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Special Issue 2018
Nicholas K & Top 100 Covers
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TOP 100 COVERS TOP 100 COVERS COVERS STORIES: NICHOLAS K JARED HARRIS HIGHLAND PARTNERS MICHELLE MURDOCCA - Hotel Transylvania 3 CAMERON BOYCE
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Trend Privé Magazine 8
TOP 100 COVERS Jared Francis Harris - Cover No. 64.
Photographer: Logan Sprangers Creative Director : Adrielyn Christi Assistant : Alexandra Christi Fashion Editor : Katja Nyquist Stylist: Andre Hammonds Assistant Stylist : Nico Brown Hair Stylist : Carina Tafulu Makeup Artist: Skyla Swafford Agent: Lainie Green - Greenhouse Management Highland Partners Boutique Real Estate : Debbi Dimaggio Highland Partners Boutique Real Estate : Heidi Marchesotti Interview by: Adrielyn Christi Article transcribed by: Briana Hunter Fashion: Duvin, Mitchell Evan Men, Banana Republic, Mister Triple X. Accessories: John Fluevog (Shoes), Justine Cullen Jewellery, Magnnani (Shoes), Courtesy of Ivan Bitton Style House (Hat and Sunglasses). Trend Privé Magazine 46
Jared Harris Jared, it was such an honor to meet you as
So I didn’t know anything about it.
you truly are one of our favorite actors.
Captain Crozier is a fascinating character.
How did the theater prepare you for your
He’s someone who’s been on the edge of
big screen roles and do you see yourself
command all his life and he’s got the
taking it on again anytime soon?
experience to lead but he has never been given the opportunity. As a result, he’s
I’m sorry, I just saw the question. I’m many
developed quite a big chip on his shoulder
of their favorite actors, I love that.
about it but he’s a great character. A really
[chuckles] Well, that’s pretty interesting
fascinating character. He goes through an
because the theater doesn’t really prepare
amazing transformation. So it was a thrill
you for camera acting at all and it’s
to play him.
probably the biggest, you know the biggest. I don’t want to say failure but the biggest thing missing from theater school, from
A lot of your major roles do come from
acting training in the United Kingdom is
history, which is fascinating. Do you learn
preparing you to act in front of the camera
new things that you didn’t know?
because it’s all theater-based training. With that said, it’s very good because they throw
Yea, I mean one of the exciting things about
lots of different styles at you. The modern
playing any kind of role is the research that
approach is naturalism, but you can’t really apply naturalism to Shakespeare or to restoration comedy. You have to get a grip on what genre you’re in and of course, that
which are you have to appear recognizably
you get to do and you dive into history and
human. whether it’s on stage or in front of
you discover things that you didn’t know
the camera. So that is essentially what your
before. It makes reading textbooks
job is whether it’s on stage or in front of the
entertaining. You never know what little
camera. Normally, you need to
gem you’re going to find that is going to
internalize everything when you’re acting
become useful. So yea, I’m a history buff,
on camera and obviously, you can’t do that
I enjoy history. I’ve heard great stories out
on stage because only the first three rows
there and it always amazes me that history
understand what you’re doing. And you
doesn’t sort of, being ransacked more often
have to project when you’re on stage. Will I be going back to the theater anytime soon? I would like to. Yea definitely would like to in the autumn, in New York City. Your newest series on AMC “The Terror” is part of history. Did you know about these
for great material because there’s a lot of it out there. TPM Magazine being a humanitarian magazine. What role do you see yourself playing in the need for more humanitarian
true events? If so, how did it feel to be
awareness? Not just for humans, but for
starring in such an eerie role?
animals too.
I did not know anything about the Franklin
Animals definitely have the short end of the
expedition. That is one of the things that
stick on that one. I mean it’s a depressing
appealed to me was it was a completely
answer to this subject but you know, the
fresh story and that’s quite a rare thing
geological name for the era we’re in is the
becomes very important in cinema and
these days.
term for the great extinction. The threat
camera acting because you need to jump
So, there are lots of fresh stories out there
that we’re posing to our environment to the
between different genres. So in that sense,
but there’s not a huge appetite for risking
planet and to our survival by causing the
it’s useful. The problem is always the same,
the unfamiliar with audiences.
greatest mass extinction in history Trend Privé Magazine
since that meteorite smacked into the earth 60 million million years ago. It’s just unthinkable, isn’t it? And it’s all our doing. Any organizations or charities that you support that require more awareness? Yea, we just did something for the rhino. Remember the rhino. I had been shooting in South Africa, my wife and I went to a reserve that was rehabilitation animals and one of the things that they had was a rhino breeding center. They had little baby rhinos that their parents had been shot for their horns and they were rearing them. They were absolutely gorgeous. What’s amazing is it’s still this real sort of primitive superstitious thinking that’s essentially driving most of this trade. That’s causing these animals to be slaughtered. You’re a multifaceted actor. What roles would you jump to play? Is there a specific historical individual that you wouldn’t hesitate to play? I became fascinated by Ulysses S. Grant when I was doing all the research for the Lincoln movies, Spielberg’s Lincoln film. I would absolutely love to do a movie about the final chapter of his life. I’m working on it at the moment. In regards to The Terror, were you hesitant to play the role and were there any scenes that actually had you terror-stricken? I wasn’t hesitant to play it at all. I was thrilled that they were interested in me to play it. The second I read that first script, it was brilliantly written and I knew that they must have sent it out to several people and I immediately called my agent and said, “Get me in a room with these people quickly before Daniel Day-Lewis reads it!” The Inuit scene. So, I had to learn Inuit [laughs] sometimes the night before..that was pretty terrifying! There was another scene in the later episodes where they basically wrote me a four-page monologue. A speech that I had to stand up in front of the whole company and give and they backseat again, handed it to me the night before. So John Lynch, very very sweetly, we did the old Marlon Brando trick and I had a receiver and John Lynch who is northern Irish fed me the lines. I mean otherwise, it wouldn’t have been possible. Trend Privé Magazine 48
When your wife arrived at the shoot
She’s tremendously important in
location, we could not help but
keeping me grounded but if it’s not
notice how your eyes just lit up
about about family, then what is it
when you saw her. Your love for
about? So I feel incredibly lucky that
her clearly showed. How much of
she said yes.
a role does she play in keeping you grounded?
Traveling can sometimes take a hold on personal lives. How do you
Well, we keep each other honest, I
relax?
would say that. She’s giving me the eye right now. She’s tremendously
I suppose one of our favorite ways
supportive and she’s very, very, like
of blowing off steam is to go do ka-
I said, honest. You know exactly
raoke. I enjoy going out and doing
where you are. Most importantly,
a movie night.We like eating in and
we keep each other laughing a lot.
having cozy nights.
all and you try to find something that’s going
of seven months. You want to make sure that
to spark your imagination and also fit into
it’s going to be something that you are going
your story and to what this story was about.
to be interested in for that long. Similarly, if
This story was about a father, it was about a
you’re doing a play, you could be doing that
man who was going to have to hand over the
play for a really long time. It has to be
family business to his children before he was
something that you really feel you can dig into
ready, before he expected to. It was about
for that long.
someone who wanted to find a way to protect his children in the absence and that was what
What has been the most interesting place
the whole idea behind that scene at the end of
you’ve traveled for your role?
episode one was with Matt Smith’s character, Phillip. He was trying to tip his hat and tell him,
I got to spend four days in the Forbidden City
“I’m not going to be around very long. Can you
in Beijing and it was completely empty. It was
please tell me and convince me that you’ve
before all the tourists arrived so we go there
got this covered? You’re going to look after her
at 4 AM and they kicked us out at 9:30 but
because I’m not going to be able to.” Of course,
we’d had the entire run of the place for those
you can’t say all that. That’s the reason why it
5 hours. That was pretty amazing. On the
was well-written because he didn’t say any of
same job, I got to go up to the sections of the
that but that’s what it was about.
Great Wall of China closed off to the tourists. That was amazing.
We would all love to see you on that
I have to say when they recreated the old
podium You won a SAG Award and were
factory, Andy Warhol’s factory on Union
recently nominated for (?) What role does
Square that was all covered in silver foil. Again,
awards consideration play when choosing
that was an amazing location, amazing set.
roles?
That was pretty fun. Some of the castles and
Cooking and watching some guilty pleasure television.
country manors that we shot in for The Crown None. You can’t think of that. You have no
and for the Sherlock Holmes: A Game of
idea. You don’t know. The only thing that I
Shadows was absolutely spectacular. There
We loved you in The Crown. Although your
could say about that is I have said many times
was a castle called Berkeley Castle that we
role-playing King George V was short, how
to my representatives that it’s not the how big
filmed in for The Other Boleyn Girl that was
do you prepare to play such key roles with
a role that matters, it’s how good a role it is. So
amazing. I had Sir Frances Drake’s booty chest
such undoubted perfection?
sometimes they’ll receive an offer or receive
when he was sailing the world’s oceans and
a script for interest and it’s one or two scenes
ransacking Spanish galleons at the bottom of
You read everything you can, you look at
and they’ll go, “no we’re not looking for that”
the bed. It had the jail that Edward II was
everything you can. There’s a lot of stuff
but my point to them is let me read it because
murdered in. It had the coronation goblet of
now available on the internet.
of Ned Beatty. He won an academy award for
Harold, throats Anglo-Saxon king of England
The old days, you had to go to the library
playing basically one day’s role, two scenes
who was killed and deposed by William the
and you know, you had to pull out those (?
in the network. So, it’s about is it a good role.
Conqueror. You get to film in incredible
13:08) files, those (?). You had to go through
That’s really what it’s about in terms of actual
places.
sort of dusty stores and try and get your hand
sort of thinking that you can find something
on old footage and stuff like that and
that’s going to somehow go on an award run,
recordings. Now it’s much easier, it’s all avail-
you’ve got no idea. You don’t even know when
able on the internet so I looked at a lot of
it’s going to come out.if it’s supposed to come
Tune in [laughs] and watch our show. Tell your
old (? 13:28) new reels and there were lots of
out last October. You have no idea when these
friends The Terror on AMC starts on Monday.
documentaries about him. He’s actually been
things, what’s going to happen to them. You
This will probably come out after that but you
played many, many, many times.
just find something that you’re going to be
can catch up. Best life advice I received was
Not just by Colin Firth. There was lots of stuff
interested in doing and it’s going to take a long
from Peter Fonda and he said “do not back up,
to go back into. You know, you read it
time. This took, off and on, the best part
severe tire damage”
Anything specific or any tips for readers?
Trend Privé Magazine 49
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation by RAEGAN MELFE
Michelle Murdocca, the producer of the popular Hotel Transylvania movies has added a new film to her belt, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. In this film almost all of the characters have found love, Mavis is married to Johnny (Andy Samberg) and they have their son Dennis (Asher Blinkoff). Dracula has finally decided he is ready to start dating again, without Mavis’ knowledge of it. In order to help her dad take a break from the hotel Mavis books a vacation on a cruise.
make it a cohesive message, and acceptance just felt were Genndy Tartakovsky (the director) and Mike so timely and so appropriate.” McCullers.
Making the villain a love interest was just a deeper, more accepting decision for the storyline. This was especially more diverse in the fact that a descendant of such a famous nemesis of Dracula falls in love with him. “It makes a more dynamic character that she is Van Helsing’s granddaughter.It was something for the audience to overcome. It was something for Dracula This film is filled with comedy, creativity, and is to learn at the end of the movie,” Murdocca says. definitely entertaining for all ages. Murdocca says “I feel like it really points to Dracula being incredibly they work hard to make sure that these films are accepting and really inclusive. Even though she was both family-friendly and entertaining for children a Van Helsing, he was still able to love and accept and adults. This is why they have a series of her. It just really feeds into the theme of the movie. screenings to test how audiences respond. I think for her to be a straight character wouldn’t have been as exciting and fun.” “We want to entertain everybody. Also, there are ideas that come up cause we have a variety of The other two films kept the characters around the storyboard artists and visual development artists; hotel for the majority of the time. This film took people once in a while come up with ideas, and if I the characters out of the hotel audiences have cringe at it, it’s not going in the movie,” Murdocca grown to love and on a refreshing vacation. The says. main characters live at Hotel Transylvania due to the fact that they are not accepted by humans, “We definitely want to make parents, we want to so it was nice to let them get out for a vacation. keep them entertained and to make them laugh as Murdocca says she loves this movie and that it well.” was nice to take the characters to a different place in this film as compared to staying at the hotel in The theme of the other two films — of acceptance the previous films. — definitely continues in this film. Both the monsters and humans learn to look past each “I really feel like it’s nice to get out of a hotel. It’s other’s differences and see the similarities nice to see everybody having fun. I do like the, I like between each other. Murdocca says the themes the Van Helsing plot. I like that we really know who come up on their own during the creative process; the villains are in this one and it’s nice to have a as they get a script, storyboard it, and then find good strong villain that everyone knows who Van the theme. Helsing is.” “(The theme), for the first one it was about Dracula letting go and letting Mavis grow up. For the second one it was actually about a similar letting go theme,” Murdocca says. “Here it was really just a when we have our A story or B story it was like how can we bring them together to just Trend Privé Magazine 68
“I think that we just had a different type of humor. So I think that Adam and Robert Smigal are great writers; they’re really funny and they’re fun. I just think that Genndy and Mike McCullers were just different types of storytellers and joke tellers,” Murdocca says. “I think really it’s just a little bit of a different style but I think that it really maintained the integrity of the style that we’ve had for all of the movies.” Murdocca was not always a producer, involved in family-friendly entertainment or even in animation. She actually started out in Boston, Mass. creating industrial music videos and commercials. She says when she moved to LA she worked for a visual effects company, Boss Film Studios, which put her in charge of their CG department during a time when they were expanding in that area. It wasn’t until later that she used her visual effects skills to work in family entertainment but now she doesn’t want to do anything else. “When I worked on Stuart Little it was my first real family-friendly entertainment and I just loved that it was so inclusive. Then my step kids were really young, they were like three and five; I loved that they could come see the movie with us. So when I decided I wanted to have kids of my own it was important to me,” Murdocca says.
“We have a lot of preview screenings and they come to all of them. So they’re really involved, they love it.If I worked on more adult-like PG-13 or conRegardless of the change in writers from the last tent that wasn’t appropriate for them, they really film to this film, the story flows well and keeps couldn’t be involved in my work and I think that for similar themes from the previous films. The me that would be challenging.A lot of moms can’t difference with this film is it had a lot more humor really share their work that way. Especially if you in it. In the second film Adam Sandler and Robert work in a field that isn’t creative, it’s not as tangible Smigal were the writers and in this film, the writers to kids.”
Michelle Murdocca, the producer of Hotel Transylvania 3- Cover No. 46.
The film is doing really well nationally and internationally, and Murdocca says if it continues to do well Sony might be interested in a fourth film. She says she hopes to see this happen. She says she is passionate about her job, loves it and has worked hard to get to where she is. “Part of what I love about my job is that I get to have fun. I don’t know that I could say that if I were doing some other job, but I think that the fun that you see on the screen is actually happening in the room. Genndy and I really try and create an atmosphere that’s first fun and everyone has a great time together,” Murdocca says. “We love working together and I think that it definitely shows up on the screen. So what I would want everyone to know about me is that I love what I do, I have a lot of fun every day, and I feel really lucky about that.” Trend Privé Magazine 69
Highland Partners Taking the High Road: A Look at the East Bay’s Most Renowned Real Estate Company and How They Work to Make California a Better Place By Paige Gilmar Every day seems to be a new apocalypse. As you awake to a new day, the morning love songs of robins and wrens are replaced with the squawking of news reporters. Like some modern-day disciple of Jesus Christ, they proclaim the end of all modern goodness and morality. The freshest copy of your local newspaper materializes their verbal word in print, its ink bleeding with instances of school shootings, gang fights, political corruption, and corporate greed.
The world seems to be built on bombshells, with one wrong step leading to our utter destruction. The anthem of Western journalism remains the same sad song, a store of broken records. When hooked to news broadcasting like life support, it is hard to imagine kindness and compassion in this world. Could these bigwig news reports be leaving something out? Is there really any humanity left within the human world? A quick trip to the Bay Area is enough to remind us that goodness can still be found within our American borders. A hub for social activism and brilliant innovation--Berkeley brainiacs and San Franciscan sages alike are continuously pursuing the utilitarian ideal to bring about the greatest good for society. From protests to paintings, all members of the Bay Area seem to be giving a hand to make the world a better place, even its real estate companies. Stemming from the heritage of Mason-McDuffie Real Estate in 1887, Highland Partners was founded in 2009 by some of the most prominent figures in the industry, including Heidi Marchesotti, Adam Betta, Debbi DiMaggio, and Mindy Sun. An international real estate corporation with a client-centered boutique operation-Highland Partners offers an experience unlike any other, interweaving professionality with personability. This distinctive company specializes in luxury real estate within Piedmont, Berkeley, Oakland, and greater San Francisco areas. Co-founder Heidi Marchesotti explains their process, “We treat our agents the same way we would like to be treated. ‘Respect’ and ‘integrity’ are not just words that we use but the actions and traits of each person at Highland Partners every day.” “Our goals mirror the wants and needs of our Trend Privé Magazine 84
clients. For us, luxury is not a price point. It is a level of service that we provide to our agents and to our clients. Happy, mindful agents make for happy clients, so we are always working toward building our company slowly, with focus, and we are very selective in the agent-hiring process.” However, unlike many high-end companies, Highland Partners embodies their illustrious title holistically, taking the “high road” in all respects, even its moral ones. With the wealth this company collects from its thriving business, a portion of its earnings are given back to the community to improve the lives of many Californians. Highland Partners provides support and volunteering to over fifty programs, including local schools, hospitals, and community agencies. Marchesotti expands on this, “Born from a
need to create a better working environment for realtors with regard to support services and client care, we also wanted to create a company that gives back to the communities we serve not just by writing a check, but actually improving the quality of life by volunteering, education, and involvement.” “We have a list of hundreds of organizations that we are involved with. Probably our most recent home-build through give-back homes and Habitat for Humanity is the most notable. We raised money for a home-build in Oakland through Soul Cycle charity rides and general fundraising through our agents.
On build-day, many of our agents, working in two half-day shifts, actually participated in the build from hauling garbage to building interior walls. When you work that hard and are actually in the community, getting dirty and making a difference, what you get in return for that experience is so much more fulfilling.” Nevertheless, Highland Partners’ dedication to excellence has not gone unnoticed by the state and national communities. In 2015, Highland Partners was awarded the Butterfly Trust Mark by Positive Luxury for their commitment to social and environmental issues. Such an award makes Highland Partners the first U.S. real estate company in the world to be given the butterfly seal of sustainability. Marchesotti states, “Being the first company in the US and the first real estate company in the world to be awarded the butterfly seal is a true honor. It acknowledges the work we have done and strengthens our mission of giving back going forward.” Highland Partners was also nominated by Oakland Magazine for the title of “Best Real Estate Company on the East Bay” this year.
Marchesotti says, “It is always an honor to be nominated year after year. Like the butterfly seal, it shows that our passion and the way we approach the business is working and that our friends, agents, clients, and neighbors have noticed and appreciate the work we do.” Highland Partners has been featured in Trend Prive Magazine to show that human goodness comes in all forms, even if it is not recognized by big-name companies like CNN. The goodness of life can be found everywhere-all you have to do is simply look. If you are interested in buying or selling a property, reach out to Highland Partners at homes@highlandpartners.com. Trend Privé Magazine 85
Cameron Boyce BY Samantha Bergeson Photography Michael Becker
Cameron Boyce is anything but your typical child actor turned TV star. You have seen Boyce in the Disney Channel show Jessie; the comedy hit “Grown Ups 2” and most famously the teen fantasy films “Descendants.” Boyce is just getting started: Boyce will star opposite Ginnifer Goodwin in the highly anticipated ABC series Steps, and was recently casted in the indie film “Runt.” Boyce became interested in acting at a young age, finding his creative voice at age 10. “Ever since then I’ve never been able to picture myself doing anything else but being in this creative field,” Boyce explained. The child-acting path is not for the weak of heart, though. “Thinking about the fact that I didn’t get to regular school or have a prom or have a traditional childhood in a lot of senses is sometimes intimidating when I’m in the real world,” Boyce admitted. Yet his “butterfly effect” path has shaped him for the better, both as an actor and as an individual. “I think being a professional at such a young age has helped me develop into someone who sees things a bit differently: challenges have become opportunities, fantasy has become reality in a lot of ways. I do think that I see things on a broader scale because of the experiences I had early on.” Boyce’s largest role to date has been that of leading man Carlos in “Descendants.” The film spurred a recent sequel, with the teen fans craving for more. “Personally I think the reason a fantasy story works is that it’s driven by truth,” Boyce said. The relatable story-line for the characters, albeit in a fantastical world, touches viewers. “I’ve always felt that “The Descendants” has been a sophisticated kids franchise because of the message,” Boyce mused. Most importantly, though, Boyce has used his success and influencer status to draw attention to those in need. His work with the Thirst Project, a non-profit to provide clean water for developing nations, won Boyce a Pioneering Spirit Award, with Boyce raising over $30,000 for the organization to build two wells in Swaziland. Boyce is drawn to the charity and to the passion of their advocates and philanthropists. “Their passion has led them to save thousands of lives,” Boyce said. “You can’t put a price tag on that.” Boyce’s humanitarian mission extends outside of the Thirst Project to encompass all charity efforts, big or small. “I’ve had some amazing role models that have taught me the power of charity, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be in a position to influence people with my voice,” Boyce expressed. “Changing lives is something that everyone should strive to do in his or her lifetime.”
Boyce hopes to create on his own terms as an artist and continue to change the world for the better through charity work. “I want to fulfill my right brain as much as possible, and make an impact on people.” We cannot wait to see what Cameron Boyce does next. Photography: Michael Becker Styling: Veronica Graye Grooming: Jeffrey Paul with Exclusive Artists Management Cameron Boyce represented by ICON PR – www.icon-publicity.com Trend Privé Magazine 95
Nicholas K
BY Samantha Bergeson
Photos: NicholasK Models: Andy Models: Kelly Ferr, Mariane Fassarella
Womenswear brand Nicholas K exists in a
were inspired by within the Peruvian culture:
collections, with the un-dyed wool proving
world of pure preservation, lush
their large hats and ponchos. In a way, it kind
to be more expensive than its dyed
landscapes, and environmental
of fit our aesthetic of nomadic inspiration we
counterpart.
abundance—a world that very much should
have every season.”
be our reality. Founded by brother-sister
“It’s this weird paradox. As the Industrial
duo Christopher and Nicholas Kunz,
Nicholas explained she and her brother
Nicholas K embodies modern sustainable
were drawn to the people of Peru after an
idea that anything more processed is better,”
fashion for the confident woman.
alpaca wool-sourcing excursion to the Puno
Christopher explained. “If you think about it
region with the Trade Commission of Peru
from a practical point of view, un-dyed black
The brand’s versatile aesthetic mirrors the
the year prior.
should actually be cheaper.”
natural dichotomies found in the siblings’
The trip was prompted by Nicholas’s dis-
The contradictory nature of the argument
home state of Arizona. From diverse colors
covery of unique black shades of alpaca
is found in a variety of industries, Christo-
melded together in rock formations to
yarn at a fabric fair, but the dismay of a lack
pher added, citing the price increase for
unexpected forests among deserts, the
of resources for a full production utilizing
organic foods even though the action of
contrasting elements found in nature are
the natural fibers. “We like farm to finished
adding pesticides should cost more. “You’re
at the root of Nicholas K’s signature style.
fiber,” Nicholas said. “We wanted to have
essentially bastardizing a process that was
more transparency.”
really beautiful and pure and now you’re
“We like the idea of living in a harsh
Revolution moved forward, people had this
telling people it’s more expensive when you’re
environment but finding beauty in it.
While in Peru, the sibling duo observed a
doing less work,” Christopher said.
Everyone thinks of the desert as desolate, but
lack of diversity among the herded alpacas,
Of course, the decrease of breeding color-
there is lots of life,” co-founder Christopher
with significantly more white than black
ed alpacas was a choice by the local
explained.
being bred by the two largest wool
farmers who tracked the patterns of the
suppliers in world. “They told us that because
desired shades. The shared sentiment was
Although currently based in New York City,
of the commercial demand in the 1970s and
that if a company wanted black, they could
Nicholas K heavily draws inspiration from a
80s, brands and companies wanted to dye
dye the white just as other corporations
variety of locations, ranging from Africa to
their own colors for each season.They wanted
had been doing with exotic shades like
South America. Nicholas K returned to their
the white base,” Nicholas divulged. Yet the
pink, purple, and fuchsia.
southwestern foundation for their fall 2018
natural colored alpaca hair offered a boun-
collection, blending the brand’s “urban
ty of unreproducible shades. “It was so rich
“[The farmers] can’t risk their livelihood on
nomad” aesthetic with authentic Peruvian
in color and 3-dimensional,” Nicholas
that kind of bet,” Nicholas explained
culture.
reminisced.
regarding a potential shift in breeding
“It’s all these colors you could never try to re-
patterns. “We have to create a demand for
“We’ve always liked big cowboy hats and
produce.” The decades-long lack of demand
it and educate people on why natural color
turquoise necklaces,” Nicholas joked. “It’s
for colored alpaca hair within the fashion
is actually better. Why would you want dyed?
definitely something we appreciated from our
industry proved it difficult for Nicholas K to
Aren’t you conscience of what you’re putting
upbringing but it was also something that we
incorporate the fabric within their
against your skin?”
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Rust-colored salt mines mixed shades of milky white with an earthiness that also was incorporated into the fall collection color palette. “You can see our travels through Peru in the collection,” Nicholas said. The duo
Nicholas looks to the younger
returned to where the collection began in
generation for their awareness in
the highlands alpaca farms to photograph
consumption. Yet the path to
the clothing next to its source of
sustainability is wrought with
inspiration. The capsule alpaca
confusion and bureaucratic demands.
boucle sweaters were modeled next to
“It’s a difficult problem because on one end
suri “dreadlocked” alpacas that matched
as producers you should think about how
the same hue as the garment. “Every time
to solve a problem or develop a product
we design clothing we feel it shouldn’t be
that is well-designed, good for the
an eyesore to the environment. It should be
environment, and has some benefit to
After speaking in-person with
complementary to the natural
society without a cost to it,”
individual suppliers, Nicholas K
surroundings,” Nicholas explained. “The
Christopher explained. “I think in the
accumulated enough natural black
whole collection works as a camouflage to
process of trying to make everything
alpaca wool for 150 sweaters as part of
the environment that it was in.” Nicholas
affordable to everyone, we’ve also
their capsule collection for fall 2018.
cites Arizona’s Arcosanti as the ultimate
diminished the value of what people expect
“It’s kind of nice we only have 150 sweaters,
showcase of nature by a manmade
from products. We’ve created an
it doesn’t go on sale, it has a lot of longev-
product. The nation of Peru itself seeks to
environment where the financial cost of
ity, it’s not trendy,” Nicholas said. “This is
maintain a similar nonintrusive approach
producing something is the only concern
the perfect project to
to the utilization of nature. “When you talk
and all the problems associated with the
educate people and tell the story around
to people in government position there,
environmental and social costs are
it.” Each sweater is individually unique
they’re always talking about the balance
disregarded.” As Christopher and
given the natural differences in the black
between industrial movements and
Nicholas look to the future to
wool; the capsule collection an epitome
protecting
the
disenfranchised
parts,”
researching additional certifications, to
for purposeful luxury. “There used to be
Christopher stated. “As the other countries
developing new technologies to address
this concept of exclusivity around luxury,”
have sort of boomed and gone into
excessive shipment packaging, and to
Christopher said, “but this really is an ex-
manufacturing, it’s really in detriment to
their personal design inspirations the
clusive product because there really isn’t
the environment. And [in Peru], they are
Nicholas K woman is at the forefront of
that much of [the black alpaca] available.”
really trying to do it in a responsible way.”
their minds. “Our customer is someone
The rest of the brand’s upcoming fall
Founders Christopher and Nicholas hope
who has a sophisticated awareness about
collection continued from there. The
Nicholas K can exemplify a type of
life and the environment,” Christopher
siblings traveled to the Sacred Valley,
“subconscious sustainability,” with
finding inspiration from the muddied
consumers
ground. “The color palette simulated the
eco-friendly products as part of the
attractive and interesting with a little bit of
dirtiness of the earth: the burnt orange, the
normal routine. Will fashion, howev-
mystery.” And what else could we ask for
stones, the blacks,” Nicholas said. Next
er, one day be entirely environmental-
from two innovative, refreshing
they ventured to the Floating Islands,
ly-aware? “I think it’s inevitable,” Nicholas
designers? Nicholas K’s mark on the
incorporating creams and taupes from
answered. “The planet can’t sustain the
fashion industry is just as natural as the
the torturas. The movement of the long
pace that we’re moving in right now. There
garments they produce. But unlike their
grass roots that framed the Floating Is-
is going to be a breaking point where it’s
nature-inspired collection, Christopher
lands were mirrored in prints for flowing
not going to be an option, and people will
and Nicholas’ vision for an
dresses, “like wind over the water” as Nich-
have to start taking responsibility for this
environmentally-conscious world makes
olas described.
actions.”
them born to standout.
naturally
opting
said. “She understands the difference for
between style and trend; she wants to look
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