IS HOOKED ON DOPE M AY 2012
46
CATRIONA DREAMING
71 PETER VACK 12 STATUS MESSAGE 14 MASTHEAD
STATUSPHERE 17 22 23 24 25 26
THREADS SETTING BRICK & MORTAR SCREEN INK BEATS
gadgets 27
TECH PACK: BACK TO THE FUTURE
What the hell is a gigawatt?
BEAUTY 28 29
FACE PAINT: WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE
34 FAVORITE MELODY
Pluck those lonely heartstrings. By Cecilie Harris
40 BREAKING BAD
Girls: Keep out! By Jörgen Brennicke
46 CATRIONA DREAMING
Rich bitch at the beach By Cholo dela Vega
SHOPPING GUIDE SWAG
53 Crayon Factory Suede heels
54 BAND OF BABES Printed bikinis
55 GOOD AIR DAY
Sheer button-downs
55 LADY LONG LEGS Boyleg shorts
Mannequin maquillage
56 SCISSOR SISTER
ABOUT FACE: POISON PARADISE
57 SLUMBER PARTY
BEAUTY BITE: SUESH
58 RIGHT WING
Tone those toxins.
29
VISION BOARD
FASHION
STREET STYLE
30 GO SEE
Boring is not an option.
32 STYLE ID: ITTY BITTY MINI A stylista’s short cut
Cropped blazers
Printed pants
Polo shirts
58 IRON MAIDEN
Chain necklaces
59 TRUNK SHOW Swim trunks
60 YEAR ROUND Pullovers
61 CATCH YOUR WAVE Shoes
87 FEATURES mUSE
62 WERQ ETHIC
Nickayla Rivera is a tall order. By Giano D. Dionisio
mAESTRO
63 GARDEN OF SWEDEN
Bring the glowsticks out, because Miike Snow make us raise our antlers and spin our heads. By Reena Mesias
64 BOYS NEXT DOOR
Come to our neighborhood where we trade apple pies for The Knocks’ playlists. If you’re lucky, they might remix the heck out of that garage band, too. By Reena Mesias
64 CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS
Listening to Paranoid City on acid results in an experience that rivals watching fireworks on adrenaline. not that we’ve tried either. By Macy Reantaso
65 BLOODY BROTHERS
WU LYF’s image is painted with going wild and going large. But skip the hype and you’ll discover the fellows’ more mellow philosophies. By Nante Santamaria
66 DOUBLE TOIL AND TROUBLE
IO Echo are obsessed with Philip Glass. This is one of three times he’s mentioned in this magazine. Happy hunting! By Viva Gonzalez
VLADIMIR RESTOIN ROITFELD 67 STRAND IN THE RUM
Alcohol notwithstanding, multiple servings of Yukon Blonde will not result in a hangover. Santé! By Rita Faire
mASTERMIND
68 TROPICAL MALADY
Filmmaker Vincent Moon doesn’t hang out with filmmakers. He’s more into the nooks and crannies of life—the sights, sounds, and senses others often miss. By Don Jaucian
69 GAMES, GUNS, GIRLS
toane Barr is the definition of an actor’s actor. It’s not a performance or a profession for her; it’s just how she roles. By Victoria Herrera
70 FUTURE FEATURE
Video and photography duo (and newlyweds) Them Too diligently document everyday —from DJs to Sikhs, concerts, weddings, and Jo Koy. By Reena Mesias
70 NET WORTH
Stripes, splatters, colors, and portraits. Painter Sam Penaso takes the real in life and turns it abstract. And vice versa. By Lee Reyes
71 BELOW THE BELT
MTV’s I Just Want My Pants Back has actor Peter Vack playing one of the most unique representations of youth today. Just please don’t say hipster. By Reena Mesias
IS HOOKED ON DOPE M AY 2012
82 GRIMES
68 VINCENT MOON
72 IDENTITY RISES
I Am Not a Hipster star Dominic Bogart inhabits his characters fully, then breaks their molds, making them flesh and blood. By Rita Faire
73 HUSH HUSH
Mum’s the word for actor Jamie Anne Allman. Too bad we can’t keep a secret. By Trisha Cerdeña
73 RADAR DETECTOR
Stylist Rcxy Bautista doesn’t mind if you don’t follow him, but we think you should. By Zoe Laurente
HEAVY HITTER
74 HIGH FIDELITY
There are more sides to Upside Down’s Jim Sturgess than you’d think. Top 5 Jim Sturgess b-sides? One: bully. Two: music nerd. Three: incredibly invested actor. Four: lovely English chap. Five: find out for yourself. By Don Jaucian
78 STATE OF THE UNION
Here to address the current condition of the cult of cool, Verbal and Yoon deliver insider insight on style, swag, and Yellow Supremacy. By Sarge O’Shea
65 WU LYF
80 BLIGHTS AND BLOSSOMS
From growing up brain-buzzed in Québécois backyards to her epiphanic climb to Montreal’s Mount Royal, Grimes dreams up Visions and ventures into supersonic territory. Turn on, tune in, drop out. By Kristine Dabbay
82 I ♥ W&LT
There’s a whole lot to love about designer Walter Van Beirendonck. The Grand Pooh Bear of fashion shocks us with his eclectic share of stories and styles before bringing us over the edge with his forward-facing vision. By Giano D. Dionisio
BLOCK PARTY: THE COLLECTIVE
EVENTS
NIGHTVISION
91 TAKESH & JULIET 92 SMOKE SIGNALS 92 STATUS x ULTRA X WMC 93 PANTY MONSTERS QUERIDA PARTY
93 UP JMA TGIF: DO IT ALL AGAIN 94 BIGFISH MANILA BIG LOVE HED KANDI 2012
94 DJ REHAB @ REPUBLIQ 95 RAZMATAZZ RAZMATAZZ 95 THE ZOMBIE KIDS MADRID
MORE
Art curators, gallerists, organizations
86 AMANI OLU 87 VLADIMIR RESTOIN ROITFELD 88 PARASOL UNIT 88 LA><ART 89 SUSI KENNA
92 DIRECTORY STATUS INVADES
94 TOFF DE VENECIA
How to be a hipster theaterati.
97 SINGLE WHITE FEMALE
Tips on stalking that special someone.
Calling all lovers, friends, junkies, Beliebers, Pot(ter) heads, Twihards, shippers, clans, cults, collectors, cheapsters, thriftsters, unhipsters, blipsters, fans, stans, freaks, and geeks. We all have our little obsessions, and it’s time to celebrate them. No need to hide, just lookie here: Shelby Duncan captures Jim Sturgess in the middle of a mischievous moment, we presume. We’re obsessed with figuring it all out: what he’s saying, where that hoodie’s from, how he grows such perfect stubble, why the oops-that-was naughty expression, who he’s about to slap, what the dirty little secrets behind those curtains might be… Obsessed!
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 DOWNLOADS STATUS in pixels, not free mixtapes paper and wallpapers
STATUS MESSAGE
WALTER VAN BEIRENDONCK Photo by Ronald Stoops (82)
JIM STURGESS Photo by Shelby Duncan (74)
HOOKED ON DOPE I
magine the element of obsession involved in publishing and editing a magazine. I’ve been known to email and text ideas to my team all day and night. With all the details, events, and dope things in between like brainstorming sessions, shoots, and parties—you can say, I’m hooked on STATUS. Hopefully, you are hooked, too. Some girls would openly admit to obsessing over Jim Sturgess, but his good looks isn’t what got him to his level of success today. Jim credits this to good luck, but we all know that can’t be all true. With his career upswing in Upside Down and Cloud Atlas—acting alongside Kirsten Dunst and Susan Sarandon, respectively—I don’t think he can give all the credit to destiny. In our interview, Jim shares his method and motivation for acting and working. Similar to the rules you would find in a movie set, Belgian designer Walter Van Beirendonck is inspired by the rituals of S&M. Walter gained notoriety as a fashion designer for his over the top designs, political statements, and sexual innuendo—a combination that cemented his cult following from Antwerp to all walks of life. Couple Verbal and Yoon share the same level of fascination for fashion, music, and arts. Not only are they bridging the gap between the East and West, they are also creating a universe in the same sphere where Kanye, Pharrell, and Nigo are chillin’ at. Grimes tells us that she gets “pretty high on life.” Well, we’re surely high on her sound. This up-and-coming songstress isn’t afraid of critics who can’t understand her talent just yet; but she continues to reveal her unique sound whether the world is ready for it or not. That said, I think being obsessed isn’t a bad thing. It means being passionate about your vision and carrying on no matter what other people say.
Editor-in-chief
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POW! RING by Verbal and Yoon (78)
contributors statusmagonline.com Rosario Herrera
@rosarioherrera
creative director Patrick L. Jamora art director Patrick Diokno graphic designers Nyael David
@padraick @patrickdiokno @nyaels @paolostroodles
editor-in-chief
Paolo Geronimo
associate editor
Kristine Dabbay
features editor Reena Mesias fashion editor Loris Peña
SHELBY DUNCAN
Last spotted at a private house party where IO Echo (66) played, LA-based Shelby is now calling all spaced out cadets. She might be forming a secret society that conducts meetings on the moon. Our advice is to jump aboard, because who wouldn’t want a lunar portrait shot by Shelby? In the meantime, cover boy Jim Sturgess (74) settles for a loony portrait, which isn’t as out-of-this-world, but as addictive as honey in coffee—this photog’s fave, by the way.
fashion assistant Zoe editorial assistants Giano D.
Laurente Dionisio Rita Faire
Tina Herrera Buenaventura junior account manager Patty Mendoza
sales & marketing cosultant account manager Dan
@tindabs @yohitgirl @_dizzyrizzy @zoelaurente @giodion @ritadoesnttweet @tinaherrera_ @danbuenaventura @pmgmendoza tweet us!
contributing writers
Trisha Cerdeña, Viva Gonzalez, Vicky Herrera, Don Jaucian, Sarge O’Shea, Macy Reantaso, Lee Reyes, Nante Santamaria contributing artists
JP Agustin, Leo Ahlgren, Coy Aune, Dan Bailey, Toch Barreiro, Courtney Beckett, Jörgen Brennicke, Jade Nirvana Bumatay, Mike Carano, Lindsey Cash, Annie Castaldi, Stephan Crasneanscki, The Cobrasnake, Fernando Colon, Cholo Dela Vega, Shelby Duncan, Sarai Fiszel, David Gillbert, Laura Gingell, Hugo Glendenning, Ike Gube, Cecilie Harris, Tinette Herrera, Paul Jatayna, Shinnosuke Katsube, Gorjan Lauseger, Petecia Le Fawnhawk, Becci Lee, Tommy Chase Lucas, Nils Magnussom, Tracy Manciendo, Ramsell Martinez, Miguel Miranda, Nina Mouritzen, Andreas Nilsson, Katarina Nyström, Raphael Ouellet, Jeruel Pingol, RBLS Rebel Studio, Lauren Rodriguez, Samantha Roth, JP Singson, Daniel Tan, Frank Tribble, Scott Trindle, Ronald Stoops, Nathaniel Ward, Stephen White, Nathaniel Wood, The XOXO Kids, Wanessa Yajure
DON JAUCIAN
interns
Jer Dee, Rash Leano, Denise Villanueva
Look at Don mug smugly for the camera looking Andrew Garfield glam, beard all Vincent Moon-ish (68). This contributing writer and Pelikula Tumblr runner isn’t shy about his pop passions, so don’t be surprised when he floods your timeline with One Direction gifs. At least he doesn’t bully people at skate parks like that nasty Jim Sturgess (74) guy.
editorial editorial@statusmagonline.com advertising advertise@statusmagonline.com marketing marketing@statusmagonline.com general inquiries info@statusmagonline.com Time to toot your own horn!
CHOLO DELA VEGA
With his busy sched, expect Cholo to rally back and forth between the farm, the beach, the city, and any other exotic shoot location that he might fancy this summer. For this month’s editorial (46), watching Cholo demonstrate all the model poses was just part of the fun. We can’t give away all this photographer’s secrets, but they may involve lounge chair accidents, corned beef pasta, a lot of wine, and a lot more sriracha.
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What’s your STATUS? tell us.
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.
*Correction: In our previous issue (page 20), the review for Puma should indicate that Usain Bolt is the fastest man alive, not the fattest. Also, El Ray is supposed to be spelled as El Rey. We apologize.
THREADS / setting / BRICK AND MORTAR / BEATS / SCREEN / INK
May 2012
IN THE NAVY G
et into battleship mode with MOZCAU BY JUSTIN. Easy dresses, cropped tops, leggings, and skirts in royal blue and white make a minimalist statement reminiscent of naval forces. Adorned only with the brand’s logo in a small triangular patch, these separates can easily be dressed up or down. Cap off the look with a sailor’s hat and you’re all set to sail, captain! justiniloveu.com
WEAVE BUILT THIS CITY R
ich in culture, STELA9’s bags are made with materials collected all over the globe—from Zapotec textiles to woven Mexican blankets, precious stones, and beads. Founded by an ex-archaeologist and her husband, the brand advocates sustainability and fair trade. Handmade, crocheted, embellished, and oh so worldly. When it comes to travelfriendly, it can’t get any more authentic. stela9.com
MOD QUEEN J
oin the 60s swing with OXYGEN’s mod-inspired pieces for fall. Spin-offs of vintage overall prints and pleated details find their way to tailored shorts, trousers, and shirts in bright colors and light fabrics. Upgrade your usual button-up blouse with layered collars in contrasting colors for a look that twists like Twiggy. oxygenfashion.com
CUTTHROAT T
he Romanian menswear brand TWENTY (2) TOO plays out a scene from Sweeney Todd with its latest collection that taps into one’s inner demon clad in dark knee-length jackets, skin-tight leather pants, and oversized collars. With strong statements like a pleated kilt and cropped blazer, the only way to wear these pieces is with a devil-may-care attitude. twenty2too.com
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THREADS
Sugar Leaf Dress Style# 5015 BRANDS TO KNOW
LIGHT AS A FEATHER
Raven Dress Style# 5034
M
arry ebony and ivory in flowy, floor-sweeping numbers ready to take flight this spring with BLACKBIRD BETTY. The brand’s latest collection features black and white dresses in varying lengths and cuts. From button-down mullet dresses to full-length maxis, these billowy pieces are perfect for a quick chic fix. blackbirdbetty.com
FILE YOUR SLEEVES H
andmade from Africa, KUSHN leather goods integrate African textile prints to envelope flaps and iPad sleeves. These details are accented by the leather’s dominant colors: blue, red, and mustard. Wear your heart out on your iPad and tell the world that daywear should not be as boring as a nine to five job. kushn.co.za
BOUND TO BE FOUND M
ANDY WU’s rings, necklaces, and earrings adorned in gold and silver spikes, hearts, and lips add instant shine without much effort. With the lustrous gold necklace named Secrets, heads will roll and gossip will spread. mandywu.com
IDLE MINDS T
he latest from FORTY TWO plays up pocket squares as well as knee and elbow patches in purple and teal. The brand turns loungewear sweatpants and sweaters into grab-and-go staples for those driedout closet days. Throw a high-waist box pleated skirt over a body-hugging long-sleeved top for your lazy-but-still-feeling-lovely moods. fortytwostore.com
SOCIAL GRACES B
oost morale in MORAL FIBERS’ line of customdesigned polycotton tees. The company supports artists in the developing world, now focusing mainly on Haiti. Choose from abstract paint sloshes by 26-year old Victor Phalange or the marker pen bone patterns by 13-year old Jean-Daniel Maurilus, among several others. This is what you call humanitarian hauteness! moralfibers.co
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THREADS
CHAP MEETS CHUCK P
lay up the classic suit with GARCIA MADRID’s latest collection. The brand uses Mongolian cashmere and premium cotton and wool to recreate the old gent’s staple. With shorts and blazers in mismatched plaid paired with printed buttondowns and bowties, sticking to the standard becomes a thing of the past. garciamadrid.com
SCENE STEALERS T
he latest collection from London bespoke footwear designer ELIZABETH DUNN is characterized by sleek cutaways that reveal hints of skin. The crimped and molded red leather pair looks fresh out of the mysteries of Baker Street while the custompainted sunset scenery can steal any prime scene. elizabethdunn.co.uk
MINI MOUSE I
N MY AIR takes on Barbie’s signature pink and mixes it up with clean lines and blocks of grey, black, and white for a minimalist collection that’s rough on the edges but comes with a girly touch. Layer on soft separates like sheer tees and shirt dresses for a relaxed look that’ll blow your woes away. inmyair.com
I WANT CANDY M
uch like its name, JELLYPOP makes shoes that are more sugar and less spice. The brand’s Spring collection brings back cork platforms in almost every print imaginable, from bright graphic solids to floral. So before you head to the beach, stash those flip-flops and slip into these chunky heels that won’t sink in the sand. jellypop-shoes.com
TRANSFORM X M
anila-based accessory brand, MIADORE, brings back the Aztec aesthetic with its geometrical designs made from acrylics, screws, bolts, and chains. Make history with these modern baubles. Wear well with colorful collared tops or black strapless numbers.
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THREADS
BRANDS TO KNOW
NOMINATED STAR T
he Birdland collection from FAY ALICE keeps it subtle with clean cuts, vintage lace, and fine silk ruffles. Channel your inner Michelle Williams or Carey Mulligan by tucking your silk top and white cotton A-Line dress inside your mid-ankle skirt. You may be a star baby, but you have to dress the part first. fayalice.com
HEART ATTACK S
entimental and personal just took a turn with MILAME’s jewelry. The brand’s rings, necklaces, and pendants are all handmade by designer Emma Atkinson. Special items include pendants with watercolor paintings of a fox, deer, and many more delightful things. Make them more intricate with a customized piece and keep them close to your heart. milamedesign.com
BIKES AND BANNERS T
he image of big motorbikes and tattoo shops immediately comes to mind with LANCIONI’s printed scarves. From stars and flags to skulls and roses, these prints look good enough to be inked on one’s skin. We say, these look best paired with a beat up leather jacket. tessituralancioni.it
TRIP ADVISOR T
ake a hike with COMUNE’s latest collection full of peacoats, denim jackets, henleys, washed jeans, and canvas slacks. While you’re at it, appreciate the color palette that reflects skies, trees, and the land’s bounty. Meet and greet Mitchell, a genuine leather jacket, and Gael, a raglan pullover. Buddy, this may just be your most stylish adventure ever. thecomune.com
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LITTLE WONDERS W
hen it comes to KEDS, the details of the sneakers always go with the experiences you share with them; like the summer daze when you accidentally spilled some lemonade on the canvas upper or those drunken nights when you fell asleep wearing ‘em. Substance is in its time-honored styles like the Champion Army and Not Too Shabby. More shoes, more memories, eh? keds.com
THREADS
BABY LOVE W
ork your pastel outfits with STRIPE BY N. Its Easy Rider on Her Bike collection full of dresses, trousers, shorts, cutout blouses, and high-waisted shorts can make you look cute without looking too goody-goody. Match baby blue shorts with a baby blue cutout top for an adorable but fashion-forward look. stripebyn.com
OPEN SESAME T
he jewelry designer ALICE CICOLINI took inspiration from Indian temples and Silk Route patterns to come up with necklaces and rings worthy of royalty. Decked out in citrine, topaz, and ruby beads set in gold, Alice Cicolini fills up a treasure trove of twinkling trinkets that are too tempting to touch. alicecicolini.com
GOLD FOUND L
EVEL99 covers the color and shape spectrum by offering different hues and denim fits from ultra skinny, wide leg, to slouchy skinny. Keep it simple with a V-neck tee or go all out with layers of accessories. Stumbling upon these soft, comfortable, and stylish jeans are like finding gold that molds to your body. level99usa.com
BUZZWORD I
f you want to talk about being fierce then J APOSTROPHE should be in the conversation. Its Spring collection has leather shorts, metallic liquid leggings, and bias-cut tops that can do the talking for you. Slip on some mean black booties and undo that hair. You’re ready to cause some chatter. japostrophe.com
BUY HERE O
NTOUR’s The Bakery Collection delivers nothing but fresh goods with its clean aesthetic and neutral palette. Sewing khaki jackets, navy parkas, and cotton button-downs for men and chambray jumpsuits and striped tops for women, satisfaction is guaranteed. Hotter than a baker’s oven, cop it while supplies last. ontour.nl
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SETTING
PLACES TO GO
CORKAGE
GIN REAPER
T
hey say that Death knocks on everyone’s door, but it’s the other way around in DEATH & CO. Built around the mystery and jazz of New York’s pre-prohibition cocktail scene, this Lower East Side watering hole gives a middle finger salute to the Volstead Act with drinks like the Slap N’ Pickle (a cucumber-infused gin-based staple) down to their rum cream toffee pudding. Death & Co. is also one of the first bars in the US to revive the old-timer tradition of serving punch to guests, inviting them to ask questions and bury themselves further into Death’s embrace.
deathandcompany.com
SUITE
ACross the universe
GRUB
ALL-NIGHTER
Y
ou won’t have to worry about finding a place for dinner before moving out to party in Bonifacio High Street’s LE FUSION restaurant and wine bar. Enjoy a meal of peppered steaks and roast chickens alongside the fresh catches of the day. We suggest trying the authentic
Raw Bar oysters with a glass of the house-recommended white of the night. After that, you can probably head to the second floor where you can party with the in-house DJ.
lefusionresto.com
ant to find inner peace without going through ashram agony? Jodhpur’s RAAS invites you to eat, pray, and love with its restored medieval palace updated with minimalist architecture. Relax in your own private balcony (yes, all the rooms have them) and gawk at clear-skied vistas of the Mehrangarh Fort and the rest of the Walled City. The true majesty of the place, however, sparks to life when the sun goes down and the entire hotel is lit in flickering candle-inspired lights, giving your aums and ahs a crowning glory.
raasjodhpur.com
PLATE
STARS and stripes Filipino flavors meet New York cuisine in Chef Don Ho’s LE FUSION Restaurant and Wine Bar. 32nd St. F1 City Center Building, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
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BANANA FOSTER WITH DARK RUM Fried bananas topped with dark rum and served with the house special vanilla ice cream.
LIEMPO TACOS Crispy liempo with shredded cabbage and fried pork rind with sour cream, Pico de Gallo, and homemade guacamole.
TRIPLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM Decadent tri-blend chocolate brownies served a la mode.
MANILA CLAM PASTA Shelled Manila clams sautéed with white wine and butter resting on a bed of Linguini pasta.
Words by Rita Faire; Le Fusion photos by Patrick Diokno
W
BRICK AND MORTAR
STORES TO SHOP
RELISH, WASHINGTON DC 3312 Cady’s Alley NW Washington DC 20007 relishdc.com Dime to drop: $100-$4,000 (P4,300-P17,000) Don’t leave without: Solid-colored silk jacket or silk paisley pants, both by Haider Ackermann
P
eeking behind high-end store RELISH’s multiple doors won’t give it justice. Since the store knows what good money stands for, it aims to please visitors with its brands and minimalist interior design. Two velvet chairs in the middle highlight the room while the brick wall on the right adds flavor to the space occupied by floating shelves, hanging ropes, wooden tables, and house items in color-coordinated fashion. Light shines over the dresses, coats, trousers and shoes from Dries Van Noten, Marni, Martin Margiela, Jil Sander, Balenciaga, and Haider Ackermann that are styled on mannequins. Priding itself in dressing fashion-forward women, each piece is handpicked by the owners. Also, offering by-appointment services at night, Relish makes sure customers are taken care of, if not treated like queens.
REVOLVER, SAN FRANCISCO 136 Fillmore St. San Francisco, CA 94117 revolversf.com Dime to drop: $20-$1,000 (P850–P43,000) Don’t leave without: Frost River Bags or Dillon Montara Scarves
T
he Lower Haight might be known for dance music, record shops, vintage stores, cafés, and clubs, but it’s also the home of art gallery-slash-store REVOLVER. Its window display of clothes, shoes, and accessories mixed with antiques will lure you as if it’s a jungle waiting to be explored. Once you enter, you will be welcomed by wooden floors and a chandelier. Go farther back and more green will greet you. On the side are chinos, jackets, and canvas bags. Brands like Crate Denim, American Vintage, Riviera Club, Baron Wells, Pendleton, and Burkman Bros make an impressive lineup; but it’s their accessory section full of wooden sunglasses, linen scarves, and— surprisingly—homeware items including a Japanese Sake set and an Indian acrylics picnic blanket that make for an interesting spin. Photo gallery exhibitions happen from time to time to inspire and challenge thought—a great concept for a store where you can get lost and hunt for treasures.
Words by Loris Peña
DRESSTRONOMY
I
f shopping is your addiction then DRESSTRONOMY is your new happy pill. Its orange mod dresses, floral maxis, and accessories like colorful clutches, silver bejeweled necklaces, and linen scarves will get you looking for more closet space. And if
you’re a member, you can get multiple discounts. Whoever said you can never have enough must be talking about this Singapore e-store.
dresstronomy.com
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SCREEN
SCENES TO SEE
PL AYBACK
REMOTE CONTROL
by SHIRLEY MANSON twitter.com/garbage
BLADE RUNNER (1982) She describes this flick as a “visual feast.” Directed by Ridley Scott, this neo-noir sci-fi classic sees Harrison Ford as a retired robot-hunter taking on one last assignment to save dystopian LA from the scum of the universe. MELANCHOLIA (2011) “It blew me away,” gawks Shirley about Lars von Trier’s film where a planet called Melancholia is on a collision course towards Earth and a pair of sisters struggles to deal with the coming apocalypse.
IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (2000) Moral of the film: Don’t be a cheater and move next door to a cheater. Your longsuffering spouses may just bond over their circumstances and fall in love.
SHAME (2011) Michael Fassbender stars as a successful thirty-something with a sex addiction that he just can’t shake. How does he deal with it? By having more sex, of course. As Shirley puts it, “Fassbender was robbed of the Oscar. Bravest rebellion in film.”
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VEEP (HBO) From the makers of the Academy Award-nominated In The Loop comes a political comedy about former Senator Selina Meyer (Julia LouisDreyfus) who bumps up the chain of command and becomes Vice President of the USA. Only problem is, she has no idea what a Vice President actually does.
DON’T TRUST THE B---- IN APARTMENT 23 (ABC) A nod to The Odd Couple, but with cattier roommates. Small town bumpkin June (Dreama Walker) moves to New York and bunks with New York party girl—and eponymous bitch— Chloe (Krysten Ritter). Hilarity ensues, and so does James Van Der Beek as James Van Der Beek.
MISSING (ABC) If Taken taught us anything, it was to never kidnap an American tourist in Europe. You never know if his parent is a secret agent who can beat your ass to a pulp. Apparently the villains in Missing never saw that coming when they took a kid with an ex-CIA agent mom (Ashley Judd).
TICKET DARK SHADOWS Tim Burton goes back to the world of the weird in this adaptation of the 70s soap opera featuring vampires, witches, zombies, and manmade monsters.
ON THE ROAD Marylou (Kristen Stewart), Sal (Sam Riley), and Dean (Garrett Hedlund) track back to the Beat generation and take a trip around the US in this adaptation of the Jack Kerouac novel.
GOD BLESS AMERICA After a failed suicide attempt, cancer patient Frank (Joel Murray) finds meaning in life and goes on a killing spree to rid the world of rude and annoying people aka reality TV stars.
MOONRISE KINGDOM Wes Anderson’s usual suspects Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray join Edward Norton and Bruce Willis in this film about two crazy kids running away from home, prompting a search party.
THE DICTATOR After dumping Kim Jong-Il all over Ryan Seacrest, Admiral General Aladeen (Sacha Baron Cohen) is back with a mission to ensure that democracy never comes to country he lovingly oppresses.
Hysteria Charlotte (Maggie Gyllenhaal), Dr. Mortimer (Hugh Dancy), and Emily (Felicity Jones) take a trip back to Victorian times and the medical milestone that was the invention of the vibrator.
Words by Rita Faire
SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950) Shirley credits this as one of the movies she references all the time. Gloria Swanson and William Holden star as a couple of Hollywood wack-jobs in this Billy Wilder film. “Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my closeup.” Yeah. That movie.
ink BOOKMARK
BOOKS TO READ
HOT OFF THE PRESS THE GUILD: FAWKES By Wil Wheaton and Felicia Day Following the heels of cult favorite web series The Guild comes this oneshot about Axis of Anarchy leader, Fawkes—played on the show by the equally evil Wil Wheaton. The graphic novel sets itself at the end of season four after Fawkes falls to his doom for his less than gentlemanly treatment of the lovely leader Codex from opposing guild The Knights of Good. Indeed, Wil Wheaton’s alter ego is back and gearing up for a taste of revenge.
THEY EAT PUPPIES DON’T THEY? By Christopher Buckley From the author of Thank You For Smoking comes another political satire that mixes devious with ridiculous. This time, instead of lobbying for Big Tobacco, lead characters Angel Templeton and Bird McIntyre are out to get approval for a top-secret weapons system. They pit the USA against China with a bogus assassination plot against the Dalai Lama. Reminiscent of the 1997 black comedy Wag The Dog (adapted from Larry Beinhart’s American Hero), Christopher Buckley is once again out to prove to the American public that you should never believe everything you see on the news.
THE BELIEVER BOOK OF WRITERS TALKING TO WRITERS By Vendela Vida
Get obsessed with these slice of life looks into the world’s most stalk-worthy writers. 1. NZT is fictional. Instead of dreaming of a pill that can make you a better wordsmith, read this and write like a possessed prophet. 2. Not everyone has a mentor like Rainer Maria Rilke (Letters to A Young Poet), so learn from conversations between Zadie Smith and Ian McEwan or Dave Eggers and David Foster Wallace. 3. Read McEwan’s comment on the English novel containing too many furniture description and George Saunders’ reflection about
the crows in Syracuse before anybody else does. You fucking hipster! 4. Finally, find out how old-timers like Joan Didion (former associate features editor of Vogue and veteran fictionist) and Paul Auster are actually just humans.
RYAN MCGINLEY: WHISTLE FOR THE WIND By Chris Krause If there’s anyone who can capture the naked beauty of youth, it’s photographer Ryan McGinley. Novelist and critic Chris Krause, fellow photographer John Kelsey, and film director Gus Van Sant compile the first monograph of Ryan’s work in Whistle for The Wind. It includes photographs dating back to Ryan’s handmade book entitled The Kids are Alright, down to his works shown in his 2003 solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum.
5. Learn the tricks of the trade. Janet Malcolm says, “Email lies somewhere between speech and proper writing.” Edit, edit, edit! 6. Lastly, who wouldn’t love a book that celebrates a creative’s need for alcohol? Haruki Murakami thinks two bottles of beer in the evening followed by whiskey or wine can result in a groundbreaking debut novel.
Words by Rita Faire
FOOTNOTES The Guild is credited as one of the inspirations behind Joss Whedon’s Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, another web series that Felicia Day also starred in.
Track Chinese propagandist lies by writing them in a CS EDITION NOTEBOOK designed by Shepard Fairey and Parra. Just make sure you don’t lose it or else there’ll be hell to pay.
You’d think that a big shot photographer like Ryan McGinley would be all private jets and helicopters, but the lensman still finds traveling with his Scooby gang via camper bus the best way to go.
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BEATS
MUSIC TO HEAR
PL AYLIS T
AFTER THE SMOKE Speek (producer) afterthesmoke.tumblr.com
HIDDEN NIKKI Aaron Gonzales (guitar/vocals) hiddennikki.com
“Reno Dakota” Magnetic Fields It’s just lyrically amazing.
“Cruel” St. Vincent One of my favorite songs from 2011.
“I’m His Girl” Friends Coolest song. Band for ages.
“No Woman No Cry” Bob Marley He was such a big influence. Whuzi was born in Jamaica.
“Southside” Waka Flocka Flame It’s such a 2011 party popper.
“Everything in Its Right Place” Radiohead I listen to this song once a day.
“A.D.H.D.” Kendrick Lamar He represents a whole new generation of music.
“Bleed” Meshuggah It’s the perfect guitar practice to your right hand.
“Perseverance” Hatebreed It drives you to get up and do everything you can.
“Luv Your Life” Silverchair It’s such a beautiful song. It makes you appreciate your life.
“Be Quiet and Drive” Deftones It’s a timeless classic. It reminds me of high school.
ON THE RISE
FIGHT CLUB Y
ou can’t really escape the past by moving on. So previous Bamboo members bassist Nathan Azarcon, guitarist Ira Cruz, and drummer Vic Mercado moved
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forward carrying with them their same love of music to create HIJO. It’s tempting to compare their new music to Bamboo’s, but don’t. By recruiting
Radioactive Sago Project’s guitarist Junji Lerma and keyboardist Wowee Posadas, Hijo creates a chemistry mixed with aggressive guitar riffs and jazzy tones that results in music that’s trippier and more experimental than traditional Filipino love songs. It’s unexpected, but it’s a welcome change. Compared to previous experiences with the members’ former bands, the recording process was also quite special. “This is the first time the three of us recorded most of our parts separately,” says Nathan, who’s also now a vocalist. “I love how it all turned out. It’s still us.” They describe their EP, Slow Rock Vol 1/2, as “kung fu rock.” Nathan says, “We pack light, hit hard, retreat, regroup, we adjust, and then we attack again.” A total knockout, shall we say?
facebook.com/HijoBand
MUSIC NEWS
Remember when Swedish electro-pop songstress Robyn did an exceptional cover of Coldplay’s “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall” for BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge? That’s not the only affiliation she has now. Coldplay signed Robyn up for 12 dates of their US tour this June.
There were signs of a Blur revival, but nobody wanted to expect and get disappointed in the end so it remained hushed. It’s been confirmed, however, that the band will headline at London’s Hyde Park for the closing of the the 2012 Summer Olympics on August 12 with fellow rock icons New Order and The Specials. Ending the games with Britpop and 90s indie? Now that’s more like it.
The Brooklyn Academy of Music is hosting Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, a spring festival designed for those into film, art, and indie rock—e.g. Twin Shadow, the Walkmen, St. Vincent, The Antlers, and Beirut. It’s curated by The National’s twin brothers Bryce and Aaron Dessner. So save the date. The festival happens on May 3-5 at BAM’s Cinema.
Aaron Gonzales photo by Paolo Geronimo, Speek photo by Wanessa Yajure Words by Reena Mesias
BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB Ed Nash (bass) bombaybicycleclubmusic.com
“99 Problems” Ice T I really relate on a personal level to this song.
TEC H PACK CROSLEY AV ROOM PORTABLE USB TURNTABLE
FRED PERRY X LOMOGRAPHY CAMERA • Limited edition 60th anniversary collaboration with fashion designer Fred Perry • Comes in the wooden-update of the traditional La Sardina design • Features a shutter speed of 1/100, and f/8 aperture • Focal length measures 0.6 m onwards
• Portable wooden USB-ready turntable • Designed exclusively for Urban Outfitters • Plays 7-inch and 12-inch records at 33 1/3, 45, and 78 rpm • Comes with Mac and PC-compatible software SRP: P6,810
SRP: P6,020
BACK to the future Something bold, something new, something nostalgic, nothing crude.
TIVOLI AUDIO MODEL ONE RADIO • Comes with 3-inch full range speakers • Its Henry Kloss analog AM/FM tuner brings clarity even to the weakest stations • Automatically adjusts sound output in half-octave increments • Compatible with iPod and other media players • Available in wood cabinet design in Walnut/Beige, Maple/Hunter Green, Black Ash/Silver, etc.
LOMO LC-A+ SILVER LAKE CAMERA • Compact snapshot film camera • Features brown leather and chrome design • Equipped with Russian-made Minitar 1 lens • Increased light sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to 1,600 SRP: P16,965
SRP: P6,335
DOWNLOADS MADPAD by Smule
COMMIT by Legend
APPSFIRE by Appsfire
Records sounds to percussive tones and remixes them into beats.
Assists in forming routines by recording their habitual performance.
Facilitates app search, recommendation, and sharing. For Android and iOS
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FAC E PA IN T
WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE
The Balm Hot Mama Shadow/Blush P775
Paint me a picture of pretty, porcelain faces.
Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! Foundation P1,462
Smashbox Limitless Lip Stain & Color Seal Balm in Guava P989
The Balm Cheater!™ Mascara P774
Too Faced Brownie Brow Pencil in Browne-y P860
CARGO Eye Shadow in Devon P688
Soap and Glory Super-Colour Sexy Mother Pucker™ in Yummy Plum P645
Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation P1,634
Smashbox O-Glow Intuitive Cheek Color P1,350
Too Faced Full Bloom Ultra Flush Blush in Sweet Pink P817
Chanel No. 19 Poudré Eau De Parfum P4,945
Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer in Cream Tea P602
Laura Mercier Lip Stain in Sugar Violet P860 Benefit Bluff Dust Redness Concealing Powder P946
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AB O U T FACE
ZEN GARDEN
Find your yin and yang with CAROL’S DAUGHTER AÇAI HYDRATING EXFOLIATING TONER that reduces aging and exfoliates with Meadowsweet. P817
COTTON TOUCH
Made with fair trade cotton extract and cane sugar, FAIR NATURALLY COTTON AND CUCUMBER FACIAL TONER tightens skin and replenishes completion with a gentle tingly feeling. P202
ALL TIME FAVE
Get rid of the dirt after a long day with CLINIQUE CLARIFYING LOTION 2 which helps clear away pollution and minimize pores without drying out your skin with its new dermatologistreformulated formula. P860
UNDER NO KNIFE
poison paradise The war between toxicity and tonicity is about to end with these tone-ups.
Who needs botox when you have DR. HAUSCHKA SKIN CARE FACIAL TONER? It contains anthyllis and witch hazel extracts that revitalize and helps your skin improve and maintain its elasticity. P1,552
PORES DE PARFUM
Not only does ORIGINS UNITED STATE BALANCING TONIC smoothen out rough spots and wipe away grime, it also contains aromatic bergamot, spearmint, and lavender to make pore cleaning a sweet scentsation. P839
Expert Advice
Toners may dry your skin so always follow up with a good moisturizer.
MIDNIGHT TONIC
Let your skin drink BURT’S BEES ROSEWATER AND GLYCERIN TONER. Soak cotton balls with this sweet smelling toner and wipe it all over your face before hitting the sack. P516
Model photo by Rosario Herrera Words by Zoe Laurente
b ea u t y b i t e SUESH
S
tep inside SUESH’s black and purple interiors to find yourself in a makeup oasis. Shelves are always stocked with the store’s prized possessions including brushes all tried, tested, and recommended by Japan-trained makeup artists. Aside from essentials ranging from vanity cases to cosmetic chillers, Suesh also offers makeup courses care of in-house artists. This
is the kind of shop you won’t brush aside. Lower GF, The Gardens, Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City, Manila suesh.com
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GO S E E Sticking out like a sore thumb in a sea of ordinary was never a bad thing.
Bishop Sleeves
Blue on Blue Breton Top
Button-fly Shorts Pleated Panels Distressed Shorts
Hawaiian Shirt
Khaki Trousers
Embroidered Kilt
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Colored Lace
Layered Knits Off-shoulder Sweater Knee-length Cardigan
Paisley Tunic Dress
Snakeskin Button-Up Statement Belt
Photographed by Rosario Herrera, Toch Barreiro, and James Bent
Oversized Trench
Washed Out Denim Strappy Bag
Tartan Jacket Zip-Up Skirt
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S T YLE I D
ITTY BITTY MINI
Fashion blogger Jasmin in an electric blue pleated skirt.
Never hesitate to flash those legs with a mini skirt if you got it! By JP Singson
Fashion editor of Costume magazine Hege Badendyck loves her bejeweled Whyred skirt. Student Francoise revives her vintage Guess denim mini.
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Designer takes on blocking her plum
Janna color with skirt.
Fashion student Rojda layers her green D&G skirt under a lace dress. Rosanna Aranaz of Little Miss Dress Up wears an eyecatching printed skirt.
jponfashionspeed.blogspot.com, lelook.eu, streetsylebystela.blogspot.com
Siri goes paneling with her Josefin Strid skirt.
She plays in your head repeatedly. In monotone shades of grey, white, and black, her beauty shines through in minimalist form. In playsuits, cropped bustiers, and high-waisted bottomsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; this could be your bare necessity. Photographed by Cecilie Harris Styled by Lindsey Cash 34 - statusmagonline.com
Opposite page black velvet bustier by Velvet Johnstone This page playsuit by Alice Fern
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white playsuit by Velvet Johnstone
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bustier by Velvet Johnstone necklace, stylist's own
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Hair and Makeup Laura Gingell Model Laura Paine of Select Assistant Becci Lee shirt by Beverly Gan shorts by Velvet Johnstone
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n nk o a T . n h ket o hen pus c a j . r athe to go. W be boys e L . y d ll s tie ns read boys wi r e cke k enni r r B Sne a o s e. J e a shove, e n รถ rg e us e g o o by J rjan La d the l c ome s t e raph e d by G o o to g l Ph
Sty
shirt by Filippa K longjohns by Calida shorts by Hope necklace by Cooee Design shoes by Vans
shirt by Filippa K jacket by BOSS Orange scarf by Rabens Saloner pants by Acne shoes by Puma
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pants by Jeremy Scott for adidas leather vest by Acne shoes by Whyred necklace by Cornelia Jewellery
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On Carl tank by The Local Firm jacket by Acne pants by Acne shoes by Puma On Andreas shirt by Tiger of Sweden sweater by Acne pants by Hope necklace by Cornelia Jewellery shoes by Tiger of Sweden On Erik shirt by Filippa K longjohns by Calida shorts by Hope necklace by Friis & Company shoes by Vans
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shirt by Tiger of Sweden pants by Ubi Sunt knitted cape by Filippa K shoes by Puma
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Assistant Photographer Leo Ahlgren Assistant Stylist Nils Magnussom Grooming Katarina Nyström Models Erik Cole, Carl of Synkcasting and Andreas of Mikas Retouching RBLS Rebel Studio Location The Solna Pool pants by Ubi Sunt coat by Acne necklace by Bjørg Jewellery shoes by Vans
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Time for an indulgent romp at the private beach villa with a few of a girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best friends: bandeau tops, one-pieces, pencil skirts, and retro glasses. Make a splash, darling! Photographed by Cholo Dela Vega Styled by Loris Pena
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pearl necklaces by AC+632 scarf worn as bandeau, stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own pencil skirt by Topshop
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sunglasses by AC+632 earrings by Miadore tweed jacket by Topshop one-piece swimsuit by Nudo
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sunglasses by AC+632 earrings by Firma bandeau top by Koi Swimwear skirt by Folded & Hung belt, stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own shoes, stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own
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silver necklace by Firma silver necklace by AC+632 one-piece swimsuit by Koi Swimwear shoes by Christian Louboutin
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Hair and Makeup Tinette Herrera Hair and Makeup Assistant Jayde Nirvana Bumatay Model Catriona Gray of IM Agency scarf used as headband, stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own bikini top by Nudo necklace by Firma ring by AC+632 bracelets by Folded & Hung shorts by Topshop
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PRINTED BIKINIS
BAND OF BABES Printed bikinis go best with a flawless tan.
Billabong [P3,495]
Dorothy Perkins [P2,245]
ORE NANET TE LEP E R 2 0 12 S prin g /S U M M
Billabong [P2,995]
Forever 21 [Top P735] [Bottom P560]
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Forever 21 [Top P735] [Bottom P560]
SHEER BUT TON-DOWNS/ BOYLEG SHORTS
GOOD AIR DAY Beat the heat in airy sheer tops.
Topshop [P2,448]
Zara [P2,490]
L U CA L U CA E R 2 0 12 S prin g /S U M M
Topshop [P2,448]
Zara [P2,990]
LADY LONG LEGS Frame those stems in vivid tailored shorts.
Topshop [P2,040]
Forever 21 [P1,025]
Forever 21 [P915]
Oxygen [P899]
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CROPPED BLAZERS
SCISSOR SISTER Cut the slack with cropped blazers.
Forever 21 [P1,375]
Topshop [P4,420]
Oxygen [P1,499]
Dorothy Perkins [P3,195]
ORE N A N E T T E L E P 0 12 ER 2 S prin g /S U M M
Forever 21 [P1,375]
Folded & Hung [P849]
Forever 21 [P1,475]
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P R I N T E D PA N T S
SLUMBER PARTY Pajama-inspired trousers will keep â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;em all awake.
V IV IE N N E TA M E R 2 0 12 S prin g /S U M M
Forever 21 [P1,025]
Folded & Hung [P699]
Dorothy Perkins [P2,345]
Forever 21 [P1,025]
Forever 21 [P915]
Dorothy Perkins [P2,345]
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POLO SHIRTS/ CHAIN NECKLACES
RIGHT WING You can’t go wrong with this staple.
Lacoste [P3,650]
Penshoppe [P599]
Lacoste [P4,050]
Celio [P1,699]
Folded & Hung [P549]
Topman [P1,904]
IRON MAIDEN Chain danglers shouldn’t rust when they take the plunge. Oxygen [P349]
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Folded & Hung [P749]
Aldo [P555]
Aldo [P555]
SWIM TRUNKS
TRUNK SHOW Dive into the deep blue in different hues.
Vilebrequin [P10,500]
Folded & Hung [P979]
Volcom [P3,490]
Billabong [P2,795]
P E R R Y E L L IS E R 2 0 12 S prin g /S U M M
Vilebrequin [P10,500]
Folded & Hung [P749]
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PULLOVERS
YEAR ROUND
Whatever the weather, these grab-and-go pullovers are keepers.
Topman [P1,360]
Celio [P1,595]
Topman [P1,360]
21 Men [P1,225]
KLER A N D R E W B U C 0 12 ER 2 S prin g /S U M M
21 Men [P1,175]
Folded & Hung [P599]
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SHOES
Tretorn [P3,990]
Sperry [P3,295]
CATCH YOUR WAVE
Like the tides, these can ride high and low on your ankles.
Pony [P2,795]
Vans [P3,198]
Keds [P2,495]
Skechers [P3,295]
Vans Authentic CA [P3,498]
Skechers [P2,895]
Keds [P2,495]
Superga [P2,250]
Superga [P2,450]
Vans Escuela [P2,998]
L AC O ST E E R 2 0 12 S prin g /S U M M
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M U S E
WERQ ETHIC Take time to take in this tall exotic blend latté, NICKAYLA RIVERA, our refreshment of choice. Her confidence expresses that of her budding generation, and her look defines a rare harvest not found in the fashion farms or factories. Cheers! By Giano D. Dionisio Photos courtesy of Pinkerton Model and Talent Co.
N
ickayla loves biking and hiking, and only tunes in to the tube for football or basketball. But this sporty sweetheart’s also style-savvy in her Daisy Dukes and macramé cardigans over bikini tops— California girl, indeed. Discover what makes this chica so chic. Ah!
GURL YOU BETTA
In order to become a better model, I listen to the feedback that I receive from photographers, clients, etc. I also look to models that have become very successful, then I study their journey, movement, and style. I take everything that I observe and apply it to myself so I can be better in all areas; there’s always room for improvement.
RING THE ALARM
I absolutely love modeling to anything Beyoncé-oriented. Anything upbeat and cheerful allows me to move more confidently.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
My spirit animal is a koala because it is a descendant of the bear, which is a strong and powerful animal that is skillful and intellectual. The koala is not as assertive and has a calm demeanor such as myself.
GET MONEY B*TCH
Whenever I have a dollar in my wallet, I have to make an origami heart out of it and keep it in there until I have to spend it. Once I get another one, the cycle continues.
pinkertonmodelandtalent.com
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M A E S T R O
g ar d en of s w e d en It’s written in the scriptures: it’s not good for man to live alone. Thus, Swedish band MIIKE SNOW make electro-pop music that taps into collective consciousness. Complete the cycle with antlers and jackalopes, and you’re bound to unleash your inner wild child. By Reena Mesias Photographed by Andreas Nilsson
I
t usually gets pretty tedious for Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, and Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow to always give their full shot at shows. “I’m at the airport checking in 35 huge boxes where we have the live gear for the new mega synths,” Christian says. But it looks like they have as much of a spectacular time as the audience does, anyway. “Our first time at Coachella was pretty amazing because we had no idea that so many people would come.” They made 500 white beach balls with black jackalopes, while Vampire Weekend and Tiësto helped blow them up. “We threw them out to the audience when we played ‘Animal.’ The only way to get them down into your hands was to pop them, so everyone did,” Christian narrates. Beach balls, masks, and a Dalek-looking Blob engage the
audience in what seems like a huge costume rave. Christian explains, “The Blob is new and is a monster of a synth which we have built for six months; it’s the best that Sweden has to offer. It has been tricky, but it takes up the whole stage and we all play on it.” Matching the band’s twinkling synths, there’s no need to down throats with copious amounts of booze or pills to get all the senses satisfied then. “It’s a big part of the new Miike Snow show; it’s the best of the best of everything,” Christian adds. The Blob isn’t the only new good thing to come out from Miike Snow. After 260 gigs, 27 countries, and 20 months, they finally released Happy To You, the album that’s riding a wave of acclaim after their supposedly “accidental” debut. While the interplay between
moody undertones and joyous arrangements still remain, Christian points out “The Wave” as the song that defines the sound of the new album. He adds, “It’s definitely spot on at the core. It has all the ingredients for the Miike Snow sound, but what’s new with it is the harp. It feels like all the songs have the same story in one way or another, and they’re all part of a story. We didn’t finish one song at a time, it’s almost like we built it one brick at a time. It’s like putting a puzzle together slowly with ten pieces.” From their lavish performances to their allblack bomber jackets, you can imagine how anything is possible for the band. Every time the fog machines go off at their show or even when the volume of a car radio cranks up to Lykke Li-assisted “Black Tin Box,” it always seems as if you’re getting sucked into an electronic cult. Well, having one doesn’t hurt. They had a song called “Cult Logic” after all. “Call the cult Trails of The Jackalope,” Christian entertains the idea. And the ultimate commandment? “Follow those antlers.” Why, gladly.
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS The simple pleasures of Miike Snow.
Antlers
Food
Sleep
Piano
The Mighty Boosh
miikesnow.com
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maestro
B OYS N E X T DOOR THE KNOCKS have been told several times by their complaining neighbors to turn their music down. With their nu-disco vibe and electronic style, who wouldn’t want it loud?
CHRIS BROWN won’t settle for F.A.M.E. He’s hoping that Fortune, his fifth studio album, will “Turn Up the Music” just like the single. Lady R&B Luck sure has been on his side.
By Reena Mesias
B
en “B-Roc” Ruttner and James “Jpatt” Patterson of The Knocks can finally create music in peace inside their own studio/collective, HeavyRoc, without having to deal with unfriendly neighbors. Unlike their tour bus (“A Kia soccer mom van filled with gear and merch along with the average half-eaten bag of potato chips and beef jerky”), Ben describes the studio as a combination of a living room and a club house. But just because the words “club” and “duo” are involved
doesn’t imply that The Knocks are your “hipster LMFAO,” as some describe them. Ben says, “It left a bad taste in our mouth. Kinda.” Well, do LMFAO play instruments live? Maybe rarely. But The Knocks do, and they’re actually good at it. “I think it’s just hard for some people to understand what’s live and what isn’t when we play,” says Ben. “I grew up a big DJ nerd. I was really into hip-hop and the whole scratch culture while James was working on his organ and drum chops, playing
at his Church and in multiple bands.” Ben says, “I always imagined myself being the man behind the music.” Onstage or behind decks, their hits like “Dancing with the DJ” as well as remixes of songs like M83’s “Midnight City” and Foster the People’s “Pumped Up Kicks” put the duo on everyone’s radar. So neighbors, do knock at their doors again or maybe hear them from your windows. This is the good kind of disturbia.
theknocks.com
C I TY THAT N E VE R S L E E PS As soon as vocalist Dax Balmeo belts out the tunes of “Here We Are! Here We Go!” so follows the desire to walk along the infectious sounds of PARANOID CITY. By Macy Reantaso Photographed by Patrick Diokno
I
t’s nine in the evening. The glowing signs of the red light district remind me of the musical and physical energy of dance rock electronic band Paranoid City, arriving performance-ready for the interview. “If we’re not sweating after a set, that’s when we feel bad,” Dax says. So before they wild it out, they make sure to chill out with a good movie. Dax laughs, saying,
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“One rule we have is to not watch porn.” “When we’re asked what our musical influences are, we just say we listen to art,” says Eric Strange (beat engineer), before name-dropping Depeche Mode and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The four members of Paranoid City started in different bands from different points in time. Dax and 8-Bit (synth operator) played together for a post-new
wave group; Eric played for an alt rock band; and 4-Track (support synth operator) played for a local vocal group. Dax confesses they’re still undecided as to what genre to stick to, but he explains, “A big part of our sound comes from the two synthesizers. But we write songs without that in mind.” That’s another thing the band prides on: they’re musicians who don’t take themselves too seriously. Dax says, “It’s a conscious effort to stray away from really deep lyrics.” After all, what’s the point in creating music when you’re not having fun?
myspace.com/ welcometoparanoidcity
Calling it their most personal and honest record yet, KEANE step into Strangeland with producer Dan Grech (Radiohead, The Vaccines, Lana del Rey) and their new bass player Jesse Quin who collaborated with Tim Rice-Oxley for Mt. Desolation.
When you’re in SILVERSUN PICKUPS’ Neck of the Woods, it’s like being in a horror film. Well at least that’s what frontman Brian Aubert said in SPIN. So close your eyes and don’t be scared to take in some alternative rock once in a while.
The Only Place we wanna be in is where BEST COAST’s music is playing. It sounds a lot different from Crazy for You, their nostalgic tribute to teenage years. The duo finally grows up, no longer hiding their voices and instrumentation behind distortion and reverb.
maestro
BROTHERS
Ellery Roberts, vocalist to British heavy pop outfit WU LYF, says they recently decided to have “a pleasant and kind of normal life of traveling.” But two years ago, it was all rage and rebellion as reflected in their debut album, Go Tell Fire to the Mountain. By Nante Santamaria
O
nce in a while, a band is beset by this—a hype so relentless that it stinks of PR cash. A heedful scan, however, often reveals little trace of talent, one sorry decent single, and an exciting story told not exactly how it is. It is a circumstance that WU LYF suffered from. This doesn’t mean, however, that the band is another hack. It’s because, for quite some time, members refused to talk. Given today’s online review-driven culture of music consumption, that wasn’t supposed to work. The band’s vocalist and organist, Ellery Roberts, tells me, “These rock & roll clichés are boring to me.” But instead of having a shortage of blurbs, they attracted a surplus of curiosity. “You could live up to the stories and become a little cartoon and then pose to the camera,”
Ellery continues. Yet consistent testimonies reveal that theirs is a deeper approach to music. As soon as the buzz subsided, they gave up the hiding. “I guess just accepting what you’re doing and making the best of it is the best way to proceed,” Ellery admits, sounding resigned at six o’clock in the morning after a gig in Amsterdam. Since establishing Lucifer Youth Foundation (LYF) with Evans Kati (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Joe Manning (drums, piano), and Tom McClung (vocals, bass, guitar), he has accepted their cult following. Now, he’s contemplating whether or not what they do has any real meaning or purpose or whether they’re just another happy-clappy bunch of monkeys onstage. Ellery and his band of brothers
themselves—affirmed by the single “We Bros”—are their own photographers, music video directors, and perpetrators of a creative social revolution. Most recent was their tube network debut in Letterman, where Ellery yelled at the top of his lungs while looking up, as if acting out their debut album title, Go Tell Fire to the Mountain. “So what has been the answer to your doubt?” I inquire, and he responds, “Depends how drunk you are.” This morning, Ellery is sober. When I ask how they are living the WU LYF message, he says, “I don’t really feel the need to stomp my feet and shout… I kind of feel like people should live in a way that’s best for the people that surround them rather than make some big statements if you can just live simply and ethically.” Their stomping is limited to performance. When you listen
closely, “Heavy Pop” simply repeats through rasps and racing drums, “I wanna feel at home.” What they are trying to do is beyond immediate impressions like maybe the throat-scathing polemics of Tom Waits, the social consciousness of Wu-Tang Clan, or the pulsating beats of Modest Mouse. Something that Ellery feels to be worth mentioning is Philip Glass’ Koyaanisqatsi soundtrack. “That’s basically my reference point when playing the organ. I don’t really like garage, psychedelic organ sounds,” he says. Meanwhile, they’re having their wildest times between New York and Tokyo. As Ellery
looks at the prospects of working with frequent M.I.A. music video director Romain Gavras or providing vocal samples to Kanye West, he says, “I guess the fundamental thing is to enjoy what you’re doing in life—more than money and fame, bitches and riches.” As for all the pent-up rage, he preaches, “You don’t need to go around spreading anarchy symbols on people’s walls. I think most people who are like that don’t actually have any beliefs. They probably go and have a McDonald’s after spraying a couple of anarchy signs around the city.”
wulyf.org
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maestro
“I'm surprised we haven't killed each other. Or loved each other to death.”
DOUBLE TOIL AND TROUBLE
and N.W.A., which I loved. I didn’t get into rock music until I discovered Nirvana. IG: Vangelis, Enigma, and Yanni.
Ioanna Gika and Leopold Ross of IO ECHO vomit a dark, brooding, grunge-goth sensation. Albeit, they listen to hip-hop, experiment with onstage antics, and play 80s-laced heavy metal. They’re also very loving—to each other and to their music. By Viva Gonzalez Photographed by Nathaniel Wood
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O Echo: a little shoegaze and pop here, a little goth and metal there, and a lot of rock everywhere. There’s a bit of Asian influence thrown in, too. “I’ve always been fascinated by cultures, art forms, and sounds that adhere to control and restraint, but have an underlying passionate energy. To me, Kabuki dance is a perfect example of this,” vocalist Ioanna Gika explains. The video for their single, “When Lilies Die,” shows three minutes of pure Japanese Kabuki dancing. “There is such eroticism yet so much restraint existing side by side. Our live shows—the visuals, the way we move—are influenced by styles of Kabuki dance: by control and by release,” she adds. The LA-based duo hit the road for years with artists like Hot Chip, the Drums, La Roux, Florence + the Machine, and Nine Inch Nails. Having opened for this impressive laundry list, IO Echo is more than ready to strike out on their own. It’s finally their turn to choose their opening act, and bassist
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Leopold Ross suggests, “Probably one of our friend’s bands. It’s more fun on the road when everyone is comfortable with each other; you create that gang mentality.” Things are shaping up nicely for the duo who played Art Basel last December and are currently working on some songs for Rupert Sanders’ Snow White and The Huntsman as well as a putting the finishing touches on their debut album. “We recently scored a Harmony Korine short film starring James Franco, which will be released this year,” Leopold adds. Isn’t that enough reason to want to get to know them more? Your music has often been compared to Siouxsie Sioux. How would you describe it to someone who has never heard you before? Ionna Gika: Romantic, floral, doomsday. What did you listen to when you were growing up? Leopold Ross: The first music I liked was hip-hop. My brother would play me Ultramagnetic MCs
What made you decide to get together and start making music? LR: She played me a song she had written called “I’m On Fire” on acoustic guitar late one night.
Guitar legend SLASH is spreading some Apocalyptic Love in 13 tracks. One of those is “Anastasia,” the longest, “most instrumentally adventurous song” on the record. It’s also the first song he did with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.
Royce Da 5’9, Joe Budden, Crooked-I, and Joelle Ortiz aka SLAUGHTERHOUSE prepare a 43-city tour to support Welcome To: Our House, the new album executively produced by Eminem. A home with a hip-hop supergroup? We’re sold.
Is throwing up onstage the wildest thing you did during a performance? Are you gonna try to top that soon? LR: That’s a story a lot of people seem to know… We don’t plan stuff like that, it just happens. IG: I didn’t throw up onstage on purpose. I don’t remember much that happens onstage, but I do know that I don’t go into it trying to top anything. I want to give an honest performance and remain in the present with the band and with the audience. In a past interview, Leopold said your worst vice is taking experimentation too far. How far have you taken it? LR: I think I can go further.
It’s Here! EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS and their hundred harmonies and choruses are gonna remind you once again why they’re one of the most successful indie folk acts in town.
Were there ever times when you wanted to smack each other? IG: Wanted to or did? I’m surprised we haven’t killed each other. Or loved each other to death. LR: We fight all the time. We love all the time. What else don’t we know about you? LR: We love Ace of Base.
myspace.com/ioecho
There is nothing more confusing than Aufheben, a German word that means “to lift up” and “to abolish.” But BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE make it clear by keeping their traditional 1960 psychedelia sound mixed with eastern influences.
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STRAND in the RUM
“WE’VE HAD A LOT OF FUN IN EUROPE IN THE PAST AND IT’S KIND OF FUN THE LESS YOU UNDERSTAND— ESPECIALLY THE MORE YOU DRINK.”
STATUS catches up with YUKON BLONDE’s chief songwriter Jeff Innes right before the release of their new album, Tiger Talk, to finally settle the question: Do blondes really have more fun? By Rita Faire
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econd time’s the charm. The indie rockers of Yukon Blonde started off as a bunch of castaways from different bands. It was musical kismet when Jeff Innes (vocals/guitar), Brandon Scott (vocals/guitar), Graham Jones (vocals/drums), and John Jeffrey (bass) found each other, but a good name was not in the stars—at least not yet. Jeff recalls a time when he was introduced to some music industry bigwigs (“But in retrospect they had no fucking clue what they were talking about.”) Compliments were given and received, but things got a bit awkward when their band’s name, then Alphababy, came into the conversation. “Everyone started to tear into me about how bad our name was and why no one would ever work with us under that name,” says Jeff. “I basically told them to take a hike and continued on with the opinion: ‘If the Beatles and U2 can make a career with a horrible name, so can we.’ We’re right, but
the name still sucked.” Two EPs later, they changed their name to Yukon Blonde and things have been more fun since. I hear you’re hitting Europe. Nervous about getting lost in translation? We’re literally on a ferry now traveling from England to France and no, we’re not nervous. We’ve had a lot of fun in Europe in the past and it’s kind of fun the less you understand— especially the more you drink.
Yukon Blonde actually sounds like a drink in a bar. It is a drink in a bar! Two actually: in Sackville, New Brunswick there’s a bar with a drink called the Yukon Blonde. It’s Yukon Jack and bourbon, I think. There’s also a blog called Drinkify that made a Yukon Blonde drink. “Six ounces of fucking rum!” Touché. You have a lot of punk rock influences in Tiger Talk. What influenced that new sound? After a show in Montana recently, one of the audience members described us as a mix between the Buzzcocks and the Traveling Wilburys and that’s pretty much it. It’s influenced by old punk rock, but it’s also influenced by everything else. We’ve had an extremely busy two years and this record is the melting pot of exploded brains. We’re writing about the stuff that hits closer to home and what we want. What’s your favorite song off the new album? “Guns.” Well, it’s my favorite anyway. It’s inspired by this 10-year old kid I heard about
on the news when I was probably around the same age. He found a gun under his parents’ bed and blew his brains out. It’s sad when that happens. People need to figure that whole issue out. Another favorite is probably the current single, “Stairway.” The working title was “Stairway to Heaven” as a joke, and since we never can be bothered to change the working titles of any of our songs, we just shortened it. If you guys were to pick a Beatles counterpart each, who would it be? I don’t know. I’ve always had a hard time with that one. I think that every band thinks about that dynamic at some point, and we have for sure, but I think it basically comes down to two Harrisons and two Johns. Graham and I are more like John, and John and Bran are more like George. That sounds too confusing. Beatles forever! Do blondes really have more fun? Fuck no.
yukonblonde.com
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M A S T E R M I N D
“You have to go through this process of being someone else to reach another personality and finally realize ‘That’s who I am.’”
Tropical Malady After shooting bands like R.E.M., Arcade Fire and Phoenix for his take-away shows, VINCENT MOON now delves into territories both strange and familiar, exploring cultures you’ve probably heard about in music and history class but never paid attention to. By Don Jaucian Photographed by Nina Mouritzen, Stephan Crasneanscki
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ast February, Vincent Moon (real name Mathieu Saura) found himself in The Great Cinema Party at a villa in a remote town up north. The party, which doubled as a film shoot of Raya Martin, gathered Filipino filmmakers, writers, and musicians. He arrives with his beret, giving him the signature Frenchman look, but his unruly beard bears the stamp of a nomad. He flitters from table to
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table, talking to everyone, and taking a break from his usual life on the road. “What’s funny is that I never hang out with filmmakers. I’m not familiar at all with cinema because I have more things in common with musicians. I think I relate much more to musicians than other artists,” he says. A band plays later in the villa’s balcony and Vincent watches them up close, finding himself in familiar territory.
Trees sway as guitars saunter and the percussion heralds the fireworks that erupt over the treetops. His take-away shows—something he started making in 2006, forming an archive of short videos that strips the music down its bare bones, a rare form of cultural anthropology—share this raw resemblance that amplifies the music. Concrete jungles and grey skyscrapers don’t interest Vincent. He’s more at ease in intimate spaces, something that is apparent in his shows with Sufjan Stevens (on a rooftop in Cincinnati Memorial Hall), Mumford and Sons (a street in Paris beside a quaint apartment), and The National (a small farmhouse in Southern France). “Those are not unconventional spaces for me,” he explains. “My approach is that music comes from there. For some people, it might be a challenge. I would take them out on the street and it would be very uncomfortable sometimes. But now that I’m researching on traditional music, it’s not a challenge at all for these people to play in such a setting. It’s very interesting that the space affects much more the music than others, but all in all, it’s a quest to find the space between you, the camera,
and the musicians.” Vincent is currently engaged in his new project, Petites Planètes, a nomadic label that explores traditional sounds and hybrids of cultural expression. “It’s becoming very natural for me to end up in very large settings and very different cultures, people and music. I love to find my home there,” he discloses. Coming from a trip in Indonesia, Vincent finds himself attracted to Philippine Hudhud chants, T’Boli music, and harana (serenade). As he opens himself to diverse sounds, Vincent finds more comfort. And in the process, he sheds the skin that he has lived in since he adopted Vincent Moon (an evil character from a Jose Luis Borges story) as a moniker. “I think at that time, I was trying to hide myself,” Vincent shares. “I was young. And after using that name for a time, I became that character. In the end, you become the person that you are and it’s not like there is no more weird feelings towards that. You are who you are. I think you have to go through this process of being someone else to reach another personality and finally realize ‘That’s who I am.’”
vincentmoon.com
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GAMES, GUNS, GIRLS At an age when most kids are still playing imaginary games, TARA LYNNE BARR was already acting onstage. Seven years later, she finally considered making this hobby a real career. By Victoria Herrera Photographed by Mike Carano
“I’m not gonna go out and kill a bunch of people and shoot ‘em.”
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ara Lynne Barr has played everything from Annie to an alien, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. “When I was much younger, I was in an episode of NBC’s Crossing Jordan,” she says. “I had to play a dead person and the audition for that was really weird. They basically had me lie on the floor and the casting director stood over me while I played dead to see how convincingly I could do it. I guess I could do it pretty convincingly ‘coz I got the part.” From dead to lead roles in stage productions of Little Women and The Diary of Anne Frank, to several TV roles on The Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, Tara most recently made a big splash on the big screen as Roxy in the dark comedy God Bless America. She plays a teenage accomplice to Frank (Joel Murray) who decides to get rid of society’s most annoying and rude people— starting with reality TV stars. “When you’re my age, you’re auditioning for roles like hot cheerleaders or bitchy, popular girls. They’re all kind of stereotypes. I think Roxy’s very real. She’s very layered and complex,” Tara begins. “I honestly didn’t really do much preparation, simply because I kind of already felt what Roxy
was feeling. [Laughs] I’m not gonna go out and kill a bunch of people and shoot ‘em, but Roxy does have this anger about the pop culture.” she concludes. What’s the best and most difficult part about your job? I just like the ability to kind of—I hope this doesn’t sound cliché or pretentious but—I love the ability to kind of inhabit another person and be another person. I think it’s really special that actors get to do that and get paid for it. Because it can be really fun, rewarding and enriching. That being said, the most difficult part is probably the same thing. [Laughs.] Have you ever been tempted to cut the acting line and jump to reality TV fame? Oh no. I’m good. I like being an actor. Reality TV is taking jobs away from actors so I would hate to be in that. They’re getting paid for what they do, and more power to them that they’re basically being paid to just live and exist and have people videotape it. If they can get away with that, fine, but that is certainly not something I would enjoy doing for my life.
The stage. Filmmaking is an incredible art form, but the stage, as an actor, I find it more rewarding. When you’re onstage, there’s this connection that can’t be described that you feel with the audience and with the other actors onstage. What was the best acting advice you ever got? There’s a really great acting guru who’s no longer with us. Her name’s Uta Hagen. She quoted this in a book: “Don’t show your point of view. Have one.” So, as an actor, you’re constantly making choices based on evidence from the text about what your character would do or how they would feel, but you don’t show it. You are it. I have a tendency to think [about what my objectives are] while I’m acting, but really, you just have to be that person for the time that you’re onstage and onscreen, and that will create a really, really powerful performance.
taralynnebarronline.com
The Stage vs. The Screen: if you had to pick one place to live out your acting life, which would it be?
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FUTURE FEATURE
mastermind
If this interview happened in 2009, THEM TOO’s answer to where they’d be in 2012 is this: “Begging for money or food on the street ‘coz we’re not sure where photography/filmmaking would lead us.” What really happened: they didn’t beg for money. They’re begging for time to finish all their projects. By Reena Mesias Photographed by JP Agustin
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he projects we are involved in now are geared towards film and TV,” says Alain Uy. Although he guested in Bones and Criminal Minds, acting was just a sideline. Coming a long way from being broke and doing free event photography, he and his partner Angela Calero are now hugely paid to produce and direct scripted content for TV, web, and film. “Who would’ve thunk it?” Alain asks. DJ Vice would have; he was responsible for the duo’s break when he asked them to document his 4 city/4 day tour. “We cut a trailer to what would eventually be a documentary on the world of club DJs in America,” Alain recalls. “We had no idea how something that was more or less an afterthought would strike a chord with a lot of
people. Within a year, we were working with Deadmau5, Afrojack, Chuckie, Laidback Luke, and Avicii.” Most artists have serious inspirations, but Them Too get them from “the fear of suckage.” While they claim that “they don’t really know what they’re doing,” the rest know that they’re far from sucking at what they do. They could even be subjects of their own autobiographical documentary. Alain’s okay with the idea, but with two conditions: Ryan Gosling plays him and it should be a daytime drama where it just “keeps going and going and going.” They know they’ve got what it takes to stay in the game a long, long time.
themtoo.com
Visual artist SAM PENASO was once a fisherman. Now, he travels Europe and America equipped with homegrown aesthetics. Truly, this guy knows how to float his boat. By Lee Reyes
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am’s abstracts, textured figures, and embossed typography in monochrome pop out of a canvas like a school of fish frolicking in a net. Looking like ancient cave carvings, his paintings’ attention to detail stems from his love and conviction to stay true to his enigmatic influences. Sam says, “I just do what my heart wants, not what the audience or collectors say.” While he knows how to be consistent in terms of style, Sam continues to experiment with other art forms including sculpture and performance art. “I love performance art because unlike painting, which is only seen on walls, you can directly communicate with the audience. There’s no money in it, but I get a different satisfaction
when I finish a performance. Stripewalker Series was inspired by my constantly striped abstract paintings with colors reflecting how happy I am doing art,” he recounts. Sam might be enjoying his status now as he constantly travels to galleries and museums around the world, but this new realm can’t beat the simplicity and nostalgia he finds in his hometown. “The most recent thing that inspired me was a picture of a fish,” he says. The ocean is scary and huge, but Sam gives it the finger and, swims deeper into its depths. He dreams to collaborate with Damien Hirst. Well, everyone’s gotta have a bigger fish to fry.
Eye Candy
sampenaso.multiply.com
Baligja Ni Manay
Monologue
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BELOW THE BELT PETER VACK’s time has come. He’ll keep you good company in the boob tube. And while you’re at it, try getting inside his Pants, too. By Reena Mesias Photo courtesy of MTV
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egardless of plaid buttondowns, almost-skinny jeans, shaggy hair, nonchalance, and territorial attitude about New York, Peter Vack denies he’s a hipster. “I feel like I need to set the record straight,” Peter stresses over the phone. “I don’t really know what the word ‘hipster’ means.” Okay, seriously, say what? He laughs, continuing, “Basically, I’m a hipster because I don’t really know what hipster means. Starting now, I will resist that statement.” It’s surprising how Peter plays the role of Jason Strider in MTV’s new dramedy I Just Want My Pants Back as if it’s second nature. Pants is a story of a recent college grad who falls in love and hooks up with this
mysterious girl who borrows his jeans, steals his heart, leaves him a fake number… and, well, you get the idea. It sounds like a less raunchy Skins and a less cheesy Gossip Girl with a soundtrack (cue any Wavves song) that hits home. But Peter says, “I think what sets Pants apart from other shows is the specificity of the writing. David Rosen, the author of the book of the same name, just has his authentic, idiosyncratic, unique voice. He knows his characters so well.” All things considered, it’s basically a coming-of-age story with a heart that’s all about trying to find yourself in the world. This turning point seems to be the connection of Peter to Jason. “I hope to be constantly
mastermind
“Basically, I’m a hipster because I don’t really know what hipster means.”
in the process of figuring out who I am, ‘coz I feel like, as soon as I got it all figured out, I’ll know I’m wrong because there’s no one on earth who has,” he says.“The goal is to be constantly questioning.” Peter isn’t always in a philosophical mood even if he used to read Shakespeare (FYI, his favorite line: “The play’s the thing/ wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king” from Hamlet) in New York subways. His other diversions include listening to a lot of rap. “Actually, I like Lil Wayne, Tyga, and Diddy. My music taste is kinda odd,” he laughs. I grab the opportunity to make him rap over the phone, but he hesitates. “I rap along to the songs that I like, but I would never rap publicly,” he laughs. “If I had any credibility, I’d lose it.” He also shares a soft spot for the arts. “If I weren’t acting, I’d be a visual
artist or a writer. I used to dance when I was a kid, too, but I can’t do that anymore. Jason Strider is a very bad dancer, though. People might think, ‘What is this guy talking about? Why does he wanna be a dancer?’ But I have the utmost appreciation for dance.” Peter may constantly suffer from existential conundrums, but he keeps himself busy with solvable predicaments. “I hope to keep on telling great stories,” Peter says about what he wants to do this year. He achieved so much with As the World Turns and Consent. Plus, Pants is working out, too. With a lead role in Leah Meyerhoff’s Unicorns, a Sundance Lab finalist and IFP grant winner, and Xan Cassavetes’ Kiss of the Damned, he may actually figure out life’s mysteries one by one.
twitter.com/petervack
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IDENTITY RISES
“I broke someone’s nose for calling me a hipster,” says stage actor DOMINIC BOGART. That only happened in the original cut of his Sundance Film Festival movie I am Not A Hipster. But if there’s a label he can relate to, it’ll have to be the geeks, especially since he has “interests, hobbies, and habits that scare people when he’s inspired.” Proof: he has seen Joe Wright’s Pride and Prejudice too many times for comfort. By Rita Faire Photographed by Coy Aune
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ccording to Dominic Bogart, there’s more to our bespectacled, fixie-riding brethren than their off-thewall tastes and antique vinyl collections. “People I’ve met that some might call hipsters hit me as being creative, intelligent, child-like, artistic, positive, curious, and tolerant,“ he says. In I Am Not A Hipster, Dominic plays Brook—a wellrespected indie musician who, despite his local popularity, has decided that art is a waste of time and that he should quit the game altogether. Dominic shows vocal chops with his raw and grating melodies that play a nice homage to Sundance darling Glen Hansard, who played a fellow struggling artist in Once. But Peter is far from the disillusioned wreck that his character insists on being. “I think people get addicted to a rush when they find something new or some new way of expressing themselves,” he describes the allure of living the bohemian life. He goes on, “They want to touch people by articulating something about us in a creative way, and when they do, it can be the most rewarding and euphoric sensation for an artist.” When asked about whether or not his
parents had ever told him to get a real job—because let’s face it, startup music acts don’t usually get a lot of green in their bank account—Dominic admits, “I’ve heard only a couple of times, out of concern for our mental and physical health, a suggestion of maybe trying something else.” For better or for worse, he didn’t take that suggestion. Before playing Brook, he ran with the national tour of Broadway hit RENT where he suffered an Alphabet City veteran malady. Dominic recounts, “I played Mark in RENT and had a strong case of what many Marks before and after me call ‘Roger Envy,’” he confesses. “I made sure to shred my vocal chords to pieces every night singing Mark, just to prove that role could rock just as hard.” Never one to say never, Dominic is quick to dismiss any threats of typecasting in his new festival feast Extracted. This time, he plays an ex-con used as a guinea pig for newly developed memory invasive technology, which is an experience he likes to compare to Radiohead’s “Creep,” summing it up as stimulating “massive guilt, depression, regret, and a tiny bit of hope.” With too many roles to play at any given day, Dominic is able to turn labels into real characters. After all, it is a truth universally acknowledged that an actor in possession of good fortune must be in want of a plot that portrays real life.
dominicbogart.com
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mastermind
HUSH HUSH
JAMIE ANNE ALLMAN won’t spill the beans about the mystery killer in AMC’s The Killing, but she does tell us what it’s like to be married to Marshall Allman, to stand for gay rights, and to plan a comedy detour in acting. By Trisha Cerdeña Photographed by Courtney Beckett
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fter scoring a notable role in the independent film Last Rites of Joe May, Jamie Anne Allman shares how it was “strangely, the least relatable role” she played. She admits, “Jenny is passive enough to allow herself to justify an abusive relationship.” If there’s anything abusive about any relationships she has in real life, count the one with her hubby Marshall (Prison Break, True Blood). Sure, they “communicate about everything and put the marriage first,” but
Jamie adds, laughing, “If he is reading this right now: please, fold your laundry, dude.” Oops. Bad Marshall. While she’s busy keeping us on the edge of our seats by keeping her mouth shut on possible killer-related theories in AMC’s The Killing, Jamie gladly takes us behind the scenes of her film, Any Day Now. “Alan Cummings and Garrett Dillahunt decided to go all method and really be a gay couple by living and buying groceries together,” she says.
cutter standard of stylists (no offense to the Rachel Zoe-bots). “I want to be unknown,” says Rcxy. “Fame and celebrity are so overrated,” he adds. Though Rcxy’s personal style may be a far cry from simple and plain, his sartorial choices reflect his understated personality. He finds no need to conform to society’s standards,
especially with his way of dressing. And yes, he will wear that leather maxi skirts and gold Dr. Martens out to run errands as he did for our sitdown interview and shoot. “As a stylist, you’re supposed to sell your own personal style,” says Rcxy. Well, we’re sold!
“I don’t think anyone should be withheld basic human rights.” As much as possible though, Jamie tries to stay out of politics. “I’m an actor, not an activist,” she says. She’d rather focus on getting paid to act, be “spoiled rotten” by the industry, and jump into more stretching projects. “Most of my fans don’t realize I have a sense of humor because I’m always cast in dramas,” she says. “I plan on changing that now.”
It’s hard to decode RCXY BAUTISTA’s name. But this stylist made a name for himself by having the eye that can detect the style of the times. By Zoe Laurente Photographed by Patrick Diokno
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onvenience stores fuel Rcxy Bautista. With just two sachets of instant coffee, he’s all set to go about his usual routine which includes long commutes, Divisoria trips, meetings, and bumming around with friends like photographer Jujiin Samonte and designer Paul Jatayna. He enjoys simple pleasures the same way he likes to keep a low profile. He’s not in it for the fame or does he want to conform to Hollywood’s cookie
“I WANT TO BE UNKNOWN”
notanotherrcxyblog.blogspot.com
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HEAVY HITTER
JIM STURGESS has done sci-fi, political drama, Faustian horror, and fluffy romance while armed with a musical talent that can make both teens and tyrants swoon. This combination of good looks, knife-sharp tacting, and a capable singing voice has always been a valuable commodity in Hollywood. But Jim opts for a different route, taking on roles that mold him as an actor. By Don Jaucian Photographed by Shelby Duncan
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ou wouldn’t figure Jim Sturgess as a bully. It’s hard to think of a young Jim telling off kids at a skate park. “I grew up as a skateboarder and we’d just bully all the rollerbladers. They were standing in the way at the skate park. The skateboarders couldn’t tolerate the rollerbladers. It’s just the way it was,” Jim shares. He then laughs, brushing it off as a slight childhood incident. He has come a long way since, tottering off into Hollywood by a series of, as he would put it, “happy coincidences.” It’s the kind of thing that a lot of celebrities would say, but Jim’s childlike wonder gives him away. To a certain degree, he’s still that restless kid who grew up in Farnham, Surrey, emulating his musical heroes, swaggering with a band of his own. At one time, he moved to Manchester, home to some of his musical influences,
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including Happy Mondays and The Charlatans. Music became the core where his life revolved. It spilled out into his dreams, even in the way that he dressed. He might had to juggle being a dishwasher in a restaurant or selling trainers in Carnaby Street, but there would always be his love affair with music. So it’s only natural that Jim broke into Hollywood, in Julie Taymor’s Across the Universe, with a role that involved a lot of singing. The film itself is a challenge, a musical based on the Beatles’ catalog. It should have been terribly easy for Sturgess: he’s British and totally nuts about music, but the role presented a bit of a difficulty. “The singing in Across the Universe was just a nightmare,” he chuckles. “For me, to sing without a microphone is a real challenge.” Still, the film secured his stature as the next big Hollywood actor. Offers piled up
from different directions, highprofile and small films alike. After Across the Universe, his filmography became an assembly of interesting roles. His looks could consign him to leading man characters, but Jim is smart enough to sink into characters that prove his worth as a serious actor. From the Faustian trade-off in Heartless, a British police informant in Fifty Dead Men Walking to a Polish prisoner who escapes from a Russian Gulag in The Way Back, Jim revels in the challenges that each role brings. It’s his experience in making Fifty Dead Men Walking that has made a significant imprint in him so far. His research for the role found him in pubs around Belfast, drinking in stories concerning a tumultuous period in North Ireland’s history. “The Irish are the greatest storytellers in the world,” he gushes. “For that film, we were connected with
H E A V Y H I T T E R
Stylist Annie Castaldi Asstistant Stylist Lauren Rodriguez
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Makeup Sarai Fiszel Hair Ramsell Martinez Stylist Petecia Le Fawnhawk
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a lot of people from the IRA so it was sort of a fascinating and scary situation. I remember there was a time I was sitting there and was being taught how to make a bomb by an ex-member of the IRA. What job in the world would allow you to be sitting with a pretty dangerous dude teaching you how to build a bomb?” he exclaims. We’ll be seeing him next in Juan Diego Solanas’ Upside Down, a classic romance encased in a Romeo and Juliet scifi shell. Jim plays Adam who falls in love with Eve (Kirsten Dunst); their only problem is that they live in worlds on top of each other, with opposite gravities (think street-folding scene in Inception) that have been wrapped in closely guarded tension. Upside Down involves a lot of stunts, wires, and acting upside down. “The director built two sets that were mixed with each other side by side. One was the ceiling and one was the floor. I would be on the ceiling set and right next to me was Kirsten on the floor set. We would have these sensors attached to our bodies so that when we move around, I could see where Kirsten was moving and I would be able to look at her and
she would have the same for me. We wouldn’t be able to see each other. We would see a red dot where the other person would be moving around. That was pretty crazy.” With all these heavyhanded filmmaking duties wrapped up, he also recently finished shooting an Andy Wachowski (The Matrix) sci-fi epic, Cloud Atlas, starring Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon, and Halle Berry. He also just rented an apartment in Los Angeles where he’s happily hanging around with his friends while working on Tragic Toys, a band he shares with his girlfriend Mickey O’Brien (a keyboardist for La Roux). Jim describes their music as an eclectic mix of rock & roll, psychedelic, electronic, and gypsy. Although they are already working with producers, Jim says they’re not rushing to put out their music. “It’s really difficult because we’re both doing other things as well, so we really try and maintain the idea that it’s really something that we just like to do when we’re together. We want to make sure that it’s always got a good energy around.” Unlike actors who aim for blockbuster fame, Jim’s clear sense of direction will put him
in the ranks of the great actors he’s worked with, including Ed Harris (in The Way Back), Ben Kingsley (in Fifty Dead Men Walking), and Kevin Spacey (in 21). If there’s one thing that he has taken away from this experience, it’s the fulfillment that these heavyweight actors still get from doing films year after year. “None of those great actors are tired by the process of acting. Making each film was a challenge with a new character, and they seem to be as excited doing it as I was. So I guess that’s something to really admire. I hope I’ll still have the same amount of enthusiasm for acting as I do now,” he says.
myspace.com/officialjimsturgess
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Some couples may have a youand-me-against-the-world drama. VERBAL and YOON, however, thrive in having a you-and-meshall-AMBUSH the world karma. By Sarge O'Shea Photographed by Dan Bailey
has the world’s second biggest economy and artists like Swizz Beatz call Verbal these days to talk about their businesses in Korea. It may seem like the world is onto another Asian-boom-Western-gloom situation, but Yoon says, “It’s never just one country that will change things. It must co-exist as a continent, then it will become a movement.” When it comes to movements, Verbal and Yoon are victorious in establishing their turf beyond and within tropical and transatlantic seas, chasing the rhythm of tectonic plates while shuffling to their beats. Think about the couple’s empire. With AMBUSH and Antonio Murphy & Astro accessories donned by rappers like Pharrell Williams and Kanye West, it’s easy to associate the flag of Japan with POW! bling and Eye Am Not Alone cuff links. Yoon and Verbal’s ventures are rising from cult to viral. Verbal’s hip-hop group m-flo is back after five years and his voice is louder than ever. He ain’t just an emcee or a Teriyaki Boy, he’s the voice of Japan’s youth culture together with Yoon. Once again, STATUS gets to know today’s Bonnie and Clyde. THE ASIAN BOOM Do you think financial and cultural dominance is really shifting to the East? Verbal: Definitely! I can tell from the way foreign artists have been coming to Asia more frequently for live shows, promo,
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or even just to hang out. For example, the pace of technological advancement and industrialization in Korea allows for all types of business to prosper, and it has definitely been beneficial to those in the creative field. Yoon: With cultural dominance, it might take a longer time. Japan copied a lot of Western things after the war, and they turned it around to create their own unique language with fashion, music, electronics, among many others. I now see China and Korea catching up to this but they are still finding their own unique voice. Many things are still in blatant copy stage… Also, unless many more Asian countries boom, it would be hard to have the cultural dominance shift this way.
ON EACH OTHER I heard Yoon can look at a piece and see a whole outfit. How did you guys develop your trust for each other’s judgment? V: I met Yoon way before my music career started, and she was always the first one to give me constructive criticism whether I liked it or not. She’s still the same today, and her influence on my fashion has garnered me much attention in the media. I always knew Yoon was talented, but my expectations were confirmed when Nigo asked her to design the BAPE girls line. Ultimately, I hate having yes-men around, so her honesty is what I value. Y: Like any other team, we give each other
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room, are honest with what we’re good at and not, and we draw the line where work and private things begin and end. OBSESSIONS & CULT FOLLOWINGS Public Enemy said “Don’t believe the hype.” What’s your take on hype in this social media-obsessed world? V: I say, “Gain wisdom to get the best out of the hype.” Sometimes, the hype can be a valuable hint for future business. Y: Social media is a wonderful way of connecting with people and letting people know more of you and what you do. However, hype can only last so long, so you have to be a person who has the content as well. Aren’t so many people like that these days on social media? Once you open their lid, nothing’s inside. In the end, hard work and tangible results speak louder than countless tweets. Do you consider yourselves more as cult or mainstream icons? V: We aim to be “mainstream cult icons!” [Laughs] Y: Hopefully both. Just because it’s underground doesn’t mean it’s good and just because it’s pop doesn’t mean it’s corny. There’s this quote saying “You got to be obsessed and stay obsessed.” Any mantras? V: We’re inspired by Andy Warhol’s quote: “Making money is art and working is art and
good business is the best art.” If you’re an artist and want a longstanding career, you have to be businesssavvy. If you’re a businessman working in the creative field, you need to think like an artist to thrive and stay exciting. Rei Kawakubo also mentioned something similar, and this mentality drives me. Y: Absolutely! I agree with Verbal. We need a healthy amount of obsession, curiosity, and dogged endurance combined with selfcriticism. CRED, COOL, CELEB, & CREWS How fulfilling is it to be back to Square One? V: It’s a great feeling to come back after all these years and be in the top 10 on national charts, and number one on iTunes. For the last five years, Taku and I have been focusing on personal projects and have been noticing the exponential decline in CD sales all over the world. But at the end of the day, we knew that we would keep making music for the love of it, thus the title Square One. Verbal said he gets excited seeing the evolution of a new scene. Any scenes on the rise? V: I sense the convergence of the otaku scene and the club scene. For example, girl idols who used to only sing and dance what was given to them by a producer, would DJ at clubs in Akihabara, and gain popularity on a deeper level-beyond their looks. What’s your definition of cool? Y: Someone who knows what they like and want. I like people like that. Only the real cool ones are like that. Tell us about your collaborations with Pharrell, Nigo, and Kanye. Y: Nigo has been a mentor-like figure, and he has been a great influence on me. With Pharrell, I recently showed him around Tokyo for the documentary Tokyo Rising, and we are currently working on a project I cannot disclose at this moment. Kanye has been supportive on the fashion side of things, by frequently rocking AMBUSH and ordering custom jewelry from Antonio Murphy & Astro. What can you say about the rise of fashion editors/stylists as celebrities themselves? V: I think it’s great, because they are the actual ones who have knowledge of the industry. Now that people idolize the “mack in the back,” it creates a new power balance that can change the scene for the better. Y: It’s great! That means fashion has been infiltrating our daily lives more than ever!
ambushdesign.com
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Halfway between pathogenic and photogenic, GRIMES synthesizes psychobabble and fantasy with loops, lisps, synths, and cries to life and destruction. Her third album, Visions, seeds the germ of her music. Weed no filler. Need no filter. This is the kind of overgrowth to snort. By Kristine Dabbay Photographed by Raphael Oullet and Tommy Chase Lucas
T
he way to her world begins with the way out of it. So prods the escapist 24year old Grimes aka Claire Boucher. She has already run past the stalks of the wild where her sound sprung from silence to singles. For one, she’s influenced by Frank Herbert’s Dune alongside Lord of the Rings and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. But other times, she’s giddy with reality. “I get pretty high on life… But I like ketamine,” she says. Ketamine causes hallucinations and numbness, much like Visions that starts with a bass-heavy affirmation to desire in “Infinite ♥ without Fulfillment” and ends with minimalist track “Know the Way” that glimmers like Satie’s “Gymnopedie” mashed with billowing alien vocals. If these trappings impress the public, her recent trip to a music festival in Mexico didn’t fare well with the police. They strip-searched Grimes, accusing her of drug smuggling. She reveals, “Well I don’t want to say too much because I’m afraid of that happening again. [Laughs] Mexico was really beautiful, though.” Not always pharmacologically correct, she mixes business, travel, and pleasure to induce sensual, mystical, and cathartic purging. While tripping on acid and the
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chant-like music of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, Grimes climbed Montreal’s Mount Royal—each of her steps weighing above four feet of snow. Her cuts didn’t sting because of the cold. People gawked when she returned. Blood trickled all over her body. Still, Grimes counts this as one of the most intense experiences in her life. Another involves Grimes and her friends traveling in a houseboat (rumored to be filled with chickens, potatoes, a typewriter, and a copy of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) that rafted down Mississippi. If Noah’s ark weathered a great storm, Grimes’ journey was beset by engine glitches and police chases. She shares, “My reality is a dream world right
now. My literal dreams are extremely violent.” Call it halo effect. It’s easy to be snared by Grimes’ shroud of thought coloring violence with ultraviolets. In “Oblivion,” she sings, “See you in the dark night” with half-nude men in a locker room, her pink bangs and soft waves sticking out at tangents. “I don’t really see my music and fashion as translating to each other. I think because they come from the same person, there’s a strong sense of continuity, weirdly enough. But I don’t want to draw metaphors out. I love working with visuals in any way possible, so working with my image is something I care about
HEAVY HITTER a lot, but it’s not super linked to my music per se,” says Grimes. Visions’ cover art is made by hers truly. Like an etching, it’s mostly composed of defined black lines portraying images of a crying alien, a spiked skull, the Eye of Horus, and foreign letters. Creating also led her to curate her exhibit last March with fellow Canadian artists Dan Rocca and Alex Mackenzie at New York City’s Audio Visual Arts Gallery. Her rebel-may-scare stance caught the eye of Dazed. Instead of being behind the cover, she transformed into a tribal 21st century cover muse clad in Givenchy, McQueen, and pounds of jewelry—all shot by YSL’s Hedi Slimane. She says, “Yes, I love the idea of building something that is distinctly Grimes and I love changing things, and changing the way I look is something I can do that doesn’t necessarily have permanent consequences. I mean, tattoos have permanent consequences, but I think I kind of get off on the adrenaline.” When it comes to styling one’s bangs, she advises, “Hack at them until you realize you have made a huge mistake, and then try to justify it to people by saying it’s art.” Others declare her as another freak off her leash—a one album wonder of 2012—most likely to be remembered as this GarageBandeducated musician whose strange aesthetics magnetized the anti-pop cult. Grimes, however, ignores critics. She says, “I make my music for specific people in my life and for myself too. I don’t read reviews because I don’t want to know what the critical opinion is. My validation comes from the people who are close to me—those who I trust.” That’s why her lyrics are ciphers. It may look like she’s baring everything but there are parts of herself that she’d rather hide. Grimes says, “I think it’s probably just called a speech impediment, I have a lisp. But I also just try to obscure a bit because while meaning is important, it’s more about performance for me, vocally. The lyrics are really personal, so it’s good when people can’t hear them.” Yes, performance entails an
audience but Grimes believes “everyone has a feeling of intense isolation.” She adds, “It’s impossible to ever really know anybody as deeply as you know yourself.” A good way to know Grimes, of course, is through listening to her previous records Geidi Primes and Halfaxa. She wrote Geidi right after breaking up with her boyfriend so she considers it juvenile. Halfaxa, on the other hand, tackles a more ambitious ambience by sculpting surreal landscapes to her sound influenced by Burial, Blawan, Cut Hands, and choral music. Despite her attraction to the underground, she admits, “I don’t feel guilty about liking Mariah Carey. I don’t think anyone should ever let other people’s opinions of a piece of art dictate their
opinion of it. ‘We Belong Together’ is legitimately super beautiful and emotional.” While Grimes’ music seems to lack the immediate emotional impact pop ditties offer, a second listen reveals her as a budding songstress whose manic longings and knack for partying result to ethereal sounds. She’s presently doing a “live improv drone techno act” with Tim Lafontaine called Membrain. In the same vein, Grimes injects us with her Visions potent enough to stir psychedelia . Don’t worry, it’s not poisonous. Consider it DJ Feelgoodprescribed.
grimes-claireboucher.tumblr.com
“I get pretty high on life… But I like ketamine.”
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Like getting a warm embrace from Care-A-Lot’s ring leader Tenderheart—that’s how it feels to wear one of WALTER VAN BEIRENDONCK’s fuzzy, friendly fashions. But beneath the ruched fabric lies a less than innocent instinct of voodoo rituals, bezoomy devotchkas, and sex club fetishes. It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. Let our safe word be “Technicolor.” By Giano D. Dionisio IMAGES COURTESY OF MoMu FASHION MUSEUM ANTWERP
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“Fashion is a kind of fetishism” Before
you end this session prematurely, it should be said that Belgian designer Walter Van Beirendonck is a barrelling hunk of affection; his voice inflected with introversion and his confidence (especially on the runway) tinged with joie de vivre. Coming to prominence as part of the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts’ famous sextet (see Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs, and Marina Yee. The unofficial seventh member being Martin Margiela), Walter attained notoriety early on with his lavish creations, political statements, and sexual innuendo. Relating the story of SADO, his first ever collection—even before Bad Baby Boys in ‘86 as well as “The name of my white Bull Terrier I adored!”—Walter clarifies the nod to Mapplethorpe’s erotica, S&M, horses, and Allen Jones, saying, “It didn’t mean I was active in S&M. But I did love the rules and rituals: the Master and Slave attitude and the submission.” It has since become a continuous thread through his collections. “Sex is an important part of what I’m doing!” Walter exclaims. What else is important? “Fantasy and mysterious worlds. Every collection tells a story and has a clear name. The worlds I create have a clear reason and logic and are the results of a spontaneous process that comes straight from my guts and heart. That’s why I would love to work on costumes for fantasy movies.” Guillermo del Toro, please take note. Though Hollywood hasn’t come a-knocking, Walter did design U2’s stage costumes for their ‘97 tour, culminating in the band’s special Simpsons
guest appearance, in full Groening-ized Van Beirendonck regalia. For someone whose mascot is an animated self-portrait complete with hanging schlong, it’s a surprise Walter is “not so crazy about cartoons,” and that he’d rather explore videos and imagery of the tribes in Papua New Guinea or Tahitian totems and shrunken heads. The website for Walter’s previous label W.&L.T. includes radio-dial navigation and a made-up cartoon character—Puk Puk from the planet Dork—who urges us to “Kiss the future.” Then again, even Puk Puk is Walter’s adaptation of a Papua New Guinean myth. He admits his predilection for “The amazing storytelling of David Lynch. His weirdness, his characters, and strange plots. Blue Velvet, I found fabulous. And looking forward to Twin Peaks every week was a treat.” As soon as admitting his dark Lynchian fondness, he chuckles “I also love stories with a happy ending. Probably sounds surprising, but I do love feel-good movies like Pretty Woman. Julia Roberts is my favorite actress.” This teetering between terrific and terrible keeps us on tip-toes. Just like a sub with his dom. Besides Lynch, Walter attributes another David as prime inspiration: Bowie.
I mention the full moon at one point, and Walter winks, “Wild is the wind.” At the ripe age of 12, Walter knew—thanks to the “Starman”—that he wanted to be different from his classmates. Forty-three years later, and Walter is still distinct from his peers; thanks, Mr. Bowie. “I’m probably an outsider in fashion,” reflects Walter. “But I do like that position. And I do hate fashion as much as I like it,” but we’ll get to that later. Unlike the distinguished houses of Chanel, Gucci, Versace, and even Balmain— all catering to a slightly more mature customer—Walter is proud that his “audience is not growing grey” with him. “I’m also proud that my creative approach to my collections is still relevant after 30 years of creating,” he adds. “I love the energy of youth… Over the years, I built up an extremely recognizable signature that attracts different generations and ages. I think, due to my honest way of working, clear vision, ethics, and respect for different types of humans, my fans see and understand that I’m real, not a maison mainly concerned with marketing and money.” Extremely hands-on, the man has amassed volumes of scrapbooks through the years, each with collated magazine clippings,
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Photo by Ronald Stoops
Photos by Scott Trindle
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photos, swatches, articles, designs, and head-to-toe sketches of every look in every collection. With everything done personally (and emotionally, he smiles), the Walter Van Beirendonck magic becomes integral, tickling one’s whimsy through fangbearing tribal sweaters, hologram hoodies, caricatured coats, felt penis appliqué, and ruffled condom-like silhouettes. “I’m extremely perfectionist,” he begins. “I want to have everything under control, but in a good way—not obsessive.” Working with a small, very involved team (famously including Raf Simons at one point), the designer intimately interacts with those around him, from stockists to anyone at all who visits his stores and studios. This bear is more teddy than grizzly: an approchable—never abominable— showman. This microscopic approach to details, hems, and finishes is something he has consequently instilled in his Antwerp Royal Academy alma mater, where he has been teaching since the 80s and was recently appointed director of the fashion department. Living in future tense, Walter was one of the few creatives quick to embrace the internet, digital innovation, and cyberphilia, often programming technologic elements into his clothes. Of the information inundation of our current age, the bearded prophet offers, “The world is totally reachable and it opens up the vision and way of thinking of the young generations. Sometimes, I miss discovering new things I hadn’t seen before. That’s why I’m hoping that we discover new alien worlds soon, with new species, races, tribes, and amazing nature. Traveling to these new worlds is my ultimate dream.” We can only wish it exists: Planet Beirendonck, where everyone wears organic quirk and likes to cuddle. Except, we hope we don’t have to make love via tentacly hair-braids. But for now, he’s stuck with the rest of us in this wonderful, glamorous, despicable industry. When I liken fashion to fetish, Walter declares his ultimatum, “Fashion is a kind of fetishism and also communication. Fetishism and the urge to beautify a body is a constant thing, but also changes through the years, although the core and reason stay the same: buying and wearing nice clothes feels good and it lets us feel better and self-secure, which is good and important.”
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“I’M PROBABLY AN OUTSIDER IN FASHION… BUT I DO LIKE THAT POSITION.” Photos by Ronald Stoops
Self-image is yet another powerful noun (sometimes adjective) in the Van Beirendonck verbiage. His affinity for a bodily variety ranging from beefy, hairy, and bulky to twinky, tweeny, and lanky comes to mind. Remember, too, that show where models walked blindly off the edge of the runway onto a plump mattress. Black models in eerie pale pink rubbery skin, masked and gloved. Bondage-donning characters, some lean, but most large. There’s room for everyone in this orgy of creativity. “What did change a lot over these past 30 years is communication. Consumers are much more informed than ever before, which is creating a totally different dynamic and energy. We are at a turning point. I do believe in the power of creativity because it is the only thing, in the end, that will push fashion forward. Fashion is selling a dream. But consumers are—more and more—searching for their own personal, made-to-measure, customized dream. That’s why a creative approach in fashion is so important.” He hints that we might unlock
the secret to this new fashion dream in one of his latest fascinations: “The cosplay movement, a new kind of fetishism, could be a fashion approach for the future!” Walter beams. Back to his love-hate relationship with this industry, Walter concludes, “What I don’t like is that a big part of this fashion world is money-driven, without respect or concern for ethics. That’s exactly the contact I avoid, which makes me a happy and honest outsider,” and we’d gladly stay there with him, wrapped in his big snuggly arms—uh, the arms of his cardigans, that is. More subtle than McQueen’s hells angels and prolific demons or Riccardo Tisci’s gothic Givenchy vision, Walter Van Beirendonck hides just enough diabolism under the day-glo of latex opera sleeves. No glove, no love. Remember kids, technicolor first!
waltervanbeirendonck.com
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B L O C K
the
Collective
P A R T Y
When it comes to the cult of picking the right stuff, you can’t beat the finesse of the art world. Learn to collect and select without the regret. Just take cues from these art organizations, curators, and gallerists.
AMANI OLU
Curator
Besides art, do you have any other collections/obsessions? I wouldn’t say I’m obsessed with my profession… I’m having the time of my life and I work hard, but I try to keep a balanced perspective and never get high on my own supply… When I’m not working, I love to laugh, take long walks in the park, shop for shoes, and have brunch with my friends. How do you bridge gaps between different people and their tastes? A good dealer is a curator who sells art. There are too many artists engaged in different practices to think about it in terms of bridging different tastes to artworks. I try to show work that is important and salable. It’s a gamble; you never really know how people will respond. An exhibition may garner great reviews, but doesn’t sell—and vice versa. It’s a business that keeps you on your feet. Getting comfortable with past success is not an option. What is it about art that brings people together? I’m going to take a cynic’s view here and go with money, power, and girls in high heels.
mrandmrsolu.com Installation views photographed by Nathaniel Ward
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Words by Giano D. Dionisio
Portrait photo by Frank Tribble & Tracey Mancenido
BLOCK PARTY
Photos courtesy of Billy Farrell Agency
VLADIMIR RESTOIN ROITFELD Curator
How did growing up around both fashion and film affect your understanding of art and its different mediums? I grew up in a very creative environment. My mom was working in fashion and so was my father. I don’t know if art should be dictated by its medium as much as by its environment, where you are surrounded by creative people no matter what field they work. Growing up in this environment made me comfortable working with artists surrounding me. How did you develop your taste in art? I think taste is part of your own nature. Who you are, what you like, what you see when you’re a child, what you get attracted
to. It’s a very personal and emotional reaction to things in general… I don’t think anyone can copy taste or teach it, but the environment can definitely put you in the direction of what’s hot and what’s not. How do you pick out what you like? I had the chance to be exposed to many creative people working in many industries and I’m extremely open-minded… I go with my emotion and my gut. When I see something, it must come from my personal nature… a personal reaction when looking at something.
vladimirrestoinroitfeld.com
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BLOCK PARTY
PARASOL UNIT
Non Profit Foundation
Briefly describe what you do. Parasol Unit Foundation for Contemporary Art is a registered educational charity and not-for-profit institution. Every year, the foundation organizes four thoughtprovoking exhibitions in various media by contemporary artists, and also sets up a variety of other artistic projects. Why is art so significant nowadays, especially to newer generations? Art and culture have always been vital in young people’s lives. Art reflects contemporary lifestyle in a way that everybody can understand.
How can the art world become more accessible? All the major national collections in the UK (Tate, National Gallery, British Museum, etc.) grant free public access, as does Parasol unit. That way, an immense cultural heritage is made available for everybody to enjoy… Artists need to rely on a public and private structure of support. Universities, project spaces, galleries, foundations, and museums need to create an environment which permits artists to thrive. Adel Abdessemed, Habibi 2003. Collection of Mamco, acquired thanks to BFAS, Blondeau Fine Art. Installation image, Parasol unit 2010; photography: Stephen White.
parasol-unit.org
LA><ART
Gallery
What’s the worst misonception about the art world? That art is this impenetrable thing. People tend to be very intimidated by art, and I try to make it a little bit less intimidating for those who feel that way. What’s at the heart of what you do? I think it’s all about conversation. Simply communicating with others about what you’ve recently experienced, what you’re seeing, or what you’re excited about—the potential for discovery in a spoken exchange is really wonderful. It might open you up to something you had never thought about before. It might shift your perspective a little bit or at least challenge it.
Walead Beshty, Passages, 2009 installation, image courtesy of the artist and LA><ART, Los Angeles
What is it about art that brings people together? It’s about expression and processing what we experience as humans on an emotional or perceptual level. It connects us to parts of ourselves and/or to others.
laxart.org
Amanda Hunt photo by David Gilbert, artwork by Samantha Roth John Outterbridge, The Rag Factory, 2011
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BLOCK PARTY
Lines of Thought installation view, Parasol unit, 2012
Rebecca Turner Dumbstruck, 2011 Parasol unit installation view 2011 Photo Hugo Glendinning
SUSI KENNA
Gallerist/ Collector
Which part of your job do you look forward to the most? And the least? Working with artists. Working with artists. As an advocate for the integration of art and the internet, describe the two worlds. The internet changes so rapidly that by the time you are reading this, what I could say will probably be out of date. So, let me leave you with this thought. There is no way that art and the internet will ever be separate again; either embrace it and be on board, or refuse it and get left behind. What is it about art that brings people together? Art has the power to make people think, feel, laugh, question, love, escape, discuss, desire, revolt, rememberâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;you name it. Whether or not people or cultures agree, everyone can relate to making an emotional connection.
susikenna.com
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NIGHTVISION Takesh & Juliet by The Cobrasnake
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NIGHTVISION
smoke Signals
24hpp.com
by The Cobrasnake
Status x Ultra x WMC @ The Dream Hotel Miami by Shinnosuke Katsube
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NIGHTVISION
PANTY MONSTERS QUERIDA PARTY by Paul Jatayna
UP JMA TGIF: DO IT ALL AGAIN by AV Gawtee and Fergus De la Cruz
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NIGHTVISION
bigfish manila big love hed kandi 2012
DJ REHAB @ Republiq
by Daniel Tan and Ike Gube
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NIGHTVISION
RAZMATAZZ RAZMATAZZ by The Cobrasnake
the zombie kids madrid by The Cobrasnake
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DIRECTORY BRANDS 21 MEN Forever 21, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City AC+632 Greenbelt 5, Makati City ACNE acnestudios.com ADIDAS adidas.com ALDO Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive, Makati City ALICE FERN alicefern.co.uk THE BALM thebalm.com BENEFIT Greenbelt 5, Makati City BEVERLY GAN beverlygan.com BILLABONG Aloha Board Sports, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City BJØRG JEWELLEREY bjorgjewellery.com BOSS hugoboss.com BOXFRESH Urban Athletics, Greenbelt 3, Makati City BURT’S BEES burtsbees.com BUTTER LONDON butterlondon.com CALIDA calida.com CALL IT SPRING Greenbelt 3, Makati City CARGO cargocosmetics.com CAROL’S DAUGHTER carolsdaughter.com CELIO Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive, Makati City CHANEL chanel.com CHARLES DAVID Greenbelt 5, Makati City CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN christianlouboutin.com CLINIQUE clinique.com COOEE DESIGN cooee.se CORNELIA JEWELLERY corneliawebb.com COVERGIRL covergirl.com DC SHOES Urban Athletics, Greenbelt 3, Makati City
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DOROTHY PERKINS SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City; Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive, Makati City DR. HAUSCHKA drhauschka.com FIRMA Greenbelt 5, Makati City FILIPPA K filippa-k.com FOLDED & HUNG SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City FOREVER 21 SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City FRIIS & COMPANY friis-co.dk HOPE hope-sthlm.com KEDS keds.com KOI SWIMWEAR koiswimwear.com LACOSTE Greenbelt 3, Makati City THE LOCAL FILM thelocalfirm.com NIKE Urban Athletics, Greenbelt 3, Makati City NUDO nudoswimwear.multiply.com ORIGINS origins.com OXYGEN SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City PENSHOPPE SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City PONY pony.com PUMA puma.com QUIKSILVER Urban Athletics, Greenbelt 3, Makati City RABENS SALONER rabenssaloner.com SKECHERS skechers.com SMASHBOX smashbox.com SOAP AND GLORY soapandglory.com STILA stilacosmetics.com SUPERGA Greenbelt 5, Makati City TIGER OF SWEDEN tigerofsweden.com TOO FACED toofaced.com
TOPMAN Greenbelt 3, Makati City; Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive, Makati City TOPSHOP Greenbelt 3, Makati City; Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive, Makati City TRETORN Urban Athletics, Greenbelt 3, Makati City UBI SUNT ubisunt.se URBAN ATHLETICS Greenbelt 3, Makati City URBAN DECAY urbandecay.com VANS Vans Concept Stores, SM Department Stores, Robinsons Department Stores, Landmark Department Stores, Urban Athletics, Toby’s Sports, Olympic Village, Shoe Salon, American Rag, Sole Academy, Greyone Social VELVET JOHNSTONE velvetjohnstone.com VILEBREQUIN Greenbelt 5, Makati City VOLCOM Urban Athletics, Greenbelt 3, Makati City WHYRED whyred.se WAREHOUSE Greenbelt 5, Makati City ZARA Greenbelt 5, Makati City ARTISTS JP Agustin (Photographer) jpagustin.com Leo Ahlgren (Photographer) leoahlgren.com Coy Aune (Photographer) coyaune.com Dan Bailey (Photographer) danbaileyphoto.com Toch Barreiro tochbarreiro.blogspot.com Courtney Beckett (Photographer) cbeckettphoto.com Jörgen Brennicke (Photographer) jorgenbrennicke.com Lindsey Cash (Stylist) lindseycash.co.uk Mike Carano (Photographer) mikecarano.com Karen Catalan (Makeup) kccatalan.com The Cobrasnake (Photographer) thecobrasnake.com
Fernando Colon (Photographer) fernandocolon.com Stephan Crasneanscki stephancrasneanscki.com Cholo Dela Vega (Photographer) adifferentcut.com Shelby Duncan (Photographer) shelbyduncan.net David Gilbert (Photographer) saycheeseclick.com Laura Gingell (Makeup and Hair) laura-gingell.blogspot.com Hugo Glendinning (Photographer) hugoglendinning.com Cecilie Harris (Photographer) cecilieharris.co.uk Tinette Herrera (Makeup and Hair) tinetteherrera@ymail.com Aisa Ipac (Stylist) aisaipac.com Paul Jatayna (Photographer) paulhighness.tumblr.com Gorjan Lauseger (Stylist) lauseger.com Tommy Chase Lucas (Photographer) tommychaselucas.com Ramsell Martinez (Hair) Jing Monis Salon, +63 9178306515 Nina Mouritzen ninamouritzen.com therexagency.com Miguel Miranda (Photographer) miguelmiranda420@yahoo.com Raphael Ouellet (Photographer) raphaelouellet.ca Lauren Rodriguez (Stylist) lauren-rodriguez.com Samantha Roth samantharoth.com Mandy Sierra (Hair) Jing Monis Salon, +63 9178306515 JP Singson (Photographer) jponfashionspeed.blogspot.com Ronald Stoops ronaldstoops.com Frank Tribble & Tracey Mancenido (Photographers) tribblemancenido.com Scott Trindle scotttrindle.com Nathaniel Ward (Photographer) natwardphoto.com Steven White (Photographer) stevenwhitephotography.com Nathaniel Wood (Photographer) nathanielwood.com The XOXO Kids (Photographer) thexoxokids.com
S TAT U S IN VA D E S BROADWAY VOCAL BOOKS AND BROADWAY PLAYBILLS
KID ROBOT COLLECTIBLES
These rest comfortably on the accent wall above my bed.
My heart will always be in theater and Broadway.
TOFF DE VENECIA
A lot of you know TOFF DE VENECIA as a STATUS writer, but get to know the man behind cover stories and Elvis Costello glasses. You’ll see that he’s a theater buff and a comic book geek with hipper than hipster possessions.
theaterati.tumblr.com
BLUE KARTELL LAMP
BROWN LEATHER BAG
On a recent excursion to Laneway, Singapore, I realized I should’ve used this instead of my American Apparel knapsack. So much more hipster. Le sigh.
It makes for great and trippy mood lighting when you’re listening to Architecture in Helsinki and umm… Architecture in Helsinki.
BLUE TRIBAL PRINT SHOES
I flew to Korea with my family once. Back then, I was extremely fat and couldn’t fit into any of the Asian sizes so I invested in nice footwear instead.
ZODIAC 2.0 AKA THE GREEN DOG
COMIC BOOKS
I got myself a Shar Pei and called him Zodiac. I realized weeks later that dogs aren’t for me; ergo, Zodiac 2.0.
TRIBAL PRINT APPAREL ROY LICHTENSTEININSPIRED TOFF PAINTING
I’m actually wearing a black RENT T-shirt inside the plaid. It’s like hipster meets theaterati.
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The tribal print has spoken. Dun dun dun!
Words by Rita Faire; Photos by Patrick Diokno
Proud collector of everything X-Men (and sometimes, Avengers) since 2004.