Our Cast Of Characters

David Mecey — Founder/Publisher – (Former staff photographer-Playboy) Writer, Photographer, Driver. The man whose
‘near-name’ sits atop this magazine, David brings what he did for that iconic publication to MECÉ Magazine. Similar, yet
different. David’s wish: to add a contemporary, sophisticated feel to the photography while upholding the highest standards
for the art. For those yearning to know, he also shares how it’s done.

Ian Branson — Art Director ɚɱQíşɱĽƘɱŪƬƐɱƬƤĽŔĽƤNJɱĽşǞĘŔđĘƐɱíşđɱđĽǃĽđĘƘɱĸĽƘɱƤĽŝĘɱƤĸĘɱDŽíNJɱĸĘɱđĽǃĽđĘƘɱĸĽƘɱĉƐíĽşɁɱ×ĸĘşɱĸĘɥƘɱDŽŪƐőĽşıɱ

the left half, he is a mild-mannered software architect for a large government contractor. All other times, he is either
photographing things, building an airplane, plinking on a bass, or spending time with his family. For MECÉ Magazine, he
brings his media and advertising experience to bear to add polish to an otherwise exquisite publication.

Hal Schmitt — Food & Beverage Editor – Call sign, ‘Bull’. Former Navy Top Gun pilot-instructor. It was Hal who convinced
David he needed to bring out a magazine containing beautiful photographs of gorgeous women. A more mellow Hal is himself
a gifted photographer and serious master of Photoshop, teaching both for years at his own studio, Light Workshops. Hal will
make sure things are in order by lending stories about his latest passion, wine and food. Yes, the man makes his own wine,
incredible vintages that are growing more in popularity each new season.

Lou Maggio — Travel Editor – Producer, entrepreneur, longtime friend of David. Having once owned his own modeling agency
ĽşɱDŔŪƐĽđíɂɱDŽĸĘƐĘɱĸĘɱŝĘƤɱ%íǃĽđɂɱĸĘɱĸíƘɱíŔDŽíNJƘɱĸíđɱĸĽƘɱǞşıĘƐɱŪşɱƤĸĘɱƍƬŔƘĘɱŪİɱőşŪDŽĽşıɱíşđɱDŽŪƐőĽşıɱDŽĽƤĸɱĉĘíƬƤĽİƬŔɱíşđɱƤíŔĘşƤĘđɱ
women. After giving up on the agency life, he worked as director of photography for Florida-based, VENUS swimwear for
several years, traveling throughout Florida and the Caribbean on various photo shoots. Since leaving VENUS, he now works as
a producer creating movies and TV shows with several produced, with others in current development.

Jeany Zhao — Automotive Contributor – Jeany is one of the hottest looking car enthusiasts you’ll ever meet! But a serious one,
so don’t let those looks fool you. Working with IMSA at races while also being a writer herself, she’s been published in the
Porsche magazine, EXCELLENCE, and so much more. Entrepreneur is a best description, as she’s juggling several businesses
ĊŪşƘƤíşƤŔNJɂɱDŽĸĽŔĘɱíŔDŽíNJƘɱǞşđĽşıɱƤĽŝĘɱƤŪɱĘljĘƐĊĽƘĘɱĸĘƐɱĊíƐƘɱíƤɱşĘíƐĉNJɱƐíĊĘƤƐíĊőƘɁɱbĘíşNJɱDŽĽŔŔɱĉĘɱđƐŪƍƍĽşıɱĉNJɱíşđɱƘĸíƐĽşıɱíɱİĘDŽɱŪİɱ
her stories about cars and her involvement in motorsports, so keep an eye peeled for her.

Mark Thomas — U.K. Editor – Our U.K. editor will be working with us from across the pond in England. He began reviewing
Playboy Magazine 2 years ago on YouTube with a recent feature on Forbes.com. What began as “magazine archaeology”
took him on a wishful path to recreate the look, feel, freedom and overall creative depth of the classic publication. After a
chance meeting with our publisher, Mr. Mecey, Mark realized MECÉ was already doing that but with a modern twist. Mark
brings features on Britain’s extensive history and the market of world leading goods; cigars, spirits and drinks, tailoring, and
automotive engineering. He will also introduce us to creative individuals of note that put Britain on the world stage.
Daphne Doettger — Eats, Meats, & Treats Guest Contributor – Daphne travels the country sampling the good, the bad, and the
ugly, specializing in those holes-in-the-wall establishments that are tucked away miles off the beaten path. She has a passion
for all things culinary. This month, she wanders around the great state of Colorado, stopping off in the mining towns of
Durango and Silverton before heading up to Colorado Springs.

3
 a lifestyle dream

A Letter from our Publisher Editorial Staff

Welcome to MECÉ Magazine!
As a photographer, most of my career was all about photographing women for Playboy. Publisher/Editor-in Chief
I worked for the magazine as a staff photographer for well over two decades. I was all about the “Rabbit;” I walked David Mecey
it, talked it, lived it, but most of all, photographed it during those years Hef was at the helm. (editor-in-chief@mecemagazine.com)
We feel that classic style of photographing beautiful women in sexy light fading away. Even the models known as Art Director

şıĘŔƘɱíƐĘɱşŪɱŝŪƐĘɁɱ×ĘɱíƐĘɱĊƐĘíƤĽşıɱíɱƍŔíĊĘɱDŽĸĘƐĘɱƤĸĽƘɱíƐƤİŪƐŝɱĊíşɱǡŪƬƐĽƘĸɁɱ
ɱƍŔíĊĘɱƤŪɱĊĘŔĘĉƐíƤĘɱDŽŪŝĘşɥƘɱĉĘíƬƤNJɂɱ Ian Branson
both inside and out, along with their necessity in this world. (artdirector@mecemagazine.com)
It seems as if society’s mad dash toward equality has more to do with reducing the talents, accomplishments,
Food & Beverage Editors
and natural gifts of select people than empowering and encouraging people to thrive using their unique talents.
Instead of convincing people to downplay their natural gifts to seem more accepting, we challenge all of society to Hal Schmitt
celebrate the differences. We want to emphasize the strengths in people while minimizing their weaknesses. (ǞşĘƐƤĸĽşıƘʮŝĘĊĘŝíıíǔĽşĘɁĊŪŝ)
With MECÉ Magazine, we intend to bring back a taste of that classic look, allowing women to be as proud of how Travel Editor
incredible they look as well as shining symbols of intelligence. A contemporary feel, yet with touches of the classic Lou Maggio
style men and women have loved for so many years, to readers of a younger generation who will also revel in the
lifestyle our magazine offers. Automotive Editor
fĽıĸƤĽşıɱíşđɱƐĘǞşĽşıɱŝNJɱƍĸŪƤŪıƐíƍĸNJɱƤŪɱƐĘǡĘĊƤɱƤĸĘɱŝŪđĘŔɥƘɱĉĘíƬƤNJɱíşđɱƍĘƐƘŪşíŔĽƤNJɱĸíǃĘɱíŔDŽíNJƘɱĉĘĘşɱŝNJɱ Jeany Zhao
signature trademarks. Whether you are a longtime fan or growing enthusiast, I look forward to sharing all my
U.K. Editor
experience and talent with you at MECÉ Magazine.
Mark Thomas
In addition to the gorgeous photographs, we will be sharing articles about lifestyle interests such as beauty
products, cuisine, wine, travel, all types of tech, automobiles, and yes, tips on photography. Even some magic
thrown into the mix here and there.
We will introduce you to a luxury lifestyle and give you tools and information that will help you be a part of that
scene. Our goal is to inspire our readers to live life better while having fun, an important element.
We will always strive to provide consistent and compelling content to our readers. Let us begin with one key
acronym I want to announce: M.I.T.M! About the Cover
Welcome to MECÉ Magazine’s Model in the Middle, the photograph that will be the only image stretching edge
Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fritz
to edge, 11" x 22", in our magazine. This is the highest honor we can bestow on one of our models, the one who
our April MITM
represents all we are at MECÉ Magazine. She must demonstrate natural beauty, yes, but also a dedication to
community, and for making a better world in which we live. Shot on location,
Miami, Florida
In closing, we would like to extend an invitation to models and photographers who are interested in being a part
of our vision to contact us. If you are interested in joining us, look for the link and submission guidelines on our Makeup & Hair
website. Nicole Fritz
We invite you to open our pages, look around at the beauty and articles we offer. Photographed by
Cheers! David Mecey

MECÉ Magazine is published monthly by MECÉ Magazine, Inc, 10300 W. Charleston Blvd, Ste. 13-457, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89135, all rights reserved. You may not copy or
reproduce any articles, photos, videos, or any content contained within MECÉ Magazine without prior written consent from the publisher. Not all opinions, commentary or
ĘđĽƤŪƐĽíŔɱĊŪşƤĘşƤɱşĘĊĘƘƘíƐĽŔNJɱƐĘǡĘĊƤɱƤĸĘɱŪƍĽşĽŪşƘɱŪİɱŪƬƐɱŝíıíǔĽşĘɁɱ}ƬƐɱĊŪƍNJɱƤNJƍĘİíĊĘɱĽƘɱƐĽŝƘŪşɱ ƐŪɂɱđĘƘĽışĘđɱĉNJɱ«ĘĉíƘƤĽíşɱdŪƘĊĸɱíşđɱbíĊƏƬĘƘɱfĘɱíĽŔŔNJɁɱ¿ƘĘđɱƬşđĘƐɱƤĸĘɱ«Qfɱ
OpenFont License (Feb 2007). MECÉ Magazine © 2023

4

What’s Inside Our April
T his is such an exciting time for MECÉ!
With this issue, we begin our second year of publishing. It’s a time
of great pride and excitement. And we thank you, our subscribers,
who have helped grow our magazine onward and upward. What
we do, we do for you, so keep enjoying MECÉ, and telling your
friends about us!
Aside from our excitement, we must say goodbye to one of our
own. Kenji Kita, our original Art Director, and Web Designer is
leaving MECÉ. We know he will continue to do what he loves, and
we wish him all the best and thank him from the bottom of our
ĸĘíƐƤƘɱİŪƐɱĸĽƘɱĊŪşƤƐĽĉƬƤĽŪşƘɱƤŪɱp-.ɱđƬƐĽşıɱŪƬƐɱǞƐƘƤɱNJĘíƐɁ
Allow us to introduce our new Art Director, Ian Branson. You
may have spotted his name over the past months listed as our
Circulation Manager. When we began our search, it was Ian who
told David he would love to take on the task at hand. So, with Ian
coming on board, we get a new look to the magazine! We know you
will enjoy it as much as we are excited about it.
QşɱíđđĽƤĽŪşɂɱDŽĘɂɱíŔŪşıɱDŽĽƤĸɱNJŪƬɂɱĸíǃĘɱşŪƤĽĊĘđɱĸŪDŽɱđĽİǞĊƬŔƤɱƤĽŝĘƘɱ
have become economically. So, in a wish to help, starting with
this issue, we’ve lowered our prices for both individual issues and
subscriptions. In fact, the subscription prices we’ve nearly cut in
half! Our hope is to allow more people the opportunity to own and
enjoy all our MECÉ Magazines throughout the year.
Now, let’s talk about our April issue...
One of our contributing writers, Daphne Doettger, is a seasoned
traveler and aspiring photographer. To our pleasant surprise, also
a foodie. On one of her latest trips to Colorado, she told us about
several eateries that were out of this world yummy. You can read all
about them in, Get Hungry in Colorado.
She was a model for Playboy Netherlands, which is another name
for Holland. She and David met online, then she toured with him
throughout Germany as one of his workshop models. She’s Sheena
Williams and before they said goodbye, they did these never-
before-seen pictures.
He’s become a legend in Las Vegas. A singer who’s worked
throughout the town, in Casinos, the Fremont Street Experience,
and venues everywhere. He’s Chris Phillips, or as he and his band
are known, Zowie Bowie. Get to know who he is and where he’s
headed in our feature interview Q&A-7.
“Pin Up Girl 40’s-50’s” by Annalise Batista
From its Bollywood roots, India has become a hotbed for
entertainment. Add to this year’s Oscar win for best song, it
is seriously becoming a contender. With it, we found a noted
photographer from India wishing to share his work in America. We
present a pictorial by Priyank Nandwana.
Nikki and David have been longtime friends. They’ve done
photographs together many times but never did she, as they say,
get naked for him. Then, on a vacay down to Miami they connected
once again. After hearing about his magazine idea, she asked to
be a part. A hot photo shoot materialized, and Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fritz
becomes our April MODEL in the Middle.
Nikki not only adorns our cover but also the back cover as well. A
ǞƐƘƤɱİŪƐɱƬƘɱíşđɱƘŪŝĘƤĸĽşıɱDŽĘɱŝíNJɱĘljƍŔŪƐĘɱŝŪƐĘɱĽşɱƤĸĘɱİƬƤƬƐĘɁɱQíşɱ
said it’s a way for you to enjoy her beauty coming and going. We
like the sound of that.
As we grow, we continue to search for new ideas to add to our
editorial mix. One of those, add a bit of saucy fashion. Something
both the ladies and the gents can enjoy. In this issue, David does
a fashion shoot inside one of Vegas’ hottest men’s and women’s
fashion stores, MACEOO, located in the Aria Resort and Casino on
the Las Vegas Strip.
He caught model Diana Peck, with the help of the store’s managing
partner, Ricci Lopez, trying on a few articles of men’s clothing and
sexy women’s shoes in Having Fun in Men’s Clothes.
We’re introducing a new editor into our fold, Mark Thomas, who
hails from the UK. Yeah, that country we once called home a long
time ago. He will be offering stories about all things Great Britain
DŽĸĽŔĘɱíŔƘŪɱĸĘŔƍĽşıɱƬƘɱǞşđɱİƬƤƬƐĘɱƤíŔĘşƤɁɱQşɱƤĸĽƘɱĽƘƘƬĘɂɱĸĘɱıĽǃĘƘɱƬƘɱ
a history lesson about the ship that brought over a handful of our
ǞƐƘƤɱƘĘƤƤŔĘƐƘɂɱƤĸĘɱ ĽŔıƐĽŝƘɁɱQƤɥƘɱíɱƘƤŪƐNJɱíĉŪƬƤɱƤĸĘɱƤŪDŽşɱŪİɱLíƐDŽĽĊĸɂɱ
-şıŔíşđɂɱDŽĸĘƐĘɱƤĸĘɱpíNJǡŪDŽĘƐɱDŽíƘɱĉƬĽŔƤɱíşđɱƍƐŪǃĽđĘđɱƤĸĘɱĊíƍƤíĽşɱ
who piloted it to America. With it, we welcome Mark to the MECÉ
family.
Lastly, it’s been eight years since we felt the loss of someone very
special to David, and the world, Collette Brawner. Taken from
us far too young, David wanted to share a bit of their history
while also sharing some of her favorite photographs they created
together. This month’s A Loving Look Back honors her.
We welcome you to year 2 of MECÉ. We’ve got so much planned,
with something big coming very soon. Be watching for that
announcement next month.
For now, enjoy our awesome April.
5
What’s Inside

8 12 22 26

ǵ
ɲ ɲɱ Get Hungry In Colorado
by Daphne Doettger

Ǯǯɲɲ Dutch Delight Sheena Williams Pictorial

ǯǯɲɲ Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie

tells his story in our Q&A-7

ǯdzɲɲ Guest Photographer

Priyank Nandwana

6
Celebrating Beauty & Life
Through the Eyes of Photographer David Mecey

32 46 50 64

ǰǯɲɲ MODEL in the Middle

Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fritz

DZdzɲɲ ¸ĸĘɱpíNJǡŪDŽĘƐɱ«ƤŪƐNJ
One of America’s Most Famous Ships

Dzǭɲɲ Having Fun in Men’s Clothes:

Pictorial

dzDZɲɲ A Loving Look Back:

Collette Brawner

7
Get Hungry in Colorado
by Daphne Doettger

C olorado is known for its beautiful landscapes, hiking trails,

and mountains. Not only do I love Colorado for its natural
beauty and outdoor adventure, but I also love its food. Especially
after a long day of hiking, taking photos, and exploring local
shops. That tends to make me work up a big appetite. I’ve
made several trips recently to this impressive state, and I’ve
sampled different foods along the way. So far, I haven’t been
disappointed, and I look forward to more. I’m not done eating
my way through these cities. There’s a dish for everyone! I’ve
compiled some of my favorites in the cities I’ve been to, each Dos Santos
DŽĽƤĸɱíɱđĽİİĘƐĘşƤɱǡíǃŪƐɱíşđɱƐĘíƘŪşɱƤŪɱíDŽíőĘşɱNJŪƬƐɱƤíƘƤĘɱĉƬđƘɁ Colorado Springs, Colorado
dos_santos_tacos
Flavor: Mexican
Time: 12:18 pm

ɱŔƬşĊĸɱƘƍŪƤɱǞşđɱDŽĸĽŔĘɱDŽíŔőĽşıɱƤĸĘɱđŪDŽşƤŪDŽşɱŪŔŪƐíđŪɱ
Springs area. Its
unique neon signage
and the crowd of
people made us turn
into this restaurant.
We started with an
appetizer, the “Classic
Guac” which is freshly
smashed avocado
with lime, red onion,
and jalapeño pepper.
Served on warm
house chips fresh The Classic Guac
from the oven, and a
side of Pico de Gallo. The crunch was super. A delicious snap
of the chip met my cool guacamole with a slow spice that was
perfectly balanced. A simple appetizer that wasn’t boring and
complemented each other nicely. We also shared a sampler of
different tacos from the menu. The “Cauli Taco”(a vegetarian
ƤíĊŪɱİĘíƤƬƐĽşıɱıƐĽŔŔĘđɱĊíƬŔĽǡŪDŽĘƐɱíşđɱıƬíĊíŝŪŔĘɓɂɱɢ¸Ľşıíɱ¸íĊŪɣɱ

8
 (braised chicken thigh Serious Texas Bar-B-Q
with tomato and Durango, Colorado
chipotle drizzle on a
spoonful of guac with serioustexasbbq
onion) , “Crunchy
Flavor: Smokey Texas Style
Taco Supreme”
Experience
(with ground beef,
Pico, shredded Time: 6:07 pm
cheese, guacamole,
in a crunchy taco Right off the road, this
shell) , “Korean Beef ƬşƘƬƘƍĘĊƤĽşıɱǡíǃŪƐɱDŽíƘɱ
Barbacoa” (Kimchi, íɱıƐĘíƤɱǞşđɱíşđɱŔŪĊíŔɆɱ×Ęɱ
Yum-Yum sauce, green shared “The Sampler” (1/4
onion and with beef lb. brisket, 1/4 lb. pulled
seasoned with Korean pork, 1/4 lb. turkey, 2 links
«ƍĽĊĘƘɓɂɱíşđɱǞşíŔŔNJɱƤĸĘɱɢbíŔíƍĘũŪɱ ŪƍƍĘƐɣɱɒƤíĊŪɱDŽĽƤĸɱíɱƐŪíƘƤĘđɱ & ribs) which was big
and stuffed jalapeño with mascarpone and cheddar cheese, beer enough for more than two
battered and fried, with a dash of guacamole). This sampler, by people, maybe three! We
ŪƬƐɱŪDŽşɱĊƐĘíƤĽŪşɂɱDŽíƘɱíɱƤƐĘíƤɱŪİɱDŽĽŔđɱǡíǃŪƐƘɱíşđɱƘƍĽĊĘɁɱ
ŔƤĸŪƬıĸɱ chose cheesy potatoes
I wasn’t brave enough to bite into the jalapeño, my traveling and pulled pork for our
partner Jerome said it was delicious and spicy! sides. I could just eat the
cheesy potatoes; they were
so good. We had chipotle
Frozen Gold mayo, cranberry-habanero salsa, orange - jalapeño mustard for
Colorado Springs, Colorado our dipping condiments. The chipotle mayo was my favorite.
frzngold ¸ĸĘɱŝĘíƤƘɱDŽĘƐĘɱİƬŔŔɱŪİɱƘŝŪőĘNJɱǡíǃŪƐƘɂɱíşđɱQɱİŪƬşđɱDŽĘƐĘɱĉĘƘƤɱ
complimented with
Flavor: Soft Serve - next level the homemade sauce,
provided on the tables.
Time: 1:09 pm
That gave it a tangy

ɱŎƬŝƍɱĽşɱǡíǃŪƐɱİƐŪŝɱƤĸĘɱ íşđɱƘƍĽĊĘđɱǡíǃŪƐɁɱ
Yucatan spiced lunch to a cool Pair it with sweet or
and refreshing dessert for unsweetened tea and
chocolate lovers. On a warm dig in! There were
day in Colorado Springs, this plenty of leftovers to
was a perfect pick-me-up in take home. If smokey
the afternoon, and right next Texas-style meats are
door to Dos Santos! I had the something you enjoy,
“Cookie Crumbles” a vanilla soft you should give this
Cookie Crumbles serve with a soft serve brown place a try.
sugar fudge core. How does this
work?! A surprise in the middle of Oreo cookie crumbles
and chocolate chip cookie dough crunchy exterior. A
challenge of sweetness I bravely accepted with a spoon
and a cup. You can enjoy this cold delight on a cone as
well.

9
Avalanche Brewing Co.
Silverton, Colorado
avalanchebrewingco
Flavor: Brewery with good eats
Time: 7:11 pm
On 1151 Greene St. we were winding down from a day of driving
and exploring the San Juan Mountains, it was cold and a lot of
snow. We ducked into this brewery which is known for its locally
crafted brews and eats to pair. We enjoyed some “Cinnamon
Mountain Dots”. Pizza dough balls, brushed with cinnamon,
sugar, and butter, with a side of melted cream cheese. A simple
dessert that was a sweet and soft treat, making me wish my
stomach was bigger. Each piece of freshly baked dough was
warm and addictive. Another dish you could share with a few
people.
Cinnamon Mountain Dots at Avalanche Brewing Co.
10
Flying W Ranch
Colorado Springs, Colorado
ɱɱɱǡNJĽşıDŽƐíşĊĸĊĸƬĊőDŽíıŪş
Flavor: Dinner and a Western Music Show
Time: 6:48 pm
Nestled in the red rocks in Colorado Springs, this Rocky
Mountain ranch, brings the Old West alive. The Flying W Ranch
is a memorable place where I was captivated with the musical
talents of the Flying W Wranglers while enjoying an authentic
ranch style dinner. This group performed a Western Jubilee that
took me back to the wild west days. An immersive dinner with
delicious food, served in their large dining hall area. Partially
indoors and outdoors, for the summer weather, I enjoyed the
group dining experience. We got to talk to some familiar and
unfamiliar faces. I loved everything on my plate, I couldn’t say
I have a favorite. The smoked meats had all the trimmings.
Amazingly talented entertainment, with great food and people,
words cannot describe it all in detail. I highly recommend you
experience this place for yourself. Yeehaw!
The Flying W Ranch Supper
The Flying W Wranglers

11
 Dutch Delight Model
Sheena Williams
Photographed by David Mecey
iwantsheena

D avid met Sheena online via David’s friend, German photographer, Guido
Karp. Guido had invited David to come to Germany and tour with him
doing workshops at all the major cities across the country. Sheena was on the
short list of models to do the tour. Here’s her bio sent to us from Sheena.
“My name is Sheena Williams; I am a full-time model and content creator from
the Netherlands. I started modeling when I was 18 and fell in love with glamour
photography. When I was 21, I was asked to be in Dutch Playboy which was a
dream come true.

12
“I love to travel and create beautiful
íƐƤɱíŔŔɱŪǃĘƐɱƤĸĘɱDŽŪƐŔđɁɲ
The last couple years my focus has
shifted to online content creation,
but I will always love being in front
of a camera to make beautiful photo
sets with talented photographers.”
Sheena still lives near Amsterdam, in
the Netherlands.
Sheena was chosen as one of the
models for the Germany tour with
David and Guido. It was at the end
of the tour, literally the day prior to
ĉŪƤĸɱƘĸĘɱíşđɱ%íǃĽđɱǡNJĽşıɱĸŪŝĘɂɱƤĸĘNJɱ
decided to do their own photo shoot,
just for them.
They were able to garner a larger
room at the hotel where they were
staying and spent the afternoon
and early evening doing these
photographs. All David had with
him was his Hensel Porty ring light
íŔŪşıɱDŽĽƤĸɱíɱƘĘĊŪşđɱǡíƘĸɱĸĘíđɁɱ
But he made the best of it, and they
were able to do some wonderful
photographs together.
These pictures have never been
published. When David contacted
Sheena to let her know that she
was to appear in his new magazine,
MECÉ, she was beyond excited to
hear it. And we at MECÉ are happy to
have her.
×ĘɱşŪDŽɱƍƐĘƘĘşƤɂɱǞşíŔŔNJɂɱƤĸĘɱ
beautiful photos that Sheena and
David did in Germany for our
readers.
Enjoy...

13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
 Q&A-7 Interview with artist playing out my life. From a young age, I wanted nothing more
than to be that “Vegas Guy” like my idols who were the iconic
Chris Phillips headliners who graced the Marquees all along The Strip.
As a kid born and raised in Tempe AZ., I was so inspired by the
Singer for Zowie Bowie, Las Vegas ǡíƘĸNJɂɱŪǃĘƐɱƤĸĘɱƤŪƍɱĘşƤĘƐƤíĽşĘƐƘɱƤĸíƤɱDŽĘɱĸíđɱƤĸĘɱıƐĘíƤɱİŪƐƤƬşĘɱ
to see when my parents would bring me to Vegas on family
zowiebowieLV trips. Where most kids on my
block would take vacations
zowiebowievegas to Disneyland to see Mickey
Mouse, my family was more
inclined to swing by Vegas to

H ello Chris and welcome to

MECÉ Magazine!
Each month we feature someone
DŽĸŪŝɱƍĘŪƍŔĘɱǞşđɱĽşƤĘƐĘƘƤĽşıɂɱİƬşɂɱ
and exciting. Our list of greats
is growing, so we welcome you
to that growing membership at
MECÉ.
We’ve gathered seven questions
we hope will give our readers an
insight into who you are, where
you come from and where you’re
going. With some interesting
tidbits in between, of course.
We’ll share a little history as to
who you are for those few out there
who may not know you ‘yet’.
You are the feature singer in Zowie
Bowie, your band based here in
Las Vegas. You and the band have
a legacy of great performances
with shows on Vegas’ famed
Fremont St. to Casino Feature
shows and more in between. So,
with that tiny bit of background, here we go...
see Don Rickles at the Sahara.
So, I suppose everything I
did and every thought I had
through my life manifested
itself to make that childhood
fantasy come true.
However, it wasn’t until my late
20s that I ever sang a note live
on stage. Having been a long-
haired rock drummer for over
ǮǭɱNJĘíƐƘɂɱQɱDŽíƘɱƤĸƐĽŔŔĘđɱƤŪɱǞşíŔŔNJɱ
get the opportunity to come up
front when a friend’s band was
in a bind and needed a singer.
They knew my dream had
always been to be one of these
ǡíŝĉŪNJíşƤɱİƐŪşƤɱŝĘşɁɱfĽőĘɱƤĸĘɱ
entertainers whose pictures I
had plastered all over my walls
throughout high school. From
David Lee Roth to Elvis and
Sammy Davis Jr.
I jumped at the chance and
photographs by David Mecey decided I needed a stage
persona other than my real
name, Chris Phillips. Due to the band being a New Wave 80s

1ɲ ĸƐĽƘɂɱíşɱŪĉǃĽŪƬƘɱǞƐƘƤɱƏƬĘƘƤĽŪşɱĽƘɱDŽĸĘƐĘɱíƐĘɱNJŪƬɱ
from and how did you come to make Las Vegas
your home, and is Zowie or Bowie your last name?
Las Vegas has always been the place I dreamed of living and
show, out of nowhere I simply said the name Zowie Bowie.
Because I’d never performed holding a mic or had experience
standing in front of a crowd, I was scared to death. Creating this
ĊĸíƐíĊƤĘƐɱçŪDŽĽĘɱŪDŽĽĘɱıíǃĘɱŝĘɱƤĸĘɱĊŪşǞđĘşĊĘɱƤŪɱĘƘƘĘşƤĽíŔŔNJɱ
hide behind this super exaggerated version of who I always

22
wanted to be. That was 1993.
Within a few months I started my own band and gave it that
name. And except for the COVID shutdown, I’ve performed
every single week for almost 30 years straight doing over 6000
shows.
It was in 2006 that the Fertitta family caught wind of us
I wanted nothing more than to someday become a Vegas
entertainer so I too could possibly make people feel that same
magical acceptance. Lastly, it was August 1980. I had never
experienced a real rock concert up to this point, let alone one
with the explosive power of Van Halen. And everything about a
rock monster named David Lee Roth. After that moment, there
was no turning back.

3ɲ
performing in a super cool
Nightclub in Scottsdale, AZ Why Vegas and not
called Barcelona. They offered Broadway or similar
us an opportunity that not because we’ve heard you
only changed my life but began have a zest for the big
my journey to becoming that band sounds of yesteryear
“Vegas Guy” I always wanted
along with respect for the
to be. We became their nightly
headliner at the then brand- famous crooners from
new Red Rock Resort & Casino. that era? Then due to that
After spending 13 years with zeal for those crooners,
Station Casinos, playing various we’ve heard you’ve done
properties up and down The shows in the past singing
Strip, 14 years performing in that style. Do you still
weekly concerts on the Fremont
Street Experience and now
offer those shows today,
beginning our 17th year here in and if you do, where can
Las Vegas, I can safely say my NJŪƬƐɱİíşƘɱǞşđɱƤĸĘŝɈɱ
dreams have become a reality. I am certainly a tremendous fan

2ɲ What experience or
person set you on
your path to becoming a
and great admirer of Broadway
style music, performers, and
productions. However, for me
personally… I’ve always been
singer? intrigued by performers who
First, it was those damn “Live were being themselves and
from Las Vegas” records Elvis giving the audience a glimpse
released, that my mother gave into who they really are. In
me. I devoured every nuance as all my years of performing
a kid imagining what it must I’ve always been 100% in the
have felt like to be performing in the Hilton Showroom. The moment by saying, singing, and moving any way I felt at that
second moment and something I point to as a gigantic pivotal time. I’ve never had a rehearsed script, or character I had to
point in my life, was when I got to go to that Hilton Showroom portray or choreography I had to follow. I enjoy performing
where Elvis performed. It was Tony Orlando in the late 70s my big band shows because it allows me to get considerably
walking off the stage and directly to our booth, shaking my more personal and engaged with the audience. The focus of
hand as he glowed in the bright spotlight saying “Welcome to this show is to be “entertaining” in the classic showroom
Las Vegas young man” that sealed the deal. From that moment sense, compared to my party show, which is intended more

23
for dancing, drinking, and getting “Wild in Vegas”. I love that I
get the opportunity to do our Zowie Bowie “Vegas Supper Club
Show” in the legendary Italian American Club Showroom. I will
ƍŪƘƤɱDŽĸĘƐĘɱNJŪƬɱĊíşɱǞşđɱƬƘɱƍĘƐİŪƐŝĽşıɱƤĸĘƘĘɱƘĸŪDŽƘɱíƤɱƤĸĘɱĘşđɱŪİɱ
this interview.
always felt it makes the show a more complete and interesting
performance.
From the very beginning, this show has never been about me or
our band. It’s been and will be forever about the audience who
comes to see us and my intent to make people happy. With this

4ɲ What type of music makes up your show when

you’re performing as
Zowie Bowie?
ƘíĽđɂɱQɥŝɱDŽĘĘőƘɱíDŽíNJɱİƐŪŝɱđĘĉƬƤĽşıɱƤĸĘɱǞƐƘƤɱşĘDŽɱĉíşđɱƍƐŪŎĘĊƤɱ
I’ve ever produced that is just
me. It will be a show performing
music I have always wanted to
We do high energy Top 40, Rock, do and never done before.
Hip-Hop party show music (for
which we are primarily known)
and our authentic Classic Vegas
big band show including the
dzɲ Chris, is there any
one show that stands
out in your mind as the
ZB Showgirls. I’m proud and most memorable, most
thrilled to have been voted “Best spectacular show you’ve
of Las Vegas” 10 times in the
ever done, either solo, or
LVRJ annual readers’ poll!
with another singer?
I love this city and it’s
fascinating and exciting There have been countless
history. I love classic Vegas amazing experiences and
entertainment and the memories from performing
personalities that made this over the last 30 years as Zowie
truly the Entertainment Capital Bowie. I’ve had the opportunity
of the world. I just pray I never to meet, experience, and get
have to grow up and go home. to know some truly amazing
people from all around the

5ɲ We know you feature

female singers in
your shows. Was that
world. However, if I was to pick
one show that might stick out
among all others would have to
be New Year’s Eve 2021, while
something you started
Las Vegas (and the world) was
after Zowie Bowie began, still locked down and socially
or were you doing duets nonexistent toward the end of
with female artists before the COVID shutdown.
the formation of the band? CBS had come to us months
QɱƘƤíƐƤĘđɱƬƘĽşıɱİĘŝíŔĘɱƘĽşıĘƐƘɱƐĽıĸƤɱŪİİɱƤĸĘɱĉíƤɱĽşɱŝNJɱǞƐƘƤɱƘĸŪDŽƘɱ prior asking us to produce a rather involved New Year’s Eve
30 years ago. One of the reasons is when you are a “cover band”, production so they could use us as their primary source of
it helps to be able to perform the important popular female songs entertainment coming out of Las Vegas. This would be broadcast
as well as the male songs. It didn’t exactly hurt my brand or make to a large portion of the USA and parts of Canada. The pressure,
ĽƤɱđĽİǞĊƬŔƤɱƤŪɱıĘƤɱíƤƤĘşƤĽŪşɱĉNJɱíŔDŽíNJƘɱĸíǃĽşıɱǃĘƐNJɱƤíŔĘşƤĘđɂɱíşđɱ costs, energy, and stress that went into preparing for this was
attractive gals in the mix. To this day, I’ve always had either a ƘĽışĽǞĊíşƤɱíşđɱƏƬĽƤĘɱŪǃĘƐDŽĸĘŔŝĽşıɁɱ
female co-star or female special guest in everything I do. I have

24
They asked me to pick whatever venue I thought most
appropriate. We assumed and made our plans based on Vegas
and the country being fully open and back in action by this date.
So, I approached Derek Stevens owner of the new Circa Hotel
Casino in downtown Vegas. He was scheduling their exciting
public grand opening on NYE, so I thought what an incredible
combination this could be!
It would be inside this amazing new property, broadcasting our
show “live” from their now world famous “Stadium Swim Pool”
ŪşɱƤĸĘɱƐŪŪİɱŪİɱƤĸĘɱĊíƘĽşŪɱǡŪŪƐɱŪşɱƤĸĘɱŝŪƘƤɱĘljĊĽƤĽşıɱşĽıĸƤɱŪİɱƤĸĘɱ
year. All eyes of the country would be tuned into Zowie Bowie
and Circa!
The initial intent was to perform to 1000s of ticketed party goers
ready to celebrate the hotel’s grand opening, the new year, and
our new freedom from being cooped up for so many months.
As the days and hours grew closer and with the fact there was
still no sign of businesses allowing large gatherings by late
December, a few days before the event a decision had to be made.
We either cancel altogether or perform to no one other than a
few camera crews and production people.
Then, only hours before the show we learned it was going to be
unseasonably cold, in the 20s, with extremely high winds. Yet, no
way was I was going to let CBS and Circa hotel down that night.
Once it was clear not one club, concert, or social gathering was
going to happen that night in Sin City, we realized we must be
the ones to single-handedly represent the maverick spirit of Las
Vegas to the world.
So, with zero rehearsal, armed with a 16-piece show band, our
brand new 4 showgirls and 8 dancers (whom we had never met
until that night). We went “Live from Las Vegas at Circa” on CBS
for two hours straight!
With hurricane winds creating a windchill of about 12 degrees
and not one of us playing a single note on stage for over 9
months, we felt the challenge. But most of all just how important
and memorable this show could be to all of us and those
watching that night.
Miraculously everything came together in front of millions
of people all around North America sitting on their couches
watching us here in Las Vegas. Frozen, half-dressed dancers
hit their marks with smiles on their faces. Professional
choreographed showgirls held onto their giant custom-made
feather hats like champs as they blew like sails on a ship in
stormy seas. And the horn players endured blowing into bitter
ĊŪŔđɱŝĘƤíŔɱŝŪƬƤĸƍĽĘĊĘƘɱDŽĸĽŔĘɱDŽíƤĊĸĽşıɱƤĸĘĽƐɱŝƬƘĽĊɱǡNJɱĽşƤŪɱ
the pool, yet, without missing a note. It was truly an odd, yet
ƘƬĊĸɱíşɱĽşĊƐĘđĽĉŔĘɱşĽıĸƤɱƤĸíƤɱĸĘŔđɱƘĽışĽǞĊíşƤɱĽŝƍŪƐƤíşĊĘɱİŪƐɱŝĘɱ
personally. We showed the world, Vegas will never die or shut
down!
Ǵɲ We know you perform all the time, but what is
on Zowie Bowie’s wish list, and where do you see
yourself and the band in the near and far future?
I suppose I’ve always been the type of person that has never had
íɱƘƍĘĊĽǞĊɱƍŔíşɱŪƐɱƘĊĸĘđƬŔĘɱƤŪɱŝNJɱŔĽİĘɁɱ-ǃĘƐNJƤĸĽşıɱQɱđŪɱĽƘɱĉíƘĘđɱŪşɱ
my current feeling about something. I will say this, I do have a
dream I’ve carried since I was a kid. It’s instincts I’m feeling at
any given moment that dictate what I do.
All I can say is that I pray I have the good fortune to stay on this
amazing ride I’m on being able to make people feel good and
put smiles on faces. With that said, I would love to do that in a
major showroom on The Strip with all the bells and whistles. An
amazing production with massive marketing, oh yes!
I’m still an optimistic kid with a dream that will never go away.
Upcoming Shows:
Zowie Bowie Party Band
Fremont Street Experience
Every Thu 10pm, Sat 11pm
Zowie Bowie “Vegas Big Band Show”
Italian American Club
Sun Apr 30th
Freedom Hall Theater
Sun City Anthem
Fri May 19th
Starbright Theater
Sun City Summerlin
Sat May 27th
25
26
Photographer
Priyank Nandwana
Mumbai, India

priyankknandwana

A s is often mentioned, we are on the lookout for talented photographers

out there wishing to have their work seen and recognized. Such is the case
with Priyank Nandwana a photographer from India brought to our attention
by a friend of David’s, Indian actress and model, Surabhi Prabhu.
She reached out to David asking if he might someday do a photo workshop in
India, an exotic locale he’s never been before. As they continued to talk about
it, she mentioned Priyank to David as someone who could possibly help him
put a workshop together there. Even more, to work as David’s assistant if that
could ever be arranged.
At the moment, David is considering the venture, yet it would certainly be
an enormous undertaking to make such a trip happen. But in the meantime,
David asked to see Priyank’s work with these images sent over for his review.
Here’s some background on photographer, Priyank Nandwana.
“I was born in Ahmedabad but did my training in Mumbai. I have come a
long way since my beginnings in photography. I feel I am both dedicated
and energetic and extremely well-versed with using advanced photography
equipment and techniques. I specialize in various types of photography
including fashion, nude, wildlife, lifestyle, ultraviolet, nature, street, black &
white and travel.”
From his bio Priyank is an established fashion and commercial photographer
based in Mumbai. He spent 4 years working in Thailand for various name
brands and doing editorial assignments.
He began his photography as a part time hobby while he was a fashion
choreographer who developed more of a love for photography, taking up the
profession as a full-time job.
Priyank’s body of work includes an array of Bollywood personalities from Shilpa Shetty to Malaika Arora, to Nora Fatehi and Kajol. From
Varun Dhawan to Aditya Roy Kapoor and Karishma Kapoor to Neetu Kapoor.
His commercial work includes working for such brands as FBB, Raymonds, Success, The Wedding Filmer, Shopper’s Stop, Killer Denim,
Exide battery, Kalamandir, KML Mall, Charu Jewelers, Siaram, Rolling Stones, Zippo lighters, and Man’s World magazine.
He has worked with the Miss India Association for the past 4 years, allowing him to both train and photograph the Miss India winners.
Which includes India’s Miss Universe winner, Harnaz Kaur Sandhu.
He has specialized in becoming a master of studio lighting while also creating beautiful images using only natural light. His vision is
simple, “to enhance the beauty of the subject while capturing the charm of the surroundings”.
27
28
29
 MODEL in the Middle
Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fritz
Photography by David Mecey

modelnicolefritz

W hen a model crosses David’s path, especially one that

stops him in his tracks, he’s not one to ever forget her.

David met Nikki when she was in her early 20s. And when he
đĽđɂɱĸĘɱĽşƘƤíşƤŔNJɱőşĘDŽɱƘĸĘɱĊŪƬŔđɱĉĘɱíɱƘƬƐĘɘǞƐĘɱ ŔíNJŝíƤĘɁɱÝĘƤɂɱ
being a Playmate was not in her wheelhouse. Was he sad?
Sure, a little. Did he walk away from her? No, because
he knew she had the look that could take her into other
work which might even fold over into some of his own
clients.

When they met, she was living in Chicago. For the longest
time she pondered a move to Florida.
So, her life was always one on
the move. Traveling around,
doing her modeling when
she could, she would on
occasion stop off in L.A.
(where David lived at the
time,) or later after he
moved, to Vegas.

Over the years they remained

in touch, with the occasional
photo shoot wherever worked
best for a location. From all the
images they did together, they
could probably do a book.

From swimwear to sportswear

fashion to beauty, they made
ƘŪŝĘɱƤĘƐƐĽǞĊɱƍĸŪƤŪıƐíƍĸƘɁɱŪƤĸɱ
he and Nikki used those pictures for

32
their portfolios and social media. But during all that time they never really went to
that place where Nikki was completely naked. She just didn’t feel it was right for her,
and David respected that.

But after the COVID pandemic, life changed around the world in so many ways. When
David told Nikki he was planning a short trip down to Miami to do some R&R and put
his head back together after “the year that never was”, she asked if she might drop by and
say ‘hello’. She happened to be building a house in Florida at that time.

David had also begun to think about doing his own magazine. So, when she arrived for
ĸĘƐɱǃĽƘĽƤɂɱĸĘɱƤŪŔđɱĸĘƐɱíŔŔɱíĉŪƬƤɱĽƤɁɱ×ĸĘşɱĸĘɱǞşĽƘĸĘđɂɱƘĸĘɱíƘőĘđɱĽİɱĸĘɱDŽŪƬŔđɱŔĽőĘɱĸĘƐɱ
to be one of his models. While she was open to posing totally nude, could he
still make it sexy with her wearing provocative wardrobe combined with her
nudity?
Nikki being totally nude during a photoshoot was not something they
had ever considered before. This was an opportunity to make some really

33
 seriously sexy photographs by pushing the envelope with
less outright nudity, thus leaving more to the imagination.
Challenge accepted!
The shoot took two whole days because David wanted to
make good use of the sun’s position relative to the hotel suite
window. For the night shots, David did his magic using only
two lights: his ring light strobe and a smaller battery powered
second strobe.
Light placement for the night photographs was critical as he
literally used the doors and furniture to direct light in ways that

34
created shadows or highlights. For the daylight photo
ƘĸŪŪƤƘɂɱĸĘɱDŽŪƬŔđɱƬƘĘɱƤĸĘɱƘƤƐŪĉĘƘɱíƘɱĘĽƤĸĘƐɱíɱƘŪİƤɱǞŔŔɱ
light or in many of the bed photos as an edge or hair
light.

David would discover for this shoot, that leaving more

to the imagination could be sexier than outright full
frontal nudity, the viewer would be left to imagine
what they could not see. This is one of the principal
reasons Instagram is so successful today.

Both David and Nikki feel a sense of “Mission:

Accomplished” with this MODEL in the Middle
pictorial.

35
36
37
38
39
April’s MODEL In The Middle — Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fritz

Photograph by David Mecey

42
43
44
45
 I home having a higher level of protection. Some of the
¸ĸĘɱpíNJǡŪDŽĘƐɱ«ƤŪƐNJ homes feature plaques on the front acknowledging that
certain Captains and people of note in seafaring once lived
One of America’s (and England’s) Most Famous Ships there. (More about one of these gents later).
One thing about Britain is that we take great pride in
Story by Mark Thomas our history with numerous national associations who
manage our heritage in all forms. The National Trust is

O n the east coast of England in the county of Essex you

DŽĽŔŔɱǞşđɱƤĸĘɱƬşíƘƘƬŝĽşıɱƤŪDŽşɱŪİɱLíƐDŽĽĊĸɁ
one great example which takes on the role of managing
and sustaining sites from simple historic cottages to grand
Rothschild mansions that have been donated to them. (If
It is estimated that today approximately 20 to 30 million you are ever in the UK, make sure you visit some of these
Americans have a link to this very small town.
Unless you are familiar with seaports
or naval history you will most likely not
have heard of it. It is however a place
ŪİɱƘĽışĽǞĊíşƤɱĸĽƘƤŪƐNJɱíşđɱíƐĊĸĽƤĘĊƤƬƐĘɁɱ
The whole of the old town of Harwich
is a conservation area except for parts
of the dockyard which are under
development. As you drive into Harwich
you will pass through the more modern
town. Much of it made up of homes
and buildings dating from the 50’s to
the 90’s. Any tourist passing through
today wouldn’t pay much attention to it
but when you eventually reach the old
town the character changes completely.
Like most coastal towns in England,
particularly those that are not located
close to London or the more culturally
developed areas, many appear to be
quite run down. In the case of Harwich’s
old town, it does add some charm. It
wasn’t always the case. Yet Harwich
was once a very wealthy place with
prosperous merchants and traders.
A few historic homes within the old
town are listed as either Grade I or
Grade II, which means any alterations
or improvements to these homes must
be carefully considered, with a Grade

46
wonderful places). require real determination
and a mentality of
The town of Harwich is very
desperation. The seas around
old, its recorded charter dates to
Britain can be treacherous,
1238, however there is evidence
strong winds in particular
it was settled and populated
have hampered even the
even earlier than that. Situated
ŔíƐıĘƘƤɱŪİɱDŽíƐƤĽŝĘɱǡĘĘƤƘɁɱ
on a strategic part of the coast
And the waters are cold and
with access to the river Stour
unforgiving with short trips
and the Humber, it has long
across to France and Holland
been a point of safe anchorage
ƍŪƘĽşıɱƘĽışĽǞĊíşƤɱƐĽƘőɁɱ
ɱƤƐĽƍɱ
for mariners, and in 1657 it
across the North Atlantic
became a naval base. The Dutch
was seen as a gamble.
“Prince of Orange” attempted to
take the town due to its strategic These Pilgrims were
ƘĽışĽǞĊíşĊĘɱĉƬƤɱDŽíƘɱĸíŝƍĘƐĘđɱ however desperate. They
by strong winds. From the believed that the Church
Napoleonic wars to World of England was beyond
War II, Harwich was vitally redemption due to its links
important to the defense of to the Roman Catholic
England and today many of the history it had embraced.
old forts and gun batteries remain along the sea wall. Unlike the Puritans who believed that the Church of
England could be reformed, the Pilgrims chose to abandon
The character of the town today is quite humble. There
it rather than pursue any protest for reformation. These
isn’t much in terms of industry here even with the port of
Pilgrims had tried to establish communities in Holland
Harwich a short distance away which handles commercial
which at the time was
shipping and runs ferries to the
receptive and accepting
Hook of Holland. It doesn’t seem
of people of differing
to attract many people in terms
faith. They were allowed
of international tourism but for
to live as they pleased
a quick weekend visit it is one of
and practice their puritan
my favorite places to go.
form of Protestantism. It
There are regular visitors to wouldn’t remain safe for
see the Ha’Penny wooden long. With pressure from
pier which is one of the few English religious authorities
remaining in England. and internal forces within
Holland, these separate
In 1620 a group of 102 English churches began to feel the
Pilgrims set sail for the New approaching storm that was
World with approximately 30 gathering pace, oppression
ĊƐĘDŽɁɱ¸ĸĽƘɱDŽíƘɱíɱƘĽışĽǞĊíşƤɱ seemed to be on the horizon.
undertaking for these people, Life was also very hard for
as seafaring in this year wasn’t this religious group with
for the faint of heart. It would

47
the work they undertook landing in The New
being backbreaking and World.
relentless. Many worked
On the 16th of
on farms or in the wool
September 1620
cleaning industry. These
the passengers on
“radicals” were now
board the Speedwell
convinced that the New
joined the already
World was the answer.
heavily loaded
Upon learning that and overcrowded
they would soon be píNJǡŪDŽĘƐɁɱ¸ĸĘNJɱƘĘƤɱŪİİɱ
apprehended by the into what were initially
authorities, many families calm seas, weather was
left in the middle of good, and the winds
the night led by their were in their favor. The
ĊĸƬƐĊĸɱŔĘíđĘƐɱbŪĸşɱ£ŪĉĽşƘŪşɁɱ¸ĸĘɱǞƐƘƤɱŔĘıɱŪİɱƤĸĘɱƤƐĽƍɱƤŪɱ journey was smooth until they ran into storms that ravaged
England was undertaken from Leiden upon a ship called the ship constantly, the sails were unable to be used and
the Speedwell. Not all the families were able to board the they were forced to openly drift as the risk of damage to the
ship, many didn’t have enough provisions or funds, and masts was too high. With a scared and under-resourced
many remained to help those left behind. The younger and crew things could have turned out far worse. In total they
healthier of the group were encouraged to proceed on their only suffered one fatality and on the 21st of November
own with the goal of the others to follow in the coming 1620 they set anchor at Cape Cod Hook, today known as
months. Provincetown Harbor.
John Robinson himself remained behind to help those who ¸ĸĘɱpíNJǡŪDŽĘƐɱĸíđɱİíƐĘđɱDŽĘŔŔɁɱQƤɱDŽíƘɱĊíƍƤíĽşĘđɱĉNJɱ
could not make the journey. The idea of heading to the New Christopher Jones who was born in Harwich and from
World was his and he used the analogy of the Israelites íɱƘĘíİíƐĽşıɱíşđɱƘĸĽƍɱŪDŽşĽşıɱİíŝĽŔNJɁɱ¸ĸĘɱpíNJǡŪDŽĘƐɱĽƘɱ
escaping Babylon to head to Jerusalem. believed to have been built in Harwich and this presented
the opportunity for Christopher Jones to purchase a share
The second ship that was
in its ownership. The ship
chartered was called the
prior to its historic voyage
píNJǡŪDŽĘƐɁɱ¸ĸĽƘɱƘĸĽƍɱDŽíƘɱƤŪɱ
was used for primarily
rendezvous with the Speedwell
commercial purposes and
in Southampton, Hampshire.
after it returned to England
The two ships carrying the
it was decommissioned
Pilgrims and ample provisions
DŽĽƤĸĽşɱǞǃĘɱNJĘíƐƘɁ
would then embark on the
treacherous trip across the For the Pilgrims who
North Atlantic. The trip was to landed, it was to be a
be hazardous from the outset brutal winter. Around half
with the Speedwell springing of the people that arrived
a total of 3 leaks on separate perished from disease and
occasions resulting in costs that starvation due to them
ate into the group’s resources being unprepared for the
that had been saved for the winters that lay ahead. An

48
experience shared by many who attempted to colonize
or join those already in North America. With the help of
the indigenous population, the remaining Pilgrims and
other passengers were able to survive.
The United States has a foundation which is dedicated
ƤŪɱƤƐíĊőĽşıɱƤĸĘɱŔĽşĘíıĘɱŪİɱpíNJǡŪDŽĘƐɱđĘƘĊĘşđíşƤƘɱíşđɱ
ƤĸĘNJɱĸíǃĘɱíɱpíNJǡŪDŽĘƐɱ«ŪĊĽĘƤNJɱĽşɱíŔŔɱDzǭɱƘƤíƤĘƘɁɱ
DŽDŽDŽɁŝíNJǡŪDŽĘƐƘŪĊĽĘƤNJɁŪƐı

Other references:
DŽDŽDŽɁŝíNJǡŪDŽĘƐDZǭǭƬőɁŪƐı
DŽDŽDŽɁĸíƐDŽĽĊĸíşđđŪǃĘƐĊŪƬƐƤɁĊŪɁƬőɎƤĸĘɘŝíNJǡŪDŽĘƐɎ

49
Having Fun in Men’s Clothes
by David Mecey
maceooshirts

dianapeckk

T o men, it’s no small rumor that women enjoy wearing ‘our’ clothes when
‘visiting’ us guys. As history has shown, doing photoshoots with women
wearing a man’s white dress shirt, or for that matter any part of a man’s
wardrobe, has been ‘a thing’ for a very long time. And David told us he’s done
more than his fair share of those kinds of photoshoots, and they can become
seriously sexy...
So, we thought, wouldn’t it be fun to take a woman into a high-end men’s
store, have her wear a few of her favorite panty and bra sets underneath and
play dress up in men’s wardrobe. And that’s what we did.
With the help of dear friend and store partner, Ricci Lopez, of the immensely
popular MACEOO men’s (and women’s) store located inside the Aria Resort
and Casino right here in Las Vegas, we set our pictorial in play. We brought in
model, Diana Peck as our dress-up subject.
Diana is a 23-year-old model, dancer, choreographer, and cocktail server.
She was born in Honolulu
Hawaii, grew up in
Anchorage Alaska, and
moved to Las Vegas in 2017
where she attended the
University of Nevada Las
Vegas.
She graduated in May 2022
with dual bachelor’s degrees
in Dance Performance /
Choreography and Business
píşíıĘŝĘşƤɂɱĽşĊŔƬđĽşıɱíɱĊĘƐƤĽǞĊíƤĘɱQşɱ ĽŔíƤĘƘɁɱ
She is currently dancing, modeling and serving up cocktails in Las Vegas,
DŽĸĘƐĘɱƘĸĘɱíƘƍĽƐĘƘɱƤŪɱĊŪşƤĽşƬĘɱƤŪɱıƐŪDŽɱĽşɱíŔŔɱǰɱƍƐŪİĘƘƘĽŪşƘɁɱƬƤɱƘƍĘĊĽǞĊíŔŔNJɱĽşɱ
the world of dance where she aspires to be full time in a Las Vegas show or
a professional dance company. Her dream is to own her own dance studio
to share her passion for dance performance with future generations.
Now let’s follow Ricci as he guides Diana with some incredible choices,
from suits, to glasses, to shoes.

50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
 How It Was Done
Having Fun in Men’s Clothes
by David Mecey The Gear
F or the photo shoot inside Canon 5D Mk IV
MACEOO men’s (and they Sigma 24-105 ƒ/4 Art Lens
have women’s items too) store Canon 70-200 Zoom ƒ/2.8
at the Aria Resort and Casino, Westcott FJ200 strobe ( 1 )
ƤĸĘɱǞƐƘƤɱƍƐŪĉŔĘŝɱDŽíƘɱDŽĸĘşɱƤŪɱ
Rollei HS Freeze 6s strobes ( 3 )
do the shoot. It was obvious
it had to be after closing time, Hensel Porty with Ring Flash
which meant the photo shoot Sekonic L-358 light meter
could not start until 10 pm, at ¼ CTO warming gel
the earliest. With the toughest ColorChecker Passport color card
part getting the gear into the
store, go to park, then make
my way back to do set up.
The evening began for us
a few hours before at 7:30
pm, with makeup artist,
Britney Wimple doing
Diana’s makeup and hair
at my home. Once that was
complete, we made our
way down to the Strip, a
20-minute drive from my
house.
With the Valet guys cutting me some slack (yes, tipping helps) the unload went
smoothly, all things considered. Once I made my way back from parking (a
ĸĽőĘɓɂɱQɱĉĘıíşɱƤŪɱƘĘƤɱƬƍɱİŪƐɱƤĸĘɱǞƐƘƤɱƘĸŪƤɂɱDŽĸĽĊĸɱDŽíƘɱ%ĽíşíɱĉĘĽşıɱĸĘŔƍĘđɱĉNJɱƘƤŪƐĘɱ
partner, Ricci Lopez, to pick out a few items to try on.
For all the shots I used four strobes, all battery powered. My Hensel ring light
DŽŪƬŔđɱĉĘɱŝNJɱőĘNJɂɱŪşĘɱŪİɱŝNJɱ£ŪŔŔĘĽɱdzǭǭɘDŽíƤƤɱƬşĽƤƘɱĽşɱĉíƐĘɱĉƬŔĉɱƘĘƤƬƍɱíƘɱíɱǞŔŔɱ
light, another Rollei 600-watt unit in the background, also in bare bulb with
a warming gel over it. Then one tiny 200-watt Westcott unit serving as a nice
ƘĘƍíƐíƤĽŪşɱŔĽıĸƤɁɱ¸ĸĘɱ×ĘƘƤĊŪƤƤɱŔĽıĸƤɱQɱƍŔíĊĘđɱŪşɱƤĸĘɱǡŪŪƐɱƤŪɱĊƐĘíƤĘɱíɱĸĽıĸŔĽıĸƤɎ
separation light from the back.
From this portion of the store, we moved further back into the VIP room. A
İíĽƐŔNJɱŔíƐıĘɱƐŪŪŝɱǞŔŔĘđɱDŽĽƤĸɱíɱŔŪƤɱŪİɱđíƐőɱİƬƐşĽƤƬƐĘɱíşđɱDŽŪŪđĘşɱƤíĉŔĘƘɂɱíŔŔɱ This page and facing page: In these 3 photographs, you see the set up
absorbing light. I rated my camera’s ISO at 400 for the entire photo shoot QɱƬƘĘđɱİŪƐɱŪƬƐɱǞƐƘƤɱƍĸŪƤŪƘɁɱpNJɱƐĽşıɱŔĽıĸƤɱŪşɱíɱɤɥɱƘƤíşđɂɱŝNJɱĉíƐĘɱĉƬŔĉɱ
ĉŪƬşĊĘđɱŪİİɱƤĸĘɱǡŪŪƐɱíƘɱŝNJɱǞŔŔɂɱƤĸĘşɱƤŪɱƤĸĘɱŔĘİƤɱĽşɱĉíĊőɂɱíşŪƤĸĘƐɱĉíƐĘɱĉƬŔĉɱ
allowing myself a way to utilize some of the store’s ambient light by slowing ŔĽıĸƤɱİŪƐɱǞŔŔɱĉĘĸĽşđɱƤĸĘɱĊŔŪƤĸĘƘɁ

58
my shutter down to 1/60th second for most all the shots.
In the room I used my ring light to become the sun pouring through a window.
To do this I placed it further back, turned up the volume (the power) then
íđđĘđɱŪşĘɱŪİɱŝNJɱĉíƐĘɱĉƬŔĉɱ£ŪŔŔĘĽɱŔĽıĸƤƘɱŪİİɱƤŪɱƤĸĘɱƘĽđĘɱƤŪɱıĽǃĘɱŝĘɱíɱşĽĊĘɱǞŔŔɱŔĽıĸƤɱ
ɒƘŪİƤĘşĽşıɱƤĸĘɱƘĸíđŪDŽƘɓɁɱQɱƍŔíĊĘđɱƤĸĘɱŪƤĸĘƐɱ£ŪŔŔĘĽɱŪşɱƤĸĘɱǡŪŪƐɱĽşɱƤĸĘɱĉíĊőɱíƘɱ
another highlight-separation light. Then I placed my tiny 200-watt Westcott
ŪşɱƤĸĘɱǡŪŪƐɱĉĘĸĽşđɱƤĸĘɱĊŪİİĘĘɱƤíĉŔĘɱíƘɱíşŪƤĸĘƐɱĸĽıĸŔĽıĸƤɱƘĘƍíƐíƤĽŪşɱŔĽıĸƤɁ
I should mention I was shooting all evening at an aperture of ƒ/5.6 @ 1/60th
second on my Canon 5D Mk IV camera.
In the VIP room, I changed from my Canon 70-200 zoom to my Sigma Art Lens,
24-105 ƒ/4 so I could use its wide angle for effect. I really love the closeups of
Diana and Ricci with that lens in this setting. Again, ƒ/5.6 for the aperture.
After capturing what I felt was a good representation of images in the room,
DŽĘɱDŽĘşƤɱƤŪɱŪƬƐɱǞşíŔɱƘĘƤƬƍɱĽşɱƤĸĘɱĊĸíşıĽşıɱíƐĘíɱŪİɱƤĸĘɱƘƤŪƐĘɁɱLĘƐĘɥƘɱDŽĸĘƐĘɱ
having a mirror can either be a total nightmare, or, if you work it correctly, an
aid in how you light.
For the photos of Diana solo, I placed the ring light pointing at her straight
ƤŪDŽíƐđɱƤĸĘɱŝĽƐƐŪƐɁɱ
ŔƘŪɂɱƤĸĘɱ£ŪŔŔĘĽɱĉíƐĘɱĉƬŔĉɱǞŔŔɱŔĽıĸƤɱđĽƐĘĊƤŔNJɱĉĘŔŪDŽɱĽƤɁɱ¸ĸĘşɱ
QɱƍŔíĊĘđɱƤĸĘɱŪƤĸĘƐɱ£ŪŔŔĘĽɱŔĽıĸƤɱŪşɱƤĸĘɱĉŔíĊőɱǡŪŪƐɱĽşɱíɱĸíŔŔDŽíNJɱƤŪɱƤĸĘɱƐĽıĸƤɱ

ƤɱİŪƐɱƤĸĘɱǡŪŪƐɁ
ĸĘɱ×ĘƘƤĊŪƤƤɱǯǭǭɘDŽíƤƤɱƘƤƐŪĉĘɱíƘɱŝNJɱĸĽıĸŔĽıĸƤɱíşđɱĉíĊőŔĽıĸ
¸ĸĘɱƍŪƘĽƤĽŪşɱŪİɱƤ
59
íşđɱŝNJɱ×ĘƘƤĊŪƤƤɱƘƤƐŪĉĘɱŪşɱƤĸĘɱǡŪŪƐɱƤŪɱƤĸĘɱŔĘİƤɱĉŪƬşĊĘđɱŪƬƤɱŪİɱíşŪƤĸĘƐɱŝĽƐƐŪƐɁɱ
Both these lights would remain there to serve as side, edge lights.
I made my shooting position just off axis to the mirror which prevented me
from seeing my ring and Rollei light, as well, by placing the ring to shoot into
the mirror, the mirror allowed my subject to be backlit. And when shooting
ĽşƤŪɱƤĸĘɱŝĽƐƐŪƐɱƤŪɱŔĽıĸƤɱĸĘƐɱİíĊĘɥƘɱƐĘǡĘĊƤĽŪşɂɱQɱƍŔíĊĘđɱŝNJɱőĘNJɱŔĽıĸƤɱíŔƘŪɱíĽŝĘđɱ
straight into the mirror. The bounce back from the light into the mirror
illuminated her face.
Again, I used my 24-105 lens in order to stretch the scene a bit allowing me
to move in close to my subjects and produce a

In the picture above, I show where I

placed my ring light as my key in the
VIP room. Notice my iPad on the sofa
which I have connected via Wi-Fi to
my camera to view my images instantl
y and much larger on its screen. In the
background I’ve pointed out there is
a mirror which I had to be aware whi
shooting so as not photograph myself le
into the pictures.

şɂɱíĽŝĘđɱíƤɱƤĸĘɱǡŪŪƐɁɱ
¸ĸĘɱƍŪƘĽƤĽŪşɱŪİɱŝNJɱǞŔŔɱŔĽıĸƤɱĽşɱƤĸĘɱÖQ ɱƐŪŪŝɂɱíıíĽ
60
 Above,
you see
strobe, the pos
ition of
ŔíNJĽşıɱŪ in bare bulb m m
şɱƤĸĘɱǡŪ ode, wit y other Rollei
ŪƐɱĉĘĸĽş h a war
đɱƤĸĘɱĊĸ ming ge
íĽƐɁɱ l

Above, I placed the

tiny Westcott light on
ƤĸĘɱǡŪŪƐɱíşđɱƬƘĘđɱƤĸĘɱƘŝíŔŔɱ
stool as a gobo to prevent the
light from striking my model’s face,
but rather, as a lower edge light.

Rollei light in relation to the where

This better shows the position of my
the subject would be on the sofa. 61
slight stretch effect to the picture. I love a tiny bit
of distortion sometimes to give an image a more
cinematic look.
¸ĸíƤɥƘɱĸŪDŽɱĽƤɱDŽíƘɱđŪşĘɁɱ×ĘɱǞşĽƘĸĘđɱíŔŔɱƍĸŪƤŪıƐíƍĸNJɱ
and wrapped just before 1 a.m., which meant we
only did actual photography for some 2 hrs or less.
Not bad for moving around the store and doing resets
ĉNJɱŝNJƘĘŔİɁɱDŪƐɱƤĸĘɱƐĘĊŪƐđɂɱQɱƬƘĘđɱŝNJɱǡíƘĸɱŝĘƤĘƐɱĽşɱ
ĘíĊĸɱĊíƘĘɱŝíőĽşıɱĽƤɱDŽĸĘƐĘɱƤĸĘɱǃĘƐNJɱǞƐƘƤɱƤĘƘƤɱƍĽĊƤƬƐĘɂɱ
what I call my Digi-Roid, nearly right on. Just little
tweaks to the back lights for position was all that was
needed in most all the setups.

62
 ha ŝɱ
o b e, wit ŔĽıĸƤɱİƐŪ
r
lei st Ęɱ
ɱĘđı
t h e r Rol ŪƐɱíƘɱíş
¸ĸĘɱƍŪƘĽƤĽŪşɱŪİɱŝ he o ĘɱǡŪ
facing directly to
NJɱƐĽşıɱŔĽıĸƤɱíşđɱǞ
ŔŔɱŔĽıĸƤɱíƘɱQɱĸíđɱĽƤ p l a ced t ĘŔɂɱŪşɱƤĸ
ward the mirror ɱ I Ľşıɱı
in the changing
area. DŽíƐŝ ht.
ig
the r

I used the tiny Westcott light as an edge light in the changing area by
ĸíǃĽşıɱĽƤɱƍŪĽşƤĘđɱĽşƤŪɱƤĸĘɱŝĽƐƐŪƐɱDŽĸĽĊĸɱDŽŪƬŔđɱƘƍƐĘíđɱíşđɱƐĘǡĘĊƤɱƤĸĘɱŔĽıĸƤɱ
from the left side of the image.
63
 A Loving Look Back
Collette Brawner
Gorgeous Model, Dear Friend,
Gone Forever, But Forever Remembered

by David Mecey

A s excited as we are about our

2nd year of publishing that
begins this month, there is someone
I’ve wanted to honor with a tribute
for a long time. Who she was to
me and our model-photographer
relationship during the time she
was still with us on this earth.
In fact, in our premiere issue last
NJĘíƐɂɱQɱĊŪşƤĘŝƍŔíƤĘđɱŝíőĽşıɱŝNJɱǞƐƘƤɱfŪǃĽşıɱfŪŪőɱíĊőɱíĉŪƬƤɱ
her, but felt it wasn’t yet the time. But now, after publishing a
dozen issues with a variety of my ‘life’s moments’ now shared,
and since this month and year marks her 8th year passing, I feel
the moment is now.
As my life continues down its ever-circuitous path, it has
included a vast
number of people with
whom I’ve had the
honor and pleasure to
know, including many
being loves of my life.
Both gained and lost.
Some of those loves were quite intense in a physical way, then
there were just as many who were the dearest of friends only, but
with whom I also loved as well. With a handful of those platonic
loves even ending up as roommates. This tribute is about one of
those friends, a model, and her name was Collette Brawner.
Well over a decade ago while still living in LA, through an actor
friend of mine I was put in touch with a gentleman who was
dating Collette. Chuck, the boyfriend, told me Collette wanted
to be submitted to Playboy and he would pay me to do a photo
shoot so she could submit it as her test.
We put it together then set the date. To be honest, we did two

64
đĽİİĘƐĘşƤɱƍĸŪƤŪɱƘĸŪŪƤƘɁɱ¸ĸĘɱǞƐƘƤɱDŽíƘɱ
at my small loft studio apartment in
Marina del Rey, then afterward when
I felt we needed more pictures, at a
location that had a swimming pool and
larger interior.
I’m often asked, David, what is your
most favorite photograph you’ve ever
taken? To answer such a question
would literally be me lying if I said I
have only one favorite picture. There’s
no way I can choose just one. Because
to be quite honest, I have hundreds of
favorite photographs. In fact, more like
thousands.
My life has always been about
photography and making every
photograph I do ‘the one’. Or at least,
attempting to make it ‘the one’. Which
allows me the opportunity to create an
enormous number of beautiful pictures.
Yet in no way is there one photograph
that overshadows all the rest. But there
is one of my photographs of Collette,
taken the 2nd time we worked together,
and what many viewers have said
ƍĘƐƘŪşĽǞĘƘɱŝNJɱDŽŪƐőɂɱĊŪŝĘƘɱĊŔŪƘĘɁ
The picture of her in a white lounge
chair by the pool with her porcelain skin
ranks very high on my favorites’ list.
Add in those others you see here, if there
were ever a model who might be labeled
David’s Muse, I would admit it would
have been Collette.
She’s one of my all-time favorite models
with whom I’ve worked. And the fact
she lived with me for a short while made
it even more special. Because at the drop
of a hat I could say to her, “Hey Collettie
(my nickname for her), want to shoot
some pretty pictures?” And she’d be
ready to leave in a heartbeat. In fact, I
remember one morning when we were
up on our balcony in Marina Del Rey,

65
66
both of us just waking up. She’s got no makeup on, hair
pulled back into a bun, but as the morning light struck
her face, just beautiful. I told her, “Wait, let me get my
camera!” All she did was laugh, yet waited for me to
return to photograph her while we were both still in our
PJs. And that’s just one of the many qualities that made
her special.
The images you see here are only a handful of my
favorites of her, which I know were many of her favorites
as well. Which is why I’m sharing them with you. I know
she would love the fact I am sharing her with the world.
The photographs she loved and by the photographer she
loved to work with. And how do I know this? She literally
called me only days prior to her passing just to tell me
that very thing. And what a special call that was, while
also being so sad now as I think back about it.

They will forever be her last photographs she and I did. Because as
of April 2023, her tragic passing will be eight years ago. A tragedy
that begs for her memory to always be shared and remembered.
My only wish, that the foul play that took her away at such an early
age someday come to light, and justice be done. In closing, may this
tribute to my beautiful friend be read and remembered.

67
 My dearest Collettie, may you forever rest in
Heavenly peace and know that I will never forget
“” your talent, your kindness, your beauty, and your
sweetness. Nor will the world. –David

68
69
70
71
 Your
Sneak
Peek

72
Phew! We made it through year one!

T ĸĽƘɱĽƘƘƬĘɱŝíƐőƘɱƤĸĘɱǞƐƘƤɱíşşĽǃĘƐƘíƐNJɱŪİɱp-.ɱ
Magazine! We have made a few changes that we hope
you like. Again, we’d like to take a moment to thank
Kenji Kita, our departing art director, for getting us up
íşđɱƐƬşşĽşıɱŪƬƐɱǞƐƘƤɱNJĘíƐɁɱQşĊŪŝĽşıɱĽƘɱŪƬƐɱNJĘíƐɘƤDŽŪɱ
art director, Ian Branson, who brings some media
background to the party. We sincerely hope you
like the new changes he has introduced.

We also want to extend a hearty “Thank you,”

to you readers for making us your go-to lifestyle
magazine. We will continue to bring you many
more of our gorgeous MODELS In The Middle
along with lots of other interesting stuff.

Coming in the next issue...

Say hello to Leslie McClure!

This absolutely stunning blonde will grace the

pages of the May issue in a pictorial that is sure
to please. David is surely the master of the genre
and always brings his A-game to every shoot.
We are tremendously proud to bring Leslie’s
beauty to you. Stay tuned...

Since this is a sneak peek, we’d be remiss if we didn’t

mention the name of our May MODEL in the Middle!
A gorgeous (of course!) blonde, from St Louis, you’ll
meet Megan. We won’t say much more, other than,
May can’t come soon enough!

73
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, David Mecey
editor-in-chief@mecemagazine.com

Art Director, Ian Branson

artdirector@mecemagazine.com

Submissions
submissions@mecemagazine.com

mecemagazine.com

MECÉ Magazine, Inc.

10300 W. Charleston Blvd
Suite 13-457
Las Vegas, Nevada 89135

mecemagazine

mecemag