J o u r n a l

Jour·na̱l 1. A personal record of occurrences, experiences, and reflections kept on a regular basis. 2. French for 'diary'.

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photographer JANA THERESA LOU mua ISABELLE BARSCH stylist SOPHIE GIANNOULES model GLORIA NUSSBAUM agency MEGA MODEL AGENCY

New Story out now for Dreamingless Magazine Print Issue #44! We shot this Story during the last warm October Days past year. It’s always a blessing to work with such talented people and create something together. The main inspiration for this Story lies within the tale of SNOW WHITE  and I wanted to interpret it as a modern version. A modern Snow White that lives in a Big City, with all the dreams a modern woman can have like being able to do whatever she likes or to behave in her own way and earn some good money. Being crazy and calm in both ways without stressing herself into some role models. At least being free and follow her own visions! If you like to have your own version of Dreamingless Magazine you can buy it HERE!

Photographer: JANA THERESA LOU

Beauty: ISABELLE BARSCH

Styling: SOPHIE GIANNOULES

Model: GLORIA | Mega Model Agency 

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Photographer of the Week: Hosam Katan

‘YALLA HABIBI - Living with War in Aleppo’ by HOSAM KATAN 

- AS A EUROPEAN living in a Comfort Zone of safety, there’s one main question you ask yourself when it comes to war and crisis areas: “How can people stay and continue living their daily lives?” 

The same question occurred within the work of Hosam Katan, a Syrian photographer who published his first book about war in his hometown Aleppo, where he raised and lived until 2015. With his shown work he wants “to give recognition to people in Eastern Aleppo who have continued their daily lives with resilience and inventiveness amidst perilous circumstances”. Furthermore his book “shows people balancing the horrors of war with a sense of normalcy and trying to retain their dignity”. (Hosam Katan) 

“Come on my Dear!” as it says in arabic “Yalla Habibi” but in this case it feels more like “I show you around!”. In 2011 Hosam Katan experienced the early arise of the protests against the Assad regime and the call for reform. These have been “people with a genuine believe in a Syrian revolution to establish democracy and more freedom in their country”, he states at Kickstarter, where he managed to crowdfunding the publishing of his first book. At this time in 2011, when the early protests and demonstrations occurred, Hosam picked up his camera, he bought from a friend and began to take his first photos about the crisis, when the regime started to answer brutally with force like live rounds to disperse crowds. (The New York Times) After a while he also became a member of Aleppo Media Center - an independent come-together of local media activists. Within time the circumstances became more difficult and insecure for foreign and Syrian journalists. Therefore by documenting the scenes Hosam had also become a target of the regime and in May 2015 he was shot by a Sniper of Assad. 

‘After treatment in Turkey, however, I returned to Aleppo and continued my life and work there until the end of 2015.’ (Hosam Katan)

After this time he fled to Germany together with 60 other migrants crammed into a dinghy, he left from Turkey to Greece. Therefrom he continued his journey on foot, and other times by bus or train, as stated in an article with the New York Times. (The New York Times) Finally arrived in Germany he was able to start his studies of Photojournalism at Hannover University to develop his craft. 

“I am committed to continue my work as a photojournalist, and I hope I will be able to return to Syria in the future.” (Hosam Katan) After 2015 the city of Aleppo has been divided into two different opposition forces - the Western part controlled by the regime and the Eastern part controlled by detractors. As Hosam explains, although this different situation must make life impossible, “men, women and children in Eastern Aleppo refused to have their lives stripped away”. (Hosam Katan) Most of the people who live in Eastern Aleppo continued to their daily lives and they won’t leave their mother city without any reason! The “so called rebels, terrorists, human shields, victims or civilians” - many labels have been applied to people who continued to live in Eastern Aleppo. Hosam Katan puts faces on the labels! He also demonstrates us with his visual work, how those in power drive the line of justice and injustice. Sadly the conflict is not over yet and the news coverage has decreased since 2017. What remains is the question of the Now, the Now of those who still live there and continue to fight their daily lives in freedom to rebuild their hometown. 

“My experience in the past years changed the way I think, live and dream. I know now that life is about more than the basic needs of food and shelter. It is about ambition, and photojournalism is my ambition.” (Hosam Katan)

Photos: HOSAM KATAN

If you are interested in more of his work you can also find Hosam Katan on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK and his Book on KEHRER.

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♥ 2018

PRAGUE / February 

NEW YORK / May 

BERLIN / July  August  September 

PARIS / November 

I wrote a very long text and then my Mac turned off and nothing has been saved. I was really angry but then I decided to speak through the photos. There are a hundred more and also from between the months! But I guess these trips have been my favorite this year. Thank you 2018 and I will post a lot more 2019 - I promise ♥

Photos: PANNALOU

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Weekly Inspiration: So Sad / So Sexy

“Our Work In Progress series looks at how collaboration really works. We want to go beyond behind-the-scenes, and tap into what creativity looks like, sounds like and feels like. We don’t claim to explain it; this is not a practical, how-to guide. But by showing how creative minds see the worlds around them, and understand each other, we’ll open a window onto some of the magic and the mystery.” / WeTransfer

I found this sensitive video after I saw Lykke Li live at Bataclan in Paris this November. For me it has been a very special moment because somehow I grew up with her music from the beginning in 2008. It’s crazy to realize what a talented woman she is and how she managed her different circumstances in life. I always liked her open also simple way to talk about feelings and to be honest with who she is. That’s how I got inspired to follow my own visions and to create something through the feeling of pain.

It’s no secret that art can make you feel better. Once found your personal creativity you can become more alive when you find your purpose. I found mine when I started to realize I always wanted to express myself visually. To be creative also means to feel all the highs and as a consequence all the lows. For me Lykke Li represents this strong kind of an emancipated artist who’s far away from mainstream and that’s what I aim to become as well. Take your pain and turn it into art!

“Right now though, Lykke finds herself in a storm of emotions—she lost her longtime love, and her mom passed away just as she became a mother herself. It’s an overwhelming moment in her life as she tries to navigate pain, grief and finding love for her newborn child.It’s these feelings she’s translated into her latest album so sad so sexy, on which she shows a new, softer side of herself. In our film, Lykke reflects on the three key life events that moved her to make the album and how motherhood has unexpectedly fueled her creativity.” / WeTransfer  Photos: BEN COUGHLAN 

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A blog about photography, fashion and music.

I first spotted the amazing designs by MELISA MINCA on a couple of my friends and I was curious to know who was behind it. What I didn't expect was an upcycling, Berlin based fashion designer who additionally has an amazing eye for visuals and moods. We got to do a little personal interview with her that gives an insight into how she started her own brand and what ethical fashion can also be about today! Usually I don’t post the whole story in my Tumblr but I want you guys to see the whole Interview I did with this great upcoming ethical designer. So let’s start!

Melisa tell us more about where you're from and where you have been raised? I was born in a small town called Trenčín in Slovakia. But I'd say I'm from Europe. We moved when I was 1 and thus I grew up in Bratislava.

You currently live in Berlin so can you tell us why you chose this place?

I've lived in Berlin for 3 years now. After three visits and finishing my studies I decided to move here and since then I didn't really want to go back to Slovakia. Berlin is an amazing place full of exciting opportunities and interesting people. I love it because diversity and oddness are celebrated here and I'm able to be myself (whatever that 'self' is on that particular day) without being constantly. Alternative lifestyles thrive here and it's incredibly inspiring!

How did you start with fashion?

I've had a blog for six years now and been sewing for three of those. Learning how to sew was a question of time for me. My mother, my aunt, my grandma all sew and my great-grandma even used to run her own tailoring shop. During the Soviet times in Slovakia making your own clothes was the only way to stand out from the crowd. So I think this mindset was passed on to me from the women in my family. As a teenager my love for expressing myself with clothes started to develop and on my style blog I documented it to exchange inspiration with others. What sparked my interest in ethical fashion was definitely my Sustainable Development Master Studies, which I finished off with writing my dissertation on sustainability of fashion in Slovakia. This sounds amazing to us! So what do you think where your passion comes from?

I like being creative, but with a purpose or functionality. Dressing myself and other human beings fulfills that requirement nicely. I feel like what we wear influences who we are and vice versa. For me it's fascinating to play with that and come up with ways to enhance and celebrate who we are and who we want to be on a particular day or in life in general.

What do you think who influenced and inspired you the most besides your family traditions?

I guess the very early interest, although quite superficial, was sparked by my mother, who likes to follow fashion trends, but also has an amazing sense of style. From a very young age she took me shopping for clothes not only as necessity but more as a fun and bonding pastime. What do you love the most about fashion?

I love the transformative effect it can have. Not just on your look, but on your mood and moods of others. I love when fashion is political, when it makes a statement and has the potential to transform people's opinions on things that matter, such as breaking the beauty standard and stereotypes and achieving more understanding and empathy. And I love how fashion is already transforming itself from within to be more sustainable and conscious of its impact, although very slowly and very bottom-up. Fashion has no (or shouldn't have any) boundaries!

If it wouldn't be fashion...Have you ever thought about doing anything else? What would it be?

With my education, I'd probably work for an NGO on something that involves a lot of traveling, exploring new places, moving and solving problems creatively with new technology.

Please tell us more about your amazing upcycling brand?

First of all, it's a testament that ethical fashion can be more than just brown, hemp and for rich people. MM is for eccentric individuals who want to stand out, but at the same time not contribute to the bullsh*t with which the fashion industry is fooling consumers and exploiting its employees. My mission is to transform the way people look at clothes, but also the way they treat each other. What one is wearing shouldn't perpetuate any sort of hierarchy, but instead celebrate our diversity. 

As a consequence I divide MM to 2 collections: 'System Recovery' is made up of upcycled and repurposed pieces from 2nd hand materials such as curtains, blanket covers, table cloths. I also rework clothes, which I get in 2nd hands or flea markets. These are all one of a kind, and I totally live for that since uniqueness is important for me. The custom collection are pieces which I make to order for my clients after I've made a sample collection. They also come to my studio to be measured and I really love this process since it's so personal. The amazing satisfaction I feel when I'm able to create a piece which will be significant to the person wearing it and they won't throw it out after one season.

Your pieces are very recent and necessary in a fast driving fashion industry so did you also get the chance to join Fashion Week?

I did! But only as an attendee and a model so far. It was for DOMINIKA KOZAKOVA at Prague FW this September. Was super fun, but also challenging since I'm not used to giving full control over my appearance to a stranger. I didn't recognize myself in the mirror. It was definitely a valuable experience.

I feel you - for me it would be also strange to hand control. What do you think where you expect yourself in 10 years?

Oh god, I don't like this question. Maybe because these days the future is so uncertain that it's hard to even tell what my life will be in a year. I'm very career oriented, so probably still hustling, but hopefully less hard!

Let’s make it personal: Your three favorite things in life, which you couldn’t live without?

If you're asking about physical things... Pizza Ristorante Funghi, sewing machine, my phone...

Not physical things:

Falling in love, internet and hot summers!

How would you describe your personal style in three words?

Eclectic, Flashy, Chameleon

If you believe in fashion faux-pas - what’s your personal faux-pas?

I don't believe in this, but maybe from the perspective of the general public: I have holes in almost all my socks, stains and generally sometimes my clothes are dirty and smelly :D We have a saying in Slovakia which describes this situation very well: The shoemaker goes barefoot.

We want to know more about your personal preferences so for the fun factor some 'either…or' questions and you can decide: Hip Hop, I love moving my non-existent booty.

Cat or Dog? Dogs, cats hate me...

Sneakers or Heels? Sneakers, I'm comfy as fu**!

City or Country? City forever!

Bicycle or Car? Car, even tho bike is my main means of transport. I recently started driving and it's a lotta fun!

Seoul or Tokyo? (We can also play this with New York or Paris?) Out of those I only spent extended period of time in NYC, so I'm gonna say Berlin!

Style or Function? Both at the same time!

Early or always running? Always running...

You can find all her beautiful pieces at her ONLINE STORE just a click away but also in IRONIC GALLERY in Berlin and ENTER in Prague. 

Photos: MELISA MINCA 

Find Article: PAPERBOATS

Text & Interview: JANA THERESA LOU 

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A blog about photography, fashion and music.

First SARA SHAKEEL wanted to become a dentist but then she missed the final test's at Dental School. Now she lives in Pakistan and counts more than 300 thousand followers on Instagram. The motivation for her glittering and surreal artwork lies in the healing process of creating itself: 'Each picture heals a part of me and I hope it heals a part of you too.' Therefore she turns every day objects into shiny pieces of glitter and gold: 'I try to create an imagery that blends hope, love, positivity all in the oddest and darkest of place', said the woman who empowered millions of women through glittering stretch marks.

The art of collage making has always shown the opportunity for exploration, to stick different things together and finally create a new different content from the suspected image. As PLAYBOY states in their interview with Sara her 'spark for creation resonates from the inside out' aimed 'to transform the so-called ugly' into something beautiful. Her collages are full with glittering sparks or liters of diamonds. For Sara 'diamonds and crystals are not just a medium of positivity but a source of strength' as she explains for Playboy Magazine. (PLAYBOY)

Since Sara uploaded this photo she lives two lifes. One in here home country Pakistan and another through Instagram and social media. Her whole life changed in a crazy way from being a student to become a full time artist and Instagram paved the way when Miley Cyrus shared her artwork of Donald Trump or the crystal kitty paws and Sarah Jessica Parker commented on one of her pictures.It’s been a 'roller coaster ride' as she says: 'So many doors are still opening for me; I couldn’t be more grateful! I still have a lot to achieve and I know it’s not too far away. I’m on a roll!' (SARA SHAKEEL) ...

,I was a dentist in-the-making, my main purpose was to heal people with my knowledge. Little did I know, the process of studying dentistry and failing in my finals would make me end up being an artist that I am today!’ (SARA SHAKEEL)

...as always you can just klick on the link below for reading the whole article & I hope you guys like it! Sara just texted me and this makes me more than happy  : )

Photos: SARA SHAKEEL 

Find Article: PAPERBOATS

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Weekly Inspiration: Autumn Blues

1. VOGUE MAGAZINE     Take a look into DRIES VAN NOTEN House

2.  ADEL       Editorial photographed by Sergey Rogov in Bali, Indonesia 3.  The Contributor Magazine      Editorial ,The Backyard’ photographed by  Taylor Dorrell 4.  The Contributor Magazine      Editorial ,Baby Blues’ photographed by Naomi Tremblay

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A blog about photography, fashion and music.

'This is a series about dreams and flowers that grow on space stations equally.' No - this is not the title about an upcoming independent remake of an old science fiction movie. It's about a stringing together of different analogue shots by Berlin based photographer Laura Cherrygrove. 

When you look at the analogue stories of Laura you can imagine the psychedelic area at the end of the 1960's. Psychedelic refers to drugs that were popular with the youth culture of this time like LSD. In some of her photographs Laura also uses certain filters to evoke the later shown feeling of tripping through these drugs in movies for example. Her protagonists appear like fairies, rockstars or just friends who met at Studio 54. Immediately I thought of Pink Floyd and the mysterious seductive glamour of the upcoming 1960's Rock. As you can see Laura is also inspired by old hollywood movies. Moreover she likes the 'colourful strange space age aesthetics' which you can see in her often self made backdrops. (Stick's and Stones Agency) These backdrops seem to be timeless and evoke the feeling of being out of space through their surreal lighting...

'There was madness in any direction, at any hour... you could strike sparks anywhere. There was a fantastic universal sense that whatever we were doing was right, that we were winning. And that, I think, was the handle - that sense of inevitable victory over the forces of old and evil. Not in any mean or military sens; we didn't need that. Our energy would simply prevail. We had all the momentum; we were riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave...! (Raoul Duke)

If you want to know more about this talented artist just klick on the link below and read my whole article about Laura on paperboats.me ♥

Photos: LAURA CHERRYGROVE

Find Article: PAPERBOATS

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The New Celine by Hedi Slimane

The goal is not to go the opposite way of their work either. It would be a misinterpretation. Respect means preserving the integrity of each individual, recognising the things that belong to another person with honesty and discernment.  Hedi Slimane for Le Figaro

Fashion World has totally been shocked somehow positive and more negative by the new Celine collection for Summer 2019 designed by Hedi Slimane. The designer got famous for his reinvention of Saint Laurent when he brought the 80ies back to runways and removed the Yves. It’s hard to recognize that the talented Phoebe Philo has given up her legacy of the label to find it like this. Headlines of newspapers, magazines and Instagram stories were full of ‘Céline is dead’ or ‘Slimane destroyed Céline’. 

His first collection for the French House was an homage to night life in Paris with a typical emaciated rocker-glam style à la Slimane. Most of the critics have been disappointed by the lack of imagination. No new or innovative offerings since Saint Laurent. The tulle skirts and glittering dresses have been short and the suiting trousers were slim like the most of the drafts by Slimane. 

Detractors are also saying the designer’s vision’s are largely white without any diversity. Moreover it’s no secret that Slimane has a slightly tendency for size zero and in his universe full bodies don’t appear since launching with Dior Homme. 

You don't shake things up by avoiding making waves. When there is no debate, it means there is no opinion — the definition of blind conformity. Hedi Slimane for Le Figaro

The takeover of Celine has sadly shown that the fashion industry has once again relied upon a man with proven marketing prowess and profitable ideas to increase sales numbers. (Fashionista) Nevertheless Slimane’s talent got proven in selling a certain feeling of life namely the wild lifestyle of white Bohemian youth culture and underground scene once has taken place in Paris. To make it simple: Everyone who is on a search for this certain feeling can buy this special kind in a dress by Slimane but is that all?

At the end the strong and feminist spirit of modern working women with any ethnic origin is totally gone and all I can say is: Long live Céline! So I’m more than curious about the upcoming collection and Slimane’s creative reaction to all of his critics!

Photos: CELINE

VOGUE RUNWAY Find the Show of SS 19 on the Website of CELINE!

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Book of the Week: The Sun and her Flowers

yet you have so much  yet you are always hungry for more  the trick to being well fed is  you have to stop looking up at everything you don’t have  and look around at everything you do

- rupi kaur 

Rupi is a self-made author and sold her first book ‘milk and honey’ worldwide in 2014 over 1,5 million times. She was born and raised in Punjab, India. Her parents had to leave their home country because of their faith in the so called Sikh-Religion a very open and tolerant form of believe in a shapeless Creator. They moved to Canada  as they had to face political persecution when Rupi has been 4 years old. Her second book ‘the sun and her flowers’ has been published in autumn last year. Rupi believes in the strength of poetry to heal emotional wounds. We live in a time where technology is almost everywhere and we can ‘connect’ through technical devices but sometimes we can loose our perspective on the things that really matter namely the connection with oneself. 

but what is stronger than the human heart which shatters over and over and lives

- rupi kaur

Who: RUPI KAUR

Photos: Jana Theresa Lou  Find Rupi’s inspiring book in your favorite bookstore or on her website!

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This is Rodarte SS19 at New York FW

Finally I managed to create a new article by instance as I was scrolling through Tumblr. Then I found these photographs of the current launched SS19 collection at New York Fashion Week by Rodarte and all I could think was: ‘These dresses make dreams come true!’ 

Immediately this reminded me of a fairytale where the wild girls live dressed in beautiful pastel rose. The collection intended to be an homage to 80s party girls as you could read online on Dazed Magazine. The show was set in a rainy graveyard with a backstage area in the church itself which made it a very romantic surrounding. 

The looks were completed by a fresh Make-up which has been inspired by a Picasso exhibition at the Tate Museum in London. The Beauty artist James Kaliardos used a palette of primary colours to create a make-up of soft geometric shapes on the face of the girls. Their beautiful hair full of roses were done by Odille Gilbert’s creations: ‘Her reference was simply ‘romance’.’ She told Elle UK ‘There are no rules. Every girl is different’. (ELLE UK)  This girl gaze makes the collection so extra because ‘every girl was joyous, beautiful, momentous.’ This is what ELLE calls ‘putting on a show’. 

READ MORE about the story of RODARTE and it’s founders Kate and Laura Mulleavy on their webpage. I’m super excited about their upcoming collection’s and hopefully in future I can get my own personal piece of Rodarte.

Photos: RODARTE TUMBLR 

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Editorial of the Week: When Life gives you Lemons

I found this inspiring editorial by scrolling on my favorite site The Photographic Journal. This editorial is about color theory combined with feminine strength by the American photographer and graphic designer Hannah Lavenburg who is currently based in Kansas City.

“This series is mainly a focus on color theory. Women are my favorite subject to take photos of and when I saw Hanno, she exuded grace and strength. A lot of my photography is very personal and that sometimes results in very dark and moody imagery. In an effort to still use the medium as a form of catharsis, I decided brighter and ethereal settings should be my inspiration going forward.” (Hannah Lavenburg)

For more inspiring photos just klick on the links below!

Find Editorial: THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNAL 

Photographer: HANNAH LAVENBURG 

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Weekly Inspiration: Hot Summer

1.  Tatjana Nikischina      Photographer  2.  VULKAN Magazine       Editorial CHROME  3.  Laura M. Jelic      Model and Muse  4.  Gerhard Richter       Artist and Painter 

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A blog about photography, fashion and music.

Well, there’s one main feeling you get by looking at ASHLEY’S WORK - I call it nostalgia. You start to dream of the Sunset State in the1970’s, long sunny beach days and pastel colored cars to come along the winding desert roads.

Ashley Kickliter calls Alabama her home but currently she works in Atlanta, Georgia as a graphic designer and full time photographer. (BEHANCE) Her strong sympathy for colors reveals itself through her photography. It’s all about women in different ages, and styles. Some are more colorful and funky, others dreamful and romantic. 

Her photographs appear sometimes like film stills what makes it so interesting. If you want to learn more about Ashley’s work just click on the link in the header or below.

Photos: ASHLEY KICKLITER

Find Article: PAPERBOATS

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Weekly Inspiration: Spring Blues

1.  Olivia Edit Aarnio     Model and Muse  2.  The Atlas Magazine     Editorial CLOUDS      3.  Karim Sadli     for Vogue Italia  4.  CLO-Studio     Tim Walker for Vogue Italia 

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A blog about photography, fashion and music.

„After an assignment in Gao, Mali, I realized that I was not built for war… I sought to photograph beauty to make up for the horrible things I saw.“ (ISSUE MAGAZINE)

The Canadian photographer Emilie Régnier spent most of her childhood in West and Central Africa; born in 1984 her main work deals with current questions of her own identity, moreover it's also about traditional African lifestyles and a current dialogue between Africa and the West. The time between 2011 and 2012 she spent with exploring her family environment and therefore her roots: „As a person of mixed race, you portray the collision of two worlds. But you can also consolidate two distinct universes. I am white and black, I am Canadian and Haitian.“ (FINANCIAL TIMES)

Photos: EMILIE REGNIER

Find Article: PAPERBOATS

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Die 90s haben angerufen, sie können dich 10cm größer zaubern

Last week I visited spontaneously the Opening Party of the new Buffalo London Flagship Store at Berlin Mitte. After arriving there I found a lot of creative and remarkable styles from pick ‘n’ mix to playful details. My two favorites are placed in the article below for ASOS Style Inspiration. Have a closer look for your personal Buffalo Inspiration and freak out! 

WHERE TO BUY:  BUFFALO BOOTS  ROSENTHALER STR.46 10178 BERLIN MITTE

PHOTOS:  MARLEN STAHLHUTH                    JANA THERESA LOU