From appearing on America’s Next Top Model to being a self-proclaimed vitiligo spokeswoman, 19-year-old Canadian model Chantelle Brown-Young also known as Chantelle Winnie or Winnie Harlow is often referred to as the “non-traditional contestant.” As a child, she was called just about every farm or zoo animal with dual tones but the words of others did not discourage her. Since diagnosis with the rare skin condition, Winnie was a contestant on the 21st series of ANTM, photographed by the incredible Nick Knight, and has walked the runway.
According to Philly.com, “Her Instagram has well over 100,000 followers and Brown-Young first used social media to speak out about her condition when she took to YouTube in a 2011 video titled “Vitiligo: A Skin Condition not a Life Changer.”
Above all, we commend her for her courage. Ms. Brown-Young is not only a person to follow but a young woman to be intrigued by.
According to Vogue (United Kingdom), Nadja Bender was scouted at the age of 21 when a neighbour put in a good for her. Two years after at 23, she is noted “as a firm favourite of Karl Lagerfeld’s”. Now, she is the face of Fendi (Spring / Summer 2014) but you must know that before embarking on modeling, she was a full-time nanotechnologist who studied physics and chemistry at university.
I thought I was too old to be a model,” she jokes. “It wasn’t really something I had considered – I didn’t know anything about fashion. But I love it and I’m going to go back to university and maybe study history or criminology, whatever I find interesting,” adds Bender.
Shortly after we started online promotion for our Editor’s interview with Taboo from The Black Eyed Peas, Crooks & Castles called us; it was magical!
Take a look at their Summer 2014 collection. It’s for men and women. Read more from the official press release below and view the awesome images. These models are lookers and the details of the line is pretty rad.
Crooks & Castles Summer 2014 collection was photographed by Van Styles. Van Styles is a New York born, Los Angeles raised photographer influenced by 90’s Skate culture. Van was able to capture the essence of what a Crooks Summer is by juxtaposing the Crooks lifestyle with owner / brand partner Rob Panlilio’s Mid Century Modern home in Pasadena.
The men’s and women’s collections offer functional wardrobe essentials in mesh, cotton, suede, and leather. Most interesting is the collections ability to transition effortlessly from day to night. Favorites include: the Favelas group; inspired by the World Cup in Brazil, the Icon group; lightweight yet functional boating attire, the Headliner group featuring bold allover lettering, and the Cerulean Camo capsule.
Crooks & Castles Summer 2014 collection will be available online, flagship store on Fairfax Ave, and at select retailers mid May.
[gmap address=”455 N. Fairfax Los Angeles, CA 90036″]
Last week, Taboo, one of the world famous Black Eyed Peas released a lead single for an upcoming solo project called “Zumbao”. This new dance track is full of energy, infectious, and produced by long-time Black Eyed Peas collaborator Damien LeRoy (formerly known as DJ Ammo). He also produced “The Time (Dirty Bit)” on 2010 Black Eyed Peas release, The Beginning.
Images: Courtesy of the artist
Before your minds wander, the group is still together. Taboo is just on a journey of his own like his fellow band members Fergie and will.i.am. This is his first introduction to the world as a solo artist and as you’ll learn by reading this interview, he’s always dreamt of being able to speak to his community, and to make a song that best represents his upbringing. Wait until you read about what inspired “Zumbao” and what he has planned for the song.
“This is my first initial introduction to the community that I’m from. I’m Mexican-American and I’ve always dreamed about being able to speak to my community and to make a song that best represented my upbringing. I actually grew up watching Spanish television,” Taboo says. “So, I wanted to implement Spanish idols that I grew up on. From El Chavo del Ocho to Pitufos. When I grew up, I didn’t know about The Smurfs. I knew about Pitufos. So to me, growing up, I knew about these people: Don Fransciso and El Gordo y la Flaca.”
For the readers not familiar with Spanish television programming, El Chavo del Ocho is the equivalent to Sesame Street or Reading Rainbow. Pitufos is the Spanish translation of The Smurfs. As a young boy, Taboo used to watch these cultural icons with his abuela (grandmother).
He recalls of his childhood heroes, “I dreamt of being apart of these iconic Latino shows and Don Francisco”, a 73-year-old Chilean television host and a popular personality on the Univision network, “is a very symbolic person in our community because of Sábado Gigante and just remembering those shows and all these things as a child. I wanted to implement that in the song. The music itself is very catchy and very infectious. Yes, it’s all in Spanish but it’s so infectious that even if you don’t speak Spanish, it’s going to gravitate to you and it’s gonna pull you in like Gangnam Style, We No Speak Americano by Yolanda Be Cool. You didn’t know what they were saying but they’re speaking Italian but for some reason — sings the hook — it’s infectious and it pulls you in and that’s the type of song ‘Zumbao’ is.”
I agree. So, this is your first time being solo?
“Yes but for the record, we’re still a group. It’s my first time doing an individual project. There’s misconception that when you do an individual project, you left the group or the group is disbanded. That’s not true. Fergie and will.i.am were very successful on their own and we came back and created the biggest selling album in our career which was ‘The E•N•D’ with dance singles like “I Gotta Feeling” and “Boom Boom Pow”. It goes to show you that, even if we work on individual side projects, when we come back, it’s still going to be a big reunion and a humongous impact.”
That’s kind of like Andrew Wyatt from Miike Snow.
From where?
Miike Snow, do you know the Swedish pop group Miike Snow? They did the song “Animal”?
I kind of look at like how Wu-Tang Clan — they had the [Enter the] Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers and Ol’ Dirty Bastard came out, and Method Man came out and Raekwon and they all had individual hits but it was still ‘Wu-Tang’. [It] was always representative of each individual and each chamber. That’s how I feel Black Eyed Peas is. alp.de.ap does a solo project. He’s doing it for the Philippines because he’s Filipino. I’m doing a solo project. I’m going to direct it to the Latin market but it’s going to bleed into international markets because of where I come from.
Very nice. You also have a very unique sense of style and you’re originally from L.A., right?
Yeah, East L.A.
Can you talk about how that’s influenced your style, if at all?
Well, I’ve been a sneakerhead since I was like 12-years-old. My fashion starts with my sneakers. I’m a collector. I’ve been a hypebeast or a sneakerhead for a while. Whatever flavour I’m feeling with my sneakers, that’s how I dictate my outfit and my style comes from Hip-Hop culture. I’m inspired by people like Kwamé with the polkadots from the ’89-90. I’m inspired by the old Big Daddy Kane dope gold chains to the De La Soul D.A.I.S.Y. Age to the funkadelic type of afrocentric attire. That’s the world that I come from. De La Soul to A Tribe Called Quest, Boogie Down Productions, Big Daddy Kane as far as Hip-Hop. Then, as far as like style goes, I’m very influenced by streetwear couture. For example, you’ve got brands like D9 Reserve and brands like Damn Pigeon and Crooks & Castles who incorporate a little bit of streetwear but they’re also high-end minded with their cut and sew pieces. I’m all about that. Mixing a little bit of Zara in there but having like dope Yeezy’s or a dope YSL jacket or a Rick Owens jacket. Just to mix up the flavor and let people know that there’s no boundaries on fashion. That separates people that are willing to take a chance and just experiment. And that’s why I like to mix and match my clothing with high-end mixed with a little bit of streetwear.”
It looks good. You’re truly multitalented. I think before the uprise of millennials and everyone doing things themselves, you’ve always done multiple things like singing, rapping, acting and the list goes on. Is there any other skills that you’ve been honing in on?
I would probably have to say showcasing me as an individual. I haven’t proven myself yet. This is my first initial single and I can’t say that with it only a week out that it really hasn’t made a huge impact. I want to start it small. It’s about growing this brand or the movement. It’s what the brand is about. It’s about something that best represent a song and it’s also a dance that goes along with it. Merchandising. It’s all about “Zumbao”. It’s not about me. I would never take credit for what I’m creating on my own because it’s a whole team that’s making this happen for me. So I would say, really prove myself as an individual so I can brand Taboo as an individual. I come from a big mothership but the reality is that I still have the yearning to be able to kind of create my own individualism outside of my mothership. It’s very important for me. Especially in my community, the Latino community. I want to be a hero in my Latin community. Alot of people don’t know that I’m Mexican. People think I’m Asian. Some people think I’m Filipino. I’m like ‘I’m not Asian. I’m Latino. I’m Mexican. That’s why I wrote this song in Spanish so people can know, ‘Yo, this dude speaks Spanish.’ His upbringing is authentic. He’s genuine. He’s not trying to pretend to be a Spanish-speaking artist. Like I do I can speak Spanish. I am fluent and I’m just proud and honored to be able to represent my community.
And then just speaking on being Mexican, and also Native American, yeah?
Yeah.
Well, I read that you were the first Mexican-American to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show.
Yeah, that was amazing. As a kid from East L.A., you never imagine being the headlining act at the Super Bowl. You know, the biggest stage for us Americans. The NFL is like the crème de la crème when it comes to American sport more than any sport, and to do that was just a great chapter in my career as a Mexican-American but also as an Entertainer.
Congratulations on that. That’s amazing. Can we look forward to an official music video for the single?
Yes, as a matter of fact. I’m editing it this week. It’s going to be out within the next two weeks. I’m very blessed to have Kathryn Burns who did the “Happy” video with Pharrell. She helped direct it. So, it’s going to be really fun, exciting. It’s the first time that I really dove into cold choreography. Me as a dancer, I’ve always just danced but now I’ve got the opportunity to come up with cool dance steps. We created the Zumbao dance. The Lor Brothers helped me come up with the “Zumbao” dance.
The name of my magazine is called GrungeCake — like Kurt Cobain, Nirvana and birthday cake — when you first hear the name what comes to mind?
GrungeCake? I would say: Stage-diving in a mosh pit.
Name: Cashtro Crosby Representing: Ottawa, Canada Genre: Hip-Hop For fans of: Wiz Khalifa Single from:Trill God EP Produced by: Nem270 Song of the Day: May 2, 2014 Label(s): Unsigned
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and now residing in Ottawa, Canada, Cashtro Crosby just released a new track called “Got My Cash Up” and when it comes on, it’s hard to stay still. From memory, his voice sounds like a cross between Wiz Khalifa and Memphis Bleek but he has the swing and knock of the current sound in the bag.
A trait many people fail to possess is the ability to turn something so deeply embedded in hate into a positive and affirmative thing. Not only does Kill J achieve this, but she spun it into something so beautiful and full of emotion. This Trip-Hop / Pop sensation is making waves from Denmark. Kill J and her unique take on “Pop music” set her apart from the pack. Her single “Bullet” is like a buffet for the senses. The track starts off by seducing your curiosity with the light, pretty pitches that lead you into a dark Pop bass-line. Kill J’s soft vocals wrapping around the deep loop create an eerily powerful dynamic. This artful approach to Pop music is a well-welcomed change, giving you a chance to appreciate the music as an art form.
This song is dedicated to the victims of other peoples bullshit convictions. People who act sinful, hateful and ungodly in the name of their God. — Kill J
“There is Scandinavian pop and there is Scandinavian pop. Kill J don’t sound much like, for example, Icona Pop. There are few entreaties to crash a car or burn someone’s possessions on this Danish duo’s debut track, Phoenix. It’s not so much brash and in-your-face as heavenly, haunting, with the relaxed essence of a psalm or even balm. You could imagine it soundtracking an advert for a fragrant emollient, or something you put in a bath to make bubbles and soothe the skin. Which is probably a strange thing to say about a song that was, say Kill J, “born out of a poetic longing for something simple, primal, dirty and pleasurable” and that is “about the cyclical nature of pleasure and pain”.” — Paul Lester, The Guardian
A trait many people fail to possess is the ability to turn something so deeply embedded in hate into a positive and affirmative thing. Not only does Kill J achieve this, but she spun it into something so beautiful and full of emotion. This Trip-Hop / Pop sensation is making waves from Denmark. Kill J and her unique take on “Pop music” set her apart from the pack. Her single “Bullet” is like a buffet for the senses. The track starts off by seducing your curiosity with the light, pretty pitches that lead you into a dark Pop bass-line. Kill J’s soft vocals wrapping around the deep loop create an eerily powerful dynamic. This artful approach to Pop music is a well-welcomed change, giving you a chance to appreciate the music as an art form.
This song is dedicated to the victims of other peoples bullshit convictions. People who act sinful, hateful and ungodly in the name of their God. — Kill J
“There is Scandinavian pop and there is Scandinavian pop. Kill J don’t sound much like, for example, Icona Pop. There are few entreaties to crash a car or burn someone’s possessions on this Danish duo’s debut track, Phoenix. It’s not so much brash and in-your-face as heavenly, haunting, with the relaxed essence of a psalm or even balm. You could imagine it soundtracking an advert for a fragrant emollient, or something you put in a bath to make bubbles and soothe the skin. Which is probably a strange thing to say about a song that was, say Kill J, “born out of a poetic longing for something simple, primal, dirty and pleasurable” and that is “about the cyclical nature of pleasure and pain”.” — Paul Lester, The Guardian
Michael Kors Fall 2014 RTW collection is the perfect transition to a chic and cool layering season. Gone are the brights and florals of spring, and in comes in Kors’ whimsical, fancy and luxe pieces. This season Kors didn’t skim on the glam. Full of cashmere sweaters, fringes, fur, and sequins – Kors collection is a winner. While the palette plays it safe with neutrals in brown, grey, and black, Kors’ decision to focus on texture is wonderful!
Floating Fair Ladies
Kors inspires effortless chic, with silhouettes that range from loose, easy and free flowing printed maxi dresses to endearing peasant shirts, and full A-line skirts with chunky leather belts and even chunkier scarves and ombre sweaters. Cashmere and wool rounded out the collection, although Kors didn’t stop there!
Sultry Prints and Fierce Evenings
Amidst the lovely layers, shift dresses with skinny belts accentuated with shaggy fur shoulder throws were a staple. The luxe furs screamed big city glam, while lace dresses spoke of effortless chic evenings. Kors use of sultry snake print and slinky fabrics was one of the highlights within this collection. Truly, Kors did no wrong this season, as his individual pieces were just as strong and the combination of looks.
Predictions
Kors collection gracefully transitions us from the wispy, breezy lingerings of spring without getting too serious and heavy. Those who are not quite ready to rid themselves of the flowing frocks will certainly love the designers beautifully relaxed and stylish dresses. Look for Maxi dresses in cooler temperatures and luxe sweaters galore! Kors balanced the line of class and comfort, a sure-fire hit on the runway and the racks!
It’s been awhile. Our last Model of the Week article was published in December and that’s for a number of reasons. One of them being that we weren’t really moved by other fresh faces like we are this week with Aleece Wilson. Word around town is Aleece Wilson was signed on the spot when she visited the Elite offices in Toronto, Canada. Since last Summer, the young freckled Canadian beauty has worked with adidas and Topshop, and walked the catwalk for several shows at Toronto Fashion Week — I was supposed to attend. As Wilson prepares for major markets, we’ll just kick back and gaze at her beauty in the photo above.
It’s been awhile. Our last Model of the Week article was published in December and that’s for a number of reasons. One of them being that we weren’t really moved by other fresh faces like we are this week with Aleece Wilson. Word around town is Aleece Wilson was signed on the spot when she visited the Elite offices in Toronto, Canada. Since last Summer, the young freckled Canadian beauty has worked with adidas and Topshop, and walked the catwalk for several shows at Toronto Fashion Week — I was supposed to attend. As Wilson prepares for major markets, we’ll just kick back and gaze at her beauty in the photo above.
