We first met Demián Bichir four years ago, when he was in New York with his then-girlfriend, who we were photographing for our premiere issue of Corduroy. Though he is a major movie and television star in his native Mexico, Bichir was happy to stay on the sidelines that day four years ago, preferring to let his girlfriend be the focus of the shoot. Still, we were charmed by his charismatic personality and genuineness, and — without knowing much about his career — asked to also snap a few quick portraits of him later that day. He happily obliged.

Fast forward to 2012 and Bichir is earning raves for his role in last year’s Chris Weitz-directed, “A Better Life” – a film that follows an undocumented immigrant as he struggles to provide for his son amongst the harsh realities of day-to-day life in East L.A. The highlight for Bichir came when he was nominated for a SAG Award, alongside George Clooney, Leonard DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. As he told The Los Angeles Times recently, “This is my fellow peers voting, and that makes me immensely proud.”

We’re thrilled for him too and will be rooting for the underdog when the SAG Awards are presented later this month. In the meantime, we thought it would be nice to look back at our interview with Bichir, which we ran after we caught up with him for Issue #5 of Corduroy…

In his native Mexico, Demián Bichir is a superstar. With films like the record-breaking, Sex, Shame and Tears under his belt, his household-name-status among Mexicans hasn’t quelled his desire to establish himself as a creative force North of the border. With a high profile role in the cult-smash Weeds, and a blistering turn as polarizing icon Fidel Castro in Steven Soderbegh’s guerilla epic CHE, Bichir is on the road to ensuring that his status as a superstar won’t be contained by mere georgraphy.

Built like a leading man, with a grecian frame, smouldering eyes, and raw masculinity oozing from his fingertips, it would be easy for Bichir to rely solely on his looks. Instead, it’s a delicate sensitivity and passion for his craft, that drives him forward. Having grown up in a family where the arts–and especially the theatre–were always front and center, the actor discovered his destiny at an early age. “It helped a lot that my parents were in love with theater,” he says. “My father was a theater director and my mother an actress, and we spoke about that always at home. The fact that they loved art in general, that goes to the genes. Even if you don’t want it, it’s there.”

Like most teenage boys growing up in Mexico, Bichir harboured aspirations of playing soccer for the national team – aspirations that quickly melted away under the hot lights of the theater. “I realized everytime I stepped onto the stage that it was just a great feeling–like scoring a goal,” he says. “It was like a drug. You’re there forever, you’re hooked.”

That’s not to say that Bichir discriminates. After holding is own opposite Benicio Del Toro in CHE, his film career is in full swing. But like many actors, it’s not about the medium for Bichir; It’s about the project. It’s about the director, the cast, the script and most importantly–the character. And whether he’s working in Mexico, the United States, Spain, or China, it is his artistic sensibilities that guide him. According to Bichir, it’s our innate ability to feel emotion through art that makes us unique. “As humans, we’re always in touch with that part of ourselves,” he muses. “It’s everywhere. It’s in us.”

- Daniel Barna

(originally published in Corduroy Issue #5 / photograph by Peter Ash Lee)

It’s the first sunny day in Los Angeles in four days. Rain and mist have pounded the pavement like a door-to-door salesman, their drops hitting windshields like fists on front doors, ceaseless and without end in sight. Fortunately, Julia Ormond has been away, and she has brought the sun with her upon her return.

Ormond is punctual as she enters through the front door of a café in Brentwood, easy with her footing and innocuously graceful. The actress, touted at the onset of her career as the next Audrey Hepburn, is unfathomably beautiful, dressed casually in white pants and a rather ratty old gray t-shirt. A few snags run from its front pocket like ladders in tights. It’s clear she intends to wear this t-shirt till its death; wasteful isn’t in her nature.

The air is brittle, even inside, and Ormond sips a large, steaming cappuccino. The tables around are empty and the speakers murmur some classical variation that runs beneath the conversation, filling in only sparse pauses. Ormond can chat, and often takes off, running away with her words, her thoughts a child on a wild goose chase in the most wonderfully excited manner.

And such is Ormond’s approach to all aspects of her life — whether personal, political, or professional; that is, she is engaged wholeheartedly, displaying a wonderful tendency to look at all things with a fine tooth comb, to really observe and interpret that which goes on around her.

It’s what first won our hearts as she played opposite Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall. She went on to woo audiences with her grace and gusto in projects such as First Knight, Sabrina, and most recently, in the critically acclaimed HBO miniseries, Temple Grandin. In short, Ormond has remained a veritable force in a profession where career casualties stack as high as dailies.

(Text: Arianna Schioldager / Photos: Peter Ash Lee)

- To read the full article, pick up Issue 8 of Corduroy, available on newsstands or through our online button above right.

Anna Faris is best known for her comedic work, in films like Scary Movie and The House Bunny, and when we interviewed her for Corduroy during a recent trip to LA, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that the fun-loving girl on film is just as outgoing and effervescent in real life.

Our shoot took place at the brand new W Hollywood — located right at the intersection of Hollywood and Vine, though tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the area thanks to some lush landscaping and smart design. And while the location was definitely posh and upscale, Faris was low-key and casual, chatting away with us like a friend we’ve known for years.

She came to the shoot fresh off a much-needed vacation with her family in Hawaii, and looked tan and well-rested in a worn-in T-shirt and jeans. Though she works in an often superficial and hyper image-aware industry, Faris seems comfortable in her own skin — and as a result, in her career choices thus far. We spoke a lot about Faris’ status as “that funny girl” in Hollywood and we think you’ll be surprised at what she had to say. We also found out about Faris’ life outside of work, which these days, consists mostly of spending time with her new husband (actor Chris Pratt), cooking her secret recipe for baked chicken, and not-so-secretly rocking out to her favorite band, Phoenix. Make sure to pick up Issue 8 of Corduroy to see all the photos and read the full interview (chicken recipe included!) with Anna Faris. The issue hits stores this month!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our first annual Holiday “Pop-Up Closet” this past weekend in Toronto. We haven’t tallied up the totals yet but it looks like we raised a lot of money for the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital — a cause near and dear to our hearts. And it was great to see old friends and make some new ones as well throughout the three days. Hopefully those of you who came through were able to pick up a special piece or two for the holidays… and for yourself!

Special thanks to all the companies who sent over products for the shop. And a big THANK YOU to our friends Stefania at local fashion blog Textstyles.caand Daniella from Chasse Gardee for all the time, energy and planning they put into this event.

Couldn’t make it to the store in person? Check out some photos from our launch party, after the jump…

   

(photos by Adam Moco)

Corduroy is taking over Toronto at the end of the month to launch our first annual “Holiday Pop-Up Closet.” We’re teaming up with our friends at Toronto street-style blog Textstyles.ca for a pop-up shop designed like a walk-in closet full of our favorite things. Think hand-picked vintage, limited-edition accessories and one-of-a-kind knick-knacks for guys and gals, perfect for holiday gift giving. We’ve also asked some of our friends to send us their favorite items, to be sold exclusively at the event.

Proceeds benefit the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation — a Toronto-based organization that works to improve the lives of children with disabilities.

Location: 1084 Queen Street West, Toronto 416.901.9613
Date: November 26-28 / 11-7 Friday + Saturday, 12-6 Sunday

Read on to see a list of brands and companies taking part in this event…

FEATURING LIMITED-EDITION CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES FROM:

Keep checking corduroymag.com as we bring you sneak peeks at some of the exclusive items available at the event. And don’t forget to join us in Toronto the weekend of November 25th to shop our closets for a cause!