fashion photography
zenaida kwong nhi le pooya nabei fred fraser david macgillivray profiles
beata kacy nik palmer liz dungate fred fraser music
fall/winter 2012 volume i | issue ii
String
humans watasun smokey robotic boutiques eugene choo the block beauty butter london lit glitter
Vancouver’s Fashion Culture Magazine
the duality issue
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/ i emulov
fall
/ winter 2012
the
duality issue
volume i
/ issue ii
contents shops Eugene Choo + Block, p.10
profiles Beata Kacy + Nic Palmer, p.14 Liz Dungate + Fred Fraser, p.18
music Humans, p.20 watasun, p.24 Smokey Robotic, p.25
beauty “Brand Name” vs. Toxin-Free Cosmetics, p.22 lit glitter + Chau Vo, p.34 Butter London, p.36
guides/diy Men’s Fall/Winter Style Guide, p.38 Women’s Fall/Winter Style Guide , p.42 Do It Yourself Dual Friendship Bracelet, p.46
fashion part
3
‘Open Studio’ photographed by Zenaida Kwong, p.50 ‘Disparate’ photographed by Pooya Nabei, p.58 ‘Amy’ photographed by David MacGillivray, p.66 ‘Double Crossed’ photographed by Fred Fraser, p.74 ‘Evan × Evy’ photographed by Nhi Le, p.82
string volume
1 . issue ii .
fall . winter
. 2012
MARIA JOSE HERNANDEZ COS Editor-in-Chief editor@stringmagazine.ca KATHY NGUYEN Assistant Editor kathy@stringmagazine.ca ALEXIA ANASTASIOU Fashion Editor alexia@stringmagazine.ca SERENA MASON Fashion Editor serena@stringmagazine.ca JOYCE QUACH Music Editor joyce@stringmagazine.ca JEANETTE SCHWARZ Beauty Editor jeanette@stringmagazine.ca
Cover art by Celine Angue, photographed by Nhi Le. All content Š Copyright String Magazine 2012 issn 1918-3291 string magazine is published bi-annually. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written consent of the editor is prohibited. We accept submissions. Send yours in to editor@stringmagazine.ca and kathy@stringmagazine.ca. Photography, fiction, articles, illustrations, visual art, and music are all welcome. www.StringMagazine.ca
srotubirtnoc natalie & cole tusznio wardrobe stylists/models
One is good. Two is better. Especially when it comes to pretty young women determined to carve out a place of their own in the fashion industry. Meet the Tusznio sisters. Whether it’s through modeling, styling, creative directing, or just fashionable being, these two ladies have big dreams. Dreams that are looking a lot less like dreams, and more like reality. Case in point: they both have their own feeds on the famous fashion website, the Fashion Spot. No Big Deal.
pooya nabei
photographer muse
Steven Meisel you in 3 words Eccentric. Curious. Motivated. your work in 3 words Cinematic. Moody. Vibrant. best lesson learned so far
That I’m still learning. best thing about life
Photography. other inspirations
Discussions with friends about art and culture.
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contributors jamie mann
photographer muse
Michella Domo 3 words Spontaneous. Fun. Energetic. you in
your work in 3 words Emotional. Dynamic. Passionate. best lesson learned so far
Love who you are. best thing about life
Crème Brûlée. other inspirations
Fashion, art, and music.
zenaida kwong photographer muse
Beautiful strangers 3 words Mama. Bubble tea. Kittens. you in
3 words Narrative. Nostalgic. Feminine. your work in
best lesson learned so far
Everyone makes a difference, big or small. best thing about life
When baby Xylo smiles. (Pictured, left) other inspirations
Stumbling across new locations, the golden light after a rainy day.
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a letter for you Dear friends and readers, One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do / Two can be as bad as one / It’s the loneliest number since the number one. Huh. Well, that’s one way to look at it. But apart from being dismally better than the number one, we’ve found that there’s much more to love about the number two. So guess why our second issue ever is themed around the idea of the number two—of duality? It takes two to make a duo, and two for there to be a second issue ever, so there you have it. But, really, the more we thought about it, the more we were keen on the idea of duality. We were delighted by how much we could do with a theme like that, not to mention the inspiration— both the anticipation of String’s second issue as well as the many duos, partnerships, and power couples we’d get to feature. Needless to say, the possibilities got us all in a flurry of excitement. And featuring fabulous, creative people from our fair city is always cause for much delight. Finding them in pairs wasn’t exactly difficult, but the challenge came when we kept having to curate and re-curate our list of features, much to our dismay (but also a bit of glee at the sheer amount of prospects, we must admit). We are very happy with the end result, and we have for you many fabulous things in store: beautiful fashion shoots themed around the idea of duality, profiles on local musical duos and power couples, diy instructions on how to make a double friendship bracelet to give to your bestie, a shoot with mirrored looks done with natural and popular brand makeup, a featurette on one person with a very lively dual personality, and much, much more. With all this, we are all but one step away from falling hard for the number two. Let’s take that step, then, by rewriting those lyrics to:
One is the loveliest number that you’ll ever do / Two can be as sweet as one / It’s the loveliest number since the number one.
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Photo above from “Evan × Evy” photographed by Nhi Le, page 82.
Done. In love. Enjoy the mag, munchkins.
Much respect, maria jose hernandez cos editor-in-chief
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shops profile |
the block & eugene choo words by serena mason.
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| shops profile
The Family Business “It’s nice to have somebody on your side.” - Jennifer MacKay The first time I met Jennifer MacKay, owner of the block in Gastown, she was nine months pregnant. Lithely bending over a pair of shoes, taking product shots for her website with a very impressive-looking camera, she hardly seemed ‘in the family way.’ Yet a scant five days later, she gave birth to her son Kasper with husband Kildare Curtis, owner of eugene choo on Main Street. A fashionable family, indeed. The familial connection does not end there. As I sit down with Kildare and Jennifer now, two years later, in the block’s shoe library (as I like to think of it, just see the photo above), Kildare fills me in on the history of his shop. In the beginning, he ran a vintage store next door to a boutique run by his sister, Fiona Curtis. “You know, Fiona and I would be at our shops six, seven days a week and sometimes we’d be on the phone with each other or one would run over to cover for the other when they needed to run out for a coffee or something—after a while it just seemed silly to have separate shops,” Kildare explains. After three years, brother and sister decided to knock down the wall and amalgamate the two. Thus eugene choo as we know it was born. Vintage wares may no longer adorn the shelves and racks at eugene choo, but there is still a vintage sensibility to both shops. With an emphasis on craftsmanship, quality, and excellent materials, it’s easy to see the similarities between the block and eugene choo. They both focus on small and independent international brands like a.p.c., filippa k, and surface to air but find that there is surprisingly little overlap in clientele, largely due to the different neighbourhoods. the block in Gastown is generally host to more professionals and downtown working people, while eugene choo tends to attract those with young families who live in and around Mount Pleasant. “You’re Manhattan and I’m Brooklyn,” Kildare says to Jennifer with a grin. at the block (left) Kildare Curtis and Jennifer MacKay share something very special: business savvy and style.
So the owners of two of the most popular independent boutiques in Vancouver are married to each other… Do they ever get competitive about their businesses? “No!” Jennifer exclaims. On the contrary, they love to support each other. “Sometimes we’ll recommend the other’s shop to our customers and when they find out why we’re doing it… It’s kind of romantic,” Jennifer explains. However, despite the mutual support and family camaraderie, Jennifer is quick to point out that the two shops are not identical stores under the guise of different names—for
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shops profile |
all their similarities, each store very much has its own personality. In fact, many shoppers have been surprised to find that the owners of their two favourite shops are married to each other.
at eugene choo (right & below) Wares line the window displays. Just the right pieces to match the dry, fall day outside.
(opposite page) Accessorizing the walls— smart merchandising. Racks of menswear enjoy some natural light.
When asked if they inspire each other, Jennifer and Kildare look at each other for a second, totally deadpan, and say, “Never!” before breaking into big smiles. “Of course we inspire each other,” Kildare says. For instance, it was Kildare’s idea that Jennifer knock down the back wall of her boutique, take over the space that was formerly a stock room and convert it into the airy, library-like shoe section. In the same vein, the success of that expansion and the beauty of the space has inspired Kildare to open eugene choo annex, a small separate shop beside the original eugene choo that hosts shoes, accessories and jewellery. The space opened in May 2012. Next up, the couple is heading to New York for a buying trip with Kasper and Jennifer’s parents in tow. “We used to take Kasper on buying trips all the time,” Kildare explains, “one time we didn’t bring him and the girls in the showrooms were really disappointed.” While in New York, the duo will view collections and write orders—with occasional cameo appearances by Kasper—and decide the direction of their shops for the season to come. “Sometimes we’re the voice of reason for each other in the showroom,” says Jennifer, “It’s nice to have somebody on your side.” ∆ You can visit eugene choo and eugene choo annex at 3683 and 3697 Main Street and the block at 350 West Cordova Street, Vancouver, bc. photos by evan mason.
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| shops profile
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fashion profile |
nik palmer & beata kacy words by alexia anastasiou.
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| fashion profile
Love is the Glue “Live each day fully. Finish it exhausted and proud." - the Kacy family Love is tough. Being half of one twosome is tougher. And, being a successful, artistic, happy couple who live and work together can seem… Well, downright impossible. Or so I imagined. Until I met Beata Kacy and Nik Palmer. Who are, in fact, just that. As I walked into their studio, I was first greeted by Beata, an exceptionally small, pretty woman who exuded warmth, enthusiasm, and energy. Then Nik, good-looking and oozing competence, quickly gave me the impression he was a no-nonsense kind of guy, perhaps only taking part in this interview just because he felt obliged, or perhaps out of kindness to his wife. Note: as soon as his interview was over, he grabbed the opportunity to leave and get a drink at the Alibi Room while I interviewed Beata.
at octopus studios: (left) Nik Palmer and his work. The two seem to match perfectly. Beata careful and attentive.
(above) Beata's work on display. Her wide range of work can be seen even from this single photo.
With a new baby on board, the two are still moving at their usual pace. Hers: extremely fast-paced and somewhat tireless. His: consistent but a lot less urgent. The pair work together at zeros 2 heroes media, a “technology-based company that makes awesome entertainment properties”, as the organization’s site puts it. After work, they both start in on their passions. Nik runs his own leather goods company under the name palmer & sons, where he designs and creates bags and other leather goods with his son, Jack. Beata makes jewellery along with almost anything else, including bags, scarves, soap, and beautiful photos. In other words, anything. Or everything. And in her studio, she offers classes to the public, teaching others how to do all the things she knows and loves. It is clear that Beata lives by the advice given to her by her parents: “Live each day fully. Finish it exhausted and proud.” Beata’s original interest in jewellery-making was born out of her interest in welding. She settled on jewellery as a type of ‘mini-welding’ project. Most of her creations are made of silver clay and metal clay—her favourite medium—and each year she makes a point of learning and teaching new techniques. She is forever experimenting, most recently delving into photography, taking pictures of pregnant women in the water. Much of her work is inspired by her surroundings. Here in Canada, it is most obviously the nature. However, she cannot escape her past influences. When asked about her aesthetic, she says, “An art director once told me it was polluted, and that I must keep up with the clean living sensibility of North
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fashion profile |
America. In Eastern Europe, everything—the movies, design, fashion—are dark, depressing, or creepy.” And now I know why I feel like I already like her so much. Until six years ago, Nik had been working in a purely digital world, to which he says, “It takes forever to make something”. He wanted to do something where he could use his hands and hold a finished product at the end of a day, week, or even month. So, he started making things out of wood. Which, as my studio visit proved, he was very good at. However, that too proved to be too time-consuming for its reward. Afterwards, he began carving abstract leather pieces and found himself making a small suitcase-type bag. For his leather goods company, Nik explains that the style of each piece is constrained by money. They have no expensive sewing machines, which means they rivet—not sew—each and every individual piece. Which effectively means each piece is an original. Additionally, they source all of their materials locally. In other words, I cannot think of one viable reason not to buy something from palmer & sons. Both Nik and Beata do not originally hail from Canada. She is from Poland, and he comes from Scotland. So, as opposed to many original Vancouverites, who tend to take it for granted and bemoan its weather/fashion/ dating scenes, these two have a strong appreciation for the city. Here are there top five things they love about Vancouver.
beata: 1. Fresh, clean air. 2. Mountains/oceans/rock formations. 3. The people are friendly and interested in other cultures. 4. The weather. 5. Beaches in the city!
nik: 1. Beata’s here. 2. You can sit on the beach while it’s sunny
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| fashion profile
and there is snow on the mountains. 3. It’s safe. 4. It’s easygoing. No one gives a toss about what you do. You don’t have to have a background, and you have the freedom to do what you want when you want. 5. All of the outdoor activities. When I arrived at their studios, I decided to interview them separately. And what I learned from them individually was far more exceptional than any secret key to creative success. Instead, I had the opportunity to see how well they know each other, and how much they admire one another, as both people and artists. Which I have determined to be the key to any successful life, creative or otherwise.
him & her: Asked about how they met, Beata explains that Nik hired her to work for the media company after she had arrived from Poland. Nik, however, says, “It was quite bizarre, I can’t get into that. I’ve known her for a long time.” Their first impressions of one another? beata: “Well, I thought he was really cute. I wanted to talk to him, but I was scared because of my English. He would sit at my desk, though, and talk about climbing.” nik: “She was always talking about the tool album. And she was really cutesy.” (So it is true that some things last forever, because when I asked Beata about her taste in music, she said, “I love tool. But Nik doesn’t think it’s right with the baby.”) What Nik admires most about Beata? “She works really hard and is always super happy, no matter the weather.” What Beata loves about Nik? “I love how creative he is. He has crazy ideas about travel and art. Talking to him, I am never bored. He keeps me stimulated and challenged. And he has many talents, but not the best at any one thing.” What Beata has learned from Nik: at octopus studios: (left) Felting: yet another craft Beata has mastered. Leather pieces from Nik's repertoire.
(above) Nik and Beata at Octopus Studios, where they create together, along with another 20 artists or so they share the Strathcona studio space with.
“I’m a big planner, so he’s taught me to chill, and do nothing. We meet in the middle.” Beata’s best quality, according to Nik: “Diplomacy. And she’s so organized!” By the end of my interview with Beata, I am sure that Nik has had time for more than one or even two beers at the Alibi Room. So, I quickly wrap up what feels more like a good time than a real interview, and hope to see them again soon. After all, they have not just inspired me to keep pursuing my own creative dreams, they’ve also made me believe in real love all over again. ∆ photos by evan mason.
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artist profile |
&
fred fraser liz dungate
Making Stuff
words
& photos by maria jose hernandez cos.
“Liz makes stuff and I shoot it.” - Fred Fraser Fred Fraser and Liz Dungate are quite the artistic duo. But Fred doesn’t think of himself as an artist—he has such a no-nonsense approach about it, boiling down what he does to just “making stuff”. Liz, on the other hand, knew ever since she was a little girl that when she grew up, she wanted to be an artist. An artist. What makes an artist, an artist? Put simply, one could say that artists are people who make artistic things—creative, exciting, and inspiring things. Fred and Liz do just that. By this logic, they are artists. Fred, sorry, but you are an artist. Liz, you have made your childhood dreams come true. Fred and Liz have been producing creative, exciting, and inspiring photo shoots together for the past 14 years. It’s safe to say, then, that they know each other’s work habits very well. And that they make a good team. Watching them on set while shooting, it’s obvious just how well they work together. There’s a good balance between goofing off between shots and getting serious to get the shot. Plus, there are cookies to be had, which Liz makes from scratch every time there’s a shoot, and are “the best in the city,” according to Fred. In the photo above, Fred and Liz are standing in a set they built by hand inside their loft apartment, one that they paint and redecorate every time they do a new shoot. The wall behind it has been painted over countless times, and they joke about the enormous bulge that’s bound to appear from all the layers of paint. The set they stand in is for “Double Crossed”, a shoot that appears in this issue (page 74). Liz came up with the concept for “Double Crossed”, which, in their unwritten rule book, means that Liz is calling the shots. If Fred comes up with the concept, Fred calls the shots.
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| artist profile
Fred is a self-taught photographer who got started after he “gave up playing the drums to do something just as stupid.” He’s not one to overinflate his work, so when asked about what kind of photography he enjoys the most, he says, “my favourite kind of photography is photography.” He sure does seem to like wet plate photography, though, especially since he basically made the camera he uses for this technique himself. Fine, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but really, if the ground glass is broken and some parts don’t fit on the antique 100-year-old camera sourced from a collector, most people would shelve the project or toss it altogether. Instead, he learned how to make the ground glass and made it himself and the other missing parts. By hand. He also cuts the glass plates himself from a large sheet. I’m now surprised that he doesn’t make the glass himself. Still, he wasn’t joking about the “making stuff” business. Liz is also self-taught. She did attend school for graphic design and studied some acting in college, but most of her other skills she learned with experience. She considered makeup school, but it turned out she already knew pretty much everything she needed to know, so there was no need. It was just more practice, practice, practice. She was for some time represented by JudyInc., a local rep agency, but has since had to step down to focus on her job as a senior creative at a branding agency. No matter, she gets plenty of chances to hone her skills with all the many creative shoots she and Fred produce, and not only in makeup, but also hair styling (self-taught, too), set design, propping, and artistic direction. She’s even dipping her toes in photography, and has already co-photographed a shoot with Fred. Fred is her walking and talking photographer’s manual, and he is happy to help. His opinion on Liz’s photography? “Liz takes girly pictures.”
at home/the studio (all photos) Fred and Liz pick their pose, having a bit of fun. Serious, on set, analizing the set of photos from the last look.
The shoots keep coming as long as these two stay inspired. There’s no methodology to it, but once an idea sparks, they work on it together and develop it further. Liz says they “have the luxury of seeing each other all the time,” in the sense that because they live together, they can talk about their ideas and make them grow on a daily basis. I think they inspire each other, but when I ask them what inspires them, Fred mentions musical moods and Liz colour palettes. Very worthy inspirational sources, but seeing these two in action, interacting and playing off each other’s approaches, it’s clear they inspire each other. We’re just lucky we get to admire what becomes of this partnership because, as it turns out, it’s some pretty amazing “stuff”. ∆
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music |
humans humans words by joyce quach. photos by maria jose hernandes cos.
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| music
Human + Human “Movies is all we talk about.” - Robbie Slade Robbie Slade and Peter Ricq are humans. They make awesome music and they say random things when you interview them (see what follows). Their shows are ridiculously entertaining and you will dance, no question. In all seriousness, these guys do make some of the most innovative music the indie electro scene has heard. And it begins with an intimate expertise and the uninhibited use of what they call “the cheapest electronic gear”. To add to the mix is the “shittiest guitar”, some hooky vocals, and a few free organs from Craigslist. Voilà: magic. Already a household name on the local scene, the duo is now extending their reach eastward to other parts of the country, not to mention across the border. Luckily for us, we caught them before their departure to chat about their new album traps, their development as artists, and the rise of sampling. you’ve released a new album this year, traps. for this project, and the whole humans project, was there a theme or overall feeling you tried to evoke?
at an undisclosed location: (left)
robbie: Back when we started doing it—fusing electronic music—instruments and voice was really weird—that’s what we were doing.
Robbie Slade (left) and Peter Ricq (right) weren't joking about their wardrobe choices. (Read on to see what we mean).
peter: When traps came around, we just wanted to write a bunch of new songs. We were more comfortable; we weren’t as excited as the first time, I think, and so we’re just trying to now get a more mature sound. And we wrote a lot of songs. We wrote, like, twenty-one songs and the label chose six. It was originally going to be five, but we added in “Possession” and then we got the remixes, too.
(above) Peter gets some lovin' from Robbie. They're not afraid to show their affection in front of the whole street.
how does the final product of traps compare to the
21 songs you started out with?
robbie: It’s a lot shorter than twenty-one songs [laughs]. Kind of painful cutting songs we thought are really good. Looking forward to writing that many songs again, like, a shitload of songs and cutting them again. It’s funny because our live set is composed of not at all traps
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music |
songs. It’s composed of songs that we like because the label doesn’t control what we play live. how did you guys develop individually as musicians?
robbie: Pete’s better at singing and guitar now, and I’m better at producing. I still do most of the singing and guitar, and he does a lot of the production for the band. We both have gotten better at each other’s craft. how did you guys find yourselves in the electro genre?
peter: That’s the only music I really did my whole life. When I got Robbie [involved], I had another project started as my little solo project. I sampled Robbie and so I was always electronic music. I left my solo thing and started doing humans full-time. Robbie’s band broke up because they all went into firefighting. I tried to convince Robbie not to go firefighting. He was miserable for that whole summer.
are there specific styles and directors that influence and inspire you?
robbie: Movies is all we talk about. peter: Robbie reads a lot. I used to read a lot. I just don’t have time. All I read now are scripts because of my work, so I can’t talk to Robbie about books that much unless it’s about books I read ten years ago, which I hardly remember. So we talk about movies. As for the videos, they all have a different inspiration. I like Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead ii a lot. He has a new movie coming out, Oz. Looks awesome. I like James Franco, too. robbie: Who’s he? peter: He’s the guy in Freaks and Geeks and Spiderman. robbie: I like Wes Anderson, but sometimes I feel like no one gives a shit. I really liked Fantastic Mr. Fox.
what goes into the creation of a humans track?
peter: I hated that movie. For directors, I like old Brian De Palma. I don’t like Scarface, though. I find in that movie, the character is so unlikable, and that’s why gangsters are jerks all the time because they idolize that movie.
ing the beat and adding the vocals?
robbie: I think you’re right. I stand by your comments completely.
robbie: But when I look back, it’s, like, the best summer ever! how are decisions made in setting the pace, pick-
peter: Whatever sounds good. robbie: The person who initiates the song has an unspoken rule about it. what kind of software and equipment do you work with?
peter: We use the cheapest electronic gear as possible. We own expensive stuff, [laughs] but we use the cheapest. which goes to show, you don’t always need the most expensive gear.
peter: It’ll probably sound better. I mean, we got told by a lot of people not to use the gear that we do, but the more we use it, the more we know it and the better it sounds—we get better at it. The main instruments we use are the esx-1 korg, which breaks all the time. We have four of them because there’s always one at the shop and then we have an mc-505. It’s a Groovebox machine that no one uses because it sounds terrible. Roland [the maker] got Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, all these great bands from the 90s, and got them all to do a song for a compilation to showcase the 505 and it’s probably one of the worst CDs I’ve ever heard with some of the best bands in the world. So it just shows how you have to know the machine, and even though it’s a piece of shit, you can make magic. I have the shittiest guitar and I always play with that guitar. [Robbie] gets his organs for free on Craigslist and he writes songs with that. from the credits on your music videos, it shows that you
are very involved in the writing, directing, and producing.
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any time you have an artist on stage, whether it’s a dj with a macbook or a full band, there’s
a focal point for the audience. how do you direct this focal point at a humans show?
peter: Jump around a lot. I don’t know. I never think about it. The thing is, I see bands that I really like, that have no light show, no sparkles, no visuals. And I really enjoy it. I see other bands that have all that and I have just as much fun. So I think the music is better than anything else you have on stage. You have to keep writing good music and that should be the focal point. you’re known for your live shows being actually live and
not completely automated. how much do you put into the preparation—automated side versus the playing live side?
robbie: You have to do it once per song. We’re going to start changing our live songs because right now they’re the same as our album songs. Getting ready for shows is all about preparation—blowing up balloons, fireworks, sparklers. peter: Make sure we don’t wear the same thing. We often wear similar clothes. robbie: We’re really picky. We’re really, really picky and so Peter, for instance, has five really good blue denim shirts. In pictures, it looks like he wears the same thing every time and same as me. I always wear black because at work I have to wear black. for you guys, what defines being an artist in
2012 compared
to what you imagine making music ten, twenty, or thirty
| music
years ago would have been like?
and one part robbie, what does each piece rep-
peter: I don’t think we could have gone this far. You'd need a label. There was no MySpace or Bandcamp.
robbie: Peter is the rock.
robbie: Back then there would have been more motivation to be a technically amazing guitar player—be incredibly good at your craft. There’s more of a focus on songwriting now because you can clean everything up so much later on. Before, you had to nail the performance in the studio and now it seems it’s more about the idea. peter: It’s just easier for anyone, even young, talented musicians and producers… Even Justin Bieber; he’s the result of the new generation of the Internet. Before, with Britney Spears and *nsync and all that, it was all of the “heads” that thought that’s what sells. So they’re pushing all that money and shoving it in your face. Then of course they’re going to tour and sell out because that is all people know. Now with the Internet, indie music is actually what sells out everything. Before indie music couldn’t afford to get fans. We’re in that genre, that indie music stuff. If it was back then I don’t think we could have gone even outside of Vancouver. if humans is a combination of one part peter
resent?
peter: Robbie is the… robbie: I don’t do anything, actually. peter: Robbie is the cologne. robbie: I’m the musk. Peter is the armadillo—that little animal with the shell on it that looks like a hamster. peter: Robbie’s a tree. He even has a tattoo of a tree. robbie: Peter is the tennis racket and I am the ball. peter: A really big ball. robbie: Peter is the hot dog. I am the bun. peter: No, you’re the guy eating the hot dog. robbie: We can probably figure out twenty-five more metaphors. peter: Robbie’s the tree and I’m the leaves on the tree. robbie: That’s deep. ∆
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music |
watasun
who they are: Adam Bailie and Reid Hendry
home base: Vancouver
why we love them: After falling in love with the west coast (who could blame them?), the duo relocated to Vancouver and began making music inspired by the laid back vibe of the city. This same vibe shines through in their sound, which is usually built with a combination of rich acoustic guitar strumming and lots of percussion. watasun makes you feel like you’re at the beach on a warm summer night, sitting around a campfire, surrounded by friends. words by joyce quach. photo by brian daniel hansen (cineskew. com).
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| music
smokeyrobotic
who they are: Father Dude, Seer, and Konrad OldMoney
home base: Vancouver + New York
why we love them: Okay, so they’re not a duo and there might even be 4 of them, but we love ‘em anyway. That’s not the point, though; the point is that they make good music and they look just as good making it. That’s where we find our duo. There, friends, is the partnership: fashion and music. When these boys were reunited in Vancouver (Father Dude and Seer live in NY, Konrad OldMoney in Vancouver), they took the opportunity to partner up with Vancouver fashion brands lords of gastown and welcome to eastvan and not only do a shoot for string mag wearing the stuff, but also rock it on stage at Olio Festival. Fashion + music = magic. words by maria jose hernandez cos. photo by brian daniel hansen
(cineskew.com).
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beauty |
cosmetics "brand-name"
“brand-name� titleholder Harmful chemicals to watch out for, often found in brand-name cosmetics: bha or bht, dea, parabens, siloxanes, ethylacrylate.
26 | string magazine | duality issue | fw12
| beauty
vs. toxin-free
does toxinfree makeup perform just as
“brandname” makeup?
well as
See how 4 pairs of identical looks—one created with brandname makeup and the other with our favorite all-natural makeup—stack up against one another. can you spot the difference?
toxin-free contender: Harmless ingredients to look for, often found in toxin-free cosmetics: titanium dioxide, mica, iron oxide, allatoin.
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beauty |
“brand-name� titleholders Harmful chemicals to watch out for, often found in brand-name cosmetics: formaldehyde, acetone, acetaldehyde, triclosan.
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| beauty
Consider this: Many “brand-name� cosmetics that we know and trust are harboring harmful chemicals. Companies will claim that their ingredients are not toxic to humans in such small amounts, but what if you use 20 products—daily? We at string mag believe in the importance of staying informed, so we have compiled a list of the harmful and harmless ingredients to look for in cosmetics (see captions).
toxin-free contender: Harmless ingredients to look for, often found in toxin-free cosmetics: tocopheryl acetate, cyclomethicone, beeswax, cornstarch.
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beauty |
“brand-name� titleholder: Harmful chemicals to watch out for, often found in brand-name cosmetics: talc, sodium laureth sulfate, siloxanes, methenamine.
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| beauty
Become aware: A woman generally uses 10-20 beauty products every single day. If carcinogenic toxins are present in your products, they will accumulate in your body and disrupt your natural chemistry. Be the change: Support companies that are making safe cosmetics and claim full disclosure on their ingredients.
toxin-free contender: Harmless ingredients to look for, often found in toxin-free cosmetics: vegetable oil, candelilla wax, caprylic-capric triglyceride.
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beauty |
“brand-name� titleholder: Harmful chemicals to watch out for, often found in brand-name cosmetics: p-phenylenediamine, petrolatum, diazolidinyl urea.
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| beauty
Educate yourself: Learn which ingredients are carcinogenic, and read your labels. Also, be aware that companies are not required to list every single ingredient on their labels. Know your stuff, and dig a little deeper.
Toxin-free makeup used in this shoot: youngblood, sante, sappho, benecos, niko, arbonne, naked, smell this, eve pearl, & butter london Models in order of appearance: Ashton (Liz Bell), Alexia (Liz Bell), Nakissa (Lexington), Stephanie (Liz Bell) Photography: Kenneth Kwok Makeup: Jeanette Schwarz Hair: Tanya Tan Special thanks to Eve Pearl Cosmetics and Curlique Beauty Boutique.
For more details on what the ingredients mentioned are, and where exactly they are found, visit http://www.purezing.com/ living/toxins/living_toxins_ dangerousingredients.html.
toxin-free contender: Harmless ingredients to look for, often found in toxin-free cosmetics: retinyl palmitate, helianthus annuus seed oil, castor oil.
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beauty |
GET LIT ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| talking about dynamic duos, chau vo, meet lit glitter cosmetics. Actually, if you talk to Chau (opposite page), he might tell you that glitter’s not his bag. But if you ask Chi Chi (right), his sexy alter ego, she will tell you to go big or go home—and that’s the real truth. Still, both lit and Chau (especially as Chi Chi) have so much in common, that it’s a wonder he’s not the ambassador of the lit brand. We at string have taken the initiative and paired these two firecrackers to make photographic magic. chau + lit: ◊ One lives by the creed “no guts no glory!” the other: “no glitter no glory!” ◊ Both love to have fun, and push creativity to no end. ◊ Both love sexy originality—to be unlike any other. ◊ Both believe in “being who you are”, and encourage people to never be afraid of being different. ◊ Both believe that makeup is good for the soul, and glamour is paramount (bling-bling!). why string loves lit glitter makeup: Unlike similar products, lit glitter makeup is made with all natural ingredients and prides itself in being water based, alcohol, paraben, and propylene glycol-free. That is a bonus in our books, as always, and we’re proud of this line for being as conscientious as it is glamorous.
ALL IN THE DETAILS= 34 | string magazine | duality issue | fw12
| beauty
WITH CHAU VO the glitter comeback: Glitter didn’t disappear with the 90s, but our imagination just might have. Allow us to invite that imagination back: you can use glitter in eye shadows, eyeliners, glosses, lipsticks, lip tints, mascaras, blushes, or bronzers. It can be used on its own, or as an enhancement. It can be used in hair, on nails, and to enhance a tattoo for the night. Places you can show off your new glitter love, but not limited to: pride parades, music festivals, and even sporting events. This year, we encourage you to get creative and play around with glitter. (After all, word is that doomsday is just around the corner, so may as well go out with a bang—pun most certainly intended.) ∆ Chau Vo is a celebrity hair stylist based in Vancouver. He has worked on and guest-starred in the real housewives of vancouver. He currently works out of citrus hair salon in Yaletown, specializing in hair extensions for the fabulous. Pop in and pay him a visit—he’ll be sure to entertain. Photography: Jamie Mann Styling: David Jack Makeup: Faye Smith Hair: Olay Inthavong
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beauty |
RA butter string mag’s
favourite: butter london nail polish
Those who know butter london nail lacquers, know them for their high fashion look, but the best thing about this line is that it is non-toxic, formulated without the use of the harmful ingredients like formaldehyde, toluene, dbp and parabens. Being the first company to sell non-toxic nail lacquer in the United States, and working backstage with the likes of Alexander Wang, Victoria Beckham, Betsey Johnson, Calvin Klein, and Rachel Zoe, transforming catwalk trends to custom nail color palettes, butter london has developed a cult following, to say the least. We love them for their commitment to ingredient safety while staying current with our favorite fashion trends.
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| beauty
WR! london two fun nail looks created by lili huang How good are butter london nail lacquers? See for yourself with the looks created by local nail artist, Lili Huang, above. Two different looks for different occasions. Not bad, huh? Lili chose a palette of pink and white (above, left), perfect for Holiday work parties and family dinners. The subdued tones don't call too much attention, but give the wearer an overall polished look. As a contrasting counterpart, Lili chose two pinks for the look above. Just right for a night out on the town or gift shopping on a dreary day—everyone can use a little brightness to lift the spirits during the winter months! Lili Huang is an esthetician and nail technician at the Holt Renfrew spa and a nail art instructor at John Casablancas Institute. Photographed by Maria Jose Hernandez Cos. Hand model is Alana Taillon.
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men’s style |
men's style guide
| photographed by maria jose hernandez cos | styled by alice chen & eliza nguyen |
38 | string magazine | duality issue | fw12
| men’s style
casual
Muttonhead sweater from Board of Trade Co. $130 | Naked & Famous “Weird Guy Scratch-n-Sniff Raspberry Scented” jeans from Gravity Pope Tailored Goods $150 | T. Leather & Wood bracelet from Nouvelle Nouvelle $10 | Soulland varsity jacket from Board of Trade Co. (contact store for pricing) | FRYE “Arkansas” boots from Gravity Pope Shoes $270 | Herschel “Pinebrook” cord backpack from Two of a Few $120 |
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men’s style |
evening
National Standard trousers from Motherland $95 | Painkiller Archetype“Rover” blazer from Board of Trade Co. $240 | National Standard shirt from Motherland $79 | John Fluevog “Arch Angel Farmer” shoe $279 |
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| men’s style
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women’s style |
women's style guide
| photographed by maria jose hernandez cos | styled by alice chen & eliza nguyen |
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| women’s style
Oak + Fort “Becka” blouse $118 | Paul Smith tapered pants from Gravity Pope Tailored Goods $399 | T. Leather belt from Nouvelle Nouvelle, $50 | Ora “Riley Bag” from Nouvelle Nouvelle $425 | Rachel Comey booties from Two of a Few $440 |
casual
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women’s style |
evening
Obakki dress from Moulé $360 | John Fluevog “Big Presence Desmond” heels $265 | Broken Promises “Queen of Egypt” necklace from Nouvelle Nouvelle $108. Wu + Sen Clutch from Board of Trade Co. $118 | A Kind of Guise gloves from Board of Trade Co. $125 |
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| women’s style
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d.i.y. guide |
do it yourself the siamese twin of friendship bracelets
photos by maria jose hernandez cos | tutorial developed by jade melnychuk of the handmade jade blog
46 | string magazine | duality issue | fw12
| d.i.y. guide
materials: ∙ tape ∙ scissors ∙ beads (optional) ∙ safety pin ∙ embroidery thread (four colours) go on, do it yourself: i. Measure four 32-inch strands of each colour (16 strands total). ii. Take all strands and tie into a knot, leaving a 3-inch tail above. iii. Poke the safety pin through the knot and lay flat on a sturdy surface. Tape down both sides of the safety pin for increased stability.
twin 1
twin 2
a b c d 1 2 34
43 2 1
1 2 34
4 32 1
iv. Arrange two sets of threads (twin 1 & twin 2); each will include two threads of each colour. v. Loosely arrange the threads in the order you want them to appear working from the outside in. Each matching colour pair will create one colour row (chevron shape).
vi. Take the outermost thread of either twin (in this case, c1) and tie a simple forward knot with the next thread in line (c2): take c1, overlap c2, loop around the back, up and through. Repeat for two knots. Continue with c1. Tie the same two knots over the next thread in line (c3), and repeat with the next thread (c4) until c1 has made its way to the middle of twin 2.
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d.i.y. guide |
viii. Repeat steps vi & vii with d threads starting with the matching, outermost colour (d1) until d1 has reached the middle and is next to c1. ix. Take c1 and do two forward knots over d1, in the same manner as the knots done with c2 - c4. Now one chevron colour row is done.
ix. Repeat with the next colour (c2). x. Repeat steps vi to ix with a & b threads on twin 1. Now there are two sets of chevron rows with two colours each.
xi. This is where the twins join forces. Take the next colour in line (b3) on twin 1, side b and do two forward knots on the next colour in line on twin 2, side c (c3). xii. Repeat steps vii to ix on both twins. Now there is a continuous colour row of two chevrons. xiii. Repeat steps with the next colour, always joining twin 1 and 2 in the middle first.
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| d.i.y. guide
xiv. Repeat sequence until there are approximately 12 sets of colour rows. xv. When back at the same colour that first joined the twins (colour 3 in this case), do not join in the middle this time to separate twins again.
xvi. Finish one more set of colours and braid the remaining tail on each twin. xvii. Remove tape and safety pin from top knot and unknot. Braid each tail as shown.
xi. Thread beads to the ends of each braid and knot. ix. Trim off excess thread. Done!
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photographed by zenaida kwong
Coat足[Jean Paul Gaultier @ Holt Renfrew], pants [Joe Fresh], gloves and shoes [H&M], socks [stylist's own].
Pleated skirt [Joe Fresh], lace skirt underneath [H&M], belt [Winners], gloves, top and boots [stylist’s own].
Top and pants [Oak + Fort], purse [Givenchy @ Holt Renfrew], shoes [stylist’s own].
Sweater [Joe Fresh], pants [CĂŠline @ Holt Renfrew], cuffs and shoes [Joe Fresh].
Top [Givenchy @ Holt Renfrew], pants [Oak + Fort], belt [Winners], backpack [Oak + Fort], gloves [H&M], boots [stylist’s own].
Coat [Hermès @ Holt Renfrew], top [Oak + Fort], bag [3.1 Phillip Lim @ Holt Renfrew], shoes [Joe Fresh].
Jacket [Billabong], skirt [Alexander Wang @ Holt Renfrew], gloves [H&M], cuffs [Joe Fresh], boots [stylist’s own].
Styled by Natalie and Cole Tusznio Beauty by Timothy Hung for Judy Inc. using M·A·C Cosmetics and TRESemmé Model is Darian for KEY Model Management Layout by Angela Kwong
fashion |
Dis blouse FRENCH CONNECTION UK | skirt PINK TARTAN from WEAR ELSE | earrings are vintage | hosiery WOLFORD | heels GRAVITY POPE SHOES | 58 | string magazine | duality issue | fw12
| fashion
parate PHOTOGRAPHED BY POOYA NABEI
STYLED BY JOANNA KULPA BEAUTY BY MARLAYNA PINCOTT FOR LIZ BELL AGENCY MODEL IS BRONTE FOR LIZ BELL AGENCY ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHER IS RICHARD AMIES
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fashion |
gown JACQUELINE CONOIR | belt FRENCH CONNECTION UK | earrings are vintage | bracelet DYRBERG/KERN from WEAR ELSE | FORTNIGHT lingerie from GRAVITY POPE TAILORED GOODS |
60 | string magazine | duality issue | fw12
| fashion
blouse ELIE TAHARI from WEAR ELSE | pants JAC | earrings & turban are vintage | bracelet FRENCH CONNECTION UK | POUR LA VICTOIRE shoes from GRAVITY POPE SHOES |
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fashion |
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| fashion
gown JACQUELINE CONOIR | LUISA CERANO stole from WEAR ELSE | necklace FRENCH CONNECTION UK | MICHAEL KORS heels from GRAVITY POPE SHOES |
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fashion |
blazer JAC | bra AGENT PROVOCATEUR | CLU leggings from GRAVITY POPE TAILORED GOODS | necklace FRENCH CONNECTION UK | earrings are vintage | POUR LA VICTOIRE shoes from GRAVITY POPE SHOES |
64 | string magazine | duality issue | fw12
| fashion
MISSONI coat from WEAR ELSE | FORTNIGHT lingerie from GRAVITY POPE TAILORED GOODS |
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fashion |
66 | string | duality issue | fw12 THE ROWmagazine dress from HOLT RENFREW | jacket ZARA | sunglasses ALDO |
ÅÅ
ÅmÝ ÅmÝ | fashion
phographed
phographed by david macgilli vray styled by joanna kulpa beauty by marie pearce model is amy for liz bell agency
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fashion |
dress FRENCH CONNECTION UK | tights DONNA KARAN | heels H&M |
68 | string magazine | duality issue | fw12
shirt STANDING ARMED | A.L.C. sweater & JIL SANDER skirt from HOLT RENFREW |
| fashion
| 69
CATHs BELGIUM necklace from HOLT RENFREW |
fashion |
blouse DACE | shorts FRENCH CONNECTION UK |
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JUNIOR S.R.L. bracelet from HOLT RENFREW | hat is stylist's own | heels ALDO |
| fashion
THEORY sweater, BRUNELLO CUCINELLI pants, TORY BURCH necklace &
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fashion |
GIORGIO ARMANI top, KENZO pants & TORY BURCH bracelet
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| fashion
from HOLT RENFREW | sunglasses LACOSTE | heels H&M |
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fashion |
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| fashion
photographed by
fred fraser
styled by natalie + cole tusznio art direction + beauty by liz dungate using mac cosmetics models are amanda + katharina for jager models | 75
fashion |
chloĂŠ top and balenciaga purse from holt renfrew
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| oak+fort pants | heels from winners |
| fashion
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fashion |
a.p.c. jacket from holt renfrew
| oak+fort pants | skirt & heels from winners | joe fresh purse |
| fashion
pants
oak + fort vest | prada dress & victoria beckham purse from holt renfrew | h&m | heels from winners | leather jacket is stylist's own |
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fashion |
|
giorgio armani top from holt renfrew gucci jacket from holt renfrew
| gloves are stylist's own |
80 | string magazine | duality issue | fw12
| fashion
on katharina: jacket from winners
| oak+fort sweater | zara purse | shorts, gloves, & purse are stylist's own | | joe fresh pants | shoes from winners |
on amanda: cĂŠline dress from holt renfrew
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fashion |
evan le i h yn
b d e aph
r
g o t o ph
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| fashion
siou asta en + n a ia e ch x c i e l l a ya by ed b ted styl assis en nguy arz eliza schw e tan t t nya ane a e t j y by up b ted lon make ason assis il sa a n vy m & e r i d ha an hood evan y s b g n i r s l hai e sib d kid en s ar r ra l o nguy e f d y h mo t evy a ee by k vin l r n a o i g t direc d by tive siste s a e a r c pher ogra t o h p
evy | 83
fashion |
s own | swear
irt is
ksubi jeans | sh
s are stylist' evan's | bracelet
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london shoes |
| fashion
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shi acme rt | fr jean ed s | l per ev ry i's v hoo est die | | h&m
fashion |
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| fashion
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fashion |
on ev y stan : h&m s w ding up ne eater & ckla on ev ce | a jeans | n .. a o rmy swea n: h&m c of ro e heels | ardig r boo k osz r sleep an ts | l ing | ove j & shirt left: | rog ules c o u m leat are s u her t e territo tylis ne shirt ry je ie | | nak t's o ans | e wn | love d & famo us je jules an leat her b s | brace lets oots |
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| fashion
ralp
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h ren b &m dres s race let | | shirt is was ted e evan's | a ffort rm neck y of rok lace osz r | ings | | 89
fashion |
on evy : belle john galt jeggin gs | ar sweater | d my of o on eva rokos lce vita sh n: h&m irt | h z ring are st enry & ylist's shirt and j acket own | | ksubi jeans | brac elets 90 | string magazine | duality issue | fw12
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