CARPETS, CARE & CHIC WITH ZURI HALL

We sat down with Emmy Winning journalist, E! News Correspondent and TV Personality, Zuri Hall. We chatted with her about family, her recent partnership to shed a light on MS, what awards season is like and her sense of style, as well as staying balanced in the industry. 

ATHLEISURE MAG: You're a busy lady! As we know you're constantly on air, we'd like to know about your connection to this survey about MS.

ZURI HALL: I was excited to partner with Genentech as my Aunt was diagnosed with MS 3 years ago and for me, it was my first personal connection to the disease. I had done a human interest story about this for a local news story – so I was getting a little familiar. But it wasn’t until it hits home that you started to say, “what does this mean, what does it do.” 

So she was diagnosed and over the last few years her symptoms have delveloped and progressed, and unfortunately, have gotten worse. When  I partnered with Genentech, we found that MS Mindset Survey – a lot of their findings reflected what I was seeing my aunt go through when it came to her symptoms. My big takeaway from the survey was the unpredictability of MS symptoms. Some of the things she is dealing with is wobbly legs. Sometimes it's cognitive issues, blurred vision, and she’s hit with fatigue. So she knows roughly what she’s dealing with, but she doesn’t know when they will pop up. So since it is so unpredictable, it’s hard to know or plan around those things whether you are directly dealing with it or are the caregiver that is involved. You can’t plan a week in advance when you have no guarantee of how you will be feeling tomorrow. 

So one of the big findings was that about 85% of those with MS have said that they have missed social engagements because their symptoms have come into play when they didn't think that they would. 87% oddly enough, a higher percentage of support partners and caregivers, have also missed out on events because their partner had a flare up or had an issue. 

For example, my aunt told me that she went to a baseball game once and it was a big venue, so while she was excited to go out with your co-workers and friends she had to commit to it. She gets to the field and then 30 minutes in she realized she had to go because she sensed that she had issues with her wobbly legs as they had been giving out over the previous days and that anxiety of not knowing if that would happen during the game was something that she was dealing with. She would rather remove herself completely from this social situation that she was looking forward to then risking something that she couldn’t predict to happen during the game and having to explain herself or to create a socially awkward situation to those that were there. There are also issues with urinary problems, like not being able to control your bladder – she’s nervous when it hits, then she has to go. For her, it’s not just about being awkward for her but she doesn’t want it to be weird for others and having to have them figure out how to talk about her disease. She is an independent, small and feisty woman and we love her. So it’s interesting to see how this disease begins to dictate the social decisions that she makes. 

Another finding that this survey focused on is the day to day activities which hits home for us. She is the person who loves to host and she has a beautiful home that she has decorated with love and she invites all these people and we are a massive group. Brothers, sisters, cousins and more – we come over, she cooks, and cleans. She is the domestic goddess as well as a corporate goddess. Nowadays, this is really hard for her. We’re going home for Thanksgiving and I don't know why she is going to do this, but she wants to do all the things that she has always wanted to do. She loves hosting our family and dinners. I love her because she refuses to let this disease get the best of her but it does steer the decisions that she has to make leading up to doing so. For me, I look inside and figure out what I can do to support her to make things easier. 

One of the findings in the survey was that more than 80% of the people that live with MS were asked how they could be helped and what service could be offered to them, the top takeaway was that they wanted someone to help them with groceries, in the kitchen, household chores, etc. I think a lot of us, me included, underestimate the impact that this can make. You sit back and say, “really you just want me to put a box of cereal away for you?” But for someone who is dealing with fatigue and is exhausted – it helps. She has told me that mixing a bowl of dressing for more than a few minutes tires her out depending on the day. Her muscles don’t do what they used to do and they don’t act the way they used to. 

There was a time when she visited me in LA this summer. She was teaching me how to make her baked bean recipe and she went to check on it in the oven and accidently flipped the pan and the beans went everywhere.  It was sad because she was frustrated in that moment and she doesn’t want to show signs to the disease and we had had amazing days together with her husband (my uncle) and everything was fine and things were great. It felt great as you know she had the disease, but you felt like not really and then it comes out and reminds you. It lets you know that it could happen at anytime and you have to deal with it.

Some of the things that I want to encourage other people to do is to be patient and understand what your loved one is going through and the symptoms. This way, when it happens you know what they are going through and you can be considerate. When the beans happened, there was a moment when I thought about the beans, but then I had to remember this is what my aunt is going through because we’re not at a point where there are daily constant reminders. I caught myself and knew it was beyond her control and so I came from a place of love and patience and I let her know that I would clean it up and we’ll buy more beans, take a seat etc – it let’s her feel more comfortable and less of an awkward situation. I don’t want her to feel that she is a burden and it helps. She says that she feels like it is her own burden to bear as she doesn’t want people to pity her. But I have found that offering my help and services in specific ways – she takes me up on those offers. 

During the holidays I will be offering to put the dishes away, to run out to Kroger or the grocery story to get something that she has forgotten. I will say, "Aunt Mel, take  a rest." I was talking with one of our nurses yesterday and she was saying that the big things to keep in mind that asking “what do you need” is not enough as it’s so open ended. For fiercely independent people they don’t want to give you a laundry list. But when they are specific asks it helps and gives them the time. Plus we take this for granted. 

The survey, after diving in, lets me see how much the findings there are mirroring my aunt’s experience as well as my own. With the holidays here, this encourages support partners and caregivers to be more proactive during this time as well as all year around. 

AM: What is your partnership like in terms of your role in this initiative?

ZH: For me the partnership is about this moment, this time and getting people to understand the results of the MS Mindset survey. Don’t just end there with the info, but this survey is telling you what people with MS need and let’s do something about it. It's about sitting down and encouraging support partners/cargivers to what they can. Many times, you forget about the other party. There is a person who is there dealing with MS and so of course you’re not thinking about the support person; however, they are there and they need to be educated. People should go to your local support groups, advocacy groups and learn more via National MS Society.

AM: Obviously, I was aware of MS, but not the depth of it until a few months ago, when I styled one of my clients who is an entertainer and although she performs, is on stage etc – behind the scenes there are a lot of struggles. It’s amazing that she is able to stay on tour, hit the road, dance etc with the unpredictable nature of this disease!

ZH: When I sat down with Tamia (R&B Singer) who is very public about her disease, so many people are dealing with this and we are all so close by just a few degrees to someone who is. It’s ok to know that you don’t have everything figured out as you can’t really prepare for it as things get dumped in your lap. But to know there are resources is the most important thing. There is education to be had across the board from those with MS and those who support or are the caregivers to someone who is. 

AM: What was your journey to get to E!?

ZH: Getting to E! was a long winding road. I started out winning a competition to be the face of a local TV station in Indiana. I was there for a year and MC’ing for the Pacers and then that opened the door to another job in Ohio and I was hosting another show which allowed me to anchor the evening news down in Texas and that got me to NY to host a show for Fuse (music countdown show), which led to MTV and then E! It was all over the map. The last year and 3 months at E! have been like the best. They chal-lenge me in really good ways. My skillset makes sense for what they need and what they want. Everyday is different. We just launched a new daytime show, E! News Live recently. Exciting times.

AM: How do you prepare for your celeb interviews?

ZH: It’s really about – I mean for us being that we’re E! and they’re celebs, so we want the scoop. I tend to know a lot about their personal lives and what is going on. Because I come from a creative background I actually really appreciate the art in what they are creating and what they are there to talk about. I feel that most celebs, musicians, etc appreciate and recognize those that appreciate and recognize that. So they are more likely to open up about the extra stuff if they believe that you care about the stuff that you should be caring about, and I do. So my preparation is understanding what the film is about, why they took on a certain project – have they had past ones that led them to this point and what it took for them to get into a certain character. Reading any article or interview surrounding that project before I talk to them. Because the last thing that they want to do it to regurgitate the same thing that they have said about 73 times during that junket. They want to be challenged and sparked and they get excited. They’re working but they prefer to enjoy it and it makes it fun!

AM: And for the Red Carpet?

ZH: Red Carpet is chaos and I just get stressed when I think about it. It’s one of those things that you do as much as you can and then you just throw it out the window – you go with the flow. You have so much talent – Brad Pitt for one second and then you have Angelina Joli and you have her and all these people bottle necked. As you talk to Brad, you  have George Clooney walk by and the publicist is pulling people and you only have a few questions that you can ask as you’re getting wrapped as you start. It's a high pressure situation. So it’s one of those things that it’s just like I know a little bit about a lot – so you go with the flow, you make moments as you can’t really tackle issues there. You just want people to toast champagne with you or to make a joke or slip up and say something silly. Carpets are about moments and they make great content for the internet.

AM: How do you stay balanced during this season?

ZH: For me I need to get more into the fitness side, I'll be honest – I’m lazy and I have my mom’s genes which works for me. I am getting to that point where you feel it - you walk up the stairs and realize that it takes more time than before - just a moment guys. So I go to the gym with my boyfriend every now and then as he is healthy. For me, it’s about mental health honestly and I’m really into and value mindfulness and trying to be present and balanced. I’m reading a book right now – 'Present over Perfect' because especially in my line of work I am open to public scrutiny and waiting for people to judge you, Instagram you etc. You post a photo I’m waiting for comments, likes etc. I go on E! News I’m going to get tweets from people - maybe they liked what I wore, what I said about Rhianna etc and you get caught up with not being in that moment. We do these carpets and awards shows and I have to look back and say wow you were at the Oscars – my pictures tell me what my last year has been. I have started to dedicate time for me. I will carve out 60 minutes to say I’m busy so that I can not be busy and take time for me – mindfulness above all so that I can be happy/peaceful, whether it's taking time to read or whatever it takes to get to my happy place.

AM: What is your personal style versus what you wear on the show which we love?

ZH: Thank you! I would say that personal style is casual chic - I know that that sounds generic! I'm a midwest girl through in through - I'm from Ohio and I like to be super comfortable, you will never see me wearing heels that I don't have to be wearing. Because comfort over everything is key for me. So I'm a jeans and T-shirt girl. I feel the most confident and sexy and in control when I am in a fitted pair of high wasted jeans with a loose v-neck t-shirt and bootie. If you see me in a bootie, then you know that I'm trying. If I'm not on a red carpet, I'm in sneakers at this point.

I would say overall, E! News - Urban Chic with a dash of glam. My style is very much influenced by my years in NY as I was here for about 2.5/3 years. So definitely I appreciate the leathers and dark colors. I appreciate the black on black on black. My stylist is convincing me to put color back into my wardrobe.

For the glam, I'm in LA now - come on it's E!, The Kardashians you have to have a bit of glam. I like to do the full face, the hair, I let my glam come through in this area. The clothes tend to be more timeless, chic and classic. 

For the most part, I'm pretty chill and for the most part I LITERALLY love athleisure and I'm not just saying that because you're here as I don't work out. But I just discovered gym wear and it's a whole new world! I just discovered Fabletics and I love Kate Hudson's line. I tried it for the first time when I met her and I was like, "this jumpsuit is amazing." I can move and I'm so free! So they  sent me more stuff and now I just pretty much live in athletic wear.

AM: We always say that athleisure can be broken down into core, essential and luxe. Core is that which is meant to hit the gym (sport bras, tap shorts, etc), essential items that are a hybrid that can be worn in the gym and out (the capris,  tanks, etc mixed with layers or not) and then luxe which are the jetset components that include your leggings paired with a fun cashmere and a leather jacket which allows you to hit the ground running once you touch down.

ZH: Absolutely - so many ways to style it and again it's so comfortable. At this point in my life, comfort is key girl!

AM: We love your #AlphaBabe movement. We're a huge proponent of it but can you tell our readers about this  and what made you want to do it?

ZH: For me when I first have a vision for #AlphaBabe, I wanted a place where young millennial women could go to support one another and to develop tools where they could navigate the first few years of their career. 

I got where I got to by the grace of God and stumbling into things and figuring it out as it went. Looking back, I felt like it didn't have to be that hard honestly. If there had been just one person to tell me about the right way to make a demo reel, to craft a resume, or the right way to go to my boss' office to ask for a raise - certain things would have been easier. 

For me it is a place where we can celebrate substance and style. You don't have to choose. That's what I'm trying to get across with the message. You can be Alpha and strong and unapologetic as a leader - a boss in your work environment and you can totally be a babe. There is nothing wrong in saying that. You're pretty, you can style yourself up and these two things can co-exist. That's exciting when you find that balance and it doesn't need to be one vs the other which is really hard in a culture of comparison (via social) where people tend to focus on the babe part. At the end of the day the likes, re-tweets - it doesn't really matter. This is a place where you can be both and it's great to be so!

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Zuri Hall

Read More from the Dec Issue

XOXO, BOY MEETS GIRL

Brands are born for a number of reasons, but some emerge to simply mark a moment as well as an extension from a lifelong passion that needs to be shared with like-minded individuals! Stacy Igel is the powerhouse behind Boy Meets Girl® which she states is the original athleisure brand and is coveted by celebs, "IT GIRLS," and more. We talked with her about how she came to fashion, the story behind the advancement of the brand, upcoming brand achievements and of course how she stays on top of it all as a wife and mom of her young son.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We think it's pretty appropriate to have you in this issue as our Style Director has always mentioned your brand as one of the early athleisure brands. Walk us through your journey in fashion that led you to creating Boy Meets Girl®!

STACY IGEL: I knew at a very young age - I tell people in the womb, who I wanted to be – a fashion designer. It was a pretty direct path in terms of getting here, but also there are hurdles. I dressed my classmates, had my own little lookbooks in 1st or 2nd grade and would make catalogs. I would make them without Instagram or social media. I just used polaroids to create them – this was pre-photoshop or even using computers! 

My mom was an entrepreneur. She created a lumbar support and she was always going to Hong Kong and Taiwan. She would bring back these trinkets from these places that were super cute. I just loved them and I started making catalogs and selling these items in there. Like I had the first charm necklaces back in the day so it was so cool. So I was this budding entrepreneur and I learned how to run a business. 

Then, while my mom was building her business she went from doing it at home to expanding to factories, tradeshows, etc. So even though it wasn’t designing, a clothing collection, it was a back machine that came in one color and one price point and she was a physician’s assistant – she was still making something and it was the things that you did to start a business. Creating something, selling, producing a product and dealing with factories. So when I was young, I knew I wanted to have my own business and to design. She definitely inspired me. My father was also very encouraging in my dreams. He is a doctor. Therefore, I had no family who was in the fashion business.

I started taking classes – there were opportunities at Columbia College in Chicago as my grammar school and high school at that time didn’t have the opportunities that people do now to learn those skills. I had to take a lot of extracurricular classes to learn more about design.  

I worked in retail at the Gap and in college worked in a retail store in Madison-Wisconsin where I made my first product and sold it there. I was always just on this track that I knew I would do this as well as understanding all facets of this business. My mom taught me that you can’t just do one thing you have to understand all facets from design, retail and manufacturing.                                                                                                                                                                     

Rosario Dawson in Boy Meets Girl

When I went to school I triple majored at the University of Wisconsin in Design, Retailing and Business. I got a Certificate of Business and I was able to carve out the 360 of how to be in business, do design and more. I took internships where I was able to learn more, did fashion shows etc. During my Junior year, I was able to study in London with Zandra Rhodes who is a very famous designer. I also worked with Donna Karan and Elsa Klensch (host of CNN's Style With Elsa Klensch), I was dabbling in a lot of areas and I even interviewed in '98 Marc Jacobs at one of his first NYFW shows in SOHO and I got to see behind the scenes and what it took to be in it. Seeing all these things, my parents asked did I still want to do it?  Of course I did!

When I graduated, I designed for Elie Tahari and was hired by him. I left there and went to Izod and learned high fashion as well as mass and branding. In 2001 right before Sept 11th, I left to pursue my own thing. Then the 11th happened and my first tradeshow was right around that time. 

My collection at that time had a lot of ribbons as well as the original Boy Meets Girl collection as it was focused on the Fourth of July and I was showing it in Sep as it was showing my Spring/Summer collection for the following season. My first department store who bought the line was Bergdorf Goodman at this trade show which was my first in NYC. It was crazy to sit in this booth showing it there and my mother kept nudging me saying, “it was the best store in the world.” There were about 60 designers that were showing; however, I was a hot booth as I had something new and fresh that resonated with all the customers (not to mention I had my awesome mom working with me at that show ... those were the days). I had a purchase order that was a nice amount and I was handmaking and screen printing everything – I did it all myself and then I realized that now that this was a thing, I’d have to get a factory as it was a big company and I was in business and had to ship all these goods. 

I am the direct line of having the passion, wanting to do it, being involved in every facet and a budding entrepreneur. I never stopped working – I have been working since I can remember as it’s what you do when you love it.

AM: Who is the Boy Meets girl customer?

SI: We like to say that she has a young attitude, she has a bit of an edge, she’s fun, she doesn’t take life too seriously. She really believes in being good and doing social good to help change the world. It’s not one specific thing, but she is into music and what’s happening. She loves going to concerts, traveling, etc. We like to say that it’s not only runway, it’s about being on the go and not taking things too seriously and having a good time. We’re the original athleisure brand which is why we love that this is in Athleisure Mag!

You’re on the plane, you’re on the go it fits your personality and it’s not about a specific age - just our attitude and how you feel. It’s amazing for me as the person who has built it to see what they come for, how they come to the brand, what they buy and why they buy. It makes me pinch myself sometimes.

Eva Longoria wears Boy Meets Girl

AM: How did you come up with the logo?

SI: I have a cool story on this – as it came from meeting my husband. I was going to dinner for the first time with my husband – at that time he was my boyfriend to meet his parents. On his wall, he had silhouettes of his brother and sister. When I was younger, we had something like that of me and my sister. The logo isn’t us per se but when I looked at it I was like, oh “Boy Meets Girl” – the first time you meet someone, the first concert, travel experience. It’s a moment and a story. 

After that night, my husband (who was also a graphic designer) and I started playing with the silhouettes, poofing the hair up, playing with the layouts etc. We then focused on trademarking everything, did the IP, spent a lot of time to protect the name across all apparel as well as internationally. You have to learn about all the protection and we deal with IP and protection on a daily basis. I always say that the logo is us in some ways but it’s really everybody as it’s about the story. Being young and having a good time.  I am also grateful my husband is a fashion/entertainment lawyer so the early days of putting this all together definitely inspired him too!

AM: What collabs have you done that you liked and of course, tell us about Care Bears.What collabs have you done that you liked and of course, tell us about Care Bears.

SI: One of my latest collabs that I partnered with was a very intimate NYFW show this past Sept where we partnered with Justine Skye and subway talent that were dancers into this space. I worked with Randy Jackson and he had an artist from Singapore named Will. What I did in this show (I’ve been known to partner with a number of artists/talent such as Wyclef Jean, Pharell, Leah Labelle, Natasha Bedingfield, and many more) was different then my other shows due to venue space. We could only invite 120 people and showcased the brand alongside new artists. A lot of artists I have worked with, we work together right before they hit. I mean when we worked with Justine she had never performed a NYFW live show before and then right after, she was opening for Beyonce which was crazy! It was really about showcasing the talent and infusing them in a great spot with great people and it’s the heart of who we are as a brand. I love this! Working with Wyclef was amazing as it was 3 months of working with him and it was a dream for sure. He is a musical genious.

I love working with artists on the rise and infusing music into our shows and keeping it fresh. We also did a Buy Now Wear Now concept in 2016 in partnership with Shopify and we did the same in 2012 with Wyclef and made a microsite which seemed crazy then compared to how you can do it now. For me, I am always doing things before its time.

Care Bears is iconic and I love being involved in bringing them back. Working with them has been great. We did a sneak peek collection back in Aug which was also at Collette (an iconic store in Paris) and it sold out. I am doing it again in a much bigger collab for 2017 as they felt our brand had a lot of synergy and it is their 35th Anniversary! They felt it would be cool as they are collaborating with a number of brands but no one has created what I have for this collab! Excited to share more. Follow @boymeetsgirlusa and @stacyigel on Instagram as we reveal more in Jan/Feb 2017!

Justine Skye stuns in Boy Meets Girl.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Stacy Igel

Read more from the Dec Issue.

REEBOK QUESTION MID X MELODY EHSANI - ALLEN IVERSON 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Celebrity designer and serial collaborator, Melody Ehsani released a ladies exclusive colorway of Reebok's Question Mid X Meloday Ehsani. These shoes are in honor of the 20th anniversary of Allen Iverson and reflect his personality, style as well as his signature cornrows.

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The campaign was shot and included Hall of Famer Iverson's wife, Tawanna as well as his three daughters. The three don matching tan sweatsuits to bring his style and distinct look to life.  

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Reebok

RIP FRANCA SOZZANI, VOGUE ITALIA EDITOR IN CHIEF

This year, a number of great talents passed away and we're sad to hear of the passing of long time Vogue Italia Editor in Chief, Franca Sozzani. In addition to helming the publication, she was also known as a groundbreaking trailblazer who created a number of features and issues that focused on inclusivity and diversity such as the All Black Issue which is still buzzed about to this day. 

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Vogue Italia

HAIR TALK WITH ANTHONY PAZOS

For our readers that are fans of WE TV's, LA Hair, you know Celebrity Hairstylist and TV Personality, Anthony Pazos is one of the stars and team members of the Kim Kimble Salon which boasts a number of celebrities as clients - in addition to the Grand Diva herself, Beyonce. We talk about how he got into the industry, working with the Queen B during her
Formation Tour and tips/trends that we should keep an eye on during this season.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you know that you wanted to be a hairstylist and what was your journey like?

ANTHONY PAZOS: I knew I wanted to be a hairstylist from a very young age. Growing up I was the oldest of 3 and it was my job to help get my sisters ready in the morning and that's where it all came about.

AM: We have enjoyed seeing you on L.A. Hair as a member of Kim Kimble's team - how did you join this team and what's it like being one of her rockstars?

AP: Being on LA Hair has been fun, for the past 4 seasons we've watched me grow into this brand that I am today. I'm so thankful that Kim & We TV believe in me enough to have me on the show. It's truly an honor to work alongside Kim and it's brought me some really fantastic
opportunities - working on Beyoncé’s team for one.

AM: What are your hair rules in terms of how you approach it and what you're known for as a hair stylist?

AP: I always approach my hairstyles differently depending on the client’s needs. Although my style tends to be more undone, I like everything to be perfect internally but styled messy and
effortlessly.

AM: We know that you have worked with Beyoncé, as well as her dancers' hair - what is that like and how much preparation and time goes into that?

AP: It truly is an honor to have been able to work on the Beyoncé team, sometimes it feels so unreal. Beyoncé’s productions are a lot of work and everything has to be perfect. I find it exciting to be able to challenge myself to create extraordinary hairstyles for the world’s
biggest entertainer.

AM: What are hair trends that were popular in 2016 that you believe will continue into next year and what are new trends that are becoming popular?

AP: 2016 was all about LOB's and smoky hues, we will definitely be seeing more of that come 2017. The great thing about 2016 is that it brought unusual colors to the masses, which in turn became fashionable. This really opened the door and allowed the everyday person to become
more daring. Suddenly, having grey or pink hair wasn't so unusual.

AM: What celebrities have you worked with (besides the Queen herself) that you can share with us?

AP: Man I've worked with so many celebs, but some of my most favorite were Khloe Kardashian, One Direction & Ashley Greene. I really enjoyed that these talents let me be creative and allowed me to do my magic without limitations.

AM: For our girls on the go, we want to know how we can get that red carpet look when we're without our glam squad. Many readers go to blow out bars so they look great for a night out, but how can we keep that blowout looking amazing longer?

AP: For the everyday girl I suggest just trying to have fun with your look. Don't worry about not getting it perfect because practice will make perfect. Also look at things on social media for inspiration.

Take ideas from others and make it your own. Then lastly, the only way to make a blow out last longer, is by not over-saturating with product, and on the last day try curling it to hide oily roots.

Kim Kimble (right) behind the scenes at Super Bowl 50 with Beyonce before her mega Half
Time Show Performance. Photo courtesy of Kim Kimble Salon.

AM: As a fashion stylist, I always keep certain tools of the trade on me in between clients and have learned from fellow MUAs about items I should have on hand. What do we need to for
on-the-go styling which ensures we're always red carpet ready?

AP: That's easy :) you should always have hairspray on hand. Hairspray's great because it can act as a style refresher, root boost and even frizz tamer. My personal favorite brand is Orlando
Pita's Humidity Blocker finishing spray.

AM: Dry, Oily and Frizzy hair has needs, how should we apply hairstyling product for our hair?

AP: Depending on which or all you are battling I always recommend by starting from within. A balanced diet and healthy intake of water usually help combat those hair disasters.

AM: With winter coming, how can we protect our hair and give it the love that it needs to stay gorgeous?

AP: Regular trims and visits to your hairstylist is always the best bet when combating weather changes. I also recommend listening to what your hair needs, the needs of your hair are always telling as long as you pay attention to it.

AM: How can we use clip-ins, wigs and extensions like a stylist and why would one choose one over the other? How can we maintain them?

AP: I have always been a fan of hair additives, such as wigs or extensions. Sometimes these luxuries can be quite expensive but on the other hand they can be a great addition to your everyday look. I always suggest taking care of yourself first. That means do what it takes to be the best you, even if you have to save money to be able to afford these luxuries. In the end you won't regret it and you'll feel elevated.

Make sure to catch Anthony, Kim Kimble and the rest of the LA Hair cast on WE TV for a new season in Jan '17.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Kim Kimble

Transformation, Punch, Individuality: Iris Apfel

In an industry that is ever changing, fashion (in general) has its standards steeped in norms when it comes to age, race, height, and trends. These ideas create a sense of notions that
surround likely candidates to whom will be successful; however, like anything some rules simply don't apply.

When the fashion community is abuzz around personalities, it's worth noting that Iris Apfel, interior designer, business woman and yes fashion designer - has been doing things the way she has wanted to for well over 90 years! In a discussion with us on what rules she had to get to where she is, she exclaimed, "I don't have any rules, because I would only be breaking them, so it's a waste of time." Whether you see her on HSN with her coveted line - Rara Avis, gracing museums at her own retrospectives, taking over Paris during Fashion Week via Iris Takes Paris, designing a wearable tech line with Wisewear, giving talks to those who are inspired by her words or posing for a number of brands as a collaborator and/or face of the brand - she is doing things her way.

Although she creates a frenzy when she is out and about, she is very candid about herself. "I don't like pretty. I never felt pretty. I don't feel it now - I'm not a pretty person, but I don't feel badly. It worked out well, because I found that all the girls I know who got by on their looks, as time went on and they faded, they were nothing. And they were very disappointed. When you're somebody like myself, in order to get around and be attractive, you have to develop something, you have to learn something, you have to do something. So you become a bit more interesting."

This ethos personifies the way that Iris found herself in the most interesting circles. Her eclectic interests led her to work at Women's Wear Daily, as an assistant to interior designer Elinor Johnson, and even as an assistant to illustrator, Robert Graham.

She married Carl Apfel in 1948, two years later, they launched textile house Old World Weavers, which allowed them to travel the world and she continued to infuse her sense of style by buying non-Western pieces and artisanal clothing. "My husband used to say that I looked at a piece of fabric and would listen to the threads. It tells me a story. I have to get a physical reaction when I buy something - a bolt of lightning. It’s fun to get
knocked out that way!"

With such inspiration at her disposal, one can only wonder how many times she was struck when she also had the opportunity to work at the White House on an array of restoration products for nine presidents (Harry S. Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton).

With such a strong background and sense of self, it's the amount of projects that she has embraced that continues to open her up to audiences that may not have been privvy to the
indelible mark that she has left in fashion and pop culture.

"I see myself as the world's oldest living teenager... I try to get as much kick out of things as possible," which can be seen with a number of her collaborations that she has done in partnerships with brands such as Macy's INC line which brings her style to this on trend
brand. Pieces included her play of fabrication, mixing textures and of course - you can't talk about Iris and style without including her accessories, "I get more compliments on accessories
than anything else. I think they're kind of like herbs and spices. They give zest and zing to an outfit."

Her love of style (as this is something that one should aim for as it embodies your personality) can be seen in the way she shared an anecdote with us about her mother. "My mother worshipped at the alter of accessories and I got the bug. She always said, if you have a good, little, simple black dress and you have different accessories, you can have 27 different outfits."

At 95, there are clearly no signs of stopping for this lady of style. In addition to seeing her pop up in campaigns for Alexis Bittar and Kate Spade, - she is honored in a multitude of ways. Last year, her documentary, Iris included her late husband Carl and brought her to the big screen. This year she was honored with the Women Together Special Award of the Year at the 12th Annual Women Together Gala at the United Nations, alongside Rosario Dawson, The Punta Cana Foundation and the Loewe Foundation.

Iris' style will also have a permanent home in The Museum of Lifestyle and Fashion History in Boynton Beach, Florida as designs are currently underway for a dedicated gallery that will house her clothing, accessories, and furnishings.

Who knows what's next for this 95 year old cover girl?

Farewell Craig Sager

Photography Courtesy | NBA on TNT

When we think of the countless basketball games we watched, it was always about hearing the game through Craig Sager, an amazing sports reporter as well as a man that truly brought his fashion game to the court and was respected by athletes, trainers, coaches and more. We enjoyed watching him on TBS and TNT sharing his thoughts on our favorite teams in the NBA.

This year, Craig was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Craig was diagnosed in 2014 with acute myeloid leukemia which forced him to miss the 2014 season (his son filled in for him to broadcast the games). Although he went into remission, he ultimately succumbed to the disease after a strongly fought battle.

He passed away earlier this evening at the age of 65 and was memorialized during that evening's broadcast of Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls on the Inside the NBA pregame show. The players of each team wore his tribute shirt during warmups (the shirts looked like the suits that he was known for).

His commitment to the sport, his respect among many within and outside of the sport - as well as people rocking his sense of style are immense. We will miss his voice in the NBA.

Craig Sager was inducted into the Sports Broadcaster Hall of Fame and receives hugs from Vice President Joe Biden, Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller, and Shaq

Trai Turner: Living in the Moment

The regular football season comes down to a little over 3 months - 13 weeks. The preparation, strategy, and focus is intense. For every NFL player, their story, journey and reason for being on the field is as varied as those who play the game. We took a moment to chat with New Orlean's native, 2015's NFC Champion Carolina Panther  (#70) and Pro Bowler, Trai Turner. In his 3rd season in the league, he has been noted by Sports Illustrated (he also nabbed a cover) as one of the NFL's best guards. He's also a man who knows how to live in the moment, stay humble and loves wowing off the field with his sense of style. 

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you know that you wanted to be a football player? Share your journey of what the past few years have been like? 

TRAI TURNER: I started playing football around 6 and I was like, I just want to do this. In short, I didn't really know how I would get there, but I knew that that was where I was going to go and I was going to do it. Some of my steps included playing football at St Augustine Highschool, which helped me out. I started in 7th grade and continued until 12th grade, excluding the crazy period of time with Hurricane Katrina that came. After the hurricane, I came back and finished up and got a scholarship to Louisiana State University for 3 years and boom here I am! That's what happened.
 
AM: You run a mean 40 yard dash - how did you get so fast?
 
TT: I think I credit that to my mom and dad and just having good genes. Being the big guy that I am (6'3" 310lbs), you don't really expect that I think - especially from an Offensive Guard at least. My parents gave me the gift and I just work hard.

AM: What was it like going to Super Bowl 50 and how did you prepare for that?   

TT: You couldn't prepare yourself, it was one of those things where each time, I was stuck in the moment. So when I was at practice, I was focused on preparing for the Super Bowl. When I was doing media, my mind was focused on talking with the press about the game. When it was time to chill, I was in the mode of chilling before the game. 

When you play, you always think about the moment of being able to play one of the biggest games, but I always stayed focused in my moments and mode. It's ultimately the greatest day of my sport.
 
AM: Your nickname is "The Professor" - how did you get the name and who makes your eyewear?

TT: My GM, Dave Gettleman gave me that nickname. I don't really like to go through a lot of he say, he works for me. It just came about one day (his glasses). I try to  go a little square, because I'm a big guy and I have a pretty big face. I like to go with the square as it offsets everything else. 

As far as brands, I have been wearing Tom Ford frames. What I usually do is I get sunglasses and then get my lenses perscribed to them. Before that, I had some Gucci's - I love adding various frames to my rotation. My favorite frames would have to be from Cartier - I love the elongated square frames that they make.
 
AM: Clearly you're a man who makes statements (which our Style Director, a Statement Stylist can appreciate) - s0 we have to ask about your red carpet appearance at this year's ESPY Awards, who were you wearing and what was the thought process behind the look - you're definitely comfortable in your own skin!

TT:  I appreciate that. I know a lot of people look at big guys in a certain mode. I know I don't fit that mode but I'm just trying to build my own - that's all.

Elba designed the suit. I just told him that I wanted something in green (green is my favorite color). I looked at Kenneth Love's suit which was real casual and that's me, I'm not too over the top with too much going on. I just wanted something simple, nice and clean. The shoes were a special snakeskin print from Gucci. 

AM: Will we see you design your own suits or do a collaboration?

TT: As far as my own line, right now I don't really think about that kind of stuff. My ultimate goal is to be some kind of brand ambassador - I would love to as I don't see many people who look like me doing those kinds of things. I would love to take on that task. 

If I could take on a collab and just share my input as well as have my name on it - that works too. But as far as me having my own name on it, I'd rather to stick to wearing other people's nice clothes.
 
AM: Besides eyewear, do you have other accessories that you like to include in your style? 
 
TT: I like watches - I think everyone has a go to watch. Mine is a simple gold one. I have 2 chains that I like to wear that signifies me - my SuckaFree chains which I wore at the ESPYS. But my glasses - that's my thing. I'm really getting into my frame game now and I'm starting to expand them.

AM: What is your personal style when you're off the field?

TT: I like to put on clothes. I feel when you put on clothes, you look good and you feel good. I started thinking that I have all this stuff, but then it just sits there - so I just put it on. So I try to look snazzy wherever I go - even when I go to work. I shop by pieces and not by the outfit. When I select my outfit, I say "I want to wear this piece today" and I throw on this look and it just looks nice. A lot of people don't see someone of my stature doing those kind of things. It's eye opening because of my size but it also looks good. 
 
AM: What's your day like when you're practicing for the big game and what's the week look like?

TT: Mon we come in to see what happened - what went right and what went wrong. Just to see what happened in the game. Tuesday will be updates. We have practice on Wed through Fri. Sat you come in and put it all together and fine tune it. Sunday is go time and how you put it all together.
 
AM: I'm sure it's less intense, but what are your off-season days like?

TT:  Off is not the same type of intensity, but it is still a pretty good work. I get up early in the morning to workout, take a nap in the afternoon and then kind of go shopping or something!
 
AM: You really liked how accessible Curren$y was to you and how you felt that was important - to be accessible to your fans. How do you do that with your fans?

TT: I'm trying to do a better job through social media. It's kind of tough in my position as I play Right Guard as people are not always looking at me necessarily. People who do look at me and do recognize me, I try to be open and approachable. I feel like I just play football honestly. My job is just broadcasted. Everybody has a job and so do I - I just don't watch you file papers or write articles - you watch me play football.
 
AM: When Cam Newton is celebrating with his Dab, how do you jump in?

TT: I kind of take the background on all of that. That's not really one of my fortes to get involved in the celebration. The reason why I say that is so much stuff be going on because of the rules and I don't want to make any mistakes. 

I'd rather just do my job and once we get to the sidelines - we can cut up. Then when we get to the locker room, we can go all the way to get celebrations going.
 
AM: How do you stay balanced with so many things going on? 
 
TT: I think it goes hand in hand with me putting on clothes. Think about it, you have to work extremely hard to afford nice clothes. I don't care what pricepoint you're at. To afford nice clothes on a daily basis you have to work extremely hard. Then the feeling that you get when you put them on, it just feels good - you look good. All of my energy is there. My vibe and my smile is there. It just brings them together and it makes my day that much sweeter.

More from the Oct Issue here 

BINGELY BOOKS

From Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner, Taraji P. Henson, comes an inspiring and funny book about family, friends, the hustle required to make it from DC to Hollywood, and the joy of living in your own truth.

With a sensibility that recalls her beloved screen characters, including Yvette, Queenie, Shug, and the iconic Cookie from Empire, yet is all Taraji, the screen actress writes of her family, the one she was born into and the one she created. She shares stories of her father, a Vietnam vet who was bowed but never broken by life's challenges, and of her mother who survived violence both in the home and on DC's volatile streets. Here too she opens up about her experiences as a single mother, a journey some saw as a burden but which she saw as a gift.

| HUNGRY HEART | Jennifer Weiner | Simon & Schuster |

BOOK COVER COURTESY | Simon & Schuster

Jennifer Weiner is many things: a bestselling author, a Twitter phenomenon, and an “unlikely feminist enforcer” (The New Yorker). She’s also a mom, a daughter and a sister, a former rower and current clumsy yogini, a wife, a friend, and a reality-TV devotee. In her first essay collection, she takes the raw stuff of her life and spins it into a collection of tales of modern-day womanhood as uproariously funny and moving as the best of Nora Ephron and Tina Fey. Born in Louisiana, raised in Connecticut, educated at Princeton, Jennifer spent years feeling like an outsider (“a Lane Bryant outtake in an Abercrombie & Fitch world”) before finding her people in newsrooms, and her voice as a novelist, activist, and New York Times columnist.

| THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH | Kermit Alexander |
Simon & Schuster |

BOOK COVER COURTESY | Simon & Schuster

In this gripping memoir, former San Francisco 49er Kermit Alexander shares his thirty-year-journey to redemption after the brutal murder of his family in South Central Los Angeles.

With vivid detail, former NFL All Pro and president of the NFL Players Association Kermit tells the full story of the murders that took his mother, sister, and nephews.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death begins when his father moves the family from Louisiana to LA. After his career with the San Francisco 49ers, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Philadelphia Eagles, Kermit returned to LA and lived a short drive from his beloved mother.

ALEX AND ANI

Accessories tell a story and the story is one that tends to combine the designer’s vision, his/her background, the pieces themselves and how the wearer embraces it within their lives. The story of ALEX AND ANI is no different. Carolyn Rafaelian serves as the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Creative Office.

She has created an accessory brand that illustrates the way that empowerment, storytelling, authenticity and connecting humanity come together. She creates each piece within this coveted line, that is worn by athletes, celebrities, an influencers. The eco-conscious line that utilizes recycled materials that are processed ethically, was created in 2004 in the basement of Carolyn’s father’s factory in Cranston, Rhode Island (interestingly enough, her vivid memories are growing up within the jewelry business as her father used to make American Flag pins during the Vietnam War).

In addition to being a brand that is Made in America, she is proud that her business has grown exponentially from 25 employees to well over 1,000 people (which she views as her tribe) – some having started from the very beginning. Her belief in a healthy work-life balance is demonstrated within her Rhode Island headquarters that has a subsidized café, which has local and organic foods available. In addition to retaining great staff, her commitment as a philanthropist is evident as ALEX AND ANI- has provided well over $30 Million to organizations locally and internationally to continue the concept of Doing Good.

There are a number of areas where the success of Alex and Ani can be seen with nearly 60 retail stores, over 1800 external retailers, boutiques, etc. These environments are not just points of sale, but places where customers can share their journey through jewelry by connecting in a meaningful way through the product as a story. The brand has instilled a movement towards compassion, as well as individuality, through its themed collections as well as symbolism that is used.

The success of the brand has everything to with Carolyn who is led by a commitment that is filled with purpose that allows her to clearly connect to her vision and to optimize the brand as she sees fit. She also believes in enriching those who work with her, who are dedicated and instrumental in carrying out her needs for the brand.

ALEX AND ANI has a number of partnerships with an array of national sporting organizations, the Olympics, but it is her focus on redefining corporate-giving through CHARITY BY DESIGN that allows a unique way to impact giving back to others through her jewelry via over 550 charities. In her way, she feels that this brings communities together and creates a sense of consciousness and empathy.

With so many fundamentals of the brand, it’s easy to see how she creates a narrative that is welcoming to her customers. Earlier this month, ALEX AND ANI unveiled and exclusive jewelry collection that incorporates original copper that was preserved from the Statue of Liberty National Monument, which inspires the world to Carry Light. This copper is a part of a centennial restoration partnership with the Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, Inc, and includes 26 pieces. The pieces are an exact replica of Lady Liberty’s torch that are made from her preserved copper.

From 1984 – 1986, the Statue of Liberty had its stainless steel armature bars replace the original, iron frame and copper supports. This copper, was preserved at that time. “The biggest honor of my life is to take her message and make it literally, physically attached to each and every one of us. LIBERTY ENLIGHTENING THE WORLD. That’s who she is. She holds the torch to light our path,” said Carolyn.

Via ALEX AND ANI’s social, you may have noticed the #CARRYLIGHT hashtag, which encourages followers to be inspired by Lady Liberty and to see how they bring light into the world. They are asked what do you CARRY LIGHT for – whether this is a passion, a cause, friends, family etc. Those who purchase this collection receive the signature meaning card that accompanies each LIBERTY COPPER collection which states, “Bearing her torch … we welcome Lady Liberty’s movement of light and hope. When we CARRY LIGHT, we ignite the light in others, and create one light indivisible.” This collection supports the work of The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation.

See more from the Sept Issue.

MOVEMENT AND SHAPE WITH CUSHNIE ET OCHS

The undisputed "Queens of Body Con," Cushnie Et Ochs know a thing or two about making a statement with their distinctive collections that fit the body to perfection with cut outs, slits, and textural play. Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs are more than just darlings of the CFDA, they have continued to showcase their fashion cred as a celebrity favorite on the red carpet with Karlie Kloss, Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon, Gwenyth Paltrow, Jada Pinkett and more. They are the go-to for making a sultry and sexy statement, while ensuring a powerful tone. A defining moment of distinction came when First Lady, Michelle Obama wore a custom piece for the White House's Christmas in Washington.

Although they are an American brand, their aesthetic showcases Danish and Italian influences. This summer, the duo presented their SS17 collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. "Inspiration comes, from everywhere, from film to travel to an art exhibition, you can really find inspiration in anything," explains Carly when we asked how they keep the line fresh within their niche focus.

This season's collection focuses on a night out while balancing the duality of movement and shape. As always the design duo compliments their strengths in a way that creates flawless execution when paying homage to the female body. Never understated, they know how to merge their secret formula of edgy, yet classy.

In a word, their brand personifies the heartbreaker, an unapologetic woman who has something to say and wants to be a conversation starter before she has even uttered a sound.

The secret formula of the brand's versatility (as it can be worn from a power meeting, a lunch date, and an epic night out) and coveted nature comes down to its creation. "By design, our garments have a stretch structure and support which is fully lined so there's less of a need for specific under garments," noted Michelle. Looks are created with a balance of hard, soft, tailored and fluidity. Of course, they are all about fabrication details which include viscose, fine ribbed knits, and stretch twill.

The key to success for the team is not just in knowing their niche who continues to flock to them for embellishing their moments on the red carpet; however, the women put themselves into the line as well and continue to look at the ongoing lifestyle of the women who are on-the-go and enjoy going out.

They established this connection with their customer upon this summer's release of their active line where portions of the collections sold out in minutes via their Cushnie Et Ochs X Bandier collaboration.

"Being very active ourselves — and with the female form as the muse that informs our ready-to-wear collection — activewear was a natural progression for us," Carly stated in explaining this portion of the line extension. It is the epitome of being able to wear garments to a number of destinations from the gym, brunch, and out. The ability to do so with ease is an essential to the woman that is constantly on the go.

Although there are a number of designers that are looking to add this type of aesthetic within their collections, this is not a whim for this design set. Carly's workouts include SLT, SoulCycle and fitness artist Nicole Winhoffer's NW Method.

Just as their red carpet looks have enjoyed devotion from celebrities and power women, fitness has also responded with many of the pieces selling out just days after coming to market this summer! The ability to have a chic, edgy, and detailed look that provides the necessary function in the studio, but can also be rocked for life after the gym has resonated with their base.

When asked why it made sense for the ready- to-wear brand to include this within their design, Carly points to seamless integration. "At its core, Cushnie Et Ochs has always been about women's bodies. We wanted to create something for our existing, as well as next customer, that worked seamlessly into her next phase of life. So the natural progression was to create this athleisure line."

The all black capsule collection focuses on core pieces that stylish gym-goers can easily embrace. The edit of 10 pieces includes leggings, crop tops, jackets and tank tops. Of course, their signature of slits on slits and attention to detail is woven throughout the line. Notably, the duo have utilized fabrication that stretches 2 or 4 ways for their red carpet collection however this capsule uses fabrics that stretch 8 ways ensuring that everything stays where it is meant to be regardless of the workout!

"We were inspired to create the activewear version of our little black dresses and to highlight and define the female body through our signature cuts and sculptural lines," explained Carly. Being active herself and due to the nature of their designs, the duo understood that their base wanted to have this option. As always, laser cutting has been a core of the design and with this collaboration, the skin almost becomes another portion of the design element.

"In general wellness has become very important and people should be taking better care of themselves. But when you have great looking activewear, you not only perform better but you can transition from working out to normal life easily!" exclaimed Carly.

The ability to be synced into their customer and to ensure that they have her covered from day to night, as well as when she pops out to maintain her physique, keeps Cushnie Et Ochs connected with who they are as a brand.

As a mantra, "the brand is a for women by women, and we want to always express this female sensuality in our clothes," they proclaimed. Regardless of the season or focus, this is a pivotal pillar in their design ethos.

The only constant is change and the Cushnie Et Ochs team continues to focus on what they do best, while looking at natural expansions that will continue to support their existing customer while also introducing themselves to new fans. They believe that their success has also been established in understanding that with so many options that are available, it is essential to create colections that allow consumers to purchase items that go beyond a season and not to make them so specific. This showcases their true versatility and establishes their ongoing loyalty.

What's next for this duo that continues to get it right by focusing on the details and the intimateconnection with their base? On the horizon for this fall is their much anticipated e-commerce store which is another benchmark from a brand that continues to move forward since they launched in 2008 and were picked up by Bergdorf Goodman in 2009!

Read more from the Aug Issue.

THE JET

The life of athletes is one of dedication and extreme focus, mentally and physically. They focus on a number of areas to be successful - breaking records, obtaining metals, and establishing their legacy. With the Olympics™ days away, we chatted with sprinter and three time Olympic medallist, Carmelita Jeter. 

ATHLEISURE MAG: We know that your athletic career started in high school but what made you want to be a sprinter?

CARMELITA JETER: In the 9th grade, my basketball coach said that I needed to stay in shape and so I went on the track team to do that – it was my only objective. Then I ended up being good and like any person, when you realize that you are good at something – you decide to stick with it. I’m not saying that I wasn’t good at basketball – I was. I just loved the individualism of track and that you took all the credit and all the blame. I feel that the sport builds a lot of character as you have to push, sacrifice, and train harder. It’s not a sport where 4 other people can save you. Starting as late as I did, people thought that I wouldn’t have made it as far as I did. I think that by starting later on, it assisted me in not burning out. I was fresher in the mind.

AM: How was it like when you prepared for your first Olympic appearance and how was it when you were doing so for the games in Rio?

CJ: The first Olympics™ in 2012 – I was coming off of so many great years! In 2009, I ran a 10.64 which made me the second fastest woman ever and the fastest woman alive. I didn’t lose a lot of races that year. In 2010, I came off excelling as well and won a Diamond League Trophy. In 2011 it was World Championships and I won the 100 meters and took 2nd in the 200 and won gold in the 4x100m. 

So I had all these great years going into 2012. The momentum was, “ok you’re hot right now” and what are you going to do to stay hot? I was going into the Olympics, doing all of these cover shoots, interviews, and at that moment, everyone wanted a piece of Carmelita Jeter. 

Unfortunately, in 2012 my aunt who had been diagnosed with cancer in 2009 passed away. This was difficult for me as I was very close to her. I bought my first home down the street from her – who buys a home down the street from their relative unless they are really close? Her passing in March 2012 was really devastating. I didn’t want to run anymore. My approach had changed. I went from being really aggressive and focused to my coach having to call me to make me come to practice. That shows how bad it had gotten as I didn’t want to go. Before she had passed away, I told her that I was going to make the team. I had to check myself and say, “ok are you really going to fail now and not do what you said you would do?” At that moment, I became a monster and you couldn’t stop me – no holds barred and I was going to make the team!

My preparation for 2016 was different as I was 4 years older. I had torn 2 quads and had a quad surgery going into 2016. I had to change how I ate – I went all organic with Nutrifit. I was fortunate enough to have AquaHydrate supply me with bottles of water. I started physical therapy with Evolution PT in Culver City. There were all these things I did adding Pilates with Pilates Platinum in Venice Beach to my equation. This was my Pinky and the Brain – I wanted to stay healthy and it was my only objective. We all know that mentally, I am just a monster. I can run on one leg. I did it in 2013 and tore my quad that year and still got a bronze metal. My heart and mind was never the question. It was whether my body could hold up. After doing so many years of pounding to it – would it hold up? In that aspect, my everything had changed as I needed my body to stay together. 

The week before Olympic trials came, my left quad started to aggravate me and I thought, “you have to be kidding me.” It was devastating because you workout so hard and this time it was an emotional workout more than a physical work. Emotionally, I said that you can do this at 36, but my body was like, “I don’t know boo – I don’t know.” I decided not to run because I got an MRI and it said that my tendon was completely inflamed in my quad. My doctor, Dr Frederick (who is also the doctor for the LA Clippers and Wayne Griffin) gave me the doctor and the friend conversation. The first conversation hurt as he was honest. He said, “if you go out there, you'll make it through the first round and the second one. But when you have to really put your foot down on the gas – you might tear this tendon Carmelita and you’ll be back here and we might have to have a surgery.” That was the doctor conversation and then as a friend he said, I know how hard you work and how tough you are – I know you could pull it off but he didn’t want me to mess my body up forever. For him to have that type of conversation with me let me know how much he cared about me beyond being a doctor and he gave me both scenarios. 

It was so emotional, but I called my coach and I cried like my best friend had stolen my boyfriend. He wanted me to come to the trials but I was so emotionally messed up that there was no way I could be there. I stayed home and watched the trials and of course I want Team USA to win. I’m such a competitor and patriotic – I just want to go out there and get it. So seeing this new team get selected – I knew this was the new era. A lot of the people that I typically run with didn’t make it or got injured. It was hard to watch that as well – other runners not making it showed me the reality that this was a changing of the guard moment. 

AM: When training for meets, what does a typical day look like?

CJ: Right now I am still waking up at 5:30 in the morning, which is the worst thing as I’m not working out – so I just look at the wall. Usually, my schedule is to wake up at 5:30 and to be out the door by 6:15. I’m in the weight room by 6:45. We would train at Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, so I would be there from them until about 8am in the morning. That’s lifting weight, power weights, power clinking and then I would drive to UCLA in about 30 minutes and we would start practicing there starting at 9/9:15. I’m out there until about 11/11:30. Then it depended on what I had that day. I would leave practice and go to CryoTherapy (imagine getting into a giant freezer) in LA and then grab food as Nutrifit, would bring my meals every morning so I would have it with me and pop it in the microwave somewhere. I would either head home and relax to get ready for Evolution PT which was about an hour. My day would be done by 1:30/2pm as I tried to keep everything together so that things wouldn’t linger out.

After that I didn’t have anything else to do. I would go to Pilates on Tues night at 8pm – my only day that I did something late. This way I could come home, drink water, and relax. So I couldn’t complain about the schedule.  

AM: What was on your playlist during training/working out?

CJ: It always mattered how I felt in the morning. If I woke up and felt the birds were chirping – I’d listen to Maroon 5. I always loved listening to old songs from Aaliyah – something about her voice made me feel calm. If the day was different and I didn’t want to go to practice, I’d have to listen to Jay-Z, Nas, Beyonce, Rihanna. If someone pissed me off – Kanye was always on the playlist and always waiting. 

AM: What’s next on your calendar in terms of in the sport and outside of it?

CJ: Right now, I have actually been pretty busy. I’m trying to stick my hand in all kinds of pots! A few days ago I presented an award at the Humanitarian Sports ESPN of the Year Award to one of teams. It was really exciting and my first time doing that and standing up there. It always feels like everyone’s looking at you and judging you to see if you are going to mess up and I was like, “no I’m not!” I really enjoyed that. I have been a professional since 2007 and this year’s ESPY Awards was my first time in attendance! How crazy is that? I’m usually out of the country in July training or competing. So for me to get glammed up and to go – it was a highlight and I’ve always seen it wishing I could be there. Being in the environment and seeing the tribute that they did for Muhammad Ali and hearing his stories that I didn’t know to it’s fullest extent brought tears to my eyes. 

I’ve been talking with NBC, and hopefully, I can start commentating with them through the Olympics. I want to do so many things – commentate, do public speaking, talk to athletes, empower women to be freaking amazing and get into acting. I know it’s not easy to do it as like a sport, it’s a craft that you have to focus and dedicate yourself to. I feel that I have the personality to do it. I wouldn’t mind being on a sports panel talking with athletes or a day time show! 

I loved that I have been able to get dressed the last couple of days. Many people think that if you’re an athlete you’re just that, but no boo – I clean up VERY well! I’m just excited about so many avenues that I can get into. I really want to be the first woman that can coach in the combine – to coach the guys to run fast in the 40s. I am always trying to set goals to be the best at it. Just like Becky Hammond is the first woman to assistant coach for the Spurs. I want to be the first woman trainer in the combine for sprint. Not just setting it up for football, baseball – I just want to break some barriers. There are so many barriers for women to just smash and I’m just trying to get a bat right now and just go crazy - Lemonade it! 

AM: What’s your personal style on the track, when you’re going out, and then for brunch?

CJ: For the track – honestly I never match unless I am doing interviews. As long as it said Nike, I would put it on – it could be burgundy, orange, green. I went to practice as if I was going to work and to get dirty – it was not a fashion show for me. That was my mindset when I got dressed in the morning as half the time I would get dressed in the dark. It was about sportbra, shirt, tights, bag – let’s roll. I had my gear in certain drawers and it was easy to grab. I didn’t put thought in it. Interviews – I was matching from the hats to the socks, in matching Nike. 

For red carpet, it matters what the event is – fancy dancy, LA casual etc. If there is a lot of energy and press, I use Noel Smith who has been dressing me for these last two events. I have used her before, but I told I’m really going to need her when I’m truly stepping out. She’s keeping my style as she knows I don’t want to be uncomfortable. I want to be classy and give a little sass. 

For brunch, it just matters how I feel that day. I am a vneck and jeans girl. I have 20 – 30 fresh with tags tees on. I will pop one on with a pair of jeans and a blazer and roll. It’s my go to that works with everything. If it’s an event that I have to wear a dress then I will do a flowy dress by BCBG as they always have a number of them that works! For the most part- I’m a vneck/jeans and heel kind of girl. 

But it you’re my friend and I don’t care, then I’m going to throw on sweats, a baseball cap, tee-shirt and some high tops and we’re going to eat. It just matters who I’m with. 

AM: You have a lot of commitments with friends, family, etc – how do you stay balanced and give yourself the time that you need?

CJ: I just got back from Cancun. I like to take vacations, but I don’t like to be gone for too long so I take a number of short trips. I like to lay on the beach, think, and relax. When I need to just be Carmelita, I like to shop – there’s nothing like a little retail therapy. It can be something small or big but I like to give to myself as I work so hard. I love to be with my family as I love them – we’re like Soul Food. I love the energy and that I don’t have to do interviews or overly smile and play nice. We can talk crazy and it will just stay there and I don’t have to worry about it showing up somewhere. I definitely like people who love ‘Lita (that’s what people call me who know me). I love horseback riding, go carting (I’m a champion) – I love being active and things that have nothing to do with track. When you come into my home, there is nothing in there that lets you know I run track and I like that I can open the door to my house and have that serenity now feel. Now if you go into the garage, that is something different!

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GET ON POINT

Athleisure Mag was excited to sit down with Craig Smith during his busy schedule. We created a fashion x dance photoshoot with celebrity personal trainer, Craig Smith. We talked with him about his passions; being Madonna's personal trainer; Creative Director, and Head Master Trainer for Hard Candy Fitness – her international gyms; who he is influenced by; and how he keeps everything balanced. 

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ATHLEISURE MAG: What goes into becoming a top choreographer?

CRAIG SMITH: Talent, creativity, artistry, vision, discipline, fortitude, and hard work.

AM: Do you have any fun stories to share from iconic music videos or tours you were part of through the years?

CS: When I danced for Rihanna on a short Japan spot date tour for Nike, the audience was silent every number of our performance until the very end of each song. It was funny to me at the time because I had never experienced that before.

AM: Tell us about Hard Candy Fitness.

CS: Hard Candy Fitness is an international luxury gym brand inspired by Madonna - the artist, athlete, and icon. Our signature and exclusive premiere programs are created and inspired by daily workouts I create and do with Madonna, her worldwide tours, music videos, music, and fitness philosophies. We’ve had great success with the brand since 2010 with club locations in amazing places like: Italy, Chile, Russia, Germany, Mexico, and more. I have the awesome roles of Creative Director, and head master trainer of the Hard Candy Fitness Sweat Crew (a team of professional dancers & fitness coaches).

AM: As Creative Director and a Master Trainer at HCF, give us the scoop on where things are headed.

CS: We are launching a variety of incredible new programs to add to our current premiere programming roster and are opening locations in more amazing regions around the globe!

AM: How did you come to work with Madonna and what's it like to train/work with her on tour and personally?

CS: Madonna extended a personal invitation for me to work with her personally 2 1⁄2 years ago after having already worked with Hard Candy Fitness as both a Master Trainer and consultant for 1 year prior. Working with Madonna both personally and on tour is demanding, fun, chill, educational, and more all at the same time.

AM: What's it like to balance being a multi-faceted creative and coaching others at the highest level?

CS: I've always been a person of variety and multi-faceted. To maintain balance, I do my best not to overwhelm myself by taking on too much of a workload nowadays. I’m not afraid to say ‘no’ to things, or say ‘yes’ to things that inspire me.

AM: You have a wicked sense of style, first off what makes a good cap? 

CS: Style, fit, versatility, comfort, construction, and functionality are things that make an excellent hat to me.

AM: How would you define your style?

CS: Urban, high fashion, classic, modern, edgy, conservative, funky, and everything else in-between.
 
AM: We know you love kicks too, what details do you like on them?

CS: Color, high top, edgy, and fashionable are all details that describe most of the kicks I own.

AM: You have a pretty busy schedule, what are your top 3 places to eat in NY and some of your favorite international destinations that we should add to our list?

CS: My top 3 places to eat in NYC: Peacefood Café, Candle 79 and/or Café, & Hangawi Restaurant. One of my favorite international spots I love is Mae’s Deli in London.

AM: How has vegan life helped shaped you?

CS: Vegan life has literally helped save and change my entire life for the better.

AM: We know you’re super reflective, how often do you jot thoughts and ideas down? What's being in the zone for you?

CS: I jot down thoughts and ideas every single day. Being in the zone is usually when I’m listening to instrumental jazz music; which helps me maintain incredible focus and concentration while I download all concepts/ideas.

AM: How big is organization in your day? Walk us through some typical routines.

CS: I’m a Capricorn; which means organization is everything! Typical daily routines range from prayer/meditation, emails, conference calls, reading, quality time with family & friends, personal workouts, planning workouts for clients, creating some form of art, and more.

AM: What’s next for Craig Smith after moving forward with HCF?

CS: Jumping back into music, dance, fitness, and some new & exciting entrepreneurial endeavors!

AM: What kinds of things do you like to do to have fun?

CS: I love watching documentaries, supporting live creative arts performances & shows, dining out, traveling, reading, writing, museums, sports, and much more.

AM: What are your must-haves for a dance, workout and chill playlist?

CS: My must-haves: comfortable stylish gear & footwear, awesome workout spaces, and my personal music playlists I create for my workouts and/or classes.

Photoshoot taken at Modern Arts Loft - NY, NY

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GREECE INSPO X MIAMI SWIM WEEK WITH TORI PRAVER

All eyes were on Miami as another successful season of Swim Week SS/17 hit South Beach. We caught up with former Sports Illustrated model, Tori Praver, who closed the season with her namesake line. This season she showed her 2017 Resort Collection entitled "Royal Castaway" which takes inspiration from Greek architecture, tiles, and white ocean rocks. Filled with earth tones balanced against black and white as well as limoncello and chili pepper hues. Tori Praver is available at Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Anthropologie.

We took a moment to chat with Tori about how she keeps Swim Week Stress away, stays healthy, continues to be fit on the road, and spending time with her family during one of her biggest weeks of the year.

ATHLEISURE MAG:  What is the inspiration behind this year's collection?

TORI PRAVER: I was inspired by travels through Greece and European cliffside beaches. We've also introduced a new range of coverage for bottoms this season that speaks to our youthful and mature customers. I'm also thrilled to offer some new styles for our separates - fit and form and very important to me, and are the cornerstone for everything I create.

AM: What does it mean to show at Swim Week?

TP: As far as being a swimwear designer goes it’s what you wait for all year – it’s a very special place to be able to showcase your collections and it’s also a lot of fun at the same time. I get to reconnect with my fellow designers and see everyone again from years past.  

AM: How do you stay fit on the go? 

TP: I try to eat clean whenever possible and keep up my workout regimen while on the  road. Luckily my family and I had the privilege of living at the Penthouse Residences for the week at 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach. The property really promotes a healthy lifestyle and offers a wide variety of healthy dining options by Chef Tom Colicchio, as well wellness and fitness classes throughout the day from SoulCycle to Spartan training, rooftop Yoga and more.

AM: Why is eating organic important to you?

TP: I’ve always been cautious about what I eat but now that I have two children, it has made me that much more aware of what we put in our bodies. There are so many hidden ingredients / chemicals in the food people eat every day without even knowing. Eating organic makes you feel healthier and better overall, and it’s important to me for my kids to also be aware of these things. 

AM: How did you combat Swim Week Stress?

TP: Living in the Penthouse Residences at 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach was a stress relief in itself. My daughter Ryan was always entertained around the property between the four ocean front swimming pools, children’s activities and more. I was able to escape in the mornings as well to the SoulCycle studio on property and spun out my stress. It was really fantastic having everything I love in one place and made my life during Swim Week much easier. 

AM: Now that you completed your show, what are you up to for the rest of the summer?

TP: I’m going to relax, spend time with my kids and not be stressed! I’m looking forward to staying in one place for a while. 

AM: What lessons did you learn as a Sports Illustrated Model that have assisted you in balancing your time, being successful as a designer, etc? 

TP: It wasn’t necessarily what I learned as a model, but the individuals that I’ve met along the way and the connections that I made were a huge advantage when I decided to start my own swimwear line. Every person you meet comes with their own life experiences and I’ve enjoyed getting to know and learn from so many different people throughout my career with all different backgrounds. 

GOOD MORNING, MICHAEL

Michael Strahan is a true New York icon. We had the pleasure to chat with him about his new athleisure line, MSX by Michael Strahan; where we can see him next; and how he remains on top. We also caught up with Stuart Billingham, JCPenney Creative Director for Men's Private Label for more on the collection.

ATHLEISURE MAG: - Stylish active lifestyle sounds like a great ethos for you, you’re always looking good on-the-go – what’s an average day like for you?

MICHAEL STRAHAN: There really isn’t an “average day” for me. Every day is so different, especially during different seasons. For example, during football season, I’m traveling from New York to Los Angeles for NFL on FOX. On days that I’m on Good Morning America, I wake up around 5:30am. My afternoons are always different. Sometimes I’m taking meetings with my management and production company, SMAC Entertainment and other times I’m doing activities that I enjoy, like playing golf! I’ve been spending a lot time working on my athleisure line MSX and my clothing line Collection by Michael Strahan.

AM: When did you first decide to jump into a companion line for Collection by Michael Strahan?

MS: I had a lot of fun creating Collection by Michael Strahan with JCPenney and I realized that in addition to great tailored pieces, men also need comfortable, stylish clothes that can be worn anytime. MSX by Michael Strahan is inspired by my active lifestyle and provides men trendy, functional pieces that can be worn everywhere. I call it my EveryWEAR for everywhere. And best of all, it's all priced for a great value. I'm really excited to be part of what's happening in the overall athleisure movement and I'm excited for the future of MSX.

AM: Why do you think athleisure wear has become such a movement?

MS: The way people are living these days has changed. People are on the go much more than ever before. Wearing a comfortable, yet stylish tee and pants is not for lounging, it's for living! To be able to go throughout your day and not feel over or underdressed in any situation is crucial and that's where athleisure comes in.

AM: “Everywear for everywhere,” that’s catchy, what assortment does MSX currently offer?

MS: The line offers a wide range of clothes for every part of life. The chino pants are one of my personal favorites because they can easily go from the office to the golf course. Also the Henley three button shirts, the v necks and an assortment of short options. 

AM: What is it about MSX by Michael Strahan that makes it optimal for workouts and tackling tasks of the day after the studio/gym?

MS: The breathable fabrics are made to keep you cool and comfortable all day, when they are paired with the no-chafe stitching you’ll stay comfortable the entire day.

AM: Style, comfort and performance are key for activewear, what advanced technology and comfort features does MSX by Michael Strahan have?

MS: Every piece in the line has hidden details. We have the no-chafe seam details to keep you comfortable while you are moving or the UV protection so you will be protected all day long. My favorite details are the secret pockets. For example, I’m a golfer so I wanted the chino pants to looks stylish, yet be functional. We kept the left back pocket open so you can easily slip in your golf glove between swings and included a zipper on the right back pocket to keep valuables like wallet and phone.

AM: What are some of your must-haves that you keep in your secret pockets?

MS: I keep all the essentials in my pockets - money clip, keys, and sometimes my phone…when it’s not missing! haha

AM: Run us through some of your favorite routines when you’re in the gym. Have you carried over a lot from those grueling football practices? Do you take any studio classes to round out your training?

Pictures of Michael Strahan in athleisure attire, courtesy of JCP

MS: I usually work out for an hour 5/6 days a week. I don't do the same workout I did as a football player. Now I do exercises that are more conducive to mobility and flexibility. I still lift weights, but the exercises and amount that I lift are definitely different.

AM: What are some of the jams or artists that are your go-to’s for your workout playlist? Anything new you just started listening to?

MS: I listen to Bill Wither’s “Lovely Day” every morning before work. It’s the best way to start the day! I’m a creature of habit. I like to work out to Hip-Hop. Whatever's hot I listen to.

AM: How do you stay on top of daily nutrition, what are some of you favorite meal combinations and snacks that keep you lean and mean? What is that one irresistible treat item that you just crave and enjoy?

MS: I eat a lot of fish, chicken and turkey and fresh vegetables without the butter and other things that add sneaking calories into my diet. I have protein smoothies and hard boiled eggs along with nuts as well. I have a weakness for chocolate in any form so I do crave chocolate chip cookies and ice cream, but I only indulge occasionally.

AM: You are an inspiration for work ethic across the board, what does “being 100% present” mean to you?

MS: It means waking up happy and putting your best foot forward each and every day. A good friend of mine always says “dress shoes.” It makes me laugh, but I like the meaning behind it because it’s about “putting your best foot forward…and if you’re going to do that, you should literally be putting your best foot forward". I have to remember to put away the phone and stay in the moment. That's a hard test for everyone in this age of technology, but it really helps you to stay present if you can do it.

AM: Your best-selling book, “Wake Up Happy: The Dream Big, Win Big Guide to Transforming Your Life” shares a lot of personal stories and advice for personal ambitions and going from good to great. What is a tip or two to be on top of one’s game and keep on track in active lifestyle?

Photo (P.41) courtesy of Jerry Coli. Photo

MS: I draw upon the power of positive thinking often. Developing a routine always helps to keep you on track. And most of all, just remember to encourage yourself and give yourself a break if you need it. Don't be so hard on yourself if you're not perfect because none of us are.

AM: Hello Stuart, thanks for joining us. Tell our readers a bit about your background and how you came to be Creative Director, Men’s Private Label at JCPenney.

STUART BILLINGHAM: I have been in the industry for 15 years, both in the European & US markets, working on a variety of product ranging from surf/skate, outdoor, heritage and fast fashion. JCPenney was an amazing opportunity for me to work with a highly talented team and immerse myself in a number of different lifestyles through the amazing private labels exclusive to us here, including Arizona, Xersion and of course MSX by Michael Strahan.

AM: What are some of the lines that you have been able to create with personalities?

SB: MSX by Michael Strahan was the first line I have had the opportunity to collaborate with a major personality like Michael, so this idea of working with someone who had a strong idea that they wanted to bring to life was super exciting. 

AM: How did the collaboration with you and Michael Strahan come about and what is the process that goes into creating a line such as this?

SB: JCPenney and Michael have been working together on our suiting line, COLLECTION by MICHAEL STRAHAN so it felt natural to find something to balance that – with MSX we wanted comfort and performance attributes, but we didn't want to make it feel like a performance line. We want guys to wear it everyday, to integrate each piece into their lifestyle.

(P.142/143) courtesy of Frank Jansky/ZUMA Wire

AM: How was it to work with Michael?

SB: Michael was heavily involved in the design process and showed so much foresight when it came to the product. He has great vision and is obsessed about the details like I am, so we had fun geeking out over new ideas.

AM: What are some of the inspirations behind the line?

SB: This is Michael Strahan’s second apparel line with JCPenney and we pulled inspiration from his personal style and his active lifestyle as a father and one of America’s most recognizable athletes and media personalities.

AM: We hear Michael says “everyone should get one of each,” where is a good place to begin to jumpstart their wardrobe with some core essentials?

SB: The true core of the collection comes in our performance jersey styles. Anyone can build on our tees offered in crew neck, V-neck or sleeveless muscle, all with our no-chafe seam details and quick drying technology, so you will be comfortable all day. We also have great layer-ups in fleece and 4-way stretch fabrications that offer great outfitting capabilities.

AM: What are additional styles that will be in future collections?

SB: Together with Michael, we are continuing to evolve the line with new product, and have some very exciting things coming for the MSX collection for Fall 16. Stay tuned.

Photo (144/145) courtesy of Lev Radin.

HER ROAD TO RIO

The Olympics™ are just around the corner and in addition to seeing our favorite athletes compete, it's also a great time to see former Olympians who have taken on new roles. We spoke with Nastia Liukin on the road during the Olympic Trials to talk gymnastics, commitment and her role as a commentator for NBC during the games at Rio!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Growing up in a family of Olympians, how did this craft your interest in the sport and how did you get into it?

NASTIA LIUKIN: Well, believe it or not, my parents didn't even want me to do gymnastics. They knew how hard it was and they just wanted their one and only child to be happy. But for me, my happiness came from gymnastics. I never wanted to leave the gym. I fell in love with the sport at such an early age.

AM: As someone who trained from an early age, how did this affect your outlook on life in terms of commitment, dedication etc?

NL: Commitment and dedication where both two major factors that helped me achieve my goals. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I had to be committed in order to achieve those dreams. Nothing would be handed to me. I was never the strongest gymnast, so I had to work extremely hard on conditioning in order to perform a lot of the skills.

AM: What was your training like heading into the 2008 Olympic games and how did you maintain balance while you were at the games?

NL: Training heading into the 2008 Olympics ™ was pretty intense. 7 hours a day, 6 days a week (sometimes 7 days a week) depending on the competition schedule. I really didn't think or do too much else besides training, physically therapies, extra cardio or conditioning. My life revolved around the Olympics that entire year, and most years as well. But specifically 2008. 

I didn't want to look back in September of 2008 and think what if, what if I would have trained more, done more routines? Those thoughts started to haunt my mind, so I made sure to not let them creep into my mind too much.

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AM: As an athlete, you never know where your career will go, since then you have created clothing lines and been a spokesperson for other brands, how exciting has that transition been and do you have other projects coming up that you can tell us about?

NL: To be honest if you would have told me that 10 years ago, I would have never believed you. I started gymnastics because I had such a huge passion for the sport. It was never to make it a career or build a brand, or even win gold medals. I loved flipping, and learning new skills. It all gave me a thrill. Now at 26 years old, I look back at everything I have done and continue to do and am so thankful for it all. But, I do have to say it hasn't all been handed to me. I feel like it’s a full-time job trying to continue doing what I’m doing with my career and I’ve had the chance to work with some amazing people in the industry that have helped shape my career into what it is now. I am working on a few projects that I’m so thrilled to be working on, but for now I have to keep them a secret.

AM: We've listened to you commentating on the Men's and Women's Gymnastic Trials and know you are doing this throughout the games, how exciting is it to be the NBC Commentator for Gymnastics?

NL: I was so honored when NBC offered me this role. To be able to continue being involved in something I love so much has been incredible. It has definitely been a learning experience and with each time we are on air, I learn more and feel a little more confident. This is now my fourth year, but there is nothing like an Olympic™ Games. So I’m extremely excited for Rio!

AM: Going into Rio, who are your favorites for the US Men's and Women's team that you can't wait to see - who should we be watching out for?

NL: Simone Biles, without question, is the heavy favorite on the women’s side. She has the chance of winning 5 GOLD medals in Rio. Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas are trying to make their second Olympic™ Team and have a great shot. So it will be a very fun competition on the women’s side.

On the men’s side, Sam Mikulak is the favorite for the US. He is the 4 time National Champion going into the Rio and will be competing in his second Olympic™ Games.

AM: As a gymnast who has competed on the Olympic™ stage, do you share any words of wisdom to the gymnasts that you share with them when you've been traveling with them?

NL: Most of them don’t need too much advice. They are more prepared, physically than they will ever be in their lives. But mentally, it’s important to stay calm and treat it like any other competition. Also, enjoy it. It goes by so quickly, you blink and it’s over.

AM: What are you looking forward to in Rio (whether within the gymnast category or outside of it)?

NL: Definitely the gymnastics but also getting a chance to see the other sports. When I was in Beijing, I didn't get that chance to go to other events, so I’m looking forward to that. I also love trying to experience the culture of every city/country I visit.

AM: What's it like when you've been on the circuit with the gymnast as a broadcaster?

NL: Well the current group of athletes I’ve known them and even competed with most of them. So I really have to remove myself from being friends with them and just do my job as an analyst. Of course I’ve been in their shoes, so I know how it feels when someone is a little too negative or could say something that really puts you down. I feel like there is a difference with analyzing something, even if it’s a fall, and being negative.

AM:  What do you do in terms of your personal training and how is it different than when you competed?

NL:  Well it’s definitely quite a bit different now. I used to train 7 hours a day, 6 days a week. Now I workout about 4 times a week for about 30-60 minutes, depending on my schedule. I’m on the road a lot so that makes it difficult, but not impossible. I love mixing it up. Pilates, yoga, spinning, circuit training.

AM: How do you stay balanced with your busy schedule to ensure that you take the time that you need for yourself?

NL: I always make sure to take time in the morning, even if I have a busy day ahead. I like waking up extra early to have my coffee, get in a workout, even if it’s only 20 minutes. That keeps me balanced and make me feel great the rest of the day too.

AM: What's your personal style (items that you would wear when running errands, heading out to brunch and/or for a night out on the town)?

NL: As much as I love dressing up for events, red carpets and photo shoots, my day to day life is definitely athleisure wear. From the gym to running errands to brunch, I love Stella McCartney for Adidas. She’s one of my favorite designers both in the sports world and fashion world.

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IN THE MIST WITH KELLEY QUAN

Last month we popped by a beauty event and got up and close and personal with celebrity makeup artist, Kelley Quan, who is also the founder of  the Pocket Spa - a must have beauty device that keeps you refreshed and cool that's great from pre-makeup, makeup, and after you take it all off.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your background as a makeup artist.

KELLEY QUAN: My beginnings as a pro artist were not your typical journey as I started as a painter and as fate would have it, makeup found me rather than the other way around! That said, once I saw the capacity for what was possible to create on a body, well, there was no going back to canvas for me!

I have been a makeup artist now for 20-plus years working mainly in the fashion and beauty, and advertising areas and still love everything about the industry. To be able to travel the world and work on some of the most beautiful people on our planet has been a true gift. It's also so gratifying to work with other creatives and be part of a team. The business is all about collaborative efforts and I love how we can come together to produce images that are really dynamic.

As an artist, I have always been known as a “skin” girl, meaning that while I use loads of foundations, powders, primers etc.. I want the skin to look like I didn’t - “that she just woke up that way” perfection. There is an inner glow and sheen the skin has when it’s in peak condition, it is so unmistakably gorgeous and I aim to achieve this with every single job. There are so many ways to produce this, and depending on my subject I’ll switch up the application and products that help me achieve the look I’m after. 

All of what I do as an artist has an emotional connection. Essentially, my mission is to get my subject to shift the perception she has of herself. It’s an incredible feeling when she can see what I see, and feels all the more beautiful because of it. I have found over the years that when I can get my models to feel an inner beauty, that it makes everything that I do on the outside even more impactful. Think of it as a Mind, Body, Spirit makeup application! 

AM: With all the time that you spend on set, how did that assist in creating the Pocket Spa?

KQ: One of the things I have done since the beginning of my career was to use mineral waters or floral mists as a prep for the skin. It was effective before any makeup was applied, but you had to be very careful if used afterwards. It could destroy all the hard work I’d put into the makeup application in one spritz!  I tried to find a fine mister or atomizer that would allow me to hydrate the skin, but just wasn't anything that was fine enough. It got me thinking about what I wanted and what technology was available that would help me to create the right vapor-mist. After many trial and errors, the first Pocket Spa was born. From the beginning, I knew that this was a much more effective way to hydrate and the extra benefit of helping maintain the makeup was just icing on the cake! All of my subjects were very receptive to all the experimentation with various prototypes and were critical to the development of the final product you see today. I thank them all for all the zany test drives they have had to endure!

AM: Tell us about the Pocket Spa and why it's essential within our beauty and daily routine?

KQ: The Pocket Spa is a compact, refillable and rechargeable personal humidifier that uses nano-technology to turn plain water into a moisturizing-mist of tiny water droplets that are small enough to penetrate deeper levels of the skin and replace moisture that is constantly being leached from skin by natural and environmental factors such as soaps, detergents, dry air, heating systems, air-conditioning, air travel and UV from the sun. I think it's an essential part of a beauty routine because it instantly delivers much-needed hydration to the skin where it needs it most, not just to the surface and helps to maintain the skin’s overall quality. 

There are a ton of benefits to using it daily— After cleansing and moisturizing: the Pocket Spa is a more effective way to hydrate and not only adds moisture deeper into the epidermis but also helps skincare to perform even better. For a daily routine, I recommend using the Pocket Spa in the morning, during the day and in the evening. There isn’t such a thing as over use because the device only uses water to use it whenever your skin is crying out for some attention! 

AM: In addition to being able to use water, tell us about the fragrances that you created that can also be used and will there be additions?

KQ: In addition to using plain water, I also recommend using my Aquasol ™ waters  which were specifically created for use in the Pocket Spa. Each are small batch distilled and chemical and oil free. Re:Fresh is a bright, fresh fragrant water. It stimulates the skin and wakens it up, preparing it for a skincare/makeup application. Ingredients are: Hydrosol of Organic Melissa for inflammation and calming as well as antibacterial qualities, Lime to address congestive and anti-inflammatory issues and organic Rosemary improves mood, helps to clear the mind, and relieves stress and is also has anti natural antibacterial qualities. 

Re:Generate is a heady blend of ingredients that are super regenerators which prepares the skin for replenishment during the sleep hours and encourages a general calm as well. Ingredients are: Hydrosol of Rose, Neroli, Frankincense, and Melissa. This combination will not only assist in reducing inflammation and promote health tissue and cell regeneration, it will calm and relax you as well which is why I recommend it for evening use or when you need to reduce stress. The combination of each of these ingredients was carefully crafted to promote a deep sense of calm, while also promoting regeneration of the skin.

AM: Do you see more devices being included within the Pocket Spa?

KQ: I have plans to expand the line of product to include a few more beauty devices to target cleansing and also a broad market version of the Pocket Spa.

AM: Where can we get the Pocket Spa and do you have any dream locations/sites that you would like to see the Pocket Spa on?

KQ: Currently, the Pocket Spa is available at AHALife, Open Sky, Nigel’s Beauty Emporium in Los Angeles and Blur Beauty in Toronto, Canada. I am in the midst of a distribution deal for North America and the UAE.  I would LOVE to be in Sephora of course, especially in their new brand discovery area, but I also love Blue Mercury stores as well. I have a special spot for New London Pharmacy too as I am a New Yorker and over the years as an artist have bought some of my favorite brands from this little apothecary. It would be fantastic to be part of that family!

AM: What are the benefits of using Pocket Spa?

KQ: There are several advantages of using the Pocket Spa. First of all, while I have talked about it mainly as beauty device, it is also an amazing product to use for dry eyes or sinuses - even the hair. The micro vapor soothes those delicate areas to add instant hydration and relief. In addition to this, the Pocket Spa is a great traveling companion. It will help to keep your skin in great condition even at 30,000 feet. And don’t be surprised if your seat mate asks you to borrow it!

AM: Please share anything else that you would like us to know about you and/or the Pocket Spa?

KQ: As an artist, I have always taken great care to understand each of my clients needs. For every product I develop, I consider the consumer and have a singular mission in mind. It is to have highly effective products that create a memorable user experience. Whether it be from my hand crafted vegan beauty brushes , or the Aquasol, or the Pocket Spa, each work toward the goal of helping my clients look and feel amazing with ease. 

MOTIVATIONAL IMPACT

When you think of fitness luminaries and their famous systems, Tony Horton comes to mind without a doubt! With his innovative and successful systems that include P90X, P90X2, and P90X3, he is a household name. We caught up with Tony to talk about TH Care by Tony Horton, his new hair and skincare line, motivation seminars, 22 Minute Hard Corps, and living a consistent lifestyle. 

ATHLEISURE MAG: What does a healthy lifestyle mean to you? 

TONY HORTON: Simply, you must be very consistent with your exercise and have a purpose beyond the aesthetic, weight, scale, tape measure, and what other people say about you. It's about eating whole foods as much as possible, from anywhere between 80 - 95% of the time, depending on the individual.

AM: What are your favorite experiences training celebs and are there differences training  them?

TH: I believe that there are nuances for sure. My first celebrity client was Tom Petty and when he called me up at my tiny two bedroom apartment, I hung up on him thinking that it was my friend pulling a prank on me. Once I met Tom, it was a really phenomenal experience because I was dealing with someone who hadn't really trained consistently or in the kind of way that I was trying to show him - with weight lifting, boxing, kick boxing, and cardiovascular exercises and basic stretching. It was a 3 month experience and I went on tour with him for 3 weeks in the middle of that tour after we trained, and I think that what was the most unique about it was that it opened up the door to other celebrities like; Billy Idol, Bruce Springsteen, Stephen Stills, Annie Lennox, Sean Connery, Shirley MacLaine, Usher, and so on. The Tom Petty experience opened all the doors to being a celebrity trainer.

AM: Is being on tour with clients hard for you in terms of staying on your training schedule for yourself?

TH: My training doesn't get affected. Tom was kind enough to know that I needed some time in the day to exercise too. On tour, he's got soundcheck and reheasals so there's hours between the workout in the morning and his show where I could workout. Then there were times that we would just work out together.

AM: What's the ideology behind your famous fitness methods?

TH: My trademarked phrase "Do your best, so forget the rest," explains everything. I think that in this industry, there are a lot of people that fail because they feel like they have to compete with the past, with others or with the expectations of how it is supposed to go throughout the course of whatever program they have decided to do. My philosophy is, you just take care of the basics and don't think too much about the aesthetic change (how many push- ups you have to do and how many pull-ups you need to do or how perfect your yoga Asana needs to be). These things are causing people to have too much angst. To be consistent for the process and the lifestyle is about making sure that you do what you can and it changes from day to day. From things as unpredictable as biorhythms, lack of sleep, hydration - there are just too many variables that are difficult to track that allow you to have the perfect fitness experience. Sometimes Lebron scores 40+ and sometimes he doesn't. Even the best athletes in the world don't have the same exact performance every time and neither should we expect that from ourselves.

AM: Does fitness go hand in hand with motivation?

TH: I think you need some kind of motivation to be consistent with your fitness. If your motivation isn't as important as food, shelter, water and breathing as it should be - then chances are you won't be able to sustain it. It's not about losing weight so that you can show your friends how great you look in an outfit. It's about being able to sustain how you look for decades. When your purpose is aligned, then there is a greater likelihood that you'll make the switch and stay with it for the rest of your life. 

AM: What are your motivational weekends like?

TH: It depends from event to event. A corporate one is different than a beach body event. If it's a 4 hour excursion, it's different than a 2 day excursion. On average, most of them are a workout or two, seminar based, and we do some autographs/photos. For example, at the Omega Institute coming up June 24 - 26. It's a 2 day intensive so we break off in groups and analyze aspects of our health/fitness lifestyle. Last year, it was motivation - how do we get it, why aren't we consistent, and what are the plans that need to be in place so that we can create accountability. These were the things that were important in last year's seminar. 

This year, it focuses on food and diet. In my opinion, exercise is about fitness but most people don't realize that health is the result of the food you eat. Food is either medicine or poison. You have opportunities throughout the day - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between that allow you to make healthy or unhealthy choices. When you make healthy choices, it seriously impacts the quality of your life, sleep, the likelihood of you getting sick and the ability for you to perform better when you exercise and for the body to recover so that you can come back the next day. That is the importance of food - it's not just exercising so that you can eat whatever or to try and watch your weight. That is about as archaic as driving around in a Ford Pinto. The goal is to be more sophisticated and to know that it's not complicated.

The Omega Institute has a session where we do a simple workout, yoga, meditation - there's three where we break off into groups to solve some of the food issues that people have. We also have obstacle courses and goofy games.

I want people to come away knowing as much new information as possible so that they can feel that they come away with how they can start over. So often, if it is a workout in a seminar, 8 out of 10 people will think that what they did was fun, but they won't apply it. Two days is almost like you're re-wiring people. That's why it works.

AM: Tell us about TH Care by Tony Horton and will there be additional products in the future?

TH: I have always been a fan of Patrick Dockry, who is the owner/creator of Ultimate Salon Professionals and I was on his TV show and part of his magazine. Out of courtesy of me doing that, he sent me boxes of his products. My wife and I loved them. One day she and I were talking and I said, "Why don't we see if we can come up with a line of products that will accomodate some of my personal needs?" Due to damaging effects of the sun, my skin and hair are dry. So, I asked him to mix a little nature and science together for my hair and skin and he did. It's been a great improvement to the quality of my skin and my hair is manageable and under control. I started sharing it with friends and they suggested that I should get it packaged. 

We came out with two products, one is called Fitness (face/skin spray) and the other is  Workout (hair/bodywash). They're unisex and we wanted to create something that was simple, effective, and traveled well for athletes and /or those that exercise a lot. The scent was important because it couldn't be too feminine or masculine. Everyone who smells it always says it's like summer in a bottle. I don't know what that smells like exactly but it's clean, fresh and warm. People love it and we're already looking at including a shaving cream within the line and a hair and skin oil that is just the bomb that we've been experimenting with. I really love this oil! When you think oil - you think greasy but this absorbs deep into the skin and makes the skin look younger and feel better. But we have to get the first two off the ground before looking at the next ones.

On Monday nights, I do a plyometrics class at my house and I wear TH Care all the time. When we're in a room, people will ask what I'm wearing and they really think that the smell is amazing. When I tell them it's my skincare, they say that they should put it on more. I let them know that you have to in order to smell good - a lot of guys who are younger don't realize that they need to maintain their skin. Doing it now will get them into the routine of taking care of themselves. You get out of the shower, dry off a bit and then slap on the lotion to go about your day. 

AM: Tell us about the fitness methods that you created.

TH: P90X was a departure from anything else that existed in the market. No one had created 12 separate discs with 12 different workouts on them. There are a lot of specific routines out there in the areas of yoga, pilates, body building, cardio etc. A lot of trainers like to just stick with what they know and a lot of them are very good, but the issue with sort of a one-dimensional myopic approach to fitness is that people will plateau. The lack of variety usually causes people to settle into a certain place. Maybe they're happy and maybe they're not. 

With P90X, it forced all users to work on their weakness much more than their strengths, due, to the extent of the variety. The offerings include: weight lifting, body resistance, core and functional, pilates, yoga, plyometrics and so on. That's always been my theme. When you look at the course of my week in training, every workout is different from the next. I try to train 7 days a week and maybe taking one day off, but I schedule 7. I need to do plyometrics. I need to do yoga. I need to do chest and back. I need to do shoulders and arms and I need to do core and functional and ski training. I need 9 days in a week but I only have 7 - sometimes I will take off a Sat. or a Wed. I usually train 22 - 25 days a month. That's how your body truly changes. 3 or 4 days a week, you're playing catch-up all the time.The days off always supersede the day on. If you only train 4 days a week, you end up with what I call, Exercise Bipolar Disorder and that's not a good thing. The goal is to be consistent with everything.

The thing I tell people on the Motivation Seminar is that I want everyone to take a deep breath and hold it. Then I never tell them to stop and people have to gasp to catch their breath. I let them know that consistency is as important as taking your next breath. This allows you to live the kind of lifestyle that I think most people want to live.

The brand new method is called 22 Minute Hard Core, and it's a big departure from P90X/2/3. P90X2 was more of a balanced functional fitness version of P90X. Many people thought it was more difficult and it was meant for those that are athletes. But it also took P90X graduates and turned them into athletes. P90X3 is half an hour because a lot of people who

bought the other two systems were not finishing the 3 month program. The half hour allowed more people to participate everyday to not skip workouts and P90X3's success rate was the best of all three.

22 Minute Hard Core is an 8 week bootcamp with a 9th that's a Hell Week that is optional. The routines are 22 minutes and from the minute they start - it goes. You sweat during routines of cardio, core spec and resistance because it is relentless and it has to be because it's only 22 minutes. It's intense with modifiers - 1, 2 and 3. You get profficient at 1 and then it transitions into 2 and then 3. The same with resistance as well. There is a modifier option that if you have Beach Body on demand or on disc, you can choose it where you only look at the modifier and are not distracted by people on the video that are at a higher level then you.

AM: How can we live in a preventive way? 

TH: I think that those things go hand-in-hand. If you are eating well and exercising regularly, then you are preventing a lot of the illness and injuries that occur to people that aren't. That's what prevention is. It's not about relying on your pharmacists and/or doctors to solve your problems through meds. It's about taking control of your life and healing thy self. It's not an easy solution, it's more of a difficult one. When we were growing up, we went from one grade to the next and for many on to college. You just did it. I'm only asking for you to work out for 8 weeks - good lord!

It's being able to understand that exercise is fitness and food is health. If you understand that those two things are true and you practice healthy eating and regular exercise, then it is a very preventative lifestyle right out of the box.

AM: How do you stay balanced?

From the outside, it may look like I'm busy as hell, but I'm not. I know how to find my own down time. Some days there is literally nothing, just emails, phone calls, doing interviews, making my bed, making sure I eat well, hanging out with friends, and working out. That's quite often, but there are other days when it's super intense. I am in the midst of development, voice-overs, rehearsals, media, and PR tours. But what I do (what anyone would do not to burn out) is that they tell the people around them that they need their down time and sleep etc. 

No one schedules anything during my workout hours. Those that know me are aware that I work out Tues./Thurs. from 7:15am - 9:00am,  Mon./Wed. and Fri. nights after 5:30pm are blocked off as well. Sat. is yoga, so don't bug me and Sun. is my track or gymnastic workout. Everybody in my life knows when these things occur and they don't plan something else there. Then I sit down and negotiate my time. 
  
AM: You have worked with the First Lady, Michelle Obama on the 'Let's Move Campaign,' are there are other organizations you're involved in?

TH: I am a real fan of Rain Catcher. They bring fresh water to people that are in Africa and Asia as they usually have to walk for miles and miles to drink mud. So the technology that they have created is amazing which allows them to have drinkable water in their own village. 

The other one is Go Campaign which is a charity foundation that started from my friend, Scott Fifer. He was an attorney and screenwriter who went on a working vacation to Tanzania and ended up in an orphanage for three weeks. These kids lived in squalor and he couldn't believe it and they were learning gymnastics. The people that climbed Mt Kilimanjaro would make donations at the tiny orphanage. Scott decided that he would re-route his entire life to help them. He's helped raise 100s of millions for orphanages in Africa, Asia, Russia, South America, Harlem, Mexico, and Indian Reservations etc. 

It's amazing work that he does as he lives in a one-bedroom apartment and drives a Mini Coo
per - he doesn't pay himself and gives all the money to the kids. He pays for schools, books, kids, instruments, shoes, etc. It's an amazing organization. 

Pictures courtesy of Tony Horton

A CHIT CHAT WITH AIMEE KESTENBERG

The summer is a perfect time of year that allows every moment to be special simply due to the fact that the days are longer, the weather is warmer and any and every activity is possible. One of the most essential accessories that are carried (specifically during this time of year) is a handbag. Although we can debate on whether there are "IT" bags and how one is placed in the running - we all know that you want the perfect style that takes what you need and allows you to go about your day without having to change it within the same day.

We have a number of handbag brands that we're fans of and we took a moment to chat it up with Australian designer, Aimee Kestenberg who has a range of cute styles and fabrications within her line that includes handbags and shoes that are available in a number of specialty stores, department stores and QVC.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you wanted to create your handbag line and what was the initial process like?

AIMEE KESTENBERG: I was lucky enough to train with some of the best luxury accessory brands while studying at Parsons The New School for Design, which really gave me a foundation of knowledge and skill set in handbags and leather goods. Having had a background in Industrial Design and then Fashion Design, handbags and accessories seemed like the perfect fit for a fashion conscious engineering based mind like mine. 

I launched my namesake brand, Aimee Kestenberg after realizing that nothing existed in the world of handbags that was right for me, my sisters and friends both in casual contemporary styling, luxury leathers and affordable prices. 

Going out on my own was scary and a big risk financially, but was the most thrilling and rewarding experience of my life. 

AM: Tell us more about your fashion background.

AK: My father is an entrepreneur, my grandparents were all jewelers so it's safe to say creativity is in the family. I studied Industrial design prior to moving to New York upon acceptance to Parsons School of Design. I interned and trained over the years with companies including Alexander McQueen, Ralph Lauren and Sass & Bide to name a few, as well as becoming a two time winner of the Independent Handbag Designer Awards. I also apprenticed for 3 years at The House of Couture where I ghost designed for luxury labels and celebrities before going out on my own.  

AM: What inspired your Spring 16 collection and anything you can tell us about your upcoming Fall and Holiday collections?

AK: Spring 2016 was inspired by free spirited energy in a world of chaos. It focuses on bringing elements of peace and colors that evoke happiness and calmness in addition to unique hand crafted detailing to focus on the human element missing in fashion world today. 

The upcoming Fall and Holiday collection continues to bring a beautiful earth tone color palette combined with unique exotics and soft slouchy shapes and leathers. 

AM: What are your favorite styles in the collection?

AK: The belt bag and my Iconic Tamitha Backpack. Both are chic and made for girls on the go like me!

AM:  Who is the Aimee Kestenberg girl?

AK: She's fearless, family oriented a free spirit, works hard but knows how to have fun. She is a lover of all things fashion, but not a sucker for those top dollar prices. She appreciates unique design and high quality at an affordable price point.

AM: Do you see yourself adding to the collection beyond handbags luggage, small accessories etc?

AK: Definitely! We are growing daily and have also recently launched footwear! We fully intend to take the Aimee Kestenberg brand to be full lifestyle.

AM: How did you enjoy being on QVC and what did that mean for the expansion and awareness of your brand?

AK: I love being on QVC! There is no other platform in the world that puts me inside of people's homes to have the ability to speak to people one on one and explain my inspiration as well as show them what I love about each piece I create. Not to mention that there is no marketing in the world that so seamlessly allows people to get to know you!

AM: In terms of balance, how do you keep it all together with working with your stores availability in a number of countries and taking time for yourself/family?

AK: It's tough, but when you're on 24/7 like I am, you just make it work. Giving up is not an option in the mind of a true entrepreneur. I have learned different management tools along the way that have also helped me to juggle everything. You learn that time is the most precious thing you have and learn to manage it carefully.

AM: Do you plan on making Aimee Kestenberg stores?

AK: I would love to launch a flagship store, both in New York City and my hometown in Melbourne, Australia!

AM: Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?

AK: Live to the fullest and remember that the only person that controls what you can or cannot do is you! Pushing through the hardest times will make you stronger and dreams are real and do come true. :)

Read more from the June Issue.

AS I AM: THE LIFE & TIME$ OF DJ AM

'AS I AM: THE LIFE AND TIME$ OF DJ AM' looks at the meteoric rise of Adam Goldstein aka - DJ AM. He was  a talented DJ and changed the game by increasing the payscale, establishing the field in the celebrity world and more. While he created a platform, he never forgot his friends and those that he felt made him better as a professional. He truly believed his mantra of "starving the ego, to feed the soul." But behind the fame, he was a man that coped with his own issues rooted in his sense of self and escaping deep unresolved portions of his life. 

In addition to telling the story of DJ AM from birth to death and his love of music as a genre, this film has a number of interviews with luminaries in the industry whom he worked with: Mark Ronson, Samantha Ronson, Steve Aoki, Paul Oakenfold, Diplo, and A-Trak to name a few. 

Throughout the film, you hear from DJ AM himself talking about his influences, his performances and thoughts on the DJ world at large. More importantly, you see how he amassed his empire as a seven-figure DJ which, included collaborations, appearances in films, co-founding a DJ management firm, Deckstar (co-owned by Steve Aoki) and his work in DJ Hero.

We sat down with producer/director Kevin Kerslake (who has produced a number of music videos that include Nirvana, Joan Jett, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots; documentaries, live productions, mini-series and more) to find out about the monumental task of creating this documentary, what he aimed to achieve by releasing this film and the greater message at large that he wants to provide to DJ culture, fans and others that are struggling with demons.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you wanted to take this project on?

KEVIN KERSLAKE: It's funny - Adam lived the life of 10 men in half the time that those men get. He died at such a young age and there was a lot of story to tell. And as you know, in a film, you don't have a lot of time either. But there are so many aspects of his life that are alluring from a film/story standpoint. Historically, he changed the game in music and culturally. All of those various components are enticing and would be to any filmmaker.

But the thing that pushed me over the edge was that we have lost some really incredible people over the years to this deadly cocktail of fame, celebrity and substance abuse. Andrea, AM's mom, had reached out to me a year before, and  at the time I said no as I was concerned that since she reached out to me then I wouldn't be able to tell the full story and the truth. Ultimately, I lost a friend and it felt like we couldn't keep having this story happening. I went to AM's mom and said that we have the power to help stop that streak of great artists that are lost to the world. I let her know that I was on-board as long as we told the story and the truth from the inside and the outside. As long as I could tell the story and get final cut without having to sugar coat it, then I was on board to tell the story. AM lived such an explosive life that I think the personal life of someone is what turned the corner for me. 

AM: How close were you to AM when he was alive? 

KK: My interaction with him was purely professional as I did all the film and video for Insomniac. Adam played their events so our encounters were strictly backstage and I never hung out with them. I actually think that although I knew his past and certain facts of his life - it was in your face (tabloids, journalism and as a figure in the music world), that objectivity that I had is probably what made the film more legitimate in a way. Even people who knew him didn't know certain aspects of his life because he didn't share it with them or they didn't care to know/ask. The logical aspect of this, in terms of doing research and being able to go into it without a personal agenda, is pretty critical for any filmmaker I think. 

Even when there are stories that I have been asked to tell, I know my own limitations when I have known the artist. It's like talking about your own family member. You get blind to certain truths that are important to share.

AM: There is so much information when you're watching the film as a lot comes from him, how long did it take in terms of pre-, production, and post?

KK: To the day, it almost took 4 years to make! The first thing we did was to go through his laptops and desktop. There was so much material that we estimated that in the end we had over 100,000 stills, 10,000 video clips, 100's of mixes, letters and text messages that he had saved. In a sense, there was no pre-pro we just put things together. Documentaries are made in the edit. They don't follow the normal production pro- cess. You just start putting things together. Early on, we were given an audio element that was critical to the story. It was the Share that he did on his 11th sober birthday.

AM: Seeing that audio run through the film really struck us, we didn't think that people could have access to things that are said in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

KK: Adam put a recorder in his pocket and he did a Share at the meeting. He really tells his story. This film is really DJ AM from the inside- out. He narrates his own autobiography and like you, I thought that this might be (due to anonymity in AA) crossing a threshold. But in further research, I found that there was an entire network of Shares that were available. People who were unable to attend meetings but needed the inspiration that they provided could access them from downloads online to get the assistance that they need.

AM: In addition to his Share, the meditation video was another dynamic element in the narrative.

KK: It's funny, when you see these relics of what he used to bring him peace, they are very evocative of his state of mind. It showed what he yearned for that he didn't have living a life on the road or in the city.

AM: Documentaries pay homage to the person but, you see DJ AM providing tributes to a number of his friends within the DJ world is that something that you planned?

KK: What that said to me was, that he cherished his relationships and was a man for others. He was selfless in that regard. It tells you a lot about someone when you know who their heroes are. DJ Jazzy Jeff was really a central figure in his life. Just as a fan and someone who just has a great heart and is so solid.

AM: What do you think of what AM would think of the state of music now for DJs and doors that he opened?

KK: There is some speculation involved of course, but I think that people are pretty dialed into him within the scope of the music industry. He would be one of the biggest DJs on the planet still and would have gotten into production. He would have followed where that world was going when DJs started to produce more. Who knows where the Travis Barker and AM collab would have gone. Would they have added more people in the band?  Would it have been more of a visual spectacle? That's more speculation too. 

I think that what impressed me about Adam is, he was just a fan of music and I think that his ability to see the virtues of all sorts of genres, the power of music and how it was able to bring people together and move people. I think that would have continued on. The dark underbelly of that is what DJs are doing. A lot of sets are preprogrammed and maybe he would have been able to highlight some of the weakest aspects of where DJ culture is going and to arrest its slide into a bit of a robotic sense.

AM: What were your goals in creating this movie and how did that correlate to the expectations of those within the DJ culture and fans at large?

KK: This film exceeded my expectations, to be honest. My intention was to dive in and tell the truth and the whole story of AM, his musical impact and import as well as the story of his personal life. Once we got into certain periods of his life and found out there was an episode or circumstance that he had to plow through - they entailed a lot more adversity than what I was aware of and even his family and friends. Once we uncovered his secret stuff, the story took on great dimension and in the end you have a real sense that you know him and that you have lost a friend. It's someone that should still be here walking amongst us. 

When you do a film, it involves a lot of things. Obviously, it includes story, structure, tone, laughs, tears and all of that. I think that my intention was to hit all of those different corners in AM's universe, but to do it in a style that had a certain fidelity to what he did musically. The film is a mashup in its own right and could pinball all  over the map with a velocity that he spun. I feel that the film does that and with what I am seeing in terms of the reaction to the film, it's super rewarding.

AM: As the person who dedicated 4 years to the film - what do you do after this - take time off or go into the next project?

KK: Throughout my career, I have been fairly promiscuous with style. I can go from a miniseries to a music video to a documentary to a commercial to still photography. This is the longest time that I have been on a single project. It's also the most difficult job I have ever done politically, emotionally, financially - it brought everyone (especially me) to their knees. 

In the past few years, we started putting the finishing touches on it to get it out to the world. I have been working on various projects as well. Releasing a film entails a lot of work as well and it's not like I am not working on it anymore. Now that we made it, it's making people aware that they can see it and share it with friends. This is less a commercial venture than extending Adam's legacy forward and it takes work and we're still working hard on getting it out there.

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If you have yet to see AS I AM: THE LIFE AND TIME$ of DJ AM, visit their site to see where it airs in your city as additional theaters will be added throughout the summer. 

Read more from the June Issue