TALENTED ALTER EGOS

FASHION FORWARD MEN 

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BLAQ SAVAGE

Lets face it...these days it seems that in order for a true talent to be recognized, even they have to stir up some type of gimmick to make themselves more noticeable.  And the gimmick that most of them seem to be turning to is the changing of their names.  Whether it be Kanye, Jay-Z, or whatever Diddy is calling himself these days, almost everyone has one.  See it as a split personality.  During the day, you are this mild mannered huge brain known as Dr. Jekyll.  Your job is to think and plan out the missions or tasks you are devising.  But when its time to execute the projects at hand, another persona takes over, you Mr. Hyde...  your inner phoenix.  There is a more  reasonable explanation for this course.  Birth names don't always coincide with the brands we are building.

It all started a few years ago in New England.  An artist by the name of  Junebrone  found himself reaching his ends wit of aggravation when it came to those shunning their own individuality.  Due to the recession, those working in media began to tell those who are not making a great deal of money- ways to continue to look good without spending a fortune.  They push, and push, and push these "must have" garments in our faces, assuring us that we will look like a million bucks and be the envy of all our friends.  But what they don't tell you is they are often receiving freebies in order to create a buzz about the new gifts they have just received.  Also adding fuel to this issue are celebrities.  Unlike media, celebrities sometimes come with a level of influence, that they may not be aware of.  They sing songs about their lifestyles and elaborate things they own,  not realizing that the weak will go out and spend their last- just to obtain what their idols have because they think that's the only way they can relate.  In turn multimillion dollar companies make excessive amounts of these particular to see to the masses.  This is how human clones are manufactured.  

Deciding to try throw a wrench into the assembly lines of mass production, the Brooklyn native began making his own accessories.  But in order to sell them would require him getting his name out there.  A strategy was needed.  First would be to create intrigue.  Often times before we know what a product is, we hear the name first, so that where it began.  Junebrone  decided to shorten his name to Junes.  Obviously realizing this wouldn't be enough , he went back in editing himself a third time,.  Junes  reversed the spelling of his name,and with that  Zenuj (the company)was born.  Hopefully you are keeping up with this, because there is a bit of trickery involved.  Notice in the last sentence I stated the artist was going in for a third time, when I in fact only mentioned two drastic changes.  Why??? Its easy... The artist we know as Junebrone shared with Fashion Forward Men that his birth name is actually Alexander Moore.  Confusing??? Maybe to some but hopefully not most.  As I stated before, it happens more often than you think.  At this point, one would think that he was done, but not quite.  Although the artist had settled on a company name, his personal transformation wasn't complete.  Realizing that he was in control of his own destiny, image, and happiness,   Moore bulked up, added piercings and an abundance of tattoos to his frame, and with that, Blaq Savage was born.  

 

When you think about accessories, you generally don't think about New England (where he was raised).  Perhaps this is one of the reasons he relocated to Miami.  Sure, New York is considered the fashion capital when it comes to the states, then there is LA.  But with so many diverse yet fashionable cultures in the warmer climate melting pot, Miami is also a force to be reckoned with.  

"New England loves me, but with Miami,  its mostly business around here," he explains.

Being inspired by something as simple yet beautiful as a tree, down to the arch of a woman's eyebrow, Blaq says with confidence that he can make about 200 pieces a day. Due to the fast growing clientele asking for custom made pieces, the number changes greatly on a day to day basis.  Coming up with concepts for Fabulous, and Diggy and Jojo Simmons it would make sense for him to take his time.  After all, people in the public eye, tend to shop more because they are basically thrown under the bus if they are caught wearing the same things repeatedly.  Thankfully for Blaq, society is way more forgiving when it comes to accessories.  

"I would like to work with the Kardashians, as well as many of the high profiled artist in the Miami region.  My goal for this year is to reach out to Lady Gaga.  I feel as though she would be willing to power the creativity I'm trying to produce," he adds.

Although he has high hopes, the talented tatted up artist does have sense.  Realizing that most people are fortunate enough to have Gaga's money, he works with a pretty long list of stones.  Some precious, and others that may allow you to keep a little change in your pocket after making a purchase.  Everything from black onyx, glass agate, leather, wood, to clay were named.  So you see, there is something for every taste to budget.  

While Zenuj as a company tends to work with numerous types of materials, there is one symbol/design that you will see repeatedly in various creations.  That symbol is the cross.  I don't know about you, but for me,  the last thing I am thinking of when seeing a muscular man standing well over 6ft in front of me is religion.  That is unless I'm am praying that he doesn't get mad and hit me.  No, but seriously there is a reason to it resurfacing time and time again in the company's designs.

"I am a very spiritual person.  I feel that with life, it's only right to show gratitude."

Apparently gracious for the gifts he has been blessed with, Savage is fortunate enough to have an amazing partner who works along with him to make Zenuj possible.  Her name is Karo Leena.  While the two of them may have very different styles, their ideas seem to mesh very well together.   Together, they plan taking the world by storm and tearing the world from its settled monotony. 

Currently the Zenuj site is undergoing maintenance, but be sure to check back with us in the very near future, you just may be seeing yet another amazing exclusive involving them.

Until then, Blaq can be reached via facebook :
https://www.facebook.com/junebrone

Written by: Rudy Reed 

fashionforwardmen@yahoo.com