The Talk With Julian Schnabel -American Painter and Filmmaker.
“If I couldn't paint, I think I would be a problem. “
PHOTOGRAPHY Lauri Levenfeld
ART DIRECTION Juliet Belkin
It is rare person who can work in several distinct creative rounds and be successful in each, but Julian Schnabel is one of those artists. Schnabel's work has embraced photographs, sculpture design and more painting. He's painted on surfaces ranging from velvet and metal to the sail of a boat, abstracts and portraits. They have a raw energy, many are huge, as grand as movie screen and that's fitting since Julian Schnabel added film making to his working life in 1996, films like "Before nights fall" or "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly" which brought him best director award at Cannes movie festival and Golden Globe award.
Juliet: I'd love to hear from the artist himself what this work here at Legion of Honor means to you?
Julian: Max Hollein is the director of The Legion of Honor he came to me with an idea. He's been very supportive of my work and he did an exhibition for me at another museum. I've known him for some time. He asked me if I'd like to do something in particular, regarding the building, so I came out to San Francisco, took a look at the building and decided to do what you now see at The Legion of Honor.
Juliet: Why are they so incredibly tall?
Julian: I looked at the size of the courtyard and decided what size my work should be. The columns have a particular, neoclassical look and paintings are made out of material that cover fruit market and jungles in Mexico, so there is kind of , not necessarily a contradiction but certainly a juxtaposition of what paintings do you put outside in a place like that. So this is my version of what I would do. The height of the columns and the scale of the courtyard dictated the size of those painting for me.
Juliet: What is your creative process like?
Julian: There are three paintings that are in one room and there is a white mark on all of them, so there is kind of intervention that occurs. Perhaps people don't realized when they are drawing on a piece of paper, they are intervening in some way, but the white seems to be an emblem of that. The notion of temporality or something happen in one moment and then you feel like something is added at another moment and carries onto the paintings in the other room, paintings of goats. What I am trying to say is that there is a dialogue between all the works from the outside to the inside, from room to room, images appear, disappear
Juliet: Your work has involved the use of numerous varied materials, from tablecloths to dinner plates. How would you characterize your working process?
Julian: When I was younger I was worried if the last painting that I made didn’t look anything like the one that came before it. I realized a while after that it was a blessing—even though some people who liked work of mine were dismayed when my work didn’t repeat itself. But it was never my intention to do that, to be a chameleon. Every work was an experiment.
Juliet: What or who inspires you?
Julian: Where are you from originally?
Juliet: I am Armenian.
Julian calls for his assistant to bring the book he published.
Julian opens a page and starts reading about Vahakn Arslanian - an artist, deaf from birth and fascinated by the chaotic beauty of shattered glass. Vahakn's childhood fascination with breaking glass caught the attention of artist Julian Schnabel, who recognized the logic and inspiration behind the obsession. Schnabel went on to devote the introduction of his 1987 monograph C.V.J. to his impressions of the young boy's raw artistic instinct. In 1991, Schnabel narrated the documentary "Vahakn: Portrait of an Artist," a revealing look at Arslanian's approach to art and its relation to his deafness and his perspective on the city around him.
Vahakn Arslanian found in his art both a route for his imaginative vision and a means of exploring the equilibrium between destruction and creation. His work frequently employs glass – sometimes broken, sometimes intact – as well as found or acquired objects like antique window sashes and hardware, massive airliner cockpit windows, lightbulbs, and even jet-engine fans. The images he places in and on the spaces thus created depict his vision of beauty and absurdity: a bird with a subway car for a beak, a candle with too many flames, a flock of tiny Boeing jets converging on the vortex at the center of a shattered window.
Vahakn’s work has been shown by Vito Schnabel at exhibitions in London (Mr. Big Ben), in New York City (Holy Heavenly, Ghost of a Plane, and Jesus Loves Captain Sully Sullenberger), and in Switzerland at the 2011 St. Moritz Art Masters. His collaboration with Julian Schnabel, “The Ones You Didn’t Write – The Maybach Car,” was displayed on the Grand Canal during the Venice Biennale.
Juliet: Could you live without art?
Julian: If I couldn't paint, I think I would be a problem. I would definitely be a problem to the people who have to put up with me, live with me, deal with me. I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I would go surfing I guess and live in the jungle or something like that. You know, obviously I’m not perfect but the thing I am best at is painting.
The Talk with Dores Andre - San Francisco Ballet's Principal Dancer
Ballet became not just a fun thing, but something that forms you, and shapes you.
PHOTOGRAPHY Ashley Batz
ART DIRECTION Juliet Belkin
STYLING Olya Dzilikhova
Dores Andre in dress by Victoria Hayes
The S.F. Ballet’s principal dancer Dores Andre has been artfully dancing her way into our hearts. Whether she’s dancing center stage or posing in her artful Instagram posts, this Spanish ballerina is all about art and style, pirouetting her way to stardom.
Dores is the daughter of a professor and a doctor, originally from a seaside town in Spain. Dores caught the eye of Maria de Avila, a renowned Spanish ballerina at the local competition she entered just two years after she began dancing. De Avila invited Dores to attend her prestigious ballet academy in Zaragoza, a town eight hours from Vigo. At the age of 13 Dores first left home.
Although dancing began as a form of activity among many others her parents signed her up for, ballet became a form of life.
Juliet: What were you like as a kid ?
Dores: I was curious and with more energy than a hummingbird on red bull.
Juliet: What's Ballet to you?
Dores: The more I knew about ballet, the more I liked it. It became not just a fun thing, but something that forms you, and shapes you.
Juliet: When did you join San Francisco ballet?
Dores: I joined in 2004, after a few years of moving around looking for perfect fit.
Juliet: What have been some of your favorite roles?
Dores: It's hard to choose, every role has made me grow and learn, the ones that come to mind right away are the ones that were challenging, either in a technical way or in an artistic way, id say that in general I like telling stories, so the more dramatic the better .
Juliet: What moves you on stage?
Droes: Music, my partner, the process , the feeling that nothing else matter sin that precise moment.
Dores Andre in dress by Victoria Hayes, boots Yeezy
Juliet: What moves you in life?
Dores: Curiosity and empathy.
Juliet: What do you look for in your partner?
Dores: I like dancing with people that make the process so great you don’t ever want to end it. People who love to learn and work.
Juliet: If you had to chose a partner to dance with, whom would you choose?
Dores: Its imposible to choose, its like choosing a favorite organ in your own body, all different all essential .
Juliet: What’s been your best on-stage moment so far ?
Dores: So many great moments, the most memorable are sometimes the worst ones, and those are usually the funniest. Nothing better than a great fail story. I don’t like falling, but when I do, I know I'll have a great memory to tell.
Juliet: High end designers often collaborate with SF Ballet, if you were to chose, who would you collaborate with? Why?
Dores: I really connected to Marco Marco, he’s not only so incredibly talented and charismatic , but it was really nice to see how thoughtful and caring he was.
Dores Andre in dress by Victoria Hayes
I'd love to one day do something with him, he can make anything possible and is not afraid of anything.
Juliet: What music do you listen to today?
Dores: I've had Childish Gambino on loop for weeks now, that said, I rarely listed to hip hop, my go to is Sade or Paul Simon, I guess I listen to anything as long as it has a message I like and a sound that interest me.
Juliet: What would we be surprised to hear about you?
Dores: That I can play the bagpipes?
Juliet: Where will we find Dores when she is not dancing?
Dores: Drawing, talking rubbish with friends, learning new skills.
Juliet: If you could invite three famous figures to dinner, who would they be?
Dores: Groucho Marx, Donald Glober, Tina Fey just came to mind.
Juliet: If you weren't a dancer, who would you be?
Dores Andre in dress by Victoria Hayes
Dores: I’d like to think I'd be some type of creative.
Juliet: In terms of career in Ballet, where do you see yourself in the next 5 years ?
Dores: I want to keep finding new ways to understand this profession and I hope I get to perform new and old ballets that make me grow, seems simple enough just got to keep working so I can make those hopes reality.
Juliet: Piece of advice from Dores?
Dores: Just dance and be curious , I believe its the secret to happiness.
Juliet: What is next for Dores Andre?
Dores: No idea, im working on many things at the moment that seem to be leading toward becoming some type of designer, but im not sure what it will look like just yet, ill just keep learning till I know for sure.
The Talk With Agnes Azria - Singer, Songwriter
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PHOTOGRAPHY Lauri Levenfeld
ART DIRECTION Juliet Belkin
Our current obsession and your soon-to-be favorite singer, songwriter Agnes Azria, is a twenty year old from Los Angeles. She comes from a family of well-known American fashion designers Max and Lubov Azria.
Although Agnes grew up in a 60-room mansion called la Maison du Soleil that Azrias decorated, she is a very down-to-earth, free spirited child who is inspired by soulful and powerful blend of jazz. To know her is to love her.
We got to chat with Agnes during her appearance in San Francisco.
Juliet: Do you write your own songs?
Agnes: Yes and I am starting to produce as well!
Juliet: Can you describe the first time you wrote a song?
Agnes: I was in a garden and I think I was around 8 years old, I was daydreaming of being on stage while wandering around on the grass. I started signing something like, "If I have made up rock and roll, or if I was the first person to write a song.." and kept repeating the same couple of lines. Soon after I started talking singing lessons.
Juliet: What's your everyday like?
Agnes: Everyday I have a goal or list of things I want to achieve that day. And I work towards those goals in my studio or at home.
Juliet: What do you do outside of music?
Agnes: I am a big fan of The Handmaid's Tale, a TV show on Hulu.
Juliet: How do you feel about fashion?
Agnes: Fashion is a way to express your identity. Whatever you wear is a representation of yourself and sometimes your mentality whether you try or not. It can give insight to others about who you are by first glance. But of course that means it's up for interpretation, so fashion doesn't always speak the truth or define your entire identity, if anything its like a magnetic shield, that attracts and retracts people.
Juliet: What's your style like?
Agnes: I like baggy clothes. Big pants and a t-shirt.
Juliet: Who is your favorite designer?
Agnes: I usually buy vintage clothes but my favorite designer is my mother (Lubov Azria)
Juliet: Who is your favorite singer?
Agnes: Bilal
Juliet: Who is your inspiration?
Agnes: Right now it's Louise Bourgeois!
Juliet: What is next for Agnes?
Agnes: An ep under my name and another under my band! I notify about all my release mainly on instsgram a week before its dropped! So stay updated by following @agnastyy
To learn more about behind the scenes story of Agnes Azria, visit The Project For Women.
THE TALK WITH GARCELLE BEAUVAIS - American Actress
Garcelle talks about her recent project, how she defines love and how she balances work and motherhood.
Photography: Amaris Granado
Art Direction: Giulia Juliet Belkin
Styling: Olya Dzilikhova
Hair: Keeva Clark
MUA: Kym Nicole Oubre
Haitian-born beauty Garcelle Beauvais has starred in many TV shows and movies ranging from The Jamie Foxx Show and Coming to America. Since immigrating to the United States at the age of seven with her mother and sisters, she has since charmed audiences with her dramatic and comedic abilities. Garcelle recently teamed up with Emmy-winning producer Lisa Wilson to launch their new multimedia production company Beauvais Wilson Productions and their very first project is ‘Lalo’s House’, a film bringing awareness to child trafficking in Haiti and around the world. We met with Garcelle at Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills where she had greeted us with a hug, showing just why Garcelle is the kind of woman other women want to hang out with.
on Garcelle top Mango, earrings Lola Fenhirst
Giulia: What was it like growing up in Haiti?
Garcelle: I left Haiti at the age of seven but my memories of living in Port-au-Prince, visiting my grandmother in St. Marc which is where I was born. I remember the beaches, I remember the candy, the food all those things make me happy inside.
Giulia: Lalo's House, the film you are starring in and producing, film that brings attention to child trafficking. Why the connection with child trafficking?
Garcelle: When I met the director of Lalo's House, Kelley Kali she had been working on this movie for a while and witness some of the horrific things that happen in the movie in Haiti. Also my producing partner and I wanted to make a movie that would get people talking and bring awareness.
Giulia: What were some of the challenges filming this movie?
Garcelle: Some of the challenges of making this movie is getting an American crew to Haiti to shoot, but one of the best things was being able to use some students from artist Institute, which is a university in Jacmel that help Haitian young adults learn about film making.
Giulia: What was it like going back to Haiti ?
Garcelle: Going back to Haiti is always nostalgic for me. I have great memories of growing up there and it was the first time I took my kids so they got to see where I’m from and what I’ve talked about in the past, so it was really a wonderful experience.
Giulia: Tell us about character you play?
Garcelle: I play sister Francine who runs an orphanage. In the movie she starts off nice, but turns out she is very evil.
Giulia: What was it like playing that character?
Garcelle: It’s always fun playing a character that is so different from you, so to play somebody so evil and mean would’ve been a lot more fun if the subject matter wasn't so dark. Once while rehearsing I had to leave the set because I got so emotional knowing what we were doing really happens in real life to kids.
Giulia: What message do you hope to deliver through the film?
Garcelle: Well sex trafficking is becoming more and more prevalent in our world. I want people to know that it’s not only Haiti, it’s happening in their own communities, it’s happening everywhere and we have to keep our eyes open and we have to keep spreading the word and keep kids safe!
Giulia: Your career in the entertainment business began from modeling? What do you recall from early days? What do you think changed in modeling since then?
Garcelle: Yes, I started my career at the age of 17 with Ford models. I actually lived with Eileen Ford when I first got to New York. It was an amazing adventure that I look back on and can’t believe. I had an amazing experience. And travel to the places that I got to see.
I think what's changed in the modeling business now is it’s not just models that are on the covers of magazines or in fashion editorials today, it’s becoming more of TV stars and movie stars so that’s changed a lot. It’s also great to see the plus size models being featured and fashion designers are making larger sizes that I think is revolutionary and necessary.
On Garcelle suit by Mango. Boots by Gucci. Sunglasses: Saint Laurent.
Giulia: How do you feel about new runway models such as Gigi Hadid, Kaia Gerber, Kendall Jenner?
Garcelle: I think those girls are beautiful and really making their mark in the fashion industry but I also wonder if their parents weren't famous would they be such big deals so quickly.
Giulia: Who is your favorite model today and why?
Garcelle: Naomi Campbell is still my all time favorite because she’s such a bad ass.Ashley Graham is cool, Winnie Harlow is brave and cool as well.
Giulia: Who is your ultimate icon? and why?
Garcelle: I don’t have one ultimate icon because I think there are so many amazing women out there making a difference but if I had to choose oneMichelle Obama would be it.
Giulia: You have three precious sons. How do you balance work and motherhood?
Garcelle: Well my older son Oliver is older and out of the house and my two little ones keep me busy like any working mom try to prioritize and be organized so everything gets done. And wine at the end of the night helps as well.
Giulia: How do you define love?
Garcelle: Great question I define love by trust, loyalty, kindness, honesty, someone who has your back who’s there for you and doesn’t break your heart.
Giulia: Let's talk a little bit of fashion. Any designers you love?
Garcelle: Boy do I have a list?! I am not a brand whore, (laughing), so it doesn’t always have to be high-end. I do love the high-end brands like Gucci, Celine, Diane von Furstenberg ,Versace, but I also love Zara, Target, J.Crew
On Garcelle dress by Olya Dzilikhova. Boots GUCCI.
On Garcelle dress by Olya Dzilikhova.
On Garcelle dress by Olya Dzilikhova
Giulia: How do you feel about street style today?
Garcelle: Street style to me is all about your personality and for me it’s like deciding what character I’m going to be for the day. Do I want to be edgy or girly or bohemian or do I just want to wear jeans and a T-shirt and great jewelry.
Giulia: Do you follow any blogger? If yes, who is your favorite?
Garcelle: Veronica's Blushing is a fun fashion site. Karen Blanchard the perfect mix between UK charm and NY edge.
Giulia: How do you feel about the whole female movement today?
Garcelle: I am so happy for the female movement that’s going on right now all of the world. I think we are finally coming together and supporting one another and not being pitted against each other. We are raising our voices, we are roaring and we are finally being validated for having the power that we have.
Giulia: I love and adore you ever since The Jamie Foxx show, can we expect a reboot soon?
Garcelle: I would love to do a reboot of the Jamie Foxx show. It was so much fun. It was a great time in my life. I’m not sure if Oscar winner Jamie Foxx wants to do a reboot, but I would sign on the dotted line immediately.
Giulia: What is next for Garcelle?
Garcelle: Up next for me I hope is finding the man of my dreams my soulmate (laughing) but also continuing to be creative as an actress as well as producing projects and getting to change the narrative of what I want to see out there and hopefully seeing my kids thrive and continue to be happy and grow into amazing young man.
On Garcelle dress by KAMPERETT
THE TALK WITH ZAC POSEN- American Fashion Designer
I really care. That's where it comes from. And I push myself as hard as standards I hold others. Always.
photography Dana Hargitgay
Zac Posen launched his eponymous collection in 2001, with a vision for modern American glamour that married couture technique with striking innovation. In 2004, he was awarded one of fashion’s most prestigious honors, Swarovski’s The Perry Ellis Award for Women’s wear by the CFDA. On December 18, 2012, Posen was announced as an official judge of Project Runway Season 11 on Lifetime Television. In 2015, Zac Posen was also awarded Designer of the Year by Women’s Wear Daily and Variety Magazine.
Today, Zac is known globally for his technique in artisanal craftsmanship, anatomical construction and textile manipulation. In Fall 2014, Zac Posen was announced as Creative Director for the Brooks Brothers signature women’s collection and accessories. Worn by leading women, including Uma Thurman, First Lady Michelle Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Watts, Claire Danes and Rihanna, he has become a staple on the red carpet. In recent collaborations, Posen was selected to redesign the uniforms for Delta Air Lines 60,000 employees. These uniforms are set to appear on Delta Air Lines staff members, from flight attendants to customer service, in May, 2018. We sat down for a quick chat with Zac before his presentation at Neiman Marcus San Francisco.
Juliet: You were just in Japan, was this a business or pleasure trip?
Zac: It was both. I was in Tokyo for some pleasure and was fortunate to go to Kyoto for Cherry blossom season, Sakura, which was a dream come true. Kyoto was a craft city so that's something that I definitely appreciate a great deal.
Juliet: Did you meet Geisha's on the streets of Kyoto?
Zac: There are definitely people in some traditional dresses throughout the city. Not just in area where they live, Gion.
Juliet: I have to visit one day.
Zac: It's worth it. It's very crowded during cherry blossom season. It's good to go at any time. And I worked with Brooke Brothers and Delta.
Juliet: I hear it's going to get really fashionable up there in the air very soon. Tell us more about Delta uniforms designed by Zac ? When is the rollout ?
Zac: Yes, the rollout is in May. It's been a big, long process. Very collaborative. We started a long time ago now and developed smartly overtime in collaboration with people in different disciplines. It's called a
Juliet: Are there any unique details that you are using?
Zac: Many, but you'll have to see it for yourself.
Juliet: Can't wait to book a flight with Delta.
Juliet: Outside of fashion you are a judge on Project Runway and I hear you are a very tough judge to please? What makes you Simon Cowell of Project Runway?
Zac: I believe in excellence, I believe in any creative field.I guess weather you are, you know in your analogy that you know if you're a performer, you have to be everything. You have to have natural talent, you have to be trained, you have to be rehearsed and the same applies in fashion. Fashion is a very competitive industry. And there is only room for the best of the best.
Juliet: And this is your 10th season with Project Runway?
Zac: No it's my 7th. But it's been really fun journey. You know, I don't believe in sugar-coating what you see as a judge. You don't want to be mean. I don't think I am as mean as Simon at all. I actually think I give great constructive criticism.
Juliet: You are not mean, you are very nice.
Zac: I try. But I think it's really important to get the best out of designers. I am not there just to make a fluffy TV. I really care. That's where it comes from. And I push myself as hard as standards I hold others. Always.
Juliet: We are at Neiman Marcus San Francisco today just before your runway show. Talk about the collection you are showing.
Zac: Well it's a mix of few collections. Collections that are in stores, collection that is coming in a matter of days and collection that's coming in a month. We are showing evening looks and Ken Downing, the fashion director and an old friend of mine and collaborator. We'll be doing a Q&A during the show. So it's not like a full runway show, it's more of a presentation , but I think more and more today having store events and experiences directly with the customer is really important. On top of it, you know, in like 2003 I did my first trunk show here and it was a huge event, we closed down the store. The whole ground floor was cleared out and we made different set pieces with furniture and different staging.
Juliet: Wow!
Zac: Different times! Different time in retail and fashion and we're trying to bring it back. The experience of that. San Francisco has been a huge part of my career, it's a city I adore. I think it's magic here. Really special place. I like the mix between creativity and invasion within tech, history and romanticism, there is European quality here and then there is obviously a heavy influence from Asia. And it's California which is amazing! Great state!
Juliet: If it wasn't for fashion, let me guess, you'd become a chef?
Zac: No, I'd never be a chef in the kitchen, no way! I don't want to run a restaurant. I don't want to be in a restaurant on a daily basis.
Juliet: But talk about the Cookbook you wrote.
Zac: Yes, Cooking with Zac! Well I have a cookbook, it's out. And, ah, you know, I am probably preparing maybe for another one, tbd. Food is love! I think food is one of the most gracious things. When you're cooking a meal for somebody or for friends it's one of the nicest things you can do. And it is still creative, it is tactile, I am using my hands, I grow a lot of my ingredients. My parents live on a farm and we grow a lot of produce there.
Juliet: That's amazing!
Zac: Yes, I just love the process. It's connection with Earth.
Juliet: Is there a favorite recepi that we should look out for?
Zac: Oh, that's hard. That's so personal. It's quiet eclectic, the food in there. You know I cook traditional Japanese, I cook Italian, I cook American fare, you know I think in that sense it's actually very American because of multiple references.
Juliet: How did you learn all these recipes?
Zac: I've taught myself with time. I have many friends that are chefs that I deeply respect. Many tips that I write about and in the book too, it's not just recipes it's also anecdotal stories throughout my life that I explain. So go check it out.
Juliet: Where can we buy the book?
Zac: It's on Amazon.
Juliet: Let's talk a little bit about influencer marketing. How do you feel about influencer marketing and do you use that method of marketing in your career?
Zac: Well I think today with the ability to directly talk to fans and the consumer, and if you are a young creator you can really curate and create a look and get your message out.
Juliet: So you like the idea?
Zac: Oh it's here, it's the reality whether one likes it or not. It's definitely here and I think it's evolving into a whole other story.
Juliet: Do you have a favorite blogger or influencer?
Zac: Oh, I love @dietprada
Juliet: The Met Gala! Can you share with us who you are dressing?
Zac: No, I never share who I am dressing or whom I want to dress. It is always a surprise!
Juliet: Well, we can not wait to see who it will be.
Zac: It's going to be very, very exciting!
Murder can be most foul, but that doesn't mean it can't also be thoroughly fabulous. We talk to Plum Sykes, the Author behind Party Girls Die in Pearls.