F/W 19 VOLUME 11 | Issue 16
EDITORIAL Editor–in–Chiefs
SIERRA OLIVE and HANNAH GOGAN Bookings Director HANNAH GOGAN
Fall _ Winter
20
19
Bookings Assitant
KRISTIN RINGUETTE
CREATIVE Creative/Layout Directors SIERRA OLIVE and HANNAH GOGAN Assistant Creative Director
KRISTIN RINGUETTE Head Stylist SIERRA OLIVE Assistant Stylists BRYAN MAROTO, KRISTIN RINGUETTE Graphic/Layout Designer SIERRA OLIVE Makeup Artists HANNAH GOGAN, SUMMER KELLOGG
MULTIMEDIA Social Media Directors SIERRA OLIVE, HANNAH GOGAN BTS Photogaphers/Videographers HANNAH GOGAN, MONTANA SMITH, SIERRA OLIVE, KRISTIN RINGUETTE Editorial Photographers ASHLEY MULAIK, HANNAH GOGAN, KRISTIN RINGUETTE
WRITING Head Editorial Writer HANNAH GOGAN
Staff Writers HANNAH GOGAN, JENNA WOJTISEK, KAYLA MCCRACKEN, PEYTON BAISDEN, MARIAH BLAMO
COVER MODEL
EMILY GORDON
THANK YOU TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS and SPONSORS The Other Side Vintage
19 33 47 57
9 15 17
29 31 45 55 61
Fashion
SKY HIGH
THE OUTHERSIDE DANCING IN WAVES COLOR BLOCK
Health & Beauty EUPHORIA
COFFEE & COCONUT OIL NAIL ART
Culture TOP TALLY
PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOR HOROSCOPES 2019 TRENDING MUSIC LGBT FLAG
SWATCH /letter from the editors
The theme for this issue was based simply around the concept of color. While the idea seems so simple, it opened dozens of doors to different opportunities that helped us portray the ways that fashion, and life, is influenced by color. For this issue, we wanted to show how colors can have such a powerful effect throughout our daily lives, from the outfits you wear, to the shade of your skin, to the food you eat, to the colors on a flag. Thus, Iridescence was born. The science behind color is endless. It can influence the way we think or feel. It can drive us to action, like purchasing an album because of its aesthetic album cover, or marching in a Pride Parade with an LGBT rainbow flag in hand. It can present your mood through the clothes you choose to wear. Color can even affect things such as your memory, or even your libido. It’s impact is infinite. We’re blushing red from excitement as present Iridescence to you. The power of color is heavily intertwined with the fashion world, and we strived to present that within this issue.
FINAL WORDS FROM SIERRA OLIVE As my time with Swatch comes to an end, I want to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey these past two years as Editor. After transferring to Florida State University, I struggled to find my “why,” until I found Swatch. Swatch gave me a place where I could freely express myself through art and it allowed me to work alongside some of the most amazing creative individuals. This has been such an incredible experience that I will cherish forever. To my friends, family and staff: your drive and confidence has been immeasurable and does not go unrecognized. As Editor, I wanted to push the boundaries of not only the publication itself but also my staff members to think outside the box, and that is exactly what you all did. I am beyond proud of all of us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would have not been able to do it without you all. Swatch me work one last time…
Yours truly, S&H
Sierra Olive Editor-in-Chief
Hannah Gogan Editor-in-Chief
iridescence 1:
noun a lustrous rainbowlike play of color caused by differential refraction of light waves that tends to change as the angle of view changes
2:
a lustrous or attractive quality or effect
SWATCH /health & beauty
euphoria: dreamland
CONCEPT CREATED by Hannah Gogan MODELS Alishai Bryan, Emily Gordon, Jacy Lerouge PHOTOGRAPHED and EDITED by Ashley Mulaik, Montana Smith
COFFEE coconut
SWATCH /health & beauty
By:Jenna Wojtisek
Exfoliates and Reduces inflammation Your favorite breakfast beverage has now earned it’s reputation for being an alternative remedy for your skin. From face masks to body scrubs, coffee can now be incorporated into your daily or weekly skincare routine. The same pick-me-up you get from coffee’s caffeine content can now do the same for your skin when applied topically. When we first think of antioxidants, various fruits and different kinds of teas might come to mind. Antioxidants found in these superfoods fight to protect and prevent free radicals from damaging our skin. Studies have shown that coffee has been found to be the most popular source of antioxidants and may be more antioxidant-rich than any other beverage. On your skin, coffee can have many benefits when targeting certain problems.
When applied topically, it can reduce the appearance of sun spots, redness, and fine lines. Coffee, in any form, can also help to improve signs of aging. Because of it’s abundance of antioxidants, coffee can also be used to treat acne. It also contains the same PH level as your skin so it won’t leave you feeling too dry or oily. The stimulating effects of drinking coffee that keeps your mind alert can also be obtained for your skin. These properties improve blood flow to reduce inflammation and improve circulation throughout your body. Not only is coffee used as a stimulant, but it also has calming aspects for your skin when applied topically. You can try to incorporate coffee into your own regimen, by using the recipe below, to have instantly more radiant and brighter skin.
D.I.Y. - Face Mask • 2 tbsp coffee grounds • 1 tbsp honey • ½ tbsp lemon juice Combine all ingredients into a bowl. Spread the mask evenly onto clean, dry skin, making sure to avoid your eyes. Leave on for 5-10 minutes then rinse completely.
and
oil
Moisturizes and comforts skin For a while now, coconut oil has been used in an abundance of skin care products across the market. This highly talked about oil can be found in a variety of lotions, creams, and body butters; it can be used, in it’s pure form, to remove make up from your skin and to add shine to your hair. The scent on it’s own is known to promote relaxation and create an overall improvement to your mood. Want healthy and moisturized skin? Look no further. The fatty-acid content found in coconut oil is guaranteed to moisturize your skin and keep a hydrated complexion. Not only does it reduce inflammation, but it will improve your skin’s elasticity and collegian production, as well as diminish signs of aging. Fun fact: countries that have a staple supply of coconuts actually have a lower rate for certain diseases. This could be because the high levels of vitamins and antioxidants, specifically vitamin A and E, help to protect your skin from free radicals and sun damage. Many cleansers on the market strip the skin of it’s natural oils because of harsh chemicals found in it’s ingredients. Following
the recipe below can give you the benefits of smooth, healthy skin without these chemicals. Adding essential oils can enhance your body scrub depending on your preference. Adding lavender oil can improve sleep and relaxation, while orange oil is known to uplift your mood, and peppermint oil will sooth sore muscles.
D.I.Y. - Body Scrub • • • •
½ cup sugar ¼ cup coconut oil Optional: 10-20 drops of essential oil
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Gently massage the product, in a circular motion, on damp skin. Rinse off completely to reveal more radiant skin.
SWATCH /health & beauty
Fun + Free Spirited Patterned nails are bold, make a statement, and are very eye catching. A few pattern styles that are popular now are tortoise shell, stripes, and swirls. If you want to spice up this style even more, try using bright colors in your nail designs!
NAIL ART Nail art trends are evolving every year. This year, we have seen some new nail trends like nothing in the past. The best thing about these new nail trends, are that there is one to fit every style! These 2019 nail trends are not only stylish, but also Insta worthy too! Check out all the trends and find one that best suits your personality.
By: Mariah Blamo
Classy + traditional For those of you who love to keep it simple and chic, you will love these new trends! Almond shaped nails with a solid color is always a go-to. Some hot colors this season are emerald green, nude, and neon orange! If you want to achieve a classy and professional look, you can never go wrong with a french tip. For an added twist to this look,you could go with black french tips or curtain tips. This nail look is perfect if you want to try something different while still looking like a girl boss!
Sassy + fierce Nothing says fierce like a coffin shaped nail! This shape has been popular over the years and definitely makes your nails stand out! Coffin shaped nails look great with any color and are a great way to bring out your inner baddie! A new trend that pairs well with this shape is embellishments. Embellishments like gems, pearls, and glitter are a fun way to add some sparkle and bling to your nails!You can add them to one nail or go all out on your whole hand.
SWATCH /fashion
sky high CONCEPT CREATED by Sierra Olive MODELS Rachel Pator, Katie Ryalls, Grace Altenburg, Bryan Maroto PHOTOGRAPHED and EDITED by Hannah Gogan
SWATCH /culture
TOP TALLY
o r t s i B s d By: Lydee Striplin woo k c a B Backwoods Bistro is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from campus. Their dishes provide fresh takes on classic southern meals using locally grown, fresh ingredients. It’s a great brunch spot if you’re tired of the usual Madso/Centrale/Prime Time options. They also offer live music from local and small national bands on weekends. Their second location, Backwoods Crossing, is a farm-to-table concept restaurant that gets their ingredients from a garden located right on the lawn of the restaurant. It is a beautiful date night spot, and although it is a bit of a hike from College Town, it is worth the trip.
The Powe r Pl ant C afé
The Power Plant Café is tucked away right underneath The Edison on the edge of Cascades Park. The Café boasts a wide selection of quality coffee by the cup. They also have breakfast and lunch sandwiches that are delicious and reasonably priced. Try one of their signature lattes and take a stroll around beautiful Cascades Park. The café has outside seating that is pet friendly and Cascades is a great place to walk your dog!
hi s u S & b u P Izzy heart of Midtown
Nestled away in the Sushi is a Tallahassee, Izzy Pub and craft beers Japanese inspired pub with cold sakes, from local breweries, fruity ative Asian beautiful sushi rolls, and cre nu and try inspired pub food. Go off me Roll. It’s the the sun rise in New York r of sushi tempura fried cheeseburge e. If you’re that you’re guaranteed to lov st fall and feeling adventurous, take a tru try the Trust Me Roll.
Liberty Bar
Liberty is the cool-girl bar with actual good music that you’ve been waiting for. Their menu of handcrafted cocktails is truly unique and each one is delicious. Their gourmet menu features exceptionally good bar food that uses locally grown, fresh produce. The staff is friendly, and the ambience is perfect for a date night or a girl’s night out. Take a break from the typical Tally college bar scene and venture to Midtown for the night. You won’t regret it.
p Au Peche Mignon Fren ch Pastry Sho
This café is aptly named. Peche Mignon will easily become your new “peche mignon” (guilty pleasure or little sin) with its wide variety of macaroons and authentic French treats. The charming bakery is located on North Duval Street. They’ve been operating in Tallahassee for over 25 years, and you can taste the authenticity, expertise, and best available ingredients in every bite.
Black Dog Café
Black Dog Café is a mainstay of Tallahassee perched on the edge of Lake Ella. They have a wide variety of local, single origin, and blended coffee drinks. They also have a second location called Black Dog on the Square tucked away in Railroad Square that boasts live music and artisan popsicles made from their coffees and juices. After you work up a sweat rock climbing at the Tallahassee Rock Gym, stop by for an “adult popsicle” or a hand-crafted latte.
SWATCH /culture
The Psychology of colors BY: lydee striplin
When I moved into my first apartment, I wanted everything to be beige and neutral. I didn’t want my apartment to feel loud or overwhelming in any way. I wanted all soft lights and soft shades, brown cable knit blankets, a modern grey accent chair, tan shag rug. The only color I allowed myself was subtle hints of blue throughout the apartment. A cerulean fleece blanket here, an ultramarine art deco piece there and the occasional blue crystal coaster. When I got done, I looked around my new home and felt suffocated. I felt like I was trapped in an endless desert, isolated, and profoundly alone. Even now, although I’ve added a wider range of color since, sometimes I look at the wide expanse of beige walls and I feel a sense of sadness, lifelessness. The color brown can invoke feelings of warmth, strength, resilience, and safety. However, those feelings are usually associated with warmer browns that have red bases. Beige, by contrast, in large amounts can invoke feelings of emptiness and despondency. Colors play powerful roles in our daily lives. We feel color just as we feel emotions and physical sensations. Furthermore, because color is subjective, everyone sees it differently, color configures our reality and dominates our perceptions. Colors also correspond to our body’s energy centers called chakras. The chakras in your body go from the base of your spine to the top of your head. They are comprised of your main organs and some nerves that are responsible for your life energy. Each of the chakras is associated with a different color. Colors have psychological and spiritual implications that shouldn’t be ignored. Here, I will examine each chakra color individually and discuss what kind of emotional and physical responses these colors could have on you.
Red is found at the root of your spine and symbolizes passion and vitality. The gonads are attached to the root chakra, which is a reproductive gland. Red is symbolic of all the things you would think it to symbolize. For example, war, passion, desire, love, danger, and power. Red demands your attention and increases your respiration. Add a pop of red to your wardrobe or decor if you want to feel a little more daring, provocative, and brave. You should, however, be wary of the power this tone can have over you. It can overpower easily. Orange, by contrast, is associated with the sacral chakra and pertains more to female sexual reproductive organs. Red is more indicative of male reproductive organs. Orange is usually associated with freshness, happiness, energy, and enthusiasm. It can also invoke feelings of attraction, sexual desire, and creativity. The sacral chakra is considered to be the sexual center of the human body. Think of the warm, orange glow of a candle rather than the bright orange of a carrot. Muted, glowy oranges can carry implications of sexuality, love, and happiness. Yellow is symbolic of the sun’s energy and the feeling of enthusiasm and joy. This color is associated with the solar plexus chakra. It is connected with your sense of sight. This bright cheery color can also have a disturbing effect when used in excess. It can make you feel nervous or unfocused in large amounts. Keep that in mind when decorating and painting walls. Rather than using a bright yellow for a room, consider a muted cheesecake-y color to invoke feelings of energy and joy.
The heart Chakra is responsible for your relationships and is symbolic of nature, love, spirituality, and sometimes envy. Green can have a calming effect and it has great healing power. It is a helpful color to focus on in meditation if you’d like to feel healing effects in regard to your safety, relationships, or your sense of tranquility. Another color to focus on during meditation is blue. This is the mouthpiece of your chakras. Blue is the throat chakra, and it is crucial to your ability to communicate. It improves our artistic spirit. Blue is unique, it represents authenticity in your life and is used by natural romantics and nurturers. Focusing on this color when you’re meditating or making a conscious effort to incorporate blue into your daily routine can enhance these traits, or help you channel them if you’re already a natural nurturer. If you value intuition, consider indigo or violet. Indigo is associated with the third eye chakra, and violet with the crown. The third eye is considered the main center of intuition. The crown extends on that ability and improves our interpretation. Both colors can be associated with magic, royalty, and the divine feminine. As we work our way up the chakras of the body, and get more in tune with them, we can use colors to strengthen, channel, and perfect the abilities associated with each chakra. Not to say that dressing in purple will make you more intuitive, but a certain hue can embody a trait you’d like to work on and strengthen. Furthermore, colors can shape your perceptions of daily life, so it is important to realize what effects these colors have on you and practice mindfulness in regards to them.
SWATCH /fashion
“
We are a locally owned and operated family business located in the historic downtown Railroad Square Art Park District in sunny Tallahassee, Florida. We have been open 19 years revamping and curating unique items. We carry vintage - retro - modern unique: clothing & accessories for guys and gals, furniture, vinyl records, jewelry, art, collectibles, junk, incense, lamps, mirrors, home decor, ephemera, smoking accessories, and DIY supplies [including paint, molds, transfers and stamps for you to create your own items]. We have over 35 booth spaces so there is a great variety of treasures for you.
the otherside
�
- the other side vintage
CONCEPT CREATED by Sierra Olive MODELS Halle Belden, Hannah Gogan, Sierra Olive, Grace Altenburg PHOTOGRAPHED and EDITED by Ashley Mulaik
ZODIAC ZODIAC ZODIAC Aries: March 21- April 19
competitive, eager, and dynamic
Taurus: Apr 20- May 20
reliable, creative, and strong
Gemini: May 21- Jun 20
adaptable, curious, expressive, and outgoing
Cancer: Jun 21- Jul 22
sentimental, compassionate, protective, loyal
Leo: July 23- August 22
outgoing, confident, dramatic
Virgo: Aug 23- Sep 22 loyal, kind, practical
Libra: Sep 23- Oct 22 social, graceful, fair
Scorpio: Oct 23- Nov 21
passionate, original, loyal
Sagittarius: Nov 22- Dec 21 adventurous, blunt, generous
Capricorn: Dec 22- Jan 19
disciplined, realistic, ambitious
Aquarius: Jan 20- Feb 18
creative, free spirit, intellectual
Do you have the quick-witted and impulsively driven personality of a Gemini? Or the passionate and stubborn mindset of a Leo? Or maybe you just don’t understand the hype of zodiac signs and are sick and tired of hearing your girlfriend go on and on about how Mercury in Retrograde is the sole reason why you guys have been bickering lately, and why she just can’t get along with your friends, simply because their signs aren’t compatible. Whatever your opinions on zodiac signs may be, it’s not a coincidence that they are becoming an extremely hot topic in our modern day. There are roughly 7 billion people on our planet, all with a unique set of characteristics and traits that set them apart from the next person. Astrology provides an explanation for each individual’s eclectic personality, and a prediction for their future life events, based on the exact position of the sun, the moon, and other celestial objects at the time of their birth. Your date and time of birth determines your zodiac sign, which then determines your own personality and behavior. The 12 zodiac signs all have their own character traits that make up the people on this planet. If you want to dive deeper into figuring out what zodiac signs come together to shape your personality, you can calculate your astrological birth chart ( Check out the “Co-Star” app to calculate your astrological birth chart). From the twelve zodiac signs, you have a “sun sign,” which most people associate as being the main sign that makes up the most prominent part of your personality. Then you have a “moon sign” which shapes your emotional outlook on life. Lastly, you have a “rising sign” which is the zodiac that explains the surface level personality that you show to others.
Pisces: Feb 19- Mar 20
amiable, compassionate, intuitive
By: Kayla McCracken
Compatibility CHART:
SWATCH /culture
Air signs
Fire signs
Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra
Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius as well as other air signs
Earth signs
Water signs
Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn
Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces as well as other earth signs
Fire signs
Air signs
Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius
Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra as well as other fire signs
Water signs
Earth signs
Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio You know that one friend who is the “mom” or “dad” of the group because they are always taking care of others? This person very likely has the sign of Cancer somewhere in their birth chart due to their compassionate and protective nature. On another hand, that determined, “bull- headed” friend of yours who won’t take no for an answer could very likely be an Aries. It’s not a secret that we are all very different, but do you ever wonder why there are people who you come across in your life who you simply don’t vibe with? Maybe you can’t pinpoint the exact reason why your conversation doesn’t flow, or why your interests don’t match up on just about everything. It’s all a big mystery to you. But then, in another instance, you find yourself immediately drawn to someone else. Maybe it was a random encounter, or a friend of a friend. Regardless, this new gem of a person who has entered your life is someone who you know you couldn’t live without. In this case, maybe it was fate? Nevertheless, your undeniable connection with this person is still a mystery to you. The reasoning behind this mystery of why you may find yourself gravitating towards one person, while feeling a repulsion by another, could very well be astrological. Zodiac signs, aside from determining our core characteristics that make up our personality, also
Taurus,Virgo, and Capricorn and other water signs gives us insight on our level of compatibility with other people. These matches vary, but more often than not, you will find yourself subconsciously drawn to a sign in which you are astrologically compatible with. Obviously everyone has the potential to get along with anyone, despite their sign compatibility. However, you may begin to dive deep into a relationship with someone and start to notice that while you two have extreme chemistry, you seem to lack vital communication. The answer to this issue may be that you two have an incompatibility somewhere in your birth chart. For example, a free-spirited and expressive Libra may find it difficult to understand and communicate with a person who is more structured and realistic, like a Capricorn. In this case, astrology and zodiac signs can be used as a way to better understand some of the differences that you may have with someone. We are all unique human beings and our personality and character is continuously being shaped by every single moment we experience as we venture through our own lives. We learn to adapt to our circumstances. We live, and then we learn. We hurt, and then we grow. All of us are just trying to figure it out, and astrology and the explanations that it provides can be a huge help in our continuous process of understanding life, and ourselves.
SWATCH /fashion
Dancing in waves
CONCEPT CREATED by Kristin Ringuette MODELS Emily Gordon, Caroline Mozo, Grace de Jesus PHOTOGRAPHED and EDITED by Kristin Ringuette
SWATCH /culture
n e e t e n i n y t n e w t
g n i d n e r t music en n Baisd o t y e P By:
In the final year of the 2010’s, we have seen the best and worst of trends of what the past decade has brought us. Whether that be fashion trends, social media challenges, or the newest dance craze, the 2010’s supplied no shortage of entertainment. As with every year, music fans begin to see the rise of a new artist or group, or they just simply enjoy the one-hitwonder that doesn’t seem to go away. In the beginning of 2019, Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next” was sung for weeks by the cuffed and single alike. Her accompanying album Thank U, Next was released shortly thereafter the single and featured songs about her fresh split from ex-fiancé Pete Davidson, the death of ex-boyfriend rapper Mac Miller, and songs that detail all the troubles that come with relationships. An artist that sky-rocketed to fame and the top of the Billboard charts within a matter of weeks proved that any song can go viral. With his viral hit “Old Town Road”, Lil Nas X has not only become a household name in the music scene but he has also become a pop culture icon with his heavy involvement on social media. The “Old Town Road Remix” featuring country idol (and everyone’s favorite TV dad) Billy Ray Cyrus remained number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for a record-breaking 19 weeks. “Old Town Road” was thought to be a one-hit wonder until Lil Nas X had three singles in the Billboard Hot 100 for some time with “Panini” and “Rodeo” featuring Nicki Minaj joining his hit single. Lil Nas X’s reign of the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart came to an end after 19 weeks, when Billie Eilish’s single “Bad Guy” knocked it off the charts. Eilish is no stranger to the music scene, finding success overnight on Soundcloud with her hit “Ocean Eyes”. While she has made music in the past few years, it seems as though 2019 has proven successful for Billie’s music career. Unlike her female pop star counterparts such as Ariana Grande or Taylor Swift, Eilish uses a melancholic, yet satirical approach to music. She is also noted for her distinct tomboyish fashion choices as well as unique hair colors. Another woman who has made a name for herself in 2019 music is singer/songwriter/ rapper Lizzo. With undoubtedly one of the
greatest breakup anthems of all time, “Truth Hurts” climbed to the top of the charts within a matter of weeks. Featured in Netflix’s original film in Someone Great, “Truth Hurts” has proven to be an empowering song for those going through a breakup or just for those who need a pick-me-up in the self-love department. Although released in 2018, Lizzo also found success with her other single “Good As Hell” which encourages listeners to move on from their breakup and feel good about themselves. Besides providing self-empowering music, Lizzo is also noted for bringing the energy of self-love into her performances. 2019 saw the reemergence of many former Disney alums. Releasing their first single since announcing their six-year hiatus, “Sucker” proved to be a new image for the beloved Jonas Brothers. Shortly after issuing “Sucker”, the Jonas Brothers released their first album in ten years: Chasing Happiness, which includes other popular singles such as “Only Human” and “Cool”. Miley Cyrus began teasing fans on Instagram with new music at the beginning of summer. She then released SHE IS COMING which featured the lead single “Mother’s Daughter”. Not too long after, Cyrus releases the sad breakup single “Slide Away” after announcing her split from husband Liam Hemsworth following a ten-year courtship. It had been a while since listeners heard any original music from Selena Gomez. She was featured on DJ Snake’s “Taki Taki” as well as benny blanco’s “I Can’t Get Enough”. Later on in 2019, Gomez released two singles for her upcoming third studio album: “Lose You to Love Me” and “Look at Her Now”. Both songs hold heavy clues to be about longtime on-again offagain boyfriend Justin Bieber and their toxic relationship. Overall, the music of 2019 has delivered new fresh faces to the music scene as well as familiar faces alike. With artists like Lizzo and Billie Eilish leading the charts, we have a glimpse of what the next decade of music is going to sound like.
SWATCH /fashion
BLOCk color CONCEPT CREATED by Sierra Olive, Hannah Gogan MODELS Halle Belden, Hannah Gogan, Grace Altenburg PHOTOGRAPHED and EDITED by Ashley Mulaik
How the Rainbow Flag Became the LGBT Symbol Our generation carries our pride on our sleeve, and on our bumper stickers, and on our backpack pins, and hanging from our balconies. Each year shows more progression, acceptance, and love from a society that believes in equality. The LGBTQ+ community exclaims that #LoveisLove with its staple rainbow flag plastered across social media and hanging outside of bars. This universal rallying sign for the gay community did not always exist, though. It was created by artist, designer, Vietnam War veteran, and then-drag performer, Gilbert Baker. In 1978, gay politician and icon Harvey Milk, commissioned Baker to create a flag for San Francisco’s annual pride parade. Milk’s choice for the flags creator was almost too perfect, as Baker already had experience sewing and creating garments through his own drag costume creation. Baker enlisted the help of 30 volunteers, who then worked in the attic of the Gay Community Center in San Francisco to create the first LGBT rainbow flag that was debuted on June 25, 1978 in the parade. Before Baker, the LGBT community used a pink triangle as its symbol, the same symbol that was used by the Nazis to identify homosexuals. When creating the new flag, Baker chose to stray away from this image and the dark and painful history that came along with it. Instead, he used the rainbow. Baker says, “We needed something that expressed us. The rainbow really fits that, in terms of: we’re all the colors, and all the genders and all the races,” he says. “It’s a natural flag; the rainbow is in the sky and it’s beautiful. It’s a magical part of nature.” While the common flag today features six colors, the original creation by Baker had eight. Hot pink represented sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green signifying nature, turquoise for art, indigo to represent harmony, and then violet for spirit. After Harvey’s assassination, just five months after the flags unveiling, demand for the flag skyrocketed. Baker sold the design to Paramount Flag Company and the symbol of strength and pride stormed the country. For the 25th anniversaries of the Stonewall Riots and Baker’s creation of the flag, mile-long versions of the rainbow flag were created and sprawled down streets. The flag has reached international heights, rallying activists and members of the community to fight for their right to freedom and equality. Baker said, “When the Supreme Court [ruling] comes down in the next couple of days, every single newscast is going to have a rainbow flag on it.” Before the ruling, Baker said it’s “terrific” that same-sex marriage could be deemed a constitutional right in the U.S., but that it would underscore the work still to be done around the world. “It’s not the end of the struggle; in fact, it’s really just beginning,” Baker said. “And there’s so much more to do.”
By: Hannah gogan
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Jacy Lerouge @jacylerouge
Alishai Bryan @alishaibryan
Katie Ryalls @ktryalls
Grace de Jesus @gracedej
Halle Belden @hallebelden
Sierra Olive @sierraoolive
Hannah Gogan @hannahgogan
BUSINESSES The Other Side Vintage Tallahassee, FL
Grace Altenburg @gracie___baby
PHOTO/VIDEO Ashley Mulaik @graystyleproductions
Kristin Ringuette @ks.ringuettephotography
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