BELLO 158 by BELLO Media Group

Bello BELLO

#158

JULY 2017

MERCEDES NATHALIE EMMANUEL MASON PHOTOGRAPHY FILBERT KUNG & ARIEL HOWARD

AVAILABLE 7 many KINGDOMS Mercedes MasonIN has ALL taken on roles in her career, but it’s her brand new role as a real-life mom beginning early next year that has her most excited these days. She and her husband David Denman (who played Roy Anderson on The Office) make up a parent2017 is not even half finished, and it's already proven to be the year of a lifetime for Nathalie Emmanuel. In April, the 28-year-old Briting dream team as they are about to welcome their baby boy to the world. BELLO had the chance to catch up with the 33-year-old ish actress watched as her film The Fate of the Furious became the highest-grossing opening of allCover timeShoot -- even surpassing Star Wars: of Coreyjourney Fogelmanis actress during her photo shoot, where she talked about her preparation for motherhood, herBTS character Ofelia’s this season on The Force Awakens. This July her blockbuster fantasy series, Game of Thrones, returns for its seventh season onIssue HBO. for our #108And having Fear The Walking Dead, and why director Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman is such a huge breakthrough in film... by Amanda Peixoto-Elkins recently returned home from shooting a cameo in Maze Runner: The Death Cure in dreamy South Africa, Nathalie is embarking on an exciting new chapter in her career. BELLO caught up with Nathalie by phone and she gave us an overview of what's coming up ...

SEPTEMBER 2017

O IT ED

ISSUE 158

TABLE of CONTENT

04 Letter From The Editor 05 BELLO Obsessions 06 Bonethrower x Adidas Skateboarding 12 What2Watch 2017 Fall TV Picks 14 BELLO Model of The Month PABLO KAESTLI 20 BELLO Radar 22 New Rules (Fashion) 30 Fall Playlist

38 The Pre-Raphaelite (Fashion)

44 BELLO Spotlight LILI SIMMONS 52 My Yellow Brick Road Trip 56 BELLO IT girl LUNA BLAISE 58 BELLO IT guy STERLING BEAUMON 60 Cover Story MERCEDES MASON 86 Masthead

32 The Gentleman (Fashion)

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Hoodie Gudrun Earrings & Handcuff Dori Csengeri Dress Elodie K

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AR TH UR

LV AO

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SEPTEMBER 2017 Ciao Bellos, FEAR is back, so naturally we had to get Mercedes Mason on our cover. Not surprising, since our obsession with this beautiful woman borders on addiction. And what's not to love? She is talented, gorgeous, funny, and fearless. And on top of this, she just learned that she's pregnant with a baby boy! We had fun catching up with her in our exclusive interview.

After getting our Entertainment Editor, Brent, to move from Montreal to Los Angeles, we have a new creative mind joining the magazine. Luke Funtecha is our new Style Editor, and from this issue on, you will slowly start feeling his love of fashion and his positive energy in every page of the magazine.

And after several months in the making, we have another very special announcement to make -BELLO BRASIL is going to be launching soon, so check out our exclusive preview of cover boy Alexander Ludwig in this issue. Our talented photographer, Arthur Galvao, has snatched the role of Editor-in-Chief of this all new bilingual edition of BELLO magazine. It is going to be amazing, and we are so excited to share it with you all.

Thank you all for your comments, support, and active social media interaction. We have received all your questions and the Cody Christian cover will be released by the end of September. It's going to be amazing, so stay tuned!

Aleksandar Tomovic Editor in Chief

Photography Stephane Marquet

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Schique Travel Kit

Nordik Space Pinapple Cup

Cartier Juste Un Clou Bracelet

in-n-out Socks Rozanna Jazz Age Plates Gold Deco

Jida Watt Oswald JI117 (Gold - Brunswick Green) Nike Jordan 1 Retro Top 3

Saje AromaART Full Bloom Limited Edition Clarins Double Serum

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ADIDAS SKATEBOARDING BONETHROWER

Written/reviewed by Bryan Pearn Photography Filbert Kung Styling Luke Funcheta

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Black lights, Psychedelic Colors, and strong bass from the latest trap music are just some of the things we experienced first walking into the Bonethrower x Adidas launch party. Immediately upon walking in you see a bright neon sign, presenting the name “Bonethrower”, above two tables featuring the collaboration pieces (a track jacket, snapback hat, one t-shirt, one long sleeve, and the adidas matchcourts). Turn the corner to find David Cook’s abstract and unorthodox designs surrounding the entire dance floor, from brightly colored flags, and wooden cut outs, to Colorful mannequins, draped in brightly designed hoods and capes (also conveniently sporting the collaborations matchcourts). The Sounds of 2 chainz, and Kendrick Lamar are stimulating the dance floor while people converse, wearing their three stripe leggings and ultra boost sneakers. In the corner you'll find a small open bar, where the drinks are given in custom Bonethrower x Adidas cups. Some of those who came earlier in the evening were given free skateboard decks, and posters signed by Bonethrower himself. The collaboration itself channels Bonethrower's immersive background in psychedelic art, skateboarding and DIY culture for this limited edition footwear and apparel collection. Bonethrower is an LA based artist, so it only makes sense to team up with Adidas Skateboarding, since Adidas Skateboarding is influenced by LA’s unique skate scene. The entire Bonethrower x Adidas Skateboarding Collection features a

limited edition track jacket, snapback hat, T-shirt, long sleeve shirt, and Matchcourt sneakers. David’s aesthetic perfectly fits on to the Matchcourts silhouette. The pair are a navy canvas, with white details, and a hint of red on the tongue, showcasing Bonethrower’s signature, along side his spider graphic. The Track Jacket keeps its classic Adidas foundation, with nice accents of blue and red details, with Bonethrowers same Spider graphic embroidered onto the back. This spider seems to pull from inspiration from the American traditional spider tattoo, with a psychedelic twist. The T-shirt displays the same spider graphic on the back, along with the long sleeve shirt and snapback that exhibit a modernized three eyed skull design, that really pulls the entire collection together. Currently some of the items can still be found online at adidas.com and some select Journeys locations. There seems to be nothing but a positive response to the collaboration amongst its audience so far. With the foundation of classic Adidas staples, like the Matchcourts, and track jacket, combined with David Cook’s unique style, take on mysticism, and memento mori, how could the collaboration go wrong. Between the bold colors, graphic lines, and urban elements, I think its safe to say that David Cook did a perfect job in combining the real world of skateboarding, with the one created through his art.

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WHAT WATCH Bello

2017 FALL TV PICKS by Hiko Mitsuzuka @TheFirstEcho THE COMEBACKS

ABC

Netflix

HBO

NBC

Scandal (ABC) The final season of the jaw-dropping political soap begins this month, and we will sitting on the edge of our couches waiting to see how everything will be tied up. Will Olivia end up with Fitz or Jake? Will Huck ever find solace? Will Mellie succeed as POTUS? What the hell is Cyrus up to? Stranger Things (Netflix) The second season of the hit sci-fi-horror series arrives just in time for Halloween. And after the hugely popular reaction to that "Thriller"-loaded trailer, the next chapter in the lives of our favorite Hawkins residents promises to be filled with non-stop thrills. Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) Curmudgeon King Larry David returns after what seems like the longest hiatus in TV history (it's been 6 years). Guest stars in Season 9 include Bryan Cranston, Lauren Graham, Jimmy Kimmel, Nick Offerman, Elizabeth Banks, and Carrie Brownstein. The Good Place (NBC) How do you follow-up the biggest plot twist of last season? (Hint: This place ain't so "good.") With Eleanor (Kristen Bell) trying to make sense of the note she left herself and a significant switcheroo: "The show itself gets to switch to Michael's point of view," creator Michael Schur reveals. And Michael will be dealing with a crew of demons who have their own demands.

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THE NEWBIES The Gifted (Fox) Bryan Singer's series, which takes place in the X-Men universe, follows two ordinary parents who discover their children possess mutant powers. Forced to go on the run from a hostile government, the family joins up with an underground network of mutants and must fight to survive. Big Mouth (Netflix) In this raunchy animated comedy from Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg, "all genders are treated equally," according to Variety, "in the glorious nightmare of puberty." And if the trailer, introducing us to a Hormone Monster, is any indication, we may have our favorite new comedy of the season. Ten Days in the Valley (ABC) The 10-episode series centers on TV producer Jane Sadler (Kyra Sedgwick), whose young daughter goes missing, mirroring the cop drama she produces. It's the right kind of mystery-thriller to keep us guessing. The Crossing (ABC)Â Refugees from a war-torn country start showing up to seek asylum in an American town. Only the country these people are from is America and the war they are fleeing is 250 years in the future. There's a local sheriff with a past, a federal agent, and a mother in search of her missing refugee daughter all connected to a surprising conspiracy.

FOX

THE REBOOTS Will & Grace (NBC) NBC's 5-minute-long, self-deprecating musical trailer dropped earlier this year, so we know we're in for some non-stop laughs with this revival of the sitcom America needs right now. And just as the series finale predicted 11 years ago,Â the incomparable Karen Walker (Emmy winner Megan Mullally) hasn't aged a day. Dynasty (The CW) America's glitziest primetime soap from the 80s gets a 2010s makeover with this reimagined saga of the wealthy yet troubled Carrington and Colby families...with Melrose Place alum Grant Show playing DILF-y patriarch Blake Carrington! Roseanne (ABC) The classic 90s sitcom about America's favorite working-class family ignores everything that happened in its series finale 20 years ago and plops them down in present-day America. (Premieres in early 2018, just in time for the show's 30th anniversary)

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MODEL OF THE MONTH

Cover: Glittered Jacket: LABORATOIRE L.A. | Pants: ARMANI EXCHANGE Shoes: CONVERSE | Socks: Adidas | Accessories: EBB&FLOW

Mesh Michaelangelo Shirt JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER | Green Orange Scarf ZARA Denim Jacket DOLCE and GABBANA | Blue hoodie: KONUS 15

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Pants AX | Harness BCBG | Checkered Scarf ZARA | Thermal Long Johns ZARA MENS Beige Scarf Armani Exchange | Shoes CONVERSE

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Jacket RICK OWENS | Scarf BURBERRY 17

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Shirt and pants: KONUS | Accessories: EBB&FLOW | Red Back Pack: BALENCIAGA | Black and White Scarf: H&M | Black Bag: KONUS

Tshirt- JACK OF ALL TRADES COAT: MASAKI MATSUKA Accessories : EBB&FLOW HAT: Manhoki Denim Jacket: DOLCE and GABBANA Gloves: D&G

Photography: FILBERT KUNG Model; PABLO KAESTLI Styling: LUKE LUKANOTIC Grooming: JOEL SEBASTIAN

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Hiko Mitsuzuka @TheFirstEcho fills you in on everything we're loving this month in entertainment, fashion, beauty, and travel.

1. "Brave" by Zayde Wolf The "Born Ready" and "Golden Age" singer-songwriter follows up his anthemic tracks with a love song equipped with a sweeping chorus and heart-swelling lyrics. Inspired by his relationship with his wife, it covers themes of strength and having the courage to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Also worth streaming: the swagger-heavy "The Jungle." (zaydewolf.com) 2. Patti Cake$ Underdog stories have become a genre unto themselves, but this electrifying story from writer-director Geremy Jasper stands out, especially with newcomer Danielle Macdonald front and center (not to mention the scene-stealing Bridget Everett) as the titular rapper-with-a-dream struggling to get out of her blue-collar hometown. 3. Homophilia Where else will you find a podcast that celebrates the forearms of James Van Der Beek and the glorious throwback of Shanice's "I Love Your Smile"? Even though the charming Dave Holmes and Matt McConkey grill LGBTQ celebs on what they’re loving and who they’re loving, this "queer comedy party" is for pop culture junkies of all proclivities and anyone else with open ears on issues about dating and sex. (earwolf.com/show/homophilia) 4. Erica Spindler's The Other Girl If you're looking for some thrill-lit to help you ease into autumn, embed yourself in some Louisiana noir with this chilling new novel from the New York Times bestselling author. It's about the ritualistic murder of a college professor and a small town cop with a traumatic past that becomes intertwined with the mystery. (ericaspindler.com) 5. Okabashi's Surf Flip Flops Summer may be on its way out, but hold onto those vibes with this super-comfortable collection of footwear. With non-slip Microplast material and an irresistible arch support, these made-in-America sandals are good to keep on deck all year round (at the gym, at the spa). Plus, they're dishwasher safe! (okabashi.com) And speaking of spas...

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6. Burke Williams Hollywood If the current state of the world is feeling a little too dystopian for you, then here's a (temporary) escape for you: The premiere spa franchise is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its new location in Los Angeles with specials like aromatherapy enhancements for massages services (our faves: "Love" and "Unwind") and other posh packages. The spacious, state-of-the-art facility has plenty of amenities to take advantage of, so get on it. (burkewilliamsspa.com) 7. Penny Skateboards Simpsons Collection The skateboard manufacturer recently partnered with 20th Century Fox to release seven premium plastic boards featuring characters from the longest-running scripted TV series in history, including Bart, Mr. Burns, Maggie and even Ralph Wiggum. Available in 22” and 27” decks, the limited edition boards feature classic primary color combos with character graphics -- perfect for any Simpsons fan or collector. (pennyskateboards.com) 8. Bar Collins at Loews Miami Beach Hotel After a summer of suntans and sipping cocktails, we're jonesing for a return visit to the posh lobby lounge of one of South Beach's premiere resorts, a welcoming space for guests and anyone else looking for some luxurious downtime. Grab a menu and feast your eyes on the Saffron Gulf Shrimp Risotto, and then for dessert, conquer the futuristic Strawberries Sphere. (loewshotels.com/ miami-beach) 9. The David Guetta Remix of "Attention" Charlie Puth's hit single was one of our summer jams of 2017, and now it's been given an energetic redo from the veteran DJ-producer. Consider this the cardio track you'll need to play while burning off those pumpkin muffins this season. 10. Fire Chasers This gripping, four-part Netflix series is a dramatic look at the stories of the real-life men and women who risk their lives each year to battle California’s notorious and destructive wildfires. From the vast visual ferocity to the earnest and emotional personal stories hidden behind the smoke, Fire Chasers takes viewers into the heart of California’s devastating recent wildfires alongside the brave men and women who battle the flames.

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NEW Photography Victor Hugo @victorhugo Model Khalilah Brackeen JE Models @lala_iman

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Duster TrouvĂŠ Top C/Meo Collective Shorts Leith

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Romper Lovers and Friends Denim Hat Fenty x Puma

Trousers Topshop Top McQ Choker Calvin Klein Boots ZARA

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Skirt All Saints Top Vintage Scarf AQUA Jacket Sunset + Spring

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Pants Derek Lam 10 Crosby Top Lucy Paris Top (Under) FILA

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Top Theory Pants BDG Hat UO

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THE 2017 FALL PLAYLIST

by Hiko Mitsuzuka @TheFirstEcho

With temperatures cooling and swimsuits drying, it's time to ease up on the summer jams (sorry, "Despacito") and settle in with these 11 tracks that should complement the vibe of the upcoming season -- and anything pumpkin-flavored.

"What About Us" / P!nk MTV's recent Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award recipient triumphantly returns with an anthem for anyone in a tumultuous relationship, or, depending on your mindset, America's current sociopolitical climate. Whatever the interpretation, you can't deny its beauty and ability to empower. "Friends" / Justin Bieber & BloodPop JB maintains his winning streak, thanks to this pulsating electro-pop collab with the producer otherwise known as Michael Tucker. "More Less" / KUNGS feat. Olly Murs & Coely The French DJ collaborates with the British pop star and Belgian rapper for a buoyant track with enough funky horns and bass to make Bruno Mars a little jealous. "Tell Me You Love Me" / Demi Lovato The "Sorry Not Sorry" singer continues to impress with this follow-up, taken from her upcoming album of the same name (out Sept. 29). Between the brass horns, guitar strings, and seductive beats, we're not afraid to tell her we love this song. "Swimming Pool Summer" / Capital Cities Don't let the title of the electro-pop duo's new song fool you. The slinky, sparkling sounds of this single, reminiscent of early Chromeo, will have you swaying your hips in your cable-knit sweater. "Silence" / Marshmello feat. Khalid Melancholy vocals from Khalid, this year's Best New Artist at the MTV VMAs, ground the shifting synths in this release from the mysterious EDM producer. "Midnight" / Jessie Ware Ware works her sultry and soulful side on this lush production that is giving us some early 90s R&B vibes. "The Jungle" / Zayde Wolf Zayde (a.k.a. Dustin Burnett) drops another swagger-heavy anthem with enough drum beats to justify why Ones to Watch called him "the dark love child of Imagine Dragons and The Black Keys." "True Feeling" / Galantis and "Mirage" / Fast Company & Anna Yvette Looking for some Coachella or EDC vibes for autumn? Try these trop-house tune to get your dance on. "Ain't Nobody's Fool" / Klez This neo-Motown track from the Bay Area-based singer-songwriter's second EP, Old World New Soul, is packed with a soulful attitude any fan of Mayer Hawthorne or Daniel Merriweather will appreciate.

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COUTURE

Our latest fashion Spotlight is on WOW Couture, a premiere Los Angeles fashion design house that specializes in women's dresses. Their signature piece is the Bandage Dress, a sexy tight fitting style taken to the next level - perfect for clubbing and evening occasions alike. WOW Couture is available directly on www.WOWcoutureusa.com. Here are some of our favorite pieces from their Fall Winter 2017 collection:

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THE GENTLEMAN Featuring NICOLAS PALADINI Photography CHARLY V REAL

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Sweater Lana | Pants Garcon Garcia | Shoes Vincent

Shirt 111 | Pants Adidas | Watch Swatch

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Jacket Shirt and Pants Garcon Garcia | Tie 111 | Bag Piet

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Full Look Garzon Garcia

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Photography CHARLY V REAL @charlyvreal Styling SERGIO GUIA DO CARMO Styling Assistant CHRISTIAN CENTURION Photography Assistant EMMANUEL JONNAS Model NICOLAS PALADINI - Muse Management

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THE PRE-RAPHAELITE Photography Stephanie Hynes

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Left: Vintage Victoria's Secret bodysuit Lula Vintage High-waisted denim skirt H&M Vintage Silk bow dress Lula Vintage

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Vintage pleated gown The Golden Pearl Vintage

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Vintage pleated gown The Golden Pearl Vintage

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Photography Stephanie Hynes @stephaniehynesphotography www.stephaniehynes.com Hair & Makeup Amber Young @makingbeautyhappen www.amberyoungmakeup.com Model Caroline - Ignite Models @IgniteModels Wardrobe by Lula Vintage & The Golden PearlVintage and Everyday People @Thegoldenpearlvintage @lulavintagemn

Vintage lace and silk dress Everyday People

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SPOT LIGHT

LILIÂ SIMMONS PHOTOGRAPHY ARTHUR GALVAO

lili SIMMONS Lili Simmons is one of those Young Hollywood stars that everyone is rooting for in a huge way -- BELLO included. After getting to spend the day with her during her recent photo shoot at the BELLO studio, the entire team fell in love with Lili because she's as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Starring in the brand new season of Ray Donovan on Showtime, Lili is poised for Hollywood superstardom in a very big way. And in our opinion, no one is better prepared for it than her.

You recently went to Sedona, Arizona. Tell us about that. It's so amazing there, and completely reenergizing. I saw a blue shooting star -- the biggest I've ever seen. I've gone the past couple years in a row around New Year's. I went to Bell Tower, Cathedral Rock, and Snoopy's Rock. The best part of it is that it makes you realize you're so small in context of the bigger world, and that's very grounding. You're a big part of the new season of Ray Donovan, about a Hollywood 'fixer' who makes all the problems of the rich and famous disappear. Have you ever encountered a 'fixer' such as this in real life? I heard there's a real Ray Donavan out there [laughing]! Thankfully I've never had to use him, but I've heard there's a real one. So imagine your best friend calls you up and says she's picking you up in ten minutes for a four-day getaway to Hawaii. What three things would you pack? Ooooh! Bathing suit, of course; flip flops; and then an awesome flowing, dressy coverup. What's your next real dream vacation that's actually going to happen? Paris for sure, but I would also really love to explore all of Europe. I've never gotten to do that. I kind of let my vacations flow into work, so if I get to work on location somewhere I always love to explore -- like a working vacation. You played New Clementine in Westworld. Do you have a romantic adoration or soft spot for the Old Wild West? I really do. I did a Western with Kurt Russell and Patrick Wilson called Bone Tomahawk which I loved. If I could do Westerns for the rest of my life I really would. But I wouldn't want to go back in time and actually live in that world. When I did Bone Tomahawk they used real clothing of the time -- layer after layer, with a corset -- in the 100F heat in Santa Clarita. It was rough. I just noticed your Father's Day love letter to your dad on Instagram. What's the most important lesson he taught you that has helped you navigate the industry? He has an East Coast toughness about him. And my mom's also taught me so many beautiful lessons, and how to stay grounded, and the importance of being loving. My dad gave me that tough exterior which has given me the resilience I need. What's your favorite album right now? Lust For Life by Lana Del Rey. It's almost as if she's going back in time, and I love her darkness and sweetness.

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Dress WOW Couture Necklace DORI CSENGERI

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Dress WOW Couture Chocker AMYO Necklace ICE LINK 47

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Dress OTT

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Dress WOW Couture Chocker AMYO Necklace ICE LINK 49

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Photography: Arthur Galvao Interview: Brent Lambert Art Direction: Aleksandar Tomovic Styling: Luke Funtecha Hair: Derek Yuen Makeup: Carissa Ferreri using Kjaer Weis / TraceyMattingly.com Production Maison PrivĂŠe, Los Angeles X BELLO Media Group

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Jacket OTT Body Suit WOW Couture Shirt + Choker MANOKHI Necklace ICE LINK Earrings + Bracelets DORI CSENGERI 51

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It was a sunny summer afternoon in Montreal in August 2015 when I got a phone call out of the blue. It said Burbank so I thought it must be related to my film career as a set designer. Sure enough, that one phone call from an art department coordinator looking to crew up a movie in Atlanta most definitely involved my career. But it also turned into something so much bigger than I could have ever possibly dreamed of. I didn't realize it at the time, but two years later, that four-month gig in the Peach State would set off a string of events that would turn into a green card. Fast forward to July 2017 and it was time to make the big move from Montreal, the home of Cirque du Soleil, poutine, and Celine Dion, all the way 5000 miles southwest to my new home in LaLaland. But this wasn't just going to be a typical roadtrip. No, no, it was something much more meaningful than that. On the one hand, it was a journey across a country that I have admired as long as I can remember. On the other, it was a journey towards something deeper within myself that I've been searching for my whole life. This is the story of my yellow brick road trip. My earliest memories of the tradition are from when I was Star Wars, which led me to 2001: A Space Odyssey, which led me around four or five. Like clockwork, each Christmas night my to The Hours, which led me to The Tree of Life, and on and on. And sisters, my cousins and I would all huddle around my grandparents' with each evolution I began to realize what was hiding between the

great big television in our pajamas and watch The Wizard of Oz. I'm not sure why the local TV station was playing the 1939 classic every year at Christmas, but regardless, it became one of the most beloved memories of my entire childhood. Every single moment of the technicolor fantasy of Dorothy and her BFF's making it all the way to Oz is forever etched into my imagination and memory. And just like magic, even to this day, the MGM classic is aging better than the finest wine. Somehow it keeps growing more extraordinary each time I watch it. To see me at home during my younger years curled up in blankets and watching a movie was certainly nothing unique to Christmas. Like most children, it was a scene that played out countless times in my living room. But even as a kid, there was something hiding between the lines of these movies that fascinated me even more than the movies themselves. With each year that went by, my tastes began to evolve. The Wizard of Oz led me to Stand by Me, which led me to

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lines all along. These weren't just movies -- they were each towering examples of the mythology of America itself, that giant of a nation that loomed far beyond the hills to the south, much like Oz was for Dorothy and her motley crew of hitchhikers.

It's no coincidence that I would later turn my degree in architecture into a career in set design. My obsession with movies sent me on a path towards sixteen years in the Montreal film industry. That is, until that fateful phone call arrived from Burbank and changed everything. Two years later, on June 28, 2017, just like Dorothy and her bestie, Toto, departing Kansas, it was time for me to set forth with my own BFF, Georgia, on my own journey towards the Emerald City of Hollywood, and across the land of myth and legend that had been gently calling me my whole life.

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Like any dutiful architecture buff, I made sure my first stop was a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece, Fallingwater. After our first 10-hour stretch of driving, which included a seemingly endless stretch of corn fields and scarecrows, we finally arrived in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania. Being inside that home and seeing it up close after studying it from afar for more than 20 years made me realize just how much of a genius Wright truly was. He was a visionary unlike any other, and there is nowhere in the world other than modern America of the 1930s -- the same era as The Wizard of Oz -- that an architectural breakthrough of this calibre could have occurred. My brain was on sensory overload for my entire visit to Fallingwater, and it was remarkable to finally see with my own eyes the brilliance of Wright's design, how many rules he had to break in order to make it happen, and just how remarkably unusual it was for its time. As the Scarecrow himself famously said, "I am convinced that the only people worthy of consideration in this world are the unusual ones. For the common folks are like the leaves of a tree, and live and die unnoticed." Up bright and early, Gigi and I made way for Virginia and our friend James's breathtaking country home. For three days we got to revel in the beauty of the 360-degree forest splendour that surrounds the estate. During our time there, we would often hear gunshots echoing in the distance from every direction as locals practiced skeet-shooting and hitting targets in their backyards. I couldn't help but realize these

hills were the very birthplace of America itself, and roughly a century and a half ago the sound of those very same gunshots, which this weekend seemed so innocent, would have carried a much darker meaning. The fact that Washington, D.C. was so close to our friend's place led us on a quick day trip into the Capital. As gorgeous and fun as D.C. was, it was perhaps a telling sign that as we approached the White House, a huge cloud as black as coal swept in overhead, drenching us to the bone and leaving us shivering with hundreds of others under the trees that surrounded the People's House that day, as thunder, lightning and gale force winds pummeled the city. To be perfectly honest, the only thing missing was a tornado. That foreboding moment felt all too ironic considering the political nightmare that's currently enveloping America. But just as the Wicked Witch of the West couldn't keep Dorothy and her gang down, the Wicked Warlock of Washington was no competition for our steadfast motivation to continue on. After soaking up some nightlife in Asheville, North Carolina, our yellow brick road led us to what Gigi and I affectionately refer to as the sweet and creamy center of our trip -- the deliciousness that is New Orleans. From the moment we checked into our room at The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery, we knew we were in store for something out of this world. We could almost throw a stone to Bourbon Street from our window, and the ho53

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tel's stunning 1930s-inspired interior design felt like a living history of the Big Easy (www.old77hotel.com). In two days, we experienced so many unforgettable moments here that it almost defies comprehension. This is not a city you come to once -- New Orleans is a city you return to again and again for the rest of your life. But one of the most 'pinch-me-now' memories came one hot and muggy night when we were on the corner of Frenchmen & Chartres. As we sat there sipping our cold daiquiris, an impromptu jazz band broke out on the corner. A huge white tuba, a huge brass trombone, and the rest of the tin men created a sound that was quintessential, timeless New Orleans. It's an understood rule that whenever something as magical as this comes to life on the corner, all traffic comes to a standstill. Even the local cops came out of their car to dance with the growing crowd that encircled these wizards of soul. I was filled with so many emotions at that very moment, and it was here when I realized New Orleans has a heart unlike any city in the world.

My own relationship with oil had taken a more personal turn a mere two weeks prior, when I bought myself a new SUV back home before leaving on my trip. I realized I was going to need a brand new oil-guzzler if I had any chance of making it to LaLaLand in one piece, and it was a great way to fill the back with as much of my life as possible so it would be there with me when I arrived. Somewhere between Fallingwater and Virginia, I knew I wanted to give my new CX5 its own name, so Gigi and I brainstormed for a few hours. It wasn't until I looked at the screen on the sound system as it was playing my favorite song of summer 2017 -- "Dorothy" by Liverpool band HER'S -- that I had my 'a-ha' moment. What better name for my car than Dorothy, for she's got the spunk of the greatest character on The Golden GirlsÂ (the women who raised me as much as m own mother), it's a constant reminder of the song that defined my summer and my road trip, and it's a nod to the legendary girl from Kansas who made it all the way to Oz!

Our three days in the Big Easy were followed by an epic drive across Texas, but not without taking some time to soak up the thrill of being in Austin. For two days we got to enjoy the sights and sounds of Austin, which were made all the more memorable by The Driskill, the legendary Austin hotel that is dripping in as much history and mystery as Texas itself. Arguably the most famous hotel in the entire state, The Driskill's towering marble lobby, its mindblowing oak-paneled parlour rooms filled with stained glass, giant bull heads, and live music each night, gave us the ultimate Austin experience (www.driskillhotel.com). And if you're ever lucky enough to be in Austin in the summer, you absolutely must spend a day at the Barton Springs Pool, a natural spring river which has been converted into a recreational water park. It was truly a day we will never forget. And capping off our nights with the out-of-this-world Austin nightlife made for the perfect Texas pitstop.

So Dorothy, me, and Gigi continued on (after spending a very surreal night in Roswell, New Mexico) towards the legendary spiritual mecca that is Sedona, Arizona. This was one of the destinations I was looking forward to the most, and to say it exceeded my expectations would be the understatement of the century. Arriving early evening made it all the more magical, for we had the perfect amount of time to checkin at A Sunset Chateau, chill our white wine, and toast a cheers to the jaw-dropping sunset and natural wonders that surrounded us everywhere we looked from our balcony. Even more magical is the fact that A Sunset Chateau is perched higher up than all the other hotels in the area, making for what can only be described as a billion dollar view. If staying at the most beautiful hotel in Sedona wasn't enough, getting to spend our breakfasts chatting with owners Janet and Philippe was the biggest treat of all. No visit to the natural wonder of Sedona is complete until you've spent a few days with these two incredible human beings (www.asunsetchateau.com).

As we continued westward we passed many of the fabled oil wells that dot the Texas landscape. I couldn't resist taking a detour and getting right up beside one of them. Seeing these behemoths drilling for black gold had me overcome with memories of watching DALLAS as a young boy, and even watching Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood. Oil is such a huge part of the mythology of America, and I have to admit there was more than one moment in those oil fields when I was covered head-to-toe in goosebumps.

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From visiting the ancient cliff ruins of Palatki, to swimming in the pristine waters that run past the monolithic Cathedral Rock, to visiting the exquisite Chapel of the Holy Cross Church high up in the mountains (which has its own connection to Frank Lloyd Wright), the memories I made in Sedona are ones I will cherish for the rest of my life. Not to mention the fact that there were many times while driving through the spectacular landscapes of Sedona that I swear I was joined by the

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spirit of John Wayne himself. Everywhere I looked was like something out of one of his great Wild West classics. And even though I might not have been riding one of John's trusty stallions, good ol' Dorothy was taking good ol' care of me every step of the way. It was nothing less than a study in perfect contrast that our next destination was the frenzied and fabulous Las Vegas. After many visits to this town throughout my life, I've made my own rule -- a rule that I've made for Las Vegas and no other city. People bash this town for its mind-numbing debauchery and its status as a destination for the most unsavoury species of tourist. But I don't judge Las Vegas for these reasons, because it's entirely self aware. It knows exactly what it is and what it's for. What's more, Las Vegas is nothing short of a miracle considering it sits in the middle of one of the most barren and hottest patches of desert on the face of the Earth. This city should not even be here, but nevertheless, she persisted.

Wizard to grant them each of their wishes. In an unexpected turn of events, the Wizard helped them realize that the dreams they were each searching for -- a brain, a heart, courage, and home itself -- had already existed inside each of them the whole time. They just didn't know it.

Getting to see our good friend Audrey made the stop in Las Vegas all the more worthwhile. After our fun on the slots (yes, I did play The Wizard of OzÂ and Golden Girls slot machines, thank you very much), a few stiff cocktails, and what can only be described as a day of pure bliss spent at the epic five-pool water park at the MGM Grand (owned by the same company that blessed us with the Hollywood classic), it was time to pack our bags once again, hop into Dorothy, and hit the road for our very last stretch -- Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

America is a truly exceptional country, filled with bold doers and magical thinkers in pursuit of happiness. They challenge themselves to push forward, grow, and dive within themselves to find new treasures and discoveries waiting to be unearthed. And I think, deep down, I had always known this to be true, even as a little boy watching Dorothy's own pursuit each Christmas. So as I prepare myself for this new American chapter of my life, I will gladly borrow from Nathanson's concept of these Individual-Collective-Cosmic journeys. Because in this sense, my arrival in Los Angeles is not the end of my yellow brick road -- it's just the beginning.

Driving at night through the seemingly infinite cityscape of the sprawling megapolis of L.A. made it all the more apparent just how unfathomably gigantic this town actually is. But the incomprehensible scale of this Oz was instantly turned into one of comfort and serenity when our good friend Anton opened the door to his beautiful apartment in Venice Beach. Within minutes, me, Gigi and Anton were sitting under the stars on the beach, with the ocean waves rolling in just a few feet away from our toes. It was 11pm on Wednesday, July 12. I had officially arrived.

In his book, Over the Rainbow: The Wizard of Oz as a Secular Myth of America, author Paul Nathanson examines the reasons why the 1939 classic is the preeminent American myth in cinematic form. Using the tools of movie magic (i.e. color, music, sets, drama, space, and time), The Wizard of Oz uses this cinematic language to convert three cultural patterns that existed in 1930s America into symbolic patterns on three different levels. 1 = Individual (i.e. the child/adolescent 'grows up' and goes home), 2 = Collective (i.e the nation 'grows up' and goes home), 3 = Cosmic (i.e. the soul 'grows up' and goes home).

It's now been a month and a half here in my new city, and with each new day I continue to make more and more discoveries about L.A. and about America itself. I think back to my last two 'in-between' weeks in Montreal, when I had no apartment and was crashing at my friend Sandrine's. Perhaps it was the full realization of the scope of the life-changing events I had just set into motion, but there was at least a full week or more where I was riddled with paralyzing fear and self doubt, completely overwhelmed by a feeling that I had made a terrible mistake. Much like the Cowardly Lion himself, I, too, kept thinking to myself, "If I only had the nerve." Like a true friend, Sandrine steadied my ship and helped me realize my fears were completely irrational, and nothing more than cold feet. Thankfully hindsight really is a perfect science, because after only six weeks in L.A. I feel like my decision to move here might be one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. I also think of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion who finally did make it to Oz where they expected the

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Photography ARTHUR GALVAO Styling LUKE FUNCHETA Hair GABI LOPEZ Makeup STACEY ROSAS Interview BRENT LAMBERT

With a brand new season of her sitcom Fresh Off The Boat coming up in October on ABC, BELLO got to sit down with Luna Blaise to talk about all of her favorite things: from music, to food, to what her definition is of a perfect Friday night. The new season of ABC's Fresh Off The Boat is premiering October 3rd, which is based on the life of food personality Eddie Huang. Are you also a master in the kitchen? Oh, absolutely not. I am so bad -- the only thing I can really cook is a meatball. So you're a professional food orderer? Yeah! I'm good with Postmates. But my favorite place to order from is Starbucks so I don't physically have to go. You just released your debut single 'Over You' -- are you working on any new music? Yes, I'm working on a bunch of new music. It's going to be exciting -- a lot of new stuff. I'm trying to figure out, musically, where I want to go. But I know it's going to be fun. Do you prefer performing or writing? Oh that's really hard. But I would say both. It's two totally different vibes so I can't really just choose one because they're both so fun. Do you remember the first song you fell in love with and couldn't stop singing as a little girl? 'Hollaback Girl' -- that was my song. I knew every single word. It's even how I learned to spell 'banana'. Gwen Stefani is a role model for me, and I love her so much. Read Talitha's full interview on www.BELLOmag.com

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Photography RYAN ORANGE Styling MICHAEL ST MICHAEL Grooming JAYSON MEDINA Interview BRENT LAMBERT

Sterling Beaumon is the whole package: the looks, the brains, and a total gentleman. Never one to shy away from heavy material, Sterling's next big role arrives on September 26 in NBC's new series, Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders. During an interview at BELLO's offices, we had the chance to talk about all of his biggest passions including: meaty roles, hockey, and his passion for fashion. What did you learn about the legal system while shooting Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders that you didn't know before? Don't trust your friends because the witnesses can turn on you [laughing]. You never know what a witness is going to come up and say. You can plan your defense, but they can totally screw you. You're a big hockey lover. If you had to choose between hockey and acting, what would it be? It has to be acting. I feel like I made that decision a long time ago, but if I had a choice between not acting and to do something else, it would 100% be to play hockey. You're also an accomplished theatre actor. What was the greatest moment you've ever had on stage? I was five and it was the first professional job of my life. It was Grapes of Wrath in a 99-seat theatre on La Brea that's now called The Lyric. It was a tiny little place, but I learned everything from that production. The director expected the best from me -- even though I was five -- and she set a standard that I've kept up for the rest of my life. You have an amazing sense of style. Who is your favorite designer right now? Too many to name. I love what all the big Creative Directors are doing for the big brands right now -- from Gucci to Dior and Balenciaga. They're each doing new takes on what made each of those houses so famous, and transforming them with a modern feel and a new vibe. Read Jorge's full interview on www.BELLOmag.com

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Cape Top and Pants AZZI & OSTA Earring Amyo

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MERCEDES MASON by Brent Lambert

Mercedes Mason has taken on many roles in her career, but it’s her brand new role as a real-life mom beginning early next year that has her most excited these days. She and her husband David Denman (who played Roy Anderson on The Office) make up a parenting dream team as they are about to welcome their baby boy to the world. BELLO had the chance to catch up with the 33-year-old actress during her photo shoot, where she talked about her preparation for motherhood, her character Ofelia’s journey this season on Fear The Walking Dead, and why director Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman is such a huge breakthrough in film.

“As much as I know I wanted to be a mom, I’m such a tomboy,” Mercedes told us during her interview. “And I’ve made fun of myself of being a mother for so long [laughing]. If you go through my Twitter feed or Instagram I have this ‘very charming’ little thing that I do called Future Child, and it’s pretty much me mistreating my future child and the kid just taking it [laughing]. So I have fans who’ve been following my Future Child jokes and now they’re like, ‘Oh my God, now she’s actually pregnant! [laughing]’ Her hilarious and refreshing lightheartedness is a welcome change from some mothers-to-be who can sometimes project a sense of overconfidence that they’re fully in control of everything that’s about to happen to them. “It’s just so surreal, I don’t even know what I’m excited about. I’m excited to be a mom, I’m excited to start that new chapter of my life, but I’m terrified. I think a lot of women feel like this but they don’t talk about it publicly. The rest of your life will change – I’m now living for a being I’ve never met.” It only takes a few minutes with Mercedes to realize this is the kind of person you wish was your best friend. Her amazing sense of humor is matched only by her grace, wisdom, and beautiful energy. And it’s all of these qualities that will make her a truly extraordinary mother. She tells us how her willingness as an actor to try anything has led her towards wanting to experience as natural of a birth as possible. “The closer I’m getting to the birth, I’m becoming more and more of a hippie. If there are no complications I would love to give a natural birth with no interventions. I don’t even want a hep-lock – give me a river and a forest, and I’m going to squat like an animal and pull my baby out. That’s my birth plan!” Forest-squatting jokes aside, she adds, “I’m so curious to see what the birth process is like, because it’s one of those things that only women can do. Why would I run away from that or numb it? Maybe as an actor I just want to experience everything – maybe that’s where it’s coming from.” For Mercedes, it’s important to surround herself with as much positivity as she can during her pregnancy, especially the advice of her closest friends. “I’m that girl who will go on WebMD and convince herself she has cancer within minutes. So a girlfriend of mine very wisely told me, ‘Do not look up bad birth videos – only beautiful videos. Don’t go down that rabbit hole of seeing all the things that can go wrong.’ She gave me a great list of beautiful, very helpful bonding books that are all about natural birth, what the experience could be if you want it to be, and all sorts of other positive reflections. This little guy has made a woman out of me, and he’s not even out yet!” She even shared with us the story of how she discovered she was pregnant in the most accidental way as she and her husband were mere hours away from leaving for a three-week trip to Iceland and Scandinavia. “I was raised in Sweden, so my husband has always wanted to go. We had made the plans for Iceland months prior, knowing that as soon as I was done shooting we were going to take off. Then the day before we leave, I thought to myself on a whim, ‘Ah, I should take a pregnancy test.’ It was mostly because I was cleaning out my cabinet and there was a pregnancy test there and it looked so messy in that drawer. I took the test mostly just to throw it away without wasting it. So I cannot begin to tell you how many more I peed on after that because I thought, ‘surely there’s no way!’”

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Naturally, the morning sickness kicked in which had an impact on her vacation. “The whole time David and I were there I was heaving. David had a great time, but I remember every toilet on that trip.” Nonetheless she still had an amazing time. “In all, we flew to Iceland, then we flew to Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and then London, and then we flew home. The whole trip was a few weeks.” I asked Mercedes how she feels the nature of motherhood and fatherhood compares and contrasts in today’s day and age. “I think the roles of mother and father have become almost indistinguishable in 2017. Granted, of course, the baby’s so reliant on the mother for breast milk, etc., but I think now with women working we don’t have that age-old concept of the woman staying at home, barefoot in the kitchen. I love that men are becoming equal partners.” Times, they sure are a-changin'. “Even with my dad – and this is not long ago – he didn’t even think to be in the delivery room,” she says. “And now, with David, for example, he’s so excited to be in there. He’s like, ‘Can I cut the cord?! Can I catch the baby?’ He’s really excited to be involved. He’s been reading books to prepare himself and learn how to be a good, supportive partner.” Perhaps it’s her experience with pregnancy that’s bringing her a sense of confirmation that our world is coming to a great place in terms of equality. “Equality is coming. What a beautiful way to integrate men and women – through parenthood, if nothing else.” Having recently finished shooting season three of Fear The Walking Dead, Mercedes is able to see the wide lens view of her character Ofelia’s personal journey. “Ofelia’s gone through so much,” she says. “Initially, when we meet her, she’s such a wallflower. She was daddy’s little girl, and a do-gooder. But now, by the middle of season three, she’s aligned herself with this group that the Clarks are terrified of; they’re all afraid of Walker. And I think Ofelia realizes she’s all alone in this world -- she doesn’t know that her father’s alive. And I think it’s made her grow up so dramatically -- she’s done such a 180. She’s had to just rely on herself. There’s nobody else there. She literally has turned her back against all the people who were the only ones she knew or was familiar with because she feels so abandoned by them. They sort of left her. When she lost her parents it was her way of going, ‘OK I’ve really got to find myself.’ So I think this is now her journey into finding her strength. And I think we see it manifesting physically in her – from the braids, to the tougher clothes, to how she’s no longer freaked out by the zombies or the Walkers. She’s killing them left and right on her own without fear. That’s what she’s realized, is how to let go of fear.” When it comes to fearlessness, Mercedes can’t say enough about her love of director Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman, and how excited she is for the impact it will have on the minds and hearts of young girls around the world. “When I was growing up there were no female superheroes that dominated the big screen or the small screen. All my superheroes were men – like James Bond, for example. But now we are starting to see female heroes like Wonder Woman (which, by the way, was a massive box office success). Its success is so exciting because there were so many naysayers along the way. Now we have such a huge tribe of young girls growing up right now with these characters as role models. From female butt-kicking Ghostbusters, to the hilarious Bridesmaids – there are so many ‘Wonder Women’ out there now who can take on the world and do anything. And I have to say, I love the fact that director Patty Jenkins had the male lead take his clothes off, not the female. It was so brilliant.” So naturally, Mercedes love of Wonder Woman made an appearance when BELLO gave her the "Career Blender Challenge" of taking three of her favorite TV series or films, mashing them together, and coming up with a new original series where she would take the lead role. “One of my all-time favorite shows is It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. One of my all-time favorite films is The Shining. And I gotta say, just to make it modern – Wonder Woman. So it would probably be called, It’s Always Shining Inside Wonder Woman! [laughing]” She adds, “It would literally be me, as a fetus, inside Wonder Woman, who doesn’t realize she’s pregnant, while she’s staying at a big old hotel in Philadelphia. I would be the fetus trying to survive, as my mom Wonder Woman is at the bar just throwing a few back, and fetus Mercedes is trying to survive inside Wonder Woman’s shining uterus! [laughing]” After we all caught our breath from laughing so hard, it was easy to see how Mercedes knows how to let loose and have a great time. And it’s this amazing spirit and love of laughter that has helped her get through the negative news cycle that seems to dominate so often these days. “As you can tell by my social media, I’m a huge advocate for human rights, especially women’s rights. And with everything that’s been happening in the world of politics I was in such a rage, and I had to take a step away. I had to stop going on social media for a while. I couldn’t control my emotions – especially being pregnant with hormones, I would take everything so personally. So I would stop myself, and say, ‘no, no.’ I watched a lot of Family Guy, and worked hard to put myself in a more blissful place.”

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Earrings & Necklace D. Blume Long necklace AMYO Suit Adelina Rusu

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Tank Top, Leather belt & Pants S. Kanoni Boots Gianivito Rossi

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Hoodie Gudrun Earrings & Handcuff Dori Csengeri Dress Elodie K

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Dress OTT Boots Gianivito Rossi

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Dress DINT Necklace DORI CSENGERI

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Photography FILBERT KUNG & ARIEL HOWARD Styling LUKE FUNTECHA Hair ALEXANDRA ADAMS MUA JOEL SEBASTIAN Art Direction STEPHANE MARQUET Interview Brent Lambert Production Maison PrivÃ©e L.A. X BELLO Media Group

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PUBLISHER IMAGE NATION STUDIO L.L.C. California, USA editorial@bellomag.com ADVERTISING advertising@bellomag.com

ALEKSANDAR TOMOVIC (editor in chief) alek@bellomag.com Stephane Marquet (creative director) steph@bellomag.com Sonia Young (fashion editor) sonia@bellomag.com LukeFuncheta (style editor) luke@bellomag.com Nicole Walmsley (beauty editor) nicole@bellomag.com Kimmy Erin Kertes (fashion editor-at-large) kimmy@bellomag.com Brent Lambert (entertainment editor) brent@bellomag.com Hiko Mitsuzuka (entertainment editor-at-large) hiko@bellomag.com Dee Trillo (senior lifestyle and travel editor) dee@bellomag.com Steven Carver (international editor) steven@bellomag.com Arthur Galvao (contributing editor) arthur@bellomag.com Ally Marrone (contributing editor) ally@bellomag.com LAYOUT STEPHANE MARQUET CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS FILBERT KUNG & ARIEL HOWARD ARTHUR GALVAO VICTOR HUGO RYAN ORANGE STEPHANIE HYNES

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BRASIL Bello

Edições bilíngues | Bilingual issues

Cover story with Viking's ALEXANDER LUDWIG by ARTHUR GALVAO

Em breve ... Coming soon ...

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BABIES BOTTLES AND BLISSFUL APOCALYPSE

MERCEDES MASON PHOTOGRAPHY FILBERT & ARIEL HOWARD

SEPTEMBER 2017