk to the hunks making a splash this season. BY KAITLIN BUSCH

Brett Davern Age: 18 Relationship Status: In a relationship Hometown: Edmonds (Seattle), Washington Also Known As: Jake Rosati on MTV’s hit show Awkward, Alex Sperling in The Pool Boys, William in Beautiful Ohio Can guys and girls be “just friends?” It’s hard. I’ve gone back and forth on this. I change my opinion weekly. Some days I’m like, “Of course.” And then it’s like, “Oh, that doesn’t really work out.”If you’re attracted to each other, it’s going to be complicated. Most embarrassing Hollywood moment: It was my first day ever on a professional set, like an actually movie set (we were filming Beautiful Ohio, directed by Chad Lowe). My first day shooting included a love scene between Michelle Trachtenberg and me and there’s some nudity in there. I was like, “OK jump in with both feet.” They wanted us to wear certain things to cover certain things and 58

Photograph By Teren Oddo

they weren’t sticking in the right places. It was sort of embarrassing at first and then I owned it and said, “OK, lets do this.” It was good though because in the scene we’re supposed to be nervous and it wasn’t hard to play the part. (Ladies, the movie is available on DVD.) Hobbies: Snowboarding. Beau (Mirchoff) and I snowboard all the time together. (Davern admitted to bromance at first sight with Mirchoff.) All of the crew calls us a breaumance. They made us director’s chairs that look more like a love seat. The way to your heart: Food. I’m like the saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Favorite city: Seattle, there is no place like it, especially in the summer. Summer is so awesome, there is no cleaner air and with the

mountains and lakes it’s gorgeous. Plus, Pearl Jam is from there. Favorite sport: Football. I’m a huge Seahawks fan, like die-hard. And so is Beau, so we get together every Sunday and watch every game. Favorite movie: I’m on a gangster movie binge right now so I’ll say Good Fellas. Go-to vacation spot: Lake Chelan in Washington State. If you weren’t acting, what would you be doing? I have no idea. It’s all I ever wanted to do. I didn’t have a backup plan. Sink or swim. I’m a gambler that way, I put it all on black or red. Future roles: Brett plays Sean in The Culling, with Jonathan Schaech and Jeremy Sumpter, due out this fall.

Chris Coy Age: 25 Relationship Status: Married. The couple is expecting a baby girl in July. Also Known As: L.P. Everett on Treme, Barry on True Blood A non-fiction role: In Treme, I get to play a real guy who is an investigative reporter, based on A.C. Thompson, who heard about corruption in the New Orleans Police Department. A lot of racially motivated murders were being swept under the rug, and Thompson left his life in Oakland and moved to New Orleans to get to the bottom of it and he did. By the time he was done, the families were given closure. It’s great to play someone who made such a huge difference and it is extremely rewarding. Passionate about Treme: Everybody’s story line is an important tale that needs to be told, but more importantly none of those stories were ever told. Katrina happened, then football playoffs and everyone moved on. There’s a lot more going on there than anyone recognized. Most embarrassing Hollywood moment: I got hit by a car in Hollywood Highland a couple years ago. I flew off the hood and got right back up and cussed out the car and the car kept going. I turned around and I realized I was walking when he had a green light and I was in the wrong. And I suffered a minor concussion. Bad “manly” habit: Smoking.

Photograph By Paul Schiraldi

Love at first sight: When I first saw my wife, I walked up to her and forgot my name. She told me I was doing fine when I stammered. Favorite movie: Currently, The Rum Diaries, but my all time favorites are The Shawshank Redemption and Edward Scissorhands. Go-to vacation spot: Northport, Florida. Anti-vampires: I’m not a big vampire fan. I do like Interview with the Vampire, starring Brad Pitt, but I’m not into the Twilight Saga. Animal house: I have four dogs, four lizards and a ginny pig named Samson. Dream role: I don’t think any actor really knows that. At some point I want to dive out of a car at 80 mph right before it explodes. I want to do some cool action stuff, but I love emotional turmoil and getting a response that way too. I want to do it all. Future roles: I play David in the independent film Little Birds, slated to come out in August and Hank in the psychological thriller The Culling, due out in October. Little Birds competed at the Sun Dance Festival in 2011 and was Robert Redford’s choice. It’s maybe the thing I’m most proud of. It’s a story about two 15-year-old girls who live a boring life in a trailer park and they decide to run away from home and meet up with my character. I play a homeless hoodlum, and one thing leads to another and it’s a tale of lost innocence. It’s so gorgeous, its brilliant.

Photograph By Raquel Olivo

Colton Haynes Age: 23 Relationship Status: Single Hometown: Andale, Kansas Also Known As: Jackson Whittemore on Teen Wolf, Shane on The Nine Lives of Chloe King, Brett Crezski on The Gates On playing someone younger: It’s extremely weird playing a 16-17 year old when that was so long ago in my life. We look 18 in the first season and look 25 in second season. It’s weird, but it’s progressive. There are a lot of high school aspects to it, but because it’s a show about the supernatural we get to talk about more supernatural than high school drama. Spoiler alert: This season kind of revolves around the aspect of trust your instincts. The whole season, every single character is going through something that puts them in a big amount of trouble. We have to band together and help each other. How you help them out is going to reflect on how they’re going to help you out. The first season was like Romeo and Juliet and forbidden love. That aspect continues this season, but it starts to explore personal aspects and issues of each and every character. You’ll see all characters as opposed to just Scott and Allison’s love affair. There are tons of new characters, new wolves and new relationships. It’s really going to be exciting for the viewers. Most embarrassing Hollywood moment: I get scared pretty easily. One time at my old management office, I rounded the corner and ran right into Jake Gyllenhaal. It scared me and I let out us this most awkward sound and said, “Excuse me Jake Gyllenhaal.” It was so 59

FEATURE embarrassing. Who says that? Most memorable moment: My first job on CSI. It was the most amazing news ever. I never worked before and randomly got a call. I was with a bunch of friends and we had this celebration moment. It was great. Hobbies: I like photography and I just got Instagram and now I’m obsessed with it. Thing you look for in a woman: Personality. Dream role: I think it would be fun just to play anything real, someone who’s not supernatural. A character that is a normal person who’s not mean or rude or a jerk, someone who is really going through things as opposed to turning into a werewolf or beating up a nerd. On set pet: We had a set cat, which was really a homeless cat we called Cheeto. Five months later, we found out he was a girl. Our red head, transgendered cat was my pet for five and a half months and I was going to bring her home to LA, but then she ran away. g

Photograph By Vince Trupsin

Daniel Gillies Age: 36 Relationship Status: Married to Rachael Leigh Cook Hometown: New Zealand Also Known As: Dr. Joel Goran on Saving Hope, Elijah on The Vampire Diaries On playing Joel: He’s an orthopedic surgeon, a worldly young guy and a former lover of Alex Reed (Erica Durance). It creates an interesting 60

Nick Carter Age: 32 Relationship Status: In a relationship Claim to Fame: Member of the Backstreet Boys Hometown: Tampa Bay, Florida Most embarrassing Hollywood moment: I was watching footage of the Teen Choice Awards, where I did this show with my brother and the outfit is so dumb I don’t know what the hell I was thinking. My hair was a mess and I was in a hippie Jimmy Hendrix looking-outfit. Most memorable moment: I remember being in Rio, Brazil and the streets were filled with over 100,000 people just to see us. We couldn’t get the bus through the crowd. We sang and tried to do everything we could to make them happy out on the streets. They almost tipped over our bus. Hobbies: I like playing guitar, playing video

dimension to the part, the hospital sort of threads together this beautiful narrative that challenges Alex and her ability to sustain hope and faith while her fiancé is in a coma. And my character is there to nurture her while learning to be selfless and he never had to before. They’re still deeply emotionally connected and he wants to be the rock for her. The show flicks out of a ghost dimension and reality. It is stunning, gorgeous and beautifully conceived. Most embarrassing Hollywood moment: I feel like I walk around in a constant state of embarrassment. It amazes me that anybody archives stories of embarrassment. I always feel like it’s a perpetual presence of being with me. Most memorable moment: In my life, marrying my wife. In my career, probably today actually (April 24). My first feature film, Broken Kingdom, is finished and it is so satisfying to finally put that to rest. Making that film was the highlight of my career. It is the most memorable chapter and the best work I ever done. How Rachael won him over: Rachael felt sorry for me. By my presence, I manage to generate sympathy. There’s something about me that’s just pitiful. I look like a drowned rodent. She has a gigantic heart and very low standards. Favorite food: Maple syrup. Go-to vacation spot: Moorea, a Tahitian island. Favorite city: New York City, it’s the greatest city in the world. It’s a country unto itself and it scares the shit of me. It’s like having a crush on the prettiest girl in high school and she kind of hates you but goes out with you a couple

of times. It’s thrilling because you never know where to stand with her. What the future has in store: Broken Kingdom is finally finished, so we’ll do a limited release in LA and NYC, then a crazy, brilliant online marketing release, which I’m so excited about. It will be released in July. Animal lover: I have three dogs and two cats, Cooper, Hudson, Sonny, Sasha and Lewis, respectively. My wife and I keep joking we ruined the names for our future children. If you weren’t acting, what would you be doing? I’d probably design women’s shoes and handbags.

Photograph By Manfred Baumann

games, specifically World of Warcraft, and watching movies. I also enjoy painting, drawing, writing music and acting. I love acting, I’m trying to make it a career. I think anything that is a hobby is something you can do professionally. The way to your heart: Intelligence. I like intelligent people. Favorite movie: Big Trouble in Little China. Go-to vacation spot: The Florida Keys. Favorite city: Stockholm, Sweden. Favorite BSB song: The next one we’re going to record. What the future holds: I’m studying the art form of acting and character development. I just love it. It’s a fun thing to do, to play a character and do something different. I’m going to act and sing. We’re going to start recording another BSB album in July and Kevin is coming back for the album. We’ll most likely record the album in London and might film a documentary movie to go along with it. On writing a book: I’m working on a book with Dr. Phil’s son. It’s going to be more of a selfhelp positive book, a how-to-overcome kind of thing, how to get past the bad points in life. I’m very excited about it. I’m a big fan of positive thinking, it’s gotten me through my life. Humanitarian work: I’m most passionate about the ocean. I love nature, I think the planet is beautiful. I guess you can say I’m more of a naturalist. If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing? I’d be doing something to do with the ocean. Maybe scuba diving or working with the dolphin research center down in the Florida Keys.

Reid Scott Age: 34 Relationship Status: In a relationship Also Known As: Dan Egan on Veep, Dr. Todd Mauer on The Big C, Brendan Dorff on My Boys, Dr. Jeff Zegay on The Secret Life of the American Teenager On playing a jerk: My character is a huge jerk. He’s pretty easy to play, there’s a bit of me in there. Not to say I’d be confused with Dan Egan though. He has become a medium for me to exercise my demons. I can get a lot of shit out through him and it is incredible fun to be able to do it. It was tough at first because I had a twinge of guilt that people were going to mistake my character for the real me. But it’s fun to go that big and be that mean and nasty.

Ryan Johnson Age: 32 Relationship Status: Married Hometown: Newtown in Sydney, Australia Also Known As: Ben Grogan on USA’s Fairly Legal On playing Ben: Ben’s a lot of fun. He doesn’t care for authority and gets to do all the funny lines and gets to drive a really cool car, an Aston Martin. He’s a tough one because he’s very obnoxious and money-hungry. He was brought in to split Kate’s life up and ended up splitting fans. Some like her relationship with Justin and I didn’t realize how protective they would be. There are vocal microbloggers out there that don’t appreciate my character’s existence. Mastering the American accent: In some ways, Aussies have a little advantage because we grow up with American TV. We get most of the shows the U.S. gets, so we’re attuned to the American accent. It’s still a challenge to stay in it all day when you’re playing a character. New kid on the block: The cast has been amazing. They were so cool about having a new kid around. These guys are so committed to the work and so welcoming. We hang out on weekends, between shoots or go see a movie. Most embarrassing Hollywood moment: In Australia, we drive on the other side of the road. I had to do a scene in episode four of Fairly Legal where I race out of

Most embarrassing Hollywood moment: I was literally on my way to a HBO Emmy party this past season and my suit pants split right up the ass crack. I had to turn around and go home. I had to call my bosses and explain I wouldn’t be at the party because I split my pants. Bad “manly” habit: My girlfriend says I’m messy. I say there’s a method to it. I’m never dirty, but I’m messy. I’m kind of a slob. The way to your heart: It’s pretty simple, it’s just honesty. I cannot tolerate bullshit. Go-to vacation spot: Mexico or Saratoga. Pittsburgh experiences: I love Pittsburgh. The first time I went to Andy Warhol museum it blew my mind. There was an exhibit that was a room full of punching bags. You were to walk along this line to take you through them in a very specific order. There was a red dot on

Photograph By Sally Fegg

sight and the camera guys were right in front of me and were really nervous about me driving because I hadn’t driven on that side of the road. It took me about 30 seconds to start the car and by the time I did, I sort of pushed it into what I thought was first and it must have been in third. It took three or four takes before I raced out of sight for the shoot. (cont. pg. 68)

each that got bigger and bigger and eventually became the face of Jesus, then He was horribly beat up, and then the image faded again. Movie roles: I play Ben in a movie called Losing Control. It’s a sweet rom-com about nerds. Ben is a Chinese language expert whose girlfriend is a chemistry nerd. I had to have a tutor to teach me how to speak Mandarin, considering I have a scene where I karaoke in the foreign language. I also play William Leeds in a movie called Missing William, which I’m very proud of. It’s a wonderful script. It’s about a sweet yet dark love triangle with a physiological twist. On his pit-bull, Bella: When asked if he named his dog after Twilight and if he was a fan, Reid answered: A. I’m a man. B. I’m 34. C. She is 10 years old.

FEATURE Hobbies: I go to a gym in Woolloomooloo where I’m learning how to box. I’m getting back into surfing. I love fitness activities. Bad “manly” habit: I don’t just listen and I always try to fix things. And I leave things out, I don’t put them away. The way to his heart: Big, beautiful blue eyes. Favorite movie: The Blues Brothers. Go-to vacation spot: Byron Bay in Australia. Handpicked cast: If I could pick a cast to star with on screen, Bryan Cranston and Jon Hamm would co-star. January Jones would play my love interest, Robert De Niro would play my dad and Vince Vaughn would play my best friend. Pet-less: We don’t have any pets. My wife and I hate animal hair. I really like dogs, but don’t want hair in my house. My wife finds me enough in that regard. I wake up excited to see her and run around the house.

Taylor Handley Age: 27 Relationship Status: Off the market Also Known As: L.Cpl. Corey Simmons in Battle Los Angeles, Wade on Southland, Oliver Trask on The O.C., Patrick on Dawson’s Creek Untitled Ralph Lamb project for CBS: I star as Dixon, Ralph Lamb’s (played by Dennis Quad) son. It takes place in Las Vegas in the early 1960s when the mob came in and took over. It’s based on Ralph Lamb, the first sheriff of Clark County. It follows his cases and his life. On playing Dixon: My character is a troublemaker. He was raised on a ranch his entire life and the new hustle and bustle of Vegas is very attractive to him. I’m still figuring him out. He’s somewhat of a wild card for the show, and that’s what I really like about the character. Taking over the Box Office: I play Sonny in Of Men and Mavericks, due out in October. It’s an excellent film. I’m very excited about because I really like the story. It’s a biopic about Jay Moriarity, who was a big wave surfer at a very young age, and the training he did to surf a killer, ominous wave that caused many deaths. The setting is perfect, it takes place in Northern California. I play somewhat of the local drug dealer and a mixture of the mean surfer guy who gives Jay a hard time throughout the whole movie. I also play Dean in the sci-fi thriller Mentryville (working title). Dean is a soldier coming back from overseas and he goes on a weekend trip. He gets 62

Photograph By Tyler Shields

sidetracked and in turn comes across some pharmaceutical terrorism conspiracy. This drug turns people in psycho zombies and rage victims. Dean is the good guy in the movie. I am also playing Wyatt Maddox in Channeling. It takes place in the future where people can subscribe to other people’s life via contact lens. A lot of the shots are point-of-view and inside the head of character you’re following. I play the older brother, who is essentially murdered and my brother (played by Dominic DeVore) comes back from overseas and has to solve the mystery of what exactly happened. Most embarrassing Hollywood moment: When I was 16, I did this Disney movie and I was messing with this equalizer. I made the buttons spell out crack and the next day the producer made us reshoot and we lost a whole day. I was in a punk band at the time, so I knew how to mess with the buttons. Hobbies: I like playing the drums, writing, creating and gardening. I have a green thumb. You should see my tomatoes, they are just start to sprout. Bad “manly” habit: Chewing my fingernails. The way to his heart: Perseverance. Favorite movie: Good Fellas.

Go-to vacation spot: Bali. Aiding the Youth: I sometimes work in drug and alcohol rehabilitation for young kids. I think with pharmaceuticals being such an epidemic in this country, it’s so easy for people to pop a pill and kids don’t understand the repercussions when they’re young. Its habit forming and they think there’s no life outside the drug. Once you extinguish the drug or alcohol, it’s rewarding to see light kick on with kids who are struggling.

MANIAC events

SAVOY CELEBRATES

its first anniversary

Savoy Restaurant celebrated its one-year anniversary with a customer appreciation weekend, hosted by The Voice’s Christina Milian. From Thursday, May 10 through Sunday, May 13, 2012, owner Chuck Sanders expressed his gratitude towards the Pittsburgh community for their support over the past year with an entertainment-packed weekend-long party. BY KAITLIN BUSCH P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y K AT E LY N RO S E P E T R A I T I S

Milian hosted on Thursday and Friday evening at the Strip District restaurant, which included a Pittsburgh Professional Happy Hour from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday. At 11 p.m., Think Like A Man comedian Gary Owen performed for the crowd. Saturday night featured Miami’s own DJ Stevie J, while Sunday featured a Mother’s Day brunch and an evening concert with CeCe Winans and Donnie McClurkin. Savoy offered complimentary appetizers and drink specials all weekend to celebrate its birthday.

MANIAC events

MANIAC’s

Annual White Party a True White Out Sponsored By Lexus of North Hills for “A Child’s Place at Mercy”

I’ve always said it: “There ain’t no party like a MANIAC party.” When it comes to style and class, MANIAC always takes the cake. On Friday, May 11, 2012, the magazine hosted its annual White Party at the Smart House (or mansion, should we say) on Mount Washington. I’ve been to many MANIAC parties over the years, and I can say unequivocally, without a doubt this party was hands down the most phenomenal bash in MANIAC history. Sponsored by Lexus of North Hills, the event was certainly something to see, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. B Y D O M I N I C J A N I DA S

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y C H R I S T I NA S H I E L D S

Everyone was decked out in their whitest of white, with a confidence and attitude as the only accessories needed. What did I wear? Well, all white of course, but I spent the evening with the two most fantastically fashionable arm candy: Marilyn and Chelsea Danley. These two ladies kept me company as we explored the mansion and enjoyed music from the band The Yes Way, featuring Ian Mellencamp, and an outstanding fashion show. All of the stunning looks were compliments of Boutique la Passerelle, Jupe Boutique, Reflect Apparel and Panello Boutique. A veritable who’s who of Pittsburgh elite, the MANIAC White Party had an estimated 400 people in attendance, all living and loving life on a perfect night overlooking our beautiful city. Aside from the Danley ladies, other notable attendees included Flick from 96.1 KISS, Carly Noel of WPXI’s See & Be Seen, WTAE, Yelp, the newly crowned Miss PA Teen Julia Belachek and many more. As the sun set over the amazingly beautiful Smart House, guests enjoyed more music from DJ Pete Butta, food from Seviche, Vallozzi’s and Savoy (just to name a few) and delicious summer beverages thanks to DonQ Rum and Pittsburgh Brewing Company. As if that wasn’t enough, Esspa Kozmetica was giving away killer gift cards to each guest and Frost and Company was keeping the night blinged-out with gorgeous diamond displays. MANIAC, once again, outdid itself and I couldn’t have been more excited to be there.

EVENTS

MANIAC beauty for men

1. Salad Days Body Scrub (exfoliates, moisturizes and smoothens) 2. Ocean Front Body Wash (with Ginseng extract and Vitamin D) 3. Six-Pack Slimming Solution (tones, tightens and chisels) 4. White Knight Gentle Daily Facial Cleanser (with Papaya extracts and Rosemary Leaf for normal to dry skin) 5. Liquidsand Exfoliating Facial Cleanser (with scrubbing agents and lactic AHA for all skin types) 6. Assassin Intensive Face Moisturizer 7. About Face Anti-Aging Serum 8. Wipeout Eye Cream 9. Hydroplane Super-Slick Shave Cream (moisturizes and improves razor guide -Esquire winner for Best Shave Cream) 10. A Sinful Shave System (airline approved) 11. Lightening Bolt Electric Pre-shave Solution 12. Ruckus Hair Forming Cream 13. Hair Raiser Follicle Revitalizer (advanced nutrient delivery formula)

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y S A R A H H O L D E N

4 2

BILLY JEALOUSY 10

7 9 8

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MANIAC beauty for women

SUN SATIONAL BEAUTY B Y K AT H E R I N E R E E L P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y A P R I L H U BA L H A I R / M A K E U P B Y K AT H E R I N E R E E L M O D E L M I A L U S C H I N I , D O C H E RT Y M O D E L I N G AG E N C Y

Summer has arrived and it’s time to amp up your skincare game. Treat yourself to a detoxifying mask, and be sure to shield your complexion with a moisturizer containing sunscreen. Create a naturally healthy glow with well-blended bronzer, perfectly groomed brows, loads of lashes and a glossy nudepink lip you can wear on the beach, in the office or anywhere in between. Eco Tools Loofah Facial Sponge is an environmentally friendly, gentle face buffer that rejuvenates skin by removing dead cells for a super-smoothing effect. Made from sustainable loofah

and packaged in recycled plastic, it constitutes beauty with a conscience. Just add water! For you orange chocolate lovers, Montagne Jeunesse Dark Chocolate Deep Cleansing Mud Masque is a moisturizing, anti-oxidant packed treat for your face. Cocoa, shea butter and orange oil hydrate your skin, while Mediterranean clay acts like a vacuum for your pores. A tropical option is Freeman Feeling Beautiful Pineapple Facial Enzyme Mask. This mask restores facial radiance with naturally exfoliating fruit acids. It also co ntains real pineapple and aloe vera to quench and refresh. After exfoliation or

a mask, be sure to protect your fresh face with Organix Ever Radiant Coconut Milk White Tea Protective Lotion SPF-15. This lotion features powerful natural ingredients including rich coconut milk, white tea and lychee nectar to combat photoaging, free radicals, redness and dark spots. Even skin tone and create a lightweight, “breathable” finish with oil-free Maybelline FIT me! Foundation SPF 18, available in a comprehensive range of shades at an affordable price. Cover flaws with the line-minimizing L’Oreal Visible Lift Serum Absolute Concealer in 122 Light SPF 20. It comes in a convenient, purse-friendly pen. Simply dot on, blend with a finger and go. Top off your newly perfected complexion with the shimmering, fragrance- and paraben-free Physicians Formula Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearls. Next, play up that sun-kissed glow with Wet ‘n Wild Coloricon Bronzer. Apply where the sun would naturally hit your face – on forehead, cheeks, bridge of nose, eyelids and chin. Lastly, Revlon Colorburst Lip Gloss in 024 Gold Dust lends a shiny, sand-colored glaze to lips without overpowering your natural lip color. Along with the warmth of the summer sun, Güd Natural Body Mist in Blood Orange Flower is sure to lift your spirits. Part of a new line by Burt’s Bees, this fragrance is a punch citrus with notes of hyacinth and blood orange. It contains zero parabens, phthalates or petrochemicals and fits easily into your purse.

MANIAC jet set

Dubai

A Land of Modern Luxuries and Desert Adventures

ubai is a city that tries to outdo any other place with its claims to the tallest building, largest man-made islands, biggest shopping mall, largest fountain, biggest gold souk and even the world’s first refrigerated beach and gold bar vending machine. Where else besides Dubai could you ski on snow at an indoor resort and on sand dunes in the desert? One of the latest architectural extravagances planned in Dubai is the world’s largest underwater hotel that will offer guests luxurious accommodations 10 meters below the surface with views of exotic marine life. It’s hard to believe this city of modern luxuries with a culture of excess was once a small village on the Arabian Gulf where pearl diving, fishing and trading thrived. The nomadic Bedouins (desert dwellers) lived in tents woven from goat hair and barasti huts made from palm leaves. Today, most of the people who live in Dubai come from somewhere else. In fact, only about 20 percent of the population are Emiratis, citizens of the United Arab Emirates. The rest are expats from all over the world who were lured to Dubai with promises of taxfree salaries and the hopes of making their fortunes. The city caters to tourists with its luxurious hotels and extensive entertainment venues, which have attracted worldwide attention. 72

WRITTEN BY JENNIFER MALIA P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y B Y DAV E S WA RT Z A N D J E N N I F E R M A L I A C O U RT E S Y O F M A D I N AT J U M E I R A H R E S O RT

JET-SET

MADINAT JUMEIRAH RESORT This luxury resort includes two boutique hotels and courtyard summer houses, combining modern luxuries with Arabian traditions. Mina A’Salam (Harbor of Peace) is a harbor-side boutique hotel that recognizes the sea-faring traditions of Old Arabia. Al Qasr (The Palace) is a boutique hotel elegantly designed like a sheikh’s summer residence. This hotel has a treelined entrance with sculptures of Arabian horses. The courtyard two-story summer houses at Dar Al Masyaf are also designed with Arabian traditions in mind and are easily accessible by waterway. The 75 retail outlets and 20 restaurants and bars at Souk Madinat Jumeirah will keep you entertained when you aren’t enjoying the beach or riding an abra (traditional wooden boat) through the Venice-like canals in the resort. Don’t expect to bargain for your souvenirs here though. The building may look like a traditional souk with its wind towers, narrow passageways and high wooden archways lit by lanterns, but this artificial souk mainly houses expensive boutique shops selling high quality Middle Eastern goods including art, jewelry, antiques and furniture. Souk Madinat Jumeirah also has a very popular three level club called Trilogy. I recommend the rooftop for fresh air and spectacular views of Burj Al Arab, a seven star hotel in the shape of a sail. With a VIP table reservation, you can relax in comfortable daybeds as you sip on cocktails. What better way to party than to dance to house music on the rooftop overlooking the city?

PALM JUMEIRAH An artificial archipelago shaped like a palm tree, Palm Jumeirah has been referred to as “The Eighth Wonder of the World.” The main luxury resort on Palm Jumeirah is Atlantis The Palm, which is well worth a visit regardless of whether or not you decide to stay in this hotel. At Atlantis, you can ride a dolphin, waterslide into a transparent tunnel that passes through a lagoon of sharks, explore marine life in underwater tunnels and mazes and scuba dive through shipwrecks off the coast of Dubai.

FESTIVAL CENTRE RESTAURANTS If you want to travel Dubai by water, you can take a water taxi from Palm Jumeirah to Festival Centre and take advantage of the spectacular views of the city. The Canal Walk of Festival Centre has excellent Middle Eastern cuisine. You can dine on the terrace of Esfahan, a Persian restaurant overlooking the canal, or enjoy the colorful Persian décor inside. Private tables in the back of the restaurant have curtains around them so covered Muslim women can unveil. I recommend the Barj Kebab, a marinated strip of chicken or lamb traditionally served in the bazaars of Persia. If you want to taste local Emirati cuisine, Al Fanar is an excellent restaurant serving unique dishes such as beryani dajaj, a chicken dish with rice, lentil beans, raisins and almonds. The restaurant has a 1960s décor reminiscent of the days when Dubai was a small fishing village. Al Fanar recreates scenes from this era with tents and barasti huts, a donkey loaded with kerosene, a Land Rover carrying goods and a Bedouin tending to his camels and goats. After eating, you can ride an abra through the canal, watch luxury yachts come and go in Festival Marina and admire the view of Burj Khalifa on the horizon at the far end of the marina.

THE DUBAI MALL The 1,200 retail outlets include luxury boutique shops such as Fendi, Cartier and Valentino, as well as the largest gold souk in the world with over 200 different gold and jewelry retailers. The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest mall, is much more than just a shopping venue. For entertainment, you can scuba dive with sharks in the aquarium, skate on the Olympic-sized ice rink or head outside to see the world’s largest fountain. The crowds gathered near the entrance to the mall might obscure your view of the fountain, but you can cross the bridge to walk through the Souk Al Bahar instead. Besides checking out the outlets in a traditional Middle Eastern souk, you can watch the fountains from a café terrace on the second floor, which is your best bet for viewing all angles of this enormous fountain at the same time. The views outside the souk are also less crowded and you can get close enough to the edge of the water to feel the cool mist spraying from the fountain, a welcome treat to escape the heat. You’ll see Burj Khalifa towering over the fountain on one side and Burj Al Arab on the other side.

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JET SET

BURJ KHALIFA

DESERT SAFARI

The world’s tallest building towering over the city is not to be missed. You can ride the elevator to the observation deck on the 124th floor for a 360-degree view of Dubai, the seemingly endless desert and the ocean. If you’re feeling brave, there’s even an outdoor terrace. If you want to see the spectacular views of the city at a leisurely pace, you can make reservations at Atmosphere, a fine dining restaurant on the 122nd floor, and enjoy cocktails while taking in the view. This restaurant holds the Guinness World Record for the highest restaurant from ground level.

No trip to Dubai is complete without a desert safari. A typical safari includes riding through sand dunes in a 4x4 vehicle, quad or dune buggy and camping in the desert, or at least hanging out at a campsite for the evening. Unless you rent a 4x4 vehicle with insurance for off-roading, don’t even consider dune bashing in a rental. Instead, consider booking a desert safari package with Lama Desert Tours and Cruises, which includes dune bashing in an SUV followed by a visit to a Bedouin camp. At the Bedouin camp, I rode a camel, got my hand and forearm covered with henna tattoos and enjoyed a Middle Eastern feast. After dinner, a belly dancer provided entertainment while the smells of fruit-flavored shisha (water pipes) spread through the campsite.

GLOBAL VILLAGE If you want to shop for truly unique gifts, Global Village is the place to go. Attracting over six million visitors a year, this seasonal outdoor shopping venue (open from November to March) brings in vendors from all over the world, especially Middle Eastern countries. Each country has its own pavilion with stalls where you can buy Turkish scarfs, Pakistani carved marble animals, Iranian rugs, Indian saris and Iraqi oil paintings. Like any traditional souk in the Middle East, the prices are negotiable. The first quote vendors give you will probably be three or four times the price they expect to get for their goods, so make sure your counteroffer is low if you want a deal. Most of the pavilions sell food as well so you can taste the specialty dishes of each country. The Turkish baklava and Lebanese shawarma (meat grilled on a spit) are definitely worth tasting. Head to the World Culture Stage of Global Village to watch world-class performances, including Indian Bollywood dancing, Chinese acrobatics, African hiphop and Emirati men performing Al Yolla, a traditional battle scene dance with sticks.

DHOW CRUISE Lama Desert Tours and Cruises also runs cruise tours so you can experience Dubai by water. Watch the sunset while cruising around Dubai Creek in a dhow, a long flat traditional wooden sail boat. The international dinner buffet served on the dhow includes a variety of Middle Eastern foods. As night approaches, you will see illuminated souks and palaces lighting up the city.

SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE SNOOPY ISLAND If you want to leave Dubai for an excursion further afield, I recommend taking a trip to Fujairah for snorkeling in the Gulf of Oman. About a two-hour drive from Dubai, Snoopy Island is a small island named as such because it looks like Snoopy lying on his back on top of his dog house. Sandy Beach Hotel and Resort has the best access to the island, which is only a 100-meter swim from the hotel’s beach. You can either snorkel or scuba dive around the island to see colorful coral reefs and hundreds of schools of tropical fish. What you can see will depend on how clear the water is when you go, but if you’re lucky you can catch a glimpse of a sea turtle or swim with a blacktip reef shark. The sharks generally swim away from you so I found myself chasing them rather than the other way around.

FOSSIL ROCK Another trip outside of Dubai worth taking is a hike at Fossil Rock, which is also known as Jebel Maleihah or Camel Rock. Located about an hour from the city, the terrain of Fossil Rock is a fossilized coral reef in the middle of the desert. As you make your way to the top of this moderately challenging climb, you can spot fossils embedded in the rock, some of them up to 80 million years old. You might want to wear gloves since the fossilized reef is rather sharp, and you will need to use your hands as you make your way up. From the top, you can spot the occasional camel wandering the desert. There isn’t really a trail to follow, but it’s almost impossible to get lost since only flat desert surrounds this protruding fossilized rock.

You will see a lot of mosques around Dubai, but if you want to see one of the largest and most architecturally elaborate mosques in the Middle East, head to Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is about a two-hour drive from Dubai. You’ll know when you’ve arrived, just look for a mosque about the size of five football fields. It’s worth walking around the entire perimeter to see every angle of this majestic mosque with its Moroccan domes in white marble and columns with semi-precious stones. Take one of the daily tours to see the world’s largest chandelier and hand-knotted carpet. Be prepared to dress appropriately though. I was one of hundreds of women waiting to be herded into a changing room to put on a black abaya (a robe-like overgarment for women) and a black hijab (headscarf). Men wearing shorts must also borrow traditional dress, a white dishdasha or kandura (a robe-like over garment for men). Guards posted around the mosque strictly enforce the dress code. Women aren’t allowed to get their picture taken on the premises unless they are fully covered. I left the mosque with a sense of what it would be like to walk around as a covered woman. Dubai is a land of contrasts. From its world-renowned attractions and luxury hotels to its traditional Arabian culture and barren desert, the city will never cease to amaze you.

MANIAC design

Not Too Shabby MAGGIE FEATURING MORGAN MCCOLLUM

When I found out I was writing this article I didn’t know Shabby Maggie from Adam. So, who is Shabby Maggie? BY VICKI VERNET

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y S A R A H H O L D E N

My first impression upon going to her website fueled an immediate desire to have her make me something. Sure, it could have been the closet shopaholic in me emerging, coupled with the buzz I was getting from my morning coffee, but it was quite the contrary. What I was feeling was an immediate connection to someone through their craft, a genuine appreciation for someone else’s hard work and ingenuity. Basically, I was sold, as are the 200+ people that visit www.shabbymaggie.com each day, read her blog posts and most impressively continue to purchase her unique creations on sites like Etsy.com. (On average, she sells five individual pieces per week.) So, who is she? For starters, her name is Morgan McCollum. When she first started out there was a trend for Shabby Chic furniture, which has now morphed into her current style that favors more mod/contemporary pieces. Her parents wanted her to be called “Maggie,” but worried that Margaret would lead to “Marge” or “Peggy,” so they named her Morgan, ultimately providing the end result to the evolution of the Shabby Maggie brand. Born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, McCollum grew up going to auction houses with her mom Beth and playing lacrosse. After graduation, she went off to college at East Carolina University and then relocated to Pittsburgh when her mom moved here. She tried out a couple of jobs until she landed a wanted medical sales position. The result: misery. In spite of a nice steady income, she found the corporate world to be mundane, stale and lacking creativity. To fill the void, she started painting furniture in her spare time and before she knew it, she was selling her pieces on Craigslist and turning a profit. (Don’t worry, she packs mace.) Today, Shabby Maggie, LLC is less than a year old and the sole source of income for this 26-year-old entrepreneur. Everyday is different for her, ranging from trips to Lowes in a trucker hat to driving the U-Haul to Washington D.C. or New York City. At 5’2, she does all of the heavy lifting and shipping of her creations. Although, it is her least

DESIGN

favorite part of her job, she puts a positive spin on it by saying, “Everyone has to pay their dues.” Sometimes McCollum will spend consecutive days cooped up in her three bedroom home, painting in the company of only her beloved pug Meatball and her soulful companions Adele, Tom Petty or Jay-Z. Her home is her studio, very grassroots with little to no overhead. She chose the house for its woodshop, large work area and lower level garage. She said before she sends a shipment out the furniture usually fills the house. McCollum was largely unfamiliar with the Pittsburgh area upon moving, but she soon discovered all of the treasures this fine city has to offer. As fate would have it, Pennsylvania is home to the second oldest population in the United States, which translates into a large volume of high quality pieces to be discovered and re-invented by our very own Shabby Maggie. When probed some more as to where she finds all of her best raw materials, she quipped, “If I tell you, I’d have to kill you.” The truth of the matter is that although she possesses an unyielding desire to succeed, she is surprisingly humble. For instance, she will often field questions from customers and share tips of the trade. Her mantra being, “If you give away knowledge, it will come back to you.” What really sets her apart from the competition, however, is her adherence to quality standards. She never buys anything damaged or takes shortcuts. “I lust over well built, designer furniture — solid tongue and groove construction, all real wood (no particle board) — none of this glued together IKEA crap that falls apart and is mass produced in China.” She favors certain brands (vintage Thomasville, Stanley, Berkey and Gay, Basset and Lane) and prefers working with items from the

Depression Era, Mid Century Mod furniture and French Provincial pieces. She hand selects each item and is meticulous about every detail down to the brand of paint she uses. Aside from selling furniture and accessory items through her website, McCollum keeps busy traveling across the country working on special projects. She has worked on a winery in California, transformed retail spaces and will be trying her hand on a film set. One of her most recent undertakings is working to create both a chic and modern look for MANIAC Magazine’s new office space. Morgan is a fan of the magazine and it only seemed fitting. She describes the style of the new office space as minimalistic and white, very white. She brought in some vintage furniture and accessories to add little pops of color and incorporated blown up MANIAC Magazine covers that she sealed with her own DIY touch. Other examples include some Regency Camelback chairs she upholstered and painted white, throw pillows for the couch, a silver tea set and a giant candelabra she painted pink. Her favorite piece, however, is a Union Jack vintage French Provincial dresser that will function as a server and coffee station for Maniac staffers. So what does it take to transition a hobby you love into a viable business? “Stick with it and take the risk,” McCollum said. “I set a goal to make this work and didn’t really think about the alternative. I could always go back and get a job, but if I didn’t try Shabby Maggie, then I would never know.” Imagine what we all would be missing out on if Morgan McCollum never introduced us to Shabby Maggie. I’d say quite a bit. Are you sold yet?

MANIAC guide

MEN ’S GUI DE TO

P ITTS B U RG H HOTSPOTS

B Y C O DY W E I G A N D

rock

country

BACKSTAGE GUITARS

BUCKHEAD SALOON

4123 Butler Street | Pittsburgh, PA | 15201

225 Station Square | Pittsburgh, PA | 15219

412-235-7765 | www.backstageguitars.com

412.232.3104 | www.buckheadpittsburgh.com

Backstage Guitars, which opened in April 2009, is a boutique-like shop

No matter if you’re a casual beer-drinking man, or an out-all-night party

that carries a variety of instruments and accessories for those who love to

animal, Buckhead Saloon caters to everyone. Locally owned by Sean Moore

make music. Beautifully lit guitars hang on the walls, amplifiers line the

and Jaime Reottsince since March 2011, this ultimate Station Square bar

floor and organized shelves and showcases display accessories perfect for

perfectly blends a casual atmosphere with a high-energy environment. The

any musician. Backstage Guitars stands out from the rest because of its

wood and stone interior and animal décor give off a comfortable, country-

inventory. In most guitar shops, you will find brand names like “Fender” and

like feel with flat screen televisions, and bar, booth and table seating. When

“Gibson” plastered all over the walls and on equipment, but this Lawrenceville

it comes to food, its full-service kitchen cooks up American classics like

shop brings something else to the table. “We’re more focused on quality rather

mouth-watering, homemade burgers. Other best sellers include an array of

than the name brand,” owner Jake Miclot said. Backstage Guitars is filled with

appetizers like perogies, pepperoni rolls and cheese sticks. To wash down all

equipment from smaller companies rather than big-name brands, and it sells

that yummy food, Buckhead Saloon offers six draught beers to choose from

certain pieces made by locals as well. The store even offers private lessons and full

and 24 different bottled beers, including three craft brands. If liquor is more

repairs. With multiple rooms strictly dedicated to private lessons, you will receive

your style, take advantage of bottle service offered for special events, parties

one-on-one training from teachers to advance your playing abilities. The light-

and VIPs. Every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., enjoy half off select appetizers and

hearted yet highly experienced employees genuinely want to help their customers

all drinks during Happy Hour. Aside from a kickass menu, Buckhead Saloon

and fellow rockers. “We really just want to help musicians. We want the person

also provides endless entertainment. The first Wednesday of every month is

who’s been playing for 20 years to come in and find something new and get their

Comedy Night, which features local and national comedians. Explore your

questions answered, but also someone who has never played before to come in,

inner college student during Beerfest nights, playing beer pong and corn hole

not be judged, and feel totally comfortable,” Miclot said.

tournaments as the DJ keeps everyone dancing.

GUIDE

Pay attention men of Pittsburgh…This issue’s guide is dedicated to you. When you are just getting off work or have a night (or day) away from your significant other, get your bromance together and hit the town. Whether you’re a beer drinking, cigar smoking man, an acoustic rocker or the tattoo-bearing type, Pittsburgh has plenty of cool and exciting places for guys to hang out and unwind. Each of the following hotspots has its own unique flare, making each a more-than-accommodating spot for Guy’s Night Out.

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y C O DY W E I G A N D

fancy

classic CIOPPINO RESTAURANT & CIGAR BAR

BIGHAM TAVERN

2350 Railroad St. | Pittsburgh, PA | 15222

321 Bigham Street | Pittsburgh, PA | 15211

412.281.6593 | www.cioppinoofpittsburgh.com

412.431.9313 | www.bighamtavern.com

Cioppino Restaurant and Cigar Bar is the perfect place to wine and dine on

The Bigham Tavern has been a Mt. Washington staple for decades and has

some of the most fantastic seafood and steak the Pittsburgh area has to

seen some big changes over time. New owners bought the establishment in

offer. The chic hotspot, which first opened in August 2008, features fresh

2010 and have since made major renovations. Bigham Tavern now houses 17

ingredients in their dishes that will excite your taste buds. The seafood

plasmas, plenty of seating and a backroom with pool tables, dartboards and

and chophouse focuses on creating meals that incorporate local produce

a unique beer pong table. Although the hotspot is becoming more modern,

and livestock and also offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free selections

Bigham Tavern is still that same hometown, neighborhood bar that locals love.

upon request. Cioppino Restaurant and Cigar Bar has a warm and inviting

Part owner Jessica Lazor compared it to Cheers, “where everybody knows

atmosphere, with four rooms contributing to the unique setting. The open-

your name.” Though the menu contains standard pub food, the quality and

concept central dining room is enwrapped in deep wood from floor to ceiling

taste is anything but standard. The aroma coming from the kitchen is enough

complete with autumn color décor. The posh bar lounge exudes an urban-

to make your mouth water, but taking a bite from the savory dishes takes the

style feel where live entertainment resides every Thursday and Friday night

experience to a whole other level. Like their vast food menu, Bigham Tavern’s

from 8 to 11 p.m. The private dining room, which seats about 30 guests,

drink menu is extensive. It has 12 beers on draught and a staggering 130-

allows for a more intimate dining experience. A separate onsite Cigar Bar is

150 bottles of beer at any time. When final renovations are complete, another

what makes this Strip District hangout different from the rest. Enjoy a guy’s

38 draughts will be added. The tavern celebrates Happy Hour every Monday

night out, unwinding and smoking one of 20 cigars that Cioppino Restaurant

through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Unlike most places, Bigham Tavern dedicates

and Cigar Bar has to offer. Happy Hour is every Monday through Friday from

a whole day, not just a few hours, to wing specials. Each Wednesday, chow

5 to 7 p.m. and includes $5 house wines by the glass and half off all draught

down on 44-cent wings (with nearly 30 flavors to choose from) and $2

beers and select bar food items.

Yuenglings.

MANIAC guide

worldly

edgy

THE HOP HOUSE

PALE HORSE TATTOO

2749 Noblestown Rd. | Pittsburgh, PA | 15205

1020 East Carson Street | Pittsburgh, PA | 15203

412.922.9560 | www.thehophouse.com

412.431.1433 | www.thepalehorsetattoo.com

The Hop House, located in Green Tree, opened in November 2006 and

Located in the heart of the South Side, Pale Horse Tattoo prides itself in not

continues to be a favorite among locals. With a massive bar that holds 36

being just your average tattoo shop. “We’re not a pick em’ and stick em’ type

beers on tap and another 70+ bottles of microbrews to choose from, what’s

of place,” co-owner Ben Gergerich said. “Our artwork definitely has a certain

not to love? The drink menu constantly rotates with the seasons, allowing

appeal that really stands out from other people.” Pale Horse Tattoo opened its

for even more of an assortment. “Beer isn’t what it use to be, it’s now more

doors in April 2009 and has been providing custom, one-of-a-kind ink to their

sophisticated. We have all the domestics, but people come in here just to

customers ever since. The five artists who work at Pale Horse Tattoo each

try different beer and compare them with the food,” owner Ron Longo said.

bring a new edge to the traditional tattoos we are most familiar with. They

Another big component of The Hop House is the delicious, homemade food.

offer a look that is more mural-like and consider their work to be fine art. And

From appetizers to wraps, burgers to salads, the large menu ensures you

it is! For $120 an hour, you will receive exquisite, beautifully crafted art with a

won’t go hungry. The Hop House draws in big crowds for the games, with

certain punch of hardcore color and design. The shop also uses some of the

several televisions and a big-screen pull down TV. It even has a pool table and

highest quality materials in the tattoo world. “We spend money on the better

an outdoor patio, which is extremely popular during the summertime. Enjoy a

needles and better ink,” Gergerich said. The Pale Horse Tattoo is passionate

dollar off everything Monday-Friday for Happy Hour specials from 5 to 7 p.m.,

about the work it does and is even more passionate about providing their

and free food like pizza, wings, quesadillas and other munchies each Friday

customers with original ink. “If you come at us with an idea or a printout, we

during the same time. Belt out your favorite songs every Monday night starting

make your idea a reality,” Gergerich explained. “That way, everybody gets

at 9 p.m. for karaoke night, and school others at Trivia Night every Thursday.

their own tattoo. We just try to make sure everyone walks out the door really

Saturday brings live entertainment to The Hop House with no cover charge.

happy.”

GUIDE

slick

DANTE SALON 5823 Ellsworth Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15232 412.404.7673 | www.dantesalon.com Since August 2010, Dante Salon has been providing services to men and women alike. The Paul Mitchell Salon offers everything from color services, haircuts, waxing and more. Remember men, ladies aren’t the only ones who deserve to be pampered. The Shadyside spot provides men’s haircuts ranging (The Shadyside spot provides men’s haircuts ranging in price from $19 to $29 and include a wash, cut, style and blowout.) Gentlemen can also stop by for facial and neck shavings for about 20 bucks. “We really want you to make you feel comfortable for the time you are here and we don’t want you to have to worry about anything,” Kelsey Kuhn, salon coordinator, said. “Men don’t often get the spa experience so we’re a place to six back and get taken care of without being extra feminine.” One such relaxing service that Dante Salon offers to men is an aroma therapeutic shampoo and head massage. The laidback atmosphere makes you feel right at home, and the staff is extremely friendly. The moment you walk in, they offer you a drink complete with a smile. The employee’s personality, tranquil environment and upbeat music allows Dante Salon to stand out from competitors and other salons in the area.