Yolonda Frederick-Thompson

SKINCARE MASTERED

Shot by Gerson Lopes

Words by Kelly Plourde

Yolonda Frederick has a celebrity eye with a Mother Earth heart. Working with the likes of folks including TLC, AnnIe Lebowitz, Roberto Cavalli, Adidas, Ciara, Viacom, Chris Floyd,Walt Disney Company, Sony BMG, Diane Martel, Nike, James Anthony, Derek Blanks and Catherine Serel, Essence, Givenchy, Mertalas and Marcus, Herb Ritts, OutKast, Mademoiselle, Dave Mathews Band, Allure, F. Gary Gray, GQ, Francesco Carrozini and Pernod Ricard. She's been able to showcase her talent and put her commitment to excellence on display for each and every shoot for decades.

She prides herself on knowing how to move around celebrities, her demeanor and loyalty earning the trust of her big name clients, creating looks that inspire people all over the world. Living abroad gave her perspective on life that she brings with her to every job, her expertise bringing out the magic in make-up artistry, creating looks that jump off the page with breathtaking perfection and bringing a cutting edge to classic looks. She credits her longevity in the industry by putting her clients emotions first, creating a space where they feel comfortable.

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Not only a MUA, Yolonda is an inventor and innovator, creating Glam-O-Ring, an iphone makeup clutch, giving busy people a way to beat their mug on the go; as well as teaming up with long time friend and client, Ciara, to create OAM skin by Ciara. She knows that well cared for skin is the best base for a flawless look.

“I compel everyone to integrate a good sunscreen into your skincare regime, your first foundation is your skin.”

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If she could impart one lesson to anyone looking to get into the MUA industry is to find a good mentor.

“Find someone to shadow who inspires you through their talent, professionalism and business acumen.”

The biggest piece of advice, something she takes to heart for herself, is to never stop learning.

“I’m always growing. I never allow myself to stop learning. You could have become a MUA a year ago and there is something you do that’s Incredible and I want to be inspired by it.”

Knowing how she came up in this industry where leg work and physical portfolio’s were the name of the game, we live in a completely different world today with instant access influencing, she can see the ease in which newcomers can take advantage of the world of 24/7 online interaction.

“Everything is digital and happens in real time. If you want to cut through the industry, you need to be on a platform creating, new, quality and interesting things, marketing yourself to the world…connect and create”

Yolonda isn’t just a creative force, but also an altruistic one. She has a servant's soul, consistently giving back to others with organizations like “The Living Art expo” and “Give Back Foundation”.

“I love giving back, my job pours back into me in a way that is so enriching, it makes me feel like I have a purpose when I can affect someone’s perception of themselves and contribute their self love and self care, it gives me a lot of joy to do that.”

A HUGE & SPECIAL THANKS TO MORE FOLKS yo͞o SHo͝od nō

THE CREDITS:

Starring: Yolonda Frederick-Thompson @YolondaFrederick

Photographer: Gerson Lopes, @GersonLopes_Photographer

Executive Producer: EJ Jamele, @EJ_Jamele

Co-Executive Producers: Lee Palazzo & Tracy Becker, @Lee_Palazzo & @TrakyBecker15

Executive Production: crowdMGMT, @crowdMGMT

Words: Kelly Plourde, @Kelly_In_CT

Makeup Artist: Yolonda Frederick-Thompson @YolondaFrederick

Graphics: crowdMGMT, @crowdMGMT

“I never get bored because I’m always between all the worlds; I’m just as comfortable in a raw, underground space with a red light and a feeling as I am at a super club with a thousand people and the most amazing light show.”TELL US TWO LIES AND A TRUTH FOR YOUR FANS!GUESS THE TRUTH FROM HERE:-I am from England. Born in Havre de Grace, MD. “My first single broke onto the UK charts, actually!”- I am 5’10’ tall. “But I have 6’5 energy.”- I was part of a teen dance troupe named “The Sexy Illusions.”TRUTH UNCOVERED TRUTH: I was part of a teen dance troupe named “The Sexy Illusions.”TELL US THREE ITEMS THAT ARE ALWAYS IN YOUR BAG OR ON YOUR PERSON. ALTAR’D STATE SLING BAG- A good Lip Gloss, and I love Pat Mcgrath’s Lust Gloss!- MAC 24-hour Liquidlast Liner. "I love this eyeliner the most in the whole world, it's the best."- “I need my Zeelool Readers because reading is fundamental!”TELL US THREE ARTISTS YOU’VE WORKED WITH AND WOULD LOVE TO AGAIN.- Lenny Kravitz “I'm an undercover rock kid. I actually wrote “Free” as a rock song”- Nile Rodgers “He’s an absolute ICON”- The third spot is a split between Peter Tong, with whom she worked on an orchestral version on “Free” together and also ICONA POP saying “They (ICONA POP) are geniuses and beautiful women, I love working with women in music!”TELL US THREE ARTISTS YOU’D LIKE TO WORK WITH THAT YOU HAVEN’T YET. -Trevor Horn- “Working with him, that would be the mountaintop”-Missy Elliot - "She’s dope and always has been.”-Pharrell Williams - "He's a phenomenal producer and innovator with an incredible sensibility, for dance, pop and hip-hop!"WHAT ARE YOUR THREE GUILTY PLEASURES TO WATCH?-“I binged watched Queen Charlotte in one day.”-“I’m a Huge Transformers fan, like I will watch those movies over and over, like it’s the first time.”-“I’m a Political news junkie. ”

ULTRA NATÉ

NIGHTLIFE ROYALTY COMING THROUGH

Shot by Gerson Lopes

Words by Kelly Plourde

Any dance club enthusiast can attest that the best moment of the night is when your hear your favorite song start to play, making the little hairs on the back of your neck raise up and if you weren’t on the dance floor already, you raced there and let out everything you’d been holding inside all week. Ultra Naté’s song “Free” was one of those songs for me. The tune’s underlying melancholy turned exaltation made me feel I had control in my life, and hearing that song made everything ok for that moment. As it turns out, I wasn’t alone, and the popularity of that song has remained steadfast, growing and becoming an anthem for the LGBTQIA+ community over the last 25+ years. Her entire discography is like a love letter to dance music, the kind that moves your soul.

Naté has never missed a beat in her long and lauded career, earning the respect and admiration of so many across the globe, remaining as vibrant and fresh on the scene now as she was when her first single “It’s Over Now” was released in the UK by the Basement Boys three decades ago. Always bringing the same amazing energy to her sets and a joie de vivre to every party, she has inspired not only fellow Gen-Xers, but her music has transcended the gap and has continued to strike chords in the hearts of millennials and Gen Z alike as she continues to headline events like “Back to the 90s Festival” in Birmingham, this July with artists like Sonique, n.trance, and Dave Pearce. She credits, in part, her success and sustainability to her mutability as an artist and as a person.

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Ultra Naté has worked with some of the best in the business, from Michelle Williams to Lenny Kravitz; she’s held residencies in Ibiza, and won countless awards for her solo and collaborative work. She has touched so many lives, yet remains humble in the face of so much adoration, as with the likes of powerhouse Paris Hilton, who was similarly inspired by “Free” during some of the most difficult times in her life and got in touch with Naté to ask her to host a podcast that Paris executive produced and created, aptly named: “The History of the World’s Greatest Nightclubs”. The podcast, released on July 13, 2023 on iHeartRadio (and anywhere you stream your podcasts) is a project near and dear to both of their hearts, discussing the music that binds us, the history of the places that brought the music to the masses, and the people who influenced the dance club scene.

Ultra eloquently shared with me how she felt so connected and honored to have an opportunity to work with Paris Hilton on such an important storytelling about a global scene that is such a big part of her. She went on to say, “The History of the World’s Greatest Nightclubs” is such a tailormade opportunity for me in a way that is very spiritual for me. There was so much detail in the research by the folks behind the scenes for this project to make sure all people including people of color and people from the LGBTQIA+ community were properly credited for creating the scenes and genres that were born in nightlife and how it shaped culture and fashion and the Icons that came out of these scenes. We reveal how all these layers are interrelated and how important this culture is universally.”

TELL US THREE ALBUMS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT.

-Prince “Purple Rain”

-Maxwell’s “Urban Hang Suite”

-Chaka Khan - “What cha’ Gonna Do For Me?”, the extended version.

“Chaka brings the funk and I think that’s a lot of what’s lost in dance culture right now.”

A HUGE & SPECIAL THANKS TO MORE FOLKS yo͞o SHo͝od nō

THE CREDITS:

Starring: Ultra Naté @UltraNateMusic

Photographer: Gerson Lopes, @GersonLopes_Photographer

Executive Production: crowdMGMT, @crowdMGMT

Words: Kelly Plordue, @Kelly_In_CT

Fashion Curator & Stylist: Hanna Isaksson, @Hannai_Me

Makeup Artist: Mark Quirimit, @MarkQuirimit

Hair Stylist: Brandon H Thompson, @Brandon_YourStylist

Graphics: Maddy Hendricks & crowdMGMT, @Maddy.Hen, @crowdMGMT

Ultra Naté MGMT: Bill Coleman & Andre “Pepe” Skordos, @PeaceBisquit, @DJAngeloPepe

FASHION CREDITS:

Wardrobe: LAROXX, @LaRoxx

Jewelry: Alexis BIttar, @AlexisBittar

“I never get bored because I’m always between all the worlds; I’m just as comfortable in a raw, underground space with a red light and a feeling as I am at a super club with a thousand people and the most amazing light show.”TELL US TWO LIES AND A TRUTH FOR YOUR FANS!GUESS THE TRUTH FROM HERE:-I am from England. Born in Havre de Grace, MD. “My first single broke onto the UK charts, actually!”- I am 5’10’ tall. “But I have 6’5 energy.”- I was part of a teen dance troupe named “The Sexy Illusions.”TRUTH UNCOVERED TRUTH: I was part of a teen dance troupe named “The Sexy Illusions.”TELL US THREE ITEMS THAT ARE ALWAYS IN YOUR BAG OR ON YOUR PERSON. ALTAR’D STATE SLING BAG- A good Lip Gloss, and I love Pat Mcgrath’s Lust Gloss!- MAC 24-hour Liquidlast Liner. "I love this eyeliner the most in the whole world, it's the best."- “I need my Zeelool Readers because reading is fundamental!”TELL US THREE ARTISTS YOU’VE WORKED WITH AND WOULD LOVE TO AGAIN.- Lenny Kravitz “I'm an undercover rock kid. I actually wrote “Free” as a rock song”- Nile Rodgers “He’s an absolute ICON”- The third spot is a split between Peter Tong, with whom she worked on an orchestral version on “Free” together and also ICONA POP saying “They (ICONA POP) are geniuses and beautiful women, I love working with women in music!”TELL US THREE ARTISTS YOU’D LIKE TO WORK WITH THAT YOU HAVEN’T YET. -Trevor Horn- “Working with him, that would be the mountaintop”-Missy Elliot - "She’s dope and always has been.”-Pharrell Williams - "He's a phenomenal producer and innovator with an incredible sensibility, for dance, pop and hip-hop!"WHAT ARE YOUR THREE GUILTY PLEASURES TO WATCH?-“I binged watched Queen Charlotte in one day.”-“I’m a Huge Transformers fan, like I will watch those movies over and over, like it’s the first time.”-“I’m a Political news junkie. ”

Issue 5: TREVOR BELL

Read The Story: TREVOR BELL

Read The Story: CONTRIBUTOR HIGHLIGHT

the cred.

Starring: Trevor Bell, @TrevorBell

Photographer: Christopher Paschal, @J.PaschalPhoto

Words: Kelly Plourde, @Kelly_In_CT

Fashion Styling: Ryan Christopher, @RyanIsStyle

Grooming: Brittany Thomas, @SkinBaeSaidSo

Executive Producer: EJ Jamele, @EJ_Jamele

Art Director: Derek Blanks, @MrDBlanks

TREVOR BELL

by Kelly Plourde

Small-town Boy Shoots for the Moon & Lands Among Stars!

It’s a headline that doesn’t get old. It evokes so much emotion from the dreamer in all of us and it’s so much sweeter when the boy in question grows into a man of substance; one who knows the value of putting your shoulder to the wheel and working hard, win or learn, to create a life to be proud of and that is exactly what Trevor Bell has done. From his small-town beginnings in Fannett, Texas; to his years playing college football at Columbia University while attaining a History degree. His collegiate success garnered an invitation to play in the CFL, ultimately finding himself working full-time in wealth management while building a huge social media following which gave rise and wings to a modeling contract with Wilhelmina. Trevor soon thereafter added acting credits to his ever growing resume and through it all Trevor has stayed true to himself and what he brings to the table, allowing himself to learn and grow as he pursues his ever evolving dreams.

“Acting has been a long-term passion of mine. When thinking about what brought me to football, it’s entertainment. It’s being in front of the crowds, evoking emotion, that’s kind of where that dream was born. These moguls I look up to like Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds, they are multifaceted. I was blessed to be able to sit down and have a one-on-one with Ryan Reynolds and one of my takeaways from him was once you figure out what you stand for, stick with it. Find what your message is and let that transcend different industries to create something to inspire people.”

Before acting, came modeling, and a bit of trepidation in entering that world due in large part to the pervasive culture of toxic masculinity and homophobia that surrounded Bell in his athletic career. He didn’t blame his teammates for their close-mindedness, he puts the impetus squarely on a lack of exposure and a society that holds men to a standard of stoic forbearance over everything.

“When it came to modeling, it allowed me to try things I never thought I would. I never would have thought of being an underwear model. If I would have let toxic masculinity, for lack of a better term, win, then I would never have been signed with Wilhelmina and been a face for Nike underwear. Being a male model in general and leaving the typical jock world of college and going into a more creative space is very different.

'When I first started doing fitness modeling, my eyes were opened to how boxed in men are in terms of what society deems as appropriate for a ‘traditional man’ to do. That definitely distanced me from my college football counterparts. I have an older brother who is gay and so growing up I was lucky enough to understand more of the LGBTQ+ community and being involved in activism in that way helped me embrace not just my super masculine side but allowing myself to be vulnerable.”

His message on social media is one of inspiration; transcending beyond just the physique to include the psyche as well. Being a new, single dad has pushed him further out of his comfort zone than he ever thought possible, forcing him to examine his goals, reset priorities and allowing people to see him not just as a body, but as a human being with faults and anxieties just like everyone else. Becoming a dad last year opened up his eyes to a whole new depth of emotion in his life. It also brought him to a place he never thought he would be, for the first time he found himself out of the immaculate shape he had always been in and in a much different headspace.

“People were always looking up to me for fitness inspiration and for those first 6 months after she was born it was hard for me to post anything. I just went dark and stopped posting for a while, I didn’t want to share what I was going through, I felt like I was being a burden. It didn’t occur to me that I was doing more harm than good until I was getting messages from people checking in on me. That’s when I allowed myself to be honest and let people know how I was feeling; it opened a new layer for people to connect with me on a deeper level.”

Opening up to people and finding his own space to express himself fully has been not only rewarding for him, but also in his relationship with his daughter. When asked what lessons he has learned as a dad he said, “It has reiterated the importance of vulnerability to me. Having a child, I have to be able to be open with my emotions, giving good night kisses and playing with dolls is taking that vulnerability to a new level, but also all the joy that comes with it! It’s teaching me patience, and a different level of work ethic that I didn’t know I had, and I think that’s helping my career. It taught me how hard I could push myself in different capacities that have seeped into everything that I do.”

Which is exactly what he has done in this photoshoot, he has pushed himself to create something new and different with the guidance of the talented photographer, Christopher Paschal.

“The shoot went so well, Chris is a creative genius. I didn’t know what to expect going in, which is typical. It definitely took me out of my comfort zone, but Chris was great at getting me comfortable and into a groove to get the shots. I’m really happy and excited for them to come out. They’re a little bit different for me, people will be surprised by some of the shots, they’re used to me doing commercial fitness and these are more editorial.”

Discussing the industry and standards that have been set for models he admits, "I wasn’t even supposed to be a model, the industry standard is a minimum height of 5’10 to be a fitness model and I’m way under that. Many of the most famous people out there don’t fit the industry standards though, so I am focused on that fact more than standards unfairly set on something out of our control.”

His social media posts became his ladder to success in an industry that at first glance would have turned him down. “History shows us that the people greatest in their industries all overcame an obstacle that told them they couldn’t do it. They said, "I’m doing it anyway" and that ended up changing everything. That proves to me that I really can do anything I want. A motto I try to live by is… If you don’t have it, create it.”

When encouraged to speak his next dream into existence he admitted he always admired Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. “How he carries himself from a fitness standpoint, an acting standpoint, as a businessman and family man, he’s been so inspirational to me. I think acting in a superhero movie and sharing the big screen with him would be huge.”

It’s safe to say this intelligent young man’s allure extends beyond his impeccable and naturally gained physique, 5.2 million followers on TikTok alone would agree that with his solid work ethic and down to earth sense of humor, he’s a star on the inevitable rise.

CONTRIUBTOR HIGHLIGHT

by Kelly Plourde

From the earliest collection of fashion photographs by Adophe Braun in 1856 to the latest spread in Vogue; since its inception Fashion Photography has captured the imaginations, hearts and desires of many millions of people over nearly two centuries. Coupled with the advent of the internet and rise of social media, a new, and dare I say more creative, wave of fashion photography has given rise to some of the most innovative storytellers the medium has seen thus far.

Christopher Paschal is one of those up and coming innovators. Learning as he grew as an artist in a variety of mediums and with persistence and timing he found his way to the tutelage of the renowned photographer Derek Blanks, a mentorship that he is profoundly grateful for. This photographer’s passion for storytelling through his lens is evident in the way he creates an atmosphere of ease for his subjects during the shoot, allowing him to breathe life into the still shots he creates.

“I’ve always been drawn to any kind of artistic expression whether it be dance or writing; photography just came naturally. I was always the one handed the camera at family functions and when going out with my friends. I always took care when photographing myself as well and it just blossomed from there.”

In 2016 while he was finishing up his masters degree in business administration in Houston, Texas, his brother had gotten him his first professional camera. Christopher’ passion for the art had him utilizing YouTube and Google to find out everything he could to improve his craft. He had thoughts about making a career out of it, even answering an ‘Assistant wanted" post on Instagram by the aforementioned Derek Blanks.

“I have always admired Derek, I had been following him for years on social media. His clean work and his attention to detail, I wanted my work to look like his. He posted a shout out for new assistants when I was still living in Houston. I reached out and told him that if I was in Atlanta I would want to participate, basically planting a seed.”

Fast Forward to 2019, a new job in Special events and catering had taken him across the country to Atlanta and within a year, the pandemic hit. Laid off and trying to figure out how he was going to survive, he decided to take control of that seed he had planted years before and reach out to Derek through social media for a second time.

“He posted again looking for assistants or interns and at this point I knew I would kick myself if I didn’t go for it, I had the time and there was the opportunity. To make a long story short, it’s been the most phenomenal experience to date. It’s been the journey I didn’t know I needed to get to where I am. He’s the best mentor I’ve ever worked with. He gives so freely of himself, his knowledge; he provides a space to grow as an artist”

His training and studious efforts have paid off in this shoot with Trevor Bell, the actor/model praising him for his kindness and care during a shoot that was outside of Trevor’s sports photography and underwear modeling comfort zone.

“Ultimately what I want is for whoever I’m shooting to walk away feeling good about the experience and to capture the emotions in the photographs. In this shoot with Trevor, I was going for clean editorial fashion; stylized, good composition, strong images of what he projects as an artist.”

When asked what’s on the horizon for him, he said, “I’m really drawn to the strength and beauty of Black women. I was raised in a household with really strong, beautiful Black women and witnessed a variety of emotions, journeys and stories. With age I understand more of why they walked and talked the way they did and I’d like to capture and display more of that with my photography.”

With such a superb mentor, strong sense of artistry and self-awareness, we should expect nothing less than more magnificent work on the horizon from Christopher Paschal.