Matte OpEd

Working from home, modern media, a burgeoning middle class, overpopulation (perhaps) are all contributing to a very welcomed problem. More people can, and are, going on holiday – and more often. The world is overcrowding, magnetized to a few hotspots. Here is a list of places for a respite from the flock.

Hidden Holidays

Culture

Features

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of BOND OFFICIAL, Igee Okafor has redefined the modern man. Moving to New York City in 2013, he has quickly established himself as a personal-style connoisseur and an industry authority in men’s sartorialism. Collaborating with the industry’s most respected brands including Mr. Porter, GQ, Carl F. Buchrer, Manolo Blahnik, and more, Okafor is not only a tastemaker himself, but has paved the way for the new generation of ever-evolving gentlemen.

MATTE10: Creative Conversations w/ Igee Okafor

Fashion

Creative Spotlight

What is the relationship between sacrifice and success? How do we know when we’ve achieved it? In our latest editorial - Aaron Stern, photographer, creative, cultural storyteller, reflects back on his decades long career and taking note of the elements that have brought him to this moment in time. In his own words, it’s hard to measure success when it comes to something artistic. “It’s not a sport.”

More Than Survival

. That is perhaps the only thing we can all agree on these days. So how did something so uncool permeate and proliferate the hands and mouths of tweenagers and finance bro’s alike. This editorial takes a look at the constitution of the vape, the way we use it and what it reveals about ourselves and where we are heading.

BLOWING BUBBLES

Ann Binlot of the Document Journal, discusses how brand success is no longer monetary, but measured by cultural impact.

It’s Not A Company, It’s a Lifestyle 

Matte Event Recap

Last weekend Matte Projects - 106 years after the original, brought in Halloween in true Dadaist fashion with the triumphant return of The Blind Man’s Ball.

The Blindman’s Ball Is Back 

Music

When Edward Barsamian tells you something is chic, you’d better believe him. Beginning as the Assistant to Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, and currently serving as the Editorial Director of The Michelin Guide, Barsamian has redefined the world of fashion and digital content. As the former Style Editor for Vogue and Head of Editorial for Victoria Beckham, he has pioneered the marriage of popular celebrity culture with the once exclusive gates of fashion.

MATTE10: Creative Conversations w/ Edward Barsamian

The Fourth installment of CMYK club night took place in Brooklyn at the legendary Public records for a night of sounds and movement.

CMYK Takes Public Records 

Teddy Quinlivan is a model and LGBTQ+ activist. Originally discovered by Louis Vuitton Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquière, Quinlivan has made historic strides in the fashion and luxury world as the first openly-transgender model to star in a Chanel beauty campaign, as well as walked the runways for Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Versace, Moschino and more. Teddy is an outspoken activist for trans rights as well as being an advocate for the Model Alliance, an organization that “corrects the exploitative practices” of the fashion industry and creates a better landscape of “financial transparency”. Off and on the runway, she’s an iconic online provocateur and a directional voice in the world of fashion.

MATTE10: Creative Conversations w/ Teddy Quinlivan

Gia Kuan is a New Zealand-Taiwanese entrepreneur, publicist and creative consultant, known for her new wave approach to public relations, as well as the intersection between art and fashion in her work. She has built and elevated NY-based labels like Telfar and Luar, as well as championed AAPI indie brands like Kim Shui and Lu’u Dan.

MATTE10: Creative Conversations Gia Kuan

Introducing

There’s something salient in the present: an energy - a warmth in reflection. As we turn the page onto the next chapter of MATTE’s story, it’s impossible not to look back fondly at the magic we’ve created in the last 10 years. An amalgamation of a decade. 10 years of collaboration, dedication, determination and of course creativity on projects we’ve only ever dreamed of. The next begins now ⸻

MATTE10 REEL: AN AMALGAMATION OF A DECADE

On September 16th we strolled en masse to the neighborhood where our journey began. We celebrated 10 years of creativity in collaboration with The Macallan, a mere stone’s throw from our humble beginning on Ludlow St, at what is now the beating heart of downtown: 9 Orchard. 

MATTE10 ANNIVERSARY PARTY WITH THE MACALLAN

Events

Matte Spotlight

Nate Brown is the founder and creative director of Studio Institute in New York City. He has collaborated and produced high profile projects for some of the world’s biggest brands and icons including LVMH, Beyoncé, Alexander Wang, Nike, Patron and Calvin Klein.

MATTE10: Creative Conversations w/ Nate Brown

This year, our home - New York City turns 400. MATTE celebrates 10.

MATTE10, An Open Letter

Amber Grace Johnson (aka Bam Bam) is a NYC born and bred filmmaker working with the likes of Jorja Smith, Kali Uchis, J.Cole, A$AP Rocky, Prada, Nike, Dior, among other recognizable household names.

MATTE10: Creative Conversations w/ Amber Grace Johnson

With the rise of the internet times, it’s impossible to not to have some level of suspicion on the content we consume on a daily basis. In ‘Free Range Content’, MATTE Digital's reiH unpacks the nuances of culture as an ever-evolving content machine.

Note from Digital, Free Range Content

Today, the division between worlds of marketing and content production are slowly collapsing, giving rise to a new kind of influencer infotainment that promises to help you decode how brands work. In this essay, we dissect the rise of self designated experts, trend forecasters and brand gurus, decoding their integral role in marketing for the new media landscape.

Paraprofessionals

A mass exodus from major creative capitals that started with the pandemic and continues due to factors like inflation and the desire for a better quality of life is happening, just as suburban development led to the white flight phenomenon in the 1950s and 1960s.

Where have all the Creatives Gone? 

Designing and creating is an exercise and a ritual for designer Caleb Ekeroth. And we asked him to share that ritual with us. Over the span of a week, he was to write down a fleeting thought, and in that very same moment to then turn to a blank canvas and design.

Seven Moments with Caleb Ekeroth

With the intent being to showcase the music and artists that have continued to push the boundaries of electronic music, Rhonda INTL in collaboration with MATTE and James Blake have produced a dynamic playground that distills the freedom and pleasure within the genre.

Reimagining a Rave, 'CMYK'

Chris Keyloun, affectionately known under the moniker ‘Coach Chris’ amongst the NYC queer community is a multi-hyphenate born out of exploration.

Confessions, on the Dance Floor

MATTE’s new Senior Brand Manager, Chester Huynh sits down with Kate Ahn for an intimate conversation on being first generation children of immigrants, how the act of making work is as much healing as it’s about moving forward, and big ole’ titties. 

Oh! My! Kate

Derek Fearon is an Associate Creative Director at MATTE who has been with the company since our humble beginnings as a small team of entrepreneurs and self-starters in a Lower East Side apartment.

Derek Fearon

Tabitha Swanson is a Berlin-based multidisciplinary designer, creative technologist, and artist working with brands including Vogue Germany, Nike, Highsnobiety, Reebok, and others. 

Editorials