FEATURED: VNB Magazine's APRIL Issue!

GUESS WHAT???

Some of my pieces are featured in VNB Magazine's APRIL issue/ The Sexy Issue!

VERY EXCITING; this is the first time my clothes have been photographed and published in a fashion/beauty/lifestyle magazine!

Back in March, I met the lovely Kelana Derow, who was going to be one of the featured models for VNB Magazine's APRIL issue. She reached out to me asking if I'd be interested in lending her some of my pieces for the shoot. I agreed, and actually went to the photo-shoot. That is where I met LE QUAN, the Founding Editor-In-Chief of VNB.

Le's Studio+Home/The magazine's headquarters are in Brooklyn, NY. Kelana (the model) Rosemarie Bundy (MUA), "J" (Stylist) and Le were such a wonderful team.  It was very inspiring to meet people who are so passionate about what they are doing and willing to help others out.

You can see the FULL online version of the APRIL/The Sexy Issue HERE!

 Scroll down to see my favorite shots!!!

 ___

I asked Le to send over some information about him and the magazine and here is what he had to say:
What is VNB Magazine all about? What does it contain?
"VNB magazine is the first and only Asian fashion magazine that is devoted to discover and celebrate beauty. Our editorial covers multiple works of up-and-coming models, photographers, make-up artist, and fashion designers that want to reveal glamour, exquisiteness, style and splendor to the world."

What led you to start this publication?
"I started VNB Magazine because I believe everything is possible and that hard work pays off. After 5 years of experience as photographer, I had worked with many talented people and did not see many of them being featured or properly rewarded. I wanted to create a platform that featured those talented people that hadn't been discovered before and brought them out to the public eye.

Since I will not live forever I wanted to create something that could last for a long period of time. So, I took the risk! I know I won't regret it when I look back 10 years from now."

How does your background as a photographer translate into you creating your very own magazine?
"My background as a photographer heps me shoot for whichever theme I want without needing to rely on others. It also helps me to deal with the models, makeup artists, and other collaborators. It gives me the courage to try new ideas and execute my concept."

What are your plans for the magazine?
"In 5 years from now, I would like to publish 50000 copies of the magazine and have it distributed to all states in America."

  ___

I played around with some of the colors here... hope Le doesn't mind!

 

 KELANA wearing the "mossformations+cutouts_tunic"

 KELANA wearing the "root-ed_dress"

KELANA wearing the "CEMENTATION_dress"  (with and w/o the hood!)

                                                  KELANA wearing the "TAFONI_jacket"

My collection on MUUSE

On MARCH 7th my thesis collection "MANIFESTO_of_creativemoulding+criticalweathering" was launched on www.MUUSE.com!

MUUSE is an online platform that supports emerging designers by selling limited edition pieces -made to order- of our collections.

I am super excited for this, as it is the first time my pieces are up for sale, and the MUUSE team has a nice following that will help my work be recognized by a broader audience. Plus, it is wonderful to be considered part of a project that has so many talented designers.

CLICK here to see the communication they sent to announce the launch. I'd love to hear your comments (feedback always teaches us something) and would love it if you shared this with people that could be interested in shopping for one of my pieces!



 

CLICK here to go to my "designer" page on MUUSE!

CLICK here to go to my MANIFESTO page on MUUSE!

I have to take this opportunity to thank Michael Butterfin + Jordan Cortese for the beautiful photography, Mallory Matoush for being my earthy-woodsy-mossy nymph/goddess and to my sister Ileana for helping out at the photoshoot!
You can see the FULL LOOKBOOK here:

Open publication - Free publishing - More jordan cortese

xoxo

"z"

March-April UPDATE

My wish to make the updates to this blog (and my website) a part of my regular activities is still far from being fulfilled; especially while living in this relentless city. However, I have loads of news for you and I hope you are ready and excited to read about them!

besitos

 xxx

"z"

MARCH was a BIG month for me!

• I had a B-DAY

Torta de Santiago @ TIAPOL!

• Started setting up my temporary studio UPSTATE NY 

working on a knitted swatch with my recycled fiber handspun yarn!

• My collection was launched on MUUSE, and I am now one of their featured designers!
• My clothes were used on photo-shoot for VNB Magazine's April issue!
• I wrote an article for my friends at Quality Control regarding my Competition Experiences!
• Finally began to work on logos for the BRAND!
• My CEMENTATION_dress made it to the homepage of Mellina+Co!
• I received some press opportunities and collaborated with amazing photographers: 

-Photographer Darina Boycheva and Stylist DaMara Hernandez

-loaned my clothes for the recording of the PILOT for A-Style reality show

- Sent my clothes to Italy for a chance to be featured in VOGUE talents 

-Was interviewed by ANORMALMAG. The article will be published online on APRIL 29th.

Backstage w. MUA Rosemarie Bundy and Model Kelana Derow x VNBMagazine

photo x Darina Boycheva. Styling x DaMara Hernandez

A post about Michael Butterfin

On my previous post I showed you the pictures from my latest photo-shoot with Michael Butterfin + Mallory Matoush. These two talents helped me get ready for my collection’s launch on MUUSE.

I’ve been on a COLLAB frenzy and there is no better feeling that the one you get when you recognize and support a fellow artist whose work you believe in. 

So this post is dedicated to MichaelButterfin.

I found Michael through Model Mayhem, a platform for models, photographers, MUA’s and designers to connect; and hopefully work together. I’ve known about MM for a long time, but never had the courage to sign up and give it a chance. But... you know what they say: “desperate times call for desperate measures”, and since I needed to get some pictures of my clothes ASAP, I recurred to it.

I posted a "casting call" and Michael was the first one to contact me. I'll admit I was a bit skeptical. Nonetheless, I responded to his email. He impressed me with diligence and I decided to go for it. I am so glad I did, as that was the beginning of a great collaboration. Working with Michael was just the best! He convinced his friend Mallory Matoush to model for us (she is so amazing!) and the whole shoot was a smooth ride! He knows what he wants, but also has the great ability to understand other people's visions and to listen. I think together we were able to create something magical that satisfied everyone’s needs for their portfolios. He has a wonderful sense of direction and is passionate about it; but the best part is that he knows exactly how to communicate with the model. Butterfin definitely knows how to capture the beauty and essence of things... whether of our model or my garments, each at their best! 

I asked Michael if he’d be up for a feature on my blog and he was so excited!!!

ENJOY this blurb about the guy behind the lens:

Michael Butterfin was born in Burma.  He spent his childhood in Russia and his teens in a small town in Canada. “My mom traveled a lot for work so I moved around with her growing up.”

The next stop was Bangkok, Thailand, where he attended Art School for Graphic Design.  “Before my final year I met a girl. Things didn’t work out for one reason or another and I just wanted to go away. So a few friends suggested that I travel, and I did. Actually, that’s when started taking proper photos, after I dropped out on my final year. I just couldn't picture myself sitting in front of a computer all day for a living!

I went backpacking for about 3 months. I was in Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Japan. I hiked through some jungles, slept at some hippie bars, and random stuff you wouldn't believe. But that is when I discovered the real beauty in people, places and cultures... Of course, I fell in love and I think that brought out the emotional/creative sense inside of me."

About his interest in FASHION

"I can't really describe how I got into fashion. I've always been so much into art. My mom says that I started drawing before I would write, and that in my childhood I was praised a lot for the crazy stuff I drew... dinosaurs, monsters, and of course, girls (but not in a nasty way or anything, LOL!). . In college I was always hanging out with the designers and models; that probably sparked my interest in capturing fashion and beauty. Plus, I was brought up closely with a single mother and I remember reading her magazines while growing up: Elle, Vogue, etc... Maybe that had some effect too? I dunno.

Before coming to NY Tokyo was my last stop. My mom was there, so I stayed with her for a while.  It’s got its own right of being a fashion capital. There, I would hangout at the fashion areas; admiring the ad campaigns, all those beautiful models on the posters, and billboards. I wanted to create that kind of beauty.”

About coming to NEW YORK:

“The move to NY was random. I didn't know what I was going to do back then. I was a lost 19 year-old kid who thought life was all about partying and girls. The place I really wanted to be was Paris actually. But... somehow life turned things around. When I got here to NY, I thought I'd start out by assisting. I wasn't sure which kind of photography I wanted to do yet, and the first assisting gig I applied for, I got a call from this guy. I went and it was for VOGUE Italia! I was overwhelmed! There were agency girls, Make Up Artists who work for Dolce&Gabbana, and everyone was so nice and creative... I just absolutely fell in love! Shortly after that, I was shooting on my own and here I am :)"

It is funny because before all this, to my close friends, I was this loud, rowdy guy who'd be so far off from being interested in fashion. They still ask what happened, and I'm like... 'Well, spending my day around beautiful models and taking pictures wasn't exactly a bad idea ;)' "

About PHOTOGRAPHY

“My all time idol in the industry would be Guy Bourdin. He's a French photographer from the 80’s and he was shooting every cover of French Vogue for centuries. What I love about him is his interpretation of female beauty is very sexualized, yet in a very creative and artistic way. Many of today's most well know fashion photographers pay homage to Bourdin. Google him. His shots will blow your mind!”

About the FUTURE

“Unlike most guys out there I don't just want to be a photographer. I don't like the term "professional photographer" or "photography". I’m just me and I just want to be me: Michael Butterfin.  I want to be known that way, but of course to be all the way to the top!"

Why COLLABORATE

“I collaborated with you because the moment I saw your work, I was amazed and I had to, had to shoot it! :)"

Make sure to check out his work here!
AND ENJOY some of Michael's favorite pictures from our shoot BELOW!

Thanks AGAIN to model Mallory Matoush for putting up with the cold, and to my assistant Ileana Goveo Balmaseda!

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "moss_formations_dress"
made w. organic/recycled yarns, and hand-dyed w. vegetable and non-toxic dyes
 VOTE for this PIC on VOGUE.IT and maybe we could be PUBLISHED!

MY FAVORITE!!! 
Mallory Matoush is wearing the "root-ed_dress" made w.crocheted organic+recycled yarns (from de-knitted sweaters)and knitted dead-stock yarn.

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "root-ed_dress" made with crocheted organic+recycled yarns and knitted dead-stock yarn.

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "root-ed_2way_shrug" and "moss_formations_skirt"
all made with organic/recycled yarns and hand-dyed with vegetable and non-toxic dyes

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "moss_formations_cutout_tunic"
made w. recycled cotton yarn (from T-shirt production waste )and hand-dyed w. vegetable (coffee +curry) and non-toxic dyes. embellished w. hand-embroidered french knots

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "moss_formations_cutout_tunic"
made w. recycled cotton yarn (from T-shirt production waste )and hand-dyed w. vegetable (coffee +curry) and non-toxic dyes. embellished w. hand-embroidered french knots

I Love Soweto Campagin

So the young creative circle that comes around once a month, has joined hands and come up with the "I Love Soweto' campaign. Built on the same principles as the "You make Joburg Great" campaign but with less to no budget, this campaign is made to inspire the people of Soweto to take shape of this wonderful hood_burb of ours. The Rich history of this neighborhood is built in the trenches and is seen through the sweat and tears of it's inhabitants who differ in many ways. Not in many places around the world are you bound to see a cow's head (Iskopo) being sold next to a mall that has multinational food outlets like KFC.

This is just a small snippet of the campaign that has linked up a writer, photographer, models, fashion label, stylist and a DJ. These photo's were shot around Soweto on the weekend of the 27th of March and will be officially be launched at TSJS on the 4th of April 2010.






More Pictures and the whole story line will be made available via our flickr page soon.
Shot by Uviwe Mangweni, Styled by Nombulelo Dhlomo and Mangaliso Mbitsana and Modeled by Buli & Mangstar...

MOS DEF: ECSTATIC MOMENTS Exhibition in L.A

We would love to see this exhibition is South Africa as it has some footage from our country. Happening this week in L.A

HVW8 Art & Design Gallery, Union LA & Frolab present a photo exhibition entitled MOS DEF: ECSTATIC MOMENTS. Photographer, filmmaker, visionist Cognito showcases rare performance and behind-the-scenes images captured during the two year journey of making and supporting the June 2009 release of The Ecstatic (iTunes) This special one-week exhibition features candid photographs of Mos Def, including images from visits to the Cape of Great Hope, South Africa, performing in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a powerful series of US Summer Tour “end-of-the-night posse shots” featuring such artists as Jay Electronica, Talib Kweli, Erykah Badu, and even a surprise guest appearance by the legendary Shuggie Otis.

The exhibition will be open to the public from January 30, 2010 through February 6, 2010

at the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery, located at 661 N. Spaulding Ave., Los Angeles CA.

RSVP here for 01/29 VIP opening reception (7-11pm)

FROM SHANGHAI TO SOWETO

For those who are into exclusive shoe collection and sneakerholics. Who have been looking for something fresh in the buyers market. Then search no further because something hip, funky and freshly mind-blowing has hit the Jozi ground.Feiyue sneakers have finally landed in Soweto.

Pronounced Fei-ue; in Chinese. Feiyue sneakers originate in Shanghai in the 1920s, then crossed continent to Europe in 2006. Now crossing continents to Africa for the first time and arriving in Johannesburg Soweto in 2009. By bringing the shoe across continents, came the opportunity to bring diversity and something new into the community and grow the sneaker culture in the country.

Launched on the 18^th October 2009 to create brand awareness and help establish the sneaker, the Thesis social jam session team was hard at work to create the ultimate Asian theme party ever hosted in Soweto. The theme “from shanghai to Soweto” which takes the concept of putting the sneaker into travel became the motive of the party (Refer to pictures on flickr): http://www.flickr.com/photos/thesissocialjamsessions/. A photo shoot using the BRT system that’s being introduced in the city, we used the same concept to introduce something new to our people.

The venue was converted into a mini Shanghai with the use of paper jets, Chinese paper balls and shanghai landscape photos to create the image of shanghai in Soweto. The Djs Ben, Omi, playkstat and the Wireless G serenaded the crowd with music varying from nu-jazz, futuristic soul, break beats, tribal and neo soul

Both the (brands TSJS and Feiyue) are inspired by urban art, music and travel. It became no surprise that the sneaker settled well in this part of the African continent, it was well received by the audience who attended the launch.

So if you are a sneakerholic and are looking for the next best collection, don’t hesitate to bring Feiyue to your home.