Think CONTRA is a collaborative arts hub, a network of photographers, artists, designers, stylists, musicians, and writers approaching culture face-forward — by creating it. Since launching in 2008, we have become a select platform for discovery and multimedia alliance, a creative laboratory between for like-minded innovators. We provide the direct link between emerging and established artists, and an audience searching for something unexpected. We think art should question and provoke, and that we’re in a position to evolve the dialogue between media and culture in a truly progressive direction. Whether through collaborative features with carefully selected cultural pioneers, or via our own network, CONTRA TV, our focus is specific: creatives in conversation with other creatives, transforming the way we experience the modern world through design, sound and disruption. We believe in ideas, innovation and integration. We are here to show you what’s next.

Stranger on the Third Floor

Stranger on the Third Floor

Photographer: Mackenzie Duncan Stylist: Kelly Brown Retoucher: Jeffrey Scott Fogarty Model: Neelia w/ Fusion Models NYC Makeup: Ingeborg at Opus Beauty using Bite Beauty Hair: Lacy Redway at See Management Assistants: Janelle Olsen & Nicole Steacy Equipment provided by ROOT Studios
Insomnia by Dan Crosby Badlands by Richard Dubois Down Time LA by Steven Burton La Femme Parallel by Chris Steinbach
Suave Like Sauvé – Sebastian Sauvé

Suave Like Sauvé – Sebastian Sauvé

We picked a model’s brain to see if there was anything in there and it turns out that Sebastian Sauvé (Premier London) is more than just a pretty boy. Even if he is the ultimate model-photographer cliche. I mean when you look like this, you have to ride the wave, any which way it goes. [...] >>
The BLVCK SCVLE Theory

The BLVCK SCVLE Theory

A tinge of Soho, a pinch of Fifth Ave, a linger of Rodeo Drive. This physically describes Black Scale NYC, a just-down-the-road yet out of the way menswear destination. On a slate grey cobblestone street in the city that never sleeps,  a sliding door entrance opens to a polished all-black-everything ‘man cave’ if you will. [...] >>
Ink Philosophy: Jun Cha

Ink Philosophy: Jun Cha

23-year-old L.A. tattoo artist Jun Cha is an amalgam of all things creative. He’s an illustrator, a painter, a photographer, a fashion designer having memorable collaborations with brands like Black Scale and The Hundreds under his belt, and more. It takes skill, time and patience to dip your toes in everything, but most importantly, discipline. [...] >>
Jay Strut

Jay Strut

It’s not about who you know. It’s about knowing who you are. And strutting your stuff. That’s kind of what I’ve gathered from Jay Strut, a Toronto-based fashion blogger. We’re still getting used to this term and it’s definition, much to the annoyance of established fashion journalists and editors, who work to keep fashions’ gates [...] >>
Honest to Goodness Mr. Dougie

Honest to Goodness Mr. Dougie

Honest Ed’s is synonymous with ‘landmark’ for most Toronto residents. They know it’s the spot for the best deals on cheap products, for nearly every facet of your life. Located on Bloor and Bathurst Sts, in the safe, culturally vibrant Annex neighbourhood, the one-of-a-kind retail space lights up like a 1940′s Hollywood movie trailer. Oozing [...] >>
Jason Ierace – Gun For Hire

Jason Ierace – Gun For Hire

Finding cool stuff online is like making rapid fire but unrelated connections in your brain – one second you’re thinking about puppies and the next you’re contemplating life on Mars. How does it happen? Random. But interesting. Stream of conscious. Starting out with lord only knows what at this point, I skipped across photographer Jason [...] >>