deCODE Winter 2020 it takes TWO to tango by deCODE

T A K E S

TWO

ALL INCLUSIVE

T O

T A N G O

WINTER 2020

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

I T

de CODE FREE

Photographer Baskoro @baskoroprass Model Natalia Kaluza @nkkaluza

@deCODE_mag

T O

T A N G O

One and only issue I said... But after nearly two years deCODE is back. Why did it take so long? Not a clue. I guess sometimes we all need time to sort things out and get the right motivation to pursue certain projects. And here we are again.

OWT

"It Takes Two to Tango" in the context of this issue means getting inspired by the other person to just go and do. Maybe it's a push to change something in your lifestyle, learn something new, become more socially responsible or feel more empowered. Whatever it is I hope you find it in this issue. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who contributed.

I T

T A K E S

What started as my university final major project could have potential to go further. So why not try?

founder

Natalia Kaluza @nkkaluza

Cover photo Photographer Sophie Allsop @sjaphotographyp Stylist: Emily Bowden @emilyiscoolest Models Megan Bowden @meganbowdenx, Natasha Wilson @natasha__jayne

CONTENTS

1. Your Best Life p. 10-11 2. Boys will be Boys p.19-23 3. Positively You p.32-39 4. WOMAN p.44-55 5. Unisex . Urban . Fusion: Kill Akira p.58-61 6. Meet The Artist: Jamie Lee O'Shea p.62-65 7. How The Fashion Industry is Destroying Our World p. 66-67 8. Mama Said Don't Talk to Strangers p. 70-75

Photographer Daniella Meyers Gonzales @danvellaaa Models Vanessa Azevedo @vanessa.photographyyy Alessia Porcelli: @alessias.album

Photographer NW @shotby_nw Model Ruben Landim @rubenlandim

Your best life by Rebecca Branham There is purpose when you work at something greater than yourself. We’re all bound together. You taking care of you inspires the next person to do the same. You following your heart, giving yourself permission to have what you need, allowing you to be a priority so you can serve those around you - that’s purpose. I know you want to inspire and be creative and change the world. You’re here for a reason today. You’re alive for a reason today.

Photographer Daniella Meyers Gonzales @danvellaaa ModelÂ Daya Diamonds @dayadiamonds

"When the stars shine bright, remember that you are one. Shine bright like a what? Like Daya Diamonds!"

Photographer Billie Harrison @bfhuk Model Grace Hillman @_gracehillman

Photographer Billie Harrison @bfhuk ModelÂ Marlon Pereira @themarlonleague

Photographer Aimee Sills @aimeedawnsills Models Nathan Ensor and Jamie Whitefield

B O Y S

will be

by Aimee Sills Boys will be boys is a project which attempts to break down the typical stereotype of masculinity within the individuals themselves and in groups. I have focused Boys will be boys on boys in my swim team. Photographing them individually, as a group of friends and at their competitions. The main aspect that concerns masculinity is this idea that males cannot show their emotions as this portrays a weak appearance. By conveying the relationship amongst the swim team members I can break down the tough exterior and explore masculinity in a softer light. The same concept goes for the individual portraits and competition prep. By capturing natural portraits I have been able to get a closer look into their lives and conduct conversations to help me investigate further into the effects of stereotypical masculinity and how it needs to be re-evaluated.

B O Y S

Following the path of emotions, I went along to a competition in Sheffield where I could capture the preparations before the swimmers' races. For some of the swimmers this is a zone where they are determined and focused however nerves were very apparent. Capturing behind the scenes photographs of the males' preparation allowed me to explore the idea of rethinking masculinity by capturing emotions in a period of determination and vulnerability. Inspired by important male figures in my life who have been in fear of asking for help due to the stereotype of masculinity branding them â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;weakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; if they did so. However, since taking that step have become stronger for it, weak was and is definitely not a word that crosses my mind.

B O Y S

will be

B O Y S

PhotographerÂ Aimee Sills @aimeedawnsills

B O Y S

PhotographerÂ Aimee Sills Model Matt Langdon

will be

B O Y S

will be

Photographer Aimee Sills Model Jamie Whitefield

B O Y S

Photographer Aimee Sills Model Zach Collins

will be

B O Y S

bring it on

Photographer Billie Harrison @bfhuk Model RumbieÂ @rumbiees

Photographer Daniella Meyers Gonzales @danvellaaa Model Natasya Auliana @aixiuhuw

Photographer Sophie Allsop @sjaphotography Model Rebel @rebelmlk

Photographer Emily Hayes @emily_hayesphotography Model Alexandra Craig @alexandra.deanne

THE

Positively You PHOTOSHOOT

After I had felt torn down by others, I had this idea… an idea to do a body positivity & self-love photo-shoot. An idea to help myself and other women feel absolutely comfortable in their own skin & with their own choices in life. To encourage each and every one of them to be POSITIVELY themselves. For all of us to learn to not only love our physical selves, but to also fall in love with our own beautiful souls. I couldn’t have done it without these beautiful women by my side and our wonderful photographer, Emily Hayes.

by Alexandra Craig I had this vision for this day. A day very different, yet like-minded, women joined together to break through societies standards. To love ourselves first & each other fiercely. I asked each of these wonderful women to write down something negative that has been said to them or that they have said to themselves…. We then proceeded to rip the negative up. I feel as though this in itself is such a freeing moment. A moment where you say a big F YOU to society and their “rules”. A moment when you truly begin to break free of the words that have been said to you and the words you have said to yourself. A moment when your view changes. We then wrote down a positive message that we wanted to send to ourselves, and a world.

I have always struggled with my body image, selfconfidence & self-love. It wasn’t until, about a year ago, that I have started to learn ways to build myself up, take care of my needs first, & love myself first, while hoping to inspire others to do the same. After the photoshoot my heart was full. I felt so much joy, happiness, & love. I had been surrounded by positive, uplifting, amazing women all day. I couldn’t have asked for a better day. My heart is still so full. I then made a quick survey for the girls because I wanted to see what they had taken from the experience.

Positively You

How would YOU define “body positivity”?

Kassie

What made you decide to be apart of the photoshoot?

Loving who and what you are no matter what you may look or be like.

I love supporting body positivity.

How would YOU define “self-love”?

What was your favorite part of the photoshoot?

Accepting self in the worst times.

Getting to be around others wanting the same thing; being beautiful in their own skin.

Positively You

Savana

How would YOU define “body positivity”? Body Positivity is expressing how you feel about your body in positive ways to boost self-esteem, confidence and love.

What made you decide to be apart of the photoshoot? My sister.

How would YOU define “self-love”?

What was your favorite part of the photoshoot?

Self-love is when you know your worth, and that your happy with yourself, and recognize where you have grown, and need to, all raising the love you have for yourself. Understanding yourself is a huge part of self-love.

Probably our negative and positive comments we had about ourselves, and overall being around a great group of girls who lift each other up, which is what we should all do.

Positively You

How would YOU define “body positivity”? Body positivity is feeling confident in what your image is to others.

How would YOU define “self-love”? Self-love is loving yourself, even when you feel like doing the opposite.

Cassie

What made you decide to be apart of the photoshoot? I’ve always been down on myself in photos, so it was time to face my fears.

Would you say you learned anything through this experience? If so, what? I learned that when everyone in a group is radiating positivity, then you quickly change how you look at the world.

Angel

How would YOU define “body positivity”? Being not only content but in a way, in love with your body.

How would YOU define “self-love”? At first it was just to support a friend, but as the date come closer, on top of doing similar things in a college class, I started to realize everyone has flaws, even the most beautiful women have flaws, and to be able to look at your flaws and say “I am beautiful!” Well it turns what was once viewed as a flaw, into a perfection.

Positively You

What made you decide to be apart of the photoshoot? Loving yourself through the good and bad. Loving not just your physical body, but supporting yourself in the decisions you’ve made throughout your life.

What was your favorite part of the photoshoot? I think my favorite part was the ripping up the bad (cards) and revealing the good.

Positively You

How would YOU define “body positivity”? Supporting a healthy body.

Brittany

What made you decide to be apart of the photoshoot? I knew it was something that meant a lot to Alex (author), and I wanted to show other girls to bring each other up.

How would YOU define “self-love”?

Would you say you learned anything through this experience? If so, what?

Loving yourself even on your toughest days.

Everyone struggles, even if we don’t realize it.

Photographer Sophie Allsop @sja.photography_ Model Rafia @ra.fi.a

Photographer Anastasia Jobson @anajobson MUA Precious Richards @makeupbypreciouss Model Keena Chobbah @keena.keens

by Ashley Christie I have created a piece of work entitled Woman from my chosen topic Woman Empowerment. This work is so important to me because it reflects the women around me in a light that is unquestionable. You see the raw character of each woman within the images. I want women to see these images and know they are powerful beings. We don’t always have to be shown as vulnerable or sexualised through images. The media has done a pretty good job of force feeding us, what they think we should think of ourselves. Half naked or fully clothed it doesn’t matter, we can still choose to steer the narrative. To all my beautiful friends that helped me create this work, I love you dearly I couldn’t have do it without you.

45 Photography by Ashley Christie @ash.photogrxphy

WOMAN

46 Model Lauren Henry

WOMAN

48 ModelÂ Nneka Alfred @ncai.x

WOMAN

50 Model Rhyanna Mae @rhyannamae

WOMAN

52 ModelÂ Imogen Lysandrou @imogenlysandrou_

WOMAN

54 Model Abenaa Antwi @abe.ena

WOMAN

Photographer Sophie Allsop @sja.photography_ Model Liv Reed @curlsponliv

Photographer Shauna Summers @shaunasummers_ Makeup Artist Kurbra @kuebra_mus Model Leandra Haupt @leandrahaupt

Unisex . Urban . Fusion Throughout history people have been shoehorned into a binary of gender representation. These days, as woman are gaining ever increasing independence and the definition of masculinity changes to allow more freedom of expression, we are witnessing a shift in a fashion industry that increasingly prefers androgynous models, unisex shapes and gender-fluid styles. Fashion designer Kill Akira (@kill.akira) is no exception. Her latest ‘menswear’ collection uses a classically feminine colour palette, delicate materials, dress cuts and plissés to subvert the common notions of masculinity.

Meet the artist: Jamie Lee O'Shea Jamie is a multidisciplinary artist, currently living and creating in Berlin. Originally a farmer's daughter, Jamie moved to the city as a teenager, to explore herself and challenge her ideas on a confronting scale. After many years of playing with writing, illustration and improvised drama, Jamie went on to study Graphic Design, investigating conceptual thought and reaction further. This has been her major building blocks, whilst keeping her toes dipped in art and creative writing for balance. A self taught painter, she is greatly influenced by humanity, emotion, sense and environment. On site, she uses minimal materials to avoid excess waste, and keeping the artwork as true to the space as creatively possible. She creates a lot of her own colours, and or products from what is lying around in the environment. Mostly chalks, broken timbers, charred wood, dust, cement and plaster pieces. Her approach is autonomous and instinctual, which draws an innocence and flow from her that is prominent in all of her work. Last year, Jamie spent a lot of it painting in South Korea, Taipei, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand and Australia for See-Gold New York, becoming deeply interested in the diversity of cultures, their stories, energies and spaces. Upon returning back to Australia, she explored the dynamics of outback Australia, to reconnect with her roots, a much needed shift in her direction. This went on to strengthen her approach to visual story telling, and opened her visual language right up. Jamie has worked on a myriad of projects such as Nike, Le Labo, Red Bull and Browns Nomad. She now resides a stones throw from the famous club Trèsor, cross pollinating with some serious creatives, with a recently announced solo show coming up in 2020. Very exciting.

Meet the artist

How the Fashion Industry is Destroying Our World The fashion industry is slowly killing our planet, but also reducing people to machines that only produce for our growing consumption of more clothing. About one garbage truck full of clothes is burned or dumped in a landfill every second. "The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water worldwide. However, the fashion industry isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just negatively impacting our planet. Over 50% of those who work in the fashion industry are not paid minimum wage." In Pakistanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garment factories, 87% of women are paid less than the minimum wage. Not only are workers not being paid correctly, but they are constantly worked over 60 hours a week with health violations ranging from fires in the factories and constant exposure to hazardous chemicals. In the fashion industry, millions of people are simply seen as machines to produce our clothing we wear every day.

Photographer Emma Dubisz @emma_dubisz Model Sarah Davis @sarah.ldavis

by Sarah Davis The term “Fast Fashion” is a trend that’s been picking up the past few years. In order to grow into a more sustainable industry, we have to look at what this phrase really means. Have you noticed the amount of clothes being produced by common retail companies? They often put out up to 24 collections per year. This isn’t how it’s always been.

Do your research and find companies that support ethical practices like living wage, fair working hours, and benefits for their employees. Use the app “Good On You” to find ethical alternatives to the fast fashion brands.

The clothing worn in the past used to be handmade by family owned companies and sewn with quality in mind. With the invention of powerful machines “textile and garment work became fast paced and dependent on the large amounts of capital that it took to purchase machinery and physical plants. Workers lost their individuality, independence, and society's reliance on their skills.”

By shopping secondhand, you are reusing clothes that would end up in landfills. This is protecting our environment, but also not giving our money to the brands that support injustice. There will be fast fashion brands at the thrift store, but purchasing them second hand stops the demand to create more clothing.

Today companies make mass amounts of clothing in order to provide for the high demand from consumers. Fast fashion is the mass production of clothing that is slowly killing our planet as well as turning people into machines to be used and thrown away. With the increased amount of clothing being produced there are many shortcuts taken in the way our textiles are made. In the past, our clothing was put together with skill, intention, and excellence. Companies today couldn't care less about quality and only take notice of the quantity being produced in factories around the world. The alternative to fast fashion: Shop Ethically Let’s start a movement against the injustice happening daily in the fashion industry. One way we can do this is by using our money in a way that supports what we believe in. Do you know who made your clothes? Asking this simple question can change the way we view what we purchase. With every dollar, you are voting. You are voting for how garment workers are treated and the way our planet is impacted.

Ethical fashion is the opposite of fast fashion. Choosing to shop ethically is the simple act of rebelling against the human indignities happening in clothing factories.

Shop Secondhand This is one of my favourite ways to shop instead of investing in fast fashion brands.

Shop Less Our culture is obsessed with always having more. We need more clothing in order to be pretty or have it all together. However, what if we all stopped buying clothes for a while? Constantly, I have to ask myself if I really need more clothing. This takes a lot of self control to say no to what we want. Learn to listen to your needs instead of things you desire to have. Be grateful for what you have and use all the clothing you own. Wear your clothes until they start falling apart. Choose to say no to the demand of buying into fast fashion.

Next time you go shopping, think about the stories behind the clothing. Where was it made? Who made the clothing? What were the consequences to the planet because of the clothes? Together, we can make an impact in the fashion industry. Let’s stand together for those who are trapped in the factories working endless hours. Let’s take a stand for our planet. Let’s start a revolution.

68 Photographer Daria Shvetsova

Mama said don't talk to strangers Kim features stories of the people she comes across on her Instagram @kimanycricket

words and pictures by Kimany Cricket

Mai

applied to work at Safeway 10 yrs ago and they hired her because she showed them her pictures of the bakery she worked at in Vietnam. People at work saw her and thought someone so petite could only last three days in the bakery. They made her do samples and she didn't know to speak English so she just held a plate and said "sample, sample, sample". With hard work and determination, she quickly moved her way up from entry level and became the person training everyone else at work. She eventually left Safeway and applied to a job at a local bakery. The local bakery accepted her, but what are the odds of her spraining her ankle prior to the first day of work. The woman still hobbled into her first day of work with a crutch. However, she was unaware of a huge upcoming batch order. The current manager wasn't too crazy about a crippled new girl getting a chance at the bakery. The manager also had beef with the bakery owner and left her, the newbie, to pick up the slack without telling her proper mixing instructions for baguettes. He did 3/7 batches and said he had a headache and took a nap outside. She called the owner and he was kind enough to give her a chance.

Moreover, within being at the bakery for three months, she brought him in $28000 a month because she was getting American vendors to buy his bread in bulk. She did so by going around to different stores in Seattle and gave them samples of Vietnamese baguette - just as how she learned back at Safeway. Fast forward ten years and she has her own bakery.

He let her know the recipe and said just do your best with the batch in the next three days. "If you can't finish it then it's fine, you can leave after that." She wanted to succeed and so she called the vendor for answers. The vendor told her mixing instructions, but she knew it was up to her to get it right. She worked from 4AM to 10AM just to get the bread right. Countless errors with yeast resulted in hauling heavy large bags of dough into the dump. After making the bread right the first time, she couldn't sleep because she was in such shock. She completed the batch order within three days.

I met Mai because I was looking for a hole in the wall joint in Seattle for Vietnamese Sandwiches. I saw at one of the two tiny tables inside her shop. We just started talking once I asked about the wedding cake in the photo. It was her wedding cake actually. 5 layer and 5 different flavors and 8 hours of hard work.Â She said "This is all I do now and I love it. When I don't bake, I feel off. It seems like hard work but it's not that hard when you love what you do".Â Best Vietnamese Sandwiches I ever had in Seattle, Washington. .

This is

George At 87, he would have walked more than 420 miles to raise awareness for breast cancer. I was lucky enough to witness this amazing man cross the finish line of Day 1 after 20 miles at the Susan Komen 3 Day Walk in Washington. This foundation has raised so much money for education, research, screening and treatment. I am personally thankful for screening measures such as using the BRCA genes as indicators for increased breast cancer risk. Yasss to preventative measures and better treatment plans. Â You go George! Rest in peace to your beloved Christine who is probably very proud of you.

Day 1: Japan (Aug 2017) Voted the nicest high school kids I ever met:

Momo and Harujin Lost my bag on a bus and befriended a young couple who helped me tracked it down. Landed at 4pm and didn't get to my Airbnb in Kyoto until 10pm.Â Communicated through Google translate for 3 hours with those two. Grateful for their incredible kindness towards a stranger on a bus.

Meet my most awesome female host,

Vineela

Captain under IndiGo Airlines, horse back riding champion, former actor, rebellious (but loving) daughter, admirable feminist, and happy traveller. Thanks for helping me feel safer here. Inspirational, bold, down to earth, fair, and head strong. I awe in amazement not only at your unique life style as a captain but also at how you handle the variations of gender inequalities India. I think we both found the secret to our kind of living. Looking forward towards returning the favor by hosting you in Washington. Let's make this world go round, one cup of black coffee at a time. I met Vineela through couchsurfing.com during my solo travel to India. We hit it off so well she's actually coming to visit me in the United States in March 2020. .

Jhansi is my couchsurfing host's family maid. She is such a talented seamstress. She sees a piece of fabric and has an idea. She watches a DIY YouTube video and makes it happen. She's got a brightness in her eyes when she pulls out her hand made things from the closet. Thank you so much for measuring me up and for making the proper adjustments to the traditional outfits . @ Hyderabad I had two weddings to go to and had a hard time finding affordable traditional clothing. Vineela and Jhansi came through with their kindness and let me borrow gorgeous clothes for the wedding.

Tony "I've been told 'You know I never really met a gay guy before, but you're cool'" - Tony Too Far (tool room guy at the boat yard) Beyond the pink Marlboros tucked in his beaten leather jacket is someone who lives cautiously on this island. He feels he has to work extra hard for his merits amongst the crew of industrial workers because he is openly gay. After going to the boat yard's holiday party, I can see he's doing damn good job at being the best ambassador he could be for himself. He is as tough as nails even outside of work because he's well aware of the dark sides of the island. However, beyond all that grunge is a guy who still weeps when Mufasa dies. Beyond all that grit and minor episodic rage is someone who has been through some intense life events. I got all the squeezy hugs for this one. I met Tony upon moving to Whidbey Island, Washington. He worked at the boat yard that makes the ferries for folks to transit on and off the island. .

Taxi driver in India Driver: Madam, where (...?...) Me: Pardon me? Driver: Where are you from? Me: Oh, America! Driver: (Burps)Â Silence for next twenty minutes It was quite the taxi ride. He drove on broken side walks and scraped the underside of the car. Little kids were walking by and slapping the car at red lights.

Meet

William My initial draft turned into an essay for this new friend...but then I realized the contents could be endless. You don't need to know he likes Russel Peter. Here is the shorter (but still not so short) version: He was born in Japan but spent a large portion of his lifetime in Brazil. Left a Japanese company because he doesn't quite fit in the company culture there. Majored in physics, worked at a radio station, dipped his feet in theatre production, and now works with machinery that makes computer chips. Aside from his eclectic background of work and interest, I was moved by our common interest in cultural anthropology. Time flies by quick when you chat about the origin of man and all the complexities of how we came to be, where we are now, and where we are heading. Have I ever met anyone else in my life with such similar taste in movies? Never. Aside from the motorcycle ride, awesome food, discussions about cultural identity crisis, basic betches, and providing me a different perspective on Japanese culture, my favorite take away was appreciating the smell of hung dry clothes. W: "It smells like the sun! Don't you like it?" K: "I guess... I never thought of it that way. Doesn't the sun just make your clothes crunchy..." (The next morning) K: "It does smell like sun! I do like it!"

Holla if you have a cultural identity crisis in Japan. My friend is looking for friends. You will see more of William in San Diego- hopefully. He is very curious about us Americans too.

出る釘は打たれる

" " or, in Inglés, “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.” May you never be hammered down in a bent shape and may you make the most out of whatever material you are pieced with. Wishing you all the luck and blessings that you need, my friend. Bless up.

deCODE Magazine

FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @NKKALUZA

@DECODE_MAG