MOD Magazine: Volume 2; Issue 2; Spring 2013

A

s kids, we

were all “artists” and our parents loved everything we created. We scribbled, doodled and colored on anything we could get our hands on. But, some of us take that childlike artistic instinct and develop it into an amazing talent. One person who was definitely gifted with this talent is fashion illustrator, Hayden Williams. For those who aren’t familiar, take a look at our chat and get to know the extremely talented, Mr. Williams.

MOD: How did you get started in fashion illustration?

Hayden: I’ve been drawing since I was 3 years of age, so it feels like I have been illustrating forever! I started off illustrating female Disney characters but as I got older, my taste matured and it was a natural progression into creating fashion illustration and design.

MOD: Did you grow up in a creative household?

Hayden: Not particularly, but my Father used to make jewelry, and he would sketch the designs beforehand, so I think I got my art skills from him (so he says haha) MOD: Where did you grow up? Do you

still reside there?

Hayden: I grew up in the U.K and yes I still live there. The weather is hit and miss, but I love LDN.

MOD: What gives you inspiration before you draw?

Hayden: I love looking at glamorous visuals and vintage fashion editorials from the late 50’s and early 60’s for inspiration.

I tend to reference the class and sophistication of the way women dressed during those eras, but still make things modern enough for the woman of today.

MOD: Have you had any challenges in your career so far?

Hayden: Of course! Everything can’t always be smooth sailing. You have to face challenges so that you can learn from them and better yourself next time

around. It preps me for all the things to come.

MOD: What are some goals you would like to accomplish in your career?

Hayden: I have many goals! I aim to have my own high-end fashion label where my designs in the sketches will be brought to life. I also aim to release a book with my most well known fashion sketches inside. I have always said that I would love to illustrate a Vogue cover one day, too. I guess I’d have to speak to Anna Wintour about that. Haha!

MOD: When did you start to realize you were gaining popularity?

Hayden: It wasn’t something that happened overnight like some may think, and it’s kinda hard to pinpoint a particular moment, but I think it was when my work started going viraland A-List stars started to give my work recognition. My fan base and popularity has expanded very organically and it feels like I am becoming more and more well known. People stop me in the street or when I go out shopping and ask for a picture with me. They tell me I have inspired them or that they follow me

on Instagram or Twitter. I recently came back from a trip to Dallas and Miami, and even leaving my hotel people recognized me. It’s the craziest thing but very inspiring and people are always polite and very sweet.

MOD: What is your greatest accomplishment thus far?

Hayden: I appreciate all the amazing

things that have happened thus far in my career, but the most recent achievement was when Beyonce posted an illustration I did of her on Instagram and British Vogue posted it on their site also. That was pretty amazing! Anything Vogue is a huge deal and I hope to have more features and articles with them in the near future.

MOD: Who do you look up to the most in the fashion industry?

Hayden: I don’t have just one in particu-

lar, but I have a few favorite designers/ artists that have influenced me over the years. I love David Downton’s style of illustration. Always so elegant and effortless! I love Jason Wu and the fact that he is a young designer, but doesn’t conform to what is expected of a young designer. He

designs classic pieces that are still modern. I can relate to him. Robert Best who works for Mattel/Barbie is another inspiration. His sketches are so glamorous and classy. All of my inspirations tend to have a timeless style that never dates.

That to me, is what fashion is all about... being timeless!

MOD: Have any designers reached out to you?

Hayden:

Yes, but I won’t mention names. I work for myself and haven’t designed for any other designer label other than my own so far. I like the fact that I am in control of the visuals I put out and have free creative reign.

I don’t have to deal with people telling me how to work or how to create. An artist and designer should always have free reign to do what they want.

It can be stifling creatively when you are put into a box.

like to be while you’re drawing?

Hayden: As long as I am in my own little space with no distractions, I can work pretty much anywhere.

MOD: Will you have your own fashion line in the future?

Hayden: Yes! That is something that I am working towards. My designs are high end and I am a perfectionist, so I want to make sure that the standards are very high when I put out a collection. The

MOD: Do you have a muse? Someone that always sparks your creative juices?

Hayden: I have a few and it changes

from time to time. One of my favorites is Candice Swanepoel. She is one of my favorite models and I always feel inspired when I look at her. Just stunning!!

MOD: Do you have a special place you

MOD: Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

Hayden: A fun fact... I met Rihanna in

2011 after she invited me to her LOUD tour London show. She asked me to bring my archive of sketches along and introduced me to her manager (Jay Brown of Roc Nation). It was a very cool moment!

MOD: If you were not doing fashion illustrations, what could you see yourself doing as a career?

Hayden: To tell you the truth, I seriously don’t know! I think we are all put on earth to do a certain something and I was put here to draw and design. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.

MOD: What can we expect next from Hayden Williams?

Hayden: A lot of cool things in the works. That is all I shall say for now!

MOD: Any words of advice to anyone who wants to get into fashion illustration?

Hayden: Do it because you genuinely love it, be consistent, use social media to your advantage to promote your work, and when success comes, always remain humble!

MOD: What celebri-

ties have reached out to you about your work?

Hayden: Rihanna was the first A-List female to show my work love. She has followed my work for a couple years now and we follow each other on Twitter & Instagram.

She always takes time out to congratulate me on my success and tells me how proud she is. Other than Rih... Beyonce, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Kim Kardashian, Channing Tatum, Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland and many more have all shown my work love. The list is growing all the time! It’s always amazing when the stars I illustrate wearing my own designs love the work that I do.

love dance and some alternative. I will listen to Aaliyah, Rihanna, Lana Del Rey, Calvin Harris & Coldplay while I sketch.

My favorite artist will always be Aaliyah!

Her music is still timeless when you listen to it and she had such a soothing voice.

She was stunningly beautiful also!

translation from my sketches to real life have got to be right!

MOD: Where would you like to be in five years?

Hayden: It’s hard to say as things are so unpredictable, especially working in fashion or the arts in general, but i would love to just continue doing what i do best and become even more established as an illustrator and designer. I hope to do some amazing collaborations with big brands, dress some beautiful stars and have many other achievements under my belt by that time.

MOD: What type of music do you like?

Who’s your favorite artist?

Hayden: I love quite a few genres of music. I mainly listen to R&B or Pop but I also

MOD: What’s the best way for fans to get in contact with you?

Hayden: They can tweet me on Twitter @hayden_williams or send a message to my Tumblr www.haydenwilliamsillustrations.tumblr.com Be sure to follow Hayden on Twitter to keep up with him and all of his future endeavors!

Hot

TRENDS SS13

By: Brittaney Denise

Every year, the fashion obsessed look to the runway to get a glimpse of what’s in style for the upcoming season. This season on the runway was all about sheer,prints and pops of color! Designers are also getting back to the sophisticated,classic silhouettes!

Here are some hot SS13 looks from the runway & on some of your favorite celebs!

33-year-old model, Liberty Ross made her return to the catwalk during this Alexander Wang SS13 show! Rihanna is wearing the same ensemble, while performing on X-Factor.

Wang kept the colors very neutral and monochromatic with this season. The outfit shown is paired with Wang’s knee high gladiator boots.

Alexa Chung was spotted out wearing Thakoon SS13 collection to a CFDA event in New York! This look is a cute match of print and sheer. Cute and classy. She paired the ensemble with a cute pair of red sandals to add just a pop of color.

HO T LO OK!

Super model Kate Moss was seen wearing Marc Jacobs SS13 to her book signing in London. Everyone loves a good leopard print! Pair it with a plain black blazer with some pumps for the office, or a red lip and some stilettos for the after-work cocktail hour!

A lot of designers, like Victoria Beckham, DVF and Stella McCartney used citrus colors this season. A pop of orange, tangerine, or yellow can add a little pizzazz to your everyday ensemble. This trend was also seen on the Versace, Louis Vuitton and Dolce and Gabbana runways!

So, to complete your wardrobe this summer all you need are some prints, a few sheer pieces, some bright colors and of course the basics - and you’re good to go! Don’t be afraid to mix and match prints and play around with colors outside your comfort zone!

L

ights! Camera! Action! Starting in the entertainment industry is certainly not as easy one-two-three. It takes perseverance, sacrifice, and an unfaltering belief in yourself to survive in an industry that breaks more hearts than the final season on Lost. MOD spoke to two actors, one based in Los Angeles and one out of New York, about their trials, successes, and advice to those starting out and hoping to make it big.

MOD: How do you maintain your need

to be creatively fulfilled and financially stable?

Jessica: I have a very amazing support group! Although I am not constantly working, I go to as many classes

MOD: The industry is competitive and there is no shortage of amazingly talented people. How do you differentiate yourself from the pack?

Zak: You have to find the things that make you uniquely castable, and market yourself toward that.

I’m a young-looking, American-asapple-pie kind of guy with a high legit, as opposed to pop, voice and some tap dancing chops, so I make sure that I get in for classic or classic style shows. Being self aware and playing to your strengths, and learning to hide your weaknesses, is a big part of the auditioning game.

Jessica: I think we are all unique people, and the best way to differentiate yourself is to be you. That means being the best you possible.

Jessica Carter Ramsey is in her late twenties and moved from the Big Apple to LA to pursue her dream of acting on screen. “Acting was the first place that I fit in just by being myself,”Ramsey says.

“I started out in musical theatre, which I really loved, but I decided to change over to on-camera acting because I love how honest you have to be since the camera can be so close and captures it all.”

Zak Edwards, also in his late twenties, is based in New York City, but travels across the country to wherever his work as a musical theater performer takes him. From Denver to Florida to a national tour of Young Frankenstein the Musical, Edwards may perform the same show night after night, but the scenery is ever-changing.“I grew up in a family that loves musical theater,”Edwards notes.“I knew from the moment I stepped foot in a theater that I loved it.”

Zak: That’s one of the hardest things about my business. Financial instability is almost impossible to avoid, which leads to having to compromise creativity. I’ve had to turn down roles I would love to play because I needed to take a job that paid better but wasn’t as fulfilling.

And that’s when I’m lucky enough to book jobs at all. Really, you just have to slog through the financial stuff and find ways to keep yourself fulfilled artistically, even if they don’t make you money.

and workshops as I can, even auditions can push and teach you creatively. It is also very important to do your research on casting directors, agents, and acting coaches to make sure you get the most out of each opportunity.

MOD: If you could tell your 18 year-old self something, what would it be?

Jessica: I think I would tell my 18 yearold self that it’s hard, but it gets better and to not let small things get to you. There will always be people who don’t agree or

BY: KATHERINE LAURIN

think you’re too fat or too skinny or too tall or short. As long as you stay true to who you are, it’ll be ok. I think I would also say don’t be afraid to take chances, and don’t forget to enjoy your life and the process.

Zak: I would tell 18-year-old Zak to learn to not compare his career to other people’s. It’s a depressing, toxic, and ultimately useless thing to do. Oh, and I’d tell him to start working out...still haven’t gotten on that one.

social media is big! It is a way to build a relationship with other industry members. You can actually get called into some auditions this way. Another big trend right now is to write and perform your own stuff. In fact, my husband and I

MOD: Let’s end on a high note.

Tell us about some of the highlights of your career or successes.

Zak: Performing on the national tour of Young Frankenstein the Musical, being in the Off Broadway cast of a wonderful show called Yank!, and playing the ukulele and singing in a quartet in No, No, Nanette with some big stars...Rosie O’Donnell, tony winner Beth Leavel, Sandy Duncan, and a slew of big Broadway names.

Jessica: I have been able to film a few shows that have aired on TV which was really cool since it allowed friends and family from around the country to see me on TV. Another highlight was having the opportunity to meet Lauren Graham, who is my professional inspiration. We had a brief conversation, she was so sweet and encouraging it gave me even more of a boost!

MOD: How about all the dreamers out there who want to make it big?

What would you say to them?

Zak: I would say that they should follow their dreams, but that they have to be realistic as well. Acting is an unbelievably difficult, competitive, exhausting, and ego-crushing career. But if you’re strong enough to make it through the many hard times, the good times are the best thing you’ll ever feel.

Jessica: Ask yourself if you just want to live the lifestyle or if you are you willing to do the work? Be ready for the work that comes with it! It is not just a walk in the park you have to be ready to work your face off and be told no over and over and still want to get back up.

MOD: What trends are you seeing at auditions - is there anything that’s “big” right now that you see a lot of actors doing?

Jessica: Having just moved from New York, I am still getting used to the differences between the two at auditions, but

ented people to choose from in New York, people who are casting are starting to care as much about whether it seems like you’d be a good person to be around and work with as they are about whether you can hit that high note. So actors are dressing more casually, though still looking good, of course, and approaching auditions from a less rigid standpoint than they used to.

are writing a short and hope to start filming in a month or so.

Zak: I actually find that auditions for musical theater have gotten more casual recently. Because they have a colossal number of exceptionally trained and tal-

In true MOD style, we want to support these two rising stars. Zak Edwards may be reached at zakedwards@gmail.com. Jessica Carter Ramsey can be found on her website at www.jessicacarterramsey.com or contacted directly at jessicaramsey2@gmail.com.

Summer

SET LIST By: Katherine Laurin

Summer seems to be made for concerts. From sweet outdoor venues with killer acoustics to tailgating with friends before a mega arena tour, there isn’t anything better than a warm night and great music. Here is MOD’s guide to building your summer set list with all the can’t-miss concerts you’ll be telling stories about until the ball drops on 2014.

Justin Timberlake

Bruno Mars

He’s bringing sexy back in a brand new suit and tie! We can’t even remember the last time JT graced us with his presence. If you’re lucky, you’ll see JT in his Legends of Summer tour to team up with none other than Jay-Z – nothing like seeing the two collab live and in person.

Bruno Mars’ Mooshine Jungle Tour may be the hottest ticket of the summer. Most of his 45 scheduled shows in the US have already sold out. Bruno will be touring North America from late June through the beginning of September, then the “When I was Your Man” singer heads to Europe for dates beginning in October.

Hear that? It’s nostalgia knocking and it’s time you answered! This limitedengagement tour creates an interesting mash-up of artists whose popularity spans more than a decade. The Package Tour can be seen in cities across the US and Canada through August.

Taylor Swift

Justin Bieber

Beyoncé

T. Swift continues her 6-month tour this summer in support of her chart-topping album Red. Expect to see a new, poppy edge in Taylor’s show as she brings her new material to cities across the US and Canada.

Does the Biebs ever stop touring? Doesn’t seem like it. Justin Bieber’s exhaustive tour schedule takes him from LA to ATL June through August.

Coming off the best Superbowl half-time show since, well, ever, Bey announced her ambitious Mrs. Carter World Tour.

Beyoncé lands in the States in late June and streaks across the country ending in Brooklyn, NY in August.

Boyz II Men/98 Degrees/New Kids on the Block