Orlando Recap #1: A day at the OMA

Hi guys!

Last month, I took a much-needed vacay with my family to Orlando, Florida. I haven’t been to Orlando since I was a kid. My sister used to dress Akua and I alike in the same outfit courtesy of Gap Kids.  After a long day at the parks, a baby sitter from the Disney resort we would stay at would come to watch us while the adults went to Pleasure Island (those who don't know it was a part at Disney devoted to the adults).... lol I remember Akua and I would fantasize about growing up and being able to go to do the more of the adult activities Disney offered. Fast forward to 2016, we acted like big kids ha ha!

Our first stop was the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA). OMA is located near other Orlando cultural gems in beautiful Lockhaven Park, like the Shakespeare Theater and Science Center and there are many great spots for picnicking outside.  The inside of the museum is much larger than it appears to be from the outside and they have many "photo friendly" (but with no flash) exhibits.

The striking 20-foot tall Dale Chihuly's contemporary glass sculpture greeted us when we entered:

My nephews got a kick out of “Waves” by Matt Roberts.  “Waves” is a real-time single channel video installation. This artwork responds to the current size and timing of the waves of the closet ocean of its current location. These sound waves shake a bowl of water sitting on top of a speaker. This shaking produces wave patterns in the bowl that are captured by a video camera modified by the software and projected onto a wall. As the waves in the ocean change size and frequency the waves in the bowl will also change. This results in continuous variations of the shapes and patterns that one sees and hears which also reflects the constant changing conditions of the ocean.

The exhibition that caught our eye the most was The Florida Prize in Contemporary Art (opened from May 13th-August 28th). The initiative brings to the state’s most progressive artists to OMA. These artists worked in a range of media and artistic practices: using technology, hand-embroidered handkerchiefs, plywood and graphite.

The Ipad set up was easy to navigate and the staff was super friendly!  We actually had the opportunity to meet one of the subjects of the Michael Vasquez exhibit:

Michael Vasquez’ paintings present the society in which he grew up – misguided youth trying to find themselves. Often set within the landscape of street life and gang affiliation, Vasquez’ subjects search for acceptance and belonging.

My fav was Noelle Mason’s exhibit titled “Love Letters/White Flag: The Book of God + Through A Glass, Darkly (Spring Cleaning).

Other exhibits at OMA included: My Friend: Eric Rohmann and A Trek from North to South

After the museum we went for a much-needed Starbucks run ha ha! This is the first of three posts; I am doing recapping my trip! Stay tuned!

Xo

Kos

NYFW Day 2: CHROMAT + JAY GODFREY

What is great about NYFW in recent years are the brands that are willing to take a risk and do something different.  Two brands that have stood out so far are CHROMAT and JAY GODFREY.

CHROMAT had their SS16 show at Milk Studios, a proper for as their inspiration for the 2016 woman is to "empower the body" by using intelligence capabilities to monitor performance through clothes. A dress that stood out to me was the Adrenaline Dress. The dress is powered by Intel and is made up of 3D printed panels and expandable carbon fiber framework.  When the dress senses adrenaline, the framework extends into a large wing shape. So cray! Totally something from a Tim Burton Batman Movie!

The show also featured two curvy models, highlighting diversity that is a long standing argument in the fashion industry. It's refreshing to see this, as we are flooded with Instagram posts of Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner on the runways.

Jay Godfrey's Spring 2016 is inspired by the work of the late interior designer and architect David Collins. Godfrey's designs highlight David Collins' use of simplicity and architectural lines. Keeping to his inspiration of the New York woman in mind, Godfrey melds the classic tailoring techniques of Savile Row with modern silhouettes and luxurious fabrics. The monochromatic collection paid tribute to Collins' work by using different shades of white, ivory, alabaster and cream.  

The runways have been screaming out "POP of COLOR", Godfrey stuck to his design principal and what the actual NYC woman wears in the spring.  He could have swam where the fish were swimming, he didn't. Rock on Jay!

Jay Godfrey photos by: Dan Lecca Photography

Have you guys been seeing the shows, any favs so far? Do tell!

xo

Kos

WCW: Koko Ntuen of LADYGUNN Magazine

Happy Wednesday Peeps!

Welcome to my WCW (Women Crush Wednesday) series.  My WCW series will include women who inspire me and inspire many.  They work in various fields but they all have one thing in common: DRIVE.  I am happy to have my friend Koko Ntuen be the first post!

Koko is the Editor-in-Chief of LADYGUNN Magazine, a quarterly magazine based in NY and LA.  The magazine gives a refreshing take on emerging fashion, music and art.   

After receiving a graduate degree from Manhattan’s The New School, Ntuen worked at Elle Magazine and Paper Magazine before making the leap to launch LADYGUNN.  She’s a busy gal, we missed each other when she was visiting NYC (damn you AC’s for getting people sick) but she was kind enough to answer a few questions. I really ask the important questions here. First things first:

O.C.O: LOL, Team Drake or Meek?

K.N: I'm a big tabloid gossip hound so from what I hear Meek got his ass handed to him. But why? I don’t think he was that LAME. I'm team Nikki because she is the one in charge at the end of the day and she has a better flow than both of them combined.

O.C.O: What made you start LADYGUNN magazine?

K.N: When I started the magazine in 2008 it’s because I couldn't really find a diverse voice for young indie fashion, indie music, indie culture that I could identify with, especially for young women. At that time I was working in the photo department at ELLE surrounded by all these supermodels and pop stars during the day and then hanging out with super creative amazing buzzy artists and events at night. I thought I would much rather read about these people and do look at editorial shoots with my favorite indie brands. So me and my friend Lydia Hyslop who lives in LA just started putting together bicoastal stories about our friends and people and things we wanted to read about and shoots we thought were cool it took off from there.

O.C.O: 2015 is halfway gone what has been your favorite shoot so far?

K.N: I have to be diplomatic and I say I love them all for various reasons but this year we have shot some really amazing people and worked with really awesome teams. Wiz Khalifa shot by John Michael Fulton was a big highlight, he also shot Banks for us, which was amazing. I got to work with Isaac Sterling shooting Nicole Richie this summer which was fun, and our Creative Director Spencer Kohn’s shoot with Marina and The Diamonds went viral online. So many amazing fashion stories, too many to count. I always look forward to working on shoots and getting back shoots that our international teams produce. It's like a Christmas for my eye every other day. I don’t know how I got to know so many talented people but it’s amazing.

O.C.O: Where print magazines are coming extinct what sets LADYGUNN magazine apart from the rest?

K.N: I don't think print is extinct or will ever be extinct. There are more and more indie magazines popping up now than ever. I think with digital culture, agencies and artists want to have a more tangible way of communicating with their audiences outside of a computer screen. LADYGUNN might be set apart from the rest with our positive vibes? I don't know. We tend to gravitate towards creative, strange, awesome people. I’m super down to earth and I think our vibe is very approachable and welcoming to our readers. 

O.C.O: Who were your mentors?

K.N: I've always looked up to strong woman in the industry like Jane Pratt from Sassy and Jane. I loved Jeanne Beker from Fashion Television. She was so bold. Kelly Cutrone is another lady boner! . I didn’t really have anyone show me the ropes in the industry though. I just kind of looked at their work and did my own thing while I admired from a far. I think I gave up on having a mentor in this industry after sending hundreds of emails and not getting anything back. I thought I need to mentor myself!

My biggest mentor in life is probably my mom. She's the one who really inflated my ego and made me think I could be/do anything I wanted and always thought my ideas were great.

O.C.O:  Since Ladygunn mixes music, art, and fashion, who are your muses?

K.N:  The beautiful people in my life, my mom, my sisters, my friends. LADYGUNN editors and advocates, like Erica Russell , Tiffany Tso, Wilford Lenov, Carl Stenqvist, and Jessica Plummer, who are the definition of cool. My friend Gina Tron who makes me laugh more than anyone and slays in writing. Strong bad- ass women who take no prisoners, good music, good fashion, good food, good smells, good places. I guess life is my muse!

O.C.O: What do you have planned for LADYGUNN in the future?

K.N: We have so much planned! You just have to stay tuned and see!

O.C.O: What advice would you offer for anyone wanting to start his or her own business?

K.N: Be dedicated; be brave, be passionate. Don’t be an asshole.

Great advice, yes lol don’t be an asshole is major! Follow LADYGUNN Magazine on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!  The magazine is available nationwide at Barnes & Noble pick it up and support!

xo

Kosi