ISSUE FIVE | MILESTONES

APRIL 2012 | ISSUE 5 | MILESTONES

VEUX Magazine - Issue 5 - Milestones STAFF Ada Adams Editor-In-Chief/Content Director/Public Relations ada@veuxmag.com

Vivien Hoang Editor/Advisor/Layout Design

vivien@veuxmag.com

Wales Wong Editor/Literary Editor/Photographer wales@veuxmag.com

Yawen Chan Web Producer

CONTRIBUTORS: Ada Adams, Steven Crevar, Will Defect, Ayobola Ejiwunmi, Vi Vien Hoang, Elky Hsiung, Heather Ingram, Janet Ma, Bo Martyn, Christopher Palazzo, Ferial Rahbari, Fannie Sagle, John Sagle, Alissa Santiago, Wales Wong PUBLISHER AVW Publishing Inc. CONTACT www.veuxmag.com General Information: info@veuxmag.com Editor-In-Chief: editor@veuxmag.com Editorial Submissions: editorial@veuxmag.com Writing Submissions: write@veuxmag.com Advertising Inquiries: advertise@veuxmag.com Subscribe: subscribe@veuxmag.com FOLLOW www.facebook.com/veuxmag www.twitter.com/VeuxMag

COVER PHOTO Photography: Kristy Mapp Make-Up & Hair: Jillian Green & Kristy Mapp Wardrobe Styling: Kristy Mapp Model: Jillian Green BACK PHOTO Photography: Courtney Dailey Make-Up: Alexis Ellen Wardrobe Styling: Ashlee Dennis Nails: Tracy Clemens Model: Shannon

IN THIS ISSUE

ISSUE FIVE | MILESTONES Photography: Heather Ingram

FEATURES

5 Beauty: Spring Sultana 10 Beauty: Forbidden Fruit 22 Feature: Book Praise for ReVamped 24 Feature: Riding in Style 60 Feature: A Mirror’s Reflection 106 Feature: Spring Fling (into the Trash Bin) 114 Feature: Millstones and Milestones

ARTS

20 Visual: The Sacred Touch 28 Visual & Poetry: Three Illustrated Poems 100 Visual: Ferial Rahbari 105 Poetry: Past, Revisited 108 Photography: Grunge 116 Visual & Poetry: Her Majesty, the Queen 118 Visual & Poetry: Howl 120 Photography: Delta Decay

EDITORIAL

12 Seeing Red 30 Playing with Dolls 36 Inextricably Linked 42 !@#$%&* 48 A Western Woman 54 Re-inventing the F Word 62 First Boyfriend (Black on White) 68 Driver’s Licence 76 She’s a Lady 86 White Wedding 92 Happily Ever After

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 Letter from the Editors 82 Travel: The San Francisco Treat

Letter from the Editor

A mile long walk gives one much time to ponder.

In our lives, we walk many miles and everyday there are countless ideas, hopes, dreams, and wishes that come to fruition on these journeys.

When it came to our fifth issue, we wanted to consider the beginning of something new. Spring brings to mind the bloom of a fresh garden and the renewal of life. The first step is the start of a long walk that often leads us to places that we would have never thought would have been the destination.

When you think about it, it’s interesting that we measure our life’s accomplishments as milestones. A mile has a set mathematical value. Yet, a milestone cannot be defined by a set length or time because everyone’s milestones are different and unique.

In this issue, yet again, we received so many amazing submissions from a variety of talented and skilled individuals. While their work interpreted the concept of milestones, these artists, photographers, makeup artists, wardrobe stylists, writers, designers, models, and businesses are showing through their actions just how successful their own walks have been. Surely, they have had to encounter challenges, struggles, injustices, and even defeat. However, their positivity and enthusiasm for their work are clearly exhibited in these pages.

We hope that as you peruse through the variety of topics, you will see the many facets of what one’s life has to offer. There is the expansion of UBER, a San Francisco based transportation company, in Toronto. We see the phases of a girl’s celebration, from playing with dolls to the day of her wedding. Then there are the immigrants’ experiences as they leave their home countries in search of a promising and safe future in Toronto. Even a closer look at the decay of North American cities reminds us of how our mortality is very much a part of the process in reaching our destinations.

Many thanks to those who have supported us in these past few months whether it has been from the beginning or those who have recently crossed our paths. Your contributions, involvement, and genuine appreciation of the magazine’s work have made each of us value our endeavours here, at Veux Magazine, as our own milestone.

WW on behalf of the editors at Veux Magazine

Photography: Dave & Charlotte Lifestyle Photography Designer: Kim Ironmonger Styling: Crystal Adair-Benning Florals: Amy & Tanya Model: Ada Adams

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Spring Sultana

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CANADA Photography: Allysandra Cervantes (Hollywood Snob Photography) Make-Up & Hair: Victoria Fedosoff using MAKE UP FOR EVER (makeupforever.ca) Assistants: Toni Ekunah & Joseph Eusebio Model: Juliann H (Gemini)

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Jewellery by MoonRox by Monique V. Chan (moonrox.ca) Headpieces by Headmistress (loveheadmistress.com) MILESTONES |ISSUE 5 | VEUX | 7

BEAUTY

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BEAUTY

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Forbidden Fruit

UNITED STATES Photography: Courtney Dailey (courtneydailey.com) Make-Up: Alexis Ellen (alexisellen.com) Wardrobe Styling: Ashlee Dennis (Tebazile) Nails: Tracy Clemens (Opus Reps) Model: Shannon (No Ties Agency - San Diego)

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EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL

Seeing Red

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EDITORIAL

UNITED STATES Photography: Ruzica Puskas-Ragontse Make-Up: Elle Sherrod Hair: Keia Vita Blu’ Bradford and Katt Vita’ Blu Monroe Wardrobe Styling: Ruzica Puskas-Ragontse and Elle Sherrod Retouching: Lloyd Mabuto Model: Imena de Barros (THE Artist Agency)

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EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL

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BIRTH

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beginnings genesis newness starting creation

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ART

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“The Sacred Touch�

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Janet Ma is currently a grade 12 student and has studied art for more than 10 years.

She enjoys experimenting with the styles and techniques of past artists and introducing some of their concepts into her own painting and thinking. janetmaportfolio.tumblr.com MILESTONES |ISSUE 5 | VEUX | 21

A simple mission turned deadly.

Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrillseeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.

When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the same.

For more information and a free excerpt please visit: www.revampedbook.com.

Email: info@revampedbook.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/revampedbook

What can I say about new author Ada Adams and her debut novel, ReVamped?

It was AWESOME! I could not put the book down! The characters in this book are well-developed and you find yourself cheering them on. This is a great vampire book with a completely unique story-line. A little bit of romance and a lot of action, this book will keep you turning page after page! Five stars to Ada Adams on a stellar novel!

Crystal J. - Books Are Sanity! (www.booksaresanity.blogspot.com)

ReVamped is a completely different and original read from any other vampire story out there. This novel had everything I could ask for in a story. The writing was great, the plot was fast-paced and exciting and I absolutely loved everything about every character! The world that Ada Adams created was fantastic. If you’re like me and you love a good vampire story, this one is definitely for you! I cannot wait to see what is in store for us next!

Kristina M. - Ladybug Storytime (www.ladybugstorytime.blogspot.com)

FEATURE

Book Praise - ReVamped ReVamped is jam-packed with adventure, action, romance, and humor. Besides having a great vocabulary and effortless writing style, Adams really knows how to throw in the element of humor. Typically we don’t think of “funny” and “vampires” as complementary subjects, but you would be surprised. I would give ReVamped five stars for originality, as well as a captivating crew of characters (both villain and heroine alike). I cannot wait to see what Adams has in store for us in her next novel, ReAwakened!

Jessica P. - The Second Thought (www.thesecond-thought.blogspot.com)

Adams has created a wonderful world that’s full of suspense, danger, and romance. ReVamped is an intelligent alternative to many of the YA books out there today, and it is a refreshing and unique take on vampire lore. It’s hard to believe that Ada Adams is a debut author, because this novel is fantastic!

Amber L. - Fall Into Books (www.falln2books.blogspot.com)

ReVamped is not your typical vampire story. Ada Adams took the idea of vampires and built her own story around it with added fun and flare that is completely engrossing and highly entertaining. The twists and turns and epic revelations were shocking that completely took me off guard. ReVamped is wonderfully delightful read that will grab your attention from the start, keep you intrigued, and have you wishing there was more at the end. I can’t wait for the next book and whatever Ada Adams has in store for these characters I ended up loving so much.

Jessirae L. - Words, Pages, and Books (www.jessiraelloyd.blogspot.com)

I had a really hard time putting this book down once I started reading it. I was so engrossed in the world Adams has created that I had to read it all. I kept thinking I knew what was going to happen next, but I just never saw what was coming. I just can’t say enough good things about this book. Forget what you know about vampires because Adams will completely blow your mind!

Jenn A. - Owl Read It (www.owl-read-it.blogspot.ca)

Ms. Adams’ story is not only filled with a uniqueness all its own, it has that great combination of humour, action, adventure and romance. ReVamped is filled with quirky characters that you will grow to love or love to hate. Dawn is a kick ass heroine with outstanding battle skills, a heart of gold and the ability to pull off combat boots and a sundress. What more could you ask for?

Chrystal M. - Snowdrop Dreams of Books (www.snowdropdreams.ca)

This is not your typical YA vampire book. Not at all. This is something different and fresh and new. Completely original. No copycatting going on here. Adams has managed to create a fresh new look into the world of vampires with a heroine that knows how to kick butt and still have fun while doing it. All the while making the world she created feel very believable and real.

Ali S. - My Guilty Obsession (www.myguiltyobsession.blogspot.com)

Note from WW and VH, editors: It’s not everyday you have an opportunity to celebrate a good friend and colleague’s major milestone - publishing her first novel - with her. We are tremendously proud of her and wish her nothing but the best in her latest publishing adventures!

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FEATURE

Riding in Style

By Vi Vien Hoang

It’s Saturday night. I’m standing on a downtown street corner in San Francisco and waving my arms at the approaching vehicles. My feet are sore from standing all night in my stylish-yet-not-so- sensible heels. Headlights blind me temporarily, before rounding the corner. I peer anxiously into the various cars and spot blank faces that ignore me.

It’s getting cold. The streetlights flicker on, one at a time. I shift my weight from foot to foot and pull my long jacket tighter around me to stave off the chill.

Finally! A car slows to a halt and the window rolls down. A pair of discerning eyes looks me over.

“Where you need to go?”

“The Mission -” “Sorry. Not going in that direction.” He speeds off and I’m left, despondent, on the sidewalk.

I glance down the street where dozens of other people are in the same position as me. Calls to taxi dispatch centres leave me on hold for 10 minutes before the call is just dropped. In San Francisco, hailing a cab is only slightly easier than winning a Super Bowl without a quarterback named Young or Montana.

That’s where Uber fixes the problem, in a sophisticated and technologically savvy way that a Bay Area start-up is wont to do.

Whatever is the cause of the shortage of taxis - city by-laws, the weekend, subway trains that stop running at midnight - it still remains a problem that needs to be solved.

Instead of hoping for a random cab to pass by, Uber allows its users to whip out their iPhones or Android smartphones from the comfort and warmth of their homes, restaurants, or clubs, to request a sleek black luxury sedan. Blackberry users, and those without smart phones can request Uber vehicles via text messaging. The free App uses the phone’s GPS to tell the driver where to go, and you can use the App to track your driver and see where they are and how long it will be for them to get to you.

When you get to your destination, there’s no fumbling with cash. Instead, the driver opens your door like you’re a celebrity, and off you go - all the payments, including the driver’s tip, are invoiced to a credit card that you have registered to your account. There is a premium on the fares, depending on the city. The final step of the transaction is optional: you can rate your driver. So far, I have only given out 5 (out of 5) stars; in addition to screening for professionalism and courtesy, Uber drivers undergo rigorous testing where their knowledge of the faster routes in the city are quizzed. An Uber ride to the airport had the driver handing me a US Customs form and a pen in advance, to fill out during the half hour trip, so there would be no frantic last minute customs declaration on top of the already stressful event of flying. It’s the little things which help smooth out a frazzled life which are so appreciated. Uber knows this.

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FEATURE I had the opportunity to sit down with Ryan Graves, Uber’s general manager and vice-president operations, for dinner in Toronto at the swanky Spice Route restaurant on King West. It was serendipitous: Uber was looking to conquer their next North American city. It would be their first Canadian city and he just happened to be in town.

He launched into a series of questions right away, and suddenly I’m not the interviewer anymore:

“Would you use Uber? Where and why?”

Those seem to be the questions everybody is asking of this company.

Despite having its roots in San Francisco, Uber does have its Canadian connection. The service was founded after Canadian Garrett Camp, one of the co-founders of the social media site StumbleUpon, wanted to rent a limousine for him and his friends on New Year’s Eve as they moved from party to party, location to location. The total price? About $900. But what if he did not want the limo for the entire night? Was there no time-share type service for black cars? It was impractical to purchase a car and then try to figure out how to schedule the time and how to get the car from one user to another.

Like the social media whizzes the Internet generation of entrepreneurs have become, Camp took his problem and his ideas to Twitter. Graves responded. Camp also met with Travis Kalanick, who would become Uber’s CEO. They continued to assemble their team and seek investors. By August 2010, they had $1.25 million from private investors and venture capitalists.

Ryan Graves

San Francisco was the perfect place for them to launch, make mistakes, and learn. The chronic dearth of taxis, the willingness of the techies and the Silicon Valley crowd to try new, shiny, and hip things, along with their general forgiveness as the company squashed its bugs meant an enthusiastic adoption of the service.

There were hiccups, of course. The company, despite its appearances, is not a taxi cab company. Graves likened what they do to an online travel agency’s work: you need to get from A to B, so you use Uber to help you find the person willing to take you from A to B. The cars at Uber are independently owned and operated, and contract with Uber to handle the dispatch side of the business. However this did not stop various city regulators from attempting to shut down the service as being an illegal taxi service; North American cities each have their own by-laws and regulations on taxi cabs. This meant every city to which Uber expanded required a careful and thorough understanding of the local laws.

And expand they did.

An overview of where Uber cars were in the city

By February 2011 they had over $11 million in capitalization.

In May, it was New York City - then rapidly followed by Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and their first international city of Paris. Their tireless efforts netted them another $39 million from investors. With this rapid growth, they needed hire people who not only shared their vision and ambition, but who could also think creatively, work with and analyse data. Since their entire endeavour is essentially all digital, it meant they could crunch the numbers in order to make the Uber experience more efficient and streamlined.* Among their most controversial pricing experiments based on data was their pricing surges during peak nights, such as New Year’s Eve. When the demand spiked, in order to keep the supply of cars available and constant, they increased the prices (sometimes as much as 6x their normal rates, but all disclosed on the App before you requested the car) until the demand was manageable and users could request and receive a car within a reasonable period of time. Supply and demand, in real time.

At the official Uber launch party for Toronto held at Marben Restaurant, Graves and the others who are starting up Uber in Toronto, such as Andre Charoo and Lucas Samuels, recognized that Toronto has its own unique set of challenges and logistical barriers. It is a place where the company will fulfill a different niche market than in other cities. Taxis here are plentiful and the base fare is higher than in many other North American cities. To adjust to this, the premium in Toronto was lowered. Graves noted that they were going with a different Uber experience in their first Canadian city.

“Sometimes you want the limo. That’s like going out for a fancy steak dinner. Sometimes you want the quick and cheap fast food. But what if you want something in between?” Graves pondered.

Sign for the Uber cocktail at Marben Restaurant

For those of us who want something in between in Toronto, we now have that option. As for me, I can already picture when I will be requesting my Uber car: on a Saturday night, leaving a restaurant late in the evening, while wearing my stylish-yet-not-so-sensible heels. *Read http://blog.uber.com/uberdata/ for a fascinating look at how they apply the data and statistics to their operations.

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GROWTH

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experience trial and error independence

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Three Illustrated Poems Art and Poetry by Elky Hsiung Translated by Fannie Sagle and John Sagle

Happiness is...

On a cold winter night The joy of simplicity is in a cup of hot coffee This sweet aroma is soon to be consumed and will disappear Yet this pain of departure will not be forever When I treasure and embrace life Love is in the air What I inhale can only be happiness and blessings

ABOUT THE POET AND ARTIST: Elky Hsiung is an independent artist based in Toronto. She is currently working on her first Chinese short stories art book.

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ART

At the Crossroads The scariest moment at the crossroads is Not at the red light Not at the green light But at the yellow light The dilemma of making a decision The struggle of facing a potential imperfection Scared of hurting others and myself A stagnant yellow light A stagnant life Stubbornness overlooks life At the end That’s indeed the scariest moment of all

Life is Beautiful Today Mission failed Self-defeated Don’t be discouraged and don’t have despair Life must go on for the better Yesterday is the beginning of tomorrow Enjoy the imperfection perfectly Bring your own smile and rainbow along the way Everything becomes admirable again Just remember Life is beautiful

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Playing with Dolls

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EDITORIAL

ITALY Photography: Josephine Peneff Make-Up: Moises Franca Wardrobe Styling: Fabrizia Pecorella Retouching: Josephine Peneff Model: Gerda (The One Model)

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EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL

Inextricably 36 | VEUX | ISSUE 5 | MILESTONES

EDITORIAL

Linked MILESTONES |ISSUE 5 | VEUX | 37

EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL

JAPAN Photography: Yuji Watanabe (yujiwatanabe.tripod.com) Make-Up: Minako Kiuchi Hair: Masanori Yahiro Model: Eva B (Switch Models)

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!@#$%&*

learning to communicate UNITED STATES Photography: Kristy Mapp (kristymapp.com) Make-Up: Jillian Green Hair: Kristy Mapp & Jillian Green Wardrobe Styling: Kristy Mapp Model: Jillian Green

Multi-stud leather jacket by Adore Footless tights by Forever 21 42 | VEUX | ISSUE 5 | MILESTONES

Multi-stud leather jacket by Adore Footless tights by Forever 21 MILESTONES |ISSUE 5 | VEUX | 43

Multi-stud leather jacket by Adore Footless tights by Forever 21

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Faux leather vest by Forever 21 Opaque tights by Urban Outfitters Knot ankle boots by Zigisoho

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EDITORIAL

Faux leather vest by Forever 21 Opaque tights by Urban Outfitters Knot ankle boots by Zigisoho 46 | VEUX | ISSUE 5 | MILESTONES

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL

Pleather moto jacket by Express High-waisted sequin tap shorts by Pins and Needles Knot ankle boots by Zigisoho MILESTONES |ISSUE 5 | VEUX | 47

Black vest by Silver Dagger Tan shirt by F.A.NG Denim shorts by Bebe Sunglasses by Forever 21

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A Western Woman UNITED STATES Photography: T La’Niece (www.TLaNiece.com) Make-Up: Paris Wimbley Model: Gia Longo

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Denim jacket by Refuge Denim shorts by Bebe Accessories by Forever 21

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Black vest by Silver Dagger Tan shirt by F.A.NG Denim shorts by Bebe Sunglasses by Forever 21

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Denim shirt by Diesel Belts by Club Monaco Denim shorts by Silver Dagger Hat by Forever 21

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Denim shirt by Diesel Belts by Club Monaco Denim shorts by Silver Dagger

EDITORIAL

ART

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Re-Inventing

Blazer by Beaucoup Graphic tee by Diesel at Stylexchange Pants by Desperately Different Bracelets and Ring by Cathy B. Jewelry Shoes by Aldo

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the F Word

Dress by Cathleen Carey Lace tank top by Stylexchange Rings by Cathy B. Jewelry Bracelet by Aldo Accessories Shoes by Dr. Martens at Browns Shoes MILESTONES |ISSUE 5 | VEUX | 55

EDITORIAL

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Dress by Cathleen Carey / Lace tank top by Stylexchange Rings by Cathy B. Jewelry / Bracelet by Aldo Accessories Shoes by Dr. Martens at Browns Shoes

One shoulder top by Beaucoup Skirt by Franke Necklace, silver and diamond bracelets by Cathy B. Jewelry Diamond band by Cathy B. Jewelry Black beaded bracelet by Rita D, Alligator ring by Aldo Accessories

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL

CANADA Photography: Wales Wong (www.waleswong.com) Make-Up: Demi Valentine Hair: Camille (NOIR Hair Studios) Wardrobe Styling: Bianca Brown and Pauleanna Reid (La’ Brown Styles www.labrownstyles.viewbook.com) Assistant & Additional Photo Editing: Yawen Chan Model: Tara Mobayen (Elite Model Management) MILESTONES |ISSUE 5 | VEUX | 57

Corset and skirt by RJS Bracelet and ring by Milk & Canvas Shoes by Dr. Martens at Browns Shoes

Facing Page:

Mesh top by Desperately Different Bra by Secrets From Your Sister Dress pants by American Apparel Flask by Milk & Canvas Bracelet by Cathy B. Jewelry Shoulder accessory by Dits Tricks at Haus Ring by Aldo Accessories Shoes by Spring

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A Mirror’s Reflection:

How society has influenced men’s fashion and masculinity throughout the 20th century By: Christopher Palazzo

Typically, a man would find himself in two outfits per day. There was the day or work attire which consisted of the classic blue or grey suit with the new trend, a crème-coloured shirt underneath. Replacing the mundane white shirts, the creme-coloured shirts added a little character to men’s fashion, a trend that remained throughout the twentieth century and remains with us today. Evening looks remained classic with top hats and tailcoats. It was a time to flaunt your wealth.

With a chainsaw and a blowtorch in hand, JayZ and Kanye West’s destruction of a Maybach in their music video for Otis, signals a change in hip-hop music. An industry that emerged, literally, out of poverty from the Bronx, New York City. Yet, it manifested itself into the glamorizing machine of all things, rich with fancy cars and expensive clothing. This was certainly a turn from Hip-Hop’s more modest roots. A soulful reinterpretation of the world we live in, music shows us what we cannot see and what we choose to ignore. Artists in general are compelled to showcase their emotions through their art.

Like music, fashion has been a tell-tale lens into our society; a magnifying glass displaying what we value and what we distain. Fashion, like society, has evolved. Politics and the economy have not only redefined how we view our world today, but also our style of dress. Men’s fashion - once a statement in itself - has evolved throughout the 20th century, reinventing the way we think about masculinity.

The 1920s were a decade of superfluous opulence - top hats, tailcoats, and polished leather shoes. Yes, the Roaring 20’s made every man feel like a millionaire. It was an era of money and power. Old money and aristocracy was replaced by the new rich: entrepreneurs, the self-made millionaires, and the Carnegies of America. Those that discovered new industries were the ones that defined the decade. The twenties were still a time where you could look at a man’s attire and determine his social class.

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On October 24, 1929, the bold headline, “Worst Stock Crash Stemmed by Bank”, was front and center on The New York Times. The good times were over. The depression brought the fashion industry to its knees. Masculinity at its core was attacked - with no jobs, personal savings erased, and unable to provide for their families - the stereotypes of men were no longer applicable. This absence was replaced with a new trend in fashion as the industry redesigned the classic suit. Suits became bigger, shoulder pads were enlarged, the double breasted suit became popular; it was an attempt by the industry to reinstate power back into masculinity by injecting the image of power into the classic suit.

The oversized suits lasted throughout the thirties and into the forties. War-time America placed fashion on the back-burner. However, once the war was over, not only was there a completely new lifestyle that emerged, but there was also a new fashion trend to accompany it.

The suburbanization movement brought simplicity to fashion. Suits were clean and straight cut pants were en vogue. Looking for a simpler life in the suburbs, a new ‘daytime casual’ look appeared. Pastel-coloured short sleeved shirts accompanied by the now over sensationalized, classic Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses became the norm for men seeking casual attire in the fifties. Men’s fashion still maintained its sense of authority. Hollywood’s leading men, Cary Grant and Humphrey Bogart, encapsulated the era of when men were still masculine.

Then there was the long luscious hair, floral printed shirts, powder-blue suits, white platform shoes. I’m talking about men’s fashion in the sixties. The sixties and seventies created a paradigm shift - what we see during this time is the “feminization” of men’s fashion. With the feminist movement, the liberalization of attitudes towards sexuality, the mainstream use of birth control and the anti-Vietnam fervor all challenged the classical ideas of masculinity and the role of men in society. The iconic fashion staple for men, the suit, was no longer our exclusive. By the seventies and into the eighties, androgyny was the term to describe women’s fashion. Designers from Vivienne Westwood

CANADA Photography: Ajani Charles (www.ajani.ca) Make-Up & Hair: Chelsea Dutchak Wardrobe Styling: Desire Kaniki Model: JC (Spot 6 Management)

The identity crises facing men’s fashion thankfully did not last much longer...

to Jean Paul Gaultier released the latest trend which was the power suit for women. As an increasing number of women began to enter corporate America, traditional gender norms were rejected. The acclamation and reconfiguration of the suit to fit a woman’s body was a poignant achievement for the broader women’s equality movement.

The identity crises facing men’s fashion thankfully did not last much longer, and by the eighties and nineties, we began to see a push back to traditional forms of dress. Reminiscent of the 1930s, the large, double-breasted, shoulder padded suit of the eighties became a man’s best friend. As well, facial hair seemed to be welcomed by most men - with Hollywood celebrities like Tom Selleck donning the mustache on the big screen. We also began to see the rise of mass market fashion retailers such as The Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, all of which brought style at an affordable price to the masses. Likewise, the idea of being “fashionable” was not a unilateral theme. For the first time, the fashion industry opened up to include many sub-cultures of style. Be it “goth”, “punk” or “ghetto-chic”, the rising influence of fashion sub-cultures could not be ignored.

By the millennium, being fashionable seemed to include anyone who wore clothes. Over the last thirty years, we may have lost that single idea of what it meant to be fashionable. With the rise of the internet and the new media, there seems to be an endless array of counter-establishment fashion folks who preach individuality instead of a singular mantra of style. The decline of the traditional forms of masculinity - men as the dominant sex - has allowed for the loss of a fashion that is exclusively our own. Pants, suits, ties / bow ties, the dress shirt, loafers, and all traditional forms of men’s fashion are no longer simply for men.

From top hats to baseball caps, men’s fashion and the idea of what it meant to be a man have evolved tremendously over the last century.

While fashion and style may not be constant, one thing is, and that is the power of what you wear. No other industry or mode of calculation has allowed us to gauge the mood of a society’s people over time more so than their style of dress. Fashion has influenced society and society has influenced fashion. Mark Twain summed up this sentiment perfectly when he said, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”

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EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL

First Boyfriend (Black on White)

CANADA Photography: Ajani Charles (www.ajani.ca) Make-Up & Hair: Chelsea Dutchak Wardrobe Styling: Desire Kaniki Model: JC (Spot 6 Management)

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Suit by Hugo Boss Shirt

by Polo Ralph Lauren EDITORIAL

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Shirt by Polo Ralph Lauren Necklace by Chanel Glasses by Grey Ant Flower Accessories by H&M

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Sweater by Opening Ceremony Hat by Michael Kors

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Shirt by TopShop Kilt by Vivienne Westwood Hat by Paul Smith

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Driver’s Licence

EDITORIAL

All Clothes:

Trousers by Miss Jane Jacket by DsQuared

EDITORIAL

RUSSIA Photography: Andrew Akimov Make-Up & Hair: Alena Elkina Model: Anastasia Abrosimova

ARRIVAL

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maturity sophistication adulthood confidence

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EDITORIAL

She’s a Lady

SCOTLAND Photography: Oliver Schneider (www.oliverschneider.co.uk) Make-Up: June Long Model: Namate Sililo

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o

The San Francisc Treat

By Wales Wong & Vi Vien Hoang

WALES WONG: A stroll along the streets of San Francisco revives the spirits. Sounds kind of hippie’ish, but it is pretty fitting considering the history of the city. I visited the city once when I was a wee little kid at the age of three. Since then, the only images I’ve had of the city came from Rice A Roni commercials and the Full House opening theme song. A few months ago, I suddenly had this inkling to visit and booked my ticket as soon as I came back from my Christmas holidays.

I had the pleasure of staying at my friend’s place in Russian Hill, which was just a short bus or street car ride away from everything that ran the gamut of yummy to fun. Joggers running up steep streets in this neighborhood were just one of the many sights that filled me with the desire to be a health nut again. The weather had its moments, but overall, my week long stay in the city was a much needed break from the wintery climate of Toronto.

I love to eat. It’s that simple. Every time I write about my travels, gastronomic adventures will find its way into this section. San Fran was definitely not short of tasty meals that ranged from cheap eats to upscale dining.

On any given Saturday, there is a much talked and gawked about Farmer’s Market at the Ferry Building located in the Embarcadero.

My friend said an absolute must-try for those who fancy a delicious experience is the Porchetta Sandwich from the Roli Roti food truck. The line up was long and what I quickly learned from my gal pal is that if there’s a line 82 | VEUX | ISSUE 5 | MILESTONES

up for food, it must be good. This theory proved to be too good to be true because the porchetta hit the spot.

The skin was crispy and the meat was tender. Every single ingredient of the sandwich was fresh alongside with bread made by the popular Acme Bread Company, a Berkeley, California-based bakery. The rest of the market was filled with fresh produce. I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t cook on this trip when I saw bold green kale, rare mushrooms, sweet jams, and juicy blood oranges. But it didn’t stop me from taste testing at each of the stalls.

With full stomachs, we decided that a little cardio would do us some good. Heading back north, up to Russian Hill, we did a little shopping therapy - first along Union Street and then on Chestnut Street. A variety of boutiques were side-by-side the more well-known clothes stores. Be prepared to spend a little more in some of these boutiques that carefully hand select pieces from different North American brands that you would not find in your usual giant shopping malls.

But herein lies the charm because you’ll most likely find a unique sweater or top that won’t be a replication of the cookie-cutter pieces that sell for a much lower price from a generic label. Consignment and vintage stores are also very prevalent here. While sifting through wardrobe that can span as far back as four decades sounds daunting, it’s worth the time when you find a gem like the $10 blue pleated silk skirt that is so going to rock it with the pink chiffon blouse that has been waiting for a mate to create a completed outfit.

Clarion Alley in The Mission

Another area worth walking around is The Mission.

As a tourist, do take caution when walking along some of the streets during the night. While one street may havel many shops, cafes, and restaurants, a few blocks off course may bring you to a less savoury part of the neighborhood. Streets such as Valencia St are filled with shoppers who find great deals at the vintage stores. Even art has found its way into the heart of The Mission at Clarion Alley. Vibrant colors that pop from the walls of buildings showcase the graffiti work of many local artists that depict scenes such as alien life forms to local historical activists. The alley has been home to the Clarion Alley Mural Project and it attracts both locals and visitors from all around the world.

Not too far of a walk from the Mission is The Castro.

Well-known to many for its strong and supportive LGBT community and home to many historical and significant moments that have changed and shaped gay activism in North America. The Castro Theatre stands as one of the districts oldest landmark, built in 1922, and made

Twin Peaks

even more popular by Sean Penn’s movie, Milk, a biography of Harvey Milk’s rise as both a politician and activist for human rights in the gay community. The store front of his first camera shop, Castro Camera, has now changed to the Human Rights Campaign store, showing that his spirit is still well and alive in The Castro.

For the more well-known landmarks, I meandered my way through the city by joining a bus tour that made numerous stops to ensure plenty of photo-ops. Starting at Union Square, high-end stores for shopping was bustling with people looking for the latest deals and trends.

We then headed up to Twin Peaks, passing through the Civic Centre along the way. Since it was a sunny day, I got a fantastic view of the city from the very top of Twin Peaks. Winding down the roads, we went through the Golden Gate Park and drove to the Golden Gate Bridge.

A massive sight for the eyes – this is one of the Wonders of the World that cannot be missed.

The Castro Theatre

Wine Tasting in Napa Valley

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With still plenty of time, we also made it to Chinatown where I had the opportunity to buy some lucky fortune cookies from the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. It’s not surprising to find many different trinkets of toys and knick knacks at a very affordable price. While this may not be the place to buy souvenirs, it most certainly offers some goodies if one likes Hello Kitty dolls and plush slippers with cartoon heads on them.

Golden Gate Bridge

Finally, should your heart find itself restless and the city is just not enough to fulfill the travel’s itch, consider taking a short boat ride over to Alcatraz.

When in Alcatraz, don’t miss out on the self-guided tours. Put on a set of headphones and be transported to the past when the prison was home to Al Capone, Robert Franklin Stroud, and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Not for the faint of heart, there are also night tours available which have been rumoured to tempt spirits that still inhabit the island.

And for the wine aficionados, take a drive to Napa Valley for some serious wine-tasting and you may never want to leave. I found an amazing Moscato and Reisling from the V.Sattui Winery, one of the more popular ones in the area. My friend also booked a wine-tasting tour at the Beringer Winery which educated us on the basics of wine production. While it rained the whole day, the taste of California wine made the trip well-worth the time.

San Francisco has lots to do and many restaurants to try. A week was sufficient just to get a taste of what the city is all about, but it’s definitely a city worth considering for a more permanent relocation.

Alcatraz

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Top Left: 49ers at Candlestick Park; Top Right: Android lawn statues; Bottom Left: Baked Souffle at Gary Danko; Bottom Right: City Lights Bookstore

Other Bay Area Locations of Interest VI VIEN HOANG 1. A visit to the Bay Area lets you visit the headquarters of some of the biggest technology and social media companies shaping the Internet.

The Google Headquarters or Googleplex in Mountain View, CA, is a one hour drive south of San Francisco. Less of an office ‘building’ and more like a fully functional campus, the facilities combine Google’s playful whimsy with its functionality. Infinity pools, free bicycles, sand volleyball courts, the infamous ballpit are fun; useful facilities include numerous restaurants and cafes, a barbershop, and a laundromat.

Get your photographs with the Android lawn statues in front of Building 44. The statues commemorate the various versions of the Android mobile operating system, named alphabetically after desserts.

2. City Lights Bookstore, between Chinatown and North Beach/Telegraph hill is one of the most famous bookstores in North America. It was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter Martin; it arose to political and cultural significance after Ferlinghetti was tried and acquitted on obscenity charges for publishing Allen Ginsberg’s Howl. Many see City Lights Bookstore as the place where the Beat movement was born. The Bookstore is now a historic landmark site. Next to the Bookstore is Jack Kerouac Alley, a pedestrian only throughfare decorated with engravings of poems and quotations.

3. The Embarcadero is the eastern waterfront area, filled with shops, restaurants, and other kitschy tourist spots like Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. Sea lions are also known to frequent the Embarcadero and can be spotted sunning themselves on the docks. There is no shortages of places to eat or drink along the Embarcadero; Vietnamese appetizers and drinks at The Slanted Door were pricey but delicious.

Combined with a beautiful view of the Bay and a charming street musician playing old school blues on his clarinet, it was an afternoon that could not be topped. While Pier 39 may be a little too touristy for the locals, if you’re visiting, you have to take a stroll along the wooden boards and at least make a purchase of salt water taffy at one of the candy stores there. For a fancier dinner, try Gary Danko, which is just a short walk from the hubbub of Fisherman’s Wharf. While it may be pricier, splurging on a 5 course meal here is worth it because of the details and taste that come from each and every dish prepared carefully for the customers.

4. San Francisco 49ers football team was the first franchise sports team to make their home in San Francisco. The 49ers have called Candlestick Park home since the 1970s. Candlestick Park is an open air stadium opened in 1960. It is one of the older stadiums to still be used by professional sports teams, though that will change in a few years as plans are in the works to construct a modern facility in Santa Clara, CA. The 49ers are one of the most beloved sports franchises in the United States; their dynasties in the 1980s and early 1990s saw exciting games and talented hall of famers on their rosters. Public transit is not the most convenient way to get to and from the stadium. A cab ride from downtown San Francisco will cost you about $40.

5. Founded in 1935, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) was the first museum on the US West Coast to focus on modern and contemporary art. With a large collection of paintings, sculptures, photography, design and other media arts, a walk through the SFMOMA is a peaceful and quiet way to spend an afternoon. While there, I had the opportunity to see Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain”, the famous and always controversial urinal on a pedestal, now properly and purposefully placed on display by a curator. If you’re in the neighbourhood, and want a bite to eat, check out Zero Zero, a few blocks away on Folsom St for delectable Italian fare and killer cocktails.

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White Wedding

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EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL CANADA AND AUSTRALIA Photography: Dave & Charlotte Lifestyle Photography DaveAndCharlotte.com (Canada) DaveAndCharlotte.com.au (Australia) Designer: Kim Ironmonger (Valencienne - www.valencienne.com) Styling: Crystal Adair-Benning (Distinct Occasions - www.distinctoccasions.ca) Florals: Amy & Tanya (Pink Twig - www.pinktwig.ca) Model: Ada Adams (www.adaadams.com)

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Happily Ever After AUSTRALIA Photography: Rena Harvey Assistant: Peter Soulis Make-Up & Hair: Caroline Olweny Wardrobe Styling: Maurizio Laino Digital Art: David Fajardo Models: Monika Clarke & Duane (Giant Management)

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EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL

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ENDINGS

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cessation death decay broken down discarded

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ART

Previous Pages “Lost”

Right

“Late Light”

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Ferial Rahbari is a designer and an artist. Influenced by contemporary artists and her interest in the emotional range and form of the human body, this drives her to continuously evolve her craft in pursuit of capturing the essence of human expression. www.wix.com/ferialrahbari/gallery

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ART

P A S T, R E V I S I T E D

By Wales Wong Shades of grey, shades of pretense Blended tones of red, blended tones of silence Lines of black, lines of deceit Color me, pain. Color me, defeat.

Still no shame in all my remorse A deed that goes noticed still runs its course Blind my sight, forbid it so Yet my heart cannot forego Imagining you, the stoic that you embody Hard, cold, distant, the presence of enmity Slashing wrists, inch by inch, an appetite for attention Red is real, but you ignore this manifestation Speak to me, again, that hollow vow Unwrapping a forever to endow A promise that we could never comprehend Silent words that foreshadow the end

“Hannah�

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FEATURE

Spring Fling (into the Trash Bin)

By Alissa Santiago

A year ago I craved change, so I purged my wardrobe. This was not as simple as the yearly obligatory spring cleaning, but a complete overhaul of my belongings in order to have a more modest number of items in the closet. What caused a lady that likes fashion to even want to commit to a purge?

The answer was simple - my quest for happiness.

Admittedly, I was not as happy as I thought I would be at that time. I had just finished publishing my first book and was well underway to working on a second one. I had a paying job that allowed me to travel, shop, and do things I enjoyed - but I needed more.

On a rainy day, I paid a visit to the neighbourhood bookstore. I came across David Bruno’s book, The 100 Thing Challenge. He broke down and explained “anti-consumerism” into a language to which I could relate.

It all came down to one question:,

“What if you lived your life for 1 year with only 100 things?”

The experiment was daring. Bothered by my personal clutter and disturbed by my lack of closet space, I decided that I would try the 100 Thing Challenge. However, I made one slight tweak: it would be 200 Things instead, so that it would be more manageable. So with the magic number being 200, I categorized make-up, toiletries, books and accessories as collections with which I felt empowered to move forward. I also decided that underwear and socks shouldn’t count as they were more of an absolute necessity.

I didn’t quite get to 200 things but I did come really close. At last count, I was at 226. In the end, I went from 50 pairs of shoes to 28 which is pretty impressive considering I am a shoe girl. 20 purses and bags to about 8.

And then there was the overall wardrobe that is much more distinct of my own personal style now. Having a smaller wardrobe is easier for my life and I don’t wear the same outfits week after week. I can walk through a mall and not stop at sale signs. I can browse through a shoe store and not feel the burning need to buy a pair of shoes just because they are cute. I still shop, but I have a more specific criteria for what I am shopping for, like a pink pair of jeans or peep toe ballerina flats to replace the jeans that are too big and the shoes I’ve worn out.

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FEATURE

So if you are thinking about purging, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind: 1.

Start off small with items such as accessories or T-shirts and tank tops. These should be easier to comb through and will start your purge experience on a positive note.

2.

Get rid of any piece of clothing that is older than a decade. Even if it comes back in style, it will always have a more modern take on what you already have. Trust me! Get rid of those hammer pants and bellbottoms from the 90s. Even the lines on dress shirts will change, so “classic” is not always classic.

3.

Sharing is caring. If you know some gals that would appreciate some of the things that you’re getting rid of then put them aside. This worked for me with shoes, accessories, purses and outerwear.

4.

If it doesn’t fit, get rid of it! We all have a pair of jeans or pants that we secretly hope will fit again, but keep it at one pair - not an entire wardrobe that’s going to grow old and moldy. Also think, “Is it age appropriate?” Even if you fit into it, would you really wear it now?

5.

Define your style. Pick out an outfit that you love and feel great in - let that be your starting point to your new wardrobe. Hold pieces to a high standard and get rid of items that don’t meet the cut.

6.

As you start to go through your clothes, you will see patterns. I had 6 black jersey dresses and only 1 survived the purge. I also had a lot of sailor-striped items. It is a trend I still love, but it just doesn’t work with my body.

7.

As you put things in the donate pile, ask yourself when and where you bought it and if you bought it on sale. This will help you determine what stores to stay away from and whether you shop for the thrill of the bargain and not the quality of the purchased item. I don’t like to admit it, but I bought a pair of boots at a sample sale because they were cheap even though they didn’t fit!

8.

Have a trusted friend keep you honest and on your purging-path. She or he should have a good understanding of your style and have the courage to tell you “No!” when you’re still holding onto an unnecessary item.

9.

If you are on the fence with an item, set it aside and wear it over the next few days.

Then make the decision. If it’s not in season, then hold on to it. If you don’t wear it within 6 months, out it goes. This pile should not be too big. Revisit this pile at the end of your purge to see if you can cut it down to a manageable size.

10.

After it’s all over and your purged clothes are dropped off at the nearest donation bin, the next step is to replace instead of accumulating. Think of it as upgrading.

11.

Get rid of purged clothes quickly and DO NOT go back to it again. It’s like pity sex - no good will come of it.

Am I happier now? Honestly, yes. I was hampered by my need to consume. Now I direct my energy to more creative pursuits and find activities outside of shopping. I feel more defined with who I am.

Alissa Santiago is the author of the novel “On Stand By”.

She is a graduate of York University’s Glendon College and has travelled to many countries including China, France, and Japan. She lives and works in Toronto. www.alissasantiago.com

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Grunge Photography and Text by Will Defect (photodefect.co.cc)

Will is a trespasser from Seattle. Sometimes, he even brings a camera.

The Kalakala is the world’s first streamlined vessel, and was voted second to the Space Needle in popularity during the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Now rusty and forgotten, it seems destined for the bottom of the Puget Sound.

The sixth generation Thunderbird was considered a gas guzzler even in the 70s.

A chair once used by workers goes unnoticed by the scrappers and graffiti artists who now frequent this old flour mill.

A mirror found lying on its side in an abandoned hostel.

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ART

The Kalakala

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A stuffed animal stares through pedestrians from an empty storefront. Someone left it a peanut.

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The deadliest mass murderer in Washington left 13 dead on the ground floor of this multi-use building.

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FEATURE

MilLstones and MilEstones

By Ayobola Ejiwunmi

What are milestones?

A definition states milestones as an action or an event marking a significant change or stage in development. In the context of projects, one can consider milestones as stages in a project at which something is completed. Milestones typically include a deliverable, a payback and a deadline.

Phases and milestones are not action based - only tasks are. A phase helps put individual tasks into logical groups so that one knows how each task is related. It is the same for milestones. It is not something one does, but something one reaches or attains. Tasks are actions that need to be done - actual work. A milestone marks the completion of a group of tasks - the phase. It is always at the end of something, when a decision can be reached as to whether we can move on or if we can continue with the project.

Isn’t life itself a project then? From the earliest stages of our existence, we seem to live in the sphere of milestones. To see the spectrum of milestones in this context, I would like to consider two similar but quite dissimilar cases that played out in our fair city. Dr. Masoud Hashemi and his wife Faedeh are refugees from Iran. Masoud had practised family medicine for five years prior to the Islamic revolution of 1979. Faedeh was the co-owner of a fashion boutique on the exclusive shopping strips of Shemiran in north Tehran. Theirs was a comfortable life — a luxurious home in the foothills, his and hers foreign cars, live-in house help, and foreign travel. The outlook was upwards and onwards.

However, the revolution brought all that to a grinding halt. Given Masoud’s leftist leanings, dating back to his student days at the University of Tehran, by 1984 things weren’t looking so hot. In fact, from the ever tightening grip around their circle of close friends — getting denounced, arrested and disappearing, it became obvious that it was only a question of time before their number would be up.

Masoud’s close college buddy Farokh had left Iran a year and a half earlier. He had an older sister who had married a Canadian oil executive and lived in Toronto. They were able to get him to Toronto.

Farokh encouraged Masoud to make the move and painted a picture of Canada as the land of the free and Toronto to be its pinnacle of opportunities. So with that, Masoud and Faedeh put together their Toronto project. Their milestone was to get out of Iran within one year, get to Toronto by the second year, establish a medical practice within five years and live happily ever after.

Oh, I forgot to mention that by this time, they also had a young infant son to worry about.

After an arduous flight by bus, mule and on foot, they succeeded in escaping the revolutionary guards by trekking across the wintery wilderness over the Alborz mountains into a Kurdish village in Eastern Turkey. They had their parents back in Tehran liquidate their assets to send them funds while they waited in Turkey to be accepted as refugees into Canada, a process that took more than five years.

Arriving in Toronto in 1990, Masoud found to his dismay that his medical qualifications needed to be further assessed before he could be licensed to practise in Canada. Masoud’s spoken English wasn’t considered fluent. He found it difficult to pass the language tests—written and oral—that foreigntrained doctors must pass to practise in this country even though he easily passed a series of Canadian medical exams. He applied for a residency position under the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). He got two interviews but no position. Most provinces only have a few positions set aside in family practice for immigrant doctors. A major problem is the shortage of residency openings. The provincial colleges of physicians and surgeons, which grant doctors their licences, require that after medical school, doctors complete a residency: at least two years of hands-on training, usually in a hospital. An American residency is treated on par with a Canadian one, but residencies in other countries are not. Therefore, the majority of immigrant doctors have to complete a residency here. Foreign doctors can compete with Canadian medical school graduates for residency positions, but in order to do so, they have to register with CaRMS. However, there is a catch: foreign doctors will only be considered after Canadian-trained graduates have found residency positions. They can compete in the second round. The competition is stiff. On average, less than about ten percent find a position.

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FEATURE

By now, 10 years later, the family was under severe stress. So many years of refusals and helplessness had changed Masoud into a dour partner with whom Faedeh could no longer live. She had also realised lately that her sexual preferences tended towards a latent homosexuality which she could express more freely here in Toronto than she could ever have dared back in Tehran.

When he wasn’t on social assistance, Masoud worked as a cabbie and a pizza delivery man. He tried the exams again in 2004. His written results were always among the highest out of some 500 candidates. But the examiners weren’t satisfied with his clinical skills. They told Masoud his accent made it difficult for patients to understand him. During these years, their migrant life has seen them move more than a half dozen times, from rooming houses on Queen Street West, to Yonge and Eglinton, to Victoria Park, to the Iranian enclaves of North York where his family situation of lacking a well-paying, ‘respectable’ job and his wife’s sexuality were constant challenges to the traditions of their culture.

In 2006, Masoud and Faedeh finally split up. She moved in with her new partner in a luxury condo on Church and Isabella. He moved to a one-bedroom rental off Sherbourne and Dundas. He was 53 years old. His young son, 22 at the time and having grown up in Toronto, had his own friends, his own life and was much better adjusted. On the day his final attempt to secure a residency at McMaster came through – another rejection, he took stock of his Tehran-Toronto project. “I am 53. I’ve lost twenty two years—more than forty percent of my life.” Silently, he walked to the subway station at Yonge and Dundas. It was 11:30 a.m. when the platform announcement came through, “Due to unforeseen technical circumstances, there will be no southbound trains until further notice.” An unfulfilled milestone.

Then there is Traian Bancu, who came here from Romania with a degree in computer science in 1992. His project was to get as rich as possible and as fast as possible, legally. His milestones were to get a job in IT with a large Canadian company within one year, be an independent consultant within five years, invest in real estate, and be independently wealthy by ten. So he got a job as a database analyst with a large insurance company, rose to Database Administrator, and got his network of contacts all “LinkedIn”! By the time he quit the insurance company and started his own company, he had major contracts confirmed to set up and design Oracle databases for several banks, pharmaceutical companies and even sub-contracting for IBM, which were replications of what he had done at the insurance company over the previous years. He met his Scottish-born wife at the insurance company and they had a daughter. With his penchant for homes, Traian invested in and profited greatly from the real estate boom. They moved every few years from one palatial home to another in the Oakville area. His last move was to an estate on the Niagara escarpment in rural Halton on 110 acres, described as “a magnificent 13,231 square foot custom built country estate”, valued at over $5 million. Indeed he fulfilled all of his milestones.

Yet, what are our take-away lessons?

If life is a project and at the same time a journey, must there always be an achievement at the end of the road or is the ride itself the real thing? Success is not a foregone conclusion. As such, if you reach the point in time where your milestone should be, and it isn’t - have you failed? The phase was not completed on time, the tasks within were not carried out as planned. But are all projects truly manageable? Perhaps not. The element of luck and the role it plays in the mix is often discounted by those who are favoured by the luck of the draw. The lesson of not comparing your outcome relative to the next person’s, must not be ignored. Otherwise, a milestone can so easily become one’s millstone.

Bola is a world citizen whose world view has been stamped by the fact that he was born in Africa, was educated in Europe, has lived and worked in many countries on different continents and immigrated to Canada some 33 years ago. He’s now retired, but has a keen interest in giving back to society. Writing and books in general have always been an area of consummate passion. Compassion, an eye for the not-so-overtly observed and adventure in general on the road less travelled could be considered his strong points.

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CATERPILLAR faux-leather fur dress by Dystropolis PERSONAL IDENTITY HOODIE dress by Veruca Cyn Clothing Fur Pleather belt by Dystropolis Necklace by Forever 21 MEMENTO MORI ROX, SUGAR ROX x2 rings by Blackiris Design

H E R M A J E S T Y, T H E Q U E E N

By Steven Crevar Under a hot desert sun I found her, Eyes wide, hands bound and waiting For someone to sculpt her soul, To mold soft flesh and brittle bone Into something worth dying for.

Fetal and weeping, her trembling lips Whispered tortured words only I could hear, As she silently begged for escape from the dirt and dust and grime That tied her to her weakly-breathing, profusely-bleeding form.

Beneath the knife, she’d be beautiful.

When old skin erupts and gives way to fractured bone, She’d be a marvel to behold: Helen of the graveyard; An Aphrodite of gristle and ash.

I’d turn an old toy into a new wonder; I’d make her into a doll worthy of display.

Tear her a hole to let in my demons, Mend her with stitches to sew in her light, Fill her with warm love to fuel her with hatred, Gouge out her eyes to bring back her sight.

Feed her with godflesh to stave off her hunger, Bleed her with rose thorns to let flow the rot, Quench her thirst with glass and dirt, Give her the beauty she desperately sought.

There’s a kind of magic in this re-creation, This visceral act of necrogenesis.

To take something ugly and break it to pieces, Then sweep up the ashes and turn it to art.

I look at her now, she smiles forever, Her pale lips painted across her sun-bleached skull.

Over a realm of shit and sacrement she now rules, Her royal splendor radiating from her rigid form.

Beneath the desert sun I found her, A dirty peasant lost and alone.

Beneath the desert moon I left her, Queen of eternal death, entombed upon her throne.

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MILESTONES |ISSUE 5 | VEUX | 117

HOWL

By Bo Martyn The moon lit the window and it hit your face.

You fell backwards in beauty but maintained your pale grace.

Pleading with the thieves to bring clarity home.

To have her dance wildly, once more alone.

A wicked moment for only the wolves to see.

You’re a ghost, you’re a hunter but you’re too frail to be.

Photography: Chris Chan (www.altovenue.com) Make-Up: Christina Nguyen (www.antidotemakeup.com) Jewellery: Blackiris Design (blackirisdesign.com) Clothing: Wendy Ng - Dystropolis (https://www.facebook.com/Dystropolis.by.wendy.ng) Clothing: Veruca Cyn Clothing (http://www.verucacyn.com) Model: Agatka

Top: DUCHESS flare dress by Dystropolis Bottoms: CHATURANGA by Veruca Cyn Clothing Bracelets by Forever 21 118 | VEUX | ISSUE 5 | MILESTONES

CATERPILLAR faux-leather fur dress by Dystropolis PERSONAL IDENTITY HOODIE dress by Veruca Cyn Clothing Fur Pleather belt by Dystropolis Necklace by Forever 21 MEMENTO MORI ROX, SUGAR ROX x2 rings by Blackiris Design

MILESTONES |ISSUE 5 | VEUX | 119

ART

Delta Decay

“Forgetting”

Photography by Heather Ingram (www.studiofujoshi.com)

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER: Heather Ingram is a photographer living in North Mississippi. She has a love for the Mississippi Delta and documents decaying field houses and buildings in the region.

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ART

“Jack It” MILESTONES |ISSUE 5 | VEUX | 121

ART

“Kitchen Nightmares”

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ART

“The Room of Forgetting”

MILESTONES |ISSUE 5 | VEUX | 123

“Becoming Obsolete”

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“Key of Life”

MILESTONES |ISSUE 5 | VEUX | 125

www.veuxmag.com

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