Balenciaga: The Master

In fashion, there have only ever been a handful of greats. Countless labels have come and gone from the fashion week calendar, but there are some names with an undying influence that continues to ripple through the industry. Cristóbal Balenciaga was most definitely one of them, and this May the storied Victoria & Albert Museum in London will open a blockbuster exhibit entitled Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion, that examines his work and legacy.

If French fashion designer Madeleine Vionnet was about revealing the body in its truest form, Balenciaga was focused on honoring its foundations while reshaping it in his own vision. He was a true architect of the body who developed fabrics, like the silk gazar created for him by the illustrious Swiss textile firm Abraham, that could complement the volumes and sculptural shapes he desired while celebrating the woman beneath.

Cristóbal's drive was legendary with no detail too small to escape his eagle-eyed attention. For just one example, he spent the better part of his life trying to make the perfect sleeve, developing countless iterations to achieve his desired effect. Unlike most of his contemporaries, Balenciaga was a true craftsman who could make every garment from the ground up himself, going so far as to make one sublime black dress entirely on his own for every show--without ever divulging which one it was.

Phenomenal technical feats never ceased coming out of his atelier (coats with only one seam made from one piece of cloth, gravity-defying infanta gowns inspired by his Spanish heritage) and were, astonishingly, the norm. In 1968 when Balenciaga felt he no longer connected with the people of the day, he quietly shuttered his house at the age of 74 and died only a few years later.

The house of Balenciaga, once considered the greatest in Paris, languished for years with a headquarters that fell into such disrepair; a flooded basement ruined dozens of priceless couture pieces. It was eventually revived to great enthusiasm, but Cristóbal’s singular mystique never diminished and even after numerous entities designing under his name have moved on, his religious devotion to excellence remains a true, unblemished beacon in fashion.

Written by Martin Lerma

DANYAKI

At the young age of seven, my parents and I migrated from Haiti to The City of Dreams in search of a better life. Hassan Gibrin fled from Ghana with the same mission - the only difference is that he was unable to depart alongside his beloved family.

Hassan, now known as Hass Kwame, thoroughly enjoyed the vibrant surroundings in his hometown of Takoradi.  “The first thing you experience in this environment is its natural elements, hence nature became my first teacher, best friend and resource provider,” he states. “Playing soccer was the everyday thing, and when we were hungry we would turn to nature for all types of plants, fruits, fish for lunch and go back to having fun.” 

Kwame’s love for the rural habitat inadvertently cultivated his unique sense of creativity.  God’s green earth provided the necessities that Hass couldn’t afford, so he began utilizing nature’s elements to get by on a regular day basis. For example, instead of purchasing soccer jerseys, Hass dug up mud to write his favorite players name and number on his back during games.  He even used leaves from palm trees to build fencing screens around his and neighboring homes.

Hass’ childhood was joyous due to his intimate relationship with mother earth, but he later realized that the living conditions were actually below poverty level.  “The only way out from out the bottom is by migrating somewhere better - that was my attitude so I was obligated to leave the family behind and jet off,” Kwame lamented.  From 1994 through 1997, Hass travelled back and forth from neighboring countries like the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Guinea until he finally moved to New York in 1999. “I didn’t plan to migrate directly from Ghana to the states because it takes a lifetime to acquire money and the visa, so I was like a nomad traveling for a better life.”

The Ghanaian lone ranger is currently living his best life in the Big Apple as he is working full-time in the restaurant industry while running his very own clothing line, Danyaki. I recently spoke with Hass to further discuss life in Ghana, come up in NYC and the meaning behind his fledgling label. Check out our conversation below:

FRENDY:  Were your parents reluctant to let you travel abroad by yourself at such a young age?

HASS:  As a Danyaki, the last thing you want to do is tell your traveling plans to your parents, that's a no no.  Our parents would love for us to live with them forever, so me telling them that I was traveling without an exact destination is not what they would want to hear. I told them that I was going to visit a friend across town, and it took 17 years for me to return home – I never got to see my dad again.  The most valuable thing in life for me is family, the worst thing in life is poverty. How do you balance that? ‘Cause happiness and poverty don't mix.

In your case your entire family got their visas and the funds to afford that kind of migration - you got to be at least middle class and/or part of the elite class to be able to do so where I’m from. In the underworld you don't see an entire family migrate in my part of town, it's always the Danyakis who break out unannounced in order to send some remittance home to support the fam.

FRENDY:  What is a Danyaki exactly?

HASS:  Danyaki is when u are faced with obstacles and hurdles in order to get to the next level of life. The process of the struggle in fighting to get over the hump makes one a Danyaki. So the concept of Danyaki is global, not just me. 90% out of the seven billion people in the world are going through their own “Danyaki” struggle right now.  It has a lot to do with migration, ‘cause if you are not happy with the life you are living, then you gotta make the hardest decision in your life by leaving your comfort zone behind and jet off in search of a better one.

FRENDY:  Interesting. We’ll definitely get back to this topic later on.  How difficult was it for you to get a job in the neighboring countries you visited?

HASS:  It's hard to get a job in those countries, you either have to take a bottom feeder job or create a service of your own.  You just got to be creative with your immediate surroundings. People are always going to need help in their day-to-day operations, so you go around and offer them help in exchange for chump change - it always works, so that's one of the smartest way to get by. The most important thing is staying out of trouble, you don't want to mess with the jail system over there.

FRENDY:  I feel you. Did you know any english before moving to the states?

HASS:  Absolutely, Ghana is a 100% English speaking country. The entire educational system is English based. However, I grew up speaking three other indigenous languages, which I still speak very fluently, but English is spoken all over the media so it's hard to avoid. Plus, once you enter the school system, you’re all in.

FRENDY:  That’s awesome, I didn’t know that.  Which part of New York did you initially reside in? How difficult was it for you to get accustomed to the hustle and bustle of the city?

HASS:  In New York, I lived in the Bronx due to Ghanaian density.  I actually still live there. Life in New York could not be difficult at all for me, it's easy. The hustle and bustle is not comparable to Danyakis upbringing - it's easy here.

You gotta understand one thing, the income disparity is unimaginable - it's pretty much from 0 to 100 real quick. The fact is no one loves leaving their comfort zone and migrate to a new terrain to start all over again, it could be a lot of wasted time starting from the bottom. But it's not a matter of choice, it's a matter of survival.  Surviving in NYC is nothing to complain about, I love it. I was around a lot of inspiring people so I was motivated to figure out my situation - I’m still on that journey and enjoying the process.

FRENDY:  What was your first job here in the concrete jungle?

HASS:  My first job in New York was in a 99 cent store in the BX, and then two different places before moving on to a discount clothing store by the Yankee stadium in the Bronx, that was my last gig in that borough.

Since I never stopped searching for more opportunities, a friend of mine invited me to his spot in Harlem called ‘Scheme,’ one block away from Apollo theatre.  It was the spot to shop for people like Swizz Beatz, Fabolous, Raekwon, Dipset, etc. and they needed one more person work. That's how I ended up on 125th in Harlem - It has been my favorite place ever since. Working at Scheme was the best thing that happened to me in New York. The exposure and the inspiration I got from working there motivated me to get back to creating - I met every hip hop artist and some of the behind the scene guys, I met major clothing designers as well. I had an amazing time working there, it's out of business now.

FRENDY:  When did you start taking art seriously?

HASS:  Like I said, working at Scheme exposed me to the fashion and music industry.  The cool kids in Harlem were all about grinding - all I heard around me is “I am a DJ, rapper, writer, producer or a manager.” Everybody was doing something, except for me, so I began figuring out what to get into. I contemplated doing music but then in 2002 I met a young black kid from Newark, NJ who owned a brand called Omavi Clothing Co.  He stopped by the shop to show how his label was doing.  I got his business card, chopped it up and eventually called him back to say that I could help him spread his business in New York.  He took me in and we flew to Vegas for the magic show that August - that’s how I left retail behind.

FRENDY:  Did you attend school in the city to sharpen your design skills?

HASS:  Oh yeah, I did attend school - I mean I couldn't have done this without the fundamental education I received from the school system. So I left retail for the manufacturing/wholesale side of the business, that's when I started sketching and drawing. But then I realized I needed to get back to school to pick up from where I left it.  But before that, I needed to buy a Macintosh (Mac) - it's expensive and I didn't have the money, so I left the clothing world alone and started working in a restaurant in SoHo. 

I saved up money and signed up at F. I.T. (Fashion Institute of Technology) for pre-requisite classes. Meanwhile, I was working my way up in the restaurant from a stocker to a busboy to a food runner, then finally a server so I can make enough money to pay for tuition and supplies and rent. I was making enough money so also signed up for more classes at S.V.A. (School of Visual Arts) and Pratt Institute, for industrial Design classes. I also attended tons of private studio art classes in Chelsea and SoHo and other parts of the city as a hobby. 

Those three art and design institutions changed the way I looked at shapes, forms and spaces. The simplest abstract forms that the average human eye ignores, that’s the difference, and school really helps with that.

FRENDY:  What sparked the idea to create your brand?

HASS:  What sparked the idea was me meeting Hakim Stevens, a young black guy who walked into Scheme, the store I worked in on 125th street in Harlem. I was hooked after that! I took his card and connected with him soon after and started working for him, I got my exposure to the business side of fashion from him.  I was also inspired by a very beautiful, young black girl who was designing for Baby Phat by Phat Farm (owned by Russell Simmons).  She came to the store to check on their merch - it blew my mind and I saw myself capable of working in the fashion industry as well. Besides, every young kid in Harlem I met was doing something productive, mostly in music though. So I've been searching for something to sink my teeth into since day one in Harlem. I just didn't know what it was gonna be.  I never thought that clothing brand designers were young and looked like me since I didn't know any - I've always thought the extreme opposite.

So being exposed to that young girl from Baby Phat (who I fell in love with on the spot in my mind after she told me what she did for a living) and Hakim Stevens sparked the creative muscle in my brain - that's how I started entertaining the idea of creating my own brand.

FRENDY:  Can you explain the symbolism of the paint splatters on your merchandise?

HASS:  Yes! The symbolism is simple, fun. And it's more of a colors thing than paint splatters for me. I love colors, I enjoy playing with colors, I love childish and innocent color play - it reminds me of my childhood. So whenever it's time to create with colors, I relapse to being a child version of myself that created innocently without wrong or right, just creating and just having fun with colors, that’s my secret of approach. I don't consider myself a painter, that's why my process is called Ideation.

Furthermore, my pieces goes beyond painting on fabrics, it comprises of experimenting with different treatments such as rip and repair, bleached out effects and also plain indigo basics. Artistically I am very interested in the abstract found within shapes, forms and spaces regardless of colors. And frankly nothing brings me peace and happiness than colors, let alone mixing and creating with it. It's all in the name of ideation.

FRENDY: I'm guessing ideation is when you are creating without the interruption of the ego?

HASS:  Exactly. I don't like to create art as an adult, I rather create as a child. Ego, arrogance and overthinking happens when u create from an adult point of view because you are chasing perfection instead of having fun. My goal is to mimic what I would have done as a kid with all these colors in front of me to create. Ideation simply means brainstorming. In any industrial design class, Ideation happens when we poured all types of ideas down without overthinking it. Usually we couldn't wait to get over the ideation to go to the next stage of design and the finish the products.

For whatever reason I fell in love with the ideation of creation without overthinking. In my color theory class, I fell in love with playing with colors and then in my industrial design class fell in love with ideation. These two classes reminded me of my childhood so I mashed them all up to create art and design from my childhood point of view, which is innocent and fun and happiness. Ideation is liberating, there is a sense of freedom that comes with creation using the ideation approach. And I’m hooked.

FRENDY:  How does the Danyaki ideology bleed into your clothing?

HASS:  Practicality - Danyaki ideology bleed into my work by way of colors and physically getting my hands dirty. Danyaki is also a process of DIY, you got to get up and go change your condition by any means necessary, that's why I physically hand paint or treat and ideate with every piece, which means I can only make a limited amount of one of a kind pieces batch by batch.

Doing things yourself for your own good and self improvement is the ideal ideology of Danyaki. So Danyaki’s ideology itself is the practicality and the religion of physically doing to improve thyself.  Danyaki is not Danyaki if you are not practically doing. Danyaki Art&Design Ideation means practically creating while having fun as an innocent kid.

FRENDY:  Where are you currently selling your pieces?  Through an online store or brick and mortar shop?

HASS:  Danyaki is currently sold online at Danyaki.com and in stores around New York City, mostly in Harlem and the Bronx.  But most importantly, I do week-end pop ups in Harlem at Red Rooster to physically connect, share and have dialogue with my art loving supporters who patronize my Tastemakers Rack on weekends.

Social media has also played a major role in bringing people out on weekends to check out new pieces. My absolute favorite part, though, is interacting with the supporters - it’s sort of like being on stage and performing live for the people. It's therapeutic to see my regulars and new supporters stop by to connect and reconnect. 

The weekends Tastemakers Rack is an extension of my studio, it's an exhibition and conversation of art and design among art lovers, Q&A sessions as well. I call my supporters Tastemakers, because they are not buying clothes, they are buying the art and experience of ideation. I don't only set up to sell, but also set up to invite a community of art lovers and tastemakers and share creativity offline.

FRENDY:  What’s the reason behind your name change?

HASS:  The reason behind the name change is pretty much cracking the shell off my back and busting out as an artist versus the person I was expected to be. So for me it's a new day, new person, new stage, new career, new platform and a new name. I look at it as my stage name.

Being born on a Saturday means that I am naturally connected to that divine day. Because I don't celebrate the date that I was born but rather the day, which was Saturday, I don't see why my name shouldn't reflect such a day.  Hence, I went back to officially claim my name, “kwame.” The name change for me represent growth and independent.

FRENDY:  If you were able to go back in time, what advice would you give to your younger self during trying times in Ghana?

HASS:  The only advice I would give my younger self is to, maybe, spend more time at the public library to absorb more information. But how can one study with an empty stomach? So, in reality I would not change anything looking back - no regrets. I only wish I had spent the lost years with my family, but you can't have your cake and eat it too, so it is what it is. C’est la vie. I’m happy how my life turned out.

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Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld launched his Fall 2017 collection for Chanel into space with the help of an elaborate set complete with a Coco-stamped rocket ship. The French house's signatures of tweed, camellias and quilting were all there, which baffles the mind to consider how Lagerfeld has managed to reinterpret the same handful of codes for more than thirty years.  With the focus clearly on unknowable frontiers, I also couldn’t help but ponder about the future of Chanel without him. Karl is uncompromisingly unique; the kind of fantastic idiosyncratic fashion animal that used to seem far more common.

Lagerfeld, along with contemporaries like Azzedine Alaïa and Rei Kawakubo, represents a generational cohort of excellence that spent decades fixated, obsessed even, on learning the craft of making clothes. All are or will soon be octogenarians, yet they remain the most innovative and exciting designers working today who perpetually spellbind us with the power of their creations. Their breed is simply irreplaceable.

Alaïa and Lagerfeld in particular have a couture pedigree learning every fabric, stitch, embroidery, cutting technique, shape and fit imaginable under the auspices of impossibly demanding teachers, whose lessons were enhanced by autodidactic tendencies. The lengthy tunic silhouettes that so often show up in Lagerfeld’s collections for Chanel and Fendi are references to the elongated lines of the Vienna Secession.  Furthermore, his famous tweed suits are actually not tweed at all, but rather fine silks that are densely embroidered to maintain the tweed look minus the bulk and weight. There are only a handful of people alive today with these extraordinary capabilities.

What will happen to fashion when these people die? Who will the standard bearers be? How can this tradition, this habit of greatness be maintained when true apprenticeships are so few? In the documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor, widely-respected fashion critic Cathy Horyn lamented that Valentino and his ilk were so great because they learned couture in the 1950s.  Without proper education, the métier could never genuinely evolve to represent a new era.

Couture is both a process and a state of mind, a perpetual search for something transformative. I don't know who will be the next great designer, but my hope is that, somewhere, a young person is toiling in an atelier under a lovingly firm hand, bent on bringing forth the best of their talents.

Written by Martin Lerma

The Brilliance of Rei Kawakubo

At 74 years of age, Rei Kawakubo is an untouchable powerhouse, an inarguable legend in her own time. She is, along with Azzedine Alaïa, the most respected designer in fashion with a wide-reaching circle of influence that has affected every other player in the game. Her work is singularly marked by an exploration of shapes and textile properties that were once the provenance of the greatest couturiers.

Rei's latest Comme des Garçons show, entitled “The Future of Silhouette,” was very much in keeping with her radical vision. For Fall/Winter 2017, she sent forms down the runway that recalled everything from the security of a womb to violent storm clouds ready to expel unpredictable fury, making us question the parallel along the way. Kawakubo doesn’t really make clothes so much as suggestions of what is possible when the rulebook is abandoned, and I couldn’t be more grateful for her dedicated subversion.

When the celebrated designer first showed Comme des Garçons in Paris in 1981, people quite literally didn’t know what to do with it. Kawakubo started her career as a stylist in her native Japan only crafting her own designs when she was unable to find clothes for shoots that suited her taste. That fateful beginning resulted in the launch of a line in 1969 that quickly grew in stature. The 80s were financial boon years for a certain segment of society that reveled in opulence from the start. Ballgowns, broad pinstriped power suits and Technicolor hues were the new standard after the touchable sensuality of the 70s. Paris had no idea what was about to hit it.

Her oversized, tattered, body-morphing designs were slammed and simultaneously dubbed “Hiroshima chic,” supposedly in reference to the radiation-ravaged bodies in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, by members of the fashion press oblivious to how such a flippant reference to the horrors of nuclear war would resonate with a woman who was born and raised during that time of desperation. But such dismissals were to their own detriment as she persevered and took Europe by storm, forever changing what could be considered great.

Viewing a Comme des Garçons collection is a tricky thing. You can never be sure if you’re over or under intellectualizing Rei's seasonal propositions, and I’m sure she likes it precisely that way. After the Fall 2005 “Bride” collection, Kawakubo lamented that she felt people had understood it too readily, which she found displeasing. Her collections have meaning, but I doubt she’s concerned with whether or not her audience ever discerns exactly what. She enjoys being something of an enigma.

On rare occasions Kawakubo grants interviews, she is surrounded by interpreters who allow her a certain level of remove even from those in her immediate surroundings--but, as with her garments, all is not as it seems. In the 1980s, internationally revered fashion photographer Nick Knight visited Kawakubo in Japan and recounted decades later that she spoke perfect English, a tale similar to those of other select industry veterans.

A few years ago, fashion journalist Tim Blanks conducted an interview nervously asking questions via those infamous interpreters as Rei seemed deeply unamused. For his final inquiry, he asked, “What makes you laugh?” She  looked him directly in the eye and said plainly, “You.”

Written by Martin Lerma

Ken Jen

Two names that abruptly come to mind when discussing top-notch celebrity jewelers are Johnny Dang, also known as “TV Johnny,” and Koreatown’s very own Ben Baller. Not only do they share an affinity for providing high-grade gems in extremely rare forms, both bling connoisseurs are of Asian descent.  LA-based jewelry designer Ken Jen is meticulously molding and polishing his own diamonds to shine bright in the industry, just like his OGs from the Far East.

The 24-year-old entrepreneur’s come up is nothing short of spectacular. Born in Taiwan, Ken moved with his family to Shanghai at the age of seven.  After receiving a green card eight years later, Jen and his brother (sans parents) flew to the states---Austin, Texas to be exact.  “I was not a big fan of living in Texas,” Ken admits. “The culture is way different from China, but it wasn’t what I expected.  I was pretty young at the time so no complaints.  I was really there for school and to learn english.”

Although he disliked the new setting, Jen managed to graduate High School with honors. As a matter of fact, his studious ways helped him gain a full scholarship to the University of Texas. During his freshman year, Ken was presented with the opportunity to work in the retail/wholesale industry by an Instagram buddy, which prompted him to immediately drop out of school and move to the West Coast in 2013.

The city of Angels served as fertile ground that enabled Ken’s wildest dreams to bloom.  He became the COO of his comrade’s retail company in just two years. In 2015, Jen’s interest in the jewelry industry blossomed and Ben Baller himself eventually gave him a shot to work under his wings. Fast forward to now, the former apprentice is flying high all by himself as owner of his three months old custom jewelry company Fenom & Co.

I recently sat down with the young CEO to further discuss his rise in the jewelry industry, celebrity clients, favorite pieces and fashion industry past. Check out our conversation below:

FRENDY:   Where did you and your older brother crash when y’all moved to Austin?

KEN JEN:  We moved there in 2008 and stayed with my dad’s friends, who were our guardians at the time.

FRENDY:  What was so off putting about living in Texas?

KEN JEN:  I didn’t know what the fuck I was doing. I moved to Texas mainly to learn English. I wasn’t sure what I would be doing after.

FRENDY:  I came to the United States when I was seven years old from Haiti so I know all about the culture shock that you felt.  What HS did you attend in Austin?  Were you able to make a lot of new friends?

KEN JEN:  I went to Crockett High School in Austin. I didn’t make many friends my first year and a half because of the language barrier. Eventually, I made some.

FRENDY:  How long did you know the person from Instagram that blessed you with the opportunity of working in wholesale?

KEN JEN:  Instagram is great for our generation to link with people. We were friends for about 6 months before he offered me the job.

FRENDY:  There are tons of catfishes online, what made you trust in him so much?

KEN JEN: The Internet is a dope place --- it brings a lot of dope people together. You just have to trust it.  We just had similar interests in certain things like fashion, music etc, and he was in the business I wanted to be in.  It was a win-win situation for both of us to work together.

FRENDY:  Is it safe to say that you weren’t enjoying your stay at the University of Austin since you decided to dip from there at the drop of a dime?

KEN JEN: All day!  It was one of the biggest decisions of my life. It’s all about trusting the process...taking risks.  Everyone thought I was crazy when I dropped out *Laughs*. I didn’t have a major in college nor did I know what I wanted to do in life.  I got into college on full scholarship, but I kinda went for my parents, you know.

FRENDY:  Were your parents informed about the big move prior or after moving to LA?

KEN JEN: No.  I booked a one way ticket to Los Angeles, logged into the wifi on the plane, facetimed my mom and told her the news. Of course my traditional Asian parents weren’t happy with my decision, but they didn’t say much because I was already on the plane.

I knew I would make it in LA, if not, at least I tried. I mean, I was 20, I had nothing to lose *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  *Laughs* Talk about taking initiative. What was the first order of business when you moved to California?  And was it difficult for you to flow with LA’s pace?

KEN JEN: First order of business? Make money! It all came pretty easy for me because my mentors put me on.

FRENDY:  What were your initial job duties in LA?

KEN JEN: At the time, my friend and I were attending trade shows like Agenda, buying from other brands and then resale.

FRENDY:  Where did you guys do the resale?

KEN JEN: Online and physical shops in Asia.

FRENDY:  What sparked your interest in the jewelry Industry? And how exactly did you get acquainted with the legendary Ben Baller?

KEN JEN: I was always a fan of jewelry, but never thought I’d become a jeweler. When I was working with the guy from Instagram, we had a grand opening in China. We flew Ben out for the opening as a guest.

FRENDY:  What made you depart from the business partnership with your Instagram friend?

KEN JEN: Failed business because the resale industry wasn’t doing so well. Ultimately, I had to do what was best for me.

FRENDY:  You said you didn’t get involved with the designing aspect of jewelry while working with Ben, as you only focused on the marketing/sales aspects of things. I see you’re with celebs now, molding their teeth for grills etc.  Are you currently involved with customizing pieces?

KEN JEN:  Yes. Now I own my own company, where I'm hands on with all aspects of the business.

FRENDY: Who do you run Fenom & Co. with?

KEN JEN: I have two partners who are like family.

FRENDY:  How do you obtain clientele? Word of mouth?

KEN JEN: Absolutely!  Word of mouth is the best way to promote in the jewelry business. But at the end of the day, as long as I have good product and keep doing the right thing then we’re winning.

FRENDY:  Do you remember the first person you helped make a piece for?

KEN JEN: Yeah, it’s been about 2 years and I actually spoke to him just the other day.

FRENDY:  What’s the process of making a custom piece?

KEN JEN: To start we need a clear design, and then we will cut the wax of the design. After it is casted into gold. After the gold is done, we discuss diamonds. Last step is polishing/finishing.

FRENDY:  What’s your favorite jewelry design that you created?

KEN JEN:  It got to be the piece I did for Lebron James. It’s a 18kt solid “Diamond Dust” lion head pendant, featuring VVS Diamonds on the engraving. And it’s hand-made just for the king!

FRENDY:  In your opinion, what’s the biggest trend in the Hip Hop jewelry world right now?

KEN JEN: Custom jewelry is changing the game. Jesus pieces, cuban links, iced out Rolex, tennis chains and custom grills are always trending.  The biggest one in my opinion are custom grills.

FRENDY:  Most people reading this are aware of Nigo’s immense impact in the streetwear industry and jewelry culture. If he ever contacted you to provide him with a custom piece of your own creation, what would it be?

KEN JEN: *Laughs* I would probably make him an iced out Chinese To-Go box.

FRENDY:  Are your parents aware of your increasing success?

KEN JEN: Yes. I’ve been taking care of them since I was 21.

Olivier Theyskens' Individual Path

Olivier Theyskens recently showcased his second runway collection in Paris since re-launching his eponymous label and it was truly a sight for sore eyes. Though the previous collection was stronger, there was something profoundly refreshing about seeing someone of enormous talent pursue his own design ends, without feeling the need to latch on to the latest trends kicking around. It lacked some of the sharp editing of his prior outing, with silhouettes that seemed a bit disjointed from one look to the next and was perhaps poorly sequenced, but it did little to ruin the pleasure of the whole exercise.

Theyskens is only 40 years old but has already enjoyed a meteoric career. He dropped out of design school in his native Belgium in 1997 to start a label that quickly garnered massive attention and the approval of many of fashion’s most powerful, namely Anna Wintour. The label operated for a few years before shuttering around the same time Theyskens began designing for the Parisian house Rochas.  There he further cemented his aesthetic codes of strict leather and wispy feathers that bordered on the sculptural.

Olivier is perhaps best remembered for his years at Nina Ricci, which he revived through acclaimed shows and partnering with Reese Witherspoon for many red carpet appearances. A short tenure with Theory in New York followed before he disappeared only to eventually self-finance his return.

A great designer has trademarks that go beyond the surface and Theyskens has them in abundance. Olivier's sense of fit is uniquely his with a softly draped bust and slim, elongated waist that never looks tight or restrictive, as exemplified by superb high-neck jackets in inky hues and flowy satin dresses. He also has a unique way of combining hard and soft elements, like the black patent python jacket over a bouncy white silk skirt in last season’s show. There is always a dark sense of romance with Victorian touches that read as mysterious and sensual in a manner that never feels overly reverential.

I don’t advocate for every design student to launch her own label straight out of school, but it is wonderful to witness a revival that isn’t trying to conform to the heritage of a house whose founder is long dead. Was it Theyskens’ best work ever? Perhaps not, but it was exemplary nonetheless and remained above the fray for its ability to look within.

Written by Martin Lerma

Versace's New Era

The murder of Gianni Versace has loomed large over the house that bears his name and, especially, Donatella, his sister and lifelong right-hand woman, for decades. Versace became known for a specific kind of Italian glamour--colorful, sexy and unabashedly luxurious. The use of modern chainmail to make gowns and reinterpretations of Warhol’s silkscreened portraits became symbols of the brand’s whip-smart vision. But Donatella has struggled to honor her brother without being trapped by his legacy, not to mention the parameters of the iconic look he created. That struggle often showed in the clothes with presentations that had flashes of brilliance but weren’t always consistent, something her personal battle with addiction made even more difficult. Once she rehabilitated herself, it took her time to find her footing, but now she’s finding a voice that’s translating her family’s heritage of sex appeal for a new age.

For someone who grew up with JLo’s plunging necklines being synonymous with Versace, it took some time for my eyes to adjust to the new direction that began in earnest a couple of years ago. Where once there were slinky champagne-colored silk satin gowns with crystal embroidery, there are sporty tailored coats in black with smoky chiffon peeking out from beneath the hem, as was the case during Versace's Fall 2017 runway show.

As incredible as Gianni’s interpretation of femininity was, I often wonder how it would be received were it to be shown for the first time today. With fashion’s move toward sensuality rather than overt sexiness and sportswear’s takeover of even the most vaunted high fashion labels, it would seem out of place (although his emphasis on actual design and not mere styling would do that on its own). A shift was called for, but how well suited that shift is to the Versace ethos is hotly debated. Effortlessness, or, more accurately, the appearance of it, reigns supreme in fashion at the moment. But is that really at the heart of Versace?

The mystique of Versace is not entirely gone though it is different. Like always, the clothes and accessories themselves are beautifully made with impeccable fit and finish. Donatella’s recent shows have become more coherent, however, they lack the spark of collections past and the ability to generate the same kind of captivating images they once did.

Riccardo Tisci, the famed designer who recently resigned from his post at Givenchy, is heavily rumored to be Donatella’s pick for a successor to steer the label going forward. The Versace canon is so rich that if the rumor proves true, Tisci should have no problem reenergizing the establishment even though his tenure at Givenchy had grown tired. What’s worrisome is that Versace will become too bogged down in the everyday with its overcoats, fitted dresses and chunky knits--things better left to other brands. In order to retain its core identity, Versace should not ignore its roots in the search for progress. The fashion world needs its allure now more than ever.

Written by: Martin Lerma

Prada's Eternal Conflict

There’s a tension absolutely critical to the work of Miuccia Prada. Though her name has become synonymous with the pinnacle of intellectual luxury, the business empire she’s built along with her husband, Patrizio Bertelli, is far from where she started. Her latest show in Milan revealed that no matter how drastically the sets change, Prada’s (the woman) work is singular and decades into her career.  

Founded in 1913 as a small Milanese leather goods store, the Prada we know set a new course when Miuccia, the founder’s granddaughter, took the helm of the family company in 1978. She earned a PhD in political science, was an ardent member of Italy’s Communist and women’s rights movements, and even performed as a mime for a few years in her youth. I can’t help but imagine what someone so deeply radical must have felt assuming the head role in a business so heavily associated with stereotypical ideas of femininity and wealth.

Miuccia seems both utterly in charge and reactive to this day. Her desire to challenge our perception of ugliness and good taste has never ceased. She once based a collection (Fall/Winter 2008) entirely on lace because, as a raised Catholic, it remained linked to the kind of prissy Communion veils she despised.  It is her exploration of the things she deeply dislikes that creates so many rich layers in her work.

For Fall 2017, Prada sent out a lineup of heavily pilled cardigan sweaters that were straight out of a dusty trunk in your grandma’s attic, 70s-inspired trouser suits in her signature earth tones and dresses that exploded in layers of wool or feathers near the hem. It looked completely wrong in exactly the right way, a way that can never quite be pinned down.

Though it would help enormously if the women on her runways weren’t nearly always so lily white, this was a complete portrait of a particular kind of woman and a particular kind of journey. It was messy and it was loud and it was too much, too plain, too revealing and too layered, too eccentric and too serious. It was a woman dressing for herself. That’s the genius.

Written by Martin Lerma

òL New York

Allen Aderotoye and I initially met in July of 2015 at the Capsule show during the inaugural New York Men’s Fashion week. It was my first time attending the highly respected fashion and lifestyle trade event, so you could imagine my excitement.  Editors and style leaders alike packed platform 2 of Skylight Clarkson Square to witness some of the world’s fastest rising clothing lines and their respective Spring/Summer ‘16 men's collections.

During the presentation’s closing minutes, I overheard someone yell out, “Mr. BAPE!” and to my surprise it was Allen who greeted me with open arms. The uber-stylish designer’s positive energy was so contagious it felt like we were longtime friends. After he properly introduced himself, we briefly spoke about my time working at the extinguished SoHo hotspot and his very own label, òL New York. I followed Aderotoye on Instagram to keep up with his latest moves and learn more about his fledgling brand.  I later discovered that Allen’s brainchild was just as dope as I thought it would be.

The 26-year-old creative’s outerwear-centric line is very meticulous in the way it blends unusual fabrics (such as velvet, suede and wool) to provide simple yet extremely suave looks.  Possessing such intricate detailing, one would be surprised to know that the label was conjured up by accident.  Right after graduating from the University of Maryland in May of 2012, the natural born hustler migrated to New York City where he interned at Exposure Creative Agency. “While at my internship, I made a piece for the first time and it garnered huge attention--everyone there liked it. It was shot byHYPEBEAST and I thought ‘ok, I might have something here’,” Aderotoye confesses. “Ever since, I continued to take steps to continue building out what would become òL.”

Like most notable designers (think Karl Lagerfeld, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Jean Paul Gaultier), Allen did not receive any formal fashion design training. He focused on obtaining a degree in Economics and Business.  Aderotoye—a first generation American from Nigerian decent—blatantly states: “conceptual majors are not accepted.”  Allen’s Nigerian parents are very strict when it comes to education, which meant that his passion for everything style had to be contained (until he actually graduated from college, of course).  “My parents hated the fact that I moved to New York.  My response was, ‘I got you that degree, now I need to figure out how to actually get it in life!’. “

Allen is certainly “getting it” in the Big Apple as he is three collections deep into his beloved brand.  I recently sat down with the talented craftsman to talk about his upbringing, love for fashion, and the future of òL.  Check out our conversation below:

FRENDY:  How lit was it growing up in Washington, D.C?

ALLEN:  It was great!  DC has so much culture--we have our own sense of identity from the style of dress to gogo music, so much influence is started in the area. I was raised between a few areas in Prince George’s County and neighborhood called Trinidad in DC near H st.

FRENDY:  Your parents are originally from Nigeria, have you ever visited the motherland?

ALLEN:  Yeah, they are from Nigeria both born and raised there. They came here for the opportunities America had. I’ve been to Nigeria twice. It’s a really inspiring place to be meeting family I’ve never seen before, eating jollof rice from McDonald's like chains for sure an experience. This is where my parents are from: a very warm, vibrant colored, hustle or die mentality Nigeria.

FRENDY:  Were you always into Fashion?

ALLEN:  I’ve always been into style.  Self expression is very important--especially as a kid, you want to let people know what kind of person you are by your sense of style to a certain degree. It all started with footwear for me, I was really into Jordans because Jordan was a beast and as a kid there was no better sneakers than the bred 11s. That’s what started to teach me the idea of aesthetics.

FRENDY:  I feel you.  Which HS did you attend?

ALLEN:  I went to Bowie High School.  My time there was very regular I would assume for the average teen in High School. Pretty chill, just plotting on Jordan release dates and skipping lunch to have enough for each pair that was dropping.

FRENDY:  I can tell that your love for sneakers runs deep. I’m surprised you didn’t formulate your own shoe yet.

ALLEN:  Yeah man, shoes have been a long time love. There’s some ideas brewing but footwear is a different obstacle, especially with an original design. Shoes really have to be functional while having the looks, on my architectural quest it surely will be conquered. One way or another.

FRENDY:  When did you become passionate about clothes?

ALLEN:  I am passionate about the style aspect more or so. We all need clothes but no one needs clothes as there is a surplus within this hyper consumption era. However, we all need identity, which is not so easily defined.

FRENDY:  Why did you choose to move to New York after college instead of another booming city like Los Angeles or Miami?

ALLEN:  That’s where my opportunity was, I needed to have something that was there for me you, you know. I had interned with the Gild in London a year beforehand so I imagined I could probably get my first job with their team in NYC. Wishful thinking. It was also a realistic commute for me--a four hour bus ride home when needed was more than doable.

FRENDY:  What inspired you to construct your first garment while interning? What was the piece made?

ALLEN: I was following Maestro Knows at the time. I saw he was going to be at Reed Space later that evening so after my internship, I walked from SoHo to LES to go see what was going on--I was super inspired by his vlog at the time. So using the map on my phone I found my way to the block. It was Allen st. I think because of the name I decided to pay a little more attention and LES at that time was still a true feeling neighborhood. I walked into a tailor on that street which is now long gone and was like “I have an idea,” a few weeks later I ended up with that velvet polo. This piece would be the foundation of òL.

FRENDY: How did HYPEBEAST find out about it?

ALLEN:  I was wearing it during Fashion Night Out. When I was just starting to venture into the city I was getting stopped a lot for street styles so I thought this was just another one of those situations. He took a photo and handed me a card, already jaded by having my photo taken I posed and held the card not even looking at it once. My girl at the time took it and flipped it over, I was already busy focused on something else. She taps me and flips over the card. It says HYPEBEAST. I flipped out and tried to find the photographer, he was long gone in the huge crowd. HYPEBEAST has been a favorite for a while so it was a wow moment for me.

FRENDY:  What is the meaning behind òL?

ALLEN: òL means òutside Lines. The idea of different, as humans we’re all unique so I started with that as a basis in developing ideas.

FRENDY:  Out of the three collections, which one was your favorite to create?

ALLEN:  They are all individual ideas I had at a period of time in life, so i'm not sure I can have a favorite.  However, ‘Silverspoon’ was a really dope point in my life.  We shot the lookbook in London and had a presentation for NYFWM, called it the Wolf of Men’s Week, it was at Leonardo Dicaprio’s former penthouse. It was a vibe.

FRENDY:  I know how difficult it can be to sustain a clothing line. Do you have a side hustle to fund production cost, marketing, etc. ?

ALLEN: I am able to do a few projects for some other creatives from time that help to fund the dream and I sell my kicks when times are really low *Laughs*.

FRENDY:  How well are your friends and family receiving your line back home?

ALLEN: I think they are receiving it well, my friends have been a big supporting factor since day one. While with my family is a bit of an interesting dynamic. As long as I am able to take care of myself they are fine with that.

FRENDY:  For the most part, you’re always rocking an òL piece. Are there any other fashion brands out right now that are worth your attention?

ALLEN: òL was made in purpose of pieces I want to wear more than anything so try to stay òL down. I know that if I can do anything it’s that. There’s so many brands to chose from at this point so I just stick with brands that my friends run. I have been able to meet some really dope designers globally so I try to start there when I look for things outside of òL.

FRENDY:  If you were able to collaborate with an up and coming brand, which would it be?

ALLEN: what would you consider an up and coming brand?

FRENDY:  I think this is the first time ever my interviewee responded back to me with a question. I like that *Laughs*. What I meant by an up and coming brand is one that hasn’t received any notoriety from any major blogs or celebrities. But in the trendy downtown scene, it’s poppin’.

ALLEN:  For New York, I would have to say the homie Ev or Death To Tennis.

FRENDY:  How do you want your customers to feel wearing your line?

ALLEN:  I want them to feel like they’ve just been hit by the HòLy Ghost. Feel good, confident. Vitalized. It feels good when you just got something new that you really like. I want them to feel this way every time they wear anything òL.

FRENDY:  Any plans of moving back to your hometown?

ALLEN:  Home will always be home but I am not sure how conducive that will be for me as everything is produced in NYC. I do make sure to spend more time out there these days though.

Pearl N' Rose

Mélanie Myriam is a self-proclaimed “business womum.” Born and raised in Morocco’s most populous city, the headstrong 30-year-old is now living abundantly in New York as an entrepreneur, while being a wife and mother of three wonderful children under the age of four.

Mélanie’s unwavering drive and determination has led her on an incredible voyage. It all started in the northern African coast of Casablanca, where the then 16-year-old Myriam felt that it was time to escape from her home base so she could attend school in Paris. “My native language is French and I wanted to study in a more developed country in order to get a good education,” she states.

After two prosperous years of high school in Paris, Mélanie was accepted into the prestigious Applied Mathematics and Computer Sciences program at Dauphine University.  She studied applied mathematics for five years and eventually received her master's degree in Financial and Statistical Engineering.  During the last year of college, Myriam fell in love with her husband who received the same degree.  Following graduation, the mathematically inclined lovebirds left their nest and headed to the U.S, where they are currently living out their long-desired American dream.

I recently sat down with the thriving luxury minaudière designer to further discuss her life back home in Morocco, the inspiration behind her huge career change and find out how she juggles work and family.  Check out our dialogue below:

FRENDY:  As a child growing up in Haiti, I frequently heard stories of how amazing Morocco was from family members who travelled there. Unfortunately, I never got a chance to go. Can you provide a glimpse of its beauty since you actually lived there?

MELANIE:  Casablanca is the economic capital of Morocco. The streets are always crowded and loud. From the bazaar to the beach coast, the diversity of people is astonishing. Modern and traditional Muslims, Christians, Jews, Asians, Central Africans and tourists--you can discover and meet much more cultures and people than you would expect to. Casablanca is a developing city where modernity and traditions meet at every corner. You can buy handmade artisanal items in the souk or shop luxurious products at the Morocco mall - largest mall of Africa, whose fountains are way more captivating than the ones in Vegas. You can play in neat and selective golf/tennis /basketball courts or enjoy good surf and even horse rides in the public Atlantic sea beaches. The ideal weather makes life easier and more agreeable.

No one could resist the delicious and worldly renowned food--from couscous to tajines made of 100% organic veggies and fruits, like locally raised lemons, oranges, olives or even Argan oil (which are exported and used worldwide). For a fun night out, hookah bars, clubs or restaurants never get empty. For a more spiritual moment, the largest mosque of Africa and 2nd largest mosque of the world, the "Hassan II Mosque," is open to everyone. People are tolerant, welcoming, warm and helpful in Casablanca, although the traffic could try their nerves.

The history of the country is rich and full of surprises. It starts with the original Berbers -nomads that mostly lived in the mountains- to the Arab invasion that brought Islam and the Arab culture to Morocco, to then the Judeo Spanish culture brought by Jews escaping Spain and finding refuge in Morocco, to finally the late French influence debuting with the French protectorate in the 1920s. Please take a second to imagine the resulting multicultural and diverse country that Morocco is. Imagine that wonderful Mediterranean and oriental style - in architecture, fashion and art.  I wouldn't have wished to be born and raised anywhere else.

FRENDY:  Jheez! It feels like I know everything about Casablanca now. I’m definitely going to visit real soon. How difficult was it for you to leave such majestic scenery at the age of 16?

MELANIE:  At that time, I was so ambitious, I felt “young, wild and free.” And I already loved traveling and discovering new places, people and cultures; it was exciting, not scary. Banal events would turn into fun adventures. For example, I remember my first time taking the subway- so cool, but it didn’t last long! *Laughs*

I left a very comfortable routine around my family in Casablanca for sure, but this move was much needed for my soul. Paris is magical! I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to live in such amazing city.  The experience enabled my growth in so many ways.

FRENDY:  Which high school did you attend in Paris? And was it difficult to get accustomed to the school system there?

MELANIE: I studied in Morocco at the Alliance group, and then transferred to the one in France quite easily. It was the same curriculum in both countries, so I was able to continue the program normally. I was a very good student. The transition happened smoothly and successfully.

FRENDY:  You have an immense love for math and finance, when did it begin?

MELANIE:  My interests began when I was 10 years old, playing all sorts of board games with my older brother--my favorites being Cluedo and BattleShip. The plot twists, schemes to bluff the adversary, and tactics to win enticed me. I was good at it and I enjoyed it. It reinforced my competitiveness and desire to tackle everything in my way. Mathematics is abstract, it relates to numbers, quantities and space. You must learn the rules, theorems and definitions, to play the game. Finance is strategic, you have to be able to predict the next move of your adversary, anticipate the next trend and be convincing. And so, I started acquiring most of my tricks as a young sister playing those games of logic.

FRENDY:  When you moved to New York, did you abruptly acquire a job in your field of study?

MELANIE:  I applied to a prestigious master’s program in Mathematics of Finance at Columbia University back when I lived in Paris. I was selected along with 30 other students from a pool of 800+ applicants. Opening the acceptance letter was one of the most intense moments of my life. I packed my luggage with my husband in less than a month and flew to realize my dream.

As soon as the school year started, I received job offers from renowned banks and financial institutions. The HRs placed me on a pedestal; I could feel I was already doing something unique and recognized. I accepted a full time job at Exane-BNP Paribas, and managed to take all my classes from 6pm and on at night. I juggled between work and school five days a week, and spent my weekends doing homework or touring in NYC. Overall, everything happened really quickly but I lived each moment intensely. It would be safe to say that it was an abrupt transition and goal reaching time.

FRENDY:  What compelled you to eventually quit your stable 9 to 5?

MELANIE:  I found out that I was pregnant for the first time on my graduation day from Columbia. I decided to dedicate myself entirely to this happy event, in order to live the motherhood experience to the fullest. I neither wanted to miss a bit of it, nor be constantly stressed out at work, thinking about my baby at home. Although I loved my job, Pearl, my first baby girl, did not make me miss any of it. Every day was incredible, it gave me a sense of purpose and constant joy in my life. I had my first son Eli-Raphael and my second daughter Rose within the next two years. I rapidly became a full-time mother of 3 under 3 and felt showered with blessings. The journey of motherhood has been incredible. I will never graduate from this lifetime learning experience.

FRENDY:  Incredible! There’s nothing more precious than a mother’s love.  Moving forward to the business side of things, why did you start making minaudières and accessories instead of actual clothes?

MELANIE: In August 2016, I started designing my first clutch, simply driven by the desire to get my unique and own minaudière to match my outfit for my cousin’s wedding. As I began to look for a special motif, colors and an overall shape, I felt that my creativity was limitless. Ideas were bursting in my mind; I drew many schemes and patterns.

As my kids entered pre-school at that period, I had more free time to go back to work. And this time, I wanted to express my second passion, my love for designing and fashion. I developed this passion very early during my childhood, when I played running “fashion shows” with my friends as early as 4 years old and later, when I actually walked real kids runways at 10 years old. So, I decided to launch my brand and become a clutch designer. My husband was very supportive and pushed me to follow my heart, and do what I aspired to. He encouraged me to take that challenge and become an entrepreneur.

I believe I made a very good decision taking this path, as I am both creative and pragmatic. I need some hours of “rational math” or simply rationality during my day, but I also need my moments of evasion. I find inspiration by walking in the streets, looking at what surrounds me such as the urban life and different cultures. New York City was the perfect place to amplify the artistic side of me. Therefore, designing clutches represent to me much more than it seems to be. It is the realization of my inner self through matter. I make rectangular shapes, very straight very geometrical, and then add to them some “magic powder”, product of my artistic side - whether it is a particular pattern or a word that projects me to a specific context. And VOILA! I combined my love for fashion designing and mathematics.

FRENDY:  You say that your brand is an “Invitation to your Voyage," citing Charles Baudelaire, from Morocco to NY, via Paris and London. How do we learn about your story through your creations?

MELANIE:  Indeed, the names of the collections- Arabesque, Courtesy, Romance and Modernism- refer to my multi-stops journey. The “Arabesque” collection is an allusion to my Moroccan origins, both as an Andalusian (Spanish culture under Arab influence) from my mother, and as a Berber (Moroccan pre-Arab culture) from my father. The “Courtesy” collection is for the endless Londonian tea parties, which I attended for 3 months as I participated in an internship program with the Merrill Lynch bank, to warm up myself from the cold atmosphere. The “Romance” collection is inspired by the ten years I spent in Paris, its grandiose architecture, timeless fashion and gourmet food. Finally, the “Modernism” collection is for New York, the city I belong to, the city where I accomplish my dreams and where nothing seems impossible. 

FRENDY: It’s astounding how you’re handling full time mommy duties and entrepreneurship.  What’s your everyday schedule like?

MELANIE: I wake up everyday at 6am by the cheerful screams of my kids, re-energized from their night and eagerness to conquer the day. Then follows breakfast, dressing and school dropping. It’s now 10am. I have my first coffee break of the day at Starbucks, and immediately start dealing with the manufacturers and customers. Photoshoot scheduling, customer’s feedbacks to take into consideration, new ideas and inspirations to mark down, fixing the website, and more.

I make a quick stop at Whole Foods marketplace before going back home. It’s now time to organize the house and the dinner, to welcome the kids who are coming back from school. Mommy is busy from 3pm until the kid’s bedtime: fun at the park, playdate in the building’s playroom, shower, dinner and story time.

After an exhaustive day, I finally enjoy a peaceful one-on-one dinner with my husband before folding back my sleeves one more time and switching on my computer. From updating my social media and designing personalized orders, to preparing the next collection. I fill a milk bottle once in while.

FRENDY:  Do you visit your hometown often?

MELANIE:  Yes, at least once a year to refill my batteries and reconnect with my roots. It is also very important for me to go back home to enjoy some leisure time with my parents.

FRENDY:  I truly commend you for following your passion.  Do you have any words of encouragement for those who are reluctant to fully focus on accomplishing their lifelong goals?

MELANIE:  The key is to believe in your project. Be prepared to face some obstacles, to start over many times and to make mistakes. But never forget your primary motivations and your final goal.  Work hard and don’t lose hope or patience. People need your ideas out there.

Anabi Wasabi

“To all the ladies in the place with style and grace,” is how The Notorious B.I.G. kicked off his 1994 platinum-selling single, “Big Poppa.” Danielle Anabi wasn’t alive when the song initially released but she presently has the same swag as the women Biggie referred to.

Danielle is what you call a “rare gem” in the world of Instagram. With less than 5K followers, the Claremont, California beauty is silently bodying fits your #WCW wouldn’t dare to pull off. Whether in a pair of rare Air Jordan 1s or enthralling Vetements lighter heels, Anabi’s style effortlessly remains street yet chic.

But the sky wasn’t always sunny for Danielle. Before her parent’s astronomical success in the oil industry, the 21-year-old fashionista grew up residing in her grandparents’ home, with not only her mom and dad, but also aunts, uncles as well as younger siblings.  Anabi’s humble beginning fuels her drive to become the first member of her clan to graduate college.  As you can already infer, there is a deeper level to Danielle beyond her flashy exterior.

I recently sat down with Anabi to have a thorough discussion about her parent’s booming business, love of fashion, style and future goals. Check out our dialogue below:

FRENDY: Let me first confess that I’ve never heard of Claremont.  Can you fill me in (no Craig David)?

DANIELLE: Cozy Claremont! The city of trees and PhD's. It's a small college town, and a good place to grow up. However, it's a bit of a bubble to say the least.

FRENDY: Cozy Claremont? Sheesh! Sounds like everyone is walking around in pajamas! Were you born there?

DANIELLE: Born and raised. Then I migrated about two hours away to San Diego for college.

FRENDY: Awesome. What are you studying there?

DANIELLE: Yeah, San Diego is a nice change of scenery. I'm majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Arabic. Graduating next year.

FRENDY: Congrats! I know this is a huge deal for you and your family. Did you receive any sort of pressure from your parents to finish school?

DANIELLE: It definitely is a big deal for my family and I. Neither of my parents went to college, so being the first person in my family to attain a degree is a blessing.

Initially though, I'll admit, I didn't want to further my education. Many of the people I surround myself with have been able to achieve great success with only a high school diploma. However, I've also seen these people experience a great deal of setbacks because of the lack of a degree.

FRENDY: Good on you for deciding to stick with it. I was unable to finish college due to finances, but when there's a will there's certainly a way to make things work out. It's a bit “easier” to progress in life with a degree, so at least you’ll have a great accessory.

DANIELLE: I feel you. I have a lot of respect for people who are able to create their own success without having a degree to back them.

FRENDY: After graduating, are you going to work in the field you majored in or take part in your parent’s booming business?

DANIELLE: That's the million-dollar question. My major is certainly not my passion. However, I think college really contributed to my intellectual growth.

FRENDY: What is your passion then?

DANIELLE: My passion is Art, specifically in terms of fashion and design.

I feel like the meaning of "fashion" has sort of deteriorated over time, or rather has just changed immensely. But that's the beauty of it. Fashion can mean whatever the hell you want it to mean, and its meaning varies depending on so many complex things revolving around each individual. I love it.

FRENDY: Your dope sense of style clearly indicates that you have an immense fashion infatuation. How do you go about selecting an outfit?

DANIELLE: I really enjoy feminizing masculine pieces. I'd say that about 65% of my closet consists of statement menswear pieces that I wear daily, regardless the weather, occasion, etc. I also like to implement some sort of sophistication into my fits. It's hard to explain, but the best way to sum it up is attempting to add depth with style.

Overall, I think to really understand my style, you have to see that I'm not just fabric oriented. Styling is more than just cloth. Many people don't realize that fabric is the most external layer of what lies beneath.

FRENDY: I like that *DJ Khaled Voice*.  What are your favorite clothing lines right now? And what do you look for when purchasing a piece?

DANIELLE: My favorite brands change pretty frequently. It mostly depends on the designer and what their vision for the brand is.

I like when designers make me think and feel. Very few are able to perfect the balance of intellect and style, while still keeping true to their own identity. If they are able to implement themselves in their designs, rather than just conform to what's "trending,” it gives a sense of authenticity to the label. So when I do sense some sort of rawness, I cling to it. Because I believe the designer is the face of the brand, I spend a lot of my free time watching interviews and reading articles about what they have to say in order to get a feel of who they really are.  This helps me pinpoint what they're trying to convey in their designs.  Typically, I look for them to address why they chose specific concepts and what they mean to them as the designer.  It creates a certain type of genuineness that adds intellectual depth to their label. When designers do articulate these points, it usually touches me on an emotional level and makes me feel some sort of connection or attachment to their brand.  Once this bond is made, I ultimately feel inclined to purchase items because I value the individual's vision.

For example, Maison Margiela does an amazing job at perfecting, what I’d like to call “complex simplicity.”   I think I was about 15 when I discovered Margiela. He actually was the first figure who cultivated my love for fashion.  I saw how his designs were able to challenge the industry and change the meaning of "high fashion" altogether. Unlike other designers who constantly went out promoting themselves, Margiela refused to be photographed, interviewed, and even faxed people instead of meeting face to face.

His pieces truly captivate this aura about him. Creating a nameless, faceless brand, while still using your real name, was/is so cool to me. Made me feel something for sure, as I'm pretty reclusive myself. He gives me some inspiration when I think of how I would like my brand to be someday.

FRENDY: This might be a bit early to ask, but will your potential brand provide aesthetically sound streetwear pieces or the high luxury feel?

DANIELLE: Why not both? A streetwear brand can have luxury elements to it. However, I feel like by the time I decide to launch my brand, what we now know to be streetwear (as much as I love it), will be on the come down. Before I start getting heat for that statement, I guess I should define that by streetwear, I mean the trend-based nature of it today (a.k.a. track suits, athleisure, sportswear; being able to wear sweats to your wedding type shit).

Although there are so many new emerging brands right now that are specifically centered on being "street,” I don't see much longevity to it. This is because consumers dictate what's trending next... not the brands themselves. Take Off-White for example. I think Virgil is a prime example of streetwear-gone-vogue. He's able to comprehend that street style may just be a trend at the moment, and has elevated his brand with more sophisticated, luxury pieces in hopes to gain long term success.

FRENDY: Have you already thought of names for your brand yet?

DANIELLE: “Delusions of Grandeur,” which means a false impression of one's own importance. Clothing shapes how people feel. Typically when people buy expensive pieces that come with a high status and designer name, they feel like they're above others - more confident and cocky.

In short, people hide behind their clothes. Imagine investing in a brand, whose name alone contradicts the emotions you feel towards luxury items. I would want my brand to make people question their perceived self.

I haven’t really been able to take it too seriously with school and everything going on in my life right now. A lot of people ask me why I can't just juggle both, but when I put my name on something, you know I'm putting 100% of myself and time into it. I can't half ass it. I'm either all in or just not playing all together.

FRENDY: Since you’re so busy with school, do you still have time to shop for exclusive threads? 

DANIELLE: All I got is time! *Laughs*  Nah, I will admit, I do have a lot of good friends that help me get certain pieces. But really I'm pretty skilled at tracking down rare items myself. I guess I shouldn't be too proud about that. I'm just very drawn to the challenge of finding cool shit. I like knowing that I'm one of the few who has something. Makes me value it a hell of a lot more.

FRENDY: What are some of your grail pieces?

DANIELLE: *Laughs* Such a hard question. If I really had to pick just one... I would have to say my Gucci embroidered denim jacket with shearling on the inside. It was one of the most difficult pieces to hunt down--primarily because I wanted to have it first. In total, I waited around 6 months for it to come in because it wasn't actually made yet. Only a select few orders were being made, so it took awhile to get here from Italy.

Next in line would be my vintage Chanel pieces. I love vintage shit.  There’s always a story behind each piece.

FRENDY: Ever thought about becoming a Stylist in order to guide those who can’t quite pull off a fire fit?

DANIELLE: I actually am doing my first “styling” gig for a close friend's start up clothing brand. I'm not sure if I would want to be a stylist full time though. Why not reach for more?

FRENDY: True.  Who do you think has the best style in the game right now? And why?

DANIELLE: I would have to say A$AP Rocky. Not going to lie, I peep his fits often to get some inspiration for myself. As you could probably tell, I love mixing designer with street. Rocky executes that shit so well. Rather than wearing a whole Supreme suit or a full on Raf fit, I think it's all about mixing and matching different brands that compliment one another.

FRENDY: Are your parents aware of your deep longing to work in the fashion industry?

DANIELLE: I'm extremely close with my family. Their opinions matter the most in my eyes.

My parents are tremendously supportive about any goal my siblings or I have. I'm grateful to have role models like them in my life who encourage creativity, push me to achieve more, and teach me to be the best possible version of myself.

When I think about starting up a brand, my chief inspiration comes from my family and the experiences taken from my upbringing.

FRENDY: If you had to rock one outfit for an entire year, what would it be?

DANIELLE: Crazy hard question!  Probably my vintage Chanel velour tracksuit with my red satin Jordan 1s. Shit is way too cozy. *Laughs*

Tim's Epik Style

Buffalo isn’t necessarily known as a breeding ground for fashion icons but Tim Baldon is planning to change that.

Better known as Tim B, the 27-year-old Buffalonian is making waves in the industry as a Stylist.  What sets him apart is his knack for hunting down threads that accentuate the distinctive personalities of his patrons.  In 2011, Tim established a boutique agency, Epik Style, where he landed Lil’ Kim, one of Hip Hop’s most iconic figures, as his very first client just 3 months after its launch.  Since then, Baldon has continued to work with prominent players in the entertainment arena and even expanded his personal brand by making several TV appearances, including LALA’s Full Court Life and BET ’s classic music video countdown show 106 & Park.

Tim’s interest in fashion developed when he began watching rap videos at the age of 13. “At that age I started listening to Hip Hop--I was really into music videos and I would take note of what all the artists wore so I could buy those same items,” Baldon states. “The first thing I made my mother buy me was a shiny jean suit like the one Puff used to wear.”

The modish teenager’s newfound love instantly transformed into a full-blown passion, as he went on to major in Fashion Merchandising at Buffalo State College. During his freshman year, Tim interned for Michelle Ten (former Fashion Editor of The Source Magazine for six years) and fell so in love with the short-lived gig that he quit his college career soon after. Baldon confesses: “I ended up getting an assistant job my junior year so I dropped out, packed my bags and moved to New York City. I felt like hands-on experience was all the education I needed.”  Well, his decision sure proved to be beneficial.

I recently sat down with the thriving entrepreneur to discuss his life in Buffalo, wild college days, humble beginnings in the fashion industry and future goals. Check out our conversation below:

FRENDY:  First of all, what color was the shiny jean suit your mom bought you?

TIM:  It was metallic silver! *Laughs*

FRENDY:  *Laughs* No doubt! Besides Diddy, which other Hip Hop artists served as a fashion inspiration for you growing up?

TIM:  Kanye West was one of my biggest inspirations.  I also admired Pharrell and Andre 3000’s style, but hands down Kanye was one of my biggest inspirations.

FRENDY: Which part of Buffalo are you from? And how was it like growing up there? I honestly thought you were from Brooklyn!

TIM:  Everybody says that!  I don't know why, I guess I give off that Brooklyn vibe.

Growing up in Buffalo was cool.  I grew up in a city on the east side, which was a predominantly African-American community. Buffalo is very segregated; so on the east side you have Blacks, on the west side are Spanish and Puerto Ricans, North & South Buffalo is mostly Caucasian, as well as the suburbs. 

Buffalo definitely had its ups and downs but for the most part it taught me many life lessons and made me who I am today.  When I was younger Buffalo was full of life--it was a great place to live, but as I got older it started to become a ghost town.  But I always made the most of it and I'm glad I grew up there. Best part was College! *Laughs*

FRENDY:  Wow, I didn’t know it was segregated like that.  Did you experience any sort of racism?

TIM:  I've definitely experienced racism! I was always the type to venture off and explore, that's always been my thing.  I would encounter racism when I would go shopping in different areas and sometimes at work because I worked in the suburbs. My sister went to school out in the suburbs and we had a situation where she was called a n*gger but me and my father handled that situation.  So yeah I experienced it, but never in my community.

FRENDY:   Are there a lot of stores in your hometown that provide scorching streetwear and high-end gear?  If so, what are your favorite spots to shop?

TIM:  Yes, we had a few spots in Buffalo.  We had a store called Krudmart, Street Game, and Elmwood Village District.  They were all in an area similar to Soho, New York but not as many stores. We later got Urban Outfitters; I worked there for about 3 years.

FRENDY:  What are some of your favorite brands today?

TIM:  DSQUARED2, Public School, Alexander McQueen, Asos, Maison Margiela, and Hood by Air.

FRENDY:  How were you able to gain an internship as a freshman in college?

TIM:  We weren’t supposed to be interning but I just felt like I needed to get a head start on my career.  I didn't really care what the school said, I was always thinking about my career and where I wanted to go in it.

My first internship was amazing.  I interned with Michelle Ten--that experience gave me so much knowledge of the fashion industry and its inner workings.  It was a lot of work, but after interning with Michelle I knew that styling was exactly what I want to do.

FRENDY:  So she didn’t care about your undergraduate status?

TIM:  She did care, but I convinced her to let me intern with her. After my first summer with Michelle she hired me the following summer to be her summer assistant.

FRENDY:  Damn, your work ethic must of been epic! (no pun intended).

TIM:  *Laughs* I did everything she told me to do with a smile, even when I was tired to the point I couldn't keep my eyes open. I was so hungry to learn and gain knowledge about the industry.

FRENDY:  What was your first job when you moved to New York City?

TIM:  When I first moved to New York I was working with three stylists at one time Michelle Ten, Julie Matos and Crystal Street.  My duties included: emailing and contacting showrooms to pull clothes, picking up and returning clothes, organizing fashion closets, managing budgets, scouting shoot locations, managing interns and sitting in on meetings.

Basically, my job was to make by boss’ job easier so they can focus on the creative side and not worry about all the other details that goes into being a stylist.

FRENDY:  When did you meet Lil’ Kim?

TIM:  I met Kim in 2011 at her rehearsals for a tour she was doing in Africa. We have a mutual friend so she invited me to sit in on the rehearsal.

FRENDY: What set of events occurred that allowed you to work with her?

TIM:  We clicked from jump! I think it was because we had a mutual friend so she already had an idea of my personality.  When we initially met, we joked around about a few things and she invited me to come out to a party with her.  We’ve been friends every since.  A few months later she ended up parting ways with her stylist and my friend suggested that we try working together.

Kim gave me the opportunity to style her and my first gig was to dress her for her mother's wedding--let’s just say it didn't go so well!  But she gave me another opportunity to work with her on her birthday and we have been working together off and on every since.

FRENDY:  How long have you guys worked together?

TIM:  It's been five years now.

FRENDY:  Are you currently working with the Queen Bee?

TIM:  I do still work with Kim on and off.  Right now I’m doing commercial work for Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.

FRENDY:  Speaking of grinding, you did a great job on 106 & Park. How did that opportunity come about?

TIM:  Thanks man, I was so nervous!  It was my first time doing live television so my nerves were all over the place. A friend of mine named Sonya actually referred me. she was apart of Kim's PR team at the time and the producers at 106 were looking for a stylist to host a style segment on the show. She sent my portfolio to the producers and fortunately they contacted me to do a segment.   After the first segment they brought me back for two other segments. *brushes shoulder off*

FRENDY:  What does a stylist’s portfolio consist of?

TIM:  A stylist portfolio is like a tear sheet of all of the work you've done. It's like a resume but with pictures.

FRENDY:  How did you prepare for your big 106 debut?

TIM:  I actually had no prep time!  When they scheduled me the first time they canceled a few days later and when they rescheduled it they told me a day before, so I kind of had to wing it, and that made me even more nervous because I was reading off a Teleprompter and cue cards.

The first segment was a prom fashion show. 106 set up the fashion show and I gave style tips and spoke on what each model was wearing. For the other two segments it was more about celebrity fashion, what's hot/what's not and critiquing trends very similar to Fashion Police.

FRENDY:  What does your boutique agency offer?  And where can people reach you?

TIM:  We offer celebrity, editorial and commercial styling, personal shopping, and closet cleaning. I can be reached at: EpikStyle.com all of my contact info is listed on the site.

FRENDY: Who is on your wish list of people you would absolutely love to work with?

TIM:  I would like to work with Bruno Mars, Drake and Odell Beckham Jr.  That's who I'm currently after right now.

FRENDY:  Your parents must be very proud of what you’ve accomplished thus far. Were they supportive even in the midst of your decision to drop out of school?

TIM:  They were very supportive because they knew I had a plan.  They told me that I would have to work harder if I don't have a degree, but I already knew that.

FRENDY:  If fashion wasn’t an option, what would be your career of choice?

TIM: Fashion is the only option! I love making my clients feel good about themselves and being the best person they can possibly be.

Hosea's Ultimate Hustle

When you know what you want out of life at an early age, the faster it’ll be to manifest your deepest desires. The universe always provides­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­––especially when one’s eyes are fully focused on the prize.  While most 22-year-olds are gearing up to face the real world after four eventful years of college, Hosea Choga is already living an abundant life as a Developer.

Born and raised in Toronto, Hosea and his twin sister grew up in a home where real estate was at its very core. “My parents were always in the business growing up so it was always familiar to me,” he states. Choga’s father and mother are Zimbabwean immigrants who instilled in him the value of honest, hard work.  When Hosea was 13 he got his first job at Canada’s top coffee shop, Tim Horton’s.  Shortly after, the determined teenager decided to get right into the family business where he's been flourishing ever since.

I recently sat down with Choga to discuss his early beginnings in the real estate industry, biggest accomplishments and how exactly he’s enjoying the fruits of his labor.  Check out our conversation below:

FRENDY: The energy surrounding Toronto has surely grown since your days there as a child.  How do you feel about everything that’s transpiring?

HOSEA: The energy of the city is remarkable!  I feel like it was always there, but with Toronto getting more exposure globally it's more vibrant than ever. I'm really happy with everything that's happening, like a lot of people from Toronto are proud of it and you can make a name for yourself right here.  You don't have to go to New York for exposure.  We've really grown and people from other places are always curious about life in Toronto. We're such a diverse community––I grew up with people of completely different backgrounds, religions, color all just mixed into this city we call the “6.”

A lot of people in Toronto have a certain way of talking; it's almost like an accent if you're not from the city. It’s like a Jamaican, UK mixed with Canadian type of slang, which Drake kind of pushed in the spotlight. Most people will know if you're from Toronto based on your style, the slang and just the vibes it's pretty unique.

FRENDY: What a time to be alive in T Dot right? It’s funny because we’re having this convo literally right after Drake finally released his highly anticipated project, More Life. You must be motivated more than ever after listening to it.

HOSEA: Yes, I'm I am very motivated by Drake. I used to watch him on Degrassi and also watched him turn himself into a global superstar, while pretty much putting Toronto on the map in the music industry. I relate to his music because I feel like we're very similar people. I'm also a fan of the way he handles his brand and business. I've been listening to More Life non-stop!  It's cool to see someone that's from your city reach that level of success. He took a risk doing music and at the beginning people didn't really have a lot love for the guy.  Depsite it all, he remained true to his values and I respect that.

FRENDY: Since we’re on the topic of motivation, what compelled you to take a plunge into the real estate world?  Did your parents push you towards it?

HOSEA:  Because I was around it for so long, I really started to understand more and more about the business and just enjoyed the process. My parents always gave me the option to do whatever I wanted; I chose to do something I enjoyed. I guess for me you could say working on a development project can be compared to working on an album where you put in months of work, build from nothing and put an endless amount effort.  Furthermore, multiple people contribute to perfect the project.

FRENDY: That’s a great comparison. How old were you when you embarked on your journey as a Developer?

HOSEA: I started to take real estate seriously after high schooI-–I was 18. It wasn’t easy at first because I kind of watched all my friends go to school and do the whole college experience. But I’m grateful for the way everything turned out.

FRENDY: I could imagine how isolated you felt. What were your initial duties as a Developer?

HOSEA: I did a lot of property management when I was younger.  I really got experience dealing with different types of people. I try to create schedules, depending on timelines and costs, make sure everyone is aware of their roles and the time they have to complete each job, basically making sure everything is running smoothly. I also enjoy doing a little marketing as well.

FRENDY: Are you currently working on any big projects?

HOSEA: Yes, definitely working on some new projects in real estate and getting involved in tech also. I can't say too much but this is going to be a great year for me and I'm very humbled and grateful.

FRENDY: Nice! Hopefully we’ll get a part two of this going so you can finally unveil what the projects are. When you’re not hustling, what do you do for fun?

HOSEA: I definitely will!  My idea of fun is trying out different restaurants and traveling.  Basically just trying new things.  I also enjoy calling up a group of my close friends and just kicking back, joking around and whatever.

FRENDY: I took a quick look at your Instagram and to say that you’re low-key would be an understatement, though, I can tell you’re making major moves.  The best way to describe your account is “calm but heavy,” as Juan would say.

HOSEA: *Laughs* Yea that's exactly how I would describe it. I'm pretty private, I like to just to keep it relaxed and post whatever I think is cool at the time.  There's no real theme or anything, it's just me being myself.  But I definitely got some special things coming in the near future and I love using Instagram as platform to share.

FRENDY: Do you have any other passions besides being a Developer?  Are you heavily into fashion and music?

HOSEA: I wouldn't say I'm heavily into music and fashion but I'm definitely a fan of hip hop and trap music. I'm a fan of all the young kids coming up and making bangers.  People hate on them but they're good at the music they make, which is Trap.  Future I think is one of the greats of our time! Drake, PartyNextDoor and NAV have been on my playlist lately.

I'm into chill fashion--I'd say I think my style is pretty random.  Most days it's John Elliott with some Chelsea boots, and other days it's a Supreme hoodie with some Vans, or Palace with some Yeezys. Really all depends on the occasion...it could be a Fear of God flannel and some Visvims. Whatever vibe is for the day.

FRENDY: I feel you. You’re basically a chameleon when it comes to style.  It's safe to say that your hard work is allowing you to fully indulge in anything that you please––whether it's traveling or dining virtually anywhere. What advice do you have for those who desire to live a lavish lifestyle but have no idea how to actually get their funds up?

HOSEA: I feel like if you're doing anything at all, you should do it for yourself and not anyone else. I think patience is key, just keep putting in hard work and effort.  However you choose to reward yourself is up to you. I think you shouldn't really compare your life to anyone else's because everyone's situation is different, but if you're looking for inspiration and motivation I encourage that. I'd just say put in the work and everything will fall into place.

Shemoi's Big Move

In order to accomplish a great feat, sacrifice is needed. Whether it’s dedicating an ample amount of time to perfect a craft or cutting certain individuals off from your inner circle, a subtraction of some sort is necessary to enhance the chances of accomplishing a mission.  Shemoi Gidden did just that.

The 22-year-old Lensman departed from his comfort zone of NYC to soar with the stars in Los Angeles.  Shemoi’s move may sound a bit cliché, but his rapid success is truly something to behold.  In less than a year of living on the west coast, the Portland, Jamaica native has already photographed more celebs than all of the Paparazzis’ in SoHo combined! From snapping Instagram’s hottest sensations to multi-talented celebrities like Keke Palmer, Shemoi is well on his way to possibly become La-La Land’s very own version of Mario Testino.

I recently sat down with the thriving shutterbug to talk about his life in NYC, love for photography, the motivation behind his major relocation and find out exactly how he befriended all of these celebs.

FRENDY: Man, I am extremely proud of you. Your success thus far is not a big surprise to me because I saw something special in you ever since we first met at BAPE. How are you taking all of this in?

SHEMOI: Well, I’m taking it in pretty well. I’m basically speaking things into existence and then living them shortly after. If I tell myself that I’m going to be the greatest at what I do, believe it and have the drive for it, then it’s going to fall into place and eventually happen.

FRENDY: I totally agree with you. When we initially got acquainted 4 years ago, you clearly expressed your passion for taking photos. When did your love for photography actually begin?

SHEMOI: I fell in love with photography when I came across a famous photographer named 13th Witness on Instagram around 2012. I fell in love with his work because he had an uncanny method of capturing a photo in a way that it draws your attention to every detail.  He inspired me so creatively and I realized that shooting photos isn't just about capturing an image, it’s about giving that image a certain character and lifestyle to it .

FRENDY: What was the first camera you started shooting with?

SHEMOI: I started off with a Canon t2i. After making some good money I ended up getting a Canon 7D.  I hated that one so I saved up to buy a Canon 5d mark III.  Now I shoot with a Canon 5d mark III, mark II, Sony a7s for video and the big boy himself a Canon 1dx mark II.

FRENDY: Are there any specific features you look for when purchasing a camera?

SHEMOI: Basically full frame and fps for video. You need both for everything.

FRENDY: You’re originally from Jamaica and I know how skeptical Caribbean parents can be when their child has an urge to go down the “risky” creative path.  Did you receive any sort of criticism from your parents about your dream to become a professional photographer?

SHEMOI: Oh, my mom didn’t take me serious one bit!  I tried my best to show her that my career choice can take me places, but she wouldn't budge. It only took for me to pack up my things, leave the house and move to state where I was completely alone for her to see that I mean business.

FRENDY: Much respect for taking that bold step. When did you move out West?

SHEMOI: I moved out on January 1st, 2017. I literally did a “new year, new me“ at the time and I only told 3 people I was leaving.  My mom was included in the 3.

FRENDY: Yeah, I had no clue you left for California until I saw you consistently take new pics in a sunny, palm tree-filled setting *Laughs*.  Did you have any connections in LA prior to moving there?

SHEMOI: Yeah, I felt like I went to the wrong state all my life . LA is where I should of been years ago because I wasn’t happy at all in New York to be honest.  I wasn’t around people that were willing to take risk or ambitious like how I am. It was the biggest turnoff to me about NYC.

I met people in the year of 2015 that kept on telling me to move to LA until i was just like, fuck it, it won't hurt.

FRENDY: Those people were New Yorkers or Californians?

SHEMOI: Californians.

FRENDY: So since moving to New York at the tender age of 6, you felt like you didn’t belong there?

SHEMOI: Well, at the time growing up I didn’t know my worth until my high school days.

I never knew I was going to move to LA but people just said that I belonged in LA all this time because of how happy I’ve been since I moved here.

FRENDY:  I’m guessing you didn’t leave any real friends behind in New York?

SHEMOI: It's not about having real friends. I had to figure myself out not just as a person, but also a businessman.  I needed to make sure that I’m on the right path and if someone was my friend they would understand why I moved and look it as motivation. This world is tough and I’m all about helping people, but I can’t help people when I need to help my self. All I want in life is to be killing it and look over to the side and see my brothers killing it. And as harsh as this may sound I have to go by my word that I can't be around you if you’re not driven by anything, because that can bring me down. The last thing I want in my life is to impede my development.

FRENDY: What do you love about LA (besides the babes, of course)?

SHEMOI: Man what is there not to love about LA , opportunities is just in arms reach , it only took me a month to meet people that were already on, like really on. All it takes here is for you to just meet one person that believes in you, and wants to help you with your aspirations and dreams.

FRENDY: What sets of events occurred that allowed you to work with so many Instagram stars and celebs?

SHEMOI: I was introduced to a man named Eric Galen, who is the one guy that believed in me to start it all. He's very well connected, and a lot of his clients are the biggest influencers and celebrities I wouldn't even dream of meeting but he makes it all happen.

FRENDY: Do you remember your very first shoot in LA?

SHEMOI: Yeah man, I could never forget that! Before moving to LA I was prepping myself to shoot for Zanerobe, and I thought it was a good idea to change the scenery and go out to the desert . We brought out jeeps, drones, real katanas, etcs we did a lot that day.

FRENDY: Who is your favorite subject to shoot thus far?

SHEMOI: I don't have a favorite subject to shoot -- I think it's better to say I like to capture the lifestyle of a subject. I feel like my photos tell you a lot about the person I shoot just on the way how I center the person in the image to focus the viewer's eyes, giving the intimacy of the subject and the viewer.

FRENDY: I saw that you just came back from the first weekend of Coachella 2017.  Did you go for work or leisure?

SHEMOI: Ah man! Coachella, Coachella, Coachella I look forward to that weekend for so many reasons.   It's mainly for the connection aspect of it and you also get to meet some of this biggest artist that kills the game on a more personal level.  Plus you get to make money depending on your profession.

FRENDY: How long are you planning on living in the City of Angels?

SHEMOI: LA is my home now, I can't see myself living in New York anymore.  If you fly first class on a regular basis, would you go back to flying coach? I definitely won't!

FRENDY: Without photography, where do you think you would be in life?

SHEMOI: I'll prolly be lost!  Still in school, hating life and going by the same routine for a long period.

FRENDY: What can we expect from you in the near future?

SHEMOI:  It's for me to know and you to find out brother. *Laughs*

Not Your Average Hypebeast

With a quick scroll down Angelo Nitsopoulos’ Instagram, one can instantly get a sense of his expensive taste. But there has to be more to him right?  Other than the quick cameos on his clique’s hilarious insta stories and vlogs, not much is revealed about the sporty Toronto, Ontario native. Well, that’s why I’m here.

Let’s take a look inside the real world of Angelo and find out about his immense love for hockey, fledgling business, spending habits and why he looks so damn pissed all the time.   Peep my exclusive interview with him below:

FRENDY:  I must say it’s quite incredible to witness how close you are with Kai and Levi.  Nowadays, not many can proclaim they are tight with even a handful of people.  How did you meet them?

ANG:  So, I met the guys during the winter of 2014.  At the time, Levi and an old acquaintance had a men's hockey team called The Trillers and a buddy of mine told me I should go play with them. So I hit up Levi and said if you ever need players let me know. A week later I was playing my first game with them. I walked into the dressing room, turned to my left and saw the “5’3” kid who said to me, “ Here sit here Angelo”. As if I had never been in a hockey dressing room in my life. Levi was sitting across from me, looking like a pro MMA fighter flooded with tats (I was a bit intimidated).

My first game with them was amazing! I scored three goals. So throughout our hockey team that's how myself and Levi hung out. Kai never played hockey at all so he was never around the rink unless he was pretending to coach us. I would always hear stories about him though. I met Kai on our first trip to NYC and boy what a story/trip that was.  That's when my passion for fashion really began and I instantly switched my look. Happy I met them though, I never had any siblings so they taught me a lot about things. When I was 18-19 they took me on some crazy experiences that most kids don't get to do, so they are kind of like older brothers in a way for the most part.

FRENDY:  That’s a pretty epic story. I assumed you knew them for way longer than 3 years.  What was your “look” before your fashion awakening?

ANG:  Yeah, I mean friendship grows pretty quick when you hang out as often as we do. OMG, my look I don't even want to talk about *Laughs*. To be honest I didn't even have a look. I guess I could say it was the “hockey style.” Long hair, sperry boat shoes, golf shorts and a V-neck t-shirt, which makes me cringe thinking about it. I didn't even really take fashion seriously; I would wear sweatpants every day, whatever shirt I found in my room and just went about my day. I was too focused on my hockey career at the time and didn't care how I dressed outside the rink. I knew what Yeezys were and what not but never had a clue on how to get them or even knew they were so limited. But to say the least, my look was terrible *Laughs*.

Looking back at what I wore then compared to now is like a two year old messing up all his toys when he is pissed off.  That's the best way to look at it. Its funny thinking back at it, I would get so excited to wear these pants that don’t even fit right or shoes that don’t even go with the fit and thinking “wow this is sick,” when it's really god awful.

FRENDY:  Aw man, I needed that good laugh. Do you remember your very first fire fit?

ANG:  I do remember it actually, but I wouldn't say it was fire. I would say my first favorite fire fit is my Supreme patchwork outfit with my Red Octobers *Laughs*. I was so happy when I got the sweat suit in the mail. Most will say it's ugly but half the world tried to buy it and failed miserably.  That Aside, it really is a crazy piece. The hoodie and pants are both hand-made with different patches. Most don't understand that, they just see a “grandma-like table cloth” because they don't understand it. The Red Octobers were worn just so I could be over the top.  Shout out to Mike at 'On The Arm' in Vegas who plugged me with it too. My favorite thing is wearing either full tracksuits or full sweatsuits as you can probably tell.  I don't really care what people think, I don't buy clothes for people I buy them for me.

FRENDY: How long have you been playing Hockey? Was it your goal to turn pro growing up?

ANG: I guess most people on Instagram don't follow me for hockey, I never post anything related to it. I started skating at around three years old and started playing hockey at four, which is really young. I've played for 17 years and counting and won't ever stop playing for fun. It’s every kids dream and goal to play in the NHL.  I went to PEAC, which was a private hockey school. All we did was skate, train four hours a day and screw around in class. I kid you not, a teacher quit because we “stressed her out” too much.

Our team was unstoppable, our first line was, Ho Sang, Mcdavid, Subbans and so many more it was hilarious.  We didn't lose all year and wasn't allowed in tournaments. I was talented but as I got older I slowly lost interest in the game and at 18 decided to stop playing competitively. I will say though I don't regret any of it, hockey taught me a lot about certain things in life.  Most of my best friends play in the NHL so it's cool to see them succeed and because of that I still get to be apart of the game somehow.

Once you play hockey and are born into the hockey world you never really get away from it. Hockey gets my mind off things when I can't find a piece of clothing that I want *Laughs*. I never would have thought when I was 15 that at 19 I would be addicted to fashion. Thank the guys for that one.

FRENDY:  Here comes the million-dollar question: when you’re not copping the finest threads or slithering on the ice, what is it that you do for a living to remain so fresh?

ANG:  *Laughs* Yeah the million-dollar question that people are soooooo curious to know. Never really understood why people have to ask that nonstop. From now on I'm just going to say “yeah, I won the lottery in grade 6, kept it quiet though.

FRENDY: What are some your favorite brands right now?

ANG: Yeah, they probably won’t to be honest *laughs*. My favorite brands...well obviously you can tell I like Supreme. I also have other labels in my closet, people think I’m a hypebeast and just wear one particular brand.  I have a lot of Saint Laurent; their jackets I own are my favorite pieces. The detail on them and the way they look is crazy! I also have Haider Ackermann items that I like a lot, wouldn’t say its my favorite brand though. Bape obviously, I had a crazy Bape phase where I was just copping from them non stop but I kind of got sick of it. Stone Island is really comfy to wear; I got a bunch of that. I honestly have most brands you can think of. I just hate when people say “Nits you’re a hypebeast.”

My take on that is at the end of the day most people in fashion, besides the people creating, are hypebeasts in their own special way. Just because I have a Supreme item that everyone wants I automatically get identified as a “hypebeast.”  It’s ok in my opinion if someone buys a piece of clothing that an artist or influencer may have worn first.  Unfortunately, most consider that as being “hype”.

When you see someone wear a piece that you like, why not buy it for yourself? Nothing wrong with that at all but most people get mad and call it hype. I don't know, maybe they’re just jealous. Either they don't have access, have a plug to get an exclusive item or simply just can't afford it, which is totally understandable! I feel blessed that I am able to purchase things I like and have never been the type to bring someone else down because they can’t get something.  I'm not going to lie and pretend I don't like things that are hyped, there's a meaning behind it. Most of Supreme’s prized pieces have some sort of unique backstory, which is another reason why that brand is so strong.  At the end of the day, people call me a hypebeast but deep down inside they all wish they were able to cop what I got.

FRENDY:  Which sneakers are in your constant rotation?

ANG:  I wear APLs all the time. Shout out to Adam and Ryan! Jordans for sure, bred 1’s, royal 1’s, all the 1’s really.  I used to wear Yeezys a lot but its getting saturated in the market now. I try to stay away from wearing them all the time.  If I get a pair early, I’ll throw them on.  I really like my Nike Presto x Acronymkicks, they’re extremely comfy and their colorways.   Last but not least, my Air Max 98 ’s. I never really got in to the Adidas NMD wave.

FRENDY:  Who do you feel has the best style in the entertainment industry right now?

ANG:  A$AP Rocky.  I respect him because he barely wears what’s “in."  The guy literally flies to Japan to buy brands nobody knows about so you have to respect that.  He started so many trends it’s insane!  He is always ahead of the game and steps outside the box.

FRENDY:  On one of your recent insta stories, I saw you were putting your followers on to alot of rising brands. How often are you researching for potential new gear?

ANG: Yes I was, people don't understand that I’m young and got into this just a few years ago.  Most of them will say I am a “culture vulture” but I am the furthest thing from that. So for those reading just know I spend hours daily looking at what's up and coming in fashion. I will literally sit on my computer and log on to Japanese sites that aren’t even written in English and Google translate it to read articles on what's next. 

If we want to talk about Supreme culture, I literally learned about each season, each piece and so on. Till this day I am researching meanings behind their pieces. So no, I did not just see Supreme and decided to hop on buying stuff for fun.  I put the effort into learning about it, which most do not do. That's what a culture vulture does, buys stuff to say they have it and not know anything about the brand’s ethos. I hate that. Daily, I am always looking for new stuff to get and new brands that people don’t know about. Aaron will always we call me and say, “let me guess researching?” I enjoy doing it.  It’s fun to learn about upcoming stuff and their origins.

FRENDY:  Since your passion for fashion runs deep, did you ever think about fully diving into the industry with your own brand or investing in one that you really believe in?

ANG:  No, probably not.  I am to busy with ProLocker and other stuff. I rather support brands by buying their clothes, never really thought about creating my own but who knows maybe I could do it.   I definitely put the time into researching about it.

FRENDY:  You have the money, cars and clothes but is there a special lady out there you’re sharing it all with?

ANG:  *Laughs* Well I definitely don't have it all.  There are way more important things in life than money, cars and clothes. In terms of special ladies, I am single but have a one on the radar. Once you get a girl, “you have to put her in designer,” as Future says. The guys always make fun of me though by always saying “Nits brings the tings to Fring’s”.

FRENDY:  That’s hilarious.  Well I’m sure there are tons of tings who are willing kick it for a day...or couple of months.  Since you’re always in the latest gear, is it a requirement for them to have a sense of style or it doesn’t really matter?

ANG:  * Laughs* Actually yes I if I were to date a girl I would want her to be into fashion like I am. She doesn't have to wear the latest stuff but definitely needs her own sense of style 100%. It’s always cool to have a girl that can relate to what you like. At the end of the day though it's not everything! But yes I would prefer it.

FRENDY:  For sure, it’s all about being on the same frequency. Man, it was a pleasure having this conversation. Looking forward to see what you and the fellas will get into next.  One more thing I need to know before we end though, if you were stranded on a desert island what three things would you bring?

ANG:  Likewise! If I were stranded on an island the three things I would bring is a boat to get off the island, food, and a laptop with 4G so I can stay up to date with gear.  Stay Woke!

Beauty Behind The Garments

A few months back, I deleted my old Tumblr account and decided to start things fresh with my newly found “Frendy Vibes ” flow.  While skimming through various pages on the popular social networking site, I would regularly stumble upon numerous photographs of a uniquely striking female.  Ok, most of you are probably thinking, “Duh! its Tumblr, tons of hot girls are scattered on there,” but this particular fashionista was extremely consistent with her stylish aesthetic. 

Remaining true to my investigative nature, I tracked down the beauty to find out who she really is behind the meticulous garments.  Check out my exclusive sit-down with her below:

Frendy:  Pardon my ignorance, but I honestly thought “Maki Rolls ” was your real name at first.  What is the meaning behind your Instagram handle?

Alice:  *Laughs* Alot of people call me Maki and the worst part is I respond to it! My name is Alice. Everything was taken so I had to come up with something different. I remember sitting on my bed last September thinking I love sushi, and I guess “Maki Rolls” just came to my mind. A lot of people don't know what a Maki Roll is (which surprises me every time,) but it's actually just the round sushi pieces that are wrapped in seaweed.

Frendy: Where are you originally from? And how was life growing up there?

Alice:  I was born in Yancheng, China. It's a city two hours south of Shanghai. I moved to Toronto, Canada when I was 6 and then New Hampshire, USA a year later.  I barely remember anything from life in China and Canada, so I just say that I grew up in Nashua. I lived there from the age of 7-15, and then moved to Europe (Oslo, Norway) from 15-present. 

Life in Nashua was pretty normal (at least to the onlooker.) Living the whole American dream with a house, dog and a fence in a nice neighborhood. I was the biggest nerd and had perfect grades in school. My personal and private life was a whole different story though.

Frendy: Did your love of fashion come about at an early age?

Alice:  I've always really liked clothes since I can remember. I didn't start being "stylish" until I moved to Oslo and I definitely never thought of taking a career path in fashion until earlier this year actually.  I was taking courses for my Masters in Finance thinking I was going to be an investment banker.  One day, I just realized that I'm actually a creative person and wanted to work with clothes, so I immediately quit Masters school.

Frendy:  What did your parents think when you stopped going to school for your Masters degree?

Alice: They were pretty shocked at first, but at the same time both my mom and stepdad have been a bit of adventurers themselves when they were young. They've gone out and explored the world before they settled anywhere. And that's what I'm doing. So they get it. 

Frendy: For those who are not aware, what is your occupation?

Alice:  Right now, I'm working as a consultant for a brand based in LA, in both brand management and creative direction. I also do freelance styling. Most would also say I'm a blogger, but since I don't have a blog, I guess I'm an Instagram influencer.

Frendy: Can you recall your first big break in the fashion world?

Alice: What I'm doing now is my first big opportunity I would say. Building a brand together with someone, having a load of responsibilities. It gives me real experience in all aspects of the field.

Frendy: Have you faced any sort of discrimination as a female in such booming industry?

Alice:  No, I actually feel that being a female in the streetwear scene dominated by dudes makes you stand out more. I've never worked with streetwear, I just wear it a lot and have a lot of friends in the scene.

Frendy: You recently moved to LA. Was it work-related or simply because you desired a change of scenery?

Alice:  I’m here for a few months first and see what’s up. It was both work-related and because I needed a change. I fell in love with LA during my first visit in October and had to come back!

Frendy: Public transportation is certainly not effective in Los Angeles as it is here in New York, are you able to maneuver in your new home without great hassle?

Alice:  Oh yeah, definitely. People don't use public transportation here-ubers are super cheap, and usually for work meetings I get picked up in the morning so that's not a hassle at all. I live in West Hollywood so it's a five minute drive to everything.

Frendy: You have an incredible, natural sense of style.  Do you undergo an intricate process to choose the perfect outfit?

Alice:  Not at all…I just put on whatever I feel goes together. People probably think I spend hours picking out my outfits but I really spend 10 minutes max.

Frendy: Your knowledge of the fashion industry is equally impressive as your striking look.  How important is it for someone to know the backstory of a particular label or fashion house?

Alice:  To be honest, I know very little about any particular label or designer. I feel that lot of people who have been in fashion for a while (especially high fashion,) and have gone to fashion school know every single detail and history about designers. They take it very seriously.  I just haven't been in the industry long enough to really "care" yet.

Frendy: What are some of your favorite brands right now?   And what exactly makes you so fond of them?

Alice:  My favorite is Gosha Rubchinskiy, simply because the brand provides quality garments that are worth every penny.  Also, everything about the line is dope af, from the aesthetics to the models.

Y Project, Alyx Studios, G.V.G.V, Enfants Riches Deprimés are up there too. For me to like a brand, I need to be captivated by the way it is presented. It's not even about the design of each piece but the whole brand universe.

Frendy: Music and fashion go hand in hand. What sounds inspire you the most?

Alice:  I wouldn't say I'm inspired by music like that...but either Travis Scott's new album and The Weeknd's new album Starboy, is literally on repeat all day.

Frendy: I’m asking this question on behalf of all the fellas out there: do you have a particular type? Is it necessary for him to be a ‘fashion head’ in order to gain your undivided attention?

Alice:  No, I don't have a particular type, but I do like someone who can intellectually stimulate, challenge and inspire me. I would want someone that "gets it," and I feel very few do.

Yes, he would need to have good style to have my attention *laughs* I would prefer someone who wasn't fully submerged in the fashion scene just because it's already such a small world, and I want to learn different aspects of life from someone.

Frendy: What would you like to say to all the girls who are trying to work in the fashion field, but have absolutely no clue of how to get their feet wet?

Alice:  I get this question almost every day in my email and dm. People think there is only that one "correct" way, but there are countless options. There are so many degrees and backgrounds you can take: Marketing/PR, architecture, graphic design, business, art, design. 90% of people in fashion never even went to fashion school.

Also, put yourself out there! Instagram is a GREAT tool for showcasing your work or just sense of style/mood boards. Like they say, “Instagram is the new CV.”

Frendy: One last question, which do you prefer: Skittles or Starburst?

Alice:  SKITTLESSSSS.

Aaron's World

BAPE NYC served as a medium to encounter so many incredible people.  From iconic entertainers and fashion gods to multi-millionaire businessmen, the second floor of the ‘Busy Workshop’ was my personal space for meeting sessions with them all.

I’ve had several moments of forgetfulness when dealing with certain past acquaintances. In some cases, my attentive silence during a conversation was just my way of trying to figure out who I was actually speaking to (no offense, of course).

Aaron is surely not on my list of Forgettables.  The stylish Canadian has been a loyal BAPE customer ever since my Omarion braid days.  A year before my departure from Nigo’s former fashion empire, Aaron stopped by the shop to cash out (per usual). That was my first time seeing him in ages, so we definitely reminisced and since then remained in contact through social media.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover he had quite a strong following on the Internet.

Aaron’s nonchalant showing of his splendid lifestyle online prompted me to have a sit-down with him to dig a little deeper into his wonderful world.  There’s always more than what meets the eye, so this will be a perfect chance to really understand the man behind the grandeur. Enjoy!

FRENDY: Alot of people may know you strictly from Instagram where your flex fits and lavish lifestyle are on full display. What are some of the biggest misconceptions about you?

AARON: One of the biggest misconceptions about me is that I only buy and like "expensive" things. That is 100% false. I am a resourceful and smart shopper. Rarely do I ever buy things at retail, and if I do pay retail; chances are I sell some things that I don't wear anymore to help make closet space. I never just go blow money for no reason. I'm not the type of person to buy something just to flex on Instagram and then end up selling it the day after. If you scroll all the way down on my Instagram to the first few photos, you will see that I've been wearing and copping fresh shit from the start. I'm not new to the streetwear/fashion culture. I've been on ISS since 2007 and did not suddenly start buying gear since Instagram started. I actually kind of hate this new Instagram hypebeast culture because I know over 90% of these guys you see "flexing" don't know shit about the history of sneaker/streetwear game and just started buying because they can get some likes. If you notice on my pics, I never tag brands or use hashtags. That shit is wack and just shows you how bad these people care about getting more followers & likes from the shoes or clothes that they are wearing. You can smell the corniness of people through the iPhone screen from their 20 hashtags and 15 tags. 

FRENDY: Which part of Canada are you from exactly?

AARON: I'm from Toronto, Canada. 6ix side let it fly.

FRENDY: What was your childhood like there?

AARON: My childhood was sports 24/7. I played competitive AAA hockey from 9 till I was 14. Then I changed to competitive tennis from 14 to 18. I was playing a lot of tournaments and was training almost every day. Balancing school, sports, and work was hard for me because the hours were insane. I remember having to bring my tennis bag with me into Champs Sports on some days because I didn't have time to go home. I would go straight from the tennis courts to the mall and clock in for my shift. Champs taught me a lot about time management though.

FRENDY: The last time I saw you at my old workplace you were with a couple of friends, 2 of which included the famous Bent-Lee brothers. How long have you known them for?

AARON: I've known the Bent-Lee brothers since I was 14. We all played tennis growing up so we would see each other at tournaments all the time. Me and Kai have had some crazy battles throughout our OTA (Ontario Tennis Association) careers. A lot of broken rackets and questionable calls happened. We also all went to the same high school together, Vaughan Road Academy. To be 100% honest with you, Kai was the first person that influenced me in the sneaker game. He would always show up with a brand new pair of Nike SB's. He was on that shit early during the pink box era. 

FRENDY: Can you tell me about Fring’s?

AARON: Fring's is that place in Toronto where you can get an amazing meal and feel like you're somewhere else in the world. The vibe of the restaurant is like no other in our city. Where else can you eat oysters and chicken sliders while listening to trap music? 

FRENDY: Since we’re on the subject of restaurants, what are some of your favorite spots to dine in?

AARON: The majority of my favorite spots are actually in NYC. I think Ben's Pizza in SoHo is one of the best I've had! J.G. Melon's on 3rd & 74th makes a crazy cheeseburger. Minetta Tavern's "Black Label" burger is on point as well. I'm a big burger guy so of course I love Shake Shack. But, I think In N Out is better. 

FRENDY: I’m sure tons of people are dying to know so I’ll just go ahead and ask; what is your occupation?

AARON: I own ProLocker.com. We are currently going through re-development right now, but be on the lookout for the new launch. 

FRENDY: You’re a pretty fly fella; do you have any interest in entering the fashion realm?

AARON: I am actually helping my boy open up a fashion boutique in Toronto. I just want to help bring a unique shopping experience to the city. The shopping up here is not the greatest, so it would be great to have a refreshing spot.

FRENDY: What are some of your favorite brands at the moment?

AARON: My favorite brands are APL, Saint Laurent, BAPE, Supreme, Fear of God, Balmain and John Elliott.

FRENDY: I see that you’re an avid traveler.   Out of the many places you have been globally, which is your favorite?

AARON: The best place I've been to has to be Italy. The food is just so good out there. Best meals I've had are all in Italy. The culture over there is very laid back and easy going.

FRENDY: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

AARON: In 10 years I see myself feeling good, living better.

FRENDY: Thank you for taking the time to shed more light on your life.  Are there any last words you’ll like to leave with the readers?

AARON: Stay humble, stay hungry. We are all just trying to live better than yesterday.

Photos by: Omair Khan

Elisabeth Hadida

The Internet has a wonderful way of connecting souls beyond the physical plane. I personally became E-Friends with a slew of people that I’m patiently waiting to encounter in real life. One of those distant yet remarkable individuals is the glamorous Elisabeth Hadida.

The Parisian Fashionista was introduced to me through Instagram.  At the time, my photographer Erick Hercules and I initially embarked on our levitation spree, and she just so happened to catch a glimpse of the ethereal shots. Fascinated by them, Elisabeth followed me on the app.  I abruptly returned the favor after viewing her lavish feed, filled with amazing landscapes of Paris and exclusive fashion content.  More than just obtaining a keen vision, I later discovered how much of a great person Elisabeth actually was after our conversations.  We connected so well she bought my FRNDY LMRN™ Logo Tee without me having to persuade her one bit!

Having such an amazing personality and even richer spirit, Elisabeth left me no choice but to share her story with you all.  Allow me to introduce, the original "Balenciaga Mama."

FRENDY: You have an interesting last name. What exactly is your background?

ELISABETH: My family is from North Africa.  My parents migrated to France with absolutely nothing.  They met each other thanks to a mutual friend and have been together ever since! It was the best image of love I could witness as a child.  Since both of them built their careers from scratch in Paris, they taught me the value of hard work, tolerance and sharing.  I will always be thankful for that.

FRENDY: What was it like to grow up in the city of love?

ELISABETH: I feel blessed to be born in Paris! It’s truly a magical city, steeped in history. I grew up with an array of people from various countries and origins.  As a child, I was lucky to know different cultures without the need to leave my country. I think it's a gift that every new generation born in France should acknowledge everyday!

FRENDY: Your positive energy is always bursting through my phone screen whenever we converse.  What values were instilled in you as a young girl that allowed such magnificent aura?

ELISABETH: Well, Thank You *Blushes*. It was friendship-at-first-sight with you!  To be honest, it’s really difficult to talk about myself in such a way without being seen as pretentious.  I rather learn about others than rambling about myself, but thank you for the kind words Frendy!

FRENDY: Your love of fashion runs deep. When did it begin?

ELISABETH: I was seven years old when my dad began bringing me to his men’s clothing store. The shop was absolutely incredible to me!  I spent my time playing dress up with the numerous amounts of threads and accessories available. I loved to wear men’s pieces even when I was young, which now explains my obsession with androgynous looks rather than feminine ones.

My father taught me everything about fashion.  I learned how to trade and even recognize a man’s size as soon as a client entered the door (it was very helpful).  My father was and still is the Master of Fashion in my eyes *laughs*.

FRENDY: Who are your style inspirations?

ELISABETH: I really like to mix different kinds of brands -- from luxury to mass market, and from women’s dress code to men’s style.  I do not have any specific inspirations; my main goal is to wear something that makes me feel comfortable, but always different from an actual fashion trend.

My weakness is vintage clothes. They are very dangerous for my bank account!  When pieces have a past, the attraction is stronger for me.

FRENDY: It would be a dream come true for most people I know to work for Balenciaga.  How is it like working in the headquarters of the luxury fashion house?

ELISABETH: Yes indeed! I know how blessed I am to wake up every day and go to work for this brand.  The best quote that can sum up the way I see my work life is, “choose a job that you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Balenciaga was the brand I chose amongst all the others because of its history and uniqueness.  The product, either RTW or accessories, stands out for it's avant-garde qualities and beauty.

The fashion house is like a little family.  You learn to grow, sometimes fall but will always have someone or something to help innovate and find a solution.  That's why I've remained there for seven years now!

FRENDY: When did you start working there?

ELISABETH: Well, I started in 2010. My bosses granted me a great opportunity to make such a huge step in my career. I will always be thankful because they gave me a shot as I was coming from a mass-market industry. It was a daring bet *Laughs*. I have the chance to grow up by their side and they teach me alot everyday.

FRENDY: What is your role in the company?

ELISABETH: I am the Europe Senior Buying Manager.  I select all the products that will be offered in stores in each country (France, UK, Italy, Spain and Germany) for men, women, accessories and RTW. 

It’s also a great opportunity to work in retail because it allows me to be connected with many departments, such as the press office, studio, merchandising and production. Basically we never get bored!

FRENDY: Would you ever branch out and create your own line?

ELISABETH: In fact, when I was pregnant I found it very difficult to wear something cool and I thought, “wow! I can really create a line of stylish maternity clothes”. There is so much to do in this industry, but I know my limits and unfortunately I do not have an entrepreneurial spirit.  I don’t have the shoulders to start from scratch, especially in this new competitive fashion world.

FRENDY: Apart from the world of Fashion, you are happily married and have a wonderful bundle of joy.  Is it difficult to be a family woman while working at such a fast-paced industry?

ELISABETH: Well…yeah! Nobody knows how hard it is to have a baby until they actually have one of their own * laughs *. I really think it’s an everyday struggle for businesswomen.  However, my mum was the best example of having an impressive career with two children.  She is the one who taught me the most about finding a balance between family and the professional life.  She was always there as a mother but also as a working girl!

FRENDY: I see that you love traveling whenever you have a break from work.  What’s the best place you’ve visited around the world?

ELISABETH: I am very lucky to have married a globetrotter!  The best place I’ve visited is Japan.  We did a big trip around many cities for our honeymoon--from Tokyo to Okinawa, through Kyoto, Hiroshima…

It was so amazing to learn about the Japanese culture.  They are so respectful and kind.  I was impressed by their landscapes and way of life.  I’ll definitely go back.

FRENDY: What advice would you give those who are interested in entering the fashion business?

ELISABETH: The fashion business has changed a lot since I entered it 10 years ago.  I chose to go to business school and obtain an English Business diploma in order to build a strong profile.  I really think it’s important to have this kind of basis to understand the complexity of the fashion industry.

But above all, passion is truly the key to success.

FRENDY: Thank you so much for your time Elisabeth. I hope my readers caught a glimpse of your wonderfulness. Any last words?

ELISABETH: Yes, thank YOU Frendy for giving me the opportunity to talk about my experience and I hope to have lived up to the expectations of your many readers.

I prefer to let “Frendy Speak ” now * laughs *.

Photos by: Jonathan Hadida & Nicolas Chauveau

Dillon Hughes For FRNDY LMRN

Those who follow me on Instagram will remember my historical Frendy's Bape Couch Countdown  hashtag, where I sat down next to all of the beautiful people that showed me extreme support throughout my years at Nigo’s former brainchild.  One of the stand out individuals featured is my lil’ bro Dillon Hughes whom I refer to as Beizus (an inside joke made from his similar traits to Justin Beiber combined with his immense love for Kanye West).  I have known the budding creative for about 3 years now and his growth is truly commendable.

Born in Long Island, Dillon grew up in a stimulating environment.  He states, “my parents were constantly playing music or movies growing up. Their musical taste ranged from Jimi Hendrix to RUN DMC.  They would have me watch old school movies and documentaries on anyone, from James Dean to Muhammad Ali”.  Furthermore he added, “my parents supported me in all of the outlets I was involved in. All of the hardworking/creative mindset they embodied has had a huge influence on me.”

The strong support system that Dillon was blessed to have led him to become the free-spirited trendsetter he is today. Biezus now runs DillonHughes.com which serves as his very own hub providing tips and inspiration on everything style. He confesses, “my ultimate goal in life is to become successful in all of my endeavors.  I believe that anything is possible as long as you have patience, put in the work and have unrelenting faith.”

Photographed by Corey D'angelo

Max B: The Real Story

Merry Christmas everyone!  Y'all been rocking with the kid for quite some time now and my appreciation runs deeper than Richie Rich's stocking full of gifts.  To commemorate such blessed occasion, allow me to present a special piece on Charles Wingate better known to the hoods of the world as Max B.

For years now there has been tons of speculations surrounding the Harlem street legend but as you know there's two sides to a story and then the truth.  It is my pleasure to introduce the homie and fellow BAPE employee Erick Shaw who just so happens to be related to Biggaveli.

Below is the transcript of our brief sitdown pertaining to his immortalized cousin:

Frendy:  You've been working at BAPE for about a year now and it was only 2 months ago that I found out you were related to Max.  I'm assuming only a few individuals know about your relation to him?

Erick:  Yeah.  It's funny how people come across or figure it out lol.  I usually do a good job of keeping it a secret.  The only people that really know that I'm related to him besides my family obviously is my closest friends.  They actually got to meet him.  For those that don't know and aren't aware, he and I are 1st cousins.  His mother and my mother are sisters.  My mother being the baby and his mother being the eldest female out of 8 kids.  We make up 10 grand-kids so it's a big family lol.

Frendy:  What's your fondest memory of Max?

Erick:  I have a few fond moments of my cousin and I.  It's funny because he considers me his favorite so I take that to heart.  One memory I have is when I was little, his sister and I used to always come home from school and play Super Mario on Nintendo.  We'd get to the last level and no matter how hard we'd try we could never beat it.  Charlie would come from outside doing whatever he was doing in the street and we'd tell him to help us out.  He'd beat Bowser in 2 minutes flat!  Made it look so easy lol.  Another memory that I have with him is when I graduated High School and he surprised me by showing up.  Everyone was so shocked to see him.  Here I am carrying a normal convo with him as if it's nothing while everyone's jaws are dropped.  That was a pretty cool moment for me.

Frendy:  For those who don't know, explain Max's relevance in Hip Hop and how did his nickname "Biggaveli" come about?

Erick:  Well, that name comes from 3 artists.  Bigga is Biggie and Jigga is Jay Z and of course Veli at the end for 2Pac.  Those were the artists that he looked up to coming up and that's how the name came together.  He does everything to the max so "Max Biggaveli".  He's responsible for alot of the lingo in New York including the iconic word "Wavey" and "Owww".  Max put out hood classics like the "Public Domain" series, the "Domain Pains" series and of course mentoring French Montana into what he is today.  And to think, he was primed to be something big.

Frendy:  Did you know much of his street life?

Erick:  I was still pretty young to comprehend his street activities.  As I got older, I started to piece things together.  He spent alot of time in and out of jail with his two brothers Michael aka "Mike Murder" and Eric (who was murdered).  Charlie was the only brother out of the three to have both parents around (for the most part) but the streets still called his name and majority of the time he answered. 

Frendy:  To be honest, I really don't know the set of events that led to Charles' arrest.  Can you elaborate on that situation?

Erick:  Basically what happened was, there were two desperate parties attempting to rob the same person/persons and claimed that my cousin was the mastermind behind it all.  Mind you, he wasn't even present at the time.  If my knowledge serves me right, he was doing shows when it happened.  If I'm correct, Max was found guilty for 9 out of 11 counts for Manslaughter and Conspiracy to commit robbery.  SMH, It truly hurt me because before that he was in jail facing a 2 million dollar bail that was later paid.  To just have him home and then I gotta see him go away......sucks alot.

Frendy:  Any update on when he'll be free?

Erick:  There are alot of dates people are giving out.  From what I know, he still has to do a considerable amount of time.  On a positive note, he's got a new lawyer team and is fighting for a retrial.  As for as release date.....that's in God's hands.

Frendy:  Do you still keep in contact with Charles?

Erick:  Of course!  If I'm not speaking to him, I'm speaking to my aunt about him.  Last time I spoke to Charlie was like a month and a half ago.  He was trying to have me work with one of his engineers to  make music and before that he tried to get me to work with Dame Grease.  I can't front Grease was kind of a asshole lol.  That's another story though...

Frendy:  What's Max's biggest misconception?

Erick:  People seem to think that he's this troublemaker but that's not the case.  We all make bad decisions.  He just tried to live his life and sometimes the company you keep can also be your downfall.

Frendy:  Any thoughts of working in the music industry like your big cuz?

Erick:  Like him, music is also my passion.  I kinda want to take a different approach than him though.  Seeing him go through all of this and watching his life change from feeling like you had nothing to having it all and then having it taken from you....that will make anyone open their eyes!  It hurt me so much but at the same time it helped me realize what mistakes not to make, how to move, how to trust, and how people perceive you when you're down.  I learned so much from him and we didn't even spend that much time together because of his lfe decisions.  Despite it all, I still love and want to do music.  If there was an opportunity to work with Charlie I would in a heartbeat!  Not just because he's "Max B" but because I want to keep him close to me.  Keep him out of trouble and bond more as a family, doing something we both love.

Frendy:  I appreciate your time E for giving us a deeper insight into Max's life and your relationship with him.  Any words you'll like to leave with the people?

Erick:  I just want to say thank you to all of your loyal fans that have supported him for years.  Y'all mean the world to him and myself because you guys help keep his work alive.  We just gotta hope and pray that he gets his time to come home.  I guarantee if he does, things will be different.  He'll be staying home for good this time.  But again thank you and stay wavy.