Small is Beautiful: A Journey Into Miniature Art Debuts in Milan

artist: Hannah Levesque

artist: Gaspard Mitz

After captivating 250,000 visitors across Paris, New York, and Brussels, the internationally renowned exhibition “Small is Beautiful” makes its Italian debut in Milan. Housed by Milan’s leading cultural aggregation center Fabbrica del Vapore, this extraordinary showcase takes visitors on a journey beyond reality, immersing them into a world of miniature dimensions where one feels like a giant navigating a universe as small as the tip of a finger.

 

Collectively hosting the exhibition are Fever, the pioneering entertainment platform, and Exhibition Hub, producer of large exhibitions across the world, “Small is Beautiful” opens its doors on May 9, 2024. Curated by Serge Victoria, the exhibition transforms miniature art into a major artistic genre, presenting an incredible exploration through minutely detailed worlds, rich in poetic expression and unfettered imagination.

19 miniature artists from all over the world showcases their works in art forms such as painting, photography, sculpture and even crochet, incorporating different media from paper, food, pencil tips and even recycle materials. These pieces, some merely millimeters in size, require powerful magnifying glasses to fully observe their intricate details. Walking through the exhibition hall, it is hard to not appreciate the boundless imagination, remarkable patience and exceptional virtuosity these artists have dedicated to their works.

 

The exhibition burgeons from social network. Curator Serge Victoria noticed a decent number of miniature artists sharing their creations on social media, giving him ideas on building a platform to showcase the beauty of miniature art in all facets. “Small is Beautiful” not only aims to bring miniature art to a wider audience and offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of it, but also seeks to foster a community eager to embrace all dimensions of art.

artist: Derrick Lin

artist: Minimiam

artist: Kiu Mini Art

The title, “Small is Beautiful,” harks back to economist Leopold Kohr’s advocacy for human-scaled societies in his student Ernst Friedrich Schumacher’s 1973 book “Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered.” Kohr championed the idea of reducing scales in various domains—economics, ecology, governance—to counteract the norm of gigantism. The meticulous attention to detail and the diminutive scale of the artworks challenge our perceptions, guiding us to ponder the beauty and complexity of smallness in a world that often prioritizes the big.

 

“Small is Beautiful” will be at Milan’s Fabbrica del Vapore, in Spazio Messina from May 9th 2024 to September 22nd 2024.


Text: Yves Tsou


Ian Ousley


Photographer: Maddie Murphy (@maddiemurphyphoto)

Talent: Ian Ousley (@ianousley)


Interview by Yves Tsou

Hi Ian, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hey! Yeah, of course. I’m a 22-year-old actor & artist from College Station, Texas. I’m a huge fan of all things art, especially the medium of film & tv. I did martial arts most of my life growing up from the ages of 9-16; it basically consumed my life. I’m a 3rd degree black belt and world champion in Weapons; I still keep up on my training. I love to write all sorts of things from songs to screenplays to journal entries, my day truly isn’t complete without writing. My life is centered around my relationship with Jesus, which is where I find my rest, my strength, and my inspiration.

 

Congratulations on landing on one of the leading roles in “Avatar: The Last Airbender”, how does it feel to be one of the main characters Sokka in this Netflix live-action adaptation?

 Thank you so much! It feels amazing to play such a beloved and iconic character in this series. This is my first leading role, so it was a big responsibility, and I grew so much as an actor and a person in general. I loved the animated series growing up, so it was really surreal to be a part of this life action adaptation.

 

You mentioned that you are a huge fan of the original animated series, what traits have you noticed from that version (or the movie adaptation) of Sokka that you like? How have you thought of continuing those traits in your portrayal of the character?

 Yeah, my goal with taking on the role of Sokka was to embody the soul of that character and translate who Sokka really is while bringing in the elements that come with making him a real-life person. He’s the meat and sarcasm guy with the boomerang, but he also has a lot of very complicated emotions coming up inside of him that he’s really never been able to face before. It was a really fun challenge to get to play with all of the layers of who he is. He masks a lot of what he’s going through with his humor which I think is true for a lot of funny people. Getting to find those little correlations from the animated character and connect him to a real, emotional human place was a big task but a very gratifying one to take on.

 

And is there anything new you have implemented in your interpretaion? If so, what is it?

 I think the newness that comes from adapting an animated character is getting to let their human components shine through. Finding their vulnerabilities and how and when they let those show and why. Being human is being vulnerable, so just keeping their core and soul of what makes them who they are and enhancing their humanity.

 

In the series, Sokka tries to prove his leadership and value even without having special abilities. In the end, he becomes a hero in his own way. Do you somehow resonate with Sokka’s perseverance? Do you think these traits could somehow be an inspiration to you in your real life?

Absolutely, perseverance is a crucial component to anyone becoming truly successful in anything. I had many grueling times in my career before coming onto this show where I was very close to booking the “career defining role” that ended up going to someone else. If I hadn’t learned my love for the art and on my pursuit of the craft, I never would’ve gotten this dream opportunity.

 

Trained in taekwondo at a young age, did it help you in your working on your role this time?

All movement experience while working on a show with this level of action definitely helps. However, my character doesn’t have a whole lot of technical knowledge when it comes to fighting, so I had to learn how to look like I didn’t know what I was doing when it came to martial arts for Sokka.

 

The series seems to be very dynamic, and we assume that the performance is very physically demanding. Have you gone through some training before filming? What kind of preparation have you done for the role, both mentally and physically?

They put us through a six-week long bootcamp where all four of us got to learn how to bend all four elements which was very fun but didn’t cater to my character because obviously Sokka can’t bend. I took that time to get as physically in shape as I could. On the mental component of prep, I outlined the arc for what Sokka goes through for the first 2 episodes and mapping it out so I could know exactly where I was emotionally and why in any scene. We block shot two episodes at a time, so it was important for me to get as familiar as possible with the material and have anchor points to allow me to get into the head, heart and body of Sokka wherever we found him on his journey.

 

Could you tell us something interesting happened during the filming? Anything fun that we don’t know from behind the scene?

 The way we filmed the Appa scenes were really interesting and weird because the whole bottom half of Appa, including the face, are fully CGI so we would hop on this huge 15 – 20ft animatronic and a crew of like 10 guys would surround the creature and manually pull and push the Appa rig up and down to make it look like we were flying.

 

For you, what are the most enjoyable things throughout this whole experience?

The family that I’ve made with the cast. The four of us have really become like siblings and have grown up for the past 3 years together. It’s by far been the biggest gift getting to work on this show that I’m really proud of and grateful for.

 

Now let’s talk about your entrepreneurship. You founded a clothing line, KALÓ SOIL, together with two of your pals. What inspires you to start this brand?

 Kaló Soil is a passion project and a creative outlet for me and the guys. It was really great for me to put my hands to another passion of mine during the actors’ strike. At Kaló we’re all deeply influenced by our faith, so our goal is to glorify God through the art of fashion.

 

How did you step into the world of repurposing vintage clothes into unique new fashion pieces?

At Kaló Soil we have a large collection of curated vintage, which is how the company started. We were wholesaling vintage and needed a show room to work out of and display the pieces we’ve accumulated. When I joined the company with Ryan Sullivan and Hunter Baker, we integrated our “Made-in-house” products which are our original designs hand sewn and sourced In LA. We still sell curated vintage alongside our own pieces online and in-store.

 

During the preparation of the physical store, you guys helped a homeless contractor (or maybe an interior designer you would say?) by accommodating him in the upcoming space and let him design the furniture in the store. This is indeed a benevolent act.  What encourages you to do so? Could you tell us more about the backstory and about the collaboration?

We met our friend Quinn while moving into our storage space near Skid row in DTLA and hired him to help us source products for the furniture and interior design section of the store. He’s a great guy and we’ve learned a lot from him. He has an amazing eye for the unusual which is something that all of us at Kaló really admire and value.

 

Are there any future plans for Ian Ousley? Both for his acting career and his fashion entrepreneurship?

The plan right now is to go back for the next two seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender and pour my heart, soul, sweat and best efforts into the process of serving the project to make it the best it can possibly be. I’m about to start filming another project this summer that I’m very excited to dive into and share with all of you. A huge desire of mine is to direct, so I’m hoping to get my own short film shot before we start filming the show again. However, I’m mostly just trying to stay centered and focused on maintaining my relationship with the arbiter of peace, truth and life. That relationship between Jesus and I, above anything I could do in my career, is my ultimate goal and purpose.


Boy Interrupted

blazer and shorts SONIA CARRASCO, earrings ALEJANDRA DE COSS

full look OFFICINE GÉNÉRALE, rings RAT BETTY, shoes PRADA

blazer and shorts SONIA CARRASCO, earrings ALEJANDRA DE COSS, rings ROSE ARC, shoes PRADA

striped set KKCO

dress VINCE, rings RAT BETTY, bracelet ODDINARY STUDIOS

skirt SONIA CARRASCO, bag JACQUEMUS

dress VINCE, trench coat PRADA, rings RAT BETTY, bracelet ODDINARY STUDIOS

striped set KKCO, leather jacket MILLI POINT TWO

earrings ALEJANDRA DE COSS

skirt SONIA CARRASCO, bag JACQUEMUS, loafers PRADA

Photography: Michelle G. Gonzales (@enfoque_lumiere)

Fashion: Nathan Figueroa (@iamnathanfigueroa)

Grooming: Jefferson T. (@getyohairdid)

Fashion Assistant: Adrian Ramos (@adridekilla)

Model: Elijah Langston (@elijah.langston) @Storm Models (@stormmodels)

Studio: Vision Studio (@visionstudiola)


Eternally Modern: COS Unveils Groundbreaking Fashion Show in Rome

Unprecedentedly, London-based fashion brand COS took over the historic Corsie Sistine in Rome, for its first ever runway show in this eternal city. Dating back to the 15th century, Corsie Sistine was Europe’s oldest hospital. Inaugurated after a two-year conservation, thanks to Roman’s local health organization ASL Roma 1, the newly-restored monument is an authentic blend of pristine historical architecture and contemporary design. Featuring a modern structure crafted from recycled voile that creates a striking contrast to the ancient walls, the new Corsie Sistine is undoubtedly an ideal venue for COS’ Spring/Summer 2024 show.

 

Abbreviation of “Collection of Style”, COS epitomizes the contemporary minimalistic style with a focus on sustainability, innovation and craftsmanship. Not mere a display of style, the COS Spring/Summer 2024 is also a showcase of the brand’s endeavor in their values. Introducing simultaneously its Spring/Summer 2024 Mainline and Atelier collections, the 33 sophisticated looks embody the brand’s clean and cozy aura. The looks were relished by the 13,000 square meters of frescoes in the backdrop, emphasizing the enthralling merge of past and future. With legendary Italian supermodel Mariacarla Boscono elegantly closing the show, the pure excellence of COS’ aesthetics and craftsmanship climaxed.

Standing out with its exquisite fabrics use and meticulous attention to detail. The looks from the latest collection were marked by hand-pleated shoulder details, fishtail skirts, and flowing maxi volume. Tailoring and knitwear were redefined with extended hybrid sleeves and folded lapels, showcasing technical experimentation in cutting and texture. Leather jackets, ballet flats, and loafers highlighted the materials’ textures, while wide-leg pleated trousers featured hand-painted hems, adding depth and movement.

 

The collection also experimented with the materiality of light, exploring how chromatic effects can be achieved on translucent fabrics. Bold red tones on a neutral palette of steel blue, black, white, and sand rendered a beautiful and dramatic contrast.

 

Seamlessly mixed traditional craftsmanship with modern principles, COS reaffirming its commitment to timeless taste and uncompromised quality. The use of sustainable materials, including recycled components and paper yarns certified by the Responsible Wool Standard, emphasized the brand’s dedication to sustainability.

 

A selection of the runway collection is immediately available at COS boutiques and on cos.com, with more models to be released throughout the season. The Atelier line will be available from April, offering timeless elegance and craftsmanship both in stores and online.

COS Spring/Summer 2024 Atelier Collection Campaign


From Twilight to Starlight: Courrèges x Mytheresa’s Modern Wardrobe Proposal

From Twilight

to Starlight

Courrèges x Mytheresa’s Modern Wardrobe Proposal

Space Age fashion representative Courrèges has launched a capsule collection in collaborations with pioneering online luxury retailer Mytheresa. Featuring a total of 17 pieces, the exclusive collection highlights a monochromatic palette that combines Courrèges’ signature futuristic aesthetic with a contemporary sensibility, embodying the timeless elegance of Parisian fashion.

 

Once a synonym of futuristic, Courrèges projected the people’s desire for space exploration and unknown future at that time. As one of the coolest brands in 1960s, Courrèges took the Parisian fashion scene by storm with its simple and cutting-edge visual image, industrialist design and optimistic sporty style. Sending models down the runway with mini skirt, pants, goggles and helmets, Courrèges’ avant-garde concept and full-of-personality design approach revamped the fashion trend of post-war era. In those turbulent years when fashion people in Paris were in pursuit of extremely vanity and gorgeousness, Courrèges’ bold proposition of dressing women in super short mini skirt and trouser that have traditionally been part of the male wardrobe was undoubtedly revolutionary, pinnacling the brand onto the top of Paris fashion hot list before it went silent.

Since 2020, Belgium designer Nicolas Di Felice was appointed as the newest artistic director of this forgotten fashion house. Under the helm of this energetic young man, the magical revival started. Influenced by the rave culture, he infused a clear, modern vision to Courrèges’ notable cutting-edge design. He stayed true to the clean lines and silhouettes for which the fashion house is famous, incorporating them with new materials and fabrics in order to focus on quality and innovation. The rejuvenation came with great success, gaining huge visibility worldwide. Courrèges once again returned to the public eye.

 

Seeing its endless potential, Mytheresa teamed up with Courrèges for this exclusive capsule collection. Curated by Nicolas Di Felice, the collection combines Courrèges’ iconic heritage with the dynamic rhythm of today’s fashion world. Designed for modern women in any occasion, the collection offers versatility to their everyday wardrobe. Extending seamlessly from daily casualwear to sophisticated dinners then to the energetic dance floor, the capsule epitomizes the transition of fashion clothing from daytime to nighttime.

Lensed by photographer Jorin Koers and featured by model Ren Qing, the campaign visualizes Nicolas’ vision with an immersive environment of nearly heavenly purity, conveying an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication. Selling exclusively and globally on mytheresa.com from April 3rd, 2024, the Courrèges x Mytheresa capsule collection takes us back to the iconic Space Age with contemporary appeal and a dose of nostalgia.


Text: Yves Tsou


Yevonde Girls Reimagined: Miu Miu’s New Campaign Is an Ode to Powerful Feminity

Yevonde Girl Reimagined

Miu Miu’s New Campaign Is an Ode to Powerful Feminity

Established in 1993 by Miuccia Prada, granddaughter of Prada’s founder Mario Prada, Miu Miu is the most unrestrained portrayal of Miuccia Prada’s creativity and very embodiment of modern Milanese style. Born with a younger spirit, the brand is meant to challenge the definition of traditional aesthetics while emancipating the woman’s conscious. The Miu Miu girl became a symbol of innocence and playfulness. Their style highlights the naive yet extraordinary forms of the fashion house’s designs, demonstrating the most rebellious and provocative core of contemporary femininity.

 

As a trendsetter and one of the most beloved brand amongst stylists nowadays, Miu Miu launches a new campaign for its iconic Arcadie and Wander bags, celebrating the emblematic matelassé elegance in newest hues. Under the creative direction of Edward Quarmby and the styling of Lotta Volkova, photographer Steven Miesel uses his tender but powerful camera language to demonstrate modern femininity. Interpreted by supermodel Gigi Hadid, the image of immortalized Yevonde ladies in the 1930s comes into sight, transforming into a modern Miu Miu girl vividly.

The campaign takes inspiration from the works of Yevonde, the famous British photographer who made a pioneering revolution in coloured portrait photography. As a beacon of female freedom and independence, she was actively involved in feminism and women’s suffrage movements. Yevonde started working as a photographer at the age of 21, at a time when female professions were limited. Throughout her career, she manifested a confident tone of voice in her beliefs. By signing her works with her own name instead of using a men-like or gender neutral pseudonym, she blatantly underlined her female identity. Back in 1920s, it was uncommon for women to have their own career and creative personalisation. Despite all the odds in the societal aspects that went against her, Yevonde assumed her place in artistic photography by her well-thought colour palette and surrealistic silhouette of human being, objects, flowers and foliage and clothes that are united in a utopian composition. Through the lens of Steven Meisel, the distinctive style of Yevonde and the meaningful messages about feminism behind her work coincide with Miu Miu’s DNA, colliding into an unforgettably beautiful and powerful fashion campaign.

 

Launched internationally on April 8th 2024, the new Miu Miu Arcadie and Wander bag campaign is an authentic and colorful ode to Miu Miu’s perfection in unconventionally feminine design and youthful creativity that transcend boundaries. On top of the classic cognac and caramel color, the new Arcadie and Wander bags are available also in the new color of the season: bright orange and soleil yellow, ready to glow up your spring wardrobe in vivacious tints


Maison Kitsuné x K-Way: Balancing Parisian Sophistication and Urban Functionality

Paris-based lifestyle and fashion label Maison Kitsuné lands in a landmark collaboration with French-Italian performance sportswear brand K-Way, merged their respective styles into a collection that embodies both elegance and practicality. Balancing aesthetic appeal and fundamental functionality, the capsule collection reinterprets K-Way’s iconic Léon and Claude windbreakers in Café Kitsuné’s inspired distinctive blue and yellow color palette, adding a layer of Parisian sophistication to the utilitarian flair.

 

Enriched with harmonious hue and sharp contrast, the collection taking cues from Paris’ versatile fashion style. Relaxed and at ease, the vivacious Parisian narrative runs through the entire capsule. A tincture of rebelliousness is added to the predominantly monochromatic design. By applying the unconventional Scottish tartan pattern, the collection infuses a graphic playfulness that creates unforgettable visual impact. The meticulously crafted cuts and tailoring is another highlight. The structured silhouette doesn’t hinder the wearer’s freedom of movement, providing comfort while maintaining fashionable.

The reimagined logos of this special collaboration is also noteworthy. Linked by the alphabet “K”, K-Way’s ever-present K logo is flanked by the lively and adorable fox symbol of Maison Kitsuné in one version of the logo, while subtly replace the “K” in Maison Kitsuné in another version of the logo.

 

Under the artistic direction of photographer Basile Bertrand, the campaign of the Maison Kitsuné and K-Way capsule collection brings to life a dynamic Parisian tale. Embodying the concept of “Paris by bike,” lovers chase each other on the cobbled streets, exploring the city’s historic monuments and romantic corners, showcasing a refined urban and neo-nomadic lifestyle.

 

This Maison Kitsuné and K-Way collaboration stands as an ideal choice of blending style and functionality seamlessly into the urban landscape. It is crafted for the discerning fashion and sport lovers for their favorite activities regardless of the weather conditions.


Suspicious Mind

fashion from AETHERA, BODE, CELINE, DRIES VAN NOTEN, GUCCI, PRADA & TOM FORD


Starring: Lane Hitt (@lanehitt)

//

Video Direction: Matthew Ellenberger (@mjellenberger)

Grooming: Mark Alan Ezparza (@mark.alan.hair)

Video Editing: Kris Koslop (@kriskoslop)

Music: Polozhenie Guitar – Slowed to PERFECTION (Sigma Song)

Production: MJAE Consulting (@mjaeconsulting)

Location thanks to The Hotel Chelsea (@hotelchelsea)


The Nth Self-Portrait


Photographer: Takumi Kishimoto (@1212_tkm_apm), Taiga Kawano (@taiga.kawano)
Director & Model: Takumi Kishimoto


Amanda Louise Macchia Brings Her Fashion-Heavy Pop Art to Milan

Amanda Louise Macchia Brings Her Fashion-Heavy Pop Art to Milan

Amanda Louise Macchia © Dino Kužnik

Kristen Stewart by Amanda Louise Macchia for Chanel Beauty

Amanda Louise Macchia is an emerging Italian-Canadian video director. After spending several years in the Paris fashion scene, she is now partially relocating to Milan for the first time, bringing a portfolio of high fashion and beauty videos with her.

 

Known for her retro pop art style, Amanda has developed new ways of digitizing mid-century ideas, by integrating stills into moving images using collage, instant film, and even regular office supplies, alongside her vintage video cameras, into creative content for luxury brands including Saint Laurent, Off-White, Audemars Piguet, and an on-going series with Chanel Beauty.

 

With Chanel Beauty, Amanda has profiled major talent including Margot Robbie, Lily-Rose Depp, and Kristen Stewart, the latter of which was just released in February 2024 alongside the Berlinale, with more content to come through the rest of the year around other prominent film festivals and award ceremonies.

 

The unique blend of high and low art in this work, which includes low-res photo scans and a handheld camcorder from the early 2000s, alongside standard beauty footage, has garnered the attraction of luxury brands globally, looking to recreate this careful and enticing balance.

Margot Robbie by Amanda Louise Macchia for Chanel Beauty

Amanda’s style extends from her editorial work as well, having been published by Purple Magazine, System Magazine, & Vogue, where she first began experimenting with these pop art elements on set, the backstages of fashion shows, and in ateliers, with brands like Balenciaga, Givenchy, Paco Rabanne, and Schiaparelli.

 

But her first medium of video directing was in documentary, which she recently revisited with her latest personal project A Certain Song: Yes Sir, I Can Boogie – a short film documenting the history of the famous Spanish disco song through capturing the 1970s press clippings, magazine features, and personal photos of founding member Mayte Mateos. The film is an Official Selection for the upcoming 2024 Fashion Film Festival Amsterdam, taking place in April.

Amanda Louise Macchia’s documentary about Baccara, A Certain Song: Yes Sir, I Can Boogie

Amanda Louise Macchia’s documentary about Baccara, A Certain Song: Yes Sir, I Can Boogie

The history of the song Yes Sir, I Can Boogie is noteworthy because it continues to dominate the fashion world 45 years after its initial release and entry into the Guinness Book of World Records, for most singles sold by a female duo. 

 

Amanda applied her signature pop art style to this collage-focused film, and shares the journey of a song created with few expectations, but which has become not only a top staple of European disco, but also synonymous with iconic fashion and beauty brands including Dior, Paco Rabanne, and Charlotte Tilbury – some of which Amanda is becoming synonymous with herself.