Je Suis Princess Alia Al-Senussi
Art and design does not have to be a passion, does not have to be all-encompassing. Art and design is an important cultural marker-it defines who we are, be it as a culture, as a place or as a society
Photo by Yulia Tsezar
Occupation: I am an active member of the contemporary art world, with a special focus on young patronage and arts and culture in the Middle East, holding a variety of non-profit board and committee positions which promote young patronage of the arts in London and collecting in the Middle East.The majority of the philanthropic work I do is through chairing/ founding/ running museum patrons groups. I am Chair of the Tate Young Patrons (and representative to the Tate Patrons board), co-chair of the Parasol Future Unit and founding International Co-Chair of The Chinati Foundation Contemporaries Council as well as a member of the Committee for the Serpentine Gallery Future Contemporaries group and the Advisory group of Photo London.I am a founding member of the Tate Committee for Middle Eastern and North African Acquisitions, the Board of Patrons of Art Dubai, the Board of 1:54 The African Art Fair, and the Middle East Circle of the Guggenheim.I am a member of the board of trustees (the Council) of the Institute of Contemporary Arts London. Amongst my professional commitments, I work as the Representative for the Middle East and consultant for Art Basel and an Executive at Generation Three Family Partners, a multi-family office based in London and Zug, Switzerland, as well as a liaison to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for their art and sponsorship activities in the Middle East and an ambassador to Farfetch. Instagram: No handle, but my friends created my very own hasthag: #aliagetinstagram. Where were you born? My family is an unusual one—flung all over the world and of all different races, nationalities and religions.My identity at its core is that of my father and my mother, the former unabashedly Libyan and the latter a Minnesota girl who found her way to Egypt, and back to sunny cool California.I grew up in Cairo and California with moments in the Midwestern US (South Dakota and Minnesota) and Europe thrown in. The beginning of my life was defined by my constant shuttling back and forth from mother to father to paternal grandparents as well as maternal ones.I had the privilege of having these 4 loving homes as a child, yet all so culturally distinct by every definition.I was all around the world and went through phases of embracing one more than the other until I realized that I could be them all at the same time—this is definitely something I embrace in my personal style, being all those things inside of me as well as through fashion. In one sentence what is unique about your work? My personal and professional interests are inextricably intertwined.I am passionate about contemporary art, and my favorite titles were given to me by the illustrious curator Hans Ulrich Obrist who called me a junctionmaker, and Chris Dercon who told me I was an intrepid frontier explorer and bridge of cultures. Why do you do what you do? My life is centered around my art activities—for the Tate, ICA, for Art Basel, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars or Farfetch or my myriad other commitments.I somehow manage to bring everything back to the context of how art can benefit our society and everyday lives.My work with Rolls-Royce and Farfetch has been eye-opening as neither are traditional art companies, yet they both realize the quality of the work they do with cars and in fashion are so overlapping with contemporary art and the possibilities of what results by combining art with smart business can bring to better a community.
What inspires you? I embrace the idea of the art world as a holistic way of spending my life.I am lucky that the people I work with do the same.I think art truly matters and culture makes the difference in people’s lives, whether they actively take part in it or it just comes to them through osmosis.I recently gave an interview that holds true, I like to demystify the art world to people who aren't involved because it can be intimidating.Art and design does not have to be a passion, does not have to be all-encompassing. Art and design is an important cultural marker-it defines who we are, be it as a culture, as a place or as a society and I truly believe everyone should value and support artistic production in whatever way they are able. Describe your personal style. I love to wear things that make me feel attractive — which means I love flattering clothes that I find comfortable, and with a hint of allure.I definitely embrace my curves!To me fashion is much more than just a form of aesthetic, clothes are a representation of personality and their ability to give people very distinct impressions.My style of course has evolved with age, and now with profession.I understand what my clothes mean in terms of the person I want to be and also the person I am in the art world.I love the elegant preppiness of Ralph Lauren mixed with the structure and glamor of Roland Mouret and Dolce & Gabbana. Your ultimate must-have. A must do is to visit boutiques wherever I travel, for home goods as well as fashion items, it gives me inspiration but also I get so excited finding pieces on my trips that remind me of those happy interludes.Of course I find them on Farfetch when I’m back home, but A’maree’s in Newport Beach, Maxfield in LA, The Webster in Miami, Browns in London, Joyce in Hong Kong are a few of my regular stops along with the special shops around the world that are those secret nooks of local culture and style. What superpower would you have and why? Teleportation, without a doubt, you can do so much good by being able to actively be in so many places. What is next for you? After art fair madness of March, with Art Dubai and Art Basel Hong Kong, I will be turning my focus to my PhD and writing up all my field notes from my observations in Saudi Arabia and from my travels. My trip to Saudi this year for the Saudi Art Councils “21,39 Jeddah Arts” was a highlight—always fascinating to see the nuance in this special country.Back to school—I can’t wait to get my chapters finished!
Je Suis Alejandro Dron
I make art to remain attentive, awaken. Inquisitive. To give back a certain gift. To contribute with the continuation of judaism.
Occupation: Artist / Sculptor Instagram: Facebook Where were you born? I was born in La Plata, Argentina. As a kid spent my days drawing motorcycles and birds non stop. At 10 I asked my parents for entering into an artist studio and they hook me with a local sculptor. Then I studied architecture but quit after a year to consecrate myself to art. Many years spent working by myself in solitude, traveling and in contact with argentinian artist Kosice and Madi art theory. In 1996 I won a Fulbright Grant which allowed me to come to NY to pursue a MFA in computer art at SVA. Now I am working at my studio at Mana Contemporary in JC. In one sentence what is unique about your work? My sculptures can be folded and unfolded. They become different configurations. They don’t have fixed positions. Why do you do what you do? I make art to remain attentive, awaken. Inquisitive. To give back a certain gift. To contribute with the continuation of judaism. What inspires you? I am inspired to celebrate life. And for doing so I find extremely challenging to try to make abstract works without using metaphors, symbols, analogies. Works that instead try to ignite a pure vibratory energy. Life wants more life! Describe your personal style. Style is a sum of factors. May be I could sum it up as the result of an individual shaping an idea. A face with an idea embed. The universal through the particular. I feel that I ‘write’ sculptures. I stutter/write letters, words and more importantly sentences in space, with sculpture's language. I try to hunt them as they appear on the spot, at that nano second, not further preciousness. They mean nothing intelligible. Though they do delineate the white, the void. I use few means: straight lines, planes, the diagonal. Like writing cursive. And the time factor always in between lines! Your ultimate must-have. A rocket belt! What superpower would you have and why? The eloquence of a great poet; to laugh at loud at postmodernism! What is next for you? Making flying sculptures.
Je Suis Katie C
I'd want to be able to fly. I could see the world for a lot less money, that's for sure!
Occupation: Makeup Artist (and aesthetician) Instagram: @Makeupbykatiec Where were you born? I was born in Modesto, California Where do you live now? I actually live back in Modesto, after living in France and Australia for a bit. What is unique about your work? While I understand and research the trends, I definitely don't follow them just because they're popular at the moment. Why do you do what you do? I know it's a cliche thing to say but I really do it because it makes someone else feel happy. If that's the one gift I can give to the world, I will gladly run with it. I really was born with an artistic view of the world so I get to do what makes me happy as well! What inspires you? I am inspired by emotions, shapes, colors and textures I see out in the world on a daily basis. I'm always thinking about how something could translate into makeup. Describe your personal style? Versatile. I am very much into glamour and beauty makeup but I also love doing creative, editorial looks just as much. Your ultimate must have: Long, thick, beautiful lashes. Nothing else makes the face look more feminine than that. What superpower would you have and why? I'd want to be able to fly. I could see the world for a lot less money, that's for sure! What is next for you? Only God knows for sure but I have many amazing things I'd like to see come to fruition. I'm working hard everyday on my business and the things I love dearly so we shall see!
Je Suis Tony Futura
Occupation: Artist
Instagram: @tonyfutura
Where were you born?
I was born on the countryside in the east of Germany and grew up close to the polish border. I moved to Berlin 9 years ago to study communication design and i am working in advertising now.
In one sentence what is unique about your work?
My work has a strong focus on visual ideas that combine objects and play with known images to create a new perspective on things we know from pop-culture, art, consumerism and everyday life.
Why do you do what you do?
I started my Instagram to challenge myself to be more creative and because i wanted to see how many ideas I can find. I felt like need something to keep my brain trained and to entertain myself. The search for new ways to see things is quite fun and there is not a single day where I can't stop thinking about what I can do next.
What inspires you?
Berlin - the city I live in - is quite inspirational to me. Also the internet, that whole meme-thing and current news. Mostly i find inspiration in art and society. I like to work with points of view on things, so i am quite interested in what people think about certain images or other people like celebrities for example.
Describe your personal style.
I always wear quite casual clothes, no big logos or too much branding. I love polo shirts, vintage denim pants and sneakers. I rather spent money on high quality clothes then buying new stuff every couple of weeks.
Your ultimate must-have.
Fred Perry polos in all colors and variations. What superpower would you have and why? I'd really like to be super fast. Beeing super fast slows down time and i create way more in a day. I always have the feeling that i need more time to enjoy life and work more on my personal projects. And it makes travelling way easier :)
What is next for you?
I can't really tell. Right now i'm waiting to see where this takes me and to figure out my way. I'm quite excited about it.
Je Suis Susan Rockefeller
It’s a privilege to be in service to our earth. Life is precious so I celebrate the miracle of being here with my family by using my God-given talents to express myself and to keep our lands and oceans healthy for future generations.
Occupation: Principal, Protect What Is Precious
Instagram: @susanrockefeller
Where were you born?
Mt. Sinai Hospital, NYC
In one sentence what is unique about your work?
I tend to be ahead of the bellcurve on trends and express this in my art, my writing, and in collaborations with companies working on sustainability.
Why do you do what you do?
It’s a privilege to be in service to our earth. Life is precious so I celebrate the miracle of being here with my family by using my God-given talents to express myself and to keep our lands and oceans healthy for future generations.
What inspires you?
Love, nature, art, and newborns of any kind!!!
Describe your personal style.
Simple and elegant.I love jeans with silk blouses and suede boots, or a basic black dress that I can transform from formal wear into business casual or funky. Loving what I own and doing more with less. I enjoy accessorizing with scarves and jewelry and fun shoes to accent what I'm wearing.
Your ultimate must-have.
Vega One protein drink to start my morning right:)
What superpower would you have and why?
The ability to alleviate suffering - a magic wand of sorts. And super immunity and endless exceptional energy to do all I want to do each day! What is next for you? Completing my film on Bach's coffee cantata and starting one on the creation of the “mindful plate.” More photography and art.And going deeper into Marie Kondo’s gentle art of tidying up and creating a nontoxic home— sparking joy by giving much that isn't of use to me anymore away for others to enjoy.
Je Suis Neo Tony Lee
Occupation: ART DIRECTOR/VISUAL ARTIST /BIONIC POP ARTIST
/ DEEJAY / PRODUCER
Instagram: @NEOTONYLEE
Where were you born?
I was born in Saigon, grew up in Paris.
In one sentence what is unique about your work?
My work is to capture moments, capture people.I can make beautiful anyone anything 'without photoshop', I call it ’no virtual surgery’. I Make people happy. In Music, i make people grooving :P
Why do you do what you do?
I just do, i follow my instinct, my feeling, the flow.
What inspires you?
Life inspires me, i love traveling, meeting new people. Everyone is unique and all my photoshoots and art directions are « SUR MESURE ».
Describe your personal style.
My style is just genuine, be myself. I am LEO, so...
Your ultimate must-have.
what is it?
What superpower would you have and why?
I would love to fly, to explore more and more.
What is next for you?
My next, i would like to be an example, inspiration for people.
Je Suis Mai Quynh
Occupation: Celebrity Makeup Artist
Instagram: @storyofmailife
Where were you born ?
Los Angeles, CA -Cedars Sinai To live and die in LA-Tupac
In one sentence what is unique about your work?
I try to make women feel beautiful by emphasizing their
unique features while still looking like themselves and not overly done and made up.
Why do you do what you do?
I'm lucky to be able to do a job that allows me to travel,
be creative and make people feel beautiful. Also, I get to work with
amazing talented artists, experience new things and have fun everyday:)
What inspires you?
Film, fashion, music, nature, art, textiles and definitely makeup!
Anything beauty related gets me going.
Describe your personal style.
All black everything. Some white and grey mixed in. If there is a color,
it's more of a jewel tone. Definitely no pastels.
Your ultimate must-have.
Currently, I wouldn't mind a Fendi Monster Backpack please. Thanks Santa.
What superpower would you have and why?
To have an OFF switch so I can sleep instantly.
Sometimes my mind is too busy thinking of things to do:(
What is next for you?
Hopefully a vacation. Award season got me like #sleepdeprived
Je Suis Vlada Haggerty
Makeup Artist
Occupation: Makeup artist
Instagram: @vladamua
Where were you born?
I was born in Kiev, Ukraine. I started my makeup career back in Ukraine and moved to the States three years ago.
In one sentence what is unique about your work?
I use makeup to express my creativity, not just to make people look pretty.
Why do you do what you do?
Makeup is my passion and I can't imagine my life without it.
What inspires you?
Everything around me: nature, food, metals, different textures, other artists; Alex Box, Pat McGrath, Roshar, Kabuku.
Describe your personal style.
Comfortable and functional
Your ultimate must-have.
Carmex
What superpower would you have and why?
Teleportation. Ever since I was a little girl I always wanted to be able to just get to places without having to travel, mostly because I was always late everywhere! What is next for you?
Doing what I love and enjoying life.
Canadian writer and producer Christopher Moloney takes us back to movie locations with this unique project.