Shaun Ross
“It was amazing that I was the only African American male used for the 2009 September issue of I.D. Magazine. The entire issue was dedicated to Michael Jackson because he had just passed away. They used his song titles, and mine was “Black or White”. It fit me perfectly.” Shaun Ross
occupation: model
I think I will go with my favorite line that has been thrown at Shaun and try to pretend that the others were not said, which is, “oh my god he is everything!” Though he has had to suffer immensely for having Albinism, yet another sad embarrassement of the ignorance and fear of the egos of mankind, he, and others of any monority are here to bring us face to face with our ignorance and thus, evoke reactions that offer up some wisdom and give hope for…
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Hannah Marshall
“I have realized the great power that clothes really do have to transform you, not only the way that you feel but also the way you are perceived… It’s not just dressing for other people, it’s dressing for yourself.” Hannah Marshall
occupation: fashion designer
Hannah has a quiet strength, that is conveyed in her love of all black (“black demands respect”) and the powerful shapes that define her as a forceful visionary. The blazers, often with herculean shoulders, the ring (a collaboration with Hannah Martin), that could pass as a weapon, the bionic Raphael Young boots, with mirrored heels and wings, and most potent, her architecturally shaped eyebrows and blunt cut hair, says super woman 2010. Hannah commutes for two hours everyday from her hometown in the countryside of Essex, to her studio in London, which keeps her grounded in the ultra…
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Sah D’Simone
occupation: freelance fashion stylist
“You believe in Allah, I believe in God, you believe in Jesus Christ, Moses, Buddha, or whatever. We’re all one, in search of the light. It’s an energy, and we all come from the same place.” Sah D’Simone
Mix being born and raised in Brazil (“where everyone loves on you until you can’t”) with the consciousness to face your fears, step out of your ego and into your power, add a splash of abundant drapery and a love for hoods, and you have Sage Sah. Sometimes clothes make the person and sometimes the person makes them, but in the case of Sah, good energy and good taste are one. When I came to shoot him, he had his lovable posse of friends surrounding him and with total humor and charm, his impeccable uniform unfolded (which consisted of the best of black and the kind of…
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Cary Tauben
occupation: fashion stylist
“Heels + Hair = Power.” Cary Tauben
I am wondering if Cary was a supermodel in his mind when he was piling on beaded bracelets to his elbow in day camp, even before his supermodel hair. I would have no doubt been as inspired by his boundless aesthetic then as I am now. I love that Cary finds it amusing to be mistaken for a girl from the back, and I find it hard to believe that most men and women wouldn’t die, in their deepest truths, to have Cary’s hair, sense of ecstasy over a heel, and freedom within themselves to manifest their most current character for the day (whatever that may be). I have no idea where these clothing phobias begin and end and who created them, but what’s scary is that we all follow without questioning, and why? So that men can remain…
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Kristine Barilli
occupation: DJ, student, and musician
“I am obsessed with anything from London in the late ’70s, Seditionaries, Anton LaVey, black metal, Clockwork Orange, anything black, anything dead, the New Atlantis by Francis Bacon, Bas Jan Ader, anyone crazed and creative.” Kristine Barilli
I always leave a SLU shoot inspired by a tip or idea. In Kristine’s case, it was many things, but the one I followed through on was the Rick Owens onesie (birthday present to myself). She fully convinced me of its worthiness for every day and every occasion (you could sleep in it or wear it for black tie), which is pretty much how Kristine always dresses. She despises Halloween, because for her, every day is an organic expression of “dressing up” as she feels. It’s all about her uniform of…
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