Our First Year
MODE shares fashion in Seattle in 2013
ALASKA FASHION
ALASKA HAS IT’S FIRST FASHION WEEK AND MODE IS THERE TO SEE IT
Poppy & Bloom Takes Over Plus Size Fashion brings retro and pretty together
Winter Looks with a Twist
Eddie Bauer Brings the Movies to Seattle
General Admission $35 Includes entry and 1 drink ticket
VIP $50
Includes entry and 3 drink tickets and small swag bag
Exclusive Access (Only 50 Available) $100
Includes entry and unlimited drinks and large swag bag
Editor-in-Chief Larissa Long
Executive Fashion Editor Angelique Ashton
Executive Associate Editor Krista Townsend
Creative Director Christopher Chapman Executive Style Director Scotty Provo Executive Assistant Ashley Moore Beauty Editor Maria Vlasenko Lifestyle Editor Linda Lowry Arts Editor Peter Sessum Events Director LB Dutchess Contributors Heidi Dong
Shawn Smallwood Beauty Contributors
Dakita Harris, Dawn Dominick, Madison Bach Rhiannon Cupps, Courtney Murphy; Kelsey Knutson Lindsey Tabor, Alina Savin, Paula Yahn, Jacklyn Chung
Photographers David M. Bailey John Martinotti Josh Diamond Carlos Imani Richard Wood
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On the Cover 24 82 46 58
2013 in Review Alaska Fashion Week New Year Story Poppy & Bloom
Fashion 46 58 82 76
New Year Story Poppy & Bloom Alaska Fashion Week Jamei June
Beauty 8 Beauty Picks 12 Beauty is the Beast
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Social 90 Pop Art 100 Events
Influence 22 24 68 76
The Photoshop Debate 2013 in Review Curvy Corner Jamei June
In Every Issue 68 Curvy Corner 98 Savvy Sips 100 Gentleman’s Guide
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Beauty Editor’s Picks
2013 Favorites
Stila Cosmetics Prime Pot $20
Beautyblender $19.95 Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara $27.50
URBAN DECAY Naked Palette3 $52
Giorgio Armani 'Luminous Silk' Foundation $60.00
Motives® Mineral Lipstick in Petal Pink $17.50 8 MODE Seattle| modeisfashion.com
10 years younger setting spray $29.95
Isotonix OPC-3® Beauty Blend $73.50
$49.95 Lumière de Vie® Volcanic Exfoliating
Lancome Cils Booster XL $24.50
DR. JART+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm $36 modeisfashion.com | MODE Seattle 9
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Beauty
Beast e h t is
Photographer: David M. Bailey Hair & Makeup: Dawn Dominick Assistant Hair & Makeup: Madison Bach Models: Makela Bielaski, Kaity Tainer, Renee Sun
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The Photoshop Debate
Written by Angelique Ashton Photos provided by Breanna Singleton
Photoshop. A simple word, a phenomenon, a program that has changed how we record and remember the world around us, and has perhaps even had an effect on our collective idea of what beauty is. It’s a topic that has been the subject of controversy recently as its use to perfect, nip, flatten and color correct celebrities and models on the covers of magazines, movie posters and advertisements has become more prevalent and more extreme, thereby making it more easily called out. It’s a topic you won’t see discussed openly in most fashion magazines. Nobody wants to be the pot calling that kettle black. MODE isn’t most fashion magazines, though. So, let us be clear about one point right up front, we do it. Everybody does it. Even when you are a magazine whose goal is to show the true inner beauty in women of all walks of life, that doesn’t mean you want to embarrass your poor subject by publishing a photo of her with an oil slick on her forehead, fly-aways all over her head and lipstick on her teeth. Not only would that not be the most flattering light to show a person in, but it wouldn’t be much fun for the reader either. Admit it or don’t, we as humans, like to look at pretty things. We make a lot of choices based on looks. We buy things based on whether or not we like the way they look, and we pre-judge people we meet based on their appearance. So in order to A) sell our product, a fashion magazine, and B) highlight the rare and unique beauty of our subjects, whether that be in a celebrity interview feature or a fashion spread, we edit. We take the shine off of noses and we smooth the hair, we pump up the contrast to make colors pop. On occasion we may even use those notorious tools that allow the person wielding them to shave off an unflattering bulge or five to ten
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pounds here or there, if its done in a way that brings out what the photo was meant to capture in the first place. There’s also a whole arena of photo editing that is done for the sake of artistic expression. Sometimes a photo is edited by a photographer or graphic artist to create an effect, or to convey a certain feeling. The use of editing software in this way, is a true art. One might argue at this point, “it’s a slippery slope, though, isn’t it?” By now we’ve all seen the GIF animation making its way around the internet of a photo of the lovely Jennifer Lawrence that was discovered on Flickr and compared to a version that had been edited for the cover of a magazine. The controversy with this particular example comes in because in the original unedited version, (which if we’re being 100% honest was probably already edited) Ms. Lawrence looked gorgeous, beyond humanly beautiful actually, but she was still edited further to become an other-worldy creature with an even smaller waist, higher and rounder boobs, hollower cheeks, a longer neck, toothpickier arms, etc. etc. Why was this done, one might ask. Was it in any way visually offensive in its original form? Would Jennifer Lawrence be mortified to see that photo of herself on a newsstand? Did she ASK to be edited down to a 16 inch waist? The answer to all of the former is no. So why take editing to such an extreme when its not necessary to bring out the best in the subject, nor done to express a certain artistic vision? Its then that editing has crossed over a certain imaginary line in the sand, when its crossed into the land of “excessive.” Cindy Crawford has been famously quoted as saying “I wish I looked like Cindy Crawford.” The quote is used often in discussion about how the media’s use of editing
is contributing to a rise in body image issues in teens and young girls. Its argued that girls who aren’t aware that the photos in magazines are edited, believe that they must actually achieve the level of perfection they see on those glossy pages in their day to way walking around reality. They don’t realize it’s not achievable, that even the model in that photo doesn’t look like that photo in real life. At least one recent study of young women in France and Italy seems to support this conclusion. Results showed that girls with initial body dissatisfaction reported higher body dissatisfaction after being exposed to images of extremely thin models than images of average-size models. So if photo editing can be linked in even one young person’s case to causing a distorted idea of what beauty is, potentially leading to an eating disorder, a plastic surgery obsession, depression, even suicide– perhaps it is something that should be used a little more sparingly and thoughtfully. There should be a distinction that can be made between a few small tweeks that help to show
your subject in the best possible light, and changing something so much that it no longer is a true representation of the subject. It comes down to responsible journalism. When we as media make a judgment call that something would look better if it were a little different, there should be a final step where we pause to ask ourselves if the result is still anchored in reality – or have we gone too far? Have we lost the subject? In 2009 in several countries such as France and Great Britain, laws were actually proposed that would require edited photos to be labeled as “Photoshopped.” So far no laws like this have been passed, but the discussion is ongoing, and we at MODE are happy to be part of a frank and open conversation on the topic. To illustrate this article, I asked some of my more unabashed model and photographer friends to help me “pull back the curtain” and allow us to publish unedited versions of some of their favorite works. You be the judge.
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Our First Year in Revi
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Photography by Josh Diamond | Adamas Design Assistant: Jomer Siasat Ashley Moore coordinator Makeup Artists Dakita Harris; Rhiannon Cupps Hairstylists Courtney Murphy; Kelsey Knutson Models Ashley Moore; Katarina Swinney; Katie Gaffke Wardrobe Eddie Bauer 46 MODE Seattle| modeisfashion.com
A New Year Story In Fashion By Bellevue’s Own Eddie Bauer modeisfashion.com | MODE Seattle 47
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Retro Fit Poppy & Bloom at LeMay Car Museum in Tacoma Photographer: David M. Bailey Models: Pamela Knodell (TCM), Tracy McNeal, & Sarah Tsai Dress Designer: Olga Szwed for Poppy & Bloom Hat: Angela Dabb for Custom Toppers (Blue Hat) Scarfs: WhiteStole.com Stylist: Lindsey Tabor Makeup Artist: Alina Savin Hairstylist: Paula Yahn Assistant: Jacklyn Chung modeisfashion.com | MODE Seattle 59
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Curvy Corner Alisa Clark
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Interview by Latasha Haskins Photography by Rebecca Ellison Photography, Hugs and Kisses and Annetta Bosakova Photography
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ODE has added a new feature to our issues called Curvy Corner. Each month our Plus Sized Editor, Latasha Haskins will share stories of women with curves or share fashion ideas for the plus sized men and women of Seattle. This month Latasha interviewed Alisa Clark. Alisa is a stylist and makeup artist who does it all. Latasha: How did you get into the Beauty Industry? Alisa: For over 12 years, my experience and talents have
been used in the fashion and entertainment industry, as a regional artist for Smash Box, Urban Decay, Benefit, Hot Pants Cosmetics and Sephora, and as a Bridal Stylist. A graduate from the Art Institute of Seattle, with an Associate of Applied Arts degree in Digital Media/ Video Production, my abilities as a stylist and in production have been utilized in front of and behind the camera. Most recently I was the Lead Hair and Makeup designer for the feature film “Rogue Saints” (www. roguesaintsmovie.com), which won the “Family Feature Award” at The Attic Film Festival in Austin, TX. From
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my work in film and video production I also found I have a “niche” for photography and five years ago I launched my own business, “CapturedBy:MonaalisaPro.- photography and creative services”. MonaalisaPro. has allowed me to develop and expand my “brand” as a stylist, media producer and photographer. Latasha: What services do you provide? Alisa: I specialize in make-up artistry and hair design; primarily using my talents in the pageant, fashion, film and wedding industries. I am also a “Life Style” photographer with a focus on pageant/modeling portfolios, families and kids. Latasha: You started in Wedding Photography, how did your journey lead you to pageant photography? Alisa: My “journey” began almost 18 years ago when I started competing in pageants myself at the age of 15. As a previous local, state and national title holder my love for pageants runs deep and I have been blessed by the opportunities that my involvement in pageantry has afforded me. As my talents and business in photography and styling have grown, so has my evolvement in the world of pageants. In 2012 I was asked by Amie Rhyner (former Mrs. Renton America 2012) to do her headshots for the Mrs. Washington America pageant and to be her personal stylist for the competition. It was her first pageant competition and she placed 4th Runner-Up and won Physical fitness in Swimsuit. Through that opportunity and the notoriety I was beginning to receive because of it, I have since added pageant photography and styling to my repertoire. Having the opportunity to work with her as her stylist and photographer has gotten me excited about venturing into the pageant industry as a professional (and not just a competitor). As much as I LOVE competing, I find working with the girls and women competing just as, if not more, fulfilling! I would love to be the photographer that produced an “award winning” portfolio/headshot and for my hair and make-up skills to be recognized in the pageant community. Latasha: People consider you a triple threat, how do you master being a hair stylist, makeup artist and photographer? Alisa: A “triple threat” huh? *laughs* My extensive experience as a stylist in the entertainment and fashion industry coupled with my education and experience in media and film production makes me a “total package”
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in the services I can offer. As a stylist who is also a photographer and media producer, I have a technical understanding of this industry that not all professionals in my industry possess, which makes me useful and marketable in more than just one area. I also believe that value and exceptionality can go hand in hand- meaning great product and excellent service can be affordable. I really try to make my services accessible to ALL consumers, yet still maintaining personalized attention to each of my clients and offering a level of “exclusivity” in the work I do. Latasha: As a stay-at-home-mom, how do you juggle your business and being mom? Alisa: First let me say this, the BIGGEST and most important job I have right now is being wife to the love of my life and “momma” to my little girl Stella. Everything I do personally and professionally is for the betterment of my home and the well- being of my child. Becoming a “work from home mom” or as my husband calls me
“domestic engineer”, has become the most rewarding job I could ever have. That said, I am incredibly fortunate to have a profession that allows me to do ALL that I love- Be creative, make people beautiful, invest in my community and the world around me, watch my child grow and invest in her life. Being a mother keeps my professional “life” in check. The things I have learned about myself as I raise up my daughter have become far more valuable than any paycheck …they have and are continually changing and challenging me. With Stella being 4 ½ years old I have an even greater sense about how my actions influence her. The responsibility I have to set the bar for her, as she grows into the woman she has ultimately been created to be. She is a reflection of me and she is ALWAYS watching- what I say, how I act and interact- in my daily doings, she sees it all and I want to reflect positively in her life…After all I am not a parent to raise a good child, I am a parent to raise an extraordinary adult/human being I have been a
“work from home mom” since Stella was 6 months old and now have a lot more “freedoms” on a daily basis then I had when she was an infant. I keep a pretty predictable schedule, for the both of us, that does allow for me work during day but also have quality investment time in her. My husband is also incredibly supportive of what I do and what it takes to make and keep my businesses successful. When he is home from work, especially on the weekends, he is great about giving me the time I need to work and invest in my business and sometimes we even work together on shoots. He has a great “eye” for shooting and lighting AND has the “bronze” to schlep my equipment around when needed Latasha: How do you feel being a plus size professional has impacted you or others in the mainstream industries? Alisa: As a “plus size” woman, I am apart of a statistical majority of the American female population. The media and social stigma have downgraded us to an unpopular minority; often times being told we are not or cannot be healthy at a “double digit size”. I will challenge this “unhealthy” thought, by providing the example of my own life. I am a happy, healthy, thriving: woman, business owner, wife and mother…who just so happens to be plus size. Further, demonstrating that a “Plus Sized” woman is more than just the “sum or size” of her parts. That said, I AM ME!!! At 33 years old (yes, can you believe it?!) I don’t identify myself by my “pant size” any more than I do with wrinkles on my face, grey in my hair or the proudly earned stretch marks on my belly (Thank you Stella). They are “apart” of me, but don’t make up who I am. When I meet people I don’t introduced myself as “ Hi, I am grey haired, wrinkly, plus size, Alisa Clark”…lol…could you imagine…perhaps just for kicks I will try that sometime…haha In all seriousness, when people think of me I believe these “attributes” are the last things others identify me with. I believe that beauty and potential come in every size, and the impact I am making is because of my talents, how I conduct business and my moral character. These areas of my life speak for themselves and are the reasons I am making an impact in the “mainstream industries” and beyond! Latasha: Where can we find you? (Email/website/facebook) Alisa: www.monaalisapro.com www.facebook.com/monaalisapro
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Petite and Sweet Jamei June
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Jamei: I have been a professional commercial print model for five years; I do it because I love smiling, meeting new people and creating gorgeous photographs that appear worldwide. Larissa: What got you started? Jamei: I started after I wrote down my top 10 crazy bug dreams and modeling was one of them. So after I competed for Miss WA USA in 2008 I started freelance modeling. Little did I know I would end up being one of the top Stock Photography models in the entire world within 2 years. Larissa: Do you find it hard to be a petite model in a world of fashion built for 5”8” and above? Jmaei: Yes and no. Yes, if I would like to go about modeling with an agency and doing solely runway. But there are SO many other options! Commercial print is great because it is about being yourself and selling a product (for example Starbucks Coffee). I have found success in embracing my size. Larissa: What do you like to model most? Jamei: I love to model for portfolios best; the photographers are easy to get along with and I can just dance or jump or sit and smile. It’s all about me with portfolio work! Ha! Larissa: So tell us about iStock… we were told you have a record. Jamei: Yes, I am the number one Commercial Print model for iStock Photography worldwide. odels have a reputation for needing to fit a certain height require- Larissa: How weird is it to see yourself in random placment. But what if you have a goal es? of modeling and you’re only 5’1” Jamei: YES! I will be stuck in traffic and look across tall? Well talk to Jamei June, iS- my passenger window and see my face on the side of a tock’s top commercial print mod- UHaul or company car. It makes me laugh! I grab my el worldwide. She hasn’t let height be an issue for her. camera and take a picture; the people driving the cars We met up with Jamei and asked her what it’s like be- usually look at me weird. The coolest place I have had someone spot me ing a petite model in a world of height. was an ex-boyfriend who was flying on the east coast Larissa: How long have you done it and why do you and I was on the cover of the Delta Sky Magazine! I felt do it?
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so accomplished and it made me laugh. Larissa: What’s your modeling goals? Jamei: To be honest, I would like to get into fitness modeling! I have a bodybuilding bikini competition this spring. I love working out, practicing yoga and running. I would love to be able to add that to my tear sheets and be paid to smile and be in shape: my two favorite things! L a r i s s a : You’re not just a model…tell us about your many jobs, we know you have too many to count on one hand. Jamei: Events, events, events! I host red carpet events, I emcee, I am event manager for one of Eastside’s best venue’s and I coordinate fundraisers for charities. I also write for various publications and am currently the director of a non-profit called YES (Young Entrepreneur Social), which connects Washington’s top young entrepreneurs to non-profits and organizations. Larissa: Okay now for the quick fashion/beauty rundown Favorite local beauty product: Jamei: Hydropeptide!!! It is the BEST preventative
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skincare line I have ever found! I use all their products, but the SPF face lotion is my favorite because it has skin matching molecules and protects my skin from the sun everyday. Larissa: Favorite worldwide beauty product: Hands down Dead Sea Salt Scrub. I bought a huge package of them when I was in Israel. They purify your skin and are all natural. Larissa: Favorite local designer: Jamei: Devine Brilliance! They have the most amazing events jewelry; I know that a couple of the current Miss USA contestants WON titles wearing their jewelry! Larissa: Favorite international designer: Jamei: BEBE!!! Almost every single one of my dresses is from there! It is the perfect brand for petites. Larissa: Favorite place to wear your favorite designer: Jamei: Honestly, a quote I live by is, “You can never be overdressed or over educated.” I wear my favorite brands and dresses on the regular along with matching jewelry Larissa: Who inspires you? Jamei: Ellen Degeneres. She’s hilarious, herself and impacts millions of people by being a host. Which celebrity do you think you share style sense with? I strive for Aubrey Hepburn’s- classy, sophisticated and Hollywood style.
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From left to right Jean Rojas, Vice-President Dominick Liriano, CEO/President Richard Zacharakis, Marketing Director
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Turning A Cold World Into A Wondrous Reality Interview by Shawn Smallwood Photos by Tina Marie Photography Hair & Makeup Provided by The Color Bar modeisfashion.com | MODE Seattle 83
Photo: Model Nyajuok Kueth, Designer S. Garvey
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Photo: Model Angelina McFeron, Designer Beware Swim
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ashion is one man’s passion. He is changing the way Alaskan’s think about clothing. With one Alaska Fashion Week per year is the one and only Dominick Liriano. Alaska isn’t known for fashion. The general population is just trying to stay warm, and not really too concerned about what’s hot, and whats not. Dominick has a vision, a vision very similar to that of Larissa Long, Editor-in-Chief, and CEO of MODE Fashion Magazine. That vision is to help people learn how to translate their personal feelings and emotions into pure raw fashion. Not just any fashion, but Alaska fashion. Who says you can’t look good, and stay warm at the same time? He is here to put Alaska on the map, and not just for a lot of snow, or really cool lights in the sky. I’ve known Larissa since I was a child born and raised in Washington growing up in Puyallup. As soon as I got involved with Dominick, and learned about AFW I just knew I had to contact her about what’s going on here with Fashion in Alaska to share it with the readers of MODE. Dominick and I have a unique relationship. I’m a flamboyant soldier in the Army who loves clothing as any Taurus does, and he just happened to be a civilian contractor working in the same facility as myself. With his bubbly personality we soon became friends laughing with each other making conversation to help pass the long hours both of us worked. During one of those conversations I had mentioned how I had done a photo shoot for a charity
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Shawn: Tell us the ultimate goal of Alaska Fashion Week?
said to myself I need to change people’s perception of Alaska. That is when I decided to start AFW. Originally when I announced this the name was Anchorage Fashion Week. Somebody tried to take my idea, and purchased all of the domain names. That is when I changed the name to Alaska Fashion Week. I just kept my mouth shut until I had all of the licenses and domain names. Finally after all that in 2013 I was able to put together the first AFW. Shawn: Tell me a little about the designers being showcased during AFW. Dominick: Well, some of the designers participated in our first year. They have chosen to be a part of the second AFW as well. I love that because they were the designers from our kick off year! Shawn: Why did you choose those designers?
Dominick: As I said before some of them were the first deDominick: My ultisigners to be show mate goal with AFW cased in our first is to have Alaska recognizable worldwide as a fashion- year, and some of them agreed to do a second year. able state, attract potential buyers as well as visitors, What sets AFW apart from other fashion weeks around and be on the map as a fashionable state. the world is the fact that we like to give opportunities to designers even though they don’t have a long history Shawn: Who inspires you? in the fashion industry. It is so hard for new designers to get into the industry. To best answer this question I Dominick: Well… I have always loved fashion. Howev- chose the designers I chose because I love to give oper, in 20011the thought came to my mind about AFW. In portunities to talented designers. 2012 Alaska was called the worst dressed state in country by Leisure Travel Magazine. After that happened I Shawn: Which city would you compare Alaska’s style
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Photo: Model Madison Sisk, Designer Leontine Adbullah,
calendar to raise money for deployed soldiers. That is when he mentioned to me about AFW, and invited me to do a model workshop with celebrity designer Leontine Abdullah. I have been on board with AFW ever since learning as much as I can to prepare myself for April when AFW 2014 becomes reality. I want you to know Dominick like I know Dominick. I want you to know the man who quit his job to put all of his attention on AFW. I want you to be as inspired as I am by this man for following his dreams, his heart, and for having the intestinal fortitude to quit his secure job to venture into the unknown following his dreams. I don’t know anyone else who has ever just left their job to chase dreams. Some might say foolish… while I can’t stop screaming fantastic! So here you go…a glimpse into one bold man’s vision for another person’s ice cold world.
Photo: Model Louis Pico, Designer Paris Harris
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Photo: Model Irina Dudina, Designer Camille Liwanag from Philippines
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to and why? I cannot compare Alaska’s style with any other state. Alaska is a hard place to live in. There is crazy weather, and a lot of the job market is labor oriented. As much as people may want to dress up like they are in Miami or Los Angeles the weather is way too extreme. However, I do have to say that a large percentage of Alaska’s residents do not have a sense of style or fashion. People just do not care, as well as the selection that is offered here in stores because everything has to be shipped here if it isn’t made here, or be purchased on line so things are limited. That is what we are trying to change with AFW because you do not have to spend a large amount of money on the clothes you purchase. It is simply getting people to discover their sense of style and fashion .
proud of how everybody is embracing fashion. On that note I am happy that I chose to have AFW in Alaska. I do not hope to change because hope will remain hope. I am changing Alaska. Shawn: What do you hope to accomplish this year with fashion week? Dominick: For any business hope just remains hope. I want a successful, bigger, and better AFW every year to come. Shawn: Which designer would you love to see show their work down your runway?
Dominick: Oh my god that is a good one because I have a few in mind that I would love to see. Oscar De La Shawn: Alaska isn’t known for fashion. In fact, like Renta, Michael Kors, Prada, Versace, Armani, and CarSeattle, it’s probably known as anti-fashion. How do olina Herrera just to name few! Like I said Alaska is you hope to change that? growing little by little, and someday somehow I will have big names showcasing here in Alaska that is for Dominick: When I started AFW the first thing that came sure. to mind was like oh my god it is probably going to take me 5-10 years to change people’s mind about fashion. That is how you do it. This man has taken his Then I did the first year, and a lot of people were kind of vision, and has translated it into reality. AFW is unlike curious about what exactly was AFW. That was really anything your typical Alaskan resident has experienced. good! When you spike the curiosity of people that is With its second year running, and the third already bealways a good start. Now that we are running into the ing planned I expect nothing but bold, fabulously beausecond year when I look back one year, and see change tiful things to come in the future, especially with such occurring I think to myself instead of 5-10 year Alas- a supportive community! Small isn’t in Dominick’s voka will be ready within the next few years. Alaska will cabulary. I am always amazed at what I am learning be more into fashion then when we started. Alaskan from Dominick as well as the inspiration that I draw residents have been supporting me a lot, and I’m very from him on a daily basis. Go big, or go home.
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Written by Heidi Dong Photography by Erik Engstrom
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ickey Mouse and Mao Zedong, only Troy Gua would know how to put these two iconic figures together to create his unique and brilliant signature Pop Art works. That is the concept behind his new collection, “Pop Hybrids,” now showing at the new Seattle Art Museum Gallery through January 19. Gua used his technique of pop art to combine two figures in pop culture, each painting having significance behind it. Many are just completely out of the blue and unexpected, such as Albert Einstein and Marilyn Monroe (“The Brains and the Beauty”) or Lisa Marie Presley with Mona Lisa (two women who became famous for the men who created them). “I’m so excited and honored about it,” Gua said about his display at SAM. “This is the first show in SAM’s new location and this is the first solo show they have ever done, so I feel validated and flattered that [the museum] chose me”. Pop culture is a huge influence for Gua, who also created an online collection called “Le Petit Troy” which is all about fantasies unfulfilled. MODE was fortunate to have an interview with Gua, who shared his ideas and philosophy about his art and what influences his creation of his art.
MODE: Can you please explain how this idea of emerging two figures came about? Gua: The Pop Hybrid series is about, among other things, reduction: the reduction of personality into logo, the reduction of individuality into the collective, the reduction of photography into design. They are a subtraction of images: the recycling, re-using and reducing of two or more images into one iconographic collection of shapes. The Pop Hybrid concept came from the vision of a future where the world's population is literally out of room. In this future, not only are we physically cramped but our memories are out of room, too - our mental storage is out room. We'll have to stack, we'll have to layer, we'll have to combine, we'll have to mash up everything - we'll even have to hybridize images and perceptions. These hybridizations include cultural icons, historical figures and popular personas, joined together for differing reasons - sometimes humorously, sometimes philosophically, sometimes as polar opposites, but always in a way that hopefully makes sense to the audience. For example, ‘The Boy King of Pop” which portrays King Tut (the Boy King) and Michael Jackson (the King of Pop): Layer one - the combined, hybridized title. Layer two - both men were thrust, choice-less, upon the public stage as boys, were wor-
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shipped by the masses, and ended life too soon, both wearing literal and metaphorical masks. MODE: What is the message you are trying to send out with “Hybrids�? Gua: The work is reflective, literally and figuratively, and as a whole, I think the work is saying that we, as members of modern society, are literal Pop Hybrids. We take in information like air, inundated around the clock with media of all types, filling our brains with images and sounds. Whether we are honest about it or not, whether we consciously or subconsciously inte-
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grate these influences into our lives, we cannot deny that they are there. We adopt TV catch phrases and use them as our own wit. We make our own wedding party dance video like that one on YouTube. We do that silly dance that everyone is doing. We pass that funny cat meme around like herpes. As consumers of global popular culture, we are Pop Hybrids. MODE: What do you hope audiences will see when they look at the Hybrids collection? What impression do you want them to have from it? Gua: On the surface, I hope the audience sees high-
ly crafted, stylishly sophisticated, bright and lustrous wall candy. But I also hope they dig a bit to make the connections between the subjects that exist below the glamorous sheen. I try to infuse as many access points as possible into this work. Whether it's a punch line title, a personal affinity for the subjects, the cleverness of the binding connectors, or simply the draw of the glossy, Technicolor appearance, hopefully there's something that appeals and makes the viewer take a longer look and want to give the work a place in their world. MODE: Pop culture is a BIG influence for your work. What’s one thing that people should know about pop culture that hasn’t really been addressed before in society? Gua: Pop culture is a big influence on Le Grand Troy, too. ;) Popular culture is the one true culture of the
suburbs. Good or bad, it's the one unifying culture of America. MODE: According to your website, you say that Le Petit Troy is about fantasy fulfillment. What drove you to want to express this personal fantasy with the public? Gua: Well, this is kind of a long story that I can't really shorten. The Le Petit Troy project rose out of the ashes of another project, Le Petit Prince, which was an extensive tribute to my biggest artistic influence, the musician Prince. In a nutshell, this is what it was and what happened: Le Petit Prince is a startlingly realistic 1/6 scale one of a kind art doll made in the style of Gerry Anderson, with oversized head and eyes. Basically, I visually recreated Prince's entire career with this art doll. I remade album covers and created countless images, transforming the doll physically to resemble the
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various stylistic incarnations Prince has taken on over the decades. This project began amassing a large audience, including celebs like Questlove of The Roots and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. It got weirdly big. In order to fund the project, as well as to fulfill the requests of fans, I began selling merchandise featuring my creations. Prince caught wind of this and his law team sent me a cease and desist letter. I complied, be-
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cause I didn't want to fight my hero - that would have been against the spirit of the project. I know that legally, the fair use act would protect the work as art and parody, but I don't have the funds to pay for a proper legal defense. ANYWAY...I thought about what went down and how it went down and decided that although I may agree to stop using Prince's likeness (which is another issue - it's a doll I made with my own hands
- it's not really *his* likeness - it is inspired by his likeness), there's no reason I can't use mine. So, I made a 1/6 version of myself and proceeded to pay tribute to all of my heroes, Prince included, and began recreating favorite moments throughout my lifelong love affair with popular American culture. So, it's complicated. I had never even intended for the original Le Petit Prince to become what it did, so the Le Petit Troy project just sprung forth from what the first project had become. But Le Petit Troy is so much more universal - I've got a personal library of obsessions and influences, and I grew up in a certain era where a lot of those obsessions are widely shared. It's much more fulfilling and engaging to a larger audience. I make art to express and engage, so Le Petit Troy is the perfect artistic outlet, in that sense. MODE: When did you realize you were an artist?
Gua: Ha! Are people saying that? I thought they were saying I was *trying to be* the next Andy Warhol! Who are these people? I love Andy and being compared to him is a compliment in my book, but I just hope folks can look past the easy comparisons to see the differences. At the end of the day, if people are saying anything about me, I feel good. Mostly. MODE: Where does most of your inspiration come from? Gua: Everything I see and hear inspires and influences me in some way - it can't be helped, we're all influenced by our environs. But we can steer the input, and mine tends to come from music, movies, fiction, glamour, the American cultural landscape, and the nightly news, possibly too much television. But for me, too much is never enough. MODE: What is next for you? Any other big projects?
Gua: There are two answers to that. On one hand, I don't remember a time when I wasn't compelled to make things - if those things are what someone could or would call art, then there you go. On the other hand, I don't know that I have realized it. Sometimes I think I'm practicing to be an artist. I think it's like Buddhism - one can practice Buddhism in hopes of becoming a Buddhist, but does one ever truly become enlightened, or is the enlightenment in the practice? So maybe I'm practicing to become an artist. MODE: People are saying that you are the next Andy Warhol and your pieces are starting to become collective pieces, how do you feel about that?
Gua: I've got another show of “Pop Hybrids” going up at Skagit Valley College this January, a two-person show with Kellie Talbot at Bherd Studio and Gallery in March which will have all new paintings, and I'm working on a handful of corporate commissions ranging from sculpture and 2D installation to exterior building graphics to album cover design to whatever the party calls for. I'm in the midst of a great kind of busy. Fingers crossed it stays that way. To view more of Troy’s art, please visit his website: www.troygua.com To see Le Petit Troy click here.
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Savvy Sips H Written by LB Dutchess
appy New year Savvy sippers! And with the start of the new year we celebrate how we ended last year. Speaking from a regional point of view, we have had reason to celebrate here in the Northwest with our fab Seahawks, and with that came some fantastic wine options for our “Lady 12’s” fans of Volume 12! Piccola Cellars totes were the flavors of fantastic wine packaged in a tote for a tailgate, boating or another event and never giving up flavor for convince! With a “Big Ass Red” and Rhone Style Blend we got to check them out first hand and it is truly shocking how delightful the wine is! Located in Woodinville you can also find them at http:// www.piccolawine.com And speaking of the New Year, we thought we would suggest some Savvy Sips Tips for those that are working to Drop a few of the “holiday pounds” they put on or just want to “Health Up”! To quote a fantastic writer Liz Noelcke, of Sparkpeople “Alcohol and weight loss are enemies, but an occasional drink can have a place in a healthy lifestyle. In fact, many experts note the potential health benefits of consuming a single drink per day, including a reduced risk for high blood pressure If, however, you are exceeding one drink daily, you might be sabotaging your weight loss plans.” In a nut shell, the best way to approach alcohol and weightless is to limit your intake to zero to get a jump-
start on your weight loss and then slowly re-introduce as your body is giving you the results you are looking for. Here is why: When your body takes in alcohol it is seen as a toxin and so is processed first, bypassing foods etc. When you consume too much or too quickly, any foods you eat don’t get the attention they need to properly break them down and then get stored as fat, so quite counterproductive to weigh loss! Calorically speaking, this is what you are looking at for some of the favorites in drinks ~ 80 proof of Gin, Rum, Vodka & whiskey is roughly 64 calories for 1 oz, Red & white wine 100 calories for 5 oz, Champagne 130 for 5 oz, Light beer 104 for 12 oz, Margarita 200 for 8 oz and Martini 205 for 3 oz. If you enjoy mixed drinks the lowest calorie ones use club soda, cranberry juice and straight up lime juice to flavor. And lastly, Red wine offers some of the best Health boosters from the antioxidant’s and resveratrol may help prevent heart disease by increasing levels of the “good” cholesterol, reducing “bad” cholesterol, preventing blood clots & protecting against, artery damage by helping to protect the lining of the blood vessels in your heart. While these are believed to be the facts, there is no hard evidence proving this and more research is being done. Here”s to a New Year of looking fantastic in your fashions! To hear more Savvy tips check our blogtalk radio show “Socially Savvy” here ~ http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sociallysavvy
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Photographer: Richard Wood Stylist: Victor Loo Hair/Makeup: Juel Bergholm/ SALON JUEL Model: Adam Spotz 100 MODE Seattle| modeisfashion.com
Rules for the Distinguished Gentleman
Guide to Suiting Up Written by Peter Sessum Photography by Richard Wood
I
t is said that what a woman in lingerie is to men is what a man in a good suit is to women. If that isn’t reason enough to go out and buy a suit I don’t know what is. While the clothes don’t make the man, a well-tailored suit is the mark, nay the uniform, of the distinguished gentle-
man. There is a simple formula for how many suits a man should have, one more. He should look into his closet and if he is financially able he should add one more. The collection should always be growing mainly because styles change. The cut and hang of suits has changed and the wardrobe should reflect that. When building a suit collection the gentleman in training should start with black. Just like every woman needs a little black dress, a man needs a basic black suit. He should also have a navy and dark charcoal and round it out with a brown or tan suit. Ideally, a man should have one suit for every day of the week he works that requires a suit. Keeping in mind that a gentleman should dress for the job he wants, not the job he has. I have a friend that is almost always overdressed
for the given situation. Even on the weekends. The only time he is not overdressed is when he is at opening night at the ballet or a play. He is a person that can be picked up on a moment’s notice for a formal event and not be underdressed. He is one of those men that prove that it is the man that makes the suit. The suit is just clothes, it is his confidence and knowledge that gives his suit authority. When he talks business, it is best to listen because he is a man that knows what he is talking about. He is a firm believer in the “one more” theory and uses shirts, vests and ties to keep his suit rotation mixed up. Once a gentleman has the initial staples, he can add plain slacks to make sports jackets combinations which can mix up the suit combinations exponentially. Aside from the staples of suits there are always a few suits that should round out the collection. They are special purpose suits. A suit that is reserved for certain occasions that make them stand out for the wearer. The interview suit. For most young men this will be their first suit. This can also be the “lucky” suit. If there is a certain shirt and tie combination that lands a job, the next time the man has an interview he will feel
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more confident in future interviews. After a few interviews that went nowhere I replaced my blue shirt that had always led to a job and got that first job with a replacement blue shirt. You can know that in the future I will never interview without a blue shirt again. The funeral suit. This is one that will hopefully get little wear but is one that is necessary. Having a suit just for funerals gives the suit a special purpose. It prevents having negative associations with the work suits and when putting in on there is an air of reverence while putting it on that prepares the mourner for the day. The tuxedo. Most men will have enough occasions in before he hits 30 to warrant paying for a tuxedo. A tuxedo owned is better than a rented one at a wedding. At some point there will be black tie affairs and this goes along with the dressing for the job you want not the job you have, when dressing for events a man should dress for the life the life he wants. James Bond doesn’t show up to the baccarat table in khakis and a polo shirt. A young man at a black tie event in a tuxedo is a young man that is going places. The suit with the air of whimsy. Being a distinguished gentleman does not mean being serious all the time. One of the things
that makes a gentleman is his sense of humor. There should be a suit for lighter events. Archie represents the epitome of the gentleman. He is gregarious, generous, educated, speaks French and gives scotch tastings classes, or teaching other men the art of the distinguished gentleman, for fun. He was also the only man with a tailored smoking jacket in Afghanistan. While stylish and whimsical, he was also one of the few men that could pull it off. Donning a suit is a deliberate process that when done properly will help the man set the tone for the day or event. Most importantly, it must be done properly. First, the pants go on. A man in a dress shirt, black socks and no trousers looks ridiculous. Taking off a suit is just the reverse of putting it on. A man that removes his pants before his socks and shirt does not respect the process and if he does not respect the process of removing a suit how can he be trusted to respect the process of the seduction? The proper order is trousers, shirt, socks, shoes, tie and jacket. When disrobing, it is fine to loosen the tie first and socks can come off right after the shoes but it should not be rushed. Remember, a suit is to women what lingerie is for men and a gentleman wouldn’t want that rushed either.
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Things to Remember Keep in mind that a buying a suit is a lot like buying a car. The car depreciates as soon as you drive it off the lot, the suit starts to go out of style as soon as it is tailored. Both also have commission sales. And like a car, you are the one that has to wear the suit, once the transaction is done the salesman does not care about how the suit looks or fits. Remember it is your purchase. Don’t be bullied or tricked into buying a suit, or a car, you won’t be happy with once you leave. So always bring another person with you. Someone trying to make commission will lose objectivity about which suit looks best. Be careful of add ons. The more you purchase the larger the commission so car salesmen are trying to sell more expensive packages. The suit salesman will try and sell additional accessories. If you try on a shirt and tie to see what the suit looks like complete, you do not have to buy that shirt and tie. The test drive for a suit is only in front of the mirror, once the tailor puts makes adjustments, the suit is yours. Don’t let an overeager salesman have the tailor come near you until you have made your decision. A gentleman can have a good suit and still be frugal. Look online for deals. Men’s Warehouse recently had a 65 percent off sale of name brand suits, but only for those people that looked for the coupon online. The company was also concurrently running a BOGO sale. In additions there are always suits on clearance and the Men’s Warehouse suits that are under $300. When ti comes to suits you have to buy smart to look sharp.
MODE Brings in the New Year
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With Bonza Bash Photography by John Martinotti
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