The Isis Nicole Magazine Issue 5, Starring Abra, 2016 by The IN Mag

Issue 5 - INFINITY 2016 - 2017

ABRA | PIVOT GANG | MARINA FINI | YUKI HAZE

Depop: @nolicenceshop Purchases & Enquiries: nolicenceshop@gmail.com

Photography: Lillie Eiger Model: Jess Young

Isis and her mother

www.mdmflow.com MDMflow

From the Editor I just read that 2017 is the year of dealing with things. If that’s true, I’ll need to pack an extra backbone because your girl is a sensitive Cancer. Let me know if you’re also full of fleeting emotions, too. All things considered, I’m anticipating the next chapter. I want the world to recognize our full worth. This issue - themed INFINITY - was made possible by faith and friendship. I especially want to thank our returning features, our new features, and you. How I see it, INFINITY, represents the countless mornings and nights on multiple timezones, spent reinforcing in pop star Tinashe’s voice that dreams are real. Even more importantly, INFINITY represents the consequence of commitment, and what it means to make decisions that help further ones purpose. We pulled off our official cover photoshoot in London y’all, and I haven’t been there since 2012. It’s amazing how technology bridges barriers. And you know what else … it’s an honor to be able to pour our hearts and talents into a magazine that nothing in my lifetime compares to. Hannah Black, Hannah Siegfried, Caroline Jacobson, Anna Fearon, Hannah Grunden, Chani Ra Layzell, Clementine Bastow, Nia Darling, Tiare Ribeaux, Jahmi Swain, Mia Sakai, Abra, and everyone else whose been supporting #TheINMag just because, I love you. Here’s to safe travels, good health, and iconic work!

x Isis Nicole

Table of Contents Masthead & Contributors 8

The Braidy Brunch 50

A Day IN the Life 10

A West Side Story 58

She’s Keeling It 14

Past in Present 69

Past Lives 19

Leave it to Pina 76

Soph Damn Good 24

Dream in Sequence 80

Hue Blue 29

Light Works 83

Haze of Her Life 32

Making Scents of the Signs 88

Go Tell the World You Can’t Come for Me 38

A Night IN 96

Future Reflections 46

Abra photographed by Anna Fearon

Editor-in-Chief

Creative Director

Isis Nicole

Hannah Black

@isisnicole

@pinkvariegated

Staff/Editorial Photographer Hannah Siegfried @bahannahcupcake

For all contribution, distribution, and advertising inquiries please contact:

theINmag.com/contact Made with love <3 #theINmag IG: @the_INmag Twitter: @the_INmag Facebook.com/TheIsisNicoleMagazine www.theINmag.com

Text and photography copyright ÂŠ 2016 by The Isis Nicole Magazine.

Contributors Hannah Grunden

Sal Yvat

Marina Fini

@hannahgrunden

@salsogroovy

@marinafini

Anna Fearon

Yuki Haze

Tagen Donovan

@anna_fearon

@yukihaze

@tagen_d

Lillie Eiger

Danika Lawrence

Alysha Laurene

@lillieeiger

@sirius.film

@heavyblush

A Day IN the Life

Photos: Ben_PG Designer: Serena Gili

London-based model, Patrish Zea, brings IN behind the scenes.

@patrishzea

Designer: Mao E Knitwear

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Keeling It

As early as she can remember, Keely Murphy has always been on the path to becoming a stylist. Her dream as a child was to possess handmade items, and to mesh things together on her own. By way of Manhattan Beach, Murphy shares how she got her start at the fastest growing retailer, Nasty Gal, knowing when to ask for help, and the influence of Myspace. Interview: Cinnamon Frost

Cinnamon Frost: What is a busy day in your life like? Keely Murphy: [Laughs] Going to work, tracking packages on eBay, putting together outfits. That’s kind of it; that’s so weird. My ideal Sunday would be to get up and go to the Goodwill, come home, paint on the things that I’ve found, and then take a bunch of photos for my Instagram in my mirror. CF: Between your painting and your styling, does one influence the other? KM: I think they kind of influence each other. For right now, styling is the best way that I’ve found to communicate. I would like to have more art practices but I’ve found styling to be lucrative, and very fun. I don’t see them to be mutually exclusive. CF: How did you get into styling? KM: I think I got involved because I knew some people in film. I started assisting on music videos and things like that, and thought maybe I wanted to do production or the art department side. Styling came to me, easily, and I would get asked to do it, a lot. From there, I had a couple internships. CF: What brought you to Nasty Gal?

KM: I interned at, Nasty Gal, and then, Rodarte. I assisted a couple of stylists here [in L.A.] when I got done with school. After that, the job at Nasty Gal came up while I was looking for something a little more stable. It worked out! I was also doing Jeffrey Campbell stuff and my boss there, she pushed me to do more. She has been really helpful. I’m thankful because she made me think I could do it, which is cool. CF: That’s really cool. Where do you see yourself going with this work as a stylist, whether that’s solo or within the company? KM: I really love my job and I love my coworkers. I mean, we have a lot of freedom to make really cool projects but I think ultimately, I want to have a brand of my own and maybe a space, like a store slash gallery.

CF: Would that be in L.A.? KM: Probably L.A. first because I live here, and there’s a lot of that going on right now. It’s a really friendly climate for smaller concept stores, and it’s easier to do here with rent and everything. I’d like to have a line that sells homewares and stuff as well. Clothes, but also bedding-CF: I’m a sucker for homewares! KM: I love it! I think my mom really liked it when I was growing up. We’d order new sheets and things. I’ve just always been really into that. It’s not too far away from fashion. CF: It’s just decorating your space rather than, you know, your body. KM: Exactly. It’s just like dressing your home. CF: How has growing up in L.A. influenced your work and your personal style? KM: Living here gave me a chance to shop and build my whole wardrobe, which is a luxury. The town that I grew up in, Manhattan Beach, was definitely a

small sort of beach town that’s kind of like the center of punk. I was always really envious of the other teenagers, like the way they all dressed. I think to this day, I still take a lot of my styling queues from the high schoolers that were above me, and the people I would see on Myspace, like the photos I would stalk. I still envy a lot of those things because that was where the realness came from as far as how to look really cool. I think that totally influenced my style. CF: Where does the courage come from to begin to pursue your goals? KM: It comes from my mom. I think she was really supportive. Both of my parents wanted my sister and I to do whatever we could because they knew that we were more creative than, I don’t know, academic in a traditional way. I think now with my mom being gone, I just wouldn’t want to let her down. I think that’s why I’m working at it. She gave me all the tools to do so, so why would I back down now?

CF: That’s amazing. How do you stay inspired? KM: We’re so image-saturated right now. There’s so much to see. Sometimes I feel like it’s hard and question what’s the point in trying to keep up with everything? But then I feel like we have so much more power now. Like it’s all in your hands. If you want to produce, there are venues for it. I love seeing what other people are doing. I love checking up on shopping and editorials because you can see parallels between different people. There’s a collective consciousness, stuff that everyone’s thinking about that has to do with outside influences and circles of trends in fashion. It’s a little self-reflective about culture, which is cool. CF: How good are you at asking for help? KM: I don’t know, I’m pretty stubborn and self-righteous. I try and understand where I can only go so far and when I need other people to meet me halfway. Recently, I’ve gotten to work with more photographers on a oneon-one where we develop things together. I really like that experience.

Having that rapport makes it a lot easier for me to seek advice. I think other times, I get very defensive of my aesthetic. It’s just not wanting to lose what my intuition was because of surrounding influences. Trying to do creative things while also making them commercially viable is hard. Like you do have to ask for help. If somebody’s footing the bill, it has to be beneficial to them. CF: What have you discovered about yourself to never be repeated? Maybe a mistake that you’ve made in the past and then said, “I’m never gonna do that again.” KM: Oh man, okay, definitely got some of those. I think just with any job, you learn your do’s and your don’ts. What feels good at the time and what you’d prefer not to do again. I think there’s a lot of things like that when you’re on the lower end of production like assisting a lot. Those are not my favorite things to do; it’s just not the most honest. But I know now that I only like to work with people that I really like. Having a good friendship on set is really important.

you finally realize the way that icons are thrust upon us. They really don’t need to be that way. In terms of modern people I admire, I love Paris Hilton. I think she’s just a genius entrepreneur. CF: And lastly, what’s the greatest secret to composing the perfect outfit? KM: [Laughs] Not thinking too hard! Trusting your instincts and not being afraid of repercussions ’cause at the end of the day it’s just a yellow shirt with blue pants. That’s not the worst thing ever. There’s no wrong answer. keelymackenziemurphy.com

CF: It’s so important. You do your best work that way. KM: Totally! When you’re working with people who are on the same wavelength mentally, it’s so much easier and the work is better.

CF: Who were your childhood heroes?

Photos courtesy of Jeffrey Campbell

KM: [Laughs] I loved Elvis. I loved male rockstars at a very young age. I think as soon as I got to college, it all pretty much switched to females. I think it’s indicative of a lot of girls’ thought processes, when

Creative Direction: Bridgette Bayley Production: Sophia Callahan Hair and Makeup: Maddie North Styling: Keely Murphy Model: Sam Lui

t s Pa

by 24 @ bahannahcupcake

Soph Damn Good

Photography: Lillie Eiger Lipstick: MDM Flow Interview: Isis Nicole

Nailing it since 1998, Sophy Robson has become a household name in the beauty industry with clients from Kate Moss to Jourdan Dunn. Now, under the nickname, So Fly, Robson has taken up spray painting on the streets of London, and shares the most important lesson she’s learned from her daughter. Isis Nicole: You’re a hardworking mama and one of the biggest names in nail art with a decade worth of public legacy and influence. How do you manage to be so fly and take care of home? Sophy Robson: That’s kind of you to say. I was definitely part of its development in history, and I played my part. It was a lot of work, and bringing up a child by myself wasn’t easy. There were times I thought I was gonna lose it. These days I’ve been doing a fair bit of traveling, so keeping up [with] communication is very important. You’ve always got to be there for your friends and family or it’s not worth it.

IN: What’s essential to maintaining healthy relationships. SR: It’s important to be strong in yourself and to focus on the good things in life. At a certain point, you have to allow yourself to have room for relationships and personal time without feeling that it’s going to jeopardize what you can achieve. IN: Did family influence your shift from DJing to becoming London’s premiere nail artist? SR: The idea with changing careers, from DJing, was to do something more stable which didn’t exactly work out. I didn’t imagine myself going out doing gigs in the middle of the night with a baby at home, especially as her dad was also a DJ. I thought doing nails was gonna be like a 9 to 5, which did not happen. With any career, if you want to do well out of it, you have to put the hours in. The work will always come at the most inconvenient times!

IN: What’s your day usually like? SR: No day has the been the same for a long time. Sometimes I’m up at the crack of dawn for a photoshoot appointment. Last year, I did a fair bit of travel for work. The preparation for that is time consuming with constant organizing and packing. I spend a lot of time designing nails for brands normally at my kitchen table, which has become like my work space. I’ve had to be really good about keeping all my equipment and polishes tidied away. They were starting to take over. It’s normal for me to work on a set of nails for two to three days. I have to keep sending images to the brand I’m working for until they approve what I’m doing. I always have Hip-Hop playing for motivation … mainly underground stuff. When you’ve got your own business, you have to be really motivated and self-disciplined about it. I always try to get up and get emails done first thing in the

morning so I can get that out the way and get on with other things. To balance family life you have to be disciplined about turning the computer off, putting the phone down, and having quality time. IN: What’s the most important lesson you’ve taught your daughter? SR: When I had my daughter, I just wanted her to be confident and happy in herself. Becoming a mum is the biggest challenge you will ever face, especially if you haven’t had the best example shown to you in your own upbringing. I also felt it was really important to get my daughter to trust in me and learn that I will always have her back. We have fought a lot recently as she’s been through the teenage rebellion, but we are working it out now.

IN: What’s the most important lesson your daughter taught you? SR: Not to take myself too seriously IN: Have you ladies ever had a most stylish mother/daughter moment? SR: I always joke that when we go out I am dressed like the teenager and she dresses like the mum. More recently she has started taking a few of my clothes. We did get photographed together on Elle.com a long time ago, and I have a great picture of Jade with Viviennne Westwood when she was about 10-yearsold. IN: Who were some of your early childhood heroes? SR: I was attracted to glamour. There was a teacher called Miss Cherry I wanted to be her

‘cos of her name. I was always a bit awkward and clumsy, and I looked up to the pretty girls. I also wanted to be a Care Bear. IN: Did you always have a sense of purpose? SR: I’ve figured there’s something inside me that makes me determined to be the best that I can be [and] I push myself really hard no matter what. I just never figured in the beginning I would end up with all the experiences and opportunities that this career gave me. IN: What have you discovered about yourself to never be repeated? SR: I was always very materialistic, and I worked to get things. I’ve chilled out a lot with that. I can’t even spend time shopping now. I would rather travel and have good experiences you’ll never get from a new bag.

Hue Blue

Photography: Dominique Shepherd Models: Kenya Sherron and Luther Hughes Style and Direction: Sal the Director

Custom Lock: Yuki Haze

Haze of Her Life 34

Shoe and Hat: Ken Burnett

Custom Gas Canisters: Yuki Haze

Dress: Ken Burnett

by @yukihaze

Go Tell the World You Can’t Come for Me Whom out there is coming for Abra? The funky, free songstress is only two years deep into her publicized entertainment career, and she’s managed to release three projects, seven music videos, and scoop a Vogue feature. Interview: Brooklyn White During the early spring of her first European tour, Abra returned to her native city, London, and brought this shoot to life. “Abra’s very down to earth and an incredibly natural model,” said stylist Hannah Grunden, on what it was like working with the Awful Records member for #TheINMag cover shoot. “She pulled off all the looks as if she had been doing it for decades, and her show was mind-blowingly amazing. She has a presence like no other. It’s a performance that feels spiritual but you’re still dancing.” “It was really good vibes,” said photographer Anna Fearon. “She was chilling having her makeup done, having jokes with (hairstylist) Joel Benjamin and with (makeup artist) Sophie Cox. I was busy being frantic trying to get everything ready. Grunden was steaming. Mia Sakai was there with her video camera.” I had the privilege of chatting with Abra about music, personal growth, and her nonexistent persona. With the flavor of the ‘80s, mixed with the finesse of the Internet age, this princess is on a roll

and like her song “Crybaby” says, “no turning back now.” Brooklyn White: What’s your relationship like with your parents? Have they always been supportive of your choices? Abra: My relationship with them is good. I don’t get to see them often. They’re proud of me and supportive of me. They are my motivation. They don’t make any discomfort [as a result of (my) music] known. They realize I’m an adult and I do my thing. BW: Can you name three albums that had an effect on your childhood? A: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. I wasn’t into Hip-Hop culture growing up, but my neighbors would let me babysit their two little girls and one weekend my neighbors went to a Lauryn Hill concert. My birthday [came up] and they asked me what I wanted. I wanted to be cool so I said a Lauryn Hill CD. It changed my life and was all I listened to for a long time. Now That’s What I Call Music. [I’m] not an album person. Linkin Park’s Reanimation and Hybrid Theory.

Photographer: Anna Fearon Stylist: Hannah Grunden Hair: Joel Benjamin Makeup: Sophie Cox Photo Assistant: Genevieve Stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Assistant: Palesa Dlamini

Latex Dress: Kim West

Latex Top and Shorts: Kim West

Top: American Deadstock Joggers: Ellesse

BW: How did college help your music career and overall development? A: I met a lot of people who thought differently than the way I was brought up. I took anthropology classes and they helped me become more empathetic. [Began] analyzing instead of judging. Not so quick to have an answer, or an opinion. I met this guy named Mario Register. He believed in me, he thought I was a star. [After meeting him] I came up with songs. I was more confident. BW: Where do you go when seeking new concepts? A: I get ideas that feel right and look for images to build the world up in my head. BW: Who are you at your best? A: I am forgiving, strong willed, disciplined … I’m a good listener. Sacrificial. Imaginative. Creative.

BW: What is your message? A: I don’t really have a message. I want to be successful in living in my truth. I don’t have to pretend to be anyone I am not. BW: What excites you? A: New projects, concepts, ideas, love, the future, and looking back at all the people I’ve met. BW: How do you mentally prepare? [Is it] like, “Okay let me go into baby girl mode?” A: I’m too lazy for pretense. I’m a fanciful person. Like I can spend a week in my room [in my head], but there still isn’t a persona. I don’t practice before shows. [I focus on] being present. BW: What does “Fortune favors the bold” mean to you?

A: Don’t hesitate to make decisions. BW: At your worst? Don’t be afraid. Someone told me that shy people are really conceited. They A: I indulge in negative emotions. Critithink everyone is looking at them when cal, negative, judgmental. I don’t see the people really don’t care. Don’t hesitate light and I don’t try to look for it. Cold. to do you. Peek around the doors if you Fearful of being vulnerable. want to. Any mistake you make, it’s okay. Risky decisions have led me to great BW: How have you grown in the past year? success. “U GO I GO”, was my first serious self-produced song. Like, the first A: A lot actually. I learned to better mon- self-produced song I pitched to blogs. itor my emotions and motives. I took time Before, I had always worked with a proto look under the hood. [I] became more ducer. Poe [of Awful Records] said, “This patient and understanding. Let people in is fi”, and it ended up being the best more. Learning about myself helped me decision. Don’t let fear dictate. love people better and [allowed me to let] people with impure motives to exist Be sure to cop her latest EP, Princess, without seeking retaliation. [I now] save which is available on iTunes. the best parts of myself for the people who care.

Swimsuit: TIALS Faux Fur Coat: Bombe Surprise Boots: Pretty Little Thing

Future Reflections

by @tagen_d

Top: Aq/Aq Jacket: Nicola Brindle Earrings: Maria Piana

Th e Braidy Br u n ch

Jumper: Genevieve Sweeney Gilet: Onar Studios

Top: Waven Earrings: Maria Piana Rings: Pilgrim Jewellery

Top & Bomber Jacket: Kitty Joseph

Top: Kitty Joseph Fur Stole: Onar Studios Bracelets: Maria Piana And Chlobo Fine Dining Brooch: Nicola Brindle

Photography: Anna Fearon Stylist: Faye HĂŠran Hair: Keash Braids Mua: Porsche Poon Nails: Attitude Nails Models: Leah @ Milk Management, Maddie @ Nevs, and Melody @ Profile Models Assistant: Symone Keisha Top: Libertine-Libertine Earrings And Ring: Maria Piana

Photography: Hannah Siegfried Styling: Hannah Black Interview: Isis Nicole

A West Side Story

Spring had just wrapped its arms around Chicago. Hours before meeting with your next favorite group, photographer, Hannah Siegfried played the role of chauffeur, Hannah Black, the analytical stylist in need of iced coffee, and myself, the emotional editor who ate her breakfast too slow. Buckled in our seats, we cruised around the city early morning with the radio set to 107.5 WGCI-FM. “Angels” by Chance The Rapper featuring Saba played at full volume and we hummed along in excitement, “Wear your halo like a hat, that’s like the latest fashion / I got angels all around me they keep me surrounded.” By noon, the three of us had entered back on location for our scheduled shoot with said future favorite, Pivot Gang, a Chicago-based boy-band featuring Joseph Chilliams, Saba, John Walt, MFn Melo, Squeak Pivot (not pictured), and incarcerated member, Frsh Waters. Straightway, their sense of brotherhood enhanced and influenced the atmosphere upon their arrival. For instance, Nick Howe, our videographer onset, started out bashful, then naturally became somewhat of a 2004 version of Nigel Barker, capturing classic poses on VHS. Pivot Gang made their way to the clothing rack and commended Black’s flair. I served cans of ginger-ale and a list of questions about family, milestones, and growing up on Chicago’s West Side. Isis Nicole: We’ve been talking about dreams manifested in your life. Can we start by sharing what it was like growing up as brothers?

Joseph Chilliams: We were really good in school. Growing up, we had all the game systems and what not which was pretty sweet. Dad and mom broke up. I don’t know what year. Maybe 1997 or 1998? So we lived with our grandparents, I played basketball, and my brother [Saba] played, too. He wasn’t as good as me. Saba: Look … I was pretty great! I know if I tried out I would have made the team. My grandparents didn’t let me try out because [Joseph] tried out and when he was on the team it was like, schoolwork or basketball. He picked basketball and his grades dropped a little bit. JC: No. They dropped a lot. S: Our grandparents were like, “We’re not going to let that happen to our other grandson.” So he ruined that shit for me. I would have one hundred percent made the team. I had gym class with all the basketball players, busted their ass consistently. IN: How did you end up from athlete to recording artist? JC: I was like 13-years-old [when] I bumped into spoken word because I went to a Christian summer camp to play basketball. They had a court so I was like hell yeah I’m for that. They were like, “Yeah you guys are not really learning anything. You’re just playing basketball, so let’s offer you things that you have to participate in.” It was either board games, like chess or checkers, or you had to go to this spoken word thing.

Joseph Chilliams

I did spoken word since you could actually have conversations. At the end of the first time that I went, I wrote a poem. It was entirely bullshit. Something like, ‘Do you have a dollar I could borrow / call me tomorrow / and I’ll let you know if I have a dollar you can borrow,’ and everyone laughed when I said that. That’s pretty much how I got into rap.

S: You gotta pay $500 at the start and then just give us $50 every month.

MFn Melo: I kind of got in there late. After we started Pivot Gang we’d go to Young Chicago Authors workshop, and before that, I was going to YouMedia. One time for brother Mike. I never took it serious until after I graduated and came over to their crib.

JW: We got layaway.

John Walt: My uncle, aunt, mom and dad all did music, like rap, when I was coming up. My uncle [found success] and was signed to some label. As a child, I never took it serious. I used to freestyle, I’d say around 2011. I realized that my cousins Saba and Joseph had a studio like five minutes away from my house, and I was like ‘what!’

JW: First and last month’s. IN: This is expensive. I could never be a Pivot Gang member. JC: Don’t say that.

[LAUGHTER] JW: Aye if you do something great you might be an honorary Pivoter. S: That is true. IN: Would you do it on stage like how Kanye received a chain? [LAUGHTER] MM: We ain’t got no chains yet. JC: We could just tell you.

IN: And now you’re like Pivot Gang! How many members total?

IN: On stage. It has got to be on stage in front of an audience!

MM: Infinite.

Hannah Black: Oh my God!

S: There’s your infinity!

JC: Hey if you make that a thing, totally! We put on for our Pivoters.

IN: Can anybody join?! S: No. You have to pay us $500. [LAUGHTER] JC: Monthly fee.

HB: How did you guys become Pivot? JC: We made a lot of songs together naturally, and needed a name. We had a photoshoot in Wicker Park and after that, went to Reckless Records.

Saba

I’m a big fan of the television show Friends and bought the first season for around $2 or something. I got into this long conversation with an employee at checkout out, and then everyone who worked behind the store came over [for] this ten minute conversation. I was like damn that’s never happened before. People really fuck with Friends. It’s totally a thing. There’s an episode where Ross Geller [played by David Schwimmer] is moving a couch and he yells, “Pivot!” It’s really funny, and the next day I wrote a rap where I say, ‘Call us the Pivot Gang.’ IN: Everyone shouts “pivot” at your shows! JC: Like Ross did. [LAUGHTER] IN: Can we talk about boy band inspirations? JC: I consider any group of boys that made music together boy bands. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Wu-Tang Clan, whatever you know. They’re all boy bands to me. I’ve always felt like they all had some sort of image. It was easier to get behind them as a group than them individually. I felt like that would be a good thing for us to try, to make our presence that much more felt. All the boy bands, they had things about them that inspired me but like, N*SYNC, is probably the most inspirational for me. Justin Timberlake with the cornrows [was] like what’s really going on there? But their songs are really good. If [people] can get down with Justin in cornrows I feel like we have nothing to worry about. IN: Do you feel like you’re in a boy band?

MM: [Laughs] Most definitely. How can I not? I think it’s energy that makes a boy band. I wasn’t always for it. I didn’t really get into it for real, but that is what is it and I think it’s pretty cool. IN: Me, too. How do you guys feel about your dreams actualizing as a boy band and creatives? S: I feel great about it. It’s coming along and it’s one of those things where it’s like, we’ve been doing it so long now. Hella years, and this is just the beginning. Then we do something else that’s like a milestone and [again] it’s like, this is just the beginning. The cool thing about having art as your job is that there’s no real success indicator. It’s kind of like you just chill and do what you love. You get to put art into the world and kind of see it become your world and I think that’s, you know … that’s real cool. We’ve got to do some cool things so far even this early on. It’s really just a matter of waking up everyday excited to do something that you love. IN: That’s awesome. I relate just thinking about when Hannah and I work on our magazine. Seeing things come together with no blueprint necessarily, making your own rules… S: Yeah we were winging it for a very long time. I think this is the first year where we have some plans or strategy being implemented … I guess. I mean, we’re still kind of winging it but before, we were young. We had a nice amount of trial and error and shit in certain aspects where we [now] know what to do and what not to do. It’s still really early so I think we’re learning as we go. There’s no person or group of people above us or helping us. We’re kind of just doing it.

IN: I was going to ask about your uncle. Has he been an example or did you get to learn anything while he was a recording artist? S: He told us a lot but the thing is, the music scene is so much different. JW: The information [our uncle told] is kind of dated. S: It’s more of a history lesson rather than a you should do it like this. It’s cool to know that even if he were to pursue this same dream today, it would still be very different. With art everybody’s experience is different. Artists generate different [experiences] and responses. You’ve got to just find a way to implement [information] into your plan rather than just doing what someone else did. I think a lot of times older people don’t get it. IN: Especially many parents. S: Talking to our cousins or my dad even, because my dad makes music, it be funny. He’s starting to get it now that we’re starting to get responses back and we’re able to do stuff via our music. He’s kinda seeing it. Me and my dad used to get in heated arguments because when I was 16-years-old I told him I was putting my music out for free and he was like, “That’s the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard. Why would you ever do that?” I’m like, ‘Dad no trust me this is a good idea. Selling it is stupid.’ Now he kind of sees the reaction that just being able to release free music has gotten. IN: Does he react at all to you being on the radio?

S: Uh well he’s in New York, so I’m not on the radio [laughs] but he knows that it’s a thing [in Chicago]. He’s real supportive. Anytime I do a show out there he’ll come to it. He’s one of those Facebook dads who’s like always on Facebook anytime I do something, or anytime my brother does something or anytime anything really happens that’s on the Internet. He kind of sees the vision now but it’s like you know … sometimes it’s not even worth it to argue your ideas with people because you’ve got to take what they say into consideration but know that that’s not your path and kind of do what you do and then they’ll maybe see it how you see it. I think that statement would be true not just art. IN: Absolutely. Do you guys have any short terms goals for the winter? S: I want to go somewhere else for the winter, at least for like a month. If I could make that happen that would be cool. MM: Same thing. I just want to be able to go somewhere dealing with my music. J: Canada. MM: I’m with it. I’ve never been. IN: I’ve never been. MM: You trying to go? [LAUGHTER] IN: If i’m the honorary, I’m IN.

POP QUIZ! 1.) Which member of Pivot Gang describes himself as the 'edgy' one? 2.) How many members make up pivot gang? 3.) Which member of Pivot Gang has the deepest voice? 4.) Which member is the self-described “Sisqo of the group?” 5.) Which member of Pivot Gang is most likely to bless your soul?

Answers: 1: Saba, 2: Infinite, 3: Mfn Melo, 4: Joseph Chilliams, 5: John Walt

* Since this interview, “Angels” by Chance The Rapper ft. Saba was nominated for Best Hip-Hop Vide at the MTV Music Video Awards. Saba and Joseph also appeared on Noname’s highly anticipated ‘Telephone.’ Keep an eye out for Saba’s new project #Bucketlist, coming soon!

MFn Melo

John Walt

@pivotgang

Past in Present

Inspired by the theme of INFINITY, photographer Danika Lawrence crafted this editorial recreating images from her mother’s teenage years in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Lawrence celebrated the fashion and lifestyle of her mother’s past by photographing model, Abbie around the area where her mother grew up. Alongside the recreations are the original photographs. Photography and Direction: Danika Lawrence Model: @martianwulf

Top: American Apparel

by @sirius.film

l e a ve i t

to pina

Duty calls when you’re Tanisha Pina, fashion’s trend forecaster and Tumblr’s advisory go-to. Whether she’s helping an anonymous supporter with a budding match on Tinder, a college student looking to find the latest beauty bargain, or sharing candid information on mental health, the Columbia College Chicago grad has got her followers covered. Pina, based in New York City, wants to make the fashion industry more accessible to women of colour. Her career trajectory includes Vanity Fair, Teen Vogue, and now Racked.

Photography: Hannah Siegfried

@tanishapina

Dream in Sequence Interview By: Isis Nicole Trust your purpose. At least that’s what comes to mind after meeting 19-year-old, editor-in-chief, Fabiola Ching. She’s the D.C. - based founder of, The Coalition Zine, a femme quarterly print, and online platform, made up of literature and videos. Over Skype, we quickly indulged in our kindred tastes. We share the same zodiac sign, editorial roles, and, in pure coincidence, wore matching denim outfits. By way of Cameroon, Ching’s bottom line is simple. Solidarity, especially for women of colour. 82

Isis Nicole: Was becoming a publisher something that you wanted earlier or later in your life? Fabiola Ching: I always liked writing. I liked books, but I never thought it was going to be a magazine … like a real thing, you know? I think I kind of fell into it, but I don’t mind. I’m really glad that it happened. That it’s happening. I started trying to work with more girls in the D.C. area. This is my first time Skyping in like years. IN: I’m out here in California, which leaves Hannah Black and I accessible to each other on Skype. I’m actually on the phone or FaceTime quite a bit, now. I didn’t get a chance to say this earlier, but I want to. You’re doing everything you’re supposed to and more. I went to have a look at the launch of your new webpage, and I can see all the work it must take to be able to give so much of yourself, as well as to provide a space for people. Don’t ever stop. FC: I’m so excited! IN: How is your workshop Bby Steps? I want to participate in the future. FC: We had to postpone it for just a little bit. Apparently, I’ve got too much on my plate! I’m currently contacting a bunch of artists, writers, curators, and really cool people in my area that would like to participate. I was thinking about it for a really long time. There’s so many young people around me. When I was coming up … I’m still coming up, what am I saying. It’s meant to help people who want to know where to start.

IN: Exactly. Sharing valuable information is rare, I feel. To be someone who really stands behind giving back, it’s a challenge that’s not impossible. It can be done. FC: [At times] It’s a struggle. I don’t know shit. The little that I do know, and the little that I’ve learned, I really just want to share, you know. You don’t have to tell your secrets and shit. Just helping people with how to start, or where to go for help. It’s really important, especially for girls like us. IN: That’s awesome. I’m sorry I’ve just been coming at you with question after question. Did you have any for me? FC: I am so enamored by you. I just want to know, when did you start doing Isis Nicole? IN: [Thank you] Oh my gosh. Well, I ended up starting The IN Mag back in 2013. At the time my mom would drive me to get disposable cameras which I would send to artists. I’d give the artists an assignment on what to shoot, and then I’d interview them. I already had so much discipline through talking to myself on Tumblr starting in 2009. It’s what eventually led me to interviewing a variety of people online, and in print. Even earlier on, I wrote for my high school paper. When I was around 9-years-old, I got my first computer, and had been writing short-stories and plays on there. Then in like 2004, I fell in love with Xanga. Fast-forward to 2014, I met Hannah Black at a Glossier event. I don’t know if I’m pronouncing it right. FC: I say it the bougie way.

IN: So I went to a gloss-ee-ay event, and had 100 plus pages worth of content that needed to be designed. And by this time, I had moved from film to assigned and submitted digital photography. Black was at the same party. She came up to me, coincidentally had her work on her, turned out to be a graphic designer, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been working together ever since. FC: What are some of your challenges? IN: I'm my biggest challenge. Sometimes I get scared and I can make excuses. Fear has never taken the wheel, thankfully, but sometimes I let it ride in the passenger seat and it'll make comments like, 'Who do you think you are?' Even when there's evidence of achievements, I'll have moments where I'll have to overcome self-doubt. And then outside of me are things like, gatekeepers. I feel like that's an everyday frustration - how to challenge those types of platforms. FC: I love that you guys do everything on your own terms. It's something that I've struggled with, but I'm finally getting a grasp of that. And I'm so into how you guys are just so into what you do. Like when you see it, there are like no outside forces that [instruct] what you do. For me, who has always felt like an outsider in this creative scene, it was so nice to meet you guys. You guys were so kind from

the jump and I've never gotten that kind of reception. IN: Aw! Yeah! Black grew up in a small town in Iowa, and for me, in Ohio. I didn't grow up in a fast-paced culture. I think something about those backgrounds influence our friendliness. Thank you! FC: I was thinking about fastpaced cities. I can go on and work in New York, but I can't live there. I feel it would completely strip me of my vulnerability. IN: Are there any other cities that you'd like to bring The Coalition Zine? [Coughs] London. FC: Definitely. Also, Philly. They've got a really interesting vibe. I'd like to go to fuck shit up a little bit. www.thecoalitionzine.com @coalitionzine

Light Works

Photography and Styling: Marina Fini Makeup: Malina Stearns & Julie Brooks Clothing: Devowevo Models: @amerykahsmisfit & @gunsnrosies

Time Capsule Words By: Samantha Rose

Dear 30, I’ve always said that my 30’s are going to be the years I thrive. I’ve imagined having solid friends, work, etc. I don’t know if I’ve felt that because I was putting out the intention, because I merely predicted it, or because my 20’s haven’t gone completely according to ‘plan,’ as if such a thing can fully exist. One thing I’ve learned in all of my travels and experiences so far is that perception and projection are real. They create your life, or shatter what you thought your life was. I was recently at a crossroads with my intuition. In the past I couldn’t figure out the difference between my mind and my heart. A problem I don’t expect you to have, now. I’ve honed in on utilizing my intuition and living from the heart. ‘Follow your heart,’ is more than a worn cliché. It can also be the key to unlocking our desires. I have made a vow to myself to soften my heart and to keep my intuition sharp. I hope this vow allows me to relax in the latter of my 20’s as I cheer to you, 30. I’m fairly certain I actually can’t wait to be you. A much calmer, successful, sexier, and wiser me. Ready to take on my third decade of life, I assure you that at 30 I am actualized in my wholeness, trusting myself fully. Who knows, perhaps in love, and with a child. At least a dog! I offer unconditional love and faith. Every decision led to this moment. I am in charge of my life, living freely, by my own rules and no one else’s. I have committed to myself fully and beyond without apprehension or excuses. Guiding me through my 20’s, patiently waiting for my buds to bloom and my heart to inflate, I trust you. I trust that you are guiding me everywhere I am meant to be until I reach you, inspiring patience and presence in the current moment. Thank You. I love you.

making scents of the signs Words by: Alysha Laurene Photos by: Hannah Siegfried

This should probably be prefaced by admitting that I am not an astrologer. I am nosy and curious about people I interact with. At the age of thirteen I had my natal chart explained to me in depth -- the overall importance of where the planets were at the time of my arrival on this earth. Years later, I had to hear it again from an amatuer astrologer, that astrology is not just your sun sign. I also have a moon sign, a rising sign, placements in houses that I still find to be complex. My personality puzzle took shape, and I began to understand more about myself. Your Sun sign determines the position of the Sun at the time of your birth and will fall under one of twelve zodiac houses. For reference, I was born at night, and two hours into Cancer. Had I been born earlier in the day, I would have been a Gemini! Your Moon sign differs from your Sun sign because it introduces our inner feelings. This helps explain why, aside from life experiences, not every person with the same Sun sign behaves in the same manner. Have you ever jokingly read your horoscope and it didn’t sound anything like you? You probably relate closer to your moon sign. I’ve found that it’s similar to fragrance, too. Eventually, I started to wonder if my fragrance collection had anything to do with my zodiac sign. There are niche fragrance houses that cater to each sign, yet I didn’t like any of the notes in the description, and most of the fragrance guides I’ve read didn’t do much for me either. At best, there seemed to be a generalization that the signs tended to favor the scents close to their element; water signs were attracted to aquatic scents, fire signs favored spicy fragrances et cetera. They couldn’t be more wrong. Then finally, I found a book, “The Perfume Zodiac” by John Oakes, that got everything right. It’s more than a decade old at this point, and most of the fragrances mentioned probably seem like something your grandma might wear, for this generation, but the descriptions were all there in fine print. Just to see if my hunch was right, I created a survey online. Over one hundred people shared their sun and moon sign plus their favorite fragrances. I lurked message boards dedicated to fragrance where they had the same curiosity as me, but didn’t think their taste said anything about their zodiac sign. It does. I had all this information at my disposal and finally feel comfortable sharing and confirming that the fragrances we wear correlate to our zodiac. I’ve talked fragrance with everyone from friends, to strangers at the gas station, and they all had the same things in common! After deliberating and culling my lists for a couple months I finally came up with a few fragrances I think fit the traits and essence of each zodiac sign. Perhaps you’ll find one you like, but you can check both your Sun and Moon sign for more options, and what might be closer to your own preferences!

Aries, The Ram

Taurus, The Bull

Aries have very specific tastes in the fragrance that they choose to wear. Out of all the signs I noticed that Aries have diverse tastes, but will always end up reaching for the same fragrance that’s tried and true. They’re loyalists.

Taurus doesn’t do cheap. They reach for simple and elegant. Similar to Aries, they will favor one or two fine fragrances that they deem suitable for their needs. Nothing loud and obnoxious that you can smell in the next room. They’re subtle.

Gucci Rush - Rush is a woody oriental fragrance that’s packaged like a bright red cassette tape. The spirit of Rush is loud and proud, with a hidden warmth that’s typical of most Aries I know. It starts off with a blend of gardenia and jasmine with the sharp heart of coriander seeds, rose and vanilla.

Byredo Bal d’Afrique - This gorgeous composition is one of Byredo’s best sellers and opens with a burst of citrus from bergamot, lemon and neroli, with a dash of African marigold, that leads into the heart notes of bucchu, violet, cyclamen and vetiver, There’s a sweet and warm base with the efforts of black amber, musk and moroccan cedarwood.

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy - This was mentioned by more Aries than any other sign and with the official description stating that “The Viva la Juicy girl never turns down a glass of champagne or the chance to get into the tiniest bit of trouble” it’s easy to see how the essence of this fragrance might resonate with Aries. This fragrance is floral fruity with jasmine, wild berries and vanilla! Marc Jacobs Daisy - Daisy is popular with everyone, but moreso with people that have Aries in their chart. She has fresh notes of wild strawberry, a little powdery violet, with gardenia and jasmine and a base of birch and cedarwood. Diptyque Philosykos - A whole fig tree fits into this fragrance. The slight sweetness of fig and the big green leaves that accompany them! Dry wood and white cedar round this fragrance out. Hanae Mori Hanae Mori - A classic masterpiece of fruit and wood. Black currant, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries are found in the top notes, with jasmine, ylang-ylang, rose and peony making up the heart, and sandalwood, cedar, rosewood and almond tree for the base. 92

Chloe Roses de Chloe - A fresh bouquet of roses is exactly what Roses de Chloe smells like! It has fresh cut roses with a dash of citrus, rose essence, magnolia accord and a soft base of white musk and amber. Bvlgari Eau Parfumée Au Thé Vert - Fresh, crisp and clean. Bvlgari has a range of tea fragrances, and this is their take on green tea. It’s citrusy with a touch of jasmine. Very simple and classy. Gucci Guilty - A floral oriental with citrus and a hint of black pepper. A hearty burst of peach, lilac and geranium sit on top of a warm base of amber and patchouli. A fruity alternative can be found in Gucci Guilty Black, which is perfect for summer. Tom Ford White Patchouli - Patchouli done right! White florals wrapped in patchouli, with peony, bergamot, jasmine and rose. Sharp notes of coriander and ambrette seed. Dolce and Gabbana The One - Fruity floral that opens with mandarin, bergamot, lychee and peach. Sheer heart notes of jasmine, lily of the valley and white lily with a dash of plum. The woody base is created with vetiver root, amber, musk and vanilla.

Gemini, The Twins

Cancer, The Crab

Geminis are my favorite perfume party. They will try anything once, just for fun. I love and admire their playful nature and they tend to have the most youthful tastes, but they’re incredibly diverse, even though fruity and gourmand are their go tos.

Crabs are ruled by the moon and one of the most nurturing signs of the zodiac, so it’s not at all surprising that many of them favor the “romantic” notes of lush fragrant flowers and the warmth of sweeter scents.

Stella McCartney Pop - This starts off soft and fruity with violet leaves and mandarin, that give way to the heart notes of tuberose and plumeria with a woody base of sandalwood, cedarwood and musk. CK One Gold - fresh notes of fig, bergamot and sage, with a heart of neroli, jasmine, and vetiver and a warm base of patchouli and guaiac. DKNY Be Tempted - Starting with Be Delicious in 2004, this DKNY range has come out with its fair share of limited editions and as many twists as you can give an apple, but this is the gourmand variety that’s perfect for fall. Juicy top notes of black currant, licorice and red fruit melt into rose essential oil, violet and orange blossom. The base is a beautiful blend of Indonesian patchouli, vanilla cream and oriental myrrh resin. Maison Martin Margiela Lipstick On - This is a playful take on the contents of your makeup bag, with top notes of bergamot, heliotrope and neroli. Heart notes are soft orange blossom, iris and galbanum with a creamy base of tonka bean, bourbon vanilla and patchouli. Dior Addict Eau Delice - Juicyfruit Super Star! Burts of sour cranberries that lead to the heart of it, with jasmine and Egyptian ylangylang, that dries down to a soft white musk.

Guerlain Rose Barbare - Heavy on roses and aldehydes, with a touch of honey chypre, this is one fragrance that’s soft and wears very close to the skin and is a treat to smell on anyone being met with a hug. Thierry Mugler Alien - This is a very loud fragrance that is particularly favored by Crabs, and demands attention to the wearer. The most showy of the bunch, Alien is truly out of this world with a white amber base and topped off with beautiful Indian jasmine. Narciso Rodriguez Narciso - Vetiver and cedar give the base of this fragrance a warm and sensual feel, married with white gardenia and rose over a musky mid note. Balenciaga Paris - Soft and very lovely violet leaves with a touch of carnation to help from making this fragrance too powdery. A little cedar wood at the base evens it out and gives it a fresh balance. Lolita Lempicka - This whimsical fragrance launched in 1997 and was name dropped by more Cancers than any other sign! It’s sweet and powdery; composed of licorice and anise, with violet, iris, heliotrope and a sweet tonka base. The purple apple stem bottle is easily recognized and has been described as making someone feel like a forest fairy, which is fitting since that was the original imagery used in the first advertisements. Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche - This is the lighter warm weather version of Chance. Her big sister is more soft floral, but Eau Fraiche gives a youthful twist with wood and fresh citrus.

Leo, The Lion

Virgo, The Virgin

Leos are probably my favorite fragrance study, because there’s a direct correlation from what I tend to call “loud and proud” fragrances and I kept seeing these fragrances popping up from anyone with Leo in their chart. They love super dramatic fragrances that introduce them before you even see them, or fragrances that will linger after they’ve left. They just need you to know they have arrived! There is no such thing as a seasonal scent for them, if they like something, regardless of whether it’s summer or winter, they’re going to wear the same fragrance.

One of the most secretive and giving signs of the Zodiac. Virgos seem to have a love affair with soft fragrances that wear so close to the skin, they’re the only ones that get to enjoy it. Soft florals, musk and wood are some of the favored scents.

Chanel Coco Noir - Dark and intense, Coco Noir has fresh notes of grapefruit and bergamot, bunched with jasmine and rose sitting on top of Indonesian patchouli and sandalwood for some added warmth. Tom Ford Velvet Orchid - This is Black Orchid’s little sister. She gets along with most people, much easier than her older sister and she doesn’t have to work for it. She and her sister both have the same full bodied warmth, but Velvet Orchid starts out with orange blossom, hyacinth and jonquil, wrapped around suede and vanilla. Givenchy Ange ou Demon - Starting fresh and sweet with mandarin, white cumin and saffron make way for a strong floral accent of lily, orchid and ylang-ylang. Rosewood and oak moss surround tonka bean and vanilla for the base. La Prairie Midnight Rain - A super fruity cocktail of guava, mandarin, pomegranate with a splash of freesia. Floral heart of white lily, orchid, plum blossom and amber flower. Gorgeous dry down to vetiver, cashmere and musk.

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black - A simple powdery violet with sandalwood and vanilla. Balenciaga Rosabotanica - Contrary to its name, this is actually a wonderful green scent! Opens with blue hyacinth and fig leaves with a little help from petitgrain, an oil that’s extracted from the bitter orange tree. The namesake for this fragrance is found in the heart with accents of rose, and drops of grapefruit, cardamom and pink pepper. Finally, it’s rounded out with white amber, cedar, vetiver, patchouli and a few clean woody notes. Donna Karan Cashmere Aura - Cashmere Mist has been done again and again, but for its 20th anniversary, it’s getting a makeover with citrus, flowers and blonde wood. Bvlgari Goldea - One of the sweeter fragrances from Bvlgari, this one opens with crystal musk, orange blossom, raspberry and bergamot. Heart notes include golden musk, ylang-ylang and jasmine that sit on top of more musk, amber, patchouli and Egyptian papyrus.. Miu Miu - Lily of the valley with aid from jasmine, rose and green notes. There’s a bit of a secret ingredient called akigalawood, that was created in Givaudan, that’s a fractionated note of patchouli and gives way to the pepper and woody base.

Libra, The Scales

Sagittarius, The Archer

The oblivious beauties. Libra is the epitome of beauty, and it comes naturally to them. When questioned on their favorite fragrances, Libras will offer a whimsical answer of whatever smells good to them on that day. No specifics. It’s just a given that it will smell nice. Or they don’t wear anything but they still get complimented on the way they smell, whether it’s their conditioner or whatever lotion they applied earlier. Libra’s are fond of fun, girly fragrances.

The most fragile fire sign, in the olfactory sense. Every single Sagittarius I’ve met has had a sensitive nose and gets nauseous when they wear anything that doesn’t agree with them. They tend to reach for crisp and green, office friendly scents and if they’re going to be daring they can add a little fruit into the mix but nothing too heavy.

Ralph Lauren Romance - Everyone is probably familiar with this fragrance, but it’s still a classic! Rose and citrus oil are the top notes, with a fresh heart of water lily, lily and white violet and a touch of spiciness from carnation and ginger. Soft woody base of patchouli, oakmoss and white musk. Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet - Sweet and juicy top notes of peony and mandarin, with rose essence, peach, apricot zest and a gorgeous white musky base. Cartier La Panthere - Green with a tiny hint of fruity rhubarb, strawberries, apple and apricot. The heat has notes of gardenia, sitting on top of ketone musk and oak moss. Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb - Ten years old and you can still smell this before you even get to the fragrance counter. A true floral explosion of Sambac jasmine, Centifolia rose, freesia and Cattleya orchids. Milky and powdery notes make up the heart and musk and patchouli wrap up the base notes. Jean Paul Gaultier Classique - An iconic bottle and fragrance that embodies beauty, perfect for a Libra. Opening with a delicate rose and given a little spice with anis. Orange blossom and ginger make the heart of her and vanilla and amber round it out.

Balenciaga B - Opens with a burst of green from of lily of the valley, bell and edamame accord. Powdery heart notes of orris root a dark and woody base of cashmeran woods. Chanel No. 19 Poudre - Chanel No. 19 was Coco Chanel’s signature scent, named in honor of her birthday August, 19, 1883. A Leo! Reimagined in 2011, this green fragrance was given a touch of iris for a powdery take on this classic. Hermes Jardin Sur le Toit - The Garden on the Roof is a gorgeous fragrance that captures the entire garden! A strong breeze introduces the scent from the apple and pear trees, green grass, basil and giant magnolia blooms. If you keep sniffing you might even be able to smell the wet soil. Calvin Klein Euphoria - A sensual and woody fragrance that opens with ripe and juicy pomegranate and persimmon, with gorgeous floral heart notes of black orchid, lotus blossom and champaca flower that sit on top of a creamy amber base with a little black violet thrown in. Commodity Goods Mimosa - Part of the White Collection, the fragrances from this line are all light and airy. Mimosa is fresh and citrusy with blood orange, mandarin and grapefruit that give way to black pepper, sheer jasmine and geranium. Tonka bean, heliotrope and ylang-ylang round up this composition.

Scorpio, The Scorpion

Capricorn, The Sea Goat

Scorpios are the moody middle child of the water signs, with an acute inclination for intense and unusual fragrances that are heavy in wood or resinous notes that demand attention.

Capricorns are adept and efficient in most of what they set their mind to, although they are very difficult to narrow down in relation to fragrance, when many choices lean either masculine and minimal, or an unusual fragrance that took them a year to finally decide on.

Bvlgari Black - Shaped like a rubber tire, this unusual choice starts off with the smoky scent of lapsang souchong tea and wears as soft as leather. Tom Ford Black Orchid - If any fragrance were to embody the Scorpio essence it’s Black Orchid. At first she’s a lot to handle for many people, with bitter top notes that many are not able to properly appreciate, but if you stick around and get to know her on a more intimate level, she will reveal one of the most beautiful scents on the market! She starts with jasmine, black truffle, ylangylang and black currant and transforms into a decadent woodsy affair, with everything from patchouli to dark chocolate and incense. Narciso Rodriguez For Her - Beautiful white floral fragrance with heavy emphasis on musk. Available in eau de toilette and eau du parfum, the latter is given a rose top note and equally as gorgeous as its predecessor. Atelier Colognes Oud Saphir - Starts off with a burst of citrus, pink pepper and ambrette seed gives a little spice, followed by suede, birch and jasmine in the heart of it before drying down to agarwood and vanilla. Kiehl’s Original Musk - Complex and creamy citrus bergamot, roses, neroli, and white patchouli this Kiehl’s staple has everything

Nasomatto Black Afgano - Light, sweet and earthy, with notes of incense and oud. Amouge Interlude Woman - This one is a doozy! Citrus opening of bergamot and grapefruit, with a heart of rose, frankincense, jasmine, orange blossom, helichrysum, opoponax and sandalwood mix with nut, coffee, kiwi, honey and agarwood. Finally the base, which is a sensual vanilla, benzoin, amber, sandalwood, oakmoss, leather, tonka and musk. Guerlain L’Heure Bleue - This classic has been around since 1912 and might match the peculiar tastes that Capricorns appreciate. Spicy aniseed and fresh bergamot start this fragrance off, followed by carnation and neroli. There’s a warm powder dry down from iris and violet with a delicious gourmand base of vanilla, tonka bean and benzoin. Ramon Monegal Curielle - A leather fragrance with no leather! Musky olibanum with patchouli leaf, honey and incense blend with virginian cedar and bourbon vetiver. YSL Black Opium - So much sweetness in one bottle. Opium was one of the top fragrances of the 1970’s and still a favorite among fragrance aficionados to this day. In 2014 YSL launched Black Opium, the “rock and roll” equivalent to its predecessor and an update for millennials. It starts off with an abundance of coffee. Throw in some pink pepper, orange blossom, jasmine, vanilla with a base of patchouli and cedar and you have one of the most favored fragrances of the moment.

Aquarius, The Waterbearer

Pisces, The Fish

The last air sign. If you’ve ever met someone’s dreamy younger sibling, they were probably an Aquarius who marches to the beat of their own drum. Right in their element of whimsy, it’s almost hard to narrow down fragrance for these water bearers. They tend to gravitate towards the unusual, or they’re having a love affair with all the body sprays at the drugstore, and everything in between that suits their fancy.

The last water sign, and the last sign of the Zodiac, Pisces have some of the most playful tastes in fragrance. They range anywhere from sweet and fruity to light and airy that are accompanied by a beautiful bottle. They’re dreamy and very romantic with their selections.

Comme des Garcons Incense Avignon - Said to smell like Catholic Mass, the top notes are frankincense and myrrh with a heart of smoky balsamic notes. Dry down of soft vanilla and chamomile. Vivienne Westwood Anglomania - There’s an unusual blend of top notes with spicy cardamom, coriander and green tea. Heart of rose, violet and nutmeg, with a warm and creamy base of leather, vanilla and amber. Viktor and Rolf Spicebomb - a loud and creamy composition of bergamot, grapefruit, and pepper greet you on the first spray, and there’s a soft dry down of chili, saffron, leather, tobacco and vetiver. Byredo Pulp - This is sweet and fruity and goes on with bergamot, cardamom and black currant with a juicy heart that smells like a jar of fresh fig preserves, a pinch of apple and tiare flower. Base notes of cedar, praline and peach blossom. Pulp is the closest you can get to a fig tree, and all of the leaves, branches and tiny dew drops that accumulate overnight. L’Artisan Parfumers Timbuktu - Mango and pink pepper take you on a journey to the heart of this fragrance which consists of frankincense and papyrus smoke. The African flower, Karo Karounde mixes with green vetiver to round out the heart before leading to a base of balsam, spice, patchouli, myrrh and vetiver.

Guerlain Insolence - This gem is a fruity floral with a little powder in the form of violet and iris and a touch of berries. Hermes Elixir des Merveilles - Amber, orange peel and plenty of wood, there’s not a single floral in this fragrance Kilian Back to Black - A little heavy, but this a beautiful fragrance that’s dripped in honey and tobacco Issey Miyake Nuit D’Issey - Said to be an ode to wood this starts fresh with bergamot and grapefruit, vetiver, blackwoods and just a hint of leather, with a warm incense and tonka bean base. Thierry Mugler Womanity - A romantic dedication to femininity, the bottle itself may capture the dreamy Pisces woman, with heavy emphasis on fig. Dolce and Gabbana Rosa Excelsa - Full of fruit and florals, this beauty starts off with papaya blossom and neroli leaves. White amaryllis starts the heart notes, with white water lily and white daffodil. Moving forward there’s also two roses, the African Dog rose and Turkish rose absolute. The woody base notes are from sandalwood, musk and cashmere.

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A Night IN

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The Isis Nicole Magazine Issue 5, Starring Abra, 2016

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The Isis Nicole Magazine #5