Come behind the scenes on our Harlem Swag shoot with photographer Melissa Rodwell!
Read MoreINVADERS SHOW BY PHOTOGRPHER PAUL KATZ
Behind the Scenes of Christian Dada at Paris Fashion Week
A continued love affair
Art & Fashion
So the love affair continues between Ron Bass and Forever21 and we are obsessed! The new collection screams Basquiat! Since then, Ron Bass’ eponymous collection has gained a cult following and has been worn by global superstars and notable fashion influencers such as, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Swizz Beatz, Rita Ora, and Cara Delevingne it will without question be sold out once it hits #ootd. The Collection hits stores and online December 19th.
David LaChapelle Kicks off the AMEX campaign
My Secret Oz
From today, American Express is calling on Aussies to share images of their local everyday places of inspiration.
Photographer, David LaChapelle got things started taking a series of images on his phone that capture Sydney’s vibrant personality and unique landscapes.
Aussies, you can join in using hashtag #MySecretOz on all social media. These images will become a live, crowd-sourced gallery hosted on American Express’ Facebook page.
Don't forget to tag @CollectiveMag on Instagram and Twitter. We'll post a gallery of our favorites on Facebook next week.
Have fun shooting!
xox
Eryka
Elliot Puckette's New Work on New York's Art Scene
Brooklynite Elliot Puckette presented her new work at Paul Kasmin Gallery tonight in Chelsea New York.
Puckette's new work explores the tension between control and freedom. Her unique linear abstractions are precisely etched into prepared grounds with a razor blade. They demonstrate a complex relationship between figure and ground, stasis and action.
Stunning! Something to see!
The exhibition is being presented October - November 8, 2014 at Paul Kasmin Gallery
297 Tenth Ave, New York, NY 10001
www.PaulKasminGallery.com
Instagram @KasminGallery
THAD's got us dancing around on this Monday Morning
Aiming to strike a perfect balance between comfort and refinement, Thaddeus O’Neil remains true to his primary principle of exploring movement in their imminent relation to body, textile, and garment. He really hits it with his Fall/Winter 2014 collection which features bold prints and textures in relaxed fit garments; all handmade in New York and Japan.
thaddeusoneil.com
LOOK OF FAITH: EDITORIAL VIDEO BY ALLEN HENSON
Film & Edit: Allen Henson
Stylist & Fashion Editor: Eryka Clayton (ABTP)
Makeup: Clarissa Luna (ABTP)
Hair: Charley Brown - Wilhelmina
Models: Valentina Dimitrova | Wilhelmina
Danielly Silva | Wilhelmina
Music : Nouvelle Vague - Making Plans for Nigel
See who's Acting Disruptive with Max Lugavere
Max Lugavere stopped in to talk about his new project Acting Disruptive, "a new digital series that I co-created with Tribeca Enterprises to discuss disruptive thinking, innovation, and business with some of the worlds favorite storytellers."
COLLECTIVE MAGAZINE: What was the original idea behind acting disruptive? Can you talk to us about the creation process a bit?
MAX LUGAVERE: I love creating content that informs and inspires, particularly about science, tech, and innovation, that is draws people in and is accessible. I saw a pattern emerge in Hollywood where people with followings for their art were heavily investing in technology, challenging the status quo in many ways. I wanted to seek out these multi-hyphenates and tell their stories.
CM: Why create a platform like acting disruptive?
ML: It's smart and fun. It extends the conversation about entrepreneurship and ideas to the zeitgeist. I hope that it inspires people. I also really wanted to meet Jessica Alba.
CM: How do look for when deciding on content?
ML: Our guests need to be entrenched in the day-to-day. We aren't a platform for celebrity spokespeople. We're a platform for artists who are deeply passionate about the off-camera work they are doing and who have built platforms for themselves.
CM: Talk to us about VyRT
ML: VyRT is Jared Leto's company which he built from the ground up. It's a tech startup that streams high def broadcasts of 30 Seconds to Mars' concerts in a way that renders the traditional sponsor model obsolete and gives him full control. Jared is a badass, I love his band, and I love his movies. Dude is crazy passionate about technology. I feel like he's the epitome of what Acting Disruptive is all about.
CM: Who are your entrepreneurial role models?
ML: The guys we're featuring are pretty inspiring... I also look up to guys like Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, etc.
www.ActingDisruptive.com
Follow Max on Twitter
Bags you want to eat!
Alright kiddos... these bags are even more gorgeous in person. They are one of a kind bags made from the yummiest designer leathers and reclaimed hardware. I was lucky enough to get a private viewing BEFORE the sample sale and for you dear Collective Readers... a little gift.... there is an extra discount off his fine art that is already priced at a steal! Click the dropdown and select the "Collector" price.
xox
Eryka
TERRY de GUNZBURG an artist in Haute Perfumery
“It has taken me ten years to achieve this collection of “personified” scents. I had to progress slowly in order to learn and understand about essences that felt right, which was a humbling yet enriching experience. I had to ignore the do’s and don’ts imposed by trends or by a commercial brief. Free from any restrictions, I have followed my instinct to create pure, original and extravagantly high-quality fragrances.”
Growing up on the Golden Mediterranean shores, Terry holds ecstatic fragrant memories of Geranium petals that she used on her nails to create fairy-like fingers, the vibrant smell of the Jasmine boiling in her grandmothers stills, and the aroma of Lavender coming from her father's pharmacy while he made refreshing colognes.
In Terry's first collection there are five unique scents that can be worn alone or layered. The five floral scents were chosen from the inspiration sparked with memories of her youth.
Lumières d'épices - citrus, sensory, luminous, a combination of citrus fruit’s freshness, spices and a floral signature
Ombre Mercure - oriental, powdery, mysterious, captivating, an overdose of powdery violet
Rêve Opulent - musky, sensual, feminine, a tribute to gardenia
Partis Pris - woody, amber, passion, conviction, a rich and multi-faceted fragrance with pronounced olfactory nuances
Flagrant Delice - fruity, delicious, a contemporary and delectable fig
$195 each, Available at Barneys.com
Monday morning
Be a good citizen
Mikhail Baryshnikov, better known as Mischa, presents this idea that we can all do something meaningful and hopefully be a good "citizen of humanity". You can hear his story and the stories of other innovators that the Citizens of Humanity team are inspired by in the video series Just Like You.
These videos and of course their expertly designed jeans were motivation to pop into the new Citizens of Humanity showroom and boutique in West Hollywood, and I'm so glad I did. The Venice style bungalow is packed with great books and comfy couches so the space feels more like your dream livingroom than a shop. But it is a shop, a great shop! In addition to exclusive in-store only items, it houses great pieces and yummies that are favorites of CH owner Jerome Dahan. From Sea Salt Caramels homemade at the Little Flower Candy Co. to Fragrances from the Brooklyn based MCMC (my personal favorite scent from them is Phoenix), LA local Renee Holguin's RTH handbags, Surfboards and Art by Kassia Meadur, Jewelry by Mociun, and most of their great fixtures are pieces from Shelter Half & Environment which add a really raw element to the space. Needless to say it's worth a visit. If nothing else than to raid their epic art book collection (duplicates are available for purchase in most cases)!
xox
Eryka
Citizens of Humanity Showroom & Shop
8747 Beverly Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90048
310.432.4540
www.citizensofhumanity.com
Knock, Knock, Knocking on Caitlin's Door
About a week ago I walked into Kitson on Robertson blvd in West Hollywood. A beautiful Saturday afternoon with a ice coffee in hand, taking my time cruising around, I see these amazing keys by the register. I pick up a few and then start reading each one. "LOVE, INSPIRE, BREATH." I immediately take out my phone and start googling "The Giving Keys". I took a seat outside and this is what I found out…
Miss Caitlin Crosby, a California native singer/songwriter and actress had started it all on her music tour. She had taken her NYC hotel room key and had a local locksmith engrave the word "love" on it. She wore it at her show and got so many compliments on it that when it was time for her next tour, she made a bunch of them to sell at her merch-table. Every night, state to state, the key necklaces would sell-out. Instead of rehearsing and tuning her guitar, she found herself scrambling to find keys and assemble the chains and clasps just to keep up with the demand.
Fate kept knocking at Caitlin's door. Amazing stories started to pour in on her blog of how people were giving and receiving their keys. Some were from family and friends sharing how the key had helped inspire and change peoples lives. A lot of them were even stories coming from people that were total strangers. "Pay it forward" was born. People started giving a key or even their own key to someone who needed its message more than them. The stories were remarkable.
Still through the buzz and all the success, Caitlin knew there was a missing piece to her puzzle. She was at a service at Ecclesia Hollywood and they showed the documentary Invisible Children about child soldiers in Uganda. After, she exited onto Hollywood Blvd with a face full of tears and heart motivated to action. She saw a couple across the street, sitting under an umbrella with a sign that said "Ugly, Hungry & Homeless". 23 year old Rob and Cera had spent the better years of their lives on the streets. She took them to dinner that night and by the end she asked them to be her business partners.
The next day, she went to Pep Boys to buy hammers, and to a locksmith to buy an engraving kit. Caitlin started meeting Rob and Cera on street corners and in alley ways to pay them cash in exchange for paper bags full of keys. This hardworking team laid the foundation for what The Giving Keys has become. As the business grew, Rob and Cera started saving enough to stay in a motel and eventually they both got their own apartments. Rob got his GED (in the 98th percentile!) and is currently going to college. Cera got a job at the San Diego Zoo and is studying to be a nutritionist. They both still work for The Giving Keys part-time.
Thanks to Rob and Cera's experience, the mission of The Giving Keys was revealed.
Caitlin fulfilled her wish to incorporate a way to contribute to the community and now only employs people working to transition out of homelessness.
Not only are the keys cool and different to wear, there is a bold statement of giving, and inspiration that comes with them. The Giving Keys are now carried in 200+ stores in the US & Internationally including Fred Segal, Kitson and Opening Ceremony. You can buy them online at www.theigivingkeys.com as well. Don't forget to blog your story and add to the community of givers. Please leave a comment anywhere on our site. We would love to hear your stories as well!
xox
Annalise
Three is better than one!
Mashk Tri Miracle Squares are all natural squares that scrub, cleanse , and act as a mask. They are scented with pure essential oils and fragrances and come packaged in gorgeous jars. The Mandarin Orange Fig is great to calm and hydrate any skintype, English Tea Rose is packed with anti-oxidants for skin that needs to be brought to balance, Pink Ruby Sorbet to get an extra strong exfoliation, and Apricot Fig Maddness to pamper drier skin needing an extra boost of moisture. Regular use of any of them will remove surface impurities, and restore your natural glow. They are simple to use, just wet face and neck, hold square under warm water and apply in circular motion. Wait 3-5 minutes and rinse. It makes a great gift. Who wouldn't want to get the gift of better skin...
xox
Lindsay
P.S. Just for you dear Collective reader, use code CMMashk15 at checkout and get 15% off
Picasso as fashion
Eugenio Recuenco took inspiration from famous Picasso paintings and created a fashion series that really captures each brilliant piece of art and are just as stunning in their own right. Enjoy!
xox
Eryka
No more waiting! Rising Star Dana Williams is shining Bright
Generally speaking, I don’t care for trends. Instead I opt for what is special. Special is timeless – fresh - uncommon. So when it comes to music, I ask myself what is special about this sound?
A friend shared a video that changed April for me. Instantly I fell in love with her sound and thank COLLECTIVE for my little Q&A with this rising star.
Meet Dana Williams... She’s as special as they come.
xox
Jenni
Photography by Nancy Gomez
Collective Magazine: Where did you grow up?
Dana Williams: I was born in Los Angeles but I grew up mainly between LA and NYC. I ended up dividing most of my time and schooling between both cities.
CM: Any musicians or artists in the family?
DW: Yes, my dad was a rhythm guitarist. He recorded and performed mainly with Michael Jackson. So I guess that's why I feel so inclined to make music. He always encouraged me to sing, play guitar and write songs. Also, my sister Davida is an actress, so art was really encouraged in my family.
CM: What is your first memory of music?
DW: Since my dad was a musician my first memories of music are all jumbled. But I remember going to his concerts when I was a kid. I remember falling asleep in the front row of a Janet Jackson concert when I was really little. Not that I wasn't entertained, she is an amazing performer, I guess it was just passed my bedtime. My favorite was going to his concerts and he always knew where we were sitting in the audience and he would wave. That was really exciting for me.
CM: If your musical influences were a “playlist”, who would be on it?
DW: I like so many different genres of music, but I guess vocally I've really been influenced by: Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Patsy Cline, Amy Winehouse and Carole King.
CM: What was your first gig?
DW: My first gig was very spontaneous. I went to the Lenox Lounge in Harlem one night to hear some jazz and there was this lady who insisted on singing with the band the whole time, she called herself Billie Holiday (the second coming), one thing lead to another and someone asked me to sing, so I had to asked the second coming for the mic and I ended up singing a few standards to her dismay.
But my first gig where I played original music wasn't until a couple years later at an open mic in the Valley. I was pretty nervous and the MC only made matters worse. He tried to get me up on stage to dance before my set and I didn't because I wasn't there to dance I was just there to play a few songs so while I was sitting on the stool setting up my guitar he whispered in my ear, "You better sing good" and luckily my set was well received. What a relief.
CM: Do you write all of your music?
DW: Yes I do. Music is personal to me. I'd feel uncomfortable singing songs that I didn't have a hand in writing. It makes it easier to relate to.
CM: How auto-biographical are your songs?
DW: They are pretty auto-biographical. I take real ideas and situations from my own life and expand on them. Although I try not to be too specific I like there to be a tiny element of mystery so that people don't exactly know who I'm talking about.
CM: Where do you jot down your music ideas? ie: a journal?
DW: I guess you can say I jot them down in Garage band and text edit. I have tons of little snippets of songs in garage band and occasionally I revisit them and finish them or I just start something new. But it's nice to know that they are there and my thoughts haven't totally disappeared.
CM: What do you think is your distinguishing trademark? Tattoo? Killer mane?
DW: I guess my most distinguishing trademark is my hair. It can get pretty wild and it used to frustrate me but now I am really happy about it. Although it does take a large effort to maintain.
CM: Any style tips or summer trends you can share?
DW: I'd just say to be yourself but indecent exposure is unbecoming.
CM: What’s next for your music?
DW: Well, I just released my first music video called "Keep Me Waiting" off of my up coming EP. Then I am releasing my EP "The Lonely One" within the next couple of months. It was produced by Max Drummey from Chester French and Dan Stringer. It's a short compilation of original songs and a cover.
Time for a Collective Shift!
Today, join us and embrace a bad hair day… Wear your favorite cap to support CAPS FOR KIDS! CFK is a non-profit organization that provides celebrity signed caps to pediatric cancer patients. When that cap comes from one of their heroes, they realize that they are no longer alone in their fight.
As a seventeen year Cancer survivor, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to find a smile during treatment. If a cap had arrived in the mail then, signed by Barbra Streisand, well, then I would remember that smile (obviously would have been huge cause of Babs). CFK has been giving smiles for twenty years. I am proud to volunteer for them.
Today, all across America, people of every age will support ANNUAL CAP DAY for CAPS FOR KIDS.
Please rock your favorite cap today! Not a fan of caps, but need a shift? Grab an ex’s and make it liberating! Ask your family, co-workers, classmates, your child’s school or classmates to join you. While you’re at it, see if everyone can donate just one dollar! If you’re able to, match it, if not, score some karma points and 100% of the money raised goes to CAPS FOR KIDS. It takes less time to register than pick out your cap!!
If you can’t participate today, ANY DAY of the year can be a CAP DAY. You can donate on the website any time, and host a CAP DAY of any size, anywhere! CFK welcomes all collaborations.
For more info, please go to www.CapsForKids.org
Like CapsForKids on Facebook! Share your CAP DAY photos and follow on Twitter: @capsforkids
xox
Jenni
Coachella fairy princess
We know you try really hard every year to pack super light but this year we're going to help you actually do it! With a few key staples you'll be all set.
We know the most admired part of your body will be your wrist so before you arrive and collect all your wristbands, stack up the bracelets! There so many awesome choices from Haute Betts but you should start with the Gypsetters (their iconic friendship bracelets) and a few Misfits.
Gypsy Rose by Haute Betts
A stack of Graffiti Ink Misfits by Haute Betts
Electric Charcoal Misfit by Haute Betts
We know denim shorts will be your lifeline and Klique B distressed denim shorts in Olive are perfect to wear and wear again! Get them at 2020AVE for $26
Of course you need floral high-tops circa 1994!
You can thank Qupid for bringing them back. Available at 2020AVE -$26
And for a little sparkle pop on your favorite colored Charlene K Druzy ring available at Pink Mascara
Oh, and on day 3 your hair will be wrapped on top of your head. So.... here's a secret... The Easy Updo by GG en Rose. It is a hair tie with a dread, braid and hair twist attached to it. All you have to do is attach it to your ponytail and wrap or braid it in with your own hair. It adds a ton of volume and you can easily throw flowers in it... you know you'll want to! Here's a one time use code for 15% off your purchase at GGenRose.com: CoachellaCMGG
Happy packing!
xox
Eryka
Dream jeans
Who hasn't thought of getting a perfectly tailored pair of jeans? Or getting your favorite pair made? 3x1 Denim has made the dream come true, and in one of my favorite locations in New York City!
15 Mercer houses the 3x1 complete denim manufacturing facility; beyond that, it’s also a place to witness the intricacies of the process that goes into making a perfect, custom pair of jeans. Their rotating stock of available styles is showcased on the wall, bolts of 170 different denim fabrics, some of which come from the rarest selvage looms in the the world. The modern and fresh design of the two leveled space is also absolutely stunning.
Check out them out ASAP if you are in NY! You can make an appointment for Bespoke (the process for your custom dream jeans) here, let them know what you want and their work begins. They'll be there to guide you all the way but it's all up to you!
Otherwise you can find a store that carries some select styles here.
LOCATION
15 Mercer St.
New York, NY 10013
212-391-6969
HOURS
11 AM - 7 PM Mon. - Sat.
12 PM - 6 PM Sun.
Happy Wednesday everyone!
xox
Annalise
Simple & Chic
Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2013
YSL Spring Summer 2013
Balenciaga Spring Summer 2013
Lindsey Wixson
“It’s no secret that Black & White is Simple and Chic. Some of our favorite designers are reminding us that there is always a way to refresh this style staple. Mix in new pieces with some of your go to pieces and maybe even hunt for a few vintage finds. Have fun!”
If you're on a budget...
H&M is about to launch the New Icons Capsule Collection inspired by models Lindsey Wixson, Joan Smalls, Liu Wen, Daphne Groeneveld and Lindsay Wixon for the basics that won't break the bank! Oh, and for $8 get the tassle chocker...