EMBRACING LOVE AND DIVERSITY

Gaia Wise and Steve Vyse, the charismatic duo featured on the Pride issue cover of GLAM week magazine, are joining forces once again to bring you the unforgettable Mad Love party in London. In an exclusive interview, Gaia and Steve reveal their shared vision for an extraordinary event that encompasses love, inclusivity, and unadulterated joy. On July 15th, prepare to be captivated as these two trailblazers curate an evening like no other. With mind-blowing cocktails, delightful surprises at every corner, and an atmosphere brimming with limitless creativity, this party guarantees an unparalleled experience where guests can fully express themselves, let loose, and dance the night away. Gaia’s artistic spirit seamlessly merges with Steve’s audacious and awe-inspiring concepts, resulting in an event that defies all expectations and welcomes everyone to embrace their authentic selves. Join Gaia Wise, Steve Vyse, and a dazzling array of remarkable personalities as they come together for the Mad Love party—a remarkable celebration of diversity, unity, and the pure exhilaration of existence. Get ready to immerse yourself in the extraordinary—Mad Love awaits!

Gaia, we’re thrilled to hear about your upcoming Mad Love party in London on July 15th! Could you give us a sneak peek into what attendees can expect from this event? Are there any exciting themes or surprises in store?

Well, they can certainly expect to have a completely bonkers and wonderful night! This is really a chance for people to be free and have fun, be creative with their clothes, and dance until they can’t feel their feet! As for themes, we have some very exciting cocktails on the menu and a few tricks up our sleeves for the night itself.
How did your collaboration with Steve Vyse, Mad Love London, and That Life come about for the Mad Love Pride parties, and how do your respective expertise complement each other in creating such a memorable event?
Steve was the first person to suggest that we do a collaborative party, and That Life has been so wonderful at other events we have attended that they seemed like a perfect choice. I also think that our creativity really bounces off one another, and our ideas complement each other wonderfully. Steve has such mad and fantastic ideas that he bounces off me – sometimes I have to rein him in when he goes a bit over the top, but that’s why I love him. He knows how to throw a party. I’m learning the ropes!

How do you feel during your parties? What emotions do you experience while preparing for them, while enjoying them, and after successfully hosting them?

Well, this is the first party I’ve ever really organized at this level. Steve has done a lot of the groundwork because he knows how stressed I get! I tend to feel quite panicked before any party, and then once I’m in it, I am too overexcited to think. Usually, I’m the last one on the dance floor… I couldn’t have done this without him, so being there to host everyone is going to be a dream.

Pride Month is a time to honor and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. How do you personally feel about the unity and sense of belonging that Pride Month brings, and what steps do you believe people should take to foster a strong sense of community throughout the year? Nowadays, people are in great need of love. What do you believe are the most effective and meaningful ways to share love with them and help uplift their spirits?

Empathy and communication are at the heart of community, in my opinion. To strengthen community, one must have the ability to listen to those around them – do they need advice or a hug? Solution or emotion! It is hard sometimes but something that helps nurture love. This goes for any form of community – be it LGBTQ+ or friends and family!

Every person possesses an inner light and true personality, yet not everyone is able to fully embrace and express it. What advice would you give to help individuals unlock and embrace their authentic selves, allowing them to live authentically and breathe freely?

Authenticity is hard because it’s such a loaded word. We’re told nowadays so much how to live our lives that I think we constantly question ourselves. Happiness is nurtured by being open to new experiences and relationships. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a break to focus on your health and happiness. You can’t be there for others if you’re not there for yourself. Of course, that’s easier said than done and takes a lot of work. But surrounding yourself with your own band of cheerleaders is a great place to start.

What does happiness mean to you? What brings you the utmost joy and fills your heart with genuine emotions?

People who love and accept you for your true self will find you. Your community and family are out there! Keep being true to yourself and doing what brings you joy.
1.Steve, as one of the creators of the Mad Love Pride parties in collaboration with Gaia Wise, can you describe the journey of bringing this incredible event to life? How did the idea originate, and what inspired both of you to create a celebration that embraces love and inclusivity?
Absolutely! Our pride party for Mad Love London marks an exciting milestone for us. 

We’ve been blown away by the overwhelming success of our previous initiatives, such as the Pink Ribbon Foundation T-shirt campaign, where we proudly raised over £2000! And let’s not forget the celebrity London Fashion Week show, which raised an additional £2000 through an amazing auction.

During the collaboration process, I knew I had to have Gaia on board. Not only is she my best friend, but she’s an incredible source of inspiration and empowerment. Her unwavering support and fabulous personality add a touch of camp and glamour to everything we do. Gaia is a true LGBTQ+ ally, and having her by my side boosts my confidence to be my authentic self. We collaborated with That Life, who are an amazing inclusive brand. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our remarkable friends who have contributed to making this event truly extraordinary. We would like to express our deep appreciation to Glam Week UK Magazine, That Life, Naomi Isted, DJ Black Feather, Jo Sugar, Skin By Poppy, Duo Nightclub, Emma Thompson, Gemma Oaten, Angie B, Ross Bester, Basil Eidenbenz, and Stefan Pierre. Their unwavering support in promoting love and assisting us in raising funds for our selected charities, Stonewall and Terrence Higgins Trust, is truly commendable. We are humbled by their generosity, and all profits from the Pride Party and Pride T-Shirts will be donated to these worthy causes.

In celebrating pride, it’s crucial to surround yourself with people who embrace and uplift your individuality. Gaia embodies that spirit wholeheartedly, making our collaboration even more meaningful. That Life and all our friends embody that spirit too. Together, we’re creating a space where everyone can feel accepted, supported, and celebrated.

So, join us as we come together to honor diversity, unity, and love! Let’s make this pride party an unforgettable experience, filled with joy, acceptance, and a whole lot of fabulousness.

Tell us about your creative process in styling Gaia Wise for the Mad Love Pride parties? Do you incorporate LGBTQ+ themes and symbols into her looks?

Yes, of course! For the actual party, Gaia will be wearing something that includes the pride colors. It’s important when I style someone that they feel and look amazing. I also take on board where they will be going, so the outfit is suitable. For the pride party photoshoot, my friend Eva at Woo Woo boutique designed a rainbow dress, which was inspired by a dress worn by Grace Kelly in 1967. You can see the dress in this magazine.

You teamed up with Gaia to create a Pride T-shirt collection with That Life. We would love to hear more about this exciting collaboration.
When we decided to do the pride T-shirt, I had a cocktail, and I just messaged Gaia and said, “Babe, let’s do a pride T-shirt with That Life.” She thought it was a great idea, she trusts my creative process, and I run everything by her as I trust her opinion too.
What do you think is the role of LGBTQ+ icons in the entertainment industry?

In a world where acceptance and empowerment hold immense significance, LGBTQ+ icons within the entertainment industry play a vital role. Their influence has the power to ignite courage, break down barriers, and inspire individuals to embrace their true selves without fear.
One such iconic figure, Geri Halliwell from the Spice Girls, left an indelible mark on hearts and minds when she released the heartfelt anthem “G.A.Y.” back in 1999. This powerful track centered around the journey of coming out, serving as a beacon of hope for countless souls, including myself. Inspired by Geri’s boldness, I found the strength to reveal my authentic self to my parents, embracing my truth with unwavering conviction.

It is important to recognize that the responsibility of empowering and inspiring others transcends gender identity and encompasses all influential figures. Whether they identify as LGBTQ+ or not, these icons possess an inherent duty to create an atmosphere of acceptance, inclusivity, and empowerment.

As a stylist, what role do you think fashion and style play in empowering and expressing the identities of LGBTQ+ individuals?
Fashion plays a pivotal role in boosting confidence and facilitating self-expression, allowing individuals to embrace their identities and convey their emotions. In a world where people are increasingly liberated to express themselves authentically, it’s truly inspiring to witness this freedom in action. I firmly believe that everyone should wear whatever resonates with them, regardless of societal expectations. So, my motto is simple: “Wear whatever makes you feel absolutely fabulous, without any hesitation!”