Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2023 i Outré Magazine

Constantino Ledesma is a multi-hyphenate creative whose name is synonymous with creativity, hard work, and dedication. Born in the Philippines, the artist, interior designer, jewelry designer, and singer grew up in a broken family where his mother had to work two jobs to provide for their needs. Despite their hardships, he discovered his passion for art and design at a young age. As he grew older, Constantino honed his skills and pursued his passion, eventually studying interior design at the Philippine School of Interior Design. During this time, he met his mentor and late partner, Anselmo de la Peña, who had a significant impact on molding him into the artist and person he is today. Together, they collaborated on ideas and projects that spanned over 41 years until Anselmo’s untimely…

The evening’s performance and benefit dinner on May 18 were in support of the Presidio Performing Arts Foundation’s educational programs and the Center for Human Right in Iran. A two-act performance included a company retrospective combining signature dance pieces with video testimonials highlighting 25 years of justice through dance. The second act featured a world premiere of a social justice ballet choreographed by Presidio Dance Theatre’s Executive and Artistic Director, Iranian American artist, Sherene Melania. The ballet is influenced by the ongoing Iranian government’s volatile crackdown on the social freedoms of women and girls, generating an international outcry and slogan of resistance: Woman Life Freedom. The choreography is based in Melania’s signature style of ethno-classical ballet style, with elements of contemporary dance and theatre. The music is a blend of…

TEDx speaker, orator, and life coach for parents of LGBTQ+ kids, Dr. Lulu will dazzle you with her radiant personality and insightful, grounding knowledge about parenting queer youth. Whether through a computer screen or words on a page, Dr. Lulu’s energy and passion is contagious. As I groggily logged on to the early morning virtual interview, I found myself instantly awakened by her bright smile, bold earrings, and colorful African clothing. Feeling enlivened in Dr. Lulu’s presence, we dove right in. She likes to say she was “born, bred, buttered, and slightly burned in Nigeria.” She is the “Ada,” or the first-born daughter in her family, which holds cultural significance in the Igbo tribe. She said of her father: “He’s traditional, Nigerian, Catholic, Igbo, red cap wearing, a chief, so…

There are certain people you come across in this life that make you imagine how beautiful the world would be if there were simply more of them. The stories they tell about life from their perspective are bound to make you feel inspired, empowered, and in awe. Bailey Latronica, whose pronouns are they/them and ze/zir, is all of this wrapped into one warm, yet fierce human being. They are a phenomenal journalist, poet, and sexual trauma survivor activist with a powerful mind. Their center focus is authentically living the life of their dreams, and the story of how they embarked on this journey is one that deserves to be heard. “It’s actually possible to live the life of your dreams. You don’t have to suffer through your existence, and there…

Dazzlingly beautiful yet approachable. Glamorous yet natural. On-trend yet completely classic. This is the vibe all of makeup artist Dey Caisip’s clients radiate once he’s finished expertly painting their faces. To Dey, makeup isn’t meant to hide who you are: makeup is a tool to express your truth. Through his craft Dey both recognizes his clients’ truths and shares his own. The truth? You are inherently beautiful, even if you’ve been abused by a loved one. As a domestic violence survivor Dey sometimes struggles to recognize his inherent beauty, but he knows it’s always there. He knows it exists despite the trauma he now lives with. And he knows it’s worth discovering and basking in again, which is why he’s committed to healing through therapy and sharing his truth. In…

Trans activist, artist, and streetwear designer Mars Wright is revolutionizing the fashion industry through his joyful lens and trans-centric approach. With the successful launch of his streetwear brand Life On Mars in 2018 and his most recent gallery show in Downtown LA, Mars Wright is undoubtedly someone to keep an eye on. Fashion has always been at the forefront of political controversy. Tradition teaches us that fashion is meant for those who fit a specific mold. The fight for equality has forced big name fashion houses and brands to broaden their ideas regarding their targeted clientele. Given its long history of exclusion, fashion is now being forced to expand its reach to include those of all sizes, shapes, and genders. Some new brands have aligned with the fight for equality…

31st May 2023 Our Creative Director and Writer Heide Betz was feted in glorious style by Gioi Tran and Vernon Applegate at their innovative, chic salon in San Francisco. Interiors sparkled with elegant Poliform furnishings, antiques, marbles, collectables, paintings by artist Gioi Tran (he is also a fantastic artist), other contemporary artists as well as art photography. All a pleasure for the eyes. The mood was set for a happy time. Gioi, Star Chef Danny Villan and Mi created an amazing multiple star dinner with crab-asparagus soup, citrus salad, short rib ragu pasta, tenderloin filet, then sweet and savory hand-made sorbet. The guests were all in joyful and spirited conversation. The cheerful floral arrangements by Alan Do of Noovo Bloom were one of the highlights. Requesting “just California wildflowers” -…