JE Model Celebrates their 10 Year Anniversary

Vladimir Ivanov, Noel Kirven-Dows, Michael Fortes, and Bryce Jamison are styled by Travis Alexander Walls.  Hair by Kien Hoang for Oribe Haircare at Umbrella Salon.  Make up by Janet Mariscal.

Anthony Deeying asked me to art direct JE Model's top men for their 10 year anniversary promo.  It was such a pleasure to work with this talented team!  The clothes were great, the hair and make up flawless, and I made some great friends with these models (including Michael Fortes who I shot backstage at David Hart SS14 during NYFW).  The images were published in The SF Chronicle and on The Fashionisto.  See the whole set here!

Remembering a moment with i-D

I have probably said this before, but i-D is one of my absolute favorite magazines.  I have every issue since I was 16 or 17 years old.  Their point of view on zeitgeist and youth culture always impresses me, and I have remained an unwavering fan over the years.  So when my friend Ashley told me that she needed help with a shoot for i-D, I immediately collapsed to the floor in tears I said of course!  Helping to style this shoot was a dream come true - and all done with a team of good friends.  I didn't post this during my hiatus for some reason, but taking subway selfies on the security camera today reminded me of one of my favorite memories in New York.  Here is the write up from i-D's website:

“My main objective was to capture the essence of New York City. Having recently moved here I wanted to highlight both its alluring charm but also the harsh reality of a cold city, literally and metaphorically. New York can often feel overwhelming and lonely, which is something people may draw from watching this. Often we find ourselves on trains or in the street surrounded by strangers yet we feel completely alone, brushing past each other but never touching. My choice behind shooting sequences from the air had to do with the idea that events we experience can be viewed from many different perspectives. I wanted to create an environment for the viewer to know exactly where they were but more importantly to make a more believable experience. I guess you could call this project a self-portrait of sorts. I may not physically be in the film however you can see me in every frame.”

Photographer, Videographer and Director: Marco TorresStyling: Ashley Abtahie
Styling Assistants: Brandon Giordano and Jerome IsonModel: Teresa Oman @ Re:Quest Model Management / The Agency Australia
Make-up: Dana Rae AshburnHair: Jeanie Syfu

All original music by Cove

Look 1: Shirt and Jacket 3.1 Phillip Lim. Skirt Amarcord Vintage Fashion. Sunglasses Mercura, Necklace Organic Peroxide NYC. Look 2 (in camera): Jacket Blank NYC. T-shirt, Dress and Boots 3.1 Phillip Lim. Leggings stylist’s own. Necklace Organic Peroxide NYC. Look 3: Jacket and overalls 3.1 Phillip Lim. Shirt Amarcord Vintage Fashion. Vest Amarcord Vintage Fashion. Boots Carven. Necklaces Organic Peroxide NYC. Look 4: Trench coat Valentino. Shirt Only Hearts NYC. Trousers Amarcord Vintage Fashion. Sunglasses Mercura. Necklace Organic Peroxide NYC.

Phillip Lim is one of my favorite designers, so it made me happy to play with a story that included many pieces from his brand.  I was also floored by the eyewear at Mercura NYC!  How gorgeous are the pearl shades?!  A large part of the shoot included pieces from Amacord Vintage.  As up and coming stylists, we do not always have access to major designers.  I think it is important to know how to style with any set of options you are afforded - and vintage is an amazing resource.  Clothing is not rendered unfashionable just because it was not made this season.  Truly great stylists can pull looks from the past that are relevant to the current mood in fashion.



- jerome

MUSCLE MEMORY

All leather harnesses by Zana Bayne.

I forget how much fun I have styling and directing.  This shoot took place on a rooftop in Brooklyn one summer, before I moved to New York.  It was over 100 degrees, but somehow we powered through it and had so much fun.

During this crazy time in my life I love looking back at what I have done, then looking forward to see everything I can do.  Outside of running and hitting the gym, the best way to clear my head is to look at my old work.  Reviewing these shoots is not so much for validation or inspiration, but just as a way to remind myself how far I've come and the lessons I learned along the way.  Visiting photographer Anthony Deeying's website is like a stroll down memory lane.  Not only am privileged to get to work with such an up and coming talent, but he is also my best friend.  We collaborated on so many shoots.  I miss it!!

- jerome 

Winter is Coming

The cold is coming fast and it is making me feel nostalgic. A revisiting to my fall/winter outerwear was long overdue because of the sweltering heat from this summer. Rediscovering things in your wardrobe can be such a rewarding experience especially when you realize you were right when you said, "I WILL TOTALLY WEAR THIS ALL THE TIME". Looking through my collection I came across pieces I used to style a past project. I am surprised I never posted this shoot. This was another collaboration I did with Anthony Deeying during a visit to New York. It is strange to think that we did this together a year ago, and now I live here. The model Jon Paul (FORD) was such a sport and really knew how to move, producing amazing shots considering the freezing cold. I love a good night shoot in Central Park!

Outerwear pieces by Burberry Prorsum, Alexander Wang, and Alexander McQueen

- jerome

Free Me

It is always a pleasure to find old projects on the Internet when you are googling yourself "just in case" when doing random searches. I came across this shoot I did with Anthony Deeying, a dear and talented friend of mine whom I've worked with many times before. Pulling clothing for this shoot was relatively painless. Many pieces came from my personal wardrobe. I was unaware that this project would be optioned for a magazine, and it was a surprise to see it published in TANTALUM (read the Anthony's interview below). Maybe I did read this forever ago, but for some reason it was so new to me to see it again...

TANTALUM: Anthony, thank you for your amazing story "FREE ME" for the first issue of Tantalum can you tell us how the editorial came about?
ANTHONY DEEYING: The editorial came to life thanks to the stylist; Jerome Ison. He loves patterns especially Starts/Polka dots/stripes. He was able to pull pieces that focused on mixed patterns in the same color palette and add stacks of bracelets which is his go to personal style as well.
TANTALUM: The model has such great presence, did you direct her or did she just bust out in those moves?
ANTHONY DEEYING: Evan is one of the best movers I have ever had the pleasure of working with. We gave her some 'key' poses to mimic and she ran with it... we had music playing and she got into the mood and went to town. Her hair was also so amazing, between hair flips and wind she made it work.
TANTALUM: Whose idea was it to use a leather harness usually reserved for The Folsom st fair mixed with a vintage cardigan!?
ANTHONY DEEYING: The Harness is actually designed by Zana Bayne (www.zanabayne.com) who is a dear friend of the stylist. Her pieces are addictive! beautifully hand made, and just will make any outfit so cool.
TANTALUM: The images are far less static then typical fashion editorials, do you find that sense of movement is common in your style of shooting?
ANTHONY DEEYING: Movement is very common in my shooting. As much as I love the standstill poses in other editorials - My style is very much emotion and movement, giving the freedom to the model to make it their own with the mood we've worked on for the shoot.
TANTALUM: How did you get into photography? was it something you always wanted to do or was it a fortunate accident?
ANTHONY DEEYING: I've been fortunate enough to be in the arts my entire life. I was apart of an intense magnet program in high school that specialized in fine arts so I was able to be in the dark room and learn colors, patterns, you name it from some amazing teachers at a young age. But photography as a job I never thought - originally I wanted to design, but then got bored and tried photographing my friends... submitted them to agencies and was booked for my first test shoot the next day.
TANTALUM: Do you have any mentors/muses?
ANTHONY DEEYING: Muses, yes.. many - I love awkward people... not the typical 'pretty models' I like character that comes out in photos. Evan (in this editorial) is definitely a muse for me. I wouldn't narrow it down to just one person, but a handful of amazing talent i've been able to photograph and produce amazing pieces. Mentors; I absolutely adore Steven Klein's work - I'm a goth kid at heart and the dark, emotional images he's able to produce just blow my mind and I think he's a genius. Also Hedi Slimane is a huge influence - the raw simplicity of his work is something I've admired and respect.
TANTALUM: What do you look for when figuring out who to use for your editorial team??
ANTHONY DEEYING: I work very hard to narrow down talent. I sort through so many books and websites seeing what the stylists/makeup artists have to offer. It's extremely taxing, but I do it because I know what I want and who will be able to deliver it. I love giving up and coming people a chance, but it's done after much research of them. haha. I'm very picky.
TANTALUM: What inspires you?
ANTHONY DEEYING: Again, movement/emotion is a major thing for me.
TANTALUM: How did it feel to see you work in print for the very first time??
ANTHONY DEEYING: Actually, the first time my work was published in print I took the cover of the magazine! The editor actually had an original cover already lined up but saw my shots, pulled it.. and replaced the image for the cover with the one I shot. It was for a French magazine, and I was fortunate to get a cover and three page feature in the issue! I also ended up being in Paris while the issue was on stands - so walking around Paris and seeing my image on the cover was beyond incredible.
TANTALUM: Final thoughts funny stuff that happened on shoot day??
ANTHONY DEEYING: To get the movement shots Evan had to be jumping around, dancing, whipping her hair around in the studio with no A/C poor thing had to break every now and then to get her makeup and hair reset because she was breaking a sweat. But she looked amazing and was definitely a trooper.

- jerome

Life: Day 9,125

I TURN 25 TODAY

Happy birthday to me! My quarter life crisis is going smoothly so far. And nothing says "Happy Birthday" like having an exclusive published with The Fashionisto. Check out my latest collaboration with Anthony Deeying. I am so proud!



I have been dying to share these images, but keeping projects under wraps until publishing is part of the business! For the full story, check out The Fashionisto. Now I am off to go eat and shop. It's my birthday!!

- jerome

Samuel

MAKING MAGIC WITH ANTHONY DEEYING
My dear friend Anthony and I worked together to shoot Samuel Ferrier (Q Models, NYC). It was really fun putting together a shoot based on military uniforms. There is a whimsical aspect to the decoration of soldiers, particularly in the chords, epaulets, and badges. Of course, not all of the pictures can be selected, but thankfully Sam is a pro and turned it out.


(from top to bottom) Sam wears a Vintage Bulgarian Aiguillette, Cutt-off Shirt by Neil Barrett, Trousers by Helmut Lang, Vintage Jacket, Tee by Pleasure Principle, Short by Shipley & Halmos, Boots by Dr. Martens

Watch out for Sam. Not only is he a natural model with the grace and physique to match, but he is also the biggest sweetheart! It was such a pleasure to work with Sam and Anthony. I am beyond proud that this set made it to The Fashionisto!! Go team :)



- jerome

Stacked

All bracelets by Hermés, Barbed Wire Ring by Burberry Prorsum, Sea Creature Ring by Ugo Cacciatori, Vintage Rings
This is how my wrists have been looking lately. I have been spending a lot of time hunting down accessories. Bracelets are my new fetish, along with my undying love for rings, leather goods, and shoes. On top of all this, I have made great strides in decorating my house. Something slowed down the creative process these passed months and my dwelling has not yet reached its full potential. Thankfully I stumbled upon the perfect pieces for the living room. Pictures to come soon.


The second issue of Industrie Magazine is also out on newsstands (the one where the cover shows Marc Jacobs is in drag). It was heartbreaking to buy it at the Borders by my work because I discovered the location was closing down. Borders served as a convenient/surprisingly dependable source for most of my favorite fashion magazines. I am sad to see it go. Anyway, this issue of Industrie reviews a list of influential fashion people in 2010. The magazine is "dedicated to the culture of fashion," making the content particularly current and relevant because we live in a new age where magazine editors, writers/bloggers, and photographers are celebrities. The new year has already garnered enough content to write about for the rest of 2011. Carine Roitfeld's departure from French Vogue, John Galliano's dismissal from Dior, and now Kim Jones' new direction Louis Vuitton are all a bit mind blowing right now.

BTW Congratulations, Mr. Jones. I love your work with Umbro, and I cannot wait to see what you do with the menswear collections at Louis Vuitton. Sorry that your moment is totally eclipsed by Galliano's epic scandal.


- jerome

Fresh Faces - Jacob Crumbley

Jacob wears Polo by Comme des Garçons X H&M
Happy New Year, everyone! It has been a crazy busy past couple of weeks. Work is slowly but surely coming back to a normal load and pace, so I hope to be back blogging to you at regular intervals. Apart from my day job, I told you I have been doing some styling work with some amazing talent. It totally paid off!

Behold, a "portrait session" with Jacob Crumbley. Major models in NYC signed him after just an online video and a few photos. What a face!! I had the pleasure of working with him under the direction of my good friend Anthony Deeying. My inspiration came from Jacob's boyish charms. Don't miss the plush-toy necklace and Manicorn tank!! I am so proud of this work. And if you want more, THE STORY CAN BE SEEN ON THE FASHIONISTO!!! Consider my mind blown.


Custom tee, stylist's own; Scrimmage sweater by Y-3, Custom Rilakkuma Plush-toy necklace, stylist's own, Khakis by J.Crew; Manicorn tank by Berhard Willhelm.

Thanks for sticking with me!! I hope everyone had a safe and joyous holiday. Back to work!!

- jerome