November 2021

11/21

FASHION ISSUE

Moments with Michael Cinco, Olga Sherer and AZ Factory

INDIGENOUS GENIUS ThunderVoice Hat Company and Elias Jade Not Afraid

BRENDA COSTA the beauty of silence

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“Our hope is to introduce you to something new and share the meaningful, intentional work our family of creators is sharing with the world.”

KACEY P EREZ , EDITOR IN CHIEF

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CONTENTS November 2021

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Editor’s Letter

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Creative Direction A moment with Natalie Steger, Creative Director at Large at The House of Perez

Next-Level Graphic Art Canadian artist, Jason Zante showcases his art at scales of large and small

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The New Roaring 20’s Historic trends resurface at SS/22 fashion shows

Olga Sherer Interview with legendary runway model gives us a glimpse into her personal life and career

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Love Brings Love A historic fashion moment created in honor of the late AZ Factory creator at SS/22 Paris Fashion Week

Makeup’s Runway Moment A recap of the best beauty moments from the SS/22 runway shows

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Reclaiming with Purpose ThunderVoice Hat Company shares how they create wearable art from disgarded elements

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Master of Beadwork Smithsonian featured artist gives an inside look into his process and shares what moticates him to keep this art alive

Cover Story Brenda Costa opens up about overcoming a disability, her career as a runway model, and her next venture

Michael Cinco An amazing view of the Spring/ Summer 2022 couture line

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BRB006XY New fashion brand releases their first line, Magnetic Pleasure.

CO V E R LO O K Brenda Costa wears top by IA Perla.

Photography by Filbert Kung. Styling by Natalie Steger. Makeup by Joel Sebastian.

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Christine Alcalay A visit to the Brooklyn-based luxery fashion designer’s studio and the beautiful garments inside

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Zodiaque Jewelry Van Cleef and Arpel’s latest rendition of this historic line

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Textiles in the West Entreprenuer, Jennifer Striegel takes textile manufacturing to Sheridan, Wyoming

R E N D E Z V O U S AT T H E R I T Z B R E N D A C O S TA W E A R I N G B A R U N I AT T H E E N T R A N C E O F T H E R I T Z C A R LTO N , PA R I S .

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Letter from the Editor

AFTER THE LAUNCH OF OUR FIRST ISSUE, it became clear that the mission of our brand and this publication resonated with those who have been following along, patiently waiting for something new. The response we received was more than expected, and has given us the motivation to bring you more in 2022. That being said, on behalf of the entire team at The House of Perez, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you. Thank you for your initial support and continued excitement to see what’s next.

For November, we focused on fashion - starting with our cover story Brenda Costa, fashion model powerhouse with a new venture.

We were able to chat with a few of our fashion favorites - Brooklyn based luxery clothing designer, Christine Alcalay, Norman René Divera, design director at AZ Factory and Olga Sherer, world renowned

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L E F T: O LG A S H E R E R , I M A G E C O U R T E S Y O F N E X T M A N A G E M E N T M I L A N O. M I D D L E : I M A G E C O U R T E S Y O F E L I A S J A D E N OT A F R A I D. R I G H T: S T U D I O O F C H R I S T I N E A LC A L AY S H OT B Y J A N A S C H U E S S L E R

Making Space

runway model and muse. We are also honored to have had a moment with ThunderVoice Hat Company and Elias Jade Not Afraid, both amazing designers and artists making waves in indigenious fashion. Dive into the sparkling dream created by Michael Cinco for his Spring/Summer 2022 couture line and discover the recently launched, modern New York line created by BRB006XY.

This issue is a true representation of our goal for each magazine we publish - making space for the large and the small. Each month, our hope is to introduce you to something new, reaquaint you with creators you already love, and share the meaningful, intentional work that our family of creators is sharing with the world. With an exciting editorial calendar for 2022, look forward to more on food, design, art, music and of course, fashion in our upcoming issues.

Please enjoy the stories shared here, and enjoy the time you have with close friends and family during the holiday season. We will see you once more in 2021 for the release of our December issue - until then, happy holidays.

Editor in Chief KACEY PEREZ Creative Director at Large NATALIE STEGER Editor at Large AIDA M. TORO Fashion Director CONNOR DUSZYNSKI Visual Director FILBERT KUNG Visual Director JANA SCHUESSLER Features Editor JENNIFER STRIEGEL

Contributing Writers Frankie Sanderson Cyan Leigh Dacasin

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Powerful Creative Direction Introducing Natalie T. Steger, public relations powerhouse and Creative Director at Large for The House of Perez WRITT EN BY: AIDA M. TO RO PHOTO G RA PHY: COU RT ESY OF NATALIE ST EGER

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Natalie Steger is the founder and owner of Great Social Club and a lifelong creative. It started with a passion for art, which led to a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from George Mason University. Her education was self-financed by working full time in the DC nightclub scene as a VIP hostess and cocktail server in a number of clubs and lounges, as well as a part-time esthetician and makeup artist that she grew into a business and managed for almost 15 years.

“I hustled hard. I learned how to win people by anticipating their needs before they knew it, and made everyone feel like they were the most important person in the club,” said Steger. “I was forced to get out of my comfort zone, and essentially keep up with the big boys.”

Keeping up with the big boys is what led Steger to take on her own business, which she launched in 2013 as one of the first luxury makeup service businesses in Sheridan, Wyoming - less than two years after moving there from DC. Steger’s upbringing as a first-generation Vietnamese-American born in Houston and raised in the DC Metropolitan area provided her with the grit and integrity she uses as the backbone to drive her in life and work pursuits. Her family’s coming to America story is the kind of story you find in novels or movies - the serious, eye-opening ones.

“My story is not much different than many Asian-American or Asian immigrant family stories. We struggled, survived and some of us were fortunate to thrive. Even now, I was taught to not complain or compare my struggles. I probably won’t publicly, but trust me, my parents and the generation of Vietnamese that came here before me keep me humble and grateful, making my struggle seem small.”

Steger mentioned that the boat people’s stories are made of

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hope and also real nightmares that they lived through. It’s their story to tell but it was hell.

“Here’s the thing, they persevered, they climbed out of that hole and broke cycles to better our family. They inspire me to break more cycles and make a positive impact for not just my family, but my community.”

That type of growth mindset is what she applies to her current public relations agency, Great Social Club and at The House of Perez Magazine. Editor in Chief, Kacey Perez hired Steger on to turn her blog into a magazine, assisting in PR and production, but soon realized Natalie should have a more in-depth, leadership role as creative director at large.

“Natalie has a way to strategically pull pieces, people and their stories together. She offers something unique to the publication, which is genuine care, the constant push for a greater purpose, and ensures that every artist matters in the world of creativity,” said Perez.

“I want to watch others succeed, thrive, make money and enjoy life,” she said. “I am doing that now, living a life where I have the luxury to give back. I know how it feels to be hungry.”

This sense of compassion holistically allows her to connect and support creatives that work with the publication as well as her own company, Great Social Club.

Her unique background in her education, work, and life experiences provide her the ability to give Great Social Club a one-of-kind approach in public relations and the management of talents, brands, and creatives. Her diverse networking connections are built on trust and transparency in both her business and personal ethics.

“I don’t play games nor play the same game as everyone else in this dog-eat-dog world of influencers, celebrities, and fashion. I don’t

care who you are, because here’s the deal - if you can’t operate with ethics, respect, and be a decent person, we aren’t playing. I don’t want it or need it. I try my best to say it as it is, but I’m not in the business to make others feel small. I thrive watching others grow.”

Steger is now working on expanding her boutique PR & Creative agency, which has led her to grow in places like Europe. She also has her heart set on creating a presence in Vietnam. Although she was not born there, it still feels like home. Growth is happening, but the original intent of Great Social Club remains the same - grow the agency so she can give back to artists that are behind the scenes making the magic happen.

“Life has a way of bringing everything full circle, I’m just making sure my karma is good so that I can share the positive energy with others.”

Steger’s home base is in Big Horn, Wyoming, but you can find her traveling wherever the universe may take her and her work. Her heart and priority will always be at home with her family. “Being a mom, and wife is always my number one priority and as long as I can continue to work with my values of love, integrity, and grit, I will continue trying to make both the digital world and real world a better place for creatives and artists the best I can.” | greatsocialclub.com

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the new

ROARING 20’S WRI TT EN BY: C O N NO R D USZYNSK I I M AG E C O U RT ESY O F G U CC I

I BELIEVE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT TODAY’S day-in-age being the new “Roaring Twenties” to be true. After observing and dissecting the fashion and art direction the designers displayed at last month’s Paris Fashion Week SS22, and having been reinforced more recently at Alessandro Michele’s Gucci Love Parade, it is clear that bold, ambitious, extravagant, exaggerated, and opulent fashion is once again fashionable through means of repurposing and reinvention. The collection paid homage to the glamour of Old Hollywood style, having been walked on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by models, actors, and celebrities alike; its presentation alone was notable for its cinematic proportions, a feat Michele is known for.

Not only this, but American brands are once again moving to the forefront of the fashion landscape, having been celebrated most notably at the recent CFDA Awards, in which American designers like Tom Ford and foreign designers like Demna Gvasalia all acknowledged the impact of American fashion on the industry.

Among the numerous androgynous looks, Kid Cudi’s made the biggest splash with their wedding dress look. Three major standouts of the night: Tom Ford for his new book, Tom Ford 002, on how Amer-

ican fashion has shaped the international fashion landscape, Vera Wang who dressed duo Law Roach, Zendaya, and others, and Zendaya herself, who continues to solidify her legacy as a fashion icon. She has become a Gen Z fashion maven, who’s effects on contemporary fashion are undeniable.

She will go down in history in a similar fashion to Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and other style icons as she continues to turn out look after look.

Elevated formalwear is here to stay. As we saw in Paris SS22, more collections will continue to mix and match bold patterns, textures, combine casualwear and even athleisure wear with blazers, heels, boots, oversized and exaggerated silhouettes, and and androgynous looks. While plenty of houses opt for monochromatic contemporary looks, I am looking forward to the continued reinvention and elevation of formalwear with bold, pop art inspired patterns. I especially love the over accessorized formalwear, with gold chains, personalized and custom jewelry, and bold statement pieces. Designers must continue to redefine formalwear, as Gen Z’s distaste for conforming to the boring, overdone, and uninteresting attire forces designers to elevate and create bolder, more youthful looks.

Additionally, cutouts, mixture of textures, exciting silhouettes, incorporation of athleisure wear with formalwear, bold and contrasting color schemes and patterns, and extravagance were noticeable trends that appeared throughout the show and are here to stay. Repeating many of the same themes we saw in Paris SS22, it is clear that this is the direction many houses will take moving forward. Lingerie, stockings, sheer fabrics, and romantic silhouettes reminiscent of flowing nightgowns sexualized and romanticized many of the looks while still very much keeping to the Gucci vibe.

This move away from the overdone Gucci monogram-patterned and logo-obsessed looks is a much-needed and refreshing elevation for Gucci, as the house, similarly to other major labels like Fendi, Versace, Balenciaga, and others which have slowly moved away from the mid-2010s trend.

The Love Parade was a massive success, indicative of the free-spirited and unapologetic approach to contemporary fashion that Gen Z has, while still basing its premise in the old Hollywood, “Roaring Twenties” references and nostalgia that so many appreciate and look to for reinvention.

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TOP PHOTO: LEFT, RICK OWENS. RIGHT, NAOMI CAMPBELL B O T T O M P H O T O : L E F T, V I V I E N N E W E S T W O O D. R I G H T, G I A M B AT T I S TA VA L L I

Love Brings Love

Paris Fashion Week Pays Homage to Alber Elbaz WR ITTE N BY: AIDA M. TORO P H OTO G RA PHY: COU RT E SY OF RICHEM ONT

AFTER A YEAR OF IN PERSON WORLDWIDE FASHION week shows being cancelled due to the global pandemic, Paris Fashion Week’s grand finale was special as the closing show was AZ Factory’s “Love Brings Love.” The show paid homage to the late Israeli Fashion Designer Alber Elbaz’s creative vision and the unconditional love he obtained for the fashion community, in a synergetic runway show that grouped 45 houses and designers.

Elbaz was born in Morocco, and was raised and educated in Israel prior to moving to New York in the 1980’s. His recognition came about after being recruited by Ralph Toledano to helm Guy Laroche in Paris in 1996, before becoming the head of ready-to-wear for Yves Saint Laurent.

Most importantly, he was known for his revival of Lanvin throughout his time serving as Creative Director of the French fashion house from 2001 till 2015. In 2019, the prominent fashion designer decided to pave his own path as he announced his launching of his own label, AZ Factory (originally called AZ Fashion), which is a partnership with luxury conglomerate Richemont that owns brands such as Azzedine Alaïa, Cartier and Chloé as well. The brand’s name was changed to AZ Factory during the global pandemic as a tribute to the industry’s factories which served as places to produce face masks, sanitizers, and PPE. As his mantra was always Love Brings Love, Elbaz’s purpose in creating AZ Factory was to cultivate a fashion reboot that would provide care with an emphasis on love, trust and respect.

With Elbaz’s passing in April 2021 due to COVID-19, Paris Fashion Week’s closing show was historic as “Love Brings Love” brought the designer’s biggest dream to life. The concept of this show was exhilarated by a 1945 Parisian exhibition that gathered over sixty French couturiers as an alluring expression of creativity, prestige, and solidarity in the vigil of World War II. Intrigued by this uplifting

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story, Elbaz imagined uniting his extended fashion family for a fresh, avant-garde emphasis of its own.

Elbaz was inspired by Théâtre de la Mode, the 1945 Parisian exhibition that brought together French couturiers as a beautiful expression of love and solidarity. The show opened with the designer’s own signature design from AZ Factory – the MyBody little black dress which delivers cutting edge knitwear technology to another level of couture.

The following looks arrived from each participating house, which contained their own personal touch to Elbaz’s legacy, all the way from ready-to-wear to couture. To conclude, the AZ Factory design studio presented their own tribute to their esteemed founder with 25 looks.

“Tonight’s celebration for our dear Alber was a magical moment – talent celebrating talent is a remarkable tribute to the man we all loved so much,” said Laurent Malecaze, CEO of AZ Factory. “We are very humbled by the extraordinary support from all those who participated in the making of the show, and to all those who were able to

B A C K S TA G E Amber Valletta wears the final runway look designed by AZ Factory. Top: Lexi Bowling wears Givenchy. Middle: Mirthe Dijk wears Alaia. Bottom: Anja Rubik wears Saint Laurent.

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MEMORABLE MOMENTS Nyagua Ruea wearing Alexander McQueen.

Right, the final of the AZ Factory tribute show.

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join us for this historic night.”

In order to make “Love Brings Love” happen, AZ Factory sought assistance from Elbaz’s closest collaborators from his numerous adventures in the fashion world. Fashion houses and designers that participated in “Love brings Love” listed here: ALAÏA – Pieter Mulier, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN – Sarah Burton, BALENCIAGA – Demna Gvasalia, BALMAIN – Olivier Rousteing, BOTTEGA VENETA – Daniel Lee, BURBERRY – Riccardo Tisci, CASABLANCA – Charaf Tajer, CHLOE – Gabriela Hearst, CHRISTIAN DIOR – Maria Grazia Chiuri, CHRISTOPHER JOHN ROGERS – Christopher John Rogers, COMME DES GARÇONS – Rei Kawakubo, DRIES VAN NOTEN – Dries Van Noten, FENDI – Kim Jones, GIAMBATTISTA VALLI – Giambattista Valli, GIORGIO ARMANI – Giorgio Armani, GIVENCHY – Matthew M. Williams, GUCCI – Alessandro Michele, GUO PEI – Guo Pei, HERMES – Nadège Vanhée-Cybulski, IRIS VAN HERPEN in collaboration with ADOBE – Iris Van Herpen, JEAN PAUL GAULTIER – Jean Paul Gaultier, LANVIN – Bruno Sialelli, LOEWE

– Jonathan Anderson, LOUIS VUITTON – Nicolas Ghesquière, MAISON MARGIELA – John Galliano, OFF-WHITE – Virgil Abloh, RAF SIMONS – Raf Simons, RALPH LAUREN – Ralph Lauren, RICK OWENS – Rick Owens, ROSIE ASSOULIN – Rosie Assoulin, SACAI – Chitose Abe, SAINT LAURENT – Anthony Vaccarello, SCHIAPARELLI – Daniel Roseberry, SIMONE ROCHA – Simone Rocha, STELLA MCCARTNEY – Stella McCartney, THEBE MAGUGU – Thebe Magugu, THOM BROWNE – Thom Browne, TOMO KOIZUMI – Tomo Koizumi, VALENTINO – Pierpaolo Piccioli, VERSACE – Donatella Versac VETEMENTS – Guram Gvasalia, VIKTOR & ROLF – Viktor Horsting & Rolf Snoeren, VIVIENNE WESTWOOD – Vivienne Westwood & Andreas Kronthaler, WALES BONNER – Grace Wales Bonner, Y/ PROJECT – Glenn Martens This one of a kind runway experience will be remade for the “Love Brings Love” exhibition which will also pay a tribute and will run from March 5 to July 10 at Palais Galliera fashion museum in Paris. May Elbaz’s legacy of “love brings love” always lives on.

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Makeup’s Moment 14

WHAT A SPECTACULAR EYEGASM! Twice a year, our eyes, ears, and minds go on an amazing journey of wearable art. Where art meets fashion also translates to hair and make up, and this year there were many attractions and take-a-ways.

Starting with Jonathan Anderson, designer of Loewe, had people losing their minds over their short, cropped fantasy wigs. Hair guru Guido Palau created techno-inspired colors from turquoise, peach, and red to name a few. In previous years, runway highways were ruled by long, beach waves so it was refreshing to see well-cut, fantasy colored, cropped wigs make a bold statement.

Dries Van Noten created some noteworthy Crayola inspired locks as well. Coming out of this stagnant pandemic, designers and creators alike are running with excitement and doing things differently. It’s time to experiment, it’s time to play, and time to change things up!

There were several new shifts in the makeup world.

My new favorite: jewel applique to the face, eyes, and body. Van Noten, like hair, dazzled and razzled with this new trend. In the Kenneth Ize show makeup artist Fara Homidi painted the model’s nose in metallic gold.

Schiaparelli, the Queen of surrealism used the signature elongated gold-plated talons on the runway a bit of unique excitement. The House of Gucci used disco shimmer all over the lids and painted hearts for beauty marks in their Love Parade runway show. It was a really cute look and a little reminder: who doesn’t need a little bit of love in their lives?

Sequins on the lips was another memorable moment and easy to achieve - minimal makeup everywhere, gloss on the lips, then apply various shapes of sequins on the lips to collect all the light.

Maybe not a lip for a dinner date in order to avoide sequin ingestion, but suitable for drinks afterwards!

Let’s also give punk eyeliner it’s moment from this runway review. It could be electric neon colors or our every day black liner on the lash line. Black liner isn’t a new idea but always a mainstay; however, the use of neon takes it to the next level.

I love all the makeup minimalism focusing on healthy looking skin and focusing one area to make your mark. Healthy skin is always in style so don’t forget to find a skin care regimen that works for you and stick with it am & pm. Check out all these new looks and if you have any questions feel free to reach out and ask. Paint that face!

WRITTE N BY: FRANKIE SANDE RS ON PHOTOG RA HY: COU RT E SY OF BRANDS

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THE HIGHLIGHTS CLOCKWISE: Stellar crayola moments over the eyes and neon streaks through the hair from Dries Van Noten. Heart beauty marks from the Gucci Love Parade show. Golden embellishments at the Kenneth Ize show. Stellar, colorful cropped hair seen at the Loewe show. Jeweled faces and golden nails from Dries Van Noten and Schiaparelli.

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Reclaiming with Purpose ThunderVoice Hat Company proves that art can be made from rubble with one-of-a-kind hat designs.

WR I TT EN BY: JENNIFER STRIEGEL PHOTOG RA P HY: CO URTESY O F THUNDERVO ICE HAT CO MPANY

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It is a November morning. The sun has risen and the air is clear. The nocturnal are laying their heads to rest. While the diurnal heads are waking. Whether tending to the land around us or our dwelling’s surroundings, we each get dressed in garments and accessories in our own wardrobes. The process of what to wear takes on an integral role as it is the primer for what we will do next. And thereafter.

Throughout our day.

When one is raised in an environment where nature’s elements are part and parcel of those doings, the materials that comprise

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the garments and accessories we choose to wear are essential to both our comfort level and our effectiveness in our day’s work.

Whether with the land, or in our dwellings, there are innumerable elements from its structure to its furnishings to the air we breathe from the earth’s providing of it, to consider.

The time of November takes on much in the air, from the varying climates, depending upon where one is residing. ThunderVoice Hat Company (TVHC), represented by and from the Navajo People since 2017, is based in Long Beach California. Before in

Ajooba’ Hasin, an area of the Navajo Nation.

The Navajo Nation is a Native American Territory primarily in northwestern New Mexico and minimally across southeastern Utah at the New Mexico border. The Navajo Nation spans 17.5 million acres. That is equivalent to 21,000 Manhattan New York Central Parks.

Within the Navajo Nation, the Ajooba’ Hasin is where Lehi ThunderVoice Eagle, the founder and owner of TVHC, is from.

ThunderVoice Eagle grew up in the wilderness, the truest form of living and working with the land as it was both his dwelling

A WORK OF ART Lehi ThunderVoice Eagle, founder of ThunderVoice Hat Company, grew up in the wilderness, giving him a strong bond to nature, and the ultimate drive to repurpose.

Model Quannah Chasinghorse wearing the iconc brim style hat

by THVC. LEFT: Lehi ThunderVoice.

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“To repurpose/reclaim: It means leather store scraps, and old garage sales, and every antique store just off the road, and cutting off the best parts of that old couch in the alley, and the tiniest lonely conchos in the pawn shop.

It means driving out into the desert to meet with a woman selling her fathers old hat, hoping it finds a new life elsewhere.It means days spent scouring thrift stores for softened T-Shirts.

It means mornings spent hiking into shooting fields in AZ and picking through the junk and wreckage left behind, pulling out bullet casings, and placing crystals and stones into them.

It means steam cleaning, sageing, reshaping, and watching as the old items come to life.

It means TVHC actually hand sources these items. We meet the people selling them, shake their hand, and tell them it will be reclaimed into something new.”

T H U N D E R V O I C E H AT C O .

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and his surrounding environment.

Today, ThunderVoice Eagle is an artist in both artwork and fashion. His company, TVHC, with hat in its name was its first product, the iconic Navajo Brim Hat. The hat and Thunder Voice Company are symbolic of the reason for existing. To pay homage

Hat company’s to the lineage of Native Fashion.

Hats were their first carrier to do so. The Iconic Navajo Brim Hat - both in function and style - stands the test of time, from its origin through to its people now. Hats and headwear have been an integral part of the Navajo heritage. Functionally, hats protect our heads in inclement weather. Hats are also used as an essential adornment in community gatherings, like ceremonies and celebrations to represent to others our style.

This is only one of many adornments from the company. In addition to hats, hat bands and hat accessories for adults and children, ThunderVoice Eagle and his team now make blankets, masks, footwear, knives, shirts, jackets, jewelry, scarves, art prints, stickers, and bags.

ThunderVoice Eagle and his team of family and friends are

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woven together with their like minded beliefs in how the world today should make things. Together they use reclaimed materials from previous owners and specialty shops to the likes of antique stores and flea markets to curate and create their goods for sale. For its first product, hats, the process of restoring the shape includes leaving the hat in the sun after its been saged, steamed and cleaned.

ThunderVoice Eagle’s multi-prong process incorporates the elements of his origin story, growing up in nature, and his livelihood today in our culture, artistry. This combination comes through in all of their craftsmanship. The exceptional attention to detail in considering every part of how something is made is what has led to the global awareness and fanfare of TVHC. The tipping point for ThunderVoice Eagle in introducing his company, was in the realization that behind the glitz and glamour of fashion is a very broken and destructive infrastructure. The constant waste from materials and damage to the environment are astounding, considering the same outcome of a high quality product can be achieved from reusing materials. Finding the limitless ways to make something that already exists new again. What we wear reflects who we are and what we believe in. How we choose what to put on is from ourselves or was given to us in someone’s else’s choosing.

TVHC capturing the essence of Native Fashion through and through can giveway to a new foundation of inspiration and implementation for the world of fashion.

Join the TVHC community at their shop and by contributing to the Families to Families | Ajoob’ Hasin. Hats off to,and masks on with, Thunder Voice Hat Company. | thundervoicehatco.com

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Elias Jade Not Afraid

Featured in the Smithsonian and Vogue magazine, this beadwork artist describes what it means to have endless opportunity in a world of creativity.

WRITT EN BY: K ACEY PEREZ PHOTO G RAPH Y COURT ESY OF: ELIAS JADE NOT AFRAID

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Symbolism is one of the most beautiful ways Native American cultures have communicated through the centuries and is prominant in many tribes and their beadworking art. This skill has been seen in many different culures since beads were for discovered, but it has taken on an especially intricate artform within Native American culture. Elias Jade Not Afraid talks to us about his own renowned beadwork art and why it’s so important to him to carry on the tradition. He has taken his patterns and creations to next level designs that have been featured in top fashion magazines such as Vogue, have gained a permanent spot in the Smithsonian Museum, and have been repurposed on a large-scale on things like bank cards for Wells Fargo. Most importantly, we hear about what excites him most about his continued work as an artist - constantly having the opportunity to create something new.

Hi Elias! Welcome to The House of Perez family - so excited to talk to you about your work. For those readers that may not know, tell us about the art you create. I am a 31 year old bead artist who’s self taught and been beading for over 18 years now. I am a member of the Apsaalooké nation (Crow tribe) located in Montana.

Beadwork is such beautiful art and plays an amazing role in Native American culture. Can you explain its importance? Beadwork/traditional arts, are what keep our tribe rooted in our culture and keeps it alive. By us practicing and creating items based of old traditions, our culture will never die. It’s up to us to continue these traditions and to evolve them because if we stop practicing these mediums, we’ll lose them.

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Talk to us about color and the role it plays in the pieces you create.

Color plays a major roll in Crow beadwork because our work was know for using various bright, vibrant and eye catching colors.

There are some taboos with using the color black in beadwork because it represents mourning so it’s important to use this color when someone passes away. So, we do use color intentionally.

When I create a piece, I decide on the colors while I create and as I go. It took me years of practice to get to a point where I can come up with the design and colors on the spot while working.

When did you first start creating with beads? I started beading when I was 12 years old one winter while living in my great grandmother’s house in the country.. One day I just picked up a pair of her beaded leggings, took off one line of beads on the beaded leggings and reattached them by reverse engineering her work. I figured out how she did it and then taught myself how to do one of the hardest beadwork techniques - two needle appliqué beading. From there, I learned various beading techniques over the years and from 2016 to present, I have been a full time artist.

What do you enjoy most about beadwork? I love Crow beadwork because of the endless possibilities with design and color giving me the opportunity to create something that hasn’t been done before. I also enjoy collecting the materials.

What drives you to create the art that you do? Knowing that there is always something new to create within the art form excites and motivates me to making. Also, other beaders’ work inspires me to be different and I challenge myself to do more intricate work.

You were recently featured in Vogue’s, The United States of Fashion,

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“I love Crow beadwork and the endless possibilities with design and color giving me the opportunity to create something that hasn’t been done before.”

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how did it feel to a part of that community? It’s pretty surreal to be honest. It really didn’t set in until I saw the magazine on the shelf at the store and opened it to see my photo and feature was the center fold. It’s amazing they are finally highlighting indigenous artists and designers.

Talk to us about one of your most proud moments as an artist. I was most proud when the Smithsonian started collecting my beadwork for their permanent collections. Being featured in Vogue multiple times, being one out of five artists picked out of 500 to design a Wells Fargo bank card for the company based on my beadwork, and launching my first ready-to-wear clothing collection in July 2021 this year as well.

What motivates and inspires you the most right now? I am very passionate about what I do and create, so I am constantly pushing myself to create something new. When I scroll social media and see all the beadwork created by other indigenous artists, it motivates me to keep going.

What’s happening in the future for you? Any exciting upcoming projects you can tell us about? Currently I’m working on the graphics for my next ready-to-wear collection that I will release next year.

Also, I’m working on a beaded backpack as an entry for the Heard Indian art market in Phoenix, Arizona in March 2022. | ejnotafraid.com

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IN THE STUDIO Christine Alcalay pitured in her Brook lyn Studio.

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CHRISTINE ALCALAY Brooklyn-based LUXURY FASHION DESIGNER shares a slice of her POETIC NATURE, what motivates her and how she BALANCES HER TIME between DESIGNING, two store-fronts, and FAMILY. WRITT EN BY: AIDA M. TO RO PH OTOGRA PHY BY: JANA S CHUELLER

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The Notorious B.I.G. once said the catchy phrase, ‘Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn Way’... and what better way to spread love than by honoring creatives such as fashion designer Christine Alcalay, whose career in fashion began right next to her mother and her sewing machine when she was just three years old.

“I owe so much to my experience as a child and without it, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” she said. “I came to the United States with my mom at the age of three when we escaped Vietnam in the middle of the night on a boat promising freedom and opportunity.”

Alcalay and her mother were the lucky ones, as many people never made it to see land. Upon their arrival in Manhattan, she and her mother had nothing but a bag of dreams and the will to survive.

She mentioned her mother worked in factories, in which she tagged along, cutting threads and assisting her with anything she needed wherever she was. With younger sisters to support, Alcalay’s mother worked day and night.

“Growing up and witnessing my mother’s strong work ethic and drive to survive most definitely influenced me,” she said. “When a seamstress sews and speaks the language to her child, it is only natural that the child speaks that language fluently. She planted a seed

in me that included ingredients such as grit, hard work, tenacity and stamina.”

The passion for design and clothing that Alcalay has doesn’t arrive from fashion magazines, movie stars or the glamorous light that fashion tends to be portrayed in, but from experiencing that with hard work, one’s imagination can be designed and created with their own hands with some paper, pencil, fabric, needle and thread. For Alcalay, it wasn’t just sewing though: if her mother was cleaning, she taught her how to clean; if she was cooking, she taught her how to cook. All of these experiences taught her that she had a very important role to help as little or as young as she was. Alcalay indeed learned very early on that life is what it’s made of; it’s a personal hustle.

“I’m an entrepreneur at heart. I used to make and sell customizable scrunchies in Elementary school and I got such a kick out of it,” she said. “

Alcalay’s relationship with fashion has changed through the years as she became aware that garments that were made not only fed her and her family; however, clothed them and secured their futures. The clothes that society wears can change feelings and thus change the way of life. Alcalay set out to study and work in fashion so that she can give people the clothes they emotionally and physical-

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R E A DY TO W E A R Alcalay wearing her own designs. Right: various photos of her Broolyn-based studio.

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ly required to be their best selves in any capacity they are in. Her namesake collection was inspired by iconic women of the past as well as present and was designed for the quintessential women of the present and future. She believes that fashion can be a tool and transformative for the individual who sports it, as she cultivates clothing for the woman who has a narrative to tell.

Alcalay also felt it was important for her to learn the retail side of the fashion world as well as to learn the social skills which were required when it came to working with customers and clients.

“I may seem outgoing but a large part of what I learned about talking to people comes from working retail,” she explained. “It’s work that requires knowledge of product and customer service....It scared me to death, but I knew I had to conquer my fear.”

Alcalay continued, “It turns out, I love retail and it balances out the designer in me. Now with my stores, I’ve fulfilled the different kinds of creativity needed to run successful retail stores while working on my collection.”

Aside from having experience on the sales floor and perfecting her craft as a fashion designer, she maintains a presence on social media. Alcalay believes connection to be everything and that one can be of great service if they are truly themselves. Instagram just happens to be what’s working now; however, the goal for her is to share happiness, as she shares what inspires her.

“When you have something to say, I like to share it because I love that experience,” said Alcalay. “There is a human connection in everything we do and it’s that human connection that pushes me to explore the story.”

While growing up in the fashion industry, Alcalay has seen all of the different sides to it. Her drive arrives from her own personal journey, as first and foremost a woman, with so much beauty to

make and share. For a long time, she worked in a way that her own path was restrained due to the fashion calendar and cycle demands.

Working for many years in this specific routine has helped her build the grit to still be around in a grueling industry,; however, what drives her is finding ways to reach her people with clothing and design as a catalyst.

“I love telling stories and clothing allows for that transformative quality,” she said. “What continues to motivate me is beyond clothing but what it can inspire - a way of living, a way of doing, a way of being.”

Alcalay continued, “I appreciate the ever changing qualities of Fashion and can relate to it because, I myself am always changing. We are so multifaceted and I try to express that in emotion, interests and heart.”

She also mentioned her design process changes as often as the tide. Currently, Alcalay is working with smaller batches and some one of a kind pieces that she makes available only to those who are on Instagram. When doing this, she is really able to focus on what brought her to clothing design and construction. The machine of producing squeezed much of that dry and with the way the world halted because of the pandemic, it made Alcalay want to look at what was already available and create garments that were not only special but timeless, as well as small capsules of what her world and expressive form is about.

“I hope that these are felt by the person who wears them,” she expressed.

Every piece designed by Alcalay goes through a process of loving, doubting, disliking, reviewing, hibernation and then reincarnation. She believes the majority of creatives feel this way.

“It usually takes me about a year to fully cycle through a design,”

“There is a human connection in everything we do, and it’s that human connection that pushes me to explore the story.”

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she said. “I don’t truly appreciate it until it comes into my life in the form of something I can use and wear...Because I design for myself and a future version of myself- every garment eventually becomes a favorite- it’s just a matter of time.”

With two shops in Brooklyn, Kiwi and Fig, Alcalay states one of her proudest moments was when she was able to work with her mother and daughter on a collection. Three generations of women were a part of the new capsules...all the way from Alcalay’s mind, to her mother’s hands, to clothing her daughter.

“The type of thing dreams are made of, quite literally,” said Alcalay. “I’ve spent my life dressing women of all ages and making sure that the fabrics and styles they put on their bodies exude the spirit and life they live or aspire to.”

Alcalay continued, “For this current collection, I connected the dots of all of the women who inspired me, whom I’ve dressed, wanted to dress and have aspired to get close to their greatness. I honed into their magic and strength that is the perfect blend of feminine power.”

The women in her life have always been her overall inspiration.

While photographing the new capsule, Alcalay also looked into the future- her daughter, who stood beside her and inspired her to be a better mother, person, woman and artist. To Alcalay, those who love you, have that power on you.

“It usually takes me about a year to fully cycle through a design - I don’t truly appreciate it until it comes into my life in the form of something I can use and wear.

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In conclusion,life and its changes currently inspire Alcalay the most. The explorative qualities even in the most mundane things can be inspirational to her. She enjoys love sitting with things and experiences to see what story unravels. The journey for her as a woman is always about growth, whether it be through music, art, food or current events, the designs are always inspired by what surrounds her, she asks the question of what makes her feel good and what feels most meaningful.

“You’ll see that each collection made is directly correlated with my path as a woman,” expressed Alcalay.

Alcalay’s boutiques are both located in Brooklyn,where love will be spread throughout all aspects. Keep up with the designer via Instagram (@christinealcalay) and stop by for an outfit refresh if you are in Brooklyn. | christinealcalay.com

R E A DY TO W E A R Alcalay wearing pieces from her current Retrouvailles collection.

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History Repeats Itself The timeless history of Van Cleef & Arpels carries through their recent reinvention of their Zodiaque collection IMAGES COUR TESY OF VA N C L E E F & A R P E L S A R C H I V E S WRIT TEN BY JENNIFER STRIEGEL

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, BASED IN PARIS, FRANCE, has been making fine jewelry for over a century. A true family business at its origin, the story of the luxury jewelry house began in 1895 when Estelle Arpels, daughter of precious stone dealer, Léon Salomon Arpels, married Alfred Van Cleef, the son of stonecutter, Salomon Van Cleef. In honor of Salomon Arpels upon his death, Estelle’s brother, Charles and her husband, Alfred founded the Maison of Van Cleef & Arpels in 1906. Beyond the loving pair’s fathers going by the same name, Salomon, the combining of each family’s essential expertise in luxury jewelry making, enabled Van Cleef & Arpels to immediately establish themselves amongst the most prestigious clientele globally.

From their head office in the creme de le creme retail location in

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Paris - Place Vendôme, to their exceptional attention to detail in craftsmanship, Van Cleef & Arpels introduced us to a fantastical world of exquisite fairies, flowers, birds to be adorned from then to now. The pieces appearing as if they were hand plucked from that world to the real world is the result of their unique craftsmanship known as the Mystery Set. Mystery Set is Van Cleef & Arpels technique by way of the prongs that hold the precious stones secure,

being invisible to the human eye. Only the most talented jewelers possess this rare skill.

In the mid 1900s, Van Cleef & Arpels introduced The Alhambra (long necklace), still iconic today, because of Grace Kelly who bridged royalty with film and ready-to-wear fashion. She would effortlessly wear her opera-length Alhambra necklaces throughout the day. Sometimes layering them and other times adding a Van Cleef & Arpels pendant.

The bespoke design is timeless due to the universally recognizable four leaf clover, adjusted in Van Cleef & Arpels signature way - a hybrid of currency and timelessness. Currency in the name, resurrected from an eighth century fortress in Granada, Spain. Timelessness in the four

month, Van Cleef & Arpels shares their latest rendition of the Zodiac in pendants and watches. The traditional all yellow gold remains in their medals, while an additional design element is in rose gold and includes precious stones that make each sign immediately recognizable to lookers of the wearers. The two signs of November are Scorpio - turquoise and Sagittarius - pietersite stones. Shop Alhambra and Zodiaque for yourself and your admirers at vancleefarpels.com.

leaf clover’s shape, reminiscent of a framework pattern from the time of the Moors. The arch-like style you’ll recognize is depicted in paintings of Spanish architecture, also from the eighth century.

Supermodel Karen Graham wearing Alhambra in 1973’s American Vogue could be mistaken for a photo from SS22.

Certainly, Gen Z and The Alhambra will continue to keep this iconic design and collection timeless.

Van Cleef & Arpels current collection, Zodiaque, brings us back to their century long history twice over. While Grace Kelly was wearing Alhambra, a collection of zodiac pendants were introduced. Year after year the same designs continued in larger scale to achieve more intricate detail on the medallions throughout the late 1900s. Now, this

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Textiles in the West

Textile manufacturing entreprenuer Jennifer Striegel makes Sheridan, Wyoming their new home with the hope to cultivate a new kind of creative community.

WR I TT E N BY: KAC E Y PE RE Z P HOTO G RAP H Y: C OURT E SY OF GREAT S OCIAL CLU B

Jennifer,, please fill us in on what RnRiv is! RocknRanchiv is a luxury utility brand in the bucking barriers business. Rock is our vibe, Ranch is our work ethic, iv is our commitment to being all in on what we do for you. And we do everything in that trifecta. RnRiv has its own label for the sole purpose of using ourselves to test bucking the barriers in existing business models. In home design, in brand design, in wardrobe design, in organization design, in systems design. To ensure you reach your maximum value through us, for you.

Take us through your journey and how that led you to creating RnRiv. It began with my family - Grayson (8 3/4), Rhys (10), Scott (husband & father) - decision to move from the city life in the midwest to the country life in the mountain west. So many of our values - as spouses, parents, children, siblings, friends, colleagues, neighbors were newly at odds in the modern world (and this was pre-COVID).

The hustle and bustle was not providing the high it once did. Yet we needed to find an environment that would continue the legacy of our family’s roots. We proactively chose to broaden our horizons in places to embrace the tried and true Americana we were so blessed to be raised in, to provide for Rhys and Grayson’s future potentional in what’s come of the world today. Insert Wyoming here. Upon our arrival in 2018, it became abundantly clear that it wasn’t enough to just believe and do our part to contribute to our roots. We had to find a way to create and build new roots in concert. RnRiv was born.

Tell us about your why - what made you decide to start a textile manufacturing business? My background in human behavior, paper manufacturing and global branding led to an ah-ha that I could advance the mission of human capital through reconfiguring the $3 trillion dollar per annum business of fashion.

Why Sheridan, Wyoming? We visited Sheridan in March of 2021

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and we instantaneously felt it could be our permanent home base.

The grit, comfortability, entrepreneurial spirit and inherent can-do attitude was in sync with us personally and professionally. Excitedly it became so as of August of this year.

Who is the RnRiv customer - can you describe what they are like?

The RnRiv customer is any person who wants to own who they are and have what they wear, what they do and where and how they live be an extension of that.

Let’s talk about purpose. Do you see a greater meaning in your work and what you are called to do? Why do you feel like you are called to be doing what you are doing? 100%. I believe that I exist in this lifetime to enable people to achieve their greatest potential. I know this because everytime I meet someone new, similarly connect with someone I know well, I see instantaneously what’s possible for them. Knowing that through and through reinforces with certainty that I must listen to what I see and never hold back from taking action.

Take us through your five-year plan with RnRiv. What are exciting milestones you expect to hit throughout that timeline? It is five years from now. The milestones I reflect on from the past five years is that we were able to scale, valuing people for their profit as an IP that is now a universally understood definition of human capital. The RnRiv IP is the process that enables branded businesses to make products and offer services aligned to RnRiv’s values - exceptional quality, timeless utility, a value proposition like one’s bloodline. People making and providing the products and services rewarded equally to the people who are the users of the same products and services. In year one, the brand united with Big Horn Design Studio of Sheridan, Wyoming because of their shared belief system. In year two, Tom Balding Bits & Spurs also of Sheridan, Wyoming united. Along with Johnnie-O

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(coast to coast men’s apparel company) and Haste and Hustle (entrepreuner community and event company). In year three, both the united and the inspired combined forces to accelerate exponential growth. In year four, the hub of RnRiv became a guidepost and lighthouse from mountain to coast and coast to mountain, scaling globally from roots locally. In year five, we quantified human capital. By valuing people, their maximum profit potential was achieved for themselves and their community.

Outside of RnRiv, what are some of your favorite ways to pay it forward? In and outside of work, I want to apply the resources I have access to and offer others access to

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what’s most relevant to their needs. Known or unknown. So much in life is the result of what we do with what is available to us. Yet so often the world around us attempts to solve problems by addressing the symptoms not the root cause of why something is occuring. Which results in so often a short term perceived change for the better and a long term no change at all. If we do our part each and every day, to look at things through the lens of - what is preventing us from what could be - then we can provide offerings to mitigate that barrier for more than just ourselves.

What gives you life everyday? Simply, the age-old reference is true. That every day

is another opportunity to leave the world better than we found it yesterday.

Can we end by you sharing a bit about your proudest moment so far during the build of RnRiv? There have been innumerable moments in the most unplanned ways during the build of RnRiv. What is singular - in hindsight - is that we magnetize with the humans in the business of the marketplace commanding a high premium for their best-in-class craftsman+womanship. That consistent moment - one that is made in service of others - has been and ideally will continue to be its proudest.

You all are invited to join RnRiv in the way you say and see fit. | RocknRanchiv.com

IV VIBES R I G H T: S t r i e g e l wears a trackpant designed for the RocknRanchiv line.

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Canadian graphic artists breaks into the Toronto art scene by taking his work to the streets at large-scale WRI TTEN BY: KAC E Y PE RE Z P H OTOG RA P H Y: C O U RT ESY OF JAS ON ZANT E

Jason, we are so excited to talk to you! We know what you’ve been up to recently, but could you tell our readers about recent projects and events you have attended? I’m thrilled to be a part of this issue for the House of Perez and also to be amongst other wonderful creatives in this issue.

I would consider this past summer as my big break in the Toronto art scene. I recently collaborated with the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto on a large-scale mural for their South of France, Mediterranean-themed patio called “D’azur.” Another large-scale project I worked on was a series of art billboards for Cadillac Fairview Toronto Eaton Centre, an iconic mall landmark in Toronto. The sheer scale of these artworks, helped me gain exposure as a visual artist which in turn, garnered other art-based opportunities for me. During fall, the artwork that was privately commissioned by the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto was included as part of this years’ 2021 Yorkville Murals Program. This was a three-day cultural art event that celebrates contemporary muralism and public art. To be a part of that program amongst other well-known artists was a dream!

Can you remember a defining moment in your life that made you decide to pursue a career in art? As a child, I was always drawing and

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I M A G I N E TO G E T H E R Art Billboards. Commissioned by Cadillac Fairview Toronto Eaton Centre. 2021. PhotogRaphy by Nicole Breanne.

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REVEAL Giclee Print. 2021.

Commissioned by Awakn Life Sciences.

daydreaming. I think I was about three or four when I knew I wanted to become an artist and no other career crossed my mind. Ever since then, I’ve always stuck to that decision and everything that I did revolved around creating and anything that was meticulous in the process.

What does the Jason Zante creative process

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look like? Before you start on a piece, are there certain steps you take before you begin? My process usually starts by brainstorming what I want to create and the feeling to communicate in the art piece. Establishing a project brief with certain parameters to work with makes it conducive to curating my design choices for the concept of the

piece. I work intuitively when creating my initial sketches and afterwards use the project brief I’ve made for myself or based on the clients’, as a guiding tool to edit and fit the composition.

How does color play a role in your design decisions? Color is an integral element in my artwork. I use it as visual language to

LU M I N A N C E Digital Illustration. 2021.

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communicate the emotions of the narrative I’m creating. For me, colour makes an artwork sing and depending on which you use, it can signal a different tone. It’s probably the most influential subjective design element that draws people in so I’m very picky and specific in the colours I choose.

For you, what has been the most challenging about being an artist? It would be learning how to operate all aspects of an art business on my own through trial and error. I manage every part of my business such as my online art store, shipments of orders, and working closely with my clients on art commissions.

I am very grateful to have a graphic design background which has helped me tremendously in designing my brand image from the curation of my social media, website, and my marketing materials. Being able to pivot and continue despite the situation is essential to manifest your goals, and that is simply through hard work.

A R R I VA L 14”X 36” Giclee Print. 2021.

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by Canada Jetlines.

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Tell us about a moment you have been most proud of throughout your career. It would have to be when I saw myself featured in my local newspaper here in Toronto and the article title was titled, “Becoming the artist he wants to see in the world.” Seeing that made me feel like I was making my three-year-old self proud of who I was becoming and also for keeping my dream alive. To be able to talk about my Filipino upbringing and how my culture has inspired some of my artworks, feels liberating to know that people are as interested in the artist as they are with their artwork.

What inspires you the most right now? The possibility that anything can happen. The thought that I can create whatever I want and articulate that through visual imagery without words is powerful. I truly believe that the artwork is an extension of the lived experiences of the artist. Currently, I am inspired by Philippine landscapes, abstraction,

and surrealism.

Who are your favorite people to follow right now and why? Malika Favre for her elegant and simple artworks, Eyvind Earle for his technical compositions, and James Jean for his dreamy worlds. All these three artists have influenced the aesthetics of my artwork and also the thought processes in the creation of a piece.

What is next for you? Any dream projects in the works? Yes! I’ve been commissioned to create a mural for DECIEM The Abnormal Beauty Company, a brand I have been following for many years. Another is a holiday-themed packaging design for a French Patisserie shop here in Toronto called Nugateau. Brand collaborations are always exciting, most especially when you are given the creative freedom to shape the rules for the artwork. I find myself thriving in such conditions. I think that is what’s next for me, to have my artwork on different applications

“I saw myself featured in my local newspaper here in Toronto and the article was titled, ‘Becoming the artist he wants to see in the world.’ Seeing that made me feel like I was making my 3 year-old self proud of who I was becomming and for keeping my dream alive.”

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IN THE STUDIO Jason Zante, working in signing h i s p i e c e , “ R i d l e y A v e .”

and work with brands that align with my values as an artist and visual imagery.

Outside of your work, what else are you passionate about? Interior design, graphic design, and fashion. I’ve always had a proclivity in the arts and design and I’ve integrated many of these aspects into my personal life.

I feel enriched and fulfilled when I can make my surrounding environment look beautiful.

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Find out more about Zante by visiting his website, jasonzante.com or by following him on Instagram @jasonzanteart

T H O U G H T S O F B E AU T Y. 3 0 ” X 4 0 ” G i c l e e Pr i n t . 2 0 2 1 .

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“To be able to talk about my Filipino upbringing and how my culture has inspired some of my artworks, feels liberating to know that people are as interested in the artist as they are with their artwork.”

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I M A G I N E TO G E T H E R Ar t Billboards.

C o m m i s s i o n e d b y C a d i l l a c Fa i r v i e w To r o n t o E a t o n C e n t r e . 2 0 2 1 .

Photography by Nicole Breanne.

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F LO U R I S H 2 2 ” X 3 0 ” G i c l e e Pr i n t . 2 0 2 1 .

C o m m i s s i o n e d b y Ti l t H o l d i n g s .

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THE RIVIERA 25ft X 30ft mural. 2021.

Pr i v a t e l y c o m m i s s i o n e d b y T h e Fo u r S e a s o n s H o t e l To r o n t o .

P h o t o g r a p h y b y Fa r e e n K a r i m .

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O

lga

Sherer

MORE THAN A MODEL. MORE THAN A MUSE. WRITT EN BY: AIDA M. TO RO IMAGES COURT ESY OF: NEW YO RK MO DELS AND NEXT MANAGEMENT MILANO

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F R O M T H E PA S T Sherer shares moments from her career as renowned model starting with the Fall/Winter 2018 Ralph Lauren campaign.

Photography by Lachlan Bailey.

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NEW PRIORITIES Photographed with her son, Sherer says her family is her new priority outside of fashion.

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PROMINENT RUNWAY SHOWS, GLOSSY MAGAZINE covers, glamorous ads, and more, is where you’d find supermodel Olga Sherer. The Belarus born model began her quest in the industry at a young age back in 2003, as she never fit in with the norms of beauty standards.

“My family just moved to the capital Minsk and I was a little sad as I missed my dancing school, and friends...so my sister got us a ticket to a concert and my first mother agent Natalia Makei came to me and asked if I wanted to try to become a model,” said Sherer. “She was in modelling school at that time and my sister thought it would be nice for me to do something in my free time in a new city and make new friends!”

Sherer is known for having strong red hair and blue-green eyes, along with a sophisticated and questioning look, which includes a tall, elegant, and thin demeanor. Once she was scouted, Sherer walked for Issey Miyake’s Fall Runway show to debut her modeling career. Ever since, she became a sensation and was chosen to be an opening model for a variety of runway shows such as Marc Jacobs, Christian Dior, BCBG, Bottega Venetta, Alexander McQueen menswear, Jean Paul Gaultier, Tom Ford, Gucci, Valentino, Lanvin, and more. Not to mention, she gave a grand closing for Fendi.

“I’ve worked with all designers,” said Shere. “It is so hard for me to mention a favorite as they are all so different to work with and the experience was unbelievable. I have them in my memory and maybe one day I will share my personal adventure in a fashion carousel.”

Although Sherer has been the favorite opening model for well known fashion shows, she happened to be the muse for Israeli Fashion Designer Aler Elbaz, who was the creative director of Lanvin in Paris from 2001 until 2015, after having done stints at a number of other fashion houses, including Geoffrey Beene, Guy Laroche, and Yves Saint Laurent. In addition, Elbez founded the Richemont-backed label AZ Factory in 2019.

“It is the most precious comment and an honor to me when people tell me I am Alber’s muse,” expressed Sherer.

Sherer and Elbez met in 2007, which was a love at first sight working relationship. Walking the show for Elbez was always Sherer’s favorite moment in her career. She recently walked for AZ Factory’s Love Brings Love, which was a tribute in honor of Elbez held at

Le Carreau Du Temple in Paris for the most recent fashion week.

“Every fashion week I was waiting for his show...he was special and he still is for me,”she said. “I could understand his message without him explaining and I guess the same for him...he knew I would understand it.”

Participating in this show for AZ Factory was the hardest show Sherer has ever done, as she missed Elbez’s presence. Even though he wasn’t present, she was also happy she had a chance to reunite with all her Lanvin family. “It was a very emotional and unforgettable moment,” she said. “I will forever carry it in my heart.”

She also stated, “I miss my Alber very much, so it was hard to be there without him...without his hug and smile...but I am sure he would be happy to see all people come together and also for him and celebrate his memory and his unique talent.”

The AZ Factory show was an exception for Sherer to walk for as she no longer participates in fashion week shows, since she could not keep up with hectic schedules. Nowadays, her priority is her son, as she dedicates her time to taking him to the park and museums while she is not working.

“He makes me happy everyday,” she said in regards to her son. “Also, we both love dancing and plan on signing up for dance classes at a school.”

Her inspiration comes from her son, husband, nature, and most importantly, people she’s met with different perspectives. Sherer loves the madness of different talent and working on new projects, which can also be risky or strange.

“Actually, after I became a mother, all my priorities became very clear,” said Sherer. “I think I started to choose the best for my family and for me - something that I did not consider before.”

Sherer mentioned it is very important to really enjoy the process of fashion in every job, whether it be a show or a magazine. She feels the fashion of today is too fast paced to get completely involved and isn’t done the way it should be.

“I love the hard process and long days of work for a unique result,” said Sherer. “That’s why it is important to have a team who you love to work with so you can fully enjoy the process and result!”

Keep up with Sherer on Instagram over at @olgasherer_new_ account for her future projects.

“After I became a mother, all my priorities became very clear. I think I started to choose the best for my family and for me something I did not consider before.”

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POWERHOUSE B r e n d a C o s t a p o s i n g i n Pa r i s wearing suit by Balmain.

S t y l i n g b y N a t a l i e S t e g e r.

Makeup by Joel Sebastian.

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BRENDA COSTA The Runway’s Legend With a Heart of Gold WRI TT EN BY: AIDA M. TO RO PHOTOGRA PHY BY: FILBERT KUNG

Many know Brenda Costa as the Brazilian sensation who has walked a variety of runways since 2004, where she’s appeared in shows for designers such as Andres Sarda, Jorge Gomez, Juanjo Oliva, Montesinos Alama, Roberto Diez, Guru, and Phard. Her pearly white smile has also graced the covers of prominent publications such as Trip, Elle, Sie7e, Cosmopolitan, and Zink.

Prior to being the spotlight on the runways and covers, Costa’s story is one of a kind as she is a deaf model advocating in the creative industries in honor of deaf culture. Despite the fact that she was born profoundly deaf, her parents decided to raise her in a hearing environment, enrolled her in traditional public schools, and encouraged her to play with other hearing children. Associating Costa with the status

quo wasn’t always easy for her parents; however, she soon overcame her disability by becoming a master at lip-reading, along with finding acceptance in sports such as running and swimming, which she excelled in.

“It is challenging for anybody to be in this situation, but I never thought of giving up on my life and dreams,” said Costa.

“Instead, I have used it as a motivation and to develop myself to create the future.”

Her natural beauty made her stand out amongst all her peers, which resulted in her being discovered at the age of 16

by Agencia Mega, a prestigious agency representing some of Brazil’s most alluring models. With her charm and drive, she triumphed over her disability as she became a favorite among local fashion photographers.

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B E CO M I N G H I G H PROFILE Over time, Costa obtained ad jobs for brand campaigns with large companies like Baby Phat, Jasmine de M i l o a n d L’ O r e a l . To p b y I A Pe r l a , s k i r t b y Rick Owens, shoes by Va l e n t i n o . T H E H O U S E O F P E R E Z . C O M

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“Modeling was my way of showing the world that even with special conditions, it is still possible to make it in life and I’m thankful to have been able to work as I did, meet so many people, and places on my way this whole time.”

“Modeling was my way of showing the world that even with special conditions, it is still possible to make it in life and I’m thankful to have been able to work as I did, meet so many special people, and places on my way this whole time,” she expressed.

Her greatest success as a model came from advertising, since she’s obtained high-profile ad jobs for notorious campaigns for brands such as Baby Phat, Jasmine de Milo, L’Oreal, Bourjois, BumBum, Calzedonia, Cesare Paciotti 4US, Cortefiel, Elegance Boutique Catalog, Énfasis Lingerie, Giusu Slaviero, Guerlain “Shalimar” fragrance, Mango, Sergio Rossi, The Roc, Wolford, and others.

As she’s hit her 20 year mark in her modeling career, Costa feels it is time for her to give back by assisting others in achieving what she was able to do in her career. Her recently launched agency, Belle du Silence, is a space where Costa is aiming to provide a better world for all and all inclusive. She will utilize her agency as a tool to include the people in a judgement free market.

“I’m looking forward to making a difference than other agencies in offering services for all types of people with a more human approach than any conventional fashion agencies,” said Costa. “Having people with special conditions like me as well and including them into the market.”

Although Costa is not the first model with a hearing disability to be signed to a major modeling agency or to walk major runways she is one of a couple that has ignited conversations surrounding the inclusivity and compassion the fashion industry has towards models with hearing disabilities. She does not view her deafness as a disability, as it pushes her to make use of visual communication throughout her everyday life.

“I’m a very intuitive person and also have a strong personality to keep moving forward,” said Costa, in regards to honoring her deafness in the modeling industry. “Special thanks to my friends and family who were very supportive along my way to get here.”

Costa also mentions that being deaf provides her with an opportunity along with an asset enabling her to utilize her eyesight and her visual communication, as she’s always used it as a force element.

As a result, visual communication has worked for Costa at photo shoots as well as a for direction for major shows.

Nowadays, Costa is a mother to two children which has made her a stronger individual. While she is operating Belle du Silence, she is trying to find balance in life; however, her personality and passion just make things happen.

Catch Costa and her new creative venture, Belle du Silence on Instagram over at @belle_du_silence, where a snapshot of her everyday life along with upcoming projects is providing.

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NEW BEGINNINGS When Costa hit the 20 year m a r k i n h e r m o d e l i n g c a r e e r, she felt it was time to give back and launched her a g e n c y, B e l l e D u S i l e n c e . S u i t

by Balmain, shoes by Manolo B l a h n i k . L E F T: b l a c k d r e s s b y H e r v e L e g e r, b o o t s b y To m Fo r d .

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Michael Cinco Fashion designer in Dubai turns impalpable dream into reality with his spring/summer 2022 couture line.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: FILBERT KUNG

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J U S T L AU N C H E D BRB006XY RELEASED THEIR F I R S T C LOT H I N G L I N E , MAGNE TIC PLEASURE, NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR. A N D I S N O W AVA I L A B L E ONLINE.

Black, white, geometric and edgy - everything this new fashion line is bringing to the streets of New York P H O T O G RA P H Y BY J A N A S C H U E S S L E R .

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MAGNETIC PLEASURE The closures on the clothing are magnetic, making it possible to reassemble some pieces into different looks.

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ANAS SI ATA -

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SHOP BRB006XY Magnetic Pleasure is now available online at www.brb006xy.com

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THE HOUSE OF PEREZ WEDDINGS

P H OTO G R A P H Y BY J A N A S C H U E S S L E R

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COMING SOON The latest place for luxury wedding inspiration. Follow along for the latest trends in wedding fashion, design, beauty and tips and tricks from the best in the industry.

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final notes FROM THE HOUSE WRITTEN BY: JENNIFER STRIEGEL

IMAGE COUR TESY OF T H U N D E R V O I C E H AT C O M PA N Y

YOU ARE IDENTIFIED BY YOUR NAME. Sometimes that name is your birth name. Other times it is the name you self assign, a nickname or a new name that you identified more with as you’ve grown up.

You are where you are from. Where you live now. What you did and what you do. What you wear, eat and drink. Where you go, or don’t. With who. And who without. How content you are in spending time with yourself. What you hope to continue to do in the days, months and years to come.

This issue we shared with you who these people are, based on how they wanted you to define them in your reading of The House

of Perez November Issue.

From location to design vocation, they each talked about how they are doing their part for the greater - arts and culture - good. By being true to who they are.

Take this opportunity to reflect on what was shared with you.

Have a listen to the song from Jessie J - Who You Are. And/or pick up the book You do You by Sarah Knight.

Answer the question - Who are you? - for yourself. And if you want to, share your answer with The House of Perez. We’d love to hear from, Who You Are. | contact@thehouseofperez.com

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“Life is so short you can't waste even a day subscribing to what someone thinks you can do versus knowing what you can do.”

-Virgil Abloh I N M EMORY OF V IRGIL A BL OH FROM OU R FA MILY TO YO U RS .

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