TWELV sits down with founders of Parlor Social Club Jan Cieslikiewicz and Frederick Ghartey to give a glimpse into the story of co-founders living in New York City.
IKEMEN #21: MICHELLE VON MANDEL
IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang
"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"
Name: Michelle Von Mandel
Occupation: DJ/Artist
Origin: Chicago
MICHELLE VON MANDEL is a popular DJ Player/Artist playing tunes at big parties in NYC. In 2011 Michelle cofounded a non-profit organization called Yolk, which provides exposure for promising artists while raising awareness and resources for arts education programs. For more information please visit: http://yolkny.org
Your Passions:
Music and art, obviously. Also acting, which I studied in school but have unfortunately been neglecting recently. Besides that, animals, avocados, and onesie pajamas.
Why did you choose NY:
I came to New York to go to NYU. I stayed here after graduation because it seemed like the best place to pursue my various interests simultaneously.
Best trait about yourself:
My awkwardness. I’ve learned to embrace it.
Mealtime Ritual:
My personal theory is that food is just a vehicle for condiments. Also avocados. I love anything with avocado in it.
Your Hobby:
Making “that’s what she said” jokes. Preferably while wearing onesie pajamas. But then again, life is just better when you’re wearing a onesie.
Things you are always carrying with you:
My 2007 iPod Touch and a book. I’m currently reading A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. It’s hilarious. My favorite line - which pretty much sums up the entire book - is “I mingle with my peers or no one, and since I have no peers, I mingle with no one”.
Favorite Designer:
Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan, Rei Kawakubo
Favorite Musician:
Disclosure. Favorite by far.
Other than that I’m currently really into the remixes of Alex Young right now. Also Beatbox by Jack Beats is pretty cool. And The Kasiorama remix of Paul Simon’s 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover is one of my all time favorites.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/kasiorama/kasiorama-fifty-ways-bootleg
Favorite Artist:
The performance and video work of Hannah Wilke, Martha Rosler, and Marina Abramovic have always been very inspirational to me and have had a huge influence on my own work. I love the drawings of Zak Smith and Edward Gorey. Oh and Charlie White’s OMG BFF LOL is one of the best videos ever.
Your Idealistic Future Life:
Keep making art and music. And get back to acting. I would also love to travel a lot and hang out with more animals.
Role Model:
My dog, Peanut. She’s always happy. I think we can learn a lot from animals about how to live in the moment and appreciate the simple things in life. My cats are pretty cool too.
What is something everyone does not know about you:
I have always wanted to be a veterinarian but I am very allergic to animals.
WEBSITE: www.michellevonmandel.com
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/michelle-von-mandel
INSTAGRAM: @michvm
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