One sunny Saturday afternoon recently, photographer Aidan Ouma-Machio and stylist Miguel Urbina Tan packed up a carload of good vibes, great clothes and even greater people and headed in search of a dappled patch of grass in Beverly Hills to call their own.
After the dream team snapped the aforementioned legends—Joel, Juay and Stevan—in a collection of haute ensembles, we sat down to pick their brains on all the important stuff, like the importance of friendship and doing things that make you feel alive.
Let’s all gather around and get to know the angelic people involved in making this *chef’s kiss* shoot come to life…
AIDAN OUMA-MACHIO
Why are friendships so important?
Friendships are vital to our growth and ability to learn from one another and share life’s greatest experiences.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned recently?
I learned that if someone ever tells you to get f**ked for skating by their house, buy them a potted plant and they will apologise.
In your opinion, what are the ingredients for a standout fashion shoot?
I love anything shot in natural landscapes or odd locations. Also, diversity in models and styles, and teams that are willing to experiment.
Most rewarding thing about your work? And, most challenging?
The most rewarding part is the networking and connections made through meeting creative and interesting people. The most challenging to me feels like maintaining originality and offering something fresh.
When do you feel most alive?
Whenever I’m at some sort of lookout or open space, when I can try and grasp the sheer size of the world and how insane it’s existence is, and how we play a part in that existence.
How would you describe 2020 in a sentence?
Practice level for 2021.
MIGUEL URBINA TAN
Why are friendships so important?
Because friends are like a chosen family.
What is the best reality TV show ever made in your opinion? Why?
I really can’t say just one. The whole Real Housewives franchise is amazing. It’s pure entertainment.
What is your first ever memory of fashion?
Wearing my mum’s high heels when I was four. I used to hide under the dining table and put her shoes on.
In your opinion, what are the ingredients for a standout fashion shoot?
Concept, photography, styling, talent and team effort/collaboration.
What are you most proud of this year?
Working with more young BIPOC creatives and talent. I’ve been guilty myself of not seeking out new perspectives enough.
Most rewarding thing about your work?
Shoots like this. Meeting new people, collaborating, having open discussions and listening to other perspectives about things beyond the scope of fashion.
And, most challenging?
Probably pulling product and returning. I’m not complaining but it can get quite intense, especially around Sydney CBD.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned recently?
Actually reading about monoclonal antibodies! I didn’t know what they were. They are engineered to be a sort of substitute antibody that can either restore, enhance or mimic the immune system’s attack on cancer cells and they’re laboratory-produced.
When do you feel most alive?
When I’m pre-styling at my place and also while shooting.
How would you describe 2020 in a sentence?
It’s felt quite morose at times. But there is also an urgency for change that seems promising.
JOEL LUMBROSO
Why are friendships so important?
They are important to me because I feel they can shape and represent who we are and most of the time can be a moral compass to your thoughts and feelings. Good friends will listen and agree to your side of a story when things go wrong, and great friends will help you understand why things went wrong and call you out if the situation calls for it.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned recently?
I recently watched this documentary about emerging tech and found out that in Shenzhen you can create and bring a new technology to market in under three months, compared to the western world where it takes an average of 12 months to be able to do the same thing.
What do you get up to outside of modelling?
I’ve been working in the film industry for the last four years in a variety of roles from DOP and lighting to directing and editing. During lockdown it’s been kinda hard to have regular commercial work due to work restrictions, so I’ve been filming a bit of skateboarding in my spare time and helping out on smaller personal and local projects.
In your mind, what is the perfect way to spend 24 hours?
Watch the entire collection of King of the Hill on one of those YouTube live loops until time is up.
When do you feel most alive?
I feel most alive when I achieve personal goals that I constantly struggle with, while being surrounded by people who love and care for me and want to see me do my best.
How would you describe 2020 in a sentence?
It’s like that movie Jumanji except unlike the movie I’m really not having a good time watching the story develop.
JUAY KENNEDY
Why are friendships so important?
To me friendships are important as they create memories and you find out the people you can really count on. Friendship is also a key factor in growing up and finding out who you are.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned recently?
I'd say the coolest thing I've learned recently is who I am. To elaborate, I have been in the modelling industry since I was young, and absolutely do love it. However, I struggled for a while with my identity and the things that I enjoyed doing and also my personal style, as you are always wearing other people's designs. I feel a lot more comfortable with myself nowadays.
What do you get up to outside of modelling?
Outside of modelling, I act, deejay and produce music. I love to surf and go to the gym in my spare time.
In your mind, what is the perfect way to spend 24 hours?
My ideal 24 hours is to wake up around 6am and head straight to the gym and then eat. (I really enjoy cooking.) I follow that up with a deejaying or producing session in my room/studio—my favourite is when I am collaborating with other artists. To end with an afternoon surf is the cap to a perfect day.
When do you feel most alive?
I feel most alive when I see and feel the energy from people when I deejay for them. I just love bringing that happiness to people’s lives.
How would you describe 2020 in a sentence?
An uncertain year, like nothing I’ve ever experienced that has affected a lot of people, and some very tragically.
STEVAN
Why are friendships so important?
Your real friends are like a second family—they are your support system.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned recently?
I’ve been practicing on my skateboard. I landed an ollie a few weeks ago and it felt really good.
What’s your earliest musical memory?
My dad used to have cassette tapes of Al Green and Bobby Brown. I used to love watching them with my dad and pretending to dance and sing like them.
Musically, who do you look up to most?
I’m a big Frank Ocean fan as well as Stevie Wonder. I feel like they communicate emotions so well through music.
Best video on the internet?
My recent music video ‘Tripping’. *Shameless plug.*
When do you feel most alive?
When an idea comes together. I love making music because it’s like a puzzle 🧩. Each element from drums to chords and melodies has a fit. And when it comes together, I feel like a creator. Like I brought something new into the world.
How would you describe 2020 in a sentence?
I don’t really have a sentence but this saying sums it up for me: ‘It is what is it’.
Feature: Madeleine Woon Photos: Aidan Ouma Fashion: Miguel Urbina Tan
Stevan is represented by Kult
Joel & Juay are represented by FiveTwenty
Shot on location in Beverly Hills, Sydney
