Yes, Stevie B for Mayor is not such a bad idea after all. Imagine a city where French and English got along. It’s obvious that French is cool right. I mean Montreal without french is like poutine without gravy or (gasp) greasy fries, yum!!!

I must make a disclaimer here, I am cursed (lactose intolerant anyone, in the land of poutine). I am not able to taste this dish without an oxygen mask handy and possibly an ambulance parked outside my favourite Friday night restaurant “La Belle Province”. One can only dream that one day that tasty meal will be reinvented for all to savour sans lactose!

On that day, I will not just order it and close my eyes while using my imagination, I will take a bite of it’s goey goodness…one day. I digress, yes Stevie B for mayor of MTL.

But in the mean time and in between time, lets just say mayor or not, Stevie has KA’s vote hands down as the coolest cat in MTL. Who needs a big Grey building in the Old Port when you have the Hotel De Ville of Cool on Mountain Street above Rosalie’s, harkening back to the good old days (yes I said it) when cool was hot and the doorman sat on his purple Harley outside of his respective club and ate fried chicken from a box.

Full interview with Stevie B. – Vol. 5

After flipping through page after page of images we have already seen, we were stopped suddenly by the vision of Ubah Hassan in a poured-on gold dress posing beside a liquid silver vintage airplane. The choice was made, we had to have her. A quick research pointed to a local agency that was representing her, but with a not-so-positive response from them, we were not deterred in our quest and without pause, contacted Click agency in New York. Her manager Harold Mindel, after seeing the magazine’s online version, was more than happy to assist us in the interview and story on Ubah.

Who is Ubah Hassan? We think that this question will not be asked for long, and to do our part in speeding up the process, here are a few specs on this most rare of finds, the modest beauty.

Born in 1987 in Somalia, Ubah like many others, had to flee this war-torn country, to go to Kenya. This flight was especially painful since the young Ubah had to separate from her mother and sister, who both went to Ethiopia. The story of Ubah does however have a happy beginning. Seven years after fleeing Somalia, her mother and sister were once again reunited in Canada. At the age of 17, Ubah was spotted by a photographer, and the rest is history.

Here is a short chronicle on the rise (and rise) of Ubah Hassan…

- 2007 Ubah signs with Click Management in New York

- 2008 She is featured in the all-black issue of Italian Vogue, photographed by Steven Meisel ( this issue went on to become one of the highest selling issue of the magazine’s history)

- 2009 She becomes the face of Ralph Lauren (in the photo that stole all our hearts at KA)

- 2009 She appears in an editorial, photographed by Bruce Weber

- 2009 She stars in a video with Iman discussing diversity of race and modeling

- 2009 Ubah appears on cover of KA magazine … (This is a good year!)

KA — Models are masters of the “quick change”— during shows, you change full outfits and look immaculate in 1 minute flat. From shoot to shoot you can change from vamp to virgin. How do you Ubah, deal with personal change?

UH — When you are at a photo shoot or about to go on a runway, there is always a strong team behind all the magnificent photo shoots or behind the glamour of the fashion shows. When it comes to personal change, I don’t usually have a big change. I usually go from white shirts and jeans to a black dress or lip gloss to mascara. Nothing too drastic.

KA — When we think of a model’s life, we are bombarded with glossy images and scenes of Jet Set, but the reality is long hours, sleepless nights and jet lag. How do you create balance for yourself with such a busy schedule?

UH — Jet lag is the worst for me, so I try to avoid it as much as I can. I usually travel a day before the job or sleep over so I don’t have to catch the red eye, unless I have to work the next day. And I drink plenty of water. When it comes to my time, I have learned to manage my time better. I won’t go out dancing until 3 am when I have to work or catch a flight the next day. I have learned to say no to some invitations. Most importantly, I have learned to enjoy time alone. I have come to realize that it is so important to be alone sometimes.

KA — What single life event has change you the most?

UH — Moving to Canada.

KA — What novel or music are you listening to or reading right now?

UH — I just finished a book called “My Sister’s Keeper”, and I’m listening to Michael Jackson-Thriller R.I.P

KA — Where do you have the most fun?

UH — In the kitchen with my niece and nephew, while making pancakes for them. Or on a dance floor, I love to dance.

KA — If you were to do a “dream campaign”, what would it be?

UH — Romance by Ralph Lauren. It is one of my sister’s favorite perfumes. Or an Estee Lauder beauty campaign.

KA — Which design house has been your favorite to work with?

UH — I enjoyed working with Ralph Lauren and his team. Philip Treacy, Oscar de la Renta, Organic by John Patrick. I’m very thankful to work with such amazing people.

KA — The Ralph Lauren image is breathtaking. What were you thinking at that moment to create such a “Queen” image?

UH — I wouldn’t say “Queen image”, but thank you for the compliment! I was just being myself. Thank God for Carter Berg (photographer) he was easy going and very helpful.

KA — When I saw your image, I thought “This girl rocks — Clear out the space, we need to cover her!” but it wasn’t about black or white, it was just about an amazing talent. How do you reconcile with being such a beauty?

UH — I don’t see myself in that way. I enjoy my job and when I’m done working, I’m just a normal girl in jeans and a white t-shirt. But sometimes, I do use my “double D’s” to skip a long line! (lol)

KA — At your age, the whole world seems to be there for the taking. Does this overwhelm you?

UH — My feet are on the ground. I know how quick you can lose something or someone. I thank God that I have a wonderful family, agent, boyfriend, and friends. So no, it is not overwhelming for me, as I’m surrounded with amazing people who care for me very much.

KA — Which city in the world is your favorite, and what little restaurant makes you feel good and down to earth when you are there?

UH — I love New York, but Paris proved me wrong. I went to Paris this July for the first time. I was speechless.

Restaurant :

I’m a very picky eater so when I go to a restaurant, I usually make my own menu.

I love when my mom cooks for me.

She knows exactly what I like and don’t like. Nothing beats that.

KA — When you are alone, what little gremlin in your head would you prefer not to listen to, and what is it saying to you?

UH — “You don’t need to go to the gym today.”

Make a wish… what would it be?

I can’t tell my wish, (or) it won’t come true. But I have to say, most of my wishes have already come true. I have a great family, a great agent, true friends and a wonderful supportive boyfriend. What else does a girl want… maybe some cheesecake once in a while!

BEST OF MONTREAL — FALL 2009 ISSUE

HERBY MOREAU — THE ENTERTAINER

Born in Haiti in 1968, Herby Moreau has a list of accomplishments that would be most people’s dream, but at the end of all this, what remains is something that is so simple and essential: his love for his mother and son. This has mellowed, softened, and made him stronger and more direct, both at the same time.

In 2002, Herby was invited to the Oscars® where he interviewed (among others) Halle Berry and Denzel Washington. However, it was the moment when he was invited on stage (by his suggestion) to touch the Honorary Oscar® of Sydney Poiter, that he was literally “among the stars”. Since then, Herby has been hosting the Star Academie show with Julie Belanger.

When KA decided to do the best of Montreal men, we knew that with Herby, we were without a doubt, interviewing the best in Montreal. Someone who not only excelled in his craft, but also had and kept a very clear love for Montreal and the culture that he has helped to create, and still promotes globally.

KA — Herby, I have known you for about 13 years, and you always remained constant. What keeps you so centered?

HM —  I remember when I was about 18 and I was listening to the song from the Pet Shop Boys “We were never being boring” — I loved that song — I kept telling myself that I didn’t want to arrive at 40 and be nostalgic about the song, and life for that matter. I wanted to always stay 18. I don’t think I grew up actually. When we are young, we seem to constantly think that life will be lived “later” — when actually, it’s now – right now.  And that’s what I do with my work, I’m constantly looking to create that moment — the one that people will remember. I always ask myself : What will they talk about at work tomorrow, in front of the xerox machine?

KA — You knew from day 1 that you wanted to be in journalism, media and tv. What was the click?

HM — I’m a very curious person — always digging to get the info… I need to know! I think that in this field, curiosity is a must — and it seems to just be apart of my DNA.  I just love the very first moment when you meet someone, you never know what to expect, there’s a tension and an anticipation that cannot be replaced. And when you meet, you feel that first transfer of energy. It’s like a dance, you have to adapt to the other person. I call it : “the art of seduction” — My goal is always, if we start an interview and you have your arms crossed, that by the end of it, you will have fully opened up!

KA — How did your experience in Paris affect your career?

HM — You have to go to Paris if you’re as curious as I am to explore and learn about different cultures! I love to speak French and there, it just felt like a second home. It was the 90’s when I went, and it was great to be an “immigrant” in Paris, and being Black — was a plus! They just saw me as the “American Dream” —a young black “American” coming to Paris was simply a treat for them, they wanted to know all about me. As I studied journalism there, I landed my first few television jobs. When I finished my studies in Paris, I told my parents I wanted to stay there and explore my career in France. They basically “cut the cord” and left me 1,000$ and that was it. So, I set out to conquer, and didn’t take no for an answer. I was 25 years old, and hungry for success. Passion was the key. I live everyday since then with passion.

KA — How do you create positive from the word “No”?

HM — I look at it this way: If you don’t ask, it will always  be no. So what do you have to loose…?

KA — What motivates you?

HM — To surprise myself in my line of work — I love it. For example, a while ago I was hosting le Gala des Arts and watched it afterwards. (I rarely do this…) By watching it, I saw exactly what I had done that made the show so successful. It’s being able to create an organic flow live, that makes magic! — and watching this did surprise me. I constantly strive to create magic.

KA — When do you experience the most joy?

HM — It has to be with my son, when I’m around him — smiling and laughing.

KA — What single event has caused the most change in your reality?

HM — When I was 33, I developed a condition where the bones in my neck became very weak — and the pain was so strong, like having a hernia so big it touched your spine. I had to have two bone transplants in my neck. Going to the hospital for this kind of operation is a bit dramatic — they put you to sleep and you really don’t know if you will wake up. So since then, I have been supporting the Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation. I invest all the energy that I can on this cause — and of course any other cause that affects children is also incredibly close to my heart.

KA — So many people audition for your show — Star Academie, they are just as scared, excited and green as you once were. How do you reconcile with being a role model for so many young aspiring artists?

HM — I don’t really think about being a role model. My main criteria is “If my mom sees this, will she be proud of me?”  The first person to call me after a show is still my mom, and I love her for it. She’s my bar!

KA — Make a wish, what would it be?

HM — It comes back to my son. I want him to find that same passion that makes it effortless to live life. I want him to find his joy, because I see so many people everyday that have still not found it. I want him to be “a fish in water” in the path that he chooses. I want him to always be optimistic and enthusiastic about his life, to always see the glass half full.

KA —  After all these years of pushing — where are you at?

HM — I find that I am at a point where I am starting to taste the fruit from the seeds I planted way back. I just want to share this joy with the people around me that fully understand where this fruit came from.

KA — With so much going on — how do you stay in the “now”?

HM — I surround myself with people who are young at heart, people who think “now”. It’s not about doing things that are “hip in the moment” — it’s about creating longevity and living right now.  And tomorrow, will be “now” too!

row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream — merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily — Life is but a DREAM

Angels Angels Angels…I believe in Angels…

Who is… Ashley King?

Photo : Kevin Allwood

Set : Opus Hotel — Montreal

Clothing : Kevin Allwood

KA MAG : You are a multi-talented artist. You’ve worked in fashion design with one of the greatest Canadian Designers, you’re also working on your own collection and you will soon be launching your first album — Where does all your inspiration come from?

AK :  Inspiration comes from the people I meet, the places I visit and all my life experiences. I’ve been so fortunate to be around people who have shown me how to translate a vision, into a tangible products or art form : like a song, or a garment.

KA MAG : When did you start to work on this musical project?

AK : I’ve been singing and dreaming about it my whole life, yet I only started writing the songs for this album about a year and a half ago.

KA MAG : What is the  most demanding aspect?

AK : Dealing with myself — my emotions, my personal life distractions. It’s easy to drift off course and I find that the hardest part in the last few years was to get a grip on my true self. To determine ( as much as I can) what I truly want in life. To distance myself from certain things, people and habits that were not conducive to my goals.

…

More in upcoming March issue of KA Magazine