Beautiful

Dreaming big

THAT’S WHAT I WANTED. THE LONG BLONDE TOUSLED HAIR, FRAMING A BEAUTIFUL, CHISELLED FACE AND EQUALLY CHISELLED BODY, PERFECTLY POSITIONED ON A BIG COUCH, BEING PHOTOGRAPHED FOR CALVIN KLEIN – TRAVIS FIMMEL, ACTOR & MODEL –

There is nothing wrong with dreaming and nothing wrong with dreaming big. A healthy dose of ambition has never hurt anyone. On the contrary, where would you go if you would not have the determination to go somewhere? As a young boy, Cuan Kemp would watch his mother and two sisters, fascinated, whilst they prepped and primed themselves, transforming from fresh faced women into glamorous ladies. This was the moment his passion for beauty took root.

Born and raised in New Germany, South Africa, Cuan decided to turn his passion into his career and study Makeup Artistry at face to face Makeup Design School in Durban, KwaZulu Natal. His first job was found with Clarins, as a makeup artists, and later he moved to MAC where Cuan had the chance to work and meet some incredible artists. While working Cuan kept improving himself with studies, resulting in making fast career progress. In 2011 eventually he made the move to Johannesburg where he ventured out into the entertainment industry.

2015 saw the emergence of Cuan Kemp’s modelling career. Having worked with several photographers he got the opportunity to model himself. A shoot that snowballed into several and before he knew it he had photographers from all walks of life contacting him to set up test shoots or to work on specific creative concepts. Not only opened this new avenues for Cuan, it also further broadened his knowledge on editorial makeups and lighting.

Young as he is Cuan Kemp can now look back at more than a decade of experience, in which he has worked on countless wedding events, fashion shows, Bollywood events, award ceremonies, red carpet events and photographic shoots, both as makeup artist and models. And something tells me, he is not finished yet. –BM-

With photography by Lion Vision Photography and Jay Reinecke Photography.

CUAN KEMP | BEAUTIFULMAG

Overlays

EARLY SIGNS OF THE OBSESSION WITH FASHION AS WE KNOW IT TODAY FIRST APPEARED IN THE LATE 18TH CENTURY. DRESSMAKERS, BODICE MAKERS AND STYLISTS SUCH AS ROSE BERTIN, QUEEN MARIE-ANTOINETTE’S “MINISTER OF FASHION,” WHO AT THE TIME ESTABLISHED A PRINCELY CLIENTELE AT VERSAILLES AND OTHER EUROPEAN COURTS, BUILT A NEW KIND OF EMPIRE. FASHION JOURNALS AT THE TIME ALSO GIVE AN IDEA OF THE TONE, DESCRIBING THE DIFFERENT WAYS OF DRESSING ACCORDING TO THE TIME OF DAY.

But let’s not forget the decades before Marie-Antoinette installed her Minister of Fashion. Already during the long reign of Louis XV, Versailles was looked upon as the shining centre of the world, and the fashion of the nobility and courtiers had to reflect that. It was an era of extravaganza that came to an abrupt and with the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century, but has never seized to awe and inspire.

It is hard to believe but it has already been 6 years since we published studio work by the hands and camera of Argentine photographer Gastohn Barrios. Ever since we have seen location shoots. Not that we are complaining. On the contrary. Gastohn proofs over and over again he is an excellent photographer both in and outside the studio. Nevertheless, it is always nice to see something different. And different it is.

Last studio series from Gastohn we presented you was the magnificent 'ISÀ, The Christ Within-editorial in june 2012. If you missed it then, please have a look at it now. It is still as breath-taking as it was then. Since then we have seen several fashion-location sets from Gastohn, in which he not only showed us plenty of physical Argentine beauty, but also some of the most beautiful locations his country has to offer. Alas, today a very different story. Back in the studio, back with one model, Jorge Piantelli, but different from 'ISÀ, The Christ Within in the sense that that was purely artistic and Overlays is a fashion shoot. And what a fashion shoot it is.

It looks like Gastohn Barrios and his team of most talented helpers found inspiration in different mixes of cultures. Overlays. We’ll find native American, eastern European and even Spanish influences. Styles that could relate back to the early 20th century or even the flamboyant 1960’s and 70’s. Many colours and patterns, various fabrics and faux furs. All assembled and – indeed – overlaying each other and thus creating a unique and contemporary style that indeed does remind of the extravaganza of 18th century Versailles. The stark contrast with the simple backdrop only enforces that character. Gastohn barrios once again shows us that true talent is multi layers and superposed. –BM-

Photography by Gastohn Barrios
Model: Jorge Piantelli
Styling/Make Up: Sergio Araneo
With thanks to Carlos Veralli | Henry Cardozo | Mia Bohemia | JulieFit | Marcuse Swimwear.

GASTOHN BARRIOS | BEAUTIFULMAG

Hasta Mañana

LIFE IS A STRING OF SWEET AND BITTERSWEET MOMENTS. THE HAPPINESS WHEN YOU FEEL THE SUN ON YOUR SKIN, AND THE SADNESS WHEN IT STARTS TO RAIN. THEY JOY OF MEETING SOMEONE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND HITTING IT OF REALLY WELL, AND THE SADNESS WHEN THIS PERSON MOVES AWAY, OUT OF REACH.

Nige Rorbach met Eric Guisado via Instagram a few months ago. Instantly captivated by his looks, his beautiful brown eyes and cute smile, he left him couple of comments and hoped he would reply. Thankfully he did. After a few more messages Eric agreed that he would model for Nige. As per usual, Eric was based in London, so not exactly close. Nige knew that they had to work something out. Luckily for him, they managed to arrange a shoot back in April, and they spent an amazing and very productive day together in London. Then a few weeks ago, Eric dropped a bombshell.... He was moving back to Barcelona. They had talked about working together again, so that lit a fire under Nige to get back to London before he left.

The location of this second shoot is run by the studio they used the first time as well, and Nige loved that it looked like some exotic island resort, rather than a rooftop in London. The day itself was ridiculously hot, and by the time they got to the location it was 31 degrees. Both of them were melting in the heat. Eric did what he always does, and came to life in front of the camera. He's an incredible model, and an absolute pleasure to work with, posing effortlessly and giving Nige many fantastic shots. Nige claims it was a very hard job narrowing them down to the selection you see included here.

Eric Guisado is 22 years old and original from Barcelona. I London he has been working as a waiter while simultaneously looking for a job as microbiologist. Though he has worked before as model, his experience is minimum. His collaboration with Nige Rorbach he describes as really easy and comfortable due to Nige professionalism and ability to make his models feel at ease.

“Eric has a very sweet personality, and he's so inspiring to spend time with,” Nige said. “He has a very natural energy as a model, and is confident and sexy. As an artist, it's like having a muse stood in front of you. Beautiful eyes, a handsome face, and a toned body, you can't help but be mesmerised. And he's yet another Spanish model (yes I know, I seem to be collecting them) ha ha. I'm so proud of these images, to me they feel fresh, young, and full of life, which is exactly what I see when I look at Eric.”

Knowing this would be their last shoot for a while did give the day a touch of bittersweetness for Nige Rorbach. Having found such a fantastic model and great friend, the fact he would be moving away within a few days was pretty sad. But there is a silver lining as well, as Eric will be visiting the UK regularly so discussion of further collaborations are already in the making. –BM-

NIGE RORBACH | BEAUTIFULMAG

BeautifulMag #241 August 2018 | But first let me take a selfie

EDITOR’S LETTER

It is hard to believe but one time drinking (too much) and smoking (in public) was socially acceptable. This was of course before we all knew how bad it was for our health. Addictive. A sickness. And even though it seems that today we think that no matter what we do, eat or drink, everything is bad for us, my point really is that sometimes we take our time to realize our vices really aren’t that healthy. In 2002 Australian Nathan Hope entered an Internet discussion about dissolvable stiches with a picture of himself and the following, now famous, quote: “Um, drunk at a mates 21st, I tripped ofer and landed lip first (with front teeth coming a very close second) on a set of steps. I had a hole about 1cm long right through my bottom lip. And sorry about the focus, it was a selfie.” Though hardly the first photo taken by someone of him or herself, it was the very first time the action was named. And even though Hope claimed he didn’t intend to and was just using Australian slang, the name kind of stuck. Now, 16 years later, the selfie is as much a part of our life as, lets day, drinking. Or smoking. Or breathing. Everybody has done it at some point in their life, and many are doing it in a more than regular base.

I don’t know where we all went wrong and who we can blame. Smartphone producers for introducing the flip around option in the camera? The lack of photo boots as no one remembers even what analogue photos are? Kim Kardashian for plastering her face and other body parts extensively over the internet (and, yes, in a self-published selfie book)? Or is it simply our own self-importance and vanity, which we can blame on all the above, but really has been simmering under the thin surface of our personalities all along? No matter what, the selfie has become such an important part of our lives that it has been declared Word of the Year back in 2013 and integrated in the Oxford Dictionaries.

Each year Oxford adds a handful of words to its dictionaries. In 2013 it was selfie. In 2014 it was selfitis. Same same but different and honestly a lot less fun. In 2014 the unsatisfiable need to take selfies became officially known as selfitis, a mental disorder. This after it became world news that the 19 years old Danny Bowman tried to commit suicide after a 2 year non-stop addiction of taking is own photos, that resulted in dropping out of school and spending up to 10 hours and more than 200 selfies a day. You probably think that you are far from this kind of behaviour, but let me tell you, selfitis, the obsessive selfie-taking, is a real thing and starts with up to 3 selfies by day, whether you publish them on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat or wherever or not. Exaggerated? Maybe? Maybe not. I believe it sits in that same grey area as that daily drink or two you have after work to unwind. Not enough to label as alcoholic behaviour, but definitely a first step on the slippery slope that leads to trouble. And that doesn’t include the sometimes dangerous situations we create while taking that ultimate selfie.

Now I’m not gonna sit here and pretend I know and do better than everyone else. That would be – well – selfish. But it would be nice if people would be made more aware that obsessive behaviour comes with a price and it isn’t celebrity. A health warning maybe, like on a cigarettes pack? Or a pre-set limited amount of selfies one can take by day? I don’t have the answer but I will ponder on it for a while. But first…. –BM-

Cover photography by Nige Rorbach.

BEAUTIFULMAG

Blue Jay

ALTHOUGH MAYBE NOT THE RAREST OF BIRDS THE BLUE JAY IS MOST CERTAINLY ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF ITS KIND. THE TINY SONGBIRD HAS A WHITE CHEST, BORDERED WITH DARK BROWNS AND BLACK AND DISPLAYS A PALETTE OF BLUES AND LAVENDERS, SOMETIMES WITH TINY SPECKS OF PINK. AND THOUGH IN GENERAL PERCEIVED AS ANNOYING, ONE CANNOT IGNORE THE FACT THE BLUE JAY IS A LITTLE TREASURE OF NATURE.

Jay spends his days being a student in economics and, in his free time, a passionate athlete. He does all that in the United Kingdom, where he has been living for the past five years. And before that, he did that, or other things, in Paris. Jay likes to travel, it seems, as recently he also visited the Netherlands and – indeed – it was there where he met and worked with Gert Kist.

Gert Kist who obviously, does not need any further introduction, has long expected his model search beyond the border to the Netherlands, but he still like to shoot his models close to home. Jay was no exception. Except, when Jay visited it was Gert’s birthday. Ever the professional, Gert sill picked up his equipment and created this wonderful set with Jay. Very different from what we are used to see from Gert, not only in position and composition but also in colour. Maybe we have to thank his birthday mood for that?

Now, wat the introduction has to do with today’s editorial you ask? Well, absolutely nothing. Except that, when I was presented with this latest series by Gert Kist, the Blue Jay immediately came to mind. Maybe because of the rich spectrum of colours Gert used for this set. Maybe because the model’s name is jay. Probably a combination. But no matter the reason, this series is, like the Blue Jay, a true pleasure for the eye. –BM-

GERT KIST | BEAUTIFULMAG