Ovrt Media

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Kiss my SPAZ!

OVRT September 21, 2017 0

"I have honestly always been 'different', from my days as a young lad to even now, of course."

I am SPAZ. However my government name is Marcus and I am an artist, graphic designer, photographer, alien. I freelance all things art. From paintings to digital pieces to photography. I also work a regular 9 to 5 as a manager in training until I find that job in my career field that allows me to be me.

How would you best describe your style in one word?

Eclectic. I live to be unique. From the way I look, to how I respond and create. I pull inspiration from kings such as Keith Haring and Andy Warhol, taking bold colors to make statements.

When did you realize you were 'different'?

I have honestly always been 'different', from my days as a young lad to even now, of course. I started experimenting with my looks around my last year in high school and first year of college. I didn't fully tap into my individuality until I enrolled at the Art Institute where I graduated with a degree in Graphic Design. It was there when I even fully embraced who I was as an artist and where SPAZ was fully brought to life.

What words of advice would you have for anyone who may be struggling with self-acceptance?

To let your doubts, fears, and also the opinions of others be fuel to your individual fire. Live for yourself. It may sound a little cliche but it's 'bible'. The moment you start accepting who you are, no other opinion from anyone else will matter. I grew up with my own family not understanding me and also having random naysayers on the street express their opinions to me, until one day I told myself enough is enough. All it took was that last opinion for me to realize I make me happiest. To this day, I still deal with negativity and misunderstanding but all it takes is that one person to hit me up saying "you inspire me to be different" and that makes it all worth it.

Tell us how we can find SPAZ!

You can find me on Instagram @kissmyspaz and you can also peep my artwork @designdestroyspaz . I'm also on Snapchat where I act a fool from time @popdropspaz [laughing]. Feel free to drop me an email about anything too at marcusaobryant@gmail.com.

Tags Continue Reading

Monday, September 18, 2017

DapperQ's Queer New York Fashion Week Show Was R/evolutionary

OVRT September 18, 2017 0

Photo: Hannah Cohen

DapperQ closed out the 2017 NYFW with a huge bang, filling up the aesthetically pleasing Brooklyn Museum with hundreds of beautiful queer and non-queer attendees. Bringing us the largest LBGTQ Fashion Week Showcase of ten unique designers, Anita Dolce Vita and her dapper crew gave us a show that was truly r/evolutionary.

Here is a recap of what you might have missed:

Photo: Hannah Cohen

Photo: Emily Chan

Tags Continue Reading

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Becoming Kim Ly

OVRT September 13, 2017 0

"It's how you keep the light bright so that you don't stay in the dark--you can't navigate in the dark."

Photo Credit: Ivan Huang

Co-founder of Sideline PR Agency, start-up founder of Fade Network Studio, and one of the dopest style influencers on social media shared with Ovrt just how she became Kim Ly.

Hello Kim, lets start things off with your style. How would you would best describe it?

Photo Credit: Daniel Marty

My style is best described as sporty rebellious chic. Depending on my mood and the day, it really determines how I dress. It's fun and keeps me mysterious. One day I can wear a full suit and feel unstoppable. The next day I feel rebellious, while listening to trap music all day in my high tops and raw denim.

How long ago did you learn to embrace your individuality?

Photo Credit: Matty James & DeShawn Velasquez

Believe it or not, I started to embrace my individuality not that long ago. It was about one year ago. I had really bad anxiety going into the movie theatre in this small town called San Marcos, California. It's very conservative in this area. You don't see people like myself in this area. People will give you funny looks like you are an alien. I worked up my courage that night thanks to a special human close to me in my life and gave no fucks and walked into that theatre being proud of who I am in this skin. Seems a little stupid right? Well, all my life I've cared too much about what people think of me. I am from San Diego, California. A conservative beach town that thinks their open minded. Honestly, I still did me but there was always a wall. I hide behind that wall and cared too much of how people perceived me. It wasn't until that very night in San Marcos I broke the wall down. I became Kim Ly. Invincible, fearless, courageous, kind and loving, an not giving a flying fuck. Just being me, whether those people like it or not!

What words of advice would you have to those who may be struggling with self-acceptance?

It's okay to accept you, accept the present moment. accept the world around you. People don't make you. You make yourself. Ask yourself, what is the light I perceive myself in? Why do I look at myself in that light? If it's something positive, embrace the shit out of that and spread amongst others. If it's something negative, you should re-evaluate how you see yourself and give yourself a little more credit. Everyone has a light inside of them. Some are bright, some are dim and some are turned off. It takes one switch, a certain focus to keep that light on. We will all at some point in our lives go through all three phases. It's how you keep the light bright so that you don't stay in the dark--you can't navigate in the dark.

Tell us how can we find you.
You can find me on instagram @LaKimster. Also check out my agency @sidelinepragency.

"I became Kim Ly. Invincible, fearless, courageous, kind and loving, an not giving a flying fuck. Just being me, whether those people like it or not!"

Tags # #afropunk #blackgirlmagic #blackboyjoy #lgbt #black #genderless #genderfluid #mayweather #androgynous #blogger #lesbian #genderbender #chef #chefq Continue Reading

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

In the kitchen with Chef Q!

OVRT September 06, 2017 0

**"I'm just a chef trying to stir the pot. The pot of freeing souls that way I won't be free alone. I want us to not see color but just say grace and eat!"**

Celebrity chef and LA WEEKLY "Best of L.A. readers' poll" winner, Chef Q, took time out of her busy schedule to speak with us about how she remains true to herself in and out of the kitchen.

Hello chef could we start by letting those who don't know could you tell us who are you and what do you do?

Who am I? I am God's daughter. I came here from royalty to help others know that they are of royalty themselves. My name is Quiana Jeffries but most call me Chef Q. I was born to help the oppressed find its way again. God made me a chef in order to feed. Feed the heart, mind, body and soul. I don't have any recipes mainly because God gave me these hands. With these hands I put in labor as a sacrifice to save the spirits that need nutritional value. We are all of value and one day soon we will realize who we all are to each other. I'm just a chef trying to stir the pot. The pot of freeing souls that way I won't be free alone. I want us to not see color but just say grace and eat!

So Chef Q how would you best describe your style?

My style is authentic and unique. I am fully aware that there is only one me. With that being said I'm original and no one can play this part better than me. I am what I feel inside. I wear what I feel inside. I wear emotion. My heart is always on my sleeve you just have to see it. Don't use it but acknowledge my warmth. I respect my style as it represents the strength of my heritage and where I came from.

When and how did you learn to embrace your individuality?

I learned at a young age to embrace my individuality. I have an identical twin sister and I remember at the age of five telling my mom that I wanted to dress different. I didn't want to wear the same clothing as my sister. I wanted me to be me and her to be her. It was ok to be twins but I wanted my own identity. The older I got I was able to embraced it more when I noticed how different I was from others. It made me love myself more to know that no one had my thoughts nor my visions.

What words of advice would you have to those who may be struggling with self-acceptance?

Be alone in isolation so you can get to know who you are. It's like dating yourself. Get to know everything about yourself, all of your likes and dislikes. Whatever you like keep loving, and whatever you don't like work on changing those things. Sometimes you may not notice the things you don't like until you feel uncomfortable about something and that's your notion to think deeper. While you are getting to know yourself, start accepting the way you are rather it's good or bad. You can always work on yourself. You will become your own healer. Last but not least hug yourself daily. Literally hug yourself, I mean why is it that people hug each other but not themselves. Hugging impacts the heart.

Thank you so much Chef Q! If anyone wanted to connect with you or find your latest recipes where could they find you?

IG: Chefism

Twitter: ChefismQ

Tags # #afropunk #blackgirlmagic #blackboyjoy #lgbt #black #genderless #genderfluid #mayweather #androgynous #blogger #lesbian #genderbender #chef #chefq Continue Reading

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

AFROPUNK

OVRT August 30, 2017 0

AFROPUNK: A Genderless Dreamland

Photo: Gigwise

From the most mind-blowing musical line up, to the most unreal fashion statements of the year, AfroPunk 2017 was definitely one for the books. The sold out festival opened its gates on Saturday August 26th to the most unique and diverse crowd, there was no shame or limit to how one chose to express themselves, there was no gender, and absolutely no -isms or phobias--which was proudly displayed on every stage.

Photo: Stylefeen

Photo: Allex Dean of Overt

With the overwhelming amount of tragedies and hate going on around the would, AfroPunk has become a safe place for its attendees, encouraging everyone to wear or not wear whatever they want and to stand up for everything they believe in--at least for two days.

Photo: Allex Dean of Overt

Photo: Stylefeen

Photo: HuffPost

Photo: Gretchen Robinette

Tags # #afropunk #blackgirlmagic #blackboyjoy #solange #sza #willowsmith #lgbt #black #genderless #genderfluid #androgynous #blogger #lesbian #genderbender Continue Reading

Sunday, August 27, 2017

ACNE STUDIOS

OVRT August 27, 2017 0

Acne Studios help make history when asking the Lewis-Anthony family to become the stars of their Fall/Winter 2017 campaign.

Photo: Acne Studios

Gay fathers Kordale Lewis and Kaleb Anthony, along with their four adorable children made history when they became the stars of Acne Studios’ Fall/Winter 2017 campaign. The lovely clan is now the first black LGBT family to represent a high-fashion european clothing line.

You may be thinking why does this family look so familiar? It is probably because you recognize them from the adorable Instagram photo that went viral in 2014 of the dads getting their two daughters ready for school.

Photo: instagram @Kordalenkaleb

The couples photo managed to catch the eye of Acne Studios creative director Jonny Johansson stating "I have been thinking of the family concept for a long time...This is how we found the Atlanta-based couple Kordale Lewis and Kaleb Anthony and their four beautiful children, Desmiray, Maliyah, Kordale Junior and Kaleb Junior" in the recent press release. The Acne Studios team chose photographers Inez and Vinoodh to photograph the six in a New York City hotel room, the same room the family would be staying in for their holiday weekend. Johansson also spoke about his obsession with families in uniform clothing saying "I love those images of families dressing in the same outfit" and highlighting although every family is different "we all have the same love".

Photo: Acne Studios

"There is no ‘normal’ family—all families are normal."

-Jonny Johansson

Tags # #lgbt #gay #family #acnestudios #black #beautiful Continue Reading

Thursday, August 24, 2017

THE FIRST TIME...

OVRT August 24, 2017 0

The first time I felt ashamed

I must have been four or five years old when I first experienced the feeling of being ashamed for doing something I felt was natural. I remember that day like it was yesterday, I was upstairs playing in my aunt's house with her two step granddaughters -- who, by the way, have no relation to me -- when the oldest of the two decided that the next game to play should be House. Now for those who have never played the game: it is when young kids act out what they believe are the traditional roles of a mommy, a daddy, and their babies. In that moment I thought nothing of it, especially since I had played house so many times before and just like every other time, I knew was going to be the 'daddy' since that was the role that always came naturally to me.

Everything was going as normal until the oldest, who was playing the role of the mommy, suggested that we should "make a baby" in the bed, and without thinking twice about it I said, "yes." Once sneaking into my aunt's -- her grandmother -- bedroom, we hopped onto the bed and dove under the sheets. After staring and smiling at one another for what felt like an hour, she leaned in to give me a peck on the lips.

Although this was my first time kissing a girl, it wasn't a big deal because that is what I knew any mommy and daddy would do in bed. After sharing a few innocent pecks with one another she took off her tie dye Minnie Mouse shirt and told me that it was time for me to get on top of her, and again without hesitation, I did. It was obvious that this was the extent of our knowledge on conception because the next few minutes consisted of us giggling and planning the next scene of our game... until suddenly, we heard the door swing open and someone yelling, "What in the hell are y'all doing?"

I instantly jumped off of her and froze. My aunt then grabbed me by my tiny arm and started spanking me with her hand, all the while yelling, "Don't do that nasty shit anymore!" over and over.

Once finished with both of us, we were no longer permitted to play upstairs with one another alone, so we were led to the middle of the living room where we sat in fear, eyes filled with tears, forced to listen to the adults making jokes and calling us "little nasty dykes."

Dyke? What's a dyke?

That question played over and over again in my young mind -- it wasn't until a few years later that I discovered its meaning. All I knew in that moment was what we had done was a bad thing, and the fact that I enjoyed it was something I should hide because I never wanted to feel shamed like that again.

Tags # #lgbt #black #genderless #genderfluid #androgynous #blogger #lesbian #genderbender Continue Reading