The Model Issue-Dylan Foster

THAN A
MODEL

Publisher & Chief Executive Officer
Tempestt Harris (CEO)
The Level 21t eam
Chief Operating Officer/ Editor In Chief
Maresa Scott (COO)
Chief Financial Officer
Anitra Scott (CFO)
Creative Director
Michael Lopez
Administrative Staff
Marketing
Dane Prince
Sales Executive
Anitra Scott
Sales
Michelle Mitchell
Graphic Design
Layout Designer
Antoine Boderick
Graphic Design(Intern)
Vanessa Mccorkle
Adriann Risk
Writers
Writer
Desi Helm
Contributing writer
Marage Blakeney
Co-Editor Intern
Shannon Rawley
Writer Intern
Chris Lewis
Blogger/ Journalist Intern
Kaitlin Booe
Victoria Calamusa
Photography
Antoinne Duan Jones
Laurence Logan-The T.Z Studio
Todd Youngblood
Glen Byrd- Photo X Words
Videography
Toussaint Studios-Emmanuel Toussaint
Public Relations
Pac Public Relations
Fashion
Stylist
Jerry Thompson
Style and Wardrobe Contributor
Jekia Benson
Makeup Artist
Alexis Washington
April Hill
Digital
Level21 Media LLC.
Yumpu
Wribits
Contributor
Shartiera Wilkerson
Contributor/ Correspondent

t able of cont ent
FOSTERING34
DYLAN

CO NTENT
24
TAE
27
WANG
56 ECRU

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16
58

A Quick Note
It?s here! Our penultimate issue of
the year is finally here, and Team
Level21 is excited to share it with
you. ?More than a MODEL? is not
just an issue, though, but a
movement to humanize an
industry steeped in perfection and
vanity. It?s an edition reflective of
its subject matter. The words
printed on the cover?s background
reflect the good, the bad, and the
ugly concepts that models of all
different shapes, sizes, ethnicities,
and backgrounds hear daily. They
are words that have come to
define their public reputation, but
we here at Level21 know there is
much more to each and every
model than just a pretty face. With
photography by Pierre J Walker and
Laurence Logan, this double cover
issue features Dylan Foster, an up
and coming model who moved
from North Carolina to New York
with nothing but courage,
blossoming models, Abigale Allen
and Tara Nichole, from right here
in the Queen City! We also bring
you Fuzion Force Dance Studio,
infusing dance and fashion! We
hope you enjoy all the stories and
editorials inside. And if they leave
you thirsting for more, then please
join us for more on November 1,
2017 as we go further beneath the
surface with some on-camera
interviews with a few models
featured in this issue.
#TeamLevel21
6.
photo by @jseasphotos. MUA: @zjglam. Model: Tara Nichole

Photographer & Stylist/Wardrobe: April Allison
Model: Jinna Kim
Hair & Makeup: April Allison

Ashley R. Wright
Photographer: Denise Benson of Denise
Benson Photography
Make up: Whitney Seabrook of Enhanced
Beauty by Whitney
Hair: Ereiol Gamble of Noir Luxe Beauty Bar,
LLC
Cut: Flowe Da Barber of Da Lucky Spot
Barbershop
8.

Model: Michelle Peralta
Lance Andrews
Photographer: In Vogue Photography

10.

MarQues Woolford

12.

www.website.com

14.
Photographer/Creative Director - Christopher Smalls IG- @casmallsdesign
Model - Justin Small IG- @I_am_justino His agency is Westhaven International

Photographer/Creative Director - Christopher Smalls IG- @casmallsdesign
Model- Jashanta Brown IG- @jashantabrown
MUA- Kwantarius Fuller IG- @Kwanfuller

16

From the Studio
TO THE RUNWAY,
and Back Again
By Kaitlin Booe
ife is full of transitions, and Miles McMillan knows a thing or two
L
about them.You might recognize the model and artist from his bit
in a recent Tommy Hilfiger ad with Gigi Hadid, or from red carpet
appearances alongside, actor Zachary Quinto (Star Trek ,American Horror
Story, Heroes). But a little screen time and a few snapped photos hardly
scratch the surface of a man who?s found himself in the nexus between art
and fashion.
Photo: Credit

ELECTTA
BEAU TY
Be Real. Be Beautiful.
Be Naturally YOU.
www.electtabeauty.com

21

22.

Ta'ra
Nichole
Meet our cover model Tara ' Nichole. A
virgo, native to the Carolinas and fresh
to the modeling scene who's ready to
take fashion to a new level. Nichole's
an experienced print model with a
passion for editorial fashion and all
things 'outside of the box'. You may
have spotted this beauty in
publications like ShuString Magazine
and Catalyst Bridal; two unique
publications that show Nichole's
versatility as a freelance model. She's
bold and doesn't shy from a crowd
which was apparent as she lead
Greensboro Fashion Week as a
mannequin model. What makes Tara
Nichole different is her willingness to
do what it takes. Her determination is
unmatched. She's willing to travel for
shoots and is passionate about trying
new techniques and styles which
makes her a hot commodity in the
fashion industry. Her long, naturally
curly hair and bold personality
brighten the dimmest rooms and
make Tara Nichole a force to be
reckoned with.
For booking contact:
iamtara.nichole@yahoo.com.

Photographer: Wendy McCarty
24
MUA: Jennie Carelock

T
ae McKenzie was crowned the first USA Ms. Heels for Wheels (USA MHFW) October 31, 2015,
in the Nation?s Capital. As USA MHFW her duties are to advocate for people with disabilities
throughout the USA and afar, while empowering and inspiring others to excel in their lives. Being
inclusive of community events, such as annual parades? will enable her to fulfill some of her duties.
Talathia was denied the opportunity to be a part of last year?s parade; the reason given was the
organizers of the Novant?s parade do not recognize pageant participants; yet Miss NC and Miss SC
will be, and has always been allowed to take part in this annual community event.
Talathia is a native of Charlotte, NC, and North Carolinian's should be proud of her for her
determination.
Credit:Change.org.

W eich er t Realtor s
L KN Par tn er s
w w w.M ich aelM or r ison Realtor .com
Michael Morrison/Broker/Realtor
Weichert, Realtors® - LKN Partners
704-928-6404
www.michaelmorrisonrealtor.com
mikezmorrison@gmail.com
736 Brawley School Rd Ste A
Mooresville, NC 28117
26.

I
By Marage Blakeney
27.

30.

32.
Model: De'Onna Banks

34.

FOSTER

FOSTERING
DYLAN
By Kaitlin Booe
In 2011, Matt Damon starred inWe
Bought a Zoo, an inspiring and
heartwarming film based on the book of
the same name. In his portrayal of
Benjamin Mee, Damon brought one of the
book?s more famous quotes to the screen.
?You know,? he says, sitting next to his
on-screen son, ?sometimes all you need is
twenty seconds of insane courage.? For
some, that twenty seconds of courage
might be deciding to initiate a
conversation, or getting back on the bike
after taking a nasty spill, but for Dylan
Foster, it encompassed a few different
things. Namely, a decision to buy a plane
ticket.
Admittedly, that in and of itself isn?t too
difficult, but when you factor in the ticket
was a one-way trip from North Carolina to
New York City, that changes things a little
bit. ?I didn?t have the necessary resources,
didn?t have a lot of money, there wasn?t a
planned-out trip. There wasn?t anything. I
just did it. There was just one day I got up,
bought a plane ticket and was just like,
?Okay, mom, I?m moving, ? Foster, nineteen,
said. With very few, if any at all, contacts in
the Big Apple, Foster had his work cut out
for him. Networking proved to be a key
factor as he made his way up the ladder
from both the free work and freelancing
that brought him to New York Fashion
Week, where he not only starred in his first
fashion show, but connected with us here
at Level21.
By no means is Foster?s modeling career
over. It?s now been about four months
since he first arrived in New York City, but
the progress he has made in such a short
time only proved to us that there?s more to
him than being labeled a model. Dylan
Foster has a story to tell, and it?s one that
resonates? or should resonate? with all of
us. Team Level21 is simply excited to help
him tell it.
Starting a career wasn?t Foster?s only goal
when he decided to move away from
home. ?I honestly moved here to build my
self-esteem up, build my confidence up,
and learn to love myself. As conceited as
that sounds, it?s key.? From his initial
decision to move, throw away all the
boundaries separating himself from what
he wants, to the learning curves he?s faced
so far, each and every experience has
helped him along the way.?I was a
freelance model, honestly,? he said when
prompted for a reminder of where he was
in his journey the last time he spoke with
Level21. ?I had just starred in my first little
fashion show during Fashion Week. I mean
it was amazing that I even found it. It was
exhilarating, this feeling that ?Hey, I moved
here and look what I?m doing. I?m doing
something. I?m taking the first steps. ?
"All you need is
twenty seconds
of insane courage"

Those first steps have since opened a
handful of doors and, while Foster,
understandably, can?t disclose specifics,
but he has a few other magazine
features in the works? all of which
you?ll be able to follow on his Instagram
account once its reconstruction is
finished:@dyligent lem an, currently;
his username is subject to change.
These opportunities are more than
what he started with, though they may
not seem like huge breaks in such a
large and competitive industry. That?s a
thought that, if dwelled upon too much,
can bring about feelings of insecurity:
?There?s always going to be somebody
prettier than you, there?s always going
to be somebody that you think is better
looking than you, there?s always
somebody that?s better at it than you,
whether they?re better looking or not.
But you can?t let that get to you, you
know? All of us have those moments of
insecurity.? What matters and makes
the difference, Foster believes, is how
you deal with it.
So, how does he deal with it?
?I think that I have the drive to push
past my boundaries and go for my
dreams no matter what. I think that no
dreams no matter what. I think that no
matter my situation, I believe that I can
make it no matter the type of conflict
I?m in. The best thing is that I?ve got a
story. Everybody?s got their story, but I
have a story: the story of how I started
believing in myself.? And in today?s
world full of the highlight reels and
depictions of constant, unrealistic
perfection provided by a social media
server near you, the acknowledgement
of various struggles and journeys to
gained self-esteem and confidence is a
tale that can?t be told enough.
Foster?s story and his journey thus far
come with a message he?s excited to
send back down south to us. ?It?s so
funny that I moved to North Carolina,
came to New York, and then met these
people from North Carolina. They?re
going to be the first people to see that
I?m doing okay, and I want that! I want
everybody down there to pick up what
they?re doing and do what they want;
don?t stay in their little shells, don?t rot
away. This generation might be
whatever they say it is, but that doesn?t
mean that there can?t be true dreamers,
there can?t be people who aspire to be
greater, that there can still be golden
people.?
His message is verified. He?s living proof
?There?s always
going to be
somebody
prettier than
you"
that, while it?s hard work, actively
pursuing your dreams and goals
does work. After all, Benjamin
Mee?s full quote goes like this: ?You
know, sometimes all you need is 20
seconds of insane courage. Just
literally twenty seconds of just
embarrassing bravery. And I
promise you, something great will
come of it.? So, take twenty
seconds and decide to buy your
(figurative) plane ticket because we
think Dylan?s doing pretty great.
"But you
can?t let
that get to
you"

Photographer: Laurence Logan
Creative Director: Michael Lopez

Fuzion Force
Dance Studio
'The Editorial'
Location:6233 Old Sugar Creek Rd, Charlot t e, NC 28269
Photographer:
Pierre Walker
Designers:
Shukura Oni
Maurice Brown
Ecru Fashion
Models:
Jinna Kim
Abigal Allen
Tara Nichole
Bre Shay Trotter
Alexis Foley
Fiona Rose
Danny William s
Assane Diem e
Jordan Mit zel
40.

MUA/Hair: Paul Mitchell The School Charlotte
Donna Anderson
Glow Glam
Brittany Butler
Adorned by the Queen

At only 17 years old ou r cover model, Abigale Allen found her passion. Now, four years into
modeling, her dreams remain the same. Allen is determined to make these dreams reality
with goals of traveling and exploring new ventures while working for brands like Victoria's
Secret and Guess. But what drives Abigale Allen's passion for modeling? It's the opportunity
to meet new people and explore different experiences. "It challenges you to become better
and strive for something," said Allen when asked about what motivates her dreams of being
a successful model.
One of her most notable take-aways is to be inspired by the competition. From her previous
experience as a model, Allen understands that its easy to get intimated and question
yourself and your capabilities when compared to others. She encourages aspiring models
to let that intimidation motivate you to be the best you can be because you can always
learn from your competition.
For booking : steve_allen35@aol.com
Abigale Allen

Creative Director- Michael Lopez and Publisher-Tempestt Harris
Videographer-Emmanuel Toussaint

E
MAURICE BRO WN
CLASS & STYLE
B y Chr i stopher L ew i s
veryone, this is not a drill! Be on alert because fashion stylist
and designer Maurice Brown is coming on the scene with fresh
looks that will stimulate your eyes and mind. He got his start in
the industry back in 2015 modeling clothes and walking in
fashion shows for other fashion designers. He would often get
compliments for his unique style while doing shows, which then
further prompted him to sell some of the pieces he would wear
and give styling tips to other people. Brown?s style is influenced
mainly by combining contemporary clothing trends with vintage
styles.
He grew up in the 80s, where he first recalls rocking a different
style from most other people. Brown credits his individuality
partially to his parents, who decided not to cut his afro in a time
when high-top fades were all the rage. Later, though, he desired
a high-top fade hairstyle himself to which he is thankful his
parents did not object to the idea.
W
hen he is styling for a client, he likes to
get into the client?s mind. He figures out what
inspires them, as he doesn?t believe in forcing
any particular style on someone. He wants
everyone to explore their own unique style
while he gives them tips that will help their
individuality truly shine.
In the future, he wants to continue working
with and promoting the Classic Man Boutique,
a business that he recently opened up. In
November, he is collaborating with a fashion
show producer named Sabre, who raises
money and awareness for Graves?disease,
where he will style 10 guys who are working
with Lord & Taylor as part of an upcoming
show.
You can find Maurice Brown on Instagram
@mauricemodel
e-mail address mauricemodel@gmail.com,
Facebook ?Maurice Brown.?
Jerry Thompson(Model)#TeamLevel21
Maurice Brown Fashion Show
Thank you to Maurice Brown for sharing his
story with us!
46.

Photographer is Dae Howerton of DaeoftheKlasix
Jacket: H&M
Shirt: Armani Exchange
Pants: Classic Man Boutique
SHoes: Converse
Sunglasses: Stevie Boi
Hairstylist: Keisha Chalet
Barber: Jermaine Johnson of Nogrease Barbershop Inc

UP NEXT:
THE KIDS ISSUE
w it h level21
Contact us today
t o feat ure your child!!
info@level21m ag.com
Photography:Miranda Rivers Sleek Style Fashion
Photography
New York
Society Fashion Week
Designer: Jaylani's Boutique
48.

?I like my money
right where I can see
it: hanging in my
closet.?? Carrie Bradshaw
Photographer: Todd Youngblood Model:Shante Waiters

Photographer:Rondell Lane MediaLanePV
Greensboro,NC
MUA:DusktoDawnCosmetics
(Dawn) Greensboro,NC
Hair:By Me(LindseyD)
Fashion:ItsFashionMetro
50.

This shot is by photographer Paul Jensen from
Shelby, NC ,Taken in the historic Dairy Queen
located in Gastonia.
Model: Fiona Rose @fifi_girl

52.
Mo del Watch
Bre'ShayTrotter
@_breshyrelle

Photographer Laurence Ta'Ziyah Logan. Hair: Flair connoisseur. Model : Whitney Armstrong

54.

Portrait Series
Peak Performance
in Digital Artistry &
Branding
Photographer:
Laurence Logan
www.thetzstudio.co/
Models:
Left:Nupur
Charyalu
Right:Tina Duong

56.

www.ecrufashion.com
Unisex
appar el
f o r t he
mo der n
mil l ennial .

58.

Model:Tiffany Froehlich
Shot on location in The Gold District
neighborhood of Historic South End, Charlotte.
Upcycled fur vest by Fur Ever Fur exclusive
collection available at Magnolia Emporium.
"Discover what curated shopping is all about!" 307
Lincoln St. Charlotte.

AMCONYC! A YEAR TO REMEMBER! #NYFW 2017
T
Official New York Fashion Week Level21 Coverage
his was one of AMCONYC?S best years yet!!
Metallics were in this year and lots of color blocking
decorated the streets, while the selections showcased
on the runways were creative, colorful, and edgy. First
up for Team Level21 was AMCONYC. Sponsored by
Sacha Cosmetics and Aveda, AMCONYC welcomed
3,000 guests throughout their three-day event for
emerging designers Maj Designs, Klad Apparel, Zula
Studio, Bradelis New York, Nicole Bell, and Atelier
Kate. ?Our vision is to nurture the future of fashion
and foster emerging designers by offering the
opportunity to reveal their unique designs and
one-of-a-kind pieces,? AMCONYC founder, Adriana
Marie, said in a press release. On the last day of their
2017 run, AMCONYC teamed up with Variety the
Children?s Charity of New York, The Door, and
FabScrap to put on a special show which featured
original and sustainable designs. We were able to
catch Nicole Bell?s show, which featured intense pops
of vibrant color we are sure to see all next spring
2018!
visit Amconyc?s website for more
events!http://www.amconyc.com/
Victoria Rose interviewing Designer Nicole Bell
62.
Photo Credit: Photo 1:Level21, Photo2:Badillo, Photo3:Mark Johnson, Photo4:Opia, Photo5:The
Runw ay Aut horit y

Nicole Bell Design

"no w is t he
t ime to change
o ur way o f
t hinking"
Natasha Erwin the motivational speaker teaching a
stronger self inspiring way of thinking to small or large
groups. With so much prejudice, discrimination,
poverty and educational needs, now is the time to
change our way of thinking."I Set the Standards"
www.isetthestandards.com

Title: Destination, Desert
Photographer: Hugo Fernando
(@Hugofernando.m)
Wardrobe: André Hammonds
(@All_About_Andre)
Hair/Makeup: Elise Flores (@eflores95)
Location: Joshua Tree, California
Dress: Antidote LA (@AntidoteLA) Jewelry: Charlene K
(@Charlenekstore)
66.

Antidote LA (@AntidoteLA) Jewelry: Charlene K Shoes: BCBG

MODEL WATCH
Assane
Dieme
@P.ASSANE_DIEME
68.

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using rugs and furniture to cover up those embarrassing carpet stains, call Rezults
Carpet Cleaning! We offer deep carpet cleaning services in Charlotte, NC and the
surrounding metro area. Our specialists use high-quality equipment to lift those
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You can trust our specialists to inspect your carpet, use the right pre-treatment
chemicals and extract them using our amazing carpet cleaning equipment. Call
Rezults Carpet Cleaning to start on your carpet cleaning service today.
Get Rezults today!!

The M o J azz Collection
Free Style Ladies Wearable
Fashion Art. Designed to
Enhance the Fashion Queen
in You!
www.mojazz4u.com

72.
St art your m odeling Career w it h Level21
We will connect you,critique you,publish you,
and guide you. Work with the BEST! Contact us today.
www.level21mag.com
or level21model@gmail.com