Koko Divine Barno
Elegance. Force. Grace.
Model, Muse and the first Black Trans Woman Kick-boxing Champion of France.
Filmed in Miami, it was such an honor to dance together, collaborate and capture her incredible story.
Forever in awe of you ❤️
Part 1 of 2
Film and edit by DaGe (@gabrielchen_ )
Styling by Cynthia Franco
Sent Clay a dm across the Atlantic that I thought she was awesome and we should work. A music video later, I can report she was indeed awesome. #oneofthemones #rockstar #homie4life
ALL IS(LUV) 🧎🪽 @claynationwtf
#claynation
Dir & Edit @gabrielchen_
I first began my series of light tattoos last year in my bedroom, with my girlfriend at the time.
I discovered the effect by chance—the morning after a party—which is probably why I forgot about it and never thought to develop it further.
I still go out dancing all night but since then I’ve moved house, and we’re no longer together.
Last month, I got home and saw the sunlight cutting my body through the blinds again.
I’ll be real, it spun me into a minor existential crisis as I reflected on all the changes in my life.
Same body, same sun—but people and places come and go.
I’m sad, grateful and happy all at the same time.
Love is familiar.
My grandparents were born in the 1930s. Can we even imagine all that they have seen? How unfamiliar the world must feel now.
They rarely leave the house.
But they are happy.
They are healthy. And that’s enough.
Love lives in the small things.
In Nai Nai’s elephant eyes.
Yeye carefully copying directions by hand so a friend could find his way.
The first time I saw them express physical affection.
Fruit cut into perfect slices.
Mastery of wok and steamer .
Family trees researched daily, one branch at a time.
Yeye using a hairdryer to remove the damp in Nainai’s lungs when she had a cough.
Calligraphy to keep dementia away.
In everyday bickering.
In hands that tremble —
until they hold a knife,
and become steady to cutting fruit for us.
A film dedicated to my grandparents and the small things.
Thank you to @dorjee.liangmei for creating such a beautiful original score
Thank you to @avalorentzen for giving me the chance to debut and screen the film at @reposoir this summer in New York
