Photo Courtesy Of Laëtitia KandoloPhoto Courtesy Of Laëtitia Kandolo↧
RDC Redux
Photo Courtesy Of Laëtitia Kandolo↧
Pull Up To The Bomber Baby
Photo Courtesy Of Laëtitia Kandolo "This jacket (see post below) is from our Masusa Line. I remember working on it being on, 'On the Run Tour', and everybody was like ‘What are you doing with your fabric?’ It’s actually my favorite piece because it was the first prototype of Uchawi Collection N.0. It required several hours of work - a mix between a traditional technic and some modern cuts which is Uchawi’s essence. Every item is made by hand. Usually it takes several days to arrive at the final product," said Laëtitia Kandolo.
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Kanye West
Photo Courtesy Of Laëtitia Kandolo"Last winter Kanye decided to do few charity shows in Europe, including London and Paris during Fashion Week. He wanted to evoke a military vibe with vintage items. We did a lot of research to arrive at a perfect shade of nude because khaki green would have been too predictable. Kanye’s latest collection with Adidas portrays the same spirit. By the way, in the picture he’s wearing the Yeezy 950 Boost. They were still a prototype at the time," Laëtitia Kandolo said.
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Laëtitia Kandolo
Photo Courtesy Of Laëtitia KandoloWHERE DO YOU LIVE IN FRANCE?
In Paris.
CAN YOU GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF EVERYTHING YOU REMEMBER ABOUT YOURSELF BEFORE UCHAWI HAPPENED?
I was a young woman full of creativity, maybe no ready to use it all, thinking that it might be too much for people. And one day she realized how many time she had lost, and how much she wanted to conquer the world through her designs and vision.
WHAT IS UCHAWIWORLD?
Uchawi (meaning “magic” in Swahili) is the place where my label and I fuse. It’s everything, from the way I dress, to my state of mind, art and tranquility. I am really peaceful, sorta like a hippie. Uchawi is more of a lifestyle than a brand. I think I’ve always lived in this world. I just never named it because it was part of my daily routine. And I realized that people would say things like “I need your magic” around me. When you see the look book, it’s not only about clothes.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY?
I studied at two Parisian fashion schools, Mod’Art and Esmod. During my first year, at 19, I met Sarah Diouf. I was an intern at People’s Revolution’s press office. She owned a publication, and when my internship ended she offered me a position at “Ghubar Magazine”. The same year I was the assistant of the assistant costume designer of Black Eyed Peas’, The End Tour. Since then I’ve been worked for several other artists like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Sting, Beyoncé, Madonna and B. Åkerlund, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West and many of Condé Nast’s publishing outlets.
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE YOU LOOK UP TO?
Most of them are dead. I’m not inspired by one or two people, it depends on my mood. It can be Albert Elbaz today and Sinatra tomorrow. But honestly, I don’t want do something that’s already been done. I would say no one.
FROM WHENCE DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION?
Everything. Photography. Music dominates. Contemporary art, geometry and travel. I usually work from a mood board that defines my thoughts. It’s not organized. It’s just me and my brain selecting a set of pictures. If I like an image, I do a screenshot, cut the paper or whatever and save it. I don’t know why and I am not asking myself why. With time I start reading where I’m going. The colors, the chi are linked.
HOW DO YOU SELECT WHAT MATERIAL TO WORK WITH?
Every material or fabric is the image of something I want to reinterpret, a feeling, a tribute to an artist by using a similar print that could look like a painting. I apply the same system with colours.
WHAT MOMENT ARE YOU HAVING?
My first love story: Pastel Colors. Ricardo Legorreta. And the Dogon Tribe in Mali. Three different things. Random.
HOW DO YOU OCCUPY YOUR TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK?
I spend time with my family and my few friends. Or chilling on Spotify and Soundcloud. Or just sleeping. I’m usually surrounded by a lot of people all the time because of my work, so I do love being alone to refresh myself and enjoy the silence.
DO YOU SPEAK LINGALA? HOW DO YOU SAY “LOVE” IN YOUR LANGUAGE?
Bolingo.
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Music
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Sye Elaine Spence
Photographed By Alex D RogersWHERE DO YOU LIVE AND WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I live in NYC. I grew up here and just moved back from living in Atlanta for about four years.
WHY MUSIC?
I've always been drawn to writing poetry when I was young. It felt like a really natural way to express myself. I spent a lot of time alone as a kid, and it was then that I began experimenting with melodies and songwriting. I loved how melodies could bring words to life and it was really like a second language for me, that I was always intent on mastering and exploring.
WHO WERE YOUR FIRST MUSICAL INSPIRATIONS AND WHAT YOU LISTEN TO NOW?
So many as far as artists and styles. I think mainly, I was heavily influenced by the female lyricist. Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, Patti Smith, Kate Bush, among others. Right now, I am very much into Alt-J. I've had them on repeat for about a month.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU CREATIVELY?
Everything. People would be surprised how simply I live and create. I really just collect all of my experiences, as a human, a woman, a mother, a friend, and express them through song. I don't seek, I find. Nature, a smile, a tear, I try to see and understand the source of all those things and connect with that. That is what I think it’s all about. Trying to understand and interpret, this strange and beautiful thing, humanity.
HOW YOU DECIDE ON YOUR ARTISTIC DIRECTION?
It is the same approach as finding inspiration. I really get visions, or revelations of a story that I have inside of me that I haven't told yet. Its a slow uncovering of some truth that I need to share, and most times, the feelings, the visuals, the words, the melodies, all come to my mind, and I just capture it through the writing, recording processes. I have been also really lucky to have a community of creatives that I collaborate with that kind of vibrate on a similar frequency, and pieces we've done so far, just seem to unfold really organically.
HOW DOES YOUR ARTISTRY MANIFEST ITSELF IN OTHER ASPECTS OF YOUR LIFE?
I think my art is my life. Everything I do is an expression of who I am inside. So my style reflects that, my home does as well, my relationships. Everything.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU GET UP TO?
I live the quiet life. When I am not recording, or touring, I'm more than likely, at home, reading, cooking, or curling up with my little one.
HAVE YOU WATCHED ANY GOOD MOVIES RECENTLY?
Yes, I recently saw “Room” after some friends recommended it. I read the book last year.
IN 2016 YOU’RE MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Finishing up a new record.
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" I've Had Them On Repeat For About A Month"
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Kika Magalhães
Photo Courtesy Of Kika MagalhãesWHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was born in a small town in Portugal. At the moment I am sleeping on my friend's couch in Los Angeles (figuring out if I should move here from NYC).
WHAT’S THE FIRST STOP ONE SHOULD MAKE WHEN VISITING PORTUGAL?
Lisbon. It's the city of light and most beautiful city in the world.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO ACTING AND WHAT WAS IT LIKE STUDYING AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYHOUSE?
Since a little girl I wanted to be an actress, but because of a small industry in Portugal, I denied that part for a while. I became a dancer, and it was during a performance when I realized I belonged on a stage and needed to pursue acting with all my heart. I decided to move to NYC to follow this dream and get some proper training. A friend told me about the Neighborhood Playhouse. I loved its charisma and applied.
WHO DO YOU RANK AMONG YOUR FAVOURITE ACTORS?
Christian Bale, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jim Carrey, among many others.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST EVER ROLE?
A small role in a Portuguese soap opera where I was looking for a shoe.
“THE EYES OF MY MOTHER” CAUSED QUITE A STIR AT THIS YEAR’S SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL, HOW IS FRANCISCA LIKE YOU? DIFFERENT?
I am the total opposite of Francisca. She’s very quiet, expressionless and introverted. I love people, socializing and my face is constantly moving.
DO YOU SCARE EASILY OFF SCREEN?
No. I scare others easily.
WHAT'S YOUR PERFECT SUNDAY AFTERNOON LIKE?
If I’m not acting, just hanging out with friends at some nice beach or exploring.
WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER PASSIONS IN LIFE?
Dancing, traveling, animals, being surrounded by friends and nature.
IF YOU HAD A MAGIC WAND, SHOULD THE REST OF US RUN FOR COVER?
No! I’ll spread love in the streets.
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Fall Mood Board
Photo Courtesy Of Charles Youssef The inspiration. Charles Youssef, AW16.
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The Collection
Photo Courtesy Of Charles YoussefIt's about the Orient, Japan. Its vigilantes. And the blue hakamas in the middle.
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Charles Youssef
Photo Courtesy Of Charles Youssef↧
Pascale Armand
Photo Courtesy Of Pascale ArmandWHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born in Brooklyn, NY. I lived in the U.S. until the age of 14 when my family moved to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which is where my parents are from.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FONDEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES?
One of them is when we got a video recorder and my sister and I made a video of ourselves just acting foolish. There was no editing, no real production value (I think I was nine or 10 years old, so she was about seven or eight years old.), we just pressed record and started acting stupid. Then we would watch it over and over again and laugh. Just silliness.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR CAREER PATH?
At Georgetown University, during my undergraduate years in college, I got involved with the Black Theater Ensemble as an extracurricular activity. I was a psychology major. It was apparent to me that I loved acting when BTE became more important to me than my coursework. I graduated and started working in theaters around Washington, D.C. I got into a couple of shows and someone told me that I was good, but needed technique. Hungry to hone this skill, I was like, “Where do I get that?” They suggested New York University. I got an application, filled it out, went through the audition process and got in. The rest is history.
WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING AND WHAT DID YOU GAIN FROM THE EXPERIENCE THAT WEREN'T IN THE “BOOKS”?
My master's degree is from the Graduate Acting Program of the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. On-the-job training has taught me that there is always something to learn, even from a bad experience. It may be the worst thing that ever happened to you, but you learn, if confronted with a similar situation later, how to deal with it. Nine times out of 10, you'll handle it better. It makes up the personal wisdom you gain as you go through this life.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A ROLE AND WHAT’S THE HARDEST CHARACTER YOU’VE EVER PLAYED?
I try to read as much as I can. Sometimes it's not enough to read and you need to see and hear things for yourself, which is when the internet comes into play. Youtube is a wonderful resource for seeing and hearing how people express themselves. If I am working on an accent, I will especially use Youtube, but then also find someone to speak to who is from the same place as my character. It's great to watch that person as they speak to me. If that's not possible, I'll speak to them on the phone. If that's not possible, I'll have them leave me a voicemail message and listen to it over and over. I get it in however I can. The hardest role I have ever had to play was “Jekesai/Esther” in Danai Gurira's “The Convert”.
WHO DO YOU PORTRAY IN “ECLIPSED” AND CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE NUMERATION ATTACHED TO EACH CAST MEMBER?
I portray “Bessie,” aka “Wife #3”. During the Liberian war, villages were raided by rebel gangs and, amongst other atrocities, the fate of thousands of women was to be kidnapped and become sex slaves to the men. In Eclipsed, the commanding officer (who is never seen throughout the play), has four wives. I play his third “wife”.
WHERE SHOULD ONE GO FOR BRUNCH, LUNCH OR DINNER PRE OR POST SHOW?
I am sorry to say, I haven't really had a chance to dine on Broadway as of yet. We're still in previews.
THIS IS THE FOURTH PLAY YOU'VE STARRED IN WRITTEN BY DANAI GURIRA, HOW DOES THIS TIME AROUND DIFFER FROM THE FIRST?
Well, the first time I worked on “Eclipsed”, I was fortunate enough to know that I would work on it a second time. It was great to know that I would have a second pass at it. That hardly ever happens in this business! However, six years went by before I would revisit “Eclipsed”. This time around, after so much time had passed, I definitely have a better grasp of my character, knowing what makes her tick, why she thinks the way she does. Not having to work as hard on memorizing lines and being familiar with the story frees up the ability to develop more details about this woman's life, thus delivering a more nuanced look at “Bessie”.
HOW MUCH FUN ARE YOU GUYS HAVING ON-SET AND HOW DID LUPITA NYONG’O COME UP WITH HER INSTAGRAM “SPECIAL SKILL SET” QUESTIONNAIRE?
We are having a good time. We've developed a nurturing environment amongst us, which allows for cutting up sometimes! I don't know how Lupita came up with her Instagram questionnaire, but she is very smart and adept at using social media as a tool to promote the show and acquainting us to her “Insta” fan base. She just told us what she wanted to do and we all agreed. She gave us the questions ahead of time and told us that we had 15 seconds per video.
IF YOU WEREN’T AN ACTOR WHAT PROFESSION WOULD YOU OCCUPY AND HOW DO YOU SPEND A DAY OFF-BROADWAY?
That's a tough question. I really don't know. I so enjoy what I do as an actor - the opportunity to step into someone else's shoes and bring someone else's story to light, bring focus to stories that capture and reveal what it means to be human. That's so interesting to me and I am blessed to be able to say that this is what I do with my life. My day off right now is spent running errands doing things I can't get done during the week because I'm in the theater all day. I try to squeeze it all in.
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This
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Jill Schweber
Photo Courtesy Of Jill Schweber YOU GREW UP IN VANCOUVER AND NOW YOU LIVE IN TEL AVIV. WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE, AND IN BETWEEN?
I was born to two Mexican parents who immigrated to Vancouver. I came to Israel to live on a kibbutz straight after high school and fell in love with the happy hippie lifestyle. After my time there was up I went back to Vancouver to study photography knowing that I would move to Tel Aviv afterwards. I have been living here now for four and half years.
HOW DO THE TWO CITIES DIFFER FROM EACH ANOTHER?
Vancouver is beautiful and lush, but also grey and boring, and Tel Aviv is bright, exciting and loud.
WHY PHOTOGRAPHY?
Growing up my Dad always had his video camera in hand and my Mom with her SLR film camera. So eager to capture each and every moment from a cold morning before school to vacations and birthdays. I have an obsession with nostalgia and the need to capture every aspect of my life.
WHICH ARTISTS INFLUENCED YOU?
I’m influenced by the tight knit community of the Tel Aviv art scene.
WHAT ELSE INSPIRES YOU AND WHAT HAS BEEN A SEMINAL EXPERIENCE?
Moving here was quite the experience because I had to immerse myself in a totally different culture. The essence of the old world is still very much rooted in the people of Israel. Specifically Tel Aviv because there is such a contrast between old and new. Physically we are so far from the western world yet, the younger generation so desperately wants to be a part of it.
WHAT THEMES DO YOU PURSUE (AND HOW MUCH RESEARCH IS REQUIRED)?
I start noticing a place or a person it/they catches my interests and the theme progresses organically from there. With out knowing it I have hundreds of images of a specific theme and then I look into it further and complete the project.
WHAT IS “TRANSCENDENCE” AS (OFTEN) PORTRAYED IN YOUR IMAGES?
“Transcendence” was the subject matter for an editorial that I shot in NY. I wanted to explore the the boundaries between gender, segmentation within fashion and our society. The model I shot, Jon Daily, had a very androgynous look and I really wanted to play with that.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU GET UP TO AND WHAT IS YOUR GENERAL OUTLOOK IN LIFE?
I really enjoy my life here in Tel Aviv. When I’m not taking photos I like to make embroidery, jewellery, bike, sit at my favourite coffee shops and go to the beach. I really believe that we should take advantage of our youth by exploring our goals and dreams while we have it because we have a lifetime ahead of us to work.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?
“Portate mal” which translates to, “behave badly”. Means, don’t be a goody two-shoes and get messy.
IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WOULDN’T DO WITHOUT?
A snuggly animal. I’m obsessed and totally in love with my cat, Yaba.
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This
PhotoCourtesy Of Sepsenahki AahkhuDreads (slash braids) à la Chef Ahki.
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The Reason Why You Should Get A Dog
Photo Courtesy Of Jenny Hutton ↧
Girl. Yes!
Illustration By Nathalie Sebregts ↧
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Black Tap
Photo Courtesy Of Black TapWHAT IS THE CONCEPT BEHIND BLACK TAP (CRAFT BURGERS & BEER) AND WHEN DID IT FIRST OPEN ITS DOORS?
Black Tap opened its first Soho location in March, 2015. The concept is craft burgers plus beer, with an emphasis on the crazy signature milkshakes.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION, IS IT THE KEY?
Location is the key. We opened Black Tap in Soho to bring some new life to the downtown neighborhood. We feel that the popularity of Black Tap has been great for the other surrounding businesses as well.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO STAY ON TOP OF TRENDS ESPECIALLY IN A CITY LIKE NEW YORK?
It's very important to stay on top of trends and new happenings around the city. Being the creator of these insane milkshakes we are always on the lookout for new ideas and concepts. At Black Tap we continue to innovate with various ideas. We are the leader of the pack.
WHY WILL THE BURGER NEVER BECOME OBSOLETE?
A good burger is something that everyone enjoys. There are always new ways to incorporate different foods trends and ingredients into a burger and be ever-changing.
HOW DO YOU FIND THE BALANCE BETWEEN CREATING DISHES THAT BOTH TASTE AND ARE PLEASING?
With my background as a Michelin Star chef, I am trained to think out of the box to create complex flavors that taste great.
THE SHAKES, HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THAT?
My wife came to me one day and mentioned she wanted to make a cotton candy milkshake so we came up with a few ideas and decided to take it to another level by adding actual cotton candy, a lollipop, and other vibrant ingredients that added volume and height to make the milkshake standout.
ARE THE POSSIBILITIES ENDLESS?
We are always thinking of new ideas and collaborations and have some really exciting things in the works for the next couple months. We like to think outside just the food space and merge into fashion and lifestyle as well.
WHAT FLAVOURS ARE MOST APPRECIATED?
Our Greg Norman burger is award winning and offers a twist on the traditional burger flavor. When you combine one of our juicy burgers with the creamy milkshake, you can’t get better than that. The Sweet 'n’ Salty is just that and goes really well with almost any burger on the menu.
ANYTHING NEW TO LOOK OUT FOR?
We will be opening up our third location, Black Tap Down, in Spring 2016 that will be an evolution of our first location in Soho. A new milkshake is on the horizon for the launch of the new venue.
(Interview with Founder/Co-Owner Joe Isidori)
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Music
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Zeemuffin
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