Ville Magazine l Insider Access for City Lifestyle Sept/Oct 2016 / Fashion Issue | Page 31

BE ENTERTAINED

Maiah performs on the main stage at Capitol Hill Block Party 2016

yourself in it?
I love working with youth. There is nothing more gratifying
than working with them on performing, singing and coaching.
Beyond that, I just go out and do. I go to all different kinds
of shows like dance shows, art shows, theatre shows, music
shows - all of the above. I try to stay involved in all the different
aspects. I want to learn more, and I want to see everything I
can. Every experience I have in Seattle helps me become a more
well-rounded artist.
Who are some local designers or artists that you think
people should be on the lookout for?
Definitely BZR. She is mainly known for doing ombre tights,
but she is really breaking out and making these beautiful hand
dyed dresses and also fantastic new wave chokers and female
bolo ties. My friend Chelsea Rodino is a great visual artist. She
usually works with very large scale pieces and her work has
a lot to do with the female form. She has just recently started
painting on clothing as well. She is a fantastic artist and just
one of the sweetest people.
Who are a few local artists working in different mediums
that you’ve worked with in the past?
As for visual artists that I’ve worked with who are just
incredible, there is Juan Franco. I just did my album cover
photo shoot with him. He usually does a lot of collage work
that kind of messes with the eye. Also, Makenzie Stone is a
fantastic photographer. Her work is kind of high-contrast and
in your face style shooting and it’s very captivating and striking
work. As for other artists, there is dancer, Matt Drews. He is

maybe one of the most beautiful dancers you will ever see. It’s
a plus he also looks like Adonis. He was just in Industrial Ballet
which premiered at The Moore. We’re going to be working on
my music video together.
What do you think is the future of the Seattle arts and
culture scene?
I believe as artists that we have to stick together. I encourage
anybody who is trying to develop any kind of artistic
community to please do it and stay strong. Because of the
high expense, it’s going to start to change drastically, especially
for minorities and artists. We can’t just give up despite the
high cost of living getting more extreme. We need to keep the
vibrant art scene of Seattle alive and make it brighter.
Would you change anything about the fashion industry
now?
The unattainable Photoshop editing of the female and male
form. It’s so wrong and hurtful to so many people. Maybe it is
obtainable, but you’re going to almost kill yourself to make it
happen, you know, instead of being comfortable and happy
with your own body. I think it deeply effects our culture to
extreme levels of self-hatred which ends up turning outward
into hatred over other people. That hatred becomes a poison
that leaks out onto other people. I’m all about the creative
concept of putting art on the body and I would never change
that aspect; but yeah, constantly throwing in everyone’s faces
“this is how you have to look to wear this or be happy” is very
wrong.

FASHION ISSUE l VILLE l 31