Creative
CUT DEEP x Paper Mag x SS22
Willy Chavarria — Barbershop Edition — the first time I met Marcus J. Correa was at a Salvy restaurant on Lake Ave over pupusas and glass bottled soda. We talk culture, foo culture, in the NY/LA/Miami kind of way. We later take a walk down to 2 barbershops on the block. They have the kind of staff that is old enough to shamelessly wear headlamps, who keep their clients waiting, because well, they’ve just always gotten their haircut here and they’ll keep coming back.
The shoot was planned over a few weeks; right away we all knew this was going to be real and raw and beautiful. Photographer and friend Carlos Jaramillo set up camp at Tlaloc Studios in Boyle Heights and within 2-3 days homies got their unique styles memorialized, while others left a new person, with a fresh foo look.
Tip = Stay true, stay humble. Trust your instincts. The tribe is less intimidating when you let them in.
Gratitude over everything.
Yves 2.C
Issue 1 — Throw a wig on it — it is remarkable how beautiful and badass Elaine (@laineypls) is. Porcelain skin, snow white hair, and captivating blue eyes, the color of an inter-galactic ocean. Model by day, synth-and-rage head by night. Her lover, and fellow EBM bandmate of Spike Hellis, came in toward the end of our shoot. Lucky for me I got to see the handsome post-punk soldier, à la Russian beret, treat his lady with such sweetness. She has a strong sensitivity to light do to her albinism — he helped ease the end of her shoot day. It was undeniably cool. Favorite track: Mouth.
Tip = Never be afraid to experiment. Everyone operates in their own unique way. Wigs never fail.
Wigs are never not fun.
Beauty Test
Zheng Zhongmei — Tendrils and Chrome — You know that feeling when you meet someone who is on the verge of becoming who they were meant to be, of shining their true light? Well, I can already tell 16-year-old Zhang is on that path — even with Dad on set. And, I will say, since our shoot day I’ve seen her popping up all over runway shows and ads. I love to see a Y.A. win. Go off sis.
Makeup: Sasha Borax (@sashaborax)
Tip = COLOR WOW - Pop + Lock Glossing Serum for glittery ultra wet looks. Chris Appleton made me do it...
Contributor Magazine x @mountainspirit
Quinora Quintana — Extensions — some times your thrown a wrench, and in this case the wrench’s name is beaded extensions. I managed to work around the grownout minefield with ease, but it was tricky in the moment. This test turned into something special and really I was just glad to finally get to work with old friend and fellow freelancer, Amber Maalouf. Thanks to @carnycouture for the thrifted goodies.
Tip = When in doubt, throw accessories like belts in their hair. Oh, and root spray is helpful too.
A Night in Avocado Heights
Fabian Guerrero — Bald Fade at the Ranch — I pull up early to the shoot and stylist and friend, Marcus J. Correa and I head around the corner to grab a bite. A ceviche truck is pulled up with its loyal customers skattered around the local park. We take our paper plated meal and have a seat on terracotta painted cement tables with matching fixed benches. Carlos and Fabian finally pull up. The ranch is real, its raw, we talk to the owners and they give us a rundown of the animals and terrain. I give Fabian a haircut, clean him up, and he delivers with gentle conversation and fierce ass looks in the likes of tall cowboy ranchero hats, black latex stripper heels, AND1 oversized tees, exaggerated diamond studs, and mucho sason y amor. I’m in ecstasy.
Tip = Salt and Pepper fades make the world go round. The odds are ever in your favor.
When in doubt talk about Ozzy Osbourne.
W Magazine
Selema Masekela — Humble Venice King — I must say, it was honestly a pleasure to work with Selema. At around 8 am we rolled up to his sweet surf palace tucked away in Venice Beach. Tracy and I made the drive together and got to catch up on life, work, and the latest goss on Bad Bunny. Much needed.
Poor Selema was surviving on acouple hours of sleep but he pulled through with such grace. He had a strong presence, he was more of a host then I anticipated, kind, thoughtful, and had great taste. It was a fine sunny day in LA and you could tell by all the friends popping in and out talking about the days surf.
Tip = Eye patches and concealer are forever your friend
