ART MEETS ACTIVISM: HADI NASIRI By Brana Dane
Meeting Hadi Nasiri at the New York Oslo Freedom Forum, I was struck by his nonchalant demeanor and human, down-to-earth approach. As an activist, multidisciplinary artist, innovator, and educator, his matter of fact focus on the real human and individual impact of his work was very relatable and uniquely refreshing in a sea of change-makers …
#ModelPerspective- Suzanne Lee – BioFabricate by Brana Dane
One of the speakers, Suzanne Lee, is among the few people coming up with truly innovative solutions to this escalating issue. Many of my readers have never even heard of clothing created in a lab, yet through a complicated biofabrication process, these materials are already being brought to market! Suzanne had the following to divulge an …
SUSTAINABLE IS SEXY By Brana Dane (Bella)
Lisa Qu is a 21 year old entrepreneur making her mark in one of the most ephemeral industries out there – fashion. As one of the many young designers championing responsible and sustainable fashion, Lisa makes her garments locally in small batches. Lisa’s brand represents a growing trend of quality over quantity. Unique and yet …
#ModelPerspective-Britt Bergmeister by Brana Dane (YRB)
Britt Bergmeister is a successful working model originally from Toronto. Recently starting her own sustainable brand of basics, OMDODC aka “off duty Model, on duty citizen” she is also an activist promoting a waste-free life. At the young age of 12 Bergmeister moved to Tokyo and spent her teenage years there, before heading back to North …
HIGH TECH BEAUTY: PETALS LASER LOUNGE By Brana Dane (Bella)
Non-invasive beauty treatments are trending rapidly. From SculpSure that rivals the results of lipo with zero-downtime, to deeply penetrating HydraFacials, the newest technologies definitely bridge the gap between medical and cosmetic beauty. Read more at Bella Magazine
#ModelPerspective – Larissa Drekonja by Brana Dane (YRB)
Is life easier for the most beautiful among us? This is the assumption many of us make. Larissa Drekonja founder of Neoncoat, has a different story to tell… From sexual harassment to exploitative binding contracts and unreliable paychecks, models admittedly face their fair share of challenges – often in a new and unfamiliar city. Read more at …
BELLA SITS DOWN WITH SPINOZA FOUNDER SILJA By Brana Dane (Bella)
I was lucky enough to sit down with Silja Kim, founder of growing female-led business, Spinoza Eyewear. With an interest in art and fashion, Silja combines work ethic with vision. What makes Spinoza unique, however, is their dedication to giving back to underserved communities by donating 10% of their profits to help put an end …
ART TALK: KEITH KATTNER By Brana Dane (Bella)
Dr. Keith Kattner returns to his first love, fine art, after many decades in a prestigious career as a neurosurgeon. After many years of lecturing, operating and teaching in a high-stakes, high-pressure field that saw many of his colleagues to an early grave, Dr. Kattner is happy to be starting his second career in a …
An Evening with the Crown Prince of Italy by Brana Dane (YRB)
The VIP preview was a family reunion including many nobles with the House of Savoia, such as Marcello Tallarigo. Even a few Knights showed up, including Nicola Tegoni, a prominent member of the order of the Knights of Malta. Read more at YRB
Interview of Mark Kostabi for Beautiful Savage
Pop-Surrealist artist Mark Kostabi talks art and controversy. One of the best known artists of the last quarter century, a “pop-surrealist” as he would prefer to be called, Mark Kostabi is no stranger to controversy. Forever connected in the zeitgeist to Andy Warhol, the images we have grown up with have been informed by his …