LTM’s Trending Talent Fashion Editorial

Posted by Alexandra Legend Siegel on Jul 4, 2012 in Fashion | 0 comments

Let’s Talk Magazine is proud to present our Trending Talent Fashion Editorial featuring up and coming as well as prominent members of the Boston fashion industry. Read about and connect with all of the people involved in the success of our photo shoot who are making their mark in the Boston fashion scene.

Meet the Models

Evelyn Leong

Leong began modeling about four years ago. Since then she has been involved in several fashion shows and photo shoots, including an exciting shoot for Drea Couture in Puerto Rico last month.

“I like getting all dolled up, all made up, and when you walk out and all eyes are on you and you are in the spotlight,” said Leong.

She describes herself as reliable, dependable, punctual and versatile. She believes her ethnicity serves as a unique advantage in the Boston market

“There are not a lot of Asian models in Boston, and I believe I can deliver the image that whoever needs me is looking for,” said Leong.

Bobby Fisher

Fisher, a former cheerleader, was discovered about six years ago by a photographer during an art exhibit in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After looking at the photos, Fisher knew he wanted to pursue the career further.

“It was amazing how you could take pictures of parts of the body and they looked the way they did. It changed my mind on how artistic and focused modeling can be and how one shot can really speak louder than anything I could’ve said about my body,” said Fisher.

Shortly after, Fisher landed a photo spread for Diesel Jeans. A few years later he moved to Massachusetts and was contacted by designer Daniel Hernandez to participate in his Anomaly Fashion show last fall.

Since then Fisher has been honing his skills and perfecting his craft. He believes his strengths include his energetic personality and his passion for creativity and connecting with others.

“I want to be in the public eye, I feel like I have a lot of the energy and the charisma and the spunk to deal with people and work with people and communicate properly. Photography is a way of communicating,” said Fisher. “Right now I’m working to build my credibility, which is okay because I am a firm believer that you really have to put in your 400 hours before you can get your credit.”

Francine Makuwa

Makuwa lived through a war in her home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, before coming to Boston and launching her modeling career at age 12. She took a break from the fashion industry to focus on her education and family. Last fall she modeled in the Daniel Hernandez Anomaly Fashion Show, her first show in over five years. Being a part of the show reignited her passion for modeling, and she is ready to fully immerse herself in the industry that she loves.

“My confidence makes me unique. I have been doing this since I was young. Fashion has always been my soul. I don’t think of it as a gig; I think of it as a job; I think of it as a way I am representing the designers,” Makuwa said.

Diego Shuts

Shuts was discovered while playing volleyball on a beach in his home country of Brazil a few years ago. Shortly after Shuts moved and settled in Boston, he began to take modeling more seriously. Since then he has participated in a few fashion shows and photo shoots and was nominated for Best Print Model during the 2012 Boston Fashion Awards. Shuts is looking forward to being involved in designer Cleons’ fashion show in New York this coming September.

“I like modeling because I love to see myself in different ways, in different styles and fashions. I try to see myself like an actor, like a character in a movie and that’s the reason I like modeling so much; the fact that I can always play and incorporate different characters,” Shuts said. “I want to focus on making myself better and learn and gain experience.”

 Meet the Designers

Daniel Hernandez

Hernandez designs classic and sophisticated women’s wear. As a member of and creator in the industry for over 10 years, Hernandez is constantly evolving and expanding his reach. Recently, Hernandez exhibited his new collection, Extrinsic, in the Cine et La Mode fashion show in New York.

Read more about Daniel Hernandez in our coverage of his Anomaly fashion show here.

Mark Cordell

Cordell designs edgy, dramatic garments that cater to unique individuals. Cordell looks forward to releasing his new line during his first Boston Fashion Week this coming fall. Cordell says if his last line, Tru Fiction, was about getting lost in a fantasy, then his new line is about getting lost in the sunset.

“It’s kind of like a journey that you go through in my head, in daydreams and fun little quirky little things, and at the end of the day comes back to who I am,” said Cordell.

Read more about Mark Cordell in our coverage of his Rising Icons fashion show here.

Tracy Belben

Belben, founder of T*Racy jewelry, started out working in architecture after going to school for design. She began designing jewelry when she was in between jobs and saw how one form of design—architecture—influenced another. Her skills as an interior designer mixed with her curiosity for different ways of self-expression has led her into a successful career in jewelry design. She describes her designs as edgy, punky and sexy.

“I am really interested in different types of ways people express themselves and implementing that into jewelry and taking the urban subcultures and putting it in a piece that’s wearable for the average woman who is working in an office or going to the store,” said Belben.

To learn more visit http://www.t-racy.com/

Meet the Hair Stylist

Jose Batistine

Batistine, co-owner of Indra Salon in Andover, has been styling hair since he was 12 years old. Batistine has studied all over the world, owned his first salon at age 21 and worked at prestigious salons on Newbury Street. Indra Salon is perhaps his most prized and successful venture, having won over 20 awards including Best of Boston (twice), America’s Top 200 Fastest Growing Salons (five times), Best of North Shore and, most recently, Best Hair Salon at the 2012 Boston Fashion Awards.

What separates Indra from other salons is its chic décor and atmosphere, its involvement in the fashion community (the salon includes a built-in runway for fashion shows) and its unique teaching program. The PTS (Pure Talent Styl) education program advances student hair stylists by three to five years in a matter of months. This express, boot-camp style training caters to today’s “impatient” generation. The program is just one of the many aspects of Indra Salon that forces people to take notice.

“We average over 50 events a year. That can be a lot of fashion shows, registered fashion week events, editorial, charities, etc., and that gives our staff an opportunity to hone and develop their skills outside the salon. That’s what I think separates Indra Salon from the rest of our competition besides for the aesthetics, the experience and customer service. When people come to Indra they feel like they are in Hollywood,” said Batistine.

Batistine’s work is inspired by the beauty found in nature. He considers himself an architect of hair and approaches hair styling like he would art.

“My inspiration generally comes from nature, I look at everything around me, every structure and every line. I don’t necessarily look at exactly what are the outside shapes. I am sculpting, carving, designing, building, almost like an architect. We are always manipulating hair and creating shapes and colors and tones so we are always trying to mimic nature—the beautiful blooms of the flowers and plants and so forth,” said Batistine.

To learn more, visit http://indrasalon.com/

Meet the Makeup Artist

Tai Charles

Charles, owner of Invidi Makeup, has always enjoyed the art of makeup, but it wasn’t until a year ago that she decided to make a career out of her passion. After feeling the excitement and thrill of her first photo shoot, Charles has thrown herself into being an on-set makeup artist for several photo shoots. She hopes to one day open a makeup bar where people can go to get their makeup done, relax and feel beautiful. Charles believes her love for her career is what sets her a part from others.

“Applying make up is one thing, but knowing that I actually have a passion for what I do is what makes me different. Whatever I’m willing to put on my face I will put on you. I get the best products to put on my clients; every brush, every product is from the heart because I want them to know they are paying me to do their make up and they are getting the best quality and the best service.”

To learn more, visit http://www.invidimakeup.com/

Meet the Stylist

Victoria Vegas

Vegas is a charismatic, creative and enthusiastic stylist who has been involved in fashion since she was a teenager planning fashion shows for her high school. Today she is a part of the production team Temple 27, which provides photographers, makeup artists, stylists, etc., for photo shoots and events. She is also the wardrobe stylist for MLR management. Vegas refers to her creative environment and aura as “Vegasland” and takes pride in her unconventional and unique eye.

“I want people to look at me differently. I don’t want people to say ‘Victoria Vegas you’re just like everyone else’ because I’m not like everyone else,” said Vegas.

To learn more, visit http://www.mlrmgt.com/

Meet the Photographers

Katlyn O’Hara

O’Hara is our passionate in-house photographer who has loved photography since she picked up her first camera. She is skilled in a diverse range of photography including music, wedding, landscape, events, etc. However, her fervor for fashion has led her down the editorial path. Her positive and infectious attitude along with her well-trained eye and creativity make her an indispensable part of the Let’s Talk Magazine team.

To learn more, visit http://www.katlynohara.com/

Estuardo Rosales

Rosales is LTM’s freelance photographer. Rosales became involved in photography about two years ago after being photographed with his son and marveling at the poignant way the moment was captured on camera. He has since started his company 227Photo and gained experience in many different genres of photography. Rosales is memorable for his amusing personality and dedicated work ethic. He works hard in order to one day serve as a role model to his son.

“I want people to actually see who I am. I want people to know me as the fun guy, the guy that gets the job done, the good father that tries his best at everything. No superhero or anything. I just like to have fun.”

To learn more, visit http://227photography.carbonmade.com/