SUMMER 2015
style $10
“THE GENESIS”
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The Genesis
IN the beginning, Matte Velvet created Knight Style. 2 After years of working for several print and online publications, this young god hatched an idea that would redefine fashion. 3 He also realized that he no longer had any interest in using his creativity to fuel organizations he didn’t believe in. 4 Through his experience in fashion and new-age journalism, Matte learned a lot. 5 He learned how to navigate social media landscapes to promote online content and how to design pages for print. 6 But more important than any of that, he learned what he didn’t want
to do, what he believed in, and what he wanted to give to the world. 7 Matte wanted to create a new community, a new generation of people who saw fashion and the world differently. 8 Knight Style is like an anti-Vogue. 9 This magazine allows it’s readers to decide what’s in style and not the other way around. 10 It is made for and curated by its audience and is influenced by young fashion entrepreneurs that wouldn’t stand a chance otherwise. 11 We’re rebellious, but business-minded individuals that believe enough in our work to start a revolution.
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@sandysensation
#STYLEONKNIGHTS// 7
Life begins with attitude. Featuring my chic muse and friend @miimiic54 #photooftheday #ootd #styleonknights day 5.
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@callie_alexa @mrjapan2013 @tbree_themodel
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“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” #nature #beautiful #candid #anchor #inspirational #woods
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@ccbuehlerrr
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www.DoppelU.com
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Matte Velvet founding editor C
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Shaquirah jackson piero rojas Cori schimko Gio Visbal
front
Photographer: Piero Rojas Models: Robbie Gambrell, Tiara Bree Stylist: Matte Velvet Jewelry: In Style Boutique, UCF
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Photographer: Cori Schimko Models: Robbie Gambrell, Tiara Bree Stylist: Matte Velvet Jewelry: In Style Boutique, UCF
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cont en t
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THE GENESIS 05 MASTHEAD 13 DOPPELU APP 16 "TOP 9” 20 MUSIC 23 COLUMN 28 in our prime 30 Swimwear 38 mr ms adrien 40 head in the clouds 44 The revelation 51
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u Matte
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n a rainy day in downtown Orlando, I met with Nenad Damjanivic and Anthony Sowri, founders of the fashion app, “DoppelU.” I sat down in their office, which for now is their dining room table, and caught up with our stylish friends. As I waited for the interview to begin, I watched as the guys began transitioning from their day job to their night, day, morning and afternoon job. Starting your own business is easier than ever. With so many inexpensive and even free resources at our fingertips, there is very little risk. But, with this new freedom and universal playing ground comes a new level of competi-
tion. And, even though you’re not spending a lot of money on brick and mortar, you are giving up a resource even more valuable -- time. Entrepreneurs risk more than the failure of their idea when deciding to start on a new venture. They sacrifice their time. Sleepless nights, meetings right after a nine-hour shift. It’s very difficult to break away from the 9-5 mentality, especially in a country obsessed with squeezing every last drop out of its working-class citizens. In the past, it used to be enough to just go to college, get a four-year degree and land a promising job. Unless you’ve been living somewhere without wi-fi, you know that the times have changed. The Bachelor’s degree is now the equivalent to the Associate’s, and if you don’t
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have at least 500 internships on your resume, fugget about it. Oh, and don’t forget about holding a part-time job to pay the bills while in school. It can become a bit overwhelming to juggle all these different responsibilities and most of the time, people get so wrapped up in the madness that they can’t figure out how to unwind it all. We shouldn’t be cornering our youth into pursing more and more higher education. Instead, we should be encouraging them to be creators. Thinkers, builders, doers. Entrepreneurs not only create new products, but new jobs as well. Without more of these brave individuals, we will continue our cycle of high unemployment rates and low ambition. People like Nenad and Anthony are the types of people that
are building this country back up into the great nation it once was. With their app, “DoppelU,” these guys are putting their stamp on the fashion world. Have you ever been out shopping for an outfit and just wish you had a personal stylist with you? You begin Google-ing “personal stylist,” then remember you’re a broke college kid and that’s just not happening. So, what do you do? Snap some chats or message some photos to your friend? Maybe if it were 2014. With DoppelU, it’s like having a personal stylist in your pocket. The app allows you to upload photos of your outfit and then get real-time feedback from your friends. Download DoppelU in the App Store
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WWW.UNITTYBACKPACKS.COM
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Polaroid Nylon Snapback Hat $29 www.urbanoutfitters.com Boxed Water www.boxedw A$AP Rocky $11.99 itunes.apple.com/us/album/at.long.last.a$ap/id994727168 Spitfire At Future) $11.99 ropelacesupply.bigcartel.com Studio Wireless Beats Headphones $379.95 dashian-Selfish-We
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waterisbetter.com TIME TELLER DIGI $80.00 www.nixon.com/us/en AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP teen Sunglasses $39.00 http://www.forever21.com WAX LACES SCREW-ON TIPS (Jordan www.beatsbydre.com/home Kim Kardashian Selfish $11.97 www.amazon.com/Kim-Karest/dp/0789329204
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WWW.STORE-CONVENIENCE.COM
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phedre
Phèdre is an experimental, indie, electronic project based in Toronto, Canada. Their sophomore album, “Golden Age” is a journey into the minds of its creators. While April + Daniel wrote Golden Age, April made a collage for every song, bringing a unique visual experience to its audience. The book of collages + lyrics come with the vinyl but you can also get the book separately, or just view them in the following pages. The collages are in the order their corresponding song appears on the album, so pop on some headphones and enjoy the Phèdre experience!
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001//Infinity Chamber
002//Ancient Nouveau
003//Supernatural
004//Haberdash
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005//Aquarius
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006//Sunday Someday
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007//Karmic Mechanic
008//Death of Cupid
009//Too Many Lashes
010//Atomic Love
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sophisticated ignorance
Giovanny Visbal As Im sure you have all noticed by now, this magazine you’re holding is full of art, photography, fashion and culture. But there is something missing — an issue that as a fellow Knight, I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving untouched. I’m talking about the guys on campus looking like a clone, straight out of a Polo catalog. Maybe I missed the memo about Chubbies, Polos, and Sperry’s becoming the unofficial uniform for guys on campus. Not to knock the look, because it’s not a bad way to dress and I follow the trend as well, every now and then. It’s definitely an upgrade from the Abercrombie cargo shorts and obnoxious graphic tees we were wearing in high school, but there’s always room for improvement. The message I want all of you to get from this magazine — is to step outside the box. If you’re a musician don’t conform to a genre, if you’re an artist don’t be afraid to incite a negative reaction from the public, and if you are writing — write for yourself and no one else. Create something substantial, instead of the cut and paste, regurgitated ideas we are exposed to on a daily basis. How can we step out of the box if we’re so focused on looking, feeling, and dressing like everyone else? Ultimately, it’s your decision — I just know I’d rather get weird looks for standing out than following the pack and compromising my individuality.
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in our prime
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bleu
Photographer: Piero Rojas Model: Dia Nyota Shirt: Convenience Apparel
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yellow
Photographer: Piero Rojas Models: Dia Nyota and Franklin Chamorro Shirt: Convenience Apparel
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sun
Photographer: Piero Rojas Model: Franklin Chamorro Shirt: Convenience Apparel
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under constructionďż˝
Photographer: Piero Rojas Models: Dia Nyota and Franklin Chamorro Shirt: Convenience Apparel Backpack: Unitty
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red
Photographer: Piero Rojas Model: Franklin Chamorro Shirt: Convenience Apparel Backpack: Unitty
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7 1 The Gloria-V One-Piece Bathing Suit, $50 store.americanapparel.net 2 Bikini Bottoms $12.95 COLOR: Yellow www.hm.com/us 3 Solid-color Swim Shorts $12.95 www.hm.com/us 4 Basic short swim trunks $39.90 www.zara.com/us 5 Striped Seersucker Swim Short $95 www.lacoste.com/us/lacoste 6 Maui & Sons Party Rocker Volley Boardshorts $39.95 www.pacsun.com 7 Bandeau bikini top $19.90 www.zara.com/us 8 MILLY - INDIANA ICE $89 (Top and Bottom) northamerica.triangl.com
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adrien Shaquirah
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former UCF Theater major, Adrian Padron, knew he wanted something different. He didn’t like the structure and smothering nature of the Theatre Program, which suffocated his talent and creativity. Longing for more, he would go to local clubs after class and watch drag queens perform. He yearned for their freedom of creativity. In short, Padron wanted to spread his wings and escape from the cocoon that was holding him back. “I hated how they turned something that was an art form into something that could be graded,” Padron said. “It was very strangling and it was very bad for my creativity.” Padron, better known by his stage name, MR MS Adrien, first discovered drag when he performed in his high school’s production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” It was one of the catalysts that made him realize that drag was something that he wanted to do; he described it as the most fun he has ever had on stage.
Eventually, he left the Theater program and set out on what he wanted to do most. What he considers the lowest, most inconvenient part of drag is what we would dub first world problems. Shaving. MR MS Adrien likes a little scruff and drag just simply doesn’t call for that. Describing it as the ultimate high of drag, he said he enjoys meeting new people and most of all inspiring them. “I think the best thing about drag is that you can inspire people,” Padron said. “People look at you and they say ‘Man, you make me wanna be my best.’ That’s the coolest thing in the world.” However, not everyone will praise Padron and he is just fine with that. One night while performing, he wore a small Superman crop top with matching underwear. Someone came up to him and challenged whether he had the body to be wearing what he had on. “I stopped and I looked at him and I gave that boy a huge hug. I held his head and I looked at him in his eyes and said, ‘I hope you have an amazing night.’ All I can do is hope I spoke to him,” Padron said. People who do have something negative to say, that’s not really the problem.
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All I can hope to do is pray that person is happy because everyone deserves to be happy.” Aside from achieving his aspiration of entering the drag scene, Padron is also coming out with a pop/rock album titled “MR MS.” All of the music Padron wrote on his own and after keep-
ing it a secret for a couple of years, he decided to do an album. He is also releasing T-shirts, retailing for $20 dollars, which will have his album cover on the front. Partying for a living is what Padron does. A typical night involves him getting ready with friends and listening
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to music before he performs. While performing, Padron said he lets go of all insecurities and becomes a superhero. “Drag is your ultimate self. When you get in drag, it’s like becoming a superhero. It’s you at your best,” MR MS Adrien said. He gets to meet and hug the people in the audience, some are his fans and maybe some are what Adrien was before he decided to enter the drag world—caged butterflies. Maybe Adrien is their inspiration. Adrien’s life has taken a sharp turn; from the rig-
id structure of the UCF Theater Program to the freedom he is allowed performing at the clubs. No matter what though, Adrien said that through all of the peaks and valleys everyone, including himself, is exactly where they need to be. “Life is a movie. You can’t fast forward, you can’t rewind. Every movie has sad points, every movie has happy points, every movie has funny points, and every movie has scary points,” Padron said. “You go through what you go through, to get through what you get through.”
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h e a d in the clouds
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powerful
Model: Victoria Lee Photographer: Jesse Walker Stylists: Kevin Huynh + Joey Gonzalez Post: Matte Velvet
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w a r r i o r
Model: Lise Willadsen Photographer: Jesse Walker Stylists: Kevin Huynh + Joey Gonzalez Post: Matte Velvet
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i c o n i c Model: Victoria Lee Photographer: Jesse Walker Stylists: Kevin Huynh + Joey Gonzalez Post: Matte Velvet
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1
The Revelation
BEING a visionary is difficult because there are people that are too separated from the dream world we creatives live in. 2 Matte came to the revelation that power is a drug to some people. Because their creative energy has been drained, they fill the void with power. 3 Power creates a false sense of creativity. 4 Power is poison. 5 That’s why Matte took a risk in a society obsessed with avoiding risk like the plague. 6 He wanted to shake things up; he wanted to start a revolution. 7 A revolution that redefined how
people thought of fashion, style and self-expression through clothes. 8 Knight Style Magazine is the Genesis, or the beginning of that revolution. 9 This is the revelation. 10 We are revealing to you that we are here and we are standing united to build a new community that loves creating. 11 Creating fashion, creating music, and creating art. 12 We are the new age of fashion -- the anti-vogue, anti-elitist renegades. 13 If you believe in what we stand for, then welcome to the tribe.
Š volz media 2015