FROM FASHION TO CINEMA: GREGO BELAU AND HIS “SENTIMENTAL STORIES”

Born and raised in Dias d’Ávila, in the Bahia area of Brazil, Grego Belau, who has behind him studies in marketing and for two years also acting in São Paulo, after four years working as a model decided to give voice to his acting qualities. Although he is already working on a short film in the horror genre, Grego, who is charismatic and charming but also very communicative and likeable, arrived on the red carpet of the 80th edition of the Venice Biennale Film Festival thanks to Sentimental Stories directed by Xandra Popscu in competition in the Orizzonti short film section of the prestigious film festival.
If Grego’s roots include Brazil as well as Greece, while his work as a model brought him to Milan, his home now seems to be Berlin where he started this new adventure. The link, however, with Italy is strengthened precisely with the presentation of this debut of his in the romantic city of Veneto, and that is why we met him, to get to know him better and let him tell us about a well-promising path.

Total look Gaelle Paris
Total look Gaelle Paris

«In this new phase of my life I have learnt to be patient with myself, somehow I have become more mature in my decisions and less anxious» 

Is this your first adventure as an actor? How was this experience? What have you learned about yourself doing this new chapter in your life? 

No, no. Actually, I started acting in São Paulo where I studied acting for two years and made my first short film at National Institute of Cinema of São Paulo (InC), called Assassinos por Ódio, directed by Thiago Arruda. Also, I was always doing extras to see how a film set works. I did extra for several projects in Brazil. 

I remember one project in which I had 3 seconds on screen and my whole family was reunited in the living room to watch it… of course I’d love to play a lead role but in life I believe that we have to respect the steps and the personal process to achieve our goals. 

In this new stage of my life I learned to be patient with myself, somehow I became more mature with my decisions and less anxious. It’s true that everything has a right time.  

«You can still dream high and have a low budget… You just have to know how to manage it… I would say it’s not always about money»

Let’s go back to the fashion moment. How did you begin modelling and how was the experience so far? Best/ most exciting moment in the fashion system till now? 

I’ve started modelling when I travelled from my hometown, Dias dÁvila in Bahia, to São Paulo where I’ve got an invitation from a modelling agency in Milan and had my first contract and travel. I dreamed so much of being there: I remember when I was in my bedroom watching videos of runway shows and doing the same in the hall of the house. At that time, when I commented about being a model in Milan, for some people it was something impossible, but not for me. It never put me down.  

One of my most excited works was an editorial when I was living in Sao Paulo. I always dreamed of doing something with helicopters. I remember that we had got a private airport to do a story based on Amelia Earhart’s life. The funny part was: I just had a phone, 10 reais (2 euros) and a dream. I’ve got the idea and shared it with a friend photographer. She showed me some models options, then we developed the whole concept together, I called the make-up and the styling saying «I have an idea but no money, would you like to join our team?». Then I had a whole team with me. 

At that time, I shared an apartment with a girl whose boyfriend was a pilot. I asked him if he knew any airport where the project could be done, he gave me some contacts and right after that I called the first airport. They said it was only possible to do the shooting inside the hangar and I wasn’t happy with that. I wanted something really crazy on the airport runway… so I asked for another number and that’s when I found the perfect location. But I had no money to offer.
As my background is in marketing, I presented myself as a web and graphic designer and I talked about some works of mine, that could help the aviation company. In this way I was proposing a kind of exchange so they could help me. The proposal was accepted! The day of the shooting, I remember when the commander opened the hangar gate saying «You can choose what you want», and I was thinking «I don’t have money to pay the gasoline of a helicopter».

We’ve done some pictures around the hangar and of the helicopter on the ground… I still hadn’t said about to do something with the helicopter flying around… So I’ve asked that at the end of the day, showing some references, and the commander said “We have a pilot in training and he can help us. You can count on him”. We did it the way I had thought. It was so cool and so much adrenaline. At the end of the day, the team got a free flying tour around the area. At that time I was a new face and didn’t know so much about the industry. We’ve tried to contact all the magazines in Brazil and all of them said no, then a British one published it. 

You can still dream high and have a low budget… You just need to know how to manage it… I would say it’s not always about money. 

Shirt Çanaku
Shirt Çanaku

«I’ve started acting in college. It was something that I’ve done before. But it wasn’t in my plans to do acting now. When I’ve got an invitation from the director Xandra Popscu to do an audition it was unexpected»

Ups and downs of the modelling world?

It happened to me that a job was cancelled while I was getting ready in the studio and I had to return home. Or I had a dress cancelled before a fashion show… etc. I think the 70th Moncler anniversary fashion show was very special… I feel honored to be part of historic moments in fashion and this was one of them. 

Let’s go back to acting. Was It something you wanted to do? Or is it something new and unexpected for you? 

I’ve started acting in college. It was something that I’ve done before. But it wasn’t in my plans to do acting now. When I’ve got an invitation from the director Xandra Popscu to do an audition it was unexpected. 

«I will never forget the experience I had in my debut as an international actor. The director Xandra Popscu has created a completely safe and comfortable environment for everyone»

Tell me something about the project and something about your character 

It is a very special project. When you watch Sentimental Stories you feel totally in it. It’s as if you are part of a deeply emotional journey. Each frame is like a painting.

My character, Antonio, works in a harbor. Together with his girlfriend, Zina (Estelle Widmaier), he is preparing for an audition but he would rather she didn’t come along. In fact, he would do anything to go on this trip alone. They have known each other since they were teenagers. Antonio never had a good relationship with his parents and Zina became his “mother” somehow, creating a complicated connection: Antonio doesn’t like to be controlled by someone else but he still likes Zina… On their journey, they cross other people’s stories. Intersecting, their paths create a parallax view of heartbreak and desire, disappointment and hope.

How was working with the crew and what have you learned from them? 

I worked with an incredible team. I will never forget the experience I had in my debut as an international actor. The director Xandra Popscu has created a completely safe and comfortable environment for everyone. She always asked if we were fine about some scene moments. I really appreciate that from her. During the pre-production of the movie, we had rehearsals in which we used various acting methods to create the connection between me and Estelle Widmaier because I didn’t know her at all. I also needed to learn some French to use for my character. As Estelle is from Haiti, I took some basic lessons from her. 

Total look Antonio Marras
Total look Antonio Marras

«Berlin, as people say, ‘is a place to be’… It is a city of freedom but also of respect»

You live in Berlin. Tell us something about the city. Give us some tips and ideas for coming there. Which are the best places to see and the best things to experience? 

I’m living here for two years now. Berlin, as people say, “it’s a place to be”. You can wear whatever you want, no one cares about it. It’s a city of freedom but also of respect. The night life is well known for the techno scene. But there’s so much more to explore… Depending on what you like and your taste, the city is full of museums, restaurants, parks, etc… If you’d like to do something else than learn about the Second World War… My personal suggestion is to rent a bike and go for a ride because the city is flat and you have bike lanes everywhere. It’s safe and great. 

When becomes about food, here you find everything from everywhere. For breakfast or brunch Benedict (Uhlandstraße, 49) is my favorite place… If you like kebab or would like to try it for the first time… I recommend Ali Baba (Danziger Str. 2). Closely, on Sundays, there’s an open street market at MauerPark where you can find second hand clothing, vinyls… other various knickknacks. The market also features a large furniture tent. It’s a great experience. At the end of the day, you can go to Admiralbrücke and enjoy the sunset with nice music in the background. Another option for sunset: Tempelhofer Feld.

I wouldn’t recommend you to stay on the bike lane… here people take seriously the biking thing. Another tip is always to have cash with you, not all places accept credit cards! 

Shirt MTL Studio Matteo Lamandini
Shirt MTL Studio Matteo Lamandini

«My dreams never end… I’ve just got a contract with an acting agency in Germany and now I’d like to play in a feature film; also I’d like to contribute more in the fashion industry»

The short movie will be presented in these days at the Venice Film Festival. Which was your first reaction in hearing this news? 

I remember that I was at home when my director called me. I wasn’t so scared because she never calls me to tell bad news, but I never thought that it would be a big good one… She needed to repeat it four times because I didn’t understand and wasn’t believing. «Yes, we are in the competition at Orizzonti short section with Sentimental Stories and our premiere will be on September 7th». It took me days to get back to normal… Now it’s time to celebrate. The whole cast is amazing. I’m proud of everyone involved in this project. 

Projects and dreams for the future? 

The Power of The Strike directed by Dima Barch is coming soon. It’s a horror movie. I’m playing Rick. If you like horror movies… wait for it. My dreams never end… I’ve just got a contract with an acting agency in Germany and now I’d like to play in a feature film; also I’d like to contribute more in the fashion industry. It’s a long way ahead.

Total look Dolce & Gabbana
Total look Dolce & Gabbana

Credits

Talent Grego Belau @I Love Models Mngt

Photographer Nicola Surbera

Stylist Stefano Guerrini

Stylist’s assistant Piero Nuvoli

Grooming Lisa Lionello

Mankind Seen by Juan Castano

A highly pop and comical aesthetic with very personal humor lends an apparent lightness to Castano’s unconventional and mischievous works. His strikingly bold and clear style immediately involves the viewer, but is also an invitation for deeper reading and interpretation.

Whilst his work resonates closely with the LGBT community and is extremely conscientious, an irreverent and disenchanted undercurrent suggests Juan is telling tales of his own experiences, which do not always have a dreamy and princely ending, but often remain suspended between the grotesque and the kawaii.

How was your approach to art?
When did you decide to become an illustrator?

I think that somehow art has always been present in my life. As a child I always loved drawing, and I loved painting books. I don’t think I ever decided to become an illustrator, I just began spending more and more time drawing which led me to discover the world of digital illustration. Then suddenly people began commissioning me.

Tell me something about your work, how would you describe your illustrations?

Well, I think that my illustrations are a mix of many artistic influences and styles that I admire: Japanese illustration, constructivism, art deco … and the result is work that combines eroticism and naivety with simple lines and colors.

manintown cover

In my opinion there is a certain Japanese in- spiration behind them and obviously they are very pop.
Which are your main artistic influences?

This influence is certainly more obvious in my first works yet it has never been lost as I have evolved as an artist. As for influential artists I always name Junko Mizuno; her work is fascinating, Rodchenko and Popova, whom I discovered in an exhibition in London, Malika Favre, Sanna Annuka… and many more.

Which are your main references when it comes to illustrations?

In the case of illustration, Maria Picassó i Piquer; her works hypnotize me and convey a total mastery of proportion and characterization. Jarom Vogel; his palette and work are amazing, and Roda’s work is ab- solutely brilliant with a use of color I envy.

Talking about style, what is elegant for you?

For me, elegance is something timeless. I don’t think it is merely about simplicity or dressing in basic clothes, I think it’s a step further; it’s a talent, something you are born with or without in the same garment, one can exude elegance and another cannot.

“Urban Cowboy”
in exclusive for MANINTOWN wearing DSquared2 f/w 2019-20

What is fashion for you? And which are the essentials in your personal wardrobe and style? 

Fashion has always been present in my life. When I was younger and going out at night, I could spend an hour trying on clothes, choosing what to wear that night to ensure I was not to go unnoticed. I have always liked to see what is going to take and what is not, and I usually read a lot of fashion magazines. I’m not a fashion victim and if there is something that does not fit, I do not wear it. Let’s say I like fashion but I do not obsess over it. I’m going to say something very obvious; in my closet there are always jeans – I can’t live without them. I find them very comfortable and I can use them for practically any event.

One of the focus as MANINTOWN is travelling. Can you tell us something about your country/your hometown. Like a place to see, a place where to eat, something to do...

I am lucky to have been born in the best country in the world he he he… I am from Spain and was born in Cartagena; a city in the southeast, but currently I spend most of the week in Alicante, a coastal city near the south of Valencia. It is a very touristy city that has many visitors all year round. Throughout the area there are beautiful beaches and wonderful places like Altea or La Granaella. It is very typical to eat rice (not the same as paella), cooked in a variety of different ways amongst many other tasty gastronomic delights. More over, the people of Ali- cante and Spain “in general” are very friendly.

“Waiting”
in exclusive for MANINTOWN wearing a coat by Neil Barrett f/w 2019-20

Projects for the future?

Right now, I am working on an illustrated book for adults, a kind of sea story, with tritons and sailors of course. I am also waiting for a children’s book that I have illustrated to be published. As for future projects, I hope to finish a book dedicated to mythology by mid-2020 and my dream is to be able to devote myself full-time to illustration.

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Wish list: a new type of luxury

A new type of luxury. An almost emotional luxury, capable of representing not so much a social status, but our belonging to a tribe of style increasingly similar to an extended family, where everyone is registered in the same fanzine. And this word is not used by chance because these new objects of desire are all a bit retro’, old school, children of a nostalgia for a period that in reality part of the public to which they are addressed has not lived. As well as the excesses of color, above all the use of purple for the men’s wardrobe, refer to an energizing and revitalizing chromotherapy. Fashion thus acquires reassuring and thaumaturgical aspects, which open up to new paths. Starting from the past. 

By Ermenegildo Zegna the ‘must-have’ dress in technical satin fabric #UseTheExisting with multicolored spots on a light obsidian purple base, consisting of a soft-shoulders jacket with iconic couture lapels and slim-fit pants without darts. Oversized knit T-shirt with a wide neckline. Geometric-model glasses with light frame in metal and acetate. Ankle boots with zip in Warsaw gray leather.

Michael J. Fox and Rob Lowe portrayed by Richard Berstein in pure Warhol style for the covers of Interview. And the sweatshirt and the cotton tank top by Coach 1941, become supercool and a lot desirable tributes to the Eighties!

It reminds us of certain seaside vacations in the 1970s, between Ibiza and Saint Tropez, the sandal with sand-colored suede bands by Santoni. So chic!

From the super-loved Gucci designed by Alessandro Michele a document holder in red leather with Horsebit detail. And you can go to work with style and an electrifying spirit

Bally‘s leather bag with hiking style details, not necessarily only for weekends in the high mountains.

The Marni shopping bag from the s/s 2020 Men’s collection is in PVC with leather handles. The detail of the drawings of plastic bottles recalls an eco-friendly spirit that is totally essential today.

They make us think of american colleges, a touch of “Grease” style, a bit of “The rules of attraction” by Bret Easton Ellis, where the main protagonists are the cheerleaders and the rugby players. Here are the Sneakers in cotton gabardine by Prada: new objects of desire.

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Christmas 2019, gift ideas between tech and lifestyle

Whether we like it or not, Christmas is approaching even this year, and with it the uncontrollable desire to amaze our loved ones with useful and above all non-trivial gift ideas. In this gallery, you will find some interesting proposals between tech and lifestyle, so as not to disfigure during the next holidays.

MOLESKINE

The David Bowie collector’s box is inspired by the unique talent and continuous reinventing of an iconic songwriter, a creative and visionary thinker. This limited edition captures the evolving identity of the singer with an iridescent case that transforms Aladdin Sane into Ziggy Stardust. Inside there is a limited edition numbered notebook that shows Bowie and his famous logo.

SPARCO FASHION

Sparco men’s sports watch, red silicone strap with pneumatic design.

VALVERDE

A collector’s bottle in Limited Edition made by Polimoda students. The 250ml format is loved by an audience that is attentive to taste and form, able to reveal an innovative and refined soul, outside the traditional canons.

JAGERMEISTER

Jägermeister Manifest, the first super-premium reference in the range, created to satisfy the most mature and demanding palates who love a more exclusive liquor, to be savored on more relaxed occasions.

ESPOLON

The Tequila Espolòn Blanco commemorates the history of Mexican independence in which Guadalupe and Rosarita joined the valiant military campaign of Father Miguel Hidalgo. A primary quality obtained without aging from the distillation process of pure blue agave.

NARDINI

La Grappa Riserva Bortolo Selection Nardini Single Cask 22 years completes the ultra-premium line “Selezione Bortolo Nardini”, the result of a project that establishes a new quality threshold for the Italian national distillate with the choice of the softest, scented and sweet grappas.

BORSALINO 

Baseball model hat. Maxi foliage logo with inner lining. 

PELTY 

Pelty is the only Bluetooth speaker in the world operated by the heat of the fire to reproduce the music of every device, using clean energy for its operation. 

U.S. POLO ASSN. 

Brown suede lace-up model 

RICHARD MILLE AND PHARRELL WILLIAMS 

This clock, inspired by the cosmos, sees the collaboration between Richard Mille and Pharrell Williams and is made using highly technological materials processed manually in miniature, using the most advanced technology.

GPO 

GPO Union Flag Phone is inspired by the iconic push-button model, the protagonist of all homes in the 1960s, combining vintage design, classic lines and modern technology for a guaranteed British effect. 

PAPIRHO 

The Papirho stool in paper with an unmistakable honeycomb structure, practical, light and at the same time resistant. Perfect both as a seat and as a side table in the living area. 

ZACAPA 

Rum Zacapa Reserva Limitada 2019 is born from the mixture of rums aged between 6 and 24 years, aged in specially selected muscatel barrels. The result is a distillate with lively notes of vanilla and wood, accompanied by citrus and floral notes. 

DISARONNO 

“Disaronno wears Diesel” is a Limited Edition with a contemporary and “gritty” style that reflects the soul of the two companies that sign it, two Italian companies appreciated internationally, united by a deep vocation for innovation and a lively creative spirit. 

WHISKEY JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL RARE SIDE OF SCOTLAND

Limited edition bottle of the most widely distributed whiskey in the world, just launched in Italy this Christmas. The graphic of the bottle pays tribute to the rarities and beauties of Scotland, a land so dear to the lovers of the distillate.

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Walt Cassidy, New York: Club Kids

Damiani Editori, the renowned publisher that proposes international publications dedicated to art and photography – always cool, cutting-edge and important – has printed a book that is really interesting, for those who love style and for those who are intrigued about the ways with which certain phenomena have influenced more than a generation, not only from the point of view of the image. The book “New York: Club Kids. By Waltpaper” by Walt Cassidy, with the preface of Mark Holgate. The club kids from the New York scene in the 90’s were maybe the last underground phenomenon, the last true subculture that became something recognizable and creatively stimulating.

High on the agenda also thanks to the film “Party Monster” with Macaulay Culkin, that focuses more on the unpleasant events that involved especially one of the club kids, Michael Alig, this book wants to emphasize the mediatic, cultural and creative importance of that group of guys. 

 When he was young, Cassidy was Waltpaper, an almost genderless figure, with an alien look, and the book brings us back to those nights in the 90’s. So the book is more than a simple chronicle from the past, and Walt explains it clearly in the exclusive interview that he gave us.

When did you decide to create this book and why? Which is in your opinion the importance and the legacy of the period you are talking about?

NEW YORK: CLUB KIDS first began with a 40 page editorial that I did for Candy Magazine in 2015, where I selected five photographers who beautifully documented the Club Kids and New York nightlife culture in the 1990’s. The images ran with a short biographical text of my personal reflections about the period. I have always been very careful about investing too much in nostalgia. 

People often get stuck in the past, and I am more interested in the present, so despite many requests to tell the story of that time period, I kept my energy mostly focused on my current  life. As time moved on, a number of key figures from the original scene began to pass, sadly. 

I got nervous that important photographic archives might be at risk of being lost forever. I had not been satisfied with outside journalist’s interpretation of our scene, after 25 years since it’s collapse.  No one seemed to be able to capture the creativity and inventiveness that the Club Kids represented. 

There were so many idea’s and concepts that intersected that moment in time in New York City, but had yet to be addressed. I realized that it was an insider’s job, and I was the only person who could put together a book that would properly capture that 10 year time period.

Is there a picture in particular that gave you goosebumps, that reminds you of a specific moment? Do you wanna share that moment with us?

The process of doing the book was incredibly cathartic and labor intensive. I needed to process the many feelings that I had, as well as, absorb the energy and thoughts of all the photographers and subjects in the book. 

I felt responsible for everyone involved, despite it being a story about my personal journey. Additionally, I had to glue together heavily fractured and often damaged archives, which needed extensive restoration. 

The book required the work of four different graphic designers.  Every image conjures up tender moments for me. Since many of the people featured are no longer with us, this added another layer of responsibility. I tell the story of my first male lover in New York, named Donald, who was a notorious street hustler, and eventually died from AIDS. 

Despite his reputation, he was very protective of me, perhaps because I was only 19 years old, new to the city, and quite innocent. He was an angel with broken wings, and was my introduction to life in New York City, and I believe he still watches over me today.

Which was the most difficult moment in preparing the book?

Writing the last chapter was the hardest because not only did I need to make firm decisions about how I felt, but I also needed to make sure that the book would be of some service to the 15 year old, who would be discovering and reading about this culture for the first time, as well as, my peers from my generation and New York City who would be reflecting back on that time as they passed through the pages.

new-york-club-kids-a-book-by-walt-cassidy
SKID, Waltpaper, Nocturnal Oddities at Willow Gallery, 1992. Copyright SKID. All Rights Reserved.

You were all very creative in dressing, do you remember the most outrageous outfit you had? Could you save some of those outfit? Do you still have some of them?

I did not save any of my outfits.  One of the things that was unique about the Club Kids was that we approached fashion as disposable. Most of our outfits were made to be worn one night then disposed of. 

For the book, I use the metaphor of “deconstruction” as an over arching concept and motivation that defined the 1990’s.  You see this in the music, the clothes and the drugs. Instead of saving my clothes, I saved all my photos and press editorials, which created the foundation for the book.

In which way do you think the club kids of today can be different from your generation? And in generale how New York has changed in your opinion?

The energy and dynamics of youth culture is always regenerative, playing off of the same reoccurring concepts, but responding to the politics and technology of any given time period. At the core of history and our human experience are pictures and words. That is the essence of everything. How we capture our experience and how we talk about ourselves is what creates distinctions between different time periods and generations. 

This goes back to cave drawings of the earliest human beings. My excitement comes from seeing these things change and evolve. Human culture ebbs and flows between the liberal and the conservative. New York City has suffered as a result of conservative city politics and the money and real estate agenda since the late 90’s. I feel that we are on the cusp of a more positive and exciting period, not just in New York City, but in the world.

We are currently in the same position as we were as the 1980’s moved into the 1990’s, or as the 1950’s moved into the 1960’s. The conservative have had their hold, but that will break apart soon. I am very excited by Generation Z and the idea’s that they are beginning to push through.

What have you learned about yourself or about that period while preparing the book?

That it is important to show up and participate in life, even if you weren’t invited, especially if you weren’t invited.

You are a very different person, from who you were, at least it is what we can see from the outside. What is still there of that young kid?

I am still very much the same person moving through this lifetime, gathering new experiences as each day passes. I believe the essence of life is fluidity, and I allow myself to remain in flux, and constantly change and evolve. I believe it is a great mistake to invest in the idea that if we chase after one singular experience or identity, that we will find happiness. 

Fear is what drives the desire to cling to one thing.  Fear will never lead to freedom and joy. The world is not flat and neither is the human experience. We are dimensional beings, and that should always be celebrated.

You have a lot of projects, can you tell us what are you doing at the moment?

I am a multimedia artist, so to keep myself engaged, I navigate various mediums. My jewelry and artworks are always available at www.waltcassidy.com. My primary focus at the moment is getting the book launched. We are partnering with the store Opening Ceremony and have created a small capsule collection inspired by the book, which will drop mid-November and coincide with a book launch event. NEW YORK: CLUB KIDS is published by Damiani and is now available for Pre-order online, and will hit stores internationally in October. 

Since Manintown has a focus on traveling, can you give us your suggestions about New York? Like the place you love the most? And a couple of places to go drinking/eating/having fun? 

The love the parks of New York City… Central Park, Prospect Park and Hudson River Park are particular favorites. I recently discovered Dekalb Market Hall in Brooklyn which has a fantastic array of food vendors. The Wiki Wiki Hawaiian food stand is a favorite.

club-kids-boy
SKID, Christopher Comp at Wall Street outlaw party, 1992. Copyright SKID. All Rights Reserved.

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