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VAGRANT Editor in Chief: Tomik Dash Photographers: Michelle Wood Colby Blount PR & Marketing: Melissa Monet Agency *VAGRANT is looking for creative people for future projects. Writers, photographers, hairstylists, wardrobe stylists and MUA’s interested in being involved in creative endeavors. Please send writing samples or portfolios to info@vagrantmag.com.* Cover photo by Michelle Wood
table of conte
Speakerfoxxx’s Aural Onslaught 8
The Swan Song 20
Changeling 10
ents meet: the designer Michica Matthews of Coodieranks 18
meet: the boutique My! My! My! 30
Nose Candy 34
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Several weeks ago I attended a fashion show where atleast 1/2 of the people I met proceeded to introduce themselves to me by prefacing their occupation with the word “celebrity”. Celebrity stylist, celebrity makeup artist, celebrity hairdresser, celebrity blah blah blah. It seemed as if every time I heard it I would instantly get a bad taste in mouth, yet per usual I maintained an exterior amicable demeanor. This whole “celebrity” thing is not new, but it seems to have been taken to exponential proportions because of everything that we see these days in the media and on reality tv shows. I miss the olden days when the true visionaries need only state their name, and you knew who they were because of their passion and their talent. Yet their greatest understated personality trait was by far, their humility. The funny thing was that when I got home, I pulled out a business card that was given to me by one of these “celebrity makeup artist’s”, pulled up their website, and was shocked to see that their portfolio was horrible. Not horrible in the sense that the website was poorly put together, but more so in the sense that their models’ faces looked as if they were gangraped by a box of Crayolas! We live in a digital age, so it’s not uncommon to see everyone rushing to brand themselves, but it would be nice if young people like myself, would just slow down, stand back, and look at the scale of where they want their career to go. Find a mentor who is the great at what they do, and willing to let you shadow them.
Finding a mentor has proven to be the hardest thing for me personally, because life kind of unexpectedly steered me in this direction without much foresight. So I’ve instead turned to books by industry leaders and people who inspire me, Cathy Black and Kelly Cutrone being my most recent. And with what I learn I give you my best self, my best work, and my promise to let this magazine be a reflection of that. It’s ok to celebrate yourself, but doesn’t feel better when others do it for you? -Tomik Dash
www.vagrantmag.com
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AURAL T H G U A ONSL Who isn’t always looking for songs to add to their playlists? Check out these top 8 faves from ATL’s dope girl dj, SPEAKERFOXXX!
Kids and Explosions - “Small Problems” This group/producer is my answer to never really being down with Girl Talk. It sounds like what I imagine it feels like to be on meth while listening to music. Dude uses a dope Sam Cooke sample that he tricks out with Kanye West’s “Get Em High”. The combination? Heat. Drake “Marvin’s Room” First off, I think Drake’s an herb with a bad fade & and I hate liking his music because he is such a lame! But he goes IN on this song and the production is all The Weeknd-ish/chopped-n-screwish and its an all-around win. Cheers Drake for having talent. Too bad being famous & cool is not always synonymous.
Tity Boi “Spend It” I love that 2chainz aka Tity Boy aka the other half of Party Boyz is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He’s been putting out mixtapes for years and it’s finally starting to pay off. I’m a fan. This is my summer riding jam. The Marvelettes “Please Mr Postman (Cragga Dubstep remix) Uhhhh yeah this is superdope.com. I love this remix. Pusha T “Cook it Down” LAWD, this is my new husband--Pusha mawfucka T. This song is so hard & I’m a sucker for organs and/or piano loops. They shout out Glenridge in ATL which is where my mom grew up. My only complaint? Its only 3min long and every time it ends I feel cheated. Big K.R.I.T. “Country Shit remix ft Ludacris” This song makes me feel proud of being Southern. #thatisall Kanye West & Jay-Z “Otis” Mix the best rapper alive and the best producer alive and leak their track which samples an Otis Redding? I saw smoke before I heard it. This track is certified waka flocka flame. Kelly Rowland & Lil Wayne “Motivation” Diplo Remix Diplo slays this remix and made it super super sexytime. Diplo is killacam on that production. I think I like this better than the original.
changeling
photographer: Michelle Wood models: Kathryn Boyd & Adrianna Eder w Click Models hair & wardrobe: Tomik Dash makeup: Scott Spencer Miller
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vintage skirt from My! My! My! tank by Love Culture all shoes by Bakers
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coat by Coodieranks leggings by American Apparel
trench coat by Coodieranks
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vintage sequin blazer and pants from My! My! My!
floral jacket by Coodieranks leggings by American Apparel
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meet: the designer Michica Matthews of Coodieranks What happens when you take a girl from the bayou and with dreams of making her impression on the fashion industry and enable her with a sewing machine, schooling, and a supportive city? VAGRANT caught up with local designer, Michica Matthews of Coodieranks to pick her brain about her inspirations & aspirations. What made you want to start designing? I loved playing dress up as a child. I later started sketching my doll’s clothing, then my parents bought me my first sewing machine and the rest is history. Inspirations for your collection: Every aspect of a woman, from her emotions, to her strength, to her beauty, inspire my collections. What has the Atlanta fashion scene done for you?: The Atlanta fashion scene has been pretty good to me. It has helped me develop working relationships with wonderful photographers, stylists, and makeup artists.
Where did the name Coodieranks come from?: Coodieranks originated from my mother who has been calling me Coodie since I was born. Ranks was added later on by a friend whose family is Jamaican. What’s next for Coodieranks?: I am currently working on a new collection of clothing along with accessories for my online store. I envision Coodieranks becoming a well respected brand within the fashion industry in the near future.
Be sure to keep up with Michica’s future endeavors at www.coodieranks.com
THE SWAN SONG photographer: colby blount model: daj w factor women stylist: tomik dash hair: brandon thompson makeup: tiffany cantrell
all gowns & accessories from My! My! My! Atlanta
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meet: the boutique My! My! My! Atlanta
There are few places that one can go whilst on the search for an ensemble and consistently find that diamond in the rough. My! My! My! Boutique in Midtown is that place. Although the window displays may give the illusion that one should only shop there if they’re on their way to a fancy & fashionable party, My! My! My! offers something amazing and unique for any occasion. VAGRANT caught up with the owner John Sam to find out more about his midtown Gem. Word on the street is that you used to work on the set of soap opera’s in Hollywood, and that’s how you started getting access to one-of-a-kind vintage pieces. Can you expand on that? No no no... that’s not me...That is a friend of mine. He forbids me to use his name. He retires pieces from his warehouse in LA and sends the pieces to me to sell. He is a vintage clothing hoarder and has more than you can ever imagine! Attached to his material world...I’ve told him the spaceship will
not allow him to take it on-board when it comes... so he turns it over to me to sell. His vice is our virtue. The retired HOLLYWOOD CLASSICS are our treasures... AND IN VOGUE.
end in 2001. I was labeled the “Deep Throat” of Atlanta’s Public Education Corruption. Since I could not teach again... a “vagrant” cast into the streets of Atlanta by the corrupt APS System, I picked up my pencil and some fabric and I fell back on my other talents to sur“My story is from vive. Like Scarlet, Buckhead to Bank- I TORE DOWN THE CURTAIN head!” AND MADE A DRESS! Playing with the dolls and fashion have always been in my blood.
What made you want to open My! My! My!? My story is from Buckhead to Bankhead. “My my my, Atlanta” is what I said when in 2001, I was escorted by Atlanta Police out of a Buckhead Atlanta Public School for opening an investigation for cheating. After 13 years in a Buckhead APS school I was suddenly transferred midyear to a BANKHEAD APS school. “My my my Atlanta, what you will do to keep your BUCKHEAD SECRETS”... is what I said to the police officer and APS officials when they told me I had 30 minutes to gather my 13 years of accumulated personal belongings from the school. My teaching career was forced to
Well damn! Kudos to you for making something out of nothing! On a lighter note, can you tell everyone what makes your store different than other vintage stores? Quality, attention to details, and most of all we make everyone look FABULOUS & UNIQUE in their own skin! After all it’s is the wo-man that makes the dress!!
You have some amazing pieces in your store. What’s the price range? We want everyone to leave with something they love. The price is perceived from the quality and availability of the vintage piece. We make up the price when we find the right customer. There are so many facets of pricing! Girl... if you’re working that piece on the streets of Atlanta... you are an advertising dream for us! We negotiate that factor into the price, too! But, remember when you are dealing with us... it’s not an auction...We give our BEST PRICE! We negotiate the best price so we can pay the rent on PEACHTREE STREET. You all don’t want us evicted do you?! Anything exciting planned for My! My! My!’s future? In this economy... we might just throw everything on Peachtree Street and join in with the VAGRANTS! Ain’t nothing going on but the rent. If the neighborhood doesn’t start shopping we are not going to be here! If you bought a condo in midtown because of the shopping on the street, and you don’t support the neighborhood businesses, your property value is slowly going down with every shop that closes. Most of our business is from the visitors staying in the neighboring hotels. Atlantan’s need to get over here and spend some money!
*My! My! My! is located at Peachtree between 7th & 8th next door to the Vortex*
Seen at Colony Square
*stylesightings
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epitome Grand Opening
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