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Net-a-porter | Karl Lagerfeld

Easy Conversation: Ntjam Rosie

A beautiful and gifted songstress whose vocals can only be can only be rivaled by her impeccable style, Rotterdam based singer Ntjam Rosie has been under our radar for a while now. The singer who draws inspiration from people like Jill Scott, João Bosco, Madonna -and  many more- is also an accomplished songwriter as  her latest LP 'elle' proved.
We had a chat and it went a little something like this...

Tell us a little bit about yourself, who is Ntjam Rosie?

I am a singer and a songwriter based in The Netherlands. I have been living here since I was a kid and therefore consider myself a Dutch African (Cameroonian) young woman.

I was born in 1983. Music is my life. I perform it, teach it, compose it, sing it, eat it, and breathe it.

Growing up, what did you want to be? 

I wanted to be so many things when I was a kid!! A photographer,philosopher, danser, choreographer, painter, stylist, manager of a cool clothing store, writer, poet, an athlete, an actress...Music was always there, but not in a serious way. Even though I have been singing since I was 14. My parents always thought school was more important. So I somehow did not seriously consider a singing career for myself. I did not have a big voice, it was cute, but not special at the time. One thing was sure though. I would end up in the entertainment business one way or another. That is something I always knew. I also knew my own style would grow and that I would be sharing it with the world.  

Describe your creative process, what/who inspires you? 

I get inspired by life. My faith in God and his spiritual guidance has a big part in my creative process if not the biggest. Music is one of the holiest things we have here on earth. Therefore I like to make music that is positive, peaceful, cathartic, that heals, feeds and cleanses the soul. So I observe people around me, situations. Life lessons from others can inspire me to write. Not only my own life is a guideline for me. And sometimes the lyrics come first and then the chords or melody. But it can also be the other way around. I pray for the spirit to guide me through the process, and I trust in that. It has never let me down.  

What is your personal philosophy? 

I am a supporter and believer of originality. Try to bring something new to the table by simply being who God meant for you to be. It's a very simple philosophy. Connect with  him, the creator, and find out who you are. There is only one you! So please be yourself.

How would you define your style? 

My style is colourful, funky, edgy and very classy at the same time. Above all, my style is my own. I own my style. As an artist it is important for me to have more outlets than music alone to express myself. And one of those outlets is fashion. I love to get crazy funky, super vintage classy, or avant-garde , whatever suits the moment and my mood. I am impulsive with my style.

What projects are you working on these days?

At the moment I am focussed on touring clubs in Holland with my album "elle". For dates please visit my website. Next to that I am getting ready for my next album. Yes, new material!! I am writing a lot on the guitar. I am also taking guitar lessons to improve my playing. Other than that I teach, I am a vocal coach. So I am quite busy with music and I'm loving it!

What's playing in your Ipod these days? 

Aaliyah, Aretha Franklin, Asa (Asha), Beyoncé, Billie Holiday, Candi Staton, Chopin, Chrissette Michelle, The Clark Sisters, Coldplay, Corrine Bailey Rae, Debra Laws, Deniece Williams, Destiny's Child, Djavan, Esperanzah Spalding, George Benson, George Duke, Gretchen Parlato, Hillsong Live, Hindi Zahra, Nneka, Jamie Woon, Jill Scott, João Bosco, José Gonzales, Kate Walsh, KING, Lizz Wright, Madonna, Marvin Gaye, Michael Kiwanuka, Mings Pretty Heroes, Minnie Ripperton, Nina Simone, Quadron, Sara Tavares, Sensual, Somi,The Clark Sisters, Vanessa Carlton, Syreeta.

I always have it on shuffle, so everything passes by ;-)

NTJAM Rosie elsewhere...

Her Official Website  

Her Blog

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

YOU TUBE

Easy Conversation: Julia Vallelunga

Julia Vallelunga embodies the true spirit of a creative entrepreneur.  At  30 years old , this young  women is  not only one of Montreal top  bloggers with À la mode Montréal, but she’s also a talented jewelry maker and her latest collection of necklaces  for Anthropologie can only attest to that.

We had a chat with her and it went a little something like this.

Tell us a bit about yourself, who is Julia Vallelunga?
I’m a 30 years old jewellery designer / fashion blogger. I grow up in beautiful Montreal in an half Italian, half French-Canadian family. Beside designing jewelry, I love travelling and having my friends over for dinner.
 When did you start creating jewelry? When I was a kid, I used to create jewelry and expose it in my room but it was just for fun. I had no idea that I would become a jewelry designer! I started three years ago and I’ve been doing it full time for a year now.

Tell us about your creative process? Who / what inspires you?
I usually start sketching what I want my collection to look like. Then I start making the samples. At that point, my idea usually evolved and the entire collection starts making sense. My travels inspire me. I like looking at traditional costumes and old pictures.

Growing up what did you want to be / do? I wanted to be a diplomat! I studied in Economics and Politics at l’Université de Montréal. I didn’t end up being a diplomat but I worked as a lobbyist in Brussels and worked closely with them. I also worked as a business adviser for start-ups. It’s with working with entrepreneur that I realized I was one.

Who are some of the artists who've influenced your work? Everytimes I looked at Frida Kahlo work, I get inspired. I love the mix of colors.

How did your collaboration with Anthropologie come about? Are you working on any other projects? I just sent them an email! I wasn’t really expecting an answer but I got an answer an 1 hour after I sent it. It was a great collaboration. I did 200 necklaces for them. I hope to have the chance to repeat the experience. I’m working on it!

 What's playing on your Ipod these days?
Devendra Banhart, love his song Shabop Shalom.

Julia Vallelunga elsewhere... 

La Raffinerie 

À la mode Montréal 

TWITTER 

FACEBOOK

Easy Conversations: Pink Ribbons, Inc. + Ravida Din

We recently had the privilege of watching Pink Ribbons, Inc. a feature documentary which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival 2011. It is a clear-eyed look at the worldwide cause-marketing machine behind corporate fundraising for breast cancer research. This must-see film unveils “the pink myth" and encourages people to question their actions while calling for accountability.

Think Before You Pink
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people walk, run and shop for “the cure.” Millions of dollars are raised in the name of breast cancer, but where does all the money go, and what is actually achieved?  Pink Ribbons, Inc., examines what many have called the “dream cause” of cause-related marketing. This interview with the producer, Ravida Din, offers insight into film and her role and career at the National Film Board of Canada.


Brilliant and thought provoking. Check out the trailer below.



Tell us about the film Pink Ribbons, Inc. 
Pink Ribbons, Inc. is about the corporatization of breast cancer. It is about how our society has normalized breast cancer – and – by normalizing it, we have completely depoliticized it. The film raises moral and ethical questions about subsidized philanthropy that is based on citizen goodwill and volunteerism. We may ask “what’s wrong with raising money” but let’s also ask why we need to raise money and how are we doing it... And, are our governments abdicating responsibility? This “normalization” of the disease has been made possible as more and more corporations have become involved in attaching themselves to the breast cancer cause. They are packaging the disease and attaching pink to it... Barbara Ehrenreich refers to this as “relentless brightsiding” or as Samantha King so aptly puts it – there’s a “tyranny of cheerfulness”. Pink Ribbons, Inc. Is a feminist response to our contemporary breast cancer culture. It asks us to consider what kind of collective action will lead to meaningful change and the end of this disease.


 
Why are you funding, promoting, or developing this feature documentary? Or what makes you “get behind” a particular film?
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is a unique public producer. We produce and distribute stories that reflect Canadians... to ourselves and to the world. We have a great obligation to bring to life the stories that matter to people and stories that create dialogue, participation and social impact. John Grierson (founder of NFB) spoke of using art of the documentary as a hammer to transform the world. This is at the heart of what we do. I have a strong commitment to social documentary film and to and in particular to bringing a feminist point of view to the screen. What that means is that we dig deep into an issue and look at the systemic nature of things and the underlying questions of how we build and transform society that privileges equality, social justice and peace. In the case of Pink Ribbons, Inc. not only did I want to deconstruct this breast cancer culture that we’ve created, I also wanted to pay respect to the remarkable women who have worked on this issue for many years and who have dedicated their lives to ending this disease.

Tell us about your creative process? What were the positive aspects or negative obstacles that you encountered while producing and filming Pink Ribbons, Inc.?
I was first inspired by an article “Welcome to Cancerland” by Barbara Ehrenreich.  It led me to other feminist writers...namely Samantha King and her book “Pink Ribbons, Inc – Breast Cancer and the Politics of Philanthropy”.
I was fascinated by King’s book and in particular her discussions about the rise of philanthropy and the corporatization of women’s health. I optioned her book and it gave me a solid theoretical framework from which to begin the research. I wouldn’t say that there negative obstacles. It was simply a lot of hard work and staying on course in terms of the focus of the film. It’s a huge subject and it was at times easy to get side tracked. Of course, I had a fabulous team and eventually worked with a very experienced and talented director – Léa Pool.

Samantha King (Author), Léa Pool (Director), Ravida Din (Producer)

Why is Pink Ribbons, Inc. an important film to see?
It’s important because far too many women are dying from this disease. We have all been complicit in creating a volunteer based “movement” largely funded by corporations and various foundations and we’ve been raising billions of dollars.  Where is the progress?  We need to completely re-think our approach to breast cancer and to women’s health in general. this film will start a conversation that move all these efforts to a place that starts with critical thinking on the subject.

What steps do you want the audience to take next?
Tell everyone they know to see the film.  We want to make sure that we get very large audiences for this film. This is how we can create a bigger social debate around the issue. I think that activists and organizations concerned with the issue will be able to use the film as a tool to spark that debate.  Audiences – especially those who are involved in fundraising for this cause – may want to ask more questions next time they hand over their hard earned dollars and their time to these causes.  We need to critically think about how we can become more effective as a society in addressing this epidemic of cancer.

How did you get started in filmmaking / producing?
I first worked in marketing and publicity at the NFB and fortunately had an opportunity to work with Studio D (feminist production studio) at the NFB.  There was a very strong focus on using films for social change. I then gained experience in several other areas such as theatrical and non-theatrical distribution and then management. I had an opportunity to train as an associate producer and that led to a strong interest in producing.  After working for about 5 years as the Assistant Director General for English Program Production (also a fantastic opportunity in that I was able to have a hand in all aspects of production, financial, administrative, creative, business...etc.) I was appointed as Executive Director for the Quebec Production Centre. A year ago, I was also asked to head the Atlantic Production Centre.  I now manage the two studios working with three producers and directly produce a handful of films as well. I love my job!

If there was the one project that you could see being made into a film what would that be? What else do you have in store for the future?

I have two projects that I would love to pursue but am not going to divulge..not yet. I am quite intuitive in the ways that I work and I need to let ideas percolate for a while. I would love to continue to bring stories (to the screen) that will radically transform our world to a more equitable one.

Easy Conversation: Luca J. Sage

We first stumbled upon the work of British photographer Luca J. Sage here and were immediately drawn to the beautiful and sophisticated honesty of his art. A lover  - and crafter- of beautiful images, Luca is also an avid football fan whose dreams include snapping shots of some of Europe's biggest football stars! We had a chat with him and it went a little something like this.

1.Tell us a bit about yourself, who is Luca Sage?

I’m a photographer based in the UK. I have a fairly clean and graphic style. I tend to work fairly slowly with a large format camera. (It’s the old fashioned sort of camera where you have to put your head under a big dark cloth.) I specialize in portraits and my work has been exhibited around the World, including the National Portrait Gallery in London. 

2.When did you first fall in love with photography?

Unlike many photographers, I didn’t get a camera when I was 5yrs old. My Dad eventually let me take one picture with his Canon SLR when I was about 12 years old.  I remember it clearly, we were on holiday in Scotland and I had pestered him for days to use his camera. He always thought I would drop it for some strange reason. I had a great dilemma about when to use my ‘one shot’ and to this day I’m gutted that I didn’t stand further back to get more foreground into the shot. Later when I was a teenager I used to cut images out of The Independent Magazine and stick them on my bedroom wall. They had a fantastic picture editor called Colin Jacobson, who really set my passion alight for contemporary photography. My Dad eventually gave me his old Canon camera and I’m pleased to say I never ever dropped it.

3.Tell us about your creative process? Who / what inspires you?

My first degree probably underlies a lot of the work I do. I studied Social Anthropology and Development Studies and my photography often entails trips abroad. I’ve always been interested in the way we interact in this world; unfortunately history reveals that we are forever in conflict. We are bombarded by mass media with images of war. In some small way I try to readdress this visual balance. My work is purely visual responses to cultures that for one reason or another are in my consciousness. I’ve shot projects in Serbia, Lithuania, Northern Ireland and Cote d’Ivoire. Empires and governments come and go but what always exists is the individual. This is probably why I love portraiture.

I don’t often take pictures of anything I don’t love. I slow things down and show a perceived essence of a person, but at the same time there is always a dialogue going on between the photographer, the sitter and the viewer. What you see is just my view, it’s not any sort of truth. I just stop time and say ‘hey, look at this, I love this.’

4.Growing up what did you want to be / do?

I always wanted to be a footballer, in fact I lived and breathed football. I was actually doing really well and playing for Chelsea Under 15’s but everything else seemed suddenly so much more attractive when I was a teenager and it wasn’t to be. Though my dream of playing for Arsenal has gone, my love of football still remains. My dreams now consist of big commissions to shoot footballers like Fabregas and Messi for Nike or Adidas.

5.Who are some of the artists who've influenced your work?

There are quite a few but namely Paul Graham, Rineke Dijkstra, Broomberg and Chanarin, Stephen Shore, Mark Power, William Eggleston and Simon Norfolk. They are all amazing photographers and I was lucky enough to have one of them as my tutor.

6.What projects are you working on these days?

I’ve just come back from a road trip in America and I’m currently shooting a commission for the Photographers Gallery in London. After that I will be going on another journey with my 5x4 camera, I have two options but can’t decide which one to go for, time to toss the coin. Or maybe I’ll roll the dice and do a twitter vote. I tweet far too much but it’s a great photographic resource for me. I’ve met some great people through my @lucajsage twitter family.

7.What's playing on your Ipod these days?

Right now it’s paused on Florence and the Machine with Dizzee Rascal, ’You’ve Got theDirty Love’. I love listening to Florence when I’m in the studio; I think I’m a bit addicted.

Luca J. Sage elsewhere

Official website

TUMBLR
TWITTER

Easy Conversations: Tenisha Anderson x Qlix

Like us, Tenisha Anderson is a dreamer. She advocates our motto, Dare to Dream. Taking action she created a Qlix, an award winning fashion publication with a twist. Published by TenStyle Media Inc., this independent “mag in a bag” dares to be different, by offering more than just stunning visuals and charming content.

As with all our interviewees, they inspired us and we share common interests -- in this case, it is her like for Natalie Massent, Canadian Tyler Brûlé and love for print (watch out for her upcoming stationery line). 

Here goes...

See Qlix online

Illustration by Missy

1. Tell us a bit about yourself, who is Tenisha Anderson and Qlix?

Self-proclaimed 5th hologram of JEM and The Holograms, I try to challenge myself daily and am inspired by what “can’t be done”. I’m obsessed with print…period! I created Qlix as a personal challenge and being frustrated by the type of fashion magazines I came across in the USA, also in my travels to Luxembourg for Colophon 2009, I had came across a couple of publications that challenged the way a magazine’s format was displayed. I wanted to bring this particular type of format to the States and see if I could create something of substance without charging a heart and lung to get it.

2. How would you define your style? What is your philosophy?
My style really depends on my mood, which can and does change from time to time. I don’t really have a “uniform” way of dressing, unless wearing the color black a lot and wearing a cardigan with the majority of my looks counts as a uniform. I guess if I were to have to pick a specific style, it would be a mix of classic and bohemian, meaning I would rock an Alexander Wang T-shirt dress with some penny loafers and a cardigan, etc.

As for as my philosophy, rather style or just in general, I’m an advocate of just “Do YOU!” The people that have remained relevant, respected, and revered in the fashion industry are those that accept themselves as just that…themselves, not some proponent to what the fashion industrysays that you should be.

3. How did you first get involved in publishing? 
I first got involved in publishing working as the assistant to the fashion director for Chicago Magazine. I assisted her mostly with styling on photoshoots, but along with the excitement and grueling challenges of editorial andadvertising styling, I started to become more intrigued with the medium thatthese highly styled photo shoots were going into…magazines. From there I started freelancing for anonline publication based in NYC called Papierdoll.net, where I worked my way upfrom contributing writer to managing editor. Working for a digital publication, fueled my fire even more to want tocreate my own PRINT publication.

4. Who are some of your influencers?
Those that have defy conventionalism, walk at the beat of their own drum no matter how weird that drum beats, influence me. There are so many entrepreneurs and artists that I admire and are inspired and influenced by, but the following are ones that I’m completely enamored with ---Tyler Brulee, Lee Alexander McQueen, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, Naomi Sims, Cathy Black, OprahWinfrey, Richard Branson, Seth Godin, Rodarte, and Natalie Massent (founder of Net-A-Porter).

5. Tell us a bit about your creative process.
The creative process for Qlix magazine is pretty organic. My team and I do a lot of brainstorming and pitching back and forth ideas for upcoming issues and projects. When I pick a theme for an issue (whether it is for the print or digital/DISSUE issues) it is always an always non-forced concept. Meaning it literally just came to me, and then I take it from there…not too structured at all.

6. What else do you have in store for the future? 
I have so much in store for TenStyle Media, Inc. and the Qlix magazine brand. I really want to restructure Qlix to “pay it forward” a bit more. As for as the restructuring bit, I’m looking to target Qlix to a more specialized psychographic and will reveal this restructuring in the next few weeks. I’m also working on a creating a stationary line, building a custom publishing division, and I would even like Qlix to have city journals that focus on showcasing the talent within that specific city, kind of like a Qlix/Time Out magazine style. However, I come up with so many projects and ideas that I would love to implement through TenStyle Media, Inc. that my notebook is over flowing.

7. Any tips on getting started in the world of fashion publishing? 
If the doors you are knocking on in the “fashion publishing” industry won’t open or refuse to let you in….build your own door and walk right through. Meaning, don’tever wait for anyone else to give you opportunity. The greatest opportunities are the ones that are created from your own perseverance.

8. What’s playing on your iPod these days? 
Sam Cooke, various 90's RnB tracks, Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, Outkast, Hall and Oats, Adele, My Chemical Romance, Bryan Adams, Cee-Lo Green, Darius Rucker, Musiq Soulchild, etc.

Qlix elsewhere...

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

NINETEEN74

IQONS

* P.S: We cant wait for a possible Qlix Montreal, New York or London *

Easy Conversation: Richard Haines

Richard Haines is as cool and hip and as his illustrations.
A frequent collaborator of J.Crew, this Brooklyn resident takes street-style on the daily updated What I saw today, a blog where he showcases people and stuff he sees in the street of New York - and beyond...
More recently Haines's work was featured on The New York Times  as part of the publication's Fashion week coverage.
We had a chat with him and it went a little something like this.

Tell us a bit about yourself, who is Richard Haines?
Hmmm. Where do I start with that? I’m a compilation of all my experiences, the way we all are. Some things that stand out: My father was in the navy, and we traveled a lot. I think that gave me a sense of a much larger, more interesting world as I was growing up. It fed my curiosity. I always love to draw. It’s been my passion and escape. That passion to draw merged with my love of fashion and New York City-so those 3 elements all coincided to create my blog ‘What I Saw Today.’ I can’t remember the first time I came to NYC, but I do remember after that all I ever wanted to do was live here. As a kid growing up gay in a very straight, conservative world, New York represented freedom, anonymity, and creativity. Living here after all these years is still a dream come true. It keeps offering me new ways to reinvent myself-or find my true self-and I am so grateful for that.

What made you decide to sketch people instead of taking on good ol' street style photography? There really wasn’t a choice. I’m a terrible photographer-I have no comfort level with it. I am in awe of photographers-that they can get a moment with a camera. I’m too busy fumbling with it and any good moment is long gone by the time I’m ready to hit the button. Sketching was a natural process for me-there was no question that it would be my medium. And I had no idea the blog would take of the way it has. My original ideas was just to experience the rush of putting work out ‘into the universe’ and to use the blog as a portfolio to get fashion design work.

Tell us about your creative process? Who / what inspires you?
The more I draw, the more I see life in situations that should be or can be drawn. But what I look for is a ‘line’-the way a person carries himself, holds himself. It’s not really about fabulous clothes, but a mixing of swagger, attitude, charm and the way a person puts himself together.


What's your work philosophy?
My philosophy is to work, work practice, learn the basics and be humble. I teach and a lot of students want to develop their ‘personal style’ before they learn to draw. That’s a big mistake. One needs to learn how to see-how to break down shape and line, then the style comes in. Also, for years I felt I was never good enough to show my work. That’s why I find the Internet so ‘empowering.’ I always tell students to keep it real-speak and draw with an honest voice, and share your work. -the world needs to see more art!


Who are some of the artists who've influenced your work?
So many...when I was around 11, I saw a fashion illustration in the New York Times of the Paris collections. I have no idea who the artist was, but I was so fascinated by how so much information was captured in so few lines. I remember copying that sketch for days. And of course Antonio, his work in the Times Fashion Magazines in the 60s was groundbreaking- he made illustration so relevant.
And the lines of Vertes, Eric, Bouche-- amazing talents. And of course, Christian Berard, and Cocteau. I better stop here, it's endless....

What's playing on your Ipod these days? I listen to what I call ‘Brooklyn easy listening.’ A lot of Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver, Department of Eagles. My friend Keehan told me about ‘How to Dress Well’ so I’m listening to that, and I just downloaded some Xx Xy. And of course Velvet Underground or Sylvester always get me through.

Blog :: Twitter 

Easy Conversation: Bérangère Claire

It's no secret that we are totally enamored with Bérangère Claire. A former stylist, the 31 years old, Paris-based  designer embodies the  'preppy chic'  of the French 'savoir faire'. Her approach to design is simple and we love it.

We had a chat her and it went a little something like this...

Tell us a bit about yourself, who is Bérangère Claire?

I am a 31 years old Parisian designer. I 'm originally from Lorraine in France but I've  lived in Paris for  the past 14 years - pretty much half of my life....
I feel now more Parisian then anything else. I have visit the US a lot as I am totally fascinated by this country. These 3 places, where I come from, where I live and where I love to go have greatly influenced my work and my life in general.

 

When did your first start designing clothes?

I really started in 2007 when I launched my brand and created the first collection.

But I studied fashion design in 2000 and I've been designing clothes for myself since back then.

Tell us about your creative process? Who / what inspires you?

Depending on the collection, I can be inspired by a place, by people, by some art or music movement. For the Spring Summer 2011 collection, I got inspired by Florida after a trip to Miami and the Florida Keys . So there is 3 themes in this collection : Miami with the beach clothes, bathing suits, sun dresses, pink flamingo t-shirts, seersucker shirts... Everglades with the causal clothes such as chinos and check shirts. And Key West with the chic summery clothes: the  Hawaiian shirts, Hawaiian dress and bathing suit, polka dots shirts, bermudas...

What's your work philosophy?

My philosophy is to design  clothes that I want to wear. I do not really care about being creative or designing clothes I will be the only one to do. I think designing clothes is not a question of who will be the most creative or what will be the next trend. The most important to me is to enjoy my collections and enjoy designing them.

Growing up what did you want to be / do?

To be honest, my wish was to be an actress but I have never done anything to fulfill  that wish.
It was kind of frustrating for a while until I started my clothing  my brand.
It is absolutely not the same job but I was somehow  able to earn the same kind of  recognition I  was wishing for, but  without the inconvenience of being too famous !

Who are some of the designers (or artists) who've influenced your work?

Isabel Marant is a fashion and business model for me. I would love to have such a career and success someday. I also totally admire the Ralph Lauren empire.
I don't know if I will be able to make it as big  but one can certainly hope so.

What can we expect from Bérangère Claire in 2011?
A summery and fresh collection that will be available in February. Also, both  the women and men collections are getting bigger with more clothes, new pieces like jacket for men and trench or bathing suits for women. I am very happy with the SS11 collection and I can't wait to get a some feedback from my customers...
Hopefully they will love it as much as I do !

What's playing on your IPod these days?

Elvis. Also, I am waiting for the new The Shoes album that will be out in March.

Merci Bérangère 

SS 2011 Photos by Rémi Ferrante

Official website :: FB :: Twitter:: Tumblr

Easy Conversations: Mengly

Madewell | Summer 2010

Mengly Hernandez, a design Jane of all trades, has worked as stylist, designer, poet and print maker. 
What caught our attention was her playful totes that reflect her prolific output and, like her other works, call for moments of reflection. LINE is a one-of-a-kind collection of cotton tote bags and silk scarves, which are hand silk-screened. Check it out on Etsy. For this New York City native, her design journey has been one full of surprising inspirations and fresh encounters. 

And now our Easy Conversation...


Tell us a bit about yourself, who is Mengly?
Mengly is very passionate, funny, and stands her ground.
When I was younger I wanted to be an entertainer of some sort..
years later I narrowed it down to acting, but was deterred by the 
everlasting cattle calls in the business. I think I’ll be a famous
 actress in my next life.. I just love it!

How would you define your style?
My style is not trendy and always changing.

How did you first get involved in styling and print designs?
I've always had an interest in design and clothing. My 
grandmother gave me a great deal of inspiration and first class 
training in "styling" ...What a stylish lady she was!!!!! Looking 
back I know that my knack for accessories came directly from 
her... On a professional level, styling came quite accidentally. 
My first taste of "styling" came via my stint at a corporate job.
 I worked as a Jane of all trades for a fashion company. One of 
my responsibilities was to assist the creative director. He gave 
me the opportunity to work as a merchandiser, public relations 
liaison, but most importantly, he gave me the chance to express my 
opinions on the clothing. I also had the chance to assist in styling
 the many mannequins we had at our showroom. After leaving the 
company I was in a semi limbo and by chance, met a young lady
 who had been working as a stylist for many years. She gave me the 
opportunity to assist her and I’ve been working in the industry ever 
since.

Who are some of the artists/ designers that have influenced you?


I love Issey Miyake's designs especially since I gravitate towards
 precision of lines and form. As far as artists, it is beautiful to 
encounter the artists that represent your innate style. I was blessed

 to meet my teacher, Megan Foster, who taught me different printing 
techniques such as intaglio, silk screening, wood cut, and my 
least favorite lithography. One day (again) by chance I visited
 the Dia Beacon museum with a friend and discovered a book by
 Kiki Smith, another time I discovered Yayoi Kusama, Louise
 Bourgeois, Avedon, Mario Giancomelli, Nobuyoshi Araki, Schiele, Edvard Munch, Barron Claiborne, endless amounts of 
inspiration came my way, but it always felt like everything I
 encountered I already knew or thought of.  It was more like a 
mutual meeting than a discovery.. A very beautiful feeling. Before
 these "discoveries" I’d never owned a photography or art
 book. I knew about Picasso, Matisse because they were in the 
history books that I learned from in high school.

Tell us a bit about your creative process.


I operate from emotion and feeling! Always. My creative 
process is never the same. I seek to know who I am. I follow my 
instincts.

What else do you have in store for the future?


More styling projects. Textile design, photography, and more 
printing on large-scale paper. I've worked on fabric for a while
 now and am trying to challenge myself to work on things that 
don’t come to me as naturally.

What’s playing on your ipod these days?


Everything. With an emphasis on Nina Simone, Radiohead, Coldplay, Coltrane
, Bob Marley, Eddie Murphy comedy, Ethiopiques, Astrud Gilberto, Bob Dylan,
 Esther Phillips, Fiona Apple, Oumou Sangare, Joy Division, Kanye, Cameron….

Easy Conversation: Indie 184

Indie 184 needs no introduction, one of the leading [female] graffiti writer, this talented artist has find the perfect balance between the streets and the gallery. Her style is classic and her throw ups are dope; we love it.
We had a chat with her and it went a little something like this...



Tell us a bit about yourself, who's Indie 184?

Hey, I'm Indie graffiti artist and graphic designer...native New Yorker based in The Bronx!

How did you first get involved with graffiti ?

Growing up in almost every borough of New York City and always riding public transportation, graffiti is synonymous to the city as trees are to the suburbs. Even though, I had no direct access and intentions on executing my own graffiti until years later when I would meet real graffiti writers who would heavily influence me to get out there and pick up a can to do my name in the streets.

Who are some of the artists that have influenced you?

As far as graffiti style I would definetly have to say my current partner COPE2, then SEEN, DELTA (the original from NY), and SERVE. Aesthetically, it would be LADY PINK, CLAW MONEY, QUEEN ANDREA, KAWS, TILT and Fafi.
There's no trace of it in my work but I have deep appreciation for pop art, cubism and abstract expressionism.

How different is you creative process when you work on a piece for a gallery or in the streets?

My creative process on canvas is almost the same as I think of the graffiti piece that I want to use, fill-in, color scheme and designs, lettering style and composition. But I like to give my canvases a twist - take it to the next level- not just reproduce the pieces that I do in the streets. Most of the time I just freestyle it- off the dome so the style just manifests itself and can result as abstract. Time will tell where my style of art will evolve too, that will be one of my journeys. I also get requests from collectors to produce just a nice clean throw-up (bubble style); in other words Indie on canvas!

Tell us about Kweenz Destroy, your clothing line? why that name?

Kweenz Destroy came about Kings Destroy which is a notorious graffiti crew that was founded in the South Bronx in 1982. When I released the first t-shirt in 2004 I received a great response, so I kept the name and ran with it. Even though the name derives from a crew, a KD girl is one that does it solo, basically a one woman army...she handles all the drama in her life and still gets the job done. That's exactly what the name means, a Kween will Destroy any obstacles in her path!

After last year's collaboration with Fafi, what else do you have in store for us?

For the next Kweenz Destroy spring/summer 2010 collection we are doing a collaboration with TILT and Radio Rose.
Queen Andrea and I will also be curating a group show out in LA with Crewest Gallery in the summer and some traveling...you will have to just stay tuned...

What's playing on your ipod these days?
I don't carry an ipod but do jam in my home / office with my Bose radio... I've been listening to lots of oldies. The Wildstyle soundtrack, Blondie, Fleetwood Mac, Maluca "El Tigeraso" (buy it on itunes now!), The Runaways, Michael McDonald, Cat Stevens, Madonna's "Hard candy", Lady Gaga's "Monster" Saturday Night Fever soundtrack... the mix is eclectic!

Don't forget to visit Indie's blog

Easy Conversation: Emeka Alams [GCTC]

For  Emeka Alams,  Africa is more than just a fad. With his clothing line Gold Coast Trading Co, the young Seattle-based designer takes us from the shore of West Africa in 1444 to today's urban landscape. The result a vibrant, colorful and powerful line of tees+short+pants+accessories that has already gotten the T+S seal of approval. We had a chat with him and it went a little something like this...


Tell us a little about yourself, who is Emeka Alams?
Emeka is me. I was born in the Midwest but in my head grew in West Africa. I'm a fair person who tries his best.  Sometimes I'm way too driven and sometimes I love way too much.

How did Gold Coast Trading Co come about & what's the inspiration behind the brand?
It was really my attempt to show Africa in the light that it deserves. Africa is powerful! The whole diaspora is amazing and I feel like, as  an African who has lived there and who's seen what I've seen the other side really I have the responsibility to stand up and counter what western media is trying to fools us with. So, with Gold Coast as my medium, I'm striving to create strong images that show the other side of my home. I want to introduce that reality to the main stream.

Growing up what did you want to be or do?
I wanted to be a chef (still kinda do) or an architect. I think at some point I'll go to cooking school and refine my skills in the kitchen but first things first I've got to make GCTC into the giant that it is. For me the two disciplines are  related anyways. The  feeling of making a good meal and having others enjoy, it's all art to me.

Tell us a bit about your creative process?
I reference to our history and traditional clothing; but music is huge for me! While working on the new collection I listened to artists such as Les Gargistes, Magic System, Blk Jks and Theophilus London. I tend to create the print or pattern first and then work the other imagery or graphics from that and then from there work on the fits..it works alright i think.

What's your philosophy?
Work hard and it will pay off. Be a good person and it will pay off but through it all remember what's important and realize that  in life, a lot is temporary so act accordingly.
 
There is new and hip scene of young emerging Afro designers - and  artists of all crafts that are becoming more and more popular. How do you feel about that
I think it's a great thing! When I stated a few years back Africa wasn't as cool as it is now. So I'm glad everyone is starting to catch up! However, it's also kinda touchy because I just want the African culture to be taken out of its box and really push forward and explored. I'd like to see it taken beyond the Panafrican colors and the babies on tees, the cliche, stuff you know?..  So if we, as young African designer continue to push beyond that  I think the creative future will continue to be amazing!

Who are some of the designers that inspire you?
Va$htie, ROCKERS NYCwww.rockersnyc.com/ & GOD'S PREY! They are so good, they kill me! I love Cassette Playa! Alexander McQueen was amazing you can't touch him! Jeremy Scott is dope and really inventive which is why I love him - and hope to show him my work as well soon.

Where do you see the brand in 5 years?
Hopefully all around Africa and worldwide. I just want to support and share with all those who have supported and shared with me. I want the brand to give back to it's muse: Africa. That's my hope, let's make it happen!

What's playing on your Ipod these days?
Nas & Damian Marley
Theophilus London
The Blood brothers
Rocky Votolato


For more on Emeka and GCTC check out the:
website
zine 
online shop 

Easy Conversation : Nicolas Premier

Si vous nous suivez depuis un moment, vous devez maintenant savoir qu' Africa is the Future est une marque street-wear qu'on adore. Il semblait donc évident que Nicolas Premier, photographe de talent et co-fondateur de AITF soit notre premier invité pour cette version frenchy de 'Easy Conversation'...

1. Parles nous un peu de l'équipe 'Africa is the Future'?

Patrick et moi, on s'est rencontré il y a plus de dix ans par le biais de la musique. C'est aussi grâce la musique, essentiellement afro-américaine, qu'on en est venu en remontant le temps à s'intéresser à l'Afrique et à son Histoire. De fil en aiguille, l'aspect social et politique de la culture noire américaine nous a amené à considérer le système, dans lequel elle née, dans sa globalité. Par ailleurs, le fait d'avoir tous les deux de la famille en Afrique, nous a permis d'avoir une vision de la réalité qui ne se cantonnait pas au regard que l'Occident porte sur ce continent et sur le reste du Monde en général. C'est aussi sans doute ce qui nous a poussé à vouloir donner naissance à AITF. Aujourd'hui, nos rôles au sein de cette structure correspondent grosso modo à nos cursus scolaires : Patrick gère l'aspect économique de notre activité et moi son développement artistique. En fait, si on compare au monde de la musique on pourrait dire qu' on fonctionne un peu comme un producteur et un MC.

2. Après un voyage au Congo, en 2001, vous créez la marque . Quel a été le déclic?

C'est long ! En fait, il y a eu trois déclics et c'est le voyage lui même qui a été le premier !

Le 11 Septembre 2001, j'étais dans un pays qui sortait d'une guerre civile "sponsorisée" par Elf (Total) et qui avait bénéficiée de la bienveillance de l'État français. Le problème est que cette guerre a fait plus de 300 000 morts et qu'en France comme dans le reste du Monde cet événement a volontairement été passé sous silence (cf "Noir Silence", de François Xavier Vershave aux éditions les Arènes). Alors quand j'ai vu la couverture médiatique consacrée aux attentats du 11 Septembre, j'ai vraiment eu l'impression qu'il y avait deux poids, deux mesures ! En revenant en France, je ne voyais pas comment mon travail artistique pouvait ne pas rendre compte de ce déséquilibre et ne pas lutter contre cette "sous représentation". J'ai commencé alors un travail pictural de portraits d'Africain(e)s. Parallèlement à çà, je m'intéressais beaucoup à l'histoire afro-américaine (le free-jazz, Malcom X, le Black Panthers Party) et j'ai créé des dizaines de slogans dans cet esprit, tout en réactualisant les termes. Parmi ces slogans, il y avait AFRICA IS THE FUTURE. En 2002, lors une exposition pour laquelle on m'avait proposé d'éditer 30 T-shirts, j'ai choisi de faire sérigraphier celui qui me semblait être le plus fort et j'ai donné ces T-shirts à mes potes.

Le deuxième déclic se passe en 2004 au cours de l'inauguration d'un atelier que je partageais avec d'autres artistes. Sur les 300 personnes présentes, une dizaine de mes potes portait le fameux T-shirt. L'intérêt qu'il a suscité nous a bluffé, Patrick et moi, car l'Afrique était au coeur de toutes les conversations ! La façon d'aborder le continent noir changeait et contrastait radicalement avec l'éternel misérabilisme occidental. Cela ouvrait de nouvelles perspectives sur la compréhension du Monde, hors des sentiers battus, en faisant marcher l'esprit critique. Les réactions que mes tableaux parvenaient à provoquer dans des espaces privilégiés étaient tout à coup décuplées du fait de la mobilité et de l'accessibilité du support. Par la suite, on s'est dit que la meilleure façon d'agir pour que cela se reproduise était de mettre encore plus de T-shirt en circulation ! On a donc commencé à produire des séries de 100 à 200 T-shirts qu'on vendait de façon totalement illégale dans la rue, les soirées, les concerts...

Le troisième déclic eu lieu en 2008. Jusque là, AITF n'était pas une "marque" pour nous. Nous n'en vivions pas et notre souci premier était que le slogan soit vu le plus possible, c'est tout! Mais, est venu un moment où nos jobs alimentaires ne nous permettaient plus de consacrer autant d'énergie et de temps à AITF. On a donc décidé de monter une structure "marque" (notre cheval de Troie!) qui nous permettrait de le faire tout en étant 100% indépendant, c'est à dire sans dépendre des subventions d'État et sans se faire récupérer par des majors.

 3.Quel est le message derrière le slogan?

On oublie souvent que c'est l'Afrique qui a connu les prémices du capitalisme et qu'il s'est construit sur son dos avec la mise en place d'un système reposant sur l'Exploitation, dont la première forme fût l'esclavage. Depuis, L'Afrique n'a cessé de conserver cette "avance" et, aujourd'hui encore, elle est emblématique des ravages de ce système et des différentes formes d'exploitations qu'il génère. C'est en Afrique que l'essence même de la logique capitaliste, dénuée de ses fioritures occidentales, est la plus visible : occupation militaire étrangère, pillage des matières premières, dictatures sponsorisées, disparition des services publics au profit des intérêts privés des multinationales, disparition des classes moyennes, enrichissement exponentiel des élites sociales... Ce système est en expansion continue par nature. Il est parti d'Afrique et n'a jamais cessé de s'étendre... Pour faire simple, on pourrait dire que l'Afrique d'aujourd'hui a le visage du Monde de demain !

Mais ceci est vrai pour une autre raison et elle est, pour nous, beaucoup plus réjouissante. Si les populations africaines sont confrontées depuis plusieurs siècles à la véritable nature du capitalisme, il n'est pas étonnant qu'aujourd'hui ce soit sur ce continent qu'émergent les manières d'agir les plus lucides face à l'Exploitation. En effet, il n'y a qu'à regarder ce qui se passe au large de la Somalie ou dans le delta du Niger ! La pêche intensive pratiquée dans les eaux européennes, par de véritables usines flottantes, ayant fini par épuiser de très nombreuses ressources maritimes, c'est désormais le long des côtes africaines que ces bateaux s'en vont poursuivre leur pillage industriel. Ceci a pour conséquence d'affamer des villages entiers de pêcheurs qui dépendaient essentiellement de la pêche vivrière pour survivre. Mais les populations concernées ont pris acte du caractère profondément criminel de l'expansion capitaliste : elles ont cessé de tendre la main pour brandir leur poing face à ces agressions.

En Occident, cette violence ne se manifeste pas avec autant de clarté, même si chaque année ce sont toujours un peu plus de travailleurs licenciés qui la découvrent . Ceci s'explique en partie parce que les "démocraties" des pays industrialisés possèdent "encore" un ensemble d'amortisseurs sociaux mais aussi parce que, grâce à la prédominance de l'Image et de la Communication, elles ont à leur service une machine de propagande très efficace qui permet de masquer, par un flou artistique, la véritable logique structurelle du système. Or si on ne perçoit pas la réalité des rapports de forces, il est difficile de s'en défendre et encore plus d'envisager de les détruire.

C'est là que le travail artistique peut être un de ces grains de sable qui vient, à répétition, nuire au bon fonctionnement d'un rouage bien huilé et ce jusqu'à ce que la machine rompe. Il s'agit de stimuler l'esprit critique, d'ouvrir des brèches dans un imaginaire formaté, de détourner de leur fonction les espaces marchands, d'interférer avec les discours officiels, de miner les piliers idéologiques sur lesquels repose la propagande du système. En un mot il s'agit de la pirater ! Or les actes de piraterie, aussi métaphoriques soient-ils, ne peuvent se réaliser qu'en totale indépendance.

4. Comment s'est passée la rencontre avec Nneka.

La première rencontre avec Nneka c'est faite avec un t-shirt lancé sur scène dans un festival, t-shirt qu'elle a ensuite porté dans de nombreux concerts.

Par la suite, on s'est recontacté par mail et on s'est véritablement rencontré à Paris, à l'Élysée Montmartre, avant un concert. Le courant est passé tout de suite. C'est une fille assez spontanée ! Kiss from Paris miss !

5. Sur quels projets autre travailles tu en ce moment

Je suis en train de travailler sur un projet visuel qui impliquera de la musique dans son développement et pour cela je bosse avec Dal Gren, un des plus talentueux et sûrement le plus atypique des producteurs français !

6. La marque, tu la vois où dans 5 ans ?

5 ans, c'est le temps qu'il nous a fallu pour construire notre indépendance. Maintenant que l'on commence à pouvoir réellement produire des projets de façon autonome, on va passer les cinq années à venir et les suivantes à mettre à profit cette liberté de création et d'expression ! Comme beaucoup de choses nous intéressent, cela peut passer par l'édition, la peinture, la vidéo ou bien encore la musique.

7. Quels sont tes cinq titres du moment?

1. "Time Control" de Walter Mecca

2. "Logic of da city" de Brice Torres aka Kirikoo

3. "Me and the Devil" de Gil Scott Heron

4. "No savior" de A-alikes

5. "Créature ratée" de Casey