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From our driveway to the runway 😂 Paco made his debut last night for @dior and Jack added a third luxury brand to his runway resume! So cool to have two of our guys on the international stage! Thanks to @ashleybrokaw @mondaysmgmt

From our driveway to the runway 😂 Paco made his debut last night for @dior and Jack added a third luxury brand to his runway resume! So cool to have two of our guys on the international stage! Thanks to @ashleybrokaw @mondaysmgmt

From our driveway to the runway 😂 Paco made his debut last night for @dior and Jack added a third luxury brand to his runway resume! So cool to have two of our guys on the international stage! Thanks to @ashleybrokaw @mondaysmgmt

From our driveway to the runway 😂 Paco made his debut last night for @dior and Jack added a third luxury brand to his runway resume! So cool to have two of our guys on the international stage! Thanks to @ashleybrokaw @mondaysmgmt

From our driveway to the runway 😂 Paco made his debut last night for @dior and Jack added a third luxury brand to his runway resume! So cool to have two of our guys on the international stage! Thanks to @ashleybrokaw @mondaysmgmt

From our driveway to the runway 😂 Paco made his debut last night for @dior and Jack added a third luxury brand to his runway resume! So cool to have two of our guys on the international stage! Thanks to @ashleybrokaw @mondaysmgmt

Some snaps of Payusu aka Peezy aka Pz’ I took in Venice, CA. I’ll never forget discovering this incredible young man in China Town, NYC four years ago. He was about to disappear down the subway and I ran to get him. He told me he was visiting from Atlanta and I said “What are you doing in NYC?” And he said “I came to get discovered.” 😊I had no idea he was a gifted musical artist and it’s been with such awe that I’ve watched him blow the hell up! I remember when we did this photo shoot, I asked him what he wanted to do with his life and he said “Be paid to be me.” It was the best answer I’ve ever gotten to that question lol. He shared a lot about his life with me and knowing what I know makes his journey that much more incredible. So proud of you Pz!A total natural at everything he does!

Some snaps of Payusu aka Peezy aka Pz’ I took in Venice, CA. I’ll never forget discovering this incredible young man in China Town, NYC four years ago. He was about to disappear down the subway and I ran to get him. He told me he was visiting from Atlanta and I said “What are you doing in NYC?” And he said “I came to get discovered.” 😊I had no idea he was a gifted musical artist and it’s been with such awe that I’ve watched him blow the hell up! I remember when we did this photo shoot, I asked him what he wanted to do with his life and he said “Be paid to be me.” It was the best answer I’ve ever gotten to that question lol. He shared a lot about his life with me and knowing what I know makes his journey that much more incredible. So proud of you Pz!A total natural at everything he does!

Some snaps of Payusu aka Peezy aka Pz’ I took in Venice, CA. I’ll never forget discovering this incredible young man in China Town, NYC four years ago. He was about to disappear down the subway and I ran to get him. He told me he was visiting from Atlanta and I said “What are you doing in NYC?” And he said “I came to get discovered.” 😊I had no idea he was a gifted musical artist and it’s been with such awe that I’ve watched him blow the hell up! I remember when we did this photo shoot, I asked him what he wanted to do with his life and he said “Be paid to be me.” It was the best answer I’ve ever gotten to that question lol. He shared a lot about his life with me and knowing what I know makes his journey that much more incredible. So proud of you Pz!A total natural at everything he does!

Some snaps of Payusu aka Peezy aka Pz’ I took in Venice, CA. I’ll never forget discovering this incredible young man in China Town, NYC four years ago. He was about to disappear down the subway and I ran to get him. He told me he was visiting from Atlanta and I said “What are you doing in NYC?” And he said “I came to get discovered.” 😊I had no idea he was a gifted musical artist and it’s been with such awe that I’ve watched him blow the hell up! I remember when we did this photo shoot, I asked him what he wanted to do with his life and he said “Be paid to be me.” It was the best answer I’ve ever gotten to that question lol. He shared a lot about his life with me and knowing what I know makes his journey that much more incredible. So proud of you Pz!A total natural at everything he does!

Some snaps of Payusu aka Peezy aka Pz’ I took in Venice, CA. I’ll never forget discovering this incredible young man in China Town, NYC four years ago. He was about to disappear down the subway and I ran to get him. He told me he was visiting from Atlanta and I said “What are you doing in NYC?” And he said “I came to get discovered.” 😊I had no idea he was a gifted musical artist and it’s been with such awe that I’ve watched him blow the hell up! I remember when we did this photo shoot, I asked him what he wanted to do with his life and he said “Be paid to be me.” It was the best answer I’ve ever gotten to that question lol. He shared a lot about his life with me and knowing what I know makes his journey that much more incredible. So proud of you Pz!A total natural at everything he does!

Some snaps of Payusu aka Peezy aka Pz’ I took in Venice, CA. I’ll never forget discovering this incredible young man in China Town, NYC four years ago. He was about to disappear down the subway and I ran to get him. He told me he was visiting from Atlanta and I said “What are you doing in NYC?” And he said “I came to get discovered.” 😊I had no idea he was a gifted musical artist and it’s been with such awe that I’ve watched him blow the hell up! I remember when we did this photo shoot, I asked him what he wanted to do with his life and he said “Be paid to be me.” It was the best answer I’ve ever gotten to that question lol. He shared a lot about his life with me and knowing what I know makes his journey that much more incredible. So proud of you Pz!A total natural at everything he does!

Some snaps of Payusu aka Peezy aka Pz’ I took in Venice, CA. I’ll never forget discovering this incredible young man in China Town, NYC four years ago. He was about to disappear down the subway and I ran to get him. He told me he was visiting from Atlanta and I said “What are you doing in NYC?” And he said “I came to get discovered.” 😊I had no idea he was a gifted musical artist and it’s been with such awe that I’ve watched him blow the hell up! I remember when we did this photo shoot, I asked him what he wanted to do with his life and he said “Be paid to be me.” It was the best answer I’ve ever gotten to that question lol. He shared a lot about his life with me and knowing what I know makes his journey that much more incredible. So proud of you Pz!A total natural at everything he does!

Some snaps I took of Jack in Venice.

Some snaps I took of Jack in Venice.

Some snaps I took of Jack in Venice.

Some snaps I took of Jack in Venice.

Some snaps I took of Jack in Venice.

Some snaps I took of Jack in Venice.

Some snaps I took of Jack in Venice.

Some snaps I took of Jack in Venice.

Some snaps I took of Jack in Venice.

Jane was one of my first finds, and at the time, one of the only models of color on the board at the agency I was working for. She shot with some of the top photographers and did her thing - but ultimately there were very limited opportunities for non white models in those days. Especially ones deemed “ethnically ambiguous.” Wisely, she decided to go back and get her law degree. Things have changed in the fashion industry and today many of the world’s top earning models are not white. Jane and I remain friends to this day. She shared this old news-clip with me, though I have no recollection of being shot for it at all! Fun stuff!

I scouted Agosto Machado at an event for @ilkascobie back in 2019. We @thesecretgallery were casting an insanely difficult job for @cocacola for photographer @gigilaub At the time Augosto had no phone and organizing his casting meant going by his East Village apartment hoping he would be home or leaving him a note. He made the first and second callback. The client had no idea what was going on behind the scenes to get him there but he said he really needed the money, so I just commited to the extra effort as I found myself becoming quite attached to this fellow trickster. Sadly, after getting so close, he didn’t get the job. Clearly their loss. I harbored some guilt though that I had dragged this older man around NYC for nothing. Augosto said he didn’t mind and anyway NYC was his playground. We remained friends and it was with incredible pride, and some amazement - but no surprise, considering his talent - that very late in life he found huge success when @gordonrobichaux and @sam_gordon_ began representing him. Wow! So inspiring to see an artist in his 90’s getting recognized and acquired by some of the most important museums in the world. Augusto I send you love and laughter in the hereafter. I will never forget you! #agostomachado

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Old phone photos from Cuba to Milan, Paris, Hawaii, Carolina Beach, and of course…NYC.

Joyous day doing what I ❤️! Some selfies and BTS with our awesome cast and crew for @lavenderandtruffles shoot!

Joyous day doing what I ❤️! Some selfies and BTS with our awesome cast and crew for @lavenderandtruffles shoot!

Joyous day doing what I ❤️! Some selfies and BTS with our awesome cast and crew for @lavenderandtruffles shoot!

Joyous day doing what I ❤️! Some selfies and BTS with our awesome cast and crew for @lavenderandtruffles shoot!

Joyous day doing what I ❤️! Some selfies and BTS with our awesome cast and crew for @lavenderandtruffles shoot!

Joyous day doing what I ❤️! Some selfies and BTS with our awesome cast and crew for @lavenderandtruffles shoot!

Joyous day doing what I ❤️! Some selfies and BTS with our awesome cast and crew for @lavenderandtruffles shoot!

Joyous day doing what I ❤️! Some selfies and BTS with our awesome cast and crew for @lavenderandtruffles shoot!

Joyous day doing what I ❤️! Some selfies and BTS with our awesome cast and crew for @lavenderandtruffles shoot!

Sharing a commercial spot I directed for my friend Alicia Liu the founder of @lavenderandtruffles a vegan ice cream inspired by Asian flavors. Thanks to everyone who helped out and especially our talent @mondaysmgmt and my producers at The Coffee Robot!
Director @danielpeddle
Cinematographer @marcus_friedlander_dop
Editor @spuglisi
Casting @thesecretgallery
Colorist @boom_henke
Producers @tylerwardstephenson @juban14

Talent
ALICIA LIU
AIDAN KHARE
LULU THWAITES
JACK RETTIG
XAVIER SANDERS
MARILYN NGUYEN
CHRISTINA NGUYEN
EDIE KAHULAPEREIRA

#coffeerobotla
#production
#commercialdirector
#filmmakers

Me Pre 2020 - from bleached to shorn, solo and duos… Time goes by so quickly it’s hard to process one’s life in one’s lifetime.

Me Pre 2020 - from bleached to shorn, solo and duos… Time goes by so quickly it’s hard to process one’s life in one’s lifetime.

Me Pre 2020 - from bleached to shorn, solo and duos… Time goes by so quickly it’s hard to process one’s life in one’s lifetime.

Me Pre 2020 - from bleached to shorn, solo and duos… Time goes by so quickly it’s hard to process one’s life in one’s lifetime.

Me Pre 2020 - from bleached to shorn, solo and duos… Time goes by so quickly it’s hard to process one’s life in one’s lifetime.

Me Pre 2020 - from bleached to shorn, solo and duos… Time goes by so quickly it’s hard to process one’s life in one’s lifetime.

Me Pre 2020 - from bleached to shorn, solo and duos… Time goes by so quickly it’s hard to process one’s life in one’s lifetime.

Congratulations to our @mondaysmgmt talent JACK on his @prada debut! Shout out to @stefanccampbell & @degenjpener for making the connection and especially #DrewDasent @thesecretgallery for making it happen!

Congratulations to our @mondaysmgmt talent JACK on his @prada debut! Shout out to @stefanccampbell & @degenjpener for making the connection and especially #DrewDasent @thesecretgallery for making it happen!

Congratulations to our @mondaysmgmt talent JACK on his @prada debut! Shout out to @stefanccampbell & @degenjpener for making the connection and especially #DrewDasent @thesecretgallery for making it happen!

Congratulations to our @mondaysmgmt talent JACK on his @prada debut! Shout out to @stefanccampbell & @degenjpener for making the connection and especially #DrewDasent @thesecretgallery for making it happen!

#flashbackfriday In January 2024 our film Beyond The Aggressives: 25 Years Later was nominated for GLAAD Media Awards’ Outstanding Documentary. Here’s a shot of me and producer @wellingtonlove the night we won. This award represented the culmination of over two decades of friendship and collaboration with this incredible guy. I’m so excited for what’s to come and so grateful to be surrounded by a team who believe in the work, the community it serves, and the long game of telling these stories together.

Other home. #santamonica #oceanpark