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contributors Yannick Schuette, Ani Hesse, Claudia Astorino, Katharina Sievers @ m4models, Alexander Goebel @ m4models, Thanh Ngyuen, Sascha Wolters, Jana van de Boldt, Madlen Uhlemann, Cara-Lena Schmidt, Annelie @ PMA, Amanda Gift of Snaps Studio, Lital Simel of L’ANIMAL CO, MUGOPUS, Kaye Dash of Dash Exchange, Rachel James, Brad Mawby, Natalia Vashkovets, Veronika Moreira, Felicia Karlahag @ Elite Stockholm, Raul Singson,
Roderick Hawthorne, Sigourney Salley, Angel Neal, Stephen Hudson, Jamahl Thompson @ IMG, Maria Durruthy @ VNY Models, Isaiah Joseph, Cynthia Mathilda @ ELITE Miami, Jana van de Boldt, Kat Cordt @ MD Management, Jennifer Hahn, Carina Wittmann, Sofie Uehla, George Buczko, Will and Joan, Kristiana Klekmane, Luxy Kitcher, Yannick Konan @ Rock Men Agency, SvenAnton, Marie Blomquist @ Aubribalk, Michael Anthony, Stefano Greco @ Bryan
Bantry, Kriss Barupa @ IMG, Steven Popovich @ The Pool Collective, Dale Delaporte @ Prema NYC, Felicia Yong @ Viviens, India Farrell @ Elite, Farzam HD, Nelly Akbari, Kevin Smith, Kendall Shea @ Elite Toronto, Fernando Paz, Roberta Basilio (EPIC), Carol Delay, Sally Duvall, Cheera, Carlo Fernandes, Beck Carroll, Blake Sutherland, Gaby Ouellet @ Chadwick Models
Volume 4; Issue 2; MAR/APR 2015
features Eliran Nargassi A Dignified Look for the Artistic Man: The talented menswear designer opens up about his latest collection, as well as his favorite designs and inspirations!
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Trend alert: LAce is more!
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Edit or’sNote
Get in touch with your girly side and welcome spring with feminine, flattering lace pieces. This dainty trend is sexy and romantic, yet subtle and sophisticated enough to incorporate into virtually any look!
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ANNE VAN DEn BOOGAARd
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Illustration by António Soares
TREND ALERT: KEEPING CALM Many designers this spring season ditched the drama & opted for more sleek, subtle looks. Soft, pastel hues in cool, breezy fabrics created a powerful simplicity. So keep calm & carry on this spring!
A Story Weaved with Color & Music: This Dutch fashion designer is making waves in the industry with her innovative approach to the craft. Learn more about her creative process & what inspires her.
on the cover CREDITS: Photography by: Jana van de Boldt, Model: Kat Cordt @ MD Management, Styling: Jennifer Hahn, Makeup Artist: Carina Wittmann using Chanel & MAC, Hair Stylist: Sofie Uehla using Newsha, Postproduction: George Buczko
Welcome to our sleek & chic spring issue! Inside, we’ve got lots of inspiration & tips to help you transition into the warmer months. This season, it’s all about using crisp layering pieces to create clean, minimalistic ensembles. Lacking fresh ideas? Look to our gorgeous photography spreads to show you exactly how it’s done! Enjoy!!!
- Shannon Phelps
Eliran
Nargassi A Dignified Look for the Artistic Man Written by Jacob LaBarbera
he ability to emulate masculinity with a hint of sensuality is no easy task, yet is one that designer Eliran Nargassi has mastered, since the start of his brand in 2013. Eliran has a keen eye for detail and a unique way of viewing the world around him -- when combined, the result is nothing short of amazing. Clean and simplistic, Eliran strives for a complete tailored look with minimal interference. According to the brand’s website, “Eliran Nargassi was established in purpose of taking part in the revival of men’s fashion in Israel, and to provide innovative fashion with a personal statement.” It is no secret that Eliran has a true passion for the art of designing -- one that has served him well from the very start. “I’ve always loved anything that has to do with
beauty, aesthetics and art,” Eliran stated. “As a teenager, I used to express myself through what I wore. My look was unique, whereas nowadays I’m more composed. My love for fashion grew when I started working on a portfolio in order to get into art school. I applied to both the visual communications department and fashion design department, and decided to study the latter at Shenkar College of Engineering and Design.” After spending years in school, it became clear to Eliran that upon graduating he wanted to create his very own clothing label. Having a background in art and design, it was almost a no-brainer to start his own company. “Throughout the years, I’ve learned how to turn an inspiration or theme into a coherent collection. Working as an independent designer, it requires much more than creating silhouettes, sewing or designing a beautiful piece of clothing to create
an entire collection,” Eliran said. Eliran’s label is a true testament to the art of hard work, for the reason that he creates everything from scratch. Starting with nothing but imagination and inspiration, his label is now one of the most sought-out lines in menswear throughout the Middle East. When thinking of a concept for a single piece or generating ideas for an entire line, Eliran has stated that he starts off by “thinking of a subject which I find visually and conceptually interesting. The process is often not pre-meditated. I would stare at something and be fascinated by it, or would recall an old memory and try to expand it into an entire theme.” Eliran doesn’t just look at concepts; he expands upon them, creating a full notion of the direction in which he wants to move. Generating inspiration from the various things that surround him, he builds those emotions into a thriving collection of hand tailored men’s clothing.
his roots, and where he came from into his present work. I’ve also always admired Calvin Klein, and have always been enchanted by his designs. They are beautiful and minimalistic, which represent simplicity and quality.” With many of Eliran’s designs being widely popular, it was interesting to learn if the designer had a personal favorite. In regards to his latest AW15 line, Eliran stated, “It’s difficult to choose my favorite piece, but if pressed, I’d choose a buttoned-down shirt from my last collection. I had removed the collar of a classic button-down shirt so that the shirt outlines a missing collar, which projects a negative image. In the photo shoot, the model wore a black turtleneck underneath, which created an illusion of a collar being part of the shirt. Though this seams like a classic staple piece, this small detail makes a great difference.” As each line is created and Eliran gains the respect of more clientele, it is his ability to remain humble that will serve as his best asset within this industry. Still having an original love and respect for those who helped with the launch of his first collection, is especially admirable.
“I draw most of my inspiration from my current and inner world, from my past, from the tensions between my secular and religious world, and from gender and its interpretation.”
Eliran said of his supporters: “I cherish, love and thank you all! My life partner and family have supported me in every possible way, and it has helped me immensely. The media in Israel and worldwide had embraced me when I first started out, and I’m sure this has helped me to be in the limelight. I also have a loyal clientele, to which I am indebted, and they help me to understand that my designs are relevant and wanted.”
Eliran is also heavily influenced by where he lives and by his many interests. “I love to interpret my influences in the form of contrasts, and color,” he said. Looking into his latest AW 2015 line, Eliran is no stranger to the use of monochromatic and dark colors. Using darker tones within his apparel, one can get a true feel for the small detail that makes each garment unique. Tailored to fit perfectly in the shoulders, each piece is hand made to give every man an exceptional fit. Eliran said of his brand’s unique style: “I love to use black and white with hints of silver, combined with other additional and random colors. Most of my designs thus far have been done in black and white; so I guess this combination of colors represent my brand at its best.” Prior to starting his very own fashion label, Eliran looked up to many artists and designers of various fashion brands. “Growing up I appreciated painters, such as René Magritte and Jackson Pollock. In hindsight, I’ve always admired Hussein Chalayan, especially when he started out creating fashion that was pure art. I appreciate how he managed to combine
his brand.
As it stands today, Eliran has many plans for the future and for
“In the next few years, I would like to expand my range of design and silhouettes. I have high hopes in creating a small women’s line, or to even start designing accessories,” he said. With a burning passion and killer work ethic for what he does, Eliran is sure to succeeded in anything he sets his mind to. Eliran dreams of eventually expanding his brand, ultimately hoping to reach a wider range of clientele. With the growing popularity of his latest line, he should have no trouble achieving what he so desperately longs for. With an overwhelming amount of talent and a keen eye for detail, we’re certain his future work won’t be anything less than perfect.
Anne
van den boogaard A Story Weaved with Color & Music Written by: Belinda Anidjar
nne van den Boogaard may just be a small town girl from the East of the Netherlands, but she has come a long way since she earned her degree in fashion design at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute in 2013. Before finding her calling, she explored a variety of programs, but after being selected for the Lichting 2013 G-Star Raw Talent Award and showcasing her final exam collection at Amsterdam Fashion Week, her path towards a burgeoning fashion career was paved and it has only gone up from there. As a young girl, she used dancing, drawing, and storytelling as creative outlets for her emotions. Inspired by designers like Rei Kawakubo, Margiela, and Prada, fashion design became her art form of choice -- and she has used this talent to tell stories through clothing, just like her main influencers. Though Boogaard says that design was not always her dream, the creative environment she grew up in shaped her into the woman that she has become. With parents who were passionate about music, she says that there was rarely a quiet moment in her childhood home. According to the designer, youth culture needs a voice and music is a power-
ful means of expressing what you want to say. Her affinity towards music has inspired her to name each of her collections after a movement, song, or band that she listened to while designing. Her latest collection, Medication, was influenced by 60s psychedelic rock and stoner rock bands like Queens of the Stone Age. “When I listened to it a print with twirling angry horses just fell into my lap,” she said. While her musical upbringing has largely influenced her design aesthetic, Boogaard claims that her designs are far removed from her Dutch origins. “I like an overload in prints and color and decoration,” she said, “it’s the opposite of Dutch functional style.” Though she claims that the street style in her homeland is more about comfort and functionality, the designer acknowledges that there is room for boldness in the Dutch market. When designing a collection, Boogaard’s process involves taking in her surroundings and analyzing things she may not understand, regarding people in her generation and the
choices that they make. “I want to investigate what it is that makes people do certain things, what choices they make. And that I want to turn into something I think of it, have my say. I then build a story with music, color, images, prints, and shapes,” she said. In fact, when looking at her collections thus far, prints seem to be a common thread in all of her designs. Last year, while living in London, she created prints in red, white, and blue, inspired by the colors of the British flag. Though her color choices may vary based on her environment, she believes that fashion should always be fun -- and this ideology drives her when creating collections infused with vibrant prints. “When I design, there’s always a battle, a protest. I like it when things clash and scratch. I love it when designs shout,” Boogaard said, when describing her design process. “As a designer, I am looking for a certain anarchy, being bold and rebellious but in a peaceful kind of way. I believe passionately in the adventures of life, of love and happiness. I want to carry that out through my designs.” When asked to describe the typical woman she envisions wearing her clothes, the designer said that she’s looking for someone who has fun with life and with fashion. “I hope the woman or girl that wears my stuff has a love for their life, makes up her own mind, her own beliefs, and is passionate and energetic about it,” she asserted. Currently, her style muse is singer Cata Pirata from a Dutch/ South African band called Skip N’ Die, for whom she is styling tour outfits. She describes the singer as “colorful, selfassured, pure, and a beauty” -- characteristics she associates with her brand. From what it sounds like, this designer knows exactly what her brand represents and this may be caused by the amount of control she has when it comes to her business. Boogaard identifies her greatest accomplishment as the freedom and independence that she continues to have when designing, a freedom that allows her to fully relish every moment of her career. As for her favorite part about being a designer? “It’s that moment when you feel like you’re on the right track,” she said, “you know your concept and you feel the ideas flowing.” Though Boogaard says that she hasn’t yet experienced any serious obstacles, she believes that the challenges will come as her company grows. Her experiences have allowed her to maintain a positive outlook, but she also knows that nothing comes easily to anyone in this industry. “A certain name or school is so important,” she said, “You have to fight really hard to let important people see what you can do. If you don’t have the right references, it’s hard to get a platform for your work.”
During the year she spent in London, she says that her hands-on experience under the tutelage of Katie Eary, who offered her a more commercial approach to fashion, helped her improve her understanding of the industry. While design may be her main preoccupation, Boogaard likes to make sure she always has time for her loved ones, as well. When she isn’t designing, some of her favorite hobbies include viewing exhibitions, listening to music, dancing, travelling, and meeting new people. As for her advice to aspiring designers like herself? “Show balls, give 200%, stay true, and be open,” she stated. Wise words from a woman who leads a balanced life and has a blossoming fashion design career. When projecting five years ahead, she says that her dream is to be the head of a design collective with influences from different designers. Based on her positive outlook and unique image, it looks like this designer is only getting started -and at this rate, she won’t be putting on the breaks anytime soon.