Fall Issue 2012 Vol. 3 Issue 12

LOOK GREAT ❇ DRESS SHARP ❇ LIVE WELL SWAGGA DIGITAL MAGAZINE

FALL ISSUE 2012

NEW CROP OF FASHION SCOTT MCFARLAND KNITWEAR

ON OUR RADAR

FRUITVALE

THE OSCAR GRANT STORY A Ryan Cooger Film

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Concorso Italiano Speed, Seduction & Style Rock The Bells Inked Up Dare To Be You Toronto Film Festival Macy’s Glamorama “British Invasion” Making A Difference With Alex Thomas

LIFE MED LANE SPOKEN WORD BY SERGIO SANDERS SEPT - NOV 2012

❋ FASHION culture

LIFESTYLES

Music&Art

✛ UP CLOSE AND UNCAGED

UNVEILED lifestyles FASHION FROM MONACO

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Magnolia Pictures, StudioCanal & 2929 Productions Present A MAGNOLIA PICTURES RELEASE

DEADFALL A Film By Stefan Ruzowitzky 94 Min. Official Selection: 2012 Tribeca Film Festival SYNOPSIS Siblings Addison (Eric Bana) and Liza (Olivia Wilde) are on the run from a casino heist gone wrong. When a car accident leaves their wheel man and a state trooper dead, they split up and make a run for the Canadian border in the worst of circumstances – a near whiteout blizzard. While Addison heads cross-country, creating mayhem in his wake, Liza is picked up by ex-boxer Jay (Charlie Hunnam), en-route for a Thanksgiving homecoming with his parents, June (Sissy Spacek) and retired sheriff Chet (Kris Kristofferson). It’s there the siblings are reunited in a terse and thrilling showdown that pushes the bonds of family to the limit.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ON 80.THE COVER FRANK SHAMROCK UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL CONVERSATION

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FASHION

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30.NEW CROP OF FASHION 50. UNVEILED

CULTURE 29. ON THE RADAR

FRUITVALE THE OSCAR GRANT STORY A RYAN COOGER FILM

34. TORONTO FILM FESTIVAL

LIFESTYLE 66. CONCORSO ITALIANO

68. MAKING A DIFFERENCE ALEX THOMAS 69. LIFE MED LANE SPOKEN WORD SERGIO SANDERS

ART 10. HEIDI WELLS

MUSIC 36. ROCK THE BELLS

WHO MADE IT HAPPEN

CONTRIBUTORS Editors Note ROGUE OUTLET S.F.,CA. FRANK SHAMROCK “COVER PAGE” H&M SF FILIP KRAGON MICHAEL FORTES JE MODELS MACY’S PASSPORT FILIP KHARON JAMIL VAUGHN GENE GIMONO MUA PENNY WELLS HEIDI WELLS ART SKIP PAS ROB BRUGLIERA ALAHN BREZAN CHAVIS AARON FRANK SHAMROCK CHASTITY WALLACE IMAGES BY GRACIE DESI ARNAZ JAMES SANDERS SMART MODELS ARASH SARABI AJ DUNBAR RCA RECORDS KRISTINA BROCKMANN DAPPER AFRIKA CHAVIS AARON SAXTON PITTS STEPHON RICHARDS SCOTT MCFARLAND BOUSA TATPAPORN CJC PHOTOGRAPHY MARIO BENTON ERIC “EYECATCHER” GABRIEL WILLIAMS SHIMEL KEMOA JACOB HANSON HERM PUGAY VIMEO.COM JE MODEL MANAGEMENT STEFAN SKIPAKEVICH NORSTROM SAN FRANCISCO PAOLO PRISCO SHARE MY WORLD HAIR DESIGNS RAYBAN EYEWEAR

This issue is dedicated to my mom whose courage, strength, tenacity and love has been a rock for me in the production of this issue.

There were so many people who were instrumental in the production of this issue, and I could not possibly name them all in this writing, but I just want to thank all of you and you know who you are for assisting me with this issue. Many thanks to all of the wonderful and talented models, MUA’s, and Hair Stylists.

Reproduction of any material within this publication, in whole or in part is, prohibited without expressed consent of publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility to any party of the information, claims or ads herein to include errors, inaccuracies or omissions. By advertising the advertisers agree to indemnify the Publisher against all claims relating to or resulting from said advertisements.

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VOLUME III, NO. XII | FALL ISSUE 2012

GRAPHIC DESIGN ~ CREATIVE SERVICES | SDM PUBLISHING PHOTO EDITOR ~ ART DIRECTOR | JACOB HANSON ADVERTISING MANAGER | ARCHIE BRUMFIELD

SOCIAL MEDIA CONSULTANT | PETER RICCI, CELEBNMUSIC247.COM VIDEO ON DEMAND | VIMEO.COM

CREATIVE CONTRIBUTIONS

PHOTOGRAPHER | RON FULCHER PHOTOGRAPHER | JACOB HANSON PHOTOGRAPHER | PAOLO PRISCO, MONACO, FRANCE PHOTOGRAPHER | BOUSA CONCEPTS COVER DESIGN | JACOB HANSON FASHION FLASHBACK STYLIST | MARIO BENTON ON THE COVER | FRANK SHAMROCK PHOTO IMAGES BY GRACIE PHOTOGRAPHER | ERIC EYECATCHER PHOTOGRAPHER | MELVIN HARPER PHOTOGRAPHER | IMAGESBYGRACIE PHOTOGRAPHER | GABRIEL WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHER | SHIMEL KEMOA

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BRANDING & STRATEGY

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WWW.SWAGGADIGITALMAGAZINE.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | RON FULCHER

SPECIAL THANKS

JE MODEL MANAGEMENT UPTOWN STUDIOS OAKLAND NORDSTROM SAN FRANCISCO URBAN OUTFITTERS, EMERYVILLE, CA. H&M SAN FRANCISCO CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHY STORE, S.F. SMART MODEL MANAGEMENT ALAHN BREZAN MACY’S SAN FRANCISCO Published Bi-Monthly Printed in the USA In Print | iPhone | Android | iPad® All Rights Reserved ©2009-2012 SDM PUBLISHING VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT~www.swaggadigitalmagazine.com NEED TO SEND A LETTER TO EDITOR~information@swaggadigitalmagazine.com SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION~subscribe@swaggadigitalmagazine.com SDM PUBLISHING 510.883.3260

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It’s not just a magazine its a lifestyle connect with us today!

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What’s Inside this Issue

THE NEW CROP OF DESIGNERS SCOTT MCFARLAND FRANK SHAMROCK REBRANDED ON THE RADAR FRUITVALE FILM BY RYAN COOGLER THE OSCAR GRANT STORY LIFESTYLES UNVEILED FASHIONS FROM MONACO CONCORSO ITALIANO SPEED, SEDUCTION & STYLE HIGHLIGHTS ROCK THE BELLS ART BY HEIDI WELLS iPad . IPhone . Android

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ART . CULTURE. FASHION. LIFESTYLE . MUSIC

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PROMOTION

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CULTUREFASHION LIFESTYLE ART MUSIC

print . mobile . social . online . tablet

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MAN UP Style Matters

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ROGUE COLLECTION

Black cotton jacquard parka with zip hoody bib $450

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A PICTURE IS WORTH A 1000 WORDS CONNECT WITH US ON PINTEREST

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on the radar

New Face in Independent Film

yan Coogler remembers the first moment it occurred to him to become a film director.

Having grown up in Oakland, Coogler was on a football scholarship to Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif., where he had to take a creative writing class. The assignment was to write about a personal experience, and Coogler wrote about the time his father almost bled to death in his arms. He handed it in, and the professor called him into her office. What did Coogler want to do with his life? “Play ball, become a doctor and be a positive influence in my community,” he replied. He remembers her saying, “I think you should become a screenwriter. You can reach more people.” Coogler thought she was crazy. “But I was always thinking about stories, so maybe there was something to it.”

Saint Mary’s cancelled its football program, and the young wide receiver got another scholarship, this time to Sacramento State. There he changed his major to finance while taking every film class he could. By graduation he was “in love with filmmaking.” One of his professors had told him about USC film school. “It was either go there or play wide receiver. I was short, my prospects weren’t the highest, so I jumped off that cliff and drove to L.A.” Living out of a car for his first semester, Coogler made a series of short films. Fig, the latest, has been on the festival circuit, and it’s a heartbreaking tale of a prostitute trying to leave the life and keep her daughter. It has a shattering conclusion, of which Coogler says, “That film is from deep research. I spent Christmas break on the streets and got a lot of stories. I never want to shy away from the truth.”

Of his several feature scripts, he says Fruitvale, which he developed at the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, is the closest to his heart. It’s the true story of Oscar Grant, an unarmed man shot in the back by a cop in the early hours of New Year’s Day in Oakland. “I saw the riots and the frustration [following the shooting], and they didn’t have an effect,” says Coogler. “If I can get two hours of people’s time, I can affect them more than if they threw a trash can through a window.”

Fruitvale is being produced by Significant Productions, Forest Whitaker’s company, and it co-stars Octavia Spencer, right off her Oscar win for The Help. Like all of Coogler’s work so far, it sticks to the truth. “It’s very much a research piece. We got the life rights, and I got to know his family while writing the script.”

As sad as Fruitvale is, Coogler still calls it a “love letter to the Bay Area,” and, indeed, as that Saint Mary’s professor discovered, the young writer/director has the innate ability to draw a world and connect you to the people in it. And when the shoot is over? “I still have my day job as a counselor at juvenile hall in San Francisco. I work with at-risk kids, which is another reason youth-at-risk comes into my work.”

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Written by: Scott Macaulay

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Crop

The New

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Scott Ian McFarland Knitwear offers unique wearable structures for the fashionably modern man or woman who doesn¹t want to sacrifice comfort or craftsmanship to make a statement. As a formally trained sculptor, designer Scott Ian McFarland translated his skills to knitwear design when he took a graduate elective in contemporary knitwear at the Academy of Art San Francisco. Amazed by the technique of taking long strips of various materials and turning them into wearable objects, in addition to discovering the control and creativity that knitwear allowed him-- right down to a single stitch--Scott began to create his first collection. Scott Ian McFarland¹s experience with three-dimensional shapes, texture and color leads him to experiment with knitting techniques to create unique one-of-a-kind pieces. Scott experiments with diverse fibers such as wool, cotton, and ribbon to name a few. His designs have been shown at San Francisco Design Week and the North-by-Northwest Fashion Competition, as well as New York Fashion Week 2009. Scott Ian McFarland¹s latest collection explores ideas of androgyny, the 1920¹s, ships, and the blues. Entertaining a palette of deep indigo, ash grey, and pearlescent hues along with intricate knit work and lacing, Scott¹s collection includes men¹s and women¹s sweaters, cardigans, and coats. In addition, Scott has included dresses and knit leggings for women.

SCOTT IAN MCFARLAND KNITWEAR

F A S H I O N

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Models: Kristina Brockmann And Michael Fortes Photographer: Melvin Harper Designer Scott Ian Mcfarland (Www.scottianmcfarland.com) Men's Coat By Scott Ian Mcfarland Cardigan And Jons By Scott Ian Mcfarland Cardigan By Scott Ian Mcfarland Sweater By Scott Ian Mcfarland Vest, Jons, And Hat By Scott Ian Mcfarland Women's Sweater And Dress By Scott Ian Mcfarland Sweater, Dress, And Hat By Scott Ian Mcfarland Leggings And Hat By Scott Ian Mcfarland Coat By Scott Ian Mcfarland

32 SWAGGA DIGITAL MAGAZINE DESIGNS BY SCOTT IAN MCFARLAND | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELVIN HARPER MODELS: KRISTINA BROCKMANN AND MICHAEL FORTES

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CULTURE TORONTO FILM FESTIVAL PROMOTION

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"Bad 25" Spike Lee, USA North American Premiere Bad 25 celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Michael Jackson “Bad” album with unseen footage, content shot by Jackson himself, and a treasure chest of findings. The documentary is divided into two parts: artists today who were influenced by Michael, and people who worked by his side – musicians, songwriters, technicians, engineers, people at the label – all committed to Michael and the follow-up to the biggest record of all time, “Thriller.” Interviewees include: Mariah Carey, L.A. Reid and Sheryl Crow.

"Lines of Wellington" Valeria Sarmiento, Portugal North American Premiere After the failed attempts of Junot and Soult in 1807 and 1809, Napoleon Bonaparte sent a powerful army, commanded by Marshal Massena, to invade Portugal in 1810. The French easily reached the centre of the country, where the Anglo-Portuguese army, led by General Wellington, was waiting. Starring John Malkovich, Nuno Lopes, Soraia Chaves, Marisa Paredes, and Victoria Guerra.

Emperor In the aftermath of Japan's defeat in World War II and the American occupation of the country, a Japanese expert (Matthew Fox) on the staff of Gen. Douglas MacArthur (Tommy Lee Jones) is faced with a decision of historic importance, in this epically scaled drama from director Peter Webber (Girl With a Pearl Earring).

"The Master" Paul Thomas Anderson, USA North American Premiere A striking portrait of drifters and seekers in post World War II America, Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master unfolds the journey of a Naval veteran (Joaquin Phoenix) who arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future — until he is tantalized by The Cause and its charismatic leader (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Starring Amy Adams, Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Dern.Passion

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Spring Breakers" Harmony Korine, USA North American Premiere Four sexy college girls plan to fund their spring break getaway by burglarizing a fast food shack. But that’s only the beginning. During a night of partying, the girls hit a roadblock when they are arrested on drug charges. Hung over and clad only in bikinis, the girls appear before a judge but are bailed out unexpectedly by Alien (James Franco), an infamous local thug who takes them under his wing and leads them on the wildest spring break trip in history. Rough on the outside but with a soft spot inside, Alien wins over the hearts of the young spring breakers, and leads them on a spring break they never could have imagined. Starring Selena Gomez, James Franco, Vanessa Hudgens and Heather Morris."

The Paperboy" Lee Daniels, USA North American Premiere A chilling sex-and-race-charged film noir, The Paperboy takes audiences deep into the backwaters of steamy 1960s South Florida, as investigative reporter Ward Jansen and his partner Yardley Acheman chase a sensational, career-making story with the help of Ward’s younger brother Jack and sultry death-row groupie Charlotte Bless.

Starring Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman, John Cusack, David Oyelowo and Zac Efron.

"Passion" Brian De Palma, France/Germany North American Premiere An erotic thriller in the tradition of Dressed To Kill and Basic Instinct, Brian de Palma’s Passion tells the story of a deadly power struggle between two women in the dog-eat-dog world of international business. Christine possesses the natural elegance and casual ease associated with one who has a healthy relationship with money and power. Innocent, lovely and easily exploited, her admiring protégé, Isabelle, is full of cutting-edge ideas that Christine has no qualms about stealing. They’re on the same team, after all… But when Isabelle falls into bed with one of Christine’s lovers, war breaks out. Starring Rachel McAdams, Noomi Rapace, Karoline Herfurth and Paul Anderson.

PHOTOS: COURTESY TIFF MEDIA

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"On The Road" Walter Salles, France/Brazil North American Premiere Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Walter Salles and based on the iconic novel by Jack Kerouac, On The Road tells the provocative story of Sal Paradise (Sam Riley), a young writer whose life is ultimately redefined by the arrival of Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund), a free-spirited, fearless, fast-talking Westerner and his girl, Marylou (Kristen Stewart). Traveling cross-country, Sal and Dean venture out on a personal quest for freedom from the conformity and conservatism engulfing them in search of the unknown, themselves, and the pursuit of it – the pure essence of experience. Seeking unchartered terrain and the last American frontier, the duo encounter an eclectic mix of men and women, each adding meaning to their desire for a new way of life. The screenplay is by Jose Rivera (Academy Award nominee for The Motorcycle Diaries), while Executive Producer Francis Ford Coppola has been developing the project since 1978. Also stars Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst.

MUSIC ROCK THE BELLS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SERIES, “REPRESENT, RESPECT, RECOGNIZE”

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Held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View California Sunday August 25, 2012 Rock the Bells is an annual hip-hop festival that originally took place in Southern California only, but has since toured throughout the world. The concert features a line-up of high-profile alternative hip-hop artists, often headlined by a more mainstream artist. The first festival was held in 2004, featuring a re-united WuTang Clan, who performed four months before Ol' Dirty Bastard's death. That festival is covered in depth by a documentary film also called Rock the Bells. Held from mid to late summer and was founded by Guerilla Union.

Photos: Gabriele Williams

PICTURED: A$AP ROCKY, DJ LANCE & FRIENDS, DMX, J COLE, JACKA, JADAKISS, ICE CUBE, JACKA, KENDRICK LAMAR, KID CUDI, MAC MILLER, METHOD MAN & RED MAN, NAUGHTY BY NATURE, PRODIGY OF MOBB DEEP, PUSHA T, SALT N PEPA, TYGA, WUI BLOCK, YELAWOLF

PROMOTION

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Life’s good ... in the bay PHOTOS: BOUSA CONCEPTS | MODEL JAMIL VAUGHN

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DARE TO BE YOU 43 SWAGGA DIGITAL MAGAZINE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RON FULCHER | MODEL TIMOTHY SNELLING

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DARE TO BE YOU! Photography by Ron Fulcher - Styling by Mario B

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FASHION LIFESTYLE

UNVEILED 50 SWAGGA DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Shirt And Trousers: Zara Feathers Boa: Vintage Headdress: Customized Golden Shoes: Zara Shirt And Trousers: Zara Leather Jacket: Zara Headdress: Customized Golden Shoes: Zara Top: Zara Denim Short: H&m Headdress: Customized Coat: Zara Bra. H&m Sequins Shorts: H&m Golden Bracelets: Vintage Headdress: Customized Denim Studded Jacket: Zara Niddle Top: H&m Shorts: Zara Shoes: Zara Headdress: Customized Sequins Top, Jeans, Jacket, Socks: H&m Sandals: Zara (Vintage) Headdress: Customized Leather Jacket: Zara Sequins Skirt: H&m Shoes: H&m Studded Jacket: Zara Shoes: Zara Headdress: Customized Photography by: PAOLO PRISCO

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CONCORSO ITALIANO ADVERTISEMENT

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peed, style, and seduction the three words that described today’s event. The Annual Concorso Italiano rolled into Monterey on August 17, 2012 at The Laguna Seca Golf Ranch. The course was arrayed with some of the most stylish automobiles Italy has to offer. With cars from Lamborghini, Fiat, Bertoni, Ferrari - and my personal passion of the day, the Pagani – the full day event gave enthusiasts an opportunity to view these creations up close and at a leisurely pace.

Of note this year was an increase in the number of female car owners as well as attendees. And why not? The exceptional beauty of these automobiles naturally draws a woman’s attention. My personal favorite goes to the Pagani, a master work of art on wheels. From the deep, crimson colour to the gull wing doors to the rendering of the sleek, cat-like profile - this is a one-of-a-kind hand-built beauty.

One of the highlights of the day was meeting Sig. Stephan Winklemann the President and CEO of Automobil Lamborghini S. p. A. A European gentleman - suave, fashionable, trimly tailored and genuine. Standing alongside the Aventador LP700-4, one might say that the company’s product reflects the style of its leader.

The Concorso Italiano Best of Show award went to the 1955 Ferrari 250 GT Europa owned by Ken and Dayle Roath of Newport Beach. This creamcoloured, two-seat coupe would have been at home in the Sean Connery Bond films – had the production budgets been a bit larger. The trademark oval grill and modest trimming are, even 60 years later, touchstones of style and elegance.

To my photographer’s eye, a stand-out in the crowd was Sig.ra Lilli Bertone, the head of one of the oldest and prestigious automobile manufacturers in Italy. Attired in traditional colours of the Italian Flag – red, white and green – her demeanor drew my lens. Her special visit coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Bertone franchise and 20th year with Concurso. Several of “The Cars of Bertone” were featured along with the 2012 Bertone Nuccio Supercar Concept – a sharknosed, stealth, street fighter of a vehicle without peer.

The organizers should be credited with managing a great event, which was enjoyable for all ages. I hope to return next year to see what new, fantastic designs are in our future.

Photos: imagesbygracie

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Speed, Seduction And Style....

these were the words that described the event today!

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

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ALEX THOMAS FOUNDATION

n July of this year, Jeffrey Taylor invited me to attend the Alex Thomas Celebrity Golf Classic in Los Angeles.

The foundation that holds this event deserves special recognition here in our publication. We at Swagga Digital Magazine wish to add our support to their efforts by introducing our readers to their organization and good works. Please meet Mr. Alex Thomas.

For those who do not yet know of you or your comedic, writing or acting work, who is Alex Thomas?

I'm an actor, comedian, golfer and entrepreneur! I was a writer on the hit sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air“ for three seasons, I was one of the stars on the hit sitcom “The Jamie Foxx Show”, I played a few characters on the hit animated series "Family Guy", I was in several movies: The Players Club, Two Can Play That Game, Just Married, The Wash and BAPS. I'm an avid 12-handicap golfer and I own a High-end Accessory Line called The Louis Stewart Collection. Yes, it's a lot on my plate!

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The foundation that bears your name offers support to children diagnosed with pediatric cancer (and their families). Can you tell us more about this and what you have accomplished? This is the 3rd year of The Alex Thomas Foundation. The support we're getting from friends, family & other celebrities has been amazing. Cancer doesn't have a color, race or age.

Cancer is the number one killer of children in America for ages fifteen and under. That broke my heart!

Confronting those statistics pushed Jeffery and I to form The Alex Thomas Foundation, to join the fight against this horrible disease. Our goal is to support children and their families as they battle childhood cancer. In addition, we try to take a few pediatric cancer patients and their families on a Disney cruise! If we can put smiles on their faces and take their minds off what they are going through for just a few days, our mission will be accomplished!

Did a personal experience with cancer foster the motivation for forming the foundation?

Cancer hit my family a few years back. It's a horrible disease. I didn't open up at first, but when I did it was like I shed 100 pounds off my shoulders! I found out so many of my friends & comrades had lost family to cancer as well. I just wanted to help somehow and in some way. heir time for such a worthy cause. Does one person stand out? Might you share a story with us about their experience? Will Smith is my mentor and great friend. He was the first to put a check in my hand in Hollywood and he introduced me to golf! So I owe a lot of this to him!

Can you tell us about any of your foundation's upcoming events, dates, etc.? We're definitely going to do a few events this year to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. Our biggest event every year is The Alex Thomas Celebrity Golf Classic. That's every year in July. This yearʼs tournament weekend was an amazing success! It was ESPY week in LA. We had about 700 people at the Roosevelt Hotel for the pool party and we had 98 golfers at the tournament including 25 professional athletes & celebrities! People like Don Cheadle, Rick Fox, Vince Young, Kenny Lofton, Dondre Whitfield, Jim Brown, Kimberly Elise, Drew Gooden, Anne Poulin, Terrell Davis, Gary Payton, Too Short and many more! The 2013 Golf Classic is set for July 6, 7 and 8th in Los Angeles. We are also planning our fund raising bowling event. See our website for dates and times.

Information is also available on the website http://www.alexthomasfoundation.org.

Speaking of dates, when will be see Alex Thomas, Comedian back on tour? I have a new TV series coming this fall called “Mr. Box Office” - CBS is the affiliate channel. Check your local listings in different cities. It stars Bill Bellamy, Jon Lovitz, Vivica Fox, Tony Roberts, Gary Busey, Rick Fox, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Marcus Paulk, Tim Meadows and yours truly, Alex Thomas! I play the role of “Jamal”, Bill Bellamy's best friend and personal chef…and I can't cook!

How did you come to embrace comedy as a profession? Did this start early? Did you have comedians you favored and sought to emulate? Richard Pryor & Eddie Murphy are my all-time favorites – Hands Down. To me they paved the way.

I actually wanted to be an architect as a child, but that didn't work out for me. You have to go to college for that. I spent two years at Santa Monica College, dropped out and started doing comedy…and the rest was history.

What is your method for creating your style of humor? Where do you draw your inspiration? I'm a very observational comic. I am a human sponge! I soak up my surroundings and make jokes out of them. Whatever is going on in the world, Hip Hop, sports, my travels and personal experiences.

Do you have any future projects in the works? Be on the lookout for my new high-end accessory line called The Louis Stewart Collection. We're not in stores just yet. We have over 200 NFL and NBA clients and some of the top entertainers in the world! All orders are custom. Two gentlemen have vowed to make a difference. They have identified a need and through their combined efforts created a means to make the world a better place. Swagga Digital Magazine applauds them and their good works.

Gracie Slegers FOLLOW LOUISSTEWARTCOLLECTION ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER: @MRLOUISSTEWART FOR ORDERS, INFO@LOUISSTEWARTCOLLECTION.COM FOLLOW ALEX ON TWITTER: @IAMALEXTHOMAS AND THE GOLF CLASSIC ON TWITTER: @ATFGOLFCLASSIC JEFFERY TAYLOR IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE FOUNDATION AND HAS A DEGREE IN ECONOMICS FROM CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY. ALEX THOMAS IS THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE FOUNDATION.

photos: imagesbygracie

LifeMed Lane

Stay in Your Own Lane: While traveling down the highway to Your Goals and Dreams, one must understand the importance of staying in their own lane. When you are in your own lane, you can go as fast or slow, as you want, without anyone forcing you to change your speed; or getting in your way. Everyone has their own exit and destination that may not sit well with the other drivers around them; but that’s okay because that lane is not meant for them to judge or travel on. People always get caught up in other people’s lives that it becomes so draining that they don’t have enough energy to even want to continue and grind to their own pursuits. Only when you have traveled far enough and are able enough, it’s okay to help someone else; until then, handle yours. Everyone isn’t meant to know your plans and navigational system, only a tiny select few. There are many “friends” out there who want your position and like to see you fail; and will play it cool, only to later be cold. You have traveled a long road and can see the next exit signs that

1. WHO ARE THE TOP 8 PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE? EVALUATE THEIR REPLACE IF NECESSARY. 2. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR IMMEDIATE GOALS? CREATE A 3 WEEK DAY BY DAY PLAN TO EXECUTE. 3. KEEP A DAILY LOG OF YOUR PROGRESS AND JOT DOWN WAYS THAT YOU CAN IMPROVE. SIGNIFICANCE.

fect us but we keep moving on without acknowledging them and fully healing that wound. We fail to check in with those people that caused us those scars. Then later on in life, we try to engage in a new relationship or opportunity and it fails. We wonder why we make the same mistakes and stuck in the rut; even though we may feel we deserve that new thing. The problem is that subconsciously, we have not forgiven the people who once hurt us. We act negatively to the new people, places and things and don’t even know why; then it collapses on us and back at square one. The key solution is to sit quietly with Self, and travel back in time, in Your mind and recall all the old hurts that You may have been holding onto, but didn’t realize. Write it all out and dissect it, reflect and analyze it from a higher perspective. Then you can begin to detach those old wound from yourself because it causing destruction. Once you have cleansed Self of old hurts and disowned them, you can now attach new motivations, in which I like to call Your “Gasoline”. What is Your “Gasoline” for living? In order for a car to move, it needs gasoline, without it, it halts. In order for a Human to speed forwarded to their goals and aspirations, they need some PASSION (“Gasoline) to fuel their pursuits.

Sometimes, just like a car, you are almost on “E” and going to run out of gas; that’s when you pull yourself over, and re-evaluate again why you are in pursuit of whatever is motivating you. Get fired up again about the goal and why you want it; refuel Self. Once old hurts are disowned and “Gasoline” is on “Full”, there is no one to stop you, but you.

1. WHAT 3-5 ISSUES ARE YOU HOLDING ONTO THAT MAY BE CAUSING YOU TO SLOW DOWN YOUR PROGRESS? 2. ARE THOSE OLD ISSUES THAT IMPORTANT TO YOU THAT YOU WILL ALLOW IT TO HINDER YOUR NEW GROWTH? IF NOT, HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO DETACH THEM AND MOVE FORWARD? 3. TALK TO YOUR TEAM AND DISCUSS WAYS THAT CAN HELP YOU TO STAY DRAMA-FREE AND FUELED UP FOR YOUR GOALS. 4. WHAT IS YOUR “GASOLINE” FOR LIVING? WHY DO YOU WAKE UP EVERY DAY?

“Stay in Your Own Lane While traveling down the highway to Your Goals and Dreams, one must understand the importance of staying in their own lane.” www.sunraysofwisdom.com

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1. WRITE DOWN 5 WAYS THAT YOU CAN IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR INTERNAL SELF (YOUR INNER WORLD THAT NO ONE SEES OR EXPERIENCES BUT YOU) 2. IN WHAT WAYS CAN YOU BE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS THAT ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAN YOU? 3. HOW HAVE YOU BEEN USING YOUR STRENGTHS THUS FAR IN YOUR LIFE AND HOW WILL YOU STRENGTHEN YOUR WEAKNESSES? 4. PEACE IS KEY TO INTERNAL SWAG: WHOM DO YOU NEED TO INTERNALLY FORGIVE SO THAT YOU CAN MOVE ON EFFECTIVELY WITH YOUR LIFE? 5. IF YOU DON’T ALREADY, SIT QUIETLY 3 TIMES A DAY FOR 5 MINUTES AND REFLECT ON YOUR GOALS AND DREAMS AND HOW AND WHAT YOU CAN PERSONALLY DO TO MAKE THEM MANIFEST IN REALITY.

Traveling Backwards: Sometime we must travel backwards in order to effectively move forward; this may sound odd at first, but let me explain. From childhood to adulthood we go through so many experiences, good or bad, and it shapes who we are in the current moment. At times emotional scars af-

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Words: Sergio Sanders Internal Swag: wag is only a word, if you don’t embody the essence of it.

It loses its value and weight because it’s so heavily broadcasted by those who aren’t exactly worthy of the term “Swag”. In order to really develop “Swag” and say it, without even really speaking it aloud, you must develop Internal Swag. What is that, you ask? Well, the viewers of the person projecting the “Swag” notice “Swagger” externally most of the time, but before it reaches the external world for public view and scrutiny, there are internal workings that goes on, that no one sees or experiences, but the beholder of the “Swag”. Internal Swagger is an inner knowing, based upon the individual grind and development of Self. For example, a Lady who has a job, goes to school, hits the gym regularly, reaches out to her community, develops her spiritual strength, selfreflects on how she can become better and be of service to others, is grateful about the small blessing in life and loves herself unconditionally, will automatically give off this presence of intrigue. People will gravitate towards her no matter if she is wearing an elegant evening dress or a hoodie and Jordan’s, because she has a strong INTERNAL sense of who she is, where she is going, how to get there, and desires to uplift others around her. On the flip side, You have this other woman, who is always fixated about herself, has to have the latest this and that, always want to be seen in the club, trying to “stunt” and be flashy. She becomes extra clever on how she can get someone to do something for her but not how she can be of service to others. This woman is constantly broadcasting how “cute and sexy” she is and always has other people’s business in her mouth. What is the difference between these two females? They are both pretty, but one doesn’t have to speak about her “Swag” and the other is always trying to remind people how much “Swag” she has. When you have to always speak on your qualities all the time in order for people to recognize them, most likely you don’t actually have those qualities that you profess, if you have to broadcast it. But when You can carry on about Your daily grind and business, without even speaking a word and people want to inquire about You and who You are, that’s Internal Swag; Swag that comes from within not from without.

tell you, your the goal is near. There isn’t a need to add other passengers who secretly want to derail your mission. This goes for certain family members, too. They can more often than not, be the worst critic and hindrance to your personal destination. All in all, this is Your Life, Your Dream and Your Journey, You will encounter many others on the highway to success, but remember to keep your eyes on the signs and stay in your own lane.

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ecently I was privileged to sit down with Mr. Frank Shamrock, championship martial artist, commentator, businessman, author and actor for an exclusive interview. Our paths had crossed during some personal appearances he made on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man of the Year campaign. I have always been a fan of his MMA accomplishments. And getting to know him, if but briefly, I was even more impressed with Frank, the person. I also knew that I wanted you, our readers, to have a chance to get to know the man behind the legend.

“AN INTERVIEW WITH FORMER UFC MIXED MARTIAL ARTS WORLD CHAMPION FRANK SHAMROCK, HAVING BUILT AND SOLD A $34 MILLION SPORTS FRANCHISE, FRANK SHAMROCK NOW HAS A NEW BOOK COMING. WHAT’S NEXT FOR FRANK SHAMROCK? I INTERVIEW FRANK ABOUT HIS TURBULENT PAST AND AMBITIOUS FUTURE PLANS”.

SDM: Your previous career as a mixed martial arts fighter has been well documented both in broadcast mediums and print publications. In this interview, I want to focus on the next phase of your life, your plans and aspirations.

SDM: The public knows you as Frank Shamrock the fighter the tough guy who beats up other guys for a living. But behind that is another Frank. Who is he?

FRANK: The man behind the image of Frank Shamrock is very different from who I really am. I am a fairly normal person — or at least I try to be — and the most important things to me are family, community, and serving a higher purpose rather than just living. I think that I was put on this earth to serve a higher purpose and to help people, so I spend most of my time doing that, which is different from what most people think I’m doing (just beating up people). I love my children and I think they are the greatest things in the world. I love my wife - she’s really wonderful. I really like to read and learn, meditate and challenge myself with something new. I think most people don’t know these things about me.

SDM: How does a celebrity such as yourself go about their re-invention? Did you need to consider your future direction for some time or had you always held a vision of your plans after your MMA and sports commentary careers?

FRANK: I have always had the stages of my career planned.

After fighting, I knew I would be doing commentary. I had planned that commentary would be a sequel into acting, then television hosting, and then on to producing and production.

I’ve always had a long-term plan - ever since I was a little kid. I envisioned that I would be a professional athlete. I knew I would someday be a world champion…and then an action star in movies. Those were my little boy dreams. I’m reinventing myself by really sticking to my core principle, which is what I’m really about. I’m always keeping it fresh by way of doing something current and/or helping people. I like doing television or any live event where I interact with the public. And I’m always making sure that the new brand or new story is well thought out.

SDM: What business opportunities are you currently considering?

FRANK: We’re expanding our law enforcement business and thinking about getting back into the promotion business of live sporting events. My book also comes out on October 1 and shortly thereafter I’ll be going on big book tour (ed.- more on that below). I am also a spokesman for ibroken.com – They dispatch a repair truck to your location to repair iPhones, iPads and IPods. They can also repair all types of problems, from screen damage, battery replacements, headphone jacks, WiFi signal, color customizations and more.

View their website for additional information.

photo:imagesbygracie

SDM: What do you hope to accomplish professionally that you have yet to try?

FRANK: I have not acted in a leading man’s role, and that’s something I’d like to try.

SDM: The Frank Shamrock Companies describes itself as creating, branding and managing intellectual properties. Can you tell us more about who / what you manage?

FRANK: Sure, we manage Mauro Ranallo (the voice of ShowTime) and his brand.

We also managed, built, launched, and sold the Strikeforce brand— worth $34 million — all in just five years.

SDM: I had no idea you were already a published author. Your 2009 title, “Mixed Martial Arts for Dummies” could have really helped me when I started training in Jiu-Jitsu. Your soon to be published autobiography, “Uncaged : The Frank Shamrock Story”, is due out (as you said) in October of this year. Can you expand on how you came up with the title? Is that a metaphor about your life? If so, how were you “uncaged”?

FRANK: It is a metaphor of my life and my life experience. It came from the idea of fighting in a cage and from my subsequent retirement. As I dug deeper into it, it had even more significance from my being in jail and juvenile incarceration. To get the book published, my team and I wrote the manuscript ourselves and planned to self-publish via e-book and create a new type of visual

entertainment. As we were finishing and were talking about it in the media, book publishers came to us and offered us publishing contracts.

So we stopped production of the e-book and will go the traditional publication route. We will release the e-book later and that intellectual property will also be a feature film and most likely some type of documentary.

SDM: Not many people know that you have been a writer and contributor to numerous publications. Have you always been a writer?

Is this your creative outlet?

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FRANK: No, it is not my creative outlet, but I actually learned to write well when I was in jail. I learned to file my own legal papers and wrote legal letters and briefs. I read so much and my own writing improved by understanding how people read. That is a tool that I use in all of my creative outlets — learning how people consume, understand, or are entertained by something. The best part was that it started with the law.

Frank: (Laughing) I think I already shared all those details with you in a previous answer.

SDM: You are very generous with your time and the causes you support. With the multitude of organizations out there, how do you choose which causes you support? Is there a personal dimension to your choices?

SDM: What advice would you give today’s youth who are going through adversity and don’t see a future for themselves?

FRANK: My advice to them would be that your future is whatever you put in your mind and whatever you believe it is going to be. Everything is possible. It may be hard to believe that when you’re a kid and haven’t seen a lot of stuff yet, but just believe in your dreams.

^

FRANK: Yes, all the charities have some type of personal connection with my life or something that has transpired in my life. Cancer, because my stepfather died of cancer, autism, because my sister works for an autism rehabilitation center — these are all things that are dear to my heart. I also sit on board of the Police Activities League (PAL) of California because I’ve been arrested by the police so many times myself that I figured I should help them and the kids out. Things in my hometown would have been so much better if we had PAL back then in my younger days. PAL provides afterschool community activities, team, and social programs that unite officers and local children in a common cause to improve the community. Check out their web site at: www.calpal.org.

Sitting with him today, two words come to mind: Role Model. Very few of us could hope to match his accomplishments, but through his example, he has shown us the way. His book.

“UNCAGED: THE FRANK SHAMROCK STORY”, IS AVAILABLE FOR AMAZON AT HTTP://WWW.AMAZON.COM/UNCAGEDLIFE-CHAMPION-MMA-FIGHTER WE AT SWAGGA DIGITAL MAGAZINE WISH HIM CONTINUED AND EVEN GREATER SUCCESSES IN THE FUTURE. PRE-ORDER FROM

FRANK SHAMROCK’S UPCOMING BOOK SIGNING ADVERTISEMENT NOVEMBER 3RD AT THE SHOWTIME EVENT OKLAHOMA

SDM: What is the one thing you can reveal to your fans about you that they do not know?

FRANK: When I was 16, the doctors told me that I would never play sports because of my back. I laughed at them because I always knew I’d be a world champion. So, to me, that was ridiculous regardless of what was wrong with my back. I proved them all wrong.

SDM: What is Frank Shamrock’s greatest joy in life?

FRANK: My greatest joy in life is seeing happiness and love in my children and family.

From difficult beginnings where hopes and dreams are a luxury, one boy set himself a goal – of who he would be as a man, that whatever the barriers, he would overcome them though his effort and determination.

That failure to reach the limits of his capabilities was never an option. And excuses were for other people.

NOVEMBER. 10TH AND 11TH THE BLACK BELT CELEBRATION ERNIE REYES’ WORLD MARTIAL ARTS, IN HILLSBORO, OREGON

AT

WORDS/PHOTOS: GRACIE SLEGERS

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SDM: You have already been in a few movies. You’ve mentioned a possible movie in the works - something based on your life story. Can you share any details with us?

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Macy’s Passport Glamorama San Francisco 2012 The British Invasion: The Music Then. The Fashion Now! THIS YEAR’S ENTERTAINMENT

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Karmin In April 2011, Karmin's Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan ignited the blogosphere when they posted a cover of Chris Brown's "Look At Me Now" on YouTube. The clip instantly went viral, racking up millions of views after being tweeted by such hip-hop heavy hitters as The Roots.

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Robin Thicke Born in Los Angeles, Robin Thicke taught himself to play piano at the age of 12. By 16, he was writing and producing songs for artists like Brandy, Color Me Badd, and Brian McKnight. By the age of 21, he had written and produced songs for over 20 gold and platinum albums including Michael Jackson, Marc Anthony, Pink and Christina Aguilera.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: RON FULCHER AND GABRIEL WILLIAMS

Megan & Liz Macy's iHeartRadio Rising Star Winners The Michigan-born, Nashvillebased, 19-year-old fraternal twin sisters cover songs and pen pop anthems that are as infectious as they are inspiring.

Because of these tunes, the girls have resonated with an entire generation of fans via social media. Right now, they've racked up more than 160 million views and over 825,000 subscribers on YouTube.

Designers featured this year, BAR III, Calvin Klein, Material Girl, Sean John Tommy Hilfiger, Nicole Ritchie for Impulse.

PHOTOS: GABRIEL WILLIAMS

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