Monday, January 23, 2017

introducing TOBY SANDEMAN in E! The Royals

model: Toby Sandeman - @todysandeman_
(Soul Artist Mgmt NYC)
ph. Tarrice Love - @bytarricelove

Congratulation to my boy, Toby Sandeman, recently joining the cast of E! The Royals staring Elizabeth Hurley. He plays Sabastien, a Moroccan prince with a hidden agenda. 


check him out on season 3 of The Royals on E! 






Tody is a London native (so the  English accent is  real). Before becoming an international supermodel, Toby had an illustrious career as a sprinter -- he won gold at the UK Athletics national championships in 2009 and a further two gold medals at the European Athletics U23 Championships. Now he's diving into his passion for acting and  film making. I'm so excited for him and I can't wait to see what's next up his sleeves. 
 model: Toby Sandeman - @todysandeman_
(Soul Artist Mgmt NYC)
ph. Tarrice Love - @bytarricelove




Tuesday, January 17, 2017

black boys look blue in MOONLIGHT...

model: Rashad Irvin - @rashadirvin
(Whilhelmina NYC)
ph. Tarrice Love - @bytarricelove


 

Moonlight is directed by filmmaker Barry Jenkins—was a breakout winner at the recent Golden Globes for Best Picture. It is based on In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue, a play by Tarell Alvin McCraney.

The tender, heartbreaking story of a young man's struggle to find himself, told across three defining chapters in his life as he experiences the ecstasy, pain, and beauty of falling in love, while grappling with his own identity and sexuality. This is the first time I saw a film that has tackled issues of bullying, poverty, sexuality, drug abuse, and racial strife in a way I connected to my own personal life experiences.



From writer/director Barry Jenkins and starring Trevante Rhodes, Naomie Harris, Andre Holland, and Mahershala Ali. MOONLIGHT – Now Playing.

RELEASE DATE: October 21, 2016
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Barry Jenkins
CAST: Trevante Rhodes, Naomie Harris, Andre Holland, and Mahershala Ali

Visit the Moonlight WEBSITE: http://bit.ly/MoonlightFilm
Like Moonlight on FACEBOOK: http://bit.ly/MoonlightFB
Follow Moonlight on TWITTER: http://bit.ly/MoonlightTW


Set in Liberty City, Miami in the late 1980s and '90s, the film chronicles the coming-of-age of a black boy in the  hood—Chiron ("shy-rone")—as he struggles with his sexuality, peer pressure, and a drug-addicted single mother (Naomi Harris). Over the course of the film, he is taken under the wing of a sympathetic local drug dealer (Mahershala Ali), and he finds, loses, and finally reconnects with his first love, Kevin. The action unfolds in three acts—each one a different stage in the life of Chiron, whose conflicted teenage persona is captured beautifully by Ashton Sanders. Overall, the film is a moving reflection on black masculinity and human vulnerability.

model: Rashad Irvin - @rashadirvin
(Whilhelmina NYC)
ph. Tarrice Love - @bytarricelove


Sitting in the theater watching this film unfolding in front of me was the first time I felt it in my heart. Most people focused on the sexuality identity issues in the movie. I connected more with the relationship the  main character, Chiron, had with  his  mother, Paula. It was the hardest to watch because it mirrored my relationship with my own mother. 

I grew up in poverty stricken South Memphis in the late 80's and 90's with a teen mother trying to make it with 2 sons and struggling with her own personal issues... The challenges we faced being black in the south during the '80's were tough...the odds were stacked against us. As a child, I watch my family first hand be ravished by the crack epidemic of the 80's. I was very shy because I was I embarrassed by my momma's downfall. Her transition into drugs played out in front of our entire community. I figured if I got good grades and presented myself like the "perfect" good son and stayed out of trouble that no one would know what was going on in my house. When other kids came over, I told them she was my aunt because I was embarassed and ashamed and I felt I was alone. I didnt know anyone else who's momma was like mine. Like Chiron, I was fortunate to have a place to escape to where I could find love and support and that was with my grandparents. I also had art.

Despite everything that happened, I know she loves me and I always showed her respect. I am thankful to have a restored relationship with her today. All the scenes with Chiron and his momma were tough to watch but the scene when Adult Chiron went to visit his mom at the rehab place was intense and gut-wrinching. It was the most real for me.

When I left the movie theater that night, the feelings I had stayed with me. I couldnt stop thinking about the amazing cinematography and beautiful music. The music perfectly filled up all the quiet moments of  the film. I came home and told my roommates about the movie and encouraged them to go and see the movie. It was the first time I ever connected to a film like this.

model: Rashad Irvin - @rashadirvin
(Whilhelmina NYC)
ph. Tarrice Love - @bytarricelove


Monday, January 2, 2017

ONE MAN SHOW - RAELIA LEWIS: Trust Your Journey

model: Raelia Lewis - @raelialewis
(Base - South Africa *** Mp Mega-Miami)
ph. Tarrice Love - @bytarricelove
styling: Tarrice Love


Many people may recognize Raelia from the hit TV show “America’s Next Top Model” that premiered in 2014. A finalist during Cycle 21, Raelia stole the hearts of many as she fought her hardest to win the competition. She was instantly memorable  for me because she was hella sexy and handled every situation in a laid back manner.




Raelia Lewis from tarrice love on Vimeo.


After the show, Raelia went on to open shows for New York Fashion week, Miami swim week, and LA style week. She has worked internationally in South Africa and South Korea. Raelia starred in two commercials and she is featured in over 10 publications worldwide. 


I reached out to Raelia through instagram. I wasn't expecting a response but she hit me back right away. I've worked with ANTM contestants before but it was always through a third party connection , Usually when I hit up people from that show directly, they respond in a dismissive manner. Raelia was the first (and only) person from that show that worked with me directly.

model: Raelia Lewis - @raelialewis
(Base - South Africa *** Mp Mega-Miami)
ph. Tarrice Love - @bytarricelove
styling: Tarrice Love


Raelia arrived (on time) and open to any idea I had. She's tall as hell and her body is a-maz-ing, reminiscent  of the supermodels of the 80's and 90's. After looking through her portfolio, I decided to do images that referenced 80's looks from Janet Jackson and my favorite style icon Lisa Bonet. I wanted to do images that felt more "New York" than the swimwear stuff that dominated her book.





I was also inspired by this wonderful dress by my favorite designer ,Azzedine Alaia. All the supermodels love Alaia, so my supermodel for the day had to have a "Alaia-ques" moment. I did a quick sketck and took yards of black fabric and draped it into a dress that looked similar.


I also created a headdress similar to the one Diana Ross wore in the movie Mahogany. Mahogomy is one of many movie I love referencing when I shoot women.

model: Raelia Lewis - @raelialewis
(Base - South Africa *** Mp Mega-Miami)
ph. Tarrice Love - @bytarricelove
styling: Tarrice Love



Raelia has released her first book entitled Thrust Your Journey: Tools For Making Your Dreams Come True. It tales her ups and downs about making it in the fashion industry. she hoops her story can help inspire and motivate others  to pursue their dreams.