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ISSUE 48
SEPTEMBER 2015
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IN THE ISSUE 4 ALEX KIM 14 CINDY COUTURE 24 DAN CUELLAR 38 DHRUMIL DESAI 46 GEOFF JONES 56 KEHLI G 72 VISMAYA VIJAYRAJ
FROM THE EDITOR
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All good things come to those who wait, and work hard! We are excited to announce our relocation to Las Vegas, NV. We believe being closer to some of the imporatnt events and photography shows will help us continue supporting artist from around the globe. Las Vegas is full of tradeshows and it’s important for us to continue to grow and support this industries new and emerging artist.
Cover Credits: Photographer Alex Kim ADVERTISING info@darkbeauty.com 415.347.1703 SUBMISSIONS submit.darkbeauty.com GENERAL INQUIRY info@darkbeauty.com Becoming a contributor to Dark Beauty™ has never been easier. We are a contributors’ publication and want to know what you know and share that info with the world. Contact us or give us a call to find out how you can become part of the Dark Beauty™ team. ©Copyright 2015 Dark Beauty Magazine. All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission in writing from Dark Beauty™. Dark Beauty™ makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but is not responsible for unsolicited or contributed manuscripts, photographs, artwork or advertisements. Dark Beauty™ is not held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. 2
Our September issue is full of amazing spreads. The quality of work and attention to detail continues to to knock our wicked socks off. Cover artist Alex Kim’s spread and fashion are perfectly Dark Beauty™. We believe that this series showcases the perfect balance from moving from summer into fall. My new profile shot was taken by the amazing Amanda Diaz, just wait till you see what’s coming up in November with Amanda Diaz and RGG EDU. As always, thank you for your support and believing in Dark Beauty. There is always more light in the dark, it’s when the imagination turns on and is full of vivid color. We thrive on supporting amazing ideas and concepts. We hope to inspire the world’s imagination. Topher Adam Editor-in-Chief Dark Beauty™
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ARMOR Ade Okelarin (asiko.artist ig asiko_artist) - Aminat Ayinde mua Sarah Rose sty Elizabeth Ajomale jwl Peeble London - Adorned
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Pure Divinity
Photographs by: Dan Cuellar Wardrobe Styling by: Jenny Lee Maas Models: Stormy Jane, Claire Mahoney, Alyse Hrynkiw, Michelle Kalinkina, Katie Shea Walters Jewelry design: Tribe jewelry, Rea Rossi Hair & Makeup By: Desiree Flowers, Julia Gerson, Jacqueline Sciotto, Domanique Amelia Gregory Production Assistant: Michael Reali, Julie E Cooke, Isabel Dreher
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Beauty in Ruins Photographer: Dhrumil Desai Model: Daria Protensko @ Envy Model Management Makeup & Hair: Chanel Ulrich Wardrobe Stylist: TNT Tauna Assistant Stylists: Ciera Chang & Shainnen Somerville Designers: Queen of Heartz & Thai Nguyen
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Hiking in the hills of Los Angeles, you might not expect to stumble upon half a century old ruins of what was once someone’s hopes and dreams for a brighter future. Rich with history, these hills attract those seeking exercise, those who want to get back to nature, and of course those who are looking for trouble. The graffiti in this area is rapidly ever changing as artists spray over each other’s work again and again. Our journey for this editorial took us to abandoned water towers, through burnt down homes, and a condemned horse stable on a compound that was meant to be a self-sustaining utopia for long term occupants. Remnants of old gardens and a forgotten life are scattered across the 50 acre property nestled in a canyon at the foothills of LA. Our model, Daria Protsenko, is a beautiful contrast and a beacon of light in the ruins of this setting. Her classic look is reminiscent of the time lost to the people that once lived here and with each graceful pose she stirs their bones. Daria appears thoughtful as if she was the lady of the manor gazing at the remnants of her burned and defaced possessions. Daria began her modeling career at age 17 in Moscow, then flew to Milan in 2009 to start working in the fashion industry. Her career developed rapidly, and in the few years that Daria spent in the European fashion hub, her dreams started coming true. After much success in Europe, she modeled in LA and is now in New York strutting her stuff down the runways at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week represented by Envy Model Management. Throughout her career she has worked with top brands such as Lancôme and Roberto Cavalli, as well also having the pleasure of being captured by world renowned photographers such as Chris Heads, Brian Anderson, and Linda Posnick, who is famed for her works with Victoria’s Secret. To learn more about Daria, visit: http://www.dariapro. com/ Photographer, Dhrumil Desai, beautifully captured Daria with such contrast, poise, and serenity in this secluded environment. His taste for photography is alluring and visually appealing, the pictures give much dimension as if one is standing right there in the setting. Dhrumil is an award winning fashion and commercial photographer in Los Angeles and New York area who focuses on creating sophisticated, chic, and elegant photos. His images highlight fashion, but also develop a relationship between the viewer and the photo by having a strong character presence, which you can see in this editorial. For
more information and to see his latest work, visit: www.dhrumildesai.me “This was one of the most physically demanding shoot I have been on. The location was so remote that the hiking took a whole day. Not to mention, it was the hottest day in summer. We had to carry all the photography equipment and wardrobe around which could not have been possible without an amazingly dedicated and hard working creative crew. Thank you to Bowens for their Gemini strobe coupled with the TravelPak battery that made lighting on such remote location possible.” – Dhrumil Desai Dhrumil enlisted the help of Dynamite Editorials to produce this photoshoot and coordinate the team. Dynamite Editorials is an educational production company specializing in editorial photography founded by Production Stylist & Fashion Blogger, TNT Tauna. She began Dynamite Editorials as a platform to enable other artists to create cohesively styled editorials for portfolio use, promotion, and publication. Tauna works diligently behind the scenes to organize content creating events, inviting influential fashion bloggers to join the fun, and finding magazines interested in publishing the content. Tauna had this to say about working on this editorial, “Picking out the wardrobe for this photoshoot from Thai Nguyen and Queen of Heartz was so much fun because I got to mix old styles with new to reflect this historical environment. Working with Daria and the team was a blast despite the heat and other obstacles that we overcame that day. My favorite moment was when Daria showed up to the trailhead in stilettos instead of hiking shoes proclaiming that back home in her country they would hike for miles barefoot. She set the pace for our photoshoot and was an absolute riot to work with. The dresses looked amazing on her and Dhrumil captured some stunning images. We hope you enjoy our editorial!” - TNT Tauna For more info, please visit: www.tnt-tauna.com To complete the looks styled on Daria, Chanel Ulrich knew just what to do for her hair and makeup. Her artistry on Daria was very natural yet classy and sophisticated reminiscent of iconic beauty, Marilyn Monroe. Chanel Ulrich has over eleven years of creative experience specializing in beauty, editorial and high definition makeup. From the time she was young, she possessed an innate desire and skill for enhancing beauty. Her passion for people led to attaining a degree in Psychology, providing a deepened 27
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Photographer: Geoff Jones Makeup artists: Mary Li, Dave Reid, Amy Narayan, Jolina O’Hair, Jessica Peris Models: Tayah Mott, Courtney Martin, Ada Li, Fidesse Fehr, Serena Coady, Elizabeth Hannah, Sylph Sia, Zoe Braithwaite, Angelina Leljak, Sarah Parker, Noorjahan Allure, Eleanor Eve Assistants: Chris Smith, Angie To, Kylee Sharples
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Scandal
Photographer: Jeff Hui Retoucher: Abstraxion Retouch & Design Models: JayJay Kings, Kehli G, Meagan Dobbie, Vanessa Kiraly, Victor Keita Makeup Artist: Lisa Arsenault for Pinch Cosmetics
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Colors of Dreams Photographer: Jeff Hui Retoucher: Abstraxion Retouch & Design Models: JayJay Kings, Kehli G, Meagan Dobbie, Vanessa Kiraly, Victor Keita Makeup Artist: Lisa Arsenault for Pinch Cosmetics
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