Grammy Award nominated EDM DJ, music producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Steve Aoki is our issue 24 Cover subject. This musical powerhouse is celebrated for his over-the-top DJ performances and unique sound that bridges hardcore, pop, and rock genres with the futuristic aesthetic of electronic dance music to hype-up crowds the world over. Aoki holds the Guinness World Record for the “Most Traveled Musician in a Single Calendar Year” to the delight of his international fan base. With three Platinum singles, six Gold singles, and over ten Top 10 radio records, his latest release HiROQUEST 2: Double Helix promises not to disappoint. And to bring artistic dimension to our cover feature we teamed-up with photographer Tatijana Shoan and American pop artist icon Kenny Scharf whose work personifies joyous artistic celebration. Scharf’s wildly fun paintings with their exhilarant cartoon characters and free-spirited, communal approach to art—creating art for art’s sake and for everyone—was the reason we paired Scharf’s aesthetic with Aoki’s sound to celebrate two extraordinary artists who continue to redefine their art genres, and who put community at the forefront of what they do.
Also included in issue 24 is artist Alexandra Grant. Grant’s academic Steiner upbringing provided her with a strong sense of social responsibility and being of service for others which is the throughline of all her projects from her painting, her book publishing company she shares with her partner Keanu Reeves, and her grantLOVE Foundation.
Model Emily Sandberg’s career started in the late 90s when she walked the catwalks for luxury brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, and Balenciaga, she’s been photographed by legends like Steve Meisel and Paolo Roversi, and has been the face of Fendi and Armani. For the fashion editorial “Escape Artist” Sandberg plays a dilatant in-hiding under mysterious pretenses. Styled by Stacey Jones and photographed by Shoan, Sandberg also penned a tongue-and-cheek diary entry to bring her character to life.
Actor Eve Hewson may be known as Bono’s daughter, but as an actor she is thoughtful, provocative, compelling, and believable. Her latest project, Flora And Son streaming on AppleTV shows Hewson’s range, and having co-written the score we can see that the apple does not fall far from the tree.
Acadamey award-winner Marcia Gay Harden’s career has been honored by rave critical reviews and accolades for her theater, television, and film work. With recent memorable roles that include The Morning Show, So Help Me Tod, and Fifty Shades of Grey, she has become an American treasure.
Nicole Ari Parker plays a favorite new character in the Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That… as the upper east side uber successful documentarian married MILF with three kids. With a cast that has embraced her as part of their family and a wardrobe that can make Bergdorf swoon, Ari Parker is having the time of her life.
Also included in this issue is newcomer Shaunette Renèe Wilson who received the coveted Best Breakout Star Award at the Cannes Film Festival this past spring for her role in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. In “Blaise of Glory” actor Luna Blaise, who audiences watched grow-up on the immensely popular Netflix series Manifest, poses for us in The Hard Rock Hotel’s penthouse suite to show-off some of the season’s best retro inspired looks. And top model Maria Borges who has walked for Givenchy, Balmain, Oscar de la Renta, and Versace, dresses up in Max Mara’s fall/winter collection to bring chic to the streets.