Issuu

Armour is family, and this issue is a

embraced the challenge and dove

and truths—an intimate glimpse

reflection of your trust in this com-

head-first into the uncomfortable. You

into the depths of Armour’s collec-

munity—trust that allowed you to

dared to push the boundaries, to ask

tive curiosity. Through your words,

let us into the corners of your minds.

hard questions, and to fearlessly un-

images, and ideas, you’ve trans-

Thank you Armourites. You brought

cover the things that others overlook.

formed secrecy into art, making the invisible impossible to ignore.

us secrets, confessions, mysteries wrapped in layers of meaning, and

It’s this bold, unapologetic spirit that

turned them into something tangible,

sets you all apart, and it’s this spirit

As you turn these pages, take a

something daring.

that will carry forward into the next

moment. Look closer. Read be-

chapter. Armour has always been

tween the lines, because Armour

This issue highlights what we’ve

a home for those who think deeply

will always bring more than meets

always loved most about the Armour

question loudly, and create boldly.

the eye.

community—the audacity to defy

We know that spirit will only grow

conventions and challenge the status

stronger in the hands of those

We love you forever,

quo. It’s easy to show the world what

who follow.

Lea, Leena, & Audrey

they can already see. Harder, though, is confronting what makes it uneasy.

Together, we crafted an exposé of

This issue exists because you all

hidden identities, untold desires,

It’s often said, “man is not what he

What happens when we internalize

thinks he is, he is what he hides.” Se-

our deepest secrets? What truths hide

crets shape us. They linger in the spac-

behind the facades of cults, the gloss

es between what we say and what we

of glamour, the pages of private jour-

mean, in the glances we steal and the

nals? How does society decide what

words we swallow. Some secrets are

must be silenced—and what happens

whispered behind closed doors, oth-

when those silences are broken?

ers buried so deep they become part of us—altering the way we move, the

In this issue, Armourites explored the

way we exist. But what happens when

backdoors of their minds, exposing

the hidden refuses to stay in the dark?

the classified, the concealed, and the clandestine. This issue turns whispers

Armour’s 32nd issue, For Your Eyes Only,

into declarations and shadows into

is a revelation of the unseen—a deep

stories to create an exposé of the raw,

dive into the secrets we bury and the

unfiltered realities that exist beyond

truths we censor. This issue unbolts the

the veil. Join us as we pull back the

collective lockbox of unspeakable con-

curtain on the forbidden to unearth

fessions, unspoken desires, and untold

hidden narratives of the world.

stories that rarelysee the light of day.

1-12 13-20 21-28 29-40 41-54 55-64 65-74 75-86 87-96 97-104 105-116

Bunny Coven Digitally Objected Esoteric Dictionary Sonder Metamorphosing Secrets Stories from a Stranger The Smelly Lunchbox Rumor Has It Unfinished Couture Redacted Conceal & Reveal

Creative Directors Robin Pyo Faith Phillips

Models Lana Lewis Lavina Gryzmajlo Harlem Taylor Margo Ogrosky

Writer Sidney Speicher

Photographers Sophia Maldonado Isabelle Silver

Makeup Artist Grace Pindel

Layout Designer Margo Ogrosky

Stylist Faith Phillips

Step Ⅰ: The Invitation To whom it may concern,

Welcome. Please make note of our instructions. Sugar spun, sweet as honey Softest touch – call me bunny. Take me where the grapes will sour From wine gone bad at dusk’s first hour. Clasp my hand and swear on this: We are more than academics – Girls with goals beyond a ring We have plans for men called king. Sister, sister! Forget me not – There is much to do before all is lost.

Formally yours,

the Bunnies 4

Step Ⅱ:

The Beginning 5

Into earthly delights we delve: Come find us in the forest (where it all began). Gather round! Watch it come together! Candles, books, and potions.

Remember: Snakes were in the beginningBunnies come at the end.

Step Ⅲ: The Ritual

Do not fear our gentle clasp We hold hands with this strength. Hush, hush! The cages will not contain you (for long) you shall be free! I shall pet you, and you shall calm… Close your eyes and this too shall pass. I shall braid her hair and kiss her cheek, And our skirts will sway in the quiet breeze. The men are with us (but not) (for long).

It is growing dark, the time is now. The candles are lit while they turn away. There is such a softness, such a stillness To our lilting voices chanting. We are loyal to each other, we make this promise. To you, we promise: this fear shall pass (and then, we can all belong).

Step Ⅳ: The Bunnies Once upon a time, There was a beautiful forest filled with beautiful creatures. The most beautiful of all were the bunnies. Soft and white and bright they abounded, ruling the land. There was a harshness to their freedom: their control. Balance must be restored! Or so said the fairies.

Thus began the annual ritual: The fairies were magical because they were united. We live in simpler times. But the task still remains: Balance must be restored in this forest, and beyond.

DIGITALLY OBJECTED

creative direction: nico cevallos, phoenix lee models: bram hoffman, phoenix lee photography: rose liu styling: nico cevallos, phoenix lee makeup: gabbi arguelo writing: river alsalihi layout: fiona lyons-carlson

We’re encased in nondescript gray walls and it smells like shit, but I know I am handsome. I am desired. He is kissing me, so I am. He has me pressed into the corner of the stall, and I’m trying to silence myself, but there’s a spark in my throat that’s threatening to shoot out. I want to yell. I want this. He’s stunning, too. Even when he was staring at me silently, waiting for me to say something while I waited for him. And I didn’t feel like a human, and I couldn’t figure out if the lingering feeling in my gut meant something good or something bad.

But it’s now. It’s now. The world rattles for a second and our eyes fly open at the same time. Someone’s in the stall next to us. Our lips part. His pupils are blown out and I know mine are too. He moves down to my neck. My veins are icy and I’m afraid. Warmth blooms under my jaw. Fluorescent lights burning. The taste of lips. Footsteps.

I don’t want this body anymore if it’s all I am. If I’m just a doll, a cardboard cutout, a page in a raunchy magazine with the face scribbled off the model. Better yet, with the head cut out, so all you see is skin and muscle and hair. I want to take the discarded head and reattach it. I want to glue the paper face back on. I want to roll in dirt. I want to wear a colorless, rectangular sack. I want to wear something that will make people’s eyes bounce off–a reflective surface. I want to crack my mirrors and throw them away only after they’re sufficiently broken. I want someone to look at my eyes and smile in a way that doesn’t make me feel like I’m about to get eaten. I want to hold someone’s hand–it doesn’t matter if it’s rough or pillowy or freezing or warm–for more than just a desperate second, and I want someone else to see it. I want someone to see me with roses in my hair and floating glints of light haloing the crown of my head, and I want them to say something sweet about it–about me. I want to feel like I’m full of nectar and my words ooze honey. I want someone to listen to me and eat up all my words, waiting for the next meaningful thought I share. I want to learn someone, and I want to be learned. I want to be the subject of daydreams, not some creature that only gets let out of its cage when night falls over. I want to feel the sun on my face and for it to feel like relief, not a punishment. I want to walk out of the house like I own the body I live in, not the other way around. I want to never expect something lovely or darling again. Here’s the beheaded, laminated model, whitened at the edges from being crumpled. Here’s the unrecognizable face lost in the corner of some hidden space, some unromantic jail.

ESOTERIC DICTIONARY 21

CREATIVE DIRECTION McKale Thompson WRITING Halla Jones ILLUSTRATION Nissi Yorke McKale Thompson PHOTOGRAPHY Priscilla Lee MODEL Chelcie Crutch LAYOUT GRACE DEMBA

Code-switching is a complex topic to unpack.

THE

Black women and femmes are expected to code-switch and mimic white culture in order to not be perceived as the threatening “angry Black woman.”

ANGRY

BLACK

WOMAN

Code-switching is a complex topic to unpack. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines it as “the switching from the linguistic system of one language or dialect to that of another,” but for Black women and femmes, it is a completely different universe. It is not solely switching between languages and dialects, but it is our mannerisms, demeanor, body language, and even facial expressions. Codeswitching is not limited to the workplace for them, but is ingrained into their everyday lives and experiences. In predominantly white spaces, Black women and femmes are expected to code-switch and mimic white culture in order to not be perceived as the threatening “angry

Black woman.” If they are introverted and avoid extra conversation, there is a possibility they will be seen as someone with a bad attitude and not a “team player.” If they have anxiety, they are seen as standoffish and too reserved, despite being at an increased risk for social anxiety. In fact, studies by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America found that Black women and femmes often find themselves to be the only one or the first one in workplaces, college, and professional school settings across the United States.

In these situations, more likely than not, they have been taught that they must be twice as good to go half as far, that they represent the Black diaspora, and that they are being watched more closely and intensely than their white counterparts due to higher expectations-- all of which increase their risk of social anxiety. Furthermore, another risk factor for social anxiety among Black women and femmes in the workplace or in college, graduate, or professional school is navigating the boundary between code-switching, being perceived as whitewashed, or being seen as “too Black.” The attack on one’s racial identity, whether it be the erasure of their Blackness or the exaggeration of stereotypes regarding their Blackness, can create anxiety and tension.

Having to constantly navigate between different personas via code-switching can be exhausting overtime. Code-switching happens every day, sometimes unintentionally, other times intentionally. It is a survival mechanism that is ingrained into the lives of Black women and femmes so that they can fit into a black-and-white world that is not meant for their authentic selves. In a society where Blackness and womanhood are viewed as inferior or less than, codeswitching serves as a means for protection and resistance against the cultural assimilation Blackness must go through when entering predominantly white spaces.

Code-switching happens every day, sometimes unintentionally, other times intentionally. 25

The effects of code-switching go beyond mental health for Black women and femmes. It impacts their economic and financial circumstances as well. When preparing to enter predominantly white spaces, Black women and femmes often have to physically prepare themselves for the new environment. Not only do they have to code-switch, but many have to find more “professional” and socially-acceptable attire. If they are someone who prefers to wear their hair out in its natural state, they might pay for a hair appointment to straighten their hair, or have a wig installed as a way to prevent being rejected for looking unkempt and unprofessional– although actually looking unprofessional is not the case. For others, they might resort to braids or twists to feel more comfortable in their environment. While this is an option, there is also the risk of braids being seen as unprofessional or inappropriate as well. Looking past hair, many–but not all–Black women and femmes often wear acrylic, gel, or press-on nails, as well as false eyelashes (i.e. falsies).

For Black women and femmes, these are accessories that are common in Black culture across the diaspora, added for personal preference. For non-Black people who do not understand the aesthetic differences, these accessories can be perceived as “ghetto” and lower-class, leading them to look down on the Black women and femmes who wear them. Modifying one’s appearance-- whether by adding or removing these features-- to fit into predominantly white environments can cost hundreds of dollars per month, especially in major cities.

SONDER

PHOTO Max Selver

DIRECTION

WRITING

Ellie Buddie Lauren Speicher Max Selver

Sidney Speicher

Models Mia Phutrakul Mira Ugwuadu Neil Narayanan Lauren Speicher Ellie Buddie

Makeup Josie Blough

STYLING Ellie Buddie Mira Ugwuadu

LAYOUT Grace Demba 30

The Title

They call her professor – like they think she professes. 31

They know her in terms of: acco-mplishments: acco-unting doctorate degrees and languishing lectures. She is one of the masses one of our many:

Professors, professor! 32

II. The PERCEPTION

she is numbers + calculations + fate. she carries the scale and she carries the weight to determine who they become. she is nice she is well-dressed she holds office hours

+ + +

[despite] [surprise!] [between 4-5]

= conversational constructions.

she is monday + wednesday + 11am, she is emails asking: for an extension, please? she is an imaginary number = a smile pretending to believe i studied, really! she = professor = business = grades + numbers + equations + the fading shout saying,

i’ll see you all next week, at 11am!

III.

The FIGHT

SEE YOU IN THE LOBBY CODE FOR: SEE YOU FOR THE LOBSTER 35

HERE WE HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE: HERE WE HAVE ONLY TO DESTROY: TO TAKE: TO CHALLENGE TO RUIN SOME RELATIONSHIPS, TO AVENGE OTHERS THE CLAPPING IS DROWNED OUT BY THE CRACKING BY THE CLICKING OF CLAWS AGAINST CHEEKBONE, AGAINST FURY SOMEONE SHOUTS: BOXING: CAGE: ACHILLES LOCK WHATEVER IT IS, IT BRINGS YOU DOWN. THE FLOOR FEELS COLD AGAINST A BITTER LOSS HIT HER AGAIN - SHE’S ALWAYS BEEN READY SHE’S BEEN A PUNCHING BAG FOR DECADES AND WHEN THE GLOVES ARE ON SHE BECOMES UNREOCGNIZABLE IN HER MISSION TO BE THE LAST ONE STANDING. 36

IV. The DINNEr POP goes the milkshake machine! with a cherry on top, please! LMFAO DID YOU HEAR THAT!!! more and more isn’t enough – it doesn’t equal enough! there is too much space; there is too little color and too little time – sweetie, please, pass the salt! she’s purple; she’s orange; they’re the blinding lights. they are youth reclaimed because it was never enough! lmfao, whats enough anyways?

#alwayssearching

she’ll film this and send this and share this and create a community where it is never enough to just be and want and question and like and comment and #downinthedumps #gonnabeofflineforafewweeks #destinationwedding #nostaliga #theitgirlsoftheweek POP goes the milkshake machine and I get to say Goodbye for now, my munchkins!

[The Ride? The Affair? Inanimate Being?]

Love is roses and love is spring in bloom. Love is a beacon of light in the dark that helps you endure the lame afternoons, and enjoy a stroll through the local park. There is nowhere to go without your hold And she can’t ask you if this is enough Because she does not know the bold lovers in a world that makes rules for what is: love. But she knows she has the control to say What we are and where you’ll be at all times Because she is the one holding the key To your heart – and also, the start button. You are her life, her means, her everything. Her car, her love: inanimate being. 39

VI.

The RETURN first bell: there she is. equations on the board what else could there be? 40

creative directors Lola Lamberg Yabsera Bekele

writing Lola Lamberg photography Priscilla Lee styling Evelyn Pae Lola Lamberg makeup Olivia Slemmer modeling Judy Li Jonas Schwab layout Margo Ogrosky

The boy and the girl are kindred spirits. We tend to forget how we are all connected before facing the burdens of our secrecy. Secrets do not pass kindly over any soul. But these two - the boy, the girl - manifest their confidentiality in waves of physicality.

Chains, leather and shards of locked metal shapes shift the words of knowledge into cutting forms of punishment and the undeniable weight of untruths. The chains are a testament to the burdens they carry. Each lock is a barrier to the secrets they guard so fiercely. Permanent tears streak from weary, restless eyes which serve to look outward and inward in guard of continuous efforts to guard home truths. Amidst the darkness that surrounds them, there exists a certain beauty in the bond that they share, a connection forged where two crystallized paths of shared experience cross.

condemned to carry the weight of their concealed truths for the infinite limited time we all have. However, in the lines between the locks lay the moments of shared vulnerability.

Here, they find solace and redemption in the embrace of a kindred spirit. They find comfort in the knowledge that they are not alone in their struggle. Perhaps there is a certain beauty in the visual representation of their shared burden. Though their secrets may remain tangibly held, no matter what fight their weariness can attempt to put up,

as are all of ours, bound by the invisible threads of shared sequestered knowledge and human understanding. 54

Stories from a Stramger

Direction Natalia Jamula Sadie Rosen Emily Blake Photography Sofia Huitron Writing Jackie Wang Layout Grace Demba

joy

Reflect on a moment when you felt true joy.

purpose

What is your purpose in life?

advice Give one piece of advice to your younger self.

Hadia

Tony

Aish

Abir 65

Creative Direction

Photography

Makeup

Writing

Sam LoGerfo-Olsen Nicole Farnsley

Nicole Farnsley

Shalah Russell

Rachel Bai

The

Smelly Lunchbox Modeling

Styling

Abir Hamdaoui & Tony Choueiri & Hadia Khatri & Aisha Ali

David Schantz & Evelyn Pae

Born and raised in the U.S. with a family from Syria, Tony highlights the importance of traditional food and dance. “The dancing is a big part. My brother is very good at it, and he’s trying to teach me when I come home for the summer. Dancing is a big part of every outing or occasion,” he shares. He reflects on his experience with food during his childhood. “During Christmas and Thanksgiving, everyone around me would usually have turkey, but my mom would make Grape Leaves, which would be my dinner. It was always a very fun thing to have because I like that food a lot. My first memory of sharing food with others outside

my own culture was when one of my Ukrainian friends from my basketball team, along with his parents, joined us for a meal where we shared Arab food, and they brought Ukrainian dishes.” Reflecting on the challenges of bringing ethnic food to school as a child, he recalls, “When I would take traditional foods to school, it would have a different smell, and kids would say that it’s smelly or that they didn’t like it.” But over time, he notes that “people are now more respectful. I think that as people get older, people become more used to different foods.”

On Child hoo Experien d ce

Tony

h s a i A ing t a s E On l Food la Ha

Growing up both Muslim and Indian, Aisha emphasizes the importance of halal food. “Growing up, my family always ate halal meat. We never got meat from a regular grocery store. Whenever we went to restaurants, we would eat vegetarian unless the restaurant was Muslim-owned because halal meat is prepared in a very specific way. Home is where I would eat meat. My parents went to odd lengths, like driving 30 minutes to a halal butcher, to make me feel normal— things that were simple to others were complex to us due to our dietary needs,” she recounts. “Enjoying treats that aren’t typically halal, like rice crispy treats and marshmallows, in a halal manner was super exciting to me as a kid. Whenever my dad went to the halal meat store, he would bring home halal rice crispy treats, and that’s something I still really cherish. The experience was special; it made me feel American and allowed me to adhere to halal practices. The other day, I went to the halal butcher in St. Louis for the first time, and I got the rice crispy treats that reminded me of my childhood. Even though I don’t eat halal anymore, whenever I do eat a halal treat, it makes me super nostalgic.”

She expresses a deep connection to their cultural practices through food, especially during Ramadan: “Cooking with my grandma every day after school was a huge part of my childhood. I love cooking now because I think it’s a way to bring people together. It’s Ramadan right now, and last week, my friend and I hosted a potluck, which is why I was at the halal butcher. I think it’s really special because the great lengths required to source specific ingredients and spices make the preparation of food about more than just cooking; it becomes a deeply intentional act. I love how, in my culture, people come together around food, particularly during breaking fast. That gathering and shared experience is one of my favorite parts of Ramadan.”

Abir is an international graduate student from Morocco who emphasizes the bright blend of cultures that shapes her identity. “Morocco’s rich culture is a beautiful mix, tied deeply to food, vibrant outfits, jewelry, music, and so much more. My home is filled with cultural decor, such as my rugs, pillows, and other small things that make me feel more at home.” Abir is known for making food for her friends: “Sharing food is how I express that I truly love somebody. I love having people over and cooking for them! During my junior year of undergrad, I got really close to this girl from India because we couldn’t go home for winter break. We would cook for each other, and it became this huge thing.” Reflecting on their overall experience, she adds, “Being Moroccan and growing up there—the fact that as an adult, I’m in a different environment is what keeps me so deeply rooted in my culture.”

g ookin C n y O entit d I d an

Abir 72

d ly an i m a y On F munit Com

Hadia

“I’m Indian American, but second generation since my parents grew up here,” explains Hadia. “I highly cherish our food and the family/community dynamic. Everyone you meet is family, and it’s very welcoming and supportive.” She describes the emotional and communal significance of Biryani, a dish central to their family gatherings and celebrations like Eid: “It’s really special both taste-wise and emotionally since it is always associated with laughter and family time.” At college, she continues these traditions. “When I came here, I cooked curry with rice for my friends, and they enjoyed it! I see it as a way to share my culture and just de-stress.”

Modeling

Writing

Fiona Lyons-Carlson Chloe Wetzler Arielle Roybal Chloe Erramouspe

Crea

t i ve

Dire

Noé Uma ction P ñ Margo Og a-Ramos Sofhotography ia Huitr L a yo rosky ut on Av a Fa r r a r

Styli

Nicole F

arnsley

Noé Uma Mak ñ a R Margo O amos Gr eup grosky ace Pind el

Rumour

t I s a H 76

e n O Part THE DAUGHTER OF DRACULA? Victoria Exposes Self As a Vampire As it turns out, the friends and family of Victoria should carry garlic cloves and wooden stakes in their shoulder bags whenever they’re around this seasons “It Girl”. Known for gallivanting around town and attending parties with the newest designer releases, Victoria has been shielding her truth from the public since she stepped onto the scene. She uses shiny things to hide her real identity: Victoria is a vampire! This Monday, Victoria walked past the paparazzi and accidentally flashed her fangs. In the past, she may have been able to wipe out anyone she revealed herself to, but she can’t bite her way out of this one! The warning signs had always been there, we just didn’t connect the dots. We always thought her aversion to silver was merely a fashion choice. Now that we think about it, we’ve never seen her outside when the UV index is above 5. She’s been described as blood-sucking before – but we never thought literally! Victoria has not been seen since, presumably damned to her coffin (and an intensive PR training).

s s e c n i r p h c Fren d e d n a h d e r t caugh s e c n i r P The damage control

he f o t

d min

Video L79eake d

s The French aristocracy is not happy about this one. Princess Marie is facing the wrath of the nation after a video of her partying spread across the internet. Known for being poised in public, it seems Marie has forgotten everything she learned at cotillion. Rambunctious and (nearly) incapacitated, in last weekend’s viral video, Marie paints a very different picture than the one she has cultivated in the past. The monarchy is under heavy scrutiny after Marie’s antics. How can the King and Queen have authority over a nation when they can’t even have authority over their daughter?

gov ern

Eye witnesses claim this isn’t Marie’s first time partying, or even her 100th! Despite her love for partying, that was likely the princess’ last night out, as those in the royal circle have been made aware of the video. Other sources claim that the princess has also been engaged in several affairs, all of which have been hidden for the sake of her image. Rumor has it– the British Museum offered to loan a chastity belt from their collection to help the French tame Marie!

PUTTING T H E PARIS IN T HE PARIS HIL TON L I F E ST Y L E

We all occasionally dabble in a little glitter from time to time. Maybe in a college frat basement, or maybe in preparation for a themed HBO’s Euphoria party! While most feel that Michaels Craft Store satisifes their glitter needs, it turns out that some need to be more sneaky with their purchases. According to a major glitter wholesaler, one glitter-obsessed influencer is buying it in bulk. Luna’s glitter-obsession has always been her claim to fame. But as it turns out, when she’s behind closed doors, she doesn’t cut back on the stuff. This isn’t just for show. This girl is truly obsessed with glitter.

nearly impossible to get out. That must be why her eyes look glazed over when she’s in public. She’s having glitter withdrawals! Fans have had poor experiences with her in the past, but considering this glitter obsession is actually an addiction, maybe they shouldn’t take it too personally. If something isn’t glittery, her mind doesn’t even register it. Her brain has adjusted to only see the glitz and glam. Her bored demeanor is just a reflection of that. Nonetheless, people don’t want to have to be all decked out in glitter to grasp her attention and talk to her.

Of course everyone loves glitter. There’s no shame in it! But most of us indulge in glitter in moderation. Luna has turned the arts-and-crafts staple into her kryptonite. According to family and friends, her apartment is one big blinding headache-inducing chamber. Once you enter, it’s

T ’ N A C A N LU H G U O N E T E G E H T F O

Y L K R A P S F F U ST

Part o w T

THE VAMPIRE AND THE VATICAN Uh oh… so it seems I may have made a bloody mess for Victoria by exposing her vampire identity. As garlic and stake sales increase, it’s clear that the news has spread like wildfire. The vampiress is now facing an identity crisis of monstrous proportions. With backlash from both vampire communities AND human society, Victoria has no safe haven. Even the Pope– yes, the actual Pope in the Vatican– released a statement condemning her for both being a vampire and for deceiving the public for so long. Maybe it’s just me, but if the leader of the Catholic church told the world they condemned me, I’d feel on top of the world. But in all seriousness, Victoria is in a lot of trouble. People have gone on the hunt to find her and put an end to her undead life. But how do we know she kills people? How can we assume she’s one of those vampires? Personally, I think everyone should just chill out and let her be. Think about it… now we can see a gender-swapped Twilight play out in real life!

m a e r t s n i The Ma n o i t a n m Comde of Luna 82

s s e c n i r P h c n e r The F t n e m h s i n u P l a y Faces Ro It seems I’ve caused quite a ruckus over in Versailles. In the wake of her reputation tanking, Marie has been facing the repercussions of her actions. She was caught on camera in a Parisian club doing things her mother described as “boorish” and “unbecoming,” though I think the girl was just having some fun. Who says you can’t club all night and do charity work in the morning? They aren’t mutually exclusive! Tensions are high within the royal world, as they determine what to do about Marie’s so-called wild spirit. I think the solution is easy – don’t do anything! The French monarchy obviously hasn’t had the public’s favor in a while, or ever for that matter. So embrace it! Let her wear that low-cut top, her mangy tights, her a-little-too-short skirt. Some of you boot-licking rule-followers may disagree, but the princess has every right to push back against such an antiquated system.

VIVA LA MA RIE 83

G N I R E T T I L G

Y A W A S Y A D R E H

Luna’s Addiction Worsens I’m not sure if rehab centers offer treatment for glitter addictions, but I think Luna is searching for one that does. After her obsession was exposed as an addiction, the socialite has been forced to reconcile with the impacts of her glittery habit. Sources close to Luna claim they’ve received handwritten apology letters, stating that she is quitting glitter cold turkey. The kick is, however, about half of them have a few specks of glitter in them. We get that glitter is hard to get rid of, but with that kind of money, check into a hotel and have a cleaning service de-glitter your home! The star has only been spotted a couple times, with her usually disengaged pout. She’s still deep in the glitter withdrawals. Behind closed doors, allegedly, she is slowly coming to terms with the impact of her glitter addiction and how it’s affected those around her. I mean, she doesn’t even have a phone anymore. She can’t engage with the dull display on her iPhone for longer than a minute without drifting off into her glitter-filled la-la-land. This lifestyle is weighing down on Luna. Despite the constant glitter, her eyes have lost their sparkle. We miss the old Luna.

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The New Holy Trinity GLITTER, FANGS, AND REVELATIONS 85

There seems to be a new Holy Trinity of infamous socialites in the works! Luna the glitter-aholic, Victoria the secret vampire, and Princess Party Marie have come together in an unforeseen turn of events. I can’t help but think I brought the lovely girls together. I love doing charity! These girls have faced all kinds of backlash– public and private; dead and alive; royal and plebeian. The girls stared head on, into the blazing pitchforks of their protesting mobs and shrugged it off. Victoria, the eternally 20-year-old star seems to have found a way to begin the destigmatizing vampires in our brainless human society. It’s odd that it is still so controversial, considering how much we love to depict Dracula and Edward Cullen in the media… but the moment a woman’s a vampire, she’s a threat to society. Public opinion has died down as Victoria has resettled back into her place as a fashion icon. But this time, she’s looking a little more grungy. And you know what? Maybe the saying “all press is good press” is true, since the vampress now has a sponsorship deal for Shiseido’s new 120 SPF sunscreen! Then, of course, Princess Marie has followed in the footsteps of her new-found friend in a journey of self expression and acceptance. Marie has found a way to maintain a normal twenty-something lifestyle while also reporting to her royal duties. Shockingly, she has been spotted at a few clubs recently, though far more sober than she was in the viral video. Or maybe just with more media training! Who knows! Good on her for bridging the gap between archaic systems and the systems of the future. And last but not least, the third member of the trifecta, Luna. The star has lost her glitter wholesale supplier’s contact thankfully, and is now leaning into alternatives– the shiny silver and gems! There still isn’t a rehab center that offers glitter treatment, but one in Palm Springs has been advertising the building of a new glitter ward in their facility this upcoming year. Like any addiction, it was unbelievably hard for Luna to get to the point she is at. Allegedly, she’s going to be trying earth tones for a change, though you should still expect a couple sparkly accessories. The Trinity should be an inspiration to all. While social pressures can be daunting and dangerous to push against, you shouldn’t stifle yourself because of them. These lovely ladies have risen from what we thought were the depths of their careers! And they are better than ever!

Creative Direction by Maxine Roeder × Styling by Robin Pyo and Gaby Brenes × Photography by Jess Piard and Maxine Roeder × Writing by Sydney Speicher × Makeup by Olivia Slemmer and Caroline Bixby × Layout by Fiona Lyons-Carlson × Modeling by Coco Nkurunziza, Abi Cannon, Sophia Padgett, Myra Malik, Tatum Goforth, Caroline Byron, Emily Han, Joanna Dearman, Elaan Bader, Ange Muyumba, Marin Higgins, Katie Zhu, 87 Scarlet Reo, Fiona Lyons-Carlson and Kate Allen-Study

Unfinished Couture

The skeleton of the dress is starkl y white. The mannequins watch us wear their creations. The beading will be here, the designer tells us. Patterns and swaths of color are promised. We stand in canvas’s waiting to be painted. We tilt our heads back and close our eyes. Hair is tugged as the first layers of color are applied to our faces.

op makes the The muted backdr lors POP. Royal red and purple co flushed. We’re purple; royall y beginning of a princess at the ice of something ball. The precip of beading magical. A river ing and shining. weav ing and hold

Nature tries to overtake us, but the dresses stake their territory. Flowers, birds, branches, there is more than meets the eye. We look poised to take flight to meet the creates behind us. We stand beside each other, but look only ahead.

Don’t set your Hand me that prop and keep your heel balanced on the ladder! the bird; hand on the table – the needles are resting there. You can hold it on soon. it’s fake, it can’t go anywhere. Keep the light dimmed – we’ll need d. Careful when laughing! The bobby pins are only loosel y place

Let the lights dazzle with y focus clear. The shimmering the darkness. There is movem the colors seem to breathe.

They’ll ask: Who are they and wearing? Catch a glimpse, ca a sequin in the light. Our la the colors we wear, and the o see is our clasped hands in

th your gaze; keep the ing seems to gasp in ovement in the frozen:

he.

y and what they e, catch a flash, catch ur laughter blurs like the only thing we can in the dark.

Let the lights dazzle with your gaze; keep the focus clear. The shimmering seems to gasp in the darkness. There is movement in the frozen: the colors seem to breathe. They’ll ask: Who are they and what are they wearing? Catch a glimpse, catch a flash, catch a sequin in the light. Our laughter blurs like the colors we wear, and the only thing we can see is our clasped hands in the dark.

k and our shoulders are rol led bac ce pla in aps str the g din hol The pins are ss is er’s glances and laugh. Her dre oth h eac ch cat We ll. sti m the p to kee high heels, her. We shuffle to our marks in for up it d hol I g; lon too bit a ms and rapher gives us. We talk of exa giggling at the face our photog e. ous states. We catch up in coutur mor gla our in ns pla d ken wee homework and

in tance; mainta Keep your dis a. ith the camer connection w sual lyust convey: ca m s on si es r p Ex is ke-up-like-th co ol-just-wo ness’ atized ‘Blank em h T t. en m detach l ck. Imp ersona a bl d n a e it h in w . ering a show iv el d s, on s p er

CREATIVE Direction River Alsalihi Sidney Speicher

Writing Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. HarperCollins, 1937, p. 164. Morrison, Toni. Sula. Alfred A. Knop, 1973, p. 65. Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. Harcourt, 1982, p. 134.

Layout Grace Demba

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We have banned literature for violence, explicit language, religious objections, drug abuse, and “anti-American ideology.”

Whose stories do we consider valuable? Whose stories do we consider harmful or too rebellious?

Whose stories see the light of day? Whose stories get annotated, analyzed, and read aloud in an English classroom?

In this editorial, we explore pages from three banned books by Black women through the form of blackout poetry. We erase parts of the narrative and find new truths by

looking censorship in its face. 100

Page 164, Their Eyes Were Watching God (Zora Neale Hurston) Ah got tuh have mah sleep Mah mama’s house is yours.” Mah mama’s house is yours.” some distance before they struck serious water. could not hold up hit a ridge the wind was weakening a place to rest she had not in the turbulent waters, much worse off couldn’t stop. Gaining no guarantee. perhaps. Hurrying, dragging, falling crying names beating on old folks and beating on babies

White people had preempted and there was no more. They could till no rest. passed a dead man by wild animals and snakes. Common danger a conquest over the other Another man clung roof hung the wind swung

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A tin like a mighty ax.

Page 65, Sula (Toni Morrison) pointing finger at done nothing,” convicted and simply cried. Soundlessly into her mouth into his sermon, wings and flew the women unfolded

for Sweet Jesus.” And

the Lamb’s eye and

themselves. their hearts, lodged deep the

in world killed where the bullet went in.

newly

and lover they could see the oldest and most devastating pain remembrance left their pews. They spoke,

full of ecstasy all that life 102

Page 134, The Color Purple (Alice Walker)

Jesus Christ had hair like lamb’s wool. not straight, What can I tell you about

the walls over people

white the restaurant. And and different from colored.

we said Africa he looked offended Now I have seen everything. we were tired and dirty. a beautiful city

finer than any white person’s house

a hundred churches!

sometimes our mouths just dropped open and goodness they give and give and then reach down and give They love Africa. 103

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CREATIVE DIRECTION BY ELOISE HARCOURT PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROSE LIU AND SOFIA HUITRON STYLING BY FIONA LYONS-CARLSON AND SEO EUN KIM MODELING BY GABY BAUM, MIA JOHNSON, SEAMUS CURTIN AND FIONA LYONS-CARLSON LAYOUT BY FIONA LYONS-CARLSON

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Editors-in-Chief Leena Bekhiet Lea Bond Audrey Engman Directors of Layout Grace Demba Fiona Lyons-Carlson Layout Designers Margo Ogrosky Nicole Farnsley Directors of Social Media Lola Lamberg Anika Busick Director of Finance Lara Isabel Marco Marquez Senior Manager of Finance Paul Kuemmel Financial Advisors Jakob Shenfeld Aliza Lubitz Jessie Luo Sadie Rosen Jackie Wang Sofia Pérez Directors of Copy Sidney Speicher Ali Meltzer Camilla Maionica 117

Directors of Styling Yabsera Bekele Faith Phillips Madison Hunt Director of Armour Online David Win Director of Web Design Bella Pearce Directors of Web Development Soohoon Oh Rose Liu Director of Digital Publishing Lacey Shin Erin Lee Directors of Videography Ava Farrar Carlos Mendoza Jin Park Directors of Project Management Seo-Eun Kim Saivee Ahuja Directors of Events Andrew Wang Judy Li

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Abby Hahn Abi Cannon Abir Hamdaoui Adrian Fuller Aisha Ali Ali Meltzer Aliza Lubitz Ana Mitreva Andrew Wang Ange Muyumba Anika Busick Ariela Romero Arielle Roybal Audrey Engman Ava Farrar Becky Moon Bella Pearce Bram Hoffman Cameron Thompson Camilla Maionica Camille Vynerib Carlos Mendoza Caroline Bixby Caroline Byron Chelcie Crutch Chloe Erramouspe Chloe Wetzler Coco Nkurunziza David Win Elaan Bader Ellie Buddie

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Eloise Harcourt Emily Blake Emily Han Erin Lee Evelyn Pae Faith Phillips Felix Moreno Fiona Lyons- Carlson Gabbi Arguelo Gaby Baum Gaby Brenes Grace Demba Grace Pindel Hadia Khatri Halla Jones Harlem Taylor Harper Moothart Harrison Goodman Cohn Isabelle Silver Jackie Wang Jacob Cummings Jakob Shenfeld Jared Garelick Jess Piard Jessie Luo Jin Park Joanna Dearman Jonas Schwab Josie Blough Judy Li Julia Cheon

Kate Allen-Study Katie Zhu Kemi Akinfenwa Lacey Shin Lana Lewis Lara Isabel Marco Marquez Lauren Speicher Lavina Gryzmajlo Lea Bond Leena Bekhiet Liora Raimondi Lola Lamberg Madison Hunt Margo Ogrosky Marin Higgins Max Selver Maxine Roeder Maya Iskoz Mazie Drummond McKale Thompson Mia Johnson Mia Phutrakul Mira Ugwuadu Myra Malik Natalia Jamula Natalia León Díaz Neil Narayanan Nicolas Cevallos Nicole Farnsley Nina Rosell

Nissi Yorke Noé Umaña-Ramos Olivia Slemmer Paul Kuemmel Phoenix Lee Priscilla Lee Rachel Bai River Alsalihi Robin Pyo Rose Liu Sadie Rosen Saivee Ahuja Sam Logerfo-Olsen Scarlet Reo Seamus Curtin Selah Pabon Seo-Eun Kim Shalah Russell Sidney Speicher Sofia Huitron Sofia Pérez Soohoon Oh Sophia Maldonado Sophia Padgett Tatum Goforth Tony Choueiri Tyler Hanson Mathur Victoria Li Violet Holah Yabsera Bekele

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