letter from the editor

Welcome to our third issue! It has been anhonor to continue with this publicationand amazing to watch it grow. We are

still working out some kinks in the processand we will be more involved with the readerswithin the coming months! Thank you most to our contrinutors. You are all so talentedand we appreciate your patience with us.

The layout has changed, and we'll be developing a new website to coincide with a

new aesthetic. Once again, thank you all forsticking with us. we can't wait to see what the

future has in store.

Travis Seale

Contributors(in no particular order)

2w studio • Ariana GillrieAtcha Kim • Blake ballard

Crystallee farris • dinara zhumazhanova gavin poh/bride zilla events • Graham yelton

jaime chan • jennifer mills lizeth diaz • marie weikopf

naelia salas amner • nicola pani rachel & noah ray • tommy wharfe travis seale • zaheer sukhnandan

an interview with mars meusic by vara ayannawith video stills by Shanice malakai

and

part one of a three-part short story by van hobbes

red Photographer - Dinara Zhumazhanova

Photographer’s Assistant – Katarína RausModels (in order of appearance) - Christina Gigliotti,

Alina Iljina, Diana Doskumbaeva, Yana Kim, Il´ya Guzikevich, Dinara Kairzhanova,

Masha Bustriskay, Gulsana Turekhanova, Irina Leps

4

5designer (pages 4-6) - KATEŘINA HYNKOVÁ

6

7

8

9designer (pages 8-11) - ADILYA ZHUMABAEVA

10

11

12

just being modest Photographer/Creative Director - Jaime Chan

Model - Kelsey @ Rogue ManagementMakeup - Susannah Kent

Hair -Allyson NimoyStyling - Jihane Sy

Location - Mini Main Studios | Alhambra, CA

13

coat - WAREHOUSEtrousers (left page) - DSQUARED2

pumps - CASADEI

14

15

shirt - MELROSEpeg pants - SOAKED IN LUXURY

16

blouse - SONIA RYKIELturtleneck sweater - NEIMAN MARCUStrousers - RALPH LAUREN BLACK LABELpumps (right page) - DOLCE VITA

17

18

muted Photographer - Ariana Gillrie

Models - Tylani Stokes/Alivia Townsend @ Asha Model Management Stylist - Jordan Boorman

Makeup - Lizzy PooleAssistant - Steph Vanneste

19

coat (pages 18 -19) - DJURsweater/skirt (page 20) - DJUR

dress/purse (pages 21-22) - DJURneckalce (page 21) - STYLIST’S OWN

shirts/skirt (page 23) - DJURshorts (page 23) MODEL’S OWN

20

21

22

23

24

marešková Photographer - Nicola Pani

Model - Aňa Hübsch @ 2W ScoutMakeup - Alžběta Fleglová

Clothing Designs - Anna Marešková

25

26

27

28

anoxia Photographer - Jenny Mills

Model - Holly ArdronMakeup - Rosie Nicholson

Styling/Concept - Lizzie Orwin

29

30

31

32

blue district Photographer - Atcha Kim

Model - Darian @ Key Model ManagementMakeup/Hair - Zaheer Sukhnandan

Stylist - Carolina Siulin

33

nude bodysuit – CALVIN KLEINleopard print leather jacket – JUST CAVALLI

pearl ring – ZARAknot ring – H&M

black booties – BCBG

34

sequin denim jacket – SAM EDELMANbeaded tank top – H&Mgrey skirt – ZARAbooties – MARK FISHER

35

croptop – CLOVER CANYONlace skirt – BEBE

36

37

red printed coat – PHYLOSIPHILbody suit – DKNY

stockings – TOPSHOP

38

ginger ale Photographer - 2W Studio

Model - Johana K @ 2W ScoutMakeup/Hair - Andrea Ciganekova

Stylist - Veronika MetzCoats - Nikola Zezulova

Lingerie - Tereza VuShoes - Marketa Sohajova & Garage Store Prague

Jewelry - Bijou Briggitte

39

40

41

42

43

44

cream Photographer - Graham Yelton

Model - Jessica MiddletonHair/Makeup - Helen Walker

Stylist - Andy Smith @ Mr. Smith Styling

45

dress - DIANE VON FURSTENBURGnecklace - SHALLA WISTA

46

47

top - THEORYpink pants - AMERICAN APPAREL

jewelry - SHALLA WISTA

48

xo Photographer - Blake Ballard

Model - Kyra Saffran @ Salt Models and TalentMakeup and Hair: Erikka HartFashion Editor - Blaire Ballard

49

blouse/bralette - ASOS

50

51

dress - VSrose gold stud earring - MARC BY MARC JACOBS

bracelet/necklace - H&Mmidi ring - FRANCHESCAS

52

lace black maxi dress - VSrose gold stud earring - MARC BY MARC JACOBS cz stud earring - BOUTIQUE 9bauble bracelet - JCREWmidi ring - FRANCHESCAS

53

54

sirens Photographer - Gavin Poh

Models - Chloe Hunt & Sian MurrayCampaign Management & Flower Crowns - Bride Zilla Events

Makeup - The Doll ProjectHair - Groomed by Gwen

Designer - Vicoola Fashionista

55

56

57

58

59

Houston, we have

Mars MeusicInterview by Vara Ayanna

Video stills provided by Shanice Malakai

What is your go to for musical inspiration (I.e. When you can’t find any inspiration)? Just Life. Also stuff that is happening to me currently but cereal is very inspiring as well. FR it depends though; inspiration can be triggered by seeing an awesome live musical perfor-mance or hearing a tight record for the first time. Or just listening to your inner emojis. The randomness and unpredictability is part of the charm in the process and I think that’s really reflected in mi musica.

How can you bring inspiration to the world with your music? I tend to pen music about happy stuff because things that make me smile motivate me to write most. My hope is that the listener on the receiving end of what moved me enough to put pencil to paper can feel those positive vibrations as well. Side-note music is technically the vibration of air so that’s a literal thing, not just hippie talk. lol

What’s your favorite song at the moment ? Tamelli Ma’ak by Amr Diab tied with Daft Punk’s Discovery al-bum (not technically a song but I always listen through as if it were a single track), tied with some random Rich Homie Quan record while I lift weights. The French sound is so attractive I’ve also been bumping a produc-tion duo called The French Dose as well as Soundcloud of a super vibey producer named Teddy Walton. I’m too indecisive and music is too good to just pick one.

Do you like the direction hip-hop and r&b is going?I hear it but I don’t really pay attention to industry direction because direction follows trends. The music I prefer doesn’t tend to fit that mold; I prefer evaluating artists individually. I feel like there’s always innovators

with a fresh outlook or a certain genuineness which shines through the noise of what everybody else is do-ing. Those are the musicians that catch my attention; you pry won’t catch me shuffling anybody else. Dis-claimer though: appreciation of music is very subjective and you can’t take that away from anybody’s art.

How can you provide a safe platform for other artist to make your kind of music ? Being vocal in organic publications like Blūm Magazine, really connecting with appreciators of your music, collaborating with other musicians who value the art as well, and partner-ing with visualizers [e.g. Malakai Creative producing my creative visuals] to accentuate the music. It’s really about the community of creators and appreciators work-ing together. A lot of people don’t realize yet but we’re actually in one of the best eras for music right now. Fans can directly support their choice artists; therefore musicians don’t have to go to a label and be coerced in to sounding/ looking a certain way. With the support of the fans the artist doesn’t need a record deal but if one is offered to the artist/fans partnership they have leverage they need still do their thing and stay true to themselves while enjoying the benefits of being on a bigger plat-form. Everybody can win, fans, artists, and labels! I feel like we can help each other and life doesn’t have to be as versus as it’s often portrayed to be.

If you could travel anywhere right now where would it be and why? Charles City, IA because I miss my mom lol.

What’s your most embarrassing moment? My entire life is perpetually embarrassing so idk if stratification into individual intstances of abashment is even humanly possible.

Would you rather get shot in the foot or eat dog food lol? Case in point for last question; already done both lmao.

• • •

Pictured: Mars with Alesha Bush 61

62

holly Photographer - Tommy Wharfe

Model - Holly Horne @ Milk ManagementMakeup/Hair - Monica Rossi

63pizza top (left page) - O-MIGHTYbottoms - ASOS

64

65

coca cola top - WILDFOXbottoms - ASOS

66

67bacon top - O-MIGHTYbottoms - ASOS

68

long beach bluesPhotographer - CrystalLee Farris

Model - Bleu Archbold

69

leather hat - VOLCOMsatin jacket - AMERICAN APPAREL

denim - LEVI’Sshoes - CONVERSE

70

leather crop - AMERICAN APPAREL

71

72

velvet turtleneck crop/skirt - AMERICAN APPARELsunglasses (right) - VINTAGE

73

74

urbeon Photographer - Marie Weikopf

Models - Marko Berghoff & Christian BirkelbachDesigner - Natacha Aedo Duran

Stylist - Natacha VorangerHair/ Makeup - Natalie Köppe

75

76

77

78

79

80

spring fever Photographs/Styling - Rachel & Noah Ray

Model - Rebecca RyanHair/Makeup - Natalie Stewart @ Salon JuNa

81

82

83

84

85

86

trenches Photographer – Naelia Salas Amner

Photographer Assistant – Carlos OteroModel – Erika Butautaite @ Blow Models

Designer – ZaraStylist – Naelia Salas Amner

Hair/Makeup – Hrönn Blöndal Birgisdottir

87

88

89

90

91

92

summer love Photographer - Travis SealeModel - Courtney Dickerson

Stylist - Vara AyannaMakeup/Hair - Stacy Albright

Location - The Hive

mesh top - ANTIQUE SUGARdenim - THRIFTQUEENEDglasses - VINTAGE

93

body suit - ANTIQUE SUGAR

94

pop art dress - ANTIQUE SUGAR

95

romper - THRIFTQUEENEDglasses - VINTAGE

96

sequin top - ANTIQUE SUGARdenim - THRIFTQUEENED

97

button down dress - THRIFTQUEENED

98

friday lovers Photographer: Lizeth Díaz

Model: Fannie Berber

99

100

101

102

kambeitz Photographer/Grooming - Zaheer Sukhnandan

Model - Logan Kambeitz @ DEJAVU Model ManagementStyling - Stephanie Coombs

103

windbreaker (left) - RVCAt-shirt - TOMMY HILFIGER

cardigan - MEXX

104

denim jacket - LEVI’Ssweater (pages 104 -105) - RW&COjeans - TOPMAN

105

106

t-shirt - URBAN OUTFITTERSwatch - HUGO BOSS

WAR ON POORA three part short by van Hobbes

- Part ONE -

The four of them sat around a conference table. Ensel, the boss sat back in his chair with a slight slouch and his legs outstretched. He slid a packet of paperwork across the table, to the lead on this case, Nelson Silma. “Nels,” he said quickly, “what can you tell me about what Sarvecta is up to?” Nelstookthesheets,flippedthroughthemcasually.Sameoldinformation,thefrontofficealwayshaditwrong.Nothingreplacesbeinginthefield,hethought.“Well,whatIcantellyouisthattheyaredefinitelyintheLowers. Talked to a few witnesses, seen their med team there. Think they’re - ” “Uninterestedinwhattheythink.Whathavetheyseen?” Typical Ensel. “They tracked them - ” “Tracked?” “That’s correct, sir.” He began again but was cut off. “Christ, be careful. May be too soon for that. Can’t have them getting spooked.” Nels continued, not missing a beat. “They’re far too inexperienced in the ghettos of our urban jungle to pick up such subtleties.” He gave a brief look over either shoulder to his peers, Schumer and Arriçon. They both just eyed him back, a bit nervously. “Scientists Omar Akbullah and Denin Reimereiner have been followed into the LowerDistrict,”heletthissinkinforjustamoment,andEnselconsidereditandnoddedonceitregistered.“Inad-dition, the voice of this not-so-underground movement, Sarvecta public relations senior generalist Dara Helspfond is on record saying they are ‘looking for new ways to reach out.’ How far their alleged ‘reach,’ we do not yet know. Whattheymeanplantodowiththatreach,we’regoingtofigureout.” Nelsonthencasuallyflippedthroughtheprintout,knowingfullwelltheinformationthepacketcontained.Ensel noticed his indifference to the information provided by the staff secretary for this meeting, and said “So Sar-vecta has corporate imps and a doll to spread the word and win favor in the Lowers for a taskforce reboot operation to give their company a new name and new reputation. How are they going to accomplish this?” InhismostbureaucraticallycorrectversionofIdon’tknowyetNelsonsaidthathisteamwillhavethean-swerssoon.Enselseemedun-optimistic.“Whatdoyouneed?Andbeforeyouanswerkeeptwothingsinmind,kid: “One.YouknowiftheybroughttheirlittlePRslutandsomeall-starscientiststotheLowers,theydefinitelybroughtcorporategoonstowatchtheirbacks.Inaplacethatbad,youcanbetthey’rewellpaidandSarvectaex-pects great results from the investment in their rent-a-cops. “You got it.” “Shutup,I’mnotfinishedyet. “Two.Youhavethreeweekstogetmeresultsontheiractivity.I’mkeepingyouwithSchumerandArriçon.You’re on this one as the lead though, so divert your resources wisely. “Now,I’llaskagain,whatdoyouneed?” He eyed the two of them, breathing deeply, preparing himself and hoping they’d do the same for this next request. Schumer seemed to get it but Arriçon only looked more concerned. Typicalfemale.I’llkeepherattheofficeheresohermotherlyinstinctsdon’tkickinandlockusdowninthemiddleofthechase.“I’dlike,sir,tobefrontlineonthisone.”HenoticedrightawaythatEnsel’salreadyuglyfacetwisted, to display a bitter look of confusion. “As you know, sir, we’ve struggled with getting the timely results we need from our informants in the past. Seems some of them are almost too eager to help because of the added secu-ritytheygetfromuswhentheydoandI’msurethepayouthelpsthemtalk. “Butnotthistime.IneedSarvectatostayputandIneedtheexactplayersinvolved,nowrongaddressesorbadleadsthistime.Nomis-identifying.Theygetwordwe’reraidingforaFood/Drug/Water/Administrationsearchthey’ll be gone faster than Terrasis left their claims in the Badlands when EPEA botched the raid on their equipment prior to any excavation.” “Iseeyourpoint.Butit’sawfullyrisky,Nels.”Hebeganshakinghishead,andlookedattheworryonAr-raçon’s face. “And what about your associates here?” “Well,Iknowthey’rejustascapableasIamofkeepingalowprofileduringtheinvestigationintotheLowers,butI’dpreferifArraçonrananalyticsontheintelgatheredandSchumeractedsortofasahalfwaypoint,watching my back, extra set of eyes, positioned right on the outskirts of the Lowers.” “Midtown, say?” Offered Schumer. “Midtown, that might work,” Ensel tossed this around and stared out into space. “That just might work.” He penned something down on paper and before he began to speak, Nelson thought he knew what that was and -

couldn’thelpbutbreakasmile,thoughhetightenedhisfacetosuppressit.“Idon’tyethavemoneyfromthebud-getapprovalsforthisquarter,Nelson.SoIcan’tofferyoumuchinthewayofsupport.Notoys.Onlywhatyoucancall in from the Enforcement group, and you’re at the mercy of their response time.” “Iunderstandsir.” “Yeah,notoys,damntheluck.Leastnotyet.Maybeearlynextweek.I’llhavetocheckonthat.Andwe’llhavetoseewhatweneedshortterm.Anywayyou’rewithouttheprotectionI’dpreferandyourepresentnotonlytheFDWAbutindeedtheStateandeverythingwestrivetokeepfromfailing.Youunderstand?” “Yes, sir.” “Good luck, then.”

ThateveningNelsonSilmamadehisfirstappearanceinthenorthernedgeoftheLowers,droppinginusingthe public transit system from a run down bus stop located in the outskirts, in Midtown, not many blocks from the favourite pub of Eli Schumer. The bus stop had all but been eroded by the heavy handed and desperate vandalism that scarred most of Lower Midtown and the Lowers themselves. Rather than a street stop with a bench and a small enclosed booth to admittransitusersandprotectthemfromtheelements,thestopconsistedofnothingbutheavilygraffitiedplywoodthat was pieced together from wood scraps of many other projects. Thank goodness these things are almost always on time, Nelson thought to himself. Once on the bus he hoped it traveled fast and made few stops to reach 23rd St. The smell of garbage and urine was so thick he was certain there was a mist of nearly microscopic particles that were coating themselves to the inside of his nose and mouth. He felt relieved to be off the bus, but knew that would fade as he walked along as a vulnerable stranger in perilous land. A strange nervousness began to creep in just then. A jittery feeling in the pit of his stomach, it felt warm, and it carried with it the weight of impending doom. He was here to work on his cover. To practice his ability to maneuver and be unseen, or at least un-noticed. This was his chance to work on trying to blend in before he got close enough to the Sarvecta team that they may see him and run. Ineverrealisedhowshortthebuildingshereare,hesaid.Ratherthanthemassiveglassandconcretestruc-tures that shot out of Downtown in modern, jagged spears, and sprinkled through parts of Midtown along with many older heavy, bulky structures, the Lowers seemed to be littered with ill-placed, squat, stone structures were breaking down in time as though they were made with water-soluble rocks that had given most of themselves up to act as warped bowls or channels for stormwater. Andthestormwaterwaseverywhere.Whichgaverisetostagnationandbreedinggroundsforharmfulinsects.AtleastIhopethat’sstagnantstormwater,Nelsonthought.Recallingbrieflythenforcinghimselftoforgetthe reports he’d seen on sewage system performance that had run out of funding from the EPEA’s inner-city Storm WasteandReusablesManagementSystems(SWaRMS)andhadledtoblockedsewersandbackedupwastewaterareas,floodingpartsoftheLowers. Yet another reason they need us, he thought as he walked along. Another reason for the Agency’s to be pro-active,topunishthosewhothinktheycantakeadvantageofpublicworksbyflushingtheevidenceoftheircrimesaway and plugging our sewers. They must be punished, and we’ve had Agencies that track them down and do that foralongtime.Butnowit’stimetofindthembeforetheysucceed.Hewalkedfaster,hispaceboostedbytheprideof his noble occupation. He began making his way back to the bus stop he needed to reach to leave the Lowers for the night. The fear had seemed to have left him, being squeezed out of the soles of his shoes with every step. He felt comfortable here now. Not safe, but not afraid either.

ThefollowingmorningSchumerwasfirstinthesmalltrioofdesksinthecuble.Ashesatathisworkstationwith a headache and bloodshot, watery eyes, he stared longingly into a monitor that he hoped made him look busy. WherethefuckisNelson? He didn’t feel dehydrated, by virtue of wanting nothing to do with the bottle of water on his desk, but he knew he was not going to bleed out even if he had his throat cut and he also knew that was nothing to be proud of. As he steadied himself and his belly to take pulls from the bottle of redistributed recycled organic natural spring -

water,Nelsoncameshufflingin. “Shit,”hesaid.“SorryI’mlate.” “Shit.Iwaslate.Wherethe-” “HadalatenightintheLowers.WhereisLinda?” “Still not here?” “You’re sitting in an empty cube, Schume,” Nelson said. “Right,” he said. “Not here.” He rubbed his head and then looked up at Nelson Silma from the slouched position in his chair. “She say anything about being late this morning?” “No.LastIheardshewasheadedtotheoutskirtstolookforyou.” “Me?IwaswhereIalwaysam,sheknewthat.LastIheardshewasworriedsickaboutwhetherornotyouwere okay.” “Shit. Can you imagine her big clumsy ass heading down into the Lower District to be a hero? Goddammit.” “Yeah. This isn’t good, man.” “Not good? There is typically only one reason someone from the City doesn’t show up after a trip to the Lowers.It’snotbecausethey’relost.It’snotbecausetheygottiredoutthereanddecidedtofindaplacetostay.” “Right. Let’s get a team ready for investigation. Missing. Assumed dead.” Thisisalreadytoomuch,NelsonSilmathought.Whatarewegettingourselvesintohere?

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“Think of allthe beauty stillleft around you

and be happy.”

-Anne Frank