STATUS Magazine May 2015 feat Chloe Sevigny

is breaking underground may 2015

SHOPPING GUIDE

30

6 MASTHEAD 8 CONTRIBUTORS 10 STATUS MESSAGE

STATUSPHERE 13 THREADS 18 SETTING 19 BRICK & MORTAR 20 SCREEN 21 INK 22 BEATS

GADGETS 23 TECH

PACK: SLEEK IN THE CITY

The tech toast of the town.

BEAUTY 24 FACE

PAINT: MOD WORLD

Be surrounded with familiarly beautiful faces.

25 25

VANITIES: FAIRLY LETHAL

Have a healthy dose of chic.

BEAUTY BITE: WINK LASER STUDIO

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FASHION

STREET STYLE

26 GO SEE 28 STYLE ID:

TORN THIS WAY Step in the right direction, distressed and classy.

VISION BOARD

30 HOT

TROPIC

Zone into the latest in poolside chic with knit bikini tops, coveralls, cut-offs, and offshoulder pieces that keep the temperature on a constant rise.

By Cenon Norial III

40 COLOR

BREEZE

The shades will soon wash out so stand out in subtle hues and subdued pieces from sweaters and oversized blazers to lounge dresses and buckets caps.

By Wes Klain

47 SWAG: SUMMER LIGHTS 48 VISUAL ANGLES Printed Socks

49 PULL

DISCLOSURE

50 SPOT

ON

Drawstring Bags

Paint-splattered Shirts

51 UPPER

DECK

Boat Shoes

52 WAISTED

YOUTH

High-waist Shorts

53 GLOSS

SECTION

Metallic Flats

54 OVER

THE TOP

Bikini Tops

55 CAT

SCAN

Cat-eye Sunglasses

FEATURES MUSE

56 MOVING

PLANES

Three years into the art of modeling, Sara Hiromi breezes through stills and shoots with an air that takes her anywhere she fancies.

By Janroe Cabiles

MAESTRO

60 ROOM

FOR RECEPTION

It’s time for a funk makeover as German-based duo Soulparlor takes over with their electronic beats and soulful remedies that are sure to make you Smile.

By Kitkat Ramos

62 THE

WUNDERKIDS

Take cover and brace yourself as Farewell Fair Weather storms into the local scene with tunes that will cover you in a mesmerizing mix of melancholia and soulful jazz.

By Ian Urrutia

64 POP

FICTION

Breaking free of her feat and taking the spotlight, BeBe Rexha sinks into a smoky seduction with her vocals fit for a diva and make for a heady brew.

By Isabella Argosino

66 BOHEMIAN

RAP CITY

Wrapping himself in good vibrations, Mod Sun shines on a kaleidoscopic setting with his concoction of hippie rap, electronic hooks, and tropic beats.

By Pola Beronilla

is breaking underfround m ay 2 0 1 5

MASTERMIND

68

stance. Regardless of which image stays with you, every moment with the muse on screen will forever be Chloë’s scene.

SWEET ESCAPE

Fresh from Art Basel Hong Kong, Yuree Kensaku conceals dark secrets under candy-colored hues to deceive you into taking a bite into the wild side, bringing innocence into awakening.

By Janroe Cabiles

84

By Olivia Estrada

70 MODERN-DAY

THESPIAN

Actor Nicco Manalo steps off the stage and into the silver screen, setting himself up under the limelight to introduce himself to the audience past the characters he’s been recognized for.

By Denise Mallabo

72 TAG

TEAM AUTHORITIES

90

By Isabella Argosino

74 PRISM BREAK

By Pola Beronilla

HEAVY HITTER

76

FILM À CLEF

Apathetic to being “of the moment,” Chloë Sevigny is anything but. Continuing her 20-year romance with film, nothing haunts you quite like her powerful expression behind heavylidded eyes and aloof

The title “makeup artist” doesn’t do Isamaya Ffrench any justice as she blends watercolor with eyeshadow and buffs out pencil marks with lipstick. Re-defining the look of the season, she manipulates artistry into to her palette to create beautiful disasters and terrifying muses.

68

By Olivia Estrada

Chaz Barrison and Bob Gibson have a warrant to arrest you with their works as The London Police, tagging the world’s walls with their license to humor, color, and curiosity.

Drenched in nostalgic hues and vivid fantasies, it’s a myriad of colors and a spectacle of spectrums when Alia Penner makes her art bleed onto music hits and playful fantasies.

TWO-FACED BEAUTY

SWITCHING SIDES

Straight from the treacherous city of Gotham, actor Cory Michael Smith can be found anywhere except where you think he would be. Taking his theater chops to Hollywood, he’s also bringing along his own tune to put on his own show that presents his promise and passion.

By Olivia Estrada

MORE

94 DIRECTORY STATUS INVADES 96 LAIDBACK LURE

Akiko Abad takes it down a notch to prove that the best is only good when it starts from within.

about the cover Given the many facets of Chloë Sevigny, illustrator Krizia Banogon renders an image that instills the style icon in a timeless and effortless core that isn’t swayed by trend or tide. With long, blond hair, killer smoky eyes, and a yellow utilitarian jumpsuit, this is how Chloë stands at the forefront with a mix of unique and classic only she can come up with.

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Blogsphere

the pulse of hip at your fingertips

go see

we’re all models off duty. smize!

FEATURES

there’s more to what’s in print

NightVision who’s spotted partying where

Photo Diary confessional for lensmen

Digital Magazine DOWNLOADS STATUS in pixels, not paper

free mixtapes and wallpapers

is breaking underground May 2015

editor-in-chief

Rosario Herrera @RosarioHerrera

managing editor

Denise Mallabo @denisemallabo

art director

Nyael David @nyaels

graphic designer

Tiff Ko @happeetiff

Carlo Nuñez @oycaloy

features editor

Pola Beronilla @HiMyNameIsPola

fashion assistant

Jill de Leon @orangetoenails

editorial assistants

Janroe Cabiles @janroetheboat

Olivia Estrada @MsOliviaSylvia

Kitkat Ramos @KitKatRamos

account manager

Dan Buenaventura

What’s your STATUS? tell us.

@danbuenaventura

editorial editorial@statusmagonline.com

contributing writers

Ian Urrutia

contributing artists

Sunny An, Sean Armenta, Dennis Auburn, Krizia Banogon, Lizzi Bougatsos, Ian Castañares, Grace de Luna, Gerard Del Mundo, Chiqui Dingcong, Stacy Ellen, Apple Fara-on, JC Gellidon, Brandon Godoy, RJ Gorospe, Katrina Guevara, Kevin Hatt, Wes Klain, Marcelo Krasilcic, Potchie Lazaro, Sophie Loloi, Amber Mahoney, Bao Ngo, Germain Nichols, Cenon Norial III, Darwin Sablayan, Steffi Santiago, David Perez Shadi, Lauren Withrow

advertising advertise@statusmagonline.com

interns

Ida Aldana, Nicole Angeles, Isabella Argosino, Keeshia Felipe, Una Ilarde, Dariz Kho, Kush Obusan, Matt Panes, Robert Valdellon

marketing marketing@statusmagonline.com general inquiries info@statusmagonline.com read our digital version statusmagonline.com/digital-magazine like us facebook.com/statusmagazine follow us twitter.com/statusmagazine instagram: statusmagazine STATUS is published by STATUS Media Group.

Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

c ontributors POTCHIE LAZARO Snapping photos and stealing smiles from actors like Nicco Manalo (70) is something Potchie is born to do. However, if he were to choose another life, he’d opt for artist David Choe. “I would hold a solo show If I could be him for a day. But staying true to some of his quirky habits, this show would all be exact replicas of old famous paintings, displayed in a warehouse.”

KRIZIA BANOGON

CENON NORIAL III

“I communicate better through visuals,” Cenon plainly tells us. You won’t hear any cold feedback from us as we felt the temperature rise in his editorial, Hot Tropic (30), flashing on the tropic wonders of a poolside chic. Keeping his cool and his aesthetic intact, he has a few words of advice amidst the haze of this dizzying world, “Back up or back out.”

Krizia has respect for the classics, “I love Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night.’ It expresses a dark mood yet it’s happy.” But she does appreciate a streak of rebellion like our cover girl, Chloë Sevigny.

“She’s uniquely gorgeous with a goofy self-confidence that can make anyone insecure. I also love that she’s unpretentious and doesn’t give a monkey’s butt what people think of her.”

STACY ELLEN Stacy claims that none of her jobs as a stylist, journalist, and creative director feel like work.

It’s all fun as she turns her hobby into her passion. Nowadays, she can shift identities seamlessly without us even noticing just like Cory Michael Smith (90), whom she styled recently. With just a change of clothes, she’s ready for the next adventure.

IAN URRUTIA Ian brought us greetings from Farewell Fair Weather (62) saying, “The independent music scene is a hodgepodge of influences. It’s no longer black and white.” He should know as he not only writes music but also produces and curates playlists to keep up with what’s new. “At some point, we’ll have to interact with people of various backgrounds.”

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DENNIS AUBURN

Dennis’ photos are born out of light, color, nakedness, and silence. The results are images that capture the carefree yet solemn stories, like that of Sara Hiromi’s (56). His ability to combine all these influences makes us wonder if it’s got anything to do with bringing his native Belgian beliefs to the land where everything is bigger, Texas.

GREYONESOCIAL.COM

STATUS MES S AGE

is breaking underground T

he cult. Started from the underground with a different vision and a different voice. The ones we follow because we believe in the message. We give a nod to the people who have separated themselves from the pack and have reached a level of cult status that is influencing the mainstream.

The ultimate “indie girl” since the late ‘90s, Chloë Sevigny carries the crown of a cultural icon. Having a colorful career for over a decade, working with the greatest photographers of our time has set her up for the release of her first book art book titled after her own name. She shares with us how her fashion has changed over the years and why she always considers herself an “alternative” girl.

We’ve always heard the phrase that the face is a makeup artist’s canvas, but illustrator Isamay Ffrench is taking it quite too literally. From painting the face to the body, she tells us how her creative background in product design is shaping how she does makeup, redefining what makeup artistry should be.

Actor Cory Michael Smith is crossing over from center stage to the silver screen. He’s taking over Gotham, playing The Riddler in CW’s new graphic novel-turned-TV series, and he’s also set to act along Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in the upcoming movie, Carol. Cory gives the lowdown on how comic book villains are created and who his favorite leading ladies are.

This cult issue lets us explore the other facets of our creative culture. Sometimes, we need to dig underground for it. Sometimes, it’s behind the scenes. And other times, it has already influenced us in ways we aren’t even aware of. With creativity reaching new heights, we still want to see where it will take us.

Editor-in-chief

Chloë Sevigny (76)

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FASHION

facebook.com/starstyleph

Beauty

Celebrity

@starstyleph

www.starstyle.ph

@starstyleph

THREADS / setting / BRICK AND MORTAR / BEATS / SCREEN / INK May 2015

monochrome mania

W

hat started out as a project between George Gigney and friends, WRECK LONDON prides itself as a luxury line that doesn’t compromise original streetwear aesthetic. A monochromatic myriad of crisp silhouettes, zip detailing, black and white panel shirts, and sophisticatedly stylish hoodies, Reprisal exudes youthful talent and quality you can’t find anywhere else. wrecklondonclothing.co.uk

POOL kids

E

nough with testing the waters; take a plunge into OXYGEN this summer. With floral swimsuits, graphic shirts, tropic tank tops, reflector shades, and 5-panel caps, pieces from the Spring Bangerz collection will never leave you soaked on dull moments. Embrace the sun and cannonball your way into a great summer adventure. oxygenfashion.com

vacation Weave

W

hen you get tied up with trip after trip, MUUNO SWIM will keep up with your sea escapades. With a collection of knitted swimwear in trendy halter silhouettes, pieces in basic neutrals like black, white, and nude as well as a sunny shade of peach will get you tangled up with the sand and waves. muunoswim.com

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THREADS

BRANDS TO KNOW

blurred lines

2

XH BROTHERS’ second menswear collection is all about twotoned monochromatic hues. The Denmark-based brand updates their signature sporty aesthetic with lux fashion-forward looks in wide-leg culottes, knit pullovers, and comfortable sports suits among others. The collection pays close attention to voluminous structures, playful silhouettes, and experimental shapes that’ll blur the lines between sports and office wear.

2xhbrothers.dk

ARt RATE

S

ingapore-based label RAOUL shows a beautiful clash of prints, colors, and fabrics on its Fall/Winter 2015 collection. Giving classic femininity a stroke of innovation, the brand mixes prints and colors with androgynous silhouettes, paneled detailing, minimalist shades, and unconventional fabrics.

Each piece is definitely a wearable work of art. raoul.com

TROPICAL CRUISER

L

oosen up and feel the heat as FLOSSY’s latest array of plimsolls makes you feel like you’re walking on a tropical paradise. Originated from the Rioja region of Spain, these shoes definitely know how to cool up any outfit with its classic colors, tropical prints, tribal designs, glittered fabrics, and floral patterns that’s enough to get you on a summer vibe. flossyshoes.com

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THREADS

urban club

P

ack up your travel bags with new pieces from PENSHOPPE. Their new Spring/Summer collection features a variety of items you can match from day to night. The set gives you dresses with flowy fabrics, light and sheer cover-ups, a refined color palette, and breezy silhouettes that even it-girl Cara Delevingne can’t get enough of. penshoppe.com

youth revolt

E

mbrace your youth as it only come once with 3-W-Y’s spring 2015 deliveries. The brand’s name stands for “When Were Young,” explaining the three W’s and the Y. With bomber jackets, hoodies, and shirts in camouflage prints, neoprene fabric, zipper accents, and shriveled details, being youthful doesn’t always have to be in technicolor. No more regrets, just good memories when we are young.

3-w-y.com

ZERO tolerance

A

ll eyes are on ZEROUV’s latest collection of curated sunglasses. Founded in 2001, it’s clear that they aren’t new to the eyewear game with its sleek aviators, chic cat’s eye, neon sunnies, retro flip ups, and first-rate specs. No need for an eye chart because this one’s definitely not blind in style. shopzerouv.com

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THREADS

BRANDS TO KNOW

lETHAL weapon

Y

ou’ll be paralyzed in awe when VIBORA’s first drop of deadly parcels bites you. Inspired by the snake’s killer instincts, this new brand will definitely get everybody Charmed. Divided into “High Fashion” and “Fast Fashion,” the collection includes printed tees, oversized shirts, neoprene tops, paneled joggers, geometric jerseys, and luxe sport shorts that show their fangs on the streetwear scene. viboraphilippines.com

TOURIST ATTRACTION

L

ondon-based clothing label MCINDOE DESIGN brings you to the Amazon minus the piranhas. Playing on tropical prints and hand-drawn characters, Maddy McIndoe uses her expertise as a textile designer on button-downs, T-shirts, crop tops, dresses, and shorts, plus the brand’s signature embossed toucan logo. Using light-weight fabrics in easy casual shapes, summer is definitely just one button away. mcindoedesign.com

PASTEL pARTY

B

elgian label HAUS COUDEYRE is sugar and spunk for the modern lady. Ink, their Spring/Summer 2015 collection, is inspired by gentle breezes, summer days, and ocean waves that all reflect on the sophistication and fluorescence of women. Characterized by soft silks, vivid prints, and pastel palettes, each delicatelycrafted piece–from coordinates, shift dresses, to statement coats–evoke a fairytale feel. coudeyre.com

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THREADS

black ON TRACK

R

ome-based brand BLACK BLESSED is fast becoming the holy church of minimalist dark clothing. Exemplifying underground culture with the utmost sophisticated flair, their latest collection features high-low dresses, sheer numbers, androgynous trousers, cut-out shirts, and slit skirts. Be blessed in grayscale glory from head-to-toe while proving that black will always be the only black. blackblessed.com

CASUAL cool

A

iming to be not just a brand but a lifestyle, INFORMAL APPAREL is exactly what they say they are–informal. But don’t let that fool you, their newest collection– although laid-back, comfortable, and nofrills–doesn’t scrimp on style. Custom-cut pullovers, high-low hoodies in marvelous monochrome, and zipper details make for fashion-forward show-stoppers. informalapparel.com

CITY COMFORT

G

iving you a MEMO on how to make urban living a bit more relaxing with boxy tops, city shorts, lightweight button-downs, and breezy shirts, this brand definitely proves its years of delivering comfortable fashion wherever you may be. With different prints of swirls, dots, and stripes in different summer colors, it’s time to takeover the city life with comfort. memofashion.com

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SETTING

PLACES TO GO

SUITE

ROOMS HOTEL, TBILISI T

ransport yourself to a world of bohemian glamour and fresh post-industrial charm that is ROOMS HOTEL. Located in the heart of Tbilisi, Georgia, this 141-room boutique oozes of regal modernity with its fine furnishings, handmade wallpapers, array of book shelves, and wood-brick-metal combination. The boho-chic retreat is a destination in itself as it also houses its restaurant with rave reviews, serving up locally farmed and artisanally-prepared food.

Converted from an old publishing house, each stay in this contemporary, eight-story hotel is sure to be an offbeat experience in every corner, fusing together one-of-a-kind comfort and taste. Whether you’re traveling on business, on a budget, or for pure pleasure, there’s definitely room for you.

14 Merab Kostava St., Tbilisi 0108, Georgia roomshotels.com/tbilisi

grub

aking your home comfort favorites to an artisanal level, SABAO SOUP BAR showcases Filipino classics like sinigang and tinola on the world stage. Starting with a broth made entirely out of scratch and simmered for 16 hours, the restaurant carefully crafts each ingredient with the same dedication to detail and flavor. The outcome isn’t just a different gastronomical experience but a visual delight as well. If you’re not having a bowl of soup, creations like soft and rich steamed bao or noodles and rice bowls are bound to satisfy your cravings. Coupled with their uniquely Filipino interiors with a twist, Sabao Soup Bar offers an upscale but relaxed feel to dining that will keep you coming back for more.

G/F Signa Designer Residences, Valero St. cor. V.A. Rufino St., Salcedo Village, Makati City facebook.com/SabaoSoupBar

PLATE

best of the basics When it comes to flavor, SABAO SOUP BAR tops off their dishes with a dash of what matters most.

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SINIGANG Sampaloc sambal, roasted tomatoes, red radish, and pickled garlic served with your choice of glazed pork belly or shrimp

BULALO Soy-ginger braised shank, toasted bone marrow, and assorted vegetables in rich beef broth

BINAKOL Grilled chicken breast, coconut water, coconut, green papaya, and confit red onions in chicken broth

BEEF BAO Crispy short rib, sweet soya, atsara, spring onions, and cilantro in soft bao

Words by Isabella Argosino and Olivia Estrada, ROOMS HOTEL is a member of Design Hotels SUITE photos courtesy of Design Hotels, GRUB photos by Kush Obusan

SABAO SOUP BAR, MAKATI T

BRICK AND MORTAR

STORES TO SHOP

BLACK OPTICAL, OKLAHOMA 5820 N. Classen Blvd. #2, Oklahoma blackoptical.com Dime to Drop: P12,743.78-P44,715.00 ($285-$1,000) Don’t leave the store without: A precision-built pair of eyewear custom-fit for your face shape, grade, and taste

W

hen you’re on the lookout for the perfect pair of specs, keep an eye out for BLACK OPTICAL. Located in Oklahoma, the store will lure you in with its clean, crisp contrasts of black and white.

Being surrounded with simplistic shelves, elegant marble counters, and geometrically-angled furniture that display eyewear in various designs, added up with enormous mirrors in every corner to see which design suits you best, will definitely tempt you to give that credit card a swipe or two.

If that’s not a good enough reason to indulge, the shop holds a selection of quality sunglasses from brands like Dita, Mykita, KBL, Tom Ford, Mikli, Oliver Peoples, SALT, and Thom Browne, to mention a few. From precise custom framework and the latest optical technology to an array of textures, colors, materials, and tints, this place is definitely a sight for sore eyes.

FARFETCH

Words by Jill de Leon

W

hen you feel like shopping on the streets of Paris, New York, and Milan or discovering the unexplored boutiques of Bucharest and Riyadh, FARFETCH will take you there in just one click. The UK-based retail store connects you with stylish finds and rare pieces from over 300 brands worldwide. Featuring designs from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana, Kenzo, Maison Margiela, Proenza Schouler, and Marni, you no longer need a passport to be a well-traveled fashion maven.

farfetch.com

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SCREEN

SCENES TO SEE

RE M OTE CONTRO L TICKET

KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK (HBO) When Cobain’s widow Courtney Love approached director Brett Morgan in 2007 with the bright idea of producing a documentary of her late husband, Morgan went straight to work. Eight years later, the unauthorized film about the rise and fall of Nirvana, including a compilation of unheard songs and unreleased videos, will screen on HBO on May 4, 2015.

JEN KIRKMAN: I’M GONNA DIE ALONE (AND I FEEL FINE) (NETFLIX) Stand-up comedian Jen Kirkman is bringing her sassy and smart attitude to Netflix, following her hilarious work on Chelsea Lately and Drunk History. Telling side-splitting tales about being bad at marriage but good at living alone and the realities of a sucky sex life at 40, Kirkman will make you bust your gut from laughing.

SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY The screwball comedy sees the love triangle of a prostitute-turnedthespian (Imogen Poots), a married Broadway director (Owen Wilson), and the playwright (Will Forte) as their secrets slowly come out of the bag.

TOMORROWLAND Straight out from jail, delinquent Casey Newton (Britt Robertson) finds a pin that transports her to an alternate world where actions affect the real world, and meets genius Frank Walker (George Clooney) who invented it.

THE CONNECTION Director Cédric Jimenez gives his own take on the French Connection drug trafficking system, creating a thriller focused on a policeman (Jean Dujardin) trying to take down the most powerful drug lord (Gilles Lellouche).

ALOHA Set in Hawaii, the story follows a military contractor (Bradley Cooper) who returns to the site of his greatest career triumphs, but unexpectedly falls for the headstrong Air Force watchdog (Emma Stone) assigned to him.

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Directed by George Miller, this postapocalyptic film centers around lone Mad Max (Tom Hardy) as he comes across Furiosa (Charlize Theron), a rebel attempting to rescue five young women taken as prisoners

by Immortan Joe.

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD Based on the 1874 novel, director Thomas Vinterberg casts Carey Muligan as an independent woman who explores the nature of relationships and love with her three very different suitors.

P L A Y BACK ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (2013)

DIMENSIONS OF DIALOGUE (1982)

This is my favorite Jim Jaramush movie thus far! I find the entire film to be super sexy.

I love all of Jan Švankmajer’s clay-mation films and shorts–they’re marvelous pieces of art!

THE DARJEELING LIMITED (2007)

COFFEE AND CIGARETTES (2003)

I can’t get over how visually beautiful this film is. The colors and scenes in it are fantastic.

It’s so beautiful.

There’s a scene in this movie that has never really left my head.

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (2014)

ELLE (Artist)

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Wes Anderson is just brilliant.

Every scene is meticulous and fantastic–a visual treat!

Words by Kush Obusan

ellestreetart.com

ink

BOOKS TO READ

BOOK M ARK

HOT O F F THE P RESS YOU DESERVE A DRINK: BOOZY MISADVENTURES AND TALES OF DEBAUCHERY

By Mamrie Hart Hart finally gave what more than half a million viewers have been waiting for since her “You Deserve a Drink” Youtube channel launch in 2011. In line with the web hit, Hart’s book debut is a concoction of her signature cocktail recipes, each accompanied by a hilarious story and splash of raunchy puns.

THE AWESOME

By Eva Darrows Following her 2014 book debut, Darrow is back with another entertaining spin on a creepy tale.

Monster-hunting may be a piece of cake for the spunky Maggie Cunningham, but boy-hunting presents a serious problem.

Losing her virginity is a prerequisite for attaining her journeyman’s license for hunting, and she’s nowhere near getting herself a date.

Words by Kush Obusan

SEE HEAR YOKO

By Bob Gruen and Jody Denberg Twenty five years of interviews and portraits later, legendary rock & roll photographer Bob Gruen publishes a rich dedication of Yoko Ono’s 80th birthday.

Accompanied with Yoko’s own reflections as edited by radio personality Jody Denberg, the book brings into focus this icon of contemporary cultural history. The result is an exquisite volume that reflects Yoko’s delicate and timeless beauty.

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS: CHOOSE YOUR OWN AUTOBIOGRAPHY

By Neil Patrick Harris

I

n the early ‘90s, the Choose Your Own Adventure books were the s***. In attempt to bring back the classic fun, Neil Patrick Harris puts a twist on drab celebrity autobiographies about what really happened. Harris’ latest book reads the way you want it to as you get to choose your way through fame, fortune, and true love: “Choose poorly and you will end up fat, balding, and slicing turkey behind the counter at a Schlotzsky’s.”

“If, having practiced this speech to within an inch of your/its life, you feel ready to audition for your first movie role, go HERE.” “If you had known people would be calling you by your character name for the next 20 years, you might have asked for a different one.

Thunderbolt Howser, say, or Dr. Feelgood, or Baron von Sexy Ass.” “If you’re ready for more fun and excitement with passwords, write your ATM pin number on a piece of paper and send it to the real Neil Patrick Harris. Allow 3-4 days for bankruptcy.”

F OOTNOTES The first concert Bob Gruen took photos was of Bob Dylan at Newport Folk Festival in 1965, where the rocker got booed off the stage.

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MUSIC TO HEAR

P L A Y L IST

TANDEMS ‘91 JR Jader soundcloud.com/ tandems-91

CHEATS Mau Torralba (Guitar) soundcloud.com/ cheatsph

ULTIMATE PAINTING Jack Cooper (Guitar, Vocals)

soundcloud.com/ ultimatepainting

“Love Me Harder” Ariana Grande and The Weeknd It’s always on the radio, and I don’t mind because it’s a good pop song.

“Uptown Funk” Mark Ronson feat.

Bruno Mars It sounds like a joke, but it’s one of the best songs on the radio.

“Santa Barbara” Nick Jonas This is another radio staple I always listen to.

“Higher (Oliver Nelson & Skogsrå Remix)” Tobtok One of the many songs I listen to in the morning.

“Freaking Out The Neighborhood” Mac DeMarco I like everything about this song, as well as the guitar lines.

“Return of the ‘G” Outkast This song pumps me up on every occasion whether I’m on my way to school or if I wanna shoot somebody.

“Alter Ego” Tame Impala This song caresses my brain waves.

“Kapit” Imago I got a crush on their new vocalist.

“Instant Disassembly” Parquet Courts Total classic song that I never tire of.

They took “Mother Of Pearl” by Roxy Music and made it better.

“Dark Star” The Grateful Dead I’ve been exploring different versions of this for about ten years and I still can’t figure it out.

“Awkward Affections” Greg Ashley Sums up how I feel right now.

“Paris 1919” John Cale My current obsession is John Cale solo.

Releases

Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno prove that there’s no coast like the BEST COAST. California Nights transports listeners to a dream-like state inspired by a love affair with the Golden State under a Valencia filtered-background to match.

BRANDON FLOWERS achieves The Desired Effect with his second solo studio album. Featuring musicians like Danielle Haim and Ronnie Vannucci Jr., The Killers front man packs upbeat, piano-driven, and guitar-heavy punches in his follow-up.

M USIC NE W S

There’s finally some Justice in Manila, but not the kind you’d expect. Party the night away with electro-house music duo Justice as they perform on May 14 at mega-club Valkyrie, The Palace.

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Since launching Golf Media, could Tyler, The Creator also be Tyler, The Next Mark Zuckerberg? Offering an array of features, the rapper lets users access “his brain without restrictions” on this app.

Do you know where the wild things go? They’ll be at The Theater at Solaire on May 19 for sure. Witness their signature art rock and folktronica fusion live as Alt-J comes to Manila to perform their hits.

JAMIE XX shows that he can dress In Colour too.

His forthcoming album is a kaleidoscope of different sounds–from the quietly reverberating “Loud Places” to the drinking-in-the-sun type “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times).”

Words by Isabella Argosino, JR Jader photo by Grace De Luna, Mau Torralba by JC Gellidon

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TECH PACK DO W N L OADS

Stay in the loop with state-of-the-art technology.

KONOST FF CAMERA • The world’s first all digital rangefinder • Boasts of a 20 MP35 mm full-frame sensor for high quality images • Equipped with aluminum construction, RAW capture, a Leica M lens mount, and ISO from 100 to 6400 SRP: TBA

MANGA PHOENIX By torekpro.

Join the community of manga fans and feast on more than 1000 series with perfect translation and support into English and Spanish from only the best sources.

BREITLING B55 CONNECTED SMART WATCH • Combines analogue watch movement with digital displays • Syncs with the Breitling mobile app, allowing customization via handset • Geared with a black carbon-coated face, fitted on a classic strap SRP: TBA

GOOGLE CHROMEBOOK PIXEL • Packed with the latest Intel® Core processor for top speed performance • Allows for crisp display even under the sun with 2560x1700 resolution • Lasts for 12 hours on a full charge and capable of speed charging SRP: PHP 43,956

LG G FLEX 2

ARTRAGE

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MAD CATZ L.Y.N.X. 9 MOBILE HYBRID CONTROLLER • Portable and wireless console for on-the-go gaming • Connects automatically to Android smartphones, tablets, and PCs • Armed with keyboard and mouse control for easy browsing and media navigation SRP: PHP 13,199.56

STARWARS®: KOTOR™

By Aspyr Media, Inc. Transport yourself to the land of intergalactic space and experience an epic space adventure in this Star Wars role-playing game.

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FAC E PA IN T

MOD WORLD

URBAN DECAY Eyeshadow in Peace P683.00

TRISH MCEVOY Eye Brightener Pencil in Shell P1,044

Nothing beats the classics.

CLINIQUE Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes in Plush Periwinkle P806.50

DIOR Diorskin Nude Air Loose Powder in Light Beige P2,657

LORAC “Take a Brow” Eyebrow Wax Kit in Brunette P1,044

YVES SAINT LAURENT “Baby Doll” Kiss & Blush in Rose Epicurien P1,898

YVES SAINT LAURENT Effet Faux Cils Longwear Crème D’ Eyeliner in Pure Black P1,423

MAYBELLINE Instant Age Rewind “The Lifter” Makeup P641

LAURA MERCIER Caviar Stick Eye Color in Mint Snow P1,328

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Duo Brush #12 P854

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TORY BURCH Bronzer & Blush in Divine P2,277

Runway photo courtesy of Fendi S/S 2015

URBAN DECAY “Naked Skin” Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer in Light Warm P1,328

VAN I T IES BRON Z ERS

Save hours of lying under the sun and get a gorgeous tan onthe-go with the LANCÔME STAR BRONZER BRONZING BRUSH, which packs your skin with color as well as minerals with one press of a button.

Trade in getting dry, sunburnt skin with SPF 20 protection and the vitamins you need with the STILA TINTED MOISTURIZER. The oilfree formula gives you a fabulous summer glow while hydrating your skin sans the excessive shine.

FAIRLY LETHAL Who says high fashion can only go as far as clothes? The CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN NAIL COFFRET brings couture to your fingertips. Inspired by the designer’s Spring/Summer 2015 Collection, the 3-piece set comes in a Python Vulcano print box, giving you a lethal dose of chic.

Expert Advice For a more flawless polish application, put oil around the cuticle to moisturize the entire nail and reduce chipping, cracking, and splitting.

No need to waste time looking for your perfect shade. Fix your foundation with a natural bronzed finish with GUERLAIN TERRACOTA BRONZING POWDER, which leaves no lines and marks, and matches any complexion under the sun.

BEAUTY BITE

wink laser studio

Words by Jill de Leon

S

ay hello to silky smooth skin and head over to WINK LASER STUDIO in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Not only do they provide top-notch services like laser hair removal, therapy, and waxing, but they also do so in the most unique and relaxing private rooms ever. Bask in soothing shades of orange and blue while getting safe, clean, and flawless services at affordable prices. Getting the best laser treatment is no longer synonymous to an empty wallet.

Level 3 C2 Building 7th ave cor. 28th St, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (02) 808 7258 winkstudio.ph

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GO S E E Layers and contrasts take your go-to pieces to the next level.

Photos courtesy of Steffi Santiago, mikita.nu, alex-closet.com, and lookbook.nu

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ST Y LE ID Blogger Kostanzia Lechler shows us how to keep this staple on trend with a modern jacket.

A pop of color with the right jacket goes a long way.

Designer Drew Scott plays it cool with a sporty ensemble.

TORN THIS WAY Finding the right balance between clean and edgy is always a good challenge.

Distressed and classy go hand in hand this season with the slashed denim trend coming back with a vengeance as seen on the Hood by Air Spring/Summer 2015 collection.

Go grunge by combining ripped jeans with the classic leather and camo combo.

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Photographer Jacqueline Mikuta keeps it fun and feminine by incorporating a flowy silhouette.

Photos courtesy of lookbook.nu and withthenicole.blogspot.co

Lightly-bleached jeans and airy neutral shades give off a fresh and spotless vibe.

Ripped and bleached jeans can be toned down with the right sleek layers.

FASHION

facebook.com/starstyleph

Beauty

Celebrity

@starstyleph

www.starstyle.ph

@starstyleph

HOT TROPIC Photographed by Cenon Norial III Styled by Jill de Leon

C top by Topshop coverup by River Island skirt by River Island bib necklace by H&M layered necklace by Call It Spring

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bikini top by Suiteblanco necklace by H&M rings by Forever 21 skirt by Forever 21 32 - statusmagonline.com

top by Miss Selfridge pendant by H&M necklaces by Sfera

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suit by Miss Selfridge kimono by Shana accessories by Forever 21

bikini top by Her necklaces by Shana cuff by Forever 21 rings by Forever 21 pants by River Island 36 - statusmagonline.com

top by H&M short necklaces by Forever 21 ornamental necklace by Sfera

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top by Miss Selfridge shorts by Forever 21 ring by Forever 21

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dress by H&M shorts by Forever 21 earrings by Forever 21 rings by Forever 21 layered necklace by Call It Spring pendant by River Island shoes by Penshoppe

Hair Darwin Sablayan Makeup Apple Fara-on of MAC Cosmetics Model Julia of Titan Premiere Model statusmagonline.com - 39

Photographed by Wes Klain Styled by Katrina Guevara

sweater by Objects Without Meaning dress by OM shoes by The Palatines

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top by Objects Without Meaning shorts by Objects Without Meaning shoes by The Palatines

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blazer by Objects Without Meaning pants by OM shoes by The Palatines

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sweater by Objects Without Meaning

dress by New Look hat by Weekday Hair and Makeup Germaine Nichols Model Courtney Paige Nelson at NE X T Los Angeles

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SWAG m ay

20 1 5

summer lights Make the most of the remaining days of summer with printed socks, drawstring bags, paint-splattered tees, boat shoes, high-waist shorts, metallic flats, bikini tops, and cat-eye sunglasses.

Product Photography by Ian CastaĂąares

From top to bottom: Sfera [P1,449], Old Navy [P1,650], Penshoppe [P899], Old Navy [P1,950], F&F [P1,650], Aeropostale [P2,650]

P RI N TE D S O C K S

VISUAL ANGLE Geometry never looked so fun before these printed socks came paring in.

From top to bottom: Old Navy [P295] Forever 21 [P225] Richer Poorer [TBA] Forever 21 [P160] Richer Poorer [TBA] Penshoppe [P249] Richer Poorer [TBA] Penshoppe [P149]

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D R A W S TRI N G B A G S

PULL disCLOSURE Drawstring bags are a stylish way to carry your beach must-haves.

From top to bottom: Topman [P895] Forever 21 [P1,135] Forever 21 [P1,135]

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P A I N T - S P L A TTERE D S HIRT S

SPOT ON Add color to your wardrobe staples with paint-splattered tees.

From top to bottom, left to right: Topman [P1,195] Topman [P1,195] Penshoppe [P499] Topman [P1,195] Penshope [P499] Topman [P1,195] Topman [P1,195]

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B O AT S H O E S

UPPER DECK You can never go overboard with classic boat shoes.

From top to bottom: Tommy Hilfiger [P8,450] Tommy Hilfiger [P6,450] Dune [P5,950] Tommy Hilfiger [P8,450]

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HI G H - W A I S T S H O RT S

waisted youth Pack up the heat with high-waist shorts.

From top to bottom: Dorothy Perkins [P1,795] Miss Selfridge [P2,795] River Island [P2,490] Forever 21 [TBA] River Island [P2,490]

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MET A LLI C F L A T S

GLOSS SECTION These metallic flats will get you that extra edge without sacrificing comfort.

From top to bottom: Steve Madden [P3,450] Dune [P4,450] Steve Madden [P3,450] Forever 21 [P1,420]

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BIKINI TOPS

OVER THE TOP

Skin and class go hand in hand with these bikini tops.

From top to bottom: Old Navy [P895) Her [P900] Anemone [TBA] Her [P900] Anemone [P1,495]

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C A T - EYE S U N G L A S S E S

CAT SCAN

These cat-eye sunglasses let you get a subtle scope of the beach.

From top to bottom: BWOOD [TBA] Thierry Lasry [P20,000] Thierry Lasry [P20,000] Karen Walker [P17,500] Barton Perreira [P17,500] Ksubi [P9,000]

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M U S E

With a frayed fringe framing her face and a veil of dark mane streaming down her back, there isn’t any surface or structure SARA HIROMI doesn’t belong in. Caught in stills with the frills of Texas air, she moves through columns and into the foreground.

By Janroe Cabiles Photographed by Dennis Auburn, Bao Ngo, Amber Mahoney, Lauren Withrow, and Sophie Loloi

H

aunting the lens with a blossoming energy beneath her dead stare, Sara Hiromi dances and trances out for the shutter with a breathless motion, letting it catch both the calm before the storm and the ripples she makes. Three years into the art of modeling, she’s worked with Sabrina Tach and Charm School Vintage, and has been in Little Thing Magazine, C-Heads, Drech Magazine, and Mouthy. “The list could go on for awhile, but those are some of my most recent works. Half of the shoots I do though aren’t specifically for anything.”

To go elsewhere with a seeing eye in the form of a lens becomes a thing of release for Sara. “When my best friend Dennis Auburn, who is a photographer, and I are feeling stressed, bored, inspired, or need to get inspired, we’ll go take photos somewhere,” she says.

“We might post one photo or none at all, but the act of creating makes us feel better.” The transcendence of a basic shoot to a picture of ideas is what keeps her roaming halls and walls with a camera in tow. “The best experiences with modeling are the shoots in which I connect with everyone. Everyone is able to feed off each other’s energy, every photo gets better than the last because our understanding of one another’s tastes grows. Knowing that so many people were able to come together and create one solid vision is so special and empowering.”

Surrendering herself to existing elements to cast a meaningful image, Sara liberates movement into creation, leaving an arbitrary space for whatever clothes she’s wearing. “My style is either simple or lazy,” she says. “I’ll wear the same outfit multiple days in a row, usually just because I like what I’m wearing–if I can get away with it, why change? An alien sailing around with a key of simplicity locked in, the self-described

boney girl with a constant crooked-tooth smile tells us of her dream for modeling. “To meet a lot of cool people and make art all over the world. With social media and the growing global art community, no matter what city I go to, there is someone that I can call a friend.”

PICTURE ME

I started modeling when I moved to a new city and was having trouble making friends. My brother’s girlfriend at the time who did fitness modeling suggested I try it to get myself out there. She set me up on a shoot, and I’ve been at it ever since. Not only did it help me meet new people and make friends, but it also proved to be a fulfilling form of creative expression for myself.

BROKEDOWN PALACE

I’m the type who gets overwhelmed at the sight of something beautiful. I love shooting in either wide open landscapes or in old ruins that seem to have a history. The thoughts I have when shooting in a space I truly love are only for myself, but I try my hardest through the way I move to give people an idea of what I feel the setting has to offer and to bring focus to the preexisting beauty that is around me.

UNFINISHED SPACES

If I weren’t modeling, maybe I’d sleep more? I’m a fulltime student, majoring in Interior Architecture and minoring in Asian American Studies. I just pack shoots in during vacation, and will do them every now and then during the school year when I get some free time or need some stress relief.

PERSUASIAN

I’m going to Tokyo, Seoul, and Beijing this summer. I’ll be there for school, but I’m looking for photographers and other artists to work and hang out with while I’m there. I have no idea what’s in store for me, but I’m hoping for something exciting.

sarahiromi.tumblr.com @sara_hiromi

MAESTRO

ROOM for RECEPTION

M A E S T R O

It’s springtime for German-based duo Frank Jensen and Tobias Müller a.k.a. SOULPARLOR in their future-soul and broken-beat album Smile, supplying listeners with an array of musical styles that span from ‘70s soul and funk to ‘90s hip-hop, all blended with the current trend of electronic fusion.

By Kitkat Ramos

T

he door to the main parlor of the natives from the south of Germany in Mainz opens to a world of an unwavering combination of the old and the new, with contributing vocals from artists all over the world, backed by dance-edged beats and highly-skilled electronic production. Operating under the name SoulParlor, the duo created Smile—a 15-track album exceeding time and generations, showcasing talents from German record label Tokyo Dawn Records. The two have been riding on Mainz’s music scene for many years now, and they have provided a solid frame for all of the gifted vocals featured in the record. “There’s a little wave of attention coming from an album release, that’s sure—but you can imagine how long it will last

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while hundreds of new releases pop up on a daily basis,” Frank shares of the album release early this year. “But we don’t complain. The entire music industry is just accelerating its speed, and we don’t have fast cars—we’re cruising.”

Prior to the modest release of the record, the assembly of the whole production maintained that steady cruise feeling. “The process is always the same,” Frank says. “We choose potential album tracks from our beat vault, define a general musical direction, and Tobias and I will brainstorm on possible vocal features.” After all this pre-prod conceptualization, they carry on with coordinating with each vocalist to create their specific track.

“Every artist will get a bunch of two to three instrumentals, so they can have a listen and pick the one they want to write their lyrics with.”

The whole transaction happens online, a process that’s more difficult and ironically disconnected.

“Everything happens via the internet, except with Leona Berlin. As she is also based in Mainz and can join us at our studio, it was easier to get creative. In general, we think artists joining us at our studio to work together on ideas is often more productive and constructive to capture a certain vibe.”

The impact of SoulParlor’s Smile is fully seen in its overarching feel for funk. While there has been a recent trend of the genre led by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, Frank explains it’s not a

MAESTRO conscious effort to follow to such things. “We don’t look for any current hype to link to, we just try to stay interesting,” he says. They’ve set different goals for this album compared to their previous releases that may convey a final note on their career because of its complete and thorough touch on their influences and original production.

But it’s clearly just the beginning—there is only more to come. “Compared to Evoluzion, which reveals more of the organic sound in our spectrum, we now focused Smile on the electronic wing,” he explains.

“It is always important for us to show people our diversity, and I guess doing the same stuff over and over again is at least as boring for us as it is for the listener. Essentially, it’s always our intention to release timeless music. Even if you don’t get straight into our releases now, there’s always hope you will next year.”

Despite the various influences, it can’t be denied that the album settles on the heavy groundwork of a well-oiled funk machine covered in bubbling bass and sonic fizzes, all refusing titles and genres. Overall, Frank says the message of the album is, well, a smile. “Don’t take care of any genre or seek a box. Just have a listen and hopefully find your path through the album. We think we combined so many styles, genres, and vibes that everyone could be able to choose one with a smile.”

‘It’s always our intention to release timeless music. Even if you don’t get straight into our releases now, there’s always hope you will next year.”

soulparlor.com

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MAESTRO

THE WUNDERKIDS FAREWELL FAIR WEATHER’s music can be pinned down as smoky pop-jazz that comes from a very vibrant atmosphere. It is sophisticated despite the youthfulness, soulful without the unnecessary melismatic runs, unapologetic without the need to cook up a storm.

By Ian Urrutia Photographed by Potchie Lazaro

C

omplex isn’t the first word that comes to mind when you listen to Farewell Fair Weather, but they have always been technically adept in writing songs that push the ambition up a notch than what’s expected of them. Their first single, “Rough Skies,” never loses itself in the moment: its sonic runs, paired with sunny keyboard tones and unwavering sense of playfulness, value restraint over histrionics—a quality that feels inherently rare in most bands in the jazz category. “I just really like experimenting with any type of sounds,” lead vocalist Mic-Mic Manalo enthuses. “We don’t have a standard sound, so we’re trying to find other ways to express ourselves through music.” Isagani Palabyab, the band’s keyboardist, offers a different take. “I think as a whole band, we still don’t know what our sound is. We’re still trying to find out who we are. We’re still new, and it’s hard.”

Lyrically, Mic-Mic has grown into a more vulnerable dramatist, a songwriter with a gift for expressing hurt and introspection in ways that resonate with a more universal audience. But it’s also the most open she has been in terms of collaborating with her bandmates, allowing Isagani Palabyab, Kim Hue Jin (guitars), Timothy Davidas (drums), and Ethan Muriel (bass) to do the rest of the legwork. “We all have songs where we all help out, though she’s the main person who comes up with the lyrics and the melody,” Palabyab shares.

“What I do is change chord progression, make it different, talk with everyone else, and then start arranging it. We’re not one of those bands where the songwriter has it all fixed and you have to do as she sees.”

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Their latest batch of songs pick up where their raw but intimate predecessors left off.

With more experience and wisdom laid in the production, the young band from University of Santo Thomas’ Conservatory of Music sounds assured and comfortable in their own style more than ever. What was once delightfully untamed in the Armi Millare-influenced “Sakali” is given more finesse in songs such as “Amihan” and “Change.”

Their upcoming single “Beyond” also ranks among their finest material yet: a crossover anthem that benefits from a deific sense of intimacy.

Hearing the band on the record allows for an intimate encounter, a quiet breather to a long day spent on a tiring work environment.

Watching them live, however, is more than just a therapeutic experience. They may be young and relatively new to the scene, but their charismatic stage presence, coupled with technique and improvisational skill, leaves the crowd wanting more. “What we try to do is when

we’re in the studio, we try to create the same situation or energy for when we go onstage,” Palabyab elaborates. “We know we sound good in the studio, but when we go out, we try to sound as good.” Their undeniable chemistry is partly to blame: Mic’s vocals, soaring when it needs to and tastefully subdued on most occasions, hold everything together. Kim’s guitar-playing is topnotch as ever, and it complements the rhythmic framework set by drummer Timothy. Keyboardist Isagani and bassist Ethan are both musically adventurous in their own right, engaging with dynamics in the most effortless way possible.

Together, they play music that doesn’t feel weighed down by emotions, the kind that doesn’t get carried away by the change of weather.

soundcloud.com/farewellfairweather

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MAESTRO

BOHEMIAN Coming from a post-hardcore beat, a hippie accident led Derek Smith to the rhythm of hiphop. Wrapping tropic wonders, sunny hooks, and good vibrations around his full-length debut Look Up, there isn’t any part where MOD SUN doesn’t shine.

By Pola Beronilla

I

n 2004, Derek Smith was a 16-year old drummer in Minnesota touring around the city with a few bands, including post-hardcore groups Four Letter Lie and Scary Kids Scaring Kids. Tuning in to a different beat, he eventually dropped his drumsticks and picked up the mic. Trading the loud fast rules of his past with the breezy pulse of his future, the former drummer now raps of fun under Mod Sun. “The name ‘Movement on Dreams, Stand Under None’ means that you’re in charge,” says the rapper of his chosen moniker. “My stuff is relentlessly sunny; I just want to spread good vibes and optimism.” Generating a new breed of the genre, the Minnesota native is chilled to the throne as the King of Hippie-Hop. “I wanted to do hip-hop that was true to myself, and for me, hippies stand for a message,” he relays. “It’s all about the quintessential ‘70s Woodstock era, but I’m here to bring chill hip-hop.”

Five mixtapes and three EPs later, he lands a record deal with Rostrum Records. With Wiz Khalifa on their current lineup and Mac Miller as one of

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“My stuff is relentlessly sunny; I just want to spread good vibes and optimism.”

MAESTRO

their alumni, Mod Sun is definitely on the right track, releasing his debut LP last March. “I used to be kind of lost, and eventually, I was just like, ‘I’m going to do something that’s going to empower myself,’” he recalls. “Now, I’m transitioning into empowering other people while making music too.

I want the whole world to hear it.” Tagged as the happiest hippie, ever wonder where he fuels this rhapsodic energy? You just gotta look up.

Your debut album has been getting a lot of praise from Billboard, XXL, MTV, etc. What went through the making of Look Up? The beauty about my album is that it’s very eclectic when it comes to the sound of it. Every single song is made in the moment. There aren’t really goals like, “Oh let’s make a song like this.”

How do you feel about all the momentum it’s been getting?

What I really love about it is that I made this album to give what I thought everyone deserves from me. From day one, it’s been all about that.

It’s been amazing to feel that people actually like it, ‘cause I’m not even used to that yet. I have to say that’s the biggest accomplishment of it.

You have collaborations with Travis Barker, Riff Raff, and recently, G-Eazy. What was it like working with them?

Mostly, the people I collaborate with are my good friends, and I like how all these people are from different worlds. You’ve got Riff Raff singing in one track, you’ve got G-Eazy doing a pop record, and then someone like Travis Barker doing an indie record. I’m bringing them to my world. I think that this album displays what a collaboration really is, which is bringing light to the other artists too.

Aside from your debut record, you also threw in a 50-minute audio book, Did I Ever Wake Up. What made you decide to do it?

I find that it’s important to show other artists about that concept of “am I even awake now?” It’s not just a coincidence that you fall asleep and wake up, but the real gist is that you’re someone’s main character in a dream.

You’ve become quite an advocate of peace and positivity. How has the journey been so far?

The journey’s been very well, and I’m proud of myself. All I’m trying to do right now is spread positive vibes to everybody. I want to inspire, and I want the next artist to be better than me.

modsunmusic.com @MODSUN

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MAESTRO

pop fiction You’ve probably had her high-octave, powerhouse vocals as a soundtrack to your freedom Friday endeavors or Saturday night drives. But more than just being the voice behind Cash Cash’s club anthem, “Take Me Home,” BEBE REXHA is paving her own way to the top of the pop charts.

By Isabella Argosino

H

aving mostly been in the background vocals, BeBe is finally breaking free of her feat and taking the spotlight. Her debut album, which includes her hits “I’m Gonna Show You Crazy” and “Drinking About You,” is her own personal initiation into the world. Beneath its poppy synths and estrogen-infused vocals, Bleta “BeBe” Rexha shares that it’s all about her growing up in a sheltered world.

While she can definitely command a mean pop hook, the 25-year old American singer is also a songwriting virtuoso, having written tracks for Rihanna, Usher, Eminem, and the like. With all that under her belt, there’s no denying that she’s no stranger to the music industry, having also lent her vocal chops as the lead singer of Pete Wentz’s Black Cards.

With collaborations with Tinashe, The Chainsmokers, Nicki Minaj, David Guetta, plus shows at this year’s Warped Tour, and more on the way, it looks like BeBe is definitely gonna show us crazy.

Despite your songs being heavy pop, you say that most of them are actually very dark. What’s the story behind this?

Compared to what most pop songs are these days, my songs are a bit more insightful. I don’t sit around singing about fluff. My songs usually say something that’s important to me. I have my moments and I write about absolutely nothing sometimes when I want to, but mostly my songs are heavy on the lyrics.

Have you always been into songwriting and music?

Honestly, I’m not really sure how I got into music. I did sit around listening to the radio a lot and watch Disney as a kid. My parents are Albanian so they listened to a lot of Albanian music, which is very drum-heavy and rhythmic. I guess music was always just a part of me.

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How do you approach writing songs for different kinds of artists?

Every time I write a song, I write it for myself. I never sit down and try to write for another artist. It just somehow finds its way to another artist. And if it doesn’t make sense for my project and someone else falls in love with it, I give it away.

My songwriting process is quite simple: I just write and sing about what’s currently going on in my life, what makes me happy, what makes me sad, and what moves me.

Do you ever find it hard to give up songs you wrote for other artists?

It does get hard giving songs away, but in the end, it’s worth it, especially if I can help people through the message. It’s always interesting hearing how another artist interprets a song I wrote.

With your latest single, “I’m Gonna Show You Crazy,” what has been the craziest thing you have ever done?

The craziest thing I’ve ever done was getting out of a moving car in the middle of the highway. But there’s a good reason for this: my cab driver was legit crazy. He was talking about murder and all this crazy shit, and he wouldn’t stop.

What are your thoughts on the state of pop today?

I think pop music is pop music. There’s always bad pop music that’s good and bad pop music that’s bad. And then there’s good pop music that’s bad and good pop music that’s good. I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s whatever you want it to be.

beberexha.com @BebeRexha

MAESTRO

“Pop music is whatever you want it to be.”

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MAstermind

M A S T E R M I N D

SWEET escape Straight from her first solo show for this year’s Art Basel Hong Kong, YUREE KENSAKU waxes poetic on her works that are rich in symbolism and deceive with colorful ironies.

By Olivia Estrada Interview by Kush Obusan

H

opping from one destination to another, JapaneseThai Yuree Kensaku straddles different realms to share her works that tread the line between innocence and awakening. Covering entire walls with cartoon-like subjects and a saturated color palette, Yuree combines dedication with illusion. “I usually start painting in the afternoon and keep on going non-stop until I feel too tired,” she shares. One of her most notable works, When Elephants Fight, The Grass Gets Trampled, took over four months of hard work in her studio. The scenes she depicts, reminiscent of childhood favorites, invite the audience to look closer and go past the happy facade.

In reality, the meticulous details that hide between her large characters reveal Yuree’s messages that touch on politics and sexuality. It’s an impish grin at darker topics that once the audience understands, catches them off-guard.

The intrigue that Yuree laces her works with trails behind her as she often stages shows in Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Russia. Her works are also part of the in-house collections of the Singapore Art Museum, Mori Art Museum, and Yokohama Museum of Art. Fresh from her Art Basel stint, she shares with us her palette that is coupled with digital manipulation and childhood imagery.

I noticed that your medium of choice is often acrylic.

Why is that so?

The truth is I always experiment with different types of paints. I used to work with oil, glass paint, fabric paint, watercolor, collages, etc. But four years ago, I started painting on thick rollable canvas, so I chose acrylic. I believe I will move to something else very soon.

MAstermind

Compared to traditional artists, you also do a lot of computer work. How does this aid you in creating your psychedelic graphics?

I have to use a computer program to map out the color scheme I want due to the large scale of paintings I do. I have to be very precise because with large works, you have to make sure you barely make mistakes.

Your artworks are wildly entertaining yet depict a critical commentary on society. What sparked this purpose?

I take inspiration from things around me, things that have impact on me. I paint grief, misery, sad jokes, and satires with cheerful color because I don’t think it’s necessary to make sad things look sadder.

What are your initial thoughts when making a new project?

Normally, I would explore my own head, to see what’s going on and the things that catch my attention during that moment. In When Elephants Fight, The Grass Gets Trampled, it started from the feeling that the political situation in Thailand has been continuously shaping Thai society. I have no interest in pointing out who is fighting with who, but I wanted to make people see that sometimes, the massive impact caused by small groups of people

are usually among the aristocrats on politics. I then select the image of large animals fighting over food, causing massive destruction to the forest while the lesser animals and plants are injured and cannot escape.

Aside from creating unconventional visual art, you were also awarded with Best Special Effect at the 7th annual Channel [V] Thailand Music Video Awards for co-directing May-T’s “Pleng Pry.” What’s next for you?

I never hesitate to try many things as long as I can apply my paintings to them. Animation is one of them. I think of ways to always challenge my career. In the future, I may have more 3D works, but I’m not sure when.

@yureekensaku

modern-day THESPIAN Theater and screen actor NICCO MANALO’s fantasy of being known in the local entertainment industry is starting to come true with a speed fast enough to leave him dizzy.

By Denise Mallabo Photographed by Potchie Lazaro Styled RJ Gorospe Hair and Makeup Chiqui Dingcong

I

“

’m really a shy person,” Nicco jokingly says when asked what people might not know about him. Nicco Manalo is one of those actors that can deceive audiences into thinking he’s playing himself instead of a character. “If there’s something that people should understand, it’s not the real me who they see in movies and theaters. I make sure that I create that character that I portray. I make sure that I make him alive in me,” he further explains.

It’s inevitable to mention that he is the son of Jose Manalo, a famous comedian who’s already a household name, especially during midday, but given the case, don’t expect Nicco to provide you with punch lines. Finding out that he can act was an unexpected realization on his part. In second year high school, he had a role in a play wherein he portrayed a kid that would take everyone back to the Martial Law era. “I remember coming up on stage and just hearing the whole gymnasium cheer—that’s when I realized that I could be good at this. I didn’t expect that feeling of wanting something so bad. I know that I tend to be shy, but I find my voice when I’m acting,” admits Nicco. He finished Technical Theater at College of Saint Benilde, but during his stay at the university, he didn’t do much of the technical side. When asked what it is about theater that he really loves, he reveals that it starts with the people and the inherent in the production. “I like the structure and discipline that they have in theater. There’s

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“I know that I tend to be shy but I find my voice when I’m acting.” this thing called the “Theater Bug”—once bitten, you’ll get addicted to the entire thing. You would want to be part of a theater production again and again,” admits Nicco.

For someone who already has a good grasp of acting, compared to the luxury of long hours in theater, Nicco finds shooting a movie more challenging because there’s more at stake. But still, he makes sure that he prepares for every role given to him. “I’ll read the entire script first, then I’ll make my diligent research on what I need to do in order to portray a certain character effectively.

I also ask the director what his objective is on doing the movie and how he would like to see my character,” shares Nicco. Having done a number of independent movies, it was portraying a tortured tricycle driver in last year’s Cinemalaya entry, The Janitor, that bagged him two Best Supporting Actor awards—one from Cinemalaya and another

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from Star Awards. “One important thing that I learned when I received an award is that it doesn’t mean that you’re all that, it just so happens that you were doing something right with the character you were portraying and you got noticed—you stood out within the story. When I won those awards, I was just so grateful that people finally knew that I exist in the industry.”

He believes that an actor should be a good storyteller and when it stops being about telling the audience a story, the character that you’re playing won’t be as effective. When asked regarding his dream role, he laughed and said that he just wants to be handsome in a movie. “I want to star in a full-on romance movie, playing the lead and in a story that will revolve around me and my love interest. I wonder who will ever risk producing that?” wonders Nicco. Whether that dream happens soon or in the coming years, we will surely see a lot of Nicco, be it on the theater stage or on the big screen.

Shirts by Regatta

@niccoyourface

Shot at Tomato Kick Restaurant Special thanks to Mara Bernaldo, Karl Medina, and Cornerstone Entertainment Inc.

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TAG TEAM authority They say they were just a couple of big English geezers on the road to Amsterdam, in the hopes of giving life back to the visually disappointing streets of the world’s drug capital. Seventeen anniversaries, more than 100 shows, and countless cans of spray paint later, Chaz Barrison and Bob Gibson, collectively known as THE LONDON POLICE, takes the street art scene into custody.

By Isabella Argosino

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espite their name, these two self-proclaimed policemen aren’t just all about laws and limitations. Although some artists get into street art for the pure thrill and grassroots resistance, that isn’t the case for The London Police. Chaz says, “It wasn’t the anarchy of it, although sneaking around cities getting work up definitely had a romantic and rebellious feel to it.” In retrospect, he describes that it suited their attitude at the time.

Fueled by the passion to create a way of life not seen since the olden days, Chaz and Bob, who claim to have a partnership “more cohesive than Han Solo and Chewbacca,” like to incorporate traveling in every piece they come up with. Garnering more frequent miles, the jet-setting tandem has tagged and left their marks in New York, Shanghai, Berlin, and Singapore—to name a few.

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“It’s like traveling with Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man—it never ceases to give birth to unforgettable events,” Chaz reveals.

While they like to draw inspiration from pop culture personalities–whether it be Marilyn Monroe, David Bowie, or Luke Skywalker–it’s their round-headed and smiley-faced LAD character that is their signature. It has become an icon that has graced the walls of more than 35 cities worldwide, through its monochrome simplicity and myriad of possibilities. Chaz states that it was a mere by-product of their lazy desire to create something that was quick to draw and equally quick to have an effect. “Originally, the characters were very primitive stickmen, and I was drawn to the fact that even the simplest character could look different with just the slightest detail changed,” Chaz explains. Since developing into a bolder figure through years of repetition on streets, beermats, and

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“[We waren’t into street art for] the authority of it, although sneaking around cities getting work up definitely had a romantic and rebellious feel to it.”

other surfaces, the characters have also become a part of themselves. “They take me around the world to see amazing places and interesting people,” he adds. “One day, Bob and I hope to make an animation where we can build a world where they live in.”

When they’re not busy making the world their canvas, Chaz and Bob are just like you and me. “I would be barely touching the disastrously unkempt administrative side of my life, followed by a blackout early evening and waking up at 2 AM on the sofa with a mouth drier than Gandhi’s flipflops,” Chaz quips. Bob, on the other hand, would be riding his bike around Holland wearing “the kind of horrific racing gear that continues the question of why man chose to eat the apple in the garden of Eden.”

But on better days, the duo also enjoys making short films, photography, and music. So, why street art, among other art disciplines, and what message are they trying

to send? “Perhaps, there is a sense of freedom about it all,” Chaz says. “It’s seemingly noble to have some belief entwined in one’s otherwise entertaining aesthetic, but if you need a street artist to tell you what’s right and wrong, you’re basically lacking in moral fiber.”

As long as street art keeps making waves in the scene, Chaz and Bob will continue to surf the currents.

“It was always about building slowly with a strong foundation. Just continuing on our journey and trying to keep enjoying making art,” they share. All in all, their work is a testimony to Chaz and Bob’s individual creativity. After all, being called The London Police has a tinge of authority to it, and the duo is definitely showing the street art world who’s boss.

thelondonpolice.com @thelondonpolice

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MAstermind

prism break In a world full of cheerios, ALIA PENNER is a fruit loop that goes against the whole grain.

Poppin’ her colors with a lucid spunk, the LA-based artist brings her paper dreams to life through an induced chroma.

By Pola Beronilla Represented by Weiss Artists

A

lia Penner colors with the chaos of trouble to make everything better. From sarcoline to mikado, amaranth to xanadu, the LA pop artist blissfully listens to her colors for what to put down next.

Working with visuals reminiscent of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Alia gets her cray on and brushes nostalgia into her prismatic paintings, vintage prints, and kaleidoscopic throws. “I love psychedelia throughout history. Technicolor musicals, The Wizard of Oz, Busby Berkeley, Esther Williams,” the dreamer shares. “To imagine a time where they built these big beautiful sets with all those moving parts, what a dream.”

Growing up in Topanga Canyon, pretending to be fairies and Greek gods with the whole mountainside as her playground fueled her imagination. Channeling Disney’s Silly Symphony as a child, her artistic tendencies were intune to her current aesthetic at a young age. “My parents were always very supportive of my art.

When I was in elementary school, I wanted to be a cartoonist,” Alia recalls. “I have this memory of kindergarten, drawing a tree

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with flowers all around it and the principal coming into the classroom to skip me ahead to first grade.”

Taking her psychedelic pop sensibilities to maturity, Alia has been saving the world from dullness. Whether it’s painting Katy Perry’s piano, designing T-shirt prints for Shepard Fairey's company Obey, or creating album covers and posters for LA’s hottest bands and events, the penner lightly dips her acid hues in all mediums she sets her eyes on. Waking from a pleasant dream, we catch up with Alia to talk about her colorful reality and one-trick ponies.

Hey, Alia! Can you share with us a recent dream?

Last night, I dreamnt that I went to Disneyland with my muse India Menuez. We were jumping on these tiny islands in the lagoon where the submarine ride used to be. I jumped too high and fell in the water, which was full of sharks.

One bit me, but it didn't hurt.

Later, we went to the this house high on top of the Hollywood Hills, and this woman was embroidering Mickey Mouse onto pillowcases. I went outside and the Genie from Aladdin was there and we had a chat.

Aside from playing with traditional mediums, you’ve also worked in fashion and have expressed your pleasure in pairing it with art. What do you enjoy most about doing it?

I love the idea of living art.

Not only represented in the clothes I wear but also covering every part of my life in color– creating my dream world. I've gotten to work with some amazing designers like Anna Sui and Orla Kiely who truly live in their own fantasies. That’s what I want

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fashion to be: fantastical and funny. I want to play dress-up everyday.

You’ve done a 20-foot-wide backdrop for Father John Misty’s Coachella show, decorated Parisian clubs for The Strokes' afterparty, and created a Frank L. Baum-inspired line of dresses for Colette. What has been the highlight of your career so far?

I think it would be painting a horse. A couple years ago, I got a call from a director friend of mine, asking me if I could paint a black Andalusian horse for a music video. I rode horses for 13 years, and riding is in my blood. The video was shot in the sand dunes, I arrived at four in the morning and met this gorgeous animal that would be my canvas for the day. It was a living dream.

New York Times are my favorites to color on. You can see them all on my Instagram @alia_pop under #aliascoloringbook.

From crafting collages, painting murals, and other ventures, what about your work makes you feel most like an artist?

Seeing the world as it is, sometimes it can be both overwhelming and frustrating to see what people do with it.

When people destroy historic architecture or paint a canary yellow building gray, that’s when I feel like art is the most important. It’s what drives me to cover everything in color–there isn't enough.

aliapenner.com @aliapenner

Care to share to us what you are currently working on?

I have an ongoing project called “Alia’s Coloring Book.” I love working with new magazines and newspapers; Playboy, W, and The

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H E A V Y H I T T E R

If cinéma vérité were to be personifi downtown, underground scene in a P girl in the world; enter CHLOË SEVIGN down with that.” Still locked in he actress, designer, and muse is keepi projects, showing the world

by Janroe

ied, it would come as a queen of the Perry Ellis bomber jacket, the coolest NY. “I’m not a girl anymore, but I’m er 20-year love affair with film, the ing us on our toes with her on-going d that she’s no faded moon.

e Cabiles

Photo by Kevin Hatt

Photo by Lizzi Bougastos

“It’s fun to get to sit with a character for that long.

Trying to discover new things and keeping them alive is a challenge.”

Photo by Chloë Sevigny

She

walks along busy streets streaked with yellow taxi cabs and into a fashion show, takes off her raglan-sleeved tee and cut-offs, and walks down the runway with nothing but her blond boy cut hair. A decade later, she walks into a hotel room, fresh and frightening as a figment of your imagination, and smokes crack twice.

She emerges again as another enigma nine years later, a nymphomaniac in an asylum with one side of her head shaved. A Sonic Youth music video, a controversial Vincent Gallo film, or a horror show to haunt you; nothing keeps you up at night quite like Chloë Sevigny.

From the very first glance the world had of Chloë, she proved to be out of the ordinary with the way her style and story preceded her career.

At 17, she caught the eye of Andrea Linett from Sassy, which led to a photo shoot and an internship at the magazine. That, Sonic Youth’s “Sugar Kane” music video, and being casted

by Larry Clark in Kids launched Jay McInerney’s famous profile for The

New Yorker entitled Chloë’s Scene, where she was first reigned “It Girl.”

Two words of anointment, of fleeting adoration that meant nothing to her.

When asked why she thinks she was given the description, she says, “I guess it was because the movie was popular and I was getting new campaigns. It just seems like the press likes to latch on someone like that. There’s always one, and there’s always another one, and another after that.” Which doesn’t explain why at the age of 40, Chloë still holds claim to the title.

Her first project was in Larry Clark’s Kids (1995) following the chaotic scene of teenagers in New York City, which she was nominated for Best Supporting Female at the 1995 Independent Spirit Awards.

Her tender performance became the threshold to her artistry, leaving traces of scenes where you’d never catch her acting: her blue eyes gazing at the rear-view mirror of a cab, muttering, “Everything is wrong.” Her next indie gig was of her then-boyfriend Harmony Korine’s, entitled Gummo (1996), where she

also acted as costume designer. The film gave birth to the iconic image of Chloë with bleached eyebrows and taped nipples, dancing on her bed to Buddy Holly.

In 1999, Chloë’s indie status took her to great heights with the critically-acclaimed Boys Don’t Cry, winning a Satellite Award and getting nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. After a streak of both mainstream and independent films, Chloë made waves with her performance in Vincent Gallo’s controversial The Brown Bunny (2003), where she is seen giving Gallo’s character an non-simulated blow job. The move of taking on the film was slaughtered by the press, which led to her agent dropping her as a client due to the effect it would have on her career.

And yet, she moved on to other films and series, landing five seasons on HBO’s Big Love. “I got to really stretch myself as an actress,” she says of her experience. “It’s fun to get to sit with a character for that long. Trying to discover new things and keeping them alive is a challenge.” To this day, Chloë proves to be the worst kind of canvas in the best way possible; she doesn’t wear a character, she becomes it. She has officially signed on to American Horror Story: Hotel and is working on rom-com period film Love and Friendship, where she is reunited with director Walt Stillman and Kate Beckinsale since the 1998 film The Last Days of Disco.

Photo by David Perez Shadi

“I feel preppy alternative.

Of course, it changes a bit over the years,… but I’m still alternative at heart.”

“I don’t like to have to sit into something like ‘It Girl’ or ‘fashion icon’ or ‘indie girl’ or any of it...

I’d just like people to think that I was, I can’t think of the word that would best describe it, but maybe just ‘herself.’”

Photo by Marcelo Krasilcic

With heavy-lidded eyes that paralyze and her shrewdly innocent way of looking over her shoulder, Chloë’s iconoclastic taste and idiosyncrasies proved too resounding to be ignored. Perpetually bored in Connecticut, she grew up sewing her own clothes, skateboarding with her brother, and traipsing off to New York sometime in ‘93. Immersing herself in the grunge scene while being influenced by Little House on the Prairie, she took fashion from a drizzle to a storm, immortalizing her as an icon. With the charm of a girl listening to her favorite record in her bedroom, Chloë stole the scenes of short films X-Girl (1995) by Phil Morrison and Surface in the late ‘90s by Michael Cleary, capturing her aloof stance, playing with her sharp wit and an invisible guitar. Modeling for H&M and Louis Vuitton, she caught the wave by becoming the muse of the Miu Miu campaign in 1996 and became the face of Chloé’s new fragrance in 2007. This year, she’s launched her latest collection for Opening Ceremony, a collaboration she’s been doing since 2009. “My line’s out right now and the kids seem to be responding to it. I’d seen the movie Heathers and I’ve also been really into vintage Yohji Yamamoto, that’s where the inspiration comes from.

It’s fun to be part of the industry and being able to work with people I love. I don’t have the confines that other designers have to deal with. I get to shake it up a little bit and not have to play by their rules.” She also appears in the Proenza Schouler film Legs Are Not Doors showcasing the Spring 2015 collection, proving that her status in the fashion scene remains the same.

Holding on to ephemera of her fashion affairs, she keeps collections of black boots, denims, and T-shirts. With the words indie,

eccentric, and unconventional repeatedly used to describe her style, she puts it down to two words. “I feel preppy alternative.

Of course, it changes a bit over the years. Now that I’m in my 40s, I try to keep it a little simpler, a little subtler, but I’m still alternative at heart.” Preserving a whole entity of not just pretty, sexy, or even cool, but different, she reclaims her image in Chloë Sevigny, an art book published by Rizolli containing photos of herself through the years.

“I hope people will see a thread of authenticity, and that they could be inspired by the fact that I was able to do my career the way I wanted to.”

Still shrouded in mystery, her famous, dorky laugh will keep throwing us off as she proves to the world again and again that she will never be “of the moment,” that

the whole tapestry of herself as an artist is still in the process of creation. “I’m sure you know I don’t like titles. I don’t like to have to sit into something like ‘It Girl’ or ‘fashion icon’ or ‘indie girl’ or any of it. I feel like you can’t box anybody into anything specific like that. I’d just like people to think that I was, I can’t think of the word that would best describe it, but maybe just ‘herself.’”

chloesevigny.com @OfficialChloeS

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Makeup artist and illustrator ISAMAYA FFRENCH doodles on skin to make it come alive through sheer emotion, dream-like whimsy, and surrealistic ambitions. Her external curiosities expose the depths of human sensitivity to reveal an understanding that’s never skin-deep.

By Olivia Estrada

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HEAVY HITTER

Defining beauty is a challenge more suited for those looking for the Holy Grail.

Given the fickle fetishes of fashion and this obsessed, lookist culture, beauty can’t really be pinned down to one thing. Nevertheless, Isamaya Ffrench, the twenty-something Beauty Editor of i-D, dared to define it, answering, “Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pumping Iron, 1977,” without much explanation. When asked about which makeup trend she would choose between a bold lip or a statement eyeshadow game, she bluntly says, “A bold head.

Why not?”

That pretty much hints how Isamaya, with her cross-influential aesthetics to body art, illustration, and makeup artistry, transforms the human body. She commands the

complicated nature of the human form-from its dark doubts to its hopeful intuitions­­ –to manifest itself vividly on skin. In one editorial, she paints the models a deep charcoal black to their chests, leaving only white outlines of flowers on their faces. In yet another, she renders harsh lines over a model’s face, similar to the traces a plastic surgeon makes before an operation, to reveal a grotesque monster. Isamaya was also the one who created Kanye West’s terrifying character in his music video for “Black Skinhead.” Blurring the lines between face paint, makeup, and illustration, she also creates fullblown images of the countryside, pop art combinations, and cubism inspired patterns, on her subjects’ heads.

All of these outcomes have been captured by photographers Nick Knight and Rankin, appeared on the pages

of Vogue China, Vogue Italia, i-D, Interview, Love, V Magazine, Garage, and Dazed & Confused, and have caught the eye of Dior and designer Junya Watanabe. She’s also painted on the faces of top models like Jourdan Dunn, Binx Walton, and Edie Campbell, plus music muse of the moment, FKA twigs.

From Warhol-like uses of eyeshadow to Dali-esque application of lipstick, Isamaya uses makeup and face paint to interpret a purely human experience that transcends the perceivable world. “Sense has a very specific dictionary definition, but there are senses that aren’t physical–such as an emotional response that isn’t elicited from direct physical contact but makes you react in a way that you can’t necessarily control,” she tells Dazed & Confused.

In retrospect, Isamaya’s forays into her artistic explorations came about spontaneously despite the seemingly methodical way she goes about her makeup madness. “I’ve always wanted to become a dentist, but I didn’t quite make the grades,” she recalls. She then confesses that the first art form she explored didn’t involve any brushes. She initially fell in love with horse polo. “It’s

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HEAVY HITTER

art,” she exclaims. “I worked as a polo journalist for two years before accidentally venturing into the world of makeup.” From one happy accident to another, Isamaya owned up to her affinity for colors and lines when she was formally signed on. “In 2010, when my first agent, Desreen Brooks, asked to take me on as an artist. That’s when I took the plunge, dropped out of college, and updated my Facebook status to ‘Makeup Artist.’”

That title, however, doesn’t cut it when it comes to what Isamaya really does. Painting the model’s body with the same print of his jacket, to making a walking mural with her graphic head-to-toe scribbles on a streetwear maven, Isamaya takes on her chosen platform of expression by looking at it from all angles. “I studied Product Design, which has probably shaped the way I work from a creative perspective. I start from a 3D form as opposed to starting with a line.” explains Isamaya. “‘Form follows function’ was the mantra I was bullied into at university, but I’m happy to work the other way around these days. It pushes your creativeness somehow.” Her confidence to use the body as a canvas is also the reason why she isn’t afraid to include herself in her experiments.

Most of the time, it’s a success with her hyperreal self-portraits to gold

body casts, but she does admit to a few misses, if only because she always looks for new materials to work with.

“I once asked a friend of mine to pour dental alginate over my entire head. We were experimenting with different materials for a fashion show and got a bit carried away. It got in my eyes and I had blurry vision for an hour.”

Other than pushing for the unusual and the untapped spaces of creation, there is also quite an irreverence that Isamaya holds for the norm. To her, she doesn’t really see much of a difference between face paint and makeup. “I just read the packaging,” she tells us. This belief

allows her freedom to do what she will in her projects. Her unorthodox approach maybe a bit freakish at first, but the message becomes clear once the paint is washed clear. As Isamaya manipulates the seemingly set features of our human design, it becomes certain that beauty is just a malleable imposition made onto an innocent and unbiased blank canvass.

isamayaffrench.com @isamayaffrench

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Actor CORY MICHAEL SMITH adapts to his characters without giving away his tricks, whether they be in playbills or graphic novels. Stepping out of the script for more premieres while staying in tune to his own beat, He proves that he’s not far from being the next hot ticket.

By Olivia Estrada Photographed by Sean Armenta Styled by Stacy Ellen Assistant Stylist Brandon Godoy Grooming Sunny An Special thanks to Serge PR

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efore becoming The Riddler in Fox’s Gotham, Cory was like any other creative child trying to make sense of himself through the noise. “My first foray into the arts started when I was seven or eight years old,” he recalls. “I remember playing the piano while my brother was going out to play with the neighbors. I remember choosing to sit inside and practice the piano because I loved it so much.” He then went on to court different arts, joining the choir, school band, and theater group. Eventually, he settled with theater in New York City with appearances on its various stages until he made his Broadway debut in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, starring as the lovable Fred to Emilia Clarke’s Holly Golightly.

From idyllic 5th Avenue, Cory soon learned of New York’s many faces as it turned into the treacherous city of Gotham. The highlystylized iteration of the Batman mythology has transformed Cory from sweetheart to villain as he takes on the persona of Edward Nygma, a character that allows him to showcase his a range in acting that he’s never explored before. As season two of the TV hit goes into full swing and topples Cory’s character into the spotlight, he will warp back into reality with upcoming rom-drama, Carol. The movie is set in the early ‘50s and finds Cory as a traveling salesman on a chance meeting with lead characters Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. “It’s a love story where no one talks about their feelings. It about the fear of loving someone, which is something that a lot of people would understand, whether they’re gay or not,” describes Cory. Set to be

Reversible sweater by Jacob Davis Jeans and Belt by Nudie Raw Denim Bulgari Watch Pskaufman Interchange Boot

released in the fall, Cory coyly tells us that the movie is just the beginning of what he will do to keep us guessing.

Who are your favorite villians?

Growing up, I was obsessed with Tim Burton’s Batman as it had Jack Nicholson as The Joker. His performance creeped me out. I was terrified and I thought Jack Nicholson was absolutely brilliant. In the same vein, I love Harley Quinn. It’s awesome to see this wild female character. Of course, now, I have this throne in my heart for The Riddler.

What has playing Edward Nygma taught you about how villains are made?

Playing Edward is really special because you’re spending time with a guy who isn’t being utilized the way he could be.

He’s smarter than everyone and he loves work, but he’s essentially misunderstood, underappreciated, and goes through abuse.

When someone is isolated in the workplace and in life like that, they give up eventually or look for a way to get attention. There is a certain way to gain power through attention.

It will become addictive because of the excitement. For Edward, he gets to use his brilliance, and to challenge people, and he’s proving to himself that he’s more brilliant than others.

“I’M NOT SOMEONE WHO HAS TO WORK ALL THE TIME; I’D LIKE MY WORK TO HAVE MEANING.”

Kill City Sweater with Leather Elbow Patches Nudie Grey Jeans & Belt

How has your background in music helped you as an actor?

Now as an actor, music is incredibly important to me. I read scripts musically, and it has helped me understand pacing for a TV show. I find that my musical background helped me come into to a scene with energy and understanding what that 30-second scene means to an entire performance. I see our job as telling a story in the most exciting way possible and what you can understand in music is what makes a song or scene exciting. If it is stagnant and you’re playing the same chords with no dynamism, people are going to turn off the radio or change the channel.

Who are your favorite actors you’ve worked with?

I’ve had the fortune of working with four incredible women: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Kristen Stewart, and Frances McDormand. I learned a lot from them about focus, working in front of a camera, and understanding the minute details of a character from the way your eyes move to the very subtle ways that you can move your head. All of those women

knew exactly how to work a camera and how to intensely focus and penetrate a scene. You learn by doing but also learn by observing incredibly talented people.

What’s next for you?

I’m so excited to see what comes up. I’m being very selective about what I want to do. I want it to be incredibly different from anything I do. I’m not someone who has to work all the time; I’d like my work to have meaning. I’m waiting to find something that feels like I have to pursue it. We’ll see what that is when it comes along. It has to be something I’m inspired by, so I’’m sure it will be soon.

@mister_CMS

DIRECTORY BRANDS AEROPOSTALE Glorietta 2, Makati City ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS anastasiabeverlyhills.com ANEMONE pormada.com BARTON PERREIRA Ronnie & Joe, SM Aura, Taguig City BWOOD pormada.com CALL IT SPRING Greenbelt 3, Makati City CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN christianlouboutin.com CLINIQUE clinique.com.ph DIOR dior.com DOROTHY PERKINS SM Aura, Taguig City DUNE Greenbelt 5, Makati City F&F Glorietta 3, Makati City FOREVER 21 SM Makati, Makati City GUERLAIN guerlain.com H&M SM Makati, Makati City HER SOMA Stores, Green Sun Hotel, Makati City KAREN WALKER Ronnie & Joe, SM Aura, Taguig City KSUBI Ronnie & Joe, SM Aura, Taguig City

LAURA MERCIER lauramercier.com LANCÔME lancome.com LORAC loraccosmetics.com MAYBELLINE maybelline.com.ph MISS SELFRIDGE SM Aura, Taguig City NEW LOOK newlook.com OBJECTS WITHOUT MEANING objectswithoutmeaning.com OLD NAVY Glorietta 3, Makati City THE PALATINES thepalatinesshoes.com PENSHOPPE Glorietta 1, Makati City REGATTA regatta.com.ph RICHER POORER pormada.com RONNIE & JOE SM Aura, Taguig City RIVER ISLAND SM Aura, Taguig City SFERA SM Makati, Makati City SHANA Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City STEVE MADDEN Glorietta 3, Makati City STILA stilacosmetics.com SUITEBLANCO SM Makati, Makati City

THIERRY LASRY Ronnie & Joe, SM Aura, Taguig City TOMMY HILFIGER Greenbelt 5, Makati City TOPMAN SM Aura, Taguig City TOPSHOP SM Aura, Taguig City TORY BURCH toryburch.com.ph TRISH MCEVOY trishmcevoy.com URBAN DECAY urbandecay.com WEEKDAY shop.weekday.com YVES SAINT LAURENT ysl.com ARTISTS Sunny An (Grooming) sunnyan.com Sean Armenta (Photographer) seanarmenta.com Dennis Auburn (Photographer) dennisauburn.com Krizia Banogon (Illustrator) behance.net/kriziabanogon Lizzi Bougatsos (Photographer) artspace.com/lizzi_bougatsos Ian Castañares (Photographer) thestilllifephotographer.tumblr.com Grace de Luna (Photographer) behance.net/gracedeluna Gerard Del Mundo (Photographer) 500px.com/GerardDelMundo Chiqui Dingcong (Hair and Makeup) chiquidingcong.wix.com

Stacy Ellen (Stylist) stacyellen.com Apple Fara-on (Makeup) mac.com JC Gellidon (Photographer) jcgellidon.com Brandon Godoy (Assistant Stylist) livinglifewithb.tumblr.com RJ Gorospe (Stylist) jamestotheworld.tumblr.com Katrina Guevara (Stylist) cubtrina.blogspot.com Kevin Hatt (Photographer) kevinhatt.com Wes Klain (Photographer) wesklain.com Marcelo Krasilcic (Photographer) marcelok.com Potchie Lazaro (Photographer) potchielazaro.com Sophie Loloi (Photographer) sophieloloi.com Amber Mahoney (Photographer) ambermahoney.com Bao Ngo (Photographer) baongo.com Germain Nichols (Hair and Makeup) germainenichols.com Cenon Norial III (Photographer) cenoniii.blogspot.com Darwin Sablayan (Hair) instagram.com/darwinsablayan Steffi Santiago (Photographer) steffisantiago.wordpress.com David Perez Shadi (Photographer) shadinyc.com Lauren Withrow (Photographer) laurenwithrow.com

STATUS INVADES

LAIDBACK LURE With a stroke of luck and waves of hustling, AKIKO ABAD saunters through the afternoon light with a steady gaze into the camera.

@akikoabad Portrait by Gerard Del Mundo Product Photography by Carlo Nu単ez

98 - statusmagonline.com

SUNNIES

NEOPRENE BIKINI

I got this bikini when I modeled for an online shop.

It’s laidback enough to match with anything.

I never leave the house without them.

Manila is too hot not to protect my eyes, so why not have them for style purposes too?

HEELS

Since I’m not really tall for a model, wearing heels is a must for me when it comes to shoots and castings.

YSL HEART-SHAPED WATCH

This is my favorite watch because my dad gave it to me.

I wear it all the time because of its sentimentality.

CHUCK TAYLORS

I got this pair for myself last Christmas. I knew that I would be able to use these classics for shoots and for everyday outfits.

BENEFIT PERFUME set EYEGLASSES

My specs have become almost too special to me. Due to my poor eyesight, I can’t function anywhere without them.

BARBIE DOLLS

I started modeling when I was little. My first ramp was for Barbie when I was five years old. I still keep my collection at home.

FLORAL SHIRT

I wore this in my Instagram entry for the SM Youth Go See. I just borrowed it from my brother and ended up winning.

statusmagonline.com - 99

Makeup by Pamm Merrera for Make Up For Ever

I love Benefit’s mini perfume set!

It comes in four scents, so I put on whatever fits my mood.