LUKE CHRISTOPHER FOREST WHITAKER DRIVEN GLOBAL JUSTIN DURANT HAWAII
RYAN GUZMAN SE X
THY NEIGHBOR
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CONTENT 9
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
10 CONTRIBUTORS 11 EDITOR’S LETTER 12 IT’S ME, IT’S YOU, IT’S BLEU 14 THE 20: TIMELESS TUNES 16 GADGETS: INCREDIBLE INNOVATIONS 18 CAR: CURVES SMOOTH ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE ROAD 24 BODY: FINE-TUNING THE CORE 26 GROOMING: SPRING SOLDIER 28 FUEL: BY DAY & BY NIGHT 34 TRAVEL: LOCALS’ PASS 38 ARTFUL LIVING: PAPARAZZI IN A POSITIVE LIGHT 42 TREND AVE: SPRING MUST-HAVES
shirt VIVIENNE WESTWOOD jeans DSQUARD2
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FASHION HEALTH CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT INTERVIEWS BLEUmagazine.com
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TEAM BLEU PUBLISHER DéVon Christopher Johnson LUKE CHRISTOPHER FOREST WHITAKER DRIVEN GLOBAL JUSTIN DURANT HAWAII
EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Treye Green
ART & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Carlton J. Brown
RYAN GUZMAN
DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Erica Vain
SE X
COPY EDITOR Andrew Horton
THY
NEIGHB OR
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FASHION MARKET EDITOR Chris Sandford FASHION EDITORS-AT-LARGE Apuje Kalu, Alisha Crutchfield CONTRIBUTING FASHION EDITOR Ronçois
On the cover RYAN GUZMAN photography SHARON MOR YOSEF fashion ENRIQUE MELENDEZ & ASHLEY ELIZABETH FOR ENA CREATIVE AT BLACKBOARDGROUP MGMT grooming ANGIE PEEK AT BLACKBOARDGROUP MGMT production AJ CRIMSON FOR BLACKBOARDGROUP MGMT
UK CONTRIBUTING FASHION EDITOR Sean Azeez GRAPHIC DESIGN Dominic Bielak GROOMING EDITOR Cataanda J SPORTS EDITOR Angel Quiles
suit jacket DIOR HOMME shirt VIVIENNE WESTWOOD tie MARC JACOBS tie bar PAUL SMITH
FITNESS EDITOR Joe Morris OFFICE COORDINATOR Gary Dickson EDITORIAL TEAM Dorielle Jackson, Edric Robinson, Ebony Allison, Yisreal Richardson, Yvette Brown, Brian Camacho CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Andre-Naquian Wheeler, Anthony Hollingsworth, Juwan Williams, Christopher Koelsch, Emily Tan CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Owen Duckett, Ricardo Nelson, Anna Fearon, Damian Bielak, Sharon Mor Yosef INTERNS Alivia Royal, Taylor Stabler, Kishon Springer, Raymond Mora, Dominique Williams, Jessica Gusmerotti
THE BLEULIFE GROUP CHAIRMAN, CEO & PRESIDENT
DéVon Christopher Johnson ACCOUNT MANAGERS Todd Evans, Rivendell Media 908.232.2021
INTEGRATED BRAND PARTNERSHIPS Kim J. Ford, Brand Whisperer 973.580.4476 kford@brand-whisperer.com
BRAND COORDINATOR Carlotta Harrington
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Loren Bates 347.564.8042 advertise@bleulife.com REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES Rannon Harris (Chicago - Midwest) Christopher Thompson Walls (Atlanta - Southeast)
Golenbock Eisman Assor Bell & Peskoe LLP SUBMISSIONS Bleu Magazine 500 Fashion Ave, 17a New York, NY 10018 info@bleulife.com
Bleulife Media & Entertainment Inc. | 500 Seventh Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10018 | E-Mail: info@bleulife.com | Online: bleulife.com Printed in Canada. Opinions expressed by advertisers, columnists, feature writers or other contributors are not necessarily the opinions of Bleu Magazine or its staff. All advertisements, photographs, text or illustrations are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized to have secured proper consent for the use thereof. Bleu Magazine shall not be held responsible for any errors, loss, expense or liabilities on advertisements accepted after the deadline. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or advertisement in Bleu Magazine is not to be constructed as an indication of sexual orientation of such persons, advertiser or organization. Partial or complete reproduction of an advertisement, news article, feature or photograph from Bleu Magazine is strictly prohibited as Bleu Magazine is a registered trademark. A $25 or 1.5% (whichever is greater) fee will be charged for all NSF checks. All rights reserved.
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
“WHAT’S GOIN’ ON” by Marvin Gaye Mother, mother There’s too many of you crying Brother, brother, brother There’s far too many of you dying You know we’ve got to find a way To bring some lovin’ here today - Ya Father, father We don’t need to escalate You see, war is not the answer For only love can conquer hate You know we’ve got to find a way To bring some lovin’ here today Picket lines and picket signs Don’t punish me with brutality Talk to me, so you can see Oh, what’s going on What’s going on Ya, what’s going on Ah, what’s going on
It’s 3:00a.m. on a Tuesday, and yes, I am here writing this letter to you. I am on a deadline and it has to get done. More importantly, I want to get it done. After watching the movie Selma, I have been anxious about getting this letter done. Why? It’s simple. I need to use this platform--especially this letter--to actually say something. Not complain about friends leaving me out of dinner plans or the smelly person on the subway this morning, but use the opportunity to inform and inspire. Selma, the Civil Rights Movement, and all the shoulders that America stands on, is the very reason I am even able to be the publisher of my own magazine. Brave men and women marched toward the future and we are that future. However, not until seeing that film and the four little girls blown up in that church, did I realize how fortunate I am to be the recipient of their hard work. We must all strive to be our greatest selves. We are living in a social climate nearly parallel to that of the days of the Movement. What are we doing for the future?
DéVon Johnson
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CONTRIBUTORS
SEAN AZEEZ
EMILY TAN
ORIGINALLY FROM: Born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in London, England
ORIGINALLY FROM: Jersey City, New Jersey.
LIVING IN: London, England
LIVING IN: Jersey City, New Jersey
OCCUPATION: Menswear Stylist and Consultant
OCCUPATION: Writer and Photographer
IN THIS ISSUE: The initial idea behind the “London Calling” shoot was inspired by the exhibition The Return of the Rude Boy, curated by Dean Chalkley and Harris Elliot. The exhibition showcased styles inspired by the subculture of London in the 1980s and how it has influenced the generational styles of the modern day. READING: I love checking out lifestyle and menswear fashion blogs on a daily basis such as Mr. Porter Post, The Fashionisto, BLEU Online and Complex to keep me updated in the world of fashion and music. LATEST OBSESSION: Wearing my black and gray plaid long woolen coat that kept me warm this past autumn and winter season.
IN THIS ISSUE: With the success of his two Step Up films and his new leading role, it was a bit unnerving talking to Ryan Guzman. He’s a star on the rise, and sometimes stardom goes to young star’s head. To the contrary, he was nothing but honest, down-to-earth and humble. Ryan conveyed his softer side, making me feel like I was getting to know a new friend as opposed to an up and coming Hollywood-ite. READING: How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran LATEST OBSESSION: Sortedfood! Whether it’s the YouTube series or the mobile app, it’s helped me plan out some great meals without racking my brain as I make them.
TAYLOR STABLER
CHRISTOPHER KOELSCH
ORIGINALLY FROM: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
ORIGINALLY FROM: Brockton, Massachusetts
LIVING IN: Brooklyn, New York
LIVING IN: Downtown Los Angeles, California
OCCUPATION: Junior Copy Editor at B LEU Magazine and Team Member at KryoLife
OCCUPATION: President and CEO of the Los Angeles Opera
IN THIS ISSUE: Sitting down with Latarsha Rose confirmed so much for me personally. It gave me a sense of “I am where I am supposed to be”-interviewing a talented woman whose energy, passion, and quiet confidence I long to emulate. To be able to celebrate such a woman through my writing is truly a gift.
IN THIS ISSUE: Much ink has been spilled on the vulnerability of the classical arts in a period of epoch-defining changes in our society. But we at LA Opera believe that our art form is a welcomed respite from a cacophonous world. It is an art form that is constantly evolving to suit the tastes of its audience, and we are proud to be on the front lines of that evolution.
READING: Wild Seed by Octavia Butler
READING: The Children Act by Ian McEwan
LATEST OBSESSION: Cryotherapy. It keeps my skin clear, boosts my metabolism and gives me the natural energy I need to get through each week. After every session, I feel amazing—like I could conquer the world!
LATEST OBSESSION: The new D’Angelo & The Vanguard record, Black Messiah, and Slate Culture Gabfests.
Bleu Magazine would like to retract a crediting error from our previous issue #34: “Behind the Beats” was poignantly written by Kirsten Lewis and not by Adrian Jackson. 10
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EDITOR’S LETTER
It’s a new year and a fresh start for BLEU as we prepare to bring you yet another year of issues packed with engaging products, places and people. In this issue, we launch some new ideas and perfect some old ones. But in the end, we remain true to our voice and to our dedication to providing our readers with quality content that makes one think--even if just for a little while.
From the upcoming Hollywood star Ryan Guzman to our spring style preview, we’ve put our fingers on the pulse of all you are looking for this spring. So usher in the spring with BLEU…Oh, and be sure to let us know what you think about the new look!
Treye Green Editor-In-Chief
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GADGETS
words JESSICA GUSMEROTTI
We may not be able to travel by time or hoverboards quite yet, but the tech industry is constantly one-upping itself with ingenious advancements, one after the next. These incredible innovations got you covered whether you’re at home, the office or on your next travel destination.
Apple Watch
Arguably the most anticipated watch of all-time, the Apple Watch boasts supreme functionality paired with sleek design options. Customize the face, band and style. There are three to choose from--The Watch, The Watch Sport, The Watch Edition. Apple Watch will begin shipping to customers in April. _________ apple.com
Ravi Ratan WiFi and 2GB USB Cufflinks
Ravi Ratan is pushing the envelope of design and innovation with the stylish WiFi and 2GB USB Combination Cufflinks. Along with high-speed wireless capability, memory will always be available at your sleeves’ end. Plug into almost any computer. Perfect for business meetings, airports and hotels. ___________ cufflinks.com
GoPro Hero 4
The GoPro Hero 4 is the first of its kind to feature a built-in touch display. Versatile and powerful, the Hero 4 is waterproof and captures 30 frames per second. WiFi and Bluetooth are also built-in, delivering enhanced connectivity. Get the Hero 4 in black or silver. ______________ shop.gopro.com
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Lix 3D Printing Pen The LIX 3D Printing Pen bridges the gap between 2D and 3D design while allowing users to create unique compositions anywhere. Not Van Gogh? Artists of all ages and abilities can enjoy the LIX 3D Printing Pen. Sign up for pre-order notification on their website. _________ lixpen.com
The Phantom 2 Vision+
Hammerhead Bike Navigation
Hammerhead is the first navigation system optimized for bikers. Connect Hammerhead to your smartphone and then attach to the handlebars of any bicycle. Riders are guided with light patterns that simplify directional information into a stunning, yet simple LED display. Preferences can be set to discover new routes based on distance, scenery, nature or weather. Pre-order online. _____________ hammerhead.io
Monster x Meek Mill 24K Headphones at Zumiez: PDP
Meek Mill and Monster came together to release their iconic 24K headphones. The brilliant, gold-plated design features DJ style swiveling earcups with plush cushions delivering audio perfection. Now endorsed by Marshawn Lynch, “The Beast” of pro football. __________________ monsterproducts.com
Jibo
Say hi to Jibo, the newest member of your family. Jibo uses hi-res cameras, sound effects, graphics and physical movements to act as an assistant, messenger, photographer, storyteller, and more. You can sign up for future orders on their website.
The Phantom 2 Vision+ dubs itself as “your flying camera,” taking photography to new levels in metaphorical and literal ways. This drone shoots full HD video and takes high quality 14 megapixel photos. The “radar positioning” and “return home” functions mean the Phantom 2 Vision+ will automatically fly back to its takeoff point. _______ dji.com
Sigmo Voice Translator
Sigmo is a voice translating system that is revolutionizing communication by enhancing a person’s ability to understand other languages. Sigmo allows real-time translations of 25 different languages and is able to be connected to your smartphone. The small, light design makes it ideal for travel. Register to be notified for available orders via their website sigmo.co ________ sigmo.co
Steve Aoki Micro Kickboard Carry-On Luggage Scooter
Micro Kickboard teamed up with Steve Aoki Dim Mak design to create this “one of a kind” kick board, bag and trolley all in one. This carry-on sized bag is TSA friendly and will save you time and stress while you are literally coasting to your terminal. Oh, did we mention it has built-in Bluetooth speakers as well? Just a tip: these are limited edition and selling out quick! ______________ brookstone.com amazon.com
__________ myjibo.com
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