INTERVIEW, SPACE COWBOY.

Don’t let his flamboyant get-up or his affiliation with Lady Gaga sway you into thinking Space Cowboy is yet another diva. In fact, he’s just the opposite; if this big-hearted musician were to own a planet in space, he would welcome anybody on it.
“I would invite you!” says Nick Dresti with an affable laugh. Known more popularly as Space Cowboy, this talented DJ, producer and singer is true to his moniker with his love for futuristic things and fascination with space travel.

“That’s a really interesting question actually. What about you?” He then poses the question back to me, intrigued, as I fumble for an answer.

Throughout the 20-minute press conference at Bershka at Ion Orchard, Space Cowboy managed to dispel every single pre-conceived notion I had of him and paint a very real picture of the person he is. The 34-year-old appeared shy but polite, averting emcee Annabelle Francis’ gaze whenever she engaged him in playful banter.

One-on-one however, and he’s as warm as his bright red equestrian-like outfit, putting you at ease almost instantly.
Perhaps this explains his preference for a behind-the-scenes role as Lady Gaga’s personal DJ. But when it comes to questions about his controversial co-worker, Space Cowboy is obliging but tight-lipped.

When asked if Lady Gaga is as wild as she dresses, his answer is a deadpan yes. When asked to talk about her style, he replies immediately, “It’s great, I love it.”

However, when questioned instead about whether he could see at the recent 2010 Grammy Awards as his view was blocked by Lady Gaga’s massive headpiece, his eyes crinkle up into slits as he shakes his head vehemently.

“No, I really couldn’t! It was impossible,” says the first-timer to Singapore with a chuckle. “You should have been there!”
Space Cowboy is possibly the most glaringly honest celebrity I have ever encountered. He offers rehearsed replies to run-of-the-mill questions. But ask him something different about his life and he’ll open up like an unearthed pearl.

And what’s not to love about him: When a world-famous musician removes his captain hat and places it on your head during a photo opportunity and doesn’t give two hoots about hat hair, but tells you instead that “it doesn’t matter, as long as you look great”, one begins to wonder if Space Cowboy should really be called Down to Earth instead.

Images and text by Amelia Chia.

Edit:The people at People’s Association Youth Movement invited us to attend their event, a pre-media party at Berhska ION and street dance party ‘City Alive! 2010’. I was away on a trip last weekend; so the friendly Miss Amelia Chia (and her friend) helped me out with this ‘assignment’. I thought it would be great to support PAYM, as I was involved for three years back in high school. For more photos, click on the Facebook page linked on the sidebar!

Dinie.

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INTERVIEW, PETTER JOHN ANDERSSON.

Hey Petter, introduce yourself...

So, My name is Petter. I’m 20 years old, from Sweden and have been living in London since 2 years back.

How did u get into modeling?

Before I moved to London, I went over and got scouted by a fashion scout, who told me to start modeling, but at that time I wasn’t much into it.When I later moved to London, I got scouted again, with the same guy, and i thought I could try it out.

Any significant work of yours that we might recognize?

You might have seen me in magazine such as ID, Collective Magazine, Mykromagazine, Notion Magazine or Dazed Digital. And soon I’ll be seen in Rodeo, Unwind and Metal Magazine.

Name the (designer) names that you've walked for.

I walked For Gareth Pugh, Jean Pierre Braganza, Andrew Mckenzie, Roen, Aquascutum, and Tiger of Sweden.

Who (a male model) would you compare yourself to?

I wouldn’t compare myself to anyone, as I think I got a quite unique look, But people do say that i look like Russian model Danila Polykov.

What's the highlight of your career so far, most memorable moments?
I probably would say, when i opened up the show for Andrew Mckenzie, during Milan Fashion week.

What are you're future plans and what do you want to achieve from modeling.

I always wanted to go To New York, or Japan, so getting a agency there would probably be my next goal, but it is hard as a "long-haired" model.
Walking for designers like Vivienne Westwood, Issie Miyake and Alexander Mcqueen would also be something id love to do.

Dinie.

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INTERVIEW, AYNOUK TAN.

Hey Aynouk, introduce yourself...

I'm a fashion editor in the broadest sense of the word. I mostly write newspapers as well as fashion magazines. The inspiration of my work comes from fashion as a social and cultural phenomena (all things modern, all things at the forefront of contemporary culture). I find it interesting how these cycles translate to clothes- how they reflect our 'zeitgeist'. I'm always on the look out for those artists, creatives, designers but also 'random people' (vagabonds, the baker on the corner, the secretary, farmer- anyone!) who are not afraid to experiment, provoke, stand out: those who question. These brave individuals are the mothers and fathers of the baby called innovation.  

How did you get involve in fashion, any formal education or simply street smarts?

I studied communication. As part of this study I did an internship at the Fashion Institute Arnhem: a prestigious masters for fashion designers. I met a great deal of talented designers (Oscar Suleyman- who now design for Viktor and Rolf, Bas Kosters, Klavers/ Van Engelen, Monique van Heist, Fransisco van Benthum etc.) which I modelled for every now and then. Some of them became close friends. I learned so much talking to them and watching them work. When I finished my education I was asked to write for Dutch fashion magazine BLVD. I developed my skills and interest in fashion from there. 

You kinda made your 'debut' in the webs via the 'infamous' portrait of Jak & Jil's The Watchmen, what are your response to those negative comments.

I must say I did not pay much attention to the image as well as the comments until now. I like Jak and Jil- I think it's very professional and one of the best of it's kind- but I must say it is not my favourite blog. Why? Tommy is all about aesthetics, the newest and the most beautiful- very Paris, Milan. I'm a great fan of humour though and the human side of fashion. why do people dress the way they do? What does it say about their character, their culture and the society we live in? I love pushing boundaries- please be as outrageous as you can be. make a statement, make people think, be bold, be provocative. Fashion contains so much more than just clothes- it tells a great deal about us humans. of course don't loose sight of aesthetics while doing it. but please, don't take yourself to seriously. Arrogance or pretentiousness does not flatter anybody.
Okido, I'm slightly rambling on. Ha. For the reasons names above- especially quote: 'make a statement, make people think, be bold, be provocative-' I loved the fact people reacted so passionate to the Watchmen. positive or negative. It's all about making people tick, making people think. If those 125 people who commented did that in any way I'm a happy cowboy. 

I enjoyed your work, Sandra on the first issue of MykroMag. What's next?

what's next? well. for now I'm really busy with a weekly column I'm writing for one of the biggest- and may I say most intellectual- newspapers of Holland. It is comparable to the International Herald Tribune. The title of the column is 'Fashion according to Aynouk Tan'. The newspaper came up with that! I dress myself every week in a different outfit and describe what I'm wearing. I tell the people something about the history of the clothing or what makes it so special and well, just to educate them in an accessible way about fashion. Next to that I am an editor for the Dutch L'Officiel, I contribute to Mykromag (because I like the product and I love Sonny), I organise fashion events in museums for instance etc. First and foremost though I live and breathe the art of fashion in my way, everyday. By dressing up, dressing down- reliving and recreating. Let's say I’m a professional fashion trooper. that must be taken with a big wink. of course.

Dinie.

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