ON THE COVER
Model Gina Ibarra wears a pink bikini by Forever 21 Swim along with a handmade wooden brown and yellow sunflower necklace made by a local villager in the Rio Cuale market district of Old Town, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Mexico. Natural makeup look: La Palette Nude eyeshadow, Voluminous mascara, True Match blush, and Hydra Perfecte powder, all by L'Oreal Paris.
Photographer:
John Enot
It is not often that I get sentimental when I am sitting up in the wee hours of the night trying to proofread copy or work up a design layout, but putting together this month's issue I did just that. I recalled my trips to Puerto Vallarta and reminisced to myself about the first time I was introduced to fashion designer Edoardo Rocha inside a dimly lit piano lounge nestled between a couple Spanish-styled buildings at the top end of a steep cobblestone street in Old Town PV. What a gem of a guy. I reminisced about my 2nd trip back to attend his exclusive, invite only birthday party at his cliff side, open-aired residence that faced the ocean and gave me a front row seat to the most beautiful sunset I had ever seen, not to mention the Flamenco guitar players, the Brazilian husband and wife singing duo, and the authentic & delicious Mexican cuisine that was prepared by the host himself. There was even a private fireworks show out in the bay in front of the balcony that shot off the moment we all began singing happy birthday to the host. The only word to describe it all is Wow! I recalled meeting this month's cover girl on a separate occasion at the same piano pianogenderground culture of art and fashion throughout the entire city. Our February
lounge as she sang along side a much older, grey-haired piano player. We loved her energy and could tell that she had a very old and free soul! I sent my assistant over to greet her when she finished her set to ask if she might be interested in modeling for us, fully expecting her to decline. But to our surprise and complete delight, she said yes! The next morning we were all on a wooden water taxi and headed out to the towering waterfall inside the jungle village of Yelapa. What an adventure indeed. It is truly times like this that I remember why I left my corporate job for bigger and more fulfilling things.
This issue filled with so many great features, memories, and wonderful contributors from around the world. It is a reminder that in this big crazy world filled with drama, despair, political conflict, bad news, and countless cultural barriers & differences, that there are still plenty of warmhearted and genuinely nice people who transcend all of the negativity and come together to make wonderful things happen. It is truly humbling and I want to sincerely thank everyone who had even the smallest or indirect role in making this issue possible. Words cannot begin to express my gratitude!
Cheers and Ciao!
EDITOR'S LETTER
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John J. Enot