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COMPLEXD WOMAN: NOELLA DIAZ

Photographed by Yann Feron

Name: Noëlla Diaz

Occupation: Dancer, Model and Photographer

Place of birth: Guadeloupe

Current residence: New York, USA

I was born in Guadeloupe in the West Indies in a very diverse culture of African, Anglo-Saxon, and European heritage. I have always been strongly influenced by Caribbean and Latin lifestyle thats probably why the two things I love the most is dancing and cooking.

I was the Editor of a French magazine in Paris for five years. After a significant amount of experience in media, photography and fashion I took the advice of established entertainers I worked with and followed my true passion. I created a dance concept that combines contemporary dance and fashion and it allows me to really push the boundries with my creativity.

I enjoy travelling and I prefer warmer climates. My favourite country is Brazil…

…but in New York everything is possible. When I came here on a vacation I was inspired by people’s energy and I felt like I could truly express myself as an artist.

I would describe my style as parisian urban chic. I don’t feel awkward in New York because in the district of Saint Germain in Paris our style is eclectic like New Yorkers.

I believe women are the ultimate symbol of life.

I am Complexd because I am overflowing with ambition.

November 22, 2011 | Posted in Complexd Women | Leave a comment

COMPLEXD WOMAN: STACEY BYER

Name: Stacey Byer

Occupation: Artist

Place of birth: Barbados

Current residence: Grenada

I’m a Caribbean woman with a diverse background. My cultural heritage is a pie chart with slices of Indian, African, English, Portuguese and Scottish, but I was born in Barbados of Grenadian parentage. I grew up in Grenada with an eclectic mix of culture from listening to Caribbean folklore stories, learning patois to eating sauerkraut (German for sour cabbage).

Stacey and her dad at one of her exhibitions

At the age of three I announced to my mother that I wanted to paint and since then I haven’t strayed far from that declaration. I went on to earn my B.F.A and specialized in Illustration.

I would describe my work as expressionistic. I love using bold palettes and painting with heavy brushstrokes. I always try to infuse emotion in my subject matter.

During the summer I built my own art studio.

My art has been pouring out and pouring over the whole family and garden included. I’m currently excited about producing more pieces in my own creative space.

The Caribbean is lush and sunny and that has definitely fed my love for vivid colours.

Grenada also has a unique cultural background because we were colonized by the Spanish, French and English, which has had a noticeable influence on our lifestyle. This unique blend provides me with great creative fodder for my art and writing.

I recently completed a 14 ft mural for the Grand Anse Playgroup School and I exhibit my work in the annual arts council shows, the most recent one being the Grenada Revolution Show. I also co-curated WOMA, Grenada’s first all female charity exhibition and raised money for victims of domestic abuse.

In my free time I volunteer with ECIP once a month, where I paint with kids who have special needs.

I am currently planning a Caribbean contemporary art show with fellow artists Tracey Chan and Janetta Noel. I look forward to presenting the mix of paintings, paper installation and jewellery that we will be exhibiting.

I am Complexd because I have always marched to the beat of my own drum. I consider myself a free spirit and something of a non-conformist.

November 18, 2011 | Posted in Complexd Women | 5 Comments

COMPLEXD VISUALS: EVERYONE LIKES FISH

Today we came across the work of Photographer Ted Sabarese. We love the different features, textures and colours represented in these images. The women in the portraits are very diverse but the fish on their plates somehow unite them. Ex English teacher, graphic designer, fiction writer and advertising creative director, Ted Sabarese shoots all kinds of people. He prefers to work with non-professional models and actors who don’t fit the traditional definition of beauty.

November 10, 2011 | Posted in Editor's Diary, Visuals | Leave a comment

COMPLEXD FASHION: THE TOPKNOT

Portrait of Editor sporting a topknot – photographed by Frederique Rapier

Fashion is not determined by the in-crowd and the trend pages of magazines. It is conceptualized by visionaries who have taken inspiration from history, people, culture and life. Some trends have existed for cultural or religious purposes years before we discovered them. Take for example the simple topknot which has a vast cultural significance.

Aboriginal Village women and commoners wore their hair in a simple knot at the nape. Court attendants and women of the richer classes wore their hair more fashionably, either in a topknot on the right side with a loop of flowers suspended or in a plait.

If a samurai had his topknot forcibly cut off, it was considered shameful and humiliating, as it is a symbolic of their status.

In many cultures, when the topknot of a child is ceremonially cut, it marks the transition from infancy to adolescence.

November 9, 2011 | Posted in Editor's Diary, Fashion & Lifestyle | Leave a comment

EDITOR’S DIARY: MODEL BEHAVIOUR

We get tones of emails from models who want to be featured in Complexd, so this post is an ode to the models I have worked with.

Before launching Complexd, I dabbled in a bit of styling. Alongside a dedicated team, I organised, styled and directed photo sessions for tests, look books, commissioned editorials and personal projects. Shoots are frantic! As-well as putting together looks, I would spend my time making tea and snacks, taping shoes, holding reflectors, stabbing myself with pins nipping and tucking clothes…

spending long intervals on my knees working wind machines and doing up shoe buckles…

…all while making sure the team is working cohesively and everything is going to plan. Did I forget to mention the time I had to rock hop while on location at a waterfall!

If it weren’t for the positive and polite personalities of the models I worked with I wouldn’t have lasted a day. It brings me great joy to see how each model has progressed through their portfolios and I wish them all the best in their careers. Here’s a selection of some of the stunners I have had the pleasure of working with.

Jessica Niederberger @ IMG