VMAN ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

THIS IS NOT HERE

We hit L.A. for a survey of cool guys who capture the new essence of Lost Angeles

Photography Colin Donahue      Styling Parinaz Mogadassi Contributing art editor Dominic Sidhu

< PREVIOUS / NEXT >

Left: Bim Ayandele, 31, Office of Public Engagement, Obama's first 100 days in office, photographed on the Malibu Sports Fishing Pier

Coat Prada
Shirt Dries Van Noten
Shades Adam Kimmel

Right: Rodney Hill, 45, gallerist, photographed at the Sunset Towers

Silk pajamas Yohji Yamamoto
Boots Maison Martin Margiela

Bim Ayandele

On the great explorers:
Living here you're forced to confront these polar realities and surrealities in the same breath that aren’t completely cohesive. It’s a brilliant clash living here—every day you're faced with both the extreme pain and beauty of living in this west-coast version of western culture. I love that tension. You hear the term "concrete jungle" which sounds like a gross developed grid work but if if you can shift your perspective—there's tons and tons of diversity and a million species of everything here if you know where to look. It’s a city for explorers—there's a strange kooky expansive side of L.A. If you let go and wander for a bit you can suddenly yourself in the Hills overlooking the entire city in any one of the many most amazing spots that are definitely outside of any tourist books' jurisdiction.

On being in the room with Obama:
I was working at the Office of Public Engagement at the White House helping the Obama administration during the first 100 days. There was so much energy in the building itself—the feeling of being part of the first chapter of a new American history. Meetings that I attended with him in the Roosevelt room had a huge influence on me– there was an incredible gravitas to the room when you realized that the decisions that have been made in that room for the past 50 years have shaped world policy. The President also has an incredible mojo hold on his audience. He owns interactions in a way that's accessible but still larger then life—there's an empathy that feels incredibly familiar when you're around him, it’s unlike anything I’ve experienced.

On afternoons with Anthony:
I got my degree from Brown in Chemical Engineering but straight out of school I left the lab to work for CAA. I eventually made my way up through the mail room to be a music agent trainee—but decided I didn't want to be an agent and started working for the Grammy's at the time. My very first job as a trainee was a messenger for CAA’s clients. Every day waxed from extreme torture to massive emotional peaks. I remember specifically two stops I’d have to make, one was with this really kind older actor, the other was Neve Campbell who I had a major crush on. I’d go to the older man’s house first and we’d talk for a bit sometimes an hour he was a great guy but sometimes I’d cut him short after 5-10 minutes to run off to Neve’s. It wasn’t until years later I realized it was Sir Anthony Hopkins! A lack of movie star knowledge was my ultimate badge of honor in L.A.

Rodney Hill

On the three graces:
The weather and the space make L.A. so special. I used to live in New York, which offers so much in culture but not everyone has access to. L.A. is by nature more egalitarian in that everyone shares in the city's best qualities—the weather, the botany, and vibrant ethnic communities. You can jump in your car and drive 15 minutes for the best Szechuan outside of China. This quality of life has drawn artists to go to art school here and remain living and working here after school. This has made a large, diverse, and vital arts community here.

On botany:
My first visit to Huntington Gardens was a real wakeup call—everything grows here! You have more options about how to live here—House vs. Apartment, Modernist, Deco, Spanish style or Arts and Crafts or silly Tudors. I chose a 1940s with a garden, and collect exotic succulants and cactii almost like pets (you can't bring home puppies everyday).

On great escapes:
I think "STAYcations" were invented long ago by Angelenos. My son is obsessed with waterparks and roller coasters, while I am obsessed with exploring ethnic foods outside central LA. Our recent weekend haunt is Soak City—the 3 story waterslides really are a blast! Who knew? You see every walk of life there—soccer dads drinking “big gulp” slushies, wannabe power agents on their cell while the kids slide and swim. Afterwards, we jet over to Torrance and grab a bite to eat at one of many amazing Japanese restaurants.