Evolve Around Me

March 11, 2019

If you couldn’t tell already, office is a sucker for a budding brand, especially when that brand has such a strong conceptual identity. The Amsterdam-based label Ninamounah served up a provocative collection entitled “Evolve Around Me” that examines dominance and submission through the lens of evolution within the visual realm.

Harnessing the venerable notion of that venerable nut Charles Darwin, the label tapped into the “adapt to survive” mentality, creating silhouettes that, much like the process of natural selection, integrated some of the best features of iconic garments to create new and enduring shapes.

Pinstripe suits take the form of leather motor two-pieces, while office shirting metamorphosizes into racy high-cut bodysuits. Tailoring also takes on the element of time and transformation, merging with historical corset constructions to create cowgirl silhouettes that simultaneously distort and embrace the human body.

Text by Kennedy Fairfax

In continuation of this home on the range aesthetic, the glossy coats that graced the runway were made from sustainably-sourced discarded leather with horse-riding saddles incorporated in the back panelling, a bold alteration in power dynamic that situates the rider as the ridden.

The palette counterbalances aggressive reds with softer, earthen hues of beige and cream, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of extremity inheritant to Ninamounah—masculine and feminine, yet curiously somehow everything else in between. With each look unpacking the primal dynamic between human and clothing in both form and function, the label delivered a strikingly resonant collection that forces us to confront the animal within.

View the collection, below.

Fashion

Meet Ch111oe, Instagram's Final Hot Girl

Today, the niche model opens up about her journey, from being discovered to becoming a full-time muse. She delves into what it takes to be Instagram’s latest phenomenon, creative directing at I.AM.GIA, and discusses her relationships with some of the fashion industry's greatest talents.

Hunter Shires— Hello, hello, hello! What’s good darkweb Pam Anderson? How are you?

Chloe Spence— I’m good, I just got back from my camping trip with my mom and my little sister, which was so much fun. We went to Big Sur. I discovered I’m a survivalist, I can make smores and not get lost in the woods.

You should go on Survivor 47 with Indiana420Bitch and Monibelle. Photographers and models take Fiji!

Oh my god, can you imagine?

How were you found?

I’ve been online since I was a freshman in high school. I started sharing my photos online in 2016 and they gained traction. In 2019, Michael Donovan reached out to me letting me know he wanted to shoot me. He was the first photographer I shot with and we built this amazing relationship. We’d go on these adventures and play together. Once we started shooting, it just felt so natural, like we were creating magic.

What does commitment look like in the Instagram model space? I was really enamored by your dedication to the character the minute we got on set.

My commitment lies in my willingness to adapt. I also believe that my work can reflect the spirit of the times. I aim to capture the current cultural energy in my photos, making them relevant for today’s audience. It’s about creating art that speaks to what’s happening in the world and allowing people to find their own connections or inspirations in that context.

I love how your work is a reflection of certain shifts in culture. How did you score a feature in the recent YZY campaign for their “Wet T-Shirt” collaboration with Mowalola?

Gio Forbice literally texted my photos to Kanye saying, “Chloe for YZY?”. Kanye replied back, “Chloe for YZY.” And then the next minute I’m on a flight to be the first model to shoot for the WET campaign.

When did you and Gio Forbice first connect?

We’ve been friends for a little over 3 years. He asked me to do the shoot for his brand, For Bitches Company, with Monibelle and the campaign went viral. At the beginning of this year, I went to Milan and we met for the first time.

CHLOE wears BRA from VICTORIA SECRET, PANTS by ROCK REVIVAL, HEELS by I.AM.GIA

CHLOE wears TOP, PANTS, and HEELS by DSQUARED2

My friends and I have been calling you “the final girl” of Instagram girls. What do you think about that? What do you believe separates you from the rest?

I love the creative process and collaborating with photographers to bring different characters and ideas to life. As a model, I’m more immersive in the creative process. I’m not just showing up to set, I’m studying the mood board and super curious about it. I’m very malleable and getting into character comes naturally to me. Ultimately, I just enjoy what I do and am grateful that others appreciate it too.

What would people not know that comes with the job?

You have to be a down girl. I’ll be out in the freezing cold laying in snow with minimal clothing on at night time and have to hold a pose for over a few minutes.

Your feet were bleeding on set from all the heels you put on from shot to shot, without any complaints. I didn’t even notice until I looked back at the iPhone BTS images I took. Someone give her a Skechers brand deal.

What’s your favorite physical feature of yours?

I love my dark brown eyes. I like my nose too, but I paid for it. Shoutout Dr. Vladimir Grigoryants for real!

The nose is sickening, let me go and book an appointment with him.

left; CHLOE wears DRESS by DSQUARED2, HEELS by CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, NECKLACE stylist’s own

right; CHLOE wears DRESS by DSQUARED2, BOOTS by ALEXANDER WANG, EARRINGS by DSQUARED2

You have such a synergistic relationship with photographers. Who are some of your favorites to work with?

I mostly shoot with Michael Donovan, Indiana420Bitch, Jayden Murillo, and Monibelle. I think why we work so well is because they're my friends. Those are my people.

It’s very apparent that when you work with these individuals that you have a similar vision, as if you share the same brain. Where do you think your desire to create art comes from?

My desire to create art comes from a deep fascination with the world around me and a drive to express my perspectives and experiences. Ever since I was young, I’ve been drawn to various forms of creative expression. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about bringing an idea to life and sharing it with others. It’s a way for me to connect with people, evoke emotions and contribute to the ongoing dialogue in the art world.

Creatively, what are you invested in right now?

I’m really into making music. I’ve been attempting to produce music on Ableton, but it’s really hard.

Do you have any producers that you’d like to work with? Let’s manifest it.

Christopher Dexter is a huge inspiration to me. I listened to his project “oOoOO” a lot when I was in high school. I’m also into the witch house/ambient vibe and I really want to start making music in that genre.

Do you think controversy within art is inevitable?

If art wasn’t controversial in any way, no one would talk about it. Controversy is a form of art in itself I would think. I believe controversy in art is often inevitable because art is a form of expression that challenges perceptions. It’s also what makes art powerful and transformative. It encourages us to think critically, it also plays a vital role in the evolution and impact of art.

I agree, I mean if you think about art — it can be made based on feelings and feelings aren’t always positive or morally correct on a global scale. What is more important to you: mystique or authenticity?

I think both mystique and authenticity are important to me. I enjoy keeping an air of mystery because it adds depth and intrigue to my work. I’m genuine in my art and what I share, but I also value my privacy. I think people listen more when there’s a little more mystery.

CHLOE wears DRESS by I.AM.GIA, HEELS stylist’s own

As people navigate existing online, the obsession with being perceived as authentic is a huge trend at the moment and even that isn’t always the truest version of self… What do girls like you want out of life?

I’d love to recreate the Dsquared 2010’s ‘Sex Sells’ campaign. I've also always dreamed of being a mom, I feel like that’s one of my big life missions and many psychics have told me this as well.

I was just in LA and it seems like every single person I saw out and about had a drink in their hand. We’re currently in the times of hyper-drink culture, do you have a favorite drink of your own?

The Purple Drink from Cha Cha Matcha, but then I add two shots of matcha. It’s the perfect drink. Literally DoorDash it right now.

I've been visiting some revival theaters while I've been in town. Have you seen any films recently that have particularly inspired you?

Ugh, I wish because I’ve been wanting to get more into film. I don’t remember the last time I turned my TV on.

In your work with IAMGIA, you’ve included some of your signature brutalist sex appeal. How do you feel your aesthetic helps push the envelope for the brand and consumer market?

It’s about pushing boundaries and challenging conventional ideas of beauty and fashion. When you can combine a sort of raw, unapologetic edge with fashion, it creates something unique that captivates and excites the audience.

What team are you betting on to win the WNBA finals this year?

I don’t even know what that is.

Destiny is what is meant to be, and with that being said what do you think your destiny is?

I got my identity stolen once thinking I was chosen to be in an adidas by David LaChapelle campaign, so it’d be cool if that actually happened.

left; CHLOE wears DRESS by DSQUARED2, BOOTS by ALEXANDER WANG, EARRINGS by DSQUARED2

right; CHLOE wears BRA from VICTORIA SECRET, PANTS by ROCK REVIVAL, HEELS by IAMGIA

Fashion

A$AP Nast Is Still That Guy

August 01, 2024

So for whatever reason this past week, the Internet decided to challenge New York City’s status as America’s preeminent hub for fashion culture. Why? I guess misinformed people can be pretentious, too. After Lil Yachty sparked this “debate” in a conversation with the Bronx’s golden child, Cash Cobain, it was only right for a representative of A$AP Mob to weigh in.

Enter 34-year-old A$AP Nast, a living, breathing embodiment of New York’s long standing symbiosis with hip-hop and fashion. Known for spitting snaggletoothed raps and getting fits off in his sleep, you may know Nast for his boom-bap classic with Method Man or that time he modeled for Yohji and Supreme. Or Comme, or Louis V, or OAMC (for o ffice). You see where I’m going. He was there when Rocky carried Raf Simons and Rick Owens to a new generation, and now he’s here to tell a certain rapper from Atlanta “You’re not that guy pal,” after he tried to downplay the Big Apple’s fashion influence. (For what it’s worth, Yachty retracted his statement before Nast’s retort).

By Olivier Lafontant
Photography by Max Vadukul

If you do your homework, you’ll see that A$AP Nast has had a hand in New York City’s omnipresent stance in fashion for at least a decade now. This year he was named in Cultured Mag’s Cult 100 list of stars shaping culture, and today you still may see him brushing shoulders with Pharrell, Tremaine Emory or Bloody Osiris. Oh, and he's still making music — just a couple weeks ago he hopped on a vibey amapiano track for Bridges for Music. Unveiled today, the Harlem native stars in Y-3's FW 2024 campaign, entitled "A Love Letter to New York", lensed by legendary photographer Max Vadukul just blocks away from his childhood home. Also a full circle moment for Vadukul, who traveled to New York in 1984 to shoot Yohji Yamamoto's FW collection.

In light of his latest modeling stint for adidas Y-3, we tapped the rapper and fashion trailblazer for a quick interview. Read below.

How are you? What have you been up to for the past couple days?

A$AP Nast— I’m good thank you, just got to London to celebrate my birthday.

Recently you’ve modeled for Y-3 and have had a collection of hats release for Alice Hollywood. What does it mean for you to have had this much tenure in the fashion industry?

Honestly, I feel blessed to see my vision come to reality and I’m only at the very beginning there is so much more to come... modeling for Y-3 felt natural, it’s a brand I've been wearing since I was a teen.

What's your process like as a designer? Do you feel fulfilled by fashion in ways that are separate from your love of music?

It all goes hand in hand. My love of music and the way I dress are all relative, it’s a part of me, its more than being fulfilled. It's a way of life for me like breathing. I’m a visual person, I know what looks good; that’s a starting point for me when I’m designing.

We’re more than a decade removed from Lords Never Worry and A$AP Mob’s last release, Cozy Tapes Vol. 2, turns 7 next month. Although some members are still dropping consistently music, you’ve fully entrenched yourself as a fixture in New York’s fashion scene. How intentional was this pivot?

I would not say it was intentional, I’d say this journey is written in the universe's code... I am currently in the studio as we speak!

I noticed you recently hopped on an amapiano track after 4 years of not releasing music. How often do you record nowadays? Where does music fit into your life currently?

My process is different, just because I have not been releasing music does not mean I have not been in the studio making it. I feel ready to drop my first body of work to the world so watch this space...

What does A$AP Mob mean to you in 2024? Would you say there's a sense of separation or individuality within the group now that wasn't there before?

Our journeys might seem separate, but we are always together, we are truly brothers... “Always $trive And Prosper”.

Rap collectives look and feel a lot more different than they were in the 2010s. We don't really see big groups bound together by the same hometown or neighborhood anymore. How do you feel like A$AP Mob’s influence is still present in modern culture?

You can see our influence everywhere and it feels amazing to be able to just be in the world wherever and receive the love that people have to give due to the hard work and effort that we as a collective have put into the world. I feel very grateful and hope it all continues from here on out.

What would you describe as your role as artist or fashion figure within the group at its peak? How do you reflect on that and how has that brought you to where you are today?

I’m A$AP Nast and I’m blessed. I’ve been a student of time but have also made my own mark in the game as I’ve learned and experienced so much from being in the industry for as long as I have and I’m more than happy to share everything I’ve learned on my way up as it can be a crutch to so many at their starting point in their careers. Understanding who I am as a person and what I want for myself plays and has played a major part in my life as an artist and most importantly, as a human being in this life.

Fashion

Inhabiting Miu Miu FW24

July 24, 2024

Miu Miu's latest campaign, photographed by Zoë Ghertner, centers on the way garments interact with wearers across a lifespan. The series of images, titled "Individual Moments," acts as a meditation on the way a wearer inhabits and alters a garment. The campaign features a cast including Ethel Cain, Charlotte Cardin, Cara Delevingne and Little Simz, loitering against a sterile white backdrop. Through the images, their subtle gestures and postures become fingerprints of their individuality.

The collection itself contrasts sensibilities and proportions, blending masculine and feminine, day and night, and functionality and fashion. Key pieces include faux-mink jackets, ribbed tights, and oversized fleece jackets. Like a child who has raided every wardrobe in the house, the looks are filled with dichotomies and playfulness. Though Miu Miu's designs have always been about youth, this collection delves deeper, observing the interactions between the brand and its wearers. It's a celebration of individuality and self-expression, where childhood, adolescence, and adulthood come together.