Presenting Issue 29: Image Makers - Los Angeles Timestwitterfacebookenvelope

Summertime for us was a wild, intense time of work and play as we geared up for our fourth edition of Image Makers — our largest edition to date. The yearly issue is always an exciting and intimidating opportunity to draw a list of some of the most daring and innovative artists working in fashion today. We’re sharing with you just a slice of that list, one we think speaks to the collaborative labor and true love that go into making memorable images.

No one quite encompasses the interdisciplinary nature and group effort of making art like Humberto Leon. When we called him to see what he was up to, his answer was both surprising and not at all: He had been working as the creative director for Katseye, a global K-Pop group. Leon, known for co-founding Opening Ceremony, is a multi-hyphenate. In his words, everything he does is really about “doing something for culture.” His latest job is no different, as Julissa James makes clear in her delightful piece that follows the Katseye members and their “fashion fairy godfather,” Leon, over two days.

The quality and reach of what you create are always greater when you open doors and allow others into your process. This is one of many profound takeaways from artist Maria Maea’s interview with Zerina Akers, stylist to Beyoncé and other stars. Sometimes those collaborations are more intimate, as is the case with Zana Bayne and Bustedbrand, two designers working in leather and latex who met and fell in love and have since been in a flourishing creative partnership. And sometimes those collaborations cross borders, as in Eric Solis’ photos connecting two brands and cities: the L.A.-based Planeta and Mexico City-based Wavey. We don’t need to tell you that L.A.’s cultural presence is, of course, global. In a special series, our fashion director at large, Keyla Marquez, went to Paris and styled Vincent Frederic-Colombo of C.R.E.O.L.E. and Claudia Rivera, two artists with unique takes on how to tell stories with fashion.

In putting together this issue, we had the privilege of getting an intimate glimpse into the fun, sweat and mess of making images with image makers. Stylist Ann-Marie Hoang pulled out her favorite items from her closet, and Natasha Newman-Thomas, a costume designer for film and TV, styled herself with different characters in mind. Prada shared the painstaking process of embroidering a dress made of ribbons, and Guillermo Cuevas of Dunrite Leatherworks revealed his designs for the perfect studded belt. And in a particularly moving project, photographer Emanuel Hahn reimagined what beauty pageants were like in L.A.’s Koreatown in the 1980s and ’90s, following the contestants from glam to stage.

We see this issue as a collaborative effort in itself, and in this spirit, we landed on four beautiful covers (take a look at the last page in your copy). We hope you enjoy the fourth Image Makers as much as we enjoyed making it.

Elisa Wouk Almino
Editorial Director


Image logo by Zoe-Zoe For The Times


Behind the scenes with K-pop group Katseye and their L.A. fashion fairy godfather Humberto Leon

Behind the scenes with K-pop group Katseye and their L.A. fashion fairy godfather Humberto Leon

Over two days and seven shoots, we followed the members of Katseye, a rising K-pop group and the focus of a new Netflix documentary.  Read the story  👁️  
What happens when a leather mama and a latex daddy fall in love?

What happens when a leather mama and a latex daddy fall in love?

The shared world of designers Zana Bayne and Mariano Cortez of Bustedbrand.  Read the story  🖤  
What does it take to style someone like Beyoncé? Take a cue from Zerina Akers

What does it take to style someone like Beyoncé? Take a cue from Zerina Akers

“Opening the doors to everyone has changed the game.” Akers on how she built her confidence and found her path.  Read the story  👗  
Issue 29 cover

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Issue 29: Image Makers

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A tender re-creation of K-town beauty pageants in 1980s and ’90s L.A.

A tender re-creation of K-town beauty pageants in 1980s and ’90s L.A.

Photographer Emanuel Hahn puts his lens on a part of Koreatown history that has not been widely archived or shared.  Read the story  👑  
165 feet of ribbon, 13 hours of embroidery. The allure of a handmade Prada dress

165 feet of ribbon, 13 hours of embroidery. The allure of a handmade Prada dress

The new dress is part of larger resurgence of bows in fashion.  Read the story  🎀  
A costume designer on the art of building characters for film and TV

A costume designer on the art of building characters for film and TV

Natasha Newman-Thomas, who is working with Keanu Reeves on an upcoming feature, is often tapped for her character-driven approach and vintage-inflected eye.  Read the story  📺  
Planeta and Wavey, two designers tapping into the shared language of L.A. and Mexico City

Planeta and Wavey, two designers tapping into the shared language of L.A. and Mexico City

Photographer Eric Solis wanted to capture the conversation he sees happening between the two cities in a way that felt expansive.  Read the story  🇲🇽  
The biggest fashion no-no’s and the best closet essentials, according to stylist Ann-Marie Hoang

The biggest fashion no-no’s and the best closet essentials, according to stylist Ann-Marie Hoang

Style should be unapologetic and unpredictable. Take some cues from the L.A.-based wardrobe stylist from Highland Park.  Read the story  🕶️  
“I want to show that we exist in Paris.” Claudia Rivera makes space for Latino designers

“I want to show that we exist in Paris.” Claudia Rivera makes space for Latino designers

Rivera is bringing brands from around the world, including L.A.’s Kids of Immigrants and Equihua, to Paris this September.  Read the story  🐆  
Vincent Frederic-Colombo on reframing Creole identity with a unisex approach

Vincent Frederic-Colombo on reframing Creole identity with a unisex approach

With his brand C.R.E.O.L.E., Frederic-Colombo creates “new narratives, new references, new visions and new rules.”  Read the story  🫂  
This month, listen to the lessons of Libra love

This month, listen to the lessons of Libra love

Their lovability is something they can’t help.  Read the story  ⚖️  
It takes finesse. Dunrite Leatherworks makes an unforgettable studded belt

It takes finesse. Dunrite Leatherworks makes an unforgettable studded belt

Like anything Guillermo Cuevas makes, this belt is experimental — and designed with one secret ingredient.  Read the story  ⚒️  
Summer situationship fizzling out? Fret not. This fall, these are the pieces that will hold you down from day to night

Summer situationship fizzling out? Fret not. This fall, these are the pieces that will hold you down from day to night

7 items to keep you stylish, from a Sunday slipper to a full-on cashmere bodysuit.  Read the story  🍂  
8 new pop-ups, drops and exhibitions to fill out your September calendar

8 new pop-ups, drops and exhibitions to fill out your September calendar

Here's a menu of happenings this month, from the NorBlack NorWhite pop-up to the new Bottega Veneta store.  Read the story  🖼️