VMAN 47: THE BIRTH OF A SUPERSTAR WITH LIL NAS X

A NEW HORIZON Editorial

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Editor-in-Chief / Creative Director Stephen Gan

Publisher 93HUB Nicola Bernardini de Pace nicola@93hub.nyc Creative Partnerships Associate Fatima Juliette Boukattine fatima@93hub.nyc Advertising Office, Italy and Switzerland Magazine International Luciano Bernardini de Pace luciano@bernardini.it

Managing Editor / Production Director Melissa Scragg Photo Director Goran Macura Editorial Consultant Owen Myers Editor / Sales & Distribution Director Czar Van Gaal Editor, Entertainment Greg Krelenstein

Design

Office Manager / Editorial Assistant Aurimas Meilūnas

Associate Art Director Shibo Chen

Contributing Editor-at-Large Derek Blasberg

Consulting Creative / Design Greg Foley

Copy & Research Editor Lynda Szpiro

Fashion

Contributing Fashion Editors Nicola Formichetti Anna Trevelyan Paul Cavaco Amanda Harlech Jacob K Joe McKenna Melanie Ward Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele Clare Richardson Panos Yiapanis Jane How Tom Van Dorpe

Contributing Fashion Director Gro Curtis Fashion & Market Editor Aryeh Lappin Assistant Market Editor Sam Knoll Beauty Editor Stella Pak

Digital

Contributors

Digital Director Mathias Rosenzweig mathias@vmagazine.com

Inez & Vinoodh Sølve Sundsbø Chris Colls George Cortina Blair Getz Mezibov Dan Sablon Matthew Brookes Domen & Van De Velde Grant Woolhead Fanny Latour-Lambert Ricardo Beas Michelle Genevieve Gonzales David Roemer Douglas VanLaningham Kala Herh Sam Tracy

Digital Editor Dania Curvy dania@vmagazine.com Social Media Manager Kevin Ponce kevin@vmagazine.com Weibo Editor Meng Ji

Press and Events Purple PR Andrew Lister andrew.lister@purplepr.com Amy Choi amy.choi@purplepr.com Dylan Hunt dylan.hunt@purplepr.com

Finance/Distribution Managing Director Todd Kamelhar Distribution David Renard

Special Thanks VLM Studio Kim Pollock NEXT Kyle Hagler Art + Commerce Annemiek Ter Linden Dana Heis IMG Kevin Apana Mimi Yapor DNA Tony Craig Serlin Associates Philippa Serlin WYO Artists Karen Long CLM Nick Bryning Calliste Yann Gabin Julie Dumas Exposure NY Stacy Fischer Walter Schupfer Management Alessandro Lovadina Laure Gaston Atelier Management Sebastien Robcis The Wall Group Mandy Smulders Rachel Foster De Facto Michelle Marana Susan Price NYC Susan Price The Only Agency Jose Duarte The Visionaries Yan Javeri Art Department Anita Castillo Hodo Musa Pier59 Studios

Interns Eric Hart Jr. Lilia Jiménez Arianne Zhang Trishna Rikhy Bailey Bujnosek Ahad Sanwari Emma Walpole Carlos Chinn Deb Carpanzano Anna Guo Greta-Rose Jelen Kaylah Bryan Jesse Leonard Megan Murphy Tajee Bethea

Niko wears all clothing Louis Vuitton Surfboard Louis Vuitton x Alex Israel (Price upon request, available at select Louis Vuitton boutiques)

TOMFORD.COM

WELCOME TO VMAN 47 FALL WINTER 2021

Photography Diego Vourakis Fashion Brittany Layton Niko wears all clothing Louis Vuitton Surfboard Louis Vuitton x Alex Israel (Price upon request, available at select Louis Vuitton boutiques) The electric spirit of Los Angeles comes alive in the Louis Vuitton surfboard, entwining luxury with the freedom of the sea. With its orange and pink gradient design inspired by the paintings of Californian artist Alex Israel, the board has all the breezy, vivacious energy of surf culture—with the craftsmanship and precision of Louis Vuitton. TRISHNA RIKHY

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In the realm of music and pop culture, it feels like things are changing faster than ever.

The very nature of virality—the passing of something (whether an illness or a new track) from one person to another—has dramatically reshaped our world in less than two years. In some ways, this feels exciting; our cover star Lil Nas X may never have come to prominence had he not tapped into the Internet’s ability to spread content so widely and rapidly, catapulting him as an artist who, at only 22 years old, has already reshaped pop and hip-hop as an openly gay superstar.

Others are less excited about the unpredictable times we’re living in. The world is moving too fast, as is its culture, and the novelty of it all is outshadowed by unfamiliarity.

Culture is constantly referencing itself throughout the ages, like Lil Nas X reimagined as Jimi Hendrix on our cover, or clothing from this season—perhaps the most exciting yet in men’s fashion—styled with references from the French Renaissance.

As contemporary albums, photographs, designs, and so on start to become new classics, older staples will always remain in the zeitgeist. If you look hard enough, you’ll find familiarity in nearly all that’s new, creating a balance between where we were and where we’re going. MR. V

Pushing the boundaries of urban transport, Hermès’ Manufacture de Boucleries skateboard is essential equipment for skatepark regulars or newcomers to the sport. Crafted with the house’s signature artisanship and luxury, the board design riffs on Hermès’ iconic silk scarves, reimagined by the Turin visual artist Gianpaolo Pagni and printed by an advanced technique called sublimation—basically, it’s tough as nails, so kickflip away. TR

VMAN is a registered trademark of VMAN LLC. Copyright © 2021 VMAN LLC. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. VMAN (BIPAD 96492) is published biannually by VMAN LLC.

FULL SPEED AHEAD

James wears all clothing and shoes Hermès Manufacture de Boucleries Skateboard Hermès ($3,600, available at Hermes.com)

SCALE NEW HEIGHTS In this issue

26. VMAN News 30. VMAN Trends 32. Meet The VMEN Of Fall 38. Hollywood’s New Kid on The Block 46. Birth Of A Superstar 60. Midwinter Fantasy 72. Fall In Paris 78. Man Of The Mountain 92. Renaissance Men 104. Finneas In Bloom 112. What VMEN Want

Niko and James wear all clothing Dior Men Dior World Tour sneakers Dior Men ($1,400, available at Dior.com) Featured in the Dior World Tour capsule collection, Kim Jones' monochromatic B27 sneakers juxtapose Dior’s energetic elegance with sleek innovation. Original perforated leather comes in bold shades of yellow, blue, green, red, and black, while a limited-edition leather case ensures you’ll never have to be without your new favorite shoe. TR

On the cover Cover 1 Jacket Gucci Scarf (worn on head) vintage Missoni Top necklace and earrings Ten Thousand Things Bottom necklace Kieselstein-Cord Top (worn underneath) vintage from Paumé Los Angeles Cover 2 Scarf (worn on head) vintage Missoni Top necklace and earring Ten Thousand Things Bottom necklace Kieselstein-Cord Top vintage from Paumé Los Angeles

Hair and Makeup Lilly Pollan Models James Baek (DNA), Niko Traubman (IMG) Executive Producer Jonathan Biebl (Go Atticus) Producer Mike Moretti (Go Atticus) Production lead Avery Pham Photo assistant Ibuki Kobayashi

table of contents

VMAN NEWS Take a walk on the wild side with this season’s most rule-breaking menswear Photography David Roemer Fashion Aryeh Lappin

CELINE HOMME

BY HEDI SLIMANE For Celine’s latest AW21 men’s show, Hedi Slimane enlisted the help of Los Angeles-based artist Cambria Guevara. Also known as Mermaid Hex, the creative specializes in drawing, painting, printing, sewing, and tattoo design typically inspired by the desert, cartoons, and music. For this collection, Guevara contributed “Strange” (2017) and “Out of My Mind” (2019), which are printed on Slimane’s ‘90s-inspired designs. Titled “Teen Knight Poem,” the collection represents a coming to life, where the younger generation reinvents themselves through studded denim jackets, ruffled collar buttonups, and an eye-popping limited-edition skateboard. Slimane’s bold sweatshirts and accessories are paired with Guevara’s “Strange” typography art to evoke 16th-century romanticism often associated with knighthood and squires. Like the knights once did, models strutted through the halls of one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world, Château de Chambord in France’s Loire region for Celine’s presentation. With the newest collection, Slimane and his team present a contemporary collection that draws heavily from the past. KALA HERH 26

news

Makeup Akiko Owada (The Wall Group) using Chanel beauty Hair Panos Papandrianos (The Wall Group) using Bumble & Bumble. Models Amaury Valero, Youssouf Bamba, Sam Morrissey (DNA) Digital technician Tara Chumpelik Photo assistants Ernesto Urdaneta, Ariana Rodriguez

TOMMY X ROMEO For fall’s most exciting sartorial fusion of fashion legacy and future, Tommy Hilfiger merges his Manhattanite sophistication with rising designer, Romeo Hunte’s Brooklyn edge for TommyXRomeo—the latest pioneering project of Hilfiger’s People’s Place Program. In its mission of bringing diversity to fashion, the American heritage brand and style arbiter reimagines the most iconic pieces of Tommy’s 36-year history. “Together, we’ve really focused on passing the mic to the next generation of BIPOC creatives and thought leaders to increase 28

representation and amplify their talent globally,” says Hilfiger.

Drawing on the esteemed Tommy Hilfiger archives, the capsule brings the Big Apple alive through innovative design. Hunte, a longtime mentee of Hilfiger, plays with proportions of preppy button downs and classic trench coats, remixing the iconic Hilfiger Ithaca stripe in the colors of the New York City metro. The result is a brand-new vision for American style.

SAM TRACY

news

GUCCI ARIA

Stylist assistant Sam Knoll Makeup assistants Jonathan Wu, Mika Omura Hair assistants Christina “Harley” Beman, DeAndre Peoples

Alessandro Michele has always felt a strong affinity toward Demna Gvasalia’s designs, and so he embarked on a new collection that combines the two house’s aesthetics into one. So as one element within fall’s Gucci Aria collection, Michele extracts elements from Gvasalia’s previous Balenciaga collections, in an expression of reverence and homage.

This practice is one the Gucci creative director calls “hacking,” or extracting elements from various points in time and space and making them for the now. “Far from standing out,

Demna Gvasalia’s designs for Balenciaga fit into the Gucci Aria collection like an inevitability,” Michele says. “[They remind] us that there is a live, beating heart at the core of fashion and that it is one and the same for all.” The Gucci Aria Collection celebrates the house’s 100th anniversary with new takes on some of the brand’s most iconic designs, including the 1955 Gucci Horsebit shoulder bag, new editions of classic, covetable loafers and equestrianinspired boots. KALA HERH

Throughout On hair Oribe Très Set Structure Spray On skin Malin+Goetz 29 28

VMAN TRENDS Cold-weather staples get a luxe twist with the season’s must-have jewelry and accessories Photography Ricardo Beas Fashion Aryeh Lappin

SNUGGLE UP All clothing Ermenegildo Zegna Necklace Tiffany & Co.

SHEARLING PERFECTION Jacket Kenzo Earring Bulgari

BOHO BLISS All clothing and accessories Gucci

IT’S A WRAP Coat and turtleneck (worn as scarf) Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello, ring and watch Cartier

FUTURE METALLICA All clothing and accessories Louis Vuitton

PRINT GOES POP ART All clothing Dior Men Gloves AMI, ring and earring Tiffany & Co.

COZY COOL All clothing and bag Fendi Necklace and rings Tiffany & Co.

Makeup Akiko Owada (The Wall Group) Hair Takuya Yamaguchi using R+Co Models Mitchell Gorthy (IMG), Mase Somanlall (DNA)

WINTER ARMOR Mase wears all clothing Emporio Armani Mitts Giorgio Armani Neve Collection, bag Giorgio Armani

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trends

LEATHER LOVE AFFAIR Coat Dsquared2, shirt Isabel Marant Necklace and earrings Cartier

STRIDE OF PRIDE All clothing and accessories CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane

GO OVERSIZED All clothing and accessories Prada Earrings Bulgari

THINK MAXI-PRINTS Top, turtleneck (worn as scarf), pants Etro, shoes AMI, bag Fendi, watch Cartier

DEVIL’S IN THE DETAILS All clothing Burberry, hat Berluti Earring Bulgari

LUXE SPORTS All clothing and bag Boss Watch Bulgari

GO FOR THE GOLD Top Salvatore Ferragamo Hoodie (worn under) GCDS, earring and rings Bulgari

LAYER UP All clothing and bag Hermès Ring Tiffany & Co.

Photo assistants David Eristavi, Alex APtsiauri Stylist assistant Sam Knoll Location Pier59 Studios

CROSSBODY CHIC Mitchell wears all clothing and accessories Guess

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MEET THE VMEN OF FALL L.A.’s buzziest young creatives shine bright in our pick of the season’s bombers Photography Michelle Genevieve Gonzales Fashion Douglas VanLaningham

TREVOR STEWART OFF-ROAD BIKING CHAMP Unless you’re big into the off-road racing scene, you may not have heard of Trevor Stewart until now—but that’s all about to change.

“I want to be everything and I want to be everywhere,” says Stewart from his home in California. Stewart started gaining recognition in the racing world when he finished first place in the Big 6 National Grand Prix Championships in 2018 and 2019. Born and raised in Rancho Cucamonga, a small town an hour east of L.A., Stewart got his first motorcycle for his third birthday and two years later, at the age of five, he won his first race.

In the intervening years, however, the 22-year-old has proved racing isn’t all that makes up Trevor Stewart. This June, he made his fashion debut at Paris Fashion Week when he modeled for cult brand Mr. Saturday’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection. As racing jackets and form-fitting silhouettes of motorsports trickle onto the runways of luxury brands like Balenciaga and Vetements and other luxury 32

brand runaways. Stewart’s debut into fashion reflects the industry’s increasing infatuation with action-sport subcultures and the players who make it.

While Stewart is pursuing other creative outlets, he always finds his way back to the track—with signature flair. A couple of races back, he wore a pink T-shirt from YSL’s womenswear collection and caught heat from some of his less modern-minded biker peers. He’s refreshingly blasé about the experience today; he says that he wears what he wants as a form of personal expression, but he also wants to be an inspiration for young racers. “I want kids to realize that they can really do whatever they want in this lifetime,” he says. “I would say a lot of people are stuck trying to fit this [stereotypical] form of a motorcycle racer and it’s a thing of the past.” And if we know one thing about Trevor Stewart it’s that he’s guaranteed to shake up more than just the dirt of the racetrack. KALA HERH

vmen Trevor wears all clothing Giorgio Armani Jewelry Tiffany & Co.

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The Kid LAROI wears jacket Boss Pants Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Boots Dsquared2 Jewelry Cartier

THE KID LAROI BIEBER-APPROVED EMO RAPPER It’s hard to believe that The Kid LAROI is, well, a kid. The Australia native has released three albums, worked with a slew of iconic artists, and garnered hundreds of millions of streams on Spotify, all before turning 18. But while his resume might place him among his older peers, his music deals in distinctly adolescent angst. Regarding the title of his 2020 debut album, F*CK LOVE, he recalls, “It was kind of like I would tell myself that I’d never have a girlfriend, ever.” This candid vulnerability has been a staple of LAROI’s songwriting from the start. His interest in music was first sparked by the songs his mother played around the house, from Kanye and Lil Wayne to The Fugees.

Initially attracted to the beats, LAROI eventually began to relate to the lyrics—and to write his own. “It was a way of expression for me,” he explains. Soon after, he was recording music on his mom’s phone and entering local competitions.

His big break came when he caught the attention of iconic rapper 34

Juice WRLD. Juice became a mentor figure for LAROI, tapping him as an opener for his Death Race for Love tour in 2019. Their relationship was cut short by Juice WRLD’s tragic passing in December of the same year. A posthumous feature on LAROI’s single, “GO,” served as a way for LAROI to pay tribute to the late artist’s legacy.

In the past two years, LAROI’s career has continued to grow at breakneck speed. He went viral on TikTok for the meme-able track “Addison Rae” and the catchy “Without You,” the latter song remixed

by Miley Cyrus. He got in the studio with Justin Bieber for “Stay.” (“He freestyled the whole thing in fucking 15 minutes,” LAROI recalls. “It was incredible.”) This summer he released F*CK LOVE 3, the final installment in his F*CK LOVE trilogy. The album charts LAROI’s evolution in the year since his debut. “It’s closing the chapter,” he says.

“Now that I have a girlfriend and shit, I’m not really feeling like, ‘Fuck love,’ anymore.” BAILEY BUJNOSEK

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ISAAC DUNBAR RISING ALT-POP STAR Being a teenager is already hard enough (the angst, high school) but couple it with pop stardom (millions of streaming listeners, thousands of DMs) and it gets that much more tricky to navigate. But somehow, L.A.-based singer Isaac Dunbar is taking it in stride. Hitting it big during a global pandemic with TikTok-trending tracks like synth-driven “Onion Boy” and dangerously catchy “Fan Behavior,” Dunbar witnessed his socials skyrocketing but saw no noticeable change offline. “There’s a lack of human quality to it,” he says of the surreal uptick in attention.

“I would say I felt detached.” But that has changed. Now, Dunbar is reconnecting—to his fans, his music, and his roots. Of Liberian and Italian descent, the emerging star felt out of touch with his blackness and quieted in his queerness in his Cape Cod hometown. “I never had room to be who I truly was. It honestly felt like a facade,” Dunbar confesses. “There was a part of me that I felt was missing.” With a few viral singles under his belt, the 18-year-old is now embracing all

Isaac wears top and pants MSGM Jacket Kenzo Belt Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Necklaces and earring Martine Ali Ring Cartier

sides of himself he once kept hidden. His newfound self-love has been translating musically, too. Exhibit A: recent single, “Celebrate,” the latest addition to his growing list of ass-shaking, high-energy pop hits.

An expert autodidact, Dunbar’s impressive knowledge of music theory and diverse tonal range have set the young vocalist apart from cookie-cutter pop. Dunbar’s rise has been in the works for nearly a decade when the then nine-year-old Lady Gaga stan taught himself how to produce music by following YouTube tutorials aiming to create beats like Artpop producer, Madeon. Since then, he has branched out from self-professed “complextro” electronic music into punk rock and alternative with equal parts ease and creative fluidity. “A lot of people get frustrated with me because they want me to stick to one thing, but I can’t!” he says with a laugh. “The thing that I see that links all of these different types of songs together is my voice. And I think that’s all that matters.” SAM TRACY

Noah wears all clothing Dsquared2 Necklaces and earring Martine Ali Rings his own

NOAH JUPE YOUNG HOLLYWOOD VETERAN Noah Jupe is the white-hot star setting young Hollywood ablaze, igniting the next generation of silver screen sweethearts. At only 16 years old, the British actor—born and raised in Islington—has shared a screen with many of the greats: he’s starred alongside Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Jon Hamm; he’s been a son to John Krasinski and Emily Blunt in A Quiet Place, and to Nicole Kidman in HBO’s, The Undoing.

Whether horror, drama, or, most recently, in Steven Soderbergh’s No Sudden Move, heist, Jupe’s charisma and raw talent seeps through the screen, framing the opening pages to cinema’s next great chapter. “I never said to my mom, ‘I want to be an actor,’” says Jupe. “I wanted to be a racing driver as a kid. I used to get really invested in movies like Star Wars and Harry Potter, but with me, it was funnily worrying for my parents as I would get into characters almost too much. I’d stay in them for days at a time.”

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The conviction Jupe brings to his characters leaves no room for doubt: Noah Jupe was born to be an actor. “If I had to choose the moment [I realized I wanted to be an actor], it would be after my first job [in Penny Dreadful in 2015]. I loved the experience of being on set... and then it ended. The movie wrapped, and I went home. It was a fourhour drive, and I cried the entire time. I was so upset that I didn’t think I would get another chance to be a part of a family like that on set.” If his chestnut curls and sweet, made-for-screen disposition didn’t tie his red string of fate to acting already, his professional prowess and thoughtful understanding of character certainly does. To watch Jupe on-screen is to see him transform, become wholly in his element; unmistakably embracing the character and role, and a profound feat of skill. “I love this industry,” he says. “Every role matters in the creation of a film; I love movie-making.” TRISHNA RIKHY

vmen Makeup Samantha Lepre Hair Angel V Prado Photo assistant Daniel Nerio Stylist assistant Sofia Lavinia

MILES RICHIE MUSICAN TURNED RESTAURATEUR If you knew Miles Richie based simply on who his father is and his background, him saying “I’m opening a restaurant,” could come as a surprise. But if you really knew Richie—son of Lionel, brother to Nicole and Sofia—and knew him well, it would all make a lot more sense. “I’m a big-time foodie, I love traveling around the world and trying food,” he says, Zooming in from L.A., “I wanted to do something that’ll change the game a little bit and be in my own individual lane of eats.”

And thus was birthed Bob’s Calzone, Richie’s dive headfirst into the culinary industry with an Italian restaurant in L.A., steeped in his love for everything pizza, pasta, and comfort food, that’ll champion the humble calzone with “a modern twist, making it fun, bringing it into the new age.” If you really knew him, you’d also understand how “Bob” came into the picture. “My nickname that I got back when I would go out and party was Bob. Bob was like my alter ego. It just works, it’s

quirky and that classic, bold name.”

Richie plans to start with a flagship, then open a few brick-andmortar stores, and finally go straight for the jugular with a food truck.

He hopes to have everything rolling by the end of the year. “ I’m creating a different type of food experience, its own category of food,” he says, mentioning rotating menus and weekly flavor swaps. “It’s going to be eye-opening, and the way that it’s going to be able to grow into so many different things can make people fall in love with the project.”

And Richie wants to keep things moving, planning to release music of his own once Bob’s Calzone has a footing. “I’m working on a six-song EP of house music from around the world, which I’m very excited about,” he says. “I’ll be announcing all the details in the next few months.”

Because like with a calzone, and apparently also with Miles Richie, what’s life without a little bit of variety? AHAD SANWARI

Miles wears all clothing Alexander McQueen Necklace Tiffany & Co. Rings, earrings and bracelet his own 37

HOLLYWOOD’S NEW KID ON THE BLOCK The breakout star of Outer Banks tells actor Jeremy Pope how his real life became as wild as the Netflix thriller Photography Matthew Brookes Fashion Nicola Formichetti Text Dania Curvy

Chase wears all clothing and shoes Armani Exchange Watch Omega Constellation Small Seconds 34mm 38

vmen Top Armani Exchange Watch Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Small Seconds On lips Chanel Boy de Chanel Lip Balm

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Watch Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Small Seconds All clothing vintage, stylist’s own On skin Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution Sunscreen Multi Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 50

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vmen All clothing Armani Exchange Watch Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Small Seconds On hair R+Co Bleu Surreal Styling Serum

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A

fter a yearlong hiatus of IRL human connection and adventure, the world became nostalgic for a pre-COVID past, faced the present adjustments to the new normal, and anxiously anticipated a future of uncertainty and transition. With that, society heavily satiated their daily craving of camaraderie, cheap thrills, and shenanigans in the world of entertainment.

Netflix’s Outer Banks—or OBX, as it’s known to throngs of fans—hit a particular sweet spot. The high-octane dramedy stars lead Chase Stokes as the brazen, local surfer boy John B., along with the wealthy upper echelon “Kooks” and working-class “Pogues.” The show is packed with literal ride-or-die friendships, first loves, significant losses, and to boot, a treasure hunt to uncover $400 million dollars worth of stolen gold.

The series kept the world at the edge of their seats.

Speaking on the eve of OBX season two’s release this summer, Orlando-raised Stokes plunges deep into discussion with his high school pal, and fellow Netflix star, Jeremy Pope (Pose, Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood). The pair delve into what fans can expect for John B. and the gang for season two, how the relationship between Chase and his co-star Madelyn Cline has shifted from on-screen into real life, and taps into his personal nirvana as a tool for mental health amid the throes of newfound fame and life’s uncertainties.

Jeremy Pope: For people who don’t know us, we went to high school together and graduated in the same class. Go Wolves! What is something you wish you knew in high school about your future?

Chase Stokes: I wish that I was okay with the unknown. This career path, I think more times than not, forces you to go internal. There’s so much up and down and judgment in places that you’re kind of not really expecting. As I’ve ventured into this career of entertainment, it’s heightened that at times. So, just being at peace with [your identity], not allowing your own self-destruction to be a definitive factor of who you are, and not being defined by the environment that you’re in.

JP: We both had shows come out during a pandemic and a lot of attention was brought your way very, very fast. How has your life changed for better or for worse, and what does that mean to you personally?

CS: I think the pros of being older—and when I say older, being 28 years old—I had enough time to sit back and watch it happen to other people. I watched them make mistakes or thrive and find that hunger, but it never fully prepares you.

JP: I want to talk about OBX: we’re in season two. What are you most excited about sharing with us for this upcoming season?

CS: Season two just has a different energy to it. I would describe it as controlled chaos because, obviously, we worked in confined spaces with safety—but it’s a chaotic experience. You’re dealing with a 16-year-old kid who’s wanted for murder, has fled the country, and is now en route, in his mind, to where the gold his father’s been chasing is. There’s a relentless mentality that he has and is not going to stop now, because he’s closer than he’s ever been. I just think it’s high emotions and a lot more of the comedy that I think a lot of people love. We definitely don’t skip out on the bullshit of the Pogues.

JP: Sarah and John B. have such amazing chemistry on-screen—the characters balance each other in a yin and yang way. How does the dynamic of your relationship with Madelyn Cline work in real life?

CS: We have a very healthy relationship because it started with the work first. We didn’t really have time to even comprehend the question: Is there something here? That was all after the fact. For season two, as soon as we get to work, we’ll support each other. We’ll be scene partners and take care of each other when it’s an emotional moment. But it doesn’t mean that if I don’t believe you, that I’m not going to call you out and she holds me to the same standard.

Then, as soon as we get back to our trailers and we’re taking off our makeup and character clothes, it’s like that world disappears. I’m very thankful for her and the journey we’re on, it’s been awesome.

JP: You’re a big advocate for mental health and therapy. How do you balance work, being an artist, and navigating your mental health, and being aware of what you need?

CS: Coming out of the pandemic, there’s a lot of uncertainty and transition. There’s a lot of people who are dealing with a new normal, and nobody really knows how to attack that. For me, I need ten minutes bare minimum to set my intention and ask: ‘What do you want to do with yourself just today?’ I’ve been big on having what I like to call an ego death; that simply is me not allowing myself to think any further than just the day. If I allow myself to think any further ahead, I know for my own mental health, it’ll drive me through the absolute roof and then I’ll end up in the fetal position. And I just don’t want that.

JP: Often we’re always thinking about what’s next, right? And we’re not always guaranteed a “next.” So, it’s important to have those moments because I do think it’s easy to get off track.

CS: There’s a phrase that I always say—and I’m trying my best not to tattoo it somewhere on my body—it’s “I am just beginning.” Society is so bad at telling everyone, “You’re 25, it’s too late; if you’re 30 years old, you’re too far gone, you can’t start.” I think—especially when it comes to dealing with our own self-doubt or any form of mental health, we’re always just beginning. I’ve dealt with a family of addicts who have serious addictions, and I talked to them a lot about that. Every day you are just beginning, there is no “bad time’’ or “too late to start.”

It’s been something that has saved me—even right now.

JP: You’ve always been this grounded, loving person. I think, for me, being in a huge high school with a graduating class of around 1,400 people, dealing with my sexuality and not being out at the time, I was learning to love theater and you were doing lacrosse. We were polar opposites, but I remember you would always find space and time to check in with me. And I want you to know that was very special to me that you saw me. I just appreciate you always being an advocate for positivity, for love, for acceptance, for further learning about yourself, and loving yourself. That is one thing that has always been true about you. I’m always wishing you well; I’m always wishing you love. I will happily run any fan account that you need at any given time.

CS: That warms my heart. I love you, you know that. To watch you go from taking the risk to going to New York right after high school and put your heart on your sleeve and wear it courageously throughout the years and not be apologetic is something that I’ve always looked up to.

JP: I think we have a unique relationship and shared experience that I don’t have with a lot of people. You knew me back in 2006. And to know that the support was real then and so many years later, is still there— it gives me hope that you can find some A-1’s that’ll ride and die for you, and will have your back no matter if you’re at the peak of your career or just beginning. That is something that I’m excited to share with people because it’s beautiful. We are just beginning.

Head to VMAN.com to read the extended interview.

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Watch Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer All clothing and belt vintage, stylist’s Own

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Watch Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer Top vintage, stylist’s own

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Grooming Marissa Machado (Art Department) using Tom Ford Production Casey Murphy (CLM) Digital technician Philipp Paulus Stylist assistant Hunter Clem

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“Every day you are just beginning, there is no ‘bad time’ or ‘too late to start.’”

—Chase Stokes

All clothing Armani Exchange

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BIRTH OF A

The pop-rap superstar tells musician Kevin Abstract how his in-your-face performances help him live just as unapologetically Photography Inez and Vinoodh Fashion George Cortina 46

SUPERSTAR Scarf (worn on head) vintage Missoni Top necklace and earring Ten Thousand Things Bottom necklace Kieselstein-Cord Top vintage from Paumé Los Angeles

Jacket Gucci Scarf, worn on head vintage Missoni Top necklace and earrings Ten Thousand Things Bottom necklace Kieselstein-Cord Top (worn underneath) vintage from Paumé Los Angeles On eyes Gucci Beauty Stylo Contour des Yeux Eyeliner Noir

Jacket Louis Vuitton Vest (worn underneath) vintage from Lidow Archive Pants vintage from Front General Store Belt Artemas Quibble Scarf (worn on waist) vintage Saint Laurent from Paumé Los Angeles Top necklace and earrings Ten Thousand Things Middle necklace vintage from Mahnaz Collection Bottom necklace vintage from Melet Mercantile

Coat Etro Vest (worn underneath) vintage from Stella Dallas Pants vintage from Front General Store Belt Artemas Quibble Scarf vintage Saint Laurent from Paumé Los Angeles Top necklace and earrings Ten Thousand Things Bottom necklace Repossi

Coat Loewe Pants vintage from Front General Store Belt Artemas Quibble Scarf (worn on head) Gucci Top necklace and earrings Ten Thousand Things Middle necklace vintage from Mahnaz Collection Bottom necklace Lisa Eisner Beaded necklace vintage from Stock Vintage Belt (worn as bracelet) Artemas Quibble

Jacket Tom Ford Vest (worn underneath) vintage from Stock Vintage Scarf Gucci Earring Ten Thousand Things On hair Oribe Styling Butter Curl Enhancing Crème

“I want everyone to be left with feeling like they’ve learned more about me and through learning more about me, somehow they’ve learned more about themselves. I want the takeaway to be that it’s okay to be yourself, and I mean every aspect of your true self.”

— Lil Nas X

Vest vintage from Stock Vintage Pants vintage from Front General Store Earring Ten Thousand Things Bracelet Kieselstein-Cord

Pants vintage from Front General Store Belt Artemas Quibble Boots vintage from Stock Vintage Top necklace and earrings Ten Thousand Things Middle necklace Fernando Jorge Bottom necklace Lisa Eisner On skin Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream

“The album is me inviting people into the world of me...into the world of Montero. [This] project gave me the opportunity to bravely show different parts of myself. Parts that I may not have shown so openly previously.”

— Lil Nas X

Jacket vintage from Melet Mercantile Pants vintage from Front General Store Belt Artemas Quibble Necklaces and earrings Ten Thousand Things

This spread: Vest CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Vest (worn underneath) vintage from Paumé Los Angeles Pants vintage from Front General Store Belt Artemas Quibble Scarf (worn on waist) vintage from Melet Mercantile Sunglasses Inez & Vinoodh x Clean Waves

by Parley for the Oceans Top necklace and earrings Ten Thousand Things Bottom necklace vintage from Mahnaz Collection

“I feel like I’m much less concerned about anybody’s thoughts and opinions on what I decide to do. The only opinion that matters is my own, especially when it comes to what I create.”

— Lil Nas X

L

il Nas X’s road to fame wasn’t paved with gold—it was lined with jewel encrusted cowboy hats, addictive TikTok challenges, and satanic strip-teases. From his first “yee-haw”, the rapper’s ascendance has been a pop culture anomaly...and the world hasn’t been quite the same since. Nas, born Montero Hill, debuted with his viral crossover hit “Old Town Road’’ in 2019 and was catapulted into mainstream stardom almost overnight. Many chalked the song’s record-breaking, nineteen consecutive weeks on the charts up to beginner’s luck, but the Georgia-native spent every waking second proving he’s more than a one-hit-wonder. Solidifying his staying power with singles “Panini’’ and “Rodeo” from his debut EP 7, Nas’ cult-like fan base earned the project a No. 2 spot on Billboard’s Hot 200 Chart. Going against the grain, Nas didn’t subscribe to hip-hop’s notoriously out-dated notions and toxic machismo. Instead the rapper leaned full force into his truth and embraced all facets of his being—powering the rise of a new age emblem for queer liberation and expression.

The 22-year-old pioneer masterfully merges hip-hop and pop, signaling the turn of a new era for the sub-genre we know as hip-pop. Through witty one-liners laced with infectious beats, a flair for shock value showcased in music videos like “Montero,” and his unapologetic sense of self, we’ve all grown to know and love the persona that is Lil Nas X. But so much more lies behind his moniker. His highly anticipated debut album MONTERO explores themes of self-acceptance, queer romance, and navigating familial issues—serving as a chronology, interweaving Nas’ past and present, while looking to his future.

Connecting with fellow queer rapper and kindred spirit, Kevin Abstract (of BROCKHAMPTON), the two boundary-breaking musicians come together for a candid conversation on Nas’ journey from college drop-out to two-time Grammy award-winning rapper. CZAR VAN GAAL Kevin Abstract: Who are some of the artists you were raised on?

Lil Nas X: Of course, Nicki [Minaj]! And definitely almost everybody in the pop world. You know, the Lady Gaga’s and Katy Perry’s of the industry. Strangely, I also had a big 50 Cent phase when I was young, and following that was probably my Tyler, The Creator and Frank [Ocean] phase. I was into a lot of different stuff.

KA: You had a good variety of genres there. It definitely makes sense when I think about your music.

LNX: Definitely a lot of variety in there.

KA: Do you feel like if there weren’t artists like Frank [Ocean] that came before you, you still would’ve had the courage to be as open as you are about who you are?

LNX: I feel like without Frank and people like you—it definitely would’ve been much more scary. I feel like for everybody, no matter who the artist is, there’s always some person that in some way made them feel slightly more okay with doing something and being themselves… you know? That’s what you guys did for me.

KA: Thanks. That really means a lot.

LNX: Honestly, you did that for me, at a time where I wasn’t fully comfortable with who I was.

Especially ‘cause you’re like, really straightforward a lot of times with your lyrics. With a lot of gay artists, understandably, it’s very much metaphor. It’s almost like this could possibly be about a guy.

KA: Yeah, it’s more low-key for some, right. How do you feel like living in Georgia shaped your sound and your artistry, if it did at all?

LNX: I don’t feel like it shaped [my artistry] at all. Once you get into your teenage years, you start to listen to the music that kind of defines your taste. So I listened to a lot of shit that I’d heard on the Internet...things that other people weren’t really into. I would say that had more of an influence on my sound.

Now, of course, I was listening to Young Thug and whoever was popping at the time, [in Atlanta], but I was more into the alternative shit I found online. Around that time I also got into BROCKHAMPTON as well. I would say the Internet almost opened me up to another world musically, and the music I found there was definitely a change of pace compared to the stuff I heard around me. It was good to hear other shit besides Atlanta music, because a lot of it sounds very similar. I guess it’s because it’s all coming from the same place.

KA: So, do you feel like you’re bringing a new sound to Atlanta music or the hip-hop scene at all? Or do you feel like it’s more global?

LNX: Absolutely. But I also feel like my music has always been different. So, when I hear “new sound,” it’s like which one? (Laughs). I think my music touches on many different genres but it’s all through my [lens]. Some of the [music] I make is purposefully nostalgic, so it’s borrowed from another sound.

KA: That’s cool. Do you feel that you’re more of a pop star, or a rapper?

LNX: I’m definitely much more of a pop star now than a rapper. If you asked me that two years ago, I would’ve said rapper.

KA: I think that’s awesome. Now, let’s get into the album. How long did you spend working on it?

LNX: I mean, it’s probably been about two years [in the making]. A lot of the songs I first played for you are not even part of the album anymore. It’s been a lot of back and forth. It’s been a long journey, though.

KA: What’s the vibe like when you go into the studio? How do you create that magic?

LNX: I go into the studio, and we talk for a minute basically to set the mood. We talk about what’s happening in the world or how we are feeling, and then we go into the music. A lot of the time, we pull from those conversations to make [a song] from scratch—which is my favorite thing to do because it opens up a world of possibilities for what a song can end up becoming. It also makes the music feel more personal.

KA: Speaking of personal, have your relationships inspired any of your songs?

LNX: That’s a jump in questions (Laughs). But yeah, to a certain extent it definitely has.

KA: How old were you when you had your first boyfriend?

LNX: First boyfriend? I think maybe 18 or 19. It was very late, like, in college. I don’t even know if you can say “boyfriend” if it’s very much a “nobody knows about it, down low,” situation.

KA: Have you ever written any songs about that experience, in particular?

LNX: I don’t think I have. That sounds like a great song to write, but I haven’t written it yet. I’ve definitely written about him, but not the basics of starting a relationship with a guy for the first time or anything like that.

KA: How does your dating life compare to now? If you are even dating?

LNX: I’m actually about to go on [a date] right after this interview.

KA: Really? Do you typically go on dates during the day or is it mainly a nighttime thing?

LNX: Yeah, It’s usually at night. This is actually probably the first daytime date I’ve done in a minute.

KA: How’d you guys meet?

LNX: We met around the time that I was about to do the SNL thing. But we just started dating maybe two weeks ago.

KA: How does it feel? Are you happy? How does it feel not hiding?

LNX: I feel like this is one of the best [relationships] yet. I’m really happy about it, and it all just feels natural. It’s effortless.

KA: I’m happy for you man. That’s amazing.

LNX: Thank you so much.

KA: I think this is the perfect [segue] into the single “Montero.” The song was really about owning every part of yourself. It was liberating for a lot of people. Beyond that, artistically speaking, one thing that stood out to me was how you conceptualized the visual. I remember after the video came out, you released these screenshots of your notes, where you wrote the whole treatment out. What did it feel like when that vision for the video came to your head? Did you think maybe I am going too far or did you lean completely into the idea.

LNX: My mind is always like, “You can’t really create that. That’s not really realistic,” but I always tell myself to just write it down anyway, and if I change my mind, I change my mind.

Although, I almost never change my mind (Laughs). For me, it’s always crazy to see it come to life, because it’s never exactly how you pictured it in your head...because nobody can actually see what’s in your head. But it always comes out better than I expected. I’m learning to trust myself and my vision. I think the [“Montero”] video was just the start.

KA: You were raised Christian, so how did your family respond to the “Montero” video?

LNX: My dad texted me the next morning. He was like, “I got through it.” Almost as if it was a bad movie or something. Even that was great [to me]. The rest of my family, I don’t think everyone’s going to be 100 percent honest with me about how they felt. But a lot of them were understanding, to say the least. And I understand from their perspective as well, growing up learning about certain groups of people and it conflicts with what you believe. Or rather what’s been pushed into your head over and over. I can’t really be to upset with you about what’s been forced into your head. So even if [they were] upset, I would understand, you know?

KA: Definitely.

LNX: And I’m not saying I would coddle them, but yeah, I understand.

KA: And that’s big of you. [The fact] that you try to understand where people are coming from although they may not do the same for you. I can tell family is a big thing for you.

LNX: Family is very important, because it’s like, these are the people who’ve known you the longest. These are the people who you’ve learned to trust...a lot of the time—not all of the time. I feel like, with where I’m at in life, I’m very much a spiritual person in terms of the universe. I believe it’s my duty to help, too, you know. It’s my duty to pass down the knowledge I’ve acquired about life to my family, or pass it up, because a lot of times I’m a mentor for people that are older than me.

KA: I think that’s something we can all appreciate and relate to in some way. Is it true that your dad was a gospel singer?

LNX: Yeah, my dad is a gospel singer. He still sings gospel. Not as much as he used to.

KA: Do you feel like that influenced your sound at all? Or inspired you to pursue music?

LNX: To certain degree...it did. My dad is an amazing singer and he has some great songs. I feel like if he wanted to be like a Kirk Franklin or something, he absolutely could. But maybe that wasn’t his wish. I guess [he] inspired me to say, “Wow, if my dad can go out there now, at almost 50 years old, and make music, what’s stopping me?” It was definitely a part of what pushed me. I actually ended up using one of his engineers for some of my earlier music.

KA: That’s amazing! So, he kind of helped you understand recording and stuff like that? Or did you watch from afar and put it together for yourself?

LNX: More from afar. But he’s definitely been an inspiration for me and a major influence.

KA: It’s cool to hear that even that genre of music is something that has inspired and influenced you. After the [“Montero”] video came out, there was a lot of crazy shit on the Internet...more than usual. How do you deal with hate and cope with the backlash?

LNX: I usually don’t care much, honestly. I guess because I’ve been online, and I’ve been an online hater before. Looking from that perspective, I understand that those people don’t even genuinely care about the things they hate on [me for]. It’s more of an internal thing. I sympathize with them more than anything, I guess. I feel like the only time I do get upset with hate comments is when I’m already upset about something else. It becomes this thing of “This is why I’m mad,” but in all actuality I’m upset about something else. Probably something that I am dealing with in my personal life. In those moments, I’m just like, “Okay, tomorrow I’ll be happy.” So, let’s let this little moment have its moment, and then let’s get back to work. Or, let’s focus on something else that’s positive.

KA: How would you say this era of Lil Nas X is different from the last era? What’s different about this body of music or your artistry this time around?

LNX: I feel like I’m much less concerned about anybody’s thoughts and opinions on what I decide to do. The only opinion that matters is my own, especially when it comes to what I create.

KA: That definitely translates onto the tracks I’ve already heard. I know it’s a loaded question—but what is the album about?

LNX: The album is me inviting people into the world of me...into the world of Montero. The project gave me the opportunity to bravely show different parts of myself. Parts that I may not have shown so openly previously. [From] being super aggressive at times on some songs [to] being cocky about where I feel that I’m going in life, and even being vulnerable with talking about relationships with my mom and family members. The album also touches on my love life and what I want to see in my love life. It’s like a lot of different themes that involve me, Montero. It’s really personal, but it’s also something everyone can listen to and relate to.

KA: Do you have a favorite song on the album?

LNX: I do. I don’t know if I can talk about it, though, because I don’t want to spoil anything...I’m just going to say it!

KA: Yeah!

LNX: Right now, my favorite song is “Industry Baby.”

KA: Why that one? I know all of the songs are special, but why this one?

LNX: I felt like, with this song, I was able to be as confident as I want to be. This is my underdog anthem, and when people listen to it, it will get them hyped up! It has a feel-good vibe to it. I’m happy to have that song on the album.

KA: What’s the takeaway for the album? What do you want fans to leave with when they listen to the album from start to finish?

LNX: When making this [project] I took a moment to look at my past and my present. I was able to see how much has changed, how much I’ve grown—not just as an artist but in my personal life as Montero. It really puts things into perspective for me and makes me more excited about my future and where I’m going. I want everyone to be left with feeling like they’ve learned more about me and through learning more about me, somehow they’ve learned more about themselves. I want the takeaway to be that it’s okay to be yourself, and I mean every aspect of your true self.

Head to VMAN.com to read the extended interview.

Vest CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Vest (worn underneath) vintage from Paumé Los Angeles Scarf (worn on waist) vintage from Melet Mercantile Sunglasses Inez & Vinoodh x Clean Waves

by Parley for the Oceans Top necklace and earrings Ten Thousand Things Bottom necklace vintage from Mahnaz Collection On face Milk Makeup Sunshine Oil

Special thanks Hodo Musa and Kyle Hagler Makeup Sil Bruinsma (The Wall Group) Hair Lacy Redway Manicure Megumi Yamamoto (Susan Price NYC) Producer Tucker Birbilis (VLM Productions) Production coordinator Eva Harte (VLM Productions) Production manager John Nadhazi (VLM Productions) Lighting technician Jodokus Driessen (VLM Studio) Photo assistant Joe Hume Stylist assistants Moses Moreno, Mary Reinehr Gigler Hair assistant Sondrea Demry-Sanders Recounting StereoHorse Location Pier59 Studios

MIDWINTER FANTASY A bohemian trip into nature is a fantastical match for this season’s creative twist on suiting styles Photography Sølve Sundsbø Fashion Gro Curtis

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Jonas wears all clothing and accessories Thom Browne

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“This collection is all about the confidence of modern masculinity and a celebration of the freedom of fluidity.

At its core, the collection is very British and eccentric, where a man can wear a suit or a bomber, a dress or tight trousers, and even embroidery. He can mix these styles and be playful, and always confident in what he is wearing.”

—Riccardo Tisci

All clothing and accessories Burberry

“There is a nod to the ‘60s and even the ‘80s in the collection, and a little bit of Paul Simonon of The Clash, as he made it onto the mood board this season multiple times. Double or single-breasted jackets. Military coats.

Shorter pants worn with boots or a 1960s loafer. This mix of casual and dressed pieces will be a legacy of the pandemic for a few seasons.”

—Tom Ford

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“In this moment, we miss tactility, we miss touch.

There is a comforting feeling of humanity and the senses—the clothes reflect that. There is a very intimate side to the clothes, [almost like] the naked body. It’s about this human need [for] sensuality.”

—Miuccia Prada “The collection is physical—the clothes hold the body and invite the touch. Which has a deep resonance in a moment when everything is so digital, so ephemeral.

The silhouette focuses on the physique, on the form, and there is a physical freedom; the body is liberated.”

—Raf Simons

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“Flamboyance and craft with a baseline of formality felt like the right move after a period of suppression.”

—Rick Owens

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“When I think of the cool guys of today, that’s how I envision them.

Wearing a sleek, fitted suit featuring the new Versace La Greca signature, bold accessories, and colors. I love the fact that they are not afraid to dare and play with clothes. That is the essence of fashion!”

— Donatella Versace

“The Emporio collections are marked by a clear reference to the fits and shapes of my own personal experience in the 80s: an unforgettable period, to which I refer without nostalgia. Moreover, this year, Emporio will celebrate its 40th anniversary: an important milestone that has made me look back to my roots, reinterpreting the loose fits, the deconstructed shapes, the interplay of the masculine, the feminine, and the colours with the spirit of today.”

—Giorgio Armani

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“This collection is a hybrid evolution of formal and informal codes. Luxurious materials are contrasted with or made into the everyday, which mirrors DTLA’s artistic hubs: from the streets to the galleries. There’s a focus on comfort while still allowing a chance to dress up. Suits with sneakers, luxurious knits, and loose-fitting jeans.”

—Mike Amiri

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“In progressive times that celebrate non-conformity, normality is often deemed undesirable in the context of self-expression: Who wants to look normal?”

— Virgil Abloh

Makeup Rachel Thomas (The Wall Group) Hair Shon Hyungsun Ju (The Wall Group) Model Jonas Glöer (Viva London) Production Sally Dawson, Paula Ekenger Casting Director Shaun Beyen (Plus Three Two) Digital technician Lucie Rowan Photo assistants Samuel Stephenson, Sebastian Kapfhammer, Hristo Hristov Stylist assistant Emma Bundy Retouching Digital Light Ltd

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Parker wears top Burberry Watch Cartier Tank Must

FALL IN PARIS Parker Van Noord, Khadim Sock, and Clément Chabernaud in fall’s most elegant menswear paired with the ultimate men’s accessory: Cartier’s timelessTank watch Photography Chris Colls Fashion Dan Sablon

“Now that I come to think of it, it’s funny how time plays around. I might do the same thing twice but depending on how I feel, the perception of time changes.”

—Parker Van Noord 72

Pants Prada Watch Cartier Tank Must On Hair Dr. Barbara Sturm Scalp Serum

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Khadim wears all clothing Dsquared2 Watch Cartier Tank Must On skin Byredo Mojave Ghost

Shirt Charvet

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“I love what I do, and I find that my work is often measured in time. From the time I wake up for my appointments, to the call time for shoots...time is everywhere, it’s all [encompassing], and it’s all-consuming.”

—Khadim Sock

Makeup Lili Choi (Calliste) Hair Diego Da Silva (Calliste) Models Parker Van Noord (DNA), Clément Chabernaud (IMG), Khadim Sock (DNA) Digital technician Jeanine Robinson Photo assistant Daniil Zaikin Stylist assistant Clara Viano Location Rouchon Paris

Clément wears jacket Dior Men Watch Cartier Tank Must

“Time is [intangible] and you cannot stop it. Yet it is something we can capture, sometimes even pause it for a brief moment through photography.

I think that is one of the things that [drew] me to [this industry].”

—Clément Chabernaud

Top Charvet Watch Cartier Tank Must On Hair Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector

Top Charvet On skin Aesop Geranium Leaf Hydrating Body Treatment

MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN Set among the snow-dusted alps of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, actor and model Noah Mills puts fashion’s fall/winter gear to the ultimate terrainial test Photography Blair Getz Mezibov Fashion Grant Woolhead Text Kevin Ponce

Coat and bodysuit Prada Boots Alexander McQueen Hat Sunspel Goggles Tretorn Poles and showshoes Atlas

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“I like the way I photograph and feel in my clothes and body now, than I did back then.

I understand myself better now—I have more confidence.”

—Noah Mills

All clothing Giorgio Armani Hat CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Ring Bulgari Necklace stylist’s own

All clothing Rick Owens Ring Bulgari Goggles Tretorn Poles and snowshoes Atlas

“Moving to Hawaii was abrupt and exciting, so to get that phone call after the [audition] process was crazy for me.”

—Noah Mills

This spread All clothing Versace Ring Bulgari Necklace stylist’s own

Pants Fendi Watch Tiffany & Co. Ring Bulgari Necklace stylist’s own

There comes a time when fashion editorials crave the depth of cinematic magic and the complexities of characters that comes with it, with models interpreting a persona that defines the essence of a story. But for Canadian model and actor Noah Mills, fusing the two elements comes naturally. Having grown up under the fashion lens after becoming a campaign fixture for the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, and Michael Kors, Mills solidified his status as an industry icon at a very early stage in his life and career. Now, at 38 years old, Mills understands the duality and purpose of character embodiment, on-screen and off. “In hindsight, I always remember feeling so uncomfortable with having to live up to this hot guy, on a show, shirt off, [type of person]. I feel so far from that now, [especially] in my acting work.”

After making his cinematic debut in Sex and the City 2 as Nicky Marentino, the “hot straight guy” and brother of Mario Cantone’s character who finds himself wrapped up in a wedding night sexcapade with Kim Cattrall, Mills caught the acting bug and began to wonder what life could be like outside of the glossy magazine pages and glimmering catwalks. “I had this crazy aptitude for acting,” he says. “When I went into acting school, it was such a therapeutic environment that I had never been in. The introduction to acting was cathartic, but very potent.”

Mills went on to make appearances in television shows such as The Enemy Within and short

films like Wracked. Now temporarily living on the shores of Hawaii, a stark contrast to the smoky skies and powdery-soft snow that blanket the rocky edges of the Wyoming mountains, Mills is gearing up for the role of a lifetime. He is set to star as Jesse, a former Washington D.C. homicide detective with a dark past, in September’s upcoming crime drama television series NCIS: Hawaii. “It’s been interesting learning about the Naval Criminal Investigative Service—it’s a new world for me,” he says. “Moving to Hawaii was abrupt and exciting, so to get that phone call after the [audition] process was crazy.”

Going from the doe-eyed boy next door who captured the fashion industry’s attention to the ever-evolving man who understands his craft and purpose more, Mills isn’t putting fashion or his modeling days behind him just yet. “I like the way I photograph and feel in my clothes and body now [more] than I did back then,” he says, adding that VMAN’s wintery escape to Wyoming allowed him to embrace that. “This shoot is what I love about fashion. I think for anyone in the industry who’s in front of the camera, what’s fun is to evolve. I always want to have something to do with [fashion] because there’s this ability to play a little bit more. Film is very scheduled and exactly what is being achieved for this page of this script. With fashion, you can just set it up and have fun.”

“I had this crazy aptitude for acting. When I went into acting school, it was such a therapeutic environment that I had never been in.”

—Noah Mills

On body African Botanics Firming Botanical Oil

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Model Noah Mills (IMG) Stylist assistant Wilberg Guzman

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RENAISSANCE MEN Parker Van Noord and Malick Bodian merge classical portraiture with the best of fall/winter finery Photography Fanny Latour-Lambert Fashion Gro Curtis

Malick wears coat, vest, shirt, shorts Gucci Collar and gloves Le Vestiaire Necklace Au Grenier de Lucie Ring Elie Top 92

Parker wears jacket, shorts, gloves Roberto Cavalli Boots Maison Margiela Hood and sash Le Vestiaire Necklaces and brooches Au Grenier de Lucie

Gilet, leggings, crown Givenchy Collar La Compagnie du Costume Sash Le Vestiaire Belt CELINE HOMME by Hedi Slimane Necklace and bracelet Au Grenier de Lucie Ring Elie Top

Coat Loewe Chainmail top Ludovic de Saint Sernin Hat Le Vestiaire Necklaces and belt Au Grenier de Lucie Rings Elie Top On face La Prairie Skin Caviar Nighttime Oil

Cape Koché Shirt Dsquared2 Pants Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Collar Le Compagnie du Costume Necklace and brooches Au Grenier de Lucie Glove Le Vestiaire

Top and pants Burberry Boots Maison Margiela Necklaces, bracelet, crown Au Grenier de Lucie

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Suit Dolce & Gabbana Jewelry Au Grenier de Lucie Shoes Koché On body Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil

Jacket, pants, belt Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Sash La Compagnie du Costume Necklaces and bracelets Au Grenier de Lucie Rings Elie Top On hair SISLEY Revitalizing Fortifying Serum for Scalp

Makeup Laure Dansou (WSM Paris) Hair Jacob Kajrup (Calliste) Models Parker Van Noord, Malick Bodian (DNA) Set design Kaduri Elyashar Photo assistant Nicolas Rubio Stylist assistant Marie Poulmarch Location Studio Auguste

Coat and gloves Prada Boots GmbH Sash La Compagnie du Costume Necklaces and brooch Au Grenier de Lucie

FINNEAS IN BLOOM After redefining pop for the 2020s with his sister Billie Eilish, the producer is seizing his own moment in the spotlight Photography Domen & Van de Velde Fashion Nicola Formichetti Text Mathias Rosenzweig

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“My dreams of success within the music industry were always really small.”

—Finneas

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W

hen traced back to its Celtic origins, the name Finneas translates to “oracle,” meaning someone who serves as a voice of divine spirits. The etymological root feels strikingly fitting when considering just how large Finneas Baird O’Connell’s voice has become. The American artist, at only 24 years old, was Spotify’s most-streamed songwriter in 2020 (for example). Although occasionally, it’s Finneas lending his own voice to another artist, including pop music gods and goddesses like Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and sister Billie Eilish, all of whom he’s written or produced for.

Whichever way you dice it, the singer, songwriter, producer, engineer, and actor has been creating music that feels larger than life in its popularity. O’Connell has won eight Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Producer of the Year in 2020 for his work on Eilish’s debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? In 2019, he released his EP Blood Harmony, which showcases a slightly more theatrical sound, more fit for a Broadway musical than much of his work on Eilish’s album. As far as his debut full-length album, we only know that it has a name and will be out in October of this year.

“If I were categorizing it thematically,” he says over Zoom from Los Angeles, “it’s an album about my world experience, my life experience...it’s an introspective body of work. [It’s about] the things that I was scared of as a kid, and the things I’m scared of as an adult, and how they’re connected.”

While many artists create their own world, O’Connell is creating entire galaxies by the sheer number and diversity of projects he partakes in. That said, the world one lives in while listening to music O’Connell releases under his own name has two major themes: love and death.

The optimistic, acoustic-pop track “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night,” for instance, contrasts with others like “Can’t Wait to Be Dead.” The latter is a song with similar instrumentals but feels far less cheery, as O’Connell summons imagery of a ride-or-die relationship that is allconsuming in its beauty and intimacy, while the world surrounding it nears a fiery apocalypse.

Given that, in real life, O’Connell is in a seemingly healthy relationship with his girlfriend Claudia Sulewski, and paired with the fact that a fifth of his life was spent living through Trump’s devastating presidency and a pandemic that killed millions, this somewhat “romantic but

doomed” approach feels strangely appropriate. And keeping in mind that he’s been a vegan for roughly seven years, is anti-plastic and fur, etc., O’Connell’s fixation on his own mortality or that of our entire planet is nothing new.

“Maybe if over the past year I was going through a tumultuous divorce, then I’d have written songs about a tumultuous divorce, but I wasn’t,” he says. “I was in a happy, loving relationship, and I was just reading the news, like everybody else, going to the protests like everybody else, and I was writing about that.”

In terms of both the good (overwhelming success) and the bad (years of political unrest and unnecessary deaths to COVID-19), the last few years were completely unimaginable to a younger O’Connell, whose aspirations were far more modest than his eventual reality.

“My dreams of success within the music industry were always really small,” he recalls.

Earlier in his career, O’Connell (who was homeschooled with little sister Eilish) was booking smaller acting gigs on shows like Glee and Modern Family. His dreams of being an entertainer might have been modest, but they were there nonetheless. “There’s a venue in L.A. called The Fonda Theatre, and my dream was to open for a band there…it’s a 1,200 capacity room —that would have been pretty huge.”

O’Connor has already played for exponentially larger crowds across the globe than that of The Fonda, ranging from New York’s Madison Square Garden to London’s O2 Arena. Surely, the debut of his full-length album later this year will continue to exceed expectations. On top of that, this July, his sister Eilish released her sophomore album, Happier Than Ever, which O’Connell produced and co-wrote. September also marks the premiere of the 25th James Bond Film, No Time to Die, for which the siblings wrote the theme song. That’s all to say that 2021 will be a massive year for O’Connell—obviously more massive than his younger imagination even allowed him to envision.

Of course, “younger” is a strange term to ever apply to someone who still feels prodigal.

But it’s true that the world first met a much younger O’Connell, and that he has matured since then. This is something he aims to make clear, if even only to himself, on his debut album.

“It’s not really a coming-of-age record,” he says about the forthcoming release. “It’s like, I have come of age.”

Head to VMAN.com to read the extended interview.

“It’s an album about my world experience, my life experience...it’s an introspective body of work.”

—Finneas

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“[It’s about] the things that I was scared of as a kid, and the things I’m scared of as an adult, and how they’re connected.”

—Finneas

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