Under the Stars of Egypt: A Queer Historical Fantasy Novella

Cypriot debut author George Nicolaou brings ancient Egypt to life in Under the Stars of Egypt, a queer historical fantasy novella filled with prophecy, forbidden love, and spiritual rebirth.

THE STORY

Born under an eclipse, Ammon was marked by fear.
Raised beneath a prophecy, Ra was bound to divine law.
When their destinies collide under the Egyptian moon, their forbidden love challenges the gods, the throne, and time itself.

Under the Stars of Egypt is a story of love reborn, legacy rewritten, and identity reclaimed. Inspired by ancient myths and modern truths.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

George Nicolaou is a Cypriot writer with a passion for historical fantasy, Mediterranean mythology, and stories that explore queer identity and emotional depth. His work is rooted in love that transcends time and place. Under the Stars of Egypt is his first published novella.

George notes “This book is for anyone who has ever felt like their love didn’t belong, and dared to love anyway. It’s about rewriting your own story when the stars try to write it for you.”

Format: Paperback & Kindle

Swimwear Rewritten with BIBENCIA

BIBENCIA returns this summer with handmade swimwear that speaks to the soul. Born in Valencia, the brand fuses emotion, identity, and storytelling—each piece a quiet rebellion against fast fashion.

Rooted in forgotten pasts and reimagined for today, the collection flows with intention. Bold, honest, and unapologetically personal, these designs move with you—celebrating every curve, every story.

This isn’t just swimwear. It’s self-expression woven in thread.


Creative Direction: Roberto Montes @robertomontessanz × Jordi Terry @jorditerry

Photographer: Jordi Terry @jorditerry × Merceditas Agency @merceditas.mgmt

Styling: Roberto Montes @robertomontessanz

Grooming: Nacho Sanz @nachosanzmakeup

Casting Director: Néstor Redó @nestorredo

Models:

Evander Johnson @evanderjohnson

Facundo Mascareña @thefacka

Ferran Belloch @ferranbe08

Lucas García @ubaldico

Nacho Ruiz @nacho11ruiz

LACOSTE ''plays'' with the ICONS for their new Campaign

LACOSTE’s 2025 Campaign “PLAY WITH ICONS” Puts a Fresh Spin on Timeless Style.

LACOSTE is kicking off 2025 with a fresh global campaign that blends iconic fashion with personal expression. Titled “PLAY WITH ICONS,” the campaign is all about celebrating what makes LACOSTE truly timeless—its signature pieces and the people who bring them to life.

Building on the bold energy of last year’s “PLAY BIG” campaign, this new chapter zooms in on the deeper connection between the brand’s classic staples and the personalities who wear them in their own unique way.

The spotlight is on five standout ambassadors: tennis legend Novak Djokovic, French actress Adèle Exarchopoulos, actor Pierre Niney, global tennis icon Venus Williams, and Chinese superstar Wang Yibo. Each is paired with a signature LACOSTE piece, highlighting the versatility and enduring appeal of the brand’s most iconic items.

Captured through the lens of renowned photographer Tyler Mitchell, the portraits carry a relaxed and genuine vibe—proof that style doesn’t have to shout to be powerful.

With “PLAY WITH ICONS,” LACOSTE invites us to rediscover its heritage through a modern lens—reminding us that true style is as much about the people who wear it as the clothes themselves.

Men at Met Gala 2025: Our Favourite Looks

The 2025 Met Gala, held on May 5, embraced the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” honoring the rich legacy of Black dandyism and its impact on fashion as both art and resistance.

Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion, the exhibition celebrated how Black men have historically used tailoring and personal style to assert identity and defy societal constraints.

With a dress code titled “Tailored For You,” the red carpet featured a bold reinterpretation of classic menswear, led by co-chairs Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo, and Lewis Hamilton. Their looks, along with others, fused tradition with avant-garde flair—offering a striking visual narrative of individuality, cultural pride, and the transformative power of style.

Nevertheless, REY Magazine curated its own list of standout men’s looks from the 2025 Met Gala—and here are our top picks:

Alton Mason in custom BOSS.

Patrick Schwarzegger in Balmain

Lewis Hamilton in Wales Bonner.

Bad Bunny in Prada.

Andrew Scott in Giuliva Heritage.

Keith Powers in Boss.

Haider Ackermann with the queen of pop Madonna, both in Tom Ford.

Shaboozey in Robert Wun.

IN CONVERSATION WITH MANUEL BETANCURT

Colombian dancer Manuel Betancurt has taken his talent from local stages to dancing with global stars like Dua Lipa. In Conversation, he opens up about his journey, inspirations, and what it's like performing on the world stage.

What first sparked your passion for dance, and how did you begin your journey?

I've always had a strong passion for dance. It’s been a part of my life since I was a child. I simply let myself be guided by that passion, and it became so powerful that it ended up carving its own path for me.

Was there a particular moment or influence that led you to pursue dance professionally?

I just dedicated a lot of time and energy to it, and as I said, my professional life took its own direction. On my part, I always insisted on wanting to dance.

Who were some of your early inspirations or role models in the world of dance?

As a teenager, I learned from tutorials by Matt Steffanina, a dancer from LA who was trending at the time, and I was also really inspired by Jade Chynoweth.

Looking back, which collaboration or performance stands out to you as the most memorable?

One of my most impactful recent experiences was working with Nathy Peluso. She’s an artist I admire deeply. More than just being featured in her music video, it was about sharing space and energy with her—it was fantastic.

What do you find to be the biggest challenge of being a professional dancer?

In my opinion, the biggest challenge is staying persistent in what you want and believing you’ll achieve it. At the same time, knowing that the learning process never ends—there’s always something more.

When you're not dancing, how do you like to spend your time or unwind?

I enjoy spending time alone, being in a park having a picnic, listening to music, reading, writing, or just observing my surroundings—it’s one of my favorite things.

How do you maintain balance and stay grounded in such a demanding and fast-paced industry?

For me, it’s been essential to work on my mental well-being in order to navigate the toxic aspects of the industry. It can be exhausting and draining, but knowing how to disconnect and live a life outside of it has helped me see the good side and feel comfortable and at peace where I am.

How has your family and close circle supported you throughout your career?

At first, my family didn’t fully believe I could make a living from dance, but little by little they started to see it was possible. Now their support is unconditional. My close circle was quite similar, but to be honest, I’ve always felt very supported.

What does the LGBTQ+ community mean to you, and how has it influenced your work?

To me, community means freedom, love, doing what you truly want without harming anyone, loving whoever you want, discovering yourself, and loving yourself as you are. In my work, I don’t feel it has ever had a negative impact.

What advice would you give to young LGBTQ+ individuals aspiring to pursue dance or the arts?

For anyone wanting to follow the path of art or dance, I believe the most important thing is to truly know yourself and understand that there’s always space for everyone in the artistic world. With persistence and good work, something will definitely come your way.

Produced & Photographed by Diego González

starring Manuel Betancurt

Interviewed by Christos Christou