myCULTURE Magazine

TM

vol one • issue one

EXPLORE the city THE WAY a new yorker sees it

+

OUR FASHION WEEK GUIDE

FASHION TRENDS:

DISCOVERING YOUR INNER DANDY

SHEARS TO

NYC’s unique style tailored through others

LOVE REDUX:

COMPUTER AGE COMPANIONSHIP

3 8 1 5 t h A v e 3 r d F l o o r, N e w Yo r k , N Y 1 0 0 1 6 www.kb1111.com H Office:212.213.0601

Publisher

President & CEO

Creative Director

& Chairman

Editor In Chief

Artistic Director

KB1111 Inc. Karem Belalcazar Irvin Ajes

Brent Ramsey Tony Iatridis

Editorial Models

Shaw Bernard Brandon Collins Jessica Maorino Kevin Knol

Leah Goldman

Fitness Model

Writers Irvin Ajes

Elizabeth Lilly

Kevin Novinski

Felix Quinonez

Alisha Rajpal

Brent Ramsey

Jennifer Searles

Photography Victor Cucart

Ora Hasenfratz

Spencer Kohn

Paulina Kubis

Alix Luntz

Gerry Visco Ivan

Production Asssistants

Claudia Dorvilus Gregory Heald - Mejia Kristine Kara Sobe Kelly

Stylists

Aletia Gonzalez Lashana Theodore

Hair & Make Up

Aridio Garcia Rukiya Jeffers Javier Hernandez

Public Relations

Karem Belacazar

Sales

Deshawn Colbert On the cover

myCulture marketing Account Executive Jessica Maorino

MyCulture magazine 381 Fifth Avenue 3rd Floor, New York,NY 10016 212.213.0601 myculturemagazine.com info@myculturemagazine.com All rights regarding the printed edition of myCULTURE and www. myculturemagazine.com are reserved. Reproduction of any part of Capacity and/or this associated web site without the written permission of publisher is prohibited. All views and comments expressed in myCULTURE are solely the opinions of the writers and contributors. myCULTURE reserves the right to refuse to publish any advertising content or materials submitted to it.

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16

FROM SHEARS TO SHINING SHEARS How Culture Influences Fashion in a Multi-Ethnic City

magazine

Aug • Sep 2012 www.myculturemagazine.com

departments:

4

5

6

49

55

president’s letter

editor’s letter

fashion week cal.

trend

backstage

reports

& credits

features: In the Life:

8

Fasion Week

9

DIY Beauty Secrets

10

Turn That Frown Upside Down

11

A Model’s Workout

12

New York

14

A NYC Neighborhood Getaway

15

From Culture To Couture

28

De Garçons ã Homme

38

Parental Advisory:

38

HIM

43

Dapper Or Dandy

51

Love 2.0

53

Model in a bag

Our STAR menatlity It doesn’t take much to look this good

Turn that frown upside down Jennifer Searles excerises A city, A muse

favorite NYC places

14

Ideas and inspirations come through this city The streets of this city teach you how to stand tall and proud Portraiture turns 50 (Shades of Grey) We push to overlook insecurities so we can express ourselves Discovering your inner dapper or dandy

Finding romance on the net

53 12 www.my cul turemagaz i ne.com 3

Letter Fro m The President Thank you for inviting us into your lives!

I

t is with great pleasure we present our first issue of myCULTURE magazine! myCULTURE magazine and KB1111 Model Agency have developed and grown tremendously since their inceptions, and this publication is a testament to our continued evolution, development and commitment.

New York City has been the inspiration and muse through a broad spectrum of the arts and life in general. Everyday, people from all over the world make their journey to the United States for a promise of a better life. People arrive in this metropolis for many different reasons, but you can not deny this city has a gravitational pull, creating a mass of opinions, ideas and various lifestyles. Although the media markets New York City as a melting pot, there are very few media outlets dedicated in showcasing the multitudes of people. myCULTURE is at heart, a fashion magazine.

Fashionista or not, we walk around this city and sometimes can’t help but stare at people and their style. Whether crisp and business-like to avante garde and edgy to chic and urban wear, just by their outfits alone helps you understand the different tones to this bustling metropolis.

When cultural fairs take place, we are all enlightened by the ways Americans or people who have assimilated into the American culture go back into their native garbs and you realize the infrastructure of this great city is constructed by beautiful cultures.

We also highlight the different spheres of concern the inhabitants of this great metropolis. At myCulture magazine we understand the mindset of New Yorkers. Living in a city that is extremely health conscious, we search for ways to better our well-being. Even though inner beauty is something all of us appreciate, we must recognize how New York City is saturated with models, actors and overall gorgeous people. This is the reason most of the time people do not realize how beautiful they really are, so we are here to share secrets to help vamp up their regimen. This city in its core is a very social one, with many amazing events happening throughout the year showcasing exactly how eclectic this city can really be. There are many getaways New York City has to offer, and as city dwellers often do they’re always seeking for a quick getaway for a day, a weekend or even a“staycation”away from the hustle and bustle of this hectic lifestyle -- and in this city, the possibilities are endless.

Here at myCULTURE magazine, we are in the pursuit of creating an atmosphere and ambience of acceptance of the differences that keep our wonderful city incomparable to any other in the world.

We hope you enjoy our first issue and celebrate the diversity of New York City with us as we showcase the glamour all of us are exposed to every day.

“

People arrive in this metropolis for many different reasons, but you can not deny this city has a gravitational pull, creating a mass of opinions, ideas and various lifestyles.

“

Karem Belalcazar President/CEO KB1111 Inc. 4 m y C ULT URE

myCULTURE caters to our “one percent”: the affluent, fashion-forward select few who can call New York City home. In a city where we are privileged to be surrounded by the finest luxuries this world has to offer; therefore, as New Yorkers we are granted access to the melting pot of beauty, culture, lifestyle and, of course, various forms of fashion.

Join the elite with myCULTURE. For advertising information please call 212.213.0601 or email info@myculturemagazine.com To secure a complimentary subscription please email info@myculturemagazine.com

Welcome to my Culture Magazine, where we celebrate culture united in fashion and lifestyle in New York City, including arts, health, beauty and travel. From the brownstones of Harlem to the restaurants of Little India, culture drenches the streets of Manhattan and the boroughs, demonstrating the beauty of its various ethnicities and nationalities. And it cumulates here at my Culture.

Over the past few months, the magazine staff has been writing and rewriting, shooting and reshooting and now here’s the product. Take a flip through our pages, explore our words and, especially, experience our images. All thanks must be given to the models of KB1111 Agency, as well as the writers, photographers, stylists and everyone else at the magazine: Thank you for all of your hard work; without you, this publication wouldn’t be possible.

From finding an adventure throughout the neighborhoods to mixing up your own homemade beauty concoctions, I hope we’ve managed to satisfy your taste buds and fulfill your various needs. This magazine and I look forward to supplying you with the information and content you deserve.

On behalf of the entire magazine, welcome to the inaugural issue of my Culture Magazine!

“

From the brownstones of Harlem to the restaurants of Little India, culture drenches the streets of Manhattan and the boroughs, demonstrating the beauty of its various ethnicities and nationalities

“

myCULTURE Magazine explores and celebrates the rich cultural diversity shaping fashion and our lives in the great metropolis we call New York City and (better yet) our home.

Le tte r Fr om Th e E di tor

Brent Ramsey Editor, myCulture Magazine

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Fas h i o n & L i f es t y le

Your Comprehensive Guide to Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012

August 2012 1-10 • Buenos Aires Fashion Week

Spring/Summer

Buenos Aires, Argentina 3-7 • Lakme Mumbai Fashion Week

Spring/Summer

Mumbai, India 5-12 • Maryland Fashion Week

Throughout Maryland, MD 8-12 • Copenhagen Fashion Week

Spring/Summer

Copenhagen, Denmark 10-18 • Austin Fashion Week

Austin, TX 13-19 • Oslo Fashion Week

Oslo, Norway 17-19 • Baltimore Fashion Week

Baltimore, MD 20-25 • Omaha Fashion Week

Spring/Summer

Omaha, NE 22-25 • Greater St. Charles

Fashion Week

St. Charles, MO 23-27 • Mercedes-Benz Fashion

Festival

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Brisbane Spring/Summer

(formerly the Rosemount

Sydney Fashion Festival)

Sydney, Australia 26-31 • Mercedes Benz Fashion

Week Spring/Summer

Mexico City, Mexico

mercedes-benzfashionweek.

mx/mbfwm/ 27-29 • Mercedes Benz Fashion

Week Spring/Summer

Stockholm-Sweden

Pozna, Poland 11-15 • Frederick Fashion Week

Frederick, MD 12-15 • Valencia Fashion Week

Spring/Summer

Valencia, Spain 12-15 • Elle Style 360 Fashion Week

Fall

New York City, NY 12-16 • MQ Vienna Fashion Week

Vienna, Austria

September 2012

01-03 • SIMM International Fashion

Show of Madrid

Spring/Summer

Madrid, Spain 03-09 • Nolcha Fashion Week

Spring/ Summer

Auckland, New Zealand 4-7 • Montreal Fashion Week Montreal, QC

6-9 • Queens Fashion Week Spring

Long Island City, NY 6-9 • Nolcha Fashion Week Spring/

Summer

New York City, NY

nolchafashionweek.com 6-13 • Mercedes-Benz Fashion

Week New York

Spring

New York City, NY

newyork.mbfashionweek.com 6-16 • Helsinki Design Week

Helsinki, Finland 8- • Kobe Fashion Week Oct.8 Fall/Winter Kobe, Japan

kobedays.com/event/kfw 9-15 • Charlotte North Carolina

Fashion Week

Charlotte, NC 11-13 • Pozna Fashion Days

13-20 • Western Canada

Fashion Week

Spring/Summer

Edmonton, AB 13-20 • Alberta Fashion Week

Calgary, AB 13-22 • New York iFashion Week

New York City, NY

fw.ifashionnetwork.com 14-18 • Fashion Fringe at

Covent Garden

London, UK 15-17 • Couture Fashion Week

New York City, NY

couturefashionweek.com/

16-22 • Tampa Bay Fashion Week

Tampa Bay, FL 17-23 • DC Fashion Week

Washington, D.C. 17-23 • Triangle Fashion Week

Raleigh, NC

blvd.tv/tfw 18-21 • Philly Fashion Week

Spring/Summer

Philadelphia, PA

phillyfashionweek.org 19-25 • Milano Women’s Wear

(Moda Donna)

Spring/Summer

Milan, Italy 19-25 • Perth Fashion Festival

Perth, Australia 21-26 • London Fashion Week

Spring/Summer

London, UK 21-27 • Buffalo Fashion Week

Buffalo, NY 23-29 • Detroit Fashion Week

Spring/Summer

Detroit, MI 23-30 • MN Fashion Week Fall

Minneapolis, MN 24-30 • Pittsburgh Fashion Week

Pittsburgh, PA 25- • Oct Mode a Paris Oct.3 Ready-To-Wear

Spring/Summer

Paris, France 24-30 • Pittsburgh Fashion Week

Pittsburgh, PA 27- • Boston Fashion Week Oct.6 Boston, MA. 27-30 • SA Fashion Week

Spring/Summer

Johannesburg, South Africa

fashionweb.co.za/ 30- • Mpumalanga September Oct.4 Fashion Week

Mpumalanga, South Africa 28- • Bellevue Fashion Week Oct.2 Bellevue, WA 29- • Brooklyn Fashion Weekend Oct.2 Spring/Summer

Brooklyn, NY 30- • L’Indvstrie C.II.B Oct.3 Paris, France 31- • Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Oct.4 Madrid Spring/Summer

Madrid, Spain

FASHION WEEK 2012

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Fa s hi o n & L i f e s ty le

In the Life: Model in a Bag Beginning from the rough times of MySpace to the ever-changing Facebook, everyone thinks they can be the next Tyra Banks of Gisele Bundchen. But for all of you aspiring models using the streets of New York City as runways, here are a few things you need to always keep in a fab bag so you can start getting noticed.

By Irvin Ajes

B

ut before you get to grace the pages of magazines and runways, your closet needs to be stocked with a few essential pieces in order for you to be ready for jobs: White and black tank tops, dark wash skinny jeans, black and nude pumps and dark leggings. The effect these pieces will convey is simplicity and demonstrate your ability to be a “blank canvas.”

White and Black Tank Tops These are the most essential part of your closet, and you will need multiple pieces of each color.

Since the life spans of these pieces are short as the white tends to get dingy and the blacks fade, make sure you keep an eye on your tanks and make sure you get new ones before they do not look presentable. Your top is usually one of the first pieces of clothing that the client or people notices, you don’t want people seeing and old and dirty shirt… do you?

Dark Wash Skinny Jeans Elongating your legs, making them slimmer yet curvy at the same time, skinny jeans help in showing the distinct walks that each girl has. A simple wash is the best, and try not to have any holes or “designed” holes on them. Although holes might be cute at times, they throw off the simplicity of the look you are going for.

Black and Nude Pumps Increasing your height but helps in your posture, pumps are necessary to any model bag, and these two colors are essential because of their versatility. They can be used at any time and during any fashion emergency. But be warned: Shoes are the easiest and fastest article of clothing to get damaged. With the amount of wear and tear on shoes, whether on the runway or off in the streets of the city, this will make them to look ragged, ravaged and unprofessional quite quickly. With this in mind, keep an eye on them and make sure they will always look photo ready.

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Dark Leggings Always a good alternative to dark jeans if an emergency arises, if styled correctly with a skirt or a long boy shirt to completely cover your rear.

From the essential clothing, we move on to the hair, which can be as valuable as your clothing when going on casting calls. And as we all have different haircuts and styles, ranging from elegant to edgy, be sure to style your hair in a way the casting director will be able to imagine you among his girls: Simple, uniform and not distracting the attention from your features.

If you have long hair, any simple style is acceptable. Some clients are more relaxed about the styling of the hair and others like to follow the classic looks of the industry: Your long locks can be slicked back into a neat high or regular ponytail or it can be pulled back and put into a single braid. If you have short, or an edgy look, boy/pixie cuts should be kept neat and simple with bangs swept to one side or styled in a way to maintain this neat appearance.

Finally and very importantly: Please DO NOT roam the city or go to castings with caked on make-up. All make up should present you as the blank canvas we mentioned above so the clients can work with. Always try to look fresh faced: Eyes: A little application of eyeliner or mascara will make your eyes to stand out.

Lips: Lip tint is not a lipgloss or lipstick, but it will give color to the lips and supply that natural, fresh hue and plump models going on a casting look for.

Blush: A very light coating or a light shade of blush over the cheekbones accentuate the contours of the cheek, but be wary of applying too much.

There you have it, your model in a bag.

Now you’ve prepared your staples into your bag, aspiring models, go out, walk your walk and get those gigs. •

FASHION WEEK & O U R S TA R M E N TA L I T Y Being fully prepared is extremely important, especially during fashion week where “fashionably late” means not attending a show.

B y B re n t R a m s e y

F

ashion Week, regardless of location and size, epitomizes the industry: Glamorous, beautiful, exciting, bigger than life and commercially driven. Despite media and mainstream belief, there’s much more to fashion than pretty clothes on thin models, twirling across a runway. For designers, buyers, editors and photographers, not to mention the countless public relations and marketing guys and gals included in the mix, fashion week combines hard work and long hours with countless trips to Starbucks for a “Triple Venti Skinny Vanilla Latte.” Not to mention the more glamorous after parties and events.

For the industry, this time starts business between designer and retail buyers; however, for us, either blogger/writer (or other member of the press), assistant or invited guest, we get the chance to live the lavish life without the lavish amounts of work. (Sure, as a fashion writer, we have to do a lot of work, but the reward of covering an event such as this is much greater than the stress involved.)

Over the past years of attending the MercedesBenz New York Fashion Week and various others, a few tips have been picked up along the way to keep in mind when attending a show. Whether you invoke the Daphne Guinness frame of fashion by making a huge statement (i.e. ballet stilettos) or grace the goddess of fashion, Vogue editrix Anna Wintour, by honoring her simple elegance (Chanel and cardigans), attending the shows of any designer you’ve been invited to is an honor – and a chance to pull out all the showstoppers and kick aside our apparel reservations or fashion fears.

During times like this is when you can put on your STAR-mentality, where you’ll find getting yourself spotted and mentioned in the street style pieces of on-the-prowl bloggers, magazine writers and photographers. So when you’re getting ready to attend fashion week, remember to utilize a STAR-mentality: •

S – Shoes and Statements Entering and exiting fashion week is the time to make an appearance. This is where the photographers will be. Like a celebrity’s paparazzi, the style vultures document and photograph personal style.

And with this in mind, when picking out your outfits, you must remember to look at two aspects of every ensemble: Shoes and statements. How are your shoes, and are you wearing any statement pieces? Be sure to extra attentive because the photographers will be paying attention.

T – Trends: Study the trends and stay on top Whether floating lenses (clear-framed glasses with mirror or dark lenses) or bold, vampy lips are trending, be sure to be the first spotted wearing them. Being one of the few to be sporting the latest trends sends your chances of being photographed to the top of the list. To research these trends, look at personal style blogs, street style and various trend reports and forecasts. (And remember, if Lady Gaga says a color or accessory might be trending, pay attention. Notice how she made “mint” happen?)

A – Arrange your schedule What’s the old cliché,“Early bird gets worm?”Well, that philosophy still holds true in the fashion industry. Being fully prepared is extremely important, especially during fashion week where “fashionably late” means not attending a show. This, readers, is important to remember: Have your schedules prepared to list the designers’ shows, times and locations.

R – Remember the reason you’re attending At first, fashion week can be a bit hard to handle and more than overwhelming. After the initial shock of being around our fashion and style icons, it’s time to get to work and remember why you’re there.

It’s easy to get sidetracked, but fashion week is no time to let that happen. And be prepared. It’s always crucial to be tied into social networks and blogs. Have your twitter feed live and constantly snap images with your phone and Instagram.

Once the shows have finished, the time has arrived to remember the good shows and collections. Refresh yourself after the stress and revisit any connections or business cards you’ve collected. When planning to attend, an aspiring fashionista, model or insider must remember how vital fashion week is to not only the industry but also to one’s networking. Who knows when a contact can turn into your next job or gig. (When wishing to refresh, take a look at our “DIY Beauty” article.)

Remember to put on your STAR-mentality while attending fashion week and you’ll be making it onto street style blogs and sites’ best dressed or most stylish lists – and maybe even photographed by Bill Cunningham or Tommie Ton!

PS: Take to the runway – or the sidewalk Wh e n e v e r a t t e n ding a fa s hion s how ( or an y e ve n t i n Ne w Yo rk Ci ty re al l y), appe ari n g as i f y ou’ re s t r ut t i ng t h e r u n w a y, w h e ther it ’s a ct ua lly a red carpe t o r j u st a si de wal k, i s mo st i mpo rtan t. Atte n d i ng f as hi on week f r ig h t e n s a n y n e wcom er a nd s t res s es eve n th e mo st ve te ran atte n de e , an d pu tti n g o n a strong ( or d e t a c h e d) a p p ea r a nce m a y b e our fir st l i n e o f de fe n se to th e ste re o typi cal l y cri ti cal e y es of t he ind u s t r y. B e br a ve, m y a s p ir ing fa s hion-we e k go e rs. www.my cul turemagaz i ne.com 9

“It Doesn’t Take Much to Look This Good!”

By Alisha Rajpal Finding the right salon challenges us all. And much like finding the perfect diamond, salons should fulfill the requirements of the four C’s — Cut, Color, Clarity and Credit card-friendliness.

While life is easier for the fortunate few who are lucky enough to have their own personal hair stylists or a list of high-end salons they can depend on, if you belong to the majority of us who have tried at least a 100 different salons, a variety hair stylists and a countless array of hair products continuously failing to deliver, do not fret for here are some Do-It-Yourself techniques to help tame those tresses.

Hair masks are an easy, nourishing way for effective taming, and sometimes the best hair masks can be whipped up in the kitchen -- in less than four hours!

For instance, almond and olive oils moisturizes both hair and skin. Apply the oil into your hair, allow it to absorb overnight then rinse off in the morning for healthy, shiny hair. But remember, be sure to wrap those soaking locks in a towel (or place the towel over the pillow) to prevent the oils from seeping into your pillows and linens.

This next mask is another quick and simple technique for your face and includes two ingredients that lend their ultra restorative properties to some of the best facial masks and treatments in the world -- avocado and honey. To make the “Avocado and Honey Face Mask,”blend avocado and honey in a bowl and spread a layer on your face, focusing on those trouble spots or imperfections you wish to improve. Allow the mask to harden over the next 10 minutes while the natural oils and enzymes repair the skin (and please, no touching), then rinse off with warm water in circular motions. Do this routine as often as you would like, from daily to a couple times a week, and you will find your skin revitalized and moisturized with improved texture and an unmistakable radiant glow. Simple, isn’t it?

Aside from the Avocado and Honey Face Mask, there are many other natural products and produce we use every day that can help moisturize your skin, such as milk to soften the skin, tomatoes to shrink pores and brown sugar or salt to exfoliate the skin. Mix brown sugar and honey to make body scrubs great for dry skin in need of some tough love. For those with oily skin, blend a concoction of strawberries, honey and bananas with a hint of lemon to make face mask to soak up some of those natural (and super annoying) oils that leave your skin looking greasy and shiny, especially on that wretched T-zone area including your forehead and nose.

Before exhausting yourself, your money and your time with all the chemical treatments and various over-the-counter skincare products on the market, be sure to try out these easy, household suggestions and see how they work.You can still have great skin without having to subject your hair or skin to chemicals and unnatural ingredients. Just find some of these ingredients in your kitchen, or at your local market, along with a big mixing bowl and watch your skin as it takes the time and nutrition it needs to glisten. These techniques will leave your skin looking incredible while keeping you and your bank account happy.

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B

SP BAR Y O G A

B E A U T Y

Get the same unique Ayurvedic glow (The Ayurvedic treatment completely detoxifies your skin by removing waste from your facial lymph nodes, giving you vital, healthy skin! Special Ayurvedic herbs and essential oils are used to reduce inflammation and help heal the skin. The results from this facial include restoration of new collagen and elastin, balance of skin’s pH and a natural glow. in express time with an addition of yoga acupressure points on the facial muscles (‘because how often do we work the facial muscles?’) and includes an Organic Ayurvedic Chocolate Tamarind Mask.

Benefits: Detoxifying, Healing, Illuminating and Re-balancing. ideal for Sensitive, Dry, Dehydrated, Mature and Pre/Post-Op

“

Instead of a one-size fits all spa menu, our spa offers clientele a customized skincare program based on their individual skin type and needs. B Spa uses an impeccable line of facial cocktail treatments, the latest advanced skin therapies and other services to nourish your body and preserve your skin. We strive to maintain and prolong a vital healthy glow for each individual.

“

D I Y Beauty S ec r et s

-Diana Seo, B Spa Bar creator

310 W. Broadway, New York, NY, 10013 • 212.274.8888 • www.bspabar.com 1031 Boston Post Rd Rye, NY 10580 • 914.921.0880 • www.bspasalon.com

H e a lt h

Turn That Frown Upside Down Orthodontics and the City: How a Good Smile and Oral H e a l t h P ro m o t e a P o s i t i v e S e l f I m a g e

T

hese days, the importance of physical appearance has become more and more of a stressing matter, as the streets of New York City are filled with gorgeous men and women who can throw on a burlap sack and still look amazing while media and social sites continue to encourage people to self–promote and brand themselves. However, clothes can only help so much for one’s self-esteem. Over the past few decades, orthodontics, as well as other branches of dentistry, have become very advanced, promoting better overall oral care. These more advanced orthodontic treatments not only provide health benefits, but they also have a great impact on the psychological aspects of the individual receiving them.

Good oral health contributes more to self-esteem than most think. People with great teeth will not have a problem smiling and flaunting their flawless incisors and cuspids; however, people who are not genetically predisposed to have straight, pearly whites have a tendency to cover their mouths when they smile. And while the standards of beauty vary from culture to culture and from person to person, the fact of the matter is most people prefer a face with well-balanced facial structures, although most would not admit it in order to avoid sounding superficial and shallow. But here’s the truth: The region around the mouth draws in a lot of attention as it is constantly the path of communication and expression.

What We Consider Beautiful?

With the social stresses impeding upon every individual these days, the demand oral perfection might create social or psychological complexes to arise unconsciously. In a study conducted by the American Association of Orthodontics, children between the ages of 9 and 15 who were shown various pictures of faces where various negative facial defects were highlighted (i.e. protruding teeth, elongated jaws or jaws much shorter than average). Then these children were shown what most would consider an ideal smile (images where the teeth were shown white, straight and without flaw). The children were then asked to select the picture that looked more like them, and invariably the child with the perfect smile was chosen the most often.

The need for acceptance is something that develops over time as we become more conscious about our surroundings. An adult or a child who thinks they have bad teeth because they are uneven, crowded or have an asymmetrical jaw can develop a complex based on their appearance and how it doesn’t align with society’s norm of “beauty.” Individuals who have issues with their teeth tend to cover their mouths while talking or laughing and typically avoid smiling.

Over the years, good oral hygiene has been exploited by the advertising industry. It will be the day when you see an advertisement for toothpaste with a model who

has crowded teeth, spaces between their teeth, extensive under or overbites or other dental deformities. But it is not limited to this industry, soda companies, perfume, lingerie, to toilet and floor cleaners, the models still sport a bright, white smile. Society has created these values of physical attractiveness that can reinforce how proper oral health is a sign of prevailing youth and sex appeal, along with social and economic success.

It is nearly impossible to conclude how much influence attractive teeth have on our socio-cultural values. Regardless of gender, age or race, a person who has a seductive smile has an infatuating appeal to whomever looks upon them. This argument has been studied by sociologists, marketers, designers, psychologists and various others in academia, medicine and media to determine the impact of admiration or rejection of an individual.

Orthodontics and its Effects

on Self-Esteem Currently, the incentive for getting an orthodontic procedure performed is propelled by aesthetic motivation.

These treatments give people a sense of control because it provides an opportunity to improve their appearances.

Increased self-esteem starts even before the treatment because people become excited to know that, in only a few minutes, they are changed for the rest of their lives.

The increase in self-esteem has a positive effect and improves the individual’s quality of life. From the aesthetic point of view, the first impression is always visual, and to them this change has made them to appear more visually appealing. This is why many have recently come to believe orthodontic treatments to be more of a necessity rather than a luxury during our current struggle with the social expectations of city. •

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Health & F i t n ess

The Long and Lean Model’s Workout Jennifer Searles, NASM CPT and owner of T h e Wo r k s P e r s o n a l Tr a i n i n g www.TheWorksPersonalTraining.com

A

fitness tip: Eat four to five small meals ever y day, focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables, low glycemic carbohydrates and lean proteins.

Jennifer Searles ready for a workout

re you a model, or do you just want to look like one? Have you ever looked at a dancer’s body and wondered what his or her workout regiment was? I’m going to share with you what these artists do in order to achieve that long, lean and sexy look without the “bulk.” I’m also going to show you how you can do it without a gym and without weights.

Perfect for the model on the go, the “Long and Lean” workout only uses body weight and a simple set of resistance bands to get the job done. This straightforward workout can easily be done at home, in a hotel room (if traveling) or outside in the yard. Wherever you are, you can work on that long and lean body of your dreams!

This workout is designed to take roughly 30 minutes and should be done three times a week with a day or two of rest in between workouts to achieve maximum results.

On top of working out, be sure to watch your diet, as this is a big part of the Long and Lean fitness equation! Eat four to five small meals every day, focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables, low glycemic carbohydrates and lean proteins. And don’t forget the peanut butter!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, a dose of the creamy stuff is an excellent source of fat and should be included in any healthy eating program. Be sure to also drink tons of water to help keep the body humming along and the skin clear and bright.

OK, go grab your bands, towel and water bottle, and LET’S GO!!!

Begin with a 5-minute warm-up: jumping jacks • 1-minute jogging in place • 1-minute 1-minute squats • 1-minute body jumping • 1-minute jogging injacks place •

NOW YOU’RE READY! Repeat each group of exercises three times, then do a 3-minute Cardio circuit as listed.

Rest for 30 - 60 seconds and move onto the next group.

Reverse Lunge or Single Shoulder Press • Band (all 12 reps on right leg and right arm, then

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remaining 12 reps on left leg and left arm) Band Rows (12 reps) Jump Plié Squats (12 reps)

3-minute Cardio circuit:

Mountain Climbers (1 minute) then • Burpies (1 minute) and Body Squats (1 minute)

Totters (12 on right leg then 12 on left leg) • Teeter Side Lunge or Curtsy Lunge (12 on right leg • then 12 on left leg) Push-ups Kick (alternate legs • for a total ofor 12Donkey reps) 3-minute Cardio circuit (see above) Bridges (12 reps) • Floor Plank or Leg Pull-in • (alternate legs for a total of 20 reps) Toe Reaches (15-20 reps) •

five minute warm-up:

long and lean workout:

n mountain climbers

n jump pile squats

n jumping jacks

n mountain climbers

n jogging in place

n burpies

n teeter totters

n side lunge - curtsy lunge

n donkey kick

n body squats

long and lean workout:

n push-ups

n leg pull-in

n band reverse lunge

n band rows

n single shoulder press

n jump pile squats

n band rows

n floor bridge

n plank

n toe reachers

n toe reachers www.myc ul turemagaz i ne.com 1 3

C ul t u r e

NEW YORK, A City, A Muse What is it about New York City that makes it so enchanting? Like moths to a flame, millions of people are drawn to it every day. The city’s world-famous skyline alone is enough to stun you into silence. Whether a tourist or resident, it’s hard not to stare at the majestic buildings crowding the sky. The outcome of thousands of hard work hours, decades even, to forever ever represent humankind’s desire to reach greatness.

B y F e l i x Q u i n o n e z J r.

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lthough the architecture is beautiful beyond description, there is so much more to this city than tall buildings.

The city and its population have a strange symbiotic energy no picture or postcard could ever begin to capture. You don’t just walk the sidewalks of New York, you navigate through it with crowds of people excitedly and hurriedly walking along. Everyone stops and starts in a hypnotic synchronicity. You can’t help but to get lost in it as the symphony of New York City loudly plays behind, in front and all around you.

After all, this is the city where people come to find themselves and carve out an identity. In New York you can be anyone, leaving behind small town inhibitions. Sometimes just knowing there’s someone else who has similar aspirations is enough to encourage you to keep chasing dreams and enough to quell your doubts. Whether you’re an aspiring fashionista, model, writer, artist, musician or whatever else, here you’ll find the place and the means to embark on the journey.

With a city as diverse as its population, a large part of the fun is travelling throughout its very distinct boroughs, each with their own identities and personalities. You can spend countless hours navigating (or getting lost) through its streets and subways in search of an adventure.

Whatever you’re in the mood for, you can find it, if you know where to look. But just as much fun can be had while you’re searching for it. The subway system may be a lot of things but predictable is not one of them. Each ride can provide its own form of entertainment. Whether it’s mariachi singers, hip hop dancers or comedians, you never know what will be on the next subway.

New Yorkers are worldly by nature. Being exposed to cultures from around the globe usually just means taking a stroll through your neighborhood. If you’re in the mood for Middle Eastern food or authentic Kielbasa, chances are they can both be found on the same block. And Little Italy and Chinatown are separated by less than a mile.

With such a diverse population flooding the island of Manhattan, sometimes walking through the streets and along the sidewalks feels as if it’s a tour through the United Nations.

And if you’re looking for inspiration, in New York, it’s all around you. Above all else, New York 1 4 m y CULT URE

City is a cultural landmark of the world. It has given birth to the Harlem Renaissance and spawned very important underground movements, such as the Beat poets, American Modern dance and the Pop Art movement, which was largely defined by the city’s vibrant art scene.

The local music scene is also quite legendary.

The Punk Rock and New Wave movements were at one time practically synonymous with New York City, and some of the most important bands of the time played at New York’s seminal club, CBGB’s, although it has since closed in 2006. And the influence that New York had on the development of Hip Hop cannot be overstated.

Although the capital of the movie industry is Hollywood, New York also has a very strong screen presence. The city has been a very famous muse to world-renowned filmmaker Woody Allen. Many of his movies are essentially love letters to his beloved city, which he prominently features in many of his films. Other directors, including Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee, have also starred the city in many of their films. And for actors — well, there’s an abundance of those too, whether famous or aspiring.

The acclaimed actor Robert De Niro founded one of today’s most celebrated events in the entertainment

industry — the Tribeca Film Festival.

However, not only does the city star in domestic fame, but it has also built up an international fan base and makes many cameos in various foreign publications, including the legendary comic books written by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee starring heroes Spider Man, Iron Man, The Hulk, The Avengers and many others. It was only natural they would allow their stories to take place in a city larger than life, exactly like the characters. Is it any wonder they chose New York City? Like their real world counterparts, the New Yorkers in the comic books have a seen-it-all attitude. They go about their daily routines unfazed by the extraordinary characters and frightening events going on all around them.

Although Spider Man and Iron Man don’t walk the streets, the city is twice as tough than any city in America, if not tougher. Every day we face our own personal Hulks as it’s a fast-moving city and you do what you can to keep up, from dodging the devil bosses to evading the evil cabbies. At first, it can be both exciting and intimidating and requires some getting used to. The fact is living in New York City can take its toll on you but if you stay long enough, you’ll see how it changes you. It will continue to make you stronger, tougher and more aware of your abilities and talents. Being exposed to the many different cultures makes you evaluate and appreciate life and its many components differently. You begin to appreciate things you never would have even noticed before, try foods you never knew existed and maybe even find an unexpected love.

Once you have been inducted into the world of a “true” New Yorker, all other places will be found to be boring and the minutes will be counted until the return trip home. When other cities are compared to the fast-paced, non-stop life of New York City, everywhere else will simply seem to move in slow motion. The city doesn’t just grow on you, it molds you.... New York, New York, once you’ve lived there you can’t live anywhere else. For this muse of a city, it’s a price we’re proud to pay. •

A New York Neighborhood

Getaway

By Alisha Rajpal

T

he great thing about New York City is how it is such a melting pot of cultures, and people from all over the world can call themselves a New Yorker. The coexistence of all these cultures over decades has given the city a character of its own; every neighborhood has something new and different to offer. You never know what might be around the corner because every street is unique mystery worth an adventure.

Chinatown tops our list of interesting neighborhoods. Aside from the many restaurants lining the streets, one can also find incredible shopping deals. The best way to explore the neighborhood is to not be afraid to try new things, whether it is dumplings from a street food vendor, Chinese desserts like honey noodles or moon cakes...don’t be afraid to try something new.

If your taste buds are more conservative, then head over to the McDonalds on Pell Street where you can still find a traditional burger and fries combo, despite the oriental décor of the restaurant. (But please, let this be the last resort to any cuisine ventures.)

The second neighborhood carries us over to the east side to Murray Hill, or “Curry Hill,” as it’s become fondly deemed due to its large Indian population.

The 28th street stop off the 6 train line will bring you right into the heart of Hill.

Aside from an extensive array of Indian food joints, the area houses Indian clothing stores and Bollywood DVD shops. Also along 28th street, you’ll find numerous delis and groceries with Indian foods, sweets, Maggie noodles (think Ramen but with Indian spices) and even bags of Masala-flavored Lays chips. Throughout the 20’s and 30’s along Lexington Avenue, there are a variety of Indian restaurants, and the unfamiliar eater might find it a pleasant surprise to discover there is much more to Indian food than curries. A walk down the block will introduce you to flavors of Southern India, such as savory crepes and rice pudding laced with dried fruits.

Once your appetite has been satisfied, a good way to lose pounds and relax would be to check out the dance scene in the city. (And no, this does not mean hitting up the clubs.) New York City contains some of the most incredible dance studios in the country -- and you don’t have to be a professional dancer to get in. Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center are two of the more popular studios, with options of single classes and a variety of other classes to choose from. Definitely a new experience to be enjoyed.

It’s fun. Try and tap or be an exotic temptress with the salsa or tango because you never know when you might discover a hidden talent. And who knows where your next step might lead you and what New York City treasures you might reveal. •

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Photos by Ora Hasenfratz • Location: The Highline

Dress: Kristina Kara Gloves: Monica Mateo Clutch: LuLu Shoes: Top Shop Earrings: Sobe Kelly

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From Shears To

“

Among the cultures and divisions in the great metropolis, fashion has grown into its own subculture and propelled New York City into being the fashion mecca it is today.

SHINING SHEARS How Culture Influences Fashion in a Multi-Ethnic City

by Irvin Ajes

F

rom the bustled dresses of the Victo-

might not be as apparent as Harajuku, but the

rian Age to the bustling subway cars

different textures and forms have fused with

of modern New York City, there has

our “American” style, which at its inception

been a siren-like pull bringing people

was formed from western European fashions.

from all over the world into this city.

Though each respective country had its own

As different races and social classes

way of dressing, the various fashions closely

intermix, influences were taken from each other, adapted and became new life. Among the cultures and divisions in the great metropolis, fashion has grown into its

resembled each other. When America gained its freedom, its population still took much of the silhouettes of their counterparts overseas. But as we built our own

own sub-culture and propelled New

country with its own history and per-

York City into being the fashion mecca

sonality from the time of the earliest

it is today. Although this city, and our country as a whole, had its beginnings as

settlers and the era of slavery to industrialism and the expansion of Americanism

a humble and homogenous society, the everlasting

around the world, the core ideas taken from

flow of immigrants into this city has strengthen-

many different times and cultures and the dense

ed its position as a fashion capital of international

knowledge they brought were used as catalysts

influence.

to grow, whether that growth dominated our

The different cultures of New York City have influenced the different styles of dress. It

politics, our culture and most importantly, our fashion.

•

p www.myc ul turemagaz i ne.com 1 7

“

• Dress: Kristina Kara • Bag: Lulu • Shoes: Kate Spade

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America:

A Crossroads of Culture & Fashion As the Pilgrims settled into America, they brought with them their conservatives attire; however, as the country grew and expanded, the eclectic ideas flowed in with the tides (and boats, of course) at the ports of New York City. This city has become a catalyst in diffusing these ideas throughout the rest of America. From the classic styles and beauty of Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly to the intricate designs of Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan and Marc Jacobs, fashion has evolved into more than a way you dress and more than pretty fabrics sewn together. Fashion may be used to express political views, lifestyle, culture and personal mantra – without saying a single word or filling out one of those pesky“about me”sections on Facebook.

• Dress : Kristina Kara • Gloves: Monica Mateo • Clutch: Lulu • Shoes: Top Shop • Earrings: Sobe Kelly www.myc ul turemagaz i ne.com 1 9

• Dress: Monica Mateo • Headpiece: Sobe Kelly • Earrings: Sobe Kelly • Shoes: Steve Madien 2 0 m y CULT URE

Africa: The Land of Plenty India and the subcontinent have always been rich in colors and accessoThe rich lands of Africa brought deep and rich colors, their environmentally based lifestyle. Fascination has grown around the concept of the Safari and, of course, pelts. Animal prints have been a staple in the industry for centuries. All of us have formed opinions about the slew of animal print patterns out there. From antelope to zebra, we have either asked people to take these prints out of their closets or collected it in our own. One thing is certain: We are surrounded.

And from furry finds to essential accessories, African culture has truly impacted our styles. Bangles of wood and metal can be found in bazaars and street markets throughout the continent – and in shops across the globe today. The women of African have helped bring this fashion to our attention. As the mix of various materials and sizes of bangles allow the wearer to project how they are not afraid to make a statement, they have become a staple in most every fashionista’s accessories collection.

• Dress: Sheri Bodell • Fascinator: Sobe Kelly • Earrings: Juicy Jewels

by Lanee Robertson • Shoes: Bakers www.myc ul turemagaz i ne.com 2 1

India: A Rich Palette India and the subcontinent have always been rich in colors and accessories. The richness of the reds and gold, the brightness of the whites and the full spectrum of the country’s luminous colors penetrate this land’s passion for the intricacies of life. Today, saris and kurta can be seen in our own way of dressing. Men’s tunic shirts and some fabrics used on women’s summer attire can even be stemmed from the free-flowing silhouettes of the culture with patterns such as Bayadere stripes and mandras the use of powerful colors.

The inspiration from the earth with the flowery Calico designs reminds us of the beauty of nature and how the best accessories can be found in nature. In India, tradition is infatuated with gold accessories. This vivacious attention to beauty draws people in to this precious metal as a loud yet poignant statement along with the culture’s many bold colors.

• Dress: Loga and Maya • Headpiece: Sobe Kelly • Earrings: Sobe Kelly • Handpiece: Sobe Kelly 2 2 m y CULT URE

• Dress: Winter Kate • Collar: Winter Kate • Headpiece: Sobe Kelly • Earrings: Sobe Kelly www.myc ul turemagaz i ne.com 2 3

Asia: Unrestricted Expression As world economies and its labor forces have become more globalized, the Orient continues to grow as an influential player in the world of fashion. Beneath its world of suits and ties, there is an underground movement that has become extremely trendy, especially after Gwen Stefani’s breakout as a single artist. The Harajuku trend has evolved and saturated and gradually has made its way into American dress by way of baby doll dresses and Japanese Anime influence, which means the bolder and more cartoon like you are, the better. With this style, you learn to be a bit less conservative and more like a character of your own. From mixing and matching colors not even close to each other on the light spectrum to shaping our hair to the point where people begin to appear like a life-size cartoon character.

• Dress with band: Monica Mateo • Earrings: Claudia Ol • Shoes: Top Shop

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• Vest: So Hung Designs • Pants: So Hung Designs • Earrings: Claudia Ol • Shoes: Top Shop www.myc ul turemagaz i ne.com 2 5

• Dress: Monica Elizabeth Mateo • Shirt: Monica Mateo • Earrings: Sobe Kelly • Shoes: Top Shop 2 6 m y CULT URE

The Spanish Lands: Vivaciously Sensual Adding a little flair and a pinch of an unadulterated, sensual sex appeal perfectly epitomizes the idea of increasing the spice and excitement in our lives. A bit more skin here and form-fitting top there is just enough to entice the eyes of any victim drifting their eyes over our way. From Bolero jackets to the fiery movements of a flamenco dress, women have adapted traditional Spanish attire into eveningwear. (Although probably not as bright and loud as the Boleros the strong, bull-fighting Matadors were known to wear.) After all, why would we let a chill in the air ruin the look of a dress with a chunky jacket? Boleros are more portable and much, much cuter. Summer dresses (like the high-low dress) reminisce the staple outfit of the flamenco dancer, fiercely gliding across the dance floor and into our warmer-weathered closets.

• Dress: Loga and Maya • Headpiece: Sobe Kelly • Earrings: Earrings: Juicy Jewels

by Lanee Robertson • Handpiece: Sobe Kelly

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from

CULTURE to COUTURE • Bikini: Lulu • Tunic: Monique Leshman • Shoes: Walter Steiger 2 8 m y CULT URE

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• Necklace: H&M • Bracelets: Monique Leshman • Shoes: Walter Steiger

n inexhaustible amount of ideas and inspirations come through this city and its inhabitants every day. Though NYC and its boroughs may give fashion some its “New Yorker” pizzazz, life of the fortunate few has allowed the preservation of haute couture and high fashion. The great Alexander McQueen, Karl Lagerfeld, Oscar de la Renta and Coco Chanel have created collections both elegant and timeless. And some could even be described as out of this world. Their collections range from using recycled materials, like garbage bags and paper, to the most delicate fabrics, textiles and furs.

In a city where the class differences can be spotted easily, imitation is the best form of flattery when it comes to fashion.

Lower social classes have historically had the desire to imitate those residents of the upper classes who have the ability to buy anything their heart desires. It’s all about public appearance and looking like you have what they have. In a city where label trumps function and comfort, looking trendy, stylish and, yes, expensive means 1,000 more words than any picture. And although the higher classes and the publications might find the trends, the people in the middle classes are the trendsetters and more likely to wind up on street style pieces. Just your regular everyday Joe or Jane.

The desires to live an American dream created a class of people who would become the core of life in America -- the middle class. The increase of luxury time arose complementary to the rise of the workingman. The fashionistas in NYC have embraced the spectrum of the prices: Haute couture, couture, high end, affordable and dirt-cheap. People who shop the high-end luxury items and who buy whatever their hearts desire will still shop at lower retail stores for a nice relief (and affordable things can be cute too). You can match the new Hermes bag with a skirt from Joe Fresh. As fashionistas we have learned how sometimes it doesn’t matter how much something costs, if you look good in it. You pick it up before someone else appreciates its beauty and buys it. From the famous stores of 5th Avenue to the boutiques of SoHo and down to thrift stores of the villages, one just has to have an open eye for fashion wherever it may appear.

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s a result, high fashion is prominent in this city. A society of people who maintain a high standard of living and working hard to help support their lavish lifestyles. Where Sunday Brunch, Cocktail hours, galas, grand openings and other events demand an appearance to impress. From traditional black tie events to themed parties, this city has a way of giving permission to allow you to take influence from all around to make a cohesive idea to express with your attire.

Over the year, and since its founding, New Yorkers have learned to embrace the new, the edgy and the colorful rather than sticking to natural and neutral tones (although those are always fine too). Here, a well-placed splash of color and our culture is not an accessory but a full-blown declaration. From resort wear to wedding dresses, on the runway and off, from the streets of New York City to the streets of L.A., a bold statement shows how far we have come as a country.

From our humble beginnings of clothes for functionality, utilitarian and conformity, we have morphed into a place where utilitarian and conformity are not so coveted. We started off as one culture monopolizing and populating these shores to the melting pot we are today, where we take the cultures of others and find ways we can take some of their ideas and traditions and make them work harmoniously with what we already have. A nationally united culture and American fashion turning international influences into a globally supported frame of mind and fashion-forward wardrobe. •

• Caftan: Monique Leshman • Arm cuffs: H&M • Shoes: Walter Steiger

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• Top: Monique Leshman • Earrings: Stylist’s Own • Bracelets: H&M

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• Bikini: Red Carter • Palazzo Pants: Chelsea Flower • Shades & Necklace: Stylist’s own • Bracelets: Monique Leshman

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• Scarf worn as top: Monique Leshman • Skirt: Love Sam • Bracelets: Stylist’s own

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• Caftan: Monique Leshman • Necklaces: Stylist’s own • Bracelets: Monique Leshman • Shoes: Walter Steiger

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• Caftan: Monique Leshman • Necklaces: Stylist’s own • Bracelets: Monique Leshman • Shoes: Walter Steiger

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• Caftan: Monique Leshman • Necklaces: Stylist’s own • Bracelets: Monique Leshman • Shoes: Walter Steiger

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outh Link offers prevention and early intervention programs that exist in partnership with police departments, housing authorities and dedicated business leaders who support a powerful solution that brings crime down and offers new possibilities to youth at risk for violence and gang involvement. It is a division of North American Family Institute (NAFI) currently operating in ten cities including Hartford, Providence, Indianapolis and Boston.

Over the past two years:

• Over 1000 youth and 700 officers have graduated from Youth Link programs.

• Youth Link has assisted keeping kids in school or, when necessary, obtaining GEDs. • Youth crime has fallen by as much as 40% in neighborhoods where Youth Link has been active.

• Hundreds of Youth Link participants have obtained part-time employment.

• Dozens of youth have completed our Culinary Arts Program in Boston and have taken part in a profit-sharing catering business.

• Youth and police have replaced feelings of animosity and distrust with mutual respect and understanding, creating sustainable relationships.

• Many graduates have steered from gangs and attended local colleges, camps and sports academies.

• Gang life has been deglamorized. College has become a reality and the kids who were once prime candidates for gang recruitment now want and expect more out of life than what was previously thought possible. They are dreaming big and it is working.

• Today Youth Link operates in ten cities, including Hartford, Providence, Yonkers, NY and Indianapolis and Boston.

For more information, contact: Jay Paris, Director • jayparis@nafi.com 617.480.8238 • www.youthlinkusa.org

Parental Advisory Portraiture Turns 50 [Shades of Grey] B y B re n t R a m s e y

m

yCulture pays tribute to the great auteurs of the city: Steven Klein, Steven Meisel, Richard Avedon and Helmut Newton. Whether they’re shooting A-list celebrities for magazine covers or curating Madonna’s Sex book, these photographers continuously revolutionize the face of fashion, beauty and, well, sex.

Part One De Garçons ã Homme Photographed by Alix Luntz

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Steven Klein “The thing that gets frustrating about fashion is that as a photographer you always want to grab on to something that reflects what’s happening in the world, what’s in the street. You don’t want to just fabricate these dream lives of these idealistic Barbie dolls that don’t even exist anymore.”

R e c e n t Wo r k : Photographed Alexander Skarsgard and Lara Stone for Calvin Klein.

Lady Gaga’s ‘Fame’ fragrance campaign.

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Steven Meisel “This job in particular has a tendency to change lives more than most”

R e c e n t Wo r k : Shot campaigns for Prada, Lanvin and Diesel. (And of course, Madonna’s notoriously erotic book, Sex, in 1992.)

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Parental Advisory

Part Two

HIM

photographed by Spencer Kohn Brandon Collins provided by Colby Models NY

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R i c h a r d Av e d o n (May 15, 1923 – October 1, 2004)

“My portraits are more about me than they are about the people I photograph.”

C e l e b r a t e d Wo r k s : Photographed icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.

Known as one of the ten greatest photographers in the world.

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Helmut Newton

(October 31, 1920 – Januar y 23, 2004) “What I find interesting is working in a society with certain taboos – and fashion photography is about that kind of society. To have taboos, then to get around them – that is interesting.” “American Photo,” January/February 2000, pg. 67

C e l e b r a t e d Wo r k s : His 1980’s “Big Nudes” series and countless shoots for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, as well as pictorials for Playboy.

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Fas h i o n & Tr e n d s

TREND REPORTS From Season to Season with The Aspiring Fashionista’s executive editor (and myCulture EIC) Brent Ramsey and Beauty Editor Elizabeth Lilly

F

rom fall and winter to spring and summer, the fashion calendar constantly evolves from dark and romantic to bright and flirty. However, throughout all of this growth and renewal, there must be a constant, like the changing leaves on a continuously growing oak. These items will become our wardrobe staples.

When aspiring to transition…

Think Smart Neon This spring and summer’s must-have color scheme can tune up any drab or dark frock typically flaunted in fall and winter. When looking to transition those neon bangles you bought a few months ago, think of adding a smart touch of this bright flirtatious color. Think smartly because misplaced neon may make you appear seasonally confused.

Think Mellow Mint As Lady Gaga predicted,“mint” green became one of this past spring and summer’s most-loved color and trend.

From shirts and shoes to pants and coats, this pale, mellow hue took over. When looking to extend it into your fall and winter outfit, think of placing it with moodier grays or blacks, balancing with mint’s light-hearted vibes. (Pants are the easier to transition.)

Think Printed Pants Simply put: We’re obsessed with printed pants. From paisley to floral, these trousers are fun and flirtatious.

When looking to transition printed pants, think paisley and vibrant. Floral pants are near impossible to take over into fall into winter, their brightness being hard to dull down. Think about paisleys or pants with dark blues or purples.

Think Bold, Vampy Up Lips OK, here’s one beauty trend to take on for seasons to come. Bold “Vampy” lips. When looking to add some drama to your looks, think dark hues, such as sinister ruby reds, perplexing purples or near-midnight blacks.

This has been a popular lip choice for designers on fall and winter runways but has reappeared as a contradictory statement in spring and summer. Think vampy drama when looking to cool down your wardrobes.

When aspiring to “seasonalize” your wardrobe…

Like rice or vegetables in a pantry, certain pieces should be essential in our closets. Whether you’re an aspiring fashionista, a seasonal shopper or an in-theknow insider, seasonal trends can help when adapting pieces from our past seasonal pickings into our yearlong attire. Here you’ll find a few past and current trends we are determined to get our money’s worth with – and how you can add them into your future outfits.

Think Small(er) Bags Lots of baggage is never a good thing. Tote bags can be convenient, but there’s something to be said about more compact, structured, ladylike purses. Think smaller, — continues on p. 50...

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TREND REPORTS Stay tuned to Ramsey and Lilly’s The Aspiring Fashionista at http://theaspiringfashionista.com.

— continues from p. 48... strapped shoulder bags for your accessory of choice.

With accessories, that is. From bangles to BaubleBar friendship bracelets (one of our more recent obsessions), accessories are fun – in whatever season. And be sure to think about adding various textured or studded bracelets or arm candy to any attire for a little extra depth. (Leathers and metals are always a cool combination.)

A great opportunity to take advantage of the in-between, not-too-cool-and-not-too-warm weather, you’ll probably have these lying around from summer, but if you’re not already too tired of them, wear them until the temps begin to require boots. If you need a place to shop, think Soludos espadrilles. They’re affordable and fashionable, having recently collaborated with designer Mara Hoffman and brand Band of Outsiders.

Think Military Watches

Think Intellectual Black

Think Adding Texture

These vintage-style timepieces look perfect solo or piled on with lots of arm candy. The masculine accessory looks like something you’d steal from your boyfriend but is well worth buying. It’s taking the oversized men’s watch trend to a new level.

Think Saddle Shoes The Pink Ladies were onto something when they tweaked the classic looks with badass style. Jeans or a shift dress will look perfect with these modern versions of the classic shoe.

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Think Flat Espadrilles

Whether you’re a New Yorker or not, black should always be a staple color in a fashion-conscious wardrobe. If you haven’t heard (which you most likely have), black slims most physical silhouettes and easily coordinates with most looks. When looking to bring out our dark friend from its summer hiding, think about adding texture to the Little Black Dress (LBD) with accessories and color with a nice pump. Fall and winter or spring and summer, a LBD must always have a place in any fashion-minded wardrobe. •

Fas h i o n Tr end s

Discovering Your Inner

Dapper Dandy or

I

n today’s fashion industry, the words“dandy”and “dapper”are almost used simultaneously. While in fact they do share similarities, these two descriptions do hold different meanings. The dandy is historically described as an individual who hails from a middleclass background but carries themselves in attitude, speech and, more importantly, dress to imitate a higher social class.

The movement and its namesake began circa 18th Century in London and Paris with the English poet Lord Byron and the more recent Oscar Wilde being prime examples of how dandies carried themselves in the public realm.

Recently, the perfect example of a dandy in public view is New York City’s Patrick McDonald who is often seen wearing couture pieces, ranging from colorfully patterned blazers by Comme Des Garcons to designer shoes. From head to toe, he is always wearing accessories and holds in-depth conversations whenever approached at events such as fashion shows and nightclub openings.

While not every dandy is as put together as McDonald, it should be noted how the reoccurring themes with dandies contain some form of tie (bow tie or necktie) or scarf, blazer -- if not, then an elegantly patterned shirt or sweater -- and, more often than not, some form of hat or another type of head covering. What the average businessman in any world city would wear for his day at the office is not what many dandies would use for attire. A dandy sports either designer, couture or vintage pieces all having some sort of connection to one another, even if it has only the slightest thing in common. For example, in the eyes of a dandy, a solid color teal blazer with white buttons can match a patterned paisley pants where only a hint of white may be found.

While the historic meaning of a dandy has the individual dressed in the attire of the aristocracy, the definition has a modern twist where the clothing has now become more edgy and loud with colors and patterns.

It is no longer the mimicking of a higher class but has evolved to become someone who, while socially having the aura of a gentleman, takes their fashion sense to a level most cannot and with a style that pops -- and normally isn’t his everyday wear.

By Kevin Novinski

Dapper is a word that could be used to describe dandies but also defines someone more by their ability to carry an article of clothing not normally worn in public.

A man who is dapper is “done up” but not to the extent of a dandy. For instance, a dapper may be sporting a bow tie considered different by onlookers but not necessarily a matching risqué hat with blazer. Another reoccurring aspect of a dandy is his tall, lean look. Many could con-

sider it the stereotypical dandy figure, but its roots can be found in history when men would wear corsets under their shirts to give off that “svelte” look.

Whether you pass them on the street and think these men are stylish or over the top, there is one constant: They definitely caught your attention. Male or female, mixing up the colors and patterns in your wardrobe can be fun. But remember, while the clothes make a complete look, having the attitude to pull it off is what will set you apart from the three-piece suites and the “I YNew York” shirts exhausting the streets of the city. •

Robert W. Richards & Patrick McDonald

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docheî Źe

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custom creations

LOVE: 2.0

Ctr l+ [Finding Romance on the Inter net] How a busy metropolitan dweller finds love in a city jam packed with people B y : F e l i x Q u i n o n e z J r. experience on sites, such as eHarmony and Match.com, Lisandra continued to say that, not unlike couples meet-

ing in person, in her experience “most of the time the men were the ones who reached out first.”

That is where the new form of dating kicks in: From there, they go on to correspond through e-mails, texts or over the phone. But as any first meeting or date might go, it’s still hard to get to know someone, as Lisandra well found out.“You really don’t open up to a complete stranger. We spoke about our jobs but nothing specific.”

After two months of back-and-forth text messaging and phone conversations, they decided to meet in person. For their first “real” date, they went to an Italian restaurant. Originally, they had only planned for dinner, but after eating they decided to play a few games of pool because neither of them wanted the date to end.

The chemistry was present from the beginning, Lisandra confesses,“when we met it was love at first sight, which was something I had never experienced before.”

Although they shared a very strong connection from the beginning, they took things slow. On their second — continues next page...

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When we met it was love at first sight, which was something I had never experienced before.

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ince its inception, the Internet has slowly evolved into the world’s largest and most popular matchmaker, bringing together people from all over the world.“I swore that the people sitting around us could see the sparks flying between us. It was amazing knowing and feeling that you have found the ‘one’” explained Lisandra Canales as she reminisced about the first time she met her future fiancé. Like more and more people are doing these days, Lisandra found love through online dating.

In fact, this is nothing new. People have been using technology to bridge the gap for centuries. As far back as 1700, barely a decade after the modern newspaper was introduced, people were already using mass media as a gateway for love. It was then the first matrimonial service was created. Countless single men and women used this service as a way to find someone to share their lives with. And this was only a precursor of what might lay ahead.

The matrimonial services introduced in the 1700’s can be seen as ancestors to the everpopular personal ad to printed in newspapers’ classifieds centuries later. In this incarnation, people responded to ads via telephone. But as technology progressed, people found new ways to adapt it as a matchmaking tool. The VHS revolution brought in video dating. But all of that pales in comparison to what came next: the Internet. The Internet has had a farreaching effect on all of us and brought with it a new way for people to connect and search for love — online dating.

From the first day, people saw the dating possibilities the Internet had to offer. Even before the web was introduced, the Internet hosted various dating activities. These were similar to what could be found in newspapers, like their bulletin boards and forums where people posted personal ads. Internet provider services such as America Online and Prodigy offered and advertised features including chat rooms and dating forums.

Currently, there are approximately 1400 singles dating websites in North America alone. Among the most popular sites are eHarmony with around 20 million users and Match.com with 15 million users.

But regardless of this underground popularity, it seems a lot of people still think online dating to be completely different than “old fashioned” dating. But there’s not much difference between the old-fashioned dating and online dating, as Lisandra explains,“The only difference was how we met.”With previous online dating

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I felt more comfortable in that we had plenty to talk about as we had already established a comfort level in our prior communications.

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Magaly and Fernando

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date, they went for the timeless dinner and a movie.“We were still getting to know each other as you would be doing had you met the person the ‘old fashioned way.’ But I felt more comfortable in that we had plenty to talk about as we had already established a comfort level in our prior communications,”Lisandra explained.

Ultimately, things didn’t work out for Lisandra and her fiancé, but their relationship lasted three years and a proposal. Stories like Lisandra’s are becoming more and more common each day. According to onlinepersonalstats.com, 40 million Americans use online dating services. Although Lisandra’s relationship didn’t work out, it is just as common for online relationships to succeed as an alternativelyformed relationships.

And just as it does with couples who meet in person, love snuck up on Fernando Quinonez. He was in a chat room at Univision.com when his future wife’s profile name caught his eye. She had the number 10 in her username — like his birthday, July 10 — so he decided to reach out to her. The two began chatting online, then eventually over the phone.

This continue for almost five months before they finally met in person. Fernando, who lived in Long Island, NY, flew out to Arizona. At this point they already had a

close relationship.“By the time we decided to meet I was already in love with her,”Fernando recalls. After Magaly picked him up from the airport, the two of them drove to Las Vegas where they spent the weekend.

Three years later, they’re still together, tied the knot and gave birth to an 18-month-old daughter Sabrina.

Looking back, they both agree online dating helped foster their relationship.“I feel that it’s better because before we ever met we already told each other so much, and I already loved her,”Fernando explained. Magaly shares the sentiment and adds,“I was 100 percent real with him, and he was real with me. Because we didn’t know each other we had no reason to lie. So we got to know each other better until we became close friends and eventually fell in love.”

Fernando is still amazed at his decision to move to Arizona.“I never thought I would leave NewYork and move across the country,”he said before adding“and of course becoming a father and having my precious Sabrina was worth every hard time I had and everyone thinking it would not work.”

But even though the popularity of online dating keeps growing, from May 2009 to May 2010 online dating increased 15% Nationwide, this doesn’t mean the stigma surrounding it has completely disappeared. Lisandra is aware that not everyone has embraced online dating yet explaining that,“My only hesitation was in telling friends and certain family members. I felt they would think there was something wrong with me that I couldn’t find a guy the old fashioned way.”But for her it’s really more of a matter of convenience because she doesn’t drink and is not into the club scene.

But a key difference between online dating and its predecessors is that the people meeting over the Internet are not restricted by their geographic location. This was true in Danielle’s case. She met her husband Justin through OKcupid.com, even though he was living in Florida and she in Brooklyn. Justin was searching profiles for women who liked the singer-songwriter Elliott Smith and found Danielle as Smith is a mutual personal favorite for them.

At first the distance seemed like an insurmountable obstacle but Justin sent her a message and the two decided to become pen pals. They enjoyed their exchanges so much that within hours they moved the conversation to e-mail.

Within three days, they were sending each other text messages. Danielle recalls how their exchanges were“basically non-stop texting and e-mailing.”They talked about their days and backgrounds.

Their first phone conversation came a week later, and Danielle still remembers it:“I was extremely nervous, but the first conversation couldn’t have gone better.”Two weeks later, Danielle was flying down to Florida to visit him.“I couldn’t move the relationship forward until I actually met him,”she explained.

When they finally met, there was“an immediate pull to each other,”Danielle said.“The minute we saw each other that was it.”Her first visit lasted a week. During her stay they enjoyed Ferris wheel rides, stayed home watching TV and even ventured to talking about marriage. On her second trip to Florida, which came a few weeks later, Justin proposed to her. He eventually moved to New York, where he got a job, and the two of them were married on October 16, 2011, roughly 11 months after their first message on OKcupid. That might seem like a short time but it is hardly out of the ordinary. Couples who meet online usually date for 18.5 months before getting married. But for offline couples, this period usually lasts 42 months on average.

The Washington Post reported online dating is the third most frequent method of introduction for married couples, falling under meeting through a mutual acquaintance or meeting at work or school. Although not everyone is ready to embrace online dating, the fact is it’s not going away. Onlinedatingbook.org stated that 31% of U.S. citizens use dating websites. And according to Online Dating Magazine, 280,000 marriages were a result of online dating in 2011.

With the rise of social networking, online dating might evolve into a new form, and with the millions of people on sites like Facebook the stigma is slowly disappearing.

Whether a college student sends a friend request to a cute classmate or a girl tells a guy to“Facebook”her, people are engaging in a type of online dating without even realizing it. But then again, the Internet has affected almost all other aspects of our lives, it’s only natural it will be applied to life’s greatest mission. Finding love. Reminding all of us, love truly might be around the corner or across the nation and only a click of the mouse away. •

CREDITS: President & CEO Karem Belalcazar karem@kb1111.com www.kb1111.com Creative Director/Chairman Irvin Ajes irvin@kb1111.com www.myculturemagazine.com Editor in Chief Brent Ramsey brenttaalur@gmail.com www.theaspiringfashionista.com Artistic Director Tony Iaridis tony@mindofid.com www.mindofid.com Writers: Elizabeth Lilly elilly1@gmail.com Kevin Novinski knovinski@gmailcom, gaysocialites.com, Next Magazine Felix Quinonez fquinonezjr@gmail.com Alisha Rajpal alisharajpal@gmail.com

Jennifer Searles JSearlesTheWorks@gmail.com, www.TheWorksPersonalTraining.com Photography: Victor Cucart www.victorcucart.com Ora Hasenfratz www.orsolyatoth.eu Spencer Kohn www.spencerkohn.com Paulina Kubis www.paulinakubisphotography.com Alix Luntz www.alix-luntz.tumblr.com/ Ivan www.killerlooksphotography.com Gerry Visco www.gerryvisco.com MODELS PROVIDED BY KB1111 Model Agency: Jessica Maorino, Shaw Bernard, Leah Goldman, Kevin Knol Colby Models NY: Brandon Collins

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Stylists: Aletia Gonzalez www.aletiagonzalez.com Lashana Theodore www.therapystyling.com Hair & Make up: Aridio Garcia aridiog@aol.com Rukiya Jeffers www.abebibeauty.com Javier Hernandez javier@kb1111.com Wardrobe Provided by : 248 Mott St. 212.228.7744 3NY 448 Broom st.

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LuLu 31 W34st New York, NY 10001 212.391.180 Kate Spade 48 W25 New York, NY 10010 212.739.6550 Jewelry Provided by: Sobe Kelly Location Credits **Thanks to The Highline and The Friends of the Highline for allowing us access and permission to use their beautiful space to shoot our editorial spread. www.thehighline.org myCULTURE magazine 381 Fifth Avenue 3rd Floor New York,NY 10016 212.213.0601 www.myculturemagazine.com info@myculturemagazine.com

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