Photo Credit: JYP Entertainment
JYP Entertainment’s first global girl group, VCHA, is aligning the stars between America and Korea with their debut song, “Y.O.Universe,” with the idea behind their group being an American girl group under the influence of K-Pop, being trained in Korea.
Shortly after the pre-release Up Late,Β Korean artist GEMINI released his latest EP, Love Sick, on September 22. It is now available on major music platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Melon, YouTube, and other streaming services, or you can buy your own physical album here!
NEW YORK, NY – From September 22 to October 1, the multidisciplinary design studio and showroom cafΓ© Hudson Wilder in DUMBO, Brooklyn, will act as a sanctuary not only for contemporary home goods, but also for the curated art and design exhibit “Playing House”.Β
New York Fashion Week is back and active, as everyone gathered near and far to be apart of the many shows, press events and after parties. Itβs a full week affair and on Saturday September 9th I had the pleasure of attending Leonardo 5th Avenues NYFW Runway show located at the infamous Spring Studios.Β
New York City on a rainy September evening, anticipation and excitement filled the air. I had the privilege of attending a highly anticipated fashion show at Spring Studios, a venue renowned for hosting some of the most prestigious events in the fashion industry. Leonardo 5th Avenue promised to be an unforgettable experience, and I was eager to immerse myself in their collection.Β Designers, Leonardo and Ana Sofia, debuted their RTW Spring/Summer 2024 collection on the runway with the rainy day, but the show must go on. Leonardoβs show was filled with so many unique attendees dressed to impress. Β As the doors to the hall opened, I made my way to the front row, where the runway extended like a glistening pathway. The stage was bathed in bright lighting, creating an atmosphere of anticipation. The pristine white catwalk seemed to stretch into infinity, a canvas awaiting the artistry of the designers.
The show commenced with a breathtaking display of creativity and innovation. The designer’s collection was a unique expression of their artistic vision, and I was captivated by the diversity of styles on display. From sleek and minimalistic ensembles to bold, avant-garde creations, every piece pushed the boundaries of fashion. The destructed tailored suits, paired with the models dark grungy black Smokey eye makeup, was the perfect combination of elegance and grunge.Β The models, with their impeccable poise and grace, glided down the runway at first in pairs of two. They walked with a vampire blank expression, sharp movements and confidence that brought the garments to life. The music pulsated in harmony with the designs, adding an extra layer of excitement to the spectacle. This is my first viewing of the brands clothing and I was blown away. The innovation of turning unisex suits into rockstar styled outfits is amazing. The collection was a mix of high fashion quality with street style inspiration. One model had a suit with a studded choker, long cape attached to the romper style suit and chunky leather high heel boots. This was a moment everyoneβs jaw dropped in awe of this silhouette.
What I found equally fascinating was the backstage chaos that contrasted with the elegance on the runway. Hair and makeup artists worked tirelessly to ensure each model’s look was impeccable. Designers and their teams hurriedly made last-minute adjustments to the outfits, and the energy backstage was electric. As a fellow model, I saw a few familiar faces that are good friends of mine and other fabulous models Iβve shared a runway with. Itβs always a proud moment to see models flourish and grow while being chosen to walk show to show throughout the chaos of fashion week.
The final walk, where all the models appeared together, was a spectacular. The audience erupted in applause, acknowledging the immense talent and hard work of the designers, models, and everyone involved in making the event a reality. Leonardo and Ana Sofia graced the runway with their presence and walked amongst a roaring applause in support and congratulations to their showcased collection. They took pictures, press gathered for interviews and others hurried to the next show.
Congratulations to Leonardo 5th Avenue. I am now aware of this brand and will be on the lookout for what is to come of their next collections and even interests in pulling one of their fabulous evening wear pieces. For more information about Leonardo 5th Avenue, check out their instagram and vogue runway pictures online.
San Fransisco-based DJ & producer Ravenscoon walks us through his new ‘BODY’ EP in this exclusive track-by-track.
On July 25th, 2023, Gotham, New York Cityβs first legalized cannabis and cultural concept store, collaborated with Bright Moments Digital Art Gallery, hosting an interactive event of digital art and experiencing the culture celebrated at Gotham. Gotham is located in a prime trendy area of the city, right between Soho and the iconic St. Marys Street. Gotham has two floors; the bottom is its cannabis and retail area, and the top is where the art gallery resides. I had quite the experience, so I am excited to share my journey with you all.
When I first heard of digital art and NFTs, it left a big question mark in my head: What exactly is it? NFTs have been trending and created for the past year and have been thriving ever since. NFTs are an outlet where artists, based on the faith of probability based on an algorithm, that technology will create beautiful digital pieces, easily shared on your phone and through the digital atmosphere. Now you may ask, βHow does that work? How can technology create art?β Well, youβre in for a treat, because I have the answers. The artist Jimena Buena Vidaβs collection is particularly intriguing because of the digital platform media she uses to create these vibrant pieces of artwork. Jimena Buena Vida is a Latino abstract artist who merges from computer science with modern art. Vidaβs goal is to push the limits of traditional art and add a twist. She uses technology to allow the NFTβs algorithm to randomly choose based on probability, to create its unique piece. Each piece of art that appears on the digital screen or is sent to your coin-based digital wallet isnβt the same. They are all one-of-a-kind unique pieces. Jimena Buena Vida calls this collection βEpiphaniesβ. Vidaβs collection aims to celebrate the unknown; these creations unlock different dimensions of possibility, chance, and the aspect of existence. Vidaβs inspiration for this occurred in the post-pandemic world. Everything that we once knew has changed. How we adapt to the constantly advancing technology is our choice. I think it’s beautiful and very interesting to test the limits of modern art and technology. Itβs quite a controversial conversation and topic, but the more research and experience I have myself with, these open my eyes to a whole new world.
Below are some sample pieces of Jimena Buena Vidaβs pieces, they can be found on the Bright Moments Art Gallery on their website bright moments.io for more information. As stated above, Bright Moments is a digital art gallery that started in California, in Venice Beach, and is now in NYC inside of Gotham NYC. Gotham NYC offers a wide variety of cannabis items, such as THC and CBD, gummies, pre-rolls, and more. Gotham also offers fashion and lifestyle brands and is a great space to chill out and interact with the staff and crew and leave feeling βhigh on lifeβ and relaxed. They offer so many varieties of self-soothing substances with top quality and natural ingredients. I am looking forward to indulging myself. The staff was so friendly and offered me so many things to try. Iβm looking forward to coming back.
I had the chance to create my own NFT piece of art through this technology Vida uses. It happened within a minute, a blink of my eye, and I have my own NFT digital art on my phone. It can be transferred and sold through cryptocurrency, or I can cherish it on my phone for special eyes to view. NFT and the Art world are still going to have a bunch of controversy of βwhat is itβ βhow does it workβ and if it’s trying to replace βorganicβ art, but I believe it’s a more accessible and transformative type of artwork. It doesnβt take away βorganicβ artwork but offers a more instant and expansive creativity. Congratulations to Jimena Buena Vida and her amazing collections, I learned so much about both these brands and the NFT Art world.
For more information about Bright Moments, artists and to view Jimenaβs expansive artwork:
Go to www.brightmovement.io for more.
Check out our exclusive interview below:
The Knockturnal: How did you get your start in design?Β Β
Camilla Franks: I honestly canβt believe itβs been nearly two decades since I embarked on this beautiful adventure! In some ways, it feels like such a whirlwindβan incredible (and sometimes slightly terrifying) rollercoaster of emotions, experiences, and growthβand in other ways, it seems like lifetimes since those days when I was first starting out and trying to break into acting as a naΓ―ve, barefoot Bondi Beach girl. Those acting days were the platform for the CAMILLA you see today.Β As a kid, I struggled to find my creative feet. My report cards said things like βEasily distracted. Doesnβt pay attention. Tries hard when she wants to.β I was born with creative DNA, but it wasnβt until I discovered acting that I started to blossom. To find my truth. I was so passionate about acting that I completely threw myself into it. And that passion led me to really immerse myself in the characters I was portraying. One of the ways that I would bring my characters to life was to create their costumes, which helped me breathe life into their stories. Even my rehearsal gear became a canvas for creativity. Iβd repurpose vintage kimonos or off-cut sari fabrics. People started noticing these wild creations and then the fashion industry actually wanted to buy my costumes. All of a sudden, my designs were paying for my rent!Β I threw myself into the world of fashion, even though I had absolutely no idea what it entailed. The one thing my years of acting had taught me was that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So, I knew I had to make a grand entrance. No one in the industry knew of me, so in true CAMILLA style, I went big! I hosted an opera during fashion week to showcase my collection. It was full of theatrics, drama, and flair, very much true to the CAMILLA brand. This paid off when major retailer David Jones purchased the collection. That moment gave me the courage and the spark to chase my dreams wherever they might lead. I knew I wanted to go global, so season after season, I would schlep my collections around the world. It was terrifying, but I believed in my baby with my whole heart and I refused to take no for an answer.β― Fast forward 20 years and we now have 256 international stockists and CAMILLA is available in 55 countries. I wish I could go back to that naΓ―ve, barefooted Bondi girl and tell her that it was going to be one wild ride, but that everything was going to be okay.Β
The Knockturnal: Your prints are stunning! What is your design process like?Β
Camilla Franks: We have a very unique design processβitβs lusciously long and invests a lot of time and creativity to always give customers something unexpected but still distinctly CAMILLA. I think thatβs one of the things that sets the CAMILLA brand apart. To inspire each collection, I let curiosity lead. I follow my heart to the unexpected and unknown and then retell the stories from my travels through the magic of our prints. Twice a year, we pack up the CAMILLA caravan and we set off on a new adventure. Each trip is a whirlwind of immersing and learning, celebrating the beautiful patchwork that humans and Mother Earth weave together. We craft an itinerary laden with landscapes, food, music, architecture, history, people and places. I go searching beyond the beaten track – always turning left, when I should be turning right. Thatβs where the good stuff happens, believe me! Thatβs how you truly discover the heart and soul of a place.Β I then come home and delve into the design process, reliving my travel journal with our 47Β in-house artisans spread across two countries.Β We combine creative forces with the local artists we met; we pay homage to the gifts Mother Nature bestowed, and I retell my personal stories through the prints we create. We celebrate and honor each place.Β Prints are hand illustrated and painted, all our silks, satins, and luxurious organic cottons are cut and sewn by hand, and each embellishment is applied with precision. We create multi-wear pieces, meticulously crafted to every size to accentuate the beauty of Every Body.Β This is slow fashion. Hand crafted and neverΒ trend-driven. Created for longevity, to be treasured forever by first-timers to the brand, and by our most loyal collector’s pieces designed to be passed down through generations.Β
The Knockturnal: What inspired your latest collection?
Camilla Franks: My latest collection is a love letter to travel, and to Italyβthe home of la dolce vita.Β AMORE MIO was born of the return to travel. Itβs the first time that Iβve been able to go on an inspiration trip in a long time, and the saying is trueβabsence does indeed make the heart grow fonder. Although, in some ways, the return to global travel seems like a lifetime ago, it has been just 18 months since many of us took our tentative first steps back out into the world. With our lusciously long design process, thatβs how long it takes to truly celebrate and honor these experiences. It was an opportunity for me to rediscover my love affair with exploration, and to return to the heart of CAMILLA: storytelling through the magic of print. We traveled throughout Italy in June of 2021, just when the world was opening her doors again. From the churches and Duomos of Rome to the rolling hills of Tuscany and the hypnotic blue of the Amalfi. During that time, everything felt heightened and time flowed differently. Every moment seemed to last forever. The scent of citrus and Italian roses, the taste of salt on my lips, the sensation of wind whipping through my hair on the backseat of a strangerβs Vespa, the colors that tumbled from market day suitcasesβ¦ It honestly felt like the entire world existed just for me.Β So, I wanted to capture those moments; that romanticism, and evoke the magic of falling in love with a place all over again. I wanted this collection to be a reminder of how lucky we are to spread our wings again. Of the joys we must never take for granted.Β
The Knockturnal: What are some of your favorite places to travel to in Australia?
Camilla Franks: We are so lucky here in Australia. There are so many beautiful spots. I love being outdoors, relishing the joy of mother nature, being forever the intrepid traveler.Β When I was a girl, my family and I used to travel to Northern Australia and go on the most incredible adventures. Weβd camp, then wake up at 4 or 5 in the morning to go fishing for the day. In our four-wheel drive, my mum and dad would take us to places like Fraser Island, a natural beauty spot where youβre surrounded by rainforests, sand dunes, and endless beaches. It was a time when there was no chaos in my life; a very simple way of life where you ate what you caught, woke up with the sun, and slept under the stars. We were touched by the beauty of mother nature. These are some of the happiest memories. Another favorite place I love traveling to is Hamilton Island. Itβs my digital detox. An opportunity to recenter and rebalance, relaxing in the sun, doing yoga and swimming with my water baby, Luna.Β My absolute favorite place, though, is home. Bondi Beach. Where it all began. Iβm so lucky to travel the world, but I always revel in coming home. I love to spend my days on the harbor. Thereβs nothing more relaxing.Β
The Knockturnal: Who are some of your favorite celebs you have collaborated with / or who wore your designs?
Camilla Franks: I feel so fortunate to be woven into the lives of people that inspire meβnot just famous onesβbut those beautiful celebrity moments certainly do send a wave of squeals through the office when they happen. Itβs surreal. Getting to meet Oprah and Beyonce would have to be a βpinch me!β moment. It can be a vulnerable space as a designer, so it is nice to have the validation of these celebrities who can choose to work with any brand they want. Seeing JLo in CAMILLA on her honeymoon, and Russel Brand and Wim Hof getting back to nature in their Hotel Frank’s menβs robes was incredible. Last year, Michelle Obama wore us for her birthday and Gwen Stefani popped up in CAMILLA in the Superbowl, and gorgeous Nicole Scherzinger always takes us to her paradise vacays. We are so lucky to work with some amazing talent!Β Another highlight is definitely Jennifer Coolidge and working on The White Lotus season 2. The White Lotus is the brain baby of genius writers, actors, set, and costume creators. It has been such an honor to be a part of it. The artist in me is fascinated by costume designers who craft vivid characters through fashion, so to collaborate with Alex Bovaird on her vision for this new ensemble of iconic characters was riveting. The White Lotus introduced a global audience to CAMILLA resort dressing and Iβm so unbelievably humbled, honoured, and grateful for that!
The Knockturnal: What are your goals for the future of the brand?
Camilla Franks: My purpose has always been to make people feel empowered, to make people feel beautiful, and to spread joy. The bigger my business grows, the bigger the capacity is for doing good in the world. As long as my purpose stays burning inside me, Iβll always stay inspired. Our dream is to drive changeΒ for future generations and create a brighter future.Β IβmΒ proud thatΒ weβreΒ now renowned not just for our products, but for our community: a human collective of all ages, genders, shapes,Β colors,Β abilities, lifestyles, faiths, and sexualities. I strive to use my voice and our platforms to fortify this community; our family – to share inspiring stories, to educate and encourage action in this world, andΒ come together supportively. Β Iβm on a journey. I donβt believe in perfect, but I do believe in the constant pursuit of being better. Inclusively better, ethically better, environmentally better. Better humans doing better business. Iβm committed to constant improvement and Iβm not afraid to fail. Leaving the world a better place must be the legacy that each generation gifts the next.Β
On Thursday July 20th, 2023 Β I made my way to the iconic St. Marks street, to where all the trendy grunge and classic NYC street style originated. Private Policy has been a brand to watch for quite some time, and theyβre finally having their moment to shine. Grunge is an aesthetic you can run from or embrace, as it pushed the limits of fashion. Grunge incorporates a lot of distressed details, heavy jewelry, mesh, and the ability to create what you want out of statement pieces you may have. Private Policy as brand stands for inclusivity, bold personality and full fierce expressiveness of their consumers who wear their clothing. That is why, with this new release, it expands even more of their chic and spunky collection.
Co founder and designerΒ Siying QuΒ
I had the pleasure of speaking with Siying Qu, Co founder and designer of Private Policy. Β She informed me that their newest collaboration is with Fun City Tattoo. They are the oldest tattoo shop in New York City, they have seen all the NYC icons and legends walk through their door and created a strong community and culture, which is what Private Policy also stands for, which is what makes this collaboration so special. It is a collaboration of two edgy and authentic brands coming together to bring the culture back mainstream in NYC. Β βWe wanted to do something classic, black and white, and feature the designs by the artists, Diego, and have a Y2K but classic New York grunge moment. Our clothes incorporates a lot of utilitarian style, hardware, harnesses, and both of our vibes align perfectlyβ Siying Qu says. βThe photo shoot we had was NYC themed, we brought it back old school New York with the basketball jerseys and that authentic downtown vibe in the park with the dresses and give it a real chill feel to it.β
Fun City had an amazing time with this collaboration because it incorporated a tribute to the original owner of Fun City Jonathan Shaw who is known for pushing the limits of fashion and ever further.Β Above is the collection and collaboration with tattoo artist and designer Diego on Private Policyβs clothing. The collection is up and available for sale, along side Private Policies previous runway collections and sample sale items. The pop up was such a fun event, the moment you walked in, you were greeted with a complimentary White Claw with mouth watering flavors, a carnival game where you can win a prize, and the stunning collection in the back. The collection was so soft grunge, edgy and unique. I wanted the whole collection to be my walk in closet.
Here are more pictures from the event:
Congratulations to Private Policy and Fun City for a beautiful pop up and evening, I am looking forward to what more they both have in store.
For this yearβs single ingredient campaign, the French luxury champagne house Krug has chosen something as tart as it is versatile: the lemon.
Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus, which was first published in 1818, has been adapted for the screen for more than a century. Now you can see Bomani J. Story’s reimagining of The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster.