4 / mar & apr 15 / second skin
NINTH
note One thing I’ve learned, from issue to issue, is to never conclude the meaning of a theme until the final run. Along the way, we might end up uncovering various learning points that cannot be found prior to execution. Throughout the production of this issue, individualism took the stage. Despite trying to conceive something bizarrely unnatural, everything effortlessly worked - Joe and Sarah were posing just like they did on their Instagram feeds and Chris got to shoot with his favourite colour. To add on, this issue’s lack of a contingency plan (nor time) called for the “do or die” approach, a saying that I personally like to live by. Interestingly, Brandi’s interview also fell into place. While I had originally planned to simply focus on her infamously dark Instagram feed, her “grow with your own passion” beliefs greatly moved me. So of course, the original plan was eventually scraped. While the idea of a “second skin” was initially inspired by the use of glitter on skin, the bigger meaning had evidently come to light. No matter its complexity, nothing feels better than hitting home with something you’re wildly passionate about and can proudly call your own. The most beautiful part about it is that no matter how you change or evolve, that second skin will always be a part of you. So don’t forsake it nor let it go to waste - recognise it, grow into it, protect it, love it like your own skin and watch it thrive along with you. Cheers to another issue down, driven by nothing but our second skins.
Fringe it on Bring fringe back reinvent and start shredding your old pieces.
all that glitters
COVER STORY
First Off Freshen up your out-of-bed look with a choker and slicked back hair - be it gelled or just washed.
First Off Hit it off with denim and flared bottoms. Go even further with your old Chuck Taylors - like wine, they get even better with age.
interview
brandi: Just when you thought that she was just all about black, Brandi comes along with a major plan, a whole lot of designs and a date set with the Full Moon. Read on, for there’s so much more to ThirteenGrimoire.
Back in Year 1 when I first met her, Brandi and "Even my family thinks that I were fresh-faced secondary school graduates custom making all these eager to learn everything fashion school could throw at us. Two years into the present, she’s clothes and starting a label telling me about her career plans. “I really need at this age is a loss, but I think a job at the moment,” she remarks, “and if i go everyone has to start from outside to, say, work for a cafe, it’ll just be a part-time job. So I’d rather start this.” By ‘this’, somewhere." we’re talking about her own label. “[To me,] the easiest way is to treat your work like a part of your life. It isn’t even a task, it’s almost inualism. And just like her sharp facial features, grown.” against her newly chopped fringe, it might just be in the blood. At 19 years old, Brandi has garnered a following for her unique all-black ensembles. Search ON WATCHING DRAMAS ‘ThirteenGrimoire’ on Instagram and you’ll find As we go into her work ethic, she gives one a medley of individualistic photos built upon piece of advice - “Work very hard. Don’t sleep! her style, lifestyle, and soon enough, the label As long as you enjoy your work, I think it’s fine.” she’s calling her own. Along the way, I start to freak out and ask if there really is nothing else in her routine.“Well, Deeper into her 10-year plan, the words “glob- of course other than doing work, I like to head ally-known designer” take centre stage. “I don’t out or watch dramas.” Unfortunately, I couldn’t mind losing some [money] to kickstart my get her to reveal what those dramas were. career first,” she mentions, “even my family thinks that custom making all these clothes and “I’ll usually finish up my school work and then starting this label at this age is a loss, but I think start on the personal work,” she explains her everyone has to start from somewhere.” schedule that goes way overtime. With this being a one-man show, her designs, paper-patEMOTIONS ON HER SLEEVE terns and fabric sourcing are all executed solo. When it comes to her dark approach, she explains that she’s quite the introvert: “as years “And it also means no social life,” she laughs, went by, I wanted to express my emotions based “I guess my motivation [to work] comes as its on what I wore.” As we speak, she is bearing a the reason why I’m living — to move towards laced Topshop dress and knee-high flatform achieving my goal.” boots. Very Brandi indeed. Despite sending avant garde styles down his runway, Gareth With her first collection due this 4th of April, Pugh remains to be one of her biggest sources of she’s well aware of the tight schedule that she inspiration. “The typical floral designs are what has on her plate. However, she shows no signs of you’d mostly expect to see [in trend], but he is wanting to throw in the towel. Towards the end different!” Different in what way? Google the of the interview, I ask her if she has anything left designer’s name and you’ll be seeing a similar to say to the readers. “I’ll have to make it hapcolour palate in your search results. Coincipen. 4th April is the day of the full moon,” she dence? I think not. quips, breaking into a cheeky grin, “but please do support me, I’m actually getting one step Other than wearing her emotions on her sleeve, closer to my dream.” the designer is not shy about embracing her spiritual interests either. “It’s probably genetic,” And at that moment, she looked far from the she muses, as she goes on to explain that her secondary school graduate that I had first met mother too holds an inclination towards spirit- two years ago.
editor
Tessa Lin Wang / SuedeFingers.com
assistant editor Natasha Vanessa Michelin
cover story Models / Sarah Tan Joe Tan
Photographer and Photo Editor / Christopher Leow Photographer’s Assistant / Natalie Ng Creative Direction, Styling, Makeup / Tessa Lin Wang
interview
Special thanks to Brandi Foo / thirteengrimoire.blogspot.sg
end