RAINE MAGAZINE Volume 21 | Fashion & Style
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INSPIRE CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS [I.C.E]<br />
F A S H I O N & S T Y L E<br />
VOL<br />
<strong>21</strong><br />
QUARTERLY<br />
EFFORTLESS STYLE<br />
WITH NICKY HILTON<br />
A BILLIONAIRE’S STORY - FRED MOUAWAD<br />
THE FASHIONABLE MELANIE IGLESIAS<br />
DREAM BIG AT JADE MOUNTAIN<br />
THE SMOOTH SOUND OF LAURIANA MAE<br />
T H E W O R L D ’ S M O S T F A S H I O N A B L E B U S I N E S S M A G A Z I N E
Two E Bar/Lounge<br />
Blending classic elegance with modern mixology<br />
Two E Bar/Lounge at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York<br />
2 East 61st Street at Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10065<br />
www.twoeny.com
<strong>RAINE</strong><br />
INSPIRE CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS [I.C.E.] VOL <strong>21</strong><br />
<strong>MAGAZINE</strong><br />
FASHION TO LIVE FOR <br />
Fall Forward 3<br />
Be the Best Dressed in the Room 10<br />
Three Looks for an Entrepreneur 22<br />
Anita Patrickson 17<br />
Flirting with Fall 47<br />
Anita Patrickson 17<br />
Fresh Faces 60<br />
Touch of Couture 70<br />
ENTERTAINMENT<br />
Melanie Iglesias 52<br />
Katherine Bailess 54<br />
Jillian Rose Reed 56<br />
Lauriana Mae 58<br />
ENTREPRENEURS TO WATCH<br />
Fred Mouawad 16<br />
Anita Patrickson 17<br />
MY|TRND 18<br />
Byron Lars 19<br />
Jamie Gottschall 20<br />
THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>MAKER<br />
Nicky Hilton 74<br />
BEAUTY + FITNESS<br />
Stay in Shape 64<br />
Fall Blossoms 65<br />
Beauty Trends 68<br />
Samuel Gonzales 25<br />
Justin Coale 26<br />
Lincoln Heller 27<br />
Corporate Central 45<br />
Rose Smith 46<br />
TRAVEL | EAT. STAY. CHILL<br />
Jade Mountain 80<br />
St. Lucia 84<br />
BUSINESS + TECHNOLOGY<br />
6 Things to Know... 30<br />
3 Innovators in Business in Alleywire 31<br />
Must Read 32<br />
FashInvest 33<br />
Accelator Program 34<br />
Gift of Wonder 36<br />
Kickstarting Innovation 37<br />
HeadFunder 38<br />
Tech Toys 39<br />
Wearable Technology 42<br />
CULTURE<br />
Chef Luis Dominguez 88<br />
Sue Phillips 89<br />
John Solo 90<br />
Chantelle Fraser 91<br />
Charm Management 93<br />
Peter Popps 94<br />
INTERNATIONAL<br />
Bags that Jump 96<br />
<strong>Fashion</strong> Week 2015 Spring Preview 97
FASHION TO LIVE FOR <br />
Fall Forward<br />
Fall Forward<br />
Photography - Brandon Hart<br />
Makeup & Hair - Faye Smith<br />
Styling - Florence Leung<br />
Model - Dakota Fellows
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 5
<strong>RAINE</strong><br />
INSPIRE CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS [I.C.E.] VOL <strong>21</strong><br />
<strong>MAGAZINE</strong><br />
EDITORIAL TEAM<br />
Nova Lorraine - Founder, Creative Director & Editor in Chief<br />
Marilyn Wilson - Senior Editor<br />
Derron Forrest - Business Development<br />
Janet Igah - <strong>Style</strong> Editor<br />
Kristopher Johnson-Hoyle - Sr. Associate Editor<br />
ASSOCIATE EDITOR<br />
Lisa Archibald<br />
RESEARCH EDITOR<br />
Bryson Littlejohn<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />
David J. Freschman<br />
Javin Forrest<br />
Michelle Brown<br />
Maik Wiedenbach<br />
Liz Belivoskaya<br />
SPECIAL THANKS<br />
Carlotta Harrington<br />
Frederique Porter<br />
Javier Hernandez<br />
Natasha Gabriel<br />
Tina Littlejohn<br />
ART DIRECTION<br />
Martina Micko<br />
WEBMASTER<br />
Mredul Mani<br />
INTERNS<br />
Iesha Coppin<br />
Danielle Murray<br />
Dominique Barchus<br />
Taylor Kelly<br />
Jasmin Forrest<br />
COVER CREDITS<br />
Photographer – Luis Guillen<br />
Rita Vinieris gown, Pico earrings and cuff.<br />
INQUIRIES<br />
General: talktous@rainemagazine.com<br />
Advertise: advertise@rainemagazine.com<br />
Submissions: submissions@rainemagazine.com<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong><br />
NEW YORK * LA * SAN FRANCISCO * MIAMI<br />
CORRESPONDENCE<br />
Raine Magazine<br />
PO BOX 30<strong>21</strong><br />
Windermere, FL 34786<br />
Raine Magazine is a trademark of Raine Creative Holdings LLC and is published quarterly. All contents, logos, and articles are copyrighted materials<br />
and all rights are reserved. Any reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of Raine Creative Holdings is prohibited. The publisher<br />
also reserves the right to refuse any advertising material for any reason deemed inappropriate by publisher. Raine Magazine’s subscription is<br />
$39.99. Please make checks payable to Raine Creative Holdings. To distribute Raine at your business, please email editor@rainemagazine.com.
EDITOR’S NOTE<br />
WELCOME TO <strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong><br />
Fall is here! Who doesn’t like the smell of autumn leaves<br />
or the feeling of a crisp breeze that this glorious season<br />
brings. After all, it’s the dawn before the holidays and the<br />
first snow fall.<br />
It’s an exciting time for everyone, especially those that<br />
anticipate the end of a great year or the beginning of an<br />
amazing one yet to come. We are thrilled to bring you<br />
another labour of love - our Fall <strong>Fashion</strong> and <strong>Style</strong> issue,<br />
featuring Nicky Hilton. Nicky, although a little shy, doesn’t<br />
hold back when it comes to business and style. With<br />
fashion being the love of her life, Nicky introduces an easy<br />
guide that will help you bring style into your wardrobe<br />
365 days a year - with no fuss and no big bank accounts<br />
required.<br />
As you know, style goes beyond clothes. Read on and<br />
discover some of the most stylish businesses, accessories,<br />
technology and of course, exotic destinations around the<br />
world! When you are done getting caught up on all the<br />
newest “must knows” - don’t be shy; if you haven’t already,<br />
subscribe and tell a friend!<br />
FASHION. ENTERTAINMENT. CULTURE. TECHNOLOGY<br />
INNOVATE! ISSUE<br />
VOLUME 12<br />
KENDALL<br />
JENNER<br />
what you don’t know<br />
MEET SHARK TANK’S<br />
DAYMOND JOHN<br />
PALAYE ROYALE<br />
ROCK & ROLL IS REBORN<br />
GILT.COM<br />
invitation only<br />
Nova Lorraine<br />
Founder and Editor<br />
D I S C O V E R T H E C R E A T I V E A N D U N C O N V E N T I O N A L E N T R E P R E N E U R
FASHION TO LIVE FOR
FASHION TO LIVE FOR <br />
BE THE<br />
BEST<br />
DRESSED<br />
IN THE<br />
ROOM<br />
Photographer: Pitr Serafin; Stylist: Cezary<br />
Glusniewski; Model: Caro Niemiec @ AS<br />
Management; Make Up: Karolina Rodak; Hair:<br />
Jaroslaw Peczek @ Effectownia Hair Design;<br />
Assistant: Peter Blaszczyk<br />
Blouse: Sylwia Karin; Skirt: Siccone; Bag: Kazar;<br />
Heels: Kazar; Jewelry: Lewanowitz
Top: Siccone; Jacket: ModaPolska; Vintage Shorts: Sylwia Karim; Jewelry<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 11
Top: Sylwia Karin; Skirt: Sylwia Karin; Sunglasses: Mami;<br />
Jewelry: Lewanowitz
Dress: KasKryst; Belt: KOD; Necklace: Lewanowitz<br />
Opposite: Suit: KasKryst; Necklace: Lewanowitz<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 13
5 ENTREPRENEURS TO WATCH
ENTREPRENEURS TO WATCH<br />
GET TO KNOW BILLIONAIRE FRED MOUAWAD<br />
Billionaire Fred Mouawad is a global citizen, portfolio entrepreneur, and fourth<br />
generation Co-Guardian of Mouawad, the family jewelry business. If being a<br />
driven entrepreneur wasn’t enough, Mouawad might best be known for his<br />
company’s involvement in creating seven diamond-studded bras for Victoria<br />
Secret, ranging in price from $7 million to $12 million. Several of his luxury<br />
undergarments grabbed Guinness World Records for being the most expensive<br />
lingerie ever made.<br />
The parent company, Synergia One<br />
Group, operates in 16 countries across<br />
several industries including gems and<br />
jewelry retailing, diamond manufacturing<br />
and wholesaling, watchmaking, food<br />
service development and franchising,<br />
food development and manufacturing,<br />
interior design, IT development and<br />
consulting, publishing and trade shows,<br />
and private equity.<br />
His new venture,Taskworld, is a task<br />
management platform that not only<br />
keeps his teams organized, but also is the<br />
first to provide accurate, metric-based<br />
performance evaluations on assignments.<br />
The platform provides managers and<br />
employees easy access to the status of<br />
assigned projects and tasks. The cloudbased<br />
platform also equips managers<br />
with evidence-based feedback, making<br />
employee reviews more accurate and<br />
non-disputable. Furthermore, Taskworld’s Android and iOS apps help business<br />
travelers manage their employees from remote locations.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What has been the greatest challenge that you have overcome in your<br />
career as an entrepreneur?<br />
MOUAWAD: When starting a new venture, you will always encounter skeptics.<br />
The skepticism can come from all around, be it from customers, suppliers,<br />
employees, or even partners. The key in a start-up is keeping to your vision<br />
while still being realistic. It is important to be able to make adjustments based<br />
on the reactions of the market place. It’s about finding ways to achieve tangible<br />
results, moving from uncertainty to foolproof concepts in stages. I also feel that<br />
celebrating the small wins is important in validating the venture and figuring<br />
what to do next. I learned early on that when businesses go astray it’s seldom<br />
because of the idea, it’s either because the capital funding was underestimated<br />
or the people on the team did not have the right capabilities. The right idea, with<br />
enough capital, and the right team are the core ingredients to success.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You surround yourself with exceptional talent. What qualities do you<br />
look for when adding members to your team?<br />
MOUAWAD: I look for belief in the Company vision. Is the person really passionate<br />
about their contribution and how the company is making a positive impact in the<br />
world? Are they eager to learn and grow? How eager is the person to work on<br />
self-improvement and what is their drive for continuous improvement? It is also<br />
important to look for intelligence and aptitude. Intelligent people have a higher<br />
capacity for learning, adjusting, and contributing. Expertise is also a significant<br />
quality. In certain functional areas, it’s important for the team to have deep<br />
expertise to add value, but if the expertise can be taught then we make sure to<br />
provide great training to those with aptitude. High energy is vital to get things<br />
done, and energize others on the team, as it’s contagious. Without<br />
positive energy, execution falls flat. Honesty and integrity are<br />
also factors to consider. Dishonest team members always<br />
end up causing damage. Once trust is lost, I find it<br />
extremely difficult to put my faith in a person.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: How do you feel Taskworld answers the<br />
need to a problem?<br />
MOUAWAD: Taskworld answers the need<br />
for several problems that managers have<br />
to deal with on a daily basis. It helps<br />
managers organize their work so that they<br />
save time. It helps create accountability<br />
within teams as clear delegation can be<br />
established and people are held responsible<br />
for their work. Consolidation is achieved<br />
as Taskworld enables managers to keep all<br />
information pertaining to a task in one location. It<br />
improves the follow-up process as all those involved<br />
in a task are notified of any changes. Evaluation is<br />
made easy as there is an established method of gauging<br />
performance that can be used by managers to give evidencebased<br />
feedback. This is very important as timely feedback gives team members<br />
the opportunity to adjust their performance, driving continuous improvement.<br />
Taskworld also improves visibility within teams as everyone is on the same page<br />
and has the same information.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: How would you say that Taskworld is different from<br />
other time management programs that are available?<br />
MOUAWAD: The feature of Taskworld that sets it apart<br />
from other task management tools is its performance<br />
metrics capability. We allow managers the ability to<br />
provide immediate feedback upon completion of a<br />
task with a star rating system for a performance quality<br />
assessment and an on-time completion percentage that<br />
indicates the team member’s efficiency level.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You have continually succeeded at developing great products. What is<br />
the key to developing products that add value the people and businesses that<br />
will use them?<br />
MOUAWAD: It is important to have deep empathy with what the customer<br />
values so you can anticipate their requirements. To develop great products<br />
there needs to be an understanding of the problems you solve or how the<br />
company is adding value to consumers relative to its competitors. In all my<br />
portfolio companies we put customers at the center. We try to understand what<br />
the customer needs and what could delight them beyond their expectations.<br />
We also build a culture in our organizations that is very customer-centric.<br />
Whenever we plan, we keep customers in mind and give priority to the projects<br />
that add the most value to customers.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: If you could only choose one experience in your life that has helped to<br />
define who you are, what would that be?<br />
MOUAWAD: I would say that the experience of growing up in a boarding school<br />
in Switzerland with 300 other students coming from 50 different countries was<br />
a big influence on me. I have been fortunate enough to live around multiple<br />
cultures, getting the value of perspective when it comes to people and<br />
understanding them. I believe this has led me to start ventures with a global<br />
scope from the outset. I don’t like to be confined and love the freedom to do<br />
business across boundaries.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you on your journey as a<br />
creative entrepreneur?<br />
MOUAWAD: I am an avid reader and am inspired by many entrepreneurs.<br />
The traits that I admire the most are resilience and the ability to bounce back<br />
from any setback. I respect those with the courage to move forward, and the<br />
persistence to trying again with intelligence. Entrepreneurs that have failed and<br />
succeeded and continue playing the game for the love and passion of building<br />
a business from scratch inspire me.<br />
My father has clearly been a big influence in my life. I have observed him run<br />
his businesses and learned<br />
a great deal from the way he<br />
managed.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: If could redo just one<br />
thing in your professional life<br />
what would it be and why?<br />
MOUAWAD: I don’t think<br />
I would change much. If I<br />
were to give myself advice,<br />
it would be, “Do fewer things<br />
and work less. There are<br />
many other hobbies and<br />
ways to get satisfaction out<br />
of life than working hard in<br />
trying to develop and grow<br />
all the companies in your<br />
portfolio.”<br />
We only have one life, and<br />
it’s a journey of continuous<br />
discovery and learning. I<br />
have clearly experimented<br />
and learned a great deal and<br />
continue doing so. I have<br />
been very fortunate for all the<br />
experiences I have gained in<br />
my life on both the academic<br />
and practical side.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What are your words of wisdom to other entrepreneurs?<br />
MOUAWAD: Stay hungry, be courageous, and make wise decisions. Staying<br />
hungry is critical. Getting complacent is easy, especially if an entrepreneur<br />
experiences success early on. Success is temporary, so it’s important to<br />
constantly push to drive continuous improvements. Courage is required for<br />
anyone trying to start a business. There are so many uncertainties, so it’s<br />
important to focus on doing and worry less about the probability of success.<br />
Trying to make wise decisions is important because as entrepreneurs our<br />
success depends on the key decisions we make throughout our journey. When<br />
you’re younger, making wise decisions requires that you seek the guidance of<br />
and listen intently to wiser people. It’s amazing how much you can learn from<br />
others by asking the right questions and listening rather than naively making<br />
decisions.<br />
Images courtesy of Synergia One Group<br />
16<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
ENTREPRENEURS TO WATCH<br />
NO LIMITS FOR CELEBRITY STYLIST<br />
ANITA PATRICKSON<br />
Photos by JSquared Photography<br />
Originally raised in South Africa, renowned Celebrity<br />
Stylist, Anita Patrickson has traveled extensively,<br />
gaining experience across a multitude of cultures<br />
and lifestyles, which has been vital aid to her eclectic<br />
and individual fashion aesthetic. Having had a natural<br />
ability to fashion and style, she made her home in Los<br />
Angeles. Shortly after, Condé Nast secured her as the<br />
Assistant West Coast Editor for Allure magazine.<br />
Eventually, Anita broke away to pursue a freelance<br />
career. She has dressed celebrities<br />
ranging from Emma Watson and<br />
Julianne Hough to Emmy Rossum,<br />
Rachel Bilson, Nina Dobrev,<br />
Chanel Iman, Taylor Kitsch and<br />
Chris Colfer and regularly styles<br />
the covers and editorial pages of<br />
Elle, Instyle, Vanity Fair, Esquire,<br />
Glamour and many more.<br />
Most recently, Anita has<br />
branched into television, film and<br />
commercials, working with brands<br />
and on successful campaigns<br />
along with big networks and<br />
studios like Paramount and<br />
Warner Brothers.<br />
Anita appears regularly on<br />
America’s Next Top Model,<br />
Access Hollywood, Popsugar<br />
and E!. She has hosted various<br />
design and style shows like<br />
‘Designer Spotlight’ as well as<br />
representing big brands like Target<br />
in their popular ‘Back to School’<br />
campaigns.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What advice would you<br />
give another stylist that is trying to<br />
break into the fashion industry?<br />
PATRICKSON: Be resourceful and<br />
stick it out. Those people that stick<br />
out that last little bit, are those that<br />
make it in the end. Also, being a<br />
people person and saying: “yes”<br />
to things and being able to make<br />
it to happen rather than seeing the<br />
downside.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What was your big break<br />
that led you to Condé Nast?<br />
PATRICKSON I had been assisting<br />
another stylist for a year and she<br />
very graciously introduced me to the amazing folks at<br />
Condé Nast, I went in for an interview and amazingly, I<br />
got the job!<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What is it about fashion that you find interesting?<br />
PATRICKSON: Every day is completely different from<br />
the next. I enjoy the challenges and working with<br />
people—top photographers, meeting young models<br />
that are on top of their game and of course the<br />
incredible designers.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What has been your most challenging situation?<br />
PATRICKSON: The most challenging situations arise<br />
when something goes wrong and you have to think on<br />
your feet. Like a zipper breaking as a client is about to<br />
step onto the carpet… these things happen more often<br />
than one would think!<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: As a veteran in the industry, what misconceptions<br />
did you initially have as a stylist that you soon realized<br />
were incorrect?<br />
PATRICKSON: It’s a lot harder than I originally thought<br />
and is a bit more of a grind.<br />
Being on the inside, you realize that it is not all that<br />
glamorous, and it’s not just about putting beautiful<br />
clothes on pretty girls. It can be challenging when you<br />
are working with rising actresses, especially when<br />
designers don’t know who they are because they don’t<br />
always like to loan out clothes for new talent.<br />
Ironically it’s often the big stars that tend to be the most<br />
chilled out, while those that haven’t quite made it -<br />
sometimes arrive with a chip on their shoulder.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: How would you describe your own style?<br />
PATRICKSON: I like simple and clean. I love my jeans;<br />
t-shirts and I live in my motorcycle jackets.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What was the one opportunity that you had to<br />
pinch yourself for?<br />
PATRCKSON: When I first dressed Emma Watson<br />
for her final Harry Potter tour. It was funny how it all<br />
happened. The day I found out, my car had just broken<br />
down and I was waiting on the side of the road and<br />
suddenly, out of nowhere, I received the call that Emma<br />
Watson’s people called to ask if I would style her for<br />
her tour.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: As a stylist, what era in time are you most<br />
influenced by?<br />
PATRICKSON: I don’t know if there is one era that I<br />
gravitate towards - I love that classic 90’s look, slightly<br />
more androgynous.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: When working with clients, who are your top 3<br />
go-to designers and why?<br />
PATRICKSON: It changes depending on the client. Three<br />
of my favorite designers are: Valentino, Balenciaga and<br />
Celine.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You have traveled extensively around the world.<br />
Would you say that your travels have helped to develop<br />
your skills as a stylist?<br />
PATRICKSON: I think that having the opportunity to<br />
travel, as a stylist has been really beneficial. It has<br />
opened my eyes to different aesthetics. Other cultures<br />
are so fascinating— the accessories they use, the<br />
colors they wear and the patterns they mix.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What advice have you been given that has<br />
helped you navigate the fashion industry?<br />
PATRICKSON: Believe in yourself and be nice to<br />
everyone. You never know who will come back to give<br />
you an opportunity.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What advice do you have for budding stylist?<br />
PATRICKSON: Embrace your individuality. That’s your<br />
greatest asset.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 17
ENTREPRENEURS TO WATCH<br />
Long gone are the days of having to be a super fashionista or<br />
fashionisto by making attempts to attend any and every fashion<br />
show or fashion fair on the face of the Earth; in order to find the<br />
‘next big thing.’ Wouldn’t it be great to have one source for all your<br />
fashion browsing needs? Well, look no further, My|Trnd is providing<br />
that exact service and transforming the way professional buyers and<br />
designers navigate the industry.<br />
Created by co-founders Thomas Weikop, Taus Ansvig So<br />
and Kristoffer Rosberg in 2012, their online showroom was created<br />
as a way to give fashion professionals virtual access to thousands<br />
of fashion brands whilst supporting new brands, by giving them<br />
an outlet to promote themselves and showcase their talents. This<br />
Copenhagen-based international team spans over various countries<br />
including London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, New York,<br />
Manilla, Morocco and Bangladesh and is taking the fashion world by<br />
storm.<br />
My|Trnd allows fashion forward minds to explore, follow<br />
and connect with new brands, keeping them up to date on the latest<br />
creations and collections of their favorite designers, allowing them to<br />
be the first to get a sneak peek. My|Trnd is the leading pioneer in the<br />
way fashion professionals do business and seek new talent. Not only<br />
is it paving the way for alternative methods to navigate the fashion<br />
industry, but it’s also creating an innovative milestone in changing<br />
the fashion industry.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Describe in your own words what My|Trnd is, and how does<br />
your platform aim to add value to its fans and followers?<br />
ROSBJERG: My|Trnd is an online showroom created for fashion<br />
professionals to browse brands like never before. The main focus<br />
is to help professional buyers navigate the industry and help brands<br />
reach a global audience. We showcase the upcoming collections<br />
as you would see visiting a fashion fair, but instead of 200 brands,<br />
you can browse 2000 at My|Trnd - well a lot more actually. In a<br />
few moments a buyer can view his favorite brands upcoming<br />
collections, discover new brands or follow the upcoming trends.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What steps did you take as an entrepreneur to successfully<br />
take My|Trnd from its initial stages as an idea to a startup?<br />
ROSBJERG: After we decided on the concept, we agreed to launch<br />
the basic version and within a few months we were hosting over 500<br />
lookbooks.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Did you receive outside funding for your company, and what<br />
were the 3 most important elements that helped you secure funding?<br />
ROSBJERG: Yes, we did receive funding. I believe the 3 most<br />
important elements where a solid team and our vision paired with<br />
the possible market, in addition to the great progress we made in a<br />
very short time.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: We have seen My|Trnd evolve over the past couple of<br />
months. Can you talk a little about your initial launch and where are<br />
you now with your re-launch?<br />
ROSBJERG: What I will tell you about is the new platform SpaceRebel.<br />
com we recently launched. We created a platform where designers<br />
of all shapes and sizes can rent in stores all over the world. We’ve<br />
seen so many great small designers struggling to get into stores.<br />
That is a shame in a world where we love diversity!<br />
We help them get into the countries and shops they want<br />
–and fast. Within a couple of days a designer can sign deals with<br />
a lot of shops for an agreed upon period of time with no effort.<br />
On the other side we help stores discover new talent, create popup<br />
events for their customers and offer a new business model for<br />
increased income—increased income.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What are your thoughts on the current state of the fashion<br />
industry? Do you think there is too much pressure on designers to<br />
continually push out collections with an overall emphasis on profit<br />
over creativity?<br />
ROSBJERG: Yes and no. I am sure there is too much pressure on<br />
most designers to constantly deliver new items and styles. I am sure<br />
there is too much pressure on most designers to constantly deliver<br />
new items and styles. Again, comfort kills creativity – we all need a<br />
little push sometimes.<br />
But fashion is too much about money, we all know this. I love the<br />
small designers who are passionate about their collections and<br />
eager to tell and share their vision.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: As someone that is a veteran in the fashion industry, what<br />
business advice would you offer to budding entrepreneurs who<br />
would like to start a career in fashion?<br />
ROSBJERG: <strong>Fashion</strong> is a great industry for entrepreneurs. It’s<br />
tough and even though fashion is ever changing and innovative, the<br />
business is grounded in solid principles. If you create something<br />
new, be consistent and patient. Also, be ready to work 18 hours a<br />
day!<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You surround yourself with exceptional talent. What qualities<br />
do you look for when adding members to your team?<br />
ROSBJERG: The qualities that we look for in new team members are<br />
dedication, ability to learn, skillset and vision.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: If you could only choose one experience in your life that has<br />
helped to define who you are, what would that be and why?<br />
ROSBJERG: Traveling has offered me the time to discover, think and<br />
get a perspective on things.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: The pursuit of happiness. What does that mean to you as an<br />
entrepreneur?<br />
ROSBJERG: Freedom, creativity and helping others.<br />
Images courtesy of My Trnd
ENTREPRENEURS TO WATCH<br />
AWARD WINNING DESIGNER Byron LarsPUSHES FORWARD<br />
Images courtesy Byron Lars Beauty Mark<br />
Introducing Byron Lars an American fashion designer, who came onto<br />
the scene under his own label in 1991. As part of that season’s success,<br />
Women’s Wear Daily named him “Rookie of the Year”. Since then, Byron<br />
Lars has designed dresses for many notable names including, Michelle<br />
Obama in 2011 and Olympic gold medalists Sanya Richard-Ross, Carmelita<br />
Jeter and Allyson Felix.<br />
The label started with a small collection of sportswear focusing on<br />
what Lars refers to as “twisted American classics.” He took<br />
his inspiration from everywhere, including his grandfather’s<br />
hunting jacket, crossbreeding it with a “Dior New Look” to<br />
create a look that resembles a Dutchess of Windsor meets<br />
Field and Steam hybrid. As soon as audiences saw these<br />
innovative creations carriers including Bergdorf, Saks Fifth<br />
Avenue, Bloomingdales, Henri Bendel, Neimen Marcus and<br />
Anthropology snapped up his line.<br />
Lars’ designs became even more apparent on his<br />
Seventh on Sixth runway presentation where he created<br />
accessories as mere fashion show props. He attracted the<br />
attention of licensees in handbags, furs and hats. His fame<br />
and creative designs led to his designing a limited edition of<br />
designer Barbie dolls for Mattel.<br />
By the end of his licenses Lars chose to direct<br />
his energy away from the designer collection and focus<br />
on a contemporary line, crossing out the lofty prices. He<br />
took cues from his previous collections and made them<br />
more affordable. This redirection was the beginning of<br />
“Byron Lars Beauty Mark.” Lars’ label has a non-conformist<br />
aesthetic that has helped the brand stand strong. “I wanted<br />
it to be more about the clothes and less about the ‘hype’,”<br />
says Lars. Beauty mark has now enjoyed eight years of<br />
success with highly sought out chic and sexy shirts and<br />
expanding to include knits, sportswear and dresses.<br />
Meet Byron Lars an American success story.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Your design philosophy mixes contrasting elements<br />
for a fresh take on fashion. How has being a non-conformist<br />
helped your brand to succeed in the fashion industry?<br />
LARS: I think that my brand’s non-conformist aesthetic is<br />
the only reason why we’re still standing today because,<br />
once our stores introduce these clothes to their customer<br />
and she experiences for herself all the inside love that<br />
goes into every single piece, she knows that she’s found<br />
something special and understands why she’s spending<br />
that kind of money for it.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: As a creative entrepreneur where do you draw your inspiration<br />
from?<br />
LARS: Quite literally anything can inspire me to create but lately, I find the<br />
most fertile ground to be in pondering the wants and needs of my customer.<br />
Questions like, “What does the day dress look like that she wants to wear<br />
so often that she’s totally bummed that she wore it the day before”, really<br />
get my creative engines revving.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Mattell toys tapped you to design a limited edition collection of their<br />
iconic Barbie doll. How did it feel to be recognized by Mattell as being a<br />
premier American designer?<br />
LARS: Far more exciting than any ego-boost I may have gotten from the<br />
idea of Mattel seeking out li’l-ole-me to design for Barbie was the profoundly<br />
positive reaction that I got from so many women of color who expressed<br />
such gratitude of FINALLY having their brand of beauty so thoroughly<br />
represented by the iconic doll.<br />
I never in my wildest dreams would have expected anything near the kind<br />
of impact that those dolls would have on my community.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: How would you say that Beauty Mark differs from your namesake<br />
label you created in 1991?<br />
LARS: The only distinction between my collection of years past and Beauty<br />
Mark now is price point really.<br />
I love the fact that so many more people have the means to access my<br />
clothes now than were able to at that time.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Since its inception, Beauty Mark has always been about the clothes.<br />
Do you have any plans in the future to refocus on the designer collection?<br />
LARS: As Beauty Mark continues to grow, there will be expansions in both<br />
price-point directions, with the addition of even more affordable options<br />
(which excites me most) as well as a peppering of higher priced luxury<br />
items that definitely have their place in the grand scheme of things.<br />
I don’t however have any plans to ever enter back into the collection<br />
business because Beauty Mark is a collection...it’s just a collection at a<br />
contemporary price-point.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: As someone that is a veteran in the fashion industry, what business<br />
advice would you offer to budding entrepreneurs who would like to start a<br />
career in fashion?<br />
LARS: The advice I can offer to any budding fashion entrepreneur is to<br />
firstly learn on someone else’s dime. Work in the business to learn as much<br />
as you can about it from an insider’s perspective before setting out on your<br />
own.<br />
As long as a direct line to her<br />
is maintained and nurtured, I<br />
believe a fashion brand can<br />
weather any storm because,<br />
she will have been there all<br />
along guiding the direction of<br />
the brand with her interests,<br />
likes and dislikes, thus<br />
keeping it relevant.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: In the fashion<br />
industry, designers come and<br />
go. To what do you credit<br />
your longevity and your ability<br />
to navigate the cycle of ups<br />
and downs that the industry<br />
is known for?<br />
LARS: I’m sure that the key to<br />
our longevity has been simply<br />
sticking to what we’re really<br />
good at which is building<br />
a well made product that’s<br />
not run of the mill, in spite of<br />
market trends that have at<br />
times veered away from these<br />
goals as ideal notions.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What are the<br />
foreseeable challenges facing<br />
your brand, Beauty Mark in<br />
the future, and what steps are<br />
you taking now to successfully<br />
navigate those potential<br />
obstacles?<br />
LARS: The biggest challenge<br />
for my brand is getting our<br />
message out there and letting<br />
the woman that we’re not<br />
currently dressing know what<br />
we stand for and that we are<br />
here to facilitate her access<br />
to her best self (in a fashion<br />
sense of course).<br />
Social Media is thankfully<br />
a direct line to her but, it is a<br />
world unto itself that takes an<br />
enormous amount of focus<br />
to get and keep her engaged<br />
in the eternal conversation<br />
that is designed to permeate<br />
her conscience with brand<br />
DNA. That all sounds so<br />
insidious but it can only be<br />
successful if there is some<br />
kind of pre-existing synergy to<br />
allow for it.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What are three fun<br />
facts that you would like<br />
people to know about you?<br />
LARS: Three fun facts:<br />
I live for roller-coasters...but only for GOOD roller-coasters that really thrill!<br />
My musical taste is about as varied as it gets. I love everything from Adele<br />
to Bach to Cibo Matto to Loretta Lynn to St. Vincent to...well, you get where<br />
I’m going with this.<br />
I make a mean carrot cake.
ENTREPRENEURS TO WATCH<br />
Jamie Gottschall<br />
Master multi-tasker and the Martha Stewart of style, Jamie Gottschall<br />
dominates the DIY lifestyle with her Indomitable<strong>Style</strong> brand and her mission<br />
to inspire, educate, and empower those with big dreams on a budget.<br />
Sticking to the mantra of “affordable luxury” Gottschall is perfecting the art<br />
of living, with everyday style.<br />
Don’t let the stylish exterior fool you; This “Jill of All Trades” has<br />
years of industry experience with financial firms Merrill Lynch & Wasserstein<br />
Perella, that paired with training alongside the top style experts. There’s<br />
nothing she doesn’t know a little bit about.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You have a positive outlook on the amazing possibilities that life<br />
holds for each and every one of us.<br />
How did you come across this nugget of<br />
wisdom that is widely known, but seldom<br />
practiced?<br />
GOTTSCHALL: It is through both instinct<br />
and experience that allows me to possess<br />
this wisdom you are talking about. Please<br />
allow me to explain both. Instinct is when<br />
we allow our natural 5 senses to show us<br />
the way. I believe the use of our natural<br />
senses is becoming a lost art. All too<br />
often, individuals rely on the internet for<br />
answers, doctors and friends, but the truth<br />
is (in my opinion) our answers are all within<br />
each and every one of us. Example; I can<br />
taste something and recreate it without<br />
the recipe, simply by tuning into my<br />
heightened senses to recall taste, scent<br />
and texture.<br />
As for experience, there is no<br />
better schooling than the school of hard<br />
knocks. While my friends were out getting<br />
their Masters degrees, I had already long<br />
mastered my passions and crafts. I am a<br />
listener, an absorber, a person who can<br />
see something and recreate it 10x’s better<br />
and do it the first time around.<br />
As for what keeps me so<br />
positive? My craft, which is work for<br />
many, is a true labor of love. I have always<br />
seen my future, so a positive outlook is<br />
what gives me my vision to create what<br />
I have seen my entire life. If you dream it,<br />
you can live it, as long as you believe in<br />
your dreams.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Who in your life has helped to<br />
influence your decisions as a creative<br />
entrepreneur?<br />
GOTTSCHALL: My late father believed in me, he taught me to dream and<br />
dream big. He was always dreaming and creating, it’s sad he couldn’t live<br />
the dream to the fullest, but I think instead, his mission in life was to inspire<br />
me to reach what he couldn’t. He showed me the way.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What one piece of business advice would you offer budding<br />
entrepreneurs that has helped you more than any other advice?<br />
GOTTSCHALL: If I had to offer budding entrepreneurs a piece of business<br />
advice, it would be two simple things; to believe in yourself no matter what<br />
and by that I mean, change for no one. A successful person truly believes<br />
in themselves. They believe in what they are branding or selling and they<br />
do it with absolute conviction. My second piece of advice is to build a<br />
platform so big, that no one but you can take center stage.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: As an entrepreneur, what has been your biggest challenge and what<br />
steps did you take to successfully reach your goals?<br />
GOTTSCHALL: My biggest challenge as an entrepreneur was learning how<br />
to chase and find success on my own. I have never done business with<br />
THE NEXT QUEEN OF<br />
DOMESTIC LIVING<br />
a publicist or an agent. I had to rely on those instincts to find my way, a<br />
challenge well worth the risk.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You are considered a “Jack of all trades” by many in the industry.<br />
Would you say that being well versed with many skills has been one of the<br />
keys to your success?<br />
GOTTSCHALL: Being well versed in diverse industries has been a blessing,<br />
with training from the top experts in the genres in which I cover. Next to<br />
hard work, time and experience-- this component has provided me with<br />
credibility that has been invaluable to my personal success.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Your body of work points to the fact that you are driven to succeed.<br />
What can other entrepreneurs learn from<br />
your accomplishments?<br />
GOTTSCHALL: What other entrepreneurs<br />
can learn from my accomplishments is to<br />
take any negative energy that may pose<br />
as a roadblock, and use it as positive fuel<br />
that catapults you forward.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Inevitably, we all have failures in<br />
business and in life. How do you view<br />
failures?<br />
GOTTSCHALL: I view failure not as a<br />
weakness, but our greatest stepping<br />
stones to success.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You have a great sense of style.<br />
What are 3 pieces of advice you can give<br />
to men and women who would like to<br />
develop their own style?<br />
GOTTSCHALL: The 3 pieces of advice I<br />
would give to any gender when interested<br />
in developing their own sense of style:<br />
Seek inspiration in what you love. I<br />
sincerely believe people find comfort in<br />
familiarity.<br />
When you have finally developed<br />
your style, wear it like you mean it. There<br />
is nothing worse than a stylish guy or gal<br />
that is not as confident as their clothing.<br />
There is nothing better than<br />
diversity in life and that includes your<br />
wardrobe. Don’t be afraid to practice<br />
mixing and matching; colors, patterns<br />
and textures. Soon enough, you will be a<br />
walking work of art.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Your ultimate goal is to host a<br />
daytime television show. What will you<br />
bring to your viewers that will be unique and different from other talk show<br />
host?<br />
GOTTSCHALL: My uniqueness is what has always separated me from the<br />
rest and that comes from several beliefs;<br />
My ability to trust “instinct” when creating and empowering others. It’s an<br />
untouched perspective. I want to show my audience that to create is to<br />
trust the natural gifts we are born with, in effort to bring vision to fruition.<br />
I firmly believe in my mantra, “affordable luxury.” Demonstrating<br />
how being resourceful and sometimes thrifty doesn’t have to mean<br />
shabby. A fabulous lifestyle has nothing to do with how full your purse is,<br />
but how resourceful you are.<br />
There are many chefs and talk show hosts on television, but none<br />
that has the diverse experience that I have or can bring to the table.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: The pursuit of happiness. What does that mean to you as an<br />
entrepreneur?<br />
GOTTSCHALL: The pursuit of happiness as an entrepreneur for me is what<br />
I can ultimately do for others in the end. When you can give and not seek<br />
anything in return, well, there is nothing that could bring me more joy.<br />
Photos by Jason T. Jaskot<br />
20<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
BESPOKE MEN
FASHION TO LIVE FOR <br />
THREE LOOKS<br />
FOR AN<br />
ENTREPRENEUR<br />
1. The Big Meeting<br />
Photographer: Jason T. Jaskot<br />
Stylist: Larry Underwood<br />
Hair and Make-up: Juliette Laracuenta, assistant Beverly Sanchez for AMA<br />
Model: David Rodriguez, RED NYC<br />
3 piece suit: Howe, Mesh Shirt:,Underwood NY, Shoes:m Steve Madden<br />
22<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
2.The Night Out<br />
Vest and pants: Underwood NY
3. The Weekend<br />
Cargo Jacket: Cockpit USA, Shirt:<br />
Underwood NY, Jeans: 34 Heritage
ENTREPRENEUR<br />
S A M U E L G O N Z A L E Z<br />
IS INNOVATING HOW MEN GET STYLE<br />
Cinch Men’s Wear is a new online clothing subscription service created<br />
just for men. Born out of the daily frustrations of putting a stylish outfit<br />
together each and every day, Cinch Men’s Wear offers a unique alternative<br />
to shopping. Cinch Men’s Wear offers a styling service to help customers<br />
select their favorite outfits. Whether they do not have the time, do not know<br />
what to buy, or simply looking for an easy method to build their wardrobe,<br />
their styling team will help customers style their clothes.<br />
Cinch Club Members enjoy the convenience of having a styling<br />
team put together outfits for them, and then the selections are emailed to<br />
them. This method puts their members in the driver seat and in control of<br />
what their stylists are choosing for them. With other clothing subscriptions<br />
already in the market, Cinch Men’s Wear distinguishes itself from the rest<br />
by offering two different membership plans. This allows them to provide<br />
a more affordable option for members. They also strive to bridge the gap<br />
between new up-and-coming labels and potential customers. “With larger<br />
and established brands having a strong hold on the clothing market, we<br />
feel that it is important for us to connect new up-and-coming labels with<br />
our customers,” said CEO Samuel Gonzalez. As a new business, they<br />
understand the challenges that newer brands face.<br />
Cinch Men’s Wear has recently developed a working relationship<br />
with BYA Sports Group to provide their service to professional football<br />
players. This is an effort to help spread the word of their service among the<br />
country’s most popular sport.<br />
So what is next on their list? Cinch Men’s Wear is currently<br />
working on an IOS app that will allow for easier communication between<br />
members and their stylists. The app will also utilize push notifications to<br />
alert members when their outfits are ready<br />
for review.<br />
at the office with a blazer and a tie, and it can be relaxed for cocktails<br />
that same evening by removing the tie, jacket, and unbuttoning the first or<br />
second buttons. Once your foundation is built, then you can begin to take<br />
new risks with your wardrobe, for example a blazer in a different color, a<br />
vest over a button down, or even a button down shirt in a color you normally<br />
wouldn’t go with. Lastly, be open-minded. We recommend members to go<br />
slightly beyond their comfort zone when it comes to new styles and looks.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What has been a memorable experience that a client has had while<br />
working with one of your stylist?<br />
GONZALEZ: One of the most memorable experiences to date has been<br />
our work with one specific member who initially requested a subscription<br />
box. Shortly after receiving his request and sending out his clothing, he was<br />
so impressed with both the quality of the clothes and excellent customer<br />
service that he asked us to custom create outfits for additional events that<br />
he had coming up. Working with him has been a wonderful experience, and<br />
it re-affirms my belief in our mission and commitment to our members.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What brands does Cinch Menswear work with?<br />
GONZALEZ: We work with both established brands and new up-and-coming<br />
brands, including Mavi, Seven Diamond, Esposito Collecion, One90One,<br />
OPNK, Los Angeles Third and Army, Big Star, J Shoes, Suburban Riot, and<br />
many more.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: As an entrepreneur, can you tell me about a time when you were<br />
unable to meet your goals and what steps did you take to turn your short<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: From a cultural perspective, do<br />
American men place enough emphasis on<br />
fashion and style?<br />
GONZALEZ: American men are all over<br />
the map when it comes to fashion. Some<br />
men are comfortable in their go-to jeans<br />
and t-shirt, while other men are risk takers<br />
and try new things in regards to fashion.<br />
Whichever category a guy falls into,<br />
whether it’s the same old and new and<br />
risky, there is always room for change. Our<br />
service helps men try new styles, colors,<br />
and fits in the comfort of their own home.<br />
We strive to take the guess work out of<br />
selecting a great outfit for a great price.<br />
Images courtesy of Cinch Menswear<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Confidence being one of many<br />
keys to a creative entrepreneur’s success.<br />
What role does Cinch Menswear play in<br />
helping its clients feel confident?<br />
GONZALEZ: One of the cornerstones Cinch Men’s Wear prides itself on is<br />
helping men look great without the fuss, hassle and headaches of traditional<br />
shopping. We do this by getting to know members on an individual basis<br />
via our styling questionnaire, open email communication, as well as our new<br />
messaging platform which allows our members to instantly communicate.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: As an entrepreneur who also has a degree in psychology, would you<br />
say there is a psychology behind style?<br />
GONZALEZ: When a man looks good and knows he looks good, he exudes<br />
confidence. There is a form of psychology when it comes to style because<br />
when we introduce members to new styles, we try to help them see beyond<br />
the same clothing they are used to. It builds a psychological confidence<br />
because the way you look reflects how you feel and your confidence level.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What two pieces of advice would you offer men who are trying to<br />
build a stylish wardrobe?<br />
GONZALEZ: First and foremost- build a good foundation. One of my favorite<br />
analogies is building your wardrobe like you would a house. When you build<br />
a house what do you start with? The foundation. Just like a house, you must<br />
build a solid foundation within your wardrobe before you can branch out and<br />
try new things. A solid clothing foundation offers versatility. For example a<br />
pair of khaki chinos and a button down shirt can be dressed up for a day<br />
comings into future opportunities?<br />
GONZALEZ: I would say the toughest part when I started my business<br />
was the first couple months. Like many other entrepreneurs you get<br />
excited about your new endeavor and expect great things from the start.<br />
Realistically, being a new online business with a brand new website our<br />
Search Engine Optimization was non-existent. It took nearly a month to get<br />
one person to sign up. It was very frustrating but we continued to work on<br />
our website, social media, and reached out to bloggers to help spread the<br />
word of our new service. In time we saw that our effort was paying off and<br />
our membership growth picked up steam.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Who has been the biggest influence on your life as an entrepreneur?<br />
GONZALEZ: My wife has been my biggest supporter. The investment in<br />
starting a business can be tiresome and worrisome. I had many restless and<br />
stressful nights. The support of my wife gave me the fuel needed to keep<br />
pushing forward.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What one piece of advice would you offer to budding entrepreneurs?<br />
GONZALEZ: No matter what the idea is, just go for it and don’t give up. You<br />
don’t’ want to live your life wondering what would have happened if you did<br />
pursue your business idea. The best way to live your life is to at least know<br />
you tried, if you never try, you will never know where your business could<br />
have been.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 25
BESPOKE MEN<br />
J U S T I N C O A L E<br />
A MAN ON A MISSION<br />
BY JASON T. JASKOT<br />
When featured in a magazine, most models would take to social<br />
media to post their photos. But not Justin Coale. When he first saw<br />
his feature in UK magazine, Vanity Hype, the first thing that he put<br />
on-line was a close-up shot of his pit bull Armani in sunglasses, with<br />
the caption, “He was so excited when he found out I got into the<br />
magazine!”<br />
Not one to be idle, Justin keeps busy—from his very first<br />
magazine feature in Philly fit to his likeness being used on the cover<br />
of romance novel that appeared this summer, Justin is a man on a<br />
mission. Recently, he was cast for the next season of Orange is The<br />
New Black and the Starz new drama, Flesh and Bone. If keeping<br />
up with work wasn’t enough, he also finds the time to stay in-touch<br />
with his fans and followers on social media, posting almost daily,<br />
inspirational messages and his thoughts on life.<br />
Determined to succeed and make his star rise, we talked to<br />
him about what’s happening now and what’s coming next.<br />
Questions:<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: On your Facebook Fan Page, you say you‘re “just a regular<br />
guy trying to make his mark on the world. My story might help you<br />
and you might help someone else after hearing it.” So what is your<br />
story?<br />
COALE: Man, I grew up with DEEP depression hating who I was. I<br />
was always the kid, “alone in a crowd.” I use that quote on my fan<br />
page with the hopes that people will read my bio about my battle<br />
with bi-polar disorder and will see hope for themselves.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You’ve<br />
never been shy<br />
about showing<br />
your body, and<br />
a Google search<br />
brings up tons<br />
of amazing body<br />
shots. Some<br />
actors, like Chris<br />
Evans, have tried<br />
to shy away from<br />
taking their shirts<br />
off in movies. What<br />
are your thoughts<br />
on showing your<br />
body?<br />
COALE: If it wasn’t<br />
for this body,<br />
there wouldn’t be<br />
the Justin Coale<br />
you are talking<br />
to today. Like I<br />
said previously,<br />
I HATED myself,<br />
and the pictures<br />
you see on Google<br />
are just a guy who<br />
loves to have his<br />
shirt off. My body<br />
is my temple. I<br />
don’t see anything<br />
wrong with it, and it<br />
even helped me get<br />
this interview! Also,<br />
I have tattoo’s that<br />
tell a story so it’s a<br />
little different than<br />
Chris Evans, but I can<br />
see where he comes<br />
from. People always<br />
think that since I do<br />
body work, that’s all<br />
I must be good at.<br />
You just have to know<br />
where to draw the line<br />
and with who. When I<br />
heard <strong>RAINE</strong> wanted<br />
to shoot clothes, I<br />
was extremely happy<br />
because I know I can<br />
rock some style in<br />
cool outfits!<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Speaking of<br />
tattoos, you’re<br />
covered in them!<br />
What is your favorite<br />
tattoo?<br />
COALE: My favorite<br />
would have to be the<br />
one on the left side<br />
of my chest. It covers my heart and represents so much to me. Jt<br />
is my middle name and also happens to be the first name of my<br />
grandfather.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You’ve got tens of thousands of followers across social<br />
media, and you always post uplifting messages. Can you speak a<br />
little bit about your social media success?<br />
COALE: Success on social media was one of the coolest things ever.<br />
I love waking up to new “likes” and followers; because my whole<br />
modus operandi is to help people become more confident in their<br />
everyday lives. I like to believe that my posts help people across the<br />
world become the person they want without having to be judged.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You’ve filmed for Orange Is The New Black and you’ve shot<br />
with many noted photographers. What is your dream project?<br />
COALE: I’d love to do a romantic comedy with my idol Ryan Gosling,<br />
or an action movie with Jason Stratham. Photography wise, I’d love<br />
to work with either Bruce Weber or Mario Testino.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Any other big projects or new ideas you want to share with<br />
us?<br />
COALE: Well this (interview) is pretty big, isn’t it? I mean <strong>RAINE</strong><br />
magazine stands for so much, and I am grateful for this opportunity.<br />
Other than that, I have a couple book tour stops in the US, and I am<br />
working on a clothing line with a company from Germany.<br />
Photos by Jason T. Jaskot<br />
26<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
ENTREPRENEUR<br />
M A K E A S T A T E M E N T W I T H<br />
L I N C O L N H E L L E R<br />
BY MARILYN R. WILSON<br />
The road to designing leather handbags was a journey with many<br />
stops along the way for Lincoln Heller of fiveleft - art school, graphic<br />
design, photography and more. It was while speaking with customers<br />
at high end craft shows that creating things from leather moved from a<br />
pastime into a business he loves. Handbags in particular fascinate him.<br />
Why? “The fascination is not with the material or the styling. What really<br />
fascinates me is how they function and the objects they carry. They<br />
carry the things in our lives.”<br />
Heller grew up in a small logging/agricultural town in<br />
Washington state. His father – from humble beginnings – was the town<br />
lawyer. His mum was an artist at heart who had varied jobs including<br />
antique store owner, high school teacher. real estate agent and more.<br />
He was an enigma. The appearance was privilege, but the reality was<br />
many of his dad’s clients only could afford to trade for his services.<br />
From an early age Heller had a talent for attracting and getting along<br />
with people that made him welcome in most circles, but he was closest<br />
to those he respectfully calls the “salt of the earth.”<br />
Art was always a huge part of Heller’s life and by the end of<br />
high school he had taken every class available. Regular subjects were,<br />
however, uninteresting. Fortunately he had the kind of mind that could<br />
quickly absorb lectures and remember them weeks later at test time.<br />
His parents were supportive. “For my graduation present, they sent me<br />
to a student camp at Kansas City Art Institute. You lived on campus a<br />
week or two and then they gave out 4-5 scholarships. I did well at what<br />
I was supposed to be doing, but also created a whole extra project on<br />
top of everything else.” He was awarded one of the scholarships.<br />
After a year of studies in Kansas City and a year back in<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 27
Washington working, Heller discovered Emily Carr University<br />
of Art + Design in Vancouver, British Columbia. It was here that<br />
inspiration took hold and education came alive. Photography was<br />
his main area of study, but this discipline also allowed him to take<br />
classes in other areas of interest. Time was taken off randomly to<br />
earn money by working in logging camps up north, and then it<br />
was back to school for more studies – a process that continued<br />
over 8 years.<br />
Heller had been working with leather since he was<br />
young. These creations offered a extra source of income, but were<br />
a random a mix of styles and materials. Then one day he picked<br />
up a couple hides of vegetable tanned leather and there was<br />
no turning back. Unlike traditional tanning with toxic chemicals,<br />
cured through a time-consuming, ancient process using plant<br />
extracts. The final product is stiffer to work with, but has unique<br />
qualities that offer their own magic. “Vegetable tanned leather has<br />
its own way of going forward in life when it’s new. Each individual<br />
is going to smash it and beat it in their own way.” This interaction<br />
affects how the bag ages – over time it becomes an expression of<br />
the owner’s life. The artist took the hides, pressed random bicycle<br />
parts and metal bits into them to create texture, dyed them and<br />
created cuffs which sold out in one day.<br />
In 1996, the fiveleft brand took form with the creation of<br />
the messenger bag – daygoods (the first), careercarrier and the<br />
computer bag are all still a part of the collection today. Heller<br />
didn’t own a leather sewing machine at the time which meant<br />
careful thought was put into how they would be constructed.<br />
“What is interesting is the mechanics of where the shoulder strap<br />
is. The bag is like a big origami piece. It lays flat and then, when<br />
folded up, the shoulder strap laces it together. The only stitching<br />
is the pocket.” Although the company now has several machines<br />
in use, a large part of the work is still done by hand including<br />
cutting, dying (sometimes two to three pigments on a single bag)<br />
and imprinting them with the unique textures. Each bag is signed<br />
and numbered.<br />
Heller’s vision for fiveleft has always put people first. He<br />
and his wife both chose to work part time while they had small<br />
children, alternating days to have one parent home. His staff is an<br />
integral part of the business, trusted to handle everything when<br />
he is not in the studio. Interacting with customers and creating a<br />
story line for them is an intricate part of what he offers as an artist<br />
– and he is a master story teller. Before one fashion show he<br />
pushed an ancient harness machine down the runway, stopping<br />
randomly to finish sewing a piece by hand cranking the device<br />
and then offering it to a lucky audience member.<br />
Heller’s brand is on the brink of change. Participating<br />
in runway shows has opened a second market for bags with<br />
a different style. The fiveleft collection will feature five bags in<br />
three colours that honour the line’s elemental roots – accessible,<br />
sell-able and perfect for wholesale. A separate collection under<br />
the label Lincoln Heller will offer luxurious handbags featuring<br />
unique, more complex hardware and finishing – perfect for the<br />
fashion conscious client looking for an eye-catching, statement<br />
piece. Both are sure to find a strong client base.<br />
In the end, what is it about fiveleft that brings Heller<br />
the most joy? “My favourite part is creating this little bit of a<br />
work and environment. The shop is a magical place. I really love<br />
how it’s become my life and not just as an entrepreneur. It’s an<br />
enjoyable way of working.” For more information or to shop the<br />
fiveleft online store go to www.fiveleft.ca.<br />
28<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY
BUSINESS | TRENDS<br />
6 Things You Need to Know<br />
BEFORE Starting Your Business<br />
By Tomer Dicturel<br />
I don’t need to repeat all of the scary statistics. On second thought,<br />
maybe I do, since the numbers haven’t improved much over the years.<br />
Let’s throw out a couple of big, frightening facts:<br />
1. According to Bloomberg, 80% of businesses fail within the<br />
first 18 months.<br />
2. Another outlet reports that approximately 50% of<br />
businesses fail within five years.<br />
PIECE OF ADVICE #3:<br />
Select the appropriate insurance. Two types of insurance to keep in<br />
mind are Key Man insurance and a Liability Insurance. Key man is<br />
necessary if your business is built around one person. This way, if<br />
anything happens to you, you’ll be covered. Liability kicks in if you get<br />
sued for any reason.<br />
PIECE OF ADVICE #5:<br />
Ok. So now that we got that out of the way, I’m here to help you avoid<br />
becoming a statistic.<br />
Most people start a new business venture to fulfill a dream and follow<br />
their passion. There’s the lure of independence, freedom to do what<br />
you want and the hope for financial success. And I’m not here to burst<br />
that beautiful bubble. I just want to make a stronger bubble for you to<br />
ride all the way to retirement.<br />
Whether you’re launching an indie online accessories line, a fashion<br />
empire or an artist’s agency, there are some important things to<br />
consider and put in place in order to protect yourself.<br />
By following these steps and making a plan, you’ll put yourself and<br />
your business in a much stronger and smarter position. Plan ahead<br />
and think about what might go wrong. This way you can hopefully<br />
avoid some of the most common mistakes made by small business<br />
owners.<br />
Here’s some of the best advice I can give small business owners:<br />
PIECE OF ADVICE #1:<br />
Put a buy/sell agreement in place. A buy/sell agreement allows you to<br />
buy partners out or covers you if a partner dies. You also want to make<br />
sure you’re prepared if anything happens to your partner.<br />
PIECE OF ADVICE #5:<br />
Have a lawyer draft an Operating Agreement. This describes the<br />
agreements between the members of an LLC. Think of it as the by-laws<br />
of your corporation. It will include a listing of members, distributions of<br />
profits and losses, the rights of each member and an overview of what<br />
happens to each members share when he or she leaves.<br />
PIECE OF ADVICE #6:<br />
Prepare an exit plan (for best case scenario) and a bankruptcy plan (for<br />
worst case scenario). Instances where you might need an exit plan<br />
include if your company goes public, you sell the company or merge<br />
with another company.<br />
With the proper planning, you’re giving yourself a solid foundation<br />
to build your company on, adding layers of protection if the worst<br />
happens. By thinking and planning ahead, you’ll save time, headaches<br />
and money.<br />
One of the first things you’ll need to determine is which kind of<br />
corporation you’d like your company to be. Your choices are S Corp, C<br />
Corp and LLC. By making the right decision, you’ll avoid a potentially<br />
hefty tax bill and realize tax savings.<br />
PIECE OF ADVICE #2:<br />
File your taxes on time. This one seems obvious, but it needs to said.<br />
And I’m also going to throw in here that you need to save all of your<br />
receipts.<br />
Now go out there and follow those dreams!<br />
Tomer Dicturel, Managing Partner of<br />
Advanced Wealth Professionals, works with a<br />
wide range of clients, from small business owners<br />
to some of the country’s wealthiest individuals,<br />
and largest private and publicly held companies.<br />
He has helped these individuals and companies<br />
strengthen, plan and execute well-informed<br />
financial decisions.<br />
Image courtesy of AWPROS<br />
30<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
Photos courtesy of: Issuu, Invest Diva, Tablelist<br />
BUSINESS | TRENDS<br />
3 INNOVATORS IN BUSINESS<br />
FROM ALLEYWIRE<br />
Invest Diva’s mission is to help you<br />
trade the right way, avoid possible<br />
scams and manage your own profitable<br />
forex trading portfolio.<br />
With this incredible new step-by-step<br />
online education program, investing<br />
pro and TV personality Kiana Danial<br />
and her team show you exactly how<br />
to understand and take advantage of<br />
foreign currency trading:<br />
• How the global currency market<br />
works<br />
• Why social, political, and cultural<br />
events shape trading<br />
• The smartest short- and longterm<br />
strategies<br />
• Best practices for navigating the<br />
economic calendar<br />
After years of studying the principles of the foreign currency exchange<br />
market, financial expert and trading strategist, Kiana Danial gets to<br />
the bottom of today’s most curious investment phenomenon: Why are<br />
women suddenly making a fortune trading currencies? Kiana spent<br />
years studying the habits of investors and discovered that women<br />
frequently make smarter, wiser, and less-risky investment choices than<br />
their male counterparts. This is precisely why she founded InvestDiva.<br />
com and designed her award-winning education platform; a beginner’s<br />
guide to smart, safe, and profitable trading.<br />
Learn more at www.investdiva.com<br />
INVEST DIVA<br />
ISSUU<br />
With more than 20 years of tech and publishing sector<br />
experience and a proven ability to successfully lead<br />
companies from the startup, growth phase and beyond, Joe<br />
Hyrkin began working with Issuu in early 2013. As CEO, he<br />
has been instrumental in pushing Issuu into the coveted spot<br />
as one of the fastest-growing digital publishing platforms<br />
around.<br />
Readers around the globe turn to Issuu to discover<br />
new content on whatever interests them. Millions of<br />
publishers leverage the Issuu platform to make their content<br />
available for today’s cross-screen reader at a low-cost.<br />
Issuu helps publishers reach readers on tablets, desktops,<br />
laptops and smartphones, while giving them access to<br />
new business models. Publishers can upload visually rich<br />
content and gain granular insight on reader behaviors and<br />
preferences.<br />
Issuu delivers 6 billion page views across 16 million<br />
magazines to 85 million global unique visitors each month.<br />
Issuu’s base of subscribing publishers is comprised<br />
of hundreds of thousands of publishers, including major news<br />
weeklies like Huffington magazine and retail brands, like<br />
XO Group Inc.’s The Nest and<br />
The Bump, VICE, NASCAR, V<br />
Magazine and Armani, to deliver<br />
a world of content including<br />
long-form magazines, luxury<br />
catalogues, and stylish look<br />
books that cover everything<br />
from fashion and parenting,<br />
to gluten-free cooking. Issuu<br />
is headquartered in Palo Alto,<br />
California and is backed by<br />
Sunstone Capital.<br />
Learn more at www.Issuu.com.<br />
There are over 10,000 nightlife venues in the US<br />
that currently offer VIP tables or bottle service. This<br />
amounts to an $8B per year annual market. However,<br />
in spite of the opportunity of the market and the<br />
success of its inhabitants, the nightlife space has<br />
historically suffered from a host of problems that<br />
consistently lead to a poor experience for customers,<br />
as well as inefficiency and strained scalability for<br />
venues. Boston-based startup Tablelist believes all of<br />
these problems can be improved simply with the right<br />
technology.<br />
Considered the OpenTable of after dark,<br />
Tablelist provides its members with instant access<br />
to the most exclusive nightlife venues in New York,<br />
Boston, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and beyond<br />
by letting them book VIP tables and bottle service<br />
anywhere, any time, and from any device. With<br />
Tablelist, members can select their favorite venues,<br />
pick a table location, customize their bottles and<br />
chasers, split the tab, skip the line, avoid the cover,<br />
and get straight to celebrating - all while racking up<br />
reward points towards future nights. Oh, and did we<br />
mention an on-call 24/7 personal nightlife concierge?<br />
Yeah, there’s that too.<br />
However, for Tablelist, focusing on the<br />
nightlife space is about more than just making the<br />
most of an admittedly sizable opportunity. At its<br />
core, the mission of Tablelist is to directly contribute<br />
to the happiness of those people who use nightlife<br />
as an outlet for positive fulfillment and expression.<br />
By leading the charge to democratize the nightlife<br />
industry and connecting venues directly with their<br />
consumers, Tablelist hopes to solve the problems<br />
that have historically plagued the space, providing a<br />
better, more fulfilling experience for both sides.<br />
Tablelist is available on the web, iOS, and Android.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 31
MUST READS<br />
CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES<br />
C H A N G E Y O U R L I F E<br />
George Brescia has spent the last twenty-five years working with<br />
top fashion and beauty leaders, including Ralph Lauren, Donna<br />
Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, and the fashion directors at Bloomingdales,<br />
Bergdorf Goodman, and Lord & Taylor. As the man behind<br />
George B <strong>Style</strong>, he’s also a top-tier NYC-based stylist and image<br />
consultant with clients ranging from A-list celebrities to everyday<br />
men and women looking to improve their appearance and gain<br />
confidence.<br />
His newly publish book, Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life, is<br />
An eye-opening look at the secret language of clothing. More than<br />
a style guide, this innovative book teaches a method of conscious<br />
dressing that begins with a powerful internal change. Instead of<br />
desperately grabbing for whatever’s on hand, you’ll learn to set<br />
your goals for the day, determining how you want to be perceived<br />
and then dressing in a way that helps manifest those intentions.<br />
“Clothing is about so much more than style. Every single thing<br />
you wear communicates something about you to the outside<br />
world—and it also winds up having a significant impact on the<br />
way you feel. From color to style to fit to fabric, every aspect of<br />
your clothing has the potential to either enhance or hinder your<br />
personal brilliance.<br />
Finding the wardrobe that makes you feel confident and beautiful<br />
is such an important part of living a life you love, because how you<br />
feel impacts everything you do.<br />
ASK YOURSELF - WHAT DOES YOUR OUTFIT SAY<br />
No matter what you are wearing, your clothes will always say<br />
something about your personality, your mood and what you are<br />
trying to achieve.<br />
DRESS FOR THE LIFE YOU WANT<br />
Your clothes don't only affect the people that see you, they<br />
also affect the way that you feel about yourself.<br />
IF IT DOESN'T FIT, DON'T WEAR IT<br />
Clothing that is Ill fitting make you appear apologetic and<br />
accidental.<br />
IT MATTERS IF IT FLATTERS<br />
You will see the best results in your appearance when you work<br />
with pieces that flatter your shape.<br />
DRESS FOR THE IMPRESSION NOT THE OCCASION<br />
Dress for the experience that you want to have.<br />
I truly believe that when you feel amazing, amazing<br />
things start to happen for you.” – George Brescia<br />
Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life, reveals the true power<br />
your clothing has to affect your life, a second skin that speaks<br />
volumes before you even open your mouth, impacting your<br />
job prospects, your romantic life, your income, and—most<br />
important—your deepest sense of self. Translating his styling<br />
methods into a philosophy anyone can apply on her own, Brescia<br />
delivers tips and tricks of the trade to help convert even the most<br />
hapless dresser into a happy and educated shopper—one who<br />
not only looks great but feels more confident, too. From major<br />
closet overhauls to a whole new philosophy on color, this is a<br />
comprehensive manual for anyone who’s ever looked at her closet<br />
in despair.<br />
32<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
BUSINESS | TRENDS<br />
OUR EDITOR’S PICKS FROM<br />
FASHINVEST.COM<br />
BLUEJEWELZ is designed by a woman with<br />
a woman’s needs and desires in mind. We create elegant<br />
smart jewelry that combines fashion, function and flexibility.<br />
We are unique among other emerging smart jewelry<br />
companies in several ways. Our biggest differentiator is that<br />
we built a platform for the technology that enables her to use<br />
the BlueJewelz Notif in any of the stunning pieces in the<br />
BlueJewelz or BlueJewelz-compatible collections.<br />
Our interchangeable technology empowers women<br />
to have choice in the accessory she wants to wear instead<br />
of making a choice to be connected or not because her<br />
technology doesn’t go with her outfit. We are focused on<br />
creating beautiful first. Our pieces are specifically designed<br />
for elegance and discretion. We use precious metals, stones<br />
and gems in our designs that can be dressed up or down,<br />
targeting premium and luxury consumers.<br />
• There are no distracting flashing lights or sounds to keep<br />
the focus on the jewelry not the technology.<br />
Lastly, we are focused on solving a problem for women. We do<br />
not create overly complicated “full of features” gadgets. As<br />
women gain more responsibility in life, the less time we have<br />
to figure out gadgets. Therefore, we’ve made BlueJewelz<br />
very simple and easy to use. Features include:<br />
Images courtesy of: BlueJewelz; PopShop<br />
• Discrete alerts though a gentle vibration<br />
The interchangeable system, allowing one BlueJewelz Notif<br />
notification disc to be used with any BlueJewelz-compatible<br />
jewelry, sold at BlueJewelz.com or through participating<br />
jewelers and online partners.<br />
• Compatibility with Apple iOS and Android devices<br />
Ability to customize 3 separate lists of VIPs, each with a<br />
distinct vibration via the smartphone apps<br />
Lost phone warning: Users are notified if they stray<br />
too far from their phone<br />
We currently have several<br />
things in the works<br />
at BlueJewelz. The<br />
technology has been<br />
developed and tested.<br />
Now that we have the<br />
basics complete, we are<br />
tweaking the industrial<br />
aspects of the hardware<br />
and apps so that women<br />
will have the best<br />
experience while using<br />
the product. We are in<br />
talks with other designers<br />
who will be designing the<br />
Valentine’s and Mother’s<br />
Day Collections. We’re<br />
down to a short list of<br />
manufacturing partners,<br />
scheduled to launch<br />
web pre-order sales in<br />
November for Valentine’s<br />
Day shipment and<br />
planning to be in stores<br />
for Mother’s Day 2015.<br />
POP-IN-SHOP brings your favorite independent<br />
designer to your favorite local boutiques.<br />
We all want to find that perfect shirt, bag or shoe. The<br />
product that speaks to us, with its unique story and style. The<br />
problem is that it’s hard to find these items. They aren’t at Target<br />
or Macy’s, where you get mass market goods, and if you find<br />
them online, you have to purchase something that you’ve never<br />
actually seen or touched in the real world. Enter PopInShop.<br />
We work behind the scenes with emerging designers, artisan<br />
producers, and up-and-coming brands. We connect these<br />
makers to amazing local boutiques across the country, and help<br />
them work together. Our goal is simple: that you, in whatever city<br />
or town you live in, can easily find your perfect product in your<br />
favorite local store.<br />
So what is PopInShop? We are an online marketplace<br />
where designers and brick & mortar boutiques can collaborate<br />
on alternative retail arrangements - things like consignment<br />
deals, pop-in shops, events, and anything that looks different<br />
than the “normal” wholesale relationship. It’s this flexibility that<br />
makes PopInShop special. Our marketplace brings together two<br />
extremely fragmented sides of the industry and our tools support<br />
the retail formats that make sense in an omni-channel world.<br />
Backed by Wharton Innovation Fund and DreamIt<br />
Ventures, we launched the PopInShop platform in summer<br />
2014. Since then, we’ve found overwhelming demand for our<br />
marketplace. Stores and designers alike have been signing up<br />
and referring their friends. We’re now focused on growing our<br />
community and providing even better services to our target users.<br />
Looking ahead, we’re excited to help boutiques and emerging<br />
brands stay competitive this holiday season. Enabling stores to<br />
bring in the right brands at the right time and showcasing this to<br />
the right consumers will keep boutiques ahead of the curve. So<br />
if there’s a designer you’d like to see in a store near you, spread<br />
the word about PopInShop! We can’t wait to help you find your<br />
perfect product or gift this year.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 33
BUSINESS | TRENDS<br />
WHY EVERY TECH ENTREPRENEUR SHOULD<br />
PARTICIPATE IN AN ACCELERATOR PROGRAM<br />
An accelerator program is like a boot camp for early stage ventures.<br />
They usually last anywhere from three to six months to help accelerate<br />
their startup and most provide a small amount of seed capital. More<br />
importantly, they offer experienced entrepreneurs who help mentor the<br />
new entrepreneurs within the local community and other resources that<br />
give ventures the fuel that they need to accelerate. Many accelerator<br />
programs provide their entrepreneurs with a curriculum focused on<br />
creating a viable business model.<br />
The three resources I found most useful when participating:<br />
COMMUNITY PERKS<br />
One of the main goals of an accelerator program is to build successful<br />
start ups, with the hope of increasing the entrepreneurship within the<br />
local community. This is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to take<br />
advantage of potential local customers and partnerships. For example,<br />
one of the reasons we were selected to participate in Velocity was our<br />
target market, fraternity and sorority chapters. It just so happens that 40-<br />
50% of national Greek chapters are headquartered in Indianapolis, which<br />
was about an hour away from our office.<br />
CUSTOMER DISCOVERY<br />
One of the most valuable lessons we learned at Velocity Indiana was<br />
learning to talk to your customers. The first two weeks the program highly<br />
encouraged us to get out of the office and speak to our future clients,<br />
something we never did during our first two iterations of Greekpull. I would<br />
drive up to University of Kentucky and Louisville knocking on sororities<br />
and fraternity doors asking questions like, “What are biggest problems<br />
you are dealing with in your chapter?”, “What are you currently using to<br />
try to solve this problem?”, “What would you like to see improve?” By<br />
understanding our customers problems we were able to build a 500-dollar<br />
MVP website, and started generating revenue.<br />
MENTORSHIP<br />
As young entrepreneurs there are tons of questions you constantly have<br />
and don’t have an answer too. Like many entrepreneurs you learn by failing<br />
and falling on your face. The biggest foundation an accelerator program<br />
provides the entrepreneurs with is mentors to help along the way. Usually<br />
they provide experts in all fields from accounting to product development<br />
to marketing. Having such resources allows you to accelerate your start<br />
up in a shorter period of time.<br />
Eghosa (Iggy) Aihie is the Co-Founder and Head of Business for Alumnify.<br />
Their aim is to improve alumni engagement by connecting alumni with<br />
current students, and therefore also setting students up for success after<br />
graduation.<br />
Twitter - @iggyneversleeps<br />
Facebook – eghosa.aihie<br />
Image Courtesy of Rapid Eye Photo<br />
34<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
TECH TRENDS
ENTREPRENEUR<br />
GIVE THE GIFT OF WONDER<br />
COO & Cofounder, Wonder Technologies, Inc.<br />
PAIGE CATTANO<br />
BY PAIGE CATTANO<br />
As the lazy days of summer are replaced<br />
by the bustle of fall, reminders that the Holiday<br />
season is imminent fill my inbox. My usual reaction<br />
is panic. But this year, despite being both the<br />
cofounder of Silicon Valley-based startup Wonder<br />
Technologies and CEO of my family of five, I am<br />
calm and cool. I’m going to enjoy this season of<br />
giving and impress loved ones with thoughtful<br />
gifts.<br />
How? The simple answer is the Wonder<br />
eGift Card, a truly modern way to gift. Users only<br />
need a smartphone and a credit card to instantly<br />
send Wonder Gift Cards to two million local and<br />
national merchants anywhere in the U.S. Instead<br />
of sending my sister in San Diego a generic gift<br />
card, with Wonder I can treat her to a gift she’ll<br />
love to her favorite local spa without the hassle<br />
and waste of a plastic gift card. Here’s how it<br />
works. Once the gift recipient accepts the Wonder<br />
card via their smartphone or the web, they link<br />
their Visa, MasterCard or American Express. To<br />
redeem, they pay as usual with their linked card<br />
and the gift amount is automatically credited. The<br />
Wonder card never expires, and can’t get lost or<br />
forgotten in a drawer like inconvenient plastic gift<br />
cards. Simply, your credit card becomes your gift<br />
card.<br />
I co-developed the free Wonder app<br />
because a digital gifting marketplace where<br />
consumers could enjoy ultimate choice, and<br />
merchants of all sizes could be included, didn’t<br />
exist.<br />
Wonder is disrupting<br />
the $140b gift card<br />
market whose payment<br />
infrastructure and<br />
redemption processing<br />
systems have changed<br />
little in 20 years.<br />
While the holidays are obvious, I invite<br />
you to express gratitude throughout the year to<br />
friends, colleagues and teachers. Wonder gives<br />
back to your favorite cause through our Gift for<br />
Good program.<br />
With the Wonder app I’ve saved time,<br />
given great gifts, now if only I could get the gift<br />
of sleep!<br />
Find out more at www.gowonder.com.<br />
Images courtesy of Wonder Technologies<br />
36<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
TECHNOLOGY | TRENDS<br />
KICKSTARTING INNOVATION<br />
YesMan Watches<br />
Images courtesy of Intellipaper and YesMan Watches<br />
Most people consider a watch just a sleek way<br />
to tell time. Time is invaluable and everyone has<br />
the same 24 hours in a day, yet so few actually<br />
consider how they spend their day. This is more<br />
than just a watch; it is a way to consider your<br />
use of time.<br />
Right now all watches with leather<br />
straps have holes in them. This damages the<br />
leather and restricts the wearer to a certain<br />
number of sizing options. We’ve developed<br />
a new patent-pending buckle that allows for<br />
twice as many sizing options and a sleeker fit<br />
while keeping the leather on your watch strap<br />
fresh. Stop rocking worn out watch straps!<br />
After looking at thousands of watches<br />
to design our very own and dialing in our supply<br />
chain, we needed to find a way to fund our<br />
first production run. We turned to Kickstarter,<br />
launching in January and reaching our initial<br />
$15000 goal in our first three days. By the end<br />
of our 32 day campaign, we had raised over<br />
200% of our initial goal, totaling over $32000.<br />
We continued to sell pre-orders as we fulfilled<br />
production. Our first production run has now<br />
been completed and all pre-orders have been<br />
shipped. Revenues to date total over $40000<br />
and over 300 units.<br />
We currently have about 300 watches<br />
in inventory. We are primarily based online,<br />
besides a few pop-up shops. We drive traffic<br />
and sales through our social media pages and<br />
media outlets. We’ve been in Entrepreneur,<br />
Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and Bro Bible, to<br />
name a few. We are going to continue to push<br />
sales online until we have the cash on-had to<br />
expand to retail. We’re expanding our watch<br />
line and adding on new products. Licensing<br />
is also an option for us. Our patent-pending<br />
buckle is a major innovation in the watch<br />
market and we’ve already been approached<br />
by some major brands in regards to licensing.<br />
We have yet to finalize contracts because we<br />
see Yes Man Watches as a way to validate<br />
the assumption that people are looking for<br />
this buckle apparatus. The more we grow Yes<br />
Man Watches, the more valuable our buckle<br />
becomes.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 37
TECHNOLOGY | TRENDS<br />
CROWDFUNDING DREAMS COME TRUE<br />
BY SUNA SENMAN, LMSW<br />
Two Millennials exemplify their generation by taking in the “now” and getting<br />
creative. Nolan Thompson and Chris LaBonty, founders of Headfunder,<br />
realize that a dream does not have to wait until tomorrow, but a dream<br />
can manifest as quick as the body reacts to thought. At <strong>21</strong> years old, both<br />
young men are making a new win-win platform for people to engage in and<br />
uplift society.<br />
Coming from a household of hardworking parents, Nolan started<br />
working as a cashier at McDonalds at the age of 16, while Chris lived<br />
engulfed in the internet world learning everything he needed to know.<br />
When business-minded Nolan envisioned having his own company, he<br />
teamed up with techie Chris, who had a novice idea, and together they<br />
birthed Headfunder as their effort to make a difference in the world.<br />
Raine: What is HeadFunder?<br />
LABONTY & THOMPSON: HeadFunder is a social crowdfunding platform<br />
where we focus on giving back to the world in a positive way. We have<br />
combined social media features with our crowdfunding platform to help<br />
campaigns get more exposure online which can result in more funding.<br />
Raine: How is the concept of HeadFunder similar and different than other<br />
crowd funders?<br />
LABONTY & THOMPSON: HeadFunder is similar to crowdfunding<br />
platforms: We have the choice of fixed or flexible funding for campaign<br />
creators. Fixed funding is where the campaign creators only get the funds<br />
if the goal is reached before the end date. Flexible funding is where the<br />
campaign creators get the funds whether they hit their goal or not. The<br />
funds are only pre approved and your card is never charged until the end<br />
date of a successful fixed campaign or a flexible campaign.<br />
HeadFunder is different to crowdfunding platforms: Our fees are the lowest<br />
in the industry! We charge only 2% for fixed campaigns and 4% for flexible<br />
campaigns. There is no upfront cost to create a campaign when using<br />
HeadFunder.<br />
While on HeadFunder, you can be social like never before on a<br />
crowdfunding platform. Users can send direct messages to each other.<br />
They can also follow each other and view a live activity stream. Users<br />
can also earn badges for their involvement with HeadFunder so they can<br />
show them off to new visitors to the site. You can also create a custom<br />
HeadFunder to have as your profile picture which keeps our site fun and<br />
entertaining.<br />
The Magic Box is a feature we added to our site to allow<br />
HeadFunders to help us decide who we should give 10% of our earnings<br />
to each month. We select a few campaigns that are impacting the world in<br />
a positive way to be featured in the Magic Box. Users then vote on which<br />
campaign should receive the funds. We know as we grow the Magic Box<br />
will be at amounts that can change people’s lives.<br />
On HeadFunder, we have more categories that you can raise funds for.<br />
You can raise funds for your business ides for profit, a cause for a verified<br />
non-profit, or your personal needs such as a loved one’s medical bills or a<br />
party bus for you and your friends to your next event you go to. We want<br />
crowdfunding to be for everyone so we made a platform for everyone.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What inspired you to start HeadFunder?<br />
LABONTY & THOMPSON: We got inspired to start HeadFunder after seeing<br />
all the amazing campaigns being funded by people all over the world. We<br />
were so happy to see that everyone was working together to help others<br />
achieve their dreams. We felt that crowdfunding was a positive industry to<br />
be involved with so we figured out how we could help benefit the industry<br />
and jumped in.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: When did you decide the time was right to invest yourself into this<br />
venture?<br />
LABONTY & THOMPSON: The thought of making that first step towards<br />
being an entrepreneur is always the hardest step to take, but in the end<br />
it is the most rewarding. We both were working jobs and wanted to start<br />
working on our own dreams. We were looking at all of the companies in<br />
our world and wondering how they did it. Then we realized that they just<br />
went for it! They stopped talking about doing something and took action to<br />
make it happen. We realized that there was no right time to start investing in<br />
you, so we just had to go for it. Now here we are with HeadFunder making<br />
positive things happen in the crowdfunding community.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Why did you choose to develop the system of HeadFunder?<br />
LABONTY & THOMPSON: We love the crowdfunding industry! Everyone<br />
here is so supportive of one another and the people really focus on<br />
positivity. We chose to create a social crowdfunding platform because<br />
we felt that the other platforms were not supportive of their users. So<br />
many users were reaching out to them on social media, but were not<br />
getting any response. We try to respond to every HeadFunder whether<br />
through the site or through social media. We felt that if there was a social<br />
platform dedicated to crowdfunding, that more like-minded people<br />
in the crowdfunding industry could interact and share ideas easier.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: How will this system change the way people manage their<br />
business, their lives?LABONTY & THOMPSON: We feel that HeadFunder<br />
will change how crowdfunding platforms function. With all of these new<br />
social tools, users can be entertained while on HeadFunder. This will make<br />
crowdfunding more fun for the people visiting our site.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Who are the people that will benefit most from HeadFunder?<br />
LABONTY & THOMPSON: We believe that everyone will benefit from using<br />
our site. Campaign creators can benefit by gaining funds contributed by<br />
other users on the site and if their campaign is positive, it can potentially<br />
win the Magic Box. Campaign contributors will benefit from the good<br />
feeling they get when they back a campaign and if the campaign gives<br />
out rewards, then they will receive something from a campaign creator on<br />
HeadFunder. Who doesn’t love to get a gift in the mail? Even the users who<br />
just come to vote on the Magic Box will leave the site knowing that they<br />
just helped someone get closer to winning the Magic Box for that month.<br />
Images courtesy of HeadFunder<br />
38<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
TECHNOLOGY | TRENDS<br />
Tech Toys<br />
THE COLLAR PERFECT<br />
Have a busy life? Travel often without room to carry an iron?<br />
Well then life on the go is about to get a lot better for you with…<br />
Collar perfect! With very little setup time the Collar Perfect will<br />
not only iron out the wrinkles that a traditional iron would but it<br />
is also built to reach the places a traditional had difficulty with.<br />
It’s flexible design will now you can easily straighten your collar.<br />
The streamlined contour will also let you reach around buttons,<br />
lift the wrinkles out of dress or skirt hem line, and even straighten<br />
out pocket while wearing it. There is also a 90-degree tip that<br />
opens up to cover more surface area for broader ironing. This<br />
light weight patent pending travel buddy will fits right into the<br />
palm of your hand and will be a must for any would be travlers.<br />
Website: http://www.collarperfect.com<br />
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/699125038/collarperfect-let-us-iron-out-the-wrinkles-in-you/?ref=kicktraq<br />
Price: $29.95<br />
THE CONTOUR ROAM<br />
Whenever on vacation or just on the go, say during a bike ride,<br />
we have all had those moments where had thought, “Man, I wish<br />
I caught that on camera!” Well now you will have a much better<br />
chance to catch those moments with the Contour Roam. This slim<br />
lightweight camera can be strapped onto a helmet, your bike, your<br />
body, and even a surfboard to catch the once in a life time moments.<br />
It has a 270-degree rotatable lens along with a 170-degree field of<br />
view. The +2 model has built in GPS Video Mapping, an external<br />
microphone jack and not to mention live streaming capabilities. The<br />
Roam 3 model can go underwater up to 30 feet (9meters). Both<br />
models include the laser alignment feature for aiming the camera<br />
lens and the instant-on record switch that allows the camera to<br />
start recording when you toggle the power button. All your featured<br />
footage can be stored onto internal storage as well as an external<br />
SD card up to 32GB. The Contour Roam give you options and now<br />
you all you have to do is choose which is best for your life style.<br />
Website: http://contour.com/cameras/<br />
Price: Roam +2 $300; Roam 3 $200<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 39
THE TYPO 2<br />
This fall… brings along new fashion, the changing of the leaves, and…<br />
the iPhoneberry Keyboard. Well, it’s not officially called the iPhoneberry<br />
Keyboard. However, it does bring together the functionality of a Blackberry’s<br />
physical keyboard on an iPhone. So now all those who are still clinging<br />
onto a Blackberry, can release it and type to their hearts content on their<br />
iPhone. Officially called the TYPO 2, this device is a iPhone case with a built<br />
in keyboard that connects to your iPhone via Bluetooth. The TYPO 2 comes<br />
with it’s own rechargeable battery, a lock button, a home button, and also<br />
is backlit. So if your still attached to your crackberry, now is your chance to<br />
migrate to the iPhoneberry case… I mean the Typo 2.<br />
Website: http://typokeyboards.com/ (available now for iPhone 5(5s) or<br />
Preorder iPhone 6 series)<br />
Price $99<br />
THE LOGITECH K480<br />
These days many of us have more then one mobile device. While on the go we have our<br />
choice of using a laptop, a smart phone, a tablet and even smart watches. Now if only there<br />
was a way type on one keyboard but reach multiple devices.<br />
Oh but there is a way. Now presenting the Logitech k480 Bluetooth Keyboard. Buy using, you<br />
guessed it, Bluetooth, this one keyboard can connect to multiple devices. By not being limited<br />
to the operating system platform of the device, the k480 can allow you send a message on<br />
your Windows Smartphone, while continuing to work on the iPad, and/or Apple computer.<br />
There is a dial on the keyboard that allows you to switch between devices and it also comes<br />
with a built in cradle to hold your smartphone and tablet simultaneously.<br />
Website” http://www.logitech.com/product/multi-device-keyboard-k480?wt.mc_id=global_<br />
news_k480<br />
Price: $49.99<br />
THE LIVESCRIBE 3 SMART PEN<br />
These days we live in a world driven by technology. A world in which we have… smart cars,<br />
smartphones, smart watches and even smart pens. Yep, your eyes do not deceive you for indeed I did<br />
say smart pens. Now I bet you didn’t see that one coming.<br />
This smart devices caters to those particularly who like to take notes by hand but wish that somehow<br />
there was a way to translate it into a digital format in which it could be saved. This evolutionary smart<br />
pen uses an app that can be downloaded into your tablet and/or smartphone to not only save what<br />
you have transcribed but also record live audio into your paired device as well. This way you won’t<br />
miss any important details while you are taking notes. After your notes have been recorded in the app<br />
it can be saved into a text document, save as a photo, and saved into third party applications while<br />
also converting annotations into calendar dates and events. The Livescribe 3 will last up to 14 hours<br />
of endless writing between charges and even has a built in stylus tip as well. The Livescribe 3 can<br />
save you countless hours while giving you a piece of mind that important notes are being lost in…<br />
translation.<br />
Website: http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/smartpen/ls3/<br />
Price: $149.95 (pro edition $199.95)
WEARABLE<br />
TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY<br />
Audio LLC (www.SMSAudio.com), a premier audio headphone and<br />
accessories brand from Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, together with Intel<br />
Corporation announced a collaboration to develop the first heartpounding<br />
personal audio system converging lifestyle and technology<br />
innovation for an exceptional fitness experience. The SMS Audio<br />
BioSport In-Ear Headphones powered by Intel will bring smart exercise<br />
capabilities to athletes of all levels later this year.<br />
Intel and SMS Audio are merging lifestyle requirements with<br />
technology innovation to enhance the fitness experience. The SMS Audio<br />
BioSport In-Ear Headphones powered by Intel will extend the recently<br />
launched SMS Audio Sport Collection and harness advanced technology<br />
features to deliver high-quality audio while gathering actionable data on<br />
fitness progress.<br />
A global audio headphone and accessories brand, SMS Audio<br />
is dedicated to improving the way people around the world experience<br />
music by combining technology, function and style to bring a high-quality<br />
sound, comfort and fashion to every product. Intel and SMS Audio<br />
have partnered to fuse fitness with technology by combining the latest<br />
in fitness-monitoring biometric technology with high-quality audio and<br />
style.<br />
“The wearable technology collaboration between SMS Audio<br />
and Intel elevates our capability to bring smart exercise to consumers,”<br />
said Brian M. Nohe, president of SMS Audio. “With the introduction of<br />
the SMS Audio BioSport In-Ear Headphones powered by Intel, we’re now<br />
the first to provide this level of integrated, seamless and helpful biometric<br />
information to inspire customers to advance their fitness experiences.”<br />
SMS AUDIO BIOSPORT IN-EAR HEADPHONES PRODUCT<br />
HIGHLIGHTS: The SMS Audio BioSport In-Ear Headphones powered<br />
by Intel will deliver an exceptional experience while working out without<br />
sacrificing audio quality for those who demand more from life and more<br />
from music. The headphones will integrate biometric sensors in a custom<br />
heart rate monitor in-ear headphone to empower athletes to collect<br />
fitness data and achieve peak physical performance. A patented earhook<br />
design ensures a comfortable fit while an energy-harvesting audio<br />
jack removes the need for extra batteries or chargers.<br />
FUSING FITNESS WITH TECHNOLOGY: A built-in optical sensor<br />
that continuously measures heart rate during intense exercise, states of<br />
relaxation and every moment in between - while dynamically removing<br />
noise signals caused by body motion and ambient light.<br />
ONE-DEVICE WORKOUT ACCESSORY FOR ULTIMATE<br />
COMFORT: A jointly developed heart rate monitor in-ear headphone<br />
will put an end to the less convenient, less comfortable chest strap-style<br />
monitor while delivering reliable and consistent heart rate monitoring to<br />
enable peak performance and progress tracking.<br />
TUNED-IN FITNESS: Listen to music as a way to stay motivated<br />
and reach optimal levels of fitness while gathering useful data about the<br />
user’s health.<br />
NO BATTERIES OR CHARGING REQUIRED: Eliminate the need<br />
to charge the headphones with a 3.5 mm gold-plated audio jack that<br />
powers the biometric monitoring capabilities so users have the freedom<br />
of on-the-go power.<br />
SWEAT AND WATER RESISTANT: No need to worry about working<br />
out too hard or in the rain – the SMS Audio BioSport In-Ear Headphones<br />
are IPX4 rated for protection against sweat and resistance to water.<br />
BIOMETRIC HEADPHONES<br />
Will Optimize Workouts<br />
for Ultra-marathoners,<br />
Aspirational Exercisers and<br />
Everyone in Between<br />
SYNC WITH RUNKEEPER: To help track your heart rate, pace,<br />
distance, elevation and calorie burn, the SMS Audio BioSport In-Ear<br />
Headphones will be compatible with popular mainstream fitness app<br />
RunKeeper, with additional application support planned in the future.<br />
RunKeeper support will enable users to plan fitness routines and track<br />
progress – pushing enthusiasts to reach peak performance.<br />
ACCESSORIES: The headphones will come with a tangle-free cord<br />
with an in-line microphone, neoprene carrying case, and three sizes of<br />
ear gels and hooks.<br />
Availability<br />
The SMS Audio BioSport In-Ear Headphones will be available at<br />
SMSAudio.com in Q4 2014. Specific pricing will be announced later this<br />
year.<br />
Images courtesy of Audio LLC
Image Courtesy of Beacon & Lively<br />
BEACON & LIVELY<br />
The idea for Beacon & Lively was born in a bar. But I<br />
guess that’s not very unique.<br />
It was 7:30 on a Thursday night when my<br />
wife and 6 of our friends gathered at a local bar<br />
before heading to a concert. We quickly realized that<br />
our phones had better seats than us. All the phones<br />
were out on the table. The problem is simple, a phone<br />
on the table is bad manners, but staying connected<br />
shouldn’t have to be disruptive. For women, who<br />
don’t always have pockets, phones end up in purses,<br />
which means missed calls. We talked about the<br />
solution…”wearable technology could send you an<br />
alert!” But we all felt that wearable tech wasn’t, well…<br />
wearable.<br />
What is something that people wear for<br />
the sake of being wearable? Jewelry. The next day<br />
we started forming a team which would define<br />
our character and make us unique. Our first team<br />
members were focused on the design of the jewelry,<br />
not the technology. Our design team has experience<br />
with fine jewelry and integrated product design.<br />
A couple months later we had actual castings of<br />
the Beacon that we were wearing around town…<br />
without any technology in them. We wanted to create<br />
something that people would want to wear, even if it<br />
didn’t have notification functionality.<br />
Today we have several functional prototypes<br />
(app, bracelet, circuit all working together) and we’re<br />
just a few months from releasing the Beacon.<br />
What makes Beacon & Lively unique? It’s<br />
been our fashion first approach. We’ve been able to<br />
keep things stylish and simple.When we’ve added<br />
features, we’ve made them part of the design. Our<br />
bracelet notifies you of calls and texts through<br />
illuminations that vary in color, pattern and intensity.<br />
Be as bold or as subtle as you like. You won’t miss a<br />
call and you’ll look great at the same time.
OMsignal<br />
SMART SHIRTS<br />
FOR<br />
THE MASSES<br />
In the early stages of their partnership, OMsignal cofounders<br />
Stephane Marceau and Frederic Chanay<br />
were tuned into the interconnectivity of wearables and<br />
mobile health. While their initial concept of a bracelet<br />
with an accelerometer and skin conductance sensor<br />
did not come to fruition, in the process creating<br />
that design they discovered that there was a better<br />
platform with which to build their product. This was<br />
the first step toward launching OMsignal.<br />
Now in its third year, OMsignal, comprised<br />
of a team of neuroscientists, software engineers<br />
and fashion designers, launched their first line of<br />
biometric smartwear for men that can track your<br />
breathing, heart rate, calories burned, respiration,<br />
and movement, relaying that information in real-time<br />
to your smartphone. After all, clothing is the only<br />
wearable that we’ve all been using our entire lives. By<br />
developing smart apparel, the sensors are closer to<br />
the source for continuous reading, providing stronger<br />
and more accurate data. That data is then transmitted<br />
to your smartphone to provide actionable insights to<br />
help you make more informed decisions to improve<br />
your daily health and wellness.<br />
Less than six months after their launch,<br />
OMsignal announced a partnership with acclaimed<br />
American designer Ralph Lauren in an effort to<br />
take wearables mainstream. OMsignal provided<br />
the technology behind the Polo Tech Shirt, which<br />
was worn and tested at the US Open by ball boys<br />
during matches and tennis pro Marcos Giron during<br />
his practices. This marks the first item of tech<br />
apparel to be introduced by a prominent fashion<br />
label. OMsignal’s men’s apparel is available now at<br />
their website for pre-order and will begin shipping by<br />
Thanksgiving. Ralph Lauren’s Polo Tech Shirt will be<br />
available to consumers next year.<br />
Images Courtesy of OMsignal.
TECHNOLOGY<br />
APPS AS EASY AS 1,2,3<br />
CorporateCentral.com provides consumers and<br />
businesses the ability to quickly and cost effectively create and run<br />
full featured mobile and web apps, because it is entirely graphic and<br />
complimentary via the ad-supported offering. CorporateCentral.<br />
com requires no code and generates no code to produce an app,<br />
so the app designer does not need programming experience to<br />
use it<br />
CorporateCentral.com’s ad-supported version provides<br />
individuals and organizations, enterprise capabilities that previously<br />
have been unaffordable. Additionally, technical complexities for<br />
producing and delivering advanced apps are taken care of behind<br />
a visual, user friendly interface. Relationship management, user<br />
management, and delivery modules all combine with the visual<br />
application development module to empower individuals to deploy<br />
advanced online systems.<br />
“Billions of people out there love technology and<br />
have amazing ideas for apps, but they are unable to bring their<br />
ideas to fruition because there are large and growing barriers to<br />
programming and running commercial grade apps on a variety of<br />
mobile and desktop environments. WAG(tm) solves this issue,”<br />
Nisim Heletz, president, said in a statement.<br />
proven to be vital as thousands of organizations and people in<br />
recent years have flocked to CorporateCentral.com for rapid visual<br />
app creation within hours instead of months and years.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What has been the greatest challenge your company has<br />
had to overcome?<br />
HELETZ: The largest challenge has been marketing the platform to<br />
this huge audience and creating an onboarding process with which<br />
a user has an overwhelmingly empowering experience when they<br />
first experience the platform as they create their first app visually<br />
and try it on their mobile devices. We learned a lot about effective<br />
online marketing. Our onboarding process now walks users who<br />
clicked our ads through a 5 minute ‘holy smokes’ experience that<br />
keeps them coming back for creating more apps.<br />
Credit Images courtery of Corporate Central<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What makes your brand innovative?<br />
HELETZ: The Corporate Central brand is changing the way people<br />
create apps. We call this Democratizing App Development. We<br />
introduced multiple disruptions to the app development eco<br />
system which still requires many months of programming to create<br />
a single app for a single device. The Corporate Central platform on<br />
the other hand allows everyone from corporate IT managers all the<br />
way to school children - to create advanced high-end apps visually<br />
without programming and to scale these apps for any size audience.<br />
CorporateCentral.com also enables professional programmers to<br />
create the same apps within days instead of months or years.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What inspired you to create Corporate Central?<br />
HELETZ: Corporate Central’s founder Nisim Heletz was inspired to<br />
create the Corporate Central rapid visual app creation platform after<br />
witnessing the escalating time and costs of creating cross platform<br />
apps. Nisim’s vision came in 2007 with the advent of multiple mobile<br />
device platforms. He realized that users and app creators would<br />
soon want their apps to work on all major mobile devices as well is<br />
on their desktop browsers. This was before Facebook had a mobile<br />
app and Android was just getting started. Today, many apps are<br />
available across mobile platforms but it takes an enormous amount<br />
of time and money to create and maintain these apps running on<br />
iOS, Android, Windows Phone and web browsers, and wearable<br />
devices are coming soon to a store near you. This early vision has<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?<br />
HELETZ: Choose your team carefully and selectively. Work with<br />
people whom you can trust and that will stick with you in good<br />
times and bad. Communicate your vision to them and make sure<br />
they are genuinely interested in it. These are hard qualities to find.<br />
We had to look far and wide to solidify a team of people who are top<br />
notch and committed to the project. As the snowball gets rolling<br />
you’ll see many people jump on board. Remember the ones that<br />
started it all and reward them for it. Don’t be afraid to let people go<br />
if they don’t fit the team and the spirit.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 45
ENTREPRENEUR<br />
ROSE SMITH<br />
A WOMAN OF DISTINCTION<br />
BY: IESHA COPPIN<br />
In today’s modern world, a woman in power, strong willed and driven is the norm,<br />
but it was not too long ago where this ideology was frowned upon. In the early days of the<br />
women’s movement for workplace equality, Rose Smith stood at the forefront of American<br />
society, poised to break through the glass ceiling. Coming from humble beginnings, she<br />
came to New York City with a dream and $200 dollars in her pocket, and with an unrelenting<br />
determination, she rose to the top to become an international business woman.<br />
Her accomplishments in the high stakes arena<br />
of business are numerous; from being elected<br />
President and later CEO of Innova Pure Water Inc.;<br />
Editor-in-Chief at Worldstyle Magazine; honoree<br />
at The Women of Distinction Luncheon and<br />
working with Newsweek International in<br />
Europe, Smith has created a path of her own all<br />
while taking charge in a field she has dominated<br />
in.<br />
Before President and CEO of Innova Pure Water Inc., Rose Smith did<br />
an incredible job balancing business and creativity. She successfully navigated a<br />
career in the film and TV industry as a stylist and producer working with some of<br />
the most famous directors and photographers in the world such as Avedon, Hiro,<br />
Franceso Scavullo, Gina Lollobrigida, Henry Wolf and Bob Giraldi. Smith has also<br />
work with many famous movie stars and athletes such as Frank Sinatra, Meryl<br />
Streep, Jack Scalia, Brooke Shields, Kim Basinger, Bob Hope, Joe Namath, Franco<br />
Harris and Joe DiMaggio to name a few.<br />
Following her quick rise in film and television, Smith held the role of<br />
President of International, Military and Food Service for The Healthy Beverage<br />
Company (Steaz) for many years and is still an investor. She is currently VP of Sales<br />
for Seychelle Enviromental Technologies, a public company in water filtration as<br />
well as President of International Affairs for Glam Screen LLC, a mobile accessories<br />
company Co-Founded by Jonathan Cheban - the TV personality from “Keeping<br />
Up With The Kardashians”. Thinking most would stop there; not Mrs. Smith. She<br />
is on the advisory board for Bideawee, the leading pet welfare organization in<br />
metropolitan New York and Long Island. Smith is also Co-Chairman of the Board of<br />
Directors of IHOOT (In Honor Of Our Troops), a military foundation founded by Phil<br />
Strambler, who she did work with at the Walter Reed Medical Center.<br />
It wasn’t all about business for Smith; she also gave back to organizations<br />
such as, “The Foundation for Developmentally Disabled Children in Israel.” At a<br />
banquet hosted by the late Joan Rivers and The Trump family, Smith was honored<br />
for her selflessness and great efforts towards those in need; “because of your<br />
caring and your love and because of your untiring efforts, support and compassion<br />
the “children” can grow and live a life of love.”- The Trump Family<br />
Smith continued to stay both business savvy and proactive, while maintaining her humility<br />
throughout her career, also giving back to the Diabetes Research Institute, as well as an<br />
active committee member alongside Sophia Loren for the Community Alliance Against<br />
AIDS, of which Julio Iglesias was the honorary Chairman. Smith had become a commodity<br />
and everyone wanted her on board to drive his or her business or organization in the right<br />
direction. In the 1990’s Smith became heavily involved in the Summit of the Americas<br />
1994, hosted by President Clinton.<br />
Rose Smith is the true definition of a selfstarter,<br />
self-motivator, and innovator. It’s one thing<br />
to take on the world of business, but to become a<br />
success story and translate your marvelous efforts<br />
onto others is the true success of it all.<br />
Images courtesy of Rose Smith<br />
46<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
FASHION TO LIVE FOR <br />
Flirting<br />
with fall<br />
Photographer: Anna Tabakova; Model:Heather Seefeldt@<br />
Maggie Inc; Designer: Tabbytha Ferguson; Make up: Nadya<br />
Rutman; All the clothes designed by Tabbytha Ferguson;<br />
Headwraps: Goodwill; Bracelets and necklace: So Good;<br />
Shoes:Forever <strong>21</strong>
48<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
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ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT<br />
THE FASHIONABLE SIDE OF<br />
MELANIE IGLESIAS<br />
Photographer –Lisa Ramsay; Wardrobe stylist – Angelina Scantlebury; Hair stylist- Alyn Martin; Makeup stylist – Juliette Laracuente<br />
Dress by Rebecca Taylor; Shoes by Zack Lo; Earrings by Melinda Maria; Necklace by Charles Klein
Top by Byron Lars Beauty Mark; Pants<br />
by Byron Lars Beauty Mark; Shoes by<br />
Zack Lo; Earrings by Charles Klein<br />
Meet America’s sweet heart with a twist, this<br />
model and entertainment host can charm you<br />
with the twinkling of an eye, but don’t let that fool<br />
you; she is one piping hot commodity.<br />
Melanie Iglesias, the Brooklyn born-native is<br />
known to keep it real sharing what’s really on her<br />
mind, staring in her own YouTube channel, “What<br />
Girls Really Do” featuring best friend and fellow<br />
model, Lisa Ramos.<br />
In the beginning of her acting career,<br />
Iglesias appeared in several episodes of the<br />
World’s Poker Tour, as a Royal Flush Girl. Iglesias<br />
has also appeared in MTV’s Guy Code and Girl<br />
Code in a no holds barge of what the opposite<br />
sex thinks of one another. Other related series<br />
include, Guy Court, where she portrays a bailiff;<br />
these reality comedies reveal a particular “code of<br />
conduct” that stands between men and women.<br />
Iglesias had her sights set for<br />
something a little out of her comfort zone of<br />
reality comedies, her next big break would be<br />
within the modeling industry. In 2010 she was<br />
voted Maxim’s Hometown Hotties winner, and<br />
was later elevated to one of the world’s most<br />
beautiful women on the “Maxim Hot 100” list. It<br />
was only up from here, Iglesias was also featured<br />
in Esquire and Vibe Magazine’s “World’s Most<br />
Beautiful” issues. In 2012, Iglesias launched the<br />
Official Melanie Iglesias Store, including various<br />
merchandise such as, posters and other signed<br />
products for her fans. Iglesias quickly became<br />
a household name; since her brush with instant<br />
stardom Iglesias has signed to Red Models Inc.,<br />
where she continues to make her way to the top.<br />
Raine: Who was responsible for your first big<br />
break?<br />
Iglesias: I’m not really sure! People always assume<br />
Maxim was, since I won their annual “Hometown<br />
Hotties” contest in 2010, but they’ve had winners<br />
since then, who have not had the same success<br />
in entertainment/modeling. For me, I believe it<br />
was different; I had a few tricks up my sleeve. I<br />
didn’t let a competition become my only platform,<br />
but rather let it lead me in the right direction. From<br />
there, I released my own viral video series that<br />
drew in millions of views in a very short amount<br />
of time. This resulted in me landing a show that<br />
aired on MTV, not too long after I had won. I’d say,<br />
I owe my success to multiple people, including<br />
Darin Byrne from MTV2, who reached out to me<br />
about the pilot for Guy Code, which then turned<br />
into having four shows on MTV.<br />
Raine: What has been your biggest challenge?<br />
Iglesias: My biggest challenge is probably saying<br />
“no” to different job opportunities. Obviously,<br />
nothing is ever guaranteed in the entertainment<br />
industry, and you always want to make sure<br />
you’re working as much as you can, but not every<br />
job is the right thing to do. You always want to<br />
make sure you’re growing within the business,<br />
becoming bigger and better after each job you<br />
take. You don’t want to go backwards! The<br />
golden rule is being able to know when to pass on<br />
projects, and when to move on. Being stagnant<br />
in doing the same thing over and over is never<br />
an option, people become bored and wonder, “is<br />
that all she can bring to the table.” Elevation in<br />
the entertainment industry is always the answer,<br />
it keeps viewers wanting more.<br />
Raine: What has been the most exciting venture<br />
in your career?<br />
Iglesias: So far, the most exciting venture in my<br />
career was working on the MTV2 show, “Off the<br />
Bat,” from the Major League Baseball (MLB) Fan<br />
Cave. I grew up watching a lot of baseball and<br />
couldn’t wait to be a part of this project. When I<br />
participated in the MLB Celebrity Softball game,<br />
I had the pleasure of playing on the same team<br />
as MLB legends, which was extremely humbling.<br />
Not to mention, I’ve been able to develop an<br />
extremely versatile hosting reel, which has<br />
opened up so many doors for me.<br />
Raine: Who has been your biggest inspiration?<br />
Iglesias: I have so many inspirations in the<br />
entertainment industry. I really loved the late and<br />
great Aaliyah growing up, because I always felt<br />
she portrayed herself well. She was not willing<br />
to conform to the industry, or put up a front for<br />
anyone. In the entertainment industry today we’re<br />
in a world where everyone is doing outrageous<br />
and outlandish things for attention. It’s more<br />
about competing and outdoing each other for<br />
shameless promotion, but Aaliyah was never that<br />
type of celebrity; something I’ve always admired.<br />
On the other-hand, and I know this is going to<br />
sound a bit weird, but I also really look up to<br />
Judge Judith Sheindlin (Judge Judy, lol). I simply<br />
love her.<br />
Raine: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?<br />
Iglesias: In five years I’ll probably still be on TV,<br />
hosting and hopefully even writing and producing<br />
my own show. I have great plans and I intend on<br />
both pursuing and executing them on a major<br />
network.<br />
Raine: Was it more fun for you working on Guy<br />
Code or Girl Code?<br />
Iglesias: Both of the shows were equally great<br />
to work on, but I feel like I had more fun on Guy<br />
Code because they allowed me to be more of<br />
myself.<br />
Raine: What do you enjoy doing outside of TV<br />
and modeling?<br />
Iglesias: I love anything that involves creativity.<br />
That would include writing and creating music<br />
for fun. I sometimes design and create my own<br />
unique swimwear just for me… No one else<br />
knows that, but I guess they do now. Other<br />
times, I like to hit up craft stores and make oneof<br />
–a-kind decorative items for my apartment;<br />
basically anything that can become a creative<br />
outlet for me.<br />
Raine: Do you have any hidden talents?<br />
Iglesias: I’ve recently discovered I’m pretty good<br />
in the kitchen. Also, my boyfriend thinks I’m a<br />
great singer, but I’m pretty sure he’s pulling my<br />
leg.<br />
Raine: What advice do you have for aspiring<br />
models and actors?<br />
Iglesias: I have never considered myself much of<br />
a model, because my modeling career was cut<br />
short due to my love for hosting much more. It<br />
just came more naturally to me. Modeling is<br />
extremely competitive these days, a lot of people<br />
want to pursue modeling, but the “catch22”<br />
is modeling jobs don’t pay as much as they’re<br />
portrayed. You’ll work your butt off for a long<br />
time and hopefully you book something that pays<br />
well. Don’t be fooled by Instagram. People think<br />
models are rich, but aside from a select lucky few,<br />
not many see much financial success without<br />
some sort of backup plan. It’s cool if you’re just<br />
looking for some exposure to lead to something<br />
else, but be sure you want to go through the<br />
grueling struggle of competition for very little<br />
financial stability in the end.<br />
Raine: What are 3 fun facts fans don’t know about<br />
you?<br />
Iglesias:<br />
I eat more than the men in my family.<br />
I hate putting on makeup and shopping.<br />
I don’t post much on the internet anymore,<br />
because I really value the idea of having actual<br />
privacy and enjoying life by living in the moment.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 53
ENTERTAINMENT<br />
HIT THE FLOOR WITH VH1’S<br />
KATHERINE BAILESS<br />
Mississippi’s southern belle, Katherine “Kat” Bailess<br />
is quite the triple threat. Since childhood, she has<br />
been pushing her talents as an actress, singer and<br />
dancer. So it came as no surprise when “Kat” decided<br />
to pursue musical theatre and dance at Marymount<br />
Manhattan College.<br />
To date, Bailess has starred in several films,<br />
including: From Justin to Kelly, Bring It on Again and<br />
Elle: A Modern Cinderella Tale, to name a few. She<br />
has also been featured in several popular TV series<br />
such as Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill and NCIS. Kat<br />
currently plays a role in VH1 TV series Hit the Floor as<br />
Kyle Hart. The series follows Ahsha Hayes played by<br />
Taylour Paige, a girl who joins the NBA Cheerleading<br />
team the Los Angeles Devil Girls, oblivious to the<br />
deceitful and irresistible life that comes with it.<br />
When she is not busy with her work she spends her<br />
leisurely time with Pilates, guitar playing, dancing,<br />
keeping up on the latest books, nature hiking and<br />
playing her part in her community.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What would you say was the jump start to<br />
your career?<br />
BAILESS: I’d have to say the feature film, From Justin<br />
to Kelly. I had just moved to Los Angeles from New<br />
York City and booked the lead. That definitely gave<br />
my career a big boost!<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Who inspires you?<br />
BAILESS: The people that inspire me most are<br />
those people that have a dream, a focus and a goal.<br />
I can’t stand lazy people. The world is ours to take<br />
advantage of and there are no limits as to what we<br />
can accomplish. The one person that has continually<br />
inspired me is my Dad. I’ve never met anyone with his<br />
work ethic. Growing up I had a lot to look up to.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What do you enjoy doing outside of acting?<br />
BAILESS: I love staying active and when I’m not<br />
dancing for the show, I love to hike with friends, take<br />
hot yoga, Pilates, play my guitar, write songs and<br />
anything that makes me happy. But most of all I like<br />
to spend time with my friends and family—especially<br />
my little nephews.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: How would you say that you have grown over<br />
the years from being in front of the camera?<br />
BAILESS: Over the last couple of years, I have grown<br />
as a human being for sure, which in turn, makes me<br />
a better actress. Also, my level of confidence and the<br />
ability to allow myself to be vulnerable have helped<br />
to further my success. Watching myself on camera is<br />
never easy, but I’m the type of person that can laugh<br />
at myself and I try not to be too critical.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What has been the benchmark of your<br />
success?<br />
BAILESS: The benchmark of my success has got to<br />
be my role as Kyle on Vh1’s Hit the Floor. I say that<br />
because, I have an opportunity to show not one, but<br />
a few of my talents. It’s not every day that I get to act,<br />
dance, be southern, sexy and funny in every episode.<br />
Now all the writers have to do is have me sing and<br />
I’ll be set!<br />
Photographer – Lisa Ramsay; Wardrobe stylist – Angelina Scantlebury; Hair stylist- Alyn Martin; Makeup stylist – Juliette Laracuente<br />
Jumpsuit by Catherine Malandrino; Earrings by CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane; Bracelet by Charles Klein; Ring by CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane; Shoes by Sigerson Morrison
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What has been the greatest challenge for<br />
you in the industry?<br />
BIALESS: The hardest thing has been rejection<br />
for sure. When you are on a show, life is<br />
grand, but the time in between jobs is the<br />
hardest. I can speak for a lot of entertainers<br />
out there, we hear ‘no,’ way more than “yes.”<br />
The only way I’ve held for this long, is the<br />
support from my family, friends and manager.<br />
Dress by Byron Lars Beauty Mark; Earrings by CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane; Handcuff by Collette Malouf; Hand Jewelry by Collette Malouf; Booties by Shop Priceless<br />
RANE: What advice would you give other aspiring<br />
actors/singers?<br />
BAILESS: I always tell anyone getting<br />
into the business to be themselves. Also,<br />
Follow your dream, know what you have to<br />
offer, stick to your instincts and never be<br />
afraid to ask for help. The key to success<br />
is confidence, focus and hard work. Once you<br />
have those down, success will come to you.<br />
RIANE: Where do you see you’re self-heading in<br />
the next 3 years?<br />
BAILESS: I see a number of things. I see my show<br />
Hit the Floor continuing for a few more seasons.<br />
Also, I would love to get my hands into producing<br />
and movies for sure! I hope to be married in the<br />
next 3 years, or I think my southern Mom will kill<br />
me!<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: How is Hit the Floor different from other<br />
productions you have been in?<br />
BAILESS: For one, Hit the Floor is the first<br />
TV show that I have been a part of from the<br />
beginning. The writers created my character<br />
off of my southern comedic craziness.<br />
Trust me, it’s definitely a compliment.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: How have your southern roots helped<br />
your roles on TV?<br />
BAILESS: Land jobs basically! I have always had<br />
a strong Southern accent and my Dad paid a<br />
lot of money in NYC for me to lose it with the<br />
help of a dialect coach. But the minute I moved<br />
to LA at my first big audition, they asked me if<br />
I could do the scene with a southern accent.<br />
Enthusiastically, I said, “Yes! Of course!” The<br />
same thing goes for my role as Kelly Clarkson’s<br />
best friend in, From Justin to Kelly. My accent<br />
has helped to land me a few other acting jobs,<br />
but the biggest one to date is Hit the Floor. My<br />
character Kyle was not southern until they heard<br />
a slight twang in the audition and asked me to<br />
perform her southern. And that was the end of<br />
that— Kyle, the sassy southern stripper, turned<br />
Devil Girl was born!<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Does your true passion lie with singing,<br />
dancing or acting for TV?<br />
BAILESS: I love them all, which is why I am able<br />
to do any of them on the drop of a hat. When<br />
you are a performer and a triple threat, it’s hard<br />
not to love all three. Performing is performing,<br />
no matter if it’s acting, singing or dancing! In the<br />
end, I would definitely say that having more than<br />
one talent has landed me some dream roles.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 55
ENTERTAINMENT<br />
RISING STAR JILLIAN ROSE REED<br />
 Photographer - Joseph DeAngelis; Hair<br />
Stylist - Ozzy Delgado; Makeup Artist - Anton<br />
Khachaturian; Wardrobe Stylist - Ali Levine;<br />
Assistant Wardrobe Stylist - Rachel Lutsky<br />
Top by Blaque Label; Skirt by Lumier by Bariano;<br />
Rings by Vitrine Designs, AV Max & Elizabeth<br />
Knight Jewelry; Earrings by Jared Jamin; Shoes by<br />
Privileged Shoes
Dress by Creative PR; Jacket by Ted Baker; Rings by DipinLA<br />
The young and beautiful American actress, Jillian Rose Reed, is<br />
best known for her rise to fame on the hit television dramedy, MTV’s<br />
Awkward, where Reed plays the role of Tamara Kaplan. Awkward is a<br />
teen comedy about high school best friends, Jenna Hamilton played<br />
by Ashley Rickards and Tamara Kaplan played by Jillian Rose Reed,<br />
as they tackle the ups-and-downs of young adulthood. The series<br />
centers around, Hamilton’s high school misfortunes and the everyday<br />
social pressures that many teens are faced with and provides some<br />
surprising revelations along the way.<br />
Early on in life, Reed had a desire to be on stage. So it was<br />
natural for her to pursue her dreams by taking part in children’s theater,<br />
plays, and musicals. Not one to stop pushing for her goals, she realized<br />
that in order to reach the top, she would need to focus her attention<br />
on the entertainment capital of the world; Hollywood. Among some<br />
of the first roles she landed, was a<br />
guest appearances on Nickelodeon’s<br />
Supah Ninjas. Reed also had guest<br />
roles on Disney Channel’s Jessie<br />
and Disney XD’s Pair of Kings, and<br />
in 2012 she was nominated for<br />
the Young Artist Award for “Best<br />
Performance in a TV series – Leading<br />
Young Actress.”<br />
Aside from her kid/teen<br />
friendly appearances, she has<br />
proven herself to be a well-rounded<br />
actress in her portrayal of a dark,<br />
edgy character in the Primetime-<br />
Emmy award winning TV series<br />
Weeds and preppy mean girl in<br />
NBC’s “Community.”<br />
Follow along as we get<br />
a glimpse into the life of one of<br />
Hollywood’s rising stars, making<br />
waves, proving that hard work and<br />
dedication are forces to be reckoned<br />
with in the entertainment industry.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Who has been your biggest<br />
inspiration?<br />
REED: First and foremost, my mom<br />
and grandma. I have been very lucky<br />
throughout my career and they have<br />
always been there to support me and<br />
keep me going. I am also inspired by<br />
the work of Sandra Bullock. I think that she hilarious!<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Can you talk about why you love acting?<br />
REED: Honestly, I feel like this was something that I was born to do—it<br />
is the only thing that fulfills me creatively and emotionally.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What has been the benchmark of your career?<br />
REED: Working with Casting Director Kari Kurto, for the Showtime<br />
Television series Weeds. I auditioned for her and afterwards she really<br />
fought for me to be on the show, which turned into a recurring role for<br />
two seasons; it was my first big role on TV. I can still remember reading<br />
for the role of Simone, with Actress Mary-Louise Parker. She started<br />
reading her lines and locked eyes with me and at that very moment<br />
everything that I had learned up to that point she had done in one line.<br />
In that instant everything made sense to me.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What is your favorite show on television?<br />
REED: Right now, I am a big fan of Modern Family<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Do you see yourself producing movies in the future?<br />
REED: It is funny that you should ask that, because I recently started<br />
to get into production. I, along with a family friend, have developed<br />
a script for a new movie, based on a psychiatrist that specializes in<br />
helping patients with eating disorders. As well as playing one of the<br />
characters, I am also the producer for the show.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What advice would you give to aspiring actors?<br />
REED: The one piece of advice that I<br />
would give to aspiring actors, is that<br />
if you don’t love it with your whole<br />
body and being –don’t do it. I would<br />
also say, don’t give up.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What is the biggest challenge<br />
you have had to overcome in your<br />
career?<br />
REED: A challenge that I have had<br />
to overcome is learning to deal with<br />
the disappointment of being turned<br />
down at auditions. Over time, I have<br />
learned that those moments help to<br />
build my confidence and push me to<br />
hone my craft.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What do you enjoy doing<br />
outside of filming?<br />
REED: I love to work out and stay<br />
active; I especially love to hike.<br />
Also, I would say that I am definitely<br />
a foodie. My mom and I enjoy<br />
going to different restaurants and<br />
experimenting with new and different<br />
cuisine.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Where do you see yourself in<br />
10 years?<br />
REED: In the next 10 years, I hope to<br />
be on a long lasting sitcom. I would<br />
also like to start a family.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What are three fun facts that you would like your fans to know<br />
about you?<br />
REED: Three things that my fans may not know about me are:<br />
I hate cotton balls. I compare them to the screeching sound of nails<br />
being dragged against a chalkboard.<br />
Recently, for my last birthday, my mom bought me a bike. When I<br />
am back home in Michigan, I like to ride my bike everyday around<br />
the neighborhood. When it comes to shoes, I am definitely a Steve<br />
Madden girl.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 57
ENTERTAINMENT<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: There is not a lot of substance in the music industry as compared<br />
to times past. What are your thoughts on the state of the industry? How<br />
do you challenge yourself to stay on message and create songs that add<br />
value to listeners?<br />
MAE: Oh my, it’s so hard to comment on the state of the industry because<br />
it can come out sounding like a sub-tweet these days. Everybody thinks it’s<br />
about them. I think self-worth is at an all-time low, and thirst and disrespect<br />
is at an all-time high.<br />
I’m all about making music that everyone can feel and relate to.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Would you say music is your passion?<br />
MAE: Yes, definitely!<br />
The singer/songwriter and blonde bombshell, Lauriana Mae, is taking the<br />
music world by storm and embodies the ability to grab you with her soulfully<br />
pop voice, catchy tunes and takes you back to a time when music made<br />
you want to dance like no one was watching. Her vast influences stem<br />
from the likes of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, The Notorious<br />
B.I.G., Jay Z, Kanye West, & Beyonce. Lauriana melds jazz vocals with<br />
contemporary pop, R&B and hip hop music reinventing the essence of<br />
great music from the past and present.<br />
Growing up perfecting her talents in her church choir, local talent<br />
shows and various singing gigs, Lauriana was able to gain the confidence<br />
to get into the recording studio and create a sound all her own. She’s<br />
been fortunate enough to rub elbows with the likes of top recording artist<br />
producer Kwame, hip hop/rap mogul Ludacris, and lyrist B.O.B. Her 3 song<br />
Love Mae EP, featuring songs “Like a Drum (Beat it)”, “Love”, and “Money<br />
Mae” will take you from dancing in your seat, tugging at your heart strings<br />
to knowing the words of the song before it’s even over. This solo artist is<br />
gearing up to break the mold of popular music.<br />
Captivating both mature and young audiences alike with her<br />
voice and her beauty, this songstress is on her way to creating something<br />
legendary.<br />
She is, Lauriana Mae.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You have said some of your inspiration comes from the likes of<br />
artist like, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James. Those artists were<br />
heavy hitters in their choice of subject matter as well as the uniqueness of<br />
their voices. How would you compare yourself to those musical greats?<br />
MAE: I’m inspired by so many different artists. But these women really<br />
had such a special tone in their voices. I look up to them, and it’s an honor<br />
every time I get compared to any one of them. As far as subject matter<br />
goes, I have my own perspective. Over the course of creating this album<br />
I’ve become much more comfortable owning that perspective. I’ve created<br />
something true to myself and my real life experiences. That’s what makes it<br />
for everyone. People can feel sincerity, in vocals and in lyrics.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Confidence being one of many keys to a creative entrepreneur’s<br />
success. Can you share with us how singing in a choir at an early age<br />
helped you to mature into a more confident singer?<br />
MAE: Singing in a choir teaches you harmony and how to work with a team<br />
to create something beautiful. The right choir/team will encourage you and<br />
bring out the best in you, but also humbles you. Singing in a choir also<br />
teaches you that you have to listen to others and not overpower them to<br />
get the best sound.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What has been an embarrassing moment on stage? How did you<br />
recover?<br />
MAE: Well all in one show I had to walk off stage because my top ripped<br />
open when I opened my arms. During that same show I lost my voice<br />
because I had been fighting a cold. My band “The Pains,” really had to<br />
hold me down and improvise that night.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: If you could not be a singer what else would you do with your life?<br />
MAIE: I will always be a singer. Honestly, I can’t see myself doing anything<br />
else because I’ve never given up on Plan A.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Do you have a ritual that you perform before a big performance to<br />
get psyched up for being on stage?<br />
MAE: I get in a circle with my band and we pray. We give thanks to God and<br />
ask that he successfully get us through another show.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What advice can you share with aspiring singers either from a<br />
business or personal standpoint that has helped you navigate the pitfalls<br />
of the music industry?<br />
MAE: I received all my experience being told “no,” and “not good enough.”<br />
Also, you have to maintain a sense of humility and confidence. Of course,<br />
it goes without saying that you can never give up.<br />
Image courtesy of Matthew Salacuse<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Your EP, Love Mae has various influences from other musical eras<br />
mixed with modern elements. What inspired you to pull your sound from<br />
past influences rather than doing current pop music?<br />
MAE: I did the Love Mae EP with the amazing Kwame 3+ years ago. These<br />
were among some of the first songs we ever recorded together. Neither of<br />
us have ever been a “do what everyone’s doing” type of artist. I inspired<br />
him to make the music and he inspired me to write and sing on it. “Pop”<br />
music is just whatever the masses love and decide on. So I just have to<br />
give the best of me every time.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: In your song titled Love, you chose to have a reflective conversation<br />
with love as opposed to singing about it, can you share your reasons<br />
why decided to take that direction? There is a certain amount of passion<br />
that comes through in this song. Did you sing from your own experience<br />
regarding your dealings with love?<br />
MAE: Love is a song that I never get tired of performing. I feel it in my<br />
soul every single time. Love has ripped right through me without apology.<br />
And I have had to find it in myself to forgive it and keep believing it had its<br />
reasons.<br />
58<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
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FRESH FACES | FASHION<br />
IVANA<br />
Photographer: Filip Konikowski; Make Up & Hair: Ana Makridis; Stylist: Candice Lewin; Model: Ivana (Chadwick Models)<br />
MODEL: IVANA<br />
HOMETOWN - Melbourne, Australia<br />
AGENCY - Chadwick<br />
HEIGHT – 5FT 9IN<br />
FUN FACTS:<br />
1. Two of my favorite books are Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman<br />
Capote, and Perfume by Patrick Suskind.<br />
2. Aside from modeling, I have been quietly styling for four years. My<br />
work has been published in the likes of Oyster, Contributor, Culture,<br />
Polanski, Pages Digital, <strong>Fashion</strong> Gone Rogue, Fault and S Magazine. I<br />
am also a brand consultant for shoe label Alias Mae, and I have a blog<br />
that I use as a creative platform to release and show my work. Check it<br />
out at www.imzcr8.com.<br />
3. My new hobby is photography, and I hope that I can take that further<br />
within Australia and around the world—I will never stop traveling. Work<br />
or pleasure, it is my freedom, my inspiration, and it gives me life.<br />
60<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
FRESH FACES | FASHION<br />
LUKAS<br />
Photographer - Martha Jagodzinski; Model - Lukas Ziegele<br />
a<br />
MOdel: LUKAS<br />
HOMETOWN – STUTTGART, GERMANY<br />
AGENCY – VIVA MODELS BERLIN<br />
HEIGHT – 6FT 1IN<br />
FUN FACTS:<br />
1. I am a vegeterian<br />
2. In addition to modeling, I am a talented violinist<br />
3. I am a ballet dancer<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 61
BEAUTY & FITNESS
FITNESS<br />
M A I K : H O W T O S T A Y I N S H A P E<br />
D U R I N G T H E W I N T E R M O N T H S<br />
Yes, it is a sad fact: summer is over (unless you own a house<br />
in fabulous in St. Barths) and for most of us that means we are<br />
putting on more and more layers of clothing, pushing our physique<br />
awareness into the oblivious. Then the unavoidable happens: the<br />
weight creeps on during the holiday season and come March we<br />
are in a frantic race to get beach ready. STOP! Let’s not do that<br />
again. How can one stay in reasonable good shape during fall<br />
without spending a whole day in the gym?<br />
We tend to move less as it gets colder, buses taxis and subways are<br />
more appealing in November than in June where we often walk a<br />
few blocks without even thinking about it. To make matters worse,<br />
most jobs are a lot busier in September/October than during the<br />
summer months, so we have less time to train. So it seems like<br />
the perfect storm to get of shape quickly, just in time to gorge on<br />
Christmas cookies and Thanksgiving pie, right?<br />
I will admit, it is a slippery slope but one that is not impossible to<br />
counter if one spends a bit of time and energy to plan properly. Let’s<br />
address the issues one at a time:<br />
1. Less time. That means you have to workout smarter and do<br />
exercises that will do the most for your physique, and nothing<br />
touches weight training. When it comes to shaping or toning your<br />
body, you simply must do some sort of resistance training, this could<br />
be free weights, machines or exercise bands. Body weight training<br />
will not suffice since the resistance there cannot be changed. Think<br />
two whole body workouts a week as an absolute must. You should<br />
be in and out the gym within 45-50 minutes.<br />
Cardio would be a second for about 90 minutes per week, if you<br />
have more time to spare, you can add yoga, Pilates and any other<br />
active recovery methods.<br />
2. Caloric needs. Yes, you will most likely use up less energy than<br />
you have during summer, which means you have to watch your<br />
portions. Try to stick to light summer cooking as long as possible;<br />
do not go for the heavy sauces.<br />
Another option would be to forgo starches for two straight days and<br />
add them in on the third day.<br />
3. Motivation. As the sun light fades, so does willpower. The antidote<br />
here is to get a training partner or join a workout group to create<br />
accountability.<br />
Author and world renowned fitness expert, Maik Wiedenbach is<br />
changing bodies with over 10 years of award winning experience.<br />
He is breaking barriers and showing people the secret to getting in<br />
shape the correct way.<br />
His recent book 101 Fitness Myths tackles some of the common<br />
fitness myths that hold people back from getting the body they<br />
want and deserve. In the book, Maik gives you everything you need<br />
to know to turbocharge your workouts to get leaner and stronger—<br />
faster!<br />
4. Keep it light. Being in shape is important but there is a whole<br />
big world out there that needs to be explored (with an awesome<br />
physique, of course).<br />
64<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
BEAUTY<br />
Photographer: Nicole Marcelli; Model: Lauren Hogue @ Donna Baldwin Agency;<br />
Makeup & Hair: Jessica Rowell; <strong>Fashion</strong> Designer: J-Chan's Designs; Wardrobe<br />
Stylist: J-Chan's Designs; Jewelry Designer: Basteroid (Canadian Private Label)<br />
bstrd.com; Location: Paint Mines Interpretive Park (Calhan, Colorado)<br />
Cerulean Peacock Halter & Sheer Skirt: J-Chan's Designs; Seeing<br />
Double Necklace set in Silver worn as Headpiece: Bstrd; Silkwrap<br />
Bracelets with Antique Silver in Brown, Sea, Burnt Purple<br />
& Blue: Bstrd; Silver-plated Necklace worn as bracelt: Bstrd<br />
Fall Blossoms<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 65
Multi-Color Cropped Body-con: J-Chan's Designs<br />
Silk-wrap Bracelet in Burnt Purple: Bstrd<br />
Prayer Hand-chain: Bstrd<br />
RIGHT: Gold Rose dress: J-Chan's Designs<br />
Swarvoski Fringe Necklace in Silver worn as Face-chain: Bstrd<br />
Silk-wrap Bracelet in Brown: Bstrd<br />
Rose Gold Hand-chain: Bstrd<br />
66<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
Gold Rose dress: J-Chan's Designs; Swarvoski Fringe Necklace in Silver worn as<br />
Face-chain: Bstrd; Silk-wrap Bracelet in Brown: Bstrd; Rose Gold Hand-chain: Bstrd
BEAUTY<br />
BEAUTY TRENDS<br />
BY: IESHA COPPIN<br />
PIERMARINI BEAUTY<br />
From the golden bombshell, to a product<br />
of great naturalizing proportion that can<br />
turn back the hands of time, while leaving<br />
you looking young forever. John Piermarini<br />
of Piermarini Beauty introduces a line<br />
of cosmetic and skincare products that<br />
idolize the use of natural ingredients, which<br />
hydrate the skin as well as prevent, reduce,<br />
and reverse aging. So, you may be thinking<br />
what makes this the next best thing, well for<br />
starters, key ingredients include: Water Lily<br />
Extract, Avocado Oil, Aloe, Jojoba, Vitamin<br />
C and Vitamin K. All ingredients are organic,<br />
natural, and extremely healthy for your skin.<br />
What makes this product that much more<br />
impactful is that all these ingredients are<br />
simply things you can probably find in your<br />
kitchen or a health food store. Piermarni<br />
applies to the masses, while following a<br />
simple, yet sophisticated aesthetic. The<br />
curated collection of products allows for<br />
diversity in skin tones and types. Whether<br />
you are a light, moderate, or darker tone;<br />
to dry, oily, or combination skin there is<br />
a product for you in this collection. This<br />
product is efficient and effective for your<br />
skin, not only now, but in the future as well.<br />
As the saying goes, “let us stay young, and<br />
let us live forever” and with a few choice<br />
products you can do just that.<br />
EVOLUTION MAN<br />
“RESURFACING CLAY MASK”<br />
It’s no secret that good skin takes a lot of tender<br />
love and care, and men; there is no exception<br />
to that rule for you either. Evolution Man<br />
unveils the newest advancement in skincare<br />
with the “Resurfacing Clay Mask”. This is a<br />
new product sending shock waves through<br />
the men’s skin care industry. Noted as, “an<br />
innovative new product loaded with naturallysourced,<br />
beneficial ingredients, delivering fast<br />
and dramatic results”. Skin care no longer has<br />
to be subjected to women, men you too can<br />
transform your complexion from the inside<br />
out. Evolution Man has created somewhat<br />
of a “magical potion” for the everyday man,<br />
this powerful blend ensures: skin clearing,<br />
tightening pores, brighten, rejuvenate, and<br />
smooth out the texture of your skin.<br />
Working on the skin’s deepest layers<br />
infusing vitamins, minerals and anti-aging<br />
exfoliates. Pretty much seems like heaven<br />
placed on your face right from the comfort<br />
of your own home. Think of a spa being<br />
brought to you…. ahhh, a sigh of peace and<br />
tranquility after a long day of hard work. But,<br />
it gets better; of course the real power comes<br />
from the innovation of the various acids that<br />
penetrate your skin: Gycolic acid, Salicylic<br />
Acid, Kaolin Clay, Witch Hazel, and Lemon<br />
grass extract to name a few. The “Resurfacing<br />
Clay Mask” is enrichment to your skin that will<br />
thank you later.<br />
OROGOLD COSMETICS<br />
Your beauty is simply radiant; it shines<br />
like that of a thousand golden suns.<br />
Beauty and gold, although sounds like a<br />
rather odd combination works wonders<br />
when infused together. Let’s be honest<br />
who doesn’t want their skin to exude<br />
24k gold. Can you say…Living your life<br />
like its golden! Throughout history, gold<br />
has been recognized for its luxurious and<br />
beautifying properties. From the ancient<br />
Egyptians, to the Ancient Chinese and<br />
Romans, gold has been the secret agent<br />
for a more youthful, beautiful and glowing<br />
appearance. OROGOLD Cosmetics – a<br />
luxury, anti-aging cosmetics line helps to<br />
restores the youthful appearance of your<br />
skin by including 24K gold in their luxurious<br />
formula. In hindsight, you’re improving<br />
fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and age<br />
spots; all while moisturizing and ensuring<br />
healthy looking skin. By purchasing<br />
OROGOLD Cosmetics, you’re preventing<br />
future skin damage, with an innovative,<br />
yet life changing investment. With the<br />
help of their luxurious and affordable<br />
products including: 24K 2-Step Cleansing<br />
Kit, 24K Gold Milk Cleanser, 24K Gold<br />
Purifying Facial Toner, 24K Multi-Vitamin<br />
Day Moisturizer, 24K Multi-Vitamin Night<br />
Nourishment and the 24K Deep Peeling<br />
you simply can’t go wrong!
FASHION TO LIVE FOR
FASHION TO LIVE FOR <br />
Photography: Luis Guillen<br />
Instagram @luisguillenphoto<br />
Model: Stephanie Auguste<br />
Makeup Artist: Ashley Rike @ Agency Gerard using<br />
MAC Cosmetics<br />
<strong>Fashion</strong> Stylist: Liz Teich @ Agency Gerard. Styling<br />
Assistant: Courtney McComb<br />
Touch of<br />
Couture<br />
Jewelry by Depuis 1924 Vintage<br />
Chanel Logo Cutout Quilted Bangle<br />
Head wrap by Hipknoties<br />
70<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong>
Jewelry by Depuis 1924; Vintage Gianni Versace Silver; Chain<br />
Belt/Necklace with Safe Pins; Head wrap by Hipknoties
Jewelry by Depuis 1924<br />
Vintage Chanel Marge<br />
Red/Gold Leather Bangle<br />
Head wrap by Hipknoties
<strong>RAINE</strong>MAKER<br />
MEET NICKY HILTON
Effortless style:<br />
Nicky Hilton<br />
Photographer – Luis Guillen; Photographer’s Assistant -<br />
Gabriel Brandt; Hair Stylist – Takayoshi Tsukusawa; Makeup<br />
Artist – Griselle Rosario using Artis Makeup Tools, Chanel<br />
Skincare & Tarte Makeup; Manicurist – Angel Williams;<br />
Stylist – Liz Teich; Stylist Assistant – Nick Adedokun<br />
& Sydney Lawson; Georgine dress, L.A.M.B shoes, E.<br />
Kammeyer Bracelet, Parulina Ring, Nicky’s engagement ring<br />
(worn throughout) and custom bag by Sara Battaglia *Prices<br />
Available Upon Request*
Kevin Johnn top and pants, Rita<br />
Vinieris belt, Christian Louboutin shoes,<br />
E. Kammeyer Earrings, Pico Jewelry;<br />
Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18K White<br />
Gold *Prices Available Upon Request*<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 75
Reaching far beyond the Hilton name,<br />
Nicky Hilton has made her mark not only in the fashion industry, but also in the<br />
business world. This glamorous socialite wears many hats as a businesswoman,<br />
model and fashion designer. Once upon a time, the last name ‘Hilton’ was<br />
simply associated with luxury hotels, but much of Nicky’s success contributes<br />
to the name seamlessly crossing over and creating a home amongst top high<br />
fashion brands.<br />
NYC native and bicoastal brunette turned blonde, Nicky Hilton, was<br />
always known by association with older celebutante sister, Paris Hilton, but<br />
began shattering that “little sister” persona and generated much success<br />
after launching her first fashion line, Chick by Nicky Hilton, and designing<br />
handbags for Japanese company Samantha Thavasa. The fashion<br />
aficionada burst onto the scene in 2007 and debuted at New York City’s<br />
Mercedes-Benz <strong>Fashion</strong> Week with her second clothing line, Nicholai.<br />
This fashion forward icon and entrepreneur is now adding to her author<br />
to her already impressive resume. Nicky shares her personal stories, style<br />
successes and fashion mishaps in her ultimate guidebook to fashion, 365<br />
<strong>Style</strong>.<br />
Her name is more than just a name, it’s an internationally recognized brand<br />
that is flourishing faster than anyone could have imagined and by the looks<br />
of it, there are no plans of that slowing down anytime soon.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Can you talk about your new book 365 <strong>Style</strong>? What would you like<br />
for the takeaway to be for readers?<br />
HILTON: I love fashion so I wrote this book for people who love fashion or<br />
are interested in it. I cover all sorts of different things from style advice to<br />
quick fixes and tips. I’ve dedicate a whole chapter to travel: what to pack<br />
and what to wear as well as educate the reader on what to save on and<br />
what to spend on.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What was the “Ah Ha” moment?<br />
HILTON: A few years ago I became active on my social media and people<br />
starting writing in to me and starting asking style advice. I then thought it<br />
would be fun putting all of what I learned into a book. It balances all sides<br />
of the spectrum from behind the scenes, a spectator to designer. I had this<br />
front education in style and I wanted to share what I’ve learned. <strong>Fashion</strong> is<br />
supposed to be fun. Don’t take it too seriously -- it is a really fun thing for<br />
people to dress up and present themselves.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: If you could offer one tip to style conscious men and women, what<br />
would it be and why?<br />
HILTON: Wear what makes you feel good. Don’t be a slave to trends - that<br />
is the fastest way to burn through money. And really ask yourself—“ is it<br />
me, is it flattering, does it fit?: And..., be unique! So don’t copy your favorite<br />
celebrities’ style head to toe. That is so boring. Also, create a mood board<br />
to help you find yourself. This is a collage. It can be anything, flowers,<br />
colors, architecture, clothes, etc.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: How would you describe your own sense of style?<br />
HILTON: I would say - it is pretty reflective of my lifestyle in NYC -<br />
sophisticated with an edge.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Do you have a signature go to piece?<br />
HILTON: I love blazers—in many variations. That is sort of my staple. They<br />
look good and I feel good in them. Also, ballet flats - love them! They are<br />
chic, simple and comfortable—which is a bonus.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: In your own words, why should be people take an interest in their<br />
own personal sense of style?<br />
HILTON: I think when you look good, you feel good. I read this book the<br />
Happiness Project - one of its mantras—“act how you want to feel.” My<br />
Mantra—“dress how you want to feel.”<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: At the age of 17 you were already a budding entrepreneur and<br />
designing hand bags for Samantha Thavasa. Would you say that starting<br />
early prepared you for your future endeavors as a business woman?<br />
HILTON: I am glad my father instilled that work ethic in us - me and my<br />
siblings. At every step of the way I found myself waning to out-do myself<br />
and be better than I was.<br />
When we started making all this money from our own endeavors—it was<br />
very fulfilling. We have worked for everything we have. We bought our first<br />
cars and home with the money we made from working. We’ve made some<br />
mistakes along the way. We were young and thought we knew it all, but at<br />
the end of the day—your parents know best.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Will you tell us about your forthcoming capsule collection, Eluxe?<br />
HILTON: Eluxe is a Canadian retailer that carries some of the coolest<br />
brands, and they came to me with the idea and I loved it. As a bonus they<br />
agreed to give me complete creative control.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Can you talk about your design inspiration for Eluxe?<br />
HILTON: I divided up this collection into three women:<br />
California transplant - The bohemian girl with some cover ups and dresses.<br />
Uptown NY – A preppy uptown girl.<br />
Downtown NY - The sexy downtown girls with lace tops and dresses. I love<br />
lingerie inspired pieces. They are effortlessly sexy<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Where can readers find the collection?<br />
HILTON: It will be available on the Eluxe site by the end of September.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Has being a Hilton allowed you more access as an entrepreneur or<br />
business opportunities of which have helped to build your brand?<br />
HILTON: I would be lying if I said that my last name didn’t open doors for<br />
me. At the same time it has closed doors. I have always felt the need to<br />
prove them wrong. At the end of the day - the product will speak for itself.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What’s one piece of business advice would you offer budding<br />
entrepreneurs that has helped you more than any other advice?<br />
HILTON: Be humble. My first job, I was taking out the trash and taking lunch<br />
orders. It didn’t discourage me because everyone starts from somewhere—<br />
don’t think you are too good for menial tasks.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: As entrepreneur, what has been your biggest challenge and what<br />
steps did you take to successfully reach your goals?<br />
HILTON: I would say when I was younger, I had some people in business<br />
that mistook my shyness and tried to take advantage of me because I was<br />
young. I was baffled—why would people want to do this to me? Ultimately,<br />
I worked hard to prove them wrong.<br />
At the end of the day, I love fashion and I love dressing up. I couldn’t<br />
imagine doing anything else. I feel grateful that I found my calling at a very<br />
young age - I ALWAYS knew what I wanted to be in fashion.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What is your ultimate goal in fashion?<br />
HILTON: I don’t look at it as a race, but I know I will definitely plan on<br />
expanding my brand. I love accessories: eyewear and footwear. Something<br />
that has always interested me is home decor. I love picking up things for<br />
my home.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Who has been the biggest influence on your life as an entrepreneur<br />
and why?<br />
HILTON: My sister, because she is a business woman. She has over 20<br />
brands and really has a vision, and it’s very reflective of her--even the logo<br />
with the tiara is very her. It wasn’t an overnight thing. She was very strategic<br />
about it.<br />
She was also one of the pioneers of reality television—getting paid to show<br />
up somewhere. Once she conquered that, she evolved the brand and<br />
started DJ’ing—now getting paid to entertain the party.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What are some of your other passions?<br />
HILTONI love to cook, especially Italian. I love reading, especially now, since<br />
having written my own book. These days I am burning through a book a<br />
week.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: The pursuit of happiness. What does that mean to you?<br />
HILTON: Balance, in your personal and professional life. If you can achieve<br />
both of those, and not let one take priority over the other... you are in good<br />
shape.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What words of wisdom would you like to share with other<br />
entrepreneurs?<br />
HILTON: Write your ideas down, or type them in your cellphone. The best<br />
ideas come when you least expect it.
ELUXE by Nicky Hilton dress, L.A.M.B. shoes,<br />
Parulina Earrings and Cuff, both rings by<br />
Larucci *Prices Available Upon Request*
Kevin Johnn top, belt and skirt, ELUXE by Nicky Hilton<br />
camisole (worn underneath), L.A.M.B shoes, Pico Jewelry<br />
Diamond Earrings in 18K Gold, Diamond Cocktail Ring<br />
in 18K White Gold and Diamond Necklace in 18K White<br />
Gold *Prices Available Upon Request*
CULTURE
TRAVEL | EAT. STAY. CHILL<br />
ONE THE WORLD'S MOST INSPIRING DESTINATIONS<br />
J A D E M O U N T A I N
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 81
Awaken to enjoy the chirping of sweet birds as a cool<br />
breeze grazes your cheeks. Listen even more carefully and<br />
you’ll notice the soft sound of ocean waves in the distance.<br />
This is how each morning begins in beautiful St.<br />
Lucia at the magnificent Jade Mountain Resort. How could<br />
one not want to unplug - even if it’s just for a few days.<br />
Approaching the Award Winning Jade Mountain<br />
resort can be a little daunting as you make your way up the<br />
very windy and rocky road. The bumpy drive makes you<br />
very grateful that you never have to make that particular<br />
trek in ice or snow. Once at the top - you are greeted<br />
by warm staff members bearing gifts of cool minty hand<br />
towels followed by a refreshing melon flavored drink. You<br />
are then led to your impressive abode which is set at the<br />
end of a long walkway of which gives you a bird’s eye view<br />
of the mind blowing architecture that surrounds you.<br />
The only word that could describe the view as you<br />
enter your suite for the first time is - breathtaking! The sun<br />
was just on the horizon as I remember it, with a glistening<br />
shimmer bouncing off the Carribbean sea in the distance<br />
as well as the blue water of the incredible edgeless pool<br />
that is situated at the opposite side of your room. Yes -<br />
that’s right, an edgeless pool inside your room.<br />
Once you recover from the completely open<br />
room which gives you the feeling of being in the most<br />
luxurious setting atop the highest tree - only furniture and<br />
a few cables separate you from nature itself.<br />
When you think it doesn’t get better, your personal<br />
butler shares with you the amenities that await you after<br />
allowing you to sample some of the most delicious home<br />
grown chocolate you’ll taste. These special treats are<br />
right from their chocolate factory that is located on this<br />
beautifully landscaped property.<br />
To top it off, you are entertained daily with 5 star<br />
service, delicious and creatively presented meals as well<br />
as activities from snorkeling, sailing, yoga or just plain<br />
relaxing. It is important to find your own Jade Mountain<br />
to reinvigorate and allow yourself the rewards of living<br />
creatively.<br />
This is what every day should be like: rejuvenating<br />
and inspiring. If you need to get away to brainstorm your<br />
next million dollar idea or to come up with your first...this is<br />
the place to dream.<br />
Images courtesy of Jade Mountain Resort
For Work or Play<br />
riudavetsusa.com<br />
For Sun or Shade
TRAVEL | EAT. STAY. CHILL
Y<br />
ST<br />
O<br />
Lucia<br />
U R<br />
B U C K E T L I S T<br />
1. For avid hikers, test out the Gros Piton, which towers 2,619 feet above sea level. Hikes typically take<br />
anywhere from four to six hours (six hours start to finish. For people that are looking for something a little<br />
more mild,) the Tet Paul Nature Trail boasts some of the most spectacular views in Saint Lucia including<br />
Jalousie Bay and the Pitons as well as stops at the Cassava House and Organic Farm. The 45 minute trek<br />
is rated easy to moderate and led by a well-trained guide. Other hiking tour locations include Barre De<br />
L’isle, Des Cartiers Rainforest, Edmund Forest Reserve or Enbas Saut. For more information visit<br />
2. Views of Saint Lucia are just as amazing below sea level. Divers can indulge in colorful coral reefs and<br />
abundant marine life at popular spots like the Key Hole Pinnacles. Or get carried away by the currents at<br />
Superman’s Flight, the drift dive named after the movie, located at the base of the Petit Piton. A total of<br />
23 diving locations can be found just off the shoreline island wide. For a less extreme alternative, SNUBA<br />
excursions ease divers into the water and descend no more than 20 feet.<br />
3. Zip-lining serves up a healthy dose of adrenaline. Utilizing zip cables extended as high as 150 feet<br />
above ground, visitors are transported through lush foliage for panoramic views of the rainforest, the city<br />
of Soufriere, or the Pitons at one of three zip-line locations on-island.<br />
4. Jungle Biking is not for the faint of heart. Visitors interested in kicking cardio into high-gear can<br />
head to Bike Saint Lucia at the Anse Mamin Plantation on the Anse Chasanet Resort. Custom trails<br />
accommodate both rookie and seasoned riders using specially designed Cannondale suspension bikes.<br />
A skill course training area is available for those new on the scene or seeking a quick refresher.<br />
5. Spices Cooking School, a relaxed cooking class located in Cap Estate at the northern end of the<br />
island of Saint Lucia. Cooking classes are held in a specially designed professional home-style kitchen<br />
which accommodates small groups of 4-10 persons. The cooking class endS with ‘Grande Mange,”<br />
where students eat the feast they’ve created, complemented by rum punch, Spices special non-alcoholic<br />
iced brew or seasonal juices.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 85
6. Sulphur Springs ”Drive-in” Volcano are considered the hottest and most active<br />
geothermal area in the Lesser Antilles. The park is approximately 45 hectares and is<br />
billed as the Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano.<br />
7. Gros Islet Street Party, the island’s largest street party is a Friday-night ritual<br />
for locals and visitors alike. Huge speakers set up on the street in this little fishing<br />
village blast Caribbean music all night long. Sometimes there are live bands. When<br />
you take a break from dancing, you can buy barbecued fish or chicken, rotis, beer,<br />
and soda from villagers who set up grills right along the roadside. It’s the ultimate<br />
“lime” experience.<br />
8. Castries Market, Rated #3 food market in the world by National Geographic,<br />
Castries Market and Vendor’s Arcade is the largest open-air market in Saint Lucia. It<br />
is located in the middle of the capital and has over 300 regular vendors and a hundred<br />
or more local sellers on market days.<br />
9. Kite Boarding takes surfing to new heights with the constant tradewinds. A<br />
common spot for this popular activity is the Vieux Fort area at The Reef Kite + Surf.<br />
Clinics, seminars and workshops are available for those willing and ready to take on<br />
the challenge. Windsurfing is also available.<br />
10. Deep Sea Fishing offers a chance to explore the great Caribbean Sea through a<br />
number of different charters. Guests can choose between whole or half-day fishing<br />
excursions. Depending on the time of year, the Catch of the Day may include mackerel,<br />
king mackerel, white marlin, barracuda, kingfish or sailfish.<br />
11. Become fully immersed in Saint Lucia by cruising with an all-terrain-vehicle<br />
(ATV) along peaceful forest roads en route to the beach. Located at Davie Estate Ltd.<br />
riders can sample fresh fruit right from the tree and see first hand how it is cultivated.<br />
Paradise ATV tours are located in Micoud towards the south eastern portion of Saint<br />
Lucia.<br />
12. Sailing and yachting give sea lovers a 360 view of the island with the freedom to<br />
travel beyond the Saint Lucian waters. There are plenty of opportunities to experience<br />
a heart thumping good time out on St. Lucia’s waters, with annual events such as<br />
the bill fishing tournament in September and the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) in<br />
December.<br />
Images courtesy of St. Lucia Tourism Board
INSPIRE CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS [I.C.E]<br />
F A S H I O N & S T Y L E<br />
VOL<br />
<strong>21</strong><br />
QUARTERLY<br />
EFFORTLESS STYLE<br />
WITH NICKY HILTON<br />
A BILLIONAIRE’S STORY - FRED MOUAWAD<br />
THE FASHIONABLE MELANIE IGLESIAS<br />
DREAM BIG AT JADE MOUNTAIN<br />
THE SMOOTH SOUND OF LAURIANA MAE<br />
T H E W O R L D ’ S M O S T F A S H I O N A B L E B U S I N E S S M A G A Z I N E<br />
GET YOUR <strong>RAINE</strong> APP TODAY!<br />
WWW.<strong>RAINE</strong><strong>MAGAZINE</strong>.COM
CULTURE<br />
A T A S T E O F P A S S I O N W I T H<br />
C H E F L U I S D O M I N G U E Z<br />
They say that the best wines can take hundreds of years to come<br />
into perfection – fine wine takes time. However, it has taken owner<br />
of Vinus & Marc, Frank Locker, much less time. With over twenty<br />
years of restaurant and bar experience in fine dining, Locker opened<br />
the doors to Vinus & Marc, an old world Paris and New York nightlife<br />
restaurant in 2013 and it’s already making its mark in the New York<br />
food industry. With an extensive menu inspired by a Latin French<br />
fusion and an atmosphere appropriate for any occasion, this “sultry<br />
yet sophisticated” restaurant is a welcomed addition to the Upper East<br />
Side.<br />
Locker, known globally for his exquisite wine palate and ability<br />
to create lush, cozy lounging environments includes that and more in<br />
a dining experience at Vinus & Marc. A well learned businessman and<br />
wine connoisseur is nothing without a right hand man, and for Locker<br />
that would be culinary artist, Chef J. Luis Dominguez. Dominguez is the<br />
man responsible for the fusion of mouthwatering and savory cuisine<br />
spicing up every plate making its way from the Vinus & Marc (V&M)<br />
kitchen to your taste buds. Dominguez, not straying from his Mexican<br />
cooking roots, has made his rounds in New York and expanded on his<br />
skills before teaming up with Locker to create something beyond their<br />
wildest dreams and now they’re on their way to taking New York by<br />
storm one dish and bottle of wine at a time.<br />
Raine sits down for a chat with Frank Locker, Owner and Manager and<br />
Chef Luis Dominguez.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What is the premise of Vinus & Marc and how did you come<br />
up with the name?<br />
LOCKER: This is Latin for “wines and spirits”. Vinus is Latin for liquids<br />
from the vines and Marc is a term used for grappa and brandies. It<br />
was fitting for our place - where we were serving many wines by the<br />
glass and spirits and cocktails. The 1920’s and 1930’s were a time that<br />
V&M was created after – combining the look with a European flare. We<br />
wanted to bring a little bit of downtown uptown.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Luis, how did you enter this business and where did the two of<br />
you connect along the journey?<br />
DOMINGUEZ: I started cooking in Mexico at a very young age and<br />
then came to NY and worked for some big chefs learning the trade.<br />
Frank hired me at Duane Park Café down in Tribeca and I worked in the<br />
kitchen under the Chef there.<br />
LOCKER: I saw something special in Luis and when creating V&M<br />
asked him to join me here.<br />
DOMINGUEZ: I’m excited to run my own kitchen and work with Frank<br />
in this exciting venue where I can highlight my dishes<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Frank, you surround yourself with exceptional talent. What<br />
qualities do you look for when adding members to your team?<br />
LOCKER: I create a “family” and a “community” whether for the staff<br />
or for the customers. Everyone works together on a common goal<br />
and is highly customer centric with high customer touch creating an<br />
exceptional customer experience. It is not only about the staff but the<br />
atmosphere, the music and lighting that bring it all together so that<br />
you do not hear other’s conversations, have intimacy if you want it and<br />
conversation if you want it.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: How do you decide on the cocktails and the food to serve?<br />
LOCKER: We work closely together to decide on new items based<br />
on our customer’s preferences and what they like as well as seasonal<br />
ingredients and how to highlight them. We continue to expand our<br />
menu to serve our customers and are focused on the main entrees,<br />
bar items and brunch, which is very popular on the Upper East Side<br />
of Manhattan. Our cocktails were all created by Aziza Omar and have<br />
an influence and story from the Pre-Prohibition era. Our syrups are<br />
house made and we do all our own infused liquors for our house made<br />
cocktails. These also change based on the seasons and ingredients.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What does success mean to you and the V&M team? LOCKER:<br />
Success is customers continuing to come back and a community that<br />
enjoys being in the space created. It’s understanding the customer<br />
and delivering what they want to enjoy while being there. It is serving<br />
the best quality food, cocktails, wine and service that we can.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Your restaurant, Vinus & Marc, draws inspiration from a chaotic<br />
time in American history. What is it about the 1930’s that fascinated<br />
you enough as an entrepreneur to recreate that period within Vinus &<br />
Marc?<br />
LOCKER: The 1920s and 1930s were chaotic but also a time that<br />
people enjoyed each other– writers and artists spent hours together<br />
eating and drinking and having great discussions– not in a rush– not<br />
constantly connected with phones and media and not watching TV but<br />
enjoying music, atmosphere and each other. That is what V&M is all<br />
about. Yes, we have TVs for special events and sports – those shows<br />
that bring people together to enjoy an event as a group – festive and<br />
fun.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Luis, what is your favorite item to cook at Vinus & Marc and<br />
why?<br />
DOMINGUEZ: I love everything<br />
on the menu. We change it<br />
by the seasons and create<br />
great entrees and bar snacks<br />
for everyone. My signature<br />
dishes are popular with our<br />
customers and that makes<br />
me happy – My Beet<br />
Salad, Tuna Tartar and our<br />
Chicken Entrée and Shrimp<br />
and Grits are all favorites and<br />
mine as well.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What about New<br />
York City inspires you?<br />
LOCKER & DOMINGUEZ:<br />
The energy, the people, the<br />
family life combined with<br />
creative and the ethnic mix<br />
of people living together. It is<br />
like no other city in the world!
CULTURE<br />
T H E F A C E B E H I N D Y O U R<br />
F A V O R I T E F R A G R A N C E S<br />
Images courtesy of Scentarium<br />
From Elizabeth Arden to Tiffany and Company, Sue Phillips has tackled<br />
roles at world renowned brands with fervor. Proving that she is the Queen<br />
of her craft, she created the 150th anniversary “Tiffany,”“Tiffany for Men”,<br />
“Society by Burberry,” and “Burberry for Men” fragrances.<br />
After climbing the corporate ladder for many years, Sue decided<br />
to begin her own entrepreneurial venture and became Founder and CEO of<br />
Scenterprises- a Global Consultancy in the area of product development,<br />
creative marketing, strategic brand building and custom perfume events.<br />
Scenterprises has worked with many reputable brands like Chanel,<br />
Elizabeth Arden, and Saks Fifth Avenue.<br />
Under the Scenterprises umbrella, Sue opened New York’s<br />
newest perfumery The Scentarium in February of 2014. Here she holds<br />
seminars and workshops for fragrance lovers wishing to create their own<br />
personalized fragrance. These workshops<br />
take participants off the busy streets of New<br />
York City and into an oasis of relaxing scents,<br />
where they participate in scent personality<br />
tests and learn all about the intricacies of<br />
smell. Bringing Sue’s zeal for the fragrance<br />
industry, The Scentarium asks consumers,<br />
“why wear what everyone else wears when<br />
you can create your own unique signature<br />
scent?”.<br />
Growing up, Sue always wanted to<br />
be a singer or an actor- starting her journey<br />
in America in the theater. Now, a global star in<br />
the personal care industry, Phillips leaves one<br />
piece of advice: “never give up.”<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What is a memorable experience that<br />
has helped to shape your career?<br />
PHILLIPS: It was a confluence of all<br />
‘sensory’ experiences! Growing up with<br />
an artistic mother who instilled in me an<br />
appreciation of Art, Music, Dance, Flowers,<br />
Presentation, Home Decor ...- and all these<br />
aesthetics made me aware of the “Senses”,<br />
and how important the ‘senses’ are in<br />
branding.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You have partnered with many iconic<br />
brands in the perfume industry, which client<br />
did you enjoy most working with and why?<br />
PHILLIPS: Developing the fragrance and<br />
launching one of America’s most iconic brands—TIFFANY for Tiffany’s<br />
150th anniversary was exciting, and an honor! Little did I ever imagine,<br />
when growing up in South Africa, that I would become VP Fragrance for<br />
this seminal company. I always believe that it is important to be relevant<br />
and authentic to the brand ‘ethos’ and to put one’s subjective opinions to<br />
the side when creating fragrances for brands.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: At the onset of creating Scenterprises, was there ever a time when<br />
you thought that running your own business was not for you? How were<br />
you able to get past that moment in your career as an entrepreneur?<br />
PHILLIPS: After I left Tiffany & Co to have my daughter and to start<br />
my own consulting company, I never looked back! I love being an<br />
entrepreneur as well as the opportunity to work and consult with so many<br />
different companies AND to have my own fragrance initiative with our new<br />
perfumery in downtown Tribeca - The Scentarium, which has been called<br />
an ‘oasis’ for the senses! www.scentarium.com Every day brings a new<br />
adventure and opportunity. Of course there are always challenges when<br />
one is an entrepreneur. However, the rewards are so great and as long as I<br />
am passionate about what I do, I don’t feel it’s work!<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What are some of your favorite ingredients that you like to work<br />
with when creating custom fragrances?<br />
PHILLIPS: I have categorized my different perfume blends into 4 main<br />
‘fragrance families’– Fresh, Floral, Woodsy, Oriental. My particular favorites<br />
are the Floral Oriental families and the combination of exotic rose with<br />
jasmine, ylang ylang and gardenia mixed with the sultry amber, sweet vanilla<br />
and sensual spicy accords. This is a sophisticated sensual combination<br />
and an extraordinary perfume.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What has been the most memorable experience that you have<br />
witnessed while working with a client?<br />
PHILLIPS: The look of absolute joy in their<br />
eyes when they finally select the blends they<br />
like and try their unique formula for the first<br />
time. In every case, there is uncertainty at the<br />
beginning of the process, and they don’t really<br />
know the outcome of their creation. But when<br />
they finally try it and name it, the happiness<br />
they experience is palpable. I just LOVE<br />
seeing the process unfold, and the happiness<br />
that people experience with their own unique<br />
creations.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Your mother, and renowned South<br />
African artist, Grace Phillips left you a legacy<br />
that endures today. What is your legacy to<br />
the various industries you have served in<br />
fragrance & perfume, cosmetics, and personal<br />
care?<br />
PHILLIPS: Yes! It’s because of her that I have<br />
an appreciation and love for art and music.<br />
My legacy to this industry is that I always put<br />
the brand message and ‘ethos’ at the forefront<br />
of the positioning.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: If there was only one word that you<br />
could use to describe who you are, what<br />
would it be? PHILLIPS: Authentic.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Other than your own custom<br />
fragrances, what other brand of perfume do<br />
you like to wear and why?<br />
PHILLIPS: I love JAR fragrance Golconda – it is my special indulgence and<br />
is a beautiful rose accord.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What words of wisdom can you share with entrepreneurs who look<br />
to you as the model for their success?<br />
PHILLIPS: Have faith in yourself and believe in the wonderful person you<br />
are! I truly believe that gratitude and prayer are also very compelling factors<br />
for success – and one of my most important beliefs is....“Never give up!”<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: If you could redo just one thing in your professional life what would<br />
it be and why?<br />
PHILLIPS: I don’t like to think of ‘re-doing’ because it doesn’t accomplish<br />
anything. The well-known author Eckart Tolle wrote in “The Power of<br />
Now” not to dwell in the past, not to focus too much on the future, but to<br />
concentrate on the ‘present’ and quoted Buddha: “Do not dwell in the past,<br />
do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”<br />
– Buddha.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 89
CULTURE<br />
JOHN SOLO-BALANCING FILM AND BUSINESS<br />
With a political science degree from New York University, John Solo<br />
transitioned from student to business professional. Working right out of<br />
college with a 9 to 5 job, John soon realized he craved something different.<br />
He began investing in a few acting classes, and after many years of toil,<br />
now has over <strong>21</strong> credits attributed to his name. John Solo is an actor,<br />
producer, and entrepreneur from New York, known for Man on a Ledge<br />
(2012), Newlyweds (2011) and Love Magical (2014).<br />
Following his passion, John later took his first steps as a<br />
restaurateur. John now owns 5 restaurants, including a new juice bar, Ginger,<br />
which serves 100 percent organic cold press juices to health conscious<br />
New Yorkers . Also, taking a giant entrepreneurial leap of faith and opened<br />
Republic Astoria with partner ‘s Stu Chase and Nick Chase and hit maker<br />
DJ Jus Jack; the coolest brick oven pizza lounge to host the hottest DJ’s<br />
and screen the freshest new filmmaker’s in the Art and Film world. This<br />
includes his new feature film production, “Love Magical” directed by Justin<br />
Foran that premier’s this fall at the BET Urban Film festival.<br />
With the challenge of balancing all of his responsibilities, John<br />
makes a point to prioritize his daily schedule. It is clear that this is one man<br />
who knows what he wants is not afraid to work hard to achieve his goals of<br />
being a better actor and person.<br />
So, what do you get when you cross a highly accredited college<br />
degree, entrepreneurship, multiple movie debuts, and lots of passion? John<br />
Solo.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: How did you get your start and what steps did you take to get from<br />
A to B?<br />
SOLO: I graduated from NYU and like most; I had a corporate 9 to 5<br />
job. I realized soon into it that I did not “Feel” right in that environment. I<br />
started bar-tending, took my first few acting classes and saved my money as<br />
aggressively as I could, knowing that I will eventually have an opportunity to<br />
invest somewhere.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You have over <strong>21</strong> credits to your name. What has been your most<br />
challenging roll as an actor?<br />
SOLO: My most challenging role as an actor was Stan from “Love<br />
Magical”. He is illogical, passionate to a flaw and very nervous. It was at my<br />
most vulnerable point by unveiling that side of me truthfully and also finding<br />
the humor in his tragedy was a balance. Also, on the other side is New<br />
York Legendary Director Edward Burns film “Newlyweds” where I basically<br />
played “myself,” organically. That’s always the biggest challenge for most<br />
actors and it felt so good that I was able to achieve that! Eddie as a Director,<br />
his crew and the actors on this film made it the perfect environment to make<br />
me feel comfortable to find that.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What is the creative process you undergo to help you develop your<br />
characters?<br />
SOLO: My creative process is pretty simple. I try to “live” with the characters,<br />
problems and issues. I try to find my association and my compassion for<br />
the characters dilemma. I get to know their world, by reading any books or<br />
novels that help the feelings that might be similar that I have gone through-<br />
-lots of “walking and talking” to myself for the preparation of these roles.<br />
for me because I prioritize well<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What skills did you bring from acting that you were able to apply to<br />
running several well-known restaurants?<br />
SOLO: My main skill is “feeling” the culture of a place, understanding<br />
its aesthetic and maintaining positive interactions with our customer<br />
base. Part of my job as an actor is selecting my temperament at will. So no<br />
matter what is happening in my pedestrian life, I try to maintain a positive,<br />
hospitable attitude with my customers. Sometimes I do lose my “moment,”<br />
but that’s rare.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: Which of your restaurants best expresses your personality and why?<br />
SOLO: My personality changes with time, so all of them have a part of<br />
me. Currently, “Ginger Organic,” is my baby! It represents my belief and<br />
philosophy that through a positive and healthy lifestyle, everything is<br />
achievable.<br />
Ginger is the warmest, prettiest and the most comfortable Juice bar in the<br />
whole Universe and I am so proud of “her”. She represents everything my<br />
Mother taught me of what an ideal person should be!!<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: One of your newest ventures is Ginger; a juice bar. If people<br />
could only incorporate one of your juices into their diet which would you<br />
recommend over all others?<br />
SOLO: The one Juice I would recommend would be the “Super Greens”<br />
every morning. There is not a better way to start your day. It’s power for<br />
the rest of your day!<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: In your own experience, what defines your idea of success? Aside<br />
from giving up, why do you think people fail at being successful?<br />
SOLO: Success only comes from loving what you do. The pursuit! Pursuing<br />
something that “never ends” because you love waking up every single<br />
morning and getting better. I am excited about becoming a better actor. A<br />
better person. A more consciences person. If you just want the RESULTS<br />
then you will never achieve. You have to be obsessed with your daily rituals.<br />
One of my favorite quotes from Khalil Gibran “But if in your fear of Love<br />
you would seek only Love’s peace and love’s pleasure. It is better that you<br />
walk out Love’s threshing floor, into the seasonless world where you should<br />
laugh only half your laughter and cry only half your tears”<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What else could you see yourself doing if you were not an actor and<br />
business owner?<br />
SOLO: Psychiatry is the only other thing that interests me....I love people.<br />
Especially people who want to always GROW! We all have issues to work<br />
on. I am compassionate for people who unveil their issues. I do not like<br />
people who keep their emotions tight like they are playing poker. I love<br />
open people.<br />
Images courtesy of John Solo<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: As the producer of your recent film Love Magical. What words of<br />
wisdom can you share with aspiring producers?<br />
SOLO: Find people you “Love” to work with. Find people who have as<br />
much “Passion” as you, if not more. Find people you like to hang out<br />
with! Making Independent film is HARD! It’s a battle and you need to make<br />
sure you surround yourself with people that care for the project as well as<br />
for you.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You own 5 restaurants. How did you decide to make the leap from<br />
acting to restaurateur? What were some of your initial challenges and how<br />
did you overcome them?<br />
SOLO: I invested in restaurants, because I met amazing partners who<br />
respected and appreciated my work as an actor. They understood the<br />
freedom and flexibility I needed in my schedule. When I am not auditioning,<br />
or working as an actor, I make sure to spend quality time at the restaurants<br />
and bar. The challenge is the balance and the juggling act—that is simple<br />
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CULTURE<br />
Photographer – Jason Jaskot; Hair Stylist – Magda Bonheur; Makeup Artist; Juliette Laracuente; Stylist – Darryl Glover; Eyelash Artist - Nadia Afanaseva<br />
18K White Gold Round Cut Diamond Tennis Bracelet; 18K Two Tone Diamond Cocktail Ring; 18K Two Tone; Hanging Diamond Earrings; 18K White Gold Double Halo Diamond<br />
& Yellow Sapphire Ring; All jewelry is credited to Pico Jewelry *Prices Available Upon Request*<br />
A Flawless touch<br />
to Entertainment<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 91
Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds? The epitome of<br />
beauty and brains lies in the essence of Chantelle Fraser. If you haven’t<br />
noticed, be prepared to witness her having her cake and eating it too.<br />
Meshing her knowledge of management and her experience in the<br />
modeling industry, Fraser has created one of the most sought after<br />
promotional talent and booking agencies in New York city; Flawless<br />
NYC. Established in 2006, Flawless NYC humanizes luxury, fashion,<br />
corporate brands and private clients at prestigious events by bringing<br />
glamour and beauty to brand marketing, while transforming a static<br />
message into one with dynamic, beautiful drama.<br />
The British native began her career as a booker for Elite<br />
Model Management in<br />
Los Angeles and has<br />
since launched her own<br />
enterprise, branched<br />
out and worked with the<br />
some of the industry’s top<br />
luxury leaders including<br />
Ted Baker, Yves Saint<br />
Laurent (YSL) and BMW.<br />
But don’t take this<br />
bombshell at face value,<br />
or deflect attention from<br />
her sharp business mind,<br />
eye for beauty, talent and<br />
professionalism, because<br />
she knows exactly how to<br />
leave a lasting impression.<br />
At the helm of Flawless<br />
NYC, Fraser’s mission is to<br />
offer an unparalleled guest<br />
experience and increase<br />
product sales for her<br />
clients.<br />
Flawless NYC<br />
capitalize on the fact that<br />
there is no need to skimp<br />
on any aspect of business<br />
and it’s all about being a<br />
chameleon in an industry<br />
that’s ever-changing and<br />
demands their clients<br />
to stand out; Fraser is<br />
providing just that with<br />
style, beauty and grace.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: At What age<br />
did you have your first<br />
entrepreneurial experience?<br />
FRASER: My first<br />
entrepreneurial experience<br />
was at about age 13. I<br />
would wash cars around<br />
my neighborhood - I always<br />
had to work growing up.<br />
From a young age, my<br />
parents instilled in me an<br />
entrepreneurial spirit.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What inspires you<br />
as an entrepreneur?<br />
FRASER: As an entrepreneur, I am inspired by the prospect of living a<br />
prosperous life. So many people live unhappy lives, unfulfilled with that<br />
they are doing, because they are not living up to their true potential.<br />
I, however, want to leave a legacy for the world to see. I love having a<br />
vision and bringing it to fruition.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: You have a reality TV show in the works, can you talk about<br />
that?<br />
FRASER: It’s a reality TV show about a successful career oriented<br />
woman that lives in New York City. I have been cast as one of the main<br />
members and it follows my life, the ups and downs of living in NYC and<br />
the daily hustle of the working girl lifestyle. It should be fun!<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: How would you describe your company Flawless NYC?<br />
FRASER: Flawless NYC is a luxury promotional talent and entertainment<br />
booking company, established to elevate your brand and image, by<br />
connecting individuals and companies to their audience through<br />
exceptional entertainment, brand ambassadorship, music, and<br />
creativity.<br />
There are five divisions to my company, Flawless NYC: DJ, Entertainment,<br />
Burlesque, Contortionist, Belly Dancers. Our clients have exceptional<br />
creative visions and we<br />
help bring those visions to<br />
life. Our main division is the<br />
modeling division, which<br />
gives brands a real and<br />
human way of connecting<br />
to their customers.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What is the most<br />
significant piece of advice<br />
you have been given in your<br />
career?<br />
FRASER: The best piece<br />
of advice that I have been<br />
given, is always say “yes”.<br />
It sounds very basic, but my<br />
ability to always say “yes”<br />
allows me to grow to levels<br />
I thought I would never<br />
reach. I never let barriers<br />
get in my way. I don’t need<br />
to know the whole journey, I<br />
just need to know the next<br />
step, which opens up new<br />
opportunities as well.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What is the biggest<br />
obstacle you have had to<br />
overcome?<br />
FRASER: At one point in<br />
my career I lost a really big<br />
client. It just happened to<br />
be, that they were one of my<br />
main sources of income. As<br />
a result, I had to learn how<br />
to adjust to change. At first,<br />
I was really resistant, and<br />
I would ask myself, “why<br />
is this happening to me?”<br />
Once I was able to embrace<br />
change, I realized I had to<br />
keep it moving. With the<br />
change in how I decided<br />
to view my new situation,<br />
I was able to grow from it.<br />
When you are a business<br />
person, you have to always<br />
anticipate change and<br />
embrace it. If you can learn<br />
to do that as an entrepreneur, you can stay the course.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong>: What three words of wisdom do you have for other<br />
entrepreneurs?<br />
FRASER: I would tell other entrepreneurs, always have an attitude of<br />
gratitude. If you can keep that in mind, you will attract more to you. As<br />
entrepreneurs, we have to realize that you attract to you, those things<br />
that you focus most on. Also, I would say read, The Purpose of the<br />
Conscious Mind and Think and Grow Rich at age 13!<br />
18K White Gold Round Cut Diamond Tennis Necklace; 18K White Gold Emerald Cut Sapphire & Diamond Ring; 18K White Gold Round Cut Diamond<br />
Tennis Bracelet; 18K White Gold Round Cut Diamond Pave Eternity Ring; 18K White Gold Diamond Earrings *Prices Available Upon Request*<br />
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CULTURE<br />
Top: Model: Molly Randall; Agency: Charm Model Management; Photographer: Al Rodriguez; Left:<br />
Model: Anastasia Matveeva; Agency: Charm Model Management; Photographer: Fiona Melder<br />
Mary DePetris founder of Charm Model management was born in<br />
Brooklyn, New York where she got an early start in the modeling<br />
world when a fashion designer & family friend put Mary in her<br />
fashion shows around the age of 5 which ignited the love of the<br />
business.<br />
In her teens she attended Barbizon modeling school<br />
which were popular in the 1970ʼs. Mary taught part-time after<br />
graduation. While raising a family she would take her daughters<br />
on auditions when the opportunity to work on the other side of<br />
the business as an agent came along. She worked for Classic<br />
Model & Talent which was a large commercial agency in NJ & NY<br />
at the time.<br />
In early 2011 Charm Model Management became a<br />
reality. Mary heads Charm Models with a down to earth approach.<br />
She believes you must have innate sense along with honesty,<br />
dedication and strong work ethic to compete in this market.<br />
Charm Models represent fashion and commercial<br />
models for runway, showroom, trade shows, print, television<br />
and high-end events. Mary is currently involved on a project for<br />
television which she cannot divulge on, but stay tuned.<br />
For business inquires and model submissions please contact us<br />
at: info@charmagency.com<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 93
CULTURE<br />
SHOES THAT<br />
DEFY GRAVITY<br />
Photo and MUA by Helene Jaspers; Shoes the “The CiRCLE” by Peter Popps; Model+Outfit both Yusura Entertainer<br />
94<br />
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Photo and MUA by Helene Jaspers; Shoes the “The BOW” by Peter Popps; Model+Outfit both Yusura Entertainer<br />
At the age of 18, Peter Popps started out as one of many sales<br />
people, before he became an assistent and then soon after<br />
a store manager for a fashionable shoeshop. He did this all<br />
while studying architecture before really breaking into the shoe<br />
industry where he found his love for avant-garde and young<br />
fashion.<br />
With 24 years of experience as a professional shoe<br />
designer, Peter Popps created his namesake label of innovative<br />
shoes after being tapped for many years, helping to shape<br />
the brands of other well-known shoe designers. “I have never<br />
felt a strong urge,” states Popps; to design opposed to the<br />
mainstream cultural values as they are forced on us today.<br />
In 2003 he started his own freelance design studio<br />
by approaching companies that he had connections with<br />
throughout his career. Immediately his creations were a success<br />
and more work came to him from shoe brands that wanted<br />
exclusive collections based on his unconventional vision. His<br />
method of design has always been to make something unique<br />
and different as compared to the everyday mundane. Popp’s<br />
love for the creative process lies somewhere between fantasy<br />
and reality - a place without boundaries.<br />
Popps’ current works are inspired by a fascination for<br />
creative freedom and architectural sensibility intertwined with a<br />
sense of novelty, innovation and revolution. His creative genius<br />
has always gravitated towards the development that comes<br />
from rebellion, liberty and to show that world that anything is<br />
possible when you believe in your own ideas.<br />
Peter Popps takes a moment to share his viewpoint with Raine<br />
Magazine.<br />
POPPS: I was done with what the market offers to the<br />
customers. Its all looks pretty much the same. A copy from a<br />
copy from a copy and an outrageous price compared to the<br />
quality. People are always ready for novelty and innovation.<br />
There is this quote by Diane Vreeland, in which she<br />
said:<br />
….“Give ‘em what they<br />
never knew they wanted.”<br />
That has always been my method of designing, even<br />
back when I started working for the 1st company in the 80’s.<br />
You feel that people around you desire certain things, and there<br />
are also certain things that you desire yourself, and from those<br />
desires you create and search for something new which is an<br />
answer to those feelings.<br />
I love to create for the woman who knows how and<br />
when to wear my designs.<br />
I adore the feminine power that comes from a woman<br />
who is in charge of her vulnerability in a different way than most<br />
people know or who’s confident in beautiful heels when she<br />
uses the street as her daily catwalk.<br />
Popps’ artistic creations are influenced by avantgarde,<br />
60’s space-age, comics and Sci-Fi. They are wearable<br />
mostly un-walkable pieces that look deeply into the life of<br />
the emancipated woman. His work closely identifies with the<br />
struggle, freedom and revolution and begs to answer the<br />
question, “What could we possibly wear in the future?”<br />
The answer he found in this quote by Barbarella, in which she<br />
said: ...” Just a moment I’ll<br />
slip something on”...<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 95
INTERNATIONAL<br />
BAGS THAT JUMP FROM PAPER<br />
At Jump From Paper, we believe that creativity is the new form of rebellion, and<br />
we love to push ourselves and make people think outside of the box, this is what<br />
makes Jump From Paper innovative. As a stylish accessory brand, designing 2D<br />
bags, we walk in to the fashion world with a bold and playful attitude.<br />
<strong>Fashion</strong> for some people is quite serious; it’s about fame and money. For<br />
us, we don’t like to take things too seriously. The team behind Jump From Paper<br />
stands for the passion to make our customers laugh! We encourage people to let<br />
their imaginations run wild. We believe that being different, means being who you<br />
are, and that is a part of the appeal of Jump From Paper.<br />
The design team combines 2D graphics and a mix of 3D illusion to<br />
create a truly distinct line of bags. Jump From Paper not only serves as a perfect<br />
expression of individualism and uniqueness for a new generation, but it also speaks<br />
the philosophy of Jump From Paper, “I Give Myself Permission to be me.”<br />
We are addicted to collecting funny and weird pictures and quotes, and<br />
take inspiration from everything in our daily lives. We love to confuse people with<br />
our bags, because they don’t always know what to make of us. It is interesting to<br />
watch them burst into laughter when they realize that these are functioning real<br />
bags, meant for everyday wear. Jump From Paper is all about having fun—that’s<br />
the spirit!<br />
Images courtesy of Jump From Paper<br />
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FASHION TO LIVE FOR <br />
NEW YORK FASHION WEEK’S SPRING PREVIEW<br />
MICHAEL COSTELLO<br />
www.michaelcostellocouture.com<br />
Michael Costello – Michael Costello presented his highly anticipated S/S 2015 collection to a packed house of fashion aficionados. This season Costello proved<br />
to be no less than a superstar in the making, as he used structured silhouettes defined by the kind of unapologetic sexiness that modern women crave for.<br />
Staying true to his nature, the collection featured stunning gowns, highlighting plunging necklines, beading and lace, in beautiful aqua, navy and black.<br />
MALAN BRETON<br />
www.malanbreton.com<br />
Malan Breton – Known for his signature prints and details, Malan Breton’s S/S 2015 collection incorporated many elements of traditional Taiwanese tailoring<br />
coupled with modern forms. His bold use of color and the ability to expertly mix textures spoke to the heart of his namesake label. For men, tailored three<br />
-quarter and full length trousers in bright iridescent colors with patterns filled the collection. For women, there was much of the same, with strong use of<br />
traditional tailoring and colorful fabrics that made for a celebration of beauty and culture.<br />
MISTER TRIPLE X<br />
www.shop.mistertriplex.com<br />
Mister Triple X – Entitled “RessureXion ColleXion,” for S/S 2015 Mister Triple X focused on a spiritual revival highlighting their use of bright prints and<br />
tropical flowers intermixed for a refreshing take on spring. The collection also featured leather to play up a bold interpretation for the season while<br />
asking us to embrace our inner rock star.<br />
<strong>RAINE</strong> <strong>MAGAZINE</strong> - VOLUME <strong>21</strong> 97
MESKITA<br />
www.meskita.com<br />
Alessandra Meskita – Not to be outdone by last season’s success, Brazilian born designer Alessandra Meskita’s collection was bold and beautiful, making<br />
phenomenal use of pleats to execute perfect movement in the garments. It goes without saying that the collection was largely influenced by Egyptian culture<br />
with a modern twist. That being said, there was a certain opulence built into each piece, with gold featured throughout. The clothes were sexy and daring with<br />
silks and chiffons coupled with leather and neoprene - mixing in perfect harmony.<br />
VENEXIANA<br />
www.venexianaltd.com<br />
Venexiana – Designer Kati Stern captivated Mercedes Benz New York <strong>Fashion</strong> Week attendees with gorgeous evening gowns, mixing silk, chiffon, lace<br />
and sequin embellishments. The use of rich fabrics in feminine pastels in yellow, aqua, and turquoise matched perfectly with the elaborate crystal details<br />
seen throughout the collection.<br />
photos by Jason T. Jaskot<br />
ZANG TOI<br />
www.houseoftoi.com<br />
Zang Toi – Marked as Zang Toi’s 25 th year as a designer in the fashion industry. His presentation, appropriately enough, was titled “A Privileged Life: The<br />
American Dream.” The collection showcased glamorous looks from beginning to end, featuring tailored suits, colored-blocked knits and gowns for every<br />
occasion, including an ornate gown covered in hand-beaded purple orchids.