STARS IN THE CONNECTIVITY ISSUE
PHOTOGRAPHED BY RICHARD BURBRIDGE STYLED BY NICOLA FORMICHETTI MAKEUP BY PETER PHILIPS WITH SLAYYYTER AS CONTRIBUTING GUEST EDITOR ISSUE 4
V MAGAZINE
DEVA CASSEL
FROM THE MAKERS OF
IT’S DEVA, DARLING!
V MAGAZINE
FROM THE MAKERS OF
EDITOR’S LETTER
How can the world be both more disparate and more connected than ever? As wars rage on and political elections remind us of strong divides even within our own families, technology (especially social media) has the power to thrust us into center of chaos, even from hundreds of thousands of miles away. Our unhinged uncle’s pro-Trump rants are staring us straight in the face every time we log on. We’re divided, yes, but we can practically smell our opposition’s breath, we’re all standing so close to one another—at least in a digital sense. But what of the things that connect us in the Buddhist, “We are all one” way? Of course we’re all human, with dreams and families, fears and struggles. We breathe the same air and need the same water; we all pay taxes (some more than others) and must reckon with our own mortality. You know, all that shit they tell you after yoga while you’re half-dead in Shavasana. More practically, we are connected by technology, pop culture, and yes, even fashion—which can often seem silly when juxtaposed with the world’s current and somewhat hellish backdrop. Deva Cassel, gracing one of our two covers, is a living and breathing link between French and Italian pop culture, having (rather influential) parents from both countries. ENHYPEN, our other cover stars, bring together not only their Korean and Japanese members, but veracious devotees from every country, with Brazilian and Indonesian fan accounts racking up more followers than certain U.S. presidential candidates. From our Guest Contributing Editor Slayyyter’s Sin City style feature to an editorial highlighting sleepless and stylish nights in Taipei, this issue serves to reveal how our seemingly contrasting worlds are all part of one, connected universe—which is more representative of our world’s highly connected reality. While the world can seem fractured and ugly, what you hold in your hands is, I hope, a little piece of the beauty and creativity that brings us together. Until next time, Mathias
Artwork WILLEM STAPEL
On lips DIOR BEAUTY Rouge Dior Forever in #999 (Satin)
MASTHEAD
EDITORIAL Mathias Rosenzweig GEN V Editor-in-Chief / V Magazine Digital Director
Stephen Gan V Magazine Editor-in-Chief / Creative Director
Codie Steensma Managing Editor
Nicola Formichetti Creative / Fashion Director
Kevin Ponce Digital Managing Editor
Lizzy Goodman Senior Contributing Editor
Jordan Yates Social Media Manager Greg Krelenstein Entertainment Editor
Meng Ji Weibo & Chinese Editor Teri Duerr Copy & Research Editor
PHOTO / ART Photo Director Goran Macura Special Projects Producer Alyson Cox Art Director Tobias Holzmann Consulting Creative / Design Greg Foley FASHION Senior Fashion Editor Xander Ang Fashion Coordinator / Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief Marissa Lee CONTRIBUTORS Richard Burbridge Peter Philips Ruo Bing Li James Bee Sam Dameshek Hunter Clem Yulia Shur Puzzleman Leung Mark Jen Hsu Lorenz Schmidl Sam Knoll Thomas Brown Ashanty Rivera Valentina Ruiz Ella Neve Eliana Wood Gerndt CONTRIBUTUNG GUEST EDITOR Slayyyter ADVERTISING / FINANCE Magazine International (Advertising Office for Italy and Switzerland) Luciano Bernardini de Pace luciano@bernardini.it Eleni Gatsou Bureau (Advertising Office for France and America) Eleni Gatsou eleni@elenigatsou.com Marie-Loup Faggioli marie-loup@elenigatsou.com Todd Kamelhar Managing Director
David Renard david@mediaideas.net Distribution
Jessica Rivera jrivera@vmagazine.com Distribution & Marketing Manager / Production
PRESS & EVENTS Purple PR Andrew Lister andrew.lister@purplepr.com Shiana Madray shiana.madray@purplepr.com Remi Jiang remi.jiang@purplepr.com SPECIAL THANKS Art + Commerce Arnault Kononow, Amanda Fiala DNA Lorenzo Re The Society George Speros IMG Lisa DiRuocco Heroes Jonathon Reis Ford Sam Doerfler Soul Jason Kanner, Sarah Hamilton Bailey Forward Artists Shae Cooper Calisté Nicolas Samuel Majeure Raja Bouallou Louis2 Michaël Lacomblez Outcast Studio Lisa Liu MA+ Group Andy MacDonald SEE Management John Shegda, Laura Groudine Opus Beauty Natalie Miller, Tori Aiello A Creative Partner Anne du Boucheron Bridge Artists Katelyn White, Katrina Dalton The Only Agency Jose Duarte Interns Anna Henderson, Jack Stein, Brandon Brownstein, Marli Giedt
On nails CHANEL BEAUTY Le Vernis in #171 Sequins
GENESIS: DOMINIC FIKE
GENESIS
In our GENESIS series, we take a candid and exclusive look behind the scenes of pop culture’s biggest moments
Photography CLAYBORNE BUJORIAN
GENESIS
GENESIS
Tour life is often a musician’s fantasy: bright stage lights, the energy of screaming fans, and the thrill of waking up in a new city every day. For Dominic Fike, that fantasy is a reality. The actor and musician’s career has had an explosive trajectory since the release of his debut EP Don’t Forget About Me, Demos in 2018. Fike has since tapped into several creative realms with an appearance on HBO’s Euphoria and being featured in fashion campaigns for Calvin Klein and Saint Laurent. Fast forward to this past July, when he released his sophomore studio album Sunburn. In an Instagram post announcing the launch, he writes, “This is a piece of time we recorded and dressed up pretty as we could. If you find a song on here that you needed today then I did my small stupid little job.” A week following the release, Fike set off on his “Don’t Stare At The Sun” world tour, hitting 37 cities across the US, Canada, and Europe. Luckily for us, Fike took GEN V along for the ride, sharing a glimpse into some of the stops he made along his travels. JORDAN YATES
INGÉNUS An ongoing series spotlighting today’s global talent, destined to be tomorrow’s biggest names
A singer-songwriter with a story as distinctive as his sound Hailing from the sun-kissed shores of Manhattan Beach, California, 24-yearold mehro has come a long way since picking up his first guitar. In fact, early on he resisted the call of music entirely. The catalyst for his journey as an artist was watching the 2005 Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line. The depiction of the legendary musician’s life helped him realize he was enough just as he was. “His narrative filled me with a sense of worthiness for my dreams,” mehro remembers. As a singer-songwriter, mehro skillfully navigates the fine line between sharing his own stories and creating music that connects with a broader audience. “I learned from a wise person that the more specific you are, the more universal it becomes,” he says. “I don’t concern myself with the audience. I let the song come to me the way that it’s meant to.” mehro’s debut single “Perfume” came out during the throws of COVID in 2020, quickly becoming a sensation that currently has over 65 million
streams on Spotify. When asked about the secret behind the song’s success, mehro humbly answers, “It’s hard for me to say. I hope the song resonates with each individual listener.… The song comes from an authentic place, and I love where the song takes me. Perhaps listeners feel the same way I do.” With his debut full-length album, Dark Corners and Alchemy, mehro immerses the audience in an exploration of life’s intricacies—relationships, traumas, and passions. Each of his tracks represents a unique experience, a piece of the puzzle that is mehro’s life unveiling itself. “I wasn’t thinking of how the
album would be laid out as the songs were being written. They told me the story over time,” he says. “The opening song from the album was inspired by a particularly lonely and desperate night,” mehro adds, referring to “howling.” “I love how it enters the listener into the world of this album.” With Dark Corners and Alchemy under his belt and more releases on the way, mehro’s creative journey continues to unfold, a labyrinth of inspiration and authenticity. “The evolution will never stop. I will always look to grow and evolve,” says the artist. “I look forward to every milestone I have yet to experience. I have big dreams.” ELIANA WOOD GERNDT
mehro is wearing all clothing and shoes CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Jewelry mehro’s own
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MEHRO
Sweater stylist’s own Pants CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Photography SAM DAMESHEK Fashion HUNTER CLEM
Beauty Tip: To keep your curls bouncy without the crunch, try BUMBLE AND BUMBLE Curl Defining Cream
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NERIAH
Neriah wears all clothing EMPORIO ARMANI Earrings stylist’s own
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version, which includes six additional tracks. Neriah dedicates the followup version to post-breakup life, saying, “The deluxe is a total vibe change, and it's actually about learning how to love yourself and fall in love again.” VALENTINA RUIZ
Sweater MADCAP MYSTERIES VINTAGE Panties and earrings stylist’s own Boots EMPORIO ARMANI Beauty Tip: For a Priscilla Presley-esque liner look, try HALF MAGIC Magic Flik Liquid Eyeliner in Black
The bedazzle-obsessed, noodleloving singer-songwriter discusses heartache and her debut album Many people would prefer their exes stay buried in the past, preferably with no chance of a resurfacing. Neriah, however, prefers to face those ghosts head on. The 23-yearold singer-songwriter isn't scared of tapping into her past and present emotions, especially when she can channel them into art.
“My parents always say that I started singing before I started to talk,” says Neriah, who wrote her first song at just five years old. With the recent release of her debut album Cause of Death, the singer channeled her past breakups and toxic exes into an 18-track project that takes listeners through every stage of splitting up. “From realizing someone isn't good for you, to missing them, to wanting them back, to wondering if you're making the right decisions,” says Neriah about the album’s journey, “to eventually realizing that they are not your person and you deserve so much more.” Neriah takes the hard and intense lessons from her past relationships to propel her selflove for the future. “‘Promise Ring’ is one of my favorite tracks on the album,” she says about the upbeat and energetic song that explores lies, betrayal, and deception. “I remember the day I wrote it, [because] my ex had just asked me to go on a break.” The whole album was written while the narrative was unfolding in real time, giving listeners a firsthand glimpse into Neriah’s full experience with her ex. “When I wrote this song, I was definitely physically and mentally in a very hard place,” Neriah says. Although Cause of Death came out in October, fans are tuned in to the release of November’s deluxe
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An example of unwavering commitment to his art, Tyler Cole’s latest album is a tribute to his growth Fresh from headlining his first show in Los Angeles, Tyler Cole is on a roll with his latest release, Existential Crisis Boy: Part 1. In constant pursuit of growth, the release of Part 1 in a multipart project was fully intentional—he’s got a lot more to say. “I can celebrate the wins without being completely content,” Cole explains. “There’s so much more that I want to do and I’m just getting started!” When Cole and Willow Smith released “Meet Me at Our Spot’’ in 2020 as their band THE ANXIETY, it skyrocketed Cole into the stratosphere. A product of both artists’ efforts to address mental health, especially in the Black community, the song connected with listeners across the internet and went viral. “If [my art] helps people, or they can relate in any way, I feel like I’ve done my job” Cole says. When the hit first dropped, Smith and Cole spent 24 hours in a box at the MOCA in Los Angeles to demonstrate the eight stages of anxiety. In those 24 hours, the pandemic broke
Tyler wears all clothing FERRAGAMO
and people all over the country went into quarantine; Cole and Smith walked back into a completely changed world. “The irony is that we were quarantining in that box right before the world had to,” Cole says. “I’m so grateful to Willow. I think she’s one of the only people I know that would have ever done some crazy shit like that with me.” Cole’s drive and ambition go hand-in-hand, always pushing him to go that extra step. Or, in the words of one of Cole’s favorite teachers, “If you are not creating, you are dying.” It’s advice Cole took to heart. “I try not to associate my self-worth with my creations, but they mean more to me than almost anything.” In Existential Crisis Boy: Part 1, Cole dives into his life in a blend of pop, soul, R&B, and rock across seven tracks, two of which also feature Teezo Touchdown and Baby Tate. “It all comes natural to me,” Cole muses, who in addition to his love of “everything from Weezer to… to Usher to Blink 182,” also plays several instruments, including guitar, bass, and drums.
Every time he approaches the blank slate of a new song, his process changes. “I’m not always searching for a specific sound, but I am looking for it to make me feel something” the musician adds. Cole has recently had the opportunity to collaborate with some of his favorite artists on songs he promises we’re sure to hear about soon, adding, “You can expect the unexpected.” ELLA NEVE
INGÉNUS
TYLER COLE
All clothing and shoes AMI Beauty Tip: For a dewy skin look, try DR.JART+ Vital Hydra Solution Water Cream
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SHENSEEA
Shenseea wears dress and boots ISABEL MARANT All jewelry RARE ROMANCE
Makeup Carolina B. (Neriah), Jaime Diaz (Shenseea) Groomer Mira Chai (Tyler Cole, mehro) Hair Preston Wada Manicure Naoko Saita (Opus Beauty) Set designer Teaghan Rohan Photo assistant Vincent Lantzy Fashion assistant Nick Rossi
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Among those goals is constructing looks that reflect her eclectic energy. “I think how you portray yourself says a lot about you as a person, and as an artist,” she says. “I want to attract as many eyes as I can to grow and gain more support towards my brand.” Well-earned accomplishments aside, the artist credits her son Rajeiro as her constant motivator. “He is the one who gives me hope when things get hard, reminding me to never give up. Aside from my own aspirations, he has truly given me a purpose,” she says. “My son makes me want to become the best version of myself.” ASHANTY RIVERA
All clothing GUESS All jewelry RARE ROMANCE Beauty Tip: Need some shine on your lips? Try TOM FORD BEAUTY Private Rose Garden Lip Oil Tint
Breaking boundaries is just another full-time job for the Grammynominated Jamaican artist Jamaica, the land that gave birth to the rhythmic hums of reggae and the daring dynamics of dancehall, is a region to which singer-songwriter Shenseea is intimately acclimated. The Kingston-raised musician’s hit songs incorporate hypnotic combinations of hip-hop, pop, and country—all delivered with authenticity and relatability. “When I just started,” says Shenseea, “I told myself I wanted to be an artist people can relate to, making songs about concepts and situations that I know many are also experiencing, targeting different audiences with different stories.” Shenseea’s homeland influences everything she creates. “My upbringing was the perfect balance between
fun and work,” she says. “To this day, my country is my favorite place on Earth to be. Jamaican people are bold beings, and seeing local living legends achieve greatness internationally has motivated me to become one of them.” Salaciously catchy, Shenseea’s music has reached audiences worldwide, with her 2022 debut album Alpha reaching number two on Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart. Thus far in her career, Shenseea has collaborated with industry giants such as Megan Thee Stallion, Sean Paul, Beenie Man, 21 Savage, and Offset. “Though I’m grateful for all my achievements, I try not to relish in what I’ve accomplished because I’ve always feared it will put me in a complacent state of mind,” Shenseea says. “I’m always thinking about how to hit my next target, constantly setting new goals.”
HOUSE CALL New York apartments are famously unique—especially those inhabited by fashion’s finest
Jordan wears all clothing and shoes BURBERRY
JORDAN DANIELS 25, Auckland / New Zealand, Model
What’s your dream gig? I can’t release all my manifestations. What does home mean to you? Being with my family…and eating. How did you find your apartment? I knew about my building for a while now because a lot of people I knew lived there. And during COVID they dropped the prices a lot, so when I viewed a few different units, I found mine! Perfect corner unit with so much afternoon sunlight and super spacious with high ceilings.
Coat DIANE VON FURSTENBERG Bodysuit NORMA KAMALI Shoes JIMMY CHOO
How do you feel about NYC apartments in general? They can be small and claustrophobic and obviously stupidly expensive. But I love mine. Wouldn’t give it up for the world. I have an entire room as my walk-in closet. I feel like Hannah Montana. What would you do if you weren’t a model? A chef, maybe a therapist…. I have no idea, honestly. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I love cooking. I am obsessed with lists and finding “the best” of everything, from food to places to see or visit, or even movies.
HOUSE CALL Photography LORENZ SCHMIDL Fashion SAM KNOLL
JAZZELLE 28, Detroit / Michigan, Artist
What’s your favorite campaign or show you’ve ever done? The Mugler Angel campaign. And my favorite show was actually one of my first ones, years ago, when I opened for Gypsy Sport. It was just a fun, freeing environment. What’s your favorite item in your apartment? My desk nameplate on my dining table that says “I wanna be sedated.” What does home mean to you? Peace, safety, and comfort How did you find your apartment? Craigslist! How do you feel about NYC apartments in general? Too expensive and too small! But I love New York City, so I’ll take what I can get. What would you do if you weren’t a model? I would love to be a florist. I still may chase that dream. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I was actually the captain of my cheerleading team in high school! I’ve always been an athlete doing track and gymnastics, but I wanted to be a popular cheerleader like in the movies so I joined the cheer team. Didn’t end up working out as I’d hoped though [laughs]. Jacket CELINE by Hedi Slimane Top GUESS Top necklace and earrings Jazzelle’s own Bottom necklace DAVID YURMAN
Jazzelle wears all clothing CHANEL
HOUSE CALL
REMINGTON WILLIAMS 25, McKinney / Texas, Model
What’s your dream gig? Having the opportunity to be painted by François Nars would be an absolute dream come true. What does home mean to you? To me, home is that sanctuary where I find safety and the freedom to express myself without reservation. At certain junctures in my career, I’ve had to adapt to temporary abodes like hotel rooms and Airbnb accommodations, which have significantly shifted my perception of what defines home. I’ve come to understand that home transcends mere physical space; it’s ultimately a profound, comforting feeling. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? I already sense that I’ve discovered my rightful place. Occasionally, I daydream about residing in Amsterdam, yet the thought of ever parting with New York indefinitely seems unfathomable.
Remington wears dress EMPORIO ARMANI
Jacket BENETTON Dress ISABEL MARANT
Makeup Ren Nobuko (Bridge Artists) Hair Davey Matthew (SEE Management) Models Jazzelle (The Society), Jordan Daniels (The Society), Mona Matsuoka (IMG), Remington Williams (Heroes) Manicure Marietta Mack (Opus Beauty) Producer Veronika Sharon (A Creative Partner) Production coordinator Lorna Doherty (A Creative Partner) Photo assistant Hector Leandro Stylist assistants Jesse Leonard, Caias Kim
What’s your favorite campaign or show you’ve ever done? Marc Jacobs was an enduring childhood hero of mine, and it’s a true honor to have shared countless moments with him over the years. Every experience working with Marc has epitomized the very dream that initially drew me into the world of fashion.
HOUSE CALL
Mona wears dress DIANE VON FURSTENBERG Earrings DAVID YURMAN
MONA MATSUOKA 25, Hiroshima / Japan, Model / DJ / Artist
What’s your favorite campaign or show you’ve ever done? My favorite show would be the Chanel Cruise show in Dubai in 2014. It was the most memorable for me because they built an island in Dubai that later became their store—it was so crazy [laughs]. What’s your dream gig? My dream gig would be DJing for a dance floor that can produce sustainable energy for the planet. I like to dream big.
All clothing and shoes BURBERRY All jewelry DAVID YURMAN
What does home mean to you? Home means tranquility and a place to let your guard down or be vulnerable. It’s also a place for reflecting and creating. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? By an ocean somewhere—just on a beautiful calm sea… What would you do if you weren’t a model? I think I would be a dancer. I truly love jazz and hip hop. I’m also obsessed with music, so there’s that too.
Deva is wearing top and underwear MAISON MARGIELA Coat MSGM Jeans PARIS REMADE All makeup DIOR BEAUTY (throughout) On skin Dior Forever Glow Veil, Dior Forever Skin Glow in #1N, Dior Forever Skin Correct in #1N On brows Diorshow Brow Styler in #03 Brown On eyes Diorshow On Stage Crayon in #099 Black, Diorshow On Stage Liner in #096 Satin Black, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl in #090 Black On lips Rouge Dior in #999 (Velvet)
THE DAWN OF DEVA Fashion and film continue their love affair by mutually obsessing over the undeniable rising force Photography RICHARD BURBRIDGE Fashion NICOLA FORMICHETTI Makeup PETER PHILIPS
Top DIOR On eyes Diorshow 5 Couleurs Limited Edition in #543 Promenade Dorée On lips Rouge Dior in #999 (Satin), Dior Addict Lip Maximizer in #001 Pink
Jacket GIVENCHY On lips Rouge Dior Satin Balm in #000 Diornatural
Jacket PRETTYBOX
Top MAISON MARGIELA All jewelry CARTIER
Top GIVENCHY
All clothing and tights JACQUEMUS On eyes Diorshow 5 Couleurs Collector in #543 Promenade Dorée, Diorshow On Stage Liner in #091 Matte Black, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl in #090 Black On lips Dior Addict Lip Glow in #001 Pink
Makeup Peter Philips (Art + Commerce) using DIOR BEAUTY Hair Stéphane Lancien (Callisté) Model Deva Cassel (DNA) Manicure Elsa Deslandes (Majeure) Production Michaël Lacomblez (Louis2), Ambre Silvestre Digital technician Victor Gaultier (D Factory) Photo assistants Jesse Russell, James Fonteneau Makeup assistant Estelle Jaillet Hair assistants Julian Sapin, Sonia Messaoudi Production assistant Mathilde Barniaud (Louis2)
Between attending modeling appointments in New York City’s Manhattan, filming projects in Rome, spending time with family in Paris, and enjoying downtime in Rio de Janeiro, keeping up with Deva Cassel is an adventure in and of itself. At only 19 years old, the French-Italian starlet has done what most only dream of—catwalks, campaigns, and coveted roles in buzzy new projects, including her acting debut this year in the indie film The Beautiful Summer. As the child of Italian model and actor Monica Bellucci and French actor Vincent Cassel, it seems that the worlds of fashion and film have become her oysters. Now set to star in the upcoming Netflix series The Leopard, based on the classic novel of the same name by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, Deva is only just getting started. And let’s be honest: Is there anyone more powerful than a teenage girl on a mission? KEVIN PONCE
Deva wears jacket DOLCE & GABBANA All jewelry CARTIER On eyes Diorshow On Stage Crayon in #099 Black, Diorshow On Stage Liner in #096 Satin Black, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl in #090 Black Rouge On lips Rouge Dior in #219 Rose Montaigne (Satin) On nails Dior Vernis in #108 Muguet
GEN V: From a young age, did you always plan to pursue acting? Deva Cassel: No, as a matter of fact, I really did not want to be an actor for most of my childhood. It was something that everyone kept asking me as a kid and it really pushed me away from that career path. However, with time, I started getting more and more interested in the cinematic industry, the people, and the experiences it could offer. What really pushed me to try was the script Laura [Luchetti] wrote and sent me. It was also a great way to get me to do something new and out of my comfort zone. GEN V: What are some of your earliest memories from childhood that inspired you to explore modeling? DC: I always had a passion for clothes, aesthetics, photography.… I remember browsing through my mom’s huge fashion books that she kept in the house for as long as I can remember. Everything was so looked after and beautiful. I knew I wanted to work in that industry at some point in my life, but I definitely didn’t expect to love it this much and make a living out of it. GEN V: With a few film and fashion projects under your belt, you’re still at a very early point in your career. That said, what are some things you dream of accomplishing? DC: One of my dreams would be to create my own capsule with a
brand and to have traveled the world by the age of 30. GEN V: Between jet-setting around the world for roles or preparing for a fashion campaign, what does your ideal day look like? DC: Immediately after waking up, I have a coffee in the sun then have a super long walk to a new restaurant, eat something delicious, and then simply go back home to rest. Maybe see some friends. GEN V: What can you say (at this early moment) about The Leopard? DC: I haven’t seen anything yet since we finished filming, but I can say that, visually speaking, this series is going to be insane. We worked in some of the most beautiful places in Italy and the decor was stunning. I cannot wait to see what we’ve done. GEN V: What industry lessons have you learned from your parents? DC: They taught me to always look forward, to always protect myself, to always be kind, and always keep wonder in mind. There’s much more, but the point is that they’ve taught me how to handle unexpected situations and live by my own rules, while always respecting people and the environment I’m in. GEN V: With 2024 approaching soon, what are some of your goals as we enter the new year? DC: Get my driver’s license, visit Japan for the first time, and spend more time with my family.
KIDDING AROUND
In an increasingly digital world, Nicola Formichetti celebrates the tactile in cruise collections we can’t keep our hands off of Photography JAMES BEE Fashion NICOLA FORMICHETTI
From left to right: Tashi wears all clothing CALVIN KLEIN Kwaku wears all clothing TOMMY HILFIGER Max wears all clothing MIU MIU Antonia wears all clothing BLUMARINE
All clothing BLUMARINE
From top to bottom: Josh wears all clothing and shoes LOUIS VUITTON Max wears jacket, top, necklace COACH Shorts stylist’s own Antonia wears all clothing DSQUARED2 Tashi wears all clothing, jewelry, accessories CHANEL Kwaku wears jacket LOUIS VUITTON
Dress PRADA
From left to right: Max and Tashi wear all clothing and earring DOLCE & GABBANA
From left to right: Max wears coat, top, necklace COACH Shorts stylist’s own Tashi wears all clothing, jewelry, shoes CHANEL Beauty Tip: For that messy but kempt liner look, try CHANEL BEAUTY BOY DE CHANEL 3-in-1 Eye Pencil in #618 Black
Makeup Allie Smith (MA World Group) using DIOR BEAUTY Hair Nero (MA World Group) using ORIBE Models Antonia Przedpelski (Heroes), Josh McGregor (Ford), Kwaku Ansong (Soul), Max Gottschalk (Soul), Tashi Cheodak (Heroes) Manicure Jazz Style (SEE Management) Set design Liz Mydlowski Digital technicians Jacky Jiang (Outcast Studio), Gaffer DiChen Chen (Outcast Studio) Photo assistant Astin Ferreras Stylist assistant Arut Stamyan Makeup assistant Shimu Takanori Hair assistants Emily Knapton, Clarissa de Jesus Location Salt Studios
In an ode to the cult classic film Rebels of the Neon God, local photographer Puzzleman Leung captures Taiwanese youth exploring their city after sundown Photography PUZZLEMAN LEUNG Fashion MARK JEN HSU
FA S T TIMES
From left to right: Ollie wears top MIU MIU Trousers ZADIG&VOLTAIRE Po Husan wears top YUEQI QI Trousers MIU MIU Shoes SHUSHU / TONG
I N TA I P E I
From left to right: Ollie wears vest VERSACE Suit GIORGIO ARMANI Po Husan wears dress YUEQI QI Necklace YVMIN Sin Yi wears dress SHUSHU / TONG Necklace YUEQI QI
Top, trousers, necklace YUEQI QI
From left to right: Ollie wears tank CALVIN KLEIN Trousers HSUNAMÏ Sin Yi wears corset DION LEE Skirt YUEQI QI
Makeup Fiona Li Hair Fran Lin Models Ollie Liu, Po Husan Lee, Sin Yi Huang Executive producer Andrew Yeh Producer Duncan Dai Production accesstovision Photo assistants Chengyi Lee, Lemon Chen Assistant Zoe Hsieh
As this issue’s Guest Contributing Editor, pop music’s most disruptive starlet plays a villainous vixen in an ode to Sin City Photography YULIA SHUR Fashion HUNTER CLEM
S L A Y C I T Y
Slayyyter wears dress custom by VAUGHN ALEXANDER All jewelry SWAROVSKI
All clothing, shoes, bag VERSACE Sunglasses ANNA-KARIN KARLSSON All jewelry SWAROVSKI
“I’ll never forget my first apartment in L.A.,” Slayyyter says over the phone. “Because I’m from Missouri and I’m like, stupid, I really wanted to move to Beverly Hills. So I moved into this little apartment right behind Robertson Boulevard. My whole life I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s where Lindsay Lohan shops.’ But post 2020, it’s a ghost town. Nothing’s open on Robertson. All the buildings are for lease.” For the 27-year-old pop renegade, Hollywood’s dark underbelly and chipped gold foil have become inspirations as much as its promises of fame and Veuve Clicquot-drenched glamour. Her sophomore album, STARFUCKER, explores that intersection between the reality of the stardom rat-race and the fantasy of it—the perks of real-world fame and, as Slayyyter says, “the humiliation of trying to be an artist,” the embarrassment of “trying” to be perceived as anything by anyone. “Everybody wants to be famous— like everybody and their mother,” Slayyyter jokes. The album explores this longing—a deep-rooted and seemingly species-wide ache for validation, attention, and critical praise. The “I Love Hollywood!” singer pokes fun at herself, but also the rest of us. We’re all star-fuckers in our own way.
Perhaps most appealing about the songstress and club fixture is her ability to juggle exclusivity and inclusivity. Slayyyter lives in the Hollywood bubble while also poking at it and reporting on it—humorously—to the outside world. “I will randomly get invited into spaces or events, but I still feel like I’m not really a part of it,” she says. “I make music, I’m an artist, but the cameras all turn when the TikToker with some viral video comes in. That’s more of a big deal,” she says. “For me, I feel the same as the person that was making music in my closet. I’m friends with all really normal people, and I don’t drink the Kool-Aid.” Slayyyter’s increasing popularity and growing fanbase are strapping her in for a bumpy but glitzy ride toward her own type of stardom. But even as she takes off, she remains ever down-to-earth. “I’m still a coach passenger on this flight,” she jokes. MATHIAS ROSENZWEIG
Jacket SCHOTT NYC Top stylist’s own Necklace ON AURA TOUT VU Boots stylist’s own
Makeup Alexandra French (Forward Artists) Hair Ricky Fraser (The Only Agency) Manicure Merrick Fisher (Opus Beauty) using DIOR Vernis Photo assistant Julien Crane Stylist assistant Nick Rossi Production assistant Maia Saavedra
Clockwise left to right: SUNOO, NI-KI, JAY, JUNGWON, JAKE, HEESEUNG, SUNGHOON wear all clothing PRADA Earrings talents’ own
BELLA POARCH: What’s your favorite thing so far about touring for “FATE”? NI-KI: Each place we visit has its unique vibe and culture. But despite these differences, the shared love for our music and the support we receive motivate us to keep pushing forward. SUNGHOON: It’s truly awe-inspiring to perform in front of ENGENEs in different corners of the world. Seeing them having fun at our shows adds an even greater level of happiness to the whole experience.
BP: You guys have such a special relationship with ENGENEs; they are truly some of the kindest fans. Do you have any memorable stories with them? SUNGHOON: During the US leg of the “FATE” tour we had a segment where we randomly caught ENGENEs on camera and had them dance to our song. Since it’s quite rare for us to see ENGENEs dancing in person, this segment became a memorable and special moment for all of us. BP: Do you have a favorite city you’ve performed in to date? JUNGWON: While every city we perform in is special, at the L.A. stadium show we closed with a stunning fireworks display, and I feel like it went perfectly with the vibe of L.A. It was truly an unforgettable experience, even more so because it was our U.S. stadium debut. BP: Your latest album, ORANGE BLOOD, is just out. What’s your favorite track from it? JAKE: ORANGE BLOOD is really a “no skip” album, but if I had to choose one, I’d go with “Orange Flower (You Complete Me).” JUNGWON: My favorite is “Orange Flower (You Complete Me).” JAY: Personally, I like “Sweet Venom.” It’s very different from our previous lead singles and the fact that I contributed to the Korean lyrics makes it even more special. HEESEUNG: “Sweet Venom” because I’m personally into this funk/ pop genre. Also, you can listen to this song in both Korean and English, so hopefully more listeners will be able to connect to it and enjoy it. SUNGHOON: “Sweet Venom” is my top pick because it allows us to show a different side of ourselves that ENGENEs have yet to witness. SUNOO: I’m on board with SUNGHOON—“Sweet Venom.” NI-KI: I choose “Sweet Venom” too. Its choreography and the song itself is very fresh, making it very exciting to perform. BP: ENGENEs also love ENHYPEN’s look. How would you describe your individual styles? JUNGWON: I usually opt for comfortable and easygoing looks, but
lately, I’ve been experimenting with more formal and edgy styles as well. HEESEUNG: I enjoy playing around with pieces that have different vibes and I pay particular attention to the quality of the fabric. JAY: My style is quite versatile, but I’m particularly drawn to clothes with a lot of sophisticated details. JAKE: Similar to JAY, I’m open to a wide range of styles. Recently, I’ve been working on mixing and matching different looks to define my signature style. SUNGHOON: I prefer neat and well-defined outfits, which is why I enjoy wearing matching sets to achieve a classic aesthetic. SUNOO: My go-to is effortless yet trendy attire, often paired with accessories like bags. NI-KI: Street and vintage styles are my favorites and I like to blend elements from both to craft looks that are unique to me. BP: What do you love about being an artist? NI-KI: That our music has the power to transcend borders, allowing people from around the world to enjoy it together. Whenever I come across ENGENEs sharing how our music provides comfort and strength, it fuels my motivation to work even harder. JAKE: Being able to communicate and share our thoughts through music with our fans is the best part of being an artist. It’s a beautiful, reciprocal relationship where our music resonates with ENGENEs and their responses make it all the more meaningful. BP: How do you see your music evolving and what do you hope to achieve in the future? JAY: We’re all about growing as a team and sharing the highs and lows together. We’re taking it step by step to discover what makes ENHYPEN special. JUNGWON: Our main goal is to keep pushing boundaries as artists and share with our fans the journey of our growth. We’ve explored various musical genres since our debut, and we’re eager to showcase the boundless potential we hold.
JAKE wears all clothing PRIVATE POLICY Shoes JAKE’s own
Creative manager Jennifer Zhao Makeup Sojeong Kwon Hair Chihyun Ahn Digital technician Ingmar Chen Photo assistants Tom Miller, Michael Rasnic Styling assistant Arut Stamyan Location Hook Studios
SUNGHOON wears all clothing PRADA
HEESEUNG wears all clothing DION LEE
JUNGWON wears jacket PRADA
SUNOO wears all clothing and shoes PRADA
NI-KI wears all clothing PRADA
JAY wears jumpsuit DION LEE
ENHYPEN, the name of the latest K-pop group intent on taking over the globe, is a play on a part of language that brings two things together. “It symbolizes our unity as seven individuals connected with a hyphen,” says member SUNOO. “This connection plays a pivotal role in strengthening our camaraderie as we grow together.” And grow, they have. Since emerging as the top-seven competitors of the elimination-style music show I-Land in 2020, wherein they were announced as a group on the season finale, ENHYPEN has released no fewer than five albums, steadily climbing higher on charts with each release across Korea, Japan, the United States, and beyond thanks to their loyal fans, ENGENEs. Phillipina American vocalist and influencer Bella Poarch, who is featured on a special English-language version of ENHYPEN’s new single “Sweet Venom,” recently caught up with the group while on the road for “FATE,” the second of back-to-back world tours for JUNGWON, HEESEUNG, JAY, JAKE, SUNGHOON, SUNOO, AND NI-KI, who show that they are still in it to win it. TERI DUERR
From left to right: JAY, JUNGWON, SUNOO, SUNGHOON, JAKE, NI-KI, and HEESEUNG wear all clothing PRADA Earrings talents’ own
BEYOND THE BOY BAND In the ’90s, acts like NSYNC experimented with the science of crafting a male group. Now, ENHYPEN ENHYPEN— — and their unified global fan base—have perfected it Photography RUONG BING LI Fashion NICOLA FORMICHETTI Interview BELLA POARCH
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FROM THE MAKERS OF
STAR IN THE CONNECTIVITY ISSUE
PHOTOGRAPHED BY RUO BING LI STYLED BY NICOLA FORMICHETTI INTERVIEWED BY BELLA POARCH WITH SLAYYYTER AS CONTRIBUTING GUEST EDITOR ISSUE 4
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ENHYPEN
FROM THE MAKERS OF
GET HYPED!