Whether it’s creating new art, trends, images and designs, the imagination and creativity of these four artistic souls run wild and free. Armed with their Incase weapon of choice, the world is theirs for the taking. Photographed by Sonny Thakur Hair by Vicky Gabutan of Jing Monis Salon Makeup by Angelique Dinglasan of Shu Uemura Location: co.lab All Incase products available at Power Mac Center, Mobile 1 Rockwell , Mobile 1 Park Square, Ansons Emporium, and Liteware.
goincase.com
I’m an artist. I’m also the vocalist of the electronic rock band Turbo Goth, I’m a tattoo artist, illustrator, Globe Tattoo endorser, and freelance model. Art and music is my life, so everything I do and everything around me brings my creativity. I always have new ideas. Every single day, there is budding of a new idea or the development of a previous one. Everything that surrounds me may be an inspiration or influence. Then, after inspiration, I am motivated by love and passion. I get to share my creations with other people. I like that, through my art, illustrations, tattooing, and music, I get to reach out to them, affect them, and maybe even inspire.
Alloy Sleeve for Macbook Pro 15” P2,990 Alloy Sleeve for Macbook Pro 15” P2,700
Coated Canvas Shoulder Bag P4,990
I’m a clothing store owner. I own a store called Hmrm7274. I love trying to help people gain their own sense of style. I love trying to find out the solution to a problem by providing some sort of fashion forecast. Like what’s gonna be cool, or what’s gonna be trendy, or what’s gonna last for lifetime. You have to dream big. When you open a store, you have to have a vision. No matter where the road takes you, you might veer off a little bit, but you have to remember that at the end of the day, you plant something, and you have to go towards it—you can’t veer off too much. You can adjust because that’s part of it, but you have to stay on that path.
I’m a photographer. I mainly do fashion, beauty, and portrait photography for advertisements (for my bank account) and magazines (for my sanity). Everything that has to do with a great editorial shoot brings out my creativity. When I’m alone in my room, about to sleep, I would always look at random books I have lying around, and I would get tons of concepts for photo shoots from the most random images. I love getting to create different worlds through images. I love doing them ‘cause with the right team, you can execute a vision no matter how strange and farfetched, and have it be immortalized on paper.
Warhol Book Jacket for iPad 2 P3,600
Perforated Hardshell Case for Macbook Pro 13” P2,490 Perforated Hardshell Case for Macbook Pro 15” P2,490
I’m a fashion designer. I started my RTW line, Coexist, before I graduated from college, and I have been designing ever since. Recently, I’ve also started accepting custom-made dresses and gowns. My love for my craft brings out my creativity. If you don’t love what you do, inspiration won’t come, and without inspiration, you can’t really get creative. I’ve been in love with fashion ever since I can remember. It’s everything that I want, and it’s what keeps me going. I get to create wearable art from the simplest things. I see my visions come to life, and it doesn’t just end there. I sketch something up, produce it, release it, and then, it becomes part of someone else’s life. It feels great to know that someone out there appreciates what I do. I think that’s one of the misconceptions people have about fashion that I’d like to change: fashion isn’t fickle. It’s able to move and inspire people just like other forms of art.
For the young and ardent, reaching for the stars is like a walk in the park. Clad in their Keds, they take the yellow brick road one step at a time, all for art’s sake.
n in Keds Champio Burgundy er Stripe ipp Champion Sk in Navy/Tan
Photographed by Roy Macam Hair by Mandy Sierra & Joy Penaredondo of Jing Monis Salon Makeup by Angelique Dinglasan of Shu Uemura Shot at Heima Store, Hmrm7274, & The Collective
AN & EN ESTRADA A.K.A. YOUR EVIL TWIN Film Photographers What are you passionate about? Film is our passion. In this digital age, you don’t really get a lot of gigs from publications, but film makes us unique, so we stick to what we love. International magazines have been open to film photographers, so we’re trying to push and influence local publications to consider this medium. Some of our photos taken with film cameras made it to covers and shirts. Growing up, did your folks support your creativity? Not at all. At first, it was hard to tell our parents what Your Evil Twin was. We also had a hard time shooting and launching our blog because of our 9-5 job, working six times a week in our real estate family business. Right now, we try to squeeze in homemade photoshoots in our free time. What is your creative process? We like how it feels (even the way it smells)—the general fuzziness of film grain, the feeling of lock-n’-loading a roll, sprockets, and unexpected accidents. It’s just plain fun for us. We enjoy 80s cameras, the nostalgia of a real darkroom print, the anticipation and the idea of having only 36 shots in your camera instead of 1,000. We love the sound of the shutter, the winding of film, and the whole process of developing with chemicals. It feels like the photo is created entirely by us, from start to finish. Where do you see yourself five years from now? Five years from now, we’re still shooting and traveling… And hopefully, more people will be open to our style here in the Philippines by then.
On An: Keds Champion in Blue. On En: Keds Laceless
Champion in Windsor Wine
On Rez: Keds Champion in Red Left: Keds Champion Skipper in Navy
REZ TOLEDO A.K.A. Somedaydream Musician What are you passionate about? I’m passionate about music. I love making music, evolving ideas, trying out new things, and experimenting with what I have. The best part of being a musician is being able to connect to people and share my passion with them. Growing up, did your folks support your creativity? I think I was well-guided as a child. My parents encouraged me to try lots of stuff. I enrolled in several music schools, and I learned to play a bunch of different instruments. I’m grateful to them for that. What is your creative process? I start out songs in a very basic way. I compose songs by playing with my guitar and writing down the notes. My songs are inspired by ideas, emotions, and experiences. When I complete a song on guitar, that’s when I move on to producing it in the studio with all my other instruments and gadgets. But songs do grow, change, and evolve. For me, the creative process never really ends ‘cause music is experienced differently every time. Where do you see yourself five years from now? Years from now, I hope I’ve contributed more to our country’s music industry in my own way. I’m open to changes that may happen, but I’ll still do my best in whatever I do.
CJ DE SILVA Art Director / Painter What are you passionate about? I’m very passionate about art and everything else related to it. My first love is painting, but now, I enjoy doodling and doing illustrations. I’ve been painting since I was three, and I grew up literally painting everyday. I’m also proud to say that I’m passionate about advertising. Some might even consider advertising as the antithesis of art; some say it’s “selling out” but, working as an art director in TBWA-Santiago Mangada Puno for more than three years, I’ve learned that there’s so much art in advertising—the beauty of communication, coming up with good ideas, and art direction, most especially. Growing up, did your folks support your creativity? When I was younger, my dad dedicated a lot of his time in teaching me how to paint. He would bring me to different art exhibits and make me join art contests. Constantly, my parents told me to always do what will make me happy. Actually, my dad would be the one who would remind me to follow my heart no matter what. What is your creative process? When I paint and illustrate, I’d usually think of a concept first. Then I do a quick rough sketch for me to determine the composition, layout, and design elements like a blueprint. When I’m ready, I start doing the fine sketch and then paint. On CJ: Keds Champion in Shadow Purple
Where do you see yourself five years from now? I’d still be in advertising (hopefully in a higher position), coming up with meaningful and memorable work. At the same time, pursuing my other passions on the side: painting, illustration, and music. I will have my first one-woman exhibit as a grown up and re-introduce my artist-self to everyone.
Acrylic painted Keds Cha mpion in White by CJ
Keds Cham pion in Aq ua
MIKI HAHN Fashion Designer What are you passionate about? Ever since I could remember, I’ve always been very passionate about fashion and music. I’ve always loved colors, fabric, mixing and matching things, and while appreciating all of these things, I would constantly find myself playing a song in my brain. Growing up, did your folks support your creativity? I grew up in a very artistic and supportive family. My parents have always pushed me to do whatever I wanted to do. They gave me the free will to actually explore the world and find what I loved, and when I finally did, they gave me nothing less than 105% of their support. What is your creative process? My creative process is based purely on feel. Since I love music, I always find myself most engrossed with what I do when I’m listening to a certain sound or beat. Because of that, I find myself lost in a world of themes and stories. And that’s how I create my clothes. I create a whole story underneath just one garment or collection. Where do you see yourself five years from now? I can’t really see who I’d be as a whole five years from now. But one thing’s for sure, I see myself being a lot more fulfilled. I will also still keep chasing after my dreams because I never stop dreaming, and I never stop chasing after them.
On Miki: Keds Champion in Pink
Available in Complex Lifestyle Store (Eastwood Mall and Ayala Center Cebu), Hide Out (Greenbelt 5), select Shoe Salon outlets, and top department stores. Keds.com facebook.com/kedsphilippines
STAT U S ME S S AG E
Justice: Tender Buttons (74). Photo by Adrian Boot
L.O.V.E. Fools
I
’m on my second can of energy drink, and I’m not sure it’s having any effect on me. Even with all my tiredness…I’m still happy…no, excited! Probably because I finally feel like STATUS is walking on its own two feet. A little wobbly…but just like a three-yearold, we are walking, half running, sometimes stumbling, and discovering new adventures and obstacles. But despite the challenges, I love what I do—early morning meetings to late night conference calls to near-disasters at a shoot. This is why I wanted to dedicate an issue about LOVE. Readers always ask me how we get interviews issue after issue. I always say it takes time, persistence, and a lot of emails (100+ emails a day is no joke)! This is exactly what we had to do to get the French DJ duo known as Justice. They have been on our radar for quite some time now, but man do they tour like crazy! That’s probably because their new album, Audio, Video, Disco, is set to release this month. Our other music Heavy Hitter, Mark Ronson, seems to be a lucky guy with a great career in music, new marriage, and fame. He’s built his career from musician to DJ to producer and has collaborated with music greats like the late Amy Winehouse. Now, Mark is entering a new chapter—his married life. Was it luck or talent that led to this charmed life? Maybe it is love and his passion for music that pushes his creative boundaries to the limit. We also interviewed Hollywood’s young up-and-comer actor Logan Lerman. Fresh from his film, The Three Musketeers, we were able to ask him about his YouTube short films to his sword fights in the movie. It’s clear to see Logan has great passion for films and really cares what Hollywood has to say about it. In our newly renamed section, Block Party, we wanted to get into the minds and hearts of creative couples to see how they work, love, and create together. Does love + work = love quarrels? Maybe, maybe not. It’s just so cute to see these couples at work and at play. So love and passion being the theme of this issue, I hope you enjoy reading the interviews of these amazing talents, who share the same love and passion for what they do and how they live their lives. In my opinion, that really is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary.
Editor in Chief
L.o.V.E. Fools OCT OBER 2011
72
22 SRETSIS
STATUSPHERE
21 26 27 28 29
THREADS SETTING BEATS SCREEN INK
gadgets 30
WET AND WILD
Waterproof & Shockproof
BEAUTY 32
LOVE GAME
34
WILD BERRY
First Date Makeup
Açai Berry Skincare
brick & mortar
36 Pinnacl, Seoul 36 Bell Jar, San Francisco 36 Black Not Black
street style 37 LEATHER FETISH Wear Leather
38 GO SEE
Neutrals & Neon
62
ALYONA SUBBOTINA
VISION BOARD
maestro
40 TILL DEATH DO US PART Urban Lovers
46 INTO THE LIGHT
Printed and Bright
SWAG
53 STOMP THE YARD Heeled Boots
54 FIRST TO FOLD Pleated Skirts
55 ALL BOXED UP Box Bags
55 JUST US TWO
Two-Finger Rings
56 SNUGGLE FEST
Women’s Sweaters
57 COLOR ME DANDY Colored Pants
58 FRESH PICK Sneakers
60 HOLLYWOOD DREAM Celebrity T-Shirts
60 THE RIGHT FIT Fitted Caps
61 BUNDLE UP
Men’s Sweaters
muse
62 ALYONA SUBBOTINA
EDWARD KIM
63 STANDING OVATION
With a breakup rumor behind them, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah finally releases their follow up album, Hysterical. By Viva Gonzalez
64 AT THE PEAK
When they got a duo name, The Cataracs thought Snoop’s lyrics was about getting high—so are the expectations for their own release. By Viva Gonzalez
65 EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED
My Brightest Diamond’s Shara Worden may sing like it’s the end of the world, but it’s really a call for everything to end up otherwise. By Evan Tan
66 ROYAL HIGHNESS
Brooklyn’s Elizabeth Harper aka Class Actress is so smart sexy that if she were a sexual position, she’d be on a chair and reading. By Reena Mesias
67 BRING THE NOISE
Cymbals Eat Guitars evolved from the noise rock of the nineties; that means they’re not just a “burgeoning” band anymore. By Miguel Escobar
67 ALL HANDS ON DECK
DJ Ross One got his big music spark at 16, and he’s now “Miami’s hottest DJ” because he managed to keep the fire burning till today. By Zoe Laurente
MASTERMIND 68 TONGUE ACTION
With his third poetry book, first novel, and blog anthology published this year, Lourd de Veyra is someone to take seriously…mostly. By Kristine Dabbay
69 NATURAL HABITAT
Dorothy Hong is so much a photographer that, when a portrait-perfect moment comes and she doesn’t have a camera, it hurts. By Reena Mesias
70 CELEBRATION: EVERYDAY
Confetti System make piñatas that you don’t wanna hit with a bat. You wanna stroke them, or just admire them from afar. By Alice Sarmiento
71 YOUNG BLOOD
Booboo Stewart is one of the Twilight wolf boys who girls should be careful to crush on. They’re competing against cougars. By Loris Peña
72 RIPE FOR THE PICKING
Casting Director Edward Kim finds beauty in all kinds of models— offbeat, ironic, and—why not— even commercial. By Giano D. Dionisio
73 CON TEMPLATE
Dex Fernandez may be tagged a stereotype artist, but his mixed media work is nowhere near easy categories. By Nante Santamaria
L.o.V.E. Fools OCT OBER 2011
85
JOHN JAMES UY & JESSICA YANG
67
67 DJ ROSS ONE HEAVY HITTER 74 TENDER BUTTONS
Justice call themselves romantics but not even in the bromantic way. What they mean is sad when sad, hard when hard. By Kristine Dabbay
78 MARK OF A GENTLEMAN
His music’s a big deal, true, but the recent big news about Mark Ronson is that he’s now married. Ladies of the world, weep! By Giano D. Dionisio
82 D’ARTAGNAN ROMANCES
Breakout alert: Logan Lerman is d’Artagnan in Three Musketeers. Next year, he’ll be Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. By Nante Santamaria
BLOCK PARTY
CYMBALS EAT GUITARS
88 SOLID SATURDAYS @ IL
84 RAIZEL GO
PONTICELLO
89 INDUSTRY MONDAYS @ OPUS 89 HEY HO LET’S GO GAGOSIAN 90 THE DO-OVER MANILA @
& WHAM BACABAC
Art Directors
84 DAN MATUTINA
& DANG SERING
Designer/Illustrator & Painter/Writer
B-SIDE
85 ANGELO SUAREZ
& DONNA MIRANDA
Writer & Choreographer
85 JOHN JAMES UY
& JESSICA YANG
Actor/Fine Arts Student & Model
NIGHTVISION
87 SUPER TECHNO PARTY MACHINE
90 FRESH FRIDAYS @ FIAMMA 91 STATUS EMPIRE ISSUE
RELEASE PARTY @ 7th HIGH
91 LOLLYPOLLY #VIPFEST
STATUS INVADES
94 PETER BUER & PHOEBE SUNG
Arts and crafts brought together Peter and Phoebe of Native American-inspired accessory line Cold Picnic.Here’s their digs.
@ EAST BLOC
88 DJ CRAZE @ 7TH HIGH
99 ANNE HATHAWAY’S GETAWAY
This sleek photo of Justice in our Love Issue is a labor of many loves. Before shooting it, photographer Uri Auerbach had been a jewelry designer and had earned a philosophy degree. The result: a glossy cover worth pimping shelves with and a feel quite simple yet suave. Check him out at uriauerbach.com.
statusmagonline.com
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
STATUS sans paper
DOWNLOADS free mixtapes and wallpapers
contributors statusmagonline.com EDITOR IN CHIEF: Rosario Herrera CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Patrick L. Jamora ART DIRECTOR: Soleil Ignacio ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Nante Santamaria FEATURES EDITOR: Reena Mesias FASHION EDITOR: Loris Peña
AJ OMANDAC
If AJ, who illustrated Mark Ronson (78), ever got the chance to talk to his puppy love crazed, 5-year-old self, he would tell the poor kid to “stop giving them your crayon drawings for free!” Now all grown up, we hope he more or less knows his way around matters of the heart. And if things don’t turn out well, AJ’s perfect salve to a bad break-up is a good run on the treadmill.
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS: Rita Faire, Viva Gonzalez, Evan Tan GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Patrick Diokno CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Kristine Dabbay, Giano D. Dionisio, Alice Sarmiento
ZOE LAURENTE
How can we not love Zoe—our Swag (53) fashion assistant and contender for STATUS’s longest-staying (six months and counting!) intern, who also wrote about DJ Ross One (67) for Maestro? She gushes, “The best part about the job would definitely be getting to work with an awesome group of people from whom I continuously learn.” Now where’s that commitment ring?
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS: Adoborat, Uri Auerbach, MJ Benitez, Adrian Boot, Kevin Bauman, The Cobrasnake, Fernando Colon, Kat Cometa, Keith Dador, Amanda Elkins, Davis Factor, Pieter van Hattem, Julian Hibbard, Kai Huang, Stevyn Llewellyn, Isabella Marcos, AJ Omandac, Roy Macam, Marwane Pallas, Raffy Parcon, Sol Parcon, BJ Pascual, Sasithon Pooviriyakul, Denny Renshaw, Astrid Reyes, Capo Rivera, Jessica Roasa, Nikki Ruiz, Paolo Ruiz, Nante Santamaria, Rich Sarto, Sonny Thakur, Boo Umaly, Pedro Winter, The XOXO Kids SALES & MARKETING CONSULTANT: Tina Herrera ACCOUNT MANAGER: Jerdan Buenaventura JUNIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Christine Rojas INTERNS: Sasha Cordingley, Miguel Escobar, Paolo Geronimo, Maria Isabella Kristoffersen, Zoe Laurente, Iris Beverly Lin
EDITORIAL editorial@statusmagonline.com ADVERTISING advertise@statusmagonline.com
SHIREEN SEñO
Shireen, featured in this month’s Director’s Cut (28), began her love affair with film when she was studying in Canada. Then it hit her, now the girlfriend of internationally-acclaimed director John Torres—what was she doing in Canuckland, anyway? So she packed her bags, took a plane ride to Japan, and began to experiment with film. “I’ve been hooked ever since,” she says. Talk about love against all odds.
MARKETING marketing@statusmagonline.com
NIKKI RUIZ
For Nikki, who has been covering Fresh Fridays at Fiamma (90) for Nightvision and doing Go See for us since the last Philippine Fashion Week, love takes a backseat when it comes to career. She says, “I don’t want to grow old and bury regrets of not pursuing my dreams.” Just in case she never gets to fall in love ever, she hopes to have a lifetime supply of alcohol instead.
INTERNSHIP intern@statusmagonline.com Yes, we’re mind-blowing.
What’s your STATUS? tell us.
GENERAL INQUIRIES info@statusmagonline.com Read our digital version statusmagonline.com/ digital-magazine LIKE US facebook.com/statusmagazine Follow us twitter.com/statusmagazine STATUS is published by STATUS Media Group. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
THREADS / setting / BEATS / SCREEN / INK
OCTOBER 2011
BAG LADY
C
elebrity stylist Simone Harouche used her growing collection of heirloom textiles for her namesake handbag line, SIMONE CAMILLE. Ranging from 1970’s kaftans to other fabrics from the 19th century, these materials transform an otherwise ordinary leather bag into a collector’s item. Adorned with antique coins, tassels, and fringe that give the pieces an artisanal feel, no wonder these bags were first toted by style icon Nicole Richie. simonecamille.com
OUT OF THE BLUE
7
FOR ALL MANKIND innovates by adding different touches and styles in their latest collection. Inspired by Amelia Earhart, their “Aviator” pants have a figure-flattering fit and details like contrast zippers and oversized pockets. Their “Unexpected Chinos” for the boys combine twill and the perfect denim fit that the brand is known for. Cozy up on to their great selection of outerwear, too, ranging from classic biker jackets to sweater dresses. 7forallmankind.com
FAVORITE THINGS
Y
our usual go-to outfits mixed with a bit of spunk? Yep, that’s Ana Diaz’s latest collection, Hybrid, for DIAZ. Made out of natural materials such as leather and cotton in muted tones of olive and navy, their leather skirts, chunky sweats, high-waisted trousers, and mustard capes could easily be your not-so-usual favorite items. diazlabel.com
ACCESSORY ARCHAEOLOGY
A
ccessory designers Nina Einarsen and Iselin Strømsvåg go back to the prehistoric era for their label DREAMS OF NORWAY’s Fall/Winter 2011 collection. The sharp edges of quartz cast in silver, whether worn around your neck or around your finger, add an unexpected earthy element to any look. Their handmade fashion artifacts like feather earrings, pterodactyl head ear studs, and black horn pendants are a welcome break from your usual outfit embellishments. dreamsofnorway.com
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/THREADS
FRIENDLY FIRE T
he best outfits are the ones that don’t try too hard. AMONGST FRIENDS’ Cut and Sew collection for Fall 2011 echoes its brand name with jackets, button-downs, and chinos for chilling with your closest chums. Nothing eccentric; just neutral plaids and solid tones on quality leathers and wool for varsity jackets, duck coats, sweatshirts, and flannel— understated heat that need not fear peer evaluation. amongstfriendsnyc.com
FLIGHTS OF FANCY S
RETSIS designer Pim Sukhahuta has an affinity for quaint prints on chiffon and charmeuse. Taking inspiration from the skies and the forest, her Fall/ Winter 2012 collection has beading, prints, and embroideries of clouds, birds, ponies, and deer. Tweed skirts, feathered sleeves, and chunky knits give texture contrast while details like Peter Pan collars and scalloped hemlines provide a touch of whimsy. sretsis.com
SOCIAL CLUB F
ollowing the PUMA Social Campaign comes the brand’s Autumn/Winter 2011 collection for all the after hours athletes. Choose among styles that range from boat and suede running shoes to kicks inspired by fat laces and padded high-cuts that are perfect for skateboarding. No more problems being voted as the top snazzy officers or MVPs in your respective clubs. puma.com/social
RUNWAY READY M
WIN THE BATTLE H
ere’s another take on the military trend: ACCESSORIZE’s Autumn/Winter 2011 collection, Phoenix. Their wrist wraps made with leather and studs give a masculine look, and their brown leather cuff might bring some luck to your everyday battlefield, and not just because it has the word “Lucky” engraved on it. accessorize.com
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enswear designer PATRIK ERVELL appeals to the fashion-forward gentleman with his Fall/Winter 2011 collection, strapped with daring experiments into unusual material. Militaryinspired clothes like silk twill bomber jackets, rubberized one-piece flight suits, cadets jackets, and billowing overcoats are not for the faint of character. But with simple colors and mixes of more classic and casual formalwear, the collection still works well for both the sidewalk and catwalk. patrikervell.com
/THREADS
TO DIE FOR S
treetwear brand BETTER OFF DEAD likes some morbid humor onto their graphic tees by tampering with high-end fashion logos like Chanel and Louis Vuitton or juxtaposing historical figures like Adolf Hitler with use of skulls, daisies, or wiccan elements. Hand-screened and hand-finished, each of their shirts also comes with an individual information in the tag to make for a collector’s item. wearebod.com
THE SHAPE OF CHIC L
AURA LOMBARDI creates jewelry in the comfort of her Chicago studio. With the limitless use of brass bars, she creates geometric shapes for unique pieces like “Ingot” earrings and “Mesa” necklaces. Brass and copper inspired by the timeless aesthetic of art deco components translate the color of autumn’s warm rust leaves into fine pieces of jewelry. lauralombardi.com
BANDANA BANDIT J
ewelry designer Ester Delug wraps delicate fingers and wrists with lustrous bandana-shaped bangles and rings from LITTLE ROOMS’ latest collection, Backseat Bingo. The 50s-inspired jewelry line includes floral hair picks, full finger rings, and necklaces that capture the modern Greaser Girl look without the Pink Ladies jacket. littlerooms.com
PRINTS CHARMING B
BRO CODE B
rave the cold like a true bro with the BURKMAN BROTHERS’ threads for the rough winter. Layers of their fleece and woolen knitwear go with the parkas and chambrays in keeping the cold out, while ethnic patterns and woodland camo keep the virile style very much in. This one’s for the explorer, the rugged survivalist, the refined huntsman, and the polar bear wrestler: the swag of true outdoorsmen. burkmanbros.com
OXING KITTEN’s Fall/Winter 2011 collection is like a kaleidoscope of vintage prints. Their mustard yellow button-down with large discs is reminiscent of grandma’s clothes from back then, while loose high-waisted pants look like they’re from the psychedelic sixties. Groovy, baby! boxingkitten.com
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/THREADS
FÜL’S GOLD
L
os Angeles-based menswear brand BEAUTIFUL FÜL scales rugged street style up with badass urban clothes in their Autumn 2011 line. Leather jackets, hooded bombers, and dark plaid are juxtaposed with threads right out of formalwear: fit and formed coats, vests, and slacks for the established but freespirited virtuoso. Best worn while taking your Harley to the office building you’re in charge of. beautifulful.com
CONCERT COMMANDMENTS
HAVE MERCER
T
he cultured gentleman doesn’t let a snowy day stop him from dressing his most dapper. For that, JJ MERCER’s winter collection is a strong ally. Its sharp, clean button-ups, bowties, and chinos capture collegiate refinement, while its various jackets and denim layers keep it toasty for the urbane tastemaker. While it’s gloomy and frigid, JJ Mercer’s outfits will make winters brighter and warmer. jjmercer.com
A
rock concert-goer’s dos and don’ts: 1. Don’t wear a huge pink bow if you’re not 8 years old. 2. Wear JAC VANEK. With celebrities like Kat Von D, Jeffree Star, and the guys behind Paramore rocking the designer’s bracelets, pullovers, baseball and vintage tees with party-driven words like “Mad To Live.” This brand is all about being comfy, loud, and it ain’t afraid to get dirty. jacvanek.com
WISHFUL THINKING
L
ooking different from a sea of beenthere-done-that divas is going to cost you. Good thing MACHA’s latest collection of gold pieces that look like no other isn’t going to bust your pockets. Cop the “Big Knot” necklace, “Faithful” Ring, or “Alexandra” earrings for that “Oh, where’d you get that?” attention from all your peers. machajewelry.com
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ENTITLEMENT
I
n their their latest collection, Moss, BESOBESO tells a story through names. “Rosario,” a long rosary necklace made with semiprecious stones, is like a family heirloom, adding character when worn with tees. “Barbie,” a cocktail ring, is encrusted with two hand-picked miniature crystalline amethyst stones. With their handcrafted pieces of sterling silver, Italian gold, and diamonds, you don’t need to introduce yourself anymore. shopbesobeso.com
/THREADS
SWEET CONSCIOUSNESS
A
fter working for Christopher Kane and Louise Gray, NATALIE ANNE MORAN is stepping out with her own collection. Her pink skort, Peter Pan-collared top, skinny jeans, embroidered and printed shirts in colors of pink, beige, and peach will remind you that too much sweetness can’t kill anyone. Just add really dark lipstick. natalieannemoran.com
S108 Fang Applique Sweatshirt J109 Seamed Jeans
STATE OF THE ART
AN ACTIVE NOTE
E
ach handcrafted piece of BJØRG jewelry is made with either sterling silver or plated with 18-carat gold. Visible in their “After Eden” spine collar necklaces to their “Forest” black raven ring, every component of Bjørg’s design is well thought-out. This Oslo-based brand releases only one complete collection per year, but its balance of jewelry refinement and artistic rawness is worth the wait. bjorgshop.com
F
rustrated fashionistas who can’t be seen wearing sportswear can now take a breather. KERHAO, by 90s sportswear incorporating volumes and bright colors, might just take over their closets. They could don their Kerhao’s nylon windbreaker with draping or t-shirt with a couture cocoon shape. No sneakers needed to look like an active stylish lass. kerhao.com
THIS LOVE
W
hat could be better as everyday tees than GENERATION LOVE’s made out of eco-friendly fabrics like organic supima cotton, recycled polyester and silk? No need to accessorize with details like sequined, metallic lace, and faux leather. Share some of that environmental love and look good. No tree hugging necessary. generationloveclothing.com
FINE PRINT
O
XYGEN finds an innovation, which gives their shirts a dyed effect, much neater compared to the old shirt printing technique. The new technology results in a noprint feel on soft viscose material translated to comfy tees for casual wear. You see the actual print on the shirt sans the feel of it. Cool, eh? oxygenfashion.com
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/SETTING
SUITE
ALL AT SEA
M
rs. Lovett may only dream about living by the sea with her dear ol’ Sweeney Todd—but “a cozy retreat by the seaside,” as the pie-making widow would sing, “where it’s all neat and tidy” is real in HafenCity, touted to be Europe’s largest inner city development project, which is in Hamburg, Germany. 25HOURS HOTEL HAFENCITY features 170 cabin-style suites, a rooftop harbor style sauna, and a club room. Vintage furniture and naval accessories from flea markets as well as a vinyl room, which plays local music, makes this harbor hotel an upscale by-the-bay establishment like the one in Mrs. Lovett’s song—minus, of course, having to “do the guest in.”
GRUB
CIRCULAR SPECTACULAR
CORKAGE
THE WATERING HOLE T he clamor for a legitimate pub in Metro Manila has been answered— DRAFT GASTROPUB, an authentic European pub which serves booze on tap. A vast selection of beers are available, and all the servers are well-trained with the history of each brew and are able to educate even the most clueless drinker about the origin, ingredients, taste undertones, and ideal food pairing of each beer. To ensure maximum brew oxidation, the pub also provides different glasses
F
for different beers—that’s why a Chimay glass differs in shape from an Orval glass. Those undecided with which beer to have can order a sampler tray which serves the top European beers—Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, and Beck’s—in three small glasses, paired with an amuse bouche. If one still can’t decide which to have, just walk over the bar and ask Beer, their head bartender, for a recommendation. (And yes, that’s his real name.)
ans of fusion cuisine, no need to prowl like a famished predator when in Tomas Morato. Restaurateurs Ivy Almario and Yong Nieva and their partners—also the owners of the nearby Romulo Café—have put up CERCHIO, a restaurant serving up Asian, Mediterranean, and Filipino food. Its monochromatic interior featuring organic elements (like the frosted kiwis and roses stickers) and geometric patterns (such as the circular and rectangular motifs) as well as the glossy plastic stools and upholstered chairs create a cool retro atmosphere—the perfect setting to hang out over their grilled dishes such as the salmon teriyaki, peri-peri chicken with rice pilaf, and shrimp with pomelo salad.
PL ATE
Belly Out
This is how pub fare should be— straightforward and satisfying.
Fish and Frites Enjoy the Leffe beer-battered fish, hand-cut fries, and tartar sauce—and make like the British by requesting for malt vinegar dip.
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Angry Drunk Mussels Hoegaarden beer-steamed mussels, bacon, chili, onions, and fresh parsley—with sourdough bread to sop up all that goodness.
Pappardelle Bolognese Loosen your belt for the classic beef ragout with juicy chunks of meat and thick parmesan shavings.
Bleu Cheeseburger US Angus beef smothered with bleu cheese and finished with a hint of sweetness from onion jam.
BEATS
MUSIC REVIEWS
ON THE SPOT
STRANGE PILGRIMS
I
“
Charlotte Cooper of THE SUBWAYS
Pat Tirano of TOI toikingdom.com
half-jokingly describe our band as a ‘psychedelic narcocountry garage punk n’ soul gospel band from outer space,’” says Francis Cabal, who plays the guitar and sings for The Strangeness. It would’ve been awesome had they really been aliens who landed in some nondescript neighborhood and, after deciding to name their group after a cult 80s horror flick, went on a mission to spread their message of love, peace, and ear-blastin’ music. But the story how they met up is nothing out of the ordinary. Francis, Shinji Manlangit (tambourine/back-up vocals), and Jayme Ancla (guitar/vocals) simply got the idea to form a new group when their other bands went on hiatus—then inviting Erwin Hilao (drums/vocals) and Bijan Gorospe (bass/vocals) to play with them as well.
Andy Cabic of VETIVER vetiverse.com
thesubways.net
Foals – “Miami” I really like the new Foals album, and this song is a great tune off it.
Radiohead – “Separator” Lyrics… the damn lyrics and the loop.
The Computers – “Music is Dead” This band has a great live energy, and this song is really exciting.
Daft Punk – “Something About Us” ‘Nuff said.
Florence + The Machine – “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)” I love this album and have been listening to it on repeat. There’s so much power to this song live. Joan as Police Woman – “The Magic” I love the dreamy sound of this song.
The XX– “VCR” I like lazy songs.
Smashing Pumpkins – “Spangled” Beautiful song, beautiful lyrics, beautiful arrangement, beautiful story under 2 minutes and 30 seconds— that is Smashing Fucking Pumpkins for you.
Rab Noakes & The Varaflames - “Somebody Counts On Me” Great track from an overlooked Scottish songwriter. Friend of Gerry Rafferty (RIP). Compressed 70s awesomeness. Mountaineer “Golden Chalk (Version Idjut)” Super extended remix by Idjut Boys of a song by Mountaineer. Love the guitar melody and skeletal rework. Orange Juice - “I Can’t Help Myself” Irrepressibly awesome song for dancing in my living room by myself. Black Moon - “I Got Cha Opin” Classic!
Inspiration-wise, Francis notes that “the search for God” is a common thread in their lyrics—either through sex, art, love, family, cults, or narcotics: “That comes from being raised hardcore Catholic....I don’t subscribe to any religion, but the search for a higher plane of existence.” While Francis says there’s really nothing strange about them, he admits that the band’s gunning for world domination— one song at a time. And with an EP coming out, a digital single soon to be released, and (according to their Facebook page) “God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit as their general manager, booking agent, and press contact respectively,” it’s nice to see that these guys get paid in good karma. EVAN TAN
LISTEN UP
Michael Jackson lives on as Cirque du Soleil announces its multimilliondollar Immortal World Tour, which will feature the late King of Pop’s old and unreleased songs. The tour will kick off on October 2 in Montreal’s Bell Centre.
Fever Year, a feature-length concert documentary film about widelyacclaimed indie singer and songwriter Andrew Bird’s months of rigorous touring, will debut at the Vancouver International Film Festival, running from September 29 to October 14.
Official details of the post-mortem examination of Amy Winehouse, whose cause of death has been widely speculated by fans and critics worldwide, is set to be released this October. The Grammy-awarded musician died last July after years of battling with drug and alcohol addiction.
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/SCREEN
MOVIE REVIEWS
DIRECTOR’S CUT
BIG BOY (OCtober 2011) In Shireen Seño’s film Big memories come together to grew apart. Shireen talks why she chose to tell the
Boy, bucolic landscapes and meandering rebuild the history of a family that about her inspiration for the film and story with a Super 8.
B
A MEMORY OF A MEMORY. THAT’S WHY I HAD TO SHOOT ON SUPER 8
ig Boy is a period film set in 1950s Mindoro—based on stories told to me by my parents while I was growing in Japan. There’s an intimacy and rawness but also the ambiguity of memories being remembered; you could say it’s a memory of a memory. That’s why I had to shoot on Super 8—it has a materiality that’s so gritty, fragile, and magical. It’s a coming-of-age story, about a young family, gradually consumed by their home-based cod liver oil business, told through the eyes of the eldest son who becomes the face of the product, and how he acts on it. I’ve made a couple of shorts, more like experiments, really—one on Super 8 and a handful with my cell
CINEMANTICS
PL AYBACK
IN TIME (OCTOBER 2011)
HENRY AND JUNE (1990) F
REDEEMED FROM MERELY ENDING IN SOME PERV’S J.O. FILM COLLECTION
phone and toy camera, but this would be my first full-length film and biggest experiment so far. I fell in love with film when I was in college in Canada. I took a course in Japanese cinema(s), which roused something in me a kind of agency. I made a short film about presence and the power relations in seeing and the cinema. Meanwhile, I wondered what I was doing in Canada and went to Japan. I got into photography—specifically, shooting on film, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I moved to Manila in 2009. Big Boy will be screened at the Cinema One Originals 2011 Festival at Shangri-La Cineplex on October 12-18.
orget Vicky Christina Barcelona’s María Elena, Juan Antonio, and Cristina. With Henry, June, and Anaïs’ ménage à trois in Henry and June, a film based on French erotic author Anaïs Nin’s book of the same title, art is but an imitation of life. The controversial relationship is set in 1931 Paris, the decadent period marked by a burgeoning cultural and sexual revolution. Drawn to Henry Miller, an American writer about to release his breakthrough work Tropic of Cancer, and his bisexual wife, June, Anaïs descends in a bacchanalia of lust and desire, marked by sexuallycharged scenes which warranted a NC-17 (No One 17 and Under Admitted) rating—the first film to have received such classification. But with Philippe Rousselot’s Oscar-nominated cinematography, this tale of one woman’s passionate sexual awakening is ultimately redeemed from merely ending up in some perv’s J.O. film collection. EVAN TAN
AN EARLY WARNING OF THE DANGERS OF A POSTHUMANIST SOCIETY
I
n the future, the question will not be if you can live forever—but why you should be allowed to. Those acquainted with director/ screenwriter Andrew Niccol’s sociopolitical films will find In Time a thought-provoking opportunity for discussion, especially in this age of stem cell research and nanotechnology. In this thriller, where time has replaced money as the world’s currency, aging has been finally overcome, at a price—people must prove that they deserve immortality. The poverty-stricken protagonist, Will Salas (Justin Timberlake), who is given a sizeable inheritance of time by a strange and suicidal man is accused of murder and is pursued by ‘the time keepers’—the police force responsible for keeping the balance of mortality among the citizens. This inspires him to wage war against the unjust system where only the rich are able to live forever. Fast-paced and chillingly possible, this flick may be an early warning of the dangers of a posthumanist society. EVAN TAN
TICKET
FOOTLOOSE A remake of the film which catapulted Kevin Bacon’s stardom, this movie tackles themes of teen rebellion and repression, and stars Center Stage’s Kenny Wormald taking on the lead role of Ren MacCormack.
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J. EDGAR Famous for his portrayals of legendary figures like Frank Abagnale, Jr. and Howard Hughes, Leonardo diCaprio once more takes on another notorious character—this time, the infamous FBI director, J. Edgar Hoover.
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN Confronting the crisis of a school massacre led by her son, Eva (Tilda Swinton) tries to survive the aftermath of outrage from the neighborhood which hates her for having borne a monster of a child.
THE RUM DIARY Based on the novel by controversial author Hunter S. Thompson, Johnny Depp plays the role of American journalist Paul Kemp, who drowns into a maniacal, alcoholic lifestyle after relocating to Puerto Rico.
LIKE CRAZY Exploring themes of love and estrangement, this film is about British student Anna’s (Felicity Jones) long-distance relationship with American student Jacob (Anton Yelchin), after she is banned from the US for overstaying.
/ink
BOOK REVIEWS
ONE-SITTINGS
YOU ARE NOT SO SMART By David McRaney
T
he “What the F Did I Do Back There” realization strikes quickly: someone approaches you and says he’s a Facebook friend, and you smile awkwardly, trying to remember who he is and why you added him in the first place. Or you light yet another cigarette and make excuses for your bad habit even if you’ve told yourself you don’t want to end the same way as your dad who died of lung cancer. Or it hits you while laughing at a documentary about a stupid cult mass suicide—and remembering you danced half naked at last night’s drinking session upon your friend’ prodding. Don’t worry, says David McRaney in his latest book: there’s a perfect reason why you’ve done (and you keep doing) stupid things—just like everyone else. In You Are Not So Smart: Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook, Why Your Memory Is Mostly Fiction, and 46 Other Ways You’re Deluding Yourself, the journalist and
self-professed psychology, technology, and internet geek outlines the plethora of cognitive biases, faulty heuristics, and common fallacies which will make you realize you’re most likely trapped in a hamster wheel of delusion as you try to survive the real world. Simply put, you just aren’t as smart as you think you are. EVAN TAN THE PERFECT REASON WHY YOU’vE DONE (AND YOU KEEP DOING) STUPID THINGS—JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE
reading group
1Q84
By Haruki Murakami
S
uperstar writers are rare, but even rarer, in this age, are people going on a frenzy to secure a copy of any writer’s book. An author as hyped-up as Haruki Murakami doesn’t have such problems. In fact, five years of silence about a purported literary magnum opus (only dropping hints here and there about what it might be about) has been enough to send his readers on a mania. In typical Murakami fashion, 1Q84—which looks like a dimly spelled reference to George Owell’s 1983—is rife with surrealism and alienation. The novel explores the lives of the main characters Aomame, an assassin whose name (which translates into “green bean”) the female character believes
PICTURE BOOK condemned her into her present situation; Tengo, an aspiring novelist hired to rewrite a manuscript to be submitted to a literary contest; Fukaeri, a dyslexic high school teenager; and Komatsu, the 45-year old enigmatic editor. Elements of cult religion and violence meld to create a riveting and complex tale which avid Murakami followers already know to be part of the author’s inimitable trademark. This may just be Murakami’s raised middle finger to the snobs of Japan’s literary establishment who have questioned his credibility as a literary force for so long. EVAN TAN
MURAKAMI’S RAISED MIDDLE FINGER TO THE SNOBS OF JAPAN’S LITERARY ESTABLISHMENT
CARINE ROITFELD: IRREVERENT By Carine Roitfeld
F
ormer French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld, arguably the most chic Parisian woman ever (a close tie with Coco Chanel), chronicles her career through images of her most iconic campaigns and editorials, including 250 magazine tear sheets. Best known for launching Tom Ford’s career and starting the renaissance of Gucci in the 90’s, she is more than just a worshipped fashion icon. A game changer in the fashion industry, Roitfeld created the sex and glamour imagery that Gucci is now famous for. Together with Oliver Zahm, art critic and editor-in-chief of Purple Fashion, this 400-page retrospective gives an intimate and exclusive look into her creative process, her legendary relationship, and various
collaborations with photographer Mario Testino and, of course, her sense of style. “I love high heels with jogging pants; black lingerie under white T-shirts,” Roitfeld says in the book Stylist: The Interpreters of Fashion. Here in Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent, she pushes one to follow her fearless fashion footsteps. VIVA GONZALEZ AN INTIMATE AND EXCLUSIVE LOOK INTO HER CREATIVE PROCESS, HER LEGENDARY RELATIONSHIPS, AND VARIOUS COLLABORATIONS
FOOTNOTES Lone wolves are sexy. Induce the isolated vibe with the BOSE QUIETCOMFORT 15 Noise Cancellation Earphones, which easily shuts out the world around you.
Let the handheld electronic encyclopedia WIKIREADER help you instantly whip up interesting facts to make your friends feel insecure about their mental aptitude, for a change.
Be cheeky with your choice of high heels. Try the KOBI LEVI COFFEE porcelain version high heels, and put your foot in your mou—err, cup-styled shoe?
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tech pack Walkman® W260 Series
• Wireless, wearable, and rinsable MP3 player • Comes in pink, blue, black, and white with 2GB or 4GB storage • Has 11 hours of battery life with a quick charge of three minutes for a 90-minute playback SRP: P3,999
Sony Ericsson Xperia Active • A 3-inch display Android smartphone with a 320x480 touchscreen • Comes with various active lifestyle applications such as a built-in GPS, barometer, compass, and an iMapMyFitness app • Scratch proof and water resistant SRP: TBA
Aqua Phone Case
• A hinged case with touchsensitive Perspex skin and rubber seal • Guaranteed waterproof to depths of 1 meter • Compatible with iPhone and BlackBerry
WET AND WILD
SRP: P1,400
These shockproof and waterproof wonders will keep the adrenaline pumping even when conditions are less than perfect.
Kodak PlaySport (Zx5)
• Makes full 1080p HD videos and 5 MP HD stills • Has built-in digital image stabilization and on-camera editing capability • Shockproof, dustproof, and waterproof up to 10 feet SRP: P7,640
Getac B300 Notebook
• Built tough with a magnesium alloy case, shockmounted hard drive, and sealed I/O caps and doors • Powered by Intel Core i7 2.3GHz Processor, up to 3.2GHz with Turbo Boost Technology and 4MB L3 Smart Cache • Safeguards important data with a fingerprint scanner, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2, and an optional smart-card reader SRP: TBA
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face paint
Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder in Bronze, P1,230
Maybelline Pure Mineral Blush, P499
NARS Blush in Super Orgasm, P1350
Maybelline Eye Studio Hyper Diamonds, P599
Lovegame
Cover Girl Outlast Lipstain in Everbloom Kiss, P350
Marc Jacobs Oh, Lola! P3,870
Trust us. He’ll fall head over heels.
Benefit They’re Real Mascara, P970
L’Oréal True Match 2-Way Cake Powder Foundation, P995
Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1, P475
Butter London in Pink Ribbon, P620
L’Oréal Nutrishine Lipstick in Peach, P675
Stila Brighten & Correct Concealer, P1,235
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Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Liner, P790 Model photo by Stevyn Llewellyn
Tweezerman Zebra Print Tweezers, P1,100
about face Expert
Advice Açaí Berry naturally keeps skin moisturized, but it is still best to continue hydrating throughout the day with facial mist.
DAILY DOSE
Lock in some moisture while enjoying the sun with SKIN SCRIPT AÇAÍ BERRY MOISTURIZER, WITH ALOE AND CO-Q10. The Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice keeps your skin hydrated while providing UV protection. P1,320
THE REGENERATOR
Keep your skin looking young and firm with KIEHL’S AÇAÍ DAMAGE-REPAIRING SERUM. Its organic formula boosts the skin’s natural regenerating process. It’s easy to slap on and also perfect for oily skin types with its lightweight formulation. P3,100
DETOX DIET
Give your pores a revitalizing cleanse with NOW FOODS VITAMIN C AND AÇAÍ BERRY PURIFYING TONER. It’s packed with vitamin C, Açaí Berry, and Gotu Kola which removes excess residue and helps reduce the appearance of scars. P400
WILD BERRY Feed your skin with the wonder of Açai berries, and watch as it works its magic.
TEA TIME
THE BODY SHOP FLORAL AÇAÍ BODY BUTTER DUO’s twin pot gives you two creams to choose from—a light cream for where skin needs less hydration and a richer one for drier areas—both with the intriguing exotic scent of Açaí berries. P995
beauty bite
BURT’S BEES REJUVENATING LIP BALM WITH AÇAÍ BERRY will keep those puckers soft and kissable with omega oils that rejuvenate and hydrate your lips. Get ready to smooch. P325
Whittemore House Salon H idden at a downtown West Village side street, the vintage bar and old world paintings in WHITTEMORE HOUSE SALON provides an escape from your everyday routine into a more glamorous era. The salon occupies the ground floor of the city’s oldest and most historic mansions that were built in the 1800’s. Sitting on their plush brocade chairs while getting your hair done is a relaxing experience in itself. While the décor might be of the past, its services and products are definitely of the present. They carry Sachajuan’s Ocean Mist, a leave-in formula that gives you that coveted wavy beach hair, and Sachajuan’s Overnight
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Hair Repair, a water-based gel product that strengthens hair and adds shine and moisture while you sleep. Whittemore also boasts the best colorists in town, Victoria Hunter and Larry Raspanti, former Creative Directors at famed NYC beauty institution, Bumble and Bumble. Make sure you try the Brazilian Blowout, which give you washand-wear hair that’s not unnaturally straight. This treatment doesn’t use harsh chemicals, and leaves hair with plenty of volume and body. 45 Grove Street NYC 10014 +1-212-242-8880 whittemorehousesalon.com
Model photo from Bobbi Brown & Tibi Makeup Collection
LIPS LIKE SUGAR PERFECT TWO
PANGEA ORGANICS JAPANESE MATCHA TEA WITH AÇAÍ & GOJI BERRY FACIAL MASK is a treat to your pores. It is packed with antioxidants that help in keeping your skin glowing and radiant. P1,760
brick and mortar PINNACLE, SEOUL #663-16 1F, Sinsa-Dong, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul 02 3445 1235 kasina.co.kr Dime to drop: 7,000 - 1,490,000 KRW (280 – 60,000 PHP) Don’t leave without: TNP Clip x Momot Reflective Multiclip
E
veryone knows that Seoul is currently a popping place to be, but not everyone knows about PINNACLE, a premier streetwear boutique by retail giant Kasina. Situated in the Apgujeong fashion district, the store exudes a classy, modern boutique vibe with its minimalist wooden flooring and furniture, but keeps it street with skate-inspired decor. With brands like Stussy, HUF, Crooks & Castles, LRG, and Undefeated under their roof, Pinnacle and its selection of hoodies, shirts, backpacks, and more has got kids talking and dropping by the store. Also establishing itself as a sneakerhead mecca—bearing a Nike SB account and up-to-date Nike Sportswear, Jordan, Adidas, Reebok, Vans, New Balance, Ubiq, and Puma releases— it’s no surprise why sometimes people line up outside the store. Its spacious layout and ambient lighting has also made the store a hotspot for release events and gigs at night. If you’re the type of dude who wants to be up-to-date with his kicks and threads, believe this spot is where you should be.
BELL JAR, SAN FRANCISCO 3187 16th St., San Francisco, California belljarsf.com Dime to drop: $13-$225 (PHP 572- PHP 9,900) Don’t leave without: MOR soy blend candles, jewelry from A Peace Treaty and Low Luv
A
quaint little shop nestled in San Francisco’s Mission district, BELL JAR is a collection of interests. From the peacock that greets you by the store window, to the 70s pink ruffle vase on the table, and the antique birdcages strewn about the store, every piece is seemingly a precious relic from someone’s memory. With its vast selection of vintage clothing, art, and home décor, it won’t be long ‘til you fall madly in love with something—whether it’s a peach, sequined Go-Go top from the 60s or mid-century marble jade bookends. Look through their womenswear and accessories section, and hunt down sheer dresses from Mink Pink, floaty tops from Evil Twin, brass necklaces from In God We Trust, and ethnic-inspired cuffs from House of Harlow. Their apothecary is stocked with soaps and shave essentials from old-time brands like Musgo and Bath House made for the modern dandy. This gallery/boutique is also home to original artwork from emerging artists like Lisa Congdon and Marin Camille.
BLACK NOT BLACK B
LACK NOT BLACK’s exclusive selection of homegrown brands will give you a taste of the bustling fashion scene of Australia and New Zealand. Stock up on womenswear cult favorites Stolen Girlfriends Club and The Cassette Society, shoes from
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Chaos & Harmony, tees from Young Lovers, and menswear from Book Club. And before you click and go, check out their 90s -inspired line of eyewear, Le Specs.
blacknotblack.co.nz
style id
LEATHER FETISH
You don’t have to be a slave to any master. Rock your favorite leather even if it’s not Folsom Street Fair! By JP Singson
This guy in Paris shows off his immaculately white leather jacket.
Quel White, model, buckles up his skort with a nice leather belt. Model off duty Justine Gabionza spotted in Philippine Fashion Week wearing leather shorts.
DJ Mike Nouveau pairs his leather kilt with an all black ensemble.
This fashionista in Paris rocks some leather shorts with her plaid top and white ankle boots.
This Norwegian girl wears her leather mini with sheer stockings.
Leonardo Luffrida fashion blogger, goes S&M with his leather harness.
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go see Whether you’re dressed to kill or dressed to chill, the shutterbugs will always be around to get your shot. Show the camera some love. Strike a pose. There’s nothing to it. Photographed by JP Singson, Chesca Rueda, Renee Midzrahi, Charmaine Ng, & Regine David
Aviators
Bright Sneakers
Wide Brimmed Hat
Brown Loafers Denim Polo
Circle Scarf
Pocket Square
Drop Crotch Pants Draped Skirt
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Textured Sweater
Knit Bonnet
Neck Scarf
Neon Socks Jumpsuit
Leather Scarf
Plaid Buttondown
Orange Jeans
Yellow Watch Printed Dress
Sheer Cover Up All-over Animal Print
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TILL DEATH DO US PART
On Daniel: leather jacket: stylist’s own t-shirt by Maison Martin Margiela jeans by Cheap Monday plaid shirt: stylist’s own
This modern day love story is written with leather, denim, and vintage pieces. With only their beat up jackets and plaid shirts on their backs, these starcrossed lovers won’t say goodbye. Photography: Darroch Putnam Stylist: Madalyn Bonvouloir Makeup and hair: Samantha Landis Models: Schaffer of Wilhelmina and Daniel of Root
shirt by Equipment jacket: stylist’s own skirt by Topshop
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On Daniel: leather vest by Topman t-shirt by Obesity & Speed pants: stylist’s own shoes by John Varvatos for Converse On Schaefer: dress: stylist’s own vest by Levi’s boots by Tory Burch necklace by Brooklyn Charm
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LNDQ
On Schaefer: top by Topshop skirt by Zara cuff: stylist’s own bra by Calvin Klein stockings by Hue
ILMCR blouse by Topshop shorts by Vintage Levi’s stockings by Hue
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FRTLM
denim vest by Levi’s shirt by Oak bowtie by Topman
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INTO THE LIGHT
The room's blank walls come alive as sunlight enters. Streaks of blue and pink light matched with silk blouses, bloomer shorts, shift dresses, and silk headscarves accentuate a well-fantasized dream or nostalgia of a field with butterflies and a swing. This could just be your second awakening. Photography and Post-Production: India Hobson Model: Sophie Bailey of The Talent Net Special thanks to Alex Duthie
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silk headscarf by Kathleen Jackson silk print dress by Kathleen Jackson
vintage silk print gape top by Victoria McWhirter loose silk pixel print shorts by Victoria McWhirter
silk print dress by Kathleen Jackson
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graphic shift dress by Hanna Brown
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graphic print silk mini dress by Laureen Moore
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from left to right: Call It Spring [P3,795], Charles & Keith [P2,499], Charles & Keith [P2,499], Call It Spring [P3,795] statusmagonline.com - 53
p l e a t e d s k irts
FIRST TO FOLD
Pleated skirts to invade your closet. Penshoppe [P699]
Warehouse [P3,145]
Topshop [P2,245]
Forever 21 [P765]
KHAI J O N AT H a N S0IM FA L L 2 11
Armani Exchange [P4,450]
Forever 21 [P865]
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BOX BAGS/ two - fing e r rings
ALL BOXED UP It’s all about space to breathe.
Folded and Hung [P979]
Warehouse [P2,545] Call It Spring [P2,395]
Forever 21 [P1,065]
Accessorize [P2,300]
JUST US TWO Don’t give a finger. Give two.
Accessorize [P750]
Accessorize [P550]
Promod [P995]
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S W EA T E R S
SNUGGLE FEST
Forever 21 [P695]
Baby, it’s cold outside.
Faith Hope Love [P1,250]
Faith Hope Love [P1,090]
Folded & Hung [P600]
Forever 21 [P765]
DKNY FA L L 2 0 11
Forever 21 [P595]
Faith Hope Love [P1,250]
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C O L O R E D PA N T S
COLOR ME DANDY
A splash of color on your pants never hurt anyone.
Topshop [P2,895]
Topshop [P3,045]
Topshop [P2,895]
Diesel [P7,450]
Folded and Hung [P1,099]
KHAI J O N AT H a N S0IM FA L L 2 11 Forever 21 [P1,175]
Sinequanone [P4,950]
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S N EAKE R S
FRESH PICK Just the way we like it.
Nike [P1,995]
Vans Half Cab [P3,298]
Radii [P3,995]
Zuriick Caldwell [P3,995]
Radii [P4,200]
Creative Recreation Cessario XVI [P3,295]
Zuriick [P3,195]
Radii [P6,595]
MJĂ–LK T E R 2 0 11 AU T U M N /W IN
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M U S E
Giv AnD taKE “Kick their asses, bitch!” egged designer Riccardo Tisci as ALYONA SUBBOTINA opened Givenchy Fall 2011. This was the Kazakhstan-born model’s international debut after campaign stints for Singapore brands Charles & Keith and Pedro. Alyona was soon snatched up for magazine covers and the recent Resort 2012 showcases; we can only guess who’s courting her now. By Giano D. Dionisio Photos courtesy of WM Model Management
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aving lived and studied in the Lion City for years, Alyona Subbotina was taken aback by the mad rush of New York, Milan, and Paris though she gushes about the experiences they’ve incited, including her passionate romance—for bags. “I love bags! My boyfriend gave me a white LV, my favorite for now. I also like Céline and Chloé.” Still, Alyona talks most affectionately of her love affair with the places she grew up in.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
“The global market is such a crazy place where you can’t expect anything at all… [you have] to be on time for every casting or job… [the key] is to show your personality. In fashion, there are lots of girls, but only personality can mark you as special.”
HOMETOWN GLORY
“People in Kazakhstan, most of the time, are following [trends]…it’s a lot of accessories, which I don’t like. Girls try to be as colorful as they can with a lot of makeup as well… I look as simple as I can without any makeup, with casual jeans and tops.”
REV, SET, GO
“[My Kawasaki motocross bike] helps me relax when I am at home… I have adventures in the mountains. I’ve been doing it since I was 14; my stepfather used to be a professional motorcyclist.”
WHEN IN SINGAPORE
“Go to Sentosa Island, and eat chicken rice at Lucky Plaza. Also, go shopping at Orchard Road, and have an adventure in Night Safari. I love Singapore. It’s my second home; all my friends are there.”
justwm.com
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M A E S T R O
STANDING OVATION CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH had fans resurrected in a frenzy with the news of reuniting for their new album, Hysterical. Drummer Sean Greenhalgh tells us how those two years apart changed them and their sound. By Viva Gonzalez Photographed by Pieter Van Hattem
S
ince their last performance in 2009, there have been constant talks of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah breaking up. They squashed all those rumors when they announced last May that a new album, Hysterical, is in the works. Alec Ounsworth (vocals), Robbie Guertin (keyboard and guitars), Lee Sargent (keyboard and guitars), Tyler Sargent (bass), and Sean Greenhalgh (drums) have kept themselves busy pursuing their own projects during their break, like Alec’s solo debut and Robbie and Tyler’s other band, Uninhabitable Mansions. And even until now, the band never stops working; their creativity is always on overdrive. “Other members are busy building websites, designing vinyl artwork, writing songs, and drinking copious amounts of super strong iced coffee,” Sean says. “Without being glib, I think we’ve all matured enough to appreciate what we have... It’s an uncommon chemistry.” What was it like making Hysterical? After all this time has passed, was anything
different with the band’s chemistry? What were your studio sessions like? The process was definitely different from the making of the first two albums. Album 1 was recorded in spurts over the course of a year or so, based largely on Alec’s demos. Some Loud Thunder was recorded over about six weeks, in concentrated bursts, in upstate NY. This album was definitely crafted and refined with more contribution from all members, from start to finish. Lots of different versions of the songs were attempted; many were recorded and re-recorded in various demo form. I feel like band members brought new perspectives from their experiences outside the band, both musical and otherwise. The studio sessions were a stark contrast from our experience with Some Loud Thunder. We entered the studio with mapped out arrangements and ideas, executed them pretty efficiently, and then got an amazing assist from [producer] John Congleton who brought a fresh set of ears, a steady
Recipe for Disaster 3 Ingredients for a hysterical Clap Your Hands Say Yeah reunion: The Office Ricky Gervais style on DVD. It’s the funniest television of all time. At least one straight jacket. You never know when one of us will lose it.
hand, some sage insight, nasty recording chops, and a vast array of disturbing sexual anecdotes.
Some Loud Thunder was darker than your debut album. It seems like Hysterical is the marriage of the sounds of the two albums. What were your influences and inspirations for Hysterical? That’s an interesting observation about Hysterical, being a marriage of the two. I hadn’t thought of it that way, but maybe there’s something to it. This one definitely feels like a distillation of what we do best as a band. There’s definitely a tension between a generally upbeat, sunny feel, with darker strains throughout, especially lyrically... I think the album is inspired and influenced by the experience of becoming an adult in modern America. I think it has a lot to do with facing some tough realities, accepting them, and continuing on in the face of them... We had to remember and
find out what we sounded like as a band and then play to those strengths where appropriate. You’re also re-releasing your debut album on vinyl. If you could change the name of that album, what would you call it? There’s a lyric from “Lost and Found”—”Success is so forbidding/ But it makes me think I’m winning”—that I’ve always thought was pretty great, so perhaps Success Is So Forbidding. What makes you hysterically happy? What about hysterically annoyed? I’m pretty happy that people are going to get to hear this album soon. I get hysterically annoyed that they haven’t yet.
clapyourhandssayyeah.com
A lot of yelling, recrimination, and tears. Because hysteria wouldn’t be the same without them.
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maestro
At The Peak
Having produced tracks for Dev, 50 Cent, Far East Movement, and Snoop Dogg—even before they could legally drink— THE CATARACS always deliver our fix of electro-infused hip-hop. by Viva Gonzalez
It’s hard to believe that DRAKE would still just be on his second studio album when Take Care drops this October. With collaborators like The Neptunes and Stevie Wonder, how could Drizzy go wrong?
N
iles “Cyrano” Dhar and David “Campa” SingerVine are the hip-hop performer/producer duo The Cataracs. They just finished wrapping up Dev’s solo album as we got to talking. Now, the boys are on their own with their own debut. Niles says, “It’s a change of pace [since we usually] work with so many other artists like Dev.” The two discovered the pop singer on MySpace and have been collaborating and building her career ever since. They have a long list of artists they’ve worked with—from New Boyz to Gucci Mane as well as music video directors Taj and Colin Tilley—but now, they are also tending to their own project. These boys from Berkeley, California are soon out to give East Bay swagger with some experimental beats you can’t resist. David circulated a CD he produced around their high school back in 2003, and Niles responded with his own track—that was when they got together and decided to make music. They got their name from Snoop Dogg’s “What’s My Name Pt.2.” David recounts, “The honest origin was... we just started working on music together, and we knew that, when you establish yourself as an artist or a music act, you have to have a name. Snoop was on the radio. We heard [the song] a couple of times that day, and we were like, ‘Hey, Snoop uses the word cataract... It sounds cool. It’s very distinct. I think it will work for us. I think it has something to do with smoking weed, too? That’s what we thought... And so we just said, ‘F*ck it. We’re The Cataracs.’” While they both fell in love with music pretty early, they didn’t really buckle down and decide to be musicians right away. “We didn’t really have a career-oriented mentality about it,” says Niles. “We just thought that if we
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kept making music, that it was just gonna get really big. We got serious about it when we took time off for college; we decided that our hearts weren’t in it. We wanted to try music, so we came back to Berkeley and lived at our parents’ house.” College was just one of the things that they both gave up to pursue music. Before their break into the music industry, they had to live off of their parents’ money. “It was tough,” David says. The Cataracs started getting noticed for the TechnoHop Dance Parties they threw in the San Francisco area. From there, they inked a record deal with Universal Republic and then with IndiePop Music. The artists came knocking for collabs and, pretty soon, they made the big move to Los Angeles, where they now have their own studio. “We used to have our studio in sort of like a bedroom closet. Now, we have a studio in downtown LA. It’s very loose; we just go in and brainstorm ideas,” describes David. “Sometimes the beats come first, sometimes the lyrics come first. It’s pretty freestyle.” With projects coming at them left and right, The Cataracs are gaining so much momentum. But right now, they are focusing on one thing. David says, “[This new album] is going to be our hardest challenge yet—because it’s personal. We’re not doing this for anyone else but us... I know we’re not gonna put out the album till we sincerely love every bit of it.” Juggling touring dates (they were slated to perform in Canada a week after the interview), working on their own solo projects (David just released his solo record, Would You Hate Me If I Took a Sip?) and their own album, and producing for other artists— they’re giving the industry everything they’ve got.
thecataracs.com
Anxious followers of KASABIAN know all too well that the band’s fourth album, Velociraptor! is gonna be heavier than Mercurynominated West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum. Initial proof: their single, “Switchblade Smiles,” which you can download on their official site.
The Oasis ex-vocalist went off on his own to form and front NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS—his new project releasing its debut album of the same name this month.
All has been swimmingly for rising surf-pop band REAL ESTATE since they released their eponymous debut, but this time, they’re out to charge some more in their sophomore release, Days, with smooth, psychedelic jamming.
maestro
EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND should be on top of a building somewhere—playing their magical, tragic, and romantic music for everyone to hear. After all, the band’s newest album is all about the world’s calamitous state and trying to be hopeful despite the gloom. By Evan Tan Photographed by Denny Renshaw
“WHAT SEEMS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME IS THE IDEA OF MUSIC IN COMMUNITY, MUSIC AS A WAY OF EXPRESSING OUR EXPERIENCE OF BEING ALIVE...” H
ad this life been a show where the world must end in a cataclysmic bang (in a fit of cosmic irony, perhaps), My Brightest Diamond’s Shara Worden’s haunting voice singing. “Something of an End” (And then the earth started shakin’/ and yeah it was crazy/ and heaven and hell came crashing/ It was beautiful and terrible/ so beautiful and terrible) may just be the perfect background music for the closing credits. That’s not to say it should take the apocalypse to appreciate My Brightest Diamond’s music, but hands
down, their songs make for perfect accompaniment to sweepingly chilling occurrences. Take, for example, their second album A Thousand Shark’s Teeth’s “The Diamond” (where the band got its name from): “I wrote the song…about someone very close to me who died,” shares Shara. “I felt like this person was ‘the brightest diamond, hidden in my pocket’…I liked the idea because the diamond is a symbol of transformation, a complete change of chemistry as a result of great pressure. This seemed like a larger metaphor that could apply in a lot of different situations.” This change of chemistry is nothing novel for the band— while the second album was about testing the boundaries of art music and pop songs, the band’s third, All Things Will Unwind, is more of a chamber pop record where Shara dips her lyrics in a syrupy mix of flutes, trumpet, and clarinets. The great pressure instigating the band’s constant transformation stems from their need to challenge the system. “Both the [musical] institution and the rock world like creating the illusion of exclusivity,” Shara observes. “I think it is every person’s right to explore and express their humanity through music and art… What seems more important to me is the idea of music in community, music as a way of expressing our experience
of being alive, music as curiosity, music as challenge, music as exploration, music as confrontation, music as peace.” Shara’s belief in music as a force of unity rather than separatism may have stemmed from her early exposure to music (both her parents were musicians and “have pretty eclectic tastes,” she says), as well as having lived in different states (which likely opened her eyes to the potential of music to bridge gaps and break barriers). “I started thinking about myself as part of a much larger picture, not just in my family but one person out of the whole of humanity, really seeing time in a larger context,” she says. “I couldn’t help but address the state of our world: class difference, injustice, heated political arguments, global warming—and somehow trying to be brave in the midst of all of it.” It is bravery to confront a capital-driven music industry awash with manufactured and disposable songs from AutoTuned musicians—and set one’s self apart from it. With that, maybe My Brightest Diamond’s music could just change people’s perception about pop music and the world—sans an imminent destruction in sight.
mybrightestdiamond.com
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maestro
FEIST is up for a comeback with Metals, follow-up to her 2007 release, The Reminder. With a long break behind her and a lot of new things to sing about, she spills a style that promises the folk-baroque pop inflection she’s known for.
ROYAL HIGHNESs
Bow to Elizabeth Harper, the voice behind CLASS ACTRESS. Influenced by Madonna herself, she’s hailed as Brooklyn’s very own Queen of Pop, and she thinks she might have been a Russian princess in her previous life. Queen, princess, or plain diva-in-the-making, we say, “Long live this foxy lady!” By Reena Mesias
B
ased from Margaret Mahler’s Rapprochement theory which illustrates how an infant once again becomes close to his mother—Class Actress’ full-length debut album, Rapprocher, has every electropop 80s beat under romantic lyrics that, after a period of curious exploration, can make someone clingy to his earphones. Having produced it with Mark Richardson and Scott Rosenthal, vocalist Elizabeth Harper says, “The three of us have a system, and we all do what we do best.” Hey, Elizabeth. How’s it going? What were you doing before this interview? I was actually walking on the beach. I’m in LA at the moment. I haven’t done anything today, really, but go to the dry cleaners. I could make something up like, “I just had a healthy cry,” but that was yesterday. Okay, actually, I just did a shoot for Interview Magazine. You can never go wrong in a sequined Chanel jumpsuit. In an interview with Smashchair, you said you thought of yourself as a pretty wild teen. What was the wildest thing you’ve done while performing? Probably sprayed the audience with Champagne, or had a “wardrobe malfunction.”
When is the best moment to listen to Rapprocher? I think anywhere, really. It’s a one-size-fits-all record but has a darker edge to it, so [it] depends on your level of reality. I think the track “Need to Know” is a turning point in the album; it’s the last song on side A. The record is really a concept album of a relationship, and that’s when you realize, “Oh wait, he’s not who I thought he was, but I don’t care because I’m addicted to the sex, and life is short, and the only way to live life is with vivacious intensity because before you know it, game over. So bring on the passionate disaster. I can melt into the couch with someone when I’m dead.”
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Your profile says you have “crafted sensual music about tragic romance and the eternal longing for all the things you can’t have.” Are there still things in your life you don’t have but wish you do? I was just born an emotive person, looking for truth—naively but in a way that blindly makes me immune to the risks. But yes, of course there are many “things,” “levels.” I was thinking the other day that, to avoid disappointment, I would have to have no expectations, and then I thought, “How could I live without expectations of myself?” To make art, music, to feel, you have to have something to counter-face it with, or what’s the point? You said you’re “always thinking about romance and sex” when you write your songs. If you were a sexual position, what would you be? I would be bent over a chair so I can read at the same time. When not on tour and writing songs, what can we find you doing? Plotting and analyzing human nature and the solitary, thorny path to true love.
With the mission of bringing the hip-hop of NYC forward, MAINO drops The Day After Tomorrow. Expectations are high for this rap release that will also feature Roscoe Dash, Lloyd Banks, Push Montana, and Lil Wayne.
WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS recorded with The National’s mixer/producer, Peter Katis, in Sigur Rós’s studio in Iceland and packs the same power and fiery energy from the first album for In the Pit of the Stomach.
At what point do you say “stop, get me outta here, this is too hard?” American Airlines Economy class. Top 3 reasons you love what you do. Fans, exes, infinity.
classactress.tumblr.com
“[If I were a sexual position], I would be bent over a chair so I can read at the same time.”
Palestinian-Filipino musician HANNI EL KHATIB makes a full plunge into the music industry with his debut album, Will the Guns Come Out. Having been featured in a Nike ad, performed at SXSW, and opened for Florence + the Machine, this rock-blues doowopper is set to kill the scene.
“We gave up burgeoning a Long time ago. We are ‘there,’ ready, waiting.”
W
hile the band’s name tends to draw up bizarre, almost cartoon imagery, Cymbals Eat Guitars isn’t one to be taken in a humorous light. No, Joseph D’Agostino (vocals), Matthew Miller (drums), Matt Whipple (bass), and Brian Hamilton (keyboard) are an evolution of noise rock from the nineties. They take rhythmic rock and, through the course of a song, slow it down to quiet drops and explode into frenzied symphonies of noise—a style not unlike that of Modest Mouse, to whom they’ve received many flattering comparisons.
ALL HANDS ON DECK
While fun, travel, and VIP passes may be parts of a typical night out for DJ ROSS ONE, he still considers DJ-ing as work—but the kind that’s cut out for him perfectly. By Zoe Laurente Photographed by Sonny Thakur
maestro
BRING THE NOISE Their second album, Lenses Alien, due out this month, is not about the pop culture concept of space aliens and, instead, about what bassist Matt Whipple calls “seeing the world through someone else’s eyes, or some other sort of strange or altered vision.” Unsurprising depth, considering their propensity for lyrics like “wind in your hair / Like wind Russian through the canopy / and I was green too with robust fucked envy.” With fervid vocals, abstruse lyricism, primal melodies, and praise from opinion leaders like Pitchfork and Beyond Race,
CYMBALS EAT GUITARS bears a familiar façade: four, unkempt artistic-types who play music like they’re possessed. But despite the typecast, this indie rock outfit is a louder-than-life ensemble set to wave the flag of noise rock. By Miguel Escobar
Cymbals Eat Guitars is already quite far from still “burgeoning.” Whipple puts it bluntly, “We gave up burgeoning a long time ago. We are ‘there,’ ready, waiting.”
cymbalseatguitars.com
M
ost kids ask for a brand new car when they hit 16. Not DJ Ross One. He recalls seeing the movie Juice (1992) in high school, and he just knew he needed to get the equipment. “So for my 16th birthday, I got a turntable and an old mixer,” he recalls. It’s been more than a decade, and he’s still spinning—this time with guys behind S.K.A.M. Artist which has a roster of people like Swizz Beatz and Lil Jon. He says, “S.K.A.M. is a management company, but it has a real family feel to it… It’s a close-knit thing.” Having moved from New York to Miami, DJ Ross One has finally found his niche. “Miami was a good place for me to make myself a little more unique [to] refine my sound,” he says. His hip-hop roots didn’t fail him either. “It was the first place to play dirty south, grimy hip-hop, and then there’s this European house, so you had to be going back and forth through that all night.” There may be a lot of young DJs coming up, but DJ Ross One still kills the game with one trick: “I just work my way up like any other job,” he says. “You slowly build a name, slowly travel, people start hearing who you are…it’s a long process.” It’s true, but having been dubbed as “Miami’s hottest DJ” (he thinks “skinniest” is the proper adjective) just shows he’s already got it made.
skamartist.com
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M A S T E R M I N D
TONGUE ACTION
A
Thank heavens to LOURD DE VEYRA’s Word of the Lourd and his three new book releases, we could reaffirm that our tongue’s acuity for connection isn’t limited to kissing (lips or asses—take your pick) and swallowing shitloads of social crap. By Kristine Dabbay Photographed by Paolo Ruiz
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re you often bombarded with tweets and Facebook comments like “Word!” and “You already?” Or do you ever wonder what’s so hip about acronyms and vowelfree words as seen in band names like MSTRKRFT, OFWGKTA, and SBTRKT? And what’s up with slang and being privileged? If you’re not from Manila, some of these might be gobbledygook—but writer, frontman, and TV host Lourd de Veyra makes sense of these offkilter Filipino qualities. In his famous blog post, Umasal Lamang Nang Ayon sa Ganda (Act Only According to your Natural Beauty), he muses over homely Boracay photos that only generate furtive chuckles in Facebook. Those with dark underarms, he persuades from wearing sleeveless tops. Lourd knows, of course, that his readers would retaliate. He muses, “They would say things like ‘You’re so ugly, you’re bald, you have a high forehead,’ but it’s the internet—you should know that everyone can hide under a mask of anonymity.” Lourd initially began his career in newspapers, but he also enjoys working for the boob tube. “I miss covering events, interviewing people, and editing until dawn. But those are things I’ve already done. It’s time for the next phase… After six years in publishing, I didn’t expect that I’d work in the TV industry. Maybe they discovered my good looks,” he quips. Challenged by his daily 4 a.m. call time (when before he’s still asleep at 9 a.m.), Lourd says, “That part is enough to make me cry…pero okay na rin kesa tumanggap ng labada (but it’s better than doing people’s laundry for a job),”referring to work that only pays the bills. Most of his projects right now are for local channel TV5, namely the socio-cultural
program Tayuan mo at Panindigan! and the satire show Word of the Lourd. He shares, “I initially didn’t have a background in writing scripts, but I thought of doing monologues in a music video format. Eventually, I learned its structure. Sometimes, I still play it by ear…it’s challenging because how would you fit everything in three minutes?” Like the natural writer that Lourd is, he’s able to adapt. He might mock the qualities of “real” men, but for him “a real writer is someone who writes—whether someone tells him that he can’t write well. If you really want to write, you’ll continue doing it no matter what,” he says. I ask him, how does he manage to please such a wide range of people—from Palanca awardees to punks? He answers, “It’s a different precept. There are venues where you can’t play songs that are too deep—what the jologs [Fil. kitschy] crowd would do during [our Radioactive Sago Project] sets—they’d buy barbecue, banana-cue, or take a piss.” Fortunately, he has released three books this year that would satisfy every demographic. There’s his third poetry book, Insectissimo, his first novel Super Panalo Sounds, and his anthology of blogs for spot.ph, This is a Crazy Planets. He says, “I planned nothing in my life. Things just happened.” And while he’s busy writing, he still plays with his band at least once a week, most especially since they hope to release their fourth album before the year ends. He gives us a look into the future: “Watch out for our local underground hip-hop community. They are doing things that are more underground or alternative than rock because rock, in a way, is already mainstream.” Surely, Lourd is marching to his own beat, but when he isn’t too busy with all that jazz, he’d rather deal with real chicks who can make him laugh. Lourd explains, “Real chicks have sense of humor. Of course, a nice pair of tits and ass won’t harm.”
mastermind
NATURAL HABITAT There’s no place for darkness in DOROTHY HONG’s world. There, the clouds are fluffy, and the sun is bright. And if you’re there, make sure to put on your best smile because, when Dorothy feels like it, she can just turn that sunlight into your spotlight. By Reena Mesias Photo courtesy of Dorothy Hong
2
7-year-old photographer Dorothy Hong needs neither artificial light nor retouching softwares. There’s only one thing that influences her style in photography: people. And these people aren’t other photographers whom she is inspired by or celebrities she looks up to. “Whenever a client gives me really interesting people to shoot in beautiful spaces with great light, I just live for it,” says Dorothy. “I’m always thrown into such different situations [and]
groups of people [from] all walks of life because of photography. Because all of [these] exist in New York— from high fashion [people] to musicians to kids playing basketball in Harlem—I feel like I get to experience so much…[and] my versatility as a photographer has really grown.” Brands like Nike as well as magazines like PDN, FADER, Wired, Monocle, Nylon, and Tokion have all seen and acknowledged this growth, thus the many projects together. “I guess the biggest challenge is keeping up with the pace of a [photographer’s] career, the constant drive to achieve more, to grow and progress your own work and your profession,” she shares. “It’s exhausting sometimes because there’s no plateau; you just keep pushing yourself and are always waiting for the next thing which, at the same time, is always exciting. Sometimes, I feel like I lose sight of how lucky I am that I get to do this for a living. I never want to feel like I’m ungrateful.” There’s really nothing to feel ungrateful for when you get to meet and shoot people like hip-hop artists Wale, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Mama, designers like Zac Posen, and indie favorite Vampire Weekend. For Dorothy, however, her most memorable shoot had been one with historian/author/ social activist Howard Zinn in his Massachusetts home a year before he passed away. “It was so calm and pleasant, and [it was] everything I love about photography—a true portrait experience,” Dorothy
recalls. “I’m just lucky that, so many times, I’m able to get assignments that I would’ve loved to shoot even if I wasn’t getting paid.” If there’s anything Dorothy would want as a reaction from a viewer when staring at her shots, it’s that they feel the same way she does with an Avedon portrait. She says, “You’re just struck by how simple but moving it is.” Photographs spanning her career since she graduated from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan last 2005 exemplify her evocative way of using light and shadow; it’s clear how she just relishes in the seamless visual unity from the simplest, most natural things. “I love sunlight and shooting in it, and am really fascinated by people’s faces and how [they] can be captured through the camera,” Dorothy says. “I just react to certain things—the way the sunlight hits a person’s face, how it can bounce off of buildings and create this amazing glow. I always love following it and placing people in it.” Her subjects’ laid-back looks are immortalized perfectly when her finger presses the shutter, capturing a moment that feels more like a movie still than a posed holiday photo. She says, “It’s almost painful to be in a moment where a beautiful portrait could be taken and not taking it.” dothong.com
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mastermind
Celebration: Everyday
This is what makes Nick Andersen and Julie Ho of CONFETTI SYSTEM so unique: the extra bit of effort and thought that legitimizes the title “decoration designer” and forces us to rethink tinsel and tassels as anything but tacky. By Alice Sarmiento Photo courtesy of Confetti System
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escribe the best party ever. New York design duo Julie Ho and Nick Andersen of Confetti System says, “A party in our studio!” Seeing their elaborate piñatas, tassels, and curtains makes it possible to believe that they aren’t pulling my leg. I am sick of satin bows, styrofoam letters, and flower arrangements I have to crane my neck to talk over. They look good in pictures and are a well-intentioned gesture on the part of celebrants, but times I’ve spent trying to untangle myself from crepe paper chains have taken parties out of my partying. How about putting “art” back into partying? Yes? No? (Sorry.) Even bigger than “art” are words like “love” and “awesome,” taken hostage by Internet memes and Tumblr addicts, diluted and drained of all meaning with overuse. This makes it difficult to describe what Confetti System does— without resorting to tired terms. Before they started collaborating in 2008, providing decorations for small parties, Nick and Julie began bonding over the common contents of their bookshelves. This was back in 2008, and the two have since graduated to being the talk of the town with window
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“[The best party ever is] a party in our studio!” and interior displays for J Crew and Opening Ceremony, with backdrops for fashion house United Bamboo, and with decorations for The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’s frontwoman Karen O’s birthday. The difference made by adding light and motion to their pieces should give further clues on where they’re headed in terms of future collaborations. “We’ve recently been working on several projects with Lanvin, which we love!” exclaims Nick. They also provided installations for MoMa PS1: WarmUp 2011, an initiative of the Museum of Modern Art to bring experimental live music, sound, performance, and DJ sets to New York audiences through ten consecutive weekends of outdoor festivals. From July to September, their piñatas, tassels, and curtains graced PS1’s Long Island courtyard alongside DJ sets by Four Tet,
Das Racist, and Simian Mobile Disco among others. Making everything themselves by hand has helped keep the duo grounded despite glitter and glamour (and silk and leather and foil among other materials) being a vital part of their work. They still manage to find joy in simple things, like regular visits to small plant and flower shops in Chinatown. “It would be fun to be an orchid farmer in the rainforest,” says Nick. The routine commute between Manhattan and Brooklyn is a welcome break from the everyday party atmosphere of their studio. “The day usually starts with a commute and ends with a commute...it’s kind of nice to head back to Brooklyn and relax a little.” Scrolling down your dashboard or feed of choice, you’ve likely come across one of
their tinsel-covered anchors or metallic rope necklaces—things so simple but with an iridescent spin resulting to comething sincerely beautiful. “We work on a wide range of projects,” says Julie, quite open to doing everything other than their elaborate sets and museum-worthy installations. There they are on stage with Beach House without having to pick up instruments or belt out tunes. They’re in shop windows baiting the fashionconscious, and on gallery walls drawing attention from both art lovers and casual attendees. And what they do is awesome... and love.
confettisystem.com
mastermind
YOUNG BLOOD BOOBOO STEWART is a legit wolf boy. Like his shapeshifting character, he transforms from ordinary boy at night to actor, singer, and teen heartthrob at day. Good thing this young one doesn’t bite. By Loris Peña Photographed by Amanda Elkins
I
“Getting hit on by adult women is sorta awkward, but I guess it comes with the job.”
t may be his boyish charm, flawless hair, or the mere fact that this 17-year-old is part of the biggest movie series of his generation, The Twilight Saga, that has got me all giddy for this interview. Unlike the rest of the screaming fan girls out there, I’d like to think I remained mature, calm, and collected. “A fan suggested I try to read for [The Twilight Saga]. My agent got me in during the callbacks, [and] I was actually the last person to read for my role,” Booboo Stewart recalls how he got the part of Seth Clearwater, the young boy who turns into a wolf. Playing alongside Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson, he got his job cut out for him or, in this case, worked out. He says, “I work out everyday, so I felt pretty good.” While he has gotten used to having long hair, Booboo had to cut it to fit his role. That was a preparation he didn’t have any problems about. What he wasn’t prepared for was the sudden catapult to fame. With every Twihard, both Team Edward and Team Jacob alike, young and old, crushing on him, he has earned a dozen fan pages online and, of
course, frantic girls throwing wedding proposals at him. Booboo laughs it off and shares, “Getting hit on by adult women is sorta awkward, but I guess it comes with the job.” His role had him running, jumping, and fighting off bad vampires in the movie Eclipse. This sort of acting required a lot of physical effort, and that’s something he is used to. “My dad used to wrestle, so I grew up with it.” Although he may never consider chokeslamming someone after being featured in WWE’s video packages, Booboo would still make a good wrestler name. His finishing move? He laughs, saying, “The Rolling Thunder!” Kidding aside, though, Booboo, who happens to also have a martial arts background, shares, “I learned self-defense of course. But also discipline. It really helps me stay focused.” And staying focused he does. Also trying to pursue a musical career, Booboo tells us, “My sister Fivel and I are just finishing our album, and we are planning to tour to promote it.” Doing “electric alternative pop rock,” Booboo isn’t new to this game, having already toured with the likes
of Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, and being with a Disney group called T-squad. Playing the lead role for Jake Stevens:The Last Protector and lending his voice with Kellan Lutz in Guardians of Luna, we are for sure going to see a lot more of this fellow. Busy working at his career while munching on eggs, toast, bacon, and juice—his version of a champion’s breakfast—and listening to “Monkey Business” by Skid Row, Booboo confesses that, on his downtime, he likes to “play [the] guitar and drums, and watch movies.” Booboo may play a badass shapeshifting wolf fighting off evil vampires in the movie but, in real life, he is nothing but a sweetheart who isn’t really into violence. When I asked him if he could kick anyone’s ass to save the world, he answers, “Hopefully, I could find a better way to save the world than beating someone up.” And with that, I heard collective “Awwwssss!” resound in my head as I concluded: this kid is going to be big. Let me have him autograph this photo.
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RIPE FOR THE PICKING
All rise to acknowledge EDWARD KIM, presiding casting director of House Casting, professional “eye of the beholder” so to speak. In fashion, where image is utmost, Kim sets trends by simply being a bit choosy. By Giano D. Dionisio Photographed by Fernando Colon
“I don’t think it’s as much a question of whether or not something is beautiful but what beauty [you can find] in something.” W
ith brands churning out ad campaigns every season, runways filling up with new models every few months, and magazines booking models every few weeks, work becomes nonstop for a casting director. This is why Edward Kim takes time to wind down, “Especially since my job involves meeting hundreds of people all the time, I like to spend a lot of time on my own, really doing nothing, and then I feel energized and curious again.” The next day, it’s back to the daily grind. He says, “I
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like to wake up early so I have time in the morning to relax and not feel rushed. I wake up, shower, have cereal and lots of coffee, watch the news, email, then bike to work. I love my morning bike ride!” On style, he shrugs, “My go-to everyday outfit lately is composed of chinos or khakis, solid color t-shirts, and my SeaVees—a lot of times monochromatic head-to-toe.” There’s nothing one-note about him, though. He’s known for casting Details’ most recent all-male-model cover, a huge deal for an almost exclusively
celebrity-dominated position. Besides that, he also works with those cute kids for Benetton campaigns and the occasional McGinley photoshoot (like Purple Magazine’s Fall/Winter 2009 fashion editorial). He’s a modern day matchmaker, marrying models and clients (including print rags like Details, Dazed & Confused, and Interview, as well as labels—like Marc by Marc Jacobs, Richard Chai, Loden Dager, and more). Hundreds of printouts are plastered on his office’s walls, depicting models of every height, age, eye color, ethnicity, origin, and attitude imaginable. Nowadays, when beauty can come in the form of Anja Rubik waifishness, Crystal Renn curviness, Agyness Deyn coquettishness, Lindsey Wixson poutiness, and Tanya Dziahileva alien-ness, the sheer number of various choices and combinations is daunting, but Kim takes it all in stride, saying, “I don’t think it’s as much a question of whether or not something is beautiful but what beauty [you can find] in something.” He believes the consistent thread through all these trends in beauty is inspiration. “The different kinds of looks can co-exist. I think what people are responding to most right now are models who are confident and aspirational but still relatable—like an enhanced version of someone you know rather than people who look
like uncommon creatures.” The industry, however, can’t seem to decide. And that’s when Edward Kim mitigates. Edward chuckles, denying he gets tired of looking at all these pretty people. “I love meeting and seeing… different people from all over the world and at least briefly getting to know them.” In particular, the twenty-something casting director is a go-to for some of our own favorite young designers (Katie Gallagher, SUNO’s Max Osterweis, Nomia’s Yara Flinn) and dealing with such a range of creative personalities is what motivates Kim. “The dynamic and dialogue with each client is different as far as how actively they take your guidance and recommendations. It’s always great when the conversation is very active and open,” he observes. At his core, the man is not just a judge or decisionmaker; he engages every person he meets—taking in their tastes, sharing in their stories, and understanding their visions. Brands and shoots may come and go, but indeed—with his understanding of the world he lives in—Edward’s feet remain stylishly planted in the fastpaced world of the fashion industry.
housecasting.com
mastermind
CON
TEMPLATE
Collaborating with homegrown skate brand THE and hip online label Number Line Records, still going to his casual meetings while high on hashinfused custard candies, DEX FERNANDEZ is a reckless portrait of an artist as a young man. Story and photo by Nante Santamaria
D
ex Fernandez admits that he sucks at fashion. But not at fashioning— for him, that’s everyday stuff. Right during his waking time, our young hero rides on New Wave, surfs to his drawing board while basking on the morning air of his youth. “My favorite is The Smiths,” he says. “I wake up late so it’s already brunch… That saves money!”—a starving artist? It may look like it. At 27, he has the body of a waifish 15-year-old, one who’s all tatted up on his limbs and have forgotten about haircuts. He’d be in the easy round of Spot the Fine Arts Student in the university, a place he didn’t skip but from where he naturally progressed into advertising. Banksy’s angst was right— “The thing I hate the most about advertising is that it attracts all the bright, creative and ambitious young people…”—but it looks like Dex read the man saying, “[We are left] mainly with the slow and selfobsessed to become our artists,” so he abandoned his office desk soon enough. After the money-saving brunch, it’s doodling time, “warm up,” he says, knowing pace is important for the creative muscle. He’d just find himself already
painting until hungry for the next meal. A pretty simple life, you’d think. His then studio, shared with two other artists, Mark Andy Garcia and Froilan Calayag (“tropang dikit [glue gang],” he calls them), had banana trees and a goat at the yard. But his work makes an entirely different scenario. In his show -+* at Pablo Gallery last year, his friends became models, not the glossy type but some-bodies whose photographs became his canvas. Dex painted these large prints with acrylic, simultaneously evoking decorative motifs from Medieval art and…comics. Get this: regular portraits become archetypal, and sacred imagery become—in the term of the recent conservative attack to a fellow artist, Mideo Cruz—“blasphemous.” The oriental features of his subjects are juxtaposed with foreign elements like Japanese characters or Urban Dictionary-archived acronyms. Their realism, direct photo captures and depiction of social realities, contrast with flat cartoon drawings, which may be 3D but obviously and intendedly sketched so.
These disengagements and ironies illustrate exactly how Dex started as young as he couldn’t remember filling his siblings’ notebooks with superhero drawings. “I make them up. For example, Superman was my version of Superman…” In his \m/ (i.e. character emoticon for “rock on/out”) exhibit at Silverlens’s SLab, Jesus became his version of a rockstar— “with his revered image of long chestnut hair paired with a thickish beard”—or rather fan-worshipped rockstars became his versions of Jesus. It’s all part of his aesthetic game. After all, at the core of his art is mixing things up—photo with acrylic, illustration with typography, sacred with profane, local with foreign, real with imagined. And why? “I do it to satisfy that…I don’t know what to call that feeling, that thing I get when I paint,” he says. Turpentine? I kid. There’s none of it in acrylic. And he’s not mixed with anyone, as in a group show, in his latest solo at West Gallery running until the 4th of October. As if he’d care if people agree or not, Dex is serious with his play. While he can’t use a Doraemon bag he found in the flea market, he treats his bamboo reed pen just as preciously. And while he admires his contemporaries who are conceptual artist, he’d really rather work on his little mixed media projects. “What does it make you feel?” I ask. “Like high, natural high,” he says. Man, you gotta pass that stuff over here. Wait, this is a…brush.
dexfernandez.blogspot.com
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H E A V Y
TENDER BUTT NS No matter what computer button or piano key they’re pressing, Xavier de Rosnay and Gaspard Augé of French electro duo JUSTICE know how to operate the love handles that make the crowd tick (or lick) in their latest release, Audio, Video, Disco. By Kristine Dabbay
Photo courtesy of Because Music
“HEY,
can you hear me?” I ask as the shrill ringing of my speakers opens my Skype conversation with Justice’s Xavier de Rosnay. This day, he is in the UK. The internet connection fluctuates with the windy weather outside my Manila home. While I fiddle with frequency, my mind fixes itself on the stunning YouTube video of Justice’s first single off Audio, Video, Disco—“Civilization”—where temples shatter into debris and animals run for their life, their feet stomping to produce a danceable backdrop to doom. A few clicks away, my speaker clears—I hear Xavier’s voice, his French accent paints a picture of cafes and Vespas, he talks about his hectic London sessions. “We’re going to rehearse and prepare for a show… [But] we just also did a video for our next single in Audio, Video, Disco…
[We’re doing] the covers and the talks and everything—[it’s] a lot of small things, but at the end of the day, it keeps us all very busy.” Xavier and Justice partner Gaspard Augé hope their music sounds like a progressive rock album, not a bad jazz record. But with tracks like the swinging “Newlands” and the melancholic, Queen-inspired “Brianvision,” fans could be assured that they’re not just in for the dark side of the moon but also for the blurred bliss of strobe lights and dance-packed rooms. Four years after their debut, † (2007), I ask Xavier if he’s pressured for the audience’ reception. He retorts, “Everyone is expecting something different, so it’s too hard to make things and think: ‘What should I do to please people?’ It’s so complicated because it’s so impossible to know what would please people… We just think of things we like.”
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NOT
one for worrying about expectations—these then-graphic designers got into music by accident. “I met Gaspard, we started to make music together for film, and we made contracts when we met Pedro Winter or Busy P. He was starting his label called Ed Banger Records. At that time, he only had one artist signed—that was Mr. Flash, and he’s looking for new artists… We got very lucky that we didn’t have to try too hard,” he shares. But did they ever think twice or doubted themselves especially that there’s
Justice’s Xavier de Rosnay and Gaspard Augé with Mrs. Winter, mom to their label Ed Banger Records boss Busy P.
only two of them to work things out? Xavier answers, “No. It was very natural because we made two tracks, and the first two tracks (one is “We Are Your Friends,” a remix of Simian’s “Never Be Alone”) we ever made got into Ed Banger Records. We had all the time we wanted…it was very progressive. [Busy P] gave us a lot of time to just make things slowly without pressure, so finally, we ended up putting an album without thinking that we’re actually making music or a record.” Similar to that moment, these guys’ attitude toward music shows that overthinking doesn’t solve anything. For them, music is instinct. They even admittedly said they’re neither great musicians nor great producers. Xavier clarifies, “You don’t need to be an amazing instrumentalist to make a record. You don’t need to learn to play the guitar or the piano for 20 years. I think our strength is we know exactly what we want, and we are
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Photo by Pedro Winter
"[Our music is] not social or political. When it’s sad, it’s really sad. When it’s happy, it’s very happy. When it’s hard, it’s very hard.”
patient enough to do it the way we want to. Our limits as musicians never prevented us from achieving what we want to achieve. It’s good because all you need is an idea of what you want to do and find a way to make it.” For instance, their music video for “Stress” stirred controversy for its depiction of violence performed by youth wearing black jackets embellished with the Justice cross at the back. “When we made ‘Stress,’ we knew we did not make it for promulgation of a controversy. We made it because we thought it was a great video. That’s the only reason we made it.” He adds, “To this day, I still think it’s one of the best videos we made, and when these controversies happen, we just have to keep in mind the reason why we did it. People like to talk about everything—to have advice on everything, [but] we are the only ones who know why we make things, so at some point, it becomes pointless to justify.” Just as Xavier mentioned, the duo focuses on what they like. Used to the small company of the duo’s trust circle including Busy P and the label’s Art Director, So Me, they’ve now collaborated with some of their favorite musicians including New York rocker Morgan Phalen of Diamond Nights, Vincenzi Vendetta of Aussie synth pop band Midnight Juggernauts, and British pop singer Ali Love for their latest album. They were able to do it by
their usual process: “We always start with an idea…before even starting to make music. When we make an album, for example, we think: What do we need to do to make the album more exciting? We come off with an idea for a track then, at once, we decide what kind of track will it be, what mood would it be, what its purpose in the album would be, then we start to play music, then we write tracks in a really simple way with piano—guitar, bass, or piano—and then once it’s written, we start to add drums…” Xavier shares. But then, that’s just the initial stage—you need to mind the lyrics, too, although not in a way that it’s too cerebral. As in a previous interview with Pitchfork, Xavier says: “…if it’s too intelligent, nobody gets them, and it’s just annoying…You have to make music that can touch you in the first degree because it makes you happy, sad, in love, or want to fight or whatever…” Unlike musicians such as Bono or Bob Geldof, who made it to a point to stand for all the good abstract nouns in the world, Justice likes to keep it casual. In Xavier’s words: “We don’t stand for anything else than just making fun things.” Indeed, in this age of gadgetry and post-apocalyptic visions, what a welcome relief to meet someone who likes to keep it simple. Aware of his culture’s influence in this line of thinking, he shares, “I think our chord progressions and melodies are really French. What makes them really French is that it’s really romantic. When I say romantic, I don’t always talk about flowers. It’s romantic in the sense that it shows the world in a naïve, joyful, and simple way. It’s romantic in the sense that not everything is based on reality. It’s not social or political. When it’s sad, it’s really sad. When it’s happy, it’s very happy. When it’s hard, it’s very hard.” Next year, the world may be ending for some—but this year, there’s an escape button to press, it’s a symbol—a cross. The saviors come with Gaspard and Xavier.
myspace.com/etjusticepourtous
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When it comes to romantics, MARK RONSON, with his tacksharp suits and jazzy disposition, has all the makings of a Godard-type loverboy, or perhaps it’s just his Belmondo pompadour. The Brit—newly married to Parisian bombshell and Agent Provocateur model Joséphine de la Baume—muses poetic on passion, infatuation, and the next generation. By Giano D. Dionisio Illustration by AJ Omandac typography by patrick diokno “ edding planning and stuff doesn’t make for the most exciting article, I don’t think,” offers Mark Ronson. It’s his modest way of avoiding the issue. He later admits that reading about his personal life in magazines as interpreted by snooty writers is not his cup of tea, but he continues, “The tradition is the bride does more of the planning, but I’m definitely carrying my own load. I’m basically in charge of the music and the entertainment.” With his current position in the industry, Mark’s matrimonial contribution was a platinum hit: a reception at par with the grandeur of its preceding ceremonies. On top of his responsibilities for the special occasion—mandatory
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“One of the most important days of my life” thrown in—he’s continuously working on his own music and producing for bands (The Gossip and Rufus Wainwright as of late). In fact, just two days after the marriage, Ronson released Record Collection 2012— an EP of his 2010 single “Record Collection” with various remixes by the likes of CSS, Perseus, and French electro duo LOGO—via visionary label Kitsuné. Oh, and he’s also casually juggling his symphonic undertaking for the 2012 London Olympics. Having gone through the experiential gamut of life— living next door to the Lennons, celebrity DJing (from Jay-Z to Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer), fashion collaborations (Gucci, Hugo Boss), career launches
(Amy Winehouse, Adele), Page Six articles, and even past relationships (Daisy Lowe, Rashida Jones)—Ronson is primed to settle down and leave the rest to the new youth wave. He won’t, however. Even his freshly non-bachelor status isn’t pulling him away from his mistress, the business of sound. This new stage in life actually further motivates him; the music man has met his match in Joséphine. We imagine the little vignettes he imparted throughout our conversation were like little love notes that someone would pass to their schoolyard crush sitting three seats across during class. None of that F.L.A.M.E.S. crap, though; if we believed that, Mary-Kate Olsen should’ve fallen for me by now.
Granted, these are grown-up little love notes, sealed with more intention than is available via xoxo.
SMALL TALK
“I’m really excited about The Gossip’s new record; I always really liked [them]. I always felt that there was something when you saw them live that wasn’t fully captured on the records—some sort of energy or excitement. And I think that the songs that they’ve written for this album are really threedimensional. There’s songs with Beth with melodies that almost sound like Stevie Nicks at times; it’s really beautiful. [Besides producing, I’ve] been doing festivals in the summer [with The Business Intl.],
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“I don’t think it’s like I’m [the same crazy guy] when I run on stage with the quiff and the makeup… I’d like to be considered a musician as opposed to a celebrity.”
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usually what it’s about. That pretty much keeps all my days filled.”
HOW TO COURT A RECORD DEAL
“At the end of the day, my main job is really as a producer, so I have to make sure that the work that I’m doing, the stuff that I’m doing is great… That’s the problem with a lot of music today: the reason it sounds so disposable is because it’s made
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in such a rush. You can’t be in this constant rat race doing the next thing, doing the next thing. The work suffers! Not to say that something done fast can’t be good; Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black album we did in three weeks. If you wanna put love into something, you gotta give it enough time…
SHY GUY
“I choose not to talk about my private life too much. The
person I am in my private life is the little part of my existence I have to my own—one little area of respite that you’re allowed… I don’t think it’s like I’m [the same crazy guy] when I run on stage with the quiff and the makeup… I’d like to be considered a musician as opposed to a celebrity. I’m not the type of person who’d sell his wedding pictures for 200 grand.”
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POSTSCRIPT Mark Ronson also happens to love:
“I’m not the type of person who’d sell his wedding pictures for 200 grand.”
1 My dog—Maude. 2
point, people stop acting as individuals, and they just do a lot of shit that they wouldn’t usually do, and it creates carnage. But I do also think there’s a deeper issue to be addressed. You look around the whole world right now, there’s a whole attitude of unrest caused by a sense of desperation with these kids going ‘What the fuck? Our future’s shit. We have nothing to live for.’ There’s no promise. There’s a people problem at the root of it, and a lot of that has to do with there not being a lot of hope. And jobs. And housing. And things like that for the kids that are gonna be 20 to 22-years old by 2015. It’s not up to me if it’s the end of the world, but I do think that we need to plan as if there is a future. We need to plan as if kids today are gonna lead the charge 20 years from now. We need to make a future for people.”
Woody Allen films.
3 Being with my family. The writing of Jonathan Franzen, 4 Dostoyevsky, and James Joyce.
TIME OUT
RIGHT THE RIOT
“I don’t believe the end of the world in 2012. I can’t; because, if I did, I would stop doing what I’m doing and it would change how I work and why I do what I do… After going to see a movie Monday night, there was riot police by my front door, so I said ‘Fuck this, I’m gonna go stay at a friend’s house tonight.’ It’s sad when you see the pictures of the destruction, but I do think that when the mob rule takes over at some
“I’m buried in work right now, and I don’t really have a lot of time for reflection. [So] I’m happy to be with somebody I’m very much in love with; I feel fortunate to do what I love and make music with people that I love. These are all really good people. These are my friends.”
5 The band Khan.
THAT’S HOW YOU KNOW
“You gotta miss it when you’re away from it so you know you love it. If you work on a song [one day], you can’t wait to get back to it the next. You miss the studio, the equipment. Because you love it so much… Passion and love are two different emotions, but you can be passionate and love things at the same time.”
6
Playing shows with the Business Intl. Reading The 7 New Yorker on my iPad.
markronson.co.uk
8
Going to the pub around the corner from me on Sunday.
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d’Artagnan omances R “It
was…emotionally draining,” Logan Lerman tells me. Some weeks ago, he just finished shooting The Perks of Being a Wallflower, a naturally coming film adaptation of the 1999 MTV-published Stephen Chbosky novel. It was draining because, as much as Logan is playing Charlie (a reinterpretation of the much loved Holden Caulfield of Catcher in the Rye)—“a shy 15-year old coping with love, friendship, loss, and heartbreak”—he is also starring opposite Emma Watson, fresh from the Harry Potter franchise. It also has Ezra Miller, buzzed for an Oscar as he delivers a breakout performance in We Need to Talk about Kevin, and the TVdrawer Vampire Diaries’ Nina Dobrev. It is a bucketful of Hollywood’s nexts. So of course, the truth rings precisely when Logan concludes that it was, “creatively, a fulfilling experience.” Today, he is home. He deserves the break. In the next couple of months, it will be a tornado of red carpets, event appearances, and press interviews as he promotes The Three Musketeers, a movie that demanded him to train for three and a half months before filming, and it continued throughout the four months of production.
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As Percy Jackson, a new Holden Caulfied, even a young man getting involved with his father’s mistress, or now as his generation’s d’Artagnan, LOGAN LERMAN is sweeping Hollywood with solid blows.
“It was pretty dangerous and really complex, something that I probably never would get to do in my life if not for this film,” Logan says. But who’s complaining when one’s wielding swords with Christoph Waltz (Cardinal Richelieu), Orlando Bloom (Duke of Buckingham), and Milla Jovovich (M’lady De Winter)? Needless to say, the trouble-prone teen hero from Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief has come of age. While the musketeers movie, to him, is more of a fantasy—“when you’re a kid running around the house with sticks, whatever, pretending you’re sword fighting and everybody wants to be one of the Musketeers”—it looks like he’s officially settled into the business. And no wonder comparison to Daniel Radcliffe’s stardom is made; a sequel, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters, has been confirmed. It has been a long way since he started acting at five. V Man just vested on him, together with other up-andcomers, the title of Hollywood’s New Heartthrob, a feature shot, no less, by the legendary Dior Homme designer turned picky photographer Hedi Slimane. It is a precious picture. Instead of his token straight hamming
By Nante Santamaria Photographed by Davis Factor
to the camera—in button-downs, ties, and suits, lips slightly curled back from a full smile— his head is rising from a slump onto his right forearm, the curved visor of a Legendary Pictures baseball cap obscuring the other eye, that glint of grown up mystery coming through. So if he had been a subject to rabid fangirls for his sideswept mop, right now, the highranking Yahoo Ask entry “logan lerman or Justin Bieber??” wouldn’t make sense anymore. The Top Answer does: “Logan Lerman, that guy is freaking hot.” Come next year, he will be taking another lead in the Simon and Garfunkel song-inspired The Only Living Boy in New York for director Seth Gordon. It is part of major actor territory,
taking the role of “a young man who tracks down his father’s mistress to end their affair, only to become romantically involved with the woman as well.” Here’s a word from him—a young actor wishing to be a director (in a prod outfit with his best friend), sometimes even a musician—on how he’s gone all grown up and sober, if maybe Hollywood has gone up to his head, and how he’s surprisingly prepared for all of his career’s brutal realities. I guess there’s the burden of representing every boy coming of age in doing Perks. How do you deal with people’s expectations? I don’t even really think about it! I just kind of do my thing. I think that those
HEAVY HITTER
distractions are poison for a performance. I stay committed to the performance and try my best to not let those things distract me. Well, I’m sure you’re familiar how many child actors have turned out especially in Hollywood. How are you coping with that? I’m not interested in that world or scene. I’m passionate about films and filmmaking and like to focus on that. So you wanna be Spike Jonze or David Fincher? Which of their movies are your favorites? I have a lot of favorite films by them, like Fight Club, Se7en, and Being John Malkovich among others. They both have such fantastic bodies of work. Could you tell me how your YouTube channel, MonkeyNuts1069, came about—where the name
came from, how a production is carried about? As a kid, I’d just make short films with my friend, Dean [Collins], and at one point, we decided to make YouTube accounts to post the films we made to share with everyone. It was a long time ago when we were 14. Were you on cam with that Michael Rapaport [pseudo]docu? No, I wasn’t involved with the Michael Rapaport documentary. Those were videos that my friend made, but I was not a part of it. And you’re keyboardist for Indigo, also with Dean Collins. Indigo was something we were a part of when we were really young—it was more comedic than anything! I still play music with him. He’s a good friend of mine. I write music on the piano and guitar, but I play several other instruments. We’re not in a serious band right now. Tell me about music you associate with disappointment. Anything by Elliot Smith. His songs really inspire this mood. In this one 2009 interview you did, you sounded so disillusioned with Hollywood already—“you lose the meat and potatoes as to why you’re in the business.” What have been the biggest lessons so far? Keep your intentions true to whatever you’re passionate about instead of turning it into a business. I think that’s the biggest lesson. I’m happy to be a part of great films and stay focused on that. Keeping that motivation and intention is very important to me.
“I think that [dealing with people’s expectations is] poison for a performance.” statusmagonline.com - 83
BLOCK PARTY
WHAT’S LOVE GOTTA DO Blame artists—the musicians, writers, and actors for all the cheesy romantic stuff we grew up with—then patterning our lives after. Then again, they aren’t exempted. Here’s what it’s like to be in love for them—among many other things—and how the right mix of passion and imagination makes a working relationship.
RAIZEL GO
Art Directors
&
WHAM BACABAC
What do you guys do? Raizel: We’re both art directors in different advertising companies. We also do freelance illustration, graphic design, gig posters, band shirts, and motion graphics work on our free time. We also have a clothing line called Oh Hello with our friend Peewee [Bisnon]. How did you become a couple? We were blockmates in De La Salle College of St. Benilde, both taking up Multimedia Arts. It started when Wham borrowed a Korn CD from me— which he still has with him. From there, we discovered we have the same interest in music and arts. We both love doodling, drawing monsters, and guys with dreadlocks.
DAN MATUTINA Designer/Illustrator
& DANG SERING Painter/Writer
Do your creative jobs affect your relationship? Dan: Perhaps it affects us when there’s a thin line between work and personal time. There’s often a blur there, like when we’re having downtime, the conversation suddenly takes a turn to concepts and studies for clients or an exhibit. What out-of-the-ordinary way have you done as a couple to solve a problem? Dan: We took an impromptu trip to Baguio just to be in a different place to brainstorm on some ideas
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What out-of-the-ordinary way have you done as a couple to solve a problem? Streetfood-hopping. We believe that, somehow, our creativity is fueled by food because we like to eat—so if we’re stressed out and we don’t agree with each other’s opinions, we go out to eat street food. We also listen to our favorite bands and do crazy dances and mini-moshpits just for fun.
and concepts, and went home the next day. We love walking up and down Session Road to check out the cafes and restaurants. Do you think being in the same field of interest makes it more difficult/challenging as a couple? Dan: No, it’s easier because you have an instant brainstorm partner. Dang: It’s great to have variety. We don’t always drink from the same cup. We have a lot of other interests, and this helps feed our conversations and enriches a lot of our other works.
How do you get to an idea? Poetry is a chore. Dance is a chore. Don’t get us wrong—we have nothing against chores. Choreographic work is, in the end, work. Poetic production is, in the end, work. The production of ideas is meant to answer only one question: Does this further our career? How has being creative helped you two as a couple? It hasn’t—which isn’t to say that our involvement in the culture industry is an impediment to our relationship. Do you think creativity is a must in relationships? Anything that entails any form of decision-making entails creativity. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve done together? We haven’t done anything weird together. Perhaps that’s the weirdest thing we’ve done together. We make it a point to be not weird.
ANGELO SUAREZ Writer
JESSICA YANG Model
How has being creative helped you two as a couple? James: She’s the muse to my artist. Jessica: Before, I never dreamed of becoming a model. I thought I was going to be into fashion design because I love to draw. Somewhere along the road, I just forgot about that and focused on other things. Now that I’m with John, it’s different. Everything is so colorful. I go to his house, and it’s a work of art. I see all his drawings and paintings, and I feel like I can go back and do what I used to love. Have you projects James: I more. We ago with
considered doing any together? definitely want to do had this shoot a while a photographer friend
& DONNA MIRANDA Choreographer
& JOHN JAMES UY Actor/Fine Arts Student
of mine where we took a bunch of pictures on the rooftop of my building. Jessica: But at that time, we weren’t even together, and he asked if he had to pay me for it since I’m a professional model. James: It’s not like most of the pictures with Jess. It’s more experimental. The shots were awesome. I also want to do something musically with her because Jess has a beautiful voice. Tandem name? James: Jamessica? Jessica: We’ll work on it.
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pfw
NIGHTVISION Super Techno Party Machine @ East Bloc
by The XOXO Kids
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NIGHTVISION
DJ Craze @ 7th High
by Rich Sarto & Capo Rivera
Solid Saturdays
@ Il Ponticello by Boo Umaly
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NIGHTVISION
industry mondays @ Opus
by Adoborat
hey ho let’s go gagosian by The Cobrasnake
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NIGHTVISION
the do-over manila @ B-Side
by Astrid Reyes
Fresh Fridays @ Fiamma
by Isabella Marcos, Nikki Ruiz, & Jessica Roasa
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NIGHTVISION
STATUS Empire Issue Release Party by Kat Cometa & Capo Rivera
Lollypolly #VIPFEST by The Cobrasnake
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DIRECTORY BRANDS 21 MEN Forever 21, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City ACCESSORIZE Greenbelt 5, Makati City ACUPUNCTURE Urban Athletics, Greenbelt 3, Makati City ARMANI EXCHANGE Power Plant Mall, Makati City BENEFIT benefitcosmetics.com THE BODY SHOP Greenbelt 4, Makati City BOXFRESH Urban Athletics, Greenbelt 3, Makati City BROOKLYN CHARM brooklyncharmshop.com BURT’S BEES Beauty Bar, Greenbelt 5, Makati City BUTTER LONDON butterlondon.com CALL IT SPRING Greenbelt 3, Makati City CALVIN KLEIN calvinklein.com CHARLES AND KEITH Greenbelt 5, Makati City CHEAP MONDAY cheapmonday.com CONVERSE converse.com COVERGIRL Available in department stores nationwide CREATIVE RECREATION Complex, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City and Shoe Salon stores nationwide DC Urban Athletics, Greenbelt 3, Makati City DEBENHAMS Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City DIESEL Power Plant Mall, Makati City ENERGIE Complex, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City EQUIPMENT shopbop.com/equipment FAITH HOPE LOVE The Ramp, Crossings Department Store, Glorietta, Makati City FOLDED AND HUNG Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City FOREVER 21 SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
HANNA BROWN hannalovesprint.blogspot.com HUE hue.com KATHLEEN JACKSON kathleen-jackson.blogspot.com KEDS keds.com KIEHL’S Greenbelt 5, Makati City LEVI’S us.levi.com L’ORÉAL Available in department stores nationwide MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA maisonmartinmargiela.com MARC JACOBS marcjacobs.com MAYBELLINE Available in department stores nationwide MUNDO The Ramp, Crossings Department Store, Glorietta, Makati City NARS Rustan’s Department Store, Makati City NEW ERA Urban Athletics, Greenbelt 3, Makati City NIKE nike.com OAK oaknyc.com OBESITY AND SPEED obesityandspeed.com PANGEA ORGANICS pangeaorganics.com PENSHOPPE SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City PONY Complex, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City and SM Department Stores nationwide PUMA Puma stores and shoe departments nationwide RADII Urban Athletics, Greenbelt 3, Makati City RED HERRING Debenhams, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City SINEQUANONE Greenbelt 5, Makati City SKIN SCRIPT skinscriptrx.com STILA Rustan’s Department Store, Makati City TARTE
tartecosmetics.com THOMAS WASH Debenhams, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City TOPMAN Greenbelt 3, Makati City TOPSHOP Greenbelt 3, Makati City TORY BURCH toryburch.com TWEEZERMAN tweezerman.com URBAN DECAY urbandecay.com URBAN ATHLETICS Greenbelt 3, Makati City VANS Vans boutiques, SM Department Stores, Landmark Department Stores, Urban Athletics, Toby’s, Olympic Village, American Rag, Athlete’s Foot, Sports Warehouse VICTORIA MCWHIRTER facebook.com/pages/Victoria-McWhirter WAREHOUSE Greenbelt 5, Makati City ZARA zara.com ZURIICK Urban Athletics, Greenbelt 3, Makati City ARTISTS Adoborat (Photographer) adoborat.com Adrian Boot (Photographer) urbanimage.tv MJ Benitez streetmanila.blogspot.com The Cobrasnake (Photographer) thecobrasnake.com Fernando Colon (Photographer) fernandocolon.com Kat Cometa (Photographer) katcometa.daportfolio.com Regine David (Photographer) reginedavid.com Amanda Elkins (Photographer) amandaelkins.com Davis Factor (Photographer) davisfactorphotography.com India Hobson (Photographer) indiahobsonphotography.co.uk Dorothy Hong (Photographer) dothong.com Kai Huang {Photographer) hungryalien.com Samantha Landis (Hair and Makeup) wix.com/samanthalandis
Stevyn Llewellyn (Photographer) stevynllewellyn.com Roy Macam roymacam@gmail.com Isabella Marcos (Photographer) im.isamarcs@gmail.com Renee Mizdrahi (Photographer) reneemizdrahi@gmail.com Miguel Miranda (Photographer) miguelmiranda420@yahoo.com Charmaine Ng (Photographer) sarmjai@gmail.com AJ Omandac (Illustrator) behance.net/Watercolorist BJ Pascual (Photographer) bjpascual.com Darroch Putnam (Photographer) mrosandich1.photobiz.com Denny Renshaw (Photographer) dennyrenshaw.com Astrid Reyes (Photographer) christinaastridreyes@gmail.com Jessica Roasa (Photographer) jessie.roasa@gmail.com Chesca Rueda (Photographer) dfrueda613@yahoo.com Nikki Ruiz (Photographer) nmgruiz.tumblr.com Paolo Ruiz (Photographer) paoloruiz.com Nante Santamaria (Photographer) behance.net/nansan Rich Sarto (Photographer) 09275272000 David Sheldrick (Photographer) davidsheldrick.com JP Singson (Photographer) jponfashionspeed.blogspot.com Sonny Thakur (Photographer) sonnythakur.com Boo Umaly (Photographer) booumaly@gmail.com Pieter Van Hattem (Photographer) pmvhphoto.com Pedro Winter (Photographer) myspace.com/busyp The XOXO Kids (Photographer) thexoxokids.com LOCATION co.lab colabmanila.com 4/F Optima Bldg. 221 Salcedo Street Legaspi Village, Makati City 759-5000 local 115
: Cold Picnic Macramé Bib Necklace
We’ve had loads of 1970’s macramé and string art books, from yard sales…for so long… We learned to macramé, and designed this necklace.
Cold Picnic Braided Brass Bangle
Up until now, we’ve been using exclusively reclaimed materials which, of course, is great. But it was exciting to create a new piece of jewelry from scratch.
Blue Schoolboy Blazers
Phoebe: We usually find them at thrift stores in Maryland, sometimes online. When they get too small for Peter, he hands them down to me. We have to make sure to coordinate to not ever wear blue blazers on the same day.
PETER BUER & PHOEBE SUNG Designers and brand owners PETER BUER and PHOEBE SUNG were inspired by a summer spent digging through book sales; this is how they started their Native American-inspired accessory line, Cold Picnic. You can definitely see their love for arts and crafts and all things 70’s.
Book covers with paintings of favorite actors
Our favorite actors, Julie Christie and Elliot Gould, on the covers of two very good books.
Bird Embroideries
1970’s Robert Altman
Our very favorite director and definitely our favorite era.
Peter: Phoebe started making these when we were living in Boston. They all depict haughty budgies straight out of P.G. Wodehouse.
Goose Lamp
Peter: Phoebe’s uncle gave this to her when she was little. It was out of commission for the past few years, but we fixed her up before our move to Brooklyn.
Ethnic woven bags
Peter: I got one for Phoebe during a trip to Philadelphia and over the next few months, got so jealous I had to scour Etsy for one of my own.
Wooden Sandals
Phoebe: We have a booth at the Brooklyn Flea Market most Sundays, and I always pass by these handmade wooden sandals from another vendor, Nina Z. One day, the temptation was too much.
Bearded Man Pillow
This was made by our friend, Erica, through her amazing line, Species by the Thousands. He’s a bit intense to sleep with every night, so we let him hang out on the couch.
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