Contributing Editors: Maya Kramer and Lauryn Stone

Coachella first hit the scene about 14 years ago and back then it was a Mecca for indie music loving hipsters looking to escape Los Angeles. Flash-forward to 2013, it’s now one of the largest music festivals in the U.S. with over 100,000 in attendance and boasts some the music industry’s biggest names on it’s stages. However, statistics aside, the real fascination of this festival is it’s profound influence on today’s fashion scene. Come April, everywhere you go in Los Angeles is filled with pre-‘Chella promotion. Showrooms like Space 25 Twenty and Soul Roots host private preview/shopping events catered to helping you get styled up for event. And, with festival goers arriving from all over the country, the shopping goes far beyond the borders of L.A.

Weeks before the first performer even hits the stage under that hot Indio sun, retailers like Forever 21 and Nasty Gal along with mega-blogs like Refinery29, have their “festival shopping guides” ready. Campaigns are dedicated solely to inspiring customers to get “festival ready” with lookbooks and capsules collections centered around the style. Fringe is everywhere, tie-dye is kind of cool again, and cut-offs are a necessity. Anyone –even those who aren’t actually hitting up the festival- can look like they are ready for some rad jams and lots of sun. However, the question is, what is the Coachella look?

It is a “Grunge Isn’t Dead” kind of look

Grunge was made popular by bands like Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Pearl Jam back in the 90′s and it is far from dead in fashion today. Achieving  the look is simple, search for items that are comfortable and practical rather than stylish, it should be heavy metal and outdoor inspired and very low maintenance.

Trevor Powers

The Bohemian Trendsetter 

Kate Bosworth is the epitome of a trend-setter; she is confident, daring and always ahead of the curve when it comes to what’s next in fashion. If you’re a bohemian belle like Bosworth, take a style cue from this effortlessly cool look she rocked at this year’s festival. Mix rugged statements with flowey, romantic styles for an outfit everyone will be dying to emulate.

Kate Bosworth

Festival Goer (No name) 

Do you know Alex Chung, Diane Kruger or Kate Bosworth? How about Rita Ora, ASAP Rocky and Sky Ferreira? The Coachella look is an enigma in itself in that there truly are no parameters for rocking the style. Edgy super models like Cara Develigne can stand next to bubble gum princesses like Paris Hilton, at the same stage, and neither would look out of place. While most would argue that Coachella has become an overly trendy “it” scene where there is no real sense of style, it’s quite the contrary; Coachella is a fashion venue in which anything goes and fashion has no rules. It’s like Halloween in the summer except instead of playing the part of a goblin or ghoul, you f-up that pretty pencil skirt with dunks and a band tee.

It’s curious to now think about the towering Ferris wheel that has become synonymous with Coachella because, in a way, it’s perpetual rotation is a subtle allusion to recycling of trends. It wasn’t too long ago that the youth culture of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and even during the grunge scene of the 90’s, were profoundly impacting the mode of fashion. There was the “flower child” with her long locks and mid-driff baring tops later followed by the torn to shreds denim of those heavy metal lovers. Just think, in ten or twenty years from now, when fashion schools are talking style history or industry tastemakers are looking to the past for inspiration, Coachella and this whole scene will be a vital component when it comes to defining today’s fashion zeitgeist.

Haven’t had enough personal styling tips yet? Then keep checking out XEX-STYLIT every week and in the meantime fill out a fun questionnaire at: www.mystylit.com/q to receive weekly outfits based on you and your style.  Each outfit has direct links to the online stores making shopping online convenient, easy and quick!

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Photography: Amber De Vos

Humanity’s fascination with combats has been present since the beginning of times. We still have the ruins of arenas warriors, gladiators and fighters left their souls in the battle to proclaim power over another around the world. It can be traced back to the ancient Olympics where one of the earliest documented systems of codified full range unarmed combat was utilized in the sport of Pankration, or even more recently the combat sport of “Vale Tudo (Everything Valid)” that had developed in Brazil from the 1920s, and which was brought to the United States by the Gracie family in 1993 with the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the largest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion company worldwide.

It is pretty interesting how Andre Gusmao became part of the Gracie family. He was called in to replace an injured fighter in an IFL (International Fight League) match and began his career fighting for Renzo Gracie’s New York Pitbulls. He has studied different kinds of martial arts including Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Taekwondo, but it was not until his sister introduced him to Capoeira that he found his true calling. Andre was just a child when he started training, and by being bullied by older kids, who always thought he was much older because of his height, Gusmao had to defend himself. –“I always trained so hard, much bigger guys would always push me around but I would not care and kept training, I didn’t care about being beat up anymore. Until one day, when I was around 17 or 18 years old, I felt so strong that I just punched the guy in the face, I realized then I was a fighter, after that it simply became worse by the minute”. Shared with us, the now Capoeira Contra Mestre.

Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of music, acrobatics, and dance moves into one. More than a fighting style, it was created in the beginning of the 16th century as a hope of survival, a tool with which an escaped slave, completely unequipped, could survive in hostile, unknown lands. Capoeira evolved from a survival tool to a martial art focused on war back in the day. Many began to use “Capoeiristas” as bodyguards, mercenaries, and even hit men. Groups of Capoeira practitioners, known as Maltas, used to terrorize Rio de Janeiro. In little time, around 1890, Capoeira had become illegal in the whole country. Today, we show gratitude to Mestre Bimba, a fighter of all battles that founded the 1^st ever Capoeira School in Salvador – Bahia in 1932. His exceptional teachings and efforts finally paid off when in 1940 Capoeira left the Brazilian penal code and definitely left illegality.

Andre Gusmao is part pioneer of the global Capoeira group Nago along side one the most accomplished Capoeiristas in the world and founder of the group, Mestre Pequines. They used to be part of the group Candieas. -“We had a very unique style about playing Capoeira, if you watched us play in the roda, you knew it was Capoeira Nago, it was very unique and everyone could tell… So inside the group we had our own style and we started doing our own thing, our own style of training”. Nago was founded in November of 2001. Andre’s story is truly impressive and inspiring, he has followed his instincts ever since he can remember, and today inside the fulfillment of his dreams, he trains and teaches people every day, with the support of his Contra Mestre brother Turracha, in his own academy, in New York City. He is the living example of all that we can do when we set our minds to it and focus.

He kindly tells us: “I don’t even know how many countries the group is in by now, it is all over, when I think of the amount of people that teach, how many students we have per teacher, its amazing. There are Colombia, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Spain, Italy, England, France, Germany to name just a few…”

INTERVIEW

Where do you think our bizarre fascination with watching battles and fights comes from?

 I think its primitive instinct like sex. If you look at the animal kingdoms, animals always fight to become something like the alpha male, and all the other animals usually stand around and watch. If you think about it, naked people on the streets don’t cause such a commotion, like placing 2 people fighting, everyone comes to watch, its a primitive instinct we posses and we have not gotten over it yet.

What is the scariest injury you have ever had? How did it happen?

 I cannot say it’s the scariest, but during one round in a fight, I broke my jaw, ribs and hand. I realized I was in trouble during the 1^st round’s brake. It was my third fight and we all thought it was going to be an easy battle, but I sat down and realized I was destroyed. My coach, a really amazing guy said to me “now it’s when you are going to find out what you are made of, are you going to quit or get up and try again? ”. I went back for 2 more rounds and won the fight by points. It was the roughest night of my life.

Word of advice for readers wanting to practice some form of martial arts or self defense, but are stopped by fear or similar circumstances?

Researching about whom you are going to be training with should be the most important thing.  There are a lot of schools out there, where guys are not ready to teach, they just open up an academy and start teaching out of the blue. You should know about the instructors, professors or teachers, where they come from, who are the teachers of the instructors, and the teachers of the teachers, go back in the school’s time and find out where they competed and what they are all about. You cannot just show up somewhere and sign up, you could be signing up your own death sentence. There is a school and a method for everyone, find the one that suits you best.

What will you say to those fighters that feel stopped or not motivated anymore?

I could say to keep trying, train harder, etc. However, it is a very personal matter. Fighting is not for everyone, sometimes is just not for you. If it is for you, then get in the ring and fight as much as you can, get to know what you want, if you really want it, then go to the gym and train your ass off, but you cannot doubt about it, if you have doubts, you probably should find something else to do.

The best thing about being a leader is?

Being admire for what you do, for who you really are. To have people follow you because of who you are at the core of your being, is an amazing feeling.

XEX Magazine and fashion editor, Capoeirista “Suado” acknowledges Andre Gusmao for his hard work, his commitment to martial arts and all of his students around the world, XEX-Ceptional job!

Note: All XEX readers get a free class at www.nagoacademy.com. Email andre@nagoacademy.com to find out more and where you can train Capoeira in your city if you live outside of New York.

On April 5th, revelers and industry heads alike ventured to Williamsburg, Brooklyn to enjoy a night where Fashion, Art, Design and Bizarre collided. Neither the party nor the fashion disappointed, in celebration of the Spring 2013 Men’s Edition, XEX Magazine hosted an amazing gallery mixer to celebrate cover features Ryan Nickulas, Romeo Miller, and Laz Alonso.

Ripped directly from the pages of XEX and brought to life on canvas, attendees previewed a display of editorial images from the current and archive issues curated by Art Editor, Bryen Bumbarger and Magdalena Lazare. DJ SpeakEasy, whom has been a part of the XEX family since its debt kept the night going, spinning pulsating beats while drinks ceaselessly poured courtesy of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Video footage featuring editorial material since the magazine’s conception set the pace for a live “Fashion x  Art” model exhibit curated by Fashion Editor, Inoisell Miranda, Stylist Omar Alexander and Colby Model Management. To top off the night Editor-in-Chief, Sailey Williams invited attendees to bring their looks in front of the camera to take part in a live fashion photo-shoot as Video Editor, Adolphus Amissah captured the night in its entirety.

Special thanks to our sponsors for filling our gift bag with tons of goodies from Kinky Curly, ConAir, The Abster, OPI Nail Polish and other amazing treats courtesy, of Fashion & Lifestyle liason, SMG and The PR Circle.

Hot Off The Press

“The first men’s edition of XEX has the right amount of substance and features fabulous editorial material styled by some of New York’s hottest stylists. The “mode home” is everywhere to see, trying hard not to alienate the classic male, while still catering to the fashion forward. This launch had all the ingredients for a good party, and if you like a good party then you’ll love a good read!” stated Vladimir Armand of JoonBug

Born in Catanzaro (1962-Italy), Parentela has been creating his striking and eclectic work, full-time, since 1995 and has been very involved with the international underground scene.  He tended to draw in black and white for the first 13-14 years with tons of black Indian ink but over the last few years has experimented with color and mixed media.  He says, “We’re all different and we mix and share our feelings and thoughts every minute of the day.  From all my thoughts I will take one idea and work on it again and again, cutting it and pasting it with a lot of weird materials, hitting it with many colors and black lines”.  Cutting and pasting images in new, thought provoking ways, layering photographs with pencil renderings with paintings, his result is always something unique.

Could it all be for shock value, unsimply “riding the contemporary wave of schizophrenia” or just the genuine love of art and self-expression?  Whatever the intent, Parentela is on the cutting edge of contemporary art and continues his growth collaborating with Sequoia Tees and turning his art into fashion, exhibiting at the Museum of Porn Art in their 100^th exhibition,  and pursuing his calling as a professional tarot card reader and creating two tarot decks from his artwork for Tarocchi Evoluti.  As he continues to work on some pieces for an exhibition this year in Detroit plus two other shows in the next few months, as well as a new comic book, Claudio Parentela tells us in a recent interview, “I firmly believe that we are each traveling our own path, but this path is one of millions of possibilities for us – each major decision we take and those we are offered but decline, can change our path for another”.

Check out this Article in The Men’s Edition!

Contributing Editors: Maya Kramer and Lauryn Stone

XEX Magazine has joined forces with a talented and dynamic team of fashion stylists who are out to bring a personal stylist directly to you weekly.  And guess what? it won’t cost you a dime! Stylit (www.mystylit.com) offers you the luxury to be styled by a team of personal shoppers who focus on tailoring your outfits based on your size, budget, style and figure.

The XEX – STYLIT section will feature shopping advice as well as style tips and tricks on how to rock fashion forward looks. No hassle, no cost; just the enjoyment and exclusive feeling of having a personal stylist right here, in your favorite magazine.

For this week’s XEX-clusive fashion and styling tips, we bring you the latest from the Spring/Summer 2013 runways with looks from some of our favorite designers…

A BOLD TOUCH: Inspired by Salvatore Ferragamo

When it comes to looking dapper less is often more, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a fashion risk by infusing your ensemble with a bold pop of color. Inspired by Salvatore Ferragamo’s modern and citrus fresh spring presentation, we suggest you hire some cool hues for your wardrobe by rocking bold colors in your accessories. Think colorful cravats and killer kicks in island brights.

COOL CHICK : Inspired by Phillip Lim

Fashion’s most stylish ladies are trendy risk-takers who often opt to wear the unexpected. Phillip Lim’s recipe for spring 2013 called for one part high-fashion and all parts cool-chick.  Juxtapose your lady-like essentials (i.e. that classic blazer or feminine pencil skirt) with a grungy band-tee and some rad essentials like patent leather, heavy metals and loads of mascara.

IT’S ALL ABOUT STRIPES : Inspired by Dolce & Gabbana

Whether you’re a buttoned-up sophisticate or a laid-back lad, implementing stripes into your summer wardrobe is a great way to make a statement. An easy-to-wear print, stripes are an effortless staple that can be styled in a myriad of ways. Dolce & Gabbana took the look to the shores of Sicily by pairing the print with casual cool basics. Get the look by rocking your stripes with summer staples such as a straw fedora, chilled-out chino shorts, sleek sunnies and some stylish boat shoes.

BLACK, WHITE & CHIC ALL OVER: Inspired by Marc Jacobs

Black and white is irrefutably this season’s fiercest trend. A simple formula of nature’s two most basic hues, designer’s like Marc Jacobs went ultra “mod” with this chic color palette reminding us fashion lovers that the classics are always the best. Dare to wear the trend by styling it up in  stripes, checks or solids and don’t be afraid to get funky with accessorizing and print pairing, because who doesn’t appreciate a little pattern on pattern action?

Would you like a personal stylist? Then wait no more and fill out a fun questionnaire at: www.mystylit.com/q to get started and receive your weekly outfits.  Each outfit has direct links to the online stores making shopping online convenient, easy and quick!

And don’t forget to keep coming back to check out what XEX Magazine has in stores for you with this new STYLIT section.

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Grant has broken international barriers by transforming from a noted Australian television host to an American TV/film star. Recently, Bowler was featured in Lifetime’s “Liz & Dick” alongside Lindsey Lohan in her signature role as the late great Elizabeth Taylor. He is soon to be seen as the male lead in ‘Defiance’, set to air on SyFy this April.

XEX recently had the chance to interview Bowler about his transition between international media and how he stands out in a city full of competition and diversity.

Interview: Louie Garay Jr.
Photos: Darren Tieste

As a successful Australian television star, what was it like for you to transition into American media? 

It was Difficult at first, because like with any market, if the producers and networks haven’t seen your work, then it may as well not exist. Having found a home in the industry here though, I love the incredible degree of creativity, innovation, the quality of the script writing and the work ethic of everybody involved in the North American television industry.

Living in Los Angeles, one of the biggest cities for acting opportunities, how do you separate yourself and stand out next to the many actors vying for the same roles? 

I don’t try to get anything right! Instead of focusing on what I think will please the person auditioning me, I think about the audience…I think about how ‘I’ as an audience, would most like to see this character played and ways that I may not have seen a character like that played before. That’s the performance I take in and from there, it’s fit. If the vision of the showrunner is along the same lines, then hopefully my idea will add something or excite him or her…and off we go. But no matter what, it won’t be the same as the next guy’s.

Shooting 5 movies back to back is an accomplishment. What was it like having to be in 5 different characters right after each other? Did you have time to grow into each character or did you find it hard? 

I find character is behavior, and I start from the inside out. So although playing five in a row is exhausting in total, it’s also incredibly energizing in the process. Each character reacts and responds differently to the world and to his or her fellows and to the situations and challenges it faces. It’s never a repetitive process. Repetition is what’s tiring to me. Discovery is always energizing and exciting.

How did it feel working with Lindsey Lohan in “Liz &Dick” in your role as Richard Burton?  

Working with Lindsay was the first time I had worked with an actor with the degree of pop culture attention and notoriety as Lindsay seems to have. It was extraordinary to me then – and still is how – much attention can get placed on someone having a cigarette or what soda they’re drinking. For me, I was terrified of taking on Burton and didn’t have an ounce of energy to spare to think about how I looked or appeared to anyone doing it. I can’t imagine dealing with all that scrutiny and being able to do a good job.

What can we expect that is different from you in your new role in “Defiance”, set to air on SyFy this April?

I think what’s new and different is that I’m in love with this character for the long haul. Kevin Murphy and I have talked a lot about the character arc of Nolan, and he and I are definitely committed to giving the audience as big a ride as possible. I think that this role crystallizes a lot of stuff I’ve been exploring for a number of years now, and the beauty of having the central character in a series is getting the screen time and a long enough run to fully develop all the aspects of the character that I most want to have a conversation with the audience about. For me, it is a conversation. The beauty of series drama is that there is time to get that feedback, to make adjustments and to explore again.

Who would think that a 21 year old, Mexican Dutch Jewish Accessory Designer, inspired by Ralph Lauren,  Pokemon and RuPaul would make such a huge impact on street fashion? Rembrandt (Remy) Duran is the owner, Creative Director and head designer of the New York based clothing brand ADEEN (ADEENYC.com) that promotes, “Giving you that Saturday morning cartoon feeling”.  This Lower Eastside native attended the High School of Art and Design and originally, wanted to be a cartoonist.  He later realized that fashion and style were his true passions so by fusing the two together it gave him the opportunity to give life to characters he loved for years.  Remy is inspired by cartoons he grew up with, or drew himself when he was younger, and the fun feeling that comes with them.  Remy makes sure that ADEEN goes above and beyond to proclaim to the world – Just Have Fun.  ADEEN is actually a slang word used in certain neighborhoods in Brooklyn as a substitution for “very” or “a lot” or to agree with someone.  A lot of people are agreeing that Remy’s designs, although street and urban, are becoming very fashion forward and high end yet allow us to have fun because he’s having fun.  Sharing that wealth of good times, Remy pursues his passion as an unconventional “family business”.  While he controls artistic direction and design, his mom is brand manager and handles the business and even Grandma sews in labels and backcharms to the hats.  However it’s put together, Remy wants people from all walks of life to, not only, look good in what they wear but feel that they look good in what the wear.

The first release was the ADEEN collection, consisting of plush pins (The fav being Assman), boy short underwear and knit caps.  The plush pin idea came from his childhood collection of Beanie Babies and Remy found his niche incorporating non-fashion things that were part of his past into his future in fashion.  Continuing this trend, ADEENS second line release was the RoseHood plush pin collection, an ode to Remy’s childhood memories of his Nana’s garden.  RoseHood is the concept that one should believe in being one’s self.  More recent lines are ADN, a collection of snapback caps, necklaces and earrings using colored, clear and mirrored acrylic and SATURDAY and SATURDAY NIGHT, adding black, white, silver and neon acrylic, giving style and fashion not just a look but a feeling.  His CITY/COUNTRY collection honors the cities and countries that inspire Remy but it’s edgy BLACK AND WHITE series that’s had bloggers working overtime. 

The BLACK AND WHITE SERIES lookbook stars famed androgynous model Andrej Pejic, posing with shirtless masked men, sporting a snapback cap with the word C*NT in 3D acrylic.  Did Grandma sew that one on too?  Some say the controversial campaign was pushing the envelope but Duran says he was paying tribute to the gay community, naming his muse, RuPaul, as his inspiration this time.  Remy stresses that the C word’s use is non-offensive and only meant to represent The Diva of Drag Race’s belief “that one must always have Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent. In that case, Rembrandt Duran should be wearing that snapback cap daily because he exudes it all.  Remy is living his dream of building street chic ADEEN into a lifestyle brand using individuality, originality and knowledge of style. When asked where he sees himself in ten years he says “Successful and happily married, doing what he loves and staying inspired”.   Remy assures us that “I have collection upon collection in my head already, there is plenty more to come and we will continue to do poppin’ things!”

Interview: Michael Nelson

Photography: Sailey Williams

Styling: Engie Hassan

Styling Assistant(s): Daphney Augustin, Michael Rosenberg

Groomer: Charles Douglas

As a Massachusetts native, what was your journey to making it to New York City and working in the beauty industry?

I moved to NYC in 2006 to seek my fame and fortune.  The Cosmetology state board was not making it easy to transfer my license and without it, I could not work in a salon.  It ended up taking nine months to get reciprocity.  But I learned very quickly that I could work on set without it!  This led to working with designers, magazines, socialites, and ad campaigns!  I’m so thankful the state was difficult!

Your successful career as a hairstylist has allowed you to become owner of Ryan Darius, one of the most popular salons in Chelsea known for its elite clientele. What was the actual turning point in your career when you felt satisfied and content with your accomplishments?

I am not there yet. . .I still want to do MUCH MORE!  Last year I was asked to speak to students at FIT. It was a “moment”. I talked about connecting all my dots. I worked at the GAP, slung sizzling fajitas at Chili’s and washed heads and mopped floors at my first salon job.  Each experience lead to my small goals being met. However I do not miss smelling like Chili’s at the end of my day.

Over the past few years your work has been acknowledged & endorsed by Aol, Pantene, ConAir, and you have been deemed a beauty expert and teacher. How does it feel to share your skill and wisdom with the masses? Do you see a future in ongoing hair and beauty education?

This is the overall goal for me.  I want to be the Rachel Ray of the hair industry!  Instead of thirty minute meals, I want to teach the ladies 30 minute hair styles!!!! Every woman on any budget can have great hair. I think back to my grandmothers. They ran the house, had lots of kids, looked great, and were on budget.

Your career as salon owner and larger than life personality led you to reality television as one of the cast members of The A-List: New York, often labeled as the LOGO network’s envisioning of “The Housewives” franchise. What was the experience of being a part of a program that raised such high emotions amongst its viewers and critics?

I loved doing the show.  It was a great experience for me.  No matter what people think of the show, the cast (Derek, Mike, Austin, Reichen, Rodiney and I) who started that series will forever have an imprint in gay pop culture.

“This is the true story of seven strangers”…Television executives has been lumping strangers together in one cast and pressing record for the past 30 years and to the viewers often sees the cast members gel on camera…..for the most part. Did The A-List cast get along off screen? Which cast member’s lawyer have to do the most work? ….

I think mine!!!!   LOL The first season of the show, my lawyer fee took half of my paycheck from LOGO. Mike, Reichen and I have assets to protect.  It was money well spent
We were fans of The A-List New York cast, even though you guys were often called stereotypical & fashion obsessed, The A List: Dallas cast was far worse! What were your opinions on your Dallas counterparts?

There can only be one original. If you come in second … you must bring your “A” game… I felt bad for those boys. I know one of them was living out of a car while filming the show. Another almost checked into rehab. When you go on nation television faking the funk the audience can see it a mile away!

Viewers of The A-List: New York received a glance of your home life with your husband of (insert years) Desmond who you often called your “Mr. Big” paralleling your relationship with the Sex in The City characters. What is the dynamic of your relationship? Did it really take as long as those two did to tie the knot?

It sure did … I met Desmond when he was 28 and I was 20 years old back in 2000 when we both lived in Boston.  We were married seven years later.. Now its 2013 … you can do the math!

One of the topics and themes of your storyline on The A-List was your starting a family. Where are you guys with those plans of having “Heidi Klum & Seal” babies?

The plan is still in the works!  Trust me … when we become fathers, everyone will know (probably sooner than you would guess!).

You often endorse new fashion designers and brands, but also known for loving a good Neiman Marcus shopping spree. How would you define your personal style and fashion sense. What are some of your favorite brands, new and established?

I would describe my personal style as a chic schizophrenic. My fashion sense varies depending the occasion I’m attending. I love mixing mainstream brands with those of emerging and major designers to create an unrivaled look. Having many classic pieces such as: Tom Ford, Gucci, Armani, Christian Louboutin, Rick Owens, etc. Despite this, I like to  mix-it-up with items from Top Shop, H&M, and the Zara’s of the world. My favorite brands : emerging,  Ashton Michael  of LA and ODD in NYC.  Best established are Rick Owens, Gucci, Tom Brown, Tom Ford, and Alexander McQueen .
My fashion stylist, Engie Hassan, always says“Merchandising an outfit gives it personality because anyone can wear a suit, but the accessories you add can greatly enhance the overall look.”

Along with your cast member Mike Ruiz you have been passionate about the Ali Forney Center. Are there any specific charities or causes that you feel passionate about?

My husband and I are involved with:  The Ali Forney Center, Green Chimneys, Gods Love We Deliver, and The Catalog for Giving,

You are definitely A-Listed! What do you have planned for yourself next? Is there more Reality Television in the works? Or are the cameras kicked out of your penthouse for good?

I will not say the cameras are kicked out for good.  But I did turndown the spin-off of the A List New York.  It was time for me to take a break … Its been over a year since the final taping so I think I may be ready again …

To see more of this editorial & interview pick up a copy of XEX Magazine : Men’s Edition on Newsstands April 5th and Digital Newstands Today!

While we were busy discussing whether or not Chris Brown and Rihanna are the new Sid and Nancy, the new Bonnie and Clyde (or the new Bobby and Whitney), and whether or not our favorite busty soul chanteuse Adele (with her heaving bosom and deadly-pale Kabuki makeup) is indeed channeling Leigh Bowery, Divine, Beth Ditto, or a slightly larger version of Renee Zellweger as the Hot British Mess known as Bridget Jones, it occurred to us that we’ve experienced fashion/pop culture déjà-vu more than a few times over the last couple of months. 

Whether its star-crossed singers who are Dangerously In Love or larger-than-life broads who can sing and/or drink you under the table, we can’t help but feel like we’ve been here before. As Shirley Bassey (who SLAYED her performance at this year’s Oscars) sings in her collaboration with jazz fusion group Propellerheads, we get the feeling that “It’s all just a little bit of history repeating…” Here’s why, in 5 different ways…

1- Quiet As Its Kept, there’s apparently no “Famine of Beauty” in Somalia…

Can we get into Fatima Siad for just a few fashion moments? She (like gorgeous supermodel and fashion icon Iman) hails from the dusty sands of Somalia. She (like Iman) evokes wicked, savage beauty and cheekbones that should be illegal. She is also (like Iman used to do) tearing up editorials and advertising campaigns left and right- most notably for the fashion houses of Herve Leger and Hermes. And she (like Iman) is a perennial favorite among high-fashion photographers, who damn-near masturbate as they manipulate their lenses to capture that lovely visage before them. So, it stands to reason to wonder: is Fatima Siad (pictured on the right- photographed by Mike Ruiz for the new Sam Fine for Ebony Fashion Fair cosmetics ad), simply the NEW Iman Abdulmajid-Bowie (pictured on the left- photographed by Francesco Scavullo in 1976)?

2- God Save The Queen…2.0? Quiet As Its Kept, is Pam Hogg the new Vivienne Westwood?

Like veteran fashion hell-raiser Vivienne Westwood, Pam Hogg possesses an inherently rebellious spirit, probably as a result of her formative years on the London Club Scene- specifically the infamous Blitz Club (aka, the British version of Studio 54, since its door policy was equally as daunting).

By: Chad Groom

Photography: Sailey Williams

Wardrobe: Chad Groom and Llewellyn Jenkins for THE STYLEMONSTERS

Grooming: Blue Michael for Blue Michael Cosmetics

Production Assistants : Steve Foster, Mike Nelson, Adolphus Amissah, Rick Brown

Military-Style Jacket & Pants: ANDREW NOWELL   Fur Vest: ZANDRA RHODES

Cashmere Turtleneck: MICHAEL KORS  Belt: DSQUARED2 Luggage : LOUIS VUITTON   

Webbed Tank w/ Leather Trim: JEREMY SCOTT Pants: ANDREW NOWELL 

Mongolian Lamb Coat: TRILOGY FURS BY MICHAEL MCCOLLUM

Boots: NEW ROCK MOTORCYCLES  Belt: ELSA PERETTI

Ring: ROBERT LEE MORRIS  Gloves and Headband: DIRK BIKKEMBERGS

Hat: JOAN SHEPP, PHILADELPHIA   Jacket: MESSAGERIE   Glasses: RIVIERA

Sheer Tank & Underwear: DASOUL   Shorts: GENERAL IDEA   Gloves: DIRK BIKKEMBERGS

To see more of this editorial & interview pick up a copy of XEX Magazine : Men’s Edition on Newsstands April 5th and Digital Newstands Today!