From the Outskrrts of Vegas to The Papercut Lounge

film photos by: Christopher Lee

Flew into L.A. on the 17th of February and the following day hit the road on a 4hr drive to sin city.

176900-R1-7.jpg

Was contracted by standard clothing premium brand, EPTM to put together an installation at AGENDA, Vegas trade show called, papercut lounge. 

Papercut lounge is an installation space in collaboration with EPTM, POW! WOW! Hawaii and Agenda themselves. An analog lounge that served as a space to relax, mingle, regroup, and discover some amazing reads. The first of its kind, we hand selected magazines and books from different distributors to curate a space that reminded the industry that print is not dead... print is valuable. The space was a piece of art in itself. Featuring amazing paintings from Trav, Persue, and Draculas. 

TRAV

TRAV

DRACULAS

DRACULAS

PERSUE

PERSUE

I had a total of 9 hrs of sleep over the course of the 3 day excursion. From work to play,  2 Chainz was a major highlight. 

Till next time Vegas. Follow EPTM as photos from our lookbook is coming out soon. Here's a sample at the bottom. Cheers from the desert wastelands of Vegas. On to the next adventure!

A Moment With FKA Twigs and Baltimore

It was mid July, the summer weather was at it's peak. I had just found myself relocated for the third time on a comfy coach of my friends apartment in Brooklyn. In the midst of getting situated I received a text from my good friend, Shari. It was a screen shot of FKA Twigs tweet about her holding dance auditions in Baltimore. I had nothing to lose and so I went for it. 

I packed a small duffle, took the next bus to Baltimore the next day unsure of what's to come. 

All photos by Jamie-James Medina

All photos by Jamie-James Medina

As I arrived I found myself in a line filled with unique energy. Everyone was hungry, eager, excited, wide eyed and ready to embark on this journey. Unlike any audition space I have experienced, this one was a place of escape. 

Once all the dancers were registered we were directed to a big ballroom space. FKA TWIGS walks in.... everyone started clapping excitedly. 

I don't remember her exact words but I do remember that her message was sincere and about being together during a time of violence and unsubtlety to join together to create art and express ourselves. And that is exactly what we did. 

I was being introduced out of my comfort zone. The energy went from "focus on standing out in this audition" to "allow yourself to be vulnerable with this art Jess and go at it with intense passion" 

It was truly one of the most light hearted moments I've ever had with dance in a long time. When half the group got split up to stand on the side line, I had a moment to observe. I looked around and realized, I was in a room with extremely talented and creative human beings. 

Each dancer was unique in their style and their physique showed dedication to this craft like no other. The sculpted toned bodies glistened with sweat.  It was captivating.... it was alluring.

During the process of the audition/workshop I remembered my ankle started giving out. Then I heard a small pop. I rolled my ankle and it began to swell. I felt defeated. I knew what was best was to step out and rest. The pain began to spread more but I knew I should speak to her before leaving. 

I slowly limped over to her as she continued to watch the other dancers rehearse the choreography. 

She was sitting on the ground. I knelt down.

To Twigs: I just moved here from New York City. I took a bus all the way here to Baltimore to attend your workshop. I'm pursuing my dreams to be a dancer .... I want to thank you for this opportunity. I have to go now but thank really for this moment. 

I remember her looking up at me with attentive eyes. She grabbed my hand and smiled and said thank you. Then I proceed to slowly walk out the exit. 

Although I wasn't selected to  be one of the dancers for FKA Twigs performance that day, I felt like the world selected me to be a part of this experience and that I will remember forever. 

The next day I found myself laying down in my friends Baltimore apartment reflecting. Then I received an e-mail. 

Everyone that was a part of the workshop got 2 free tickets to her and Travis Scott's show. 

I still made my purchase to take the next bus back to New York and felt that the right thing to do is to focus on healing and move forward to the next challenge. 

As I board the bus back to my new home, New York, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I been gaining so much serious knowledge from chasing my dreams, there is really no feeling like it. You never know where it'll lead you. I am truly blessed to have crossed paths so early on with FKA Twigs. Blessings to you and your team. I am grateful for this moment.

With that I leave you with a link to a documentary of that very day by Nick Walker: https://we.tl/fka-twigs

Dance Sessions at Complex feat. W.A.F.F.L.E

Most of my life growing up, a lot of the things that I wanted didn't exist. There was always that extra step with establishing a new platform then executing the idea. Over time I have harnessed a quote that has echoed in my daily grind:

 "Just because it hasn't been done doesn't mean it doesn't exist".

You have to introduce the world to YOUR world. It's like when we were kids we build forts out of the things we have in our house. Then we expand on the idea of a fort and we find that the world can offer us so many tools to truly taylor and customize our fort filled with a crowd of stuff animals to a crowd of people having a good time. 

I always wanted to be a dancer (except for that one time I wanted to be a host on TRL - shout out to SWAY) but the exposure and the respect for dance was always something that turned me off about the industry. So it became clear to me that I had to build a new fort for dance. As I dive deeper into this freelance world of dance and creative direction, I'm constantly seeking opportunities to merge my media world with my dance world. That's just one of many chapters catered to the growing industry of dance.

Before Thanksgiving break, I had the opportunity to host a dance session with DJ and a creative at Complex Media, Jermaine. Hoping this will be the first of many dance sessions to come at Complex. During a "brick" winter day we warmed up by turning the Complex office space to a dance session. 

Here is a visual recap of our dance session with New York Dance Crew, W.A.F.F.L.E (We Are Family For Life Entertainment). A dance crew that specializes in the movement of Lite Feet Dance. 

Video of our dance session can be viewed on W.A.F.F.L.E Crews Facebook here.

Thank you Complex & Jermaine. 

Special thank you to photographer Maksim Axelrod for capturing the fire dance sesh. 

Underground with Jules Kim

 

 

Over time the aesthetic or trends in fashion didn't really mean much to me. The importance is that it defines me and relates to me. That is when I discovered that I have dived deeper than the appeal of a piece of clothing or jewelry on me. It makes for great conversations starters and lasting impressions. 

Trendy Stranger: I love your jersey and your rings are crazy

Me: Thank you, the jersey is from Ebbets Field. I use to intern there. This brand is from Seattle, Washington where I am from. 

Trendy Stranger: Your rings though they're lit! 

Me: Surprisingly I met the jewelry designer that made this gold lion ring I'm wearing! Her name is Jules Kim. She saved me from being lost in the subway station. 

I end up meeting some of the most interesting people based off what I decide to wear each day, so I really do take it as a serious art to pick out articles of clothing that really define and represent me. This brief little commentary is really a seg-way to introduce a creative and one of my favorite people I have met on this planet that really takes takes story telling and product to a whole new level! JULES KIM! 

I discovered Jules Kim in my young street wear shop days at Stussy. Stussy Women's was launching a collab: Jules Kim's Bijules x Stussy jewlery collaboration. Little did I know that one day I would be lost at a subway stop running into the designer herself in the middle of summer in New York. 

I had the pleasure of stopping by her creative space and seeing her work first hand. 

Colored photos by: Sam Fu

Black and White photos by: Maksim Axelrod 

Jules Kim: "The space is underground because I keep it underground."I appreciate Jules attention to detail from the space she keeps her work at to how she has a reoccurring theme of the ocean to describe her work ethic/work flow and the jewelry in h…

Jules Kim: "The space is underground because I keep it underground."

I appreciate Jules attention to detail from the space she keeps her work at to how she has a reoccurring theme of the ocean to describe her work ethic/work flow and the jewelry in her collection. 

As she put these nail rings on me she says. "These are pieces that I designed for Beyonce." I just laughed out loud because WOW I'm wearing the Queen B's jewelry. (No big deal right?!)  

It's amazing to meet an expert at her craft. Someone that has put a lot of thought into each unique piece. It really brings us back to the traditions and the roots of retail sales and the gift of giving something meaningful. It's about the stories. For each item you are selling, you are in some ways giving a piece of yourself and your story to the customer. You have then helped the customer add something unique into their life and it is their turn to take the piece and make it their own. Jules tells us a story of a bar ring her friend purchased from her. It started to bend and mend with her friends hand. The purchaser then becomes a collaborator with the artist. 

Aside from being a expert at her craft she is a true philosopher. I didn't think I would meet someone that would speak in more analogies than I would. We were painting word pictures to each other. She makes a lot of references about the ocean.

One thing I learned from Jules is you don't want to ride the wave. You don't want to crash. There's a whole cycle with the ocean coming in and out that we should embrace. With that I sum it up with "Don't ride the wave, be the wave." 

I'm thankful to run into a beautiful spirit like Jules. This is the first but not last time I'll visit her underground jewelry space as I hope to be a proud owner of a few her unique pieces....because the day I purchase one of her pieces will symbolize something important in my life and that would be another story to tell.

“For me success itself is defined not by it
its defined by its own pursuit ”
— Jules Kim
“I think the most important factor is failure
I would not be successful if i hadn’t fail several times in between
so once you understand and confront your own fears as an artist and a business person then your really sort of free to make the mistakes and create a new pathway to success ”
— Jules Kim

You can follow her work on both her instagram accounts here: 

 

bijules

Jules Kim 

To purchase her unique jewelry pieces visit her website here: 

 

Nordstrom x Hermès Boutique Pop-Up

Nordstrom welcomes Hermes pop-up Tuesday October 18th, 2016 to their retail space and the experience was alluring. The space was vibrant with minimal shaped displays that make as the main attraction that beautifully features the silky patterned scarves and jewelry pieces hanging effortlessly.

I want to thank good friend and amazing photographer, Sam Fu for inviting me to tag along. 

Congrats to Olivia Kim and the Nordstrom team for putting this together. This collection will add just the right amount of color accents to our fall weather attire. 

Here is a little visual recap for everyone. It's not too late to check it out for yourself. It's on the first floor of the downtown Nordstrom Seattle Store-front. ALSO don't forget to take a selfie inside the chandelier like fixture with the scarves hanging. ;)

 

Photos by: Sam Fu

Press Runs with Brian Fresco

Sometimes you never know where a text conversation may take you. A good friend of mine was saying he needed a photographer to cover his press run for an artist he works with.The artist was Chicago rapper, Brian Fresco of Save Money. For those that don't know about Save Money, it is an independent hip hop collective consisting of Vic Mensa, Chance, Brian Fresco, and more. They are definitely redefining Chicago sound and have a strong influence in today's music scene. 

Day one and Day two of the Press Run featured my go to photographers, Sam Fu and Maksim Axelrod. 

Day One Press Run: The Introduction

Featured Photographer: Sam Fu

Follow Sam (at) Samfuphotos

Sam and I were downstairs of Sean Comb's office.... Yes Diddy. We met up with manager, K. Morris and that's where I was first introduced to Brian Fresco. We head upstairs to the Revolt office space to start interview number one. 

Some cases it's easy to open up and start a conversation and sometimes it's just awkward. I can tell both K and Brian were just real observant people. I'm the same myself. I saw that K was wearing a Stussy Treated Crew T-shirt. (Shout out to be a little hype beast bae working for Stussy) 

Me: Treated Crew, I know about treated crew. That was a dope collab Stussy did when I worked there. 

K: You know about Treated Crew? I'm in Treated. 

And friendship was aligned. 

Brian's interview with Revolt was real. The question "Who is your competition" and he responded that there is no real competition, the only competition is yourself. Being someone that has battled with my own demons of insecurities, it's true, the only person stopping you is really yourself. 

To wrap up day 1 we did a quick lifestyle shoot in the busiest place in New York, Time Square. 

 

Day two Press Run: The Overcoming

Featured photographer: Maksim Axel Rod

Follow (at) Maksimaxelrod

At this point everyone's on the same boat. SQUAD! We get to our first location. Sound Cloud. Can I just say that Sound Cloud got a LEGIT office space. I love seeing the people behind the workings of a brand. Everyone seemed pretty chill and open to new creative vibes. They definitely wowed us with their roof top view.  

During our roof top hang out and hearing in on Brian's talks with Sound Cloud, I can see he really cared about his music and what he stands for. It's great insight to hear another artist speak about their journey in this grind we get so lost in some times. 

Then we were off to an interview at Mass Appeal where we met up in a old library tucked away somewhere in New York. 

After two long days of running around, meeting and trying to get to places on time through the crazy transits of New York, I invited Brian and K to my good friend Jules Kim's roof top party at The Standard Hotel, Le Bain. 

Heading up to the the roof of the hotel I can tell everyone's faces were in awe. Theres no better feeling than to literally look over the city that you just busted your ass in getting around to and accomplishing all you needed for those two days. An overwhelming rush of positive emotions and celebration was heightened as we all gave thanks to one another's dedication and hard work. 

Overcoming boundaries is all a part of the journey. I know the feeling all too well as I am also stepping fourth in my own becoming as an independent artist and a creative director. It was an amazing feeling to help support and be a part of someone else's journey and know "this is really just the start" and it only goes up from here. It's up to you to hone in the energy, keep the right people close to you, and remain consistent with your focus and purpose. 

Here to add value in any way I can. Shout out's to Tee for aligning great people together. Shout out's to Sam Fu and Maksim for capturing some epic photos and documenting this journey.  And lastly shout out to K and Brian. You guys are real ones!

We are all in this together.

The only real photos of us is just us texting and working. I guess this is a glimpse of what everyone was like when it was time to grind. 

The only real photos of us is just us texting and working. I guess this is a glimpse of what everyone was like when it was time to grind. 

 

 

 

Part II of Mercenary Black

I was lucky enough to have SAM FU come through to NY to visit. It was great to catch up with the homie and also do some awesome projects with him. Here are some of my top picks for each look we did. We let our creativity flow and we went all in. 

AND THAT'S A WRAP. 

STAY FREE | MERCENARY BLACK

MERCENARY.BLACK

Art Direction: Mercenary Black

Curated & Directed: Jessica Hu 

Styled: Jessica Hu, Louisa Meng 

Styling Assistance: Jordan Faralan

Shot by: Badquis 

Model: Louisa Meng 

Marquis aka is a talented homie of mine that does graphics/art direction and is the creative behind Mercenary Black. To put it simply the brand breaks down as: Mercenary being free, black because he likes the color black. 

 It was a pleasure to help him style a shoot featuring 3/4 of my best friend group, Squad. Louisa modeled/styled and Jordan and I assisted/directed the whole process.
Here is Pt. 1 photos by Marquis of the shoot.

Follow Marquis on instagram at: @badquis 

Follow my mainz: @whatupmeng + @jofaaar <3