Armour Magazine Spring 2013

armourmag.blogspot.com

SPRING 2013

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“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life. To do away with fashion would be like doing away with civilization.�

- Bill Cunningham.

in this issue 5 6 8 9 14 16 18 24

Letter from the Editors Neha Ă Paris The Bunny Knitter College Essentials Inked Art School Chic Style It Your Way Feminism in Fashion

30 32 34 36 37 44 46

Ash & Dans Student Spotlight DIY or DYE Seeing Red Sock it to Me Not So Normal Formal Self Phones

38 Euclid & Maryland

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Styles & Spaces

TBT

armour.

Editors-in-Chief Jacob Lenard Felicia Podberesky Chantal Strasburger Editors Sarah Ettinger Priyanka Reddy Camil Sanchez-Palumbo Lily Sullivan Director of Layout Ariella Elovic Director of Photography Bonner Williams Director of Blog Chelsea Velaga Layout Team Carmi Cioni Lexy Copithorne Ariella Elovic Jessica Hyman Shelby Lindblad Delaney Lundquist Alix Marson Casey Merber Kyle Newton Sarah Rubin Blake Rutledge Becca Shuman

Contributers Talia Brody-Barre Mary Bishop Lindsay Callahan Reilley Dabbs Helena Hay Brittany Katz Alexis Kirton Sophie Krueger Mahlette Mammo Neha Nair Catalina Ouyang Steven Perlberg

Photographers Sarah Ettinger Jessica Hyman Jacob Lenard Ana Yin Carly Oshima

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? WANT TO GET INVOLVED? E-MAIL US AT armourmag@gmail.com

letter from the editors What the what?! This issue marks our one year anniversary! With a growing team of editors and directors, it is exciting to bring new perspectives to the magazine. As we personally enter into the beginning of the end (sup real world), we are realizing the importance of an unrestricted perspective. Whether its a new take on yourself, finding inspiration in others, or gaining insight into the culture of fashion, we want armour to encourage an open-mindedness this spring.

Find your place. Find your passion. Whether you become the next mysterious Bunny Knitter (pg. 8) or man repel your way into a career (pg. 24), this spring should be about establishing your place at Wash U, making it your own, and styling it your way (pg. 18). Armour is, for us, just that. And not to get all mushy on you, but Wash U is an extremely supportive community that allows you to find your niche. In this time of transition, the three of us can’t help but to be anxious, yet excited, about what’s to come. With the constant (daunting) question of life without Wash U, we try our best to stay focused on the present and make the most of today (but more of that next issue). . .

Spring, according to good old Merriam, is about origins, emergence, and coming into being.

Pops of color can not only add an element of surprise and flare to your look (pg. 38), but can also provide a boost of confidence in the form of red lips (pg. 36). We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, there are no rules. This spring, it’s all about the armour tagline: make a statement!

And, as always, get your armour on.

Chantal Strasburger

Felicia Podberesky

Jacob Lenard (P.S. its pronounced AR-mour. Think that shiny stuff on knights.)

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WHEN I TELL PEOPLE THAT I AM STUDYING ABROAD IN PARIS, what I really mean is that I am spending 50% of my time in Paris and the other 50% inside the Paris Metro. Though I may be receiving my formal education inside the historic classrooms of La Sorbonne, I must say that the Paris Metro has been schooling me, culturally speaking. Let me share with you what I have learned in the introductory course:

how to dress like a Parisian 101 Instructor: Travelers of the Paris Transit System “Porter du Noir,” or “Wear Black” seems to be the unofficial dress code of Paris.

At orientation during my first few days in Paris, we were told that total immersion into French culture includes dressing like the Parisians. This means relinquishing bright colors and collegiate apparel; among other articles of clothing that apparently scream ‘I’M AMERICAN’ to the world. At first, I was skeptical of this piece of advice—as someone who considers neon clothing a wardrobe staple, I was not willing to give up my personal style in order to blend in.

During my time on the Metro, the custom of people watching has become a frequent activity in my daily routine. It occurred to me within the first few weeks that although the color black is a common theme among Parisian ensembles, none of them are lacking in personal style. In a sea of black, standing out may be difficult, but subtle personal accents to an outfit can say as much about one’s personality as wearing bold and bright clothing. I have learned to appreciate the

details in an outfit, like polka-dot socks or old-fashioned glasses. Blending into a crowd does not make one’s style boring; in fact, individuality is revealed upon close inspection through these smaller, unobtrusive details.

Being the dedicated student that I am, I have taken it upon myself to study these Parisian outfits and try to emulate their style. The look that I am drawn to time and time again is the monochrome outfit with varied textures. Think “groutfit” (grey outfit) minus the negative connotation. For example, black wax-coated pants, black tweed jacket with leather sleeves, black studded booties.

I have found myself in an exciting new position: trying to assimilate into Parisian culture while retaining my own personal style. For now, I’ll count the number of times I am asked for directions in the Metro, hoping my appearance declares a little more each day, “I AM PARISIAN.”

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nravelling the Mystery behind the Bunny Knitter

by Mary Bishop

When I asked the infamous “Thinker on a Rock’” (aka “The Bunny”) knitter for an interview, she seemed flattered and enthusiastic but asked that her identity be kept unknown...

MPB:How do you think your knitting affects the WashU community?

BK: I think it’s always good to have obnoxious things to talk about. Just exciting, unexpected things that make campus more thrilling.

� MPB: What inspired you to start the knitting on the bunny?

BK (Bunny Knitter): He just looked really naked and cold.

MPB: What has been your greatest knitting feat?

BK: Probably the sweaters since they get the most attention as public works. They have the most exposure.

But the prom dress I knitted for myself in high school was my biggest undertaking and the knitted chandelier was most random because it’s a chandelier.

MPB: Do you have any other crafting hobbies?

BK: I can draw with my toes -- recognizable images. If I draw a squirrel, you can recognize the squirrel. I do it often when its warmer and I can slip off my shoes and draw under my desk. I did it more in high school; the desks were more conducive to that.

MPB: Why did you choose not to have you identity revealed for this article?

BK: Its no fun if people know who I am. There’s no mystery if it’s too tangible.

MPB: How long have you been knitting for?

BK: 8 years. One of my friends started a knitting club in sixth grade that lasted through high school so we were just knitting all the time.

MPB: What do you make of the yarn bombing culture. Can you explain it for the knitting newbies out there?

BK: People knit stuff onto stuff. I don’t know anyone who does it but I see enough pictures on the Internet to know its cool. I actually once found a picture of bunny thinker on a rock wearing one of my sweaters online.

MPB: How many things have you knitted onto the bunny statue?

BK: A weird crazy colorful sweater, a Wustl sweater, and leg warmers. Someone slashed the leg warmers and turned them down so they kind of looked like elf boots. I don’t know if that was intentional or not. That’s still the biggest mystery.

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MPB: Why the bunny?

BK: I like the bunny, I feel like it’s a being – it’s its own entity.

It’s its own creature sitting there for us to adorn. I’m not trying to say something I am just trying to keep it warm, keep it cool, keep it classy.

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WHITE BUTTON DOWN The classic white button shirt is a more structured take on the white v-neck.

The versatility of a button down surpasses that of a tshirt because you can wear it casually or formally. With jeans and a belt? Check. For a job interview? Check.

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BLAZER/SPORTS COAT In the land of business casual and birthday dinners, having a blazer on hand is an instant way to dress up your outfit. Navy blue especially works well with jeans or khakis for a relaxed, clean look.

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College Essentials

by Mahlette Mammo

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DARK WASH JEAN Having a good pair of jeans is always a necessity in life. You can never have too many pairs of jeans, but dark jeans tend to be the most versatile. Try to find a pair without excessive embellishments, rips, or patterns. These may be trendy now, but fads change over time.

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Preparing for college can be overwhelming with all the impending changes. New city.

New friends. New wardrobe? In college, versatility is key. Here is a guide of the five staples that you will want to have in your closet, especially for those days when you wake up five minutes before class.

DESERT BOOT During the schlep from Seigle to Brown, you want to make sure that you are wearing shoes that are as practical as sneakers and as stylish as flats.

Desert boots strike the perfect balance with both style and support. Make sure to spray on a waterproof treatment because the unpredictable weather of STL could ruin your new go-to shoe in one tenminute downpour.

WHAT MAKES YOU, YOU In the end, the point of your wardrobe is to express yourself. All of these items are good on their own, but they are great when you add your own spin to every outfit. The opportunities are endless, from a statement necklace to a patterned scarf. These items are the easiest way to liven up an outfit with minimal effort.

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It may not be Thursday, but these students on campus have had their own style and swagger since they were kids. Check out how they dress themselves now compared to then.

Photography by: Ana Yin

monique chan, senior

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TBT throwback thursday

David & Rachel Binstock, junior & senior 11

jeff otieno, sophomore

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andy & deb koh, junior & freshman

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Contributors: Nicole Bell, Keaton Carano, Nathan Childs, Bri Coleman, Dennis Echevarria, Nate Eckland, Jamal Gaddis, Greta Garmel, Christina Giusti, Michelle Hall, Brian Lee, Mariano Lopez, Kait Mauro, Georgia McCandlish, Erin McLear, Neha Nair, Catalina Ouyang, Madison Perry, Shannon Welsh, Jerry Wu

THE DAILY REMINDER: This is a quote, a song lyric, a favorite poem, an idiom. You’re attached to the phrase, you want to see it every morning, refresh this thought that’s become something of a personal mantra.

Maybe you decide to get “Just breathe” inked on your ribcage.

Now you’ll never accidentally suffocate. Hint: it’s more poetic if you do it in a foreign language.

A DATA-BASED BREAKDOWN OF TATTOO TRENDS AT WASHU

BY CATALINA OUYANG

THE ARBITRARY ACCESSORY: You come across this fabulous image, and you want ownership.

You could wear it on a shirt, maybe—but why not go balls out and put it on your skin? An accessory tattoo is like makeup that you never have to apply. You slap it somewhere visible, show it off with sleeveless shirts or crop tops or low-rise jeans; and when people ask about it, you can brag, “It looks cool. That’s all.”

THE CATHARTIC STAMP: You’ve made it—you’ve survived. Now it’s time to celebrate the victory of having overcome hard times. You’ve weathered a nasty breakup, you’ve seen people you love die, you’ve overcome depression. The cathartic stamp is a tribute to that success, and a buttress for the next struggle.

THE DRUNKEN MISTAKE: Self-explanatory, really.

THE FAMILY CREST: People can’t always tell a lot about your background by looking at you, and maybe you’d like to remedy that. You decide to celebrate your heritage, your family, your geographical and/or cultural roots, by dedicating a portion of your body to it. Now neither you nor anyone who sees you unclothed will ever forget where you came from.

THE IRONIC JOKE THAT’S KIND OF SERIOUS: You get this funny-looking tattoo, and it looks like a joke, maybe a Drunken Mistake. Truthfully it’s the opposite, in fact there’s a really poignant backstory—but it doesn’t always need to be shared. The hilarity of the tattoo protects you from having to tell your heart-wrenching tale every time, so you can be selective about it. If nothing else, you made people laugh.

THE MILESTONE MARK: When you’re about to embark on a new chapter in your life (starting college, for instance, or becoming a legal adult), you’re feeling a little anxious, a little unhinged, and you want to do something “rebellious.” Some people vandalize the local water tower, some people get their noses pierced, some people buy their first pack of cigarettes, and some people get a tattoo.

In this case, it’s not so much about what the tattoo is as the fact that you got it—because getting inked is pretty badass.

But hopefully it looks cool, too.

the

L A RE

Sam Fox

by Alix Marson

“Wow, that girl* looks insanely artsy. Check out those crazy patterned leggings with those perfectly scuffed up combat boots!

And so many layers! How does she make it look so effortless? I’d never have thought to pair those colors!

It’s risky and edgy, yet worn so casually. Damn, that is grunge– chic on a whole new level. I wish I had the guts to pull that off.

And I wonder how long it took her to get her hair to do that?

No doubt about it...

she must be in the art school.”

16 * Please note: this “girl” they talk about is, regretfully, never me. I usually get: “are you sick or something? You look terrible.” Thanks guys.

allow me to unearth some painful truths here.

I would love to think that, here in Sam Fox, we all take the time and effort to visually exude our über-creative individuality on campus. That we all have the confidence to take fashion risks and care less about anyone that may judge us, knowing that we are merely pioneers in breaking social norms and creating innovative new trends.

But the truth is, when it comes down to it, the way we look is purely a result of necessary adaptation in the course of our four-year battle to survive.

Patterned leggings are great. You can straddle a horse (essentially an easel attached to a square wooden bench, or your crotch’s worst nightmare during a three-hour figure drawing session) without splitting your pants. If you spill some paint on them, you won’t have to get up and rush to the bathroom to clean it off because it blends right in! They also come in handy when someone stole your towel on which to wipe your pastels and/or semipermanently stained blue and orange fingers.

Nobody will even notice if you don’t have time to wash them before you wear them again in a few days (tomorrow).

If you want perfectly scuffed combat boots, we found an extremely quick and effective way to achieve this is by waking up at 8:20 for your 8:30 a.m. drawing class and then repeatedly tripping over your giant portfolio flapping against your legs in the wind as you run (waddle like a drunk duck fleeing from

catapulting balls of fire) through pavement, grass, mud, and sprinklers alike in order to make it to studio.

Layered clothing is especially convenient for those nights when you don’t quite make it back to your dorm room. Simply work all night strung out on the three large coffees you hoarded at Whispers before midnight, nap on the couch in the Communication Design studio for an hour, and throw on the old sweatshirt you keep under your desk and the scarf you had in your bag. It’s like a whole new outfit! Even if we are lucky enough to make it back and get a solid three hours of sleep the night before final critiques begin, it does not mean we had the luxury of time, energy, or integrity to actually undress ourselves, locate new clean clothes, and subsequently redress ourselves. Nope, this sweater thrown over the leggings and the ex-boyfriend’s band t-shirt that we wore yesterday and then slept in will do just fine. And if you haven’t guessed by now, this is also where the “edgy” frizzy hairdo originates.

And the cool eyeshadow? Well... have you noticed it’s also on her chin? And her neck?

And dear god it’s in her hairline too. Yikes.

So next time you see a girl looking particularly artsy as she saunters nonchalantly across campus, just know that she probably hasn’t looked in a mirror in quite some time.

I would say go give her a hug, but you may or may not regret it.

17 photo: http://www.thetoddanderinfavoritefive.com/

STYLE

IT

Your WAY

By: Catalina Ouyang Photography by: Sarah Ettinger When a person is really rocking a garment that is in some way irregular, unconventional, attention-grabbing, what have you, they’re met with plenty of praise and sometimes, this curious phrase: “I could never pull that off”. It’s a puzzling thing to tell someone because it’s sort of a compliment but also a confession of selfdoubt. Telling someone “I could never pull that off” is questionable in the same way that saying, “I wish I could draw” to an illustrator is questionable. Fact is, you could draw if you really wanted to practice and you could pull that off if you really wanted to try. You just need to convince both yourself and everyone who sees you that this piece of clothing does, indeed, belong on you—by styling it your way.

We selected one polarizing garment: a varsity jacket thrifted from Avalon Exchange, to be styled by five Armour team members from their own wardrobes. A letter jacket is generally an unattractive and obnoxious thing to wear, which makes it an interesting challenge to pull off. With looks ranging from a sleek monochrome to clashing prints, the Armour team elevates the varsity jacket from high school cliché to tongue-in-cheek panache.

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Sometimes an unconventional piece works well when the rest of the outfit has nothing to do with it. Go full-out Baroque burlesque with lots of leg and three aggressive prints.

Flashy pumps and retro shades further decontextualize the jacket from its varsity team associations. Avoid the bulky fit and add some glamor by wearing the jacket shrug-like over your shoulders.

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CATALINA OUYANG writer

shirt, H&M. shorts, ASOS. tights, Target. shoes, Irregular Choice. shades, Brian Atwood.

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Play up the sportiness of the jacket with hightop kicks. This look is all about the illusion of comfort and easy movement: a perennial preparation for play. Keep it from feeling too themed by mixing in a ruffled minidress and homey knit cardigan. The flouncy legginess of the dress and tights neutralizes the boxiness of the jacket.

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CHELSEA VELAGA director of blog

cardigan, vintage. dress, kimchi & blue. tights, cheap monday. sneakers, Nike.

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FELICIA PODBERESKY editor-in-chief Athletes, according to some trite films, are the rockstars of high school, but you might as well take it further and dress like an actual rockstar. Fitted trousers in a graphic pattern, some statement jewelry, and bold red lips will let no one mistake you for a jock. Complete the look with a pair of attention-grabbing metallic wedges. pants, H&M. shoes, Urban Outfitters. jewelry, 21 mix of vintage and stolen from mom.

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BECKY SAVITT writer Beat the varsity jacket at its own preppy game with an impeccable black and white ensemble.

This androgynous look relies on the small details: the fit of the pants, the pressed collar, statement pendant, exposed cuff links. It’s Homecoming meets young professional, tinged with a hint of grunge in flatform shoes.

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shirt, Thomas Pink. trousers, Gap. cufflinks, Missoni. claw pendant, Charlotte Fairless. monkey necklace, vintage. creepers, Underground.

Jump to the opposite end of the spectrum from sporty with a fully feminine maxi dress. Think water nymphs and tendrily hair. The flowy, clingy skirt is a picturesque complement to the solid bulk of the jacket. Find a middle ground between the two with a pair of earthy, sturdy boots.

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CAMIL SANCHEZ-PALUMBO editor

maxi dress, Gap. belt, vintage. necklace, Lori’s Shoes Chicago. boots, Calvin Klein.

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FEMINISM’S CHANGING PLACE IN FASHION

BY HELENA HAY

FEMINISM 24

all photos sourced from www.manrepeller.com

THE FASHION INDUSTRY in its simplest definition is the constant sartorial creation that perpetuates an ever-changing concept of beauty. Of course “beauty,” as we have always been told, is in the eye of the beholder and perhaps the pen of the definer. But that’s an exploration for another day. Feminism, on the other hand, is more complex in that it has varying extents.

For the purposes of this article, however, I’m going to say it’s feeling and acting on capital G-P, Girl Power – academically, professionally, socially, the list goes on and on. The two concepts often butt-heads through their stark contrasts. Fashion is beauty, vanity, fantasy, man-made and is showcased externally while feminism is brains, reality, a widened scope of the world and a fire within us. The common question that lies between the two worlds is: is it possible for feminism to exist within fashion?

Today, the answer is a whopping “hell yeah!”

Thanks to personal online channels, women in fashion at any level are able to bring an opinionated voice to the face and job-title us plebeians see, where they can speak in a setting free of advertisers, content quotas, or formal editors. For example, one of the most popular fashion bloggers today, Leandra Medine better known as The Man Repeller, has completely changed the feminine and all-too-posed fashion blog formula through being smart, candid, and unconditional in embracing her quirks. While Medine hasn’t explicitly dubbed herself as a feminist, her witty writing and personal brand foundation revolves around the fact that you should always dress for yourself, with bonus points for man-repelling androgyny. Her mantra works too-- this lady’s got over 250k and 150k Instagram and Twitter followers, respectively.

Not to mention her blog gets 2.6 million page views a month (that’s like the entire population of Chicago checkin’ you out on the regular). The internet allows for an audience far larger than

ever before, which is why we can look at Medine and ‘get’ her as opposed to writing off her stylistic quirks. As she says herself, “[my blog and man-repelling] is not really about fashion, it’s about the freak behind it.” The point is, Medine continues to break barriers, not only in what’s cool for a woman to wear, but also bending the perceived gender standards within fashion.

On the opposite end of the fashion influencer spectrum, betcha didn’t know designer Miuccia Prada was an ardent feminist.

Prada, who holds a PhD in political science and is known for her designs’ eccentric elegance, is a fashion institution, however it was only recently that she was given a stage that reached a little further beyond the fashion bubble. Miuccia Prada was part of 2012’s always popular Met Costume Institute exhibition, where visitors were exposed to not only her designs, but her values as a creator and a fashion industry influencer. In one instance she is quoted as saying, “fashion fosters clichés of beauty, but I want to tear them apart.” Through her industry stature and exposure through the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she has given people a lot to think about and shows us that fashion not only has brains, but needs it.

While both of these women are still feminine to their own extent, their voices are strong through words and visuals. What’s even better is that they are two of dozens and counting. As we continue to progress as a society at large, changes in technology and gender barriers allow for feminism and fashion to merge more and more. Even though at the end of the day fashion will always be about aesthetics, that should never prevent the women within it from being seen and heard as strong, opinionated, and innovative leaders who are grounded in values outside of fashion.

As Beyonce, our agreed upon God, once asked, “who runs the world?”

GIRLS. (and we look good doing it).

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STYLES AND SPACES NEITHER MY CLOTHING NOR INTERIOR-DECORATING STYLE RELY ON CONSISTENCY.

space I’m comfortable in and enjoy sharing with others.

The decor definitely evolved over time. We started with minimal decorations, and slowly added quirky item by quirky item as we encountered them.

In both cases, I celebrate everything retro, especially 80s and 90s styles. I like lots of colors (especially purple), hats and shoes, and homemade knick-knacks.

We both are appreciative of items that are vintage and inexpensive. We don’t have a running ‘theme’ for our apartment, more like several ‘motifs.’ If anything, we encourage each other to find more cool and random items, such as sweet coasters and candles.

By far my favorite places to look for both clothes and furnishings are at thrift stores: it’s inexpensive, old school, and sustainable. I tend to pick furnishings based first on functionality, and then on style and price.

Last year I bought a couch from a thrift store that was 14 feet long and cost $50. The best part? It had a built-in cooler, radio, and telephone. It was a bit grosslooking, but it was dope. And one time, I found some sweet clothes in my sister’s dresser . . . they were a bit tight-fitting but they were fly.

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I’ve always loved hosting people, so I like to have a

I’d much rather decorate my apartment with personallycrafted items than store-bought ones. Andy painted and lacquered the table and made the face out of a beer box.

I made the string lamp shade, the hat clock, the batik printed textile covering my window, and a lot of the glass pieces scattered throughout the apartment. We both worked on “Mike” (the green guy) together. Plans for the future include a functional water fountain in my ceramics class (I already have the water pumps).

A CONVERSATION ON [INTERIORS] AND STYLE WITH LUKE TERREL AND ANDY HANNEBRINK AS TOLD BY LUKE. PHOTOGRAPHY: JACOB LENARD

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The piece of furniture/ decor that best represents or epitomizes your style is‌ 28

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Written by Brittany Katz Images Provided by Ash & Dans

When the colorful, free-spirited, Colorado native Ashley Cook and the all-black-wearing, New York writer Danielle Dankner moved into their Lien dorm room as WashU freshman, they never imagined they would be where they are today. Their WashU nicknames, Ash and Dans, stuck from freshman year and are the inspiration for the high-end scarf company name, ash&dans, which they created in 2008. Armour was lucky enough to find out more about their amazing success, starting a business, and working in the fashion industry. Check out their newest collection at www.ashanddans.com!

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Q: Can you tell me a little about who you both are and how ash&dans got started?

A: We were set up as roommates our freshman year at Wash U. You can say it was fate.

We were best friends through college and lived together through all four years, but we never once discussed the idea of starting a business together; that was just not on our radar.

I (Danielle) was born in New York City and moved back in hopes of finding a job. Ashley, born in Colorado, moved to New York to pursue an acting career. While Ashley had some luck breaking into the industry, I was not so lucky. As the hiring freezes started, she saw me, her best friend, frustrated with the fruitless job search. Ash, an entrepreneur and optimist at heart, decided it was time to take action. She knew that we had the work ethic, will power and creative edge to start a business together. When Ashley brought up the idea at first, it seemed too good to be true. But the more seriously we thought about it, we realized it was going to become a reality. We have both always been obsessed with scarves and we knew that it was one of the few products that women were still buying as the economy took a turn for the worse. Thus, the idea of ash&dans was born. Our scarves are easy-to-wear accessories that update an outfit without breaking the bank.

Q: Where do you find inspiration and what designers do you most admire in the industry?

A: We find inspiration in everything around us. Together, we collaborate on honing in on the best pieces that will make a cohesive collection, creating the perfect blend of classic and cool. Ash’s style is definitely crazy, colorful and bold, whereas my style is much more muted and simple. There are so many designers we admire in the industry.

We are inspired by Burberry’s ability to create a chic signature scarf that will never go out of style. We are also inspired by Alexander Wang’s use of rayon jersey. He makes such a simple material look so effortlessly chic and cool. But the list could go on and on… Elizabeth and James, Rag and Bone, Jason Wu, Current/Elliot, Chanel, Lanvin…

Q: What have been some of your biggest challenges in getting to where you are today?

A: One of the biggest challenges was dealing with all of the haters and disbelievers in the beginning. A lot of people would smirk or question our legitimacy when we first told them we were starting a scarf company, but after all of our success, they’re not smirking anymore. I think people are genuinely impressed with how we’ve built up our company from scratch, with no outside help or investments, and garnered a celebrity following. It’s pretty amazing when we step back and look at what we’ve accomplished in just over four years.

Q: Was there anything you learned at WashU that has helped you in your career and post college?

A: We are both obsessed with WashU. We think WashU cultivates independent, hardworking, thoughtful individuals who graduate with the ability to adapt to any industry.

Nonetheless, I believe WashU taught us how to think critically, analyze thoughtfully, and act entrepreneurially.

Q: What advice do you have for students who love fashion and want to get into the industry?

A: There is no time like the present. When you are young, creative, bold and somewhat naïve, it is the perfect time to go for your dreams. One day you might have a family and responsibilities that prevent you from being able to take such a risk, so this is the time to put yourself out there and try it. If you have an idea, go for it. Start planning, research the market, talk to industry professionals. Ashley and I frequently met with young entrepreneurs in the beginning; it was helpful for networking purposes as well as practical purposes. There is also no place like New York. We wouldn’t have ash&dans if we didn’t live here. NYC is the epicenter of fashion and style. There is so much creativity and energy; it is a wonderful environment for fashion enthusiasts.

Q: What is next for Ash&Dans?

A: You’ll have to stay tuned to find out!

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Ingrid Chang “Style can be paradoxical.

I don’t think it is something that has to be defined and labeled. It can be experimental and classic, simple and complex, neutral and dramatic, all at the same time.�

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Year: Sophomore Major: Communication Design Hometown: Los Angeles Interests: Graphic Design, Web Design Hobbies: Traveling, reading, listening to music, and going to concerts. I love finding new music.

Inspiration: The past. I love the whole 60’s mod style and the way all the Warhol superstars dressed. I also have a bit of an obsession with the 20’s flapper dresses.

My weakness: asos.com I think that when people wear all black they get the stereotype that they take themselves too seriously. I don’t think this is necessarily true, because black can lend itself to a lot of different looks. It can be laid back or dramatic, depending on how you wear it.

Although I do wear a lot of black, I still have fun getting dressed up. I like to keep my look simple but sometimes I play it up with layers and funky accessories depending on how I’m feeling. I like to look put-together, but I don’t want to be upstaged by my outfits.

A good outfit should accentuate and flatter the person wearing it rather than distract.

Some designers that do this really well in my opinion are Alexander Wang and Phillip Lim. I love the way they experiment with different cuts and shapes but still maintain a classic look.

Photography: Jessica Hyman and Lexy Copithorne

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Before

DIY OR DYE With Helena Hay Photography by: Allory Relf

How To: Henna Hair Dye

Steps: 1. Prep your space, this stuff is hella messy. I put on clothes I could ruin, took off my jewelry and confined myself to the bathroom.

You Will Need: • Rubber gloves • Plastic bowl • Henna dye, I played it relatively safe and bought the Caca Brun block, described as enriching hair into rich, dark brown tones, from Lush. Lush carries four different blends from brilliant red to deep black that can also be mixed to your liking.

• Coloring brush • Saran wrap • Vaseline to protect your hairline from staining • ~ 6 hours, so have a solid Netflix queue for when you’re waiting for the dye to set • A helpful friend

2. Cut up the henna block and slowly add hot water. Mix until it’s at a consistency of thin batter, make sure to keep it warm during the whole process. The amount of the block you use depends on how much hair you have, I ended up using the whole thing.

3. Apply the vaseline to your hairline, I also sported a sweatband as an extra precaution but take note, you will ruin it forever. Wearing the gloves, apply the henna to your head, starting at the roots and moving towards the ends. Having a loving and helpful friend at this stage is key.

4. Leave it on for 3-5 hours and then thoroughly wash it out until the water runs clear using shampoo.

5. Do like Willow Smith and whip your hair back and forth with joy, but keep in mind it takes a couple days for the color to fully develop.

Tips: • Consistency of the dye is key, it hardens pretty fast so keep it warm. You want it to be somewhere in between thin yogurt and cake batter.

• If you want a little more red in your results, wrap your hair in saran wrap. The lack of oxidation brings the red out plus you can see what it’s like to look like a conehead for a hot sec.

• If your hair is extremely light or already chemically treated, test the henna on a strand of hair before committing to your whole head

After Pros: • Henna doesn’t damage hair like chemical dyes, and the Lush henna adds moisture and shine because the block is created with cocoa butter • The color gradually fades within 8 weeks so you won’t get a line in your hair while it grows, not chic • You can continue to build a deeper color by using the dye more often Cons: • It makes a huge mess and has a pretty unique smell • It’s expensive. The Lush henna block costs $26 whereas a box of chemical dye is ~$7 • Time consuming • You can’t do this alone, trust me. I used to dye my hair solo all the time in high school, again, do not attempt alone.

Now that I am older and wiser, I would definitely do this again. The color looks great and is really multidimensional still since it just stains your hair instead of making it one solid color. Plus if you’re like any other 20-something and fear commitment, remember you aren’t getting into a longterm relationship with the color thanks to the natural fading.

>>> RED LIPSTICK can be a fairly controversial accessory. There are those of us that swear by it, daring to show up to class relatively makeupless with painted lips under the assumption that it is the saving grace from breaching the status of “slob.” Then there are those who go day to day with naturally nude lips and backhandedly repeat, “I just can’t pull it off.” Herein lies the beauty of the red lip, there is no “pulling it off,” for once you master it, it is a perfect contradiction, toeing the line between the classicists and the daring that adorn the fashion world.

For those of you that steer clear from red lips due to its horrific potentiality, read: 1980s bride with crimson lips and blue eyeshadow, young girls imitating their mothers with a ring of lipstick around their lips, or The Joker from Batman; realize the simple ways of avoiding these fauxpas. We’ve (hopefully) grown out of the make-up stages of large patches of blush on our face and lipstick on our teeth and moved on to an era of sophistication which recalls actresses of glamourous decades who leave perfect lipstick marks on their lovers’ cheeks. Find your perfect shade and you, too,can leave your perfect mark.

The key to “pulling it off” is to escape that state of denial in which we all believe we’re of the golden-bronzed skin tone variety. I first discovered I was not a member of this exclusive club at the Chanel makeup counter when I attempted to buy a nude lipstick with golden tones and I was promptly escorted to an area of the counter intended for customers of a paler set, without the exciting shimmery golden tones. If you were blessed with a perma-spring break tan, venture towards richer tones of red and orange, like Chanel’s Rouge Allure. If you, like me, remain ghostly pale throughout the seasons, stick to darker tones with light hints of blues and purples. Chanel’s New Look is the perfect opportunity for embracing the inevitable stark contrast between transparent skin and rouge lips; its dark shade suggests a purposefulness for the color-blocking. Olive skin tones reflect perfectly with rustier (significantly more appealing than it sounds) shades, like Tom Ford’s Crimson Noir.

For darker skin tones, try a lighter tone on your lips like Nars’ Dolce Vita.

Sock it to Me

by Steven Perlberg, Illustrations by Ariella Elovic

The adage goes something like this: You always lose at least one sock after doing laundry. Somewhere up in sock heaven is a vast sea of companionless drifters. Of course, back here on earth, a widowed sock is doomed to live out the rest of its existence in the back of the drawer, or worse, in the garbage.

Very few times in our lives do we hear about the sock that made it. The sock that was found. I’m here to tell you that story.

It’s important to know that I’m a total sock man. If ever I were to grace the trendy pages of the Armour blog, it would be because of my socks. I live with an editor of Armour, and upon my many requests to be photographed for the blog, I’m usually met with a recommendation to expand my repertoire toward stylish clothing above the calf.

I’m something of a fashion coward, so I’ve amassed a noteworthy collection of ornate socks because, frankly, it’s the easiest way to express myself without being too expressive. Armour’s motto is “make a statement.” A fun pair of socks is the diet soda of making a statement.

I get enough compliments on my admittedly garish socks to make me feel like I’m contributing something to the fashion world. Though, I do tell people I get them from sick thrift shops when they’re really from Urban Outfitters and J. Crew – the kinds of places where the clothes have the illusion of cool once you’re able to remove the semi-conformist label.

But I digress. One weekend during this past winter, I lugged my dirty clothes to campus to do laundry. My building on Wash Ave has one rickety washer and a dryer that will leave your clothes damper than Mudd Field, so I tend to just haul

my laundry to the familiar campus machines of my youth.

Everything went according to plan. I felt pretty good when I left campus that every sock had its mate, none missing in action. But sure enough, when all was said and folded, one sock was unaccounted for.

As the sock gods are apt to do, it was, of course, one of my favorite pairs. Red and blue with a funky design (if we’re being politically incorrect, a distinctly Native American composition that Urban Outfitters has since discontinued out of cultural courtesy).

I’ve learned through the years to shrug off losing a sock, but this one hurt. That night we got a few inches of snow – always a blast – and it helped ease my pain. There are other socks in the sea, I told myself.

Fast-forward to a few days later, I’m walking out of my building and there, lying on the ground in the shape of a wry smile, is my red and blue politically incorrect sock. I’m absolutely floored. I must have dropped it on my way back into the building after I did my laundry. It got covered by the snow and wasn’t visible until the weather warmed up. I grabbed the sock and ran upstairs to reunite the pair. It was really great seeing them together again. I felt like the Match.com of feet.

What are the takeaways here? Why are you reading this?

After all, you’re probably wondering why this tale is even appropriate for a fashion magazine. So, moral of the story, I think: Don’t be afraid to wear crazy socks just because you may lose one in the laundry, because there’s always a chance you’ll find it days later outside your apartment in a pool of mud.

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d n a l y r a M & d

i l c u E

Exploring the Central West End

Adventure into one of Saint Louis’s quainter neighberhoods, only a hop, skip, and a short drive away from WashU’s Campus. The Central West End is a combination of friendly boutiques, coffee shops, and a vibrant nightlife.

On the corner of Euclid & Maryland, Ivy Hill boutique offers pops of color for the perfect spring style.

All Apparel by Ivy Hill Boutique Styling by Lilly Sullivan Models: Claudia Vaughn, Shelby Linblad, Molly Reissmann Photography by Jacob Lenard

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Not So Normal Formal

1 Formal wear: awesome in theory, painful in practice.

Both loved and dreaded, the thought, “what am I going to wear?” is pretty much universal. The pressure to look good is due to the fact that formal events a) are rare, b) involve mingling, and c) will always entail pictures.

Fact: girls go bananas when they know they will be photographed.

In the stress of finding shoes that match, wearing a dress that hides bloat, and figuring out hair and makeup, it’s not surprising that personal style gets lost in translation. Sometimes, it’s easier to wear a tight black dress and patent leather heels.

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Now for the lowdown: Get two pairs of formal shoes. One black, one… nude? A ‘funky’ color? This way, you are never caught without shoes that match. Since your feet have probably stopped growing, I say invest in some great ones. Just think, shoes so comfortable, girls don’t have to walk home barefoot from a party! Amazing!

Borrow. The fact that girls have to come up with a new dress while boys get to wear the same suit over and over again…Ugh. If you do wear the same dress, all you need to do differently is…

Accessorize. Why don’t we do that more?

Who owns weird jewelry? Buy it, borrow it, or steal it from mom over spring break.

Don’t feel obligated to wear only dresses.

Girls who wear maxi-skirts, umbrella pants, or suits always stand out without looking flashy.

Wearing formal attire that is different and reflects you and your personal style will make you more confident. Confidence = self-assurance = always on your game = happiness. Not to say you won’t be happy if you don’t wear unique outfits to formal events, but if you want to look different, go for it! You deserve to look your best and feel your best, especially when notorious formal pictures are being taken.

Photography: Bonner Williams Stylists: Sarah Ettinger, Sophie Krueger, Mary Bishop Models: Cassie Mitchell, Serena Lekawa.

Ally Brabant, Maya Patterson

#GOINGBANANAS

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Self Phones

by Lindsay Callahan

Though at first seemingly simplistic and functional in purpose, cell phone cases are no longer just for protecting our beloved phones. The recent trend of designer covers has allowed for thousands of options to accurately express ourselves. We can wordlessly communicate our aesthetic styles or opinions—sassy, chic, or practical—and can pretend we are just as fashionable as celebrities like Alexa Chung or Blake Lively, simply because we have the same plastic casings on our phones. While mine is embarrassingly boring and utilitarian in its ability to hold my room key and campus card, others utilize phone covers as portable means of identity. A girl carrying a colorful Vineyard Vines patterned case is most presumably from the East Coast and is partial towards prep. A boy who has a simple black, leather case will likely be in the business school or is a professional. And it would be safe to assume that a person using a phone case printed with van Gogh’s Starry Night finds pride in her art enthusiasm. Designers such as Marc Jacobs, Rebecca Minkoff, Kate Spade, and even Chanel, all dove into this new industry in attempts to satisfy fashionistas looking to support their brands and to aesthetically (and stylishly) transmit their identities.

Phone cases allow for individuality with their unique styles and colors, yet they undeniably link us cell phone lovers who carry the plastic accessories in our impersonal, technology-obsessed world.

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