MAGAZINE
VOX
FALL 2014
PREMIERE ISSUE
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VOX is the newest up and coming Fashion Magazine for Utah, created with you in mind. VOX is all about liberating social dividers, influencing inner strength, creating space for fashion in Utah, and introducing our talent. VOX in Latin means voice and that’s exactly what this magazine is all about! Being a VOICE for those who need to be heard by unifying a state through celebration of its incredible, unique culture and perspective on the world.
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EDITOR’S NOTE
An Editor’s note is such a silly thing to me. I’d rather not have to win over the hearts of the people through my gushing of the artists in this magazine, but rather let them speak for themselves. Vox has truly been a long road for everyone involved in creating the first issue. Sharing, designing and expressing these amazing artists in all their glory are extremely important to me. From the high fashion looks of Manicproject’s,” Power 90s” to the feminine and realistic, “Freedom in Her Eyes” by Evelyn Eslava. The issue is equal parts, power, independence, femininity and freedom. With Reppy Kirkillis’s, “The R Word” we address social behaviors that no longer serve the greater purpose of life and existence on this planet and analyze hair with Kathleen Skyes, “The Cut”. We all hope, I hope, that you will get a sense and feeling of what is to come with Vox. This is not the end of an issue, but merely the beginning to the next. All the best energy and love sent to all the readers from me to you! Enjoy. Megan Ashley Beckham
Photo by John Paul
THE HANDS OF VOX Building VOX took many hands and minds to achieve, not only for the print issue, but also the website and design. We want to thank everyone who has contributed to VOX. Without you the dream would have just been a dream. Editor in chief Megan Ashley Beckham VOX CONTRIBUTORS Allison Holker, Steven and Weslie (cover girl) Alma Marisol (Blogger and MUA) Amy Taggart (fashion contributor) Blake Gilles (model) Brittany Salisbury (model) Brooke Tolman (writer) Chris Duce (director/ camera assistant) Courtney Marie (model) D’Arcy Benincosa (photographer) Dani Braun (model, Creative Director online) Delanie Walser (promoter) Emma Jones( Intern) Evelyn Eslava (photographer) Frank Castle (investor) Heather Marie Lewin (model/muse) Heggy Gonzalez (beauty editor) Jared Teter and Family (web design) Jen Devries (fashion contributor) Jenna Agrelius (hair stylist) Jennifer Muldoon (writer/model) Jerrick Romero(Vox Photographer) Jessica Jenae (photographer) John Paul (videographer) Kat Fedorova (fashion contributor) Kathleen Sykes( writer) Kim Teo (mentor) Lianna Michelle Russel (model/photographer) Magdalena Cline (layout designer) Maomi Brown (promoter/go-getter and all around badass) Matt Spencer (photographer) Megan Gorley (MUA) Missy Scarborough (MUA) Natalie Neal (photographer) Porsche Design (contributer) Phillip Istomin (photographer) Reppy Kirkilis (writer of The R WORD) RevyRev Jordan (promoter) Siri Rawle (MUA) Starlie Cheyenne Smith (model/musician) Taylor Millet (street art) Tessa Barton (musician) The Beckham Family Tom Bennett (musician) Tricia Snow (Hair & MUA) Zuzanna Audette (photographer)
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CONTENTS HER:
Mysteriously beautiful, effortless style with the latest fashions. Page 9
THE R WORD:
What really matters in life and how you can realize it and contribute. Page 15
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POWER 90s:
We will take you back and make you realize the 90s were awesome. Page 35
FREE:
Flowy, breezy, casual chic looks for those adventurous days of late summer. Page 21
ZION PRINCESS Ethereal looks among the simple beauty of nature. Page 13
THE CUT:
On long hair, short hair and the social norm. Page 29
BEAUTY TALK:
THE POWER OF ONE DREAM
An Exclusive interview with Allison Holker on Page 46
Get the latest makeup trends and easy to follow guides to looking fab this fall. Page 54
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HER Photographed by Natalie Neal Assisted by Chris Duce Model: Taylor Askason
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Previous page: Fisherman Sweater, American Apparel; Striped Turtleneck, American Apparel; Gold Chain Belt, Vintage. This image: Silk Plaid Top, Nordstrom Vintage; Vintage belt and Skirt. Opposite page : Sweater Tee, Vintage; Casio Watch, American Apparel. Next Page: Sheer Blouse, American Apparel; Geo Lace Bralette, American Apparel.
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ZION PRINCESS
Introducing VOX Photographer Jerrick Romero
Styled by Megan Beckham, Makeup by Missy Scarborough, Hair by Alma Marisol
Ethereal Fairy Tale Dress $275, Free People
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Auore Eyelet Dress $375 This page: Ball chain fringe collar necklace $48, Free People
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lady victoria cutout maxi dress $400, felt hiker cowboy hat $68 Free People
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Photographed by: Lianna Michelle Russell Model: Marae Wright
R
WORD THE We Can Change the world. TODAY. By Reppy
Well, here we all are. It’s 2014. There are over seven billion of us living on this remarkable planet we call Home. In 1965, there were about three billion people. How are we doing? According to NASA, scientists, anthropologists, and spiritual leaders—not too well. Unless there is a quantum shift in the global consciousness, they predict that our voracious consumption of the planet’s resources will result in a catastrophic environmental breakdown that will ultimately destroy all life on Earth in a few decades. They say that those who argue that “technology will save us” are woefully misguided; ironically, it is our dependence on crisis solutions, short-cuts, and quick-fixes that is responsible for our decline. And it’s not only the environment that’s at risk: The relentless bombardment of media saturation has left us at the mercy of processing a shocking amount of disturbing and conflicting information. It’s virtually streaming into our cerebral cortex, so it’s difficult to distance ourselves from this negative barrage, even harder to ignore it. Social networking in all its forms and our ability to “share” with others we will never meet has brought out the worst in many people: a consequence-free virtual roadrage mentality that breeds judgment, criticism, intolerance, and abuse. The venues for communication may be at an all-time high, but we as a species have never been more dysfunctional. VOX MAGAZINE 21
When we read about or witness an act of caring, compassion, generosity, or selfless sacrifice, our spirits soar. But keep scrolling/listening/watching, and you’ll absorb 500 times more awfulness—news of unfathomable brutality, crime, terrorism, massacres, rape, destruction of our air, water, and food supply, devastating poverty, hunger, genocide, war—an infinite supply of unspeakable injustice that, whether we acknowledge it or not, subliminally impacts our sense of security and well being. On the global scale or in our own towns, whether we feel it deeply or insist we are immune, we are affected. Whether we distract ourselves with a drink or a drug or a dozen doughnuts, write a check to charity, volunteer in a homeless shelter, or pack up and go to Bangladesh to build houses, we are all participants in this ever-unfolding drama of global suffering. Has the quality of our civilizations, with all our advancements and achievements, fundamentally changed? Has humanity become any more enlightened in terms of the way we relate to each other and the Earth itself? Look around. The evidence is compelling. Surviving in our insulated lives on a poisoned planet while 99% of the population sickens and dies is not going to cut it anymore. It’s simply no longer viable. We can’t make it alone. Our very survival is at stake. There’s no more pretending that what happens to “them” doesn’t have consequences for “us.” However, there is always hope and beauty amidst the chaos. We seek love and wisdom. We crave connection. We prize heroism in any form. People who overcome impossible odds and triumph inspire and empower us. The world may be in turmoil, but when has it never been? Those of us who are awake and want to make a difference are being called to action in a way unprecedented in human history.
“WHEN WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO FULLY EMBRACE LIFE THE WAY WE DID BEFORE WE LEARNED TO BE AFRAID, WE COME HOME.”
What a gift and a privilege it is to be alive, here, now, on the planet today! The crisis is our opportunity. The urgency is motivating us to embrace a new way of relating to one another. We have mistakenly believed that survival depended on domination or avoiding domination from The Enemy. But what if the real enemy is the illusion of separateness, the rift as old as time Itself, keeping us isolated and polarized? What if our redemption is in reclaiming our most basic shared experience: our inherent trust of one another? Despite all the messes we need to clean up, intuitively we know that our survival actually depends not on our ability to segregate, divide and conquer, but to find our way back to something that transcends political, religious, or cultural barriers. Sure, we can give a buck or lend a hand here and there, but we wonder if it’s really going to matter in the long run. Resignation and cynicism have become our shadowy and unwelcome companions. Everyone can relate to the feeling of being unable to fix something that’s irretrievably broken. If we look closer, we will realize that everyone, despite how they appear, must be walking around with the same wound, but we’re so used to it that it seems normal. Of course we all do what we can, but our lives are full and busy and we have our own problems. So now what? Suck it up and soldier on, while our hearts are breaking? Do we roll over and concede defeat? I don’t think so. Because lately, when I turn down the incessant roar of The Media Machine, I hear another voice...a pure, passionate, primal voice, that, although it may be weakened and confused, still has the audacity to ask, “Is there a way out? There has to be! Is there something I can do? There has to be something!” Listen to your heart. What is it telling you? Even though it seems that we are hurtling towards an uncertain destiny, doesn’t it feel as if we, as a species, are, at the same time, inexplicably gearing up for something not just better, but qualitatively new? Aren’t we all massively hungry for a pivotal and revolutionary leap forward? Isn’t it obvious that, even underneath the crushing burden of the world’s woes, that something else is taking root, something perhaps unknown and unnameable, but ultimately grand and glorious? There is, and we may not even know what to call it yet. But it’s about reclaiming our authentic power—and something much more impactful and far-reaching. Despite what history has shown, I believe that all of us want the same things, regardless of race, creed, political affiliation, gender, sexuality, economic status, educational background—all the ways we are hard-wired to “categorize” ourselves. If we’re honest, we have to admit that what we really want is for the world to work for everyone, even we can’t imagine how. Most of us have accepted that the vision of Utopian perfection is unrealistic, but tucked away in the deepest corners of our heart, we want the Earth to flourish. Underneath
all the divisiveness, I believe that everyone wants to be partners, not adversaries. And I do mean everyone... even the greedy, aggressive, territorial, judgmental, competitive, narcissistic, abusive people. Some may be too corrupted, damaged, misguided, or unconscious to realize it, but once you remove the barriers, it’s clear. We all want the freedom to be loved, healthy, to be a part of something meaningful, to experience joy and fulfillment. Everyone yearns for connection and community. We sing, we dance, we make art. We love our children. We want the world to be better for them, but we fear for their future. So what is our trajectory? Are we going to inevitably end up where NASA doom sayers predict, or is there anything we can do about it? One thing is for sure: we are failing miserably in our quest to treat others with decency and dignity. Why? Because we have never been able to accept the following simple truth: what makes us different pales in comparison to what makes us the same.
“WHAT WE REALLY WANT IS FOR THE WORLD TO WORK FOR EVERYONE, EVEN WE CAN’T IMAGINE HOW.”
But why do the differences seem so insurmountable? Why can’t we see ourselves mirrored in another? What keeps us apart? We all know its name: FEAR. We live in fear of one another, and it is not safe out there. We have to compartmentalize it or we wouldn’t be able to walk out the door. You could be gunned down by someone who’s just had enough and wants to take a few others with him, or blown up by a sociopath who doesn’t care that you’re getting married on Saturday. Although most of us will never face that kind of violence, even finding out that our neighbor’s house got broken into reminds us that the world is, and always has been, a dangerous place. Fear stalks us, no matter how or where we hide. It’s like having a low-grade fever. We’re not so sick that we have to stay in bed, but we don’t feel that great, either. Change happens at the cellular level, metaphorically speaking, and the way each one of us lives our lives makes a difference. That’s not just idealism talking.
Yes, there’s a lot of work ahead, but what else is there to do? We have to start somewhere. We’re either making things better or we’re letting them get worse. No matter what, we cannot let despair hijack our determination. So what is our true path to healing the world? We have to stop being afraid of each other. When I am afraid, I instinctively trigger fear in you. And if fear itself is our enemy, we can’t fight it by continuing to be afraid. But what is the next step towards restoring trust? Is there something we can do every day, starting right at this very moment? There is, and it’s the most logical thing! We can create safety for one another. What does it mean to feel safe? Relaxed. Open. Vulnerable. Kind. Playful, even. Willing to look over there and see that the other person is, despite perceived differences, having a parallel experience. Everybody is scared and self-conscious. Everybody wants to be liked, noticed, and appreciated. Everyone deserves to be treated honorably. But how can we create safety? And what if we don’t feel safe enough to make someone else feel safe? We actually have to take a leap of faith, and here it is: the way for me to feel safe is to first make it safe for you. What if we lived by the following code: “I am not a threat to you. You are safe with me. Not only that, I am going to make things better for you, because when you win, I win.” Extraordinary things would happen every day, all over the world. And every one of us has the power to live that way. Now. Today. Really. But it means we have to wake up and take responsibility for what we are choosing in each moment. Are we choosing to create safety, or choosing to perpetuate separateness? This is our opportunity. This is our call to action. Last summer, I was recovering from a serious illness. I was at the grocery store, exhausted, cart full to capacity. There were lines stretched out at all the registers, and I was the last one in mine. Everyone seemed annoyed and impatient. Then a voice from the heavens said, “Register 3 open!” Perfectly positioned to be next, I triumphantly pushed my cart forward. But as I put my items up, I realized the young man who had been in front of me in line (and who had been waiting longer) was now standing behind me. Before I’d only glanced at him, but now I saw that he only had a sandwich and a drink. Slightly uncomfortable, I thought, “Yikes, he really should’ve gone first. But hey, I’m wiped out, I need to get home, I’m just getting over being sick, and besides, he doesn’t seem upset, so...it’s fine! Let it go!” But the niggling discomfort increased. And then I remembered I had some things to return from the last time I shopped. I looked at the young man again. He was clearly not irritated in the least. But he had been waiting longer and my transaction was not simple. It wasn’t fair that I go first. We all know the feeling when we’re waiting to get into a movie and someone cuts in because they have friends holding their place. We know it’s not right, but we’re not going to make a stink about it. To be honest, we might even do the same thing. But, still, it’s not fair. I turned to him and smiled warmly. VOX MAGAZINE 23
“Why don’t you go ahead of me? You only have a couple things.” He grinned and brightened. “Oh, wow, thanks.” Then he hesitated. “Are you sure?” “Absolutely!” I said. He thanked me again and, he brushed past, murmured, “That’s really nice of you.” The woman at the register smiled too. She had waited on me a few times before. “Yes,” she said to the young man, motioning to me, “She’s really nice!” I impulsively took a dramatic and exaggerated bow. “Oh yes,” I said grandly, “I am just SOOOO nice!” They giggled like little kids, and something happened—the unspoken dynamic of polite awkwardness dissolved. We were no longer strangers. We were instantly safe and unafraid to be ourselves. Not earth-shattering, certainly. But the energy between us and around us completely changed. The three of us continued to banter and have fun, kidding and teasing. I remember thinking, “Can it really be that simple?”
“INSTEAD OF PURPOSELY AVOIDING CONTACT WITH STRANGERS, I ACTIVELY SOUGHT TO CATCH THEIR EYE SO THAT I COULD SMILE AND MAKE THEM FEEL SAFE.” The young man flashed me a jaunty smile as he walked away. “Thanks again!” he said. As I returned to my transaction, I realized I didn’t feel tired or cranky anymore. I felt renewed, clear, switched on, way-out-of-proportion fabulous. I noticed that everyone in the lines seemed less stressed, and people were talking and laughing. As I loaded my bags into the car, I felt inexplicably in tune with everyone, happy, giddy, the way you feel when you’re in love. Instead of purposely avoiding contact with strangers, I actively sought to catch their eye so that I could smile and make them feel safe. Everyone, from kids to seniors, looked right at me and smiled delightedly back. Each time it was like getting infused with a jolt of superpowers. And then it hit me. Sure, what I did in the store for that young man was nice. It was the right thing
to do. But it wasn’t a big deal. Or was it? The fact is, it had completely changed my mood, my physical state, my whole outlook. I felt better than I had in months. I had gotten way more out of it than he did! I got in my car. It was rush hour, but I was not in my usual glazed-over sitting-in-traffic-stupor. I had just transported to some spectacular alternate reality. I started driving differently, imagining that the people in those other cars were, well...me. How would I want other people to drive so that I could feel safe? I started driving that way. People immediately seemed more patient and courteous. What was happening? My enthusiasm grew. Then I realized: what I was feeling was actually a sense of power. I had power to make a true, measurable difference in the world, not conceptually, but for REAL. I marveled at how all of this wonderfulness could have sprouted from this small act, this seemingly insignificant gesture. The answer was obvious. What had happened at the store bypassed the social constructs, pierced through the unspoken veil that exists between us, and planted me firmly in the soil of “We’re all in this together.” We don’t need to change a thing about ourselves or other people—we can start healing our world TODAY, wherever we are and whatever we’re doing. We don’t need to agree or think alike or share beliefs. This is bigger than that. Each of us has the power to draw that virtual line in the sand. If we look for evidence that it’s not safe out there, we’ll find it. We’ll disconnect and miss a billion brilliant chances to push through the self-imposed walls that keep us from viewing another person as just us in a different wrapper. We can either choose fear and live it as our truth, or we can choose to dispel fear. If we remember that we are all self-protective and trying to shield ourselves from harm, we then have access to what is our birthright: trust and joy—the ground of being we all came in with. What if we woke up each day asking ourselves the question: In this situation, what can I do to have this person (or persons) feel safe? What if through every interaction--whether face-to-face, in our cars, on the phone, in an email--that in countless ways we can repair another small shard of the collective heartbreak? Somebody has to make the first move. Somebody has to break the vicious cycle. Somebody has to be brave enough to take the leap of faith. And guess what? That somebody is you. That somebody is me. When we treat everyone with kindness, patience, compassion, and respect—for no reason other than that they exist—we start a chain-reaction that has no end. Absolutely no end! And we don’t even have to feel good to do good. We just need to be willing. A couple of weeks ago, a young man at another store asked me, “How’s your day going?” I was upset about something, and I really didn’t want to make small talk. It would’ve been a lot easier to just grunt, “Fine,” but I decided to tell the truth. “Well, actually, I’m having kind of a rough day,” I mumbled. A minute passed while he scanned my items. Then he quietly said, “I’m
actually having kind of a rough day, too.” I looked up at him, and realized—there it was again—we had gone beyond the superficial and were connected. He was no longer just some random guy…we were in this together. Suddenly I cared about him. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” I said, as I felt my mood shift. I was no longer alone. He was having a rough day, too! He looked up at me and said, “Thanks. Some pretty hard stuff going on.” He handed me my bag. “Take care,” I said. “Hope things get better for you soon.” He smiled then, a big, easy smile. “Thanks,” he said, “You, too.” Our eyes met—a meaningful moment in the midst of the mundane—and we saw not a clerk or a customer, but a fellow traveler. I walked out, back to my regularly scheduled life, grateful and at peace. What a gift he had given me!
When we allow ourselves to fully embrace life the way we did before we learned to be afraid, we come home. Creating safety for another is the greatest single act of courage. It ignites something tender and selfless in all of us. When we do that, we short-circuit the hopelessness and come back to our core, which is to unabashedly, unreservedly love the world, with all its complexities and imperfections. Yes, there is much work to be done, and it starts here, exactly where we are, in the smallest and humblest of places. It’s time. We are ready. We are fully equipped, right now, in this moment to begin.
I am not going to go to Bangladesh and help build houses. I’m not. I’m not physically able to do that. Some other people can, and will. There are a lot of ways people make the world better that are outside of my abilities and skill set. We should all do what we can, whenever we can, to support the positive causes we believe in. But we can all do a lot more than we realize, and making
“HOW COULD ALL THIS WONDERFULNESS HAVE SPROUTED FROM THIS SEEMINGLY INSIGNIFICANT GESTURE?” people safe in our presence is something we can do every day, everywhere we go. The task is huge, but the work is simple. If we mindfully interact with the people we encounter in our day, both the people we love the most or people we will never see again, intentionally spreading safety and connection, we will absolutely and fundamentally change the world. We don’t have to orchestrate elaborate flash mobs or manifest miracles on a grand scale—when we walk through the world committed to making it safe, miracles effortlessly happen. And it’s healthfully contagious! What you do for me I pass on to the next person. We’ve all experienced it—kindness is catching! Will we ever know how much good we have done? Perhaps not, but that’s not important. The positive, healing energy continues to ripple infinitely ever outward, illuminating the path for us and everyone else.
Reppy is a writer, teacher, director, playwright, producer, performance artist, filmmaker, composer, illustrator, and relationship consultant. She is the Executive Artistic Director of The COBALT CLUB, a multi-form, multi-media production company that fosters personal empowerment and global partnership through the arts, and the co-author of Trusting You are Loved: The Breakthrough Guide to Creating Extraordinary Relationships, soon to be available on Amazon.com. Reppy is currently in production with her first feature-length documentary, Lili’s Tree, about a Holocaust survivor. She and her family live in Austin, Texas.
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Freedom in Her Eyes Photographed by Evelyn Eslava Model: Annie DeSantis MUA/Hair by Lauren Fisher Styling by Megan Beckham
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Washed Denim Overall $98, Wanderlust backpack $98, pink bralette $38, Free People
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This page: nightingale dress $138, Free People vintage frye boots Opposite page:: matador hat$58, right direction poncho $78, pink bralette $38, denim superflare $78 Free People
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THE CUT By Kathleen Sykes Photography by: D’Arcy Benincosa
There’s a long-standing expectation in western culture that women should have long hair. Anyone who has been through the magazine aisle at the grocery store — where each glossy cover bears the image of the impossible woman with long, shiny tresses — can testify this standard still exists. Our culture carefully monitors women’s hairstyles for a lack of conformity to western standards of beauty. This exclusive standard rejects the lifestyles and choices of many women. Some women lack hair for medical reasons; young mothers often cut their hair, so tiny fingers don’t get tangled in it; many cut their hair short for cultural reasons; and others simply want an edgy alternative to long hair. A change of hairstyle can even make waves in the national news. In jest (albeit truthfully) Hillary Clinton said, “If I want to knock a story off the front page, I just change my hairstyle.”
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Historically, short hair was reserved for nuns; slaves; and wig-wearing aristocrats. Long hair had layers of cultural and political symbolism such as modesty and submission — virtues of traditional femininity. Long hair also symbolized wealth and freedom. Slaves and prisoners often surrendered their hair as a punishment while the poor couldn’t manage long locks. The earliest women to sport short hair as a fashion statement were the flappers of the 1920’s. This was an affront to old, Victorian sensibilities resulting in scandal. A woman with short hair attracted labels like “loose” and “wild.”
“IF I WANT TO KNOCK A STORY OFF THE FRONT PAGE, I JUST CHANGE MY HAIRSTYLE”
Our culture, however, is changing and has been for some time. Many women now opt for shorter styles with little fear of rejection. Heather Lewin and Britt [Salisbury???] are two women who have taken their hair to its literal limits by shaving their heads. Heather is an artistic soul and an aspiring florist. Her doll-like features stand out in harmonious contrast to her shorn head. Her sense of style can be defined as “chic, down-to-earth and ‘all black.’”She says, “I believe my hair style says that I’m an independent person with a strong streak of confidence.” Britt is a stay at home mother with an edgy sense of style. Like Heather, her striking features stand in contrast to her short hair. Her hair makes a strong statement. She says, “I’m not afraid to take risks or worried of other peoples opinions.”As a hair stylist, she has always loved to try trendy new haircuts. As a model she says it’s important she stick out of the crowd. “Being in the fashion industry, it’s key to stand out among other models and be noticed.” To many women, the thought of shaving all of one’s hair off might seem like a foreign concept, and it raises many questions. What makes a woman shave her head? For Britt, it was a matter of wiping the slate clean. She shaved her head on a whim after a runway show she modeled in. “I was left with an extremely unflattering look that I got on stage, and I felt it was best to start all over with it.”
down to about my belly button. I had never cut my hair shorter than my chin. I was just ready for a big change with my hair. I didn’t do it for any other reason than I was sick of dealing with hair every day.” What does shaving your head affect you? Had Britt and Heather been born 100 years ago, their hairstyles would’ve undoubtedly stirred the pot (and most certainly not in a good way). But in this epoch, their hairstyles are often met with curiosity and approval. If anyone would have something to say about a dramatic change in someone else’s hair, it would be her family and friends. Britt has received nothing but accolades from her loved ones.“My friends and family love that I’m always switching up my hair. They think it’s fun.” She even says her clients want similar haircuts. Even in public her hairstyle is accepted and has even boosted her self-esteem. “I actually get a lot of compliments on my hair in public. When it was completely bald I got a lot of strange looks, but it helped me boost my self-esteem and not be so caught up in what others [think].” Heather’s experiences are similar. “Here and there I will get a sly look from people, but for the most part, everyone really likes it,” she says. “Really, I only receive compliments on my hair.” She adds that little kids constantly ask her about her gender. What does the future hold for you? Each woman has different visions for their future hairstyles, but their short hair has made a big impact. In keeping with her love of all things edgy, Britt plans on keeping her hair short. “I will always try new trends with my hair and always keep it short. I love the edgy, unique cut. It sets me apart from other women, and I like to create my own style.” Heather intends on letting her hair grow, but believes she’ll return to a short style.“I’m currently growing my hair back out because it was shaved for 3 years, and I miss having pony tails and braids. But I’ll probably end up shaving it again eventually.” Should I shave my head or wear my hair short? Short hair can be a dramatic change for many women. This is only a question that can be answered by the person getting the haircut. Heather however, gave some short, sweet and excellent advice about having a short haircut: “Be ready to have confidence! The best thing about hair is you can do anything you want to it. If you don’t like it, it grows back. Don’t be afraid of your hair.
Heather did it solely for the sake of change, and it was a big change. “Before I cut my hair off, it was VOX MAGAZINE 35
Previous Page: Heather Marie Lewin Opposite page: Jennifer Muldoon This Page: Brittney Salisbury
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POWER
90S
Photographed by MANICPROJECT Model: Marina Hayes MUA: Keri Hatfield Hair: Chad Seale Styling: Rachael Domingo
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THE POWER OF
ONE DREAM By Brooke Tolman
Photographed by Zuzanna Audette MUA/hair: Heggy Gonzales, Siri Rawle Stylist: Megan Beckham and Amy Taggart
Allison Holker is everywhere you look right now, which may be one of the reasons it was so difficult to connect with this busy mom and dance superstar. As an interviewer there is an unspoken or maybe obvious rule. You call at the designated interview time and you are never late. I sat in my office and waited for the clock to hit 10:30 a.m. Nervously, I went over all the questions in my head, gave myself a pep talk and dialed her phone number. The phone rang several times. To my surprise I received Allison’s voicemail, but not Alison herself. I took a deep breath and contemplated my next move. As a single mom like Allison, I work a full time job. And in addition to some “free”, and I mean freelance writing on the side, I began to consider that I had no idea when I would find time to try again to connect with Allison.
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After a few text messages and some calls from the editor, the editor and I had a plan. I would call Alison in my care, on my way to my family get-together and pray to God that my 2-year old son would behave himself in the car. Luckily I got a break. I decided to take “a convenient trip to the grocery store” sans the son and quickly called her from the car. This time she answered. I quickly introduced myself and we begin chatting as if we have known each other for years. Which brings me to the story you are waiting to hear. Known to some of my friends and family as an unassuming beauty, I have never considered myself a fashionista. But I opened the interview with Alison as someone with a newfound love of fashion. Alison told me of her photo session for VOX. She proclaimed that she might just be a changed woman when it comes to making a statement with her clothes. If you don’t believe me, take a quick look around the Internet and you will see she was recently voted one of the 10 Best Dressed at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards. Although Allison’s sense of style is definitely creating a buzz, it is her talent that has everyone in the “dance world” talking. Interestingly enough, Alison originally said “No” when Hollywood came knocking. Allison didn’t always want to be a dancer. In fact she was quick to point out that she was always slightly annoyed when she was forced by her mother to attend her older sister’s dance rehearsals. Fortunately for her fans, it was one of her sister’s dance rehearsals that changed Allison’s life. She was privileged enough to see a dance piece by the famous choreographer Mia Michaels. As she sat in the auditorium Allison witnessed something that was so moving that it touched her in a way she had never felt before. “It was that moment literally changed my life, “ recalls Allison. “ I knew at that moment that dance wasn’t just for fun, but it would be my career.”
“HOW CAN I EXPECT TO TEACH MY DAUGHTER THAT SHE CAN REACH FOR ANY DREAM POSSIBLE IF I AM NOT WILLING TO DO IT MYSELF?” From that point on, Allison became serious about dancing. She began training at The Dance Club in Orem and specialized in Contemporary, Ballet, Tap and Jazz. She performed at the opening and closing ceremonies in the 2002 Winter Olympics and won
numerous dance titles before auditioning for the second season of the hit TV series, “So You Think You Can Dance.” After her participation in the hit TV series, Alison returned home to Utah and her young daughter, Weslie. Life continued as it had before Allison appeared on the TV series. Impressed by her talent, the producers of “So You Think You Can Dance” asked Allison to return for Season 7 to be an “All Star.” Alison originally said “No.” She felt pressured being a single mom to her young daughter. Although she was uncertain of taking care of her daughter if she moved to LA, it didn’t take long for Allison to say “Yes” and pursue her lifelong dream of a dance career. Allison’s thoughts always came back to her daughter Weslie and she considered what she ultimately wanted to teach her child. “How can I expect to teach my daughter that se can reach for any dream possible if I am not willing to do it myself?” says Allison. So she immediately called back the producers of “So You Think You Can Dance” and asked if there was still a spot on the all-star team. She was lucky. Her spot was still open. Allison, her daughter and mother made the move to LA to pursue Allison’s dancing dream. When Allison reflects on her choices, she thinks about her daughter new dreams and Weslie’s most recent life choices. “Can I talk about what this step to moving to LA and pursing my dancing dreams has meant to Weslie? She has a dream board. She calls herself Beat Girl Wex. And she wants to be a fashion designer,” says Alison with a smile. Allison’s advice to women: “Balance in your life is not easy, but it is doable.” “ Anything you want can happen, if you work hard. At times it is challenging, but it doesn’t mean you can’t make it happen.” “If you’re a single mom you have to give 100 percent at work and 150 percent at home. Stand tall and be proud that you can have a career and a family. Believe in your own power.” In summary, if by some chance you have been hiding in the closet or haven’t turned on your TV, here’s a few quick things you should know about Allison. The year 2013 seems to be her year. Allison has been nominated for an Emmy, choreographed “Dancing with the Stars”, appeared on VH1’s “Hit the Floor,” become a Los Angeles Devil Girl. And, to top of 2013, Alison is creating her own dance wear clothing line. Finally, she recently became engaged to the ever-popular hip-hop dancer, Stephen “twitch” Boss. Perhaps Allison’s dreams of a dance career are just the beginning of many dreams yet to come. Let’s hope so!
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Beauty Talk Photography by: Matt Spencer Hair & Makeup: Heggy Gonzales Model: Aline Andrade
Contouring 101 Steps to start: cheekbones, hairline, sides of the nose, and jaw line will be the areas you contour. These are the areas of the face where a natural shadow falls and what contouring helps fine tune a more sculpted look. Highlighting: Under the eyes, forehead, the top of your cheekbones, cupid brow, chin and the bridge of the nose are all areas where the light hits and naturally reflects giving you that healthy glow. Blending: To pull your look together, you want to blend it just right to make your contouring look more natural. For contouring use a powder or concealer 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone foundation. For highlighting use 2-3 shades lighter. When blending with liquid we recommend a stipple brush, or a beauty blender sponge. If you’re more of a powder girl, a small blush brush, a foundation brush for contouring and a round powder brush for blending. Remember to be patient with yourself and that practice makes perfect!
Lèvres Scintillantes Chanel Lips As the fall breeze lurks around the corner, we feel the change in the air. The sunsets are richer and the city begins to turn a new leaf. What better way to, “change with the seasons” than to change-up your make up collection with CHANEL LÈVRES SCINTILLANTES collection. Filled with beautiful pearly shine and rich in color just like the fall season, these lip glosses complete any and every look. Naturally for fall we begin to think of darker shades, but let us open your eyes to a new variety of gem colored glosses that pair with everything, and feel amazing. This collection offers us a little more than your every day gloss; they can be worn alone or layered and enhanced with their signature conditioning formula for long wear and great hydration. This fall we want you to make a powerful statement with darker plums, earth tones, and black widow lips; you’ll stand out all season long!
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