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ED’s note Collaboration is what this particular issue is all about. As much as I want to gulp into all the facets of a magazine, I am trying to grasp the importance of assigning tasks to others, and to share the responsibilities, in order to come up with quality work, in a rather short span of time. This process comes crucial, if there a slight chances of the publication to shift into a business, not running merely as a project that infests creativity. To be honest, I feel like I am in an insoluble dilemma … Anyways, to celebrate this rather special time, to commemorate the makings of what was originally just an assignment for school roughly two years ago, I am ambitiously approached a handful of independent labels from abroad and local shores. The goal was to share with people new things, to come up with original imagery, and most importantly, to treat you all with these goodies, courtesy of the brands. This is probably the best thing I have done all summer long. Enjoy this special second anniversary instalment, and hope for more years to come!
Creative Director & Founder Michael Cheung info.freshmag@yahoo.com Marketing & Advertisement collab.freshmag@yahoo.com Contributors Annu Kilpelainen Cheuk Hei Chan Elizabeth Allen Helen Li Holly Ho Kin Wai Cheung Mia Christopher Morgan Kwok Priscilla Poon Tracy Timmins Exclusive Cover Art Bridget Collins bridgetcollins.com
Reproduction in whole or part without written permission from the Publisher is strictly prohibited. While ever reasonable care is taken for editorial contributions, no responsibility will be assumed for return of materials. Opinions expressed or implied in FRESH are solely those of writers, and are not necessarily well thought out, or endorsed by the Editor or Publisher. © 2013 Fresh Magazine.
text: Morgan Kwok
art direction and styling Michael Cheung
photography Michael Cheung, Cheuk Hei Chan and Priscilla Poon
makeup and hair Peggy Tsui, Shue Lai, Walter Ma and Hiddie T
models Ben Cimmerbeck @ Starz People Evelina Macerniute @ Supermodels Model Management Jacqueline Frank @ Model Genesis Catherine Grant @ Scene Models Charlie Pepper Daiana Stein @ KeeMOD
In collaboration with:
by loumi
Caroline Z Hurley
Donna Wilson eometrie
Emerald Grippa
julynine
Monstore Tanya Aguiniga
kindah khalidy
RI ByCarrie Willow Knows
Young Frankk
by loumi Regardless of whether you have porcelain skin or not, you can still be a china doll with Kahina Loumi’s unique ceramic jewellery. Crafted in a Saint-Malo, France, these delicate drops and playful petals have a charming simplicity that completes a look without over-dressing it. Launched in October of 2012, By Loumi features a myriad white earrings and pendants kissed with gold. Unlike a lot of other earrings, they don’t fall into the generic ‘gifts for the girlfriend’ category. Men can wear them to add a touch of funk to their ensemble. loumistudio.com
all clothing by H&M, and earrings + necklace BY LOUMI.
tote bag JULYNINE, top + blazer H&M, and skirt MONKI.
julynine What happens when an education in engineering, snowboarding, and a sewing machine collide? Well, according to Garett Loveall, JulyNine happens. Based in Oregon, JulyNine has long since focused on unique American tote bags that come in a variety of styles and fabrics. Each bag comes in a range of colours to suit you anywhere, anyhow – even in the rain!
julynine.com
tote bag JULYNINE, dress + shirt H&M, watch NOOKA, sunglasses + shirt (on waist) MONKI.
all clothing MONKI, excluding black singlet and sweaters MONSTORE, accessories CALLIXTO.
monstore
If expressing attitude with a haircut is too high maintenance, and expressing it with tattoos is too daunting, then this label might just be what you’re looking for. Their shirts are splattered with declaratives, ranging from ‘Bloody Hell’ all the way to ‘You Me Bed Now’. If you’d rather not have writing on your clothes, then there are plenty of skull and wolf motifs to suit your needs. Monstore by no means stops short of emblazoning shirts, but puts on a show of geometry and invigorating silhouettes. Their cuts and snappy hooks sure do pack a punch. heymonstore.com
emerald
Emerald Grippa has long since been dedicated to perfecting the union between functionality and art. Emerald encourages all to ‘dress artfully’. Her designs are richly bold, and inspired by everything from found photos to fine art. The digitally printed scarves are rendered in sharper focus than traditional screen-printed fabrics, and each scarf is made from 100% silk. As we can see here, her designs flatter cheeky makeup choices and can be worn in a variety of ways. emeraldgrippa.com
grippa top LEOPARD, and scarf EMERALD GRIPPA.
tanya aguiniga There is more than one way to tie the knot, and one of the ways is as colourful as is it fresh. Tanya Aguiniga was raised in Tijuana, Mexico, where she has since used her art and design for community empowerment by building and running a community centre. Her work focuses on the reinvention of the everyday, using simple innovations for tasteful designs. Her rope knot accessories colourfully creative and creatively colourful; they are just the thing to tie an outfit together. aguinigadesign.com
sweater + jacket MONKI, shorts POP ISSUE, necklace (as headpiece) + bracelet TANYA AGUINIGA, and bags MELISSA.
jacket + boots MONKI, turtleneck sweater H&M, and leggings RI BYCARRIE.
ri bycarrie
The printed leggings of Rhapsody Island take their cues from all corners of inspiration, and often feature abstracted qualities of east-meets-west. They are a favourite amongst Asian celebrities and fashion bloggers from Hong Kong to the United Kingdom. Carrie Hare has created artful leggings with unique and colourful contours that flatter the natural shapeliness of legs. ri-by-carrie.com
shirt dress INJURY, vest TEARS, and necklaces YOUNG FRANKK.
young frankk As any student of art will tell you, good mixed-media works are often much harder to create then their single-medium counterparts. Be it in sculpture or accessories, the maker must consider how the materials harmonize. From finely finished brass to Kumihimo hand braided satin, this is has more than your average jewellery. It’s not every jewellery designer that could combine Dalmatian jasper and a gold plate fringe without looking over-done and old lady. Here we can see how you can further this happy harmony by uniting the chic with the quirky. youngfrankk.com
top POP ISSUE, jacket TEARS, jeans + belt H&M, and necklace YOUNG FRANKK.
kindah khalidy Want to get that cute look artsy without looking like a raging hipster? This label has the answer, and a lot of paint. It is easy enough to picture these quirky tank tops, t-shirts and scarves being made. Each item is hand-painted with a simmering splashboard of different colours, ranging from the cheekily contrasted to the politely harmonized. Each piece has a certain picture-book charm, matched with a coy naivety. Part of the appeal comes from the opportunities for contrast such a splash of playfulness invites. Matched with black pieces the mischievous manner of the tops becomes all the more apparent. kindahkhalidy.com
accessories H&M, top KINDAH KHALIDY, shirt (on waist) MONKI, and pants H&M.
top KINDAH KHALIDY, pants + accessories H&M, and shirt INJURY.
eometrie
Eometrie takes it queues from geometry, and the intrepid lifestyle of Emily Sullivan. Sullivan creates all things Eometrie by hand, be it by cutting, sanding or forging the components to a range of jewellery to befit a wide range of aesthetic sensibilities. She works in bronze and wood. The result of these methods and influences is a collection of pieces that feel a little art deco. It is unusual to come across jewellery that unites liveliness and sophistication to this extent. Wear it to add a jolt of colour as featured here. eometrie.com
top H&M, vest POP ISSUE, shorts MONKI, sunglasses SUPER, and accessories EOMETRIE.
willow knows
Willow Knows is a brand with a definite aesthetic, one that uncompromisingly proliferates throughout all of its apparel. The look is one that is both ethereal and yet decided, flowing yet forceful. The kind of clothes you wouldn’t be surprised to see a sea-nymph sporting. If you are looking for quiet sophistication, and a simple silhouette then look no further. The basic nature of the colour palettes also makes her outfits delightfully easy to accessorize. willowknows.com
scarf by WILLOW KNOWS, dress ANTIPODIUM, shirt + tights MONKI, and boots H&M.
scarf by WILLOW KNOWS.
caroline z hurley
turtleneck sweater H&M, overalls MONKI, and linen throw CAROLINE Z. HURLEY.
Think playful when thinking Caroline Z Hurley. These fabric wraps come in a variety of hues, though none as aggressive as to, overpower your style. Some wraps are a solid colour peppered with shapes, some are striped, some are punctuated with a regular pattern, and others feature a cheekily scattered print. While there are a wide variety of tones to each wrap, there is a certain pleasing modernity common to all. carolinezhurley.com
donna wilson Scottish-born Donna Wilson and her London studio team are committed to keeping craftsmanship alive in an increasingly automatic age. It certainly comes across in her quirky tableware and knitted accessories. Peppered with an array of woodland critters and ceramic characters, Donna Wilson’s tableware is a sure fire way to make your dinner folksy without investing in harmonica lessons. donnawilson.com
Let’s talk about sex. Did I get your attention? Okay, good. Now let’s get specific; we’re going to talk about female sexual pleasure, with the aid of a sex toy. How many times have you giggled with your friends in front of some seedy back alley shop, or felt a bit uncomfortable heading into an adult sex store that screams “SEXXX!” with their “over 21s only” signs, freakish items and impractical lingerie (are you really going to wear that fluffy Mrs. Santa-themed thong more than once?)? This was the kind of experience that Peder Wikström — co-founder of Ramblin’ Brands Ltd. (RBL) — became aware of when he tried to purchase a vibrator. So how about developing a vibrator that would be accessible in terms of communication, design AND price? It would provide a quality alternative to vulgar, expensive and boring options, for starters. And so from that point onwards, Smile Makers was born. As the first brand created by RBL — which was co-founded in 2011 by Mattias Hulting and Peder Wikström — Smile Makers has really taken the concept of the vibrator, well, head on. The vision behind RBL is to create unique brands within niche categories where there is a lack of innovation. This is where Smile Makers - a cheeky, playful collection of vibrators with a fun-loving, friendly brand manifesto to match - really excels. Not only did the brand take on a somewhat taboo topic, but it also took it a step further by challenging the social norms of sex toy retailing: beyond the product, the innovation also lies in the way in which the vibrators are marketed. You won’t find the Smile Makers vibrators in any adult shops, but instead in the beauty section, among products such as skin care, cosmetics and fragrances. It’s the only vibrator brand to be designed, sold, and communicated as a beauty care brand, to emphasise the brand’s staunch viewpoint that vibrators should be part of the process of female self-cultivation. “Wow,” you might think, “that’s a little weird and inappropriate, no?” Well dear readers, if vibrators are sold in almost all convenience stores in China, proudly displayed in their phallic glory right by the cashier, seeing well-designed, good quality, fun-filled vibrators in health and beauty stores isn’t that much of a shocking departure; it might even be a welcome, interesting change.
text: Holly Ho illustration: Elizabeth Allen
Now let’s get to the product, because you must be dying to know more. The collection right now comprises of four designs: The Frenchman, The Fireman, The Tennis Coach, and the Millionaire. The initial challenge with Smile Makers “was to create a brand that was approachable, and would remove the archaic stigma attached to the category,” according to the founders. Thus, RBL’s creative partner Beat Meets Eagle on Fire Awesome, led by Micah Walker, suggested using irreverent humour to lighten things up. Having this mischievous take on stereotypical female fantasies flawlessly achieved the aim - making everyone laugh, but also piquing people’s curiosity and interest. The cross-cultural “poster boys” were selected for the Smile Makers launch as they were the top scoring across tests done on women from a large sample of countries (clichés are indeed clichés for a reason). If the above isn’t quite enough to convince you yet about how legit these guys are, maybe some heavy-hitting award-winning achievements will. Just recently in June, Smile Makers won the Silver at Cannes Lion — the world’s biggest and most prestigious creative communications awards — out of 34,000 entries globally. Needless to say, this is a monumental achievement. Says Peder, “This is a big step towards normalizing the vibrator category.” Smile Makers also won the Gold in both Package Design and Product Design at the One Show Design Awards in New York. They were the only brand to win two Gold pencils; other highly awarded brands included IBM, LEGO and Absolut Vodka (how’s that for a mixed bunch?). It’s pretty safe to say that Smile Makers are slowly but surely changing perceptions of female beauty, enjoyment and pleasure in both mainstream retail and from a product design perspective. And with a brand tagline that states “beauty starts with a smile,” you can now also be sure that beauty ends with a big “O.”
text: Holly Ho illustration: Elizabeth Allen
Most of the time, when we think of “green fashion” or “ethical fashion”, images of frumpy clothes and unattractive footwear spring to mind. Luckily, this doesn’t happen with Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather, as they’re one of the few brands now that are turning this age-old cliché around (and we’re so grateful for that). The brand is a playful, quirky and fashionable vegan shoe brand, created by French designer Marion Hanania. Designed in Paris and produced in Portugal, the designs contain no animal products and are 100% animal-cruelty free. We’ll gladly take a stroll in these well-crafted, fun-filled shoes come rain or sunshine. In an interview by e-mail with Marion herself, she was more than happy to tell us about the story of Good Guys. Born and raised in Paris, the footwear designer started off studying fashion clothing and illustration, before deciding upon graduation that the shoe business was her true calling. After that, it was an illustrious trajectory into the footwear design world: “In 2000, I worked with Caroline de Fayet, Fashion Accessories Editor at Elle France, and following that, I won the La Redoute European fashion contest, which allowed me to design my first pair of shoes and sell them in LaRedoute’s catalogue. I created my first line of women’s shoes when I was 22 and then 3 years later I started working as a consultant and freelance shoe designer for different brands at the same time such as Isabel Marant, Ventio and Devastée.” Marion then decided to venture out on her own full-time, and that’s when Good Guys started in 2010. Like most people, we were very curious about the tongue-in-cheek brand name, and we were pleased to find that Marion’s explanation was as candid and fresh as the brand itself: “Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather is a fun and clever name, and at the same time I think it gets people to understand the concept of the brand easily. There were many different options but the humour of this name won over the rest and that’s how it stayed.” We dug a little deeper, to discover the vision and concept behind the brand, and found that as a vegetarian herself, Marion wanted to create a company that would fit with her culinary lifestyle and her expert eye for design aesthetics. Thus, she created Good Guys as a fashionable but animal-free brand, to show that ‘going green’ or ‘entering ethical’ doesn’t mean giving up on style. Beautifully crafted from light and durable materials, these comfortable, stylish and water-repellent shoes keep you looking good from day to night (Marion’s SS13 collection favourite is the Brubeck in yellow; we’ll gladly have the Tatum in denim please). We were also interested to know what inspires Marion, as the creative process is often seen as abstract and highly subjective. Marion highlighted that since the brand is unisex, she has to be in “everyone’s shoes,” and usually starts by thinking of questions such as “what do I want/need to wear this summer.” After this, she would usually watch movies, observe people in the streets for attitudes and characters, as well as analyse paintings for colour palette ideas. She also finds great inspiration from her diverse group of friends, who range from designers and musicians, to surfers and illustrators. She adds, “the fashion industry can be very self-centered and I like to “breathe” into my ideas from outside of this world, not from magazines or other brands, but from real life, situations and historical references.” We can certainly applaud that.
The latest collection is Spring/Summer 2013, and we found out more about the development behind this colour-popping collection and its matching whimsical campaign. “This time I wanted to paint something; I love drawing and painting and David Hockney was stuck in my head during the conception of SS13, so I decided that I wanted the background to look like a swimming pool or water dripping,” states Marion. This explains the various sky blue and lemon yellow art pieces used in the shoot, which have a waterfall, free hand, watercolour feel. Starting with the small version herself - in the still-life pictures first shot by Francois Coquerel - she then asked her close friends, married couple Jason and Sophie Glasser (an American Jewish artist and French set designer), to help with the large-sized backgrounds. According to Marion, they were a “fun and awesome team to worth with,” and it really shows in the campaign – the standout backgrounds, eccentric props, easygoing models and unconventional poses are striking, fun and memorable. She also benefits from the photographic talent of her twin sister Estelle Hanania, who has been shooting the campaigns of Good Guys since day one. “I am very lucky,” Marion admits. So what’s in the future for Good Guys? Marion concludes, “I hope I can have a nice team working with me, maybe have a shop in Paris, NYC or L.A., and have more Good Guys aficionados!” Well, you can count us in now, Marion.
/Donna Huddleston lives and works in London and holds a
Bachelor in Design from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney. She completed her education with a Diploma in Fine Art from the National Art School of the same city.
/Lamplight poster series, ‘Moon’ , 2011, Watercolor on paper, 59,5 x 80 cm.
On Donna Huddleston’s ‘Smoke Garden’
text: Morgan Kwok images: Galerie Juliette Jongma
Donna Huddelston’s history in set design, her taste for supernatural films, and her interest in the feminine form are all apparent in her recent exhibition at the Galerie Juliette Jongma in Amsterdam. Everywhere is the interpretation of space, even in her small-scale watercolours where nymph-like figures waft in and out of coherence. Their rendering is in many cases paired with partial blocks of deep space, which are both definitive and subtle. It is all too easy when considering an amateur water-colourist, to presume muddy ethereal forms and a certain soppy pallet. It is a medium that carries a stigma strong enough that delight is excited when the expectation is broken, in large part because it is such a challenging material to work with. But Donna Huddleston is by no means an amateur, and her masterful familiarity with the material is evident. In her painting ‘Maidenhair’ she displays a genuine command of the medium, balancing fluency of value with fluency of form. Here can be found elements of pleasing compositional clarity. The rigidity of the background grid affirms the feminine figures by providing them with a bold environment. It also allows them a silhouette. The presence of darker values in the grid is at once tamed by the inclusion of paler lines, and empowered by blocks of teal. The figures themselves are delicately expressed in earthy colours. Upon closer inspection, the figures themselves contain echoes of plant-life. Perhaps the most striking thing about her work is the composition of negative space. While the figures are certainly in the foreground, their pale depiction coupled with the advancing nature of red, causes them to seep backwards. They begin to exist as silhouettes, redefining the negative space. While the piece itself is evocative and intriguing, there are problems with the collection as a whole. There is not a sufficient aesthetic sensibility for this collection to be classified as one thing or another. It continually employs the language of art deco, surrealism, and retro movie posters. Throughout most of the paintings there is a vague nostalgic sensibility that, while charming in its symbols (a lamp-post, a moon, a window), has not sufficient direction to be immediately intelligible. There is a persistent sense of something which should be called innocence if deliberate, and naivety if not. This is most apparent in ‘Moon’ from her lamplight poster series. A dolled-up moon is set against a pink sky, penetrated with a lamppost and surrounded by some somewhat aloof symbols. The composition is pretty, but not striking. It does to allow for the possibility, however, that being striking was not the intention. It must be acknowledged that subtle powers of visual persuasion are more difficult to master than their shocking counter-parts.
/Nightlight, 2013, Watercolor and pencil on paper, 82 x 60 cm. Maidenhair, 2010, Watercolor on paper, framed, 85 x 85 cm.
text: Michael Cheung
Annu Kilpelainen is a Londonbased Finnish illustrator who believes that every day is summer, well at least, that is what she is trying to instil in her animated series of tropical inspired illustrations. Not a bad idea to get a smile off our face, when in reality it’s a rainy day in the city. It’s all about the mindset, and she’s got it.
In an interview we came across via the internet, you have briefly stated that in some extent that you perceive makeup artistry similar to being an illustrator. Could you elaborate more on this personal standpoint? This referred to my childhood dream to become a makeup artist, catering to the lavish circus. There are so many great aspects to it, you get to be surrounded by a bundle of creative talents, play with paint and travel – and well, that is what I basically do for a living. As a kid you don’t really think of limitations, and think that your potential can grow up to be anything. What are you obsessed with that someone else would find rather peculiar? I like to sneak into other people’s lives, observing their actions, like their body movements how strangers inter-react. On a different note, I am rather obsessed with patterns, from shopping carriers, candy wraps, textiles and nature. Any pet-peeves, as well? I personally think that to queue is annoying. It probably is one of the easiest ways to piss people off, and I find it hilarious, how frustrated people can get out of the situation. The ball shaped queues always get to me, as it leads to nowhere. How do you manage your time with efficient sleep, or let’s just put it this way, are you someone who enjoys a long snooze? I tend to snooze just for the pleasure of knowing I can still have another fifteen minutes. In fact, a while back I wrote my dissertation on dream sequences in films, and I think dreaming has got so much more to it than we normally associate. Think how amazing it is that by default you have this other world, where you get the pleasure without limited barriers. Some of the scientists were even concluding that we might not exist without dreams, as they help us figure out solutions and prepare for unexpected events.
Art however disgusting and unraveling never speaks the truth better than in its original form. It is a channel that promotes matter in a more appetizing approach. What have you got to say on this rather naĂŻve observation? Art has got so many levels to it that it does channel the truth, as well as the many interpretations of the subject matter. Do you find it difficult to work at home with family, or is this an excuse of daily fidgets? I currently live with four other creatives, whom have become my close friends. I find it beneficial to reside with your pals, as you get the chance to constantly bounce back ideas, and get a second opinion. It can also be a hectic situation from time to time. It really depends on how you see it, and cope with noise. There is this mischief aesthetic towards your body of work. Whom do you reckon influenced your palette for humour? My dad has a great sense of humour. There is also this dark and dry humour instilled very deep in Finnish mentality. Having a laugh, and for a little mischief comes a long way down my roots. I like to incorporate little quotes in my work, as it adds a whole new layer to what I may attempt to put through, and sometimes is an element that makes it easier for people to engage and understand.
If you had to name a country that embodies the spirit of your work, which place it would be? An example would be that Brazil is all about steamy sex, and bombshells. I would say Hawaii, just because of all the connotations of their laid-back sensibility, vivacious shirts and the sun. Then again, it could be my native Finland, with the freezing winters and the never-ending summers, as it doesn’t set at all. The harsh contrast of the seasons, and the bold aspect in Scandinavian design is sometime I would like to represent. Will murals stay as a lively medium in an age of digital everything, and our impulse for technology? Of course, I think lately the appreciation for hand made things has grown to oppose the big boom of technology, and there will always be room for both.
Have you ever walked pass a girl who had this simple and endearing quality to her, and when you finally had the chance to know her better, you weren’t so impressed with her charm anymore, but rather blown away by her quirky personality. This is exactly how I would describe Mia Christopher’s work. Plus, for someone who has once responded “art because I have to” in an interview, you know she is in it to win it. This definitely applies also to exceptional skills in hoarding.
text: Michael Cheung
Should good art be deceptive? I do appreciate it when there is at least some measure of conceptual depth to a piece. This said, it would be too far off to categorise art to be considered good it needs to deceive. Simplicity can be very deceptive in it of itself. To ponder whether an artwork is objectively good or bad is never my focus, whereas spending effort to appreciate works that are interesting and eccentric is the way to go. Did you know that your brain still works for ten minutes give or take, after your heart fails to work? What would you be thinking about in that short timeframe? From time to time this crosses my mind. It is my wish that I could get to travel to a decadent fantasyland where I float around a ten tiered, magnificently frosted, perfectly executed luscious pink cake in an infinity pool of strawberry ice cream. What is the significance to have supportive parents when it comes to nurturing a creative talent at an early age for a child? In fortunate terms, my parents never judged on my stubbornness as a child. They were pretty forgiving, when it came to my vigorous habit of painting the walls of my bedroom, stamping on stickers on every surface clean to human eye, incessantly baking cakes, dying my hair in rainbow, and the list goes on. For parents that aren’t artistically gifted nor work in the field, they seem pretty open-minded and appreciative of different art forms. I have a group of friends who grew up with parents who are working artists, and that seems to cultivate a whole other set of issues than those of us who may complain about the difficulties in explaining what we do to family members who aren’t so involved. Personally, I believe in encouragement to express whenever possible as long as it is in a healthy manner. Since that you are an avid fan of using an array of materials, what do you think about people using their own fluids and pubic hair for the sake of art? An example would be Terence Koh whom has used his own blood and sperm. It truly depends on the intention. If the shock factor was the intuitive of the artist, the work often reads as one note. Contrastingly, if the materials are necessary to the work in a conceptual or aesthetic sense, then the jump was well made. I am always interested in materials that have a lifespan and are non-archival. The idea of an art piece changing over time based on the conditions it is preserved, will always stay more interesting than work that is made with the intention to be around “forever”. I could not put my fingers on the idea and motivation behind creating something that could last time, but the psychology behind it is intriguing. On a different note, there is a lot to be said about how many people are viewing art now – from a monitor, as oppose to visiting a gallery, museum or someone’s warehouse space. This version of an artwork has a whole other life that is almost separate to the original. We have this history of a photograph, or at least a scan of a sample, and through time it becomes manipulated into different formats, saved, uploaded, downloaded and uploaded again. The lack of control from the maker when it comes to these things has always been my fascination.
Have you ever tried to incorporate bubble gum, or even played with the matter in your practice? In fact, I came across these two pieces of gum stuck together in a funny way while walking down the street, and took a photo. It is definitely something worth to explore. There are peculiar things you can do with gum. Are you a sweet or savoury kind of girl? Definitely sweet! Pixie Stix coursing through my veins. If you had to personify your body of work as a type of ice-cream, what flavour would it be? It would depend on the piece, but I love the idea of pairing ice cream with individual artworks. To exhibit a show with corresponding flavours for different paintings would be a wicked idea. If I had to choose something in general, it would be the birthday cake flavour. It represents both classic and indulgence, plus it tastes like happiness in a bowl.
Would you associate yourself as a hoarder? “Organized hoarder” is the term that I would like to associate. To collect, organise and hold on to belongings is a big part of my practice, though I keep on hold of a lot of things, I tend to place them in my studio and home without looking like a cluster of clutter. My obsession towards holding on to personal things have been a habit since I was a teenager, saving all of the AIM conversations I had online with friends, in high school I literally kept four separate journals where I wrote down every text message I received from a specific person over the course of nine months. My habit also reflects on my practice, where I save certain bits and pieces of packaging that normal people would consider as litter. The blurred lined of what should be identified as garbage, art, and what is an art supply in my studio is a funny thing. To the young aspiring talents reading this article, what advice could you give when dealing with intimidating and lengthy contracts? Always take the time to read thoroughly before signing any paper work, and never feel embarrassed to seek advice from friends or professionals. I am lucky enough to have a strong support system of friends and family who feel comfortable to consult with my agreements and project proposals. It’s important to find people who you respect that you can have a valuable tête-à-tête with. Also, I think it is great to step outside of your comfort zone, so I would advise anyone to try set their fear and intimidation aside. Do weigh the possible positive outcomes of a potential project. You were brought up in Hinsdale, a western suburb of Chicago. Could you tell us foreigners more about the place, and the things that make it special? I was actually born in Texas. My family moved around when I was a child. We lived in Marin County, California for a while, and then we moved to Hinsdale, where I attended high school. It was sort of a culture shock moving from a liberal west coast atmosphere to a conservative Midwestern suburb. My favourite thing about where my parents lived in Hinsdale is that it’s a short walk to the train station, which easily takes you into downtown Chicago. There is this great 24-hour diner in the suburbs that my friends I would all convene from a late night, chatting through the hours with some coffee. It was indeed a charming place, with white snowy winters and hot summery nights. It does have a place in my heart, but I am quite glad to be living back in the bay area, for now at least. As an artist, you are more interested in simplicity, with affection towards clean lines and silhouettes. What sort of art or art piece you have seen in the past, which you believe was too much, in a way that it was blank or a bombard? Luckily, I find that the things I admire and appreciate sink in my mind longer than things I despise and less fond about. I like it when artists push the envelope and the expectations of the audience, so in that sense I cannot pinpoint an artwork that I find too simple or outrageously minimal. I think of the John Cage piece, “Silence”. I adore that piece, and how differently each individual perceive it, or perhaps something like the Tilted Arc, which was considered to be an obtrusive piece of monument that it ended up being removed. Some would say that the removal of the site-specific sculpture was part of the work. I like thinking of the large impression a seemingly simple form or structure may leave.
jacket by ann sofie back, shirt by h&m, shorts by blessed are the meek, bag by furla, earrings by baguera. OPPOSITE PAGE: vest and shorts by ellery, dress and heels by h&m.
photographer: Cheung Kin Wai stylist: Michael Cheung makeup & hair: Peggy Tsui stylist assistant: Hely So model: Helena Chan @ Model One
jacket by francis leon, top by ntice, accessories 'stylist's own'.
outfit by versace, sneakers by converse.
top by rue du mail, jumper by blessed are the meek, skirt by antipodium, accessories by callixto, clutch by baguera.
dress by h&m, jumper by blessed are the meek, sunglasses by super.
jacket by blessed are the meek, swimsuit by h&m, bottom by studio nicholson, sunglasses by thierry lasry, ring by baguera.
top by rue du mail, crop top by h&m, bottom by ntice, ring by baguera.
text: Michael Cheung illustration: Helen Li
cassi van den dungen Cassi is not technically a fresh face anymore, but definitely someone to watch out, as her career progresses in an international spectrum. Before being casted for Miu Miu in her show season debut, she was not a name you would be familiar with, even in her hometown, except for a few who have watched the less popular Australian version of the Top Model franchise. It only takes one highly regarded show to change things up, and fortunately, casting directors had her back, in belief that she is the real deal, a look torn between heroin chic, with the etherealness of Bambi. Her stumbly walk has polished with training and an impressive portfolio with a sixteen-page editorial in Vogue Australia, done campaigns for Zimmerman and Sass & Bide, while shooting with the best talents off and on shores, she can go anywhere. Represented by Work Agency, Sydney.
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